and Wisdom of God himself is so obedient at the Altar Be ever gratefull and endeavour to come allwayes worthily to this divine Mystery Of the Institution of the B. Sacrament Part 2. COnsider 1. Christ would institute this divine Mystery immediatly before his Passion 1. To testify the excess of his love towards men in preparing for them a heavenly banquet and inestimable present even then when they were contriving his death 2. To manifest the desire he had of ever remaining with us even corporally for being now to depart out of the world he would notwithstanding leave himself after a special manner to abide with us for ever 3. To leave us a perpetuall Memorial of his Passion and a living Sacrifice The Sacrifices of the antient law ceasing by his death by which the fruit and vertue of his Passion might be applyed to us 4. To make us the more sensible of his love bequeathing himself unto us by his last will and Testament Jo. 6.57 Consider 2. Christ did institute this Sacrament under the formes of bread and wine 1. That so he might the straighter be united with us becoming meat and drink to us penetrating our very bowels and incorporating himself with us 2. To signify that he doth work in our Soules what bread and wine doth in our bodies that is nourish conserve and augment our Spiritual life so as even to transform us into himself He that eateth me the same also shall live by me 3. That as bread is made one masse of many graines and wine one liquor of many grapes so by participation of this divine Sacrament the hearts of the faithfull are made one Spirit and therefore it is properly called Communion or union of many among themselves and of all with Christ Ps. 115.4 Consider 3. Allthough in each Sacramentall forme the entire body and bloud of Christ is contained without any reall Separation of one from the other yet Christ would institute the Sacrament in two different formes the better to put us in mind of his Passion and to signify that thereby all his pretious bloud was entirely separated from his body namely by his sweat in the garden by whips at the pillar by the thornes by the nayles and by the lance on the Cross Think what you can return to our Lord for his infinite love towards you expressed in this Sacrament Say with David I will take the Chalice of Salvation by grateful remembrance and compassion and I will invocate the name of our Lord. Of our Lords Sermon after Supper Part 1. Jo. c. 14.15 16.17 COnsider 1. Christ after the Communion of his Body had that long Sermon to the Apostles which is in S. John for that is the time wherein he is wont to treat more at large with the faithfull Soul and would likewise with you but that you leave him presently after Communion or doe not harken to him and therefore profit little In that divine Sermon our Lord performed the part 1. Of a Master delivering such things as he would chiefly have observed 2. Of a Comforter allaying his Disciples griefe for his future absence shewing how expedient it was for them 3. Of an Intercessor on our behalf to his Eternal Father praying him to preserve us See you observe what he enjoyneth and be thankfull for the rest Jo. 15.9 Consider 2. As our Master he doth chiefly recommend unto us the love of God and of himself above all things As my father hath loved me I also have loved you Abide in my love Think whither you love him as he hath loved you and yet there can be no comparison between yours and his love for his is infinitly beneficial to you but yours wholy unprofitable to him Notwithstanding out of pure love to you and to gain yours to himself he hath given you his own flesh and bloud for meat and drink and his life upon the Cross for your Redemption Ibid. v. 13. And greater love then this no man hath Are you ready to lay down yours for him Jo. 14.15 Ibid. v. 23. Consider 3. If you love me saith he keep my commandements And again If any one love me he will keep my word The proofe therefore of love Greg. hom 30. saith S. Gregory is the performance of deeds If you love Christ resolve to doe and suffer somthing for him at least put on the affection of compassion for his sufferings and leave it not off all this time of Lent Offer up your fasting and whatsoever you may suffer thereby in union with his paines and dolours Of our Lords Sermon after Supper Part 2. Jo. 15.12 Jo. 13.34 COnsider 1. After the love of God Christ doth earnestly recommend the love of our Neighbour This is my precept And A new commandement I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you He calleth it his and a new commandement because he renewed it being fallen to decay And New as to the manner and perfection requiring that our love be like his that is universall to all friends and enemies without respect to deserts or recompence even with our own temporal incommodity and if need be with loss of life In this all men shall know that you are my Disciples if you have love to one another Ibid. See you be his disciple in this and take to heart what he going now to die inculcated in such weighty termes Jo. 16.24 Consider 2. Christ doth also much recommend unto us the use of prayer Vntill now you have not asked any thing in my name Aske and you shall receive Whatsoever you shall aske in my name Jo. 14.13 that will I doe c. So friendly an invitation cannot but ground a great confidence The poor and needy are provoked and even pressed to receive benefits and he inviteth that is both able to make good his word and cannot deceive Only we must be careful to pray in due manner to wit in Christs name that is only for such things as appartain to our Salvation and with Preseverance Jo. 16.2 Consider 3. Christ our Lord doth arimat his Disciples and all that follow him to endure patiently reproch torments and death it self in his cause Our of the Synogogues they will cast you The hour cometh that every one which killeth you shall think that he doth service to God He encourageth them Jo. 15.20 1. By his own example The servant is not greater than his master If they have persecuted me you also will they prâ—sâ—cute 2. In delivering it as a signe of Predestination Ibid. v. 19. Because you are not of the world therefore the world hateth you 3. By proposing the reward Jo. 16.20 Your sorrow shall be turned into joy Here offer your self to suffer whatsoever for Christ Christ is Sorowful and prayeth in the Garden Mat. 26.30 Jo. 18.1 COnsider 1. An Hymn being said He went forth with his Disciples beyond the Torrent Cedron where was
you would have remained for ever but that it pleased God to take you out of your nothing and wheras he could have joyned to your first or original matter infinite other forms he would endow you with a rational one and place you in this world among men But to what end Not to disport or play not to eat and drink not to seek after honours and vanities of this life nor finally to end your days like brute beasts Our Lord hath wrought all things for himself that you might serve and worship him in this world and so at last attain to life everlasting Consider 2. The excellency of this end All other living creatures are created stooping down to their food and carry about them souls that are to end with time Man alone is elevated to that sublinie end of praising and serving his Creator and after a short and holy life to be crowned with immortal glory With good reason David full of admiration breaketh forth into those words What is man that thou art mindful of him Thou hast minished him little less then Angels with glory and honour thou hast crowned him Ps 8.5 and hast appointed him over the works of thy hands Ps 33.2 Consider 3. How much you are obliged to your Creator for so great a benefit and withall how justly he requireth of you that you direct your whole life to this onely end of his divine praise and service This therefore ought to be the onely aim of all your actions and even your thoughts viz. to honour God and serve him alone Wherefore say with the Prophet I will bless our Lord at all time his praise always in my mouth You are born for Heaven see you degenerate not See you carry not saith St. Bernard in a streight and upright body Bern. in Cant. Serm. 24. a crooked soul that is deformedly bent upon earthly things Of Mans last End The second Part. COnsider 1. Seeing your end in this life is to praise and serve God alone and seeing that in whatsoever kind the end is the measure or square of all such things as appertain thereunto it followeth evidently that you are to make use of all other creatures so far forth as they conduce to his service and honour and contrariwise to avoid them if they any way withdraw you from the same Wherefore you are not to desire riches honours conveniences of this life nor even learning or health otherwise then they may help you the better to serve God For as that holy man said well Tho. a Kemp. de Imit l. 1. c. 2. Better is the humble countreyman that serveth God then the proud Philosopher who neglecting himself considereth the course of the heavens Ps 107.2 Matt. 26.39 42. Consider 2. And examine your self in particular whether you have any disordered affection to the things above mentioned See whether you be ready to suffer poverty reproach sickness and death it self if God thereby might be the more glorified in you Offer your self to your Creator with indifferency to all things so far as they make to his greater glory Say with the Prophet My heart is ready O God my heart is ready and with Christ our Lord Not as I will but as thou Thy will be done Agg. 1.6 Consider 3. How foolishly they do who have any other end then God in their actions who employ their labours in purchasing honours riches renown pleasures and the like No otherwise do these then would he who being to sayl to the East should steer his course to the West and so never come to his journeys end Of such it is rightly said by the Prophet You have sowed much and brought in little you have eaten and have not been filled you have drunk and have not been inebriated Lastly They lead their days in wealth Job 21.13 and in a moment they go down to hell Of Mans duty towards God 1. Part. Ps 36.27 COnsider 1. The whole duty of man towards God is comprised in that short sentence Decline from evil and do good These are the two principal points of a Christian life they are the two wings whereby we must flye up to Heaven the two arms wherewith we are to lay fast hold on the Kingdom of God In respect of the first part mans life in the holy Scripture is said to be a warfare upon earth Job 7.1 and Christians are termed Souldiers carefully standing upon their guard for resisting the suggestions and temptations of sin Job 9.28 Consider 2. In this Warfare we are to strive against Sin even unto death never giving over or thinking our selves secure but always standing in arms with watchful care and fear Job notwithstanding all his Integrity discussed and feared every the least of his actions David a man according to Gods own heart Ps 76.7 did every night brush or sweep his spirit St. John Baptist that was sanctified in his mothers womb Hym. ad Mat. de S. Joh. Bapt. led an austere retired life that he might not as the Church singeth of him stain his life with a light slip of his tongue S. Paul though confirmed in Grace and rapt to the third Heaven could say of himself So I fight not as it were beating the air 1 Cor. 9.27 but I chastise my body and bring it into servitude Think not therefore much of any pains for the avoiding of sin Tob. 4.6 Consider 3. We must not onely withstand the actual committing of sin but also the consent of mind Beware thou consent not to sin at any time and resist all delectation and suggestion for as St. Gregory saith In suggestion is the seed of sin Greg. ad Interr lib. Aug. Cantuar in delectation the nourishment in consent the perfection Examine your self what vigilancy and caution you hold over your thoughts words and actions how you avoid occasions of danger and how you resist the suggestions of the Flesh the World and the Devil Take up your Weapons with the holy Saints of Fasting Prayer and Mortification of your flesh that you may also with them be crowned with a glorious Victory Of Mans Duty towards God 2. Part. Matt. 13.44 COnsider 1. The other part of Mans Duty is to labour in the exercise of good works thereby to please and serve God Wherefore Heaven is sometimes proposed unto us as a rich jewel sometimes as a treasure hidden in a field which we are to seek out with some pain and labour and to purchase with the sale of all we have sometimes again as a goal or prize 1 Cor. 9.24 which we are to gain by running on in the race of Vertue and Perfection and almost every where as the Reward and Crown of Vertuous Actions See therefore you play the industrious Merchant and by the continual exercise of good works heap up to your self treasures in Heaven Matt. 6.20 1 Thess 4.3 Consider 2. The several Motives which you have to
all others whence by the Holy Fathers it is called the Mother and Guardian of other Vertues for he that is Obedient is also humble patient meek charitable continent and Master of himselfe for as the Wise man saith An obedient man shall speak Victory Pro. 21.28 Procure therefore to be well affected to this Vertue and to exercise it when occasion is in imitation of Christ Behold I sow my Law in you and it shall bring fourth fruit in you 4 Esd 9.31 Mat. 13.24 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the good seed of our Soule Zach. 9.17 COnsider 1. What is said to day in the Ghospel The Kingdom of Heaven is resembled to a man that sowed good seed in his field Ponder therefore how your soule is a field capable both of good and bad seed and that God doth cast into it many good seeds of holy Inspirations and pious affections by good books Preachers Directours c. But the choisest seed of all is his own pretious body which he soweth in your soule by the Eucharist for this is the corn of the Elect and the seed that yeeldeth fruit of eternal life Consider 2. The soile of your soule of itself is fruitless and barren bringing forth nothing but thorns and bryars and subject to be overgrown with cockle which resembling the good seed of Vertues doe fill up and cosen the soule with vain hopes of fruite and in harvest time that is in the later judgement are cast into the fire Cleanse therefore your soule carefully from the weedes and bryars of Vice with the harrow of Mortification Separate the cockle from the pure wheat true Vertue from that which is false and counterfeit that the seed of the heavenly sower may not be choked up within you Heb. 6.7 c. Consider 3. How seriously you ought to labour to the end that by meanes of so much sowing and frequent receiving the Sacraments you may yeeld fruit answerably lest otherwise the heavenly husbandman provoked to indignation condemn you to the fire For the earth saith the Apostle drinking the raine often coming upon it and bringing forth grass commodious for them by whom it is tilled receiveth blessing of God but bringing forth thorns and bryars it is reprobate and very neer a curse whose end is to be burnt Luc. 2.52 Of Christs growing in Age and Wisdom c. Part I. COnsider 1. And Jesus proceeded in Wisdom and age and grace with God and men Christ from his first conception had all fullness of Grace Wisdom and all manner of Vertue but he proceeded still forward in them to the outward appearance accommodating his actions and discourses sutably to his age that you might learn to conform your self to the time and place you are in and to make continual progress in Vertue Luc. 9.62 Consider 2. There are diverse ways both of profiting and of failing in a spirituall life First some after they have begun well give back through Inconstancy and these our Lord condemneth when he saith No man putting his hand to the plough and looking back is apt for the Kingdom of God and biddeth us remember Lot's wife who was turned into a pillar of Salt that others might be the wiser by her misfortune Apoc. 2.4 Consider 3. Others in their progress grow remisse in fervor and use of those means whereby they might profit and therefore are in danger of falling To such Christ speaketh in the Apocalyps I have against thee a few things because thou hast left thy first charity Others againe begin and goe on with a slow pace and although outwardly there appeare no defect yet for the most part there is a reall decay within Finally others when they have once begun well Ps. 83.6 goe on cheerfully disposing ascension in their hearts c. From one Vertue to another See in what class you are or would wish to be and mend your pace towards gaining the prize Luc. 2.52 Of Christs growing in Age Wisdom c. Part 2. COnsider 1. Jesus proceeded in Wisdom and age and grace with God and Men saith the Evangeast We must therefore joyn both together and avoid two extremes Wherefore ponder how some there are whâ—se care only it is to carry a faire outside in the eyes of men and doe little regard their own true interior profit in the sight of God and their own conscience So did the Pharisees of whom Christ Mat. 6.16 They disfigure their faces that they may appeare unto men to fast Amen I say to you that they have received their reward See whither you doe your actions so for example frequenting the Sacraments hearing Masse and the like only for human respects and that you might not seem indevout And see you mend Rom. 10.2 Consider 2. Others there are on the contrary who have no regard to the edification of their Neighbour in what they doe out of fervor having somtimes an over great and indiscreet Zeal of God but not according to knowledg as the Apostle saith And these the same Apostle admonisheth to be providing good things not only before God Rom. 12.17 but also before Men. Mat. 5.17 Consider 3. Lastly Others joyne both together and that in due manner according to the example of Christ who said So let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven Run over all your actions in particular and see what you are wont to doe only to please men what againe to please God alone though it be with the offence and disedification of others and endeavour in all things to please God by a right intention and to edify men by good example Of the Necessity which all have of profiting in Vertue Part 1. COnsider 1. All that are disciples of Christ must make continuall progress in spirit 1. Because not to goe forwards in the way of God as the Saints doe teach is to goe backwards For as a boat cannot keep its ground in a swift river but must necessarily be carryed down ward by force of the stream unless it be born upward by meanes of oares so unless you goe continually on strugling with main force against the impuâ—se of nature you will certainly by force thereof be cast back for as S. Bernard saith Not to gaine doubtless is to lose ground Ber. Ep. 341 whence you will come to fall at last into the hands of your enemies whom you desire to escape Mat. 5.48 Consider 2. Because such is the will of God who will have us to be pure and holy in his sight without spot or wrinckle Be you perfect therefore saith Christ as also your Heavenly Father is perfect No man becometh eminent all on a suddain Let every one therefore seek to perfect himselfe by degrees that he may at last arrive to the top of perfection S. Bern. Consider 3. Because so it becometh a disciple of Christ to doe Whence
his pretious bloud to wash and cleanse you withall He took upon his shoulders stripes which were due to you whereby he made good that of the Prophet With his shoulders shall he overshadow thee Is. 50.6 Is. 53.7 How Of his own free choice cheerfully constantly and silently I have given my body to the strikers c. As a lambe before his shoarer be was dumb When In the most solemn feast of the Pasch at what time an infinit number of people were resorted from all parts to celebrate that Mistery All which made to his greater ignominy and confusion Come eate ye my bread and drink the wine which I have mingled for you Prov. 9.5 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the food of your Soul Jo. 6.55 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Ghospel how Christ with five loaves fed five thousand persons Jo. 6. He will come this day into your soul to feed it with a food the sweetest most pretious and wholsome that ever was from the beginning of the world his own sacred Body and Bloud For My flesh is meat indeed and my bloud is drink indeed and that you might not fear to come he invites and calls upon you Eate Cant. 5.1 O friends and drink and be inebriated my dearest Consider 2. Three chiefe effects which corporall food worketh in the body 1. It nourishes and strengthens 2. It satiat's 3. It preserv's life In the same manner as S. Thomas saith this divine food worketh in the Soul Opusc 58. c. 9. It strengthens giving Grace and Vertue to overcome vice It satiat's in begetting a loathing of worldly pleasures for as the wise man saith A soul that is full shall tread upon the hony comb Prov. 27.7 that is the delights of this world Lastly it preserv's the spiritual life of the Soul and advanceth it to a blessed Eternity Jo. 6.58 He that eateth this bread saith Christ shall live for ever O what a happiness is it to feed upon such bread Consider 3. No meat though never so wholsome does good but in a body well disposed and taken in a clean stomack as the Physitians affirm Foul bodies the more you nourish the more you indanger for in these all nourishment is turned into ill humors See therefore that you duely prepare your Soul Ps 33.9 if you desire to taste how sweet our Lord is Purge your self of bad humors and evill affections which hinder spiritual digestion Let a man prove himself and so 1 Cor. 11.28 that is well proved and examined and not otherwise let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice Of the Crowning with Thornes Ps. 37.15 COnsider 1. Christ out of his excessive love of suffering for us not content with ordinary sufferings permitted the Souldiers to invent and practice upon him an unheard-of kind of cruelty striving to out doe both in invention and cruelty what was newly done in Herods Court. 1. Therefore they strip him of his own clothes not without great torment they being now cloven to the gore bloud which ran from his wounds then they put about him a purple garment in token of a mock-King See how he lets them abuse him aâ— their pleasure without the least resistance or contradiction being become as a man not having reproofs in his mouth Mat. 27.29 Consider 2. And plating a crown of thornes put it upon his head O unheard-of torment Some affirm that our Lord was wounded in seventy two distinct places of his head by those thorns Cant. 3.11 Goe forth my Soul and see King Salomon in the diadem wherewith his mother the Synagog whereof he was according to flesh hath crowned him and be astonished Away with Pride away with all sensuality Be ashamed saith S. Bernard to be a delicat or nice member Bern. ser 5. de Om. SS under a thorny head Mat. sup Consider 3. And they put a reed in his right hand And bowing the knee before him they mocked him saying Haile King of the Jews and spitting upon him they took the reed and smote his head What indignities are these What torments Ponder severally each one See how the King of invincible patience letteth not goe but keepeth still in his hand the Scepter of scorn and derision to provoke you to imitate Now was fullfilled that of the Prophet Behold my servant Mat. 12.18 Isa 42.1 c. He shall not contend nor cry out neither shall any man heare in the streets his voice The reed bruised he shall not breake and smoking flax he shall not extinguish Jo. 29. Loe the Man Part. 1. Jo. 19.5 COnsider 1. Jesus therefore went forth carrying the Crown of thorns and the purple Vestment Ponder how Pilat to move the Jews to commiseration brought forth our Lord scourged and crowned as he was and shewed him to the people Think what a confusion it was to our Lord to be exposed thus for a sight to the Pharises and his other enemies and with what humility and patience our meek Lamb bare it O how are you sweet Jesus altered from what you lately were when you appeared glorious on the mount Thabor or when you sate upon the Cherubins displaying the raves of your Majesty in the highest Heavens Is 53.2 Consider 2. Pilat said Loe the Man He was so disfigured that he could be scarce known for a man How true was that of the Prophet There is no beauty in him nor comlines and we have seen him and there was no sightlines Who would not melt with teares to behold so sad a spectacle and yet the hard hearted Jews are nothing moved but cry out the more Crucify crucify him O most beautifull of men where is now that gratious aspect of yours where those rayes of your divine countenance Do not consider me saith he that I am brown Cant. 1.6 because the Sun hath altered my colour The Sun and heat of your charity O Lord hath indeed altered your colour and metamorphiz'd you into a worm and the reproch of men for us Pro. 29.25 Consider 3. Pilat had long laboured to release Christ but when he heard those words of the Jews If thou release this man thou art not Cesars friend out of human respects and policy lest perhaps he might be accused to Cesar yeelded him unto them against all Justice Have a care that like human respects prevaile not with you against Justice and Equity He that feareth man shall soone fall saith Salomon He that trusteth in our Lord shall be lifted up Jo. 19. Loe the Man Part 2. COnsider 1. Having set Christ before your eyes with the Crown of thornes on his head and Robe of scorn on his shoulders as in the former Meditation and wounded all over from head to foot Imagin those words behold the man spoken to you by the holy Ghost to the end you should more attentively contemplat him as much as if he should say He
and so thou shalt depart 3 Reg. 19.8 Consider 2. This strengthening bread is properly the Holy Eucharist which is therefore given us under the form of Bread and that of Wheat which is most comfortable of all other thereby to enable us to go on with alacrity to overcome the toil and labour of the journey and to resist our spiritual enemies that strive to hinder our passage A lively figure of this was that bread which the Angel gave to Elias in the strength whereof he walked fourty daies and fourty nights unto the Mount of God Horeb. Consider 3. This bread although of it self most comfortable and strengthening produceth not its effects but in a well ordered and clean stomack for if it be foul it overchargeth and weakneth it the more 1 Cor. 11.30 Therefore are there among you many weak and feeble saith the Apostle because they received Christs Body unworthily Wherefore duly prepare your soul and cleanse it of all disordinate affections and then this heavenly bread will enable you so as to run chearfully in the way of Gods Commandments according to that Ps 118.32 I ran the way of thy Commandments when thou didst dilate my heart Of three that offered themselves to follow Christ Mat. 8. Luc. 9. Part 1. Mat. 8.19 COnsider 1. While Christ was walking by the Sea of Tiberias with multitudes about him A certain Scribe came to him and said I will follow thee whither soever that thou shalt go This was a liberal Oblation of himself but not accepted of For the holy Fathers are of opinion S. Hieron S. Aug. apud Barrad to 2. that this man followed Christ only for gain as thinking by his Miracles and concourse of people that he gathered store of money Or perhaps also he would follow him out of vain ostentation and that he might come to work Miracles O how many are there in the world that say they follow Christ but in truth seek their own ends Mat. 5.3 Consider 2. Christs answer The Foxes have holes and the Fowls of the ayr Nests but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head As â—f he would say Why should you desire to follow me for worldly wealth who have no lodging of my own being less provided then the very beasts and fowls themselves O wonderful poverty of this Sovereign King But this Poverty is so rich and of that value as to be able to purchase the Kingdom of Heaven according to that Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Ps 87.16 Mat. 11.29 Abdias 4. Consider 3. The Disciples of Christ ought not to be either Foxes having their holes that is Coffers to hoard up treasures in or Birds building their Nests aloft and seeking high and eminent imployments and dignities for that he himself is poor and in labours from his youth Meek and humble of heart Ponder those words If thou shalt be exalted as an Eagle and if thou shalt set thy Nest among the Stars thence will I pluck thee down saith our Lord. Of three that offered themselves to follow Christ Mat. 8. Luc. 9. Part 2. Luc. 9.59 COnsider 1. Christ said to another follow me And he said Lord permit me first to go and to bury my Father This was a great mercy of Christ inviting him to be his Disciple and yet not accepted of but upon condition for he would first bury his Father who lay a dying or as others expound would have taken care of him till he died and after that betake himself to the service of God So many would serve God but after their own fashion that is after they have served their own pleasures and had their swing in the world Luc. 14.26 Consider 2. Our Lords answer Let the dead bury the dead but go thou set forth the Kingdom of God He teacheth us to prefer God before our Parents or Kindred He forbids not the performance of our duty but would have natural affection give way to the Divine Service for he will have his Disciples to cast off all carnal affection wherefore in another place he saith If any man come to me and hateth not his Father and Mother c. he cannot be my Disciple 1 Tim. 5.6 Consider 3. Christ termeth them dead that live to the world in sin For there are two sorts of death one of the body the other of the soul the body dieth when the Soul departeth the Soul dieth when it is separated from God by sin Christ therefore saith let them that are dead to God bury and take care of them that are dead to the world But let your care rather be to preserve the life of your Soul lest some time or other you come to die by sin and be cast off from the Face of God more loathsome to him then any dead carkass She that is in deliciousness saith the Apostle living is dead Of three that offered themselves to follow Christ Mat. 8. Luc. 9. Part 3. Luc. 9.61 COnsider 1. A third came to Christ and offered himself to follow him but asked leave that he might first return home to dispose of his things and take leave of his Father and Friends I will follow thee Lord but permit me first to take my leave of them that are at home A reasonable request in appearance but not received for that all dangerous delays in the service of God ought to be carefully avoided Eccli 5.8 Slack not to be converted to our Lord and defer not from day to day Consider 2. Christs answer No man putting his hand to the Plough and looking back is apt for the Kingdom of God As much as to say the Ploughman that hath his hand upon the Plough and looketh the contrary way is not fit to plough so he that intends to be my Disciple and turneth back to regard worldly affairs is not fit to preach the Gospel The Ploughman must see what is before him so must the Disciple of Christ according to the Apostle Phil. 3.13 Who forgetting the things that are behind stretched forth himself to those that are before Eccli 27.12 Consider 3. We are admonished here of constancy and perseverance in what we undertake for God A fool is changed as the Moon but a holy man continueth in wisdom as the Sun never going back but still making progress Examine your self how constant you are in your good purposes whether you keep the first fervour of your Conversion or as much as you remember your self to have had at other times c. Be stedfast in the way of our Lord Eccli 5.12 and if you find your self to have grown cold do penance Apoc. 2.5 and do the first works Of the Vocation of the Rich young man Mat. 19. Mar. 10. Luc. 18. Part 1. Luc. 18.18 Mar. 10.17 COnsider 1. As our Lord passed through Jewry A certain Prince running forth and kneeling before him asked him
of all occasions of doing good and that in all manner of distress according to our ability 3. They ought to be performed with an interiour pious affection Think how you are wont to be in these especially the spiritual works Mercy Mat. 11.28 Consider 2. The example of Christ in these particulars 1. As to all sorts of persons therefore he said Come ye to me all without exception that labour and are burthened and I will refresh you 2. As to all occasions of doing good therefore He was teaching daily in the Temple Luc. 19.47 Act. 10.39 And He went throughout doing good and bealing all that were oppressed of the Devil 3. He performed all with a most tender affection like to the Samaritan Luc. 10.30 c. who bound his wounds that fell among thieves therefore go and do thou in like manner Luc. 6.38 Consider 3. The Reward For they shall obtain mercy as well in this life both for body and soul as in the life to come likewise for both and that after a perfect manner and indeed with the same measure that you do mete it shall be measured to you again Think how much you stand in need of Gods Mercy What would become of you if he should deal with you according to your deserts Be merciful therefore and that in all the works of mercy that you may obtain mercy Judgment without mercy to him saith S. James that hath not done mercy Jac. 2.13 Of the sixth Beatitude Blessed are the clean of heart c. Mat. 5.8 1 Tim. 1. â— COnsider 1. Cleanness of heart consisteth 1. In being free from all sin both Mortal and Venial 2. In the frequent exercise of holy thoughts 3. In the purity of a right intention doing nothing with dissimulation or with intention to appear before men Therefore the Apostle requireth of us Charity from a pure heart and a good conscience and a faith not feigned Examine your self how you are in these particulars 1 Pet. 2.22 Sap. 7.26 Consider 2. Christs example who as S. Peter saith did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth Therefore he is also called The brightness of Eternal Light the unspotted glass of Gods Majesty and the Image of his goodness And did often rebuke the Scribes and Pharisees Mat. 23 2â— Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites because you make clean that on the outside of the cup and dish but within you are full of rapine and uncleanness See whether you imitate Christ or rather the Pharisees in your actions Sap. 1.4 5. Consider 3. The Reward For they shall see God O what a happiness it will be to see God! Neither eye hath seen nor ear heard c. Labour therefore to obtain this purity of heart which the greater it is the perfecter will be your Vision and Essential Happiness Even in this life such shall have a clearer knowledge of God and divine things On the contrary Wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul nor dwell in a soul subject to sins And the Holy Ghost of discipline will fly from him that feigneth saith the wise man Of the seventh Beatitude Blessed are the Peace-makers Mat. 5.9 c. COnsider 1. There are four several ways of making peace The first is to make peace with ones self by subjecting the Flesh to the Spirit and the Sensual Appetite to Reason The second is to keep peace with others to hurt none to give no body occasion of complaint The third is to pacifie and make agree those that are at variance The fourth and most excellent of all others is to reconcile souls to God Think how you carry your self in these Is 9.6 Consider 2. The example of Christ who therefore came down from Heaven that he might be out Mediator for peace and is therefore called A peaceable King and Prince of Peace At his first entrance into the world he brought Peace with him And in earth Luc. 2.14 peace to men of good will And at his going forth of it again he left us his Peace as a Legacy saying Jo. 14.27 Peace I leave to you my peace I give to you c. Lastly he would have his Disciples to salute all with the word of peace Peace to this house And himself after his Resurrection Luc. 10.5 used the like salutation to them Phil. 4.7 Consider 3. The Reward For they shall be called the Children of God Think what a dignity it is to be the Son of Almighty God If it be thought a great matter to be the Son of some earthly Prince how much more to have the Heavenly King and Lord of all for his Father Wherefore Almighty God doth after a special manner love cherish and protect these Peace-makers as his own children See how you keep peace within your self with God and with your Neighbour and do your endeavour that the Peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your heart aad intelligence Of the eighth Beatitude Blessed are they that suffer Persecution Mat. 5.10 c. 1 Pet. 4.16 COnsider 1. These four things 1. Under the Name of Persecution are comprehended all manner of injuries afflictions and incommodities in our fortunes honor and life 2. These are raised by the Devil or his Ministers Sometimes also through mistake God so permitting by the Just 3. They are inflicted for Justice sake when one suffereth them for the exercise of virtue and incompliance with his proper duties both towards God and men 4. In such occasions they are to be suffered not only patiently but also joyfully for the greatness of the reward Therefore S. Peter saith Let none of you suffer as a Murderer or a Thief or a Railer c. but if as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorifie God in this Name Consider 2. The Example of Christ who endured all manner of injuries and incommodities in his honour in his goods in his person for a cause which on his part was the most just that could be to wit for the publishing his most wholesome and Divine Law and bringing Mankind back from the dirt and mire of Vice whereinto he was fallen to the way of Eternal Salvation Exod. 25.40 Therefore look and do according to the pattern Rom. 8.18 Consider 3. The Reward For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven And again Be glad and rejoyce for your reward is very great in Heaven Ponder well the greatness or this Reward and how true is that of the Apostle The passions of this time are not condigne to the glory to come that shall be revealed in us Of those words of our Lord Mat. 5.13 You are the Salt of the Earth c. COnsider 1. Salt doth both season Meat and preserve it from Corruption So it is the part of all Apostolical men to preserve Souls from the corruption of sin and besides to render the exercise of Virtue savoury and pleasant unto them
Prayer Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven The Will of God is of three sorts of Precept of Councel and of good Pleasure Let all therefore follow your counsels and inspirations obey your commands approve and reverence your good pleasure in Earth as the Saints do in Heaven and execute your holy will readily chearfully and constantly See whether you do so Mat. 4.4 Our daily bread c. Both corporal whereby the life of the body is maintained and chiefly spiritual whereby the Soul is preserved in life for not in bread alone doth man live but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God c. Give us this day that is daily that you should daily ask it not for your self alone but for us all even your Enemies Luc. 6.37 And forgive us our Trespasses as we c. Therefore first forgive if any one have offended you either by word or deed that you may deserve to have forgiveness of your offences You are indebted more then ten thousand talents to God in comparison whereof your Brother scarce oweth you a peny forgive therefore the lesser debt that your greater may be forgiven you Forgive and you shall be forgiven And lead us not into temptation That is do not permit us to be overcome It is not always expedient for us to be without temptation in this life for the tryal and improvement of our virtue Beg therefore strength to resist But deliver us from all evil both of guilt and of punishment from the snares of the Devil Lastly from all evil past present and future that you may enjoy everlasting happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven Amen Be it be it Of other sayings of Christ on the Mountain Mat. 5. 6 COnsider 1. In the same Sermon our Lord doth very severely forbid anger against our Brethren There are three degrees of anger the first of the heart the second of words the third of deeds Ponder the evils which it brings us It perverteth Reason it exposeth us to grievous sins and makes us liable to the torments of Hell Think how you are subject to this in your actions and see you mend your self Consider 2. He doth also forbid us to swear Let your talk be yea yea no no. Mat. 5.37 Think how detestable is the custom of swearing how unworthy of any Christian much more of sacred persons A man that sweareth much Eccli 23.12 shall be filled with iniquity and plague shall not depart from his house that is Gods revenge See whether perhaps any such custom have place in you and seek to root it out both in your self and others Mat. 6.1 Consider 3. Those words Take good heed that you do not your Justice before men to be seen of them He teacheth us to fly vain glory rising from good works otherwise we shall have no reward in heaven We are to do good works before men according to that Mat. 5.17 So let your light shine before men c. yet not with intention thereby to please men but God alone S. Greg. Hom. 11. in Evang. Therefore let the action saith S. Gregory be so in publick that the intention whereby we seek only to please God be kept in private Of sending the Apostles to Preach Mat. 10. Luc. 10. Part 1. Luc. 10.2 COnsider 1. Our most merciful Lord beholding the state of Souls in Israel said The harvest truly is much but the workmen few Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest that he send forth workmen into his harvest Our Lords harvest are the Elect who expect the preaching of the Gospel and of these there are many of your own Country for whose good you ought to be concerned Beseech our Lord therefore to send zealous workmen and such as may reap much fruit and if it be your lot to be one see you spare no pains nor labour seeking the good of souls not your own private ends Luc. 10.1 Consider 2. Hence Christ sent his Disciples to preach But two and two to recommend Charity unto us wherewith the Preachers of the Gospel ought to be linked together for Prov. 18.19 Brother that is holpen of Brother is as a strong City Think how necessary this Union and mutual assistance is among all that help Souls least otherwise what one gathers an other scattereth and what one builds an other destroyeth Exciâ—e your self therefore to an Universal and Apostolical Charity towards all Note also that these Harvest-men must be sent or called by Christ and his Substitutes and not thrust themselves in by their own private Authority Mat. 10.8 Consider 3. Christs Precepts to those he was to send 1. He debarreth them far from all Avarice Gratis you have received gratis give ye 2. 2. He forbiddeth superfluous and precious things Do not possess gold nor silver nor money in your purses 3. In ordinary conveniences he prohibiteth such as are less necessary Not a skrip for the way neither two coats c. 4. Even in necessaries he will have them confide in God and feed upon what is set before them without seeking after extraordinaries and particularities Eating and drinking such things as they have Think how you ought to observe these things Luc. 10.7 if you desire to labour in our Lords Harvest with profit rather then with pomp Of sending the Apostles to Preach Mat. 10. Luc. 10. Part 2. Mat. 10.16 COnsider 1. Those words Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves An unheard-of kind of warfare he sendeth sheep to combat with wolves So true it is 1 Cor. 1.27 The weak things of the world hath God chosen that be may confound the strong Moreover he admonisheth his Preachers to be like sheep that is meek not returning evil for evil but imploying themselves wholly to the benefit of their Neighbour like unto sheep which give their milk and wooll and flesh and all they have for mans use Consider 2. Those other words Be ye wise as Serpents Mat. sup and simple as Doves He would have the Serpents Wisdome joyned with the Doves Simplicity He requireth Prudence in taking fit occasions of time and place c. to help our Neighbour Simplicity in doing all things sincerely without double dealing or malice and proceeding without bitterness and gall which Doves are said not to have Thine eyes are as Doves saith the Spouse in the Canticles that is Cant. 1.15 pure Such therefore ought to be the eye of your intention Mat. 10.7 Marc. 6.12 Consider 3. The Subject they are enjoyned to preach on Going preach saying that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand c. And going forth they preached that they should do Penance They preached not of vain and curious matters but of such only as were profitable for the good of Souls such ought to be the endeavours and manner of preaching of those that have care of Souls speaking inwardly to their Hearers spiritual
influence to all virtuous actions 4. It springeth up unto life everlasting raising up our thoughts unto it whose pledge it is Say therefore with the woman Lord give me this water that I may not thirst c. Of the Samaritan Womans Conversion Jo. 4.26 c. Part 2. COnsider 1. The wonderful goodness of Christ vouchsafing to manifest himself openly to a sinful woman saying I am he to wit the Messias that speak with thee Consider the efficacy of her Faith she presently went into the City leaving her Water-pot behind her to bring others of the City to the same Faith Come and see saith she a man that hath told me all things whatsoever I have done Such is the fervour of true zeal which bestirreth it self and seeketh every where whom it may gain to Christ If therefore you be enkindled with true zeal cast away the Pitcher of terrene affections and seek whom you may likewise inflame Consider 2. The Woman being gone the Disciples offered Christ to eat for it was that time of the day but he being intent upon the Conversion of the Samaritans whom he did expect refused saying Ibid. v. 34. My meat is to do the will of him that sent me to perfect his work that you may learn to prefer the Spiritual good of your Neighbour before your own corporal refection O that your meat and drink your delight and pleasure were only to do the will of your Heavenly Father Consider 3. How many of the Samaritans moved by the Womans speeches came and were converted and said to her That now not for thy saying do we believe for our selves have heard Ibid. v. 42. and do know that this is the Saviour of the world indeed Rejoyce that your Saviour was manifested to those men and wish that all the world may come to his knowledge and withall do your utmost endeavour to bring as many as may be unto him S. Greg. Hom. 6. in Evang. If you walk towards God saith S. Gregory procure not to come to him alone without company Of the Woman taken in Adultery Jo. 8.3 c. COnsider 1. The Pharisees seeking to intrap our Lord take occasion of his Meekness wherefore they bring unto him a Woman taken in Adultery with intent that if perhaps he should give his Sentence for her dismission he might be held for a Corrupter of the Law So the Devil layeth his Snares in that Virtue wherein we most excel the Zealous he endeavours to provoke to anger the Humble to dejection and pusillanimity the Meek to remissness and too much indulgence But there is no counsel against our Lord Pro. 21.30 Job 5.13 And Christ apprehendeth the wise in their subtilty Luc. 6.36 Consider 2. Jesus bowing himself down with his finger wrote in the earth so to decline his giving sentence which might breed contention Therefore the Apostle No man being a souldier to God intangleth himself with secular businesses 2 Tim. 2.4 He did it moreover to teach us that we ought to proceed warily and not with precipitation in such causes But they still urging him He lifted up himself and said to them He that is without sin of you let him first throw the stone at her Most wisely neither clearing nor yet condemning her but pricking their conscience and moving them to compunction for their own sins and commiseration for others Be ye merciful as also your Father is merciful Eccli 34.31 Consider 3. The Pharisees going away one by one the Woman remained alone repentant for her sin and probably with an interiour Faith expecting absolution thereof from Christ Our Lord therefore understanding by her that no body had condemned her Neither will I condemn thee saith he Go and now sin no more Observe and admire the Riches of our Lords Goodness Patience and Longanimity in bringing you and others to Penance O how often hath he said unto you Now sin no more and yet you have still gone on A man that fasteth in his sins and doing the same again what doth he profit in humbling himself Of the Cananean Woman Mat. 15. Mar. 7. COnsider 1. How a Woman of Canaan a Gentile came to our Lord to obtain the cure of her Daughter and see how well she prayeth 1. With a great Faith confessing him to be the Son of David 2. With profound Reverence for she fell down at his feet 3. With tender Charity Mar. 7.25 not begging for her self but for her Daughter 4. With great affection and instance for she cryed out after our Lord. 5. With admirable Constancy for she was often put off yet she still persisted in her Petition Such likewise ought to be your prayer Mat. 15.26 Consider 2. How Christ at first answered harshly unto her and seemingly cast her off like a dog saying It is not good to take the bread of the children and to cast it to the dogs so to exercise her virtue and crown her perseverance God doth often do the like with us because as S. Gregory saith He loveth to be entreated he is willing to be forced Greg. in Ps 6. Paenit and even desireth to be overcome by importunity Observe moreover the Womans Humility in not denying her self a Dog but requesting that which was proper to dogs to wit to eat of the crums of their Masters Table Let your prayer also be humble for the prayer of him that humbleth himself Eccli 35.19 shall penetrate the Clouds saith Ecclesiasticus and he will not depart till the Highest behold Mat. 15.28 Consider 3. Christ yielding at length to the Womans pious importunity first commendeth her Faith O Woman great is thy Faith then granteth what she asked Let it be done to thee as thou wilt Perhaps your Soul also like to the Womans Daughter is sore vexed with an evil Spirit He is sorely vexed who yieldeth to his troubles and temptations but he that overcometh them is vexed to his great benefit and Crown Beg therefore of our Lord strength and courage to resist and pray that as it was to this Woman so it may also be done to thee as thou wilt Of Holy Communion Love the Lord thy God and obey his voice and cleave to him for he is thy life and the length of thy daies Deut. 30.20 Aug. tr 47. in Joan. Consider Christ as the Life of your Soul COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel how Christ raised a young man from death to life and that he is the true Life of your Soul according to that Jo. 11.25 I am the Resurrection and the Life he that believeth in me although he be dead shall live And as the body dieth saith S. Augustine when the soul is departed which is its life so the soul dieth when it loseth God by sin who is its life Ponder the benefit of Spiritual Life by comparing it with that of the body for what a dead carkass is in the eyes of men deformed loathsome
and useless in all respects the same is a soul that is without grace in the sight of God Ps 35.10 Consider 2. Christ with whom is the Fountain of Life giveth life to dead Souls by the Sacrament of Penance and conserveth the same and encreaseth it by the Holy Eucharist He that eateth me saith Christ the same also shall live by me Jo. 6.57 And again He that eateth this bread shall live for ever You ought therefore with a longing desire to expect that hour wherein this Fountain of Life is to come to you and say with the Psalmist Ps 41.2 Even as the Hart destreth after the Fountains of Waters so doth my Soul desire after thee O God My Soul hath thirsted after God the living Fountain Ps 20.5 Consider 3. This Spiritual Life is not bestowed but upon them that ask it and that with great devotion He asked life of thee and thou gavest him length of daies for ever and for ever and ever Moreover being that the life of the body is known by its motion and operation in the same manner the life of your Soul which is Christ 2 Cor. 4.10 1 Jo. 2.6 ought to be manifested in you by your works and chiefly by the imitation of his life for he that sayeth he abideth in him saith S. John ought even as he walked himself also to walk Of the Conversion of Zacheus the Publican Luc. 19.2 c. Part 1. Sap. 6.13 18. COnsider 1. Behold a man named Zacheus and this was a Prince of the Publicans and he rich and he sought to see Jesus The desire of finding Jesus is a rare thing in rich men but this was the beginning of Zacheus his Salvation for Wisdom is easily found of them that seek her and the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline See whether you feel the like desires of Perfection and procure to have them Consider 3. And he could not for the multitude see Jesus therefore he went up into a Sycamore Tree that is according to the Greek word a silly Fig Tree A man of that Authority that he was did nothing regard the Scoffs and Flouts of the rude people And you perhaps are not able to see Christ nor understand his Divine Mysteries for the croud of worldly thoughts Wherefore retire your self from them by prayer and by mortification get up into the silly Fig Tree that is the Cross which to the Gentiles is foolishness 1 Cor. 1.23 Greg. l. 27. Moral c. 27 For as S. Gregory saith they who through humility choose that which is folly to the world come to contemplate with great subtilty the Wisdom of God himself Consider 3. The Charity and Mercy of Christ in granting Zacheus even more then he wished not only permitting himself to be seen by him but also inviting him to his conversation and familiarity Come down in hast because this day I must abide in thy house He saith In hast for that the grace of the Holy Ghost knows not slow delays and This day while time is for perhaps to morrow you may not have me And you in like manner if perchance to day you shall hear his voice exciting you to greater perfection and imitation of himself harden not your heart Ps 94.8 Of the Conversion of Zacheus the Publican Luc. 19.6 Part 2. Apoc. 3.20 COnsider 1. Zacheus his Obedience to Christs Call And he in hast came down and received him rejoycing So ought you to do when our Lord calleth speedily and with joy to receive him and to open the door of your heart as soon as you hear him knock lest if you make delay he turn aside from you as he did to the Spouse in the Canticles and passed away from her Cant. 5.6 Observe how when all saw it they murmured saying that he turned in to a man that was a sinner Whence you may see that even the holyest actions are carped at by the malicious for they understood not the zeal of our Lord who came to seek and to save that which was lost Luc. 18.27 Consider 2. How Zacheus being at length converted by our Lords speeches said Behold the half of my goods Lord I give to the poor c. Here the rich man despoileth himself of his wealth and imployeth it partly for the benefit of the poor partly in satisfaction for what he had unlawfully got He overcometh himself in a thing the hardest of all the abandoning of riches but the things that are impossible with men saith Christ are possible with God by his grace See whether you have as yet overcome your self at least in putting off all affection to riches and chiefly in denying your own will Consider 3. Christ approveth of Zacheus his Piety This day Salvation is made to this house that is to the whole Family whereof he was Head so greatly availeth good example in Rulers Beseech our Lord mercifully to work the like Salvation in the house of your Soul especially when he cometh to visit you in time of Mass either by Sacramental or Spiritual Communion whereunto you may most fitly apply this whole passage Of curing the Centurions Servant Mat. 8. Luc. 7. Part 1. Mat. 8.6 COnsider 1. The Centurions Servant was fallen sick and his Master being sollicitous for him sent Intercessors to Christ saying Lord my Boy lieth at home sick of the Palsey and is sore tormented Observe the Masters goodness and care for his Servant as also his Faith wherewith he believed that Christ though absent could work the cure Learn to be ready in works of Charity even to your inferiours If thou have a faithful servant saith the wise man let him be unto thee as thy Soul Eccli 33.31 and as a Brother so entreat him Consider 2. Christs Charity and Goodness I will come and cure him He offereth more then the other asked to wit to come in Person whereas the Centurion wished only a single word from him for working the cure S. Aug. Let men be ashamed at their backwardness saith S. Augustine for that God is ready to give more then we to take Observe moreover how Christ being an other time invited to cure a Princes Son would not go and now freely offereth himself without any entreaty S. Greg. Hom. 28. in Evang. to go to the Centurions Servant To beat down our pride saith S. Gregory who do regard in men not so much their nature which is equal and the same in all c. as honours and riches Luc. 7.6 Consider 3. The Centurion hearing that Christ was coming sent others to meet him saying Lord trouble not thy self for I am not worthy that thou shouldest eater under my roof for the which cause neither did I think my self worthy to come to thee but say the word and my servant shall be made whole Ponder these words and admire his admirable Humility by means whereof while he deemed himself unworthy to
Christ came near and touched the Coffia and they that carried it stood still and he said Young man I say to thee Arise He speaketh imperiously to shew that he is Lord of all That hath power of Life and bringeth down to the Gates of Death and fetcheth again The death of the Soul is sin and Hell its grave for the rich man died 〈◊〉 16.22 and was buried in Hell The Bier whereon the sinner is carried to Hell is his Body the Bearers are Vicious Habits And as the Bier is often set out with Silk and Cloth of Gold though the Corps within is full of ordure so the body of a sinner glistering in Golden Array covereth a Soul abominable to God But Christ cometh and toucheth the Coffin that is striketh the body with sâ—me grievous sickness and by that means bringeth the sinner to life again Consider 2. And he that was dead sate up and began to speak and he gave him to his Mother What joy was this to his Widow-Mother What an astonishment to the rest of the company So a sinner reviving in Spirit to God beginneth to speak of such things as appertain to God confessing his sins asking pardon and extolling so merciful a Lord. â—eg 1.6 Consider 3. And fear took them all and they magnified God From so great a Miracle there arose in the standers by a fear of offending a Lord of such power to wit a Lord that mortifieth and quickneth bringeth down to hell and fetcheth back again Think how necessary it is for you to have this holy fear for the fear of our Lord hateth evil Prov. â— 13 Eccli 2 1â— And They that fear our Lord will sâ—â—k after the things that are well pleasing to him Of raising Lazarus Jo. 11.1 c. Part 1. Jac. 1.15 COnsider 1. There was a certain sick man Lazarus of Bethania c. Lazarus his death proceeded from a languishing disease So likewise from faintness and decay in Spirit if it be not cured in time followeth the death of the Soul Concupiscence bringeth forth sin sin ingendreth death The infirmity of our Nature is the Incentive of Sin but this hurteth none but those that yield of themselves for to them that resist and sight manfully This infirmity or sickness is not to death 2 Cor. 12.9 but for the glory of God for Power or Virtue is perfected in infirmity Consider 2. Lazarus being sick His Sisters sent to Christ saying Lord behold whom thou lovest is sick They do not prescribe what he is to do to a loving friend it is enough to intimate ones necessity Such ought to be our prayers especially in matter of health or other temporal blessings for we know no whether or no what we ask be expedient for our Souls Salvation Besides Christ went not presently but deferred going for two whole daies both to exercise their Faith and Patience and to render the Miracle more Illustrious So he often dealeth with you Greg. 26. Moral c. 15 The labour of the Combat saith S. Gregory is prolonged that the Crown of Victory may be the greater Consider 3. Some disswaded Christ from returning into Jewry to cure Lazarus for that the Jews had sought for him to stone him S. Thomas answered Let us also go to die with him Such ought to be the courage of an Apostolical man Jo. sup v. 16. contemning what dangers soever even death it self for the good of Souls and glory of God And such fervent acts ought you often to make that when Persecution shall arise against you you may be able to stand in the day of battel and not make your life more precious then your self Ps 139.8 Act. 20.24 Of raising Lazarus Jo. 11.33 c. Part 2. Rom. 12.15 Heb. 4.15 COnsider 1. Christ when he was come to Lazarus his Grave seeing others weeping he groaned in spirit and troubled himself c. and wept Which he did both out of Charity to weep with them that weep and withall to shew that we have a High-Priest that can have compassion on our infirmities Then he bad them take away the stone and lifting his eyes upward he prayed to his Father to teach us that we are to take away all impediments of our Salvation and to implore the Divine Assistance in all occasions but chiefly in the conversion of a sinner Consider 2. The stone being taken away He cryed with a loud voice Lazarus come forth Ponder the power and efficacy of his word which even the dead obey For forthwith he came forth that had been dead bound feet and bands with winding bands and his face was tyed with a Napkin This man that lay four daies dead in his Grave is a perfect Figure of an inveterate sinner bound and fettered with ill habits as so many winding bands muffled with the Napkin of Blindness pressed and â—ept down by Custom as under a ponderous Grave and finally fast shut up and inclosed through hardness of heart as with a Grave-stone such are almost incorrigible Therefore Christ cryed here with a loud voice and doth daily call to such and yet is not heard Take heed of such habits and customs of sin for as S. Augustine saith He hardly riseth that is borne down by evil custom Aug. c. 49. in Joan. Consider 3. The Pharisees having heard of this Miracle Gathered a Councel and devised to kill Jesus Whence you may learn that there is nothing so holy no action so good that is not subject to envy and harsh censures of disaffected persons Of Holy Communion Stand and consider the marvels of God Job 37.14 Consider Christ as the Worker of Miracles Jo. 4.48 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel Vnless you see signs and wonders you believe not Christ did many signs and wonders to confirm our Faith so that by the Prophet he is called by the Name of Marvellous Is 9.6 Yet he never appeared more wonderful then in the Eucharist the which that he might the more commend unto us he would make it an abridgment of all his Miracles according to that Ps 110.4 5. He hath made a memory of his marvellous works a merciful and pittiful Lord he hath given meat to them that fear him Consider 2. In particular some of the Miracles contained in this Mystery 1. As to the substance of bread which is wholly destroyed at the Priests words even the materia prima also and in place thereof succeedeth the glorious Body of Christ the very same that is adored in Heaven by the Angels so that there never was any so miraculous a Transmutation 2. As to the Accidents which being separated from their Substances are conserved without any Subject of Inhesion as the Rays of the Sun severed from it and yet they are never the less active and do nourish no otherwise then if they were Inherent to their own Substances and transcending all the power of Nature they truly produce Sanctifying
Mar. 4. Luc. 8. Luc. 8.5 4. Esdr 9.31 COnsider 1. The Sower went forth to sow his seed c. Ponder the Infinite Mercy of God he standeth not in need of any fruit that we can yield him and yet he vouchsafeth most graciously to go forth sundry ways by Preachers by Spiritual Books by Holy Inspirations by Superiours by Directors by Examples c. to sow in our hearts the Seed of Eternal Salvation Behold I sow my Law in you and it shall bring forth fruit in you Think what a precious Seed this is whose fruit is life Everlasting Consider 2. The Earth whereon this Seed is cast is Mans Heart But there are three sorts of Soil wherein this Seed bringeth forth no fruit 1. In the publick high way that is in an open heart exposed to all manner of distractive thoughts 2. In a stony soil that is in a hard heart without any moisture of Devotion 3. In a field full of thorns and bryars that is in a heart choaked up with the cares pleasures and riches of this life See whether the soil of your heart be not such in one kind or other and endeavour to rid it of all these impediments Consider 3. The property of a good soil or heart is to retain the seed and yield fruit in patience It is not enough to receive Holy Inspirations Luc. sup v. 15. unless you endeavour to retain them for whosoever retains not his meat saith S. Gregory his life is certainly desperate Moreover the field of your heart must be patient not only in suffering the Plough that is Afflictions but also expecting with patience the Heavenly Dew and showres of Divine Grace for Luc. 21.19 In your patience you shall possess your Souls Of the Cockle Mat. 13.24 c. THe Kingdom of Heaven is resembled to a man that sowed good Seed in his field c. Consider 1. By Christs own Exposition the Sower in this Patable is God the Field this World the good Seed the Just the Cockle the Wicked the Enemy the World the Harvest the end of the World and the Reapers the Angels God for his part would have all men good and for this only purpose affordeth his good Seed but while men sleep and are careless in the affairs of their Salvation the Devil oversoweth Cockle and of good makes them wicked The Cockle groweth together with the Wheat and is hardly distinguished from it in the Blade so the Wicked often times are scarcely discerned from the good in this Life See whether you be Wheat or Cockle and whether you do sleep in the main business of your Salvation lest you come to be overborn by the Enemy Mat. 5.45 Consider 2. The indiscreet Zeal sometimes of the Just that wish all the Wicked to be rooted up Wilt thou we go and gather them up But God doth not so who maketh his Sun to rise upon good and bad for he tollerates the bad expecting them to do Penance that so from being Cockle they may turn to be good Whâ—at and for that cause will not have them all rooted up Put on the like affection of longanimity towards your Brethren and Neighbours that are troublesome to you Consider 3. The great difference in the end of this common life which the good and the bad lead in this world Bind up the Cockle c. to burn but the Wheat gather ye into my Barn Who would not chuse rather to be in this Barn then in a Burning Furnace See therefore you be true Wheat and suffer your self to be thrashed and cleansed from Chaff by Penance and Mortification for you cannot be brought into the Heavenly Granary together with your Chaff Of the Mustard-Seed Mat. 13. Mar. 4. Luc. 13. Mat. 13.31 Ps 21.7 Colos 2.3 COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Mustard-seed c. Christ himself first was this Mustard-seed because as that Seed is the least and commendable neither for its smell nor outward shew yet it contains within it self a great natural heat and sends it forth also outwardly especially when it is bruised So Christ to the outward appearance was a worm and no man c. but within him were all the treasures of Wisdom and Science of God and being broken and bruised on the Cross he expressed the greatest heat of love that ever was inflaming the whole world with the Fire of his Charity Do you likewise suffer your self to be set on fire with the like heat Sap. 5.4 Consider 2. All the Just in this Life are also Mustard-seed simple and contemptible in the eyes of the world but in a high value with God and his Angels so that the wicked shall say in the day of Judgment We sensless esteemed their life madness and their end without honour behold how they are counted among the children of God Observe moreover that the Saints do then shew their virtue most when they are crushed with tribulations whence the Apostle When I am weak then I am mighty 2 Cor. 12 10. c. Consider 3. A grain of Mustard-seed cast into the earth groweth into a Tree Mat. sup So that the fowls of the air come and dwell in the branches thereof Such a grain was Christ perfectly mortified and dead upon the Cross in whose branches that is Doctrine and Example devout Souls dwell by contemplation Vnder his shadow whom I desired Cant. 2.3 I sate saith the Spouse in the Canticles and his fruit was sweet unto my throat Do you the like Of the Leaven Mat. 13. Mar. 4. Luc. 13. Mat. 13.33 COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to Leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of Meal c. that is she wrought it into the whole Batch of Bread so to give it its relish This Leaven first was Christ who being hid in our flesh rendred the cursed mass of mankind acceptable to God Again he is after a special manner Leaven in the Eucharist whereby penetrating into our heart he leaveneth seasoneth and in a manner Deifieth the whole man giving Chastity to the body and the savour of all Virtue to the Soul Consider 2. Good Leaven likewise are the Good that live in Communities for an exemplar life hath a wonderful influence upon mens actions and after a secret manner provoking others to their imitation maketh them like to those in whom they behold it 1 Tim. 4.12 Leo Serm. 1 de S. Laurent whence the Apostle to Timothy Be as example of the faithful in word in conversation in charity c. because as S. Leo saith Examples are more powerful then words and it is a more perfect way of teaching by action then by word of mouth 1 Cor. 5.6 Consider 3. On the contrary the power of bad Leaven because it spoileth the whole Batch whence the Apostle saith That a little Leaven corrupteth the whole Paste Even so bad example infecteth them whom we live and converse withall
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
Holy Fathers expound it in striking the rock Compare these and the like examples with your actions and you will finde you have often deserved more Consider 2. God hath ordained more severe punishments for Venial Sins after death in Purgatory That Purgatory Fire saith St. Augustine will be more unsufferable then what pain soever can be seen Aug. Ser. 41. de Sanctis felt or even understood in this life There all debts will be exacted to the last farthing neither will there be place for any other satisfaction then by sufferance Is 33.14 And which of you saith Isaie can dwell with devouring fire Such as will be there Aug. sup Consider 3. Seeing you would not endure now to lie in flames but for a quarter of an hour although it were to gain the whole world how reasonable were it to make satisfaction at present by Pennance for what is past and to be wary for the future and if through humane frailty you be not able to avoid all avoid at least the greater and diminish what you can the number that so that Purgatory Fire as St. Augustine speaketh may finde little or nothing in you to consume Of the Remedies against Sin The Memory of the last Things Of DEATH 1. Part. How certain it is and with all how uncertain Heb. 9.27 COnsider 1. Death is inevitable It is appointed to men saith the Apostle to dye once Nothing is more certain or evident to sense All that have gone before us Princes Emperours Bishops Popes have dyed at last neither could any one hitherto of what power or dignity soever escape or put it off Job 14.5 Thou hast appointed his limits which cannot be passed saith Job Wherefore thou also infallibly must once come to it Marc. 13.35 Consider 2. As for the time place and manner of Death nothing more uncertain How many sudden accidents have you heard read or even beheld with your own eyes How many hath death unexpectedly stolen upon while they were eating sleeping laughing or playing And when is to be your turn What if at this instant Would you be ready for it Wherefore Christ doth often and in most weighty terms inculcate unto us that we should be ready at all hours Watch ye therefore for you know not when the Lord of the house cometh at even or at midnight or at cock-crowing or in the morning Eccles. 11.3 Consider 3. Death is but once to be undergone and if it hath gone ill there is no amends or recovery to be made if once ill so it will ever be if once well it will also be well for you for all eternity If the tree shall fall to the South saith the Wiseman or to the North in what place soever it shall fall there shall it lie Neither will there be any more time or place for Pennance Procure therefore by living well that whensoever your time cometh of falling it be to the right side See in what state you are at present and whether there be any thing in you which you would not on your death-bed and think often with your self that to perish once is to be lost for ever Of Death 2. Part. How terrible it is Ps 108.18 COnsider 1. The miserable state of a dying man lying on his death-bed given over by his Physician and hastening to his last agony Consider the many griefs and anguishes that surround him on every side 1. From the memory of things past for then will come to his mind the sins he hath committed the losse of so much precious time spent in vanities together with the neglect of many helps afforded him by Almighty God towards his Salvation Then perhaps one hours space of longer pennance will be earnestly wished for but not afforded him who while he was in his jollities and pleasures neglected many He would not blessing saith David and it shall be far from him Oh with what sighs will sinners at that hour cry out Sap. 5.8 and say What hath pride availed us or what commodity hath the vaunting of riches brought to us Consider 2. The grief of mind for leaving the present enjoyments of this life Aug. Ser. de Inno. c. 3. for as St. Augustine saith That is not left without grief which is possessed with delight Notwithstanding at that hour are to be left all friends and kindred pleasures delights and riches without any hopes of evermore recovering them 1 Tim. 6.7 We brought nothing saith the Apostle into this World doubtless neither can we take away any thing Whereupon Ecclesiasticus Eccli 41.1 O death how bitter is thy memory to a man that hath peace in his riches Cast off therefore in time all affection to worldly things that you may hereafter part without grief Eccles. 9.1 Consider 3. The anguish and perplexity of mind proceeding from the uncertainty of things to come The final sentence of everlasting doom draweth near Man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love or hatred The Devil will be at hand to tempt and cast you into despair Think what you would then wish your self to have done in your life time and do it now while you have opportunity Of Death 3. Part. Of the Horrour of the Corps COnsider 1. What a thing that body is after death which in our life time we cherish pamper and adorn with so much care 1. It lieth destitute of all sense and motion it seeth nothing heareth nothing neither can it so much as put off the worms that lie devouring it 2. It looketh pale and deformed and for the intollerable stench proceeding from the corruption that issueth out of it striketh horrour even into the dearest friends Wherefore with reason Blessed Francis Borgia In vita Borg. l. 1. c. 7. Psal 4.3 having beheld the Corps of a famous Empress of his time now rotten in her grave is said to have cried out How long shall we love vanity and seek after lying How long neglecting solid truths shall we hunt after shadows All things moulter away with death and from mirth soon pass into tears Eccli 10.13 Is 14.11 Consider 2. The Garments Bed and Habitation of the dead body It is stripped of whatsoever ornaments it had for its garments it is wrapped up in a Winding-sheet for its bed it is cast on the ground for its habitation it is confined to a pit seven foot long and lastly given over to the worms and serpents to be torn and consumed by them When a man shall die saith Ecclesiasticus he shall inherit serpents and beasts and worms And Isaie Vnder thee shall the moth be strawed and worms shall be thy covering O what an habitation What companions Eccli 38.23 Consider 3. How profitable and necessary it is often to call to mind this last end of your body lest you should have a greater care and love for that which is to be devoured by worms then of your Soul that is to live for an Eternity
them so to be delivered over to Secular Power 1. Will be taken from her the gift of Faith for that she did not lead a life conformable 2. Will be taken also from her the gift of Hope for having neglected the means afforded her for the attaining her chiefest Good 3. She shall be deprived of all Supernatural Favors and Graces if she had any and of Moral Vertues which she made not right use of 4. Natural Sciences shall remain for her greater punishment for having preferred them before the knowledge of Salvation 5. The Character of Baptism shall also remain and whatsoever other she had for her greater ignominy that it may appear from what she is fallen and that she may be upbraided by the Infidels reproaching her with that scoff Luc. 14.30 This man began to build and he could not finish it Finally then will be fulfilled in her that of Ezechiel Ezech. 23.26 29. And they shall strip thee of thy garments and shall take away the vessels of thy glory c. and shall let thee go naked and full of ignominy Mat. 25.41 Consider 2. The terrour of the final Sentence that will be thundered out against the wicked Get ye away from me you cursed into fire everlasting c. O what a plight and horrour will the Soul be in at that time the Devils hurrying her presently away to everlasting torments But no remedy then to avoid it As yet you may if you be wise Ibid. v. 21 Consider 3. On the contrary the happy condition of the Just that will be found innocent in that Judgement Unto such it will be said Because thou hast been faithful over a few things I will place thee over many things Enter into the joy of thy Lord. Think what a joy that will be If you aspire to their lot imitate their life Of the General Judgement 1. Part. Jo. 5.22 COnsider 1. The causes of the General Judgement 1. To manifest the Glory and Power of Christ unto whom the Father hath given all judgement that all may honour the Son c. and that he who came visibly to save all men might also visibly and publickly come to judge all that the wicked may see and behold whom they have crucified 2. That the Just might have right and honour dore them and the wicked due punishment and God justified in his judgements who for the most part permitteth the Just to be afflicted while they live and the wicked to live in all prosperity 3. That the bodies also may receive due reward or punishment as they have been instruments of Vertue or Vice to the Souls Mat. 24.6 Luc. 21.11 Consider 2. The terror of the Judgement by the foregoing signs There shall be great earthquakes and pistilences and famines and terrours from Heaven The Sun shall be darkened and the Moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall down from Heaven and the powers of heaven shall be moved or as St. Peter saith 2. Pet. 3.12 The Heavens burning shall he resolved The Sea shall roar in a horrid manner the Earth tremble and be all on fire Malach. 4.1 Behold the day shall come saith Malachy kindled as a furnace and all the proud and all that do impiety shall be stubble and the day coming shall inflame them c. Take heed therefore you prove not stubble in that fiery day Luc. 23.30 Consider 3. The Angel shall sound forth his dreadful trumpet the dead shall rise and take their bodies but with how different a countenance the just from the wicked How will these inveigh against their bodies for whose sake and pleasure they committed so many sins in their life time They shall say to the mountains fall upon us and to the hills cover us But then there will be no means to escape How much will it be wished for at that time above all the Crowns and Scepters of the world to have lived in the Grace of God Think therefore often of this Whether I eat or drink or do any thing else saith St. Jerome that dreadful voice doth ever soâ—ad in my ears Hieron Reg. Mon. c. 30 Arise ye dead and come to judgement Of the General Judgement 2. Part. Luc. 21.27 COnsider 1. The terrour of the Judgement increased by the appearance of the Judge Then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty An innumerable company of Angels shall stand about him ready to execute whatsoever he shall decree Mat. 24.30 Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven and then shall all tribes of the earth bewail to wit the enemies of Christs Crosse A Throne shall be set for the Judge in a bright Cloud and Seats round about for the Blessed Virgin and the Apostles From the Judge's countenance shall issue forth darts of love towards his friends but of fire and indignation against the reprobate Dan. 7.10 A fire and swift stream came forth from his face saith Daniel Who would not wish then to have been a friend in his life time of so dreadful a Judge Mat. 13.49 Consider 2. The Angels shall go forth and shall separate the evil from among the just These shall be placed at the right hand of the Judge as sheep The other on the lest as goats in contempt and ignominy Ponder the untimely repentance of the wicked especially when they shall see the Just above them Whom sometime they had in derision and in a parable of reproach We senseless esteemed their life madness Sap. 5.3 c. c. Behold how they are counted among the children of God Then will be exacted a most strict account of every particular and what perhaps you are now ashamed to open to your Confessor will then be known to the whole world Be careful now to blot out by Pennance what you would not then have known to your shame and ignominy Mat. 25.34 Consider 3. The just Sentence of the Judge He will say to the Saints Come ye blessed of my Father possess you the kingdom prepared for you c. To the wicked Ibid. v. 41. Get you away from me you cursed into fire everlasting Ponder the greatnesse both of the reward and of the punishment and chuse which you had rather it is now put into your own hands afterwards it will not Eccles. 9.10 Wherefore while you have time whatsoever thy hand is able to do work it instantly for neither work nor reason nor wisdom nor knowledge shall be in Hell whither thou dost hasten Of Hell 1. Part. Apoc. 19.20 COnsider 1. Hell is the dungeon of the damned full of all misery and void of all good Invent the cruellest pains and torments that you can imagine they would all be but a flea-bite in comparison of Hell The place it self shall be as S. John saith a pool of fire burning also with brimstone Wherefore it will be
and to escape Purgatory These are Receiving the Sacraments offering the Divine Sacrifice Indulgences Fasting Alms Prayers Tears chastising the body patient suffering of hunger and thirst sicknesse and the like God is content with a little in this life and is soon appeased by means of our poor services but in the other life he will severely exact the whole debt of punishment even to the last farthing Wherefore while you have time Mat. 5.27 Eccli 14.14 do good Be not defrauded of thy good day as Ecclesiasticus admonisheth and let not a little portion of a good gift overpass thee Mat. 5.7 Consider 3. Among other means one of the most efficacious to escape or at least to mitigate our pains in Purgatory is to pray much for the dead while we live for our merciful Lord permitteth that afterwards we receive the same measure that we used to others here And The merciful as he saith himself shall obtain mercy Morn Ent. Behold our Lord is come in his holy thousands to do judgement Jude 14. Luc. 21.25 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as Judge COnsider 1. What is read this day in the Gospel that Christ is to be the Universal Judge of all men whose judgement we ought greatly to stand in fear of 1. By reason of his Supream Authority from whom none can appeal 2. For the rigour of his Justice which no entreaties nor bribes will be able to corrupt 3. For his infinite Wisdom from which nothing can be concealed 4. For that he will be not only Judge but also the plaintiff or party offended Consider 2. What a favour it would be if the Judge himself should in a friendly manner come to some Criminal in prison and teach him a way how he may escape and come off with security of life in his Trial. The same will Christ do to you this day Wherefore receive him at his coming with great love and gratitude and now while you may endeavour by earnest prayers to gain him against that dreadful day when there will be no more place for prayers Ps 142.2 Consider 3. Hence you must have a great care that there be nothing in your Soul that may displease the eyes of your Judge when he cometh He will search the inmost corners of your heart Cleanse therefore diligently all things against his coming Say humbly with the Prophet Enter not into judgement with thy servant O Lord But rather in the bowels of thy mercy visit us now O Orient arising from high Eccl. in Off. Boeth apud S. Tho. Opusc de Sacr. c. 2. c. Wherefore Boethius saith well in these words We have a great necessity of living well seeing we do all things before the eyes of the Judge that seeth all Think well on this and Before judgement prepare thee Justice Of imitating the Life of Christ our Lord. 1. Part. COnsider 1. For two reasons Christ our Lord came from the bosome of his eternal Father into the World as the holy Fathers every where do teach 1. To redeem us from sin 2. To give us example of living by his own manner of life His life therefore ought to be the square pattern and mirrour of ours to the end that squaring our actions conformably to his we may come by his steps to arrive at last also to his glory Eccli 23.38 Consider 2. How glorious a thing it is to follow such an example It is great glory saith Ecclesiasticus to follow our Lord. By following of men whosoever they are you may erre because they are men apt both to be deceived themselves and to deceive others By following Christ you cannot misse because he is the way you cannot be deceived because he is truth you cannot perish because he is life The Way in Example Bern. Ser. 2. de Ascen saith St. Bernard Truth in Promise Life in Reward Lastly he commandeth nothing which he doth not first do himself So that he may say with Gedeon What you shall see me do Jud. 7.17 do ye 1 Cor. 3.19 Consider 3. How foolishly you have hitherto done in directing your actions by any other rule then the life of Christ All other rules are crooked and naught and The wisdom of this world according to which perchance you govern your self is foolishness with God Ask pardon for this folly and beseech our Lord to accept of you and admit you into the number of his followers Of imitating the Life of Christ 2. Part. Tit. 1.16 COnsider 1. The followers of Christ are of three different sorts Some by name onely and from the teeth outwards they say they are Christians and know Christ But in their works they deny him They defile themselves with continual sins and in their works crucifie Christ anew These are but equivocally termed Christians for indeed they follow not Christ but the Devil Think how often you have been such Repent and take heed for the future Mat. 19.21 Consider 2. Others there are who indeed follow Christ but afar off as St. Peter did when Christ was taken who perhaps for that cause as some observe came to fall and deny his Master for any example or pattern that it may have influence must be duly applied and at a right distance So many follow Christ but coldly They purpose to keep the Commandments but care not to extend themselves with the Apostle to things of greater perfection When it is said to such as these Go sell the things that thou hast c. and come follow me They go away sad like the young man in the Gospel See whether you be one of these 2 Cor. 6.8 Phil. 3.8 Consider 3. Others finally there are who with a generous resolution strive to follow Christ even to the Crosse By honour and dishonour by infamy and good fame and with the Apostle do esteem all things as dung that they may gain Christ Lastly they endeavour to conform themselves in all things to the model of his life See among whom you chuse to rank your self and know that in what proportion you are like unto Christ in this life you will also be hereafter in glory Of the divine Decree concerning Christs Incarnation 1. Part. COnsider 1. The state which the whole world was in Part of the Angels had fallen All mankind also had sinned The wicked Angels leaving the Blessed in Heaven were cast into Hell Mankind lived in banishment out of Paradise shut out of Heaven made slave of the Devil and enemy to God and lay wallowing from one sin into another to be cast at length headlong into Hell fire neither did there appear any means possible of appeasing the Divine Justice being no pure creature could make is any satifaction Ps 39.7 8. Contemplate 2. The three divine Persons in Heaven out of commiseration consulting of a remedy See how the Second Person being there could not otherwise any satisfaction be made to the divine Justice freely offered himself to his Eternal Father
follow your Lord. Of our Spiritual Circumcision 2. Part. COnsider 1. Not only the Inward man as above in the Understanding and Will but also the Outward in the Exteriour Senses is to be circumcised Think with your self how many Souls have been cast into Hell by occasion of one single glance of the eye How many have perished by the abuse of the other Senses of Hearing Tasting c. Wherefore refrain your eyes from the sight of dangerous obiects chiefly of Womer and unchaste Pictures Your ears from any thing that soundeth of Vanity Curiosity and much more of Dishonesty Murmuring and Detraction Your Taste from excesse in eating and drinking also unnecessary and untimely repasts and so of the rest Consider 2. You must not omit among the rest to have a care of your Tongue and to cut off from it all Detraction Murmuring and whatsoever else serveth to sowe discord Likewise all manner of contentious injurious sawcy unseemly or immodest language Also lying cursing swearing and the like Lastly flattery double dealing dissimulation vain complements c. that you may be like to your Lord of whom it is said 1 Pet. 2.22 Who did no sin neither was there guile found in his mouth Examine your self in each particular and beseech our Lord with David Ps. 140.3 To set a watch to your mouth and a dore round about to your lips Jac. 3.2 Jac. 1.26 For If a man offend not in word this is a perfect man On the contrary If any man think himself to be religious not bridling his tongue c. this mans religion is vain 1 Tim. 6.8 Consider 3. You must finally cut off all Superfluities relating to the Body as in Clothing Sleep Pastimes and other Conveniences of this life Having food saith the Apostle and wherewith to be covered with these we are content Wherefore quit your self of all other things that you may become the more like to Christ who saith of himself Ps. 87.16 I am poor and in labours from my youth Rehold the Dominators and Lord cometh Introit Missae ex Malac. 3.1 Take with thee presents and go to meet him 4 Reg. 8.8 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as your Sovereign Lord to be adored with Offerings Mat. 2.2 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Introit of the Masse Behold there cometh the Soveraign Lord and a Kingdom in his hand c. to wit that Christ is the Supream Lord of the whole Earth to whom all men even Kings and Princes are to pay Tribute in acknowledgement of this Soveraignty This the Sages by divine instinct understood and accordingly came this day to offer their Gifts He are come say they to adore him And opening their treasures they offered him gifts Gold Frankin couse Ibid. v. 11. and Myrrhe Deut. 16.6 Consider 2. This Soveraign Lord will come into your Soul to receive your Tribute and Presents and withall to return other far more precious gifts Wherefore Take gifts with you and go forth to meet him Bethink with your self what you can ofter for in Deuteronomy it was forbidden that any one should appear before our Lord without offerings There shall not appear before our Lord any empty But every one shall offer according to that be hath Consider 3. You must prepare a Throne in the middle of your Heart wherein to place and adore your Lord when he cometh Make him a Present of your Souls three Powers Memory Understanding and Will so that he may wholly dispose of them at his pleasure and not permit you to know affect or even think of any thing that may be lesse pleasing to him Offer him the Gold of Charity and Love the Frankincense of Prayer the Myrrhe of Mortification In fine give as much as you can for it will be returned back with advantage I the Lord thy God that teach thee profitable things Is 48.17 Lord shew me thy ways and teach me thy paths Ps. 24.4 Joel 2.23 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the Teacher of Justice ¶ This Sundays Meditation is to be inserted between the Week days as it shall fall out COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel tha◠Christ was found in the middle o◠Doctours hearing them c. He is truly our Doctour or Teacher not of prophane Erudition but of Justice Whence the Prophet Ye children of Sion rejoyce and be joyful in the Lord your God because he hath given you a Doctor of Justice And he himself by the mouth of David inviteth us to a lesson of the fear of God Ps. 33.12 saying Come Children hear me I will teach you the fear of our Lord. Ps. 93.12 Consider 2. How much this Science of Justice ought to be preferred before all worldly Sciences These cannot save us but may serve to encrease our damnation if we make not right use of them This alone can make us happy for ever Hence think what a benefit it will be to have this Doctor come to day into your Soul for truly blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct O Lord and shalt teach out of thy law 2 Cor. 6.16 Consider 3. How Christ state to day in the Temple among the Doctors See therefore that your Soul be a Temple of the living God as the Apostle warneth us not of Dagon that is of Sin Let it be a house of prayer not of worldly negotiation nor a den of thieves that is of vain thoughts of self-esteem robbing God of the honour which is due to him alone Then with all humility fall at the feet of your Lord with Magdalen and beseech him to teach you the way of Salvation For they that approach to his feet Deut. 33.3 shall receive of his doctrine Lastly bring with you an eagernesse to learn and resolve to put in execution what he shall say unto you lest otherwise he leave you to your self according to that of the Prophet Jer. 6.8 Be thou taught Jerusalem lest perhaps my Soul doth depart from thee Of the Sages Journey towards Jerusalem 1. Part. Ps 97.2 COnsider 1. Our Lord being born a Star appeared in the East and the Eternal Father as he had revealed his Sons Birth to the Jews by an Angel so would he likewise manifest the same to the Gentiles by a Star he being to be equally Saviour to both Jew and Gentile Rejoyce that the glory and greatness of your Lord was thus made known to the remote Nations of the World and give God thanks for having made known his salvation in the sight of the Gentiles whose first fruits these Sages were and in them to your self Mat. 22 14 Consider 2. The Star in the East appeared to all that were in those parts but few would stir to seek out our Lord or obey Gods call Thus Many be called but few elect Many there are to this day so wholly bent upon their temporal affairs that they neglect the light of divine inspirations
the Divel from us 2. It alâ—ayeth the heat of Concupi cence Apoc. 22.2 3. It clearseth the heart from sin 4. It appeaseth the wrath of God 5. It enlightneth the understanding 6. It inflameth the will 7. It spiritually delighteth the memory 8. It confirmeth the whole man in good 9. It freeth from everlasting death 10. It multiplyeth our merits 11. It bringeth us to Paradise 12. It raiseth the body to life How great is the multitude of thy sweetness O Lord Ps. 30.20 which thou hast hid for them that fear thee Consider 3. The Mustardseed discovereth not its Vertve unless it be bruised but being well bruised or ground it discloseth its heat and relish In the same manner you must before hand by frequent meditating and serious consideration beat upon and bruise this divine seed of the Eucharist otherwise you will not understand its Vertue Wherefore ruminate it well pondering its secret and hidden Vertues and withall think what disposition it requireth in you and then to your great benefit you will perceive what a soveraine heat and relish it hath If there are six Weekes after Epiphany then in the sixth repeat the Meditations of the fifth For by reason it seldom falleth out that there are so many weekes it seemed needless to provide distinct Meditations for the sixth Week Or els make the Meditations of the four and twentith Week after Pentecost of the Parables which that year are to be left out Things to be noted concerning the Meditations of our Lords Passion THe Holy Church from Septuagesme leaveth off her Allelluias and Canticles of Joy and disposeth us to mourning and the memory of our Lords Passion for therefore is this Sunday called Septuagesme saith Rupertus because it beginneth the seventh week before Passion Sunday Wherefore it hath seemed good from thence to enter into the Meditations of the Passion wherein though many affections may be exercised for the Colloquies as appeareth by what hath been said in the Preface yet chiefly seven are noted by some as most proper to this Subject the which because we can not with our intended brevity insert in every Meditation we have thought good to touch them briefly in this place The Affections are these Admiration Compassion Compunction Love Hope Thanksgiving Imitation 1. Admire in each Mystery the dignity of the Person that suffereth and the greatness of the paines which he freely undergoeth Is. 63.1.2 Who is this that cometh from Edom with died garments from Bosra Why then is thy cloathing red and thy garments as theirs that tread in the Wine-press 2. Condole with him as Childeren doe with their Parents in their adversities Brothers with one another Spouses with their beloved Servants with their Masters for Christ is as much to you as all these 2. Reg. 18.33 Who would grant me that I might dye for thee Absolom my son my son Absolom 3. Be confounded and full of Compunction for that your sins are cause of all his Sufferings for from whom would not that draw teares which from Christ drew so much bloud Psa 50.5 I doe know mine Iniquity and my sin is before me allwayes 4. Love him that is so loving to you and suffereth so much for your sake Lord said S. Ambross I owe more to your injuries for my redemption Ambr. l. 1. in Luc. then to your works for my creation 5. Hope and promise your self all good that your heart can wish for for he that hath given himself How will he not also give us all things Rom. 8.32 6. Give him every where thanks for having suffered so much for you Chryso hom 26. in Mat. The best keeper of benefits saith S. Chrysostom is a faithful Memory of them and constant profession of Gratitude 7. Lastly Imitate your Lord and Captaine in sufferings reproches and injuries Hath he suffered so much for you and what have you or what will you suffer for him Christ suffered for us saith S. Peter leaving you an example that you may follow his steps Let my beloved come into his garden and eat the fruit of his Apple trees Cant. 5.1 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the Master of the Vineyard of your Soul Mat. 20.1 COnsider 1. Your soul and the soul of every man is a particular Vineyard belonging to the great Householder of whom we read to day in the Ghospel c. Make account therefore that he will come to day to visit your soul his Vineyard to gather some fruit out of it Imagin that he saith with the spouse in the Canticles Cant. 7.12 Let us rise early to the Vineyards let us set if the Vineyard florish if the flowers be ready to bring forth fruits Jer. 2.21 Consider 2. This divine householder hath omitted nothing on his part that might make you a fruitful Vineyard I planted thee saith he by his Prophet an elect Vineyard all true seed c. He hath sowed within you many seeds of true piety he hath hedged you in with holy Laws he hath provided you with the benefit of the Holy Sacraments as so many Presses and Conduits of his Grace Isa 5.4 c. Finally what is there that I ought to doe more to my Vineyard saith he himself and baâ—â— not done to it Procure therefore to yeeld him ripe fruit See whither he may not say of your Vineyard I looked it should yeeld grapes and it hath yeelded wild grapes that is sowr and unpleasant grapes for then he will powr out upon it that heavy curse that followeth I will lay it wast it shall not be pruned and it shall not be digged and bryars and thorns shall overgrow it and I will command the cloudes that they rain no shower upon it Which his infinit goodness avert Cant. 8.12 Ps. 1.3 Consider 3. You must therefore Husband your Vineyard carefully against his coming Prime all superfluities by Mortification Digg and dive deeply into your soul by a profound knowledge of your self Root out by contrary acts the bryars of vitious habits and by the teares of compunction water the dry affections of your heart Lastly let your Vineyard be before you by continually looking to it And it will give its fruit iâ— its time Christ inviteth all men to contemplate his Passion Ps. 68.21 COnsider 1. Christ with all reason doth complain that having suffered so many and so great paines and torments for man man should be so ungrateful as not vouchsafe to think of them I expected somebody that would be sory together with me and there was none and that would comfort me and I found not Therefore Isay The Just peri heth Ps. 57.1 and there is none that considereth in his heart Think what it is to consider in ones heart to wiâ— with compassion and compunction Thren 1.12 Consider 2. Nothing can we doe more acceptable to Christ then often to meditate on his passion for which cause he lovingly inviteth all unto
we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son And which is more he prayed for his own Executioners Rom. 12.21 that you might learn to overcome in good the evill Gal. 2.20 Ps. 115.3 Consider 3. He suffered for all so that he offered to his Eternal Father his Sufferings for every one in particular Wherefore take them to your self and use them as your own saying with S. Paul Who loved me and delivered himself for me Think what return you can make him What shall I render to our Lord for all things that he hath rendred to me I will take the chalice of Salvation Take therefore the chalice of his Passion and drink it up at least spiritually by contemplation and you will thereby have made the most proper and most acceptable return Of Christs Passion in General With what affection he suffereth Luc. 12.50 FIrst with the affection of a most ardent Love most ernestly beforehand wishing the hour of his Passion were come and saying I have to be baptized with a baptisme and how am I straightened till it be dispatched 2. Of most profuse Liberality for whereas the least drop of his bloud would have sufficed to redeem the whole world by reason of the dignity of his person he would notwithstanding powr out all he had Ps. 21.15 Ps. 129.7 1 Pet. 2.23 As water I am powred out Because with him is plenteous Redemption 3. Of the greatest meekness Who when he was reviled did not revile when he suffered he threatned not but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly Is 53.7 And was led as a sheep to slaughter 4. Of an Insatiable zeal thirsting the salvation of all men which made him cry out on the Cross I thrist Jo. 19.28 Ps. 21.6 5. Of an incomparable Humility making himself the Reproch of men and outcast of the people who notwithstanding was in form of God Of extreme Proverty renouncing all earthly goods whatsoever even his own garments so as to hang naked on the Cross 7. Of Invincible Patience and Fortitude in suffering constantly to the end most grievous torments 8. Of the perfectest Obedience being obedient in a matter of the greatest difficulty unto death Phil. 2.8 even the death of the Cross And that not onely to his Eternall father but also to his bloudy Executioners I have given my body to the strikers Is. 50.6 and my cheeks to the pluckers I have not turned away my face from the rebukers and spitters Looke throughly into this pattern of all Vertue and doe according to what you see therein I will sow her unto me into the Earth and will have mercy on her that was without mercy Osee 2.23 Luc. 8.5 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the Seed of Eternall Life Galat. 6.8 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Ghospel The sower went forth to sow his seed c. Christ our Lord is both the sower and seed it self for he soweth his own pretious body under the form of wheat in the hearts of the faithful not unto a corruptible but an incorruptible harvest and unto life everlasting For He that soweth in the Spirit saith S. Paul of the Spirit shall reap life everlasting Think with your self how much this blessed harvest is to be wished for Consider 2. This divine seed although in it self it be most fruitful notwithstanding requireth the concurrence of a good soile to bring forth fruit Wherefore if it fall in the high way it is trampled upon by the passengers as in the Ghospel if upon stones it 's dryed up to nothing if among thorns it is choked up See therefore whither your soule be a fit soile well cleansed supple far from the high way or rather whither it be not thorny stony full of the cares and occupations of this life hard to receive heavenly influences and open to all manner of thoughts and distractions But if it be so see that you mend your self and prepare your Soul to receive this heavenly seed Consider 3. This seed though in a good soile and in the best heart doth not yeild fruit but in patience as Christ saith that you might learn to persever with patience in expectation of the effect Luc. sup 15. and fruit of this divine grain and of whatsoever other Visitation of God and give not over to cultivate your Soul for that perhaps you doe not perceive that fruit which you desire Behold the Husband was expecteth the precious fruit of the Earth patiently bearing Jâ—c 5.7 till he receive the timely and the lateward that is either timely or later fruit Doe you the like and you will bring forth plenty of excellent fruit He fortelleth his Disciples his Passion Mat. 20. Marc. 10. Luc. 18. Mat. 20.18 COnsider 1. Behold we go up to Jerusalem c. The time being now come wherein Christ had decreed from all Eternity to suffer for the redemption of the world he went up with his Disciples to Jerusalem with great cheerfulness and speed for he went before them Mar. 10.32 and they were astonished and following were affraid Thus did he hasten to his death carried on by the force of his love You on the contrary are slow in suffering any thing He also went before leading the way that you might learn to shew first by example what you would persuade by words Mat. sup Consider 2. He revealeth his Passion to his Disciples The son of man shall be delivered to the chiefe Priests He had done this before but now more expressly He maketh this frequent mention of his Passion though most bitter in it self for that he did continually bear it in mind and amidst all his glory in the Transfiguration he treated of his decease that he should accomplish in Jerusalem Luc. 9.31 Doe you endeavour to be piously affected towards the memory of it that you may say with the spouse in the Canticles A bundle of Myrrhs my beloved is to me Cant. 1.13 Luc. 18.34 Consider 3. And they understood none of these things The Apostles were as yet worldly given and bent upon honors and preferments Luc. 22.24 And there fell also a contention between them which of them seemed to be greater Therefore they understood not the Mystery of the Cross and what great good consisted in Humility and suffering of reproch Cast you off all these worldly affections if you will understand the Mystery of the Cross Ponder Christs severe reprehension of S. Peter disswading him from the ignominy of his Passion Go after me sathan Mat. 16.23 thou art a scandal unto me because thou savorest not the things that are of God but the things that are of men Mat. 21. Luc. 19. Of Christs solemn Enterance into Jerusalem before his Passion Part. 1. Zachar. 9.9 COnsider 1. Christ drawing neer to Jerusalem sendeth two of his Disciples to bring unto him an Asse upon which he intended to ride into the
whereby he might be the more tormented not refreshed 3. Of effectually redeeming whole Mankind for whom he dyed Strive to imitate him in all these Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Justice for they shall have their fill Of Christs last Words and Death Jo. 19.30 COnsider 1. Jesus therefore when he had taken the Vinegre said It is consummate He congratulated with himself 1. For having performed the will of his Heavenly Father Phil. 2.8 being made Obedient unto death even the death of the Cross 2. For having fullfilled the Prophecies and figures that were of him Mat. 5.18 of which he said I came not to breake the Law but to fullfill 3. For being come to an end of all his labours which he endured to the very last drinking up the chalice prepared for him to the bottom dregs and all Well therefore might he say to his Eternal Father I have consummated the work which thou gavest me to doe c. And I come to thee Jo. 17.4 10. Luc. 23.46 Judic 7.20 Consider 2. The Last Word Father into thy bands I commend my Spirit He said it with a loud voice in sign of Triumph over Death Sin and the Divel So Gedeon with broken pitchers and loud cry proclaimed Victory over the Madianits He teacheth us withall how to recommend our selves to God at the hour of death and what we ought chiefly to be carefull of at that time casting off all thoughts of wordly affaires Beseech our Lord that death may not so steal upon you at unawates as to prevent these or the like good affections Jo. 19.30 Consider 3. And bowing his head he gave up the ghost O unspeakable Mystery The Sun of glory is ecclipsed The Temple of the living God is dissolved The Author of life yeelds to death O how true is that of the Apostle You are bought with a great price Wherefore Glorify 1 Cor. 6.20 and beare God in your body but much more in your mind See that you be not more insensible then the sensless creatures themselves The Sun was darkened and the veile of the Temple was rent in the midst The Earth did quake and the rocks were reat Luc. 23.45 Mat. 27.51 and the graves were opened c. Be ashamed and confounded for your sins Teare a sunder the double veile of self-love and will that hangeth between God and you Tremble at the account you are to give for Christs death and Passion Rent your hard heart by true Contrition And lastly quit the loathsome Grave of Sin and Tepidity Arise sit up Jerusalem lose the hands of thy neck c. You were sould for nought and without silver you shall be redeemed Is 52.2 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as your Redeemer Ps. 110.9 COnsider 1. The benefit of our Redemption which the Church doth most particularly solemnize all this holy time We were all under the Tyranny of the Divel cast off from the face of God by demerit of our sins nor was there any one that could free us from this slavery no creature being sufficient to pay our ransom We were all lost for ever When behold the only begotten Son of God sent redemption to his people offering himself in Sacrifice for our sins being truly our Father Is. 63.16 our Redeemer as Esaie speaketh from the beginning such is his name 1 Pet. 1.18 Consider 2. At what rare we were redeemed namely Not with corruptible things Gold or Silver but with his own pretious bloud And whereas one single drop had been aboundantly sufficient he would notwithstanding powrâ— it all forth and suffer so many bitter torments Ps. 129.7 Because with our Lord there is mercy and with him plenteous redemption Besides not content with redeeming us once he hath left himself unto us in the Eucharist so that allthough you should often fall into the Enemies hands you might have wherwithall to free your self again O unspeakable love Return the best thanks you are able Consider 3. This Redeemer will come to day into your soul to free you from the reliques of your former captivity and to lose the bands of vitious habits if any be in you Prepare your self therefore to meet him Bestow your self as a thing none of your own but wholy his who bought you 1 Cor. 6.19 You are not your own saith the Apostle for you are bought with a great price Wherefore render your self wholy to him whose you are and cast off all affection to whatsoever els Say with the Psalmist I am thine save me Ps. 118.94 Orat. deVen Sacr. and with the Church pray that you may feel in your self the benefit of his Redemption A Summary of our Lords Passion Thren 1.12 I Magine your self to stand at the foot of the Cross on Mount Calvary and to hear our Saviour call out in these words of the Prophet O all ye that pass by the way attend and see if there be sorrow like to my sorrow Ponder attentively the whole Passion according to four particular Circumstances 1. How ignominious it was He was hanged as a theef aloft in the air as one unworthy either to live or die on the earth He was condemned at four several Tribunals hurried along the streets and pointed at as a Blasphemer Seducer Impostor Glutton Madman and Fool. What say you to all this that are so nice of your Reputation 2. How Grievous it was 1. By reason of his delicate and tender complexion 2. Because he would admit of no manner of comfort either interiour or exteriour 3. For that he was left all alone and forsaken by his friends Ps. 68.9 I am become a forreigner to my brethren and a stranger to the Sons of my Mother the Synagogue 4. Upon the Cross if he would seek any ease by moving or turning himself the whole weight of his body lay the heavier upon the wounds of his hands and feet with increase of his torments If he went to lean his head the thorns were stricken the deeper in If he thirsted his drink was Vinegre and Gall c. Good God what torment Is. 1.6 3. How Universal it was both in body and mind That of the Prophet was truly fullfilled in him From the Sole of the foot to the top of the head there is no health His head was pierced with thorns his face buffeted with fists and defiled with spittle his eyes black and blew his lips swoln his teeth strucken out his beard plucked off his ears rent with pulls and pinches his nose beaten flat his shoulders torn with stripes his side pierced with a lance his hands and feet bored through with nails in fine his whole body imbrued in his own bloud 4. How lasting it was His whole life was a continual suffering I am poor and in labours saith he by his Prophet from my Youth Ps. 87.16 But those things which he suffered from his last supper to his last breath were
intollerable and lasted all that night and day fellowing for about twenty hours together Speake what affection shall suggest Of our Lords Buriall Mat. 27. COnsider 1. After our Lord was dead his sacred body was taken down from the Cross with great devotion and teares by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathia who laid it in the Mothers armes whereby that of the Canticles was fullfilled Cant. 1.13 A Buadle of Myrrhe my beloved is to me he shall abide between my brests Think what expressions of griefe and sorrow what sighs and tears passed from her Ponder what was said and done at that time by her and her devout companions See that your beloved Lord be also to you a bundle of Myrrhe and that by frequent contemplation of his Passion you lodge him in your bosome and heart 2 Cor 4.10 Consider 2. Griefe and love having acted their parts they embaulm the sacred Corps and wrap it up in a clean winding sheet Our Lord is delighted with cleanliness even in his grave that you might learn diligently to cleanse your heart as often as you receive him in the Holy Eucharist Our Lord will have his Mystical members embaulmed especially with the Myrrhe of Mortification that with the Apostle Allways bearing about in our body the Mortification of Jesus the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our bodys Think how you may put this in practise Tit. 2.13 Consider 3. Our Lord being buried every one betake themselves to their own home for they were not permitted by the keepers to remain at the Sepulcher Think in what solitude the B. Mother and other devout persons were in and how they gave themselves wholy to prayer Expecting the blessed hope and advent of the glory of the great God The B. Virgin doubtless comforted herself with that of the Psalm At evening shall weeping abide and in the morning gladness Ps. 29.6 Doe you likewise in Desolation have recourse to prayer and learn to put your trust in God Things to be observed concerning the Meditations of the Mysteries after our Lords Resurrection 1 Cor. 6.17 THe Meditations upon the Mysteries after our Lords Resurrection appertain to the Unitive way This being an Uniting of our will with the divine will of God by way of affection maketh that our will as it were going forth of her self layeth hold on the goodness of God represented unto it and adhereth unto him and by this adhesion is united with him according to that of the Apostle He that cleaâ—eth to our Lord is one Spirit Hence this Unitive way hath diverse affections properly belonging unto it which we may make use of in the ensuing meditations The chiefe are these following 1. Admiration of Gods Majesty whom we contemplat and of his Attributes and Perfections 2. Joy and content for that God is so absolutly perfect in himself good to others and so admirable in his works 3. Praise and thanksgiving for his gifts and benefits with desire of seeing and enjoying him and of honouring and obeying him 4. Zeale of Gods Glory and good of Souls wishing that all the world might come to know love and serve him 5. Trust in his Goodness and Providence together with a filial respect standing in fear of being separated from him or of committing any thing which may justly offend so great a Majesty and bewailing all the sins whereby we had incurred at any time his just indignation 6. Desire of these Heavenly things we contemplat so that whatsoever is upon earth may seem but durt unto us while we look up to heaven saying with the Prophet How beloved are thy tabernacles Ps. 83.2 O Lord of hoasts my Soul coveteth and fainteth unto the Courts of our Lord. And Ps. 41.2 Even as the hart desireth after the fountains of waters so doth my Soul desire after thee O God 2 Cor. 3.18 By these and such like affections let us endeavor to obtain that Beholding the glory of our Lord c. We may be transformed as the Apostle speaketh into the same image from glory unto glory that is that we may become like unto him by the union of our wills increasing dayly more and more in the knowledge of him till at length passing from the imperfect clarity of this life and pilgrimage we arrive to the perfect clarity and glory of our native Country and Beatificall Vision Rise thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ will illuminate thee Ephe. 5.14 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as our Resurrection Apoc. 3.17 COnsider 1. The manner wherewith Christ raised his body out of the Sepulcher of deformed rendering it glorious Ponder what a difference there is between a body that is dead pale wan destitute of all sense and motion and the same when it is invested with the array and endowments of glory The same difference is between the Soul in Sin and in the state of Grace and almost the same between tepidity and fervor For in the state of Tepidity the Soul is as it were in a slumber and void of all heroical motion she is insensible of things appertaining to God and being possessed with innumerable phantasies pursueth vaine trifles and dreams instead of reall and solid goods She thinks herself in a good state when in truth she is like that man in the Apocalyps miserable and poor and blinde and naked Jo. 11.25 Consider 2. Christ is ready to raise us out of these miserable states therefore he saith I am the resurrection and the life To wit the cause and Author of both and as well of the Soul as of the body O what a benefit it is and how infinitly to be valued to be raised from the death of Sin and grave of Tepidity and to be placed in the cleare light of the Childeren of God that walk and work with fervor The same will Christ bestow upon you this day in the Holy Eucharist if you hinder him not For therefore he is called the bread of life Jo. 6.35 Ibid. v. 40. S. Tho. alii and as we owe unto him the Resurrection of our bodies in the last day so doe we now the Resurrection and reviving of our Soules Colos 3.1 Consider 3. The signes of our rising with Christ are to seek and mind the things that are above not the things that are upon earth So the Apostle If you be risen with Christ seek the things that are above c. Seek therefore and affect only heavenly things Rom. 6.9 and as Christ Rising again from the dead now dyeth no more So you being raised from the state of Tepidity to Fervor have a care you fall not into a relapse Of our Lords Resurrection COnsider 1. There having now passed time sufficient to evidence the certainty of his death on the third day early in the morning our Lord hastened to bring forth the Holy Fathers our of Limbus to comfort his B. Mother and desolate Disciples and Illustrate
hath given the pledge of the Spirit as the Apostle saith in our hearts Of Heavenly Glory as it is in it self COnsider 1. Christ ascended into Heaven to prepare us a place Jo. 14.2 Leo Seâ— 1. de Ascens I go saith he to prepare you a place For Christ Ascension as S. Leo saith is our promotion so that where the glory of the Head is gone before there is hopes for the rest of the body to follow after Give God thanks for having vouchsafed to call you and contemplate the happiness of that state that you may be the more inflamed with the love of it Consider 2. Heavenly Bliss as the Divines define it out of Boetius is a state perfected by the concurrance of all good There are no evils to molest you Greg. in fine 7. Psal Penit. nor any good wanting which you can desire There saith S. Gregory will be light without eclipse joy without sighs desire without pain love without sorrow satiety without cloying safety without danger life without death health without impare and so of other happinesses without the admixture of those evils of which nothing in this life is free Jo. 16.22 Consider 3. All these happinesses are everlasting and never to be lost Wherefore after a thousand millions of years they will not decay nor diminish but will be then as new as ever And your joy saith Christ no man shall take from you Think how different are the enjoyments of this life which soon pass Bern. and as S. Bernard saith While they are possest they burthen while they are loved they defile and when they are gone they torment See which you will chuse to prefer Of Heavenly Glory as to the Place and Company Baruc. 3.24 Apoc. 21.18 c. COnsider 1. The happiness of the State in regard of the Place which is the highest Heaven then the which nothing can be imagined more beautiful pleasant or glorious O Israel said the Prophet how great is the House of God and how great is the place of his possession This is that City described in the Apocalyps whose gates are of Pearl the walls of Jasper stone the foundations of the walls of other precious stone the streets and the City it self of pure gold The City needeth not Sun Ibid. v. 23. nor Moon c. for the Lamb is the lamp thereof O! How beloved are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hoasts My soul coveteth Ps 83.2 3. and fainteth unto the Courts of our Lord. Apoc. 7.9 Consider 2. The happiness arising from the company There will be a great multitude which no man can number of all Nations and Tribes and Peoples and Tongues c. There is to be seen an infinite number without dissention distinction of degrees without envy free communication without confusion If it be a pleasure in this life to converse with such as are learned noble and of agreeable conversation how much greater pleasure and satisfaction will it be to have Angels for our companions who are most Noble Spirits and endowed with all manner of Science and Virtue and to live for ever in the company of Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors Virgins and the other Saints of heaven Phil. 3.8 Consider 3. How vile and contemptible all earthly things should appear unto you while you look up to heaven and how you ought to esteem all things as detriment and dung to gain heaven Of Heavenly Glory as to the Soul Ps 144.7 COnsider 1. The Essential Glory of the Soul which shall be wholly replenisht with God as a burning hot iron is with fire In the first place the Memory will be imployed in the remembrance of most delightful objects nor shall the mind be ever diverted from the present happiness it enjoyeth They shall utter the memory of the abundance of thy sweetness and in thy Justice they shall rejoyce Secondly The Understanding shall be wholly taken up with the Vision of God intuitively beholding the Divine Nature Persons Attributes and Mysteries that now lye hidden from us There it will see the profound secrets of Gods Councels and of his Providence both over us and all others We see now by a glass saith the Apostle in a dark sort 1 Cor. 13.12 1 Jo. 3.2 Ps 138.17 but then face to face And as S. John saith We shall see him as he is O what a happiness O how honorable are become thy friends O God! Ps 35.9 Thirdly The Will after an unspeakable manner shall adhere to God and be as it were transform'd into him by love whence it will even overflow with the excess of joy and that of the Psalm will be fulfilled They shall be inebriated with the plenty of thy house and with the torrent of thy pleasure thou shalt make them driak Their whole life and imployment shall be wholly to contemplate love and enjoy their Creator to delight and rejoyce in him and to praise bless thank and congratulate with him for his infinite perfections Who would not be content to suffer not only patiently but also willingly the afflictions of this life to purchase such a Crown of Glory O how true it is that the passions of this time are not condigne to the glory to come Rom. 8.18 that shall be revealed in us Of Heavenly Glory as to the Body Mat. 13.43 COnsider 1. The proper gifts of a glorious body The first is Clarity or Brightness shineing like unto the Sun Then shall the Just shine as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father The second is Impassibility for as S. John saith They shall no more hunger Apoc. 7.16 Sap. 3.7 nor thirst The third is Agility The Just shall shine and as sparks in a place of reeds they shall run abroad The fourth is Subtilty whereby they shall be able to penetrate other bodies and be like unto Spirits free from the necessities belonging to the vegetative life Mat. 22.30 as the Angels of God Job 19.26 Consider 2. The happiness of each Sense 1. The Sight shall be delighted in beholding the glorious bodies of the Saints especially of Christ and his Mother I know saith Job that in my flesh I shall see God my Redeemer 2. The Hearing shall be recreated with heavenly Musick Hymns and Canticles Less de SS bon l. 3. c. 8. 3. The Smelling shall be filled with unspeakable sweetness issuing forth of the glorified bodies Your Saints O Lord shall flourish as the Lilly and shall be as the odour of Balm with you 4. The Tast though not by way of food shall have also its proper delight Ps 35.9 With the torrent of thy pleasure thou shalt make them drink 5. Lastly the Touching shall have its fill of most pure delight and that all the body over So that the Apostle with good reason did say Eye hath not seen nor ear hath heard 1 Cor. 2.9 neither hath it ascended into the heart of man what things God
his Eternal Father in the Eucharist Of the Eucharist compared to the Tree of Life and its fruits Part 2. Gen. 1.2 THe fifth Misery is want of the knowledge of our selves Darkness was upon the face of the depth so is it likewise upon the heart of that man that is not enlightned with the grace of God Therefore the Prophet saith The heart of man is perverse Jer. 17.9 and unsearchable who shall know it The Eucharist remedieth this enlightning our understanding like to the honey that enlightned the eyes of Jonathas Your selves have seen that mine eyes are illuminated 1 Reg. 14.29 because I have tasted a little of this honey Mat. 24.12 The sixth is want of love towards God and our Neighbour for where Iniquity shall abound Charity shall wax cold This is cured by the Eucharist which inflameth the heart with divine love for the lamps thereof lamps of fire and flames Cant. 8.6 The seventh is the indisposition of our spiritual appetite whereby we relish not spiritual things for the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.14 And he that feedeth himself with the pleasures of this present life his interiour senses are so disordered thereby that he cannot relish spiritual things The Eucharist helpeth this curing the palat of our heart so that we may tast and see that our Lord is sweet Ps 33.9 Luc. 14.30 The eighth is a faintness in perfecting what is good we often begin fervorously but soon fail This man began to build and he could not finish it Against this the H. Eucharist doth strengthen us like to that Loaf of Bread 3 Reg. 19.8 which the Angel brought to Elias In the strength whereof he walked fourty days and fourty nights without any toil unto the Mount of God Horeb. Beg therefore of our Lord these fruits especially that you may be constant in good For of all Virtues saith S. Bernard Perseverance alone is crowned Bernard Of the Eucharist compared with the Tree of Life and its fruits Part 3. Ephes 2.3 OUr ninth Misery is the penalty of Eternal Death For we were as the Apostle saith by nature the children of wrath From this evil the Eucharist freeth us giving us Eternal Life For if any man eat of this bread saith our Lord he shall live for ever Jo. 6.51 Gen. 8.21 The tenth is our continual decay in good passing daily from bad to worse For the sense and cogitation of mans heart are prone to evil from their youth This is taken away by means of the H. Eucharist whereby as by spiritual food man groweth up in a spiritual life and encreaseth in merits of good works for he that abideth in me and I in him Jo. 15.5 the same beareth much fruit Ps 119.5 The eleventh is the irksomness of this worldly banishment of which David Woe is to me that my sejourning is prolonged The Eucharist doth mitigate this tediousness and is given also as a Viaticum or provision to live upon in this our Pilgrimage as was the Manna to the Israelites in the Desart till they were brought into the Land of Promise which to us is the Kingdom of everlasting glory Gen. 3.19 The twelfth is a total corruption of our corporal substance because dust thou art and into dust thou shalt return And thus according to the course of Nature this our body would perish for ever but by reason of the corporal participation of Christ as S. Thomas saith the Saints shall rise again in their bodies more glorious then the Sun according to that of Christ He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath life everlasting Jo. 6.54 and I will raise him up in the last day Ps 102.2 3. Admire the admirable virtue of these heavenly fruits and be thankful for so powerful a remedy and preservative against all your maladies My soul bless thou our Lord c. who healeth all thine infirmities Of Preparation for receiving the H. Eucharist by Faith and Purity 1 Cor. 11.28 COnsider 1. How necessary is a due preparation before hand for receiving the H. Eucharist least otherwise through mortal sin you make that your poyson which is the food of life or through indevotion and tepidity you partake less of its sweetness Therefore the Apostle admonisheth Let a man prove himself and so let him eat of that bread And Mat. 22. he that presumed to come to the Marriage Feast without the wedding garment was cast into utter darkness Heb. 10.22 Consider 2. The first preparation must be by Faith which is as it were the ground and foundation of all the rest therefore the Apostle saith Let us approach with a true heart in fulness of faith Kindle therefore in your self a lively faith as often as you frequent this Sacred Mystery and denying whatsoever sense shall object to the contrary offer your life and blood to defend the truth of Gods Word Consider 3. The second preparation must be by Parity which the greater it shall be the more you will partake of its divine fruits and tast of its hidden sweetness wherefore the Prophet Be cleansed ye that carry the Vessels of our Lord Is 52.11 The same doth the Church recommend unto us by ordaining the H. Eucharist to be consecrated upon clean Corporals S. Tho. 6.11 which as S. Thomas observes are first washed then wrung and thirdly dried so he that goes to receive this Sacrament must first of all be washed with the tears of Penance then wrung by works of Mortification and thirdly well dried of worldly affections by the fervour of Charity See whether you find these dispositions in your self Of Preparation for receiving the H. Eucharist by holy Desires and Prayer Eccli 24.26 COnsider 1. To the foresaid Purity must be joyned an ardent desire and hunger after this heavenly Banquet for our Lord inviteth such to himself in those words Pass to me all ye that desire me and be filled of my generations And by the Psalmist he telleth us Ps 106.9 that he hath filled the empty that is the thirsty soul and the hungry soul he hath filled with good things Procure therefore in your self this hunger and thirst as often as you come to this Divine Table Dilate thy mouth Ps 80.11 and I will fill it faith our Lord. Ps 104.40 Consider 2. To this desire must be added earnest Prayer for God bestoweth all he hath upon them that ask Therefore said David They made petition and the Quail came and he filled them with the Bread of Heaven If therefore you desire to have your fill of this heavenly Bread you must make earnest suit for it and give your self to Prayer and Meditation Vnder his shadow whom I desired Cant. 2.3 I sat that is in holy Meditation and Contemplation whence having had experience of its sweetness the Spouse presently adjoyneth and his fruit
lyeth open for you Say with the Prophet who will give me wings as of a Dove and I will fly and rest Of Holy Communion Direct 〈◊〉 Lord my way in thy sight Ps 5.9 Consider Christ as the Director of our Actions Luc. 5.5 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel Master labouring all the night we have taken nothing for men live in a great Mist or darkness of Ignorance not knowing what to do nor what will prove beneficial or hurtful for them wherefore they stand in need of a Divine Light whereby they may be directed in all things 2 Paralip 20.12 Whence King Josephat said Whereas we are ignorant what we ought to do this only we have left that we direct our eyes to thee Neither doth God refuse the Office of a Director for it is said of Joseph Gen. 39.23 Our Lord was with him and directed all his works Consider 2. Christ as we read in this daies Gospel directed the Apostles Fishing and presently there was taken a great quantity of Fish He will likewise come this day into your Soul and direct your Fishing that is your spiritual affairs so that you have great reason to hope for much profit provided that you loose your Net in his Word Luc. sup that it follow his directions and promptly obey his interiour Inspirations Consider 3. You must prepare your heart against the coming of this your Director and first purge it from all sin And therefore S. Peter in this daies Gospel said Go forth from me Sup. v. 8. because I am a sinful man O Lord Knowing that Christ cannot stand with sin Secondly you must make earnest suit unto our Lord beseeching him to do you that favour for of King Ozias it is said 2. Paralip 26.5 And when he sought our Lord be directed him in all things Wherefore say with the Prophet Look upon thy servants and upon thy works and direct their children And let the brightness of our Lord God be upon us Ps 89.16 and direct thou the works of our hands over us and the work of our hands do thou direct Of Christs retiring into the Desart c. Mat. 4. Marc. 1. Luc. 4. Mat. 4.1 COnsider 1. Jesus full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan and was driven in the Spirit into the Desart c. Ponder whither the Holy Spirit doth lead the Soul which it hath once replenished to wit to prayer and contemplation of heavenly things Besides our Lord retired himself to avoid the applause of the people which was like to follow from those wonderful signs which they had seen in his Baptisme He would before his Preaching make use of these Spiritual Exercises of 40 daies that you might learn to be well affected towards the like and to perform them with Spirit and Devotion in their time according to the example of our Lord. Rom. 8.14 Consider 2. Christ is said after his Baptisme to have followed the Conduct of the Holy Ghost to intimate that all who are baptized ought to follow the direction of the Divine Spirit not their own judgment Examine your self by what Spirit you are led in your actions whether of Perfection or of Vanity If you be the Son of God you must in all things be led by his Spirit For according to that of the Apostle whosoever are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Marc. 1.13 Consider 3. What S. Mark saith of Christ And he was with Beasts Admire the Humility of our Lord who being the Creator of all disdained not for fourty daies to keep company with bruit beasts He might truly say with Job I was the Brother of Dragons Job 30.29 and fellow of Ostriches Be confounded that you cannot live contentedly but with those of your own humour Learn to bear patiently the fellowship of troublesome companions if you chance to live among them Greg. in cap. 30. Job For as S. Gregory saith No body is perfect that is impatient among ill Neighbours Of Christs Fasting Mat. 4. Luc. 4. Mat. 4.2 COnsider 1. And when he had fasted fourty daies and fourty nights afterward be was hungry Consider how Christ joyned Fasting and Mortification to his Prayer in the Desart for Prayer and Mortification are as two Sisters helping one the other Prayer quickneth Mortification and Mortification refineth Prayer as Fire doth Gold In this manner therefore Cant. 3.6 Christs prayer ascended by the Desart as a little rod of smoke of the Aromatical Spices of Myrrhe and Frankincense Endeavour that yours may ascend in like manner and remember what the Angel said Tob. 12.8 Prayer is good with Fasting and Alms. Pro. 21.27 Consider 2. Our Lord fasted with that rigour in the beginning of his Preaching to teach us that the beginning of a spiritual life much more of an Apostolical one ought to be taken from taming our sensual appetite Hence the antient Fathers as Cassian witnesseth ordained that the first Spiritual Lesson should be of taming this appetite for he that cannot master these palpable and grosser Vices how will he be able to subdue those that are more subtil and secret See therefore how you are in this point and ponder that of the wise man He that loveth good chear shall be in poverty to wit spiritual he that loveth wine and fat things shall not be rich Consider 3. The many fruits of Fasting that you may give your self to it as far as your health and strength of body will permit 1. It tameth the rebellion of the flesh 2. It purifieth the mind and makes it fit for heavenly contemplation 3. It appeaseth Gods wrath and indignation 4. It satisfieth for sin 5. It is meritorious of eternal life 6. It often obtains likewise temporal blessings 7. It is the Devils scourge 8. It is the food and nourishment of all Virtue Of Christs Temptations in the Desart Mat. 4. Luc. 4. Heb. 4.15 Heb. 2.18 COnsider 1. After 40 daies fast in the Desart our Lord suffered himself to be tempted by the Devil in point of Glurtony vain Glory Ambition and Avarice 1. That he might learn by his own experience to have compassion on our infirmities For in that wherein himself suffered and was tempted he is able to help them also that are tempted 2. That as a good Captain he might instruct us how to fight in this spiritual warfare Thank him therefore for so great an example of humility and say with the Prophet Blessed be our Lord my God who teacheth my hands to bated Ps 143.1 and my fingers to war S. Hilar. Consider 2. No body in this life although he be a Saint is free from Temptation This appeareth by the example of Christ and his Saints in so much that the perfecter a man is the more fiercely he is assaulted by the Devil who is more pleased saith S. Hilary with victory over Saints Be not therefore troubled if you find
saying Good Master by doing what shall I possess everlasting life Such ought to be your cares and cogitations to wit of Eternal life not of this miserable and mortal one which vanisheth away like a shadow Therefore stir your self up and often ask your self that question By what doing shall I possess everlasting life Mat. 19.17 Consider 2. Christs first answer Keep the Commandments for this is necessary for all men neither will it suffice to keep one or more unless you keep all for he that osteadeth in onâ— is made guilty of all Jac. 2.10 See therefore whether you observe every one and in what manner which ought to be exact and perfect according to that Thou hast very much commanded thy Commandments to be kept Ps 118.4 Consider 3. The young man having answered that he had kept all the Commandments of the Law from his youth Jesus beholding him loved him and said to him c. Go sell whatsoever thou hast Mar. 10.21 c. and come follow me Or as S. Matthew recounteth If thou wilt be perfect go sell the things that thou hast c. It is therefore a sign Mat. 19.21 or effect of Gods love to a person when he invites him to renounce all things and to follow Christ in imbracing poverty think with your self what God requireth of you in this point endeavour at least to be poor in affection that you may the more readily follow Christ who for you was made poor whereas he was rich that by his poverty you might be rich 2 Cor. 8.9 Of the Vocation of the Rich young man Mat. 19. Mar. 10. Luc. 18. Part 2. Mat. 19.22 COnsider 1. when the young man had heard this word of selling all he had he went away sad for he had many possessions Thus we often purpose to do great matters for God and wish for occasions to suffer for him but when we come to the push we fail and put on a sad countenance Observe how this young man answered not Christs call to follow him because he was rich And if God hath taken from you the like hinderance of riches give him thanks for that otherwise perhaps being intangled therewith and thereby hindred from following him you had long since been a lost man Luc. 18.24 25. Consider 2. That saying of Christ after the young mans departure How hardly shall they that have money enter into the Kingdom of God For it is casier for a Camel to pass through the eye of a Needle then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God Wherefore that you may easily enter cut off the Camels bunch that is at least all disordinate affection to the riches of the world and take heed of scraping and hoarding up For they that will be made rich saith the Apostle fall into tentation 1 Tim. 6.9 and the snare of the Devil c. Consider 3. The saying of S. Peter upon this occasion Behold we have left all things Mat. sup v. 27. and have followed thee Whence the holy Fathers gather that the Apostles made a vow of Poverty and left all not only what they had but also what they might have and even the very desire of having Ponder the greatness of the reward which our Lord promised to all that should leave any thing for his sake to wit they shall receive an hundred times so much now in this time Mar. 10.30 c. and in the world to come life everlasting O incomparable purchase and to be preferred before all the gains in this world Of our Vocation in General to follow Christ Mat. 16. Mar. 8. Luc. 9. Luc. 9.23 COnsider 1. Christ hath prescribed certain Laws to be observed by all that come to his School therefore as S. Luke saith he said to all If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow me These therefore are the Laws of his School to wit Abnegation of himself and his desires Carrying the Cross and that daily and Imitation of Christ in all things See how you are in these particulars that you may become a worthy Disciple of such a Master Consider 2. More in particular what it is properly to deny himself for it is as holy men say to break and leave ones own will Colos 3.9 S. Basil â—a reg fusius q. 6. and to spoil himself of the old man with his acts Think how necessary this is and on the contrary how dangerous a thing it is to follow ones own will and judgment See how you are in this point and how you may better your self in it to Gods glory And lastly S. Bern. Serm. 2. de S. Andrea S. Hieron in c. 16. Mat. 2 Cor. 4.10 by what means you may arrive to this Abnegation of your self Consider 3. To carry our Cross daily the Apostle also adviseth us in those words Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus Therefore no day without a line or some progress in Mortification ought to pass with a Disciple of Christ whence S. Augustine saith The whole life of a Christian if he liveth according to the Gospel is a Cross and a Martyrdom Therefore take up your Cross chearfully and whatsoever is ingrateful to flesh and blood for by the Cress the way lies open to a Crown Of Holy Communion Let my Beloved come into his Garden and eat the fruit of his Appletrees Cant. 5.1 Consider Christ as a Good Tree Cant. 2.3 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel Every good Tree yieldeth good fruits Mat. 7.17 Christ above all others is a good Tree and is often compared to several sorts of Trees in the holy Scripture In the Canticles it is said As the Apple-tree among trees of the woods so is my beloved among the Sons Other men are trees of the woods which bring forth no other then wild and sowre fruit to wit Sin Christ alone is the Appletree bringing forth most delicious fruit and as the Apple by its juice affordeth both meat and drink so Christ by his precious Body and Blood is both meat and drink to us in the Eucharist Jer. 31.32 Consider 2. Your Soul is as a Garden planted with Gods own hand according to that Their Soul shall be as a watered Garden Into this Garden of yours will be brought to day and planted this heavenly Tree the true Tree of Life yielding twelve fruits as is said in the Apocalyps which are Charity Joy Peace Patience Benignity Goodness Longanimity Galat. 5.22 23. Mildness Faith Modesty Continency Chastity O how are you to long for that hour in which your beloved is to come into his Garden and eat the fruit of his Appletrees that is of good works which he will produce in you Cant. 2.3 Consider 3. If you desire to have your fill of this fruit you must set your self down under the shadow of the Tree by
for which respect we ought to be very cautious left we make other mens sins our own for that they often take their beginning from ours Look therefore well about your self and see whether you are wont to give others bad example in any kind for woe be to that man by whom scandal cometh Mat. 18.7 Of the Treasure hid in the Field Mat. 13.44 COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Treasure hid in a Field This Treasure saith S. Gregory Greg. Hom 11. in Evang Mat. 11.25 is the desire of Heaven or love of Virtue and heavenly things and is said to be hidden in the field of this world for that all know not the value of it Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to little ones Whence it is that most men abhor Humility and Poverty as vile and contemptible things Beseech our Lord so to open your eyes that you may be able to discover this Treasure Consider 2. How this Treasure is to be kept which a man having found did hide it saith Christ We must therefore lay it up closely in our hearts and cover it with the Vail of Humility from the praises of men and vain glory lest thereby it come to be taken from us and vanish away Examine your self whether you do so or whether you do not rather vainly boast and brag at every turn for what you think your self to have Our way to Heaven is beset with many Thieves and he desires to be robbed saith S. Gregory that carrieth his Treasure in open view Hide it therefore what you can Greg. sup that so you may keep it long Luc. 14.33 Consider 3. This Treasure cannot be otherwise purchased then by buying it and that with the sale not of some one or more things but of all whatsoever we have He goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth it And Christ in another place pronounceth Every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth cannot be my Disciple We must therefore leave all things of this world at least in affection to attain to a perfect enjoyment of Christ and think that well left for which we gain a hundred fold and that more then a hundred times over Of the Pearl Mat. 13.45 Luc. 19.13 COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Merchant-man seeking good Pearls We are all Merchants in this life therefore Christ in the Parable of the Talents said Occupy till I come that is to judgment All men indeed seek Pearls but some take them for Temporal Enjoyments others for Learning and Sciences others again for honors but they are all mistaken these are false Pearl nor have they anything that is good in them but an outward shew therefore the Apostle to the rich saith Your riches are corrupt Jac. 5.2 3. your gold and silver is rusted See whether you do not affect such kind of Pearl Sap. 7.9 Consider 2. And having found one precious Pearl c. for there is one only true precious Pearl Christ our Lord and the love of heavenly things All gold in comparison of her is a little sand and silver in the sight of her shall be esteemed as clay There is no comparison between Heaven and Earth ore single drop of water and the whole Ocean Time and Eternity no more is there between Christ and all earthly goods whatsoever and yet as often as you sin you renounce Christ for some base thing or other Consider 3. Here again it is said that this Peâ—â—l is not to be bought without seâ—ling all we have He went his way and sold all that he had and bought it But happy is he saith S. Gregory who with all his fortunes is able to buy Christ S. Greg. Naz. Phil. 3.8 Therefore the Apostle I have made all things as detriment and do esteem them as dung that I may gain Christ Think with your self whether you do so and what a kind of Merchant you are Of Holy Communion WHen the four and twentieth Sunday after Pentecost comes before the Moneth of November as it falls out when there are eight and twenty Sundaies then in the twenty fourth is read the Mass and Gospel of the third Sunday which was remaining after the Epiphany to wit that of the Leper and the Centurion Mat. 8. Wherefore then you shall take the Meditation which is for the third Sunday after Epiphany and consider Christ as the Physitian of your Soul as is set down there page 108. Of the lost Sheep Luc. 15.4 c. COnsider 1. What man of you having an hundred Sheep c. This Man is Christ the Sheep are the Faithful Christ performeth to the full all the Offices of a good Shepherd he came down from Heaven to feed them he marks them for his own with a Divine Character he leads them by the example of his Virtues he cures them of the Infection of Sin he defends them from the Infernal Wolves he provides them rich Pastures of his Doctrine and Sacraments and which is incomparably more he gives them his own Body and Blood for meat and drink The Faithful hear his Voice obey his Commands follow him where ever he leadeth they delight in his Pastures and yield him both the Wooll of their exteriour actions and Milk of their interiour and even their Blood and Life and all when soever there is any necessity of dying for him Is 53.6 Consider 2. The strayed Sheep is a sinner who leaving the company of the Just and Obedience to his Pastor goeth his own ways nothing is more foolish and miserable then he he understands not the happiness he enjoyeth under his Pastor he cares not for Spiritual Pastures he prefers such as are more pleasing to flesh and blood he follows him not nor hears his Call he esteems the ways of the Cross and of Mortification to be too rough and hard and chuses rather to trace the craggy and dangerous ways of his own will All we have strayed as sheep saith the Prophet every one hath declined into his own way Think how often you have done so Consider 3. The great goodness of this Pastor he seeketh after his strayed sheep first by himself while he was in Mortal Flesh by his exemplar Life and Doctrine for thirty three whole years afterwards by Superiours and Directors by Holy Inspirations by Pious Books and other means never ceasing even to the end of the world and having found it most gently and lovingly takes it up O Lord so take and receive me Ps 118.179 I have strayed as a sheep that is lost seek thy servant because I have not forgotten thy Commandments Of the Pharisee Luc. 18.10 c. and the Publican Apoc. 3.17 COnsider 1. Two men went up into the Temple to pray c. Ponder the effects of Pride in the Pharisee 1. Because he thought himself perfect he asketh nothing neither pardon of
sins nor the gifts of Grace 2. Under the pretence of Thanksgiving he commends himself for his own good works 3. He arrogantly prefers himself before others 4. He contemns the Publican whom he rashly judgeth a sinner Thus all proud men are blind and say I am rich and lack nothing But alas Thou knowest not thou proud fool that thou art miserable and poor and blind and naked c. Consider 2. The Publicans Humility 1. He stands a far off deeming himself unworthy to approach near to God or even the Pharisee 2. He dares not so much as lift up his eyes out of confusion for his sins 3. He knocks his brest with a contrite heart and desirous to make satisfaction 4. He humbly beggeth for pardon saying God be merciful to me a sinner Such likewise ought to be your prayer humble contrite and accompanied with purpose of amendment Consider 3. Christs Sentence of both these men This man went down into his house justified more then he c. Thus Pride destroyed even those good works that were in the Pharisee Humility on the other side by the help of Penance blotted out sin in the Publican So every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted as it often falleth out even in this life but most certainly in the next Think therefore with your self where you will chuse to be humbled here or there Of the Faithful and Wise Steward Mat. 24. Luc. 12. or Servant Luc. 12.42 COnsider 1. Who thinkest thou is a faithful Steward and wise c. Our Lord finds few such therefore he speaketh of them in an admiring way That which he requireth of his servants is 1. That they be faithful 2. Prudent 3. Good to others 4. Perseverant that when our Lord shall come at the hour of death he may find them so doing See how you behave your self in these points whether you do faithfully and to your utmost promote Gods Cause or not rather your own Interest whether you do your actions with due circumspection and deliberation whether you seek to benefit others according to your ability and lastly how firm and constant you are in good purposes Luc. 12.19 Consider 2. The evil conditions of the bad servant 1. He saith in his heart My Lord is long a coming and thinks he has a long time yet to live as did that other who said to his Soul Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years c. 2. He is injurious to others striking the servants and hand-maids 3. He gives himself over to carnal pleasures beginning to eat and drink and be drunk Have a care you keep your self from these Vices and observe that the beginning of all these mischiefs is a perswasion of long life and forgetfulness of what is to befall us in the end Consider 3. The reward and punishment of both these servants Of the former it is said Blessed is that servant c. over all things which he possesseth he shall appoint him to wit in Heaven But of the latter The Lord of that servant shall come in a day that he hopeth not and at an hour that he knoweth not and shall divide him to wit from the company of the Just and shall appoint bis portion with the Infidels in Hell Imitate therefore the first least your portion and lot come to be with the last c. Of Girding the Loyns Luc. 12.35 c. COnsider 1. Let your loyns be girded and candles burning in your hands and you like to men expecting their Lord when he shall return from the Marriage Ponder how carefully servants watch for their Masters coming from a Marriage-Feast such would Christ have us to be against his coming We gird our loyns saith S. Gregory when we restrain Luxury by Continency Greg. Hom 13. in Evang and we hold burning candles in our hands when by good works we shew our Neighbours the light of our example See how you perform both these duties Phil. 1.23 Consider 2. That when he doth come and knock forthwith they may open unto him Our Lord cometh when he hasteneth to judge us at our death he knocketh when he sendeth us sickness the Good at that time without delay and with great joy open unto him having a desire with the Apostle to be dissolved and to be with Christ. On the contrary with what an unwilling and heavy heart do the wicked let him in when he knocketh Therefore Ecclesiasticus Eccli 41.1 O Death how bitter is thy memory to a man that hath peace in his riches Consider 3. If the Housholder did know what hour the Thief would come he would watch verily and would not suffer his house to be broken up Death will most certainly come upon us as a Thief and break open the house or habitation of our body but what day or hour it will come is as uncertain Therefore our Lord would have us to be watchful every hour of our life that we may not be catched at unawares in that moment wherein is turned the Dye of our Everlasting Doom Of the Vine and its branches Jo. 15.5 c. Ps 79.12 COnsider 1. I am the Vine you the Branches c. Christ is truly a Vine in regard of that most precious Wine which he powred forth on the Cross and is daily presented to us in the Chalice The Branches of this Vine may be whosoever will themselves therefore he inviteth all and of this Vine it is said It extended her branches even to the Sea and her boughs unto the River for he quickneth us all as so many branches with the Sap of his Grace and with the same nourisheth us and maketh us rich and full of excellent fruit O how well is it with the branch that remaineth and liveth in such a Vine Consider 3. An evident sign of remaining in this Vine is fruitfulness He that abideth in me and I in him the same beareth much fruit Wherefore by the fruit you bear you may gather whether you remain in him or no Besides Every branch that beareth fruit the Heavenly Father will purge it that it may bring more fruit The Husbandman purgeth the branches by Pruning and Incision so God doth those that are his by afflictions sicknesses and temptations that you might learn to take these things willingly at the hands of God as helps towards your spiritual profit Consider 3. What becometh of the branch that beareth not any fruit He shall wither and they shall gather him up and cast him into the fire and he burneth One of the two saith S. Augustine appertaineth to the branch Aug. tr 81. in Joan. fruit or fire Procure therefore to bring forth fruit and that in due season sweet and not wild grapes lest otherwise like a dry withered branch cut off from the Vine you become fuel for that fire which can never be quenched Of the Barren Fig-tree Luc. 13.6 c.