The reformed monastery, or, The love of Jesus a sure and short, pleasant and easie way to heaven : in meditations, directions, and resolutions to love and obey Jesus unto death : in two parts.

CHAP. XIV. The true notion of Free-will Offerings vindicated, with an Exhortation to abound in the work of the Lord.

HEre it may be proper, to insert the caution of an ancient Rule. Be sure

thou first observe that which is com∣manded, before thou dost aim at Counsels.

Neglect not a duty because thou dost offer freely, and art over-zealous in other things. Thus the covetous worldling gripes and niggardly detains, because he designs to build alms-houses at last: and thus the factious zealot breaks the second, with the first Table of the Divine Law; making Religion an ex∣cuse for his uncharitableness and disobedi∣ence.

But if we love JESUS with hearty affection, we shall be far enough from thus mocking God, and deceiving our selves; for love that doubles upon us all obligati∣ons of duty, doth also oblige us to these free-will offerings. They are not amends for our omissions▪ or exchanges in lieu of our obedience: but they are the fulfilling of that law of Gratitude we now live under. The infinite mercies of the Gospel, put upon us infinite obligations to do in requi∣tal, for God, all that possibly we are able. But the Gospel is a Law of liberty, all its extent and measures are not in all particu∣lars, minutely and expresly defined.

So then by these free-will offerings, we must not understand any thing like super∣erogations; or things to which we are no ways obliged: or that exceed what God hath done for us, or what he will reward: or that are done without his help, without whom we can do nothing; any of these noti∣ons is impious, and implies a contradi∣ction. But by them is to be understood, the expression of our acknowledgments, and of that love we owe infinitely, in things not expresly commanded, and not under necessity. Of such (saith the Apostle) I speak not by commandment, but by occasion, and to prove the sincerity of your love, 2 Cor. 8.8. They that like the Macedonians have first given themselves to the Lord, may well

with them be willing to offer to God, to their power, and beyond their power. To this purpose S. Paul saith of himself, that his preaching the Gospel of Christ, was al∣together his duty, and wo unto him if he fulfilled it not: but his doing it willingly for nothing, in the Regions of Achaia; for that he had a reward, and that was his boast∣ing and his glorying, of which no man should rob him. To this purpose also, the ancient Fathers have said many things. That some good works we do verius virtutis amore, li∣beraque electione, quam ulla omnino legis co∣actione, rather by a free choice and love, than by precept. That thus to do things for God beyond ex∣press commandments was highly acceptable and highly rewarded. That to abstain from that which is evil, is absolutely required: and farther to deny our selves for Religions sake, is a free ob∣lation. And much more to the same pur∣pose is frequently to be met with, in those true and devout lovers of the Blessed JE∣SUS, whose affection and gratitude to him, nothing could fully express or con∣fine.

And now by these, and first by holy

Scripture, it manifestly appears, that the true notion of Free-will offerings, in no∣thing favours humane pride, or derogates from Gods Glory. Can the Beggar merit or presume anythng, if he throws away the dirt in his hand, for to receive Gold? and if with David, we pour out to God, that water we thirsted and might lawfully have drunk, that we may more largely drink the water of life, which God free∣ly gives us, shall we therefore exalt our selves?

Let us then endeavour, by all means to make it appear that we are sensible how infinitely we are obliged to love and serve JESUS. Let us not, as the Son of Sirach adviseth, consult with a coward in matters of war; consult with an irreligious age, in matters of Piety and Religion: and let us not think it enough to do as the most do. When first the Christian Faith was preach∣ed in the world, and men understood what Christ had done for them, and what he had promised, they thought nothing too much, nor too good for him. They cheer∣fully parted with temporal pleasures, ho∣nours, and riches; with their liberties, their limbs, their bloud, their very lives, that they might be faithful to JESUS, and come to reign with him. They made it appear by their patient, cheerful, and magnanimous sufferings, that they valued

nothing but JESUS and Eternity. We are not now exposed to the same dangers for the profession and belief of Christiani∣ty: but we may make our love and zeal appear, by our contempt of the world and aspiring after heaven; by our charity to men, and abounding in the work of the Lord; by keeping the Commandments, as well as dying for the Creed; the same Lord and Saviour that requires our Faith to the one, demands our obedience to the other. And now, if we spend our time in the hearty observance of our Lords Pre∣cepts and intimations, in doing and inlar∣ging our duty to the utmost of our power; if we thus confess him before men by living to him: then are we prepared to die for him, and he will certainly own us as much as if we had. Our Crown now this way, may be enriched, and our love shewn and per∣fected, as well as by the flames of Martyr∣dom. And O happy we! that we can come, and more happy yet if we do come, to sing Allelujah, and eternally praise our gracious Redeemer with the noble Army of Martyrs; where the love we had here shall fill our hearts with divine joy, and be increased to the proportions of our endless and unspeak∣able Bliss. The Lord direct our hearts into

the love of God, and into the patient waiting for JESUS our Master, 2 Thes. 3.3.

I need not here insert cautions against vain glory and self complacency after we have done the most we are able: for if it proceeds not from the love of God, it is nothing worth; and if it doth, it will never bring pride nor vanity. Charity vaunteth not it self, and is not puffed up, 1 Cor. 13.4. Only in the words of a pious Saint,

If we had died a thousand times for JESUS, yet we should not have re∣paid him the least part of what we owe his infinite mercy and condescension: for vast is the difference betwixt the blood of God, and the blood of his creatures and ser∣vants, if we judge according to the dig∣nity, and not to the substance of it.

What hast thou that thou hast not received? re∣member what JESUS saith to all Chri∣stians, He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me, Mat. 10.37. and whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple, Luk. 14.33. We can never do too much for JESUS: but we may easily do too little; though the

most we can do will never merit heaven, yet the least shall not obtain it: 'tis safe and impossible to exceed, but 'tis easie and dangerous to be defective.

O God, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass mans understanding, pour into our hearts such love towards thee, that we loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises which exceed all that we can desire, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

I have now assigned Love its full task; to repent and mortifie our lusts, to serve and obey God, and to abound in good works even free-will offerings. I have no more for it to do; I would only have it to encrease, to grow towards perfection, to be constant, and to endure unto the end. To help this forward, I have here added a meditation on the exaltation of our Blessed Saviour; some useful directions for the or∣dering of our lives; and four concluding Considerations, whereby to assist, direct and encourage the sincere lover of JE∣SUS, in the discharge of this great and blessed duty, the work and labour of Love.

Let us consider one another, to provoke unto Love, and to good works, Heb. 10.24.

Notes

• Cupiens divinum ad∣implere consilium, ante omnia serva mandatum. Athan.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Chrys.
• In licitis cavere jugum necessitatis est, permissa vincere munus arbitrii.
• Ʋbi tota virtus erit, O anima videre quod a∣mas, & summa felicitas amare quod vedes. Aug.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. S. Johan. Clim. Grad. 23. 11.
• Sixth Sund. after Trin.