Light in the way to Paradise with other occasionals / by Dvdley the 2d late Ld. North.

A SƲNDAYS Meditation UPON ETERNITY, June 17. 1666.

HAVING set my self to meditate up∣on Eternity, in the everlasting part whereof all the hope of a good Chri∣stian consisteth, I soon perceived that I went about to fathom a bottomless depth, with the bounded line of Reason, shall I then cast off the consideration of a matter so much impor∣ting me? No, let me rather sound the abys∣sus, as far as the line and plummet of reason will reach. My reason tells me that there is a God, the fountain of all being, for the World could not make it self, and that this God neither had beginning, nor can have any end, for otherwise he could not be God, be∣ing

environed with time, time not as the mea∣sure of motion which had a beginning, but as it is part of that Prius, and Posterius, without which the origine and period of any existence cannot be imagined. Upon the foun∣dation of an Eternal God reason concludes, that Eternity it self is, and yet my weakness of understanding is such, as I cannot com∣prehend how any thing should have being without beginning and end. Thus Reason, like an unskilfull Commander, leads me on boldly, but leaves me perplexed and in con∣fusion. Hard it is to find an extrication in this difficulty, and yet upon full consideration this calleth in faith, which being above rea∣son, seemeth abundantly to supply its defects, for according to reason ought I not to receive that for truth which strength of discourse leads me to, though I cannot find the limits of it in my reason, when the same thing is delivered to me for truth, by the highest au∣thority? Let not my gracious God be offend∣ed that I give way to my self to argue upon a subject of this nature, for I am not with∣out hope that I am led to it by Providence, since the thing is of so great consequence to be believed, and since it is no small benefit to have the way cleared in a matter concerning our endless beatitude. But the principles of Faith teach us, besides the confirmation of Eternity in it self, that the Omnipotent Crea∣tor, by mercy in his blessed Son, hath put all

Mankind from a lost condition, into a possi∣bility of enjoying a full share in happy Eter∣nity; and those beloved ones who perform their part in cooperating with him, into an assurance of it. Oh the depth of Man's mi∣sery by the first great transgression! Oh the infinite wisedom of God, whereby he found a way fully to satisfie his own Justice, and yet to make his mercy overflow, even to the putting of Mankind into a condition of bles∣sedness far beyond his first estate in Paradise, so as according to holy Scripture it may true∣ly be said, Where sin abounded, there grace did much more abound.

Soli Deo gloria in aeternum.