The Sunday Within The Octave Of Christmas The Gospel Luc. 2.v.33. Tuesday Meditation: A Plaine Path-way To Heaven Thomas Hill 1634

GOSPEL Luke 2:33-40

At that time, And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: "Behold this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed." And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was far advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years: who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord: and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong, full of wisdom: and the grace of God was in him.

Considerations for Tuesday

To raise admiration of spiritual things that are indeed worthy of admiration: no better way then to make comparisons of temporal or corporal things which we use to admire either when we see them, or imagine them. 

Wherefore I will put down two examples of that nature by way of imagination.

The first is this Let us imagine the son of some great King were so cruelly stung by some venomous serpent, that physicians utterly despaired of his life unless some other man would lay his mouth to the poisoned wound, and suck out the poison, which would be his own present death: In this case every man would think the King would make choice one condemned to die; or of some poor servant of his, whose life were of small importance unto him, to have his dear sons life by there death. 

This every man imagines the King would do: and make no wonder if he did so. 

But now on the contrary, if one of the Kings: meanest servants were in that desperate case aforesaid, and to save his life, the Kings only son, when every one else refused to suck out the venom should of his own accord offered to do it; and should indeed perform it with his own certain, inevitable death; the King his father permitting or rather bring it is a thing that the like never heard of before. 

And this hath Christ most willingly done for us and God the father as willingly as he: for, so God loved the world that he gave his only-begotten son for the life of the world, to suck out with his death the poison of sin out of mankind, whom the venomous, serpent the devil had stung to death.

Where lets us consider how much greater the King of heaven is, the King, or all the Kings of the world put together; how much more precious, the life of his son is, then of all the sons of men; that it was Gods only son; that man in comparison of God is infinitely more base and servile, then any man be he never so vile is comparison of another man be he never so noble, or potent. 

That the saving of a soul is infinitely more precious then the saving of the body and then that the love out of which Christ saved our souls, was infinitely greater then the love of one man to another.  

Consider this, and believe it to be most true: and then who would not admire, or rather be rap: out of himself by ecstasy of admiration, at the infinite love, goodness, and mercy of God towards such unworthy, and ungrateful creatures as we are. 

There is nothing more pleasing to God, then thus to consider his works, that we may fall into admiration thereof: for by admiring his benefits, we acknowledge them to be greater then we can comprehend: and consequently, that we are not able to give him due thanks, by which acknowledgement we come as near as we can to be thankful unto him, which is one of the principal services God require at our hands.