Meditations collected and ordered for the vse of the English colledge of Lisbo by the svperiovrs of the same colledge.

THE SECOND MEDITATION. Of the grieuousnesse of sinne, as it is an offence of God.

1. COnsider first, that the malice and defor∣mity of the least mortall sinne is infi∣nite, that is, vvithout limit or compa∣rison foule and horrible; and that by reason of the infinity of God, the person offended. A blovv or affront giuen to a pesant, is an offence, but small; to doe the like to a Citizen, is greater; to a gentleman, greater; to an Earle, Duke, Prin∣ce farre more enormous; but to a King, or an Emperour, novv it seemes to exceede all the limits, all the bounds of humanity. What then shall vve say of an affront, an offence done against almighty God? vvho is euery vvay infi∣nit and boundlesse, in maiesty greatnesse, no∣blenesse, povver, beauty, riches, vvisedome, goodnes &c. cértainely, as hee in himselfe is in∣finitely vvorthy of all reuerence, loue, obedien∣ce; so, vvho soeuer doth mortally offend him, doth vvith most infinite and boundles blame offend against all those his titles and respects.

Conclude, and stand amazed to see vvhat little accoūt vvordlings make of a mortall sinne, and so committ them vvithout number or re∣morse, Bibentes sicut aquam, iniquitatem: drin∣king iniquitie as it vvere vvater. But resolue thou vvith thy selfe, to be vviser, than to offend

the infinite wisedome of God; what a malice is it to contemne infinite goodnes? what a base∣nes, to slight infinite noblenes? but what a fren∣zie, to strike at boundles maiesty? and what a madnes, not to feare omnipotencie?

2. Consider secondly the particular ingrati∣tude and disobedience of mankind aboue all other creatures: no creature in the world hath receiued halfe the fauours from God, that man hath; and yet none of them all, euer offendeth God, but onely man. To them God is onely a Creatour, a Conseruatour, a Gouernour; but to man, he hath shewed himselfe also a Sauiour, a father, a friend, & whatsoeuer else can oblige or force loue: and yet all the vast heauens; the Elements, Earth and Sea with all the beasts, fish, & fowle contained in them, most prompt∣ly and readily obey euery becke of their Crea∣tour; and that with such an vnresistable propen∣sion, that sooner will they sinke into nothing, then swarue from the least of his commands: onely proud man, more obliged to obedience than all, lifteth vp his head against him, brea∣keth his commandements with facilitie, con∣tradicts his will, to comply with his owne plea∣sure and appetite. But thoú wilt say, other crea∣tures of necessity doe, what they doe, so that they cannot gaine say or offend; but man is in∣dued with free will, and so may resist. Alas! this increaseth his ingratitude; to abuse so noble a gift against the giuer; and to dishonour his Creatour in that very thing, which he bestowed

on him, to honour and serue him, in a more no∣ble way than the rest. Conclude, and when any temptation assayleth thee, say; hold, what dost thou man? toades and snakes offend not god; & darest thou offend him &c.

3. Consider thirdly the goodnes, the loue, the clemency, the benignity, the mercy, the sweetnes, the tendernesse, with which our good God doth gouerne, cherish, and maintaine vs all in generall; besides what he hath, & daily doth for thee & mee in particular, worthy euery ones ponderation and gratitude: consider these, I say, and surely if wee haue any feeling in vs, wee shall neuer will fully offend or spurne against so great, so good a Lord; In quo viuimus, mouomur, & sumus. Jn vvhom vve liue moue and be. But if any heart be found so stony, as not to relent at so great a fire; let him lift vp his eyes, and be∣hold before him Christ Iesus, his Sauiour, stret∣ched and nailed vpon the crosse, bathed in his owne bloud, & teares for thee; struggling with the agonies of a most horrible and opprobrious death; and crying out from that height to all faithfull soules, that they would take heed of sinne; that is, spare to crucifie him continually, who hath once most willingly died for them. O what a shame, what a confusion is it for men? who so easily tread vnder feet, and defile the bloud of Christ with their daily sinnes and abo∣minations.

Conclude thou to be none of that number, but wîth true sorrow and contrition, for what

is past, seriously to amend thy life for the future; and that out of gratitude to God & thy Sauiour, seeing that sinne doth so much offend him, and let this his complaint of vngratefull children, serue thee for an antidote; Haeccine reddis Domi∣no, popule stulte & insipiens? nunquid non ipse est Pater tuus, qui fecit te, possedit & creauit te. These things doest thou render to our Lord thou foolish and vnvvise people? is not he thy father that hath made thee, possessed and created thee?

4. Consider fourthly, the monstruous trea∣son, and affront done against God in euery mor∣tall sinne: for vpon the coming of a temptation, God almighty on the one side, placeth himselfe before the soule, with all the titles and obliga∣tions, that shee hath to loue and serue him, of Creatour, Redeemer, Spouse &c. offering her his loue and friendship for euer, promising her heauenly and eternall rewards, if now she will not forsake him, but keepe his law. On the other side the deuill with his slights, and deceits offereth her some little and base toy or other, of a small interest, puntillo of honour, of a beastly delight &c. The sinfull and wretched soule considering and hearing, what both allead∣ge, at length with horrible impietie turneth her back to her God, her Sauiour, and adoreth the deuill, reiecteth Gods friendship, despiseth his promises, renounceth heauen, & in stead of all, maketh choyce of that interest, that delight, for her finall end and happinesse. O accursed frenzy! ô vnheard of treachery of a miscreant wretch!

Conclude with the profoundest humility, shame, confusion and sorrow thou canst for the oftentimes thy soule deceiued, blinded, begui∣led, hath committed this so horrible a treason, and made this desperate trucke: with a solemne protestation, neuer to commit the like any more.