Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed]

IMAGE THE FOURTH.

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, AS A FAITHFUL SOLDIER OF CHRIST.

Although thou mayst have been converted unto God, and hast gone forth from the bondage of sin, yet never think thyself secure. For our life upon earth is a trial and a warfare. How shalt thou be able to endure? Consider that thou art standing, as it were, between Christ (A), thy Lord and Saviour, and the devil (B), thy deadly enemy. He is striving to win thee back to sin and eternal perdition; and is suggesting to thee how the World (C) inviteth thee, by setting pleasure before thee, and vanities (D), by which Sin (E) allureth thee unto her. But, behold, Christ crieth aloud unto thee; His wounds, and the sufferings which for thy sake He endured cry to thee! Think upon those rewards of virtue which are above, and how momentary are the pleasures of sin, and everlasting her pains behind. Consider to which of these thou wouldst prefer to adhere. Is it not to God, the greatest and best of friends? Abhor, therefore, the treacherous foe. Behold the children of Israel (F) of old; how by a similar deceit, through the lust of the flesh, he endeavoured to bring them back again into Egypt (G). Thus now also Gluttony (H) and Avarice (I) are endeavouring to draw back those who are advancing on their way to Heaven; or, when they are already approaching to the Heavenly goal, Vain-glory (K) labours to hurl them headlong down. He who endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved."

66

On Spiritual Progress,

AND ITS HINDRANCES OR TEMPTATIONS.

AFTER the soul,—which had wandered from its end and aim, from God most great and good, and His most holy law,—hath returned into the good way, it is like the children of Israel, whom with a strong hand and high arm the Lord delivered from the yoke of Pharaoh and their Egyptian bondage. Therefore, as they remained not still in the land of their captivity, but with Moses for their guide went forward through the wilderness to the Holy Land, so also must we do. Yet as it happened to the Israelites to be tried by their enemies pursuing them, and by hardships in the wilderness, so will the soul too now begin to be tempted to return. What then must we do? Confirm and stir up our courage by serious deliberation respecting our future progress, despising the weapons and power of the enemy; since the Lord fighteth for us a, and will not suffer our enemies to hurt us, though they be near, if we be followers of that which is good; but He will cover us with the Cloud of His mercy, and will set it between us and our enemies; though it may be in the night of temptation, terrors and fears shall not be wanting.

But in order that the method of deliberation,—which we have sometimes used already, and which we shall often have to make use of in our progress, may be thoroughly understood, it seems advisable to subjoin a short account of it here, though it will be found afterwards more fully set forth in laying down a method of meditation. For as often as in our spiritual journey any doubt arises in dealing with human affairs, this method will be of avail to draw forth the most advisable counsel, to confirm the wavering, and to guide the doubtful.

OF THE METHOD TO BE USED IN DELIBERATION.

BEFORE entering upon deliberation mind to place thyself in the preWhat must sence of God, most Good and Great, and humbly importune Him be done pre- for light and grace, to understand His most holy will; since liberation. He alone knows what is best for us. This done, first bring

vious to de

a Exod. xiv. 14.

act of delibe

ration.

Firstly.

Thirdly.

forward the matter to be considered; for example,-concerning What in the a state of life; concerning progress in the path of virtue; respecting a large household; whether an office or a benefice is to be accepted or refused; and so of other things, whether, and how, and when, they are either to be done or left undone. Secondly, Secondly. above all things, renew thy affections towards God, so as, if possible, to be inclined neither way: for when the mind is like a balance at equilibrium, a slight preponderance will turn it this way or that, and it will readily apprehend significations, on either side, of the Divine will. Next, weigh well, whether upon duly considering the end of thy creation, this or that side of the question,whether, that is, the acceptance or refusal of an office, this or that state of life, one or other way of behaving, employment, exercise, proceeding,— best conduces to attaining that purposed end-has greater or less inconvenience in regard to it; or otherwise. For we ought most or least to affect an object, according as it is most or least conducive to the attainment of eternal life, and the fulfilment of the Divine will; and having thus duly weighed the matter in hand, and either side of it, we must pass judgment on it, as in God's presence, and in His light, bringing it before the eyes of the Divine majesty; and here we must observe those motions, and that repose of mind, by which the Lord is wont to make known His will to those, who with a sincere and resigned heart desire to ascertain it. This method will commonly suffice in order to make thy choice, and to conclude thy deliberations. For as in meditation one or two considerations very commonly so move our affections, by God's grace assisting, that there is no need to seek for other aids; so is it likewise in choice or deliberation, in which no less are the inspirations and motions of the Holy Spirit to be noted and observed.

The course to be taken, should the

If, however, the points above-mentioned should not be sufficient to confirm thy will in that which is good, then thou must further go on as in meditation, as will hereafter be fully explained; for instance, to consider carefully what you would recommend foregoing before God to your friend, and what illustration you would use, to persuade him to that which you judge to be best. For wishes. we find it naturally to be the case, that we are apt to give others better counsels than we follow ourselves.

method not

answer our

Other considerations.

First.

Second.

Thence proceed to consider further, what you will wish you had chosen, when you come to die; and know, that it is that which you should choose now; note in like manner what counsel you will wish to have gone by, when you come to be set before the tribunal of the Eternal Judge; and, which will stimulate the mind still more effectually, think on eternity; remember that Third.

« PreviousContinue »