The True Christians T est, Part 2 · Meditation 49
MEDITAT. XLIX. A Concluding Meditation.
I Can imagine nothing that does really commend the World, or any thing herein to our Affections, or Entertainment; but it is in a higher degree, or a more excellent kind to be found in God. The ſuperlative Love of God muſt needs therefore be moſt juſt and reaſonable.
And oh would to God it might appear ſo to all Men, to all the Children of God. Oh thou Father of Men and Father of Mercies, ſet home thoſe Conſiderations of the reaſonableneſ…, neceſſity, eaſineſs, pleaſantneſs, ſeemlineſs, profitableneſs, of this Love of thee upon the Hearts of all Men, that as thou loveſt them more then they, ſo they may love thee more than themſelves or any thing elſe! How long, O Lord, ſhall it be obſerved, to the breaking of the Hearts of thy Friends, that thou art hated by ſo great a Part of that Creation, that is nothing but the product of thy own Love and Goodneſs! What a fearful horrible Rebellion is this World thrown into, when the Children of the Moſt High riſe up againſt their Father, their very Hearts ri… againſt him, againſt his Service, againſt his People againſt his Name and Authority! Oh ſad Apoſtacy of … Nature, Oh lamentable degeneracy of rational Faculties! How are men transformed into Moles, hating the Light, and making to themſelves Places and Paradices in the Baſe Earth! How are Souls converted into Swine, feeding upon Husks and wallowing in Filthineſs! How ſtupendiouſly are the rational Palates vitiated, who loath the Honey and the Honey-comb; to whom Love it ſelf is hateful! Oh Lord, pity this unnatural viperous Generation, that are without natural affection to their Father; caſt forth thy Cords of Love, and reconcile this undutiful rebellious Offſpring, to thy Bleſſed and Lovely Self! Hear me O my God in theſe Requeſts, which on my own behalf, and on the behalf of all the undutiful Crew of lapſed Souls, I humbly preſent to thy Merciful Majeſty.
Diſparage all the Wealth and Glory and Sweetneſs, and Beauty and Bravery of the World in our apprehenſion, that we may look upon them as things unſuitable, inadequate, inferiour to our Noble Natures; meer Husks and Traſh, Duſt and Gravel, in Compariſon of the proper food of Souls!
Diſplay thy Divine Excellency, Sweetneſ…, Fullneſs, Infinite Goodneſs, Suitableneſs and Allſufficiency to us, that we may be throughly convinc'd, that thou art altogether lovely, and that all other things, yea Heaven it ſelf, are to be loved for thy ſake.
Let thy good Spirit move upon our Affections, and overſhadow theſe Souls ſo long, till it have impregnated them with Divine Love! Whether Love be like Water, do thou ſhed it abroad in our Hearts till it overflow all our Faculties, as the Waters cover the Sea; or whether it be like Fire, let the Breath of the Lord Blow it up into a victorious and irreſiſtible Flame!
Grant, good God, that this Love of Thee, may expreſs it ſelf in the Faith, Love, and Obedience of thy Bleſſed Son Jeſus, in the Entertainment and Proſecution of the Motions of thy Holy Spirit, in a ſincere Love of all Men, in a ſingular Delight in the Saints, in the conſtant preference of Truth▪ Righteouſneſs, the Eſtabliſhment of Peace and Order, the Advancement of the Goſpel, the Favour of God and our own Conſciences, before Riches, Honours, Pleaſures, Self-pleaſing, the Favour of Men, the Propagations of Parties, and all Worldly Intereſt whatſoever; in the preferrence of the Peace and Holineſs of our Souls before the gratifications of the Body, and the ſecuring of a happy Eternity, before the ſerving of Time!
Finally, I beſeeeh Thee O my Gracious Father, be daily adding Fewel to this Holy Fire, maintain and encreaſe this pious Ardor: Keep us in thy Love, waiting for the Mercy of Jeſus Chriſt unto Eternal Life: Be daily winding up theſe Heavy and Lingring Hearts unto Thy Self; and carrying on theſe imperfect Longings, till thou haſt ripened them into Perfect, Lively, Fearleſs, Endleſs Love and Delight, in thy Heavenly Kingdom, for the ſake of the Son of thy Love; who hath loved us and given himſelf for us, that we might give our Selves to Thee! To him, with the Father, and the Holy Ghoſt, be all Thanks, Love and Obedience for evermore.
Amen.
FINIS.