Meditation XI. Ʋpon the Torrid Zone.

VVHen I think, or read what strange Descripti∣ons the Ancients have made of the Middle, or Burning Zone, which, in regard of its excessive Ar∣dours, they judged altogether inhabitable: and how much experience hath evinced their ignorance, in as∣serting the healthful, temperate, and pleasant Dwel∣lings that are to be found there. I cannot but Parallel them with the Misreports that Carnal Men, through blindness of Mind, or Pravity of Heart have taken up, and spread abroad of the wayes of Religion and Ho∣liness, rendering them to the World less tolerable then the Scorchings of the most Torrid Zone, and more dreadful then a Howling Desart. Such which require Austerity, and admit no Latitude; such which by con∣tinual Conflicts make Watery Cheekes, and bleeding Hearts, and what not; which may serve as a Flaming Sword to deter any from entering upon the Confines of an Holy Life. But, is it not matter of Wonder, that Experience, which puts an end to all Contradictions that can rise up against it, and stops the Mouthes of Gainsayers, should not silence those unjust Calumnies that have been long cast upon Religion by such Men who speak evil of those things which they know not? Can there be any thing more unreasonably charged up∣on it then that which is contrary to the experience of Believers? Honey may as well cease to be Sweet, be∣cause the Sick Man saith it is Bitter, as the Pathes of Holiness to be Pleasant, because Carnal Men affirm Page  16 them to be irksome and difficult: and the Sun may be as well accused of Darkness, because Dim and Pur∣blind Eyes can see little or nothing of the light of it. Let them be asked who have Sequestered themselves from the Vanities of the World that they might en∣joy God and themselves the better, whether they have wanted that satisfaction which they expected? or have missed what they have left? or have cause to complain of what they endure? And they will tell such Questio∣nists that they have not left their Delights, but ex∣changed them; that Religion is Joyful, though not Dis∣solute; that it hath its Songs, though not its Frolicks; that a good Conscience can Feast it alwayes, though it cannot Revell it; that Gods Service is Free, though not Lawless; that they can do what is Decent, Expedient, or Lawfull, though not what is Sinfull. How vain then are the Cavils, with which Worldlings, like malicious Elimasses pervert the strait wayes of God? And, how causeless are the Scornes which they poure forth upon those that walk in them? will they not at length (like the Drivel of those that spit against the Wind) return upon their own Faces? or like Arrowes shot up against the Sun, fall upon those that undertake such vain at∣tempts? Lord, though many will not believe what others have seen and testifie, yet let not me ever disa∣vow, what thou hast been pleased to let me see and know: But, let me alwayes confidently say with Da∣vid, I have seen an end of all Perfection, but thy Com∣mandements are exceeding broad.