in the Armes of our most Merciful Redeemer And did I know to which of these my Pious Readers Inclinations wou'd most of all lead him I wou'd promote his Devotion thereunto But instead of this to shew how pleasing such Devotions as these are to Almighty God I will here relate what happen'd to a Devout Client of Saint Joseph a Religious Man of the Monastery of Monferat in Spain who was particularly Devoted to his voyage into Aegypt with JESUS and his Holy Virgin Mother It fell out that this Religious Man returning once very late to his Monastery lost his way and wandred so long up and down a Mountain some distance from it that at length he gave himself for lost by reason of the contagious effects that were occasion'd by the unwholsome Fogg's of that place or because he fear'd to become â— Prey to the Merciless savage Beasts of which the place was very full his fears and apprehentions increas'd with the darkness of the Night and caus'd him to recommend himself to Saint Joseph when upon a sudden he meets a grave Man leading an Ass which had a Woman upon it bearing an Infant in her Armes this happy incounter gave him â— wonderful Comfort which was increas'd when asking the way to the Monastery the Man who lead the Ass bad him follow him and he wou'd lead him the right way thither As they went their whole Discourse was of God and this with so much Fruit that never in his Lifâ— the Religious Man even in Prayer had felt the like Sweetness which was accompanied with no less Joy when he saw himself enter into the Village in which the Monastery was which joy was follow'd with no less astonishment when on a sudden his guide Disappear'd as soon as he had thus brought him out of all danger Which gave him presently the assurance that 't was Saint Joseph that had brought him out of this trouble and danger he was in whereby his Devotions to this great Saint was increas'd and also to that particular part of his Life to which he was before so particularly Devoted The third Devotion is to say every Day or at least once a weak his little Office which is in the Key of Paradise which is Printed at the end of this Book for the greater conveniency of those who desire to make use thereof This Office contains a continual Praise of Saint Joseph in which some of his Devotes who say it Daily others who say it every Saturday find great Comfort and no less Profit also And the great advantage that the Clients of Saint Joseph experience is his readiness always to acknowledge them as such and to assist 'em accordingly as appears by what some Years since happen'd at Loudun in France The Prioress of the Vrsulins of Loudun nam'd in Religion Sister â—ean of the Angels of the House of Cose was Possess'd by an Evil Spirit call'd Leviathan who exercis'd extraordinary violences and cruelties towards her she not knowing how better to defend her self against this his Tyrany made a Vow to say every Day the Office of Saint Joseph for a whole Year together and Weekly also to do some Pennance in his honour to obtain by his powerful Intercession a freedom from the Persecution she suffer'd from this her Infernal Enemy Two or three Days after she had made this Vow the Wicked Spirit left her at the first Exorcisme leaveing a Cross on the Fore-head of the said Religious as the Exorcist had enjoyn'd him and at the same time another Devil cry'd out Saint Joseph is come and has caus'd Leviathan to depart The fourth Devotion is Daily to recite the Litany of Saint Joseph which contain all the cheif Passages of his Life together with all the extraordinary Priviledges God bestow'd upon him And having lately seen a Manuscript of a certain Religious of the Order of Saint Bennet in which were set down amongst some particular Devotions to Saint Joseph A little Litany Compos'd in his honour in an Alphabetical order which pleas'd me very much it facilitating the Memory in relating it and therefore take occasion of giveing you the same in English after the same Order which if you like not you may make use of the great Litany which you will find in the Office of Saint Joseph Page 15. with the Prayer Page 5. THE ALPHABETICAL LITANY OF S. Joseph LORD have Mercy on us Christ have Mercy on us Lord have Mercy on us Jesus Receive our Prayers Lord Jesus Grant our Petitions O God the Father Creator of the World Have Mercy upon us O God the Son Redeemer of Mankind Have Mercy upon us O God the Holy Ghost Perfecter of the Elect. Have Mercy upon us Holy Trinity one God Have Mercy upon us Holy Mary Spouse of Saint Joseph Pray for us Holy Joseph Advocate of the Humble Pray for us Holy Joseph Blessed amongst Men. Pray for us Holy Joseph Confirm'd in Grace Pray for us Holy Joseph Defender of the Meek Pray for us Holy Joseph Exil'd with Christ into Aegypt Pray for us Holy Joseph Favorit of the King of Heaven Pray for us Holy Joseph Guardian of the Word Incarnate Pray for us Holy Joseph Honour'd amongst Men. Pray for us Holy Joseph Idea of Humility and Obedience Pray for us Holy Joseph Kind Intercessour for the Afflicted Pray for us Holy Joseph Lilly of Chastity and Temperance Pray for us Holy Joseph Mirrour of Silence and Resignation Pray for us Holy Joseph Nurfing Father to the Sou of God Pray for us Holy Joseph Obsequious Servant to the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary Pray for us Holy Joseph Patron of the Industrious and Innocent Pray for us Holy Joseph Quintessence of all Vertue Pray for us Holy Joseph Ruler of the Family of Jesus Pray for us Holy Joseph Spouse of the ever Blessed Virgin Pray for us Holy Joseph Theatre of all Glorious Priviledges Pray for us Holy Joseph Vnion of all Christian Perfections Pray for us O Lamb of God who takest away the Sins of the World Spare us O Lord. O Lamb of God who takest away the Sins of World Hear us O Lord. O Lamb of God who takest away the Sins of the World Have Mercy upon us Pray for us O Holy Joseph That we may be made worthy of the Promises of Christ The Prayer ASSIST us O Lord we beseech thee by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most holy Mother that what our unworthiness cannot obtain may be giv'n us by his Intercession Who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost World without end Amen But the better to excite you to a Practise of this Devotion of reâ—â—â—eing the Litany of this great Saint I shall here set down some particular Favors obtain'd by the recital of them either every Day or only for a certain time prefixt The Religious of the Order of Saint Vrsula had a defign to settle themselves in Lambesa in Province some Years since upon hopes given 'em of
and with the Title of Spouse I give you the Name of Joseph This favour he thus receiv'd which the Virgin afterwards seconded by her frequent Visits often putting her Dear Infant into his Arms as she was wont to do into Saint Joseph's often calling him by the indearing Name of Joseph sometimes in his Cell other times as he walk'd about the House which increas'd in his Heart the most tender Love he before had for the Blessed Virgin The seventh is Joseph the Earl who was so wonderfully Obstinate in the Jewish Religion as even to resist God himself who wrought several Miracles by means of the Holy Cross in his Presence And our Saviour also by several Visions invited him to the true Faith yet without any effect But these working nothing upon him God visited him with very sharp Maladies which also for a long time did him no good but their continuance by degrees soften'd his Heart and caus'd him to become a Christian and so good a one too that Constantin to encourage and settle him in the True Faith Created him an Earl But these Earthly Honours hinder'd him not from exercising true Humility and becoming a true Servant of God whereby he attain'd to so high a Pitch of Sanctity as to be Canoniz'd and to receive the best and most lasting Title of Honour of being a Saint in Heaven whose Feast is kept the two and twentith of July The eighth is Joseph Hildegond who Dyed the twentith of April the first Woman that ever bore the Name of Joseph which happen'd upon the following account Her Father after her Mothers Death and the setling her Sister Religious in a Monastery resolv'd to visit the Holy places of Jerusalem and fearing lest in his absence any misfortune might happen to his Daughter shou'd he leave her behind him he having no other Child left to take care of but her causes her to take the Name of Joseph and to take the Habit of a Man the better and more easily to accompany him in his Pilgramage She submitted to her Father's Pleasure and they both of 'em parted from Cullen their Native Town to begin their Pilgramage to Jerusalem but her Father Dying by the way leaves poor Joseph behind him in very great perplexity what she shou'd do who still continues her Journy tho' she met with very troublesome adventures but her Constancy in God's Service inabled her happily to overcome 'em all but the last adventure prov'd most happy to her for passing for a Man she enter'd into a Convent of Monks wherein she Liv'd Devoutly and with great Edification none ever discovering her Pious deceit till after her Death when they went to wash and lay out her Corp's for Buryal The ninth was * Ex P. Zach. Boverio Annal Caput Joseph Mathew the sixth Person of the Holy Order of Capucines famous for Sanctity and Miracles For twice as he Travel'd the Day being far spent he having got no Alms to support himself and his Companion or wherewith to Relieve or Strengthen 'em to hold out their Joutney a most â—eautiful Young Man came to him and the first time gave him a white Loaf and the second time two with these comfortable Words Take Joseph these Alms which our Saviour sends you and give him thanks for this Benefit The tenth is Father Joseph Anchieth of the SOCIETY of JESUS stil'd the Apostle of Brasil as Saint Xaverius is stil'd Apostle of the Indies Who upon account of the many Miracles he wrought may also be stil'd Moyses of the sayd SOCIETY working 'em in all kinds and upon all occasions For as he travel'd in rain none fell upon him passing throu ' the Schorching Sun he commanded the Birds to fly in great numbers over his Head to serve him for an Vmbrella or Canopy to defend him from the heat thereof Nay he commanded Birds Beasts and even all the Elements after such a manner as if he had had a full Empire and Dominion over all Creatures as you may Read in his Life which you will find full of wonders Behold here ten Joseph's worthy to be honour'd no less for their Vertue than out of Love to Saint Joseph whose Name they bear and who deserves that in consideration of his worth we shou'd set a high esteem upon any one that has any Relation to him either by bearing his Name or by Imitating his Vertues and therefore I shall end this Piece of Devotion I recommended to you by recounting what I receiv'd few Months ago from the Mouth of a very Faithful Servant of God a Religious Woman of Lyons and a great Devote of Saint Joseph's Who told me she was wont to Pray often and to Recmmend her self to the Glorious Joseph in Heaven and she assur'd me that she found very great Help and Comfort from this Deyotion for they by their Intercession obtain'd for her what she desir'd 'em to help her in The third particular Devotion we may shew to Saint Joseph is to take all occasions to honour his Name First by giving the Name of Joseph in Baptisme Confirmation or Entrance into Religion to any one who shall have any Dependance upon us or by taking it our selves in the two last occasions We have an Example of this Devotion in out Blessed Ladies giving it to Blessed Berman which I just now related and God be prais'd 't is in this Age a very frequent Devotion for both seculars as well as Religious covet to bear this Name and that with a great deal of reason since Magicians are forc'd to own that their Sorceries have not that power upon any Infants that are Nam'd Joseph as upon others For the proof of which a Person of Honour who had lost all his Children by Witchcraft a few Days after their Birth being Councel'd by one who had once studied that wicked Art more than he ought to have done to give his next Child the Name of Joseph assuring him to his own knowledge it was sufficient to prevent all Witchcraft he follow'd his Priends Advice and found his Remedy very Powerful for his next Child Liv'd to inherit both his Honour and Estate Secondly to Consecrate Churcheâ— and Chappels to the Honour of Saint Joseph and give his Name to Provinces and Religious Houses In the Order of Saint Teresa this Devotion is commonly practis'd and our Saviour himself gave the Name of Joseph to the Monastery of Avila Father Francis Canilec one of our SOCIETY no less renoun'd for his Vertue than his Noble Birth Founded the House in Bell-Court at Lyons and gave it the Name of Joseph to testifie his Affection to the Spouse of the Virgin Mother of God And his Example gave occasion several Years after to Father Cotton to give the same Name to the Church he there built so that whatsoever we possest in that place might be under the Protection of Saint Joseph Thirdly By frequent pronouncing or repeating the Name of Joseph as Gaspar Bond that good Minim was wont to
behalf and the particular desire he has to assist and help Retir'd and Interiour Souls and to become Master Directour and Protectour of those Souls that aim at this Hidden and Spiritual Life as the following passage will declare which I had from the Mouth of a Religious Person who serv's God in a Monastery of the Seraphical Saint Francis's Order Who as she dispos'd her self to make the Spiritual Exercise according to the advice I gave her out of Philagie she resolv'd to take a Saint for her Protectour to assist her in so important an affair and was inclin'd to choose Saint Francis as being Father and Patron of her Order whilst her Thoughts were thus imploy'd an Interiour trouble of Mind seiz'd her and rais'd a doubt whither or no this choice were according to the Will of God Whereupon she resolves to draw Lots and to write the Name of Saint Josephâ— who came first to her Mind with that of Saint Francis in little billets apart and twice together the first she drew was Saint Joseph which was sufficient to let her seâ— 't was God's Will to take him for her Directour in this her Solitude Some time after God gave her a strong inpulse to make choice of some Saint that might for her Life time take care of her Interiour hereupon she thought of choosing some of those Saints for whom from her tender Years she had had a Devotion Nevertheless it came into her Mind to put Saint Joseph amongst the rest After she had well mingl'd the Papers or Suffrages Saint Joseph as before twice fell to her Lot however tho' 't was very pleasing to her that she had thus drawn him yet she beg's of God that she might most certainly know his Divine Will to permit her if it were his Divine Pleasure to light upon the same Lot the third time wherefore mingling 'em again the first that came to her Hand was Saint Joseph which success made her intirely acknowledge and receive him for her Spiritual Father Protectour and faithful Directour of her Interiour Religious Life But to give us still a greater incitement to choose him for our Master and Directour in this Intenour Life Not only Saint Teresa Councel'd all who desir'd to profit in Prayer and in this Spiritual kind of Interiour Life to have recourse to Saint Joseph and take him for their Master But also his Virgin Spouse the Mother of God who knows his Power and Goodness gave the same Counsel to a Religious Person who upon account of her Name and that of her Order had a Filial Affection for her and a Confidence and Tender Devotion to her This Religious being very much Disquieted for some Temptations she suffer'd especially in time of Prayer they giving her a great deal of trouble and disincouragement upon account that they made her think she should never be able to treat with God with that Fervour nor have so open and liberal a Heart towards his Divine Majesty as she earnestly desir'd and found necessary perfectly to serve him Hereupon she addresses her self to the Blessed Virgin as to her tender Mother and Affectionately tells her with a Filial Confidence that she must needs obtain for her this Liberty of Spirit and Inspire and Direct her what Saint she shou'd choose to help her herein and in whose Assistance she might securely Confide that she might express her Gratitude during her whole Life for obtaining by her Assistance so great a Benefit She had no sooner ended her Petition but she obtain'd a grant thereof for she found that Saint Joseph was very lively presented to her Mind and with a great Interiour Sweetness and the Excellency and great Perfection of this Saint was so clearly set before her that she retain'd the idea thereof during her whole Life and ever after Confided in him in all and for all as in a Loving Father who immediately free'd her from the pain she was in not only for the present but for the future and when at any time any of her former Temptations return'd she found no disquiet at all nor did she do any thing else but confidently cast her self into the tender Arms of her Dear Father and immediately she found her wonted calm and Peace of Mind accompanied with a most comfortable Union and Entertainment with God Having thus st own you how willingly Saint Joseph takes upon him to help Souls to lead this Spiritual and Interiour Life I shall declare to you the manner how he do's it and the helps he gives towards the gaining this Interiour Perfection by procuring those things that are requir'd for it and conduce to it such as are Prayer Presence of God Peace of the Mind and the Interiour Practice of all sorts of Vertue As for Prayer Saint Teresa assures us in her Life that he who cannot find a Master to teach him how to Pray must choose Saint Joseph for his Guid and Directour and he will certainly find out the way to perform this Exercise well To Confirm this I know two Persons who found great difficulty in Prayer the one by frequently recommending himself to Saint Joseph the other by undertaking the Recital of a few Prayers in his Honour found themselves assisted by him even as soon as they had perform'd these Devotions and they have since by his Intercession obtain'd so great a facility in Mental Prayer that there is no greater Comfort or Consolation to them than the Exercise thereof A Religious Person of my acquaintance being newly Profest in a Holy Order desiring very earnestly as she told me the gift of quiet Prayer and to be free'd from Distractions found her self inwardly mov'd to have recourse to this admirable Master to whom she most readily adress'd her self and did it with such a Confidence in his help that he obtain'd this gift for her And she moreover owns that when she Meditates upon any Point of Saint Joseph's Vertues and Perfections ther 's nothing else to be thought on but what ordinary happens in the Meditations of the Blessed Trinity the Blessed Sacrament and such like high Mysteries Acts of Admiration Submission entring into her own nothingness and Contemplation of so high and sublime a greatness But the other favours she receiv'd of this Saint by means of recommending her self to him are equal to these already related When she go's to Bed she beg's somthing she wants and receives it she desires to be freed from Impure Dreams he obtains for her this Petition also So happy a thing it is to have so powerfull a Master and so good a Father Now as to the Presence of God another thing conducing to this Interiour Life 't is this that he certainly obtains for his Children and Devout Clients I knew some who continually walk'd in the Presence of God wherby they were guided in all even their least Actions with very great Atention yet without the least let or hindeâ—ance to the exact performance of their Imployments so that they seem'd to me rather
resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn WHen cruel Herod th'Innocents opprest By th'Angel warn'd thou cal'dst thy Spouse from rest That taking her celestial Babe she might With thee to Aegypt make a speedy flight Antiphon All Hail honour of the Patriarchs Steward of the Holy Church of God who did'st conserve the Bread of Life and the Wheat of the Elect. vers O holy Joseph Pray for us resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most Holy Mother that what our possibility cannot obtain may be giv'n us by his Intercession Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost World without end Amen At the Ninth Hour Jesus Mary Joseph vers O God incline unto my aid resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn THY foes be'ng Dead thou mad'st no longer stay But into Galileé did'st bring away Mother and Child Heav'n this advice did give And thou at Nazareth did'st humbly Live Antiphon All Hail honour of c. as before Pag. 9. vers Pray for us O holy Joseph resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee as before Pag. 9. At Even-Song Jesus Mary Joseph vers O God incline unto my aid resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn BLess'd Jesus of thine Eye the glorious Light At twelve Years old was lost unto thy sight But finding him among the Doctors thou His Guardian was to whoâ—â— the Angels bow Antiphon All Hail honour of the c. as before Pag. 9. vers Pray for us O holy Joseph resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we befeech thee c. as before Pag. 9. At Compline Jesus Mary Joseph vers COnvert us O God our Saviour resp And turn away thine anger from us vers O God incline unto my â—id resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn O Happy Man to be imbraced by CHRIST and the Virgin in Death's Agony That so thou might'st thy course directly bend To Limbo having made a godly End Antiphon All Hail honour of the c. as before Pag. 9. vers O holy Joseph Pray for us resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee c. as before Pag. 9. The Commendation THese hours Canonical I have addrest To thee Saint Joseph from a Zealous Breast That by thy Prayers thou wilt obtain that I May live with thee in Heaven Eternally Amen THE LITANY OF S. JOSEPH LOrd have Mercy on us Christ have Mercy on us Lord have Mercy on us Christ Hear us Christ graciously Hear us O God the Father Creator of the World have Mercy on us O God the Son Redeemer of Mankind have Mercy on us O God the Holy Ghost Perfecter of the Elect have Mercy on us O Sacred Trinity three Persons and one God have Mercy on us Holy Mary Queen of the whole World Pray for us Saint Joseph Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Pray for us Saint Joseph Sanctifiâ—d before Birth Pray for us Saint Joseph Priviledg'd and Preserv'd from all Mortal Sin Pray for us Saint Joseph Confirm'd in Grace Pray for us Saint Joseph Honour of the Patriarch's Pray for us Saint Joseph Replenish'd with unspeakable Benedictions Pray for us Saint Joseph Reputed Father of Jesus Pray for us Saint Joseph Abounding with all the Gifts of the Holy Ghost Pray for us Saint Joseph Who Ador'd Jesus in the Crib Pray for us Saint Joseph An Angelical Man Pray for us Saint Joseph Who by the admonition of thy good Angel preserv'dst CHRIST from the fury of Herod Pray for us Saint Joseph Who as a Principality of the first Hierarchy of Angels did'st govern Christ Pray for us Saint Joseph who as a Vertue wert a Minister to CHRIST Pray for us Saint Joseph Greater than the Dominations whom the King and Queen of Heaven Obey'd Pray for us Saint Joseph In whose Armes and Bosome CHRIST was seated as in a Throne Pray for us Saint Joseph Who as a Cherubin had'st care of the Virgin of the true Paradise Pray for us Saint Joseph a Seraphical Man Pray for us Saint Joseph A most high Contemplative Soul Pray for us Saint Joseph Who dyedst in CHRIST'S Armes Pray for us Saint Joseph Who didst hear Angelical Musick Pray for us Saint Joseph Praecursor of CHRIST to the Holy Fathers in Limbo Pray for us Saint Joseph Who arose with CHRIST from the Dead Pray for us Saint Joseph Who in Body and Mind did enjoy peculiar gifts of Glory Pray for us Saint Joseph Our dear Patron and Defender Pray for us Lamb of God that takest away the Sins of the World spare us O Lord. Lamb of God that takest away the Sins of the World hear us O Lord. Lamb of God that takest away the Sins of the World have mercy upon us O Lord hear my Prayer And let my Supplication come to thee The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee c. as before Pag. 9. THE HYMN In Honour of S. IOSEPH HAil holy Joseph whose pure Mind Rendred thee fit to be design'd The Husband of a most pure Bride To Royal David both ally'd Hail Guardian of God's Son on Earth Fore-to'ld of his stupendious Birth And other Heavenly Secrets known But to thy self and Spouse alone How often did thy happy Armes Secure that Sacred Babe from Harms When with him and thy Virgin-Wife Constrain'd to fly to save thy Life With what unspeakable delight Didst thou enjoy the precious sight Of thy Redeemer whose bright Eyes Did far out-shine the Sun's up-rise How many times didst thou imbrace The tender giver of all Grace And didst as often fix a Kiss To fill the measure of thy Bliss To whom did God such joy's Impart As to thine own and Spouse Heart Which did strange Comforts entertain When Jesus lost was found again Most happy was thy House to be That Paradise in which the Tree Of Life did prosper when the ground Where that first grew cou'd not be found How sweetned was thy daily pains While Jesus lived on thy gains Whereby the Food that yee did Eat Became all Sanctified Meat With thee he frequently did walk Calling thee Father in his talk And by his charming sweet Discourse Did Sorrows from thy Heart Divorce No Instruments however Strung ' Ere sounded like our Saviour's Tongue Which thou heard'st hourly Happy then Wert thou above the rest of Men. And when in age resistless Death Gave summons to thy latest Breath Cou'dst thou more happiness devise Than to have Jesus close thine Eyes Great is thy
glory sure above Whom CHRIST did so intirely love As on thy Person to bestow Such Priviledges here below Then let us all with one Beseech Saint Joseph to present Our wants to God and for us Pray That serve our Lord we ever may Amen The Prayer OMnipotent and Merciful Lord Jesus who did'st provide Saint Joseph the just Son of David for Spouse of Blessed Mary thy Virgin-Mother and chose him for thy nursing-Nursing-Father Grant we beseech thee that by his Prayers and Merits thy Church may enjoy a perfect Peace and so arrive at the consolation of thy everlasting Vision Throu ' the same Lord Jesus our Saviour who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God for ever and ever Amen A VOTIVE OBLATION TO S. JOSEPH To choose him for our Patron O Holy JOSEPH Virgin-Spouse of the Virgin-Mother of GOD most glorious Advocate of all such as are in danger or in their last Agony and most faithful Protector of all the Servants of MARY your dearest Spouse I. N.N. In the Presence of JESUS and MARY do from this moment choose you for my Lord and Master for my powerful Patron and Advocate for the obtayning a most happy Death And I firmly Resolve and Purpose never to forsake you and never to say or do nor even to suffer any under my charge to say or do any thing against your Honour receive me therefore for your constant Servant and recommend me to the constant Protection of MARY your dearest Spouse and to the everlasting Mercies of JESUS my Saviour Assist me in all the Actions of my whole Life all which I now offer to the greater and everlasting glory of JESUS and MARY as well as to your own Never therefore forsake me and whatsoever Grace you see most necessary and profitable to me obtain it for me now and at the hour of my Death to which I now invite you against the uncertain hour in which it shall happen that whatsoever now and then shall not be possible for me to obtain may by your Intercession be bestow'd upon me by JESUS the GOD the of my Soul Amen Ex Man Tyrnaviensi THE BEADS OF S. IOSEPH UPON the great Beads you recite the following Prayer which the Holy Church makes use of in his Divine Office and is as follow 's The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most Holy Mother that what our possibility cannot obtain may be giv'n us by his intercession Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost World without end Amen Upon the lesser Beads you say HOLY Joseph most Blessed of all Blessed Souls after JESUS and MARY Pray for us now and at the hour of our Death Amen SEVEN PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONS Containing the seven Dolours and Joy's of Saint Joseph The first Prayer Containing the first Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph O Most Chast Spouse of the most Holy Mother of Jesus by the grief you felt when you perceiv'd her your beloved Spouse with Child being as yet Ignorant of that Ineffable means God had made use of for this end which caus'd you to think of leaving her And by the great Joy you had as soon as the Angel freed you from the Suspicion by declaring to you the Mistery of the Incarnation of the Eternal Word Pray for us that we may endeavour to advance your honour and worship throughout the whole World to the end that by the assistance of God's Grace surmounting all troubles and asslictions of Mind in this Mortal Life we may in the next become the peaceful Mansion of the Holy Ghost for all Eternity Amen Our Father Hail Mary The second Prayer Containing the second Doloâ—â— and Joy of Saint Joseph O Thrice happy Joseph foster-Foster-Father of Jesus by the great grief you 〈◊〉 in your Heart when you contemplated this beloved Infaâ—â— lying in the Manger Weeping and Shivering with Cold. And by the great Joy you receiv'd in beholding the Holy Angels adoring and honouring hâ—â— with their Heavenly Musiclâ—â— and in seeing the three King Prostrate before him and Offering him three rich Presents Pray for us O great Saint 〈◊〉 the end that our Souls may bâ—â— come fit Mangers to receiâ—â— our Saviour into and that 〈◊〉 may lodge and keep him always therein even to the last Moment of our Lives that then we may find and enjoy him in Heaven in the midst of his Everlasting Glory Amen Our Father Hail Mary The third Prayer Containing the third Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph O Great Joseph a Man according to God's own Heart by the grief you felt at the Circumcision of the tender Infant Jesus shedding his most Precious Blood and by the Joy you had in giving him the Sweet Name of Jesus according to the Revelation which the Angel had made you Pray for us to your Blessed Son to the end we may be wash'd and purified with his most Precious Blood and always bear his Name imprinted in our Hearts Amen Our Father Hail Mary The fourth Prayer Containing the fourth Grief and Joy of Saint Joseph O Most Glorious Joseph and Prudent Servant of God by the great Grief that Wounded and Pierc'd your Afflicted Heart when you heard by the Mouth of Simeon that the Soul of your dear Spouse was to be pierc'd with a Sword And by the joy you felt therein when you heard froÌ„ the same Simeon that Jesus was design'd for the Resurrection and Salvation of Mankind Pray for us to the end that we may become such partakers of the Dolours of the Mother that we may afterwards partake of the Joy and Happiness of her Belov'd Son Jesus Amen Our Father Hail Mary The fifth Prayer Containing the fifth Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph O Pious Comforter of the Mother of God by the Dolours and Anxieties you underwent in your Flight into Aegypt and by the Joy you receiv'd when at your entrance you saw the Idol's fall down upon the Earth as not being able to suffer the Presence 〈◊〉 your Divine Jesus Pray for us I beseech you that flying the dangers of all Terrene and Inordinate Inclinations we may one Day rejoyce by seeing all the black Idol's of our Sins Intirely cast down and destroy'd in our Souls Amen Our Father Hail Mary The sixth Prayer Containing the sixth Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph O Most Chast and Vigilant Guardian of Mary the Virgin of Virgins by the great perplexity you were in when call'd out of Aegypt you heard that Archilaus the Son of Herod was made King who was no less Cruel and Bloody than his Father and by the great Joy that possest your Heart when the Angel Commanded you not to fear because all were Dead that sought his Life Pray for us that we may so live in the midst of the Aegypt of this Sinful World that one Day we may deserve to be call'd to the Celestial Juda Amen Our Father Hail Mary The seventh Prayer
Foster Father Saint Joseph for no less than eighteen Years Imagine your self there to hear and see Saint Joseph's Pious Conversation and manner of Living II. Prelude BEG Grace to Conceive those admirable Virtues practis'd by Saint Joseph in his Conversation with JESUS and MARY and beg also his Powerful Intercession that you may seriously endeavour to Imitate his excellent Example I. Point Consider with how great an Affection Patience Constancy and Humility Saint Joseph Exercis'd all those Humble and Laborious Actions that belong'd to so painful a Trade and to his Domestick Affairs Consider with what Concern Tenderness and Compassion he beheld our Saviour Labouring with him consider what courage his Presence and Assistance gave him in all his Labours and with what Content he perform'd 'em for the Maintenance of JESUS and his Blessed Mother how joyfully also he Assisted 'em both on all occasions and with how pure an Intention he perform'd each Action both to please and to express his Love towards God Who do's not envy Saint Joseph's Happiness in this particular And who wou'd not wish himself in Saint Joseph's place to do the same Do but help those for God's sake you live withall or that want your Assistance and you will have the same Merit and Reward Consider also what Joy you shou'd have had to serve JESUS and MARY as Saint Joseph did Exercise the same Acts of Charity to God's Image your Neighbour as he did to JESUS and he his promis'd the same reward as if you did it to himself * Quamdiu fecistis uni ex his fratribus meis minimis mihi fecistis Matth. 25. v. 40. What you have done to the least of these my Brethren you have done it to me Reflect also upon God's Presence who beholds helps and encourages you whilst you Labour and you 'll have the same Comfort in your Labours which he had Labour purely to please God for the Love of God and to do the Will of God and you will have the same Reward as if you had Wrought and Labour'd as Saint Joseph did to maintain JESUS Who says his †Cibus meus est facere Voluntatem ejus qui misit me Joan. 14. v. 34. Meat is the fulfilling the Will of his Father O how did Saint Joseph do all this And how pleasing did this make him in God's Sight His chief delight being to do God's Will II. Point Consider that his Conversation with JESUS and MARY was so pleasing to him that he avoided all other Conversations to which the Will of God did not particularly lead him consider whither the Conversation you have with these in Prayer be as pleasing to youâ— as to make you quit all other unnecessary Conversations see whither you prefer Retirement Silence and Conversing with JESUS and MARY before all other Conversations in this world Consider also Saint Joseph's Modest behaviour his Silence Recollection Temperance and Mortification both in Eating and Drinking and Imitate him in these Reflect upon his Pious Discourses with JESUS and his Spouse and frequently Practise the same by such like Pious Aspirations and Colloquies as he made to them Consider how he ponder'd and laid up in his Heart after his Spouses Example all the Divine sayings of JESUS and do you also hearken unto keep-in memory and reflect upon those Divine Inspirations whereby JESUS also speaks to you in Prayer or at other times Consider how his Heart was Inflam'd by the words of JESUS and how without doubt he often express'd it to his Spouse as the Disciples did by this their Interrogation * Nonne Cor nostrum ardens erat in nobis dum loqueretur Luke 24.32 Was not our Heart Inflam'd whilst he spoke within us And reflect how those Flames also broke forth in his pious Discourses and set others on fire Who wou'd not have wish'd to have his Heart thus Inflam'd by enjoying this delightful Conversation Endeavour only in your Conversation to bring in Pious Discourse and you will invite him to come and Converse with you †Ubi sunt duo vel tres Congregati in Nomine meo ibi sum in medio eorum Matth. 18. v. 20. Meet but those you Converse withall in his Name and you will meet him you will always find him in the midst of 'em darting Flames into your Heart Lastly in your Conversation follow Saint Joseph's Example in taking the part and excusing the absent when you hear 'em Blam'd and you will be secure from faling into that ordinary Defect which renders most Conversations Dangerous and Displeasing to God the Censuring or Backbiting your Neighbour III. Point Consider Saint Joseph's Silence Recollection and Interiour Peace of Mind wherewith he perform'd all his Exteriour Actions whilst his Hands Labour'd upon Earth his Thoughts and Affections were imploy'd in Heaven Consider with what Humility of Spirit with what Perfect Obedience and with what Joy of Heart he perform'd all his Actions haveing always before his Eyes the wonderful Obedience of JESUS both to himself and his Spouse beholding him verifie what the Royal Prophet foretold that he shou'd be * In Laboribus a Juventute Psal 87. v. 16. In Labours from his Youth and what the Holy Ghost also declar's †Et erat Subditus illis Luc. 2. v. 82. That he was Subject to them Who therefore can think even the hardest Labour too much to do for JESUS who thus Labour'd for us Who can think even the Humblest and Meanest Employment below him when with Saint Joseph he beholds the Son of God stooping to the like and Obeying Saint Joseph in the Meanest and Vilest Offices Beg of Saint Joseph to Inspire and put you in mind of these or such like Thoughts in all your Actions Labours and Mortifications which he had in his that they may become pleasing to God and both easie and profitable to your self whereby you shall not only Labour but Pray continually Imitate him therefore in all you do and beg of him to teach you this most profitable Art so pleasing to God of joyning Prayer and Action together The Colloquie BEG of God by Saint Joseph's Intercession that Spirit wherewith he Convers'd with JESUS and MARY and perform'd all his Actions during those eighteen Years he liv'd at Nazareth whereby you shall not only make your self pleasing to God in this World but bâ— acting after this manner shaâ—â— obtain such a foretast of thâ—â— next as will make you thinâ— nothing too hard or too mucâ— for the purchase of so great anâ— everlasting a Happiness VIII MEDITATION Of Saint Joseph's last Sickness Death and Glory in Heaven Preparatory Prayer BEG of God to understand the Sentiments Saint Joseph had in his Sickness and Death and the Reward he now Possesses of all his Virtues I. Prelude IMAGINE Saint Joseph lying Sick upon his Death-bed with our Blessed Saviour and our Lady on each side of him imagine him sweetly giving up the Ghost His Soul carried by Angels to Limbo and his
Faithfull and prudent servant constituted by our Lord for the Comforter of his Mother for the forster-Forster-Father of his Humanity and for his only and most faithfull assistant in his great design upon earth S. Bern. Hom. 2. Super Missus est PIOUS REMARKES UPON THE LIFE OF S. JOSEPH SPOUSE Of the B. Virgin Mary Mother of our Lord JESUS CHRIST Written Originally in French by Rd. Father Paul Barrie The Second Edition of the English Translation Printed by T. F. in the Year M.DCC. THE TABLE OF THE CHAPTERS Pious Remarks upon the Life of Saint Joseph Spouse to the Bles-Virgin Mary exciting Devotion to this Glorious Saint CHAPTER I. OF the admirable Love that God bore Saint Joseph Pag. 1. CHAP. II. Of those wonderful Qualities whereby God render'd Saint Joseph aimiable above all other Saints except JESUS and MARY Pag. 20. CHAP. III. Of the great Love and special Devotion we ow Saint Joseph and that it ought to be next to that we have for JESUS and MARY Pag. 28. CHAP. IV. What was the Reason why it was so long before Saint Joseph the best belov'd of God and most aimiable of all the Saints after JESUS and MARY had such a Love and Devotion payd him as was due to the greatness of his Merits Pag. 34. CHAP. V. Of the ten particular Clients of Saint Joseph who by their Pious Examples have invited and mov'd us to a particular Devotion to him next to Jesus and Mary Pag. 50. CHAP. VI. Of the Ordinary Devotions that may be daily Exercis'd towards Saint Joseph Pag. 78. The Alphabetical Litany of Saint Joseph Pag. 85. CHAP. VII What Devotions are to be us'd to Saint Joseph upon his Feast Pag. 96. CHAP. VIII Of Devotions to S. Joseph during the Octave of his Feast or at other times according to the opportunity or affection of his Clients Pag. 108. CHAP. IX Containing nine different occasions of particular Devotions proper to Saint Joseph and practis'd by his particular Devots P 113. CHAP. X. Of the help and Assistance that Saint Joseph gives to his Devout Clients towards their attaining Interiour Perfection and in what this Perfection do's consist Pag. 130. CHAP. XI Of the assistance Saint Joseph gives to Spiritual Maladies especially to those who are in a bad State of Soul Pag. 146. CHAP. XII The Miraculous Assistance which Saint Joseph giv's in Curing Corporal Diseases especially the Plague Pag. 155. CHAP. XIII The assistance which God giv's upon all occasions by Saint Joseph Intercession Pag. 171. CHAP. XIV To exhort all to have recours to Saint Joseph and Confide in his Powerful Protection P. 177. PIOUS REMARKS UPON The Life of Saint Joseph Spouse to the Blessed Virgin Mary exciting Devotion to this Glorious Saint CHAP. I. Of the admirable Love that God bore Saint Ioseph IT was doubtless a Divine Inspiration with which that Painter was mov'd who first put a Lilly into Saint Joseph's Hand Flowers we know have something very lovely and charming in them and 't is look'd upon as an honor and good Fortune no less to bear their Name than to bear them in our Scutcheon or Coat of Armes Wherefore the City of Florence esteems it as a very great one to bear the Name of that rich Flower that adorns her delicious Gardens The glorious Name of Rose is also justly intail'd upon the Iland of Rhod's as being so beautiful and pleasant a place that it even resembles a Rose in the Spring All the World know's that Susa the chief City in great Assuerus's Kingdom pretended to better Fortune than all the other Cities of Asia because the Name Susa signifies a Lilly whereby she gave her self a right above all other Cities of stiling her self the City of Lillies And there are none even of the Interpreters of Holy Scripture who do not take notice that the City of Nazareth fortunately bore the Name of Flowers Because it was the residence of Jesus Nazarenus that is Jesus of the City of Flowers and the Native Town of Mary and Joseph the three fairest Flowers in the Garden of the Holy Catholic Church We Read also in Ancient Annals that the very name and sight of Flowers have been look'd upon as a most happy and prosperous Omen for as Plutarch recounts in the Life of Sylla the Roman Army being drawn up in Battle array ready to charge the Enemy an agreeable gale arising brought a great quantity of Lillies Roses Violets Flower-de-Luces Daffadils and several other sorts of flowers from the Neighboring Fields and Gardens which falling upon the Shields and Head-pieces of the Roman Souldiers they believ'd it a certain presage of their good Fortune and even a kind of crowning them Conquerors before-hand At the Battle of Lepanto Roses were there sold in the publick Piazza in the Month of October as red and fresh as they are in June From whence all assur'd themselves of a signal Victory that the Christians shou'd obtain against the Turk's This Lilly therefore Saint Joseph bears betokens those extraordinary qualities and priviledges wherewith he is inrich'd and therefore the Painter who first put it into his Hand was as I sayd without doubt inspir'd from Heaven to do so since this Branch of Lillies silently hint's at whatsoever can be said of him and even manifests all those wonders that lie hid in this Great Saint As I shall hereafter endeavour to explicate Wherefore do but learn the price and excellency of the Lilly and thereby you 'll know the eminent and admirable Perfections of Saint Joseph and perceive also that wonderful and almost incredible Love which God had for him For as a Lilly is the grace and ornament of a Garden of pleasure as 't is the beautiful Master-piece that draws the Eyes and charms the Hearts of the beholders at their first entrance into it so according to Saint Austin there are no less charming Lillies in the Garden of Heaven †Floribus caeli neque rosa neque liliae desunt Aug. serm 11 de Sanctis Amongst Heavenly Flowers neither Roses nor Lillies says he are wanting That are no less charming to their beholders Now let us see how beautiful and sweet a Lilly Saint Joseph is for since the heavenly Spouse is highly pleas'd with a feast of Lillies therefore Saint Joseph had the honor to be invited to it next after the Bridegroom himself * Dilectus meus mihi ego illi qui pascitur inter lilia Cant. 2.26 My beloved is mine says the Spouse and I am his who feeds amongst Lillies Behold then Jesus Mary and Joseph three glorious Lillies indeed that assist at this Banquet of Lillies The honor and beauty both of Heaven and Earth and the most amiable of all Created Objects But before we Contemplate Saint Joseph let us take a view of the Lillies Perfections which is an Emblem of him The Lilly surpasses all other odoriferous Flowers in growth as well as beauty she raises her beautiful head upon a streight stalk many feet
higher than any other Flowers do as Saint Joseph also in the height of Justice and Perfection surmounts all other Saints Wherefore when we behold Saint Joseph leading his reputed Son Jesus in one Hand and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the other we cannot but admire to what a height of Dignity God has rais'd him and must own that none ever was rais'd to the like and that such a Dignity as this is not given in the House of God but according to the Sanctity and Graces the Person rais'd to it is partaker of and which the Ministry he is imploy'd in do's require The first and highest degree of all Honors and Dignities upon Earth was due to Jesus the Son of God Incarnate the second to the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God and the third to Saint Joseph Spouse to the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster-Foster-Father to the Son of God Wherefore according to the most devout and learned Doctor of the Church Saint Thomas our Lilly Saint Joseph is rais'd also after Jesus and Mary to the highest Dignity upon Earth * Eo fuit excellentior quo ad altiorem ordinem pertinuit S. Th. 3. par â— By so much says he he excel'd others by how much he was rais'd to a higher Dignity than others were The Lilly also is an Emblem of pure Love and springs from a Heart the source of Love which it's Root resembles and in this it resembles also our Saint Joseph Who next to Jesus and Mary exceeds all Creatures both in active and passive Love his Heart was most inflam'd by being replenish'd with the Love of God towards him which mov'd his Divine Majesty to raise him to the highest Dignity on Earth next to Jesus and Mary And Saint Joseph reverberates and casts back these Flames towards God by a faithful correspondence and fidelity in those high functions to which he had chosen him which render'd him most amiable both to Heaven and Earth as I shall hereafter prove more at large So that we see how the Lilly is a lively Emblem of our Saint and that this Lilly he holds in his Hand intimates something that is great and what is beyond our power to express The very number also of the Lillies leaves betokens those six wonderful priviledges which the extraordinary Love of God mov'd him to bestow upon our Lilly Saint Joseph Margaret Queen of Navar took for her Device a crown'd Lilly at which two rich Pendants of Jewels were hung with this Motto * Mirandum naturae opus The wonderful work of Nature Which Device may also be very well apply'd to Saint Joseph The Lilly is his Ensign and is not only the wonder of Nature but of Grace also upon which hung those two rich Jewels Jesus and Mary whom he led in each Hand bearing the Title of Father to the one and of Husband to the other he therefore justly deserves to be Crown'd since in the Love of God he bears away the Prise from all both in the Church Militant and Triumphant So that none must dare to dispute the right of Coronation with him he having those high Prerogatives bestow'd upon him from which all others except Jesus and Mary his beloved Son and Spouse are excluded The part and portion also he has of Divine Love in this Triumph is very remarkable and gives him a place in that title which his great Progenitor David gave to the 44. Psalm * Triumphus per lilia Psal 44. The Triumph by Lillies Making him partner in this Triumph with the two other Lillies Jesus and Mary these being all and always of a Company Wherefore since this Triumph partly belongs to him I may conclude him a Conqueror with the other two and that this his Triumph is as much above that of all other Saints as he exceeds them in those wonderful Graces and Prerogatives which the Love of God bestow'd upon him This will easily be perceiv'd by displaying the six Leaves of our Lilly and discovering thereby the six extraordinary Prerogatives the Love of God has bestow'd upon him above all other Saints excepting upon Jesus and Mary The Head or Blossom of this Flower contains as I sayd six white resplendent Leaves which represent the six particular and extraordinary Prerogatives that shine in Saint Joseph beyond all other Saints Wherefore 't will be sufficient only to open and display these six Leaves to let you see the wonderful novelties they contain and thereby both raise your Imagination of Saint Joseph's Perfections and charm your Affection to such a height with Love and Devotion to him as he truly deserves Novelties as we find by experience contain a certain lustre within themselves that causes admiration and therefore they need not borrow words or discourses to set themselves out A Beauty inrich'd by Nature as you know needs neither Paint nor Patch a Diamond of great price wants no foile to set it off A Cabinet also fill'd with rich and sparkling jewels declares it's own value and therefore needs no other commendation than to set it open containing within it self it 's own light lustre and beauty The Leaves I am about to display of this glorious Lilly are of the same stamp or nature so that by giving you only a sight of them as of so many unheard of Prerogatives they cannot but raise your admiration of his Perfections and even charm and move you to a Devotion to him The first Leaf or Prerogative I lay open cannot but cause a strange admiration for is it not wonderful that a Son should choose his own Father 'T is a wonder never before heard of in the World since it 's first beginning Read the Roman Annals turn over all the Histories of the Universe you 'll find nothing like to this and were this a practice that cou'd be brought into the World what a change wou'd it make in it Poor Deform'd Imperfect and Vicious Men wou'd never be chosen for Fathers None but such as were Rich Prudent Vertuous and every way Accomplish'd wou'd be made choice of from whence we may conclude that a Person who is chosen by one that is very Prudent must needs be very Good Beautiful and most Accomplish'd in all kind of Perfections Now to apply this to our Lilly to our Glorious Saint Joseph You know that the Son of God by right of his Divine Existence had a Being before his Human Birth and therefore had the advantage of Time in which he might choose his Father and supposing his design to choose one amongst Men 't is certain his infinite Wisdom wou'd make choice of one most Perfect and Eminent in Sanctity and of one that were most fit and most capable for so high a Dignity For if a Worm like my self wou'd make choice of the bravest of Men for it's Father had it an occasion offer'd to do so can we imagine that the Son of God the Eternal Wisdom who judges of things as they are knows the value and depth of Hearts
and sees the worth of all Creatures wou'd not choose the most Perfect of all Men for his Father To think otherwise wou'd be to rank his Wisdom beneath our own Wherefore since he has chosen Saint Joseph before all others since his Knowledge and Love mov'd him to this Election must not this choice he made of him be an evident proof that he was eminent in all Perfections Especially since the Divine Wisdom it self chose him for his Father Let us now pass on and take a view of the second Leaf or second Prerogative of our glorious Lilly He was not only chosen by the Divine Wisdom to be his Father but even to be Father to him who was the Son of God So that by this Election which the Eternal Wisdom made Joseph had God for his Son Who cou'd have thought it possible that a Man cou'd be Father to the Son of God Or cou'd ever have imagin'd that Man might with truth say to the Son of God you are my Son Or that Man shou'd arrive to so high a pitch of Dignity as to bear the relation of Paternity to the Word Incarnate Which in some measure resembl'd the Paternity of the Eternal Father to his Eternal and Uncreated Son O wonderful Dignity Joseph Father of Jesus Father of the Son of God Incarnate Having the honor to be Father to him upon Earth to whom God is Father in Heaven But to evidence and make this Truth more clear We must know that Jesus was not his Son by Nature but by the Lawful Right that accru'd to Saint Joseph by Jesus his being Son to his Spouse the Blessed Virgin Mary For by his being her Son he was Produc'd in and Born of that Flesh which by right of Marriage was Saint Joseph's and was under his power and jurisdiction So that according to the common axiom of the Civil Law that says †Quid in alieno solo nascitur vel aedificatur sub illius dominium cadit cujus est solum Institut de rer divis Whatsoever grow's in or is built upon anothers Soil belongs to the owner thereof This title was strong enough to give him the right and title of a Father and caus'd our Blessed Lady to stile him his Father even to her Son himself when she sayd †Pater tuus Ego dolentes quaerebamus te Luc. 2.48 Behold with how much Grief your Father and I have sought after you he also by his Answer seem'd to own him for his Father upon Earth when he sayd * Nesciebatis quia in his quae patris mei sunt oportet me esse Ibid v. 49. Knew yee not that 't was chiefly my duty to take care of my Fathers business Meaning his Heavenly Father as if he wou'd have sayd you have reason for what you say but you know that my first and chief obligation is to comply with the Will of my Heavenly Father But this is not all Saint Joseph was not only the Father of Jesus because he was call'd so or because he had that relation to the Blessed Virgin I before spoke of but because he wanted nothing that is found in a true Paternity or Fatherly Right He had all that care affection and authority that any Father ever had or ever will have in relation to a Son For as Saint John Damascen says †Omne jus quo constituitur Paternitas sortitus est Joseph solo jurâ— generation is excepto S. â—o Damas Orat. de na B. V. Saint Joseph had all that cou'd intitle him to the right of Paternity except that of Generation * Et hoc supple vit Deus Pater infundendo viro Mariae paternum pro filio Jesu amorem Rupertus in 1. Matth. Which according to Rupertus the Abbot God the Father supply'd by infusing into the Husband of Mary a Paternal Love of her Son Jesus By which infusion Saint Joseph participated of all Graces that can either be nam'd or imagin'd for if God had a design to Love a Man after the best manner imaginable or to give him the highest place of Glory in Heaven what more cou'd he do for him than to constitute him to bear the Office of a Father over his own and only Son than which nothing can be more excellent nothing more rare or more admirable for by giving him this Office he gives him all the qualities necessary for it and gives him power to call even the Son of God his Son causing the effect to correspond to the Name The third Miraculous Leaf or Prerogative of this Lilly is that being Man he shou'd become Husband to the Mother of God O wonder of wonders When we wou'd comprehend in few words all the wonderful Perfections and Prerogatives of the Blessed Virgin Mary we make use of Saint Mathews words †Maria de qua natus est Jesus Matth. 1.16 Mary of whom Jesus was born For as by styling her Mother of Jesus we comprehend all that can be sayd of her so Saint Joseph by being styl'd Husband to the Mother of God comprehends under this title all other Dignities and Perfections whatsoever So that a greater than this cannot be given him as Saint John Damascen well observes when he says * Dicis illum virum Mariae hoc est prorsus ineffabile nihil praeterea dici potest Cant. 3. in Nat. B. V. You call him the Husband of Mary this is such a title as cannot be explicated and more than this cannot be sayd of him Mary Spouse to Joseph do's in plenitude of Grace surpass both Men and Angels and has not her Husband think you the like endowments Since God judg'd him a fit match for her and for this end gave him so great an abundance of Grace Vertue and Sanctity that neither Men nor Angels ever had the like hereby to fit him to be Spouse and Guide to the Virgin-Mother God judging it fit that in her right he shou'd partake of all her Honors Favors and Dignities If therefore she be a Princess he is a Prince and he also is King where-ever she is Queen For God who design'd to raise Mary to the quality and honor of the Mother of God At the same time design'd her a Husband like to her self whom he lov'd above all Men upon Earth and therefore endow'd him with all Graces suitable to such a Dignity O thrice happy Joseph Thus chosen by God and thus fitted and advanc'd to be the Husband of the Mother of God as his best beloved next to Jesus and Mary The fourth Miraculous Leaf or Prerogative of this Lilly is that he is at once both a Father and a Virgin Which is so singular a Prerogative that 't is allow'd to none but him There have been many Virgin-husbands but of Virgin fathers there has never been any one but S. Joseph who is Spouse also of a Virgin-mother Which singular Prerogative was reserv'd by God only for his best beloved JOSEPH and MARY God lodging his special
Favors where-ever he places his particular Affection The fifth Miraculous Leaf or Prerogative of this Lilly is that S. Joseph being a Creature shou'd take care of his Creator For he was †Pater familias Father of the Family foster-Foster-father Tutor and Guardian of the Word Incarnate So that the Angels who beheld the Son of God in the Bosom of his Eternal Father in Heaven seeing him also in the Arms of Saint Joseph upon Earth might very well cry out with admiration and astonishmentâ— behold the Governor of the Universe govern'd by a Man Behold him who carefully nourishes all Creatures nourish'd by his Creature Behold him whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain shelter'd under the Roof and Protection of a poor Inhabitant of Nazareth And these Angels might also very well have address'd to Saint Joseph the same admirations that Methodius did to the Mother of God in these following words †O Nutriti cuncta nutrientis Ave Joseph cujus gratia Deus factus est indigens Euge qui debitorem illum habes qui omnia omnibus mutuat omnis enim ereatura omnia Deo debet Deuâ— autâ—m tibi debitor existiâ— O Nursing-Father to him who feeds all Creatures O Rich Joseph to whom God himself becomes a Beggar Thrice happy art thou who hast him for thy Debtor who lends to every one whatsoever he possesses for all Creatures are indebted to God for their Being and for every thing they Enjoy But to oblige thee God will become oblig'd to thee and make himself thy Debtor Wherefore let us joyn our Admirations and Congratulations with those of the Angels saying O thrice happy Joseph favorit of the Court of Heaven O best Beloved of God! since he has plac'd so great a confidence in thee as to commit his only Son to thy Care and Conduct The sixth and last Miraculous Leaf or Prerogative of this Lilly is that he is one of the Persons of the Created Trinity which is next in dignity to the uncreated and wonderfully also resembles all the three Persons of the uncreated Trinity as the Lilly also do's which he bears in his Hand For in a white resplendent Cup or Throne it includes three Golden Septers all three equal in Odour Beauty and Shape issuing from the middle or heart of the Flower which resemblance gives no little honor to the Lilly since it mak's it a similitude whereby to declare the Majesty of this Divine Mystery Nor is it any less honor to our Lilly Saint Joseph to resemble the three Divine Persons Father Son and Holy Ghost which he do's after such a manner as might raise a jealosie even in the Angels to see that God has bestow'd upon Man such a resemblance of that Mystery which in it self is the most wonderful of all Mysteries did they not Adore with all possible Submission and Resignation his Divine Will and Pleasure in all things For as the Eternal Father is the Father of the Uncreated word so Saint Joseph is the reputed Father of the word Created And as God the Son is the Redeemer of Mankind so Saint Joseph is his Coadjutor in this great work since he imploy's all his cares all the labours of his Hands and all the sweat of his Brows to gain wherewithal to nourish and maintain our most Merciful Redeemer Lastly as the Holy Ghost is the Spouse of Mary the Mother of God so Saint Joseph is also her Spouse What therefore can be a greater Subject of jealosie to the Angels than this But they know him to be a favorit of God and therefore rejoyce as much in the honor God bestow's upon him as in their own and honor him as a Prince of their Grand-masters Court and as one he will have thus honor'd After having thus display'd these Miraculous Leaves and declar'd the wonderful Prerogatives of our Lilly I cannot refrain from blessing and praising the Divine Providence for inspiring the Painter to put a Lilly into Saint Josephs Hand by the help of which the same Providence has been pleas'd to inspire me to explicate his Merits and wonderful Prerogatives And if heretofore an ingenious Artist did so cut and dispose the Leaves of several Flowers that they made a very Beautiful Picture of Flora why may not I quicken'd by Saint Bernard's Fancy when he says †Quot virtutes tot Lilia Ser. 70. in Cant. So many Lillies so many Vertues endeavour to make a lively Picture of Saint Josephs Vertues out of the different sorts of Lillies and different signification of their Colours By the white Lilly is represented his Chastity by the yellow his Charity by the carnation his Mortification and by the green one his Hope So many Lillies so many Vertues Let therefore this declaration of his Vertues joyn'd with the rest of those wonderful Prerogatives I have before declar'd convince us of his extraordinary Perfection and give us an assurance that there is neither in Heaven nor Earth any Creature above Saint Ioseph or that is more favor'd by God except Iesus and Mary CHAP. II. Of those wonderful Qualities whereby God render'd Saint Joseph amiable above all other Saints except Jesus and Mary ARIVS Montanus a famous Antiquary and no less admir'd for his knowledge in the Hebrew Tongue kept in his Cabinet amongst his other Rarities a Medal that he extreamly valu'd both for it's Antiquity and Prophetical signification Which was a piece of Mony call'd by the Jews a Shekle on the one side of which was represented such a Vessel as the Crisme or Consecrated Oyl was kept in in the Temple with this inscription under it †Genealogia The Genealogy and on the reverse of the Medal was a double rank of Pearls one and forty in number in the center of which were these words †Tempus Unctionis The time of Anointing By the number of the Pearls were signifi'd the Pâ—ogenitors of Christ who were fitly represented by such precious jewels who were in all one and forty himself the * Christus Anointed being included I willingly make use of this erudition to begin my description of the amiable qualities of Saint Ioseph who was one of these Pearls to which he is fitly compar'd since you know how much this Jewel is esteemd for it's resplendent Beauty and Heavenly colour and therefore one of his Devot's cou'd not find out a title that more fitly express'd his Beauty than to call him †Margarita amabilis S. Teresa Lovely Pearl as the Church stiles his Spouse * Mater amabilis Let. Laur. Lovely Mother both being Parents of the Amiable and Lovely Iesus whom his Royal Progenitor stiles in his Psalm of Triumph †Speciosus forma prae Filijs Hominum Psal 44.31 The most Beautiful of the Sons of Men. We know amongst other Perfections Beauty of Body is very highly esteem'd which when it meets with good Natural Parts and a Vertuous disposition of Mind nothing can be more desir'd I shall therefore
endeavor to shew how Saint Ioseph excell'd in all these To begin then with hâ—s Beauty of Body in this he resembl'd his Spouse and as she surpass'd all other Beauties so in Beauty Saint Ioseph was her Consort In which truth I agree with those learned Men who hold for certain that he was no less excellent in all Perfections of Body than in those of his Mind For we cannot imagin that Iesus wou'd permit so strict an alliance of his Beautiful Mother with a Man who had any Personal Defect For what Father is there that chooses not the most accomplish'd Person to Marry his Daughter unto Gerson affirm's that in his Face or Countenance he resembl'd and was very like to Iesus the most Beautiful amongst the Sons of Men the †Facies Iesu erat similis faciel Ioseph Gerson Face of Iesus says he resembl'd the Face of Ioseph And Saint Bernard testifies also that he was like to that unparallel'd Beauty the Blessed Virgin Mary * Erat Ioseph factus ad similitudinem Virginis Sponsae suae S. Ber. Ioseph says he was made to the likeness of the Blessed Virgin his Spouse So that they are all alike in Beauty in which they exceeded all others Thus much therefore may suffice for the discription of his Beauty in general now let us descend to particulars His Face cast forth such rays of Beauty and Sweetness as charm'd all that beheld him One sight of him was sufficient to win the affection of the beholders and move them to a Devotion to him This Sister Iane of the Angels Prioress of the vrsulins at Lodun testifi'd when the Painters ask'd her after Saint Ioseph's Apparition and Miraculous cure of her Health how they shou'd draw him for having describ'd to them his Fore-head Eyes Nose Chin Beard Hair and all the rest of his Features after the best manner she was able she added make use infine of all the advantages your Art admits of or is able to perform yet after all you can do you will never be able to express the Beauty of his Countenance And when they ask'd her whether he was as handsom as such and such a Person make him as much handsomer than these you speak of as you are able yet after all you will come short of his Beauty it being impossible truly to express it as it is I must therefore forbear to endeavour to express by Pen what they were not able to express by their Pensils and conclude with this short description that in Beauty he was next to Jesus and Mary whose Beauties were above what can be express'd by Words and are even beyond any idea or imagination can be fram'd of ' em Yet to give you some glimps or shadow of his Beauty I am assur'd that when they shew'd this Devout vrsuline his Picture at Paris as she pass'd by which Hurlet the Famous Engraver had made to represent the Miracle of her Recovery she acknowledg'd the Face had many Features like his and that it had some resemblance of that Majesty she beheld in Saint Ioseph when he Appear'd to her and at the same time perfectly cur'd her Which mov'd me to get a Plate Ingrav'd after that tho' far smaller which you may see in the Frontispiece of this Book which the Graver has perform'd with so good success that it contains such a Majesty and Sweetness as strike both a Reverence and Affection into the beholders and gives 'em a glimps or shaddow of his heavenly Beauty Moreover an agreeable exterior a sweet and pleasant conversation are no less charming than Beauty Which Saint Ioseph had in very great Perfection as well from his Natural temper as from the many Years conversation he had enjoy'd with tho Word Incarnate and with the Queen of Angels For in him the least defect in this kind wou'd have been very notorious he being design'd by God to treat and converse with those Kings whom he inspir'd and led by a Star to Adore his Son and not only to treat with Kings but even with Angels themselves sent to him upon several Embassys to inform him of the Mistery of the Incarnation of the Name he shou'd give his Son of Herod's design against his Life to warn him to fly with him and â—is Mother into Aegypt to give him notice of Herod's Death and that he might return home again tho' by a different way from that he took when he fled into Aegypt Whom moreover he design'd to be tâ—e constant Companion of the Queen of Angells and even of the Son and Mother of God And therefore he endow'd him with a great noble and generous Mind and replenish'd his Heart with such a Heavenly joy as even broke forth and discover'd it self in his Countenance and gave a grace and ornament to every action he perform'd whereby â—e gain'd every on 's Affection and Esteem besides his own he being hereby not the least puffed up with any self-love or self-esteem nor did he as it ordinarily happens become less affable upon account of these honours done him but receiv'd 'em with so bashful a modesty and such an angelical sweetness as declar'd that he look'd upon himself as undeserving of the esteem and love they shew'd him more admiring and regarding their goodness than his own merits So that this his sweet disposition this his excellent humour together with his beautiful and pleasant Countenance which breath'd such an Humility joyn'd with winning and Angelical Modesty as render'd his conversation both pleasing to Men and Angels nay even to God himself So that the Interpretation of the Patriarch Joseph's Dream was verifi'd in our Saint Joseph for the Sun of Justice and she who was as beautiful as the Moon even the Son and Mother of God both admir'd and even reverenc'd him But all these are only exteriour ornaments and nothing in comparison of the interiour he possess'd I mean those Vertues that adorn'd his Soul for nothing is so lovely as Vertue and nothing renders any object so worthy of Love as Vertue do's And this it was that made Saint Joseph gain so great a conquest over the Hearts of all that knew him For he was Charitable Patient Meek Humble Devout Obedient and infine was all that either the reputed Father of Jesus or the Spouse of Mary ought to have been And tho he had not of himself been so Eminent in these Vertues yet the constant conversation with such eminent Paterns of them as Jesus and Mary were cou'd not but render him also most eminent in the same For as one who lives in a perfumer's shop do's not only take pleasure in the smell of the perfumes round about him but is thereby perfum'd himself so the Vertues of Saint Joseph were increas'd by theirs with whom he constantly Liv'd and Convers'd What I have sayd cannot I am sure but raise in your Hearts such a Love and Devotion to this great Saint as their's was whose Examples I shall hereafter recount and at the same time
shew how great this Love and Devotion ought to be That is to say it ought to be next to our Love and Devotion to Jesus and Mary CHAP. III. Of the great Love and special Devotion we ow Saint Joseph and that it ought to be next to that we have for Jesus and Mary CERTAINLY none can refuse to pay this debt of Love to our Amiable Saint Joseph to this object of the Love of Jesus and Mary and to one so highly belov'd by God himself For can the Eternal Wisdom Error be Deceiv'd Can Mary engage her Affections without Reason Or can we charge God with partiality because he Loves Saint Joseph next to Jesus and Mary Certainly such thoughts as these can never enter into a Pious Heart Wherefore we must conclude that since he was so amiable they cou'd not elsewhere lodge their Affections better or give a present of their Love to any one more deserving than Saint Joseph Let us therefore see how they Lov'd him and endeavour to Love him as they did Believing that God has renderd him lovely above others to move us to Love him above others and move us to follow the track's of his own Divine Affection towards Saint Joseph 'T is hereby we shall know that we are proficients in this Divine School of Love when we come to Love Saint Joseph above all other Saints next to Jesus and Mary in which consists that special Devotion we ought to have to him I say not this to lessen your Love and Devotion to any other Saint but to augment your Love and Devotion to this Saint who in regard of his Merits hold's the first rank in Heaven and Earth not only upon account of that Love that Jesus and Mary bore him but of the Love that God has manifested towards him by those high perogatives he has bestow'd upon him Not but that God has also very highly favour'd many other Saints of his Heavenly Court such as Saint John Baptist whom the Divine Word declar'd the †Inter natos Mulierum non surrexit major Joanne Baptista Matth. 11.11 Greatest amongst the Sons of women and such as the Apostles also were who are Pillars of his Church and like Stars of the first magnitude in the glorious Firmament of Heaven as well as several other Saints like unto these but we must remember what the Learn'd and Devout Gerson says that if the first Ranck and Hierarchy in Heaven is that of the Father Son and Holy Ghost so the second is this of Jesus Mary and Joseph and that all other Saints are of a lower Rank and of a different Hierarchy These other great Saints hold indeed the first place in their Rank and Hierarchy according to the ordinary Law of Love but not in that of the Order of the Hypostatical Union and in the Mistery of the Incarnation wherein those are only compris'd who most nearly relate to Jesus and Mary namely Saint Joseph who compleats this Created Trinity as I before signifi'd and therefore makes a Hierarchy apart of far greater Excellency and Dignity than the rest But still to set forth more at large Saint Joseph's Dignity I will here declare the Source and Order of this Hierarchy which comprehends none but Jesus Mary and Joseph We must therefore take notice that God who is admirable in his Works was not content only to make Man after his own Image and Likeness but wou'd also make a Created Image and Likeness of the Increated Trinity in these three wonderful personages Jesus Mary and Joseph whom he chose for the Mistery of the Incarnation So that as the three Persons of the Increated Trinity have all Cooperated to the Sacred Mystery of the Incarnation so they wou'd also make an Illustrious and Created Emblem of themselves to Cooperate likewise towards the same Mistery For Example first in the subsistance of the two Natures of JESUS CHRIST his Soul Body and Divinity are United in the Person of the Son of God So by the Union of the admirable Love and singular Report that these three Persons Jesus Mary and Joseph have to one another they Contributed to it upon Earth Mary bears the Image of God the Father Jesus is the Son according to his Humanity in a just likeness to what he is in Heaven as he is the Word or Son of God And Saint Joseph Represents the Holy Ghost in the quality of Spouse to the Blessed Virgin or in the Love he had for Jesus and Mary which he manifested by the care he took both of the one and of the other What Affections therefore are due to this Admirable and Venerable Created Trinity as the Learn'd Gerson stiles it either in general or in particular And if the greatest Honour be confer'd upon them by this Title why ought not the greatest Love to accompany it If Love attends Merit what can be next the Uncreated Trinity but the Created And next to the Father Son and Holy Ghost but Jesus Mary and Joseph who ought to take the next place in our Affections And as it wou'd be amiss for any one first to Love God the Father secondly to Love God the Son and then breaking the Order of the Trinity to Love one of the Angels placeing the Holy Ghost in the same Rank with these Holy Spirits so infinitely inferiour to him in all things if therefore this wou'd be very Preposterous since by denying his first Affection to the Holy Ghost he wou'd refuse him the first of all possible Devotions which he deservedly challenges as his Right it being an undoubted Truth that we cannot render a greater Honour than by Love and by offering our Heart in Homage Wherefore as none can divide their Love and Devotion to the three Persons in the Uncreated Trinity to give it elsewhere no more can they do so in order to the Created Trinity But must Love Jesus Mary and Joseph after the Uncreated Trinity before any other object tho' never so Perfect and therefore to Love Jesus and Mary and in the next place to Love any Saint or Angel wou'd be to break the order of Love and become injurious to this Created Trinity robbing it of that Honour God has given it and 't wou'd be to displace Saint Joseph who ought to have the third Rank in the sanctuary of our Affections which wou'd clearly appear no less a Defect of Judgment than of Devotion Wherefore our greatest Devotion after that to Jesus and Mary ought to be to Saint Joseph without any fear or apprehension that any Saint or Angel will thereby be disoblig'd they all giving him the precedency knowing very well what Honour and Devotion is due to the Spouse of Mary the Mother of God and to the reputed Father of Jesus the Son of God and to the third Person of the admirable Created Trinity of Jesus Mary and Joseph CHAP. IV. What was the reason why it was so long before Saint Joseph the best belov'd of God and most amiable of all the
him as his Father and never Son lov'd a Father as Jesus did Joseph nay joyn all the tender Affections that all the Children that have ever yet been have ever had for their Fathers yet the Affection of Jesus to Joseph transcended 'em all he had in proportion the same tenderness of Affection for Saint Joseph which he had for his Virgin Mother and prefer'd none upon Earth before Saint Joseph excepting her self perfectly fulfilling the Commandment of honoring his Father and Mother with greater exactness and tenderness of Affection than ever any Child in the World did and lov'd him also as it became such a Child to love such a Father so Amiable so Tender so Careful of him so Singularly Obliging to him as he was upon so many accounts Jesus lov'd him also as a Saviour for saving him from the Cruel Hands of Herod by flying with him into Aegypt Whereby he became even the Saviour of his Saviour Moreover he lov'd him as his Nursing Father as Foster'd by his Sweat and Labours he lov'd him moreover under the title of his Angel Guardian Other Persons have invisible Angel Guardians given 'em by God Jesus alone had no Angel Guardian given him his Divinity being so strictly united to his Humanity was to him a sufficient guard wherefore God gave him Saint Joseph as a visible Guardian which honour he confer'd upon Saint Joseph for the space of thirty Years he bearing all that while the title and office of Conductour Tutor and Governour of the word Incarnate Moreover the very Name and Right of a God-father appointed by God himself was another motive of Jesus's extraordinary affection towards Saint Joseph Infine such was his Love that as the Eastern Church recounts out of some Revelations he lov'd him as the Apple of his Eye The Saviour of the World as Isidorus recounts out of very Grave Authors entertaining his Disciples upon the Life of Saint Joseph spoke thus of him †Morals in Mat. Isid Dominic I Confer'd and Convers'd with Saint Joseph as if I had been his Son he be call'd me Son and I call'd him Father he Commanded me and I Obey'd him and lov'd him as my Father and even as the Apple of my Eye If you still desire to see the effects of this his extraordinary Love know that generally he favour'd him with all the particular Marks of his Love whereby he has ever favour'd any Saint 'T was esteem'd a signal favour to Saint * Ex P. Johan de S.M. in His O.S. Dō Mary Magdalen of the Vrsins to have a sight of the Infant Jesus as he lay upon Straw in the Manger at Bethlem Blessed Teresa de Cerda as a reward of her Zeal in watching the Corporals upon which his Body was wont to lye upon the Altar whilst they were drying least any Flies might light upon or stain 'em saw our Saviour himself lying upon them and wrapping them about his Sacred Body The honour Saint Mary Magdalen receiv'd in Kissing our Saviours Feet in the Huose of Simon was also very great but all these were nothing in comparison of what Saint Joseph receiv'd He not only once but all the time of Jesus his Infancy saw him in the Crib how often did he behold him in his Swadling-clouts and how many thousand times did he kiss hi◠Sacred Feet 'T was a signal Favour Saint John receiv'd by laying his Head upon his Masters Sacred Breast and what knowledge of Secrets and Misteries did he draw from thence But how many times has Jesus rested his Sacred Head upon Saint Joseph's Breast Whilst he carried him in his Sacred Armes tenderly Embracing and Cherishing him both at home and abroad in his journeys to Aegypt and elsewhere and how many Secrets did he then Communicate to him 'T was esteem'd a particular Favour to Blessed Vrsula of Valence when our Saviour appear'd to her cloath'd in Episcopal Robes and giving her his Blessing And at another time when be Enter'd by Night into her Chamber whilst she was at her prayers more Bright and Glorious than the Sun transporting and filling her Heart with Divine Comforts Great was the happiness our Saviour afforded his Apostles by three Years continual Conversation with them seeing his admirable Example and hearing his Divine Wisdom But Saint Joseph surpass'd all these Conversing with him not only three but thirty Years together seeing and hearing this Divine Word Beholding him not in an Episcopal but Mitaculous Habit that grew as his Body did and this not as he was passing from one place to another but constantly in his own House not receiving one but innumerable Benedictions from his Divine Hand We Read also of an extraordinary favour that our Saviour did Blessed Jane of France when he sat down at table with her at no other Banquet than that of three Hearts serv'd up upon a Plate of Gold Which were his own his Mothers and Hers. The Apostles also enjoy'd the honour of Eating with him at Lazarus's Simion's Zachaeus's Saint Mathew's and several other Tables But was it not a far greater favour that Saint Joseph enjoy'd of being his and his Mothers constant Guest sitting at Table with them having his Soul fed and set on fire with the Inflam'd Words that proceeded from the Heart and Mouth of the Son of God and from that large Heart of his Blessed Mother where she had laid and hoarded up all those Mysteries she had both heard and seen We admire the Visions he bestow'd upon his Apostles and other Saints at his Transfiguration upon Mount Thabor and by several Apparitions after his Resurrection or Assension into Heaven as to Saint Paul Saint Catharine of Sienna Saint Teresa Saint Francis and Saint Dominick Blessed Stanis-laus Kosta Saint Ignatius and to many other Saints replenish'd with such a resplendent Beauty accompanied with such a Melodious attendance of Angels as all the Annals of Saints do recount And was not Saint Joseph also surrounded by all the Quires of Angels singing Gloria in Eccelsis Deo Saint Briget in her Revelations relates that Saint Joseph saw our Saviour inviron'd by a Divine Light which according to his Mothers Testimony far exceeded the Lustre and Brightness of the Sun saying to Saint Briget * Lib. 9. Revel 58. Saint Joseph often beheld an admirable Glory in the midest of which my Son appear'd in great Splendour and at the same time Heavenly Musick delighted our Hearts the Angels declaring and singing the Glories of my Son Lastly we with reason look upon it as the highest Point of the Love of JESUS CHRIST when he visibly appears to his Favorits at the hower of their Death Visiting Comforting and Assisting them in that last passage out of the Miseries of this World into everlasting Happiness in the next For in this Saint Joseph had a most particular mark of his favour above all others whose Heart was fill'd with most delicious Dying Thoughts for as the Eastern Church I before cited assures us our Saviour assisted
him in his last Agony leaning on his Pillow taking him by the Hand and receiving his last Breath from his Lips and at his last Groan clos'd his Eyes shut his Mouth and form'd his Visage with his own most Divine Hand to give him a graceful Aspect at his last farewell Are not all these extraordinary marks of Jesus his particular Love to Saint Joseph The second we find inroul'd amongst the fervorous Lovers of Saint Joseph is Mary the Mother of Jesus she Lov'd him in quality of her Spouse never any Virgin Lady was so Faithfully Loving so Chastly Observant so Religiously engaging in her Conversation with her espous'd Husband as Mary was to her Joseph He was Most passionately lov'd and esteem'd by her as the Protector of her Consecrated Virginity and also the conserver of her Honour Whose Conversation was a security to her unblemish'd Reputation against any reproach that cou'd be made concerning her Virgin Child-Birth For had he forsaken her during the nine Months after her Conception her Purity wou'd unavoidably have been suspected Moreover she bore an affectionate service to him as to her Husband and Head and as to one of the greatest Merit amongst all Man kind next to her Son Jesus This Love of the Virgin Mary to her Spouse caus'd her to descend to the meanest and lowest Services whereby she cou'd any ways express her Love and Esteem of him it caus'd her to attend and wait upon him to prepare his Meat and to perform all other humble Offices he stood in need of she knew very well the place she possest upon Earth and that also which was design'd for her in Heaven As being the Queen Mother of God as being Queen both of Men and Angels and that in this regard Saint Joseph was her Inferior yet the Love she had for him made her lay aside these considerations and render him all sorts of honour and respect imaginable for as Saint Briget says in her Revelations * Lib. 7. Revela S. Brigit cap. 25. lib. 6. cap. 59. she call'd him her Lord never spoke to him but with a wonderful and most submissive respect and there was no tenderness of affection that a loveing Soul can express to one she highly esteems and passionately loves which she did not thousands and thousands of times testifie to Saint Joseph wherefore to convince you how she lov'd him hearken to the affectionate Character she her self gives of him to Saint Briget as 't is set down in her Revelations after the following manner My Spouse was reserv'd in Speech never uttering the least unprofitable murmuring or complaining Word never was he mov'd to Anger or shew'd the least Impatience he was contented in Poverty diligent and vigilant in Labour most obedient and condescending to all my Inclinations Very Meek and Affable even to those that most rudely treated him he couragiously defended the absent that suffer'd Detraction and was a faithful Witness and Divulger of God's wonderful Works he was resign'd to live upon Earth tho his longing and earnest desire was after Heaven expecting and confiding in God's Promises and frequently repeating God grant I may see them Accomplish'd he avoided Publick Assemblies took no content at all in Creatures but all his thoughts and desires were that he might perfectly accomplish God's Divine Will Saint Teresa of Jesus deserves the third place amongst those who after a particular manner have express'd their Love and Esteem to Saint Joseph Who merits the title of Saint Joseph's chiefest Devote and may well therefore be plac'd amongst his lovers She made choice of him for her particular Advocate frequently recommending her self to him as to one she honour'd above all other Saints she stil'd him her Father and Master and had such a confidence in him as was admirable and thereby deserv'd such a reward for it as she her self attests in the sixth chapter of her Life which was that she never ask'd any thing of him either for Body or for Soul that he denied her which caus'd her to say that God by his other Saints help'd and succour'd us in some particular cases of necessity but help'd us in all necessities by Saint Joseph as by his Plenipotentiary To let us understand that as he was subject to him in all things upon Earth as to a father who Commanded him So he was the same in Heaven granting him whatsoever he ask'd This was Saint Teresa's opinion concerning her great Patron to whom she was so particularly Devoted that she endevour'd to invite all to take him for their particular Patron and Protectour But especially those who desire to give themselves to Prayer and to become knowing in that most holy and profitable Exercise and therefore was wont to say let him who cannot find a Master to teach him the Art of Praying take this great Saint for his Master and he shall not fail to prove a great Proficient and a most skilful Scholar Infine she did what she cou'd to instill into all sorts of Persons a particular Devotion to Saint Joseph who as he was Master of her Heart so she had a desire he shou'd be so of the Hearts of all others and therefore endeavour'd to engage their Hearts with her own in an ardent Love of him and Devotion to him which desire of hers together with the experiments she had had of the good obtain'd by the Merits and Prayers of this Saint caus'd her engageingly to promise the same success to all that shou'd recommend themselves to him Attesting that she never knew any Person that had a true Devotion for him or render'd him any particular Service that obtain'd not a great progress and advancement in Vertue You see here the cause of my ranking her in the first place of those of this last Age that set up the Standard of Devotion to Saint Joseph by divulging his Merits and by a due acknowledgement of his Favours whereby in these our times in which we have more need than ever of Heavenly assistance she brought in that profitable Devotion to this great Saint The fourth Person noted for his particular Devotion to Saint Joseph is that holy Minim blessed Gaspar Bond who after Jesus and Mary had none so near his Heart as Saint Joseph All his Life long he had a most singular Devotion to him and at his Death his chief recours was to none so much as to this Holy and Amiable Patriarch and express'd his Devotion by a particular honour shew'd to his Name after the Name Jesus and Maria which made such an impression in him that he cou'd think or speak of nothing else he took a particular gust in the pronouncing of them and thought the doing so gave a good success and prosper'd all his undertakings and this was the short but pithy Incomium that he gave them * Haec tria nomina Bona sunt omnia Et mundi lumina Et coeli limina This Trinity of Names This lower World Inflames Contains the goods of Love
O pens Heaven's Gates Above Wherefore to shew the Love and Esteem he had of them he us'd them as a watch-word as a salutation both at meeting or parting as a sign of admiration as a parenthesis as a transition and even upon all occasions he made use of them when he came home his Salutation to the Porter was Jesus Mary Joseph pray Brother open the Gate and the same Salutation he us'd when he went forth and when any Strangers came in his Salutation was Jesus Maria Joseph Father you are welcome thus on all occasions these Names were in his Mouth and as he liv'd in this Devotion so he desir'd to dye in the same wherefore in time of his last Sickness he earnestly recommended to those that assisted him that when they saw him in his last Agony they wou'd frequently repeat these Names in his Ears which were an extract and abridgement of his Affections and a singular cordial to help and conduct his Soul in it's passage to God And that fell out which he desir'd for he died with these Words in his Mouth †Bone Jesu miserere mei Good Jesus have Mercy upon me and then Invocating these three Names Jesus Maria Joseph he yielded up his happy Soul God grant us all so happy an end as this The fifth Person Devoted after a a particular manner to Saint Joseph was that Prince and Prelate of Geneva Saint Francis of Sales who as we have reason to beleive honour'd him above all the Saints in Heaven according to the Testimony of Father Peter Bernaud of the SOCIETY of JESUS who had the honour to assist him in his last Sickness who was acquainted with two or three very remarkable passages that testified the very great Devotion this Holy Prelate had to Saint Joseph The Night before he dy'd being at Lyons upon the point of his Departure an Apoplexy seiz'd him tho' not perceptable to the Rector of Saint Joseph's Colledge of the SOCIETY of JESUS when he came to salute and bid him adue who offering him his and all the Fathers Services that were in his House to which all the reply or complement the Bishop return'd was to tell him with an Angelical Sweetness O Father know yee not that I am all Saint Joseph's The same Father also related that watching the Night following in the Chamber of this holy Prelate to assist him at his happy Death whilst the Apoplexy grew worse not having his own Breviary to say his Howers one lent him the Breviary of the sick Prelate in which he found but one Picture which was of Saint Joseph Another mark of his tender Devotion to Saint Joseph is related also by the same Father happen'd some time before when he made the first Sermon in our Church upon the Feast of Saint Joseph It seems the Lord Cardinal of Markmont Arch-Bishop of Lyons had engag'd the Bishop to Preach upon Saint Joseph's Day in the Church of the Carmelits which Father Bernaud being ignorant of invited him also to Preach in the Jesuits Church Dedicated to Saint Joseph who notwithstanding refus'd not to do him this favour giving him this Answer Tho' when I bring forth Twins by one Days Labour I shall not come off well yet for the Love of Saint Joseph I will de it However he perform'd it in the afternoon with very good success and for an hour and a half so imploy'd his Eloquence in expressing his feeling Devotion to Saint Joseph explicating the Eminent Merits and setting forth the Prayses af his Belov'd Patron after such a manner that convinc'd the Cardinal and the rest of his Auditory of the great Passion and ardent Affection he had for this Saint This Devout Sermon of his puts me in mind of a rich Treatise 〈◊〉 writ concerning this Divine Spouse of our Blessed Lady which is in his Book of Spiritual Entertainments wherein he evidences how great a◠esteem he had of Saint Joseph and that you may by a part judge of the whole Piece and of the great Affection and Esteem he had for this Saint give me leave out of it to recite one of his Exclamations O what a great Saint says he in the entrance of the Discourse i◠the Glorious Saint Joseph He 's not only a Patriarch but the chief of all the Patriarch's He 's not only a Confessour but more than a Confessour for in his Prerogative of Confessour is included the Dignity of Bishops the Generosity of Martyrs the Purity of Virgins and the Perfections of all other Saints 't is therefore with just reason that he is compar'd to the Palm which is the King of Trees This is sufficient to declare his Zeal of the Honour of this Saint and of the Love he had for him this being his whole drift in that Discourse Moreover if we address our selves to the Religious of the Visitation of our Blessed Lady his Spiritual Children they being of the Order he Instituted and who inherit the Love their Founder had for Saint Joseph They 'll tell you their Patriarch has Dedicated his Book Of the Love of God to Saint Joseph That he has put the first Monastery and Church of their Order under his Protection That he every where bears the title of their Tutelar Saint or Protector that he has order'd that in all their Houses they keep his Feast with Solemnity and in his Institute has Commanded that all these Religious his Children shou'd hear a particular Devotion to him that the Mistris of Novices shou'd cause the Novices and even the Postulants to get a habit of calling upon him when they began their Mental Prayer and that they take him for their Guide and Advocate in that Exercise These are his Daughters who Imitate their Father in their Love and Devotion to Saint Joseph which he has as his Divine Legacy intail'd upon them The sixth who was Eminent for her Devotion to Saint Joseph was Blessed Margaret de Chateau of the Holy Order of Saint Dominick As commonly we think upon what we Love so this Virgin had ordinarily no other subject of Meditation than the Sacred Birth of our Saviour lying in the Manger assisted by the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph and this her Meditating upon those small services that Saint Joseph render'd to this little Infant and his Holy Mother caus'd both an incredible Consolation in her Mind and a singular Affection to this Holy Patriarch nor was this without many wonderful effects that accompany'd it which were manifestly wrought by the Finger of God who most wonderfully drew in her Heart these three Personages attending upon Jesus lying in the Crib A favour never before heard of who being often heard to tell her Confidents saying O that yee did but know what I carry and keep in my Heart After she was Dead she was open'd and in her Heart they found three Precious Stones in which were Ingraven the three Objects of her Love In the first was an Image of our Blessed Lady with a Rich
Work he had begun or to make one of his own upon the same Subject Which he perform'd both to satisfie his Friends Piety and his own Devotion to Saint Joseph the Canon also that he might the better evidence his signal Devotion to Saint Joseph in his last Will and Testament left a considerable Sum of Mony as a Foundation for a Yearly distribution to the Canons to oblige them Daily to sing his Hymn and Prayer in his honour hereby to habituate them to the Devotion of honouring and recommending themselves to this Saint Behold here the ten Lovers of Saint Joseph given us for an Example how to honour his Merits and how to put our selves under the shelter of his powerful Protection with assurance of the confiderable advantages we shall gain thereby But he has had very many other Clients besides these of both Sexes the number of which wou'd make too long a list for so short a Treatise yet I cannot omit the nameing a few more of them as first Blessed Joseph Herman of the Order of Saint Norbert who for his Devotion to Saint Joseph deserv'd to have the Name of Joseph given him by the Blessed Virgin who as Surius relates in his Life deserv'd her doing him also so great an honour as to take him for her Spouse because he honour'd her dearest Spouse Saint Joseph And as a token of indearment put her little Infant JESUS into his Armes that he might carry him therein as Saint Joseph had done Father Peter Cotton also of the SOCIETY of JESUS so well known all over France for his rare Vertues was also particularly Devoted to Saint Joseph which mov'd him to procure that the first Church in France that was honour'd with his glorious Name shou'd be Dedicated to him at Lyons near the place call'd the Bellcourt He had so tender an affection to him as thereby he mov'd Saint Joseph to Reveal to him the Day of his Death and to procure it upon his own Feast Saint Bridget and Saint Gertrude were commanded to be his Devotes and doubtless executed so advantagious a Command And those happy Carmelites Ann of Saint Bartholomew and Ann of Jesus who in this imitated their Foundress Saint Teresa were his constant and ferverous Clients I ought here also to recount those Writers who with so much Zeal have set forth his Perfections as Saint Bernard Saint Bernardin of Sienna Saint Chrysostom Saint Gregory Nazianzen Saint Peter Chrysologus Saint Thomas of Aquin the late James of Arana Charles Stangel Peter Moreles Stephen Bennet Charles of Saint Paul and many others who have set forth his Praises Nor ought we to forget those many Devout Souls of our own acquaintance who have had a great tenderness for his Service whereof some are still liveing both in the World and out of it in Religion and others gon to Heaven to reap the Fruit of this their Devotion But if these Examples have not force enough or power to effect what I pretend I shall endeavour to propose in the following Chapters such congruous and easie Devotions to this Saint as will of themselves incite us to Practise them CHAP. VI. Of the ordinary Devotions that may be Daily Exercised towards Saint Joseph ACTIONS are proper language and best expressions of Love they testifying by effects the truth of our good wishes and protestations to the Person we Love What do's the frequent repetition of I Love you I honour you great Saint Joseph and esteem you above all Saints after Jesus and Mary if this Love and Honour halts or stops heer and makes no farther progress than our Lips Wherefore all that I intend to say is to make our Love to this Saint no less effective than affective not that I require that every Point I set down shou'd be put in Practice but I propose several that the Pious Reader may make choice of that which most of all pleases him and all of 'em are so easie and profitable that none but a Soul that is harden'd against or disgusted with what conduces to her Eternal Happiness can dislike or be displeas'd with any of ' em The first Devotion is to have an Image or Picture either in our Chamber Book or Oratory And this was that which his Devout Client Saint Teresa practis'd who as her Life informs us set up over the Gates of all the Monasteries she Founded the Statues of Jesus Mary and Joseph and wherever she went carried with her a Picture of Saint Joseph which Picture is still kept at Avila nameing and styling him the Founder of her Order And that which occasion'd this her Devotion was a Conference our Saviour once had with her after she had Communicated for she being cross'd in the Foundation of the Monastery of Saint Joseph at Avila CHRIST bid her use all her endeavours to build this Monastery promising it shou'd be his own Work and that it wouâ—d be very agreeable to his Divine Majesty wou'd redound much to his honour and that he shou'd Faithfully be serv'd therein and Commanded her to call it the Monastery of Saint Joseph to set up Saint Joseph's and the Blessed Virgins Statue at the Gate Promising that he himself would with them be Guardian thereof Saint Teresa understanding his Will put all his Commands in execution ordering the Images to be plac'd as he had ordain'd Perhaps you 'll tell me you have neither House to build nor any Foundations to make Pardon â—â—e if I tell you you lye under a great mistake since you have the Building of Perfection to raise the Foundation of a Vertuous Life to lay you are also to employ your Thoughts about an Habitation that you must live in for all Eternity One of the best means therefore to compass this great Work of our Salvation is a tender Devotion to Saint Joseph this is the best means to finish the Edifice of Perfection and to procure to our selves a happy and Eternal Habitation What Devotion therefore can be easier than this only to keep the Spiritual Image of Saint Joseph in our Thoughts and to procure it by carrying it in our Books by keeping it in our Closset and by leting it put us in mind to call upon him whom the Image represents and to beg his assistance in all our necessities By the help of such an Image a Gentelman of Venice was drawn from a most miserable to a most happy State of his Soul which had otherwise been lost The Story I shall hereafter relate in the XI Chapter with several others therein scited which prove the care he takes of the Spiritual Malady of those who are Devoted to him The second Devotion I propose is a particular and singular affection to some Mystery of his Holy Life Such as was that of his Marriage to the Blessed Virgin his Flight into Aegypt with our Saviour and the Blessed Virgin his Spouse or any other like unto these Blessed Agatha of the Holy Cross was wont to six her thoughts upon his happy Death
effecting it by some Inhabitants of that place who herein testifi'd their good will Wherefore they transported themselves thither but found so little satisfaction at their first arrival meeting with so great and so many difficulties that they cou'd not so much as find a House to hire to live in that hereupon they resolv'd to return back to Aix from whence they came but first had their Recourse to Saint Joseph whom they had taken for Protector in this their Design and resolv'd for nine Days together to say his Litany after Mass But what appear'd as a wonderful effect of their Devotion before the end of the nine Davs a Priest of great worth and authority who had built a House and a Church adjoyning to it in honour of Saint Teresa near the said Town came to find out the Superiour to make her an offer both of the Church and House and to put her in Possession of all things else belonging thereunto Which ofler they accepted and presently the Religious took Possession of it and were settl'd there by the especial favour of Saint Joseph Who not only took them into his particular charge and care but plac'd 'em under the protection of his great Devote and dear Child Saint Teresa in a House and Church where she was greatly honour'd and where she desir'd her great Patron Saint Joseph shou'd be honour'd also Fifthly say at least the Prayer at the end of the Litany every Day or very often this being a short but a substancial and pleasing Devotion to him which qualities cannot but invite us to make use of it and thereby to imitate the Canons of Charters who Daily recite it as well to satisfie their own Devotion as to comply with the Pious desires of the Devout Henry Chicot their Benefactor and Founder of this Devotion I cannot here omit what will authorise this Devotion by relating how great an advantage it procur'd to a Religious House of Nuns which I heard from the Mouth of it's Superiour a few Months ago This Monastery had not receiv'd any Novices for a long time which much afflicted the Religious wherefore the Superiour thought it necessary to have recourse to Saint Joseph to beg his Assistance and therefore they resolv'd for six Month◠together Daily to recite this hi◠Prayer after Mass for this Intention which all the Religious Chearfully perform'd Which Devotion wa◠no sooner begun but a young Lady of Quality with a good Fortune offer'd her self to Live and Dye with 'em in God's Service which favour will never be forgot by that Community and has oblig'd 'em to a constant Confidence in Saint Joseph as in a Father and particularly this his Child for having procur'd such a favour to them and her by his powerful Intercession Sixtly you may assign one Day in the Week for the Exercise o◠some particular Devotion in honour of Saint Joseph Saturday seems to me the most proper Day upon which he may be joyntly honour'd and serv'd with his most Amiable Spouse 'T is now a Days a Devotion practis'd by some Pious Souls to assign or dedicate each Day in the Week to so me particular Devotion As Sunday to the honour of the Blessed Trinity and the Angel Guardian Munday to the honour of God the Father and for the Souls in Purgatory Tuseday to God the Son and Saint Ann. Wednesday to God the Holy Ghost and the Patron whose Name we bear Thursday to the honour of the Blessed Sacrament and Saint Barbara who rewards her Clients with Receiving their Viaticum or Communion before their Death Friday to the honour of the Passion of our Saviour And Saturday to the honour of the Mother of God and Saint Joseph her Spouse 'T is not convenient I shou'd here suggest what each one is to do that Day but leave it to the Affection or Devotion wherewith each one shall find himself inspir'd with all For Example some good Work as the giving of Almes the doing some Pennance or performing any of the Devotions before mention'd in this Chapter or whatever else the Holy Ghost shall inspire you let it be perform'd upon this Day in honour of the Person to whom you design your Devotion The seventh Devotion may be to call to mind the memory of the seven Dolours or Griefs that Afflicted Saint Joseph or of the seven Joys that were a constant Comfort to him throughout his whole Life Which you will find Compos'd after his Office and Beads Page 30. This was a Devotion that Saint Joseph himself taught to two Religious Men of the Holy Order of Saint Francis after he had deliver'd 'em from the danger of Death Who being cast away at Sea they happily laid hold of a Plank upon which they were tost to and fro upon the Waves for three Days and Nights together in this their Danger and Affliction their whole Recourse was to Saint Joseph begging his help and assistance in the sad Condition they were in Who appear'd to them in the Habit of a Young Man of a Beautiful and Comely Feature who incourag'd them to confide in his Assistance and as their Pilot Conducted them into a safe Harbour They desirous to know who their Benefactour was begg'd his Name that they might gratefully acknowledge so great a Blessing and Favour He told them he was Saint Joseph he advis'd them Daily to recite seven Pater Nosters and seven Ave Marys in Memory of his seven Dolours or Griefs and of his seven Joys and having sayd this he Disappear'd The seven Dolours of Saint Joseph I. The thought he had of forsaking his Spouse seeing her big with Child II. He seeing the Infant JESUS in the Crib shivering with cold and so ill accommodated III. Beholding the Wound of JESUS in his Circumcision and seeing him so early shedding his Blood for Love of Sinners IV. The Words of Simeon on the Day of the Purification of our Blessed Lady testifying that a Sword shou'd pierce our Ladies Heart V. His flight into Aegypt occasion'd by Herods Persecution VI. The news he heard as he return'd out of Aegypt that Archilaus was more Cruel than his Father Herod VII His loosing JESUS at twelve Years of Age when they went up to the Temple of Jerusalem The seven Joys of Saint Joseph I. That which he receiv'd by the Message of the Angel who bid him to Fear nothing but to take Mary for his Spouse II. The Adoration of the Angels Saluting our Saviour in the Crib and singing at his Birth the Hymn Gloria in Excelsis Deo III. The hearing the Salutiferous Name of JESUS from the Angel which as God-Father he was order'd to give the Son of God at his Circumcision IV. From the Words of Simeon when he foretold that CHRIST shou'd be the Salvation of many and the Glory of Israël V. From the falling down of the Idols of Aegypt at the Presence of our Saviour JESUS CHRIST VI. From the Command given him by the Angel to Return home with the Infant JESUS and
what greater Blessing can we have than the Sacrifice of the Son of God who was Promis'd to us Moreover were not this true yet all that we can perform that is considerable all that is of any worth or that conduces to the Glory of any Saint is included in the Oblation of the Divine Sacrifice of Mass wherein JESUS CHRIST is offer'd in thanks giving to his Eternal Father for all those Favours and Benefits he has heap'd upon any Saint raising him to so Eminent a Glory and Dignity The fifth Devotion is to give Almes or bestow a Dinner upon some poor Man or Widdow in Honour of Saint Joseph and if you please for the same end relieve a poor Woman and her little Infant to Honour the Created Trinity the Infant JESUS Mary as also Saint Joseph and to encourage you to so Pious a Work Saint Vincent Ferrerius recounts a wonderful Story of a Gentelman of Valence who was very Devout to all these three and amongst the rest of his Devotions us'd every Christmas Day to invite a Woman with a Sucking Child and an Old Man to Dine with him and all this for the Love he bore to Jesus Mary and Joseph This Charity and Devotion was so pleasing to God that upon his Death Bed he had the Comfort to see them who just as he Departed gave him this comfortable Invitation to Paradise as follows Friend you have every Year invited us to a Feast in your House come now and we will receive you to our Feast and into the dwelling place of the Blessed there to â—ign with us and them in all sorts of contentment as long as a happy Eternity shall last Who can conceive how God Recompences even the least Services we do to him or his Saints I wish we cou'd always think on this And practise what these thoughts wou'd move us to perform The sixth and last Devotion to Saint Joseph is to meditate upon the Vertues Mysteries or chief Passages of his Life The Morning either before or after Communion is the most proper time for Meditation Because the After-noon is reserv'd for Even-Song Sermon or some other Works of Charity as visiting the Sick in Hospitals comforting and relieving Prisoners How and when these Meditations are to be us'd I shall declare in the following chapter CHAP. VIII Of Devotions to Saint Joseph during the Octave of his Feast or at other times according to the Opportunity or Affection of his Clients I Cannot think ther 's any better means to pass the Octave of Saint Joseph with Devotion and profit than by the consideration of his Life and Death and the contemplating upon his Glory in Heaven Because such Reflexions as these will increase our Love and Affection towards him and move us to earnest and efficacious attempts to imitate his transcendent Vertues However because some may not have time or opportunity of making these Meditations and that those that have not or know not how to Meditate may make use of 'em instead of Spiritual Reading I have made the Meditations somewhat longer than ordinary Which you will find Printed in a large Character at the end of this Book amongst other Devotions Page 41. There are eight of 'em in all for each Day of the Octave of his Feast in which are briefly contain'd the chief Passages of the Life Death and Glory of Saint Joseph and tho' the Reading of 'em for your Spiritual Lecture will be very profitable yet they will produce far greater profit and comfort in your Soul if you Meditate upon 'em whereby you will increase a far greater Devotion to Saint Joseph than only by the bare Reading of them We have declar'd already that all the Devotions Honours and Respects that are render'd to other Saints ought to be given to Saint Joseph For whosoever Loves him as he deserves must needs think he can never sufficiently Honour him his Merits exceeding all Honour and Devotion that can be shew'd him Wherefore shou'd I advise you to cause a Mass to be sayd in his Honour to perform some good Work of Charity or Pennance you may say I invite you only to such a general testimony of Affection as we give to all other Saints whom we honour I will here therefore propose to you such a particular Devotion as Mother Jane of the Angels Superiour of the Vrsulins practis'd with admirable success Who having purpos'd for her Deliverance to Communicate nine Days together in honour of Saint Joseph upon the Ninth Day one of the Devils within her of his own accord presented himself to the Exorcist during his Exorcisms and acknowledg'd he was Commanded in the Name of Saint Joseph as he left his Station to write the Name of Saint Joseph upon her Hand which he swore he wou'd perform as he did soon after You may also say or get nine Masses sayd in honour of Saint Joseph which was a Devotion that very much assisted Father John Joseph Sevrin Exorcist to this Religious Woman for before he had ended his nine Masses the Devil left her writing according to his Promise his Name in the presence of many upon her bare Hand and amongst others in the Presence of an English Nobleman †The Right Honorable Walter Montague Son to the Earl of Manchesters then a Protestant who held her Arm which was the occasion of his Conversion to the Roman Catholic Faith and of another then an Athist whose Life is Writ he afterwards becoming as renown'd for Sanctity as before he was Infamous for Athisme You may also perform the Devotion proper to all Saints by endeavouring to Imitate his rare and particular Vertues As the exercise of a retir'd and hidden Sanctity the practice of Angelical Purity even in Marriage his Humility Patience and Meekness in Conversation his great Recollection and wonderful Silence Who as a Holy Person declar'd to Father Sevrin Was a very great keeper of Silence and that in the House of our Saviour at Nazareth he spoke very little our Blessed Lady and Jesus still much less and that his Eyes perform'd to him the Office of a Tongue without need of speaking Lastly you may Imitate the works of Piety that Saint Joseph Practis'd But because these are also found in most Saints and therefore seem a general Devotion I will propose some that were particular and proper to Saint Joseph Which other Persons of Piety and Particular Devotes of his * Quiriolê have perform'd in his Honour they are six in number some of which I hope you will find suitable to your Devotion and Inclination CHAP. IX Containing nine different occasions of particular Devotions proper to Saint Joseph and practis'd by his Particular Devotes THE first is when you have lost any thing you had a high Value for to have recourse to Saint Joseph either to beg his help or at least to suffer profitably this loss if by his Assistance we happen not to recover it John Gerson his great Client suggests this Devotion assuring
do of whom I have made mention Page 63. This Devotion is very easie if we do but take the the pleasure he took in pronouncing these three Holy Names of Jesus Maria Joseph Fourthly To wear Rings in which the Name of Joseph is ingraven either by it self or with the other two Names Jesus and Mary and to encourage you to this Devotion when the great Plague caus'd a very great Destruction at Lyons I knew many that wore such ingrav'd Rings for this Intention that Saint Joseph would protect them from the Infection and with so great a success that not so much as one of the Family of those that wore them or of the House where they lodg'd Were Infected God giving so great a Blessing to this small Devotion Fifthly To begin our chief Actions under the auspicious favour of his Name as the Governour of Kebeck did at the Dedication of the Church of Kebeck in new France 1637. before which he planted a Standard with a triple Crown and Wreaths with Scutcheons in which were written in Capitals these three Names JESUS MARIA JOSEPH which Standard was no sooner erected but it was saluted by the Souldiers with a Volly of Musket shot The fourth particular Devotion to Saint Joseph is to imitate Saint Teresa's Love to her Good Father as she still'd him by taking occasion to invite others to become his Clients and omitting nothing that may contribute to his Honour and Glory which is so grateful a Devotion to the Blessed Virgin also that she gave thanks to Saint Teresa for having contributed and incited Persons to this Devotion towards her Spouse all over the Church especially throu-out all Europe whoÌ„ John Gerson Chancelour of the University of Paris also imitated for what did he not do in this Point He Compos'd an Office and Mass for his Feast He writ to several Bishops to induce them to order his Feast to be Celebrated in their Bishopricks with Devotion and Solemnity as a Feast of Obligation and by their own Examples to move the People to observe it His ordinary Conversations and Entertainments of those that Visited him were upon this Subject Moreover those who list themselves in the Confraternity of Saint Joseph and by their Piety and Examples move others to the like Devotion do hereby also Imitate Saint Teresa and the Pious Ghancelour's Devotion towards him The fifth is frequently to take occasion to thank Saint Joseph for the Labour and Pains he took for Jesus and Mary and the Services he did for them for how is it possible says Saint Teresa to think upon what the Queen of Heaven and her little Infant suffer'd upon Earth without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for his Charitable Assistance in their Sufferings The thinking therefore of those Passages of Charity he Exercis'd as even the bearing JESUS in his Arms his helping his Spouse to dress him his laying him in his Cradle and such like ordinary Actions as these tho they seem but small and inconsiderable yet 't is not to be imagin'd what tender Affections the consideration of them breeds in our Hearts and how they move us to Exercise greater Services to JESUS and also a Love to Saint Joseph who hereby express'd his Affection to him The sixth Particular Devotion we may Exercise towards Saint Joseph is to take occasion when any Affairs of Importance happen to address our seles to Saint Joseph and wholly commit them to his Care and Conduct 'T is also a good Devotion frequently to aske him Blessing and to repose a Confidence in him as in a Father beseeching him to â—â—â—tain of his Son and Spouse such an Assistance as we shall in all occasions stand in need of Thus the Devour Vrsulin Jean of the Angels whom I have frequently mention'd was wont to do before and after her Exorcismes in which the suffer'd great agitation of Body from the Devil Wherefore to prepare her self the better to suffer she presented her before his Image and beg'd his Blessing and Assistance whereby she found her self extreamly fortified To these I may ad some other Devotions I know some Persons are wont to Exercise Some in their necessities say a little Pair of Beads in his honour see the manner of saying them Page 28. amongst the Devotions to this Saint Others never deny any thing ask'd them in the Name and for the sake of Saint Joseph but I shou'd be too tedious shou'd I set down all the Dovotions that the Affections of his Clients suggest to them what I have already sayd is sufficient for whatever may be done to other Saints either by Prayers Vows or any other Respects that and much more may be done to him But the more to incite you to this in the following Chapters I will set down what Help and Assistance he renders upon all occasions to his Clients both for Soul and Body who endeavour to express their Love and Devotion towards him by such Practices as I have here set down CHAP. X. Of the Help and Assistance that Saint Joseph gives to his Devout Clients towards their attaining Interiour Perfection and in what this Perfection do's Consist TO give you a satisfactory account of the care Saint Joseph takes to render his Clients Interiour and Spiritual Persons I must first declare to you what is meant by Interiour Perfection and in what this Spiritual and Interiour Life do's consist There being very few Persons who Solidly attend thereunto and therefore there is great need of so solid and Powerful an Assistance for the obtaining it as Saint Joseph gives his Devout Clients An Interiour and Spiritual Life therefore is that which minds nothing else but Perfection and which rests in the Vertuous Actions of the Soul practising the inward Acts of all Vertues namely of Faith Hope Charity Religion Adoration Thanksgiving Humiliation with a good perfect and sincere Intention without any mixture of Carnal ends And in the performance of all Exteriour and Corporal Actions with an Interiour Spirit and Presence of Mind Beholding God Present and being carried with a tender Affection towards him whilst we perform the outward Action we are about This is what is call'd a Spiritual and Interiour Life and is so call'd because it consists not in the Exteriour or Corporal Action but because it Acts Interiourly in the bottom of the Soul and within the Spirit or Mind only and 't is this we must begin withall and what is thus begun in Spirit must afterwards pass to our Exteriour Actions which are but of very small Value if not accompanied with this Interiour Life and Vertue there being no comparison between the inward and outward Actions and if we work not by this Interiour Spirit and Purity of Intention all the pains we take are lost we labour much and gain little or nothing how great things soever in appearance we may perform But working after this manner we gain and heap up Everlasting Treasures with so much profit and advantage that even the least Action
wonderfully advances and increases our Perfection and gains a great degree of Glory in Heaven This caus'd Saint Mary Magdalen of Pazzi after that the Glory of Blessed Aloysius Gonzaga was reveal'd to her to say he had gain'd that Sublime Glory by his Interiour Actions in which lys all the Perfection of the Soul So that this Interiour and this Spiritual Life is one and the self same thing But 't is not so easie as one may conceive to enter into this Interiour and Inward Life or to lead such a Spiritual Life as I speak of Since to be much recollected and to enter into our selves is the way to become a Perfect Interiour Man And to do this you must cast off and wean your self from all attention to Creatures you must lay aside Interest and Human Respects such as are Gain Honour Flesh and Blood you must give your self to Recollection and Prayer and hereby unite your self to God To do this you must constantly walk in the Presence of God seek nothing but his Divine Will Subdue your own Passions and then practise all sorts of Vertues belonging to the Interiour Powers of your Soul But all this is very hard to perform and from hence it follows that very few Persons attain to it and for this reason a great Master of Spirit sayd very well †Perfectio est Paucorum Few are Perfect But on the contrary the Imperfect and Extroverted Persons are very many who permit themselves to sinke into the Passionate Affection of self Love give their Will the Reines and yeild to all that sense requires languishing in Sensuality rather than practising true Vertue of whom Saint Paul complains All seek their own or themselves not JESUS or the things that belong to him But care must be taken by those who list themselves Clients to Saint Joseph that they do not too soon and too easily believe themselves to have obtain'd this Interiour and Spiritual Life because they find some sensible feelings of Devotion * Omnes quae sua sunt quaerunt non quae JESUS CHRISTI ad Philip. 2.21 But when they find their Passions ill Habits and all their Imperfections perfectly subdu'd and that they are become Fervent and Constant in the practice of all Vertues then they may hope they have made some progress in this Spiritual Life This Spiritual deceit was very well understood by Blessed Mary Magdalen of the Vrsulins as the handsome reply she made to a Sister Inferiour in Government when she came to make her Complaints to her This Sister coming to her and expressing how great a desire she had of the Spiritual Advancement of the Monastery and in order thereunto told her that she had observ'd some Imperfections in certain of the Religious which gave Disedification Telling her that such and such Persons were guilty of them The Superiour took in good part this Advertisment she gave her and with her wonted Sweetness promis'd in time to redress 'em and provide a seasonable cure But this Religious being of the Number of those who wou'd Reform all at once and who thought her self far from wanting any such Reform unsatisfi'd with this Sweet Answer of her Superiour told her that a speedy Order ought to be taken and so efficacious a one as might keep the Evil from spreading and she knew none better than to devide the Monastery and that all who were Stubborn and of an Ill Cholerick Humour Sluggish in Riesing Tepid Contentious and Imperfect shou'd go by themselves into another House and the other part of the Community that is the Good Fervent Perfect and Affable that had made progress in Vertue practis'd Mortification and were exact observers of Religious Discipline shou'd remain in this The good Mother still Patiently gave ear to all she sayd and sweetly ask'd her when she had ended her Discourse which of these she design'd to be in Amongst those that are Perfect reply'd the Religious that I may have no trouble nor vexation of Mind to hinder me in Vertue And I reply'd the Superiour will accompany the less Perpect first because I am one of their number and also out of Compassion to them that by having occasion of shewing Sweetness and Patience towards 'em I may gain 'em and have a greater subject of Merit When the Sister heard this admirable Reply from her Superiour she was silenc'd and saw how much she was deceiv'd by thinking her self one of the more Perfect and moreover saw that there being not many such the Monastery being slenderly furnish'd with Subjects there wou'd scarce have been half a dosen left in the whole House For in effect in a Community of threescore Religious you will scarce find six true Interiour Persons and amongst a hundred Religious Men or five hundred Seculars it wou'd be hard to find ten such as we speak of who are eminent in this Interiour Life and make the seeking after Perfection their chief Endeavour Prom whence we may gather how great an advantage the Clients of of Saint Joseph have who by his Intercession obtain so great a Blessing than which nothing is so considerable nothing harder to obtain nor any thing that ought more earnestly to be sought after What a Comfort is it then to have so powerful an Assistant who sweetens all Difficulties lending us his efficacious Hand whereby he manifests that God has left to his sole care the bringing up of all those who efficaciously desire to become eminent in this hidden Interiour Life as a Recompence of that Interiour hidden Life he led himself at Nazareth with his Sacred Family and that he is the Ruler and Governour of those Souls who desire to have their Vertue and Actions conceal'd to the World and only known to God As a Young Man greatly inlighten'd by God testifi'd to Father Seâ—rin of the SOCIETY of JESUS †P. Severin In Relatione impressâ This Farther accidentally meeting him and finding him wonderfully replenish'd with so many extraordinary Gifts and Graces of God that in his Life he never met with the like and this after a very high manner for tho' he had never been Instructed and only serv'd a Priest till he was eighteen Years of Age yet he spoke most Spiritually and not only like a Divine but also like a Saint of high Perfection The Father propos'd many Questions to him and amongst the test he ask'd him if he were Devout to Saint Joseph to which he made Answer that for the six Years last past he had been his Protectour and Directour and affirm'd that our Saviour himself had given him Saint Joseph for this end Adding that he was the greatest of Saints after the Blessed Virgin that he had the Plenitude of the Holy Ghost with the Apostles and that he was the Master and Spiritual Directour of those Souls who addicted themselves to a hidden Interiour Life and Conversation with God To prove this Truth 't is only necessary to observe the assistance Saint Joseph gives in this
Joseph's Assistance who Appear'd to her and layd his Hand upon that side where the Pain was and so Cur'd her But this being a very Miraculous Cure and the circumstances very extraordinary I cannot omit to give you in short a particular account of the cheif Passages leaving the rest to a Printed Relation of it approv'd by the Bishop of Poicters and shewing how she Recover'd by a most Miraculous Oyntment that the Saint apply'd And because the most satisfactory relation I think that can be made of it is what she Relates her self in a Letter to a Friend I shall therefore put it down in her own Words I fell into very violent Convulsion Fits like one ready to give up the Ghost I found my self depriv'd of all Sense yet my Judgment was still at liberty and as I lay in this sad Condition there appear'd to me a great and beautiful Clow'd in which on my right side stood my Good Angel of incomparable Beauty like a Youth of eighteen Years of Age with fair deshevel'd Hair This Youth had in his right Hand a fair Wax flaming Taper on the other side in the Clowd was my Holy Father Saint Joseph with a Countenance outshining the Sun in Brightness and a Majesty more than Human resembling in Age a Man of forty or forty five Years Old with a goodly Head of Hair of a Chesnut colour very long and I perâ—eiv'd he look'd upon one of the Assistants that stood by me after a very sweet manner full of Amity and Affection Then beholding me he layd his Hand upon that side where from the beginning was the principle Source if my Distemper he anointed me With Oyl or some such kind of Liquor and the place he anointed remain'd something moist And at that same inâ—ient I found my self perfectly reâ—ever'd and told the standers by as much This is what she her self Recounts now see what follow'd she finding her self very well ris out of her Bed which she had kept upon account of her Feaver for fourteen Days together occasion'd by a form'd Plurisie that gave her extraordinary pain she had been let Blood nine times in twelve Days space which caus'd such a Weakness and Feebleness as she was scarce able to turn her self in her Bed none expecting any thing but Death But Mr. Faveon her Physitian and a Protestant was most of all astonish'd when entring into her Chamber not knowing any thing of the Miracle he saw all the Company on their Knees the Sick Womans bed empty and cover'd and saw her who but a little before he had left as a Dying Person riseing from her Knees walking in her Religious Habit about the Chamber without any help and coming towards him with a Smiling Countenance To whom she recounted her Miraculous recovery giveing him also thanks for the Pains he had taken This surprise was so suddain that he remaind for along time in a silent astonishment not knowing what to say or think but in the end coming to himself he acknowledg'd it to be a wonderful change but God says he is Omnipotent But another yet greater Miracle soon follow'd this of which this was partly the occasion for the rest of the Oyntment remaining upon a Linnen Cloath wherewith the recover'd Person wip'd the Place Saint Joseph had Anoynted not only retain'd a Sweet and Aromatick Smel as I my self experienc'd as this Religious Person so Miraculously Cur'd past by Lyons but has also the power of Working Miracles which it likewise Communicates to Beads Medals Images and Papers that have only touch'd this Miraculous Oyntment or the Cloath that Wip'd it off the Religious Persons Side The second Miracle wrought by the Oyntment is as follows Madame de Laubougemont about eight Days after Sister Jean of the Angels had so Miraculously Recover'd being big with Child happen'd after the self same manner to fall Sick of a Plurisy at Trevoux which four of the ablest Physicians of that place judg'd Incurable and therefore thought it in vain to apply any Remedies But God Inspir'd both the Patient and her Husband to make use of the Remedy Saint Joseph had afforded the foresaid Religious and therefore they sent an Express to Loudun to desire they might make use of the Cloath that had Wiped off the Heavenly Balsome from the Place Saint Joseph had Anointed This being brought to the Sick Lady the very Smel of it's Divine Perfume fill'd her Soul with Joy and the Application of it to her Right Side perfectly recover'd her and a few howers after she was Deliver'd of a Child which the Doctours and Surgeons judg'd to have been a whole Month Dead in her Body A Young Man call'd Claud Murner at Laubougemont afflicted with an extraordinary swelling in one of his Ribs that reach'd quite to his Reins and caus'd a very violent Feaver So that all concluded he wou'd either be a Cripple as long as he liv'd or else the breaking of the Ulser wou'd occosion his Death such an abundance of humours being gather'd together and had caus'd so great an inflamation and swelling as gave him a very great deal of pain so that he cou'd not lye in any other Posture in his Bed but upon his Belly Which mov'd a great compassion in those that visited him amongst which was one of his Relations a Father of the SOCIETY from whom I receiv'd this account Who hearing the Doctours and Surgeons of Mascon conclude there was no hopes of a Cure caus'd the Youth with all Confidence to make a Vow to Saint Joseph The Father sayd Mass in honour of the same Saint to procure his powerful Intercession and advis'd the Youth to Confess and Communicate This done he caus'd the Name of JESUS to be written and brought to the Sick Person who swallow'd down the Paper it having touch'd the Heavenly Balme of Saint Joseph I before spoke of they rubb'd also the inflamation with a piece of the same Paper The same Day the Feaver left him his appetite return'd the swelling wasted by degrees and his strength recover'd after such a manner that within three or four Days he found himself able to perform a journey of seven Leagues on Hors-back and this happen'd not only to these Persons I have Nam'd but to several others both at Lyons Trevoux and Loudun were cur'd of very Desperate Feavers by the same means Sister Margaret Rigaud a Profess'd Religious of the Monastery of Saint Elizabeth at Lyons fell from a flore one story high the fall caus'd such a bruise in her Head as made the Blood gush out of her Ears and depriv'd her of her Senses they us'd all remedies but nothing cou'd ease her Head which was so bruis'd that for several Months together she was not able so much as to lean or rest it even upon the softest Pillow Her Mind was in no less pain being very much disquieted caus'd by the weakness of her offended Brain and the Evil very much increasing a Consult of Doctours and Surgeons were call'd who
himself out of all danger Tevenet a good Old Man of Saint Laurence Dauger a Village neer Lyons Infected with the Plague ask'd the Viccaire of the Place whether there were no means for his Recovery who answer'd him that there was none but by having Recourse to Saint Joseph and by makeing a Vow every Year to keep his Feast and to Confess and Communicate upon it and for nine Days to say seven Paters and Aves and conclude them with JESUS MARIA JOSEPH The Pious Old Man immediately made the Vow and at the same time found himself free'd from the Plague wondring what was become of his Bubo's and Swellings which all Vanish'd upon a suddain Martin de Baâ—â— a little Child of four Years of age was struck with the Plague as he was at play all gave him for lost and his Mother being in very great Desolation and Affliction was Councel'd to Recommend him to Saint Joseph which she immediately did in these Words Saint Joseph to you I Recommend my Child about two howers after the Childs Father perceiving some signs of Death calls his Wife who now giving him for Dead made a kind of Pious Complaint saying Ah Saint Joseph She comes to the Child and finds the Evil diminish'd who a little after call's to his Mother for some Meat recovers his wonted Countenance rises from his Bedd and cry's out I am well Saint Joseph has Cur'd me And the Morning following there was not the least sign of any Disease and he felt no more Weakness than if he had never been Sick whom his Parents carried to the Church of Saint Joseph to give thanks where they hung up a Votive Picture to testifie not only the Childs but the Fathers Delivery from the Plague who afterwards was visited and Deliver'd also by Saint Joseph's Intercession from the same Evil by the Application of some Cotton or the Bubo or Swelling that had touch'd the Oyntment of Loudun whereby Saint Joseph Miraculously cur'd one of the Religious of that place as I before mention'd whereby he was immediately cur'd Bennet Gontelle a Gardner liveing in a Garden that joyns to Saint Joseph's Church every Day lost one of his Family consisting of seventeen Persons out of which one Daily fell sick and was led to the Pest-House where his Wife and all his Children were already Dead of it and he and one Servant only left alive in the House who Daily expeeted to follow the rest I visiting him being his nex Neighbour in this sad Affliction Councel'd him to make a Vow to Saint Joseph which he did and I joyn'd with him in it promising him to Offer several Masses and Communions in his Honour if by his Intercession he wou'd obtain his and his Servants Preservation from the Plague God hears his Prayers and preserv'd 'em both from the Infection To Conclude this Catalogue oâ— those whom Saint Joseph assisted after a very extraordinary manner who were either cur'd when Infected or preserv'd from the Infection â— must also add the following Relation Those who were appointeâ— Masters of Health in this City oâ— Lyons appointed to take care of the Infected and to prevent the encrease of the Infection having after a particular manner recommended themselves to Saint Joseph were all preserv'd from it notwithstanding for the discharge of their imployment they were Daily expos'd to the danger of gaining the Infection Wherefore they all came in a Body to Saint Joseph's Church in the Year 1638. to Confess and Communicate and to Offer Wax Candles at Saint Joseph's Altar to express their Gratitude to him for so signal a favour which by his Intercession he had obtain'd both for them and for the whole Town CHAP. XIII The Assistance which God gives upon all occasions by Saint Joseph's Intercession WHOSOEVER desires to experience the effects of Saint Joseph's Intercession will find him a true Father for he forsakes none in their necessities but assists those who have recourse to him in all their exigencies especially if what they desire do's any way conduce to God's Honour and Glory Thus he assisted Saint Teresa in the Foundation of the greatest part of her Monasteries as is set down at large in the History of her Order And I know a person who was in great pain about the success of an affair of importance whereupon he caus'd Mass to be sayd in honour of Saint Joseph beg'd his Intercession and it succeeded as well as be cou'd wish it shou'd have done Saint Joseph also has concern not only for Spiritual but even temporal Affairs and by his Intercession assists those that beg his help herein as we may see by the Example Saint Teresa relates of her self who was in great pain about some Debts she had contracted in building the Monastery of Avila not knowing what course to take for the payment of the Work-Men In this perplexity Saint Joseph Appears to her bids her confidently to agree with the Work-Men and engage for all necessaries for the building promising she shou'd not want Mony to Defray the Expences and in effect she found he perform'd his Promise she receiving Monies from such Persons from whom she least of all expected so great Charities both to her own and other Persons Astonishment The Carthusians also experienc'd in the last Age how powerful his Intercession is with Almighty God for fearing so great a Desolation as the fayling of their Order wou'd have been for want of Subjects none presenting themselves to undertake that sort of Life a general Chapter held at their great Charter-House by Grenoble to the end they might obtain Saint Joseph's powerful intercession in what was of the greatest concern for the support of their Order they made a Decree in General Chapter in which they chose him for the Patron and Advocate of their Order and they ordain'd that his Feast shou'd for the future not only be kept as a Feast of Obligation throu'out their whole Order but with very great Solemnity which singular Devotion of theirs was so favour'd and accepted by Saint Joseph and his Intercession was so Efficacious in the Court of Heaven that in all Parts of the World where they are establish'd they have never since wanted proper Subjects to encrease their Holy Order and if any particular House at any time wants Subjects 't is but addressing them selves to him and they find his powerful Assistance as their House at Lyons did some five Years ago where by making a Vow that the Priests shou'd every Day make a Commemoration of him in their Mass they have never since wanted fit Subjects to Encrease their Number But Saint Joseph not only brings Subjects to Religion but even whole Nations to the Catholic Church and this was the reason that our Fathers gave the Name of Joseph to the first Tarquois whom they Baptis'd New France also owns him for it's Patron and for the Propaâ—atour of the Catholic Faith in the Southern Parts of America and one of the cheif Missions in those Parts is
call'd The Mission of Saint Joseph and in the Year 1626. two hundred Families were Baptis'd and their Example mov'd six Neighbouring Townships to unite themselves to the True Faith that they might also become partakers of those Spiritual and Temporal Blessings which Saint Joseph Visibly obtain'd for these happy Converts Saint Joseph also favours Marryage and unites the Hearts of Married Persons procuring them a True and Constant Conjugal Assection â—s appears in the Example of a very Rich Marchant of Lyons who had great Inclinations to Marry with a Young Woman of quality but she rejected all Propositions in that kind whereupon he addresses himself to Saint Joseph Vow 's the giveing an Alms of a hundred Crowns in his Honour if he wou'd move her to hearken to his proposal of Marriage The Vow was no sooner made but he gains her Consent and the Marriage is made up and they liv'd a most happy Couple in a Constant Peace and Union of Affections which is one of the greatest Blessings in this Sacrament He assists Chast Persons also and preserves them from all attempts that the Enemy makes to Destroy in them the admirable Vertue of Chastity as appears in an Example of a Pious Virgin who being attack'd in this Point her Confessour advises her to have recourse to Saint Joseph and causes her to wear about her a Paper that had touch'd the Miraculous Oyntment at Loudun whereby she presently found Help and Comfort As another also did who recommended her self to the same Saint promising to wear his Image for nine Days together I had this Relation from the Person her self who receiv'd this benifit by Saint Joseph's Intercession Saint Joseph also hears and helps Persons with Child as appears by a Votive Picture in the Church of Saint Joseph at Lyons on the side of his Altar her Child being Dead for some Days within her she cou'd not be deliver'd thereof Yet she no sooner beg'd his Assistance but she was Deliver'd of it half putrifi'd with safety also of her Life which all dispair'd of The like favour happen'd to a Woman at Trevoux who by a very hard Labour for three Days together was brought to the last extreamity and danger of Death in these streights she thought of Recommending her self to Saint Joseph and Purpos'd to Confess and Communicate in his Honour and to swallow a Paper that had touch'd the Miraculous Oyntment of Loudun which she had no sooner done but she was happily Deliver'd He favours also Married Prisons giving them Children one of the cheif Blessings of Marriage as a Votive Picture in Saint Joseph's Church testifies of one who wanted this Blessing who had no sooner beg'd his Intercession but within a Year she obtain'd it But to save the setting down many other Examples of Saint Joseph's powerful Assistance the Testimony of Saint Teresa and of many others of his Clyents whom I have heard avouch the same Truth is that he refuses nothing that is ask'd him but provides a remedy in all necessities which is a sufficient motive to make us all have Recourse to him with all confident assurance of our obtaining our Petitions CHAP. XIV To exhort all to have Recours to Saint Joseph and Confide in his Powerful Protection WE ought Piously to beleive that the Mother of God has a knowledge from her Son of what is good for our Salvation wherefore if we do but Consult her and desire her to advise us what is best for us to do to secure our Saltation we cannot doubt but she will tell us Be Devout to Saint Joseph love my Dear Spouse Saint Joseph To prove this Assertion I will relate what Father Balthasar Alvares a great Clyent of hers and Confessour to the great Devote Saint Teresa affirm's Who being one Day Sick at Valedolid of a Violent burning Fevaer one of the Religious that help'd him shew'd him an Image of our Blessed Lady and Saint Joseph and put him in mind of Recommending himself to the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin You have Reason says he for the Mother of God has expressly Commanded me to do so And as afterwards he own'd 't was in the Holy Chappel of Laurette where she gave him this Command She gave the same advice also to Saint Teresa who was Father Balthazar 's Penitent which caus'd her to have so great a Devotion to Saint Joseph and such a Confidence in him that she stil'd him her Father and those that follow our Blessed Ladies advice in this particular may expect such a particular mark of her kindness and encouragement upon this account as she shew'd S. Teresa It happend that at Avila upon the Feast of the Assumption whilst Saint Teresa was carrying on the Foundation of that Monastery under the Name of Saint Joseph that one Day whilst she was at her Prayer she saw our Blessed Lady upon one side and Saint Joseph on the other shewing her extraordinary expressions of kindness and amongst others that which gave her an incredible Consolation was a familiar treatment our Blessed Lady us'd towards her takeing her by the Hand and giving her thank 's for her Affection to her doar Spouse and for her particular Devotion towards him After these thanks she ptomis'd her all sorts of Assistance in her Pious design and in confirmation of her Affection she made her a Present of a Collar or Chain of Gold with a Cross hung at it set with Precious Stons so resplendent as she never beheld the like This made Saint Teresa use her utmost endeavours to induce and perswade all to a Devotion to her Glotious Patron And without doubt were we so happy as to Converse with the Saints now in Heaven they wou'd joyn with her in perswading us to so Pious and Profitable a Work by their own Example For we Read in Saint Gertrud's Life that upon the Vigil of the Annunciation of our Blessed Lady she perceiv'd all the Saints in Heaven bow their Heads in honour of Saint Joseph whilst his Name was Recited in the Quire they looking upon one another with signs of Joy and Congratulation to see Saint Joseph Honour'd upon Earth as they Honour him in Heaven Since therefore the Queen of Saints and Angels and all the Saints and Angels themselves take such a Satisfaction in seeing Saint Joseph Honour'd can we think it proceeds from any other reason than because they see this Honour done Saint Joseph highly pleasing to God and most profitable to Man Wherefore let us upon this account renew our Pious Resolutions of rendring him all Honour and of Honouring him abore all next to Jesus and Mary Let us resolve to honour him all the Days of our Lives especially upon his Feast Days since ther 's none more Belov'd nor none more Worthy of our Love than he next to Jesus and Mary Who obliges his Lovers by all sorts of Favours Wins their Devotions by Miracles especially in matters of Life and Death both in Body and Soul as well for this Life as the
next and who most easily and favorably grants what ever is ask'd and procures us a free access to Jesus and Mary Wherefore it was a profitable and imitable invention of the Devourâ— Henry Canon of Charters to have Recourse to Saint Joseph since as thâ—â— Learn'd Gerson remarks having him on his side he was sure also of his Son and Spouses Protection Saint Joseph having their Power at his Disposal and 't is sufficient to take him for our Protector to have his and their help in all our Necessities at the very first Petition or ever without asking it as appears by the following Examples Saint Teresa making a Voyage with some of her Religious to Found Vies was gon out of the right way and so engag'd with her Company among the Rocks which hung over a Brow of a Precipice so that the Wagoner cou'd not go either forwards or backwards Presently she go's to her wonted Refuge Saint Joseph ordering her Companions to joyn with her in begging the Protection of her Dear Father they had no sooner â—one so but they saw an Old Man who crv'd to them with a lowd Voice Stand for you will be lost if you go on Wherefore they ask'd him what way shall we go then That way reply'd he which seem'd impossible for a Wagon to go to but on a suddain they found themselves Miraculously put into it at which time they endeavour'd to find out the the Old Man to thank him but in vain as S. Teresa foretold who assur'd them 't was her good Father Saint Joseph who had freed them from the great langer they were in 'T was for this Reason that the Exorcist of Sister Jean of the Angels Prioress of the Vrsulins at Loudun who knew his goodness and power those him for his Protectour in this work For the Devils complain'd of Saint Joseph by whose means they cou'd not molest the Religious at her Devotions And to prove that Saint Joseph even helps without being ask'd or expecting our Prayers the following passage that hapen'd at Lyons in the Month of September last past 1638. do's evidently prove which I had from the Persons own Mouth and is as follow 's Mr. Peter Evialvin a Rich Marchant coming upon the eighth of September our Blessed Ladies Nativity with a Friend of his to the Church of Saint Joseph after some Discourse with his Friend who was a Client of Saint Joseph's about several Graces and Favours that Saint Joseph bestow'd upon his Clients and of the Merits of this great Saint conceiv'd a great desire to take him for his Advocate and resolv'd to frequent his Church and to heat Mass in it the Thursday and Friday following The next Sunday within the Octave upon which he put himself under Saint Joseph's Protection as he walk'd in the Fields for his divertisment he met two Men unknown to him one of which shot at him with a Blunderbuss charg'd with thirty hail-shot all enteâ—'d his Body without giving him any Mortal Wound two or three stayd in his Belly and one of them was beat flat upon his fore-head His Wife and some Passengers coming to his Assistance found him upon the Ground and thought him Dead but being taken up the Wounded Man seeing himself all Bloody recommends himself to Saint Joseph to whom his Wife also makes a Vow which succeeded so well that her Husband recover'd his Hurts within five Days and came to give thanks at Saint Joseph's Church for this Preservation being perfectly well and there Offer'd a Picture of this Miraculous escape as a memory of his Gratitude Give me leave therefore to end this Treatise by joyning my Petition with Saint Teresa's and beseeching you if you 'll not Beleive me yet for the Love of God that you wou'd make tryal how advantagious the Devotion to this great Saint is and how prosperous you 'll find it by Expetience For I have not sayd all I might have sayd there being greater Advantages in Loving and being Devout to Saint Joseph than the most perswasive Panagerist is able to Express But beleive me who will and let them that will Imitate me also I for my Part am resolv'd to Love Saint Joseph for Time and Eternity not with a languishing but flaming Love thereby to redeem time lost nor will I prefer any object under God before him for next after Jesus and Mary Joseph shall have place in my Affections in which I will persever to my last Breath which shall be imploy'd in pronouncing these Sacred Names Jesus Maria Joseph Live Jesus Mary and Joseph Amen FINIS DEVOTIONS TO S. JOSEPH SPOVSE to the B. V. Mary Mother of Iesus Printed by T. F. in the Year 1700. THE OFFICE OF S. Joseph At Mattins Jesus Mary Joseph vers O Lord open my Lips resp And my Mouth shall declare thy Praise vers O God incline unto my aid resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost resp As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end Amen Alleluia The Hymn JOSEPH the Son of David was esteem'd Father of Jesus who the World Redeem'd The Virgin he espous'd In Heart conjoyn'd And Guardian was of both By Heaven assign'd Antiphon All Hail honour of the Patriarchs Steward of the holy Church of God who did'st conserve the Bread of Life and the Wheat of the Elect. vers O holy Joseph Pray for us resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most holy Mother that what our possibility can not obtain may be giv'n us by his Intercession Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost World without end Amen At Prime Jesus Mary Joseph vers O God incline unto my aid resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn WHen thou the Virgin didâ—st with Child perceive Perplext in thought thou her design'dst to leave But in thy Sleep an Angel with his Voice Advis'd thee not to fear but to Rejoyce Antiphon All Hail honour of c. as before Pag. 4. The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee c. as before Pag. 5. At the Third Hour Jesus Mary Joseph vers O God incline unto my aid resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn TO Bethlem with the pregnant Virgin he Travel'd to pay th'imposed Subsidie Where Christ was to be born and in which place He shortly shouâ—d his Infant Lord embrace Antiphon All Hail honour of c. as before Pag. 4. vers O holy Joseph Pray for us resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee c. as before Pag. 5. At the Sixth Hour Jesus Mary Joseph vers O God incline unto my aid
Contaning the seventh Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph O Merciful Joseph who is able to conceive the sensible Sorrow and extream grief you felt when you had lost the Child Jesus Methinks I hear you say O unfortunate Man that I am what is become of my Beloved Where is the Soul of my Heart And where shall I seek him I will never Sleep or give my self any Repose till I find him but presently without any loss of time run over all parts of the Earth to find him whom Heaven has pleas'd to commit to my Charge and Custody and without whom I cannot live but in extream Grief and Affliction And on the other fide who is able to express the Joy and extream Satisfaction wherewith your Heart was replenish'd when you found him in the midst of Doctours We humbly beseech you by this unconceivable Sadness and Joy that we may never loose our most amiable Jesus or if ever we be so unhappy as to loose him make us feel such a true and lively sorrow as you did that we may so carefully seek him as that we may soon find him with so great and sensible a Comfort that our sole care afterwards may be always to conserve him without ever loosing him any more Amen Our Father Hail Mary EIGHT MEDITATIONS FOR The Octave of Saint JOSEPH I. Meditation Of the Sanctification Birth and Name of Saint Joseph Preparatory Prayer TO beg Light of God to understand his particular Providence towards Saint Joseph and those special Prerogatives he bestow'd upon him before and at his Birth as also at his Circumcision I. Prelude Imagin your self at Nazareth where Saint Joseph was born and there behold the difference wherewith Men and Angels regarded this Royal Infant Harken to the sweet Name of Joseph given him at his Circumcision consider the esteem the Angels had both of this Holy Infant and of the sweet Name of Joseph that was given him at his Circumcision II. Prelude BEG Grace to be Inflam'd with Love and Devotion to this sweet Infant and the Holy Name of Joseph I. Point Consider that Saint Joseph as Gerson solidly proves was Sanctifi'd before his Birth for if the Prophet Jeremy Saint John Baptist and other Saints receiv'd this favour upon account of those Functions they were afterwards to Exercise The Office design'd for Saint Joseph of being Spouse to the Mother and Foster-Father and Governour to the Son of God far exceeded theirs and therefore no less requir'd the same priviledges they had Admire the Purity of this holy Infant give thanks to God for this favour of his early Sanctification congratulate with him for it and for those high Dignities for which God design'd him that mov'd him to give it And beg by the Intercession of Saint Joseph such a true Sanctification as may render you pleasing to his Divine Majesty and his Celestial Court whose love is as much to be valued as the esteem of the World is to be contemn'd II. Point Consider this holy Infant thus dear to God linally Descended from David heir to so many Kings and Royal Prophets is Born in a Poor house of Poor but Noble Parents without any of those marks of honor and greaâ—ness which are common to the Birth of Princes See the difference between God's and the World's esteem of Riches and Honor consider how be treats his true Favorits behold how the Angels admire what the World takes no notice of Praise their Wisdom and conâ—emn it's Folly The Glory of this Royal Infant is from within hid from the Eyes of the World but seen by God and his Angels O the Beauty and Riches of Poverty Which Worldlings perceive not O Royal and Holy Infant obtain for me such an inflam'd Love of Poverty such a generous Humility as you had that I may esteem no honour greater than to be contemn'd by the World for God's Sake or than the being lov'd and esteem'd by him and his Celestial Court III. Point Consider the signification of the Name that was given him at his Circumcision either by Divine Inspiration or which is more probable by the Revelation of aâ— Angel as Saint John Baptist's was Joseph signifies Encrease anâ— what an Encrease in all kinds did he receive with it All sonâ— of such Heavenly Graces aâ—sorts of Priviledges and Prerogatives as the Dignity of hiâ— Person and Employments justly requir'd The Name of the great Patriarch Joseph who was a Figure of this was given him upon account of his Angelical Chastity and the care he was to take in Feeding Protecting and Preserving the Elect Children of God in Aegypt But our Joseph of whom the other was a Type was to be the Virgin-Spouse of the Virgin-Mother of God Protectour and Preserver both of her and her Son nay even of the Son of God himself in Aegypt O Name above all Names â—ext to JESUS and MARY â—â—t it be a constant Comfort to â—ny Heart and from the abundance of Heart let my Mouth frequently repeat the sweet â—ame of Joseph joyning it to â—â—ose Delicious Names of JESUS â—nd MARY The Colloquie O most Holy and Royal Infant O most Blessed Joseph be to me a Joseph that is â—otain for me such Encrease of sanctity such a Love of Poverty â—nd Angelical Purity with such 〈◊〉 true Humility as rendred you â—â—uly great and such a Devotion to your dear self that the â—ery pronouncing your Blessed Name may creat such a Joy and Comfort in my Heart as may move you to interceed for and consequently to obtain anâ— Increase of all Vertues in it II. MEDITATION Of the humble Vocation and Sanctity of Saint Joseph Preparatory Prayer TO beg of God to let us set why Saint Joseph follow'd so humble a Profession as that of a Carpenter and after what manner he practic'd it Increasing at the same time in all sorts of Perfection I. Prelude IMagin your self at Nazareth beholding Saint Joseph a most comely Youth of eighteen Years of age learning and exercising the laborious and humble trade of a Carpenter II. Prelude BEG of God to teach you by S. Joseph's Example how Profitably to joyn an Humble Active aÌ„d Passive Life that thereby the less you are esteem'd upon Earth by Creatures the more you may be Esteem'd and Lov'd by your Creator in Heaven I. Point Consider first that Providence ordain'd that Saint Joseph tho' of a Royal extract shou'd learn and exercise so mean a Trade as that of a Carpenter first to avoid Idleness so vety dangerous to the Virginal Purity he had Vow'd to him Secondly that the Humble exercises of this Trade might ballance the Dignities he design'd to bestow upon him of being Spouse to the Mother and Foster Father to the Son of God That no Ostentation or Vanity might take any place in his Humble Heart Thirdly that by the Labour of his Hands and Sweat of his Brows he might gain wherewithall to Exercise the greatest of Charities by nourishing and maintaining the Mother and Son of God
O wonderful Providence O mark of an extraordinary Love I bless and return a Million of thanks to thy Divine Majesty for this thy Love to Saint Joseph And I Congratulate with thee my belov'd Saint Joseph for being so great a Favorit of Heaven Vouchsafe to obtain for me by thy Intercession such a Detestation of Idleness such a Love of Labour and Chastity it's Companion such a Love of JESUS and MARY as may move me to shew it to every one even the least that wants my assistance as you did and I wou'd wish to have done to theÌ„selves since they take the same as kindly as if done to them He having assur'd us †Quiquid uni ex minimis meis fesistis mihi feustis What we do to the least of his he takes it as done to himself O admirable Exercise of Charity O wonderful occasion of expressing such a Love to JESUS and MARY as Saint Joseph practis'd II. Point Consider what mov'd Saint Joseph to Exercise this calling nothing else but his Humility and desire of expressing his Love by these Occasions of labours and Sufferings that accompany so painful a Trade O most Humble and Mortifi'd Joseph obtain for me such a Love of Humility and Mortification as may procure that Vertue of Chastity you so excell'd in that I may truly Love and faithfully practice this Vertue of Chastity as you did III. Point Consider his laborious and painful Life was accompany'd with so great Piety and Purity of Intention doing all purely to please God as render'd him so great a Saint that he deserv'd to be Canoniz'd by the Holy Ghost himself who stiles him Just that is Replenish'd with all Vertues and free from all Imperfections verifiing hereby his Name of Joseph or Increase by such a daily Increase in all kind of Perfection as mov'd God to bestow upon him even the highest of Dignities of being Spouse to the Mother and foster-Foster-Father to the Son of God O wonderful intention that raises such ordinary Actions to so high a Perfection O admirable Perfection that render'd Saint Joseph worthy in God's opinion of such great Imploments Blessed be thy Divine Majesty for bestowing 'em and thus Rewarding so great a Sanctity whereby thou did'st render hiâ— in Dignity next to JESUS and MARY I Congratulate with you O great Saint Joseph for youâ— faithful compliance with the Divine assistance obtain for mâ— a Love of all Humble Actions and teach me your Art of Joyning their exteriour practice with such an interiour and purt Intention as may render me pleasing to God and a worthy Client of your dear self The Colloquie O Infinite goodness always preventing us with your special Graces and Favours grant me such a perfect Conformity to whatsoever your Providence shall ordain and such a constant compliance with your Grace with such a Purity of Inâ—ention in all my Actions by the powerful Intercession of Saint Joseph as may obtain for me your Sanctifying Grace and Love in this Life and the Eternal Injoyment of your Divine self in the most Happy Company of JESUS MARY and JOSEPH in the next III. MEDITATION Of the Mariage of Saint Joseph Preparatory Prayer TO beg Grace of God to understand those many admirable Lessons of Perfection that are taught us in this Mistery I. Prelude IMagin a great assembly of the chief Batchelours of the Tribe of Juda whom the High-Priest had summon'd together to choose out of 'em a Husband for the Blessed Virgin Mary and behold amongst 'em Saint Joseph a most Beautiful and Comely Man of forty years of Age with a Wan in his Hand from which green Bud's sprouted forth and a Dove over his Head which were the marks that God had given the High-Priest when he Consulted the Propitiatory to know which of 'em was to be the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Behold the Ptiest also giving this most Beautiful and Modest Virgin to Saint Joseph and he Espousing her by putting a Ring on her Finger and Veiling her Head with his Cloak in token of making her pertaker of all his Goods and of his taking her into his Care and Protection II. Prelude BEG Grace to understand anâ— draw Fruit from those extraordinary Misteries that appear in this wonderful Marriage I. Point Consider the Budding of the Wan in his Hand and the Dove over his Head iâ— a token of Fruitful Purity and a mark of that Love oâ— Chastity that they both haâ— Vow'd to God Consider also how wonderfully God rewatded this Vow by choosing the one to be Mother the other to be her Spouse and Foster-Father of his only Begotten Son See the difference between God's and the World's choice he chooses a Poor Humble Trades-Man to be Husband to his Mother and for his Foster-Father â—nd Governour not any Rich or Great Person as Worldlings â—on'd have done Oh how different are God's and the Worlds â—entiments as God himself deâ—ares * Non enim cogitationes meae coâ—itationes Vestrae Nec Viae Vesâ—rae viae meae dicit Dominus Quia â—cut exaltantur Caeli a Terra sic exaltatae sunt viae meae a vijs vesâ—ris cogitationes meae a cogitationibus vestris Isaiae 55.8.9 My Thoughts are not â—ke yours nor my Ways the same â—ith your Ways For as far as â—e Heavens are exalted above â—e Earth so far are my Thoughts â—nd Ways Exalted above yours The World beheld Saint Joseph as a poor Contemptible Tradesman Heaven besides his Royal Extraction beheld him Rich in Vertue saw his admirable Chastity and Humility which render'd him worthy to be choosen a happy and fit Consort for the Queen of Angels and Mother of God O Thrice happy Marriage O Chast Espousals O most Happy pair I Congratulate with you both and Bless the Divine Goodness for this Angelical Union and that joent happiness you both obtain'd thereby Obtain for me such a Love and Practice of Purity with such an Humility as may win God's Heart and move him as your Purity and Humility did to a Love and Tenderness for me II. Point Consider what mov'd the Divine Providence to effect this extraordimary Marriage First he ordain'd it for the Comfort and Assistance of the Blessed Virgin that Saint Joseph might take care of her and protect both her and her Son Secondly for the defence of both hers and her Sons Honour that she might not be accus'd for an Adultress nor he for being Illegittimate or Unlawfully Born Thirdly that he might be a Faithful and Credible Witness of the Divine Incarnatton of the Son of God which none cou'd Testify like himself Fourthly that this Marriage might augment the esteem of Chastity which before was Contemn'd by the World and that their Example might make others Vow it as a thing more perfect than Marriage and give Example to Married Persons to Practice it and hereby produce as many Children as there shou'd be Lovers and Professours of Chastity in Marriage Wherefore Alexins Eleazar Julian Henry the Emperour and Edward
feelings one to another occasion after these most Joyful Tydings The Colloquie O Infinite Goodness that thus triest and rewardest even thy best Servants let all Saints and Angels praise thee for this thy Bounty to thy dearest Mother and her dearest Spouse and cry out with Saint Paul †Non sunt Condignae Passiones hujus temporis ad futuram gloriam quae revelabitur in nobis Rom. 8.18 That all the Afflictions and Iribulations of this World are nothing in comparison of the Glory they will Cloath us withall in the next Grant us O God that with Patience Courage and Conformity we may suffer those thou shalt vouchafe to send us as they did rather to please thee than for any other Reward that can be hop'd for O Pious Joseph O Amiable Virgin Interceed to obtain this Favour for us by your powerful Intercessions in all perplexing Difficulties V. MEDITATION Of the Vertues Saint Joseph exercis'd at the Birth Circumcision and Presentation of the Son of God Prepratory Prayer BEG Grace of God profitably to consider the Examples Saint Joseph gives us in these three Mysteries I. Prelude IMAGINE Saint Joseph after his tiresome Winter Journy of thirty Miles with our Blessed Lady who had now almost accomplish'd her ninth Month ariv'd at Bethleem whither he came to comply with the Emperours Edict to enrole himself and his Consort Behold him with Solicitude seeking a place for her to retire into but finding none he is forc'd to lead her into a poor ruinous Stable where the Son of God is Born There behold him Adoring him newly Born Then Circumcising and giving him the Name of JESUS And lastly accompany them with their Divine Infant to the Temple where they are met by Simeon and Anne who had long expected this happy hour and attend to what pass'd in this meeting II. Prelude BEG Grace to understand and profit by those Pious Thoughts wherewith Saint Joseph's Heart was replenish'd whilst he Contemplated these wonderful Mysteries I. Point Consider how promptly Saint Joseph Obey'd the Emperours Edict chearfully quitting in the circumstance his Spouse was in those conveniencies they had at Nazareth to expose himself and her to the inconveniencies of a long Winter Journy to go to a strange place where by reason of his Poverty he cou'd expect none wanting wherewithall to purchase ' em O wonderful Love of Poverty and Mortification O blind Obedience O admirable Confidence in the Divine Providence He knew the Emperours Edict was God's Command who cou'd and wou'd take care of 'em and support 'em to comply with it O! What Heavenly Discourse past in the way upon this Subject O! What Acts of Resignation to the Inconveniencies and usage they met withall Being deny'd place in an Inn and forc'd to lodge and and bring forth her Son in a Stable O! What Joy was it to him to become a Victime of Obedience and feel these sensible effects of Poverty O! What Love what Compassion what sorrow fill'd his tender Heart to see what the Divine Infant and his Mother suffer'd at his entrance into the World What Acts of Love what Congratulations and Thanksgiving did he the give him And with what Joy and Comfort did JESUS fill his Heart pierc'd with Sorrow for what he and his Mother Suffer'd by his Heavenly Smiles and Carresses And how did the Angels by their Heavenly Canticles endeavour to Comfort and Rejoyce his sad Heart as they had done the Shep-heards whō they brought to Adore him And what occasion did the sight also of the Offerings and Adorations of the three Kings give him to Bless Admire and Love the Divine Providence Procuring these Honnour 's to the Divine Infant and his Mother O the Charming Beauty of Poverty O the Dignity of Humility O unspeakable Pleasure of Suffering Mortification for God in God and with God! O Divine Lessons taught us and practis'd not only by S. Joseph but by no less than God himself yet how are these admirable Virtues thus esteem'd by God contemn'd by Men O Blessed Joseph obtain for me such a Love Esteē and Practice of 'em as may constantly replenish all my Thoughts and Actions influenc'd by those that were Communicated to your Heart from the Heart of the Divine Infant JESUS II. Point Consider Saint Joseph performing that hard task of Obedience in Circumcising this Divine Infant Imagine how the Pain he caus'd him pierc'd his own Heart consider how the Divine Infant by his Smiles and Interiour Inspirations encourag'd assisted and even provok'd and help'd him to performthis great Pledge of his Divine Love by this early shedding of his Sacred Blood Consider what a strife of Joy and Sorrow were rais'd in Saint Joseph's Heart first by beholding him shedding his Precious Blood and Contemplating this Fountain and Stream of Mercy as a certain Pledge of Mans Redemption and secondly by feeling himself the Pain he occasion'd by the Wound he gave him Consider also the Joy with which Saint Joseph gave and the Divine Infant receiv'd the Holy Name of JESUS Beg Saint Joseph's Intercession to pronounce it with such a tender Affection and Devotion as may render it essential towards the Salvation of your Soul O JESUS be to me a JESUS OH Joseph beg of him to be to me a JESUS for Love he bears to his most Blessed Mother and your dearest self III. Point Consider that forty Days after his Birth Saint Joseph led the Blessed Virgin Mother with her Divine Infant to the Temple carrying a pair of Turtles in his Hand for his Redemption where Saint Simeon and the Holy Prophetess Anne after many Years Expectation of this Happy Day were Inspir'd to receive them at the Gate Joyn your self to this pious Procession behold with what a transport of Joy Saint Simeon takes the Divine Infant out of his Mothers Arms into his own and how willingly the Blessed Virgin parted with what was dearer to her than her Life to make an Oblation of him to his Eternal Father Hearken to Saint Simeons Prophecy in this transport and consider with what Affection he Offers his Life to the God of Life Behold Saint Joseph's Heart pierc'd whilst Saint Simeon foretold the piercing of that of his Spouse Behold also the Joy Saint Joseph felt in hearing that JESUS was to be the Light and Salvation of the Gentil's as well as of the People Israel Behold Saint Joseph Offering the Turtles to Saint Simeon to Redeem his Beloved JESUS O wonderful Riches of Poverty Acceptable to God for the Purchase and Redemption of an inestimable Treasure O what a mutual Joy pass'd between JESUS and Joseph at this Reception into his Arms And between him and his Mother in in being restor'd to her's O Powerful Joseph obtain for me such a disposition as his Mother your self and Saint Simeon had as often as I Receive him and obtain for me such a Disposition of Heart for his Reception as may cause a Joy in him to be Receiv'd by me The Colloquie O Divine Infant
inspire me with those Thoughts of these Mysteries wherewith thou didst Inspire the tender and Loving Heart of Saint Joseph O most Holy Joseph obtain by your Spouses and your own Intercession such a true Disposition of Heart to Receive and lay them up in my Heart that I may profit by them that hereby my Heart may become a grateful Present to you to Offer to JESUS Behold such as it is I here Offer with all the Affection I am able O Increase this Affection that the present may be more acceptable and than Offer it to the Divine JESUS the God of my Heart VI. MEDITATION Of the Virtues Saint Joseph Exercis'd in the Flight of JESUS into Aegypt in his Return from thence and at his loss of him in Jerusalem Preparatory Prayer BEG Grace to see and Imitate those Virtues Saint Joseph practis'd in these Mysteries I. Prelude BEHOLD Saint Joseph as soon as he heard the Angel Pronounce those Words Take the Child and his Mother and fly into Aegypt getting up at Midnight and without any delay beginning a long Winter Journy of above a hundred and sixty Miles with his Spouse the Blessed Virgin and her tender Infant JESUS not yet a Year old Behold him also exercising his Trade for seven Years together at Mattutes six miles from Babylon amidst a company of Idolaters who were incited by the Devil to treat these Holy Persons after a most rude and inhuman manner All which Saint Joseph patiently suffer'd till he was warn'd by an Angel to return home Then imagine them returning back the same tedious Winter Journy to Nazareth were remaining four Years they ascended with JESUS now twelve Years of of Age to Jerusalem where they lost him and returning back to seek him found him in the Temple II. Prelude BEG Grace rightly to Consider the profit Saint Joseph made by all these Mysteries and beg his Intercession to do the like I. Point Consider Saint Joseph's Blind and Prompt Obedience by intirely adandoning himself to God's Provindence Quitting at mid-night his Country his House Friends and all other Conveniencies to begin a long Winter Journey to go to live amongst Idolaters The Love of JESUS and his Precious Life made him set at naught all other things to save this God's Will was his Guide and Law which he Blindly Obey'd without consulting his Reason which might have suggested difficulties and objected for Example why at this time of Night Why in this hard season of Winter Why must we go amongst Idolaters and not rather to the three Kings What must he Fly He who is to Save others Cannot he Save himself How long must we remain in this Banishment But nothing pass'd of all this he knew Reason was not to be Consulted but Contradicted when God Commands He knew God never adandon's those that abandon themselves to his Providence O sublime Obedience O perfect Resignation O admirable Confidence O Holy Joseph obtain for me these Vertues Practis'd by thee after so sublime a manner as rais'd thee to this Dignity of becoming Saviour to him who was to Save the whole World II. Point Consider what a Mortified Life Saint Joseph must needs lead amongst such Barbarous Idolaters Consider what he must Interiourly suffer for seven Years together by seeing God continually Offended And what Exteriour Sufferings he underwent by a want of all things Living only upon the poor Earnings of his Trade and the effects of Poverty he saw JESUS and his Spouse suffer were more sensible than his own and then behold and admire his Patience Resignation and Joy in Suffering with and for JESUS Consider how by his continual Adorations and Honours done to God he endeavour'd to satisfie for those Idolatries which he with a sad Heart continually beheld O Pious O Patient and Resign'd Joseph teach me how to Love and to Express my Love by Labours and Sufferings as you did and that Love may make Labours and Sufferings both Easie and Delightful assist me to undergo them as in the Presence and purely for the sake of JESUS Then Consider what Joy the Angels tidings of Herod's Death occasion'd in his Heart not for his own sake but for the sake of JESUS whose Life Herod sought and which was dearer to him than his own O teach me this generous and disinteress'd Love that may make me have no regaurd at all to my own Interest but that my chief delight may be only in what relates to God's Honour and Happiness III. Point Consider at Saint Joseph's return from Jerusalem how sensible he was when he miss'd JESUS finding he had lost the only object of his Love and fearing this loss might proceed from his own Fault and Negligence Consider his Resignation to this so sensible Affliction and with what Peace and equality of Mind he bore it and with what Diligence he sought him and then consider what Joy his Heart felt when he found him and heard his Divine Disputations with the Doctours in the Temple Consider also what Joy the Words of our Blessed Lady caus'd in his Soul when she gave him the Title of Father which Joy was accompanied with no less Humility and Confusion reflecting upon his own unworthiness thereof O great Saint Joseph Interceed that I may never loose JESUS through my own Fault and when he withdraws himself that I may suffer it with resignation and so efficaciously seek him that I may find him as soon as you did The Colloquie O Infinite Goodness grant me by the Intercession of Saint Joseph that I may in all things intirely abandon my self to your Divine Will Patiently suffer what you think best where when and as long as you please grant that I may never Wilfully loose you but when you please to withdraw your self may suffer it with that Patience and Resignation and seek you with such Fervour and Constancy as that I may find you VII MEDITATION Of Saint Joseph's eighteen Years Conversation with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth Preparatory Prayer TO beg of God to understand the great profit Saint Joseph made by the advantage of two such admirable Examples encreasing in all sorts of Vertue I. Prelude IMAGINE your self to hear his Royal Progenitor David under a Similitude Prophetically declare in the following words the profit he made by his abode at Nazareth †Justus ut Palina florebit sicut Cedrus Libani multiplicabitur plantati in Domo Domini in atrijs Domus Dei nostri florebunt Psal 91.13 The Just says he planted in the House or Court of God shall florish like a Palm Tree and Increase or be Exalted in Perfection like a Cedar of Libanus See how Saint Joseph verifies this Prediction both by his Title of Just and Name of Joseph which signifies An Increase and reflect how like a Cedar he grew and increas'd even to the highest pitch of Perfection in Nazareth which may truly be call'd the House and Court of God since 't was the Habitation of the Son of God his Virgin Mother and his
sit For tho' it wou'd have been an incredible satisfaction to the Faithful to have had him as much Lov'd and honor'd during the whole time of the Law of Grace as now yet God wou'd reserve this Joy and Contentment for these latter Years And therefore the Devout and Learn'd Bellarmin was wont to call this Age in which we now Live the Age of Saints He judging the number of Persons that arrive to an eminent degree of Sanctity by makeing Petfection the chief and whole study of their Lives to be far greater in these our Days than ever ir was in former Ages No time therefore cou'd be better for the acknowledging and serving Saint Joseph the greatest of Saints than the Age of Saints wherein the Splendor of his Perfections might appear so much the more Glorious by how much it had been for so many Agoâ— Eclipsed and lain under a Cloud O how wonderful is God in all his Designs And how good is he to us who Live in this Age Since he depriv'd former Ages of the Beauty of this Sun and ordain'd it shou'd break through that Cloud it lay hid in in this our Age to give us this most bright Day and to move us to a servent Love and Devotion to Saint Joseph Moreover the Divine Providence has in this which is one of the chief works of Grace acted after the same manner as he do's in the rarest Master-pieces of Nature 'T is his special Favor that permits us to enjoy the sight of these Beautiful Objects which are the product of his Divine Creation Such as are Diamonds Rubies Emerods Pearls and all other sorts of Precious Stones that gives us also a sight of Gold Silver and other resplendent Metals yet there are far greater Treasures of this kind buried in the Bottom of the Sea and in the Bowels of the Earth than ever we have yet seen or heard of His Bounty let 's us also behold the many Beautiful Flowers Plants Trees Birds and Beasts together with that wonderful and agreeable variety of so many beautiful Faces of Men Women and Children the wonders of the Universe yet God has layd up and kept a reserve of all these Objects far more Beautiful than any we have ever yet seen He permits us also to behold the most glorious objects of the Sun Moon and Stars tho' their distance hinders us in some measure from perceiving that wonderful Beauty they contain in themselves But there are far greater richer and more beautiful Objects than all these in the Empyrial Heaven which God has still conceal'd from us which are as far above the Sun in Beauty as the Empyrial Heaven is above it in Height Tho' God's Liberality and Bounty towards us in affording us the Contemplation of all these Beautiful Objects is a great mark of his Goodness Yet he has been far more gracious towards us in shewing us the wonderful works of his Grace than in discovering to us the foresaid works of Nature By giving us some knowledge of those wonderful ornaments of the Empyrial Heaven especially of those two great Luminaries Jesus and Mary which adorn and imbelish his Heavenly Pallace together with a great number of other Saints also who like so many Blaeing Stars Beautifie his Caelestial Hierusalem or Vision of Peace And tho' we must own our sight too short and even too weak to behold these great Lights whose number is beyond our casting up and whose Beauty and Glory exceed our Imagination because we can have no full and compleat knowledge of 'em till we be so happy as to enjoy their company by being plac'd with them in the Celestial Court Yet we must nevertheless acknowledge this imperfect and abstractive knowledge he gives us as a special favour and also that he has after so extraordinary a manner been pleas'd to discover to us in this our Age one of the Richest Treasures of Heaven for Greatness Sanctity and Glory which for so many foregoing Ages he had conceal'd from the World that we may inrich our selves by paying due honour and affection to him whom he had rais'd to the honour of being the Foster Father of Jesus and Spouse of the Virgin Mary and hereby gain those Heavenly Blessings that accompany such a Devotion And 't is no less for Saint Joseph's greater honour than our greater merit that God has reserv'd the discovery of his Merits till our Days We also know that except the work of Creation of all things out of nothing that nothing is done here upon Earth without fit Dispositions and due Preparations The Painter prepares his Pallet with Colours and primes his Cloath before he begins to Paint The Architect squares and makes ready his Timber Stone and other Materials before he begins to Build The Gold-smith refines his Silver and hammers out his Plates before he begins to imboss his Work Ladies make up their Commodes all their other Ornaments and Rich Attire before they Dress or Adorn themselves A good Rhetoritian prepares and disposes his Matter and Figures to adorn his Oration before he Composes it Nay we see that even all sorts of Artisans prepare both Tools and Matter to work upon and great preparations are made before any excellent Piece of Work can be accomplish'd and when 't is done 't is also necessary that the Beholders shou'd be duly inform'd and well dispos'd for the better conceiving understanding and admiring it's Perfections God therefore would dispose the World to conceive and understand the great Perfections of Saint Joseph before he wou'd discover to them such a Master-Piece And not only Art but Nature also do's produce her Works by degrees nor do's she furnish them without many Previous Dispositions and Trials of her Skill For according to Pliny who search'd more narrowly into her Works than any other Naturalist has ever done â—â—ys that †Campanula rudimentum est Naturae Lilia facere addiscentis The Bell-flower is an Essay 〈◊〉 Tryal of Nature how to make a â—â—illy or Tulip For after she has thus â—ade or produc'd it of one Colour â—he takes still longer time as the â—â—ost experienc'd Florists inform us â—o Adorn Trace and Paint it after â—o Artificial a manner with so many â—indes of rich resplendent Colours â—s render it so very Beautiful that â—he Divine Wisdom gives it this high Commendation saying * Nec Salomon in omni Gloria suâ— coopertus est sicut unum ex illis Matth. 6.29 That Salomon in all his Glory was not so Richly Attir'd as one of these Yet Nature do's not Communicate this Beauty to them but by degrees and after several tryals of her Skill for she first rais'd it from Seed only of one Colour which Colour also is very indifferent and ordinary in respect of those Colours wherewith she afterwards Stripes Traces and Adorn's it Now if from the Works of Art and Nature we have recourse to those of Grace immediately wrought by God himself we shall find he takes the self same
nothing neerer their Hearts than Jesus Mary Joseph The Children also of Sainâ— Francis Sales who are the Religious of the Visitation in this make knowâ— both their own and their Foundeâ—â— inclinations And the Nuns of the Word Incarnate or the Annunciates from their first beginning put themselves under his happy Protection The manner of celebrating hiâ— Feast is the same with that we Celebrate the Feast of other Saints some Fast upon the Eve in his honour others perform some otheâ— Pennance and Mortification for the same end others Communicate upon his Feast others abstain from aservil Works as upon Sundays others give more time to Prayer thaâ— upon other Days others Read hâ— Life others spend the Day in more Religious Exercises performing all this in testimony of their Love to Saint Joseph The second Devotion is to take him for your special Patron and Directour for the following Year or shou'd you already have chosen him for such then to make choice of him for the effecting some particular affair you have in hand of great Importance Resolve to perform some Devotions to him for this Intention for the space of some Months as the necessity or length of your affairs shall require †Ex Libro de gloria S. Joseph Mother Jane of the Angels of whom I have already spoken beg'd of Saint Joseph upon New Years Day that he wou'd take her for that Year 1636. into his Protection and by his powerful Intercession obtain of our Saviour the Blessing of being deliver'd from all Interiour or Exteriour Impediments in God's Service and to dispossess her of those Devils that Tormented her and free her from whatsoever else that kept or retarded her Soul from the Union of his Divine Love The Night following as she fell asleep she seem'd to feel a more particular Devotion than ordinary accompany'd with a most incredible sweet smell quite different from all other scents that are found in the Perfumes of this World And at the same time she heard a Voice that sayd to her Behold him to whom thou hast Recommended thy self Hereupon the Holy Patriarch Saint Joseph came into her mind and her Heart was fill'd with an extraordinary veneration for and love of him She seem'd in her Sleep to see such a dazeling Light as far exceeded the Brightness and Splendor of the Sun Within which she beheld a Countenance full of wonderful Majesty so Beautiful that she neither found Words to express it nor any Comparisons whereby to discover her Thoughts After all the Person spoke to her as follows Conserve Patience and Constancy in these Sensible difficulties you suffer support 'em with Resignation and endeavour to forget your self for God has Favours in store to bestow upon you Tell your Exorcist that if Men labour not for your Recovery God will make it his own Work By all means let him continue his Endeavours and God by his Ministery will Expel the Devil that most of all hinders your Devotions This being sayd all Vanish'd except the Perfume which lasted so strong for some time after that when she awak'd she verily thought her Chamber had been Perfum'd Her Thoughts were taken up all the Day following with a Confidence in our Saviour and with the Assurance of Saint Joseph's Assistance in this extream necessity she was then in Nor was she deceiv'd for five Days after upon the Feast of the Epiphany she found the effect of her Protectour's Intercession by being dispossess'd of that Devil that did so maliciously interrupt her Devotions The Father Exorcist Commanding him in the Presence of all that were Spectatours that for a Mark of his going out he shou'd write the Name of Mary upon her Hand as he did tho' not without great difficulty and repugnance fixing this Name in very legible Characters immediately above Saint Joseph's which had been writ there before upon the going out of another Devil which Names during her whole Life appear'd as clear and distinct as they did the first Day which I my self was an Eye-witness of as the sayd Religious past by Lyons to go to Anessy to visit the Tomb of Saint Francis of Sales in the Year 1638. I say nothing of the Names of JESUS and Saint Frantis of Sales that were to be seen on the back of the same Hand Writ at the Command of the Exorcist as a Mark of these Devils quitting their Possession which by God's Permission they had taken of her Body that being not so much to my purpose which is only to declare how much it conduc'd to her Happiness to have recourse to Saint Joseph for his Protection either upon his own or upon any other Feast The third Devotion that may be perform'd to Saint Joseph is to take him for our chief Patron and Advocate during our whole Life and Yearly to renew this Resolution upon his Feast I know a Religious Person of our Society who constantly practises this Devotion every Year Offering himself unto him by the Recital of such a Prayer as in our Sodalities of our Blessed Lady erected in our Colledges is publickly recited at their Reception into it I pretend not to perswade you to perform this Exercise every Day lest to some it might seem too great a burthen but only once a Year at least upon his chief Feast which his true Clients can not think too much to perform And the first time one makes use of this Prayer 't is fit to choose him for our particular Patron and Protector The Prayer is short and therefore I shall insert it heer as I shall insert a longer at the end of this Book Page 25. amongst other particular Devotions to be recited at Leisure O Holy Joseph Spouse of the most Blessed Virgin Mary I N. N. choose you this Day for my special Advocate and Patron and do firmly purpose never to forsake you nor to say do nor suffer any under my charge to say or do any thing against your Honour I earnestly therefore beseech you that you will please to take me for your perpetual and constant Servant and to aid and assist me in all my Actions especially in the hour of my Death Amen Make a firm Resolution to keep this Purpose and renew it often either at Holy Communion or when you visit the Blessed Sacrament whereby you will render this Devotion more Pleasing to God more Honorable to the Saint and more profitable to your self The fourth Devotion may either be to offer Mass your self or get a Priest to offer one in Honour of Saint Joseph and that piece of the Eastern Church History that was found and offer'd to Pope Adrian the V I. as very authentick assures us that CHRIST assisting Saint Joseph at his Death gave him his Blessing and Promiss'd to give the same to all those that shou'd offer Sacrifice to God in Honour of Saint Joseph upon the Day of his Glorious Death the ninteenth of March But we have no Sacrifice except the Sacrifice of Holy Mass And
â—enth Chapter Recounts a very Remarkable Example of a Gentleman of Venice so Devoted to Saint Joseph who Daily upon his Knees he was wont to recite before his Image several Devotions in his Honour This Person lying dangerously Sick without thinking as he shou'd have done of a Penitent Confession his cares being rather taken up about the Health of his Body than that of his Soul Being in this condition Saint Joseph mindfull of his past Devotions to him shews himself a true Friend and Father to his Soul by Appearing to him and warning him to make a good and speedy Confession and to prepare himself for Death which was neerer him than he imagin'd he follow'd his Councel put himself in a good State Receiv'd the last Sacraments and assisted by Saint Joseph in his last Agony made a most happy End and Receiv'd hereby a Reward for his constant Devotions to this Saint Another Example of later Date I receiv'd from the Testimony of Persons most worthy of Credit A Father of the SOCIETY being desir'd earnestly by some Friends to say a Mass and another of the same SOCIETY not Priest to Offer nine Communions in Honour of Saint Joseph that by his powerful Intercession a neer Kins-Man of theirs might be drawn from a Wicked Licentious Life in which he had been so Miserably plung'd for the space of five Years that by no means or Prayers they cou'd use they â—ou'd prevail with him to Live even like a Man of Honour before Men as became his Quality much less like a Christian before God as his Sacred Character and Habit also he â—ore requir'd At the self same time these Prayers were Offer'd for this Person he fell grieviously Sick as his Relation had desir'd he might in case no other means wou'd reform him and so it fell out according to his wish the Distemper increas'd to such an Extremity that â—he Receiv'd the last Sacraments and then Miraculously Recover'd with a Resolution hereafter to imploy his time and all his endeavours in a Work of great Importance to God's Glory Which he Faithfully perform'd to the great Edification and Comfort of all that knew him who were witness of this great change wrought by Saint Joseph This Conversion happen'd at Paris Another no less strange Conversion than this happen'd at Lyons where a Young Man of very good Condition who had pass'd his Youth in the Fear of God and infine was resolv'd to quit the World and intirely give himself to God's Service for the greater security of his Salvation But this design not pleasing his Parents they endeavour'd to devert him from it but very unhappily for he now seeing himself Frustrated of his design of executing his good Desires his former servour cooling by little and little he fell from a Remisness in his Devotions to an intire neglect of them at last he quite loos'd the Rains of his Passions and gave himself up to all shameful Liberties Then he betakes himself to the War where he exercises all the Licentiousness of a Souldiers Life So that there was no Mischief or Excess in which he was not the Ringleader In the mean time his Father and Mother Conscious of their great Fault haveing a Sense of Piety and of God's Honour and Glory fell into unconsolable Regrets and Afflictions of Mind acknowledging their Errour and never giving over by Letters and Good Counsels both by them selves and Friends to perswade him to quit his Irregularities but all in vain his Heart being harden'd and become obstinate At length as their last Refuge they have recourse to Saint Joseph daily beseeching him to reclaim and bring back this Prodigal Child by taking him under his Protection The third day they had earnestly Offer'd these daily Devotions the Young Man return'd home cast himself at his Parents Feet beg'd their Pardon for his follies began a new Life and corresponded to his former Vocation by entring into Religion in which God Rewarded him with Perseverance all which Favours he obtain'd by Saint Joseph's Intercession We have in our Church in Lyons a Votive Picture of a Woman extreamly afflicted for the Debaucheries of her Husband no endeavours for Reclaiming him prevailing she had Recourse to Saint Joseph making a Vow to him for the obtaining her Husbands Conversion which she had no sooner perform'd but her Husbands Thoughts were quite chang'd and he was never after Disloyal to his Consort A Person of Worth and Confident Friend of mine writ to me a little while ago knowing I had a Piece of Work in Hand in honour of Saint Joseph assuring me that Saint Joseph had Deliver'd her from a most miserable slavery and thraldom of Mind which happen'd to her after the following manner She having fail'd in a matter of great Importance even against a Vow made to God cou'd not bring her self to a plain and clear Confession of her Fault finding this great difficulty and repugnance she fully resolv'd to overcome so dangerous a Bashfulness and for this end that she might obtain Grace of God to put her Soul in a good State for nine Days together she sayd the Hymn and Prayer of Saint Joseph Printed at the end of this Book Page 20. and upon the ninth Day she felt a strange Remorse for her Offence found a sufficient Courage to declare all and to make a good Confession which she perform'd with a very great Sorrow and a firm purpose of Amendment and ever after resolv'd to carry about her an Image of Saint Joseph even in the Night to preserve her from bad Dreams whereby she acknowledges to have Receiv'd very singular help and Assistance CHAP. XII The Miraculous Assistance which Saint Joseph giv's in Curing Corporal Diseases especially the Plague THE Examples I here set down I have chosen out of many more they being what I was either an Eye Witness of or was very well acquainted with the Persons upon whom they were wrought in this our City of Lyons where I now live or else are such as have irrefragable Authority to â—rove their Truth None can doubt of what Saint Teâ—sa her self recounts of the Miratulous Cures he wrought upon her â—n her Youth and in those very â—ong and lasting Distempers She â—ad after she was Religious Who for eight Months together lost the use of all her Limbs suffer'd frequent Faintings Soundings Palpitations of the Breast all which were her ordinary Distempers that held her for three Years together from all which she was Deliver'd by the Intercession of Saint Joseph to whom she was extreamly Devoted and whose Feast she kept every Year with very great Solemnity she being upon it suddenly free'd from those long Distempers that had kept her for so long a time in her Bed and able to rise and walk about the House as if she had never been Sick Sister Jane of the Angels being brought to Deaths Dore by a Mortal Plurisie there being according to the Physitians Opinion no hopes of her Recovery receiv'd it by Saint
Body decently Enterr'd in the Valley of Josaphat by our Saviour and his mournful Spouse and after our Saviour's Resurrection rais'd to Life Which also Ascended with him to Heaven where he plac'd him in the Seat next to that he had ordain'd for thâ— Blessed Virgin his Mother II. Prelude BEG Grace of God so to Livâ— as to enjoy the Assistance of JESUS MARIA JOSEPH at our Death and their Company also in Heaven I. Point Saint Joseph according to Cedrinus dy'd a little before the Baptisme of JESUS at seventy Years of Age Assisted by JESUS and MARY Consider with what Joy and Resignation he suffer'd the Incommodities of Sickness and the Pang's of his approaching Death knowing they wou'd put an end to all his Labours and Miseries in this World and open to him the Gate of Happiness in the next Imagine what Comfort he Receiv'd from those Pious and Fervent Acts our Saviour suggested to him Consider what thanks our Saviour and Blessed Lady gave him for all the Care and Pains he had taken of them Congratulating with him for the great Reward he was ready to receive for them all Consider also what thanks Saint Joseph Return'd for their constant Affection towards him begging as the last Favour their powerful help and Intercession for a happy passage to Eternity And then consider with what a Peaceful Resignation and with what a Joyful and Smiling Countenance he render'd his Soul to God his Creator by the Hands of JESUS his Redeemer Consider our Saviour Closing his Eyes and Composing his Sweet Countenance with his Sacred Hands Behold his Blessed Mother recommending his Soul to the Eternal Father of JESUS O most happy Death The certain Reward of a most Pious Life O Happy Joseph Dying in the Merciful Armes of JESUS and MARY Obtain for me by your Pious Intercession that I may so serve them during my whole Life that I may enjoy your and their Comfortable Assistance at my Death II. Point Consider a great Company of Angels sent by God to Conduct his Soul to Limbo Consider the Joyful tydings he brought thither of their Speedy Deliverance he having for thirty Years continually Converst with and Serv'd the Messias Consider also what care our Saviour and our Blessed Lady took in Burying his Precious Body according to Saint Hierom in the Valley of Josaphat between Mount Olivet and Mount Sion in the self same place where the Virginal Body of his Spouse was afterwards for some Days to Repose Thrice Happy Soul thus Dear to God and his Angels O most Precious Relicks Thus taken care of by the Son of God and Queen of Angels Oh how estimable in God's sight is whatsoever belongs to his Saints and Servants O Holy Joseph obtain by your Intercession that in Body and Soul I may so serve the Amiable JESUS here that they may be Lov'd and Esteem'd by him hereafter III. Point Consider that after our Saviours Resurrection he took Saint Joseph and several others his special Servants out of Limbo Rais'd his Body to Life after his own and carried him to Visit and Comfort his Blessed Mother O what Joy What Comfort And with what Reason Consider our Saviour afterwards carrying him with him in Triumph at his Ascension into Heaven placing him there next to the Seat prepar'd for his Blessed Mother giving him power to obtain all Favours for his Clients together with a tender Heart of a Father and a tender Affection of a Spouse towards them Consider also the Part he had in the Mystery of the Incarnation his bearing the Dignity of Spouse to the Mother and foster-Foster-Father to the Son of God Consider that the Labours Pains and Dangers he underwent in their thirty Years Service requir'd such a speedy Reward in Heaven The Truth of which was Verified by the Glory that appear'd about the Head of Saint Bernardine when in a Sermon he declar'd this Truth Where he receives the Reward of Virgins for his Fidelity to the Vow of Virginity the Reward of Doctours for Reducing so many Idolaters in Aegypt to the Worship of the True God Of Martyrs and Confessours in the Labours and Dangers he Suffer'd for JESUS And therefore he deserves the Crown of Virgins Doctours Confessours and Martyrs and to be Honour'd by all above all next to JESUS and MARY The Colloquie O Powerful Joseph Foster-Father to JESUS and Spouse to MARY who hast the Heart of a Father and Affection of a Spouse for thy true Clients and hast also the Power of JESUS and MARY joyn'd with thy own for their Assistance in all their Necessities Obtain for me such a Filial Confidence in thee and such a tender Affection for thee as JESUS and MARY had that I may obtain their and thy Powerful Assistance in all the exigencies of this Life and the happy enjoyment of their and thy Company in the Life to come Amen FINIS THE TABLE OF THE DEVOTIONS TO Saint Joseph Spouse to the B. V. Mary Mother of Jesus THE Office of Saint Joseph Pag. 3. The Litany of Saint Joseph P. 15. The Hymn in Honour of Saint Joseph Pag. 20. A Votive Oblation to Saint Joseph to choose him for our Patron Pag. 25. The Beads of Saint Joseph Pag. 28. Seven Prayers or Devotions Containing the seven Dolours and Joyes of Saint Joseph Pag. 30. The I. Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph Ibid. The II. Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph Pag. 32. The III. Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph Pag. 33. The IV. Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph Pag. 34. The V. Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph Pag. 35. The VI. Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph Pag. 36. The VII Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph Pag. 37. Eight Meditations for the Octave of Saint Joseph Pag. 41. I. Med. Of the Sanctification Birth and Name of S. Joseph Ibid. II. Med. Of the Humble Vocation and Sanctity of S. Joseph P. 48. III. Med. Of the Marriage of Saint Joseph Pag. 56. IV. Med. Of Saint Joseph's Journey with the Blessed Virgin to Visit S. Elizabeth P. 66. V. Med. Of the Virtues Saint Joseph exercis'd at the Birth Circumcision and Presentation of the Son of God Pag. 76. VI. Med. Of the Virtues Saint Joseph exercis'd in the Flight of JESUS into Aegypt his Return from thence and at his Loss of him in Jerusalem Pag. 87. VII Med. Of Saint Joseph's eighteen Years Conversation with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth Pag. 96. VIII Of Saint Joseph's last Sickness Death and Glory in Heaven Pag. 109.