Luc. 2. and the breath of dumbe beastes to keepe him warme 6. Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate Who suffered The verie Sonne of God What suffered he Innumerable stripes vnspeakable reproaches incredible torments For whom did he suffer them For me knowinge how vngrateful I would be in time to come By whom did he suffer By the most abiect and cruel wretches that euer liued Why did he suffer Therby to purchase my redemption and saluation 7. Crucified For my sake was he crucified And who was he that was crucified The only SoÌ„ne of God With whom was he crucified In the midest betwene two theeues Where was he crucified Vpon the mount Caluarie a most infamous and loathsome place At what time of the yeare When the whole world should repaire to Hierusalem In what maner was he crucified Naked and set as is seemed to be scorned of al men O most doleful and lamentable spectacle 8. Dead He died thoroughe thirste that he mighte as it were make vs drunke with his blood Lost hâ—s owne life to ransome ours euen he that giues life vnto al men O my soule what thinkest thou what canst thou answere hereunto 9. And buried For my sake his most pretious body became a dead coarse O matter of amazement And fortie howerâ— remayned in the Sepulcher A thinge neuer enough admired 10. He descended into hel For me he descended into hel that thereby he mighte deliuer me from the bitter torments of hel How oft alas had I fallen headlong thither if he had not of his great mercie houlden me back How often hath he with his omnipotent hand pulled me out from thence as it were by violence 11. The third day he rose againe from the dead For me the third day he arose from death conuersing with those few that were his faithful frendes comforting them and eatinge amongst them and shewinge vnto them his most sacred body neuer remembring the iniuries done vnto him finally cherishing and cheeringe them by al meanes possible he him selfe hauing no necessitie of their indeuours 12. He ascended into heauen For my saluation he ascended into heauen there to receiue for me the possession of Paradise where being accompanied with the whole fellowship of heauen he expecteth me with an incredible desire that there deuoide of al feare I freely may enioy the presence of the holie Trinitie conuerse and liue with the most noble and blessed spirites â—nd for euer abound with al ioy peace iubilie And for this cause hath he created vs and for this would he be present for vs wretched sinners in the most B. Sacrament 13. Sitteth at the right hand of God the Father For vs and our saluation he sitteth at the right hand of God the Father hauing vs continually in his memorie A most sweet memorie a most holie memorie a memorie ful of all consolation euer without intermission speaking to his Father for vs. And what doth he obtaine Peace râ—coÌ„ciliaâ—ion remission of our offences In our behalfe he sheweth daylie his woundes to his eternal Father offering vp his sâ—cred death life and passion The mother sheweth to â—ir Sonne to obtaine mercie for vs the breast where with she gaue him sucke And the Sonne againe sheweth to his Father his woundâ—s and scarres which he suffered for vs. What can the Sonne denie to such a Mother Or what can the Father denie to such â— Sonne 14. From thence shal he come to iudge the quiâ—k and the dead For vs and for our greater glorie he shal come most glorious at the day of iudgment to praise and extoll vs in the presence of the whole worlde and in great honor and triumphe to carrie vs glorified to raigne with him in his kingdome thereby to exalt vs who here haue bin humbled there to glorifie vs who here haue contemned glorie 15. I beleeue in the Holie Ghoste For vs and for our saluation he sent downe the Holie Ghoste the Spirit of loue the Spirit of peace the Spirit of deuotion and of al sweetnes and consolation that we might alwayes loue him alwayes reioyce with him alwayes be linked and vnited with him in a most sweete bond of loue and charitie alwayes be holie like as the children of a most holie Father that our soules being replenished with the Holie Ghoste we may lead our liues in al sanctitie and holines and in the end enioying the company of the glorious Angels may singe incessantly Holie Holie â—olie 16. The Holie Catholike Church For vs and as euerie one may say for me and my saluation he first planted the Holie Catholike Church which as a most louing mother might weane me with the sweete milke of the worde of God and after might feede me with hir holie Sacraments and sometimes by one meanes sometimes by an other might moue and stirre me vp to praise loue and serue him that in the end for euer I might liue and raigne with him 17. The communion of Saintes For my sake hath he suffered his blessed Saintes and Martyrs to be wearied mortified and afflicted with torments that he might make me partaker of their singular meritts and that I might offer them vp as myne owne vnto the eternal Father And not only the meritts of al the holie Saintes but euen his owne meritts who is the holie of al holies to present them to his heauenly Father as myne owne patrimony and inheritance 18. The forgiuenes of sinnes For my sake amongst other thinges he first instituted the Sacrament of Pennance that thereby I might euer haue in store a medecine to purge me from al filthe of sinne and so to perseuer and continue euer in his grace And to this end he came into the worlde liued died and was buried descended rose againe and ascended into heauen 19. The resurrection of the flesh For me and for my greater glorie he will raise at the latter day my flesh that euen as with it I haue serued God so likewise with the same I may enioy the kingdome of heauen Thrice happie be they that so can chastice their flesh in this world that it may for euer after raigne with him in glorie Matt. 22. 2. If our Lorde reproued those who being inuited yet refused to come to the mariage what wil he doe to such who once hauing tasted the delightes of this heauenly banquet doe after thoroughe slouth or necligence absent them selues from it 3. By how much the gift of some noble Prince bestowed on a priuate person is of the more price and estimation by so much the greater is the offence and iniurie if such a gift be ether had in litle regard or any way contemned 4. If kinge Assuerus refused to accept hir for his wife who at his sendinge neclected to come vnto his table and maryinge with an other commanded forth with al the iewels and ritch ornaments to be taken from the first and in his sighte to be brought and deliuered to the second what wil God doe vnto him that
worke thou causest ioy and delight to al the B. Saintes in heauen and wilt thou then depriue them of that delight for any humane respectes 7. He that is ashamed to doe wel is ashamed to be a Christian and in some sorte denieth Christ and what shame can be greater then this 8. Our Lord saieth in the gospel Luc. 10.12.8 He that shal be ashamed of me before men I wil be ashamed of him before my Father which is in heauen 9. Dauid saieth Psal 52.9 God wil confound and contemne those that seeke to please men And S. Paule If yet I should studie to please men I should not be the seruant of Christ 10. Consider how base abiect a thing it is for worldly respectes to neglect to doe such thinges as are grateful to God and his Saintes 11. Thou didest promise in thy Baptisme that thou wouldest renounce the diuel and al his workes and wouldest aboue al thinges loue God thy Creator why then art thou not ashamed to doe the workes of the diuel and yet art ashamed to performe thy duety to God 12. The holie Scripture teacheth vs to labour to please God and to contemne the worlde why therfore are we not ashamed to displease God and to embrace the worlde 13. It were great follie to be ashamed of wel doing by the which we are made acceptable in the sight of God and his Angells both here and in the worlde to come and not to be ashamed when we doe ill whereby we purchase paine in this life eternal damnation hereafter 14. They who for worldly respectes refraine to doe wel what shame shal they suffer when they burne in hell fire 15. The gospel saieth that he which knoweth the wil of his Lord and doth it not shal be beaten with many stripes what then shal be done vnto him who for worldlie respectes neglecteth to doe the wil of God 16. Thou saiest daylie Thy vvil be done yet dost thou neglect to doe it because thou wouldest please men 17. Imagin what ioy it wil bring thee at the hower of thy death when thou shalt remember that for no worldly respect thou hast desisted to doe good workes 18. Canst thou imagin that almightie God wil bestowe on thee those priueledges which to his B. Sonne or his Saintes he neuer yet graunted 19. Thinkest thou that God doth not behould thee Canst thou perswade thy selfe that he iesteth with thee Or canst thou beleue that he wil not punishe thee for such an iniurie 20. Assure thy selfe that it is a thinge impossible to hould the fauour of God and the good opinion of the worlde please the one and not offend the other 21. Thou wilt not refraine thy meate drinke or apparel for any humane respect that may happen vnto thee and yet art thou ashamed to doe wel 22. Thou wouldest not refraine from seeking a worldlie treasure though al thy frendes should laugh at thee for it and art thou then ashamed to seeke the treasure of Gods grace 23. Imagin vpon thy one hand God and the ioyes of Paradise and on thy other hande the worlde and the transitorie delightes thereof which of thâ—se two wouldest thou chiefly regard wouldest thou not choose to posesse the ioyes of Paradise 24. For no worldly regard thou wilt omit to gratifie him that hath deliuered thee from perril of loosing thy life why then art thou vnmindful to performe thy duetie to God who hath not only giuen thee life but doth also daylie preserue the same A remedie for such as the enimie laboureth to driue into diâ—paire suggesting vnto them that al their good workes are lost and that them selues are damned Out of Taulerus THou must cast vpon God as S. Peter teacheth and vpon the depth of his infinite mercie al thy care and sollicitude For as Sea-men being in extreame danger of Shipwrack cast their anchors into the Sea thereby to saue their liues so we being assaulted with the temptations of our ghostly enimie must cast the anchor of our hope and confidence into the Seâ— of the passion of Christ and into the bottomles depth of his diuinitie fixing our perfect hope and most firme confidence in his only mercie and goodnes Motiues to comfort those that liue vertuously and doe many good deedes TO consider often these points following 1. First that thou art created after the image and similitude of God 2. That thou art redeemed with the most pretious blood of our Sauiour Iesvs 3. That in Baptisme thou art made the Sonne of God 4. That thou art reclaymed from vice to vertu from sinne to grace from the loue of the worlde to the loue of God 5. That thou art fed and nourished so often with his most pretious bodie and blood prepared with such loue and with so great expence 6. That he hath giuen thee a new hart spirit to conteÌ„ne al vanities of this world and a wil to desire new grace and also the comfort of his holie Sacraments 7. To thinke that from the begining we were loued of God the Father and that it pleased him to send vs his only Sonne that he might enrich vs with his inestimable treasures 8. To consider how carefully his diuine prouidence prouided for vs that al thinges might happen and fall out for our Good 9. To remember how louingly he hath remayned with vs in the most B. Sacrament whereby we may at al times communicate our wantes vnto him familiarly conuerse with him and receiue him into the habitation of our hartes 10. To thinke that he hath prepared for vs eternal glorie that we may enioye his presence amongst the Saintes in Paradise 11. To consider that to the end he might enrich vs with eternal riches he made his only Sonne most poore and contemptible that he humbled his owne Sonne to aduance vs and that he might bring vs to eternal life he left his owne deere SoÌ„ne to suffer a most shameful death 12. To remember that God hath alwayes a most singular and fatherly care ouer vs and that he doth euer behould vs with a most mercifull and louing eie REMEDIES AGAINST VENIAL sinnes and first certaine sayinges of the Fathers concerning this matter SAint Augustine in a certaine place speaking of venial sinnes saieth thus Contemne not smale sinnes and although thou regard them not being but light when thou dost peyze them yet let them terrifie thee when thou doest number them He saieth further that no sinne how smale soeuer being contemned but doth in time proue great and dangerous for the sandes of the Sea although they be litle as also droppes of water yet being multiplied together cast vp great bankes and become huge riuers and the smalest leake which a Ship can haue in time wil sinke hir to the bottom of the Sea Also he sayeth that there is no defect so litle but it is able to destroy our soule in time if once we growe to take delight in it because thereby we are disposed to mortal sinne S.
putteth into vs for that he seeth vs gratious in the sighte of God Euen as heretofore the happie estate of Adam so much grieued him that he swelled with enuie and neuer left practising vntil he had caste him forthe of Paradise And therefore for the most parte he vseth one of these two wayes that is ether to make that seeme a sinne which is no sinne or else to perswade it to be far more grieueous then indeed it is thereby to make vs refraine from the holie Sacraments as thâ—ughe for our vnworthines we were vnfit to frequent them But if he can not preuaile with this crafte and subtiltie then dâ—th he labour so to preoccupate our spâ—rituall taste and vnderstanding with some continual discontentement or sorrowe that at the least we should not feele any sweetnes or comforte in the holie Communion 3. Agâ—ine he deceiueth vs with this craftie suggestion disswadinge vs from beleeuing our ghostly Father as we ought thereby ether that we may loose the meritt of our faithe or else that by this occasion we might wearie and molest â—im sometime in confessinge more then we oughte and sometime by often repeatinge what we haue already confessed he knowinge ful wel that hereby we are depriued of much spiritual consolation 4. Likewise he practiseth these subtil deuises for that he seeth such scruples to diminuishe the feruour of our loue towardes God for whosoeuer hath his mind molested with these feares difficulties hath not that perswasion of God which he ought but rather thinketh him to be some worldly iudge most contentious and readie to take al aduantages against vs. But if we considered how much he desiereth our saluation and what infinit benefits he daily bestoweth vpon vs we could neuer be troubled with such doutes and perplexities And much lesse if we well knewe what a treasure and pledge of eternal happines they carry in their bosomes who haue their hartes and desires so disposed that they would be content to indure any punishment or afflictione rather then willingly to offende his maiestie For they which finde them selues in this disposition may rest assured that both they are sufficiently prepared to come to the holie Sacraments and also that hereby they are so nerely vnited and conioyned to God that iustly they can haue no cause of distrust or sorrowe Remedies against such idle and vaine feares as our enemie the Diuel vvould put into vs. THe first and most principal remedie that we can haue against these feares is to submit our selues to the iugdment of an other and to suffer our selues to be directed and guided by a prudent Confessor For if by any accident he should erre or be mistaken yet obeyinge his counsel we are free from the error hauing Gods commandement for our warrant who commandeth vs in all doutes to be directed by our Ghostly Father If therefore a wise and discreet Confessor wel experienced in matters of conscience shal in a doutful case tel vs that we be free from sinne although indeed it were a sinne yet obeying his counsel it shal neuer be imputed vnto vs. Likewise if thou fearest in thy selfe that thou haste not sufficiently confessed thee and cominge to thy Ghostly Father to craue his aduise he shal warrant thee that thou needest not to feare God wil neuer aske an account of thee for those sinnes although perhaps thy Ghostly Father should be deceiued or mistaken In like maner if thou be warranted at any time by thy Ghostly Father that tâ—ou mayest safely goe to the B. Sacrament then by his aduise thou mayest securely approach to receiue the same For althoughe peraduenture thy Ghostly Father might be deceiued yet notwithstanding thou doest rightly coÌ„municate and further doest receiue the merit of faith thereby in giuing credit to thy Confessor who is the vicegerent of God also thou receiuest the merit of obedieÌ„ce obeying the coÌ„mandement of God the merit of humilitie of patience and of resigning thy owne wil when thou doest as thou art commanded purely for the loâ—â— of God Our enuious enimie the Diuel wel considering these thinges laboureth what he can by any subtil deuice to deminuishe the credit of the Ghostly Father with his Ghostly childreÌ„ The second remedie The opinion of Cardinal Caietan is that if one who is troubled with a scrupulous conscience shal goe to coÌ„fession not hauinge before verie narrowly examined him selfe that he ought not afterwardes to make any dout whether he hath rightely confessed or no but rather that he ought to perswade him selfe that ether particularly or generally he hath confessed what he should especialy if he be willinge to reitterate his confession againe if neede shall require and his Ghostly Father allowe the same The third remedie is to get an habit to meditate on the goodnes mercie and clemencie of God and to thinke with what loue kindnes and with what tender affection he imbraceth vs to imagin also with our selues that we behould before our eies the most sweete presence of our Lorde and Sauiour euer most kinde and louing vnto vs as the benefits which we receiue doe daily declare and not to stand before a seuere or cruel iudge Thinke therefore that thy Lorde speaketh vnto thee as he did to his Disciples saying Haue I bene thus longe vvith you and yet doe you not knovve me As if he had saied Consider how longe I haue most familiarly vsed thee by conuersing with thee in the most B. Sacrament in al which time sith thou hast found in me nothinge but loue gentlenes goodnes and mercie how canst thou imagin me to be so seuere or rigorous Is not this plainlie an iniury done vnto my loue The fourth is to coÌ„sider what wordes the Priest doth speake houlding in his handes the consecrated host and sayinge Behould the lambe of God Behould him that taketh avvay the sinnes of the vvorld For this is he that cometh furnished with meeknes and milde loue like a lambe not armed with cruelty and seueritie like a lion bringing with him life not death replenishing thy soule with ioy not with sorrowe and who wil plant in thy harte if thou resigne it to him roses budding celestial cogitatioÌ„s not pensiue thoughtes of pusillanimitie The fifth is to imprint in our mindes the historie of the prodigal childe containinge al fatherly loue and sweetnes to thinke how the Father behoulding him clad in a most contemptible habit neuer spake any reproachful worde vnto him neuer shewed him any discontented countenance neuer contemned his base attayar but so soone as he beheld the submission of his Sonne being presently ouercome with a fatherly affection he ranne to meete him and most louingly embraced him and casting away his torne and ragged apparell clothed him with new shewed al signes of ioy killed a fatted calfe made him a worthie feast O historie aboundinge with al sweetnes and delight wherein we may obserue these pointes following 1. First how exceeding great the mercie of our heauenlie Father
is who iâ— more desierous to giue then we to aske readier to embrace vs then we to returne vnto him 2. Secondly so soone as we begin to doe pennance that God doth not behould in vs what we haue of our owne that is our raged apparel signifying our sinnes but that which is his owne to wit our soule created after his owne likenes and redeemed with the most pretious blood of Christ his only Sonne 3. Thirdly that it is the custome of God to make this exchaunge with vs that is to withdrawe and take away from vs our ragges signifying our defectes and in lue thereof to bestowe on vs his graces 4. Fourthlie that he doth not curiously or rather captiously prie into him who hath vtterly forsaken his sinful life and is now become more willing to die then wittingly to coÌ„mit any mortal offence 5. Fifthly that we ought in al our aduersities and troubles without any feare or dout to repaire to our Sauiour in the B. Sacrament as a needie body to him that aboundeth in al riches or as one oppressed with sicknesse to a most skylful Phisition who knoweth how to cure all manner of diseases or as children vnvnworthie of such a Father yet who of his infinite goodnesse wil vouchesafe to make vs worthie and will bestowe vpon vs more then we can either aske or desire it beinge his sweete nature to be good and bountiful to al those who trulie cal vpon him Therefore the more deepely that we fynd our selues plunged in miseries the oftner ought we to haue recourse to the holie Sacraments yea yf so it were conuenient often in one day and to say with the prodigal childe Luc. 15. I wil goe vnto my father and what shal I say vnto hym that I am not worthie to be called his childe And this is the wil of God as that pâ—rable sheweth as also the wordes of our Sauiour where he saith Come vnto me all that labour and are laden and I wil refreshe you 6. Sixtly hereby we may vnderstand that the prodigal childe if he had only considered his owne miseries and his fathers worthines had for euer remained in his former calamities but bethinkinge hym selfe that his father was a Father he rose vp went vnto hym submitted hym selfe and was presentely receiued into his grace and sauour So we yf we cast our eyes only vpon our imperfections we shall little benefite our selues but rather shall seeme to be further of from God But if we behould and looke vpon our Redeemer not as a seuere Iudge but as a Father then shal we see iust cause to flye vnto him as to the only Author of al goodnes and mercie 7. Seuenthly consider that the loue which our Lord beareth towardes vs doth in a manner shuâ— vp his fatherlie eyes that 〈…〉 â—â—t least dissembleth to see our imperfectioÌ„s which voluntariely we lay open before hym For no sooner can we accuse our selues then louingely we receaue pardon of hym Euen as therefore this prodigal childe became perfect of imperfect happy being vnhappy riche being poore and filled with ioy being starued in affliction so wil it happen befal vnto vs if likewise with humility we returne vnto him 8. Eâ—ghâ—ly it is a comfort to vs to knowe coÌ„sider that our daiâ—y defectes and venial sinnes which we commit doe not withdrawe from vs â—ods grace whereof only mortal sinne depriueth vs. And againe to coÌ„sider that there is great difference betwixt such venial sinnes which voluntarily we commit and those that we fal into thorough our owne humane frailty 9. Ninthly consider that God doth some time permit vs to fal into venial sinnes not that thereby we should refraine the holie Sacraments but for that cause we should the oftner frequent them thereby the better to auoide such sinnes hereafter Also he permiteth vs to sinne venially that thereby we may the better knowe our selues and seeke to mortifie our appetites and may see not only how great the loue of our Sauiour is towardes vs who vouchsafeth to bestowe him selfe vpon vs being so ful of frailties but also that we may learne how necessarie and behoueful it is for vs to flye vnto him Let vs therefore followe the example of the prodigal childe let vs haue recourse vnto him by how much we finde our selues the more intangled with sinne So â—hal our defectes make vs to knowe our owne infirmities and giue vs occasion to huÌ„ble our selues to knowe our disâ—ases and to seeke for remedie to acknowledg the infinit goodnes of God and to loue him flye vnto him for succour against the multitudes of temtations which howerly assault vs and for this cause to desire also if so we might to receiue him howerly in the B. Sacrament God wil haue al thinges happen for the best to his elect and wil turne the worst that doth befal them to their good in the end He wil haue his seruantes sometimes weepe but not for euer but rather wil haue them alwayes to reioyce in him Therefore wil he haue these our defectes an occasion that by them we may more nerely ioyne our selues vnto him For euen as a litle trippinge doth giue occasion to a couragious horse that he doth set his pace more strongly lest perhappes he should stuÌ„ble so likewise these venial sinnes which daily we fal into ought to make vs the more warie and vigilant to withstand al mortal which easely whe shal effect if we remember not to dwel ouerlong vpon the discussion of our frailties considering that by too much conuersinge in them they bring foorth in vs nothing but brambles and thornes filling our thoughtes with scruples and pusillanimitie but to runne directly to our heauenly Father for healpe I meane to cal to our remembrance his infinit loue and great benefitts bestowed vpon vs by which thought alone al these former thornes wil be turned into roses al these brambles into most pleasant grapes and al our sorrowes into exceeding ioyes S. Catherin of Sienna was wont to say That as he who desiereth to speake with some poâ—ent Prince staieth not at the doore of the first entrance of his pallace but laboureth to haue accesse euen into his secret chamber so ought we not to dwel vpon the consideration of our defectes but to enter into the secret chamber of our merciful Lorde and Soueraigne that is to consider how tenderly he loueth vs and how readie he is to pardon and embrace vs. S. Gertrude saieth That as we see the litle birdes not alwayes to keepe them selues close in their nestes but somtimes to five forthe and to soare vp on highe cheerfully to singe and to shew some signes of ioy so ought we not to haue our thoughtes alwayes conuersant in our defectes which is as it were our nest but to raise vp our selues and to behould and contemplate the vnspeakable mercie and goodnes of God and then againe to returne to the consideration of our selues Thomas de Kempis saieâ—h That God doth
euen as Christ shewed his bodie naked for vs. For if he laied naked his bodie to the sharpnes of stripes how much rather ought we to lay open our conscience to the chasticements of wordes Looke therefore into the glasse of the vertues of our Lord and Sauiour IESVS And first consider in the glasse of the humilitie of Christ thyne owne humilitie and whether with any spot of pride or vaine glorie thou hast spotted or defiled the cleannes of thy soule Secondly in the glasse of the patience of Christ consider thine owne patience and see whether therein thou findest it to be spotted with any blott of impatience Thirdly in the glasse of the obedience of Christ consider if thou findest any disobedience in thy soule Fourthly in the glasse of the loue of Christ trie thou thine owne loue and consider how much loue thou findest in thy selfe first towardes God and next towardes thy Superiors how peaceably thou behauest thy selfe towardes thy equalles and how meeke and mildly towardes thy inferiors And if hereby thou finde any thinge in thy soule worthie of reprehension endeauour meekely to cleanse it with the pure find on of Christes humanitie calling to minde that he is our brother and eke so merciful and gentle that no sooner a man with a coÌ„trite harte acknowledgeth his sinnes but with al mercie he doth presently forgiue them And great disscretion must be vsed herein that we doe not too rowghlye rub the sores of our soule that is without consideration of the goodnes of God otherwise may we sooner hurt then cure the same Hitherto are the wordes of S. Mechtildis Of Deuotion ENdeuour before thou comest to receiue the most B. Sacrament to stir vp in thy selfe some inwarde tast and feelinge of deuotion which according to Diuines we cal Actual deuotion To this thou shalt attaine if thou duely consider the exceedinge greatnes of God and thy owne vnworthines what benefitts he hath bestowed on thee and with what griueous sinnes thou hast offended him Resemble thy selfe therefore in thy minde vnto the Prodigal childe or to the Publican or vnto the woman that was taken in adulterie returning to hir husbande and askinge forgiuenes of him Aboue al thinges the remembrance of the greatnes of Gods loue towardes vs wil stir vp in thee this kinde of deuotion Four thinges vvhich S. Mechtildis did vse to meditate vpon before she came to receiue the B. Sacrament 1. FIrst vpon the exceeding great loue of God which he carried towardes hir from al eternitie 2. Secondly that it would please God of his infinite loue to create hir his seruant fore-knowing how vngrateful she would become to his diuine Maiestie 3. Thirdly that he would vouchsafe to suffer for hir his most bitter passion by sheding his most sacred blood to make satisfaction to his Father for hir sinnes ad offences 4. Fourthly that it pleased him of his infinite loue towardes hir to remaine in the most B. Sacrament there to feede hir with his owne true flesh and washe away hir sinnes with his most pretious blood Hovv vve ought to hunger after this most B. Sacrament GReatly ought we to desire hunger after this most B. Sacrament and often to frequent the same consideringe that as the forbiden aple was the poison of our soules so is this the true foode and preseruatiue of them The hunger whereof the consideration of these thinges following ought to stir vp in vs. 1. First the great necessitie wherein we daily stand 2. Secondly the inuiting of Christ and the threatning which he vseth if we come not to it 3. Thirdly the great desire which the B. Saintes had of the same 4. Fourthly the singular fruite and effects which it worketh in our soule Of the fruites of the most B. Sacrament 1. FIrst it remiteth sinnes past which were out of our remembrance 2. Secondly it armeth and strengthneth vs against such sinnes as thorough frailtie we are subiect daily to fall into God thy Lord Creator who hath a more ferueÌ„t a zealous desire to giue his benefitts vnto thee then thou hast to accept and be partaker of them as it appeareth by the parable of the prodigal childe and who cometh vnto thee not like a Lion but like a most meeke and gentle Lambe It shal likewise be coÌ„uenient requisite for thee often to meditate and thinke on those wordes How doth it happen that my Lord and Sauiour vouchsafeth to come vnto me And likewise to consider who and of what condition he is who thus cometh vnto thee to say with S. FraÌ„cis my God my God who art thou who am I After thou hast receiued the most B. Sacrament GReat are the thaÌ„kes which of duetie we are to giue to almightie God for this vnspeakable benefit and we ought to haue an especial care and watche ouer our mouth that nothinge proceede from thence that may be offenciue in his sight to demande likewise those thinges which most we want but especially perfect charitie and euer to remaine one vnited with him offeringe vp our selues and al ours to his seruice as an entire oblation This diuine Sacrament worketh his effectes in our soule during al the time that the forme or species vnder which we receiue it continue vndigested Therefore after we haue communicated it shal be most conuenient to recollect our selues as deuoutly as we may and to speake vnto our B. Sauiour in maner as followeth Certaine shorte prayers vvhich after vve haue receiued the B. Sacrament ether vocally or mentally vve may offer vp vnto Almighty God MY sweete Lorde Sauiour for this end haste thou made me that with al my wil desire I should loue honor thee Grant me sweet IESV that I may performe the thinge for the which I was created Too presumptuous am I most base and abiect creature that dare be bould to craue so highe and heauenly a loue more beseeming were it my basâ— vnworthines to aske a thinge of far infâ—riour valewe But what shal I doe o Lorde sith thou commandest me that I shal loue thee Thou sweete Sauiour hast created me to the end that I should loue theee thou doest threaten me except I loue thee thou hast suffered a most cruel death because I should loue thee and thou commandest me to aske of thee especially to loue thee So greatly sweete Sauiour hast thou desiered that I should loue thee that finding my affection colde and frozen thou didest institute this Sacrament of diuine vertue thereby to set myne harte on fire with most burninge loue towardes thee O my sweete Creator and Redeemer what am I in thy sighte that thou commandest me to loue thee And that thou shouldest inuent such varietie of meanes to gayne my loue vnto thee What other thinge haue I euer bene to thee then affliction calamitie and cause of thy bitter passion And againe what hast thou shewed thy selfe towardes me but my Sauiour my reste and the Author of al my good If
moment readie to receiue the grace of God Then made she hir prayers vnto hir that she also might haue thorough hir intercession hir hart so prepared that she might daylie receiue from God new increase of grace 4. Fourthly she caled to minde the great deuotion and gratitude of our most B. Ladie whilst she conuersed and liued here vpon the earth Making hir humble petition vnto hir that by hir intercession she might be alwayes acceptable and grateful vnto God especially for this benefitt of the most B. Sacrament 5. Fiftly she coÌ„sidered the great beneuolence where with hir Sonne speaking vnto hir receiued hir most louingly to hir admirable ioy and comfort Making then hir humble petition vnto hir that by hir intercession she might obtaine grace to come to that heauenly table with spiritual consolation And she was wont to say If a man knew what benefit and how great profit he gained to his soule by worthy receiuing the B. bodie of Christ that he would be rapt beyond him selfe with the excesse of ioy and delight The saied S. Mechtildis was likewise accustomed before the receuing of the B. Sacrament aboue al thinges to call to minde the bitter passion which our B. Lord suffered for hir redemption And if at any time she chanced to let passe that meditation she thought hir selfe to haue committed a great error for that our Sauiour at the institution of this most B. Sacrament Matt. â— 6 saied Doe this in remembrance of me That is Communicate Whereupon when she had craued of our Lorde the meaning of those wordes she vnderstood by the Holie Ghost that this was the true meaning and signification of them Three thinges to be remembred concerninge the bodie of Christ at such time as vve receiue the holie Sacrament 1. THe first is The eternal loue where with God loued vs before we had any being thorough which he prouided for vs al thinges that were needful and also created vs to his owne image and likenes For this cause we are for euer bound to render and yeeld vnto him al hartie and continual thankes to the vtmost we are able 2. The second is The inestimable loue that the Sonne of God shewed towardes vs who being in the heauenly delightes and glorie of his Father yet would vouchsafe to take vpon him those griefes and miseries which thorough Adams offence were due vnto vs as hunger thirst cold wearines shame paine and the like and lastly would suffer a most reproachful death thereby to free vs from eternal damnation 3. The third is The insearchable loue where with at al times our most merciful Sauiour loueth vs and the exceeding care and prouidence where with he doth alwayes gouerne vs and that he who is our Creator our Redeemer and most entire louinge Brother presenteth him selfe before his heauenly Father and doth sollicite and pleade our cause as our moste careful Aduocate These three thinges ought we euer to haue fixed before our eies as that most B. woman hath directed vs but especially at such times as we shal be present and receiue that most heauenly banquet which our most merciful Redeemer bestowed vpon vs in his last wille and testament of his great loue towardes vs. The memorie whereof we ought euer to retaine with most thankful mindes for so great a benefit This the B. Mechtildis knewe likewise by the instinct of the Holie Ghost that when any busie them selues with thinkinge on worldlie and idle occasions that they doe contaminate the image of the B. Trinitie that is to say the bewtie of their soule as also if they be conuersant in curious and worldly wisdome setting their delightes on vaine and transitorie thinges And consideringe that so longe as the soule is imprisoned in this earthlie bodie of ours it doth often defile it selfe with base and earthlie cogitations therefore it behoueth that we oft reflect our eies vpon the glasse of Gods diuine countenance but especially at such time as we are to receiue the most B. Sacrament And euen as the purest white being made redd with blushing doth exceedingly adorne the face with beautie so ought we often to make white and pure the face of our soule with Confession and as it were to dye it with redd in remembring the bitter passion of our most merciful Redeemer What our Sauiour ansvvered againe to this B. vvoman concerninge hir aforesaied meditaâ—ion OVr Sauiour at one time saied to this holie woman When thou purposest to receiue me in the B. Sacrament let this be the intention where with thou comest vnto me to wit hauing a desire to entertaine me with such loue and affection as no humane hart hath hitherto receiued me with the like And I wil accept this loue of thine not so meanly as it appeareth in thee but for such and so great as I my selfe desire it should be At an other time wheÌ„ this holie woman was to receiue the B. Sacrament our Sauiour seemed to write 7. letters vpon hir breast and to place them there as seauen riche and pretious iewells The 1. did signifie the puritie of harte The 2. the continual remembrance of the conuersation and life of Christ The 3. the profound humilitie of Christ The 4. perseuerance in good workes The 5. patience in aduersitie The 6. Hope The 7. feruent loue of heauenly thinges With these vertues as with seauen iewells ought he to be adorned who purposeth deuoutly to receiue the B. Sacrament Of S. Gertrude THis blessed woman S. Gertrude making hir humble petition to our Sauiour that it would please him to instruct hir how she might prepare hir selfe to come worthely to receiue the most B. Sacrament receiued this answere That first she must touch the handes and side of our Sauiour His side with a thankful temembrance of the great and exceeding loue of God towardes vs where with from the begining he hath chosen vs to be his Sonnes and heires of his celestial kingdome and how he doth heape vpon vs his daylie blessinges who are most vnworthie and vnthankful for them His handes ought also to be touched of vs that is we must consider with al humble gratitude al the paines and labours which our most merciful redeemer suffered here on earth for the space of 33. yeares but especially those which for vs he endured at the time of his bitter passion And when we finde our soules inflamed with this meditation then must we offer vp our hartes to God with great humilitie and thanksgiuinge in the vnitie of that loue whereof Christ spake saying As my Father hath sent me so doe I send you That is so conforming our wils to his diuine pleasure that we should desire or wil to doe nothinge but that which may be acceptable to the wil of God disposing our selues to suffer al thinges which our B. Lorde shal commande or require of vs. Out of Iohannes Tavvlerus HE writeth that a certaine deuout person desiered to be instructed of God who might come worthely to receiue
â—â—nounceth eternal happines and sekâ—th tâ—mporal delightes And when he might both in this world and the next finde the ioyes of Paradise liuing alwayes in the grace of God which yeldeth peace contentment and delight he had rather here in this world receiue an earnest peny of hell As the Poet sayeth To noble mindes death is no worse Then fight from prison vile Petrarcha To abiect mindes it bringes more feare Then prison or exele It is the extremest folly that that may be to deceiue and perswade our selues as if we should neuer die which they doe that wil neuer thinke on death It is true wisdome therfore euer to haue it in our minde that we may alwayes be exercised in some good worke so long as we liue in this world and not to deferre to doe wel vntil the last hower of our life much like the foolish virgins who wanting oyle in their lampes that is good workes were shut out from the wedding Wherupon a certaine writer sayeth Reforme thy life whilst thou hast time Deferre no day to mend For death doth bring to weale or woe That neuer shal haue end What we ought to doe daylie to the end we may not feare death TO call hartely vpon God that it wil please him to send vs his grace to remember death and to consider amongst other thinges foure or fiue principal anguishes where with sinners are most afflicted at the hower of their death 1. The first is that then they must leaue and forsake al worldly delightes and that those thinges which most inordinatly they loued before at the hower of death wil cause their greatest sorrowe euen as is hapned to Absalon who hauing nothing which he more esteemed then his faire haire was brought by the same to his final destruction 2. The remorce of conscience 3. The infernal diuels accusing them 4. The good Angels forsaking them 5. The dreadful Iudge all in wroath whom easily before they might haue made their frend especially by frequenting the holy Sacraments by almes deedes and the like Then when we haue acknowledged how worthely we haue deserued these most grieueous punishments to craue the assistance of Gods holy grace that truly we may amend the imperfections of our liues in dying to the world the flesh the diuel all sinne and our owne willes and to liue only to God so that at the hower of death being freed from these terrors we may finde consolations in the mercies of Christ A remedie for those that feare not death but the paines of death THere be further some persons that liue in the feare of God who feare not death but the griefes and paines of death which the ghostly enimie putteth into their mindes whereby the remembrance thereof becometh most dreadful vnto them This feare ariseth other from melanchâ—ly 〈◊〉 else from a certaine distrust which we haue in God â—s if he were not faithful louing ful â—f mercie and being our Father yet that he wil lay amoâ—◠〈◊〉 burtâ—â—n vpon vs then we are able to bearâ— and so suffer him selfe to â—e surmâ—unted in sweetnes loue and affection euen by our earthly parents For this cause we ought wholy to resigne our selues into the handes of God and to put our confidence in him that he wil so temper the paines of death that we may be wel able patiently to endure them And if they chance to be more griueous that he wil strengthen and asist vs with so much the greater aide For such is the merciful nature of God that the 〈◊〉 he seeth the danger of man to be the readier he is to send his asistence and the more violent he findeth our ghostly enimie to afflict vs the nerer he is with his presence to giue vs comfort and consolation Nether doth the holy Scripture tel vs any one thing more often then of the exceeding care and Fatherly prouidence of God twardes his children and then especially when he seeth them thorough their distresses to stand most in need of his helpe Doe but behould with what cruel torments and exquisite punishments he suffered his B. Martyrs to be tried in this world in which notwithstanding they peâ—seuered most câ—nstantly and cheerfully embraced their cruel deathes Consider how many good men thou seest to die daylie and what comfort and consolation God sâ—ndeth them in their agonies which the sâ—me merciful Lord wil noâ— dâ—ny thee at they death if thou put thy confidâ—nce in him Remembâ—r that hytherto God neuer layed a heauâ—er burthen vpon thee then he gaue thee strength and abilitie to beare Yea thou hâ—st vndergone some burthens which thou thoughtest thy selfe wholy vnable to haue indured and thinkest thou that he wil forsake thee in thy agonies of death It is good to cal to remembrance some sâ—n ences of holy Scripture especially at such time as these feares shal assault thy weake minde Psal 30. As to say O Lord I haue put my trust in thee let me neuer be confounded If God be for vs who can be against â—s Rom. 7. Who hath put his confidence in God and was euer confounded and such like And if our Sauiour IESVS haue already once died for thee and were willing againe to die for thy sinne if neede should so require how then canst thou imagin that he wil forsake thee in thy last agonies And if with such signes of his loue he hath so often giuen him selfe vnto thee in the B. Sacrament how can he forsake thee when thou shalt most of al neede his asistance Besides he sayeth him selfe by his Prophet Esay Esay 49. That sooner the mother shal forget hir owne tender babe then he wil forget or be vnmindful of vs thereby to declare that his loue is greater then the loue of any tender mother If therfore a mother shew so great loue to hir beloued sonne what wil God doe towardes vs whom he esteemeth as his dearest children S. Iohn sayeth when our Sauiour IESVS Christ had loued his in this life Io. 13. he loued them vnto the end for that is the propertie of true and perfect loue And if in that instant when he suffered al his paines and torments on the crosse he was mindful not only of his B. mother and his beloued disciple S. Iohn but of those his enimies also who spoiled him of his fame his goodes and his most pretious life how then wil he forget or be vnmindful of those at their â—â—aths who adict themselues to his holie seruice Let vs then say with S. Augustine O Lord in this world â—urnâ— me or rent me in peeces if it should â—o please thee so that in the next world thou deale mercifully with me Thy blessed wil 〈◊〉 Lord be done If at our deathes we confidently commend our soules into the handes of God why should we be more fearful to commit it our bodies If daylie we say Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen that is both in soule and body the wil
thou prostrate thy selfe before him Luc. 15. It is sayed in S. Luke that the Angels and al paradise doth greatly reioyce when a sinner doth penance for his sinnes committed wil God then depriue Paradise of so great a ioy if thou endeauor to repent thee of thyne offences If a carnal parent be he neuer so bad giue not his childe a stone when he asketh him bread nor a scorpioÌ„ for an egge nor a serpent for a fisheâ— why then should we thinke that God in comparison of whose loue al loue of earthly parents may be sayed to be hatred wil giue thee death in liew of life dispaire for hope or darcknes for light Wherupon our Sauiour sayeth in the gospel If you faâ—hers being euil Luc. 11. know hâ—w to giue good giftes to your children how much more wil your â—ather in heauen giue a good â—pirit to thâ—se that aske him If our Lord and Sauiour IESVS Christ whilst he conuersed in this world did eate with sinners embraced sinners end refused not to company with those that were sicke and diseased but sought out the sicke and the moâ—t grieuous sinners would make his abode stay amongst them why should we thinke he wil not doe the like now Hath he changed his nature or is he not the same God that he was then It is a great glorie to God when a sinner is contrite and doth pennance for his sinnes for then appeareth his omnipotent power For according to S. Augustine to iustifie a sinner declareth a greater power then of nothing to create both heauen and earth Further therein appeareth Gods infinite wisdome that can drawe good out of ill and most sweet sounding harmony out of an vntuned instrument Also his great goodnes who sheweth such mercie and sweetnes euen to his most mortal enimies DIVERS WAYES HOW TO say the Pater noster with attentiue deuotion OVR FATHER O Father who hast created me capable of the highest happines long before I was borne into this miserable world although thou knewest how vnthankful I would be for so great a benefit and being after thorough my owne demerit out of the state of grace thou hast redeemed me with the life and blood of thy most dearly beloued Sonne What o heauenly Father may I repay to thee for such and so great benefitts which thou hast powred downe vppon me a most myserable creature WHICH ART IN HEAVEN Thou hast created the heauens for me where daily thou doest expect my cominge And that thou mightest adopte me an heyre of the kingdom of heauen it pleased â—hee to sende thy only Sonne to conuerse heere with men on the earth and to lyue thirtye three yeares in extreme pouertye payne and affliction What can I repaye for so greate a benefitt most bountifull Father HALLOWED BE THY NAME Thou hast made me fitt to prayse thy holy name a worke wherin consisteth the office of Angells Further thou hast honâ—red me vvith thy ovvne proper name callinge me a Christian that is the Sonne of God and the heyre of heauen althâ—ugh thou kowest how far vnworthy I am therof Thou hast made me the Brother or sister of Iâ—sus Christ vvho according to thy holie vvil vvas crucified in the midest betvvixt tvvo theeues that I might praise thy name in the midest of Angles What due thankes can I giue for so highe a benefitt bestovved on me so vngratefull so vnworthy and so wretched a creature O most holie Father THY KINGDOME COME Thou that thou mightest make me the kinge of heauen wouldest haue thy owne Sonne to take on him the forme of a most poore and abiecte seruante be borne in a stable lyue many dayes and nightes in a solitary desart conuerse with infamous creatures wash the feete of poore fisher men be contemned of the world and to dye nayled vpon the crosse What shall I render to thee for this benefitt O most svveete Father THY WILL BE DONE c. Thou that I might lerne to fulfill thy wil wouldest haue thy Sonne to performe the willes of men in beinge obedient euen to the death of the crosse But what hath my life bin at any tyme towards thee but continually to repungne thy blessed will and to follow my owne most wicked and vnhappy will and yet hetherto thus longe thou hast borne with me O Father most patient how shall I recompence this passing meeknes and longanimitie GIVE VS THIS DAY OVR daily breade What can I giue in requytall to thee for the Institution of the most B. Sacrament For if I consider the person that did institute it he was thy most deerly beloued Sonne And for whom did he institute it For me who he knew would vse it so ill so vnworthily so couldly and with so litle deuotion The tyme when he did institute it was than when he was ready to goe to his death which with the greatest cruelty was prepared for him when he prouided eternal life for vs wherby we might be transformed into him and made pertakers of all his merits and be fedd in the desart of this miserable world with that heauenly Manna O vnspeakeable benefitt of a most louinge Father that would feede an vnprofitable an vnworthy and a miserable seruant with the very flesh of his owne and deerly beloued Sonne Who euer hath hearde of so greate a loue O most bountyfull Father AND FORGIVE VS OVR TRESPASES What shal I say of so many trespasses so often by so may meanes and so louingly forgiuen what shall I say of the Sacrament of Penance wherby often with the price of the blood of Christ thou hast purged my sowle although thou knewest I would proue most vngratefull Whst shall I say that hauinge so often like the Prodigal childe forsaken thy howse and wandered into the region of death wasted and consumed both my owne substance and thine yet to haue bin so often againe receyued into thy grace entreated with all loue and kindnesse and to haue all my debtes payed by thee with no lesse price than with the pretious bloode of thy only Sonne Iesus Christ what shall I I say repay for this so great a benefitt consideringe thou kewest that after my trespasses once forgiuen I would againe fall into new sinnes and offences and how harde and cruell I would be to remitt the trespasses of my neighbour O most milde and gentle Father AND LEADEVS NOT INTO TEMTATION What shal I render to thee for so many helpes and aydes yealded to me in my temptations preseruinge me from such sinnes as I had headlonge runne into had I not bin staide backe by thy diuine hande what sinne doth man committ which I had not committed if thy diuine grace had not assisted mee how often had I tumbled headlonge into hell if I had not bin helde backe by thee how easily had I bin ouercome by each little temptation if thy assistance had not alwayes byn at hande to ayde mee how often had that roringe Lyon deuoured mee if thy most mightie
for these benefits thou shouldest say Hallowed be thy name Call to minde that I haue made him the seruant of men to the intent I might make thee à Queene of heauen and that by a longinge and feruent desier to be with me in my glorie thou mightest say Thy kingdome come Remember that for thy sake he humbled him selfe and that he became obedient euen to the death of the Crosse that thou mightest resigne thy selfe vnto me and say Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen Thou canst noâ— be ignorant that I gaue my SoÌ„ne to eate the bread of sorow that thou mightest be nourished with the sweete tastinge bread of the worde of God And that for thy sake I haue left him in the moste B. Sacrament that thou mightest be there fed with his flesh and as it were made dronke with his blood and finally become a daylie guest at my Table and say Giue vs this day our daylie bread How thinkest thou then I could permit thee to sitt at my Table if I were offended and displeased with thee or if I did not loue thee as my dearly beloued daughter Thou canst not be ignorant that I haue laied on the showlders of my only Sonne al thy sinnes and iniquities that euer thou hast committed and that I haue accepted his paines as a ful satisfaction and also haue left vnto thee his most pretious blood that therwith thou migtest pay thy vttermost dett and say Forgiue vs our trespasses Which blood thou receiuest so often as thou receiuest my Sonne in the B. Sacrament By reason whereof I looke not vpon thy sinnes for the partialitie of my loue obscureth thy defectes Nether doe I behould in thee that which is thine but that which is myne not with the eie of a strict iudge but of a most louinge and kinde Father For if I should seuerely looke into thy sinnes to what end had I created thee at the begining Consideringe also that I haue made thee a reasonable creature not vnreasonable a Christian not an Infidel a Catholike not an Heretike and for that cause doe I feede thee with this swete and heauenlie Manna and not with the sower Onyons and Garlike of Egipt Thou canst not beignerant tâ—at I suffered my only beloued Sonne to be nayled to the Crosse for the purginge of thy sinnes And that I would haue him forgiue his persecutors that depriued him of al he had and lastly of his life thereby to leaue an example vnto thee that thou mightest likewise pardon and forgiue thyne enimies and say As vve forgiue them that trespasse against vs. For if I would pardon and forgiue those cruel enimies that in my owne sight most barbarouslie crucified my only Sonne at the which sight the earth was amazed and trembled the Sunne was obscured the rockes did cleaue and rent in sunder the monuments opened the dead beinge astonished arose againe if I say I haue pardoned such haynoâ—â— offenders wil I not pardon thee that louest me and desierest to be myne I that haue forgiuen giuen life vnto my enimies is it likely that I wil suffer myne owne daughter to perishe When thou didest refuse and denie to be myne euen then was I pleased that my only Sonne should die for thy redemption and wil I now thinkest thou be vnmindful of thee when most willingly thou doest offer thy selfe vnto me If I haue bin so bountiful and merciful to the murderers of my SoÌ„ne wil I be so seuere to thee that so oft receiuest him into thy hart How canst thou thinke it my daughter my delight When as thou only followedst after wordly vanities and turnedst a way thy face from my sighte I yet loued thee expected thee bare patiently with thee protected thee from fallinge into great perilles and dangers and euermore requited thee with good for euil wil I now when thou resignest thy selfe wholie vnto me renouncest the worlde detestest al sinne art ready rather to die then once to offende me and with such seruent desire inuitest me to rest in the harbour of thy hart wil I forget thee thinkest thou Wil I turne away from thee and render euil for good vnto thee Is it vnknowen vnto thee that I suffered my B. Sonne to faste fortie dayes and fortye nightes in the desert to be conuersant amongst wilde beastes and there to be tempted of Sathan Al which I haue done to this end that thou mightst not be ouercome by any wicked suggestions but euer mayest say And lead vs not into temtation Is it vnknowen vnto thee that to ease and disbarthen thee of al incumbrances I heaped and burthened my owne Sonne with al maner of afflictions How then canst thou thinke that I seeke thy hurte or rather not thinke that I wholie seeke thy good For if I wished thee ill then would I permitt thee to doe as offenders doe then would I neuer haue so louinglie bestowed my only Sonne vpon thee Thou canst not therefore thinke that I wishe thee hurte if thou doe but remember this so great a bountie If thou remember what is past thou shalt easily vnderstand how wel I haue wished thee that would haue my only beloued Sonne to die on the Crosse for thy redemption If thou wilt consider what is to come thinke that I haue prepared for thee the kingdome of heauen where my selfe and all my Saintes in blisse doe with ioy and exultation expect thy cominge Is not this a signe of my loue and not of my indignation But if thou respect only that which is present then doe but remember that thou art fed with the flesh and blood of myne only Sonne Now then bethinke thy selfe O soule shake of al these scruples and lay aside al this inordinate feare and euen as I offer my selfe vnto thee like a most louinge Father so doe thou present thy selfe before me as it beseemeth a louinge daughter Behould I daylie make thee as it were a cleare shininge heauen that so I may inhabit the secret corners of thy hart whether I resorte that I may purifie thee and replenishe thee with peace and with al kinde of happines Behould also thy Sauiour IESVS my Sonne euer readie in al thy needes who cometh to giue thee life and not to take it from thâ—â— whose loue to thee is such that to deliuer thee from death he would die him selfe receiue thou him therefore with a glad and ioyful desire Behould he cometh to thee that he may raigne in thy hart if therefore he be with thee who shal be against thee If he rule and guide thee what can be wantinge vnto thee I am no tirant o Daughter nether deale I like a tirant with thee I am thy Lorde ful of al mercie and gentlenes and with a hart replenished with al Fatherly loue I come to meete and imbrace thee euen as the Father receiued the prodigal childe when his hart was moued with al tendernes of affection towardes him Thou knowest o Daughter my will and
pleasure which desiereth only thy sanctification thy life and happines Wilt thou haue a signe of my loue towardes thee See then how I feede thee with the flesh of my only beloued Sonne What greater dainties could I bestowe vpon thee What present of more price What other Sonne haue I to giue thee Thinke then how I haue remitted al thy sinnes both past and present and consider with thy selfe that neuer would I haue bestowed my only Sonne vpon thee if I sawe any thinge in thee that mighte offende myne eies Finally when I giue thee my Sonne I giue thee weapons against thy temptations wherwith thou mayest defend thy selfe from al perrills dangers and say Deliuer vs from euil Receiue him therefore ofteÌ„ with inward ioy and exultation that thereby thou mayest delighte him whose delighte and pleasure is to be conuersant with thee For this was the cause why I adorned thee with the noble giftes of reason vnderstandinge and other spiritual ornameÌ„ts that thereby I might daylie bestowe him vpon thee nether doe I thinke that I bestowe any thinge on thee when I doe not freely giue my deare and only Sonne vnto thee A MEDITATION VPON THE Aue Maria fit for such as frequent the B. Sacrament HAYLE MARIE RIghtly may we beleue that the Gardian Angel saluteth that soule which often receiueth the B. Sacrament with the same wordes that the Angel Gabriel saluted the B. Virgin Marie when he greeted hir and with great reuerence and sweetnes said vnto hir Aue. That is free from al woe to wit al kinde of sinne For by the cominge of our Lord in this most B. Sacramentâ— al venial sinnes past ptesent are freely remitted as also such secret mortal sinnes which the penitent had ether forgotten or whereof he hath not had sufficient contrition and further new grace is bestowed vpon vs whereby we may auoide the danger of renuinge any more our former offences FVL OF GRACE How can that soule but be ful of grace which often receiueth the author of grace The fountaine and springe of al grace And him who to the end he might infuse into our soules his grace would exhaust and poure out al the blood forthe of his owne veines Who chiefly tooke vpon him our humane nature that he mighte wholie replenishe and fil our soules with diuine fauours Who coÌ„tinually standeth and knocketh importunatly saying O Daughter giue and resigne to me thy hart Vrgeing vs by diuers wayes that we would aske and demande of him his aboundant grace and for this cause he inuiteth vs to thee foode of Angels that thereby our hartes may be more and more filled with the same wherupon this B. Sacrament is called Eucharist which signifieth good grace OVR LORDE IS WITH THEE Hath not that soule our Lorde with hir which often receiueth in the B. Sacrament the Father the Sonne and the Holie Ghoste Hath she not God with hir that often receiueth the Diuinitie and Humanitie of our Sauiour IESVS Hath she not our Lorde with hir who lodgeth Christ as a guest and intombeth him within the sepulcher of hir hart BLESSED ART THOV AMONGST vvoemen May not that soule wel be said to be most blessed moste happie most highe in the fauour of God that so often is visited of him and so often is honored with his diuine presence and is made as it were the Mother of God and temple of the Holie Ghost the tabernacle of the most B. Trinitie and the Reliquarie of the sacred bodie and blood of Christ That soule I say that is created by the verie hand of God and is daylie fed with the flesh of his most deare and only Sonne AND BLESSED IS THE FRVTE of thy vvombe IESVS These wordes also after a sorte may be applied to the deuout soule partaker of the B. Sacrament For first most blessed is that mouthe that receiueth this blessed fruite IESVS Blessed is the breast that beareth and keepeth it Blessed is the memorie that remembreth it Blessed is the vnderstanding that alwayes thinketh on it and blessed is the hart that alwayes loueth it from whence proceede chaste thoughtes holie desires heauenly loue and al diuine frutes HOLIE MARIE MOTHER OF God c. Wel may that soule be called holie and the mother of God which wheÌ„ she receiueth the B. Sacrament receiueth the holie of al holies and beareth in hir the verie same frute which the most B. Virgin Marie carried nyne moneths within hir wombe Meditations vpon the Creede fitt for those that frequent the B. Sacrament 1. I Beleue in God the Father Almightie If he be omnipotent then he can If he be God then he knoweth If he be our Father then wil he helpe vs in al our necessities comfort vs in al our tribulations pardon â—s our offences and most louingly embrace vs euen as did the tender Father of the pro ligal childe when he retorned againe vnto him 2. Maker of heauen and earth Why did he create heauen and earth but for me And when did he create them for me when I was yet vnborne when as yet I was nothinge By what did he create them Thoroughe his infinit loue and that I mighte euer enioy him in heauen If then he had me in so sweete a memorie before I had any beinge is it likely that now he wil forget or be vnmindful of me He loued me before I was knowinge in his wisdome what I would be and now that he hath made and created me of nothinge is it likely that he wil hate me Can this stand with Gods sweete nature and infinite goodnes 3. And in Iesus Christ his only Sonne our Lorde He was called Iesus which signifieth a Sauiour because he wrought our sâ—luation And who did he saue me althoughe he knewe before what I would proue to wit vngrateful peruerse rebellious and a most wicked wretch From whâ—t did he saue me From death the deuil hell and sinne By what did he sâ—ue me By his only goodnes his only loue his only mercy When did he saue me Longe before I was borne How did he sâ—ue me By sheadinge his pretious blood enduringe most cruel torments and sufferinge a most bitter death Why then should not I firmely hope in this my only Lorde that hath done al this to saue me a most vnworthie seruant 4. Who vvas conceiued by the Holie Ghoste For my sake and to worke my saluation he came downe from heauen where Angels Archangels and al the celestial court did serue and attend him For me he would be incarnate and for the space of nine moneths lie inclosed in the wombe of the B. Virgin 5. Borne of the Virgin Marie For me and to worke my saluation was he borne in Bethelem And in what place there In a poore staule or stable At what time of the yeare In the depth of cold winter and then was he laied no better then in a manger where he by whose omnipotencie all thinges were created had neede of hay to lie vpon