dy that the Citty of Ierusalem should be full of people that it might be vnto him an occasion of more infamy To conclude if this our Lord his election choice iudgement of things be alwaies best as doubtles it is it behooueth thee in imitation of him euer to make choice of the worst for thy selfe flying whatsoeuer tendeth to thy honour and estimation and imbracing whatsoeuer may be for thy dishonour contempt THE 4. POINT TO consider what this B Child hath in heauen as he is Almighty God what in the stable as he is man who he is in both places Ponder how this poore little Infant who is heere lodged in so vile a cottage and reposeth in a manger is a God of infinite Maiesty whose seate is heaueâ— whose throne are the Cherubims whose seruants are al the Angells and whome all do adore and serue This babe is the vniuersall Lord and eternall word in all thinges â—quall with the other two diuine perâ—ons who afterwardes was so gloriâ—usly transfigured on the mount Taâ—or betweene Moyses and 〈◊〉 and â—ho in the day of Iudgement â—â—all sit 〈◊〉 a throne of Maiesty amiddest the â—ood and bad He the very same â—ow in this his entrance into the â—orld lyeth in the cribbe in a hard â—nd abiect manger betweene two â—â—ute beastes preaching and saying â—â—to thee not by word of mouth â—ut of spirit not with many speeches â—â—t with deedes Learne of me beâ—use I am meeke humble of â—art â—â—hold how euen from my cradle â—till my dying day I haue chosen 〈◊〉 my inseparable companionsâ— poâ—â—ty contempt sorroweâ— and affliâ—â—ons Hence maist thou gather thâ—â—â—ing God himselfe so great â— Lord â—ame for thy â—ake so little thoâ—â—st also endeauour to humble 〈…〉 and to become little for vnleâ—â—◠〈◊〉 become as this little one tho◠〈◊〉 not enter into the Kingdome of heauen THE X. MEDITATIOâ— Of the ioy which the Angells and me◠〈◊〉 the Natiuity of the Sonne of Almighty God THE 1. POINT TO consider what passed in heâ—uen at such time as Christ lesus our Lord was borne oâ— earth Then the eternall Father gauâ— commandement that all the Angeâ—â— should adore him as the Apostle Sâ— Paul saith and all of them singing iâ— in the aire Hymnes and Praises 〈◊〉 this new borne King adored hiâ— with most humble and profound 〈◊〉 â—erence acknovvledging that littâ—â—â—â—be to be the only begotten Sonâ—â— of the eternall Father the King 〈◊〉 Lord of heauen earth Ponder how much this 〈◊〉 of the Incarnation of the diuâ—â—â— world was for the glory of Almigâ—ty God for in regard therof he 〈◊〉 glorified by all the celestiall Spiri◠〈◊〉 in heauen and earth who like â—â—to so many flakes of most white how did descend from aboue as it â—ere a ladder from heauen to the â—ittle porch of Bethleem and in toâ—en that they did acknowledge him or their King and Lord they kissed â—is sacred feete Gather hence a great ioy to see his soueraigne King adored by his â—oly Angels and he hartily grieued â—o see him so much forgotten neâ—lected amongst men yea so heiâ—ously offended by them Beseech â—im that thou maist not be of the nâ—uâ—er of those vngratefull persons but â—aist glorify and adore his most holy â—on on earth as the Angels did doe â—lwaies in heauen THE 2. POINT To consider how the Eternall Father did manifest the Birth of 〈◊〉 â—ost holy Sonne to the shepheardeâ— â—ho were watching ouer their 〈◊〉 â—n the night time sending his 〈…〉 bring them the happy 〈…〉 and to declare so high a 〈…〉 â—nto them of which company 〈◊〉 approaching neere vnto them saidâ— Reioyce for behould I shew vnâ—â— you great ioy that shal be to all the people because this day is bornâ— to you a Sauiour which is Christ out Lord in the Citty of Dauid And this shal be a signe to you You shall find the infant swathed in clouâ—s and laid in a manger And presently thosâ— heauenly spirits brake forth into â—â—olt diuine melody manifesting thereby the singular content which they receiued and said Glory in thâ— highest to God and in earth peace 〈◊〉 â—â—en of good will The shepâ—eardes â—earing this so happy newes witâ— great desire and loue inuited one another to seeke out him â—home they heâ—rd so much praised sayâ—ng Let vs go to Bethleem and let vs see this word that is done which our Lord had shewed to vs. Ponder the admiration of these â—oly sheepheards when following thâ— direction of the Angells they found â—ll to be so as they had told them 〈◊〉 were they greatly â—stonished to se◠〈…〉 so 〈◊〉 base 〈…〉 〈◊〉 poore stable an oxe an aslâ— and a â—anger should be the signes to find out the Lord of Maiesty But farre greater was the admiration which this very same caused in the holy Prophet I say foreseeing in spirit â—ong before these shepheardes and â—his great God and Lord so little and â—o much humbled wheresore he said Who euer beard such a thing and who hath seene the like to this God â—n infant God in swathing bandeâ— God to weep a thing so vn beseeminâ—â—is Maiesty and greatnes a thing so â—trange a worke that doth amaâ—◠〈◊〉 â—stonish the indgements of men and Angells Gather hence desires to be hâ—mble and lowly as God Almighty vouch safed to humble himselfe for he manifested himselfe freely anâ— of his own accord to the humble shepheards but not to prouâ—d Scribeâ— and Pâ—arisies He is willing 〈…〉 found of those who carefully 〈◊〉 ouer their owne soules but 〈…〉 those who are ouer whelmed 〈…〉 â—yed in the dead slâ—ep of 〈…〉 a care therefore to watch and pray â— thou shalt find our Lord as these shepheards did THE 3. POINT TO consider the great desire which these holy sheepheardes had to bring home with them to their cottage and cabins if they could haue obtained so much those lightes of the world the Sonne and the Mother seeing them so solitary poore vnprouided of all human meanes to serue and cherish them as far aâ— their small forces and ability would reach in token of gratitude for the high fauour which they had receaued of them when they disclosed manifested themselues vnto them Ponder that for the finding out of Almighty God is not required â—ither a sharp wit or a good vnderstanding much learning or great parts neither will he be found by such if togeather therewith they seeke honour and vaine glory and not God alone but he is sooner fouÌ„d out by an humble Cooke or seruaut in Religion or by a poore simple swineheard and doth most bountifully communicate vnto them his celestiall gifts and fauours as the Holy Ghost himselfe testifieth in the Prouerbes Hence thou maist gather desires to seeke Almighty God with true loue and diligence that thou maist also find him as these silly sheepheards did Beseech him that seeing he is the soueraigne shepheard and thou his sheep marked with his owne most precious bloud he will
Lambe they add yet another iniury for bowing their knes before him in mockery scorne they sayd vnto him Hayle King of the Iewes and presently they stroke his diuine face with a reed deriding making faces at him Ponder iâ— how different a manner the celestiall spirits adore thiâ— great King and Lord from that men adorâ— him on earth The Angâ—ll◠〈◊〉 him as God and King of all thinges men adore him as a falsâ— God and counterfaite King they calâ— him holy holyâ— and men wicked sinner possessed with a Diuell Gather hence desires throâ—ghly to feele and lament thy sinneâ— and that which thy Lord and God suffâ—â—eth and as his louing child and true friend prostrating thy selfe on the ground adore him as thy King and Lord after another manner theÌ„ these â—do and say from the bottome of thy â—art Hayle king of heauen earth King of Angells and men saue me O Lord and admit me into thy heauenâ—y Kingdome when I shal depart this â—â—iserable life â—HE XLVI MEDITATION â—f the words ECCE HOMO THE 1. POINT TO consider hovv these cruell souldiers led thy Sauiour in this so lamentable a plight vnto the President Pilate who wondering to see him so ill handled carryed him vp to an eminent place whence he might be seene of all to the end that moued with compassion they might cease to seeke his death Ponder first how much our Lord was ashamed at his appearing in so reproachfull an habit with the crowne of thornes vpon his head 〈◊〉 â—eed in his hand a rope about hiâ— necke his body all bruized rent weaâ— ried exhaust with so many stripes all goare bloud through the multyâ—ude of those blowes and with thâ— drops of bloud which trickled dowâ— his venerable face those lights oâ— heauen vvere eclipsed almost blinded Ponder secondly the differencâ— betwene the figure wherein our Sâ—uiour appeareth now and that whiâ—â— he shewed in the glory of the mouâ— Thabor that which was so glorioâ—â— and pleasant he discouered only 〈◊〉 three of his disâ—iples this so paineâ—â— and ignominious he sheweth to 〈◊〉 the people of Hierusalem that iâ— mountaine all alone and retyred this in the middest of a great populous Citty Be confounded at thy pride seeing thy Lord so much humbled and despised for thy sake and thou endeauourest not to be so handled of men but rather with all honour and esteeme desirest that they should know the good which is in thee that they may prayse thee THE 2. POINT TO consider hovv Pilate shevving Christ our Lord in presence of all the people sayd aloud Behould the Man Ponder these words in the sense and meaning with which Pilate did pronounce them and thou shalt find that moued with pitty to behold so wofull a spectacle he desired to deâ—iâ—uer Christ our Lord and therefore the savd Ecce Homo Behold this man and you shall perceaue him to be so punished that he hardly retavâ—eth the shape of man being so diâ—â—igured misused wherfore in regard â—hat he his a man as you are and no bâ—ast haue compassion on him But they vvould not affoard him a good looke nor haue any pitty on him Hence thou mayst gather deâ—â—rs that God would graunt thee eyeâ— of compassion and a hart of flesh that beholding him thou mayst be â—oued to compassion seeing he suffered so much for thy sake and giuâ— thee grace to loue theÌ„ that hate thee seing that in thiâ— kind our souâ—raignâ— Lord God and man hâ—th giuen the◠〈◊〉 rare an example THE 3. POINT TO consider vpon the sayd words of Eccâ— Homo how much it behoouâ—th thee to stir vp thy selfe and to behold with the eyes of liuely â—â—yth this our Lord say vnto thy â—oule Eccâ— Homo behold â— my soulâ— this man for albeit he is so wounded with stripes so defiled with spittle sâ— bruized with buffets crowned witâ— thornes hath a reed insteed of a scâ—pâ—ter in his hand iâ— clad with an igâ—nominious garment yet he is morâ— then a man he is also God Ponder the great desire whicâ— the Eternall Father hath that thou wouldst behold this soueraigne Lord God and man with meeke compassionate eyes and make benefit of thy tyme he allotteth thee to do it and not mispend so great a lewell nor omit to reap profit by beholding this man for if thou marke it well thou shalâ— find that this is the man which that sicke man that lay at thâ— Pond stood in need of and requiâ—â—â— his help that he might rise goe inâ—â— the pond and be cured of his disâ—aâ—â—â— infiâ—mities This is the man whâ— is the head oâ—â—ngellâ— men and iâ— so much disgraced to honour them so defiled to beautify them condemned to death to exâ—mpt men from a greater death and to saue them finally he is the man who is madâ— thâ— outcast of men to make theÌ„ the children of God Gather from hence hoâ— abominable a thing sin is in the sight 〈◊〉 God seeing it brought his only Soâ— to such a passe and in what case thy sinnes may haue left thy soule wheâ— the sinnes of others haâ—â—â—rought sâ— straâ—g an effect in the fountayne of all beauty it selfe what confusion shame will a sinner sustaâ—ne for his owne seeing the Sonne of God hath sustayned so much for the sinnes of other men THE 4. POINT TO consider the hatred and rancour of those cruell enemies against Christ our Lord seeing that so lamentable and pittifull a spectacle was not able to mollify their harts but rather raysing their voyces they began to cry aloud Away away with him out of our sight as who woâ—â—d say seeing thou hast made so good a beginning commanding him to be whipped make an end of that which thou hast begun and crucify him Ponder that although such so woful a spectacle could not assâ—age pacify those raging minds yet was it doubtles of force to appease the wrath of the Eternall Father who had beene moued to iust indignation foâ— beholding his most Blessed Sonne so ill handled for to obey him and for our loue he graciously pardoned all those sinners who with sorrow for their sins with deuotion and confidence beholding this figure of their Sauiour shold represent it vnto him saying Ecce homo Thoâ— seest O Lord the man which thou hast giuen vs the worke of thy right hand thâ—e man that is so humble so obedient so meeke so louing From hence thou mayst gather harty sorrow coÌ„passion to see him so much abhorred by his own people who deserued to be loued most of all Endeauour from this day forward â—o be so much the more seruent in the seruice of this Lord by how much his enemies did the deeper abhorre him so doing he will giue thee grace with pure and cleare eyes to behold imitate him THE XLVII MEDITATION How our Blessed Sauiour carryed his Crosse. THE 1. POINT To consider how the President seated in his tribunall seat
piety that thou mayst be assured of the Kingdome of heauen for there is no greater wisedome then to reioyce in contempt for the loue of God nor greater folly then to seeke to be honoured without him THE 4. POINT TO consider hovv that amongst so many garments which our Lord changed that night of his Passion his Eternall Father neuer permitted his enemies to inuest him with a blacke one it being the vse and custome among the Iewes that he who went to the tribunal to be arraygned should be clad in blacke which was a signe of a condemned person but would that it should be white in token of â—nnocency or ruddy in token of â—oue Ponder how that garment which was giuen vnto Christ our Lord in â—erision was a figure of the witnesse â—nd purity of his most blessed soule â—nd of the innocency of his life as his enemies themselues were faine to confesse saying I haue fouÌ„d no cause in this man of those thinges wherein you accuse him Gather hence desires that our Lord wold inuest adorne thy soule with the white garment of innocency thy body with his reproaches that in all thou mayst imitate him and so thou shalt become more white purer then snow THE XLIII MEDITATION How Barabbas was compared and preferred before Christ THE 1. POINT TO consider that Pilate defirous to deliuer Christ from death and being to release some one condemned person in honour of the Pasch sayd vnto the Iewes Whom will you that I release Barabbas 〈◊〉 Iesus that is called Christ for Barabbas being so seditious wicked a fellow he made no doubt but thâ—â— rather then he should goe vnpunished they would release our Sauiour Iesus Christ. Ponder the vvonderfull humiliation of Christ our Lord who being so great so wise so holy and so great a benefactour of all is novv ballanced and compared with Barabbas an infamous companion a theef a murderer a seditious publik malefactour Gather hence desires not to disdayne grudge or repine when an inferiour and worse then thy selfe is preferred before thee and more honoured and respected if account be made of him and not of thee if another be imployed in offices and busines of thee no mention be made nor thou regarded seeing thy Lord thy God endured all this much more THE 2. POINT TO consider how the vngratefull people and those blind passionate Scribes Pharisies out of malice brake into open iniustice how in their sight Barabbas his life notwithstanding all his murders robberies abhominations weighed more was thought more profitable then the innocency of Christ our Redeemer for all his vertues and miracles Wherefore they besought the iudge to release the man-killer and wicked villaine to murder crucify the author of life Ponder how mutable men are easy to be deceaued for they who a few dayes before vvith common consent festiuall acclamations called Christ their King now with a different note tumultuous clamour say Make Iesus away and release vs Barabbas Gather hence confusion for thy pride endeauour from this day forward to humble aud submit thy selfe seeing that our Lord is held for lesse then the lewdest fellow in the world And heere thou mayst see litterally fullfilled that which our Lord sayd by his Prophet I am a vvorme and no man â— reproach of men and outcast of the people And for such he is novv reputed of those vvho ought to honour respect him aboue all men Angells THE 3. POINT TO consider that the more the President Pilate desired to deliuer Christ our Lord the more the Iewes were earnest to haue Barabbas released Ponder how often the like iudgement strife and controuersy passeth betweene thy flesh thy spirit the one making choice of Christ and the other of â—arabbas the one of God the other of a creature the one seeketh after the vayne perishing glory of men the other seeketh the glory of God which is perpetuall euerlasting Finally the one enquireth after corruptible transitory thinges the other after things permaneÌ„t which endure for euer Whence thou mayst gather great sorrow for hauing left Christ thy only and chiefest good for so vile and contemptible a thing as Barrabbas I meane for hauing so often câ—osen regarded more a creature â— little sensible delight and vayne honour then Christ Iesus our Lord In whome be all the goods treasures of the wisdome and infinite knovvledge of God hidden Be confounded in consideration of this thou miserable wreth as thou art THE 4. POINT TO consider how Pilaâ—e did testify vnto the people the innocency of Christ saying I find no cause in him why he should deserue death but the outragious people raising their voices cryed aloud saying Crucify him crucify him Ponder hovv much those redoubled often repeated clamours grieued our Lord seeing that they did not only seeke his death but that he should dye so cruell a death as the death of the Crosse. Gather hence sorrow for that thy sinnes haue put our Lord to so great straites for they alone vvere those that importuned and cryed out that he should be crucified Wherefore it behooueth thee to abhorre them detest so cruell and bloudy beasts which with so great cruelty murdered our Sauiour THE XLIIII MEDITATION Of the stripes which our Lord receaued at the pillar THE 1. POINT TO consider how the Present Pilate seeing that his former proiect and deuise did not succeed and that all the people began to be in an vproare he tooke another meanes and counsell to appease the fury of those cruell enemies vvhich was to giue sentence against the Lord of Angells that he should be whipped Ponder how vniust cruell reproachfull this sentence was which the President gaue agaynst our Lord notwithstanding he knew very well and was sure of his innocency But our Lord Iesus lifting his eyes to his Eternall Father sayd these wordes of the prophet I am ready O my Lord for scourges desirous to pay the thinges that I tooke not And without appellation or making any other meanes to quit himselfe he accepted that bloudy sentence offering most willingly his sacred body to be scourged in satisfaction of our sinnes Gather hence desires not to complaine vvhen by thy Superiours equalls or inferiours thou shalt be reprehended and chastized although thou be without fault seeing God most free from all fault is not only reprehended but also cruelly whipped and handled like a theefe vvith so horrible a punishment and yet not complayning but as if he vvere â—umbe not once opening his mouth THE 2. POINT TO consider how the sentence of his whipping being pronounced those cruell Butchers layd hand on the Lord of heauen the creatour of the world glory of Angells â—ed him into the court to the place of punishment where with barbarous inhumanity and fury they stripped him naked couered him vvith stripes from top to toe as if he had beene
Ghost which thou wantest and hast need of THE 2. POINT TO consider that wheras our Lord God was rich he made himselfe poore as S Paul saith that by his pouerty we might be rich Ponder how much God loueth pouerty being himselfe the chiefest riches sith he calleth Blessed the poore in spirit promising vnto such the kingdome of heauen Gather hence desires to be poore in spirit in this world that thou mayst be rich in heauen saying with the Prophet Looke vpon me o Lord and haue mercy on me because I am needy and poore For what King or Prince is there in the world that lodging in the house of a poore man bringeth not with him his royall furniture for his owne chamber and at his departure bestoweth not on him great graces and fanors Wherefore O Lord seeing thou being the cheifest riches hast vouchsafed to lodge in my poore cottage adorne it with the hangings of grace and vertue which are the furniture of thy royall house and pallace doing some fauor to the maiâ—â—er of the place where thou art entertayned THE 3. POINT TO consider the graces benefits which our Lord God did bestow on Obededom and all his for hauing recaaued into his house the Arke of the Testament which was only a shadow figure of this most holy SacrameÌ„et but more greater benefits are receaued wheresoeuer this diuine Arke coffer of the treasurs of God entreth which is his most sacred body pierced opened in so many places discouering his riches Ponder how this our Lord entring corporally into the house of S. Peters wiues mother deliuered her from her Feuer entring into the house of the Arch-sinagogue he reuiued his daughter In the Pharisees house he pardoned Saint Mary Magdalen her sinnes finally entring into S. Elizabeths house he sanctified the infant Saint Iohn replenished his Mother with the holy Ghost for where God entreth he worketh great wonders and miracles Beseech him that seeing his diuine maiesty vouchsafeth to enter into thy poore house and to be lodged therein and is so rich in mercy he vvould make thee partaker thereof pardoning thy sins and restoring thee to a new life of grace to make thee a Worthy habitation of his THE V. MEDITATION That Christ our Lord is a good Pastor THE 1. POINT TO consider that Christ Iesus our Lord to make himselfe known to be a good Pastor would not only put on the grosse skin of our humanity that his sheep which are his select might know follow and loue him not fly from him but would also feed maintaine them with his owne most precious bloud Being parched with heat cold with frost leeping on the ground fasting day and night finally like a good sheepheard being slaine leaning vnto a tree to deliuer his sheepe from the infernall wolfe Ponder the good offices which this excellent sheepheard hath done for thee an vnprofitable sheep feeding thee curing thee seeking thee with the grieâ—e of his hart teares of his eyes and the sweat of his browes vndergoing so many afflictions and toyles to reduce bring thee backe to the fold vpon his shoulders and shou like a lost vngratefull sheep hast strayed and cast thy selfe so often from him to betake thy selfe to lewd pastures which did poison and kill thy soule Gather hence instamed effectuall desires to follow the steps of thy shepheard vvalking vvhere he walketh and be assured that if thou permit thy selfe to be ruled and gouerned by him nothing shal be wanting to thee THE 2. POINT TO consider how often in presence of this soueraigne shepheard without feare or shame thou hast grazed and fed in the greene meddowes and forbidden pastures of thy intemperances not fearing the perill danger of falling into the gripes teeth of the infernall wolues which be the Diuells from whence this good shepheard bath so often deliuered thee that wert their prey Ponder how vngratefull thou hast beene to this great Maystershepheard Christ Iesus for the fauors benefits he hath bestowed on thee in giuing his life for thee sith not coÌ„tent to be an vnprofitable erring sheep of his fold thou art also becom a rauenous wolfe persecuring him with thy sinnes From hence thou mayst gather desires to bewayle and lament them to call vpon thy Pastour vvith mournefull bleating that he may seek and find thee saying as a wandring and lost sheep vnto him My Pastour I knew well to stray and loose myself 〈…〉 to reclayme and recouer my 〈…〉 I knovv not Seeke me O Lord fetch me out of the briary bushes of my sinnes into the fertile pastures of thy fauour and grace THE 3. POINT TO consider that this good Pastor sayd I knovv my sheep they know me and I loue them so vvell that I haue not doubted to giue my life for them And if this seem much how great an argument of loue may it be to haue offered and giuen himselfe for those wolues which haue maÌ„gled and slaine him Ponder first how much it importeth thee to treate often with thy Pastour that thou mayst know him and vnderstand his pleasure desire will for this is it which he most expecteth of thee Secondly how much it auaileth thee to knovv thy selfe that if thou haue any thing not beseeming the sheep of such a Pastour thou correct and amend it least he expell thee out of his flocke which were the greatest disaster that could befall 〈◊〉 Gather hence 〈◊〉 to be the sheep of this sheepheard giuing him all thou hast without reseruation of any thing to thy selfe that is thy soule and body with thy senses thy hart thoughts meanes honours life and contentment sith he gaue all these first for thee and now to seale vp the whole he giueth himselfe to thee as food to eate And if he haue loued thee so much and bestowed such fauours on thee being his Enemy what will he giue thee or what will he deny thee being his Friend a good and profitable sheep in regard thou art marked and sealed with his precious Bloud THE VI. MEDITATION That Christ our Lord is a Spouse THE 1. POINT TO consider that our LORD is the Spouse of thy soule in whom in most perfect manner â— found all that which can be desired in a good Spouse Beauty as God and as man for he was goodly of beauty aboue all the sons of men Nobility of birth as well of his Fathers as of his Mothers side Discretion most perfect for he is wisedome it selfe Infinite riches for he is heire of all that God hath in heauâ— and in earth finally he is very louing and of a sweet and peaceable coÌ„dition Ponder that this spouse knoweth right well how to honour adorne and beautify with his graces and vertues the soule that is to be his Espouse obseruing towards her the ceremonies of true loue and taking pleasure to see and discourse with her dayly and to cherish her with the pretious and
a slaue Ponder how much our Lord vvho inuesteth the heauens vvith cloudes beautifyeth the fields vvith flowers couereth the trees with leaus the birdes vvith feathers the beastes with woll and haire would be abashed beholding himselfe so naked poore vvithout any thing to couer himselfe vvithall and thâ—t before such a multitude of people that were there present hauing none to take compassion on him nor so much at to cast a cloake ouer him to couer his nakednes Gather hence affection of pitty and compassion seeing thy God and Lord in such extreme need abandoned naked exposed to all ignominy shame compassed about with his enemies vvho desired to drinke his bloud THE 3. POINT TO consider how those cruell and barbarous tormeÌ„tors hauing that t hast most delicate body now naked amongst them bound him hand foot fast to a pillar that they might beate him more freely at their pleasure Ponder the great barbarousnes and cruelty wherwith theâ— began to lay on load with thonges roddes on that most tender backe of thy Saâ—iour heaping stripes vpon stripes and woundes vpon woundes vnâ—ill that most sacred body all bruized torne and flayed the bloud bursting out and trickling downe drop after drop on euery side became so diâ—â—igured and imbrued with bloud that his owne mother could hardly haue knowne him From hence thou mayst gatheâ— a great detestation of thy sinnes for they vvere the cause of so outragious a punishment and a great desire to chastise them with rigorous pennance discipline THE 4. POINT TO consider how the torturers being weary of scourging that innocent body of Christ our Lord already spent with stripes which a mounted as some Saints affirme to abouâ— fiue thousand they vnloosed him but he not being able to stand on hiâ— feete fell downe vpon the cake of hiâ— owne bloud that lay at the foot of the pillar Ponder the solicitude and desolation of Christ our only good who had not there any friend or aâ—quaintance to help him vp but his only enemies who did tread kick spurnâ— him that gathering forces out of feeblenes he might get vp agayne Neyther was there any who would go aduertise the most Blessed Virgin of the extrâ—me need nakednes of her beloued Sonne that she might with speed come to couer him with her veile who so often had vvrapped him in clothes when he was a child Gather hence a great confidence of the remission of thy sinnes seeing this Lord endureth so much to deliuer thee from them and an earnest desire to rest cleaue fast to the feet of Christ kissing sometimes in spirit deuotion the ground embrued vvith his most sacred bloud other times that holy pillar bathed and enameled with the precious bloud of this holy Lambe which was shed to make thee strong as a piller in the Church of God that is to make thee haue a couragious inuincible hart to withstand thyne enemies thy pâ—ssions temptations THE XLV MEDITATION Of the purple Garment and Crownâ— of Thornes THE 1. POINT TO consider how those cruell soldiers hauing mode an end of whipping him they iâ—uented anothet punishment to affâ—ict him withall wherfore approaching vnto our Lord Christ they cloathed him with an old scarlet cloake which was a wearing for Kings but they put it on him in derision scorne to giuâ— the people to vnderstand that being â— wile base fellow he vvould hauâ— made himselfe a King Ponder how Christ our Lord would be thus made a King in mockery to declare vnto the vvorld thaâ— all the honours Kingdomes of thiâ— life are but mockeries that therefore little reckoning is to be made of theÌ„ as our Lord himselfe did so little esteeme them so that which the world accounteth an honor in others he would vndergo therby to be disgraced abased by the same vvorld which scoffed mocked at him Gather hence great compassion at the extreme dishonour which thy Lord God suffered for this his humiliation being made the scorne mocking stocke of the people And humbly beseech him that thou mayst not make so light of him as to contemne him through thy sins as those souldiers did but rather serue loue him desiring that he would vouchsafe to inuest honour thee with this his precious costly liuery that following him albeit the world despise thee therefore thou maist deserue to see enioy him clad with the rich precious robes of grace glory THE 2. POINT TO consider how those cruell enemies forthwith brought a cruell crown of sea-rushes which were certaine sharp and long thornes fastened it on his sacred tender head by which on the one side he sustained intolerable payne on the other extreme disgrace Ponder how that this crowne was not of gold nor siluer not of pearles nor precious stones of roseâ— nor odoriferous flowres albeit this Lord right well deserued it being â—he true King of heauen and earth but that which insteed of these they gaue him was of strong boisterouâ— bâ—ambles and thornes which pierceâ— his delicate head our Lord permitting this because thou hast often bound and crovvned thy head vvitâ— roses flovvres of pleasures delights Gather hence how great thâ— bounty charity of God is toward men seeing that when they are busiâ—ed in preparing for him so cruell anâ— terrible a crowne therewith to affliâ—â— and torment him be prepareth for them a crowne of glory in heauen to reward them And seeing God teacheth thee by his example that by the crowne of thornes the crowne of glory in heauen is gayned and that the crowne of affliction which pricketh in this world is better then that of pleasures and delights which torment in the life to come Procure to crowne thy selfe and make choice of the first as S. Catherine of Siena did to auoid the second THE 3. POINT To consider how that to increase his confusion and reproach they after this put into the right haÌ„d of thy soueraigne King and Lord a Reed â—nsteed of a Kingly scepter smote his head there withall to the end that â—he world might know that his Kingdome was hollow vayne and without substance he voyd of iudgement and vvit making himselfe a King Ponder how our Lord Iesus did not refuse to take the reed into â—is hand but rather willingly accepted it held it fast as an instrument of his contempt From hence thou mayst gather how much it importeth thee to resist and reiect honour selfe estimation to imbrace humility submission of mind in regard that by this way meanes our soueraygne King entred into his Kingdome by the same no other thou must enter into the Kingdome of heauen which is not thine but anothers to giue thee if thou desire it THE 4. POINT TO coÌ„sider how those fierce people more cruell then Tygers not contenting themselues with the former iniuries which they had done to that meeke
〈◊〉 thy selfe poorely apparelled and to want necessiâ—ies seeing so rare an example as Christ our Lord hath giuen thee of sâ—fferances nakednâ—sse pouerty in all his life and specially in his death for his nakednes must be thy garment his dishonour thy liuery his pouerâ—y thy riches his conâ—usion thy glory and his death thy life of grace glory THE 2. POINT TO consider how Christ our Lord being now naked the souldiers â—aying the Crosse on the ground they commanded him to lye downe vpon it on his backe that he might be nayled to it so he did Ponder first the most excellent obedience of thy Sauiour which shined most in hearing and obaying in whatsoeuer hard difficult matters those cruell tormentors proposed vnto him giuing thee an example to subiect thy selfe to euery humane creature for his loue where there is no sinne Ponder secondly â—ow our Sauiour lying vpon that bed of the Crosse which thy sinnes had prepared for him lifted vp his eyes to heauen and rendred thankes to his Eternall Father for hauing brought him to that point wherein he beheld himselfe so poore so dishonoured and misused for his loue Gather hence whâ—n thou shalâ— see thy selfe in adâ—ersity and distresâ—e to be resigned to the diuine vvill in thâ— giuing Almighty God due thanks for them for once giuing thanks to God in aduersity is more worth and of mâ—re merit then many tymes iâ— prosperity THE 3. POINT To consider how Christ our Lord was mayled on the Crosse the â—xâ—essiue paines which he felt when those rough and boisterous nailâ— eâ—tred breaking the veynes piercing 〈◊〉 sinewes and renting thâ— most tender parts of the most delicatâ— body of all bodyes enduring with great patience and loue to see himselfe so loaden with painâ—â— ful of vâ—â—peakable sorrowes Ponder how our Lord permitted the nayles to pierce his sacâ—ed hands and diuine feet to shew theâ— that he should haue thee alwayes imprinted in his hands feet so great was the loue and holy zeale whicâ—â—e had of the saluation of soules and of thine in particuler Gather hence deâ—ires of thy he owne saluation and of thy neighbours setting light by whatsoâ—uer difficultyes paynes and trauells which to deliuer them out of siâ—ne may befall thee that by this meanes as a souldier of this spirituall warfare thou mayst imitate in some â—ort thy Captaine Iesus who vvith so great loue gaue his life for them hanging on the Crosse. THE 4. POINT TO consider that after Christ our Lord was nayled to the Crosse his enemies lifted it vp on high with that true lambe of God vpon it who taketh away the sinnes of the world letting it fall downe voilently into the pit which they had made for the purpose Ponder the paine confusion and shame vvhich Christ our Lord had when he savv himselfe on high naked in the middest of an open field full of innumerable people and as another Noe exposed shamefuâ— to the sight of all without any thing to couer his nakednes withall noâ— hauing any to affoard him any thing but many who were ready to take from him all that might be giuen him Gather hence a great shame confusion at the small griefe sense feeling thou hast of the paynes of our Lord not shedding so much as onâ— teare of compassion wheras he powreth out all his bloud And seeing the insensible creatures which want both reason and feeling made so wonderfull demonstration of sorrow at the death of this our Lord that they were â—orne and rent in pieces for euery griefe it is good reason that thou who art his creature and the cause â—hy he endured that which he did shouldst acknowledge be thankeâ—ull for it and haue a speciall and inâ—ard feeling thereof seeing he suffeâ—ed it in benefit of thee THE XLIX MEDITATION Of the seauen wordes which our Lord spake hanging on the Crosse. THE I. WORD TO consider the great charity of our Lord which waâ— such that before he vvould comfort his Mother before he vvould prouidâ— for his friends before he would coÌ„mend his spirit to his Father he promideth his enemies of remedy Wherfore the first word he spake on thâ— Crosse was to excuse his enâ—miâ—â— who crucified blasphemed murdered him Ponder how Christ Iesus our Lord being full of grieâ—ous dâ—lors paines in euery part of his body noâ— finding any place of rest in that harâ— bed of the Crosse euen then did lifâ— vp his diuine eyes to heauen shedâ—ding teares of most tender loue anâ— compassion opening his diuiâ— mouth not to commaund that firâ—â— should câ—me from heauen as Eliâ—â— prayed but to beseech his Eternall Father to pardon those which were there and the sinne they committed in crucifying him Gather hence how exactly our Lord God fulfilleth the precept he bath giuen thee To loue thyne enemyes to pray for them that persecure thee that by this example thou mayst learne and know to doe the like THE 2. WORD TO consider how that the second Word which thy Redeemer spake from the chayre of the Crosse was to pardon the Theefe graunt him heauen Because he confessed his fault and declared the innocency of Christ our Lord and freely and plainely â—alling him King craued fauour aâ— his hands saying Lord remember â—e when thou shalt come into thy Kingdome And so our Lord Iesus â—id honouring this thâ—eâ—e before his â—ternall Father aâ— he conâ—essed him â—eforâ— men â—nduing him with so exceeding great graces priuiledes that being the last 〈◊〉 made him of all mortall men the first who departing this life should presently reâ—eaue the reward of glory Ponder that if God rewarded him with so great liberality who did only follovv him not fully three houres hovv will he reward those who shall serue and follow him vvith perfection all the houres dayes of their life And if our Lord shewed himselfe so gratefull to this sinner who had iniuried him innumerable tymes for one only time that he confessed and honoured him what manner of gratitude will he shew to him who shall spend his vvhole life in seruing and honouring him Gather hence desires to serue him alwayes that securely vvitâ— confidence thou mayst haue accâ—ssâ— vnto him and aske him thâ—â— vvhich this good theese did aske him saying Remember me o Lord that is remember not my sinnes nor the robberies which I haue done but that am a frayle man and infirme that am thy creature made to thy imagâ— likenesse wherefore I beseâ—h the to remember me THE â— WORD TO consider that the third word which Christ our Lord spake froÌ„ the Altar of the Crosse was to recommend his B. Mother to Saint Iohn S. Iohn vnto his Mother And from that houre the disciple tooke her to his owne and loued her with speciall loue Ponder the exceeding great griefe vvith vvhich this vvord of recommandation pierced the hart of the Blessed Virgin for she throughly weighed the inequality of the change which