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Preparation.
- Place yourself in the Presence of God.
- Invoke His Aid.
Considerations.
- Represent to yourself a lovely calm night, when the heavens
are bright with innumerable stars: add to the beauty of such a
night the utmost beauty of a glorious summer's day,-- the sun's
brightness not hindering the clear shining of moon or stars, and
then be sure that it all falls immeasurably short of the glory
of Paradise. O bright and blessed country, O sweet and precious
place!
- Consider the beauty and perfection of the countless
inhabitants of that blessed country;-- the millions and millions
of angels, Cherubim and Seraphim; the glorious company of
Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and saints. O blessed
company, any one single member of which surpasses all the glory
of this world, what will it be to behold them all, to sing with
them the sweet Song of the Lamb? They rejoice with a perpetual
joy, they share a bliss unspeakable, and unchangeable delights.
- Consider how they enjoy the Presence of God, Who fills them
with the richness of His Vision, which is a perfect ocean of
delight; the joy of being for ever united to their Head. They
are like happy birds, hovering and singing for ever within the
atmosphere of divinity, which fills them with inconceivable
pleasures. There each one vies without jealousy in singing the
praises of the Creator. "Blessed art Thou for ever, O Dear and
Precious Lord and Redeemer, Who dost so freely give us of Thine
Own Glory," they cry; and He in His turn pours out His ceaseless
Blessing on His Saints. "Blessed are ye,--Mine own for ever, who
have served Me faithfully, and with a good courage."
Affections and Resolutions.
- Admire and rejoice in the Heavenly Country; the glorious
and blessed New Jerusalem.
- Reprove the coldness of your own heart for having hitherto
so little sought after that glorious abode. Why have I so long
lingered indifferent to the eternal happiness set before me?
Woe is me that, for the sake of poor savourless earthly
things, I have so often forgotten those heavenly delights. How
could I neglect such real treasures for mere vain and
contemptible earthly matters?
- Aspire earnestly after that blessed abode. Forasmuch, O
Dear Lord, as Thou hast been pleased to turn my feet into Thy
ways, never will I again look back. Go forth, my soul, towards
thy promised rest, journey unweariedly to that hoped-for land;
wherefore shouldest thou tarry in Egypt?
- Resolve to give up such and such things, which hinder you
on the way, and to do such others as will help you
thitherwards.
Give thanks, offer, pray.
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