MAN'S MASTERPIECE: OR, The best Improvement of the worst Condition.  
In the exercise of A Christian Duty. On six Considerable Actions.  
Viz.  

1. The Contempt of the World.  
2. The Judgement of Gods against the wicked, etc.  
3. Meditations on Repentance.  
4. Meditations on the Holy Supper.  
5. Medita. on afflictions and Martyrdom.  
6. With a Meditation for one that is sick.   
By P. T. K t.  Luke 16.13. We cannot serve God and Mammon. 
LONDON, Printed for Joseph Barber at the Lamb, and Samuel Speed at the Printing-Press in Saint Paul's Churchyard. 1658.   

ON THE EFFIGIES, Of the most accomplished LADY, Dame ELINOR TEMPLE.  

REceive this Lovely Lady in the Room,  
Of the lost Author, it can't misbecome  
Her worth, her Person; Since all must admit,  
Her constant Practice is, the same he writ;  
Different in Nation, Time, Sex yet agree,  
In Virtues of vast magnitude; Souls Sympathy,  
Souls be ned confined; our sad defeat at Babel  
Wants influence on Those, nor is it able, 
Confusion of Tongues.   
T'obstruct or Termiante such Notions,  
Blest-Births, proceeding from the purest Motions  
Of the Bright Dove th' Adore:  
Like sweet Lutes placed at distance, touch but This  
And a Harmonious-murmur Echoed is  
Soon by's Confederate; No virtue being Exempt,  
From her fair practice of, The World's Contempt.   P. T. 

Another on the EFFIGIES.  
THe Graver did his part (ingeniously)  
Mixing (with curious Art) much industry;  
Yet both, fall short, of what is Natural,  
Than Infinitely of that's Spiritual;  
How is't then possible, for my dull Pen;  
To trace divine lines, not conceived by men?  
Her Highborn soul, (disdaining sordid clay,  
Illustrates that Person,) Crowns our day.  
Many her Noble Graces, yet most High;  
In what surmounts them all; HUMILITY.   

Flourish then in my lines, as thou art sure  
To fix on Zion, and shine evermore.   P. T. 

Another on the EFFIGIES.  
THis stately frame, contains a gallant soul,  
Whose praise, whose fame extends beyond each pole;  
Perfumes the earth, with rich, with fragrant scent,  
In whose blessed birth, A Treasure vast was lent  
To unworthy Mortals;  
Who her enjoys, of Heaven is favoured;  
Like my best choice, Angels are figured.  
Her Mother fed on flowers when she bred  
One like a Seraphim, accomplished:  
A blessed Geneus (questionless) is she,  
At whose approach, grim Demons quickly flee.  
Since Spirits have conformity with Her,  
Haunt me each night; Dear, Dear Familiar.   Peter Temple.  

To the most PERFECT PATTERN AND PATRONESS Of Virtue and Piety, The LADY ELINOR TEMPLE, The Glorious Consequences, of a Gracious Conversation, be multiplied.  
My Joy,  
PRovidence, (that most Potent Bias of Mundaine affairs, inclining our actions, (as well the swarthy, lesse-commendable, as most splendid) to a more prosperous end than our crooked, our obliqne designs directs them.) That ever watchful, all-piercing eye (I say) extracting (indifferently, its glory out of all our enterprises; When I [possibly] was solicitous of lesse-profitable discourses, 
French.  in that Feminine-language) fixes my roving eye on Le Mispris du Monde, this, suddenly swells my drooping soul, with just indignation, to contemn, what had too oft, too treacherously deceived, disappointed, and (finally) disserted my fairest ambition; Thus, converting my intended divertion to an inestimable treasure: This providence (I say) together with the delightful raptures, the satisfactions (if not benefit) I enjoyed in the perusal first, and after in aiding this stranger to lisp, to stammer our native tongue, we who, (in his own) had so aptly portrayed the sober conceptions of my heart) that you, my Dear, might the more readily apprehend his worth;) thereby (at worst,) entertaining and deluding (as with a nolesse faithful, than cheerful and comfortable companion) the sad solitudes of (otherwise) tedious minutes; And lastly, (my matchless moiety) you, being constantly the most worthy object, of my most immaculate inclinations; To you therefore (as well out of yours, and the Author's virtuous sympathy; as your interest in what is mine,) does this Essay most properly appertain, which (nevertheless like a prodigal spring, you may (without exhausting your proper store) hereby, with some advantage communicate to the Commonwealth of Piety) To you I say, does this Alien, (now a Denizon) address himself (fully satisfied of your civil reception of persons of less merit) Imagine than you beheld him, in his native purity, (yet without Patron or Protector more than his innocent virtue,) ombellished with such splendid lineaments, so fluently uttering that harmonious dialect of Canaan, in such enchanting numbers, such soul-charming strains, such bemoaning, such languishing accents; that whether you remark the subject, substance, design, elegant stile, or apt delivery; he is of more than ordinary consideration: and no other than a product of divinity, since less than the inspirations of the Spirit of peace and joy, could not breathe such fragrant airs, such ejaculations: But I may not alley, nor disparage his native value, with my imperfect commendations, 'tis sufficient to pass him currant, that he bears your excellent image, and exact proportion on his wealthy-Ore: And, (by the permission of your fair (but frail) sex,) whom you surpass as well in that rich, that glittering Jewel (that illustrates your amiable person) your gracious, and therefore glorious soul, as in your most exquisite outward frame, and cimetry, your body, that stately structure of the divine Architect, its most lovely Cabinet,) by your employing and improving those minutes in the contemplation, and exercise of virtue, which others prodigally lavish and trifle out in a too passionate pursuit of the vainest extravagancies of the Author's Nation; yet now, dearest (though your strict severity, scarce permits you to imitate the most decent fashions of your all bright, all dazzling sex,) be you in this (as in the other perfections of your life) entirely consisting (as by long and happy experience I am confirmed) in an unwearied exercise of virtue, and an imbred and implacable aversion to vice) be, I say, not only their Phair, their Mirror for present, for future generations to regulate, to adorn their illustrious souls by, in your Contempt of the World; but herein my Dearest, give them the Mode, the Garb of the new Jerusalem, converting their Romantic diversions, to Divine and World-contemning Contemplations, exchanging their delights to sacrifices: marching ever before them, as a Noble Heroesse, a brave Conductress of the lovely Troop of silver Swans, in that innocent vialactia of piety, that tends to a blessed eternity, that when the body's gilt shall varnish, and fall off, you may together exalt your all-charming voices, in chanting forth Hallelujahs to him who was pleased to direct, and strengthen my weak hands to cleave wood for his Sanctuary, and to add my might to the treasure of those graces, that adorn thine incomparable person; attribute only what disgusts to me, who should want confidence, to intrude this on the World, but under your Banner; whose peculiar Function, and constant Custom it is, to palliate, to extenuate, to cover the frequent infirmities of the hand that presents them, not as directions to, but as a character (rather) of your spotless conversation; nevertheless, imprecating hereby (in some degree) it may supply, the other Defects, Disabilities, and want of Industry, which his Relation oblidges him to, for your information, and instruction; in the perusal, you cannot (altogether) regrete your pains, nor remain unsatisfied, with those reflections of your own Pure spirit (whose motions are none other, than restless actions, tending to Holiness and Righteousness, the honour of God, the comfort of Men (that parallel 'twixt his say, and your performances.) And, if the generality of men overpasse this with neglect, with contempt, yet Providence (when it shall be installed in your Oratory, that Sanctum Sanctorum of unsullied Devotions, your Closet) may be pleased to move some curious eye, who may collect some word, some syllable that may faciliate his voyage to the City of my God; this ensuing Treatise, not only weaning men from the World, but gradually conducting them (in the five subsequent discourses) to life eternal, through the ghastly gate of death, not dreadful (though) to worthy Christians, but a rest from their labours: at worst, I may not (altogether) despair, but (hereby) to fix a more than ordinary impression, on the spirits, of the tender productions, of our entire affection, ourselves multiplied; who may, (as persons more nearly concerned, in their parents acquisitions,) extract, what may advance their eternal welfare; which if it fall out, as my Prophetic soul whispers and suggests, and my most frequent and fervent addresses to the Throne of Grace importune, I am abundantly recompensed for my cordial intentions, in thus exposing myself, to the censure of this choice pallated generation: But, (my best blessed soul) I may not longer detain thee from what's more worthy thy consideration, since it's an effect of his singular regard, whose terrestrial glory solely consists (in what renders him the object of others envy) that perfect, and indissolvable amity he contracted with thee, from that happy moment, he had the peculiar privilege and felicity to subscribe, what he entirely is,  
MADAM, My Dearest, Passionately Enamoured only with the title of Your most Affectionate, More obliged Husband. Peter Temple.   

TO THE Reader.  
I Hold it not impertinent to Advertise thee, That (notwithstanding) the infinite number of excellent Treatises of this nature (our Nation so abounding with persons, famous in their generation,) that it may seem as Idle an Irregularity, to address to this Foreigner, as to imitate the extravagancies of his Nation, yet, the (not too) frequent, perusal in the Original (possibly, out of curiossity, remarking that in a stranger, which I might have overpast in a Denizon) so entertained (otherwise) but tedious, and unpleasant hours, with such an agreeable Conversation, as encouraged (nay more) obliged me thus to expose myself to an universal censure in this Publication, so I might (thereby) Reluminate this glimmering, yet glittering spark of Divinity, who in his native language (as well as choice subject) is so proper, so admirably excellent, and insinuating, that I never observed a more sad, sober, languishing, yet becoming, yea, enticing countenance, Portrayed by a more Judicious Pencil, and in more flourishing, [not garish colours] which hitherto notwithstanding, never so much as warmed our more Frigid climate, and (more than probable) having served his generation, through the Authors modesty, 
In omitting his name.  or oversight of men, is near extinct in his Native Country: The subject is the most necessary, Faith, and Repentance; Instructing to do, to suffer; The Active, The Passive Posture of a Christian; But I shall not longer detain you, with a tedious appology, to so short a Collation, yet dare I avow, your entertainment, both wholesome, and not unsavoury; your only Infelicity is, in being thus slenderly served, and at second hand. I wish I had no greater Frailties, than my defect in not perfectly comprehending the language of the Original; Attribute then to him (whose abilities reached not his clear intentions) all oversights, and imperfections, (but what it may contract in the Press) and them alone, besides some necessary variations (that of't sounding harsh in a foreign stile, which is most exactly ellegant in its Native Dialect,) It being the common fate of Translations to abate of their Primitive purity, [as the most-knowing can easily determine;] The rest, I gratefully return to the memory of the Pious Author, [whose worst fate 'tis,] Thus to deliver his excellent conceptions, [by so insufficient an Interpreter] his name [questionless] is registered in heaven, though obscured here; I hearty desire you no less satisfaction, [I would say advantage] then I reaped; The same providence, [whose ways are past finding out] that directed it to my hand [in the chiefest confluence of the most ellaborate pieces in the Courts of his desolate Sanctuary, 
St. Paul's Churchyard. ] moving your heart, and if I be any way Instrumental herein, to contribute to the consolation, or information of any depressed, dejected, or gasping soul [this being a most Rich Cordial for a fainting spirit] he who only heareth all prayers, [and to whom only they ought to be directed, and addressed,] hath after his accustomed marmfull manner, abundantly answered 〈◊〉 Fervent Potion of  
Your Companion in arms, under the invincible banner of the ✚ P. T.   

A POSTSCRIPT.  
IT may possibly prove no unseasonable Argument [to the Reader,] that Lot urged for the rescuing of Zoar, out of that doleful, and general conflagration, It's but a little one, spare it and my soul shall live; For the same [if no other] reason, peruse this, [let me thus excite such, as happily employ not their time always more thriftily,] 'Tis not tedious, but doubtless of admirable use and comfort, [specially, for such Reversed, overwhelmed spirits] who thereby may be established to attend, to submit to the divine pleasure, and not rashly give way to their extremities, Inhummanly to precipitate them, to the eternal destruction of their precious souls; being a too frequent, too deplorable remedy, or rather such an immortal Barbarism against themselves, that their most malicious, most cruel adversaries, want gall to wish, and ability to effect:   

ERRATA.  
Page 7. line 14. read he is, for we are. p. 14. l. 22. add men, (before may) p. 25. l. 1. after retrograde, ad to heaven. p. 34. l. 7. say that that. p. 41. l. 17. r. their, for her. p. 43. l. 9 for layeth, r. loveth. p. 45. l. 4. r. (of the) add paths. p. 46. l. 19 make a, at selves, p. 60. l. 24. omit he. p. 75. l. 1. for feigned r. saying. p. 76. l. 15. make a, at serve, and omit that, at manner, p. 78. l. 29. for park r. spark. p. 88 l. 3. r. victory for ministry. p. 114. l. 6. r. in the extremity of my numberless afflictions. p. 133. l. 10. make a, at grave, p. 158. l. 1. r. to take a greater in his Globe. p. 168. l. 6. for so he r. as one. p. 203. l. 14. leave out the first and. p. 206. betwixt the 12. and 18. l. you must 7. times. r. her, and she, for him, and he, etc. p. 215. for highly r. slyly.   

A DISCOURSE UPON THE CONTEMPT OF THE WORLD.  
WE, having now a long time (in vain) pursued the shadow that flies from us, and hasted after the Dreams and Imaginations of the World, which we could never attain: Are ourselves wandered from the path of our Felicity, stooping toward the earth: notwithstanding it behoveth us, that our Passion transport us not ever into obscurity.  
Let us (then) break off our slumbering, and rouse ourselves up, regarding the perilous banks of our Sea, and the false visions of our night. If we farther grope in the dark, and creep into corners, to redouble our obscurity, if our spirits continue to embrace the impure Mud of this gloomy earth, it is to be (more than) feared, that the infection of this pestilent air, altogether converts our glimmering into blindness, and our stupidity, into a continual lethargy of Ignorance.  
The strength of the Poison which the world vomits against us, is subtle, and peirsing: in one instant charming our spirits, enchanting our sense, depriving us of Reason, and ren●●ing us lost.  
This World treats us, as the Torpille with the other Fishes; 
The Cramp-fish.  she breathes upon them, she freezes them, she stiffens them, she lulls them asleep, and then devours them. Her touch deprives us of sense, as that of the Leopard the Scorpion. The blast of her mouth is not less fatal to us, than that of the Basalisks, who rends the soundest hearts, by the sweetness of her sofisticated beauty, she deprives us of our time, to the intent to make us plunge ourselves to the bottom of her designs, and compels us to accept of appearances instead of truths, and to cause us to straggle and steer irregularly, even unto shipwreck.  
But we may not for ever stageer and float at the mercy of all these blasts, it behoves us to fix our sliding steps, and to sustain our stomaches with some wholesome nourishment. We are created to aspire above the Sun, and Moon: the earth is too base to be our end, 'tis requisite we have an object more rich, more high.  
Our spirits may not ever be fixed and anchored within this body: It behoveth that she languish after, that she raise herself up to a more sovereign station, toward a more absolute felicity.  
Let us (then) rend off the muffer that hoodwinks our eyes, and contemplate on the condition wherein we are, to the end we may observe how we run (with the multitude) to our destruction: it will be a considerable task to kindle the lamp to enlighten our obscurity, and direct ourselves safely, to the end we straggle not more, in the Deserts of the World.  
We shall have obtained no small advantage, when we have chaste away those clouds which obscure the Sun, and leaves us (like flowers) langnishing in the shadow, when we shall call to mind the traitorous hooks of false delights: when we shall have discovered, the otion of our designs and projects, which render us slaves to those things, were created for us and for our use.  
O how happily shall that hour be employed, in which we shall discover how the flesh precipitates the soul, how its desires stifle it, how it constrains that divine part to cast away it's Sceptre, to render itself abject, to offend its dignity, and to be subservient to corruptible things: Instead whereof, she, (without ceasing) ought to raise herself up toward heaven, where her inheritance is, and whether all her designs should tend! Assuredly, this day shall be blessed for us, wherein (having chaste away all those follies which possess and master our spirits, and in which, having received force to surmount and vanquish all our passions,) we shall call to mind that our repose is in a higher Region than the earth: That this world should not serve us for other than a passage to mount up to heaven, that it ought to be our way, not our end: That whilst we sojourn here, we should ever elevate our thoughts on high, toward him who disposeth the ever moving heaven, and governs the erting courses of the wand'ring Stars: who sustaineth the earth without trouble, and contains in his hands, the seasons, the ages, and winds, as servants to his will. Our conscience, and the care of our safety oblige us: the sound of his omnipotent voice which echoes daily here below, advertiseth us; crying, that it is time to think of it, and presseth us unto it. But our designs shrivel in the bud, these Divine seeds so soon as they begin to spring in our souls, and we are so feeble that those motions which we direct towards heaven, are checked in an instant; They appear a little, and are suddenly dissipated, vanishing like lightning.  
Let us then consider a little with ourselves, let us free our feet from this subtle labyrinth, let us (for some time) disassociate our spirits from the body, let us go out of ourselves, let us for a while abandon the man; and so retiring, we shall evidently behold the confusion of those designs, and the deformity of those counsels that possess humanity.  
Behold he embraceth more than he can retain, his greediness is uncapable of moderation, he engageth in more business than he can perfect. It's a perpetual motion without stay, without end.  
His desires follow him, and produce each other: abandoning one gulf, he enters another: The World alluminates him, one design as another is extinguished. He is ever claimed and choked up, and resembles those unconstant leaves, who as oft shift place, as the air changes the wind.  
One hope enchants him, which afterward proves vain, and in the instant he throws himself upon another, which incontinently vanisheth away in a dream: 
Fr. Pro.  His counters are found liars, there is (without ceasing) a misreckoning in his Cipher. The impetuossity of one passion assaults him, and suddenly he is transported with a new desire.  
We are ever giddyheaded, always troubled, continually pensive, and that under a hope of an uncertain and perishing good; for the price of a handful of wind, for a mortal thing, which every moment, slideth and slippeth out of his hands: for the obtaining of that, which cannot stop the hasty flight of his years, which cannot prolong his life one breath, nor can it prevent that his songs be not changed into Plaints, his days into darkness, his pleasures into sorrows.  
O how much more expedient were it for him that this violence and desire would employ itself upon the contempt of what he so ardently embraceth: and that instead of his grovelling on the earth, dazzled with its vain splendour, he would erect his face toward that sacred source, whence springs his life. There should he draw waters, (more than sufficient) to satisfy the thirst of his scorched throat: and having his ears ravished with the harmony of the pleasant murmuring of that purling stream, no path should seem rough to him. The fruitful Rivers of this Divine Fountain dilating over him, and (by an ample Deluge) happily choking all those cares that would approach him.  
The truth (ever by him) would dispel all imaginations that would torment him, possessing him with the real enjoyments of those celestial delights, which he only knows by sight: and from that eminency would show him the follies of men, and those winds which toss and threaten their vessels in this turbulent Sea, discovering to him the perils of others without running their fortune.  
Truly his estate would be marveilously changed, his condition would be extremely blessed.  
But can we not follow this Trace? is this place unaccessible to us? Let's try, let us divert ourselves a little from the World, let us search out the ready way to conduct us unto so pleasant, so delightful a habitation.  
If our passions heat us, let us run to these waters, let's extinguish this conflagration. Some flowers naturally turn toward the Sun, let us enforce ourselves to their imitation, remounting toward our Original. To the effecting whereof, let us consider how the actions of this World have a false look; and that under a pleasant appearance they embrace men but to strangle them: resembling the Ivy which corrupts, and ruinates the Wall which it cherisheth and enfoldeth.  
He makes much of that man whom thou beholdest; he accosts him, 
The Covetous man described.  he bears him company: Observe in what condition it hath rendered him. Behold him who having run most eagerly, having always some design afar off, his covetousness is never so that he will finish it, in that which hath succeeded to him.  
He always desires, he ever fears: his desires are a fire that consumes him, his fears an ice that chills him. And among the infinite multitude of Worldlings, that are there assembled, there is not one alone that is content with his fortune, with his condition, nor which maketh the less quest for the satisfaction of his proper inclinations.  
All take one remedy for another, for to cure their griefs, they endeavour to lose the sense of them: they administer to themselves poison for antidotes, and death for life. Instead of receiving medicines, proper to close up and consolidate their wounds, they apply corruption and the worm: they add one project to another, they do nought but (without ceasing) turn, seek, and inquire, and in conclusion thrust out more desires, and yet imagine new, they enfold, and pester themselves in their business as the silk-wormes, and stifle themselves.  
Their care awaken; them before the dawning, and (yet overcharged with slumber) drags them to their labour. There, these poor children of pain and misery, apply their thoughts (all the day) to their business, they bow their backs to their work, and employ their hands in the labour of this wretched World.  
They search for rest in that toil which consumes them, like to the Torch which diminisheth by degrees, feeding itself of its Loss and living on its Ruin.  
They are grey in the flower of their youth. The whole life of the most happy among them, is nothing but a punishment, but a continual passion, but pain, but vexation, which ever attends them till it hath over-turned them into their Sepulchers.  
He there imagines, he discovers afar off, at the end of the course, some appearance of repose, 
☜ Note.  he conceives that after having heaped up much wealth, he shall (with his arms crossed) sit at ease, and enjoy the fruit of his travel. But, as the eye which athwart a cloud, or the water, apprehends objects untruly: after the same manner his spirit which judges through the cloudy and false ices of the World which obscures them, conclude otherwise of things than they are. For, whilst he is in the carreire, so many difficulties cross the way, so many waves flow on each other, and beat on his bark with desire for to split it: so many hindrances are on the road, that divert and amate him, that usually (willing to pass forward) his strength fails him, he loseth his breath, and destroys himself, and if happily he is preserved, and acquires the riches, which is the end he so much desires: 'tis after so many years, with a body so wasted and feeble, that his labour remains unprofitable to him, not being able more to enjoy, what he hath purchased with so much sweat: and is incontinently constrained to quit the possession of that, the hopes of enjoyment whereof tormented him all his life.  
And if (at any time) he would stretch out his arms to comfort himself of his labour, it (not seldom) happens to him that he finds a shadow instead of a body, a Chest in lieu of a Treasure: he oft imagining to hold a Bird with both his hands, and sees nothing betwixt his fingers but a feather.  
He beholds (before his face) a fire which devours his structures, trophies of his vanity, erected for ages, and as if he should live for ever.  
He views the hail that batters down his harvests, and the heat that consumes them: he observes that he renders himself an imitator of the spider, who frames a web with much labour, which the least broom can tear off.  
He perceives that his goods are carried away like leaves with the wind, and overturned as woods with the axe: and understands what manner of things those are, after the which he hath so much tormented himself.  
O Men! behold the riches for the which you lose so much repose and sleep; Observe O ye blind the price for which you take so much pleasure to hasten your deaths. 
☜   
Frail and caitifie generation, 
Note.  consider the state of the place, for which you despise Paradise.  
Miserable wretches; follow your vocations, to which you (by the providence of God) are called, avoid idleness, the nourisher of all evils; eat your bread with the sweat of your brows; it is the commandment of God. Enjoy those good things he hath given you with a liberal hand: but bound your desires to his will, 
☞  and remember that it may possibly fall out, that before to morrow you may leave the World. Enjoy (then,) this wealth as not possessing it, and having ever the glory of God, and the salvation of your souls as your principal aim. What folly, what madness, to destroy yourselves in the pursuit of things? by means of which travel men tend to misery and ruin, and do not so much as (one hour) meditate on those things by the which (with joy & contentment) may obtain eternal felicity? Nevertheless mark this unsatiable spirit, which can fix no period to its covetousness: he obliges himself ever to the time to come, he does nothing but crave, and never enjoys: he surfeits of, abounds in wealth, he hath his full measure, he cannot grasp any more, and for all that hath not lost the relish of increasing.  
He uncessantly pursues that mettle the father of so many evils. 
Gold.  He ever sets his heart on things that are to be obtained: and his desire is like to fire, which furnisheth a thousand fires without abating its own ardure: like the greedy flames, which are so much the more inflamed, by how much they are supplied with fuel, and that nourishment increaseth in their mouths. His thirst can be no more quenched than that of the Dropsy.  
When he possesseth the wealth and treasures of the earth, the care of it doth not fail to accompany his wretched steps. His desire hath no limits, he finds nothing that stays it: it still increaseth with the augmentation of his wealth.  
His avarice interrupts his sleeps, accusing him of sloth, spurs up his diligence the hath always some design upon his neighbour's estate: his eye is ever pensive, ever sad, ever evil, and ever watching the riches of his neighbours, as adulterers the wives of other men. He renders himself a slave to his wealth, he commits himself into its power, and possession, and still stairs and gazes upon it.  
When he considers that they are fleeting and unstable, that none can ever hold them sure, that there is ever danger, that they be not taken away: then he trembles, than he changes colour, than he grows pale. Beholding them ravished in his presence, he suddenly tares, dismembers, and butchers himself with rage.  
He cannot behold (without despair) the loss of the riches, which altogether possesses his will. Poor and blind man! thou observest not how thou plungest thyself into the water after those superfluous and perishing things: that the defect is not in thy wealth, but in thy spirit: that by how much the more thou augmentest thy treasures, by so much art thou laid open to the strokes of adversity.  
Go, 
☞  go, fill not the air with so many vain complaints, weep not more for that thou hast lost thy wealth, but because thy riches have lost thee. Shed rivers of tears for that thou hast hitherto disturbed thy spirit, and not for that they are slipped out of thy hands. If gold would prolong thy days, if death would accept a randsome for thy life, thou hadst (than) some excuse to have so afflicted thy heart to be separated from them. But thy stately structures, the spacious extent of thy fields, thy large and oriental pearls, the lustre of thy diamonds, and thy ornaments of pride, have not sufficient virtue, as to remove sorrow from thy heart, and anger from thy countenance.  
Thy  will not forsake thee to behold thy treasures displayed, nor by unfolding thy great wealth: the cold fit will as much shake thee in a bed of state, as of straw. Thou wast too eager, sharp and greedy after the provision of this life, thou shalt have more than is necessary, for the way that is behind.  
Observest thou not how speedily our age passeth, that life than leaves us, whilst we make preparation to live: how death pursues us, how he casts his darts after us, and at one blow parts us from our riches? To what end serves all this wealth, seeing life is so frail and fails. So lightly, so easily? 
☞  seek than things necessary for thee, 
Note.  and not more; Search them without Passion, enjoy them without care, and lose them without regreat; For the Future, Elect Treasures which can secure themselves from oppression, and that are not subject to Moth, or Rust; and hid them in such a place, that by none they may be betrayed, unless thyself.  
Behold another who is driven with different gusts, 
The Ambitious man described.  whose industry is not less, mark what pains he undergoes to atchief glorious Titles to satisfy his ambition? he hath not other end of his struggling than a vain grandeur; he is puffed up, and swells his soul to the height of his Station; he prides himself to observe the excellency of the structure of his Palace; To see the threshold of his gate thronged by multitudes of Suitors; And despises and contemns all beneath him: but the miserable wretch Idolizeth the lustre of some dignity more eminent than his own, and being arrived to that, he yet aspires higher: and so he daily pants, gapes and reaches after those things which are above him, until that death at one stroke deprive him of his life, and cause him at one horrible leap, to tumble as low, as he designed to have flown high.  
What fury is so puissent and prevaent, that can transport his spirit so long enraged with a blind error, to seek his content in the throng of such a multitude of unpleasant and troublesome affairs? what folly is it rather to seek his glory in a half wormeaten Title, Ancient Marble in a Rusty Helmet, than in his virtue, 
☜  his Knowledge, his Prudence? what madness to glow with a desire, to eternise one's memory, by erecting of Palaces which time will demolish, rather than engraving his glory in an eternal Brass: and to seek a perdurable habitation within the Holy dwelling of Paradise, where lies the Grandeur and Immortality of name, and not in the vanities and smothers of the world? This Rock is more firm, This Holy Pillar more solid and more assured, than the earth which hath not received from God other foundations than the slippery prop of the most subtle Element. 
Air.  'Tis there then that he ought to establish his felicity, and not inhuman delights, which suddenly pass and escape our eyes in an instant. 
The Voluptuous man described.   
This other worldling which thou beholdest, is baited with the vain sweets and delights of the flesh, he sucks his vapours with long draughts: he stupisies all his senses in the pleasures and extacises of an adulterous bed; he plunges and precipitates himself headlong in these transports; and that she who possesseth his soul, which even ravisheth him with delight, with one only glanse of her eye, being incited with the same cupidity, and ever the more for to entice him, mixes a thousand beauties with her native lustre: she addeth art to the workmanship of nature, wherewith she so very properly embellished all the glances of her countenance. She adorns her head with false hair, and borroweth her complexion from a most exquisite paint and tincture. But all these delights shall perish in an instant, like dreams who lose their pleasure in awaking. These Delicates are (to them) venomous potions: These Perfumes penetrating poisons (which murder in an instant.) They swallow Pills outwardly guilded and sugared, whereof they shall incontinently relish the bitterness; They eat of the apples of our first Parents, pleasant to the sight, but hard of digestion. These airs which flow so sweetly from the mouth, and with such an agreeable Tone, are Siren's Songs, which (through the ears) charm their souls, and slacks them, to ruin them. Their mouth for one kiss, breathes out a thousand sighths, their hearts for a dram of delight, sends forth a thousand groans; The time of their pleasure is not to be compared to the length of their Repentance. And often (by a sudden mutation men see one day) the sun shining upon their delights, and on the morrow, Hell covering their miseries.  
Behold some of those Dreams we ran after: The Passions, within the which we bury ourselves, without power to disengage us.  
There are an infinite number of others, whereof the recital would be troublesome and superfluous, seeing that in these alone the vanity of our Cogitations are but two apparent, and their end cannot be hid. The covetous wretch hath but a little gold, and land, this Malady is not folly, 'tis Rage: all to him is too little, and a little to him is nothing. The Ambitious knoweth no Serene days, the ferver of his desire causes him every moment pass his life in renewing deaths: And in conclusion he enjoys nothing but wind.  
The voluptuous man has but little pleasure, which glides, vanishes away, and forsakes him sooner than thought, or instant, leaving him nought but a Boysing, 
☞  but a sad Repentance: and all three are so enchained, so fastened to the world, and yet have secret Vultures which without intermission, gnaw, and tire on their Hearts.  
Let us not then, like them, Establish our hopes on Humane things, which are leaves moved with every blast. Let us not pursue these vain Grandures, neither plunge ourselves in these Delights, followed with so sad, so miserable a conclusion.  
Let us steer our vessels out of Peril, and not linger till the Tempest (by force) cause us make Port after shipwreck. Let us not longer be slack to our good, considering that all is vanity which the heavens encompass: defacing and razing one of our hearts all the Tracks of the world; establishing our assurance on the force and right hand of him, whose firm support shall no way be able to frustrate our expectation.  
Our Ornament shall be quite different to theirs, and the fruit of our labour shall far surpass them. They heap up these earthly vapours, and exhalations which as suddenly vanish: They fill the air with their clamours, and wishes: they sow to the wind, and reap nought but vanity and emptiness. They Build on the sand, and their edifices fall to ruin: They paint on the floods, and the Traits of their Pencil disappears. They are careful of nothing but their frail Bodies, and permit their souls (the immortal seed of heaven) to lie neglected: They wallow in Mud and Dirt, and come forth defil'd: 
☞  They search for Paradise in Honours, in Riches, in the world, and find nought but Passions, but pain and sorrows. Instead of meditating of, and assuring the life after these ashes, they close up against themselves the passage of heaven.  
In the course of their vanity they are clear seeing Owls: and of that which is above blind Moulds: They suffocate their Reason in their Delights, and live as creatures, that have not other care but for their bellies.  
Instead of transforming themselves to Angels, they degenerate into Beasts: They abase, instead of exalting themselves: in lieu of elevating (continually) their hearts on high, they pronounce not the Name of God, but with Blasphemies: In stead of dreading the powerful effects of his puissant arm, they have nought (but their desires) for Law. And if they (sometimes) talk of God, 'tis not but (like Paretts) with their lips, without understanding what themselves say, and are deaf to their own proper voices.  
Let us not then follow this path, by the which men march retrograde: but contrarily, not give rest to our eyes, till we have discovered the true path: walking by the way that tends to our Original: Neither let us aspire to any thing but our felicity, being still mindful of our salvation.  
Let us build on the Rock, and on the Free-boord, to the end that we may remain firm as the Mount of Zion.  
Let's oppose our spirits to our flesh, by a solemn Protestation consecrating our hearts, our voice, and our hands, to the Glory of the Chief, Universal, and the Principal cause of all beings. Let our desires terminate in him, that his fear may be a Curb to our follies. That in his love, these springing passions may be extinguished: To the intent that we may hold in chief of Heaven, and not so much as relish of earth. Joining our voices to the sweet and melodious accents of those Divine spirits, and beautiful souls, which glitter in the midst of our Darkness, as stars in the night. And ever be mindful, that our other chiefest agitations proceed from artificial, and ridiculous causes: but that our prime, and universal obligation is that of God, in which consideration we ought freely to engage all the estate and our lives. Casting behind us the Idolatry of perishing beauties, being obliged to trample under foot, that lustre we so blindly adored: It's expedient to be effected, that the delights of the world should be despleasant to us: it behoveth us not (like mad men) to wove the web of our proper destruction, and building our felicity on a base of so short a duration, and which resembles a flash of fire; which is extinguished as soon as kindled.  
The riches of men are fleeting and subject to be lost, 
James 1.10.  there is no assurance in their favours: the rich with their erterprises, will fade as the flower of the grass: having great designs, yet know not what shall fall out to morrow, their life is nothing but vapour and smoke.  
He lives in pleasure upon earth, 
James 5.2.  he abounds, and satisfies his heart, but his Riches shall corrupt, his garments shall be motheaten, his money shall rust, and its rust shall be a testimony against him, and shall gnaw his flesh like fire. His fields shall yield a plentiful increase, he shall gather goods for many years; but in the following night, God shall require his soul.  
Let's not (then) more labour after the food that perisheth, 
Luke 12.20.  but after that which endureth to life eternal. 
John 6.27.   
Let's follow the steps of Jesus Christ, and push from us (with detestation) the enchanting voice of the world, leaving our nets in the Sea after the example of Saint Peter, and Saint Andrew: quitting the ship and Zebede in imitation of St. James and St. John; following the Saviour of the world who summons us.  
The graces of the Omnipotent are the greatest happiness we can attain to. 
Tim 6.7.   
He forewarns us that we set not our hearts on the uncertainty of riches, but on him, who bestoweth all things plentifully.  
He hath advertised us, 
Tim. 6.7.  that covetousness is the root of all evil, makes men wander from the faith, and envolves them in many sorrows.  
Go to them! 
☞  let's call to mind that there's no felicity, but in him, and that none but his love is Permanent.  
He hath caused the earth to yield fruits to nourish our Fathers: he (by its daily productions) relieves us after them: and will effect it (by his goodness) that it shall still bring forth to sustain our Posterity.  
He, who hath satisfied five thousand men with five loaus & two little fishes, 
Mat. 14.19.  will ever supply us with means sufficient to pass the rest of our time, which he will have us to live upon the earth.  
The men of the world have their Heritage in this life, their bellies are satisfied with food, their children are glutted, and leave the overplus to their little ones. They imagine themselves rich, and that nothing is wanting unto them; but see not that they are blind and naked, that they possess nought but things transitory: and that they are far from residing in the Courts of the Lord, and to have an everlasting habitation, within the holy place of his Palace. 
☜   
'Tis then enough to have lived for riches, for glory, for delights: Let us live for ourselves, for our souls, let's recollect our cogitations for our advantage, let's stand firm, and fall no more: & principally, let's courageously pursue our mark. Let's not proceed as those who commence their course eagerly and slack in running: preserving ourselves from the same Billows, from the same waves that (at other times) have overwhelmed us. Considering that relapses are more fatal than diseases, that desires interrupted increase and augment by their intervals.  
Let's Rally our forces, Reassemble our spirits, let's mortify our Passions, and render ourselves parties against them, chase away these adversaries to our repose. These are but slender and frivolous gins and cords that bind us to them, and (in the interim) we budge not from their company, not otherwise than if they had enchained us.  
Shall we not more cheerfully smell to a heap of flowers, than to stinking weeds, to grasp lilies, than thistles, to be confederate to heaven, then to earth? what difference 'twixt peace and war, betwixt the love of God, and this of the world, life and death, between that which is above the heaven, where there is nothing not stable, and the earth on which there is nothing but inconstancy? To what intent follow we the world so violently and eagerly, since we are but bladders which burst with the least pricking: which hourly threatens us with death, where our feet daily descend into the grave, that time carries away our years which return not any more, and leaves nought but a miserable sound of our name, and after a few days incontinently defaces our trace upon the earth, so that it shall not otherwise be known, than that of an Eagle in the air, and of a ship in the waves? why do we not rather address our vows unto that high place which is durable for ever, than on this Empire of the world which shall burn to pieces, and take end? Know we not that in that great day which will rather make itself seen, 
☜  than fore-seen, that these Rocks, and these lofty hills shall dissolve, That Jordan, Ganges, Euphrates, and the Nile, and all the other Rivers which Pearl and Roul so proudly on a gilded sand, shall dry up: and that the great Otian, the Father and nourisher of men, shall become a flame, with all his troops, who now divide with such swiftness, his Billows, with their gliding fins?  
Concive we not that the Sun shall suffer an eternal Eclipse, that that day shall be overcast, the heaven shall cover his face, the air shall change, and stifle so many birds that beat it now so pleasantly with their wings? That this all, that seems firm in its course, shall be shivered in a moment, shall be reversed Pell-Mell, shall be consumed and Reduced to smoke?  
So then, let's acknowledge out Error, let's not more abase our spirits to these mortal things, let's give the earth a bill of divorce: let's not breathe any thing more but what's eternal.  
Let's consider we are contrary to Rivers who arise from small streams of water, and wax proud the farther they are from their spring.  
Let's imitate the flame which advances and ascends continually upwards, as the Iron touched with the Adamant which ever regards the North.  
We have countenances erected towards heaven, thither let us ellevate our cogitations. Their, infinite incredible Mervills will ravish our serious and solid spirits in the contemplation of the Almighty, who in one twinkling of an eye, causes the whole Universs to tremble, who governs all the world, and conducts it by his providence. From thence we shall receive what is necessary to entertain the rest of our days? 'Tis of this moon, whereon depends the flux and Reflux of Humane affairs.  
The Otian swells itself, and is Iritated at her will. This great Pilot (who hath drawn men alive out of the bowels of fishes) shall supply us with shipping convenient to pass the Seas of this world without perishing. 
☜   
He causes us continually to behold his face, to the intent that by the light of his Divine splendour, we may guide ourselves with all assurance.  
He will crack the chains by which the world fastens us to the earth; he will cause that we escape her sorrows, and free us from her Precipices.  
He will give us a reward, greater than our wish: He will make us live content, both in business and leisure, in our Houses, and in our Armies, in the country, and in the throng of the Court.  
And drawing our spirits by the power of his own, upon the high Olympus, and will cause us (with a steady eye) to behold these humane plains on the which these worldlings follow their besotted Passions: and these fields which serve them at Amphitheatres and stages to act their bloody Tragidyes.  
Go to then, Let us dash against the earth all our designs, all our delights; and if (hitherto) we have continued stupid, let's now (being pricked forward by divine fury) disdain this world, and for the love of the Omnipotent, cause that which pleased us more than him, be the object of our indignation.  
In the contempt of these vanities, pure and innocent desires are produced, which will chase away, all these shadows and illusions that torment us.  
In the contempt of these dreams, we shall enter into an affection to the holy Scriptures, the most certain, the most prosound guide, the Sun lest overshadowed with clouds, lest eclipsed, the most resplendent star of all stars, and in the light whereof we shall be ravished with a desire to embrace the truth, which we shall find in these sacred volumes, in this elegant text, in these rich phrases so eloquent, so pure, so clear, and which (nevertheless) are to worldlings characters unknown, and which they cannot conceive, although one touch the letters, and put their fingers on the syllables, and show them how they ought to be assembled; and so retiring ourselves from evils, and approaching to virtue, flying Hell, and embracing Paradise, our spirits shall incline all its actions to that which is to its satisfaction, and salvation, it shall make war againt the body, shall render it captive, and subdue it: he shall ever bear his greatest wealth about him, he shall know the use of it, during the rest of his days, he shall lend himself only to the World, and shall not give himself but to God, who is our Shepherd, our Sheephook, and our support, who holdeth firm the Mountains by his force, and who is girded with strength.  
'Tis necessary then that henceforward, God be he alone to whom we address our vows.  
'Tis then expedient, that our spirits and our pens waste not their labours on the furrows of the World, but to cause them to fructify to his glory.  
God (alone) is praiseworthy: God alone merits to be engraven on Brass for a perpetual remembrance, all other things are unconstant, subject to change and perishable.  
He alone is fixed in his essence, only he who giveth Law to the disorders of the World.  
Let us supplicate him to root out our crimes, and plant thorns in our hearts, which may pierce us in a thousand places to enforce tears to flow out, that are agreeable in his sight.  
Let's trust only in his goodness, and not longer rest on the vain pillars of our delights; which may render us lost for ever under their ruins.  
Let's not love the World, nor the things of the World. 
Ephes. 1.5. Joh. 2.15.  If any man love the World, the love of God is not in him.  
The World vanisheth with the covetousness thereof, 
☞  but who doth the will of God shall abide for ever.   

The Judgement of God against the Wicked, with an Exhortation to retire from vice and sin.  
THe Heaven and the Earth shall pass away, but the Word of God which is living, and more sharp than a Sword, shall continue for ever. He hath uttered with his mouth that he will cause the grave to swallow the ungodly quick, and will stretch forth their carcases on the bloody dust, and scatter them under the power of his thunderclap. That His calamity shall come suddenly upon them, that they shall speedily be bruised, and that without hope of remedy. And certainly in time past, the horror of the sins of our fathers, caused the floods to overwhelm them, so that none were reserved but one family; and lately our crimes have drawn a deluge of blood upon the universs, so that the plague devours what hath escaped the Sword, and the Famine the remainder of both.  
And (nevertheless) in lieu of raising up trophies of glory to the honour of God; which causeth the earth to move, according to the pleasure of his powerful hands, we continually more enkindle the coals and flames prepared for the perpetual punishment of our crimes.  
Every day renders us culpable of infinite abominations, every hour we design some cursed work: our feet hast to evil, our souls entomb themselves in sin, we even crack under the burden and weight of our transgressions, which otherwhile we are acted in the shadow, and (at present) have abandoned the night, and (being altogether impudent) discover themselves in the light.  
In a word, we bend our brows against heaven, we provoke the tempest of God, as if we had arms of proof against his artillaries: and plunge ourselves into these iniquities like mad beasts, stupid, and uncapable of judgement, which cannot cover our faults with any excuse. For we know that God is in every place remarking and noting our offences: that this eternal light spreads itself, and in the twinkling of an eye penetrates all the labyrinths of the World, and observeth both that which is open and secret, our bodies, and spirits, our vices, their causes, and their progress.  
We understand that our course is too slack to avoid the strokes of the Swords of his Angels, who glide too and fro through the air: where his Word directs them, and that our walls are not strong enough to sustain the violence of the flood, who (at his voice) will bound from Rock to Rock, and bear away (in a moment) our Bridges and our Shores: he hath heretofore consumed (by fire) entire Nations, for their abominations: he hath manifested the severity of his judgements on his people, his wellbeloved, the firstborn of his Family.  
In our days a Nation (Anciently the most Noble of the World) not only in Arms and Arts, 
Greece.  but also in the Christian faith is made a slave to an infidel, who ravisheth their children from betwixt the arms of their Christian parents, 
This then said of France, may well be applied to us. ☞  and causeth them to be circumcised in his Mosque's.  
And for our own particular, we behold that to punish our extravagancies, he hath armed our malice against ourselves.  
We see our Land drunk with the blood which flows on our Plains; Our fields covered with cockle; Our Cities are infected with a pestilent air.  
We observe the hand of God weary to stay his thunder, in the racks of the sky to preserve us that we be not reduced to dust: and yet notwithstanding, we are as a sea of vices, agitated without intermission, and which can obtain no repose.  
We abandon ourselves to the pursuit of crimes, which we adorn with the glorious titles of virtue: as if they were not sufficient of their proper and natural impetuosity to allure us, with a breath moist and infected, and from an execrable mouth we belch forth curses and blasphemies which corrupt the air and earth, sad to be covered with such derestable Monsters.  
We belie those promises which we have imprinted on our brows: each one breaths forth mischief, delights in it, glories in it, and impudently boasts of it.  
And as the young Eaglets, (issuing from under the wing of her Dam,) incontinently wageth war with the Serpents: and as the Lion's whelps, the first time they quit their caverns, attach the Bulls which they encounter: after the same manner, from the very spring of our age, we precipitate ourselves (with displayed ensigns) into the most furious crimes.  
One let's lose his eyes to adulteries, and pursues it like an Ox to the slaughter, or as a bird, who hasteth to the snares.  
This man ever burns with vengeance, neither is he nourished but with flesh, nor quenches his thirst without blood, and hath not other pleasure, but to paddle and imbrue his hands in the hearts of them he esteems as enemies; and ofttimes, (as an ungrateful Viper rendeth the flanks of his expiring mother,) in like sort seeks he the destruction of him, to whom he is signally obliged: receiving his condemnation from the example of the sparrow-hawk, who having held a sparrow under his wing to foment and heat his breast, he restores it to its liberty, and hasts as far from it as he can at one different flight, to the intent he may never imbrue his beak with that flesh from whom he hath received a benefit.  
In a word, our fathers have enkindled the wrath of God upon themselves and us: and we have forced it down on our persons and our posterity.  
We sleep as entombed in our vices, although that vigilance were more requisite for us.  
Charity, (the glittering mark of Christians) is extinct in our days, 
☜  and not so much as one alone takes thought for the poor, who are the creatures of God as well as we, who are under the same vault of heaven, and upon the same Globe of Earth.  
One layeth a false balance, and hateth equal weights, 
☜  and nothing can touch the heart of this man, neither fear of God, nor reverence to his Laws, can restrain his ravening hands.  
In brief, such are our offences, that we are obliged to banish the discourse of our abominations, as dreading to publish such things as the ears and thoughts of men ought not to receive; as likewise men may judge what may be our hidden crimes, when those which appear are so enormous.  
It than remains to call to remembrance the excess of our vices, and how far this  hath transported us.  
It rests to observe the heat of our passions, to conceive a just hatred, to take leave of them to discharge them for ever, and to detest the very thought of them, if it be not to demand pardon for them.  
It's a shame to make such slender profit of the wonders, by the which heaven calls us to repentance: and, notwithstanding so many advertisements to behold ourselves grovelling in vices, and so corrupt in our behaviour.  
When storms and tempests arise, the Peasants tremble, they assemble themselves, they make vows, every one for the conservation of his cottage, and his little Field.  
When a clamour of fire is in the City, every one runs to quench it, the weak contribute their cries, the children their sighths.  
And when the wrath of God is ready to tumble down on our heads, when the plague is already begun, we stand immovable: one arm is already rotten, before the other stirs; the body is in the agony of death, before the spirit is awaked.  
Go to then! let's consider of our wretchedness, let our cogitations. tend to our advantage, let's be active in the reformation of our vices, let's draw our feet out of the of iniquity: let us (with strength expectorate these crimes, these plagues, these poisons, and not (hence forward.) suffer that the heart recoil: let us have them in horror, let's convert our rage upon them; let's tear them with wrath, let's vow an irreconcilable enmity against them, and constrain our hands to wage war upon them.  
Let us for the future, love God with all the faculties of our souls: let's contain ourselves within the limits of our duties, within the bounds of our subjection: let's not again precipitate ourselves into the abysms of rebellion.  
Let every one that bears the image of God, be pure from such imaginations. It's the fairest ambition to the which we can direct our vows, 'tis the best Inheritance, and the most Eminenst Nobility we can enjoy.  
The pure souls detesteth vice, their whiteness flies such ordure, their beauty fears the touch of their hands.  
If any lost man shakes not off the yoke of Satan, (who forgeth a thousand wiles to ravish him from heaven, if others proceed as the reed, which shooteth forth a long and straight blade at his first springing, but afterwards makes frequent knots, as pauses, which declares him languishing and out of breath; for that, let not us lose courage, let us not quit our strength, let's not easily abandon our felicity.  
These are Worldlings filled with vapours, which at first display their puissance, and advancing, tyre themselves at every step, abating some part of their strength: and than one may (also) receive instruction, by contraries, as by examples, by flight, as by pursuit.  
In hearing an unskilful player touch an harp, one may learn to nautiate discords and false measures.  
Let's abandon these worldlings to the dreadful judgement of God. Who shall exactly collect their vices, and rigorously chastise their offences. 
☜   
Whilst (in the interim) the fear of punishment (which ought to humble them) remain continually imprinted in their guilty memories. The Image of gloominess never retiring from their eyes.  
They shall ever have a Judge to attend them, a million of afflictions which shall stuff them with despairs, and hells, which shall tire on their hearts, which shall pursue them in their flight; which shall watch over their slumbers, and shall constantly accompany their wretched lives.  
Punishment derives its original from sin, 
☜  this World hath nothing secure but innocence, which we ought to cherish, which we are obliged to embrace, as our infallible Rudder, as our assured Anchor. But if our vices still survive in us, if they spring in our hearts, if we grow obstinate in our offences, if the experience of impunity, multiplies our evil inclinations, or if the scourge hardens us, God will take vengeance of so many outrages, he will declare himself to us in his fury, he will compel us to acknowledge his omnipotency; he will convert judgement into severity, he will scatter the bonds of our impiety, he will render us confused in our temerity. He will thrust his sharp sickle in the Field so overgrown with brambles, with stinking and loathsome weeds, and will over-turn in the mire by Pestilence, by the Sword, by Famine, so many bastard-seeds, and unpleasant in his sight.  
In his fury, he is the generous Lion, pricked forward by his force, which redoubleth his fierce roar over his enemies.  
He is the untamed Bull who casts forth his affrightful bellow, and under the horror of his stern look, overthrowing (for ever into obscurity) those, who are obstinate in their offences.  
He is the Omnipotent, who hath terrors by his side, death in his hand, and who darteth (on the wicked) the fire of his just vengeance.  
He defeats (in the twinkling of an eye) the Batallions of men, and causeth to graw the earth, the most Ancient of all the Monarches and most August Kings, and who merit a principal place in the Register of the glorious Caesars, with the like facility as the smallest, and most infirm and inconsiderable of the world.  
We have felt, we have proved the weight of his arm: But what we have beheld, is but the first act, our eyes have shed Rivers of tears. Our theatres have distilled all with blood, the bowels of the earth have been torn up on every side to receive our carcases, the Divine Justice engages itself against us on all sides to our destruction, and yet these are but the prologus to the rigour of the horrible Judgement of the living God, if we prevent not his severity by amendment of life.  
He is all goodness, all mercy, all clemency, He sufficiently demonstrats with what regreat he lays hand on the sword, or fire: He never proves the last remedies, he proceeds not to the rigour of chastisements, till after he hath tried all other expedients; but his backwardness is seconded with extreme afflictions, and punishments.  
That which men enterprise against heaven, he causeth to recoil upon them.  
Whosoever striketh against God, he will there find such solidity, that the repercussion will tumble him down shattered like an earthen Pitcher.  
Whosoever precipitates himself into that encounter, there sinks, and (ordinarily) perishes, before that he hath enterprised it.  
Let's not then flatter ourselves, not then be drunken, then let's not slumber, whilst that God spares us.  
Let's not expect till (for conclution) his arm fall heavy upon us, till he trouble and consume us, as slaves of iniquity and of Satan.  
The Master that is not obeyed by his servants, but outraged out of spite and contempt, will not he break up his Family from whence he reaps nought but vexation? So, the Master of the world who is (without intermission) affronted by our vices, will he not withdraw (from the midst of us) his graces, the testimonies of his presence? will he not approach us in his anger, to destroy and to afflict us under his storms? He is Just, he is Omnipotent, his power marcheth equal pace with his pleasure: he will crush his enemies, he will terrify them after such a sort, as to disable them to Rally or reunite, he will cause them to tremble under his sword, as ears of corn under the siccle: their bodies (torn and dismembered with wounds) shall be a pray to savage beasts, they shall serve as food for Ravens: he will inflict on the children, the rigour of his revenging laws, for their father's offences: he will punish the transgression in the Race, who shall shrivel and fade with a shameful brand on the brow of the Nephews: and in vain would men ward his blows, in vain will they sly before his face.  
For neither the thundering Cannons, nor the sharp sword, nor the high Bulwarks, nor the most inaccessible Mountains, nor the whole universs ranged in battle array can preserve them, of whom he hath vowed to take vengeance.  
Let all the ungodly rally themselves, let them assemble, he would destroy them at one stroke, he would reduce them into one handful of ashes, 
☞  into nothing, such is his force, that he can vanquish his enemies, and not only overturn them, but entice and drag them and their Armies, and tumble them (for ever) headlong into the gulf of darkness, belching with fire, and carcases filled with despairs, and horrors, wherein they shall be tormented without intermission, without having a thousand millions of years of exquisite torments, to be esteemed as one only point of eternity; in which they shall languish, suffer, and endure perpetually with rage, the racks, the flames, and what ever can be imagined dreadful.  
The Lord is living in truth, (saith Jeremiah) he is living in judgement and justice, 
erem. 4.  wherefore cloth you in sackcloth, lament and howl. Direct the ensign toward Zion, retire together, and tarry not, for fear lest his anger break forth as fire, and that it doth not inflame by reason of the wickedness of your deeds.  
Let us beware then, that we be not of those accursed, flourishing like the laurel, but are suddenly vanished, 
Psal. 37.  suddenly they are no more, and are in a Moment destroyed with their transgressions.  
Let us beware that we are not of those reprobates, which have been beaten, and have felt no smart; 
Jerem. 5.3.  warned and hardened their hearts, rejecting admonition, and refusing to turn unto the Lord: 
Num. 2.4.  nor contemning the riches of his goodness, of his patience, and long-suffering; which excites us, which calleth us, and which (so long a time) envites us to repentance.  
God liveth for ever, He is Great, He is Omnipotent, He is Dreadful, He will be Redoubted, will you not fear me, (saith He) will you not tremble before my face? I can do all, all things are in my hand.  
I have placed the sand for limits to the Sea, I have fixed his waves within the shore, that they may not pass beyond them; what then? shall we persist still in our crimes? shall our own feet search out the snares of our desolation? what? shall we again lance out selves into the depth of the torrent? to the end, that the stream of the water overslowing may carry us away? shall we again thrust the sword into our bosoms, that our own hands should give us a wretched death? we, did I say, from whom God hath taken the veil from our eyes, on whom he hath bestowed holy, and manifest instructions, we allied to the Divinity. Shall we abandon heaven? shall we quit the faithful and saving counsel of that truth? to plunge ourselves into the world, and precipitate ourselves into these vices?  
God hath instructed us in his ways, He hath taught us his paths, He hath (with his own mouth) cutsed the wicked: we know that we ought to love him with all our hearts, and with all our minds, that He ought to be Renowned for his judgements, that our salvation should be more dear and precious to us, than all the vain pleasures, and false treasures which can sustain this perishable earth.  
How is it then, that we follow the Prince of Darkness, which worketh effectually in us as the children of rebellion?  
How do we swerve out of the course, how break we out of the Park, to expose ourselves to be abandoned to Wolves? What considerations can deliver us up to the concupiscence of our flesh, without judgement, without reason?  
Bethink with ourselves, that Satan does surmount, that he blinds and besots us.  
We are of those of whom Paul speaks, who having known the righteousness of God, which understand that they which commit such things are worthy of death, and nevertheless plunge ourselves therein: we are inexcusable (saith he) for that having the knowledge of God, we glorify him not as God, neither render him praise for his benefits; but are vain in our discourse, having our our Hearts filled with Darkness.  
Let us then remember, how we have been enlightened, that we have been partakers of the Holy Spirit, that we have tasted of the heavenly gift, the Word of God, and the power of the World to come: and that all his blessings having been heaped upon us, we again crucify the Some of God in following the tracts of iniquity, 
Heb 6.4.  and (as much as in us lies) exposing him to contempt.  
Come then, let us force Fountains of tears to issue from our eyes; let us (from the bottom of our hearts) cause sighths and regreats to arise, which may produce the fruits of repentance: 'Tis time to set our affairs in order, the hour presseth us, the season hasteth us, the mischief is at hand, if suits not our purpose to slumber, the defluxion of this poison chokes us.  
Let us awake, awake ourselves from death, 
Ephe. 5.41 2 Tim. 2.26.  that Christ may enlighten us, and cause us to escape the snare of the Devil, by the which we have been taken, for to accomplish his will. Be we not like to rebellious people, disobedient, 
Rom. 10 22.  gainsaying, which turn our backs on the Lord, while he calleth us, and stretcheth out the hands of his mercy towards us.  
Let's walk altogether according to the Spirit, 
Gal. 5.16.  chase away the covetousness of our flesh; we very well understand which is the sure path for the conduct of our worldly affairs, and can we not also discern that which is just, and what is necessary for our salvation? since 'tis thither that we ought to move our hands, whether our cares should tend, where all our labours should terminate, since we understand nothing is more happy for man, than what is proposed. To follow the way, tract him out by the finger of God: that we know that none can sojourn in the Tabernacle of of the Lord, 
Psal. 15.  none can inhabit the place of his holiness; who regulates not his steps according to his divine Ordinances.  
In the Country of the Gadarens, the man who had an unclean spirit, which inhabited not but in Deserts ●n● Sepulchres; which broke all the cords, all the chains which restrained him, who roared without intermission, and gashed himself with stones; when (afar off) he beheld the Saviour of the World, he ran and prostrated himself at his feet; and we, who are not crammed and stufed with Devils, who have not our abiding in Caverns, and who do not dismember ourselves with rage and fury; we I say, who apprehend the verity of the Gospel, who have the knowledge of God, shall we fly before him, when he approacheth us? shall we stop our ears at his voice, to lance and destroy ourselves in vice?  
Let's awake ourselves from our drowsiness, and render ourselves capable of our proper good.  
The men of Nineve reform themselves, at the preaching of Jonah.  
The Queen of the South traveled from the extremities of the earth, to hear the Wisdom of Solomon.  
There is in the Gospel, greater than Ionas, greater than Solomon; there is the Spirit of God who talketh to us, who excites us to retire from our sins, who hastens, who threatens us.  
Let us submit ourselves (then) to God, let's approach him, let's remark our offences, let's lament, weep, and purify our hearts, let's humble ourselves under his powerful hand, to the intent that he may secure us from the Devil, who encompasseth us, to devour us.  
Let's abandon our transgressions, and submit our necks under the just government of the Omnipotent; acknowledging him the steadfast Wall, against which, who knocketh, breaketh himself.  
Let's lift up our tired hands, 
Heb. 12.12.  and our dislocated knees; and adore him, who hath form both the heaven and earth, the Seas and all Fountains of waters: and not longer abase ourselves, as the impious; as unregardful of his glory, which we should elevate more high, than the heavens; if there remains in us any recentment of his graces, (whilst his favourable hand) continues on us for our good; whereof he has been more Prodigal than Liberal.  
Let's offer instantly our bodies a living sacrifice, let's spread out our hands, before his wrath; by prayers and amendment of life, dreading his vengeance, or ever it irrevocably destroy and overwhelm us; which if we omit, we hasten our deaths, we eaten the hangmen of our own souls: if we longer attend, 
Luk. 13.25.  the gate of God's mercy shall be for ever closed against us: and in the day (wherein we shall behold Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, with all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, wherein we shall see set at the Table of God, his children, who shall come from the East, and from the West, from the North, and from the South,) we shall be miserably cast into darkness.  
'Tis long since God having endured our manners, expecting our repentance: he hath not hitherto corrected us, but with the chastisements of a Father, but if still we are insensible of these stripes, and of our offences, we shall constrain him to punish us with the Sword of extermination, and give us up unto the power of the Executioners of his Justice.  
Long patience contemned, 
Heb. 2.1.  draweth rigour without pity. If what was pronounced by Angels was firm, and every transgression and disobedience hath received a just reward: how shall we escape, if we neglect the judgement of God; so often declared against the children of iniquity? would we be of the cockle and straw, which shall be cast into the fire? would we be of those cursed ones, 
Mat. 13.49.  who by the Angels shall be separated from the just, to be cast into the Furnace? Of those evil servants, who shall be punished with many stripes? of those Reprobates, who shall be overtaken with sudden destruction? of those plants of offence, who shall be devoured with consuming flames?  
Would we be of those of whom Jeremiah complains, in these terms;  
They know the way of the Lord, 
Jerem. 5.  but themselves have broken the yoke and the bonds. Therefore are they slain by the Lion of the Forest, the Wolf of the Evening hath wasted them, and the Leopard watcheth against their Cities, whosoever cometh out, shall be torn in pieces; for their offences are multiplied, and their rebelloins are increased. How shall I pardon thee for this? (saith the Lord) thy children have forsaken me, I have fed them to the full, and they have committed adultery, and are gone in Troops into Harlot's houses, shall I not visit for these things? (saith the Lord:) shall not my soul be avenged on such a Nation? God is not idle in Heaven, He contemplates on what is done here below; He is there seated as a Judge, to punish iniquity: and when he reaches his hand highest, 'tis but to give the heavier stroke.  
Why tarry we, 
Rom. 2.5.  if (by the hardness of our hearts (without repentance) we heap up wrath against the day of the just judgement of God, who rendereth honour, immortality, & life eternal to them, who with patience and well-doing, seek his glory; and who giveth tribulation and anguish to every soul of man, who rebelleth against him and followeth iniquity. If God spared not the Angels who had sinned, 
2 Pet. 2.4.  and at once drowned the whole World, except eight persons: If he have given so many testimonies of his rigour on them, who live in impiety; what wait we for? since 'tis recorded in so many passages of the Gospel, that we shall be more severely handled, than Sodom and Gomorrah, which were burned and reduced into a heap of cinders? Seeing then that it is said, 
2 Thes. 1.8.  that God shall exercise vengeance with flames of fire against those who serve him not and are disobedient to his will? Would we swallow the cup of the wrath of God even to the dregs? would we dry up, and exhaust (to the very bottom,) the treasures of his patience?  
Go to then, since our malady is yet capable of Remedy.  
Let us tear out those motes that are in our eyes; let us reconcile ourselves to God, who stretcheth out his arms to us, remembering that his children are not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, 
John 1.13  nor of the unsatiable desires of man, but are born of God; are born of prudence, of charity, wisdom and virtue.  
Let's not tarry longer, fearing that he should rain fire and brimstone upon us, and that he chase us not (as cursed gates into eternal fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. 
Mat. 25.41.  Instantly detesting our crimes, abjuring our vices, our sins and offences; let us cast and prostrate ourselves at the feet of God, let's raise our voices, suing for our pardon, redoubling our petitions, submitting ourselves entirely to his pleasure: otherwise the tempest will surprise us, hell attends to torment us within its horrors, and the dreadful gulf is prepared to open his jaws eternally to consume us in his flames.   

Meditations upon Repentance.  
MY Soul, Jerusalem (the heritage of the Lord, the beloved City,) hath transgressed: she was not cleansed from the pollution of her feet, neither hath she been mindful of her end: wherefore she hath been rendered desert, solitary, and a prey to the Gentiles.  
My soul, Corah, Dathan and Abiram for not having obeyed the Lord, 
Num. 16  were punished by the earth; who opened her jaws, and swallowed them in her gulf; 
Mat. 24.25.  The servant suprized in debauchery, is punished, separated, and ranked with hypocrites; 
Mat. 25.1.  And the Virgins for being but a little separate from the Bridge-groom, have found the door for ever closed against them.  
These are the Judgements pronounced by the Word of God, who is High, Penetrating and Effectual.  
These are the Judgements pronounced against them who stop their ears at the voice of the Saviour of the World, 
Mat. 4.17.  Who cryeth on the Earth, amend you, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. 
Act. 3.19. Mat. 3.7.  Amend you and be ye converted, that your sins may be effaced; Fly from the wrath to come, bring forth fruit meet for repentance.  
My soul, be apprehensive then of the judgements of God; Consider of thine own salvation, apprehend so many new plagues, which from the incensed heaven thou beholdest tumbling upon thee; Consider so many woes that environ thee; and such numberless forerunners of future miseries.  
Prevent the vengeance of God by humility and penance, that so thou mayest not be prevented by his wrath.  
Imitate the humble Dove, who creeps into the bottom of the shrubs, beholding (afar off) the ravenous Eagle, cutting and dividing the air with his wings, and hasting to surprise her. Fill the air with thy sighths and regreates for thy vices; even to the very bitterness of thysoul; cast forth cries of displeasure and repentance: demean thyself as altogether dejected, altogether wasted, perfectly penitent, even at the foor-stool of the Lord: spread forth thy hands toward his mercy, address thy voes and most ardent supplications unto him, to divert from thee the flames of his wrath, and to appease his indignation.  
Importune thy Saviour with so many plaints, with so many sacrifices of praise, thereby to shake the Sword out of his Hand: Force the Kingdom of heaven, and ravish it with violence: 
Mat. 11.12.  whilst a means of reconciliation is open; and be careful not to procrastinate, till the day when the door shall be most securely barred.  
Go to then, my Soul, defer not longer, make haste to cover thy head with ashes, and lamentations: cause to distil tears of acknowledgement of thy sins; and raise up thy meditations on high to avoid thy Destruction.  
Retire thyself from the press of the World, and dispose thyself as the Pelican who seeketh the least frequented, the most solitary places. Come out of Babylon, and follow the way of the heavenly Jerusalem: propose for a pattern, Jacob, Abraham, Moses, Elias, who retired from Mesepotamia, from Caldea, from Egypt, and from the Court of Samaria. Imitate the great Legislator of the Hebrews, 
Moses.  who separated himself from the multitude, and went to the Mountain of Sinai, the more freely to converse with God.  
My soul, be not like the inhabitants of Corazin and Bethsaida, who shall be more rudely handled in the day of Judgement, 
Mat. 11.21  than those of Tyre, Sydon and of Sodom, for that they were not reform at the Word of the Lord.  
Contrarily, imitate those of Jerusalem, 
Mat. 3.5.  of Judea, and of the Country about Jordan, which ran unto St. John who prepared the path of the Saviour of the world.  
Oppose to the Justice of God, his proper succours: oppose the bloodshed by his Son, oppose thy prayers, thy vows, thy fasting, and thy repentance; He had decreed the sacking and ruin of Niniv●: yet notwithstanding as soon as thy had bewailed their faults, he suspended his decree: sanctify then a fast, my son rend thy heart with tears and lamentations in the presence of thy God: Return unto him, He is merciful, he is pitiful, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness.  
In ancient times (by a perpetual Ordinance) 'twas expressly commanded to his people, to celebrate a fast on the tenth day of the seventh month, which was the solemn feast of Propitiations: He had ordained them to afflict their souls, and to refrain from labour: For as much as the Priest made a propitiation for them to the end they might be cleansed from their sins in his presence.  
This day, my soul, is the feast of propitiations to thee, wherein 'tis thy duty to be converted to the Lord.  
Imitate (then) the people, afflict thyself, macerate thy flesh with watch, and fastings, to the intent thou may'st be the more strong, and cry with the Priests who wept betwixt the Portck and the Altar; 
Joel 2.16.  Pardon me my God, and expose not thy Heritage to Reproach.  
Lord, I lament before thee, I seek by amendment of life, to take a resolution to follow thee. I humble myself, I abase myself to attain even unto the heavens. But, Lord, for to approach to thee, it's requisite I retire altogether out of myself; and that I can no way effect without the succours of thy hand.  
Lord, the very Angels tremble in adoring thee, and I wretched and abominable sinner, manifest no token of astonishment: I quake not, I have not an humbled heart, nor eyes drowned in tears: I much desire it my God, I hearty wish it, but it's impossible without thy grace. For if thou Prevents not the wicked by thy compassion, he can never amend.  
A man revolted and slipped into disobedience, returns not unto thee without the conduct of thy spirit. Enlighten them, Lord, my soul by the operation of thy holy Spirit, prevent its cold and slothfulness: Pierce it with a thousand stings, and thousands remorces of conscience, to the end he may discover his malady unto thee, and that to thee he may make his heat and anguish appear, to obtain remedy.  
Lord, thou art the wise Pilot of my squiffe tottering at the mercy of the waves: thou art not ignorant of the storms and the floods that batter this frail vessel: thou art the bright and shining lantern, which must be the Bear-star in all extremityes to guide, to direct this poor Bark on this raging Sea.  
Guard me then from shipwreck; rebuke the winds, who mutiny against me, and confederate together, are set against my sails.  
Strike from the highest heaven, one considerable stroke, to engrave in my heart the lively impressions of the love of thee, and to dispose my spirit to thy service.  
Open my eyes as thou didst the servant of Elisha: incline my ears to thy Word, arm my conscience against my flesh, and make to arise out of this stone, a child of Abraham.  
Mine iniquities are now against thy pleasure, but then shall my innocence be agreeable to thee. Lord I would present myself at thy feet, I struggle, I move that way, but instantly the horror of my offences restrain me.  
My enormities cannot endure thy sight, nor my transgressions sustain thy presence.  
Nevertheless, my God, repentance serves as a plaster to my wounds, confession is the remedy of my distemper: 'Tis requisite then, that I manifest and publish my iniquity before thee. Lord, I have not stirred up and awakened thy displeasure by a small bruit rashly committed, I have belched out torrents of corruption, and am turned unto detestable insolencyes; I am become a Magazine of vice, a spout and sink of filthiness, my conscience is so hardened, my offences are so monstrous, my night is so gloomy, that my obscurity is uncapable of other comparison, that hath preceded it. The multitude of my crimes surpass the number of the sand. It appears that the name only of Christian remains to me: My eyes have had nothing more agreeable than the shadow: they have trod under foot the torch and light whose brightness should be so precious unto them: and these Infidels who should only bewail my offences, have lamented none but worldly losses.  
I have pursued my lasciviousness, I have yielded and submitted to their inclinations, despising thy precepts: I have continually stumbled at the same stone, I have without intermission, audatiously & impudently advanced my brows against my neighbours, I have been deaf to thy voice, I gave way to the temptations of the Devil, who vanquisheth me by the assistance of my own hands.  
My wishes have been insatiable, my desires boundless, and bottomless, my tongue not true, and my hands have delivered into thy power weapons for my proper destruction, 
Rom. 3.10.  and have drawn down chastisements upon my own head. My throat is an open sepulchre, under my lips is the venom of Asps, my mouth is full of curses, my feet swift to evil, destruction and misery are in my ways, and I have been ignorant of the paths of thy peace, thy fear hath not been in my sight.  
I am that figtree planted in the vineyard, 
Liv. 13.6.  thou camest thither after so many years seeking fruit, and finding none: I do nought but unprofitably cumber the ground: I am of those Rotten trees who merit to be cut down and cast into the fire: 
Mat. 7.19.  I am of the number who have received thy seed into stony ground, into thorney places. My words are ever idle and unprofitable, 
Mat. 12.35.  and I always exhaust evil things out of the bad treasure of my heart. I approach thee with my mouth, I honour thee with my lips, but my heart is far from thee. I am of those feigned hypocrites whose repentance is nought but prevarication: 
Esay 29.3  of those Pharisees, whose only virtue is in their countenance, who are adorned with Hypocrisiy, not Faith.  
True whited Sepulchers shining and glittering without, but filled with bones, with ordure, with iniquity. I have not ranged myself under thy wings, 
Mat. 23.37  as thou assemblest thy little ones: I have not plucked the beam out of my eyes, 
Mat. 5.37  my discourse have been fraught with blasphemies, instead of simply yea and no. I have not given to those that ask me, neither have I lent to such who would have borrowed. I have not rendered myself a worthy child to thee my Father; who causest thy Sun to rise upon the good and upon the wicked: thy Rain to descend on the just, and on the unjust. I have not affected my enemies, neither have I blest those who curse me: I have not done good to them who hate me, nor prayed for those who persecute me.  
Lord, I am of those Goats who have contemned thee, who have disdained thy little ones, in the person of whom Thou wouldst be cherished.  
I have not quenched their thirst, the gate of my house hath been closed against them, and I have not been so much as inclined to assuage their griefs.  
Lord, I am convinced of such a multitude of crimes, I am so overwhelmed with iniquities: and those numberless vices, wherewith I have lived from the hour of my nativity, which I have followed, which I have served after such a manner, accuse me, that they present no other thing to me, but a shroued, Coffin, an obscure monument, hideous, and dreadful: Lord, when I behold the Mirror of thy Law, when I read thy volume, I find myself smitten with so many Gangrenes, that they make me afraid, and even terrible to myself: and with bloody, and hearty groans I accuse my impiety, I acknowledge the Grandeur of thine indignation, stirred up by the multitude of my offences: and confess I deserve to bear the punishment of my demerits, if thy great mercy remove not the severity of thy Justice.  
Lord, thou holdest in abomination the workers of iniquity: thy countenance is set against them, thy day is mighty, it's strong, it's terrible saith Joel, and none can sustain it. 
Joel. 2.11.  Also my God, I stoop at the only sound of thy voice, I start, I tremble with fear, I am a party against myself: I condemn my offences, I detest them: 
Luk. 13.1.  I acknowledge that the Gallaleans (whose blood Pilate mixed with their Sacrifices) were not so eulpable as myself.  
That the eighteen upon whom the Tower of Shiloe fell, had not committed so many abominations. I acknowledge that I cannot bear thy sight alone: I confess thou hold'st (in thy hands) the power of the winds, that with one only blast, thou canst cause me to disappear that if thou pleasest only to move a little air against me, I should be no more, but, my God, my soul is plunged in anguish & sorrow, wherein it floats altogether filled with bitterness: it is bruised under the violence of a million of remorese that agitate it. I am altogether wan, altogether trembling, altogether feeble. I am abated, and turned earth, and my heart is pierced through with assaults, sighing for anguish, and makes me swerve, testifying her regrets. Lord, thou hast chosen me before thou compassest the foundation of the earth, before thou fixed the mountains, and stretched out the heavens.  
Lord, incline thine ear to my complaints, open thine eyes to my desolations, manifest not thy power against a shadow, against a withering herb, languishing and dried.  
Lord, all the perfections of thy Angels, are but imperfect before thee: all the splendour of the Sun (to thee) is but obscurity: Thou findest nothing pure, nothing firm in them: How much more than in me, who am formed of dust, who live on mud, and am ever mixed with ordure? Lord, from the Cedars of Lebanon, even to the least wild plant, some park of thy Divinity shines: all thy creatures bear thy mark, and thy Character on their fronts: My God, I am (likewise) the workmanship of thy holy hands, display then over me some rays of thy grace.  
Lord, I am lost in the Otian of my offences, I am drowned in their waves: Preserve me (then) from shipwreck, I am the prodigal child famished, covered with rags: I have sinned against thee, embrace me my Father, Extinguish (with thy hand) these burning Torches which consume me, these firebrands of desolation, these so abominable crimes: To the intent that these chains of my captivity being broken, I may recover my liberty in thy grace to my salvation, to the glory of thy Name, and the confusion of Satan.  
Lord, my end is certain if thou stanch'st not the blood which streams from my wounds. Banish me not from my presence, turn not thy countenance from me, withdraw not thy clemency which showeth itself after thy displeasure, and which should not be of use if men lived innocently. Drive far from me that cursed spirit, who from the beginning separated thy creature from thee. Chase away that old enemy, whose ambushes are so promed, and whose assaults so rude: Adorn and Deck my heart with the spoils of my sins, dispose me to walk with thee from the dawning; facilitate my tears, and fill me with a desire of my salvation. Cause me to forsake all mundane contagion, and plunge me in the pleasant streams of a holy and a peaceable life, give me an esteem of this chaste and ravishing penitence, which opens me a passage into thy holy habitation, which may bury my transgressions, and swallow my vanities under an eternal oblivion.  
Lord, I lament bitterly before thee, I pour forth my tears of complaint, which, without drying, drench my soul in bitterness, and dissolves it in displeasures.  
I present myself to thee with an humbled and frozen spirit, a soul afflicted and touched with true repentance. Receive then my God, this penitent sinner, be thou apt to pardon, destroy not thine own work. Approach unto me, my God, cause to whither in me this multitude of plants of perdition, who produce these fruits of iniquity, and help my Malady without indignation.  
Manasses prostrated himself before Idols, he profaned thy Altars; yet never the less, he being converted unto thee, and repenting his impieties, he appeased thee. Thou delivered'st him from the hands of the Assyrians, and from the fetters wherein thou hadst caused him to fall, and returned'st him a glorious King, commander of Palestine. And I Lord, I present thee my homage with a contrite spirit; stifle and choke not (then) my heaviness and my life, Exercise not thy power on me to my destruction who am thine: cause not to descend (on me) thy punishments from heaven, stigmatise me not with an eternal infamy: but open (Lord) unto me the gate of thy mercy, 
Dan. 10.12.  and give ear to my supplication as thou didst unto Daniel from the first day he afflicted himself before thee. Thy coming was to call sinners to repentance, 
Luke 5.32.  Thou commandest thy Apostles to go unto the lost sheep: 
Mat. 10.6.  I am of that number, cause me then (in the midst of this displeasure,) to experience thy commiseration, 
Luk. 8.24.  the Tempest is descended on the lake, my bark leaks, I am in hazard, awake thyself my God, rebuke the wind, appease the waves, and make it calm.  
By the example of Daniel (with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.) I address my face toward thee, Thou strong, Thou great, Thou terrible God: I have sinned, I have committed iniquity, I am estranged from thy Law.  
Lord, to thee belongs Justice, to me confusion: but mercies and compassions are (likewise) from thee. Turn away then thy displeasure and indignation, harken to my supplycations, and cause thy holy Spirit to shine on thy desolate servant: I belong to thine election, I am an inheritor of the merit of thy Son, and have my lot and portion in heaven. Regard me (then) Lord, in him: for in his countenance, in his wounds thou canst not deny me pardon.  
The father defers (till the last) to cut off his members: He weeps, he groans in severing them. Thou art my Father, good God, suspend thy strokes, restrain them, have compassion on my ashes who am less than ashes, and of the lees and scum of the world: Purify them after such a manner, that they be not annihilated, let them not be forsaken of thee, who have deserted thee: If they be reduced to nought, thou canst not extract glory from them: for in nothing, nought is found but nothing itself.  
I say not, my God, that thou hast created these eyes, to make them endure so much, and to dissolve themselves into streams; For, Lord, their eyelids have exalted themselves against thee, (They are the reason that thou assistest me not farther with thy favours:) after such a manner that they ought to distil into tears, until they have encountered the port of thy clemency, which now files them and withdraws itself away from their sight.  
Lord, wilt thou be steadfast in thy wrath? wilt thou wage war with an earthworm? wilt thou regard the weight of my offences, and not that of thy goodness? I am guilty of errors and crimes, but I am covered with ashes and tears: I am a sinner, but created with the sweet and fragrant breath of thy mouth: I am covered with offences, but thou art the Father of grace, the Father of salvation, the Father of compassion, and in saving me thou conservest the work of thy hands: in blessing me thou repleatest thyself with joy and delight.  
Receive then Lord, my prayer, that it be not lost, and vanish into air.  
Harken to my mouth, and my throat, which consumes with crying: and give ear to their groans: Give remedy to that distemper, whose birth I ought to avoid: stretch forth and abase thy hand here below to secure me, drive back by the powerful motions of thy brows, the plagues which threaten me. Speak unto me as unto the Paralytic, and save me by thy grace. I resemble blind Bartimeus, 
Mat. 10.47.  who lifted up his voice to thee, and redoubled his intercessions equal to their reproofs and rebuks, to the intent he should hold his peace.  
My offences by the brute of their obscure gloominess, will drown the clearness of my voice: but, being fortified by thy holy Spirit, I take courage, I reinforce myself, and attain the victory. 
Mat. 5.1.  Lord thou hast expelled Legions of unclean spirits out of their bodies who presented themselves before thee. Chase then from the those offences which I cannot tame: drive away these miseries which (by a divine vengeance) vissibly torment me.  
Lord, glory not in thy Puissance against me, to make thyself Renowned: Display not thy force against me, since, with one glance of an eye, thou may'st discomfit me, neither can I sustain thy presence: Rifle me, dart thy flames from heaven, I acknowledge I have deserved more: 
The World.  But Lord, this great City would become desolate, if nothing should remain is't, but what thou wouldst absolve in the severity of thy justice: and thou art the pitiful Father, who givest more terror than stripes; and delightest rather to restore, than to destroy.  
Thou hastest to receive the cries of one penitent sinner: if he reputes himself, thou pardonest him: and as he adds transgression upon transgression, thou multipliest the acts of clemency.  
Be not then; My God, inexorable to my fault; pursue me not unto extremity. The Nurse forbears not to give the breast to her child, because it disturbs her repose and sleep: Thou art to me, more than a Fosterer, be not (then) deaf to my plaints, and deny not the milk and the sweetness of thy grace to thy infant, whom thou hast embellished for an high design, and whom thou hast redeemed with the life of thy only Son.  
I have forfeited thy grace my God, but thou never losest thy goodness; behold me in thy clemency, not in thy justice: my hopes survives in thee alone, swallow my transgressions in thy compassions, and the fruit shall remain to thy glory.  
Lord, my brains dissolve into tears, my hairs are full of ashes, my visage heavy, my eyes are hollow sunk, and dull.  
But Lord, if my tears can render thee more gentle, if they can move thee to extinguish the flames of my crimes, set open the Fountains of my weeping, and cause me to bathe in the waters of my penitence, until that by the merits of the Saviour of the world; thou hast overturned my transgression, and impure desires under the power of thy compassion.  
Lord, I am nothing but Rottenness and Corruption: But the very ashes of a rich substance want not their value: I am ransomed by the stripes of thy Son, I am cleansed by his blood, I speak to thee by hismouth; be mindful then of that sweet smelling sacrifice which Jesus Christ offered on the Cross: and do me the honour I may participate in the Triumph of his perfect and complete Ministry. Thou promisedst to Abraham, not to destroy Sodom, if so be that there thou couldst find ten just persons; and I Lord, 
Gen. 15.36.  I am holy, I am enclosed, I am a member of the just one, without spot; of one just justifying, who hath swallowed my transgressions in the Ocean of his merits: of one Just, who is the light from whence I borrow the rays of splendour: Of one Just, who hath cherished me in his bosom, and who makes me to draw the breath of his mouth.  
Accept then, the offerings my God, of my humble acknowledgement which I bring to thy Altars; with all the zeal and devotion whereof I am capable. 
Psal. 51.  I beseech thee (with the Psalmist David,) O God, have pity upon me according to thy loving kindness; according to the multitude of thy compassions efface my offences: wash me from mine iniquity, and purge me from my sin. I acknowledge my transgressions and my faults are ever before thee; I have sinned against thee, purge me with bysop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Turn thy face away from mine iniquities. O God, create in me a clean heart, and a steadfast spirit: east me not away from thy presence; neither take from me the Spirit of thy holiness. Restore me to the gladness of thy salvation, open may lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.  
Lord, cause thy graces to abide with me, conduct and lead me in thy wholesome paths, by a divine inspiration, touch (to the quick) my spirit and my sense, and fill me with an ardure to thy service. Open my lips, which my transgressions have closed: make to spring in me, piety, integrity, the love of my neighbours, modesty: and that my vices (after having so long time abused thy creature) may in conclusion quit and surrender the place to a blessed, to a reformed estate: Effect it, that my very countenance may answer for me, that one may read in my eyes and voice, the integrity of my intentions. Enable me that I may fructify as Trees planted by the streams of waters. Enable me to walk worthily, as it is requisite before thee, increasing in all sweet savour, and declaring that I am a member of thy Church, instructed in thy Gospel, and that thy Word dwelleth in me.  
Lord, thou hast unto this day conserved me, thou hast born me upon thy wings. Enable me (then) to be obedient to thy Voice, that I may keep thy Covenant, and that I may be of the Kingdom of thy Priests, and of thy holy Nation. Engrave thy holy Ordinances in my spirit, cause my ears to resound the sweet and gracious airs of thy Word. Bring to pass that my tongue may sing a perperual song, and be an echo to thy heavenly voice; and for the time to come, I may ever address most ardent supplications (not idle drowsy words) unto thee, then when as carried away with a Design or Slumber, and that I speak and understand not myself. Establish my heart in thy fear, retain my inclinations in obedience to thine: fill my soul with charity, which is the Compliment of the Law, the establishment of grace, the preparative to glory; which (as the influence of the Sun,) enables me with a virtue to fructify and increase.  
Lord, receive me into thy favours wholly blot out my sin, temper and aslwage the scaldings of my wounds. Encamp thy Angels round about me, dispel and scatter all evil fare from me: Be thou my Guide, through the perisous straits of the World, and the turbulent storms of the violence of my passions; suffer me not to da●h against the rocks of this Sea of the world; and (under the conduct of thy Holy Spirit,) cause me to arrive at the Port of thy salvarion, and cast anchor in the midst of thine. Love me my God, to the intent I may love thee, that I may seek thee, serve thee, pray to thee, that I may give thee glory and honour for ever.   

A Meditation upon the Holy Supper.  
UP then my Soul, continue not longer buried in the delights and vanities of the World.  
Arise, awake thee, rouse thyself, and lend an attentive ear to the sacred voice of the wellbeloved Son of God, who invites thee to take place at his feast, to sit down to the Banquet of eternal life.  
Arise, recollect all thy strength, and lift thyself up toward this Fountain of light, who (by his Sun) illustrates all the Stars of heaven, and illuminates all the parts and corners of the earth. He is the only Physician on whom depends all thy deliverance: He is the only Author of grace, who can conserve thee against darkness, against hell: he only is Omnipotent, who can carry thee for ever into heaven.  
Up then my Soul, prostrate thyself before him, fortify thy zeal follow thy God who calleth thee to participate of that great & divine mystery which he hath instituted and ordained in his Church: which is the Sacrament of his body, of which one must take part to obtain eternal life. The Sacrament of his body, by the which he is united unto thee, to convey thee into his glory; whereby he removeth, he abolisheth, he effaceth all that is in thee of sin, of cursing, and of death; and there replanteth his grace, his life, and his felicity. All whatever he has brought from heaven, all the grace which is infused into him, all the treasure of those merits which he acquired on the Cross, is conferred on thee by the communion of this holy Sacrament of his Supper, which is the Fountain of spiritual sweetness: by the which God nourisheth, sustaineth, and conserveth the life he hath conferred on us in Baptism, and hath united us unto himself, making ●s (as saith Saint Paul, flesh of his flesh, bones of his bones, and members of his proper body: But my God, all times are ever present with thee, thou mindest not the past, nor attendest the future. Thou watchest over my cogitations, thou art the Judge of my intentions; nothing is hid from thee, all things to thee are naked, and entirely manifest: my heart is fast closed in my breast, but my bosom is not other than glass in thy sight, and thou beholdest Lord, that the fervour of my faith is (as it were) quite extinct, that my brow hath neither sincerity nor candour; that I take not repose but under the branches cracking with fruits of iniquity, and that my soul is more defiled, than the mire of which my body is formed. I cannot then, great God, approach thy holy Table, till I have (in thy presence with a true resentment and entire affection, without hypocrisy, and with an open and free heart,) confessed my shame, acknowledging thy glory.  
Lord, I am oppressed with fear and astonishment, I humble myself at thy feet, I pour forth (in thy sight) all my offences which appeal my countenance. I accuse, I blame and condemn my ingratitude and my failings: I acknowledge, I am the most infirm, the most abject of all thy creatures; the very scorn of the earth, and the most vile and detestable of all that the heaven covers. I have suffered myself to be carried away with the deceitful delusions and enticements of the world; I am quite overspread with foul and filthy scales, which ●●●ke me stumble into precipices: and in●●ead that thou hast opened my mouth, to the end I should exalt thee, and hast given me the knowledge of thy truth to declare it on the earth, I am ever backward to that which concern thy glory, and my salvation.  
Lord, thou mayest dart thy lightning from heaven, thou canst consume and over-whelme me with thy storms: but I am nothing, and in punishing me thou losest thy labour and thy thunder; thou art the Omnipotent God from all eternity: and I a frail man, yet the work of thy hands: as thou art powerful in thy wrath, so art thou Omnipotent in thy clemency. Rend not him then, who is humbled, I am thine now, thou canst have no delight in my Funerals; I am a great sinner, but thou art yet greater in thy mercies: thou holdest the lives of men in thy hands, 'tis thy mouth which pronounces their absolution; have pity then on me, my God: by the infinite number of thy compassions, blot out my innumerable iniquities, and save by thy grace, him whom thou mayst damn in thy justice: deliver him who is ransomed by the precious blood of thy Son, of thy Son, who all glittering and resplendent with glory hath so far humbled himself, as to be clothed with our flesh, to raise up the mud and refuse of the earth toward the Throne of thy Grandeur.  
'Cause Lord, that my Repentance and Confession, may be to thee sweet sacrifices agreeable and of pleasant odour. I knock at the gate, let it not be closed, seeing thou art merciful; with thee the word and effect are the same; grant me pardon, from deserved punishment, and mollify the hardness of my heart, which is in thy power.  
Lord, in times past, thou drewest out, and deliverest thy people from the fetters of Egypt, thou hast divided the Red Sea, and form a Rampart of waters against the waters: continue then thy goodness towards thine own.  
Deliver me Lord, Deliver me immediately by the merits of thy Son, from the servitude of mine iniquities, under the bondage whereof, with anguish I implore thy succours. Bow down thy greatness over me, display upon my soul the rays of thy holy Spirit, and enlighten me with the lustre of thy divinity; to the end that I may meditate and fully comprehend, how the body of Jesus Christ my Saviour, is given and broken for thine elect, and his blood spiled on the Cross, is made mine, by the communion of thy holy Sacrament. I am unable of myself to raise me up from this miserable earth to a subject so High and Excellent: But Lord, Thou hast cleft the obscurity, thence to draw out light. Thy divine eye enlightens the darkness, touch my spirit with thy brightness, as thou didst that of Saint Paul; render me uncapable and untractable to the vanities of the World, and clearsighted in the inestimable treasures of thy Gospel.  
Assure my faith, establish my faith Lord, stay it upon thy promises: fortify me mightly according to the riches of thy divinity, so that Christ may abide in me, and that I may comprehend with the Saints his love and greatresse, 
Ephes. 3.16.  which passeth all understanding. That we (who when enemy) having been reconciled by the death of the Saviour of the World, may now much rather being justi●ed by his blond; 
Rom. 5.10.  Shall I be preserved from thine ire? Regulate Lord, the disordered affections and appetites of my heart, mundify the impure cogitations of my spirit, cleanse all the pollutions of my lips, and wrench my sins in the blood of thy Son, to the intent I may present myself pure at thy Table. Grant, that my understanding may comprehend Thee, that my heart may affect Thee, my soul adore Thee, and that all my powers and faculties may render and yield thee, the obedience which is thy due.  
Father of glory, grant me the spirit of wisdom, enlighten my eyes, 
Eph. 1.18.  to the end I may apprehend what is the excellency of thy Son, whom thou hast caused to sit at thy right hand, in the heavenly places, and whom thou hast preferred to all principalities and powers, and above every name which is invoked, not only in this world, but likewise in that which is to come. Give ear to me, Thou only object of the Angels, through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth in unity with Thee, and thy holy Spirit for ever and ever.  
Lord, after having form the light, after having stretched out the heavens with thy hands, separated the earth from the flood, and finishest the creation of such a multitude of stars, of so many creeping things, of such a variety of Fowls who have a being to thy Glory.  
Thou tookest dust, thou embellished it and form man, subjecting the earth under his feet, giving him dominion over the fishes of the Sea, and over the Fowls of the Air. And this man (good God) instead of lifting up (without ceasing) his vows to thy honour and praise, and to possess with joy eternally the delights of Eden, hath opened his mouth against thee, and contrary to thy express command and menaces, hath tasted the fruit of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil; and with his rebellious throat hath swallowed at once the Apple and Death: He hath swallowed the leprosy which hath corrupted the mass of all his blood, and the poison which hath penetrated through all the members, issues of his body.  
This, Lord, this fountain which hath continued corrupt in all its streams: this is the gloomy and black cloud, whence distils not one drop not infected.  
'Tis, Lord, this cursed rebellion which hath constrained the heavens, ever bright and serene before, to conspire and confederate against man, and to pour forth upon him deluges of blood, and universal scourges to extirpate and exterminate the Posterity of this Ancestor.  
'Tis this rebellion which hath caused man to totter from his first estate, rendered him a slave of sin, and a prey of that roaring Lion, who graspeth his throat with his foot: So soon as the prohibition was made, sin followed: and by sin, we have all received a Decree of condemnation.  
But great God, thou hast raised up, and restored thine through thy mercy.  
Thou hast destroyed that cursed spirit, who would glut himself with the blood of our entrails: and hast born us upon thy wings, as an Eagle his Airy:  
Thou hast brought back, and renddred in a flourishing condition our souls, who were languishing and abased unto death. The deluge of our vices, hath drawn a deluge of plagues upon us, but the deluge of thy Compassions hath swallowed the deluge of these Maledictions.  
Thou hast cleansed these streams of iniquity in a source perpetually flowing into life.  
Thou hast healed these leprosies with a vermilion blood, and corrected and abated the force of these poisons by a heavenly Antidote.  
By the offence of one alone, death reigned over men: and by the merit of only one, men shall reign unto life. The transgression of Adam is fallen upon all to condemnation: and the justice of Christ justifying is come also upon all to justification. Many by the disobedience of one alone, 
Rom. 5.17.  were rendered sinners; and by the obedience of one alone, many are rendered just: To the intent that as sin reigned unto death, grace should (also) reign unto eternal life.  
'Tis Lord, that which Thou hast so often foretold to our Fathers, by the mouths of thy Prophets; who have declared on the earth, that thy Son should bear our sorrows, that he should charge on himself our afflictions, that he should be pierced for our offences, and bruised for our iniquities.  
Thou hast caused all our outrages to fall upon him, and the wounds are come on him for the Transgressions of thy people: As a Lamb is led to the slaughter, neither hath he opened his lips: 
Dan. 9.26.  he is set as an oblation for the transgressions of them who have known him, is cut off, not for himself, but for us.  
Oh admirable Architect of the World, who hast stretched out the heavens, sustained the massive foundations of the earth; and commanded the waters of the Ocean to distil gently through the veins of the Rocks for the nourishment of men:  
Oh holy stream of our felicity, the strength of our Might, that the graces of thy divine goodness, are singular, & the effect of thy providence marvellous in the conservation of men, in having prepared for us by thy mercy this conciliation before the foundation of the World: and from the beginning having prefigured this sacrifice by the Tree of life in the Terrestrial Paradise, afterwards by the Paschal Lamb, by the Manna, by the loaves of propitiation, by the bread which the Angel brought to the Prophet Eliah, in the strength whereof it is said, that he went even unto the Mountain; to have instructed us that so much blood of Bulls and Goats which was spilt before thee, and the ashes of an Heifer, wherewith they besprinkled the unclean, were prefigurations of that juslifying blood, which was requisite to be poured on the earth to blot out our transgressions.  
And lastly Lord, after having often spoken to our Ancestors by thy Prophets, 
Heb. 17.  Thou wouldst speak to our father's face to face by thy Son, who is the brightness of thy glory; who as the snow tumbling from heaven, & scattering itself to whiten our plains: so is he descended from on high, to publish peace from the rising, to the setting of the Sun: and to save those who were fallen among the precipices, for for the punishment due to their offences. The woman the first seduced, sees herself a thousand times happier, she did see herself a Virgin-Mother, containing in her womb the Saviour of the World.  
Oh happy day, that thou art Remarkable among us, for having first beheld, and having first caused us to see the wellbeloved Son of God, the Father and the Redeemer of the faithful! And you bright Services, that you are precious, having given growth to the body, who hath suffered for our sins, and who since is risen with so much glory! And thou earth, thou art happy to have nourished within thy bosom, and seen to march upon thy face, the Saviour of the World! The Sages conducted by the Star, hasted to prostrate themselves at thy feet; thy Angel in giving advice to the Shepherds: and the multitude of the heavenly Host leaping for joy, lifted up their voices to thy honour, saying, Glory be to God on High, in Earth peace, good will toward men. 
Acts 5.3.   
Then Lord, he whom thou hast raised up by thy right hand, for a Prince and Saviour to give repentance unto Israel and remission of sins, appeared in the flesh, that so the flesh might live, and by his humanity, thy Clemency might approach us, which before was with-drawn; Thou hast sent him as a Bright Sun to enlighten all the compass of the Earth.  
He appeared clothed with humane flesh, but all , and all shining with Divinity. The Power of His Virtue was manifest to the eyes of all the people. The most impetuous storms and billows of the Ocean, gave way unto the sole power of His word. The tempestuous whi●le-whinds which troubled the serenity of the air, gave truce to their whistlings & roar, at the only waging of his hand: and acknowledged that they ought him respect and silence, and that all things should be prepared to receive His Commands.  
Men, captived under the power of the Devil, were enlarged, with the only glance of His eye: The most inveterate maladies departed at the only touch of His garment: and the bodies mouldering; under the obscurity of the Coffin, risen again at his voice in the Tomb.  
His life was nothing but an open Book of Doctrine, with a multitude of miracles and favours toward men; The limits of his Course were so pleasant, they were so bright, with the beams of his compassion; so glittering with his triumphs over the enemy of men. The History is therein so rich, that the excess takes away and obstructs the description. And that the world (as saith his Beloved Apostle) is not sufficient to contain that which might be written. 
John. 21.25   
Also Lord, He came to stifle (by the impetuosity of his power, and by the grandeur of his merit) our cursed enemy, and to cut off the stream of the course of his puissance, flying through the world:  
He came as a great Royal Eagle from the height of heaven to descend on the earth: and in favour of his own to scatter (with the only air of his vigerous clapping of his wings) all the strength of Satan, unworthy of his encounter.  
He came as the Evening, and close of our miseries, and dawning of our felicity: as the bright Sun of men to comfort and strengthen them by his wholesome and pleasant influence.  
He came as the morning, which chaseth away the night, and advanceth, declaring the return of the light: as the holy Columbe of the world, the solid pillar of the heavens, the lively image of his charity, and the divine footsteps which giveth life. And finally my God, thy Christ our Saviour, being upon the point to die, would that the last act of his life, should be the institution of the Holy Sacrament of his body, which he celebrated in the company of his Apostles: declaring unto them, that all they who firmly believe in him, shall have remission of their sins; in the effusion of this blood, and shall for ever possess the Kingdom of heaven; and to confer on us an infallible assurance, he elected (for a seal and witness of his last will,) bread and wine: to the intent that the faithful (by these signs) should be ascertained of the treasures which are acquired for them by his bounty.  
But my Great God. 'Tis now that we must commemorate the excellent Sermon made to the Disciples, for to instruct them and to render them capable of the participation of this Holy Sacrament.  
'Tis here expedient to call to mind the words of him, which thou pronounced with thy voice in the Mountain, in the hearing of Saint Peter, Saint James, and Saint John, this is my wellbeloved Son, hear him; 
Jon. 6.53.  He then said, Verily, verily, ●●●y unto you, that if you eat not the flesh of the Son of man, and drink not this blood, you shall have no life in yourselves: he who eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath life eternal, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed: he who eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the Father, who is living, hath sent me, and I live by the Father: So he who eateth me, Shall live also by me. That is the bread which descended from heaven, not as your fathers have eaten Manna, and are dead: who eateth this bread, shall live for ever. He spoke these things in the Synagogue, teaching in Capernaum: But knowing that many of his Disciples found this saying hard, he added, doth this offend you? what will you do then if you shall behold the Son of man astend there, where he was at the beginning? 'Tis the Spirit that quickens, the flesh is unprofitable: the words which I speak to you, are spirit and life. And after he had finished these instructions, he made them partakers of his Holy Supper, even as he hath declared by the hand of his blessed Apostle.  
In the night wherein he was betrayed, He took bread, and having given thanks, he broke it, and said, take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of me. Likewise also after Supper, he took the Cup, saying, this Cup is the New Testament of my blood, do this in remembrance of me. For how often, and whensoever you shall eat of this bread, and drink of this Cup, you shall show forth my death even until I come.  
And in the end Lord, his incomprehensible Charity, and (which exceeds all admiration) having conducted him to the hour: wherein (by his death,) he would redeem our lives, he became the saving hand which broke and opposed the blow, and received the smart of the other members.  
And be who was able as a Thunderclap of heaven to overturn under his Tempest the highest Mountains: who could as a whirlpool swallow all in an instant that opposed this power; and as a whirlwind sweep away all that was on the earth: He said I, who by the force of his Arm with one small motion can destroy all humane souls, and with one only glance of his Eye, arm a million of Angels, and overthrow under his feet the heaven and the earth, submitted himself to the rage and brutishness of his people; adopted above all people, the firstborn among men: and whom thou defendest as the Apple of thine eye. He permitted them to extend his members on the Cross, to wash our sins in his blood, and in that flood which the Iron made to issue from his body.  
And thus, great God, Thine only Son gave his life a ransom for us, and delivered us from the curse of the law, which had so long time held us slaves to sin.  
He offered his body in sacrifice, and by that holy oblation, acquired for us the gifts and the fullness of his graces wherein the blessed shall eternally rejoice.  
'Tis this Christ who is worthy to take the Book of life, 
Apoc. 5.9.  and to open the seals thereof.  
'Tis he who is the Lamb, 
Apoc. 5.12:  who meriteth to receive power, strength, Honour, and Praise.  
His death was the sacrifice of sacrifices, the accomplishment and consummation of all ceremonies, which have been from the beginning of the world.  
This is the sacrifice without renewing, whereby the wrath of God is forever appeased, his justice satisfied, and the transgressions of men effaced.  
'Tis that bright shining sacrifice in comparison whereof the foregoing were but obscure shadows.  
This is the only sacrifice full of Majesty, which is alone the object of all sacrifices, offered in time-past by all people adoring the true God. All that which the oblations of Aaron and of our fathers, have had of Propitiation and of sweet Odour were anticipated on the fullness of grace, and on the infinite merit of this sacrifice so often made in all foregoing ages.  
This is the eternal sacrifice, filled with lively splendour, which darts his Rays, and confers his Balm upon his, to render them a sweet Odour before thee my God.  
This is the sacrifice which hath placed them on the sacred seat of the Church, and hath carried them into the glorious Temple of the legitimate Spouse of Christ, all Glittering with Divinity.  
'Tis my God this sacrifice which hath conferred thy love on me, which (without intermission) I observe to shine in the flames of my own wretchedness, and hath acquired for me the infinite Grandeur of thy compassion, which I have ever beheld firm in the glances of my extreme afflictions.  
Also, my God, there was nothing but the puissant and victorious hand of thy Son, which could sever the cords and the entangling which held us bound in the snares of Satan.  
There was none but he alone proper for so great an enterprise, He alone who hath drawn us out of the path and slaughter of death, to fill us with Triumphs.  
He alone, who is the Phaire and the Lantern who directs us to arrive in a safe harbour, and who hath ever his eyes open for our happiness, and watcheth over our afflictions.  
He alone, who is the channel of perpetual sweetness, which uncessantly distils on them who cast themselves into the Port of thy Clemency.  
Great God, The compass of the Universs adores thy Grandeur: but as the glory of thy chiefest benefits, are perpetually graved in the hearts of thy faithful ones, in whom (by this holy sacrifice) thou hast planted thy victorious laurels: Also it is requisite that I be the Temple in which for ever there may be chanting and sounding forth the Hymns of thy Triumphs: and that thou may'st be the sole object of my heart, as thou art the cause of my repose: and the end of my vows, as thou art the Redeemer and Conserver of my being, what more beautiful object my God, can I enjoy then for ever to contemplate, that Christ is the inexpugnable wall and Rampart of my life: and that his charity heated with his watchfulness over me, causeth, (without intermission) to spring in thy compassions new sprouts of compassion? This is the true Father of men, who transported with the love of his children, is offered for them in sacrifice, and hath embraced their sorrows, and his death.  
Up then, my soul, let thy thoughts be ravished in the contemplation of this holy light of the world, who shineth over the heaven and the earth, and enlighteneth with his flame the gloominess of our most obscure night.  
Up, admire his compassion, adore this Lamb without spot, that holy Burnt-offering, that eternal high Priest, who hath given himself for thee.  
Rejoice thou oh my soul, since thy cleansing is so perfect and so pure, since the merit of that death shall carry thee into the heavens.  
Thou hast not my soul, 
Heb. 7.  one of those Sacrificers which are subject unto death, made after the law of a carnal commandment, who have need to offer continual sacrifices: first, for their own sins, then for those of the people: Thou hast one Sovereign high Priest, made according to the power of an uncorruptible life, and who hath one perpetual oblation, one holy Priest, Innocent, separate from sins, exalted far above all heavens, who is consecrated for ever, offering himself once, to obtain an eternal redemption.  
The light of the world (my soul) chaseth the night and obscurity fare from thee: but the knowledge of this sacrifice dissipateth all darkness from thy eyes, and renders thee capable (happily) to finish thy course on earth, and attain (with joy) an abode in Paradise.  
Divine Trinity: the only foundation of salvation, Holy unity of three persons, in whom consisteth all perfection, and felicity, whereof my soul can be rendered capable: Grant me that I may worthily comprehend the majesty of this sacrifice, and that all the days of my life, I may meditate on its greatness.  
Lord, the Lamb is slain from the beginning of the world: and both our fathers and we ourselves have washed in one same blood, and are redeemed by the same sacrifice.  
'Tis what the Apostle saith, our fathers were all under the cloud, 
1 Cor. 10.1.  and have all passed throw the Sea, and were all baptised in Moses, in the Cloud, and in the Sea, and have all eaten of one and the same spiritual food, and have all drank of one and the same spiritual cup.  
For they drank of that spiritual Rock which followed them, and that Rock was Christ.  
So, Lord, the Patriarches, and Israelites, have eaten and drank the same spiritual substance with us, and have participated as we of the Communion of the body of the Saviour of the world.  
The word Prophetic and Apostolic, have the same efficacy: Christ in the one and the other throw all equal to himself.  
Their Sacraments giving them Jesus Christ to come, to assume humane flesh, and suffer for their sins: and ours give to us the Saviour of the world, come, having taken flesh of the Virgin, endured the Cross, and risen for our Justification: The Manna and the water signified to them their future redemption, and the bread and wine signify to us the satisfaction of our Randsome acquitted by Christ, come, dead, and risen, after such a sort that we have but one like, and same faith under divers signs.  
Christ the only salvation of the Church, in all its periods, without the law, under the law, and under Grace.  
He is prefigured in all the sacrifices, exhibited in all Sacraments; as well Old as New, which are (in all times) unprofitable without Christ, which is himself alone both the foundation and the sustance.  
Abraham saw the day of the Lord, and rejoiced: This great secret was revealed unto the Prophets who Published it through the world: they were the signs of salvation to come, 
Or Host  and of the holy Bread which should be offered up for their sins, and for our sakes, the great Saviour of the world would raise to the heavens (at thy right hand,) the body which he had taken of the Virgin, instituting the Sacrament of his body and of his blood: to the intent that That, which was once offered for the satisfaction of our sins, should continually be honoured by a mystery.  
Baptism admitteth us into an alliance with God, instead of ciricumcision: The holy Supper instead of the Passeover, nourisheth and entertaineth us.  
Baptism, is called Regeneration, that is to say, a new birth. The holy Supper, The Communion of the body and blood of our Lord, to nourish us to life eternal. Of Baptism, water is the sign, The blood of Christ the thing signified: The water which washeth the stains of the body; The blood which cleanseth the sins of the soul.  
In the holy Supper, the bread and the wine are the signs, The Body and the blood of Christ, the things signified, and signified most conveniently and properly, by these signs of bread and wine: for as much as the nourishment of our souls which is in Christ, could not be better expressed than by that of our Body, which converteth into their sustance that which they eat and drink.  
So in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the bread which is blest, and which is broken and given to eat, and the cup which is blessed and given me to drink, represents to me, The body and blood of Jesus Christ given and shed for me on the Cross, to me are the sacred Symbols and assured earnests, that I am received into the communication of his body, and of his blood, which I spiritually enjoy by Faith, in the Participation of the supper. When I see the bread broken in the celebration of the supper, I meditate with myself of his body, which hath suffered death on the Cross for the remission of my sins.  
When I behold the wine poured into the cup, I call to my remembrance his blood shed for to acquire (for me) life eternal.  
By the receiving the bread and the wine, I enter by faith into a community, into the society of the body and blood of the Son of God: I draw life, I draw absolution, and am clothed again with his innocence and with his Justice.  
By the vissible receiving (which I perform) of the bread and of the wine, I am assured, that I am spiritually united to Christ, and made a Citizen of the Kingdom of heaven, that he hath bequeathed me, and possessor of eternal life which he hath given me, and in eating and drinking the bread and the wine at thy holy Table I am assured my God, that I Participate of the body and of the blood of thy Son, which I truly receive by faith, and by which I participate of the Treasures and Heritage which he hath acquired by his death, and which he hath bestowed on his faithful servants.  
When I receive the bread and the wine, I receive not only the Elements which are the figures and sacred signs of his body and of his blood, but I receive by faith and in spirit the things themselves which are signified, and represented. Not that the bread and the wine of the Eucharist communicate to me his body and blood: but thy goodness, my God, Thy truth, Thy majesty, Thy virtue and the efficacy of thy holy Spirit, communicate and reach forth this body and blood to my understanding and my soul to be spiritually eaten and drank by faith: The bread and wine serving to this purpose, being sacred signs of his Body and of his blood, which should be eaten by the operation of his holy Spirit, without understanding any thing therein of sensual, any thing corporeal, 
☜  any thing carnal; and without searching here below, and in our corporal mouths.  
His true body, with its proper essentials, with its inseparable accidents, with its quantity and dimensions, which is ascended to the heavens, and set at the right hand of God, where 'tis requisite that the heavens contain him even until the restauration of all things.  
Thus Lord, I seek the body of Christ in heaven, 
Acts 3.21.  by faith I celebrate in the holy Supper the memory of his Death and of his Passion: I declare it, I esteem it, and magnify it even until he come, and I receive it not with a carnal mouth and corporal throat, but after a Divine manner, Sacramentally, under a signifficant mystery, with the mouth of my heart, and spiritually by faith.  
By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for: By faith, whereby I really embrace his Body and blood, and which bring to pass, that in the holy Eucharist I am made partaker of it.  
By faith, which is the vessel, and the hand whereby I receive thy Graces.  
And, as Lord, 'tis by faith that the Lamb was slain from the beginning of the world: 'tis by faith that Abraham saw the day of the Lord, 'tis by faith that the Galatians have had Christ crucified before their eyes; 'Tis by faith that the Gospel gives me at this present eternal life.  
Also Lord, 'tis by faith, that in the celebration of thy holy Supper His body and his blood are present and subsistent in my heart, in my spirit, and in my soul.  
'Tis by faith, that I embrace his body, and suck his blood which distilleth from his wounds: And by means of this Sacramental eating and feeding on the body of the Saviour of the world, and this spiritual drinking of his blood, I am made bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh, I am incorporated in him. I draw (by faith) eternal life from his flesh broken for me, and from his blood shed for me: I live of Christ, and in Christ, I live of his Justice, instead that I should die of my sin: I am justified by him, sanctified in him, to be eniivened and glorified in him.  
By this holy Sacrament, I am also admonished of my duty toward my Neighbour, in regard as we are ransomed with the same blood, made members of the same body, and Dependants of one and the same Head: and consequently, one among ourselves and by the Commandment of God, and natural duty.  
We all draw life from one and the same death; nourishment from one and the same food, and the self same cup.  
Up then my soul, 'tis here where thou ought to Anchor and fix thy cogitations, stay thy course, and cast thy eyes upon the love of thy God. 'Tis here that thou oughtest to supplicate that Divine & heavenly heart, who only bestows motion upon men.  
That only pulse and life of thy being. 'Tis the only base, whereon thou foundest thy hope, to inspire in thee the ardent flames of his Spirit, and turn into thy heart, the generous boilings of zeal, heat and ardour toward him; to the intent that thou mayest be a worthy partaker of that holy Sacrament, which is the most singular consolation, the most effectual remedy, and greatest gift which he hath communicated to his upon the earth.  
It's the entire Sum and Sovereign abridgement of his benefits, it's the certain token of his infinite love, the true treasure of his bounty.  
Lord, 
Eph. 1.7.  thou hast ransomed me by the blood of thy Son, according to the ricks of thy grace, which thou causest plentifully to abound over me. Instructing me in the secret of thy pleasure.  
Thou hast informed me, that 'tis the bread of life, by the which my soul is sustained: That 'tis the true Vine, whereof I am a branch. The gate of Honour, and the rich assent which conducts me to the mount of Glory.  
Thou hast called me to the communication of his body, Hast applied his merits to me, made me his Co-heritor, partaker of his Riches, enjoying his celestial heritage.  
In time-past I was not of thy people, but now am I of the chosen generation, of the Royal Priesthood, of the holy Nation, of thy purchased people: To th' intent I should set forth and magnify thy grace and virtue, my God, who hast called me out of darkness into thy merveilous light.  
Thy Son is my only sacrifice, my only oblation, my only Holocost, by the virtue and merit whereof, the heavens and all the treasures of heaven are open to me.  
'Tis the only remedy of my sin, the only sponge capable to efface my crimes.  
'Tis the Sanctuary, the Assillum of my salvation, my heritage, the joy and the Divine chain sufficient to raise me from these miserable places.  
'Tis the tongue of succour, who undertaketh my defence, 'Tis the sacred Anchor which stayeth my vessel, and secureth it from shipwreck, and the prosperous Gale, which freeth and delivereth me from the depths, and Gulfs of the world.  
If the food, Lord, which will sustain me but one day, obligeth me to praise thy Fatherly goodness, how much more ought to be excited and inflamed my Devoyre to render thee thanks for the bread of life, and for this spiritual wine, which giveth me an eternal Paradise, which returneth me from death to life, which giveth me so perfect a recovery, that there remains no scar in my ulcers: which conducts me unto an estate, wherein I shall not more suffer the temptations and approaches of sin: where I shall be no more subject to change, where I shall be a Citizen of the Kingdom of heaven? I prostrate myself (then) before thee my God, who art my Judge, my Creator and Redeemer all in one: give me I beseech thee both heart and lips, and that I may adore thee with all the affections, and all the faculties of my soul.  
Drive away my disobedient humours, fill me with true zeal, and with sincere intentions to thy service: and scatter far from me these desires of the world, who entangle, themselves in my cogitations, and thwart my holy resolution.  
I am happy my God, 
Isa. 22.7.  to enjoy that which so many Kings, 
Nahum 1.15.  and so many Prophets desired to behold: I am happy to possess that holy Heritage, which they having but obscurely seen and saluted by faith, they have cried out with vehement desire, 
Rom. 10. ●. 15.5  Oh how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel! I am not Lord, in the extremity of the poor Paraletick who attended so many years to have the first place in the Bath troubled by thy Angel: I receive immediately my recovery of the blood of my Saviour, and there is no need that one, (more sound than myself) take me in his arms to embrace and carry me into the water. For the Faith which thou hast given me, lifts me up even unto heaven; She thither conducts my soul, which washeth herself in this precious blood, and comes forth clean and white.  
I sinne continually, and have cause of humiliation, and to dread and apprehend Death and Hell, and I am ever cheered with hope by the memory of that Eternal Sacrifice.  
But my God, make me so perfect that I receive not thy Manna unworthily, that I take it not in contempt of thy Word and thy glory, to be punished in thy wrath, as he who was devoured of a Lion, having (contrary to thy command) eaten bread in the house of the false Prophet: to be punished, as he, who was bound and cast into darkness, inasmuch as he came to the marriage without being clothed with a Wedding garment.  
Lord, I know that 'tis recorded in the Gospel, that who so eateth of this bread, and drinketh of this cup unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of Jesus Christ thy Son.  
But, my God Thou art Wonderful in thy mercies. Thou rejectest no man, Thou abhorrest not the Thief who confessed thee, nor the sinner who wept, nor the Canaanite who accused herself, 
Marry Magdalen.  nor the Disciple who denied Jesus, nor even they themselves who persecuted thee, insomuch as they repent.  
And I Lord, I confess my sins, I condemn them, I accuse myself, I beg thy pardon, I entreat thee to behold thy goodness, not my demerit.  
Lord, Thou hast vanquished death, thou hast raised my soul from the grave, thou hast drawn me out of the pit, thou hast opened to me the gates of eternal life.  
Supply then my defaults with thy blessings, and grant me that in thy Temple, in the Assembly of thy faithful ones, I may worthily receive with faith, this heavenly food, and this spiritual drink: and that I take (with zeal and reverence) the bread and wine which are presented to me, by him who hath the honour to preach thy Word, and whose mouth is the breast of thy Church.  

A Thanksgiving after the receiving of the Sacrament.  
My Soul bless the Lord, who daily filleth and loadeth thee with his treasures: Bless God, who causeth the sweet dew of his Clemency to distil on thee.  
My Soul bless the Saviour of the World, who hath loved us, who hath washed our sins in his blood, who hath made us Kings and Priests to God his Father.  
Blessed be the Lamb who sitteth upon the Throne, 
Apoc. 5: 13:  to whom shall resound praises for ever under the Vaults of heaven, and his Sacred Name shall be Celebrated and Magnified from age to age.  
Oh my glorious God, how much satisfaction do I receive, in casting and overthrowing myself at thy feet, how happy am I to approach thy holy Table!  
'Tis thou oh my God, who hast tamed the Hydra of my miseries, who hast preserved me from the devouring knives of the Devil, who hast succoured me in my bloody agony, who hast recented my afflictions, seeing me exposed to the Savageness of the infernal Tigers, who had reduced me to the cruel darts of death; I was buried in despair and in the grave swallowed and overwhelmed in the jaws of a miserable servitude, overtaken with the storm of so many misfortunes.  
But my God, by thy singular compassion, (though I bedewed not my face with tears, nor filled the air with my complaints:) Thou hast restored me to my first condition, thou hast embellished me withthe splendour of the graces of thy countenance, and polished me with the first lustre of my natural beauty; I was overwhelmed under my proper ruin, I was entombed in the gulf di gged with my own hands, I had cast myself within the horrible Den of Satan; but thou hast restored me, thou hast lifted me up, and delivered me from my extremities.  
I was captive, and now the gate of liberty is open to me: my vessel was on every side battered with the Tempest: It was ready to split itself against the banks, and now saileth gloriously on the water, and cuts and divides the waves, driven by a prosperous gale.  
I was the prey of Satan, and now triumph (through thy mercies) above all his temptations, above all his ambushes and all his powers, I cry out now Lord with Simeon, let thy servant departed in peace, according to thy Word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before all men, to be the enlightening of all Nations, and glory of thy people Israel.  
Lord, I render thee such thanks as I am able, not such as I ought; I am obliged to magnify thy Name for ever, with a thousand sacrifices of praise, to humble myself (all contrite) at thy feet to inflame my heart with repentance, and sacrifice the ashes to thee. Thou hast cleansed me, washed me from my offences, made me approach thy holy Table, and partaker of thy merits; there remains nothing after this Sacrament, but to be united to thy glory.  
Grant me, Lord, that I may submit to thy pleasure the remainder of my days.  
Grant me repentance of my offences, not for a day, but which may last even unto my Sepulchre: that I may continually address my vows to thee, that I may exalt thee without ceasing, and that (for ever) I may be at thy feet to do thee homage as my God, my Sovereign, and my Redeemer.  
Grant me, Lord, that I may be attentive to the reading of thy holy Scriptures, to the end that the sharp Sword of thy Word, may sever and reverse the deepest and profoundest roots of my infidelity: and that the divine light of thy Gospel, which hath enlightened thy Church from the Apostles even to this day, may dissipate the thick darkness which overwhelmes me.  
Grant me that I may serve thee in holiness and righteousness; that I may furnish my memory with the beauty of thy divine power: enlighten the gloominess and obscurity which environes me, prepare my feet to the path of peace; and my mouth to pronounce thy praise: and permit not that I be surprised with any evil slumbers, and that I sleep not unto death.  
Raise up my Soul Lord (by the fervour of devotion to a constant meditation) on heavenly things: conserve me as he whose name is written in thy book of life.: as he, who is ransomed with the blood of the Saviour of the World, is destined to be a vessel of honour in thine house.  
Unite my spirit (by continual meditations) to them of thine elect, to the intent that being endowed with thy graces, I may serve thee for a pleasant habitation, as a fair Jerusalem.  
In Conclusion Lord, to thee I recommend my Soul and my Body, my Counsels and Cogitations, my Words and Actions, the conduct of all my Ways, the Course and End of my life.    

A Discourse of Afflictions and Martyrdom.  
THe Children of God are marked with a different Character, from the rest of the Citizens of the Earth. God hath assigned them for portion here below, Poverty, Ignominy, the loss of kindred, maladies, and the most insufferable kinds of deaths; but happy are these afflictions tending to salvation: blessed these chastisements, which are to correct, not to destroy.  
Praised be God who (by these strokes) prevents the celerity of our gangrenes, who hath recourse to absitions to preserve our lives, and applies the lance to the inflammations of our ulcers, until the venom ceases to prevail.  
Those whom he corrects not, are such whom he disdains to amend, those are the children of the World, who have their Paradise on earth, not in heaven.  
Their wealth often exceeds their wishes, their honour surmounts their desires: but the season of their delight fades in an instant, and that of their calamity is eternal.  
The Fatherly hand afflicteth not them daily, they are only buffeted by the enemy of men, which cometh too late, and in recompense he tormenteth them for ever.  
Let us (then) call to mind that it's foretell in the Gospel, that we are destined to suffer griefs, to support outrages, and be cut off from the world: and that we are commanded to comfort ourselves in these tribulations, and to skip for joy in the midst of our torments, for as much as our reward is great in heaven.  
If we suffer ourselves to be transported by heaviness beyond measure, 'tis to be suspected that afflictions will overcome us, & give us over to despair, as unworthy the consolations, which are presented to us by the hand of God, and of the certain promises, which he hath left us by writing in his Word.  
Let us raise up our souls (then) above all the things of this World.  
Direct our cogitations to remember the state of our lives, and on the remedies which God hath bestowed on us to solace our sorrows and calamities: of a truth, our prosperity, & the sweetness of content ordinarily passeth in a little space, and giveth place to afflictions, who march on with a hideous and frightful visage.  
Our life is nothing but a motion, if one day be pleasant, another renders itself unsupportable: and that we enjoy of content, never continues constant.  
But since this is the condition, in which it pleaseth God we should live, we must not add our bloody hands to tear our wounds, and become unjust in respect of what remains, for the regreat of what we have lost.  
It's folly to take on ones self the punishment of his infelicity, to stay upon the part offended, and to look upon the worst side of our lives.  
Let's not (then) more embitter our evils by our impatience, neither (hereafter) render our green wounds and emotions, mortal strokes, and incurable ulcers.  
Let's cast behind us that pusilanimity, which ever puts us to flight, causing us to cast forth cries equal to the measure that the Ocean is irritated and raised up against us, and hinders us from sustaining the storm without being appalled.  
Let's fortify our hearts, let's fill them with assurance, to the intent that contemplating with a confident brow the miseries of the world, not to apprehend their approach, to sustain them with a courageous aspect, and encounter them with valour.  
Let's approach afflictions to understand them, and (by the way) resolve ourselves to constancy. The Soldier is unworthy of that name, who trembles so soon as he beholds an enemy, and persuades himself that already their Sword is at his throat: and he is marvellous feeble, who is afraid at the only appearance of afflictions. Their view cannot offend us, and their endeavours (if we please) may be rendered successelesse.  
Why (then) make we any difficulty to enter into the lists against them; since their wounds ought to harden us, constantly to suffer their assaults? Those who are nourished in the shade, dread the ardure of the Sun, and not those that are accustomed to it.  
Children are apprehensive, and fear to behold their blood, and not old Soldiers, who have of't seen it, as it were continually to distil, and flow from their wounds.  
Few new afflictions can present themselves, we already have beheld and sustained the most of them: if they be great and considerable, the more danger and peril, the more glory.  
What delight to rend off the scales which would form themselves against the brightness of our eyes? what satisfaction to prevent those discords, which would trouble our harmony?  
Up then, let us learn to accustom ourselves to all diversity and inequality of life, and to receive every thing of the saving hand of God.  
And as the Superior part of the air, which is nearest to the heavens, is never darkened with clouds, nor agitated with thunders: so our souls, (ever elevated above these passions,) should never be shamefully overturned under griefs and sadness, but so much as is necessary to bring her to repentance.  
Let us not precipitate ourselves desperately as mad men, after our affections: enduring (with all our heart) the adversity of the world, ever calling to mind, that as the divine benedictions, which we shall one day enjoy, are settled in a continued and happy rank, so (also) these mortal things are tossed by an infinite number of blustres, and totter and incline sometimes to one side, sometimes to another.  
It is familiar in the crowd and throng of a battle, to take one's fortune; upon the Ocean, to be beaten with storms, upon the earth with divers afflictions.  
The , for having been preserved from so many tempests, cannot longer dread Shipwreck.  
The Soldier for the frequency and assiduity of peril contemns danger: The infinite number of afflictions should instruct us not to esteem them as considerable.  
Our life is no other than a continual war-fare: if sometimes we are free from heaviness, it's nothing but a short truce with the world; or rather a suspension of arms, and no absolute, no entire peace.  
If the Sun shines bright, a sudden storm (in an instant) chaseth away the serenity of the air, and filleth all with darkness: if we behold a glimpse of light, we are again plunged presently into a more close prison.  
War interrupts peace, sickness, health, death, the sweetness of conversation. Pleasure and sorrow are of near assinity, and ever entertain each other. Such is the condition of men, against which plaints are unprofitable: Such it was to those in ages past, and so shall it be to them in time to come.  
The remedy is, that we serve ourselves of these changes as Musicians of Tones, flat, sharp and divers. It's necessary that we learn to conduct our vessel; not only in calm, still waters, but also in the high going and rough billows.  
Contrary winds do not hinder that we aid ourselves by following the North, if so be we hoist and trim our sails as we ought.  
The bitterness of griefs are sweetened by remedies, the nettles do not sting, when we press them very hard, nor afflictions when we tread on their throat.  
If they made choice of persons, if in passing by some, they spared them altogether, their inequality would be more insupportable: but the bullet is blind, it pierces as soon the Captain as the Soldier: The  is deaf, it retires not sooner for the plaints of the greatest, than the meanest: The heat of the Sun scorches without distinction all those who are in the Plain: The cold as easily penetrates the Velvets as the Shagges; and death overturnes every one without excepting any, to the intent that the equality of each ones necessary destiny, should serve for a general consolation.  
But if it appears to us, that we behold some who are ever at their ease, who live and flourish in great plenty of all things, without encountering any affliction: assuredly we abuse ourselves; it's the lustre of their habits, which dasles us, their Port and Fashion, which deceives us: we see not with what a multitude of agitations their souls are tormented, what perturbations, and what desires vex their spirits, putting them into inquietude, and interrupting their repose: we see not their Catarrhs, their issues, and the cries they send forth in the dolour of their stone and gout: the condition of their spirit, and disposition of their Bodies is unknown to us.  
They go not forth of their houses but in health, they show not themselves in public, but with a cheerful countenance, whereas often their hearts are heavy, and that is it which deceives us; and then, what know we what afflictions they have had heretofore, what distempers, then when we were in health: what heaviness at such time, when we were in delight? what understand we what mischiefs hang over their heads, ready to overcome and destroy them? An Ague is ready, a pestilent air, a weakness, a fall, the treachery of an enemy: And if we be not satisfied with so many Considerations, let's cast down our sight, and beholding so many poor people afflicted of all sorts, seeing the beggar often in despair, for default of finding a morsel of brown bread.  
Behold them tormented with a , impaired, languishing; laid overturned on the pavement: observe the greatest consolation which they receive from our charity, they are dragged to a hideous place filled with wretches: there they understand nothing but cries, but plaints, but groans, but gaspings after death: ofttimes the dead remaining long among them, before they be interred: and thus in these continued miseries, they finish their lives.  
Behold on the other side, a poor father sick, stretched out upon the straw, to whom bread is wanting when his labour fails him, having five or six small children lying about him, crying for hunger.  
Behold one Bedridden of the Palsy these four years, continually pierced through with heaviness, constantly gasping after death: if we be so mischievous to receive any consolation from the harms of another, agreeable to our sorrows: 'Tis most facile for us (by this communion of miseries) to assuage our own, and to mitigate our affliction; by the multitude of other afflicted ones, which are so innumerable.  
But let's return to ourselves, what advantage have we by so many plaints? do our afflictions retire for our cries? 
☞  no, they never swerve out of their way.  
Give them passage then, and cross their humour, to the intent they should not abide in our Company.  
If by lamentations we think to chase away our evils; If by tears we hope to lift up the Tombs, and renew and enlighten again the extinguished lives of our friends: I should be of opinion to enforce ourselves to distil out all we have of oysture.  
But if our lamentations bring them no advantage, if that our regreates are not so much as understood by them, if the marble that presseth them, heareth not our groans, to what end are so many unprofitable sighths, so many rages, so many faintings to no effect?  
If it be in regard of them, 'tis folly, if for our own, do we love our ease so much, then as to cruciate ourselves for the loss of one contentment, of one support, or a little wealth?  
If we lament, for that 'tis an affliction, consider our misery, observe how one stroke seconds another: and how that if for every occasion we will afflict ourselves, 
☞  tears will fail us sooner, than a ground for lamentation.  
'Tis a miserable remedy to go about to drive away one heaviness with another, it's the way to pass away our life in continual tears and sadness, and not to manifest the grandeur of our courage, and generosity of our souls.  
Who is more praiseworthy, or he who being surprised and overtaken by an affliction, doth by his impatience aggrevate and embitter his misfortune, and gives himself to despair? or rather he, who yieldeth not to its assaults, and thereby abates and frustrates the force of adversity by an invincible heart, and courageously bears away the victory?  
The good disposition of our spirits, should not change as that of our bodies, according to Climates and Moons.  
This World, which beholds our persons may afflict them, but not our souls, which should (continually) reside in the hand of God; what though our bodies are sometimes languishing, wasting and consuming, we are nevertheless sound in our better parts, to wit, our souls, seeing we fill them with assurance.  
And why bemoan we ourselves for so many diseases? understand we not that our bodies are no other than receptacles of corruption, and that many of them are hereditary, and left us as a sad patrimony? If we consider of how many divers parts our bodies are composed and framed, to how many several accidents each is subject, and that the least change which causeth discord, is sufficient to cast us into a ; nought remains, but to admire, how we are sometimes so long without pain. Our maladies are pleasant, seeing they so faithfully divide the time with health: and then not seldom their anguish makes us relish the pleasure of a speedy amendment.  
The Sun seems more bright after darkness, rest more welcome after travel, health more lovely after distempers.  
Wherefore repine we at our betters? Know we not that the Valleys are less subject to storms than the lofty Mountains? That a shrub is more rarely thunderstruck than an high towering oak, which seems to despise the earth? That the highest and straitest trees, are not the best? that the Popplers and Sallowes receive (ungratefully) their nourishment, and (contrarily) that the Vine bowed on the earth, is fruitful? how many great ones from the height of their dignity, are tumbled among the multitude? How many Kings have beheld their Sceptres broken betwixt their hands, and their Crowns shivered in divers parts? And if our wealth be taken from us, why lavish we so many sighths for things so casual? wherefore do we throw away our contentment after our riches? Have not so many precedents that we have observed, admonis●● us, that all worldly wealth is set on slippery places, and that that which shineth brightest 〈◊〉 us, 
The 〈◊〉  may be obscured in a mo●●●●? It's not expedient that they be to joined and glued to us, that we cannot part with them, without rending away something of our own.  
If we live not so gloriously, we live nevertheless not less happily.  
That man disburses very much to fill his belly, and then awakens sluggish by his unsavoury stomach; and we, less satisfies us to sustain our lives: and at worst, if one must lose all, is it not better to die for hunger without so much fear, and such a deal of vexation, than in heaviness and torment of spirit?  
The poor man, whom necessity compels to labour, (who gains not his living but by his finger's ends) is all day attentive at his business, without any passion: he eats his bread in quiet, he sleepeth all night (without care) until the morning wakens him to his work: very many of the most wealthy, pass not their time so pleasantly, many prove this truth. Wealth and rest unwillingly cohabit. 
☜   
And then would we be ever in our spring? Is it not said that the rain follows the heat, and ice moisture? who is that Soldier who would live concealed in his Tent, the general who continues in his Chair with his hands on the Carpet without presenting himself in the Field of Battle? Great men are well-pleased (sometimes) to behold themselves in pain, virtue shines brightest among perils, she is greedy of labour, knowing that her sufferings are a considerable part of her glory.  
We are obliged to please ourselves sometimes in discovering our constancy in afflictions: 'tis no small honour, when we cannot shun a mischief, to resolve ourselves to a courageous sufferance.  
Go to then, all ye who bear the mark of God in your foreheads, resolve yourselves with me, let's unite in this Combat, arming our tender breasts, with virtue, and magnanimity, let's fall on with fierceness, let's advance (continually) to the prize against these afflictions: & so soon as we perceive them appear, let's improve our courage by the cry and the course: even as the Rock immovably sustaineth the waves and assaults of the enraged Sea; in like sort let's dispose and contrive 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 souls continue firm and constant against the threats and strokes of the world: even as the diamond in the midst of ordure casts forth a more bright lustre of his beauty: even so (amongst afflictions) let's bear a more serene visage and smiling countenance, to make a more eminent virtue appear.  
A few Planks joined together, serve us to sail down rivers, to pass the Seas, and tame their most violent and angry tides and waves without apprehension of Shipwreck.  
Constancy, Magnanimity, Patience, and all these shining virtues united together will assist us to pass athwart all the adversity of the world, without feeling their assaults, and with an immovable Courage.  
Let's sustain ourselves fixed betwixt public and private Desolations: If we cannot Go, let's Crawl.  
Men may (without difficulty) style a man wretched, but it's at his liberty whether he will be so. 
☜   
We are summoned to encounter afflictions which seem formidable; but let's furnish ourselves with considerable reasons to enkindle an heat in the chillest frosts of the hearts of the most timorous.  
Let's lay hold on weapons, which not only wound these afflictions, but destroy and kill them.  
Let's not only overturn them one by one, but execute them altogether, that they may fall upon the place.  
What if the enraged storms unite in one? what if they be assisted by the tide of the Sea, and if they drive a ship with their most vigerous and impetuous force, the Remora nevertheless (in fixing himself, and thrusting into the planks) stops it quite short: in like sort, some great adversity, some extreme affliction which may overtake us, we are able to bear and sustain it with patience, and take it in good part, remembering with ourselves, that it falls from on high, and from that divine providence who governs and rules all things of 〈◊〉 ●●vine 〈…〉 who 〈…〉 our 〈◊〉, who 〈…〉 Angels about us, to prevent that none do us the least violence, exceeding that he hath ordained.  
'Tis the great King who with one glance of an eye can overturn this vast Globe, who causeth his showers to distil upon us.  
'Tis his puissant Arm, who hath framed this all, whence his thunder is shot.  
'Tis that great Pilate at whose voice the Sea yieldeth such ready obedience, who causeth us to be weatherbeaten by its storms.  
We fly in vain, when his hand pursues us: his voice echoes in our ears throughout the world: the blast of his mouth could shatter us even to the most obscure & profound caverns of the earth: he corrects us when he pleaseth: he hath none other law but that of his pleasure; he conducts us through the Plains and through the Mountains, by the spring, and by the winter, in prosperity and in afflictions.  
We must esteem the night as well as the day, the evening as the morning: we must be satisfied with the 〈…〉 communicates 〈…〉 would for himself to undertake a great enterprise, endangers himself to lose his sight therewith: We must submit to the pleasure of God who governs all this Universs by his providence.  
When it so pleaseth him, He converteth (in a moment) the miseries of his into rejoicings: He drowneth their afflictions under the streams of Benedictions, he sustaineth them when ready to fall, and confirms them, that their succours and deliverance comes from his hand: He restores them when abased: He remedies their distempers without disturbing himself: 
☞  and even he healeth the wound he hath made: and after cauterising and searing, he applieth Benign and gentle Fomentations, and touches them with a most delicate and tender hand.  
And (usually) then, 
☞  when all humane help fails and forsakes us, 'tis then, that he is nearest to his own.  
Let's remit and cast ourselves then on his holy Providence, rejoicing before him, leaping for joy, elevating our eyes to heaven.  
He who hath fixed the Sun and stars in heaven, He who hath preserved his holy Ark from the surges, and from the Tempest, He who hath caused it to snow a savoury Manna upon his people, and hath caused fountains to flow-forth of Rocks: To him who needs no Base for a foundation, who buildeth on the vacuum, as on the fullness, on nought, as on matter: 
☜  He who electeth (when it pleaseth him) the most contemptible raising them out of obscurity, and placing them upon the most Eminent dignities; is he not more than sufficient to cause the Lilies to flourish under the Sceptre of his Anointed, 
Flower Deluce.  and under the air of a pleasant and gentle peace, without ever being faded by a storm? Can he not effect it that our fields should answer our desires, That our good fortune should surmount and exceed our expectations, that our days should flourish in health and honour, and that we should die heavy and satiated with old age? Proceeds it not from him who causeth that the earth is not yet tired with so many Births and Productions, and that (of his own liberality) she daily furnisheth us with necessary nourishment: who causeth that the floods descend drop, by drop: that the Sun bringeth back the spring, and giveth carnation to the Roses, the Purple to the Gillyflowers, Perfumes scents and odours to so many several various Plants? what though the enemies of the Gospel confederate against us, if they assemble together, if they levy war against the Church: have we cause of terror, being covered under the Banner of the great God, loaded with victory, who enjoyeth the principal point, and sovereign period of the glory? of the great God, who produceth so much splendour from the Armies of his children? who causeth the Cities to open their gates at the only approach of their Host, that the mountains yield and bow under the burden of their forces, who overturnes the most powerful armies, by the keen edge of their sword, who paveth the earth with the bodies of their enemies, cementing their Plains with their blood, and furnisheth them with such a multitude of Trophies upon Trophies, and so many divers and sundry subjects to enrich everlasting Histories; Have we not so much spirit to consider on these benefits? Are we not capable to behold so many benedictions, The continuance, the grandeur, the number taketh that the admiration from us? He's as Puissant now as ever, to warrant us, and to settle and assure the victory on our standards, and the honour and glory on our brows.  
He's the same who appeared to Moses in a burning flame, 
Exod. 3.  and declared that he had heard the affliction of his people, that he had heard their cries, and understood their sorrows, that he would deliver them out of the hands of the Egyptians, and conduct them into a land flowing with milk and honey.  
'Tis the very same who effected so many Miracles (by the hand of Moses) in the presence of hardhearted Pharaoh: 
Exod. 13.21.  'Tis the same eternal who marched by day before his poople in a Pillar of a cloud, to conduct them in the way, 
Exod. 14.  and by night in a Pillar of fire to give them light. 'Tis the same who by an East wind clavae the red-sea, piling up the waters to make way for Israel, and who (soon aftar) overwhelmed in the Billows, Pharaoh and his Armey. 'Tis he, who caused that the enterprises of Gideon were numberless: 
Joshua 12.  who made Joshua to Triumph over thirty one Kings, who stayed (in favour of his Battles) the Sun in the midst of his course, and made him continue immovable for a long space of time, whilst that he overturned his enemies (by millions) on the dust.  
'Tis he who confirmed Israel flying before the Philistine, before that great Thunderbolt of war, causing that the fury of a stone, parting from the hand of a Shepherd, should plant itself in the midst of his forehead.  
'Tis the same who filled Hester with courage against Haman, who caused that Baruch, that Samson, that Jephta, that David, that Samuel, and so many Prophets have combated Kingdoms, have closed the throats of Lions, have repelled the force of fire, have escaped the devouring sword, have showed themselves mighty in Battle, and turned their enemies to flight.  
But these are favours which flow from his hand when it pleaseth him, and then only when he knows it expedient for his glory.  
In the interim we are obliged to rest satisfied with our condition, in the which it pleaseth him we should live, 
☜  and receive those corrections which he giveth us, to the intent to amend us: who opposes himself against God, to repine & bemoan himself, shall incur the danger (instead of temporary adversity,) to suffer eternal torments.  
The afflictions which overtake us, are ordained by solemn Decrees; whereto we ought to acquiesse and submit; by Ordinances, against which it's not permitted we open our mouths.  
The Murmur against Decrees so holy, is punished as the entire voice, the Will, as the Effect.  
Moreover, these are afflictions tending to our health. Ruins, to cause us turn to our wealth, Poverty, to make us regard our riches.  
The clattering of his Thunder falls to awaken us, his corrections to put us upon repentance, These chastisements, to force from our hearts sigths and repentance.  
These are the effects of the love of the Creator, testimonies, that he ever has an eye over his work-manship, and that he will make them understand their errors.  
The Sovereign Law of a King, is the safety of his People, of God the safety of his own, to make them ever tend to that point, he applieth all manner of remedies: observing them too intent on the world, he addeth to the loss of their substance, the loss of their kindred, and by these torments he awakneth their zeal, which slumbered in a peaceable time: He disturbeth their ease, to preserve their ardure from rusting, He employeth the Fan to cleanse his Grain, Vinegar to efface the aines.  
He is the Physician, who laboureth for health, not for pleasure, who would heal the distemper, not sooth and flatter it, who ordaineth rather Ruburb than Sugar, who useth scalding and sharp medicines, but very healthful: we must not expect from him Flowers, Strawberries and Cream: but bitter roots, nautious Pills, and Potions black and troubled.  
He extracts out of our sufferings, our prosperity, and that which seems to us, to tend to our destruction, he converts to what makes for our safety: He conserveses us by strict diets, and extreme thirst, and severs our Rotten members which cannot be continued without the dissolution of the whole Body.  
But then when our welfare requires that so it must be, it's better to perish in part, then entirely, to lose one, than both our eyes: of't-times a member spared, costs the life.  
If we be always heated with Prosperity, if we ever live at our ease, what a multitude of designs would take up our thoughts and interpose that we lift not up our souls to that which is on high? with how little difficulty will we permit ourselves to slip into vices, and to be partakers of all the vanities of the word? That little interval we have enjoyed, gives us full assurance, the example of very many removes all doubt.  
We are slothful to our safety, we must be pressed to it, we are slack, and advance not but by constraint.  
The Eagle hovers round about her young, to teach them to raise themselves from the earth, he lets some days pass without feeding them, to the intent that hunger may compel them to seek out their food: and for the utmost remedy: He beats them, he corrects their sloth with strokes both with his beak and wings.  
Even so the great God delivers his Ordinances into our hands, to observe them, He commands us to obey them, he summons, he threatens us: and in conclusion when bare words makes no impression in our hardened hearts, He puts us forward, and constrains us through sundry afflictions. He deals by us, as a Father who hastily snatches the Knife out of the hand of his child, fearing he should hurt himself, and forbears not for his crying: As the Father who retires his son from the brinck of the River, and in withdrawing him, corrects him, to the end he should not return again; He chastiseth us, to the intent we should resent our offences: he leads us off, beating us, and ever adds some surcharge to our afflictions, thereby to humble us.  
During our prosperity we pride ourselves, beholding every thing with a scornful eye, we value none but ourselves, and think not of aught but our content and felicity.  
And as bodies that are fatted, languish under their proper weight, and stoop beneath the burden and charge of themselves: in like manner, our overmuch and continual repose drowns us in pleasures, and (lessons in delights) the first glances men observe to blaze of our zeal and ardure to pursue the path of the children of God.  
The skilful Physician sometimes breathes a vein, not for present necessity, but to prevent and remove the cause of that malady he judges approaching: In like manner, God afflicts us to turn us from vices, which we are ready to embrace.  
And so he prunes off many branches of a plant, to the intent it may become more fruitful: we undergo afflictions, to the intent we may fructify the more; and that we may increase our zeal.  
That we may preserve ourselves dextrous and strong, we accustom ourselves to Justs & Attorneys, we sergeant war in a full & absolute peace: and to preserve our souls ever amiable, always healthy, do we refuse adversity, afflictions, and trials? we conceive not of our felicity, but by the same measure that we recent evil, 
☞  we joy not in heaven, but so far as earth torments us, we embrace not God, but in the same degree that men afflict us.  
Men distinguish the children of God by their scars, their songs are sighths: their garments sable, mourning and gloomy; their Edifices Prisons and the Grave.  
Men send the stout Soldier to the assault, they plant him in the midst of the breach, they place him in the mouth of the Cannon; the Loyal in battle, against difficulties, losses and vexations.  
The Courage of the Soldier, softens and relents during the truce, his generosity abates, if he be long absent from the Field of battle: In like-sort, the zeal of God's Children languisheth, and consumeth itself in time of prosperity.  
He there signalizeth himself by the scars in his front, and by the wounds received for default of his Arms: This here, by afflictions proceeding from the hand of the Omnipotent God.  
All his adversities are advertisements, these rubarbs are healthful nourishments, and bitternesses tending to pleasantness; we may not imitate the Caterpillar, converting flowers into poison: the Anvil, which hardens itself against the Hammer.  
The sons of earth, who sink in despair: The valiant brow searches the glory of Laurels and Palms, for testimonies of their courage: the true believers suffer the honour of crosses, of griefs and trials, for signs of their faith.  
Let's then quit the Field to these Panic, these feeble amasements, overthrowing them under our weapons: enduring them with a cheerful aspect; (since 'tis the pleasure of God) that afflictions (as pointed arrows) should be fixed in our bodies.  
Suffering with constancy, if his heavy hand presseth us on, abates us, dismembers us, and hence forward, being rather apt to penance than plaints. Being of good courage, he is ever a spectator of his own, who struggle and contest against calamity: He is ever at hand to yield them courage, by their sides to aid and assist them: He was by Job stretched out on the Dunghill: He accompanied the three Children in the Furnace; He descended with Daniel into the innermost crannies of the Den of Lions; He was near Elias in the Desert, with Saint Peter in the Prisons, with such a multitude of Martyrs in the midst of the flames.  
This labour is an exercise of true Courage, in the sweat whereof men find felicity: The end, the aim, whereunto we are called, is so excellent and admirable, that we are obliged to embrace all enterprises, which may conduct us thither: Then let these Ignominies, these faded, withered things, these dolours be our Laurels, our Palms, our Crowns: let them be the marks of our virtue, engraven on our bodies.  
Let us cheerfully receive these Presents from the hand of God, let's relish these wholesome medicines, let's embrace (if it be the pleasure of God) wounds, Martyrdom and Death.  
What then? If for his honour and glory, if the more to publish the Name and Merit of the Saviour of the World; He delivers us into the hands of these Barbarians, who oppose public afflictions, and the horror of death, to check the progress of the Name of Christ: who seek not their glory, but by the measure and proportion of their cruelty against persevering Christians: if he deliver us into the power of these Butchers, who imagine the heavenly Field is husbanded as ours, by the labour and assistance of the Iron: who persecute us by public punishments, by the astonishment of flames, by the horror of Gibbets, and of Pillaries: surfeiting of blood and carcases, and by the dread of Butchers prepared to death and destruction?  
What? Shall we not conserve this precious earnest, this holy gage, this divine faith planted in our hearts by the powerful operation of the Omnipotent Spirit? Shall we not inviolably observe this sacred oath of fidelity given to Jesus Christ at our birth?  
What? Shall we not freely lavish out our blood on so glorious an occasion?  
What? (That we renounce not our faith, our salvation) shall we not advance boldly to death, whereby we shall pass to immortality? let not these Barbarians (then) imagine by the fear of their torments, to wrest from us any expressions lose, and unworthy of Christians.  
Faith is the greatest gift, which men have received from the hand of God.  
Faith is of such vast importance, that it must out-ballance every humane consideration; when it concerns our faith, we must suffer none to be more Eminent, more Gallant, more Generous than the Christian; nothing more scorning and contemning the Sword, more despising the flames, more contemning death: 'tis necessary that we bedew and besprinkle her with our blood, and testify it with our death; 'tis expedient that it augment our zeal in the Prisons, that we profess and affirm it before Magistrates, to reinforce it in Martyrdom.  
Rendering ourselves like green Trees, who bow themselves on one side, when men would force them to yield to the other: stiffning themselves proportionably, as men would bend them: Imitating the Diamond, which obstinately resists both the iron and the fire: as the gold who spreads well, but wastes not; which loseth his dross, but not his weight; his scurse, but not his substance: like the quicksilver, the which the more men press it to collect it together, the more he is constrained, the more he is excited to obtain his liberty, and free, goes vanishing and spreading into a multitude of particles.  
Do we make any difficulty to enter upon trial of the constancy of a true Christian? Fear we the ran-counter of so rare, so precious a Prize, for which so many of our Fathers have improved, and fattened the earth with their bodies, and run so cheerfully to Martyrdom, to join themselves eternally to God? Let's maniest that we are true shoots of those Ancient stocks which have produced such admirable and pleasant fruit: Let's declare that we are successors of the splendour of their faith.  
'Tis for this fair occasion that they have esteemed it so honourable to suffer: 'Tis by this stair and assent that they are mounted into heaven, by this Road that they are passed into eternal beatitude.  
Let's (then) hereafter be always ravished, ever taken with a Divine fervour: not having other aim nor object than what concerns the glory of the great God, and the salvation of our souls: for the rest of the world have not other esteem than so fare forth as it shall serve to advance and attain it.  
It's not only permitted to us to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for him: Consider with ourselves that we have to struggle against flesh and blood, against Principalities and Powers, and the Signeories of the world.  
If God will not nourish us in the shadow, if he calls us to the trial, let's glory in tribulations, supporting ourselves with constancy. And although that our enemies give us many assaults, yet for all that the glory, the crown belongs not to them.  
God afflicts and visits, God imploies those that he loveth: and those whom he seemeth to favour, He reserveth to Desolation: Chastisements correct us; and impunity carries away them.  
St. Paul saith that he gave not place by submission, no not for a moment, to the intent that the truth of the Gospel might be permanent: He saith that he made reckoning of nothing, that his life is not precious to him, 
Cal. 2.5.  to the end that he may finish his course in the Grace of God. 
Acts 20.22.   
Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, choosing rather to be afflicted with the people of God, 
Heb. 11.24.  than to enjoy the pleasures and delights of sin for a season, better affecting the service of God, than to possess the riches of Egypt.  
Daniel delighted rather to expose himself to the savageness of the Lions, He chose sooner to be cast into their Den, wherein he expected to be (in an instant) dismembered, than to abstain (for thirty days) to adore God with his windows open, as he did afore time.  
The three children rather elected to be cast into the ardent flames, than to bow before the Idol.  
Eleazar grey and bald, and that Mother fearing God with her seven Children, suffered Martyrdom and death, rather than to infringe the Commandment of God by permitting swines-flesh to enter their mouths.  
It's most certain that there is but one path, to arrive at felicity, but one only heavenly Collume, whereon we must take place, but one only Ark wherein we must be enclosed to avoid the Deluge. All other ways, how Contiguous, how near, how like soever they be, lead directly into the Jaws of the Devil. All other vessels, but that of Noah split, being swallowed by the waves.  
The truth of the Gospel is published by the voice of the Apostles, proved by Miracles, sealed by the blood of Martyrs, and acknowledged by the evil spirits: What? shall we be so very detestable as to belly the holy writ, to reject our salvation, to dissavow our Saviour? He descended for us, hath suffered for us, hath died for us: shall we make difficulty to confess him, to suffer for him, to die for him? No, No, let our speeches ever agree with our thoughts, let our thoughts be always the same with our words.  
Let's not cast ourselves (by the sound of our lips) into the snares of Satan, that the fear of torments cause us not to renounce heaven, that the dread of death make us not to abandon Jesus Christ and his heritage: that our Timidity occasion not a sad shipwreck in the very harbour: not changing our affections with fortune, nor varying our Face like as a Mass of wax, nor our habitation as the wand'ring foul for the cold.  
Let not the bands of the vanity of the world so eclipse our sight, that we discern not our offence, that our designs stifle and extinguish not the bright sparkles of our souls; that our desires deprive us not of our Salvation.  
We have tasted the heavenly gift, let not an Emotion and light distemper cause us to disgorge and vomit it, we are pure, let's not fill ourselves with Ordure: we are clean, let's not defile ourselves in the mire: Electing rather a glorious and honourable grave, than a loathsome, infamous life.  
Let's rather instantly die with a sound and entire spirit, let's finish now our voyage and life with God, than here (for a short space) with the world, with despair, with Satan. Who would preserve himself by quitting the Helm, suffereth shipwreck: who imagines to recoil one step, tumbleth into a bottomless deep: who retires from Paradise, precipitateth himself into hell.  
God hath not ordained all to be outraged for his holy Name, all are not capable: God hath not marked all the inhabitants of the earth with the badge of his Son, few are treated like the Master.  
There's but one plant taken of the stock, of the plant, one bunch, of the bunch, a few grapes.  
Blessed is he who is capable, happy he who is treated as the Master, Happy he who is of those grapes.  
The Children of this World, who are not couched in a divine estate make themselves merry; they are weaksighted, altogether imperfect to contemplate on heavenly mysteries; they are strayed too far to recover the right way, they imagine not that the reward is at the end of the race: but they shall one day find, that our miseries shall terminate in delights, which endure for ever; and their pleasures end in horrible and eternal torments.  
'Tis (then) in this Combat against afflictions and death, that we must contest, that we must vanquish, and that we must search for the Crown of Christianity, and Kingdom of God.  
Our hearts will be crushed, our eyes blemished, but our souls shall be filled with gladness: we shall be beaten, we shall be torn, but our zeal shall augment, and in its augmentation, our contentment shall increase.  
Thou Barbarian, thou mayst ravish our goods, but the Eternal will not forsake us: thou canst exile us, but all the Earth is the Lords.  
Thou canst threaten our lives, but 'tis those of our bodies, 'tis that of the World, our souls are immortal.  
Thou mayest send us to death, but we conduct ourselves thither, we there shall receive it, we will there suffer it patiently: Our spirits are heads and masters of our bodies, they are so elevated by the assistance of the Omnipotent Spirit, that they are able to surmount all sorts of torments, and death itself.  
Infidels, with what do you affright us so much? with punishment! with what do you menace us so highly? to take away our lives? with what do you make us so much afraid? of death!  
O pitiful Adversaries, we contemn, we despise the world, we make no account of afflictions, we trample over the fear of death. Ha', wherefore should we fear so much to give for so admirable and excellent a Subject, so Glorious, so Honourable. That which such a multitude of persons lavish daily, to obtain a little pay: That which so many Generals give so freely, to merit to have their brows encircled with a branch of Olive or of Palm?  
How many mighty men hazard themselves daily to the peril of a thousand shot, press into dangers, and into the crowd of a battle, on the hopes of an earthly victory, rather than to behold their proper valour surmounted? what a multitude press and advance to the forefront, bearing their bodies against wounds, exposing themselves to the edge of the Sword, stretching out their persons on the earth, to sustain the Banners of a stranger, of whom they receive not above four Crowns of pay?  
With how much more reason than they should we render ourselves obstinate in the Combat? resolute of the victory?  
We contend not for a point of honour and glory; we endure not for a stranger, we suffer not for an inconsiderable reward, we have a better and different hope, than a punctilio of honour, or of gain, than of pay.  
We contest for the immortal honour of true Christians: we endure for the great God, for the Creator of heaven, of earth, of men: we suffer for our Saviour, our Christ, our Salvation: for a glittering recompense, resplendent, and enduring for ever.  
God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of courage; we can perform all things through Christ which strengtheneth us: 
2 Tim. 1.7 Phil. 4.13.  we can demonstrate that nothing can reverse the Banners of the Church, and that every thing that opposeth itself against its course, is not but for the augmentation of its glory.  
What if Murderers levy war against the Gospel, they do nothing but dash against a mighty and puissant Rock, which fixes and strengthens itself within its own wait. Let them satisfy their rage and fury, they shall not for that overthrow the Kingdom of God.  
Their fathers imagined they had massacred all the Prophets, and nevertheless the Lord reserved to himself seven thousand men, who had not bowed their knees to Baal.  
'Tis requisite (maugre all the Wolves) that the Gospel pass from one Pole to the other; That it cause his voice to echo over all that which the Sun illustrates with his beams, that it glide like a Thunderbolt of fire, as a flash of lightning, even to the most barbarous and savage regions, and fill their mouths with the memorable and mighty acts of the Lord. God, when it shall be seasonable for his glory, will multiply his own by meriads, when it shall be seasonable, he will cause his Church to outshine all the Idols of men: To the intent, that as he caused (miraculously) the Rod of Aaron to flourish among the twelve: 
Num. 17.  laid on the Tabernacle by the Tribes of Israel; he ratified and confirmed his High Priest against the murmur of the people; after the same sort, having caused his Church to flourish above all false doctrines of men, he shall by so much the more confirm his own.  
When it shall be seasonable, he will smite our enemies with dimness, as he did the Inhabitants of Sodom, who would have forced the house of Lot, wherein he had withdrawn two of his Angels.  
When it shall be convenient, he will silence these Vultures and these Ravens, who foretell epidemical calamities, these firebrands and incendiaries who come to light again the flames, and to foment the sparks of our adversities: he will stifle and silence these Trumpets of sedition; these bloody voices, these stomaches of Iron and of Brass, who howl (without intermission) to procure the destruction of Christians.  
When it shall be seasonable, he will cause to rebound on their account, 
Luk. 11.51  the righteous blood spilt from that of Abel, even unto that of Zechary, who was slain betwixt the Altar and the Temple: and from that of of Zecharie, even until this day.  
But these days shall come in that rank, which he hath ordained for them by his providence, who now calls us to suffer affliction with constancy.  
We know that the Nations ought to exalt themselves against us, 
Mat. 24.6.  that we must be led before Governors and Kings, for Christ's Name sake.  
Our nearest relations must deliver us to death, we must be afflicted, we must be hated, 
☞  we must behold the abomination foretell by Daniel the Prophet: we must be torn as sheep by the Wolves; we must suffer hunger and thirst, we must be Vagabonds in Deserts, and to endure persecution in every place; but our reward is great in heaven, and the same hath been practised against the Prophets.  
We are blessed to suffer persecution for righteousness, and to manifest that we are the Children of God in patience, in anguish, and in labours; we are happy to be guided through these dusky nights to the desired haven of our repose.  
Our bodies are blessed to suffer these stripes which heal their wounds, and more blessed our souls to receive them to their salvation.  
We shall relish somewhat of sweetness in our sufferings of repose in our inquietudes, we shall bless our lives, and magnify our miseries.  
Fear not then, the wolves who have power but over the wool: but fear God who hath puissance over our ●ouls.  
Let's fear God, who saith, that he ●ho taketh not his Cross, and cometh ●ot after him, is not worthy of him: who foretold, 
Mat. 13.13 Mat. 10.33  that we shall be hated for ●is Names sake, but he, who shall ensure to the end, he shall be saved: who saith, that he who shall deny me before ●●en, him shall I deny before my heavenly Father: If after having received the cognizance of the truth, we abandon Christ, there remains no other sacrifice for our sins, but a horrible expectation of the judgement of God, and a servant and violent fire that must devour his adversaries; if any man had contemned the Law of Moses, he died, without mercy upon the testimony of two or three; 
Deut. 19.15.  how much more rigorously shall he be punished, who hath abandoned the Son of God, and the Blood of his Covenant? to him belongeth vengeance: It is a terrible thing to fall into the hand of the living God.  
Go to then, let's take felicity (as St. Paul) in our infirmities, rendering our bonds, celebrous and manifest: let's rejoice for that our names are written in the heavens, let's watch, let's be firm in the Faith, fortifying ourselves: 
2 Cor. 12.10.  that our light may shine before men, 
Phil. 1. and 13.  to the intent that they may glorify the mighty God of Jacob, 
1 Cor. 16.13.  who is our strength and our retreat. Declaring that oppression, that persecution, 
Mat. 5.16.  that the peril and the sword, cannot separate us from the love of Christ: 
Rom. 8.54.  showing that neither death, nor life, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things present, nor things to come, can separate us from the love of the Saviour of the world, who hath given his life for all: 
2 Cor. 5.15.  to the intent that they who live, may not longer live to themselves, but to him who is dead, and who is risen again for them. Let's be without reproach, and harmless children of God, Irreprehensible in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation, among whom we shine as lights, who hold forth before them the word of life, 
Phil. 2.15.  we are the children of God, Heirs of God, Coheirs with Christ; let's endure (then) with him, let's die for him, to the intent we may be glorified with him.  
And esteem with St. Paul, that the sufferings of this present life are not comparable to the glory to come. 
Mat. 7.25.  After that we have built on the Rock, if the Rain descend, the torrents increase, and the winds bluster, we shall not fail to abide firm and steadfast, as the mountain of Zion; let's persist in one same spirit, let's strive together all with the same courage for the faith of the Gospel, 
Phil. 1.27.  without being (at all) dismayed by our aduersaries, and not being never so little removed from the love of Christ, whom God hath Sovereignly raised up, to whom he hath given a name, 
Phil. 2.9.  which is above every name, to the end, that at the name of Jesus every knee might bow, of them who are in heaven, and in the earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue shall confess, that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  
The Kingdom of heaven is that Precious Pearl to acquire which the Merchant sold all his substance, it's his rich stone for the which we ought ●o cast ourselves: hood-wincked into the Jaws of death: for the which we must always direct our countenance right toward heaven, and contemn and neglect the sultery heat● and the storms, the sword and th● fire: and for the which men must trample underfoot, the Pride of al● the thunderings of men.  
Not regarding (then) things visible which are for a time, but the invisible, 
2 Cor. 4.17  which are eternal. Our light affliction which doth pass away, produce● in us an eternal weight of excellent glory. 
2 Cor. 5.1.   
If our earthly habitations are destroyed, we have a heavenly dwelling which is not of humane structure.  
How many of the faithful, o● whom the earth is not worthy, have wandered in Deserts and Caverns 〈◊〉 clothed with skins of sheep, or of Goats afflicted, tormented; 
Heb. 11.37  and in conclusion are stoned, sawed, scorched and burnt at a gentle fire, not regarding to be extended with torments, to th● intent to obtain a better life?  
The request made to God by Elias 〈◊〉 is it not enough? 
Rom. 11.3  Lord, they have slain thy Prophets; Demolished thin● Altars; I only remain, and they hunt to take away my life.  
Saint Paul foretold what should befall him, saith he not? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus. 
Act. 21.13   
It's then most certain, that all they who will live according to piety in Jesus Christ, shall suffer persecution: 
2 Tim. 3.12.  It is certain that the faithful shall have afflictions, in great number: 
Psal. 34.  but the Lord shall deliver them. We are in the Furnace, 
1 Pet. 4.12 2 Cor. 1.5.  but the Spirit of God shall rest upon us; The sufferings of Christ shall abound in us, and so also shall his consolation:  
Men augment our torments, and he will multiply his graces: and at the end of the race, our afflictions shall determine, and our souls shall dance with perpetual consolations.  
These are the promises of God, this is his Word. The Holy and the Just, the Omnipotent and Eternal, appearing to Saint John, having his aspect like the Sun, when he shineth in his full strength, 
Rev. 1.16.  holding the seven stars in his hand, and his voice was like the noise of mighty waters; hath pronounced it with his mouth: you shall have sufferings, the Devil shall cast you into prison, to the intent you may be terrified, but be thou faithful even unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of life.  
He who overcometh, shall not be hurt by the second death: 
Rev. 2.10  To him who overcometh, I will give him to eat of the Tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God: To him who overcometh, will I give to eat of the hidden Manna, and to him will I give a white stone, 
Rev. 2.7.  and on the stone a new name written, which name none shall know, 
Rev. 2.17. Rev. 2.26.  but him who receives it.  
To him who overcometh, and shall keep my say, even to the end, to him will I give puissance over the Nations, and will give him the morning star.  
Who overcometh, shall be clothed with white vestments, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, 
Rev. 3.5.  but will confess it before my Father and before his Angels. 
Rev: 3.10.   
Who overcometh, him will I ordain a Columb in the Temple of my God, 
Rev. 3.12  and he shall never go forth more, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the City of my God, which is the new Jerusalem.  
Who overcometh, 
Rev. 3.21.  I will cause to sit with me upon my Throne, even as I also have overcome, and am set with my Father in his Throne.  
What hinders us now, what doth obstruct us then to bear afflictions and miseries with constancy? who hinders to surmount and overcome these things? Is it this World? are they our riches? Alas, why change we not cheerfully and willingly our lands, our habitations, and our lives, for repose, for felicity, for eternal beatitude?  
Our life is short, wherefore for so short a time do we renounce a perpetuity of blessedness, of the ages of Paradise?  
Our life passeth in an instant, why (for to preserve a few days) do we precipitate our souls in the Abysm?  
Our life is precious to God, he holds it, he keeps it in his hands: i● he dispose it, 'tis for his honour, 'tis for our preservation, 
☞  why deny we him this glory, and to ourselves this profit?  
Do we dread torments? there is more of grief and anguish to finish one's life by a long and continued distemper, than by a violent stroke; death is more languishing and tormenting in a bed, than in the sight of heaven in an assembly.  
The Fevers, Convulsions, Catarrhs are more insupportable and fatal than torments.  
Christ is present, he exhorts us, he offers himself to us, he invites us, he spreads his arms to receive us; he will open the heavens for our consolation, as to Saint Steven, than when the enemies of the Gospel stoned him.  
He will assist us with his strength, and augment our courage, as he hath done to so many Martyrs, who have endured for his name.  
Let us not then loiter any longer, committing ourselves into his hands; The Laurels and the Palms never cast their leaves, the true Children of God never quail.  
The love of heaven doth so ravish them, they are after such a manner filled with that divine fury, so that when nothing remains to them, but their heart, wherewith they are accustomed to contemn the most dreadful things, that continues sound, even to the end of their lives: their souls are invincible, untameable, free, and generous.  
Let's suffer then with patience, lifting up our hearts to heaven: Let those savage Beasts (which are not satisfied but with blood and wounds,) who are not assuaged but with murders, who are not delighted but with the sounds of racks, having nothing agreeable, but to dismember Christians.  
Let us suffer (if it be the pleasure of God, to deliver us into the hands of these Butchers) if they cause our bodies to stoop under the weight of Martyrdom.  
Let us suffer, if they redouble their rage, if they do not forbear any kind of cruelty, and as Lion's Whelps filled with flesh, they feed their eyes on our dead bodies; and dabble their hands in our bloody effusions: God will assist us with his power, and will raise us by his Omnipotent Spirit, (when 'tis for the honour of his Name) above the racks and flames.  
The most cruel torments shall not be considerable to us, the greatest, most ponderous punishments shall be pleasant unto us, these cruelties cannot astonish us, death itself, shall be life.  
Our faith shall sustain our bodies, seeing them torn, it shall the more encourage us to suffer.  
Our holy zeal shall delude the most sour afflictions, will cause us to advance into flames, without amazement, we shalconsume ourselves, with satisfaction, embracing Martyrdom. We shall imitate those Martyrs, who for such a subject have endured a thousand afflictions, have a thousand times spilt their blood, have sustained a thousand flames.  
These Martyrs, whose Names and Renowns, have found the earth too narrow to comprehend them.  
These Martyrs who have magnified Christianity by their blood, who have accepted Martyrdom for their Crown.  
These Martyrs, who by a few torments are gone for ever into Supreme felicity.  
Up then Barbarians, what havoc and slaughter soever you make of our bodies, we remain firm and resolved to die. Our bodies are vanquished, our spirits remain Conquerors.  
You shall behold us languish full of delight in a divine Martyrdom.  
You shall see our blood boiling with devotion, to distil and trickle into the flames.  
That our death shall be lovely and beautiful, to be for ever famous to Christianity! That our bodies shall be blessed, to be consumed for the glory of the Saviour of the World! That our blood shall be precious to witness, and trace out the way to heaven! That those flames shall be exquisite, which set a lustre on the truth, in the eyes of a throng and crowd of poor Ignorants! That our ashes shall be precious, to celebrate, publish, and to spread the Gospel among men!  
If the earth be glutted with our blood, the example of our Martyrdom, will make us re-created by Miriads: if they consume us, as the Phoenix, we shall be renewed within our ashes.   

Meditations for one that is sick.  
FRail Creature, in the midst of thy imaginations, thou wastest and consumest thyself, thou straglest, thou wanderest and losest thyself amongst the vanities of the World.  
Thou runnest out of knowledge in these slippery paths, without understanding thy feebleness, without considering that at the first step, upon the first advance thou mayst stumble, that a sprain may turn thee quite short, and that thou hast no sooner weighed anchor, than thou art in danger of Shipwreck; thy health hath puffed thee up, thy courage hath raised thee up, precipitating thee into pleasures and delights: and suddenly a chillness surpriseth thee, some heat, a pain in the head, thou art dejected, thou tremblest, thou doubtest whether it be some light distemper, or rather a disease tending unto death.  
O Lord, the World to this moment hath possessed me: her delusions have intoxicated me: at this instant my sins stare in my face, as if I were awaked from a prosound slumber.  
I begin to recover my spirits, my eyes retort their looks upon myself, to behold my weakness, and my body tired and consumed with the  which is mixed with my blood, and with the pain which torments it, is constrained to acknowledge her misery, to reject her Presumption.  
Lord, these fogs which obscure heaven to me, begin to fall off, my Soul (so long blinded) recovers some glimmering.  
I have lived to this very instant, swimming and floating at the pleasure of the Tide, give me grace, that I may arrive at the Port: I have passed my time in darkness, give me light in the rest of my days.  
Poor Carcase! thy Original is in infection, thy habitation in a station filled with tempests, with diseases, with torments, with bloody wars: in a place common to the savage beasts, upon an ingrateful earth, out of which thou canst extract nothing, but with the Ploughshare and edge of the Iron.  
For thy end, thy flesh is the prey and triumph of worms, thy designs and thy grandures are buried with thee in the same shroud. Thy sorrests are reduced to a bier, thy buildings to a stone; and yet thou art so blind, so bewitched with the love of the earth, which despoils thee of the knowledge of thy condition, that thou daily augmentest the number of thy vows, of thy wishes, of thy desires, which press thee hourly forward, until God, with the celerity of his aid prevents thy fall, stretches his hand over thee for to interrupt thee, to make thee behold the vanity of thy imaginations and cogitations, to make thee feel the earth to totter already under thy feet, that she is ready to redemand what thou hast borrowed of her, and to show thee the fatal precipices, the horrible depths, and frightful gulfs, within which all thy passions would destroy thee. Bestir thee then, vapour of earth, shadow of life, since the great God descends from his Throne to abase himself even to thee, and to admonish thee.  
Come then, order and command all thy unworthy, servile and foolish imaginations to retire from thee; despoil thyself of man, submit thy spirit unto God, and to thy spirit all the affairs of the World: smother up in thy breast, thy stinking breaths, and permit truth only to proceed out of thy mouth.  
O Lord, I am dust, composed of the earth, my members framed of this imperfection, are apt to dissolve.  
I am like the flower, which hath its birth and funeral in the same day, who in twelve hours sees its spring and winter, birth and death.  
I am like the Rose, who in his blooming, regardeth his decline, as the Lilies, who shoots up suddenly to perish; as all the flowers of one morn, which the same instant blooms and fades, which the least wind drieth and causeth to fall.  
This body increaseth in its spring time, then cometh its Summer, the winter seizes, and nips it, and it appears no more: the least cold chills it, despoils it, as the Trees of leaves, and of its natural vigour: and oft times in its first season, it falls benumbed by some glance of thy displeasure; thou mowest it in thy fury, as the grass: one stroke, a  stops his course and his life, and so many sundry mischiefs which conspire its destruction, in the end prevail against it, it vanisheth, and chokes its memory.  
Lord, I am born of the dregs of the World, I acknowledge it most reasonable that I have a sense of it: out of rottenness, proceeds nought but clay, of corruption, but worms: The earth hath produced me, hath nourished me to receive its accidents, to participate its wretchedness. I am unlike the Fishes, who live in the Sea, without relishing of the Salt, and without being distur'bd by the winds and tempests. I am more inclined to the humours of the earth, I am subject to all its evils; wherewith it abounds and cannot decline their attaints: every day threatens my life, and every hour raiseth me up some affliction; but in the midst of these evils, I must not imitate the Children of the world, which think not but of the edge that wounds them, 
☞  but of the Catarr that suffocates them, of the heat that burns them: like to beasts who convert their rage to cease the stones wherewith they be wounded, and to wreak their spleen with their teeth.  
It's requisite, Lord, that I raise up my Soul toward thy hand, from whence the stroke proceeded, toward thy arm who darts the stone, toward thee, who reservest (in thy power) the poison and the antidote, rest and labour, death and life.  
'Tis necessary that my afflictions admonish me to retire myself from these innumerable billows, to arrive again at thy favourable harbour. I ought to fix my eyes on thee, who must serve me as a Star of light, and a Phare during so perilous a voyage: toward thee, who already seems to comply, to commiserate my grief, and to offer thy omnipotence for my refuge.  
Thou shalt find, Lord, my Soul shattered by the contagion of my body and of its senses; nevertheless, thou remarkest some traces of thy hand, some relics of thy lineaments.  
Thou beholdest them there sullied, not defaced, it's flame and lustre covered, but not extinct: and regarding it in its distressed condition, thou wilt have compassion on thine own image, of the work of thy hands.  
Thou wilt inspire it with thy holy Spirit, making it glitter again, sparkle and lighten my obscurity, for the time I have to live.  
Give him then Lord, so much zeal, so much fervour to seek thee, that as hitherto she hath appeared cold and lazy: she hath resembled the earth, who deprived of the light of the Sun, remains disconsolate and sterile, covered over with a profound, troubled silence.  
But good God, if thou wilt be pleased to disperss some rays of thy Spirit to enlighten it, incontinently all her transgressions (in the midst whereof she is buried) will disappear as clouds chased by the wind: This Ice, frozen about his heart, shall dissolve itself, and shall slide and trickle on the ground; and so he perceiving himself discharged of all his miseries which oppressed him, untangled from so many Passions that bedimed him, and animated by the power of thy Spirit, she shall present herself before thee, contemplating with delight, on that great day, the last of this life, full of contentment and satisfaction for the Elect, full of terror, of dolours and horrible sigh for the wicked.  
But Lord, can I rationally implore thy favour, and thy assistance, seeing that all my actions merit death? can I well require of thee an absolution from my offences, which already seem fitted and prepared for an Eternal destruction? And this careasse altogether stuffed with vices, covered over with ulcers and sores, dares it yet boldly humble itself before thy holy Majesty, whom it hath so many ways provoked, to demand pardon, to supplicate thee not to permit, that the burning furnace, and the horrible Gulf swallow it up? Yes, good God, yes, and with assurance: For what though my sins retire me far from heaven, never the less, the blood of thy Son shed for my cleansing, will give me entrance there, his wounds heal mine, rendering thee prompt to pardon me, hindering thee to destroy thine own work-manship.  
His descent from heaven was made in my favour, He hath quitted his glory to haste to my rescue, by the merit of his death, He hat retired me from hell, and given me the victory over my transgressions.  
O Lord, since that I am redeemed with so precious a ransom, with so high a prize, since his innocent blood poured on the earth, recoils upon me, and flows on every side of my body to cleanse it, I will take the boldness to present myself before to thee, and (with assurance) to expect that blessed day, wherein it will please thee to retire my spirit, and reduce this body to dust.  
I will contemplate it with satisfaction and delight, that this world doth not properly belong to us, that thou hast given us but the use of it for a time, for a time which thou cuttest, which thou shortnest, at all times, every moment, according to thy pleasure. And not being less prudent than the savage creatures, who know their dens, and love them; and the fowls, who desire their nests, and they please themselves there: I will lift up my soul, and direct my eyes toward my true and natural Country, wherein I ought to trust, toward that heaven, wherein pleasures are heaped upon delights, wherein (at all seasons) the beauty of the amiable spring, flourisheth, in such delightful cogitations, I shall find ease to my malady, the refreshment proper to extinguish and sweeten my scorching.  
In these pleasant fountains I shall draw out waters and liquors to allay and temper my , and my heat: and plunging myself into these holy streams I shall despise all other remedies, as being but an aggravation and fomentation of my pain; and although, that wherever I stay myself, my body pains me.  
Nevertheless I shall receive more of ease in the contemplation of my misery and of thy Grandeur; of the quantity of my offences, and the multitude of thy graces, which they have not, which give not themselves but to be inquisitive after divers remedies, which they esteem healthful; and find a way and a means to provoke them to sleep by the harmony of resounding voices.  
I seek not my recovery in the substance of roots and herbs, but in the might of thy hand, who hath made the plant to spring, and hath given it its increase.  
I shall not seek my rest in diverting myself from the remembrance of my malady, but in reducing to my memory, the wretchedness of my condition, in representing to myself that fancying a thousand conceptions in my brain.  
I was near swallowed in the Billows and overflowings of my desires, that I have a long time borne the wound in my heart without sense, or without complaint, that I well nigh imitate the fish who swallow (at the same time) the bait and death: That this world never affords me a cheerful look, deigns not to smile on me; that afflictions have ever clouded my countenance, that my pleasures are filled with torments, my hopes with despairs, that the course of my afflictions have been equal to those of my days.  
Briefly, that I have been a subject to all accidents that hang over the head of man, that I am the Butt and white, against which all the crosses and misfortunes of the world, let fly and discharge their shot, and their arrows.  
And so, Lord, I constrain and force not myself to expect my recovery in the virtue of herbs. I sooth and flatter not my malady, and deceive not my pain in stupifying and benuming my spirit, or otherwise diverting it: I seek not my recovery in flight, but contrarily, I feel the inequality of my pulse, and the difficulty of my respiration: I will consider how my malady is fixed, that it is rooted, that it holdeth off my body, and that I bear in my stomach the spring and receptacle of heat and cold which consumeth me: and that all the parts of this body cease their operations and sunctions, through the grief that afflicts them, and not longer able to support it, fail, and yield to death.  
Behold me then, gracious God, as the Bird in crossing the otian, and not finding where to pirch herself after she hath long laboured with her wings, in the end drops down weary, and not able to struggle longer, into the sea and death.  
I have walked among the paths of this world, the Thorns have pricked me, the Brambles have offended me, the stones have made me to stumble, the strokes have bruised me, they have battered me, the fevers have weakened me, I have searched for medicines and emplasters, I have applied splinters to sustain my bones, I have swallowed bitter juces to drive away my distempers, I have sustained and propped this poor cottage on all sides: but (in conclusion) 'tis necessary that it ravel, that it crack, that it sink under its proper weight: I perceive Lord, that it slacks, that it dissolves, that it grows lose: I behold on the other side that my soul the which she depresseth, distastes and clears himself of him by degrees, as not longer able to contain it.  
But alas, It is very requisite, this poor carcase cannot ever draw his years under so heavy a bondage, it cannot last ever, 'tis necessary that in the end she render herself to this deaf and inexorable death, who yields not to any prayers, who comes to surprise him without noise, and demands his debt without agreeing to delay.  
In conclusion, I must (after having so long course over the sea, slaves to storms and tempests,) enter the haven, which I have touched already, that I am already entering into; It's expedient that I retire out of the crowd and throng of the world, to a more pleasant conversation, and that I sustain this assault and attempt without paleness, without amazement, and without a dejected spirit.  
How! Is't not more expedient, I fall once for all, than always to remain tottering? wherefore decline I the terminating of this life, which to me is a passage to a thousand better lives? why should not death be agreeable, since she comes to unloosen the bonds which fetter me so close to anguish and misery? why make I difficulty to embrace death, to obtain heaven, and everlasting delights and pleasures, and to arrive at the haven where the fear of death shall near approach? Shall I doubt, Lord, that 'tis not seasonable to die (since 'tis but to live better) till the ways to live fail; shall I preserve my life to my torment? no, good God, no, I will march confidently unto death, I will commit myself to thee, who hold'st (in thy hands) the number of my years, the bounds and marks of my life.  
I will cast myself into thy embraces, to the intent thou shalt dispose of thy Image and thy clay, according to thy good pleasure.  
I will constantly suffer the law of my condition, and the decree pronounced by thy mouth.  
Moreover good Lord, what can I farther expect of my so frail life, so feeble, so subject to lose itself? what can I hope farther of the continuance of this body, which hath endured so many miseries, that hath suffered so many evils, that hath been so of't menaced, and that so many light occasions hath so varied its condition? can it be but this smoke must sometime vanish, and that this dust should be carried a way with the wind? observe I not that the strongest, the most sturdy, and most healthful are but light shadows, who must suddenly increase the number of the dead? That these great thunderbolts of war find themselves not armed against death? That these beautiful tresses, these white breasts, the lineaments of these graces are not exempt, and that fame itself who triumphs over time and death, in the end, tumbles into its obscure abode? perceive I not how easily old age surprises us, and crumbles our carcases under the weight of his years? how highly our days glide away.  
That the present makes way to the future, that importunes it, that presseth it, that treads on its heels; that our years are consumed by months, the months pass away by days, the days glide by hours, and the hours by moments, and that increasing to be, we advance ourselves to decrease, and be no more?  
Perceive I not Lord, that in this world all things incline to their destruction, posting to their period? marching and running into death? and notwithstanding that there are some works of thy hand very durable, yet nevertheless there is nothing that is permanent.  
Witness those great and proud Cities, who find themselves suddenly devoured and suddenly swallowed by earthquakes. Those nations grown insolent by their long rule & authority, who behold themselves in an instant, mowed down by millions, by the Pestilence.  
I shall therefore prepare myself good God, cheerfully to obey thy Ordinances, I shall contemplate on my infirmity which by degrees cuts off the use of this life.  
I observe that my fall is already far advanced, that death mixes and confounds its self through out my life.  
I shall joyfully and cheerfully receive, and (with an unastonished countenance) that which it pleaseth thee to ordain for this poor creature, and shall not be of their number, who submit to thee by constraint, because the wind carries them, because the celestial decrees, (who ever conserve their puissance) draw them from above, and because they understand, that in vain, they should resist thy invincible power, which tames and surmounts all things, wherefore (then) esteem I not my self blessed to have an entire and absolute deliverance from my sufferings, and to go and triumph with the ever blessed Citizens in heavenly joys and delights, who feel not any griefs nor distempers? wherefore (after having so long turned & tossed,) having so long time floated at the pleasure of the waves and floods, do not I please myself to have attained the shore, and to appear in the Port? why should not the haven be agreeable, from whence I see a far off, the Sea swelling, stirred up and enraged by the tempest, to lift itself up to the clouds, and the Billows foaming, to sink the ships, or cast them against the Shelves and the Rocks to break them; and myself in the mean time, freed from shipwreck?  
Up, arise my soul, thou art here far off from perfection, fix not thy eyes longer on the earth, withdraw thy sight from the miseries of the world, efface them out of thy fantacy.  
Imitate the Pilgrim, who seeks the fresh and the cool shadows to ease him of his travel.  
Up up my soul, remember thyself, that God gives not admission into his pleasant Zion, but by the sacred gate of a blessed issue out of this world: abandon the night, to enjoy that Sun, quit these desolate fields, and deserts, to enter into these quarters of flowers: come out of these endless Gulfs of mischiefs, to live in these fullness of blessings.  
Up, rouse thy courage, fortify thy zeal, embrace this Divine present.  
Embrace this passage to ascend to heaven; Fellow cheerfully thy God, who will catry thee for ever into his holy Temple, all resplendent, and glittering with glory and felicity, where thy eyes shall perfectly behold him, whom thy spirit adores, where thine age shall remain firm, where thou shalt be rendered more sparkling and bright than the Stars, where thou shalt behold the earth under thee, and the day to issue and break from under thy feet.  
O wretched vessel, which the waves, which the winds and the Pilot direct and steer to such contrary courses! that thou shalt be happy to have power speedily to traverse these dangerous Shelves and Rocks of this life, to behold thyself in all safety and shelter, in a freedom, in a place of rest, in a place where tranquillity and peace inhabit forever!  
O my soul, that thou shalt be content, freed from the vexations of the world, to understand those holy notes, and that sweet, that pleasant, and Divine harmony of heaven, which so many millions of Angels render unseasantly unto the Lord!  
Quit then thy shackles and thy prison, 
☞  render thyself into his hands who hath form thee, and will carry thee into this holy habitation, wherein repose is infinite, the satisfaction eternal, and riches without measure: where thy cogitations shall have no other aim than thy God, thy eyes no other object than his glory: where thou shalt flourish in an eternal spring, 
☞  and shalt breathe nothing but most perfect and absolute felicity.  
Praise, praise, this Divine Herald, which comes intimating the day of thy departing, that thou must cease to live, and disrobe thee of thy desires: imitate the swans, who in dying, render their voices most harmonious, being the last day of their songs.  
Good God, I am without colour, without vigour, and without motion, unless that which perturbations of mind causes; a thousand cares gnaw my spirit, and a thousand snares of solitude entangle in my cogitations, and hold me straightly fixed to their sorrows: the same distemper, the same grief, equally labours my body and my soul.  
I miserably languish in this poor carcase, which surfeits on sorrows, and savours of nothing but the Coffin: My soul is stuffed with ignorance and gloominess, with ice and coldness, 'tis stupid and heavy: but by thy grace, in one instant, she will mount herself into heaven, she will be filled with splendour and light, she shall be ravished in the contemplation of the beauty of thy Divinity, she will be partaker of joys not to be expressed, and with contentments, the only contemplation whereof begets an ardent desire in my will: she shall adorn her brow with a wreath, the folyage whereof shall ever flourish, and never whither: she shall bathe herself in thy Divine spring, there to draw water, and drink, to the intent never to thirst more; to the end, that that draught should be made a fountain of living water in her, flowing into life eternal.  
O holy stream, Current of joy, and entire delight, Eternal Source which never dries up, that my soul might ever repose under thy shadow, that it might draw the sweetness of thine air, let her live in the admiration of thy perfections.  
This Lord, is the ardent desire that inflames me, 'tis the only vow which possesseth my heart: the health of this body concerns me not, her greatest age is not so much as one point to the price of the eternity of my soul, and then 'tis necessary to return to earth, to be fashioned anew, that she may die in Adam, to be born again in Christ, that she may descend into the grave, to come forth immortal; that she must hid herself under the earth, even to the day that thou comest to awaken on a sudden, raising it up to glorify it: until that great day, which shall surprise all humane designs: Thou shalt make this All, to shiver at the sound of the Trumpets of thine Angels, which shall Harp before the Saviour of the world, who shall gloriously descend from the vaults of heaven, all those whom the Sea hath overwhelmed, or the earth received: to the intent that being clothed with their bodies, before the great Judge, they may receive their definitive sentence of life or death.  
O Lord, that I may be of their number, who shall arise to their glory; and not of them who shall arise to their infamy: that I may be of them who shall rejoice with perpetual Triumph, and not of those who shall for ever remain slaves of that horrible Monster.  
That I may be of that number that may be borne into the brightness of heaven, and not of those that shall be tumbled down into gloomy places, and to eternal night: That I may be a Citizen of thy heavenly habitation, that I may inherit thy Paradise, that my seat may be near my Saviour, that my place may be there designed, that I may not be of those victims prepared for Hell: that I may not be of that number that shall be precipated into the abism of death, which shall have their abode in darkness, and their habitation in the grave.  
O good God, suffer not my Bark to fall into so cruel, so sad and dismal a storm!  
It should be more expedient for me never to have been born, than be ranked in the number of them who were created to their destruction.  
Bring to pass (then) at that great day, that my rotten cousin may be listed up, enlighten this extinguished carcase, cause it to live and shine with my soul, make them to flourish together for ever and ever.  
I am nothing Lord, but a lump of mud, yet never the less thy hands have compassed me: I am nothing but corruption, but I bear on my brow thine Image drawn to the life: I am all vice, all sin, all abomination in thy sight. Thy love makes no impression farther than my lips, Thy Divine flame pierces not within my soul.  
But Lord, I have been washed with the water of holy Baptism, I have participated of thy Sacraments, I have received a seal, a token, a sacred testimony of my pardon.  
I have sucked that powerful antidote, that immortal Ambrosia, that heavenly nourishment which shall conserve me against the poison and venom of my sins, and against the power of Satan.  
Lord, 
A lively Description of the last Judgement.  it seems to me, that I already behold thee descending from on high, set on thy Throne of Glory, filling all with astonishment, environed with a Million of Angels, holding the sword of vengeance in thy hand.  
It appears to me, that I now behold an infinite company of scattered men, delving the earth to hid themselves, not daring ot sustain the bring flames of thy countenance: that I behold the flock of thy chosen prostrate at thy feet, crying out, that the squadrons of thy holy Angels dare not appears in reverence of thy just severity: crying out that their souls were purchase by the precious blood of thy body. That their sins are surmounted by thy grace, that the honour of thy goodness is manifest in their salvation, that thou wilt not cut and prune off thy members, and reject those whose names are written in thy book of life.  
It seems that I behold thy countenance turned toward them, standing at thy right hand, and thy mouth pronouncing their absolution, and saying to them, Come ye blessed of my Father, possess for heritage the Kingdom which was prepared for you, from the foundation of the World.  
Methinks I behold them rejoicing and filling themselves with splendour while thou art speaking, beholding them transported by a sweet and delightful ravishment, by an ardure full of zeal for thee, and for thy glory, to remain there for ever.  
O good God, 'tis thither that we must direct all our vows, and confine all the desires of our souls; 'Tis the lustre of that glorious and holy day that should dazzle our eyes, and not the riches of this world: 'Tis the remembrance of these extreme bright and perfect beauties, which should ever entertain our thoughts, and not the dark shadows of our cares. Bestir thee, (then) let's not longer stay on these earthly cares, which are so many spiritual Divorces and Adulteries.  
My Soul, entertain not other discourse, my heart have no other wishes, my mouth pronounce no other name, than that of our Saviour, and thy salvation.  
Let's up, and anchor here our bark, in these fair desires let's perfect this man, finish this body, let's forbear to corrupt and ulcerate our wounds, to increase our woes, to open again our miseries; that our dolours, that our convulsions, that our fleames, (if it seem good to them) hail us quick, and drag us alive to the Tomb: that our carcases be consumed with worms, that our bones may be reduced to dust, it matters not, seeing that the Saviour of the world renders as possessors of the fruit of so signaland happy a victory, that he bestows on us, our share and lot in his land, that he covers us with Laurels and with Palms.  
O God, this Crown is very high, 'tis above this aspiring rock, whose way is narrow and uneven, encumbered with thorns and briars. I lie tumbling on my Bed, I cannot pull up my feet, not raise my head above my bolster: my carcase is nothing but dung, and my Soul then corruption; I am laden with a counter-wait, which ever presseth me down, my offences are bolts and shackles on my feet, which makes me ever stumble; The Devil places them near, the avenues to close up the passage, to render the way dreadful, and to drive me to despair of my salvation.  
But what shall I say good God I must not require the endeavours of my attenuated legs, and my carcase half benumbed to climb this Mountain, to pierce the thickness of the clouds, and raise myself even to the height.  
'Tis only requisite that I dive into the contrition of my heart, the confession of my month: I need but lift up my eyes, and taise up my cogitations toward the great Saviour of the World, who openeth his arms to transport me.  
O my Rock, thou art not then any longer hard for me to prevail with: Christ the object of my faith, Christ the only medicine who can close and consolidate my wounds: Christ, in whom I establish all my present and future felicity.  
Christ my guide, and my Bare star who must conduct me to the light of his ensign; he shall open to me the way, shall make my faith to surmount all despairs; he shall deliver me from these hindrances; he shall raise me up free, and conduct me even into heaven; making me mount by his divine degrees, and shall guide (by the might of his holy Spirit) my blessed and happy soul into his high place, where the seasons pass eternally.  
I will leave (to him) this Triumph. I will leave to him the accomplishment of this great work, the honour shall be to his blood, to his blood, the only virtue whereof shall fix & establish this handful of earth higher than the heavens; I already perceive the rays of his divine grace, which begin to shine over my soul: I feel (in myself) the assistance of his holy Spirit.  
Away than all worldly cares, get you behind me, be packing, and approach no more. You are nothing but corrupt water, but rottenness, than infection, in respect of those heavenly beauties, of those odorifferous and fragrant flowers, which cast forth so sweet a sent, which surpriseth my spirit, and ravisheth me in the contemplation of them.  
But good God, pain and torment, cuts off my speech, whilst I implore thee, consider my malady, which reinforces itself, which redoubles its violence: It appears to me, that my  is obstinate to revenge (on my flesh and on my bones) the offences committed against thee; the heat stifles me, the chillness causeth the members of my feeble carcase to shiver, to sustain, and endure a thousand torments; I can do no more but sighth, and bemoan myself, I languish all wounded, quite undone, and my vigour hourly wastes and decays; I am thirsty, my mouth is dry, I can find nothing that can quench my infinite drought: my  takes away from me the relish of every thing, all liquors seem bitter, all food is against stomach, their very sight is nautious, not so much as the thought, I swallow my spittle instead of all nourishment.  
Alas Lord, I well perceive what will become of me, I cannot longer resist the assaults of so many evils: all the succours of the earth are too feeble to heal me, my countenance droops, its extinct, my members begin to feel the rigour of death: I toss and tumble up and down, I stretch myself, and am no more: I court a little repose, a little sleep, but it flies me, I can obtain none.  
Alas, formerly my repose descended, and dropped so pleasantly into my eyes! The night was accustomed to bury all my cares, to give truce to my labours, to enclose all my torments, in a grateful slumber. I ever adjourned my trouble until the day, until the Sun came to open mine eyes:  
But now Lord, I cannot with great difficulty, close my eyes to slumber, but instantly I waken myself, affrighted with the terror of a thousand dreams, with a thousand horrible visions, which appear before me successively. The silence of the night, which was so agreeable to me, at present redoubles my horrors: my eyelids are inclined to watch perpetually, my infirmity increases daily! its rigour and violence recovers new force every moment, and oppresseth me, the more it gains upon me.  
Lord, thou hast made adversity, as saith the Prophet Amos; thou hast created it, as saith Isaiah; and nothing comes upon us but by thy just providence, as Job hath acknowledged in the extremity of his affliction.  
Alas, my God? thy judgements are perfect, I feel the effects of thy fury, the weight of thine Arm: I submit and render myself to thy mercy, cure not my evil by another, apply not remedies more sharp than the distemper, have pity on my sufferings.  
At least, Lord, prevent that the tediousness of my pain discompose not, offend not, nor overturn my spirit: continue my judgement to me, to the intent that I may employ that little time which remains to meditate and consider thy graces, and to beg my pardon.  
Lord, thou hast caused waters to flow out of the rock, and to refresh thy people in the Desert: cause to spring (out of my faith) a fountain to refresh my scaldings, and to give intermission to my evils, to the end, that my soul (filled with a divine zeal) may wholly raise up herself to heaven, and civert from this carcase, the sense of its miseries.  
Lord, Lord, approach thee near to me, my voice cannot convey my sorrows even to thy ears, and so my miseries shall surpass my plaints.  
Lord, from thy Royal Palace, from thy holy and sacred Throne thou considerest all that is acted here below.  
Alas, incline thy countenance to my aid & assistance; redouble not more the extremities of my , augment not my sufferings, I understand good God, that by the destruction of this carcase my Soul must enter into its felicity: but cause what remains to dissolve easily, cause that my natural faculties diminish by degrees: and that my Soul may departed gently, and, from the midst of this bed, she may fly to thee.  
Lord, my breath is so short, my infirmity is so violent, my dissolution is so near, that I behold nothing but the shadow of my Coffin, and the depth of my grave which attends me. My half dead body, makes me utter interrupted speeches, my words vanish in my mouth, and willing to continue my complaints, I cannot make an end.  
Alas, good God, I fear that my voice will forsake me, strengthen me for awhile, or at least be so gracious, that in my Soul I may acknowledge my faults, and obtain thy pardon.  
Grant me, (that the short time I have to live) may be nothing else but a penitence for my sins, and a meditation of thy goodness: that I may not delight but in the sound of thy voice, that thy holy volume may be in lieu of a pillow: that my heart, that my spirit may breathe forth and contemplate thy praises.  
Lord, my distemper is so violent, that it suffocates me, yet notwithstanding it oppresseth me not so much as the vast number of my sins, which I observe hasting before me, and the punishment that follows.  
I tremble, when I turn my eyes toward thee, great God, revenger of iniquities, which enlighteneth and pierceth through the shadows, and remarkest the tracts of all my offences: Thou beholdest my conscience without any vail, without ornament, all my cognitations are open to thee, the past and present are both alike before thee, thou readest during the course of my life, the train of my offences that I have committed, thou beholdest thy enemy in my habitation, thou findest him enclosed in my bosom.  
My voice should ever sound in thy ears, it ought incessantly to cause thy praises to echo upon the earth: (on the contrary) my mouth hath ever been open to blasphemies, closed to thy Word.  
Thou hast given me a spirit to know thee, a heart to adore thee, hands to stretch forth to the support and relief of my neighbour: I am revolted from thee, I have despised the afflicted, and have avoided the path of the poor and needy, fearing their ran-counter, I have avoided their company, as if I had dreaded to behold them.  
When thy heaven hath thundered, I have stopped my ears, I have rendered myself deaf.  
When thy Sun hath cast forth his beams upon me, I have made my self blind: when thou hast sought after me, I have fled away, when thou hast called me, I have not answered, when thou hast corrected, I have been hardened at thy strokes; Inlieu of sacrificing my life for thine honour, I have continually betrayed thy service: I am abandoned to vices, I have served riches, the follies and vanities of the world, the executioners of my life.  
I have been immoderate and excessive in every thing which is contrary to thy pleasure, without having other bound than an imbicility to advance farther.  
My memory Lord, is not sufficient to comprehend and enumerate such a multitude of crimes; and I now have more bashfulness to nominate them, than I had shame to act them.  
Also Lord, what need the trouble to recount them, seeing they present themselves, they oppose themselves against me, accusing and confounding me: seeing that the least, but lately committed, is sufficient for my damnation, without the trouble to search after the past, which serve not but for astonishment, how the nature of man could invent and commit so many mischiefs.  
Behold them, Lord; they fail not to pass into my remembrance, and as an heavy burden, press me so sore, that I am ready to yield, to give myself up to despair, and to lose myself.  
Lord, I cannot so much as deny them, I have committed them, they were acted in thy sight, in thy presence: with a feeble, fearful, and astonished voice, I acknowledge them, and am vanquished: the fear that I have (beholding their great number) hath frozen my heart, and appalled my countenance.  
And (on the contrary) considering the rigour and strictness of thy judgements, my sense fails me, and I attend nothing but the hour of punishment.  
I will willingly lie down instantly (half quick in my grave) and in expiring, draw the earth over me, to the intent I may remove myself from before thy Justice, so much do I dread that thy hand will wax heavy against me to destroy me.  
I am like the poor Publican, who durst not lift up his eyes towards thee, I dare not so much as entertain any imagination of remission for a criminal so culpable; I despair to avoid them, even as undergoing the exemplar-punishment of my abominable practices: The depravity of my manners, renders the severity of thy censures sharp against me: and I know that no man hath place in thy eternal felicity, but those that are cleansed from sin, who are not sullyed with the spots of iniquity, who have submitted and dedicated (to thy service) their hearts and their tongues: as for me I have done quite otherwise.  
Nevertheless, Lord, thou wilt not bruise in thine indignation those whom thou hast created after thine own Image.  
Thou wilt not precipitate into the gulf, and forsake (abandoned to the roaring Lion) those who are graffed and regenerated in that great Mediator, in the grand Saviour of the world.  
On the contrary, Good God Thou hast commanded us to pray to thee in his name, Thou hast promised to hear us in his name, Thou hast assured us that when our sins are as red as vermilion, nevertheless thou wilt make them as white as wool, seeing we have recourse to that Treasure of our Justification, to that only Redeemer, to that only Author of our salvation.  
Now, O Saviour of the world, O Precious Stone, O Spirit of my Spirits, I embrace thee, I discharge the burden of my sins upon thee, I ease myself upon thee.  
Thou art purposely descended here below, thou art clothed with out flesh, thou hast made thyself man, to the intent that I might be able to speak to thee: Thou hast stretc'h forth thy limbs on the Cross, thou hast shed thy blood, thou haft seen it distil from thy wounds all vermilion, to heal my mortal sores, to drowned my sins, to  me again with innocence: Thou hast suffered death, to give me the life.  
Thou hast made thyself the oblation and most immaculate offering, to take upon thyself the pains which I have merited: Thou hast yielded thyself captive to set me at liberty, of immortal, thou hast made thyself mortal, to the intent that of mortal, to render me immortal: Thy virtue ever flourisheth, that never waxeth old, display it over me, approach, touch my sins, and they shall dissolve away as wax before the beams of thy Sun, they cannot remain near thee, thy sight shall be their flight, thy presence their dissipation: Thou shalt efface their steps, and their stragglings.  
Thy hand can bruise the gate of hell, thy hand can lift me up into the heavens, and make me to ascend by the ladder that appeared to Jacob.  
Lord, I cannot sufficiently comprehend thy infinite goodness towards persons so vile and unworthy.  
If I contemplate the excellence of thy Divinity, in thy descent unto the earth, or whether I consider them to whom thou art come, I admire the Grandeur of thy charity: and farther Ruminating thereon, I call to mind the happiness of thy humane condition: The Creator of heaven and of earth, The Omnipotent, who is not displeased, but with man, is descended for man, and made himself man: is come to save him from the torture of the fire, and the horrors of hell, and hath taken his form: the Physician is hasted to the succour of the diseased, the Master to ransom the slaves, the straight path presents itself to the stragglers; Life offers itself to the carcases enclosed under the Tombs; the Shepherd is descended from the top of the mountain, to seek the straying sheep; He hath again lifted them up on high, and enclosed them in his Fold: The Hen hath gathered her chickings under her breast, hath made a shield with her wings, to protect them from the Ravenous Kite.  
Now, good God, drive far from me those doubts which Satan goes about to frame in me, assure me, comfort my spirit, fortify my faith, redouble its strength, make her to vanquish all fears, all the despairs which he would suggest unto her: Enable her to repel all allutements and assaults of all his temptations: She must not longer be afraid, she may not longer tremble, hell can have nothing against me, seeing thine only Son hath taken my sins upon him, because he hath washed me with his pure blood; after it hath pleased thee to allow (on mine account) the value of his satisfaction.  
If thou art pleased Lord, to proceed with me according to my deserts, I should be far distant from any such happiness, my salvation would be desperate: There was never any contention with so much disproportion, the weapons are too unequal, my fault is extreme, so is thy Justice; But Lord, thy mercy is infinite, thy goodness surpasseth my malice, Thou coverest my faults with the body of thy Son, by his merit thou hast satisfied thy Justice: Thou hast given me life, there thou concervest me, I hold of thy clemency.  
Lord, Thou hast spoken (by the mouth of thy Prophets,) that thou art nigh to such as are of a broken heart, and that thou deliverest such which have contrite spirits.  
Lord, thou contemnest not the afflicted, thou hidest not thy face from them, forget not then my oppression: forget not my afflictions, which are violent and permanent: forget not the sorrows of my heart which are augmented.  
Lord, my Soul is consumed, even to the dust; my belly cleaves to the earth: Hear then, my God, myclamour, and my supplication, and forbear to aggravate my torments: regard my afflictions and my travel, and forgive me all my offences.  
Lord, I suffer in my groan, I mingle my Couch with my tears, I am pierced with afflictions on the bed of languishing: The earth is not capable to deliver me out of this extremity; The heavens alone have the glory of the medicines that are requisite for me. Make haste then to come to my deliverance, my God, who doth daily comfort me in my distress, and shelter me in all my storms.  
Lord, I am afflicted that I cannot departed, more than that I cannot live: But, good God, who hast freed from death the great Shepherd of the flock, by the blood of the perpetual Covenant, turn thy compallionate countenance towards my torment, and cause it to shine upon me in joy and in salvation.  
Lord, thou hast instructed me to understand my end, and what is the wretchedness of my days. But good God, since thou hast ordained that I must die, cause me to departed in thee, that Imay live again; I have sinned, my God, I have displeased thee, I have a thousand and a thousand times every day provoked thy fury, but thou art the God of my deliverance: I am washed, I am sanctified, I am justified by thy grace in the name of Jesus Christ; who hath taken my sorrows upon him, and charged my offences upon himself. I am a fellow-Citizen of the Saints, of thy Household: I am built upon the foundation of the Prophets and the Apostles.  
Pardon then my sins, Lord, in the name of thy wellbeloved Son, correct me not in thy displeasure neither chasten me in thy fury; have mercy on me that am destitute of strength.  
I beseech thee my God, in the bitterness of my Soul, in the words of the Prophet David. Lord, hear my request, and make my supplication come unto thee: Hid not thy face from me in the time that I am in calamity, incline thine ear unto me in the day that I cry unto thee, hast thee to answer me: for my bones are dried as an hearth, and they cleave to my flesh by reason of my groaning; and my time vanisheth away like smoke, and as a shadow which passeth away, and as for me, I am become withered as the grass.  
Lord, I said once again with David, Eternal, reprove me not in thine indignation, thine arrows have pierced me, and thy hand hath overwhelmed me: there is no entire part in my flesh, there is no rest in my bones, by reason of my sin, for mine iniquities are gone over my head, and are too weighty, as ●n heavy burden above my strength; I am bowed down, and swerve beyond measure: I am weakened and bruised more and more.  
Lord, all my desires are before thee, and my afflictions are not hid from thee. Forsake me not my God, be not far from me, hast thee and help me. All my hope is in thy mercy.  
Lord, thou hast spoken by the mouth of thy Prophet Esay, I have heard thee in an acceptable season, and succoured thee in the day of salvation. My God, now behold the agreeable time, see now the day of salvation. Be thou now Lord, my Rock, and my Fortress, be thou my Deliverer, and sure Retreat. The snares of death hath surprised me, destruction hath environed me, but I lift up myself to thee my God: harken to my supplication from thy holy place, and let my cry enter into thine ears.  
Give me by thy free mercy the wages and entire reward, notwithstanding that I entered not into thy Vineyard till at the close of the day: show me thy sight, give me life eternal after this fleeting, languishing and cransitory life, and assure me of heaven, to the intent that the grave swallow me not up for ever.  
Grant me, my God, that when the Saviour of the World shall appear, I may appear with him in glory.  
Grant me that I may accompany that infinite number of thine, which shall be before the Throne clothed in long white Robes, holding Palms in their hands, and that I sing with a loud voice with them, salvation is of our God, who is set upon the Throne, and of the Lamb. Wash my garment, and cleanse it in his innocent blood; to the end, that I may eternally serve thee in his holy Temple, wherein I shall never suffer hunger nor thirst, that I be no more molested nor distempered with the Sun, nor with the Winter, nor with miseries; my tears and my pains wiped away with thy hand.  
O Lord, I am at the last gasp of my life, in the agony and shadow of death; to thee I direct my latest vows, my last words: All my actions have not been better than vanity, in respect hereof.  
Good God, arm not thyself with vengeance against me, I render to thee my penitent Soul, deploring, languishing, which savours of nought but earth and dust, to which this carcase shall be incontinently reduced. I oppose my cries, my tears, my requests, my plaints, and my groans against my condemnation and my fall. Let the confession of my mouth, the contrition of my heart cause thy Sword to tumble out of thy hands; let my gasping move thy goodness, magnify not thy power and might against a languishing, attenuated,  carcase: against withered grass, laid on the earth, expecting nought but to be driven away by the smallest blast: I am at my end, I neither have more power nor heart to offend thee: but I may still serve thee, to publish thy clemency, the foundation of my hope, and thy bounty, the spring of my life. I am thine from the Cradle, thou hast sanctified me: I have been redeemed and ransomed by the blood of thy Son, who died innocent to give life to the guilty: by the blood of thy Son, who must open to me the door of felicity. I have my recourse to him, I beseech thee in his Name: It is not reasonable that my sins should violate me in so holy a Sanctuary.  
Rouse thee good God, a rise speedily, the extremity of my affliction will not admit any delay: to the end that these sins, be not too powerful for me: harken to my prayers, give me strength to prevail against these billows, that drive me off from the heavenly shore; hast thee to absolve me: preserve (in thy hands) my Soul, lest it remain a prey: drive these sins our of thy presence, which are the work of thine enemy, and Lord pardon me, that am the work of thine hands.  
Lord, I render praise for that thou hast made me capable to participate of the heritage of Saints in thy light: for that thou hast delivered me from the power of darkness, and hast transported me to the Kingdom of thy wellbeloved Son, in whom I have deliverance, and remission from my sins.  
Lord, I perceive the establishment of thine assistance, I feel myself replenished with thy Holy Spirit, who effaces my transgressions, and ravisheth my Soul even unto heaven, to show him the inheritance which the mercy of thy Son hath bestowed on me, in thy presence.  
O good God how blessed shall I be to hear from thy Holy Spirit, that the last of my days, shall be the first of my repose, that I am not farther from my satisfaction, than the length of the last groan of my life. I am approaching Lord, to thy Throne of grace with assurance, to obtain mercy by the virtue of my High Priest, who hath compassion on my infirmities. I am coming to behold thee face to face, whereas now I discern thee but darkly, as in a mirror: I am quitting these miseries, for a fullness of delight; from these dolours, into the Mountain of Zion; from this Militant, to the Triumphant Jerusalem; from this World, to the City of the living God. I voluntarily cease to live on the Earth, to survive in heaven; I contentedly part with this wretched life, for that which is most happy: I cheerfully quit myself to follow thee, I abandon this carcase, and render my Soul into thy hands.  
FINIS.