to rain down by his power plenty of pious thoughts to possess your memory God the son the true light and wisdom to illuminate and instruct your Understanding with heavenly knowledge God the Holy Ghost who is an infinit burning fire of charity to enflame your will with pious affections The 2. Condition of Mentall Prayer is Preambles which are for the most part three 1. THe fitst whereof is a tepetition to your self as you would to another of the matter sentence or verse of which you are to meditate 2. The 2. if the matter be Historicall is to represent unto your self the place and persons present As for example Meditating some Mystery of Christ put before your eyes some mountain citty or desert fitting the place to the Mistery or sentence which you are to consider If what you purpose to meditate be spirituall matter void of such similitude abstain from the 2. Preamble accordingly If of Hell think of the length breadth and depth of that horrid place with all things that may give horrour unto If of Heaven represent the spacious pleasantness of that Celestiall Country If on death your self lying on your death bed or laid in your grave If on Judgement our sweet Saviour sitting on his Judgment seat If on sin your soule to be held prisoner in your body fettered with chaines of disordered passions and clogged with the burden of the flesh But if the sentence of your Meditation be such as cannot make these nor the former similitudes call to mind who spoke or did it in what manner sort or with what intention reciting that sentence two or three times unto your self which manner you must also accustome in all sorts of Meditations expecting what it shall please God to teach you therfore saying Speak Lord thy servant heareth 3. The 3. Preamble or petition is briefly to crave light and knowledge of the Mystery you meditate on and grace to stirr up in your self such particular good affections of this or that vertue as you shall see the matter is most apt to minister occasion for your spirituall profit The 3. Condition of mentall Prayer is Meditation which consisteth in the three powers of the soule 1. FIrst let the memory remember to call to mind the presence of Almighty God before whom you are to chuse the matter whereon you are to meditate in what manner you are to do it and the end wherfore 2. Secondly the Understanding must discourse of the matter whether it be of some person as of our Saviour some words of holy scripture some actions as of the Passion of CHRIST JESUS or the suffering of his Saints the verity cause properties effects conveniences and circumstances as WHO WHAT WHY WHERE WHEN BY WHAT MEANS And this is not to be don slightly but very seriously so as they may move the will pondering and as it were shewing them again 3. Thirdly the will must stirr up in it self these affections and make such good purposes as the subject doth require and the understanding hath before approved for good seeking to perform towards God 1. The affections of praise of his holy name 2. Love of his goodness 3. Confidence in his mercy 4. Faith in his verity 5. Feare of his justice 6. Gratitude for his benefits Towards your self affections of love or hatred desire or disdain joy or sorrow conversion or aversion feare or hope dislike or pursuit of the matter which you have discovered and in these of the will you must incite and stay your self in every point of your meditation How to proceed with fruit in every point of your Meditation FIrst the memory is to present the matter unto the understanding as is above said and that is to consider the persons actions and circumstances as is set down and when by discourse and particular view of the matter you shal sufficiently understand any speciall point to move affections as to discover Gods goodness love or any benefit don towards us by him example of vertue or difformity of vice then stay that discourse and seek to stirr up such good affections as the matter will most aptly afford As for example when by discourse you have found the goodness of God or some great benefit of him to us then stay love view and admire him for the greatnes thereof inciting your self to have a perpetuall memory and acknowledgment of them drawing somthing for your instruction and encouragement to his most perfect service and your own progress in vertue This is a great part of the fruit which you are to reap of Meditation the which you must perfect by colloquy and Prayer Helps if the will do's not yield unto those affections which you desire REflect with your self what affections such cōsiderations ought to move in you towards God whose love goodnes and benefits you see to be so great and you have deserved so little the which consideration ought to produce in you exceeding great love praise gratitude obedience confidence c. Then come to your will again and see whether it will yield to those affections If it do not then labour to move it either by such persuasions as you would give to another whom you desire to incite to the same affections Or else reprove your dulness or ask your self the question why you should not yield thereunto seeing that you can remember your self and others to be exceedingly moved unto such affections towards creatures for less motives And again say Why should not I feel the like to my Creatour or at least yield with my will to desire it and purpose the same Then have recourse to Prayer and say O my God J will purpose c. J desire you to assist me with your grace confessing your misery and unworthines beseeching him to be your help And somtimes say these words of Jacob I will not leave thee O Lord untill thou givestme thy blessing or those of the Cananean woman Yes Lord I am a dog yet doggs eate the crums which fall from their Maisters table or other such like And thus having at least by some meanes or other stirred up the foresaid affections though not so fervently as we desire persever in exercising the will drawing forth somthing for your profit This example in due proportion may serve to teach you how to proceed upon any other matter as when you have by discourse discovered any vertue or vice in some word deed or thought of some person who is presented in the Meditation first by staying or pondering or sometimes admiring how worthy a thing that vertue is in that person and how foule the vice the fruit and profit which ariseth of the one and the loss and shame of the other Then proceed as you will to move and stirr up the affection you seek never contenting your self with generall affections be they never so fervent nor spend to much time in them but make some particular resolutions of which you stand in most need for the advancement and correction of
the Priest saith the Confiteor COnsider the offences of our first parents with those of the whole world and in particular those which you have your self committed and at the Kyrie elerson aske most humbly pardon for them and beg grace for amendment At Gloria in excelsis COnsider how the Angels in heaven rejoyce at the conversion of a sinner wherfore beseech them through the great desire they have of mans salvation to aid and assist us and all creatures to obtain the same At the Epistle COnsider that this World is a place of Pennance and be sorry that so few do embrace the same but follow vain pleasures and delights and beseech Almighty God to enlighten their hearts and offer your self to suffer whatsoever it shall please him to lay upon you begging grace for the same At the Ghospell COnsider what pains our Saviour took in this world going from one place to another preaching and inviting all men to follow his most perfect example and doctrin begging by the merits of his pains and labours that you may be a true follower thereof At the Creed THink what a multitude of people were converted by the holy Ghospell and nevertheless how many there are which remain in blindnes and wil not be lightned for which be heartily sorry and beseech God to convert them but principally pray for the conversion of England At the Offertory COnsider the promptitude with which our sweet Saviour offered himself into the hands of his heavenly Fathet to suffer his bitter death and Passion for your Redemption and all mankind Wherfore offer your self wholly to his divine goodness with your vowes of obedience Poverty and Chastity purposing from thence forward to be crucified by these three nailes to the Cross of all mortification At the Preface COnsider how our sweet Saviour raised Lazarus after he had been dead four daies and thence you may draw comfort and confidence that although you find many evil customes in your self all hindering you from the true service of God yet acknowledge that he is able to raise and deliver you from them all Wherfore you must purpose strongly to resist them according to the grace and strength which it shall please him to give you At Sanctus COnsider how the Angels in heaven do continually praise Almighty God and how pleasing their service is unto him wherfore pray unto them to obtain for you such fervour of spirit in this life that at your death you may be worthy to be assisted by them in heaven At the Canon COnsider the unspeakable love of our Saviour in offering himself for you in this most holy Sactifice weighing his Majesties greatnes and Omnipotency which is therein contained and here you may pray for the intention of the whole church and for all those you are to pray for that day A prayer at the Elevation of the most B. Host ADoro te Domine Iesu Christe benedico tibi qui pro nobis in cruce moriens redemisti mundum Ave caro Christi immaculata Crucis hostia morte tuâ nos amarâ fac redemptos luce clarâ tecum frui gloriâ Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori Aufer à me quicquid tibi displicet Infunde in me quicquid tibi placet Converte me totum tuum dulcis Iesu Deus meus Amen J adore thee o Lord JESUS CHRIST and J bless thee who dying on the Cross for us hast redeemed the world Haile holy flesh of CHRIST immaculate host of the Cross Make us redeemed by thy bitter death to enjoy with thee in glory eternall light God be mercifull to me a sinner Take away from me all that is displeasing to thee infuse into me all that is pleasing to thee Convert me wholy to thee sweet JESUS my God Amen A Prayer at the Elevation of the Chalice SAnguis tuus Domine Iesu Christe pro nobis effusus sit nobis in remissionem omnium peccatorum nostrorum negligentiarum ignorantiarum nostrarum in robur augmentum fidei spei charitatis gratiarum virtutum in cautelam vitae in adoptionem gloriae aeternae in absolutionem omnium fidelium defunctorum omnium pro quibus orare tenemur Amen Let thy blood O Lord JESUS CHRIST which was shed for us be a remission of all our sins negligences and ignorances a strengthning and encrease of faith hope charity graces and virtues a caution to my life an adoption to eternall glory an absolution of all the faithfull departed and of all for whom we are bound to pray Amen Whilst the Pater noster is said COnsider who made this Prayer and joyne your intention with the Priest's who repeateth it for the necessities of the whole church An Excrcise for the 5. Pater nosters after the Elevation 1. FIrst you make a particular intention to get pardon and to dispose your self to receive the Blessed Sacrament either corporally or spiritually for the which observe this exercise The first Pater and Ave address to the right hand of our B. Saviour beseeching him that the pretious blood which issued out of this his sacred wound may serve you for a bath to wash and purify you from all staines and spots of your sins and particularly those which you have committed since your last confession The 2. address to the left hand beseeching him that the sacred blood which issued from the same may serve for a spirituall balsome to cure all your infirmities and spirituall sicknesses The 3. address unto the wound of his right foot beseeching him by his sacred blood which issued forth thereof that it will please him to adorn you with the garment of charity and purity of heart and mind The 4. address to his left foot beseeching him that his sacred blood which issued forth of this wound may lighten the eyes of the soule to know his greatnes feare his justice and love his goodnes The 5. address unto the sacred blood which issued from thence that he will pardon and extinguish all your inordinate desires and affections and unite your heart to his through perpetuall love and continuall memorie of him A Prayer before spirituall Communion O Pie Domine Iesu Christe qui huc propter me venisti te mihi in panem quotidiaenum imo in omnem desiderabilem usum tribuisti vellem te libenter etiaem in Sacramento suscipere sed heu non audeo nec possum accedere quia timeo te offendere propter indispositionem meam inimicam tamen scio quod sine te vero cibo non possum vivere quare humiliter te rogo ut licèt non sumam te sacramentaliter me tamen reficias ad me descendas spiritualiter velis mihi gratiam impertiri quam te devotè sumentes debent sentire O bone Iesu noli me despicere noli me indignam famulam tuam transire sed digneris ad me venire mecum manere effectus tuos in me operari Amen O most pious Lord JESUS CHRIST who camest
the Cross and with his sacred blood satisfy his Eternall Father for her demerits 4. That for her love he would remain in the holy Sacrament to feed her with his own blessed body and Cleanse her with his owne sacred blood A Prayer before receiving the B. Sacrament O Sweet JESUS J most ardently desire to receive you Sacramentally and spiritually although J know my self to be most unworthy you should enter into the house of my soule be favorable unto me wretched sinner and take from me whatsoever is displeasing unto you prepare in me and in all hearts a habitation agreable unto your divine Majesty Would to God O my sweet Saviour JESU would to God J were wholy enflamed with an ardent desire and love of you Behold J here renounce and give up to you all things O sweet JESU O JESU my love for ever A Prayer after receiving the B. Sacrament O Most sweet Lord JESUS CHRIST J humbly beseech thy unspeakable mercy that this holy Sacrament of thy pretious body and blood which J unworthy have received may be to me and to all sinners a full purgation of all our offences a strength against frailties a fortress to defend us against all perills both of soul and body an entire pardon and establishment in all grace an amendment of life a continuall memoriall of thy sacred Passion a nourishment against all spirituall weakness and a staff of our Pilgrimage let it my sweet Saviour JESUS guide us going reduce us straying receive us returning again hold us up stumbling lift us up falling and persevering bring us to glory O highest God let the reception of this most worthy Sacrament so alter the tast of our hearts that at no time we feel any sweetness love or desire and consolation admit any delight esteem any honour feare any adversity or even-live but for thee and to accomplish thy blessed will which may ever be perfected in us Amen Another Prayer O Most glorious and ever blessed Virgin Mary O holy Father S. Francis O holy Mother S. Clare S. Michaël Angels Archangells Vertues Powers Principalities Dominations Thrones Cherubins Seraphins and all celestiall Spirits J beseech you to prostrate before the face of my God and beseech him in favour of his most deare son my Saviour and Redeemer CHRIST JESUS that it will please him to pardon the unworthines and indevotion wherewith J have received the most blessed and dreadfall Sacrament and do not permit the same to cause that the spirit thereof be not communicated unto me also that by the vertue and efficacy of this holy Communion J may feel the effect of his divinë mercy that I may receive this day a full remission of all my sins true light and knowledge of his grace which is in me that be reduce and put me in such an estate as shall be most pleasing unto his divine Majesty augment in me faith hope charity obedience chastity and patience with all other vertues and gifts of the holy Ghost necessary to procure the glory of his divine Majesty and the salvation of my soule to the honour and praise of his holy name Amen What we ought to do the day we communicate 1. BE very careful to govern our sences especially our tongue and if it happen we fall by frailty we ought presently to crave pardon and beseech our sweet Saviour not therfore to absent himself from us 2. To render to this blessed guest all the best services we are able he being infinitely worthy to be served loved and adored of all creatures Wishing above all things his holy honour and pleasure 3. Seek still to entertain this blessed spouse with holy thoughts and desires beseeching him to give you and all others whatsoever he knoweth to be needfull for his love and service beleeving that he is inestimably rich and a most liberal giver 4. Do nothing that day without considering first whether the thing you do will be pleasing and agreable unto him and demand his permission and leave 5. Make fervent aspirations cast forth arrowes of divine love towards that most amiable and sweet Lord with a vehement desire of loving him infinitely and be wholy transformed into him by conformity of will Deo gratias A Prayer before Confession O Soverain Creatour of heaven and earth and of all things which in them are J worm and miserable wretch have offended your divine Majesty I wonder at my folly detest my ingratitude and lament my offences craving through the merits of the bitter Passion and death of your onely begotten son and the infinite love with which he did both offer and suffer them for my sake and for the whole world grant unto me and all sinners true knowledge and perfect contrition of our sins and offences with entire remission of them all loose us from the chaines of our imperfections and heale the wounds of our soules grant us ever to be purged and refreshed in the fountain of his holy wounds Amen A Prayer after Confession O Good IESU let this my Confession be gratefull and acceptable unto you by the merits of your admirable life and painfull death with all the labours anguishes and sorrowes which you suffered for mankind together with those of your B. Mother and all your holy Saints supplying whatsoever is wanting in me either now or any other time through want of true contrition entire confession or full satisfaction beseeching they may also be unto me light direction and strength in all my wayes unto the perfect possession of you my sweet IESU in eternall glory Amen Directions how to say the Divine Office with due devotion and attention WHat care we ought to have in saying the divine Office according to the examples of the holy men is witten in the 27. Chapter of Paralipomenon Despise not your self our Lord hath chosen you to stand before him and adore him Wherfore since God hath chosen man to so high a preferment it is very requisit we should know how and in what manner humble service doth consist The holy man Gerson affirmeth that in saying your Mattins and other houres carefully and studiously leasurely and distinctly consisteth the greatest exercise of a Religious man and is so fit for him as nothing more S. Benedict doth call this the worke of our Lord especially because it it is the chiefest office that any man can perform gratefull to the divine Majesty S. Jerome doth affirm that to offer up Hymns Psalmes and spirituall prayers and to shed teares for our own offences and those of our neighbour is to reconcile the people to God and to pacify our Lord with his flock all which things are to be accomplished in the divine office Wherfore we ought very diligently to apply our whole study and inward powers to the due execution thereof least perhaps that dreadfull sentence pronounced by the Prophet Jeremy c. 48. v. 10. fall upon us maledictus qui facit opus Domini fraudulenter Artursd be be who do's our lords worke negligently
Three sorts of preparation for saying the Divine Offices THe first of living well which is to be exercised in doing all pious works to restrain our selves from all vanities and daily to keep our hearts free and pure from all things that may in the least sort soyle them alwaies directing our thoughts and works whatsoever unto Almighty God and his honour The 2. is that before we begin the Divine Office we be carefull to recollect our spirits excluding all forrain thoughts or whatsoever may give us distraction in our Divine Office considering seriously what wee are going bouâ—… It behoveth us also diligently to weigh these things following That we come To worship God To thank God To intreate God First we come to worship God in three persons and one essence with the worship of Patria which is due to God alone for the benefit of justification that is the Incarnation of his only son our B. Saviour his life death Resurrection and Ascension which Mysteries we ought carefully to consider and ponder with great devotion and reverence 2. We come to thank God in praysing him for the great benefits which we have received and do momentarily receive and hope to receive herafter Therfore it is requisit that we behold and renew the same every houre and moment of our life but especially when we are so particularly employed in a worke that hath so great relation and adherence thereunto 3. We go to intreat God in beseeching his most immeasurable clemency for our own necessities and those of the whole Church but to bring all these particulars with more facility to our mind it will assist us much attentively to think that nothing is more necessary or profitable for us then God The 3. Preparation is a zealous prayer which we must make to the end we may worthily finish the task of our devotions and in imitation of the three Kings offer to his divine goodnes the gold of devotion the frankincense of attention and the Myrrhe of constant perseverance Being to begin the Office you may say I adore thee O Christ and bless thee O Lord for by thy Cross and Passion thou hast redeemed the world Thou art my God and I will exalt thee To thee be praise To thee be glory To thee be thanks giving for ever All creatures worthily worship thee praise glorify and adore the most high and undivided Trinity and the humanity of my blessed Lord Jesu who in time past was conversant with men upon earth and now sits at the right hand of his Eternall Father J beseech the Holy Virgin with the holy Angels and Saints and those whose feasts are celebrated this day throughout the whole Church that they will all help me with their aid and furtherance to the end I may finish this my office worthily to the true praise of Almighty God and the profit of my soule Amen For the Prayer before the lesser Houres take either REX CHRISTE c. or the Prayer following O Good Jesu I desire for the love and honour which I owe unto you humbly to obey you faithfully to serve you and purely to love you in union of that most perfect attention which you being here on Earth prayed and praised your heavenly Father Help me O Lord Jesu with your holy grace for being left by you I shall be able to do nothing Amen Devout Meditations at Gloria Patri GLory be to the Father who when I was not hath created me Glory be to the son who when I was lost hath redeemed me Glory be to the Holy Ghost who hath sanctified me and the elect of God Here ensue certain holy Meditations of the 7. Effusions distributed for the Canonical Houres At Matins COnsider with devotion and yield manifold thanks to our B. Saviour for the effusion of his pretious blood and suffererings in his Circumcision offering the dolours and pains of the said effusion to God the Father for all those that are in state of mortall sin that it would please his divine goodnes to give them a perfect knowledge of their offences with contrition confession satisfaction and amendment At Laudes POnder and give thanks for the dolorousness pain and effusion of blood which our Saviour CHRIST JESUS endured in the garden a little before he was apprehended and taken where with great pain and agony he sweat blood and water offering this spiritually unto God the Father for those that are in the state of grace favour and love of God and his holy name that it would please him to conserve them in that state and purity At Prime YIeld many thanks for the pain and effusion of blood which our B. saviour CHRIST JESUS suffered in his flagellation offering it up unto God the Father for all those that are in any affliction or tribulation be it spirituall or corporall beseeching his divine Majesty to conserve each one of them as he knoweth to be most to his honour and the health of their soules At Tierce IN devout contemplation give Many thanks unto God our sweet Saviour CHRIST IESUS for the effusion of his most precious blood which he endured in his crowning with thorns offering it to God the Father for our parents kinred and benefactours and all for whom wee are any wayes obliged to pray beseeching him to give them his holy grace to live in his true love and feare and at their death to possess everlasting life At Sext. YIeld manyfold thanks unto our B. Saviour IESUS for the paines and effusion of his pretious blood which issued forth of his hands and feet being nailed on the Cross offering it to God the Father for the state of our holy Mother the church that the Popes holines and all Ecclesiasticall Powers may be exalted to the increase of his honour and have grace strength and ability well to discharge what is committed to them therein At None GIve manifold thanks unto our B. Saviour for the effusion and shedding of his sacred blood when nayled to the Cross his most holy side was pierced with a lance offering it to God the Father for the Conversion of all Hereticks particularly for England that it would please him to enlighten them with his holy grace to know and embrace the truth that they with all others may in union and perfect charity love praise and magnify him everlastingly At Evensong CAll to mind the dolorous Mystery of our B. Saviours taking from the Cross and lying in the lapp of his Mother offering it to God the Father for all religious persons who are especially dedicated unto his holy service beseeching his divine goodnes to give each one of them grace perfectly to perforn his holy will even unto death to live vertuously in the observance of their institutes and persever therein untill the end At Compline COnsider how our B. Saviour being dead and his holy body taken down from the Cross it was by our B. Lady S. Mary Magdalen and other holy persons laid in the sepulcher whilest
his glorious soul descended into Limbo where he delivered the just all which with devotion wee may present unto God the Father for the comfort and releasement of the soules detained for the purging of their sins in Purgatory beseeching him mercifully to receive them unto his happy rest that they may eternally praise him AMEN A Prayer after the Divine Office O Good JESUS be propitious unto me a miserable sinner unto thy goodnes do J commend this my office most coldly and distractedly accomplished beseeching that through your merits it may be amended and perfected Unto you good JESU do I offer it for the good of the whole church and the salvation of my soule in union of that most perfect attention with which here on earth you did pray unto your heavenly Father Answer I beseech you Satisfy and pray for me AMEN A Direction for Mentall Prayer THose who desire to increase and go forward in a spirituall life let them go that certain way which is the interiour and mutuall communication with Almighty God performed in this holy Exercise Because in Prayer vertues are ceived obtained and augmented Prayer as the holy Apostle S. James saith availeth much ascendeth to heaven before the tribunall seat of Almighty God and bringeth unto men every good and perfect gift causeth such a league and union betwixt God and them as it maketh their soules apt to receive infinite grace from his divine Majesty Daniel by Prayer converted the fierceness of Lions into the meekness of Lambs Prayer made the fire loose its force being not able to burn the three children in the midst of the flaming furnace Prayer likewise stayed the course and altered the uniform motions of the heavens giving power to the voyce of man to stop and detain the sun for as many howers as was necessary for the obtaining the victory against his enemies Jacob through the vertue and efficacy of Prayer prevailed against the Angell Yea Prayer tyed the hands and infinit power if we may so say of the Lord of Angels for by the Prayer of Moyses Almighty God seemed to be as it were disabled to chastize the people when he said unto this faithfull servant of his Suffer me that my fury m y be angry against them as if he should have said Detain me not with thy Prayers Prayer finally obtaineth pardon for whatsoever offences the Publican getteth remission of his sins and the Prodigall child pardon and returns again into favour by Prayer Therfore it being so profitable and necessary for a spirituall life obtaining by the vertue thereof whatsoever it will in heaven or Earrh it is requisit that all Religious persons spend as much time as their state and leisure will permit them in this kind of Prayer which rather consisteth in the actions of the will then the long discourse or speculation of the understanding sensible gifts or consolations for that is not in our own hands The fruit of Prayer is that we raise from the same humility patience obedience Indifference c. This is alwaies in our power the grace of God presupposed To the end that Prayer be performed with Recollection and attention it is necessary that we do not take it in hand as a thing of small moment not rashly but advisedly not with a slow and dull heart but with a lively attention and undaunted courage for otherwise we might incurr the curse of the Prophet Jeremy who saith Cursed is he that doth the worke of the Lord negligently Neither is so great attention and force to be used as therby to weary and break our heads and hinder our health for so insteed of pleasant and sweet milk we should wring forth blood as the wisdom of God signifieth in Proverbs cause a feare and horrour to undertake this holy Exercise Wherfore to avoid these extreams Moderation is to be used in such sort as by over much striving therein we hurt not our selves as was aforesaid nor through too much carelesness let our mind be carried away with unprofitable matters Let not wandring thoughts trouble you but put them away sweetly for you merit more by patient resistance then in having great comfort and consolation Humble and accuse your self in the fight of Almighty God that you cannot be so long in his presence without so many earthly cogitations beseeching our B. Lady your holy Angel and all others with the Saints to pray for you and supply your wants in due praise and love of his divine Majesty For scruples and temptations which happen in Prayer the first remedy is not to hearken or give eare unto them An Instruction for mentall Prayer to which are required 5. Conditions To wit 1. Preparation 2. Meditation 3. Preambles 4. Colloquie 5. Recollection 1. PReparation hath 4. conditions The 1. which is universall to all piety Purity of heart and calmness of passions and affections and Recollection both of senses and fancies but above all things that the intention be pure and that you undertake this vertuous Exercise sincerely for the love of God to please him and reform your life and manners according to his most blessed will and not for hopes of consolations or divine lights which were an intention proper to hirelings and not fit for his children nor gratefull to our heavenly Father who desires above all things a pure intention 2. The 2. is Reading which you may accustome in this manner read those points you intend to make your Meditation on after even song before or about dinner and that which you purpose to meditate on after Mattins the night before Ruminate the matter divers times before you meditate moving your self to tast and feel those good motions and affections which you think the matter will yield you to draw forth For if in an affaire of importance which we handle with earthly creatures we seriously think and consider thereof before how much more ought we to do it in this so spirituall an Exercise and the greatest which can possibly be undertaken being we are therein to treat with Almighty God about the good and salvation of our soule The 3. condition is the Presence of God Coming to the place where you purpose to meditate consider the presence of Almighty God comparing his greatness and goodness with your own basenes and vileness and imagining our sweet Saviour calleth you to shew you what he hath don said and suffered for you Or consider your self a beggar sick and guilty to crave of your benefactour an almes of your Physitian health and of your Judge pardon beseeching your good Angel and some of your Patrons to accompany and assist you therein 4. The 4. and last condition of preparation is the Prayer preparatory wherein you crave grace affectuously in generall to perform your Meditation to Gods honour and glory and the good of your own soule remembring that sentence Omnis nostra sufficientia à Deo est All our sufficiency is from God beseeching your heavenly Father who is a sea of mercies
your fidelity And if it please him not to speak to you no otherwise then if he saw you not or if you were not in his presence you must not for all that go away discontented or discomforted but continue still with patience and a devout behaviour in the presence of his soverain goodnes and without doubt your service will be acceptable to him and at last he will take notice of your constancy and diligence Colloquies or speeches part in Meditation and part in Prayer Praising Almighty Gods Excellency goodness holiness worthiness c. TO THE SOULE EXhorting it to some vertuous action somtimes reprehending her vices and faults little zeal imperfections c. PURPOSES Purposing to Gods honour Obedience Humility Resignation Mortification c. AFFECTIONS More affections towards God increase of his honour augmentation of the Church c. SUPPLICATION Make supplication unto God as a son does to his father a beggar to his benefactour a sick man to his Physitian a schollar to his Master and a spouse to her bridegroome TO OUR B. LADY Alleadging that shee is our mother Mistris Queen and Advocate and therfore ought and doth love us defend protect and pray for us TO OUR GOOD ANGEL Alleadging his office charge and power to help us his honour to defend us TO THE SAINTS Especially those to whom you are most devoted alleadging their affinity to our nature their tryalls of our necessities their security in glory and their ability and willingnes to help us CAUSES OF DISTRACTIONS 1. First from the Divell who doth still endeavour to hinder from the fruit of Prayer 2. It proceedeth from our own imagination which is free untamed and ill governed 3. From some affections unmortified which draw our thoughts after them for where the treasure is there is the heart 4. From cares which sting and divide the heart into a thousand parts 5. From coldnes in enforcing our selves to this so noble an Exercise 6. From ignorance not knowing how to discourse or meditate or searche into hidden verities and ponder them in such sort as may move the will and stirr up affections of devotion This ignorance by the grace of God will be remedied by this form and method following The meanes to resist distractions of heart and tediousnes of spirit are principally foure 1. FIrst profound humility acknowledging our weakness and misery being ashamed to stand before God with such distractions accusing our selves of our offences both past and present 2. The second fortitude of mind resolving not to admit any distraction although it administer matter of content of seem of much importance for nothing behoveth us so much as to tend to Prayer and to God before whom we are Wherfore if a thousand times we should be diverted we must turn again as many times more without loosing courage 3. The thrid remedy Prayer it self beseeching our saviour to recollect our thoughts and wandring affections that wee may use attention and devotion craving the help and intercession of his glorious Mother with the holy Angels and Saints who are willing to assist all those that pray saying somtimes with David My heart hath forsaken me may it please you Lord to deliver me from the violence which I suffer and have respect to help Other times with the Prophet My soule is as earth without water Again with the blind man in the Ghospell O son of David have mercy on me Or with the Psalmist Depart from me o yee malignants and I will search the Commandements of my God 4. The fourth is Confidence in Almighty God persuading our selves that being he commandeth us to pray he will give us grace wherby we may resist the divell bridle our imaginations restrain our passions moderate our cares cast from us our coldness But with this confidence wee must adjoyn diligence as Cassian saith removing before Prayer whatsoever you think may distract you therein imitating in this the subtilty of our adversary who as S. Nilus Abbot saith ordaineth all his temptations wherwith he tempteth sp rituall persons to hinder them from Prayer the fruit thereof tempting them with impatience to disquiet them curiosity to distract them multitude of busines to disturb them pride and ingratitude to make them barren and dry c. By this we may learn to be no less provident and carefull of our good then the divell is of our harm ever governing our selves in such sort as may most forward our Prayer remembring the words of our sweet saviour in S. Luke It behoveth us alwaies to pray and never to be weary The chiefest effects of prayer ARe particular lights affections and resolutions And whatsoever else is needfull for a large Examin after Meditation is set down in the end of the book of the practice of Meditation 1. Consolation is an inward motion unto the more perfect love of God and withdraweth our affections from all earthly creatures 2. Teares springing of love or sorrow rightly ordained to the honour of God 3. Increase of hope and Charity 4. Joy and devotion which incites the soul unto greater perfection 5. Illuminations of the understanding wherby it understandeth some things anew or better and more perfectly then before 1. Desolation is that which vaileth the eyes of the soul that it may not behold that which appertaineth to the glory of God and the perfection of the soule 2. That which troubleth and moveth us to earthly and outward things 3. That which draweth us to the distrust of obtaining perfection or what may help us 4. That which driveth away Hope and charity 5. That which bringeth the soule to a certain tepidity heavines and tediousnes of mind S. Bernard speaking of the devout Meditation upō the Passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ saith thus If thou desirest perfectly to be purified from all thy sins and vices if thou wouldst be nobly enriched with vertues illuminated in holy Scripture if thou would'st gloriously triumph over thy enemies if abundantly be conforted in adversities if often to have compunction and shed teares of devotion if to obtain the burning fervour os spirit in Meditation if to be replenished with spirituall joy if to persever in well doing if in the end well and blessedly to dy and to reign in heaven eternally and finally to be beloved and crowned by our Saviour Iesus everlastingly exercise thy self in the holy Meditation of the blessed life and Passion of Iesus and often reduce the same unto thy heart and memory Things to be considered in Meditating the Passion of our Saviour 1. Who it is that suffereth 2 What it is he suffereth 3. How he suffereth 4. For whom 5. To what end he suffered Severall Affections to be draw'n from the consideration of the same Passion 1. To have compassion on the greatnes of his pains 2. Contrition for the sins which were the cause of his sufferance 3. Imitation in folowing his examples 4. Gratitude for the largeness of our Redemption 5. Hope he dyed to save us 6.
seas of teares to shed for having thus often cruelly tormented thee 4 O if it had been thy will my sweetest Jesu I wish I might have endured not only temporall but endless pains rather then have caused the least part of thy affliction 5. O Sacred wounds of my dearest Saviour in revenge of my cruelty wound my heart with ten thousand darts of true remorse 6. O sin how deformed and unjust art thou that thus has't defiled the beauty of heaven and crucifyed my Immaculate Jesus 7. O that I might with a thousand millions of lives and infinit seas of blood blot out of my soule the guilt of thy death and Passion 8. Sweet Jesus ingulfe and drown me in thy sacred wounds that there I may learn to love Tuesday Compassion 1. O That I could shed for thee my Lord so many teares as the sea contains drops of water in true compassion of thy torments 2. O who will give water to my head and a fountain of teares to my eyes to weep upon thee the love of my soule 3. O love and only comfort of my heart what consolation hadst thou in all thy torments 4. Alas my well beloved why am not J alwaies present to suffer with thee at least by compassion on thy pains 5. My sweet JESUS O that I might be crucified with thee 6. O love of my soule that I might have had the priviledge of the launce to have rested in thy heart 7. My dearest Saviour permit me the favour to remain at the foot of thy Cross to the end that I may weep continually sigh bleed cry and consume in compassion of thee 8. Give me an endless spring of teares to wash away the sacred blood of my sweetest love which still issueth as flowing rivers from thee Wensday Imitation 1. O Most sweet JESUS give me grace in imitation of thy sacred Passion most willingly to undergoe the burthen of this transitory life 2. For that thou hast suffered so many and cruell torments for my sake let me never O mercifull God fly any tribulation which thou shalt vouchsafe to send me by thy self or others 3. My Jesus to accompany thee in thy manifold afflictions I would be glad not onely to endure the wants which thou sendest me but seek others and never be satisfied in suffering with thee 4. In imitation of thy nakedness reproaches and whippings at the pillar I will endeavour to strip my self of all inordinate desires and affections 5. I will continually follow thee my dearest Saviour with the Crosse of perfect obedience and never for any difficulty leave the same till I come to dy with thee 6. O my Eternall God that wouldst for my sake be nailed to the Cross let me by true mortification be alwaies crucified with thee 7. My loving spouse I beseech thee that with a full renunciation of my self and perpetuall death of all earthly things I may irrevocably dy with thee Thursday Thanksgiving 1. WHat thanks shall I yield unto thee my Eternall life who wouldst endure unspeakeable torments to free me from the snare and fetters of death 2. All you seraphins and celestiall Spirits with whatsoever hath been created praise my Redeemer for the unspeakeable price of my Redemption 3. O my soule how can'st thou devise to render the least part of due gratitude unto thy Jesus who hath by his own humility so much exalted thee 4. O let me ever acknowledge my deare Saviour that endless bond of gratitude which thy Passion alone exacteth of me 5. Sweet JESUS that I could incessantly love thee for these inestimable treasures which thou by thy torments hast purchased unto me 6. Good IESUS since I have nothing but my self to offer in requitall of thy infinit love I beseech thee to accept in love and gratitude what by-right is thy own 7. O eternall God that I had a thousand hearts and lives to offer unto thee who by thy death hast given and bequeathed thy self to me 8. Grant sweet IESUS that thy dolorous death and Passion be ever imprinted in my heart my true thankfulness and imitation thereof Friday Admiration O My God who art thou who hast endured so many and cruell torments sweet and dearest love hast thou forgotten thy Majesty and glory 2. O light of heaven and splendour of thy Fathers glory unto what art thou now reduced 3. Alas my Saviour what art thou who art so despightfully treated 4. O love of loves that through the excess of thy love thou wouldst for me endure so bitter a death 5. O love how strong art thou which with thy force surmounted'st him that by no other means may be overcome 6. O incomprehensible God for whom dost thou suffer but for miserable sinners ungratefull creatures thy enemies children of the divell and those who contemn thee 7. O dearest love that my heart is not pierced with thy dolours 8. What were it o Lord if I had all the loves of the world to unite and offer unto thee 9. My sweet IESUS if I could reduce all thy drops of blood into teares of love what were it compared unto thy love Saturday Ioy. 1. My heart and soule rejoyce and praise the mercies of my God who out of his infinit love hath died to give thee life 2. O my delight what joy will it give to my heart to receave that life that infinit good through the merits of thy most bitter and dolorous passion 3. Sweet JESUS I praise thee with eternall joy for having in thy most cruell death so perfectly accomplished the work of our Redemption 4. It was by thee O beloved Cross that peace hath been established between God and man 5. O triumphant glory and most puissant King who by thy most sacred death hast overcome the Prince of Hell and delivered our soules out of his bondage 6. O Heaven Earth sea and all things therein yield praises in our behalf unto the saviour of our soules and let us rejoyce in the merits of his sacred passion 7. If all my members were tongues O how willingly would I employ them in the praise of thee my sweet saviour and thy health-bringing wounds 8. O all yee celestiall spirits assist me to love and praise my God by the vertue of whose Passion your ruins are repaired 9. Sweet JESUS what glory and comfort is it unto human nature to be exalted in thee unto the right hand of thy Eternall father Sunday Love 1. When shall it be my crucified JESUS that both the senses of my body and powers of my soule shall be wholy employed in thy praise 2. O my JESUS when by perfect love and imitation shall I be daily crucified and continually dy with thee 3. O my beloved JESUS when shall I love thee in such sort as that thy sacred wounds be by burning love imprinted in my heart 4. O my beloved JESUS when wilt thou bring me into the wine cellar of thy blessed side and make me wholy drunke with the most sacred wine which floweth from
thy loving heart 5. O when shall it be my dearest JESU that the flame of thy love shall pierce and wound my heart that I may be wholy conformable unto thee 6. Sweet JESUS let me love thee so unfainedly as that by force of thy love I neither feel see nor take comfort in any thing but accompanyng thee my afflicted Lord. 7. My sweetest Saviour when shall I have my full and wisht repose within thy crucified armes 8. O sacred wounds of my JESUS especially of his tender side and most amourous heart why do you not burn and consume my soule in the delightfull flames of his love An Oblation unto our B. Lady to say on any one of her Feasts 70. Ave Maries and then during every day 5. Ave's and these Prayers following 1. O B. Virgin Mary and Eternall Queen of Angels I offer my self unto you in all that I am or ever shall be beseeching you to receive me as your own 2. O B. Virgin Mary preserve me living and dyng from all evill for I am your own 3. O B. Virgin Mary receive me for your own ever govern and protect me as your own and have mercy on my soule when it shall part out of my body 4. O mercifull Mother through your holy departure make joyfull my departure and in the houre of my death receive my soule A Prayer to Iesus Christ ANima Christi sanctifica me Corpus Christi salva me Sanguis Christi inebria me Aqua lateris Christi lava me Passio Christi conforta me O bone IESV exaudi me Intrà tua vulnera absconde me Ne permittas me separari à te Ab hoste maligno defende me In hora mortis meae voca me Et jube me venire ad te Vt cum Sanctis tuis laudem Te In saecula saeculorum Amen In English thus SOule of Christ sanctify me Body of Christ save me Blood of Christ inebriate me Water of Christ's side wash me Passion of Christ comfort me O good JESU heare me Within thy wounds hide me Suffer me not to be separated from thee From the malignant enemy defend me In the houre of my death call me And bid me come to thee That with thy Saints I may praise thee For ever and ever Amen When you passe by the B. Sacrament DVlcissimum nomen Domini nostri Iesu Christi gloriosae Virginis Mariae Matris ejus sit in aeternum benedictum In English Let the B. Name of our Lord JESUS CHRIST and the glorious VIRGIN MARY his MOTHER be blessed for ever and ever And then offer your intention herein to get the pardon which is gained When you take Holy water Aqua benedicta sit nobis salus protectio vita Asperges me Domine hissopo c. In English May this holy water be to us health protection and life Thou shalt sprinkle me o Lord with hissope c. How we may honour the most holy and B. Name of the most glorious Virgin Mary by sayng these 5. Verses with 5. Psalmes 1. MAter amabilis Maria nomine Multò nobilior quocunque lumine Muni me miserum in tuo nomine Malignis obvians tuo juvamine Magnificat 2. Aurora rutilans lunâque pulchrior Astris fulgentior luce clarior Afflictum respice qui nimis crucior Averte jaculum hostis quo ferior Ad Dominum cum tribularer 3. Regina nobilis filia filii Rosae consimilis flori lilii Refove flebiles lacte consilii Ruentes per dies huius exilii Retribue servo tuo 4. Iesse tu congruè vocata virgula Immarcessibilis sine macula IESV jam florid o qui regit saecula Ipsa tu suggere ut solvat vincula In Convertendo 5. Ancilla Domini sumens tam nobilis Ave quod Gabriel dedit mirabilis Accipe canticum servi inutilis Adsis in omnibus mihi placabilis Ad te levavi ℣ Dignare me laudare te Virgo sacrata ℟ Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos OREMUS COncede nos famulos tuos quaesumus Domine Deus perpetuá mentis corporis sanitate gaudere glorio â B. Mariae Virginis intercessione à praesenti liberari tristitia aeternâ perfrui laetitiâ Per Christum Domenum nostrum Amen The 5. Verses Englished 1. O Amiable Mother ô Mary hail by name More noble then the light of natur's frame Defend me by your meanes which way so'ere J goe And by your shelt'ring help preserve me from my foe 2. Bright shining dawn fairer then the moon More sparkling then the starres and brighter then the sun Look on me wretch afflicted and tormented so As to put by those darts my foes do at me thr'o 3. O noble queen and daughter to thy son Like to the Rose and Flower-de-Luce at noone 'T is milk of your good counsel must cherish us that weep 'T is you that from all banish't ruin's must us keep 4. You are the rod of Jesse fittly nam'd You neyther wither nor with spot are sham'd Pray to our Jesus who the world doe's rule That J from bonds of sin may save my soule 5. O handmaid of our Lord who took the noble haile From wond'rous Gabriel's mouth the world 's great baile Receive the sacred Cantick your worthless servant sing's And gratious be to me sweet Mary in all things LITANIAE B. P. N. FRANCISCI KYRIE eleïson Christe eleïson Kyrie eleïson Christe audi nos Christe exaudi nos Pater de caelis Deus Miserere nobis Fili Redemptor mundi Deus Miserere nobis Spiritus sancte Deus Miserere nobis Sancta Trinitas unus Deus Miserere nobis Sancte Francisce Pater amabilis ora pro nobis Pater admirabilis Pater benigne Pater venerabilis Vexillifer Jesu Christi ORA PRO NOBIS Eques Crucifixi Imitator filii Dei Seraphim ardens Fornax Charitatis Arca Sanctitatis Cultor pacis Vas Puritatis Norma Justitiae Speculum Pudicitiae Regula Poenitentiae Magister Obedientiae Exemplar Virtutum Patriarcha Pauperum Profligator Criminum Lumen tuae Patriae Decus Morum Vivificator Mortuorum Saturator Famelicorum Obsequium Leprosorum ORA PRO NOBIS Praeco magni Regis Forma Humilitatis Consors Sublimitatis Victor Vitiorum Dux Minorum Praedicator Silvestrium Portans dona Gloriae Auriga militiae nostrae Novis utens Prodigiis Caelum caecis aperiens Gratum gerens obsequium Templum Christo consecrans Hostes malignos proterens Tenens vitae bravium Spargens virtutum munera Amplians iter ad Gloriam Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Parce nobis Domine Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Exaudi nos Domine Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi Miserere nobis ℣ Ora pro nobis beate Pater Francisce ℟ Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi OREMUS DEus qui Ecclesiā tuā B. Fraucisci meritis foetu novae prolis amplificas tribue nobis ex ejus imitatione terrena despicere caelestium donorum semper participatione gaudere Per Dominum
peccata mundi Miserere nobis Oremus MEntes nostras quaesumus Domine Paracletus qui à te procedit illuminet inducat in omnem sicut tuus promisit Filius veritatem COncede misericors Deus fragilitati nostrae praesidium ut qui sanctae Dei genitricis memoriam agimus intercessionis ejus auxilio à nostris iniquitatibus resurgamus OMnipotens sempiterne Deus qui saluas omnes neminem vis perire respice ad animas Britannorum diabolicâ fraude deceptas ut omni haereticâ pravitate depositâ errantium corda resipiscant ad veritatis tue redeant unitatem Per Christum Dominum nostrum Amen DEO GRATIAS A DAYLY EXERCISE OF PRAYERS With weekly Meditations upon the Passion IN THE MORNING IN nomine Patris †c. Pater Ave Credo Confiteor c. I adore thee most Blessed Trinity give thee thankes for all benefits bestowed upon me especially for my Vocation to this State the use of Sacraments other Divine helpes particularly that thou hast preserved me this night wherein perhaps many have been summoned before thee to give an account of their lives The living O God shall bless glorify thee as I will this day O Eternall Father to thee I offer up my self with whatsoever I am able to doe admit O Gracious Father these first fruites of my love united with the merits of thy beloved Son O B. JESUS I purpose through thy Grace to walk the paths of thy H. Commandements performing the duty of a good Christian by the practise of all Vertues especially of N. Grant O Lord that I may doe suffer all things according to thy Holy will Come O Holy Ghost direct assist comfort my distressed Soul with thy Grace that I may shun all Sin especially N. I have hitherto greivously offended thee but I will be more watchfull over my wayes Help me I beseech thee in this my spirituall warfar for thou hast promised that I shall walk amongst Serpents Basilisks trample over Lyons Dragons Help me also O Holy Angels glorious Saints thou especially O Sacred Virgin Mother with thy chast Espous S. JOSEPH Protect me O Angell Guardian Yee O Holy NN. my Patrons for this day that I fall not into the snares of Satan But thou O my God my All art my cheife hope let the flames of thy Divine Love consume all evill affections in me that I may for ever love obey thee AN OBLATION O B. JESUS in union of thy N. I offerr up all my thoughts words deeds purposing to practise the Vertue of N. shun the Vice of N. beseeching thee that all I doe or suffer may be acceptable to thee for NN. through the Mediation of my glorious Patrons NN. Amen BLess me O JESU with thy Sacred Virgin Mother †Bless me all yee Holy Saints Angels specially my Angell Guardian Holy Patrons NN. †O Eternall God Father Son H. Ghost bless †keep me now for ever Amen IN THE EVENING IN nomine Patris c. O Most Blessed Trinity I glorify thee with all the Saints Angels for all favours at all times bestowed upon me especially this day make a survey of Gods favours to thee Alas what thankes can I return to thee for these all thy gracious benefits O God who hast observed all the motions of my heart all my words actions Enlighten me that I may know wherein I have offended thee what is wanting to me that I may bewayl my sins through thy Grace amend my life Examine thy conscience through all houres duties of that day towards God thy Neighbour thy selfe considering wherein thou hast offended by thought word or deed Lord be mercifull to me a sinner Behold here my God what sins I have rendred thee for thy gracious gifts It greives me that I have offended thee Pardon me O my God through the Cross Passion of thy dearest Son the merits of the Sacred Virgin all Angels Saints especially N N. I purpose hereafter never more to offend thee to undergoe all Crosses for the satisfying my transgressions against thee purchasing Grace for the amendement of my life AN OBLATION O B. JESUS I offer up to thee thy N. as a propitiation for all my sins especially of this day Uniting therewith the merits of thy Sacred Mother all Angels Saints especially my Patrons NN. to whose protection I now for ever commend my self Bless me O JESUS c. MEDITATIONS VPON THE PASSION For every day of the week SUNDAY Washing of the Feet CONS 1. Who washeth God thy Creatour Redeemer giver of all good things 2. Whose feet he washeth of ignoble persons great sinners his own betrayer 3. Why he washeth to give example of meekness teach us to cleanse our Soules ere we approach his Altar Affect Oh my JESU that I could love thee all creatures as I ought thou desirest Resolve To practise the Vertue of Charitie shun the vice of Envie in occasions best known to thy self MUNDAY Prayer in the garden CONS 1. How CHRIST prayeth kneeling prostrate with instancy thou how tepid 2. What 's his prayer That his Chalice may passe yet with resignation to obey his Fathers will doe thou pray thus 3. How he sweats bloud in great drops in great sorrows wilt thou rely on thy own strength Affect Oh my JESU that I could humble my self to Thee all creatures for thee Rosolve To practise Humilitie shun Pride c. TUESDAY Mocking before Herod CONS 1. How JESUS betrayed apprehended manicled is led to Annas Caiphas Pilate Herod Follow him in this sorrowfull Pilgrimage 2. How He is every where falsly accused yet is silent be silent too when injur'd 3. How before Herod he is cloathed mocked as a Foole if thou beest a Christian imitate CHRIST'S self-denyall Affect Oh my JESU that I could contemn my own will for thy sake Resolve To practise Self-denyall shun self-love c. WEDNESDAY Whipping at the Pillar CONS How JESUS led back to Pilate is there accused as a Blasphemer Seducer Traitor Barabbas though a Murderer is preferr'd before him can'st thou repine when vilified 2. How that Innocent Body uncloathed bound to the Pilar is whipt for thy sins thou sin'st he suffers 3. How barbarously those Soldiers treat thy JESUS Oh cruelty this he suffers for thee Bath thy heart in his saving bloud Affect Oh my JESU that I could bear all Crosses from all persons for the love of Thee Resolve To practise Patience shun Anger c. THURSDAY Crowning with Thorns CONS 1. How JESUS thus bleeding is crownd with sharp Thorns this Crown is instead of a Crown of Glory 2. How they cloath him in scarlet put a reed in his hand for a Scepter then kneeling deride Him O my JESU thou art a King indeed reign for ever in my heart