History of King Charles the Second of EnglandAbbott, Jacob
History
History of King Charles the Second of England
Abbott, Jacob
Charles II, King of England, 1630-1685
On this earth you have only God for a father; but, as he is eternal,
you can never lose him. It is he who sustains your existence and life;
it is he who has given you to a great king; it is he who, at this time,
places a crown on your brow, and will establish you in England, where
you ought to believe that he requires your service, and there he means
to effect your salvation. Remember, my child, every day of your life,
that he is your God, who has put you on earth intending you for heaven,
who has created you for himself and for his glory.
The late king, your father, has already passed away; there remains no
more of him but a little dust and ashes, hidden from our eyes. One of
your brothers has already been taken from us even in his infancy; God
withdrew him at his own good pleasure. He has retained you in the world
in order to load you with his benefits; but, as he has given you the
utmost felicity, it behooves you to render him the utmost gratitude.
It is but just that your duties are augmented in proportion as the
benefits and favors you receive are signal. Take heed of abusing them.
Think well that the grandeur, goodness, and justice of God are infinite,
and employ all the strength of your mind in adoring his supreme
puissance, in loving his inviolable goodness; and fear his rigorous
equity, which will make all responsible who are unworthy of his benefits.
Receive, my child, these instructions of my lips; begin and finish
every day in your oratory, [Footnote: An oratory is a little closet
furnished appropriately for prayer and other exercises of devotion.]
with good thoughts and, in your prayers, ask resolution to conduct
your life according to the laws of God, and not according to the
vanities of this world, which is for all of us but a moment, in which
we are suspended over eternity, which we shall pass either in the
paradise of God, or in hell with the malign spirits who work evil.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account