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NOw to shut up all, with that which closeth all, by im∣posing a Period upon all; We are to consi∣der, now when the sinfull soule beginneth to be loose∣ned from these bonds of flesh,* 1.1 with what bitter terror shee is afflicted, with what stings
of a biting conscience shee is distracted. Shee remembers the things forbidden her, which shee hath committed; Shee considers the things commanded her, which shee hath negligently contem∣ned; she bemoanes those op∣portunate times of repen∣tance offer'd her, and which shee so fruitlesly apprehen∣ded; shee bewailes that im∣moveable article of strict re∣venge, inevitably appro∣ching her. She h'as had suf∣ficient time of sojourning here; shee is now compelled to goe hence. Shee would regaine that which shee h'as lost, but she is not heard. Be∣hind her, shee beholds the whole course of her fore∣past life, all which shee ac∣counts
as one short pace. She casts her eyes upon her selfe, and collects the space of an infinite perpetuity. She laments therefore, in that she h'as lost, what in so short a space she might have got, the joy of all ages. She bemoanes her selfe, in that for so short a pleasure of fleshly delight, she h'as lost the unspeakable sweetnesse of perpetuall so∣lace. Shee blusheth, in that for this substance which is subject to wormes, shee h'as neglected that which was to have beene ranked amongst Quires of Angels. Now she lifteth up the beames of her minde, and no sooner behol∣deth the glory of immortall riches, than shee becomes confounded, for that she h'as
lost them for the poverty of this life. Againe, when shee casteth her eyes under her in a despicable reflex upon the valley of this world, and eying it to be nothing but darknesse, but above her wonders at the beautie of that eternall light, she clearly sees, that it was night, and darknesse which shee loved. O that shee might but pur∣chase some small remainder of time for repentance, what a sharp course of conversati∣on would she take upon her? what and how great things would shee promise? with what vows of devotiō would shee enwreath her? In the meane time, while her divine eyes grow darke, while her heart beats, while her hoarse
throat gaspes, her teeth grow by little and little black, and draw, as it were, unto them a certaine rust, her counte∣nance becomes pale, and all her members stiffe. While these, then, and such like as forerunning offices of ap∣proching death attend her, all her works and words pre∣sent themselves before her; nay, not her very thoughts are absent, and all these bring in bitter testimony against their author. All these are heaped together before the eyes of her viewing them, so as, even those things which she shunneth to behold, she is inforced, though against her will, to take notice of. Be∣sides all this, there is here an horrid troupe of Devils, and
there a glorious traine of An∣gels. By that which appears betwixt them, may be clear∣ly perceived, which of them h'as most property in her. For if tokens of piety bee discovered in her, shee is cheared with the delights of an angelick invitation, and allured with the sweetnesse of an harmonious melodie, to go forth. But if the black∣nesse of her merits, and the impurity of her foule and filthy life adjudge her to the left hand, presently with an intolerable terrour shee be∣comes surprized, with the violence of a sudden force she is disturbed, dejected, in∣vaded, and from the prison of miserable flesh violently haled, that to eternall tor∣ments
with bitternesse shee may be tugged. Now, after her departure from the body, who can utter what armed troopes or Squadrons of wicked Spirits lye in ambush for her; what treacherous traines furnished with cruell tortures besiege the way that receives her? And lest the soule should escape thē, legions of furies, as it were, in military rankes or batta∣lions inclose her. This and ••u••h like frequently to medi∣tate of in thine heart, what else is it than to shunne de∣lightfull blandishments, to be divorc'd from the world, and to shake off unlawfull motions of the flesh, and constantly to retaine the sole purpose of attaining
perfection; Which that wee may doe, God for his mercy grant us. Amen.
Pet. Dami∣an. de Hor•• ••ort••••.