Meditation. I. Of Sins.

Diviſion 1. COnſider how that thy Soul was made by GOD, moſt noble and moſt beautiful: But thou, by living wickedly and careleſly, haſt moſt diſhonourably defiled it, and made it vile, ſordid, and abominable. For the deformity of ſin, is greater than any viſible deformity.

And indeed, ſo great is the enormity of mortal Sin (which deſerves eternal damnation) that by right we ought to depreſs our ſelves for one, even the leaſt ſuch Sin, all the dayes of our life, to the very duſt, even under the brute Beaſts.

2. Thou waſt made to this end, that thou ſhouldſt exhibit obſervance and reverence to thy moſt high, moſt worthy, and moſt bountiful Creator, and that thou ſhouldſt love and praiſe Him: but by ſinning, thou haſt averted thy ſelf from Him, and converted thy ſelf to the love of vain and periſhable Creatures, and ſo haſt made thy ſelf unworthy of His favour; but worthy of eternal puniſhments.

Wherefore deſervedly thou ſhouldſt ſtrive to bewail thy ſelf, and lament the evils by which thou haſt offended thy Lord God, with inward, or alſo with outward tears.

3. Wherefore call to mind, as well as thou canſt, in the bitterneſs of thy Soul, all thy more grievous Sins, which thou haſt committed from thy child-hood, to this very moment, by works, words, thoughts, and omiſſions, as if thou wert immediately to make an exact Confeſſion of them to a Prieſt.

Yet notwithſtanding, thou muſt not ſtay long upon the Sins of the fleſh, which thou haſt committed, leſt ſuch an imagination breed in thee ſome harmful delight.

Run over diligently year after year, or day after day, or time after time. Call to mind the places in which thou waſt; the perſons with whom thou livedſt; and the ſtate and office which thou hadſt. Ponder how often thou haſt repeated thy wicked wayes.

Make to thy ſelf as it were a little bundle of all thy Sins, that, as often as thou ſhalt unfold it, thou mayſt eaſily ſee the Crimes and Wickedneſſes of thy former Life; and mayeſt therefore bluſh, be compunct, and humbled.

4. Exaggerate and aggravate thy Sins, by which thou, a deſpicable and vile Man, haſt diſhonoured and deſpiſed the Creator of Heaven and Earth, and Lord of higheſt Majeſty, and haſt done Him an infinite affront; and after a certain manner haſt Crucified CHRIST again: Who, notwithſtanding, has alwayes moſt bountifully done thee good, and preſerved thee.

Pondering well this thy pride, perverſneſs, and ingratitude; humble, caſt down, and put thy ſelf beneath all the men in the world; yea, beneath all Creatures, eſteeming thy ſelf the vileſt of all, and unworthy, whom the earth ſhould ſuſtain; but worthy, whom hell ſhould ſwallow up, unleſs the Mercy of God hindered.

5. Ponder, how much God deteſts and puniſhes Sins, ſo that by His terrible and juſt Judgment, He has damned eternally very many, for one ſingle Mortal Sin; as is manifeſt in Lucifer, and in the Angels who conſented to him.

It is manifeſt alſo, how much God was offended by one only Tranſgreſſion, which our Firſt Parents Adam and Eve committed.

Now, What ought to have been done with thee, who haſt ſo often offended the moſt holy King of Glory? Deeply conſidering theſe things, accuſe and judge thy ſelf, leſt afterwards thou be judged by our Lord.

Admire greatly, that all the Elements, and all Creatures have not riſen up againſt thee, to revenge upon thee the Injury of their Maker. Be aſtoniſhed, that the Earth has not opened it ſelf, to ſwallow thee up alive, and has not tranſmitted thee into Hell; how the holy Angels alſo have been able to endure thy iniquities.

6. Finally, grieving with thy very Soul, or deſiring to have Grief, and eyeing attentively JESUS crucified, and His bloody Wounds, cry out from thy heart, and ſay theſe, or ſuch like words; Alas! O moſt pittiful Lord Jeſus Chriſt my Creator, Redeemer, and Benefactor, I moſt unhappy, have ſo and ſo offended Thee, and contemned Thee; thoſe and thoſe Iniquities I have ſo often repeated; I have been ſo diſobedient and ungrateful unto thee. But pardon me, I beſeech thee, for thy immenſe Goodneſs and Charity, with which thou didſt ſuſtain for me thy moſt bitter Paſſion.

When thou ſhalt with humility have ſaid theſe or ſuch like words, by no means deſpair, but reſuming a full and amorous Confidence in God, purpoſe firmly, by his Grace, to mend thy ſelf, and to avoid, as much as ſhall be in thy power, all Sins, not only Mortal, but alſo Venial, and the leaſt.

Meditation. II. Of Death.

Diviſion 1. TO think on Death beforehand, and diligently to prepare ones ſelf for it, is true wiſdom. And thou ſhalt be happy, if alwayes, and every where expecting the Hour of Death; thou ſhalt ſo watch, as thou permitteſt nothing to reſide in thy Conſcience, which might cauſe thee anxiouſly to fear, although thou wert juſt now to dye.

It ſhall be well with thee, if, conſidering how vile thy Fleſh ſhall be, thou art not proud, nor doſt not follow Carnal delights. For, How miſerable, I pray thee, is thy Fleſh in this Life! How frail! how full of Filthes, which continually flow with an intollerable ſtench through all the paſſages, although outwardly it appear fair and neat! So that thy Body at preſent may rightly be called a ſack of dung, and all kind of filth; but ſhortly it ſhall be an abject, corrupted, and putrid Carcaſs, and Worms meat.

2. Think therefore that thou muſt ſhortly dye, yea, perhaps to day, and muſt go hence into another unknown region; and muſt leave here riches, glory, honours, pomps, pleaſures, friends, vanities; and all other tranſitory and periſhable things, which thou inordinatly loveſt, or in which thou art now delighted.

And indeed every day, every hour, and every moment thou approaches near thy death, and the laſt hour of thy life. Therefore compoſe thy ſelf as if thou wert now to dy. Think thy countenance to wax pale, thy mouth to be contracted, thy ſight to be darkned, thy breath to fail, and the ſweat of death to be now preſent; which teſtifies nature to be overcome.

3. Think, I pray thee, how great a trembling and horror will then ſeize thee, and how much thou wilt grieve, if thou ſhalt be unprovided, becauſe thou haſt not vigorouſly mended thy ſelf.

O how ſhort will the time of thy life ſeem to thee? For it will appear like a dream, and a ſhadow: when thou ſhalt reflect that eternity is at hand, which ſhall never end.

Perhaps thou wilt deſire one little hour to correct thy ſelf, but it is uncertain whether thou ſhalt obtain it.

What will thy pride profit thee? what will it profit thee, if thou ſhalt now have followed thy own will, and the vitious paſſions of thy mind.

O how ſad wilt thou be, when thou ſhalt have loſt thy precious time, or ſpent it unprofitably! How wilt thou be vexed that thou haſt lived ſo wickedly, negligently & remiſsly! That thou waſt ſo greedy to ſee, hear, and talk vain things! That thou haſt not more manfully contemned the Allurements of thy Fleſh and Senſes, that thou haſt been ſo ſlack to the mortification of thy ſelf; and to follow true humility and charity, and to gather together all ſpiritual good things!

Now therefore, whilſt thou haſt yet Time, amend thy ſelf, and ſtudy to live better, and more holily.

4. Think, when thy Soul, galled with the ſharp prickings of death, ſhall ceaſe to ſee the light of this world, and ſhall begin with its inward eyes to behold the ſtate of the other Life, and thoſe things which before it would not believe: Cruel Beaſts, and horrible troops of Devils will preſent themſelves, by divers means endeavouring to enſnare thy ſame Soul, and exſpecting it to make a prey of it, if it ſhall have departed here without true Repentance.

It is therefore good and healthful to Salvation, now to provide for ones ſelf, to cut off bad and unprofitable deſires; to leave vain and worldly things, and to convert ones ſelf wholly to love and ſeek after Celeſtial and Eternal Goods.

5. Conſider, how that thy Soul being gone out of thy Body, it ſhall immediately be preſented before the Tribunal of a Terrible Judge, who cannot judge thee otherwiſe 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 than thy works deſerve, ſeeing that He is the Supreme and immutable Juſtice.

In this particular Judgment thou muſt render a moſt exact Account of thy whole Life, of all thy Time ſpent unprofitably, of all thy Bad Works, of all the Good thou haſt omitted, of all thy Idle Words, and of all thy Thoughts and inordinate Affections.

The Devils ſhall propoſe all thy ſins, and all thy negligences, which have not been blotted out by Repentance.

Finally, a Sentence ſhall be pronounced by the Juſt Judge, concerning thy Soul, which ſhall never be recalled for all eternity: For, where the Tree ſhall fall, whether towards the South, or towards the North, there it ſhall for ever remain; and ſhall belong either to eternal Salvation or Damnation.

6. It is profitable for thee often to think on theſe things, that thou may'ſt with diligence Correct thy Life, and make thy Peace with God, before that thou ſhalt be called hence. This thou wilt do, if thou be'eſt wiſe.

For our Lord God is very merciful, and receives moſt courteouſly all thoſe who timely return unto Him by true Repentance: Becauſe He wills not the death of a ſinner, but rather that the ſinner ſhould be Converted and Live. Ezek. c. 18. & 33.

Meditation. III. Of the Ʋniverſal and Laſt Judgment.

Diviſion 1. NOthing can be imagined more dreadful, than that ſtrict and terrible Judgment, by which God will judge all men in the Laſt Day.

Very terrible Signs ſhall go before this Univerſal Judgment, to wit, a ſtupendious violence of Winds, tumultuous Riſings of the Sea, unuſual Workings of its Waves, vaſt Earthquakes, Fallings of Buildings, knocking together of Mountains, breaking of Rocks, claps of Thunder, obſcuration of the Sun, Moon, and Stars; ſad roaring and bellowing of Beaſts, miſerable withering of Men for fear, &c.

The Day of Judgment being now at hand, the world ſhall be ſet on Fire by the Divine Power, and ſo the Fire ſhall deſtroy and conſume all brute Animals, and all Men which it ſhall find Alive.

But the Supreme Judge will come in His Majeſty, and with intollerable Anger. That dreadful Judg ſhall come in the Clouds of Heaven, with the Elders of the People, and with thouſands of Angels, with the whole Celeſtial Hoſt.

Deſervedly therefore the Prophet Sophonias, conſidering that great and bitter Day of our Lord,Sophon. 1. ſayes, That Day is a Day of Anger, a Day of Tribulation and Straits, a Day of Calamity and Miſery, a Day of Darkneſs and Gloomineſs, a Day of Clouds and Tempeſtuouſneſs, a Day of a Trumpet and Noiſe.

And bleſſed Hierom, ſayes, Whether I eat or drink, or whatſoever elſe I do, the Noiſe of that dreadful Trumpet always ſounds in the ears of my mind, Ariſe ye dead, come to Judgment.

2. Then all Men in a moment, having received their Bodies ſhall Riſe again, and our Lord ſhall come down to Judge them.

And the Elect indeed agil, beautiful, ſtrong, ſplendid, rejoycing, and ſecure, ſhall meet the Judge; and being Raiſed from the Earth, ſhall ſtand in the Air on his right hand: But the Reprobate ſhall ſtand upon the Earth, heavier than Lead, infirm, deformed, ſtinking, vile, obſcure, and miſerably trembling, and ſhall be on his left hand.

O! what horrid and unimaginable ſtraits ſhall they ſuſtain! With how unutterable a Terror and Fear ſhall they be ſtrucken, when they ſhall ſee above them, an Angry and an Inflexible Judge, beneath them the Pit of Hell open, and gaping for them; about them the World on Fire, beſide them a multitude of Devils Accuſing them, within them a guilty and gnawing Conſcience.

All their Sins, and all the Secrets of their Hearts ſhall be manifeſt as well to Men as Angels.

The Wicked ſhall ſeek to turn away their Face from the angry Countenance of the Judge, but ſhall not be able.

Who alſo beholding the glory of the Juſt, Shall be troubled with a horrid fear, and ſighing for anguiſh of Spirit, ſhall ſay, Theſe are they whom ſometimes we had in deriſion, we fools deemed their Life a madneſs, and their End without honour. Lo how they are reckoned amongſt the Sons of God, and their Lot is amongſt the Saints. Wiſed. 5.

3. Chriſt our Lord will ſhow to all his Wounds ſhining with an ineffable Comlineſs, which truly ſhall bring to the Juſt a moſt ſweet conſolation, but to the Wicked a dreadful confuſion.

Chriſt himſelf ſhall then terribly reproach to all the Reprobate and Ungrateful, the benefits of his Incarnation and Paſſion: And they, with unconceivable grief ſhall acknowledge Him, whom they choſe rather to ſlight and deſpiſe, than to fear and worſhip.

4. No Evil ſhall then remain undiſcuſſed or unrevenged; but a ſtrict Examen ſhall be made of all thy works, words, thoughts, and affections.

The Juſtice of the Judge is not leſs than his Mercy; both is infinite. Wherefore thou muſt render an account of all the time granted to thee, of ſpiritual Gifts neglected, of temporal Goods ill expended, of Meat, Drink, and Alms, unworthily conſumed.

Thou ſhalt render an Account, not only for thy ſelf, but alſo for thoſe, to whom thou haſt at any time ſet a bad example, and haſt given an occaſion of doing ill.

As alſo, for all Sinners and Pagans, perhaps a grievous account ſhall be exacted of thee, for that thou haſt not faithfully prayed for their Converſion.

But chiefly thou ſhalt give an account for thoſe who were ſpecially committed to thy care.

Innumerable ſins, which thou doſt not take notice of, nor acknowledge, ſhall then break out againſt thee, as it were out of ambuſh, and ſhall be objected unto thee. The leaſt thoughts, and very minute words, which thou ſlighted, and reputed as nothing, ſhall then be diſcuſſed. Hence the Pſalmiſt prays, From my hidden faults cleanſe me O Lord. Pſal. 18.

Attend now that moſt hard and irrevocable Sontence of the juſt and angry Judge. For when he ſhall have ſaid to thoſe who ſhall be on his right hand, Come ye bleſſed of my Father, &c. He ſhall ſay to thoſe who ſhall be on his left hand, Go ye curſed into eternal fire. O ſharp word! O word full of all horror and bitterneſs!

This Sentence of eternal Damnation being pronounced, immediately the Earth, with a terrible crack, ſhall ſwallow up the wicked; and that fire, with which the world ſhall burn, involving them with darkneſs, and with all the filth and ſtench of the whole world, ſhall thurſt them down into Hell, there to be for ever tormented.

But theſe falling down into the depth of Hell, the Elect ſhall go up gloriouſly into Heaven, the ſame Reprobate beholding that very thing, and, to their greater Calamity and Miſery, never forgetting it.

O Deſpiſers of the Law of God! think ſeriouſly, I beſeech you, how ſharp it will be, to be in this manner ſeparated from the ſociety of God, and the B. Virgin Mary, and all the Citizens of Heaven!

When Hell ſhall have received the wicked damned Wretches, it ſhall be ſhut, and ſtopped at the top like a pot, and no Devil or Man ſhall ever come forth thence.

6. Thou therefore, that thou mayſt be able to avoid this unexpreſſible miſery, confuſion, horror, and ſtrait, whilſt the time of Mercy laſts, ſtudy to appeaſe God, and to pleaſe Him.

Bewail, and humbly, and ſincerely confeſs thy Sins. Do not hide now from the Vicar of Chriſt, the Prieſt, what thou deſireſt ſhould be hidden in that dreadful Judgment.

Correct thy Life with all thy forces. Depart from evil, and do good. Pſal. 36. Spend thy time profitably: Fly vain and fooliſh joyes: Mortify, as much as thou canſt, the vicious Paſſions and Affections of thy Mind.

Now wiſely fear, that thou mayſt be then happily ſecure.

Meditation. IV. Of the Pains of Hell.

Diviſion 1. AS the Happineſs of the Saints in Heaven is unutterable, ſo the Calamity of the Reprobate in Hell, is ineffable and incomprehenſible.

Do thou now imagin a place under ground, and a horrible Gulf: Behold a vaſt Furnace, all on Fire with Sulphur and Pitch, terribly burning, dark, ſmoking, ſtinking; full of men and devils.

There is everlaſting Horror, and never ending Deſpair; there's Gnaſhing of Teeth, and great Howling, and perpetual Blaſpheming; there the Damned, for the ſharpneſs of their Pains, bite their Tongues, and Curſe the King of Heaven.

2. Conſider that there is ſuch Fire and Heat, and ſuch Cold, as all fire and heat, and all cold of this world, in compariſon of that Heat and Cold, is nothing. There they are forced to paſs from intolerable Heat, to intolerable Cold. There they are moſt cruelly boyled and roaſted.

They feel moſt bitter Torments in every Senſe, and in every Member: Their Sight continually beholds dreadful & horrid Faces of Devils. Their Hearing continually perceives the Lamentations & ſad Cryes of thoſe, who continually cry out, Wo, wo, wo! Why were we created and made? Curſed be God who made us. This is the ſad Song which is there continually ſung.

Imagin there to be Veſſels full of all filthineſs, to wit, Toads, Snakes, putrid Fleſh of dead Carcaſſes, and the filth and dung of Jaques's mix'd together: And the Wicked to be drowned over head and ears in thoſe Veſſels, and againſt their will to ſmell, touch, eat, and drink that ſtinking Mixture. Thou canſt imagin nothing ſo abominable and grievous, but there are there things more abominable & grievous.

There every one is puniſhed moſt in thoſe Members, by which he has moſt ſinned.

3. There the Devils inſult over thoſe whom they torment, and whom they have, and ſhall for ever have for their companions, ſaying, Where are now your Riches, where your Honour, where your Glory, where your Pleaſure, where your Delights, where your Vanities?

Who is ſo hard and mad, as not to conceive a profitable Fear from the conſideration of theſe things? And, as not to amend his wicked and negligent Life?

Aſſuredly whatſoever can torment, whatſoever can cauſe horror and abomination, ſhall for ever be ſeen, heard, and felt in Hell.

4. Conſider moreover the inward puniſhment of the damned; for they ſhall be for all eternity deprived of the ſight of God. They ſhall never ſee that bleſſed City, the celeſtial Jeruſalem.

God has caſt them away, and they are delivered to everlaſting oblivion; nor will He ever have mercy on them, Rom. 1. For they are veſſels of wrath, in which the rigor and the ſeverity of the Divine Juſtice is manifeſted.

The Worm of their Conſcience ſhall never dye, but ſhall without ceaſing gnaw and accuſe them, for that for ſo ſhort a joy, and ſo momentary a pleaſure, they have loſt eternal Happineſs, and found everlaſting Puniſhments.

O Ponder! ponder diligently this Eternity of Pains. After a thouſand thouſands of Years their End ſhall be no nearer, becauſe they ſhall never end; but in Hell there ſhall be a perpetual preſence of all Evils, and a perpetual abſence of all Comfort.

5. Lo ſuch a Calamity is the Reward of thoſe who fear not God, and continue in their Sins without true Repentance, until their Departure out of this Life. For there being in Mortal Sin an infinite enormity, by reaſon of the contempt of the immenſe God: Such a Sin (if it be not blotted out by Repentance) ſhall be puniſhed with endleſs Pain.

But thou who art yet in the time of Grace, leaving thy Vices and Vanities, without delay return to the Lord thy God, and He will receive thee, cleanſe and heal thee. Fear Him, ſerve Him, love Him with all thy heart. For ſo thou ſhalt eſcape thoſe Torments, which never are ended, never Intermitted, never diminiſhed.

6. If thou art entred into Religion, thou muſt with all thy might tend to perfection, thou muſt lead an humble, pure, and ſignally Holy Life. But if thou haſt a ſecular Heart and Religion, and liveſt negligently, and ſhall end thy life in ſuch negligence, thou ſhalt be thruſt down into Hell; or certainly ſhalt endure ſuch ſharp, horrid, and long pains in Purgatory, as if thou couldeſt now foreſee them, thou wouldeſt dye for fear and horror of them.

Wherefore now, if thou beeſt wiſe, thou wilt take diligent care for the ſalvation of thy Soul.

Meditation. V. Of the Life and Paſſion of Chriſt.

Diviſion 1. THe ſin of the world could not have been taken away, unleſs the Creator of the world aſſuming human fleſh, had aboliſhed it with his own blood.

Ponder therefore, how our Lord Jeſus, the Son of the living God, the moſt high God, for the exceſſive love, with which he loved us, would be conceived by the holy Ghoſt, and be made man in the womb of the B. Virgin Mary: that thou loaded with thine Iniquities mighteſt not deſcend down into Hell.

Thy God was made thy Brother. He was born a tender little Infant, in a poor Stable. He was wrapped in vile clouts. He was laid in the Crib of Beaſts. He lay upon hay and ſtraw. He was ſuckled by the breaſts of a very poor Mother.

He was Circumciſed the eighth day, from his Nativity, and ſhed his Blood.

Then he fled into Aegypt.

And ſo in his ſacred Infancy, and Childhood, he ſuſtained very many neceſſities, and grievances, with Mary and Joſeph.

2. The ſweet Jeſus when he was about thirty years old, humbly received Baptiſm from his ſervant John.

He faſted, was tempted, watched, preached, was wearied with journeys and labours.

He endured with a moſt meek heart, three and thirty years, hunger, thirſt, cold, heat, and innumerable grievances, and innumerable perſecutions; and at length went to Hieruſalem there to dy for thee.

3. The ſweet Jeſus, when upon his knees, he had humbly waſhed the feet of his Diſciples, and had wiped them with a Towell, and had inſtituted the Venerable Sacrament of the Euchariſt, he went unto Mount Olivet. O how grievous, how unworthy, how ſharp things did he ſuffer for thee.

For he the Lord of higheſt Majeſty, would tremble and be ſad even unto death. He would be bathed in a ſweat of blood, by reaſon of the vehemency of the anguiſhes, with which he was oppreſſed.

He reſuſed not to be kis't by the Traytor Judas, and as a Theif by wicked men, to be ignominiouſly apprehended, bound, led away, dragged, puſhed, ſmitten.

4. The ſweet Jeſus, the Lord of Lords, vouchſafed to receive a cruel buffet from a ſervant of the high-Prieſt.

He vouchſafed to be unjuſtly condemned, to be defiled with ſpittle, to be beaten with blows and buffets, to be reproachfully blinded, mocked, and ſcoffed.

The moſt meek Lamb, did not in the mean while complain, nor turn away his face, from thoſe who ſpat on him: but teaching us patience, and exhibiting himſelf a pattern of patience, he was dumb and opened not his mouth. Iſa. 53. He endured with ſilence, revilings, contumelies, diſgraces, and many injuries.

5. Behold, ſweet Jeſus, the Holy of Holies, beſpatred with ſpittle, and bound, is lead to Pilate, and before him falſely accuſed, but he humbly holds his peace.

He is ſent by Pilate to Herod, and is deſpiſed by Herod, and clothed in a white and ridiculous coat, as a fool, and ſo is ſent back to Pilate.

He is ſtripped in the Pretors Hall, and inhumanely tyed to a Pillar, and moſt cruelly torn with whipps. His Virginal and delicate fleſh was all deformed with bruiſes and wounds, and out of it ran on all ſides down upon the earth rivolets of his precious blood.

O what, and how ſad a Spectacle was this! Truly he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruiſed for our wickedneſs, and by his bruiſes we were healed. Iſa. 53.

6. The ſweet Jeſus King of Kings, is Clothed in a Purple Cloak, to his greater reproach is Crowned with Thornes, and Wounded. Hence his Purple Blood flowed down plentifully upon his amiable face, and neck.

A reed is put in his hand, and he is ſcoffingly ſaluted and adored; he is ſtricken with a reed, again he is ſpit upon, and buffeted.

He is expoſed to be gazed upon by the people, with a Crown of Thorns upon his Head, and a Purple Veſtment about his ſhoulders.

7. The Sweet Jeſus, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, carrys his own Croſs upon his bruiſed and hurt ſhoulders.

He taſtes upon mount Calvary wine mixed with myrrhe and gall.

Again he is ſtripped, and his wounds are renewed by the pulling off of his Garments.

He is unmerciful ſtretched out on the Croſs, and his delicate hands, and undefiled feet are transfixed with hard Nailes, and the Joynts of his moſt Holy Limbs are miſerably looſed.

Moſt Pure Blood Flows abundantly out of his ſacred Wounds, as out of ſo many Fountains.

Go to, Ponder, and Meditate profoundly theſe things. Take notice of the Bloody and ſaving wounds of thy Redeemer, Salute and Venerate them with a Devout Heart.

8. The Sweet Jeſus endured moſt bitter Torments three Hours, Hanging on the Tree of the Croſs betwixt two Thieves.

Lo, he is Mocked, and blaſphemed! but he prays for his blaſphemers, he prays for his Crucifiers.

He deeply Compaſſionates his Sorrowful, and Afflicted Mother ſtanding by, and Courteouſly ſpeaks to her.

Burning with a moſt grievous Thirſt, Vinegar is given him to Drink.

And forthwith bowing his Venerable Head he gives up the Ghoſt. The good Paſtor lays down his life, for his ſheep. He who gives Life to all things dyes for thee.

Afterwards his Side is opened with a Spear, and thence Flows out Blood and Water.

Laſt of all, his Immaculate Body being taken down from the Croſs, is laid in a Tomb, and buryed.

9. Thou haſt here a Spiritual bundle of Myrrhe. See thou lay it diligently between the breaſts of thy Soul.

But whilſt thou pondereſt theſe things, behold with thy inward Eyes thy beloved Jeſus Chriſt, not as a Pure Man, but Contemplate him as God and Man in all things, which he did and ſuffered.

Conſider diligently his deep humility and patience, his ineſtimable bounty, and moſt Ardent Charity. Admire! be amazed, imitate, compaſſionate him, and return love for love as thou art able.

Adore, praiſe and glorifie him, and give him thanks.

Conſider, I beſeech thee, whether it be fitting, that the Son of the moſt high, the Supream King of Glory, enduring for thee a moſt vile Caitiff, ſo great Abjection and Ignominy, and ſo great labours and torments, thou in the mean time, as if thou wert ſecure, ſhouldſt give thy ſelf to ſports, and jeſts, to vanities and delights; little or nothing thinking of him, and living negligently, nay, perhaps wickedly!

O! how ill at the laſt ſhall it go with thoſe ungrateful and unhappy hearts, who little eſteem ſo great benefits, ſuch enſignes of love, and care not to ruminate the Paſſion of Chriſt! Far be it from thee.

Meditation VI. Of the Imitation of Chriſt.

Diviſion 1. LO, the Cruel, baſe, and horrible Prince of darkneſs the Devil, ſays to thee, hear and follow me, be Proud: and neglecting God do thy own will, love the world, and thoſe things which are in the world, that thou maiſt be Tormented with me in the horrible puniſhments of hell.

On the contrary ſide, the Mild, Gracious, and Amiable King of Glory Chriſt, ſays to thee; Hear, and follow me; be humble, and deſpiſing the World, deny thy own proper will. Love God, and thoſe things which are above, that thou maiſt rejoyce with me for ever in Heaven.

Here now enquire and weigh diligently with thy ſelf, whether of the two thou oughteſt to hear and follow. Aſſuredly, thy reaſon manifeſtly crys, and ſhews, that thou oughteſt to follow the Lord Jeſus, thy moſt ſweet Creator, Redeemer, Lover, and Benefactor.

Which being ſo, do thou without delay joyn thy ſelf to Chriſt, and ſay from thy heart: O Lord Jeſus, I deſpiſing the Devil, from henceforth purpoſe, thy grace aſſiſting me, to follow, imitate, and love thee my King.

2. Wherefore as Jeſus Chriſt thy King, the moſt high God, humbled and emptied himſelf by aſſuming human fleſh, and the form of a ſervant, by being born of a poor Virgin, by waſhing his Diſciples feet, by moſt perfectly obeying his Father and Men: ſo thou muſt purpoſe hereafter to humble thy ſelf under all things for his love.

Thou muſt willingly ſubmit thy ſelf to all men; willingly ſerve all.

Willingly take the loweſt place, ſeeing thou art not worthy that the earth ſhould ſupport thee, by reaſon of thy ſins and ingratitude.

Thou muſt willingly perform vile and abject works, although thou ſhouldeſt therefore ſuffer ſome ſhame before men.

Thou muſt willingly & readily obey men in lawful and convenient things not only thy ſuperiours, but alſo thy equalls, and moreover thy Inferiors.

3. Alſo, as thy King Chriſt was alwaies meek and humble of heart, ſo thou oughteſt hereafter to endeavour, that all rough and vitious motions of Anger be extinguiſhed in thee.

Thou muſt not be obſtinate in thy own ſenſe, nor adhere to thy own proper Judgement: but muſt wiſely prefer the judgement and will of others before thy own judgement and will.

Thou muſt from thy heart, repute thy ſelf the moſt unworthy of all men, and renounce all vain glory and ſelf complacence, as much as thou canſt: acknowledging thy ſelf of thy ſelf, to be nothing, to be able to do nothing, and to have nothing but ſins and defects.

Thou muſt therefore never uſurp to thy ſelf any thing of Gods gifts, but muſt attribute all good things to God, and purely refer them to him.

Thou muſt chuſe and love rather not to be known and little eſteemed by men, than to be known or praiſed.

4. Alſo as thy King Chriſt abſtained from all vanity, pomp, curioſity, and ſuperfluity in meat, drink, clothing, and other neceſſaries for his life; yea and choſe moſt abject poverty in his Nativity and Death: ſo alſo thou muſt purpoſe hereafter to uſe all things moderately, and to be content with ſimple meat and drink, and ſimple cloathing; removing from thee whatſoever is vain, proud, or altogether ſuperfluous.

5. Again, as thy King Chriſt did not follow ſenſual pleaſures and the delights of the fleſh, but even thirſting drunk Gall and Vinegar, and adhered inordinately to nothing, and had moſt pleaſing manners and behaviour: ſo thou muſt purpoſe hereafter, to reject all impure and ſenſual delights, and impure pleaſures.

Thou muſt reſtrain all thy ſenſes, thy ſight, hearing, taſt, and touching, and alſo thy tongue from all exceſs, vanity, and curioſity.

Thou muſt keep thy heart with all diligence, clean and free. Thou muſt not adhere by inordinate affection to any perſon, or to any periſhable thing.

Thou muſt ſhun immoderate laughter, and all lightneſs of manners.

Thou muſt prudently decline noxious and ſuperfluous converſations of worldly men, and occaſions of ſinning.

Thou muſt ſpend the remainder of thy life, profitably to the honor of God, and with Gods aſſiſtance, endeavour to live ſoberly, chaſtly, purely and piouſly.

6. Moreover, as thy King Chriſt endured unjuſt accuſations of himſelf, revilings, perſecutions, and pains inflicted on him, moſt humbly, moſt patiently, moſt gently, and with a mind abſolutely reſigned: ſo thou hereafter muſt purpoſe, to endure patiently and gently reproof of thy ſelf, injuries, reproaches, contempt, dolors, and all croſſes for his love, taking all from his fatherly hand.

Thou muſt reſign thy ſelf wholly, as well as thou canſt, to his moſt juſt judgement, and moſt acceptable good pleaſure: Thou muſt I ſay, leave thy ſelf abſolutely to him, permitting him to do with thee, to ſend to thee, to take away from thee, whatſoever he will, and as he will. Thou muſt renounce all thy own will.

Thou muſt believe thy ſelf to be worthy of all Tribulation, and that no creature can ſo much afflict thee, as thou deſerveſt to be afflicted, by reaſon of thy infinite iniquities.

Thou muſt not lightly complain, that any injury is done thee; nor ſay that thou ſuffereſt any thing unjuſtly: becauſe thou wilt alwaies ſuffer leſs, than thou haſt deſerved.

7. Laſtly, as Chriſt thy King, loving all men, and deſiring the Salvation of all, prayed even for his enemies, and makes his ſun to riſe upon the good and bad: ſo thou muſt purpoſe hereafter ſincerely to love all men, none excepted, deſire the Salvation of all, and out of charity exhibit thy ſelf, faithful, gracious, and ſweet to all, eſpecially to thy enemies.

Thou muſt grieve, that ſo many Souls, ſtamped with the moſt Noble Image of God, do periſh. Thou muſt compaſſionate the afflicted; Thou muſt deſpiſe no body, Judge no body, for raſh judgments greatly hinder the grace of God.

8. Thou muſt diligently ponder theſe things with thy ſelf. Thou muſt conſider attentively how true it is, when in the foregoing points, Chriſt is ſaid to have done this or that.

Thou muſt wiſh from thy heart to be conformable to him, that the Diſciple may be as his Maſter: and the moſt vile Servant muſt not be proud, the ſupream Emperor ſhewing humility in all things.

Thou muſt examin thy ſelf diligently in the particulars, and ſee whether thou haſt an abſolute will to fulfil by work, with the Grace of God, that which thou readeſt. For thou oughteſt to be ready to this, without any tergiverſation.

If not withſtanding thy nature repugning, thou perceiveſt thy ſelf as yet leſs ready, thou muſt not therefore be too puſillanimous, but muſt do what is in thy power, and have a good will; renounce vices, and reſign thy ſelf as well as thou canſt.

Thou muſt pray to God that he would ſtrengthen thee, and give thee thoſe things, which are neceſſary for thy ſalvation, and are pleaſing to him.

If thou deſire and endeavour thus to imitate thy King, thou ſhalt without doubt come to his Heavenly Pallace, and ſhalt obtain everlaſting Life and Glory, with all the Saints.

Meditation 7. Of the Glory of Heaven.

Diviſion 1. THou muſt imagin that Celeſtial Country, to be as it were a moſt ſplended, glorious, and large City, built of moſt pure gold, and moſt pretious Or, if thou hadſt rather imagin it to be a moſt ſpatious Country, and adorned with all the beauty of graſs, flowers, and trees, and filled with all fragrant ſweetneſs and delight: where there is ever a moſt pleaſant ſpring and delightful ſummer. Where there is pleaſantneſs, reſt, quiet, and peace ſurpaſſing all ſenſe.

2. Thou waſt created for the higheſt and infinite good, which is God. This good thou ſhalt have for the merit of the Incarnation and Paſſion of Chriſt, and ſhalt enjoy it for all eternity, if here thou ſhalt have worſhiped God purely and holily in fear and love.

Conſider, that this moſt pleaſant good contains in it ſelf, ſuperabundantly all nobleneſs, pulchritude, comelineſs, elegancy, ſweetneſs, delight, grace and perfection. This when thou ſhalt have obtained, thou ſhalt not be able to deſire any thing more; for thou ſhalt find moſt fully in God, whatſoever may be deſired.

It is manifeſt therefore, that the Viſion of God is moſt highly pleaſant, and incomparably excells all delight imaginable. For if naturally thou willingly beholdeſt that which is beautiful, what, and how great joy will it be to thee, clearly to contemplate the divine Eſſence, which is the Fountain whence all beauty flows, and which is infinitely ſplendid, fair, comely, ſweet, and delicious?

O what does he ſee, what does he hear, what does he ſmell, what does he taſte, what does he feel, who is united to God in Heaven? Truly eye has not ſeen, nor ear heard, nor have the goods and joyes entred into the heart of mortal man, 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 which God has prepared for his elect, 1 Cor. 2.

3. In ſeeing God, thou ſhalt ſee all things, and know all things which thou wouldeſt know. Thou ſhalt behold in God the order of the whole Univerſe and all truth.

Thou ſhalt enjoy the higheſt good, & ſhalt alwaies poſſeſs it, and thou ſhalt have in it whatſoever is delightful.

Thou ſhalt be ſhined upon by the eternal wiſdom, and ſhalt moſt abundantly taſt the ſweetneſs of the divine Peace.

Thou ſhalt be wholly abſorpt with the love of thy Creator, and ſhalt be transformed into him, and ſhalt alwaies embrace him according to thy deſire, and ſhalt be perfectly united unto him.

Thou ſhalt ſee the bright & ever quiet Trinity, and thou ſhalt know how the Son is begotten by the Father, and how the Holy Ghoſt proceeds from the Father and the Son; and how the Father loves the Son, and the Son the Father, and both the Holy Ghoſt. Alſo how the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghoſt are One GOD.

Then thou ſhalt moſt perfectly praiſe God, and without any Irkſomneſs or Labour. Thou ſhalt praiſe him with all the Bleſſed for ever and ever.

Now thou ſhalt never diſpleaſe him more, but ſhalt pleaſe him in all things.

4. Thou ſhalt ſee the excellency, and beauty of the humanity of the Son of God, Jeſus Chriſt. O! how wilt thou rejoyce, beholding the Amiable Jeſus exalted, and Glorious in his Kingdom! Who once in the world was for thy ſake poor, deſpiſed, and afflicted.

Thou ſhalt alſo ſee with ineffable joy, the Beauty and Glory of the moſt Sweet Mother of God the Virgin Mary.

Thou ſhalt behold all the Orders of the Angelical Spirits, and how thouſands of thouſands Miniſter to their Creator, and that the Souldiers of God are numberleſs.

Thou ſhalt know moſt perfectly all the Citizens of Heaven; thou ſhall know their inviolable peace, their moſt fervent Charity, their moſt Pleaſant Society, their unſhaken ſecurity, their Inenarrable Beauty, Splendor, and Glory. And all the Bleſſed are illuſtrious and glorious Princes and Kings.

Thou ſhalt have moſt familiar, and perpetual ſociety with Chriſt, and his moſt Lovely, and moſt Gracious Mother Mary, and with all the Bleſſed.

Aſſuredly all the joys of the world Compared with the leaſt joy of Heaven are meer bitterneſs. The vaſt Ocean does not ſo much exceed in quantity one ſingle drop of water, as the leaſt pleaſure of the Bleſſed does exceed all the delight and pleaſure, that ever was in the world.

And the joys of Heaven ſhall never be ended, nor ever be diminiſhed: Nor be interrupted for one ſingle moment for all eternity.

5. Beſides, when thy Soul in the Reſurrection ſhall have received thy glorious body, what joy ſhall it thence receive? For thy very body ſhall be moſt ſplendid, and much more bright than the Sun: it ſhall be moſt ſound, moſt firm, moſt beautiful, moſt pure, odoriferous, incorruptible, impaſſible, moſt ſubtil, and very agil. Whence thy ſoul with its glorified body, can be whereſoever it will, in a very ſhort ſpace of time: nothing can hinder it, nothing put a ſtop or impediment unto it.

Thou ſhalt alſo (after the Reſurrection) conceive exceeding great Joy from the happy renovation of this viſible World: which ſhall be of a far more elegant form than now it is.

For whatſoever is now in the World unclean, whatſoever is obſcure and ſhady in the Earth, whatſoever is cold in the Waters, and whatſoever has power of burning in the Fire, all that ſhall go down into Hell.

The Sun, and Moon, and Starres, ſhall be ſeven times more bright than they are now. Henceforth there ſhall be no Clouds, nor Hail, nor Rain, nor Winds, nor Lightning, nor Thunder. Night ſhall ceaſe to be, a perpetual Day and Clarity ſucceeding, as well on Earth, as in the Heavens. The Air ſhall have more light than it has now; the Water ſhall be purer than it is now. The Earth ſhall be fair as Gold, and pellucid as Cryſtal, and plain as the palm of your hand.

6. Such things God has prepared for thoſe who love him. O how unhappy are they, who for the moſt baſe pleaſures, delights, and vanities of this World, deprive themſelves of ſo great joyes!

But thou who readeſt theſe things, aſpire and make haſte to that never-fading Glory.

Deteſt and fly all Sin, as much as thou canſt: contemn all tranſitory things, love God, love all Men, and ſpend the time profitably which is allotted thee.

The Concluſion. Admonitions concerning the Practice of theſe Meditations.

1. HE who exerciſes himſelf in the foregoing Meditations, may, nay, ought in ſome of them, to wit, in thoſe which are more fruitful, ſtay more than three daies: eſpecially during the firſt Exerciſe, which Exerciſe precedes the repetition of the ſame Meditations.

2. It will be profitable, when he is to begin any Exerciſe our Meditation, that he read firſt the laſt diviſion of the ſame Meditation, for in it commonly are put ſome things conducing to the right and profitable performance of the ſame Meditation.

3. If, whilſt he is exerciſing himſelf he be overcharged with ſleep; let him riſe, and ſtanding or walking continue the Exerciſe. He muſt diligently weigh with himſelf all the points and members of the Diviſions, and freely ſtay in them.

4. Moreover, when he ſhall perceive himſelf to be ſolicited or allured to follow his vitious paſſions, Concupiſcences, and inclinations, if holy love do not reſtrain him from evil, he muſt forthwith call to mind death, judgment, and hell, that at leaſt profitable fear may reſtrain him.

5. He muſt very Carefully contain and bridle his tongue and ſenſes: for otherwiſe he will never make any progreſs in true vertues.

6. That he may more ſpeedily attain to a contempt of himſelf, and true humility, (without which no Vertue is of any value) he muſt very often exerciſe himſelf in an attentive and amorous conſideration of the greatneſs of God, and of his Fidelity and Charity towards himſelf; and on the contrary, in the conſideration of his own littleneſs, and of his unfaithfulneſs and ingratitude towards God, he ſhall ſay to God theſe, or ſuch like things.

O Lord who art thou? and who am I? Thou art the Lord of higheſt majeſty, nobility, and dignity; Thou art the Creator of Heaven and Earth; Thou art the Immenſe God, the Omnipopotent God. But I am a moſt vile worme: I am unworthy, whom the Earth ſhould ſuſtain; I am nothing, I can do nothing. Thou haſt been ever moſt faithful to me, loving me moſt purely, and beſtowing upon me innumerable benefits; but I, alas! have been moſt unfaithful, and too ungrateful to thee, and am ſo ſtill. He muſt perform the foreſaid exerciſe purely to the honour of God. He muſt in his heart prefer every man, how wicked ſoever, before himſelf, and deem him better than himſelf.

7. He muſt accuſtom himſelf, frequently to recall and elevate his mind to God; and he muſt do this even amidſt converſation, and when he is exerciſed in external works; leaſt his mind wandering and forgetful of his purpoſe, and too eſtranged from God, loſe its inward purity, and antient grace. He muſt piouſly attend the amiable preſence of God, knowing that he alwaies beholds all his thoughts, words, and actions. He muſt aſpire after the ſpouſe of his ſoul Jeſus Chriſt, and maintain ſweet colloquies of love with him. By this means he ſhall both paſs this life with pleaſure, and after the death of the body, he ſhall come to eternal joyes of immortal life.

Amen.

Precept I.

FOr the love of Jeſus Chriſt, who ſuffered very ſharp things for thy ſake, renounce the pleaſures of thy ſenſes. When thou haſt a mind, and deſires to ſee, hear, ſmell, taſte, touch, or ſpeak any thing, remember that thou muſt not obey thy ſenſuality inciting of thee, but Reaſon and God ſpeaking in thee. Yea, even be ready to want ſpiritual delights, according to Gods good pleaſure and ordination. And when thou art recreated with inward comfort and ſweetneſs, have a care thou do not reſt in it, nor abuſe it to thy own proper pleaſure.

Precept II.

KEep very diligently thy ſight, hearing, and tongue, that they do not decline to unlawful, vain, and unprofitable things. It behoves thee to be vigilant and very wary in thy ſpeech, that thou ſpeak not more words, nor otherwiſe than is convenient. Let thy ſpeech be ſuccinct, plain, and quiet. Carefully rule and contain in good order all the Parts of thy Body. Avoid immoderate Laughter, and all lightneſs of behaviour.

Precept III.

DO not adhere to any Creature by inordinate affection, but dye to all periſhable things, and keep thy heart free from them: for in ſuch a death, and in ſuch a liberty does lye hid the moſt true and moſt pleaſant life.

Precept IV.

BY an entire abnegation of thy ſelf and reſignation, diligently deſtroy in thee vitious paſſions and affections, and thy own will and ſelf-ſeeking. But love dearly and only the Divine will, and ever wiſh it, and ſubmit thy ſelf wholly unto it; ſo that, whatſoever God wills, do thou alſo will. Every where ſeek rather the praiſe and honour of God than thy own profit.

Precept V.

IN all things which happen, wiſely regard the providence of God, and ſecurely commit thy ſelf and all thy concerns to the Almighty; knowing that he has care of thee. Receive as from the hand of God, every adverſity and tribulation (whether internal or external;) believing for certain that he has ſent it for thy profit and ſalvation. 1. Then contentedly endure it to the very laſt; giving thanks to our Lord, and praiſing him, by whoſe permiſſion and order it happened. 2. And thou muſt not be troubled for injuries that are done thee, nor impatiently complain to men of them. 3. But calling to mind thy own wickedneſs and ingratitude, think thy ſelf worthy, whom all men ſhould reprehend, chide, contemn, vex, deride, & even trample under their feet. 4. Wherefore art thou anxious, and dejected for the words of men, or for the temptations which thou ſuffereſt? Let men think, and ſay of thee what they pleaſe, let the world rage againſt thee, let the devil rage againſt thee, (as much as God permits.) 5. Do thou in the mean time humbly and firmly repoſe upon the Almighty, and in ſilence conſerve peace of mind. If thou duely weigheſt, how unworthy and ſharp things, Jeſus Chriſt thy Creator and Redeemer has ſuffered, thou wilt with a ready mind endure all things though never ſo grievous.

Precept VI.

DEpreſs and put thy ſelf beneath every creature, conſidering thy own vileneſs, and thy own proper nothing. If thou thinkeſt thy ſelf to be any thing, when thou art nothing; if thou fooliſhly within thy ſelf magnifies thy own works or exerciſes, thou art indeed very Proud, and ſtinkeſt before God. Whatſoever good thou haſt, it is Gods, not thine. Take heed therefore, leſt thou uſurp that to thyſelf which is Gods, ſee that thou do not thence fooliſhly boaſt, and pleaſe thy ſelf, and for that indeed diſpleaſe God. Judge thy ſelf alſo unworthy the very leaſt gift of God.

Precept VII.

WIllingly do the will, and follow the Judgement of another in thoſe things which are lawfull, denying thy own will, and forſaking thy own ſentiment. Ever obey moſt readily; becauſe whatſoever is done by obedience, is very grateful to God: on the contrary, he abhorres whatſoever is done by diſobedience.

Precept VIII.

BE content with a few and plain things, after the example of our Lord Jeſus, and Holy Mary his mother. Do not love vanity in thy apparrel, nor luxuriouſneſs in thy diet. And how ungrateful wouldeſt thou be, if thou ſhouldeſt murmur for thy meat or drinks being leſs ſavory or delicate, when for thy ſake Chriſt drunk gall and vinegar! If even ſuch things as ſeem neceſſary are wanting, praiſe God, confide in him, who cannot forſake his ſervants, although ſometimes he may profitably permit them to be pinched with want.

Precept IX,

SIncerely love all men, as thy brothers and ſiſters, having ſtamped upon them the noble Image of God. Shew a loving and gracious countenance, and ſpeak kind words to all, and eſpecially to thy enemies and perſecutors, by the ſweetneſs of holy charity healing and extinguiſhing in thee, all bitterneſs of heart. Be ready to help and comfort all. Compaſſionate thoſe that are afflicted, and thoſe that ſin. Rejoyce for the vertues of others, as for thy own, and repute the miſery of others as thy own; deeming every one to be thy ſelf.

Precept X.

DEſpiſe no body. Baniſh out of thy heart with great diligence raſh judgements, and naughty ſuſpitions. Accuſtom thy ſelf to think well of all, With a ſimple heart, interpret the ſayings and doings of others to the beſt. Heartily prefer all men before thy ſelf. Believe thy ſelf to be the moſt ungrateful and vileſt of all mankind. Say to thy ſelf, ſay to God, I am not worthy the earth ſhould ſuſtain me. O if thou wert wiſe, how willingly would'ſt thou for Gods ſake do the moſt abject works! How cheerfully wouldeſt thou ſerve every body! For even Chriſt our Lord took the form of a ſervant, being made man, and waſhed the feet of his diſciples.

Precept XI.

STudy to pleaſe God, and not men; and deſire rather to be deſpiſed, than to be praiſed or honoured.

Precept XII.

HAve pious and holy thoughts, and every where take notice of the preſence of God, entertaining ſweet colloquies with him, whether thou feeleſt or feeleſt not devotion. To recollect thy ſpirit, and to conſider reverently the preſence of God, theſe words often repeated may much help thee; O Lord thou God thou art alwaies preſent with me, thou dwellest in the Fund of my Soul.

Amen.

Precept XIII.

WHatſoever is not God, do not greatly care for it, nor deem it much to concern thee; for ſo thou wilt be be able by a holy introverſion with a free mind vacantly to intend to God himſelf. And indeed it is the one thing neceſſary; which to obtain thou oughteſt alwaies to labour, ſtrive, and do what is in thy power; yet ſo that thou wholly deſpair of thy ſelf and thy own endeavours, and place all thy hope in God alone, in his only Mercy and Goodneſs, in the Sole Help of his Grace. For without God, thou canſt do nothing but Sin.