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
vppon their backs euen so it is hard for a rich man that trusteth in his riches with all his big bunches of wealth vpoÌ„ his back to go through the needles eye and to enter into the kingdome of heauen As trees are watched hedged about whilst fruit is vpon theÌ„ but when it is gone they are neglected vnregarded so whilst rich men abound with wealth they are visited and reuerenced but when they become poore they are despised and contemned F. Ioannes a S. Geminiano lib. 3. de vegetabilibus plantis cap. 18. Pouerty THey that whip thy garments doe not touch thy body so they that vpbraide thee either with thy birth or thy pouerty do not properly touch thy selfe but do reproch that that is without thee Plut. As the striking of a full vessel an empty vessell doth make an harmony in musick called Diapason so a needy poore man and a bountiful rich do wel agree together They that are in deepe dennes are not stroken of the thunderbolt so the lowest fortune is the safest As riches breed neglect of saluatioÌ„ so pouerty whilst it coueteth to be satisfied declineth froÌ„ righteousnes Amb. in epi. ad RoÌ„ As the Phisitians skil is knowne by curing the diseased so nowe and then by pouerty the prouidence of Gods mercy is perceiued Laurentius Iustinianus lib de contemptu mundi cap. 11. As a course garment doth not make the body lesse healthfull so pouerty doth nothing hinder the free boldnesse of speach Socrates apud Stobaeum serm 11. As they that are borne in Persia doe not desire to dwel in Graecia there to enioie prosperity so poore men who knowe the nature of riches although they liue in great neede yet they do not endeuour to waxe rich by ill means Epictetus apud Stobaeum serm 11. It is safer to saile neare the shoare then in the vast Ocean so a poore mans life is not so subiect to daungers as his is that is rich Aristonymus apud Stobaeum serm 95. By a disease of the body some do receiue this commodity that they are freed from those businesses with which they were plunged by which meanes they recouer greater strength and validity so to some banishment pouertie and shipwracke haue been occasions to study Philosophy Plut. in Moral The Fir tree is easily set on fire because it hath an oylie moisture so hee that is poore in spirit is easily inflamed with the diuine loue because he hath an oyly humidity that is a deuout affection of minde F. Ioannes a S. Geminiano lib. 3. de vegetabilibus plantis cap. 51. As the wild Asse is the Lions pray in the wildernes so are poore men the meate of the rich Ecclesiasticus cap. 13. verse 20. Those things are difficult which are excellent AS the pricking Asparagus bringeth forth most pleasant fruite so of harde beginninges proceedeth great pleasure Plutarchus The more paines thou takest to engraue any thing in steele or marble the longer it continueth so that we learne with greater diligence is more hardly forgotten As the Rose beeing a flower acceptable beyond all others growes of a thorne so of the greatest and sorest labours comes the sweetest fruits As the Palme tree is verie hard to be climed because of the plainnesse and slipperinesse of the barke yet hath most sweete fruit so learning and vertue haue a difficult entrance but very pleasant fruit Plin. lib. 13. cap. 4. The Lions whelps are borne without shape they scarcely go in sixe months and do not moue before they be two moneths olde so those thinges that are to become excellent and egregious are perfited by little and little Plin. lib. 8. cap. 16. As the Phoenis is bred but euery fiue hundreth yeare so the â—ncrease of famous men is verie rare Plinius libro 10. cap. 2. Asses breede all their life long but mankinde hath a certaine time appointed so the multiplication of base thinges is common and easie but excellent thinges happen seldome Plinius libro 8. cap. 43. Seneca As the hearbe Moly is hardly digged out of the earth but beyond other hearbs is soueraigne and effectuall vnto medicine so those things that are famous and excellent are not compassed but by great labor Plin. lib. 25. cap. 4. As excellent hearbs and flowers do not growe but by great tillage and culture when as Onyons Leekes and such like stuffe doe prosper without any great toile so excellent and admirable thinges are not brought to passe without great pains when as baser matters are more obuious Dignitie THose that are called Agrippae because they are preposterously borne that is with their feet forwards are supposed to enter into life verie vnluckely and ominouslie and to the great hurte of mankinde as Marcus Agrippa Nero and Richarde the thirde so they that intrude themselues into Empyre or ecclesiasticall promotion by violence iniustice and simonie become verie pestilent both to themselues and to those they are sette ouer Among the Thessalians it was a capitall crime to kil a Storke for none other cause but because shee killed serpentes and in England Kites are spared by an act of parliament because they purge cities of garbage and entrals of beasts so honour and dignity is to be bestowed vpon some not that they are worthy of it but because their diligence is necessary for vs. Falling stars are suddainly extinguished so those that fortune hath suddainly aduaÌ„ced are in a trice cast down Plut. Meteors soone breede soone vanish so in honors and dignities those that are soon vp are soone down As that which falleth from an high loft maketh a great noise and is heard of all so he that falleth from an high estate his ruine is euery where heard of Chrisost hom 40. operis imperf As hee that presumeth to vsurpe honour not giuen him of God is worthy of blame so he that putteth it from him being giuen vnto him is guilty of disobedience Idem hom 1. in 1. Timoth. As they that climbe vp a rotten ladder are in danger of falling so all honor power and glory which is contrary to humilitie doth endanger the possessor Climacus de discretione gradu 26. As wise men do not estimate the valour of horses by their trappings so neither do they value great personages by their honors and dignities but by their vertues Isidorus de humilitate tomo primo Honour AS he that stands on a high tower if his foot but slip is in danger of a shrewde fall so he that sits in honours seat As the Iuy winds about an olde dry tree to make it saplesse so doth honour circle thee to leaue thee accountlesse As there is nothing that flies away more speedily then a shadow so there is not any thing more vnconstant then honor As the Viper being burnt to ashes is good to heale the biting of a Viper so if thou beest bitten with worldly honours and vanities desiring likewise to be healed thereof remember that thou must returne to ashes the very corruptible