our Sauiour appeared and shewed some part of his glory to the Apostles and fiue hundred other persons that beleeued in him to whome he largely declared the power that his Father had giuen him in heauen and in earth and discouered vnto them diuers mysteries of the faith 3. How for conclusion he promised neuer to withdraw his assistance and fauour from them Let vs learne 1. To keepe our selues in the mountaine of perfection and still to aspire to the same if we desire that our Sauiour shew himself vnto vs. 2. To feare and respect his power 3 Not to loose heart in time of temptation seeing that he is alwaies present with vs. CXXXVIII MEDITATION Of our Sauiours glorious Ascension Mark 16.19 Luk. 24.50 Act. 1.9 1. CONSIDER how our Sauiour stāding on moūt Oliuet after that he had taken leaue of his Mother Apostles disciples and others there present he gaue vnto them all his holy blessing and afterward ascended glorious into heauen accōpanied with many squadrons of Angels and holy Fathers which he had deliuered out of Limbo 2. How comming to heauen he was there receaued by God the Father and all the celestiall Court with great triumph and ioy as Conquerour of death Hell and the world 3. How the Disciples hauing lost the sight of their Lord and maister did all do reuerence to his glorious mother taking her for their mistresse and guide Let vs learne of our Lord 1. The way to mount vp to heauen which is to humble our selues and to withdraw all our affection from earthly things 2. That to deserue triumph we we must first ouercome our passiōs 3. That if we desire to haue our B. Lady for our guide and mistresse we must imitate her vertues CXXXIX MEDITATION How our Sauiour did send the holy Ghost vpon his Disciples and Apostles Act. 2.1 1. CONSIDER how after that our Sauiour was ascended into heauen the most B. Virgin retyred her self to Ierusalem where more by her example then by words she did instruct and comfort the Christians expecting the comming of the holy ghost which our Sauiour had promised to send 2. How the most Blessed Virgin and all the Apostles being together in a great roome and praying to almighty God the holy Ghost came vpon them and appeared vpon euery one of them in forme of fiery tongues 3 How the holy Ghost did so inflame the hearts of the Apostles that they preached the faith without any feare seeking nothing more then the glory of God Let vs learne 1. To help our neighbours more by giuing good example then by faire words 2. That praier is a singular meanes to obtaine the holy Ghost 3. That if we do in our actions seeke only the glory of God it is a signe that the holy Ghost is in vs. CXL MEDITATION Of the Assumption of our Blessed Lady 1. CONSIDER how the most Blessed Virgin esteeming that her presence was no more necessary for the Church of God which was then very much increased did demaund of God to depart this life that she might be with her sonne in heauen 2. How great ioy and contentment she receaued vnderstāding by relation of an Angell that her sonne our Sauiour would fulfill her desire and that he came now to receaue her soule 3. How her thrice happie soule three daies after it was departed frō the body returned to reunite it self with the same and so our B. Lady accompanied with Angels was as some say carried vp into heauen Let vs learne 1. To liue heere on earth a celestiall life if we desire to gaine heauen 2. Not to make any designments in this life and so we shall not be sory when we shall heare of death 3. To receaue God in our hearts at this present and he will afterward receaue vs in heauen CXLI MEDITATION How our Blessed Lady was crowned in Heauen 1. CONSIDER what feast the Blessed Saints of Paradise made beholding the Queene of Angels and the Mother of God to come into Heauen so glorious as she did 2. With what maiesty and reuerence she was led to the throne of the holy Trinity where she was most honorably receaued and crowned 4. How she was seated on a beautifull throwne aboue all the Angels at the right hand of her beloued Sonne where she prayeth cōtitually for her deuoted seruants Let vs learne 1. To humble our selues heere on earth by example of the glorious Virgin if we desire to appeare glorious in Heauen 2. That our Blessed Lady hath merited to be crowned in Heauen not simply because that she was the Mother of God but for that she was adorned and enriched with millions of vertues 3. That if we desire that our B. Lady take care of vs in heauen we must be deuout to her on earth CXLII MEDITATION Of Death 1. THINK that we must ōce dy yet we know not when nor how and that dying we must leaue all thinges of this world which will afflict vs at that houre so much the more as we haue byn affected to them in our life 2. That then our soule shall be so troubled and tormented by the Diuels and our body so strongly seazed with sicknes that we scarce shall know whether we be aliue or dead 3. How in that traunce we shall be more grieuously afflicted with the worme of conscience which will not only gnawe vs for the euil we haue committed but also for the good we haue omitted Let vs learne 1. To marke heere three great follies committed by men and first by those vvho are so much affected to these vvordly thinges that once they must leaue and abandon 2. Of those that deferre driue off their conuersiō vntill the houre of death which is a time so doubtfull and vncertaine 3. Of those who do not now that which thē they would haue done and let vs perswade our selues that he that liueth ill seldome or neuer dieth well CXLIII MEDITATION Also of death 1. CONSIDER that as soone as the soule shall be out of the body euery one will abandon the same as a thing most horrible How afterwards they will throw the same into a filthy and stinking hole to be gnawen and deuoured of wormes Behold how this body shall end which we haue cherished so much in this world and for whose sake we haue so offended Almighty God 2. Let vs turne towards our soule and we shall see it depart out of this world loaded only with the works which she hath done The ill ones make her tremble quake the good giue her some small comfort but aboue all she is grieued that she liued not better 3. Behold with what cariage and countenance she doth present her selfe before the throne of the diuine iustice there to receaue the sentēce that her works do deserue Let vs learne 1. How little accoumpt we ought to make of our body seeing it is of so base and vile condition 2. To doe alwaies good since this is it that must accompaine vs in the
other world 3. To liue in such sort that afterwards we need not feare the last sentence which shall be peremptory of our eternall good or ill CXLIV MEDITATION Of the Generall and last Iudgment 1. CONSIDER what dread and feare men will haue when presently after the generall Resurrection they shall behold the signe of the Crosse and other armes of the Passion which will appeare in heauen borne before our Sauiour who shall come with great maiesty to iudge the world 2. How the iudgmeÌ„t being begun euery one shall be constrained to giue account euen of his most hiddeÌ„ thoughts in such sort that euery ones life shall be wholy knowne to all the rest 3. How great the confusion of hypocrites principally shall be when their malice and wicked thoughts will be discouered to the whole world Let vs learne 1. To resolue with our selues to loue and serue God more carefully to the end we may be able to appeare before him with more security 2. To make vp our accounts with the mercy that God doth now present vnto vs and not to expect the time when he will vse his iustice 3. For feare lest our sins should be knowne of all men at the day of iudgment we must presently blot them out by a good confession and by doing of pennance CXLV MEDITATION Of the same generall Iudgment 1. CONSIDER how that great Iudge will recompence the iustice of the iust will praise them for their good workes esteeming that he hath receaued in his owne person whatsoeuer they haue done to the poore 2. How reproaching the obstinate of their sinnes with a dreadful countenance he will driue them out of his presence sending them to hel-fire and deliuering them into the hands and power of the diuell 3. How suddainly these vnfortunate sinners shall find themselues enuironed and all wrapped vp in a terrible fire and so blaspheming shall be throwne downe into the bottomles pit of hell and contrariwise how the good praising and thanking God shall be led to heaueÌ„ to raigne there eternally with our Sauiour Let vs learne 1. To do good and that for the loue of God if we will haue recompence at the day of iudgment 2. Not to cast God out of our soules that in the day of iudgment he driue vs not out of his sight 3. To walke in the way of vertue and then we need not feare that we shall be sent to the house of vice nor be made companions to the dwellers therof CXLVI MEDITATION Of Hell 1. SET before your eyes the horrible bottomles pit of Hell established and appointed by Gods iustice to be the perpetuall prison of rebellious and vngrateful persons 2. Consider the paines and torments that the damned do indure in that place beholding those hideous infernall monsters hearing their cryes and enormous blasphemies and feeling infinite and intolerable stinke 3. Think what excessiue griefe these miserable soules shall feele when inclosed in this dreadfull prisoÌ„ they shall be told that it must be for euer without any hope of departing thence Let vs learne 1. That if this lodging like vs not we follow not the way that leadeth vs vnto it 2. That to eschew those paines we must keepe our selues from sinne that maketh vs worthy of theÌ„ 3. That this place is not prepared but for those that make themselues the slaues of sinne CXLVII MEDITATION Of the same Hell 1. CONSIDER that the great paine which the damned do suffer is that they see themselues for euer banished out of heaueÌ„ which was their owne country and depriued of the enioying of almighty God who is their only end soueraigne good 2. How they are tormented in all their senses with so horrible paines that they be neuer asswaged wheÌ„ce it commeth that they dye alwayes and yet neuer end 3. Consider that they were created redeemed to enioy celestiall and eternall felicity which they lost for so light and small pleasure and yet hauing meanes to remedy their euils by doing penance which they did not they are surprised with so great vehement griefe that in a manner they burst asunder Let vs learne 1. That he which doth suffer himself to be carried away with sinne deserueth to be cast out of heauen 2. That if heer we will satisfie our seÌ„sualities as we list God will afterwards satisfie his iustice as he ought to do 3. That he is ill aduised who doth not amend himself and become wise by other mens harmes CXLVIII MEDITATION Of Heauen 1. CONSIDER how Heauen which God hath ordained for those that loue him is so beautifull a place that there is nothing in this world to be compared vnto it There is no danger of death of sicknes of aduersity nor of any other misery whatsoeuer 2. How the inhabitants of heauen do liue in highest peace and coÌ„teÌ„tment haue neuer any sorrow nor disgust but do loue one another so entirely that ech one is as glad at his neighbours good as at his owne 3. What ioy and contentment the Blessed soules do receaue when after so great labours and paines they enter into that place replenished with all good delight there to repose for all eternity Let vs learne 1. That if the place do please vs we must follow the way that leadeth thither though it seeme vnto vs somwhat straite and rough 2. That he is vnwise who for worldly pelfe forgetteth heauen which is our true country 3. That those which in this world haue suffered much for the loue of God do receaue great reward and recompence for the same in heauen CXLIX MEDITATION Againe of Heauen 1. CONSIDER how those Blessed soules beholding the infinite maiesty of God are so replenished with ioy and contentment that they cannot desire any more nor any other thing 2. That they are neuer wearied in blessing the time which they haue imploied in their deuotions in frequenting of the holy Sacraments and in the exercise of the works of mercy which they see to haue ben receaued and accepted of God as if they had ben donne to his owne person 3. How they do greatly reioyce because they are certaine that their glory and felicity shall neuer faile and that it cannot be lost taken away or hindered by any once Let vs learne 1. To please Almighty God heere on earth by seruing him deuoutly and he assuredly will giue vs all contentment in heauen 2. How the world is grosly abused making so little account of deuotion and other spirituall exercises 3. How men do deceaue themselues if they send not their goods and treasures into their true countery which is a place so assured CL. MEDITATION Of the effects of deadly sinne 1. CONSIDER how deadly sinne maketh vs loose the grace of God in this lyfe 2. How it doth depriue vs of all those consolations that God is accustomed to giue to his welbeloued children in this world 3. How it doth exclude vs from the euerlasting glory for which we were created and redeemed with the most precious bloud of our Sauiour IESVS Christ 4. How it doth procure vs in this life the emnity of God who is our creatour and ought to be our God 5. How it bringeth vnto vs an infinite number of trauailes and miseries making vs seruants of our passions and flause to the diuell 6. It is cause that our good works cannnot be meritorious of eternall life 7. Consider how grosse an absurdity and folly it is of a man for a small pleasure contrary to the law and will of God to expose himself to the daunger to be throwne headlong into euerlasting paines where he shal be punished perpetually without any hope to be euer deliuered A PRAIER O MY God I should indeed be senseles yea and more then seÌ„sles if reuolting against thy sacred Maiesty I would subiect my self to the tyranny of sinne of the diuell And what would it auaile me to haue my whole hearts desire in this world if I were depriued of thy grace Alas who could defend me from those euils vnto which mans life is subiect who could help me at the houre of my death who could deliuer me froÌ„ hell if through my own demerits thou shouldst become mine enemy I had rather o my good God I had rather I say indure all the daungers misfortunes that may befall me in this life and had rather dy a thousand deaths then to liue eueÌ„ one moment out of thy â—â—â—ce fauour and protection FINIS
and there put himself amongst publicans and other sinners to be baptized 2. Consider how much S. Iohn did admire and was amazed seeing the Sauiour of the world come vnto him as if he had byn the most abiect creature vpon the earth And we may piouslie think that he did prostrate himself at our Sauiours feete saying vnto him the wordes recorded in the ghospel I ought to be baptized of thee 3. Consider how after that our Sauiour was baptized the heauens were opened the holy Ghost descended and there was a voâ—ce heard from heauen which said Thou art my beloued Sonne in whome I am wel pleased Let vs learne 1. To humble our selues more and more moued by our Sauiours example 2. Neuer to desire to seeme singular in any thing but to follow the order and vsage of others in all things that be good and holy 3. To purge and clense our conscience well if we desire to haue our praiers heard for our Sauiour praying after his baptisme was incontinently heard of his celestiall Father XX. MEDITATION How our Sauiour was tempted in the desert Matth. 4. Mark 1.12 Luk. 4.1 1. CONSIDER how after that our Sauiour had ben honoured by his heauenly Fathers 〈◊〉 and receaued the Holy Ghost whâ—ch desceÌ„ded visiblie vpoÌ„ him he retired into the willdernes where he remained forty daies without house bed or victualls extenuating and afflicting his body 2. Consider that whosoeuer shall sound the reasons well which moued our Lord God who nourisheth all creatures that be on the earth thus to suffer hunger and permit the diuel to come and tempt him he I say will neuer refuse to be tempted and to abide hunger and thirst for IESVS Christ his sake seeing that our Sauiour himself hath ouercome all these difficulties 3 Consider the diligence with which the Angels did serue our Sauiour and the modestie that he kept albeit he were hungrie Let vs learne 1. To separate and withdraw our selues from the world not only with our bodie but also with all our affection and will 2. To striue manfullie against temptations and neuer to suffer them to surmount vs. 3. To serue God in the person of our neighbours with as great diligence as the Angels did vse in seruing our Lord himselfe XXI MEDITATION Of the calling of the fiue first Disciples Iohn 1.35 1. CONSIDER the piety and deuotion with which S. Iohn Baptist did pronounce these words Behould the Lambe of God the immaculate Lambe whose bloud must blot out all the sinnes of the world 2. Consider with what diligence S. Iohns two disciples did follow our Sauiour and marke his lodging where he made his aboad so to bring vnto him other disciples 3. Consider Nathanaels simplicitie and how our Sauiour brought him to know the truth and to confesse that he was the sonne of God Let vs learne 1. To endeauour what lieth in vs to help and assist our neighbours shewing them IESVS Christ whome they ought to follow 2. To follow promptly our selues the good inspirations that God doth send vs. 3. To haue alwaies before our eyes our Lord God who seeth and knoweth all things as he made Nathanael plainly perceaue XXII MEDITATION Of our Sauiours first Miracle donne at the wedding Iohn 2.1 1. CONSIDER how our Sauiour for the loue he did beare vnto men was pleased to abase himself so much as to go to their banquets and honour their tables with his presence not so to fill his body but to feede their soules 2. Consider the care that our Blessed Lady had of the temporall good and reputation euen of those that had inuited her which care she shewed in representing their necessitie and want vnto her sonne at whose hands she expected speedie redresse of the same 3. Consider the admiration and as it were amazing with which the bridegroome was surprized vnderstanding that there yet remained such quantitie of exquisite wine Let vs learne 1. Neuer to disdaine any honest companie nor poore mens tables 2. To haue great compassion of the need and necessity temporall of poore folkes whosoeuer they be 3. Neuer to make shew of the best that may be in vs at the beginning but to reserue it for the end seing it is this that must crowne out worke XXIII MEDITATION How our Lord did cast out of the Temple the buyers and sellers Iohn 2.13 1. VVE must consider how carefull our Lord was to keep and solemnize the feast daies so he was amongst the rest of the Iewes and not without great trauaile went a foot to Ierusalem 2. Consider how our Sauiour entring into Ierusalem went forthwith to the Temple there to pray and adore his Father with the other Iewes 3. Consider how he that is goodnes it self cannot endure the wrong which he seeth done vnto the Temple a holy place and a place of praier which the auarice and couetousnes of men had turned into a place of traffique and merchandise but he casteth out the buyers and fellers Let vs learne 1. To sanctifie the holy daies 2. To pray willingly in euery place but chiefly in the Church 3. To be zealous of Gods honour in cleanenes and sanctifying of those places things that are dedicated vnto him XXIV MEDITATION Of our Sauiours conference with Nicodemus Iohn 3.1 1. CONSIDER how Nicodemus hauing heard a report of the Miracles which our Sauiour had wrought came vnto him by night to be instructed of the way that he was to hold to arriue to the port of saluation 2. Consider how our Sauiour hauing proposed vnto him the doctrine of the regeneration of our soules caused by the Sacrament of Baptisme did reprehend him sharply for that he vnderstood not a similitude taken from earthly things and said vnto him Thou art a maister in Israâ—l and art thou ignorant of these things 3. Consider how Christ did afterward discourse vnto him very amplie of his past on and of the deatâ— he was to suffer vpon the altar oâ— the Crosse shewing him principally in this point the greaâ—nes of God loue towards man kind Let vs learne 1. To seeke with great care arâ— diligence such things as may forward vs to our saluation 2. To render incessant thanâ— vnto almighty God for the benefâ— of Baptisme receaued at his hands 3. To haue alwaies our Sâ—uiours passion in our remembrancâ— XXV MEDITATION Of S. Iohn Baptist his imprisonment Matth. 14.1 Marke 6.14 1. CONSIDER how S. Iohn Baptist leauing now the desert into which he was retired from his tender age went oftentimes to the Court to exhort and admonish King Herod who did reforme himself in some things that S. Iohn had told him 2. Consider how after some space of time he did reprehend him more eagerly then he was accustomed to doe because the matter did so require forsomuch as he kept his brothers wife he being yet aliue contrary to all right and reason 3. Consider how Herodias being much grieued at S. Iohns words did â—oue the King in such sort that
lâ—st â—e would dye ere he came to the place of execution were of opinion to make one Simon of Cyrene whome they met returning from the fields to beare his Crosse 3. How they sâ—ld our Sauiour this little comfort very deerely vpbraiding him that he who had vaunted himself to be the sonne of God was not able now to go and constrayning him also to go more speedily then he could Let vs learne 1. To beare our owne Crosse and not that of others 2. To beare it willingly and not perforce 3. To carrie it after our Sauiour folowing his pace not for praise of men CX MEDITATION How they gaue our Sauiour wine mingled with gall to drinke Matth. 27.34 1. CONSIDER how our Sauiour being ariued to mount Caluary so weary and tyred that his heart did faile those cruell Iewes did present him to drink wine mingled with gall that by so doing they might leaue no part of his vntormented 2. How our Lord being ready to suffer all paines for the loue of vs did take the cuppe and when he had tasted thereof he would not drinke 3. How great the sorrow of our Blessed Lady was when she saw that mouth which she had nourished with her precious milke filled with that stinking licour Let vs learne 1. To present vnto Almighty God our actions pure without any mixture of sinister intention 2. To contemne earthly consolations seeing that they be alwaies mingled with gall 3. Neuer to complaine of the meat and drink that is set before vs. CXI MEDITATION How our Sauiour was nailed to the Crosse Matth. 27.31 Mark 15.21.24 Luk 23.33 Iohn 19.18 1. CONSIDER how those cruel torturers did take our Sauiour by the neck to draw off his cloaâ—hes and rent away with his garments part of his flesh and skin that stucke fast to them 2. How our Blessed Lady seeing him stark naked and exposed as well to the cold as to the derision of that vnciuill multitude did with inuincible courage and motherly affection make hast to couer some part of him with her veyle and afterwards imbraced him most tenderly 3. How the Iewes did presently hale him from her to lay him vpon the hard bed of the Crosse wherto they fastned his hands and feet with huge nailes Let vs learne 1. To vncloath our selues of our worldly affections and customes the better to follow our Sauiour who is all naked 2. To haue compassion of the poore whome oftentimes we see stark naked 3. To esteeme greatly those holy vowes which be the nailes that fasten religious folkes to the Crosse of religion so to liue and dye with our Sauiour CXII MEDITATION How our Sauiour was crucified betweene two thâ—eues Matt. 27 â—8 Mark 15 27. Luk. 23.32 Iohn 19.18 1. CONSIDER how those barbarous executioners hauing hammered at their pleasure on our Lords feete did hoise vp the Crosse and after let it fall at one push into the hole where it should stand which was cause that all his wounds were opened a new 2. How not to omit any thing that might increase our Sauiours paine and torment they hanged two infamous theeues with him one on ech side 3. Weigh well heere ô ChristiaÌ„ soule that thou oughtest to abaÌ„don the earth to ioyne thy self to our Sauiour hanging for thee in the aire Let vs learne 1. To crucify our spirit betwixt two theeues the flesh the world 2. To support patiently all that which may befall vs against our reputation 3. To conuerse amongst sinners when it is necessary for their saluation in such sort that thou do not communicate with their iniquities CXIII MEDITATION Of the title that Pilâ—te did put vpon our Sauiâ—â—rs Crosse Matth. 27.37 Mark 15 26. Luk. 23.38 Iohn 19.19 1. CONSIDER how that which the Iewes and Pilate did for our Sauiours confusion and greatest ignominy turned notwithstanding to his great honour their shame 2. How the high Priests and the rest perceauing this desired Pilate to write only that our Sauiour called himselfe King of the Iewes which he would not accord vnto no nor chaung what he had once written 3. How we â—ught to waigh the words of this Title IESVS being come to saue vs as his name importeth being innocent as is signified by this word Nazareth and briefly being King he should not haue byn so traytourously put to death by his owne subiects Let vs learne 1. Not to care for the coÌ„moÌ„ reports that meÌ„ make of vs at their pleasure nor for the libels that they write 2. To answere couragiously boldly to temptations of incoÌ„stancy in saying That which is written is written 3. To cast all worldly honour and reputation behind our backs and to set labours and paines before our eyes as our Sauiour did CXIV MEDITATION How our Sauiours garments were deuided amongst the souldiars Matt. 27.35 Mar. 15.24 Luk. 23.24 Iohn 19.23 1. CONSIDER how our Sauiour being on the Crosse loden with wounds and as it were beaten downe with bodily paines but more with sorrow proceding of this that he saw so many persons whom his passion should benefit nothing at all the souldiars notwithstaÌ„ding dreamed of nought els but how to increase his sorrowes 2. How therefore they tooke his apparell for spite and scorning at the basenes of the stuffe of which they were made deuided theÌ„ into foure parts for euery souldiar his vttering in the meane time iniuries the Scribes and Ancients of the people said one to another He hath saued others and now he cannot saue himself If he be king of Israell let him come downe from the Crosse Let vs learne 1. To perseuere vntill death in the vertuous way and life that we haue once vndertaken 2. Neuer to descend againe to our imperfections but to mount vp still and go forward in vertue 3. Not to speake when we are wronged CXVI MEDITATION Of the first word that our Lord did speak vpon the Crosse Luk. 23.34 1. CONSIDER how amongst other iniuries which the Scribes did vnto our Sauiour they did vpbraid him that he trusted much in his Father who yet had not deliuered him from euill and in doing this they blasphemed against the goodnes and power of Almighty God 2. How our Sauiour vnderstanding this their language had presently recourse to his heauenly Father praying him not to haue regard to their words but to forgiue theÌ„ as men that knew not what they said 3. Weigh well the words that our Sauiour spake who made more account of his Fathers honour then of those euils which himself indured and excused the fault of the Iewes his enemies Let vs learne 1. To pardon and pray for such as do vs harme 2. Rather to excuse and diminish their faults then to increase make them greater 3. Rather to be grieued for the offences committed against God then for the euil done to our selues CXVII MEDITATION Of the second word that our Sauiour spake vpon the Crosse Luk. 23.39 1. CONSIDER how the Iewes Paynims Souldiers and others that
entertainment the Sonne made to his Mother and the Mother vnto her Sonne seeing him so gloriously risen from death Let vs learne 1. Yf we desire to be partakers of this ioy to endeauour to follow the qualities of glorified bodies and first to shine by good example before our neighbours 2. To be prompt and nimble in Gods seruice 3. To follow the puritie of Angels which we get by mortification of our senses and passions CXXXI MEDITATION How our Sauiour appeared to S. Mary Magdalene Iohn 20.1.11 1. CONSIDER how Mary Magdalene although she came to the sepulcher with the other women yet she would not go back with them so soone but remayning there wept and went now then to see if she could find her maisters body 2. How she hauing spoken to the two Angels that were within the sepulcher turning back saw our Sauiour and taking him to be the gardiner of that place for she knew him not she praied him to tell her if he had taken away her maisters body and where he had put it 3. How knowing him by his voice she ranne forthwith to prostrate her self at his feete and to adore him and imbrace him which our Sauiour would not permit her to do Let vs learne 1. To perseuer if we desire to haue any good 2. To weepe willingly since by teares we may easily obtaine of God that which we desire 3 Not to stay nor rest our selues too much in consolations when it pleaseth God to affoard vs them CXXXII MEDITATION How our Sauiour appeared to the two disciples going to Emaus Mark 16.12 Luk. 24.13 1. CONSIDER how these two disciples going on their way did intertaine and comfort themselues with holy discourses talking of those things that passed in our Sauiours death which was cause that he approached neer to thē and put himself in their companie 2 How demaunding the cause of their sorrow he taught them out of the scriptures how all had passed as it was long agoe foretold and afterwards feigned that he would go further 3. How they constrained him to enter into their lodging and suppe with them where knowing him in the manner of breaking and blessing bread their eyes were opened and they greatly comforted Let vs learne 1. To intertaine our selues willingly in vertuous discourses if we desire to haue God present with vs. 2. To instruct and teach the ignorant 3. To exercise the works of mercy and not to content our selues with only speaking of them for these two disciples were not illuminated vntil they had receaued our Sauiour CXXXIII MEDITATION How our Sauiour appeared to all the Disciples being together Mark 16.14 Luk 24.33 Iohn 20.19 1. CONSIDER how our Sauiour not content to haue shewed himself in particuler to his Mother to S. Peter to the three Maries to Ma. Magdalen was desirous to make all his disciples at one partakers of the ioy of his Resurrection 2. How therefore entring into the place where they were gathered togeather for feare of the Iewes he said vnto them Peace be to yow It is I feare not 3. How perceauing for all this that they were troubled and frighted imagining that they saw a spirite he assured them that they had no cause to be afraid Let vs learne 1. How our Sauiour for greater proofe of his Resurrection shewed his disciples his hands to teach vs to take paines and to suffer 2. Hee shewed them his wounded side to exercise vs in his loue 3. He shewed them his pierced feete to teach vs perseuerance CXXXIV MEDITATION How our Sauiour did proue his Resurrection to his disciples Luk. 24.38 1. CONSIDER how the Apostles disciples being much astonished at the wonders that they saw and scarce beleuing that which they did touch with their fingers our Sauiour did ask them if they had any thing to eate and did eate in their presence 2. How making afterwards along discourse of the figures and prophesies of the old testament he gaue them clerely to vnderstand how all had byn performed in him and so opened their vnderstanding that they might easely see the truth of the scriptures 3. How seeing them now confirmed assured and full of comfort he gaue them againe the peace and power to remit sinnes Let vs learne 1. To accommodate our selues to our neighbours infirmities so to induce them to goodnes 2 To desire almighty God that he neuer withdraw his light from vs. 3. To yield him thankes for the power that he hath left to the Apostles and Priests to forgiue sinnes as not willing to make other iudgment in heauen then that which by them is made on earth CXXXV MEDITATION How our Sauiour appeared to his disciples S. Thomas being present Iohn 20.26 1. CONSIDER how S. Thomas by reason of his departure from the other Apostles was for the space of eight daies depriued of our Sauiours sight and remained so obstinate in his infidelity that he would not beleeue what the rest told him of our Sauiours resurection 2. How our Sauiour notwithstanding as well for the particuler saluation of this Infidel as also for the greater assurance of all the rest would appeare againe the second time to all his Apostles and in their presence giue vnto S. Thomas such proofe as he had desired of his Resurrection 3. How S. Thomas astonished altogeather at this cried out my Lord my God not able to say any more for admiration Let vs learne 1. How good a thing it is to be in good and godly companie to be visited by God amongst others 2. That we must not alwaies seeke after sweetnes and consolation in our spirituall exercises 3. That to stirre vp our selues and nourish our faith we must exercise works of charitie CXXXVI MEDITATION How our Sauiour appeared to his Disciples that were fishing Iohn 21.1 1. CONSIDER how S. Peter and his companions though they were well assured of our Sauiours Resurrection yet not daring to go abroad publickly before they had receaued the holy Ghost went forth a whole night to fish but all in vaine 2. How about the breake of the day our Sauiour appeared to them but was not knowen and commaunded them to cast the nette on the right hand which they speedily doing tooke an hundred fifty and three great fishes 3. How by this strange and vnexpected draught they came to know our Lord drew the net to land found dinner ready to which our Sauiour himselfe did inuite them Let vs learne 1. To keepe our selues alwaies in the grace of God that so we may merit 2. To obey promptly and spedily 3. To labour diligently if we be desirous that God inuite vs one day to his holy repose CXXXVII MEDITATION How our Sauiour appeared to his disciples vpon the mount of Galilee Matth. 28.16 1. CONSIDER how our Sauiour hauing promised and oftentimes signified euen by Angels to his Apostles and other Christiās that in Galilee they should see him many went thither and expected there his comming 2. How the day appointed