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

24. Meditation. Of Courage and Constancie.

1. COnsider, that the rewards of the life to come are such, that they cannot be compared either with the joyes or miseries of this life; for they do exceed, as an infinite ex∣ceeds a finite, as intellectuall things do sensuall, as spirituall do corpo∣reall, and as eternall are preferred before momentary. Adde more∣over, that the present labours are seasoned with many comforts, with the peace and joy of a good consci∣ence, with the success it self, with the glory of a great fortitude, with comforts sent down from God, with the favour of men, and their ready assistance, and the confusion of our adversaries.

2. Again, if thou reflect thy eyes upon the life of the rest of men, how much more intolerable labours shall

you see undertaken for lighter re∣wards? Look but upon Souldiers, Saylors, such as labour in the Mines, or the life of Slaves, how it is passed over without ease, or comfort of bo∣dy, or of soul, or the hope of vain∣glory, or a little coin.

3. Yea also, contemplate those miseries which are to be endured, if thou seekest to avoid the labours of Vertue: What passions, brawls, en∣vy, ill will, detractions, dangers: so that thou shalt be troublesome, and burdensome to thy self. But what follows the period of this short life, who is able to express?

Conclude, to harden thy face to the undertaking of labours, seeing how foolish a thing it is for the fear of a little pains, or present dif∣ficulty, to ingulf thy self into these unspeakable & intolerable miseries. Know that labour is naturall, and will be made delightfull by cu∣stome. Shake off therefore thy drowsiness, and remember thy self to be a man, a comparer of what

is past with what is to come; nei∣ther doubt of the victory, if you dare but undertake the battell.