lxxxvii 2 Glorious things are spoken of thee thou City of God BUT all the most exalted Encomiums are infinitely below thy deserved Lauds and Praises For What Humane Understanding What created Tongue can be able to comprehend or express thy ineffable Excellencies If this Inferior Orb the Place of our Exilement and a Theatre of inevitable Miseries be so wonderfully delightful that our Eyes are entranced with the Variety of its Objects and can never sufficiently admire the Marvels they behold if the Firmament which is but a Foot-cloth for the Saints to tread on be enamell'd with so many Starry Jewels and imbellish'd with such radient Planets and glittering Constellations How transcendent how superlatively Magnificent are the Inner Appartments and Chambers of that Emperial Palace where the Adorable Deity does vouchsafe to communicate his Essential and Ecstatick Glories II. O DESIRABLE Mansion One Minute's Residence in thy Celestial Courts will make us more than Recompence for all the Afflictions we can possibly suffer in this Valley of Tears And And how conceivably will our Reward be when by a Miracle of Divine Mercy we shall be admitted to an Everlasting Participation of thy Immense and Inexpressible Felicities It was the certain Hope of thy Enjoyment which animated the Primitive Martyrs to sustain the most fiercest Tortures with an undaunted Constancy and to triumph in the mid'st of their Conflagration III. THE comfortable Expectation of thy Fruition was the Grand Motive which induced the Magnanimous Ignatius when threatned by his Persecutors with Extremity of Torments to make this Heroick Replication Fire Gallows Beasts Breaking of my Bones Quartering of my Members Crushing of my Body all the Torments of the Devil together let them come upon me so I may enjoy my Lord Iesus Christ. IV. IT is an undeniable Axiom That all Secular Felicitities are built upon brittle Foundations The most sublime Terrestrial Pleasures even in their greatest Complacencies are but transcient Vanities and conclude in Vexation but the Objects of the Celestial Habitations are refined to such an extraordinary degree of Perfection that they will be able to satiate the most extended Desires of our capacious Souls There we shall possess in lieu of a living Mortality which moves us towards the Grave a Vitality glorious beyond Imagination durable as the Ages of Eternity and whose Enjoyment will entitle us to excessive and inexplicable Satisfactions V. IF we admire Beauty Our ravish'd Eyes in lieu of Corporeal Objects shall behold those Immaterial Glories which flow from the Fountain of Uncreated Light and shall be permitted to contemplate that wonderful Clearness which proceeds from the Beatifical Visage of the Supreme Creator If Riches be the Center of our Affections Gold Pearls Diamonds Rubies Jewels and whatever we account most precious and estimable in the Universe are but faint Metaphors to describe the Inestimable Treasures of the Supernal World VI. IF Honour be the Subject of our Ambition What are Scepters and Crowns but Illustrious Miseries What are the Grandeurs upon Earth but gaudy Shadows in comparison of those Incorruptible Diadems those permanent and Substantial Dignities which flourish Above If we delight in Musick There we shall hear the Panegyrical Anthems of the Seraphick Choir and shall bear a part in the solemn Celebration of that Almighty Being whose only Presence will be sufficient to replenish us with immeasurable Felicity VII TO Conclude Nothing can be ded to that Immensity of Beatitude which we shall there enjoy but we shall be as perfectly Happy as the immediate Vision of the Incomprehensibly Glorious Trinity the Society of Angels the Conversation of Triumphant Spirits and the inexpressible Accommodations of a blissful Heaven can possibly make us And to consummate our Felicity all our Enjoyments shall be invested with Eternal Glory THE CONTENTS SECT I. What Meditation is Page 1 SECT II. That it is a Duty Page 5 SECT III. Rules and Directions for Meditation Page 10 SECT IV. Of the Subject and Method of Meditation Page 14 SECT V. Of being Affected with the Divine Presence Page 17 SECT VI. Of Preparatory Prayer Before Meditation Page 21 SECT VII Of Consideration Page 25 SECT VIII Affections and Resolutions Page 29 SECT IX Of Vows Page 33 SECT X. How to Conclude your Meditations Page 35 Collects to be said Before and After Meditations Page 36 Meditations on Several Occasions MED I. COnfession of Sins Page 38 MED II. That the Cross of the Holy Iesus should excite us to Repentance Page 42 MED III. Of the Fruits of Repentance Page 45 MED IV. Of Man's Salvation Page 50 MED V. The Youth's Memento Page 53 MED VI. General Rules of a Godly Life Page 58 MED VII The Whole Duty of Man Page 63 MED VIII The Vanity of the World Page 67 MED IX Jacob ' s Ladder Page 72 MED X. Of a Good Conscience Page 76 MED XI Of a Wounded Spirit Page 81 MED XII Of Humility Page 86 MED XIII The Proud Pharisee Page 91 MED XIV The Soul's Delight Page 95 MED XV. True Contentment Page 10â— MED XVI Of Divine Faith Page 105 MED XVII The Canaanitish Woman's Faith Page 109 MED XVIII Of Love and Charity Page 114 MED XIX An Act of Divine Love Page 120 MED XX. Of Chastity Page 126 MED XXI Purity of Heart Page 133 MED XXII Against Covetousness Page 137 MED XXIII A Bad Exchange Page 142 MED XXIV In Time of Sickness Page 148 MED XXV Vpon Death Page 153 MED XXVI Vpon Iudgment Page 160 MED XXVII Vpon Hell Page 171 MED XXVIII Vpon Heaven Page 177 FINIS
and Gladness in the Day of the Lord Jesus MED X. Of a Good Conscience Act. xxiv 16. And herein do I exercise my self to have always a conscience void of offence towards Ged and towards men WHATEVER thou undertakest consult thy Conscience and if Satan excites thee to any Evil stand in awe of the Checks within thee for the Internal Testimony is of more Efficacy than the External Thy Conscience that Angel-Guardian which Divine Omnipotence hath fixed within thee shall be register'd in those Books which will be opened at the Great Day as is testified by St. Iohn Rev. 20. 22. II. THE First is the Book of God's Omniscience wherein thy Thoughts Words and Actions shall be demonstrated The Second is the Book of Life Rev. 13. 8. wherein those that are found written by Verity and Faith shall be safely conducted by the Angels into Heaven's Imperial Court The Third is the Book of Holy Writ according to which Golden Rule our Faith and Good Works shall be measured The Fourth contains the Testimony of the Indigent whom we have defrauded or relieved The Last Book contains the Internal Testimony of the Voice of Conscience wherein all Offences are noted and indeed the Volume must be large and exactly written by the Finger of Truth III. SINNERS in that Day will be fully convinced by the Terrour within 'em and they can no ways shun so just an Accusation A Mind undefiled is the Crystal-Glass of the Soul and is so transparent that she evidently by the Opticks of Faith beholds the Idea of the Almighty for a sordid Eye cannot view the Splendor of a true Luminary As a well Complexion'd and good Featur'd Countenance is esteem'd in the Eye of the World so an unspotted Conscience is acceptable in the sight of the Almighty But that Conscience which abounds with Putrefaction generates that Worm which continually Vulture like corrodes but never dies IV. O THEN let us while it is Day with a true Remorse have a sense and feeling of this never-dying Worm and diligently labour to use all Arts to destroy it and let us not indulge it by any means lest it abide with us to all Eternity VVhat can it advantage thee if thou wer 't a Proficient in all the Arts and Sciences in this Microcosm nay though thy Skill did extend so far as to number the Stars and to trace out the ways of the Planets and did'st enjoy no Peace within to comfort thee Let it be thy care to square the Actions of thy Life according to that Rule prescrib'd by the Holy Jesus Let Purity reign in the Centre of thy Heart Verity possess thy Tongue and embrace Justice that it may attend thee in all thy Proceedings All which will evidently demonstrate whether thy Life be Good or Evil. V. ALL the Applause and Breath of the VVorld is insignificant if thy Bosom Friend thy Conscience accuse thee And what can all their Detraction prejudice thee if she defend thee This potent â—udge thou carriest about thee is sufficient to Accuse Testifie and to Condemn thee This Justice holds the Balance even and will not be bribed with unjust Rewards never will she be mollified with fruitless Prayers but she indefatigably follows thee whithersoever thou goest and will attend thee where-ever thou art carrying about her that Charge which thou hast committed to her custody whether it be good or whether it be evil VI. AND as the Testimony of thy Conscience evidences against thee such Judgment must thou expect from the Judge of all Men. Sinners themselves at last shall become their own Accusers though no other Testimony appeared against them For Instance The Drunkard when he is overwhelm'd with VVine or Strong-drink hath no sense of the Prejudice he hath receiv'd by his Intemperance but having slept away his Drunkenness the charm of sensuality is fractur'd and he feels the smart of his own Imbecillity VII So Sin that Diabolical Treasure whil'st it is agitating darkens the Mind and like a condense Cloud obscures the Lustre of perspicuous Judgment but at length the Voice within is rouzed up like a Lion and rendeth more vehemently than any other Accuser Oh let us all betimes mortifie this Worm by the fervour of our Devotion that it may not gnaw upon us to our Destruction and lead us to Eternal Horrour Extinguish this internal Fire by thy Prayers and Tears that so thou may'st enjoy Heaven in the Cool of the Day VVhich God of his infinite Goodness grant that we may attain by fighting a good fight finishing our course and keeping the faith 2 Tim 47. MED XI Of a Wounded Spirit Prov. xviii 14. But a wounded spirit who can bear NONE on this side Eternity not the vastest Heap the Universe it self that Theatre of Humane Frailty cannot for it groans and travels in Pains it self to be delivered Celestial Mansions was no longer a Residence for those ambitious rebellious Spirits who forfeited their Glory for those infernal Flames which Torment is not equivolent to that infinite Despair which for ever secludes and interdicts them from it It is no surprizing wonder that many imagine there is no Infernal Place like this for its Torments are not to be parallell'd II. FIERY Furnaces Stakes Gridirons or Phalarus's Bull are but Trifles to this greedy Vulture Tortures of the modernest Invention are delightful Penalties compar'd to this Crulty Those inhumane dying Miseries do but inrage and stupifie Sense whil'st this vital Death this destroying Life exercises its Malice on a more Celestial Object and contending to demolish and ruine an Immortal Part makes Death it self a Principal and gentle Murtherer to it III. CROAKS of Ravens Shrieks of Owls and Houls of Wolfs that adds Obscurity to the dismal Night Groans of departing Souls that invade the Ear and fill the Apartment with trembling Epitaphs transcribed in Characters mournful as the Grave and Silence are well-tuned Harmonies to the dying Elegiacks of a wounded Spirit that vents nothing but bloody Satyrs against it self Behold how with the disconsolate Psalmist it goes mourning all the Day and Night inviron'd with Sorrows and surrounded with dismal and fatal Idea's and inverts his Bed into a Bath which those weeping Fountains of Tears his Eyes have distilled and instead of splendid and gentle Airs evaporates nothing but dark and trembling Accents which busie Satan labours to retort in doleful and despairing Eccho's IV. HOW contritely doth it expostulate with Heaven My dearest Redeemer is that amiable Attribute of thy Mercy lost Is the Fountain of it dried up from a poor and wretched Sinner And wilt thou be a Jesus of Mercy to the whole Universe and become none to me Oh let me descend from the loftiest Precipice and for ever dwell in noisom Dungeons inhabited by none but loathsom Toads Snakes and Serpents beyond the reach and sight of all the World so I may but enjoy the Light of thy Countenance Let me live more poor and despicable than patient Iob upon his Dunghill perplex'd
with Boils and and in a naked and dejected Deformity so I may but conceal my Leopard's Spots and place a Beauty in my Soul which may invite that All-seeing Eye whose radient Beams can comfort all Mankind V. TAKE heed thou Sensualist that now revellest and riottest in the World's Theatre and counter-charms Damnation Wer 't thou but sensible of the terrible Agonies of Guilt the Horrours of a murdering Sin and the cursed Stings thy Pleasures leave behind them how speedily would'st thou list thy self in nobler Services and employ thy Time in better Thoughts Wer 't thou now to expire thy Breath how would the Guilt of an evil Life appale thee when every Sin would represent it self a Messenger of Horrour and the deluding World prove but an infernal Comforter VI. SHEW me in a Glass that Champion Conscience that will not undertake at length to conquer that frozen Soul whose Flashes will not liquefie and blast again that Atlas-Sinner whom gentle Burdens will not at last numerously depress The VVorld is unquainted with a Misery equivolent the Terrours of the unwelcom Grave are inconsiderate to it which could it but relieve the guilty Soul and its tenebrous and silent Regions promise an Immunity from future Miseries how readily would it purchase its Peace with Death and implore its keenest Dart for a swifter Passage Loss of Friends Fortune or Reputation nay Crosses which penetrate the Bone are but slight Scratches to these gaping VVounds Procure me a Schedule of the deepest Afflictions and there is none I imagine except this which is not tolerable to be dispensed with But a wounded Spirit who can bear VII O LORD how Ponderous is the Load of a VVounded Spirit How Formidable are the Stings of a Guilty Conscience and the Apprehensions of Thy Fiery VVrath And how Deplorable is he that involves himself in Sin and becomes insensible of his Guilt till the Memento of his heinous Crimes display it And when Mortality remembers him of a Future-State nothing is his Concomitant but his erroneous Life Oh Omnipotency Thou hast fixed an impartial Register in our Breasts which no fawning Practice can bribe nor Fountain of vulgar Tears silence from recollecting us of Thy Justice and yet what numbers are there whose Consciences like the great Leviathan snap in sunder the Silver Cords of thy Divine Law like Threads of Flax and are so backward from Confessing their Crimes that they are become obdurate in their Impenitence But Lord do Thou teach me as I commit Sin so inspire me with Thy Grace daily that whenever I shall approach Thy Presence I may have no other Sins to testifie against me than those which I possess which if not throughly crucified yet at least sincerely repented of with hearty Contrition MED XII Of Humility 1 Pet. v. 5. Be ye cloathed with humility for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble IF thou do'st but seriously consider the miserable State of Mankind thou wilt easily shun the Temptations of an arrogant Spirit Man the Lord of all Below though he assumes to himself that Pride of Heart yet he is Vile in his Ingress Miserable in his Progress and Lamentable in his Egress He is often assaulted and provoked by Satan's Temptations He is allured by Delights and Pleasures cast down by Tribulations entangl'd by Accusations disrobed of Vertues and ensnar'd into evil Habits and Customs Why then art thou proud O Earth and Ashes Eccles. 10. 9. VVhat wast thou in thy Conception but sinful Corruption VVhat in thy Life but a Lump of Flesh And what after Death but Food for VVorms If there be any spark of Goodness in thee it is not thy own but the Almighty's who is the only Donor of it II. THOU can'st claim nothing peculiar to thy self but Sin which accompany'd thee into the VVorld and therefore if Divine Omnipotence hath inspired into thee any measure of His heavenly Grace give Him the Glory to whom it is most due If thou wilt be Christ's Disciple observe His Doctrine Learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart Mat. 11. 29. And he that observes this Lesson will at length attain to be a Proficient in the School of Humility Our Saviour the Pattern of Humility stiles Himself the Lilly of the Vallies Cant. 2. 1. Inferring That He is the most imbellish'd of all Flowers and springs forth not in the mountainous and lofty proud Hearts but in the low Vallies of the contrite and humble Spirits III. AND the Royal Psalmist tells ye God dwelleth on high and yet he beholdeth the things that are humble both in heaven and earth Psal. 113. 5. If we contemplate with our selves we may soon come to this result That we cannot approach unto that Great Being unless we tread in the Paths of Humility for he that appears vile in his own Eyes is valuable in the Eyes of the Almighty VVeakness and Frailty is entail'd upon Humanity and none can pretend to boast of such an Imbecillity The twenty four Elders Rev. 4. 4. cast down their Crowns before the Throne ver 10. and render unto God all praise and glory And the Seraphims cover their faces before the face of the most Highest Isa. 6. 2. VVhat then should Man do who is the vilest of all Creatures the worst of Sinners and so unthankful to his Creator IV. CHRIST the Everlasting Son of God the Father wonderfully descended from Heaven in great Humility and miraculously condescended to take our frail Nature upon Him and stooped so low as to be crucified for us And what should poor Mortality answer for so high an Indulgence who is gone so far astray from his Maker Behold thou aspiring Soul with what wonderful Humility thy Saviour hath allayed thy Pride And do'st thou still swell with Ambition By the Path of Humility and his bitter Death and Passion Christ entered into his Glory Luk. 24. 26. And dost thou imagine ever to reach Heaven-Gates by wallowing in the haughty way of Pride Lucifer for his Ambition was expell'd Heaven and our First Parents for Diabolical Pride was cast out of Paradise And dost thou think to arrive at Eternal Happiness through a Sea of Pride V. OH let us rather demean our selves with an humble jesus to wash the Feet of others than to seek ambitiously with Satan for the highest Place Let us humble our selves under the Mighty Hand of God in this Life present that we may be exalted in due time in the Life to come Fix not thy Heart upon what thou hast but consider seriously what thou wantest Mourn for those Graces that are absent rather than extoll those Vertues thou hast acquired Conceal with all humility what good Qualifications thou do'st enjoy but confess those Sins thou daily committest VI. AS Fire is preserv'd by covering with Ashes so Charity is secur'd under the Guard of Humility Pride is the Seminary Parent and Nurse to all Sins Exercise therefore thy Vigilance and Care against any Elevation lest by the precipice of