The Whole Duty of Divine Meditation, Part 2 · Meditation 19
MED. XIX. An Act of Divine Lov.
Luk. ix. 57.
Lord, I will follow thee whither soever thou goest.
HE was not ignorant, but knew it was the happiest Resolve he ever entertain'd: Nor can any check him for his Confidence, when it was his Glory to have been so presumptuous: he might have travell'd longer, and far remoter, and not have happen'd with such Celestial Company. Now the Query is, Whether his Boldness, or his Love to Christ, prompted him to this Heroick Action? Behold, with how devout an Importunity he salutes Him whom perhaps he had never known, seen, or heard of before, except by his Miracles only! And that Purity of Life which so amaz'd the Eyes of the Universe, could not but attract his Eyes, and inure his Heart too: And therefore thinking it no great Presumption to use all Arts of improving himself, nor willing to let slip so fair an Opportunity of being Happy; ambitious of an Admission into his Service, he breaks out into Raptures, without any other Oratory than a… humble Earnestness, resolutely gives Him this Salutation, Lord, I will follow thee whither soever thou goest.
II. NOR could our Saviour's Indigency, obstruct or deliberate his Resolution, or dishearten his Purpose; being not only satisfied, but ambitious to partake of the Afflictions of so good a Master, in whose very Necessities he should find a Felicity beyond all Temporal Enjoyments. And is not this Person a fit Example for the whole World to imitate? He that will not run after Jesus affectionately, yet let him not be so scandalous, as to permit a Iew or Publican to circumvent him in the Journey. Are the Felicities of Eternal Bliss of so small a Value, that they are not worth approaching too? Or shall we imagine every step too tiresom, that conveys us to Everlasting Glory?
III. Were the Path to the New Ierusalem but spread with fragrant Roses, or millions of odoriferous Scents and Pleasures to prevent Carnality, the bruitish Sensualist would divert himself constantly, and strive to be a Precursor in those Walks. The Miser cannot follow a Crucified Saviour, for his extortionated Lumber; and rather than relinquish it, will make no Essay towards it. The riotous Epicure will not embrace that Religion that exhorts him to Temperance; for although, perhaps, sometimes, Prayer may be agreeable to him, in case of Necessity, yet Fasting is a Stranger to his Constitution.
IV. THE Celestial Way is too streight for proud Ambition, whose lofty Edifice affects not to be squeez'd in its full carreer, but must post it away swiftly in a Road of as vast an extant as the Universe, or the Infernal Pit can provide him, wherein his Troops of sinful Splendours may, as his Concomitants, attend him in a rank. So difficult a Task it is to abandon the World, even for Celestial Mansions; and contend against the Adulation of Sense, for an Inestimable Bliss; as if all our Hopes, all our Felicity, were wound and wrap'd up in Transactions of this Life only, and no future Expectation for us besides the Delectablenes on this side Mortality.
V. AND yet how numerous are they that imposterously pretend to follow Christ! but must plead Ignorance to his Divine Steps, that pursue Causeys not of his proposing, but of their own shallow seeking: that beaten Path which so many Persons of Sanctity have walked before us, is too Vulgar, too Atheistical for them to trample in; they have, by their indefatigable and diabolical Industry, found out a nearer Way of their own; and imagine they shall arrive at the Celestial Countrey sooner, by shunning of that Way they think so difficult: So inauspicious is that eclipsed Zeal which hotly pursues an Ignis Fatuus which misguides 'em; and scorns the legal steps to the Sacred Temple, but shrinks it self in the obtuse and obscure Labyrinths of Enthusiasm.
VI. THE Way to the Heavenly Canaan is not thorough dark Corners; and how streight soever it is, its Passage to all Believers is kept open: 'Tis a serene Path, from whence may be viewed a Prospect of Eternal Happiness; nor need he be timerous of losing his Way, that doth not absurdly forsake it. The poor sinful Mortal here mention'd, in an Ecstasie hastes to Jesus; and joyning Humility to Resolution, will admit of no Denial; but in a Mendicant Petionary style, and fortify'd with Confidence, thus proclaims his Mind, Lord, I will follow thee whither soever thou goest.
VII. AND now, who would not run with Alacrity, through Adversity, wild Woods, Desarts, and Wildernesses? nay, even wade thorough Seas of Blood, to arrive safe at the Port of the Heavenly Cannaan? He that strives to follow after Jesus, shall never repent his undertaking so happy a Journey: He shall acquire such infinite Treasures in religious Poverty, such multiplicities of Celestial Joys and Satisfaction in the apparent Miseries of a Life of Sanctity, that he will not require any great Perswasions to excite him to this Resolution, cheerfully to forsake all, and follow Jesus whither soever he goeth.
VIII. BUT 'tis Thou alone, O Lord, that can'st raise our Souls from the World, and make them ambitious in searching after Thee and those Things which are Above. Thou art ascended to Thy Throne of Majesty, in glorious Splendour; attract our Souls after Thee in Divine Raptures of Amity, and Spiritual Exaltation, that we may effectually make the Vertues and Perfections of Thy Life, the Golden Rule of ours: And grant that we may not be so allured with transitory things, as to be void of Affection for Thy Glory; but enable us to walk with Alacrity in that Path which Thou hast trod, and fix'd before us; that as we continally live by Thy Goodness, we may live to Thy Glory; and as we move in Thee, we may indefatigably be ever moving towards Thee, till we shall enjoy the Happiness of an Eternal Rest in Thy Heavenly Kingdom, Amen.