A treatise of the difference bbtwixt [sic] the temporal and eternal composed in Spanish by Eusebius Nieremberg ... ; translated into English by Sir Vivian Mullineaux, Knight ; and since reviewed according to the tenth and last Spanish edition.

§. 2.

The name of Isachar, whose Blessing from his Fa∣ther was (as we have formerly said) to lye down and rest betwixt the two limits of Eternity, signifies him That hath a memory, or The man of reward or pay; The Holy Ghost by this mystery, charging us with the me∣mory of eternal rewards. And the Lord to shew how precious it was in his divine esteem, and how profi∣table for us, caused this name of Isachar to be engra∣ven in a precious Amethyst, which was one of those stones worn by the High-Priest in the Rational, and one of those also rcveal'd unto St. John to be of the foun∣dation of the City of God. By it, saith St. Anselme, is signified the memory of Eternity, which is the most principal foundation in the building of all perfection. Truely, if we consider the properties of this stone, they are so many marks, and properties of the memo∣ry of Eternity, and of the benefits which that soul reaps,* 1.1 which seriously considers it. The Amethyst cause Vigilancy. And what requires it more, then the passage betwixt the two extreams of eternal glory, and eternal pains? What thing in the world ought to awake us more, then the danger of falling into hell fire? How could that man sleep, which were to pass over a narrow plank of half a foot broad, which ser∣ved as a bridge betwixt two most high rocks, the windes impetuously blowing, and he, if his foot slipt, certain to fall into a most vast abyss? No less is the danger of this life. The way by which we are to pass unto Heaven is most streight, the windes of tempta∣tions

violent, the dangers of occasions frequent, the harms by ill examples infectious, and the deceits of wicked Counsellors very many. How then can a Chri∣stian sleep and be careless in so evident a peril? With∣out all doubt it is more difficult to be saved, consider∣ing the depravedness of our nature, and the deceitful ambushes of the Devil, then for a heavy man to pass over a heady and rapid river upon a small and bruised reed.

They say also of the Amethyst, that besides the making him watchful who carries it, it frees him from evil thoughts; which how can that man have who bears Eternity in his mind? how can he think upon the short pleasures of his senses, who considers the eternal torments due unto his soul, if he shall but consent to the least mortal sin? The Amethyst also resists drunk∣enness, preserving him that wears it in his senses and judgment; and there is nothing that more preserves a mans judgment in the middest of the wine of delights in this life, then the memory of the other, and that for the pleasure of one moment here he is not only to suffer for hours, for dayes, for moneths, for years, but for worlds, and a world of worlds hereafter. The Amethyst besides this preserves the wearer from the force of poison. And what greater Antidote against the poison of sin, then to remember Hell, which he deservs, and Heaven, which he loses by committing it? The Amethyst also quiets a man, and settles his thoughts. And what can be more efficacious to free us from the disturbance of this life, to bridle the insolence of cove∣tousness, to repress the aspiring of ambition, then to consider the blessings of Eternity, which attend the humble and poor in spirit? Finally, the Amethyst con∣ferrs fruitfulness; and this great thought of Eternity is fruitful of holy works. For who is he that considers with a lively faith, that for a thing so sleight and mo∣mentary he may enjoy the reward of eternal glory, and will not be animated to work all he is able, and

to endure and suffer what shall happen for God Al∣mighty and his Cause? O how fruitful of Heroical works is this holy thought, Eternal glory expects me! the Triumphs of Martyrs, the Victories of Virgins, the Mortifications of Confessors are the effects of this con∣sideration. O holy thought! O precious Amethyst, that makes vigilant and attentive the negligent and careless: that gives wisdom and judgment to the most deceived: that heals those, who are most ulce∣rated, and corrupted with the poison of sin; that qui∣ets and pacifies the motions and troubles of our con∣cupiscences; that makes the most tepid and barren of vertues fruitful of holy works; who will not endea∣vour to obtain and fix thee in his Soul? O that Chri∣stians would so grave thee in their heart, that thou mightest never be blotted out nor removed from thence. How differently would they then live to what they now do? how would they shine in their works? for although the memory of Hell, Heaven, Death, and Judgment be very efficacious for the reformation of our lives, yet this of Eternity is like the quintescence of them all, and virtually contains the rest.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Albert. Mag. Mi∣lius & Ruiz. v. Cesium de Min. lib. 4. p. 2. cap. 14. sect. 14.