A journal of meditations for every day in the year gathered out of divers authors / written first in Latine by N.B. ; and newly translated into English by E.M. in ... 1669.

* 1.1Of Holy Communion.

Consider Christ as our Resur∣rection.

* 1.2COnsider 1. The manner wherewith Christ raised his body out of the Sepulcher, of deformed rendering it glorious. Ponder what a difference there is between a body that is dead, pale, wan, destitute of all sense and motion, and the same when it is invested with the array and endowments of glory: The same difference is between the Soul in Sin, and in the state of Grace; and almost the same between tepidity and fervor. For in the state of Tepidity the Soul is as it were in a slumber, and void of all heroical motion, she is insensible of things appertaining to God, and being possessed with innumerable phantasies, pursueth vaine trifles, and dreams, instead of reall, and solid goods. She thinks herself in a good state, when in truth she is like that man in the Apocalyps, miserable, and poor, and blinde, and naked.

* 1.3Consider 2. Christ is ready to raise us out of these miserable states; therefore he saith, I am the resurrection and the life. To wit, the cause, and Author of both, and as well of the Soul, as of the body. O what a benefit it is, and how infinitly to be valued, to be raised from the death of Sin, and grave of Tepidity, and to be placed in the cleare light of the Childeren of God, that walk and work with fervor? The same will Christ bestow upon you, this day, in the Holy Eucharist, if you hinder him not. For therefore

he is called the bread of life:* 1.4 and as we owe unto him the Resurrection of our bodies, in the last day, so doe we now the Resurrection and reviving of our Soules.

* 1.5Consider 3. The signes of our rising with Christ are to seek, and mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon earth. So the Apostle, If you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, &c. Seek therefore and affect only heavenly things,* 1.6 and as Christ Rising again from the dead, now dyeth no more; So you being raised from the state of Tepidity to Fervor, have a care you fall not into a relapse.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rise thou that sleepest and arise from the dead, and Christ will illuminate thee. Ephe. 5.14.
• * 1.2

  Apoc. 3.17
• * 1.3

  Jo. 11.25.
• * 1.4

  Jo. 6.35. Ibid. v. 40. S. Tho. & alii.
• * 1.5

  Colos. 3.1.
• * 1.6

  Rom. 6.9.