The exercise of a christian life. Written in Italian by the Reuerend Father Gaspar Loarte D. of Diuinitie, of the Societie of Iesus. And newly translated into Englishe. by I.S.

MEDITATIONS to be made on eueninges, or a new weeke.

¶ Cap. 9. (Book 9)

TO THE ende that such as be better instructed, & haue more oportunitie and lei∣sure to geue them-selues to praier, may haue more large scope and am∣ple

matter to exercise them selues in, I haue thought good to set downe o∣ther meditations here, which may be vsed on euenings; meaning to refresh and feede thy soule eche daye mor∣ning and euening; as thy body eche day doth not want those two repasts: As for others which are busied, and cannot intend to take this refection and exercise eche daye so ofte; these may one weeke vse one part of these meditations; and another weeke the other. Neuerthelesse, such as I nowe intreate of be moste fitt for nouices and younge beginners; wherein they ought certain weekes to exercise thē selues before they proceede further to the meditations of the passion of our Lord and Sauiour: for that true contrition of our sinnes; knowledge of our selues; and the feare and reue∣rence towardes God (which are ga∣thered out of these meditations) help greatly for proceeding afterwardes

with more profite and auaile to the meditations of the passion.

Hauing therfore certaine houres lotted to these present meditations, whether it be at morning or at eue∣ning; and obseruing the foresaide ad∣uertisementes, such as shal serue most fitly for this purpose; thē maiest thou meditate according to the methode folowing.

MVNDAY. 2.

ON MVNDAY let thy meditation * 1.1 be of al the sinnes thou hast commit∣ted during thy whole life time; and this shalt thou doo in maner folow∣ing. Standing in the place of medita∣tion with great lowlines and shame, thine eyes fixed on earth; and head bowed down to ground-ward; like as a thiefe should stand before a Iudge that had taken him with the maner: thus shalt thou beginne to weighe with bitternes of thy soule, al thy yeres and time mispent, wherein thou haste committed so many and 〈◊〉〈◊〉

crimes, which thou maiest reduce to memorie, by running ouer the ten commaundementes, the dead∣lye sinnes; the senses, powers and al the partes of the body; by euery one wherof thou maiest finde thee giltie of innumerable offences committed against that God; whō thou so great∣lye oughtest to haue dreaded and re∣uerenced for his maiestie and infinite power; and so singulerly haue loued for the great and continual benefites he hath bestowed vpon thee.

SECONDLY thinke howe greatly this Lorde thy God detesteth sinne; seing he hath so rigorously punished it from the beginning of the worlde; with the a 1.2 waters of that vniuersal floud; with b 1.3 fire from heauen, where∣with he punished that horrible vice of those fiue Cities, besides other his dreadful scourges wherewith he hath eftsons chastised the worlde for the sinne of man; and lastlye for our sinnes vouchsafed him-selfe to dye;

to die, that by this means they might be punished sufficiently.

THIRDLY consider, howe with euery mortal sinne, thou haste done as muche as in thee lay to a 1.4 crucifye him againe. Out of these considera∣tions thou maiest easily gather the enormitie of thine offences; how in∣to lerable thy ingratitude hath bene, and howe great tormentes thou hast deserued, and yet deseruest to suffer. Our first father b 1.5 Adam did eate but of one onely tree contrary to Gods commaundement; and wel doo we wot howe seuerely his sin hath bene punished both in him c 1.6 and vs; what punishment then deserueth he that hath transgressed so many commaū∣dementes, and that so many times?

Hereby maiest thou knowe the infinite clemencie of God towardes thee; seing he might so many times, so iustly haue d 1.7 throwen thee downe headlong into hel; as he hath done o∣thers,

and yet hath not done so to thee, but forborn thee, and preserued thee from sundry and manifold dan∣gers; especially frō the douils: (whose wil thou fulfilledst in sinning) and both woulde and coulde haue hailed thee to hel, had not his mightie hand defended thee: Finally he hath geuen thee many good inspirations, and in∣uited thee to penance; besides many mo great benefites bestowed on thee; which no father would haue done to a moste tenderly beloued sonne.

Being then stirred vp with suche like considerations, and moued with compunction; reputing thy selfe a moste abhominable caytiff; prostrate thy selfe (filled with shame and con∣fusion) at our Sauiour his feete, as did that publike sinner the blessed a 1.8 Mag∣dalene; and with great sorowe and humblenes pray him to pardon thee those infinite sinnes and abhomina∣tions thou haste cōmitted; purposing

fully for the time past to do penance∣& to lead a new life in time to come.

And here note that when thou vn∣bethinkest thee of thy former sinnes, it shal not be needeful ne conuenient to stand vpon suche particularities as might procure alteratiō in thy fleshe, (which often happeth in carnal sins) but generally to consider, howe ofte thou hast cōmitted these carnalities and beastlines through thy whole life; being sorowful for them in ge∣neral, without staying to discourse any particuler maner or circumstāce in such crimes; for therby do cōmon∣ly ensue very daungerous alterations.

TVESDAY. 2

ON TVESDAY meditate thy pre∣sent faultes, and such wicked inclina∣tions * 1.9 as thou nowe findest in thee; which daily cause thee to commit di∣uers disorders; and weigh withal the manifold miseries this present life is

subiect to, that so, what by the for∣mer meditation, knowing thy life past fraught ful of filth and sinne, & seing the sundry staines thou art now presently defiled with; thereby thou maiest humble thy self, and force thee to amend such faults as thou findest in thee; and withal beginne to hate this life so ful of calamities and dan∣gers; wherin for the better and more orderly proceeding, consider these three pointes folowing.

EXAMINE firste the sundry im∣perfections which thou presently fin dest in thee; howe first thou lackest a pure and right intent in moste of thine actions; doing them for the world, or for some worldly interest; where in deede thou oughtest to doo them purely for God. Thou maiest find likewise thine inclinations to be disordred, being wholly bent to the vaine and transitorie thinges of this worlde; The like disorder shalt thou perceaue and finde in al thy senses,

thoughtes, wordes, and workes; sith there is no true vertue to be sounde in thee; which, by the examination thereof, thou shalt wel perceaue; as first, for charitie, which thou wātest; as also humilitie, patiēce, chastitie, tē∣perance, and so through al the rest; about the which thou maiest discusse particulerly, howe ofte thou vsest to offende in eche one, falling into such vices as be opposite and contrarye to the saide vertues.

SECONDLY consider howe smal∣lye thou haste profited since it plea∣sed God to helpe thee with his grace, and geue thee these good motions, and purposes to amend thy life; and how many times thou haste left such workes vndone, as thou purposest to doo; and howe often thou haste fal∣len in relapse of thy former folyes; which thou determinest in any wise to abstein from. Thinke withal, how muche better others haue behaued

them-selues in this time; and profited more in vertue then thou haste done; and here oughtest thou to purpose firmely to imitate them; and to seeke newe remedies and meanes of amēd∣ment, humbly crauing grace of God to execute the same.

THIRDLY, weigh what smal af∣fection thou oughtest to beare to∣ward this wicked world, and present life; fraught ful of suche 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and greuous miseries, and wherin no true satietie or contentation is to be foūd: yea (that which is worst of al) wher∣in are so many rocks to reele against, and so infinite occasions to offende that soueraine Lorde, who so woor∣thely deserueth to be honoured, lo∣ued, and moste dutifully obeyed.

WEDNESDAY.

ON WEDNESDAY thy meditati∣on shal-be of death; a thing greatlye * 1.10 profitable to eschewe sinne; And this

must thou meditate euen as though that houre were nowe arriued. Ima∣gining therefore it is so, and howe thou art nowe come to that latter time of so great griefe and frighting fear, discourse vpon these articles fo∣lowing.

FIRST, howe in that houre ther is a seperation and deuorce to be made betwixt the soule and body; by mea∣nes wherof the soule shal not onely be seperate from the body; but also from al other thinges it loued in this life; and howe thou must needes leaue here behinde thee, wife, riches, kins∣folkes; and al thy other deere frendes, a 1.11 with eche other thing be it neuer so wel beloued; neither shalt thou carye any thing away with thee, but onely the good and euil workes thou hast wrought in this world.

CONSIDER secondly what we suffer in this sundring of our soules and bodies; the agonies, temptations,

and sightes; the visiō of deuils, which in terrible and dreadful shew appere vnto vs; the perils that pinch the soul on euery side; the anxietie it recea∣ueth, imagining what shal become both of it selfe, and of the withered and consumed body.

THIRDLY thinke, how thy soule thus parting from the body with in∣effable griefe; the body shal then be buried, and yeelde foode to wormes; neither shal any one iote of al the ri∣ches rest with it, but only that poore peece of winding-sheete it shal-be wrapped in; and that smal circuit of earth wherin it is interred: Nowe the soule, it shal-be presented before Christe the dreadful Iudge, to whō it shal yeeld a most strict and narrowe reckning of al her life; and shal receue according to her desertes an euerla∣sting doome. Weigh wel here, what the soule shal feele whiles it waiteth for this doome, not woting on which side it shal-be sent.

Out of these considerations 〈◊〉〈◊〉 * 1.12 these right profitable lessons be pic∣ked; to wit, how smal trust and confi∣dence we ought to haue in this life, wherein deathe may euery daye and hour assaile vs; as also to riches, kins∣folkes, and frendes, who can-not anye waies helpe vs at that time, yea, al a∣bandon and forsake vs; on thother fide, what contentation we shoulde then receue by hauing liued wel, and gained certaine faithful frendes, who might in that houre helpe and great∣lye succour vs. See therefore thou in∣deuour thy selfe nowe to doo that which thou wouldest in that houre haue done; and force thee to please those true frends in deede; which are, Jesus Christ; his holy virgin mother; the Saintes and blessed Angels; that they may succoure thee in that houre of so apparant peril.

THVRSDAY.

ON THVRSDAY thy meditation shal-be of the last day of iudgement, * 1.13 which we according to our beleefe doo certainly look for; and shal come without faile; yea, perhaps in thy dayes; concerning the which thou shalt meditate these three poyntes.

FIRST how terrible and dreadful a day that shal-be; as-wel by reson of the signes and wonders that shal go before it; in the Sunne, the Sea, and o∣ther creatures, with the ruine and o∣uerthrowe of the whole world; as al∣so through that most dreadful sound of the terrible trompet, whereby al shal in one moment be a 1.14 raised vp a∣gaine.

SECONDLY consider the bright∣nes and beautie which the elect shal rise in, and the vgglines and b 1.15 grieslye grimnes of the reprobate; besides, the most strait accompt, which they shal yceld to Christe of al the wordes,

workes and thoughts of their whole life; and what vtter shame and con∣fusion the wicked shal suffer before al the angels and millions of men.

THIRDLY thinke howe highlye the good shal-be fauored and hono∣red, before al that vniuersal Assem∣blie; & what the reprobate shal feele, seing Christe in such power and ma∣iestie; a 1.16 who with an ireful countenāce shal looke vpon them; and with that final doome, throwe them downe to euerlasting tormentes.

Out of these pointes debated at * 1.17 leisure, and in more particularitie, thou maiest gleane this profite; how, (to auoide the shame and confusion of that day, when euery one their sinnes shal-be discouered) there is no better a remedie, then to vnfold thē nowe to thy ghostly father, by con∣fession; and to doo penance for the same. Weigh withal, that if men doo here trauaile so much to attaine some

temporal degree and riches; and so greatly force them-selues to flye the daungers and disgraces of this life; what oughtest thou to do to be made partaker of that souerain dignitie & inspeakable riches, which the elect shal enioy eternally? and what paines oughtest thou to refuse for the auoy∣ding that supreme contempt and in∣comparable tormentes wherein the damned shal sorowe euerlastingly?

FRIDAY. 2.

ON FRIDAY let thy meditatiō be * 1.18 of the paines of hel; that by this, as∣wel as by the former meditations; both the feare of God, and detestatiō of sinne may increase in thy soule: For the meditating wherof it shal-be conuenient thou frame in thine ima∣gination some horrible and hideous place, as might be an infernal pitt, or dongeon without any bottome,

darke and ful of fire; whereinto the damned soules shal-be throwen hed long downe. And that thou maiest meditate this the better, cōsider these pointes folowing.

FIRST, the terrible tormēts a 1.19 which the wicked shal suffer in that place of horroure amongst al the deuils, which surpasse al other paines and tormentes that in this world may be possibly imagined; and after the re∣surrection, shal they both in bodye and soule, in al their powers, partes & senses, suffer more excessiue paines then the tongue of man maye anye waies expresse; for like as the wicked haue offended God with al their partes, powers, and senses; and haue emploied them al as instrumentes to serue sinne with; euen so shal Gods diuine iustice ordeine, that in al the selfe same partes, powers, and senses they suffer sorowe and torment; that so may that which is written be ful∣filled.

Howe muche he glorified him-selfe, and was in delicacies: g••ue him so muche tor∣mentes and lamentation.

* 1.20SECONDLY thinke howe besides these sensible tormentes they are to suffer; that which shal moste of al afflict them, and cause an excessiue sorowe, is, a dispaire they shal haue, woting wel that in al eternitie they shal neuer see God; and this is called the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of damage; and as they shal 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cal to mind the infinite good they lost through their frantike fo∣lye, and knowe there is no remedie now to recouer it; this shal plunge them into a pit of inspeakable tor∣mentes, making them raue and rage, against God, them-selues, and cuerye other creature euer lastingly.

THIRDLY consider the eternitie of these paines, which if a man could profoundly ponder, there is no one thing that appaleth or frighteth more; sith the wicked shal continue

in those tormentes more yeres then there be droppes of water in the Sea, or seede of sande on earth, or anye other number that may be possiblye imagined; yea, when they haue suffe∣red al the millions of yeres that may be added therto; then shal they begin a-newe to suffer, as though nothing had been past; and finally these their tormentes shal neuer, neuer, haue any one moment of release, or minute of * 1.21 relaxatiō. Hence maiest thou gather this fruitful note, that if so thou wert now in these torments, which eftsons through thy sinnes thou hast deser∣ued; what wouldest thou do to come out of them? Thinke, howe any other paine whatsoeuer, would seeme plea∣saunt to thee; and what penance soe∣uer were inioyned thee, thou woldest right willingly performe it. Do ther∣fore somewhat nowe, of that thou wouldest then doo to escape these so great torments and perpetual calami∣ties.

SATERDAY. 2

ON SATERDAY thy meditation * 1.22 shal-be of the happines which the elect enioye in celestial glory; wher∣vpon consider these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pointes.

FIRST the greatnes, beautie, and riches of that renowmed regiō, wher God doth shew him-self in glorious maiestie to his angels, and holy Sain∣tes; to the pleasantnes and beautie wherof, not al the beautiful and plea∣sant thinges that we either see or can here imagine, be in anye wise to be compared.

SECONDLY ponder what a com∣fort and sweete delight it shal-be, to be in that blessed societie of so many Angels, Saintes, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, al of them so bright and beautiful; what shal it be to see the sacred humanitie of Christ, and of his blessed mother; howe

shal one be rauished with the hea∣ring of the sweet harmonie and me∣lodious musicke that shal-be there; and to enioye so sweete a conuersa∣tion euerlastingly.

THIRDLY consider howe yet be∣sides these, ther shal-be another glo∣rye muche more excellent, and sur∣passing al humane capacitie; which shal-be, to see God face to face, wher∣in consisteth our essential beatitude; * 1.23 for that al other thinges, whatsoeuer may be imagined, be but accidental glorie; which being so exceeding great & incomparable, what shal thē the essential be? Finally thinke how ther shal-be the ful accomplishment and heape of al goodnes, without in∣termedling of any euil; as in hel shal al euil be without mixture of anye goodnes. The prophet a 1.24 Ieremy saith howe on a time he sawe at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ple gates two paniers of figges, thone of good figges, & singuler good; tho∣ther

so noughtie, that they could not be eatē, so, noughtie were they. These two paniers doo figure these two re∣wardes so farre differing a-sunder, which God shal geue to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and to the reprobate. The rewarde that is prepared for the elect shal-be so great, that (as the Apostle sayeth) neither eye hath seene, nor a 1.25 are hath heard, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mans heart and vnder standing can imagine and the punishment of the reprobate shal-be so excesiue, that no tongue can possibly expresse it.

Thinke nowe (good brother) howe * 1.26 that one of these two lottes must needes light vpon thee; for eyter shalt thou possesse that euerlasting felicitie, which doth embrace & con∣teine in it al good thinges al riches, al satietie, and more then may be ey∣ther imagined or desired; or els shalt thou become thral to that bottom∣lesse pit of al miserie, griefes, and in∣speakable torments; and both thone

and thother shal endure euerlasting∣lye. Consider therefore what thou oughtest to doo and suffer to gaine so incomparable a blisse; or to eschew so extreme a miserie; if men vse here to toile so greatly for the getting of some temporal pleasure or promoti∣on, or for the auoiding of some smal sorow and shame, yea be it for neuer so smal a time.

SVNDAY. 2.

ON. SVNDAY thy meditatiō shal * 1.27 be of the benefites that God hath moste bountifully bestowed vppon thee, to thend the knowledge thereof geue thee occasion to yeelde him thankes, and to be more grateful to∣wardes him; for the better doing wherof, consider these three pointes folowing.

FIRST the general benefites thou * 1.28 hast receued; which are these: The be nefite of creation, how God hath cre∣ated thee of nothing, and geuen thee

the essence and being thou hast, farre passing that of other creatures; Con∣sider the dignitie of thy soule framed to his owne likenes and similitude, and the body thou hast receaued, cō∣pact with such varietie and comlines of members, and senses; whereby is wel declared the greatnes, power, and wisdome of the maker. And this be∣nefit maiest thou wel wot how great it is; by that thou wouldest esteeme thy selfe so much beholden to one that could but restore or heale one of thine eyes, or any other mēber which * 1.29 thou lackedst. The benefite of pre∣seruation; howe euery moment he preserueth and keepeth thee; which if he did not, thou shouldest forth∣with returne to that nothing which thou wert first made of: and this is as muche as though he created thee a∣newe; besides, for thy preseruation, he hath made al the other creatures that be in the vniuersal worlde:

whereof some be to nourishe thee, some to clad thee; other to yeeld ho∣nest delight and recreation to al thy senses; other to cure thy griefes and sickenes; and finally al the creatures thou seest vnder the cope of heauen, yea and heauen it self too, shalt thou finde, howe God hath created for some vse and seruice of thine: weigh nowe wel if thou wouldest thinke thy self so greatly bound to one that had bestowed some ieweh or other gratious gifte vpon thee; how much more art thou to repute thee bound and indebted to him that hath hea∣ped so many giftes together vppon thee, and that without anye mite of thine owne meriting Thinke after∣wardes of the benefite of redemp∣tion, which conteineth in it al the thinges thy sweete Sauiour did and suffered for thy raun some paying. First, howe he descended from hea∣uen * 1.30 to earth for thee; & being borne,

was for thee laide in a maunger: for thee began he the eight day after his birth to shed his pretious bloud; for thee did he al his life long endure so innumerable annoiances, paines, and persecutions; in going, sweating, preching, fasting, watching, praying; and finally for thee did he suffer the most greeuous and bitter tormentes, anguishes, and ignominious repro∣ches that may be possibly rehearsed; being obedient euen vntil the death a 1.31 of the crosse. If thou ponder these thinges more particulerlye and by peece-meale, they wil yeeld matter y∣nough to inflame thy hart with zeal, be it neuer so frosen; and prouoke thee to loue him, who hath so deerly loued thee; and with so great a price redeemed thee.

SECONDLY cal to mind the par∣ticuler * 1.32 benefites thou haste 〈◊〉〈◊〉 * 1.33 chieflye that of thy vocation: howe God through his great mercy hath

called thee to his holy faith and bap∣tisme, wherein he bestowed his grace and giftes vpon thee, whereof an in∣finite number of other nations ne∣uer tasted; thinke howe many times thou hast lost this grace through thy sins, and yet God hath forborne and staied for thy penance; yea, prouoked thee therto by many good inspirati∣ons, & after hath receued thee again, and forgeuen thee. Consider also the remedies he hath lefte thee to reco∣uer, keepe, and increase this grace and spiritual life withal; which are the holy Sacramentes, for the which he deserueth to be highly thanked, as hauing vouchsafed to leaue vs so great a treasure; but chiefly for that * 1.34 Sacrament of Sacramentes, wherein he him selfe is conteined; and when thou wilt, doeth impart him-selfe vnto thee for thy foode and suste∣naunce; which is a benefite and grace incomparable.

Thinke also, how many other par∣ticuler benefites he hath done, and doth dayly bestowe vpon thee, ge∣uing thee more tēporal riches, more honour, more abilitie, more prowes, more prosperitie, then to others; re∣curing thine infirmities, deliuering thee from many perils, releeuing thy necessities; with other innumerable and hidden benefites, that thou thy selfe art ignorant of.

THIRDLY consider, that if thou haddest receaued the foresaide bene∣fites, or anye one of them of what man soeuer, how intierly thou woul∣dest haue loued and thanked him; and howe thou wouldest willingly haue drudged to doo him any kinde of seruice; & thought no pains great to haue shewed thee grateful to∣wards him; how much more reason is it then thou shew thy selfe such towardes thy heauenly Lorde and God; to whom for his great goodnes

thou art more deepely indebted; and he more worthy to be beloued and ferued: Doo then that a 1.35 Dauid saieth: a 1.36 Let thy soule blesse the Lord, and neuer forget his so manifolde benefits. For if he see thee thankeful, hauing his benefites al∣waies in minde, and yeelding laude and praises to the geuer; thou shalte euery day merite to receaue more re∣liefe, and newe bounties of his moste bountiful hand.

These be the meditations whiche thou maiest make on eueninges, or in an-other weeke; obseruing alwaies in the beginning and ending of eche one, what hath bene foretolde thee in the former Chapter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The sinnes of our for∣mer life.
• a 1.2

  Cen 7. b
• b 1.3

  Cen. 19. e
• a 1.4

  Heb. 6. a.
• b 1.5

  Gen. 3. a.
• c 1.6

  Rom. 5. c.
• d 1.7

  Rom. 2. a.
• a 1.8

  Luc. 7. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 12. a Mar. 14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mat. 26. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.9

  Our daylye imprfec∣tions.
• * 1.10

  Death.
• a 1.11

  Iob. 1. d 2. Tim. 6. a. Eccle. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.12

  Documents
• * 1.13

  Doomsday.
• a 1.14

  Mat. 13. f Sap. 3. b Dan. 12. a.
• b 1.15

  2. Cor. 5. b. 10. 14. b
• a 1.16

  Mat. 24 c
• * 1.17

  Documēts.
• * 1.18

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of hel.
• a 1.19

  Apoc. 16.
• * 1.20

  Apoc. 18 b
• * 1.21

  A notable remem∣brance.
• * 1.22

  The ioyes of heauen.
• * 1.23

  Glory essen tial and ac cidental.
• a 1.24

  Ier 24. a.
• a 1.25

  1 Cor. 2. c Isai. 64. a
• * 1.26

  A serious aduertise∣ment.
• * 1.27

  The bene∣fits of God
• * 1.28

  General benefits. The benefit of Creatiō.
• * 1.29

  The benefit of preser∣uation.
• * 1.30

  The bene∣fite of re∣demption.
• a 1.31

  Phil. 2. a
• * 1.32

  Particuler benefites.
• * 1.33

  The bene∣fite of vo∣cation.
• * 1.34

  The bene∣fite of Sa∣craments.
• a 1.35

  Psal. 102.
• a 1.36

  Psal. 102.