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
ought to bee without glosing and affectation As that is not the best picture which by the matter testifieth the wealth of the owner or the art of the painter but that which truly representeth the thing it personateth so that is the best eloquence which maketh no ostentation of the witte of the speaker but verie fitly sheweth the matter As silken garments are discommended because the bodie appeares thorow them whereas garments were inuented to couer the bodie so that eloquence is ridiculous which doth not declare the matter but obscure and darken it seeing that speech was giuen vs to lay open our mindes and matters Plin. lib. 11. cap. 22. As the Boxe tree is alwayes greene but of a naughtie sauour and hath seede odious vnto all liuing creatures so some besides the grace of speech do bring nothing but that which is to be auoyded Idem lib. 16. cap. 17. The tree Tilia hath a sweete barke and sweete leaues yet no liuing creature can abide to taste or touch the fruit of it so the speech of some is elegantly composed and Rhetoricallie deliuered and yet there is no fruite of matter or sentence in it Ibidem cap. 15. Theophrastus lib. 1. cap. 10. As some Phisitians are almost skilfull in the cure of all diseases and languors and yet can render no true reason of them so some verie eloquent know all the points of Rhetoricke and the groundes of their Arte yet are verie bare in the substance of argument or soundnesse of matter Philo in lib. quod deterius potiori insidietur As infantes cannot speake but by hearing others talke so none can be eloquent but by reading and hearing elocutions and exornations of speech August lib. 4. de doct Christ cap. 3. As hee that hath a beautious bodie and a deformed minde is more lamented for then if both partes were deformed so they that deliuer false things eloquentlie are more to bee pittied then if they spake them rudely and clownishly ibidem cap. 28. As holesome meate retaineth his owne vertue whether it bee deliuered out of an earthen vessell or a siluer Platter so truth is not impayred whether it bee vttered politikelie or plainely Idem libro 5. confessionum cap. 6. As luxurious persons behold the comelinesse of the bodie and not the beautie of the mind so some only marke the structure of orations and not the frame of argumēts Theophilus Alexand. Epist 2. Paschali As Brasse is ingendred of Sulphur and Quicksiluer so eloquence is compounded of two things of interior meditation which resembleth sulphur and of exterior pronunciation which resembleth quicksiluer As brasse being mingled with other mettals changeth both colour vertue wherupon there comes three kindes one white like siluer another yellow like golde and a third also like golde drawne into thinne plates which players make their crownes of so eloquence is threefold spirituall eloquence which gaines soules secular eloquence which winnes gaine and poetical eloquence which moues delight As Brasse soone rusteth if it bee not oyled so eloquence soone becommeth offensiue if it be not annointed with the oyle of charitie As brasse is the fittest mettall to make bels trumpets of by reason of the sound so eloquent men are best to make preachers of because they will be heard As brasse hath many vertues against many infirmities for as Plin. and Diosc say brasse being burnt and puluerized dooth purge hurtfull humors heale wounds expel darknes from the eies and eateth away superfluous flesh so diuine eloquence and the tongue of a preacher being burnt that is inflamed with the fire of the holy spirit and puluerized that is grounded on humilitie hath vertue to dissolue the hardnes of heart to drie the lust of the flesh to purge the noysome affections of sinfull men to heale the woundes of temptations to banish the mists of errors and to eate away the gluttonie of intemperate persons Though the Rose bee sweete yet being tied with the Violet the smell is more fragrant though meate nourish yet hauing good sauour it prouoketh appetite the fayrest nosegay is made of many flowers the finest picture of sundry colours the holsomest medicin of diuers hearbs so though the naked truth be welcome yet it is more gratefull if it come attired and adorned with fine figures and choice phrases A good gouernor that is also beautifull is more acceptable to the people so is a Philosopher that is eloquent Seneca A Diamond set in gold is more grateful so is the truth adorned with eloquence Speech AS neying is proper to a horse barking to a dog bellowing to an oxe and roaring to a lion so speech is proper vnto man Philo lib. de somniis As a sicke man doth not seeke for a learned phisitiā but for one skilful to cure him so we do not expect a flaunting speech of a Philosopher Seneca apud Erasmum Musitians make the sweetest melody by the gentlest touch so a gentle speech doth more moue the people then a crabbed Plutarchus in Moral As a horse is turned about with a bridle and a ship by a sterne so men are ledde by speech ibidem As houses without doores are vnprofitable so are men that haue no rule of their speech Ibidem As in calamitie our firmest best friends are present with vs so let our best speeches be also present Ibidem Some do loue nothing in an apothecaries shop but the fragrancy of the smel neglecting the goodnes of preseruatiues and the vertue of purgatiues so some do looke for nothing in Plato and Demosthenes but the puritie of the Atticke speech Ibidem Arras cloathes when they are wide opened do shew the pictures wrought in thē but beeing lapped vp they conceale and hide the same so a speech aptly composed and well pronounced doth set before our eyes the order and course of the mater but beeing ended the most of it slippeth our of our mindes Idem in Graecorum apophthegmatis As women doe then smell well when they smell of nothing so that speech hath the best ornament that wants affectation Cicero ad Attic. lib 2. As the Painter Protogenes knew Apelles by the draught of one line although hee had neuer seene him before so by one only speech a man may bee discerned what wit and wisdom he hath Eras in similibus As the same sunne doth melt waxe and hardē clay so the same speech doth make some better and some worse according to the diuersity of dispositions As the loade stone doth not drawe any thing vnto it but Iron although other thinges bee much lighter so the speech of some doth not moue all but onely those that are inclined to that they perswade As salte moderately sprinkled on meate doth season it and addes a liking to our taste so if thou minglest in thy speech some antiquitie or pretty conceit it addes great beauty vnto thy talke but if it bee done too affectedly there is nothing more vnpleasant In a vine whatsoeuer is taken away by pruning from the