Moralities.
1. OUr whole Salvation consists in two princi∣ples; The one is, in our being sensible of God; and the other, in moving toward him; the first, proceeds from faith; the other, comes of charity and other virtues. O what a happy thing it is to follow the examples of this good Centurion, by having such elevated thoughts of the Divinity, and to know nothing of God, but what he is: To be∣hold our heavenly Father, within this great family of the world, who effects all things by his single word; Creates by his power; governs by his councel; and or∣ders by his goodness this great universality of all things. The most insensible creatures have ears to hear him. Feavers and tempests are part of that run∣ning camp, which marcheth under his Standard: They advance and retire themselves under the sha∣dow of his command: he onely hath power to give measures to the Heaven, bounds to the Sea, to joyn the East and West together in an instant, and to be in all places where his pleasure is understood.
2. O how goodly a thing it is to go unto him, like this great Captain: To go said I? Nay, rather to flie as he doth, by the two wings of Charity and Humility. His charity made him have a tender care of his poor servant, and to esteem his health more dear, than great men do the rarest pieces in their Cabi∣nets. He doth not trust his servants, but takes the charge upon himself: making himself (by the power of love) a servant to him; who by birth was made subject to his command. What can be said of so ma∣ny Masters and Mistresses now adays, who live al∣ways slaves to their passions? having no care at all of the Salvation, health, or necessities of their ser∣vants, as if they were nothing else but the very scum of the world. They make great use of their labours and service (which is just) but neglect their bodies, and kill their souls by the infection of their wicked examples. Mark the humility of this souldier, who doth not think his house worthy to be enlightened by one sole glimpse of our blessed Saviours presence. By the words of Saint Augustine we may say, he made himself worthy by believing, and declaring himself so unworthy: yea, worthy that our Saviour should enter, not onely into his house, but into his very soul. And upon the matter he could not have spoken with such faith and humility, if he had not first enclosed (in his heart) him, whom he durst not receive into his house.
3. The Gentiles come near unto God, and the Jews go from him; to teach us, that ordinarily the most obliged persons are most ungratefull; and dis∣esteem their benefactours for no other reason, but be∣cause they receive benefits daily from them. If you speak courteously to them, they answer churlishly; and in the same proportion wherein you are good, you make them wicked; therefore we must be care∣full that we be not so toward God. Many are di∣stasted with devotion, as the Israelites were with Manna: All which is good doth displease them, be∣cause it is ordinary: And you shall find some, who (like naughty grounds) cast up thorns where roses are planted. But we have great reason to fear, that no∣thing but hell fire is capable to punish those, who de∣spise the graces of God, and esteem that which comes from him as a thing of no value.