Book IV. of J E S U S C H R I S T. 3 39

Pillars upon which Chriftianicy Hands ; the two go- verning Principles of a good Man's Opinions and Actions. And their Authority and Influence is in no one Inrtance more confiderable^ than in this of the Blefled Sacrament. God is infinite and eternal, his Power unbounded, and incomprehenfible. He ^ioes wbatfoe'uer fleafetb him inHea'ven ani in Earthy and who can tmder panel his Coti7ifels^or find out all his Methods ? If the Works of God were fuch as Human Reafon could penetrate with eafe^they would lofe great part of their Glory. We fhould foon abate of our Awe and Ve- neration for their Author, if his Dealings were not above the Povv^er of our Tongues to exprefs, and the utmoft Extent of our Imaginations to con- ^
ceive. O that Men would therefore -praife ^-/^"- ^^^^• the Lord for his Gooditefisy and confefs the Wonders that he hath done for the Children of Men ! for great and mar'uellous are thy Works ^ O Lord God ^^^' '^^^' Almighty ! How unfearchahle are thy Jtidg- rnentSy and thy Ways fa fi finding out / ^°^^' ^^'
The E N D.
AD-
ADVERTISEMENT
T O T H E
READER
BE Puhlijlref-s vfibis Edition^ being defirous tv Vender this littk Book as generally nffful as it was fojjible ; aiid confidmngy that the two great. Occajions of Extraordinary Devotion are the Seafons of Receiving the Blejjed Sacrament ef the Lord's Suffer^ and that of Si'cknefs ; thought the Former rea^ fcnably well provided for, in the Fotirth Book of the forego^ ing Travflation) and engaged Me to make fome Siifflemen^ tary Vrovijlon for the Latter,' This I was the rather dlfpo- fed to do, in regard a great fart of that which follows lay by me, fome time ftnce compcfed at the Rec^tuf of a Lady; (jiow I hope with Ood) who defired my Ajfifance In Prepa^ rlfjgfome Meditations, that might be proper for htr then ve- yy weak and languijinng Condition, The ?^nanner; in which they were dtawn, jeemcd not ill to fnit with the Temper of the Author" to 'which they arefxed. And the Def^^n of caf^-* ing them into this Form is to promote, in fome meafure.jhofi Reafonlngs with a Mans own Mind, 7vhich at all times in-' deed, but efpecially in fuch Clr cum fiances , wotdd prove of excellent Ad-Vantage, iffrecffrenp- Ufe did but render them more familiar.
I am far from thinking, that thefe few Sheets have any thing in them of equal Verfecilon 7vith thofe many Vlous and Well weighed Treatifes, written by Others upon this SubjeCl, Much kfs Would I have the Reader imagine, that eltherThls cr Thofe can fuperfede the Necejjltj and Benefit cfthePrayers of the Church, and the Advice of our Spiritual Vhyficiavs,
To the R E A D E R.
Thefe ought ahvays to he confulted in the firfi Place, before Aiatters come to ExtrerrAty\ And a confcientlousTerfon^after all his oivn Care, 7V ill find Bufinefs enough for them. But the Exercife of Piety prefer ihed infuch Trails will he good Helps, and fill up thofe Inter'vals 'very well, which the Lan^ guijJjings of a Sick Bed many times allow, when it cannot he expeBed, that the Ordinary Guides of our Souls JJjould he rea- dy with their Attendance. Whofe DireElions in the Meafures of Mens Repentance, while under thz affliBing Hand of God, and the proper Methods of Exprejffing their Thankfulnefs when deliver d from it, as well as their prudent Comforts cdminifired to wounded and contrite Hearts^ will notwith^ fianding he always feafo7iahle and necejfary.
Hoe Devout Chrifiian, who converfes much with the Word of God, and the Offices of the Church, will find himfelf able to make large Additions to the following Devotions. In which it was much more difficult to reftrain my Pen, than to ex- patiate a great deal further. But I conjldered the condition of the Pe>'fo7Js they were intended for • and therefore con- tented my felf with fuch Jhort Hints undiv each Head, at the Weaknefs of that would hear. If what I have offered here may tend to the promoting cf Piety, and. the fan^ifying fuch Difpenfations of Providence to any one ef my Chrifiian Brethren , hy kindling in them a holy Zeal, and infpiring good Purpofes , I have my End, And this, with God i^ Bleffing, I hope it will ; and heartily fray that it may, in feme Degree he capahk of.
Geo, Stanhope.
Medita-
Meditations and Prayers
FOR
icfe WtttmB
Meditation I.
Upon Skknefs in general^ the Author-, Caufes., and End of it.