Sweete thovghtes of Iesvs and Marie, or, Meditations for all the feasts of ovr B. Saviovr and his B. Mother togeither with Meditations for all the Sundayes of the yeare and our Sauiovrs Passion : for the vse of the daughters of Sion : diuided into tvvo partes / by Thomas Carre ...

THE SECONDE MEDITATION FOR THE SAME SVNDAY

THE FIRST POINTE.

CONSIDER that there is nothing either more certaine, or more vn∣certaine then the day of Doome that

tyme of huge desolation. Nothinge more certaine then that it shall be; since heauen and earth shall passe, but the word of God, which we haue for it, shall not passe. Nothing a∣gaine, more vncertaine then the tyme ther∣of: for of that day and houre noe body knoweth neither the Angells of heauen, but the father alone. If this certaintie then cannot but begett a dreadfull expectation in all hu∣mane hartes: this vncertaintie ought to putt a continuall watchfulnesse vpon our thoughtes.

[Affection.] If then, my soule, as well this certaintie, as this vncertaintie, be as infallibly true, as is the word of God vpon which it is grounded: what are we to doe but to expect it at all houres, which may come at euery houre? Did we certainly know that some houre this night the thei∣fe would come and robb vs of all we haue we should not fayle to watch all night to preuent our vtter ruine. Alas, let the ha∣zard of our soule enter into as much con∣sideration with vs, as the hazard of our fortunes, that so we may not fayle to stand still vpon our guarde, that death may not take vs a sleepe, and we, being a wake, may finde our hands emptie of good workes, to our eternall ruine.

THE SECONDE POINTE.

CONSIDER that though the day of the generall Iudgement will as cer∣tainly come, as it is vncertaine to all men when that shall be, so that many yeares may probably passe before it: yet there is ano∣ther day of Doome which hanges ouer each ones heade, and can not be longe ere it come: to witt, the last day of euery mans life, is the day of iudgement to him; since as S. Augustine saith, in what state each ones last day shall finde him, in the verie same shall the last day of the world comprehend him. That euery one might continually stande rea∣die for this, S. Iohn tells vs, that now, euen now, is the last houre, noe man being sure of the next.

[Affection.] It is appointed, saith S. Paule, to men to dye once, and after that, iudgement. This, my soule, is the day of desolation which euery one ought most to appre∣hende and watch for, since it is indeede his day of Doome. This at euery moment may surprise vs, and that in one moments tyme. What rests them, my soule, but that what I say to thee, I say to euery one vigilate. Watch, watch incessantly; for this theife

death, may steale vpon vs when we least suspecte it. And if then our Lampes be found without the oyle of good workes and charitie; what shall we haue left vs, but a dreadfull expectation to heare the doore of the heauenly mariage is shut. And what can we hope to meate with by our importunate crying out Lord, Lord, open to vs, but that daunting replye which cau∣seth an eternall separation from the face of God. Amen I say to you I know you not.