A06514:83
A treatise co[n]teining certain meditatio[n]s of true & perfect consolatio[n], ... Written in the…A treatice co[n]teining certain meditatio[n]s of trew & perfect consolatio[n], ... Written in the…
A treatise co[n]teining certain meditatio[n]s of true & perfect consolatio[n], ... Written in the French tongue, and translated in to English by Robert FillsA treatice co[n]teining certain meditatio[n]s of trew & perfect consolatio[n], ... Written in the Frenche tung, and translated in to Englishe by Robert Fills
London : J. Alde, 1564
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Hitherto we have seen the goods which be ours and which be in our selves, now let us see those that be in others, and with out us. The first of these is in those that be under us, that is to say in the reprobate damned souls, but this is wonderful. For what good may ⟨p. 43⟩one find in the dead and […]? But the mercy and goodness of God is so great universally, that he teacheth us to see our good in the middest of great evils. Let us in the first place compare them and us together; and then we shall see our •able gains, as one may gather easily by the opposite considerations or contrary evils. For so many evils of death, hell and damnation as we do see in them: so many gains do we see in our selves, and so much the greater as theses be gre•o and great. This consideration ought not lightly to be passed over, because these things do propose and set before our eyes the great mercy of God which is most excellent and marvellous, and it is dangerous not to way these things so great and excellent, that we be not found ingrate and on thankful, and to be damned with the or more grievously tormented▪ And the more that we see them howl and lament: ⟨image 56⟩the more we ought to rejoice in the bounty and mercy of God towards us, according as is said in the. 65. Chapter of Isaiah. Behold my servants eat and drink, and you die in hunger and sorrow & languor for thirst. Behold my servants rejoice in great gladness of hart, & you howl and lament for the very dolours and sorrow of your hearts, and cry for the great oppression of spirit, your name shall not be sworn by among my elect. &c. Finally as I have said these horrible examples of evil livers and reprobate, do help and further to our advertisement & giveth us good instructions as Saint Gregory reciteth in his dialogues, that he is happy which can beware by the dangers of others. And although this benefit touch not our hearts but faintly, because it is common and happeneth often: yet nevertheless it is worthy to be esteemed and numbered among the greatest benefits, and greatly ⟨p. 44⟩approved of wise men, and of those that have godly understanding. Behold a great part of the holy scriptures, teach to this end.