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.

THirdly, I am to consider the continuation, and inuariablenesse of the paines, which goeth togither with eternitie. Pondering that the painer shall in such sorte for euer endure, that they shallbee perpetuall without interruption, and in∣uariable without diminution. So that allbeeit they should continue millions of yeares, yet shall there not bee one onely day of vacation; neither shall the paine cease so much as for an hower, or a moment; neither shall the substantiall paine bee di∣minished, * 1.1 nor haue any refreshing, as is apparent in the riche couetous man, to whome Abraham denied so small a refreshing, as to haue his ton∣gue touched with the tippe of a finger dipped in water. Rather newe accidentall torments shall bee augmented vpon them, by the newe entran∣ce of other damned: and that change which heere vseth to bee a refreshing, (if in hell bee any change) shallbee there as a newe tor∣ment. * 1.2 For if the luxurious (as it is saide in Iob) passe from the ardours of the fier to the waters of snowe, it shall bee, that the heate may more torment them, thorough the warre that it hath with the colde: and the colde may cau∣se the greater trembling, and gnashing of teethe combating with the heate. Finally allthough these torments be so lasting, and continuall, yet custome in suffring gaineth nothing to bee any cause of their ease; rather euery day they are as it were renewed, and waxe greene with

newe impatience. * 1.3 For as the pride of these wretches which abhorre God (saieth the Pro∣phet Dauid) allwayes encreaseth; so likewise en∣creaseth their wrathe, and enuye, their impa∣tience, furye, and rage. Then what sayest thou o my soule, and what doest thou; if thou hast a liuely faithe of such torments, how is it that thy spirit failes not to consider such terriblenesse; such perpetuitye? such continuation? such im∣mutabilitye, and eternitie? If lying in a soft bed, thou feelest it equall with death to passe a long night in watching, and paine, expecting with griefe the refreshing of the day breake; how much more shallt thou feele it, to bee in an obscure prison, in a bed of fier, in perpetuall watching, and in terrible paine, in a night so long, and tedious, that expecteth no refreshing of day breake, because it is eternall? * 1.4 O Iusti∣ce of the allmighty, vvho trembleth not in thy pre∣sence. Deliuer mee, o lord, from thy ovrathe, and chastize mee not in thy furye: but proiect mee vvith thy mercye, that I fall not into so dreade∣full, and eternall a miserie. Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Luc. 16.24.
• * 1.2

  Iob. 24.19.
• * 1.3

  Psalm. 73.23.
• * 1.4

  Colloquie Psalm. 9.2.