right hand shall imbrace me Thou hast already beheld the imbracing of the right hand which was stretched forth vpon the Crosse ready to imbrace and intertaine all sinners this was cleerly shewed by calling the Theefe out of sinne into grace and out of a world of torments into a Paradise of ioyes Now let vs consider the left hand 1. First behold it as full of bloudy streames as the right and in euery point as full of paine what comfort could the Espouse take in laying this bloudy and painfull hand vnder her head Perhaps she desired to haue the impression of this bloudy hand left in her hart to the end she might neuer forget it striue to coÌ„serue fresh in thy memory this left hand of thy Sauiour The left hand Iustice by which his Iustice is signified and by the impression of it remember that sacred bloud which was shed for thee of which they who make not the best vse shall find a seuere iudge who as he called one at his right hand so he permitted an other at his left to perish 2. Endeauour to keep this left hand vnder thy head Betweene the earth and thee let the Iustice of Almighty God mediate Earth caÌ„ attempt nothing against thee when it shal behold how strongly thou art guarded Weigh all thy actions in the ballance of Iustice and thou shalt neuer offend If thou lay pleasure in one scale lay torments due vnto it in the other If this life being but a moment present delights vnto thee call Eternity vnto thee and let it confront that moment and it will soone haue victory 3. His left hand vnder my head Loue is commonly distinguished betweene filiall and seruile That is the loue of a child to his Father and of a seruant to his Maister let this Left hand to wit the Iustice of our Sauiour be vnder our head that is betweene the earth and vs let at the least the feare of Iustice be placed If we ariue not to that perfection which we al ought to tend vnto to contemne the pleasures and vanities of the world meerly for the loue of God preferring that pure affection before all things yet let vs contemne them for the dangers that are in them and for feare of the seuere hand of Iustice which punisheth those who follow them 4. His left hand vnder my head and his right hand shall imbrace me so that vnlesse his left hand be vnder thy head his right hand shall not imbrace thee Doth thy soule desire the louing imbracements of thy Sauiour and the sweetnes of his mercy lay vnder thy head the feare of his Iustice let that be thy foundation and the beginning of thy wisdome Psal 110. then shall his right hand imbrace thee when it shall find his left hand vnder thy head 5. The Espouse desireth his left hand may be vnder her head that is from her beginning from the first entrance into this world till her going out of it that al the dayes of her life she may walke the pathes of his Iustice Most fitly was this spoken of the immaculate Virgin Mother who had this left hand vnder her head being euen in her very Conception indued with originall Iustice the which vnder her head as it were in her first beginning most graciously preuenting her made her worthy to beare the Sonne of God and Sauiour of the world 6. His left hand vnder my head As thou hast hitherto applied this left hand to the Iustice of God so heere apply it to that Iustice which euery true Christian that is which euery follower of Christ ought to beare towards himselfe If we our selues lay this left hand vnder our head and become our owne iudges in this world measu ing our actions by the rule of Iustice and making them streight by penance then shall we facilitate our iudgement in the next world preuenting Gods seuere and rigorous sentence then shall his rigâ—t hand imbrace vs because our owne left hand hath chastised vs. Apply these points as the former The Side CHAP. III. AND now descending from the Mercy Iustice of our Sauiour let vs repose our selues in the seat of his diuine Loue and beholding it as it is in heauen glorious let vs adore those streames of his ardent Loue which issued out of that sacred hart the Cittizens of heauen exulting at the sight of so immense charity Psal 45. Fluminis impetus laetificat ciuitatem dei The violence of this riuer sayth the Prophet maketh the Citty of God Ioyfull when those blessed Inhabitants beheld the violence and force of this bloudy riuer bringing into that hauen of felicity new Colonies to replenish the seates of fallen Angels this being that riuer which issued out of the place of pleasure Gen. 2. to water Paradise as well that celestiall Paradise by replenishing it with daily increase of glory as the terrestrial Paradise of the Church by prospering and increasing his graces the seeds of glory 1. First therfore let vs behold this glorious wound in the side of our Sauiour hanging vpon the Crosse in which we are not to consider any griefe this wound being inflicted after his death out of the circuÌ„stances therfore frame thy pious meditation as that as soone as the soldier with a speare had opened his side Iohn 19. presently there came forth bloud and water that being here fulfilled which was prefigured by Moyses striking the rocke with his rodde Exod. 18. O happy wound of the gracious side of our Sauiour out of which Tract 9. in Ioan. saith holy S. Augustine issued the holy Sacraments 2. That Riuer which watered Paradise deuided it selfe only into fower but this that streamed from the sacred side of Iesus multiplyed it selfe seauen times making seaueÌ„ most precious bathes whose nature is to wash soules make them pure for heaueÌ„ When thou makest thy accesse vnto these diuine Sacraments remember the sourse whence they did spring and let thy deuotion be sutable to the dignity of those mysteries thou desirest to be partaker Thinke saith S. Chrysostome when thou commest to drinke of the holy Chalice Hom. 84. in Ioan. thou doest put thy mouth vnto Christ his side and sucke thence his sacred bloud 3. Consider with thy soule how zealous Diuine Loue shewed it selfe towards mankind in the busines of his Redemption Nature endeauouring to succour the humanity of Christ drew into the last hold as much streÌ„gth as was possible striuing to fortify the hart diuine Loue triumphed ouer this humanity in such sort as euen after death it entred this sacred fort being the sole commaunder therof and drew forth all those forces with which Nature endeauoured to haue resisted As thou doest admire this feruour of Loue so bend thy forces to imitate the same and sticke not vpon toyes and trifle of this world Ponder this vvell that endeauour to keep thee from an entier oblation of thy selfe to Almighty God Canst thou see thy
THE GARDEN OF OVR B. LADY OR A deuout manner how to serue her in her Rosary Written by S. C. of the Society of IESVS Veniat dilectus meus in Hortum suum Cant. 5. Let my beloued come into his Garden M.DC.XIX THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO THE Deuout Catholike Laity of ENGLAND THE Beloued of the Espouse after her many sweet â—uitements to a Garden of â—elight being won by her â—ire requests telleth her I am come into my garden Cant. 5. O mâ— sister Espouse where hauing found variety it selfe placed in the middest of spirituall delights preferred before all those ornament which that place of pleasure brought forth thâ— Myrrhe which he vouchsafed first of all to gatheâ— saying O my sister Espouse haue reaped my myrrhe Smaâ—â— explication of these word most deuout Catholikes is desired yet for the morâ— generall vnderstanding oâ— them take which the ancient Fathers the Beloued to be our Sauiour the Espouse his B. Mother the Garden Perfection and Myrrhe the acts of Pennance And since you haue so â—imitated the Beloued of the Espouse in preferring before althings his blessed choice of Myrrhe by enduring so many pressures for the loue and imitation of him The reason of the dedication and the defence of his Truth which state of yours being that of persecution may well be tearmed a certayne state of perfection me thinkes I behold the Espouse inuiting you also to come into her Garden knowing already your choice to be so like vnto that of her Beloued That Garden of perfection this small Volume resembleth in which are with order disposed the admirable perfectioÌ„s both of the Espouse and her Beloued although those of her Beloued giue forth a clearer light and are of greater ornament to this place then those of the Espouse yet here it is the Beloued his will seeking to honour her to call this Garden hers by adding his graces vnto it to make his Espouses worthines the more apparent Enter therfore with al confidence being so louingly inuited into this Garden of our B. Lady in which your interest is so great view and with all attention behold the natiue beauties and the fruites that are in it so delightfull Our intention once rectified our end ought euer to be in sight see what pleasant pathes are heere plained forth how streight they are without turnings at euery entrance wherof the end is most clearly discouered The passages of this nature are many and diuersly employed in some you shall find diuine Loue leading the B. Virgin to the TeÌ„ple in Hierusalem to consecrat her selfe vnto perpetuall virginity in others you shall behold her conducted by the same guide going to giue her consent to become the mother of the Sauiour of the world here she is in her iourny to visit her Cosin Elizabeth and by her presence to make holy the fruite of her wombe in these pathes she reioyceth and mourneth mourneth and reioyceth diuine loue producing in her purest hart diuine effects But besides these most euen and direct passages Loue being the contriuer of this Paradise there are pleasant descents which rising againe into mounts keep correspondence one with the other in these descents you may behold the Virgin as an humble handmayd going towards Bethleem to bring forth her glorious Infant poorly flying into Egipt fearfully seeking her lost Iesus amongst her kindred carefully and following her tormented Iesus vnto his death most dolefully But in the ascent or rising againe the things you are to see are farre different for diuine Loue hauing out of the descent redoubled the Virgins forces The humility of the B Vâ—rgin giueth increase to al her other vertues leadeth her vp first towards the sight of her most glorious risen Sonne thence to the behoulding of his most powerfull Ascension to her own replenishing with the holy Ghost to her most happy death to her assumption both of body and soule and lastly to her most glorious Coronation To giue you a full description of this Garden and to tell you what Fountaines Figures of the B. Virgin and Tabernacles what Houses and Towers what Roses what Lyllies adorne it were neuer to end wherfore desiring you to be curious perusers of it your selues not to passe any thing vnnoted I leaue to be any longer hindrance from your entring into it This only requesting at your hands The Authors request that those things in which this GardeÌ„ shall seeme pleasing vnto you by which your pious affections shal be any way moued you would seeke by imitation to transport them into your owne Gardens wherby you shal make your entring into it not pleasant alone but withall most profitable S. C. A TABLE OF the Contents VVHAT the Beades signify Chap. 1. pag. 1. Of the fruit of praying on the Beades Chap. 2. pag. 5. Of Preparation to say the Beades Chap. 3. pag. 10. Of the seuerall parts of the Beades Chap. 4. pag. 14. Of the Creed in general Chap. 5. pag. 17. Of the words of the Creed and their sense Chap. 6. pag. 20. Of attention to the Diuine Persons Chap. 7. pag. 25. Of the Pater Noster Chap. 8. pag. 39. Of the Aue Maria. Chap. 9. pag. 52. Of the six Feasts of our B. Lady The Conception Cap. 1. p. 62. The Natiuity Chap 2. pag. 65. The Presentation Chap. 3. pag. 67. The Visitation Chap. 4. pag. 69. The Purification Chap. 5. pag. 71. The Assumption Chap. 6. Pag. 74. Of the Rosary The fiue Ioyful misteries The Anunciation Chap. 1. pag. 77. The Visitation Chap. 2. pag. 83. The Natiuity of our Lord. Chap. 3. pa. 82. The Purification Chap. 4. pag. 85. The finding Iesus in the Temple Ca. p. 5. 89. The fiue sorrowfull mysteries The praying in the garden Chap. 6. pa. 92. His whipping Chap 7. pag. 94. His crowning with thornes Ca. 8. pa. 100. The bearing of his Crosse Cha. 9. pag. 104. His crucifying Chap. 10. pag. 108. The fiue glorious mysteries Of Christ his Resurection Cha. 11. pa. 112. His Ascension Chap. 12. pag. 119. The comming of the holy Ghost Chap. 13. pag. 125. The Assumption of our B. Lady Chap. 14. pag. 130. The CoronatioÌ„ of our Lady Cap. 15. pa. 134 Of the seaueÌ„ Words on the Crosse The first VVord Chap. 1. pag. 141. The second VVord Chap. 2. pag. 146. The third VVord Chap. 3. pag. 153. The fourth VVord Chap. 4. pag. 159. The fifth VVord Chap. 5. pag. 166. The sixt VVord Chap. 6. pag. 172. The seauenth VVord Chap. 7. pag. 179. Of the fiue Woundes The right Hand Chap. 1 pag. 187. The left Hand Chap. 2. pag. 193. The side Chap. 3. pag. 199. The right Foot Chap. 4. pag. 206. The left Foot Chap. 5. pag. 214. Of the foure last Things Of Death Chap. 1. pag. 222. Of Iudgement Chap. 2. pag. 233. Of Heauen Chap. 3. pag. 240. Of Hell Chap. 4. pag. 215. THE GARDEN OF OVR B. LADY OR A deuout Manner of seruing her in her
difference amongest the blessed in their possessing of God almighty and as there are great so are there minimi in regno caelorum Mat. 5. those who are the least in heauen 4. And the earth did quake Mat. 27. Imagine with thy selfe the great terrour which was spread ouer the whole face of the earth at the death of the Author of Nature great and wonderfull mutations being made at this earth-quake Luke 23. yet the change which was most acceptable to God was that of the Iewes Who returned knocking their breasts this was the earthquake intended by our Sauiour who endeauoured to draw those vnto him by feare who would not be drawne by loue 5. And the rockes were rent and the graues were opened Heere consider the true conuersions that were to ensue vpon our Sauiours Passion◠and signified heere by the renting of the rockes and opening of graues obdurate harts were to relent and euen breake with sorrow for their sinnes and they who had bin long buryed in sinne ouerwelmed with earthly thoughts through the passiō of Christ the force of his suffering were to raise themselues out of their loathsome sepulchers and begin to liue againe to Christ Seek from thy hart to be amongst those who are thus conuerted know that one of the powerfull meanes to make this rocke of thine thy hart tender is to bath it in teares 6. Giue God humble thankes for those holy inspirations which his diuine Goodnes hath giuen thee in meditating vpon these his last seauen Words opon the Crosse and be a most deuout fulfiller of those things which he hath inspired thee to doe or suffer for him assuring thy selfe that as these were his last so did he mean to leaue them vnto thee as documents of exceeding great comfort Hauing ended the Considerations vpon the seauē last Words of our Sauiour vpon the Crosse I wil lead thy pious mind vnto contemplation vpon his fiue most glorious and principall wounds that thou mayest the oftener thinke vpon him crucified yea for thee crucifyed The most profitable and most delightful thoughts and tormented in that cruell manner The most happy consideratiōs which thy mind can make are about this obiect of infinite loue well mayst thou thinke thy thoughts ill spent vpon businesses of this world but behold this obiect as long as thou wilt and thou shalt neuer need to repent thee of thy labour since there can be nothing thought vpon with more profit or more delight then Christ Iesus crucifyed OF THE FIVE WOVNDES of our Blessed Sauiour The right Hand CHAP. I. LET vs contemplate vpon those sacred hands of our Sauiour pierced with sharp nailes fastened to the Crosse and first let vs performe our deuotion to the right hand 1. Consider those words of the Prophet Habac. 3. His brightnes shal be as the light hornes in hands or as the hebrew version hath splendour in his hands there is his strēgth hid Behold this sacred wound admiring the splendour and beauty therof desire euer to remayne vnder the protection of the same 2. Ponder with thy selfe what an admirable light proceedeth now from this sacred hand The brightnes proceding from the vvoūds of our Sauiour If the martyrs of Christ shall haue their bodies glorifyed and chiefly in those parts in which they suffered how glorious shall this right Hand of thy Sauiour be whose sufferings were of infinite merit and consequently whose glory must be infinite Imagine the light of a thousand Sunnes vnited togeather to be very darknes in comparison of that infinite splendour shining in this most glorious wound 3. After thou hast considered the admirable beauty of this his glorious right hand as it is in heauen cast thine eye vpon it fastened vnto the painefull Crosse there thou shalt see nothing but streames of bloud gushing out of that tormented hand of thy dolorous Sauiour Here is no glory no splendour no light Here is his strength hid heere this potent right hand createth no worlds but is vsed as the most abiect of creatures here it iudgeth none but is iudged to excessiue torments in fine no power is here shewed all lyeth couered vnder the veyle of humanity and heere is his strength hid Loue and admire this act of infinite fortitude in thy Sauiour in so many iniuries and torments In the right hand fortitude to hide his strength and to deliuer that hand to be pierced which was of power to destroy that world which it had created 4. The enemy of mankind and cheife agent in the bitter passion of our Sauiour hauing hitherto vsed the Iewes as instruments in this Tragedy and hauing giuen them counsaile to whippe him most cruelly crown him most bloudily and load him with his heauy Crosse and yet perceauing his inuincible fortitude willeth thē at last to pierce his sacred hands imagining there to lye hid his strength as indeed it did they being amongst the last wounds which he receaued liuing O my Sauiour and Redeemer thou who heldest out in thy feruour of charity to suffer for me till thy last strength was exhausted giue me thy grace to desire feruently neuer to be ouercome in suffering for thee 5. Since we see it is the greatest strength to be weake for Christ The more vvoundes the greater victory in Christes quarrell and the greatest victory to take most wounds for him why stand we so much vpō our guard fearfull to spend our bloud in his quarrell Temerity is to be auoyded least presuming vpon our forces we fall but when the combat is offered then imitate thy Sauiour in putting forth thy right hand submitting al thy forces bind them fast vnto the Crosse which is the standard in which thou art to ouercome 6. Lastly consider that although outwardly the strength of this right Hand lay hid yet how powerfully it wrought vpon the Theefe who hung vnder it by drawing him vnto it and making of a great sinner a great Saint Dextera tua inueniat omnes qui te oderunt Psal 20. sayth the prophet O Sauiour let thy right hand find all those who hate thee either by punishing them with thy iustice or conuerting them by thy mercy Here was also verified that of the Spouse Cant. 5. Manus meae distillauerunt myrrham my hands haue distilled myrrh that is the sweet odour of pennance contrition which the happy Theefe collected gathered togeather and offered vp vnto his deere Redeemer in odorem suauitatis Apply as thou hast done before these six points vnto thy six Decades saying thy beads before ech wound begging of the dolorous Virgin Mary whose soule was pierced with a sword of afflictions to giue thee some of her compassion in beholding thy Sauiour thus wounded for thy sinnes The left Hand CHAP. II. ADORE with like affection the glorious left hand of thy Sauiour and contemplate vpon those words of the spouse Cant. 2. his left hand vnder my head and his
the best we haue since indeed we giue it not but restore it to him of whome we haue receaued it Consider that the great giftes offered to her Blessed SoÌ„ne by the three Kings were by the B. Virgin and her Spouse speedily giuen away in almes since two Doues were now the best gift they had to offer Holy Simeon receauing his Sauiour into his armes singeth Nunc dimittis Luc 2. now thou doest dismisse thy seruant O Lord â—ecause mine eyes haue seene thy â—aluation This holy Saynt haâ—ing seene his Sauiour desired not to liue any longer Here setâ—ing before thine eyes Happines which is the vision of God the Miseries of this world make resoâ—utions worthy of thy choice Our B. Lady hearing both holy Simeon Anne to prophesy of the greatnes of our Sauiour stood withall humility in the Temple conuerting none of all these praises to her selfe who was â—udged worthy by heaueÌ„ to beare â—his Sauiour of the world Lastly her behauiour towards al that were preseÌ„t in such a concourse of praises admirations was such as she endeauoured to make them esteeme of her but as of an ordinary woman who needed Purification The Assumption CHAP. VI. The sixt Feast FIRST the most happy soulâ— of this B Virgin separated froÌ„ her body by death is by Angelicall powers transported vp to heauen In like triumph her body by singular priuiledge is carryed vp by Angels and in all happines reunited to her soule Reflect vpon the ioy at this vnion applauded by the three Persons in the B. Trinity and all the Quiers of Angels and Saintes At the hands of her glorious Sonne she receaueth a Crowne of eternall blisse She is placed at the right hand of her Sonne and proclaimed Queene of Heauen Lastly endeauour thou by al meanes possible to make this Queene of glory adored also heere on earth by drawing and exhorting as many as thou canst to deuote themselues vnto her And thus by these six feasts I haue giuen thee some light how to apply any mystery to thy Beads But wheÌ„ thou art growne expert in this kind of Prayer thou mayest either saying thy whole Beads meditate vpon one only mystery as for example the Conception of this B. Virgin or else thâ—u mayest apply to euery decade or ten one of these mysteries so in thy six decades thou shalt runne through all the six mysteries And thus much concerning the Beads consisting ordinarily of six decades Now we will passe vnto the Rosary consisting of 15. Decades or 150. Aues and of 15. Pater nosters OF THE ROSARY THE Rosary The Rosary which diuers Sodalities both Religious secular daily vse is made of 15. Dâ—cades or fifteen tymes 10. Aues and 15. Pater nosters is deuided into three Crownes ech crowne containing fiue Dacades of Aues and fiue Pater nosters And to proceed with the first fiue we will apply vnto it the fiue Ioyfull mysteries to wit The Annuntiation Visitation The Natiuity of our Lord his Presentation his finding in the Temple Which fiue mysteries are to be applyed to the first Crown ech mystery to a seuerall Decade Of the first Ioyfull mystery which is the Annuntiation CHAP I. CALL to mind the History of the Annuntiation The first ioyful mistery Luke 1. as it is recorded by the Euangelist in which narration six points are remarkable First the ConsultatioÌ„ made in heauen by the three Diuine Persons in Trinity how they might assist man and bring him againe into the way of saluation and no other meanes was found more expedient then that the second Person of the B. Trinity should become man Consider then the obedience of the Angell in vndertaking and discharging the Embassage he was willed to beare vnto the Virgin Mary dwelling in Nâ—zareth as also how the Angell carryed himselfe towardes this chosen Queene he discoursing with her in an humble low voice briefly and grauely after the manner of treating with Princes Likewise her Virginall modesty beinâ— troublâ—d at the merueilous speaches of the Angell and her deep si ence Luke 1. considering with her selfe what a kind of salutation this was Againe Her singular wisdome â—aving with her selfe Quomodo fiet istud How shall this be done conioyned with a purpose of purity because she knew not man Also her holy feare Feare not O Mary thou hast found grace before God for that the holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the highest shall ouer-shadow thee Lastly contemplate vpon the meruailous fruitfulnes promised her in giuing her consent The obedience of the B. Vâ—rgin highly revvarded Behold thou shalt conceaue and bring forth a Sonne and thou shalt call his name Iesus End this point with admiration at the B. Virgins exceeding promptnes and humility Behold the handmayd of our Lord her courage Let it be done vnto me Her faith and confidence According to thy word and lastly her deuout thankes-giuing My soule doth magnify our Lord. The Visitation CHAP. II. The secoÌ„d ioyfull myâ—tery SET before thine eyes the first pilgrimage of our B. Lady in visiting her Cosin S. Elizabeth mother of S. Iohn the Baptist wherin consider these six points applying one to euery Decade First contemplate the B. will of God to be that this iourny should then be vndertaken by the B. Virgin to sanctify S. Iohn by her gracious salutation The B. Virgin knowing it to be the will of God that she should take this iourney sodenly without any delay rose vp went into the mountaines by the which the holy Fathers vnderstand perfection in all vertue at which the whole EuaÌ„gelical law aymeth 3. Make thy selfe present and see the pious strife betweene these happy women allied neerer in vertue then in bloud endeauouring each one to exceed in acts of humility and charity 4. If vve be forced to discouer our ovvne vvorth let vs do it as rather beâ—ng mortified thâ—n pleased to make knovvne vnto oth rs vvh re our measure lyeth The glorious mother of God although she could not hide from her Cosin the greatnes wherto she was called yet her humble manner of disclosing it was such as could not proceed but from the mother of God replenished with all grace and vertue 5. Then consider the vertues practised by the B. virgin for the tyme that she stayed with S. Elizabeth which was three months 6. And out of ech of these flowers sucke like an industrious Bee some sweet document and admiring this Virgin-Mothers vertues and those of S. Elizabeth namely their deuotion diligence courtesy humility most humbly demaund grace now to be both prayser and follower of their vertues and after thy death partaker of their glory The Natiuity of our Lord. CHAP. III. The third ioyfull mistery GOE and put thy selfe into the company of sheepheards and by thy humility and pouerty dispose thy selfe for the inuitatioÌ„ of Angels to go and behold in poore BethlieÌ„ the King of Kinges thy Sauiour and Reedemer
to see nothing els but causes and arguments of teares and bitter compassion 1. First sweet Iesus being in anguish of mind Luke 22. knowing that the hower of his betraying grew neere he went into the Garden of Gethsemani to pray teaching vs in all our affliction to make recourse vnto Almighty God by prayer that being the only way to attaine vnto the perfect peace of mind 2. And his sweat became droppes of bloud The Iewes had not his first bloud that was shed but Diuine loue that wounded him had the honour to draw the first bloud from him if thou spend thy bloud let it be for Gods cause and then thy wounds are honourable 3. Here our sweet Sauiour was in an agony the bloud retired to his blessed hart as to the last hold to haue assisted it but his infinite loue which commaunded ouer this hart sendeth backe all succour and refuseth ayd whence proceedeth this bloudy sweat Endeauour to aspire vnto this greatnes of spirit as to refuse all consolations much lesse to seeke after them when it shall please God to giue thee the priuiledge to suffer for him 4. Notwithstanding not my will but thine be done This infinite cloud of sorrow was not able to oppresse Christ Iesus or to remoue him from his resolution to dye for mankind for we may wel perceaue by the perfect resignation of his will to his heauenly Father that he desired nothing more then the performance of his will The only tranquility in this vvorld the cure of all our afflictions is the resigning of our selues vp into the handes of Almighty God 5. Matt. 17. He awaketh his disciples biddeth them pray least they enter into temptation S. Peter and the other two disciples Iames Iohn had seene part of his glory in mount Thabor and yet here they sleep No triall is like to that of affliction sleep not when Christ desireth to suffer in thee but be watchfull and attent to receaue Gods inspirations 6. The â—pirit is ready but the fle h is weake The true description of our B. Sauiour in his agony which was nothing but a conflict betweene the superiour and inferiour part of his soule which with this act of resignation were appeased Let not the superiour part of thy soule be led by the inferiour sense guiding reason but in all thine actions shew thy selfe a reasonable creature suppressing alâ— sensuall desires His whipping CHAP. VII CONSIDER how the B. Virgin missing her Iesus The secoÌ„d sorovvfull Mistery sought him with pensiue hart and at the last findeth him not in the TeÌ„ple disputing but in Pilates house bloudily whipped not arguing the case or alleadging his inocency but most meekly and patiently receauing the cruelest blowes those bloudy executioners could lay on who striued one with another who should exceed either in number or greatnes of stripes 2. Looke vpon this spectacle with his B. Mother and weeping with her aske with the deepest sorrow thou canst pardon of theÌ„ both as cause through thy sinnes of this their so extreme affliction 3. Behold their cruel manner of tying swet Iesus his hands to a piller which reached no higher theÌ„ his knees As appeareth by the piller yet extant in Rome to the end there might no part of him be defended from their blowes Blessed Iesus would let no part of him also be exeÌ„pted from suffering for thee Endeauour to suffer somewhat at least for him that suffered so much for thee 4. Amongest all the wounds these hard-harted Iewes gaue him As appeareth in the holy Syndon at Turin two especially procured him most paine ouer each hippe one for there the force of the whippes met and many wounds were there vnited 5. Behold the hands of him that is omnipotent tyed fast to a piller the innocent whipped the creature abusing the Creatour and man God the Holy of Holies reuiled and euery thing done by contraries to the end thou mightest proceed in order permitting thy Reason to comaund ouer thy Sense 6. In seeing al these insolences enormities committed against thy Sauiour looke still into the causes why he would suffer so much and thou shalt find thy selfe to be the cause who art not yet content with these his torments but doest endeauour daily to increase them as much as lyeth in thee by thy greiuous offences For one of thy vngratefull sinnes committed against his goodnes afflicteth him more then all these bloudy stripes and millions oâ— wounds His crowning with thornes CHAP. VIII GO forth with the daughterâ— of Hierusalem The third sorovvfull Mistery and behold thy King crowned not with a diademe of honour and power but with a sharp wreath of thornes in derision and contempt 1. First consider the malicious intent of the Iewes to appareâ— him like a ridiculous King applying this vnto sweet Iesus for saying he was their King they crowne him therfore with thorns place in his hand a reed for his scepter and apparell him with an old purple ragge 2. Behold the cruelty of the setting on of this crowne of mockery they presse it and beate it vpon those sacred browes to the end the sharpe pointed thornes should euery one pierce a veyne that no part of that diuine head should want torment and that no part of this cruell diademe should be left vnused those thorns which were few that lighted not vpon the sacred head of Iesus were sent by diuine loue as darts to penetrate thy stony hart 3. No doubt his Blessed face was all imbrued with the aboundance of bloud continually falling from his wounded head yet had it not hitherto suffered any thing only the traiterous kisse of his fallen disciple excepted and therfore he permitteth a wicked Iew to box and buffet the same in the beholding where of Angels place their happines The same was also spit vpon and made the most deformed place of all 4. Thus whipped crowned apparelled and in al respects infinitely infused he is brought forth to the Iewes to know whether yet they were satiffied in his punishment Behold the man And heere before thou depart spend some teares in beholding this Man that is shewed thee Thinke with thy selfe what an infinite loue must this Man beare thee that would be brought into this misery meerly for thee Behold the man this is he that left Heauen the seat at the right hand of his Father would be borne poorly circumcised seuerely in agony sweat bloudily whipped cruelly crowned scornfully and all to gaine thy loue This was he Behold the man if thou canst for weeping 5. Imagine thy selfe to heare those incredulous Iewes crying out vnto Pilate with open mouth Free not this man not this but Barabbas Do not only imagine thy selfe to heare see this as a looker on but thou mayest well thinke thou didst beare a part of this hellish musick As often as vvâ— follovv vnlavvfull pleasures vve preferre Barabbas before Iesus in so often times preferring soule sensuall delights
Sauiour opening his very hart to giue thee his last bloud and yet retaine vnto thy selfe such foule resolutions that are so much displeasing vnto him 4. No part of our Sauiour was free from a particuler affliction but the hart was partaker of all the torments which euery part endured the hart was whipped the hart was crowned with thornes with the hands and feet the hart was pierced the hart was tormented in them all as the Prince in his subiects and therfore whiles any part suffered the hart desired to be entyer that it might feele part of all To all the tormented parts of thy Redeemer how infinitely art thou bound cheifly to this sacred hart that suffered most of all for thee and only to gaine thy hart Stirre vp thy frozen affection and with a most feruent zeale desire with holy S. Anselme to haue no feet but such as should trauaile for thy Sauiour no hands but such as should labour for him no head but that which should thinke of him and no hart but that which should most ardently loue his diuine goodnes 5. Behold the infinite conuersions of soules wrought by the powerfull side of thy Sauiour the which powring forth a bath of bloud vpon them hath cleansed them from all impurity as it were creating a new cleane harts Filij tui de longe venient Isa 60. et filiae tuae de latere surgent O Lord thy sonnes shall come from farre and thy daughters shall rise from thy side they who were greatest sinners and were farre off from thy grace shall render themselues thine and thy sacred side shall as a fruitfull wombe bring forth a spirituall generation 6. Of which happy generation begge by the mediation of the B. Virgin that thou mayest be one and hoping that she hath obtayned for thee thy petition behaue thy selfe as a child of so admirable a parent who to bring thee forth was faine to dye and to haue his hart pierced with a Lance that thou mightst liue be euer mindfull of thy ofspring which was ardent Charity be not so base as to degenerate by doing any thing that should be coÌ„trary to this vertue Charity thâ— râ—le of our actâ—oÌ„s which hath made thee the child of God and Coheire with Christ Iesus The right Foote CHAP. IIII. BEHOLD thy louing Sauiour most willingly putting forth his sacred right Foot to be nayled to the Crosse for the loue he bare vnto thee being most constant in his sufferings for thee louing thee thus ardently to the very end and desiring of thee no other recompence then loue for loue and constancy and perseuerance in thy loue not to fly from him for difficulties for he followed thee leauing the ninty nine to wit those glorious troupes which adored him in heauen coÌ„ming downe here vpon earth laboured to seeke thee desiring to gayne thee though it were through miseries reproaches and death it selfe which constant loue of his fastened him to this Crosse and pierced his sacred hands hart and feet 1. Let thy first consideration fix it selfe as the former in conceauing the excessiue paine thy deare Redeemer endured in the piercing of this sacred right foot which consisted of so many ioynts in the middest of which a grosse nayle vvas rudely driuen putting all those tender parts out of their places and with great violence tearing and breaking all that made any resistance vnto that cruell inuasion no torment could be greater then this and yet thy dolorous Iesus endureth it as if he felt it not loue ouercomming griefe the greatnes and firmenesse of his resolution surmounting al afflictions that could be imposed vpon him 2. Consider with thy selfe the nature of the affections of this world The nature of the affection of the vvorld The world loueth as long as any interest remaineth when that ceaseth the worlds loue ceaseth hauing alwayes for it obiect those cold words as S. Bernard tearmeth them Meum Tuum Mine and Thine The affection of our Sauiour towards man was most entier pure not capable indeed of any Meum or Tuum or priuate interest since he bestowed incomparably more vpoÌ„ man by making himselfe man then man could possibly render vnto him if he should haue striued to haue shewed himselfe most gratefull which Christ knew many and most men would not do out of which consideration admire the constancy of his loue which held out to the end VVhat motiue Christ had to loue vs. hauing no other motiue to make him loue then that he was absolutely resolued to loue 3. Contemplate the powerfull operation of the glorious sufferings inflicted vpon the feet of thy Sauiour which redoubled their forces after they were pierced and by their wouÌ„ds receaued strength if before his Passion they were of force to conuert all those who came neere them Mat. 9. to penetrate the happy Magdalens hart Luke 7. who stood but behind them and to draw teares from that rock what would they haue don now when streames of bloud answere to droppes of teares heere consider how powerfully constant Iesus worketh with soules infinitely ouercoÌ„ming them in euery thing he desireth of them If he desire our hart he giueth vs his owne wounded if he bid vs take vp his yoke he maketh it light for vs but loadeth himselfe with a most heauy Crosse in fine if he aske teares of vs he giueth vs his bloud 4. This dolorous Foot putting it selfe so readily into the path of afflictioÌ„s teacheth vs what way to walke in this worldly pâ—lgrimage preferring the way of the Crosse before the way of Pleasure Eccles 7. and the house of sorrow before the house of ioy Our Sauiour could haue ended his iourny with out these painfull steppes but he sparing no griefe was as it were prodigall in his sufferings that he might recouer man who was be come prodigall in his offences All who detractâ—d from thee saith the Prophet shall adore the steps of thy feet Isa 60. when through thy constant loue they shal be confounded and conuert themselues againe vnto thee whome they had most vngratefully forsaken 5. Shall we imagine this sacred Foot to haue receaued any ease or rest from that step that was placed vnder it and vpon which it stood No Bellar de 7 verbis Isa 1. as from the sole of the foot vnto the toppe of the head there was no whole part in him so was there no ease This was that done Gen. 1. who find ng not where his foot might rest for the exceeding deluge of bloud retyreth himselfe into the Arck of his diuine Loue which was as strong as death Cant. 8. and inabled his body to beare what we imagine as it were impossible to be endured if we truly and sincerely imitate his loue we cannot but imitate his sufferings 6. Let vs not only looke or admire at this wonderfull act of constancy in our blessed redeemers suffering as if beholding it or admiring were inough those