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

§. 133.

3. From holy times.

* 1.13. From holy times. In laying aside all your own both business, and pleasures (Isa. 58.3.13.) Using oftner, and longer private devotions; and begging some more special favour on those days, than at other times.

1. On the Lord's day, the Christians Sabbath: Being a type, and pledge of that day to come (of eternal rest, and praising God in his Temple) which is promised us (See Heb. 4.9.10.) and this seventh portion of our time, being the tribute thereof, which God hath set apart, as for our more solemn service of him, and prayers (He having as a house, so a day of Prayer): so for a time, when God gives, as it were, a more special audience unto them, and dispenseth greater blessings.

2. On the other Festivals of our Saviour. Then always meditating for some little time on the action, and mystery of the day: When also you may advance your devotion, by using imaginary composition of place, and imaginary senses: (as if you were present at such action, with such persons; (as, in the feast of the Epiphany, prostrating your self before Jesus with the wise men; embracing him with Sime∣on &c.) and saw, and heard the several passages thereof:) and imaginary addresses to our Saviour in such and such a posture; saying to him what your heart will pour out. As it is a day of his suffering or triumph, so tuning your Soul to it in Suspirations, or Hosanna's, Elegies, or Doxolo∣gies: Using such Psalms &c, as were chiefly penned for these times; as for the one (viz. time of sorrow) Psal. 22. —69. —35. —38. —Esa. 53. altered to a speaking of them to our Saviour, as Psal. 22.1. Thy God, thy God, why hath he forsaken thee. &c. For the other (time of joy) Psal. 45. —39. —72. &c. Preferring to God some

special petition with respect to the day: See an Example in the Collects of these days.

3. On the Festivals of the Saints, the former leaders of our faith (See Heb. 13.7. —12.1.) Performing the duty of an honourable Commemoration of that Saint to whose memory the day is dedicated: (See Luk. 1.48. Matt. 16.13.) And saying, and doing, something in honor of them (remembring the intimate communion, and spiritual con∣sanguinity you have with them) so as you would do for one of near relation to you in the flesh; and this, not as to them dead, but now living in Glory with Christ; and as to those, by the uncessant, and most compassionate prayers of whom (our fellow-members triumphant) we receive continually great advantages, whilst we are yet in the fight; where, if Dives remembred his brethren, much more do they. Meditating on the Life of that Saint, and proposing some one thing therein, for your imitation. In that day beging of God some one of those graces, and vir∣tues, which God had more eminently bestowed upon him. See Examples in the Collects.

Notes

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