Purgatory surveyed, or, A particular accompt of the happy and yet thrice unhappy state of the souls there also of the singular charity and wayes we have to relieve them : and of the devotion of all ages for the souls departed : with twelve excellent means to prevent purgatory and the resolution of many curious and important points.

§. 3. More grounds of Comfort arising from their voluntary suffring, their disinteressed Love of God, and exact conformity with his holy Will.

IN the next place, take this most sweet and weighty Considera∣tion. An evill that is forced and against ones will, is a true evill in∣deed, the constraint and violence it carries along with it, imbitters it above measure, and renders it insupportable; whereas if the e∣vill be voluntary, it is a good evill, a lovely evil, an evill to be pur∣chased at any rate: Witnesse the ho••y Martyrs of Gods Church,

who when they voluntarily shed their blood, and with a good will poured ou•• their lives, for Gods cause, though at the cost of the most inhumane torments imagi∣nable, seemed to make but little reckoning, of the smart of them, as you may observe by their car∣riage: For some of them would throw back the worms, that were crept out of their Ulcerous so••res, others kisse the burning coals, and by way of Honour, place them on their heads. This holy Martyr, embraces the Gibbet, as if he took it to be an easie ladder, whereby to mount up straight into Heaven; another provokes Tygers, and Ly∣ons to dismember him. This ten∣der Virgin, leaps into the fire pre∣pared for her, without staying for the Executioners help; another casts her self into the Sea, to pre∣serve her Virginity. See the force of Christian Resolution, which is steered by divine Maximes: They dye and smile at it, they seem to court Death it self, they chuse ra∣ther

to be under the hands of a bloody executioner, who can at most bereave them of their lives, then in the power of the Son of an Emperour, who may rob them of the Lillies of their Virginal inte∣grity. Nothing can be grievous to him that acts vigorously, and suf∣fers voluntarily whatsoever falls in his way. This then is one of the Souls chief Comforts, in those fie∣ry Dungeons: They accept their pains, as from the hands of their loving Father, who out of his pa∣ternal care makes choice of those rough instruments, to polish and refine them, and so fit them for his presence. They look upon them as love tokens, sent from their be∣loved, and esteem them rather as precious gifts, of their loving lord, then as cruell punishments inflict∣ed by a severe enemy: They kiss the rod, and the Fatherly hand, which makes use of it, for their Soveraign good: When a Chy∣rurgion makes a deep incifion, to let out the water of a dropsie,

when he strikes his lancet into the arm, when he cuts of a Gan∣greend-member; the diseased person kisse•• the hand that has made the wound, embraces the Suregon, though sprinckled with his blood, opens his mouth to give thanks, his purse to reward, his eyes to bath in tears, and his very heart to love cordially this kinde Murtherer, who has so cruelly mishandled him, to do him good, and to save his life. What think you is the language of these holy Soules, these children of God, in the midst of their severest tor∣ments? Sweet rigours of heaven, amorous cruelties, alas, why do you vouchsafe so to humble your greatnesse, to take the pains to purifie us poore Creatures, worthy of a thousand Hells. O the pro∣fuse goodnesse of the Almighty, who is pleased with the tenderness of a loving Father, to chastise his wicked Servants, and so to ado•••• them for his dear children. W•••• it necessary, that himself should

take the trouble upon him, to stretch out the hand of his infi∣nite Justice, to purifie such dis∣loyall Souls, far unworthy of a love so cordial? Oh, let him burn, let him strike, let him thunder, it is but reason he should do so; for since he is our Father, our Creatour, our redeemer, our dear All, the sole Object of all our lives; howsoever he handles us, we shall still take it for a great favour, and esteem our selves over happy, to be treated, though never so rudely, by so good a hand. Have they not reason? Believe it, they experi∣ence it to be so sweet, and so rea∣sonable; nay, they judge it so ne∣cessary, for them to suffer in these flames, that though they should discover a thousand gates open, and a free passage for them, to fly out of Purgatory into Paradise, nor so much as one soule would stir out, before she had fully satis∣fied the divine Justice, Paradise would be to them a Purgatory, should they carry thither, but the

least blemish in the world. When Isaack saw the sword in Abrahams hand, ready to strike off his head, and reflected that he was to re∣ceive the deadly wound from the hands of his dear Father, that good and virtuous young man, could neither find tongue to plead for his life, nor feet to run away, and decline the stroke, nor hands to defend himself, nor so much as eyes to deplore his sad misfor∣tune; but yet was content to have a heart to love his good Father and a head to loose, and a life to sacrifice upon the altar of Obedi∣ence, and believed the fire, which was prepared to destroy him, was to be as the odoriferous flaming Pile of the Phoenix, wherein she is consumed, to rise again to a new and happy life. The holy soules, that burn in the flames of Purga∣tory, are much better disposed, to embrace whatsoever God shall ordain, then Isaac was in regard of his Father.

But there is yet something of a higher nature to be said upon this point. We have all the reason in the world, to believe that God of his infinite Goodnesse, inspires these holy soules with a thousand heavenly lights, and such ravish∣ing thoughts, that they cannot but take themselves to be extream happy; so happy, that St. Catherine of Genua professed, she had learnt of Almighty God, that, excepting onely the blessed Saints in heaven, there were no joys comparable to those of the Souls in Purgatory. For (said she) when they consi∣der, that they are in the hands of God, in a place, deputed for them by his holy Providence, and just where God would have them, it is not to be expressed, what a sweet∣nesse they finde in so amorous a thought, and certainly, they had infinitely rather be in Purgatory to comply with his Divine plea∣sure, then be in Paradise, with vio∣lence to his Justice, and a manifest breach of the ordinary laws of the

house of God. I will say yet more (continued she) it cannot so much as steale into their thoughts, to desire, to be any where, else then where they are, supposing God has so placed them, they are not at all troubled, that others get out before them, and they are so absorpt in this profound Medita∣tion, that they are at Gods dis∣posall, in the bosome of his sweet Providence; that they cannot so much as dream of being any where else. So that me thinks, those kind expressions of Almigh∣ty God by his Prophets, to his chosen people, may be fitly ap∣plyed to the unhappy, and yet happy condition, of these holy Soules. Rejoyce you my people, sayes the living God, for I sweare unto you by my self, that when you shall passe through flames of Fire, they shall not hurt you, I shall be there with you, I shall take of the Edge, and blunt the points of those peircing flames. I will raise the bright Aurora in

your darkness, and the darkness of your nights shall outshine the midday. I will power out my peace into the m••dst of your hearts, and replenish your souls with the bright shining lights of Heaven. You shall be as a para∣dise of delights bedewed with a living fountain of heavenly wa∣ters You shall rejoyce in your Creatour, and I will raise you a∣bove the hi••ht of Mountains, and no••rish you with Manna and the sweet inheritance of Jacob, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoke it, and it cannot faile, but shall be sure to fall out so, because he hath spoken it.

Did we truly know what is the pure love of God, a love without interest, and a heart that neither has, nor will have any other ends, feelings or designs, but those of Almighty God, happily we might be able to conceive, a good part of the paradise of the souls in Purgatory. Those good souls, see so clearly, how much it im∣ports

them, to have no other con∣cern, or interest, but for Gods cause, that without the least re∣gard to their own sufferings, they had infinitely rather dwell in Purgatory, (since God will have it so) then be surrounded with the sweets of Paradise, without Gods pleasure; nay more though they had not the least blemish, to wipe out, and the only question were, to comply with Gods blessed will, who for some reason best known to himself, were pleased to treate them in this rude fashion. This pure love without all self interest, is more forcible, then any other consideration. For if St. Paul could wish himself in hell, if Moses could have been content, to be blotted out of the book of life, if others have offered themselves to remaine in Purgatory til doomes∣day, to have the assurance of their own salvation, or to suffer for the good of others, and all this, either out of a kind of self love, or an excesse of fraternall charity, and

while they were yet intangled with the apprehensions of this wicked world, what may not a soul do, which is full of divine love, without any mixture of self interest, so purely refined, as not to desire any thing but God, and the execution of his inscrutable designes. And since all holy souls are of this temper, in the other world, I am confident, there is not any one soul, would quit Pur∣gatory, where God has placed her, nor any that would not most willingly exchange Heaven for purgatory, should she discover the least inclination of Gods will, that it should be so. The Saints are much perfecter then mortal men, who notwithstanding all the weakness of fraile nature, could have the heart to cast themselves into burning flames, when they saw it made for Gods greater glory, and could there sing out his praises. So happy did they take themselves to have the power of serving God, without

any other interest, then that of his glory, nay with the ruine of their very lives, and all other worldly concerns. And when they had done all this, they would break out into tears, as the most eloquent, though silent expression of a favour, they never took themselves to deserve. Where∣fore since all the souls in Purga∣tory, have not only a perfect, but also an experimental knowledge; of this pure love, and withall see such a world of devout souls, who are still pouring themselves out into such heroicall acts, of pure love, how much think you does this encourage them to do their best in this kind. And can you think after all this; that God will suffer himself to be overcome in curtesy, or charity, and not be still furnishing them, with a fresh supply of new lights, and celesti∣all comforts? And certainly, the attractions of Almighty God, are not to be numbred amongst his least favours, they do so transport

a soul, and so absolutely master her, that she neither feeles nor cares for all the torments in the world which the body suffers, ••hile she is thus absorpt, and even lost in Almighty God. They applied causticks to St. Thomas of Aquin, while he was rapt in his profound speculations of Divini∣ty, and he seemed not to feel the least smart, or at least took no notice of it, he was so ravished, and drowned in Almighty God. They tell the same of the sera∣phical St Francis, how when he was once gone out of himself, with an ardent affection of the love of Jesus Christ, they applied the button cautere, and the good Saint felt it no more, then if it had been a button of glass or christall. Many other servants of God, in their extaticall rap∣tures, and lofty meditations, of the joys of Heaven, have been prickt wi••h needles, wounded with lances, and persecuted with rude blows, cold water, hot irons,

and the like, and yet for all this, could not be drawn out of their sweet quiet, and repose, to give the least attention, to these rough entertainments. What shall we say now, of those faire souls, lately flown out of their bo∣dies, who are so forcibly carried away with the pure love of God, and his eternal glory; who see themselves so near it, and so cer∣tain to enjoy it, and to be swal∣lowed up in the immense Ocean of the Divinity. So my son may be one day Emperor of Rome, (said the ambitious Agrippian) I shall most readily yeeld, to be soon after thrown headlong into the bottomless sea. And do you thinke those souls, who are most certain to raign for ever, in the Empireall heaven, can complain of the fire, wherewith they are tormented for a few hours, or years, which are but so many moments compar'd with eternity. St. Catherine of Genua assures us▪ that God does so violently, and

withall so sweetly attract and draw after him, these happy souls, that it is impossible to find out words to express it, or any paralell to this, sweet and a∣morous violence.

This pure love, which the souls have for Almighty God, goes not without a perfect conformity to his divine will: And this is the thing, which of all others me∣tamorphoses Purgatory into Pa∣radise. To have the same will with Almighty God, saies holy St. Bernard is to be like God, but not to have the power to have any other will, but Gods, is to be what God is, that is con∣tent, and happy, in whatsoever condition. If God, for some spe∣cial reason, would have a soul to be a million of years in Purgato∣ry, without fault, and without hope of any further merit, she would not much concern her self, neither for the extremity of the pains, nor for the length of the delay, but would rest satisfied,

with a perfect resignation, to Gods holy will.

Can there be any doubt of this, when we find souls even in this miserable life, so couragious, and so conformable to the divine pleasure, as to offer themselves, to be buried in Hell fire, so it might but add one single graine of en∣crease to Gods glory. No, this diformity or uniformity to the designes of Gods providence, is so excessive great, in these devout souls, so vigorous, and so puis∣sant, that it cannot be expressed, or conceived in this our gross ig∣norant world. The Ecclesiastical History assures us, that many of the holy Marty••s, whil'st they were in flames of fire melting of their lives, by drops (as I may so say) were heard to profess, with a smi∣ling countenance, & an invincible heart, that they took themselves to be at a nuptiall feast, and to tread upon Roses. So well were they pleased, that God was so

pleased, and that his blessed will was performed in them; nay more, that nothing griev'd them, but the shortness of their torments, and the fleeting condition of their petty martyrdoms, as they would call them. Alas, would they say, were this to last to the worlds end how happy were we, and how welcome were our flames, by the light whereof, one might clearly read the fidelity of our hearts, and their conformity to the heart of the great God of Heaven.

This excessive conformity, and sidelity of these holy souls, makes them willing, to cooperate with the sweet rigours of Gods justice against their crimes. Who loves God purely for himself, loves all that belongs to make up his glory, and since God shews himself as much God, in the excercise of his justice, as in the sweet influences of his boundles mercy, a happy soul cannot chuse but take plea∣sure, to cooperate with Gods ju∣stice,

in procuring his satisfaction, even at the charge of her own suf∣ferings, and would most readily annihilate her self, for the honour of her God. If our hour be come; said the valourous Judas Macha∣beas, and if God have so disposed of us, let us die my brethren, and let us die bravely; it must be as the Heavens have decreed, and I will have it so, though at the cost of a hundred thousand lives. And holy Job, Is it not reason (said he) that we should as well receive what we call evils, at the hand of his justice, as favors, at the hand of his mercy? That noble Roman, that buried his Ponyard in his own Sisters breast, whom he met foolishly bewailing, the good fortune of the City of Rome, had nothing to alledg for his justi∣fication, but this; What (said he) shall not Rome be Rome, as well in the excercise of rigourous justice, as in the maintenance of her greatness, and demonstration of

her absolute power. Can I offer a more pleasing holocaust, unto the Gods, then to sacrifice my Sister, when Romes justice requires it? This Roman severity carries with it. I know not what masculine ge∣nerosity, and this cruelty to a foolish Sister, argues much piety to his dear Country. In effect all the world cried up the fact, which at first sight, seemed too brutish, barbarous and inhumane. The holy souls that burne with ardent charity, seeing it necessary, that the divine justice should receive plenary satisfaction, and that Gods interest is extraordinarlly concern'd, that his justice should rule by course, as well as his mer∣cy, goodness and charity, these holy souls, I say, seeing all this, have such a pleasure in their tor∣ments, as cannot be comprehen∣ded in this miserable life, which is so ful of self-love, but by some few noble and generous souls; that love God only for himself; and

that so purely, as not to make any reckoning of their own concernes or suffrings.

Notes

• Voluntary suffering.
• To be where God has placed them
• Love with∣out intesest.
• Heavenly raptures.
• Conformity with Gods will.
• S. Bern. ep. ad fratres de monte die.
• Euseb. Niceph. Baron.
• To coope∣rate with Gods ju∣stice.