resembled vnto water because it cleanseth Dauid calleth it a right spirit right because it leadeth vs the right way The Apostle calleth it thâ—… spirit of Adoption because it maketh vs the children of God Somtimes it is called the Teacher of truth sometimes the eternall spirit all which names â—…oe tend to shew the diuers operations of the holy Ghost as 〈◊〉 the former appearance of fire 〈◊〉 stre turnes all things into fire because it expeâ—…eth the coldnes of our hearts bath burneth with inward loue as also shineth by outward charity It teacheth 〈◊〉 directeth it comforteth it cleanseth in a cloud in a Doue in fire in tongues in the winde all which moue vs to pray with the Prophet Emitte spiritum tuum Lord â—…end forth thy spirit and wee shall be created The light of Faith shall arise in vs our 〈◊〉 shall be confirmed in good manâ—… graces shall be collected in one our desires shall mount vpwarâ—… and last of all we shall be holy as is holy 7 Contraâ—…ise without this 〈◊〉 spirit what are we but as 〈◊〉 men of Sodome striken with â—…dnesse not knowing which 〈◊〉 to goe sorrowfull is it to â—…ider the case of Saul who â—…en the spirit of God was with 〈◊〉 hee was a man of courage 〈◊〉 vaâ—…our able to encounter 〈◊〉 the enemies of God but 〈◊〉 once the spirit of the Lord 〈◊〉 departed from him he was â—…ressed as is wonderfull he â—…es to a Sorceresse disguiâ—… himselfe knowes not in the 〈◊〉 what to doe nor which 〈◊〉 to take there was not a 〈◊〉 in the field nor a corner in 〈◊〉 house that could hide him 〈◊〉 his troubled conscience Eâ—…â—…ryed â—…ryed My Father my Faâ—… but Saul might haue cryed â—…en the spirit of the Lorde deâ—…ted from him O my ioy my 〈◊〉 gone his body died once 〈◊〉 his hart often The wife of â—…es in her last breath cryed 〈◊〉 the same might Saul haue 〈◊〉 also O the glory of God is gone when the Prince remoueth all the Princes troope and trayne euery one is remouing to accompanie the person of the Prince so when the Spirit of the Lorde remooueth all ioy all faith all knowledge all loue at once departeth Wherefore the Church doth well and deuoutly pray Et spiritum sanctum tuum ne aufer as a nobis And take not thy holy Spirit from vs. It was Saint Austens prayer Veâ—…â—…ancte spiritus Come holy spirit the cleanser of the vncleane the comforter of the sorrowfull confirme mee that I may keepe thee keep me that I may not loose thee If Sathan â—…de the house once emptie hee entereth by a foule spirit wherefore beséeâ—…h we God that his spirit may euer keepe possession of our hearts Nowe as Christ promised his Apastles the comming of the holie Ghost so did hee also shewe them howe they should be prepared for the receiuing and conseruing thereof for albeit this diuine Spirit were promised before and after the Resurrection 〈◊〉 he would they should be preâ—…red for it that wee should 〈◊〉 to vse meanes for Gods â—…ites promised First they 〈◊〉 wait for it secondarily they 〈◊〉 waite at Ierusalem and â—…re in an vpper roome what 〈◊〉 they doe they are assembled â—…th one accord what else they 〈◊〉 assembled with one accord in 〈◊〉 all which doe shewe vs 〈◊〉 meanes of preparing our 〈◊〉 for the participation of the 〈◊〉 Ghost First faith is neâ—…rie for the Apostles beléeâ—… Secondly hope is necessaâ—… for they expected the accomâ—…ment of the promise Third 〈◊〉 charity is necessary for they 〈◊〉 assembled in loue the Text â—…eth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with one acâ—…d Fourthly holinesse of conâ—…sation is necessarie they were 〈◊〉 vpper roome The Spirit 〈◊〉 God sayeth the wise man â—…eth not in a body subiect to 〈◊〉 Last of all deuotion is â—…cessarie they were all assemâ—… in prayer The seauentie Elders recâ—…ed of the spirit of the Lord at the dore of the Tabernacle where God was worshipped When the Disciples were assembled in prayer the place where they were assembled moued and the holy Ghost came downe vpon them and héere wee sée both of receiuing as also the meanes of entertayning one and the same holy spirit Gregorie saith In terra datur Spiritus vt diligatur proximus e coelo daâ—…ut Spiritus vt diligatur Deus The holy ghost is giuen on earth that we should loue men and the holy Ghost is giuen from heauen that we should loue God This loue of God is neuer idle but alwaies busie héere beneath it was Christes owne rule If you loue me keepe my commaundements it is a signe we loue the great Emperour when wee kéepe his lawes Last of all whereas the receiuing of the holy Ghost is called the earnest of the spirit how manie comforts are there which doe hence consequently ensue when 〈◊〉 substantiail dealer maketh a bargaine or couenant and in part of payment giueth earnest before â—…and the residue behind is as â—…re at the day as if the partie â—…ad it already down God of his â—…nite loue in Christ Iesus â—…ath agréed with beléeuers for the receiuing of heauenly treaâ—…re or treasure in heauen his holy spirit is before giuen in part of payment a good earnest and of the rest behind this earnest is â—…fficient assurance which wee 〈◊〉 receiue at that â—…ay when the â—…onne of righteousnes shall appeare and all his holy Angels â—…ith him Chap 31. How that exhortation of our Sauiour Christ Iohn the twelfth and thirtie siue doth appertaine to vs Christians Ambulate dum lucem habetis vt non tenebrae vos comprehendant Walke while yee haue light least darknes come vpon you THese wordes of our Sauiour Christ spoken in the first place to the people of the Iews are â—…y way of appropriation appliable vnto all but most speciallie vnto them on whom the ends of the worlde are come Walke while yee haue light least darknes come vppon you For in this remnant of time Sathan seeketh in malice to destroy men and God in mercy to saue sinners by whom the day of grace is fitly resembled to a time of light Walke while yee haue light The children of God are called the children of light his Angels are called the Angels of light his doctrine is called the doctrine of light you were darknes saith the Apostle but nowe you are light and are called to an admirable light And so after the sâ—…me manner the time of grace is a time of light our coâ—…nuance in this grace is the light of life which very life hath sometimeâ—… the appellation of light because when death comes as the wise man saith â—…ur light is lost that is the continuance of life which is light And so in regard of the true light which is Christ Iesus himselfe of his doctrine which is a doctrine of light of his grace which is the benefite of light of our conâ—…inuance in the world which is a
your hearts or nowe your hearts and you consider together what to doe fall to an account with your selues séeke not life in death stand with God and hee will stand with you lose not the opportunitie of light for some sensual and perishing delights of the world when these offer themselues let the carefull Christian say this thou mayest doe but this is not that thou shouldest doe in the morning he sâ—…yes to himselfe what wilt thou doe and at night what hast thou done let him take sometime from the pleasures and profits of the worlde I say to consider of these things Iudas made the worst bargaine that euer man did which bought and sold when for a little earthly profit he parted with heauen and for thirtie péeces of siluer sold the Sauiour of his soule Hee had heard Christ was transfigured and least in such a transfiguration hee should be taken from him be wold make gaine of him while he had him Let vs neuer follow the trade of so bad a Marchant leauing for a fewe temporall commodities that great and plentifull storehouse of heauen and the inestimable treasure which God hath prepared for them that loue him In this respect all of vs are Marchants that men would fall to traffique for this pearle It is not beyond the Sea that anie should complaine howe shall wee attaine it thrise happy are they that come vnto that light where the light of the Moone shall be as the light of the Sunne where the light of the Sunne shall be seâ—…uen fold as the Prophet Esay speaketh Wherefore O Christian man if thou walke in the light whilest thou hast the benefiâ—… of light Thy Sunne shall neuer goe down neither shal thy Moone be hid for the Lord shall be thine euerlasting light and the dayes of thy sorrow shall be ended Sorrowe thou mayest for a time but this sorrowe should be heauenly and heauenly sorrowe saith the Apostle causeth life Of old time repentant sinners as wee reade in the Prophets should put on sackcloath and sprinkle themselues with ashes Put on sackcloath to shew they haue laide off all pompe and glory of the world sprinkle themselues with ashes to signifie they were no other bâ—…ing compared to Gods maiestie who was now readie to take reuenge vppon them but dust and ashes Againe howsoeuer they had before exalted themselues yeâ—… now they were come to a full consideration of their estate what they were vnder the hand of God Yet a little while is the light with vs Onely a little while and therefore the time of light the time of walking is not long O blessed are they that make sure work for a time to come that apply their haruest while the sunne shineth that walke while they haue light that by a good life draw nâ—…rer and néerer vnto that life which is void of all death vnto the which the Lord bring vs all in Christ Iesus 5 The commination if men walke not while they haue the light is Walk least darknes come vpon you Want of light is a punishment When many of the Iewes sawe the darknes at our Sauiours Passion they were much afraide they smote their brests were in a maner at their wiâ—…s end If externall darknes of the world be so terrible what is the spirituall or internall darknes of the minde to be depriued of the light of grace Nay what is the eternall darknes to be vtterly depâ—…ued of all light of glorie It was said of him that had not his wedding garment â—…st him into vtter darknes O doâ—…efull dome neuer more to sée the light of that ioyfull Sonne of righteousnes Who would not be aduertised in this case our time is but short our departure vncertaine What is the ende of our redemption the fruite of our calling but to walke before God in holinesse of life beastes haue eyes of the body to behold things present but men haue eyes of the minde to foresee thinges to come In the second of Samuel and second Chapter Abner calleth vnto Ioab in the euening to stay his reuenging hand Ioab saith haddest thou called vnto mee in the morning the people had departed backe euery one from his brother let vs vse this to our commoditie and for our learning let vs call for helpe early and not deferre vntill the euening thinking to strike in with God in our last groanes when the most sensuall are made soâ—…er against their wils When Moses foretolde the Egyptians of a mighty great hayle such as neuer was in Egypt those that reâ—…arded not the word of the Lord left their seruaunts and cattell in the field and so were destroyed but such as feared the word of the Lord amongst the seruaunts of Pharao made his seruants and his cattell flie into their houses These were preserued as for the other the tempest destroyed them Haue we not cause to be carefull Our sinnes carie vs away as the wind O Lord saith the Prophet Esay wee are the Clay thou art the Potter Chap. 32. Howe that inferred vpon the Parable of the ten Virgines Mathew 25. 23. Vigilate itaque quia nescitis diem neque hâ—…ram Watch therefore for you knowe neither the day nor houre when the Sonne of man will come doth greatly concerne all Christians to consider SAint Mathew hauing mentioned Christ his comming to iudgement and the manner in paradies in the next place setteth downe by another parable the suddainnesse of this comming although no mention be made of the time when it shall be as the comming of a bridegroome at night when none would haue thought him néere At this time suddainly there was a crie The Bridegroome commeth When some are receiued in other are â—…uded and for euer shut out 〈◊〉 are found wise these are â—…ose that prepared oyle in their â—…pes others foolish and â—…se were those who had their â—…ampes but no oyle in them all â—…aue the name of virgins all exâ—…t the Bridegroomes coÌ„ming â—…t all are not prouided for his â—…ddaine comming therefore â—…st any be taken vnprouided as â—…he foolish were Christ giues â—…is aduâ—…onition vnto all Watch therefore for you know not the â—…ay nor houre Man which is gone into a strange Countrey hauing giuen authority vnto his seruants and â—…lled his Porter to watch those seruants must be watching that at what time soeuer the Maister returne he may find theÌ„ so doing There is nothing more behouâ—…ful â—…nto the state of a christian man then to arise from the security of a sinfull life that spirituall Apoâ—…xie or dead sléepy disease of the soule the very word Watch doth not only import we haue enemies but also require industrie to preuent them Watch pray Watch and so vse industrie Pray and so receiue Gods assisting mercie We know that while Ionas slept the ship was in danger of drowning while Ishboseth slept hee was surprised suddainly while the husbandmen slept the enemie came and sowed â—…ares while
should not be interrupted by any necessities of the body as the Massilians dreamed but pray alwayes is vnderstoode euery day and at all times that no sinne may hinder vs from God good works and therefore it is saide Vt digni habeamini that ye mâ—…y be accounted worthy to auoid these things 10 Watch for ye knowe not the day nor houre Nemo quaerat quando venit sed vigilet vt paratum inueniat Let no man saith S. Austen séeke curiously when the Iudge commeth but let him make himselfe ready against his comming the vncertainty of the time doth cause feare the ignorance of the signes may lead into error so wee alwayes liue that alwayes wee may be watchfull Wee may knowe the signes but ought not search after the knowledge of the time it selfe it is vnsearchable When we see in an old man the signes of age we gather his time is not long when hee shall die we know not so beholding the world troubled charity waxing cold we know these are signes of a decaying age yet somtimes age continueth howe long none knoweth this is the very reason our Sauiour himselfe vseth to stir vs vp to watchfulnes Watch because you know not the day nor houre when the Sonne of man commeth If the Housholder watch for the sauing of his substance howe much more should euery one be watchfull for the sauing of his soule In the Housholder three things are obserued first he endeuoureth to knowe the deceite of the théefe secondly to prouide for the custody of himselfe thirdlie he careth that his house be not broken vp and thus he watcheth not one but euery houre of the night that at what houre so euer he be assaulted hee may be found stirring 11 Those who looke for the comming of the Bridegroome haue their lights in their hands that is their shining workes these lights are burning that is ardent in charity they are shining that is to say giuing good example of piety These watch in the day that is open the eyes of their faith when the light of the Gospell of Iesus Christ shineth these watch in the night that is when the world is giuen to all iniquitie the workes of darknes Foure things there are which may make men to wake the first is the crowing of the cocks that is the calling of those to whom God hath said O Sonne of man I haue made thee a watchman The Cocke beateth with his wings and wakeneth himselfe first and then with his voyce wakeneth others The second thing to make men wake is the rising of the Sunne this Sunne is the light of grace a shame is it for men to sléepe when as now long agoe the Sunne is risen vpoÌ„ them The Sunne riseth saith the prophet and man goeth forth vnto his labour The night is past and the day is come neere let vs walke saith the Apostle as in the day The third thing to make men awake to the feare of the théefe or the day of iudgement which is as the comming of a théefe in the night the carelesse it will seaze vpon and spoile them but vnto the watchfull it can doe no harme It was said vnto the rich man hac nocte This night shall thy soule be taken from thee It was said of the bridegroomes comming At midnight there was a crie made behold the Bridegroome commeth goe out to meete him The fourth thing to make men awake is care of their goods wee haue a great charge vnder our hands and a charge of so great care that wee had neede watch early and late For the carelesse Salomon sayeth Sleepe on so shall necessitie come vppon thee like an armed man Many are so heauie a sléepe that no calling will awake them there shall a voyce one day sound in their eares that shall awaken them I pray God not affright them whether they will or no. That which I say vnto you sayth our Sauiour I say vnto all Watch. The night of death may steale vpon men before they be aware the day of iudgement will come when they thinke not of it Watch for you know not the day nor houre Watch you know not when the Maister of the house will returne Whether in the morning of childhoode or in the third houre of youth or in the sixt houre of strength or in the euening of age Watch for you knowe not the time Should they sleepe in securitie vntill they sleepe their last God forbid God forbid Chap. 33. A louing conference had with Christ and the deuout Christian man touching the state and ioyes of the life to come promised to them that learne of Christ and followe him in this life Christ. AWake Awake O Christian soule and stand vp from the dead how long wilt thou sléepe in this dangerous securitie of a sinfull life Arise arise the light of my grace and truth hath shined vnto thee how long wilt thou preferre the loue of this transitorie world before the loue of mee thy Redéemer and Sauiour Christian man O Lorde Iesus Christ thy mercie is great in staying for my conuersion in vouchsafing to remember mee so forgetfull of my loue and duty towardes thée my Lord now I wretched creature prostrate my selfe before thee Lord what wilt thou that I doe Christ. If thy desire be to knowe my will O my beloued this desire of thine doth meruaâ—…lously please me for my delight is in thy saluation thou knowest for thy sake I came from heauen for thy sake endured I the griefes and troubles of the worlde for thy sake suffered I many reproaches of mine enemies I vndertooke thy dolours to giue thée my glory I suffered thy death that thou mightest receiue life I was buried in the earth that thou mightest be raysed vp to heauen now thy sinnes are more gréeuous vnto me then much suffering I endured for thée this is that I require séeing thou wouldest know my will giue me thy life for whoÌ„ I haue giuen my life Christian man Lord I perceiue thy will and my owne weakenes how should walke as I ought in consecrating my life vnto thée Christ. If thou wilt dedicate thy selfe vnto me first loue mee alwayes and aboue all thinges next to know howe thou shouldst walke after my wil sée thou often meditate of my life once led amongst men when thou wilt be humble thinke howe I was humbled when thou wilt suffer patiently call to minde with what patience I suffered when thou wouldst be obedient thinke of my obedience when thou art oppressed with enemies remember I had enemies too and call to mind that I prayed for them Christian. I sée most mercifull Sauiour that thou requirest loue aboue all thinges which I yéeld thée willingly as I ought but Lord for to beare these crosses of the world I finde it too difficult to humane nature so as almost I know not what to say Christ. If thou loue me as thou sayest thou doest thou néedest not take scandale at the
direction in all our wayes 6 The first vertue to be learned in the life of Christ which was his humilitie 7 What we learne by Christes leading into the wildernes his fasting and temptation there 8 Of Christes great compassion towards the state of man his continuall doing good in the world and what instruâ—…ions we hence learne 9 How little our Sauiour esteemed popularitie and glorie of the world and howe by his example wee learne to doe the like 10 Of Christes continuall labours trauailes in the world whereby wee may take a suruay of our Christian condition 11 Of his teaching the multitude and his actions before hee taught which doth also teach vs what we should doe 12 Of Christs visiting the sicke his feeding the hungrie curing all that came vnto him which doth lay before vs a most absolute rule of shewing pittie and compassion 13 Of the great meekenes of the Sonne of God in bearing the reproches of the world an instruction vnto vs of suffering patiently 14 Of Christes most milde and penceable coÌ„uersation amongst men which is our Christian direction of passing our time so in this world 15 Of the name of Iesus 16 Of Christes teaching his disciples to pray and the tenour of that diuine forme of prayer so often to be vsed of all deuoute Christians 17 Of Christes often praying speciallie in the Garden when his soule began to waxe sorrowfull and what feruencie in deuotion we heereby learne 18 That christian men may take comfort amidst the calamities of this life by that of our Sauiour Iohn 14. 1. Let not your hearts be troubled where he armeth his Disciples with consolation against troubles 19 Howe that our Sauiour exhorting all that would followe him to denie themselues and take vp their crosse daily doth concerne vs all that beare the name of Christians 20 That Christian men ought to liue in all orderlie and dutifull obedience to Princes and Gouernours 21 That Christians may lawfullie enioy earthlie commodities and possesse riches but how they should be affected towards them 22 Howe Christ exhorteth to forsake Father and Mother and all for his sake 23 Of Christes manie miracles and â—…hat we learne by them 24 What wee learne by Christes most diuine wisedome in answering his aduersaries and all that came vnto him 25 Of Christ our Sauiour what hee did vpon the Saboath and Festiuall dayes and what Christians may gather for the obseruation of the same 26 Of Christs weeping ouer Ierusalem 27 Of his passion and suffering vpon the Altar of the Crosse for the sinnes of the world and saluation of our soules howe often and with what deuotion all Christian men should meditate heereof 28 Of Christs resurrection from the dead and howe the veritie heereof doth much strengthen our Christian faith 29 Of Christs Ascension vp into heauen besides manie good instructions how heereby our hope of ascending is confirmed 30 Of the comming downe of the holy Ghost and howe wee shouldin all Christian manner entertaine this diuine spirit into the mansion of our soules 31 How that exhortation of our Sauiour Christ Iohn 12. 23. Walke while ye haue light least darknes come vpon you doth appertaine vnto vs Christians 32 How that inferred vpon the parable of the ten virgines Math. 25. 13. Watch therefore for you knowe neither the day nor houre when the Sonne of man will come doth expreslie appertaine to all Christians in this life 33 A louing conference had with Christ and the deuoute Christian man touching the state and ioyes of the life to come promised to them that learne of Christ and follow him in this life Disce viuere Learne to liue The first Chapter An exhortation mouing euerie deuout Christian for his better direction in learning to liue often to meditate of the life of Christ. WHilest I was musing sayeth the Prophet the fire kindled what was this fire but the loue of God what was this musing but the bellowes to blow the sparks and kindle the flame of Dauids affection which affection bred destre which desire caused loue which loue moued delight which delight brought forth labour Lord saith he what loue haue I vnto thy statutes all the day long is my studie in them Whereby wee sée that among the exercises of a deuout life there is none that is wont more to eleuate or lift vp the mind to a higher degree of perfection then meditation In meditation what doth more mooue man to loue God then the reuoluing of his benefits Amongst these benefits was there euer any comparable to that So God loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting So then to meditate of the life of him by whom wee haue eternall life is the verie life of life What is there found that can more arme vs against the vanities allurements of the world or the tribulations and aduersities of the same then continually to haue before the eyes of our mind the memorie of his doings and sayings of his suffering and satisfaction made for the redemption of our soules 2 In which Christian meditation so many vnlooked for motiues to loue God doe occurre when the deuout soule doth recount the ioy inexplicable happines whereunto all doth tend as they may sée me not onely infallible testimonies of grace present but after a sort gladsome presages to the beléeuing hart euen of future glory that is to come Abraham sawe Christ when the couenant was but promised and yet it reioyced his hart wee sée him now the couenant is performed and shall we not reioyce Simeon was a happie man who saw him with the eyes of his body and the faithfull are happy too who still by meditation sée him with the eyes of the soule 3 Euery man saith Senâ—…a that listeth to applie himselfe to reading meditation may haue priuate conference with Zeno Pythagoras Aristotle Theophrastus the Authors of good Arts he shall finde them all at leasure to commune with him But a thousand tunes more truly may it be said of the deuout soule that she may daily commune and conuerse with Iesus Christ the Author of her happines in calling to mind his loue mixed with so many labours the scarres and markes of his suffering which she may behold his diuine precepts which she may obserue his louing comforts which she may receiue in all distresses incident in the life of man 4 Is it not more acceptable to sée God with the sheepheards at Bethelem when the Angels sing then with Moyses when he was flaming in the fierie bush To heare him vpon mount Tabor to preach blessednes after blessednes then vpon mount Sinah when for lightning thundering it was present death for the people to approach Is not the case altered It was said as a testimonie of the loue of God vnto the Israelites Did euer God come so neare a Nation How
troubles of the world Thou knowest I dispose all things swéetly great peâ—…ce there is to them that loue mee shouldest thou be impatient at the least thinges beholding me suffering great Wilt thou a worme refuse to endure a word spoken against thée and sée mee loaden with reproaches thou canst for the loue of the world suffer tribulation rise early late take thy rest and wilt thou doe nothing for my loue Christian. I beséech thée O mercifull Lord Iesus strengthen me with thy grace against all aduersities for I willingly yéeld my selfe vnto thy will Christ. Be not afraide to suffer somewhat for my sake behold I am with thée for whom thou sufferest And behold I come quicklie and my reward is with mee Consider what I haue saide In my fathers house are many mansions there haue I prepared a place for thée Call to minde that the dearest friends I euer had in the worlde haue endured the same sufferings Christian. O my Sauiour I am more delighted in hearing and beléeuing this then I am able to expresse I knowe not whether I may more reioyce to beholde thée dying vpon the Crosse or raigning amongst the Angels to sée thée subiect vnto all or exalted aboue all O swéete Iesus howe should I praise thée I remember that of the Prophet Rectos decet collandatio Praise becommeth the righteous Lord I am not righteous shall I not therefore praise thée thy poore creatures doe the same and therefore I will not be silent O my God draw my minde from all earthly things that it may onely reioyce in thée Where are ye all my desires come and enter the Courts of the Lord with ioy Christ. Thou hast O Christian man peraduenture some taste of my loue in that thou art so desirous to praise mee in that thou dost as ioyfully behold â—…e borne of a virgine as God from euerlasting In beholding mee thy redéemer suffering for thy sinnes thy loue is acceptable vnto me and shall finde loue againe in thy greatest labours but the best is to come when thou shalt reape the fruite of all then no aduersity shal touch thée then shalt thou beholde my presence in glory and therfore let happines moue thee to séeke happines Christian. O swéete Iesus when shal I sufficiently loue thée When shall I duly remember thy benefites thy méekenes thy patience thy bountie with all reuerence and deuotion If thou be my redéemer where is my duty if my Sauiour where is my affection O good Iesus seeing thou hast done all this for me what shall I doe vnto thée Nay séeing thou hast reserued such ioyes as I am not able to comprehend let me not liue but to loue and know thée Christ. It sufficeth that thy wil oâ—… intention is good which I respect more then many sacrifices when thou doest offer me thy obedience vpon the Altar of thy humble desires for which desires I haue recompence thou shalt finde as much when thou commest to receiue the same when for a cup oâ—… colde water thou shalt receiue a whole fountaine of the water of life when for two untes thou shalt haue giuen thée the whole treasure of the temple then shalt thou enioy immediate fellowship with me in my kingdom where I am there shalt thou also be then shalt thou come from the troublesom sea of this life to the hauen of rest there shalt thou sée me enioy me alwayes euery where blessed shall that life be for the continuance therof it is eternall for the certaintie it is without change for the place it is in heauen for the companions they are multitudes of saints Angels for the greatnes of the felicitie there is an euerlasting Sabaoth Christian. I am rauished O my Sâ—…uiour with the very meditation of thy heauenly reward when I coÌ„sider that in thy presence there is fulnes of ioy and at thy right hand are pleasures for euer more O happy and happy againe are they which are once freed and set at liberty to come to thy Kingdome O Kingdome of all conâ—…unce séeing there is found ioy without sadnes health without sicknesse aboundance without want light without darknes life without death all good without any euill all bitternes all trouble all punishment all discord all feare is away O ioy excéeding all ioyes when shall I enter into thée O my redéemer when shall I behold thée the verie end of my desires I nowe perceiue there is a reward for the righteous and therefore what blindnes doth possesse the minds of men in loosing the frâ—…ition héere of O what folly is it in theÌ„ to spende their time in vanitie nay in the harsh discord found in the loue of earthly things and lose that ioyfull harmâ—…me of heauen when all the Saints in that blessed societie shall say The Lambe that was slaine is worthie to receiue power and riches and wisedome and strength and honour and glory and praise There they enioy that perfect felicitie where sorrow is neuer felt complaint is neuer heard losse is neuer feared when all labours and trauailes shall cease then shall vertue shew her selfe where vice shall not be able to looke vp or appeare then shall the world which séemed before so glorious be consumed to nothing onely the iust shal then receiue a crowne of glorie The consideration héereof is able to draw mortall men from all the allurements of a sinfull life and to enflame their hearts in the fire of the loue of God for who would not finde in his heart to honor that God which hath prepared so excellent thinges for those that serue and honour him Who would not turne all his endeauours all his desires to walk before him in holinesse of life whose reward is without measure in the life to come This is the profit of this consideration â—…ely to moue vs to returne loue vnto him who hath first loued vs. And nowe O most mercifull Iesus I beseech thée by thy sorrowes which thou sufferedst by thy blood which thou sheddest yea by that infinite loue which thou bearest towardes vs encrease in vs true loue of thée O redéemer of the world Christ. Consider yet a little farther thy creation and what excellencie and dignitie thy Creator bestowed vpon thée weâ—…gh with what loue and with what worship hee is againe to be honoured Surely when creating and ordaining the vniuersalitie of visible and inuisible thinges hee had â—…sposed to make humane nature with high counsaile handled he the worthines of thy creation as one whom he decréed to honour before all the creatures in the world behold therfore the highnes of thy creation and recount more and more thy dâ—…ty of rendring loue Let vs make saith God man after our owne image Marke therfore diligently what it is for thée to be created to the image of God vnderstand that image is one thing similitude is another for examples sake vnreasonable beasts may haue a similitude with man but the image of man none can