IMAGE THE FOURTEENTH.

SEE HOW BROAD IS THE WAY THAT LEADETH UNTO DESTRUCTION; AND HOW MANY SOULS THOU MIGHTST RESCUE FROM THENCE, IF THOU THYSELF WERT EARNESTLY BENT ON PERFECTION.

Consider how great is the number of those that perish (A); whom the Devil (B) invites; and at whom, hiding in ambush, he shoots his arrows (C), from the allurements of these vanities (D). The World (E) draws them on and impels them forward by means of her own laws; and (Oh! sad to think) there are those (F) who, even of their own accord, rush headlong to the place of perdition. Assist these (G) by thy example, by thy words, and by thy prayers. Alas, see how frail is the stay on which the Sinner confides (H). His "trust," as holy Job says, " shall be a spider's web”—spread over the bottomless pit beneath. See how the Angels of God (I) exhort thee to zeal for the souls of others! Yea, even Jesus our King Himself (K) is willing to come down to earth to deliver souls (L), that are in peril of the eternal woe. He sees and knows the dangers that encompass us, though we see and know them not: and oftentimes, while we think not of it, is He descending to succour and deliver us from the devouring flames. a Job viii. 14.

Meditation

ON ZEAL FOR MEN'S SOULS, THE SEVENTH INDUCEMENT TO A

HOLY LIFE.

IMAGINE thyself in a position such as the Image represents.

FIRST POINT.

CONSIDER in the first place, the flaming gulphs and torments, in which so many thousand souls are being plunged perpetually, and from which they might have been snatched, and very many may yet be snatched, if only some one man of Apostolic holiness did but labour diligently to convert them. Secondly, look up and see, with what praises the souls of the Blessed give honour unto God, to their own exceeding comfort and the glory of their Redeemer. If these thoughts affect thy heart, take notice how much thou mightst increase that joy, and deserve well of souls, if thou didst but set thyself with nobleness of heart to perils men's bring sensuality, and those corrupt passions of thine (here and succour name particularly) into subjection. Thirdly, observe in what peril the sinner is, for truly "his trust is as a spider's web."

Observe the

souls are in,

them.

SECOND POINT.

How great is God's majesty, how worthy to be feared and worshipped by all men! Secondly, consider how exceedingly He is desirous to save; so that He made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man, and found in fashion as a man, that like a good shepherd He might carry home on His shoulders but one poor sheep. Thirdly, not only so, but He O how pre- vouchsafed besides to undergo the most grievous torments, and in God's most cruel death, that He might redeem souls by His blood, sight! and purify unto Himself an acceptable people, zealous of good works. Fourthly, what is there sufficient for His measureless charity; for if it were needful, would He not deign for any single soul to de

cious is a soul

b Phil. ii. 7, 8.

Luke xv. 5.

d Titus ii. 14.

scend from Heaven, and to drink up again the same cup of suffering, that so it might attain to salvation? See whether thou hast also in thee this zeal for God, and wouldst willingly be spent, thou and all that is thine, for the salvation of souls and the glory of God; or whether on the other hand thou canst not so much as give up the least morsel of profit or reputation, to save the souls alive that have been ransomed with the blood of Christ.

ments.

ance.

THIRD POINT.

Be roused by

the watchfulness of evil

CONSIDER first, the unwearied watchfulness of the devil, with which, as a roaring lion, he walketh about, seeking whom he may devoure; and sendeth others also about in every direction, to ruin souls, and involve them with themselves in eternal punish- spirits. Awaken thy own drowsiness by the thought of his watchful malice; and since his servants, whether men or devils, are so active and diligent to destroy souls, suffer not thine aid to be lacking to their assistSecondly, see with what enticements the fiend is wont to bait for wretched mortals, namely with some momentary pleasure or honour, which are mixed up too with many a bitter, and do in no way satisfy the appetite. Thirdly, weigh well these words, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Mef; for with what zeal oughtest thou to succour thy neighbour set in the midst of such great dangers, when our Redeemer reckons that which is done to him as done to Himself, as He will shew plainly at the last Day before the whole world?

Exercise of Zeal.

O Christ Jesu, Saviour of the world, Who hast redeemed us by Thine own Blood, and didst give Thy precious life unto death for us; behold, I beseech Thee, how hell hath enlarged her mouth without measure, and the way is made very broad which leadeth to destruction, and very many there be which go in thereat: but narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few that travel ith. Therefore mine eyes do fill with tears, and my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth; because our adversaries are the chief, our enemies prosper for the multitude of our transgressions ;

e 1 Pet. v. 8.

g Isaiah v. 14.

i Lam. ii. 11.

f Matt. xxv. 40.

h Matt. vii. 13.

and they who should have offered themselves, as bulwarks, before Thine house, the princes of Thy people, are gone without strength.

Application

munion.

O Jesu, my Redeemer, is it not a true saying, that Thy Bread which Thou hast prepared for me, strengtheneth man's heart, and Thy Wine to the Com- maketh glad my soul? that Thy love is strong as death1? Surely that it is which maketh Thee willing in me and for me so often as it were to be born and die, and in me to rise again; giving Thyself unto me, as a pledge of my salvation, and of Thine infinite love. Oh that, enkindled therewith, I may despise all things for Thy sake, and may (if need be) lay down my life for my neighbour, especially for mine enemies! I offer it, O Lord, unto Thee for them, and for whomsoever Thou shalt choose; yea, my whole self I offer unto Thee, for an whole burnt-offering,— for a tabernacle of Thine infinite mercy, and a place for Thee to dwell in. For Thou hast said, Lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world! and I hope Thou wilt be with me for ever, because I desire to love Thee for ever.

O vain sons of men! O blind and slow of heart! If money perish, seas are crossed to save it ; but souls unnumbered, Thine heritage, perish, and no man layeth it to heartTM. Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of my people! But it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not, and the Lord will not cast off for ever; but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies". For surely Thou hast borne our griefs, and with Thy stripes hast Thou healed our infirmities. Remember, that Thou stoodest, and standest even now, in the presence of Thy Father, to speak good things for us; and open, I pray Thee, the eyes of the blind, that they may know and love Thee;—the ears of the deaf, that they may hear Thy voice, O Shepherd of our souls; and have mercy upon all, for there is none other that fighteth for us, but only Thou, the Lord our God.

RULES FOR THE EXERCISE OF ZEAL.

FIRST, to be an eminent example to thy neighbour; and to be diligent in observing all things which make for thy neighbour's edification. The clergy particularly, and such as are in any especial manner dedicated to God's service,

k Lam. i. 5, 6.

m Isaiah lvii. 1.

I Cant. viii. 6.

n Lam. iii. 22, 31, 32.