A manuali [sic] of divine considerations delivered and concluded by ... Thomas White ; translated out of the original Latine copie.

13. Meditation. Of Gods continued mercy, and Mans misery.

1. COnsider, how God brought the Nation of the Iewes, a Law being given unto them, into a Countrey which flowed with milk and honey. How he esta∣blished their politicall government with his own hand, in which every one should eat of his own Vine, and rest under his own Fig-tree; where there should be no exactour, no molester among them. He insti∣tuted also so many Festivall dayes, years, and times, and such ceremo∣nies, that by reason of them it might seem impossible to have fallen from the fear of the Divinity.

2. All which notwithstanding, they fell away, and revolted from God, and were according to the quality and degree of their offence, chastised by those Nations which bordered upon them: and when they returned to God, Comman∣ders were given them to wage their warrs, and minister justice, which were neither perpetuall, nor very eminent: but when their re∣volts, and fallings from God be∣came more frequent, and that their scourges were thereupon more grie∣vous, which they would not ac∣knowledge to be due unto their crimes, but attributed them to the or∣der of their Common-wealth, which had yet been instituted by the Di∣vinity it self; Kings were granted, both David most valiant in warre, and Solomon most wise in peace; under whom as they lived in grea∣ter glory, so also in greater misery, being famous in warre, but mise∣rable; being glorious in peace, but slavish; reaping out of their own

devises, vain ostentations in lieu of the reall blessings of peace, a∣bundance, and justice.

3. Presently, by reason of their state and condition, ten Tribes fell to idolatry, and the other two followed after, infected with their contagion: neither did the Pro∣phets sent by God, with God his own eloquence and wonders, pro∣fit any thing; but necessary it was they should be cast forth to the Assyrians and Babylon.

4. Not withstanding, God brought them back again repen∣tant, in a small number, and as it were for the last remedy subjected them to the temporall rule of Priests and Scribes, expecting in a man∣ner, that themselves would have been kept in their duties by the bait of temporall honour, and that at least for the worlds sake, they should have retained the common people in the true service of God. And when they also looked onely upon temporall things, he raised

up the Pharisees, and other Regu∣lars, with the shew of abstinence from worldly commodities, whom yet ambition and avarice did quickly blind and overthrow.

Conclude, that there was no∣thing more behoving, or that God in a manner could have done to his Vineyard. See what a care is ne∣cessarily to be had to thy soul, and how nothing is sufficient without the speciall assistance of God within thee. Remember that humi∣lity and earnest prayer unto God, with watchfulnesse, and continu∣all care, and labour, is to be joy∣ned together; and that it is never fit for thee to think thou hast done enough, or that thou art secure, whether thou art sollici∣tous for thy self alone, or that the charge of others be committed to thee.