The Spiritual Chemist, Meditations · Meditation 25
Meditation XXV. Ʋpon falſe Mediums.
THe fruition of the end, is the Sabbath of all action, having this property in it, to quiet as well as incite the Agent; for nothing moves that it may move, but moves that it may reſt. And yet though the end be alwaies deſirable, it is by Agents who act freely, and out of choice often miſſed, and falls ſhort of, as well as enjoyed. And this ſometimes comes to paſs by their dividing the means from the end, preſuming they may obtain the one, and yet not uſe the other. With this Sophiſm Satan hath cheated many of Salvation, while he hath made them confident of happineſs, and yet careleſs of holineſs; and to think they may Inne with the righteous, though they never travel with them in the way, that they may reap glory, though they ſow ſeed to the fleſh. Sometimes again they miſs the end though they uſe the means, becauſe they do not proportion the one to the other. They uſe the means, but it is, as ſome Patients take Phyſick, to ſtir the humours rather than to carry them away, and thereby endanger themſelves, rather than effect a cure. Many through the ſtrength of Conviction yield that if they will have heaven ſomething muſt be done by them; but their ſtudy is rather to find out the inviſible point, where nature and grace part, than to abound in all manner of holy Converſation, and ſo while they ſtrive to do no more then what will ſave them, they miſerably fall ſhort of what is requiſite. Others again miſcarry in regard of the end, by pitching upon falſe and vain means, ſuch when laboured and perſiſted in do not profit in the leaſt. Would any man wonder at his diſappointment, that ſhould hunt an Hare with a Snail? Or to hit the Mark ſhould ſhoot an Arrow out of a Butchers Gambrel? Or to make a Tree fruitful ſhould cloath the body of it with coſtly Silks inſtead of feeding the root with good mould? Would not this folly be rather greatly reproached by all, then his fruſtrated endeavours in the leaſt be pitied by any? And yet how many men who would brand ſuch a perſon with the deepeſt mark of folly and madneſs are guilty of as great infatuation in matters of far higher moment? Is there any thing that can be of more real conſequence, than the eternal welfare of an immortal ſoul? Can the care of Anxiety be too great what Rocks to ſhun; what paths to tread; what means to uſe, that may bring the ſoul and ſalvation together? And yet behold what an ill choice of Mediums do ſuch who profeſs themſelves wiſe make to effect it: The Idolater, he after a ſtrange manner firſt makes his God, and then begs his happineſs from it; one part of the Wood he burnes, as Fuel to ſerve him, and the other part of it he ſerves and dreads as a Deity, and falling down unto it, worſhippeth it, and ſaith, deliver me for thou art my God. The wretched Libertine he thinks it little skills what Religion any man is of, ſo he be but true unto it, and walk according to the Rules and Principles of it: as if Heaven were a Port to which all Windes would drive; an Inn in which Travellers that journey from contrary quarters may be equally received. The Phariſaical Chriſtian layes the ſtreſs of his Salvation upon his Duties, which at beſt are like chaines of glaſs, more ſpecious then ſtrong; like flouriſhings in Parchment, that cannot bear a fiery trial. O how few are they who conſider that Heaven ſtands like a little Mark in a wide Field, where there are a thouſand wayes to erre from it, and but one to hit it? yea, though God hath ſaid that there is but one Sacrifice by which we can be perfected; but one Blood by which we can be Purified; but one Name by which we can be ſaved; yet how hardly are the beſt drawn to truſt perfectly to the Grace revealed, and to look from themſelves to Chriſt, as the Author and Finiſher of their bleſſedneſs? To make them a right choice of the way that leads to Salvation, is not an act of Natural Wiſdom, but of Divine Illumination, and Teachings of the Spirit, who both inlightneth the Minde, and inclineth the will to chuſe the one thing which is neceſſary. O therefore, holy Father, ſeeing thou haſt made the whole Progreſs of Salvation, from firſt to laſt to be in Chriſt, and by Chriſt; Election to be in him, Adoption to be in him, Juſtification to be in him, Sanctification to be in him, Glorification to be in him; grant, that whatever others do, I may never chuſe the Candlelight of Reaſon, but the Sun of Righteouſneſs, as the guide of my feet into the pathes of life, and both in life and death ſay, as that bleſſed Martyr did, none but Chriſt, none but Chriſt.