6OS ÒN EXCITING THE DEVOUT ArrECTIONB. Nicolas,a poorservant maid,who had spent morethan thirtyyears of her life in the constant. exercise of divine love. " God has not sent me, says she, into this world, but to love himself, and through his great mercy, I have lovedhim somuch, that I cannot love him more, after the manner of mortals : I must go to him, that I may love him after the manner of the blessed." Meditation. " I have learned so muchof religion, as to know that it does not consist in vehement commotions of animal nature, in sublime raptures, and ecstasies : We may be sincere christians in the exercise of repentance and faith, and in the practice of holy obedience, without any overwhelming.sorrows, or transporting joys. Yet since the various affections of fear and hope, love and sorrow, desire and delight, belong tomy nature, I am sure they ought tobe all engaged in some measure in the service of God and religion : And I havebeen taught in this dis- course, bywhat methods it may be obtained. Let me now re- collect these advices briefly, in orderto practise." And first, " I will endeavour that the ruling powers of my soul, the understanding and the will be employed in these affairs of everlasting importance. O may my memory be richly fur- nished with treasures of divine knowledge ; may I be fully con- vinced of the necessity and worth of true religion ! May I have the most exalted esteea of God and things heavenly ! May these be the objects of mydearest choice ! May my will be firmlyde- termined, to fit on these as my highest portion, and my ever- lasting all ! " And can I go thus far, without making God the supreme object of my love ? Can I chuse him with all his ex- cellencies, his graces, and his glories, as my all sufficient bap- piness,,,and live upon him as such, and yet not love him ? I think this is impossible. Let me then cherish . and improve this divineprinciple of love ; and divine lovewill govern all the other passions of nature, will employ them in their proper work, and distribute to them, their several offices in the religious life. Love is the sovereign and commanding passion. " But what shall I do, OLord, to love thee more ?. How shall I kindle this divine flame? How shall I nourish it and raise it high ? I meditate on the wonders of thy nature, the extent of thy good- ness, and the riches of thy mercy, and yet how little do I love thee ? I review the sweet variety of blessings, that I have re- ceived from thy hand in this life, and the surprizing transactions of thy condescending grace, which relate to the life to come, " and yet how little do I love thee ?" I behold Jesus thy Son sent out of thy own bosom to take flesh and blood, and to dwell' among sinners, even Jesus, the Son of thy highest love, sent down to earth to be made a sacrifice, and to die for the sake of such guilty wretches as I am, an amazing instance ofthy love to us, " and yet how little do I love thee ?" I read in thy word,
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