whom by good right we should loue more than our selues See then more than a sea of ioy proceeding from the happines of the seruants of God Let vs now vnderstand the great deapth of ioy which we shall feele entering into the ioye of our Lord. The cause why wee should loue God saith Saint Bernard is God him selfe Bernard in tract de diligendo deo And the measure which wee ought to keepe in this loue is to loue him without measure and so infinitlie But according to that wee knowe him 1. Cor. 13.12 we loue him But now we knowe him but in part and as it were in darknes euen so very little and obscure is the loue which we beare him But when wee shall knowe him as he is wee shall loue him according as he is What shall our loue bee towards him then 1. Cor. 15.24 when Iesus Christ hauing giuen ouer his kingdome to God his Father God the Father the Sonne and the Holie ghost one onlie God 1. Cor. 15.28 shall bee all things in this man Iesus Christ and in vs and when wee shall knowe him as hee is beholding the brightnes of his face and his Godhead then raigning immediatly in vs filling vs with all happines Without doubt this contemplation of the glory of the diuine maiestie shal bring forth in vs an infinite loue towards God Now to returne to the meditation of Saint Augustine if according to that we loue each one wee should reioyce of his happines Then as in this blessed felicitie each one of vs shall loue God without comparison more than himselfe and more than all the Angels and elect with vs so shall we feele more ioy without comparison of the blessednes and glorie of God than of our owne or of al the Angels and the elect with vs. And if then wee shall loue God with all our heart with all our soule with all our vnderstanding yet so as al our hart al our vnderstanding and all our soule shall not be capable of the excellencie of this loue Surelie wee shall so feele ioy with all our heart with all our vnderstanding and with all our soule as yet all our heart al our vnderstanding and all our soule shall not bee able to comprehend the fulnes of this ioye Howsoeuer it bee then that this full ioy yea more than full through the greatnes of it whereof all our heart all our vnderstanding all our soule shall not be capable cannot enter into vs It shall remaine that we filled with the sea of ioye of the felicitie of the Angels and of all the elect shall enter into this great deapth of ioye proceeding from the contemplation of the glorie of our God And this shal be the ioy of the Lord Matth. 25.21 into which all his faithfull seruants shall enter Now when this felicitie so great and ioy incomprehensible shall indure so manie yeares as there bee drops of water in the sea Of the eternitie of the life to come or graines of sand in the whole earth yet should not this be a perfect happines For howsoeuer the continuance shall seeme to vs infinite yet the end will once come And indeed the drops of water and the graines of the sand are numbred before God But this our felicitie and ioy shal last without end Such shall bee the life euerlasting As also Saint John saith Apoc. 22.5 1. Tim. 1.17 we shall raigne in heauen world without end We shall bee the kingdome of that immortall king whom Esai calleth the father of eternitie Esai 9.6 who hath promised life and immortalitie to those that shall beleeue the Gospell 2. Tim. 1.10 Also death shall then bee swallowed vp into victorie The author and prince of life 1. Cor. 15.45 hauing vanquished the diuell Act. 3.15 who had the rule ouer death shall make vs partakers of the life that is euerlasting And as we shall be vnited to the fountaine of life Heb. 2.14 Apoc. 21.6 so shall it run in vs eternallie For as the fountain of this life which we shall inioy hath no beginning so the life that procedeth from it shall haue no end The mercie of GOD saith S. Bernard is from eternitie to eternitie vppon those that feare him from eternitie because of the predestination to eternitie because of the glorification The one hath no beginning the other hath no ending This therefore shall be a happines incomprehensible for the greatnes and infinite for the eternitie of it Behold also how we shall then inioy a ful and perfectioy Ioh. 16.22 which shal neuer be taken away from vs. Now this life is promised and assured to all the children of God in as much as they are heires of God the fountaine of life Rom. 8.17 Psal 36.10 Ioh. 14.6 Ioh. 3.15 coheires and members of Iesus Christ who is the way the trueth and the life who also hath so oftē protested that whosoeuer beleeueth in him he hath life euerlasting Ioh. 6. Let vs conclude then that the children of God are truelie and onlie blessed being assured to inioye this great and incomprehēsible happines of life euerlasting which is purchased promised and kept for them in Iesus Christ our Lord. How we shall knowe that we are the children of God CAP. 2. OF this conclusion it followeth that there is no greater ioy or contentmēt in this present life or any thing more sure or more necessarie for the happie ouercomming the difficulties of it thā to knowe and feele that wee are the children of God For this foundation being laid wee ought to bee assured that whatsoeuer shall happen vnto vs can bee none other than the blessing of a father and so consequentlie a meane aide and way disposed by his prouidence either to leade vs vnto life euerlasting or to increase our glorie in it True it is that GOD onelie knoweth his owne 2. Tim. 2.19 whom hee hath chosen before the foundation of the world to bee his children 2. markes of our adoption Yet there are two principall meanes by which he giueth vs to vnderstand who are his children the one is outward by markes visible vnto men the other is inward by testimonies which he that is the child of GOD feeleth in himselfe The outward marke lieth in this Of the outward mark that we be mēbers of the church of Christ Now wee call that the church of Christ in which the word of God is trulie preached the Sacramēts are purelie ministred and one onelie God is called vpon in the name of his onelie sonne Iesus Christ Matth. 13. First this Church is often called the kingdome of heauen because that by it wee enter in thether so that it is as it were the suburbs or the gate of it Whereof it followeth that being the true members of the Church we are in the way and forwardnes to enter make our abode in heauen Mat. 21.13 It is also
outward before men they which haue the inward markes which consist in the testimonie of the holy Ghost in our hearts in the peace of our consciences and in the holy desire of our soules feele these graces which assureth them that they are the children of GOD chosen to eternal life yea more certainly than we are assured by the light of the Sunne that we see by the heat that we feele that the Sun shineth And in deed they haue the white stone whereof mention is made in the reuelation Reue. 2.17 in that stone a new name of the childe of god writtē which none can know but he that receiueth it The world saith Christ cānot receiue the spirit of truth because it hath not seen him neither hath known him Ioh. 14.17 but ye know him saith hee to his Apostles for hee abideth with you and shall be in you As touching the outwarde marke of beeing a member of the visible Church it is also verie certaine in respect of God inasmuch as speaking to vs and sealing his words by the sacraments he neither wil nor can deceiue or lie But if mē hearing his word cōmunicating at the Sacraments reiect in their hearts the spirituall graces which are offered vnto them and so abide vnfaithfull and wicked within when notwithstanding they are helde for faithfull and the childrē of god because of the outward profession it is no meruaile if God at the last do discouer them cast them off shewing therin that they wer neuer his And this is it that S. Iohn saith of such 1. Ioh. 2.19 They went out frō amongst vs but they were not of vs for if they had bin of vs they would haue tarried with vs. But this is that it might appeare that all are not of vs. They that are once grafted in Christ can not perish for the giftes of God are without repentance Ro. 11.29 But euerie plant Matt. 15.13 saith Iesus Christ which my father hath not planted shall bee pulled vp Matt. 13. The parable of the seede falling into diuers sortes of earth teacheth vs two points to this purpose First that manie shal heare the gospel but without frute Secondlie that it shall be their own falt For if entring into the Church they bring their cares and loue to the world without hauing will to forsake them so as it like thornes choake the good seede of the word 2. Tim. 2.19 And so hauing no moisture of the grace of God they wither at the first sunne of persecution a man may see the cause of their reuolte to wete because they were not the children of God Saint Paule hauing said that God knoweth who are his addeth and whosoeuer calleth vpon the name of Christ let him depart from all iniquitie shewing thereby that if there bee anie which ioyne themselues to the Church calling vpon the name of Christ and doo not depart frō iniquity they discouer thereby that God neuer tooke them for his Which thing is good to be noted For manie thinke that to be of our Church nedeth nothing but to chāge the masse to the preaching and to the communicating at the Lords supper And when they vnderstand that to be the childe of God is required to renoūce themselues to leaue couetousnes ambition drunkennesse the world and all pompes to be short that they must put off the olde man and be a new creature not beeing disposed to do this they leaue the preaching and returne to the Masse Now be these the children of God that reuolt that they should make those that are in deed and continue to doubt Nay rather they are the children of the world who hauing brought the world in with them haue also carried the world away with them They therefore that haue once beleeued who also beleeuing feele a desire to liue according vnto god are assured that they cannot perish He that beginneth this good work in them Phil. 1.6 wil accōplish it euen vnto the day of christ And to this purpose saith S. Augustine verie wel Aug. de cor rect gra ca. 12. to 7. He which made vs good maketh vs also to perseuer in goodnes but they that fal and perish were not of the number of the predestinate It remaineth that considering in the fall of hipocrites the double mercie of god toward vs. First that he hath receiued vs into the number of his children Secondly that he will continue this grace towards vs euen to the ende there remaineth I say that we feele our selues double bound to practise the exhortation of S. Paule beseeching vs by the mercies of God to offer our selues a liuing sacrifice holy pleasing to God Rom. 12.1 not to be fashioned like this wicked world but rather endeuouring to this that being tranfformed by the renuing of our vnderstanding we may approoue and follow the good and perfect will of God And let vs remember that which S. John saith 1. Iohn 3.3 That they that haue hope to liue with Iesus Christ and to see him as hee is do purifie themselues as he is pure That afflictions ought not to make vs to doubt of our adoption but rather confirme vs. CHAP. 6. LET vs now come to that stūbling blocke and trouble that proceedeth from our afflictions What apparaunce is there saieth the flesh that wee are the Children of GOD Our goods are violently taken from vs our possessions are confiscate and our Offices and Estates are taken away We are driuen out of our Countrey yea from Countrey to Countrey like vagabonds wee are hated of father and mother and of our other kinsfolk frends we are drawen and kept in prison wee are derided and brought into extreame calamities miscries we are as sheepe of the shambles apointed to the sword to the gallowes and to the fire To bee short wee see nothing but the signes of the wrath and the curse of God vpon vs. And that which more is the Church which wee haue said was the kingdome of Christ and the house of God how is it assailed by the mightie men of this world whome also we see to come to the end of their enterprises to oppresse tread vnder foote rent and scatter this Church exercising al crueltie against it as hūgrie wolues vpon a flock of sheep forsaken of their shepheard They triumph in their victories and wee hang down the head weep bowing down our necks vnder the yoke of afflictions They increase in riches we consume in pouertie they are aduaunced to honours and dignities and we are despised as rebels wicked and seditious people See what the flesh saith and yet these are but discourses and complaints of great ignoraunce or infirmitie For what is that which troubleth and offendeth vs in this condition and estate Euen that whereby wee ought rather to be confirmed in the assuraunce that wee are the children of GOD and indeede happie First if GOD had promised
Heb. 12.11 but grieuous but after it bringeth the peaceable fruites of righteousnes And before he had said That God chastiseth vs for our profite that we might be partakers of his holinesse Prosper in son ex Aug. ◠The goodnesse of God saith S. Augustine is angrie with his children in this world that hee may not bee angrie with them in the life to come and by his mercie he vseth some temporal seueritie to exempt thē from euerlasting vengeance According vnto this S. Bernard made this praier vnto God Lord burne and cut in this temporall life that thou maist be mercifull to me in the life that is euerlasting And it is the same that S. Paule teacheth saying When we are iudged and afflicted 1. Cor. 12.32 we are nurtured of the Lord that wee might not be condēned with the world And to this purpose Dauid protesteth that before hee was afflicted bee went wrong Psa 119.67 but now saith he I keepe thy commandements A game It was good for me that I was afflicted Psa 119 71 that I might keepe thy statutes Medicines are giuen either to heale diseases or to preuēt thē and therefore are verie requisite for the health and life of man Nowe what bee these afflictions but medicines of our soules as also S. Augustine saith This which thou so lamentest is thy medicine and not thy punishment As in a house where there are manie children the rod is necessarie as in a Citie subiect to diuers diseases where there is an euill aire Phisitions are needfull so in the house of god where ther are manie children inclined to euill the rod is many times more necessarie than bread and in such an hospitall full of diseases and sores as the Church is for out of it they are dead it is a great fault if there be not Phisitions and Surgeons to heale the corruptions of our soules to keep vs from offending God from falling into death Many accustomd to delicate meats haue their mouths out of tast after falling sick they take bitter drinks to recouer againe the health of their bodies let vs chearfully doo the same for the health of our soules And indeede behold the difference betweene a madd man and one that is sicke of a corporall disease The mad man is angry with the Phisition chaseth him away and throweth awaye the medicine but the other sendeth for a Phisition taketh drinke at his hand thanketh him yea and giueth him a reward So when God the soueraigne Phisition of our soules visiteth vs and giueth vs wholsome medicines let vs not be like mad men reiecting the hand of God but receiuing the medicine let vs giue him thankes and blesse him after the example of Iob 2. In words afflictiō of heart Furthermore howsoeuer the goods and other commodities of this life ought to bee helpes to lift vp our hearts to the spring from whence they come that is to the goodnesse and power of God to prayse him our corruption and affection to the world dooth turne them quite contrarie to thornes and hinderances so as God oftentimes cutteth them off or taketh them away or mingleth thē with afflictions to turn vs from euill to draw vs vnto him and the better to dispose vs to his seruice Experience sheweth that in bankets and feasts men talke of the world but where sicknesse death and burials are they talk of euerlasting life It is also seene that riches lift vs vp in pride and insolencie and that pouertie bringeth vs downe and humbleth vs that in prosperity we triumph and feele not the force of the spirituall instructions and teachings but being afflicted with sicknesse or anie other way thē we are godly people wee confesse that all flesh is but grasse and that we haue here no abiding Citie To be short our infirmities tending vnto death make vs to lift vp our vnderstanding and affections to a better life Then God who is good and dooing well vnto men who taketh not pleasure in our euills afflicteth vs not but to wake vs the better to sanctifie vs in his obedience purifying our affections and by the sorrowes of troubles maketh vs to abhorre our corruptions the verie cause of them He doth as the good keeper of a vine Iohn 2. who cutteth his vine that it may beare more and better fruite not suffring it to grow wilde in leauing too mame boughes on it And as we cut the winges of hennes and other birdes that they should not flie away and be lost so God cutteth off from vs the commodities of the flesh to keepe vs downe that we lift not vp and destroy our selues with vain confidence pride We see also that the corne shut within the chaffe commeth not foorth if the eare be not beaten and that it tarieth stil in the chaffe if it be not fanned The like hapneth to the childrē of god if they be not beaten and fanned by tribulations to be seperated frō the chaffe of the world and the pleasures impediments that be in it The Prophet Oseas when he would shew how God wold turne away his people from following idolatrie Hose 2.6 I will hedge saith he thy way with thornes wherein hee giueth vs to vnderstand that as the beasts that go by the way see on the side of them faire flelds assaying to goe to thē running vpon the hedges of thornes if they feele the sharpe prickes they goe backe and return into the way So when the children of God goe out of the right waye to heauen to goe to the fieldes of this world o◠the flesh God maketh thē to come vpon the thornes of afflictions to the ende that by their prickings they may turne backe againe When a Mother willing to weane her childe shal say vnto him night and day My childe it is time to weane thee thou art growen great inough and I am with childe my milke is corrupt it will make thee sick yet he is so fond of the breast that he cānot forsake it but if the Mother put worm wood or mustard vpō the breast the childe sucking it and feeling the bitternesse hee quite forsaketh it without sucking anie more Euen so though the preachers preachvnto vs and exhort vs to forsake the corrupt milk of the world and of the flesh yet we seeme dease still and are alwaies backward vntill God put vppon these cursed teates the mustard and wormwood of afflictions to weane vs. We haue also of our owne nature too much considence in our selues 3. In confidence in humane meanes so as we know not what it is to hope in God against hope to trust to him without gage in the hand So the riches estates traffiques the leaning vpon men on the husband to the wife on the father to the children on the good Prince to the Subiects are vnto vs as vayles that keepe downe our sight vppon the earth and as staues for