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.

Of the fourth Beatitude.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Justice,* 1.1 &c.

* 1.2COnsider 1. To hunger and thirst after Justice, hath these proper Acts: The first is to desire all things, without exception, to be fulfilled, which are of Justice, and obligation towards God, and our Neighbour. The second, to desire more and more our Progress in Virtue. The third, that this same Justice be in all the world, and that all may pur∣chase and conserve it. The fourth, to hunger after Christ our Lord, who is our Justice and Sanctifica∣tion, (as the Apostle witnesseth) both Sacramentally, and Spiritually, by a lively faith and interiour gust. Think how you are in these points, and whether you do not rather loath these, and thirst only after worldly delights.

* 1.3Consider 2. The example of Christ, who, all his life time, sought after nothing else then to do the will of his Father, according to that, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me. And hanging upon the Cross, he said, I thirst; to wit, the Sal∣vation of Mankind, for whom he shed his blood. Such ought to be your hunger and thirst; not that of the wicked, that serve their bellies.

Consider 3. The Reward:* 1.4 (For they shall have their fill. God affording them special graces, and spiritual comforts in this life, and replenishing, them to the full, with the clear Vision of himself, in the suture; according to that,* 1.5 I shall be filled when thy glory shall appear. Think how much this heavenly Saturity is to be wished for, which never cloyeth, though it lasteth for all Eternity: See whether you had rather have your fill in this life, or in the next; it will not be afforded in both, in one you must suffer hunger.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mat. 5.6.
• * 1.2

  1 Cor. 1.30
• * 1.3

  Jo. 4.34. Jo. 19.28.
• * 1.4

  Mat. sup.
• * 1.5

  Ps. 16.15.