is our hony the bitter death of Christ by reason of his righteousnes is the sweete life of man As Hammons face was couered when he was condemned to dye so the Sunnes face was couered when Christ was condemned to dye As Dauid rent his garment when hee heard of Ionathans death so the Temple rent his vaile when it hearde of Christes death As the king of Niniuy threw vp dust vpon his head when he and his subiects were appointed to dye so the graues opened threwe vp dust vpon their heades when Christ was appointed to dye As Iob cut his haire when hee heard of his Childrens death so the stones were cutte in peeces and cloue asunder when they heard of Christes death As there were fowre riuers in the terrestriall Paradice which watered the whole earth so in Christ who is our Paradice there are founde fowre fountaines The first fountaine is of mercie to wash awaie our sinnes with the water of remission The second is of wisedome to asswage our thirst with the water of discretion The third of grace to water the plants of good workes with the dewe of deuotion And the fourth fountaine is to season our affections with the waters of emulation Bernardus sermone primo de natiuitate Christi As the Sunne exceedeth all celestiall lightes in quantitie brightnes dignity and power so Christ excelleth all the Saintes in goodnes wisedome honour might F. Ioannes a S. Geminiano lib. 1. de caelo et elementâ—s cap. 91 Olimpus a mountaine of Macedonia is so hye that the cloudes are said to be vnder it for it is of such an altitude that neuer any wind toucheth the top of it neither any grosnes of ayre ascendeth to it which the Philosophers ascending that they might viewe the courses motions of the stars coulde not liue there vnlesse they caried with them spunges full of water that so by the attraction of water they might draw grosser ayre as it is reported in history so Christ hath so farre exceeded al the Saints in excellencie of life all the whirlewindes of passions and tribulations in the altitude of patience and all men in the height of wisedome so that the Philosphers coulde not reach vnto the height of his diuinity but by spunges that is by creatures full of the water of celestiall wisedome Ibidem As the hearbe Dracontea hath the similitude of a serpent but is without venim yea it is most contrary to serpentes and especially to vipers so Christ had the shape of sinfull flesh but he was altogither without sinne yea he is most opposit to it and especially to the deuill Idem lib. 3. de vegetabilibus et plantis cap. 85. As the flower is the Medium betweene the branche and the fruit so Christ is the mediator betweene man and God Ibid. As a Hen doth gather her chickeÌ„s vnder her winges doth defend them against the kite doth feed them with the meate she findeth so Christ doth gather his elect vnder the wings of his protectioÌ„ in one faith vnity of the church doth defend theÌ„ against the raging of the world doth feede theÌ„ not only with material bread but with the spirituall foode of his heauenly doctrine Idem lib 4. de natatilibus et volatilibus cap. 98. The Holy Ghost AS Iron cast into the fire doth participate of the nature of fire his owne substance stil remayning so man by the working of the holy Ghost is transformed into God yet still remayning man beeing a partaker of the diuine purity noblenes as he was a partaker whoe said I doe not now liue but Christ liueth in me Ludov. Granat li. 1 duc peccat As oyle among all liquid substances is the fittest too preserue light and to cure woundes so the dinine vnction of the holy Ghost doth cure the woundes of our will and doth illuminate the darkenes of ourvnderstanding ibidem As he that is ouer come with much wine loseth the vse of his sences neither differeth much from a dead man by reason of the strength of the wine so when any one is full of the heauenly wine of the holy Ghost he dieth to the world and hath all his sences with all their desires shackled and fettred Ibidem As water sette ouer a fire when it doth wax hot as if it had forgot the owne proper nature swelleth aloft imitating the nature and lightnes of the fire so also the soule being inflamed with the heauenly fire of the holy Ghost is exalted aboue it selfe and caried vp to heauen whence that fire is sent Ibidem As the Sun shineth of his owne accord the day is enlightned a fountaine streameth and a showre falleth so the heauenly spirit infuseth it selfe Cyprian As the soule infused into the body is sufficient to make all the members liuing to moue and direct them vnto their seuerall offices and functions which are many diuers so the grace of the holy Ghost which is a forme supernaturall and diuine ' when it once hath entred into the soule is sufficient to moue and direct it to the acting and execuring of all the dutyes of a spirituall life Lod. Gran. in lib. de deuotione As it is not possible that the earth should fructifie onely by rayne except the wind doth blow vpon it so it is not possible that onely doctrine should correct a man except the holy Ghost woorke togither in his hart Chrysost hom 20. oper imperf As the figures of things are not seene in a blemished glasse so a man caÌ„not recelue illumination from the holy Ghost except hee cast away sinne and the lustes of the flesh Basilius de spiritu sancto As fire is not diminished albeit many candels be lighted at it as Science is not impayred although it maketh many men skillfull so the holy Ghost is neuer a whit impouerished although they be innumerable that participate of his graces Philo Iudaeus lib. de gigantibus As one the same showre descending vpon the worlde appeareth white vpon thornes red vpon roses purple vpon the hyacinth and of other colours falling vpoÌ„ diuers and sundry coloured things so the holy Ghost being one not any way diuisible doth diuide his grace to euery one as he pleaseth in one he is wisedome in an other sanctification in an other prophecy c. and yet the same Spirit Cyrillus Ierosolymit catechesi 16. As the body of flesh is none other thing but flesh so the gift of the holy Ghost is none other thing but the holy Ghost Aug. lib. 15. de trinitate cap 19. As the soule doth giue life to al the parts and members of mans body making the cye to see the care to heare so in the rest so the holy Ghost doth giue life to the meÌ„bers of Christes body which is his Church Idem lib. de gratia noui testamenti As heate commeth from fire so the holy Spirit proceedeth from the Father Paschasius de Spiritu sancto As Aaron is called Christ and
Dauid and Saule and others also and yet there is but one true Christ so an Angell is called a spirit and our soule is called a spirit and the winde is called a spirit and there is an vncleane spirit and yet there is peculiarly but one holy Spirit Cyrillus Ierosolymit catechesi 16. The holy Ghost is compared to fire to a Doue to a cloude and to a winde To fire because he doth enlighten our vnderstanding and exalteth it from the earth to heauen To a Doue because hee maketh vs simple gentle peaceable and friendes to all To a Cloud because he doth refresh and coole vs and defend vs from the heat of the flesh and doth asswage and moderate the madnes and fury of our passions And to a vehement and strong winde because he moueth and inclineth our will to all good Lodouicus Granatensis lib. 1 ducis peccatorum Heauen EVen as King Assuerus in his imperiall city of Susan shewed to his Princes all his maiesty cost royal magnificence so the great King of Kinges in his imperiall and roiall city of heauen doth shew to his elect the vnmesurablenesse of his riches wisdome liberality and goodnes and the glory and excellency of his maiesty Lodouicus Granatensis lib. 1. Ducis peccatorum As no man entred into the pallace of king Assuerus cloathed in sackecloth so it is lawfull for no man to enter into the pallace of God with a seruile garment but he must be cloathed with a wedding garment that is adorned and beautified with true loue and charity idem in eod lib. As a captaine when he goeth forth to fight or when he begirdeth any defenced castle deuiseth many kinde of stratagems for the obtaining of it rayseth fortresses maketh bulwarks and vseth many inuentions to assault and batter it that at the length he may conquer it so by all means wee must labour and endeuour that wee may get vnto our selues that most excellent place and cheefest good for it is written The kingdom of heauen suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Lodouicus Granatensis in lib. de deuotione As the Patriarch Iacob thought his 7. yeares seruice short in respect of the great loue hee bare to Rachell so wee should thinke all the tribulations of this world short in respect of the great loue we shuld beare to Heauen which is more beautifull then any Rachell Idem in suis Meditationibus As a traueller goes farre from his country and family yet is desirous to returne thither againe euen so wee as banished from this world should long for our returne to heauen our true borne countrey Stella de contemptu mundi As the pretious pearles called Vnions albeit they bee bred in the sea yet haue more affinitie with heauen the semblance of which they do represent so a godly a generous mind doth more depend of heauen whence he fetcheth his original then of the earth in which he liueth As a house excelleth a fewe ashes as a cittie excelleth a house a prouince a cittie the Romane empire a prouince and all the earth the Romane Empire and the whole circumference the point of a circle so farre incomparably Heauen extendeth and excelleth the comparison and proportion of al other things Cyrillus Ierosolymitanus catechesi 6. As there is extreame darkenesse in hell so there is glorious light in heauē Basilius lib. hexa As a spherical figure is most capable to contayne thinges so heauen being of the same figure is most capable of all ioies and blessednes As there are tenne commaundements in Moses Tables so according to moderne Astrologers there are tenne spheres in heauen Luna Mercurius Venus Sol Mars Iupiter Saturnus Caelum stellatum Caelum cristallinū siue aqueum and Primum mobile Angels EVen as the elder brethren do carry their younger brethren when they bee but little ones in their armes and doe keepe them with great care and prouidence after the same maner the Angels which are as our elder brethren do tende and keepe vs who are as their younger brethren little ones and do beare vs in their hands Lodo. Granatens lib. de deuotione As Angels are pure spirits so also pure worship and spiritual seruice is required of them ibidem As caelum crystallinū siue aqueum is not seene of vs so Angels in their owne nature are not visible vnto vs. F. Ioannes a S. Geminiano libro 1. de caelo Elementis Cap. 5. As the fire is of a more subtile substance then any other element so Angels are of a more immateriall substance then any other creature ibidem As the fire is moued of Sol and Mars as sayth Rabbi Moyses so Angels are moued of God who alwayes attende his will ibidem As the fire cannot be touched by reason of the heate so Angels cannot be touched by reason of their immaterialitie◠ibidem As the fire is a powreful element for deuastation so are angels in executing the wrath of God As a Phisitian leaueth his patient when he is past cure so the angels leaue vs when we fall into desperation Origenes hom 2 in Hieremiam As there are powers vnder earthly kings for ordering of state matters so there are principalities vnder the heauenly king for executing of his will and setting forth his praise Epiphanius haeresi 4. As our frendes lament for vs when as by reason of sicknesse and weakenes wee can receaue no meate so the holy Angels doe mourne for their soules that are not fedde with celestiall and spirituall foode Macarius hom prima As smoke banisheth Bees and filthy sauours driue awaie doues so the corrupted stinch of sinne driueth awaie the Angell that is the keeper of our life Basilius in Psalm 33. As in martiall affayres some soldiers are appointed to administer and bestow honours and some to execute vengeance punishment so holy Angelles are sent to the good and preseruation of man but diuels are sent to punish the wicked and rebellious Chrisostom hom 3 de patientia Iob. As after death there is no repentance auaylable vnto man so after the fall of Angells there was no place of repentance left vnto them Damascenus lib. 2 de fide cap. 4. The worde of God AS the same Manna was wholesome foode vnto some and corruption and wormes vnto others so the same worde of God is saluation vnto some and destruction vnto others Orig. hom 3 in numeros Wine much comforteth those that bee sound and as the scripture saith it maketh merry the hart of man but if he drinke it that hath a feuer it bringeth daunger and destruction vnto him so the word of God bringeth life vnto some and death vnto others Idem homil 5. in Iudic. As a lanterne doth lighten our steps so the word of God doth illuminate our vnderstandinges Hilarius in Psal 118. A Tree by continuall moysture doth grow to a great height so a soule that is cōtinually watered with the diuine word commeth to the perfection of Vertue Chrisostomus hom de Anna et
F. Ioannes a S. Geminiano lib. 9. de artificibus et rebus artificialibus cap. 66. The Church AS the naturall heate of our bodies is helped of the exteriour heat of heauen and as nature although most carefull to preserue it selfe doth reâ—ceiue much helpe of externall medecines created to that ende of God so also the light and inwarde helpe of grace is much helped by the light and doctrine of the Church Lodouicus Granatensis libro 2. Ducis Peccatorum As men are caried ouer the Sea in a shippe to the court of anie Prince so men are caryed to God in the shippe of the church whose Pilot Christ is Clemens Rom. epist 1. ad Iacobum As they that are wronged at one Hauen doe ariue at another so they that haue beene misled by the false Church let them haste to the true Cyprianus li. 3. epist 13. As a braunch is nourished by the sap of the roote so are Christians nourished by the milke of the church Cyprianus de simplicitate praelatorum As God is our father so the church is our mother Cyprianus As a rountaine hath many riuers so the Church hath many members Cyprianus As a man trauelling to a farre Countrie commendeth his Wife to his deere friende whome hee choyselie keepeth that her chastitie may not bee corrupted so Christ going to his Father commended and committed his Church to Preachers and Ministers his faythfull seruants which they must keepe til his comming incorrupt and inuiolate Cyprianus ex sententiis Epâ—scoporum concilij Carthaginensis As Musicke dooth not delight the hearer except there bee concorde so GOD is not delighted in the church except there be vnitie and consent Origenes tractatu 6. in Math. As manie cornes make one loafe so manie faithfull people one Church Eusebius Emissenus hom 5. de pascha As in a common-wealth some rule and some obey so in the Church some are pastours and some are sheepe Gregorius Nazianz. de modestia in disputationibus As a Wife is not put from her Husbande but onelie for fornication so the church is not put from Christ but onelie for transgression Chrisost hom 32. operis imperfecti As a Woman is not knowne whether shee will stande chast till shee hath beene solicited of vicious men and then shee is discerned so the faith of the Church is not well knowne except Antichristes come vnto it Chrysost Homil. 2. in epist. Rom. Preachers AS Trees which make large increase for themselues before they beare become much more fruitefull afterwardes vnto their owners so Preachers the more learned they are and the more time they haue well spent in the deepe mysteries of Diuinitie the more profitable they are vnto their hearers for according to the qualitie of their fruites such shall bee the profit of their auditours Lodouicus Granat lib. de Deuotione As that goulde is not baser which is founde among coales then that which is founde among precious stones and as that medicine is not of lesser vertue which is drunke out of a vessell of Claie then that which is drunke out of a Vessell of Alablaster so the worde of GOD preached by a wicked man is not debased nor made better by a good man but of it selfe is forcible neither needeth the authority of man to grace it ibidem As the prayer of Moses rather procured the victorie against Amalech then all the swordes that were drawne so also wee must suppose and beleeue that in the conuersion of a sinner the prayers sighes and grones of a true Preacher haue no lesser parte then all the other voyces and wordes albeit they bee ingenious acute and eloquent Ibidem As water is conueied into Orchards and Gardens by conduit pipes so by preachers the water of wisdome is conueied into the church ibidem As a sower casteth some seedes into barren lande so Preachers cast some of the heauenlie seede into barren eares and sterill hearts Clemens Rom. lib. 3. recognitionum As the Priest when hee sacrificed was to looke that there was no spot nor blemish in the beaste so hee that preacheth the Gospell is to looke that there bee no error in his preaching nor fault in his doctrine Orignes libro 10. in Epist ad Rom. cap. 16. As the Priestes of the oulde Testament caried Vrim and Thummim vppon their breasts so the Preachers of the newe Testament should be vnto their auditors both an instruction of verity and an example of sanctity As men that are giuen to wine and banketting doe enquire after feasters and ryotous persons so men studious of their saluation should seeke after learned Preachers and zealous Diuines Chrysost oratione 2. aduersus Iudaeos As a fountaine doth flowe albeit fewe or none doe drinke of it so a Preacher should not desist from his function albeit fewe or none do heare him idem concione 1. de Lazaro As a Merchaunt doth not leaue of his trafficke for a fewe losses so a Preacher shoulde not leaue his preaching for the the ingratitude of a fewe lost cast-awayes Ibidem As a Hammer an Anuile and a paire of Tongs are a Smiths instruments by which he effecteth what he intendeth so the bookes of the Prophets and Apostles and all the holie Scriptures are the instruments of preachers by which they worke mens soules either vnto reformation of a newe life or vnto confirmation in vprightnesse Chrysost concione 3. de Lazaro As laborious husbandmen by tillage reape earthly gaines of the earth so painfull pastors by their doctrine reape spirituall gaines which neither can perish nor be corrupted Idem hom 1. in Isaiam super illis verbis vidi dominum sedentem As good parents giue vnto their children not onely those things that do delight but those things that also benefite so faithfull preachers and iust dispensers of Gods mysteries doe not preach pleasing things and sow pillowes vnder their auditors cibows but do tell them what is best for their behoofe ibidem As mothers beare with their wayward children so should preachers beare with their vntoward hearers and seeke by all meanes to winne them for greater is the affection of the spirit then of nature idem hom 1. in eadem verba As Saylers haue hauens and Ilands to rest themselues in so preachers shoulde haue their times oportunities of recreation and repast idem sermene in Ozian As a husbandman there soweth his seed plentifullie where hee seeth the grounde fruitfull and purged from weeds so a Preacher hauing got a spirituall fielde fruitfull and cleane doth aboundantly with great alacritie disseminate the diuine seed idem hom 2. in Genesin As Phisitians first minister corasiues and then cordials and as fathers seeing their childreÌ„ disordred do first correct theÌ„ with words and after do admonish comfort them so a preacher after increpation and rebuking doth ad comfort consolation and after the killing letter of the law doth preach the quickning spirit of the Gospel idem hom 7. in Genesin As husbandmen do make readie their sithes prepare their barnes and