S. Bernard elegantly saith The scholar that profiteth is a glory to his Master Whosoever therefore profits not in Christs schoole is unworthy to have him for his Master What a shame would it be for one after seven yeares study of Philosophy and Divinity to have profited nothing and to end his course no better a scholar then he began Much more ought you to be ashamed if which God forbid you become worse more remisse in prayer more given to detraction and a greater lover of your self and your own ease and satisfaction then when you first entered the schoole of Vertue Endeavor therefore continually to better your self Of the Necessity which all have of profiting in Vertue Part 2. Apoc. 2.5 COnsider 1. The Damages which the neglect of advancing in spirit doth bring for first it provoketh God to wrath Therefore in the Apocalyps it is said to the Bishop who had done many good works but had left his first Charity or fervor Be mindful from whence thou art fallen c. And doe the first works But if not I come to thee and will move thy candlestick out of his place God perchance hath designed you for a candlestick to give light to many Have a care therefore he doe not remove you for leaving your first Charity or fervor of devotion Pro. 10.4 Consider 2. How the aforesaid neglect depriveth us of great spiritual gaines and rewards The slothful hand hath wrought poverty saith the Wise-man O what glory should we purchase in Heaven if we were allways intent upon our spiritual profit and took hold of all occasions of exercising Vertue Think what care and labour worldly Merchants take to heap up money which is to perish and moulder away and you that are a Merchant of Heaven neglect everlasting treasures that are freely offered unto you Mat. 25.28.30 Consider 3. How this same neglect disposeth us to a finall decay and absolute breaking for of the servant that neglected to increase the stock or talent which he received it was said take ye away therefore the talent from him c. And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the utter darkness c. Excite your self therefore to goe on cheerfully Examen wherein you are wont to be most at a stand and resolve to go through with courage You have Christ for your Captaine and for your reward life everlasting Of Christs life from the twelfth to the thirtith year of his age Part 1. COnsider 1. There is nothing exstant in the Ghospel of Christs life from the twelfth to the thirtith year of his age but of his Obedience to his parents and progress in Vertue as we have seen above that you may make the greater account of them Consider 2. It seemeth certain that Christ spent great part of that time in most high contemplation and conversing with his heavenly father for he that was afterwards to say of Mary Magdalen that she had chosen the better part in respect of her love and exercise of contemplation must needs practise it himself much more perfectly And if David seven times a day did utter praise to God and besides did rise at midnight to confess unto him Ps. 118.164 Item v. 62. how much more did Christ Learn hence to give your self to prayer both for your own and your neighbours good and that the frequent exercise therof and familiar conversation with God are prime and necessary dutys of a Christian Jo. 7.15 Mar. 3.21 Consider 3. All that time Christ concealed his Wisdom so that he was held unlearned by all whence afterwards for a wonder they said How doth this man know letters whereas he hath not learned Nay they said that he was become mad for that he spake and wrought such strange things as could not be expected from him Love to be unknown and of no account Believe me said one He hath lived well that hath layn well hid Ovid. Be not too forward to vent your knowledge though you take your self to be more knowing then others Let not the Wise man glory in his wisdom Jer. 9.23 c. But he that glorieth let him glory in this to understand and know me Of Christs life from the twelfth to the thirtith year of his age Part. 2. Mar. 6.3 COnsider 1. As to the exterior manner of living 't is probable Christ our Lord practised the Carpenter's trade also after S. Joseph's death whence the Jews said of him Is not this the Carpenter the son of Mary Imagin your self therefore to see the Word of God and Lord of Heaven handling his hatcher and plainer hewing sawing plaining and joyning boards and other timber together and with astonishment think Who What Where c. And how true that saying is His work is strange from him If. 28.21 Gen. 3.19 Consider 2. Christ did this first out of love to Humility for he that had taken upon him other miseries of human nature and had freely submitted himself to the general malediction of Death would also submit himself to the other malediction of toyl and labour wherein it was said to Adam In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread Secondly he did it to teach us by his example to shun idleness the fountain and origin of all evill See therefore you imitate him Eccli 33.29 for idleness as the wise man saith hath taught much naughtiness Consider 3. What singular profit the B. Virgin made all that time of so long and familiar conversation with her son Imagin what discourses they hold one with another allways of God and of divine matters See the Virgin standing in amaze and beholding her son while he out of love to humility sweepeth the house washeth the pots maketh the fire and dresseth meat for his mother and the like Rom. 11.33 O depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! Reflect upon every parâ—icular and draw somthing out of all for your own benefit c. The Maana was as it were the seed of Coriander Num. 11.7 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as a Grain of Mustard-seed Mat. 13.31 COnsider 1. What is said to day in the Ghospel The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Mustard-seed c. To wit that Christ was the Mustardseed being indeed in outward appearance the least of all men Ps. 21.7 according to what he saith of himself I am a worm and no man but in Vertue and efficacy greater then the Angels themselves and this is verified of him most of all in the Eucharist For as to sense what is of less shew then a morsâ—ll of bread but what more divine then the Holy Eucharist as to the Vertue and excellency it containeth with in it S. Tho. Opâ—sâ— 58. 〈◊〉 21. Consider 2. The many admirable Vertues of this Eucharistical grain S. Thomas recounteth twelve like to the twelve fruits of the tree of life of which we read in the Apocalyps 1. It driveth
in hand like passengers eating speedily c. whereby were expressed the vigour of mind and promptness wherewith he suffered Exod. 12.11 Consider 3. Christ beholding the Lamb upon the table dead flead and rosted he reflected how himself was to be extended upon the Cross dead flead with whips and scorched with the heat and rage of his torments Beholding the same Lamb cut in pieces without breaking any of the bones he considered the mangling of his own sacred body and disjoynting of his bones though without the breach of any The hast wherewith they were to eat the Lamb represented the hasty fury and rage of his enemies to make him away The bitter Lettice called to his mind the Gall and bitter chalice of his Passion And the staffe in his hand represented the Cross which he was to embrace and to be fastened unto Jo. 13. Of Washing the Disciples feet Jo. 13.1 c. COnsider 1. After the Paschal Lamb was eaten Christ intending to institute a new memorial of himself in leaving us his pretious body and bloud to teach us with what Humility and Purity we ought to come to it would wash the feet of his Disciples Ponder the admirable Charity and Humility of Christ in this action expressed unto us in very signal termes by the Evangelist Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should pass out of this world to his father whereas he had loved his that were in the world unto the end he loved them And when supper was done whereas the Divel had now put into the heart of Judas c to betray him knowing that the father gave him all things into his hands and that he came from God and goeth to God he riseth from supper and layeth aside his garments and having taken a towel girded himself Ponder each particular Consider 2. After that he put water into a bason and began to wash the feet of the Disciples and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded Behold the God of Heaven cast at the feet of poor fishermen and performing the office of the meanest servant which made S. Peter cry out Lord doest thou wash my feet and againe Thou shalt not wash my feet for ever Ponder Christs severe reprehension of this Dâ—sobedience If I wash thee not thou shalt not have part with me and learn that it is but false vertue and Humility that opposeth it self to Obedience Consider 3. How Christ also washeth Judas his feet and no doubt but with tender expressions of kindness thereby to mollify his hard heart but all in vaine Learn to love your enemies and to gaine them to you by doing good turns Take heed of a hard heart for The Impious when he shall come to the depth of sins Prov. 18.3 contemneth but ignominy and reproch followeth him Ponder and observe those words of Christ Jo. sup I have given you an example that as I have done to you so you doe also Arise be illuminated Jerusalem because thy light is come c. upon thee shall our Lord arise Is. 60.1 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the light of your Soul Ps. 39.13 COnsider 1. And imagin your self to be that blind man in this days Ghospel that sate by the way begging Luc. 18.35 for you are truly blind in many things not distinguishing between black and white true and false solid and counterfited good nor able to see your own defects so that you may truly say with the Propher Mile Iniquities have overtaken me and I was not able to see Tob. 5.12 Consider 2. What a sad and discomfortable life it is to be in continual darkness without corporeal light How much more then to live in spiritual darkness and blindness of mind What manner of joy shall it be to me said Toby when he was blind which sit in darkness and see not the light of Heaven Think with your self whether you behold the clear light of Heaven or rather the dimm and fading light of the Earth and earthly things Consider also how dangerous it is to be in darkness Jo. 12.35 for he that waiketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth and is exposed to a thousand dangers and falls that you may hence learn rightly to esteem the benefit of divine light Mal. 4.2 Jo. 1.9 Consider 3. How Christ out Lord is the San of Justice as the Prophet saith and the true light which lighteneth every man that cometh into this world Beseech him therefore that coming this day into your soul he would produce therein the usual effects of light and open your eyes to see your secret defects and to distinguish true and real goods from such as are only counterfited and have a care you doe not close your eyes or shut your windows against this light Job 24.13 Job saith of sinners They have been rebellious to the light they have not known his ways See you be not rebellious set open the windows of your heart and say with the Prophet Thou doest illuminat my lemp Ps. 17.29 O Lord. My God ibluminat my darkness Mat. 26.26 Mar. 14.22 Luc. 22.19 1 Cor. 11.24 Of the Institution of the B. Sacrament Part 1. Ps. 144.17 COnsider 1. Christ after he had washed his Disciples feet sate down again to table and intending to leave behind him a singular Memorial of his love towards us took bread into his hands to shew that it was the gift of a most liberal hand Thou openest thy hand and fillest every living creature with blessing Then He lifted up his eyes to Heaven to shew whence this bread cometh He gave thanks to his Eternal father for so great a gift be slowed upon man by his means He blessed iâ— and blessing it transformed it into his own body doe you also give thanks for being made partaker of the same divine bread and beseech him to give you such a blessing as may turn you into another man Consider 2. How the Apostles were astonished when they heard that Christ would give them â—â—s own body but they were together illuminated with a heavenly light wherewith they beleeved all things possible to him That you might also learn to captivate your understanding in Obedience to faith See with what Humility Reverence and Devotion each one communicateth and doe you the like when you come to the same table Judas alone in that company Eateth 1 Cor. 11.29 and drinketh judgement to himself not discerning the body of our Lord. Consider 3. This doe ye for the commemoration of me Ibid. v. 25. Ponder Christs infinit Charity and liberality whereby he would have this divine benefit continued throughout all ages and therein gave power to Priests by vertue of his words to consecrate his pretious body which was never granted to the Angels themselves Think what a dignity this is learn to reverence them whom God hath so highly honoured and to hear their voice to which the Eternal word
influence to all virtuous actions 4. It springeth up unto life everlasting raising up our thoughts unto it whose pledge it is Say therefore with the woman Lord give me this water that I may not thirst c. Of the Samaritan Womans Conversion Jo. 4.26 c. Part 2. COnsider 1. The wonderful goodness of Christ vouchsafing to manifest himself openly to a sinful woman saying I am he to wit the Messias that speak with thee Consider the efficacy of her Faith she presently went into the City leaving her Water-pot behind her to bring others of the City to the same Faith Come and see saith she a man that hath told me all things whatsoever I have done Such is the fervour of true zeal which bestirreth it self and seeketh every where whom it may gain to Christ If therefore you be enkindled with true zeal cast away the Pitcher of terrene affections and seek whom you may likewise inflame Consider 2. The Woman being gone the Disciples offered Christ to eat for it was that time of the day but he being intent upon the Conversion of the Samaritans whom he did expect refused saying Ibid. v. 34. My meat is to do the will of him that sent me to perfect his work that you may learn to prefer the Spiritual good of your Neighbour before your own corporal refection O that your meat and drink your delight and pleasure were only to do the will of your Heavenly Father Consider 3. How many of the Samaritans moved by the Womans speeches came and were converted and said to her That now not for thy saying do we believe for our selves have heard Ibid. v. 42. and do know that this is the Saviour of the world indeed Rejoyce that your Saviour was manifested to those men and wish that all the world may come to his knowledge and withall do your utmost endeavour to bring as many as may be unto him S. Greg. Hom. 6. in Evang. If you walk towards God saith S. Gregory procure not to come to him alone without company Of the Woman taken in Adultery Jo. 8.3 c. COnsider 1. The Pharisees seeking to intrap our Lord take occasion of his Meekness wherefore they bring unto him a Woman taken in Adultery with intent that if perhaps he should give his Sentence for her dismission he might be held for a Corrupter of the Law So the Devil layeth his Snares in that Virtue wherein we most excel the Zealous he endeavours to provoke to anger the Humble to dejection and pusillanimity the Meek to remissness and too much indulgence But there is no counsel against our Lord Pro. 21.30 Job 5.13 And Christ apprehendeth the wise in their subtilty Luc. 6.36 Consider 2. Jesus bowing himself down with his finger wrote in the earth so to decline his giving sentence which might breed contention Therefore the Apostle No man being a souldier to God intangleth himself with secular businesses 2 Tim. 2.4 He did it moreover to teach us that we ought to proceed warily and not with precipitation in such causes But they still urging him He lifted up himself and said to them He that is without sin of you let him first throw the stone at her Most wisely neither clearing nor yet condemning her but pricking their conscience and moving them to compunction for their own sins and commiseration for others Be ye merciful as also your Father is merciful Eccli 34.31 Consider 3. The Pharisees going away one by one the Woman remained alone repentant for her sin and probably with an interiour Faith expecting absolution thereof from Christ Our Lord therefore understanding by her that no body had condemned her Neither will I condemn thee saith he Go and now sin no more Observe and admire the Riches of our Lords Goodness Patience and Longanimity in bringing you and others to Penance O how often hath he said unto you Now sin no more and yet you have still gone on A man that fasteth in his sins and doing the same again what doth he profit in humbling himself Of the Cananean Woman Mat. 15. Mar. 7. COnsider 1. How a Woman of Canaan a Gentile came to our Lord to obtain the cure of her Daughter and see how well she prayeth 1. With a great Faith confessing him to be the Son of David 2. With profound Reverence for she fell down at his feet 3. With tender Charity Mar. 7.25 not begging for her self but for her Daughter 4. With great affection and instance for she cryed out after our Lord. 5. With admirable Constancy for she was often put off yet she still persisted in her Petition Such likewise ought to be your prayer Mat. 15.26 Consider 2. How Christ at first answered harshly unto her and seemingly cast her off like a dog saying It is not good to take the bread of the children and to cast it to the dogs so to exercise her virtue and crown her perseverance God doth often do the like with us because as S. Gregory saith He loveth to be entreated he is willing to be forced Greg. in Ps 6. Paenit and even desireth to be overcome by importunity Observe moreover the Womans Humility in not denying her self a Dog but requesting that which was proper to dogs to wit to eat of the crums of their Masters Table Let your prayer also be humble for the prayer of him that humbleth himself Eccli 35.19 shall penetrate the Clouds saith Ecclesiasticus and he will not depart till the Highest behold Mat. 15.28 Consider 3. Christ yielding at length to the Womans pious importunity first commendeth her Faith O Woman great is thy Faith then granteth what she asked Let it be done to thee as thou wilt Perhaps your Soul also like to the Womans Daughter is sore vexed with an evil Spirit He is sorely vexed who yieldeth to his troubles and temptations but he that overcometh them is vexed to his great benefit and Crown Beg therefore of our Lord strength and courage to resist and pray that as it was to this Woman so it may also be done to thee as thou wilt Of Holy Communion Love the Lord thy God and obey his voice and cleave to him for he is thy life and the length of thy daies Deut. 30.20 Aug. tr 47. in Joan. Consider Christ as the Life of your Soul COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel how Christ raised a young man from death to life and that he is the true Life of your Soul according to that Jo. 11.25 I am the Resurrection and the Life he that believeth in me although he be dead shall live And as the body dieth saith S. Augustine when the soul is departed which is its life so the soul dieth when it loseth God by sin who is its life Ponder the benefit of Spiritual Life by comparing it with that of the body for what a dead carkass is in the eyes of men deformed loathsome
c. he goeth and taketh seven other spirits worse then himself and entring in they dwell there And the last of that man be made worse then the first Doth not the same happen to most men after Baptism by the seven deadly sins which they give way unto Doth it not also happen sometimes after a Conversion from the World that some return back far worse then ever they were before See therefore you keep the Gates of your Senses well shut against the Devil and all sin but be sure what ever you do you let not either dwell in your heart Consider 3. The special Blessings attributed to the Sacred Virgin in this Gospel the one temporal and relating to flesh and blood of which a certain woman lifting up her voice out of the multitude said to him Blessed is the Womb that bare thee and the Paps that thou didst suck The other purely spiritual of which Christ pronounced chiefly in relation to his Blessed Mother Yea rather blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it The first was a singular priviledge of the Virgin alone the other though hers also after a more special manner is common to many and may be yours if you will your self Admire and extol that with the Woman and with the Church that useth the same words to the Virgin and make this other your own by imitation 4. Sunday of Lent Of five thousand fed in the Desart Jo. 6.1 page 187. see page 362 363. Passion Sunday Of Christs arguing with the Jews Jo. 8.46 page 195. Consider 1. Christ by reason of the Beatifical Vision and hypostatical Union was most holy and irreprehensible in himself and irrefragable in his Doctrine and by these two Titles of Sanctity and Veracity deservedly claims belief of his Doctrine and Authority of rebuking sinners saying Which of you shall argue me of sin If I say the Verity why do you not believe me O that you could make the like challenge Think whether you do practically believe Christs Doctrine as to matters of Virtue and Perfection and whether you do willingly hear the Word of God and his holy Inspirations delivered unto you in Sermons Exhortations Pious Books c. and know that as he that is of God heareth the Word of God so he that hears not is not of God 1 Reg. 2.30 Consider 2. The Jews having said Thou art a Samaritan and hast a Devil Christ silently beareth the first as a private injury relating only to his person as he was Man but modestly denieth the other wherein was highly concern'd his Fathers and his own Divine Honor saying I have no Devil but I do honour my Father Well therefore might he say I seek not my own glory there is that seeketh and judgeth Think how contrary you are in this point to Christ Seek in all your actions the greater glory of God and God will honour you Whosoever shall glorifie me I will glorifie him Seek not revenge in affronts and injuries but commit your cause to God who saith Revenge to me I will repay Heb. 10.30 Consider 3 Amen Amen I say to you if any one keep my word he shall not see death for ever What greater happiness and security can there be then this And yet how few are there that are concerned for it How many that regard the Maximes and sayings of the world more then they do the Divine Words Councels and Promises of Christ But see that you stick to Christ and say with S. Peter Lord Jo. 6.68 to whom shall we go thou hast the words of Eternal Life Remember and ponder well what Christ himself said Mat. 4.4 Not in bread alone doth man live but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God Palm-Sunday Of Christs entrance into Jerusalem Mat. 21.1 page 204. see page 146. Easter Sunday Of the Apparition made to the Women Marc. 16.1 page 215. see page 219. Low-Sunday Of Christs Apparition to his Disciples S. Thomas being present Jo. 20.19 page 224. see page 228 229 230 231. 2. Sunday after Easter Of the good Pastor Jo. 10.11 page 233. Consider 1. I am the good Pastor the good Pastor giveth his life for his sheep All that have care of others are Pastors Superiours of their Subjects Parents of their Children House-keepers of their Family c. and every one of his own Powers Senses Members c. We are good Pastors when we rule govern and maintain those that are under us with Counsel Example food corporal and spiritual We are good sheep when we are innocent tractable obedient patient c. We lay down our lives when in opposition to the Wolves the World the Flesh and the Devil we deny our own wills and judgments refrain our senses and chuse rather to die then to offend God mortally in any of them Consider 2. But the Hireling c. seeth the Wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and flieth We are Hirelings 1. When in out good actions as Prayers Sermons c. we seek not Gods-honour but vain glory and esteem of the world 2. When at the Wolfs appearance by some temptation of the Flesh or the World we make no resistance nor chastise our body with Mortification but fly all Penance and by too much indulgence give our sheep over to be devoured by their Enemies whereby we come both to lose our sheep and title of Shepherds and Masters and to fall into the miserable condition of Slaves Jo. 8.34 for every one which committeth sin is the servant or slave of sin S. August Consider 3. I know mine and mine know me It is the property of good sheep and Shepherd to know one another Make it therefore your business 1. As a good sheep to know your Pastor from your Enemy to understand the Voice of God by his Church and your Superiours to hearken to his Inspirations to obey his Counsels and Commands to acknowledge and love his goodness and mercy towards you 2. As a good Pastor rightly to understand your self to know your own weakness infirmities and imperfections to have an eye upon your interiour powers to over-see and rule your exteriour senses say with S. Augustine Lord that I may know thee and know my self 3. Sunday after Easter Christ comforteth his Disciples Jo. 16.16 page 242. Consider 1. A little while and now you shall not see me being taken from you by my Passion and Death And again a little while and you shall see me in my Resurrection though but for a little while because I go to the Father Christ here mingleth sorrow with joys but first sorrow then joys contrariwise the World first proposeth joys pleasures and content but at last bringeth all to sorrow and misery Amen Amen I say unto you that you shall weep and lament but the world shall rejoyce Observe the different lot of Christs and the Worlds Disciples in this life and chuse which you will have to be yours but know withall that your sorrow shall be turned into joy Consider
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
1. It obscureth the understanding and by false perswasions withdraws it from the truth 2. It alienates the Will from the Supreme and Soveraign Good to that which is onely counterfeited and makes it even have a loathing of Spiritual things 3. It maketh Reason a slave to bruitish Appetites 4. It depraveth all the Senses with unlawful delights 5 It depriveth the whole man of the friendship and protection of God 6. It robbeth him of Habitual Grace and the ornaments of Vertue and of a child of God makes him a slave of the Devil an Ulcer and Sinck of all filth and abomination 1 Cor. 2.9 Consider 2. As to the other life 1. It depriveth man of the vision of God and those joys which eye hath not seen nor ear hath heard 2. It excludeth him from the company of the holy Saints and Angels and that for ever 3. It makes him liable to everlasting fire without any hopes of releasement 4. It placeth him in a most loathsome dungeon and among the detestable crew of the damned under the cruel tyranny of the Devil from which no power is able to deliver him Eccli 21.2 Consider 3. And add to all this that every one by sinning doth trample under feet the precious Bloud of Christ shed for our sins turneth Gods gifts into so many weapons against himself and even destroyeth God himself as much as lieth in him and in a manner contristates the Saints and the Blessed Virgin hurteth men by his wicked example and lastly makes a triumph of himself for the Devils With good reason then crieth out Ecclesiasticus As from the face of a serpent slye from sins c. The teeth of a lion the teeth thereof killing the souls of men Of flying Venial Sins As disposing to Mortal 1 Part. COnsider 1. He that throughly hateth Mortal Sin must also endeavour what he can to avoid Venial otherwise He that contemneth small things Eccli 19.1 S. Tho. 1a 2ae q. 86. a. 3. shall fall by little and little For Venial Sins dispose unto Mortal 1. In regard of the matter or object which being for the most part the same in both affords an easie passage from the lesser that is of custom to a greater transgression 2. By reason of our own forces which are much weakened by frequent Venial Sins Whence it is that we are presently cast to the ground at the rising of any strong temptation according to that Eccles. 10.18 In slothfulness the roof of the house shall go to ruine and in the infirmity of hands the house shall drop through 3. In regard of the exteriour assistance of God which he doth often substract for Venial Sins such especially as are more voluntary for he deserveth little help that is sparing of his own endeavours 2 Cor. 9.6 He that soweth sparingly sparingly also shall reap Is 40.6 Consider 2. What caution that man useth that hath straw hay or gun-powder lodged in his house lest any sparkle of fire should light thereon All flesh is grass or hay and no gunpowder taketh fire sooner then doth Concupiscence Look upon holy David through an unwary glance of his eyes miserably fallen first into Adultery then into Murder Take heed therefore of the least sparkle resist the beginnings and dash the little ones against the rock Ps 136.9 that is bad motions while they are but little Consider 3. From slight wounds not looked unto in time and festered proceed malignant feavers in the body and death it self The same happereth to the Soul by Venial Sin Wherefore look into all your actions and see wherein you are wont more frequently to receive a wound and arm your self in time Endeavour to the utmost of your power to refrain not only from evil it self but also from all appearance of evil as the Apostle admonisheth 1 Thess 5.22 Of flying Venial Sins For the Damages they bring with them 2. Part. COnsider 1. We ought to avoid Venial Sins not onely for that they dispose to Mortal but also for their own proper deformity for as Saint Augustine saith they are like scabs in the body Aug. l. 50. Hom. Ser. 41. de Sanctis and do so deface the beauty of the Soul that she becometh thereby in disgrace with her heavenly Spouse Think with your self if you were to passe through dirty ways in a pure white and precious garment what care you would take to keep it clean Souls invested with Habitual Grace are whiter then snow purer then milk fairer then the Saphyre Thren 4.7 With how much more care then are we to preserve them without spot or blemish through the foul ways of this life Eccles. 10.1 Consider 2. Other damages which these Sins especially if frequent bring with them 1. They diminish the fervour of Charity like cold water cast into a vessel of warm 2. They keep back the Soul in her progress as a burthen doth him that walketh 3. They take off from the merit of good works as dying flies do from the sweetness of oyntment 4. They are an Impediment to Prayer and Devotion 5. They abate the efficacy of the Sacraments 6. They hinder the increase both of Grace in this life and Glory in the next 7 They are pleasing to the Devils displeasing to the Angels 8. They make God himself to have a loathing of us according to that Apoc. 3.15.16 I would thou wert either cold or hot But because thou art lukewarm I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth Deut. 18.13 Consider 3. It followeth hence that it is not lawful for the conversion of the whole world to commit one single Venial Sin And although all are to avoid the same yet chiefly such as have consecrated themselves to God of whom he exacteth perfect purity Therefore he enjoyneth every one of his Levites You shall be perfect without spot before the Lord thy God Examine your life and actions and do your best to live without spot or blemish Of flying Venial Sins For the Punishments due unto them 3. Part. Ps 118.137 COnsider 1. That of David Thou art just O Lord and thy judgement is right And yet he hath inflicted most heavy punishments for sins by the judgement of most onely Venial that thence you might understand the grievousnesse of them Num. 12.10 1. He struck Mary Sister to Moyses with a horrible leprosie for lightly murmuring against her brother notwithstanding his earnest intercession for her pardon 2. Two Sons of Aaron Levit. 10.2 Cornel. ibid. for casting into their thuribles in haste other then sanctified fire he struck suddenly dead in the sight of the whole people Num. 15.35 Salian ibid. 3. He commanded to be stoned to death a poor man that had gathered up a few sticks on the Sabboth day Lastly he took Moyses out of this life before he could enter the Land of Promise which notwithstanding he most ardently desired and this for some diffidence as the
Holy Fathers expound it in striking the rock Compare these and the like examples with your actions and you will finde you have often deserved more Consider 2. God hath ordained more severe punishments for Venial Sins after death in Purgatory That Purgatory Fire saith St. Augustine will be more unsufferable then what pain soever can be seen Aug. Ser. 41. de Sanctis felt or even understood in this life There all debts will be exacted to the last farthing neither will there be place for any other satisfaction then by sufferance Is 33.14 And which of you saith Isaie can dwell with devouring fire Such as will be there Aug. sup Consider 3. Seeing you would not endure now to lie in flames but for a quarter of an hour although it were to gain the whole world how reasonable were it to make satisfaction at present by Pennance for what is past and to be wary for the future and if through humane frailty you be not able to avoid all avoid at least the greater and diminish what you can the number that so that Purgatory Fire as St. Augustine speaketh may finde little or nothing in you to consume Of the Remedies against Sin The Memory of the last Things Of DEATH 1. Part. How certain it is and with all how uncertain Heb. 9.27 COnsider 1. Death is inevitable It is appointed to men saith the Apostle to dye once Nothing is more certain or evident to sense All that have gone before us Princes Emperours Bishops Popes have dyed at last neither could any one hitherto of what power or dignity soever escape or put it off Job 14.5 Thou hast appointed his limits which cannot be passed saith Job Wherefore thou also infallibly must once come to it Marc. 13.35 Consider 2. As for the time place and manner of Death nothing more uncertain How many sudden accidents have you heard read or even beheld with your own eyes How many hath death unexpectedly stolen upon while they were eating sleeping laughing or playing And when is to be your turn What if at this instant Would you be ready for it Wherefore Christ doth often and in most weighty terms inculcate unto us that we should be ready at all hours Watch ye therefore for you know not when the Lord of the house cometh at even or at midnight or at cock-crowing or in the morning Eccles. 11.3 Consider 3. Death is but once to be undergone and if it hath gone ill there is no amends or recovery to be made if once ill so it will ever be if once well it will also be well for you for all eternity If the tree shall fall to the South saith the Wiseman or to the North in what place soever it shall fall there shall it lie Neither will there be any more time or place for Pennance Procure therefore by living well that whensoever your time cometh of falling it be to the right side See in what state you are at present and whether there be any thing in you which you would not on your death-bed and think often with your self that to perish once is to be lost for ever Of Death 2. Part. How terrible it is Ps 108.18 COnsider 1. The miserable state of a dying man lying on his death-bed given over by his Physician and hastening to his last agony Consider the many griefs and anguishes that surround him on every side 1. From the memory of things past for then will come to his mind the sins he hath committed the losse of so much precious time spent in vanities together with the neglect of many helps afforded him by Almighty God towards his Salvation Then perhaps one hours space of longer pennance will be earnestly wished for but not afforded him who while he was in his jollities and pleasures neglected many He would not blessing saith David and it shall be far from him Oh with what sighs will sinners at that hour cry out Sap. 5.8 and say What hath pride availed us or what commodity hath the vaunting of riches brought to us Consider 2. The grief of mind for leaving the present enjoyments of this life Aug. Ser. de Inno. c. 3. for as St. Augustine saith That is not left without grief which is possessed with delight Notwithstanding at that hour are to be left all friends and kindred pleasures delights and riches without any hopes of evermore recovering them 1 Tim. 6.7 We brought nothing saith the Apostle into this World doubtless neither can we take away any thing Whereupon Ecclesiasticus Eccli 41.1 O death how bitter is thy memory to a man that hath peace in his riches Cast off therefore in time all affection to worldly things that you may hereafter part without grief Eccles. 9.1 Consider 3. The anguish and perplexity of mind proceeding from the uncertainty of things to come The final sentence of everlasting doom draweth near Man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love or hatred The Devil will be at hand to tempt and cast you into despair Think what you would then wish your self to have done in your life time and do it now while you have opportunity Of Death 3. Part. Of the Horrour of the Corps COnsider 1. What a thing that body is after death which in our life time we cherish pamper and adorn with so much care 1. It lieth destitute of all sense and motion it seeth nothing heareth nothing neither can it so much as put off the worms that lie devouring it 2. It looketh pale and deformed and for the intollerable stench proceeding from the corruption that issueth out of it striketh horrour even into the dearest friends Wherefore with reason Blessed Francis Borgia In vita Borg. l. 1. c. 7. Psal 4.3 having beheld the Corps of a famous Empress of his time now rotten in her grave is said to have cried out How long shall we love vanity and seek after lying How long neglecting solid truths shall we hunt after shadows All things moulter away with death and from mirth soon pass into tears Eccli 10.13 Is 14.11 Consider 2. The Garments Bed and Habitation of the dead body It is stripped of whatsoever ornaments it had for its garments it is wrapped up in a Winding-sheet for its bed it is cast on the ground for its habitation it is confined to a pit seven foot long and lastly given over to the worms and serpents to be torn and consumed by them When a man shall die saith Ecclesiasticus he shall inherit serpents and beasts and worms And Isaie Vnder thee shall the moth be strawed and worms shall be thy covering O what an habitation What companions Eccli 38.23 Consider 3. How profitable and necessary it is often to call to mind this last end of your body lest you should have a greater care and love for that which is to be devoured by worms then of your Soul that is to live for an Eternity
and to escape Purgatory These are Receiving the Sacraments offering the Divine Sacrifice Indulgences Fasting Alms Prayers Tears chastising the body patient suffering of hunger and thirst sicknesse and the like God is content with a little in this life and is soon appeased by means of our poor services but in the other life he will severely exact the whole debt of punishment even to the last farthing Wherefore while you have time Mat. 5.27 Eccli 14.14 do good Be not defrauded of thy good day as Ecclesiasticus admonisheth and let not a little portion of a good gift overpass thee Mat. 5.7 Consider 3. Among other means one of the most efficacious to escape or at least to mitigate our pains in Purgatory is to pray much for the dead while we live for our merciful Lord permitteth that afterwards we receive the same measure that we used to others here And The merciful as he saith himself shall obtain mercy Morn Ent. Behold our Lord is come in his holy thousands to do judgement Jude 14. Luc. 21.25 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as Judge COnsider 1. What is read this day in the Gospel that Christ is to be the Universal Judge of all men whose judgement we ought greatly to stand in fear of 1. By reason of his Supream Authority from whom none can appeal 2. For the rigour of his Justice which no entreaties nor bribes will be able to corrupt 3. For his infinite Wisdom from which nothing can be concealed 4. For that he will be not only Judge but also the plaintiff or party offended Consider 2. What a favour it would be if the Judge himself should in a friendly manner come to some Criminal in prison and teach him a way how he may escape and come off with security of life in his Trial. The same will Christ do to you this day Wherefore receive him at his coming with great love and gratitude and now while you may endeavour by earnest prayers to gain him against that dreadful day when there will be no more place for prayers Ps 142.2 Consider 3. Hence you must have a great care that there be nothing in your Soul that may displease the eyes of your Judge when he cometh He will search the inmost corners of your heart Cleanse therefore diligently all things against his coming Say humbly with the Prophet Enter not into judgement with thy servant O Lord But rather in the bowels of thy mercy visit us now O Orient arising from high Eccl. in Off. Boeth apud S. Tho. Opusc de Sacr. c. 2. c. Wherefore Boethius saith well in these words We have a great necessity of living well seeing we do all things before the eyes of the Judge that seeth all Think well on this and Before judgement prepare thee Justice Of imitating the Life of Christ our Lord. 1. Part. COnsider 1. For two reasons Christ our Lord came from the bosome of his eternal Father into the World as the holy Fathers every where do teach 1. To redeem us from sin 2. To give us example of living by his own manner of life His life therefore ought to be the square pattern and mirrour of ours to the end that squaring our actions conformably to his we may come by his steps to arrive at last also to his glory Eccli 23.38 Consider 2. How glorious a thing it is to follow such an example It is great glory saith Ecclesiasticus to follow our Lord. By following of men whosoever they are you may erre because they are men apt both to be deceived themselves and to deceive others By following Christ you cannot misse because he is the way you cannot be deceived because he is truth you cannot perish because he is life The Way in Example Bern. Ser. 2. de Ascen saith St. Bernard Truth in Promise Life in Reward Lastly he commandeth nothing which he doth not first do himself So that he may say with Gedeon What you shall see me do Jud. 7.17 do ye 1 Cor. 3.19 Consider 3. How foolishly you have hitherto done in directing your actions by any other rule then the life of Christ All other rules are crooked and naught and The wisdom of this world according to which perchance you govern your self is foolishness with God Ask pardon for this folly and beseech our Lord to accept of you and admit you into the number of his followers Of imitating the Life of Christ 2. Part. Tit. 1.16 COnsider 1. The followers of Christ are of three different sorts Some by name onely and from the teeth outwards they say they are Christians and know Christ But in their works they deny him They defile themselves with continual sins and in their works crucifie Christ anew These are but equivocally termed Christians for indeed they follow not Christ but the Devil Think how often you have been such Repent and take heed for the future Mat. 19.21 Consider 2. Others there are who indeed follow Christ but afar off as St. Peter did when Christ was taken who perhaps for that cause as some observe came to fall and deny his Master for any example or pattern that it may have influence must be duly applied and at a right distance So many follow Christ but coldly They purpose to keep the Commandments but care not to extend themselves with the Apostle to things of greater perfection When it is said to such as these Go sell the things that thou hast c. and come follow me They go away sad like the young man in the Gospel See whether you be one of these 2 Cor. 6.8 Phil. 3.8 Consider 3. Others finally there are who with a generous resolution strive to follow Christ even to the Crosse By honour and dishonour by infamy and good fame and with the Apostle do esteem all things as dung that they may gain Christ Lastly they endeavour to conform themselves in all things to the model of his life See among whom you chuse to rank your self and know that in what proportion you are like unto Christ in this life you will also be hereafter in glory Of the divine Decree concerning Christs Incarnation 1. Part. COnsider 1. The state which the whole world was in Part of the Angels had fallen All mankind also had sinned The wicked Angels leaving the Blessed in Heaven were cast into Hell Mankind lived in banishment out of Paradise shut out of Heaven made slave of the Devil and enemy to God and lay wallowing from one sin into another to be cast at length headlong into Hell fire neither did there appear any means possible of appeasing the Divine Justice being no pure creature could make is any satifaction Ps 39.7 8. Contemplate 2. The three divine Persons in Heaven out of commiseration consulting of a remedy See how the Second Person being there could not otherwise any satisfaction be made to the divine Justice freely offered himself to his Eternal Father
the Manger God his Father would honour him and make him known to the Shepherds by Angels and to the Sages by a Star because He that humbleth himself shall be exalted Ponder the words of the Evangelist And there were in the same countrey Shepherds watching and keeping the night-watches over their flock and behold an Angel of our Lord stood beside them and the brightnesse of God did shine round about them Consider 2. Christ would not be made known to the Wisemen about Bethleem because they were proud nor to the rich because they were covetous nor to the noble because they were given to pleasures but to Shepherds that is men that were poor humble laborious vigilant and careful in their office Be you therefore such an one and be watchful over your self that you may deserve to be visited with divine illustrations Consider 3. Such a Shepherd or Pastour was St. Thomas whose Feast you celebrate this day and therefore the Gospel of the good Shepherd is applied unto him For the same reason Christ manifested himself unto him after a special manner towards an eminent degree of Sanctity in this life and is now seen and enjoyed by him in the other to an equal proportion of Glory See his Zeal for the Church of God his Constancy in adversity and Piety in Prosperity and do your utmost to imitate him And if you be to receive to day Christ the chief Pastour in the Holy Eucharist beseech him to instruct you how to feed and govern according to his and St. Thomas his example the flock committed to your charge which in the first place is your own Soul with all its powers faculties and senses then those that are under your charge that by vertue of his divine illustrations you may your self be enlightened all over and with all be a light to others both by word and example For as St. Gregory saith Greg. Ep. 32. l. 7. The flame or fire of the Shepherd is the light of the flock Of the Message sent to the Shepherds 2. Part. Luc. 2.10 11. COnsider 1. Those words of the Angel I evangelize to you great joy c. because this day is born to you a Saviour c. The joys of the world are either base or vain The onely true and solid content is of God and of things appertaining to our eternal Salvation and this joy as our Saviour saith no man shall take from you Jo. 16.22 Think therefore what cause you have to rejoyce for the Birth of this Saviour Mat. 1.21 who saveth his people from their sins from the power and slavery of the Devil from hell and damnation and bestoweth upon them all manner of Spiritual Blessings Grace Vertue and Life everlasting And this to you as much as to all the world besides and even this day and at all times that you will your self Say therefore with the Prophet Habac. 3.18 I will joy in our Lord and will rejoyce in God my Jesus Consider 2. And this shall be a sign to you You shall finde the Infant swadled in clothes and laid in a manger Good God what signs are these of the Messias Lord and Saviour of the world Infancy clouts and manger Who would not have expected he should have heard of Courts Thrones Purple robes c. Try whether you can finde such signs of Poverty and Humility in your heart that thence you may come to know whether or no Christ be as yet spiritually born within you Consider 3. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly Army praising God c. O what heavenly Musick was then heard O with what Angelical Harmony was then first entoned Gloria in excelsis Deo Glory in the highest to God Learn hence to praise and glorifie God in all things And in earth peace to men of good will Hence also learn that peace both interiour and exteriour with God and our Neighbour is a peculiar gift of Christ For Ps. 71.7 There shall arise in those days Justice and abundance of Peace O how much is this Peace to be wished for Yet it is not bestowed but upon men of good will that is rightly subordinate to God For Is 48.22 There is no peace to the impious saith our Lord. Luc. 2.15 Of the Shepherds Adoring 2 Reg. 23.15 COnsider 1. Let us go over to Bethleem c. See their prompt Obedience With the same readinesse ought you likewise to obey divine Inspirations And they came with speed that you may learn to be fervorous in the Service of God For as St. Ambrose saith no body seeketh Christ slothfully Go you also and that frequently over to Bethleem considering the Mysteries that were there exhibited for your Salvation Say with David O that some man would give me drink of the water out of the Cestern that is in Bethleem The Cestern is the Cave the Water is Christ Jer. 2.13 Eccli 1.5 who is the Fountain of Living Water and the Fountain of Wisdom Consider 2 And they sound Mary and Joseph and the Infant c. Whence you may learn that the readiest way to finde Christ is by means of the B. Virgin and the Intercession of Saints See with what Spiritual Joy the Shepherds adore what Presents they offer How afterwards they return again and recount to others what had passed Gloâ—ifying and praising God in all things that they had seen and heard And out of all gather something for your self Consider 3. But Mary kept all these words c. Observe four several sorts of persons then in Bethleem 1. Some passing by did see the Shepherds and the Crib but not finding any thing extraordinary went on their ways without any further notice or feeling 2. Others heard and admired what the Shepherds related unto them but being busied with other affairs thought no more of it 3. The Shepherds themselves adored also and with a lively faith but returned afterwards to their own uncertain with what event 4. Only the B. Virgin and St. Joseph insisted upon the Mystery pondering each particular and bearing them constantly in minde Think what rank you are of or would wish to be Behold thy Saviour cometh Is 62.11 O God save me in thy name Ps. 53.3 Luc. 2.27 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as he is Jesus or Saviour Ps. 129.7 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel to wit that in his Circumcision His Name was called Jesus that is Saviour and with reason for that to day he sheddeth his first bloud as the earnest penny of our Redemption being to pay the remainder of our Ransome on Mount Calvary so as to make good that of the Psalmist And with him there is plenteous redemption If Joseph and some others were called Saviours for having delivered the people from famine and temporal death how much more Justly is Christ so called who saveth us from that which is everlasting For he saith the Angel shall save his
in a stable upon a bed of straw Consider 3. And falling down adored him 1. They prostrated themselves with most profound humility as well interior as exterior acknowledging their own unworthiness and their subjection and dependance on him 2. They adored him with a most perfect act of Adoration as their Soveraign Lord and God 3. This Adoration was seconded with an entire oblation of themselves and their Kingdoms with sincere expressions of gratitude both for their own particular and for the general benefit of all in his Incarnation and Vocation of the Gentiles together with most ardent affections of love and desires that all the world might come to his knowledge and service Learn hence what admirable effects a lively faith doth work in a devout Soul and with that affections you are to come to the same Lord in the Holy Eucharist Mat. 2.11 Of the Sages Offerings or Gifts ANd opening their treasures they offered to him gifts Gold Frankincense and Myrrhe Consider how with the above-named affections of faith humility reverence devotion and love they offer gifts in homage to their Soveraign Lord and that of the best things they had and out of their treasures that you might learn to give to God and to employ the best not the worst things you have in divine uses Consider the gifts in particular and present yours joyntly with them They offer Gold as Tribute to their Lord and King Offer him also Gold that is 1. a heart full of Charity loving him from your whole heart for as Gold is the chief of Metals so Charity is the Queen of Vertues 2. Exterior worldly goods with an affection and love to Poverty setting them all at naught in respect of his divine service so as to be ready even actually to leave all rather then to offend him only Venially Ps 140.2 Consider 2. They offer Frankincense in acknowledgement of his Divinity Offer also your Frankincense of fervent and frequent Prayer saying with David Let my prayer O Lord be directed as incense in thy sight Offer again to God your Frankincense that is your will as a most sweet perfume and this by Obedience to your Superiours Governours and Directours whom God hath appointed in his place over you For there is no Sacrifice more grateful to him then that of our will by means of Obedience 1 Reg. 15.22 Better is Obedience saith Samuel then Victims Consider 3. They offer Myrrhe as to a mortal man Offer you also the Myrrhe which is of a bitter taste of Mortification chastifing your body with St. Paul and bringing it to subjection so as to obey the Spirit Offer also a special Myrrhe of Chastiry carefully avoiding whatsoever may endamage it for as Myrrhe preserveth dead bodies from corruption S. Greg. Orat. 16. so Chastity doth keep both the bodies and minds of the living undefiled Lastly consecrate your whole self to God and give whatsoever you have to him who hath given you all things Of the Sages Return ¶ If the Octave fall upon Sunday make this Meditation on Saturday and on Sunday of H. Communion as above 1 Jo. 4.1 2 Cor. 11.14 COnsider 1. How the Sages having performed their homage and duty of Adoration having also presented the B. Virgin and St. Joseph with some gifts and taken their leave were now ready for their return full of spiritual joy and zeal of bringing others to Christ and amongst them Herod himself but were admonished in their sleep that they should not go back to him Whence you may learn that God hath a care of them that are his and can easily frustrate the subtile intentions of the wicked And that in the way of Vertue not every motion which seems to be according to zeal ought always to be followed But we must prove the spirits if they be of God for oftentimes as the Apostle witnesseth Satan transfigureth himself into an Angel of light Consider 2. How they presently obeyed and went back another way into their Countrey Mat. 2.12 So ought we to follow the inspirations of God and they that have had more knowledge and experience of Christ should enter into another course of life of greater exactness and perfection in their progress towards their heavenly countrey Greg. hom in Epiph. from which seeing we turned away by pleasures we should return by the contrary way of sorrow and repentance Think how the B. Virgin behaved her self in all these passages and what joy she was in to see her Son thus adored and that of the Prophet fulfilled Ps 71.10 The Kings of Tharsis and the Islands shall offer presents c. Recommend your self earnestly to her saying with S. Bernard Orat. S. Ber. By you Virgin Mother let us have access to your Son 2 Cor. 9.6 Consider 3. The B. Infant did not send the Sages away empty but highly rewarded for their pains and devotion He bestowed upon them supernatural and heavenly gifts in return to theirs for their Gold he gave them the rich treasures of Wisdom and Charity for their Frankincense the gift of Prayer and Devotion for their Myrrhe the Soveraign Balm of his divine Grace against the corruption of Sin We can give nothing to God that returneth not with advantage to our selves the more we give the more we shall receive Be liberal therefore to God that he may be so to you remembring what the Apostle saith He that soweth sparingly sparingly also shall reap and he that soweth in blessings of blessings also shall reap ¶ If there remain any days between the Octave and the 2. Sunday repeat these Meditations according to the number of the days If a whole Week then on Munday take the Meditation of the Purification and go on with them the other days as they follow intermitting that of the second Sunday till it cometh in its course of that year Behold the Bridegroom cometh go ye forth to meet him Mat. 25.6 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the Spouse of your Soul Ose 2.19 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel There was a Marriage made in Cana of Galilee c. Jo. 2.1 The like Espousals will be made this day between Christ and your Soul if you will but give your consent for he on his part doth earnestly desire it according to that I will despouse thee to me for ever and I will despouse thee to me in Justice and Judgement and in Mercy and in Commiserations Nay although you have often been disloyal unto him by your disordinate affection and adhering to creatures he is notwithstanding ready to pardon all and even invites you again to him by the Prophet Jer. 3.1 Thou hast committed fornication with many lovers nevertheless return unto me saith our Lord and I will receive thee Ps 44.3 Consider 2. How great a dignity it is to be espoused to a King here upon Earth How much greater then to the King of Heaven Think how incomparable is the
in spirit to the Church and not out of meer custom Consider 3. How well the Blessed Infant did recompense the long expectation of this Holy Man not only favouring him with his corporal presence and that in his arms but also working interiourly in his Soul admirable effects of his divine grace and replenishing him with heavenly comfort so to the full as to make him bid adieu to all earthly things and to life it self breaking forth into that sweet Canticle Now thou doest dismisse thy Servant O Lord according to thy word in peace Because mine eyes have seen thy Salvation O that you could likewise bid farewell to all worldly desires and say with the Apostle I have a desire to be dissolved Phil. 1.23 and to be with Christ Luc. 2.34 Of what passed with Holy Simeon and others Part. 2. COnsider 1. What Simeon said of Christ Behold this Infant is set unto the ruine and unto the resurrection of many in Israel Christ will indeed prove to be the ruine both of the unbelievers and of those that work not according to their belief but withall a resurrection and everlasting life to the Just Think how you would have him be to you and take notice how even the holiest things will turn to our ruine and damnation if we make ill use of them Reflect therefore upon your self and examine what use you make of Gods benefits and of the means bestowed upon you to work your Salvation Coloss 2.3 Consider 2. And for a sign which shall be contradicted O wonder He was the Increated Wisdom of God In whom be all the treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge bid and yet he was contradicted by many His words and actions were commonly calumniated and condemned and thou silly man that thou art doest thou wonder and repine that men sometimes do contradict thee and reprove thy doings and sayings Learn to suffer patiently If you desire to be Christ's Disciple you must be content to be as a set mark for others to aim at in contradiction Mat. 10.24 For the Disciple is not above the Master Eccli 11.27 Consider 3. What the Holy man said to the B. Virgin And thine own Soul shall a sword pierce c. Ponder how God mixeth sorrow with gladness and amidst those excessive joys wherewith her Soul must necessarily be filled to see her Son honoured in that solemn manner he puts her in mind of her future sorrows Ponder the singular modesty of the Virgin and withall her resignation wherewith she accepted at the hands of God the piercing sword Imitate her example and learn not to be overjoy'd in time of Consolation but to think then of the Desolation that may ensue In the day of good things saith Ecclesiasticus be not unmindful of evil Luc. 2.36 Of what passed with Anna and others Part 1. Ps 38.5 COnsider 1. In this Mystery are proposed unto us the Vertues of this Saint for our imitation After seven years of a married life she lived continually in the Temple till the fourscore and fourth year of her age by fasting and prayers serving night and day Ponder her great love of Chastity her continual exercise of Prayer and Mortification and constant perseverance of so many years in the Service of God Compare these Vertues with your Inconstancy and Tepidity That you may know what is lacking to you Consider 2. And she at the same hour suddenly coming in confessed to our Lord. Ponder here 1. Gods sweet Providence in inspiring her to come so opportunely and withall revealing unto her the Mystery of his Sons Incarnation 2. Her concurrence with the divine Inspiration not letting slip one moment of the hour that was alotted her for the obtaining of so great a blessing Who knoweth whether this be not the hour wherein God intends you some special favour if you would make right use of it Learn hence to be ready at all hours and let not any slip from you You may lose many by neglecting one Mat. 20.16 2 Pet. 1.10 Consider 3. Many others there were at that time in the Temple who both saw and heard what passed yet these two alone had their eyes open to know him for that this Blessed Infant in the exteriour made no shew of any thing that was singular or above other children Learn hence to conceal what is in you and withall not to judge of others by their outside Learn also that among so many that come to the Holy Eucharist those alone do truly know him and do taste of his sweetness who come in spirit and devotion to the Church and are rightly disposed Lastly learn hence that many are called but few elect Labour therefore the more as St. Peter admonisheth that by good works you make sure your Vocation and Election Luc. 2.38 Of what passed with Anna and others Part 2. COnsider 1. The Interiour Acts of Vertue this holy Woman exercised when she beheld the Blessed Infant Her Faith Hope Love Joy and Congratulation with her self perfect Resignation c. Observe and imitate as often as you come to the same Christ in the Holy Eucharist If you believe where is your Humility Reverence and Devotion If you hope in him why do you afflict your self for crosses and adversities If you love him why do you set your affection upon creatures If your joy be in him why do you beg content and satisfaction from earthly comforts If lastly you have resigned your self to him why do you so often recall your self and seek your own will Mat. 12.34 Consider 2. Out of the Vehemency of her affection and zeal she brake forth into the praises of God She confessed to our Lord and spake of him to all c. professing him to be the Messias of the world extolling his mercies admiring his humility inviting all to acknowledge reverence and love him as their Lord and Saviour O how true is that Of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh The reason why you are so dumb in the praises of God is because you are cold and tepid in affection Learn of this holy Woman to speak freely of God and of heavenly things in your private discourses and conversation with others Be not content to enjoy God alone but endeavour to bring others to him both by word and example Consider 3. And his Father and Mother were marveling upon those things which were spoken concerning him They admired the divine Providence in revealing these Sublime Mysteries to a few onely and those but obscure persons rather then to the great and wise men of the world And after that they had wholy done all things according to the law of our Lord they returned Learn by this their example eractly to accomplish the will of God in all even the least things Accompany them home Observe their religious comportment on the way See how they being now returned to Bethleem apply themselves each one in their several duties to tend and serve the
we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son And which is more he prayed for his own Executioners Rom. 12.21 that you might learn to overcome in good the evill Gal. 2.20 Ps. 115.3 Consider 3. He suffered for all so that he offered to his Eternal Father his Sufferings for every one in particular Wherefore take them to your self and use them as your own saying with S. Paul Who loved me and delivered himself for me Think what return you can make him What shall I render to our Lord for all things that he hath rendred to me I will take the chalice of Salvation Take therefore the chalice of his Passion and drink it up at least spiritually by contemplation and you will thereby have made the most proper and most acceptable return Of Christs Passion in General With what affection he suffereth Luc. 12.50 FIrst with the affection of a most ardent Love most ernestly beforehand wishing the hour of his Passion were come and saying I have to be baptized with a baptisme and how am I straightened till it be dispatched 2. Of most profuse Liberality for whereas the least drop of his bloud would have sufficed to redeem the whole world by reason of the dignity of his person he would notwithstanding powr out all he had Ps. 21.15 Ps. 129.7 1 Pet. 2.23 As water I am powred out Because with him is plenteous Redemption 3. Of the greatest meekness Who when he was reviled did not revile when he suffered he threatned not but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly Is 53.7 And was led as a sheep to slaughter 4. Of an Insatiable zeal thirsting the salvation of all men which made him cry out on the Cross I thrist Jo. 19.28 Ps. 21.6 5. Of an incomparable Humility making himself the Reproch of men and outcast of the people who notwithstanding was in form of God Of extreme Proverty renouncing all earthly goods whatsoever even his own garments so as to hang naked on the Cross 7. Of Invincible Patience and Fortitude in suffering constantly to the end most grievous torments 8. Of the perfectest Obedience being obedient in a matter of the greatest difficulty unto death Phil. 2.8 even the death of the Cross And that not onely to his Eternall father but also to his bloudy Executioners I have given my body to the strikers Is. 50.6 and my cheeks to the pluckers I have not turned away my face from the rebukers and spitters Looke throughly into this pattern of all Vertue and doe according to what you see therein I will sow her unto me into the Earth and will have mercy on her that was without mercy Osee 2.23 Luc. 8.5 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the Seed of Eternall Life Galat. 6.8 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Ghospel The sower went forth to sow his seed c. Christ our Lord is both the sower and seed it self for he soweth his own pretious body under the form of wheat in the hearts of the faithful not unto a corruptible but an incorruptible harvest and unto life everlasting For He that soweth in the Spirit saith S. Paul of the Spirit shall reap life everlasting Think with your self how much this blessed harvest is to be wished for Consider 2. This divine seed although in it self it be most fruitful notwithstanding requireth the concurrence of a good soile to bring forth fruit Wherefore if it fall in the high way it is trampled upon by the passengers as in the Ghospel if upon stones it 's dryed up to nothing if among thorns it is choked up See therefore whither your soule be a fit soile well cleansed supple far from the high way or rather whither it be not thorny stony full of the cares and occupations of this life hard to receive heavenly influences and open to all manner of thoughts and distractions But if it be so see that you mend your self and prepare your Soul to receive this heavenly seed Consider 3. This seed though in a good soile and in the best heart doth not yeild fruit but in patience as Christ saith that you might learn to persever with patience in expectation of the effect Luc. sup 15. and fruit of this divine grain and of whatsoever other Visitation of God and give not over to cultivate your Soul for that perhaps you doe not perceive that fruit which you desire Behold the Husband was expecteth the precious fruit of the Earth patiently bearing Jâ—c 5.7 till he receive the timely and the lateward that is either timely or later fruit Doe you the like and you will bring forth plenty of excellent fruit He fortelleth his Disciples his Passion Mat. 20. Marc. 10. Luc. 18. Mat. 20.18 COnsider 1. Behold we go up to Jerusalem c. The time being now come wherein Christ had decreed from all Eternity to suffer for the redemption of the world he went up with his Disciples to Jerusalem with great cheerfulness and speed for he went before them Mar. 10.32 and they were astonished and following were affraid Thus did he hasten to his death carried on by the force of his love You on the contrary are slow in suffering any thing He also went before leading the way that you might learn to shew first by example what you would persuade by words Mat. sup Consider 2. He revealeth his Passion to his Disciples The son of man shall be delivered to the chiefe Priests He had done this before but now more expressly He maketh this frequent mention of his Passion though most bitter in it self for that he did continually bear it in mind and amidst all his glory in the Transfiguration he treated of his decease that he should accomplish in Jerusalem Luc. 9.31 Doe you endeavour to be piously affected towards the memory of it that you may say with the spouse in the Canticles A bundle of Myrrhs my beloved is to me Cant. 1.13 Luc. 18.34 Consider 3. And they understood none of these things The Apostles were as yet worldly given and bent upon honors and preferments Luc. 22.24 And there fell also a contention between them which of them seemed to be greater Therefore they understood not the Mystery of the Cross and what great good consisted in Humility and suffering of reproch Cast you off all these worldly affections if you will understand the Mystery of the Cross Ponder Christs severe reprehension of S. Peter disswading him from the ignominy of his Passion Go after me sathan Mat. 16.23 thou art a scandal unto me because thou savorest not the things that are of God but the things that are of men Mat. 21. Luc. 19. Of Christs solemn Enterance into Jerusalem before his Passion Part. 1. Zachar. 9.9 COnsider 1. Christ drawing neer to Jerusalem sendeth two of his Disciples to bring unto him an Asse upon which he intended to ride into the
and Wisdom of God himself is so obedient at the Altar Be ever gratefull and endeavour to come allwayes worthily to this divine Mystery Of the Institution of the B. Sacrament Part 2. COnsider 1. Christ would institute this divine Mystery immediatly before his Passion 1. To testify the excess of his love towards men in preparing for them a heavenly banquet and inestimable present even then when they were contriving his death 2. To manifest the desire he had of ever remaining with us even corporally for being now to depart out of the world he would notwithstanding leave himself after a special manner to abide with us for ever 3. To leave us a perpetuall Memorial of his Passion and a living Sacrifice The Sacrifices of the antient law ceasing by his death by which the fruit and vertue of his Passion might be applyed to us 4. To make us the more sensible of his love bequeathing himself unto us by his last will and Testament Jo. 6.57 Consider 2. Christ did institute this Sacrament under the formes of bread and wine 1. That so he might the straighter be united with us becoming meat and drink to us penetrating our very bowels and incorporating himself with us 2. To signify that he doth work in our Soules what bread and wine doth in our bodies that is nourish conserve and augment our Spiritual life so as even to transform us into himself He that eateth me the same also shall live by me 3. That as bread is made one masse of many graines and wine one liquor of many grapes so by participation of this divine Sacrament the hearts of the faithfull are made one Spirit and therefore it is properly called Communion or union of many among themselves and of all with Christ Ps. 115.4 Consider 3. Allthough in each Sacramentall forme the entire body and bloud of Christ is contained without any reall Separation of one from the other yet Christ would institute the Sacrament in two different formes the better to put us in mind of his Passion and to signify that thereby all his pretious bloud was entirely separated from his body namely by his sweat in the garden by whips at the pillar by the thornes by the nayles and by the lance on the Cross Think what you can return to our Lord for his infinite love towards you expressed in this Sacrament Say with David I will take the Chalice of Salvation by grateful remembrance and compassion and I will invocate the name of our Lord. Of our Lords Sermon after Supper Part 1. Jo. c. 14.15 16.17 COnsider 1. Christ after the Communion of his Body had that long Sermon to the Apostles which is in S. John for that is the time wherein he is wont to treat more at large with the faithfull Soul and would likewise with you but that you leave him presently after Communion or doe not harken to him and therefore profit little In that divine Sermon our Lord performed the part 1. Of a Master delivering such things as he would chiefly have observed 2. Of a Comforter allaying his Disciples griefe for his future absence shewing how expedient it was for them 3. Of an Intercessor on our behalf to his Eternal Father praying him to preserve us See you observe what he enjoyneth and be thankfull for the rest Jo. 15.9 Consider 2. As our Master he doth chiefly recommend unto us the love of God and of himself above all things As my father hath loved me I also have loved you Abide in my love Think whither you love him as he hath loved you and yet there can be no comparison between yours and his love for his is infinitly beneficial to you but yours wholy unprofitable to him Notwithstanding out of pure love to you and to gain yours to himself he hath given you his own flesh and bloud for meat and drink and his life upon the Cross for your Redemption Ibid. v. 13. And greater love then this no man hath Are you ready to lay down yours for him Jo. 14.15 Ibid. v. 23. Consider 3. If you love me saith he keep my commandements And again If any one love me he will keep my word The proofe therefore of love Greg. hom 30. saith S. Gregory is the performance of deeds If you love Christ resolve to doe and suffer somthing for him at least put on the affection of compassion for his sufferings and leave it not off all this time of Lent Offer up your fasting and whatsoever you may suffer thereby in union with his paines and dolours Of our Lords Sermon after Supper Part 2. Jo. 15.12 Jo. 13.34 COnsider 1. After the love of God Christ doth earnestly recommend the love of our Neighbour This is my precept And A new commandement I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you He calleth it his and a new commandement because he renewed it being fallen to decay And New as to the manner and perfection requiring that our love be like his that is universall to all friends and enemies without respect to deserts or recompence even with our own temporal incommodity and if need be with loss of life In this all men shall know that you are my Disciples if you have love to one another Ibid. See you be his disciple in this and take to heart what he going now to die inculcated in such weighty termes Jo. 16.24 Consider 2. Christ doth also much recommend unto us the use of prayer Vntill now you have not asked any thing in my name Aske and you shall receive Whatsoever you shall aske in my name Jo. 14.13 that will I doe c. So friendly an invitation cannot but ground a great confidence The poor and needy are provoked and even pressed to receive benefits and he inviteth that is both able to make good his word and cannot deceive Only we must be careful to pray in due manner to wit in Christs name that is only for such things as appartain to our Salvation and with Preseverance Jo. 16.2 Consider 3. Christ our Lord doth arimat his Disciples and all that follow him to endure patiently reproch torments and death it self in his cause Our of the Synogogues they will cast you The hour cometh that every one which killeth you shall think that he doth service to God He encourageth them Jo. 15.20 1. By his own example The servant is not greater than his master If they have persecuted me you also will they prâ—sâ—cute 2. In delivering it as a signe of Predestination Ibid. v. 19. Because you are not of the world therefore the world hateth you 3. By proposing the reward Jo. 16.20 Your sorrow shall be turned into joy Here offer your self to suffer whatsoever for Christ Christ is Sorowful and prayeth in the Garden Mat. 26.30 Jo. 18.1 COnsider 1. An Hymn being said He went forth with his Disciples beyond the Torrent Cedron where was
sake hath endured far greater in all kinds and at the hands of the bâ—sest sort of people Of S. Peters denying Christ Part 1. Mat. 26.69 COnsider 1. S. Peter having followed our Lord into Caiphas his house and standing with the rest at the fire There came to him one wench saying thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean but he denyed before them all saying I wot not what thou sayest c. He who but some few houres before said Though I should dye with thee I will not deny thee now at the first word and that of a woman Ibid. v. 35. out of shame and fear fouly denyeth that he ever knew him O how many are there now a days who not out of humility but out of a shameful â—ear of what the world would say or think of them Luc. 22.57 dare not own any Christian or Vertuous action nor profess themselves disciples and followers of Christ See you be none of these Mat. 26.74 Consider 2. Peter being still in the same company and taâ—ed by divers of being Christs Disciple he persisteth in his denyall the second and third time neither minded he the first cock crowing or at least cared not but Began to curse and to swâ—are that he knew not the man Observe the different effects of good and evill company Peter among his fellow disciples was so fervorous as to offer to dye for his Master in this lewd company he disoweneth even to know any such man Learn hence to avoid evill company and conversation for as the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.33 saith Evill communications corrupt good manners Consider 3. Some particular circumstances of S. Peters fall which all the Evangelists doe set down at large to teach us to be warie by others harmes 1. The occasion or cause of this fall was that vaine presumption of himself Mat. 26.33 Allthough all shall be scandalized in thee I will never be scandalized 2. His Negligence in prayer yeelding to sleep when he should have watched in prayer by Christs express command Ibid. v. 41. Watch ye and pray that ye enter not into temptation 3. The instrument of this fall was a Woman as was that of Adams first Sin Admire and tremble to see the pillar of the Church cast down at the voice of a Woman 4. His sin increased by degrees passing from a simple denyall to execration and open Perjury Learn to resist the very beginnings of evill and to be greatly concerned for small defects Eccli 19.1 for he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little Of S. Peters denying Christ Part 2. COnsider 1. Our Lord turning looked on Peter Lue. 22.61 â—â—rad To. 4 l. 6. c. 21. S. Aug. l. 1. de Gratia c. 45. While Peter was actually denying our Lord the third time Jesus happened to be led down from the upper roome where he was condemned to the lower Court where Peter was and gratiously looked upon his sheep that was perishing Or as some doe expound with the interior eyes of his mercy looked vpon him a far of and by his grace moved him to repentance See how in the midst of his own afflictions he forgetteth not his ungrateful Disciple Ps 24.16 With the same eyes O Lord have respect to me and have mercy on me Mat. 26.75 Consider 2. The Conversion and Repentance of S. Peter And going forth he wept bitterly not out of the servile fear of punishment but out of love and sence of his ingratitude in offending so good a Lord Master and Benefactor He rightly understood that of Jeremy Jer. 2.19 That it is an evill and a bitter thing to thee to have left thy Lord thy God Doe you also procure to understand it a right that you may henceforwards keep your self from falling O How often have you not only in bare words but by deeds denyed your Lord and offended him perhaps more then Peter but have not as yet duely lamented your fault as he did Theod. Hist Consider 3. The long Pennance S. Peter performed for this denying his Master He is said to have bewailed it his whole life time breaking forth into teares as often as the Cock-crowing or other occasion refreshed the memory of his sin in so much that his eyes were become as two fountaines of teares and his continual weeping had made furrows in his cheekes Be confounded to see that nothing dryeth up sooner then your teares Persever therefore in works of Pennance and as Ecclesiasticus admonisheth Eccli 5.5 Of sin forgiven be not without feare Of Judas his Despair Mat. 27.3 COnsider 1. Then Judas that betrayed him seeing that he was condemned repenting him returned the thirty silver pieces c. Saying I have sinned betraying just bloud Think what an unquiet mind Judas carried after his treacherous and Sacrilegious fact so that he could take no joy in the money for which he sold his Lord but the worm of his guilty conscience gnawing his heart he brought it back whence you may learn that Sinners reap no soâ—id content out of their wickedness but much pain Aug. l. 1. Coaf c. 11. disquiet and trouble Lord you have ordained it saith S. Augustine and accordingly it is in are that every disordinat mind is its own punishment Therefore in Job it is said of the Impious Job 15.21 The sound of terrour is allways in his eares Mat. sup Consider 2. The answer of the Wicked Priests What is that to us look thou to it They are little concerned for their Neighbour whether he perish or not and like Cain will not be their brothers guardians Not so the good ones who with all endeavor labour to pull their neighbour out of the depth of sin They doe not say What is it to us look you to it but doe help and asist whom and what they are able some with charitable offices others by their prayers They are tender to all in compassion 1 Cor. 9.22 and with the Apostle To all men become all things that they may save all These you must also procure to imitate Mat. sup Consider 3. He went and hanged himself with an halter See how one sin is the punishment of another despaire of treachery God often permitting us to fall the second time in punishment of the first sin that you may learn to shun all Take notice of the fubtile wiles of the Divel who at first provoketh to sin and afterwards taking away all hopes of pardon casteth the Sinner headlong into damnation by despaire Observe also how desperat and mad are the determinations of a troubled conscience so that the Wise man had reason to say Sap. 17.10 A troubled conscience doth allways presume cruell things Lastly from this final ruine of an Apostle He that thinketh himself to stand let him take heed least he fall 1 Cor. 10.12 I have sinned what shall I doe to thee O Keeper of Men Job 7.20 Of Holy Communion
whom you behold in the outward shape of man the same is God and Lord of all things the Messias Saviour Doctor and Pastor of men who for love of mankind abased himself beneath the condition of a slave even to this lamentable plight Mat. 12.18 Consider 2. And imagin these same words spoken by the Eternal Father proposing his Son as an example of all Vertue for you to imitate Behold the man Behold the servant whom I have chosen my beloved in whom my soul hath well liked Look Exod. 25.40 and make it or doe according to the pattern He suffereth himself to be contemned and scoffed at to confound your pride He is naked to correct your Covetousnes He indureth excessive torments to satisfy for your sensuality He turneth his cheeke to the striker to allay your anger and passion and so of the rest See therefore how you may imitate 1 Jo. 2.2 Ps. 83.10 Consider 3. These words may be spoken by you and by the whole Church to the Eternal Father offering Christ unto him as a pacifick Host for all our sinnes O Eternal Father Behold the man who in the name of all mankind is come to pay Adams ransome He is the Propitiation for our sinnes Therefore behold O God our Protectour and look upon the face of thy Christ Say the same often to your self with affections of compassion to your Lord and Saviour of gratitude for suffering so much for love of you of confidence and hope in so great a goodness and of an ardent desire of imitating his example and of suffering for love of him Mat. 27. Luc. 23. Christ is condemned to death Mat. 27.19 COnsider 1. As Pilat was sitting in place of Judgement his wife sent unto him c. Ponder the goodnes of God seeking divers ways to hinder the sins of men as here he did admonishing Pilat by his wife and her in sleep so that it may be justly objected to every sinner Perdition is thine O Israel O how often hath he admonished you Osee 13.9 speaking interiorly to your heart by holy Inspirations and exteriorly by Preachers and superiours forbidding you to doe this or that and yet you have not given over Be careful hereafter to be more observant of his admonitions Mat. 27.24 Consider 2. Pilat seeing that he nothing prevailed c. Taking water washed his hands saying I am innocent of the bloud of this Just man And yet at the same time pronounced sentence of Death against him So many pretend innocency in their life but matter not their foul mouthes they will not offend their neighbour in their outward actions but scruple not to wound him with their tongues Hear how the Jews cry out His bloud be upon us and upon our Children See how the heat of passion casteth a man head-long upon his own ruine And have a care you be not over-ruled by any Luc. 23.24 Consider 3. And Pilat judged their petition to be done Think how unjust this sentence was whereby the Author of life was condemned to death allmost in the same breath wherewith he was pronounced Just and innocent and how wickedly Pilat did in yeelding to their unjust demands against his own conscience that you might learn to stand resolutly for Justice although you were to suffer a thousand deaths for it Think with what shouts the people wellcomed this sentence and how the Priests and Pharises triumphed Ponder what feeling Christ himself had at that time how he complained not nor made any opposition but with an undaunted mind 1 Pet. 2.23 delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly Christ carrieth his Cross Rom. 13.14 COnsider 1. Sentence of Death being given Christ is stripped of the Purple Garment and cloathed with his own that he might be the better known in his own attire The robe is taken off not the crown that he might not be without torment So you likewise if you desire to carry your Cross after our Lord must cast off the purple robe that is the love of the world and put on the garments and livery of Christ to wit Mildness and Patience according to that of the Apostle Doe ye on our Lord Jesus Christ Consider 2. The Cross being brought forth ponderous in weight and fifteen foot in length our Saviour doubtless exulted and with greater reason and feeling then did afterwards his Disciple S. Andrew saluted the same in those or the like words Wellcome O pretious Cross long wished-for Barrad l. 7. c. 10. entirely beloved and now at last prepared to my hearts desire he imbraced kissed and took it upon his shoulders O what shouting and laughter was there then among the people For his greater Ignominy there are led with him two theeves But with what difference both of countenance and disposition of mind doe they beare their several Crosses Think with your self whom you will rather choose to imitate in carrying yours Jo. 19.17 Consider 3. And bearing his own Cross he went forth c. To wit between two theeves the Cryer all along proclaming the respective causes of their death Gen. 22.6 So did Isaac formerly carry on his shoulders the wood of the Holocaust whereon himself was to be sacrificed See how the tender and feeble members of Christ shrink under the heavy burthen and how he stumbleth and falleth often to the ground as he goeth being quite tired-out and exhausted by his torments O Angels of Heaven why doe you not ease his burthen But your sins O my Soul are more burthensome unto him for our Lord hath put upon him saith Isaie the Iniquity of all us Cease therefore to sin Is. 53.6 that you may likewise cease to burthen him Of Meeting the Blessed Virgin COnsider 1. Christ being sentenced to death the news was probably carryed to the B. Virgin by some of the Disciples Ponder how according to Simeons prophecy her Soul is here pierced with the sword of griefe She might likely say with David Who would grant me that I might dye for thee Jesus my Son my Son Jesus She resigned herself 2 Reg. 18.33 notwithstanding wholy to the will of God according to that As it shall be the will in Heaven so be it done 1 Mach. 3.60 Consider 2. How notwithstanding her grief with an undaunted courage she resolveth to goe to the place of Execution to give her last embracements and farewel to her B. Son She stays therefore with other women by the way side where her Son was to pass by Think what torment of mind she felt when she first saw the rout of people coming along with Nailes Hammers Ladders and other such like instruments What afterward when she beheld her most innocent Son coming between two theeves laden with a heavy Cross and cudgelled on by the Souldiers to make hast Condole with them both and grieve for giving cause of their sufferings by your Sinns Luc. 23.28 Consider 3. Those words of Christ to
whereby he might be the more tormented not refreshed 3. Of effectually redeeming whole Mankind for whom he dyed Strive to imitate him in all these Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Justice for they shall have their fill Of Christs last Words and Death Jo. 19.30 COnsider 1. Jesus therefore when he had taken the Vinegre said It is consummate He congratulated with himself 1. For having performed the will of his Heavenly Father Phil. 2.8 being made Obedient unto death even the death of the Cross 2. For having fullfilled the Prophecies and figures that were of him Mat. 5.18 of which he said I came not to breake the Law but to fullfill 3. For being come to an end of all his labours which he endured to the very last drinking up the chalice prepared for him to the bottom dregs and all Well therefore might he say to his Eternal Father I have consummated the work which thou gavest me to doe c. And I come to thee Jo. 17.4 10. Luc. 23.46 Judic 7.20 Consider 2. The Last Word Father into thy bands I commend my Spirit He said it with a loud voice in sign of Triumph over Death Sin and the Divel So Gedeon with broken pitchers and loud cry proclaimed Victory over the Madianits He teacheth us withall how to recommend our selves to God at the hour of death and what we ought chiefly to be carefull of at that time casting off all thoughts of wordly affaires Beseech our Lord that death may not so steal upon you at unawates as to prevent these or the like good affections Jo. 19.30 Consider 3. And bowing his head he gave up the ghost O unspeakable Mystery The Sun of glory is ecclipsed The Temple of the living God is dissolved The Author of life yeelds to death O how true is that of the Apostle You are bought with a great price Wherefore Glorify 1 Cor. 6.20 and beare God in your body but much more in your mind See that you be not more insensible then the sensless creatures themselves The Sun was darkened and the veile of the Temple was rent in the midst The Earth did quake and the rocks were reat Luc. 23.45 Mat. 27.51 and the graves were opened c. Be ashamed and confounded for your sins Teare a sunder the double veile of self-love and will that hangeth between God and you Tremble at the account you are to give for Christs death and Passion Rent your hard heart by true Contrition And lastly quit the loathsome Grave of Sin and Tepidity Arise sit up Jerusalem lose the hands of thy neck c. You were sould for nought and without silver you shall be redeemed Is 52.2 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as your Redeemer Ps. 110.9 COnsider 1. The benefit of our Redemption which the Church doth most particularly solemnize all this holy time We were all under the Tyranny of the Divel cast off from the face of God by demerit of our sins nor was there any one that could free us from this slavery no creature being sufficient to pay our ransom We were all lost for ever When behold the only begotten Son of God sent redemption to his people offering himself in Sacrifice for our sins being truly our Father Is. 63.16 our Redeemer as Esaie speaketh from the beginning such is his name 1 Pet. 1.18 Consider 2. At what rare we were redeemed namely Not with corruptible things Gold or Silver but with his own pretious bloud And whereas one single drop had been aboundantly sufficient he would notwithstanding powrâ— it all forth and suffer so many bitter torments Ps. 129.7 Because with our Lord there is mercy and with him plenteous redemption Besides not content with redeeming us once he hath left himself unto us in the Eucharist so that allthough you should often fall into the Enemies hands you might have wherwithall to free your self again O unspeakable love Return the best thanks you are able Consider 3. This Redeemer will come to day into your soul to free you from the reliques of your former captivity and to lose the bands of vitious habits if any be in you Prepare your self therefore to meet him Bestow your self as a thing none of your own but wholy his who bought you 1 Cor. 6.19 You are not your own saith the Apostle for you are bought with a great price Wherefore render your self wholy to him whose you are and cast off all affection to whatsoever els Say with the Psalmist I am thine save me Ps. 118.94 Orat. deVen Sacr. and with the Church pray that you may feel in your self the benefit of his Redemption A Summary of our Lords Passion Thren 1.12 I Magine your self to stand at the foot of the Cross on Mount Calvary and to hear our Saviour call out in these words of the Prophet O all ye that pass by the way attend and see if there be sorrow like to my sorrow Ponder attentively the whole Passion according to four particular Circumstances 1. How ignominious it was He was hanged as a theef aloft in the air as one unworthy either to live or die on the earth He was condemned at four several Tribunals hurried along the streets and pointed at as a Blasphemer Seducer Impostor Glutton Madman and Fool. What say you to all this that are so nice of your Reputation 2. How Grievous it was 1. By reason of his delicate and tender complexion 2. Because he would admit of no manner of comfort either interiour or exteriour 3. For that he was left all alone and forsaken by his friends Ps. 68.9 I am become a forreigner to my brethren and a stranger to the Sons of my Mother the Synagogue 4. Upon the Cross if he would seek any ease by moving or turning himself the whole weight of his body lay the heavier upon the wounds of his hands and feet with increase of his torments If he went to lean his head the thorns were stricken the deeper in If he thirsted his drink was Vinegre and Gall c. Good God what torment Is. 1.6 3. How Universal it was both in body and mind That of the Prophet was truly fullfilled in him From the Sole of the foot to the top of the head there is no health His head was pierced with thorns his face buffeted with fists and defiled with spittle his eyes black and blew his lips swoln his teeth strucken out his beard plucked off his ears rent with pulls and pinches his nose beaten flat his shoulders torn with stripes his side pierced with a lance his hands and feet bored through with nails in fine his whole body imbrued in his own bloud 4. How lasting it was His whole life was a continual suffering I am poor and in labours saith he by his Prophet from my Youth Ps. 87.16 But those things which he suffered from his last supper to his last breath were
filled Come therefore confidently with these Is. 66.11 that you may suck and be filled of the brest of his consolation Of the Benefit of Creation Part 1. COnsider 1. What you were before God created you As to your Soul you were quite nothing as to your body little better for that which you have from your parents how easily might God have hindred and turned it into some other substance Therefore out of his meer goodness without any merits of yours among innumerable other creatures which he could have produced insteed of you he decreed to take you out of the abysse of your nothing and to bestow upon you the forme or being not of a stone or tree or of some brute beast Jer. 18.6 but of Man Behold saith our Lord as clay in the hand of the Potter so are you in my hand Consider 2. The Excellency of your Soul which God hath placed in your body 1. It is a spirit like unto the Angels and God himself that you should learn to regard only Spiritual things and not hunt so wretchedly as you doe after corporal pleasures and riches 2. It is Immortal and cannot be destroyed by any created power See therefore that as you are immortal by nature you be likewise so by grace For the death of the Soul is Sin Deut. 32.18 Consider 3. The noble powers wherewith God hath endowed your Soul chiefly the Memory Will and understanding also the Prerogative of free will whereby you are Lord and Master of your own actions Likewise a capableness of Wisdom Grace and the like Think what you may return to your Creatour for all these benefits at least return him these same again without blemish and take heed you come not to suffer that reproach God that-begat thee thou hast forsaken and hast forgotten our Lord thy Creatour Of the Benefit of Creation Part 2. Job 10.8 10. COnsider 1. The many benefits that are discovered in the composition of your body Thy hands have made me saith Job and framed me wholly round about c. Thou hast as milk milked me and carded me as cheese c. See with what variety of members senses and necessary instruments and conveniences for the exercise of its several Functions God hath furnished you how admirably and fitly he hath disposed all things in their due place and order so that in the whole Fabrick nothing can be found either superfluous or wanting or disordered Ps 138.6 S. Basil apud Bellarm Hence David with reason cryeth out Thy knowledge is become marvellous of me that is as S. Basil expoundeth out of the structure of my body it is made great and I cannot reach to it Rom. 6.19 Consider 2. How every member of your body is a particular benefit of God Think how it would be with you if you should want your eyes your tongue or hand or any other member how much would you esteem your self bound to him that should restore any single one of these that had been lost How much more grateful then ought you to be to God who hath bestowed them all upon you whole and entire See therefore you do not abuse these same benefits to the displeasure and dishonor of your Creatour by exhibiting your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity to iniquity rather then to serve Justice as the Apostle admonisheth unto Sanctification 1 Cor. 9.7 Consider 3. How just a thing it is that he who hath created your whole self should likewise wholly and entirely possess you For as the Apostle saith Who planteth a Vine and eateth not of the fruit thereof God hath planted you as a choice Vine in his Vineyard yield him therefore the fruits thereof fruits of Piety Charity Patience and of other like Virtues Bern. de quadr debite All that you have saith S. Bernard you owe it him of whom you have it Of the benefit of Conservation Part 1. COnsider 1. The greatness of this benefit By Creation alone God gave you your self but once by Conservation he doth the same every moment of your life for unless he did preserve you you would immediately return to your own nothing The Noon-beams have not so strict a dependance of the Sun as you have of God If therefore one that should hang by a small thred held in an others hand ready to fall from a high Tower into a deep Pit if the thred should be let go would not dare to revile or injure him that held the thred how dare you that depend immediately on the hand of God provoke him by sin to let go the thred of his concurrance and your life Consider 2. As you cannot live without God so neither can you though living exercise any action of life without his special concurrance not so much as to move a hand or open your eyes or utter a word or do the least thing for as S. Paul said in him we live Act. 17.28 Aug. in Soâ—â—leq c. 18. and move and be Whence S. Augustine You oblige me to you Lord every moment while every moment you afford me your large benefits Consider 3. God doth not barely preserve your life but withall defends it from innumerable evils and miseries which others suffer so that others miseries are your benefits Think with your self why you are not as many others are blind deaf dumb same and oppressed with a thousand diseases and infirmities why not slain by Sword consumed by fire or water or dashed in pieces by some ruine and the like God hath delivered you from all these misfortunes that being so highly obliged to him for his benefits Lue. 1.74 75. you might serve him in Holiness and Justice before him all the daies of your life Of the benefit of Conservation Part 2. Ps 8.5 8. COnsider 1. Almighty God for your better pâ—â—servation hath not only removed evils from you as we have seen but also as a most indulgent Father hath abundantly provided you both with necessaries and all useful conveniences He hath furnished this lower world for you as a house to dwell in and hath adorned it with the Sun Moon and Stars for your benefit and delight and hath stored it with all manner of living creatures for your use In fine whatsoever flourisheth in gardens walketh in the fields swimmeth in the waters flyeth in the ayr or shineth in the Heavens is all for you What is man that thou art mindful of him c. Thou bast subjected all things under his feet all sheep and Oxen Moreover also the beasts of the field the birds of the ayr and fishes of the Sea that walk the paths of the Sea Consider 2. How God not content to have provided all these creatures for your use vouchsafeth also joyntly to concur with them for seeing he hath necessary influence into all their actions with the fire he doth truly warm you with the Sun he illuminates you with the ayr he refreshes you with meat and drink he feeds
hath given the pledge of the Spirit as the Apostle saith in our hearts Of Heavenly Glory as it is in it self COnsider 1. Christ ascended into Heaven to prepare us a place Jo. 14.2 Leo Seâ— 1. de Ascens I go saith he to prepare you a place For Christ Ascension as S. Leo saith is our promotion so that where the glory of the Head is gone before there is hopes for the rest of the body to follow after Give God thanks for having vouchsafed to call you and contemplate the happiness of that state that you may be the more inflamed with the love of it Consider 2. Heavenly Bliss as the Divines define it out of Boetius is a state perfected by the concurrance of all good There are no evils to molest you Greg. in fine 7. Psal Penit. nor any good wanting which you can desire There saith S. Gregory will be light without eclipse joy without sighs desire without pain love without sorrow satiety without cloying safety without danger life without death health without impare and so of other happinesses without the admixture of those evils of which nothing in this life is free Jo. 16.22 Consider 3. All these happinesses are everlasting and never to be lost Wherefore after a thousand millions of years they will not decay nor diminish but will be then as new as ever And your joy saith Christ no man shall take from you Think how different are the enjoyments of this life which soon pass Bern. and as S. Bernard saith While they are possest they burthen while they are loved they defile and when they are gone they torment See which you will chuse to prefer Of Heavenly Glory as to the Place and Company Baruc. 3.24 Apoc. 21.18 c. COnsider 1. The happiness of the State in regard of the Place which is the highest Heaven then the which nothing can be imagined more beautiful pleasant or glorious O Israel said the Prophet how great is the House of God and how great is the place of his possession This is that City described in the Apocalyps whose gates are of Pearl the walls of Jasper stone the foundations of the walls of other precious stone the streets and the City it self of pure gold The City needeth not Sun Ibid. v. 23. nor Moon c. for the Lamb is the lamp thereof O! How beloved are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hoasts My soul coveteth Ps 83.2 3. and fainteth unto the Courts of our Lord. Apoc. 7.9 Consider 2. The happiness arising from the company There will be a great multitude which no man can number of all Nations and Tribes and Peoples and Tongues c. There is to be seen an infinite number without dissention distinction of degrees without envy free communication without confusion If it be a pleasure in this life to converse with such as are learned noble and of agreeable conversation how much greater pleasure and satisfaction will it be to have Angels for our companions who are most Noble Spirits and endowed with all manner of Science and Virtue and to live for ever in the company of Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors Virgins and the other Saints of heaven Phil. 3.8 Consider 3. How vile and contemptible all earthly things should appear unto you while you look up to heaven and how you ought to esteem all things as detriment and dung to gain heaven Of Heavenly Glory as to the Soul Ps 144.7 COnsider 1. The Essential Glory of the Soul which shall be wholly replenisht with God as a burning hot iron is with fire In the first place the Memory will be imployed in the remembrance of most delightful objects nor shall the mind be ever diverted from the present happiness it enjoyeth They shall utter the memory of the abundance of thy sweetness and in thy Justice they shall rejoyce Secondly The Understanding shall be wholly taken up with the Vision of God intuitively beholding the Divine Nature Persons Attributes and Mysteries that now lye hidden from us There it will see the profound secrets of Gods Councels and of his Providence both over us and all others We see now by a glass saith the Apostle in a dark sort 1 Cor. 13.12 1 Jo. 3.2 Ps 138.17 but then face to face And as S. John saith We shall see him as he is O what a happiness O how honorable are become thy friends O God! Ps 35.9 Thirdly The Will after an unspeakable manner shall adhere to God and be as it were transform'd into him by love whence it will even overflow with the excess of joy and that of the Psalm will be fulfilled They shall be inebriated with the plenty of thy house and with the torrent of thy pleasure thou shalt make them driak Their whole life and imployment shall be wholly to contemplate love and enjoy their Creator to delight and rejoyce in him and to praise bless thank and congratulate with him for his infinite perfections Who would not be content to suffer not only patiently but also willingly the afflictions of this life to purchase such a Crown of Glory O how true it is that the passions of this time are not condigne to the glory to come Rom. 8.18 that shall be revealed in us Of Heavenly Glory as to the Body Mat. 13.43 COnsider 1. The proper gifts of a glorious body The first is Clarity or Brightness shineing like unto the Sun Then shall the Just shine as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father The second is Impassibility for as S. John saith They shall no more hunger Apoc. 7.16 Sap. 3.7 nor thirst The third is Agility The Just shall shine and as sparks in a place of reeds they shall run abroad The fourth is Subtilty whereby they shall be able to penetrate other bodies and be like unto Spirits free from the necessities belonging to the vegetative life Mat. 22.30 as the Angels of God Job 19.26 Consider 2. The happiness of each Sense 1. The Sight shall be delighted in beholding the glorious bodies of the Saints especially of Christ and his Mother I know saith Job that in my flesh I shall see God my Redeemer 2. The Hearing shall be recreated with heavenly Musick Hymns and Canticles Less de SS bon l. 3. c. 8. 3. The Smelling shall be filled with unspeakable sweetness issuing forth of the glorified bodies Your Saints O Lord shall flourish as the Lilly and shall be as the odour of Balm with you 4. The Tast though not by way of food shall have also its proper delight Ps 35.9 With the torrent of thy pleasure thou shalt make them drink 5. Lastly the Touching shall have its fill of most pure delight and that all the body over So that the Apostle with good reason did say Eye hath not seen nor ear hath heard 1 Cor. 2.9 neither hath it ascended into the heart of man what things God
holy c. Consider 2. The Holy Ghost appeared over our Lord in the form of a Dove both to express his love towards us for the Dove is a Symbol of sociable love and withall to teach us mildness and simplicity in our life and actions To him likewise are attributed the works of our Justification the distribution of Graces and the benefits of Inspirations and Illuminations The spirit breatheth where he will Jo. 3.8 and thou hearest his voice That you may hence see how much you stand in need of his divine help and protection 1 Cor. 6.19 Consider 3. The Holy Ghost doth not only communicate the gifts of his Grace but also his own substance and person to the Just inhabiting and abiding in them after a special manner as Divines teach according to that of the Apostle Know you not that your members are the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you See therefore that you make not his Temple a Den of Thieves by sin Beg of him by continual prayer that he would wash away what is unclean in you Seq in Missa de S. Spiritu water what is dry heal what is wounded bend what is stiff and unruly cherish what is cold and faint and redress whatsoever is amiss Corpus Christi Day He hath made a memory of his admirable works c. He hath given meat to them that fear him Ps 110.4.5 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the Instituter of the most Blessed Sacrament Eccli 39.27 COnsider 1. How much you are bound to Christ for instituting so admirable and beneficial a Mystery from which as from a Fountain all manner of good doth flow For the Eucharist 1. Is properly a sacrifice for our sins 2. Spiritual food to keep us in heart 3. A lively Memorial of our Lords Passion 4. The Spring and Fountain of all grace and virtue His blessing saith Ecclesiasticus hath overflowed as a stream Supra Consider 2. This divine Instuter who several ways had shewed himself wonderful in his other works would in this single one imploy all the treasures of his power and wisdom for in the Eucharist there are discovered 1. His infinite wisdome in inventing so admirable a food 2. The like power in the Transubstantiation of Bread and Wine 3. His goodness in communicating himself and penetrating our very bowels in the nature of meat and drink 4. His liberality in giving himself wholly to each one even to the wicked 5. Patience in permitting himself to be unworthily handled and even trodden under feet sometimes by the wicked and so of other virtues He hath made a memory of his marvellous works c. He hath given meat to them that fear him Seq in Missa Consider 3. Hence the Church with good reason these days doth celebrate the memory of this Mystery with great pomp and solemnity If the Ark of God formerly was carried with so great state the King himself dancing all the way before it how much more honour doth the H. Eucharist deserve Go forth therefore to meet it in the best array of your Soul praise honour and thank the Author of it At least do what you are able because he is above all praise and you cannot praise him sufficiently Of the H. Eucharist compared with the Manna Part 1. COnsider 1. Nothing in the Antient Law was more wonderful then the Manna which for fourty years together fell daily from heaven for the sustenance of the people whence David said of it He hath made a memory of his marvellous works c. Consider therefore twelve admirable proprieties of it Ps 110.4 in a far more perfect manner expressed in the Eucharist 1. The Manna was bread but without seed or tillage not growing out of the earth but coming down from heaven So the H. Eucharist This is the bread that came down from heaven Jo. 6.58 And the sacred Body of Christ which is contained therein proceeded not by humane generation but from the Virgin alone and by the divine influence of the Holy Ghost 2. The Manna was made only by Angels whence it was called The bread of Angels Ps 77.25 Malac. 2.7 and the Eucharist only by Priests who are the Angels of the Lord of Hosts upon earth 3. The Manna contained in it self alone All delectation and the sweetness of all tast Sap. 16.20 Cyp. tract de Coena Dom. so the Eucharist surpasseth saith S. Cyprian all delicacies prepared for the tast and all the dainties of sweet meats 4. The Manna in such variety of tast and delight yet did relish differently to each one according as they desired For serving every mans will it was turned to that that every man would Sap. 16.21 so the Eucharist affordeth whatsoever virtue any one can desire to some Humility to others Chastity and so of the rest 5. The sweetness of the Manna was hidden and enjoyed only by the just whence the wicked complained saying Our soul now loatheth at this most light meat Num. 21.5 so with sinners the Eucharist relisheth no better then ordinary bread and therefore is called a hidden Manna 6. The Manna was like to the seed of Coriander whose property it is said to be that though it be broken into never so many pieces yet it retains in every one the whole virtue or strength of the seed so the Eucharist though broken into a thousand parts still as much will remain in one single parcel Seq in Missa as was before in the whole Of the H. Eucharist compared with the Manna Part 2. Exod. 16.18 COnsider the other Proprieties 7. Therefore Manna was given in an equal measure to every one Neither he that gathered more had above nor he that gathered less found under so in the Eucharist one takes a thousand takes but as much he Seq in Missa as they c. 8. The Manna was to be gathered betimes Exod. sup 21. before the Sun rising otherwise it presently melted away although within doors it would endure both fire and Mortar Sap. 16.28 That it might be known to all men saith the wise man that we ought to prevent the Sun to bless thee so the Eucharist doth impart its sweetness not to slothful and sluggish people but to the fervent Prov. 8.18 They that watch toward me shall find me 9. The Manna in an equal proportion served as well men as children old and young Exod. sup 18. so the Eucharist still the same in it self doth work differently in all according to their capacity and the disposition they bring 10. The Manna being kept only till the next day out of covetousness became full of worms Exod. sup 20. 32. and putrified yet being laid up by Gods Command in a Golden Vessel lasted incorrupt for many Generations so the Eucharist to them that receive it unworthily turneth to corruption and to their greater judgment and damnation but in the golden vessel of
his Eternal Father in the Eucharist Of the Eucharist compared to the Tree of Life and its fruits Part 2. Gen. 1.2 THe fifth Misery is want of the knowledge of our selves Darkness was upon the face of the depth so is it likewise upon the heart of that man that is not enlightned with the grace of God Therefore the Prophet saith The heart of man is perverse Jer. 17.9 and unsearchable who shall know it The Eucharist remedieth this enlightning our understanding like to the honey that enlightned the eyes of Jonathas Your selves have seen that mine eyes are illuminated 1 Reg. 14.29 because I have tasted a little of this honey Mat. 24.12 The sixth is want of love towards God and our Neighbour for where Iniquity shall abound Charity shall wax cold This is cured by the Eucharist which inflameth the heart with divine love for the lamps thereof lamps of fire and flames Cant. 8.6 The seventh is the indisposition of our spiritual appetite whereby we relish not spiritual things for the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.14 And he that feedeth himself with the pleasures of this present life his interiour senses are so disordered thereby that he cannot relish spiritual things The Eucharist helpeth this curing the palat of our heart so that we may tast and see that our Lord is sweet Ps 33.9 Luc. 14.30 The eighth is a faintness in perfecting what is good we often begin fervorously but soon fail This man began to build and he could not finish it Against this the H. Eucharist doth strengthen us like to that Loaf of Bread 3 Reg. 19.8 which the Angel brought to Elias In the strength whereof he walked fourty days and fourty nights without any toil unto the Mount of God Horeb. Beg therefore of our Lord these fruits especially that you may be constant in good For of all Virtues saith S. Bernard Perseverance alone is crowned Bernard Of the Eucharist compared with the Tree of Life and its fruits Part 3. Ephes 2.3 OUr ninth Misery is the penalty of Eternal Death For we were as the Apostle saith by nature the children of wrath From this evil the Eucharist freeth us giving us Eternal Life For if any man eat of this bread saith our Lord he shall live for ever Jo. 6.51 Gen. 8.21 The tenth is our continual decay in good passing daily from bad to worse For the sense and cogitation of mans heart are prone to evil from their youth This is taken away by means of the H. Eucharist whereby as by spiritual food man groweth up in a spiritual life and encreaseth in merits of good works for he that abideth in me and I in him Jo. 15.5 the same beareth much fruit Ps 119.5 The eleventh is the irksomness of this worldly banishment of which David Woe is to me that my sejourning is prolonged The Eucharist doth mitigate this tediousness and is given also as a Viaticum or provision to live upon in this our Pilgrimage as was the Manna to the Israelites in the Desart till they were brought into the Land of Promise which to us is the Kingdom of everlasting glory Gen. 3.19 The twelfth is a total corruption of our corporal substance because dust thou art and into dust thou shalt return And thus according to the course of Nature this our body would perish for ever but by reason of the corporal participation of Christ as S. Thomas saith the Saints shall rise again in their bodies more glorious then the Sun according to that of Christ He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath life everlasting Jo. 6.54 and I will raise him up in the last day Ps 102.2 3. Admire the admirable virtue of these heavenly fruits and be thankful for so powerful a remedy and preservative against all your maladies My soul bless thou our Lord c. who healeth all thine infirmities Of Preparation for receiving the H. Eucharist by Faith and Purity 1 Cor. 11.28 COnsider 1. How necessary is a due preparation before hand for receiving the H. Eucharist least otherwise through mortal sin you make that your poyson which is the food of life or through indevotion and tepidity you partake less of its sweetness Therefore the Apostle admonisheth Let a man prove himself and so let him eat of that bread And Mat. 22. he that presumed to come to the Marriage Feast without the wedding garment was cast into utter darkness Heb. 10.22 Consider 2. The first preparation must be by Faith which is as it were the ground and foundation of all the rest therefore the Apostle saith Let us approach with a true heart in fulness of faith Kindle therefore in your self a lively faith as often as you frequent this Sacred Mystery and denying whatsoever sense shall object to the contrary offer your life and blood to defend the truth of Gods Word Consider 3. The second preparation must be by Parity which the greater it shall be the more you will partake of its divine fruits and tast of its hidden sweetness wherefore the Prophet Be cleansed ye that carry the Vessels of our Lord Is 52.11 The same doth the Church recommend unto us by ordaining the H. Eucharist to be consecrated upon clean Corporals S. Tho. 6.11 which as S. Thomas observes are first washed then wrung and thirdly dried so he that goes to receive this Sacrament must first of all be washed with the tears of Penance then wrung by works of Mortification and thirdly well dried of worldly affections by the fervour of Charity See whether you find these dispositions in your self Of Preparation for receiving the H. Eucharist by holy Desires and Prayer Eccli 24.26 COnsider 1. To the foresaid Purity must be joyned an ardent desire and hunger after this heavenly Banquet for our Lord inviteth such to himself in those words Pass to me all ye that desire me and be filled of my generations And by the Psalmist he telleth us Ps 106.9 that he hath filled the empty that is the thirsty soul and the hungry soul he hath filled with good things Procure therefore in your self this hunger and thirst as often as you come to this Divine Table Dilate thy mouth Ps 80.11 and I will fill it faith our Lord. Ps 104.40 Consider 2. To this desire must be added earnest Prayer for God bestoweth all he hath upon them that ask Therefore said David They made petition and the Quail came and he filled them with the Bread of Heaven If therefore you desire to have your fill of this heavenly Bread you must make earnest suit for it and give your self to Prayer and Meditation Vnder his shadow whom I desired Cant. 2.3 I sat that is in holy Meditation and Contemplation whence having had experience of its sweetness the Spouse presently adjoyneth and his fruit
kind of Fish for our Lord that is use those means which your state of life affordeth for the gaining of Souls Prayer Counsel Example c. Mat. 6.24 Consider 3. But they incontinent leaving the Nets followed him Observe their prompt Obedience they neither excuse themselves nor pretend poverty c. Such ought to be your Obedience to God and his holy Inspirations and to your Superiours whom you have in place of God without making any complaints or excuses Worldly cares and businesses are Nets that intangle and hinder us that we cannot give our selves freely to God Therefore you must leave all if you will follow Christ and lead an Apostolical life For no man can serve two Masters Of S. James and S. Johns Vocation Mat. 4. Mar. 1. Mat. 4.21 COnsider 1. And going forward from thence he saw other two Brethren James of Zebedee and John his Brother c. Observe how Christ first of all calleth two couple of Brethren Peter and Andrew James and John that upon these as so many Pillars he might raise his Church to signifie that all his Disciples ought to be well grounded in Fraternal Charity according to that Jo. 13.36 In this all men shall know that you are my Disciples if you have love one to another See therefore how you are in this point if you intend an Apostolical life Consider 2. Of these it is said that they forthwith left their Nets and Father and followed him Wherefore those that intend to be Apostolical men must leave not only worldly goods but even their Parents also for Christ casting off all humane affection towards them and converting it into a divine one in making it subordinate to the Divine Service Examine your self whether this love to your Parents and Kindred doth not bear too great a sway in you and hinder you from greater perfection Consider 3. And ponder how that word forthwith was not set down here without Mystery They were mending their Nets with their old Father but as soon as our Lord called they left their Nets as they were and objected not their Fathers old Age but followed him without more a do for perfect obedience is to leave their things imperfect Whence the antient Monks as Cassian witnesseth Gloss ibid. l. 4. Instit c. 14. would leave even a single letter unfinished at the sound of the common Bell or other sign See whether you be so ready to comply with the Inspirations of God the duties of the Church and appointment of your Superiours or whether you do not rather seek excuses and pretences contrary to what is required of you Of S. Matthews Vocation Mat. 9. Luc. 5. Mat. 9.9 COnsider 1. Jesus passing through Galilee saw a man sitting in the Custom-House where he received Tolls and he saith to him follow me Great was the force of this Call which was able to take a man off that was glued fast to his riches and yet perhaps the same would not be forcible enough to withdraw you from lesser impediments Who would dispair of Salvation when he seeth publick sinners taken out of a Custom-House and assumed not only to the friendship of God but even to the highest dignity of Apostleship Most true it is Ps 144.9 His commiserations are over all his works Consider 2. How Christ afterward refused not to eat at Table with Matthew and other Publicans that so he might gain them yet the Pharisees mutter at it Whence you may learn that there is nothing so holy that is not lyable to mens censures Wherefore if at any time you chance to suffer reprehension or slander when you have done well remember that the Schollar is not to be above his Master Consider 3. The mild answer of Christ They that are in health need not a Physitian but they that are ill at case And I am not come to call the Just but sinners See how Christ professeth himself a Physitian open therefore your wounds and diseases unto him August in Psal 102. For as S. Augustine saith No disease is incurable to the Omnipotent Physitian only permit your self to be cured by him hinder not his hand he knoweth what he doth and be not only content when be stroaketh you but also patient when he lanceth Of S. Pauls Vocation Act. 9.1 Jer. 29.11 COnsider 1. And Saul as yet breathing forth threatnings and slaughters against the Disciples of our Lord c. Ponder the unspeakable mercy of God Saul persecuted his Church and was in a raging fury to destroy it when as our Lord on the contrary not seeking revenge but intending cogitations of peace prevents him while he is yet contriving his wickedness and casts him off his horse to cure his mind while he graciously calleth upon him saying Saul Saul why persecutest thou me that you might learn to reverence Christ in your Neighbours and esteem their injuries as done to Christ himself Consider 2. Lord what wilt thou have me to do Ponder the admirable resignation of his Will So ought you also to pray and to offer your self ready for whatsoever he shall please to do with you and with much prayer and great fervour to seek after the Divine Will and resolutely to fulfill it when once you know it Consider 3. Arise and go into the City and it shall be told thee what thou must do Our Lord though after a miraculous manner he had prostrated him on the ground yet would not instruct him himself but sent him to Ananias to learn what he would have him to do that you might learn to acknowledge and reverence God in your Superiours and spiritual Directors Observe moreover how Saul spent three whole daies in prayer without taking either meat or drink before he had his sight restored for fasting and prayer are the best disposition for the receiving of spiritual sight Lastly until Ananias had imposed his hands upon him his eyes being opened he saw nothing representing thereby by the state of a sinner Whence it is said Blind the heart of this people Is 6.10 Luc. 8.10 that seeing they may not see and hearing may not understand Of Holy Communion Arise eat for thou hast yet a great way to go 3 Reg. 19.7 Consider the Eucharist as the Viaticum of our Pilgrimage Marc. 8.3 COnsider 1. What is read in this daies Gospel of Christs feeding the multitude lest they should faint in the way If I dismiss them fasting into their home they will fail in the way We are all of us in our way to our heavenly Country While we are in the body 2 Cor. 5.6 we are Pilgrims from God Wherefore we must have necessary provision for our journey that we may not fail in the way and out of weariness take up in the Stable of this contemptible world instead of passing on to our Heavenly Country Therefore as said that man Jud. 19. tast first a little bread Judic 19.5 and strengthen thy stomack
saying Good Master by doing what shall I possess everlasting life Such ought to be your cares and cogitations to wit of Eternal life not of this miserable and mortal one which vanisheth away like a shadow Therefore stir your self up and often ask your self that question By what doing shall I possess everlasting life Mat. 19.17 Consider 2. Christs first answer Keep the Commandments for this is necessary for all men neither will it suffice to keep one or more unless you keep all for he that osteadeth in onâ— is made guilty of all Jac. 2.10 See therefore whether you observe every one and in what manner which ought to be exact and perfect according to that Thou hast very much commanded thy Commandments to be kept Ps 118.4 Consider 3. The young man having answered that he had kept all the Commandments of the Law from his youth Jesus beholding him loved him and said to him c. Go sell whatsoever thou hast Mar. 10.21 c. and come follow me Or as S. Matthew recounteth If thou wilt be perfect go sell the things that thou hast c. It is therefore a sign Mat. 19.21 or effect of Gods love to a person when he invites him to renounce all things and to follow Christ in imbracing poverty think with your self what God requireth of you in this point endeavour at least to be poor in affection that you may the more readily follow Christ who for you was made poor whereas he was rich that by his poverty you might be rich 2 Cor. 8.9 Of the Vocation of the Rich young man Mat. 19. Mar. 10. Luc. 18. Part 2. Mat. 19.22 COnsider 1. when the young man had heard this word of selling all he had he went away sad for he had many possessions Thus we often purpose to do great matters for God and wish for occasions to suffer for him but when we come to the push we fail and put on a sad countenance Observe how this young man answered not Christs call to follow him because he was rich And if God hath taken from you the like hinderance of riches give him thanks for that otherwise perhaps being intangled therewith and thereby hindred from following him you had long since been a lost man Luc. 18.24 25. Consider 2. That saying of Christ after the young mans departure How hardly shall they that have money enter into the Kingdom of God For it is casier for a Camel to pass through the eye of a Needle then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God Wherefore that you may easily enter cut off the Camels bunch that is at least all disordinate affection to the riches of the world and take heed of scraping and hoarding up For they that will be made rich saith the Apostle fall into tentation 1 Tim. 6.9 and the snare of the Devil c. Consider 3. The saying of S. Peter upon this occasion Behold we have left all things Mat. sup v. 27. and have followed thee Whence the holy Fathers gather that the Apostles made a vow of Poverty and left all not only what they had but also what they might have and even the very desire of having Ponder the greatness of the reward which our Lord promised to all that should leave any thing for his sake to wit they shall receive an hundred times so much now in this time Mar. 10.30 c. and in the world to come life everlasting O incomparable purchase and to be preferred before all the gains in this world Of our Vocation in General to follow Christ Mat. 16. Mar. 8. Luc. 9. Luc. 9.23 COnsider 1. Christ hath prescribed certain Laws to be observed by all that come to his School therefore as S. Luke saith he said to all If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me These therefore are the Laws of his School to wit Abnegation of himself and his desires Carrying the Cross and that daily and Imitation of Christ in all things See how you are in these particulars that you may become a worthy Disciple of such a Master Consider 2. More in particular what it is properly to deny himself for it is as holy men say to break and leave ones own will Colos 3.9 S. Basil â—a reg fusius q. 6. and to spoil himself of the old man with his acts Think how necessary this is and on the contrary how dangerous a thing it is to follow ones own will and judgment See how you are in this point and how you may better your self in it to Gods glory And lastly S. Bern. Serm. 2. de S. Andrea S. Hieron in c. 16. Mat. 2 Cor. 4.10 by what means you may arrive to this Abnegation of your self Consider 3. To carry our Cross daily the Apostle also adviseth us in those words Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus Therefore no day without a line or some progress in Mortification ought to pass with a Disciple of Christ whence S. Augustine saith The whole life of a Christian if he liveth according to the Gospel is a Cross and a Martyrdom Therefore take up your Cross chearfully and whatsoever is ingrateful to flesh and blood for by the Cress the way lies open to a Crown Of Holy Communion Let my Beloved come into his Garden and eat the fruit of his Appletrees Cant. 5.1 Consider Christ as a Good Tree Cant. 2.3 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel Every good Tree yieldeth good fruits Mat. 7.17 Christ above all others is a good Tree and is often compared to several sorts of Trees in the holy Scripture In the Canticles it is said As the Apple-tree among trees of the woods so is my beloved among the Sons Other men are trees of the woods which bring forth no other then wild and sowre fruit to wit Sin Christ alone is the Appletree bringing forth most delicious fruit and as the Apple by its juice affordeth both meat and drink so Christ by his precious Body and Blood is both meat and drink to us in the Eucharist Jer. 31.32 Consider 2. Your Soul is as a Garden planted with Gods own hand according to that Their Soul shall be as a watered Garden Into this Garden of yours will be brought to day and planted this heavenly Tree the true Tree of Life yielding twelve fruits as is said in the Apocalyps which are Charity Joy Peace Patience Benignity Goodness Longanimity Galat. 5.22 23. Mildness Faith Modesty Continency Chastity O how are you to long for that hour in which your beloved is to come into his Garden and eat the fruit of his Appletrees that is of good works which he will produce in you Cant. 2.3 Consider 3. If you desire to have your fill of this fruit you must set your self down under the shadow of the Tree by
these affections bring your Lord into the Closet of your heart Ps 142.2 saying with the Psalmist Enter not into iudgment with thy servant but rather according to the multitude of thy commiserations have respect to me Ps 68.17 Of our Lords Sermon on the Mount Mat. 5. Part 1. Mat. 5.1 COnsider 1. Seeing the multitudes he went up into a Mountain c. and opening his mouth he taught them c. Ponder 1. The place of this famous Sermon which is a high Mountain 2. The Preachers Person which is the increated Wisdom of God 3. His Chair or Pulpit for he taught them upon the bare ground 4. His Auditors which were his Disciples and other unlearned and simple people 5. The subject of his discourse which was of true felicity Go you up in spirit with the people and sitting at the feet of so great a Master give attentive eare to what he saith 1 Reg. 3.10 Say with Samuel Speak Lord for thy servant heareth Consider 2. Christ in this his Sermon performed not only the Office of a Teacher but also of a Lawgiver declaring the Antient Law and proclaiming the New It was said to them of old Thou shalt not kill c. But I say to you Mat. sup v. 22. that whosoever is angry with his Brother shall be in danger of judgment c. and the like Reverence therefore this your Lawgiver and give him thanks for his wholesome precepts Beseech him to print his holy Law in the fleshly Tables of your heart say with David Set me a Law O Lord the way of thy Justifications Ps 118.33 and I will seek after it always Colos 2.3 Is 9.6 Consider 3. He performed also the part of a Councellour exhorting them to points of the greatest perfection even beyond the obligation of the Law as of turning the other cheek to the striker of letting go the Cloak also to him that takes away the Coat of going two other miles with him that will force you one mile and the like Think how just it is to follow his counsel in all things for in him be all the treasures of wisdom and Knowledge hid And by Isaie he is stiled Councellour and the Angel of great Councel Of our Lords Sermon on the Mount Mat. 5. Part 2. COnsider 1. All men have a natural desire of felicity yea even the most wicked of all would be happy but will not seek after true happiness Therefore Christ beginneth with that which all men desire as if he should say You all desire to be happy therefore I will shew you the several ways that lead to true happiness Do you therefore set your affections upon this true Felicity and seek it only by such ways or means as Christ hath pointed out to you Ps 143.15 Consider 2. How contrary are the ways of God from the ways of the world and his judgments from those of men The World placeth its felicity in honours riches pleasures eating and drinking freedom from pain and grief c. They have said that it is a happy people which hath these things On the contrary Christ pronounceth them happy that are poor meek and humble that hunger and thirst after Justice that suffer reproaches and torments c. As the Heavens are exalted above the earth so are my ways exalted above your ways Is 55.9 saith our Lord. See with what Party you side with Christ or with the World Ps 83.6 Consider 3. Eight Virtues contemptible to the world Christ honoured with the title of Beatitudes and of them as so many steps made a Ladder for us to climb up to our last and everlasting Felicity These are 1. Poverty of Spirit 2. Meekness 3. Sorrow for Sins 4. Hunger and thirst after Justice 5. Mercy 6. Purity of Heart 7. Making of peace both with God and with Men. 8. Suffering Persecution for Christ You must also climb this Ladder if you desire to enter into the Joy of our Lord Blessed is the man whose help is from thee he hath disposed Ascension in his heart Of the first Beatitude Blessed are the poor in Spirit Mat. 5.3 c. COnsider 1. More in particular each virtue and in them 1. Their Acts. 2. Christs Example 3. Their reward The proper Acts of Poverty are counted five 1. He is poor in spirit who in affection is ready rather to lose all then offend God 2. Who actually leaveth all for his sake 3. Who aspireth not to things above himself presumeth not of himself nor seeketh the praises of men 4. Who denieth his own judgment and will submitting himself to others 5. Who acknowledgeth whatsoever he hath as a gift of God and rightly understandeth his own nothing My substance is as nothing before thee Ps 38.6 See how you are in each point Phil. 2.7 Consider 2. The admirable Examples which Christ gave us in this kind throughout his whole Life but chiefly in his Crib in Banishment in his Parents House and on the Cross Besides he exinanited himself as the Apostle saith made subject and obedient not only to his Eternal Father and Parents on earth till the thirtieth year of his Age but also to his Tormentors even to death it self And of his Doctrine he publickly professed My Doctrine is not mine but his that sent me Jo. 7.16 Consider 3. The Reward of this Poverty For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Mat. sup Think what a gainful kind of Merchandise this is to get an Everlasting Kingdom by the exchange of some few transitory enjoyments of this life Ponder the excellency of this Kingdom its riches glory beauty and perpetuity That which eye hath not seen 1 Cor. 2.9 nor ear hath heard neither hath it ascended into the heart of man what things God hath prepared for them that love him Wherefore S. Grogory Nazianzen had reason to say Happy is he that buyeth Christ S. Greg. Naz. de Beatitud spiritu vitae Regul though with all his goods and fortunes Of the second Beatitude Blessed are the Meek Mat. 5.4 c. COnsider 1. After Poverty in Spirit that is contempt of the World and its desires followeth Meekness as the Child its Parent The Acts of this are chiefly three The first is to bridle the passions of Anger and Revenge and when zeal is to be shewed to do it without any perturbation either interiour or exteriour The second is to be affable to all and troublesome to none neither in word nor in action The third not to oppose or put off injuries with violence even when you lawfully may but to suffer your own contempt with peace and tranquillity of mind Think how you are in these particulars Mat. 12.19 20. Is 42.2 3 4. Consider 2. Christs example herein of whom Isaie saith He shall not contend nor cry out neither shall any man hear in the streets his voice The reed bruised he shall not break and smoaking flax he
shall not extinguish c. He shall not be sad nor turbulent And S. Peter 1 Pet. 2.23 who when he was reviled did not revile when he suffered he threatned not but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly And of himself he saith Mat. 11.29 Learn of me because I am meek and humble of heart Think how you may imitate the same Eccli 3.19 Consider 3. The Reward For they shall possess the Land to wit of their own heart being Masters of their own passions and also of the hearts of others according to that Son do thy works in meekness and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men Lastly they shall possess the Land of Promise Ps 36.11 and Everlasting Inheritance The meek shall inherit the Land and shall be delighted in multitude of peace Procure therefore to have this Meekness in your life and conversation that you may come also to be delighted in multitude of peace as well with God as with your self and with all the world Of the third Beatitude Mat. 5.5 Blessed are they that Mourn c. Ps 119.5 COnsider 1. This Mourning is threesold 1. Of Compunction for our own sins according to the example of David and S. Peter 2. Of Compassion for others 3. Of Devotion for our banishment in this world our separation from God and our longing desire after him Woe is to me that my sejourning is prolonged This Spiritual Mourning doth not wholly consist in afflicting the mind but also in refusing such things as bring pleasure and delight with them Whence the wise man Eccles 2.2 Laughter I have reputed error and to Joy I have said why art thou deceived in vain Think on the contrary how greedily you seek after your own content and satisfaction in all things Prov. 2.14 and perhaps also rejoyce in most wicked things Consider 2. The example of Christ our Lord of whom S. Chrysostome writeth Chrysost Hom. 6. in Mat. Eccles 7.5 You will often find Christ weeping but never laughing And Salomon saith The heart of wise men where sadness is and the heart of fools where mirth Think therefore how reasonable it is you should imitate the example of so great a Master and rank your self with wise men rather then with fools Mat. 5.5 Consider 3. The Reward For they shall be comforted both in this life with Divine Illustrations and with the testimony of a good conscience but more to the full in the life to come where they shall be inebriated with the plenty of Gods House Ps 35.9 and be made drink of the torrent of his pleasure Wherefore lament your own and your Neighbours sins for those that sow in tears shall reap in joy On the contrary Luc. 6.25 Woe to you that do now laugh because you shall mourn and weep And in the Apocalyps it is said Apoc. 18.7 So much as she hath glorified her self and hath been in delicacies so much give her torment and mourning Of the fourth Beatitude Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Justice Mat. 5.6 c. 1 Cor. 1.30 COnsider 1. To hunger and thirst after Justice hath these proper Acts The first is to desire all things without exception to be fulfilled which are of Justice and obligation towards God and our Neighbour The second to desire more and more our Progress in Virtue The third that this same Justice be in all the world and that all may purchase and conserve it The fourth to hunger after Christ our Lord who is our Justice and Sanctification as the Apostle witnesseth both Sacramentally and Spiritually by a lively faith and interiour gust Think how you are in these points and whether you do not rather loath these and thirst only after worldly delights Jo. 4.34 Jo. 19.28 Consider 2. The example of Christ who all his life time sought after nothing else then to do the will of his Father according to that My meat is to do the will of him that sent me And hanging upon the Cross he said I thirst to wit the Salvation of Mankind for whom he shed his blood Such ought to be your hunger and thirst not that of the wicked that serve their bellies Consider 3. The Reward Mat. sup For they shall have their fill God affording them special graces and spiritual comforts in this life and replenishing them to the full with the clear Vision of himself in the suture according to that Ps 16.15 I shall be filled when thy glory shall appear Think how much this heavenly Saturity is to be wished for which never cloyeth though it lasteth for all Eternity See whether you had rather have your fill in this life or in the next it will not be afforded in both in one you must suffer hunger Of Holy Communion Hear me O Lord because thy mercy is benigne Ps 68.17 Luc. 19.41 Consider Christ as a Mercisul Lord. COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel how that Christ wept upon Hierusalem for God is very sensible of our miseries and compassionate and is therefore called by the Apostle The Father of Mercies and often 2 Cor. 1.3 Infra Heb. 4.15 The merciful and pittiful Lord For the Apostle saith speaking of Christ that we have a High-Priest who can have compassion on our infirmities wherefore you may justly comfort your self in this that this same merciful Lord will come to day into your Soul to powre out the riches of his Mercy upon her Ps 110.4 5 Consider 2. The Mercy of God towards men never shewed it self more in any work then in the Eucharist therefore David cryeth out He hath made a memory of his marvellous works a merciful and pittiful Lord he hath given meat to them that fear him Think what a mercy this is to feed us with his own Flesh and make us drink of his Blood Who ever did so much for his greatest friend Lay open therefore confidently the miseties of your Soul when he cometh to you and beseech him to afford redress Consider 3. You must have great care when he comes unto you that you give him not occasion of weeping upon you as he did upon Hierusalem Because thou hast not known the time of thy Visitation Luc. sup 44 He doth often visit us by holy Inspirations by good books c. and thereby incites us to perfection See how you correspond least there may be the same reason to say of you For the daies shall come upon thee and thy Enemies shall compass thee with a Trench V. 43. c. and by Sin beat thee flat to the ground Of the fifth Beatitude Blessed are the Merciful Mat. 5.7 c. COnsider 1. Mercy comprehendeth fourteen sorts of actions which are called Works of Mercy seven Spiritual and seven Corporal The Acts of this Virtue that they may be perfect must 1. Extend themselves to all without exception even our Enemy 2. Lay hold
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
that of the Evangelist as spoken unto you by him Luc. 17.8 Make ready supper and gird thy self Consider 2. This Divine Guest feedeth as the H. Fathers teach upon our Virtues Ambr. de bon Mor. c. 5. Bern. sup Cant. Serm 71. Cant. 1.12 Bern. Ser. 4. de Assump Gen. 27.9 but above all he is delighted with humility and therefore while he was at Table to day with the Pharisee he taught us to chuse the lowest place in Banquets And the Spouse in the Canticles saith While the King was at his repose my Spikenard gave the odour thereof The Spikenard is a low plant saith S. Bernard and Embleme of Humility Therefore be careful to prepare such meat for your Guest as you know he gladly eateth and humble your self what you can in all things Consider 3. The Liberality of this your Guest who wheresoever he cometh bringeth with him gifts and pledges of his bounty So this day in the house of the Pharisee he cured one sick of the Dropsie And if you look well into your self perchance you will find that you are taken with the same Disease that is full of waterish humours of worldly affections whereof an evident sign is the burning thirst you have after things that are delightful to sense Beseech therefore your Divine Guest to rid you of this Dropsie and say with the Psalmist Save me O God Ps 68.2 because waters are entred into my Soul Of the Man sick of the Palsey Jo. 5.2 c. cured at the Pond of Probatica Part 1. Ps 50.21 COnsider 1. What a benefit God bestowed on the Jews in the Pond of Probatica near the Temple wherin the sheep were washed for Sacrifice For 1. The Water was stirred by an Angel 2. It received thereby virtue to cure all manner of diseases in them that entred first after the motion This was a Type of the Sacraments of Baptisme and Penarce wherein Christs Sheep are washed for the Sacrifice of Justice and the which 1. Have a heavenly virtue infused into them by the Angel of the Testament Christ our Lord. 2. They cleanse us from all manner of sin 3. Not only the first comers but all and every one without any exception or cessation Ponder the greatness of this benefit and endeavour to make due use of these Divine Ponds Ps 39.2 Consider 2. At this Pond lay a great multitude of sick persons of blind lame withered expecting the stirring of the Water So God will have us to expect with patience his gifts whence David said Expecting I expected our Lord and he hath attended to me Among other infirm persons there was a certain man there that had been eight and thirty years in his infirmity of the Palsey The Spiritual Palsey is a dissolution of the Nerves and Faculties of the Soul a defect of spiritual vigour and life and as it were a deading of the Spirit See how many years you may reckon in this infirmity and seek remedy by the Baths of the Holy Sacraments Consider 3. The goodness of Christ freely inviting the sick man to his own cure Wilt thou be made whole God can justifie us by himself alone but will not do it without our consent He made you saith S. Augustine without your knowledge but he justifieth you with your consent August Ser. 15. de Verb. Apost See whether you will that is efficaciously be made whole for God is ever ready on his part Of the man sick of the Palsey Jo. 5.7 c. cured at the Pond Part 2. COnsider 1. Lord I have no man c. He confessed his impotency for that he could neither move of himself to get down time enough into the Pond nor had any man to help him whence he presently received health of Christ for the humble confession of our own weakness is the best disposition to obtain Gods assistance Perhaps you have cause to say of your self I have no man that is I have not the heart nor courage of a man to overcome my self though truly you have one of Christ our Lord who is ready to raise you up with his Grace You have also Preachers Superiours and Directors to admonish you and if you will your self also to help you Ps 34.3 Consider 2. The efficacy of Christs words wherewith without more ado he cured the sick man Arise take up thy bed and walk c. O Lord speak so likewise to me Say to my Soul I am thy Salvation Ponder the mans obedience who presently arose up and though it were the Sabboth day took his bed upon his shoulders and so walked giving us a perfect example of blind obedience Do you therefore if you be sound carry your bed take up the light Yoke of our Lord and walk not in high and strange things Gen. 17.1 above your self but with Abraham before or in the sight of God and be perfect 2 Pet. 2.22 Consider 3. Christ after he had wrought the Miracle shrunk aside from the multitude to give us example of shunning the applause of men Afterwards Jesus findeth him in the Temple and said to him Behold thou art made whole sin no more lest some worse thing chance to thee Imagine the same to be spoken to you as often as you go to the Sacrament of Penance Return not back like the dog to the vomit or the sow washed into her wallowing in the mire Of the Bed-rid let down from the Roof Mat. 9. Mar. 2. Luc. 5. Part 1. Mar. 2.2 COnsider 1. There were gathered together a great multitude to hear Christ in the house where he was so that there was no place no not at the door and he spake to them the Word Observe our Lords indefatigable Zeal of gaining Souls not sparing himself at any time or place but freely admitting and instructing all even with open doors that you might learn to bestow your self 2 Cor. 12.15 and to be bestowed again with the Apostle for the souls of your Brethren Luc. 5.18 Consider 2. And behold men carrying in a bed a man that had the Palsey c. and not finding on which side they might bring him in for the multitude they went up upon the Roof and through the Tiles let him down with the bed in the midst before Jesus Admire their Faith whereby they undoubtedly believed that Christ would cure him so that they refused no pains to bring him to him Observe moreover their courage and resolution in not yielding to the difficulties that hindered their free access but breaking their way through all so that they accomplished their desire Bonav in Luc. 5. A true firm belief saith S. Bonaventure is not brought back or cooled by impediments but inflamed See how you are in like occasions and how easily you leave off for fear Consider 3. The Mercy of Christ saying Son thy sins are forgiven thee Mat. 9.3 Hieron in c. 9. Mat. O wonderful Humility saith S. Hierom a decrepid
Heaven is like to a man that is an housholder c. This Housholder is God himself who although he is Lord of a most ample Kingdom in Heaven and in Earth yet he doth so provide for each one in every particular and minute thing as if he were Master only of some little Family His Vineyard is the Church the Vines are all the Faithful the Workmen are the Prelates and others that dress pruen and spread the Vines and even the Faithful themselves who are bound to cultivate their own Souls by good works What a blessed thing it is to labour in such a Vineyard under such a Master and about such precious Vines Consider 2. The sollicitude of this Housholder which went out early in the morning to hire workmen c. From the very beginning of the World from Age to Age God never left to call workmen He calleth every man betimes even from the very first use of Reason and although most refuse to come yet he omits not afterwards to call again and again not giving them over to their last gasp some he allureth with hopes of reward That which shall be just I will give you Others he rebuketh for their sloth What stand you here all the day idle See whether you have not hitherto been idle Pro. 24.31 Consider 3. Part of this great Vineyard are all such as God hath placed under your charge according to the state and calling you are in but chiefly your own Soul See in what state and condition it is examine whether it be not like to that whereof the wise man speaketh in thâ—se words Nettles had filled it wholly and Thorns had covered the face thereof and the wall of stones was destroyed Think therefore that you are sent into a Vineyard not into a Garden of Pleasure to labour not to sport or live at ease and encourage your self to undergo great pains and labours knowing that the reward will be answerable Pro. 13.4 and that the Soul of them that work shall be made fat Of the Workmen in the Vineyard Mat. 20.8 c. Part 2. Jo. 5.27 COnsider 1. When Evening was come the Lord of the Vineyard saith to his Bailiff Call the workmen and pay them their hire beginning from the last c. This Bailiff is Christ our Lord whom the Father hath given power to do Judgment c. The Evening of our Life is Death for all our whole life time is but as one day and even a thousand years before Gods eyes are as yesterday that is past Ps 89.4 After death every man receives his hire or reward wherein there is not so much regard had to the time as to the fervour of working Whence they that come in last in their Conversion shall receive as much as the first because they are wont for the most part to labour with greater fervour and humility deeming themselves unworthy of any reward whereas on the contrary others are used to presume of themselves See whether or no you do not the same 1 Cor. 13.4 1 Cor. 12.30 Consider 2. How the former murmured saying These last have continued one hour and thou hast made them equal to us that have born the burden of the day and the heats Not that there will be any murmuring in Heaven but for that the reward of the last comers that work fervently will be so great that if the state could permit it would breed envy in the first It is easie to fall into the like emulation and grudge in this life See whether your eye be not sometime naught or malicious because God or your Superiour is good to your Brother Rather joy in his Preferment for Charity envieth not unless it be virtues and the better gifts Sap. 4.13 Consider 3. The Parables final clause So shall the last be first and the first last for many be called but few elect They that came last to work come first to be rewarded for their fervour in working Because God regardeth not how much is done as S. Gregory saith but out of what affection Perhaps you may reckon many years of your life time in Gods service but few of fervour rather procure that it may be said of you In short space he fulfilled much time Of the Invitement to the Wedding Mat. 22. Luc. 14. and Supper Part 1. Mat. 22.2 COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a man being a King which made a Marriage to his Son This King is the Heavenly Father who made a Marriage between his only begotten Son and Humane Nature in the Bed-Chamber of the Virgins Womb The Son espoused to himself the Church in Faith and Charity according to that I will espouse thee to me in Faith Osee 2.20 and thou shalt know that I am the Lord who also espouseth unto himself the souls of the faithful and that not of a few only or of such as are Noble but generally of all that refuse not his Espousaâ—s Acknowledge therefore my Soul your Dignity and behave your self worthy of such a Spouse Luc. 14.18 c. Consider 2. The King made a Solemn Wedding Feast for his Church which he set forth with the Sacraments as so many Royal Courses and inviteth all to it but most men excuse themselves some out of an ambitious desire of Rule and Command I have bought a Farm and I must needs go forth and see it Others for their Imployment in worldly affairs I have bought five yoke of Oxen and I go to prove them Some again for carnal pleasures I have married a Wife and therefore I cannot come Others finally laid hands upon his servants Mat. 22.6 and spitefully entreating them murdered them The same do they who contumeliously reject their Pious Monitors and stick not to wound and pierce them with the Sword of their Tongue Consider 3. The madness of men that leave this Divine Banquet of the Heavenly King for vile and transitory things especially seeing that from this Nuptial Feast of the Militant Church on Earth they are to pass to that of the Triumphant in Heaven Take heed you let not your self be intangled with these snares of the world least you come to be shut out for ever from the Heavenly Banquet Luc. 14.15 Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God Aspire therefore with all your endeavour to this happiness Of the Invitement to the Wedding Mat. 22. Luc. 14. and Supper Part 2. Luc. 14.21 COnsider 1. Go forth quickly into the streets and lanes of the City and the poor and feeble and blind and lame bring in hither c. The Divine Clemency is nothing abated by mans wretchedness or ingratitude he provideth other Guests to come in their rooms and for the rich and voluptuous men that excuse themselves he calleth the poor and feeble that is such as are free from worldly incumberances and impediments He even compelleth them to enter forcing them in a
manner by afflictions and tribulations as so many Scourges to make them come to his Supper Admire the riches of the Divine Goodness and beg of him with the Church that he would also propitiously force your rebellious will towards himself Mat. 22.11 Consider 2. And the King went in to see the Guests and he saw there a man not attired in a wedding Garment This Wedding Garment is Charity and the Grace of God wherewith whosoever is not invested must not presume to sit at the Table of the H. Sacraments Consider how God offereth this Garment of Charity to every one Who will all men to be saved 1 Tim. 2.4 and to come to the knowledge of the truth And yet men out of wretchedness often refuse it But do you earnestly beg it of God and presume not to come without it especially to the Eucharist Consider 3. The Kings Indignation against him that had not on his Wedding Garment Mat. sup 13 Bind his hands and feet and cast him into the utter darkness c. The punishment of a sinner is manifold the first of perpetual imprisonment in Hell the second of horrid darkness as being deprived of the fight of God the third of obstinacy in malice whence his hands are tyed so that he cannot work any more and his feet shackled that he cannot make escape Beseech our Lord to deliver you from all these evils c. Of the ten Virgins Mat. 25.1 c. Part 1. COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to ten Virgins c. In the Militant Church there are both good and bad wise and foolish both expect the coming of Christ the Spouse to Celebrate his Nuptials with the Triumphant Church They are like to the foolish Virgins that have Lamps without Oyl who keep their Faith but without Charity which gives it life And what can be more foolish then to expect a Judge that seeth all things and not to prepare himself against his coming See whether you are not guilty of this folly Consider 2. The Bridegroom tarrying long they slumbered all and slept By this is signified the time of our life wherein even the good do often slumber through carelesness and negligence though not mortal The wicked are in a dead sleep by an absolute forgetfulness of God Take heed even of slumbering least thence you come to fall fast asleep or rather into a Lethargy Hearken to the Apostle rousing you up in those words Rise thou that sleepest Ephes 5.14 c. and Christ will illuminate thee 1 Thes 5.2 Consider 3. And at midnight there was a clamour made Behold the Bridegroom cometh c. Your Judge will come upon you on the sudden and when you least expect that you may learn to be always ready The day of our Lord shall so come saith the Apostle as a Thief in the night If your Temporal Life were in danger and you stood in fear of Thieves you would certainly keep your self awake And can you find in your heart to sleep being in hazard of Eternal Life Wherefore often ring that Peal in your ears Behold the Bridegroom cometh least otherwise he find you at unawares Watch ye therefore saith Christ because you know not the day nor the hour Of the ten Virgins Mat. 25.7 c. Part 2. Ps 58.7 COnsider 1. Then arose all those Virgins and they trimmed their Lamps c. At the news of death every one commonly bestirreth himself but they that have led ill lives find not the Oyl of Charity in their Vessels neither will there often be time then to go to the Priests and to buy it with works of Penance They will return at evening saith David and they shall suffer famine as dogs for then they shall be denied that Spiritual Food which they neglected in their life time Gal. 6.10 Therefore whiles we have time let us work good Is 35.10 Consider 2. They that were ready entred with him to the Marriage Ponder of what importance it is to be ready at that hour whereon dependeth Eternity They entred but with what joy and congratulating with one another Everlasting Joy shall be upon their head they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and mourning shall fly away Their Lamp there shall shine a hundred fold from the Rays of brightness that proceeds from the Bridegrooms Countenance and shall send forth flames of most sincere Charity without danger of being ever extinguished Who would not wish to enter in their company Mat. 7.21 Consider 3. Last of all come also the other Virgins saying Lord Lord open to us They knocked with bare words not with deeds therefore they were not let in For Not every one that saith to me Lord Lord c. but he that doth the will of my Father c. he shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Knock therefore with good works and that while you have time that you may be let in Terrible are those words I know you not Take heed therefore they may never come to be spoken to you Of Holy Communion Direct me in thy truth and teach me Ps 24.5 Consider Christ as the Teacher of Truth Mat. 22.16 COnsider 1. What is said to day in the Gospel Master we know that thou art a true speaker and teachest the way of God in truth c. We all live in great darkness in this life and we want a sure Leader that may teach us the way of God in truth for the wise men of the world do all erre Thy Prophets have seen false and foolish things to thee And the children of men are lyars in balances Thren 2.14 or in their judgments they deceive and are deceived themselves nor can any man safely rely upon them Christ alone of himself is infallibly true and therefore he saith I am the Way Jo. 14.6 Rom. 3.4 and the Verity and the Life And the Apostle God is true and every man a lyar 1 Reg. 9.6 Consider 2. What was said to Saul when he was out of his way Behold a Man of God is in this City a famous man all that he speaketh cometh to pass without doubt now therefore let us go thither if perhaps he may tell us of our way for which we are come Apply this to the Eucharist where the Man of God truly is yea God himself is truly the Man who will tell you of your way for which you came into the world Come therefore with a great confidence for whatsoever he speaketh doth certainly come to pass Ibid. Consider 3. For a due preparation you must bring with you as Saul did some gift to present this Man of God withall Loe we will go what shall we carry to the Man of God And being poor he gave what he had to wit the fourth part of a sickle of silver And you although you be poor yet you have a Soul stamped like a piece of Coyn with the Image of God
to do more to my Vineyard Is 5.4 and have not done to it Ezec. 18.4 Is 45.5 Consider 2. God doth let out this Soul of yours to your self for he reserves the Propriety to himself All Souls are mine c. And I the Lord and there is none else He lets you therefore to your self that you should cultivate your own Soul like a good Husbandman and render it fruitful for his service For who planteth a Vine 1 Cor. 9.7 and eaâ—eth not of the fruit thereof Therefore our Lord likewise expecteth fruit from you But he goeth into a Forreign Country making as if he were absent and leaving you to your own liberty to do as you please your self But woe be to that Vine which bringeth forth no fruit for one of these two is due to every Vine Fruit or Fire Therefore that you may not be in Fire be not without Fruit. Mat. 21.41 Consider 3. God doth often send to you his Servants Preachers Superiours and others to put you in mind of your duty He sendeth also his only begotten Son by interiour Inspirations and the Example of his Life and Passion Take heed therefore that you do not like those wicked Husbandmen either contemn Gods Officers or kill his Son again by sin lest otherwise the Kingdom of God be taken from you and given to another that will render him fruit in its season Of the Bailiff of Iniquity Luc. 16.1 c. Ps 23.1 COnsider 1. There was a certain rich man that had a Bailiff and he was ill reported of unto him as he that had wasted his goods c. The Rich Man is God for the Earth is our Lords and the fubtess thereof You are his Bailiff whom God hath intrusted with many goods both of Body and Mind Natural and Supernatural that you might imploy them well but by your Misdemeanours you have gained the report of an ill Husband and reputed as a Waster of your Lords Goods What a shameful and opprobrious thing it is to play the Cheat with God and turn Bankrupt to Heaven Jo. 9.4 Consider 2. Render account of thy Bailiship c. When you come to die you will be exacted a most strict account of your Bailiship that is of your life and actions and then you can play the Bailiff that is work your Salvation no longer The night cometh when no man can work Wherefore let us do good while we have â—ime Wise Stewards often look into their accounts to see how things go that they may be found faithful when they shall be called to account Do you the same by a daily and rigorous Examen of your Conscience for if we did judge our selves 1 Cor. 11.31 we should not be judged Eccli 37.19 â— â—â— Consider 3. How the Steward in this Parable provided wisely for himself though deceitfully withall and therefore Christ commended not his fraud but his wit and forecast O that we were so wise and provident in procuring the Eternal Salvation of our Soul Lament that the children of this world are wiser then the children of light in their Generation and think how you may bestir your self The true wise man is wise to his own Soul Of the Wise Man Mat. 7. and the Fool. Eph. 2.20 COnsider 1. Christ pronounceth him a Wise man who building his House layeth the Foundation upon a firm Rock whence it comes to stand immoveable against all winds and fâ—ouds whatsoever The Rock is Christ who is also called the Corner-stone The Winds Flouds and Rains are the several temptations Man is assaulted withall He therefore buildeth upon a Rock that groundeth his life and actions upon Christ and Reasons of Eternity and thereby is secured from all temptations for God is in the midst and therefore he shall not be moved Ps 45.6 See whether you do so or no. Consider 2. He is called a Fool that buildeth his house upon Sand For what can be greater folly then to be at great expences in raising a building that is ready to fall to the ground by every wind By the Sand is understood all earthly things and he buildeth upon Sand that placeth his thoughts and labours upon the fleeting and transitory things of this life whence he cometh to be tossed up and down by the winds of Vanity carried away and swallowed up by the Flouds of Pleasures and even quite overwhelmed with the Rains and Storms of Adversity which God useth to send Therefore the Prophet compareth the wicked to dust Ps 1.5 which the wind driveth from the face of the earth Eccl. 1.15 Consider 3. How all men scorn the Name but most stick not to do the actions of a Fool Therefore Salomon saith The number of Fools is infinite because an infinity of men build upon Sand. See whether you do not make one of the number and observe that the Winds and Rains were common to both the Houses so Temptations do equally assault the Just and the Wicked And therefore if you fall at any time adsâ—ribe not the cause thereof to the Temptation but to the folly of an ill and groundless Foundation Of Holy Communion Attend unto my help O Lord the God of my Salvation Ps 37.22 Consider Christ as the Salvation of your Soul Mat. 9.18 Mar. 5.22 Luc. 8.41 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel how Christ raised the Deceased Daughter of the Prince of the Synagogue and healed the Hemorroisset of a Bloody Flux And lastly how he used to bestow perfect health to all that came to him for Virtue went forth from him and healed all Luc. 6.19 Ps 26.1 Therefore David saith Our Lord is my Illumination and Salvation whom shall I fear How secure is he that hath God for his Saviour and Defender Consider 2. This same Lord will come unto you to day in the Eucharist O what a happiness is this Look thoroughly into your self and think what infirmities you are most subject unto and how you are assaulted by your Enemies Perhaps you will find your Soul if not quite dead by Mortal Sin at least next door to it by a lingring Consumption of Tepidity You will find her perchance to have a Bloody Flux while she letteth the best part of her life and actions pass from her unprofitably Wherefore have recourse unto the Lord and God of your Salvation that he may say likewise to your Soul Ps 34.3 I am thy Salvation Consider 3. The preparation you are to make out of the Gospel 1. By a most Profound Humility imitating this Prince Mat. sup who approached and adored him and the Woman who came behind him and touched the hâ—m of his garment 2. By a great Confidence therefore Christ said to the Woman Thy Faith hath made thee safe And by the Prophet he saith Jer. 39.18 Thy life or Soul shall be to thee unto Salvation because thou hast had confidence in me Of the Sower Mat. 1.3
Mar. 4. Luc. 8. Luc. 8.5 4. Esdr 9.31 COnsider 1. The Sower went forth to sow his seed c. Ponder the Infinite Mercy of God he standeth not in need of any fruit that we can yield him and yet he vouchsafeth most graciously to go forth sundry ways by Preachers by Spiritual Books by Holy Inspirations by Superiours by Directors by Examples c. to sow in our hearts the Seed of Eternal Salvation Behold I sow my Law in you and it shall bring forth fruit in you Think what a precious Seed this is whose fruit is life Everlasting Consider 2. The Earth whereon this Seed is cast is Mans Heart But there are three sorts of Soil wherein this Seed bringeth forth no fruit 1. In the publick high way that is in an open heart exposed to all manner of distractive thoughts 2. In a stony soil that is in a hard heart without any moisture of Devotion 3. In a field full of thorns and bryars that is in a heart choaked up with the cares pleasures and riches of this life See whether the soil of your heart be not such in one kind or other and endeavour to rid it of all these impediments Consider 3. The property of a good soil or heart is to retain the seed and yield fruit in patience It is not enough to receive Holy Inspirations Luc. sup v. 15. unless you endeavour to retain them for whosoever retains not his meat saith S. Gregory his life is certainly desperate Moreover the field of your heart must be patient not only in suffering the Plough that is Afflictions but also expecting with patience the Heavenly Dew and showres of Divine Grace for Luc. 21.19 In your patience you shall possess your Souls Of the Cockle Mat. 13.24 c. THe Kingdom of Heaven is resembled to a man that sowed good Seed in his field c. Consider 1. By Christs own Exposition the Sower in this Patable is God the Field this World the good Seed the Just the Cockle the Wicked the Enemy the World the Harvest the end of the World and the Reapers the Angels God for his part would have all men good and for this only purpose affordeth his good Seed but while men sleep and are careless in the affairs of their Salvation the Devil oversoweth Cockle and of good makes them wicked The Cockle groweth together with the Wheat and is hardly distinguished from it in the Blade so the Wicked often times are scarcely discerned from the good in this Life See whether you be Wheat or Cockle and whether you do sleep in the main business of your Salvation lest you come to be overborn by the Enemy Mat. 5.45 Consider 2. The indiscreet Zeal sometimes of the Just that wish all the Wicked to be rooted up Wilt thou we go and gather them up But God doth not so who maketh his Sun to rise upon good and bad for he tollerates the bad expecting them to do Penance that so from being Cockle they may turn to be good Whâ—at and for that cause will not have them all rooted up Put on the like affection of longanimity towards your Brethren and Neighbours that are troublesome to you Consider 3. The great difference in the end of this common life which the good and the bad lead in this world Bind up the Cockle c. to burn but the Wheat gather ye into my Barn Who would not chuse rather to be in this Barn then in a Burning Furnace See therefore you be true Wheat and suffer your self to be thrashed and cleansed from Chaff by Penance and Mortification for you cannot be brought into the Heavenly Granary together with your Chaff Of the Mustard-Seed Mat. 13. Mar. 4. Luc. 13. Mat. 13.31 Ps 21.7 Colos 2.3 COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Mustard-seed c. Christ himself first was this Mustard-seed because as that Seed is the least and commendable neither for its smell nor outward shew yet it contains within it self a great natural heat and sends it forth also outwardly especially when it is bruised So Christ to the outward appearance was a worm and no man c. but within him were all the treasures of Wisdom and Science of God and being broken and bruised on the Cross he expressed the greatest heat of love that ever was inflaming the whole world with the Fire of his Charity Do you likewise suffer your self to be set on fire with the like heat Sap. 5.4 Consider 2. All the Just in this Life are also Mustard-seed simple and contemptible in the eyes of the world but in a high value with God and his Angels so that the wicked shall say in the day of Judgment We sensless esteemed their life madness and their end without honour behold how they are counted among the children of God Observe moreover that the Saints do then shew their virtue most when they are crushed with tribulations whence the Apostle When I am weak then I am mighty 2 Cor. 12 10. c. Consider 3. A grain of Mustard-seed cast into the earth groweth into a Tree Mat. sup So that the fowls of the air come and dwell in the branches thereof Such a grain was Christ perfectly mortified and dead upon the Cross in whose branches that is Doctrine and Example devout Souls dwell by contemplation Vnder his shadow whom I desired Cant. 2.3 I sate saith the Spouse in the Canticles and his fruit was sweet unto my throat Do you the like Of the Leaven Mat. 13. Mar. 4. Luc. 13. Mat. 13.33 COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to Leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of Meal c. that is she wrought it into the whole Batch of Bread so to give it its relish This Leaven first was Christ who being hid in our flesh rendred the cursed mass of mankind acceptable to God Again he is after a special manner Leaven in the Eucharist whereby penetrating into our heart he leaveneth seasoneth and in a manner Deifieth the whole man giving Chastity to the body and the savour of all Virtue to the Soul Consider 2. Good Leaven likewise are the Good that live in Communities for an exemplar life hath a wonderful influence upon mens actions and after a secret manner provoking others to their imitation maketh them like to those in whom they behold it 1 Tim. 4.12 Leo Serm. 1 de S. Laurent whence the Apostle to Timothy Be as example of the faithful in word in conversation in charity c. because as S. Leo saith Examples are more powerful then words and it is a more perfect way of teaching by action then by word of mouth 1 Cor. 5.6 Consider 3. On the contrary the power of bad Leaven because it spoileth the whole Batch whence the Apostle saith That a little Leaven corrupteth the whole Paste Even so bad example infecteth them whom we live and converse withall
Religion so that there is nothing good and holy in the Church which proceeded not from them the Constancy of Martyrs the Justice of Confessors the Purity of Virging the Zeal of Doctors the Sanctity of Priests the Rigour of Moncks and Religious c. â—ook theâ—â— beginning from them Jo. 14.27 Consider 3. Their Reward 1. In this life in the wonderful fruit which they daily reaped of their labours and chiefly in the interiour Joy and Jubâ—ly of heart surpassing all the joys of the world Peace I leave to you my peace I give to you not as the world giveth do I give to you wherein they enjoyed to the full the hundred-fold which Christ had promised them 2. In the other life where they shall sit as Judges of the world and even of the Angels themselves and after a special manner shall eat and drink at Christs own Table in his Kingdom where above the other Saints they shall be inebriated with the pleaty of Gods House Ps 35.9 Of Martyrs Jo. 15.13 COnsider 1. The Holy Martyrs are the Seed of the Church and Champions of Christ Martyrdom is an act 1. Of the greatest Charity Greater love then this no man hath that a man yield his life for his friends 2. Of Invincible Patience and Fortitude contemning all manner of torments and death it self 3. Of Religion it being an entire Sacrifice of the whole man and perfect Holocaust 4. Of the perfectest Imitation of Christ If any man will come after me saith Christ let him take up his Cross Luc. 9.23 and follow me Consider 2. There are divers sorts of Martyrs 1. Those who have suffered death for the Faith of Christ among Infidels and Hereticks of which sort there have been innumerable in Gods Church 2. For defence of the Truth as S. John Baptist Isaie Jeremy 3. For the observance of the Divine Law as the Machabees 4. For defence of the Churches Liberties and Immunities as S. Thomas of Câ—nterbury 5. For their own Piety and Virtue as Abel the Just Besides these there are other true Martyrs who though not in their Body have suffered interiourly in their Mind As 1. The B. Virgin whose soul was pierced with the Sword of Grief and is deservedly stiled the Queen of Martyrs 2. Holy Hermits Virgins Luc. 2.35 and the truly Religious who all their life time have Crucified their flesh with its Concupiscences among whom many through the long durance of their sufferings have not only equalized but also surpassed in Merit the sharp torments of other Martyrs Luc. 21.19 Consider 3. Their Reward 1. Of Heavenly Comfort and Consolation which was oftentimes so great that it made them insensible of their torments 2. Of security of their future happiness In your patience you shall possess your Souls Whence S. Augustine He that prayeth for a Martyr doth an injury to the Martyr 3. Of a special Crown of Glory in Heaven above all other Saints 4. Of particular honour which the whole Church doth them in celebrating their Feasts next to those of the Apostles both more frequently and solemnly So that most true is that of the Psalmist Ps 115.6 Precious in the sight of God is the death of his Saints See that you celebrate aright their Festivities that is by imitation of their Vitues for as S. Augustine saith The Solemnities of Martyrs Serm. 47. de Sanctis are so many Exhortations to Martyrdom at least of Self-love Inordinate Passions and Vicious Appetites Of the Doctors of the Church COnsider 1. Almighty God hath provided his Church with holy Doctors whom he hath enâ—owed with all manner of Wisdom and Knowledge Humane and Divine and this they obtained not so much by their own sedulous study and labour as 1. By continual Prayer wherewith they humbly begged it of God the Author of all Science and Wisdom 2. By Purity of Life whereby they became pure Glasses and Myrrours fit to receive the Rays of Divine Light 3. By Humility whereby they submitted both to one another and to the Sense and Definitions of the Church If you desire to partake of their Knowledge and Wisdom make use of the same means Consider 2. Their Study was not meerly to know which is but an idle Curiosity nor to be known which is Vanity nor to get which is base Lucre But 1. To further their own Salvation 2. For the good of their Neighbour 3. For the propagation of the holy Faith defence of the Church and glory of God Examine what your labours tend to Curiosity Vanity or the Glory of God See that you imploy your Learning and others Talents not in devising or upholding new-fangled Doctrines but in zealously maintaining the known received and approved Tenets of the Church Consider 3. The admirable fruits of their labours 1. They have illustrated the whole Church with their holy Sermons and Writings 2. They have opened the sense of Holy Scriptures declared the Mysteries of our Faith maintained and propagated Truth and Religion 3. They have expelled Ignorance corrected Errours vanquished Infidelity Heresie and Vice bringing Infidels to the Faith Hereticks to the Church Sinners to Repentance 4. They have wonderfully promoted Piety throughout the whole Christian world by their zealous Preaching by their admirable Documents in all manner of Virtue and by the exemplar Sanctity of their Life and Conversation So that the Holy Church doth deservedly apply to them what our Saviour said to his Apostles You are the Salt of the Earth c. You are the Light of the World c. Mat. 5.13 15. See how the properties of each do agree with them consider withall their special reward in Heaven above other Saints They that be learned in the Law of God shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament and they that instruct many to Justice Dâ—n 12.3 as Stars unto perpetual Eternities Of Holy Bishops Confessors COnsider 1. Almighty God out of his Paternal Providence hath raised some among men who should be 1. As Fathers to others in begetting them spiritually to Christ 2. As Pastors by governing and feeding them with the Pasture of Divine Doctrine 3. As Leaders and Guides towards their Heavenly Country 4. As Mediators between God and Men to appease his wrath against them 5. As Legats to represent their necessities to God and to declare his will to them 6. As High-Priests in the name of the whole Church to do Divine Worship and Honour to God to offer Sacrifice to present our Prayers Oblations and Thanksgivings and by means of these Duties to obtain for us the return of heavenly blessings These were the proper Offices and Functions of the Holy Bishops Consider 2. In regard the Calling of Bishops is the same with that of the Apostles whose Successors they are God endowed them with special Gifts of Grace and Virtue answerable to the Dignity and End of their Calling Ponder therefore 1. Their Apostolical Spirit and Zeal in all things belonging to the