alone it is who hath done great things to the Blessed Virgin and daily doth to his Church He alone is powerful he alone holy extending his mercy from generation to generations to them that fear him not to them that contemn and provoke him by their sins Examine wherein you are wont to be most delighted and see you be not one of those that rejoyce in most wicked things Bernard Consider 3. The other document which is the admirable vertue and efficacy of humility and this 1. In the person of the Blessed Virgin in whom it was the foundation or cause of all her blessings Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed 2. In relation to all in general He deposeth the mighty from their seat and exalteth the humble the hungry he filleth with good things and the rich he sendeth away empty Wherefore if you would be looked upon and favoured by God if you desire to be exalted if you wish to be replenished with heavenly gifts purchase humility love to be unknown and not regarded Of the B. Virgins Stay with Elizabeth COnsider 1. The B. Virgin being led by Elizabeth into the inner rooms saluteth Zachary who no doubt received special comfort and singular favours at the presence of the divine Infant and his Mother Yet he who at his Mothers first Salutation made the other Infant to leap for joy would not at this other restore speech unto the father This was a favour reserved for the honour of his Precursor at his birth Learn hence to reverence the divine Providence in the dispensing of his favours and not to prescribe to God the time or manner of affording his succour but patiently to expect with Zachary his divine pleasure Ambr. in Luc. Consider 2. The Virgin remained in the house of Zachary about the space of three moneths conversing with them with all humility and charity assisting and serving them in what she could even in the meanest domestical offices Think how holy was the conversation of that blessed company what fervent discourses and always of God how greatly Elizabeth and others profited by the company of Mary For If at the first entrance saith St. Ambrose so great was the profit that at Maries Salutation the Infant leaped and his Mother was replenished with the Holy Ghost what do we think Maries presence added by the benefit of so long a time Hence love to converse with the good and withall procure that others also may be the better for your company and conversation 2 Reg. 6.11 Consider 3 That which is said in the second of Kings The Ark of our Lord dwelt in the house of Obededom three moneths and our Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his house How much more may we think he did blesse the house of Zachary wherein the living Ark of our Lord and Mother of God dwelt so long The like blessing will he pour forth upon your house when he cometh to you in the Holy Eucharist if you receive him as you ought Luc. 1.6 Of the Nativity of St. John Baptist 1. Part. COnsider 1. The Sanctity of St. Johns Parents They were both just walking in all the commandments and justifications of our Lord without blame Here detest the perversenesse of Hereticks that hold all Gods commandments impossible learn to observe all not only Precepts but also Justifications or Councels and whatsoever else appertains to the perfection of your Calling that you may both be just in the sight of God and so deserve the blessing of a Son John that is of divine Grace and be without blame in your life and conversation with men Consider 2. How God did honour the Birth of his Precursor 1. In sending the same Angel Gabriel to denounce his and his own Sons Birth 2. In the manner of the Annunciation which was more Solemn then that which was made to the Virgin This being delivered to the High Priest in the Temple and Sancta Sanctorum in time of publick Sacrifice all the people being in expectation and wonder 3. In imposing the name himself by the Angel which we do not read he did to any other then his Son and this not an empty name but full of mystery making good in effect what it did signifie in outward sound Consider 3. The dignity of St. Johns office expressed in those words of the Angel He shall go before him bearing witnesse and preaching Christ by word of mouth and example of life In the Spirit and Vertue of Elias that is with an undaunted courage and zeal which be shewed throughout the whole course of his life in the Wildernesse at the riâ—er Jordan in Cities in Herods Court in Prison and Death it self To prepare unto the Lord a perfect people by his Baptisme preaching of Pennance and the austerity and rigour of his life Think whether this be not in some part also your Vocation and accordingly excite your self to imitate the Sanctity of Saint John Luc. 1.57 Of the Nativity af St. John Baptist 2. Part. Ps 36.3 COnsider 1. Elizabeths full time was come to be delivered and she bare a Son Ponder the Joy of the Parents and whole house and the Congratulations of their Neighbours and Kinsfolks for her delivery of a Son after so many years unfruitfulness and expectation No lesse is the joy of the Saints and Angels and comfort of a Soul when it is fruitful of good works and bringeth to effect what it conceiveth by vertue of divine Inspirations Be not dismayed if you do not presently attain the Vertue or overcome not the Vice which you desire Keep still in heart for God is wont to defer his gifts and favours the more to inflame our desires Hope therefore in God and do good and he will giue thee the petitions of thy heart Consider 2. John is his name which signifieth Grace for no Saint whatsoever after Christ and the B. Virgin did so abound with the gifts of Grace For he was by Office and purity of life an Angel in Spirit Elias more then a Propeht Sanctified in his mothers womb and one then whom as Christ himself witnessed none among the born of women ever rose greater Reverence this Saint so singularly beloved and so near allied to our Lord and endeavour to imitate his heroick Vertues Consider 3. What happeneth at his Birth 1. The Mother by divine Inspiration giveth him his name 2. The father writing the same in a Table forthwith his mouth was opened and his tongue and he spake blessing God 3. He was replenished with the Holy Ghost and prophesied c. Observe here how by Pennance and due submission a man riseth greater then he fell 4. They all marvelled and fear came upon all their neighbours 5. All that had heard these things laid them up in their heart saying What an one trow ye shall this child be for the hand of our Lord was with him Do you likewise lay these
by the conversation of the talke of our Lord. Be you also much conversant with God in prayer that you may in like manner be transfigured Besides you must make him the only object of your love and affection and perfectly hate whatsoever is displeasing unto him for as S. Augustine saith Every one is such as is his love August Tom. 2. 〈◊〉 Ep. 1. Jo. if you love earth you will be earth if you love God you shall be God love God therefore that you may be one with him Christ is accused before Caiphas c. Mat. 26.59 COnsider 1. Christ being brought before Caiphas The chiefe Priests and the whole Councel sought false witness against Jesus that they might put him to death O Injustice Judges who should punish seek false witness against known innocency and patronize their private unjust enâ—â—â— and hatred by the pretence of publick Justice See how the son of God standeth at the barr before his sworn enemies and forsworn witnesses and accusers The innocent lamb who did no sin 1 Pet. 2.22 neither was guile found in his mouth answereth all his accusations with silence Ps. 37.14 But I as one deafe did not heare and as one damb not opening his mouth Learn hence to be deafe and dumb in like occasions and to commit your cause to God Consider 2. So irreprehensible was Christs life that his very enemies even upon false informations could not fasten upon any thing that could make up a crime against him Wherefore the high Priest conjureth him by the living God to say whether he were Christ That he might condemn him of Blasphemy if he affirmed Christ who had been silent before in reverence to the sacred name of God answereth Thou sayest Mat. sup Mar. 14.62 I am and withall giveth them an Item of the later judgement if perhaps for feare thereof they might be moved to desist from their wicked intents But the perverse are hardly corrected Eccle. 1.15 Beseech our Lord you may never come to be one of them Mat. 26.65 Consider 3. The counterfited zeal of the wicked Then the high Priest rent his garments saying He hath blasphemed Doe you rather rend your heart with true contrition for being the cause of all these sufferings of Christ Joel 2.13 Rent your hearts and not your garments sayes our Lord Hear how they all cry out with one voice He is guilty of death Mat. sup O most unjust Sentence Sweet Jesus doe you thus endure to be held a blasphemer and sentenced to death and shall I seek to be thought more of by all and better then I am Of the Injuries which Christ suffered in the House of Caiphas Part 1. Mat. 26.67 COnsider 1. How Christ being sentenced guilty of death Then did they spit on his face and buffeted him and others smote his face with the palmes of their hands saying prophecy unto us c. Ponder five extraordinary kinds of Ignominy which Christ suffered all that night 1. They spit upon him who with spittle had given sight to the blind speech to the dumb and hearing to the deaf and on that face which the Angels adore and just Souls long after saying shew thy face and we shall be saved Ps. 79.20 He was spit on by most lewd miscreants striving to out doe on another so that he was covered all over with filth But he like a meek lamb made good that of the Prophet Is 50.6 I have not turned away my face from the rebukers and spitters but with a peaceable countenance received all But doe not Sinners still to this day spit on thee Are not our Sinnes for which you suffered all this and death it self more loathsome unto you then the Spittle of the Jews Luc. 22.64 Consider 2. The second Ignominy And they did blind fold him No doubt but with some loathsome clout that their sport might be the more compleatly injurious Heb. 4.13 They vaile those eyes to whom all things are naked and open and cover that face whereof all nations stand in love and admiration The same do all Sinners who that they may sin with the greater liberty hide God from themselves and think that he seeth them not They say according to Job For what knoweth God c. The clouds are his covert Job 22.13 neither doth he consider our things Have a care you be not one of these Mat. 26.67 Consider 3. They buffeted him and smote his face with the palmes of their hands Ponder how thick one upon an other with what cruelty and how Ignominiously by those ruffians every one striving to out doe an other in scoffs and blows Then was truly fullfilled that of the Prophet He shall give the cheeke to him that striketh him Thren â— 30 he shall be filled with reproches Admire compassionate Imitate Of the Injuries which Christ suffered in the House of Caiphas Part. 2. COnsider 1. The fourth kind of Ignominy was the insolency they practised upon the Sacred haire and beard of our Lord pulling and tearing both off with violence the which although the Evangelists do not express yet Isaie doth signify as much in those words Is 50.6 Judic 16. I have given my body to the strikers and my cheekes to the pluckers Sampson cut of fond love to Dalils lost his haire but you O Lord out of a better love to mankind suffer your self after a violent and cruel manner to be despoiled of yours so as to become even bald againe O make me suffer the like for love of you that having out of all superfluities I may follow you as naked as you made your self for me Mat. 26.68 Luc. 22.65 Consider 2. The fifth kind of Ignominy of insulting over him with reviling and reprochful language saying Prophecy unto us O Christ who is he that strook thee And blaspheming many other things they said against him Here they rip up their old slanders calling him a glutton a drurkâ—rd a seducer a blasphemer possessed with the Divel and the like so that that of Job was verified in his sacred person Job 16.11 They have opened their monthes upon me and exprobrating have stroken my checke they are â—illed with my paines Consider with what patience Christ endured all this and be confounded at your own impatience who can scarce take a light word at your brothers hands Consider 3. These Indignities lasted the whole night for they of the Court and Councel in all likelyhood repairing home to take rest in their soft beds Christ was delivered up to the guards to be strictly watched and treated at their pleasure and mercy Think what sence and feeling our B. Lord had all that night in the condition of being tired out with ill usage and want of sleep and rest and thence gather what yours ought to be Be ashamed of your little mortification and patience in bearing light affronts and occasions of your own confusion seeing your Lord for your
profit and not to the outward shew Hieron ad Nepot Let your applause saith S. Hierom be your Auditors tears Of the Disciples return from Preaching Luc. 10.17 COnsider 1. How the Disciples being returned from Preaching and something touched with vain glory as the H. Fathers expound for having cast out Devils SS Greg. Hieron Cypr. apud Barad said Lord the Devils also are subject to us Whence you may see how surtle a vice vain glory is that insinuates it self even into the actions of the Apostles that you may so much the more beware of it your self Consider 2. Christs Reprehension I saw Sataâ— as a Lightning falling from Heaven as if he should say as Satan in the beginning fell down as Lightning from Heaven for his haughtiness and pride so do you take heed least being puffed up with vain glory you come to be involved in the same ruine that you may learn always to stand in fear and that no state or condition whatsoever even of Apostles or Angels is secure from falling Job 20.5 Consider 3. Rejoyce not in this that the Spirits are subject unto you but rejoyce in this that your names are written in Heaven True joy is found only in solid virtue and hopes of Eternal Life not in special favours or miraculous gifts which ought rather to cause in us fear and caution least we abuse them Learn therefore to seek content of mind only in heavenly things The joys of this world are but vain and counterfeited The joy of the Hypocrite that is of the deceitful world as it were for a moment saith Job Heavenly content alone is everlasting according to that Is 35.10 Everlasting joy shall be upon their head they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and mourning shall fly away Of Holy Communion Lord thou wilt open my lips and and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise Ps 50.17 Mar. 7.31 Consider Christ as Giver of Hearing and Speech to your Soul Is 65.12 COnsider 1. What is read this day in the Gospel how Christ cured one that was Deaf and Dumb. Imagine your self to be such as truly you are in Spirit Think how deaf you are to Gods Voice and Inspirations often exciting you to Compunction Patience Humility and all manner of Perfection I called and you have not answered I spake and you have not heard Think also how dumb you are in speaking of God and divine matters whereas much fruit might come of such holy discourses both to your self and others You may truly say with the Prophet Jer. 1.6 I cannot speak because I am a child in matters of spirit Mar. 7.37 Consider 2. Christ will come to you to day in the Eucharist of whom it is said in the Gospel He hath made both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak And if he did it then corporally much more will he do it now spiritually opening the ear of your heart so as to hear his voice and informing your tongue to speak of him to the edification of others according to that The Lord hath given me a learned tongue Is 50.4 that I may know to stay him up that is weary with a word c. In the morning he stirreth up mine ear that I may hear him as a Master c. O what a happiness Mar. 7.32 Consider 3. The preparation necessary for the receiving of these blessings is 1. Frequent Prayer for the Disciples to day besought him that be would impose his hand upon him 2. Retiredness from the noise and affairs of the world for he cured him not till he had taken him from the multitude apart 3. Humility Sap. 10.21 for Wisdom hath opened the mouth of the dumb and the tongues of Infants she hath made eloquent Be therefore an Infant without deceit and a little one in your own eyes that you may deserve of our Lord to be made eloquent to his glory Of S. Johns Message to Christ Mat. 11. Luc. 7. Part 1. Mat. 11.2 COnsider 1. When John had heard in Prison the works of Christ c. Ponder the admirable courage of this holy Precursor who did not stick publickly to reprehend the impious Marriage of the wicked King and chose rather to endure the hardship of Prison and suffer death it self then dissemble the truth much less to betray it Such ought to be all Apostolical men full of zeal in Gods Cause constant Upholders of the Right and such as know not how to yield either to threats or flatteries Consider 2. John being in prison sent two of his Disciples to demand of Christ Art thou he that art to come c. Not as if he any thing doubted of it himself but to the end the hearts of his Disciples might be confirmed in their Faith by their discourse with Christ So Charity seeketh all ways of helping others Do you rejoyce and give thanks that Christ hath been pleased long since to come among us and not held the world in longer suspence and expectation of his coming and for the infinite benefits and treasures we enjoy by means of his Incarnation Consider 3. Christs answer Go and report to John what you have heard and seen The blind see c. He doth not in open terms say that he is Christ to avoid even the least shew of boasting but proveth it by his works for as S. Bernard saith Bern. Serm. 55. in Cantic Louder is the sound of works then of words In like manner therefore you must shew your self to be a Christian Priest or Religious more by your works then by your words Prov. 31.31 Let her works saith the wise man praise her in the gates Besides seeing Christ so liberally bestowed corporal benefits making the blind to see the lame to walk and the like you have much more reason to hope for Spiritual gifts and favours at his hands Of S. Johns Message to Christ Mat. 11. Luc. 7. Part 2. Mat. 11.7 c. COnsider 1. S. Johns Disciples being gone our Lord began to commend their Master First for his constancy in Virtue that he was not like a Reed tossed with every wind and wavering on every side nor empty or void of pith and substance He was not a reed saith S. Gregory whom no alteration of things did ever make to bend S. Greg. Hom. 6. Evang. See whether you be not a Reed easily turned on every side by the least blast of mens mouths inconstant in your good purposes and without any pith of solid virtue Consider 2. He is commended for the austerity of his life and that he was not cloathed in soft garments c. that you might learn to shun all niceties and superfluities in meat drink and apparel if you desire to be approved of by Christ in the day of Judgment Lastly he is termed by Christ an Angel to wit both by Office and Purity of Life that you should do your utmost to imitate his
God and all manner of virtue The Powers as their Name sounds are endowed with power to curb and quell the Infernal Spirits Implore the assistance of this Powerful Hierarchy that you may likewise constantly adhere to God be perfect Masters of your own Passions and vicious Appetites and by a compleat Victory over all temptations subdue your mortal Enemies the World the Flesh and the Devil Consider 3. In the third Hierarchy are the Principalities Archangels and Angels The Principalities do both exhibit in themselves and cause in others due Veneration and worship towards their Lord and God The Archangels are properly Gods Messengers and Administrators in the highest and most Important Affairs and are special Patrons of Purity The Angels are all ministring spirits sent to minister for them Heb. 1.14 which shall receive the Inheritance of Salvation Be zealous of the Divine Worship both in your self and others strive to be eminent in Purity and by virtuous life and conversation endeavour to be a good Angel and Minister of Salvation to your Neighbour Of Holy Patriarchs and Prophets COnsider 1. How even from the beginning and in times of Infidelity and Idolatry wherein almost the whole world was involved God was perfectly served by the holy Patriarchs and Prophets 1. They persevered constant in the Faith and Worship of God upheld and maintained the same among the people and carefully delivered it to their Posterity 2. They kept true Poverty of spirit in plenty of wealth and riches and made use of what they had not to vanity and ostentation but to the service of God and benefit of their Neighbour in works of Charity 3. Notwithstanding the multitude of temporal affairs they preserved themselves in the holy fear of God and were despisers of the honours which for their place and deserts were due to them from the people Luc. 10.24 Consider 2. They did chiefly excel in an ardent love of Christ and longing desires and expectation of his coming Many Prophets and Kings desired to see the things which you see c. saith our Saviour himself And our Lord revealed unto them many Divine Secrets and made them privy to the Mysteries of his Incarnation and Passion In this Faith and Hope they lived and died According to faith died all these Heb. 1113. not having received the Promises but beholding them a far off and saluting them and confessing that they are pilgrims and strangers upon the earth Be ashamed that your esteem love and gratitude for these benefits graciously bestowed upon you should fall short of their affections and desires of the same only represented to them and that a far off Heb. 11.35 36. Consider 3. Their fervour of Charity and love towards God wherewith they constantly endured even the greatest afflictions and death it self for his sake Others were racked as the Machabees not accepting Redemption that they might find a better Resurrection Others as Jeremy had tryal of mockeries and stripes moreover also of bands and prisons as Micheas They were stoned as Zachary They were hewed as Isaie They were tempted by allurements of pleasures as Joseph They died in the slaughter of the sword as the eighty five Priests whom wicked Saul murdered Learn of these Sobriety and Moderation in Prosperity Constancy and Patience in Adversity Of the Apostles Part 1. 1 Cor. 1.27 c. COnsider 1. What the Apostles were when Christ chose them they were poor ignorant ignoble and contemptible in the sight of the world and yet our Lord made choice of them rather then of others Admire and reverence the wonderful Providence of God herein who as the Apostle saith hath chosen the foolish things of the world that he may confound the wise and the weak things of the world c. that he may confound the strong and the base things of the world and the contemptible c. and those things which are not that he might destroy those things which are that no flesh may glory in his sight Consider 2. Other particular causes of this Election 1. That all might know that the Conversion of the World was the work of God not of Man 2. That both they and we should understand that they were not called for any deserts of their own but by meer favour and grace 3. That being by their condition exempted from the cares of temporal things they might the better attend to the preaching of the Gospel 4. That so they might be fit Preachers of Evangelical Poverty 5. That having in themselves experience of humane weakness and insufficiency they might learn to bear with others infirmities Be humble and little in your own eyes that so you may become a fit instrument of Gods glory and be not dismayed for your mean parts and abilities knowing that God will supply whatsoever is wanting if you will but do your endeavour 1 Cor. 4.1 Exod. 15.27 Exod. 39.10 c. Lev. 24.5 3 Reg. 18.31 Paral. 4.4.3 Reg. 10.20 Apoc. 21.14 Consider 3. The eminent Dignity to which they were raised 1. To be Disciples familiar Companions Friends and Brethren to the Son of God 2. To be next after Christ who was the Chief Corner-stone so many Fundamental stones of his Church and Princes of his Kingdom 3. To be the Doctors and Pastors of the world the Ministers of Christ and of the New Testament and the Dispensers of the Mysteries of God These were prefigured by the twelve Fountains of the Desart Helim the twelve Precious Stones in the High-Priests Rationale the twelve Loaves of Proposition in the Temple the twelve Stones of which was built the Altar the twelve Oxen that sustained the Brazen Sea the twelve Lyons of Salomons Throne and the twelve foundations of the Heavenly Hierusalem c. Of the Apostles Part 2. Jo. 14.12 COnsider 1. The Gifts of Grace and Power conferred upon the Apostles suitable to the Dignity of their Call 1. Of Consecrating and offering in Sacrifice the Body and Blood of our Lord. 2. Of Forgiving Sins and of opening and shutting Heaven Gates to men 3. And 4. Of feeding the Flock and ruling the Church of Christ 5. Of publishing to the world the new Law of Grace 6. Of working Miracles even greater then those of Christ himself They were endowed with gifts of Grace above all the Patriarchs Prophets and Saints of the Old and New Testament so that the Church deservedly applyeth those words of the Psalmist to them Thy friends O God Ps 138 1â— are become honourable exceedingly their Principality is exceedingly strengthened Luc. 22.28 Consider 2. How the holy Apostles did answer their Call and co-operate with their Grace 1. They left all and followed Christ at the first Call and remained with him in his temptations 2. By their Apostolical Preaching Saintity of life working of Miracles by continual labours persecutions sufferings and death it self they planted the Faith of Christ throughout the world cast down Idols abolished Vice and Infidelity and established Virtue and
Religion so that there is nothing good and holy in the Church which proceeded not from them the Constancy of Martyrs the Justice of Confessors the Purity of Virging the Zeal of Doctors the Sanctity of Priests the Rigour of Moncks and Religious c. â—ook theâ—â— beginning from them Jo. 14.27 Consider 3. Their Reward 1. In this life in the wonderful fruit which they daily reaped of their labours and chiefly in the interiour Joy and Jubâ—ly of heart surpassing all the joys of the world Peace I leave to you my peace I give to you not as the world giveth do I give to you wherein they enjoyed to the full the hundred-fold which Christ had promised them 2. In the other life where they shall sit as Judges of the world and even of the Angels themselves and after a special manner shall eat and drink at Christs own Table in his Kingdom where above the other Saints they shall be inebriated with the pleaty of Gods House Ps 35.9 Of Martyrs Jo. 15.13 COnsider 1. The Holy Martyrs are the Seed of the Church and Champions of Christ Martyrdom is an act 1. Of the greatest Charity Greater love then this no man hath that a man yield his life for his friends 2. Of Invincible Patience and Fortitude contemning all manner of torments and death it self 3. Of Religion it being an entire Sacrifice of the whole man and perfect Holocaust 4. Of the perfectest Imitation of Christ If any man will come after me saith Christ let him take up his Cross Luc. 9.23 and follow me Consider 2. There are divers sorts of Martyrs 1. Those who have suffered death for the Faith of Christ among Infidels and Hereticks of which sort there have been innumerable in Gods Church 2. For defence of the Truth as S. John Baptist Isaie Jeremy 3. For the observance of the Divine Law as the Machabees 4. For defence of the Churches Liberties and Immunities as S. Thomas of Câ—nterbury 5. For their own Piety and Virtue as Abel the Just Besides these there are other true Martyrs who though not in their Body have suffered interiourly in their Mind As 1. The B. Virgin whose soul was pierced with the Sword of Grief and is deservedly stiled the Queen of Martyrs 2. Holy Hermits Virgins Luc. 2.35 and the truly Religious who all their life time have Crucified their flesh with its Concupiscences among whom many through the long durance of their sufferings have not only equalized but also surpassed in Merit the sharp torments of other Martyrs Luc. 21.19 Consider 3. Their Reward 1. Of Heavenly Comfort and Consolation which was oftentimes so great that it made them insensible of their torments 2. Of security of their future happiness In your patience you shall possess your Souls Whence S. Augustine He that prayeth for a Martyr doth an injury to the Martyr 3. Of a special Crown of Glory in Heaven above all other Saints 4. Of particular honour which the whole Church doth them in celebrating their Feasts next to those of the Apostles both more frequently and solemnly So that most true is that of the Psalmist Ps 115.6 Precious in the sight of God is the death of his Saints See that you celebrate aright their Festivities that is by imitation of their Vitues for as S. Augustine saith The Solemnities of Martyrs Serm. 47. de Sanctis are so many Exhortations to Martyrdom at least of Self-love Inordinate Passions and Vicious Appetites Of the Doctors of the Church COnsider 1. Almighty God hath provided his Church with holy Doctors whom he hath enâ—owed with all manner of Wisdom and Knowledge Humane and Divine and this they obtained not so much by their own sedulous study and labour as 1. By continual Prayer wherewith they humbly begged it of God the Author of all Science and Wisdom 2. By Purity of Life whereby they became pure Glasses and Myrrours fit to receive the Rays of Divine Light 3. By Humility whereby they submitted both to one another and to the Sense and Definitions of the Church If you desire to partake of their Knowledge and Wisdom make use of the same means Consider 2. Their Study was not meerly to know which is but an idle Curiosity nor to be known which is Vanity nor to get which is base Lucre But 1. To further their own Salvation 2. For the good of their Neighbour 3. For the propagation of the holy Faith defence of the Church and glory of God Examine what your labours tend to Curiosity Vanity or the Glory of God See that you imploy your Learning and others Talents not in devising or upholding new-fangled Doctrines but in zealously maintaining the known received and approved Tenets of the Church Consider 3. The admirable fruits of their labours 1. They have illustrated the whole Church with their holy Sermons and Writings 2. They have opened the sense of Holy Scriptures declared the Mysteries of our Faith maintained and propagated Truth and Religion 3. They have expelled Ignorance corrected Errours vanquished Infidelity Heresie and Vice bringing Infidels to the Faith Hereticks to the Church Sinners to Repentance 4. They have wonderfully promoted Piety throughout the whole Christian world by their zealous Preaching by their admirable Documents in all manner of Virtue and by the exemplar Sanctity of their Life and Conversation So that the Holy Church doth deservedly apply to them what our Saviour said to his Apostles You are the Salt of the Earth c. You are the Light of the World c. Mat. 5.13 15. See how the properties of each do agree with them consider withall their special reward in Heaven above other Saints They that be learned in the Law of God shall shine as the brightness of the Firmament and they that instruct many to Justice Dâ—n 12.3 as Stars unto perpetual Eternities Of Holy Bishops Confessors COnsider 1. Almighty God out of his Paternal Providence hath raised some among men who should be 1. As Fathers to others in begetting them spiritually to Christ 2. As Pastors by governing and feeding them with the Pasture of Divine Doctrine 3. As Leaders and Guides towards their Heavenly Country 4. As Mediators between God and Men to appease his wrath against them 5. As Legats to represent their necessities to God and to declare his will to them 6. As High-Priests in the name of the whole Church to do Divine Worship and Honour to God to offer Sacrifice to present our Prayers Oblations and Thanksgivings and by means of these Duties to obtain for us the return of heavenly blessings These were the proper Offices and Functions of the Holy Bishops Consider 2. In regard the Calling of Bishops is the same with that of the Apostles whose Successors they are God endowed them with special Gifts of Grace and Virtue answerable to the Dignity and End of their Calling Ponder therefore 1. Their Apostolical Spirit and Zeal in all things belonging to the