and destitute of grace and vertu whom he may not enrich with the store plentie of all pretious substance 5. He giueth him selfe in foode most delicious most sweete and most sufficient in such sorte that none is so feeble weake or famished that may not be healed refreshed strenghtned and sustained 6. He cometh in such splendor and brightnes that none can be so blinded obscursed or held in such darknes that may not by his presence be instructed and lightned 7. He cometh in such plenitude aboundance of grace that none is so indeuout negligent and slouthful that may not be awakened stirred excited to deuotion O great and ouer-flowing loue who is he who well considering this wil not maruaile and with sighing sey O Lord what is man that so thou doest visit him and sett thy hart towardes him Aspirations to acknowledge our great vnworthines to receiue the holy Sacrament of the pretious body and blood of our Sauiour Iesus O My Lord O my God who art thou and who am I that I should presume to come to receiue thee The Angels in heauen doe reuerence thee and the highest powers and glorious Spirits with trembling doe adore thee What then shall I doe that am here in earth dust and ashes that I am what shall I doe O my Lord o my God thy only greatnes doth humble the Angels although they acknowledg in them no sinne nor euill Yea the highest Seraphins drawe in their winges and repute them selues like litle flies before thee what then shall I doe that am charged with the burthen of my iniquitie but bowe downe my head prostrate my selfe vpon the earth and feare to lift vp myne eyes before thee O my Lord O my God if I sinful wretch had prepared my selfe a thousand yeares by deuout meditations and had in my selfe the merits of all the iust men vpon the earth and of all the glorious Saintes in heauen all this were very little nay nothing to receiue thee according to thy dignity how much lesse then O my Lord alas how much lesse shall I doe it naked that I am of all merits and charged with an infinit number of sinnes and vices Aspirations to craue puritie of minde and conscience wher with worthelie to receiue the most B. Sacrament O My Lord my sweete Sauiour and my God who may giue me at this present a pure hart a cleane hart a new hart a hart purged from all soyle a hart set on fire with diuine loue a hart lightned and shining with celestiall brightnes so that my faire and delicate spouse Christ IESVS coming he may finde a place of rest prepared to him in my hart and nothing which may offende the eyes of his Maiestie 2. O that I could if it were possible receiue thee sweete Lord at this present into my soule with that feruour loue and affection wherwith thy worthy and sacred Mother conceiued thee and with that desire loue and deuotion that euer thy deuout seruants haue receiued doe receiue or euer shall receiue thee 3. O that I had in my selfe all the beautie of the nine orders of Angels the burning charitie of the Seraphins the sanctitie and puritie of the heauenly Saintes the feruent loue deuotion and desire of all the chosen frindes of God which euer were are or shall be ether in heauen or earth Aspirations to expresse a feruent longing and impatient desire of the soule for the coming of our Sauiour in the B. Sacrament 1. O Sweete IESV sweete IESV sweete IESV a thousand times doe I longe for thee a thousand times doe I desire thee when wilt thou come my sweete Sauiour when wilt thou come wheh shall I see thee when shall I feele thee within my soule 2. O deare IESV deare IESV deare IESV when shall I according to my desire possesse thy blessed presence within my soule when wilt thou come that I may louingly ioyne my hart to thine Come therefore O sweete IESVS come O bread of Angels O heauenly manna O foode of faithfull soules Come O my sweete loue come and transforme into thee all my intentions conceptions and inwarde parts come and rauish me from all thinges created euen fom my life euen from my owne selfe 3. O diuine fire come and inflame my hart O the spouse of my soule come quickly vnto me Wound my hart with thy loue Come take thy repose within my conscience Come sweete IESVS come quickly and defer no longer to come Come the health the life and only desire of my hart Aspirations proper to be said wheÌ„ the time of reaming the B. Sacrament is neere at hande 1. O My soule behould thy spouse is coming arise and goe earth to meete him enter now and ioyne thee neere vnto him Be glad and reioyce of the approaching of so great a guest because there cometh vnto thee thy Creator thy Lord and thy Louer thy Father thy Pastor and thy Spouse Christ IESVS thy beloued he who gaue for thee his dearest life that he might redeeme thy soule from eternall death 2. Open o my soule open the gate to thy Lord and thy God coming towardes thee giue place to thy Creator giue accesse to thy spouse who with such loue approacheth vnto thee 3. Them imagin that you heare the sweete and amiable voice of our Sauiour calling vnto you and saying Veni amica mea veni sponsa mea veni Come my beloued come my spouse come vnto me To who make answere saying Paratum cor meum Deus â—ratum cor meum Ingredere benedicte Domine miserere mei O God my hart is readie o God my hart is readie Enter blessed Lord and haue mercie on me Aspirations to be said inwardly when the B. Host is in your mouth 1. O Most sweete most potent most faire most noble most highe most geÌ„tle most amiable and most gratious IESV Vouchsafe to enter into the poore house of they seruaÌ„t whose burning desire is wholy to enioy thee and whom all the creatures in heauen and earth cannot satisfie without thee 2. My God enter into my soule and sanctifie it enter into my hart purifie it my God enter into my body and countergarde it and from thy loue neuer separate it 3. Into thy handes o Lord IESV I commend my spirit to thee I resigne my life my soule receiue me sweete Sauiour and so keepe me that I neuer escape out of thy handes Aspirations after receiuing admiring the loue of our Sauiour expressed vnto vs in the most B. Sacrament 1 I Remember sweete IESV the woordes thou spakest to thine Apostles after thou hadst washed their feete saing Knowe you what I haue done vnto you o how wel maist thou now say vnto me Knowe you what I haue done vnto you For what couldest thou doe more for me or what gteater loue o good IESU couldest thou shew vnto me then first to giue this thy body to death for me now againe to giue the selfe same body and blood in meate
drinke vnto me in memorie of the same thy death 2. O my Lord what is the cause of this thy loue what meaneth I pray thee this Wonderfull loue Seest thou not vpoÌ„ how vilde a creature thou hast cast thy loue Wilt thou desceÌ„d now once againe into hell Wilt thou put thy selfe now once again into the handes of sinners to be crucified wilt thou once againe be borne in a stable amongst bruite beastes meaning your hart o strong o pure o vnspeakable loue 3. Deare Lord hast thou perchance lack of some subject to delight thee thou that art most happy and most perfect in thy selfe that thou searchest out a little worme of so euill life and odor as I Truly it seemeth as if that thou hadst neede of thyne owne creature for thou vsest such meanes to obtaine his loue as though thou couldest not be nor liue without him O inestimable and most sweete loue who can but be inflamed of so great a loue what hart can defend it selfe that it be not melted quite consumed with this loue Aspirations expressing our loue againe vnto our Sauiour for this singular benefitt of the B. Sacrament 1. IF all the riches of the earth were proposed vnto me If all the honors and crownes of the worlde If all the pleasures and delightes which is possible to imagin with all the knowledge both of men and Angels I would repute all as dunge and as meere nothing I would make no account at al of it in comparison O Lord of this thy sweete and vnspeakable loue 2. If all the creatures in the worlde were in my power I would moue them all in thy praise for this singular benefit which hast bestowed vpoÌ„ me If the force and vertu of all men Angels were alone in me I would wholy employ them all to magnifie thee for this thy especial loue vnto me 4. Lord Lord thy loue doth draw me thy loue doth wound me thy loue doth rauishe me O that I had in me the puritie of Angels and the inflamed and burning desires of all the B. Saintes O that I had a thousand hartes to shed foorth in thy loue and to answere to this so great a loue Aspirations very feruent into which the soule bursteth forth in great admiration of the B. Sacrament O Bread of life O bread of Angels O sanctuarie of soules o secret comforter of holy mindes O heaueÌ„ly spouse O IESVS CHRIST my delectable loue O riches of the soule O solace of the afflicted O foode of the famished O my ioy O my glorie and al my beatitude 2. O meeke lambe O milde maiestie O highe charitie o lowe humilitie o great mercie o bottomles depthe of incomprehensible bountie o my Lord hâ—â— much am I bounde for the good which thou hast done me and aboue all for the maner by which thou hast done this good vnto me 3. O heauenly Lord who so much louest me o true Pellican who in thy blood dost so quicken me o good Pastor who so dost giue thy selfe in meate vnto me o faithfull Keeper who hast so woÌ„derful a care ouer such as thou hast taken in chardge vnto thee Aspirations after receauing the B. Sacrament in vtter detestation and hatred of sinne MY God my Lord and sweetest loue neuer any more neuer any more of sinne neuer any more pleasure of the flesh neuer any more of the world neuer any more of vanity I vtterly detest all sinne whatsoeuer and to thee only doe I render my selfe to thee only will I serue obey for the time to come To thee only doe I desire to liue and die only graunt that I neuer more offend thee nor that I euer be separated from thee 2. My God I haue no greater griefe in the worlde then to think that heretofore I haue so much offended thee And to thinke that sometimes againe I may come to offende thee causeth so great a feare in my soule and doth so much afflict me that I would wish to die a thousand deathes to be out of this danger that I neuer any more become thy enimie 3. O my God permit not I beseeche thee that for the time to come I euer more displease thee And if thou forseest that ether by frailty or suggestion of the diuel liuing yet longer I shall mortally offend thee shew me the grace to take me out of the worlde and that I die before I commit the sinne actually Aspirations in which the soule defiereth wholy to be withdrawne from all creatures with a perfect resignation to God altogether to be gouerned by him 1. O My souueraigne and dreadfull Lord I would wish for the time to come neuer any more to appeare amongst men but to hide me if it were possible vnder the earth that by this meanes no earthly creature may euer regayne my loue from thee euer withdrawe my hart from thee or euer separate my affection from thee 2. O myne eyes what desire you more to see heere o myne eares what desire you more to hearken here o my toung what desirest thou more to tast here o my hart and all my sences shut vp shut vp your gates shut them vp I say perpetually to the end that neuer any thinge may haue accesse into my soule which may euer dissolue this streight coniunction betwixt my Sauiour and me 3. O my sweete and merciful Lord behould that from this very houre I doe wholy abandon my selfe to thy diuine prouidence and voluntarily and freely now and for euer giue present and consigne my selfe body and soule vnto thee desiring that thou worke in me as it shall please thee and al that it shal please thee and that on my part I neuer giue thee any lett or impediment Finally gouerne all my desires guide al my actions and workes so that all my workes may render thee obedience honor and glorie for euer and euer Amen Deuout iaculatorie coÌ„ceptions very proper to he vsed in the day wherin one hath receiued the B. Sacrament FIRrst you may burst foorth in to these wordes in manner of a spirit wholy replenisht and rauisht with ioy and say O my soueraigne Lord my Sauiour my Redeemer and my God I haue here the pledge of thy loue I haue heere the memoriall of thy death I haue heere the price of all the world I haue heere my Lord my God and al my good O wonderfull grace o wonderfull grace to haue myne owne Sauiour inclosed within my soule O my Lord and my God my spirit is swallowed vp and quiet transported into thee it is in a maner wholie melted in to thee by reason of thy loue and it causeth my hart euen to open it selfe at thy presence like as the rose before the sinne Thankes thankes thanks therfore o my Lord for so infinit inestimable and vnspeakable a benefit You may sometimes also by way of a diligent care that you would not offend him propose this demaÌ„d vnto your owne hart saying Domine est ne cor
meum corpus meum adhuc mundum in conspectu tuo Lord is my body and my mynde yet cleane before thee Somtimes againe by way of huÌ„ble prayer that he wold not leaue you saying with the holy Prophet Ne derelinquas me Domine Deus meus ne discesseris à me Leaue me not O my Lord o my God depart not from me Sometimes likewise you may with great ioy of spirit recite the song of the 3. childreÌ„ DaÌ„ 3. saying Benedicite omnia opera Domini Domino laudate superexaltate eum in soecula c. Benedicite Angeli Domini Domino benedicite caeli Domino c. All yee workes of our Lord blesse yee our Lord prayse and ex tolle him for euer Blesse our Lord yee Angels of our Lord ye heaueÌ„s blesse our Lord c. As in the office of our Lady Moreouer to exercise some other actes of greate deuotion you may sometimes imagin your selfe as one wounded in soule with sundry woundes and that IESVS CHRIST the true phisitian of soules cometh to cast his woundes vpon yours to the end perfectly to heale you You may likewise sometimes by imgination transforme your selfe into the forme of a little Bee mounting vpoÌ„ the tree of the Crosse flying busily from one wound to another to gather and suck into your soule the sweete honie of his most pretious blood A briefe prayer for conclusion SWeete IESVS by the vertu of this most B. SacrameÌ„t I beseeche thee to roote vp and extirpate in me all the branches and seeds of my euil passions renue me wholy into thee so that in thee I may take a new force and viguere and that in vertu of thy grace of vicious which I haue alwayes bene I may for time hereafter become vertuous of a childe of vanitie a contemner of the world of leacherous chast of gluttenous sober of slouthfull feruent and diligent of harslie cholericke and impatient sweet meeke and patient of vnpittifull charitable of proude humble of presumptuous and ill aduised discreete and modest of vaine and light graue and settled of inconâ—â—ant firme and stable finally of a sinner and enwrapped in â—iseries I may become by thy grace just and of exemplar holie conuersation Graunt this sweete Sauiour IESV for thy infinite loue and mercie sake Amen THE LITANY OF the blessed Sacrament LOrd haue mercie Christ haue mercie Lord haue mercie Christ heare vs. O Christ heare vs. O God the Father of heauen Haue mercie vpon vs. o God the Sonne redeemer of the world Haue mercie vpon vs O God the Holy Ghost Haue mercie vpon vs. O holie Trinitie one God Haue mercie vpon vs. Liuely Bread that didst descend from heauen Haue God hidden and my Sauiour Haue mercie vpon vs. Bread of the elect Haue Wine budding foorth virgins Haue mercie vpon vs Fruitfull Bread and the delight of kinges Haue Holie Sacrifice Haue Pure oblation Haue Lambe without spot Haue Table of proposition Haue mercie vpon vs. Most pure Table Haue Foode of Angels Haue Hidden Manna Haue Memoriall of the woÌ„derfull woorkes of God Haue SupersubstaÌ„tial bread Haue Woorde made flesh and dwelling in vs Haue Holy host Haue Chalice of benediction Haue mercie vpon vs. Mysterie of faithe Haue Most highe and venerable Sacrament Haue Sacrifice of all other most holy Haue mercie vpon vs. Truly propitiatorie for the quick and dead Haue HeaueÌ„ly Preseruatiue wherby we are preserued from sinne Haue Miracle aboue al others astonishing Haue Most sacred coÌ„memoration of our Lordes death Haue Gift surpassing al fulnes Ha Chiefe memoriall of diuine Loue Haue Abundance of diuine bountie Haue Holie and most majesticall mystery Haue mercy vpon vs. Medicine of immortallity Haue mercy vpon vs. Dreadful and life-giuing Sacrament Haue Bread of the Almighty word made flesh Haue Vnbloudy Sacrifice Haue Most sweet banquet whereon the ministring Angels attend Haue Sacrament of Piety Haue Bond of Charity Haue Offerer and oblation Haue Spirituall sweetnes tasted in his proper fountaine Haue Refection of holy soules Haue mercy vpon vs. Voyage food of those which dye in our Lord. Haue mercy vpon vs. Pledge of future glory Haue mercy vpon vs. Be mercifull Spare vs o Lord. Be mercifull Heare vs o Lord. From the vnworthy receiuing of thy body blood Deliuer vs o Lord. From concupiscence of the flesh Deliuer vs. From concupiscence of the eyes Deliuer vs From pride of life Deliuer From all occasion of sinne Deliuer vs o Lord. By that desire wherewith thou desieredst to eate this Passeouer with thy Disciples Deliuer vs o Lord. By thy great humility wherewith thou didest washe the feete of thy Disciples Deliuer vs o Lord. By thy burning Charitie wherwith thou didest ordaine this diuine Sacrament Deliuer vs. By thy most pretious blood which thou hast left vnto vs vpon the Altar Deliuer vs. By the fiue woundes of this thy most holy body which thou receiuedst for vs. Deliuer vs o Lord. We sinners Doe beseech thee to heare vs. That thou wouldst increase keepe in vs true faith reuerence and deuotion of this holy Sacrament VVe beseech thee That thou wouldst voutchsafe to bring vs to the frequeÌ„t vse of this holie Eucharist by true coÌ„fession of our sinnes VVe beseech That thou wouldest voutchsafe to deliuer vs froÌ„ all heresie infidelitie blindnes of hart VVe beseech thee That thou wouldst voutchsafe to impart vnto vs the pretious heauenly fruites of this holy Sacrament VVe beseech thee That in the hower of our death thou wouldst streÌ„gthen and defend vs with this heauenly viaticum VVe beseech thee Sonne of God VVee beseech Lambe of God which takest awaye the sinnes of the world Spare vs o Lord. Lambe of God which takest awaye the sinnes of the world Heare vs o Lond. Lambe of God which takest awaye the sinnes of the world Haue mercie THE PRAYER O God who vnder this wonderfull SacrameÌ„t hast left vnto vs the memorie of thy passion Graunt vs so to woorship the sacred mysteries of thy body and blood that we may continually feele in vs the fruit of thy redemption who liuest and raignest with God the Father in vnitie of the holy Ghost one God for euer and euer Amen This which followeth may be fitlie sayed when the benediction of the B. SacrameÌ„t is giuen or coming to adore before the Tabernacle or Altar where the same is reserued IN the name of IESVS euery knee bow of the celestials terrestrials and infernals and euery tongue confesse that our Lord IESVS CHRIST is in the glorie of God the Father Phil. 2.10 And lett all the people say Amen Amen Psal 105.47 Who shall not feare the o Lord magnifie thy name because thou only art holie because all natioÌ„s shal come adore in thy sight because thy judgments be manifest Apocalip 15.4 And lett all the people say Amen Amen The lambe that was slaine is worthie to receiue power strenght honor glorie benedictioÌ„ Apoc. 5.12 And lett all the people say Amen
exquisite and delicate dishes in multitude variety of viandes and delectable licours in violating and breaking the fasting-dayes commaunded and dayes of abstinence Wherfore giue me good Lord the vertue of temperance sobriety and Christian abstinēce both in my eating and drinking alwayes to haue a holy mean and measure both in the quantity quality wherby I may hould in subiection my body and sensualitie to the spirit reason and to be more vigilant in prayer meditation and contemplation of spiritual diuine heauēly thinges and other vertuous and profitable indeuours and to be so much more diligent and feruent deuoutlie reuerently to accomplishe thy diuine seruice to loue honor and laude thee for euer more Amen Pater noster Aue Maria. THE FIFTH EFfusion on Thursday FIFTHLY we ought to haue in minde thinke how the blessed Sonne of God being arriued at the mount of caluarie much trauailed wearied and exceeding feeble was by those fellons murderers rudelie and cruelly despoiled whereby all his former woundes were renewed began to bleed a freshe by reason that his coate cleaued fast vnto his blessed body the which was a maruellous paine and torment vnto him for in this violent extraction of his robe the blood ran downe a new frō all partes of his blessed bodie The figure hereof was shewed when Ioseph was despoiled by his bretheren and his coate dipped in the blood of a kidde To comforme himselfe to this article the deuout soule ought to say this prayer following The prayer for the fifthe Effusion I Salute the most pretious blood of my Sauiour IESVS shed forth aboundantlie on the mount of Caluarie by the rude and violent extraction of his coate which held and cleaued so fast vnto him that all his pretious woundes were renewed the blood dropped downe from his blessed bodie vpon the grounde I beseech thee most sweete IESVS for that willinglie voluntarilie thou wouldest be vncloathed and dispoiled nakedly before all the world suffering great shame and confusion for the shame and cōfusion of myne offences and to enriche me wouldest be depriued of all kind of comfortes make me to be intirelie dispoiled of all kinde of wordlie contentments so farr as they are ether cōtrarie or hurtfull to my saluation to the end that in all nakednes I may follow thee nakedlie crucified on the crosse And pardō me I beseeche thee all my sinnes excesses which I haue committed in my apparell ornaments and habits of superfluitie and in my garments and in all other thinges exceeding myne estate that I may say with Saint Paule I haue made all thinges as detriment and doe esteeme them as doung that I may gayne Christ. And lett me not appeare naked of al vertues merittes and good workes before thee at the houre of my death and dreadfull day of iudgment And by the vertue and Effusion of thy most noble pretious blood vouchsafe to blot out all my sinnes cōmitted by auarice and disordinate loue towards temporal goodes Which greedy auarice hath made me fall from thy grace and depriued me of the participation of thy heauenly kingdome for as the holy scripture sayth Neither the couetous nor extorsioners shall possesse the kingdom of God And our Sauiour also sayth in the ghospell I say vnto you it is a hard thing for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heauen it is more easy for a Camell to goe through the eye of a needel then for a rich man to enter into heauen O my blessed Redeemer IESVS the louer of holy pouerty who hast through all thy life from thy first entrāce into this world vnto thy death beene a true and perfect obseruer of this holy precept giue me thy grace to be poore in spirit and illuminate my vnderstanding to know and contemne for the loue of thee the vilenes abusion deception of temporal riches and of all honour glorie pompe worldly dignity and to place all my harte care and cogitation in the obtayning of spirituall riches wherby I may possesse the euerlasting and eternall treasures and to be of the number of them of whom thou speakest in the ghospel saying Blessed are the poore in spirit for theirs is the kingdome of heauen THE SIXTHE EFfusion on Friday SIXTHLY the deuout soule ought to thinke meditate and cōtemplate how our Sauiour and Redeemer Iesvs all the time they were preparing the crosse sett himselfe vpon the earth on both his knees praying to God his Father that he wold receiue his oblation and sacrifice to witt his most ignominious and bitter death for the reconciliation of all poore sinners and for the remission of their sinnes And how afterwards those inhumane murderers tooke him and furiouslie threw him vpon the crosse wheron he spread his sacred armes of his owne accorde and how his blessed handes and feete were streightly and violētlie stretched vnto the holes and hardlie fastned with boisterous nayles which put him vnto maruellous paine and intollerable torment The figure hereof was the Serpent of Bras which Moyses caused to be made and set it vp for a signe so that all those which were smitten with any disease looking thereon were healed likewise our Lord and Sauiour being lifted vp and hanging on the crosse his pretious blood ranne forth aboundantly on the earth as if it had beene forthe of foure fountaines or riuers Behould here the signe eleuated whereof the Prophet foretould saying Our Lord God shall lift vp a glorious signe amonge all nations And now cōtemplate how in all his paines and excessiue dolours as a meeke lambe he is silent and saieth nothing vnles it be to pray vnto his blessed Father for his enimies for their conuersion and saluation Wherfore the deuout soule ought here to rest him selfe and depeelie to weighe and consider the exceeding ardour of loue and charitie which the blessed sonne of God hath expressed and shewed vnto him hanging vpon the Crosse and pronouncing those seauen sacred wordes and holie sentences And with how great patience he gaue and resigned vp his holie life And how much and how many lamentations teares sighes bitter groanes was then to be heard of his dolorous mother for then was performed the prophecie of holie Simeon who sayed that the sworde of sorrow should pierce hir soule of his other frendes behoulding him in such pittiful paine and so cruellie fastned on the crosse pierced wounded for the satisfaction of our sinnes And then ought he to say with a hart contrit dolorous and replenished with compassion and teares of true loue this deuout petition following The prayer for the sixt Effusiō I Salute the noble blood of my amourous louer rūing aboundantlie as foure riuers out of his pretious body for my redemption and for the satisfaction of my manifold offences O good IESV for this maruellous charitie bountie and mercie which issued out of thy bountifull hart and for that thou wast stretched for vs vpon thy crosse with such extremitie and
riche men of high degree Gouernors must be as it were guides and examples to others of lower calling in all sort of godly and pious workes If thou feele thy selfe moued to goe any holy pilgrimage take aduise of thy ghostly Father and omitt not in any wise to haue his benediction according to the auncient vse of the Catholike Church If thou goe any voyage vse euerie morning ere thou goe on thy way to say those briefe short prayers which are called ItinerariuÌ„ or iournal and be printed in the office of our Ladie NINTHLY OF MEATE drinke and apparell EVery time that thou dost goe to the table to eate thou must thinke that thou dost goe for necessities sake say first the benediction that is in our Ladies office often giue thanks to our Lord as is there also conteined if thou canst not say these things say a Pater noster Aue Maria making the signe of the holy Crosse vpon the table meate When thou dost sit downe or art at the table think first of al before thou begin to eate vpon that sinne which our first parents did comitt by eating the forbiddeÌ„ fruite for this will serue as a bridel to refraine thine appetite as a rule whereby to measure that action of thine Endeauour to be verie teÌ„perate in eating drinking sleeping clothing in clining rather to too litle then to too much Beware of pompe pride of apparel of all sorte of vaine superfluous decking triming haue greate regarde vnto this whether thou be a man or a woman or of whatsoeuer els condition degree FINIS A BRIEFE AND PROFITABLE EXERCISE OF THE SEAVEN PRINCIPALL EFFVsions of the pretious blood of our Lord Iesus Christ WHEREWITH VVe may exercise our selues all the dayes in the weeke in one of these seauen Effusions And to obtaine the seauen vertues contrary to the aforesayd vices TRANSLATED Out of the French into English by IOHN HEIGHAM At. s. Omers Anno 1624. THE FIRSTE Effusion on Sonday FIRSTE vpon the Sonday we are to haue in memorie the firste Effusion of our Lord and Sauiour IESVS the which was in the garden of Oliuet In this day ought the denout soule to enter into this garden to contemplate as if he were present in spirit behoulding how the blessed Sonne of God was there in maruelous sorrowe c agonie wheÌ„ to redeeme vs miserable and in gratefull people from the goulfe of hell he was abandonned and depriued of all comfort helpe and succour of his heauenlie Father of his Apostles which lay a sleep of his neighbors and kinsfolkes and of all his frendes acquaintance Wherefore he had iust cause to say My soule is sorrowfull euen vnto death And as the Prophet Dauid saith My frendes my Neighbours haue approached and stoode against me and they that were neere me stoode far off To witt the chiefe Priestes and principall Doctours to whom of loue he had shewed done so many workes for their good and benefit and for whose sakes especially he was come into this world And seeing furthermore that the merit of his dolorous passioÌ„ should nothing profitte the greatest part of the world as the scripture â—aith Many be called but few â—â—ect albeit that one only of his pretious bloode was sufficient alone to saue the whole worlde by this consideration and by the greate desire which he had to accomplish our redemption and to make satisfaction for our sinnes and to saue vs he apprehended such an agonious and excessiue sorrowe that there issued out of al partes of his bodie abundance of sweate conuerted into bloode which peirced through his garments and ran vpon the earth Then might he well say with the holie Prophet My soule is replenished wiâ—â— euills And as Elias measured himselfe three times vpon the dead infant saying O Lord I beseeche thee that thâ— soule of this Infant may returne againe into him so our Sauiour and redeemer IESVS prostrated him selfe three times vpon the earth praying deuoutlie vnto his Father to reuiue ouâ— soules which were dead by sinne And then the deuout souâ—â— ought to approach and to ioyne him to IESVS CHRIST prostrat vpon the ground and by amourouse compassion to lift him froÌ„ the earth and to gather vp the droppes of his most pretious blood and to poure them into the violl of his harte saying deuoutlie the prayer which followeth The prayer for the first EffusioÌ„ I Salute the most noble pretious blood runing in greate aboundance out of the bodie of my Lord and Sauiour IESVS being in the gardeÌ„ of oliuet in prayer repleate with maruellous and excessiue agonie by the consideration of his most bitter and shamefull passion so neere approaching which he was to suffer for the satisfaction of all the offences and sinnes perpetrated committed from the beginning of the world which euer shalll be coÌ„mitted to the latter ending of the same O most sweete IESVS â—umblie I beseeche thee â—hat by the vertue of this blessed bloodie sweate thou wouldest cleanse and purge my poore soule defiled with diuerse sortes of sinnes which I haue often coÌ„mitted by slouth ignoraÌ„ce malice negligence omission faintnes of heart sinnes of my youth and perdition of the pretious time in idlenes by thoughtes wordes and worldly occupations that I may conforme my selfe to the wise maÌ„ who saieth He which tilleth his lande shall be filled with breads but he which pursueth idlenes is a very foole wherefore I should be most foolish and vnwise if now I should noâ— laboure by perfect amendemeÌ„t of my life to gather vp the droppes of thy most precious blood which thou hast shed for my redemption Wherefore sweete IESV I humblie beseeche thee by the vertue of thy sacred blood shed in the garden of Oliuet thorough ardent loue that it may please thee to giue me the vertu of diligence and the feruor of deuotion illuminate my vnderstanding inflame my affectioÌ„ in the loue of thee that for the time to come I may diligeÌ„tlie attentiuelie deuoutlie be vigilant watchfull in Prayer in hearing of Masse in saying my houres or other diuine offices and vertuous operations fruitefullie also to emploie my time in workes of pietie pittie and mercie to thy honour and glorie to my saluation and edification of my neighbour True it is o my Lord that full often doest thou enseigne me often to call vpon thee and doost further incite me by promising to heare me saying All thinges whatsoeuer you shall aske in prayer beleuing you shal receiue Wherefore hereafter I wil be more diligent by the helpe of thy grace the which for this purpose I will euer seeke and require vntill I may attaine Furthermore my sweete Sauiour IESVS for the great sorrowe anguishe oppressioÌ„ of thy blessed hart for all thy sighes groanes and droppes of bloodie teares shed in this garden I adore thee loue thee and laude thee beseeching thee by thy excessiue sorrowe and
aboundant effusion of thy precious blood to driue vtterly from my hart all foolishe and worldlie vanitie mirthe ioy and disordinate pastimes that I may be wholie estranged from al such vanities to say with the Prophet Turne away myne eyes Lord least they behould looke after vanities And cōfort me I beseeche thee in all my tribulations as thou haste promised me saying I am with him in tribulation I wil deliuer him and wil glorifie him Giue me also true and holie Compunction and teares of Contrition and of loue the which I desire with the Prophet saying Who shall giue vnto myne eyes a foūtaine of teares that I may weepe both day and night O sweete IESVS lett the continuall memorie of thy dolorous Passion wholie swallow me vp in the zeale and ardour of thy loue and such zeale as thou hadest of thy Fathers house such zeale lett there be in my soule towardes thee that I may not think but of thee and euer to repose by grace and loue wholie in thee Amen Pater noster Aue Maria. THE SECONDE Effusion on Monday SEcondlie on Monday we must consider and contemplat how foure Sargāts voide of all pittie dispoiled our Sauiour IESVS And how these foure murderers cruell as Lions bound him streightlie and will anouslie to the Piller and as foure greedie wolues hongring thirsting for the blood of this innocent lambe most inhumanly stripped him beate him scourged him woūded him and tore his tender and virginall flesh with thornie roddes scorpiōs and whippes of iron in such sort that there was no whole parte in all his bodie wherefore rightlie might he say They haue stroken me and wounded me so that from the sole of my foote to the crowne of my head there was no whole place in me And then the deuout soule ought with teares and sobbes to say He hath nether forme nor beautie left him for blood which powreth downe on euery side and his body altogether disfigured we haue seene him as hauing no sighte and his face all bespitt and defiled we haue esteemed him as a Leaper smitten of God and humbled but he it is who is wounded for our iniquities and peirced for our sinnes The figure hereof was the good Iob who was stroken full of vlcers and soares from the sole of the foote to the top of his head And in this māner was our blessed Sauiour in his flagellation which the good Christian considering he may make his praier saying The prayer for the 2. Effusion I Salute the most worthie and pretious blood which ranne in great aboūdance out of the noble bodie of my redemer and Sauiour IESVS being most hardlie bound to the Piller and most cruellie beaten and scourged in such lamētable wise that al his sacred body was ful of woundes and no parte remayned entire frō the sole of his foote to the crowne of his head O most patient IESVS I beseeche thee that by the vertu of thy most holie blood powred out in such great aboundance and soiled fowled vnder the feete of those fellons tirants and murderers and by thy vnspeakable meekenes patience vouchsafe to pardon me all my sinnes and enormities which I haue committed thorough ire mallice rancour impatience periurie blasphemie iniurie contumelie reproache opprobrie indignation and desire of vengeance by the which I haue full often haynouslie offended thy diuine majestie And most hartelie I beseeche thee O my Sauiour to giue vnto me the vertu of sweetnes benignity māsuetude meekenes supportation tolleration and perfect patiēce to the end that I may be euer hereafter more aimable peaceable sweete affable beninge and gentle to all persons as thy blessed Apostle S. Paule coūselleth saying Beare yee one an others burthēs and so you shal fulfill the lawe of Christ And that so I may be a faithfull obseruer of the lawe of my sweete Lord IESVS CHRIST O most bening Sauiour and redeemer I adore laude and giue thee thankes for the great shame which thou suffredst being naked before all the world and for that thou wouldest be mocked for the shame of my sinnes giue me grace I beseeche thee clearely and entirelie to declare all my sinnes in Confession and not to appeare before thee at the hower of my death naked of vertues merits and good workes And I render thee hartie thankes for all the dolours which thou suffredst in thy hard flagellation and for all thy droppes of blood which thou hast shed for the satisfaction of my sinnes beseeching thy goodnes from the bottom of my harte by the merits of thy bitter scourging of al thy woūdes and effusiōs of thy pretious blood at the houre of my death to deliuer me from all sinne and paines that being all pure and cleane purged and washed from all spots of sinne I may depart out of this present life into euerlasting glorie there to laude and glorifie thee for euer I beseeche thee also sweete IESV that to conforme me to thy dolorous Passion I may for the loue of thee tollerate and beare patientlie and in humilite of hart without murmuring or contradiction all iniurie derision confusion villanie detraction persecutiō and generallie all aduersitie and tribulation and thy Fatherly correction such as thou shalt please to send me and alwaies for the same without end to laude thee and to rēder thee perpetual thankes and praises Amen Pater noster Aue Maria. THE THIRDE Effusion on Tuesday THIRDLIE on Tuesday we ought to thinke and meditate how the blessed Sonne of God was attiered with a vestment or purple mantell and how those fellons and cruell butchers imposed vpon his holie and reuerend head which is the honour of Paradise the mirrour of Angels and the patterne of all beautie a sharpe Crowne of Thornes verie peirceing smitting thereon with staues to enforce thē with violence to peirce his venerable head so that the thornes did passe into his braines wherwith his cleere and beautifull face was al bloodie and on euerie side goared and they afterwards impudently spitt in his holy visage and mocked him in so much that he was made the most deformed and disfigured that euer was beheld To conforme himselfe to this article and to reduce into memorie this third Effusiō of the sacred blood of our Lord and Sauiour call to minde these figures how Sampson was mocked of the Philistians and imprisoned amongst thē Note also sleeping in his Tabernacle vncouered was mocked of his sonne for this was accursed of his Father Elizeus was derided of the little children saying Goe vp bald-head and for this derision they were cursed of him and torne in peeces by two wilde Beares And by these personages which were so mocked is signified our Lord who was also mocked of his enimies in his passion We may likewise call to minde that which is written in the Canticles saying Goe forth thou daughter of Sion behold the King Salomon with his crowne where-with his mother that is the Sinagogue of the Iewes hath
crowned him in the day of his espousales And thē the deuout soule may say in great bitternes profoūde humilitie as followeth The prayer for the third Effusio◠I Salute the most noble and pretious blood running downe aboundantlie from the blessed reuerēd head of my Lord and Sauiour IESVS CHRIST to wash and purge my soule from all my sinnes O most noble most patient Sonne of God King of heauē and of earth my God and my Creator humblie I adore thee and glorifie thee For me thou hast ēdured many mockeries iniuries and villanies being cloathed with a purple mantell crowned with a crowne of most pricking thornes holding in thy hand instead of a regall Scepter a light and rotten Reede Alas my most element and meeke Sauiour IESV how much paine and torment hast thou suffered for me in thy blessed head Alas my God deere spouse of my soule it is my sinne that hath caused thee this maruellous dolour and afflictions O good IESV for the great torment dolour vituperie derision opprobrie effusion of thy most pretious blood in this agonion I adore thee and thanke thee for thy profounde humilitie and infinite goodnes in the merit of this effusion humbly beseeching thee that thou wilt pardon al my sinnes which I haue committed thoroughe pride presūptiō arrogancie vaine glorie ostentation disordinate appetit of honors pōpe worldlie glorie estimation of my selfe disobedience to others and all other brāche of Pride to the ēd after the councel of Saint Paule I esteeme not too much of my selfe Be not saith he wise in your owne conceite but feare by the which feare I may by thy grace obtaine the noble vertu of humilitie which is the foundation garde of all other vertues and that I may euer thinke humblie of my selfe cōtemne all worldlie honors and vaine glorie and euer desire to be cōtemned despised and counted most abiecte saying with the Apostle I reioyce in myne infirmities O sweete IESVS giue me from henceforth a hart cōtrite humble and obedient to thy holie commandements Giue me a hart according to thine owne hart which may be transperced with such ardent charitie cordiall compassion that I may be alwayes mindefull of thee studie to please thee euer to repose in thee neuer to be separated frō thee Amen Pater noster Aue Maria. THE FOVRTHE Effusion on VVensday FOVRTHLY on wensday we ought to call to memorie and to meditate how our Lord and Sauiour IESVS was led forth of the Cittie of Hierusalem accompanied with two notorius Theeues towardes the mount of Caluarie bearing vpon his shoulders a heauie and waightie Crosse of fifteene foote longe which put him to maruellous paine and trauell and caused a verie great and greeuous woūd in his sacred shoulder in so much that the blood ranne aboūdantlie downe the midle of his back so was he led pulled pushed forward very rudely forcebly with great shame wearines paine vnto the mount of Caluarie to be crucified In figure hereof Abrahā tooke the wood of the sacrifice laid it vpon the shoulders of Isaac his sonne to offer him vp to God And our Sauiour being come to the end of his way vpon this hil of Caluaire there was presented vnto him to refresh and cōfort him most bitter gaul vineger as the Prophet foretold saying In my thirste they gaue me vineger to drinke The deuout soule to cōforme him selfe to this article ought to goe forth of the estate of all sinnes and vices by an earnest detestation of them and vtterlie abandoning this wicked vnhappie and wretched world and with hartie contrition and repētance for his sinnes in bitternes of soule and grea◠compassion ought he to goe alonge with his Lor◠God and with the dolorous Virgin Marie and helpe him carry his crosse and to gather vp the drops of his pretious blood which rāne from his sacred shoulders and from his whole body sorely brused and wounded thorough the great trauaile and payne which he sustained in this hard opprobrious voyage in so much that he fel on the earth vnder the Crosse thorough great weaknes debility faintnes being in a manner halfe dead Wherefore that we may be partakers of the merits of the same blessed passion of our Sauiour IESVS Christ let vs say deuoutly this prayer following The prayer for the fourth Effusion I Salute the most pretious blood of my Redeemer IESVS the which he shed forth going towardes the mount of Caluary to receaue that most cruel and shameful death for my sinnes bearing that heauy Crosse vpon his shoulders so pittifully torne brused wounded which Crosse was so great and weighty that the Sonne of God fell to the ground vnder it O my soule goe thou by the side of thy sweet louer and Lord behould how for the loue of thee he is ouercharged with this ponderous Crosse hauing laide all thy sins vpon his shoulders to carry them to the mount of Caluary to fastē and nayle them to his holy Crosse to reconcile thee in his blood to his heauenly Father Behould O my soule how thy Sauiour IESVS by the burthen of his crosse and great feeblenes by the debility of his body so far spent and ouerwearyed is not able to go any further but with exceeding payne and dolour Haue then pitty and compassion on him in all his paynes agonyes and calamityes and assiste him to beare support his Crosse by bearing thy own crosse of pennance and of all tribulation and aduersity voluntarily and patiently for the loue of him saying O most sweet Iesus who wouldest beare thy Crosse in great doulour and payne with so many improperations illusions and dirisions of thyne enemies humbly I beseech thee that by the same sufferance dolour and trauaile which thou sustainedst in bearing of thy heauy Crosse to giue me grace in this present life gladly to beare my crosse of pēnance and of all sufferance that I may neuer be separated from thee but willingly and meekely in all patience to follow thee to the death and with thee to dye vpon the crosse fullfilling thy holy councell saying If any man will come after me let him take vp his Crosse dayly and follow me And againe He that doth not beare his Crosse and come after me cannot be my disciple O deere IESV I beseech thee by the drinke bitter liquor which in greate malice was giuen to thee on the mount of caluary for comfort and refreshing after thy labour and hard trauaile that thou wouldest pardon all my offences which I haue cōmitted by the sinne of Gluttony For well I know it to be thy wil not only by thy owne holy example but also by the doctrine of thy blessed Apostle which admonisheth vs That we walke honestly and vertuously not in gormādising and wantones And in another place he sayth I chastice my body and bring it into seruitude Which I alas haue euelly obserued exceeding in drinking eating such
fastned theron with such boisterous nayles and for all thy bitter sorrowes paines and dolour for the multitude of thy stripes iniuries blasphemies āguishes and oppressions of thy sweete and gentle hart and for all thy afflictions and tribulations which thou pacientlie enduredst and principallie in these three howers hanging rufully naked betwixt two Theeues as their head or Captaine I adore thee praise thee blesse thee and render thee humble thankes praying that thorough thy grace my olde concupiscēce may be crucified with thee and that the body of sinne may be mortified and quite distroyed in me O most sweete IESV I hartelie beseeche thee for all the stripes dolours and paines of thy blessed bodie for all the droppes of thy most pretious blood which thou vouchsafedst to shed euen to the vtmost drop in so much that with thy pretious blood the Crosse and the earth were died wholie red that it would please thee to take from me all enuie detraction obloquie disaffection hatred and hard opinion of my neighbour and to pardon all my offences cōmitted by enuie For wel I knowe thou hast admonished me by thy holie Apostle saying Lay aside enuies and all detractions And Salomon sayeth Hatered and enuious haue perished together And therefore my most amourous and dearelie beloued louer giue me most ardent perfecte inuiolable and perpetuall charitie and so fullie replenish my soule there with that I may first in all thinges perfectly loue thee and next my neighbour intirely in thee and most purely and sincerely for the loue of thee And that I may from the very bottom of my hart for the loue of thee pardō al those which haue any way offended me and doe any way hate me both to wishe them and doe them all kinde of good to the vtmost of myne abilitie as S. Paule admonisheth saying If thine enimie hunger giue him meate if he thirst giue hi◠drinke O most bening IESV I beseeche thee by thy vnspeakable charitie and infinit mercie that thou wouldest so inflame my hart and wholly swallowe it vp in thy loue that I may neuer be separated from thee Drawe my hart alwayes vnto thee and suffer me not to be vanquished by any temptation nor surmounted by any manner of aduersitie defend fortifie and deliuer me from all sinne and frō the assaultes of mine enimies gouerne direct me in all mine affaires and in all thinges take vnto thee the totall possession of me Giue me the grace so to be inwardly wounded with thy loue pittifull passion that in all thinges and in all places I may still see and behould thee crucifyed for me that my hart may by loue perpetually be vnited vnto thee saying with the Prophet Dauid It is good for me to be vnited conioyned to my God and to put my trust and confidence in my Lord. And furthermore I beseeche thee most sweete IESVS for all those whō thou hast suffered thy most bitter death and passion to the end that the meritt of the same and of thy exceeding charity may neither be lost nor perish in them to comfort all those which are in any trouble or affliction to support strēghten them which are in any temptation and all those which are in thy holy grace vouchsafe to confirme them Conuert againe all such as by imbecillity are fallen all sinners which runne astray and saue vs and glorify vs altogeather to the end that we may eternally laude thee and perpetually loue thee Amen Pater noster Aue Maria THE SEAVENTH Effusion on Saturday SEauenthlie vpon the Saturday the deuoute soule ought to embrace his meeke Lord louingly with his hart and to consider and contemplate the bitter and dolorous departure of his sweet Redeemer and Sauiour IESVS when his vermillian cheeks lippes began to waxe pale his sacred eyes to send forthgrosse and cloddy teares his holy mouth to be drawen togeather his reuered head to encline and hang downward and finally his most blessed soule to depart out of his body The deuoute soule contemplating hereon ought to be mollifyed and with compassion to melte be quite resolued into teares considering this sharpe bitter death of our blessed Lord Sauiour ought also to dye with him spiritually vnto the world and to forsake and leaue all sin to liue with him eternally The deuout soule ought also to thinke that after his death and passion those wicked fellonous Iewes were not yet fully satisfyed with those dolours paines torments abuses and contumelies which already in his life tyme they had inflicted vpon him but also after his death they adde new tormēts vnto his blessed body with most execrable cruelty they pierced his sacred side vnto his very hart whereout issued water and blood as sayth S. Iohn One of the souldiers with a speare opened his side and incontinent there issued forth blood and water Thinke what torment dolour anguish sorrowe and affliction this strooke to the tender hart of his blessed mother who was there present Wherefore to conforme himselfe to this article let the deuout soule with great compassion dolour and compunction hartily say this prayer following The prayer for the Seauenth Effusion I Salute the most noble pretious and prizeles blood which issued out of the righte side of myne amorous Sauiour IESVS hanging dead vpon the Crosse by the which blood he hath made full satisfaction vnto the diuine Iustice to recouer and redeeme vs from euerlasting damnation O my Lord my God the hope health of al the world the Creatour of all creatures who of thy incōprehensible loue wouldest dye a most bitter shamfull death for me a vilde miserable and sinnefull creature giue me grace sweete IESV I beseech thee that I may dye spiritually with thee and that at the hower of my death thou receiue my soule vnto thy mercy O most sweet IESV I recommend my soule and my body into thy handes extended on the Crosse peirced nayled and all be-purpled with thy pretious blood And I aske in all profound humility thy holy grace that in the laste hower of my life I may with good vnderstanding and perfect memorie with firme fayth and assured hope recōmend my soule vnto thy mercy sauuegard and sacred protectiō And that I may be worthy to heare that sweet and comfortable voice This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise O my amorous Redeemer who didest permit after thou wast dead thy blessed side to be opened with a lance whereout did issue both water blood vouchsafe deepely to woūd and pierce my soule with the launce of thy diuine loue to the end that at the howre of my death I may be worthy to receiue thy blessed body in the most holy and blessed Sacramēt as a spirituall foode against the euerlasting famine thy pretious blood for cōfortable drinke against the eternall and vnquenchable thirst In the opening of thy sacred side O my gratious Lord thou hast opened to thyne elect the gate of Paradice and of eternall life I beseech thee deare IESV haue not memory of my sinnes iniquities least this gate and entry be shut and closed against me for myne offences which thou hast mercifully opened to all poore sinners penitents and repentants but receaue my soule at the hower of my death fauourably vnto thy mercy and place it with thee in perpetuall ioy and felicity And furthermore sweet IESV I beseeche thee for the honor of al thy paines dolours death and passiō and for the Effusion of thy most pretious blood that thou wouldest pardon me all my grieuous sinnes of carnality committed in thoughts wordes deedes or motions by my disordinate affection of concupiscence and sensuall delectation And that I may follow and performe the councell of S. Paul saying Mortify your sinnefull members And againe If you liue according to the flesh you shall dye but if by the spirit you subdue the workes of the flesh you shall liue Giue me deare IESV I beseeche thee this faire Angelicall vertue of Chastity of Continence Purity of soule and body Sweet IESV mortify and kill in me all vices all motions and prouocations to concupiscence and carnal affection Take from me I beseeche thee all that which is vnlawfull disordinate displeasing to thy diuine maiesty and giue me a harte most simple cleane pure feruent diuine and conformable to thy owne hart which no vicious nor disordinate affection may euer infect soile or maculate My Lord my God most compassionate spouse of my soule I beseech thee to keep defend me from all wicked vnlawfull and vicious deedes from all vnseemely vncleane and hurtfull take and from all euill fleshly and filthie thoughtes that I may worthely and faythfully serue thee in all purenesse of soule and body Sweet IESV take the whole possessiō of my hart vnto thee and giue me either thyne owne harte or make this hart of myne cōformable vnto thyn to the end that all my thoughtes willes and desires may alwayes be in thee to thy honour and glory and that I may perpetually repose in thee saying with the Prophet My soule shall rest and sleepe in peace Finally most mercifull IESV I pray thee for the soules of my parēts frēdes and benefactors and generallie for al the soules in the fire of Purgatorie humblie beseeching thee by thy clemēcie goodnes and infinite bountie by the merit of thy most holie death and passion to deliuer and release them of their paines torments and to giue them perpetuall euerlasting rest Amen Pater noster Aue Maria. Credo FINIS PREVILEGE PHilippe par la grace de Dieu Roy de Castile d'Arragon c. permettons de grace especialle à IEAN HEIGHAM d'Imprimer ou faire imprimer les six liures Spirituelles en Anglois à l'exclusion de tous autres pour l'espace de quinze ans commençant le 1. de Iullet 1622. à peine de cōfiscation amende mentioné en ledit Prouilege Signé LE COMTE
that Goe yee cursed into euerlasting fire which shall be spoken to the damned that Come yee blessed of my Father which shal be spoken to the saued Of the last benediction When the last Benediction is giuen I will call to minde thâ— benediction of Christ in that day which he will giue ouer al the elect and will leade them with him into paradise And I will beseech him that he will blesse me and all the standers by who haue assisted with me at this Sacrifice that both in this world and the next we may perpetually prayse and glorify his name Amen Paternoster Aue. Credo FINIS DIVERS DEVOVT CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE MORE worthy receauing of the Blessed Sacrament COLLECTED And gathered out of sundry Catholike and approued Authors AND Published for the benefit of all deuout Catholiques By IOHN HEIGHAM ANNO 1624. ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE NIGHT BEFORE RECEIVING THe nighte wherein you meane to communicate the day following eate ether nothing or very little to your supper After supper presently arise spend not the time in idle talke but priuately in your chamber in talke with God Before you goe to sleepe pray vnto God that he woulde keepe you that night from all illusions of the diuell from ill sinne and hurtfull phantasies Make choise the same night of some affection or intentioÌ„ ether one or more for which you will specially purpose to receiue and often stir vp and renue in your minde the memorie thereof In the morning when you awake persuade your selfe that you lie in the armes of Christ and begin to meditate vpon his passion and to recall to mind your former affectioÌ„ Of the affections and inteÌ„tions for receiuing the B. Sacrament THe affections and intentions of those that come to communicate are sundrie according to the sundrie dispositions of the parties Some are moued with the loue of God that they may by meanes of this Sacrament inuite bring their beloued vnto them and delectably embrace him within their foules Some ar moued by the knowledg of their owne infirmitie and weaknes that they may by the helpe of this heauenly Phisition be cured and healed of their diseases Some are moued therunto by the consideration of their sinnes and offences that by meanes of this diuine Oblation and Sacrifice they may be purged and pardoned Some are brought therunto by reason of some griefe trouble vexation or temptation the end that by the vertue of him who is omnipotent they may be conforted and deliuered Some are moued with a desire of some particular grace that by meanes of him to whoÌ„ the Father denieth nothing they may obtaine the grace which they desire Some are moued with a thankfull acknowledging of sundrie benefits which God hath bestowed vpon them considering that we can not of our parts offer to the Father a thinge of greater thankes then this Sacrifice of thanksgiuing Some are moued with a desire to praise honor almightie God and his Saintes for asmuch as we can not honor nor praise him more then in remembrance of them to offer this Sacrifice of praise vnto him Some are moued with an earnest desire of their neighbours saluation with compassion of their afflictions and miseries knowing that there is nothing more auaileable in the sight of the Father both for the quicke and the dead then the pretious blood of his only Sonne which was shed both for the one the other Some are moued with intention to ayde and helpe the Church vniuersall which are all faithfull people vnderstanding and knowing that he is a member of that mistical body wheof IESVS CHRIST is the head and therefore desireth to receiue the same for al those who are woorthy to haue participation therof Some are moued therunto to renue the memorie of our Lordes holy Passion and to reÌ„der thankes to our merciful redemer for the inestimable woorke of our redemtion Some are moued with desire to receiue the true spirit of Christ to be made one with him to be wholy transformed and chaunged into him that they may liue as he liued in all charitie obedience pouertie of spirit mortification of body contempt of the worlde and the like Finally some are moued with desire the sooner to depart out of this worlde into that glorious and perpetuall habitation of heauen there to receiue the full fruition and vision of his diuinitie Of diuers other deuout affections fit for the more worthie receiuing of the B. Sacrament OTHERS there be who coming to this Sacrament doe resemble them selues in their mindes after sundrie manners and by this meanes doe obtaine many deuout affections Sometimes as a prodigal childe to his Father of pittie Sometimes as a guiltie person or one comdemned to hiâ— mercifull Iudge and Sauiour Sometimes as a false anâ— disloyal spouse taken in adulterie to hir louing and tender harted husband Sometimes as a sister to hir most deare cordial brother Sometimes as a strayed and wandering sheepe to his good Pastor Sometimes as a poore blinde man to the restorer of sighte Somtimes as one famished to the sweet refectioÌ„ of his soule Sometimes as one languishing for thirst to the fountaine of grace and water of life Sometimes as one frozen with colde to the fornace of burning loue Sometimes as a litle infant towardes his nourse without whom he can in no wise be comforted Sometimes againe with intention to do the greatest honor to God that euer he did him before Sometimes to haue greater deuotion charitie loue of God then euer he had before In al which to vse theÌ„ arighâ— and to our better benefit wâ— must putt vpon vs as it were the habitt and estate of thâ— selfe same person with al otheâ— circumstances coÌ„curring the unto And so somtimes to vse one sometimes another as God shall moue vs and as our disposition deuotion shall serue vs which also we may doe not only when we shall communicate sacramentally but alwayes as often as we shall heare masse or communicate spiritually Deuout consideratioÌ„s of the qualitie in which God preseÌ„teth him selfe vnto vs to encourage al fearful scrupulous persoÌ„s OVR mercifull Lord cometh vnto vs in the holy Sacrament after seauen sundrie maners 1. He cometh in such excessiue and woÌ„derfull humilitie that none is so wicked and vilde a sinner but that our Lord God wil come vnto him and offer him selfe if a man will haue him with him and will receiue him 2. He cometh in so great patience that none is so great a sinner or so much his enimie which he will not beare withall and suffer patiently and if he will reconcile him selfe vnto him be most ready and prepared to remitt him al his faultes and freely to pardon him 3. He cometh with such a loue and affection which he beareth vnto vs that none is so colde and obstinate whom he doth not heate if he wil in his burning loue 4. He cometh in such liberalitie so ampâ—e and copious that none is so poore