time of thy dere Son his passiō the bright and calme day of his Resurrectiō appered to thee wherein thy heart was incomparably reioyced seing him risen vp glorious immortal and impassible I beseech thee O glorious Ladi by that ineffable exultation which thou receauedst on this most happy dai that it mai plese thee to make me partaker therof obteining me that I may dye to mine old life of sinn and may rise vp againe with a newe life of grace by means wherof I may afterwardes attaine to the true and perpetual life of glory Amen THE ASCENSION Victor agit spolijs auctos in sydera currus Et Patris aeterna dexter in arce sedet ¶ THE SECOND GLOrious Misterie is of the Ascension of our Lorde concerning the which thou maiest meditate these pointes folowing FIRST how our Lord appered the fortie day after his Resurrection to his Disciples then being at table and blamed their slacknes and difficultie in beleeuing his Resurrection and afterwardes taught them what they ought to doo after his Ascension and commaunded them to goe to Mount Oliuet there to see him ascend SECONDLY thou shalt meditate howe al our Lord his Disciples being gathered together in the Mount Oliuet as also the most holye mother our Lady and the other deuout women there with them our Sauiour came to the place where they were hauing with him those blessed troupes which he had earst deliuered out of Limbo and after he had spoken to them and bidd them al fare-wel he beganne in their sightes to mount vp to heauen with great triumph and exultation THIRDLY consider how the blessed mother with the Disciples and other deuout womē as they were al-together looking vp to heauen where they saw our Lord ascend there descended two Angels downe cladd in white aduertising them to make no longer abode there and then they al of them returned backe to Ierusalem IN THE firste point thou maiest meditate the exceeding clemencie and lowlines of this our Lord who being that he was did neither disdaine ne was ashamed to visite his poore seruants and to stay with them in any time place or disposition whatsoeuer Sith as the Gospel telleth he appered to them when they were at table and peraduenture did eate with them therby to doo thee to witt that thou maiest at al times and in al places securely cal vpon him and howe thou oughtest to enforce thy selfe to order al thine actions in such sort as if euery houre thou diddest expect his holye visitation Note moreouer howe his checkes and scoolinges be of a Father that loueth vs right tenderly and is greatly desirous of our profite Like as thou seest here howe after he had found fault with his Disciples incredulitie he forthwith taught and instructed them of that they ought to doo in going rounde about the world besides other graces and fauours which he did impart vnto thē At what time therefore thou feelest either inwardly his rebukes or outwardly his roddes be not troubled thereat nor anye deale discouraged but beleeue assuredlye that in thus exercising his whipp he doth like a louing Father who as holye writt doth witnes Chastiseth him whom he loueth and scourgeth him whom he taketh for his childe Contemplate then the singuler ioye wher-with the holy Apostles were surseased in beholding their most louing Master and and with what attention they gaue eare to his diuine wordes and if the most holy mother wer thē present amongst them as with godly deuotiō we may beleeue she was howe much more she desired to behold and heare her sonne then to taste any corporal foode and if at other times when she was at table with him she forgot to eate her meat as we may wel beleeue she did through the contentatiō she receaued by looking of him howe much more did she so this last time woting how presently after he was to depart this world O sacred virgin who can possibly conceue with how sundry cogitations thy heart was at that instant occupied for on th'one side thou wast delighted with beholding his so amiable presence on th'other side thou languishedst vnbethinking thee how not many houres after he should be taken from thee and that thou shouldest remaine here in earth he ascending vp to heauen whose absence could not choose but be greatly grieuous to thee in such sort as the self-same cause and obiect did make thee both glad and sorowful howbeit this did in th'end chieflye comfort thee that thou knewest such to be his wil and pleasure wherto continually thou diddest conform thy selfe IN THE meditation of the second point thou maiest intertaine thy self being a matter of great deuotiō considering the wonderful Ascension of our Lorde and beholding with the eyes of thy minde euery particularitie of the maner of his ascending the which wil no doubt afford thee gret comfort and spiritual fruit For if the Prophet Elias promised to geue his Disciple Heliseus the gift of his spirite which he required if so be he saw him ascend in that fierie chariot where-in he was transported into earthly Paradise howe much more iustly mayest thou hope to obteyne a greater gifte if thou contemplate and viewe with the eyes of thy minde deuoutly and with attention howe not the Prophete Elias but the Lorde of al the prophetes ascendeth not in a chariot of fire but by his owne vertue and power not into terrestral Paradise but into the Emperial heauen where he sitteth on the right hande of his eternal Father and if as S. Paule saith Christe when he ascended into heauen gaue many giftes to men wel maiest thou beleeue he wil doo the same euen nowe towardes them that doo spirituallye contemplate the same Ascension Open therefore thine internal eyes and with great faith and attention beholde howe the most holye Virgin with al that blessed companye that associated her being arririued to the mount Oliuet her most sweete sonne came also to the same place with the sacred spoiles of so many soules as he had earst deliuered out of Limbo Doo nowe contemplate with howe great sweetnes and affabilitie he talked to euerye one with howe great benignitie he embraced euerye one with howe great charitie he blessed and comforted euerye one and if he did thus to al consider in what maner he behaued him-selfe towardes that his most sacred Mother who loued him more then al merited more then al and was more tenderlye moued then al with his departure O howe much more sugred wordes maye we thinke he spake to her howe much more singuler fauours he did her and howe much more amiably he embraced her The blessed mother desired to accompanie her most dear sonne without whose presence and company her life was lothsome and painful to her how-beit it was not graūted her our Lord vouchsafing that she for some time should remaine here in the world as a Keeper and comforter of that litle flock which the good Sheppard left
comfortlesse with his departure neither thought he it meete that in one day they should be made Orphans being depriued of such a Father and a mother the which this Lady vnderstanding quieted her-selfe and like an humble and obedient hand-maid resigned her wil to his diuine wil saying haply the same wordes in the Ascension which she vttered in the incarnation to wit Beholde the hand maid of our Lord. Hauing then in this wise talked with euery one and taken his leaue of them al behold how by litle and litle he beginneth to eleuate him-self from earth and to mount vpwardes into the aire with his hands lifted vp on high wher-with he blessed thē and with his eyes fixed on them did amiably behold them Here maiest thou meditate what the most sacred virgin with al that holye assembly felt seing him mount vp thus triumphantly how their heartes did rent in twaine through loue and howe they melted againe with teares seing him goe further and further from them and how they withal were incomparably reioyced by beholding the triumphe and Maiestie where-with he ascended and hearing that heauenlye melodie which the Angels and blessed Saintes did make who al of them sounded forth most melodiously the praises of this triumphant Conquerour so that the hearing and seing of these thinges could not choose but make them for ioye and tendernes of heart poure forth plentiful streames of teares O glorious day O Soueraine-sweet solemnitie O most renowned triumphe thus is he honored whom the King of heauen wil honour thus is he exalted who humbled him-selfe so profoundly thus meriteth he to triumph who hath obteined so glorious a victorie Behold O King of heauen thy exaltation and the name aboue al names that was geuen thee for being thus humbled and made obedient to the death of the Crosse Beholde howe thou beginnest nowe to reape the aboundant fruit that was promised thee for hauing lost thy life for our sinnes Beholde the noble triumphe thou hast attained for hauing with such prowes ouercome so daungerous and difficult a daye Gett thee therfore O Lord get thee now to thy rest seing thou hast taken so great paines and carye with thee the arke of thy sanctification that is to saye thy most sacred humanitie which is the most rich arke whereout was taken that pretious treasure of our redemption Be thou exalted aboue al the heauens O my God and thy glorie be ouer al the world Al Angels and al men yeeld thee due adoration and reuerence seing thou hast enriched and reioyced them al with this thy glorious and most miraculous Ascension IN THE THIRDE point thou maiest in like maner enterteyne thee meditating howe the most blessed Mother remained with that holye flocke in the mountaine where she sawe her most glorious Sonne ascende vp to heauen who al of them accompanied him with their corporal eyes whiles they might possiblye discerne him and did after he was once out of sight being receued into a white cloude associate him with their soules Contemplate a while here how she with the other lookers on being al of them deuoutly on their knees fixed their eyes on heauen without anye looking a-side or shifting of places being bereft as it were of al their senses and wholly rauished with this most glorious vision Meditate besides the solemn pompe and reioysing where-with this glorious triumpher king of heauen and of earth was receaued into heuen think as-wel as thou canst with what musike with what songes with what praises and with what reuerence euerie celestial order did receaue and adore him howe the Angels reioyced how the Archangels wondred how the Scraphins burned in loue howe the inferior orders enquired of the superiour that which the Prophet Esaias had so long time before foretolde Who is this that commeth from Edom to witt the world Who is this so beautiful and so attired in new garmentes that ascendeth with so great puissance and triumph with other like words and questions wherof thou maiest meditate according to thy deuotion Contemplate lastly how this most humble Lorde being arriued to the Emperial heauen who as touching his humanitie was lesse then this Father bowed him-selfe downe repeting it may be the same wordes which in his prayer of the last supper he had vsed in the world that is to say My Father I haue preached and announced thy name vpon earth and haue perfected the worke which thou commaundedst me that I should doo now therfore doo thou clarifie me O Father with the clearnes of the glorie which I had with thee before the world was made And then maiest thou meditate how his heauenly Father made him sitt in that high throne on his right hand where he nowe sitteth that is to say that he exalted him made him partaker of the greatest goodes and excellencies that either haue been or euer shal-be graunted to any other yea that no creature can possiblye comprehend which is to be vnderstood in as much as he was man for as he is God he is equal with his Father and hath the same glorye and Maiestie that his Father hath The Prince of glorie being then receaued in this maner who neuer forgetteth them that loue and put their trust in him sent two Angels down to earth to visite his most dear mother with al the other companie as also to informe them of his arriual into heauen and to deliuer such other speeches as he spoke to them by whose comming thou maiest wel weene how great consolation they al receaued what praises and what blessinges they yeelded vnto their Lord whom after they had with most profound humilitie adored they returned with great ioye to Ierusalem Sithens albeit they were sorowful and heauie as being left Orphanes in great solitarines through the absence of such a master and a Shepparde yet for because they loued him better thē them-selues Charitie which seeketh not her owne thinges made them to reioyce more at the prosperitie and glorye of their most louing Lorde then to sorowe the want of their owne consolations This is that which thou mayest meditate touching the historie of this most glorious Ascension and learne withal to desire seeke and sigh for celestial thinges and to lothe al transitorye trashe endeuouring that thy conuersation be in heauen where Christe remaineth sitting on the right hand of his eternal Father A PRAYER LIKE AS O most sacred mother thou louedst Iesus thy most sweet sonne better thē thy selfe euen so didst thou make more accompt of his ioyes and happines thē thou diddest of thine own And therfore albeit thou remainedst behind him here in earth yet diddest thou reioyce greatly when thou sawest him ascend vp to heauen accompanied with the Angels and Saintes he caried with him with such iubilation power and Maiestie as was conuenient for so glorious a triumpher I beseech thee O most holy Lady by this thy ioye that seing thou then remainedst
in the world for the succour and consolation of man that I may neuer be destitute of thy protection to th'ende that by meanes thereof I may know my selfe to be a pilgrime in this world and that my thoughtes and conuersation maye be principally in heauen where the self-same Lorde reigneth in the glory of God his Father Amen OF THE COMMING OF THE HOLY GHOST Iam Mariae socijsque datur Paracletus Olympâ— Munere quo magno munera magna parant ¶ THE THIRD GLORIous Misterie is of the coÌ„ming of the holye Ghost concerning the which thou shalt meditate these pointes folowing FIRST howe the most sacred Virgin and that holy assemblye which was present at our Redeemer his AscensioÌ„ remained together in the dining chamber or refectorie of Ierusalem expecting the comming of the holye Ghost like as the same Lord had commaunded them to doo SECONDLY consider how on Whitsonday al of them being in the same place and deuoutly at their prayers the holy Ghost came in forme of fyrie tonges which were seene ouer â—che one of the Apostles heades who were greatlye retoyced and comforted with this comming THIRDLY consider the meruailous effects which the holy Ghost wrought in them sith they which before were shutt close vpp for feare of the Iewes presently after they had receaued the holy Ghost issued forth preaching with great feruour in the streates and market-places by the which preachinges a great multitude of people was conuerted IN the first point thou mayest entertain thy self meditating howe the most sacred Virgin with al the Apostolical Societie remained secret in the great hal of Sion expecting in great peace charitie and vnion that celestial CoÌ„forter which our Lord had promised them Thinke what sighes what sobbes and what store of teares they shedd and how feruent and continual praiers they made in this behalfe and learne thou that if so be thou couet to haue the same comforter come to thee it behoueth thee necessarilye to haue the same disposition that is to say to be vnited with al in perfect peace and charitie estranged from al strife and contention sith this diuine spirite wil that such as dwel in the house where he is to come be of this dispositioÌ„ like as contrarywise the wicked spirite where-soeuer he soiourneth doth what he can to sow furious debates and enmities This L. wil also be greatly longed for and inuited with often praier according to that our Sauiour said once with a loude voice If any be athirst let him come to me and drink Which he ment by the holy Ghost which al they were to receaue that would beleeue in him Note moreouer in this point how the Apostles went not forth to preache before they had receaued the holy Ghost like as their Master had warned theÌ„ tofore whence such as are to exercise the same office may learn how before they beginne it behoueth them to with-draw them-selues and to pray for the receauing of the same spirite without the which the worde they preache shal-be of smal efficacie and auaile Here maiest thou meditate in like maner how feruent and deuout were those prayers which our Lady made in this place who vnderstoode much better then the rest the cause of this their retyring and of how great importance and woorthines was the spirite which they required by whose meanes the Gospel was to be preached through the vniuersal world O happie was that habitation where such worthie persons remained more happy the exercises wherto they addicted them-selues but most happie the tresure and the consolation which they looked for O Harbour far more excellent and delicate then is the terrestral Paradise howe iustly might that be applied to it which Iacob had earst said Verily our Lorde is in this place this is the house of God this is the batche of heauen Sith here there was nothing thought of but God nothing spoken of but God nothing desired and wisshed for but onely God him-selfe AS TOVCHING the second point thou hast a plentiful subiect to warm thy soule with entertaining thy selfe in meditating the comming of the holy Ghost Thou maiest therefore thinke with godly zeale according to thy deuotion howe after that sacred Colledge had beene thus assembled together certaine dayes geuing them selues diligentlye to the exercise aforesaide and seing howe the holye Ghost staied longer in his comming then they desired they beganne to be heauie for as it is written The delaied hope afflicteth the soule yea and some did haply beginne to doubt Our Ladye vnderstanding their affliction like a true mother and comforter of the afflicted endeuoured al she might to comfort and harten them persuading them to perseuer in their prayers with greater feruour and faith assuring them how they should be sooner visited and comforted of the holy Ghost then they looked for and to animate them the better fel her-selfe to her prayers with them Contemplate nowe howe the pitiful mother kneeling on the grounde with her handes and eyes eleuate vp to heauen wholly inflamed in diuine loue pouring forth aboundant streames of bitter teares did with great instance and feruour craue that the celestial Comforter whom they expected would vouchsafe to come and amongst other deuout speeches wherof thou maiest meditate she vttered likely ynough that sentence of the royal Prophet Dauid Sende Lord thy holy spirite and they shalbe created to witt new affectes newe thoughtes new wordes newe force in these thy seruants which desire and craue thee And so shalt thou renew the face of the earth O how great consolatioÌ„ did the praiers and speeches of this most blessed Lady geue to this holy CongregatioÌ„ howe exceedingly did she comfort them how did she inflame theÌ„ howe did she animate and stirre them vp to doo the same A most pleasant and deuout thing is it to meditate and viewe with our spiritual eyes this prayer which the most holy mother made in earth but much more to coÌ„template that which the most sacred Sonne as man made in heauen like as he had promised to his Disciples saying I wil pray my Father that he wil geue you an-other Comforter Whose prayer thou maiest wel thinke how feruent how gratious how effectual and acceptable it was to his eternal Father especially when he presented to him those most sacred woundes which so lately he had receaued and reserued to this ende Thus so many deuout prayers so many sighes wishes sobbs and teares hauing been made before on whitsonday at the third hour which was the selfe-same daye and houre wherin the old lawe had earst bene geuen in the mount Sinai they receaued the holy Ghost in the mount Sion who engraued the newe and Euangelical lawe not in tables of stone as before but in their heartes of flesh those tonges of fire which wer seene ouer the Apostles signifying the fire of diuine loue which he kindled in their heartes and the eloquence which
Saints blesded spirites so in like maner merited she to be exalted in heuē aboue thē al This is the womā that S. Iohn saw in his Reuelation clothed with the Sonn and hauing a crown of twelue starres on her head wherby are denoted the prerogatiues of plentiful graces where-with she was adorned wherat we are rather to wonder thē to go about to write them O most blessed Ladye and most woorthy of al praise who can tel what thy merites were but he that considereth thy reward who can cōceaue what thy grace was but he that contemplateth thy glorie who can knowe what thy perfection was but he that beholdeth thy Crowne Reioyce therfore O noble Lady reioyce for hauing atchieued so Soueraine a felicitie as shal neuer in al eternitie be taken from thee And remember them that remaine in this vale of tears Seing also that thy greatnes can not make thee forget thy profounde humilitie encline thine eyes of mercie towardes vs and make intercessiō for vs. Ceasse not to continue thy office of being our Aduocate sith thou art now more mightie and of greater credite and authoritie then thou wast tofore Procure O Queene of heauen procure that by thy meanes we maye be pardoned our offences and that the same most sacred Trinitie which hath enterteined and crowned thee so liberally vouchsafe to receaue vs like-wise to his fauour and mercie To th'end that when we shal depart out of this exile we may merite to remaine in thy company praising adoring and enioying the saide most Soueraine and sacred Trinitie perpetuallye in the celestial Kingdome Amen A PRAYER WHO so loueth thee best O most soueraine Queene of heauen hath best cause to reioice at thy last and most inexplicable ioy which gaue the perfect accomplishment to al thy felicities when being now risen vp and in bodie and soule assumpted into heauen thou wast crowned with a pretious crown of the most holy Trinitie and placed aboue al the quires of Angels in that most high throne which was prepared for thee where nowe thou sittest as Queene on the right hand of thy most louing sonne king of glorie who sitteth on the right hand of his eternal Father I humblye beseech thee O most happy Lady by this thy glorious exaltation that by howe much the dignitie is greater which thou hast obteined in heauen by so much the fauours may be greater which by thee both I and al others may obtein here in earth Amē The most sweet name of IESVS and of his most holy Mother the Virgin MARY be praised for euermore Amen FINIS Diuini diuina patet vis nominis vnum Orco est poena polo gloria vita solo Dulce tuum nostro scribas in pectore nomen Namque tuo constat nomine nostra salus Monstra te esse Matrem Monstra te esse Filium LITANIAE DEIPARAE VIRGINIS EX SACRASCRIP tura depromptae quae in alma domo Lauretana omnibus diebus Sabbati Vigiliarum Festorum eiusdem B. Virgiginis musicè decantari solent KYRIE eleison Christe eleison Kyrie eleison Christe audi nos Christe exaudi nos Pater de coelis Déus Miserere nobis Fili Redemptor mundi Déus Miserere nobis Spiritus sancte Déus Miserere nob Sancta Trinitas vnus Déus Miserere nobis Sancta MARIA Ora pro nobis Sancta Dei Genetrix ora Sancta Virgo Virginum ora Mater viuentium ora Mater pulchrae dilectionis ora Mater sanctae spei ora Paradisus voluptatis ora Lignum vitae ora Domus sapientiae ora Porta coeli ora Desiderium collium aeternorum ora Vrbs refugij ora Gloria Ierusalem ora Sanctuarium dei ora Foederis arca ora Altare thy miamatis ora Scala Iacob ora Speculum sine macula ora Lilium inter spinas ora Rubus ardens incombustus ora Vellus Gedeonis ora Thronus Salomonis ora Turris eburnea ora Fauus distillans ora Hortus conclusus ora Fons signatus ora Puteus aquarum viuentium ora Nauis institoris de longe portans panem ora Stella matutina ora Aurora consurgens ora Pulchra vt Luna ora Electa vt sol ora Castrorum acies ordinata ora Solium gloriae dei ora A cunctis periculis Resp Libera nos virgo gloriosa Per salutarem conceptionem tuam Libera nos Per sanctam Natiuitatem tuam Lib. Per admirabilem Annunciationem tuam Libera Per immaculatam Purificationem tuam Libera Per gloriosam Assumptionem tuam Libera nos Versus Peccatores Resp Te rogamus audi nos Vt veram poenitentiam nobis impetrare digneris Resp Te rogamus audi nos Vt Societates tibi peculiari obsequio deuotas conseruare augere digneris Resp Te rogamus audi nos Vt Ecclesiae sanctae cunctoque populo Christiano pacem vnitatem impetrare digneris Resp Te rogamus audi nos Vt omnibus fidelibus defunctis requiem aeternam impetrare digneris Resp Te rogamus audi nos Mater Dei Resp Te rogamus audi nos Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Resp Parce nobis Domine Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Resp Exaudi nos Domine Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Resp Miserere nobis Versus Ora pro nobis sancta Dei Genetrix Resp Vt digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi OREMVS PIetate tua quaesimus Domine nostrorum solue vincula peccatorum intercedente Beata Maria cum omnibus sanctis tuis nos famulos tuos benefactores Praelatos atque loca nostra in omni sanctitate custodi cunctosque consanguinitate affinitate familiaritate nobis coniunctos à vitijs purga virtutibus illustra pacem salutem nobis tribue hostes visibiles atque inuisibiles remoue carnalia desideria repelle aërem salubrem indulge Inimicis nostris charitatem largire Regnum etiam Angliae vrbemque nostrā N. vnà cum vniuersis in ea commorantibus ab haereticorū feritate conuerte Omnibus fidelibus viuis atque defunctis in terra viuentium requiē aeternam concede benedictio tua sit super nos semper Per Christum Dominum nostrum Amen QVI VOLET HAS QVOQVE IN DEIPARAE virginis laudem recitare poterit SECVNDO DIE ANcilla Mater Domini Columba Christi Vas electionis Arca Testamenti Lectulus Salomonis Tabernaculum dei Tabernaculum Cedar Domus aurea sancti sanctorum Turris Dauidica Turris Libani Terra Domini benedicta Terra sacerdotalis libera Cypressus in monte Sion Plantatio rosae in Iericho Palma in Cades exaltata Oliua speciosa in campis Cedrus exaltata in Libano Lilium in aquae transitu Flos rosarum in diebus vernis Thus ardens in igne Thus in aestate redolens Arcus refulgens inter nebulas Luna plena Sol refulgens
with exceeding patience First the sharpnes of the season did greatly augment her annoyes sith this iorney was performed in the verye hart of winter when as we see it is verye painful trauailing Secondly her pouertie which forced her to suffer manye discommodities especially being great with childe and so tender and delicate as she was Thirdly the lack of lodging which could not be prouided her in al the whole Citie of Bethleem albeit wel may we beleue that good Ioseph tooke great paines in seeking it very diligentlye and howe seing them-selues thus refused it coulde not be but that they felt great shame and confusion O what a soueraine solace and singuler coÌ„fort should this be for poore folkes that are in this world distressed despised and forsakeÌ„ if they considered how the most woorthy noble and moste holy creatures which ought to haue been more honored reuereÌ„ced then al the whole world again to witt the Queene of heuen and her most blessed Infant were the most distressed annoyed and pained of al others THOV maiest pause in the second point beholding with thy spiritual eyes in what state the moste blessed virgin found her-selfe the day of her most sacred deliueraunce and here shalt thou see in her so vertuous a disposition so holye a deuotion so graue a modestie so singuler a beautie so great an eleuation of spirite in God as no mans tonge can possiblye declare it Thou shalt finde howe in counterchange of griefes which other women feele in child-birth she felt a strange and ineffable solace a singuler ioy and diuine consolation and being there-with wholly rapt and eleuate the celestial bridegrome issued miraculously out of her wombe as out of a most pretious bride-chaÌ„ber without any alteration or detriment at al to her most perfect virginitie O virgin-mother and mother-virgin A priuiledge neuer graunted to any other creature O diuine excellencie and dignitie due to thee alone to be the mother of God and mother of thine owne Father and Creator Who can possibly conceue what thy heart felt when with thy bodily eyes thou beheldest the Prince of heauen lying naked in earth and him shiuering for colde who doth clothe and warme al other creatures O with what reuereÌ„ce diddest thou prostrate thy selfe to adore that infinite Maiestie masked vnder the vaile of so great distresse and miserie Oh with what compassion diddest thou associate with thy teares those which thy deere yonge sonne shed feeling his so great annoiances Oh with what cordial loue endeuouredst thou to lul and lapp him vp in such poore swaddling cloutes as thou haddest geuing him thy sacred brestes to suck vpon which were at that time miraculouslye replenished with milke Matters sufficient to melt anye flintie heart that would with leisure ponder and discusse them THE MEDITATION of the thirde point wil furnish thee of fitt matter to moue compassion if thou consider howe this moste mightie monarche this King of al kinges he whom neither the heauens nor earth can holde and comprehende hath in such wise debased humbled and throwen him-selfe downe in a harde manger vpon a litle haye he whom the Angels doo adore and in whose presence the powers of heauen doo quake againe lieth quaking him-self for colde betwixt two brute beastes O diuine darling what meaneth this geere what humilitie and basenes is this O Soueraine King of glorye what hast thou to doo with the crib thou that hast thy throne aboue the Cherubins how art thou made thus dombe O eternal worde of the Father whye weepest and wailest in such sort thou that art the ioye of al the holy Angels verily thou haste masked thy diuine nature with our humane nature to be the King and Sauiour of Israel and of the vniuersal world The desire which thou hast to redeeme vs moueth thee to doo these strange matters the loue which made thee wel-â—are descend froÌ„ heueÌ„ for our wal-fare causeth thee nowe to be borne and to cloake thy puissance with such penurie and extreme want of al thinges that we shoulde thereby learne to meeke and humble our selues and to detest al pride al pamperinges and delicacies of the fleshe louing the lowlines the penance and the pouertie which thou diddest chuse and teach vs and wouldest for this cause haue thy natiuitie announced to poore Sheppardes of whom thou wast visited and adored the which their visitation and adoration we ought attentiuely to ponder and diligently to imitate A PRAYER VVHAT tongue can woorthely tel O most woorthye Queene of Angels the ineffable ioy and exultation which thou wert seased with in thy moste sacred and virginal child-birth When thou sawest the Redeemer of the worlde borne of thee and adoring him with great reuereÌ„ce didst swaddle him vp in poore cloutes and laide him in a manger where he was announced of the Angels visited of poore shepperds I beseech thee O most happy mother by this his most holy natiuitie that seing he was borne for vs and geuen vnto vs thou wilt obteine me of him that he vouchsafe to be borne in my poore soule with whom I maye be borne anewe and leade henceforth such a new life as maye continually be grateful to his diuine Maiestie Amen OF THE PRESENTATION Lustratur Genetrix templo sistitur Infans Anna Deum atque hominem cum Simeone canit THE FOVRTH IOYFVL Misterie is of the Presentation to witt when our Ladye presented her blessed Sonne in the Temple wherevpon thou shalt meditate as foloweth FIRST how the fortie daies that the Virgin-mother had staide in Bethleem being nowe fully expired she went from thence to Ierusalem there to present her moste sacred Sonne in the Temple meaning to accomplish that which the lawe commaunded al wâ—men to doo in like case SECONDLY consider howe our Lady carying her most sweete Sonne to the Temple that holye olde Father S. Simeon tooke him in his armes who for that cause came at that time to the Temple by inspiration of the holy Ghoste weigh also the consolation he receaued by doing thus and the most deuout speeches which he vttered THIRDLY contemplate the deuotiÌ„ and ioy of that old woman S. Anna that neuer taried out of the Temple when she saw this moste pretious present which the moste sacred mother brought Behold also with what reuerence and spiritual consolation the wel beloued Sonne was offred vp to his celestial Father being accoÌ„panied with so holy and reuerent persons as wer there present AS FOR the first article thou maiest intertaine thy selfe therein meditating howe rightly the virgin-mother doth imitate her blessed sonne especiallye in such thinges as concerne humilitie a vertue so highlye commended and practised of them twaine sith the sonne vouchsafed to be circumcised albeit he were not bound therto nor had any neede at al of Circumcision which appertained to sinners alone and the mother she vouchsafed to fulfil the precept of Purification which oblieged only the vncleane
his vices concupiscences Amen ¶ THE FIVE LAST MISTERIES ARE CALLED GLORIOVS FOR THAT THE MOST HOLY VIRGIN MARYE RECEAVED THEM AFTER HER SONNE WAS WHOLLYE GLORIOVS TO WITT BOTH IN BODY AND SOVLE OF THE RESVRRECTION Post triduum sospes repetit data membra sepulchro Tartareaque refert rapta trophea dom◠¶ THE FIRST WHEROF is of his triumphant Resurrection about the which thou shalt meditate these pointes folowing FIRST howe our Redeemer being dead his most sacred soule descended downe to Limbo to comfort and deliuer thence those holy fathers which had so long time looked for him with whom he staied til Sundaye morning when very early he returned to the sepulchre and taking againe his most holy bodye he rose vp glorious and issued out of his closed sepulchre SECONDLY thou maiest meditate howe our Lord being thus risen vp he appered first to his most holy mother who receaued an incomparable gladnes seing him risen vpp so beautiful and so glorious THIRDLY meditate howe after he had remained some space with his most blessed mother comforting and reioysing her he went afterwardes to performe the same office to his Disciples and his other deuout seruauntes amongst the which he first appered to good Mary Magdalen who loued him most feruently and with greatest desire did seeke him IN THE firste point thou maiest entertaine thy selfe meditating how al those holy Fathers Patriarches and prophets with al the other righteous persons which had been dead from the beginning of the world were al detained in Limbo expecting the happye comming of our Sauiour who with the same charitie and humilitie wher with he had hūbled him-selfe in suffring death vpon the Crosse vouchsafed also to humble him-self in discending downe to Limbo and visiting that blessed congregatiō which with such feruent zeale had long time desired to see this happy daye I leaue thee now to thinke what surpassing ioy those sacred soules receaued when they sawe this most sacred soule of Christ vnited to the Diuinitie enter with such triumph and puissance into their prison and with his brightnes to illuminate those mistie dongeons and vnderstood besides what he had done and suffred in the world and then wherfore he was discended thither to be onely to deliuer them out of their imprisonment and to make them endlesse happie What tongue can woorthelye tel their consolations their ioyes their songes praises and benedictiōs which they sounded forth in praise of their glorious benefactour Neuerthelesse albeit the ioye of these redeemed soules were so exceeding great yet farre greter was that of their Redeemer beginning now to see the glorious fruit of his great paines and the great good which his grieuous passion had wrought O with how great reason might eche one then saye This is the day that our Lorde hath made let vs reioyce and be gladd therein Where note that albeit it may seem other-whiles that our Lorde hath forgotten his elect and that which he hath promised them yet doth he not so but expecteth the fittest time wherein he knoweth how to fulfil the same like as we see he hath here done towardes these good holy Fathers We must not therefore wauer in our beliefe but abide and waite with patience for his most holy comming Sithēs as the Prophet Abacuch admonisheth vs Our Lorde whom thou hast so greatly called on wil come at length and wil not lye if he tary expect him for he that commeth wil come and wil not tarye long Consider also in this point howe our Sauiour hauing staide al Saterday with those holy Fathers reioycing and cōforting thē as wel thou maiest imagine his most blessed soule did on Sunday morning returne to reuiue his most sacred body which laye in the sepulchre wherinto he entring made it become so beautiful and glittering as the Sunne and that bodye which earst through the tormentes of his passiō was al wounded al blacke and al difformed like a Lepre presently after it was vnited to the most sacred soule and by it reuiued became the most beautiful of al bodies the blacknes being now changed into brightnes the woundes and deformitie conuerted into an incomparable beautie he reserued only the fiue most sacred woundes of his handes feete and side in memorie of our redemption the which doo wonderfully shine forth and beautifie the same and the fight therof causeth a singuler contentation to the blessed Saintes and moueth his eternal Father to mercy in our behalfes when for this intent it pleaseth him to shewe them O happy are those euer that shal enioye such a sight O what a Mirrour is this so cleare and beautiful wherein we maye eftsons take viewe of our selues to know our defects and to reioyce our hartes like as his disciples did reioyce eche time that the same Mirrour did shewe it selfe vnto them and at this day are they neuer satiated with beholding it in heauen IN THE second point thou mayest enterteine thy selfe meditating and beholding with the eyes of thy soule howe our Lorde and Redemer did presently after he was risen vp visite his most holy mother whom thou maiest wel beleue to haue been the first albeit in the Gospel there is no mention made thereof for that being a cōmaundement of his which the wise man reporteth Honor thy Father and forget not thy mothers sorowe howe were it possible for the most obedient sonne to forget his mother who loued him so dearly and had so bitterly wailed wept and sorowed his passion and paineful death Whye should not she be visited and comforted before al others which was more afflicted then al others If as the Euangelist reporteth our Lorde did after he was risen vp appere to S. Peter that had earst denied him why shal not we beleeue that he appered first to his blessed mother that neuer did denye him yea continuallye confessed him and loued him aboue al and in whom alone the faith remained firme and incorrupted Admitt therefore it was so as reason requireth it should be force thy selfe to meditate a litle what ioy this blessed Lady felt when being solitary in her chamber weeping waiting and longing to see the sonne of righteousnes rise vp to lighten and clear her darke and doleful heart she sawe her self in a moment enuironed with the glittering beames of the beautiful light thereof Howe great her gladnes was when she sawe that bodye which she had lately left in the sepulchre dead al wounded and deformed nowe liuing whole glittering and glorious How great contentatiō she receaued when she sawe the soueraine beautie and brightnes restored to that face ful of al graces and those diuine eyes wher-with he looked vpon her so cleare and so louely What pleasure her sence receaued when with her eares she heard the most sweete voice where-with he saluted her Howe soueraine her exultation was when she saw those most sacred armes embrace her so louinglye and how
he gaue to their tongues to preach with efficacie this Euangelical lawe like as they did ouer al the whole world O happye were they which merited through the grace of God to be instructed of such a Master and comforted of such a Comforter sith that good part befel to them which the prophet Dauid wished for when he Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct O Lorde and to whom thou shalt teach thy lawe IN THE thirde point thou mayest like-wise enterteine thy selfe if thou list considering the great matters which the holye Ghost wrought in the Apostles in such sort as one might wel This is a change wrought by the right hand of God seing in one instant he made them of feeble strong of ignorant learned of indeuout feruent ioyful of sadd and of terrestral celestial Wel saith the Euangelist S. Luke that at the comming of the holye Ghost Ther was sodainly a sound made from heauen as of a great winde which filled al the whole house where they satt It was no noyse or sounde of trompett which might moue any feare or horror but a sound as of a sweet musike and harmonious melodie which comforted encouraged moued ascertained and gaue signe of the aboundant graces that were infused And therfore is it saide that it filled al the whole house it filled their heartes which was the chiefe house wherein this heauenlye gest came to lodge it filled al their senses powers their vnderstāding with wisdome their wil with loue their memorie with assurance their eyes with modestie their tonges with eloquence their handes with liberalitie their feete with diligence and al their soules with al kinde of vertues Thus behooued it that they should be filled who were to fil others and that they shoulde receaue al maner of giftes who receaued them for the whole Churche And therefore presentlye after they were filled they beganne to spreade and sowe what they had receued and to shew the strength which was geuen vnto them sith they which were before shutt vp for feare and durst scarse mutter the name of Iesus Christe or make any mention at al of his most holy misteries doo now coragiouslye come abroade in publike shew to preach to reprehend to dispute and to shew that there is no other name wherin they might be saued but only that of Iesus whō they them-selues had crucified to whom they thus preched And this did they with such feruour and efficacie as S. Peter in the verye first Sermon he made conuerted almost three thousand of his audience O diuine power O meruailous vertue O celestial force This is the newe wine which as our Sauiour said should be put into these newe vessels which were prepared for this purpose O my soule if thou wouldest dispose thy selfe to taste of this sweete wine howe soure would al worldly thinges be to thee which at this instant seeme so sauourie If thou wert so happie as that this holye winde might breath vpon thee refresh thee and guide thee O howe much more securely mightest thou saile and arriue to the desired port This is that wind which the Spouse desired and craued in the Canticles when she saide Gett thee gone thou wind of North and come thou wind of South breath vpon my garden and it shal become odoriferous and fruitful Thou maiest contemplate lastlye in this point the ineffable ioye which the blessed Lady receaued who was more then al other replenished with the graces and giftes of the holye Ghost seing and hearing the prosperous beginning and successe of the holye Church and the aboundant fruit that begann to rise of the sacred bloud which her blessed Sonne had shedd which did so much the more reioyce her as her desires were more feruent her charitie more inflamed her grace more plentiful with al the other giftes she had receaued A PRAYER GREAT was the ioy and comfort which thou haddest O sacred mother of mercy whē being assembled with the holy Apostles and Disciples of thy blessed Sonne the holy Ghost discended in forme of fire and illuminated inflamed and comforted them al to goe and preach the sacred Gospel with great feruour Wherefore I beseech thee most sweete and bountiful Lady by this ioye common to thee and to al them that thy effectual prayers may helpe me to th'ende that I poore and comfortlesse wretch maye also be made a partaker of the graces and giftes of the same celestial Comforter wherby I may feruently loue him announce him and praise him euerlastingly Amen OF THE ASSVMPTION Quae vitam peperit moritur sed reddita vit◠Scandit vbi Nati Regia celsa sui est ¶ THE FOVRTH GLOrious Misterie is of the Assumption of our Lady that is to saye of her happy death when her most holy soule being seperated from her body went to enioye the endlesse ioyes of heauen about the which thou maiest meditate these points that folow FIRST the great desire which our Lady had to depart out of this vale of teares and to go see her most sweet son and howe great the ioy was which her soule felt when the vnderstood how the houre was now at hande wherin she was to abandon this temporal life SECONDLY thou maiest meditate in what maner the most holy virgin prepared her selfe for this last houre and the companie which she had with her at the time of her most happye departure THIRDLY consider the puritie and innocencie of that most blessed soule which we may wel thinke was caried vp to heauen in her Lorde his armes the Hierarchies of heauen accompanying her with most sweet songes and ineffable exultation IN THE firste point thou maiest entertaine thy selfe meditating as some doo howe after the Apostles were gone abrode into diuers places of the world to preach the holy Gospel according as was commaunded them our Ladye remained in Ierusalem and went afterwardes to Nazareth where her principal exercise was to attend diligently to contemplation and to pray for the holy Church and other-whiles through the great deuotion and continual remembrance which she had of the things that her most sweet sonne had done and suffred she went most deuoutly to visit those holy places wherin he had wrought any particuler Misterie and shed there great aboundance of deuout teares Thus passed she on her most holy life with a most zealous desire which she had to see him whom her soule loued For if S. Paul desired to dye to liue with Iesus Christe how much more is it to be thoght that she should desire this who loued him much more feruentlye If the Royal Prophet lamented greatly his so long abode in this obscure world and saide As the panting deare desireth the fountaines of water euen so desireth my soule to come to thee O Lord how much more shoulde the Queene of heauen lament her abode in earth where she thought her-self detained as in a long exile how much more should she desire