Bern. ser 3. de resur vnto euil we may rest and settle our mindes in the (b) Io. 4 34 5 30. 6 38. 1. Reg. 3 18. wil of God 10 What hath the fourth Petition Giue vs this day our daily bread VVE doe like poore folkes beggers craue of the author and fountaine of al goodnesse Iac. 1 5.17 Psal 39 18. Deut. 10 18 Gen. 28 20. 1 Tim. 6 8. Pro. 30 8. Ps 144 15. those thinges that bee sufficient for the daily maintenance of our corporal life to wit food cloathing also those thinges that doe serue to a better the life of the soule as the (a) Mat. 4 4. Am. 8 11. Eccli 15 3. Pro. 9 5. word of God the spiritual food of the soule the most holy (b) Mat. 26.26 6 11 Io. 6 51. Hier. in c. 6. Mat. Cypr. in ser de cr Do. Amb. l. 5. de Sacr. c. 4. Aug. l. 2. de ser Do. in mont c. 7. Thren 4 8. 1. Cor. 10 6 Leu. 26 14. Num. 5 6. 20. Exo. 32 27. Luc. 7 47. Tob. 12 10. Sap. 16 14. Ps 50 3.4.9.11 and B. Sacrament of the Altar that heauenly breade and other most holesome Sacraments and gifts of God which doe feede cure and confirme the inwarde man to a wel ordered happie kinde of life 11 How is the fifth Petition vnderstood Forgiue vs our trespasses IN this wee craue that God will mercifully purge vs from the spot of sinne which aboue all thinges is most foule and pestilent vnto the soule and that he will also remitte those verie debts which wee haue contracted by sinning And least our praier should not be auaileable by reason that we are euill affected towardes our neighbour we adde this besides that all secret hate (a) Ro. 12 17.19 Col. 3 12. Luc. 23 34. Act. 7 60 Mar. 11 25. Eph. 4 32. desire of reuenge being laide aside wee are at attonement with our neighbour haue forgiuen euery one that hath offended vs euen from the bottome of our heartes For this is that which Christ signified in an other place when he said (b) Lu. 6 37. Forgiue yee shal be forgiuen And againe (c) Mat. 6 14. 18 22 33. Eccli 22 1. Aug. in Enc cap. 74. If you will not forgiue men neither will your Father forgiue you your offences 12 What is the sense of the sixth Petitiō Lead vs not into temptation BEcause this present life is a very warfare vpon earth Iob. 7 1. Iudith 8 2◠Tob. 3 21. 12 13. Mat. 4 1. 26 41. Heb. 2 18. 2. Thes 3 3. 1. Io. 2 14 16. 5 4. Mat. 16 24. 1 Cor. 9 25.27 10 12. Iac. 4 4. 1 12. 1. Pet. 5 8.10 2. Pet. 2 9. Eph. 6 11. Col. 3 5. Apoc. 2 7.10.11.17.26 2. Tim. 4 7. whilest we are al-waies assaulted with diuers temptations and in an hard continuall conflict with the world the flesh and the deuill therfore being deuoutly carefull of our owne estate we sue for helpe at the hands of almightie God that we do not yeeld to such assaultes of our aduersaries and by yeelding incurr damnation but that standing al-waies in this continuall combate relieng vpon the mighte and hand of God we may valiantly resiste the power of the deuill haue the world in contempte chastice the fleshe and so finallye as inuincible souldiers of Christ be crowned after the victory for (a) 2. Tim. 2 3. no man is crowned as witnesseth the Apostle vnlesse he striue lawfully 13 What is in the seuenth and last petition deliuer vs from euill VVE pray at the last that God will not suffer vs to be ouer-throwne ◠Reg. 8 33. Pro. 10 25.28.30 Eccli 23.4 Hier. 2 14. Tob. 1 22. 2 10. Eccli 27 1.4.6 Ap. 3 10. Ps 24 15. 30 3.5.8.9.16 33 5.7.8.18 cast away with the wicked by the calamities of this worlde wherwith euen the Godly also are exercised but that by his benignitye he deliuer vs so farre forthe as is expedient for our saluation mercifully defend vs from all euill both of body and of soule as well in this life as in the life to come For so hath himselfe promised (a) Ps 49 15 Call vpon me in the day of tribulation I will deliuer thee thou shalt honour me Last of al we cōclude the whole prayer with this one worde Amen (b) 2. Cor. 1 20 Amb. in Ps 40. Hier. in c. 6. Mat. that we may shewe our confidence in praieng hope of obtaining in regarde as well of Christes promise that neuer faileth (c) Mat. 7 7. Luc. 11 9. Io. 16 23. Aske saith he and it shall bee giuen you as also of the infinite clemencye and ready mercie of God the Father in so much that hereupon S. IHON hath sayd (d) 1. Io. 5 14. What-soeuer wee shall aske according to his will hee heareth vs. 14 What is the summe of our Lords prayer IT containethe a perfite and absolute forme not only of asking that which is good but also of praieng to be deliuered from whatsoeuer is euill And amongst the things that be good this is first to be wished and praied for that all men may glorifie our heauenly Father at all times in all places then that we may be partakers of his Kingdome afterwarde that we may not want those helpes that are conuenient for the attaining vnto the same Kingdome As is on the behalfe of our soule to be conformable to the will of God and as touching our body to haue necessary liuing maintenance But those thinges that are added in the second place do continue to the end of the prayer do expresse the affect of one that craueth deliuery from euils which by the grace power of almighty God he desireth to haue either vtterly taken away to wit sinne the contagion of all goodnesse and the sinke and puddle of all euils or els that they may be so tempered that by their violence they hinder vs not in the way to saluation Such are diuers temptations that inuade vs in this worlde all calamities both present and to come Al other things that are to be said touching praier shal be reserued for that place where the three kinds of good works shal be expownded OF THE ANGELICALL SALVTATION 15 Which is commonly called the Angelicall salutation THat which was pronounced vnto the most holy Virgin Luc. 1 28. Chrysost Iacob in Liturg 116. Aug. ser 2. de annun Amb. in c. 1 Luc. Chrysol ser 140. seq Ber. hom 3. super Myssus est Fulg. ser de laud. B. Virg the mother of God in these wordes Haile MARY full of grace our Lorde is with thee blessed art thou among women blessed is the fruit of thy wombe IESVS Holy MARIE mother of God pray for vs sinners now and in the houre of our death AMEN 16 Whereupon came this maner of
fallen and cure him when hee is wounded Then succedeth (f) Iac. 5 15. Extreame Vnction which in the laste conflicte with death doth fence comforte the Passenger Then holy Orders (g) Tit. 1.5 1. Cor. 4 1. yeeldeth Ministers vnto the Church which may haue authority in holy thinges and may rightly gouerne dispence conserue apply all those things which we spoke of before Finally Matrimony increaseth the (h) Eph. 5 32. 1. Cor. 7 2. Christian people and prouideth for mans incontinencie Where also this difference is to be obserued that Baptisme Confirmation and Orders being once giuen can neuer be (i) Concil Flor. Trid. sess 7. Can. 9. de Sacr. in genere Aug 2. con ep Parm. c. 13. iterated Also Baptisme must of necessitie be taken (k) Io. 3 5. of all The Eucharist of those that haue (l) Trid. sess 21. cap. 4. the vse of reason Penance (m) Apoc. 2 5. of those that are fallen But it is at thy discretion to vse any of the rest so that thou haue none in contempte or doest neglect thē against Iustice equitie when the time requireth These are therefore the preseruatiues and diuine remedies which that Samaritane (n) Luc. 10 33. 1. Cor. 4 1. Io. 20 23. full of all mercie hath ordained committed to the Prelates of the Church to be dispensed for the well curing vndoubtedly of the sicke that is to saye of all sinners in the Church euen vntill that they obtaine if they will their true and perfite health Which remedies rightly to vnderstand holsomely to receiue and faithfully to apply vnto others is not a pointe certes of humane cunning but of Christiā wisdome Of which wheras we haue now spoken enough according vnto the scope of our present purpose It now remainethe that by the helpe of Christ we passe ouer to the other part of this worke which containeth Christiā Iustice Ecclesiastici 4 ver 12. WISDOME inspireth life into her children and entertaineth those that seeke her and she will goe before in the way of IVSTICE and he that loueth her loueth life THE FIFTH CHAPTER OF CHRISTIAN IVSTICE 1 What thinges doe belong to Christian Iustice ALL such thinges maie bee reduced vnto two pointes Aug. ser 19. de temp Chrys in Ps 4. ho. 16. in epist ad Ephes Prosp sent 98. ex Aug. which are comprehended in these wordes (a) Psal 36 27. 33 15 1. Pet. 3 10.11 Tob. 4 13. Decline thou from euil doe good as also ESAY teacheth (b) Esa 1 16 Eccli 3 32. Ro. 12 10. Cease yee to doe peruersely and learne to doe well This is that which (c) Col. 3 8. Eph. 4 16.17.18.19.20 S. PAVL admonisheth that the olde man with his actes must be put off the new man must bee put on in Iustice and Holinesse of trueth The first consisteth in knowing eschuing sinnes for they are vnto mortall men the greatest euills that can be And the latter standeth in the desire pursute of thinges that be good But to the intent that wee may performe (d) Bern. ser 1. de Pentec both these offices appertaining to Iustice Gods grace hath beene by IESVS CHRIST purchased and promised vnto vs and is euer most necessarie By meanes of which both preuenting vs (e) Aug. de grat lib. arbit ca 9. 15. 16. Itē in Ench. c. 32. Hier lib. 2. in Iouin cap 2. Conc. Trid. sess 6. can 2. and cooperating with vs that effecte is wrought in vs which S. IHON affirmeth (f) 1. Io. 3 8. He that doth Iustice is iust euen as he also is iust Moreouer he addeth He that committeth sinne is of the Deuill 2 What is sinne SInne as witnesseth S. AVGVSTINE (a) Lib. de duab anim c. 11. l 1. retract c. 15 13. lib de Gen. ad lit imperf c. 1. is a will to retaine or obtaine that which Iustice prohibiteth and from which it is in mans power to abstaine And in an other place he teacheth that sinne (b) Lib. 22. cont Faust ca. 27. lib. 1. contr 2. ep Pelag. c. 13. is whatsoeuer is spoken donne or desired contrary to the lawe of God And Saint AMBROSE What is sinne (c) Lib. de Paradiso c. 8. Aug. lib. 2 de consens Euang. c. 4. Bed in ca. 3. ep 1 Ioan. saith he but the transgression of Gods lawe and the disobaying of the heauenly precepts 3 How many kinde of sinnes be there THree (a) Aug. in Ench. c 64. Originall Mortall and Veniall The first we call Originall which (b) Trid. conc ses 5. being transfused by ADAM the first Father of mankinde and contracted by vs in our very conception (c) Ps 50 7. is taken away by Baptisme in Christ Whereof S. PAVL speaketh in this manner (d) Ro. 5 12. By one man sinne entered into this worlde by sinne death and so vnto all men death did passe in which all sinned And againe speaking vnto the Baptised to the intent that he might shewe that the force of Christian Baptisme did extend to the purging of this sinne also he plainly testifieth You (e) 1. Cor. 6 11. are washed you are sanctified you are iustified in the name of our Lord IESVS CHRIST and in the spirite of our God But Mortall sinne is that actuall sinne as they call it which taketh away spiritual life and bringeth the death of the soule of him that sinneth which death separateth a man from God and his (f) 1. Cor. 6 9. Gal. 5 19 Apoc. 21 8. kingdome maketh him worthie of euerlasting punishment Whereupon it is written The (g) Ro. 6 23 stipend of sinne death (h) Sap. 1 16. Iniustice is the procurement of death and the vngodly haue inuited her with handes and wordes Finally a veniall sinne is certes actuall but it is such a sinne as doth not make a man the enimy of God whereof pardō is easily obtained by the faithfull at Gods hande Of this hath S. IHON saide (i) 1 Io. 1 6. Aug. lib. 3. cont 2. ep Pelag. c. 3. If wee shall say that we haue no sinne we seduce our selues and the trueth is not in vs. And S. IAMES confesseth plainely (k) Iac. 3 2. In many thinges we offende all And if wee beleeue the wise man The (l) Pro. 24 16. Eccles 7 21. Iust man falleth seauen times a day and risethe againe Now it is manifest that one sinne is more (m) Io. 19 12. grieuous than another it is agreable both to humane diuine Iustice also that a greater punishment (n) Aug. lib. 21. ciu c. 16. ser 18. de verb. Apost cap. 4. is due to the greater sin And for that cause hath Christ put this difference betweene the faulte and the punishement of one that sinneth wittingly of another that sinneth vnwittingly (o) Luc. 12 47. That seruant saith he that knewe
the Aspe shutting their eares against the sweete melodie of the sounde doctrine of the Church they seeme to say Departe thou (f) Iob. 21 14. from vs and we will not haue the knowledge of thy waies which is nothing else then as S. PAVL speketh According (g) Ro. 2 4. to their hardnes and impenitent harte to heape to themselues wrath in the day of wrath and of the reuelation of the iust iudgement of God For as SALOMON also teacheth To a man (h) Pro. 29 1. Bern. ser 42. in Cant. that with a hard necke contemneth him that correcteth him a soddaine distruction shall come vpon him and healthe shall not follow him 8 When is a sinne of impenitency committed Aug. de verb Do. ser 21. cap. 12. 13. ep 50. ad Bonif. Gelas in tomo de anarhematis vinculo VVHen a man without anie end or measure of his sins which truely hee shoulde washe away by holesome Penance resolueth moreouer that neuer hee will doe any Penance at al. Of this kind of persons who are such desperate and pittifull sinners and so will remaine both their life their death is most (a) Psal 33 22. abominable for asmuch as if not in wordes yet in deed they seeme to say (b) Esa 28 15. 3 8.9 Psal 51 3.7 Pro. 2 14. We haue entered into league with death and with hell wee haue made a pact And of these also may that saying bee vnderstoode which S. IOHN auoucheth There (c) 1. Io. 5 16 Aug. de corr gra c. 12. 1. retract cap. 19. is a sinne to death for that I say not that anie man aske Thus much concerning the sins against the holy-Ghost which are doubtlesse most grieuous which Almighty God either neuer or verie hardly doth pardon For which cause we ought often to garde our selues to confirme others against the same that we may obserue that saying * Ephes 4 30. Cōtristate not (d) 1. Thess 5 19. extinguishe not the spirite of God This (e) Ps 94 8. day if you heare his voice harden not your hearts Let (f) Heb. 3 13. none of you be obdurate with the fallacie of sinne For (g) Eccli 3 7.27 an harde heart shall bee in euill case at the last Nowe therefore let vs come to those sins which are also not a little hainous and are wonte to be called sinnes that cry vnto Heauen OF SINNES THAT CRY VNTO HEAVEN 1 What sinnes are those that are saide to crie vnto Heauen THose Aug. in En. c 30. l. ann in Iob. c. 30. l. 1. locutionis de Genes quaest 5. super Exod. Greg. 3. par past adm 32. in 2. Psal poenit which notably aboue others are knowne to haue a manifest and exceeding wickednesse doe singularly purchase to those which cōmit thē Gods indignation vengeance Of this sort there are four nūbred in holy scripture to wit wilful (a) Gē 4 10. Murder (b) Gē 18 20 Sodomie (c) Ex. 22 23 Oppression of the Poore defrauding (d) Deut. 24 15. Iac. 5 4. the Laboring mans hiere 2 Howe doth the Scripture teach that wilfull murther is reuenged IN most grieuous manner doubtlesse Vide Conc. Ancyr c. 22. Conc. Epaun ca. 31. Tribur c. 54 sequ as Almighty God sheweth in these wordes wherein hee rebuketh CAIN the first man-flear (a) Gē 4 10. Amb. l. 2. de Cain Abel cap. 9. What hast thou done saith he the voice of the bloude of thy brother crieth to me from the earth Now therfore shalt thou be cursed vpon earth And in another place Gods owne voice doth testifie (b) Gen. 9 6. Ex. 21 12.14 Leuit. 24 17 Num. 35.16.20 Deut. 19 11 1. Io. 3 15. Whosoeuer shall shed mans blood his blood shall be shed also For to the image of God was man made The kingly Psalmist singeth Men (c) Ps 54 24. of blood shall not liue halfe their daies For this is a very heinous wickednesse he doth a most horrible iniurie to his neighbour that bereueth him of his life without lawfull (d) Aug. l. 22 contr Faust cap. 70. auctoritie For which cause Christ himselfe saith also (e) Mat. 26 52. Apoc. 13 10. All that take the sword shall perish with the sworde 3 And what is extant in holy scripture touching the sinne of Sodome and the punishments thereof THe men of Sodome saith the scripture (a) Gen. 13 13. were very naught and sinners before God too too much This horrible and abominable sin (b) 2. Pet. 2 6. S. PETER S. PAVL (c) Rom. 1 24. 1. Tim. 1 10 Ephes 5 5. Iudic. 19 22 20 46. doe reproue yea nature her selfe doth abhorre and the scripture also doth declare the greatnesse of so foule a wickednes in these words The crie (d) Gen. 18 20. of the Sodomites and the Gomorians is multiplied and their sinne is aggrauated too too much For which cause the Angels doe speake thus vnto the iust man LOTH who did greatly abhorre from the outragious filthines (e) 2. Pet. 2 6 of the Sodomites (f) Gē 19 13 We will destroy this place because the cry of them hath increased before our Lorde who hath sent vs to destroy them Therefore our Lorde (g) Ibid. Sap. 10 6. Deut. 29 23 Iudae ver 7. Gen. 13 10. vide Greg. li. 14. mor. c. 10 Aug. l. 16. de ciu cap. 30. Tert. in apo aduers gentes ca. 40. in Sod ca. 4. rained downe vpon Sodome Gomorrha brimstone and fire from our Lorde out of heauen and ouerthrewe those Cities and all the Countrie about Neither doth the scripture leaue vntouched the causes which moued the Sodomites and may also moue others to this so greeuous a sinne For thus we read in EZECHIEL (h) Ezec. 16 49. Behold this was the iniquitie of Sodome thy sister Pride fulnes of bread and aboundance and the idlenesse of her her daughters and they did not stretch their hand to the needy poore And of this vice which can neuer be sufficiently detested are they guiltie who doe not feare to breake the lawe of God yea the lawe of nature written in Leuiticus which is this (i) Leuit. 18 22. Deut. 27 21 vide Chrys ho. 4. in ep ad Rom. Tert. in l. de pudicit c. 4. Aug. lib. 3. conf cap. 8. ep 109. Cum masculo non commiscearis coitu foemineo quia abominatio est Cum omni pecore non coibis nec maculaberis cumeo Which sin if it be committed we are admonished (l) Leuit. 20 13.15 Exo. 22 19. Ioel. 3 3. in the same place that the very earth is polluted with such horrible abominable lustes that Gods wrath is very much prouoked against the people and (k) L. Cum vir nubit C. ad legē Iul. de adult that the crime is
viduis in 3. libris de Virginibus Item in exhort ad virgines in institutione virginis cap 6. 15. 17. Damas l. 4. orthod fid cap. 25. Praeterea Athanasius Basilius Nazianzen Aug. de virginitate iteÌ„ Fulgent ep 3. ad ProbaÌ„ cap. 9. 10. Hier. ep 22. ad Eustoch c. 8. lib. 1. cont Iouin cap. 1. item apol pro libris contr Iouin ca. 1. Ignat. ad Philadelph Cyp. de bono pudicitiae Isidor lib 2 de summo bono cap. 40. his virgin in matrimony doth wel and he that ioineth not doth better for the one thinketh of the thinges that be of God the other of the thinges that be of the Worlde the one is bound with the bandes of Wedlocke the other is free from bandes the one is vnder the Lawe the other vnder grace Good is Marriage by meanes whereof there hath bin found posterity of humane succession but better is Virginity whereby hath beene atchiued the inheritance of the heauenly kingdome the succession of heauenly merites hath beene founde By a Woman came care by a Virgin was procured saluation Hitherto S. AMBROSE Nowe this Chastitie requireth that a man doe with deliberation (n) Bas in Praefat. in Ascetica in constitutionibus Monasticis cap. 1. Cassian collat 12 cap. 4. 7. and firme purpose endeuour to liue vncorrupted and to lead a perpetuall single life voide of all filthe of the fleshe or venereous voluptuousnesse that he may be holy both in (o) 1. Cor. 7. f bodie and spirite for Christes sake And in regarde hereof the Apostle hath saide Hee that (p) 1. Cor. 7 g Bas ho. in Psal 44. hath determined in his hart being setled not hauing necessity but hauing power of his owne will and hath iudged this in his heare to keepe his Virgin doth well 5 How is the Euangelical Counsel coÌ„cerning obedience proposed vnto vs De Obedientiae laude perfectione vide Aug. l. 14. de ciu Dei cap. 12. Hier. epist 8. ad Demetr cap. 10. Greg. lib. 35 moral c. 12. Item in 1. Reg. lib. 2. cap 4. lib. 4. cap. 5. lib. 6. cap. 2. Cassian lib. 4. cap. 10. collat 2 cap. 11. collat 4 cap. 20. Bern. in serm de 3. ordinibus Ecclesiae item ad milites templi cap. 13. in serm de virtute Obedient CHrist our Lord first by the example of his most holy life as we saide before then by his worde hath proposed and coÌ„mended vnto vs the exacte and perfect manner of this obedience For he came not to doe (a) Ioan. 6 d 4 c 5 c his owne will but the wil of his Father and of those vnto whom we reade (b) Luc. 1 g. Bern ser 3. de Cicumcis Domini that he was subiecte he came to (c) Mat. 20 d Luc. 22 c serue and not to be serued in so much that he huÌ„bled himselfe being made obedient euen to death (d) Phil. 2 b euen the death of the Crosse Then by worde also mouing vs to his imitation he saide (e) Mat. 16 d Luc. 9 c. Hieron ad Rusticum Monach. ep 4. c. 6. et 7 Bas in ser de abdicatione rerum ser de instit Monach. quaest 96. in regulis breuioribus Item in coÌ„stitutionibus Monasticiâ— c. 23. Greg. lib. 32. moral c. 21. Niceph. l. 1â— Eccles â—nst cap. 37. If any man will come after me let him denie himselfe and take vp his Crosse and follow me Which wordes may be certes very well vnderstood as spoken generally to all but yet after a more peculiar perfect manner they do belong vnto those who so farre as their frailty can reach doe so conforme themselues vnto Christ that they will not in any one thing be gouerned by themselues and doe endeuour to liue rather at an other mans direction then at their owne whilest they do follow of their own accord the will commandement of an other whom they haue made their gouernour in Christs roome The superiour of such persons as teacheth S. BASIL (f) Bas in coÌ„stitutionibus Monâ—st cap. 23. 1. Reg. 15 c Eccles 4 d Luc. 10. c Ephes 6 a Coloss 3. d doth beare the person of Christ and being made as it were an intercessour between God meÌ„ doth Sacrifice vnto God the saluation of them that obey And therefore as sheepe doe obey their Shepehearde going the same way that the Shepehearde leadeth them so is it meete that such practisers of piety doe obey their superiours not curiously searching the thinges that are commanded so that they be free from sinne But with all alacritie diligence fulfilling those thinges that are prescribed And of this Superiour after S. BASIL S. BERNARD (g) Bern. in tract de praecepto dispensatione cap. 12. 13. 23 vide cund in ep 2. ad Adam MonachuÌ„ also affirmeth him whom we haue in Gods rome we ought to heare as God himselfe in those thinges which are not manifestly against God And such (h) Philo in lib. de vita contemplat ex eodem Euseb Niceph. Iosephus lib. 18. antiq cap. 2. lib. 2. de bello Iudaico cap. 7. Epiphan hae res 29. Hieronym epist 22. ad Eustoch de custod Virginit cap. 15 16. Item de viris illust in Philone Marco Dionys de Eccle. Hierat cap. 6. Eusebius lib. 1. de demonst Euang cap. 8. Aug. in Psal 132. de morib Eccl. Cathol cap. 31. 33. Item lib. 8. conf cap. 6. Amb. ep 82. Cassian Collat. 18. cap. 4. sequent Nazian orat 20. Athanas in vita Antonij Sulpit. in vita Martini Isid lib. 2. de Eccles offic cap. 15. Sozom. lib. 1. hist cap. 12. Greg. lib. 2. dial lib. 1. ep 33. Chrys aduers vitur Monast vitae ho. 5. ad pop cum sequent Item ho. 41. in 1. ad Tim. Bern. in apol ad Guil. Abb. ho. de bonis Margaritis faithfull and excelent followers of Christ as haue busily attended to the obseruation of the said counsells the Church hath alwaies had as auncient histories doe make mention and amongest them certaine choise and approued companies of deuout and religious men who aboue the custome and example of the common sorte forsaking at once all their goodes and abandoninge the pleasures of the fleshe haue giuen them selues by profession to a holy obedience only seeking and labouring that they might wholly conforme theÌ„selues to the example of the obediente Christ and to the perfection of the Euangelicall rule leauing no place at all to their own proper will Witnesses whereof very fitte and substantiall we haue S. BASIL S. AVGVSTINE S. HIEROME S. BENEDICT S. GREGORY CASSIANVS S. BERNARD and others innumerable professors of Euangelicall perfection and not only defendours but most perfect obseruers of a monasticall rule 6 In breefe what conceipte ought we to haue of the Euangelicall Counsells THis surely that they be prouocations certaine helpes very profitable which doe yelde
armour vnto weake persons against the (a) 1. Io. 2 c Luc. 14 de f g 8 b Mat. 19 b c 13 c 1 Cor. 7 f Eccli 31 a Pro. 29 c Iudic. 17 c 21 d Gal. 5 b baites of the worlde and the flesh which doe further the endeuours of good men in the race of true pietie which doe make the Spirite more at libertie to performe the functions of religion and diuine worshippe and which moreouer are much auaileable as we haue declared for the atchiuing of the reward of eternall life and more ample glory (b) Mat. 19 b c d Greg. lib. 26. moral c. 25. in the kingdome of heauen But the whole summe of Euangelicall perfection standeth in this that as much as thou maiest thou endeuour to get (c) 1. Cor. 13 a 1 Io. 2 a 4 c Col. 3 c Aug. de morib Eccles Cathol c. 33 charitie and that thou followe (d) Luc. 9 c Christ And him thou doest imitate if according to thy power thou doest seeke to conforme thy selfe to Christ who was both (e) 2. Cor. 8 b Mat. 8 c poore and a (f) 1. Pet. 1 e Virgin subiect (g) Luc. 2 g to others and obedient (h) Phil. 2 b euen to the death of the Crosse If with the Apostle S. PAVL (k) Phil. 3 c Psal 83 c Ber. ep 253. ad Garinū Abbatem et ep 341. ad Monachos Sanct. Bertini item ser 2. de Purific B. Mariae Aug. ep 137. ad Hip. neglecting those thinges that are behinde (i) 1. Pet. 2 d with vnwearied labour thou doest trauaile towards those things that are before doest stretch out thy selfe euery day to the price of the supernal vocation vtterly forsaking in the mean season as much as thou canst thy owne proper will and submitting it to a man for gods sake that thou maiest (l) 1. Cor. 12 d pursue the better giftes and maiest both choose (m) Luc. 10 g the best-parte and with faithfulnes conserue the same euen to the (n) Apo. 2 c end OF THE FOVRE LAST THINGES OF A MAN 1 Which are called the foure last things of a man THese surely Death Iudgemēt Hell and the Kingdome of heauen called certes the last (a) Eccli 7 d 28 a 38 b Deut. 32 d Pro. 19 c Bern. in ser de primord medijs nouissunis things because that amongst all the things that can chance vnto a man they chalenge vnto themselues the very last place For death according to the common saying is the last line of thinges After Death followeth the Iudgement of God as S. PAVL also hath declared in these wordes It is (b) Heb. 9. g appointed to men to die once after this the Iudgement To wit both that (c) Aug. lib 2. de anima eius origine cap. 4. Item tract 49. in Ioan. Chysost ho. 14. in Mat. particular which euery one hath at his death and that last and generall Iudgement which expecteth all men at the end of the world as we haue alreadie (d) In Symbolo declared And some are iudged those that die in mortall sinne to be deliuered to euerlasting (e) Luc. 16 c Mat. 25 d paines in Hell others who departing this life are adorned with the mariage (f) Mat 22 b Aug. li. post collat cont Donat. c. 20 Greg. ho. 38 in Euang. garment of charitie that they may enioy the most happie life in the kingdome of heauen That is it which the Euangelicall veritie affirmeth They (g) Io. 5 c Mat. 25 d that haue done good thinges shall come forth into the resurrection of life but they that haue done euill into the resurrection of iudgement For (h) Mat. 16 d the sonne of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his Angells and then will he render to euery man according to his workes 2 What instruction doth the scripture giue vs of death AS (a) Ro. 5 b Sap. 1 d Concil Mileuit cap. 1. Aug. de praedest gratia cap. 3. by one man sinne entered into this worlde and by sinne death and so vnto all men death did passe as S. PAVL affirmeth Therefore although nothing be more vncertain vnto vs then (b) Greg. ho. 13 in Euāg Aug. in Ps 144. ho. 27. ex 50. cap 3. cap 2. soliloquiorū animae Hugo Vict. lib. 1. de anima cap. 3. the houre of death for a man knoweth (c) Eccles 9 c Iac 4 d Eccli 11 c 14 b Luc. 12 c not his end yet nothing can be more sure thā death it selfe For which cause it is written All (d) 2 Reg. 14. c Eccles 2. c Ps 89 b 101 a b 102 c Iob. 8 b 14. a 1 Pet. 1. d Aug. lib. 13. de ciu Dei cap. 10. 11. ser 21. de verbis Domini c. 2. 3. Innocent de contemptu mundi lib. 1. cap. 24. of vs die and as waters we fall into earth which doe not returne againe And Ecclesiasticus confirming the same And (e) Eccli 10 b Iob 17 d Psal 18 b d Baruch 3 b Eccli 41 a Aug. senten vlt. apud Prosp a King saith he is to day and to morow he shall die and when a man dieth he shall inherite serpentes and beastes and wormes And because it concerneth vs much in what manner and how well prepared we die therefore so often in the Gospell is this repeated vnto vs Be (f) Mat 25 a 20. d Mar. 13 d Aug. ep 80. ad Hesych quaest 59. lib. 83. quaestionum watchfull Also be ye ready (g) Luc. 12 c for at what houre you thinke not the sonne of man will come Apoc. 3 a 16 c Cypr. epist 52. ad Anton Aug ser 3. de Innocentibus tra 33. in Ioan. Greg. lib. 16. moral c. 31. And we shall be watchfull and ready to entertaine death if euery man doe for his owne parte earnestly and in all his life meditate that which is written Before (h) Eccli 14 c Eccles 9 c 12 a Gal. 6 c Aug. de discip Christiana cap. 11. 12. Conc. Lateran can 21. Trid. sess 14 Neruens c. 4 Greg. 4. dial c. 58. Possid in vita Aug. death worke iustice because there is not in hell to finde meate As also Christ himselfe hath saide The (i) Ioan 9 a Aug. in enc cap. 110. tract 44. in Ioan. nighte commeth when no mā can worke (k) Ioan. 12 c Luc. 19 c walke whilest you haue the light that the darkenes ouertake you not But fittely doth the Prophet put a difference betweene the death of the good the euill For of these he saith The death (l) Psal 33 d Pro. 11 a Sap. 5 b c Psal 10 b Aug. serm 47. 59. ad fratr in Eremo Hugo Victorinus lib. 1. de anima cap. 2. lib. 3. cap. 23. lib. 4. cap. 13. Innocent 3. de contemptu mundi lib. 2. cap. 42. of sinners
saluting the mother of God FIrst of the wordes and examples of the Gospell whereas the great Archangell GABRIELL and ELISABETH the holy mother of the (a) Luc. 1 28 42. fore-runner of our Lorde both inspired by the holy Ghost do so teach and instructe vs. TheÌ„ we haue this forme of salutation confirmed ratified by the continuall custome and consent of the Church which the holy auncient (b) Damasc in Cant. de annunc Ath. in Euang de SS Deipara many more as appereth in the 18. 19. sections Fathers and men of olde time haue religiously obserued euen to this day and would haue also of vs to be obserued 17 What doth it profite vs to vse this manner of salutation BY these excelent words we are first of al admonished of that exceeding greate benefite that the eternall Father woulde * Gal. 4 4. beginne in Christ by MARIE the mother of God and mercifully bestowe vpon mankinde by redeeming it Luc. 11 27. et 1 30. This is also a singular commendation of the most holy and woonderfull Virgin which God hath determined to be the finder of grace and mother of life vnto vs all Wherefore no meruaile if after those Godly petitions which we offered vnto god in our Lords praier being here mindfull of the grace that we receaued by Christ we doe not only praise the mother of Christ but also God the Father in the same Virgin mother of God reioiceing together with the Angels with great reuerence often salute her 18 What is the sense of this salutation Andr. Hieros Archie Cretensis in salut Angâ—l Iren l. 3. c. 31. 33. Hier. ad Eusto ep 22. c. 8. 9. Innoc. 3. ser 2. de assump Ber. hom 2 in Missê° est Aug. ser 2. de annun IN the first wordes therof we doe iustly reioice with in reioicing praise and renowme her that was to vs the second and that a most happy EVE For that woe of malediction that the first EVE brought into the world this other by her holsome fruite hath taken away and hath exchanged the very curse of the children of ADAM with a perpetuall blessing Most worthy no doubt to be called ful of grace as who being full of God Amb. in c. 1 Luc. Ber. ser 9. ex paruis full of vertues alone for I will vse S. AMBROSE his words obtained that grace which no other had euer deserued before that she might be replenished with the Author of grace And what place could there be in her soule or bodye for any vice when she was made the temple of the holy of all holies There is added besides Our Lord is with thee because both the power of the Father did singularly ouershadowe (a) Luc. 1 35. her the holy Ghost came plentifully vpon her and the (b) Io. 1 14. Ps 18 6. worde being made fleshe from her did proceede in most wonderfull wise as a bridegroome from his chamber Then it followeth Blessed art thou among women Because she was together a spouse by * Esa 7 14. Ez. 44 2. Virginitie and a mother by fruitefulnesse And therefore with greate right all generations doe and shall al-waies call her (c) Luc. â— 48 blessed A woman (d) Cant. 4 7 all faire and immaculate a Virgin before her deliuery at her deliuery and after her deliuery alwaies (e) Amb. ep 81. Hier. in Helu in Apol. aduer Iouin vncorrupted free from all spot of sin (f) Aug. de nat gr c. 36. Conc. Trid. Sess 5. et Ses 6. cap. 23. exalted aboue all heauens who no lesse by giuing life was profitable than vnhappy EVE by killing was hurtfull vnto all mankind And blessed is the fruit of thy wombe IESVS as he that springing vp like a (g) Esa 11 1. flower from MARIE the roote hath both shewed him-selfe after a sorte fruite of the earth and doth in such manner yeeld the fruit of life and saluation to his members as (h) Io. 15 5. a Vine doth iuice and life vnto the branches O blessed wombe (i) Luc. 11 27. indeede that bare and broughte forthe a Sauiour to the worlde O blessed pappes without doubt that being filled froÌ„ heauen suckeled the Sonne of God Finally the Church hath added in the end (k) AntiquuÌ„ Breuiarium nouum Holy MARIE mother of God pray for vs sinners now and in the houre of our death For we following the (l) Ephrem de laud. Mar. in orat ad eandem in lament B. Virg. Iren. 5. c. 19 Naz. or 18. in Cypr. in Tra. Christus patiens Fulg. ser de laud. B. Virg c. 12. Ber. ser 2. Dom. 1. post octa Epiph. ser 1. 4. de Assump Damasc or 1. de Natiui B. Mariae in carmine ad eandem steppes of the holy Fathers doe not only salute that wonderfull Virgin worthy of all commendation which is as a Lillie (m) Can. 2 1 amongst thornes but doe also beleeue and professe that she is endowed with so greate power and ability from God that she is able to profite fauour and pleasure miserable mortall men especially when they doe commend themselues their desires vnto her doe humblely sue for the grace of God by the Mothers intercession 19 Testimonies of the Fathers touching the Virgin MARY Lib. 5 ca. 19. IRENEVS As EVE was seduced to swarue from Almighty God so MARY was perswaded to obaie God so that MARY a Virgin was made the aduocate of EVE a Virgin and as mankind was made subiecte to death by a Virgin so it is loosened by a Virgin a Virgins disobedience beinge counterpeazed by a Virgins obedience Saint CHRISOSTOME In Liturgia It is very meete and iust to glorifie thee the mother of our God euer most blessed and al-together vndefiled more honorable thaÌ„ the Cherubins more glorious incomparablely than the Seraphins which without all corruption hast brought forthe God we do magnify thee the very mother of god Hail Mary ful of grace our Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women blessed is the fruit of thy wombe because thou hast brought forthe the Sauiour of our soules S. AMBROSE Li. 2. de Vir. Let the Virginitie and life of blessed MARY be set forthe vnto vs as it were in an image from whom as froÌ„ a glasse there shineth out bright the beauty of chastitie and fairenesse of vertue What is more noble than the mother of God What is more bright thaÌ„ she whoÌ„ brightnes did choose What is more chaste than she that brought forth a body without contagion of the body Such a one was MARY that her only life might be a document to all men In Euang. de Sancta nostra Deipara Saint ATHANASIVS Forasmuch as he is a king that was borne of the Virgin the same also Lord and God for that cause she that bare him is truely properly iudged to be