the best we haue since indeed we giue it not but restore it to him of whome we haue receaued it Consider that the great giftes offered to her Blessed SoÌ„ne by the three Kings were by the B. Virgin and her Spouse speedily giuen away in almes since two Doues were now the best gift they had to offer Holy Simeon receauing his Sauiour into his armes singeth Nunc dimittis Luc 2. now thou doest dismisse thy seruant O Lord â—ecause mine eyes haue seene thy â—aluation This holy Saynt haâ—ing seene his Sauiour desired not to liue any longer Here setâ—ing before thine eyes Happines which is the vision of God the Miseries of this world make resoâ—utions worthy of thy choice Our B. Lady hearing both holy Simeon Anne to prophesy of the greatnes of our Sauiour stood withall humility in the Temple conuerting none of all these praises to her selfe who was â—udged worthy by heaueÌ„ to beare â—his Sauiour of the world Lastly her behauiour towards al that were preseÌ„t in such a concourse of praises admirations was such as she endeauoured to make them esteeme of her but as of an ordinary woman who needed Purification The Assumption CHAP. VI. The sixt Feast FIRST the most happy soulâ— of this B Virgin separated froÌ„ her body by death is by Angelicall powers transported vp to heauen In like triumph her body by singular priuiledge is carryed vp by Angels and in all happines reunited to her soule Reflect vpon the ioy at this vnion applauded by the three Persons in the B. Trinity and all the Quiers of Angels and Saintes At the hands of her glorious Sonne she receaueth a Crowne of eternall blisse She is placed at the right hand of her Sonne and proclaimed Queene of Heauen Lastly endeauour thou by al meanes possible to make this Queene of glory adored also heere on earth by drawing and exhorting as many as thou canst to deuote themselues vnto her And thus by these six feasts I haue giuen thee some light how to apply any mystery to thy Beads But wheÌ„ thou art growne expert in this kind of Prayer thou mayest either saying thy whole Beads meditate vpon one only mystery as for example the Conception of this B. Virgin or else thâ—u mayest apply to euery decade or ten one of these mysteries so in thy six decades thou shalt runne through all the six mysteries And thus much concerning the Beads consisting ordinarily of six decades Now we will passe vnto the Rosary consisting of 15. Decades or 150. Aues and of 15. Pater nosters OF THE ROSARY THE Rosary The Rosary which diuers Sodalities both Religious secular daily vse is made of 15. Dâ—cades or fifteen tymes 10. Aues and 15. Pater nosters is deuided into three Crownes ech crowne containing fiue Dacades of Aues and fiue Pater nosters And to proceed with the first fiue we will apply vnto it the fiue Ioyfull mysteries to wit The Annuntiation Visitation The Natiuity of our Lord his Presentation his finding in the Temple Which fiue mysteries are to be applyed to the first Crown ech mystery to a seuerall Decade Of the first Ioyfull mystery which is the Annuntiation CHAP I. CALL to mind the History of the Annuntiation The first ioyful mistery Luke 1. as it is recorded by the Euangelist in which narration six points are remarkable First the ConsultatioÌ„ made in heauen by the three Diuine Persons in Trinity how they might assist man and bring him againe into the way of saluation and no other meanes was found more expedient then that the second Person of the B. Trinity should become man Consider then the obedience of the Angell in vndertaking and discharging the Embassage he was willed to beare vnto the Virgin Mary dwelling in Nâ—zareth as also how the Angell carryed himselfe towardes this chosen Queene he discoursing with her in an humble low voice briefly and grauely after the manner of treating with Princes Likewise her Virginall modesty beinâ— troublâ—d at the merueilous speaches of the Angell and her deep si ence Luke 1. considering with her selfe what a kind of salutation this was Againe Her singular wisdome â—aving with her selfe Quomodo fiet istud How shall this be done conioyned with a purpose of purity because she knew not man Also her holy feare Feare not O Mary thou hast found grace before God for that the holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the highest shall ouer-shadow thee Lastly contemplate vpon the meruailous fruitfulnes promised her in giuing her consent The obedience of the B. Vâ—rgin highly revvarded Behold thou shalt conceaue and bring forth a Sonne and thou shalt call his name Iesus End this point with admiration at the B. Virgins exceeding promptnes and humility Behold the handmayd of our Lord her courage Let it be done vnto me Her faith and confidence According to thy word and lastly her deuout thankes-giuing My soule doth magnify our Lord. The Visitation CHAP. II. The secoÌ„d ioyfull myâ—tery SET before thine eyes the first pilgrimage of our B. Lady in visiting her Cosin S. Elizabeth mother of S. Iohn the Baptist wherin consider these six points applying one to euery Decade First contemplate the B. will of God to be that this iourny should then be vndertaken by the B. Virgin to sanctify S. Iohn by her gracious salutation The B. Virgin knowing it to be the will of God that she should take this iourney sodenly without any delay rose vp went into the mountaines by the which the holy Fathers vnderstand perfection in all vertue at which the whole EuaÌ„gelical law aymeth 3. Make thy selfe present and see the pious strife betweene these happy women allied neerer in vertue then in bloud endeauouring each one to exceed in acts of humility and charity 4. If vve be forced to discouer our ovvne vvorth let vs do it as rather beâ—ng mortified thâ—n pleased to make knovvne vnto oth rs vvh re our measure lyeth The glorious mother of God although she could not hide from her Cosin the greatnes wherto she was called yet her humble manner of disclosing it was such as could not proceed but from the mother of God replenished with all grace and vertue 5. Then consider the vertues practised by the B. virgin for the tyme that she stayed with S. Elizabeth which was three months 6. And out of ech of these flowers sucke like an industrious Bee some sweet document and admiring this Virgin-Mothers vertues and those of S. Elizabeth namely their deuotion diligence courtesy humility most humbly demaund grace now to be both prayser and follower of their vertues and after thy death partaker of their glory The Natiuity of our Lord. CHAP. III. The third ioyfull mistery GOE and put thy selfe into the company of sheepheards and by thy humility and pouerty dispose thy selfe for the inuitatioÌ„ of Angels to go and behold in poore BethlieÌ„ the King of Kinges thy Sauiour and Reedemer
before the diuine inspirations of thy Sauiour giuing Barabbas life and crucifying in thy soule sweet Iesus 6. Lastly see the fond ceremony of Pilate to condemne thy Sauiour and yet pretend innocency by washing his hands How often hast thou through thine offences condemned swet Iesus extinguished the good motions sent thee from the holy Ghost with thy idle pretenses and euasions This washing thy hands will not hold for a sufficient excuse at the day of iudgmeÌ„t soules there shal be looked vpoÌ„ clense thine here by penance that it may be found pure there capable of eternall glory The bearing of his Crosse CHAP. IX BEHOLD how sweet Iesus after all these conflicts with his enemies knowing he should end with victory The fourth sorovvfull Myâ—yâ—ry marcheth forth towards the place of his last battell bearing the ensigne vpon his shoulders wherin he was to conquer this we may well imagine to be the discourse of Iesus within himselfe 1. But since we are yet in sorrowes let vs heere consider him loadeÌ„ with an heauy Crosse drawne hastily away towards the place of execution 2. How fit was Iesus to beare this weight being extreme weake and faint through the losse of so much bloud in his sweat in the garden his whipping and crowning Consider his infiniâ—e goodnes towards thee who will neuer lay a greater weight vpon thee then thou art able to beare 3. He himselfe fainteth vnder the Crosse and another is coÌ„pelled to help him Admire his seuerenesse towards himself and his me knes towards thee telling thee that the yoke which he will lay vpon thee is sweet and the burthen light Imitate thy Sauiour in this point be seuere vnto thy selfe mild and gentle towards others 4. Sweet Iesus beholding the multitude that followed him out of the gates of Hierusalem and diuers tender-harted women lamenting him turned and sayd vnto them Luke 23. daughters of Hierusalem weep not vpon me but weep vpon your selues and vpon your children Imagin thou didst hear him most meekly say the same vnto thy soule not absolutely forbidding thee to compassionate his sufferings but cheifly to greiue vpon thy selfe who hast bin cause of this his bitter Passion through daily offences dost as it were increase the same 5. Being come vp vnto mount Caluary after their rude pulling and haling of him They gaue him to drinke win mingled with myrrh he tooke it not Matt. 17. Whether this were a comfortable drinke they offered him that he might liue to endure yet greater torments or were it noysome since tasting it he would not drinke I leaue to thy deuout consideration 6. And now being ready to crucify him they hastily pulled of his garments which being fast clouen to his festered wounds set those bloudy fountaines againe on running to the excessiue torment and weakning of dolorous Iesus and heere weeping if thou canst teares of bloud lay thy selfe downe at the feet of thy tormented Sauiour and keep that precious bloud from being lost opening thy hart to receaue it His crucifying CHAP. X. AS thou approachest to contemplate the bitter Passion of our Sauiour The fifth sorrovvfull Mistery so therin commeth he neerer and neerer to the consummating of thy Redemption Heere see how farre thy loue can extend it selfe towards sweet Iesus that loueth thee vnto death 1. View the sacred body of Iesus flung downe vpon the ground and being drawne vnto the Crosse was layd rudely theron Sweet Iesus endured this with vnspeakable patience Isa 7. behauing himselfe like a lambe drawne to the slaughter 2. There were those sacred hands and feet cruelly pierced with nailes which woundes being made in the most feeling parts of the body caused vnto Iesus greater griefe then any he had yet felt 3. Thus mild Iesus being nailed in forme of a Crosse is lifted vp into the ayre there to be exposed vnto all lookers on as a patterne of dolour and misery-Heare him in the Prophet crying out Of all yee that passe by the way attend and see if there be any griefe like vnto my griefe 4. Thus placed in the ayre betwixt heauen and earth a true mediatour heare him crying out to thy soule Christ vpon the crosse a true mediatour Ioan. 12. If I be exalted from the earth I will draw althings vnto my selfe See thy Sauiour exalted from the earth and yet thou remaynest vpon earth togeather with thy earthly affections accuse not thy Sauiour and say thou art not drawne but accuse thine owne peruerse affections that feeling him draw thee refusest to follow him 5. Consider the fond wisdome of the world in conspiring here with the enemies of Iesus VVorldly vvisdome confounded to expose him thus ignominiously to the end he might be forsaken of all that the contempt of the world which he preached might by this reproachfull death of his be quite with him extinguished Who therfore knowing Iesus to be able to haue freed himselfe if he had pleased from all these miseries would not preferre misery before worldly felicity and with the Saints of God a crowne of thornes before the diadem of Princes None without doubt but those that loue not Iesus since if they truely loue him they cannot but loue to imitate him 6. Lastly placing thy selfe vnder thy Sauiour crucified reflect vpon thy happy choice of that holy refuge being there defended from all assaults of thine enemyes Raise in thy soule acts of loue towards this louing Sauiour of thine and giue him thy affection since thou hast nothing else to giue for nothing canst thou giue more acceptable And thus much for these fiue sorrowfull mysteries And in this last I haue purposely abstained from speaking in particuler of the fiue sacred wounds of our Sauiour vpon the Crosse of his speaches vttered there and of the meruailous signes then shewed intending to giue thee points to meditate vpon them a part Of the fiue Glorious Mysteries Of Christ his Resurrection CHAP. XI LEAVING sorrowes and passing beyond ioyes we mount here vnto the consideration of these mysteries which are in themselues glorious The first glorious Mistery and are of power if we profitably contemplate vpon them to make vs also glorious since the light of our soule is increased by nothing more then by contemplation of diuine things the mind drawing as it were into it selfe the obiect vpon which it fixeth it selfe the which being glorious cannot but impart vnto the soule some of the light wherwith it is endued 1. And now in this Resurrection of our Sauiour fixe the eye of thine vnderstanding stedfastly vpon that glorious body which thy mind hath set before it Behold it casting forth beames of light penetrating the monument where it lay dazeling the eyes of the guard that kept it and through his owne power raysing himselfe in that admirable manner which thy fayth teacheth Adore thy rising Sauiour endeauour to rise with him since thou hast long bin dead in sinne Penance reaâ—ueth those
yet experienced or could conceaue being the most perfect that may be free from any mixture of sorrow or feare of ending it must needs be wholy rauished in the loue of him whome it possesseth O how wil that soule magnify the goodnes of Almighty God in giuing it grace to ariue vnto this infinite happines and how will it reioyce in hauing cooperated with the same in this world 2. Heere it will reflect with exceeding ioy and contentment vpon the afflictions it endured in this world most clearly perceauing Rom. 2. that the passions of this life are not condigne to the glory that shal be reuealed And now this soule most euidently seeth with what great crownes small actions are rewarded how important it is to haue serued God Almighty to haue contemned the world to haue kept in seruitude the body and to haue fed the soule with coÌ„templation of heauenly things oh how abiect and vile will all contentmeÌ„ts of this world seeme to this blessed soule how mad and fencelesse will it esteeme theÌ„ to be who preferre these worldly fooleries before those ioyes which are in heauen 3. If it were possible for a soule in heaueÌ„ hauing bin shewed those delights which God hath prepared for those who loue him to be taken thence againe and placed in this world what would not that soule do to be brought to that sight once againe although it were but to endure for one houre If penaÌ„ce were the meanes to obtaine it what would it not vndergoe If abnegation of it selfe how perfect would it becoÌ„e in that admirable vertue If by exercising acts of charity how feruent would it be seeking occasions to exercise it If for the enioying of that happines so smal a time a soule who had seene it would vndergoe so much what should we do vnto whome the possession of these ioyes is most certainly promised for euer Blessed are they who beleeue before they see Ioh. 20. since our faith increaseth our reward 1. Cor. 2. For neither hath the eye seene nor eare heard neither hath it ascended into the hart of man what God hath prepared for them who loue him 4. And God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes Apoc. 21. and death shal be no more nor crying neithâ—r shall there be sorrow any more because the first things are past This will Almighty God do to all his constant seruants who haue suffered any thing for his sake in this world as soone as euer they are made partakers of this happines their eyes shed no more teares neither shall there be sorrow any more because the first things are gone and past as a shadow which vanisheth away at the presence of light All things that are in this world are short and endure a small time and as the pleasure of it is short which blind man so much seeke after so are the puÌ„ishments which are inflicted vpon the good and this short and as it were momentary suffering is to end and to be rewarded without end according to that of the Apostle 1. Cor. 4. For that our tribulation which presently is momentany and light worketh aboue measure exceedingly an eternall weight of glory in vs we not considering the things that are seene but that are not seene For the things that are seene are temporall but those that be not seene are eternall 5. Heere consider in the best manner thou canst the admirable estate of a soule in blessednes and as thou hast seene before that this blessednes consisteth in our vnderstanding which is most properly explicated by this word Vision yet doth it not so consist therin as that it excludeth our wil which is made partaker therof by the delight which a soule receaueth from that diuine vision of Almighty God And to know what that delight is and how great no vnderstanding vpon earth can conceaue the reason is because we cannot possibly conceaue what God is from the sight of whom this delight proceedeth Our best way is to make a comparison though it be infinitely defectiue with the delights of this world and those of heauen If we delight in the possession of any thing in this world let vs consider how many defects are in the thing possessed as also in the possessour which hinder the completenes of this happines both are changeable and subiect to infinite alterations and ends neuer was there yet any worldly contentment so enioyed but that if it were truely looked into there was conioyned with it some corasiue that might change the tast of the Enioyer But in heauen both that which is possessed and the Possessour are most permament and this fruition is not capable of any alteration or end this delight is complete mingled with no sorrowes since from God that delight floweth in whome there is nothing but delight 6. When we haue arriued by the contemplation of heauen vnto the delights therin our vnderstanding presently butteth vpon Almighty God who is a Non plus vltra and the end of all that we can thinke of since in him all this Beatitude is contayned as in a place inaccessible vnto mans vnderstanding Well may we whilest we are in this world goe about this hidden treasure to wit the Nature of Almighty God by outward signes in his Creatures ghesse somewhat at that which is included in him but neuer can we truly comprehend and know what this infinite happines is Exod. 53. till we see him facie ad faciem face to face and be partakers of that diuine torrent of pleasure How feruently haue all Gods Saints desired the enioying of his felicity Phil. 1. S. Paul desired to be dissolued and to be with Christ because he had seene those things in his high extasie which were not lawfull for man to speake S. Peter hauing but seene a glimpse of Christ his glory which then was far inferiour to that with which he now shineth in heauen yet as hauing ariued to the toppe of felicity Math. 17. he desireth to remayne there And leauing the infinite number of Saints betweene their time ours whose desires were the same let vs behold the blessed Father Ignatius de Loyola who in his contemplations vpon heauen cryed out with a true contempt of this world In his life Quam sordet terra cùm caelum intuâ—or how base and foule seemeth this earth when I behold heauen Oh that we would imitate these great Saintes whose eyes were truly purged contemning this earth the thornes that grow thereon and hauing their thoughts fixed in heauen and vpon true happines were euer in a continuall flame and desire to attaine thervnto Of Hell CHAP. IIII. THE calling backe of thy Vnderstanding from the toppe of heauen and leading it to the Center and bottome of the earth where the damned soules are tormented must needs breed a great alteration in thee and by it alone perswade thee that this world is full of changes and that our Vnderstanding is as mutable as
seuere and impartiall iudge not as an indulgent Redeemer 6. Lastly returne with these disciples to Hierusalem and imitating their vnion in spirit expect the comming of the Holy Ghost If thou desire to know Gods holy will retire thy selfe as they did and in this inward attention vnto the voice of thy Sauiour perseuere praying to know his diuine will and no doubt but he will impart it vnto thee Luke 12. which when thou knowest put it in practise otherwise the imputatioÌ„ of knowing the will of thy maister and not performing it will lye heauy vpon thee The comming of the holy Ghost CHAP. XIII YOV haue seene in the precedent mystery what diligent preparation these holy followers of Christ made The third glorious Mistery to the end they might be more fit vessels to receaue the holy Ghost And besides the former points of their peace and vnity amongst themselues and retyring from the conuersation of the world it is moreouer specified in holy Scripture that the better to make this retirement of theirs Act. 1. They went vp into an vpper chamber Of which words I would haue thee a pious interpreter and to imagine this vpper roome to be the superiour part of the foure to wit thy reason in which thou must dwell whensoeuer thou desirest to know the will of God neuer staying below in the sensuall part which in such a busines serueth for nothing but to blind thine vnderstanding Let thy sense be commanded by reason and it will presently teach thee that God is to be serued before the world and the Creatour before the Creature 1. Consider at the comming of the holy Ghost There was made â— sound from heauen Act 2. as of a vehement wind comming by which noyse The povver of the holy Ghost thou mayest consider the power of the holy Ghost which as it oftentimes st rreth vp in vs great conflicts betweene our owne peruerse nature and Gods Grace that offereth to enter into it so also it maketh vs most valiant and constant in the seruice of Almighty God and the maintayning of his glory the sound pre-figuring vnto vs the difficulties which outwardly may arise by the constant profession of his holy name 2. Most fitly is the comming of the holy Ghost expressed by fier the signe of loue and charity the holy spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne by a feruorous act of loue Neuer resist this holy spirit which will breath diuine loue into thy soule separating thine affections from earthly things 3. No sooner had these fiery tongues lighted vpon the heades of these holy disciples but with the gift of tongues which was then infused into them they doe speake of the great workes of God Imitate the feruour of these and let neuer the grace of God be void in th e 1. Cor. 15. but put in practise those giftes which God hath giuen thee by vsing them sincerely in his seruice 4. Consider how vncapable of spirituall things those are who measure all things by the conceit of the world this gift of tongus is interpreted in the Apostles to proceed from madnes or from some excesse committed Let not the fond interpretation of the world hinder thee from the seruice of God for if the Crosse of Christ were as the Apostle saith to the Gentils a foolishnes and euen to the very Iewes a scandâ—ll 1 Cor. 1. neuer be detected if the world laugh at thy proceedings which it vnderstandeth not Matt. 10. for the disciple must not place himselfe aboue his Maister 5. The cooperation of these holy disciples with the grace of God was such as they were all replenished with the holy Ghost working miracles in the face of Hierusalem Act. 5. and their very shadowes were potent to heale infirmities At the gate of the Temple S. Pâ—ter giueth an almes of health to a lame creature from his Natiuity Act. 3. Act. 2. He conuerteth three thousand at his first Sermon See of what great vertue the holy spirit is without which neither in thy selfe nor in others thou canst make conuersions 6. Beholding with thy selfe attentiuely how this spirit is attained vnto how necessary it is to haue it and how easily it is lost make resolutions in thy soule fit for one who hath this spirit knowing it giueth life vnto thine actioÌ„s and abhorre sinne that expelleth it The Assumption of our B. Lady CHAP. XIIII The fourth glorious Mystery Cant. 8. BEHOLD this glorious Virgin ascending Flowing in delightes leaning vpon her beloued with all contemplate vpon our B. Sauiours tender affection towards his dearest Mother requiting as it were her loue who in his infancy was borne in her blessed armes and leaned vpon her now he assisting her in this glorious triumph beares her vp towards the place of her Eternal Happines 1. Thou mayst here consider the happy passage of this B. Virgin out of this life feare not by considering this death to fall back vnto sorrowfull mysteries since death is heere glorious how the Apostles dispersed through the whole world were miraculously brought togeather to be at this glorious departure of the mother of God Togeather with the Apostles were also there present S. Denis Dionys ad Timeth Damas de dormit Deip. S. Timothy Disciple vnto S. Paul and S. Hierotheus Ponder the excessiue ioy of these Saintes behoulding the troupes of Angels attending the instant of her happy soules departure ready to accompany it into heauen No griefe could heere enter since all things gaue arguments of ioy and those teares that fell from the Apostles when the B. Virgin made her last pathetical speach vnto them were teares of comfort and consolation 2. As S. Denis writeth the B. Virgin ending this mortall life and beginning an immortall Epâ—st ad T mâ—th S. Thomas was absent and comming to Hierusalem three dayes after her departure all which time S. Denis saith that himselfe with the rest heard most melodious harmony of Angels and vnderstanding she was buryed in Gethsemani requested he might behold her dead whome he was vnfortunate in not seeing to dye 3. And to satisfy the deuotioÌ„ of S. Thomas they opened the monument ib d. which breathed forth most sweet sauours Consider the antiquity of this holy tradition and finding the body taken away they al firmely beleeued it was also by the hands of Angels carryed into heauen and reunited to her glorious soule this priuiledge being but coÌ„formable to the rest with which she was indued in her life 4. As in this so in other verities reuereÌ„ce the authority of Traditions in the Catholike Church which hath deuoted it selfe euen from the Apostles time vnto this glorious mystery of the Assumption of the mother of God 5. Consider the true resignation of this holy company assembled at the blessed departure of the mother of God al of them bearing that respect vnto her liuing as they now doubted not to find her in heauen a most carefull
mother of them Deuote thou thy selfe by the imitation of these thy holy predecessours vnto this B. Virgin that thou mayest also find her a Mother and mediatrix of Grace 6. Lastly let thy soule affect with an extraordinary loue this holy mother of Grace particulerly in this her sweet departure out of this life and in her miraculous Ascension begging by the merits of them both that she will assist thee with her potent care at the hower of thy death that thou maiest enioy her for euer in blisse The Coronation of our B. Lady CHAP. XV. SINCE thou art to contemplate vpon this high mistery of the Coronation of the Queene of heauen The fifth glorious Mystery dwell willingly in those celestiall parts with thy mind and till thou hast accomplished thy deuotion looke not downe vpon earth nor to the distractions it beareth and say vnto thy mind with holy Macarius the Eremite Thou hast Angels Archangels Cherubims Ioachimus Perionius in vita and Seraphims yea God himselfe for thy obiect Make therfore for a while thy aboad in heauen since no where can be found so noble obiects But it were too much for thee to haue thy mind so obedient vnto thee as this Blessed Saintes was which for the space of two whole dayes togeather remayned fixed vpon those heauēly delights without any distraction at all 1. First behold this celestiall Queene in this day of her Coronation most beautifully adorned withall perfections both of mind and body all the blessed inhabitants of Heauen attending her reioycing at the increase of her glory If these happy soules be so ioyfull at their Queenes exalting what oughtest thou to be since thou art farre off from that happines and desirest to attaine vnto it by her mediation 2. Behold the three Blessed Persons in Trinity ioyntly cooperating to the triumph of this glorious Virgin all of them placing with one consent a Diademe of glory vpon her head the reward of her faithfull seruice to their Deity in this world And meruaile not at the extraordinary glory she is endued with but consider the high vocation she was called vnto and in how great a busines she was imployed in this world and how completely she performed the same 3. Contemplate the allegiance which all the Orders of Angels with the rest of the Blessed Soules in Heauen performed to their new crowned Queene all singing her praises and extolling her dignity worthines 4. This crowne of glory imagine to be her most perfect beholding of Almighty God The B. Virgins Crovvne as much as any pure Creature can do receauing from him as from the fountaine of al glory light these her beames of brightnes 5. According to the capacity of euery soule glory is infused some are more glorious then others and yet all full of glory This glorious Virgin was full of grace heere vpon earth and therfore must needes be full of glory in heauen which fulnesse of glory proceedeth from the happy vision of Almighty God which she enioyeth according to the large measure of her merits 6. Lastly reioyce in the highest degree thou canst at the happy estate of this Queene of Glory and thinke no small happines redoundeth vnto thee since thou hast chosen for thy Patronesse Aduocate one so glorious and powerful and renew thy feruent desires to serue her with all fidelity laying open before her eyes of mercy thyne afflictions begging redresse at her mercifull hands by her potent intercession to her Sonne And thus I haue brought thee to an end of these considerations vpon the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary which as thou hast seene are deuided into Ioyfull Sorrowfull and Glorious the which thou mayest not vnfitly apply vnto the three Estates of men in this world The application of these mysteries who carefully worke their saluation to wit of those who begin those who profit those who are perfect the which three estates are termed by spirituall men the Purgatiue Contemplatiue and Vnitiue For by the Sorrowfull mysteries we may comprehend griefe for our sinnes past which is the way to purge vs since pennance is the next bath vnto Baptisme By the Ioyfull we may vnderstand Contemplatiue when we meditate and ponder vpon those Mysteries which are full of ioy And lastly to the Glorious we may fitly apply the estate of Vnion with Almighty God since Glory is nothing but an effect of this happy Vnion vnto which we all aspire it being the end wherto we were created OF THE SEAVEN Wordes of our Sauiour vpon the Crosse applied vnto the seauē Dayes of the Weeke HAVING ended the Rosary I intend to lead thee into the contemplation of the seauen words spoken by our Sauiour vpon the Crosse applying ech word or sentence to a seuerall day of the weeke that thou mayest the better harken vnto this sweet Sauiour of thine who neuer leaueth preaching vnto thee For vpon his bitter Crosse he teacheth thee these diuine documents shewing euen at his death the exceeding loue he bare vnto thee being then most mindfull of thee that thou mightest the oftener remember him and chiefly vpon his Crosse THE FIRST VVORD Pater ignosce eis quia nesciunt quid faciunt Father forgiue them for they know not what they do CHAP I. FIRST consider the exceeding loue of our Sauiour shewed in Luke 23. these wordes A meditation for Sonday whose afflictions although they were extreme could not make him forget our misery but that crowned with thornes torne with whippes wearied out with paines his sacred hands and feet pierced with grosse nailes he would yet beg pardon for his enemies neglecting his owne painfull estate Loue this louing Sauiour of thine and loue him ardently since thou canst neuer loue him inough who loued thee so entierly 2. He seeketh all meanes possible how to obtaine their pardon for he calleth vpon God by the name of Father a name of meekenes a name of mercy as if he should say I thy obedient Sonne who suffer heere vpon the Crosse call vpon thee my Father to forgiue them for they know not what they do In imitation of thy Sauiour forgiue thine enemies endeauour to make others to do the like diminishing their errours hiding their offences 3. Consider that our Sauiour did not only pray for these present persecutors of his but for all who euer did or shall offend him euen from our first Parents to the worlds end imagin that when thy deerest Sauiour pronounced these words he beheld euery particuler sinne of thine pondered the circumstances considered the occasions and marked the great malice of thy sinne in despising him and preferring before him some idle transitory pleasure and yet would aske thy pardon so earnestly excusing thine offence Oh then loue this ardent louer weep bitterly that euer thou hast offended him 4. One only offence in the Angells was eternally punished God more seuere to Angels then to men and yet for thy many offences
the same the which although it worke vpon the best subiect that may be yet doth it require a chang If we were comfirmed in grace it is certaine the thoughts of heauen and of those high Beauties would be euer profitable vnto vs but being as we are lutea vasa vessels of earth which are easily broken we must walke betweene loue and feare Ioy and Sorrow S. Paul himselfe maketh this cleere 1. Cor. 12. Least saith he the greatnes of my reuelations might extoll me there was giuen me an angell of Sathan to buffet me 1. Consider therfore first the place where these vnfortunate soules lye despayring who vnmindful of the world to come and eternity Luke 16. receperunt bona in vita sua enioyed their pleasures in this world and in the middest of all their prosperity when they least thought of it Venit mors super illos Psal 54. et descenderunt in infernum viuentes death came vpon them and they descended quicke into hell Frame to thy selfe an exceeding vast place capable to receaue infinite millions of soules which is rightly tearmed A land of misery and darâ—knesse Ioh. 10. where the shadow of death is no order but euerlasting horrour inhabitetâ— where nothing is heard but weeping and gnashing of teeth Matt. 8. mingled with lamentable voyces of despayre and intollerable blasphemies against their iust Iudge who deseruedly condemned them for their demerites to that place of eternall punishment 2. Reflect vpon the torments inflicted vpon these Caytiffes and behold with what malice those infernall Spirits the instruments of Gods wrath impose those vnspeakable torments vpon men taking this as a part of reuenge against mankind for possessing their seates in heauen Behold those soules how diuersly they behaue themselues in these endles miseries some sighing others weeping some rauing and crying hideously by reason of their paines others blaspheming against God and cursing most bitterly the houre of their natiuity Behold others in all their paines out of very enuy and malice silent not being able to expresse the hatred they beare to God nor the miseries they endure Oh Christian soule who art yet liuing and in a state capable to shun these vnspeakeable pains of Hell how canst thou truly thinke of these thinges and yet commit sinne so freely by which thou art made subiect to all these torments 3. Amongst all these afflictions two exceed if they may not be tearmed all of them to exceed to wit the cogitatioÌ„ of what they haue lost and the worme of conscience which are the greatest torments they haue All Deuines conclude that the paine of the sense which these soules feele in the middest of these most cruel and neuer-dying flames is but dull in regard of the sharpnes of of the memory of what they haue lost those fallen Angels informing euery other soule for their increase of torment what they haue lost by loosing heauen Heere the vnderstanding of those ioyes procureth intollerable griefe for ioy in it selfe delighteth none but those who either possesse it or at the least are in hope to possesse it but these soules neither possesse it nor yet are in hope euer to do but are banished from the most blessed sight of God for all eternity being at the end of an hundred thousand thousands of yeares as farre of from the end of this endlesse punishment as now 4. Consider the griefe which proceedeth froÌ„ the guilt of Conscience which like a gnawing worme lyeth continually tormenting the hart of a damned creature Heere is a continuall warre and discussion of matters passed in this life of Graces recâ—aued from the mercifull hand of God Almighty of reiecting the same of the opportunity offered of leauing that sinfull course and imbracing a vertuous life of so many purposes made of amendement and the deferring therof Oh how will this worme of Conscience teare the hart of a sinner when he shall see himselfe condemned out of his owne mouth and were it possible for him to dye this thought would end him but these greifes are endles hauing a subiect to worke vpon that neuer endeth heere harts may wither but neuer dye bodyes burne but neuer consume 5. If thou hast seene in the Considerations of Heauen what a soule would vndergoe to be made partaker of those ioyes hauing once knowne them before imagine heere on the contrary what one of these vnfortunate soules would endure to be freed from this damnation if it might returne to this life againe what wonderfull alteration should we see in that soule former pleasures turned into teares of penance the former losse of time into an exact obseruation of howers and a most perfect imployment therof all banquetings would be turned into fastings rich apparell into hayrecloth what a strait guard would be placed ouer al the seÌ„ses not so much as the least thought of rebellion in theÌ„ escaping without some seuere punishmeÌ„t Thus would this soule do if it were to liue againe but this cannot be heard the irreuocable sentence is passed and the most iust Iudge will not recall it but for euer and euer world without end this soule is to be tormented and all such wishes aâ—e most vaine and serue for nothing but for greater torment since they can neuer be obtayned 6. Lastly returne vnto thy selfe O Christian soule and thinking seriously vpon these things as those which most of al import thee ameÌ„d thy life which led in the offence of God conducteth thee directly vnto these endles tormeÌ„ts If thou wouldest examine thine actions by eternity it would make thee no doubt a blessed Saint in heauen and free thee from the torments of hell Thinke with thy selfe which thought may be made in a moment when thou vndertakest any action doth this action this thought or this word I am ready to vtter deserue the loue or hatred of Almighty God if it deserue loue reioyce with thy selfe and go forward in it if hatred leaue it fly from it as from a serpent that would enthrall thee and bring thee to this eternity of torment O eternity eternity that men would oftener thinke vpon thee ANOTHER BRIEFE WAY HOW TO SAY THE BEADES Wherein is contained the whole life of our B. Lady Taken out of holy Scripture and the Doctours of the Church applying to euery Pater Noster one of the gifts of the Holy Ghost and to euery Aue Maria one of these ensuing considerations or briefe eleuations of the mind I. PATER NOSTER The gift of Wisdome 1. AVE Maria. In the beginning of the world she is promised to mankind A wâ—mâ—n shall bruise thy h ad 2. She is prefigured in many holy women as in Iudith Hester and others 3. She is foretould to her pareÌ„ts by the Angell Conceaued without Originall sinne 4. She is borne full of grace aboue all creatures 5. Her Natiuity reioyceth the whole world 6. After three yeares she is presented in the Temple 7. She goeth vp the â—5 stepps of the Temple
those that passe through these miseries constantly and let not the fond and false pleasures of this life represent themselues vnto thee vnlesse thou also set before thee the eternity of paynes due to those that neglecting their saluation follow these short delights in blindnes Let Now commit nothing that it shal be ashamed to auouch before Euer but let both these proue and examine the action of ech other that so we may Now seruing this great Virgin faithfully enioy her in happines for Euer OF THE SIX FEASTS OF OVR B. LADY HAVING breifly explicated the Pater Aue and Creed we will descend vnto the feasts of our B. Lady applying them to our Beads making triall whether we can make vse of what hath bin hitherto said And beginning with her pure Conception we will runne through her six feasts ending with her Assumption since most of these festiuities were meanes vnto our Redemption which ought to stirre vp in vs the more affection and deuotion to contemplate vpon them The Conception of our B. Lady CHAP. I. CONSIDER that ordinarily the Conception of man is in sinne The first feast Psal â—0 according to that of the Royall Prophet Et in iniquitatibus concepit me mater mea in sinne my mother conceaued me This sinne in children is tearmed Originall sinne as well because it is deriued vnto vs from our first Parents The effects of originall sinne as because it possesseth euery one at his first being or comming into this world This sinne infecteth the whole man body and soule shutteth Heauen gates against him making him slaue vnto Sathan The penalties of Originall sinne are diuers Bodily deformation all kind of sicknes and death it selfe dimnesse of Vnderstanding weaknes of our Will pronesse to sinne and damnation if we dye in it without the remedy of Baptisme Our B. Lady by singular priuiledge was preserued from this Originall sinne and consequently preuented with grace in her Mothers wombe and at the first instant of her Conception was indued with all vertues as Originall Iustice and the like She was by the same priuiledge adorned with all naturall perfections of body as health beauty strength and the like graces Lastly she was not subiect to any actuall sinne not so much as veniall preseruing still entier â—er Originall Iustice much lesse was she subiect to damnation â—onder euery one of these six points according to thy deuotion applying them to the seuerall parts of thy Beads The Natiuity CHAP. II. FIRST consider her no lesse wonderfull natiuity The secoÌ„d feast for as she was conceiued without sinne so was she borne of her aged mother S. Anne as wee may piously presume without all paine How ioyfull to Angels was her birth because she was to beare the King of Angels and to be their Queene Glorious to vs men was her Natiuity because she was to be the Aduocate of Gods Church and potent Mediatrix betweene her Sonne and mankind Gladsome was her Natiuity to the B. Trinity because she was from al eternity predestinated the Espouse of God the Father Mother to God the Sonne and Tabernacle to the holy Ghost Terrible to the infernall powers was this Natiuity of hers because she was to bruse the SerpeÌ„ts head Gen. 3. Lastly comfortable to all sinners of the Catholike Church was this Natiuity because she is borne a mother of mercy Queene of heauen and Refuge of sinners to whome all haue free accesse to whome God the Sonne will deny nothing and whose clemency is such as she taketh vpon her to obtaine all sinners humble petitions Apply these points as the former to the six Decades The Presentation CHAP. III. FIRST our B. Lady being chosen out of the whole world to be mother of God The 3. Feast was by degrees disposed to this office for being only three yeares old she was by diuine inspiration presented and offered vp to God in the Temple In the sacred Temple being come to riper years first amongst all the Iewes she made a vow of perpetuall Virginity In the Cloyster of this TeÌ„ple she serued God in all Iustice and Sanctity of body and soule giuing an example to all those that abandon the world to leaue with the world themselues also for without perfection invertue she knew no inclosure to be strong inough against the world teaching the best surest inclosure to be that of our affections Fourthly in that retyred place she continually exercised all vertues and good workes sutable to her calling There she mortified that Virginall body of hers imitating in the spirit of Prophesy her Blessed Sonne S. Amb. lib de Virgin who although he could not be subiect vnto any rebellion against the law of reason yet did by fasting and praying giue example to all that followed him that the way vnto the Kingdome which he promiseth is ful of mortifications and crosses Being thus trayned vp in all kind of vertue hence she was exalted to be the mother of God A vertuous life in this world is a disposition to attaine vnto happines in the next The Visitation CHAP. IIII. FIRST our B. Lady being declared The fourth feast by the message of the Angell to be the mother of God tooke a tedious iourney on foot passing the mountaines towards her cosin Elizabeth to visit her Withall patience spirituall ioy she performeth this iourny and that with great speed for S. Ambrose vpon this place saith Deuotion done with speed yeldes most abundant fruit because there is discouered the feruour of Charity Entring into her cosin Elizabethes house she saluteth her courteously whose salutation caused ioy both to S. Elizabeth to her sonne S. Iohn yet in her wombe Our B. Ladies vertues being deseruedly praised by S. Elizabeth she beareth her selfe notwithstanding most humbly and modestly She referreth al honour vnto God singing her sacred Canticle Magnificat anima mea dominum my soule doth magnify our Lord. In which many mysteries are contayned and documents for our instruction how to referre all our actions to the honour and glory of God Lastly our B. Lady hauing serued with al care and respect her aged cosin for the space of three monethes retourneth to poore Nazareth with her Spouse S. Ioseph expecting the time of her meruailous deliuery The Purification CHAP. V. FIRST our B. Lady remayning a Virgin The fifth Feâ—st and yet now made a mother by bringing forth the light of the world out of her humility obserued the legall number of dayes for her retirement and keeping all the other accustomed rites went vp to Hierusalem there to make her great offer of Thankes-giuing for the high dignity bestowed vpon her Quia fecit ei magna qui potens est Luke 1 because he that is mighty hath done great things vnto her For great benefittes great thankes must be giuen And according to her pouerty purity she offered a paire of Turtle Doues the best gift she could make instructing vs to offer vp to God
former â—ood vvoâ—kâ— vvhi h sinne had kâ—lled arise by pennance which is of that power that it reuiueth thy former good workes which were before killed by sinne 2. If thou looke into the causes why the body of our Sauiour should now appeare more glorious then either in his birth or in the rest of his life many will represent themselues vnto thee As for example he being now as it were no more of this world nor to conuerse with men he resumed vnto himselfe that robe which he had till his death voluntarily layd aside by this meanes he would triumph ouer death and hell But I would haue thee piously to imagine great part of the brightnes of this body to proceed from those precious wounds of his which now in heauen giue forth extraordinary light Adore those wounds and seeke occasion to suffer for God since sufferings are the seedes of glory 3. In this mystery we will also comprehend the aparitions of our Sauiour first to his B. Mother comforting her by his presence and committing to her care his beloued disciples and in them all good Christians Behold the ioy of the B. Virgin in beholding him whome she knew to be hers although since she saw him he seemed vnto her much aduanced in glory 4. Next he appeareth vnto the blessed Magdalen Luc. 4. out of whoÌ„e he had cast seauen diuels Marc. 16. Behold the care sweet Iesus hath of comforting that soule whome he hath once conuerted Contemplate the affectionate discourse of the B. Magdalen with him in habit of a Girdener hauing once knowne him she cryeth streight Lord that is Commander of my soule As soone as thou perceauest thy soule moued from God Almighty cry with out all delaye as this happy Penitent did Lord that is I most humbly thanke thee for thy blessed inspiration thou shalt command ouer my soule and it shall obey thee as Lord. 5. He ioyneth himselfe with two of his disciples in their way to Emmaus where hauing many discourses with them Luke 24. and arguing their incredulity vouchsafing also to suppe with them he presently vanished away Heare the Disciples say Nonne cor nostrum ardens erat in nobis Luke 24. dum loqueretur in via Was not our hart burning in vs whiles he spake in the way and opened vnto vs the Scriptures Whiles thou trauailest in this world vpon the way towards thy country and true inheritance seeke by thy life and coÌ„uersation to haue Iesus stil with thee thy hart cannot but burne with his loue 6. Lastly he maketh himselfe knowne to his disciples gathered togeather in Hierusalem saying vnto them Pax vobis ego sum Luke 24. Peace be with you it is I. Our B. Sauiour found them togeather yet he wisheth vnto them peace to let vs vnderstaÌ„d that the peace of the mind is that which he requireth in vs which he found waÌ„ting in his disciples who were yet wauering in belieuing the mistery of his Resurrection He telleth them It is He. If thou find in thy rebellious nature repugnance in hauing charity peace with thy neighbour heare B. Iesus telling thee It is I who inioyne thee to haue peace with all It is I who for thee c. And so run through the parts of Christs Passion and imagin him most louingly alleadging his sufferings and by them intreating thee to haue peace and to forgiue thine enemies His Ascension CHAP. XII THIS our potent Redeemer Christ Iesus hauing runne his race of perfection The secoÌ„d glorious Mystery and absolute example to all Christians his followers beginning to be our instructour from his very birth till his life was consumated vpon the Crosse and after his glorious Resurrection out of his infinite loue to his B. Mother and to his disciples staying yet vpoÌ„ earth forty dayes appearing vnto them in a most comfortable manner instructing them how to behaue themselues in his absence is now called by his Eternal Father to come vnto him and to ascend vnto his Throne of glory 1. In their sight he was eleuated Act. 1. Consider with thy selfe the desire the holy disciples had of longer enioying their glorified maister beleeuing in him now more firmely then euer yet euen in the wanting of this heauenly comfort they are most resigned expecting the comming of the holy Ghost 2. The hower of our Sauiour his Ascension being come behold the large blessing he bestowed vpon them and specially vpon his deerest Mother promising her a crowne of immortall glory for her Motherhood towards him and his disciples and so giuing thankes yet here vpon earth vnto his Eternall Father for establishing of his Church by his meanes and for the opening of heauen againe vnto mankind in their sight he is eleuated 3. And a cloud receaued him out of their sight Exod. 33. The eyes of mortall men cannot behold glory and liue which is as much to say this world is not a place of glory but of misery our eyes are opened made capable of glory by death Hence we may see that euen to the eyes of these blessed men glory is denyed and a cloud is interposed which as it did in them so let it in vs increase acts of diuine hope one day to see this King of glory face to face without any Eclyps Let our life be conformable to our hope or interposition of clouds Let thy life heere vpon earth be conformable to this hope of thine hauing for the ground of thy hope thy cooperation with Gods goodnes 4. Viri Galilaei quid statis aspicientes in caelum c. Yee men of Galiley why stand you looking into heauen Act. 1. Consider the extasy of this holy compamy following their deerest beloued Iesus as farre as their eyes could carry them and not being able to pursue him further they stand fixed in contemplation and with their affections looking into heauen But our Sauiour appointed Angels to comfort them and aske why they stood thus looking into heauen which was not only an awaking vnto them but an admonition that since they were not yet to follow him before they had also dyed for him as he had don before for them they should returne vnto Hierusalem and expect the promised Comforter 5. Hic Iesus sic vâ—niâ—t quemadmodum vidistis c. This Iesus say the Angels shall so come as you haue seene him going into heauen to wit in the like glory and maiesty And as now he asceÌ„deth in triumph carrying with him the trophies of his victories ouer the world and infernall powers so shall he come in the latter day to shew himselfe a Iudge of mankind Terrour vnto those vvho loue not Chr st his Crosse Then shall his glorious Crosse appeare vnto the which whosoeuer hath not bin conformable shall not be accounted off as his Adore thy Sauiour heere ascending through thy perfect imitation of his sufferings arme thy selfe against this his terrible comming who shal be as a
forsaken me That all men may be redeemed let all Iesus be tormented The most innocent tongue of Christ suffered also for vs. that no part may want his speciall redeemer especially the tongue the instrument of so many offâ—nces of detractions bearing false witnes of impure words and oftentimes denying Christ this petition was heard Math. 27. and incontinently one of them running tooke a spunge filled it with vinager and put it on a reed and gaue him to drinke 5. In the three first Words our maister Christ Iesus recommeÌ„ded vnto vs three great vertues Charity towards our enemies Mercy towards those who are miserable and Piety towards our Parents In this fourth Word he coÌ„mendeth vnto vs Humility a vertue most necessary for all men and where could he shew vs more humility then in these words My God my God why hast thou forsaken me For here Christ sheweth through the permission of God all his glory and excellency to be quite obscured before the face of the whole world as appeared by those strange obscurityes in the heauens Vidimus gloriam eius saith S. Iohn we haue seene his glory Iohn 1. but it was not heere where he saw it Great was the difference betweene mount Tâ—abor and mount Caluary in one Christ could not be seene for light in the other he could not be seene for darknes 6. Lastly consider that this darknes was light to some being an argument of beliefe meanes to the light of faith Learne out of this to make thy best of euery thing If light may be gathered out of darknes farre easier may vertues be drawne out of afflictioÌ„s which although they be brought vnto vs by a certaine necessity yet may we make this necessity a vertue by our intentioÌ„ giue life to that which otherwise would haue bin a dead action THE FIFTH VVORD Sitio I thirst CHAP. V. HAST thou not yet my sweet Sauiour receaued torments inough A meditation for Thursday Will that Thirst of thy diuine loue towards man neuer be extinguished O dolorous Iesus vnfould this mystery and let our thirsty souls receaue the influence of thy graces that we may thirst after nothing but thee the fountaine of life 1. First contemplate vpon this word I thirst and take it litterally seeing our Sauiour through the losse of so much bloud could not but feele an exceeding thirst his natural moysture being almost wholly spent his sacred veynes being empty his tongue scarse able to mooue for very drought which forced him to speake in one only word I thirst as if he should haue said In this excessiue torment which I feele of Thirst is there none who will affoard me any refreshment See thy Sauiour in this distresse and still be sorrowfull for thy sinnes that were the cause of these his afflictions 2. I thirst after the consummation of the businesse I haue in hand The cause of his thirst the redemption of man for whose loue I thirst after more torments I thirst after afflictions that men an easy imitation of me should not desire and thirst after offences my thirst is satisfied with gall and vinagre that thine might be satisfied with those heauenly ioyes which I promised thee I am content to endure all hardnes for thee only requiring at thy hands that thou wilt make vse of my sufferings 3. We read in holy Scripture only twice where Christ discouered his thirst once to the Samaritan woman Iohn 4 Iohn 19. and now heere vpon his Crosse in both he discouered his infinite charity towards mankind thirsting after the conuersion of soules he asked drinck of the Samaritan only to giue her occasion by discoursing with him to know that he was able to giue her water of life if she demaunded it and heere he thirsteth the generall good of soules and their true returne vnto him and to the end that may be effected he thirsteth after torments yea death it selfe 4. Desires are well termed thirstes what we desire that we are sayd to thirst after our good desires Christ thirsteth after to haue them perseuere to the end for our euill he thirsteth after the extinguishing of them if our thirst be after heauen how pleasant is it to the soule that thirst is as great a fulnesse as can be possessed in this world where true happines is only possessed by desiring it but if our thirst be after transitory things as riches honours pleasures and the like which the world falsely calleth goods then we shall truly experience that this thirst is a torment and an insatiable desire which is more and more increased by how much more we possesse what we desire 5. Wonder and with greife consider with thy selfe how thou canst behold thy Sauiour in his whole life and passion so ardently thirst after thy saluation and yet thou thy selfe remayne carelesse of the same as if thy saluation were a thing of nothing and that it concerned thee not how thou canst desire and continually thinke vpon gayning those thinges which thou must leaue perchance to morrow and neglect those things which remayne and which in ioy thou mayst possesse for euer 6. Lastly Christ thirsted after that glory which he had voluntarily put oâ— liuing in this vale of misery 33. yeares apparelled in our naturall habit now knowing the end of his pilgrimage to approach he desired the glorious company of his heauenly Father Reflect heere vpon thy selfe and consider that where thy treasure is there is thy thirst thy hart thy desire imitate thy Sauiour in thirsting after heauenly thinges and if there be thy treasure there wil be thy thirst VVhere thy treasure is there is thy thirst but if thy treasure lye vpon earth thy desires also wil be earthly for desires alwaies take their natures from those things which are desired THE SIXT VVORD Consummatum est Is it consummated CHAP. VI. CONSIDER heere a Proclamation for the generall pardon of the sinne of mankind A meditation for Friday endited by the eternall Word written by the finger of God in the paper of our humane Nature vpon the altar of the Crosse sealed with the bloud of the Lambe subscibed by the holy Trinity dated the houre of Christ his death recorded by S. Iohn the Euangelist and pronounced by the mouth of Iesus then crucified in these words It is consummated that is mans ransome iâ— payed Gods wrath is appeased men shall haue mercy grace and glory Gods Iustice is fully satisfied the ruine of Angels repayred mankind made free of heauen Glory be to God peace to men 1. Contemplate heere with holy S. Augustine vpon this place that our Sauiour had an especiall eye and regard vnto those truthes which he had giuen forth by the Prophets Aug. in cap. 19. Ioan. all being euen vntill his death most exactly fulfilled which they had foretold there remayned only to be verifyed his death He confirmeth therfore by this word It is consummated all that had bin said of him