MOTIVES to Godly Mourning and Rejoycing; or, CHRIST JESUS his Kind Invitation to Sinners to Repent.
CHAP. I. Concerning the Grief of Jesus Christ, lamenting the Stubbornness of a Sinner.
I THE Only begotten Son of God, the Power and Wisdom of God, do cry in the Streets, and lift up my Voice in the midst of the People; for I have nourished and brought up the Sons of Men, but they have despised me. O Man! I have written the sweet Law of my New Testament in thy inward parts, and have planted it in the midst of thy Heart. And yet thou hast had no desire to my immaculate Law, which converts the Souls of Sinners; neither hast thou regarded the saithful Testimony of my Eternal Love. Thou hast went far away from me, with the Transgressour Adam thy Father; and thou hast hid thy self from Me, thy most gracious God and Saviour, when I walked in the Garden in the cool of the Day. What meaneth this, thou estranged Son? Whither flyest thou from the Face of thy most merciful God and Redeemer? [Page 2]Am I a cruel Lord, because thou flyest speedily away from me, and seekest to find a better Master? Consider what thou dost, and how far thou goest from thy own Salvation; for without cause thou hatest thy most precious Remedy and Liberty. Thy unhappy Soul is become as a Widow; which, if thou wouldest close with Divine Grace, might remain faithful to the Covenant of her Espousals, and enjoy the Priviledges of my most Sweet Love. And yet she hath abhorred me her most faithful Lover, and her Enemies have been enriched with her Spoils. How is the Gold of my ancient Love become dim, the bright-shining Colour of a good Conversation is changed, the Stones of my Temple and Sanctuary are scattered upon the top of every Street: Thou didst not delight in the Habitation of my City Jerusalem, which I have loved, and thou hast been reckoned among the Citizens, which my Soul hates. Wo to the Soul, that departeth from me! for the Terrors of Death will set themselves in aray against it, and the Pains of Hell will take hold of it. The Lion's Whelps will rage against it, and roar after it, that they may snatch it, and take it for Meat thrown to them by God. For since thou didst set up the Darkness of Sin instead of the Light of my Grace, and there came upon thee a most dismal night of my Anger, all the Beasts of the Insernal Wood pass by, and make haste with open Mouth to devour thy Apostate Soul. Therefore, at least from this time, call unto me, and say, Thou art my God and my Guide; and now I will no more fly from thee. O most gracious God! I have wandered, being a Vagabond, like Cain, out of thy sight; and I have served other Gods, in whom I have no Salvation nor Deliverance. Behold, I return unto thee from a grievous Bondage: I seek for thy most lovely Light from the [Page 3]Darkness and Shadow of Death, which hath terrified me. I know of a truth, being convinced by Experience, that there is no good thing out of thee, the Son of the most amiable, and most high God, to whom I consecrate my inward Parts.
CHAP. II. Concerning the Sweetness of Jesus Christ calling a Sinner to Repentance.
I Wish, my Son, that thou wouldest prize my Friendship, which is better than Gold, and that thou wouldest hearken with the Ears of a contrite and humble Heart unto my still Voice, whereunto the Rocks are moved. O Ephraim! I as a nursing Father take care of thee, and my great and most faithful Mercy strives with the Hardness of thy stony Heart. Thou according to thy Hardness, and impenitent Heart, resistest my Spirit, which is sweeter than the Honey; and I according to the Riches of infinite Goodness, endeavour to mollify thy inward parts with my secret and innumerable Inspirations. Thou flyest from me, who am pursuing thee not for Hatred, but for design of thy Salvation: And I meet thee flying away as it were by lying in wait, that I may embrace thee with stretched forth Arms, and may overcome thy Cruelty with my Infinite Mercy. For which cause the Heavens and the Earth wonder at the Clemency and Sweetness of their Creator, who watcheth so carefully over a most unthankful Sinner, who is not willing to take my sweet Yoke upon him. How long shall thy hard Heart kick against the Prick of my most strong Love? Wilt thou always [Page 4]resist the unconceivable Love of thy God? I could have damned thee by my Justice, because thou didst wickedly, and brakest my Yoke, and saidst, I will not serve: And yet I suffered thee in much Patience, and desire of thy Eternal Life, if perhaps thou wouldest turn unto me, and be reconciled to my most merciful Father. Why then dost thou tarry, most beloved Son? Why delayest thou from day to day to return unto my most sweet Peace and Love? Suffer me, my Son, suffer me to dissolve thy Ice with the hot burning Fire of my Love, and to renew thy Deformed Soul, according to the Pattern of the only begotten Son of God. O Off-spring of Adam, how long shall I suffer you! O wonderful thing, hidden from the Wise and the Prudent of the World, who have shut their Ears least they should hear my Heart-warning Speech! I the Son of the most High, stand at thy door and knock, desiring to enter in, and fill thy House with unspeakable good things; and yet it seems grievous to thee to give Entertainment to God thy Redeemer and Friend. Verily if thou shouldest once knock at the Gate of my House, I would hasten to open to thee at the first Knock, as I opened to David my Servant when he groaned at the Rebuke of Nathan my Prophet. Therefore, my dearly beloved Son, let my Counsel please thee; and with seasonable Repentance return unto me, thy peaceable King; and I will love thee as a most tender-hearted Mother, and will embrace thee, and nourish thy Infancy with my most pleasant Milk.
CHAP. III. Concerning the Goodness of God, and his Readiness to forgive.
WHither flyest thou, dearly beloved Son, who hast grievously offended me? Have I been a barren Wilderness unto thee, because thou sayest in thy Heart, I have departed, and I will no more return unto thee. Will a Virgin forget her Attire, or a Bride her Nuptial Ornament? Why then hath thy Soul, which I have espoused unto my self with the price of my Blood, forsaken me, and forgotten me days without number? I am Goodness it self, which with its Sweetness, feedeth all Creatures, than which nothing more lovely can be conceived; and yet through thy great Folly thou seekest Good out of me. My Son, consider my Goodness, wherewith Rocks are softned, and be thou mollified: Neither believe the false Prophets, who foretel false Joys besides me. Verily, if I am the chief Good, of necessity whatsoever thou seekest out of me, is not good for thee, though thou alone shouldst possess all the Kingdoms of the World, and all things desirable unto carnal Eyes. It is commonly said, Good is that which all design; and yet thou being led aside by a great Error, art enticed with the pleasure of things that have the false appearance of Goodness; but the true eternal and unchangeable Good, thou foolishly forsakest. O that thou wert wise, and hadst Understanding to consider thy Latter-end! O Son, follow not strange Gods! for surely they will turn thy Heart away from true Wisdom: Thou shalt look for Light and not see it, neither shalt thou behold the Dawning [Page 6]of the Day. Let my pure Law cleave unto thy inward Parts, and hearken unto the whispering Voice of my Secret Teaching, and the Catholick Faith, with which I have inlightned thee. Behold, thou believest with a sincere Faith, that I am Infinite Goodness, Beauty, and Wisdom, with which only the Heart of Man can be satisfied: Whither then hastnest thou, whilst thou offendest me, but unto Infinite Wickedness, Filthiness, and Folly, with which thy Soul will be defiled? Is it not greater Wisdom to adhere unto me, and to be illuminated and satisfied with the Breasts of my Consolation, than to be so Hunger-starved as not to have a full Meal of the Husks of Swine in the midst of my Vagabond, and Fugitive Enemies? Return, O prodigal Son, unto thy rest, and I will embrace thee, when thou returnest from a far Country; and I will say unto my Servant as soon as I see thee, Bring hither speedily the best Robe, put a Ring upon his Hand, and Shooes upon his Feet: For my Bowels will yern upon my dearly beloved Son, whom I have begotten; and I will rejoyce at thy Conversion as he that findeth much Spoil. For I delight in shewing Mercy; and by reason of the Greatness of my Goodness, my Soul melteth at the Groans of Repenting Sinners, and at the Misery and Sighing of the Poor. Son, remember how tender-hearted I am; whereby thou mayest learn how great is the Multitude of my Goodness and Sweetness. Read my holy Scriptures, and thou wilt wonder at my Readiness to show Mercy, and to forgive Sinners, and to comfort the Afflicted: Whereby thou wilt understand that I am a good Lord, and wilt fear to depart from me, as Death useth to be feared. I never lifted up my Spear against the Man that was willing to serve my most gracious Father, though he had sinned most grievously. Once David groaned; saying, I have sinned; [Page 7]and immediately, I put away his Sin. The Publican, who had greatly offended me, accused himself with a few Sighs; and presently he went down to his House justified and joyful in Heart. The wicked Servant owed me Ten thousand Talents; who falling down craved Mercy of me, and I sent him away free, and forgave him all the debt. The Woman that was taken in Adultery stood in fear, and was instantly accused in my sight. And I answering her very sweetly, delivered her from Condemnation. I shewed a loving Countenance to Magdalen the Sinner, and presently forgave her; so that the Pharisee, who had invited me, wondred. The Thief that was crucified with me, melted my Heart with one word, and immediately was made Partaker of my Kingdom. Wherefore then is not my Goodness, which is evidenced by so many Proofs, acceptable to the Sons of Adam, but they seek strange Consolations? Shun, O my Son, the Societies of Sinners, and by True Repentance seek my Face.
CHAP. IV. Concerning the Wisdom of God, from which a Man by Sinning departs.
O How foolishly hast thou departed from me, my Son, with Adam thy Father, who endeavoured by the forbidden Tree to become like God, knowing Good and Evil! This is not the way of my Wisdom, which savours very sweetly to the Palate of the Heart. I Wisdom, who have proceeded from the Mouth of the most High, am a most beautiful Light, who do illuminate with everlasting Brightness the Minds of little ones, who willingly [Page 8]commit themselves to my Discipline. But those that are puffed up, and presumptuous, I cast away from my Presence, that they may sit in Darkness, and the Shadow of Death, and may not know how to discern between their left Hand and their Right. Wo unto Sinners, whom their own Wickedness hath blinded, lest they should behold me the Sun of Righteousness, and Master of Wisdom; under whose Instruction they might learn in a moment the Secrets of Heaven, and might become more learned, than if they knew how to number the Stars of Heaven, and the Sand that lies on the Sea-shore. Verily, though a Sinner, who departs from me, knew all manner of Learning that is taught in the Universities of the World, he would yet know nothing; because he knows not, in whom are all the Treasures of the Wisdom of God. And though he should speak with the Tongues of Men and Angels, he would be esteemed as an Infant in my Heavenly City, because he knows not the Word of God, who makes the Tongues of Infants eloquent. Seeing then these things are so, what meanest thou, my Son, to bewilder thy self in the various Sciences of Men, in which there is no Salvation, or Satisfaction? Thou being now wearied, return unto me the Fountain of Wisdom, which is sweeter than Honey, and I will give thee to drink, and thy Bowels shall be enlarged. Thy Understanding can rest in me only, therefore labour not in vain in seeking lying Masters, whom I have not taught. Fly out of the midst of Babylon, and shun the innumerable Anxieties, with which thy Heart is distracted; and I will lead thee into the Wilderness, and nourish thee, and teach thee my Goodness Discipline, and Knowledge; so that thou shalt understand more than the Ancients, and excel all the Magicians of Pharaoh, and Soothsayers of the Chaldeans. Take away the Filth of thy Mind, dearly [Page 9]beloved Son, and be thou clean, that with pure Eyes thou mayest behold my most clear Light. And I will give unto thee to know my Mysteries, and to be inflamed with the Love of eternal Wisdom, which delighteth pure Hearts with unspeakable Joys: Take a taste of my Sweetness, and thy Eyes shall be opened to behold my Mysteries, which are more desirable than Gold and precious Stones, and sweeter than Honey, and the Honeycomb. And thy broken Bones shall rejoyce, which I will fill with most pure Delights, which I have prepared for Penitents, who return from a strange Land unto the lovely City of Jerusalem, where they treasure up their Riches.
CHAP. V. Concerning the Peace of God, which is lost by Sin.
I A peaceable King, who am magnified above all the Kings of the whole Earth; I do make my Friends Partakers of the Peace, which passeth all Understanding. For when a Man is in the State of Grace, I dwell in him, as in the Nuptial Bed-chamber, where all things are at Peace; and therein is tasted the most sweet Peace of the Children of God, and therein is heard the most sweet Harmony of the Parts of Man, conspiring into one consent of my Law; which that Man well understood, who said: O God, I will sing unto thee a new Song, on a Psaltery of ten Strings will I sing Praise to thee. This Peace is more precious than Gold, and more desirable than all the Honours, Riches, and Comforts of the World: Which if the Men of this World should taste, they would immediately despise all Earthly Loves, and breath after me. Thou [Page 10]therefore, my Son, consider what thou didst, when thou departedst from me. Thou didst reject my Peace, and it was removed far from thee; and innumerable Enemies rose up against thy Soul, who sleep not, and suffer thee not to rest. Thou thoughtest that thou shouldest have and possess Peace, if thou shouldest satisfie thy Appetite, and its vain Desires, living after the manner of the Heathen, who know not me; and yet thou foundest no Peace, but Solicitudes, Anxieties, Pangs of Conscience, Horrors and Fears of my Judgment; as Cain, who having departed from my Presence, was afraid lest every one that found him should slay him. That hath befaln thee, my Son, which of old befel the People of Israel, which made not a good use of the Habitation of my City Jerusalem: For Judah was removed because of Affliction and great Bondage, which she fell into by Sinning: She dwelt among the Heathen, and sound no rest. O how grievously doth the Sinner err, who casts away from himself the Peace of the Children of God, and involves himself in infinite doubts! O how unhappily lives the wicked Man, who flyeth, when none pursueth, carrying with himself the Damnation of Death, which he hath procured! How long shall I cry and invite thee, unthankful Son, unto the Banquet of my Dainties, where thy inward Parts shall enjoy Peace, and rejoyce in the Society of my Peace and Love? Return now, my Son, unto thy Rest, which I have purchased for thee by the Sorrows of Death, and let it please thee to have one Heart and one Soul with me. Let us now make a Covenant of most faithful Agreement, which may have no end. I spare thee dearly beloved Friend; neither do I remember the Fault wherewith thou hast offended me: Give me thy Heart that we may enter into a Covenant of Friendship in my Blood, which I have shed for thee. Break now the Bonds [Page 11]of thy Neck, O captive Son, and breath after my Liberty; for as for me, I will be thy most faithful Helper in times of need, in Tribulation and in Want. I have written thee in the midst of my Heart, and will never forget thee. Only I require that thou return unto me, and for the future make good use of my most sweet Fellowship; and I will cause Righteousness, and abundance of Peace to arise in thee, which shall endure as long as the Sun and Moon. Behold, my Side opened, and my Hands pierced through with Nails; joyn the Side of thy Heart unto my Side, and thy Hands unto my Hands, and return at length unto the most precious Peace of thy Redeemer and Friend.
CHAP. VI. Concerning the Protection of God, from which a Man by Sinning departs.
I The Preserver of Men, take a care of my Servants, as a Nurse that nourisheth her little Infant; for he that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. I keep my dearly beloved Friends as the Apple of my Eye, neither do I suffer the Rod of the Wicked to rest upon the Lot of the Righteous, lest they being afflicted above measure, should stretch forth their Hands to Iniquity. From the beginning of the World it hath not been heard, that any Mother did so affectionately love, and keep her only Son, as I, who am more than a Mother towards my righteous ones, and I love their Souls as my most pleasant Brides. They that serve me need not be afraid of the Cold of Winter; for all the Servants of my House are cloathed with double Cloathing, for they [Page 12]have a good Lord. Wherefore then, my Son, hast thou departed from me, and exposed thy self to Dangers and Robbers, who lie in wait for thee, saying; God hath forsaken him for his Sins, persecute and take him, because there is none to deliver him? Who shall defend thee from the many Calves, and the sat Bulls, that have beset thee round, if thou art not in my keeping? All the Beasts of the Wood will hasten to thy Destruction, unless they perceive, that I am thy Keeper. Without the Sword shall bereave thee, and Terror within; thou shall be a Vagabond, and a Fugitive upon the Earth. Hast thou not considered how Malefactors are afraid, who have offended Earthly Kings? Verily they rest no where, but are afrighted at every noise, as at the Shadow of Death, considering lest the Officers of the King being offended, should suddenly fall upon them: Therefore how much more will the fear of Death terrifie thee, if thou be without my Protection, and be delivered as the Servant of Sin unto thy Persecutors? It is a wonder how mad Sinners are, who have delivered their Souls into the hands of their Enemies, not considering that they want my Strength. Return therefore, dearly beloved Son, unto me thy Keeper, and I who have broken the Heads of the Dragons, will defend thee. I will lead thee through a Desert Land, through the waste-houling Wilderness if thou continuest in my fear. I will trouble the Princes of Edom, and Trembling shall take hold on the mighty Men of Moab, whilst thou passest through the way of Life under my Protection. Return with all thy Heart unto me thy Keeper, and Guide, not seeking the weak Helps of the World, and its Followers: And I only will be thy Guide, and I will be unto thee as the Eagle, teaching her young ones to fly, and fluttering over them, and [Page 13]thou shalt know by experience that one day in my Courts and Protection, is better than a thousand elsewhere: And in the time of distress I will deliver thee, because thou hast set thy Heart on me, guarding it with a most firm Perswasion of my Goodness and Mercy.
CHAP. VII. Concerning the Loss of Divine Grace, which the Sinner falls into.
ALL the Treasures of the World compared with my Divine Grace, are Dust and Ashes, and are accounted as things of no value. For so great is the Height, the Dignity, and the Beauty of my Grace, that it stirs up great Admiration in the Minds of them, that rightly conceive thereof. Whereby it comes to pass, that my Servants having their Eyes enlightned, are moved with inward Grief and Compassion for their Neighbours, when they fall into any dangerous Sin. Which if thou, my Son, shouldest well consider of, thou woulded suddenly return unto me, being moved with the Greatness of the Calamity, which thou hast faln into by Sinning. Thy Soul was my most pleasant Bride, in Cloathing of Gold, and in Raiment of divers Colours, whose Beauty the Sun and Moon did admire. So great was its Grace, whilst it remained faithful to the Covenant of its Espousals, that it wonderfully delighted my Eyes. The Daughter of Jerusalem was adorned with Jewels beautiful as a Dove, shining very brightly, and endued with a very lovely Comeliness. She was conform to her Pattern, in comparison of whom the Morning Stars do not shine. She was greatly enriched with [Page 14]the true Riches of my Vertues, which neither Rust nor Moth can corrupt. But from the Daughter of Sion all her Beauty was departed, when she had sinned, and she fell from so great Felicity into so extream Calamity, that the Heavens were astonished at this Change. For, my Son, so great is the Filthiness and Shamesulness of Sin, which thou hast committed, that thou art become a Leper; searful to look upon because of thy intolerable Rottenness, and Meat for Worms that are crawling out upon thee. What is this? How is the Pleasantness of my Paradice vanished, and the fruitful Land turned into Barrenness, for the Wickedness of them that dwell therein? How hath thy Soul departed from me, contrary to the Covenant of thine Espousals, and hath been defiled with many Lovers, who have corrupted her. Return therefore, my Son, unto my Grace and Friendship, and unto the Light of my Countenance; neither be so foolish as to desire to live any longer in so great Misery and Want. Put on the precious and white Wedding-Garment, that thou mayest be acceptable to me, and sit down at the Great Supper, with my dearly beloved Elect. I counsel thee to buy of me, without Silver, the Royal Apparel, that thou mayest walk through the Street of the Holy City, cloathed in Purple amongst the famous Sons of Sion, who are cloathed with the fine Gold of my Love.
CHAP. VIII. Concerning the Communion of Saints, which a Man loseth by Sinning.
WO to him that is alone, for if he fall, he hath none to help him up. But blessed is the Man who enjoys the Communion of all that fear and love Me, and keep my most pleasant Commandments. Verily he that is united unto me by Grace, continues also united unto all my Members, who live the Heavenly Life of my Grace, than which nothing more lovely is found in the Land of the Living. My Angels and Holy Men, joyned to me by Grace, are most faithful Friends of all Men that love me. And then, my Son, when thou didst the things that please me, thou hadst these Consolations and Priviledges of the Righteous, which are more precious than all Gold. Thou wast joyned to my Saints, whose Names are written in the Book of Life; and all their Goods belonged unto thee, being my living Member. And I the Head of the Church, my Spouse, did influence thee with lively Motions of my Love, wherewith I move the Hearts of them that love me, and seek my Face. For my Spirit pressed thee forward, and stirred thee up, and inslamed thee with ardent Desire of the eternal Enjoyments, wherewith my wearied Souldiers coming from the Earth, are satisfied. But now thy Visage through Sin, is become black as a Coal, and thou lyest down in Destruction, which thou hast procured to thy self, being deprived of the Society of the Saints, which is the utmost Calamity. What friends wilt thou find, [Page 16]my Son, if my Friends favour thee not? What Society will profit thee, whilst thou wantest the Society of Angels and Saints? Who will comfort thee in Distress, if thou dwellest with Scorpions, and art not at Agreement with Heaven? Return, my Son, return unto the Fellowship of the Citizens of Jerusalem my City, and to the Feasts that are celebrated with the Communion of most pleasant Love; that thou mayest live happily the remainder of thy mortal Life, and afterwards mayest pass unto the Communion of the Church triumphant, where there will be most sweet Peace, and a full and perfect Union. Depart from the Tabernacles of the Wicked, who love not thee, nor themselves; for he that loves Iniquity, hates his own Soul. It will be much more profitable and delightful to thee, my Son, to associate thy self with my living Members, and chosen Vessels, that thou mayest learn Wisdom in the School of my Meekness, and mayest grow up with the Nourishment of Men come to years, that grow up to the measure of Love, which is higher than Heaven. The World passeth away, and the Lust thereof; but the Union of my Love will never pass away, but will joyn with Me, my most beloved Servants, for whom I have appointed a Kingdom that they may eat and drink at my Table in the Banquet of the Dainties of my Paradice.
CHAP. IX. Concerning Inconstancy, which a Sinner falls into.
JErusalem hath sinned a great Sin; therefore she became unstable, and could find no Rest: A Fool changes as the Moon. Wherefore seeing every Sinner is a Fool, he suffers the Punishment of his own Transgression; never continuing in the same state, but changing his Purpose every hour. He hath departed from his Firmness and Constancy, which he had in Me, his God and Keeper, who change not. And therefore he wanders in Uncertainty, not knowing whither to go, and finding no Rest for the sole of his Foot. All his Persecutors over-take him between the straits; and he desiring to escape free, changes places perpetually, until his own Evils take him in Destruction, while he is flying away. Wo to the Soul, that hath departed from Me! He will sind Torments every where, and day and night Sleep will depart from his Eyes. To day the Sinner seeks Friends, to morrow he shuns them, because they are unfaithful. To day he is bent upon Games, to morrow he laments; because by living riotously he hath consumed his Substance. To day he seeks the Honours of the World, to morrow he shuns them, being marked with Infamy for his Sins. What then art thou minding, my Son, who sittest upon the Wheel of the World, which is always turning? How is it, that thou dost not return unto Me, who am thy Safety, Vertue, and Constancy? Hast thou not learned by daily Experience, that the Thoughts of Mortal Men are fearful, and their Fore-casts uncertain, which proceed [Page 18]without Order unto the end? Know assuredly, my Son, that without my Mercy thou art the dry Stuble, and a Leaf driven with the East-wind, which can no where find Rest. Sometimes thou wilt be joyful, and anon sorrowful; to morrow thou wilt lament for thy Infirmity, and the next day thou wilt be terrified with the fear of Death. Sometimes the care of Temporal things, sometimes Ambition, sometimes Thirst, sometimes Hunger will torment thee; unless thou repent, and cast thy care on Me, and offer thy self wholly unto Me on the Altar of thy Heart. If thou shalt seek Me with all thy Heart, nothing shall trouble thee; neither Death nor Life, nor the World, nor Hell, nor any other Creature visible or invisible. For by the Testimony of thy Conscience thou shalt be as the Lyon, that is strongest among Beasts, and turneth not away for any. I will confirm thee who wast subject to the Inconstancy of Adam thy Father, and I will strengthen thee with my most mighty Hand. I will make thee a Pillar of Iron, and a Wall of Brass, against all the Enemies of thy Soul. They shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee, because I will change thee, being a Penitent, into another Man, and make thee Partaker of my Grace and Valour.
CHAP. X. Concerning the Remorse of Conscience, wherewith a Sinner is tormented.
MY Son, unless thou return to Me with all thy Heart, thy Wickedness will correct thee, and thy Backsliding will reprove thee; for by what things any Man sins, by the same he shall be punished. It is a just Judgment, that the Sinner who hath forsaken Me his God, should feel within himself Remorse of Conscience and Anguish, arising from the fear of Death and Hell. It is a just Judgment, that amongst the forbidden Joys of the World, wherewith he seeks to be delighted contrary to my Law, he should be pierced with the sting of a Heart groaning and foreseeing its own Damnation. The Terrors of Death fight against a Sinner, though he seeks for Joys; neither can a wicked Man have Peace, who is reproved by his own Conscience, from which he cannot fly. This Remorse riseth out of Sin, as a Worm out of Timber, and shews that I am a just Judge, and that the Sinner is a Betrayer, who sold me for a small price. Meditate on these things, my Son, and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that thou hast forsaken Me thy Lord and Benesactor, and that my Fear was not before thee: Dost thou not see that all things fall out unhappily to thee, whilst thou flyest from me? and that with Anxiety of Mind thou drinkest the troubled Waters of the Egyptians; whereas by my Grace thou mayest return into the dearly beloved City of Jerusalem, and drink of the pure Water of Jordan, where thou mayest wash, and be made whiter than Snow. Wherefore then resistest thou the [Page 20]Impulses of my Love, calling and inviting thee to my Friendship? Cast away from thee, my Son, the five Yokes of Oxen, which thou hast foolishly bought, and take willingly upon thee my one and most sweet Yoke, where thou shalt not be wearied with the Prickings of Conscience, but shalt find rest to thy wearied Soul. Seek the Heavenly Tranquillity, and the Peace which passeth all Understanding, and rest from that Anxiety wherewith thou art vexed. Call unto me, and I will answer thee with my Divine Inspirations, which will beget true Joys, and compose thy troubled Spirit. I will comfort thee, and speak inwardly to thy Heart, if thou return unto me, and praise me with Uprightness of Heart, when thou hast obtained Liberty and Rest, and other most precious Priviledges of the Children of God. Despise now the Counsels of the Men of the World, who torment thy Heart, and follow my one and most healthful Counsel; and thou shalt see how I scatter all the Plots of thy Enemies; and create in thee a new Spirit, whereby thy Age may be renewed as the Eagles, that thou mayest enjoy my most lovely Peace and Security.
CHAP. XI. Concerning the Hardness of Heart, which a Sinner falls into.
I Am righteous, and I love Righteousness, and my Countenance beholds the Upright. The Sinner hath rejected me, and resisted my innumerable Inspirations, whereby I endeavoured to mollifie his Heart. And therefore I reject him, and withhold my Rain that it drops not upon him. I invited Pharaoh by outward Signs, [Page 21]which I wrought by the hand of Moses my Servant, and by inward Inspirations, which he unhappy Sinner felt: But when he resisted my great Mercy, I suffered his Heart to be hardened, more than the Flintstone, and the hardest Rocks, until he persecuted Israel my People, and was drowned, as Lead in the mighty Waters. I anointed Saul King of Israel, when he was little in his own Eyes, and followed me like a Boy of one Year old: But, after he began and continued to resist my many Motions and Inspirations, I threw him away, so that he fell upon his own Sword, and died fearfully. I handled unhappy Judas my Disciple, as a loving and faithful Man; but after that he resisted my sweet Words and Inspirations, and hardned his Heart against me, I sent him away; so that he becoming like a Devil, hanged himself, and burst asunder in the midst, and all his Bowels gushed out. What then dost thou expect, my Son, who hast sinned, and departed from Me? Wherefore dost thou continue in the State of Damnation, hardning thy Heart, lest it should be overcome with my infinite Sweetness and Patience? Shall I for ever knock at the Gate of thy House, that thy Wildness may be tamed? Return, O Son, unto thy right Wits; neither cast thy self into extream Danger, so as to make thy Wound uncureable. Hast thou not heard that it will be ill with a hard Heart at last; and that a Sinner is held with the Cords of his Sins? Beware, my Son, of this great Evil, and consider what I require of thee. When a Sinner cometh into the depth of Sins, he despiseth it; but before he despises it, he is touched and moved with the inward Inspirations of my Goodness; but afterwards by degrees he waxes cold, and hath less sense of my Impulses, until his stony Heart becoming unsensible, he regards not my Admonitions; but as an untamed Horse, he runs through the Meadows of the World, hastening [Page 22]to eternal Fire. Wo to thee, unless thou return speedily to Me! Remember thy Salvation and my Glory, which I have prepared for those, who repenting in sincerity wash their Garments in my Blood. Use now the Remedies of Mercy, lest thou be hardned, and delivered up to a reprobate sense. If thou shalt hearken to me, I wilt melt the Ice of thy Heart, and my Wind shall blow, and the Waters of Compunction shall flow; with which thy Fllth shall be washed away. Embrace this wholesom Counsel of thy Redeemer, who is ready to spare thee, and to amend thy Condition: If thou return to me, I will imprint a sense of Contrition and Love in thy inward Parts, and thou shalt rejoyce in the Renovation of thy Heart, as Conquerors rejoyce in taking of the Prey, and thou shalt celebrate thy Regeneration; and being made whole, thou shalt sing of my invincible Mercies, that are sweeter than the Honey.
CHAP. XII. Concerning Desperation, which a Sinner sometimes falls into.
Consider, my Son, that there is no other name under Heaven, by which thou must be saved, but mine. Be not deceived in putting thy Trust in the King of Egypt, who is a broken Reed; upon which, if any Man leans, it will pierce through his Hand. I have overcome the World, Death, and Hell; and therefore he that offends Me, and seeks Refuge in the Favour and Delights of Men, who are not Partakers of my Victory, falls into Dejection of Mind, which is a very bitter Punishment. He wants my Grace, which begets the hope of eternal good things; [Page 23]and seeing that he does nothing sutable to the hope of eternal Life, he is broken and weakened, so that he falls into a most grievous Desperation, which resembles the State of the Damned: This is the fruit of Ambition, which seeks the Honours of Men, that are written in the Earth. This is the fruit of Covetousness, which with an unsatiable desire lays up Treasure in the Earth. This is the fruit of Luxury, which is drunk with the Pleasures of the Flesh, and cares not for the most pure Joys of my Spirit. This is the fruit of Anger, which makes the feet of Men swift to shed Blood; and cares not for being reckoned amongst my meek Servants, who shall possess the Land of the Living. Moreover, this is the fruit of all Sins, when Wickedness increaseth, and the Soul abhors Good, by which Men come to eternal Life. What dost thou then, my Son? Why lyest thou in the lamenble State of Enmity to Me, which brings forth the fruit of Desperation, hastening Death and Damnation? How is it that thou dost not pity thy own Soul, which languishes for want of Strength? Consider thy Dissoluteness and Madness, which makes thee run into Hell-fire, and to take no care of eternal Salvation, as if thou hadst no hope. Thou dost foolishly, my Son, in despairing, and not considering that I am omnipotent, and can in a moment deliver thee from the horrible Pit, and the miry Clay: Cast away from thee the Filth and Weights of Sin, which bow thy Back, and drive thee to Despair; and breath after Me, the Author of thy Hope and Redemption, and thou shalt be delivered from the grievous Bondage wherewith thou art oppressed, and thou shalt be sweetly refreshed with the Breathings of my Spirit. Return to me by timely Repentance, which begets a Godly Sorrow, and also rejoyceth the Soul that is renewed in Me, and receives from Me the Pledge of the eternal [Page 24]Inheritance. So thou shalt hope, and thy troubled Soul sailing through the great Sea, shall be kept safe by casting the Anchor of a most firm hope, which I have purchased for thee by my most precious Blood, and unconceiveable Love.
CHAP. XIII. Concerning Ʋnbelief, which a Sinner is in danger to fall into.
I The Son of the most high God, am the Light of the World; and with just Judgment punish a Sinner who hates me, with inward Darkness, wherewith the Understanding is darkned: Which Evil is so grievous and formidable, that sometimes an unhappy Sinner by multiplying his Faults departs so far from true Light, that he falls into Unbelief. He hath departed from Me, and loved Earthly good things more than Me: Whereby it come to pass that his Will being depraved, so corrupts the true Judgment of the Understanding, that at length he loses the Catholick Faith. So thou mayest see, my Son, what hath happened unto many Sinners; who when they had first believed in me, by aggravating the Sins of Covetousness, Pride, Gluttony, or Luxury, have erred from the Faith, and pierced themselves through with many Sorrows. Wo to those that hate my most pure Light, whereby the eternal and unchangeable Good is known, and preferred before created good things. It had been better for those Men, if they had not been born. For it is extream Unhappiness to err from my Faith, and to cast away my Yoke with a darkned Understanding. And thou therefore, my Son, considering what hath happened [Page 25]unto others like thy self, return unto me; lest perhaps being weary of my immaculate Law, thou begin to have hard Thoughts of my Goodness; and giving loose reins to thy Heart through the Love of Temperal things, thou give thy self up to wicked Doings, and ungodly Lusts, unto the prodigious denying of my Faith. My Son, look whither thou art going, whilst thou ceasest not to sin; be not cruel to thy self in running swiftly to Destruction; take heed lest thou despise my Admonitions, with which I instruct thee; stop not thy Ears, being seduced with carnal Love, which drowns multitudes of Men into Perdition. The time is short, traffick till I come to reward thee with eternal Life, or with everlasting Fire. If thou shalt take away, from the midst of thee, thy Sins and thy Idols, and return and call upon Me thy God and Redeemer, and Preserver, I will enlighten thine Eyes, lest at any time thou sleep the Sleep of Death; I will preserve thee, and my Candle shall shine upon thine Head: And thou shalt rejoyce in my most pleasant and most blessed Light, wherewith I will direct thy Paths, in the night of the mortal Life, leading thee to my bright-shining Glory, in the ways that lead to eternal Life. I will open thy Eyes with the Beam of my infinite Light; and thou being awaked as it were out of a heavy Sleep, shalt wonder how in the by-past time, thou didst walk in Darkness, and in the Shadow of Death. And thou shalt love Me thy Deliverer with all thy Heart, and shalt honour Me with the Sacrifice of perpetual Praise. Arise speedily, my dearly beloved Son, arise from the Darkness and Horror of Hell, where thou lyest, and receive the Light of Heaven, which will rejoyce thee, before the last night come; which will be the last Punishment of Sinners, who despise my present [Page 26]Inspirations and Mercies. Meditate on these things in the inner Chamber of thy Heart, and cast thy Eyes upon Me the Sun of Righteousness, who am desirous to enlighten thee, and to fill thy dearly beloved Soul with the bright-shining Glory of the Saints of Light.
CHAP. XIV. Concerning the unhappy Death of a Sinner.
THE Sinner, whilst he lives, runs through the Fields of the World like an Ox, satted for the Slaughter. The miserable Man considers not that he will be taken by Death, as a Highway-Man lying in wait. That being bound in the Chains of Hell, he may pay unto the utmost Farthing. He drinks, he eats, he plays, he laughs, he swears and blasphems, and in the very time whilst he is sinning without restraint, Sickness and Death comes suddenly upon him, and he is called to Judgment. O how bitter a Grief is it to be called to Death! O how great Trembling and Horror takes hold on the Sinner, when he sees that by a most grievous Death, he is separated from all things which he dearly loved! O how lamentably, saith he, in that distress, the Sorrows of Death have compassed me, and the Pains of Hell have taken hold upon me! Wo to the wicked Man, when he dies, upon whom all the Billows of Sorrow and Afflictions do suddenly rush, that he may have a fore-taste of the Torments of Hell, who did not breath after eternal Consolations. Now the riotous Banquets are passed away; now the ungodly Games are gone: Now Kinsmen and Friends have failed: Now Riches profit not; [Page 27]and whatsoever was delightful, is turned into Matter of Desolation and Despair. The unhappy Soul, which despised my Inspirations, is afraid to go out of the Body into everlasting Flames; and flys back as far as it can, if so be it may find any that can comfort it in that distress. But it resists in vain, because the hour of Death is at hand, and the time of its giving up all its desireable things, which it had in the days of old, when it transgressed my most sweet Law. All its Sins, as a terrible Army, are set before it, that it may see how sad and bitter an end follows the by-past Joys. The Devils like ravenous Dogs, stand in expectation of their Prey which is tyed with innumerable Chains of its own Sins, that it may be dragged to Punishment. The foolish Man when he had time, took no care to be reconciled unto Me; and in the last hour he hath not any whom he may look to for help. All his Persecutors over-take him between the straits, and desire cruelly to suck up his Blood; and then the Sentence of my Justice being pronounced, the Vessel of Wrath, fitted for Destruction, is halled to Torments. This is the Lot of an unrighteous Man, whom Evils do overtake in Destruction. What thinkest thou then, my Son, who hast sinned? What dost thou expect? Is not thy Mind terrified at the hearing of these things, which a Sinner dying suffers against his Will? Turn then to thy God, who can deliver thee from the Wrath to come, and comfort thee when thou art going out of this Life, by his infinite Grace, and his unconceiveable Mercy. Be greatly afraid of my Wrath and Justice, whilst thou art alive, that at thy Death thou mayest find my Fatherly Compassion: For they that in their life time fear me as a severe Judge, in their Death they find Me as a most bountiful Father. Blessed are they [Page 28]who observe my Ways with all their Heart, being mindful of their latter end: They shall not be afraid of the Terror of the Night, when they shall speak with their Enemies in the Gate; to wit, when they shall pass out of this Life: After which will follow the eternal Night of Sinners, or the eternal Light of the Righteous, whom I have loved. Follow me, my Son, and let my Law cleave to thy inward Parts, and the Torment of Death shall not seize upon thee, but thou shalt rest in a joyful and delightful Peace.