Com.i.Ofthe ¿oveofGod, "nd.thècc trariesthereta. Chi zá, I59 as we are to affect this prefent tranfitory World. The philofophers fay, that the Soul ofMan is placed in loco medio inter Deum & creatural, hath a middle place between God and the Creatures. And that which (#ands in the midi} of two things cannot move to both, but motibtu contrariis, by contrary motions. Certainly this is the cafe of the Soul , it ftandeth fo in regard ofGod and the World; and cannot move to both , but by contrary motions. Nowbecaufe through the corruption of original fin , the Soul is abated ; it apprehendeth worldlythings belt becaufe they are veer, t illisnos ingnrgitamua , we fill ourfelves fo with them , that we have no tart of heavenly things; according to that of the. Wife-man, Animafaturata calcabit favum, the full fed defpifeth the Hony-comb. And therefore to correct this humour, Pruv.i7.7. we mutt jejunare fart, and wean our felves from the World; for if we glut and cram our Souls with worldlypleafures, we can have notall of God and fn come to defpife, or neglect him. z. Betides this, there is amor fui, felflove; and this is harder to reprefs, than the other; and it is that wherewith Men are wilfully infeCied and till a great meafure of the Spirit pofhefs their hearts , they will not beable to rid themfelves ofit. And therefore it is that Pro.er faith, Amantes donantar obi , thofe Men that o- ver love themfelves are given up to themfelves,fo that they lofe the love ofGod. And this humour hath two degrees. r.When we think better ofour felves thanwe are,and fo love our felves better thanwe fhould. z.. When we prefer our felves in our love before God. The firft is a degree ro the fecond ; for when Men have tatted worldly things,though bate, then nothing will haveany relifh with them,but thole; and roan., ny come to fay of God, with himin Plateau, ¡W/ome Oa mulier.plusamet quant dii, fo bruitifh are many in their hearts , and in their : doings proclaim it , that they had rather have the favour of this Man or Woman, thanof God. Saint Jerome defines this tobe inordinttamanimi mount quo aliquis execllentiam propriamadmiratur , This is a difordered motion of the mind, whereby a Man admires his own ex- cellency. 2. The fecond thing here forbidden, is that which is appofed to Zeal, com- monly called flupor, ftupidity, when we account of all things alike, as ifthere were no difference between good and ill, God and Baal ; and we can becontent to tolerate both. Saint Aagufline faith, that this fiuperis pejus omnibus vitiie, the worft of all fin: this God punifheth with other grievousfins ; for it isan efpecial prejudice to the love of God. 3. The third is that which the Fathers call ngufeam giritau, which we may call a loathing of God, when the thought of God is a burthen to them. Thecafe of filch Men isdefperatç, and it is thevery extremity of evil, to which Men may come in this life; and though it be more rare., yet it is found in force; Now all there negatives and affirmativesmay be thus examinedand known , by the contempt or approbation of Gods Laws; not of God himfelf: for every Man will fay, he loves God with all his heart, but ofhis Laws. For the cafe is a- like, as between an earthly Prince and, us, fobetween God and us. Qui diligit Re. gem, diligit Legem, he that loves the King, loves his Law : and fo Qui diligit Deana, Pfal,rr9.67. dilgit erbam, he that lovesGod, loves his Word. And this was King David, touch- ftonc. O how do I love thy Law, faith David, and I have therefore loved thyCom- mandments ; for they are the very joy of my heart. We will add fomething concerning the means, and they are three, a. Pal- ehrum. 2.-Propiaquum. 3. Vrile, beauty, neernefs, andprofit, or benefit. Men arë . moved to love , by there, or force ofthefe inducements ; and all there areeminent. lyrn God. I. Beauty. There is. s. A vifible. And 2. An invifible beauty. The vifible, is that which attraitcth our Eyes : one of the Heathen calls it, radiumdivina.r4entia, the beamofDivine effence; and another,farcm divinifeminia, the Flower of theDivine Seed. This beauty is not that which ought to move usmuch; it quickly fades: one of the Heathen laid, Da mini flew eflivana, the .Summers -fun will parch it As mihiventurnvernum , the Adarchnwind will fpoilit; or Dig' unßuem.tranfverfam,fcratch but with thy Nail, and it is marred. But the beauty of God (ifaMan had a glorified Eye
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