as a Banquet Page 289 Of the Eucharist compared to the Tree of Life 3. Med. Page 290 c Of preparation for Receiving 2. Med. Page 294 c Of Christs Preaching and Miracles 3. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as a Shepherd c. Page 296 Of the preaching of S. John Baptist 2. Med. Page 298 c Of the Jews Message to John 2. Med. Page 300 c Of Christs Baptism 2. Med. Page 302 c 4. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as our Director Page 304 Of Christs retiring into the Desart Page 305 Of Christ Fasting Page 306 Of Christs temptations in the Desart 4. Med. Page 308 c 5. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as an Offering Page 312 Of the Apostles first Vocation 2. Med. Page 313 c Of the second Vocation of S. Peter and S. Andrew Page 315 Of S. James and S. Johns Vocation Page 316 Of S. Matthews Vocation Page 318 Of S. Pauls Vocation Page 319 6. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Eucharist as our Viaticum Page 320 Of three that offered themselves to follow Christ 3. Med. Page 321 c Of the Rich Young Mans Vocation 2. Med. Page 324 c Of our Vocation in general to follow Christ Page 326 7. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as a good Tree Page 327 Of the Marriage Feast of Cana in Galilee 3. Med. Page 328 c Of casting out of the Temple the Buyers c. 2. Med. Page 332 c Of our Lords discourse with Nicodemus Page 334 8. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as exacting account c. Page 335 Of our Lords Sermon on the Mount 2. Med. Page 336 c Of the four first Beatitudes 4. Med. Page 338 c 9. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as a Merciful Lord Page 343 Of the other four Beatitudes 4. Med. Page 344 c Of those words You are the salt of the Earth c. Page 348 Of those words You are the light of the World c. Page 349 10. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as our Propitiation Page 350 Of our Lords Prayer 2. Med. Page 351 c Of other sayings of Christ on the Mount Page 353 Of sending the Apostles to Preach 2. Med. Page 354 c Of their Return from Preaching Page 356 11. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as Giver of Hearing and Speech Page 357 Of S. John's Message to Christ 2. Med. Page 358 c Of the Martyrdom of S. John Baptist Page 361 Of five thousand fed in the Desart 2. Med. Page 362 c Of Christs flying not to be made King Page 364 12. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as the good Samaritan Page 365 Of Christs allaying the Tempest Page 366 Of Christs walking upon the Water Page 367 Of S. Peter's walking upon the Water Page 368 Of S. Peters confessing Christ Page 369 Of Primacy promised to S. Peter Page 370 Of S. Peter's disswading Christ from his Passion Page 371 13. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as Priest Page 372 Of our Lords Transfiguration 3. Med. Page 373 Of the Petition of the Sons of Zebedee 2. Med. Page 376 c Of the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven Page 379 14. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as our Lord Page 380 Of S. Mary Magdalen's Conversion 2. Med. Page 381 c Of the Samaritan Womans Conversion 2. Med. Page 383 c Of the Woman taken in Adultery Page 385 Of the Cananean Woman Page 386 15. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as our Souls Life Page 388 Of the Conversion of Zacheus 2. Med. Page 389 c Of curing the Centurions Servant 2. Med. Page 391 c Of curing S. Peter's Mother-in-Law Page 393 Of a Princes Son restored to health Page 394 16. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as our Souls Guest Page 396 Of the Man cured at the Pond 2. Med. Page 397 c Of the Bed-rid let down from the Roof 2. Med. Page 399 c Of the Withered Hand cured Page 401 Of the crooked Woman cured Page 402 17. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as our Souls Love Page 403 Of the Leper 2. Med. Page 405 c Of the ten Lepers 2. Med. Page 407 c Of the Deaf and Dumb Man 2. Med. Page 409 c 18. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as the strength of our Soul Page 412 c Of the Man born blind 2. Med. Page 413 Of the blind man of Hiericho Page 415 c Of the blind man of Bethsaida Page 416 Of the Lunatick Devil 2. Med. Page 417 c 19. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as our Friend Page 419 Of the Women cured of the Bloody Flux Page 420 Of raising the Arch-Synagogues Daughter to life Page 422 Of raising the Widows Son in Naim 2. Med. Page 423 c Of raising Lazarus 2. Med. Page 425 c 20. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as the Worker of Miracles Page 427 Of some Historical Narrations and Parables of Christ Of the Rich Glutton and Lazarus 2. Med. Page 428 c Of the Prodigal Son 2. Med. Page 430. c Of him that was wounded by the Thieves 2. Med. Page 433 c 21. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as a Patient Creditor Page 435 Of the Workmen in the Vineyard 2. Med. Page 436 c Of the Invitement to the Wedding and Supper 2. Med. Page 439 c Of the ten Virgins 2. Med. Page 441 c 22. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as Teacher of Truth Page 443 Of the Talents 2. Med. Page 444 c Of the Vineyard let out to Husbandmen 2. Med. Page 447 c Of the Bailiff of Iniquity Page 449 Of the Wise man and the Fool Page 450 23. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ as our Souls Salvation Page 451 Of the Sower Page 452 Of the Cockle Page 453 Of the Mustard-seed Page 454 Of the Leaven Page 455 Of the Treasure hid in the field Page 456 Of the Pearl Page 457 24. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christ c. as is set down Page 458 Of the lost sheep Page 459 Of the Pharisee and the Publican Page 460 Of the Faithful and Wise Steward or Servant Page 461 Of Girding the Loyns Page 462 Of the Vine and its branches Page 463 Of the barren Fig-tree Page 464 Meditations of Saints Of the Excellency of the B. Virgin above all Creatures Page 466 Of the Immaculate Conception of the B. Virgin Page 467 Of the Nativity of the B. Virgin Page 469 Of the Annunciation of the B. Virgin Page 51 c Of the Visitation of the B. Virgin Page 59 c Of the Purification of the B. Virgin Page 100 c Of the Assumption of the B. Virgin Page 470 Of the Nativity of S. John Baptist Page 64 c Of the Decollation of S. John Baptist Page 361 Of S. Peter and S. Paul Page 369 c Of the Vocation of S. Peter and S. Andrew Page 315 Of the Vocation of S. James and S. John Page 316 Of S. Matthews Vocation Page 318 Of S. Pauls
times c. which done all these things shall be given us besides O that we had courage and resolution to perform the first part and faith enough practically to believe this latter 15. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Widows Son of Naim Luc. 7.11 page 388. see page 423 424. 16. Sunday after Pentecost Of the man cured of the Dropsie Luc. 14.1 page 306. Consider 1. And it came to pass when Jesus entered into the house of a certain Prince of the Pharisees upon the Sabboth to eat bread and they watched him Ponder here the goodness of Christ not refusing to eat and converse familiarly with his Enemies seeking thereby occasion to do them good and the perversness of the Pharisees in observing and watching him not to profit but to calumniate Do you observe our Lord in all his sayings and doings but so as to benefit your self and glorifie him and endeavour to demean your self so in all your exteriour comportment that you need not fear to be observed and taken notice of by all even your Enemies Consider 2. And behold there was a certain man before him that had a Dropsie Behold your self in this man and acknowledge with S. Augustine that you have a Conscience sick of the Dropsie S. Aug. 2. quaest Evang thirsting after terrene things the more you are indulgent to your self the more you nourish this disease Christ feels their pulse and temper before he cures this man saying Is it lawful to cure on the Sabboth but they were ashamed to discover their malignity openly and what e're they thought they held their peace But he taking him healed him and sent him away And to justifie himself appeals to their own Conscience what they would judge lawful in a less concern of their own Oxe or Ass Ps 21.7 Consider 3. When thou art invited to a Marriage sit not down in the first place c. but go sit down in the last place c. This as all other things that he taught Christ exercised himself he descended from the highest Heaven to the Womb of a poor and humble Virgin and all his life long chose for himself in all occasions that which was meanest and became for us the very Out-cast of the people Ponder well that Golden Sentence Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted First and Last are otherwise taken by God otherwise by the World the lower one is in the Worlds reckoning the higher he is in Gods account and on the contrary Christ was in the last Rank with the World but in the first with God If therefore you desire to be near Christ in Glory you must come close to him in Humility 17. Sunday after Pentecost Of the great Precept of Charity Mat. 22.34 page 403. Consider 1. A Doctor of Law asked of him which is the great Commandment in the Law Jesus said unto him Thou shalt love the Lord thy God from thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind We love him with our whole heart soul and mind when we direct our thoughts affections senses and actions to him and when we let no created thing have any place in our heart but in order to him and detest whatsoever is displeasing to him Consider the Motives you have to this love 1. His benefits towards you in your Creation Conservation Redemption Sanctification Gifts of Grace and promise of Glory 2. His own infinite Amiableness his Bounty Riches Power Glory Beauty c. Rom. 8.35 Consider 2. This love must not content it self with bare affections wishes and desires it must pass to action and both do and suffer when occasion is for the service and honour of God that we may be able to say with the Apostle Who shall separate us from the charity of Christ tribulation or distress c. or danger or persecution or sword It is the property of true love to be communicative of it self and what it hath with its Beloved Give therefore freely to God your self and whatsoever you have and because you have nothing that you have not from him return it entire to him again by gratitude and faithful use in his service This is the greatest and first Commandment Consider 3. The second is like to this Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self Our Neighbour is not one but every Child of Adam Friend and Enemy c. The Rule of our love is no other then our selves whatsoever therefore you would have done or not done to your self observe the same towards others out of love and for God and you have observed this Precept Our Motives are for that we are all Created to the same Image of God Redeemed with the same precious Blood of Christ Children of the same Heavenly Father called to the Inheritance of the same Kingdom c. Make it your whole study to have perfect Charity towards God and your Neighbour knowing that On these two Commandments depend the whole Law and Prophets 18. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Bed-rid let down from the Roof Mat. 9.1 page 412. see page 399 400. 19. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Invitement to the Wedding Mat. 22.1 page 419. see page 439 440. 20. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Princes Son restored to health Jo. 4.46 page 427. see page 394 395. 21. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Debtor of ten thousand Talents Mat. 28.23 page 435. Consider 1. There was one presented unto his Lord that owed him ten thousand Talents This is your self and every sinner there is no Debt so great as that of Sin think how great yours i And not having whence to repay it his Lord commanded that he should be sold We have nothing of our own to make satisfaction of and by sin we forfeit Grace Heaven God Soul and Body and inslave our selves to the Devil But that Steward falling down before him said have patience towards me and I will repay thee all Think how often God hath had patience with you you may truly say with the Prophet The Mercies of our Lord Thren 3.22 that I am not consumed Consider 2. And the Lord of that servant moved with pitty dismissed him and forgave him the debt How easily is God satisfied how great is his bounty who giveth more then is asked or could be hoped for He hath done the same and much more for you and hath not only freed you from the slavery of sin but also made you his Adopted Son and Heir of his Kingdom When that servant was gone forth he found one of his fellow servants that did owe him a hundred pence and laying hands upon him thratled him saying Repay what thou owest and notwithstanding the others humble entreaty went his way and cast him into prison till he repayed the debt How often do you the same in the petty injuries done to you Consider 3. Thou ungracious servant c. oughtest not thou also to have mercy upon thy fellow servant even as I had
and useless in all respects the same is a soul that is without grace in the sight of God Ps 35.10 Consider 2. Christ with whom is the Fountain of Life giveth life to dead Souls by the Sacrament of Penance and conserveth the same and encreaseth it by the Holy Eucharist He that eateth me saith Christ the same also shall live by me Jo. 6.57 And again He that eateth this bread shall live for ever You ought therefore with a longing desire to expect that hour wherein this Fountain of Life is to come to you and say with the Psalmist Ps 41.2 Even as the Hart destreth after the Fountains of Waters so doth my Soul desire after thee O God My Soul hath thirsted after God the living Fountain Ps 20.5 Consider 3. This Spiritual Life is not bestowed but upon them that ask it and that with great devotion He asked life of thee and thou gavest him length of daies for ever and for ever and ever Moreover being that the life of the body is known by its motion and operation in the same manner the life of your Soul which is Christ 2 Cor. 4.10 1 Jo. 2.6 ought to be manifested in you by your works and chiefly by the imitation of his life for he that sayeth he abideth in him saith S. John ought even as he walked himself also to walk Of the Conversion of Zacheus the Publican Luc. 19.2 c. Part 1. Sap. 6.13 18. COnsider 1. Behold a man named Zacheus and this was a Prince of the Publicans and he rich and he sought to see Jesus The desire of finding Jesus is a rare thing in rich men but this was the beginning of Zacheus his Salvation for Wisdom is easily found of them that seek her and the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline See whether you feel the like desires of Perfection and procure to have them Consider 3. And he could not for the multitude see Jesus therefore he went up into a Sycamore Tree that is according to the Greek word a silly Fig Tree A man of that Authority that he was did nothing regard the Scoffs and Flouts of the rude people And you perhaps are not able to see Christ nor understand his Divine Mysteries for the croud of worldly thoughts Wherefore retire your self from them by prayer and by mortification get up into the silly Fig Tree that is the Cross which to the Gentiles is foolishness 1 Cor. 1.23 Greg. l. 27. Moral c. 27 For as S. Gregory saith they who through humility choose that which is folly to the world come to contemplate with great subtilty the Wisdom of God himself Consider 3. The Charity and Mercy of Christ in granting Zacheus even more then he wished not only permitting himself to be seen by him but also inviting him to his conversation and familiarity Come down in hast because this day I must abide in thy house He saith In hast for that the grace of the Holy Ghost knows not slow delays and This day while time is for perhaps to morrow you may not have me And you in like manner if perchance to day you shall hear his voice exciting you to greater perfection and imitation of himself harden not your heart Ps 94.8 Of the Conversion of Zacheus the Publican Luc. 19.6 Part 2. Apoc. 3.20 COnsider 1. Zacheus his Obedience to Christs Call And he in hast came down and received him rejoycing So ought you to do when our Lord calleth speedily and with joy to receive him and to open the door of your heart as soon as you hear him knock lest if you make delay he turn aside from you as he did to the Spouse in the Canticles and passed away from her Cant. 5.6 Observe how when all saw it they murmured saying that he turned in to a man that was a sinner Whence you may see that even the holyest actions are carped at by the malicious for they understood not the zeal of our Lord who came to seek and to save that which was lost Luc. 18.27 Consider 2. How Zacheus being at length converted by our Lords speeches said Behold the half of my goods Lord I give to the poor c. Here the rich man despoileth himself of his wealth and imployeth it partly for the benefit of the poor partly in satisfaction for what he had unlawfully got He overcometh himself in a thing the hardest of all the abandoning of riches but the things that are impossible with men saith Christ are possible with God by his grace See whether you have as yet overcome your self at least in putting off all affection to riches and chiefly in denying your own will Consider 3. Christ approveth of Zacheus his Piety This day Salvation is made to this house that is to the whole Family whereof he was Head so greatly availeth good example in Rulers Beseech our Lord mercifully to work the like Salvation in the house of your Soul especially when he cometh to visit you in time of Mass either by Sacramental or Spiritual Communion whereunto you may most fitly apply this whole passage Of curing the Centurions Servant Mat. 8. Luc. 7. Part 1. Mat. 8.6 COnsider 1. The Centurions Servant was fallen sick and his Master being sollicitous for him sent Intercessors to Christ saying Lord my Boy lieth at home sick of the Palsey and is sore tormented Observe the Masters goodness and care for his Servant as also his Faith wherewith he believed that Christ though absent could work the cure Learn to be ready in works of Charity even to your inferiours If thou have a faithful servant saith the wise man let him be unto thee as thy Soul Eccli 33.31 and as a Brother so entreat him Consider 2. Christs Charity and Goodness I will come and cure him He offereth more then the other asked to wit to come in Person whereas the Centurion wished only a single word from him for working the cure S. Aug. Let men be ashamed at their backwardness saith S. Augustine for that God is ready to give more then we to take Observe moreover how Christ being an other time invited to cure a Princes Son would not go and now freely offereth himself without any entreaty S. Greg. Hom. 28. in Evang. to go to the Centurions Servant To beat down our pride saith S. Gregory who do regard in men not so much their nature which is equal and the same in all c. as honours and riches Luc. 7.6 Consider 3. The Centurion hearing that Christ was coming sent others to meet him saying Lord trouble not thy self for I am not worthy that thou shouldest eater under my roof for the which cause neither did I think my self worthy to come to thee but say the word and my servant shall be made whole Ponder these words and admire his admirable Humility by means whereof while he deemed himself unworthy to
Wisdom to enrich you with his Treasures to defend you with his Power and to inflame you with his Love for among friends all things are in common O what a happy hour is this It is said of the friendship between David and Jonathas that the Soul of Jonathas was joyned fast to the Soul of David But Christ proceeded much farther who that he might have the straighter Union with you would make himself your meat and drink that entring in this manner into your very bowels Cyril Cat. 4. he might be joyned in flesh and blood with you Jo. 15.14 Consider 3. Your preparation for his coming must be a return of love This it is that this loving Friend requireth of every one whence he ordained this Heavenly Banquet for only such as would return love for love Eat O my friends and drink and be inebriated my dearest And to day in the Gospel he condemned to perpetual darkness the man that came without the Nuptial Garment of Charity Love therefore and do whatsoever â—he shall inspire you for you are my friends saith he himself if you do the things that I command you Of the Woman cured of the Bloody Flux Mat. 9. Marc. 5. Luc. 8. Mat. 9.20 Luc. 8.43 COnsider 1. While Christ was going to raise one from death Behold a woman which was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years and had bestowed all her substance upon Physitians neither could she be cured of any she came behind him and touched the hem of his garment c. Observe 1. The admirable Humility and Reverence of this woman not presuming to come but behind him 2. Her Confidence saying within her self Mat. sâ—pâ— if I shall touch only his garment I shall be safe They truly suffer a spiritual issue of blood that imploy their labours and actions in vain and perishable things they spend their substance in vain upon Physitians that is the deceitful allurements of this life from which they will never receive any solid profit or comfort Jer. 32.19 Consider 2. The Woman touching Christ received perfect health in reward of her Faith How much more might they justly hope for who do not only touch the Hem of his Garment but receive within themselves in the Eucharist his whole Sacred and All-healing Body if they would but come worthily to it and like to this woman Observe moreover how this touch though most secret and insensible did not scape Christs knowledge that you might learn that no action of yours though never so secret can be kept hidden from God whose eyes are open upon all the ways of the children of Adam Consider 3. The multitudes did throng and press upon Christ and yet he asketh Luc. sâ—â—â— Who is it that touched me for the others touched him only Corporally but this woman also Spiritually and therefore received cure So many there are that touch Christ in their actions especially in the Eucharist but they do it without Spirit Of such the Prophet saith This people approacheth with their mouth and with their lips glorifieth me Is 29. â—3â— but their heart is far from me See whether you be not one of them Of raising the Arch-Synagogues Daughter Mat. 9. Mar. 5. Luc. 8. Luc. 8.41 COnsider 1. Behold there came a man c. and he was Prince of the Synagogue and he fell at the feet of Jesus c. Observe how calamities do humble even Princes and force them to have recourse to God Therefore David said It is good for me that thou hast humbled me Ps 118.71 Ps 31.4 And I am turned in my anguish whiles the thorn is fastened He beggeth for his only Daughter that lay a dying Your only Daughter is your Soul see whether perhaps it be not at the last gasp and upon the very point of deadly sin by her over-great carelesness in venial sins and beseech our Lord to lay his hand upon her and cure her Consider 2. Christs goodness in going presently with the Prince to his house though he could have cured her at distance Besides he endeavoureth what he can conveniently to conceal so singular a Miracle to give us example of Humility and therefore he took with him in company only three Disciples and withall put the Minstrels and multitude out of doors Learn to sequester your self from the rabble and noise of worldly thoughts if you desire to live to Christ Wherefore it is said in Job Job 28.14 S. Greg. ibid. The Sea speaketh Wisdom is not in me And by the Sea as S. Gregory saith is understood the life of worldlings Luc. 8.54 Consider 3. Christ holding the Maids hand raised her saying Maid arise Thus he raiseth up the sinner from sin holding his hand and directing him to good works Then he presently bad that something should be given her to eat Ibid. v. 55. Whence you may learn that those who rise out of sin must have the Spiritual Food of the Sacraments given them that they may not fall again See therefore that you take this Food often and in due manner that you may live for ever Of raising the Widows Son in Naim Luc. 7.11 c. Part 1. Eccli 38.23 COnsider 1. Jesus went into a City that is called Naim c. And behold a man dead was carried forth the only Son of his Mother c. Observe how this was a young man in the flower of his youth whence you may learn that no Age is secure from death Imagine him to say unto you Be mindful of my judgment for thine also must be so to me yesterday and to thee to day And think what would become of you if you should die this very day Reflect also that young men come sooner to die spiritually to God then others more antient for that as S. Hierom saith Hieron Ep ad Nepot Youth undergoeth many conflicts of the body Deut. 32.11 Consider 2. Our Lord met the Corse not by chance but of set purpose and offered of his own accord without any entreaty to raise the dead man As the Eagle provoking her young ones to fly O how often hath he freely offered you his assistance towards all manner of perfection suitable to your state of life and you would it not Take heed lest wilfully resisting and contemning the mercy he offereth you it be said to you Prov. 1. I also will laugh in your destruction Consider 3. Christ moved with commiseration towards the Widow said to her Weep not for that you shall soon be comforted In the same manner see you weep not or be over-concerned or grieved for temporal losses which will soon have an end but reserve your tears rather for the Everlasting Damages that proceed from your own and others sins for of such it is said Blessed are they that mourn Mar. 5.5 for they shall be comforted Of raising the Widows Son in Naim 〈◊〉 7.14 Part 2. 〈◊〉 16.13 COnsider 1. How