one lives no other scite of body than that in which devotion find's us whether it be standing sitting lying walking or kneeling 5. An Institute of that infinite spirituall profit that it is impossible to be expressed whereof I shall instance onely these few particulars 1. In respect of the speciall Patronage and protection of the Blessed Virgin for though she is a carefull Mother of all faithfull Christians yet surely she is more tenderly solicitous for the domestiques of her familie more heedfully diligent for the advancement of her devoted servants more seriously studious for the good of her dutifull children 2. In respect of the Community of Merits amongst the members of this sacred Society For it is a point of our Religion an Article of our Faith an infallible Maxime amongst our Divins that the merits of all the Saints are common to all faithfull Christians that there is a communication between the Church Militant upon Earth the Church suffering in Purgatory and the Church Triumphant in Heaven yes there is such a connexion amongst all Gods Children such an association of all the Churches members which make up one spirituall body under their sacred head CHRIST JESUS that the least of them all supposing he is capable of merit and in good state whereof grace is the root and foundation hath a title and may claim a share in all the spirituall goods and consequently in all the treasures of merits and good works heaped up from the Worlds first Origin to this present and which shall be laid up in the Churches Store-House till the Worlds Consummation Our Creed teacheth us this truth wherein we profess to believe the Communion of Saints that is we acknowledge a communication of merits between them who are happily lodged in Heaven and them who living upon Earth and lying in Purgatory hope to follow after We believe that whatsoever the greatest Saints have done merited obtained what the ancient Patriarks by propagating Gods honour putting down idolatry what the Prophets by preaching Gods Judgments proclaiming open Warr against all impiety what the glorious Apostles by planting the Faith publishing the Gospel converting the World what the invincible Martyrs by their endured torments persecutions deaths what the holy Confessors by the couragious carriage of their crosses chastisements of their flesh mortifications of their sensuality what the good Hermits Anchorites Monks in their Solitudes Cells and Cloysters what the learned zealous eloquent Doctors by their writings preachings teachings what the chast Virgins and Widows by the inviolable preservation of their purity Finally whatsoever the pious people in their secular calling or any persons under each Pole of the World and in the four corners of the Vniverse have profited in good works in godly actions in vertuous exercises all this is communicable to each one of the Catholique Churches members all is to them proportionably imparted and distributed I am partaker sings joyfully the Royall Psalmist with all them who fear you and faithfully follow your Laws and Ordinances All such as live Christianly carefully devoutly all such as practise works of piety make progress in vertue march up the degrees of perfection and sanctity labour for me profit me lay up treasures for me we are all fellow members under one head we all make up one common purse amongst us we all aim at the same end of Gods honour and glory and our own eternall felicity Now besides this generall communication of spirituall goods and merits amongst all faithfull Christians the stock whereof is in the Churches hands and store-house there is another bank in the bodyes of Confraternities common to them alone who are of that particular familie and communitie and from whence all the influences of graces and blessings which Heaven imparts to this whol body inflow into each one of its members And to instance this also in some particulars First what an immense profit is it to have a part in all the zealous prayers meditations acts of charity and exercises of Vertu and Piety performed in a whol Confraternity All which entring into common and making one only deposiâ—um redound to each particular members spiritual profit and advantage So that when any one of us offers up his prayers to the Throne of mercy he pray's as it were by as many mouths as there are brethren and sisters in our whol Confraternity And what an incredible force judg yee devout Rosarists must this needs add to our petitions How can a just demand presented by so many pious Souls sent up to Heaven by so many humble hearts pronounced by so many devout tongues suffer a repulse If our Creator though most highly incensed and irritated by the wicked and malicious Sodomites yet mercifully promised to pardon all their enormous impieties might there have been found amongst them only ten just Men to joyn in prayer with holy Abraham for their delivery May we not without presumption perswade our selves that the prayers of so many good Souls whereof this Sacred Confraternitie is composed may have great power to move our Maker when he is justly angry with us for our offences ingratitude disloyalty to pitty and pardon us and to reverse the sentence of our deserved punishment and condemnation Surely united forces you know are far more prevalent than when divided many Torches give a greater luster many fires affoard a fiercer heat many men remove a heavier weight and in all cases whatsoever that which one alone is unable to attain uncapable to effect unworthy to deserve a multitude conspiring together in the same end and intention may hope to atchieve and compass Secondly what an inestimable profit is it to have a share of merit in so many divin Sacrifices of the Masse celebrated yearly monthly weekly daily to Gods glory to his Mothers honour to his Saints prayses to the Solace of the living to the Succour of the dead both at this sacred and priviledg'd Altar of our blessed Mother of Power And wheresoever throughout the World this Arch-Confraternitie of the Rosary is erected and established If one only Masse the lively representation of what passed upon Mount-Calvary the highest act of Religion the authenticall memoriall of the great sacrifice of the Cross is capable says our Venerable Father Bede to add glory to God joy to the Angels and Saints grace to the just pardon to Sinners comfort to the living help to the Souls in Purgatory what good what grace what advantage may you here expect where so many Masses are daily celebrated for the forenamed intentions whereof each member participates Thirdly what a vast treasure of Indulgences Pardons Jubilies given and granted by the prime Pastours of the Church the generall dispencers of divin blessings the universall Stewards of celestiall riches are annexed to this our holy Confraternity Indulgences which no Catholique can deny or doubt of Indulgences so ample as no Society ever had larger So many as meerly to mention them would take up another hours time and tire out your
quatenus post hujus soecuti caliginosa discrimina ad lucem indeficientem pervenire mereamur Qui vivis regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum Amen OREMUS DOmine Jesus Christe splendor gloriae figura substantiae Patris virginalis uteri fructus Qui per temporalem Nativitatem tuam divinae Filiationis imaginem per gratiam hominibus contulisti illosque fratres vocare dignatus es Auge in nobis famulis tuis in Confraternitate virginis Matris tuae gloriantibus Spiritum gratiae quem dedisti has candelas quas in honorem Nominis ejus suscipimus ita Bene †dicere sancti †ficare digneris ut quicunque cas in manibus accensas tenuerit ab omnibus liberetur tentationibus in hora mortis suae remisnem omnium peccatorum percipiat demum ad Te qui verum lumen es ipsa dirigente perveniat Qui vivis regnas in saecula saeculorum Amen Then he sprinkles the Candles with holy Water saying †In nomine Patris Filii Spiritus Sancti Amen THE GENERALL ABSOLUTION OR Plenary Indulgence To be applyed to the Brethren and Sisters of the Rosary at the hour of their Death The sick Person or some other for him having said the Confiteor the Priest standing up says Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus dimissis peccatis tuis perducat te ad vitam aeternam Indulgentiam absolutionem Remissionem peccatorum tuorum tribuat tibi omnipotens misericors Dominus Then holding his right hand over his head he proceeds DOminus noster Jesus Christus Filius Dei vivi qui Beato Petro Apostolo suo dedit potestatem ligandi atque solvendi per piissimam suam misericordiam te absolvat Et authoritate ipsius Beatorum Apostolorum ejus Petri Pauli authoritate Apostolica Absolvo te a vinculo Excommunicationis majoris minoris suspensionis interdicti in quantum possum tu indiges Restituo te Sacramentis Ecclesiae Communioni unitati fidelium †In nomine Pa †tris Fi †lii Spiritus †Sancti Amen Item Apostolica authoritate mihi commissa tibi concessa Absolvo te ab omnibus peccatis tuis quaecumque toto decursu vitae tuae quomodocumque commisisti de quibus corde contritus ore confessus es quorum memoriam non habes nec recordaris usque in praesentem diem de quibus confiteri minimè recordatus fuisti Et Restituo te illi Innocentiae in qua eras quando Baptizatus fuisti ac paritati eidem in quantum claves sanctae Matris Ecclesiae se extendunt Et per Indulgentiam plenariam a summis Pontificibus Innocentio octavo Pio quinto confratribus Sanctissimi Rosarii in articulo mortis constitutis concessam liberet te Misericordissimus Deus a praesentis futurae vitae poenis dignetur Purgatorii cruciatus remittere portas Inferni claudere Paradisi januam aperire teque gaudia sempiterna per sacratissima suae vitae passionis glorificationis Mysteria sanctissimo Rosario comprehensa perducere Et hoc si de qua agrotas Infirmitate decedas si non ex misericordia Dei salva sit tibi plenaria haec Indulgentia donec fueris in mortis articulo constitutus In nomine Patris Filii spiritus †Sancti Amen Another shorter form of Generall Absolution out of Antonius 1ª parte tit 10. cap 3. § 5. AUthoritate Apostolica mihi pro nunc commissa concedo tibi plenam omnium peccatorum tuorum Indulgentiam Remissionem In Nomine Patris Fi †lii Spiritus †Sancti Amen §. 16. Of the pious use of Processions WHereby the devout Rosarists Religiously honour God and the sacred Virgin Mary upon the first Sundays of the months and upon the seven feasts of our Blessed Lady to wit The Purification Annunciation Visitation Assumption Nativity Presentation and Conception and upon the Saturdays and other Festivall days of the fifteen Mysteries 1. The word Procession signifies literally a passing forward from one place to another Allegorically a progresse from vertu to vertu Tropologically our Peregrination upon earth Anagogically our tendencie towards heaven 2. Processions had their beginning in the Age of the old Patriarks in which the Ark of the Testament was reverently carryed to and fro by the Priests of the Tribe of Levi who were peculiarly set apart for that sacred purpose and performed that office with great pompe and solemnitie As also when David brought the Ark into the Tabernacle and Salomon into the Temple with Hymns Canticles and all sorts of musicall instruments and plac'd it under the wings of the there prepared Cherubins 3. Our solemn Processions seem in all things to imitate the Egression of the Israelites out of Egypt For 1 That people was freed by Moyses out of the hands of Pharao We by Christ out of the Clutches of the Devill 2. Ensignes were carryed before their Troops And before us Crosses and Banners 3. A pillar of Fire went before them Burning Candles are born before us 4. There the Levites carryed the Tabernacle of the Covenant and the Ark of the Testament Here the Priests carry the Statua's of Saints the Reliques of the Martyrs or the Pix with the sacred Eucharist 5. Aaron the High Priest follow'd them in his Pontificall habits and our Chief Priest follows us in his Cope and Church Ornaments 6. There was Moyses with his Rod Here is a Prelate with his Crosier a Prefect with his Officiall staffe 7. The people there march'd in compleat armour the Clergie-men are here cover'd with sacred vestments 8. they were besprinkled with Blood we with holy water 9. they had a Josuah for their conductor and conqueror we have a Jesus 10. they came at last into the Land of Promise and we come up to the holy Altar in hope to arrive one day at Heaven our promis'd home and happy countrey 4. Our Processions are the Memorialls of our Redeemers mercies minding us of the Piocessions he made from his eternall Fathers bosom into the womb of the blessed Virgin from her womb into the Manger from the Manger to Jerusalem from Jerusalem to the Mount Olivet from Mount Olivet back to his heavenly Father All which we gratefully commemorating move after his sacred Standard the Cross and make to him our humble supplications that we may pass after him from this our Pilgrimage to his Paradise from the Church Militant to the Triumphant 5. Our Processions especially those of the pious Rosarists are also Commemorations and Imitations of the blessed Virgin-Mothers journeys upon Earth when she 1. carryed or 2. accompany'd or 3. follow'd her beloved Son Jesus 1. when she carryed him in her sacred womb into the Mountains to the house of Zacharie and Elizabeth and into the Bethleem stable and when she carryed him in her sacred armes into the Temple and into Egypt 2. when she accompany'd him being twelve years old to Jerusalem
and being thirty years old throughout Judea and Galile in his preachings 3. when she follow'd him laden with his Cross to Mount Calvary And surely if all the journeys and pilgrimages from place to place of Jesus and Mary upon Earth may not properly be call'd Processions yet they may fitly be styl'd the exemplary Pattern of our Processions which are made to their likeness and in their memory and imitation 6. There are four chief and solemn Processions celebrated yearly and universally by the Catholique Church 1. in the Purification of the blessed Virgin Mary 2. upon Palm-Sunday 3. upon Easter day 4. upon Ascension day in memory and representation of that last Procession wherein the Disciples waited upon our Redeemer to Mount Olivet to see him assumpted into Heaven where it is to be noted that in the Primitive Church there were made two weekly Processions one upon Sunday in memoâ—y of the Resurrection and another upon Thursday in memory of the Ascention Whence sprung up that common Proverb of Thursdayes being neere a kin to Sunday But when afterwards the Festivities of Saints became multiplied the Solemnity and Procession of Thursday was abrogated by Pope Agapitus and transfer'd also to that of Sunday which is therefore still observ'd in the joint memorie of the Resurrection and Ascention in all cathedrall and conventuall Churches 7. To these four Processions may be added those of the greater and less Litanies which are also yearly and generally celebrated the Procession of the great Litanies upon St. Marks day instituted by Pope Gregorie the great to implore the divin assistance against the then raging Pestâ—lence the Procession of the less Litanies upon the three day's before the Ascention begun by St. Mamertus Bishop of Vienna to implore a remedie against the many miseries wherewith France was then afflicted Both which customs were afterwards confirm'd by the Church and commanded to be kept by all her faithfull children 8. Having prefated thus much of Processions in generall let us briefly consider them of the sacred Rosary in particular which as aforesaid are made upon each first Sunday of the month and the blessed Virgins Festivities 1. The first Ceremonie in these as in all other Processions is the carriage of the Cross 1. because it is the ancient and perpetuall custom of the Catholique Church to carry the Cross before in all her supplications 2. because the Cross is the common signe mark and cognisance of all Christians 3. to shew that the pious Rosarists ground all the hope and confidence of their prayers and supplications chiefly upon the merits of Christs passion 4. because the Devill being once fully conquered by the Cross is again foyl'd defeated and put to flight by these Processions 2. The second is the reliques of Saints 1. to profess the Communion of the Saints of both Churches Triumphant and Militant 2. to declare that we beg the Saints intercessions 3. to honour God in them 3. The third is the Statua of the blessed Virgin 1. this is the custom of the Church and the tradition of our Ancestors 2. it is a confusion to Heretiques and Image-haters and a motive to us at the sight of her sacred Representative to pray unto her for their conversion who is entitled by the Church the confoundress of all Heresies throughout the whole World This praying for the conversion of Heretiques being one of the principall causes of these our Processions 3. it is a practice which Heaven hath frequently approv'd of by many signall miracles Let us insist a little upon this point and prove this carriage of our blessed Ladies Image or Statua in Processions to have been the continuall practice of the Catholique Church by producing some few but most famous examples amongst the multitude which might be cited out of authentick writers in order to confute not onely such flat Hereticks as fondly affirm these manner of Processions to be no other than modern and monkish inventions but also such ignorant and criticall Catholiques as scruple to render this sort of honour to her who can never be sufficiently honoured by any human industry Poor deceiv d and undevout wretches deserving rather to be pittied for your ignorance than to be satisfi'd by arguments in a subject of so clear evidence we will stick stedfastly to our well-taken up Tenents continue cheerfully in our rightly intended devotions and pray perseverantly for yâ—ur illumination in our sacred Processions hoping at last to conquer your peevishness by our piety and charity and by her power and intercession in whose name for whose love and to whose honour we the children of Mary are gathered together as brethren in one heart soul and mind to march under the Banner of the sacred Rosary We therefore returning to our intended purpose confidently affirm that the Examples of our pious Ancestors and the miracles wrought by the carriage of our blessed Mothers Images in Procession are sufficient warrants and motives to induce us to the same devout practice Examples and miracles which may abundantly be read throughout the whol body of the Ecclesiasticall histories from whence we will borrow these few following instances And to begin with our great St Gregorie who sate in the Roman chair in the year of Christ 601. at which time the Inhabitants of that Citie dyed sodainly lying in their beds sitting in their houses walking the fields standing in the streets so violently raging was the pestilentiall contagion he ind cting a three day's supplication let us say's he O my afflicted children meet together in the Church of blessed Mary the perpetuall Virgin and holy Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ and there w th sighs tears and prayers implore the divin mercy for the remission of our sins and the remedie of our miseries The people being gathered together accordingly He in his own person takes the sacred Virgins Picture drawn by St. Lukes pensill which picture is carefully kept and highly honoured even till this day in the same Church of St. Marie ad Praesepe or of the manger in a sumptuous chappell built by Paulus quintus for that purpose and carryes it along the street in Procession when behold the celestiall Spirits are heard ecchoing forth the blessed Virgins prayses in answer to their pious hymnes and Litanies the ayre is fill'd with the melodious harmonie of angelicall Choristers in toning sweet Athems to her honour and saluting her with these sacred words used ever since by the Church in the paschall Office Regina coeli laetare c. O Queen of Heaven rejoyce Alleluja for he whom you deserv'd to bear Alleluja Is risen from death as he foretold Alleluja To which the holy Pope by divin inspiration added of his own Pray unto God for us Alleluja and an Angell is seen upon the top of the Adrian Towr putting up a Sword into its scabbard The astonish'd St. Gregorie inferring from that action a mitigation of the divine indignation denounces to the no less ravish'd people a Quietus est from
Book wherein the Fathers Eternall Word was written by the Pen of the Holy Ghost The authenticall Instrument of that happy agreement made between God and Man The Imperiall chariot loaden with millions of spoils led by you in triumph and by you presented to the divin Majesty The Mountain of Sion where our Soveraign Lord takes his pleasure and recreation The Pillar of Light not now conducting a captive people through the desert by a perishable glimmering but illuminating the true Israelites and leading them to their promis'd land of Conquest you O the most accomplish'd of all Creatures are pleasing and comely as Jerusalem and the aromaticall odours issuing from your garments outvie all the delights of Mount Libanus you are the sacred Pix of celestiall parfumes whose sweet exhalations shall never be exhausted you are the holy Oyl the unextinguishable Lamp the unfading Flower the divinly woven Purple the Royall vestment the Imperiall Diadem the Throne of the Divinity the Gate of Paradise the Queen of the Vnivers the Cabinet of Life the Fountain ever-flowing with Celestiall Illustrations More words are wanting to us O Mother worthy of all prayses for the further expression of our Conceptions and our Conceptions are too weak and languishing to second the ardours of our Affections and yet our Affections encourage us to keep on in this Carriere of your Commendations and to salute You afresh with Your faithfull servant S. Epiphanius Orat. de Deipara All Hail the honour of vertues the divin Lanthorn encompassing that Christall Lamp whose light out-shines the Sun in in its midday splendour The mysticall Ark of glory The undraynable source of sweetness The spirituall Sea whence the worlds richest Pearl was extracted The radiant sphear inclosing Him within your sacred folds whom the Heavens cannot contain within their vast circumference The Celestiall Throne of God more glistring than that of the glorious Cherubins The pure Temple Tabernacle and Seat of the Divinity And with Sophronius Serm. de Assump You O Mother of God! are the well-fenc'd Orchard the fruitfull Border the fair and delicious Garden of sweet Flowers enbalming the earth and ayr with their odoriferous fragrancie yet shut up and s cur'd from any enemys entrance and irruption you are the holy Fountain seal'd with the signet of the most sacred Trinity from whence the happy waters of life inflow upon the whol Univers you are the happy City of God whereof such glorious things are every where song and spoken And here O great and glorious Virgin Mother amidst our admirations of your miraculous priviledges prerogatives and perfections We cannot choose with S. Peter Chrysologus Serm. de Annunciat but Compassionate such poor spirited Christians who pretending to any true knowledg of your Sons greatness find no motives to contemplate your glories O their Ignorance Stupidity Infidelity For what thought can frame a right conception concerning any one Mystery of his sacred Incarnation and yet separate you dear Mother from him your divin Son The Heavens says he are terrifi'd the Angells tremble all creatures stand astonished whol Nature is amazed at the birth of this great-little-man-God into the world whilst you O blessed Virgin-Mother remain undaunted and not onely lodge him in your bosom receive him into your embraces refresh him with your breast-milk but moreover with an unparalleld Confidence you make him pay for his entertainment asking no less a reward for his nine months lodging than the grant of a generall and universall Peace to the world Glory for the heavenly Inhabitants Grace for Earthly Criminalls Life for the dead a strict league between the CHURCH Militant and Triumphant and a perpetuall Alliance of his divin Person with our human nature But now being at an absolute loss and not knowing what more can be added to these Epithetes of your Excellencies greatnesses and glories we again beg your lâ—cence O most Blessed Virgin-Mother to breath out what remains in meer raptures and astonishments Crying out to you with the great Patriarch of Antioch S. Ignatius epist ad Joan. O celestiall Prodigy O sacred spectacle With S. Chrysostom Sermon de B. V. O Miracle O Miracle of Miracles With S. Augustin Serm. 11. de Temp. O Miracles O Prodigies The Laws of Nature are changed God becomes Man you O sacred Virgin remaining a maid are made a Mother you are a Mother but without corruption you are a Virgin but you have a child you continue entire and yet you become fruitfull O Miracles O Prodigies With S. John Damascen orat 1. de Nat. B. V. O Abysmus of Miracles you O Virgin-Mother are as much elevated above the Seraphins as your Son is humbled below the Angells With S. Epiphanius orat de Sancta Deipara O extraordinary Prodigie in Heaven A woman infolding God in her bosom O new created Throne of Cherubins containing the Son of a woman who is the Father of his Mother O pretious nuptiall bed prepar'd in your sacred womb for the Celestiall Bridegroom who is together your own Son and the truly and only Son of God With S. Anselme lib. de excellentia Virginis Inviting all faithfull Christians to behold contemplate admire the height of honour to which the Eternall Fathers affection hath raised you O Royall Virgin-Mother He had but one only Son every way equall to himself and of his own substance and he condescended to have him in common with you O his incomprehensible dignation O your incomparable dignity And finally with your S. Bernard Hom. 4. super Missus est solum datum est nosse cui solum datum est experiri your own Greatnesses O glorious Virgin are only known to your own self who only had the happiness to experience them which perchance may be the proper meaning of that profound sentence The vertu of the most high shall overshaddow you whereby the celestiall Paranimph would seem to intimate That as you had the honour to be directly expos'd to the beams of that divin Sun which by an unheard of Intimacy and friendship foster'd you under the immediate shadow of his own splendor So you had also the riches of your own rare excellencies prerogatives and perfections reveal'd unto you But besides your self O Blessed Mother who were thus prodigiously admitted to be an Instrumentall Partner with the most Sacred Trinity in this secret Mystery 'T is in vain to conceive there can be found out any other capable to unfold or comprehend them Wherefore we humbly let fall our weak hand and wearied wings and convincedly confess your miraculous greatnesses O incomprehensible Mother of God! to be unexplicable incomprehensible inaccessible to all created imagination the glory whereof must necessarily be referr'd by us and all your devout honorers and admirers to the Eternall Father who hath created such a Daughter to the Son who hath chosen such a Mother to the Holy Ghost who hath thus enriched adorned and beautifi'd his Spouse his Temple his Tabernacle to the most sacred Trinity who best understands the
to be recited in the each Decade That so the pious Rosarist may entertain his devotion by mentally ruminating upon one or more or all of them as his leisure shall permit and his zeal suggest unto him Our Father c. The Blessed Virgin Exceedingly rejoyc'd 1. At her Eternall Preelection THat she amongst all the women of the world was made choyce off from all Eternity to be the sacred Daughter of God the Father the worthy Mother of God the Son the glorious Spouse Temple and Tabernacle of God the Holy Ghost Hail Mary c. 2. At her singular Benediction THat she should be that Blessed one above all creatures indu'd with all the gifts graces vertues and perfections answerable to so high an Election Hail Mary 3. At the Reparation of Mankind THat she should be ordain'd for the Cooperatrix of the worlds Redemption the Mediatrix of Mankind the Advocatrix of sinners the Lady Queen and Empress of Heaven and Earth Hail Mary 4. At the Angelicall Salutation THat she should be thus particularly visited and thus honorably saluted by so noble an Oratour and so high an Ambassador as was the Archangell Gabriel sent purposely unto her from the sacred Trinity upon business of such great weight and concernment Hail Mary 5. At the Angelicall Consolation FOR when she was troubled not at his Apparition because she was well acquainted with Angelicall visits and accustomed to these like visions but at the contents of his message which trouble was only a certain fear apprehension admiration the Angell presently and familiarly calls her by her Name and comforts her saying Fear nothing O Mary I come not to deceive you but to declare divin Mysteries unto you you have found Grace with God and what need that Soul fear says S. Gregory which is in Gods Grace favour and friendship Hail Mary 6. At the Angelicall Revelation FOr he inform'd her that she was to conceive in her womb without sin without seed without Man and bring forth a child without sorrow without pain without violation of her virginall integrity and call his Name not impose it JESUS which signifies a Saviour He shall be Great above the common sort of sons and the Son of the most High not as the Saints by Grace and Adoption but by nature and essence And our Lord God shall give him the Seat of his Father David not his materiall Throne and temporall Kingdom but a spirituall and eternall Jurisdiction over all the Faithfull And he shall reign in the house of Jacob in the Church Militant and Triumphant for evermore Hail Mary 7. At the Angelicall Instruction FOr when she had reverently reply'd How can this be since I know not man but have vow'd my virginity to God my Maker he carefully and punctually instructs her in the manner and circumstances The Holy Ghost shall descend upon thee and the vertu of the most High shall overshadow thee and therefore fear not thy Chastity but know thou shalt hereby receive an addition to thy former purity Hail Mary 8. At her being with Child FOr she had no sooner signifi'd her obedient consent by uttering those humble words Behold the Handmaid of our Lord he it unto me according to thy speech whereby she prayd that God would be pleasd to fulfill what his Angell had declar'd unto her but she immediatly became with child of the Word Incarnate Hail Mary 9. At her Conception by the Holy Ghost O The joy of her Heart when she was ascertaind of her Conception of Christ in her womb not according to the common and naturall order but by the Holy Ghosts supernaturall power and operation And that she waâ— to be his Mother without a husband as God was his Father without a wife Hail Mary 10. At her Marriage with S. Joseph WHich was done undoubtedly in obedience to the divin â—…ctamen for her comfort crâ—dit assistance and many other important reasons without the least â—…tion of carnall Concupiscence in either of the marryed couple Hail Mary Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost c. These Prayers Angelicall with bended knee We offer holy Virgin up to thee Steer us a prosperous course while here we tarry And in Deaths Pangs assist us Blessed Mary Remember Virgin that no Age hath known Any by thee deserted that has flown To thy Protection or implor'd thy Ayd By which encouragement most sacred Mayd Mother of Virgins I to thee repaire And for thy help address my humble pray'r Mother of God! desert me not but hear And listen to me with a gracious ear Affections Elevations Petitions O Eternall Father who were mercifully pleas'd to send down your heavenly messenger to treat with Her who before all time was design'd to be the worthy Mother of your Co-eternall Son my sweet Saviour Christ Jesus concerning the weighty Mystery of Mans Redemption by his Incarnation Dispose my Soul I beseech you to receive the Influences of your grace that so I may not hinder the effects of those mercies which in the Councills of your Eternall Providence you design'd for me Give me O my Creator a promptitude to obey your precepts Give me Purity Prudence Modesty and all other vertues and perfections which so highly pleas'd you in the Blessed Virgin O that my whol Employments might be henceforth so unmixt with worldly affections so free from vain Interests so retired from secular disturbances so conformable to sacred Maries most perefect examples that I might converse with Angells conceive Jesus in my soul nourish him in my interiour with my innocent affections and bring him forth by my actions of Piety towards the divin Majesty and of charity towards my neighbour O Jesu the only Son of the Eternall Father who by the Holy Ghosts wonderfull operation were graciously pleasd to descend into the womb of an humble Virgin and there to cloath your self with our Humanity Let your powerful Grace descend into my poor soul and adorn it with such vertues and perfections as are to your self most pleasing and acceptable O the profound Humiliation of Gods Son and the perfect Humility of Gods Mother He being the dread Soveraign of Heaven and earth annihilates himself to take a servants form She being declard Gods Mother takes upon her a Handmaid's title O King of Humility Grant me this Royall vertu which is the root and Ground-work of all others by the intercession of your most humble and holy Mother O glorious Empress of both worlds I rejoyce at your titles of honour and greatness and especially that you were the only one chosen out amongst all women to be Gods worthy Mother By this Supreme Mystery of your divin Sons Incarnation obtain for me I beseech you that I may also conceive and carry your sweet Son Jesus alwaies in my heart and soul and continually produce the fruits of good works answerable to my christian obligation and profession that so he dwelling with me and within me continually during this my
not depart from your heart and that you may obtain relief by her intercession swerve not from the example of her conversation following her you stray not calling upon her you despair not thinking on her you err not she holding you fall not she protecting you fear not she guiding you faint not How properly then O children of Mary do we entitle our Mother Powerfull since says our learned and devout Doctor Damian the Almighty hath so highly priviledg'd her with all Power in Heaven and Earth in so much as she makes her addresses to the sacred Altar of our reconciliation non solum rogans sed etiam imperans Domina non ancilla Not onely entreating but also commanding as a Mistris not a handmaid wherefore I conclude this digression with the mellifluous Saint Bernard whatsoever you desire to offer up to the divin Majesty be sure to deposit it in Mary's hands that so your oblation may ascend to the source of Grace by the same channell whereby grace descended unto you Not but that our Creator can easily distill the dews of his grace without the mediation of this Channell by what other means he best pleaseth but he would mercifully provide this powerfull help for you and therefore take speciall care to place in Marye's powerfull and gratefull hands whatsoever petition you desire to prefer to her divin Son if you will not have it to miscarry and receive a denyall And now returning to the prosecution of my intended purpose Though the generall devotion of all faithfull Christians towards the sacred Virgin Mary is as ancient as our faith and Christianity themselves she being constituted the Churches Mother by the bequest of her blessed Son when he uttered these words to St. John as his last will and testament on the Cross Son Behold thy Mother Nor did ever yet any true Catholique acknowledging God for his Father and Christ Jesus for his Brother exclude Mary from being his Mother yet this particular manner of honouring her this pious Method of praying to her this our Confraternity of the sacred Rosary had its first rise and institution from the glorious St. Dominick about four hundred years since and its decayed use was zealously renewed by the Blessed Father Alanus de Rupe about two hundred years past as the Ecclesiastical Histories largely declare which being obvious to every ones perusall and I hastning to other matters which are to us of more importance purposely pass over that I may come to the performance of my first promise and proposition which is to declare the Dignity of the Rosary and the Duty of us who are of it The Masters greatness says Salomon redounds to the servants glory and the Parents honour to the renown of the children Since therefore you O devout Rosarists have as befits humble servants made choyce of so high a Mistris and as beseems good children have promised loyaltie to so Honourable a Mother great surely is your glory your honour your happiness A Mistriss of such Majesty A Mother of such excellency that the sole consideration of her greatness and goodness is a sufficient charm to engage the whol world in her service to contain all Christians in their filial duty and affection I have already given you a glimps in generall of your Mistrâ—sses and Mothers greatnesses priviledges and prerogatives and to descend to the particular mention of all the honourable titles high qualities admirable epithets which heaven and earth Angells and Men the Scripture and the Church bestow upon this Blessed Virgin were to write whol volumes not to recite a succinct Oration She is represented by the Tree of life in the Terrestriall Paradise by the Ark of Noah upon the waves of the Deluge by the Tabernacle of the Testament made of incorruptible materialls signifying her virginity her purity her impeccability by the Ark of the Covenant which contained the tables of the Commamdements as she did their Author She is prefigured by the Altar of Perfumes the types of her odoriferous vertues by the golden Candlestick She bearing him who is the True Light of the World By the Gate of Heaven in the Prophets By Jacobs Ladder in Genesis By the Valiant Woman in the Proverbs By the Ever burning never consuming Bush in Exodus By the Hill elevated on the Mountain top in Isay By the Citie of God whereof such wonders are spoken in the Psalms By the sweet smelling Balsome the still flourishing Cypress upon Mount Sion The ever flowing vein of Honey The fair Olive of the fields The Lilly amongst the thorns The Rose of Jericho The Palm of Cades The Royall Throne of Salomon The strong Tower of David The Fleece of Gedeon The miraculously flourishing Rod of Aâ—ron The Eastern Gate of Paradice The Angell qualifies her full of Grace The wise-man abounding with delights The Spouse a Garden of pleasure The Gospell the mother of Jesus The Church the exemplar of Perfection Heaven the Queen of the Vniverse Earth the Phoenix of Mankind and all the World the Fountain of their felicity The Celestiall Spirits acknowledg her for their Empress the Apostles for their Mistris the Martyrs for their Mirrour the Confessors for their Pattern the Virgins for their Glory all Christians for their powerfull Patroness and Advocate Judg now O faithfull Rosarists by these few mentioned Titles of the miraculous Excellency Greatness Glory Dignity of her to whose honour you have dedicated your hearts your loves your lives your services Surely you cannot but joyfully confess with me that after a Christ Jesus Heaven never produced any thing more holy the World never had any thing more worthy the Sun never saw any thing more admirable amiable precious and perfect than our ever blessed and honoured Mistris and Mother Mary And consequently we must conclude also that very great is our own dignity who have the honour to be of her particular family by means of this pious Institute of the Confraternity of the Rosary 1. An Institute not of a novell invention but as you have heard of above four hundred years standing and antiquity 2. An Institute of that large extent that it hath spread it self over the whol habitable world and acknowledges no other limits than those which bound the universall Catholique Church 3. An Institute of that generality that no person is exculded from its participation not the Husbandman in the fields not the Trades-man in his shop not the Traveller in his journey not the unlearned for his ignorance not the Woman by her sex not the Married by their state not the Younglings by their simplicity not the Aged by their impotency not the Sick by their infirmity Briefly not any devout and faithfull Christian by any calling employment condition whatsoever 4. An Institute of that easiness to learn and facility to practice that it requires no more knowledge than the skill to recite the Pater and Ave no more expences than the price of a pair of Bedes no other place than where every
him with a filiall reverence obedience confidence that we may here feel the effects of his Grace and hereafter enjoy the priviledges of his Glory §. 4. Of the Ave Marie Or Angelicall Salutation The third part of the Rosary THere is no question amongst all faithfull Christians but that the Pater and Ave are the two most excellent Prayers we have as S. Thomas largely proves and consequently that they are of greatest efficacy to obtain what we want and desire The one being deliver'd and dictated by the divin Mouth of Gods own Son our Redeemer Christ Jesus The other being pronounced by an Archangell sent Ambassador from the sacred Trinity to Her who was chosen out amongst all women to be the worthy Mother of the second divin Person the VVord Eternall And who can doubt but that God himself is also the Author of this Salutation and that he put this lesson into his Legats mouth whom surely he sent well instructed in all things which might concern his weighty Embassie Let us therefore briefly declare the use and scope of this short sweet and mysterious Salutation and Prayer and afterwards dilate it with Acts and Affections that it being so often to be repeated in the recitall of the Rosary may give more gust to their devotion who will sometimes take the time and leasure to ruminate upon it more diligently There is surely nothing more befitting a faithfull Christian than a frequent Reflexion upon his Redemption And since the Incarnation of Gods Son in the sacred Virgins womb is the chief Mystery thereof we must needs conclude That it is an office of Piety most gratefull to the divin Majesty to revolve often those very words whereby so great a Mystery so long expected so ardently desired so zealously begg'd by the holy people of all precedent ages was first announced to mankind especially it being directly intended as a thankfull dutifull commemoration of the signall benefit of our Redemption and our Saviours Incarnation The Ave Maria says our devout S. Bernard is of such power and excellency That it causes Heaven to smile the Angells to be glad the Devills to fly away and Hell to fear and tremble as often as it is reverently recited After whom said another of the B. Virgins Minions Alanus The Ave Mary is a prayer little in words but large in Mysteries it is short in discourse but sublime in sense and vertu it is sweet above hony and precious beyond the purest gold Listen says he with admiration to what I shall here tell O you true Lovers of Mary's name and honour All Heaven rejoyceth and the whol Earth is astonished when I say Ave Maria. Sathan avoyds and Hell trembles when I say Ave Maria. The world becomes contemptible and my heart melts into inward affections when I say Ave Maria. All fear is banished and the Flesh is conquered when I say Ave Maria. Devotion arises compunction encreases when I say Ave Maria. Faith is strengthned Hope redoubled Charity enflamed comfort renewed the Spirit recreated when I say Ave Maria. This Angelicall Salutation may be said to have three parts as it hath three Authors though all inspired from God the Prime Author and Origin thereof The First part Hail Mary full of grace our Lord is with thee blessed art thou amongst women was delivered by the Angell Gabriel as it is recorded in the 2. chap. of St. Luke verse 28. The second part blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus was pronounced by St. Elizabeth the holy Baptists Mother Luke 2. vers 42. The third part Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death was added by the Catholick Church in the generall councill of Ephesus and recommended to the use of all Christians in opposition of Nestor and other hereticks who deny'd the blessed Virgin to be Gods Mother The first and second part of this Salutation were frequently made use of even from the first Infancie of Christianity as appears by the Liturgie of St. James receiv'd in the sixth generall Councill and the third part ever since the generall Council of Ephesus The affections contain'd in the Hail Mary or Angelicall Salutation 1. Of Congratulation Hail Mary 2. Of Exultation Full of Grace 3. Of Admiration our Lord is with thee 4. Of Benediction Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus Whereby we bless and prayse both the Mother and the Son we begg both their blessings and desire all creatures to bless prayse and honour them both 5. Of Invocation and Petition founded upon her Power she being Gods Mother Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us Sinners now and at the hour of our death An Explication of the Angelical Salutation Hail That is be you glad joyfull secure and happy in being made the prime Instrument of Gods providence and mercy in order to our Redemption and to the changing of our Mother Eves hereditary curse into a happy blessing for all succeeding generations Mary Is the proper name of the glorious Mother of Jesus signifying Lady and Star of the Sea Full of Grace As being full of God by her speciall priviledg of conceiving the Word Eternall and consequently full of all vertue goodness and perfection whatsoever Our Lord is with thee For God the Father in a most singular manner over-shaddowed her God the Holy Ghost most abundantly came upon her and God the Son most wonderfully became man within her The Father was with her as with his Daughter the Son was with her as with his Mother the Holy Ghost was with her as with his dearly beloved Spouse and choycest Tabernacle Blessed art thou amongst Women That is over above and beyond all women because a Mother and a Virgin the Mother of God which is above all other human Titles and yet a perpetuall Virgin a priviledg which never any other creature did or shall possess And blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus Who remaining perfect god evermore blessâ—d in his divin Person became perfect man in her sacred womb to whom we give all possible prayse homage and gratitude for all that we have and are and especially for this his cloathing himself with our human nature in her whereby he truly becomes our Brother and provides her for our powerfull Mother Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death We make to her our humble addresses in all our pressing necessities that by Her we may receive what we want by whom we receiv'd the Author himself of all goodness An Exercise upon the Ave Mary dilated with Acts c. Hail Mary All Hail the most holy excellent and admirable of all pure creatures Princess of Heaven and Earth Queen of Men and Angells I desire now to salute you with the reverence of the Archangell Gabriel with the affection of St. Elizabeth with the devotion of the holy church and with all such honour
Soveraign Lady Queen of Heaven and Earth that you thus vouchsafe to give a visit to your unworthy Bondslave Bestow on me your Blessing O my Lady and permit me not to go into darkness whom you have been graciously pleas'd to visit with the light of your glorious presence Then turning towards the by-standers The Queen of the World was here says he the Mother of the Eternall Monark was present She hath shew'd me the gladness of her countenance given me her holy blessing and is hence returned into heaven And soon after his departing Soul followed his sacred Mistress leaving a most lively and memorable example to excite posteritie to the like pietie and devotion 3. Whereupon this Devotion of the Bondage is grounded THis Devotion of Bondage is chiefly grounded upon that most heroique Act of Humilitie which the sacred Virgin produc'd at the time of our Saviours Incarnation when being declar'd Gods Mother by the Angelicall Messenger she answer'd Behold the Handmaid of ovr Lord Luk 1. 38. Wherby she depressing her self into the center of her own nothing chose undoubtedly the meanest degree of servitude and Bondage to the divin Majestie upon contemplation that his Infinit Greatness should so humble it self as to become Man in her womb for the worlds Redemption And surely if we will only put together the severall sentences of sacred Writ which expresly concern her we shall find that she made up the Chain of her Bondage with the links of twelve most excellent vertues 1. Virginall MODESTY She was troubled at the Angells words Luk 1.29 2. Mature PRUDENCE She cast in her mind what manner of Salutation this should be Luk 1.29 3. BASHFULL TIMEROUSNES Fear not MARY for thou hast found grace with God Luk 1.30 4. Immaculate CHASTITY How shall this be seeing I know not man Luk 1.34 5. Profound HUMILITIE Behold the Handmaid of our Lord. Luk 1.38 6. Perfect OBEDIENCE Be it don to me according to thy word Luk 1.38 7. Firm FAITH Blessed art thou who hast believed Luk 1.45 8. Gratefull THANKSGIVING My Soul doth Magnify our Lord. Luk 1.46 9. True POVERTY She wrapp'd the Infant in swadling cloaths and layd him in a manger Luk 2.7 10. Invincible PATIENCE Thy Father and I grieving have sought thee Luk 1.48 11. Charitable PIETIE Son they have no Wine John 2.3 12. Perseverant CONSTANCY Near to the Cross of Jesus stood his Mother John 19.25 In imitation therfore of these her holy vertues and especially of that high Act of Humility as is aforesaid by which she rendring her self Gods Bondslave was rais'd to be his Mother for no sooner had She finish'd that humble speech Behold the Handmaid of our Lord be it unto me according to thy saying but the Word was made Flesh and dwelt in her sacred bowells As also in consideration of the Soveraign Dominion which God hath given her in Heaven over the Angells The Queen stood at thy right hand Psal 44. on Earth over men Kings reign by me c. Prov. 18. And thou alone hast overcome all heresies in the whol world sings the Church And over Hell and the Devill She shall bruise thy head Gen. 3. And Lastly in remembrance that Christ Jesus our Redeemer was himself subject and obedient unto her Luc. 3.51 In Imitation Consideration and Memorie of these things I say this holy manner of honouring the most sacred Virgin was as you have briefly heard invented above six hundred years since by divin inspiration as we may piously believe and is much practis'd amongst the devouter sort of Christians throughout the world even at this day 4. The Rules of this Devotion of the Bondage 1. IN sign of the Invisible and spirituall Chain which links our sincere affection to the sacred Virgin and moves us to become her servants and Bondslaves we must wear some little materiall Chain or manacle of Iron about our middle neck or armes 2. We are to have the Chain we intend to wear bless'd by some Priest in this following manner The Blessing of the Chaines Vers ADjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini Resp Qui fecit coelum terram Vers Sit Nomen Domini Benedictum Resp Ex hoc nunc usque in saeculum Vers Domine exaudi orationem meamâ— Resp Et clamor meus ad te veniat Vers Dominus vobisâ—um Resp Et cum Spiritu tuo OREMUS OMnipotens sempiterne Deus qui vincula peccatorum nostrorum disrumpis ut libertate Filiorum gaudere valeamus qui ad vincula salutis hominem advocas dicens Injice pedem tuum in compedes illius ne acedier is vinculis ejus Haec vincula quae in signum perpetuae servitutis ad honorem Beatae Virginis servi ejus deferre intendunt Bene †dicere Sancti †ficare digneris Et concede eis sic devotè illa gerere ut vivendo candore castitatis illustrentur ac moriendo a vinculis peccatorum absoluti intercessione ejusdem sanctissimae Matris Mariae tecum cum illa in regno gloriae congaudere valeant sine fine Qui vivis regnas in saecula saeculorum Amen Then he sprinkles the chains with holy water saying †In nomine Patris Filii †Spiritus Sancti Amen 3. We may do well to make choyce of some day dedicated to the Virgins honour for the entring into this Bondage and putting on of this Chain to make our Profession more memorable and solemn Note that the most proper and principall Feasts of this Bondage are the Annunciation and the Assumption The first being the Origin thereof grounded upon those words of the sacred Virgin to the Angell Behold the Handmaid of our Lord And the second being her taking possession of that soveraign Dominion next after God whereupon the whol duty of this devout servitude depends In these days therfore we are more particularly and zealously to offer up our devotions in thanksgiving to the Divin Majâ—stie for the supream excellencies bestow'd upon the glorious Virgin and to renew the profession of our Bondage by the recitall of the Prayer and Oblation made at our first entrance into it as it shall be hereafter set down 4. We should also prepare our selv's before hand by some particular Devotion as Fasting Mortification Meditation Almes-deeds Confession Communion to render the Profession of our Bondage more efficacious and meritorious 5. Then at the time appointed we are to kneel down reverently before some Altar or Image of our Blessed Lady and make an Oblation of our selv's unto her in mannner following The Prayer and Oblation of our selv's in Bondage to the Blessed Virgin O Blessed Mary Mother of God Queen of Heaven and Empress of the whol universe Behold I N. N. a most unworthy wretch humbly prostrate before the Throne of your Mercy and Goodness heartily Congratulating your glory greatness and faithfully acknowledging your soveraign Power Dominion next after God over my self and all Creatures Do here make a voluntarie absolute and irrevocable