they found not the body but they did feele a most sweete sauour and found onlie the linnen in in which the body was wrapped which they did kisse for deuotion And that the blessed virgin was raised vp the third daie and in soule body assumpted into heauen many holy fathers doe tel vs. b Oratio de Assup S. Damascenus doth write that the virgin as the daughter of the old Adam was subiect to the old lawe of â—eaâ—â—â— but in as much as she was the mother of the liuing god she was from the sepulchre conioined to him c In entonio de dor nit virg 〈◊〉 Part. 3 â—nnal â—d Alip 〈◊〉 Serm. de â—it lormit â—irg Canis â—ib 5. ca. 4.5 〈◊〉 Andreas Bisshop of Candia doth say in this sort She that brought forth the author of life being raised vp againe findeth her selfe now there where is present the perpetual fountaine of life Michael Glycas doth report that the virgin Marie died according to the lawes of nature but by grace she was raised againe as her sonne Metaphrastes also doth auouche that the most blessed body of the virgin was by god translated into the diuine and celestial tabernacles Points for Meditation 1 Contemplate in what manner the blessed body of the virgin Marie laide in the sepulchre was not onlie voide of corruption but also did cast from it selfe a most sweete sauour 2 Contemplate how God ordained that the third daie the soule of the blessed virgin Marie should descend from heauen to earth to be reunited to the bodie her faithful companion of which she receaued no smal ioie and contentment 3 Contemplate how that glorious soule came from heauen accompanied with squadrons of Angels and so was reunited to the bodie in somuch that the virgin being raised the third daie went into heauen with greate triumph Documents 1 If thou desire that thie bodie giue a sweete sauour to God after thou art dead endeauour to keepe it chast whilest thou art aliue 2 If thou procure that thie bodie be a dwelling place for god heere on earth he wil honour and exalt it in heauen 3 If thou wilt mount vp to heauen triumphaÌ„t as oure Ladie did be humble heere on earth and suffer not thie self to be ouercome of thie passions OF THE VIRGIN Maries entring into heauen 27 EPiphanius doth plainlie confesse Sermo le Laudi 〈◊〉 virg that no tongue of men or Angels is sufficient to expresse the glorie and triumph that the virgin Marie had in heauen and concluding he saith that next vnder god she is Superiour to al. b Sermo 〈◊〉 de asâ—up virg S. Bernard also writeth that none can thinke with what glorie the Queene of the world did enter into heauen with what affect of deuotion the celestial legions did behould her with what cheerful countenance diuine embracings she was receaued of Iesus and exalted aboue al other creatures c Sermo le assump â—urg Sophronius doth tel in particular how in the Assumption of the virgin those celestial Citizens went to meete her with al solemnitie and so enuironed with heauenlie brightnes she was conducted by them with musicke to the throne which was prepared for her and how the feast of the Assumption which we celebrate but once a yeare is perpetual to al that heaueÌ„lie Ierusalem and to those blessed spirites d In euaÌ„g de sanc deipa Athanasius doth set downe the praises which each Ierarchie did sing to the virgin Marie And e Lib. de excil virg ca. 8. Canis lib. 5. ca. 4. Anselmus doth saie moreouer that God exalted the virgin Marie his mother aboue al the heaueÌ„s and placed her in a throne of glorie making her the Soueraigne ouer al creatures The like doe say al those holie fathers that write of the virgin or of her Assumption Points for Meditation 1 CoÌ„template how the virgin Marie entring into heauen the celestial coorte went to meete her by which she was receaued with vniuersal ioie as the mother of god and Queene of heauen 2 Contemplate how ascending to the place prepared for her before the creation of the world aboue al the quiars of Angels euery Ierarchie of those blessed spirites did sing theire praise to the most sacred virgin 3 CoÌ„template how the virgin being placed in her seate next to the throne of the most blessed Trinitie at the right hand of her sonne al the court of heauen did encline them selues and doe reuerence to their Queene Documents 1 If thou desire to be receaued in heauen with honour as the virgin Marie was receaue Christ on earth with loue and humilitie 2 They shal be praised of the Angels in heauen which haue eschewed the praises of men vppon earth 3 The more that thou shalt a base thy self in this life for the loue of god the more thou shalt be exalted in heauen OF THE VIRGIN Maries protection in heauen of her deuoutes 28. THe coÌ„tents of this last historie is so manifest and cleere that we neede not quote anie other authors then our selues forsomuch as we al doe see that in euerie kingdome in euerie prouince and in euerie cittie though it be neuer so litle there is to be found some image of our Ladie that doth worke miracles to which deuoute persons haue particular recourse to obtaine graces and fauours of God by meanes of the virgin Marie And this hath bene an ordinarie thing since the beginning of the primitiue Churche of Christ Now who is he that wil say that this is not to be ascribed to the particular protection which the virgin hath in heauen of her deuoutes heere on earth who wil say that she is not fauoured of that infinite maine sea of al good nes seeing that she doth obtaine of him for vs so manie great graces and fauours who is so beside him selfe that he wil not doe honour and reuerence to so diligent and louing an aduocatrice a Lib de excellen virg ca. 8. S. Anselmus saith that the virgin hath ben exalted to such greatnes for vs to the end she might easelie obtaine whatsoeuer good we needed for our sowle And b S. Augustin teacheth that she doth help vs more Serm. theÌ„ al the other Saincts â—â—e Asâ—â—mptio 〈◊〉 In Canâ—â—ic lib. 7. 〈◊〉 fine Canis lib. 〈◊〉 ca. 8. 17. So that c Rupertus calleth her the mountaine of mountaines from whence cometh to vs al succour obtained of our supreame Lord and maker of al things Points for Meditation 1 Contemplate how the glorie and greatnes of the virgin Marie in heauen do not make her to be vngetful of her clients in earth for whome she praieth so much the more how much her charitie is greater she neerer to the fountaine of al grace 2 Contemplate how the virgin is so greatlie beloued and fauoured of god that she doth not onlie obtaine what she demaundeth for vs but god also taketh pleasure in shewing vs fauour by her meanes 3
the Apostles came to Ierusalem from diuers parts of the world to be there then present almightie God disposing this soe for honour and comfort of the virgin 2 Consider how Christ oure Sauiour came also downe from heauen to be present likewise him selfe at the death of his deare mother and to receaue her soule 3 Contemplate how the virgin the more greater ioie she felt in her heart did the more humble her selfe and with most cordial affection thanke our Lord for so manie greate graces and fauours Documents 1 In the time of thie death or sicknes procure to haue alwaies some spiritual parsons neere vnto thee 2 Cease not to leade a vertuous life as the virgin Marie did and Christ wil not faile to assist thee at thie death 3 Giue thie selfe to God with al thie heart and serue him with true humilitie if thou desire to liue and die content OF THE VIRGIN Maries death 24. THe virgin Marie deceased in Ierusalem in S. Iohns house being about threescore and three years old a Lib. 4. reuâ—la ca. 23. S. Brigett telleth vs that she died most quietlie without anie feare or paine b In orat de assump Deipare S. Damascenus is of opinion that a litle before the virgin gaue vp her ghost she said to Iesus Into thy hands o my sonne I commend my spirite receaue now my sowle so deare vnto thee which thou hast kept free from al spot of sinne To thee likewise and not to the earth doe I giue my body in which it pleased thee to dwel drawe me to thee that I maie be there where thou art the blessed fruite of my wombe The self same father doth also saie that Christ did aunswere her in this sort-come o my blessed mother into my repose come o pure beautiful amongst al weomen because in thee there is no spotte c Lib. 2 â—hist ca. 21. Nicephorus doth recount that the virgin Marie speaking these words Be it done to me againe according to thine vvorde gaue vp her blessed sowle into the deare hands of her soÌ„ne Iesus so she remained as if she had beÌ„ a sleepe d In hist â—ete Euhim S. Iuuenalis also did say to the Emperour Marcianus that at the death of the virgin were seene manie Angels and most sweete songs of the highe powers and the virgin in an vnspeakeable manner did giue vp her gracious soule into the hands of God moreouer e In orat le Assum to Canis â—ib 5. ca. Andreas Bisshop of Candie doth tel how there came a greate multitude of Angels from heauen at the death of the virgin Points for Meditation 1 CoÌ„template how the virgin being readie to passe out of this life hauing commended her soule to her maker did also commend to the Apostles the faithful of Christ particularlie those that were afflicted and troubled 2 After this done lifting vp her eyes to heauen and beholding stedfastlie her sonne Iesus she demaunded his benediction which obtained that most blessed soule of hers did depart out of the bodie without anie feare and did flie into the armes of Iesus 3 Contemplate how Iesus did receaue the most pure soule of his dearlie beloued mother and with Angelical hymnes did conuaie the same into heauen those that were then present remaining astonied and with teares giuing thanks praise to God for al. Documents 1 See what account the virgin Marie did make of helping her neighbours that departing out of this world she did commend them to the Apostles 2 If thow wilt not be afraid at thy death time procure that thie conscience be cleane from sinne 3 Thou art fullie deceaued if being a liue thou care not for heauen and yet dost thinke that dying thie soule shal flie thither OF THE VIRGIN Maries funerals and burial 25. AFter that the virgin Marie was departed this life the Apostles tooke her sacred body out of the bed in which before her death she did remaine appareled and put in most decent maner and laide her vppon the biere a Lib. 2. bist ca. 22. Nicephorus doth report that there was great concourse of deafe blinde and other lame folks who al were most miraculouslie cured with touching onlie that sacred bodie This done-there was a procession set in ordre some of the Apostles weÌ„t before with lights in theire hands some others caried the coffin and al singing holie himmes b Andreas CreteÌ„ orat de Assump B. Virginus Damascin orat de Dormit Assáp virg Canis lib. 5. ca. 3. went towards getssemani where she before had appointed to be buried The same author doth recount and others also do avouche that through al the waie were seene in the aire manie squadroÌ„s of Angels which did accompanie the blessed bodie of theire Queene He saith moreouer that a certaine priest of the Iewes moued of haterd and enuie was so rash and vnconsiderate as to push the beire thinking to throw the same to the grounde but he was foorth with punished by god for that his hands were separated from his armes and did sticke hanging to the coffin whereuppoÌ„ the poore wretche astonied with the miracle did sodenlie repent him selfe and with teares demauÌ„ded pardon so that by S. Peters appointmeÌ„t the procession was staied and the Iew approching neere to the coffin with great reuerence his hands by a new miracle were restored to him againe Points for Meditation 1 Contemplate how as soone as the virgin Marie was dead the Apostles with great reuerence but not without teares did put her bodie in ordre to carie it to be buried and to do the funeral exequies accustomed 2 Moreouer consider the procession with which that holie tabernacle of god was caried to be buried by the Apostles accompanied with a great multitude of Christians which by the waie did stil singe holie himmes 3 ConteÌ„plate how when they were come to the place and had celebrated the exequies that sacred and virgin bodie was of al blessed with great reuerence and deuotion and after honourablie buried Documents 1 Learne heerehence how to celebrate funeralls after a christian manner first thou must not put thie self to superfluous charges in things which do not helpe the soule of him that is dead but rather nourish vanitie in those that be aliue 2 Thou must not lament the dead immoderatlie but rather praie for their sowles 3 Thou must make account of funerales as of a warning which god doth giue thee therby to prepare thy selfe to die wel OF THE VIRGIN Maries Assumption 26. THat holy Bisshop a Nicepho lib. 2. hist ca. 23. S. Iuuenalis doth tel vs how the Apostles remained at the sepulchre of the virgin Marie for three daies hearing continuallie a most sweete harmonie of holy himnes After three daies were past it seemed to the Apostles for coÌ„solation of S. Thomas who was not present at her death to open the sepulchre and to shew him the sacred body And when they had discouered the place
so holie and vertuous a person and therefore did thinke to depart from her Points for Meditation 1 Consider how Ioseph seing the virgin Marie with childe and not knowing the manner remained astonied confounded and because he had alwaies knowen her to be verie holy he resolued to leaue her secreatlie rather leade a Pilgrims life abroad in the world then to accuse or diffame her 2 CoÌ„template how the virgin Marie not knowing whether it were the wil of god she should discouer the mysterie to her spouse did rather choose to let this suspition runne of her selfe then to disclose it hauing yet first commended the matter to god in her prayer 3 Contemplate how these two married persons being so troubled afflicted god by an Angel reuealed to Ioseph the mysterie of the Incarnation done in the virgin by woorke of the holie ghost where vpon both parties did humblie giue thanks to our Lord. Documents 1 Learne of Ioseph rather to suffer then to diffame thy neighbour 2 It is better to conceale the fauours of god which make for our praise as the virgin Marie did then to diuulge them easelie 3 How much lesse thou art culpable and worthie of blame so much the more willingly accept of tribulatioÌ„s which if they be not to purge thy faulte wil serue to increase thy glorie OF THE VIRGIN Maries Childbirth 9. VVHen the virgin Marie had prepared some clothes for her litle childe according to her pouertie and the time of her deliuerie began to drawe neare there came forth saith a Cap. â— S. Luke an edict from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled for euery one to paie tribute in his countrie wherefore the virgin Marie and Ioseph went from Nazareth to the cittie of Dauid called Bethlem because they were of the house and familie of Dauid The voyage was verie noisome to the virgin for that it was in winter through mountaines and neere foure daies long Being come to Bethelem they founde al the Innes taken vp so that they were forced to retire them selues into a stal where the blessed virgin in the night was deliuered of her sonne Christ IESVS god and man In which childbirth b â—rat 1 â—resurâ—â— Chriâ—â— Nyssenus and c â—erm 4 â—â—igil â—â—iu Do â—â—i â—â—e instiâ—â— virg S. Bernard do auouche that the virgin Marie felt no paine nor trauel at al but exceeding ioye and comfort d 4 â—e virgiâ— Mariae S. Amhrose and e 4 â—â—pr â—â—m de 〈◊〉 Chriâ—â— S. Ildephonsus do adde also that the virginal cloistre of our Ladie did remaine entire and whole f â—â—ierom â—â—a Helâ—â— S. Cyprian likewise and g â—cae ca. Canis 2. ca 9. S. Hierome do teache vs that there was no Midwife present but the virgin her selfe was both Midwife and Nourse The Sheepheards who had bene warned by the Angels that sung Glorie in the highest to God came to the stal and with great humilitie and deuotion adored the holie infant Points for Meditation 1 Consider how the virgin Marie Ioseph to obey the Emperours edict went with great trauel towards Bethelem where finding none that would lodge them they retired them selues into a stal 2 Contemplate how there in the night the virgin feeling an exceeding Iubilie of hart lifted vp her minde to god and being wholie rauished in him brought forth without paine her soÌ„ne Christ our Lord. 3 Contemplate how the virgin beholding the diuine fruite of her woÌ„be did with humilitie adore it as her god and afterwards obteined of him licence to touch him did with motherlie loue take him in her armes giuing him her virgin breast and milke to sucke Documents 1 Behold how the virgin doth not murmure at the Princes order nor lament of those that did not lodge her do thou the like when for lodge her do thou the like when for obseruing the commaundements of God thou must needs suffer 2 Dost thou desire to do manie good woorks without wearines and paine do them willinglie and for the loue of Christ 3 Then wil Christ become thine when thou shalt vse him as the virgin Marie did with humilitie and loue OF THE VIRGIN Maries Purification 10. AS soone as fourtie daies were ended of the virgins Purification after her deliuerie Lucae 〈◊〉 2. she went to the Temple in Ierusalem to offer her sonne giue as the law ordained a paire of turtles or two young pigeons albeit as diuers holie b fathers do saie the virgin was not bound to anie such law Beda in ca Lucae Guari nether needed she purification for that she had not conceaued by woork of man 〈◊〉 Ser. 2. 〈◊〉 purifitione et â—ij â—uitici ca. 〈◊〉 of which yet law maketh expresse mention At that verie time SimeoÌ„ came into the Temple who amongst al the other mothers that were there to be purified did see the virgin Marie In orat 〈◊〉 Proph. â—meonis Marie as d Timotheus priest of Ierusalem recounteth enuironed with a wonderful great and diuine light and seeing that other weomen were desirous to be dispatched first he said to them o ye seruants wil you goe before your Ladie and mistresse e Cap. 2 Canis li 4. ca. 9. S. Luke saith that Simeon was a iust religious man who had receaued an aunswere from the holie Ghost that before he died he should see the Messias he did see him now take him in his armes blessing god w th al his hart And afterwards turning him selfe to the virgin Marie he tolde her that Iesus should be set for a signe of contradictions and that a sword of sorowe should pearce her soule Points for Meditation 1 Consider how the virgin Marie though she needed no purification yet by the example of her sonne who was circumcised not needing the same would according to the law be purified leauing thereby to vs an example of obedience humilitie and mortification 2 Consider with how great modestie and deuotion the virgin entred into the temple and with how great zeale and spiritual feeling she did offer both her selfe and her sonne to the father of heauen 3 Consider how the virgin hauing heard that dolorus prophesie of SimeoÌ„ was nothing astoined at the matter as who had wholie resigned her selfe to gods wil and pleasure Documents 1 Woe to him that is but wil not seeme to be a sinner seing Christ and his mother cared not to be accounted of as sinners to obserue the lawe of god though in deede they were not such 2 Learne of the virgin in what manner thou oughtest to enter remaine deuoutlie in the Church which is made to honour god therein 3 Put al thy hope in god and so neither prosperitie shal lift thee vp to much nor aduersitie to much abase thee OF THE VIRGIN Maries flight into AEgipt 11. THe fame of the childe Iesus growing daily more and more a Matt. Luc. ca. 2. Rabanus in 2. c. Matth. through