England other contries that would desier if they mighte obtaine it but the verie crummes that fall froÌ„ the table of our Lorde and yet the occasion and opportunitie is not offered vnto them How many are there that would hould them selues thrice happie if but once in one monthe they mighte be worthie to be guestes at this sacred table of our Lorde How many religious and anointed persons trowest thou liue in this worlde that are vtterly debarred the frequentinge of this SacrameÌ„t Wherfore worthelie may we say that haue fit opportunitie to come to receiue it often What shal I giue againe to my Lorde for all the benefits he hath bestovved vpon me Psal 15. What shal I render for so vnspeakable a fauour I vvil receiue the chalice of saluation moste willingly and any cupp whatsoeuer thoughe neuer so bitter I vvil call vpon his blessed name and it will taste in my mouthe moste sweete and pleasant I vvil yeeld and deliuer vp my vovves vnto him I wil abandon and renownce as I promised in Baptisme all the vanities and pompes of this wretched worlde and to be readie to die for the only desier loue of Christ my Sauiour For Moste precious in the sighte of our Lorde is the death of his Saintes Certaine Godly and deuoute admonitions for the more vvorthy preparation to the B. Sacrament ansvveringe to the former Considerations the first admonition ansvveringe to the first the seconde to the seconde and so in order 1. FIrst consideringe that so often as thou frequentest the B. Sacrament thou art visited by God made partaker of his presence of duety thou oughtest to renownce and abandon all the vanities and pleasures of this world henceforth no more to frequenâ— tâ—uâ—rnes and banquets no more to fâ—llow playes vaine shewes nor to haunte hereafter dansing at weddinges to fly and sâ—unne all wanton meetings of youth vtterly to relinquâ—sh and neuer to desier againe any worldly or voluptuous pleâ—sâ—res and carefully and diligently to keepe watch ouer thy harte and dayly to pray to God that sith thou desierest to haue thy mynde recollected it will please him to expell and cast owt of thy soule all kinde of vanityes and worldly distractions euen as Christ expelled the buyers and sellers forth of the Temple Io. 2. 2. Seeinge thou art so honored by this holy Communion worthely oughtest thou to contemne all worldly honours that thou maist say with the Apostle Saint Paule â—al 6. The vvorld is crucified to me and I to the vvorlde For to what end should he esteeme the honoures of this world who seeth him selfe so honoured and estemed with God with his Angells and with all the Sainctes in heauen The holy Fathers in tymes past duly considering this desiered to be accompted reputed here as fooles and abiectes 3. Euen as the Temple or Church wher the holie sacryfice is offered vp ought to be kepte most cleane and decentely adorned so imagin and thinke that thy harte ought to be which is the Temple and habitation of God in which thou must dayly prayse and glorifie his holye name and say to all thy euill thoughts and wicked desiers Marc. 11. My house is the house of prayer and the Temple of God but you vvill make it a denne of theeues 4. He that often frequenteth this holie Sacrament is made and becometh the Tabernacle of the most B. Trynitye Therfore euen as the Tabernacle is accustomed to be kept from all soyle and vncleanlines and carefully defended from theeues and other violence So much more ought our sowle and body to be preserued from al sport of syn strongly defended against the assaults and temptations of our capiral enemies the world the flesh and the deuill 5. Consideringe that so often as thou receiuest the B. Sacrement thou art made as it were the Mother of God thou oughtest to desier and endeuour all that thou canst to imitate and follow the virtues of the Mother of God and principally that most perfect and absolute resignation of her selfe and of all thinges what soeuer that appertained vnto her into the hands of God that thou maiest say with her so often as thou receiuest the B. Body of our Sauiour Behould the handmayde of our Lorde be it to mee accordinge to thy vvorde Which words wheÌ„ as she had pronownced she presently became the Mother of Christ 6. And seeinge that thy sowle by receiuinge the B. Sacrament is made the Relyquary of the Body and Bloode of our Lorde which exceede in the highest degree the Reliques of all Saints whatsoeuer thou oughtest euer to haue most diligent care that this Reliquary be preserued from all filth and pollution of sinne and also that it be adorned with the glittering gould of charitye with the bright shyninge siluer of chastitie and with the orient pearles ritch stones of al spirituall vertues especiallie knowinge how much the health of the sowle is to be preferred before al worldly treasures 7. And consideringe that thy flesh so ofteÌ„ as thou doest coÌ„municate is touched by the blessed and sacred flesh of Christ great reason it is that by Christ thou preserue it by Christ thou feede and nourish it for Christs sake thou doe loue it be carefull that no euill once defile it imagininge it to be nothinge else then a holy chalice or some other consecrated thinge which for reâ—â—erence sake none ought to presume to touche 8. Euen as the Sepulcher where the body of our Lord was layde was new and cleane neuer before hauing bin vsed of any euen so ought our soules to be cleane and vnspotted so often as we receaue the most B. Sacrament The Body of Christ was wrapped in a most pure and cleane Syndon The same Body of Christ is likewise layde by the Preest on the Aultar in a pure and cleane corporall The Host it selfe is pure and white and the Preist being redye to celebrate doth twice wash his hands to signify vnto vs with what purity and cleanes of conscience Christ is to be receiued in this holie Sacrament 9. Thou must with great alacrity and exultation of spiritt as a cheerfull Hoste receyue thy Lorde and Creator not respectinge thy owne imperfections but the exceedinge goodnes of him whom thou receyuest in to thy howse For he cometh to thee only to that end that he may supply al thy defectes cure thy infirmyties enritch thy pouertye and furnish thy sowle with al varietie of spiritual perfections 10. Even as in Paradice God is perfectlie loued his holy will performed and only his glory sought and desiered so he that doth often frequeÌ„t the B. Sacrament beinge made therby as it were the Paradice of God ought to endeuour to the vttermost of his power to loue God in all perfect maner and in all things to conforme him selfe to his blessed will and in euery place tyme and occasion to seeke that only which is most to his honour vtterly contemninge and treadinge vnderfoote his
daily propose two lessons to his frendes the one whereby they may knowe and see their owne imperfections and by the other to consider his diuine goodnes that so mercifully and paciently beareth with their infirmities And S. Bede affirmeth that if S. Paule had bene free from the motion of the flesh that happely he might haue fallen into eternal damnation euen so might many holie and vertuous men vtterly perishe if God did not sometime permit them to fal into venial sinnes A deuout sâ—ruant of God was accustomed to say That he neuer feared those sinnes which he knewe in him selfe and detested but such sinnes only which other he held him selfe free from or which he made no great account to commit or else such sinnes as finding in him selfe he would thorough partiality colour and excuse S. Augustine willeth vs to be sorie for our sinnes also that we should reioyce and take comfort in such sâ—rrowe considering that such sâ—rrowe is euer accâ—mpanied with the grace of God An other Holie Father would often say that he neuer marueiled if thorough-frailtie he found him selfe to fal into some sinnes considering his weaknes and how far he found him selfe from perfect vertue but rather that he marueiled if at any time he found him selfe free from offending An other Father would say that the often and daily defectes of good and vertuous men did shew and verefie that which in an other sence is denied in the gospel Luc. 16. that grapes may be gathered from vnfruitful thornes that is that thorough our owne defaultes and imperfections we may attaine to the knowledg of the goodnes of God and from the bryars of our defectes may gather the figges of celestial and diuine sweetnes The same holie Father would say that our B. Lorde did permit vs to fal into sinne that by that occasion we might come vnto him being inuited thereto by those comfortable wordes Matt. 15. Come vnto me al yee that are laden with imperfections and I vvil refresh you When a deuout and vertuous person was sometime ouercome with great sorrowe and grâ—efe considering deeply his owne defectes and imperfections he heard a voice saying thus vnto him Why art thou pensiue come and cast al thy griefes vvithin the vvounde of my side which wordes being spoken his griefe and sorrowe was presently taken away That al signes and tokens of true and perfect loue are founde to be in the most B. Sacrament AMongst the infinite signes and argumeÌ„ts of loue which our Sauiour shewed towardes vs whilst he conuersed here with men the institution of the most B. SacrameÌ„t may be accounted with the greatest Therefore saieth S. Iohn When Christ had loued those that vvere his he loued them vnto the end That is Iohn 13. to the end of his life for then did he bestowe his greatest benefits vpon them and gaue them most manifest signes tokens of his loue leauing for a time his owne life for them and giuing him selfe to them for euer in the B. Sacrament First therefore the principal signe and token of true loue is an earnest desire most nerely to ioyne and as it were to ingrafte our selues into the thinge which we entirely loue This signe how liuely it appeared in Christ is made plaine and manifest in the institution of the most B. Sacrament for one chiefe cause of the institution thereof was that he might make vs euen one with him selfe and therefore did he institute it vnder the forme of meat considering that as of meate and him that eateth it is made one and the selfe same thinge euen so is made one of Christ and the soule which receiueth him in the B. Sacrament And this vnion is made by participation of one spirit in him that receiueth and him that is receiued whereof ensueth one maner of life and conuersation An other signe is to doe wel vnto him whom we loue And when he that loueth bestoweth his hart on him whom he loueth he hath nothinge left which most willingly he would not bestowe vpon him now then what greater thing could be thought on or imagined then that which Christ imparteth vnto vs in the most B. Sacrament For he giueth vnto vs his most pretious flesh and blood and maketh vs partakers of al those merits which he procured by sacrificing the same for our redemption And euen as our soule so soone at it was conioyned with that flesh and blood which we receiued from our first father Adam was presently made partaker of al the miseries and calamities of Adam euen so so soone as it is conioyned by receiuinge the most B. Sacrament with the most pretious flesh of our Lord and Sauiour Christ it is made partaker of the meritts and treasures of Christ For which cause it is called Communion because hereby our Sauiour doth communicate vnto vs not only his most sacred body and blood but also the meritts which by the same body and blood he purchased for vs. Thirdly those who entirely loue the one the other wil euer the one be mindful of the other and therefore if at any time they be seuered or parted yet leaue they alwayes some token of remembrance which may preserue and renewe their loue The like signe of loue is this most B. Sacrament which as a token of remembrance our Lorde would leaue with vs for the which cause when first he did institute the same he saied Doe this in remembrance of me That is cal to mynde remember so oft as you come to this heauenly Table what and how great benefits I haue bestowed vpon you with what Fatherly loue I haue euer loued you how many and how grieueous torments I haue suffered for you Fourthly the partie who loueth desiereth loue againe And this signe haue we also of the loue of Christ who desiering so greatly to be beloued of vs hath instituted this sacred and mistical banquet consecrated with such diuine wordes that he who worthely frequeÌ„teth the same is presently wounded with loue and admiration of his vnspeakable goodnes Fiftly the louer desiereth to please his beloued and studieth by al meanes possible how to effect the same euen as tender parents doe to their deere and beloued children our B. Lord did the like by institutinge this Sacrament whose effect is to giue true consolation to a pure and immaculate soule which tasteth thereby such exceedinge sweetenes that according to S. Thomas no tounge is able to explicate the same Now consider I beseeche thee at what time our most louing Lord Sauiour ordained this banquet to wit at his last supper when shorly after he was to suffer those most bitter torments which already his cruel enimies had prepared for him So that when they were inuenting most sharpe paines for him then did he prouide this most heaueÌ„ly foode for vs. WheÌ„ they were mingling for him bitter gaule then was he tempering for vs most sweete honie When they were deuising most exquisite tortures for him then was he
I Further beseech thee through the prayers teares sighes vowes and desirs of the holy Patriarches and Prophettes that as they in many places and at seuerall tymes haue most longinglye expected the cominge of the kingdome of Christ on earth So we may most feruently thirst after the true spirituall kingdome of Christ both of this life which consisteth in true iustice and sanctitie and also of the next life which consisteth in the highest felicitie both of sowle and bodie FIAT VOLVNTAS TVA SICVT IN COELO ET IN TERRA Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen 3. Apostels The holie Apostles o Lorde fulfilled perfectly heere on earth thy blessed will For at them did Christ pointe when he sayde Whosoeuer shall fulfill the will of my Father that is in heauen he is my brother and sister and mother They truly both by worde and wrytinge haue diuulged thy will through the whole worlde and haue both by example of their liues and also their deedes manifested the same in keepinge thy commandements and holye councells I most huÌ„bly therfore beseech thee o Lorde that we may also euer fulfill thy will both by example of our liues and may willinglie teach and instructe our neigbour and so with the Apostles may immitate and follow thy beloued Sonne Christ of whom it is written He beganne to doe and to teach PANEM NOSTRVM QVOTIDIANVM DA NOBIS HODIE Giue vs this day our daily breade Consideringe o Lorde that for the fullfillinge of thy will we stande principally in neede of thy ayde and assistance for accordinge to thy blessed will and pleasure thou giuest vs both a will and abilitie thy ayde I say not so much of corporall as of spirituall breade wherby we may be-strengthned to sustaine and endure the tribulations of a Christian life Euen as thy B. Martirs haue done who 4. Martirs that they might more constantly suffer their torments and afflictions did strengthen them selues by daily receiuinge that blessed foode of thy most sacred body and bloode We therfore beseech thee through the meritts of all the Martirs that thou wilte vouchsafe to giue vs daily this breade in the holy sacrifice of the Masse if not Sacramentally yet at the least spiritually ET DIMITTE NOBIS DEBITA NOSTRA SICVT ET NOS DIMITTIMVS DEBITORIBVS NOSTRIS And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And in regarde o heauenly Father that we are wholly vnworthy not only of this heauenly breade but of all thy grace and assistance adde this benefitt also to the heape of thy other giftes that through the meritts of all chiefe Bishops Bishops and Confessors 5. Confessors whose office by thy gifte hath bin to remitt and forgiue mens sinnes that my sinnes also both venial and mortall may be forgiuen me And as they directed all their labours and watchings to no other end but by preachinge and writinge to drawe men out of the iawes of the deuell and hell so grant that I may direct all my labours and studies to drawe out of the filth of sinne first my owne sowle and afterwards the sowles of other sinners accordinge to the tallent which thou hast bestowed vpon me ET NE NOS INDVCAS IN TENTATIONEM And leade vs not into temptation Although o Lorde we be free from sinne yet was it thy holy will that we should not be without the temptations of this worlde For we reade that the Angell Raphael saide to Tobie Bycause Tob. 12. thou wast gratefull in the sight of God it was necessarie that temptation shoulde proue and try thee For proofe wherof neuer any endured greater temptations of the diuell and the flesh nor did with greater constancy and courage ouercome them than such as excelled others in austeritie and holines of life as The Holy Eremitts 6. MoÌ„kes S. Anthony S. Hilarion S. Macharius and other religious persons You haue liued saith one emongest cruell Aspes and Dragons neyther could the most terrible assaulters of the Diuell daunte you I therfore be seech thee sweete Sauiour that by the meritts of all holy Anchorits and other holie Saintes thou wilt bestowe that grace vpon me that amidest the many temptations which this world yealdeth thou will bestowe on me spirituall weapons to beate downe all assaultes of the world the flesh and the diuel and that I neuer be ouercome by giueing my consent to their wicked suggestions SED LIBERA NOS A MALO But deliuer vs from euell Vouch safe o Lorde to protect and defende mee from all euell of payne and sinne and if so it be thy diuine will and pleasure from all motion of concupiscence which is the fountaine of all euell That henceforth I may order and direct my life in all puritie and integritie both of minde and bodie accordinge to the exaÌ„ple of infinite virgins and holy wydowes whose blessed memorie the Church doth yearely celebrate 7. Virgins For so innocente were they from sinne and all spott of vncleanenesse of life that rather would they spend their liues then blemishe their Chastitie more willingly suffer all tormentes than once yealde consent to the voluptuous pleasures of the flesh For which they haue deserued a speciall and singular Crowne of Virginitie in the kingdome of heauen be sides the generall felicitie of all the glorious Saintes Amen FINIS A DEVOVT HYMNE OF S. THOMAS OF AQVIN verie sâ—t to be said in the presence of the â— Sacrament DEuoutly I adore thee o latent dietie Which truly dost vnder these figures lie To thee my harte with reuerence is enclind Rauished with that which in this work I find Sight taste and touch in thee are quite deceiued Wherfore by hearinge thou must be beleued I to thy wordes Gods Sonne giue firmest credit Who art the truth that most belief dost merit Vpon the Crosse lay only hid thy dietie But here both it and thy humanitie Both which I doe acknowledge and confesse Wishâ—nge to haue the happie thiefes successe Thy woundes I doe not here with Thomas see Yet as my Lorde and God I honor thee More firme beliefe daily in me moue Effect my hopes and sâ—il encrease my loue O sacred memorial of our Sauioures deathe True bread that dost to sinners life beqeathe Graunt that my minde may euer liue by thee And thou to it a sauoure sweete maiest be O pious pelican IESV Lorde moste good Cleanse my vncleanesse with thy pretious blood Whose smalest drop is of such worthe and price As can whole worldes redeeme from sinne and vice IESV whom I doe vnder veiles now see When shal my thirst longing queÌ„ched bee That by fruition of that blessed place My soule may euer see thee face to face A TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTES CONTAINED IN THIS Booke CErtaine deuout and Godly Considerations to stirre vp and inflame the mindes of such who often frequent the Blessed Sacrament fol. 1. Certaine Godly and deuoute admonitions for the more worthy preparation to the B.
presented before our eyes and not tasted in the mouth and chewed with the teeth for the more it is brused the better it is tasted so that they which swallow it downe whole vnchewed doe neuer perfectly finde the true tast therof Euen so curteous Reader it is not sufficient for thee to haue knowen the excellencie of this most B. Sacrament and the manifould benefitts sett forth in this booke neyther is it enough to reade that which is conteyned in the meditations and rules prescribed heerin but farther thow must exercise and put in practise the same and chew and grinde them vvith the teethe of consideration and spirituall contemplation demanding hartely of God that it may please him so to illuminate thy minde vvith the light of his Grace that thovv maiest perfectly vndestand vvhat thou readest heerin Luc. 11. It pleased God in the ould lavv to accompte those beastes for cleane that chevved their cudd therby to shevv that he vvhich vvilbe the seruant of God or one of his foulde ought to reuolue and ruminate in minde his diuine misteris Consideringe therfore that of all the meates vvhich God hath prouided for the vse of man this of the most B. Sacrament to be the most delicate and excellent aboue all others he hath especially appointed it most diligently to be chevved in the mouth of our minde VVhen our Lord God gaue the Manna to his people in the vvildernesse vvith great admiration they said Manhu that is vvhat is this Exod. 16. therby to shevv that this sacred misterie prefigurated by Manna ought not to be svvallovved dovvne hastely but to be vvel considered discussinge in the minde vvho he is vvhom vve receiue thâ—rin VVhich thinge this little booke vvill instructe and teach thee and therfore read it ouer often and attentiuely prayinge for the Author therof and giueing praise and glory to God vvho is not only the Author of all goodnes but hath euer and euer vvill remaine in this B. Sacrament therby to make vs partakers of euerlastinge happines ceedinge mercye doth him selfe vouchsafe to visitt thee who is Kinge of all Kings Lorde of Angells How can it be but thow shouldest be amazed leape for ioye cry owt wth S. Elizabeth Luc. 1. sayinge How doth it befall to me that the Mother of my Lorde cometh vnto me And with holy Zachary Blessed be our Lord God of Israell bicause he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his peopell And with the most B. Virgin Mary My soule doth magnify our Lorde and my spiritt hath reioyced in God my Sauiour 3. Reg. 10. For if the Queene of Saba were so rauished with ioy and so greatlye amazed to behould the cowrte of Salomon so sumptuously adorned and furnished what ioy and comforte shall not he be filled with that shal be present and be a behoulder of this sight Math. 2. The sight of the starre did exceedingly comfort the three kings in directing them to the place of the birth of our Sauiour How great ioy and comfort then ought he to haue who knoweth his maker and redeemer accompanied with all the felowship of heauen to vouchsafe to come to visitt him 2. Consider that thow beinge a most vile and abiect creature art honored with the presence of Christ both God and man and with the felowship and company of all the Angells in heauen To receyue a guyft of a great Prince thou couldest not but accompte it an exceedinge fauour How great a fauour oughtest thou then to houlde it seinge the mosâ— noble greatest Prince that euer was doth vouchsafe to come vn to thee in his proper person present thee with a present not of gould not of any ritch and costlye iewell but with the treasure of all treasures with him selfe with his most pretious body and bloode with his soule and diuinity what thing can be thought on more worthy of admiration or that deserueth greater ioy or more thanks The Prophett Daniel Dan. 4. was much amazed when it pleased God by his seruant Abacuc to send him meate beinge in the denne of Lyons how greatly amazed ought I then to be that lyuing and conuersing in this miserable world the lake denne of infernall damned spirits may yet receyue by the handes of the Preest the bread of Angells euen the very body and bloode of Christ 3. Consider that when thow receyuest the B. Sacrament thou becomest the lyuinge Temple of the Holy Ghost and that thou art enuironed with an infinite number of Angells continually singing Holy Apoc. 4. Holy Holy O that it were possible thou couldest behould them O that thou couldest heare their sweet musick and melody 3. Reg. q. 3. King Salomon receyued great ioy and comfort when he beheld the buylding of the Temple of Hierusalem finished how much then oughtest thou to reioyce and tryumph if thou doest duly consider that by cominge worthely to the B. Sacrament thou art made thereby the very Temple of God 4. Consider that beinge partaker of this holy Comunion thou art made the Tabernacle of the most holy Trynity by receyuinge into thy sowle and body the Father the Sonne and the Holye Ghost and therfore becomest as it were a cleere shyninge heauen wherin almightie God the Creator both of heauen and earth is contained what thinge can be conceaued more strange or admirable 5. Consider that now thou becomest the Mother of God the spowse of IESVS the brother of Christ and the Sonne of the blessed Virgin Mary For so often as thou doste receiue the B. Sacrament thou conceyuest Christ in thee and art made also one with him bycause he as it were transformeth thy body and sowle into his owne proper substance thou embracest and houldest in thy armes thy sauiour Iesus but in a farre more noble sorte then did that holy Simyon O wonderfull and most singuler grace 6. Consider that thou art as it were the Reliquary of our Lorde IESVS Christ if a frende should bestowe on thee a most ritch and curious case to keepe therein holy reliques how wouldest thou loue him what thanks wouldest thou giue him what delight and contentemeÌ„t wouldest thou take therein what therefore might he say or how ought he to behaue him selfe who with diligence doth consider that throughe ofte frequentinge this holie Sacrament he is made the Reliquary of the bloode of Christ and of his sacred humanity 7. Consider that in receyuinge the B. Sacrament thy flesh is touched of the most sacred flesh of IESVS Christ And if he could now as in the tyme of the Apostells be sâ—ene and behelde in a visible forme thou wouldest hould it for the greatest fauour that might be to come nere him to kisse his holy hand or but to touche the hemme or skirte of his garment Now if this would seeme so greate an honour to thee how art thou honoured that maiest not only touch him daily but maist receyue within thy brest his very flesh not mortall
owne and sayinge with the Prophett Psal 113. Not to vs O Lorde not to vs but to thy holy name giue al honour and glory 11. Now that thow art become one of the cowrt of God and a guest of heauen consider how humble how pure and euery way how pleasinge thou oughtest to appeare in his sight For if thou wert daylie invited to some great Princes table how careful wouldest thou be to present thy selfe before him in al comelines and decencie not enduringe any spot of vncleanes ether in thy countenaÌ„ce or attyar If then thou wouldest haue so great a respect in cominge to the table of a temporal Prince how oughtest thou to prepare thy selfe beinge inuited to the table of the kinge of heauen 12. Consideringe that in receiuinge the B. Sacrament God daily bestoweth on thee new graces and fauours adorneth thy soule with new giftes and honors and enricheth thee more and more with new encrease of meritts other spiritual blessinges what then remaineth but that thou likewise more and more endeauour againe to loue him magnifie and laude him wholy to dedicate and consecrate thy selfe vnto his seruice and to direct all thy thoughtes and actions only to his glorie 13. If so often as thou comest to the B. Sacrament thou puttest thy mouth to the side of thy Sauiour and from thence drawest the sucke of the moste pretious blood of Christ What care and watch oughtest thou henceforth to haue of thy mouthe and tounge What dilligence to restraine them from vtteringe any vaine or immodest speeches What studie and endeauour that thy tounge be alwaies busied in magnifinge Christs sacred blood and passion and extollinge his goodnes for this vnspeakable benefit cryinge out with the Apostle God forbid that I should reioyce but in the crosse of our Lorde Iesus Christ. 14. If Christ of his infinite loue haue left him selfe vnto vs in the most B. Sacrament why then should not we receiue him againe if so it weare possible with like infinite loue yealdinge loue for loue and gratitude for gratitude At least wise let vs receiue him that he may fill and replenish vs with true charity which is the weddinge garment wherby we may be present at this sacred weddinge table be made worthy to receaue him who is the God of loue and fountaine of all goodnesse 15. If Christ to bestowe on vs this moste delicious foode of Angels would shed his owne sacred blood and giue vs the same entirely in the holie Eucharist why should not we that we mighte but euen once receiue the same shede for him our deerest blood Why should not we pay blood for blood Giue a sinner for an innocent A thinge of no worthe for a iewel of such price Why should not we desier and wishe from our verie hartes to shed the same euen to the vtmost drop for so louinge a Sauiour 16. If finally he hath bestowed on vs that which he hath denied to so many other nations and doth yet daily deny how many and â—ow great thankes oughte we to rendar vnto him for this so singular loue and bountie towardes vs And in regarde we are vnable to giue worthie and due thankes so much the more oughte we to esteeme and reuerence this diuine Sacrament the oftner to frequent it that he him selfe in vs and by vs may supply those thankes to him selfe which we if we were able oughte to rendar vnto him A MEDITATION OR prayer vpon the Pater noster to be vsed of such as frequent the holie Communion FOR euer be thou blessed most sweete and eternal Father that it hath pleased thee of thy infinite mercie to bestowe vpon me the minde and opportuniâ—ie so often to receiue in the holie communion the most sacred body and blood of thy dearely beloued Sonne together with his most blessed soule and diuinitie For which most singular grace and bountie what shal I most wretched creature euer be able to render vnto HALLOWED BE THY NAME Sweete Father graunt vnto me thy aboundant grace that I may be able to render vnto thee condigne and worthie thankes for this so highe a benefitt bestowed vpon me that I may euer sanctifie and praise thy most holie name extoll thy goodnes and maiestie to al those who haue not knowledge of thee And that in al my actions whatsoeuer I take in hand I may only seeke the aduancement of thy glorie THY KINGDOME COME Raigne for euer O Lorde in my harte which euen now most freely I surrender into thy handes Let not that fowle spirit thâ— deuil euer haue any part in me Let not my filthie flesh beare any rule ouer me which euer is at debate and warre with my soule Let not the loue of this worlde or the allurements of sinne deceiue me which caused thy deare Sonne to suffer his moste bitter passion for me THY WIL BE DONE IN EARHT AS it is in heauen Teach me sweete Lorde to fulfill thy holie wil in euerie place in euerie time and in euerie occasion with cheerfulnes readines and a ioyfull harte euen as doe thy glorious Saintes and Angels who for euer raigne with thee in thy heauenly kingdome GIVE VS THIS DAY OVR daylie bread Graunt me O Father a most feruent desire wherby worthely to receiue this diuine Sacrament worthelie to eate this true bread of Angels I craue sweete Lorde euer to haue the tast of it in my mouth I craue puritie of harte when I shal receiue it A cleane tounge where with to touche it A discreet Priest to administer it And a deuout inteÌ„tion with dwe reuerence to adore it AND FORGIVE VS OVR TRESPASSES as vve forgiue them that trespasse against vs. O my Lorde graunt me I beseeche thee perfect remission of al my sinnes and a hartie detestation to hate and loath them Giue me likewise a prompt and willinge minde that I may be euer readie for thy sake to pardon and forgiue al iniuries done vnto me AND LEAD VS NOT INTO temtation Tread downe sweete Lorde with thy heauenly presence my ghostlie enimie that daylie lieth in waite to entrap me that I nether assent being deceiued nor mightest call vpoÌ„ me saying Our Father If therefore thou loue me as a daughter ought to doe and like a daughter behauest thy selfe in my sight what cause hast thou to distrust in me Why tremblest thou where is no cause of feare What dout canst thou haue if thou hast done thy endeauour truly to confesse thee If it be that thou art not certaine that I haue chosen thee for my daughter then here againe I take thee for my daughter and as a deare and beloued daughter doe now welcome and entertaine thee Consider that for thy sake I haue created the heauens and that for to redeeme thee I haue sent my only Sonne from heauen who euen from his infancie began for thee to shee l his most pretious blood wepte for thee when he was circumcised and for thy sake was called IESVS that
pleasure which desiereth only thy sanctification thy life and happines Wilt thou haue a signe of my loue towardes thee See then how I feede thee with the flesh of my only beloued Sonne What greater dainties could I bestowe vpon thee What present of more price What other Sonne haue I to giue thee Thinke then how I haue remitted al thy sinnes both past and present and consider with thy selfe that neuer would I haue bestowed my only Sonne vpon thee if I sawe any thinge in thee that mighte offende myne eies Finally when I giue thee my Sonne I giue thee weapons against thy temptations wherwith thou mayest defend thy selfe from al perrills dangers and say Deliuer vs from euil Receiue him therefore ofteÌ„ with inward ioy and exultation that thereby thou mayest delighte him whose delighte and pleasure is to be conuersant with thee For this was the cause why I adorned thee with the noble giftes of reason vnderstandinge and other spiritual ornameÌ„ts that thereby I might daylie bestowe him vpon thee nether doe I thinke that I bestowe any thinge on thee when I doe not freely giue my deare and only Sonne vnto thee A MEDITATION VPON THE Aue Maria fit for such as frequent the B. Sacrament HAYLE MARIE RIghtly may we beleue that the Gardian Angel saluteth that soule which often receiueth the B. Sacrament with the same wordes that the Angel Gabriel saluted the B. Virgin Marie when he greeted hir and with great reuerence and sweetnes said vnto hir Aue. That is free from al woe to wit al kinde of sinne For by the cominge of our Lord in this most B. Sacramentâ— al venial sinnes past ptesent are freely remitted as also such secret mortal sinnes which the penitent had ether forgotten or whereof he hath not had sufficient contrition and further new grace is bestowed vpon vs whereby we may auoide the danger of renuinge any more our former offences FVL OF GRACE How can that soule but be ful of grace which often receiueth the author of grace The fountaine and springe of al grace And him who to the end he might infuse into our soules his grace would exhaust and poure out al the blood forthe of his owne veines Who chiefly tooke vpon him our humane nature that he mighte wholie replenishe and fil our soules with diuine fauours Who coÌ„tinually standeth and knocketh importunatly saying O Daughter giue and resigne to me thy hart Vrgeing vs by diuers wayes that we would aske and demande of him his aboundant grace and for this cause he inuiteth vs to thee foode of Angels that thereby our hartes may be more and more filled with the same wherupon this B. Sacrament is called Eucharist which signifieth good grace OVR LORDE IS WITH THEE Hath not that soule our Lorde with hir which often receiueth in the B. Sacrament the Father the Sonne and the Holie Ghoste Hath she not God with hir that often receiueth the Diuinitie and Humanitie of our Sauiour IESVS Hath she not our Lorde with hir who lodgeth Christ as a guest and intombeth him within the sepulcher of hir hart BLESSED ART THOV AMONGST vvoemen May not that soule wel be said to be most blessed moste happie most highe in the fauour of God that so often is visited of him and so often is honored with his diuine presence and is made as it were the Mother of God and temple of the Holie Ghost the tabernacle of the most B. Trinitie and the Reliquarie of the sacred bodie and blood of Christ That soule I say that is created by the verie hand of God and is daylie fed with the flesh of his most deare and only Sonne AND BLESSED IS THE FRVTE of thy vvombe IESVS These wordes also after a sorte may be applied to the deuout soule partaker of the B. Sacrament For first most blessed is that mouthe that receiueth this blessed fruite IESVS Blessed is the breast that beareth and keepeth it Blessed is the memorie that remembreth it Blessed is the vnderstanding that alwayes thinketh on it and blessed is the hart that alwayes loueth it from whence proceede chaste thoughtes holie desires heauenly loue and al diuine frutes HOLIE MARIE MOTHER OF God c. Wel may that soule be called holie and the mother of God which wheÌ„ she receiueth the B. Sacrament receiueth the holie of al holies and beareth in hir the verie same frute which the most B. Virgin Marie carried nyne moneths within hir wombe Meditations vpon the Creede fitt for those that frequent the B. Sacrament 1. I Beleue in God the Father Almightie If he be omnipotent then he can If he be God then he knoweth If he be our Father then wil he helpe vs in al our necessities comfort vs in al our tribulations pardon â—s our offences and most louingly embrace vs euen as did the tender Father of the pro ligal childe when he retorned againe vnto him 2. Maker of heauen and earth Why did he create heauen and earth but for me And when did he create them for me when I was yet vnborne when as yet I was nothinge By what did he create them Thoroughe his infinit loue and that I mighte euer enioy him in heauen If then he had me in so sweete a memorie before I had any beinge is it likely that now he wil forget or be vnmindful of me He loued me before I was knowinge in his wisdome what I would be and now that he hath made and created me of nothinge is it likely that he wil hate me Can this stand with Gods sweete nature and infinite goodnes 3. And in Iesus Christ his only Sonne our Lorde He was called Iesus which signifieth a Sauiour because he wrought our sâ—luation And who did he saue me althoughe he knewe before what I would proue to wit vngrateful peruerse rebellious and a most wicked wretch From whâ—t did he saue me From death the deuil hell and sinne By what did he sâ—ue me By his only goodnes his only loue his only mercy When did he saue me Longe before I was borne How did he sâ—ue me By sheadinge his pretious blood enduringe most cruel torments and sufferinge a most bitter death Why then should not I firmely hope in this my only Lorde that hath done al this to saue me a most vnworthie seruant 4. Who vvas conceiued by the Holie Ghoste For my sake and to worke my saluation he came downe from heauen where Angels Archangels and al the celestial court did serue and attend him For me he would be incarnate and for the space of nine moneths lie inclosed in the wombe of the B. Virgin 5. Borne of the Virgin Marie For me and to worke my saluation was he borne in Bethelem And in what place there In a poore staule or stable At what time of the yeare In the depth of cold winter and then was he laied no better then in a manger where he by whose omnipotencie all thinges were created had neede of hay to lie vpon
thererefore thou canst loue me being so vile and abiect a wretche how should not I loue thee being so sweete a Sauiour vnto me Vnworthy am I o Lorde to loue thee yet thou art most worthy to be beloued Graunt me therefore thy grace that I may most feruently loue thee My God my Lorde the loue from whom al loues doe springe why am I not consumed with this fire of thy loue My God my Lorde the only Goodnes it selfe thorough whom al thinges are good that haue goodnes in them why should I not loue thee considering that Goodnes is the only cause of loue My God my Lorde the Beautie from wheÌ„ce al beautie proceedeth why should I not loue thee consideringe that Beautie doth so rauish the hartes of al creatures If I should be so vnnatural as not to loue thee for that which is in thee yet why should I not loue thee for that which thou art in me The sonne loueth the father for that he receiueth his being from him Each member loueth the head and in defence thereof expose them selues to al dangers whatsoeuer considering that by the head they are defended and preserued Euery effâ—â—t loueth the cause from whence it proceedeth And then what cause or let abideth in thee my sweete Sauiour why I should not â—â—ost trulie loue thee Thou hast giuen and bestowed vpon me my being and that in a far higher degree of perfection then I haue receiued it of my parents Thou preseruest me also in a far more excellent maner then the head can preserue the members subiect vnto it O then my sweete Lorde why should I not loue thee Be far then from me al yee earthly creatures flye where I shal neuer be subiect vnto your temptations for nether are you rightly ioyned with me nether may I vnite my selfe with you If it hath pleased my most louinge Lorde to assigne you vnto me as seruants and ministers to supplie my necessities is it reason that I like a false and adulterous bride should violate my faith to so louinge a spowse Shal I betray my most deere and louinge Lorde by those verie seruants which he hath appointed to attende and serue met Therefore my sweete Redeemer seeing al thinges which are created here on earth are made for my vse and seruice and I my selfe only made to serue and honor thee Why should I not wholy loue thee Why should I not resigne and yeald vp my harte vnto thee Why should I not burne and consume with thy heauenly fire O sweete IESV o IESV my loue Why al that come to receiue the B. Sacrament receiue not the svveete and heauenly consolations contained therein THe first reason is the defect and imperfection of him that receiueth it for that he cometh not duely prepared For as a blinde man depriued of sighte is not capable of the lighte of the Sunne shine it neuer so brighte euen so the spiritual tast of many is so corrupted with earthly delightes that it neuer findeth the sweetnes of the B. Sacrament although they receiue it and frequent it daily For as S. Paul saieth 1. Cor. 2. The sensual man that is he who is carried away with his sensual appetites perceiueth not those thinges vvhich are of the spirit of God Also it cometh thorough the defect of due consideration in that the dignitie of this heaueÌ„ly foode is not duely weighed and thought vpon as it oughte For he who not meditatinge on the diuine worthines of it doth soddainly swallowe it downe must of necessitie be destitute of al spiritual tast and comfort contained therein as also he who doth not applie it to the tast of his harte Therefore that thou maiest finde the sweetnes of this celestial foode thou oughtest carefully to ponder with thy selfe the greatnes of this misterie and to cal to God for his diuine helpe and assistance that thorough true vnderstanding and deuout contemplation thou maiest attaine to the perfect taste thereof Four thinges to be considered in this most B. Sacrament GVlielmus Parisiensis an excellent learned man saieth that there are foure thinges especially to be considered in the B. Sacrament First The admirable and omnipotent power of Almightie God who doth beyonde the reason of humaine capacitie change the visible substance of bread and wine into the inuisible body and blood of Christ leauing those external formes whollie depriued of their natural subiect Secondly The prudence and wisdome of almightie God who prouideth for our soules such conuenient meate especially the external formes of bread and wine inuitinge vs to come securely to this sacred table Thirdly The infinite aboundaÌ„ce of his diuine goodnes whereby he offereth vnto vs this heauenly foode with such exceedinge cheerefulnes and alacritie Fourthly The great and vnspeakable mercie of God who spared not his only and deerely beloued Sonne but deliuered him to a most cruel and shameful death that thereby euen in this life we might haue perpetual ioy in our soules O worke most worthie of al admiration the which so often as we attentiuely consider is able to leaue vs altogether astonnished Wherefore not to feele sweetenes in the B. Sacrament proceedeth of the litle account made of venial sinnes wittinglie commmitted For the true effect of this Sacrament is to giue new consolation and refection to a pure and cleane soule but al venial sinnes of what condition soeuer they be are wholy opposite to this puritie and brightnes and doe hinder and let al actual deuotion which is most requisite to be had to attaine to the taste and sweetenes of this diuine misterie So that this may stande for an infallible grounde that by daylie committing of venial sinnes we are disabled from tasting the sweetenes of the B. Sacrament Let vs therefore flye from sinne as from a most infectious pestilence and humbly craue of almightie God that it wil please him to giue vs such a wil and desire that rather we may choose to suffer any cruel death then willingly to commit the least venial offence Other vvayes and directions forth of sundrie authors hovv vve may prepare our selues to come vvorthely to receiue the B. Sacrament SAINT Mechtildis accustomed before she receiued the B. Sacrament fiue times to say the. Aue Maria. 1. At the first she called to minde and deuoutly did meditate vpon the puritie of the most B. Virgin Marie whereby she conceiued the Sonne of God and vpon the profoundnes of hir humilitie where with she did as it were drawe him from heauen into hir sacred wombe humbly making hir petitioÌ„ vnto hir that by hir assistance she might obtaine perfect puritie of harte 2. Secondly she considered the vnspeakable ioy which our B. Ladie felt when presently after she had brought foorth hir only Sonne she knew him to be both perfect God and man Then making hir humble petition vnto hir that by hir asistance she might attaine to the true knowledge and vnderstanding of God 3. Thirdly she considered that our most B. Ladie was euery
worthy to receiue it The same author saieth Let such men as say that we ought but seldome to frequent this Sacrament heare and marke dilligently the wordes of S. Ambrose This bread is called our daylie bread vvhy then comest thou to receiue it after a yeare It is further noted that before our Sauiour deliuered his B. body to his Apostles although they were cleane yet that first he washed their feete thereby to shew vs what great diligence and care we ought to vse to procure integritie and innocencie of minde when we are to receiue this sacred misterie For as the Arke of God then the which nothing was euer more pretious amongst the childreÌ„ of Israel by the which they receiued most singular benefits being taken from them brought vnto the Philistians most greiueous calamities together with eternal reproach and infamie so likewise this holie Sacrament hath most contrarie operations in those that worthelie and vnworthelie receiue it euen as wholsome meates which doe nourish and comfort the stomach wel disposed yet much offend the bodie filled with corrupted humors Wherupon S. Paul saith Therefore amongst you many are infirme and many sleepe 1. Cor. 11. because they come vnworthely to this sacred Table The same Author teacheth vs besides that the first preparation that we are to make is to discerne table from table that is the true heauenly foode from that which is counterfeit The which we doe when firmely we beleeue to be present the real bodie and blood of Christ him whom the Angelles adore in heauen at whose beck the verie heauens doe tremble and with whose glorie both heauen and earth are replenished And this is to discerne the bodie of our Lord as the Apostle admonisheth the greatnes of which misterie we ought rather to adore with humilitie then vainly and curiouslie to search into An other preparation is there of no lesse necessitie which is that euery man call him selfe to a most strict account whether truly and vnfeinedly he loue his neighbour For if thou doest finde in thy selfe the least hatred or grudge against thy neigbour this must thou wholie lay aside first reconcile thy selfe vnto him Next if thy conscience accuse thee of any mortal sinne it must be purged by Contrition and Confâ—ssion Further we must remember how vnworthie we are of so great a benefit Therfore often are we to repeate that saying of the Centurion which was so highlie praised and commended of our Sauiour Mat. 8. Lorde I am not vvorthie thou shouldest enter c. Also we must dilligently examin our selues whether we may presume to vse that saying of S. Peter Iohn 22. Lord thou knovvest that I loue thee For we must remember he which presumed to come to the feast of our Lord Matt. 22. without his wedding garment was adiudged to the torment of euerlasting fire Nether is it sufficient to vse only the preparation of the mind but also of the body For we must come to the B. Sacrament of the Altar fasting in such sorte that we nether eate nor drinke any kinde of sustenance from the midnight of the day before we come to receiue And such as be married ought also to haue a reuerent respect of so highe a Sacrament Out of S. Thomas and S. Hillarie SAint Thomas S. Hillarie doe in diuers places teach vs that only mortal sinne doth binde vs to refraine the B. Sacrament And the same is taught in the Councel of Trent aforsaied A preparation out of Granatensis Three thinges required to receiue benefit by the B. Sac. Puritie of minde That we abstaine froÌ„ mortal sinne be coÌ„trite for those that are committed That we lay away al malice and auersion which we haue conceiued against our brother because this is the Sac. of perfect vnioÌ„ That we haue our mindes and bodies free from al vncleanes because we receiue a bodie of al integritie and purenes That we eÌ„deauour to auoid al venial sinne wordly thoughtes for that they hinder the feruour of deuotion A true intention to receiue Not only for custome Not to please men Not to seke only thy owne consolation but to receiue thereby the true spirit of Christ that is true loue towardes God and thy neighbour profound humilitie a feruent desire to suffer with Christ Actuall deuotion To pray to God without distraction To be deuoutly spiritually affected towardes Christ To goe to the B.S. with great reuereÌ„ce humilitie as to the SoÌ„ne of God the Creator of the world thy Redemer To receiue this heauenly foode with a longing desire and spiritual hunger to consider the infinite fruite benefit thereof After thou hast receiued 1. First giue thankes to almightie God that it hath pleased him to enter into the habitation of thy soule 2. Exercise some actes of loue as spiritually embracing him touching him kissinge him humbly beseeching him to make his abode with thee 3. Lay open before him al thy miseries sorrowes al thy inspiratioÌ„s desires which thou hast to serue him craue huÌ„bly of him that it would please him to adorne the house of thy soule with true vertues 4. Vse certaine vocal prayers forth of the office of our B. Ladie 5. Passe ouer spend the day whereoÌ„ thou receiuest with greater modestie recollection then other dayes least the feruour of thy deuotion doe soone growe colde and decay REMEDIES AGAINST DIVERS TEMPTATIONS WHERE WITH THE DIVEL is accustomed to trouble deuout and godlie persons and such as doe often frequent the B. Sacrament Gathered OVT OF SVNDRIE LEARNED writers seruing for al sortes of people but chiefly for such as are more especially desierous to leade a spiritual life TO THE READER THou hast here curteous Reader diuers most profitable remedies against sundrie temptations vvhere vvith our ghostly enimie doth daylie lye in vvaite to afflict to tempt and to ouercome vs and especially those persons vvho contemning the allurements of the vvorlde and the flesh haue deuoted them selues to a spiritual life placinge their chiefe endeauours to subdue their appetites to conquer their ovvne passions Read them therefore vvith great attention no othervvise then if they vvere mest soueraigne remedies for such diseases as afflict thy body both night and day For if vve consider hovv much more pretious our soules are then our bodies vve shal see good reason that vve ought most carefully to seeke out such preseruatiues as may both cure our present infirmities and also preuent such as may in time befal vs. Wherein if thou finde any thinge profitable to thy soule giue the only thankes and praise to almightie God and pray for him vvho for the loue of his diuine maiestie and good of soules bought vvith the pretious blood of our Sauiour Christ hath collected this treatise To vvhom vvith the Father and the Holie Ghost be all honor and glorie vvorlde vvithout end Amen WHAT THE DIVEL OVR GHOStlyenimie endeauoreth chiefly to hinder in vs.
worke thou causest ioy and delight to al the B. Saintes in heauen and wilt thou then depriue them of that delight for any humane respectes 7. He that is ashamed to doe wel is ashamed to be a Christian and in some sorte denieth Christ and what shame can be greater then this 8. Our Lord saieth in the gospel Luc. 10.12.8 He that shal be ashamed of me before men I wil be ashamed of him before my Father which is in heauen 9. Dauid saieth Psal 52.9 God wil confound and contemne those that seeke to please men And S. Paule If yet I should studie to please men I should not be the seruant of Christ 10. Consider how base abiect a thing it is for worldly respectes to neglect to doe such thinges as are grateful to God and his Saintes 11. Thou didest promise in thy Baptisme that thou wouldest renounce the diuel and al his workes and wouldest aboue al thinges loue God thy Creator why then art thou not ashamed to doe the workes of the diuel and yet art ashamed to performe thy duety to God 12. The holie Scripture teacheth vs to labour to please God and to contemne the worlde why therfore are we not ashamed to displease God and to embrace the worlde 13. It were great follie to be ashamed of wel doing by the which we are made acceptable in the sight of God and his Angells both here and in the worlde to come and not to be ashamed when we doe ill whereby we purchase paine in this life eternal damnation hereafter 14. They who for worldly respectes refraine to doe wel what shame shal they suffer when they burne in hell fire 15. The gospel saieth that he which knoweth the wil of his Lord and doth it not shal be beaten with many stripes what then shal be done vnto him who for worldlie respectes neglecteth to doe the wil of God 16. Thou saiest daylie Thy vvil be done yet dost thou neglect to doe it because thou wouldest please men 17. Imagin what ioy it wil bring thee at the hower of thy death when thou shalt remember that for no worldly respect thou hast desisted to doe good workes 18. Canst thou imagin that almightie God wil bestowe on thee those priueledges which to his B. Sonne or his Saintes he neuer yet graunted 19. Thinkest thou that God doth not behould thee Canst thou perswade thy selfe that he iesteth with thee Or canst thou beleue that he wil not punishe thee for such an iniurie 20. Assure thy selfe that it is a thinge impossible to hould the fauour of God and the good opinion of the worlde please the one and not offend the other 21. Thou wilt not refraine thy meate drinke or apparel for any humane respect that may happen vnto thee and yet art thou ashamed to doe wel 22. Thou wouldest not refraine from seeking a worldlie treasure though al thy frendes should laugh at thee for it and art thou then ashamed to seeke the treasure of Gods grace 23. Imagin vpon thy one hand God and the ioyes of Paradise and on thy other hande the worlde and the transitorie delightes thereof which of thâ—se two wouldest thou chiefly regard wouldest thou not choose to posesse the ioyes of Paradise 24. For no worldly regard thou wilt omit to gratifie him that hath deliuered thee from perril of loosing thy life why then art thou vnmindful to performe thy duetie to God who hath not only giuen thee life but doth also daylie preserue the same A remedie for such as the enimie laboureth to driue into diâ—paire suggesting vnto them that al their good workes are lost and that them selues are damned Out of Taulerus THou must cast vpon God as S. Peter teacheth and vpon the depth of his infinite mercie al thy care and sollicitude For as Sea-men being in extreame danger of Shipwrack cast their anchors into the Sea thereby to saue their liues so we being assaulted with the temptations of our ghostly enimie must cast the anchor of our hope and confidence into the Seâ— of the passion of Christ and into the bottomles depth of his diuinitie fixing our perfect hope and most firme confidence in his only mercie and goodnes Motiues to comfort those that liue vertuously and doe many good deedes TO consider often these points following 1. First that thou art created after the image and similitude of God 2. That thou art redeemed with the most pretious blood of our Sauiour Iesvs 3. That in Baptisme thou art made the Sonne of God 4. That thou art reclaymed from vice to vertu from sinne to grace from the loue of the worlde to the loue of God 5. That thou art fed and nourished so often with his most pretious bodie and blood prepared with such loue and with so great expence 6. That he hath giuen thee a new hart spirit to conteÌ„ne al vanities of this world and a wil to desire new grace and also the comfort of his holie Sacraments 7. To thinke that from the begining we were loued of God the Father and that it pleased him to send vs his only Sonne that he might enrich vs with his inestimable treasures 8. To consider how carefully his diuine prouidence prouided for vs that al thinges might happen and fall out for our Good 9. To remember how louingly he hath remayned with vs in the most B. Sacrament whereby we may at al times communicate our wantes vnto him familiarly conuerse with him and receiue him into the habitation of our hartes 10. To thinke that he hath prepared for vs eternal glorie that we may enioye his presence amongst the Saintes in Paradise 11. To consider that to the end he might enrich vs with eternal riches he made his only Sonne most poore and contemptible that he humbled his owne Sonne to aduance vs and that he might bring vs to eternal life he left his owne deere SoÌ„ne to suffer a most shameful death 12. To remember that God hath alwayes a most singular and fatherly care ouer vs and that he doth euer behould vs with a most mercifull and louing eie REMEDIES AGAINST VENIAL sinnes and first certaine sayinges of the Fathers concerning this matter SAint Augustine in a certaine place speaking of venial sinnes saieth thus Contemne not smale sinnes and although thou regard them not being but light when thou dost peyze them yet let them terrifie thee when thou doest number them He saieth further that no sinne how smale soeuer being contemned but doth in time proue great and dangerous for the sandes of the Sea although they be litle as also droppes of water yet being multiplied together cast vp great bankes and become huge riuers and the smalest leake which a Ship can haue in time wil sinke hir to the bottom of the Sea Also he sayeth that there is no defect so litle but it is able to destroy our soule in time if once we growe to take delight in it because thereby we are disposed to mortal sinne S.
for vs to sinne IN TENTATIONEM Into temptation Of the Flesh Of the worlde Of the diuell SED LIBERA But deliuer Thou which art our Deliuerer Our Sauiour And our Redemer NOS Vs. The Sonnes of death The seruants of sinne The bondmen of the diuell A MALO From euell Of sinne and Payne Past Present And to come AMEN So be it From thee By thee In mee Hetherto Father ANDROTIVS That which followeth of an other Father of the Society of IESVS The thirde way how to say the Pater noster applyinge the seauen petytions therof to so many effusions of the blood of our Sauiour Iesvs PATER NOSTER Our Father SWeete Lorde and Sauiour IESVS Christ Our Father who through the effusion of thy most pretious Bloode vpon the crosse by the benefitt of the Sacrament of Baptisme hast regenerated vs to be thy children QVI ES IN COELIS Which art in heauen Heb. 9. Who as the Apostle witnesseth didest enter into heauen that thou mightest appeare before the face of God to make intercession for vs with the scarres of thy woundes Rom. 8. cap. 7. and as a most faithfull aduocate mightest pleade our cause with vnspeakeable sighes SANCTIFICETVR NOMEN TVVM Hallowed be thy name The 1. effusioÌ„ Which name thou tookest in the first effusion of thy most pretious bloode made at â—hy CircumcisioÌ„ that we who in Baptisme prefigurated by circumcision Coloss â— had receyued that holy name of Christian might through the vertu of that most pretious Bloode circumcise our hartes from all sinne and wicked inclinacions ADVENIAT REGNVM TVVM Thy Kingdome come Which kingdome through thy most holye passion and principally by the effusion of thy most pretious Bloode made when thou wast crowned with that crowne of thorne thou didest deserue for thy selfe and vs thy vnworthy seruants For that we might be crowned with glorie and honor in heauen thou wouldest be crowned on earth with most sharpe and woundinge thornes FIAT VOLVNTAS TVA SICVT IN COELO ET IN TERRA Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen I wishe Sweete Sauiour that we wretched creatures would so truly fullfill thy will here on earth as doe the Angells and all the Saintes in heauen euen as thou hast taught vs by thy example in the effusion of thy Bloody Sweate made in the Garden For there thou didst shewe and that in a thing most bitter and irkesome that thou wouldest fullfill the will of thy Father and not thy owne will sayinge yet not as I wil but as thow wilte Matt. 16. be it O Father PANEM NOSTRVM QVOTIDIANVM DA NOBIS HODIE Giue vs this day our daly breade If it had not bin the will of thy Father that thou shouldest suffer thy bitter Passion for our Redemption what other breade might I presume to craue of thee O Lorde but the breade of sorowe and of Passion which thou didest eate and the Chalice of Tribulation which thou didest drinke For I reade That Dauid a man accordinge to thy harte saide My teares were my breade both day and night This Breade vndoubtedly wouldest thou shewe to me by the abundante effusion of thy bloode made in thy Whippinge and wouldest that it should be my daylye breade Luc. 9. when thou saydest If any will come after me let him take vp his Crosse daylye And if at any tyme this breade shall seeme harde to my tast ioyne to it sweete IESV the breade of Angells the breade I meane of thy most pretious Body and Bloode which thou wouldest haue vs to receyue in remembrance of thy Passion euen to the ende of the worlde that beinge comforted and strengthned therwith we may through many tribulations ascende to the true MouÌ„taine Horeb 3. Reg. 19. which is life euerlasting ET DIMITTE NOBIS DEBITA NOSTRA SICVT ET NOS DIMITTIMVS DEBITORIBVS NOSTRIS And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. I doubte not my sweete Sauiour IESV Christ but that those thy cruell bloody tormentors to the ende they might encrease thy torments and passions did againe and againe take of and sett on that most sharpe Crowne of thorne which they had violently thrust vppon thy heade and that they often put on and againe pulled of thy garmeÌ„ts all embrued and stifned with goare bloode I most humbly therfore beseech thee my sweete Sauiour by the oft Renewinge of Thy most bloody woundes which could not be but with much effusion of thy Bloode that thou vouchsafe to remitt and pardon me those sinnes which so often I haue renewed and therby giuen to thee newe and fresh woundes againe euen so as I do freely from my harte remitt and pardon all woundes of wronges and iniuries that haue bin offered to me ET NE NOS INDVCAS IN TENTATIONEM And leade vs not into temptation For thou sweete Sauiour accordinge to S. Iames the Apostell Cap. 1. art no temptour to euâ—ll thou temptest no man thou enforcest no man to giue consent to the temptations of the world the flesh or the diuell But thou hast suffered thy selfe to be tempted euen to the most shamefull death of the Crosse that therby thou mightest free vs from all sortes of temptations For which cause thou spredst thy handes on the Crosse to receiue vs louingly if in our temptationâ— we shall flye vnto thee For this cause thou wouldest haue thy hands fastned with nayles therby to teach vs for the subduinge of our temptations that we must crucyfie our flesh with all our sinnes and concupiscences For this cause thou doest open Three new fountaines of bloode that noe meane of ayde may be wantinge to vs to purge all our imperfections and ouercome all our temptations SED LIBERA NOS A MALO But deliuer vs from euell By thy death sweete Sauiour thou hast prepared a medicine and a preseruatiue for vs which is sufficient to cure and free vs from all infirmities yet had it not so much profited vs but through thy last effusion made in The openinge of thy side from whence thy most pretious bloode flowed out in great aboundance For what other thinge doth the flowinge of bloode and water from the side of Christ signifie vnto vs than the most holy Sacraments of Baptisme of the Euchariste of Penance and others wherby the price of his bloode is most effectually applyed vnto vs Grante me therfore sweete IESV by this effusion of thy bloode a doble grace the one that I may acknowledge and often frequente these preseruatiues of thy holy SacrameÌ„ts The other that it will please thee to receyue me into that Hole of the rocke Cant. 2. into that Caue in the walle I meane into thy most sacred Syde where I may rest secure from all miseries and aduersities For accordinge to S. Augustine Longinus did therfore open thy side with his Lance that I might enter into it and there rest free from all temptations Amen The fourth manner of sainge the Pater