as much as hee is such a meate as doth turne it selfe into the worthy receiuer Soe hereby Christ doth drawe vs vnto him with the bondes of loue and doth in this guift allure vs to loue him heate doth turne the nourishmentes into the bodie nourished the same is done by feruencie of loue in faithfull receiuers The fruite of this Meditation The fruit of this Meditation is that euerie one meditate of the loue of Christ say with the Prophet in the 116. 11 Quid rependam what shall I giue vnto the Lorde for all the benefites hee hath done vnto mee I will take the cup of saluation and call vpon the name of the Lorde A Spirituall soloquie vpon this meditation O Sweâ—te Iesus could it be that such was thy loue towardes vs that when thou wast the King of glorie and creator of all the worlde thou wouldest thy selfe bee meate for thine owne creatures O Loue thy power is too too great for I thought sufficient that which the wise man speaketh of thy power Thy loue is as stronge as death But I see much more may bee spoken of it for thy arrowes ouercomming heauen doe penetrate the verye loue of God where death doth not come nor approach neither staying thy selfe heere thou doest fixe this loue in the hearte of man and not onely plucke it away from all thinges created but euen from it selfe It was sufficient that thou wast giuen to vs for a Lorde and God in which thinge thâ— Prophet hath placed thiâ— blessednesse Psalm 145 â—6 Blessed are the people whose God is the Lorde But louâ— hath drawne thee to tâ—â—â— which the wisdome of man cannot comprehend and it remaineth most true that thou when thou wast God of all maiestie infinite and immortall wert made man diddest die and suffer for vs. When I consider that thou in the selfesame time wherein the streames of thy tribulations did ouerflowe wherein thy onelye thought constrained a blooddie sweat out of thy bodie forgetfull of thine owne selfe and all the tormentes which were preparing wast carefull of procuring such a meare for vs as might strengthen vs in the state of grace vntill wee see thee in the state of glory O amiable Iesu how truly is it written of thy loue in the 8. of the Canticles 6 verse Many waters could not extinguish this loue nor floodes ouerwhelme it namely many waters of thy passion and floodes of thy greefe could not with houlde thee wherby thou wouldest not prouide and impart this singular and precious guift for vs O sweete Iesus it had beene enough to call vs brethren when thou wert humbled on earth but wilt thou so call vs in thy throne in heauen Math 25 50 The Prophet Elisha in the second of the Kinges 2.8 greatly esteemed the cloke of his Maister Eliath left him at his departure wherewith hee deuided the waters of Iordaine and passed ouer on drie foote But the Lorde and God of Eliath hath left vnto thee not any garment but his most sacred bodie that hee may bee a companion with thee in this laboursome pilgrimage strength in tribulation and wholsome foode in a spirituall life Iudge nowe then howe much thou oughtest to reuerence him and with what â—â—dent afâ—ectioÌ„ receiue him In the meane time beseech this benefactor that it happen not vnto thee as vnto the people of the Iewes to whome when our Lorde Iesus had offered himselfe for theire Maister and Captaine they renouncing his doctrine and maistership keepe still the couering of their eies and which was worse ioyned to theire blindnes the sinne of vnthankfullnesse The excellencie and worthynes of this Sacrament MOst high and sumptuous is that preparation which wisedome hath ordained bountie furnished Christ himselfe with his honourable presence beautified This preparation is not as that in times passed in the wildernesse or in the moueable Tabernacle of Moyses or the fixed Temple of Salomon but in a great chamber a large vpper roome in the most ample church dispersed farre and wide vpon the face of the earth here Christ himselfe is the giuer and the guift the feeder and the foode It is saide of Ezechiah in the second of Chronicles 30. that hee kept a passeouer and such a passeouer as neuer was there any the like before but much more may be saide of Christs holy supper Admire not any longer the greatnes of the guift of the King Assuerus in the 4. of Hester after he betrothed vnto him Hester in marriage for those guiftes were earthly and could not giue life and spirite admire rather thâ— precious guift of Christ giuen vnto his church after hee had espoused vnto himselfe the nature of man which guift is heauenly and of infinite value giueth life to theâ— that worthyly receiue it maâ—ny are the nourrishmentes of the bodie but this of thâ— soule doth exceede them all The third Meditation COnsider the great excellencie of this holy and heauenly feast where Christ is receiued the memory of his death passion recounted the mind filled with grace and a pledge oâ— future glorie geuen vnto vs. 2 Consider these 5. diffeâ—rences which are betweene this feast and the feasts of the world 1 These feastes are prophane for in them neither is there holy meate neither are the ordained for the health of the soule but this feast is a sanctified feast and ordained principally for the health of the soule 2 In the feastes of the world there is variety and by how much the more the varietie is the greater by so much the more is the feast commended in this spiritual banquet it is not so wherein Christ being infinite containeth in him all perfection and can alone satisfie the soule 3 In the feastes of the world there is little speach had of death suffering affliction and tribulations rather discourse is had of matters of pleasures but in this feast of Christ the memoriall oâ— his death and passion his sufferinges of loue for our saluation is remembred 4 In this banquet the minde is filled with the grace of Christ which bringeth saluation and the increase of heauenly guiftes but in the banquets of the world the bodie is replenished with meates that often bring diseases to the bodie and spirituall destruction to the soule 5 In the feastes of the world for the great excesse vsed in them they open a way to hell but this holy feast of Christ sâ—tteth open vnto vs the readie way to heauen Farther considerations of this heauenly banquet COnsider how well pleasing it is to the Lord Iesus that we do all those things in this his feast which guestes inuited of the prince to some solemne preparation are wont to doe 1 First they expect with great desire the houre of this banquet and giue theire diligent attendance that they come in decent and seemly manner well adorned 2 Secondly they knowing that nothing is more acceptable vnto the prince who inuiteth them then to feede hartely on the meates prepared they come with emptie
left his patrimonie The Gregesems respecting their swine neglected Christes heauenly presence What great indignitie was offered vnto the rich man Luk. 14.16 who prepared a great supper sent his seruants to call them that were bidden to come in wheÌ„ y e vnthankful guests returned answere they were otherwise imployed in deed they cared not for comming If feare keep any away because it may seeme presumptioÌ„ to approach vnto so holy a place as the altar of the Lord let it bee remembred that Christ calleth all that be weary heauy loaden to refresh them Mat. 11. 28. If slouth and negligence let a carefulnesse of our estate to come stirre vs vp If the affaires of the worlde cast them all aâ—ide If any finde himselfe cold and slow without desire and deuotion towards this heauenly meat he ought not therefore to abstain from the holy communion for hee shall here finde sensible deuotion when al the powers of the soule dispersed apetites are gathered together wheÌ„ our wil streÌ„gth is forceablie caried to God we maruellously moued to honour the passion of our blessed Sauiour The impediments therefore considered we may endeuour then to auoide them that so wee may come offer our soules bodies a sacrifice to God that neither by the subtilnes of Sathan the affaires of this world the pleasures of the flesh we bee drawen away from so high and heauenly a repast prepared for vs as is this great misterie of saluation The eight Meditation COnsider that the Diuel can not endure the vse of this profitable sacrament for hee knoweth howe much it is of force to attaine blessednes from whence hee for his pride fell And hee hateth the Sacrament for in it is represented the passion by force wherof he is bound and thrust from the tyrannie which he would evercise vpon mankind 2 Consider for what causes the diuell doth labour by dâ—uers meanes and arts to withdraw men from often communicating whence we may gather howe profitable this holy Sacrament is to the Soule when it is manifest it so much displeaseth Sathan the Capitall enemie of our good 3 Consider that our nature is of it selfe prone to euill how the allurements of the flesh the affayres of the world are readie to carry vs away from Gods worship and therefore by so much the more wee should shake off all impediments and receiue this holy Eucharist whereby wee are strengthened to resist temptations vnited vnto Christ armed with his grace which shall protect and saue vs. 4 Consider that whereas this sacrament is numbred amongst the greatest benefits giuen to vs of God in this life that wee doe in nothing more auoyde the tokens of vngratefulnes then by often communicating for besides that it is most acceptable vnto God the memory also of Christ is often renewed which he also desireth to bee done saying Doe this in remembrance of mee 5 Consider how the intermission of this holy institution doth make men in time lesse religious how it proceedeth for the most part of want of loue For it cannot bee that one should loue Christ and yet neglect this his holie ordinance The Fruit. The fruit of this Meditation is first to begge of the Lord an inward affection and deuotion to this sacrament next strength against the temptations and allurements which are readie to withdraw vs from the same The Soloquie BEhold now O good Iesus by howe manye meanes my infernall enemie indeuoureth to draw mee away from thy heauenly table At one time he assayleth me in the faith of this most holy and hidden Sacrament at another time he tortureth mee with scruples very often he striueth to pull me backe from many humane respects and that hee may effect his purpose hee laboureth that the world may wiâ—hdraw me by the affayres thereof and that the flesh should complaine her repentance and turning vnto God is grieuous vnto her O my soule if there were not an inestimable benefite receiued by this holy Sacrament the diuell would not bee troublesome vnto vs yea hee would reioyce in the time misspent herein But the enemie of man is not ignorant of the great good that hereby commeth to a man Now behold O Lorde the assaults of this aduersary of our Soules I desire no other thing of thee then that thy seruant Iâ—b desired and obtained Iob. 19.3 Place me by thee and let the hand of whomsoeuer fight against mee stand on my part O Lord and I shall bee safe None shall stâ—y me from frequenting this heauenly Sacrament I pray thee therefore my mercifull Iesus that like as thou hast inspired me of thy mercifull goodnes that I might begge the taste of this precious meate so thou mayst bestow on mee grace to frequent the same with ioyfull perseuerance Cause O Lord that the memorie of this holy SacrameÌ„t fall not from mee otherwise I know that my heart will waxe faint and I shal be constrained to say with the Prophet my heart is withered within mee that I forget to eate my bread Let not the distrust of my owne vilenes deterre and fray mee from such a heauenly meate so full of comfort A spirituall complaint of the Soule WHat shal I doe my sweet Iesu for twoo most strong Captaines do greatly assault me that is to say Feare and Loue Feare obiecteth to my minde the highnes of this most honorable Sacrament which doth make me draw backe my foote But loue sheweth me the excellencie of that vnion ' which this admirable mistery doth procure makes that with pleasant desire I dare come into thy sight O what shall I doe if ouercome with feare I depart further from thy holy table when thou hast sayde Vnlesse yee eate of the flesh of the Sonne of Man you shall not haue life in you If â— bee ouercome with Loue shall I be so bold without feare to receiue the Sacrament of so great a Maiestie What then shall I doe O my sauiour I know well the one cannot please thee without the other for feeing thou art our Father louâ— is worthily due vnto thee seeing thou art our Lord feare and reuerence Wherefore I determine to giue my diligâ—Ì„ce to both to receiue both into my companie Loue shall cause that I come often and willingly Feare that I come renerently and with diligent preparâ—tion And thou my most gentle Redeemer seeing thou vouchsafest to inuite me so often to thy sacred feast bring to passe that these two Captaines may not forsake me Oh my heaueÌ„ly Father for that thou hast bound mee with so many benefites vnto thee and tyed mee with so great bondes of Loue I beseech thee by the same loue wherewith thou dost alwayes prosecute thy onely begotten and beloued sonne that thou wilt not leaue mee so bound but rather draw mee to thy sonne seeing thou hast promised it to mee by the Prophet Osea when thou sayst I will draw them vnto mee with chaines of loue Remember also O my blessed Sauiour that thou
hundred difficulties it must bee our deuotion to God that must doe vs good in an other worlde 17 It were to be wished wee had lesse contending in matters of controuersie which auaile little to godlinesse and more sincere following the actions of Christian pietie which are much decâ—ied in these sinfull times wee see it too apparantlye beefore our eies that wee had lesse questioning in generall in particular lâ—sse curious prying into this Sacred misterie and more religious preparing our selues to a due and dutifull participation of the same wee may consider that after all the sturre about this controuersie the deuotion of most is but Soe Soe for the heape of volumes that treate of this subiect how they all in a manner tende onely vnto matter of contradiction wherefore beeseech wee God to increase in vs reuerence more and more towardes this most holy ordinance of Christ Iesus his Sonne that preparing our selues dutifully to receiue him in the state of grace we may be receiued of him into the state of glory To sit at his table in his Kingdome to liue with him and raigne with him The Contents of this tracte following 1 OF the Institution of this most holy Sacrament 2 The first Meditation concerning this Institution with the fruites thereof 3 Of the loue of Christ shewed in ordayning this most holy Sacrament 4 The excellencie and woorthynesse hereof 5 Of the woonderfull thinges contayned in this Sacrament 6 The manifold effectes and fruites of this holy Institution 7 A Dialogue betweene Man and the Soule 8 Of the principall causes which may mooue man to come to this Sacrament 9 Of frequenting the most holy Communion 10 Of the impedimentes which detaine men from coming thereunto 11 A Dialogue beetweene the distressed sinner and faith 12 A Conference betweene the soule and faith 13 Of Remouing the daungerous effectes which hinder the worthye receiuing of this most holy Sacrament 14 Of Preparing our selues before we come to this most holy Sacrament 15 A Forme of confessing our selues 16 An Exhortation vpon these words whence commeth this that my Lorde commeth to mee 17 A Meditation vppon the wordes of the Centurion Math. 8.9 Non sum dignus vt intres sub â—ectum meum I am not worthye that thou enter vnder my roofe 18 A Meditation vppon that which followeth dic verbum sanabitur anima mea but onelye say the worde and my soule shall liue 19 A Meditation vppon these wordes of Christ veniam curabo eum I will come and heale him 20 A Meditation vppon that which S. Paule teacheth 1. Cor 11. 21 A Meditation of the Prodigall Sonne when hee was receiued of his Father 22 A Meditation for the day we are to communicate in 23 A Meditation of the historie of Zacheus Luke 19.2 24 An Application of this historie 25 A Meditation vppon the wordes of Christ following Hodie oportet me manere indomo tua This day I must abide in thy house 26 A short forme of confession to bee made in priuat before the receiuinge of the Blessed Sacrament 27 An Admonition mouinge all to reconcile theÌ„ selues and forgiue their enimies before they bee partakers of the most holy Sacrament 28 A Prayer beefore the holy Communion 29 Of the deuout man to whoÌ„e Christ in his last supper sheweth fauoure 30 Certaine Meditations vppon some speciall sayinges of holy Scipture to bee vsed when you are about to communicate 31 Of the reuerence and deuotion giuen by the auncient Fathers to this most holy Sacrament 32 A Prayer with thanksgiuing after the receiuinge of the most holy Communion 33 An other forme of thanksgiuing 34 A Generall meditation after the receiuing of the Blessed Sacrament 35 Considerations to bee remembred of the deuout Christian after his receiuing 36 Names of excellency attributed vnto the holy Sacrament 37 A Short meditation vpon the names of Excellencie 38 Certaine meditations vppon the passion to bee vsed after the receiuinge of the holy Communion 39 A Praier vpon the passion vsed by S. Austen 40 Concerning the spirituall Communicating 41 That this holy Sacrament is giuen to the sicke as necessarie for the time of any visitation 4â— What hee ought to doe who is to communicate 43 The manner of Communicating vsed by a certaine virgine 44 Breife Questions and aunsweares concerninge the Blessed Sacrament 45 Certaine short obseruations to bee remembred before our accesse to the Lordes supper 46 A Dialogue beetweene a worldly man and a spirituall wherin is disputed whether it bee better often to communicate or abstaine from the holye Communion how after what manner both may be done 47 An other Dialogue whereein is touched the Doctrine and benefite of the Blessed Sacrament The end of the Table Godly Meditations vpon the most holy Sacrament of the Lordes Supper Of the Institution of this most holy Sacrament Amongest other parts of diuine worshippe religious actions of a Christian life which knitte men in loue and dutie vnto God for who should haue the fruite but hee that planted the tree there is none more solemne more diuine then is our reuerent accesse to the most holy Sacrament where wee present our selues beefore God where wee honour him in the misterie of humane redemption where by a spirituall vnion with Christ him selfe wee become partakers of our greatest good Fasting humbleth praier beseecheth repentance bewaileth charitie worketh faith beleeueth but the holy Sacrament applieth al to the saluation of our soules 2 If any aske saith an â—uncient Eather the Iewes why they keepe there passeouer all that they will aunswear is to relate of a bondage in Egipt of Pharoe their oppressor of a Moyses Gods seruant theire deliuerer But if any aske mee which am a Christian of our heauenlye passeouer I can shew him not of Moyses a seruant but of Christ Iesus the only sonne of God of a more terrible Pharoe the prince of darkenesse of a more wofull bondadge the shaddow of death and last of all of a deliuerance indeede by the bloud of that Immaculate Lambe once offered for the sinnes of the world Heb. 9.28 2 For our comfortable accesse to this most holy misterie wee haue Christes own precept and his promise Math. 26.26 Luke 22.19 His precept hoc faciâ—e doe this His promise hoc est corpus meum hic est saenguis meâ—us This is my bodie which was giuen for you this is my bloud which is shed for you as if heare I offer you the benefite of all my sufferinges leaue you a pledge at parting of my deerest loue Nouum Testamentum a new Testament a newe league or couenant between God and man that hee will now thinke vpon your sinnes in iustice no more 4 S. Austen in his 118. Epistle Ad Ianuarium saith our Sauiour deferred the institution of this most diuine Sacrament to the end of his life as his last farewell that the dignitie and excellencie thereof might make the more deepe impression in his disciples heartes increase in them greater
light and sweete that if there were not that would imagine a labour in the precept it shuld not deserue the name of a burden or yoke O my soule now thou seest to how few thinges Christ hath bound thee and how he hath giuen thee aboundance of his grace in this life by the benefit of this most holy Sacramēt in the other life eternall Onely take heed to thy self that seeing the Lord of his infinite goodnes hath giuen thee so easily this inestimable commoditie thou dost not againe relapse into destruction Consider earnestly what thou shouldst doe not to receiue so gentle a Lord which cōmeth to enrich thee with his gifts were great inhumanity very pernicious vnto thy selfe But to receiue him vnwoorthily by th◠default were meere slouthfulnesse which procureth iniurie to him and punishment vnto thy selfe Thou shalt doe well to imitate the example of the poore country man who vnderstanding that the King would rest in his house remooued al things which hee thought might offende the Kinges eyes diligentlye swept all his house and although hee could not beautifie it according to the worthinesse of such a guest yet hee did as much as hee was able to receiue him in seemely and decent manner he goeth to meete the king with all speed receiueth him with great ioy giueth him many thankes for this so great fauour If then so many things are done to an earthly King what wilt thou doe O my Soule to the King of heauen who commeth not to liue at thy cost but to impart his goods vnto thee Labour therefore in clensing and decking thy selfe hange the chamber or vpper roome of thy best deuotion with the Tapestrie of holinesse and welcome him with loue who of Loue sayth My delight is to be with the sonnes of men Prou. 8.31 A Meditation for the day we are to Communicate in IN what day you communicate as soone as you awake early in the morning thinke that the Lord doth expect you this day at his heauenly table Thinke of putting on the inward ornaments of the Soule as Faith Repentance Deuotion Charitie Humblenes of mind such like 1 Consider how Christ in his conception tooke our nature and that wee in this spirituall conception of him should expresse many diuine qualities of his nature 2 Consider you are to receiue him this day in the state of grace who shall one day receiue you in the state of glory 3 Consider that of the first eating it was sayd that day thou eatest thou shalt die but by this eating that day thou eatest thou shalt liue Ioh. 6. 4 Esteeme thy selfe vnworthy and say Sweete Iesus what loue is this thou pursuest mee withall behold Lord I prepare my self this day to receiue thee into the poore Cottage of an humble hart but alas the Wiseman Salomon himself when he had in many yeeres and by much cost built thee a Temple 1. Kin. 8. Did notwithstanding maruaile that thou the God all Maiestie wouldst vouchsafe to abide and dwell in it what shal I say who haue bestowed so little paines so small cost in preparing thee a Temple I beseech thee to turne my Soule into a house of prayer to whippe out all euill affections that it may bee rightly sayd to bee Domus tuae Thy house 4 Make one repentance with Mary Magdalen one heartie repentance for al that is past A Meditation taken out of the History of Zacheus Luke 19 2. ZAcheus desirous to see Iesus but for that hee was of a lowe stature hee could not see him for the multitude of people he went vp into a tree where Christ should passe by 2 Christ passeth by and casting his mercifull eyes on Zacheus sayd Zachee make haste to come downe for today I must abide in thine house He came down then all reioycing and receiueth him into his house thinking that hee was greatly rewarded 3 Thirdly the Iewes when they saw Christ turne into the house of a sinner they murmured which Zacheus perceiuing turning to Christ sayd Behold halfe of my goods I giue to the poore and if I haue defrauded any thing from any mā I restore foure fould But Iesus sayd vnto him Saluation is come vnto thy house The application of this Historie THat thou mayst be partaker of saluation which is offered in this sacrament it is necessary that thou be desirous to know and tast Christ which is contained in this holy mysterie And to knowe him it is necessarie first that thou lift vppe thy mind on high and consider the greatnes of God keeping in the meane while the ground vnder thy feete as Zacheus kept it when hee stood vpon the tree that is to procure that our temporal businesse bee then vnder vs and not ouer our head by distracting vs in deuotion 2 Wee must receiue our Lord not with melancholie or anguish of doubts but as Zachee did with ioy which springeth from a vehement affection towardes this holie Sacrament 3 Consider that it is not sufficient to receiue Christ into our house then to put the hand in the bosome but wee must furnish the sacred Communion with good works by releeuing the necessities of our neighbours after the example of Zacheus and hee which doth so shall heare that comfortable voyce This day saluation is come into thine house The fruit THe fruit of this Meditation shall bee to desire and ask of God an affection to this Sacrament frō which affection springeth spirituall consolation necessarie to the Communion The Soloquie O My bountifull Iesus how liberall art thou towardes him who doth desire and seeke thee Zachee was held with desire of thee but of seeing thee onely and thou not onely didst shewe thy selfe to him to be seene but also calledst him and inuitedst thy self into his hous on whome to augment thy fauour thou bestowedst Saluation Oh how well hath the Prophet sayd of thee All Nations seeking thee shall reioyce and bee gladde And let them say alwayes which loue thy sauing health The Lord bee magnified Zachee thou worthily reioycedst because thou hast him in thine house which maketh al Angels to reioyce Onely reioyce and esteem as nothing if the Iewes murmur and cal thee sinner since hee is at hand for thee which can defend and iustifie thee ioyne thy selfe to him and he will be as a buckler for thee and thou shalt also vnderstand how sweet the Lord is O my soule thou hast also cause of reioycing and peraduenture greater then Zacheus had seeing to thee also this day commeth the fountaine of all ioy and gladnes Heare what the Prophet Zacharie sayth vnto thee Reioyce O daughter Sion and be gladde O daughter Ierusalem behold thy righteous King and thy Sauiour commeth vnto thee nor commeth hee to exact a tribute or to command any task but onely for the cause of sauing thee defending thee from the rebuke of thine enemies Think not that a greater benefite shewed to Zacheus then to thee for while thou dost spiritually receiue him
and diuine a misterie I wretched and vnworthy creature dayly offending and adding sinne vnto sinne vnprepared and of a heart lesse contrite and purged doe notwithstanding take vppon me often to receiue it But for because thy mercy is greater by infinite then my miserie neyther hath it beene heard from the beginning of the world that thou hast euer despysed the prayers of the humble which sauest them that trust in thee and which hast shed thy precious bloud for our saluation and the saluation of the world for an euerlasting pledge of thy loue towardes vs hast ordained this Sacrament trusting in this thy vnspeakable loue I most humblie thinke of comming to thy table of putting out from the house of my soule the sower leauen of hatred and euill will towards all that I may keep this holy passeouer with the sweet bread of sinceritie and loue Graunt me thy grace that this holy misterie may turne and become effectuall to the life and saluation of bodie and soule that I may firmely abide in thee which intend to receiue thee into mee Let my mind bee confirmed amongst so great misteries with thy comfortable presence that it may vnderstand thou art present with her and reioyce perfectly before thee the fire which alwayes burneth the brightnesse which alwayes shineth sweet Iesu good Iesu the bread of life which refreshest vs euer and yet neuer decayest which art alwayes eaten and remaynest alwayes whole inflame and sanctifie thy vessell purge it from malice fill it with thy grace and being filled preserue it euermore in thy holy loue which liuest and rugnest one God worlde without ende Amen Of the deuout man to whom Christ in his last supper sheweth fauour IMagine thou hadst beene at Ierusalem when this noble Sacrament was instituted by Christ that thou hadst beene inuited by some of the Apostles to be present consider with what ioy thy soule had reioyced at this message and how hastily all businesses laide aside thou wouldest haue runne thither Imagine that as soone as thou hadst come to the supper the Lorde had washed thy feet and said with teares falling on them I do this to wash away many sins committed against thy Creator by walking through vngodly wayes I wash thee also for the labours which thou shalt suffer for mee in a spirituall liâ—e 3 Lastly imagine how he biddeth thee sit downe at the â—â—ble casting his most louing eyes vpon thee saying Desiderio desaderauâ— with a a 〈…〉 I desired to eate this passeouer with you I haue preuented thee with great benefites and will hereafter enrich thee with greater onely continue in the loue of mee Consider what modestie thou wouldst haue vsed at that holy table with what attention thou wouldest haue receiued the wordes of Iesus The fruit of this Meditation THe fruit is to giue the Lord heartiâ— thanks for this inestimable benefite now readie to bee receiued to beseech him that hee would not suffer thee to die vngratefull to call to 〈◊〉 that Christ kept the best wine vntill the last least this holy repast as sweet remembrance of his loue at parting that this loue of hâ—s was a motion naturall which motion say the Philosophers is most forceably towards the end The Soloquie O My soule how louingly doeth the Lord knock at thy dore with a desire of entering in and resting with thee arise O my soule and Christ shall giue thee light not onely the shepheardes of Bethleem had cause of ioy who found as it was told theÌ„ but thou hast cause of ioy too who shalt find the ioy of Israâ—l no maruell though Martha and Mary went forth to meet the Lord knowing how he would fil their minds with celestiall consolation go forth O my soule to meet him that commeth vnto thee who is the stay yea the whole stay of all thy being The water that is seperated from the fountaine vanisheth the bough that is cut from the tree withereth the body from which the soule is gone dieth depart not therfore O my soule from the soule of thy soule but embrace with all gladnes Lord as there is no doubt but that such was the excesse of thy loue fauour whereat euen the Angels were amased so is it sure that I was most bound not onely to runne the way of all thy commandements but also to spend my life for the loue of thee Thou hast bestowed on me this so excellent a gift more noble then humane vnderstanding is able to conceiue from whence springeth an obligatioÌ„ which doeth binde mee vnto thee Who doth not see that I shal be most vnthankfull if I acknowledge not thy singular loue O my hart open thee shew with what bond of relouing Iesus louing thee thou art bound When you are about to communicate and are now receiuing the most holy Eucharist meditate vpon these sayings of holy scripture ECce spousâ—s venit Behold the bridegroom coÌ„meth go forth to meete him Mat. 25.6 2 Ecce ancilla Domini beholde the handmaid of the Lord bee it vnto me according to thy word Luc. 1.38 3 Dic verbum viuet anima I am vnworthy c. do but say the worde and my soule shall liue Mat. 8.29 4 Lift vp your heads O ye gates be ye lift vp ye euerlasting dores y e k. of glory shall come in Psal. 24.7 5 Taste and see how gracious the Lord is Blessed is the man that putteth his trust in him Psal. 34.8 saying O good Iesu ioyne me inwardly vnto thee to the glory of thy name and the saluation of my soule In the time of communicating say O Most louing and sweet Iesus the loue and sweetnes of my heart the life of my soule my mellifluous and euerlasting good haue mercy vpon me bee with mee O Lord now and for euer Immediatly after say the 103. Psalme Praise the Lord O my soule and all that is within mee prayse his holy name prayse the Lord O my soule and forget not all his benefits which forgiueth all thy sinnes and healeth all thy infirmities which saueth thy life from destruction and 〈◊〉 thee with mercy and louing kindnesse which satisfieth thy mouth with good things making thee â—ong and lastie as an Eagle Wherein wee acknewledge these sixe benefites first the forgiuenesse of our sinnes secondly the healing of our infirmities thirdly our protection from euill fourthly our adorning by grace fiftly the receiuing of foode temporall sixtly the effect of that foode which is spiritual Of the reuerence and deuotion giuen by the auncient Fathers to this most holy Sacrament WIth what charitie of body and puritie of mind ought I to receiue that mysterie where thou O Lord art the feeder and the foode the giuer and the gift Ambrosius in oratione aut sac caen Saint Ierome a little before his departure being about to receiue humbly kneeling did communicate with many teares Euseb. in vita S. Hieronimi It is written of Constantine no lesse godly then mightie an Emperour that with
great reuerence and deuotion before any attempt against his enemie his wont was to receiue the holy Eucharist Euseb. in vita Constantin By the force of this Sacrament the force of the diuell is rebated Ignatius ad Ephes. Saint Cyprian calleth this blessed Sacrament a ioyfull solemnitie Cypria de caena Dom. Of the olde Christians it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an assembly of loue Charitie it selfe A prayer of thanksgiuing after the receiuing of the most holy Communion I Giue thee thankes O most louing Iesus Christ who hast vouchsafed to admit me a sinfull creature to the magniâ—â—cent and quickning feast of thy sacred table Thou wouldst that I shuld bee as the Arke of Couenant where thou thy selfe vouchsafest to abide Thou wouldest that in this Arke Mâ—nna should bee kept wherewith thou didst feede thy people vntill they entred into the Land of Promise Cause I beseech thee that this Manna nowe receiued wherof that was but a figure may bee preserued in my Soule that I may feele the effectual fruit of thy passion for the remission of my sinnes the merit of righteousnes and reward of euerlasting glorie Cause also that like as in the Arke the Tables of the Lawe were kept so a desire of fulfilling thy will may bee contained in my Soule Graunt that I may honour loue and obey thee that I be seperated from this loue by no allurement whatsoeuer of my ghostly enemie Tarrie with mee O blessed Iesu vntill the euening of my age and when the night of death approacheth I will not let thee goe till thou hast blessed mee and yeelded to this petition of my sobbing soule O Lord fulfill her desire neuer depart from her What blessing shal I giue vnto thee O my deere Sauiour where shall I beginne to expresse by loue and duetie towardes thee which hast sayd Behold I am with you euen vnto the end My soule desireth to be satisfied in the beholding of thy countenance euen as the Hart longeth for the fountains of water Turne thee O my soule into thy rest for the Lorde hath done well for thee hee hath shewed thee maruailous great kindnes in the land of the liuing Fâ—r this cause also shall my flesh rest in hope Blesse thou the Lord O my Soule Another forme of thanksgiuing OMnipotent most louing father I cannot giue thee thaÌ„ks worthy inogh according to the desire of my minde for the treasure of this heauenly foode which thou hast now giuen mee in this heauenlie mysterie ineffable that is to say the true bread of heaueÌ„ that euerlasting meat that aabideth for euer thy blessed Sonne our Lord and Sauior Christ Iesus in whom I haue obtained by the gift of this hâ—ly Communion a pledge of an inheritance to come Grant O Lord that I may daily profit in vertue godlines that this sacred vnion with Christ may bee of such force in me that reiecting al euill waies I may goe forward in pietie towards God instruction towards my selfe charitie towards my neighbour to thy good pleasure through the same our Lord sauior Iesus Christ Amen The Soloquie AWake O my â—oule and behold the new â—â—uor wherewith louing 〈…〉 prosecute thee Thou hast good cause to reioyce that the Lord of Maiestie vouchsafeth to come vnto thee to comfort thee Continue onely a good will for all this bountie Bee not as the nine vnthankfull Leapers who forgat their cuâ—ing Cast all thy care vpon him who careth for thee cease not to magnifie him O my soule for he that is mightie hath magnified thee and done great things for thee Thou knowest how the son of God loued thee when departing out of this world vnto the Father hee left so comfortable a remembrance and seale of all his mercyes O loue without measure returne O my soule vnto thy rest for the Lord hath blessed thee Returne vnto thy gracious Sauiour of whome thou mayst say Here will I rest here will I dwell foreuer Can it bee O Lord that thou wouldest follow man with such loue as to vnite thy selfe vnto him Reioyce O yee sonnes of Adam for no longer shall that of the Prophet be applyed against you My teares haue beene my meate day and night whilst they yet daily sayd where is nowe thy God Teares are now no longer your meare but the gladsome foode of Angels your God is with you euen vnto the end The poore do eate and are satisfied O Lord graunt mee the grace of Deuotion and thankfulnes that I may aske it instantly expect it patiently receiue it gratefully conserue it humbly vse it diligently to the glorie and honor of thy holy and blessed name Amen I desire to offer my selfe my soule and body a sacrifice vnto thee nay I offer vp all my sinnes both originall and actuall vpon the acceptable Altar of thy mercy consume them with the sacred fire of thy loue and let this offering as Abels offering be well pleasing in thy sight but to returne vnto this heauenly foode now offered Ah hard and peruerse hart of mine how canst thou continue earthly when as thou art fed with the bread of heauen When at length wilt thou become heauenlie Howe is it that thou dost remaine sensuall and alienated from the spirit which art spiritually conserued Is it because thou dost consist of earth O Iesus remember here what thou hast else wher sayd I come to send a fire and what is my desire but that it bee kindled Let it be kindled in mee that I may be carried vpward and seek the things where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God that though my body conuerse here in earth my affections may bee in heauen that from henceforth not so much I liue as thy grace may bee sayde to liue in mee The eleuenth generall Meditation to bee vsed aftâ—r the receiuing of the blessed Sacrament COnsider with what labours teares Adam after hee was cast out of Paradise did eate the bread of carefulnesse all the dayes of his life But now man receiued into the state of grace is come to feede on the bread of life it selfe 2 Consider that as the Israelites when they had eaten the Pascall Lambe were deliuered froÌ„ Pharaoes bondage made no stay in the darknes of Egipt but set forward forth with towardes the Land of Promise So after this our Passeouer wherein a mighty deliuerance from the hands of our spirituall Pharo is signified were to depart from the works of darknes to go forward without delay fâ—oÌ„ grace to grace froÌ„ vertue to vertue vntill we come to our heauenly Canaan 3 Consider how the wisemen when they had seene Christ at Bethlem and there done their humble reuereÌ„ce Math. 2.12 they returned not by ambitious and cruell Herod nor by troublesome Ierusalem but Per aliam vtam another waye So wee hauing visited Christ at our Bethlem which signifieth the house of bread and there offered our Soules and bodyes a sacrifice vnto him should returne towards our owne countrey which is