Desires after Jesus: OR MEDITATIONS UPON THE Life and Passion Of our Blessed Saviour JESUS CHRIST. WITH Short Ejaculations and Prayers drawn from each Passage thereof.
Very proper to excite our Love and Affections towards him, and to help us in the Expression of our Desires for the Imitation of his Vertues, and to preserve a due and thankful Remembrance of what he has done and suffered for us.
LONDON: Printed, and are to be sold by Sam. Keeble, at the Turks Head in Fleet-street; and Rich. Cumberland, at the Angel in St. Paul's Church-yard. 1698.
TO THE READER.
THE approaching Season (appointed by our Church for the Commemoration of the principal Sufferings of our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the most remarkable Instances of his Love to Mankind, by which he also purchas'd for them inestimable Benefits,) is therefore very deservedly to be observed in the most Religious and Solemn manner, by all that pretend and desire to have a share in that common Redemption: But because the Ingratitude of Christians, in this respect, is grown so common (and tho' all hope to be partakers of the Benefit of his Death, yet few will bestow any Pains in the Consideration of it, or at least to very little purpose.) It is time for those who are any way sensible of their Obligations to manifest their zeal for their crucified Saviour, by appearing publickly on this Occasion to testifie their Love, that others by their Examples may be put in mind, stirred up and encouraged to shew him also every one of them some Signs of [Page ii]their Gratitude; some Tears of Love, Sorrow or Contrition, tho' never so few.
This moved me to Print the following Pages, and to lay before you therein, a true description of the several Points and Passages of our Saviour's Life and Passion, in as little compass as I could; in a Method the best I could think of, to move your Affections to the Love of his Goodness, and to provoke your Courage and Resolutions to the Practice of his Vertues.
I have divided the whole into several little parts, and distinguished each Passage in this manner, that it may be the more useful and serviceable to ordinary Capacities, who may now easily pitch upon that part of the Life of Jesus which is most suitable to their present purpose, and more deliberately pause and meditate upon it to make the deeper Impression on their Minds, and the better to influence their Lives and Conversations.
You will find herein, Prayers on all the remarkable Actions and Sufferings of our Saviour's Life, as well as of those near and at his Death. I thought it therefore convenient to put a Title to each of them, that any one may find out and pass (without trouble) to that which will answer his present Occasion, or the reason that is ordained for the remembrance of any particular Passages of his Life or Death.
But since so excellent a Pattern should be the continual Meditation of every sincere Christian, we should not content our selves with [Page iii]only such a Portion of Time for our serious Thoughts upon it, but resolve and endeavour to set it always before us, for our Imitation and Practice in the whole course of our Lives. And indeed, who can read at any time those glorious Instances of our Saviour's Love in what he did and suffer'd for us, and not melt into Tears of Love, Joy or Admiration? Who can view the noble Examples of his admirable Vertues, his profound Humility, inviucible Patience and Meekness, and not be moved to the Imitation of them? Who can look upon the Captain of their Salvation, wading through a See of Blood, and bearing the weight of a heavy Cross all his Life, a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with Grief, and not resolve with himself (if he have any Courage) to take up his Cross too and follow him? Did he that was the dearly beloved Son of God, condescend to live a Life of Labours and Difficulties, a Life of Tryals and Afflictions, and at last suffer all the Torments, Disgraces and Ignominies, that the worst of Villains could invent? And shall we that pretend to be his Disciples and Followers, think of living in Ease and Pleasures in the Opinion and Favour of the World, by our Treachery to him, and false Complyances with its Allurements and Friendships? 'Tis sure, the want of considering the Testament he has left us (wherein all these things are so lively described) that so many faint and grow Cowards, and Negligent in their Spiritual Warfare, [Page iv]and can do and suffer so little for him, who has done and suffered so much for their Sakes. 'Tis either great Ignorance or Infidelity of these great Truths of our Religion, or the greatest Disingenuity, if we know, believe and love them, and do not set about the Practice of them.
Let us therefore no longer delay, but begin now to shew our selves Men, true Disciples of Christ, such as love their Master, and prove it by their Obedience to his Commands, by despising and falling out with the World that hated him, and all its Deceits and Vanities, with a real intention to conform our selves to his humble, suffering and self-denying Life; and let us every day press forward to a greater measure of Love and Perfection of Obedience, that finding his Yoke easie and his Burthen light, by accustoming our selves to bear it, we may experience more and more, the fulness of our Happiness and of our Joy to be in the love and imitation of Jesus, and then we shall count indeed all things in the World but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, Phil. 3.8. Let us often be trying our selves by his example, especially of that of Lowness and Meekness, Mat. 11.29. and be always in the Exercise of that which was in a peculiar manner his Command; that which he, who was all love so often pressed and inculcated; that amiable precept of loving one another, John 15.12, 17. [Page v]and thereby we shall not only know our selves, but all Men will know us to be his Disciples, John 13.35. Let these three things Humility, Meekness and Love, the peculiar Characters of Jesus, be constantly in our view; let us often and diligently compare our Thoughts, Words and Actions by this Rule, as, If we find our selves ready to think better of our selves than our fellow Christians, and therefore despise those that are weak and imperfect, if we slight those that are Poor, and avoid going near them or conversing with them, if we are full of our own Judgments, and bitter censurers of others Actions, we plainly shew that we are not yet humble, like Jesus; If we are froward and peevish, and impatient of Contradiction or Reproof, and justify our selves upon every little occasion; if upon receiving a slight Injury we complain and are grieved at it, or shew any signs or desire of Revenge. If for every little Trifle, we are inwardly and outwardly discomposed, we may easily perceive upon an impartial view of our selves, how unlike we are to our Saviour, and how far yet from his Vertue of Meekness: If we feel within our selves any bitterness or aversion towards our Neighbours, or are backward in releiving the necessities of our poor Brethren when we are able; if upon spying a little Fault in them, instead of pitying and compassionating him, we are forward to reprove him, and apt to harbour hard Thoughts of him, we have great Reason to think we are not yet [Page vi]become true lovers of our Neighbours or Disciples of Jesus.
But let not those be discouraged that are still very far from the perfection of his Vertues, and yet find to their great trouble much opposition of their corrupt Nature, and strong Temptations to the contrary; for so long as they do not deliberately consent to them, but strive against them to their utmost, they may hope they are in a fair way in time to the attaining of it. For tho' the Victory come on but slowly, yet if they persevere in Fighting with their Enemies, in acknowledging their Imperfections and Weakness, and humbling themselves before God for them, they shall infallibly come at last to the desired conquests of themselves and a true conformity with their dear Lord Jesus. To this end they should often be laying hold of his Strength, and raising themselves up to the contemplation of his divine Countenance, and of the glorious Vertues and Graces shining in his Person and Actions, in the several occasions of his doing or suffering the Will of his heavenly Father, and from thence fetch every time fresh Vigour and stronger Motives to their desires and resolutions in following him, and purifying themselves from all things that offend him.
And lest at any time they should lose Courage in approaching to him, either by reason of their often failings, or their former Ingratitude, or perhaps out of aw to his Majesty, [Page vii]or fear of their Indisposition to come into his Presence, let them consider his gracious Invitations every where dispersed in the New Testament, as this, Mat. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy Laden, and I will give you Rest. And in another place his provoking them to come to him, John 5.40. Ye will not come unto me that ye might have Life, with many other such kind Expressions. We have also the same loving Saviour, who so freely conversed with Sinners and died for their sakes, at the Right Hand of God, with all the Vertue of his Merits to intercede with him on our behalf, and is not only able, but delights to bestow upon us, if we will but come to him for it, all manner of good Things that are essential to our true Happiness, which is our Sanctification, John 16.23. For whatsoever, says he, you shall ask the Father in my Name, I will give it you, Mat. 7.7. Ask and ye shall receive, seek ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you, Mat. 7.11. And if ye being evil, says he, know how to give good Gifts unto your Children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give good Things? Or, as it is in another Evangelist, Luk. 11.13. The Holy Spirit to them that ask it? Let us therefore who are so kindly invited, go often and boldly to the Throne of Grace to beg his Holy Spirit with earnest entreaties in all our spiritual Wants and Necessities: Let us fear [Page viii]nothing. Have we sinned? Let us return to him again. We are his Sheep, and he is our Shepherd, and if we have straied, let us hasten again into his Fold, for he calls us and will be glad to find us there: We are his Friends, let us converse with him familiarly, that we may partake more and more of the glory of his divine Nature, to be fitted and qualified for his Company eternally in Heaven. O what Happiness! What Joy! What Honour! Rom. 8.35. Let nothing therefore in this World be able to hinder or separate us from the Love of Christ: Neither Tribulation, nor Distress, nor Persecution, nor any Difficulties we can meet with, after this prospect of his Love and our Happiness in the knowledge of it: No sure, (let every one of us say) now nothing but Christ, my Love is fixed upon Christ, I cannot, I will not for any thing take it off again. I can have now no pleasure in this World but in and with my dear Saviour Jesus, I will therefore now henceforward converse with none else: All shall know now and bear witness by my Conversation, my Sweetness, my Meekness, my Patience in bearing Injuries, that I have been with Jesus, and that I delight to have none for my Companions in this Werld but him and his Friends. Now am I fully resolved to apply my self to the imitation of his Vertues, and to become his true Disciple indeed; too long have I been ungrateful to so merciful a Saviour and kind a Benefactor; too much time have I spent in the [Page ix]vanities and fooleries of this World. Luk. 15.18.19. I will therefore now arise and go to my Father, and say to him Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son; I do not so much as deserve the lowest place in thy Houshold, make me so happy if thou pleasest as to become one of thy hired Servants. I am wholly purposed to leave all that's displeasing to thee, and from henceforwards to serve thee all the Days, Hours and Moments of my Life, whom I tast now and see to be so Gracious and Good. With such Holy Resolutions as these should every devout Christian strengthen and confirm himself, that hath been considering the effects of our Saviour's Love at the time of his Passion, that they may rise again with him to newness of Life, and continuing close and faithful to him in the denyal of themselves, and in the forsaking the Pleasures and Vanities of this World, may be made partakers of the inconceivable comforts of the Holy Ghost here in his due time, and the incomprehensible manifestations and communications of the Sacred Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in the World to come: To whom be all Praise and Glory for ever and ever, Amen.
Meditations and Ejaculations on the Life and Passion of our Saviour JESƲS CHRIST.
The Incarnation of Jesus.
PRaise, Honour and Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who for my Sake hast vouchsafed to come down from the Royal Seats and from the Mellifluous Bosom of thy Divine Father into this Valley of Misery; and to be incarnated and made Man by the Holy Ghost in the most chaste Womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Make my Heart, I beseech thee, thy Dwelling-place; adorn it, replenish it with Spiritual Gifts, and wholly possess it.
O that I were able by profound Humility to unite my self to thee, and with an ardent Affection to receive thee, and after having received thee, to retain thee with me for ever!
O that I were so fastned to thee, that I might never depart, or turn away my Mind from thee!
The Birth of Jesus.
Praise, Honour and Glory be unto thee O Blessed Jesus, who hast vouchsafed to be born of thy Virgin Mother in a poor Stable.
O that it were thy will to be continually born in me by a new fervour of Spirit; And that I may be wholly Burnt with the Fire of thy Love!
O that thou wert the only comfort, desire and delight of my Heart!
O that I could seek after thee alone think on thee alone, and Love thee alone!
The Swadling of Jesus, and his lying in a Manger.
Praise, Honour and Glory be unto thee O Blessed Jesus; who being born in the depth of Winter, didst not refuse to be swadled in poor Cloaths, and weeping to be laid in the Manger, and as a little Infant to suck Milk from thy Mother's Breast.
I adore thee most dear Redeemer, King of Glory.
O Prince of Peace, Light of the Gentiles, and most desired Saviour; Grant O Lord, that I may always stand in thy Sight, truly humble and truly poor in Spirit.
Grant that for thy holy names sake I may willingly endure all kind of Mortification, and may love nothing in this World besides thee, nor wish to possess any thing but thee.
The Angels celebrating his Birth.
O sweet Jesus, whom the Heavenly Quire of Angels did Honour at thy Birth with joyful Praises; and the Shephards, devoutly seeking found, adored with admiration.
Grant that I may joyfully and unweariedly persevere in thy Praises and Service.
The Circumcision of Jesus.
O sweet Jesus who upon the eighth Day wouldst be Circumcised like other Children, and even whilt thou wert a little Infant shed thy precious Blood; And for our particular Comfort wouldst be called Jesus, which signifieth a Saviour:
O that it would please thee to Circumcise my Heart from all evil Thoughts, Words and Actions, that I might be admitted into the number of thy Children!
Thou O Lord art called Jesus, that is to say a Saviour, be thou therefore my Saviour and Save me.
The Wise-men adoring and presenting him.
O blessed Jesus whom the Wise-men inquiring found by the direction of a Star, and having found most humbly adored; Offering unto thee Gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
Grant O Lord that with these blessed Men I may always seek after and adore thee in Spirit and in Truth.
Grant that I may offer daily unto thee the Gold of bright shining Charity, the Frankincense of sweat smelling Devotion, and the Myrrh of perfect Mortification.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
O sweet Jesus, who for our sakes wouldst be subject to the Law, and to give us an Example of Humility wouldst be carried to the Temple by thy Mother, and be Redeemed with an Offering ordained for such as were Poor; Where Just Simeon and Anna the Prophetess rejoycing greatly at thy Presence, gave very glorious Testimonies of thy Dignity.
O that all Pride were utterly thrown down in me!
O that all desire of humane Favour and itch of Self-love were cooled and cured in me!
Jesus sought by his Mother, and found among the Doctors.
Praise, Honour and Glory be unto thee O Sweet Jesus, who staying in the Temple, wert for the space of three Days with great Grief sought by thy devout Mother, and at length with great Joy found by her, sitting in the midst of the Doctors, hearing them and asking them Questions.
O Communicate thy self to me on such sort, that I may never be separated from thee, nor ever be deprived of thy Comfort!
Jesus Poor and Ʋnknown.
O blessed Jesus who for the space of thirty Years remaining Poor and Unknown, hast vouchsafed to be reputed by the Jews the Son of Joseph the Carpenter and of his Wife the Blessed Virgin Mary!
Let thy Grace I beseech thee pluck up and utterly root out of the very bottom of my Soul all Pride and Ambition.
O that I may delight to be unknown to the World, and to be esteemed Vile and Mean!
The Baptism of Jesus by John Baptist.
O Blessed Jesus who hast not disdained to come to the River of Jordan, and entring [Page 6]into it, there to be Baptised by thy Servant John the Baptist!
O that thou wouldst wash me throughly from all my Wickedness and cleanse me from my Sin!
Create in me I beseech thee, a clean Heart, and renew a right Spirit within me.
Jesus in the Desert and Tempted by the Devil.
O Blessed Jesus, who for our sakes didst retire into the Desert to remain among wild Beasts, there Fasting forty Days and forty Nights, and persevering in Prayer, and didst permit thy self to be Tempted of Satan; And when thou hadst overcome him, the Angels came and Ministred unto thee!
Give me Grace, that I may chastise and keep under my Body, with all my inordinate and vicious Affections.
Give me Grace, that I may constantly persevere in Prayer and other spiritual Exercises.
Let no Temptation, I beseech thee, defile me; but rather let Temptations purge me, and drive me to a closer union with thee.
The Preaching of Jesus, and his calling Disciples.
O Blessed Jesus, who to the end thou mightst gather together the dispersed Children of God, hast vouchsafed to Preach Repentance, [Page 7]to call Disciples, and out of them to choose twelve Apostles to be eminent Preachers of thy Faith!
Draw me after thee and powerfully stir up my Heart to Love thee.
The daily Labours and Sufferings of Jesus.
Praise, Honour and Glory be unto thee O Blessed Jesus, who for my sake hast suffered many Afflictions, as, Heat, Cold, Hunger, Thirst, Labours and Miseries.
Grant that I may receive from thy Hand chearfully all kind of Adversity.
Thou O most Amiable Jesus, thirsting after the good and conversion of Souls, hast past whole Nights in Prayer; Hast been wearied with Travelling, hast past from City to City, from Country to Country, from Village to Village;
Let thy Love make me quick and ready to all good Things, that I may be never sloathful in thy Service.
Grant that every where I may have a Zeal for thine Honour, and employ my self wholly in thy Service.
The Miracles and Compassion of Jesus to the Miseries of Men.
Praise, Honour and Glory be unto thee O Blessed Jesus, who Conversing with Men [Page 8]hast vouchsafed most willingly to comfort them, and by many Miracles most compassionately to Cure their Maladies and Discases.
Give me a Heart full of Tenderness and Affection, whereby I may pity other Mens Afflictions, and may have a fellow feeling of their Miseries as if they were my own; Whereby also I may patiently bear with all Mens Imperfections, and chiefly to my Ability relieve them in their Necessities.
The Love and Familiarity of Jesus towards Sinners.
Praise, Honour and Glory be unto thee O Blessed Jesus, who hast not shunned the Company of Publicans and Sinners, but hast offered them thy most loving Familiarity, and ready Pardon of Sin to Matthew, Zacheus, Mary Magdalen and to the Woman taken in Adultery, and to the rest that were Penitent.
Lord shew thy merciful Compassion to me one of the greatest of Sinners.
Grant that I may embrace all Men with chearful Love and Charity; May readily Forgive those that Offend me; May perfectly Love-those that Hate me.
The Patience of Jesus in bearing Injuries, Blasphemies and Reproaches.
O Blessed Jesus who for my sake hast suffered many Injuries, many Blasphemies, many Reproaches and infinite Abuses of those on whom thou hast bestowed many Benefits!
Give me a Heart truly Innocent and Simple, that I may sincerely love my Enemies and unfainedly pity them; And rendring Good for Evil according to thy Command and Example, may through Charity, Meekness and Patience perfectly please thee.
Jesus on an Ass, and Weeping over Jerusalem.
O Sweet Jesus, all Love, all Glory be to thee! who coming to Jerusalem in a Meek and Gentle manner didst ride upon an Ass, and amidst the Praises that were Sung by the People that came to meet thee, didst pour forth Tears, bewailing the ruin of the City and destruction of the ungrateful Inhabitants!
O that I might never be delighted with the Praises and Favours of Men; But always be profitably employed in internal Tears of Compunction and Devotion.
The Treachery of Judas to Jesus.
O Blessed Jesus, whom Judas the treacherous Disciple Sold for a little Mony to the Jews, who Persecuted thee and conspired thy Death!
Root out of my Heart all Affections to transitory Things.
Grant that I may never prefer any thing before thee.
Jesus Washing his Disciples Feet.
All Love, Honour and Praise be unto thee O Blessed Jesus, who in Jerusalem didst eat the Paschal Lamb with thy Disciples, and to give them an Example of Humility and Holy Charity, kneeling upon the Ground didst wash their Feet, and having washed them didst wipe them with a Towel!
O that this thy most admirable Example might pierce my Heart, and utterly throw down in me all Pride and Loftiness!
Give me O Lord a most profound Humility, by which I may without difficulty, cast my self at all Mens Feet.
Jesus instituting the Eucharist.
O Dear Jesus, who with an unspeakable Charity hast instituted the Sacrament of the [Page 11]Eucharist, and with wonderful Bounty hast therein provided for the benefits of our Souls!
Stir up in me a desire, and enkindle in the very bottom of my Soul a most vehement Hunger of this most Venerable Sacrament.
Grant that when I come to that Table of Life, I may with a Chast Affection, profound Humility and perfect Purity of Heart receive Thee.
Jesus taking upon him the Infirmities of our Nature.
O Blessed Jesus, who immediately before thy Passion didst begin to Fear, to Grieve and be Sad, taking upon thy self our weakness; That by this thy Infirmity thou mightst comfort and strengthen those that Tremble at the expectation of Death!
Preserve me I beseech thee, as well from vicious Sadness as foolish Joy.
Lord prepare me against the last passage of my Life, and cover me then under the Wings of thy Divine Protection.
Grant that I may often reflect upon my Ingratitudes to thee, to move me to Tears of true Contrition.
The Prayer of Jesus in the Garden.
O Blessed Josus, who falling upon the Ground didst Pray unto thy Father and humbly [Page 12]offredst up thy self wholly unto him, saying Father, thy Will be done!
Grant that in all Necessities and Tribulations I may have recourse unto thee in Prayer; And that I may yeild and resign my self wholly to thy will; That I may with a quiet Mind receive all things as from thy Hand.
The Agony of Jesus.
Praise, Honour and Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who being in an Agony didst Pray very long; And being Creator of Heaven and Earth, the King of Kings and Lord of Angels, didst not disdain to be comforted by an Angel.
Grant in all Adversities and Distresses, in all Tribulation and Afflictions, that I may seek Comfort from thee only; And that I may find help and assistance at thy Hands.
O that I could in all Events wholly rely on thee; And leave my self wholly to thy Fatherly Care!
The bloody Sweat of Jesus.
All Love, all Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who by reason of the greatness and vehemency of thy Greif hadst thy Body moistned all over with a bloody Sweat.
O that all the parts of my interiour Man would Sweat out Holy Tears of Contrition.
Jesus taken by Judas.
All Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who of thy own accord offerdest thy self to be taken by Judas the Traitor, and other thine Enemies, thirsting after thy Blood and desiring thy Death.
Grant that for the Honour of thy Name, I may not fly Adversities; But may chearfully go to meet them; And joyfully receive them as pretious Tokens sent from thee; And humbly and constantly endure them as long as it shall please thee.
Jesus kissing Judas.
All Love all Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst lovingly kiss the Traitor Judas coming deceitfully to thee; Shewing by the calmness of thy Countenance, and sweetness of thy Words, that thou didst Love him.
Grant I may shew my self loving and mild to all my Enemies; That I may Pardon them from my Heart, howsoever they shall offend me; And tolerate and love them, as the Ministers of thy Will, and promoters of my Salvation.
Jesus laid hold on, and Bound.
Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst permit thine Enemies, most suriously to lay their Sacrilegious Hands upon thee; And being Cruelly bound by them, didst not revenge but mildly endure the Reproaches, Blasphemies and Injuries wherewith they did most wickedly Affront thee.
O that being freed from the Bonds of Vices, I may be fast tied to thee, with the sweet Chains of Love!
O that thou woulst bestow upon me the Grace of true Patience. Amen.
Jesus healing Malchus's Ear.
Praise, Honour and Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst restore and heal the Ear of Malchus one of thy furious Persecutors, cut off by Peter thy chief Disciple; That so rendring Good for Evil, the riches of thy Mercy and Mildness might shine forth to us.
Grant I beseech thee, that the desire of Revenge may never have place in my Heart.
Grant that I may bear intimate Compassion and Affection towards all such as offend me.
Strengthen my too great weakness, and make stedfast my too too great Inconstancy with the most strong support of thy Grace.
Jesus led bound to Annas.
All Love, all Glory to thee O Blessed Jesus, who sufferedst thy self to be led bound as a Malefactor and a Thief, by a Troop of Soldiers unto Annas, and to be Persecuted before him; O unspeakable Mildness of my Redeemer!
Behold, whilst thou art taken, whilst thou art drawn, whilst thou art hated, thou dost not complain, thou dost not murmur, thou madest no resistance.
Grant O Lord, that these Examples of thy Vertues, may shine in me, to my Good and Everlasting Glory,
Jesus receiving a blow on the Face.
O Blessed Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth, who standing humble like a base and abject Person before the proud High Priest, didst with great Modesty receive a cruel Blow given thee upon the Face by one of his Servants.
Suppress, I beseech thee, in me all motions of Anger and Wrath; dull all the Stings of Indignation, and extinguish all Desire of Revenge; That even provoked [Page 16]with Injuries, I may not be troubled at it, nor contend, strive or make any tumult; But suffering all things with a meek and patient Mind, I may render Good for Evil, and ever be ready to favour those, who most Cross and Molest me. Amen.
Jesus dragged from Annas to Caiphas.
Praise, Honour and Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst suffer thy self to be shamefully led bound to Caiphas, that thou mightst bring us to true Liberty, freeing us from the Bonds of everlasting Death.
Grant in the very midst of Derision and Contumelies, I may give thee Thanks with all my Heart; And that by them I may be advanced in thy Love.
Jesus looking upon St. Peter, after his denying him.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, whom Peter, the chief of thy Apostles, thrice denied; and yet thou most mercifully lookedst upon him, and provokedst him to Repentance and holy Tears for his Offence.
O that it might please thee, in like manner, to look upon me with the lovely Eye of thy Mercy; That with due Tears of Repentance, I may bewail my Sins past; And [Page 17]having bewailed them, may not hereafter any more return to them again.
Jesus falsely accus'd.
Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who with a pleasing Countenance and modest Look, standing before the chief Priest and Elders of the People of the Jews, didst not disdain to be falsely accused and suffer many Injuries.
Grant that I may never utter any Falsity, or Calumniate any Man; But may suffer such Calumnies as are laid against me, with great tranquility of Heart; And referring all Difficulties to thee, with Silence I may expect thy Grace and Comfort.
Jesus professing himself the Son of God, blasphemed.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who whilst thou didst make Profession of the Truth, affirming thy self to be the Son of God, yet didst not disdain to be esteem'd a Blasphemer.
Grant that in all Places and before all Men, I may stand to the Truth, and in awe of the presence of thy Divinity and Majesty, I may not sear the Censures and Judgments of Men.
Jesus proclaimed guilty of Death, and condemned.
Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who by the wicked Jews wast proclaimed guilty of Death, and without cause condemned; That by thy unjust Condemnation, thou mightest deliver us from the Guilt of our Sins, wherewith we were justly attainted.
Grant that I may reject all sinister and rash Suspicions; That I may suffer without any bitterness of Heart, all wrongful Detractions and wicked Judgments as others shall devise against me; And that on all Occasions, I may retain by the help of thy Grace, a quiet and untroubled Mind.
Jesus made the Scorn and Derision of the Rabble.
Praise, Honour and Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who for my sake wast made the Scorn and Disgrace of Men, and the Outcast of the People; And didst not turn away thy sacred Face, (which the Angels desire to behold) from the silthy Spittle of thy Adversaries.
Grant that I may imitate thy Meekness and Patience.
Jesus beaten, buffetted and reviled.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst vouchsafe to be most cruelly beaten and buffetted, and most unworthily reproached and reviled for my sake.
Grant, I beseeh thee, that I may never refuse to be despised, and be reputed Base and Vile; And that according to thy Permission, I may be contented to be exercised with all kind of Injuries; That I may receive them, not as from Men, but from thee, and of thy Fatherly Mercy.
Jesus Mocked and Blindfolded.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst permit thy self to be mocked and scoffed, and thy lovely Face (which to behold is the chiefest Happiness) for thy greater Derision, to be blindfolded.
Grant that the Veil of Ignorance being taken away, I may be endued with the Knowledge of thy Will.
Imprint in my Heart a continual remembrance of thee.
Thou knowest, O Lord, how hard a thing it is for me to suffer, tho' never so small a matter; Out of thy Mercy therefore assist my Frailty, and grant that I may not [Page 20]Cowardly fall or faint at the coming of any Adversity.
Jesus carried before Pilate.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst permit thy self (being mocked and bound) to be led to the Prophane Tribunal of Pilate the Judge, and in a disdainful manner to be presented before him; thou thy self being the Judge of the Living and the Dead.
Grant that I may be truly subject to my Superiours, and all Powers over me ordain'd by thee; That I may obey my Equals, and love and honour all Men.
Grant that I may not fear other Mens Judgments of me, but may receive them with a ready and meek Mind. Amen.
Jesus silent while accused.
All Glory be to thee, O Blessed Jesus, who starding before Pilate, didst humbly hold thy Peace whilst the Jews did wrongfully accuse and calumniate thee.
Grant, O Lord, that I may never be troubled at other Mens slandering me; But that I may with silence over-come all Injuries.
Give me the perfect Grace of Humility, by which I may neither desire to be praised nor refuse to be contemned.
Grant that I may imitate thy Innocency and Patience; That I may both live well, and living well, be contented to be Evil spoken of and despised.
Jesus used as a Malefactour.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who with great exclamations and much noise of the People, like a most hainous Malefactour, was drawn from Tribunal to Tribunal, from Pilate to Herod, through the midst of the City.
Grant that I may not be dejected with any Injuries of mine Enemies, nor ashamed of Contempt; To the end that by thy gracious assistance, I may possess my Soul in Patience.
Jesus refusing to shew Herod a Miracle.
Praise, Honour and Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who by thy silence, condemning Herod's vain desire, wouldst not without good Cause, and for a good End delight his curious Eyes by working a Miracle; and didst thereby give us a Lesson to avoid Ostentation in the presence of great Men.
Pour into my Soul thy Spirit of profound Humility; Mortify and Extinguish in me, all tickling of vain Glory.
Grant that I may not seek to gain the Praises of Men, but to do all purely for thine only Honour and Glory.
Jesus scoffed at by Herod and his Men of War.
All Love, all Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst not disdain to be scoffed at by Herod and his whole Army, and to be cloathed in a white Garment like a Fool or a Madman.
Grant that I may rather chuse to be reputed Base and Abject with thee, than Glorious with the World; That I may esteem it better and more worthy to suffer Disgrace for thy Love, than to shine in the vain Honour of the World.
Grant that knowing throughly mine own Unworthiness, I may grow base in mine own Conceit, and despise, reprehend and bewail my self.
Barabbas presented before Jesus.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who being compared with the notorious Thief Barrbbas, wast judged more wicked and more worthy of Death than he; The Murtherer is set at Liberty; and the [Page 23]envious Jews demand thy Death, who art the Author of Life.
Thou art indeed that living Stone, rejected by Man, but chosen by God.
O that I may prefer nothing before thee, nor change thee for any thing.
O that I could esteem all things as Dung and Filth, to the end I may gain thee.
Grant, O Lord, that the Blot of Envy may never stain my Soul.
Jesus stripped naked and scourged.
All Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who being stripped naked in the Palace, and bound to a Pillar, didst suffer thy naked and most immaculate Flesh to be rent with most cruel Scourges, that with thy Sores thou mightest heal our Wounds.
O amiable Jesus! I make choice of thee, covered with Stripes, for the Spouse of my Soul; Desiring to be enflamed and burned with the Fire of thy most Sweet Love!
Strip my Heart naked, I beseech thee, from all indecent, filthy and impure Thoughts.
Grant that I may at all times patiently suffer the Scourges of thy fatherly Correction, Amen.
Jesus cloathed with a Purple Garment.
Praise, Honour and Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, upon whom all discharged unspeakable Injuries and Contumelies; For they clothed thee, the King of Glory, with a Purple Garment, for thy greater Affront; They fastned upon thy Divine Head, a Crown of Thornes; They put into thy Hands a Scepter of a Reed; and kneeling down in a scornful manner saluted thee, saying, Hall King of the Jews.
Plant, I beseech thee, in my Heart the Memory of thy Passion; Let Scorns, for thy sake, be my Glory, and Injuries and Affronts my Crown.
Jesus beaten and buffeted.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst not refuse, for my sake, to be beaten with a Reed, to be buffeted, to be spit upon, and to be the object of all kind of Derisions.
I beseech thee by thy Wounds, by thy Blood, by thy Disgraces, and by all the Grief and Sorrow which thou sufferedst, to endue my Soul with thy Patience, and those Graces I so much stand in need of; That thou wouldst Convert me and all I have, to thine everlasting Praise and Glory.
Jesus made a Spectacls to the People.
O Blessed Jesus, who being defiled with Spittle, rent and disfigured with Stripes, bound and wholly miserable, wast brought forth as a Spectacle to the enraged People, wearing a Crown of Thorns and a Robe of Purple.
Grant, that with my Heart, I may utterly tread under Foot and have in Detestation, all Ambition, Ostentation, worldly Pomp and Vanity, and all earthly Dignities; That by profound Humility and true Contempt of my self, I may incessantly run towards the Glory of thy heavenly Felicity.
Jesus declared Innocent, yet delivered to be Crucified.
All Love, all Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who being declared Innocent by Pilate the Judge, didst not refuse to bear the furious Out-crys of the Jews, by which they demanded that thou would'st be Crucified.
Grant that I may live Innocently, and not be troubled by reason of other Mens evil Will towards me.
Give me this Grace, that I may neither Back-bite other Men, nor willingly give Ear to those that do it; But that still I may have a good Opinion of others, and [Page 26]bear other Mens Imperfections with a true Compassion; And love all Men for God and in God, with a pure, sincere and cordial Affection. Amen.
Jesus unjustly condemned.
Praise, Honour and Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst permit thy self in the Presence of thy People, to be condemn'd to the most ignominious Death of the Cross; That thou mightest free us from the Sentence of eternal Death.
Grant that I may seek thy Honour, and rather chuse to be exercised with thee in Adversity, than by forsaking thee to enjoy the Conveniences of this Life.
Jesus bearing his Cross, and fainting under it.
All Love be unto the O Blessed Jesus, who with many Disgraces and Injuries offered thee, didst carry thy Cross with great Pain upon thy sacred and torn Shoulders; And being weary and breathless, didst Languish under the Burden.
Grant that, with fervent Devotion, I may imbrace the Cross of Self-denyal and Mortification; And with an ardent Charity, imitate the Examples of thy Vertues; And may humbly follow thee even unto Death.
Jesus admonishing the Women that followed him.
O Blessed Jesus, who in that lamentable Journey in which thou wentst to thy Death, didst meekly admonish the Women that they should bewail themselves and their Children.
Give me acceptable Tears of Compunction, with which I may truly bewail my Sins and my own Ingratitude.
Give me Tears of true Contrition and of holy Love, which may melt my hard Heart and make it grateful unto thee; That I may love thee alone, and rest in thee only.
Jesus at the Place of Execution.
Praise, Honour and Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who having thy Shoulders bruised with the weight of the Cross, didst at length arrive weary to the Place of Execution; Where Wine mingled with Gall was offered thee to refresh thy languishing Forces.
O that thou wouldst extinguish in me the Allurements of Gluttony, and the Concupiscences of the Flesh; And cause in me an Aversion and Horrour from all impure and unlawful Delights; And that I may Eat and Drink soberly to the Glory of thy [Page 28]Name; That I may Hunger and Thirst after thee alone; And in thee place my Delight and Joy.
Jesus stripped naked.
O Blessed Jesus, who didst not disdain to be stripped naked upon Mount Calvary in the sight of the People; And to suffer a most bitter pain by thy Sores renewed with the pulling off thy Cloaths.
Grant that I may love poverty of Spirit, and not be troubled for any worldly Want or Inconvenience.
Grant that by thy Example, I may endure and suffer any corporal Pains, Necessities or Calamities whatsoever.
Jesus stretched upon the Cross.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who being naked didst not refuse to be rudely stretched out upon the wood of the Cross, and cruelly fastned with Nails unto the same; In this manner didst thou suffer thine innocent Hands and tender Feet to be most grievously wounded, and all thy sacred Joynts to crack and be put out of Joynt.
Grant me, O Lord, that with a faithful and grateful Mind, I may consider this thy unspeakable Charity, with which, of thine own accord; thou didst stretch forth thine [Page 29]Arms and willingly offeredst thy Hands and Feet to be Pierced.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to enlarge and extend my Heart with the perfect Love of thee; Pierce and fasten it unto thy self with the most sweet Nail of Charity; And all my Senses, Thoughts and Affections, inclose only in thee. Amen.
Jesus hanging on the Cross.
Praise, Honour and Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who didst hang (thy Hands and Feet being Pierced) three Hours upon an ignominious Cross, and shedding in great abundance thy precious Blood, didst of thine own accord endure unspeakable Torments throughout thy whole Body.
Lift up I pray thee, my miserable Soul groveling on the Ground.
O healthful Blood, O reviving Blood!
O that thou wouldst Purge and thoroughly Heal me, being washed with this thy precious Blood.
O that thou wouldst offer this thy Blood to thy Father, for a perfect Satisfaction of all mine Iniquities.
Grant, I beseech thee, that mine inward Man may with ardent Affection mentally receive the lively Drops of thy precious Blood, and may truly taste how sweet thy Spirit is.
Jesus praying for his Enemies.
All Love to thee O Blessed Jesus, who wast so good, even to those that were so wicked, that for the very same Persons who did Crucifie thee, thou didst pray unto thy Father, saying, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Give me, I beseech thee, the Grace of true Meekness and Patience, by which I may, according to thy Commandment and Example, love mine Enemies; And do good to those that hate me: And pray heartily unto thee, for those that hate and persecute me.
The Title fastned to the Cross of Jesus.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who wouldst that the Title written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin (as it were the Trophy of thy Victory) should be fastned to the Cross; that we beholding it, might couragiously Fight against our invisible Enemies.
Protect me (Blessed Jesus) under this Title, against the Wiles and Deceits of the Devil; Teach me, under this Title, to overcome all Temptations and to subdue all Vices; That having by Grace conquer'd them, I may freely praise and glorifie thy holy Name. Amen.
The Garments of Jesus divided by the Souldiers.
Praise, Honour and Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, whose Garments the Souldiers having divided amongst themselves, did leave thy Coat which was without Seam (and signifieth the Unity of the Church) undivided.
Pour down into my Heart, I beeseech thee, the Spirit of Peace and Union; That I may never, through my Fault, divide or trouble the Concord and Union of my Brethren; But that I may always endeavour to repair Divisions and pacify Troubles.
Jesus on the Cross, tormented and blasphemed.
O Blessed Jesus, who suffering upon the Cross incomprehensible Torments and ineffable Anguishes, wert shamefully reproached and scorned by the Jews, who vomited out of their wicked Mouths, sundry Blasphemies against thee.
Grant, O Lord, that being mindful of thy Humility, Patience and Mildness, I may quietly and chearfully suffer Pains, Disgraces, Persecutions, Infamy, &c. And may remain with thee nailed to the Cross, even to the end.
Let no violence of Temptation, no storms of Adversities, no tempest of Reproaches, hinder me from effecting my good purposes.
Let neither Death nor Life, nor things present nor things to come, nor any Creature separate me from thy Love.
Jesus merciful to the penitent Thief.
Glory be to thee O Blssed Jesus, who didst tolerate one of the Thieves to upbraid thee, and didst most mercifully and bountifully promise the Glory of Paradice to the other, who did humbly acknowledg his own Injustice, and with a devout Faith, confest thee to be his King and his Lord.
Behold me, I beseech thee, with the Eyes of Mercy, which thou didst cast upon the Thief repentant for his Sins.
O that by thy holy Help and Grace I may lead a Life so Innocent, that I may faithfully serve and purely love thee; That at the end of my Life, I may hera from thee (most merciful Redeemer) that most desired Voice, This Day thou shalt be with me in Paradise.
Jesus destitute of all Comfort.
Praise, Honour and Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who in a most pitiful manner [Page 33]hanging upon the Cross, with wide gaping Wounds, didst profess thy self to be destitute of all Comfort.
Grant that with a firm Confidence, I may always have recourse to thee, my most merciful Saviour, in all Adversities, Temptations and Distresses; And wholly distrusting my self, I may trust in thee alone; And commit and resign my self entirely to thee.
Wound the inmost part of my Soul, with the remembrance of thy Wounds.
Imprint them in my Heart, and make my Spirit even melt with thy Sacred Blood; That I may rejoyce in thee, attend to thee, and thee only seek, find, hold fast and possess.
Jesus Athirst.
O Blessed Jesus, who panting upon the Cross, thy Body being drawn dry for want of Blood, becamest very thirsty, and didst Burn with an unspeakable desire of our Salvation.
Grant that I may most ardently thirst after thine Honour, and the Salvation of Souls; And may with Courage employ my self in this Affair. Grant that I may not be hindred or entangled by any transitory thing.
Jesus tasting Gall and Vinegar.
All Love, all Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who from a Spunge dipt in Vinegar and Gall which was offered thee to Drink, being then thirsty even to Death, by tasting thereof, didst leave us an Example of perfect Poverty and Patience in the want of all Comforts.
Give me Grace to despise unlawful Pleasures, and to avoid all excess in Meat and Drink; Also to use those things moderately which thou givest for the support of the Body.
Pacify the inordinateness of my desires, that whatsoever doth please thee, may please me, and whatsoever displeaseth thee, may be displeasing also to me.
Jesus Crucified.
All Love, all Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, most enamoured of Mankind, who duly performing the Work of our Redemption didst offer up thy self upon the Cross an Holy Sacrifice for the expiation of the Sins of all Men.
Be thou, I beseech thee, the scope and end of all my Thoughts, Words and Actions; That in all things, I may with a [Page 35]right and simple Intention, seek thy Honour.
Grant I may never grow cold or faint in thy Service; But that the fervour of Spirit may be daily renewed in me, and that I may more and more be enflamed to Love thee, Amen.
Jesus yielding up the Ghost.
Praise, Honour and Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who of thine own accord didst embrace Death, and recommending thy self to thy heavenly Father, bowing down thy venerable Head, yeildedst up thy Spirit.
Truly thus giving thy Life up for thy Sheep, thou hast shewed thy self to be the good Shepherd.
Thou didst dye, O the only begotten Son of God! Thou diedst O my beloved Saviour, that I might live forever!
O how great Hope, how great Confidence have I reposed in thy Death and thy Blood!
I Glorify and Praise thy Holy Name, acknowledging my infinite obligations to thee.
O Blessed Jesus, for thy bitter Death and Passion sake give me Grace and Pardon!
Grant that I may every Day more and more bear about in my Body, the dying of my Lord Jesus.
Miracles at Jesu's Death.
O Blessed Jesus, at whose Death the Sun withdrew his Light, the Veil of the Temple rent in sunder, and the Monuments opened.
O Son of Righteousness, permit not, I beseech thee, the Beams of thy Grace at any time to forsake me; But let them continually enlighten the inmost parts of my Soul.
Withdraw wholly from me the Veil of Hipocrisy; And shake the Earth of my Soul with wholesome Repentance.
Rend my Stony Heart; That being wholly renewed, I may contemn all things transitory and love only that which is Eternal
Jesus's Side pierced.
Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who wouldst that thy Side should be opened with a Souldiers Lance; And out of it pour out Blood and Water to revive and wash our Souls.
Thou wouldst O my best Beloved, that thy most sacred Heart should be wounded for me.
O that it might please thee, to make a most deep Wound in my Heart with the Lance of thy Love; And unite it to thy most sacred Heart in such manner, that I may have no power to will any thing, but that which thou wiltest.
Bring in, O my Lord, bring in my Soul through the Wound of thy Side, into the Bosom of thy Charity, and Treasure-house of thy Divinity.
Praise, Honour and Glory be to thee, O Blessed Jesus, that sufferedst all that the Malice of Men or Devils could devise.
Behold with as much Devotion as possibly I can, I admire the Five principal Wounds of thy sacred Body, which are the glorious Seales of my Reconciliation and Salvation.
I humbly desire to abide and be hid in them, and so by that means be secure from all Evil.
Jesus taken down from the Cross and buried.
All Love, all Glory be to thee, O Blessed Jesus, who being with great Lamentation of thy Friends taken down from the Cross, wouldst be anointed with precious Ointments, wrapt in a winding Sheet, and buried where no Man was buried before.
Bury, I beseech thee, all my Senses, all my Forces and all my Affections in thee.
That being joined to thee through an efficacious Love, I may become insensible in respect of all other things.
Jesus descending into Hell.
O Blessed Jesus, who hast vanquished the power of the Devil, and didst in Soul descend into Hell, there to make known thy Conquest;
Let the vertue of thy Passion and of thy Blood descend now, I beseech thee, upon my Parents, Kinsfolks, Friends, Benefactors and all Christian People, to deliver them from the slavery of Sin, and all the power of the Enemy.
Jesus arising out of the Grave.
All Love, all Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who like a Conqueror with glorious Triumph, didst arise out of thy closed Sepulchre; And revested with thy lovely Countenance, didst replenish thy Friends with new Joy and Gladness.
Grant, O Lord, that leaving the old Paths of my vitious Conversation, I may walk in newness of Life; And seek and savour those things which are above in Heaven, and not those things which are here upon Earth; To the end, that when thou my Life shalt [Page 37]appear at the last Day, I may appear with thee in Glory. Amen.
Jesus ascending into Heaven.
Praise, Honour and Glory be to thee, O Blessed Jesus, who forty Days after thy Resurrection, didst gloriously ascend into Heaven in the sight of thy Disciples, where thou sittest at the right Hand of thy Father, Blessed for ever.
O that my Soul might always Languish on Earth, and ascend and aspire towards Heaven; May Hunger and Thirst always after thee.
Jesus sending the Holy Ghost.
All Love, all Glory be to thee, O Blessed Jesus, who didst give thy Holy Ghost to thy Disciples, persevering in the practice of thy holy Precepts, and joining together with one Mind in Prayer; And didst send them to Teach all Nations throughout the whole World.
Cleanse, I beseech thee, the interiour of my Heart.
Enable me, I beseech thee, to forsake all, deny my self, take up my Cross and follow thee. Give me with a stedfast Resolution, and constancy of Mind, that being a true Disciple of thine, and disengaged from all [Page 38]worldly and vain Desires, the Holy Ghost may in due time, according to thy Promise, descend upon my Soul, and make it an Habitation, fit for his continual Residence.
Replenish me with the special Gifts of his Grace, till I be totally changed and sanctifyed both in Soul and Body.
O my Lord and merciful Saviour, thou seest how weak and frail I am; vouchsafe therefore, I beseech thee, an extraordinary Assistance of thy Holy Spirit to Comfort and Strengthen me in this my Pilgramage, that I may withstand and overcome all Difficulties and Temptations, and at last come safe to my Journeys end.
Jesus coming as a Judge at the last day.
All Glory be to thee O Blessed Jesus, who coming as a Judge at the last day, wilt render unto every one according to his Works, either Punishment or Reward.
O my most merciful Lord God, grant that according to thy Will, I may so innocently pass the Course of this miserable Life; That my Soul departing out of the Prison of my Body, I may be vested with thy Merits and Vertues; And be received into thy everlasting Joy; And with all the Saints, I may bless and praise thee for ever.
All Love, all Glory, be to thee O Blessed Jesus, whom I have most grievously offended all the days of my Life.
Alas! I have never ceased to be ungrateful to thee, resisting thy Grace in divers Manners, and always adding new Faults unto my former.
Behold, O my only Refuge, look upon me the very Out-cast of all Creatures, bringing with me nothing but bundles of Sin.
I prostrate my self at the Feet of thy Mercy, and humbly implore Pardon and Remission.
Pardon, I beseech thee, and save me for thy Name's sake.
For I believe and am assured, that no Sins are so grievous and heinous, but by the Merits of thy most Sacred Passion may be forgiven and washed away. Amen.
Certain amorous Speeches of the Soul to her self, to inflame her Desires after Jesus.
O My Soul, when wilt thou be ready to follow the Humility of thy Lord Jesus!
When shall the Example of his Patience Shine in thee!
When wilt thou be wholly free from Passions and vitious Affections?
When wilt thou peaceably and gently endure all Injuries, Tryals and Afflictions?
When wilt thou truly and perfectly love thy Saviour?
When wilt thou be pure, simple and resigned before him?
How long will it be e're thou be hindred no more from his charming Imbraces?
O that thou didst fervently love thy God!
O that thou couldst inseparably cleave unto thy chiefest good!
O my Soul, where is thy Love? where is thy Treasure? where is thy Desire? where is all thy Good? where is thy God? when shalt thou most happily enjoy him?
If thou hast Sinned and art wounded, behold thy Redeemer, behold thy Physician is ready to own thee.
Perhaps thou art afraid, because he is thy Judge; but take Heart; for he who is thy Judge, is thy Advocate and Intercessor.
His Mercy is infinitely greater than thine Iniquity is or can be.
Thy Saviour and thy God, is most Compassionate, most Tender and Gentle, and wholly Amiable and wholly Desirable, and loveth all things that he hath Created.
Let not thine Imperfections discourage thee too much, for thy God does not despise thee because thou art frail and infirm, but loveth the exceedingly; because thou desirest and labourest to be more perfect, and to be a Disciple of his dear Son Jesus.
Arise therefore, O my Soul, arise out of the Dust, forsake the Puddle of this World.
How long wilt thou take Pleasure in Vanity? How long wilt thou set up thy Rest among the Anxieties and Torments of this Life? How long wilt thou sleep securely so near Destruction?
Return now unto the Lord thy God, and give thy self up wholly to him, for he expecteth thee.
Make hast, do not delay any longer, for he is ready to receive thee: Joyn thy self [Page 42]to Jesus, enclose thy self in him, in the Merits of his Passion, and he cannot deny thee.
Alas! O my Soul, how ungrateful hast thou been to so gracious a God? He has promised those things to thee, which neither Eye has seen nor Ear heard, nor has it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive.
O my Soul, if it were necessary daily to suffer Torments; yea, to endure Hell it self for a long time together, that we might see Christ in his Glory, and be joyned in Fellowship with the Saints in his Heavenly City; were it not worth while to sustain all manner of Misery, to be made partakers of so great a Good, so great a Felicity?
Love him then, love him of whom thou are beloved. Love him, who has first loved thee; and who is the Fountain from whence thy Love flows.
O my Soul, sigh ardently and aspire fervently to that glorious City so highly spoken of.
Heaven and Earth and all Creatures, do continually exhort thee to love thy God.
Fear not therefore, O my Soul, nor be ashamed or disquieted or troubled; hope thou in God who will be the help of thy Countenance.
Draw near to him and be enlightned that thy Face may not be ashamed.
The sweet and amiable Jesus is present with thee, be therefore ready to embrace him, and with reverence and love attend unto him.
Short Representations of the Sufferings of Jesus, taken out of the Prophecies of the Old Testament, being another View of his Love.
O My most loving Saviour, who being the Brightness of thy Father's Glory and express Image of his Person, didst humble thy self and take upon thee the Form of a Servant; how shall I express my love to thee, sufficiently admire and praise thee?
Thou wast Poor and in Labour from thy Youth; thou stretchedst out thy Hand all the day, to a faithless Generation.
All we like Sheep have gone astray, and the Lord laid on thee the Iniquities of us all,
Truly thou hast borne our Griefs and carry'd our Sorrows, yet we did esteem thee stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.
Thy Lovers and thy Neigbours stood looking upon thy trouble, and thy Kinsmen stood afar off, even he that did eat Bread with thee, lift up his Heel against thee.
Thou the Breath of our Nostrils, the anointed of the Lord, wast taken in their Pits.
Thou gavest thy Cheek to him that smote thee, thou wert filled with Reproaches,
False Witness rose up against thee, they laid to thy Charge things that thou knewest not; yet thou heldst thy Peace, wast Silent, wast Patient.
Thou gavest thy Back to the Smiters, and thy Cheeks to them that pulled off the Hair. Thou didst not hide thy Face from Shame and Spitting.
The Plowers Plowed upon thy Back, and made long Furrows.
Thou wert brought as a Lamb to the Slaughter, and as a Sheep before his sheerers is dumb, so thou openest not thy Mouth.
The Kings of the Earth stood up and the Rulers took Counsel together against the Lord and against his Anointed.
Thine Enemies beheld thee with a terrible Countenance, and they that were mad upon thee were sworn together against thee.
They questioned thee with Reproaches and Torments, and condemned thee to a cruel Death.
Remember O Lord thy Affliction and Misery, the Wormwood and the Gall.
They pierced thy Hands and thy Feet, they might tell all thy Bones; They stood stareing and looking upon thee, they divided thy Garments amongst them and cast Lots upon thy Vesture.
They gave thee Gall to Eat, and when thou wast thirsty they gave thee Vinegar to Drink.
The Lord hath made thee the offscouring and refuse in the midst of thy People, and thou wast numbred among the Transgressors.
All they that passed by the way, clapped their Hands at thee, thine Enemies hissed and wagged their Heads at thee.
They said, we have swallowed him up, behold this is the Day we looked for, we have found it, we have seen it.
Thou didst deliver thy Soul to Death, thou wert cut off from the Land of the Living, for the Transgression of thy People wast thou smitten.
Thy Soul went down into the Lake, and they laid a Stone upon thee.
O what great Troubles, how many and how evil did thy Father shew thee, and yet did he return and quicken thee, and brought thee from the depth of the Earth,
Thou ascendest up on high, thou leadst Captivity Captive, and gavest Gifts unto Men, even to thine Enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
Behold how thou hast loved me, thy love was strong as Death.
What couldst thou have done more for thy Vineyard which thou hast not done and wherein couldst thou have commended thy Love more to us, to suffer so much for us, even while we were Sinners and rebellious against thee?
What shall I render unto the Lord, for all these benefits that he hath done unto me?
Let Heaven and Earth praise thee, and all that therein is, for Praise becometh thee, O thou hope of Israel and his Saviour in the Day of his Calamity.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive Power, and Riches, and Wisdom, and Strength, and Honour, and Glory, and Blessing.
For thou wast slain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy Blood, out of every Nation, and Kindred, and Tongue, and People.
Be mindful of thy Word unto thy Servant, wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust.
Thou hast said, that if I be lifted up, I will draw all men after me.
Behold thou art exalted above the Heavens, O Lord, draw me after thee, and let me run after the adour of thy Ointments.