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ASHREA: OR, THE GROVE OF BEATITUDES, Repreſented in EMBLEMES: And, by the ART OF MEMORY, To be read on our Bleſſed SAVIOUR Crucifi'd: WITH Conſiderations & Meditations ſuitable to every BEATITUDE.

Hoc pro Beatitudine meâ.

Gen. c. 30.

London, Printed by J. M. for W. Place, at Grayes-Inn Gate in Holborne, 1665.

To the Lady M. B.

Madam,

IT is but juſt, this little Treatiſe ſhould be particularly addreſs'd to you, ſince I am to acknowledge, that the publiſhing of it, at this time, is, partly, an effect of that encouragement, which you ſometime gave me to do it. The GROVE, into which I invite you, is the ſame you thought pleaſant, even upon the firſt view of it. In one reſpect, it is indeed but a little one, as conſiſting, in all, but of Eight Trees; but when you ſhall conſider them, repreſenting to you the Eight great Leſſons of Chriſtian Reſignation, and thoſe again exemplifi'd upon that Tree, whereon the great Work of Man's Redemption receiv'd its period, you will haply think it a place, where though you retire into it every day, you may find new and freſh delights, which you may ſo improve here, as to attain eternal ones hereafter.

I know, Madam, how conſtant a practiſer you are of the Virtues here recommended to you, and to what a height of pious exerciſes you are arriv'd thereby; and conſequently, that your Apprehenſions of Sacred Myſteries need not the aſſiſtances of viſible Objects, ſo much as thoſe of ſome others may, who, moving in a lower Sphear, derive from what they ſee, a deeper and more lively reflection on what they do not. If theſe Endeavours of mine may have an influence onely on theſe latter; if theſe Emblematical Repreſentations be of ſome benefit and advanttage to any, though the leaſt of God's Servants: I ſhall neither think them miſ-beſtow'd, nor be aſham'd of their meanneſs; ſince what is done tends to the Acquiſition of future BEATITUDE, the End, in order to which, we have our preſent Being. That Beatifical State ought to be the Object of our Thoughts, Wiſhes, Words, and Actions; How much I wiſh it to all, let this little Work; how particurarly to your ſelf, Madam, let the addreſſing of it to you, be my Witneſs: with this further aſſurance, that I am,

Madam, Your moſt humble Servant, E. M.

THE PREFACE, Giving a Particular account of the Deſign and Title of this little Work; as alſo of the advantage of Artificial Memory therein.

Courteous Reader,

I Do here preſent thee with a little Grove of Beatitudes, or Happineſſes, which may be Entituled ASHREA, a word, in the Hebrew Tongue, ſignifying a Wood or Grove; derived from Aſhar, which ſignifies to Beatifie or make bleſſed. May it be God's good pleaſure, that this our Grove may produce the like effect, in all thoſe, who ſhall devoutly walk into it.

Man and Beatitude are correlatives; for Man was created for happineſs, and this pre-ordain'd for him. Theſe two are ſo reciprocally link'd, that the word Aſhre (in the ſacred Tongue and plural number) ſignifies both happy Men and Beatitudes. So that, not only in character and ſound, but alſo in ſubſtance theſe two ſeem, as it were, inſeparable.

Now whereas this word Aſhre (Beatitudes and Happy Men) is ſometimes tranſlated Beatitude or happy Man (as appears in the two firſt words of the firſt Pſalm) we may collect a myſtical ſenſe, which is, that Man, happy in the plural number, may (at leaſt in a Cabaliſtical way) denote, as it were, two men; the one, in this World, bleſſed in hope, the other, bleſſed in Heaven by fruition; the one, bleſſed amidſt tears, mourning, perſecution, &c. the other, bleſſed, amidſt joy and eternal repoſe; the one, by Grace, the other, by Glory.

In fine, the verb Aſhar (to beatifie) hath two other ſignifications; the one (in Pihel) to conduct, the other (in Kal) to go or proceed. For, where God conducts by his grace, there man goes forward, and makes ſome progreſs, towards his final Beatitude; in order to the attainment whereof, all our better actions ought to be done. So that when we have performed any good action, we may ſay, with Leah, at her Maid Zilpah's delivery of a Son, HOC PRO BEATITƲDINE MEA, May this, and every action I produce, tend to God's glory, and contribute to the acquiſition of my Beatitude.

I foreſee an Objection which ſome of my Readers may make; and therefore I will endeavour to ſatisfie it. It may be queſtion'd, to what end Artificial Memory ſhould be inſerted here, to render a man mindful of Beatitude, ſince Ariſtotle affirms it to be a Good, which all men deſire; nay, ſo great a one, according to S. Auguſtine, that both good and evil men are deſirous of it? So that being a thing ſo connatural to man, how is it to be imagin'd, he ſhould forget that, which he ſo much deſires? My anſwer is, that it is one thing to deſire Beatitude, and another, to know what it is, and wherein it conſiſts.

Whoſoever, ſaith S. Auguſtine, burns with the flames of Avarice, hoards up wealth to no other end, then to be happy. The like doth the ambitious man to acquire worldly dignities; and the voluptuous, pleaſures, wherein they place their ſeveral Beatitudes. But their happineſs is ſuch as may be conſonant to their vicious and deprav'd deſires, and conſequently inconſiſtent with that true Beatitude, which can be purſu'd only by the good and vertuous.

To open therefore the eyes and ears of mortals, that they might hear and behold true Beatitude, the Son of God incarnate is ſaid to have opened his own mouth, when he preached to his Apoſtles the Eight Beatitudes.

The place, where he pronounc'd theſe eight divive Sentences, was, as S. Hierom thinks, Mount Thabor; and Mount Calvary that, wherein he exemplify'd them in himſelf. So that, as good Examples ſpeak in ſilence; ſo our Bleſſed Lord and Saviour crucifi'd,

1. By his Nakedneſs;
2. By his Head meekly bowing down;
3. By his Eyes weeping;
4. By his Mouth, ſaying, I thirſt;
5. By his Side bleeding;
6. By his pure Heart pierc'd;
7. By his Hands nailed; and laſtly by his Feet; doth teach us what we ought to do in order to our attainment of eternal bliſs.

Behold here the eight places for exerciſe of this pious Art of Memory, wherein the devout Reader may find, as it were written, the Eight Beatitudes, in a Book, which lies always open, to be read, with ſuch large Characters, as the ſhorteſt ſight muſt needs reach, and the weakest memory retain; ſo lively ſet forth, that Beatitude, as in a Cryſtal-Mirrour, ſhall ſtill preſent it ſelf unto us.

1. For, how can I behold Chriſt naked, and not remember how poor he was in Spirit, Will, and Deſire, who, living and dying, had no place whereon to reſt his Head?

2. How can I view his dying Head humbly bowing down, with infinite patience, and not call to mind that, Bleſſed are the meek, who of this meekeſt Lamb, may learn patience and humility?

3. Can I look upon his Eyes, diſtilling tears (for he wept on the Croſs) and be unmindful, amidſt the jollity of a life ſpent in delights and vanities, that they are bleſſed who mourn?

4. Can I fix mine eye on his ſacred Mouth, crying out, I thirſt, and not be preſented with a remembrance of that true happineſs which he pronounc'd to thoſe, who hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs, as he himſelf did, while he conceiv'd himſelf ſtreightned, and thought the time tedious, till his hour was come, to ſuffer, and ſatisfie for us, in all rigor of juſtice?

5. As for his wounded Side, ſtreaming forth bloud and water, how can it but revive and rub up the memory of the dulleſt and moſt unmerciful man? How can he behold that ſide pierc'd, and not be wounded with pity and commiſeration towards the neceſſitous? How can he ſee that ſide exhauſted of its laſt treaſure of precious bloud for his redemption, and yet forget the poor, and not relieve the miſerable?

6. But when he paſſeth further, and by the rift, comes to behold his Saviour's wounded Heart, O what a copious and fertile place is there for a devout Art of Memory! Who reads not there, Bleſſed are the pure of heart? Who finds not there the Urim and Thummim, words which were inſerted in the High Prieſt's Breſt-plate; but now, in a more perfect manner, enclos'd within the pure heart of our High Prieſt Chriſt Jeſus? What illuminations! what ardors, which Urim ſignifie; what perfections! what integrities (expreſſed by Thummim) were confin'd within the narrow limits of that divine heart; which, ſtill open, ſtill invites the ſinner to cleanſe with that ſacred water, and purifie with that precious bloud, his ſpotted and defiled heart? which muſt be, by receiving a wound of true compunction in his own, for the cleanſing whereof the moſt innocent and pure heart of his Lord and Saviour was ſo pierced.

7. Now for as much as there is a ſecret ſympathy and correſpondence between the heart and the hand, who can elevate his eyes to Chriſt's right hand nail'd to the Croſs, and not call to minde, that Bleſſed are the peace-makers; and among them, that great Peace-maker, who, being our Mediator, interpos'd himſelf between God and us, and received the wounds and heavy chaſtiſement, which our heinous ſins deſerved? Who can behold both his hands lifted up to heaven, and not call to mind our innocent Abel, whoſe bloud cries to heaven for mercy, to reconcile us to his Father? Who can ſee thoſe ſacred hands faſten'd to the Croſs, and not reflect, that he ought to be ſo far from inciting others to diſſention, that it ſhould be his main endeavour, to faſten their hands, by an amicable compoſure of their differences, and a charitable mediation between them?

8. Laſtly, inaſmuch as Perſecution belongs to the Feet, either to fly, or ſtay and ſuffer, deſcend from thy Saviour's ſacred Hands, to his Feet, in like manner transfix'd with nails. Who is it that can humbly kiſs the right foot, with a kind of hope to be plac'd on Chriſt's right hand, and forbear to do the like to the left, with a compliant heart, ready to ſuffer perſecution for righteouſneſs ſake? Can our memory ſo far fail us, as, when we fix our eyes on theſe tender feet, to be forgetful, how they were bliſter'd with long journies, in the ſearch of loſt ſouls; and at laſt, how, with weary and feeble ſteps, they aſcended Mount Calvary, to that extream perſecution, thereby to enfranchiſe us, and make us capable of admiſſion into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thus may we behold our ſecond Adam, naked, yet encompaſſed with Beatitudes, that he might cloath the ſinful naked Adam, who was environed with miſeries! If to remember the laſt things be not to ſin; certainly, to be vers'd in this Art of Memory, will be, not only to eſchew evil, but alſo to do good, and to acquire that Beatitude, which makes a man eternally happy.

And whereas I have ſo often mentioned this Art of Memory, I now come to beſtow ſome few lines, by way of direction, to ſatisfie their curioſity, who are lovers of it, in order to the advantage they may make thereof.

LOCAL MEMORY depends on ſeveral places diſpos'd at a certain diſtance one from the other, purpoſely conſign'd to quicken the Memorative power. And this is wrought, by preſenting one thing to it by the repreſentation of ſome other, accompany'd with a reaſon, why that other was there placed. 〈1 page missing〉this means, Remembrance, or Reminiſcence (which is an attendant to Reaſon) preſents us with that which we had otherwiſe forgotten. Nay, to uſe S. Auguſtine's words, We had forgotten it in ſome ſort; yet by that part of the thing, which we remembred (which was the reaſon why) we ſeek the other part, which we remember not. For the Memory being at a loſs for want of a full notion, deſireth what is wanting may be added, which is the Reaſon left in the place, and the thing which I left there, that at my return, I might find it by Reminiſcence.

To render what hath been ſaid the more eaſily comprehenſible by example; My place (which, like the firſt matter, ſtands in an indifferency as to all forms, or as ſoft Wax, ſuſceptible of all impreſſions) ſhall be, Jonas ſwallowed up by the Whale, which I ſeem really to behold. Now if I am, for inſtance, to commit Ʋſury to this place, I give my reaſon to my ſelf, to wit, becauſe it devours men in their Eſtates.

Again, if the word, or matter, of Obedience occur, I place it on the Whale, which, commanded by the power of Heaven, was ready to receive Jonas caſt overboard by the Mariners. If afterwards, at ſome other time, Innocence, either in word or matter, is to be placed on or about the Whale, I diſpoſe it in the jaws of that Monſter, with my reaſon, becauſe they did not cruſh or ſo much as hurt Jonas, in the reception of him.

Nay, to be ſhort, what is there, but may be, according this Art, placed on the Whale ſwallowing Jonas? For inſtance, If ſolemn vows or promiſes; if prayers and repentance, I place them on Jonas. If I would remember Pride, I place it on the Noſtrils of the Whale, ſpouti••out water into the air. If Humility, I place it on Muſculus, a little fiſh, which, as ſome affirm, always goes before the Whale. If Arrogance occur, or Ambition, I lay it on the Mountain of Water, which its vaſt back raiſes up. If Strength and Impetuoſity, I place them on the tail. In fine, if Combination of little ones to confront the greater, I place it on a ſhole of Herrings, attempting to encounter the Whale. The like Method is to be us'd as to other heads. And this is a ſummary account of Local, or Artiſicial Memory.

Now if the Prophet David doubted not to ſay to God himſelf, Why doſt thou turn away thy face? Why haſt thou forgotten to be gracious? And, Lord, remember David and all his troubles; Why may not I (and that, I hope, without offence) affirm, that a kind of Local Memory may be attributed to God? Nay, why not much rather remembrance then forgetfulneſs? The Rain-bow ſhall be in the clouds, ſaith the Text, as ſpoken by God himſelf, And I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlaſting covenant. Here we may ſay, the place conſign'd was the Rain-bow, on which the Covenant, to be remembred, was placed; and by that Rain-bow was prefigured Chriſt, on the Croſs, whom his Father beholding is moved to mercy, and compaſſion towards ſinners.

And why ſhould not we wretched ſinners, whenever we behold, or repreſent to our ſelves this Rain-bow (to wit, Chriſt crucifi'd and faſten'd to the Croſs) diverſifi'd with the ſeveral colours of red, and white, and black, and blew, &c. immediately call to mind what he ſuffred, and for whom he ſuffred? And, why may we not, upon that repreſentation, according to the foreſaid Art, aſſign eight ſeveral places, at certain diſtances, for our better remembrance and practice of the Eight Beatitudes? And whereas the Lord ſaid, that the Rain-bow ſhould be ſeen in the Clouds, why may not the repreſentation of our Saviours bitter Paſſion be our Remembrancer, how that he was encompaſſed, not only with a cloud, but with a total eclipſe of heavineſs and grief? In fine, if God ſaid, that he would look upon the Rain-bow, that he might remember his Covenant; ought not we frequently to imagine to ſelves a ſight of him, who is the Angel of the Covenant, the Prince of Peace, and the Mirrour, and great Exemplar of patience and meekneſs? When we reflect on his nakedneſs on the Croſs, ſhall we not thence derive a certain memento, how poor he was in ſpirit, and ſo of the reſt; with a reaſon, why each Beatitude is conſign'd to its proper place.

It will not be impertinent, in this place, to bring in what S. Auguſtine ſays, in his Boook of Confeſſions, lib. 10. as having reference both to our ſubject, Beatitude, and what we have deliver'd concerning our Art of Memory. All of us, ſaith he, would fain be happy: which if we did not apprehend with a certain kind of notice we could not all deſire it with ſo reſolute a will; which certain kind of notice may be underſtood of the Memory, wherein the knowledge of Beatitude is renewed.

AN INVITATION To the Grove of BEATITUDES.

Emblematically repreſented by Eight Trees.

HEre no Sylvanus haunts our Grove,
 Here no prophane wild Satyrs rove,
 Nor in our glades,
 And bliſsful ſhades,
 Diana and her Nymphs reſort
 To chaſe the nimble Deer, and ſport. 
A fairer wight,
 More pure and bright. 
Than roſie morn, that ſweetly breathes,
 Appears, crown'd with immortal wreathes. 
The Starrie skies,
 With radiant Eyes,
 Are not ſo beauteous, clear, and fair,
 Nor, for the night and day, a pair,
 That glorious ſhine;
 Shee's ſo divine. 

IBeatitude! whom you may ſee,
 Or〈◊〉with a Cornel Tre•, 
Which forward Springs,
 And bloſſoms brings,
 Ere levie ereſts, to ſhrowd appear,
 To wanton with the winds, for here,
 Ʋnknown before,
 In ſpirit poor,
 Beatitude, in her retreat,
 Poor in deſire hath ſixt her feat,
 In Heaven whoſe ſtore,
 Laſts evermore. 

II.Hence paſs along, that you may be
 Bleſt by your ſight, when you ſhall ſee
 This fair one ſit,
 Whom never yet
 Blind mortals found. Then for her ſeek,
 A Lady humble, gentle, meek,
 Whoſe powerful Hand,
 Doth ſeize the Land;
 Like is this Arched Tree, which ſends
 A thouſand ſhoots, for ſo ſhe bends
 Down to the Earth,
 Bleſt by the birth
 Of humble thoughts, which deeply take
 Firm root in Heaven, and happy make,
 For ever bleſt,
 When ſhee's poſſeſs'd. 

III.The weeping Myrrh-Tree next in fight,
 Is ſhading this ſad mourning wight:
 for as this Tree
 Diſtills, ſo ſhe
 Drops Orient Pearls, which ſhining, are,
 Then Indian Gems, more precious far,
 Which never ſoil:
 Sad Grief's the foil. 

IV.Move farther yet into our Grove,
 And view the Tree which bears the Clove,
 Bloom'd like a nail,
 You ſhall not fail
 To find her, where, upon the ground
 She (thirſting) ſits encompaſs'd round,
 Midſt ſuch a plot,
 As yet could not
 Admit a nanghty weed to grow;
 The ſap of Grace ſhee's thirſting ſo,
 Which doth impart
 Life to the Heart. 

V.Shee's gone from thence, fly, fly, make baſtes
 To follow her, and find her plac'd
 Ʋnder the ſhade,
 A Tree hath made,
 Bears Adam's Apples: No time's loſt,
 To ſplit them, and behold how croſt
 Is every fruit,
 Which well doth ſuit
 With her, who, wounded deep with Grief,
 Feeles others wants, and gives relief. 
And when you ſee,
 Ʋpon this Tree,
 Large ſpreading leaves, know ſhe is bleſt,
 Findes Mercy, cauſe ſhe joyes to veſt
 The naked poore
 Tangment her ſtore. 

VI.Yet f••ther chaſe this glorious wight,
 Be ſure to keep her ſtill in ſight,
 Whom if you loſe,
 Your Hearts repoſe
 In bliſs is gone. See where retir'd
 Shee (〈◊〉) fits, by Heaven inſpird,
 With Silver Breaſt,
 To take her reſh,
 Where Figgs upon the Tree were green,
 And hard; until a Gnat was ſeen
 To be ſo kind,
 As wound the rind;
 Whoſe〈◊〉drop deſcends〈◊〉were,
 In Aemulation of a Tear,
 Fallne from her Eyes,
 Which you may prize,
 By bleſſings which each doth impart,
 To waſh and cleanſe an ordur'd Heart,
 And purifie
 Th' affected Eye. 

VII.Shee's riſen thence, purſue her ſtill,
 You ſhall, you muſt, y••〈◊〉nill,
 Nor covet leſs
 Than happineſs. 
Behold this active Virgin ſits,
 Where the ſweet amorous Wood-Bind knits
 With claſping Arms,
 And powerful Charmes,
 A neighbouring pair of Stands which fought
 Blown by the winds, till round about
 It guirdes, and bindes,
 And clings and windes;
 Like her who never doth ſurceaſe
 (Beatitude!) to link, make peace,
 Ʋnite with bands,
 Both Hearts and Hands. 

VIII.In fine: This Lady yet removes
 Ʋnto a ſtreading Vine, which loves
 (That it may bear In time of year)
 To have her branches prun'd, and gyves
 To bind her Arms, for ſo ſhe thrives,
 Fixt to a wall. 
But ſeeming thrall
 Is Perſecution, which, who takes,
 And (patient) hears, be muck forſakes,
 And leaves his hold
 Of droſs, for Gold. 
What then is he, ſo groſs, and rude,
 That covets not Beatitude? 
1. In Spirit poor,
 T' abound with ſtore? 
2. Meek to poſſeſs,
 True happineſs? 
3. Mourn midſt annoy,
 To reap with joy? 
4. Thirſt, Hunger ſtill,
 To have his fill? 
5. Pittiful-kind,
 Mercy to find? 
6. Pure-hearted, ſee,
 And Bleſled be? 
7. Peaceful in Life,
 Compoſing ſtrife? 
8. Suffer, and take
 Affliction, make? 
A Crown on Earth, in Heaven of Light,
 When fair Beatitude, more bright,
 Shall be compleat in God, th' Abyſs
 Of joy, and everlaſting Bliſs. 

ASHREA: OR, The Grove OF BEATITUDES: Repreſented in EMBLEMES.

THE Eight BEATITUDES.

Bleſſed are the poor in Spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Bleſſed are they that mourn: for they ſhall be comforted.
Bleſſed are the meek: for they ſhall inherit the Earth.
Bleſſed are they which do hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſs: for they ſhall be filled.
Bleſſed are the merciful: for they ſhall obtain mercy.
Bleſſed are the pure in heart: for they ſhall ſee God.
Bleſſed are the Peace-makers: for they ſhall be called the Children of God.
Bleſſed are they which are perſecuted for Righteouſneſs ſake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Firſt BEATITUDE. Bleſſed are the poor in Spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

[EMBLEME I. The Cornel-Tree. Tam nudus natus homo-1:

THis Cornelia, or Cornel-Tree, in February begins to bloom, and bears bloſſoms long before there is any appearance of Leaves, to ſecure and ſhrowd them from the injuries of Wind and Weather. This is the true Embleme of Man, who is born naked, and ſprings forth like a tender Bloſſome; As Job ſaith, Naked came I from the womb of my Mother, and naked ſhall I return.

From which we may learn this Leſſon, That as man is born poor and naked in Body, ſo ſhould he be in Spirit; that is, in Will and Deſire; ſeeing that as he brought nothing into this World, ſo ſhall he not carry any thing out of it.

Now foraſmuch as man is naturally too apt to be over-ſollicitous for the things o•this World, he may learn from this Cornell-Tree, That if he make it his firſt Endeavour to bud, and bloſſome, and fructifie in Virtue, a ſhort time will furniſh him with all the conſequent Advantages and Conveniences of Humane Life. For, this Tree does afterwards plentifully bring forth Leaves, to ſhelter and ſhadow its Fruit: As if it ſhould ſay, according to our Bleſſed Saviour's expreſſion, Firſt ſeek the Kingdom of Heaven; firſt bloom in Virtue,5 nouriſh'd by the ſap of Grace, ſpreading it ſelf from the Root of Chriſtian Humility, into all the Boughs and Branches; that is, into all your Actions; and all other things ſhall be added unto you. Leaves ſhall not be wanting, that is, Cloaths to cover you; beſides other Neceſſaries, which are all in fine but Leaves: Nay, Honours and Dignities, what are they but withering Leaves? What, Wealth or rich Apparel, but Leaves, whereof Man is ſoon deſpoil'd, and left poor and naked? What, voluptuous Pleaſures, but Leaves, which ſo ſoon as enjoy'd ſhrink up and vaniſh?

Oh! what a bleak Autumn and Fall of the Leaf (ſudden, and unexpected) is that we find in this our Vale of Miſery! Who then would not be poor in Spirit, and naked in his Affections to the leafy Creatures of this tranſitory Life, that he may bloom to Eternity?

This is the poverty, which lightneth the heart of Man, formerly clogg'd with too much care and follicitude. With this poverty of Spirit a Man runs freely towards Heaven his Country.

With this is accompanied Humility, which leſſeneth Man to himſelf, that he may lie hidden and ſecure, like a Bloſſom, under the Leaves, never to be blaſted with Pride.

On this Humility Patience attends, and enables a Man to ſuffer with Chriſt. It is the Enemy and Self-love that ſurcharge Man with worldly cares, riches, and vices; which are but Leaves, without the Bloſſoms of Virtue. Theſe are they which puff up Man with ambitious thoughts, that he, high aſpiring, may find a precipice. Theſe incite great Spirits to toil and labour; yet ſo as that, out of breath even to the World, they may happily at laſt reflect on Chriſt crucified, and, in his nakedneſs, read, Bleſſed are the poor in Spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Might not he be ſaid to be poor in Spirit, that lies gaſping and labouring for breath, while every minute he apprehends Death at his Elbow, ready to ſtifle him? To be as poor in Spirit in another ſenſe, is to conceive the like; That death is neighbouring as neer unto us, which when it comes, diſmantles the covetous Heart of Man, as well as his Body. Why then ſhall not I prevent him, by being diſengag'd from the extream deſire of Riches, and verifie what S. Jerome aſſures us to be true;Caput jam caneſcit, prope est aest as vitae, falx acuitur, inſtat meſſor terribil•. Gr. Nazianz. That He eaſily contemns all things, who is always thinking that he ſhall die:7 That, if his Body be a flouriſhing green Meadow, Death, the Mower, is at hand: That, if it be a beauteous Flower, in an inſtant 'tis cropt: And finally, If his Life be but a vapour, it is ſoon diſpell'd.

Ah! what an earthy ſubſtance interpoſeth 'twixt the Heart of Man and the Sun of Juſtice! And what a dark Eclipſe is thereby cauſed in their Souls who are not poor in Spirit?

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE I. BEATITUDE.Of our Bleſſed Saviour's Nakedneſs upon the Croſs.

THe Crucifix, or Repreſentation of our Bleſſed Saviour crucifi'd, is a Book, wherein may be read the Eight Beatitudes, preached by him when he was upon Earth, as ſome conceive on Mount Thabor; and afterwards exemplifi'd in him on Mount Calvary.

At firſt aſpect, as your eye reflects on Chriſt crucified, you behold him naked, by which you may read the firſt Beatitude, Bleſſed are the poor in Spirit; that is to ſay, poor in Will and Deſire of having any thing of this World; and therefore he would die as naked as he came into it: Teaching us hereby, how naked we ſhould be in our Affections, ready to be deſpoil'd of worldly Riches for his ſake; And ſo poor in Spirit, as to loſe our laſt breath, rather then deny our Faith, or him, by preferring his Creatures before him.

Conſider how poor our Lord and Saviour was in Spirit, who did annihilate and evacuate himſelf, taking upon him the form of a Servant; And how, for thy Redemption, he gave himſelf unto thee, and for thee; to reſtore thee to thy ſelf, who wert loſt and utterly undone by ſin.

Now ſeeing he may wholly claim thee by right of Creation, whereby he gave thee to thy ſelf; what haſt thou left to render unto him for thy Redemption? In the Creation of the World he ſpake the word, and it was done; but to redeem Man, he ſpake, did, and ſuffered that for which thou art infinitely indebted.

Say then with the Prophet David, What ſhall I render to our Lord for all that which9 he hath given me: He deſires but my ſelf, poor in Spirit, and naked in mine Affections to the tranſitory things of this Life; which cannot be, till I abandon my ſelf, whom while I cheriſh and pamper, through diſordinate love, I ſhall ſtill be coveting the pelf of the World, pleaſures, dignities, and ſelf-eſteem; ſo far from being poor in Spirit, Will, and Deſire, that I am involv'd and cloath'd, as it were, with a burthen of earthly Cares and Concupiſcences, which having caſt off by poverty of Spirit, we walk more freely towards Heaven our Country.

A Begger, the more naked he appears, the more he moves to pity and compaſſion, and with more confidence intrudes to receive an Alms then another in better Apparel. So, to beg an Alms from God, from whom every good and perfect gift deſcends, preſent thy ſelf as naked and poor in Spirit as thou canſt: Acknowledg thy ſelf to have been hitherto an unprofitable ſervant; naked, as to all deſert; poor and abject in Spirit, not having ſerv'd him with alacrity in time of afflictions, croſſes, or deſolations of ſoul.

Then make a generous reſolution for the time to come, with a humble reſignation, to deſire or have nothing but with conformity10 to his holy Will and Pleaſure, and ſay;

O moſt poor, and moſt enriching Lord, who doſt inveſt and cloath all, yet on the Croſs art naked: Bounteous in thy ſpiritual Graces and Favours; yet ſo poor in Spirit and Deſire, that thou haſt no place whereon to reſt thy dying head; yet haſt promiſed a Kingdom to thoſe who, with thee, are poor in Spirit. Behold, I renounce here whatſoever the flattering World ſhall allure me with: I abandon all rather than forſake thee: Nay, not only theſe exterior things; but I alſo deſire to be ſo naked and poor in Spirit, as not to have a Memory, but to call to mind and think often of thy infinite Mercy and Love towards me; no Ʋnderſtanding, but to ruminate and ſeriouſly ponder thy manifold Sufferings, and Benefits conferred on me; no Will, but to love thee, and my Neighbour in, and for thee: In ſuch ſort, that being entirely reſign'd to thy holy Will and Pleaſure, I may ſay with thine Apoſtle, I live; now not I, but Chriſt lives in me.

Were not he in ſome ſort poor in Spirit, that ſhould (if it were poſſible) live and breathe move and ſpeak, by〈…〉11own? Such was S. Paul's, in whom Chriſt (I may ſay) lived and breath'd, mov'd and ſpake.

Contrariwiſe, How rich were he in Spirit (in Will and Deſire) whoſe Soul ſhould be wholly addicted to Self-love, and proper Intereſt? That breathes nothing wherein Chriſt is concerned, but purſues only Ambition, (a Spirit that ſwells and puffs up the heart?) That moves not but by the agitation of a coveting Spirit: Like a Silkworm; in fine, to involve it ſelf in a web of darkneſs and oblivion:

It is a great and ſhameful abuſe (ſaith S. Bernard) for Man (a poor and abject Worm) greedily to covet Riches, for whom the Lord of Majeſty vouchſafed to bee poor. A ſhame to be always toiling and weaving like a Silk-worm; which as it ſhrowds it ſelf more and more, is the nearer death, to leave to Poſterity a ſilken web for Pride; as a Parent doth often-time his Inheritance, after a life unhappily conſum'd in avaritious Deſires, which, like a gloomy Cloud, had ſo darkened the eye of the Soul, that ſhe (which had been infus'd into the Body like a ray from Heaven) was even obſcurity it ſelf: As S. Auguſtine complains; The blindneſs of mans heart is ſo great, and the inward ear of the Soul ſo deaf, that he deſires12 to have all things but himſelf; which muſt be ſuch a Self, as he may truly ſay with David, What is there in Heaven for me? and (being poor in Spirit) what do I deſire on Earth but thee? My fleſh and heart faints and languiſheth; my Spirit is poor and enfeebled, to all that which this World preſents me with; Thou (O Lord) art the God of my heart, my portion, my God for ever.

Unhappy then are the avaritious, who have a god (Gold their Idol,) but not for ever; rich in the deſire of earthly traſh, but unhappily poor in Spirit; that aſpire not to the poſſeſſion of that Treaſure which no ruſt ſhall canker, nor length of time conſume.

How can I behold the naked Bloſſom ſpringing from the Cornell-Tree in cold February, and not remember how I came into this wretched World, expoſed to Hunger, Thirſt, cold, heat, wearineſs, Infirmities, Death? Poor Bloſſom Man! How ſoon blaſted, how ſuddenly withered! which all thy leafy Riches cannot prevent. Who then would not rather be poor in Spirit? as naked in his Affections to worldly pelf, as his Saviour dying naked on the Croſs? But naked, to enrich me; hungring and thirſting there, but to ſave me; cold, to infuſe into my13 Soul the ardors of his Love; expos'd to heat, but to quench my immoderate Deſires; weary, to refreſh me; weak, to ſtrengthen me; and finally, dying, to give me a life of eternal Beatitude, in a Kingdom which he hath promiſed to the poor in Spirit.

I will conſider why King Danid is ſaid to have ſwept his Spirit, meditating with his heart in the night. Was it not by ſweeping, to caſt out of doors the duſt of worldly cogitations, and terrene deſires; which, like duſt, obſcures and even blinds the eyes of the Soul? Was he not poor in Spirit, when he had ſwept together and caſt out the duſt of tranſitory things, that he might contemplate the eternal? Therefore he ſaid in the precedent verſe, That he had thought of the ancient days and time of Mans life, wherein he enjoys Riches and worldly felicity; to which he oppoſing the Riches of Heaven and Eternity, ſays, He retain'd in mind the everlaſting years.

If we have our ſeveral rooms in the vaſt habitacle of our Soul, none is ſo often to be ſwept as that where intrudes ſollicitude to be harboured, accompanied with care and anxiety of mind, together with fear, that preſents us with the future loſſes or croſſes which may occur: And therefore, for prevention,14 all the powers of the Soul are ſummoned to be vigilant and cautious, for the ſafegard and increaſe of wealth, by which poverty in Spirit and Will is caſt out of doors.

The Second BEATITUDE. Bleſſed are the meek: for they ſhall inherit the Earth.

[EMBLEME II. The Indian Fig-Tree. Sic ſuvat eſse tenacem-2:

THis Tree, above all others, may be ſaid to be poſſeſſed of, or to inherit the Earth: For the Branches of it, bending downwards to the ground, no ſooner touch it, but they immediately take root, and grew up into other Trees, which afterwards produce others; ſo that in time they ſpread over all the ground they meet with; and yet all, though ſtragling over a great quantity of ground, way be ſold to be but one Tree. Another thing commonly obſerv'd of theſe Trees is, that they afford a ſecure retreat, not only to the wild Boars, and other Beaſts, but alſo to the Inhabitants of thoſe Countries where they grow, who, having garriſon'd themſelves within them, defie all Enemies.

In like manner, a pious and fructifying Soul, in order to her poſſeſſion of the Land of the Living, produceth many active thoughts, diffuſes her ſelf into good actions; which yet obeying the check of Humility, deſcends, to be more deeply rooted. Thus the Meek〈◊〉on and lay hold of that which is their heavenly Inheritance, de virtute in virtutem, paſſing from one Virtue to another, and ſaying with S. Auguſtine, As yet I follow; yet I profit; yet I walk; yet I am in the way; yet I dilate my ſelf yet I arrive not.

Behold, how like this Indian Fig-Tree, the devout Soul makes her progreſs, and advances forward, ſtill taking new root, ſtill laying faſter hold, never accounting her ſelf ſecure, or that ſhe hath done enough, as ſubmitting to the advice of the ſame S. Auguſtine, to wit, this; Let that which thou art always diſpleaſe thee, if thou wilt arrive to what thou art not. For (ſaith he elſewhere) wherever thou makeſt a ſtop, without proceeding any further, there thou pleaſeſt only thy ſelf. A man muſt not therefore ſix a Ne plus ultra to his better thoughts and Actions, but go on, like this Tree, and be continually ſupply'd with good Deſires, as that produceth new ſhoots, which as it were graſp the Earth, to take a firmer and fuller poſſeſſion thereof.

Moreover, we finde by experience, that when a Tree is ſlightly planted, or its roots decay'd, there needs no great ſtorm to overthrow it. Such is that man who is not humbly meek and patient: One violent puff of anger is able to diſpoſſeſs him of the Land; yea, and of his own Soul, which cannot be poſſeſs'd but by patience, nor by any but the meek and humble.

Now if you demand why the meek are rather ſaid to poſſeſs the Land, than any other Element; I anſwer, While our Saviour18 was mortal, he appeared to his Diſciples walking on the waves of the Sea, to intimate thereby the mutability of man during this life: But after his Reſurrection, having a glorified Body, he ſtood on the firm Land, to ſignifie (as S. Gregory expounds) that after this life man ſhall enjoy a permanent tranquillity and repoſe in the Land of the Living.

The Earth patiently (as I may ſay) ſupports all, and continues immovable: So doth the meek and humble man; while the haughty and impatient are inconſtant, like the Air; turbulent, like the Sea; and crackle and ſparkle, like the Fire.

When the like happeneth unto thee, reflect thine eye on the ſacred Head of thy Redeemer meekly bowing down, while the ungrateful Jews revile and blaſpheme againſt him, where he ſaith, Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you ſhall find reſt in your Souls, tranquillity in your though is, and, in fine, that ſolid land that ſhall render you for ever happy; the Land of the living, which I now purchaſe for you; the Land of Promiſe, into which I am your Joſhua to conduct you; from Egypt (the World) a Land of Servitude, to a Land of Freedom and Immunity;19 from feeding on Garlick and Onions, to taſte the ſweet Repaſt of Angels.

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE II. BEATITUDE.Of the bowing down of our Bleſſed Saviour's Head.

HAving in the precedent Beatstude learn'd a leſſon of Poverty, by the conſideration of our Saviours nakedneſs on the Croſs, behold here his ſacred Head meekly bowing down, whereby is expreſſed the ſecond Beatitude, Bleſſed are the meek; for they ſhall inherit, or poſſeſs, the Earth. Now as thoſe Waters which lye next the Shore, may be ſaid to poſſeſs the Shore, at leaſt during a Calm, ſo it can only be affirmed of the meek and patient man, that he poſſeſſeth his Soul; according to the words of our Saviour, In your patience you ſhall poſſeſs your Souls; and,20 Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you ſhall find reſt to your Souls; a quiet calm, and ſweet repoſe.

To be meek, is to converſe without giving offence, and to bear injuries without thought of Revenge, or perturbation of Mind; as our Lord did, with head meekly inclin'd, while the Jews uttered Blaſphemies and Contumelies againſt him.

Having this Precedent ſtill before my eyes, I will reſolve in this Book to ſtudy meekneſs and patience, not rendring evil for evil, but by good to overcome evil.

And the better to conceive the excellency of Meekneſs, I will make a lively repreſentation to my ſelf of the Vice which is contrary thereto, by a ſwelling and tempeſtuous Sea, whoſe Billows, rais'd by the Winds, violently beat againſt the Rocks on the Shore. Foaming thus with fury are the wrathful and impatient.

Then reflect thine eye on our Lord meekly bowing down his Head, like a calm Sea, or like a Sheep deſpoil'd of his Fleece, naked on the Croſs, opening not his mouth, but to pray for his Enemies, ſaying, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Think what Land it is which the meek21 ſhall poſſeſs. If the Earth thy Body, thou ſhalt have poſſeſſion of it, and dominion over it by meekneſs, while thy Paſſions are ſubject to reaſon. Contrariwiſe, the wrathful are ſo tranſported, that loſing as 'twere themſelves, they are caſt out of poſſeſſion of themſelves, while the Heart ſwells with Envy, the Eyes ſparkle with Fury, the Feet are running, and the Hands ready to execute Revenge; like one fallen into a deep River, who not able to ſwim nor touch ground with his Feet, is overwhelmed, and in danger of drowning.

Behold the ſtate of an angry and revengeful Man, who poſſeſſeth not the Land of ſolid Patience, being wholly drown'd in his turbulent Paſſions; loſeth himſelf utterly for a time, as a man diſtraught; whom by meekneſs God ſhould here poſſeſs in the Land of the Dying, that he may be poſſeſſed of God for ever in the Land of the Living, which is promiſed to the meek.

Let him therefore who is become ſo abſolutely a ſlave to that paſſion, make this ſhort Ejaculation to the great Exemplar of Meekneſs.

O patient Redeemer and meek Lamb, who takeſt away the ſins of the World; If by beholding the brazen Serpent, the poyſon of Serpents was expelled; how22 can I behold thee, the pure and unſpotted mirror of Meekneſs, and yet retain enmity and rancor in my heart? If no ſtorms and bluſtring winds are predominant at Sea, while the Halcyon is neſtling and brooding neer the ſhore, grant all ſtormy Paſſions may be allay'd by thy powerful preſence in my heart; by thee only, who art the ſolid Land, and my total happineſs; which I beſeech I may poſſeſs here on Earth by Grace, and afterwards in Glory.

Let Worldlings contend, and vex themſelves about recovery or poſſeſſion of Lands, of which they muſt in fine be diſpoſſeſs'd; It is good for me to adhere to God, and ſeek him in the Land of the Living, where the humble, meek, and patient (whoſe Hearts on Earth were a place of ſweet repoſe) enjoy him in eternal tranquillity.

The Kingdom of Heaven is within you (ſaith our Lord:) And conſequently, that firm and compleat tranquillity of Heaven begins on Earth by Grace, to be perfected by Glory. Within this little Kingdom of ours, what a commotion is rais'd by wrath! what a perturbation by enmity! what a rebellion, when Meekneſs and Patience is baniſhed out of the Soul by Paſſion!

When ſuch mutinies therefore ariſe within me, whither ſhall I haſten for redreſs? To whom ſhall I ſeek for aſſiſtance? but to the wounded Head of my Saviour, meekly bowing down to give me the kiſs of Peace, and infuſe meekneſs into my Soul! But now (alas!) he is not able by words to command the ſtorm to ceaſe, as he did when his Apoſtles feared drowning. No. But will it not ſuffice to pacifie thee (O my Soul) enrag'd, to behold thy Lord and meek Lamb more firmly fix'd by patience and meekneſs, then by the nails that transfix'd his hands and feet? What a commotion was then in the Univerſe? the Earth opening, Rocks ſplitting, the Temples Veil rending, the Thief reviling, and the Jews blaſpheming. And if at that time the Stars were ſhining, they were like ſo many Eyes to admire the wonderful meekneſs and patience of our Redeemer.

In fine, If the corporal Eye, dull'd and dazled with a long and tedious aſpect of glittering objects; If (I ſay) that be refreſh'd by looking ſtedfaſtly on a green Emerald, ſhall not the ſight of his ſacred Head meekly inclining, be as powerful to baniſh from the inward Eye that dark cloud of paſſionate wrath that circumvolves and ſtupifies the intellectual part?

I will go (ſaid Moſes) and behold this great Viſion, why the buſh that burns conſumes not. For could he expect leſs than a crackling noiſe from a thorny Buſh environed with Flames? If this were miraculous, what is it to behold that very God of Abraham, God of Iſaac, and God of Jacob (which appeared in the Buſh) with a Head meekly bowing down, wreath'd with a Crown of Thorns, amidſt flames of Love, burning, but not conſuming; meekly hearing the Jews, and patiently ſuffering, while they blaſphem'd, revil'd, and ſcorn'd him? O my Soul, what a great Viſion is this to iuvite thee to meekneſs and patience! Thou likewiſe art inclos'd as in a thorny Buſh, (thy Body) where for a light injury, or ſmall affront, thou doſt not only burn, but art even conſum'd with the flame of wrath and indignation, ſparkling and crackling like a Fire amongſt Thorns.

To prevent the like flames of fury, go ſometimes to ſee this great Viſion, the Head of thy Saviour crown'd with Thorns, meekly bowing down, and as it were beckning unto thee, to come and learn of him, to be meek and humble of heart; learn to poſſeſs thy ſelf, and thereby take poſſeſſion of the Land which he hath promiſed25 to the meek and humble of heart.

God placed in the Clouds his bended Rain-bow that he might be mindful of his Covenant; and on the Croſs he hath fix'd his only begotten Son, whoſe head meekly bending while he beholds, he becomes a meek and merciful God to man, who by his manifold ſins provokes him to wrath. How then, canſt thou elevate thine eyes ſparkling with wrath againſt them that injure thee, and not be pacified, when thou beholdeſt this meek wounded Head, bowing down to give thee the kiſs of Peace: meekly hearing, and patiently bearing blaſphemous words and wrongs that were ſo outragious and injurious to Innocence? What then ſhould a guilty ſoul patiently ſuffer for his ſake? If His ſacred head be crown'd with ſharp thorns, wouldſt thou have thine (notwithſtanding) be encompaſſed with Roſes? If his head meekly bow down, ſhall thine be rais'd up by pride? or threaten revenge to them that offend thee? Finally, if his brow pierc'd with thorns, be not any way contracted with wrinkles againſt his enemies, ſmooth thy furrowed brow by meekneſs, and, for his ſake, and according to his example, love even thoſe that hate thee.

The Third BEATITUDE Bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall be comforted.

[EMBLEME III. The Myrrhe-Tree. Tam lachrymoſus homo — 3:

THe Myrrhe-Tree, of it ſelf naturally diſtil's, and, as it were, ſheds tears; but more abundantly when it is prick'd and wounded. Behold the Embleme and Type of Man, who is born weeping, as being (to uſe Saint Auſtin's expreſſion) a Prophet preſaging his own future calamities.

Man likewiſe naturally weeps for the loſs or death of a dear friend; ſo doth a Parent for his loſt, or deceaſed Child; as Jacob did for Joſeph, and David for his Son Ahſalon. Such tears ought to be moderate, according to the ſaying of the Son of Sirach, Modicùm plora ſuper mortuum: Weep not much over the dead.

Temporal loſſes and afflictions do alſo force tears, from thoſe who ſuffer them, as they did from Job cap. 24. v. ult. My harp alſo is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.

But when a man ſheds tears out of remorſe and compunction, he is wounded like the Myrrh-Tree. Thus was David wounded, when he ſaid, In the night-time, I will waſh my bed with my tears. What ſins how great and enormous ſoever, but may be ſwallowed up in ſuch a flood, as Pharaoh and his Army was in the red Sea? Or28 what Flames can be ſo great, as not to be extinguiſh'd by ſuch a fountain?

There are likewiſe tears of Compaſſion, as Job ſays, I wept over him that was afflicted, and my ſoul took compaſſion on the poor. After this manner, David weeps for Saul; and Tobias for his Countrey men, oppreſs'd with miſeries.

With like tears of Commiſeration, we may mourn with our Lord, while we meditate on his bitter Paſſion: for, as S. Aguſtine ſays, He is not a true member of Chriſts Body, that weeps not with the Head.

There are likewiſe tears of Devotion, which iſſue forth out of an ardent deſire to enjoy the happy Viſion of God. Or, when a devout Soul, repleniſhed with the ſweetneſs of God, mourns for the abſence of her beloved Spouſe. For, Love (ſaith S. Auguſt. ) is impatient, neither is there any moderation in tears, unleſs the Lover may enjoy that which he loves.

Tears likewiſe are ſhed by devout perſons, when they behold grievous ſins committed, which are ſo injurious and offenſive to Almighty God. After this manner Eſdras wept, and the Apoſtles for their Lord, when he was ſo cruelly treated by the Jews, as he had foretold, ſaying, you ſhall mourn and weep.

Moreover, tears are ſhed by thoſe, who, out of Devotion, and exceſs of ſpiritual joy, even melt with the contemplation of heavenly Myſteries. Which kind of joy, S. Auguſtine had experienced, when he aſſures us, that the more a devout Soul is filled with holy and fervent deſires, the more abundantly he weeps in Prayer; and mourns, as David did, crying out, Ay is me that my ſojourning and abode on earth is prolonged: I have dwelt with the inhabitants of Kedar; my ſoul hath been a long time a ſtranger. Therefore my tears have been bread to me day and night, while it is ſaid unto me, Where is thy God?

Our bleſſed Saviour ſpeaking of his Paſſion, calls it a Baptiſm, by which his ſacred body was bathed in blood, and his face in tears, like the Myrrhe-tree wounded on all ſides and parts of his body with thorns, whips, nails, and ſpear. Behold him in this ſad and heavy plight, mourn and weep with him, while he exemplifies in himſelf the third Beatitude, Bleſſed are they who mourn, for they ſhall be comforted.

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE III. BEATITUDE.Of the Eyes of our Bleſſed Saviour weeping.

IN this third Beatitude, conſider a happineſs oppoſite to fleſh and blood, viz. to weep and mourn; which our Lord did many times, but never was ſeen to laugh. He mourn'd and wept on the Croſs, and was comforted; ſeeing by the effuſion of tears, and blood, he was to redeem us from the tyranny of Satan.

Mourning is an attendant as unſeparable from man, as the ſhadow from the body. He that condoles the death of a dear friend, mourns in black for a year. How long then, ſhall he mourn that lives as an exile upon earth! If he call to mind his manifold ſins, how can he do leſs then mourn? Or, if he ſeriouſly think of the dreadful day of Judgment, how can he but fearfully conſider what he ſhall be, and mourn, not knowing the event. Or, if he fix his31 thoughts on the many miſeries and dangers of this Life, ſhould he not mourn, conſidering where he is? Or finally, elevating his eyes from the reſidence of mortality, can he contemplate the joyes of Heaven, and not aſpire and ſigh with David, becauſe his ſojourning is prolong'd? not mourn, becauſe he is not where he would be?

O my Soul, What haſt thou been? Sinful. Where ſhalt thou be? As yet it is unknown. Where art? A Priſoner in thy Body, in a vale of tears. Where art thou not? Not in Heaven; not with God thy Centre, but in the way a Pilgrim going towards him. Run, then, that thou mayſt comprehend; And ſeeing to be diſſolv'd, and he with Chriſt is thy happineſs, weep with him, that with him, and by him, thou mayſt be comforted.

Here pauſe a while, and then conſider; To contemn the world, is to be poor in Spirit. To have Repoſe of Mind is to be meek; after which follows Mourning. For if a Man attend to himſelf and others, he ſhall find nothing but what is lamentable, while he beholds his own, and all the enormous crimes of the world, which is altogether bent to malignities; Who then can be ſo inſenſible as not to mourn? ſo drie as not to ſhed one tear?

O my Soul, Is it thou which art ſo barren? If to ſuffer with Chriſt be to reign with him; to be comforted, thou muſt weep with him. If he call thy ſins his own, if he mourn for thine, as if they were his own; if he ſhed tears, to waſh away thy ſinful blotts: canſt thou forbear weeping? Canſt thou be ſo ſtony-hearted, as not to be transfixt with grief, ſeeing his tender Heart wounded, and his Eyes ſhedding tears for thy ſins? Not one tear for thy ſelf, while he ſhowers down ſo many to purifie, and cleanſe thy feſtering Heart, ſoyl'd with ſo many Crimes!

O bleſſed Saviour! Thou art the true Moſes, and haſt a Rod to ſtrike, as well as to guide; wound (I beſeech thee) this ſtubborn Rock of mine, this obdurate Heart, that it may bleed with grief, and ſorrow for my ſins; That mine Eyes may guſh forth with tears: for this is the onely grief which I deſire; this, the mourning which produceth Conſolation: for thou haſt ſaid it, Bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall he comforted; in this Life, with ſpiritual ſolace, given to true penitents; and in the future, with perpetual joy, in perfect Beatitude.

Perfect Beatitude! Compleat Happineſs! O! ſhall I not mourn to find comfort33 there? Or ſhall I rather ſeek the fleeting Pleaſures, and tranſitory Conſolations of worldly felicity: which to enjoy, is inſtantly to be reduc'd to mourning. Shall I not (then) mourn, and ſigh after thoſe Comforts, which, once obtain'd, ſhall exempt me from all mourning?

Alaſs! Whither can I caſt mine Eye in this vale of tears, and not behold an Object that extracts tears, and invites to mourning? Here I behold manifold diſeaſes; There dyſaſtrous and untimely deaths; In this place, mortal Hatred accompanied by Revenge; In that, I hear Detractions, horrible Oaths, and Blaſphemies, with infinite miſeries and calamities. And if I reflect an Eye on my ſelf, what mutinies of rebellious Paſſions and diſordinate Appetites I diſcover in my own boſom, which made even Saint Paul himſelf mournfully to cry out, Ay me! unhappy Man, Who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death, that is, from a body which cauſeth a ſpiritual death to the Soul.

Notwithſtanding all this, ſhall I think to transform this our vale of tears into a Paradiſe of delights? This our gloomy ſhade and ſhadow of death, into a ſolid ſubſtance of joy and contentation? Do I34 not know that Enoſh (a Man, in the Hebrew Tongue) ſignifies one ſubject to diſeaſes, infirmities, and miſeries? What then is this wretched world, but an Hoſpital for the ſick, and a Houſe of Lazars; with which, what ſuites better than mourning?

How can I (then) but reflect on my ſelf, and bewail what I am; a Child of Adam, born of a Woman (ſaith Job) and living but a ſhort time, ſubject to many miſeries. Amongſt which, ſhall I live in jollity, with the Voluptuous; ſport, with the Libertine; gourmandize, with the Epicure; joy in worldly pelf, with the covetous; or in honors, with the ambitious? No: I have reputed laughter an error, (ſaith the Wiſe-man) and to joy, I ſaid, Why art thou in vain deluded? The end of joy is ſeiz'd on by ſorrow and mourning. And it is better to go to the houſe of mourning, then to the houſe of banquetting. Better is it, amidſt of afflictions to mourn with our Lord weeping on the Croſs, than amidſt vain joys and tranſitory delights, to exult with the impious. Better to ſhed one tear with thy Redeemer, drench'd in a briny flood, than a thouſand for temporal diſaſters.

Ah! me-thinks I ſee dropps of blood diſtilling from his Head, wounded with35 thorns, and from thence deſcending to his weeping Eyes, to make a mixture, ſuch as was in his Heart, of blood and water. Tears from his Eyes trickling down his pale cheek, to aſcend from thence to the Throne of his Father, to ſpeak in my behalf. As David ſaid, (it may be in the perſon of Chriſt) Hearken unto my tears. And ſhall I joyn with him in this Petition, exhibited for the waſhing away of my ſins, and yet not diſtill one tear? Shall the Maſter of Requeſts preſent to his Majeſty, the Humble Petition of ſome great Del•nquent, with tears in his Eyes; and the party (guilty) ſtand by, not onely tearleſs, but alſo with a merry countenance? Nay, ſhould he ſecond it with laughter, what were it but to make expreſſion of the little (or no) reſentment and feeling he had, of his crime and preſent peril?

Such is the ſtate of voluptuous ſinners, who are ſo far from mourning, that they rejoyce in evil-doing, ſpend their dayes in mirth and jollity, and in an inſtant deſcend to Hell.

Oh! rather let us ſit with the Iſraelites by the Rivers of Babylon, (fleeting delights of the world), elevate our Eyes to our Heavenly Country, and mourning, ſay, How ſhall we ſing the Lord's ſong in a36 ſtrange Country, the world, into which we came weeping, ſurcharg'd but with one ſin, and ſhall we not mourn here, overloaden with many? Not return to Earth, (from whence we came) powring out (if it were poſſible) a flood of tears for the expiation of our manifold crimes?

The Myrrh-Tree wounded, diſtills abundantly tears; ſo may the Sinner, pierc'd to the heart by compunction. The Turtle mournes for the abſence of her Mate; ſo may the Soul of the juſt Man, to be united to her beloved Spouſe. The Hart transfixt with an Arrow dyes weeping; ſo may the ſinner wounded by true contrition, dye to himſelf, and live to Chriſt. A fiſh lives by waters, and a Chriſtian was born again by water; And, living in a vale of tears, ſhould be like Ros Solis, a plant which even in the heat of Summer is alwayes repleniſhed with dew; like a Magdalen, who obtain'd remiſſion by tears, and by tears was accompanied by our Saviour weeping: And finally, by tears, had the prerogative to ſee him firſt riſen from death.

The Fourth BEATITUDE. Bleſſed are they that hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs: for they ſhall be filled.

[EMBLEME IV. The Clove-Tree. Sicamor attrahat ardens 4. :

THis Tree may in an eſpecial manner be ſaid to hunger and thirſt, as having ſuch an attractive power, that it draws to it ſelf all the heart and moiſture of the ground where it grows; inſomuch that for a conſiderable diſtance round about it, the Earth is ſo far from hearing any thing of Graſs or other Plants, that it is abſolutely ſmooth and bare.

When the fruit is come to maturity, it is not gather'd, but beaten down upon the ſaid bare plot; and having been left there a certain time to wither, it is brought into Europe, and is one of the moſt advantageous Commodities brought from the Eaſt-Indies.

In the Spaniſh Tongue it is called, Clavos, in the French, Cloux, that is to ſay, Nails, from its near reſemblance thereto; and thence in Engliſh, they are called Cloves. At firſt they are white, afterwards they become green, and at laſt they turn red.

Nay, it hath been lately diſcover'd as a cheat of the Inhabitants, who have the management and diſpoſal of this pretious Spice, that, ſome time before they look for the arrival of the Ships out of Europe, they carry up into the Store-houſes, where they keep their Cloves, ſeveral great veſſels full of water,39 which in a ſhort time is attracted by the Cloves, and adds much to their weight, yet ſo as that neither the Sight nor Feeling can make any diſcovery of the impoſture.

Behold here the pertinent Emblem of a truly-Chriſtian Soul, hungring and thirſting after righteouſneſs; and ſo earneſtly attracting the nouriſhing moiſture of Heavenly Grace, that there is no entertainment for any pernicious weed of ſin, ſo much as to take any root near her.

But poſſibly, ſome one will ſay, that this Tree draws all to it ſelf. 'Tis true, it does ſo: but not to the advantage onely of it ſelf. For that moiſture and ſtrength which it draws from the Earth, is diffus'd into the ſeveral parts of it, in order to the production of bloſſoms and Fruit. And ſo it ſhould be with the devout Chriſtian, who hungers and thirſts after righteouſneſs; what juice he extracts out of the root of ſpiritual Contemplations, ought to ſpread its vigour into his Life and Actions, as he ſtands accomptable to his Creator, his Neighbour, or Himſelf; whereby the great Author of all Gifts and Graces may be glorify'd.

Again, if it be ſaid that the Clove-Tree is ſo attractive, as to draw all the moiſture40 to it ſelf for its own benefit; In like manner, the hungry and thirſty Chriſtian ſhould make his advantages of all things, in purſuit of the Kingdom of Heaven and the righteouſneſs thereof.

Moreover, whereas it is the deſign of Nature, that this Tree as well as all other Plants, ſhould bring forth their ſeveral fruits for the ſervice and benefit of Man; he may thence learn, that he alſo ought to render to his Neighbour what in juſtice is due to him.

In fine, Whereas the Cloves are firſt white; next, green; and laſtly, red; May they not inſtruct us (confidering our beſt fruits are but Bloſſoms) that our intentions ſhould be candid and ſincere, and relate onely to Gods glory?

And when green, may they not as aptly ſignifie, that our better works are but green bloſſoms, not perfect Fruits, for want of maturity?

Laſtly, what are our works but red Cloves, when they are dignified by Chriſts precious blood? Cloves on the Tree muſt be beaten down to come to perfection, and after gathered; So muſt all our works, to be humbly preſented to the Eye of Mercy; not of Juſtice: In whoſe fight who can be juſtified?

The parched Clove is for the uſe of Man; And the work that ſhrinks up with fear, is grateful to God. But how ſhall a Soul have her fill by hungring and thirſting after Juſtice? What ſatiety, what full content can there be in this world? Certainly none, till it enjoyes the ſight of God.

Hence we may inferr, (with Saint Thomas) that in Virtue there is onely a reſemblance of future Beatitude. Say, our righteouſneſs like a Clove appear white; how pure ſo-ever, 'tis but a bloſſom, which receiving a tincture of green, (the ſymbole of Hope) we are thereby inabled to proceed; For Hope may be term'd a Clove, or Naile, by which we are fixt to God in his promiſe, and faſten in his mercy, while the red Clove, or deep-piercing nail of Juſtice penetrating the Heart, produceth fear, to which likewiſe being as firmly fix'd, we freely ſerve God with fear, and exult with trembling. Mean while, let us ſeem to hear our Saviour ſay, I thirſt, whereby is exemplified the Fourth Beatitude; Bleſſed are they who hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſs, for they ſhall be filled.

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IV. BEATITUDE.On our Bleſſed Saviour's ſacred Mouth, ſaying, I Thirſt.

FRom our Saviour's Eyes, I deſcend to his Mouth, and ſeem to hear him ſay, I thirſt, whereby is expreſſed this fourth Beatitude. For he did hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs; not for himſelf, but for us, that we might be juſtified by his Death and Paſſion. And to that end would (to ſatisfie for our ſins) ſuffer in all rigour of Juſtice, that it might be ſatisfied to the full, and we endowed with righteouſneſs, that we might more and more thirſt after Grace, never ſatiated till his Glory appears.

Conſider what Saint John Chryſoſtome ſayes: That, he hungers and thirſts after righteouſneſs, who deſires to live according to the Juſtice of God, and wiſheth this juſtice and rectitude of life as well to others as to himſelf. That Juſtice is43 call'd diſtributive, which gives to every one his due. To God I muſt render three things, viz.

Honour, as to my Creator,
Love, as to my Redeemer, and
Fear to him, as my Judge.

To my Neighbour likewiſe I muſt render three things:

Obedience, to my Superiour,
Charity and Love, to my equal, and
Charitable Benevolence, to my inferiour in want.

And three things I muſt procure for my ſelf:

Purity of my Heart,
Government of my Tongue, and
Order and Diſcipline, in ſubjecting the body to the Spirit.

This three-fold Juſtice muſt I hunger and thirſt after, and examine my ſelf wherein I am defective: Remembring what Saint Jerome ſaith, That it will not ſuffice to deſire Juſtice, but we muſt hunger and thirſt after it; Yet never think our44 ſelves juſt enough, but muſt more and more thirſt after Juſtice, as our Lord commands, He that is juſt, let him be more juſt; and he that is holy, more holy.

Conſider what a hunger and thirſt that is of the Worldling, who ſtill covets more and more Wealth; The Voluptuous Man more and more Pleaſure; And the Ambitious Man more and more Honour. Neither of theſe can have their fill, becauſe the Soul is of infinite capacity; and therefore cannot be fill'd with all the world can poure into it. Unhappy then are thoſe Men who hunger and thirſt, yet never are ſatisfied. And contrariwiſe, Bleſſed are they that hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſs, to whom is promiſed ſuch fullneſs as ſhall wholly inebriate and ſatiate the Soul and Heart; whoſe Capacity is immenſe, and, being created to enjoy God, is inſatiable and reſtleſs, till it enjoyes his ſight: As Saint Auguſtine ſaith, Becauſe thou (O Lord) haſt made us for thee, our Heart is never at quiet until it comes unto thee.

O my ſoul, be ever languiſhing and thirſting after this compleat happineſs. Is it poſſible thou ſhouldſt have ſuch a drought, that, naturally deſiring to be bleſſed, and fill'd with the glory of God, thou ſhouldſt notwithſtanding45 hunger and greedily deſire things upon earth, and not thoſe above?

O bleſſed Saviour thou didſt thirſt, and they gave the vinegar and gall: but, to quench my thirſt, thou haſt promiſed me the water of life, ſo that I ſhall never thirſt more. Give me (O Lord) of this water; for hitherto I have digg'd and ſought it in the broken and leaking Ciſterns of thy Creatures; or in riches, dignities, and pleaſures, which never ſatiate.

Thou wert hungry after a faſt of forty days, and the Enemy preſented thee with ſtones to be turn'd into bread. But for me, if I truly hunger after righteouſneſs, thou haſt and doſt give me the bread of life, thy real body, to feed and ſtrengthen my ſoul to life everlaſting. This is the daily and ſuperſubſtantial bread which I ſhould hunger after, and for which I daily beg, and without which I cannot ſubſiſt. This was prefigured by Manna, which relieved the Iſraelites in the Wilderneſs, without which they had been famiſh'd. Such is the deſart of this world, ſuch thy true Body, which unleſs a man eat, and worthily eat, he ſhall not have life in him.

Jeſu! be unto me a Saviour, and redeem46 me from worldly vanities, which, like air, never fill or ſatiate an hungry ſoul Thou art the Way, lead and direct me; Thou the Life, revive and quicken me; Thou my greateſt and only Good, make me hunger and thirſt after thee; Only after thee, becauſe all that can be deſired may be found in thee, which may incite to love. If beauty, thou (O God) art the faireſt: If benefits, thou daily and liberally conferreſt them on me: If love, (to invite to love again) thine is the greateſt: As my Creator, thou gav'ſt me a being: As my Redeemer, thou freedſt me from thraldom; as a Preſerver, thou didſt and doſt deliver me from perils ſpiritual and corporal. Therefore thy Prophet David ſaid, My ſoul hath thirſted after thee the living fountain: To thee he thirſted, who art the moſt amiable, the moſt noble, and moſt excellent Good; a God, and all things. To thee he thirſted, a ſtrong God, a good permanent, immutable, and eternal. To thee a living God, operative, vigorous, intellectual, loving, and conferring on me innumerable benefits. How then can I do leſs then hunger and thirſt after thee who art ſo good, ſo gracious, ſo bountiful, ſo loving? 47Nay, how can I contain my ſelf within the limits of thy Creatures, that was created to ſo noble an end as is the blisful ſight of Thee? How can I forbear from crying out with thy ſervant David, When ſhall I come and appear before thy face. If I am a pilgrim, thou wilt conduct me to my deſired Countrey: If I am hungry and thirſty, thou wilt ſatiate me with the fruition of thy ſight; If I am naked, thou wilt there cloath me with glory.

Theſe things have I call'd to mind, (ſaid David Pſa. 41.) and thereupon I poured forth my ſoul within my ſelf like a ſtreamling to return to God my Ocean, as a river doth to the ſea whence it was deriv'd; I have dilated my ſoul, and extended her thirſting deſire, which nothing can ſatiate and fill, but God only. Nay more, I have poured out my ſoul upon my ſelf: And there (alas) what could ſhe find, but one ſo poor as not any way able to quench her thirſt, who is capable of a Good immenſe.

Or when I poured out my ſoul upon my ſelf, as water ſtreaming on the ſuperficies of the earth, I ſuffered it not to be ſuckt and ſwallowed up by ſelf-love, but to ſtream ſorth towards that River which makes joyful the City of God. Becauſe I will (ſaid David) paſs on to enter into the place of48 the admirable Tabernacle, even unto the houſe of God. Even as a poor Beggar travelling on the rode in the heat of Summer, being very weary, leaves the high way, to find ſome good Gentleman's houſe, to be refreſht, and to quench his thirſt; ſo doth David, thirſting, ſay, He will paſs through all difficulties and obſtacles whatſoever, to arrive at Gods houſe, there to quench his thirſt; & lodg in that admirable Tabernacle.

But his arrival at the houſe of God being deferred, he reſolves to make uſe of local memory. And to this end deſigns two ſpecial places, the River Jordan, and Mount Hermonijm. When he beholds the firſt, it puts him in mind of the River above, which makes joyful the City of God, and of the Torrent of delight, of which the bleſſed are given to drink. And when he caſts his eye on the ſecond, he calls to mind the holy and bliſsful Mount of Heaven, where God manifeſts himſelf to his Angels and Saints. Therefore (ſaith he) I will be mindful of thee (O God) from the land of Tordan, while I behold this river, and likewiſe, when I ſee the little Mount Hermonijm.

Who (then) fixing his eye on Mount Calvary, can forget his Saviours ſufferings; or who can but remember how he hungred49 and thirſted after righteouſneſs, when he hears him cry out, I thirſt, that is to ſay, the ſalvation of mankind, and that righteouſneſs for us ſinners, whereby we are adopted, and made the children of God.

The Fifth BEATITUDE. Bleſſed are the merciful, for they ſhall obtain mercy.

[EMBLEME V. Adam's Apple-Tree. Dum detrahis, exigis, auge::

THere hath ſuch a particular notice been taken of this Tree, in the ſeveral Countries where it grows, that it is accordingly called by ſeveral names, which yet we ſhall not give an account of, in regard it is not ſo much the denomination, as the Vertues and Qualities, that make it contribute to our deſign. And therefore we ſhall, with Gerard; call it, Adam's Apple-tre.

The merciful man (which in the Latine Tongue is called Miſericors) is he who hath a ſorrowful and compaſſionate heart for anothers miſery, a heart inclining him to relieve and ſuccour ſuch as ſtand in need of his aſſiſtance, in their extream wants. Such a merciful man may be deſign'd by this Tree, whoſe Roots being as it were but ſmall threads, or fibres, do ſhoot forth leaves that are five or ſix foot in length, and near three in breadth. Inſomuch that they ſerve for Table-cloaths, and Napkins; and, being dry'd, they may ſerve for Mattreſſes and Quilts, very convenient and ſoft to lye upon.

Behold here the Emblem of a merciful Man, who parts with his leafy ſubſtance, to cloath the naked, to relieve the poor, to ſupply the wants of the needy, to ſuccour52 the neceſſitous. This is the man, who, by his charitable endeavours, conceals the miſcarriages and imperfections of his Neighbour. For mercy, when it is the iſſue of Charity, hath the ſame prerogative with the Parent, which is (as St. Peter ſaith) To cover a multitude of ſins.

Moreover, this Tree (which groweth above the reach of an Elephant) would continue a low ſhrub, and the Leaves would bend downwards to the ground, if they were not cut off from time to time; by which means, the Tree grows up higher, and the Leaves become larger.

What can more pertinently denote the Merciful man, who, by a voluntary defalcation of the things of this World, is rais'd ſo much the nearer Heaven; I and the more freely he parts with the tranſitory goods of this life, the greater treaſure does he lay up for that hereafter? By theſe advantages, doth he ſtill aſcend higher and higher, while others keeping all to themſelves, do, like ſhrubs, lye groveling on the Earth, in their covetous deſires.

There is this further Remark made upon this Tree; that it needs be planted but once, though it bears but one year. For it continually ſhooteth forth new ſtalks as the old53 decay; and in ſome Countries they are ſoon ripe, after they ſpring, and the Inhabitants will have ripe fruit, from ſome of the Plants at all times.

The caſe is the ſame with the Merciful man; who, as ſoon as he hath done one act of Charity, is ready to do another, and ſo ſucceſſively, as if he were oblig'd to exhauſt himſelf, to ſupply others; and this from time to time, till his own be come to its period, and that he leaves the young ſhoots of his poſterity to ſucceed him in his good works.

Hereto we may add this further obſervation, that beſides this Tree, there is only one other, that hath a ſtrange property, to wit, that, which way ſoever their fruit be cut, when it is come to maturity, the meat thereof, which is white as ſnow, repreſents in the midſt of it, the figure of a Croſs, eſpecially if it be cut in thin ſlices; as commonly we do Cow-cumbers. Thence is it, that the Spaniards and Portugueze think it a crime to put a knife into it, and are extreamly ſcandaliz'd, to ſee it broken otherwiſe then with the teeth.

Hath not this ſome reſemblance to the heart of a Merciful man, who hath a certain fellow-feeling of the miſeries and calamities of the poor whom he views with54 affliction of mind. Which way ſoever, he caſts his eye of pity, and beholds the diſtreſſed, he compaſſionates them, as if the like croſs of adverſity were fix'd in his heart. If he behold his Saviour on the Croſs, his heart is wounded with pity as if the paſſion were figured in it.

Again, if he view his Neighbour oppreſſed with wrongs or miſeries, he is ſo ſenſible thereof, as if that very croſs of affliction were engraven in his heart. In a word, he ſees no man poor, whom he pities not; no man miſerable, whom he does not compaſſionate; ſtill (like the fruit of this Tree cut) bearing in his heart a croſs, by which he ſuffers with him.

Nay more, while he beholds Chriſt in a poor man (whom he pities and relieves) he bears Chriſt's ſhape in his heart, whom he likewiſe relieves.

Happy, therefore, is the merciful man, that bears ſuch a croſs, as renders him for ever bleſſed, who (no doubt) may ſay with St. Paul, God forbid I ſhould glory in any thing, but in the Croſs of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

Now fix thine eye on the bleeding ſide of Chriſt, whoſe blood iſſued from a wounded heart, where was always engraven a croſs, not only the inſtrument of his55 paſſion; but as many croſſes as were the ſins of the World: And as many as were the acts of mercy and compaſſion which he produc'd towards ſinners; Verè pius, verè miſericors.

And ſhall he evacuate not only his veins, but likewiſe his heart? Shall he disburſe all the treaſure of his moſt precious blood, and yet wilt thou be ſo penurious and pitileſs, as not to relieve the neceſſitous with part of thy droſs?

Ah! view, and view again, that bountiful, and pitiful heart, that ſtreameth forth at his ſide, and proclaims them bleſſed, who are merciful, and promiſeth they ſhall obtain mercy.

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE V. BEATITUDE.On the ſide of our Bleſſed Saviour bleeding.

FRom his ſacred Mouth deſcend to his pierced ſide; which may be likewiſe term'd a mouth, as were all the wounds of his body, that ſpeak and proclaim him a bounteous, and merciful Lord; who, having given all the blood of his body and veins for our Redemption, would finally ſuffer his heart to be pierc'd, that the laſt drops of his precious bloud might ſtream from thence, for a fuller ſatisfaction, or rather expreſſion of his infinite Love. Whereas the leaſt drop thereof might have redeem'd many Worlds, and reconcil'd to his Father, as many Nations as he ſhed drops of blood.

Conſider what a merciful giver was God the Father, who ſo exceedingly loved man, that he gave unto him his only begotten Son; a Son likewiſe ſo good, bounteous,57 and merciful, that he would annihilate and leſſen himſelf, by taking upon him the form of a Servant. And after (as the Factor did for one precious Pearl) gave all his precious blood, and life, to purchaſe and redeem thy Soul, and thereby obtain mercy for it.

Which, notwithſtanding, thou ſhalt never find, unleſs thou alſo be Merciful. To whom? To thy ſelf, and thy Neighbour. To thy ſelf, according to the words of the Son of Syrach, Take pity and compaſſion on thine own ſoul, pleaſing God.

Think, how many Souls are languiſhing in ſin; How many ſtarve for want of the food of Life, the Bleſſed Sacrament; How many groan under the heavy burden of ſin: And how mercileſs they are to themſelves, that reſcent not the dangerous eſtate of their own ſouls.

To theſe thou art merciful, when thou prayeſt for them; or by word, or example endeavoureſt to reclaim them. Thou art merciful likewiſe when thou forgiveſt injuries, or when thou doſt commiſerate and condole the defects, and imperfections of others.

Contrari-wiſe they are cruel, who unbraid and deride them, or expoſe them to the deriſion of others, by diſcovering their58 ſins, to whom they ſhould be as merciful and charitable, in concealing, as if they were their own, not forgetting the ſevere ſentence of S. James, Judgement without mercy be unto him that doth no mercy.

Conſider how God is ſo pleaſed with mercy ſhewed to our Neighbour, that to ſuch only as do it, he hath promiſed mercy. And withall hath commanded us to beg for pardon and remiſſion of our ſins, as we remit and fully forgive them, who trepaſs againſt us. And that ſo freely and abſolutely as not to retain the leaſt rancor or malice in our hearts.

Which to accompliſh, when any enmity or uncharitable thought is ſlily creeping into thy heart, reflect thine eye on Chriſt crucified, who (as ſaith S. Bernard) to heap mercies on mercies, gave his life, and out of his wounded ſide brought forth the price of ſatisfaction, whereby he fully pacified his Father, according to the words of David, With our Lord is mercy, and plentiful redemption.

Hereupon thou mayſt infer, that whoſoever ſeek for mercy, and ſecurity in Chriſts wounded ſide, muſt come, like Noe's Dove, to the window of the Ark, that brought an Olive-branch in his Beak, which is the type of mercy and peace; To59 ſignifie, they muſt be merciful and charitable to others, who expect to find mercy there.

O my ſoul, ariſe, and ſhake off thoſe dull cogitations of enmity that ſurcharge thy heart, that thou mayſt nimbly fly, and be like the Dove, neſtling in the hole of the Rock, the pierc'd and patient ſide of thy Saviour. That when thou art purſued by the Enemy (like a Dove by the Hawk, that ſhrowds himſelf in the hole of a rock) here thou mayſt find ſuccour, and ſecure thy ſelf. Here is the gate of mercy and pity, which always ſtands wide-open, where at all times thou mayſt find habour in the ſecure calm of mercy.

To be merciful, is to have a grievous, and pitiful heart. Ah! how pitiful was that wounded heart of thy Saviour, which for thy ſake was pierc'd through with a Spear. Compaſſionate, and have, with him, a heart wounded with grief and pity: Commiſerate the diſtreſſed members of his myſtical Body in him, and then thou canſt not but be merciful to thy ſelf, and find mercy for thy ſelf, being one of his.

O merciful Redeemer, I behold blood and water ſtreaming from thy heart, and iſſuing out of thy wounded ſide. 60By that precious blood I was redeemed and made one of thine: And by the water of Baptiſm I was purified and made one of thine. To perſevere ſtill and continue one of thine ſtill, may that door of mercy (thy wounded ſide) be open unto me. May I be dead to the world, and ſin, that wounded (as with a Spear) with true love and charity, I may never by ſin, cauſe this gate of mercy to be ſhut againſt me.

Thou (O Lord) didſt vouchſafe to give freely the laſt drops of blood (which were in thy heart) for a more compleat Redemption. Grant (I beſeech thee) that I may ſpend the remnant of my days in thy holy ſervice, in works of mercy, ſpiritual and corporal; that finally I may obtain mercy, through thee my Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. Amen.

O my ſoul, conſider what it is to find mercy through Jeſus Chriſt, to which thou ſo often ſayſt Amen, or So be it. It is to find mercy by the vertue and merits of his bitter Paſſion: Yet this will not ſuffice, if thou beeſt not merciful to him likewiſe in his.

So great is the vertue of Mercy (ſaith S. Leo) that without it all other vertues will not profit thee. No, though a man be61 faithful, chaſte, and ſober, and endued with ſingular ornaments; yet if he be not merciful, he deſerves not mercy.

And remember that thy works of mercy muſt be done through Chriſt our Lord, to be dignified by vertue of his Paſſion, and for his ſake, otherwiſe they ſhall have no reward. The right hand muſt not know what the leſt hand doth: No ſiniſter or by-intention muſt intrude. A charitable work muſt be a work of juſtice, when we render to God the glory only due to him, and to our ſelves reſerve the reward, which (promiſed) we expect. Nay more, an Alms hath the honour to be call'd Juſtice it ſelf. For our Saviour adviſeth us to beware that we do not our Juſtice before men, that we may be ſeen by them, and have the applauſe and praiſe of men.

In fine; Who would not in this manner be merciful, that knows in the old Law, no Sacrifice (Ox or Sheep) might be offered in the Temple, that had not a tail: which in a myſtical ſenſe might prefigure, that, even in the Law of Grace, no work of mercy (which is a kind of Sacrifice to God) can be acceptable, which hath not an end, that is, a right intention tending to Gods honour, and for his ſake. If we cry, out with Zachaeus, Ecce! Behold (when he gave ſo62 great an Alms as the moity of his Goods) it may ſeem to ſavour of oſtentation, till we add farther, with him, Domine, Behold, O Lord, I give to thee what is thine; as to Caeſar, what is his, in reſpect of his figure ſtamp'd in it. So in my Alms I behold thee, and contribute thine for thy ſake: like Zachaeus, little conſidering my poor ability, yet preſent a work (like the Widow with her Mite) great, in regard of a free and willing heart. Should I give it to be magnified by others, What could I behold therein but mine own ſhape? like a Narciſſus, enamored with himſelf, court the ſhadow, and loſe the ſubſtance. An Alms is a work of Redemption. Redeem thy ſins by Alms, works of mercy. It is an entire Expiation; Give Alms, and all ſhall be pure unto you.

The Sixth BEATITUDE. Bleſſed are the pure in heart, for they ſhall ſee God.

[EMBLEME VI. The Fig-Tree. Nec Corniſi punctum. 6. :

OF this Tree, there are ſeveral kinds, differing, according to the ſeveral Countries, wherein they grow; the name being generally attributed to all thoſe Trees, which bear a fruit that hath ſome reſemblance to the Fig. But that, which is the ſubject of the preſent Emblem, grows commonly in Spain and Italy, though poſſibly brought thither, at firſt, from ſome other parts of the World. It bears a Fig, without the production of any precedent Bloſſom, which as it ſhould ſeem, hath in it, during the time of its greenneſs, a raw humour; whoſe crudity is ſuch, that it ripeneth not, till a certain Fly or Gnat, gives it a prick or wound. Soon after the Fig hath receiv'd that wound, there diſtills from it a kind of tear, which falls to the earth. After which, the Sun entring in at that narrow paſſage, made by the Fly, the Fig by degrees comes to maturity.

Behold here the Emblem of a Heart, truly contrite, wounded by compunction, and pierc'd with ſorrow; which before, while it was green, was not in a capacity to receive the influences of the Sun of Righteouſneſs; and conſequently could not be ripned, till a paſſage was made for the evacuation of the peccant humour, that ſo the beams of grace might efficaciouſly work upon it.

Let us then conſider, that if this delicate fruit does upon its piercing or wounding diſtil tears, and that in order to its attainment of maturity; it is much more requiſite that the devout Chriſtian ſhould endure the ſtings of remorſe and compunction, in order to his being advanc'd to that perfection, which is requir'd in the pure of Heart.

To this end is it, that a Man ought ſometimes (as Saint Auguſtine ſayes) to make his appearance at the Tribunal of his own Soul, where his own Thoughts will be his Accuſers, his Conſcience the Witneſs, and Grief the Executioner, to wound the ſinful Heart. Then, ſaith he, let the blood, as it were, of the Soul f•w and iſſue forth by tears. Notwithſtanding all this, Who (ſaith Solomon) will glory that he hath a clean Heart? True it is, no Man ſhould glory herein, but give the Glory onely to God. Yet ſince the pure of Heart ſhall onely ſee God, ſuch purity of Heart is required, as is produc'd by the expulſion of ſin, and infuſion of Grace. Therefore David humbly deſired, that his ſin might be blotted out, and that within him might be created a clean Heart. Not a new Heart created, but purity therein; which being produc'd, without any precedent merit of66 the finners part, may be term'd a Creation.

Therefore Saint Paul tells us, That Charity (which is the ſame ſpiritual quality with Grace) is transfus'd into our Souls; which gives life and vigour, in ſome ſort, as the Soul created and infus'd, informs and gives life and motion to the body.

Me-thinks a Fig, (when but green) pierc'd and wounded as it were by the Gnat, lies expos'd to the bright and hot beams of the Sun; as the Heart of a ſinner doth to the Sun of Juſtice when 'tis plerc'd by compunction. Ah! what Light of Faith, and heat of Love enters through thoſe new•ade paſſages of the Contrite Heart, by which it becomes as it were a new Heart, ripened by Virtue, and embelliſhed by Grace?

Now elevate thine Eyes to behold the wounded Heart of our Lord, not with the ſting of a Gnat, but with a ſharp Spear; not to receive any light or heat of Conſolation, but to lay out the entire ſumm of that infinite treaſure of his precious blood, beſides water, to purifie thy impure Soul, that thou mayſt be bleſſed and ſee God, thereby to enjoy eternal Beatitude.

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE VI. BEATITUDE.On our Bleſſed Saviour's wounded Heart.

HAving in the Fifth Beatitude, (like a Dove neſtling in the hole of a Rock, as at the Gate of Mercy) entred by Contemplation into Chriſt's wounded ſide, now make a ſtep farther, or rather, with reverence ſtay and view his wounded Heart, moſt pure and clean, where ſin could never find entrance; and ſay, with the Patriarch Jacob, Verily here is no other than the Houſe of God, and the Gate of Heaven. This is the Bleſſed One, pure of Heart, who ever had the happy ſight of God.

Conſider what it is to be clean of Heart. It is to be the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt: To be in the ſtate of Grace, that is, not guilty of any mortal ſin.

And ſince the Heart is the Source and Fountain whence our thoughts perpetually68 flow; to ſuppreſs all impure cogitations, as they are riſing, is to have a clean Heart, when it is accompanied with a pure intention, directing all our actions to the Honor and Glory of God. And as Saint Auguſtine ſaith, Whatſoever we do, whatſoever we laudably deſire, muſt tend to obtain the Viſion of God, beyond which nothing can be deſired.

Think of the Queſtion propounded by King David: O Lord, Who ſhall dwell in thy Tabernaele, or who ſhall reſt in thy holy hill? And then attend to the Anſwer, which is this: He that liveth uprightly, and worketh righteouſneſs, &c.

This is a hard ſaying. Muſt the Heart be ſo clean as not to have one ſpot? The Child but a day old is not free, and in his Angels God found iniquity. Who, then, ſhall be juſtified in his ſight? Or who can be clean of Heart, while the All-ſeeing Eye of Heaven beholds it.

Appeal (then) to the pure Heart of thy Saviour; rely on his Innocence, not on thine own; on his merits, not on thine. Seeing that Veſſel of Election ſaid, he was guilty of nothing, and yet in that he was not juſtified; yet doubted not to ſay, A Crown of righteouſneſs was due unto him, which the juſt Judge would give him.

I will therefore ſay with David, O Lord turn away thy face (of thy ſevere Juſtice) from my ſins.

And with him add further, Shew me thy face (that is to ſay, of thy mercy) and I ſhall be ſaved. According to thy great mercy, and multitude of thy mercies, cancell my iniquity; waſh me again from mine iniquity, and cleanſe me from my ſin; that I may be clean of Heart to enjoy thy ſight.

O my Soul, Keep thy Heart (as the Wiſe man adviſeth thee) with all kind of cuſtody; for out of it (ſaith he) proceeds life. Keep it pure, let not in one mortal ſin to defile it; for then from the Heart would proceed Death, deſtruction of Grace, and loſs of the ſight of God; for Grace is the ſeed of Glory. Let thy Heart be ploughed by Contrition, harrow'd and cleans'd from the weeds of ſin, that this divine ſeed may be ſowen in thy Heart, which ſprings up by holy deſires, and is ripened by virtuous exerciſes.

O my God, thou haſt commanded me to love thee with an entire, pure, and ſincere Heart. Give me (I beſeech thee) what thou commandeſt, by creating in me a clean Heart, and renewing a right Spirit in my bowels;70 that I may love thee with all my Soul, that my Will may be reſign'd to thine without any contradiction, with all my Mind and Memory, alwayes to think of thee; and with all my powers, that I may employ them in thy ſervice.

To perform all theſe things, I muſt obſerve four things:

Firſt, Seeing all I am and have, Body and Soul, ſpiritual and temporal bleſſings, I have from God; I muſt be alwayes mindfull of his benefits: Serve, honour, and thank him for all, love him above all; and, for him, my Neighbour.
Secondly, I muſt conſider the excellency of God; And ſeeing he is infinitely greater than our Heart, though we ſerve him with all our Heart and powers of our Soul, yet are we defective and inſufficient, and muſt therefore think we never do enough.
Thirdly, We muſt not ſuffer the world to uſurp the leaſt corner of our Heart, by diſordinate Love; for that were injurious to God; as was the placing of the Idol Dagon by the Ark. He is too covetous (ſaith Saint Jerom) whom God cannot ſatiate: And he loves God leſs then he ſhould do, who loves any thing beſides him, according to Saint Auguſtine's opinion.
71
Fourthly, He that is in mortal ſin hath an impure Heart, and loves not God. Therefore to be clean of Heart, and thereby bleſſed, and by Grace in the way to ſee God; I muſt imitate the pure white Ermine, (a little beaſt) which rather chooſeth to fall into the hands of the Hunter, than make an eſcape through a dirty place, and defile it ſelf.

Me-thinks Chriſt our Saviour, ſtretch'd, and nail'd to the Croſs, reſembles a Croſs-bow, which while I behold, his Heart (darting forth fiery Arrows of Love) a clean and pure Heart ſeems like the White plac'd in the midſt of a Butt, at which it is aimed; upon which repreſentation, I ſhall here inſert a ſhort Deſcant I long ſince made in Verſe.

Tender Arms for our offence,
 Drawn and ſtretch'd with violence;
 Like a Bow-ſtring now I ſee,
 While upon the bloody Tree,
 Cruel nails both long and rough,
 Sacred Hands are piercing through. 
Thus while tender Arms extend,
 The ſtring's faſtned at each end:
 Jeſus Heart is like the Nutt
 Of the Croſs-bow, where are put
 Nimble ſhafts with vigour ſent,
72 Thus the Bow ſtands ready bent. 
Sinners (then) prepare your Hearts,
 From this bow flie wounding darts. 
Stand his Butt, th' Arrows glow,
 As th' are flying from this bow;
 Midſt the Butt, (to place the White)
 Stand his mark and let him ſmite. 
Let him pierce and wound thy Heart,
 With his torments, pain, and ſmart,
 Shafts of ſorrow, grief, and pain,
 For thy ſins return again. 
So thy Soul being cleans'd from ſin,
 And by Grace made pure within,
 Stand Chriſt's Butt, that, (when contrite)
 A clean Heart may be the White. 

Such is a Heart diſengaged and diſentereſſed from all inordinate deſires that may ſoil or ſtreighten that habitacle deſign'd and reſign'd to God. In ſuch an abſolute manner is this to be imagin'd, that one may confidently ſay with King David, Tuus ſum ego, Lord, I am totally thine, not mine own, nor the worlds, nor of the fleſh, nor of ſin; but entirely thine, by a full reſignation, ſubmiſſion, and oblation of my ſelf. To thee I dedicate an entire Heart, with all my ſenſes and cogitations, all my words and works; And reſtore unto thee what I had from thee, a Soul73 waſht and purified by Baptiſm, and a Heart contrite with Grief, and cleans'd again by true Repentance; Yet ſtill again and again to be waſh'd, and more and more purified.

If by the leaſt mote the corporal Eye be obſcur'd, much more that of the Soul. If I never ceaſe till I have cleans'd and clear'd the one, that I may have a perfect ſight of each object which occurrs, ſhall I not alwayes be cleanſing and purifying that inward Eye which is capable (when clear) of the ſight of God?

The Seventh BEATITUDE. Bleſſed are the Peace-makers, for they ſhall be called the Children of God.

[EMBLEME VII. The Wood-Bind. Pacis conjunctio firma.:

TO make a better comprehenſion of this Beatitude, the Devout Chriſtian is to imagine, that he ſees two limber Stands, or young ſhoots, hardly able to ſupport themſelves on their tender roots, and in perpetual agitation, by reaſon of the violence of the wind, which cauſes them to aſſault and injure each other; till the Peacemaking Wood-Bind, gently twining it ſelf about them, takes away that oppoſition, and diſpoſes them to a certain reconciliation and friendſhip.

According to this repreſentation, the Wood-Bind (which bears the Honey-Suckle, a name derived from ſweetneſs) may well be the Emblem of the bleſſed Peace-maker, who, by the ſweetneſs of his Couverſation, and Amicable Interpoſure in the Differences of his Neighbours, endeavours to reconcile them.

In the Latine Tongue, the Wood-Bind is called, Mater Sylvae, viz. The Mother of the Woods. And peradventure it is for this reaſon; That, as a loving and indulgent Mother huggs and embraces her Child, ſo this Plant claſps and twines it ſelf about every other Tree that it can faſten on: In like manner, is it the endeavour of the76 bleſſed Peace-maker to diſpoſe all thoſe, between whom he heareth there are any differences, to Unity, Peace, and Concord; making all other intereſts and concernments ſubſervient to that grand one of bringing all things to compoſure and quiet. And this is that whereto the Apoſtle, writing to the Epheſians, exhorts them, viz. to walk with all lowlineſs and meekneſs, long-ſuffering, and forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace. For Peace is the Hand-maid of Charity, whoſe property it is to unite, and take away all animoſities, jealouſies, diſtruſts, and heart-burnings.

Juſtly therefore hath our Bleſſed Saviour pronounc'd him Bleſſed, and the Child of God, who, like the Hony-Suckle, by a ſweet inſinuation and affability, endeavours to compoſe the Minds of the litigious; and like the Wood-Bind, is as ready to unite the contentious and diſſatisfi'd into Amity, as he is to make Peace within himſelf, as in Charity he is bound. And to this is it that the Apoſtle exhorts us, when he ſayes, Have Peace, and the God of Peace and Love will be with you.

But how comes it that the Peace-maker hath this particular prerogative and advantage,77 to be called the Child of God? We may imagine it proceeds hence; that as God our Father is the God of Peace, ſo we may pretend to the title of his Children, if we are like him, and look on it as our concernment to make Peace between Men. We may alſo upon this further conſideration, be called the Children of God, that he who came into the world to reconcile it, and to bring us that Peace which paſſeth all underſtanding, hath vouchſafed to call us Brethren. Nay, that great Saviour, and Peace, may ſeem to have their birth at the ſame inſtant; for then was it, that there was a Proclamation made by Celeſtial Heralds, to wit, the Angels, that Peace ſhould be on Earth, and good will towards Men. Then, like the chearful break of day, appear'd that beauteous Peace, fore-told by the Prophet Eſay, whereof there ſhould be no end: inaſmuch as it came with that Son, whoſe other titles are clos'd with this, that he was to be the Prince of Peace.

It is no other then our Bleſſed Saviour Chriſt himſelf, who is the great Peacemaker, and came like the Wood-Bind to unite a pair of ſhoots, as I may term them, to wit, Juſtice and Mercy, which were oppoſite, while the wrath of God, like a78 violent wind, incited Juſtice to Revenge, which Mercy oppos'd. What a conflict was between theſe two, till our Lord on the Croſs, like a Wood-Bind, united them in one? As David (by a prophetique ſpirit) ſaid, Mercy and Truth (that is to ſay Juſtice) have met together; Juſtice and Peace (or Mercy) have kiſſed each other; like two branching ſhoots, ſurrounded by a Wood-Bind, which onely Chriſt could do, the great Peace-maker and Son of God, who fully pacified Juſtice, by ſuffering death for Man; by which redeem'd, Mercy likewiſe had her deſire, embrac'd with Juſtice, then pacified, when ſhe beheld from Heaven our ſins ſeverely puniſh'd in Chriſt.

Never could Man have fully conceiv'd the wrath and hate of God againſt ſin, had he not expiated the ſame by the death of his onely begotten Son. Nor could we have apprehended his infinite Mercy, had he not given this his onely Son for our Redemption.

Behold his Hands nailed, and thereby know, how the Hand of Juſtice being faſtned, Mercy and ſhe embrac'd, and kiſſing were united by Chriſt, our Wood-Bind, whoſe deſign was to make our Peace, ſaying, I leave you my Peace, I give you my79 Peace, not as the world gives, I give you Peace. For the world charmes and enchants a Soul ſlumbering in the conceipt of a ſweet repoſe, even when ſhe is amidſt the harſh diſcords of impiety, yet hears them not, nor ſees her preſent danger: Which made David cry out: Englighten mine Eyes, (O Lord) that they may not at any time ſleep in death.

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE VII. BEATITUDE.On Chriſt's Hands pierc'd with nails.

FRom his Heart, aſcend to his Hands tran fixt with Nails, that he might thereby faſten and ſtay the Hand of Juſtice, (ready to chaſtiſe us for our ſins) while he himſelf ſuffered in his Body, what our enormous crimes deſerv'd.

Imagine you ſee a King enrag'd againſt his Vaſſal, for ſome heinous offence, with80 his ſword brandiſh'd and ready to kill him: Which the Prince, his Son, ſeeing, (notwithſtanding the injury as neere concern'd himſelf) comes in; and, to ſave the Delinquent, receives the thruſt in his own Body, pacifies his Father, begs his pardon, and reſtores the Criminal to the King's gracious Favour. How infinitely oblig'd (you will ſay) was this Subject to the Prince!

Thus did God the Son (incarnate) interpoſe himſelf betwixt his Father and ſinful Man; And on the Croſs wounded by the Hand of Juſtice for our manifold iniquities, pacified his Heavenly Father, and thereby was our Peace-maker.

Conſider now if this Subject, reconciled to the King, ſhould by the Princes means be made a Vice-Roy of ſome petty Kingdom, with charge given him to govern, and preſerve Peace with Subordination to his Majeſty; Notwithſtanding, ſhould this Vice-Roy (forgetting all favours and former Clemency) rebelliouſly conſpire againſt both King and Prince, What puniſhment would you think too great for ſuch a Traytor?

Is not every Man a kind of Vice-Roy to manage a petty Kingdom, which is within him? What, his Paſſions? Are they not81 (at leaſt ſhould be) his Subjects? Together with his Appetites and Concupiſcences, which rebell againſt Reaſon. And as often as Man ſins mortally, is he not guilty of High Treaſon againſt the Majeſty of God, his Dread Sovereign? Who being every way infinite, it follows, the puniſhment due is infinite.

Hence I will conceive a great hatred and deteſtation