distributeth his gifts and favours among his people according to that of the Apostle Ascending on high he led captivity captive Ephes 4.8 he gave gifts to men If. 60.13 Consider 2. This King of Glory will come this day to you though under the Cloud of the Eucharistical Species to the end that by the gifts of his grace he may dispose you to partake also of his glory The glory of Libanus shall come to thee c. to adorn the place of my sanctification and the place of my feet I will glorifie O what a favour and benefit is this What may you not hope for from so bountiful a Guest in this day of your solemnity Ps 23.7 Consider 3. How to receive worthily this King of Glory Lift up your gates ye Princes and be ye lifted up O Eternal Gates and the King of Glory shall enter in The gates of the Soul are our interiour powers Reason and Will by which there is a mutual intercourse between our Soul and enteriour objects they entring into her and she going forth to them Lift up therefore these gates on high raise them only to such things as are heavenly and everlasting and then the King of Glory will enter into you and make you partaker of his Glory Of our Lords Ascension Part 1. Mar. 16.14 COnsider 1. The fourty daies being expired which our Lord was pleased to spend in comforting and instructing the Apostles after his Resurrection last he appeared to those cleven as they sat at the Table and having strengthened their faith which wavered yet in some of them he leads them forth to Mount Olivet that where he had began his Passion by his Bloody Sweat there he might also begin his Triumph See with what tenderness of love he doth all this and withall learn hence that the way to glory is by suffering Luc. 24.49 Consider 2. These words of Christ to his Disciples But you tarry in the City till you be endowed with power from high If our Lord would not have his Apostles too forward in preaching but quietly and in prayer to expect power and virtue from Heaven how fitting is it that others who have not been trained up in Christs School as they were should first prepare themselves in private and holy cetiredness and long prayer for preaching and other Apostolical Functions Ps 103.3 Consider 3. After they were all come to the Mount our Lord being now to depart lifting up both his hands to signifie the fulness of his blessing he blessed them then raising himself up he ascended by degrees till he was out of their sight Think how the Disciples rejoyced to behold the glory of their Lord Making the Cloud to ascend on and walking upon the wings of winds Do you also ascend in spirit with him Ps 83.6 Dispose ascensions in your heart as the Prophet speaketh making continual progress from one virtue to another till you arrive to the height of perfection Of our Lords Ascension Part 2. Ephes 4.8 COnsider 1. Our Lord being out of the sight of his Disciples entereth into Heaven in a triumphant manner He was accompanied with an infinite multitude of Angels who came forth to meet him there followed a numerous Train of the Holy Fathers whom he had redeemed out of captivity according to that Ascending on high he led captivity captive Neither was there wanting solemn and publick Jubily God is ascended in Jubilation Psa 46.6 and our Lord in the voice of Trumpet The Angels inviting one the other in those terms Sing to our Lord Ps 67.33 34. sing ye to God that mounteth upon the Heaven of Heaven to the East And the like Consider 2. Christ being come to the Throne of his Eternal Father presents him with the holy company of Saints as spoils taken from the Infernal Enemy he gives him account of the work he had accomplished Jo. 17.4 5 6. saying I have glorified thee upon Earth I have consummated the work which thou gavest me to do And now glorifie thou me O Father with thy self c. I have manifested thy Name to men c. The Father welcometh his Sons return with unspeakable expressions of love and placeth him on his right hand fulfilling that of the Psalm Our Lord said to my Lord Ps 109.1 sit on my right hand c. Apoc. 5.12 Consider 3. The Jubily which was at that time in Heaven of the Holy Fathers for the happiness they were arrived to of the Angels both for the company of the Saints and for the filling up of the places which had been so long empty Lastly of them all for the humanity of Christ our Lord which they saw glorified according to its deserts Then did they likewise break forth into those words of the Apocalyps The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power and dignity and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and benediction Joyn your lauds and praises with theirs rejoyce for having such an Advocate with your Father and fix your thoughts there whither your Head and best part of you is already gone Of Holy Communion Our Lord will give Grace and Glory He will not deprive them of good things that walk in Innocency Ps 83.12 13. Consider Christ as a Pledge of Future Glory COnsider 1. How great is the Glory of God and of all the Blessed in Heaven how excellent a place what noble Citizens and what happy concord and union among that blessed company and the like Our most merciful Lord promiseth us in due time the fellowship of this glory and in the mean while gives us for a pawn or pledge his most precious Body and Blood Wherefore the Church cryeth out O sacred Banquet Brev. Rom wherein Christ is received c. and a pledge of future glory is given us Deut. 4.7 Consider 2. What a great matter you would think it if some Prince should promise you a Kingdome after the term of some few years and in the mean time should give you his only Son for security Truly there is no other Nation so great that hath Gods approaching unto them as our God is present to us He is present with us here in nourishment that he may afterwards be wholly ours in reward 2 Cor. 1.22 Consider 3. This divine pledge doth not only serve as an assurance but doth even in this life produce in some sort the effects of Glory if it be not hindered For 1. It brings with it the lustre of Habitual Grace then the which nothing is more glorious in the sight of God 2. It rendereth the Soul impassible that is not subject to be moved or disturbed by any worldly adversity 3. It gives us a spiritual agility promptly and readily to obey the Commands of God 4. It assords us also a certain subtility to go through and overcome what difficulties soever Prepare your self therefore worthily to receive it and bless the infinite mercy of God who
wandring thoughts of your Studies or imployments or of corporal necessities and conveniences or the like buz in your mind persist still with so much the greater fervour Ps 12.4 Ps 17.29 Consider 3. Christ stood and asked the blind man What wilt thou that I do to thee for he giveth not his Grace to us unless we will our selves and co-operate with it The blind man answereth Lord that I may see Let the same be likewise your Petition Lord that I may see See you and see my self Illuminate mine eyes that I sleep not in death at any time My God illuminate my darkness Of the Blind Man of Bethsaida Mar. 8.22 c. COnsider 1. Christ being come to Bethsaida the Disciples bring to him one blind and desired him that he would touch him And taking the hand of the blind he led him forth out of the Town He is blind saith Glossa who seeth not what he was what he is and what he is to be Think whether or no you be taken with this blindness and withall take notice that whosoever desireth to see aright must permit himself to be led by our Lord out of Town that is out of the noise of worldly cares and then he will be enlightned Consider 2. Christ did not presently and by word of mouth only give sight to this man as he did to the former but spitting into his eyes imposiâ—â— his hands he asked him if he saw any thing Thus God doth differently illuminate Souls some all in a moment others by degrees The blind man recovering sight in this manner saw men as it were Trees walking For to men that are not thoroughly enlightned by Divine Grace all worldly things appear greates and in a more flourishing condition then truly they are And men may be said to be Trees for that unless they bear fruit they will only serve to make fuel for the fire Consider 3. The blind man at last was restored to his perfect sight so that he saw all things clearly Beseech our Lord so to open your eyes that you may also see things clearly and distinguish between true and false solid and counterfeited good Hym. fer 5. ad Laudes Many things are set out in false colours which need to be cleared Lord by your Divine Light Lastly it was said to him Go into thy house Our house and home is Heaven for as the Apostle saith Eph. 2.19 We are Citizens of the Saints and the Domesticals of God Walk therefore as a Domestick of God and Son of Light lest perhaps our Lord strike thee in his wrath Deut. 28.28 29. and make thee grope at mid-day as the blind is wont to grope in the dark and direct not thy ways Of the Lunatick Devil Mat. 17. Mar. 9. Part 1. Mar. 9.18 COnsider 1. The great Tyranny which the Devil exerciseth upon the bodies of those whom God permits them to possess wheresoever he seized upon this Lunatick he dashed him against the ground made him to foam to gnash the teeth Mat. 17.15 and to wither and cast him often into the fire and as often into the water Think if he be so outragious in this life where his hands are tyed how much more will he be so in Hell where as the Prophet faith Is 34.9 The torrents thereof shall be turned into pitch and the groâ—nd thereof into brimstone and the land thereof shall be into burning pitch 2 Tim. 2.26 Consider 2. How the Devil exerciseth the like Tyranny upon a Soul that is subject to him For 1. He makes her Lunatick by Inconstancy 2. Deaf to the Inspirations of God and dumb in his praises 3. He casteth her to the ground by affection to earthly things 4. He makes her to foam and gnash the teeth with foul and unruly language 5. He makes her wither away by an insensibility in spiritual things 6. He often throws her into the Fire of Concupiscence and often plungeth her into the waters of fleeting pleasures that you may learn to take heed of the Devils Snares of whom sinners are held Captives as the Apostle saith at his will Ps 118.71 Consider 3. This Lunatick was first presented to the Disciples who notwithstanding could not cure him So we must first try humane means before we recur to God for a Miracle The Disciples were not permitted to cure this man perhaps to keep them in Humility It is good for me that thou hast humbled me saith David that I may learn thy Justifications Of the Lunatick Devil Mat. 17. Mar. 9. Part 2. Mar. 9.19 c. COnsider 1. Christ being desired to cure this man whom the Disciples could not he first reprehended their incredulity O incredulous Generation how long shall I be with you how long shall I suffer you Whence you may see how hateful to God is hardness of belief And when the possessed man was brought before him immediately the Spirit troubled him and being thrown upon the ground he tumbled foaming How bold is the wicked Spirit even in the presence of Christ that you may not wonder if perchance he tempt you in time of Mass or Communion Consider 2. The Power of Christ casting the Devil out by Command who notwithstanding had possessed this young man from his Infancy Deaf and dumb Spirit I command thee go out of him and enter not any more into him Lord speak with the same efficacy to my Soul Observe withall how the Devil crying out and greatly tearing him went out of him While he had him he tore him not but when he was forced out for he is ever most spiteful to us then when we leave him Eccli 10.11 Consider 3. This Disease was hard to be remedied because inveterate and grown up with him from his Infancy So it is hard to rid your self of Vices that you have been long accustomed unto according to that Long sickness grieveth the Physitian Besides This kind can go out by nothing but by prayer and fasting that you might learn with what weapons you are to fight against the Devils Of Holy Communion Eat O friends and drink and be inebriated my dearest Cant. 5.1 Consider Christ as your Souls Friend Mat. 26.50 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel Friend how camest thou in hither not having a wedding Garment Christ most mercifully inviteth all to his friendship and desires as much as lyeth in him to have it with all men and endeavoured to bring Judas back into his favour even while he was practising Treason against him saying Friend whereto art thou come Ponder the greatness of this honour he does us S. Greg. We are not fit servants saith S. Gregory and we are stiled friends What an honour is this for miserable wretches made of clay and dirt to become friends of the Almighty God 1 Reg. 18.1 Consider 2. This Friend of yours will come to day in the Eucharist to instruct you with his Divine
Jesus calling his Discipees together he saith to them I have compassion upon the multitude because loe three daies now they endure with me neither have they what to eat And if I dismiss them fasting into their home they will faint in the way This is a perfect Embleme of our condition in this world where even at the best we are an object of compassion The World is a Desart an habitation of wild beasts and void of all good having nothing whereon our Immortal Soul can feed and satiate it self we are a far off from our heavenly Country and ready to saint and fail in our way home happy only in this if we keep company with Jesus and can be content to endure with him Consider 2. Christs infinite goodness 1. In having compassion of their condition 2. In consulting with his Disciples for Redress 3. In making the multitudes sit down upon the ground 4. In distributing amongst them that little provision which he had for himself and his Disciples all which he did giving thanks breaking the loaves blessing the fish and giving them to his Disciples Apply this also spiritually and acknowledge in the fish and seven loaves the Provision of Grace afforded us in the seven Sacraments as also the seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost whereby the Soul is filled with comfort strength and vigour to continue the course of our Pilgrimage Consider 3. And they took up that which was left of the fragments seven Maunds Thus God is always overflowing in his liberality and gifts towards us but how niggard and close-handed are we towards him and our Neighbour Observe here that the Over-plus that we have either in Temporals or Spirituals ought not to be cast away but gathered together for the supply of others that are indigent Lastly learn this great Lesson that none will ever be the poorer but rather the richer for what they bestow out of pure Charity upon others for relief of their corporal or spiritual necessities See more of the like subject concerning the five loaves page 362 363. 7. Sunday after Pentecost Of False Prophets Mat. 7.15 page 327. Consider 1. Take ye heed of false Prophets which come to you in the cloathing of sheep but inwardly are ravening wolves False Prophets 1. Are Heretiques who under the fair pretence of Sanctity Liberty of Conscience expounding of Scripture c. preach false Doctrine 2. All those which under the pretext of some good or Virtue especially of Prudence and Discretion preach to us such things as are more agreeable to flesh and blood Such are Self-love Concupiscence Passion Worldly Maximes Pleasant Companions the Devil c. Have a care what Prophets you entertain see they be none of those of whom Jeremy Thren 2.14 Thy Prophets have seen false and foolish things to thee Phil. 3.20 Consider 2. By their fruits you shall know them Think what are the fruits of the above-mentioned false Prophets Obstinacy Licentiousness Disorder Disquiet Sting and Wound of Conscience c. A good Tree cannot yield evil fruits neither an evil Tree yield good fruits The Tree planted in the earth raiseth its branches and fruit upwards so man though upon earth should have his conversation in Heaven and produce heavenly fruit Every Tree that yieldeth not good fruit shall be cut down and shall be cast into fire Take warning and yield good fruit in time Mat. 3.10 perhaps the Axe is now put to the root of your Tree 1 Thes 4.3 Consider 3. Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven Not all that call upon God by an exteriour Profession of Godliness nor all that undertake to Preach his Word shall be saved but those only which bring forth the good fruit above required viz. the Will of God declared unto them by the Holy Church Superiours Directors Interiour Inspirations c. This is the Will of God saith the Apostle your Sanctification by supernatural Grace and exercise of solid Virtue according to every ones state and profession 8. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Bailiff of Iniquity Luc. 16.1 page 335. see page 449. 9. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christs weeping upon the City Luc. 19.41 page 343. see page 147. 10. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Publican and the Pharisee Luc. 18.9 page 350. see page 460. 11. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Deaf and Dumb Man Marc. 7.31 page 357. see page 409 410 411. 12. Sunday after Pentecost Of the man wounded by Thieves and of the good Samaritan Luc. 10.23 page 365. see page 433 434. 13. Sunday after Pentecost Of the ten Lepers Luc. 17.11 page 372. see page 407 408. 14. Sunday after Pentecost Of serving God and Mammon Mat. 6.24 page 380. Consider 1. No man can serve two Masters c. You cannot serve God and Mammon There are two that would have you for their Servant God and the World you cannot serve both because they are opposite to one another neither can you serve one without hating the other God requires of you that you should seek Heaven contemn Earthly things imbrace Virtue curb the Flesh subdue Sense c. The World on the contrary will have you seek your own content and satisfaction enjoy the conveniences of this life neglect spiritual things cherish and pamper the flesh and give full scope to all your sensual Appetites Now chuse which of these two Services you like best whom you will have for your Master whom you will love and whom you will hate Consider 2. Therefore I say unto you be not careful for your life what you shall eat neither for your body what rayment you shall put on c. Christ perswades us here to cast off all immoderate care of Temporals which he doth by five convincing Arguments 1. A Majori If God hath given us our Soul and Body he will also provide us with necessaries for their preservation 2. A Minori If God doth so providently feed the beasts of the earth and adorn the flowers and grass of the field what will he not do for his children 3. For that all our care availeth nothing without Gods Providence not being able to add a Cubit to our stature 4. For that this care is common to Heathens and Infidels that know not God not proper for Christians that believe and trust in him 5. For that God is a loving Father who cannot know the necessities of his children and let them want Luc. 10.42 Mat. 13.44 45. Consider 3. That most admirable and comfortable conclusion Seek therefore first the Kingdom of God and the Justice of him and all these things shall be given you besides The Kingdom of God is his Glory and our Everlasting Happiness This one thing is necessary this is the treasure hidden in a field this is the precious Margarit to be purchased with all we have this ought to be our prime care to imploy our chiefest thoughts to take up our best
Whither shall I go from thy spirit and whither shall I fly from thy face who is the man that shall live and shall not see death shall deliver his soul from the hand of hell and the like XV. EXHORTATION Exciting your self to delight in God alone to open your self unto him to put your whole trust in him Psal 36.4 5. Be delighted in our Lord and he will give thee the petitions of thy heart Reveal thy way to our Lord and hope in him and he will do it Cast thy care upon our Lord Ps 54.23 and he will nourish thee XVI FAITH and CONFIDENCE in the goodness of God and that by his grace you will overcome all difficulties and temptations c. Our Lord is my Illumination Psal 26.1 Ps 102.9 Ps 17.30 and my Salvation whom shall I fear He will not be angry always neither will he threaten for ever In thee I shall be delivered from temptation and in my God I shall go over the wall XVII GLADNESSE or JOY for the propagation of Gods glory for the greatness of his Majesty and perfections and for the fulfilling of his Divine Will Be joyful in our Lord and rejoyce ye Just Ps 31.11 Isa 61.10 and glory all ye right of heart Rejoycing I will rejoyce in our Lord and my soul shall be joyful in my God because he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation c. XVIII GRATIVDE and THANKSGIVING for benefits received Ps 102.2 Apoc. 11.17 My soul bless thou our Lord and forget not all his retributions We thank thee Lord God Omnipotent which art which wast and which shalt come XIX HVMILIATION Acknowledging your self a sinner a wretch a worm your own infirmity reioycing therein as occasion of merit and humility Psal 21.7 Psal 43.7 Psal 118.17 I am a worm and no man a reproach of men and outcast of the people I will not hope in my Bow and my Sword will not save me c. It is good for me that thou hast humbled me that I may learn thy justifications XX. IMITATION exciting your self to follow our Lord Exo. 25.40 Ephes 5.1 Ro. 13.14 and tread his foot-steps Look and do according to the pattern Be a follower of God as a most dear Child Do you on our Lord Jesus Christ I will follow thee whither soever thou goest Luc. 9.57 XXI INVITATION Inviting our Lord to visit help and save you Ps 43.23 Ps 79.15 Arise why sleepest thou O Lord Arise and expell us not to the end O God of Hosts return regard from Heaven and see and visit this Vineyard XXII LOVE Professing your self to love God above all things Jo. 21.16 Psal 17.2 Ps 30.24 Lord thou knowest that I love thee I will love thee O Lord my strength And exhorting all men to do the same Love our Lord all ye his Saints XXIII NARRATION Recounting what God hath done for you or others or what you have done for him Our Lord ruleth me Psal 22.2 and nothing shall be wanting to me in place of pasture there he hath placed me In thee our Fathers have hoped they hoped Psal 21.5 Ps 39.11 and thou didst deliver them Thy Justice I have not hid in my heart Thy truth and thy salvation I have spoken XXIV OBLATION Offering your self to God to serve him to obey him in all things and to suffer for him O Lord I am thy servant Ps 115.7 Ps 72.23 Ps 37.18 I am thy servant and the Son of thy Handmaid As a Beast I am become with thee and I always with thee I am ready for scourges and my sorrow is in my sight always XXV OBSECRATION Earnestly imploring the Divine Aid and such spiritual graces as you stand most in need of Help us Psal 78.9 O God our Saviour and for the glory of thy Name O Lord deliver us Turn thee O Lord and deliver my Soul Psal 6.5 save me for thy mercy XXVI PETITION Craving to be heard illuminated Ps 38.13 directed preserved and the like Hear my prayer O Lord and my petition with thine ears receive my tears Psal 69.2 Psal 5.9 Psal 24.5 O God intend unto my help Lord make hast to help me Direct my way in thy fight Direct me in thy truth and teach me Keep me O Lord from the hand of the sinner c. Psal 139.5 XXVII PRAISE Extolling the Power Wisdom and Mercy of our Lord and inviting all creatures to do the same Ps 146.5 Great is our Lord and great is his strength and of his wisdom there is no number Luc. 1.46 Ps 148.1 My foul doth magnifie our Lord. Praise ye our Lord from the Heavens Praise ye him in the high places Praise ye him all his Angels XXVIII PREFERRING Having a greater esteem and concern for heavenly and divine objects than for the earthly and trausitory things of this world Psa 83.11 Better is one day in thy Courts above thousands I have chosen to be an object in the house of my God rather than to dwell in the Tabernacles of sinners Psa 36.16 Better is a little to the just above much riches of sinners XXIX PROSOPOPEIA Imagining to your self that God doth speak unto you reproving your negligence Jer. 2.21 Isa 5.2 Thre 4.1 Jer. 3.12 or exhorting you to fervour How art thou turned unto me into that which is depraved O strange Vineyard I looked that it should yeild grape and it yeilded wild grapes How is the gold darkned the best colour changed Return O rebellious Israel soul and I will not turn away my face from you XXX PVRPOSE Purposing to serve God better to resist temptations and to propagate his glory Psal 38.2 I will keep my ways that I offend not in my tongue I will pursue mine enemies Ps 17.38 Ps 21.23 and overtake them and will not return till they fail I will declare thy name to my brethren in the midst of the Church I will praise thee XXXI RENVNCIATION or ABNEGATION Denying your own will and renouncing all honour and glory as due to God alone Luc. 22.42 Ps 113.9 Mat. 8.8 Not my will but thine be done Not to us O Lord not to us but to thy Name give the glory Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof XXXII REPREHENSION Rebuking your self for being slothful irresolute a lover of toyes c. How long wilt thou sleep O sluggard Prov. 6.9 Pro. 1.22 Psal 12.2 When wilt thou rise out of thy sleep How long do you love infancy and as fools covet things which are hurtful to your self How long shall I put counsels in my soul XXXIII RESIGNATION Resigning your self to the will of God Lord not as I will Mat. 26.39 Mat. 6.9 Job 1.21 but as thou Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven As it hath pleased our Lord so is it done The Name of our Lord be blessed XXXIV SOLACE or ENCOVRAGEMENT Animating
must put off all carnal and worldly affection and with all submission hearken to his interiour inspirations Incline thine ear and forget thy people and the house of thy father saith the Royal Prophet and the king will covet thy beauty Morn Ent. I will arise and go to my father Luc. 15.17 The second Sunday after All-Saints Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as your Father Is 40.15 COnsider 1. Almighty God although he be infinitely powerful and rich and in respect of whom all creatures are as a drop of bucket and as a moment of a balance yet he disdaineth not to be called and to be truly our Father and what is more Call none father to your self upon earth Mat. 23.9 saith Christ for one is your father he that is in heaven And Christ himself by a special title would be stiled by the Prophet Father of the world to come Is 9.6 and not content with that he also taketh upon him something more then the affection even of a mother for if she should forget her infant yet will not I faith he forget thee Is 49.15 Ponder how excellently Christ performeth both these offices not onely begetting us to a spiritual life but also feeding and nourishing us with his own precious body and bloud Ps 102.13 Consider 2. How you like the prodigal child have foolishly left so loving and so rich a father and gone after the swine of this world yet he is still ready to receive you again and clothe you with the first robe for as a father hath compassion of his children saith David so hath our Lord compassion on them that fear him because he hath known our making He expects you to day in the Eucharist with open arms to embrace you and to give you his blessing so you do but worthily dispose your self Luc. 15.18 Consider 3. The best disposition will be 1. An humble begging of pardon Father I have sinned against heaven and before thee 2. A firm resolution of never more going from him but striving with all your endeavour to imitate the perfection of your heavenly Father according to that of the Apostle Ephes 5.1 Be ye followers of God as most dear children Wherefore with a filial confidence represent unto your Father when he cometh all your necessities Luc. 11.13 for if fathers know bow to give good gifts to their children how much more will your Father from Heaven give a good Spirit to them that ask him Who shall give to me thee my brother sucking the breasts of my mother that I may finde thee without and kiss thee Cant. 8.1 Heb. 2.11 The third Sunday after All-Saints Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as your Brother Matt. 28.10 COnsider 1. Christ to make us the more sensible of his love towards us took upon him not onely the name of Father but also that of a Brother that so by a certain equality which is wont to be between brothers he might the more familiarly insinuate himself unto us for the which cause he is not ashamed saith the Apostle to call us brethren saying I will declare thy name to my brethren and after his resurrection Go tell my brethren saith he that they go into Galiles Think what an honour it is to be brother to so great a Prince And if the brother that is holpen of brother is as the Wise-man saith as a strong city Prov. 18.19 what comfort and help may you expect from such a brother Gen. 37.28 Consider 2. Your unhumane dealing with Christ who have sold him not for twenty pieces of silver as did the sons of Jacob their brother Joseph but perhaps for some slight or filthy pleasure And even like another Cain you have murthered this Brother Abel of yours by your sins Gen. 4.8 and nailed him on the Cross And yet he forgetting and forgiving all invites you to himself Gen. 45.4 18. saying with Joseph I am Joseph your brother c. fear not Come to me and I will give you all the good things of Egypt that you may eat the marrow of the land and what is the marrow of the land but his precious Body and Blood The corn of the elect Zach. 9.17 and wine springing Virgins Consider 3. How you are to go meet this Brother of yours Imitate Jacob who went with presents to meet his enraged brother Esau Gen. 33.10 Ps 50.19 Gen. 42.21 Let your presents be 1. A contrite and humbled heart which he will not despise 2. A firm purpose of not sinning any more against your brother 3. A desire of imitating his vertues that by the likeness of your life and behaviour to his he may appear to be what truly he is Rom. 8.29 the first-born in many brethren The master is come and calleth thee Jo. 11.28 The fourth Sunday after All-Saints Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as your Master Is 5.20 COnsider 1. What ignorance men are in especially of heavenly things and appertaining to their Salvation We often call evil good and good evil putting darkness light and light darkness We commonly make Vertues of our Vices and Vertue we hate as folly Therefore the Wisdom of the Eternal Father came down from Heaven to be unto us a Master to teach us the way of truth You call me Master and Lord Jo. 13.13 saith he and you do well for I am so Colos 2.3 Consider 2. How willingly you ought to hearken to this Master in whom be all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hid The prime incitement of learning saith St. Ambrose is the excellency of the Master Ambr. l. 2. de Virg. What more excellent then Christ our Lord who is Truth it self and can neither deceive nor be deceived The Queen of the South Matt. 12.42 c. came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Salomon and behold more then Salomon here and here in the Eucharist he is ready to teach you the Science of Saints and of Salvation if you come rightly disposed Sap. 1.4 Consider 3. There is required due preparation on your part that you may deserve to hear with profit the Wisdom of this heavenly Master for he will have his Schollars to be 1. Pure from all sin Because wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul nor dwell in a body subject to sins 2. Humble and little in their own eyes Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent Matt. 11.25 and hast revealed them to little ones 3. Well mortified and taken off from worldly things Whom shall he teach knowledge and whom shall he make to understand the thing heard If. 28.9 Them that are weaned from the milk that are plucked away from the breasts See therefore you be thus disposed when you go to him Of Mans last End The first Part. Prov. 16. â— COnsider 1. What you were some hundred years ago just nothing and so
you would have remained for ever but that it pleased God to take you out of your nothing and wheras he could have joyned to your first or original matter infinite other forms he would endow you with a rational one and place you in this world among men But to what end Not to disport or play not to eat and drink not to seek after honours and vanities of this life nor finally to end your days like brute beasts Our Lord hath wrought all things for himself that you might serve and worship him in this world and so at last attain to life everlasting Consider 2. The excellency of this end All other living creatures are created stooping down to their food and carry about them souls that are to end with time Man alone is elevated to that sublinie end of praising and serving his Creator and after a short and holy life to be crowned with immortal glory With good reason David full of admiration breaketh forth into those words What is man that thou art mindful of him Thou hast minished him little less then Angels with glory and honour thou hast crowned him Ps 8.5 and hast appointed him over the works of thy hands Ps 33.2 Consider 3. How much you are obliged to your Creator for so great a benefit and withall how justly he requireth of you that you direct your whole life to this onely end of his divine praise and service This therefore ought to be the onely aim of all your actions and even your thoughts viz. to honour God and serve him alone Wherefore say with the Prophet I will bless our Lord at all time his praise always in my mouth You are born for Heaven see you degenerate not See you carry not saith St. Bernard in a streight and upright body Bern. in Cant. Serm. 24. a crooked soul that is deformedly bent upon earthly things Of Mans last End The second Part. COnsider 1. Seeing your end in this life is to praise and serve God alone and seeing that in whatsoever kind the end is the measure or square of all such things as appertain thereunto it followeth evidently that you are to make use of all other creatures so far forth as they conduce to his service and honour and contrariwise to avoid them if they any way withdraw you from the same Wherefore you are not to desire riches honours conveniences of this life nor even learning or health otherwise then they may help you the better to serve God For as that holy man said well Tho. a Kemp. de Imit l. 1. c. 2. Better is the humble countreyman that serveth God then the proud Philosopher who neglecting himself considereth the course of the heavens Ps 107.2 Matt. 26.39 42. Consider 2. And examine your self in particular whether you have any disordered affection to the things above mentioned See whether you be ready to suffer poverty reproach sickness and death it self if God thereby might be the more glorified in you Offer your self to your Creator with indifferency to all things so far as they make to his greater glory Say with the Prophet My heart is ready O God my heart is ready and with Christ our Lord Not as I will but as thou Thy will be done Agg. 1.6 Consider 3. How foolishly they do who have any other end then God in their actions who employ their labours in purchasing honours riches renown pleasures and the like No otherwise do these then would he who being to sayl to the East should steer his course to the West and so never come to his journeys end Of such it is rightly said by the Prophet You have sowed much and brought in little you have eaten and have not been filled you have drunk and have not been inebriated Lastly They lead their days in wealth Job 21.13 and in a moment they go down to hell Of Mans duty towards God 1. Part. Ps 36.27 COnsider 1. The whole duty of man towards God is comprised in that short sentence Decline from evil and do good These are the two principal points of a Christian life they are the two wings whereby we must flye up to Heaven the two arms wherewith we are to lay fast hold on the Kingdom of God In respect of the first part mans life in the holy Scripture is said to be a warfare upon earth Job 7.1 and Christians are termed Souldiers carefully standing upon their guard for resisting the suggestions and temptations of sin Job 9.28 Consider 2. In this Warfare we are to strive against Sin even unto death never giving over or thinking our selves secure but always standing in arms with watchful care and fear Job notwithstanding all his Integrity discussed and feared every the least of his actions David a man according to Gods own heart Ps 76.7 did every night brush or sweep his spirit St. John Baptist that was sanctified in his mothers womb Hym. ad Mat. de S. Joh. Bapt. led an austere retired life that he might not as the Church singeth of him stain his life with a light slip of his tongue S. Paul though confirmed in Grace and rapt to the third Heaven could say of himself So I fight not as it were beating the air 1 Cor. 9.27 but I chastise my body and bring it into servitude Think not therefore much of any pains for the avoiding of sin Tob. 4.6 Consider 3. We must not onely withstand the actual committing of sin but also the consent of mind Beware thou consent not to sin at any time and resist all delectation and suggestion for as St. Gregory saith In suggestion is the seed of sin Greg. ad Interr lib. Aug. Cantuar in delectation the nourishment in consent the perfection Examine your self what vigilancy and caution you hold over your thoughts words and actions how you avoid occasions of danger and how you resist the suggestions of the Flesh the World and the Devil Take up your Weapons with the holy Saints of Fasting Prayer and Mortification of your flesh that you may also with them be crowned with a glorious Victory Of Mans Duty towards God 2. Part. Matt. 13.44 COnsider 1. The other part of Mans Duty is to labour in the exercise of good works thereby to please and serve God Wherefore Heaven is sometimes proposed unto us as a rich jewel sometimes as a treasure hidden in a field which we are to seek out with some pain and labour and to purchase with the sale of all we have sometimes again as a goal or prize 1 Cor. 9.24 which we are to gain by running on in the race of Vertue and Perfection and almost every where as the Reward and Crown of Vertuous Actions See therefore you play the industrious Merchant and by the continual exercise of good works heap up to your self treasures in Heaven Matt. 6.20 1 Thess 4.3 Consider 2. The several Motives which you have to
you are bound to so patient a Lord that hath so long expected you to do pennance Take heed lest patience abused turn into fury Wherefore humbly crave pardon for what is past and purpose amendment for the future Of the Grievousness of Mortal Sin By reason of the Dignity of the Person offended 2. Part. Job 26.11 COnsider 1. The greater the dignity is of the Person offended the greater is the offence Whence greater is his crime that woundeth his King or Father then his that hurteth only some one of the common sort Wherefore ponder who he is whom you have so often provoked by your sins 1. He is God of infinite Majesty at whose beck the pillars of Heaven tremble and dread 2. He is omnipotent able to destroy you in a moment and chastize you a thousand ways 3. He is every where present Jer. 32.19 Whose eyes are open upon all the ways of the children of Adam And yet you have the impudency to do that before his eyes which you would be ashamed to do in the sight of men Deut. 32.6 18. Consider 2. The many titles of his goodness towards you for these also do aggravate the Sin 1. He hath created you of nothing preserved you hitherto as a Father and governed you as a Tutor 2. He hath drawn you out of the jaws of Hell and redeemed you with his precious Bloud 3. He it is that sanctifies you even to this day strengthening you with the holy Sacraments preventing you with his Inspirations and drawing you on a thousand ways towards the Crown of Glory And could you sind in your heart so often and so fouly to abuse such a Benefactor These things dost thou render to our Lord thou foolish and unwise people Is not he thy Father that hath possessed thee and made and created thee God that begat thee thou hast forsaken and hast forgotten our Lord thy Creator Rom. 2.5 Consider 3. How greatly you ought to be ashamed of such an ingratitude and to be grieved for having offended so great a Majesty Abuse not the treasures of so infinite a goodnesse patience and longanimity but speedily do pennance lest otherwise thou heap to thy self wrath as the Apostle saith in the day of wrath Of the Grievousness of Mortal Sin By reason of the baseness of the Offender 3. Part COnsider 1. It would be judged a great offence if one Prince should strike another but much lesse then if a Subject should strike his Soveraign for the offence is proportioned to the Inequality that is between â—he offender and person offended And what greater inequality can there be then between God and you Think therefore what you are that dare reproach the Lord of hosts and in his sight commit enormous crimes as if there were no power in Heaven to punish you As to your body you are a contemptible worm crept out of the slime of the earth Grass flower of the field Ps 102.15 Jac. 4.14 Gen. 3.19 Bern. in for hon vit a vapour appearing for a little while â—ast thou art and into dust thou shalt return And as St. Bernard doth elegantly express You were unclean seed you are a vessel or sack of dung you will be meat for worms Why therefore is earth and ashes proud Consider 2. As to your Soul what are you Created of nothing and to nothing you would return if God did not preserve you without whom you cannot so much as move a finger 2. You are conceived in Sin born and bred in Sin nor is there any Sin so hainous which you would not commit if Gods Grace did not keep you back 3. As to knowledge how little is it that you know and how many things are there that you understand not As to power and ability how little is it that you are able to do and how innumerable are the things above your reach Sap. 11.23 Consider 3. What are you now compared to all men in the world What to the whole multitudes of Angels And what are all these again in respect of Almighty God As the least weight of the balance so is the round world before thee and as a dray of the dew before day that falleth upon the carth And yet vile Miscreant that you are you have had the boldnesse so often most impudently to provoke a Lord of such dread and majesty to indignation against you Do pennance and sin no more Of the Grievousness of Mortal Sin By reason of the Vilenesse of the Object 4. Part. Is 40.17 COnsider 1. It would aggravate the fault if one should leave a friend or do him some notorious injury for a slight and frivolous matter For example should cut his brothers throat for a Tennis-ball The whole world in respect of God is as nothing and a vain thing as Isaie saith He would therefore highly injure God who is his Supreme and Everlasting Good that should but once leave him though it were to gain the whole world but much more he that should contemn him for trifles Whence himself as one amazed complaineth of this contempt by his Prophet Jer. 2.12 Be astonied O heavens upon this and O gates thereof be ye desolate exceedingly c. for two evils hath my people done Me they have forsaken the fountain of living water and have digged to themselves cesterns broken cesterns that are not able to hold waters Ponder how fitly God is termed an endlesse Fountain flowing with all manner of good and all things of this world leaking and broken cesterns they seem to have something in them but in truth do not hold water Consider 2. In particular for what trifles you have often forsaken God perhaps that you might please men enjoy some short pleasure satisfie you passion or greedy appetite gain some vain reputation and the like Esau did foolishly in selling his Birth-right for a messe of pottage but Judas did worse in selling Christ for thirty silver pieces Worst of all the Jews in preferring the Miscreant and Murderer Barabbas before Christ Yet these you do imitate as often as you prefer some short pleasure or evil action before God himself and your own right to the Kingdom of Heaven Consider 3. How you ought to be sorry for your sins past and wary for the future St. Cyprian saith well How greatly we have sinned Cypr. Ser. de lap Eccli 2.23 so greatly let us bewail We have a good Lord and according to his greatness as Ecclesiasticus saith so also his mercy is with him Of the Grievousness of Mortal Sin For the Damages and bad Consequences it brigheth 5 Part. Prov. 14.34 COnsider 1. All men naturally fly from things that are hurtful Now there is nothing in the whole world so pernicious as Sin Whence Salomon Sin maketh peoples miserable And He that shall offend in one point shall lose many good things Eccles. 9.18 Ponder therefore the damages which it brings with it and first in this life in which
with sorrow and love 4. The Prayer they made that whole night begging ernestly of God the return of the Child It often happeneth that we lose Christ in the day time of prosperity and that we come not to take notice of it till the night of tribulation Begg of your Lord not to leave you say with the Prophet Forsake me not O Lord my God depart not from me Christ is sought for by his Parents Luc. 2.45 Cant. 1.7 COnsider 1. The great care of the B. Virgin and S. Joseph in seeking after their son who appeared not all that first night of their journey They returned into Jerusalem seeking him Leaving no place either in the way or Citty unsearched if so perhaps they might find him out whom their hearts loved so entirely The B. Virgin might probably say that of the Canticles Shew me O thou whom my soule loveth where thou feedest where thou lyest in the midday or heat and height of my affliction See with what fervor you ought to seeke after your Lord as often as you have lost either his personall presence with you by Mortall sin or his most gracious familiarity by Tepidity Consider 2. Christ could not be found among his kindred and acquaintance that you might learn to quit your self of all inordinat affection towards your kindred country and friends if you desire to enjoy the company of Jesus Bern. For as S. Bernard elegantly saith How shall I finde you good Jesus among my kindred who could not be found among your own Cant. 3.1 2. Consider 3. Neither yet is he found in some pleasant field nor in the Market place nor common Inn. Nor did the spouse in the Canticles find her beloved in the bed of ease and pleasures nor in the streets and high wayes of distractions He was sound at last in the Temple amongst the Doctors Seeke our Lord therefore in the Church and by prayer and if you find him not the first or second night persever still in seeking after him for as the Wise man saith of Wisdom Sap. 6 1â— He is easily seen of them that love him and is found of them that seek him Luc. sup Christ is found by his Parents COnsider 1. And it came to passe after three days they found him in the Temple Behold the B. Virgin entering into the Temple and think with what joy her very bowels were filled when she saw her Son who was the very light of her eyes yet she did not thrust herselfe into the assembly nor vainly boast herselfe as Mother of such a Son but silently and modestly waited the end Doe you the like in such occasions Mat. 27 4â— Luc. sup Consider 2. The Mothers words Son why hast thou so done to us This was not a complaint but an amorous expression of her griefe such as was that of Christ to his Father My God My God why hast thou forsaken me Behold thy father and I c. She honoureth her spouse in calling him father whereas he was but foster-father to the Child she prefers him before herselfe by naming him in the first place that you might learn to prefer others before your self Sorrowing did seek thee And therefore they found him Ps. 125.5 for They that sâ—â— in teares shall reap in joyfulnesse Consider 3. The Childs answer Did you not know that I must be about those things which are my fathers A true golden sentence and worthy to be ever born in mind teaching you to prefer the service of God before other affaires or concern whatsoever Examin your selfe whither you be wholy taken up in those things that are of your heavenly father or rather in toys in things of this world in self concernes in affaires opposit to Heaven and contrary to your vocation Of Christs Return to Nazareth and of his Obedience to his Parents Luc. 2.51 Part. I. COnsider 1. Christ having now performed the will of his Eternal father notwithstanding his great love to solitude prayer and the immediate worship of God in the Temple Weat down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them To teach us by his own example that God expecteth not the highest and most spiritual actions from all and at all times but requireth rather that we condescend to others and conform our life in the exterior to the condition of our calling performing the proper and ordinary actions thereof with perfection Think how Christ related to his B. Mother by the way what passed between him and the Doctors And his Mother kept all these words in her heart Doe you likewise keep the word of God in your heart that it may keep you Consider 2. The admirable example of Obedience which Christ vouchsafed to give and declare in these words And was subject to them Bern. ser 2. super Missus Ponder with S. Bernard Who to whom God to Men God to whom the Angels are subject whom the Principalitys and Powers obey was subject to Mary c. And in what things In all even in the meanest and vilest offices Id. in Cantser 19. Idem sup Missus The word and Wisdom of God despised not a Carpenter and a Woman Consider 3. With what good reason the same saint cryeth out Learn O man to obey Earth learn to be subject learn dust to submit Be ashamed proud ashes God humbleth himself and doe you exalt yourself God submits himself to men and doe you seeke to domineer and prefer yourself before your maker If being man yourself you scorn to follow the example of man surely it will not be beneath you to follow your Creatour Of Christs Obedience to his Parents Part. 2. 1 Reg. 15.22 COnsider 1. That you may be the more excited to imitate this admirable example of Obedience in Christ towards Superiours Governours and Directours under whom God hath already or shall hereafter place you Consider the many advantages that accompany Obedience And first nothing more acceptable can be offered to God God indeed is pacifyed with Victimes and Sacrifice as the chiefest act of Religion and worship that man can exercise and yet he assureth us that Obedience is more gratefull unto him Better is Obedience then Victimes saith he by his Prophet and to herken rather then to offer the fâ—t of ramms And with good reason saith S. Gregory for that in Sacrifice the flesh of an other but by Odedience ouâ— own will is killed and the whole man offered in Sacrifice Pro. 12.15 Consider 2. There is no safer way to Heaven for as the holy Saints teach us there is nothing more dangerous in a spiritual life then to be ones own guide and to follow his own judgement whence S. Bernard saith excellently well He that is his own Master hath a fool for his Scholar for as Solomon saith The way of a foole is right in his eyes but he that is wise heareth counsels August Consider 3. In this one Vertue are included
all others whence by the Holy Fathers it is called the Mother and Guardian of other Vertues for he that is Obedient is also humble patient meek charitable continent and Master of himselfe for as the Wise man saith An obedient man shall speak Victory Pro. 21.28 Procure therefore to be well affected to this Vertue and to exercise it when occasion is in imitation of Christ Behold I sow my Law in you and it shall bring fourth fruit in you 4 Esd 9.31 Mat. 13.24 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the good seed of our Soule Zach. 9.17 COnsider 1. What is said to day in the Ghospel The Kingdom of Heaven is resembled to a man that sowed good seed in his field Ponder therefore how your soule is a field capable both of good and bad seed and that God doth cast into it many good seeds of holy Inspirations and pious affections by good books Preachers Directours c. But the choisest seed of all is his own pretious body which he soweth in your soule by the Eucharist for this is the corn of the Elect and the seed that yeeldeth fruit of eternal life Consider 2. The soile of your soule of itself is fruitless and barren bringing forth nothing but thorns and bryars and subject to be overgrown with cockle which resembling the good seed of Vertues doe fill up and cosen the soule with vain hopes of fruite and in harvest time that is in the later judgement are cast into the fire Cleanse therefore your soule carefully from the weedes and bryars of Vice with the harrow of Mortification Separate the cockle from the pure wheat true Vertue from that which is false and counterfeit that the seed of the heavenly sower may not be choked up within you Heb. 6.7 c. Consider 3. How seriously you ought to labour to the end that by meanes of so much sowing and frequent receiving the Sacraments you may yeeld fruit answerably lest otherwise the heavenly husbandman provoked to indignation condemn you to the fire For the earth saith the Apostle drinking the raine often coming upon it and bringing forth grass commodious for them by whom it is tilled receiveth blessing of God but bringing forth thorns and bryars it is reprobate and very neer a curse whose end is to be burnt Luc. 2.52 Of Christs growing in Age and Wisdom c. Part I. COnsider 1. And Jesus proceeded in Wisdom and age and grace with God and men Christ from his first conception had all fullness of Grace Wisdom and all manner of Vertue but he proceeded still forward in them to the outward appearance accommodating his actions and discourses sutably to his age that you might learn to conform your self to the time and place you are in and to make continual progress in Vertue Luc. 9.62 Consider 2. There are diverse ways both of profiting and of failing in a spirituall life First some after they have begun well give back through Inconstancy and these our Lord condemneth when he saith No man putting his hand to the plough and looking back is apt for the Kingdom of God and biddeth us remember Lot's wife who was turned into a pillar of Salt that others might be the wiser by her misfortune Apoc. 2.4 Consider 3. Others in their progress grow remisse in fervor and use of those means whereby they might profit and therefore are in danger of falling To such Christ speaketh in the Apocalyps I have against thee a few things because thou hast left thy first charity Others againe begin and goe on with a slow pace and although outwardly there appeare no defect yet for the most part there is a reall decay within Finally others when they have once begun well Ps. 83.6 goe on cheerfully disposing ascension in their hearts c. From one Vertue to another See in what class you are or would wish to be and mend your pace towards gaining the prize Luc. 2.52 Of Christs growing in Age Wisdom c. Part 2. COnsider 1. Jesus proceeded in Wisdom and age and grace with God and Men saith the Evangeast We must therefore joyn both together and avoid two extremes Wherefore ponder how some there are whâ—se care only it is to carry a faire outside in the eyes of men and doe little regard their own true interior profit in the sight of God and their own conscience So did the Pharisees of whom Christ Mat. 6.16 They disfigure their faces that they may appeare unto men to fast Amen I say to you that they have received their reward See whither you doe your actions so for example frequenting the Sacraments hearing Masse and the like only for human respects and that you might not seem indevout And see you mend Rom. 10.2 Consider 2. Others there are on the contrary who have no regard to the edification of their Neighbour in what they doe out of fervor having somtimes an over great and indiscreet Zeal of God but not according to knowledg as the Apostle saith And these the same Apostle admonisheth to be providing good things not only before God Rom. 12.17 but also before Men. Mat. 5.17 Consider 3. Lastly Others joyne both together and that in due manner according to the example of Christ who said So let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven Run over all your actions in particular and see what you are wont to doe only to please men what againe to please God alone though it be with the offence and disedification of others and endeavour in all things to please God by a right intention and to edify men by good example Of the Necessity which all have of profiting in Vertue Part 1. COnsider 1. All that are disciples of Christ must make continuall progress in spirit 1. Because not to goe forwards in the way of God as the Saints doe teach is to goe backwards For as a boat cannot keep its ground in a swift river but must necessarily be carryed down ward by force of the stream unless it be born upward by meanes of oares so unless you goe continually on strugling with main force against the impuâ—se of nature you will certainly by force thereof be cast back for as S. Bernard saith Not to gaine doubtless is to lose ground Ber. Ep. 341 whence you will come to fall at last into the hands of your enemies whom you desire to escape Mat. 5.48 Consider 2. Because such is the will of God who will have us to be pure and holy in his sight without spot or wrinckle Be you perfect therefore saith Christ as also your Heavenly Father is perfect No man becometh eminent all on a suddain Let every one therefore seek to perfect himselfe by degrees that he may at last arrive to the top of perfection S. Bern. Consider 3. Because so it becometh a disciple of Christ to doe Whence
to Men Of compassion and astonishment to the Angels of scorn and derision to the wicked of compunction and example to the Just and a Sacrifice most acceptable to the Eternal Father Fall at the feet of the Crucifix take up the sacred bloud that falleth down and speak what affection shall suggest Of Crucifying our Lord. Part 3. COnsider 1. What Christ might doe say or think hanging on the Cross and in those hideous torments when he received no comfort either exteriourly from men or interiourly in his Soul If he stirred his body it was tormented a fresh by the wounds of his hands and feet whereon the whole weight of his body did hang. If he moved his head the thorns were stroken in the deeper and yet not the least sigh or moan or complaint was heard to proceed from him but he offered all to his Eternal Father for your and others sins Mat. 27.39 c. Consider 2. And they that passed-by blasphemed him The Priests the Souldiers and all sorts of men They upbraided him 1. With Impotency He saved others himself he cannot save 2. With Arrogancy as vainly taking upon him the title of King If he be King of Isarel let him come down 3. As counterfeiting himself Son of God and presumptuously relying thereon He trusted in God let him now deliver him if he will c. 4. As boasting of himself Vah thou that destroyest the Temple of God and in three days doest reedify it To all this he holdeth his peace as a dumb sign or mark exposed to all manner of contradiction So as to be filled with reproches Thren 3 3â— Is 53.5 Consider 3. Christ would not come down from the Cross nor shorten the durance of his pains as easily he might but would continue in them to the last breath without admitting any manner of comfort that you might also learn to persever in good even untill death Take notice also that he suffered all this for our sins He was wounded for our iniquities he was broken for our sins Take heed therefore lest returning to sin Hebr. 6.6 you crucify again to your self as the Apostle speaketh and to your own ruine the Son of God Of Christs first word on the Cross Father forgive them c. Luc. 23.34 Luc. 9 3â— COnsider 1. Christs was given to the world by his Eternal Father as a Doctor or Master to teach us the way of Salvation This is my beloved Son bear him Hear him then from the Cross as his Pulpit or chaire reading seven admirable lessons unto you and seek to prove a diligent disciple in his schoole that you may say with the Apostle 1 Cor. 2.2 I judged not my self to know any thing among you but Jesus Christ and him crucifyed Is. 53.12 Consider 2. Christs first Lesson is of loving our Enemies and praying for them Father forgive them for they know not what they doe He doth not call fire down from Heaven upon his persecutors as did Elias nor curseth them as Elizeus but asketh pardon for his enemies and as Isaie saith prayeth for the transgressors fullfilling by deeds what before he commended in words Pray for them that persecute Mat. 5.44 and abuse you See whether you doe so I say not only for your enemies that persecute you but for your familiars and neighbours who may perhaps offend you with some light word or injury Consider 3. More particularly each circumstance Who is it that prayeth The Son of God Whom doth he pray His Eternal Father Where On the tree of the Cross At what time When he was quite spent and exhausted with suffering and now ready to dye In what manner Not sitting or lying at his ease but strait erected upon his feet and stretching forth his hands In what termes Not many but full of affection and mingled with sighs teares and blood For whom for sinners for his enemies persecuters and tormenters What doth he ask Mercy Before whom To the hearing of all even his Adversaries that you might learn Mildnes and Charity towards all and in all occasions Of the Second Word Luc. 23.43 This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise Is. 53.12 COnsider 1. It was none of the least Ignominies which our Saviour suffered to hang between two theeves as their ringleader making good that of the Prophet And he was reputed with the wicked He was born between two silly beasts and would dye between two theeves to give us example of Humility though in Heaven he be seated between the Father and the Holy Ghost Ambr. in Luc. c. 23. Even he himself as S. Ambrose speaketh was a theefe by Mistery laying wait for the Divel to steale away his weapons and on the Cross robbed him of a theefe O Lord rob me thus of my heart that it may serve you alone Ambr. sup Consider 2. Those words of Christ This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise Admire the riches of Gods Bounty and Longanimity He takes up infamous robbers and makes them his sons and heires of his Kingdom and this at the first word without any put-ofs or delays This very day thou shalt be with me He giveth the theef incomparably more then he demanded of him He craved only a remembrance and Christ promiseth him a Kingdom for as S. Ambrose saith Our Lord ever bestoweth more then is demanded of him and his grant is larger then the Petition Who would not love and willingly serve such a Lord Job 33.27 Consider 3. Three several sorts of sufferers in these three that were put to the same death of the Cross some deservedly but impatiently as the bad theef Others though deservedly yet patiently as the good theef Others again both undeservedly and withall patiently as Christ our Lord. Seek to be one of the two later sorts at least be of the second and confess with holy Job I have sinned and indeed I have offended and as I was worthy I have not received for you are truly worthy of many stripes Of the Third Word Woman behold thy Son Jo. 19.25 COnsider 1. And there stood beside the Cross of Jesus his Mother Ponder how his blessed Mother and other devout persons stood neer the Cross Whence you may learn that the lovers of Christ are also lovers of his Cross and the neerer they stand to this the more they shew their love to him Think how his B. Mother was afflicted when she saw her son and that such an one so barbarously used S. Bonav Your Son O Virgiâ— saith S. Bonaventure suffered in his body you in mind The several wounds which were all over his body met together in one within your heart Yet she gave not the least sign of impatience not did she any thing misbeseeming her person that you might learn to compassionat Christ together with her and withall to suffer your own adversities with courage Jo. sup Consider 2. Woman behold thy Son He calleth her
of John made great resort unto him and not only the common people but the chief Magistrates began to doubt whether he were not Christ Therefore they sent from Hierusalem Priests and Levites to him that they should ask him who art thou Ponder how powerful Innocency of life is to move mens minds and how true is that which S. Bernard saith Bern. Serm 55. in Cant. That louder is the voice of works then of words Consider 2. The divers acts of Humility of S. John in this occasion for whereas he was in such esteem with the Jews as to be held for Christ he did not therefore vainly vaunt himself above what he was as worldly men are wont in like occasions but confessed and did not deny and he confessed that I am not Christ This is the first degree of Humility to disown what he knew belonged not unto himself and to resign it where it was due See whether you do not otherwise making your self more then you are and concealing what in truth you are Mat. 11.9 Consider 3. How when the Jews demanded again whether he were not Elias or some Prophet he answered No. He might have given himself out for Elias in Spirit though not in person and for a Prophet and more then a Prophet as he was stiled by the Angel and by Christ himself But he that is truly humble doth not only refuse what is not his own but also takes off as far as truth will permit from what is his due He never commendeth himself Bern. Ep. 87. but rather as S. Bernard saith as much as lies in him will not be known what he is Be ashamed therefore to seek the applause of others and not content with that to be your own Trumpeter Of the Jews Message to John Jo. 1.23 Part 2. COnsider 1. The Jews still urging him to give some account of himself He said I am the voice of one crying in the Desart make straight the way of our Lord. He boasteth not of his Race Parents Priesthood c. as worldly men are wont He calleth himself a Voice expressing thereby his Office of Precursor and signifying withall that whatsoever he was belonged wholly to another to wit God whose Instrument he was in speaking This is a third degree of Humility that when we are constrained to discover some good or perfection that we have we acknowledge it only as a gift of God and not as any thing of our own Consider 2. They said to him Why then doest thou baptize if thou be not Christ The Jews check him as taking upon him by his own private Authority an Office not belonging unto him But he contendeth not in his own defence nor maketh any Apology but referring the matter to God proceedeth in villifying himself Saying I baptize in water but there hath stood in the mids of you whom you know not c. whose latchet of his Shoe I am not worthy to loose This is a fourth degree of Humility to be backwards in ones own excuse O that we would all practice it Consider 3. The Jews sent the Message to John not to Christ of whom notwithstanding they might have been better informed So we often seek comfort from creatures instead of the Creator Observe moreover the blindness of the Jews who hearing of John that Christ whom they fought conversed among them notwithstanding made no further enquiry after him For your part be diligent to understand the Will of God in all things and when you have understood it be as faithful to put it in execution c. Of Christs Baptisme Mat. 3.13 Part 1. COnsider 1. How Christ beginning his Preaching goeth first to be baptized to teach us that we should begin the work of God with a clean heart Therefore he taketh leave of his Mother who though she cannot but grieve thereat for the absence of such a Son yet withall she rejoyceth for the Redemption of Israel drawing so near at hand He taketh a long journey to John the greater to the lesser the Lord to the Servant to be baptized by him as a finner among the Publicans and Souldiers and among the Rout and Scum of people Admire this Humility of the Son of God and learn that it is the best preparation towards the undertaking of great things according to that And that which shall bâ— saved of the House of Juda and which is left Is 37.31 shall take root downward and shall bear fruit upward Consider 2. How John by Divine Revelation knowing our Lord at his coming modestly refuseth to baptize him saying I ought to be baptized of thee and comest thou to me Think what affections of joy reverence and submission John felt at that time in his heart seeing the Creator humbling himself so low as to receive Baptisme of his Creature Stir up the like affections in your self as often as he comes to you in the B. Sacrament Consider 3. Christs answer Suffer me for this time for so it becometh us to fulfill all Justice Ponder those words All Justice and learn to omit nothing in the way of Virtue that may benefit your self or edifie your Neighbour Examine your self whether you do so and whether you put in practise what you teach others by word of mouth for as S. Ambrose saith That Pastor fulfilleth Justice Ambr. in 3. Luc. that makes good by deeds what he teacheth by words Of Christs Baptisme Part 2. Luc. 3.21 22. COnsider 1. What S. Luke saith Jesus being baptizâ—d and praying Heaven was opened and the Holy Ghost descended in corporal shape as a Dove upon him For God is wont to exalt and honour the humble Christ therefore is honoured here 1. By the opening of the Heavens to signifie that by him Heaven Gates were opened to us 2. By the coming down of the H. Ghost to express the fulness of Grace and Heavenly Gifts which were in him and were by him to be derived unto us all 3. He is proclaimed the Natural Son of God to whom all creatutes ought to give due honour Consider 2. The Holy Ghost appeared in the form of a Dove to shew what manner of life ought all they to lead that are baptized That every one may understand saith S. Augustine if he hath the simple spirit that is August Tract 6. in Joan. of truth and sincerity that he must be like a Dove have peace with his Brethren which the Doves kind kisses do signifie And lastâ—y to hurt no body for the Dove hurteth not so much as a fly Is 54.7 Consider 3. The heavenly effects of our Sacrament of Baptisme expressed unto us in Christs Baptisme 1. The opening of Heaven Gates 2. The revealing of Divine Mysteries 3. The Remission of Sins 4. The Unction of the Holy Ghost 5. The Adoption to be the Children of God Give thanks for so manifold a benefit and being now made the Son of God raise up your thoughts and affections to your heavenly habitation that
thee my vowes which my lips have distinguished Ps 65.13 Consider Christ as an Offering and a Sacrifice Ephes 5.2 COnsider 1. What is read this day in the Gospel Mat. 5.24 If thou offer thy gift at the Altar c. The Eucharist of all other is the most excellent Offering that can be made wherein the Body and Blood of Christ are offered to God as a Propitiatory Sacrifice for the living and the dead For Christ loved us and delivered himself for us an Oblation and Host to God in an odour of sweetness as the Apostle saith What a treasure therefore have we in such a gift Oblation and Sacrifice Consider 2. This Divine Sacrifice hath three Excellencies above all the Sacrifices of the Old Law S. Tho. opusc 58. c. 4. 1. In the exteriour decorum as being more seemly and decent and without effusion of blood 2. In the interiour worth and dignity for that in others only beasts were offered in this the Son of God himself 3. As to the effects for this Sacrifice hath virtue and efficacy for the good of the living in this world for freeing the dead out of Purgatory and for the glory of the Blessed in Heaven Lev. 21.23 Consider 3. For due preparation to offer this Sacrifice is required 1. Singular Purity according to that Let him not approach to the Altar that hath a blemish and he must not contaminate my Sanctuary 2. And chiefly Fraternal Charity and Union as is intimated in this days Gospel Mat. sup If thou offer thy gift c. go first to be reconciled to thy Brother c. This was required in all Sacrifices but is chiefly necessary in the Holy Eucharist which was principally instituted to unite us all together as Members of the same Body under one Head and therefore by the Councel of Trent it is called the Seal of Vnity the Bond of Charity Conc. Trid. Sess 13. c. 8 and the Symbol of Concord Of the Apostles first Vocation Jo. 1.36 Part 1. Rom. 11 33. COnsider 1. Christ going about to chuse his Disciples by whom he would instruct the whole World went not to Hiecusalem nor Rome nor Athens to make his choice of Wife Noble and Rich men whom if he had so pleased he might easily have drawn to himself as he did the three Sages from the East but would chuse such as were poor simple and contemptible in the sight of the world O Depth of the riches of the Wisdom and of the Knowledge of God! What man now-a-daies would make such a choice Christ did it 1. For the commendation of Humility which was necessary for his Disciples 2. For the manifestation of the Divine Power in working great things by weak Instruments 1 Cor. 1.27 The foolish things of the world hath God chosen that he may confound the wise Consider 2. How even these men were chosen by our Lord not assembling the people and publickly selecting his Disciples out of that number for the greater Authority of his Preaching but without any noise or stir and as if he had lighted upon them by chance So two of Johns Disciples hearing that commendation from their Masters mouth Behold the Lamb of God and as they were following Christ he turned to them and most courteously asked What seek you and having brought them home with him invited them to a further acquaintance Learn to prevent others in courtesie and civility and to deal your affairs solidly well but with little noise and ostentation Eccli 17.12 Consider 3. One of these Disciples was S. Andrew who being inflamed with the love of God was desirous presently to set others on fire Therefore finding out his Brother Peter bringeth him to Christ saying We have found Messias You also by Gods great mercy before many of your time have found out the Messias in the Catholique Church Do you likewise endeavour by means suitable to your calling to bring many others to him For as the wise man saith God gave them Commandment every one concerning his Neighbour Of the Apostles first Vocation Jo. 1.43 Part 2. COnsider 1. On the morrow he would go forth into Galilee and he fiâ—deth Philippe c. Many others our Lord found in the way but Philippe after a special manner and selected him for Eternal Life saying Follow me who presently followed him Think how many able and famous men in your Country our Lord permitteth to perish in their Errours and hath singled you out of so many thousands like another Philippe and hath made you as a chosen arrow Is 49.2 In his Quiver he hath hidden you See therefore you follow our Lord as Philippe did and do not undervalue so great a benefit Greg. Consider 2. Philippe findeth Nathanael and saith to him c. The love of God is not idle but worketh great things where it is or else if it worketh not saith S. Gregory it is not at all So Philippe as soon as he came to know Christ hastened to bring others to him Ponder those words of Christ Behold an Israelite in very deed in whom there is no guile Examine your self whether you be such walking with a pure intention in the sight of God Eccli 3.28 for a heart that goeth two ways shall not have success saith Ecclesiasticus Consider 3. Christ told Nathanael what he secretly did under the Fig-tree c. Whence you may learn that all things lye open to the eyes of God even those which you do by your self alone in the most secret corner of your Chamber and of your heart and see that you behave your self worthily in his sight Ponder also the Noble Confession of Nathanael Rabbi thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel and stir your self up to like acts of Faith Confession and Reverence Of the second Vocation of S. Peter and S. Andrew Mat. 4. Luc. 4. COnsider 1. Jesus walking by the Sea of Galilee saw two brethren c. The first calling was only to a familiarity as S. Augustine affirmeth whence afterward they returned to their imployment of Fishing The second was to leave all to follow our Lord and to be his Disciples so a Soul is disposed by degrees to Perfection Ponder those words Come ye after me and I will make you to be Fishers of men You must follow the footsteps of Christ if you intend to be a Fisher of men Consider 2. What a dignity it is to be a Fisher of men If it be gainful to fish for Pearl and precious stones how much more to fish for and gain Souls to our Lord which himself bought at the price of his own precious Blood Of all divine things saith S. Denys the most divine is S. Dion de Eccl. Hierarchia c. 3. to cooperate with God towards the salvation of souls Think how you may also concur to so glorious an end according to the state and calling you are of and fit your Spiritual Nets for catching this
If it be your lot to serve God in the nature of Salt see that you be first throughly refined and purged from worldly affections by the fire of Divine Charity that you may be such your self as you desire to make others Consider 2. How excellently Christ performed this proper effect of Salt who to purge and preserve us from sin spent himself wholly upon us in a manner melting away like salt and communicated to our actions of themselves insipid and of no worth the divine savour and value of his precious Merits Moreover by his Example and Doctrine he hath made Persecutions which are bitter of themselves sweet and pleasant unto us Permit your self therefore to be seasoned with the Salt of his Wisdom and Example Levit. 2.13 what Sacrifice soever thou offerest thou shalt season it with salt saith our Lord that is with the Merits and Example of Christ Mat. 5.14 Consider 3. But if the salt loose his virtue c. it is good for nothing any more but to be cast forth and trodden of men In the same manner will God use those Preachers that have no virtue or efficacy either of Example or Doctrine to season the life and manners of others but vanish and moulder away by pride vain glory and affection to worldly things Rom. 1.21 They are become vain in their cogitations saith the Apostle and their foolish heart hath been darkened See that you do not at any time come to this pass Of those words of Christ Mat. 5.15 You are the Light of the World c. Dan. 12.3 COnsider 1. Apostolical men are to be not only Salt to purge the hearts of men from sin but also the light of the world to enlighten others and direct them into the way of all Virtue This is a Divine Office and most acceptable to God according to that They that be learned shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament and they that instruct many to Justice as stars unto perpetual eternities 'T is the property of light both to enlighten and to give heat See therefore how you do already or may hereafter perform both Jo. 1.9 Consider 2. How Christ was the true Light which lighteneth every man that cometh into the world by word and example and by the interiour Rays of his Grace Besides ponder how light although it pass through unclean places is nothing defiled thereby So Christ and all Apostolical men although they converse and deal with sinners yet partake not with them in their sins Baruc. 3.25 Consider 3. Those words of Christ Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel Where also those are reprehended who imploy not themselves in enlightening their Neighbour according to the Talent they have received but rather hide their light in their bosome either out of pusillanimity or sluggishness Do you rather according to the charge God hath committed unto you be careful to shine forth to all like unto the Stars of which Baruch speaketh They were called and they said Here we are and they have shined to him with chearfulness that made them Of Holy Communion Because with thee there is propitiation and for thy Law I have expected thee O Lord. Ps 129.4 Consider Christ as our Propitiation Luc. 18.13 COnsider 1. That you are that Publican of whom it is read to day in the Gospel for by reason of your many sins you deserve not to lift up your eyes to Heaven but ought rather to knock your breast and to cry out continually with him O God be propitious to me a sinner Call to mind the sins of your life past and you will see how fitly that saying agreeth with you 1 Jo. 2.2 Consider 2. You have cause of great confidence in regard that after so many sins you have the Judges Son to stand for you and more then that have the Judge himself Christ our Lord your Propitiator For he is the Propitiation for our sins nor for ours only but for the whole worlds And although he be always and every where merciful yet never more then in the H. Eucharist where that he might be propitious unto us he would even be incorporated with us That which covered the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Law Exod. 25.20 was called the Propitiatory much more therefore is the Eucharist our Propitiatory having under it the Living Ark of the true Covenant between God and us Levit. 23.28 Consider 3. The Jews were forbidden to do any servile work upon the day of Propitiation No servile work shall you do in the time of this day because it is a day of Propitiation Sin is properly a servile work Amen Amen I say to you Jo. 8.34 that every one which committeth sin is the servant of sin saith our Lord Abstain therefore from sin even the least especially upon daies of Communion and with the Prophet say to our Lord when he cometh For thy Name O Lord Ps 24.11 thou wilt be propitious to my sin for it is much Of our Lords Prayer Mat. 6.9 c. Part 1. COnsider how Christ on the Mount like a great Master of a spiritual life among other things taught his Disciples also the manner of Prayer which because we use daily to the end we may do it with the greater fruit and spiritual gust it will be to good purpose to ponder each word apart Our Father which art in Heaven In the Old Testament God was ordinarily called the Lord in the New he is pleased to be called Father and that by his own Vassals He is Father 1. By Title of Creation 2. Of Conservation 3. Of Adoption See therefore that you prove a Child worthy of such a Father Besides it is said Our not mine alone that you should understand that all men are your Brethren and to be loved by you as such Who art in Heaven as in the Seat of Majesty though he is every where by his presence that you should raise your thoughts thither as to your Native Country flowing with all manner of riches and delights Is 6.3 Ps 113.9 Hallowed by thy Name This is that which we ought to seek in the first place to wit the honour and glory of God that he may be worshipped and loved of all and honoured by the Saintity of our lives Therefore stir up often these affections in your self say with the Seraphins Holy holy holy the Lord God of Hosts and with David Not to us O Lord not to us but to thy Name give the glory Apoc. 5.10 Thy Kingdom come That is let thy Kingdom come to us in this life by Grace in the other by Glory for God doth truly reign in the Just by Grace according to that Thou hast made us to our God a Kingdom See whether God or not rather the world reigâ—eth in your heart and affection Of our Lords Prayer Mat. 6.9 c. Part 2. COnsider the rest of the
Prayer Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven The Will of God is of three sorts of Precept of Councel and of good Pleasure Let all therefore follow your counsels and inspirations obey your commands approve and reverence your good pleasure in Earth as the Saints do in Heaven and execute your holy will readily chearfully and constantly See whether you do so Mat. 4.4 Our daily bread c. Both corporal whereby the life of the body is maintained and chiefly spiritual whereby the Soul is preserved in life for not in bread alone doth man live but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God c. Give us this day that is daily that you should daily ask it not for your self alone but for us all even your Enemies Luc. 6.37 And forgive us our Trespasses as we c. Therefore first forgive if any one have offended you either by word or deed that you may deserve to have forgiveness of your offences You are indebted more then ten thousand talents to God in comparison whereof your Brother scarce oweth you a peny forgive therefore the lesser debt that your greater may be forgiven you Forgive and you shall be forgiven And lead us not into temptation That is do not permit us to be overcome It is not always expedient for us to be without temptation in this life for the tryal and improvement of our virtue Beg therefore strength to resist But deliver us from all evil both of guilt and of punishment from the snares of the Devil Lastly from all evil past present and future that you may enjoy everlasting happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven Amen Be it be it Of other sayings of Christ on the Mountain Mat. 5. 6 COnsider 1. In the same Sermon our Lord doth very severely forbid anger against our Brethren There are three degrees of anger the first of the heart the second of words the third of deeds Ponder the evils which it brings us It perverteth Reason it exposeth us to grievous sins and makes us liable to the torments of Hell Think how you are subject to this in your actions and see you mend your self Consider 2. He doth also forbid us to swear Let your talk be yea yea no no. Mat. 5.37 Think how detestable is the custom of swearing how unworthy of any Christian much more of sacred persons A man that sweareth much Eccli 23.12 shall be filled with iniquity and plague shall not depart from his house that is Gods revenge See whether perhaps any such custom have place in you and seek to root it out both in your self and others Mat. 6.1 Consider 3. Those words Take good heed that you do not your Justice before men to be seen of them He teacheth us to fly vain glory rising from good works otherwise we shall have no reward in heaven We are to do good works before men according to that Mat. 5.17 So let your light shine before men c. yet not with intention thereby to please men but God alone S. Greg. Hom. 11. in Evang. Therefore let the action saith S. Gregory be so in publick that the intention whereby we seek only to please God be kept in private Of sending the Apostles to Preach Mat. 10. Luc. 10. Part 1. Luc. 10.2 COnsider 1. Our most merciful Lord beholding the state of Souls in Israel said The harvest truly is much but the workmen few Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest that he send forth workmen into his harvest Our Lords harvest are the Elect who expect the preaching of the Gospel and of these there are many of your own Country for whose good you ought to be concerned Beseech our Lord therefore to send zealous workmen and such as may reap much fruit and if it be your lot to be one see you spare no pains nor labour seeking the good of souls not your own private ends Luc. 10.1 Consider 2. Hence Christ sent his Disciples to preach But two and two to recommend Charity unto us wherewith the Preachers of the Gospel ought to be linked together for Prov. 18.19 Brother that is holpen of Brother is as a strong City Think how necessary this Union and mutual assistance is among all that help Souls least otherwise what one gathers an other scattereth and what one builds an other destroyeth Exciâ—e your self therefore to an Universal and Apostolical Charity towards all Note also that these Harvest-men must be sent or called by Christ and his Substitutes and not thrust themselves in by their own private Authority Mat. 10.8 Consider 3. Christs Precepts to those he was to send 1. He debarreth them far from all Avarice Gratis you have received gratis give ye 2. 2. He forbiddeth superfluous and precious things Do not possess gold nor silver nor money in your purses 3. In ordinary conveniences he prohibiteth such as are less necessary Not a skrip for the way neither two coats c. 4. Even in necessaries he will have them confide in God and feed upon what is set before them without seeking after extraordinaries and particularities Eating and drinking such things as they have Think how you ought to observe these things Luc. 10.7 if you desire to labour in our Lords Harvest with profit rather then with pomp Of sending the Apostles to Preach Mat. 10. Luc. 10. Part 2. Mat. 10.16 COnsider 1. Those words Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves An unheard-of kind of warfare he sendeth sheep to combat with wolves So true it is 1 Cor. 1.27 The weak things of the world hath God chosen that be may confound the strong Moreover he admonisheth his Preachers to be like sheep that is meek not returning evil for evil but imploying themselves wholly to the benefit of their Neighbour like unto sheep which give their milk and wooll and flesh and all they have for mans use Consider 2. Those other words Be ye wise as Serpents Mat. sup and simple as Doves He would have the Serpents Wisdome joyned with the Doves Simplicity He requireth Prudence in taking fit occasions of time and place c. to help our Neighbour Simplicity in doing all things sincerely without double dealing or malice and proceeding without bitterness and gall which Doves are said not to have Thine eyes are as Doves saith the Spouse in the Canticles that is Cant. 1.15 pure Such therefore ought to be the eye of your intention Mat. 10.7 Marc. 6.12 Consider 3. The Subject they are enjoyned to preach on Going preach saying that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand c. And going forth they preached that they should do Penance They preached not of vain and curious matters but of such only as were profitable for the good of Souls such ought to be the endeavours and manner of preaching of those that have care of Souls speaking inwardly to their Hearers spiritual
are of God as labours crosses ignominies Examine your self whether you do relish spiritual and divine things and take real gâ—st in them at leastwise make it your endeavour to procure it Of Holy Communion Go shew thy self to the Priest Mar. 8.4 Consider Christ as a Priest Luc. 17.14 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel of ten Lepers of whom it is said Go shew your selves to the Priests And it came to pass as they went they were made clean As there are several sorts of Lepers in the Body for some are but light and in the skin only others in the flesh and mortal so there are also different kinds of Spiritual Lepers or sins We are all of us leprous in some degree having our swellings and spots rising from the abundance of peccant humours and affections Imagine therefore your Soul all over in a scurf and become a lamentable spectacle in the sight of God and with Naaman the Syrian 4 Reg. 5. be desirous to meet with some Prophet that may cleanse you Levit. 13.9 Consider 2. The Antient Law of God If the Plague of the Leprosie be in a man he shall be brought to the Priest to be condemned as unclean and to be separated in the New Law he is brought to the Priest to be cleansed Our High-Priest is Christ our Lord according to that Ps 109.4 Thou art a Priest for ever according to the Order of Melchisedech How greatly therefore ought you to wish to appear before this Priest in the Eucharist who not with water as Elizeus but with his own precious blood will cleanse our conscience as the Apostle saith from dead works Heb. 9.14 c. Luc. 17.12 c. Consider 3. That you may be perfectly cleansed you must imitate the example of the Lepers in the Gospel 1. You are to go to meet Christ seeking him with all diligence 2. To stand afar off acknowledging your unworthiness 3. To lift up your voice by fervent prayer 4. With all humility to implore mercy Lastly To follow the counsel and admonishments of your Spiritual Fathers and Directors according to that Observe diligently that you incur not the Plague of Leprosie but thou shalt do whatsoever the Priests of the Levitical Stock shall teach thee c. and fulfill thou it carefully Of our Lords Transfiguration Mat. 17. Mar. 9. Luc. 9. Part 1. COnsider 1. Our Lord vouchsafed to manifest his Glory 1. To confirm the Apostles in their Faith 2. To encourage them to carry their Cross which he had lately exhorted them to 3. To give them before-hand a tast of the Heavenly Joys He did it on a high Mountain apart that we should learn to sequester our selves from the cares of this world and climb to the Mountain of Perfection if we desire to contemplate the Face and Glory of our Lord. Thren 1.12 Consider 2. Christ would have few Witnesses of his Glory to wit only three of his Disciples but of his Cross and ignominies all sorts of men Therefore upon the Cross he saith by the mouth of the Prophet O all ye that pass by the way attend and see c. In thâ—se three Disciples are deciphered unto us three Virtues that accompany Contemplation and concur to our Souls Transfiguration in Peter Faith in James Hope in John Charity See how and in what degree these Virtues are in you Luc. 9.29 Consider 3. And whiles he prayed the shape of his countenance was altered Our Lord was transfigured while he was praying to teach us that prayer doth transform and beautifie mans Soul so as sometimes to have influence also upon the body so Moyses his face was horned with Rays of Glory by the conversation of the talk of our Lord. Exod. 34.29 Beseech our Lord to alter and transfigure you into another man that is to make you holy that having cast off all bad habits you may be made conformable to his Image and likeness Be much in prayer that you may be enlightned according to that Come ye to him Ps 33.6 and be illuminated and your faces shall not be confounded Of our Lords Transfiguration Mat. 17. Part 2. Mat. 17.2 COnsider 1. The manner of this Transfiguration His face did shine as the Sun and his garments became white as snow The Evangelist had nothing better to compare it withall but it did incomparably exceed both Congratulate with your Lord and his Sacred Humanity for this array of glory which ever was his due and wherewith he ought always to have been invested but for our sakes he eclipsed it Rejoyce that your Beloved is thus white and ruddy chosen of thousands Cant. 5.11 Cant. 6.9 c. fair as the Moon elect as the Sun Exod. 4.13 Consider 2. There appeared with him Moyses and Elias two chief Lights of the antient Law to signifie that both the Law and the Prophets gave testimony of Christ Think how great was their joy to see their Redeemer so long wished for by all Nations and whom they themselves had so often foretold Send whom thou wilt send and the like Observe how they were both like to Christ in their fourty daies fast and therefore were also made Companions with him in Glory Luc. 9.31 Consider 3. The Subject of their discourse for they told the decease that he should accomplish in Hierusalem Our Lord in the very height of all his glory discoursed of his ignominious and bitter Passion that you might see how much he made of it and how he bare it in mind and affection above all Glory Galat. 6.14 God forbid that you should glory as the Apostle saith of himself saving in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ And let not your mind ever be so transported with joy in time of prosperity as to put off the thought or memory of death Of our Lords Transfiguration Mat. 17. Mar. 9. Luc. 9. Part 3. Mat. 17.4 COnsider 1. The excess of joy in the Apostles at so glorious a Spectacle Peter said Lord it is good for us to be here and would have fixed his Habitation there and have raised three Tabernacles for Christ and his two Companions Think what will be in Heaven if one single drop of Heavenly Joy could so inebriate the Apostles that forgetful of all other things they would have remained there for ever What will the whole Ocean of Joy do in Heaven Ps 35.9 where they shall be inebriated with the plenty of thy house O Lord and with the torrent of thy pleasure thou shalt make them drink Consider 2. A Voice came from Heaven saying This is my well beloved Son Mat. sup in whom I am well pleased hear ye him Ponder each word and how he is the only begotten Son of the Eternal Father Consubstantial and Coeternal with him and equally Immense and Omnipotent See whether you are wont to hear him exciting you to perfection contempt of the world and
for which respect we ought to be very cautious left we make other mens sins our own for that they often take their beginning from ours Look therefore well about your self and see whether you are wont to give others bad example in any kind for woe be to that man by whom scandal cometh Mat. 18.7 Of the Treasure hid in the Field Mat. 13.44 COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Treasure hid in a Field This Treasure saith S. Gregory Greg. Hom 11. in Evang Mat. 11.25 is the desire of Heaven or love of Virtue and heavenly things and is said to be hidden in the field of this world for that all know not the value of it Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to little ones Whence it is that most men abhor Humility and Poverty as vile and contemptible things Beseech our Lord so to open your eyes that you may be able to discover this Treasure Consider 2. How this Treasure is to be kept which a man having found did hide it saith Christ We must therefore lay it up closely in our hearts and cover it with the Vail of Humility from the praises of men and vain glory lest thereby it come to be taken from us and vanish away Examine your self whether you do so or whether you do not rather vainly boast and brag at every turn for what you think your self to have Our way to Heaven is beset with many Thieves and he desires to be robbed saith S. Gregory that carrieth his Treasure in open view Hide it therefore what you can Greg. sup that so you may keep it long Luc. 14.33 Consider 3. This Treasure cannot be otherwise purchased then by buying it and that with the sale not of some one or more things but of all whatsoever we have He goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth it And Christ in another place pronounceth Every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth cannot be my Disciple We must therefore leave all things of this world at least in affection to attain to a perfect enjoyment of Christ and think that well left for which we gain a hundred fold and that more then a hundred times over Of the Pearl Mat. 13.45 Luc. 19.13 COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Merchant-man seeking good Pearls We are all Merchants in this life therefore Christ in the Parable of the Talents said Occupy till I come that is to judgment All men indeed seek Pearls but some take them for Temporal Enjoyments others for Learning and Sciences others again for honors but they are all mistaken these are false Pearl nor have they anything that is good in them but an outward shew therefore the Apostle to the rich saith Your riches are corrupt Jac. 5.2 3. your gold and silver is rusted See whether you do not affect such kind of Pearl Sap. 7.9 Consider 2. And having found one precious Pearl c. for there is one only true precious Pearl Christ our Lord and the love of heavenly things All gold in comparison of her is a little sand and silver in the sight of her shall be esteemed as clay There is no comparison between Heaven and Earth ore single drop of water and the whole Ocean Time and Eternity no more is there between Christ and all earthly goods whatsoever and yet as often as you sin you renounce Christ for some base thing or other Consider 3. Here again it is said that this Peâ—â—l is not to be bought without seâ—ling all we have He went his way and sold all that he had and bought it But happy is he saith S. Gregory who with all his fortunes is able to buy Christ S. Greg. Naz. Phil. 3.8 Therefore the Apostle I have made all things as detriment and do esteem them as dung that I may gain Christ Think with your self whether you do so and what a kind of Merchant you are Of Holy Communion WHen the four and twentieth Sunday after Pentecost comes before the Moneth of November as it falls out when there are eight and twenty Sundaies then in the twenty fourth is read the Mass and Gospel of the third Sunday which was remaining after the Epiphany to wit that of the Leper and the Centurion Mat. 8. Wherefore then you shall take the Meditation which is for the third Sunday after Epiphany and consider Christ as the Physitian of your Soul as is set down there page 108. Of the lost Sheep Luc. 15.4 c. COnsider 1. What man of you having an hundred Sheep c. This Man is Christ the Sheep are the Faithful Christ performeth to the full all the Offices of a good Shepherd he came down from Heaven to feed them he marks them for his own with a Divine Character he leads them by the example of his Virtues he cures them of the Infection of Sin he defends them from the Infernal Wolves he provides them rich Pastures of his Doctrine and Sacraments and which is incomparably more he gives them his own Body and Blood for meat and drink The Faithful hear his Voice obey his Commands follow him where ever he leadeth they delight in his Pastures and yield him both the Wooll of their exteriour actions and Milk of their interiour and even their Blood and Life and all when soever there is any necessity of dying for him Is 53.6 Consider 2. The strayed Sheep is a sinner who leaving the company of the Just and Obedience to his Pastor goeth his own ways nothing is more foolish and miserable then he he understands not the happiness he enjoyeth under his Pastor he cares not for Spiritual Pastures he prefers such as are more pleasing to flesh and blood he follows him not nor hears his Call he esteems the ways of the Cross and of Mortification to be too rough and hard and chuses rather to trace the craggy and dangerous ways of his own will All we have strayed as sheep saith the Prophet every one hath declined into his own way Think how often you have done so Consider 3. The great goodness of this Pastor he seeketh after his strayed sheep first by himself while he was in Mortal Flesh by his exemplar Life and Doctrine for thirty three whole years afterwards by Superiours and Directors by Holy Inspirations by Pious Books and other means never ceasing even to the end of the world and having found it most gently and lovingly takes it up O Lord so take and receive me Ps 118.179 I have strayed as a sheep that is lost seek thy servant because I have not forgotten thy Commandments Of the Pharisee Luc. 18.10 c. and the Publican Apoc. 3.17 COnsider 1. Two men went up into the Temple to pray c. Ponder the effects of Pride in the Pharisee 1. Because he thought himself perfect he asketh nothing neither pardon of
was the Bright Morning that brought the happy tidings of the Sun of Justice Reverence therefore and honour her Birth and full of admiration enquire diligently Who is this that cometh forth rising as the Morning Consider 2. The Virgin being born her name was called Mary and that no doubt by Divine Instinct and perhaps also by express intimation of an Angel for Mary signifieth 1. A Sea Star 2. A bitter Sea 3. Lady or Exalted 4. Enlightened or enlightening For she is indeed 1. A Bright Star to them that sail in the dangerous Sea of this world 2. A large Sea of all manner of Grace sweet to men but bitter to the Devils and in her Sons Passion she was an Ocean of Grief 3. Lady of the whole world In Offic. B. Virg. In Pref. Miss de B. Virg. Cant. 1.3 and exalted to the Heavenly Kingdom above the Quires of Angels 4. Enlightened first in her self she enlightened the world bringing forth to the world the Eternal Light Jesus Christ our Lord. O Mary Oyl powred out is thy name illuminating healing and comforting our souls 1 Jo. 3.9 Consider 3. In imitation of this Virgin your Mother you must be born spiritually to God to be born in flesh is not in mans power neither is it where or when he will but it is in our hands to be born in spirit by the Divine Grace Let this therefore be your birth-day to God and endeavour hereafter to demean your self worthily as his Child Every one that is born of God committeth not sin Therefore fly sin that you may ever remain the Son of God Of the Assumption of the B. Virgin Who is this that cometh up from the Desart flowing with delights Cant. 8.5 For the Annunciation Visitation and Purification see in their proper places COnsider 1. The B. Virgin though she were free from sin yet was not so from death from which Christ himself would not be exempted Therefore the end of her life now drawing nigh and being admonished by an Angel of the time of her departure as Authors relate think with what ardent affection she disposed her self Metaphâ— Niceph. c. apud Barrad to 1. l. 6. c. 11. Cant. 5.8 Ps 141.8 by intense acts of love saying with the Spouse in the Canticles I languish with love and with David Bring forth my soul out of Prison And how at last the Apostles being all about her she breathed forth her blessed Soul into the hands of her Son who was there present and invited her to his Glory O my Soul Num. 23.10 die the death of the Just and my last ends be made like to hers Cant. 8.5 Consider 2. How that blessed Soul released from her Body was led by her Son into Heaven environed with Angels singing forth those notes of admiration Who is this that cometh up from the Desart flowing with delights leaning upon her Beloved See how she being now entered into the Empyreal Heaven is welcomed by the Eternal Father and the whole B. Trinity and as Sovereign Queen seated in a Throne of Glory above all Creatures for a Throne was set for the Kings Mother who sate on his right hand 3 Reg. 2.19 The measure of her Glory was proportioned to the greatness of her love and Charity that you might also learn to be fervent in your love to God Consider 3. How after three daies lying in the Grave the blessed Body was united again to the Soul and with unspeakable pomp assumed into Heaven accompanied with the Angels Juvenal S. Damasc aliique apud Barrad Cant. 1.3 and the whole Coelestial Court and Christ himself her Son O what a Triumph what a glory was this Do you likewise ascend in spirit with your Mother and say to her Draw me after thee now in affection afterwards in the happy enjoyment of your company Rejoyce that you are to receive this day a pledge of her in the Eucharist for in the Sons Body still remains in a manner the Mothers Flesh and Blood and endeavour to come with due preparation Of the Angels Part 1. THat you may be the more stirred up to the Veneration of the holy Angels consider 1. Their Natural Excellencies They are by Nature 1. Most noble and pure spirits most absolute in themselves without concretion with flesh or any corporeal substance 2. Immortal and incapable of any decay or corruption 3. Of most sublime with and understanding comprehending by an Intuitive knowledge all natural objects 4. Of most perfect free will subject to none but its Creator and inseparably fixed upon its Supreme Good which it hath once possessed 5. In power inferiour to none but Divine and superiour to all that is created Consider 2. Their Supernatural Endowments 1. Of Grace for in them as S. Augustine saith God at once created Nature Aug. l. 12. de Civ c. 9. and infused Grace together with all manner of Virtue and that in an eminent degree whereby in a moment they merited their Eternal Happiness 2. Of Glory whereby they are in perpetual possession and enjoyment of their Supreme Good whence proceed all their other Prerogatives as of being Peers and Princes of Heaven Domesticks Familiars and Favourites of God continually assisting at his Throne and beholding his Divine Countenance Consider 3. These blessed Spirits though never out of the Center of their happiness have a larger Sphere then the Empyreal Heaven for they are the Movers of the other Coelestial Orbs and immediately under God do rule and govern the whole Universe they are over Kings Princes States and Magistrates they defend us from evils they intercede for us and present our prayers to God they enlighten our Understanding and inflame our Will towards God and heavenly things c. Admire and love the perfections of these Heavenly Spirits implore their assistance and endeavour by purity of life and promptness in the Divine Service to be compartment with them in glory Of the Angels Part 2. COnsider 1. The H. Angels though in number almost infinite are commonly divided into nine Quires and three Hierarchies In the first are the Cherubins Seraphins and Thrones The Cherubins property is to be inflamed with the love of God and to enkindle the same in others The Seraphins excel in Wisdom and Knowledge of God and with the same do enlighten the inferiour Angels The Thrones are so called for that by reason of their singular Purity Humility and Justice God doth particularly reside in them as his Imperial Throne Apply all this to your self and endeavour to be a Cherubin in Love a Seraphin in the Knowledge of God and of heavenly things and a Throne in Purity of Life in Humility and Justice towards God and Man Consider 2. In the second Hierarchy are the Dominations Virtues and Powers The Dominations exercise Command over the Inferiour Angels and direct them in the Government of the Universe The Virtues do effect in themselves and others a firm and unchangeable adhesion to