Contemplate how the virgin Marie not seeing her beloued Iesus at night nor finding him amongst her friends and kinsfolke with whome she thought he had bene ful of sorow she went out of hand with Ioseph to seeke him in Ierusalem 3 Consider how the afflicted mother after three daies weeping suspiring found her beloued sonne in the TeÌ„ple amongst the Doctors whose sight and presence gaue her no lesse ioye then his absence and losse had giuen her sorowe Documents 1 Learne of the virgin Marie not to abandon nor blame thy deuotions when for them thou dost suffer anie aduersitie or dammage 2 Learne also not to delaie to seeke Christ and haue him with thee for besides that thou dost lose much thou dost put thy selfe in great daunger 3 Thou seest that the virgin did not find Christ amongst her kinsfolke but in the Temple so likewise thou shalt find him in spiritual things but not in fleash and bloud OF THE VIRGIN Maries spouse Joseph his death 14. IT is not altogeather certaine at what time the virgin Marie became a widowe a Haeres â—8 contra Antid Epiphanius is of opinion that Ioseph deceased Christ being thirtene years old b In comâ—end hist Cedrenus saith he died wheÌ„ Christ was of thirtie years c Ambro. de instit â—irg c 7. epist 79. S. Ambrose and d Hiero. coÌ„tra Helâ—uid S. Hierome do write onlie that Ioseph was then dead when Christ was crucified e Matth. ca. 1. This holie man was of the roial stocke of Dauid and being chosen of God for the custodie of two so pretious treasures as were Christ the Virgin it is to be thought that he was such a one as the holie scripture and f Damasce de fide orthad lib. 4. ca. 15. auncient fathers do report him to haue bene iust religious prudeÌ„t faithful and indued with manie other vertues He was not onlie chaste as g Hiero. cont Heluid S. Hierome h Augu. Serm. 15. de nat Do mini S. Augustine and others do affirme but also did die a virgin as not hauing anie other wife then the virgin Marie with whome as i 3. p. q. 28. ar 4. ad Galat ca. 1. S. Thomas saith he vowed virginitie And albeit the virgin was a most beautiful creature neuertheles her countenaÌ„ce did cast forth such holines and grace that as k Lib 1. reuel c. 1 lib. 3 ca. 8. S. Briget writeth she moued al that did behold her to the loue of vertue and much more did she moue Ioseph to the same whose concupisceÌ„ce saith l De natâ— Mar. coÌ„sâ— 3. Canis lib. 2. ca. 13. Gerson was ether extinguished or so repressed that he neuer fealt in him selfe anie disordinate motion Points for Meditation 1 Contemplate how the holie old man Ioseph being neare the end of his life Iesus and the virgin did help him to die wel whose soule was forthwith caried by the Angel into Abrahams bosome 2 Contemplate how the virgin coÌ„forming her selfe to gods wil did supporte with patience the death of her faithful spouse albeit the same was to her a thing verie incommodious because the life of such a sainct did much help and comfort her 3 CoÌ„teÌ„plate how the virgin though she remained young and needie did not therfore lament of god nor complaine of her state nor enuie at those that were maried but seeke by good woorkes to please god also in that state of widowhead and to perfect her selfe in the same Documents 1 Be thou pure and chaste as Ioseph and affected to the virgin Marie and she wil aide thee in that daungerous passage of death 2 If in the aduersities that God doth send thee thou be impatient troubled thou doest lose the fruit thereof tribulations become more greuous 3 Learne of the virgin Marie to please god and according to his wil to perfect thy selfe in the state he hath put thee OF THE VIRGIN Marie in time of her vvidowhead 15. THrough the death of Ioseph there grewe to the virgin Marie some difficultie of househould Lib. 2. cem ca. â—â— 9. lib. 3. 〈◊〉 4. yet a Sabellicus writeth that she had so wel disposed her spiritual exercises and the affaires of her house that the one did not hinder the other For she did giue the beginning of the daie to godlie contemplations and that towards night she did applie to read holie scripture of which she was so greatlie enamoured that as b Lib. 2. de virgini S. Ambrose writeth she repeated sleeping the night what the daie time she had reade She had her appointed time for sleepe albeit as c Lib. 1. reuel ca. 10. lib. 3. ca. 8. S. Briget reporteth she had so accustomed her bodie that not onlie in sleepe but in whatsoeuer els it was obedient to the soule d de arcan Catho verat lib. 7. ca. 5. Galatinus telleth vs that the virgin had such a spirit of prophesie that she did stil shut her eyes and eares when she was to see or heare anie things vnlawful or impertinent e In epist. Canis lib. 1. ca. 13. Ignatius doth likewise recount that the virgin Marie was so sound in the loue of her neighbour that she did not onlie shew her selfe kinde to the Iewes that persecuted Christ but hauing compassioÌ„ of their imperfections did also seeke to do them al kind of seruice that she could when Christ did come to her house with his Apostles she did feele particular ioye of spirit so that she receaued them with great chearfulnes contentment Points for Meditation 1 Consider how the virgin Marie now a widowe was no lesse diligent in prayer then in the care of her house so that when Christ and his Apostles did come to her she caused al things to be in readines according to her pouertie 2 Consider how the virgin in her conuersation was so graue and modest that she was amiable to al and with her exÌ„aple did inflame others to loue God and vertue 3 Contemplate how the virgin did neuer murmour nor permit others in her presence to speake euil of the Iewes that were her sonnes enimies but did excuse them and praye god for them Documents 1 Hast thou a desire that thy temporal affaires maie haue good successe do thy spiritual exercises wel as the virgin Marie did hers 2 Thou shalt neuer inflame others to vertue if thou be cold in prayer and carelesse in giuing good example 3 To excuse praye god for him that doth persecute thee is the reuÌ„egment of good Christians grateful to god displeasing the diuel and profitable to the soule OF CHRIST HIS departing from the virgin Marie 16. CHrist our Sauiour was in a towne called Bethania a Iansenius in concorc 128. Stella in Luc. 〈◊〉 22. two miles of Ierusalem in the house of Martha Marie Magdalen as b Bonau in medie c. 4. 62. Bonauenture saith with whome also the
a De excel Mar. ca. 7. Meâ—aphrat in â—rat de dor mit Deiparae S. Anselmus doth write that the virgin vnderstanding more profoundlie those verities which the holie Ghost had reuealed did teach and declare manie things also to the Apostles with whome she alwaies liued familiarlie leading with them an Apostolical life b Tragae de Christe patiente Nazianzenus saith that after the Ascension of Christ she did foretel the Iewes of the destruction of Ierusalem for the sinne coÌ„mitted against the Messias c Serm. de Assumptione Sophronius also doth report that oftentimes she visited the mount Caluarie the holie sepulchre and with great deuotion did kisse the footsteps of Christ which he leâ—t printed in the mounte Oliuet d Canisius lib. 5 ca. 1. Some be of opinion that she did liue of the common almes with which the widowes of the primitiue Church were wont to be maintained e Lib. reuel cit S. Briget writeth that the virgin did not onlie fortifie and confirme those new Christians in their faith but also conuert manie Iewes and Gentiles to the knowledge of Christ and that for this cause God did conserue her aliue after Christ his Ascension Points for Meditation 1 CoÌ„template how after the Ascension of Christ the virgin Marie remained as a mistresse and giude of the faithful wherfore in al theire doubts and trauails they had recourse to her 2 Contemplate how the virgin did receaue euerie one verie kindlie comfort the afflicted pacifie those that were at discord and instruct them al in the lawe faith of Christ in which good woorkes she could not but endure manie incommodities 3 Contemplate how the virgin at her times appointed did giue her self also to the conteÌ„plation of celestial things and to visit the holy places leauing in al her actions rare examples of vertue and excellent perfection Documents 1 For so much as the virgin Marie was left vs for our mistresse and guide thou art vnwise if thou goe not after her folowing her vertues 2 If Christ and his mother did suffer manie incommodities to help their neighbours it is a signe that whosoeuer wil help others must also endure some discommodite and not seeke his owne contentment 3 If thou wilt haue affection to heauenlie thinges thinke vppon them often as the virgin did and consider that god did create and make thee for them and not for these things vppon the earth OF THE VIRGIN Marie requesting fauour to die 22. VVHen the primitiue church through the labours of the virgin Marie was for the space of fifteene yeares meetelie wel established and encreased by persecutions the virgin demaunded of our Lord to end her Pilgrimage and passe to an other life there to be more vnited with her soÌ„ne And the time being now come which God had appointed for this purpose a Lib 2. hist ca. 21. Metaphras in orat de vita morte virginis Canis lib 5. ca. 2. 3. Nicephorus doth report that our Lord sent her an Angel which brought her the ioiful newes of her departure from this banishement to heauen and giuing her a braunche of a palme tree foretold her the daie of her decease This tidings was to the virgin Marie of exceeding â—oie and so deare that she could not be satiated to thanke God but al ful of ioie she did communicate to her frinds and deuoute persons the reuelation which she had receaued from the Angel and shewed theÌ„ the braunche of palme which the same Angel brought her She caused certaine poore garments that she had to be giuen to two poore widowes her neighbours Nichephorus doth moreouer adde that to the house where she was there came a greate multitude of Christians which with teares did lament seeing them selues to be shortlie bereft of such a mistresse and the onlie comfort that they had but the virgin Marie did exhort them rather to be glad then to mourne and lament Points for Meditation 1 Consider how the virgin Marie was inflamed with the loue of her sonne Iesus in somuch that she often demauÌ„ded of our Lord to depart out of this life to goe to him and enioie him in heauen remitting her selfe neuertheles to his holie wil pleasure 2 Contemplate how the Angel sent by God did reueale to the virgin that now was the time in which she must passe to a better life to enioie euerlastinglie her dearelie beloued sonne and the fruite of her woorkes 3 Contemplate the greate iubilie which the virgin did feele of so happie newes forsomuch as in this pilgri mage she did nether desire nor thinke vppon anie other thing Documents 1 Because thou knowest not what is best for thee thou must euen in those things that seeme verie holie good resigne thy self as the virgin Marie did to the good pleasure of almightie god 2 God is woont to graunt his fauours at the time by him appointed and therfore lament not if thou doe not sodenlie obtaine what thou demaundest 3 If thou desire that the tidings of death be ioiful to thee with draw thy thoughts from earth lie things and affect thy selfe to heauenlie things OF THE VIRGIN Marie being neere to die 23 THe time approaching neere in which the virgin Marie was to depart out of his life to the celestial Ierusalem God did not cease to shew her new fauours for he would that al the Apostles should find them selues present at her death as a Metaphras orat de uita morib B. virg Nicepho lib. 2. hist ca. 3. Damasce orat de dormit assum virg manie writers do affirme And setting a part the testimonie of b Dion Areop de dui nomi ca. 2. Dionysius Areopagita who was there present I wil heere laye downe that which c Inuenalis apua Euthim in vet hist S. Iuuenalis Bisshop of Ierusalem did aunswere to Marcianus Emperour being demaunded of him touching the death of the virgin Marie Albeit saith he holy scripture doth not speake of the death of the virgin Marie yet we haue by an auncient and most true tradition that at the time of her glorious parting out of this life the Apostles that were in diuers parts of the world in a moment were lifted vp into the aire and came togeather in Ierusalem and were present at the death of the virgin Marie Besides this S. d Ansel de excelleÌ„tia virg ca 8. Anselmus and e Nicepho citat ca. 21. Nicephorus doe saie that Christ also came from heauen in companie of manie Angels to be present him selfe in parson at the death of his most deare mother and to receaue her soule The like long before these men did write f Vbi supra Canis lib. 5. ca. 3. Damascenus setting downe the discourse and speeche which past at that time betwixt the mother the sonne as heereafter shal be declared Points for Meditation 1 Contemplate how as soone as the time of the virgin Maries happie departure was come
the Apostles came to Ierusalem from diuers parts of the world to be there then present almightie God disposing this soe for honour and comfort of the virgin 2 Consider how Christ oure Sauiour came also downe from heauen to be present likewise him selfe at the death of his deare mother and to receaue her soule 3 Contemplate how the virgin the more greater ioie she felt in her heart did the more humble her selfe and with most cordial affection thanke our Lord for so manie greate graces and fauours Documents 1 In the time of thie death or sicknes procure to haue alwaies some spiritual parsons neere vnto thee 2 Cease not to leade a vertuous life as the virgin Marie did and Christ wil not faile to assist thee at thie death 3 Giue thie selfe to God with al thie heart and serue him with true humilitie if thou desire to liue and die content OF THE VIRGIN Maries death 24. THe virgin Marie deceased in Ierusalem in S. Iohns house being about threescore and three years old a Lib. 4. reuâ—la ca. 23. S. Brigett telleth vs that she died most quietlie without anie feare or paine b In orat de assump Deipare S. Damascenus is of opinion that a litle before the virgin gaue vp her ghost she said to Iesus Into thy hands o my sonne I commend my spirite receaue now my sowle so deare vnto thee which thou hast kept free from al spot of sinne To thee likewise and not to the earth doe I giue my body in which it pleased thee to dwel drawe me to thee that I maie be there where thou art the blessed fruite of my wombe The self same father doth also saie that Christ did aunswere her in this sort-come o my blessed mother into my repose come o pure beautiful amongst al weomen because in thee there is no spotte c Lib. 2 â—hist ca. 21. Nicephorus doth recount that the virgin Marie speaking these words Be it done to me againe according to thine vvorde gaue vp her blessed sowle into the deare hands of her soÌ„ne Iesus so she remained as if she had beÌ„ a sleepe d In hist â—ete Euhim S. Iuuenalis also did say to the Emperour Marcianus that at the death of the virgin were seene manie Angels and most sweete songs of the highe powers and the virgin in an vnspeakeable manner did giue vp her gracious soule into the hands of God moreouer e In orat le Assum to Canis â—ib 5. ca. Andreas Bisshop of Candie doth tel how there came a greate multitude of Angels from heauen at the death of the virgin Points for Meditation 1 CoÌ„template how the virgin being readie to passe out of this life hauing commended her soule to her maker did also commend to the Apostles the faithful of Christ particularlie those that were afflicted and troubled 2 After this done lifting vp her eyes to heauen and beholding stedfastlie her sonne Iesus she demaunded his benediction which obtained that most blessed soule of hers did depart out of the bodie without anie feare and did flie into the armes of Iesus 3 Contemplate how Iesus did receaue the most pure soule of his dearlie beloued mother and with Angelical hymnes did conuaie the same into heauen those that were then present remaining astonied and with teares giuing thanks praise to God for al. Documents 1 See what account the virgin Marie did make of helping her neighbours that departing out of this world she did commend them to the Apostles 2 If thow wilt not be afraid at thy death time procure that thie conscience be cleane from sinne 3 Thou art fullie deceaued if being a liue thou care not for heauen and yet dost thinke that dying thie soule shal flie thither OF THE VIRGIN Maries funerals and burial 25. AFter that the virgin Marie was departed this life the Apostles tooke her sacred body out of the bed in which before her death she did remaine appareled and put in most decent maner and laide her vppon the biere a Lib. 2. bist ca. 22. Nicephorus doth report that there was great concourse of deafe blinde and other lame folks who al were most miraculouslie cured with touching onlie that sacred bodie This done-there was a procession set in ordre some of the Apostles weÌ„t before with lights in theire hands some others caried the coffin and al singing holie himmes b Andreas CreteÌ„ orat de Assump B. Virginus Damascin orat de Dormit Assáp virg Canis lib. 5. ca. 3. went towards getssemani where she before had appointed to be buried The same author doth recount and others also do avouche that through al the waie were seene in the aire manie squadroÌ„s of Angels which did accompanie the blessed bodie of theire Queene He saith moreouer that a certaine priest of the Iewes moued of haterd and enuie was so rash and vnconsiderate as to push the beire thinking to throw the same to the grounde but he was foorth with punished by god for that his hands were separated from his armes and did sticke hanging to the coffin whereuppoÌ„ the poore wretche astonied with the miracle did sodenlie repent him selfe and with teares demauÌ„ded pardon so that by S. Peters appointmeÌ„t the procession was staied and the Iew approching neere to the coffin with great reuerence his hands by a new miracle were restored to him againe Points for Meditation 1 Contemplate how as soone as the virgin Marie was dead the Apostles with great reuerence but not without teares did put her bodie in ordre to carie it to be buried and to do the funeral exequies accustomed 2 Moreouer consider the procession with which that holie tabernacle of god was caried to be buried by the Apostles accompanied with a great multitude of Christians which by the waie did stil singe holie himmes 3 ConteÌ„plate how when they were come to the place and had celebrated the exequies that sacred and virgin bodie was of al blessed with great reuerence and deuotion and after honourablie buried Documents 1 Learne heerehence how to celebrate funeralls after a christian manner first thou must not put thie self to superfluous charges in things which do not helpe the soule of him that is dead but rather nourish vanitie in those that be aliue 2 Thou must not lament the dead immoderatlie but rather praie for their sowles 3 Thou must make account of funerales as of a warning which god doth giue thee therby to prepare thy selfe to die wel OF THE VIRGIN Maries Assumption 26. THat holy Bisshop a Nicepho lib. 2. hist ca. 23. S. Iuuenalis doth tel vs how the Apostles remained at the sepulchre of the virgin Marie for three daies hearing continuallie a most sweete harmonie of holy himnes After three daies were past it seemed to the Apostles for coÌ„solation of S. Thomas who was not present at her death to open the sepulchre and to shew him the sacred body And when they had discouered the place
virgin Marie was and when vppon thursdaie he had sent Peter and Iohn to Ierusalem to find a place where to celebrate the Pasche the time of his departure now come he tooke his leaue of his deare mother which remained fraught with sorow because she knew that Iesus was to be deliuered vp into his enimies hands to endure exceeding torments and finallie to die vpoÌ„ the crosse as a thiefe There is no doubt but that the virgin weeping and taking no repose al that night did expect stil to heare most heauie newes of her sonne c Canis lib 4. ca. 25. And in deede as soone as Iesus was apprehended in the garden a messenger who peraduenture was some one of the Apostles went to Bethania to carie tidings to the virgin how Iesus was now betrayed by Iudas taken by the Iewes and leade awaie bound to the Iudges The virgin Marie hauing vnderstoode this doleful newes sobbing and sighing and accompanied with the other Maries went to Ierusalem Points for Meditation 1 CoÌ„template how the virgin Marie when she vnderstoode of Iesus that now the hower of his passion was come and that for this effect he was to go to Ierusalem it being his eternal fathers wil was strooken at the hart with such bitter sorowe that not able to speake she did power out from her eyes streames of teares 2 CoÌ„template how the virgin whiles she stoode lamenting had newes that Iesus was then taken Think now what a cruel dart this was to the hart of that most louing and kind mother which did beare so great affection to her sonne Iesus 3 CoÌ„template how the virgin Marie straight vpoÌ„ this newes went to wards Ierusalem offering her selfe if it had so pleased almightie god ether to die for Iesus or to die with Iesus seeing â—hat to liue without Iesus was to her 〈◊〉 continual and most painful death Documents 1 If the virgin Marie did remaine so â—uch afflicted for the departing of â—hrist in what state shal that miserable â—ule be which Christ hath abandoned by reason of sinne 2 Learne of the virgin not to blasheme god nor be angrie when anie il news is told thee 3 If to liue without Iesus be a most painful death what shal it be to liue in mortal sinne which is to liue against Iesus OF THE VIRGIN Maries going to mount Caluarie 17. VVhen the virgin Marie entred into Ierusalem a Bonau in Meditatio she did finde the whole cittie bent and moued against Iesus and because the people were incited encouraged and perswaded by the Scribes and Pharises to cause Christ to be condemned as a malefactor the afflicted mother was constrained to heare infinite iniuries and horrible blasphemies against her sonne Iesus throughout al the streetes of Ierusalem by which she was to passe going to mount Caluarie But how much this virgin did suffer this daie which was good fridaie holie fathers do declare with diuers exaÌ„ples b Lib. 4. de fid orthod ca. 15. Damascene writeth that the virgin marie did feele those bitter pangs and paines at the time of Christ his passion which she did not feele in the time of his natiuitie And c In tractat de Compas virginis S. Bernard saith that what effect the nailes and other instruments of torment did woorke in the bodie of our Sauiour Christ the verie same they wrought in the soule of the virgin by reason of her motherlie compassion d Luthim in Luc. ca. 2. Luthimius and e Beda ib. Canis lib. 4. ca. 25. 26. Bede doe record that the paine of our Sauiours passion did pearce euen through the harte of the virgin like that sharpe sword that was prophecied foretold by holie Simeon in somuch that f Ansel lib de excellen B. Mariae ca. 5. Anselmus g Bernard serm signum mag S. Bernad h â—ldeph Ser. 2. de assum virgini IldephoÌ„sus and others doe affirme that the virgin Marie was a martyre and more then a martyre Points for Meditation 1 Contemplate how the virgin Marie made that voiage weeping al the waie and arriued that she was at Ierusalem she did vnderstand the iniuries and outrages done to her sonne which were so manie swords to her harte 2. Contemplate how it also pearced her harte to heare reported that not onlie anie one person had not spoken ought in fauour of the innocent Iesus he hauing bestowed so manie benifits vpon them al but also that he was forsaken of his owne disciples 3 ConteÌ„plate moreouer what paine that of the virgin was when going to mount Caluarie she did heare the strokes of those wicked torturers that so cruellie nailed her sonne to the Crosse Documents 1 Learne of the virgin Marie how thou must behaue thy selfe in tribulatioÌ„s first thou must not grudge against the creatures that do thee anie harme or iniure no more then the virgin did against those that ether did procure the death of Christ or execute the same 2 Thou must not lament nether of thine owne condition nor of God who did permit it to be such as it is but seeke to take profit thereby for thy soule as god doth pretend 3 Albeit thou feele griefe and disgust yet with thy wil and higher part of the soule which remaineth free thou must praise god OF THE VIRGIN Marie seing Christ on the Crosse 18. THe virgin Marie when she was come vp to mount Caluarie a Ioan. ca. 19. did see her sonne crucified betwixt two thieues and whiles with most doleful teares she stoode beholding this lamentable pageant Iesus did regard her from the crosse with great compassion shewing her Iohn his disciple said to her vvomaÌ„ behold thy sonne and after he said to the disciple Behold thy mother b Serm. stabatiuxta Cruc S. Anselmus doth auouche that the virgin Marie shewed in that place such rare vertues as she was the glorie of al weomen sex for wheÌ„ the disciples had forsaken their maister the virgin did not abandone him and when others fled for feare she remained stedfast in faith and constant at the foote of the Crosse with greate sorow she had exceeding patience she did not curse nor murmour nor demaund reuenge against her enemies at gods hand And c In eadem Ser. Stabat S. Bernard saith that the virgin although she was ouerwhelmed with sorowe did not yet commit anie vndecent act nor shew anie signe of impatieÌ„ce but keepe her selfe alwayes within the bounds of reason and modestie d In lament Mana Canis lib. 4. ca. 25. 26. S. Ephrem the deacon doth also write that the virgin at the foote of the Crosse did adore and worshippe with al reuerence the woundes the afflictions and magnanimitie of Iesus eftsons offer them vp to god for the redemption of mankind Points for Meditation 1 Contemplate the exceeding great sorow and compassion of the virgin Marie when she did see her innocent and deerelie beloued sonne al beraied with
bloud as a malefactour hanging vpon the Crosse betwixt two thieues 2 Consider how the virgin was so afflicted that Iesus enduring the cruel torment of the crosse had compassion of her and therfore gaue her S. Iohn for her sonne and her selfe for his mother 3 Contemplate how the virgin at the death of her beloued sonne was the most discomforted of al mothers for that she was present and yet could not help him who died in so greate paines and torments Documents 1 Euerie time that thou doest looke vpon the Crucifixe thinke that for thy sinnes the sonne god was crucified and so with the virgin Marie thou wilt haue compassion and sorowe of him 2 In al thy necessities make recourse to the virgin seeing god hath giuen vs her for our mother in the person of S. Iohn and vs to her for her children 3 If Christ and the virgin did suffer in this life so great afflictions how dost thou thinke to liue without aduersitie and in continual pleasure comfort OF THE VIRGIN Marie houlding Christ dead in her armes 19. THe virgin Marie stoode at the foote of the Crosse 〈◊〉 Matth. a. 27. Mar. ca. â—5 Luc. â—a 23 â—oan ca. â—9 when at Iesus death the sunne was darkened and the earth did quake and being verie desirous to haue in her armes the bodie of her beloued sonne behould one of the souldiars with a speare opened his side There is no doubte but that this speare did wound also the blessed mother with exceeding griefe who although she were displeased with that fiercenes of the souldiar which did shew him selfe so cruelle to wards one that was deade yet she was not moued against him b Canis lrb. 4. de B. Mariae ca. 26. To be shorte vpon fridaie at night because it was not expedient that the deade bodies should remaine vpoÌ„ the Crosse in the Sabboth the bodie of Iesus was vnnailed and taken downe from the Crosse and laid in the armes of his pitiful mother which she most dearelie did embrace and worship and often kisse those holie wounds offering them vp to the eternal father for the saluation of the world Here the other Maries did weepe most abundaÌ„tlie seeking by this meanes to accompanie the virgin whose sorowe and lamentation as c In Ioan. ca 19 Serm Stabat inâ—xta Crucem Anselmus saith was passing greate because the loue that she did beare to Iesus was also greate yet the same was alwaies ioined with such comlines and graue behaueour that no man could reprehend it Points for Meditation 1 CoÌ„template how the virgin Marie wheÌ„ she could not haue her soÌ„ne aliue desired to haue him being dead but before she could obtaine this a souldiar with a speare did open his side not without horrour griefe of the mother 2 Contemplate the dolorous lamentation that the virgin made wheÌ„ she had once in her armes that sacred bodie whose wounds she did kisse with great deuotion and wash them with streames of teares 3 Thinke what griefe of harte the virgin did feele when she was constrained to leaue that holie treasure to be buried and afterwards was forced to depart from the sepulchre which yet she did not without manie sobbes and sighes Documents 1 Learne of the virgin Marie how thou must behaue thy selfe in the death of thy deare friends Thinke first that god being a most kind father what he doeth and permitteth he doth for our good 2 Hence it is that thou must not lament nether of god nor of his creatures nor of thine owne case 3 Suffer not thy selfe so to be caried awaye with sorowe although the same be verie great that thou commit therby anie lightnes or vndecencie hauing stil before thine eyes the modestie and grauitie of the virgin Marie OF THE VIRGIN Marie seeing Christ resuscitate 20. THere is noe certaintie into what place the virgin Marie did retire her selfe after that Iesus was buried nor in what place Christ did appeare vnto her after his resurrection if not that a Lib 2. histo ca. â— Nicephorus doth saye that she dwelt in S. Iohns house neere to Sion in Ierusalem And this is verie likelie to be soe for that the virgin was extreme weake partelie in respect of her continual weeping partelie also because al that daie she had eateÌ„ nothing in so much that it is credible she went not from Ierusalem but that S. Iohn to whome Christ commended her a little before did leade her to his house where she expected her soÌ„ne knowing for certaine that he was to rise from death the third daie But be it howsoeuer that which b Augus lib. de sancta virginitate ca 3. Ruper lib. 7. diu offic ca. 25. Anselm de excel virg ca. 6. holie fathers doe affirme is certaine is this that the virgin Marie was the first to whome oure Sauiour appeared after his resurrectioÌ„ And as c Epiph. â—on haer libel Aetiq Canis lib. 5. ca. 1. Epiphanius doth write she was the first that did adore him being glorious In deede it was conuenient for such a sonne so to behaue him selfe towards such a mother not onlie because he gaue vs the lawe to honour father mother but also because the virgin did receaue extreme paine and sorowe of his passion and death more then anie othres yea aboue al others soe that she deserued to be comforted before anie other more then anie els whosoeuer Points for Meditation 1 CoÌ„template how the virgin Marie being as it were buried in her chamber for sorowe Iesus appeared vnto her raised from death and being al glorious al brighte and accompained with squadrons of Angels and holie fathers out of Limbo thinke what vnspeakeable ioie the virgin did feele of so glorious apparition 2 CoÌ„template how the virgin seeing Iesus so glorious did first worship him as her God and then embrace him as her sonne kissing eftsons the sacred woundes which did shine in his glorious body as so many pretious stones 3 Contemplate how the virgin did giue her sonne most hartie thankes for his deare visiting of her and praie him to goe comfort the Apostles and other deuout persons with his glorious resurrection Documents 1 If thou wilt endure nothing for the loue of Christ thou shalt not be visited nor comforted of him 2 Learne of the virgin not to be to ioyful in time of prosperitie but to adore and thanke God the author of al good 3 Learne also of her to haue charitie towards thy neighbours and to wish and procure theire comfort in time of afflictions and trauails OF THE VIRGIN Marie after Christ his Ascension 21. AS the common opinion is the virgin Marie liued fifteene yeares after the Ascension of Christ into heauen in which time she was occupied in aduauncing the primitiue church of Christ which in those beginnings was mightilie persecuted so that she did animate al teache them how to behaue them selues in their actions persecutions moreouer
Consider likewise of this how much it importeth to be vnder the protection of the virgin Marie who is the Queene of heauen so puissant and so charitable we being so weake and so needeful and remaining in so daungerous a banishment as we doe Documents 1 He that hath charitie as the virgin Marie had getting vp to dignitie doth not forget those whome he leaft behind him 2 The more vertuous that thou shalt be the more God wil fauour thee thou shalt more easilie obtaine the graces thou doest damaund 3 Be thou a true deuoute of the virgin Marie and shee wil deliuer thee from the daungers of this troublesome life FINIS OF THE VIRGIN Maries stature and manners taken out of auncient and holie fathers THe virgin Marie was of a meane stature although some be of opinion as Nicephorus writeth that she was of a little more then a meane stature â—icephor 〈◊〉 2. hist. 〈◊〉 23 â—â—iphan â—onstanti â—esbyter â—â—b de vita â—ariae â—edrenus 〈◊〉 compen â—io hist Anselâ—us apud â—anis lib. 〈◊〉 ca. 13. Her coloure was soÌ„what more broune then white and was much like the colour of wheate Her heare was yellow yet without art or humaine industrie Her eyes were quick liuelie and of a graue colour but the apple of her eye was like to an oliue colour Her eye liddes were decentlie blacke and somwhat bowed her nose was meane her lippes of coral colour her face somthing longe her hands and fingars long In conuersation she was affable and gracious in speeche yet graue modest her talke was litle and not without necessitie she did honour al most willingly she was shamefast and demure without laughing disdaine or anie other perturbation The holy famous martyr S. Ignatius who liued at the same time the virgin Marie did In epistel ad Ioan. EuaÌ„gelist in a certaine epistle of his after he had called her a patterne of penance and a mistresse of christian religion doth saie that from many parts of the world there came sundrie to see her as if she had bene a celestial miracle a most sacred sight to whome she seemed so maruailous that euerie one of them was incredibly glad to haue seene her or spoken with her Amongst those was that greate Dionysius Areopagita Apud Canis lib 5. ca 1. inter mediuÌ„ fineÌ„ in ca 22. post princip who being at the maiestie of the virgin Marie and woundering at the holines of her manners and beholding in her I know not what celestial and diuine brightnesse did say that if Christ had not bene reuealed to him he would easelie haue beleeued that there had bene no other god then the virgin Marie Homil. de hypapan Domini Hence it is that the holy doctor Saint Chrysostome doth cal our Ladie the great miracle of the vvorld CERTAINE AVNcient miracles vvrought by the virgin Marie VVHat time Leo Isauricus sought to take awaie holie images out of the church of Christ S. Iohn Damascene did write three bookes in defence of them wherewith the aduersaries of images being offended they did accuse him as a breaker of the Princes peace saying that he had written letters of treason whereupon his right hand was out of But Damascene entring into his closet and kneeling downe before the image of oure Ladie said in this manner See heere o most holie mother how for defeÌ„ding holie images my hand hath bene cut of to thee doe I humblie commend mie selfe which when he had vttered with teares he slept and in sleepe did see the blessed virgin restore him his haÌ„d so that waking he found his haÌ„d whole there remayninge onlie a signe of the cut This miracle was most famous in al the East and written by Iohn Patriarcke of Ierusalem Theophilus Archdeacon in Cilicia being accused by some enuious persons was put out of his office and offended at the matter did denie Christ and oure Ladie and by a certaine writing did giue him self to the diuel wherunto to he was induced by a certaine Iew that was a magician But afterwards repenting him selfe he went into a church of oure Ladie praying her with teares and fastings for manie daies and nights that she would help him At the length the virgin Marie made the writing to be restored to him by the diuel and so being reconciled to the Church he entred into grace with god and liued in such manner that he was a Sainct whose feast is celebrated the 4. daie of februarie This historie is written by Metaphrastes and others Marie surnamed Aegiptiaca of Aegipt a publicke harlot going to see the churche of the holy Crosse in Ierusalem would often haue entered but she could not whereat astonied and touched of god inwardlie she did enter into her selfe and ashamed of her life did turne her selfe to an image of the virgin Marie that stoode neere to the church doare and saide O virgin and mother seeing that god whome thou hast brought forth became man therby to cal sinners to penance assist and succour me voide of al helpe and I doe promise if I enter into this churche to chaunge my life She entred by the virgin Maries intercession was reconciled to god and after this retiring her selfe into the desert she did penance died a holy woman This historie was written by Paulus Diaconus is to be reade in the second Nicene councel actione 4. In the yeare 1094 a certaine womaÌ„ of Laudune was condemned to death for committing a murder secreatlie and as she went to the place of execution where she was to be burned she entred into a church of our Ladie and there inwardlie contrite did confesse her sinne publiklie and afterwards weeping she turned her selfe to an image of the blessed virgin requestingher helpe for her sowle coÌ„meÌ„ding her self to her with al her hearte departing that she was froÌ„ the church and come to the place of punishment she was twise cast into the midest of a great fire which nether did burne nor touch her and that which made the miracle more manifest was that nether her garments were as much as touched of the fire whereat al the people astonied did returne with the woman to the Church giue thanks to the virgin Marie by whose praiers they acknowledge this miracle to haue bene wrought Thus writeth Sigibert in his chronicle Nestorius was strooken of God with diuers tribulatioÌ„s Canis de Maria Depara lib. 3. ca. 18. lib. 5. ca. for his blasphemies vsed against the virgin Marie but because he amended not him self his tongue was cruellie eaten 〈◊〉 â—icephor 〈◊〉 14 â—st eccl 〈◊〉 36. with wormes and he did dye most miserablie whose body being buried the earth did open and swallowe it vp Moscus Euiratus also doth write that when the virgin Marie did appeare to the Abbot Cyrriacus in sleepe richlie adorned and hauing in her companie S. Iohn Baptist and S. Iohn Euangelist he did praie her that she