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COnsider (by way of a serious reflection of all the former Meditations) that since God hath bene so gra∣cious to vs, and we so vngrate∣full to him, as greatly and
frequently to haue offended his diuine Maiestie. Since he so souuerainly hates sinne wher-of we stand guiltie. Since death is so vncertaine: iudge∣ment so dreadfull. Hell so intolerable; and the ioyes of Heauen prepared for vs, so ineffablely great; consider, I say, what a necessitie is put vpon vs (if our hartes be tou∣ched, either with dreade of vnspeakable torments, or loue of Beatitude.) To make a good vse of the tyme, which by Gods mercy, we yet haue, to redeeme tyme lost: to make hay whyle the sunne shines: and to treasure vp the ce∣lestiall Manna before the sunne sett.
AFFECTION and RESOLV. Noe my soule, we will dare
noe lōger to be so audaciously aduenterous as to triffle out pretious tyme with cold cras crasses. But euen at this verie moment I will striue to con∣clude an eternall peace with God. It is dreadfull to come too late; to heare, verily verily I know you not, and to finde the dore shutt. My conuersa∣tion therfor shall henceforth be in heauen, and heauenly thinges. I will descende into Hell aliue, to obserue the hor∣ride torments of that gastly denne. I will expect death at all houres, since none knowes the houre indeede in which it may surprise me. I will iudge my selfe without flatterie, that I may not be more rigourously iudged. I will endeuour in earnest and
with my whole harte to hate sinne, which God so souerai∣gnely hates. And the residue of my life shall be spent, that by true and hartie pennance (the onely true refuge after sinne) I may take reuenge of my selfe, according to S. Paule, for hauing offended, so gracious a Benefactour, and so dreadfull a Maiestie.
Consider that the way to returne to God by pennance prescribed by S. Augustine, is: First (as to the tyme) to re∣turne speedily, and without all delay: because he who pro∣mised
pardon to the repen∣tant sinner; promised noe cer∣taine tyme for him to repent in, but willed him not to delay his conuersion. Secondly, (as to the manner) mournfully and with confusion. Euery one ought to lament ouer himselfe, as ouer a deade corps: and expresse huge grones vpon his deade soule. Thirdly, in qualitie of Iudge: Mounte into the Tribunall of your owne harte, proue your owne Iudge, and exer∣cise iustice vpon your selfe. And in the first place, take your selfe from behind you, where you endeuoured to hide your faults, and not to be seene, and stand araigned before your selfe. Let feare torture you, till a true confes∣sion
burst out from an hum∣bled harte: and say to God; I acknovvledge myne iniquitie, and my sinnes are continually before myne eyes.
AFFECTION. and RESOLVT. My soule, hauing thus, speedi∣ly, mournefully, and with the iustice and rigour of an vn∣partiall Iudge, discussed our selues, let vs, presently, hum∣bly, and confidently haue re∣course to God for the rest. We haue an vnhappie power in our selues to commit sinne. Thy perdition is from thy selfe, ô Israel: but our saluation is from God alone. To his mercy therfor, which is aboue all his workes, let vs betake our sel∣ues, saying in the bitternesse of our harte: Grant mercy ô Lord to that miserable
wretch, whom thou so longe sparedst in his crymes. O im∣mense pietie, take compassion vpon a confessing cryminall. O publike mercy, looke vpon him with the eye of pitie who hath proued cruell against his owne soule, ah. I should apprehend my case, in a man∣ner, desparate, did I not bewaile it in the sight of an infinite goodnesse; and con∣ceiue my wounds incurable, had I not recourse to an all∣souueraigne Physition. Let me perceiue the effects of thy myldnesse, hauing so longe mercifully suspended the sword of reuenge, and let the multitudes of my miseries, be drunke vp in the multitudes of thy drainelesse mercyes.