Meditations vppon the mysteries of our holy faith with the practise of mental praier touching the same composed in Spanish by the R.F. Luys de la Puente ... ; and translated into English by F. Rich. Gibbons ...

The third Pointe.

1. FRom hence I will ascende to consider the spirit that is included in these wordes, pondering that not without cause, they say not vnto mee, Re∣member that thou wast Dust, but that thou art Dust at this present, to signifye, that of my corrupt nature I am earthe, & Dust, for that I am inclined to earthly things, as Riches, Honors, and pampering of the fleshe: and that like Dust I am mutable, and insta∣ble, * 1.1 suffering myselfe to bee tossed with the winde of euery temptation, especially of Vanitye. And if I restraine not myselfe, I shall turne into Earthe, and Dust following my Inclinations, and tourning myselfe into a terrene, ambitious, sensuall, and vaine man. For the which I am greately to humble my∣selfe, and to tremble at my owne mutabillitye, and weaknes, and at the perill wherein I liue.

2. Then will I ponder how by Gods grace I may free myselfe from these Daungers, remembring that aswell I myselfe, as all those earthly things that I loue, are to ende, and to tourne into Dust. And with this spirit when I shall beholde a riche, and potent man, whose riches, and power carry my eyes

after him; that Auarice, and Ambition may not ouerthrowe mee, I will remember that hee is but Dust, and that his gould and Siluer is earthe, & that all shall retourne thereinto. And if I see any beau∣tifull woman, that I may not bee tempted, and vanquished by Luxury, I will also remember that shee, and all her Ornaments are Dust, and that therein they shall rest. And with this spirit I will applye these wordes to all things vpon Earthe, saying to myselfe; Remember that what thou seest, and desirest, is Dust, and shall turne into Dust, and Ashes: and if thou doest loue it disordinately, thou likewise shalt bee Dust, and Earthe as it is. There∣fore loue God onely, and celestiall Riches, that by Vertue of his Grace it may bee saide vnto thee: Thou art Heauen, and to Heauen thou shallt re∣tourne, transforming thyselfe by loue into Hea∣uen, which thou louest.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 1.4.