are given to all men as tributes are exacted of all," (saith an ancient guide of souls); "but as in the world great persons and favourites not only pay the tax, but also offer presents and gifts to the prince; so in the Church, the most religious observe not only the precepts, but also intimations and counsels, and give to GOD, not only what He exacts, but also free oblations,— all that they are able." How many thousands of saints, now in heaven, have taken this course! how many that now wear the bright crown of virginity might have enjoyed the comforts of marriage, had not the love of JESUS prevailed over their natural desires! how many, who might have possessed great estates, enjoy now the greater treasures of eternity, for having made themselves poor, to relieve the needy members of JESUS! how many who now sit on thrones of glory, have chosen here to follow JESUS in meanness and humility, when honours and worldly pomps were at their command! how many are now rewarded with high degrees of everlasting bliss, for having devoted their whole time upon earth to the service of the blessed JESUS, when they might have spent

more of it upon their profit or pleasure! and how many now living aspire to the same felicities and recompences, by cheerfully following the same ways, and expressing a sincere and unbounded love, by such free oblations!

Why cannot I do, what these my Christian brothers and sisters have done, and do still? hath not God done as great things for me as for them? hath He not given me the same promises as they had? do not I hope to be their companion and fellow-citizen in heaven? And why then cannot I love as much as they did? I should therefore, and do resolve to make no reservations; JESUS shall have the command of all He hath given me, of all He hath enabled me to do; I shall keep nothing from Him which may express my love and gratitude, and do Him service.

Dearest JESUS, I know I can never do for Thee so much as I should, and I know that I shall never do so much as I would; Thou gavest Thyself for me, and Thou wilt give Thyself to me: and LORD, what am I worth, and what is the worth of all I can do? It is a great favour that Thou wilt accept of me, and my weak endeavours. I know that if heaven were capable

of my grief, it would be only that we have not loved Thee enough upon earth; when Thou fillest our souls with Thy divine ravishing joys, we shall wish we had done nothing here but serve and love Thee. O give me grace now whilst I live, to do what I shall wish to have done when I die; let me do, now I am absent from Thee, what I shall wish to have done when I dwell with Thee; "let me love Thee infinitely and without measure." (S. Bernard.) "An

offering of a free heart will I give Thee, and praise Thy Name, O LORD; because it is so comfortable." Ps. liv., 6.

CHAPTER XII.

That our Obedience to the Church is an excellent expression of our Love to CHRIST.

HE first instance of our love, in this way

THE

of free-will offerings, should be a pious obedience to our Mother the Church; not but that it is many ways required, but because 'tis almost wholly neglected. What by pride and refractoriness, what by ignorance and indevotion, and what by looseness and irreligion, that obedience which ought to be paid to "those that have the rule over us in the LORD," to the standing rules and orders of our spiritual governors, is so generally laid aside, that many that would yet dare not press it upon the people; and that even they that obey, do it secretly, and, as though 'twere dishonourable, and are in a manner ashamed to own it. Hence comes that great neglect of Confirmation, that most necessary and ancient, if not Apostolic

constitution; hence the desuetude of Fasting upon appointed days, and even of bidding of them and the non-observance of Holy-days, and times of solemn devotion; hence the slight regard had to the Public Worship of GOD, and the seldom receiving of the LORD's Body; hence the reservedness and unhappy secrecy of most people in not acquainting their spiritual guides with the state of their conscience when it needs, and not receiving their comforts and directions; hence the not sending for the Elders of the Church to do their office upon sick persons, and the seldom desiring their absolution; and hence, even in too many of the Clergy, the neglect of daily saying Divine Offices, as they are commanded, and observing other injunctions peculiar to them. I may say, that it fares with our Church as with some princes, who have their due sovereignty denied them because they are Christians: (as if by becoming members and defenders of the Church, they were become subject to Patriarchal Chairs and Puritan Synods); for so, many would not have this Church obeyed, because 'tis Reformed; they would not have its laws observed, because it makes them inferior