Motives to holy living, or, Heads for meditation divided into consideratins, counsels, duties : together with some forms of devotion in litanies, collects, doxologies, &c.

§. 71.

A Catalogue of many several ways of shewing CHARITY.

I. CHARITIES to the Soul of our Neighbour.

1. Indeavouring beyond all things in this world (and remembring the great reward thereof, Jo. 4.36.) to save, and convert many, or, if but one Soul, that is more preci∣ous than all this visible world to God; to save (I say) i. e. to procure for it, such an infinite glory for ever, and ever: and the most merciful God to be praised by it day, and night, without ceasing, for ever, and ever. What pains of ours can be worthy of such an effect? What thanks will such a Soul, when ravished in such bliss, and delivered from such torments, not give unto us? And how will God love us, for thus procuring his greater eternal glory from more of his Creatures. (Luk. 12.37.44.)

2. In which not neglecting also the least means, attend∣ing to it; tho but the producing of one good thought, in the most abandoned to sinning; that God may be at least in one moment by them (if not glorified, yet) not, or the less, offended; and at least their future torments something diminished.

3. Helping your Neighbour with your Prayers tho un∣asked, especially when he is in any very great distress.

4. Teaching, Catechising, Children, gratis. Especially not neglecting herein those of your own Family, or near Relation.

5. Going into Infidel Countries, or into the most igno∣rant, and untaught, or heretical places of the Christian, to teach the Catholick Faith, and direct the misguided. So also into Hospitals and Prisons on the same account, to the sick, to the abandoned and desperate; which also may be to your self a beneficial Mortification.

6. Counselling the doubting, that desire your advice.

And, In giving any spiritual Counsel, at the same time praying secretly in your mind to God, that he (without whom it fructifies not) would open the heart to receive it. Advi∣sing the party, if still obstinate, to recommend such a thing to God in his Prayers; whose amendment perhaps God reserves to himself. 7. Establishing the scrupulous. 8. Confirming the strong. 9. Encouraging to good works. 10. Advising humiliations to the confident, especially when sick, and striving to beget in them Acts of Repentance and a sense of their Sins; and above all things avoiding the flattering, or begetting security in a Soul, which you think is in an ill condition; and when lying under the hand of God's wrath.

7. Giving no scandal to the weak: And supporting, and tolerating them with all patience.

8. Much compassionating, and condoling the afflicted; (our partaking, nay aggravating, their grief to them much lessening it): And comforting them, tho smitten of God; a temporal stroke many times saving and preventing an eternal.

9. Admonishing, reproving, sinners. Luk. 3.19. And in Reproof using what privacy you can; yet, in company, not forbearing it, when a sin committed before the com∣pany; or, when no likelihood of other opportunity to do it privately. Reprehending rather in the close of your con∣verse, and discourse with them, than at your first accost; and rather at some distance from committing the fault; because such reprehension is less offensive. Not usually reproving without some pre-commendations as to other things: Not reproving the fact without some excusing (at least in part) of the intention, which only known to God is never by us to be judged, or censured. In Admoni∣tion, and Reprehension using the first person, including your self, rather than the second; [We] rather than [You]. [We should, or should not do thus, or thus. We offend

God in doing so and so]. Or sometimes, using the third. [Men ought, or ought not, &c.] And in mentioning their faults delivering many times what you have to say rather as from a third person [some say: It is said; I was told, &c.]

10. Correcting the refractory, when having authority to do it.

11. Quitting men of their fears; fear being many times a great torment.

12. Reconciling Enemies; and arbitrating and taking up differences between friends: And procuring as much Cha∣rity (the greatest virtue) as you can between all men; This being the greatest deed of Charity.