A JOURNAL OF MEDITATIONS For every day in the Year Gathered out of divers Authors Written first in Latine by N. B. and newly translated into English by E. M. in the Year of our Lord 1669. Every day will I bless thee and will praise thy name for ever and for ever and ever Ps 144.2 Anno Dom. MDCLXIX THE TRANSLATOR TO THE READER THe general use of Mental Prayer through the Christian World next to the influence of the Divine Spirit who is the principal Cause and Author of all that is good oweth very much to the pious labours of those who in Written Books and Volumes have treated at large of this holy Exercise of its nature excellency and advantages and have delivered rules and precepts for the due performance of it and withal have suggested ample matter of Meditation digested into points and set down in order and method By which means this principal part of Devotion though something difficult in its self without the special unction of the Holy Ghost hath been wonderfully facilitated and made familiar to all Neither are we in England destitute of these helps having in our own language Luiz de Puentes Luiz Granada's and Vincentio Bruno's Meditations and some others whose pious labours have proved singularly beneficial to the Christian World Yet in regard these Authors are either large in themselves or have not that set and ready distribution for each day in the year which would be a riddance of a continual trouble in seeking out and contriving Meditations suitable to the current time and day and because many there are who though desirous to employ themselves daily in this Exercise yet have not either will or leasure to spend much time therein or convenience to have always about them larger Volumes I thought it would not prove a superfluous labour to adjoyn to the former helps some more compendious and methodical supply which I hope will be so performed by this short Journal that young beginners may find what help they desire without tediousness and others that have had more practice in Mental Prayer and desire to employ more time therein may not want matter to work upon and dilate themselves more at large both in discourse and affection The Author of this Journal is of our own Nation and yet living though buried to the World whose modesty enjoyns me to a concealment of his name But in regard the reputation of my Author may be of concern to the benefit of my Reader I think my self bound to let the world know that his singular vertue and abilities have first placed and since fixed him these last twenty years in an eminent employment and one of greatest trust in the state and profession he liveth in He wrote this Book thirty years since in Latine for the benefit of a private Community of whose spiritual advancement then committed to his charge he was zealous This work though never yet set forth to the publick view of the world in Print hath a sufficient approbation from the general esteem of all those that have made use of it Some persons of known vertue literature and authority have procured themselves Copies and make use of no other in their daily exercise of Mental Prayer Others have taken the pains to Transcribe it for their constant use and both these and several others have wished to see it published in English for the more general benefit of our Nation The matter is solid and for the most part grounded on Divine Scripture and fitly accommodated to the use and practice of the Church which in several parts of the year doth represent unto us the several Mysteries of our Saviours Incarnation his Infancy Life and Doctrine his Passion and Death Resurrection and Ascension The Method is plaâ—â— and easie laying down in order each days Meditation and requiring no further trouble than the going continually on with them or if you chance to make any interruption for weeks or days you need but turn to the week and day you are in according to the Ecclesiastical account which every Calendar will tell you As concerning the Translation I have been faithful in my trust keeping touch all along with the sense of the Original What alterations I have made I was necessitated unto by reason of the matter which being in many places applied by the Author to the particular Community for which he wrote required some change for the more general use of all and I was authorized therein by an express and large Commission from the Author which notwithstanding I have used sparingly As for the Version of the Scripture-Text I have carefully sought out each Citation and even scrupulously followed every where the Rhemes Testament reverencing and preferring the publick authority of those learned and grave Authors before that of any private person much more of my own Judgement opinion I have also for the readier use and satisfaction of such as may have occasion or desire to see the Citations in the Text it self noted every where not onely the Chapter but Verse also and by this diligent search have corrected very many false quotations caused by the several transcriptions of Copies As for the Citations of Holy Fathers and other Authors not having convenience of Books to look them out I have left them as I found them Having thus Christian Reader given you some account of this Journal and its Translation I leave it in your hands and recommend it to your serious perusal If perhaps your necessary occasions and employments or little practise or apprehension of difficulty in the exercize of Mental Prayer permit not any longer or more studious Meditation at least take the pains to read every day one of these pages and for the space of a quarter of an hour either sitting or walking onely to reâ—â—ect or ruminate upon what you have read applying what you may to your self and thinking what may serve for your own practise I hope after some acquaintance you will receive that satisfaction which I proposed to my self in the first undertaking of the Work and that by means thereof and the assistance of Gods Holy Grace you will come to reap thâ—se admirable fruits of Mental Prayer consisting in the knowledg of your self and of your duty to God of the malice and damages of Sin of the Miseries and Vanities of the World of the practise of all manner of Christian perfection but chiefly in the eminent knowledg and love of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ with the infinite treasures comprehended in the Mysteries of his Life Passion and Resurrection wherein consisteth the height of all our perfection in this life Joh. 17.3 and the accomplishment of all our happiness in the next according to that of the Apostle This is Life everlasting that they know thee the onely true God and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ To whom with the Father and Holy Ghost be all praise honor and glory now and for ever Amen Your Servant in
you would have remained for ever but that it pleased God to take you out of your nothing and wheras he could have joyned to your first or original matter infinite other forms he would endow you with a rational one and place you in this world among men But to what end Not to disport or play not to eat and drink not to seek after honours and vanities of this life nor finally to end your days like brute beasts Our Lord hath wrought all things for himself that you might serve and worship him in this world and so at last attain to life everlasting Consider 2. The excellency of this end All other living creatures are created stooping down to their food and carry about them souls that are to end with time Man alone is elevated to that sublinie end of praising and serving his Creator and after a short and holy life to be crowned with immortal glory With good reason David full of admiration breaketh forth into those words What is man that thou art mindful of him Thou hast minished him little less then Angels with glory and honour thou hast crowned him Ps 8.5 and hast appointed him over the works of thy hands Ps 33.2 Consider 3. How much you are obliged to your Creator for so great a benefit and withall how justly he requireth of you that you direct your whole life to this onely end of his divine praise and service This therefore ought to be the onely aim of all your actions and even your thoughts viz. to honour God and serve him alone Wherefore say with the Prophet I will bless our Lord at all time his praise always in my mouth You are born for Heaven see you degenerate not See you carry not saith St. Bernard in a streight and upright body Bern. in Cant. Serm. 24. a crooked soul that is deformedly bent upon earthly things Of Mans last End The second Part. COnsider 1. Seeing your end in this life is to praise and serve God alone and seeing that in whatsoever kind the end is the measure or square of all such things as appertain thereunto it followeth evidently that you are to make use of all other creatures so far forth as they conduce to his service and honour and contrariwise to avoid them if they any way withdraw you from the same Wherefore you are not to desire riches honours conveniences of this life nor even learning or health otherwise then they may help you the better to serve God For as that holy man said well Tho. a Kemp. de Imit l. 1. c. 2. Better is the humble countreyman that serveth God then the proud Philosopher who neglecting himself considereth the course of the heavens Ps 107.2 Matt. 26.39 42. Consider 2. And examine your self in particular whether you have any disordered affection to the things above mentioned See whether you be ready to suffer poverty reproach sickness and death it self if God thereby might be the more glorified in you Offer your self to your Creator with indifferency to all things so far as they make to his greater glory Say with the Prophet My heart is ready O God my heart is ready and with Christ our Lord Not as I will but as thou Thy will be done Agg. 1.6 Consider 3. How foolishly they do who have any other end then God in their actions who employ their labours in purchasing honours riches renown pleasures and the like No otherwise do these then would he who being to sayl to the East should steer his course to the West and so never come to his journeys end Of such it is rightly said by the Prophet You have sowed much and brought in little you have eaten and have not been filled you have drunk and have not been inebriated Lastly They lead their days in wealth Job 21.13 and in a moment they go down to hell Of Mans duty towards God 1. Part. Ps 36.27 COnsider 1. The whole duty of man towards God is comprised in that short sentence Decline from evil and do good These are the two principal points of a Christian life they are the two wings whereby we must flye up to Heaven the two arms wherewith we are to lay fast hold on the Kingdom of God In respect of the first part mans life in the holy Scripture is said to be a warfare upon earth Job 7.1 and Christians are termed Souldiers carefully standing upon their guard for resisting the suggestions and temptations of sin Job 9.28 Consider 2. In this Warfare we are to strive against Sin even unto death never giving over or thinking our selves secure but always standing in arms with watchful care and fear Job notwithstanding all his Integrity discussed and feared every the least of his actions David a man according to Gods own heart Ps 76.7 did every night brush or sweep his spirit St. John Baptist that was sanctified in his mothers womb Hym. ad Mat. de S. Joh. Bapt. led an austere retired life that he might not as the Church singeth of him stain his life with a light slip of his tongue S. Paul though confirmed in Grace and rapt to the third Heaven could say of himself So I fight not as it were beating the air 1 Cor. 9.27 but I chastise my body and bring it into servitude Think not therefore much of any pains for the avoiding of sin Tob. 4.6 Consider 3. We must not onely withstand the actual committing of sin but also the consent of mind Beware thou consent not to sin at any time and resist all delectation and suggestion for as St. Gregory saith In suggestion is the seed of sin Greg. ad Interr lib. Aug. Cantuar in delectation the nourishment in consent the perfection Examine your self what vigilancy and caution you hold over your thoughts words and actions how you avoid occasions of danger and how you resist the suggestions of the Flesh the World and the Devil Take up your Weapons with the holy Saints of Fasting Prayer and Mortification of your flesh that you may also with them be crowned with a glorious Victory Of Mans Duty towards God 2. Part. Matt. 13.44 COnsider 1. The other part of Mans Duty is to labour in the exercise of good works thereby to please and serve God Wherefore Heaven is sometimes proposed unto us as a rich jewel sometimes as a treasure hidden in a field which we are to seek out with some pain and labour and to purchase with the sale of all we have sometimes again as a goal or prize 1 Cor. 9.24 which we are to gain by running on in the race of Vertue and Perfection and almost every where as the Reward and Crown of Vertuous Actions See therefore you play the industrious Merchant and by the continual exercise of good works heap up to your self treasures in Heaven Matt. 6.20 1 Thess 4.3 Consider 2. The several Motives which you have to
a good and perfect heart it becometh the seed of eternal life 11. The Manna Sup. 35. all the time of their Pilgrimage for fourty years together never failed so likewise the Eucharist is our constant and never-failing provision during the time of our Pilgrimage I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world 12. The Manna fell daily Exod. sup 22. c. without intermission except Sabboth days on which they lived upon what they had gathered the day before The Eucharist is our daily bread in this life but will cease on the Sabboth of Eternal repose where we shall live for ever upon what we have gathered in this life Of Holy Communion Come eat ye my bread and drink the wine which I have mingled for you Prov. 9.5 Consider the Eucharist as a Banquet Part 1. Mat. 11.28 COnsider 1. What is read this day in the Gospel A certain man made a great supper c. This man is Christ and the Eucharist the supper or banquet to which all men are invited Come ye to me all that labour and are burthened and I will refresh you Never was there from the beginning of the world by any Prince made so sumptuous and magnificent a banquet Wherefore prepare the appetite of your soul that it may take its fill of it and ponder the admirable properties of this heavenly banquet 1. It is infinite in greatness made not for one City or Province but for all Nations to feed on Our Lord of Hosts shall make to all peoples in this Mount a feast of fat things Is 25.6 a feast of Vintage 2. It is perpetual and never failing and not for many days only as was that of Affuerus nor yet for some years it hath already lasted above 1600 years and is to last yet Mat. 28.20 even to the consummation of the world 3. It is furnished with admirable variety containing in it self as the wise man saith Sap. 16.20 all delectation and the sweetness of all tast 4. The meat of this Feast is most wholesome He that eateth this bread shall live for ever Jo. 6.58 Ps 80.17 1 Cor. 10.4 5. It is most delicions He fed them of the fat of corn and out of the rock with honey he filled them And the rock saith S. Paul was Christ 6. It is most exquisite for what more rare and excellent then the only Son of God Deut. 32.39 See ye that I am only and there is no other God besides me 7. It is most precious above dissolved pearl for what can be more precious then that blood which was the ransom of the whole world Therefore come unto this divine feast with a longing desire and say with the Church O sacred Feast In Offic. Corp. Christi in which Christ is received the memory of his Passion renewed our mind filled with grace and a pledge of future glory given us Of the Eucharist as a Banquet Part 2. Dan. 5.1 COnsider 1. Besides the fare also the dignity of the Guests the quality and number of Waiters and the sumptuous service of the meat in plate of gold silver c. do make to the commendation and magnificence of the Feast Baltasser the King made a great feast to his Nobles a thousand in gold and silver Vessels The Guests in this Banquet are the three Divine Persons of the most B. Trinity What more Royal and Divine Apoc. 3.20 If any man shall open to me the gate I will enter in to him and will sup with him and he with me And in another place If any man love me Jo. 14.23 c. my Father will love him and we will come to him and will make abode with him Dan. 7.10 Consider 2. The Waiters are Angels the most excellent of all creatures by nature Thousand of thousands minister to him and ten thousand hundred thousands assist him They assist therefore their Lord as the holy Fathers say in time of Divine Sacrifice and so long as he remains personally with you Chrys de Sacerd. l. 6. they also attend you that you may learn even by this with what reverence you ought to behave your self in time of Communion Is 52.11 Consider 3. The furniture and service in the outward shew are but mean and plain but in truth surpass all the power of Nature For the Mess of Life is handed to you under the vail of accidents which are miraculously preserved without their proper substances then the which there is no greater wonder in Nature Learn therefore hence how well adorned with virtues you ought to come to this heavenly Banquet Be cleansed saith the Prophet ye that carry the Vessels of our Lord How much more you that receive within you our Lord himself Of the Eucharist compared to the Tree of Life and its fruits Part 1. Apoc. 22.2 COnsider 1. How the Tree of Life in Paradise restored the decaying forces of Nature and kept man who was then immortal in continual repair And in the Apocalyps it is said the Angel shewed me the Tree of Life yielding twelve fruits c. The Eucharist is the Bread of Life so called by Christ Jo. 6.48 because by the Grace which it giveth it makes us immortal and yieldeth twelve sorts of fruit most Sovereign against so many infirmities S. Tho. Opusc 58. c. 21. or miseries as S. Thomas teacheth which mans Nature is subject to by sin 1 Pet. 5.8 Our first Misery doth arise from the assaults of the Devil who as a roaring Lyon goeth about seeking whom he may devoure .. Against this the Eucharist doth arm us giving strength both to resist and to chace our Adversary away like to that Fish of Toby whereof it is said Tob. 6.8 The smoke thereof driveth out all kind of Devils Rom. 7.23 The second Misery is the Rebellion of Concupiscence of which the Apostle saith I see another law in my members repugning to the law of my mind Another law that is concupiscence of sin in our members as in the eye to covet in the tongue to slander c. This heat of Concupiscence is allayed by the H. Eucharist to which purpose the Manna is said to have lain like unto the hoar frost on the ground And our Lord by the Prophet Exod. 16.14 I will be as Dew Israel shall spring as the Lilly Ose 14.6 Eccles 7.21 The third is the stain and corruption of the heart For there is no just man in the earth that doth good and sinneth not This the Eucharist doth cleanse like to the hot Cole that cleansed the lips of Isaie Is 6.6 Pro. 21.14 The fourth is the offence of the Creator This also the Eucharist taketh away appeasing his wrath and indignation against us A gift hid saith the wise man quencheth angers There is none more acceptable and obliging gift then the only Son of God who is truly hid and offered to
the Manger God his Father would honour him and make him known to the Shepherds by Angels and to the Sages by a Star because He that humbleth himself shall be exalted Ponder the words of the Evangelist And there were in the same countrey Shepherds watching and keeping the night-watches over their flock and behold an Angel of our Lord stood beside them and the brightnesse of God did shine round about them Consider 2. Christ would not be made known to the Wisemen about Bethleem because they were proud nor to the rich because they were covetous nor to the noble because they were given to pleasures but to Shepherds that is men that were poor humble laborious vigilant and careful in their office Be you therefore such an one and be watchful over your self that you may deserve to be visited with divine illustrations Consider 3. Such a Shepherd or Pastour was St. Thomas whose Feast you celebrate this day and therefore the Gospel of the good Shepherd is applied unto him For the same reason Christ manifested himself unto him after a special manner towards an eminent degree of Sanctity in this life and is now seen and enjoyed by him in the other to an equal proportion of Glory See his Zeal for the Church of God his Constancy in adversity and Piety in Prosperity and do your utmost to imitate him And if you be to receive to day Christ the chief Pastour in the Holy Eucharist beseech him to instruct you how to feed and govern according to his and St. Thomas his example the flock committed to your charge which in the first place is your own Soul with all its powers faculties and senses then those that are under your charge that by vertue of his divine illustrations you may your self be enlightened all over and with all be a light to others both by word and example For as St. Gregory saith Greg. Ep. 32. l. 7. The flame or fire of the Shepherd is the light of the flock Of the Message sent to the Shepherds 2. Part. Luc. 2.10 11. COnsider 1. Those words of the Angel I evangelize to you great joy c. because this day is born to you a Saviour c. The joys of the world are either base or vain The onely true and solid content is of God and of things appertaining to our eternal Salvation and this joy as our Saviour saith no man shall take from you Jo. 16.22 Think therefore what cause you have to rejoyce for the Birth of this Saviour Mat. 1.21 who saveth his people from their sins from the power and slavery of the Devil from hell and damnation and bestoweth upon them all manner of Spiritual Blessings Grace Vertue and Life everlasting And this to you as much as to all the world besides and even this day and at all times that you will your self Say therefore with the Prophet Habac. 3.18 I will joy in our Lord and will rejoyce in God my Jesus Consider 2. And this shall be a sign to you You shall finde the Infant swadled in clothes and laid in a manger Good God what signs are these of the Messias Lord and Saviour of the world Infancy clouts and manger Who would not have expected he should have heard of Courts Thrones Purple robes c. Try whether you can finde such signs of Poverty and Humility in your heart that thence you may come to know whether or no Christ be as yet spiritually born within you Consider 3. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly Army praising God c. O what heavenly Musick was then heard O with what Angelical Harmony was then first entoned Gloria in excelsis Deo Glory in the highest to God Learn hence to praise and glorifie God in all things And in earth peace to men of good will Hence also learn that peace both interiour and exteriour with God and our Neighbour is a peculiar gift of Christ For Ps. 71.7 There shall arise in those days Justice and abundance of Peace O how much is this Peace to be wished for Yet it is not bestowed but upon men of good will that is rightly subordinate to God For Is 48.22 There is no peace to the impious saith our Lord. Luc. 2.15 Of the Shepherds Adoring 2 Reg. 23.15 COnsider 1. Let us go over to Bethleem c. See their prompt Obedience With the same readinesse ought you likewise to obey divine Inspirations And they came with speed that you may learn to be fervorous in the Service of God For as St. Ambrose saith no body seeketh Christ slothfully Go you also and that frequently over to Bethleem considering the Mysteries that were there exhibited for your Salvation Say with David O that some man would give me drink of the water out of the Cestern that is in Bethleem The Cestern is the Cave the Water is Christ Jer. 2.13 Eccli 1.5 who is the Fountain of Living Water and the Fountain of Wisdom Consider 2 And they sound Mary and Joseph and the Infant c. Whence you may learn that the readiest way to finde Christ is by means of the B. Virgin and the Intercession of Saints See with what Spiritual Joy the Shepherds adore what Presents they offer How afterwards they return again and recount to others what had passed Gloâ—ifying and praising God in all things that they had seen and heard And out of all gather something for your self Consider 3. But Mary kept all these words c. Observe four several sorts of persons then in Bethleem 1. Some passing by did see the Shepherds and the Crib but not finding any thing extraordinary went on their ways without any further notice or feeling 2. Others heard and admired what the Shepherds related unto them but being busied with other affairs thought no more of it 3. The Shepherds themselves adored also and with a lively faith but returned afterwards to their own uncertain with what event 4. Only the B. Virgin and St. Joseph insisted upon the Mystery pondering each particular and bearing them constantly in minde Think what rank you are of or would wish to be Behold thy Saviour cometh Is 62.11 O God save me in thy name Ps. 53.3 Luc. 2.27 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as he is Jesus or Saviour Ps. 129.7 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel to wit that in his Circumcision His Name was called Jesus that is Saviour and with reason for that to day he sheddeth his first bloud as the earnest penny of our Redemption being to pay the remainder of our Ransome on Mount Calvary so as to make good that of the Psalmist And with him there is plenteous redemption If Joseph and some others were called Saviours for having delivered the people from famine and temporal death how much more Justly is Christ so called who saveth us from that which is everlasting For he saith the Angel shall save his
divine Infant Of Holy Communion Heal me O Lord and I shal be healed save me and I shall be saved Jer. 17.14 Consider Christ as the Physician of your Soul Is 61.1 COnsider 1. What is read this day in the Ghospel to wit that Christ healed the Leper and after that the Centurions servant Matt. 8. and that he is the general Physician of all our Souls who therefore came into the world That I should heal saith he the contrite of heart And while he was upon earth wheresoever he came Virtue went forth from him Luc. 6.19 and healed all Consider 2. How many diseases Man is subject unto Our feaver saith St. Ambrose is covetousness our feaver is sensuality our feaver is rage and anger c. So many are our diseases as we have vices Ponder what concern and danger they are of as bringing with them everlasting death how hard to be cured being of the nature not of outward diseases that easily discover themselves but of inward malignities that lie hid from the patient himself and are in a manner rooted in the very substance of the Soul What a happiness were it to be cured of all these and to have a Physician at hand who knows how to apply soveraign remedies against them Is 53.4 Consider 3. We ought to put great trust in this our heavenly Physician 1. Because he is most skillful and knowing all things and that he might have a more experimental knowledge of our necessities He hath born our infirmities and our sorrows he hath carried 2. Because he is most compassionate even thirsting after our health and Salvation and therefore of his own accord asked that man in the Ghospel Wilt thou be made whole 3. To the end he might the more effectually cure us Jo. 5.7 he hath made a most admirable Balsom of his most precious Body and Blood for us to take as a most soveraign remedy Cast your self therefore at his feet and say with the Prophet Have mercy on me Lord Ps. 6.2 because I am weak Dispose your self to obey whatsoever this divine Physician shall prescribe Of Christs flying into Egypt Part 1. Mat. 2.13 COnsider 1. How different are the ways of God from those of men Christ as soon as born is sent into banishment God could have taken Herod away or easily have appeased his wrath or have rendered his Son invisible but he would have him fly Think how derogatory this was to the dignity of the Son of God how full of inconvenience Thus God dealeth with them whom he loveth best Are you greater or better then the Son of God why then do you complain when he permits you to suffer some hardships Take these as tokens of his love and you will bear them the better and that with joy and thanks too Consider 2. God would not have him go to the Sages where he would have been held in honor and veneration and could have wanted nothing but into Egypt a barbarous nation and ever averse from the Israelites far from home from his kindred and acquaintance Thus did he take from his Son during his infancy all manner of comfort help and relief which he might otherwise have had from his friends Why then do you so much seek to be respected and served by all and think much if you suffer any incommodity If you did love and serve Christ in earnest you would rather rejoyce and think it honor enough to be neglected despised and afflicted with and for him It sufficeth the disciple that he be as his Master Mat. 10.25 and the servant as his Lord. Heb. 13.14 Consider 3. Christ as he would be born far from home so would he be banished far from his own Countrey 1. That we should both own and carry our selves as strangers and exiled persons not as Citizens or natives of this world knowing that we have not here a permanent City but we seek that which is to come 2. That those who were afterwards to suffer banishment for his sake might find comfort in his example Learn willingly for the love of Christ to be exiled from your native countrey and friends for true is that saying A man of resolution makes every countrey his own Cic. Tusc 5. Of Christs flying into Egypt Part 2. Mat. sup COnsider 1. Behold an Angel of our Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph saying Arise and take the Child and his Mother and fly into Egypt Ponder the particulars 1. The Angel commandeth in the name of God who is our Supreme Lord. 2. He delivereth it not to the Virgin though the more worthy but to Joseph as head of the Family Thus God doth first Illuminate Superiors by himself then us by them 3. He appeareth in sleep recommending thereby Gods care of us who while we are at sleep is watching for our good 4. He bids him take the Child and his Mother without care of any thing else O that Jesus and Mary were your onely care and love 5. He assigneth him the place he is to go to Learn hence â—ot to be your own chuser but to take all from the hand of God place imployment prosperity adversity c. Pro. 20.24 Ps. 90.10 Consider 2. Those words of the Angel Be there until I shall tell thee He could have told him determinately till such or such a time but God would not have them know it that they might the more depend on his providence Be not in your affairs sollicitous for the future as to time place and other circumstances learn to depend in all things on the divine providence for the steps of man are directed of our Lord as the Wiseman saith And He hath given his Angels charge of thee that they keep thee in all thy ways Follow this conduct not your own ways and you will ever live in security Consider 3. Who arose and took the Child and his Mother by night c. Ponder here S. Josephs perfect obedience 1. In submitting his judgement whereas there wanted not many things which he might have objected against so sudden a departure 2. In readily conforming his will notwithstanding the many difficulties that represented themselves 3. In his prompt and exact execution in every particular rising that very time of night with breaking his sleep and rest and leaving all that he had uncertain of returning any more 4. In performing all this with great chearfalness knowing he did therein the will of God Compare and reform your Obedience in all things to this perfect Example Of Christs flying into Egypt Part 3. Matt. 2.14 ANd retired into Egypt Consider 1. How without delay they put themselves upon their journey Ponder the tender affection of the Mother and compassion towards her Child beginning even now from his infancy to train himself up to hardships and how notwithstanding she resigneth her self to the will of God Think also how the divine Infant freely offereth himself to his eternal Father even in these
sake hath endured far greater in all kinds and at the hands of the bâ—sest sort of people Of S. Peters denying Christ Part 1. Mat. 26.69 COnsider 1. S. Peter having followed our Lord into Caiphas his house and standing with the rest at the fire There came to him one wench saying thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean but he denyed before them all saying I wot not what thou sayest c. He who but some few houres before said Though I should dye with thee I will not deny thee now at the first word and that of a woman Ibid. v. 35. out of shame and fear fouly denyeth that he ever knew him O how many are there now a days who not out of humility but out of a shameful â—ear of what the world would say or think of them Luc. 22.57 dare not own any Christian or Vertuous action nor profess themselves disciples and followers of Christ See you be none of these Mat. 26.74 Consider 2. Peter being still in the same company and taâ—ed by divers of being Christs Disciple he persisteth in his denyall the second and third time neither minded he the first cock crowing or at least cared not but Began to curse and to swâ—are that he knew not the man Observe the different effects of good and evill company Peter among his fellow disciples was so fervorous as to offer to dye for his Master in this lewd company he disoweneth even to know any such man Learn hence to avoid evill company and conversation for as the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.33 saith Evill communications corrupt good manners Consider 3. Some particular circumstances of S. Peters fall which all the Evangelists doe set down at large to teach us to be warie by others harmes 1. The occasion or cause of this fall was that vaine presumption of himself Mat. 26.33 Allthough all shall be scandalized in thee I will never be scandalized 2. His Negligence in prayer yeelding to sleep when he should have watched in prayer by Christs express command Ibid. v. 41. Watch ye and pray that ye enter not into temptation 3. The instrument of this fall was a Woman as was that of Adams first Sin Admire and tremble to see the pillar of the Church cast down at the voice of a Woman 4. His sin increased by degrees passing from a simple denyall to execration and open Perjury Learn to resist the very beginnings of evill and to be greatly concerned for small defects Eccli 19.1 for he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little Of S. Peters denying Christ Part 2. COnsider 1. Our Lord turning looked on Peter Lue. 22.61 â—â—rad To. 4 l. 6. c. 21. S. Aug. l. 1. de Gratia c. 45. While Peter was actually denying our Lord the third time Jesus happened to be led down from the upper roome where he was condemned to the lower Court where Peter was and gratiously looked upon his sheep that was perishing Or as some doe expound with the interior eyes of his mercy looked vpon him a far of and by his grace moved him to repentance See how in the midst of his own afflictions he forgetteth not his ungrateful Disciple Ps 24.16 With the same eyes O Lord have respect to me and have mercy on me Mat. 26.75 Consider 2. The Conversion and Repentance of S. Peter And going forth he wept bitterly not out of the servile fear of punishment but out of love and sence of his ingratitude in offending so good a Lord Master and Benefactor He rightly understood that of Jeremy Jer. 2.19 That it is an evill and a bitter thing to thee to have left thy Lord thy God Doe you also procure to understand it a right that you may henceforwards keep your self from falling O How often have you not only in bare words but by deeds denyed your Lord and offended him perhaps more then Peter but have not as yet duely lamented your fault as he did Theod. Hist Consider 3. The long Pennance S. Peter performed for this denying his Master He is said to have bewailed it his whole life time breaking forth into teares as often as the Cock-crowing or other occasion refreshed the memory of his sin in so much that his eyes were become as two fountaines of teares and his continual weeping had made furrows in his cheekes Be confounded to see that nothing dryeth up sooner then your teares Persever therefore in works of Pennance and as Ecclesiasticus admonisheth Eccli 5.5 Of sin forgiven be not without feare Of Judas his Despair Mat. 27.3 COnsider 1. Then Judas that betrayed him seeing that he was condemned repenting him returned the thirty silver pieces c. Saying I have sinned betraying just bloud Think what an unquiet mind Judas carried after his treacherous and Sacrilegious fact so that he could take no joy in the money for which he sold his Lord but the worm of his guilty conscience gnawing his heart he brought it back whence you may learn that Sinners reap no soâ—id content out of their wickedness but much pain Aug. l. 1. Coaf c. 11. disquiet and trouble Lord you have ordained it saith S. Augustine and accordingly it is in are that every disordinat mind is its own punishment Therefore in Job it is said of the Impious Job 15.21 The sound of terrour is allways in his eares Mat. sup Consider 2. The answer of the Wicked Priests What is that to us look thou to it They are little concerned for their Neighbour whether he perish or not and like Cain will not be their brothers guardians Not so the good ones who with all endeavor labour to pull their neighbour out of the depth of sin They doe not say What is it to us look you to it but doe help and asist whom and what they are able some with charitable offices others by their prayers They are tender to all in compassion 1 Cor. 9.22 and with the Apostle To all men become all things that they may save all These you must also procure to imitate Mat. sup Consider 3. He went and hanged himself with an halter See how one sin is the punishment of another despaire of treachery God often permitting us to fall the second time in punishment of the first sin that you may learn to shun all Take notice of the fubtile wiles of the Divel who at first provoketh to sin and afterwards taking away all hopes of pardon casteth the Sinner headlong into damnation by despaire Observe also how desperat and mad are the determinations of a troubled conscience so that the Wise man had reason to say Sap. 17.10 A troubled conscience doth allways presume cruell things Lastly from this final ruine of an Apostle He that thinketh himself to stand let him take heed least he fall 1 Cor. 10.12 I have sinned what shall I doe to thee O Keeper of Men Job 7.20 Of Holy Communion
his pretious bloud to wash and cleanse you withall He took upon his shoulders stripes which were due to you whereby he made good that of the Prophet With his shoulders shall he overshadow thee Is. 50.6 Is. 53.7 How Of his own free choice cheerfully constantly and silently I have given my body to the strikers c. As a lambe before his shoarer be was dumb When In the most solemn feast of the Pasch at what time an infinit number of people were resorted from all parts to celebrate that Mistery All which made to his greater ignominy and confusion Come eate ye my bread and drink the wine which I have mingled for you Prov. 9.5 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the food of your Soul Jo. 6.55 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Ghospel how Christ with five loaves fed five thousand persons Jo. 6. He will come this day into your soul to feed it with a food the sweetest most pretious and wholsome that ever was from the beginning of the world his own sacred Body and Bloud For My flesh is meat indeed and my bloud is drink indeed and that you might not fear to come he invites and calls upon you Eate Cant. 5.1 O friends and drink and be inebriated my dearest Consider 2. Three chiefe effects which corporall food worketh in the body 1. It nourishes and strengthens 2. It satiat's 3. It preserv's life In the same manner as S. Thomas saith this divine food worketh in the Soul Opusc 58. c. 9. It strengthens giving Grace and Vertue to overcome vice It satiat's in begetting a loathing of worldly pleasures for as the wise man saith A soul that is full shall tread upon the hony comb Prov. 27.7 that is the delights of this world Lastly it preserv's the spiritual life of the Soul and advanceth it to a blessed Eternity Jo. 6.58 He that eateth this bread saith Christ shall live for ever O what a happiness is it to feed upon such bread Consider 3. No meat though never so wholsome does good but in a body well disposed and taken in a clean stomack as the Physitians affirm Foul bodies the more you nourish the more you indanger for in these all nourishment is turned into ill humors See therefore that you duely prepare your Soul Ps 33.9 if you desire to taste how sweet our Lord is Purge your self of bad humors and evill affections which hinder spiritual digestion Let a man prove himself and so 1 Cor. 11.28 that is well proved and examined and not otherwise let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice Of the Crowning with Thornes Ps. 37.15 COnsider 1. Christ out of his excessive love of suffering for us not content with ordinary sufferings permitted the Souldiers to invent and practice upon him an unheard-of kind of cruelty striving to out doe both in invention and cruelty what was newly done in Herods Court. 1. Therefore they strip him of his own clothes not without great torment they being now cloven to the gore bloud which ran from his wounds then they put about him a purple garment in token of a mock-King See how he lets them abuse him aâ— their pleasure without the least resistance or contradiction being become as a man not having reproofs in his mouth Mat. 27.29 Consider 2. And plating a crown of thornes put it upon his head O unheard-of torment Some affirm that our Lord was wounded in seventy two distinct places of his head by those thorns Cant. 3.11 Goe forth my Soul and see King Salomon in the diadem wherewith his mother the Synagog whereof he was according to flesh hath crowned him and be astonished Away with Pride away with all sensuality Be ashamed saith S. Bernard to be a delicat or nice member Bern. ser 5. de Om. SS under a thorny head Mat. sup Consider 3. And they put a reed in his right hand And bowing the knee before him they mocked him saying Haile King of the Jews and spitting upon him they took the reed and smote his head What indignities are these What torments Ponder severally each one See how the King of invincible patience letteth not goe but keepeth still in his hand the Scepter of scorn and derision to provoke you to imitate Now was fullfilled that of the Prophet Behold my servant Mat. 12.18 Isa 42.1 c. He shall not contend nor cry out neither shall any man heare in the streets his voice The reed bruised he shall not breake and smoking flax he shall not extinguish Jo. 29. Loe the Man Part. 1. Jo. 19.5 COnsider 1. Jesus therefore went forth carrying the Crown of thorns and the purple Vestment Ponder how Pilat to move the Jews to commiseration brought forth our Lord scourged and crowned as he was and shewed him to the people Think what a confusion it was to our Lord to be exposed thus for a sight to the Pharises and his other enemies and with what humility and patience our meek Lamb bare it O how are you sweet Jesus altered from what you lately were when you appeared glorious on the mount Thabor or when you sate upon the Cherubins displaying the raves of your Majesty in the highest Heavens Is 53.2 Consider 2. Pilat said Loe the Man He was so disfigured that he could be scarce known for a man How true was that of the Prophet There is no beauty in him nor comlines and we have seen him and there was no sightlines Who would not melt with teares to behold so sad a spectacle and yet the hard hearted Jews are nothing moved but cry out the more Crucify crucify him O most beautifull of men where is now that gratious aspect of yours where those rayes of your divine countenance Do not consider me saith he that I am brown Cant. 1.6 because the Sun hath altered my colour The Sun and heat of your charity O Lord hath indeed altered your colour and metamorphiz'd you into a worm and the reproch of men for us Pro. 29.25 Consider 3. Pilat had long laboured to release Christ but when he heard those words of the Jews If thou release this man thou art not Cesars friend out of human respects and policy lest perhaps he might be accused to Cesar yeelded him unto them against all Justice Have a care that like human respects prevaile not with you against Justice and Equity He that feareth man shall soone fall saith Salomon He that trusteth in our Lord shall be lifted up Jo. 19. Loe the Man Part 2. COnsider 1. Having set Christ before your eyes with the Crown of thornes on his head and Robe of scorn on his shoulders as in the former Meditation and wounded all over from head to foot Imagin those words behold the man spoken to you by the holy Ghost to the end you should more attentively contemplat him as much as if he should say He
intollerable and lasted all that night and day fellowing for about twenty hours together Speake what affection shall suggest Of our Lords Buriall Mat. 27. COnsider 1. After our Lord was dead his sacred body was taken down from the Cross with great devotion and teares by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathia who laid it in the Mothers armes whereby that of the Canticles was fullfilled Cant. 1.13 A Buadle of Myrrhe my beloved is to me he shall abide between my brests Think what expressions of griefe and sorrow what sighs and tears passed from her Ponder what was said and done at that time by her and her devout companions See that your beloved Lord be also to you a bundle of Myrrhe and that by frequent contemplation of his Passion you lodge him in your bosome and heart 2 Cor 4.10 Consider 2. Griefe and love having acted their parts they embaulm the sacred Corps and wrap it up in a clean winding sheet Our Lord is delighted with cleanliness even in his grave that you might learn diligently to cleanse your heart as often as you receive him in the Holy Eucharist Our Lord will have his Mystical members embaulmed especially with the Myrrhe of Mortification that with the Apostle Allways bearing about in our body the Mortification of Jesus the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our bodys Think how you may put this in practise Tit. 2.13 Consider 3. Our Lord being buried every one betake themselves to their own home for they were not permitted by the keepers to remain at the Sepulcher Think in what solitude the B. Mother and other devout persons were in and how they gave themselves wholy to prayer Expecting the blessed hope and advent of the glory of the great God The B. Virgin doubtless comforted herself with that of the Psalm At evening shall weeping abide and in the morning gladness Ps. 29.6 Doe you likewise in Desolation have recourse to prayer and learn to put your trust in God Things to be observed concerning the Meditations of the Mysteries after our Lords Resurrection 1 Cor. 6.17 THe Meditations upon the Mysteries after our Lords Resurrection appertain to the Unitive way This being an Uniting of our will with the divine will of God by way of affection maketh that our will as it were going forth of her self layeth hold on the goodness of God represented unto it and adhereth unto him and by this adhesion is united with him according to that of the Apostle He that cleaâ—eth to our Lord is one Spirit Hence this Unitive way hath diverse affections properly belonging unto it which we may make use of in the ensuing meditations The chiefe are these following 1. Admiration of Gods Majesty whom we contemplat and of his Attributes and Perfections 2. Joy and content for that God is so absolutly perfect in himself good to others and so admirable in his works 3. Praise and thanksgiving for his gifts and benefits with desire of seeing and enjoying him and of honouring and obeying him 4. Zeale of Gods Glory and good of Souls wishing that all the world might come to know love and serve him 5. Trust in his Goodness and Providence together with a filial respect standing in fear of being separated from him or of committing any thing which may justly offend so great a Majesty and bewailing all the sins whereby we had incurred at any time his just indignation 6. Desire of these Heavenly things we contemplat so that whatsoever is upon earth may seem but durt unto us while we look up to heaven saying with the Prophet How beloved are thy tabernacles Ps. 83.2 O Lord of hoasts my Soul coveteth and fainteth unto the Courts of our Lord. And Ps. 41.2 Even as the hart desireth after the fountains of waters so doth my Soul desire after thee O God 2 Cor. 3.18 By these and such like affections let us endeavor to obtain that Beholding the glory of our Lord c. We may be transformed as the Apostle speaketh into the same image from glory unto glory that is that we may become like unto him by the union of our wills increasing dayly more and more in the knowledge of him till at length passing from the imperfect clarity of this life and pilgrimage we arrive to the perfect clarity and glory of our native Country and Beatificall Vision Rise thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ will illuminate thee Ephe. 5.14 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as our Resurrection Apoc. 3.17 COnsider 1. The manner wherewith Christ raised his body out of the Sepulcher of deformed rendering it glorious Ponder what a difference there is between a body that is dead pale wan destitute of all sense and motion and the same when it is invested with the array and endowments of glory The same difference is between the Soul in Sin and in the state of Grace and almost the same between tepidity and fervor For in the state of Tepidity the Soul is as it were in a slumber and void of all heroical motion she is insensible of things appertaining to God and being possessed with innumerable phantasies pursueth vaine trifles and dreams instead of reall and solid goods She thinks herself in a good state when in truth she is like that man in the Apocalyps miserable and poor and blinde and naked Jo. 11.25 Consider 2. Christ is ready to raise us out of these miserable states therefore he saith I am the resurrection and the life To wit the cause and Author of both and as well of the Soul as of the body O what a benefit it is and how infinitly to be valued to be raised from the death of Sin and grave of Tepidity and to be placed in the cleare light of the Childeren of God that walk and work with fervor The same will Christ bestow upon you this day in the Holy Eucharist if you hinder him not For therefore he is called the bread of life Jo. 6.35 Ibid. v. 40. S. Tho. alii and as we owe unto him the Resurrection of our bodies in the last day so doe we now the Resurrection and reviving of our Soules Colos 3.1 Consider 3. The signes of our rising with Christ are to seek and mind the things that are above not the things that are upon earth So the Apostle If you be risen with Christ seek the things that are above c. Seek therefore and affect only heavenly things Rom. 6.9 and as Christ Rising again from the dead now dyeth no more So you being raised from the state of Tepidity to Fervor have a care you fall not into a relapse Of our Lords Resurrection COnsider 1. There having now passed time sufficient to evidence the certainty of his death on the third day early in the morning our Lord hastened to bring forth the Holy Fathers our of Limbus to comfort his B. Mother and desolate Disciples and Illustrate
the whole world with the rayes of his glory What Jubily were the Holy Fathers in at that time when they saw that Blessed hour come of their delivery which they had longed for so many ages Free O Lord in like manner my Soul from the Lions mouth and from the deep lake and let not my Enemies The World the Flesh and the Devil ever domineere over me Consider 2. How when Christs Soul was come out of Limbus to the body in the Sepulcher he shewed it to the Holy Fathers as it lay pale and wan all mangled and disfigured that they might see how much he had suffered for them and at what rate he had redeemed them Then he reunited it to the Soul and that of David was fullfilled Our Lord hath reigned Ps. 92.1 he hath put on beauty Our Lord hath put on strength and hath girded himself For he took upon him the four properties of a glorifyed body 1. Of Clarity rendring it brighter then the Sun it self 2. Of Subtility to penetrate the Sepulcher and whatsoever other corporal substance 3. Of Agility to move itself to the remotest places in a moment 4. Of Impassibility so as to be incapable of dying or suffering any more Being thus crowned with glory he might say to his Eternal Father with David Thou hast turned my mourning into joy unto me thou hast cut my sackcloth Ps. 29.12 and hast compassed me with gladness Apoc. 5.12 Consider 3. How the Eternal Father congratulateth with his son as also doe the Angels of Heaven and the Fathers of Limbus for the reunion of his body all crying out as with one voice The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power and divinity and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and benediction Joyne you with them and say This is the day which our Lord made Ps. 117.24 let us rejoyce and be glad therein Learn hence that the Tribulations of the Just are but short but their glory everlasting Rom. 8.17 and that if we suffer with Christ we shall also be glorifyed with him Of our Lords Apparitions and how he appeared first to his Blessed Mother Act. 1.3 COnsider 1. Christ three different ways manifested his Resurrection 1. By Saints who arose in their bodies and appeared to many 2. By Angels at the Sepulcher 3. In his own person shewing himself alive in many arguments for fourty days appearing c. After the same manner he is wont to manifest himself to his devout servants by spiritual men by their Angel Guardians and immediatly by himself He that loveth me c. I will love him Jo. 14.11 and will manifest my self to him Love him therefore that he may manifest himself also to you 2 Cor. 1.7 Consider 2. Christ first of all appeared to his B. Mother according to the pious beliefe of the Church that she who had drunk most of the bitter chalice of his Passion should be the first in partaking the joy of his Resurrection As you are partakers of the Passions so shall you be of the consolation also She did most certainly believe and most ardently expect the hour of his Resurrection and said with David Arise my glory Ps. 56.9 arise psalter and harp and therefore she was not frustrated of her desire that you might learn both fervently to desire heavenly things and withall patiently to expect the time Habec 2.3 If he shall make tarriance expect him because coming he will come and he will not slack and will recompence his delay Consider 3. What joy possessed the Mothers heart when she beheld her son What holy embracings passed between them What was said or done on both sides Doubtless the Holy Fathers Adam Abraham Moyses David and others did congratulate with the Virgin and say Thou Daughter art blessed of our Lord for that by thee we have partaken the fruit of life Ecl. in Off. E. V. Do you likewise congratulate with her from your heart and say with the Church Rejoyce thou Queen of Heaven Alleluia because whom thou didst deserve to beare Alleluia Regina Coeli is risen againe as he said Alleluia Pray unto God for us Alleluia Angels appear to the Women at the Sepulcher Mar. 16.1 Jo. 20.1 ANd very early the first of the Sabboths they come to the monument Consider 1. The devotion of these three women 1. They brought Spices not sparing any cost to performe the last Obsequies of their love in annoyling the corps of their Lord. 2. For the same purpose they rise very early and when it was yet dark Learn to spare no labour nor cost in the service of God according to your ability and that as the wife man sayeth Sap. 16.28 We ought to prevent the Sun to blesse God and at the rising of the light to adore him See whether you be so early in the morning employed in the Divine Service Consider 2. And they said one to an other who shall role us back the stone from the dore of the monument Among their pious discourses in the way they were in care about removing the stone But no sooner were they come but they saw the stone roled back So we fancy to our selves many difficulties in the way of vertue and perfection which notwithstanding when we come to practise Allmighty God doth facilitate unto us and take away And entering into the monument they saw a young man sitting on the right hand God rewardeth the Womens devotion with the vision of an Angel And his countenance was as lightening and his garment as Snow Mat. 28.3 Who would not wish to dwell with such happy company Galat. 6.14 1 Cor. 2.2 Consider 3. Be not dismayed you seek Jesus of Nazareth that was crucified Among the titles of our Lord now in glory is also ranked that of being Crucified that you might learn with the Apostle not to glory saving in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ c. And even not to know any thing but Jesus Christ and him Crucified Think what joy the holy Women were in to hear that Christ was risen and how they went forth quickly out of the monument with feare and great joy Mat. 28.8 running to tell his Disciples Christ appeareth to Mary Magdalen Jo. 20.11 MAry stood at the Monument without weeping Consider the fervorous love of this pious Woman and Constancy in persevering still at the Sepulcher whereas the others returned back whereby she deserved to see our Lord before the rest for as S. Gregory upon this place saith Greg. hom 25. in Evang. The Vertue value or worth of a good work is perseverance Learn hence how to seek our Lord when by sin he is taken from you or when by desolation he withdraweth himself you must doe it with sighs teares and ardent love whereby you will come to find him whom your Soul loveth Cant. 3.4 Consider 2. Angels appear unto Mary and aske her Woman why weepest thou but
great power is reposed in him who loves you so intirely How well may you assure your self of his Protection and say with the Prophet If camps stand together against me my heart shall not fear If battell rise up against me in this will I hope Jac. 2.10 Consider 3. It followeth Going therefore teach ye all Nations baptizing them c. Where he instituted the Sacrament of Baptisme in place of Circumcision And as that was the dore or enterance in the antient Law so is Baptisme in the new but with far greater advantages of grace c. Observe likewise that Baptisme or faith alone sufficeth not to Salvation and that there is also required the observance of all the Commandements Teaching them to observe all things c. For whosoever offendeth in one is made guilty of all Therefore David said I was directed to all thy commandements Ps. 118.128 all wicked way I have hated Doe you the like Of other Apparitions within the fourty dayes Act. 1.3 COnsider 1. How our Lord as S. Luke saith Shewed himself alive after his Passion in many arguments for fourty days appearing c. So long would our Blessed Lord remain with them to confirm them the more in the beliefe of his Resurrection And during that time allthough he was ever present with them after an invisible manner yet visibly he appeared only at times that so like a tender mother he might use them by degrees to more solide though harder fare to wit the want of his corporal presence Ibid. Consider 2. How in these Apparitions saith S. Luke he spake of the Kingdom of God Not of vanities or curiosities or of things delightfull to sense nor of news nor of other worldly trifles but of purchasing the Kingdom of God and that by sufferings and Tribulations by mortification of our selves and violence according to that The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence Mat. 11.12 and the violent beare it away Learn hence to treat willingly of Heavenly things Moreover it is like our Lord in that time did teach the Apostles those things which they afterwards delivered to the Church by Tradition Beseech our Lord that he would vouchsafe to converse with you in the secret closet of your heart and there instruct you in his law Say with the Prophet Blessed art thou Ps. 118.12 O Lord teach me thy Justifications Consider 3. And reflect seriously upon your self how often God hath spoken within your heart concerning the Kingdom of God moving you both to the desire and purchase thereof by works of Perfection of Charity of Humility of Temperance and the like And you have not heard his voice Listen therefore to him hereafter least perhaps he bring upon you those plagues of which Moyses Our Lord shall increase thy plague Deut. 28. v. 59.62 c. Great plagues and continuing sore infirmities and perpetual c. Because thou heardst not the voice of our Lord thy God Of diverse Circumstances of Christs Apparitions Cant. 5. â— COnsider 1. Diverse Circumstances of these Apparitions which were made after the Resurrection for that allmost the like doe dayly happen in the interiour Visitation of the Soul 1. These Apparitions were not of continuance but short and by fits and more or less frequent according to the disposition and fervor of desire in the parties The same order our Lord observeth with a devoute Soul communicating himself unto her not allways or without intermission but at times and by fits only Inflame your self with his love that you may the oftener enjoy him and be able to say with the spouse If you shall find my beloved tell him that I languish with love Consider 2. He appeared for the most part unexpectedly and as sudenly he with drew himself and commonly made but a short stay whereby he nourished in them a desire of him self In the same manner he visits the faithfull Soul Whence saith S. Bernard Bern. in Canâ— ser 32. There may in this life be joy and content in the spouses presence but not satiety Therefore doe not expect to have your fill here but let it suffice you to have a taste only of the joys of his divine presence Ps. 16.15 You shall be filled with David when his glory shall appear Jo. 3.8 Consider 3. The time and place were different So it is in the interiour Visits of the Soul which happen sometimes in prayer sometimes in reading at other times in midst of buisiness and affairs For the spirit breatheth where he will Lastly at sometimes he appeared in a disguise as he did to Mary Magdalen and the two Disciples going to Emmaus sometimes in his own shape and figure at other times again he made himself known only by Angels In the same manner he manifesteth himself to us now immediately by himself and that apparently now obscurely now again by our Superiours Preachers c. Beseech him to open your eyes that you may know him in what manner soever he shall please to shew himself to you Say with the Spouse Cant. 1.7 Shew me where thou feedest where thou lyest in the midday Our Lord wil comfort Sion and all the ruines thereof and he will make her desert as delicacies Is 51.3 Of Holy Communion Consider Christ as the Comforter of our Soul Ps. 33.20 COnsider 1. What is read in this days Ghospel I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man shall take from you Jo. 16.22 Think how many are the tribulations of the Just in this life from within and without That all the delights of this world are but vaine and empty and that there is not any solid comfort or joy to be taken in any thing but in God alone who therefore by S. Paul is said to be the God of all comfort who comforteth us in all our tribulation 2 Cor. 1.3 Ps. 22.5 Consider 2. Christ in the Eucharist is properly the comforter of the afflicted Therefore David Thou hast prepared in my sight a table against them that trouble me And My chalice inebriating how goodly is it For the Holy Eucharist is a torrent of pleasure a river flowing with sweetness an Ocean of Spiritual delights inebriating the mind with unspeakable sweetness according to that of the Psalm Thou hast visited the Earth and hast inebriated it Ps. 64.10 thou hast multiplyed to inrich it If it doth not inebriat nor enrich you it is a sign you are not sufficiently disposed Ps. 93.19 Consider 3. The necessary disposition to enjoy this sweetness and these Spiritual comforts is 1. A perfect griefe for your sins For according to the multitude of my Sorrows in my heart saith David thy consolations have made my Soul joyfull 2. An aversion and loathing of the World with a hunger and longing desire of Heavenly things Therefore our Lord saith by Jeremy Jer. 31.25 I have inebriated the weary Soul and every hungry Soul I have
you with the flowers he delights you and so of the rest Wherefore say with S. Augustine As there is not any hour Lord Aug. in Soliloq c. 18. or moment of all my life wherein I do not enjoy your benefits so ought there not to be any moment wherein I have you not before my eyes by remembrance and love you not with my whole strength Ps 115.3 Consider 3. Other benefits of God appertaining particularly to the mind such as are good Education care of Parents and Superiours counsel and example of the Virtuous the endowments of Knowledge Arts and Sciences together with the conveniences of this life and that perhaps with little care or labour of your own which many others cannot get without sweat of brow and hazard oftentimes of soul Think therefore what you shall render to our Lord for all things that he hath rendered to you Pro. 23.26 He desires nothing but your self My Son saith he give me thy heartâ— Of the benefit of Redemption Part. 1. COnsider 1. That you may the better understand the greatness of this benefit ponder what a misery it is to live in Slavery under some cruel Tyrant where you are to endure perpetual imprisonment hunger and thirst stripes and other torments Think what the Children of Israel suffered in the bondage of Egypt and Captivity of Babylon and what you were like to suffer if you were condemned perpetually to the Galleys under the Turk and what you would give for your Ransome 2 Tim. 2.26 Consider 2. The Slavery of Sin is incomparably greater then all this which makes us Slaves of the Devil as the Apostle-speaketh and liable to the torments of Hell We were all under this slavery nor was there possible any humane means of escaping when behold the only begotten Son of God came down from heaven and took upon him to satisfie for our sins that so he might deliver us from so cursed a servitude Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself saith the Apostle for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity Ps 15.2 Consider 3. The cause of so great a mercy Christ did it not for any profit of his as if he had need of us Thou art my God saith David because thou needest not my goods Nor for any deserts of ours which then neither were nor could be any but out of his own meer goodness and mercy according to that of Isaie In his love Is 63.9 and in his indulgence he redeemed them and bare them and lifted them up all the daies of the world Who would not love so loving a Lord and give himself up wholly to him without whom he had been lost for ever Of the benefit of Redemption Part 2. Ps 129.7 COnsider 1. The manner wherewith Christ redeemed you from the said slavery With good reason David said With him is plenteous Redemption for he could by his absolute power have remitted all our sins without taking mans flesh upon him He might also have satisfied the rigour of Justice by the least action of his after his Incarnation but would suffer so much that where sin abounded Rom. 5.20 grace might more abound and that he might leave us example according to S. Peter 1 Pet. 2.21 that we may follow his steps Consider 2. More in particular what he suffered In the Manger in his Circumcision in his flight and in Egypt it self by hunger and thirst by cold and nakedness by much travelling and frequent dangers Lastly during the time of his Passion by his scourging at the Pillar by the crowning with Thorns and nailing on the Cross and all this he suffered for his Enemies that is for all sinners Who did ever suffer so much even for his friends Wherefore the Church on Easter Eve breaketh forth into those admirable notes O happy fault which deserved to have such In benedic Cerei and so greet a Redeemer Consider 3. What you ought to do in return and what to offer to such a Redeemer Ask your self that question with S. Bernard If I owe my whole self for being made Bern. de diligendo Deo what more shall I add for being repaired and repaired in such manner for I was not so easily repaired as first made Wherefore behave your self as a Bondslave of Christ as truly you are thank him for so great a favour and give your self wholly to his service Reflect often upon that saying of the Apostle 1 Cor. 6.20 You are bought with a great price glorifie and bear God in your body Of Holy Communion Consider Christ at the Advocate of our Soul Behold the Lord God my helper who is he that shall condemn me Is 50.9 1 Jo. 2.1 COnsider 1. What is read to day in the Gospel I go to him that sent me c. And it is expedient for you that I go Jo. 6.5.7 For our Lord went to his Eternal Father to plead for us and that he might be in that Supreme Consistory of Heaven our Patron Advocate Mediator or Intercessor according to that of S. John We have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Just And that of S. Paul 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one Mediator of God and men Man Christ Jesus Therefore it was truly expedient for us that he should go to his Father to intercede in our behalf being guilty of many crimes Apoc. 1.5 Consider 2. What a benefit it were to have for Proctor or Advocate in the Court of some worldly Prince the Kings only Son ready upon all occasions to defend you with his Father and to further and promote you what he could Such an one is Christ our most loving Lord who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his blood most willing to help us who will all men to be saved And lastly 1 Tim. 2.4 most powerful to obtain what thing soever of his Father Luc. 10.22 All things are delivered to me of my Father Sap. 1.4 Consider 3. How much you are to wish for that hour wherein this Advocate of yours is to come into your Soul in the H. Eucharist for then you may confidently open unto him all your miseries and necessities that he may plead to his Father for officacious redress See therefore that the lodging of your heart be clean for he is wonderfully delighted with cleanliness and as the wise man saith Wisdome will not enter into a malicious Soul nor dwell in a body subject to sins Of the benefit of Adoption Part 1. 1 Jo. 3.1 COnsider 1. That of S. John See what manner of charity the Father hath given us that we should be named and be the Sons of God The Father of Mercies was not satisfied with redeeming us but would also adopt us to be his Children The benefit is the greater in regard of the meanness of the person and the Excellency of the Dignity to which he is raised For what more vile or base then Man What
profit and not to the outward shew Hieron ad Nepot Let your applause saith S. Hierom be your Auditors tears Of the Disciples return from Preaching Luc. 10.17 COnsider 1. How the Disciples being returned from Preaching and something touched with vain glory as the H. Fathers expound for having cast out Devils SS Greg. Hieron Cypr. apud Barad said Lord the Devils also are subject to us Whence you may see how surtle a vice vain glory is that insinuates it self even into the actions of the Apostles that you may so much the more beware of it your self Consider 2. Christs Reprehension I saw Sataâ— as a Lightning falling from Heaven as if he should say as Satan in the beginning fell down as Lightning from Heaven for his haughtiness and pride so do you take heed least being puffed up with vain glory you come to be involved in the same ruine that you may learn always to stand in fear and that no state or condition whatsoever even of Apostles or Angels is secure from falling Job 20.5 Consider 3. Rejoyce not in this that the Spirits are subject unto you but rejoyce in this that your names are written in Heaven True joy is found only in solid virtue and hopes of Eternal Life not in special favours or miraculous gifts which ought rather to cause in us fear and caution least we abuse them Learn therefore to seek content of mind only in heavenly things The joys of this world are but vain and counterfeited The joy of the Hypocrite that is of the deceitful world as it were for a moment saith Job Heavenly content alone is everlasting according to that Is 35.10 Everlasting joy shall be upon their head they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and mourning shall fly away Of Holy Communion Lord thou wilt open my lips and and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise Ps 50.17 Mar. 7.31 Consider Christ as Giver of Hearing and Speech to your Soul Is 65.12 COnsider 1. What is read this day in the Gospel how Christ cured one that was Deaf and Dumb. Imagine your self to be such as truly you are in Spirit Think how deaf you are to Gods Voice and Inspirations often exciting you to Compunction Patience Humility and all manner of Perfection I called and you have not answered I spake and you have not heard Think also how dumb you are in speaking of God and divine matters whereas much fruit might come of such holy discourses both to your self and others You may truly say with the Prophet Jer. 1.6 I cannot speak because I am a child in matters of spirit Mar. 7.37 Consider 2. Christ will come to you to day in the Eucharist of whom it is said in the Gospel He hath made both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak And if he did it then corporally much more will he do it now spiritually opening the ear of your heart so as to hear his voice and informing your tongue to speak of him to the edification of others according to that The Lord hath given me a learned tongue Is 50.4 that I may know to stay him up that is weary with a word c. In the morning he stirreth up mine ear that I may hear him as a Master c. O what a happiness Mar. 7.32 Consider 3. The preparation necessary for the receiving of these blessings is 1. Frequent Prayer for the Disciples to day besought him that be would impose his hand upon him 2. Retiredness from the noise and affairs of the world for he cured him not till he had taken him from the multitude apart 3. Humility Sap. 10.21 for Wisdom hath opened the mouth of the dumb and the tongues of Infants she hath made eloquent Be therefore an Infant without deceit and a little one in your own eyes that you may deserve of our Lord to be made eloquent to his glory Of S. Johns Message to Christ Mat. 11. Luc. 7. Part 1. Mat. 11.2 COnsider 1. When John had heard in Prison the works of Christ c. Ponder the admirable courage of this holy Precursor who did not stick publickly to reprehend the impious Marriage of the wicked King and chose rather to endure the hardship of Prison and suffer death it self then dissemble the truth much less to betray it Such ought to be all Apostolical men full of zeal in Gods Cause constant Upholders of the Right and such as know not how to yield either to threats or flatteries Consider 2. John being in prison sent two of his Disciples to demand of Christ Art thou he that art to come c. Not as if he any thing doubted of it himself but to the end the hearts of his Disciples might be confirmed in their Faith by their discourse with Christ So Charity seeketh all ways of helping others Do you rejoyce and give thanks that Christ hath been pleased long since to come among us and not held the world in longer suspence and expectation of his coming and for the infinite benefits and treasures we enjoy by means of his Incarnation Consider 3. Christs answer Go and report to John what you have heard and seen The blind see c. He doth not in open terms say that he is Christ to avoid even the least shew of boasting but proveth it by his works for as S. Bernard saith Bern. Serm. 55. in Cantic Louder is the sound of works then of words In like manner therefore you must shew your self to be a Christian Priest or Religious more by your works then by your words Prov. 31.31 Let her works saith the wise man praise her in the gates Besides seeing Christ so liberally bestowed corporal benefits making the blind to see the lame to walk and the like you have much more reason to hope for Spiritual gifts and favours at his hands Of S. Johns Message to Christ Mat. 11. Luc. 7. Part 2. Mat. 11.7 c. COnsider 1. S. Johns Disciples being gone our Lord began to commend their Master First for his constancy in Virtue that he was not like a Reed tossed with every wind and wavering on every side nor empty or void of pith and substance He was not a reed saith S. Gregory whom no alteration of things did ever make to bend S. Greg. Hom. 6. Evang. See whether you be not a Reed easily turned on every side by the least blast of mens mouths inconstant in your good purposes and without any pith of solid virtue Consider 2. He is commended for the austerity of his life and that he was not cloathed in soft garments c. that you might learn to shun all niceties and superfluities in meat drink and apparel if you desire to be approved of by Christ in the day of Judgment Lastly he is termed by Christ an Angel to wit both by Office and Purity of Life that you should do your utmost to imitate his
Angelical behaviour and incomparable Innocency of Life Consider 3. Upon this occasion Christ said The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent bear it away Think how true that was in S. John in the Martyrs and in all the Saints There are two sorts of Violence the one exteriour which curbs the flesh the other interiour which bridleth the inordinate appetites of the mind whereof this latter is the more excellent but both to be used wherefore S. Hierom with good reason did say So much shall you profit Hieron ap Rodrig p. 2. tr 1. c. 5 by how much you offer violence to your self See what and how much it is that you do in this point Of the Martyrdome of S. John Baptist Mat. 14. Marc 6. Marc. 6.22 Eccles 7.2 COnsider 1. Herod made the supper of his Birth-day to the Princes c. Worldly men place their felicity in the enjoyment of this mortal life which notwithstanding passeth away like a shadow On the contrary the Holy Ghost saith Better is the day of Death then the day of Nativity for that this bringeth us into this world and into innumerable miseries the other if we have lived well uniteth us with God himself Therefore have your eye always upon that and dispose your self to it in all your actions Pro. 23 2â— Consider 2. Among their Cups and Dances was demanded and granted the Head of a most innocent and holy man where you may learn what crimes Riot and Wantonness do beget whence the wise man saith Be not in the feasts of great drunkards Herod fell into this Precipice for that he would not hear S. John which word signifieth Grace Take heed therefore you do not expose your self to the same ruine by resisting Gods holy Grace and Inspirations Woe to thee that despisest Is 33.1 shalt not thy self also be despised Ps 115.6 Consider 3. S. John received the Sentence of Death with great joy and with as great constancy laid his Head on the Block whence he breathed forth his blessed Soul into the bosom of Abraham Precious in the sight of our Lord is the death of his Saints Beg that you may come to the like end whereby you will have a most secure and short passage to Heaven Offer your self often to God for Martyrdome Imitate the example of so many glorious Martyrs of your Country by the continual practise of Virtue and constancy in Faith and Religion Of five thousand fed in the Desart Mat. 14. Jo. 6. Mar. 6. Part 1. Mar. 6.34 COnsider 1. How a great multitude of people followed Christ into the Desart drawn by his Miracles and Doctrine He had compassion on them c. and he began to teach them many things He first giveth them spiritual food afterwards also corporal You must also retire into the Desart far from the noise of worldly cares if you desire to be regaled by our Lord Osce 2.14 I will lead her into the wilderness and I will speak to her heart saith our Lord of a faithful soul Observe also the Apostles care for the people saying Mat. 14.15 Dismiss the multitudes that going into the Towns they may buy themselves victuals Ibid. Consider 2. Christ having demanded of his Disciples what they had to set before the people they answered him We have not here but five loaves and two fishes This was all the provision of that Apostolical Family a few course loaves and two fishes although they were themselves Fishermen Moreover they promptly exhibit what they have without alledging their own want or scarcity that you might learn what you can to help others according to that Tob. 4.8 As thou shalt be able so be merciful Ps 67.4 Consider 3. The Order of the Miracle the loaves being brought Christ commanded the multitude to sit down upon the grass The Apostles minister himself looking up to heaven blessed the loaves and distributed them In the same manner ought you to look up to heaven before you eat that is to lift up your heart to the Giver of all good that you may not fall upon your meat as beasts do Therefore David Let the Just make merry and rejoyce in the sight of God Of five thousand fed in the Desart Mat. 14.20 c. Part 2. Ps 77.19 Deut. 32.13 COnsider 1. How the Loaves by Divine Power were multiplied in the Apostles hands so that although they were continually distributing yet still they found either in their hands or in the Baskets more to distribute the Angels as is probable secretly supplying new provision of loaves and fish In like manner formerly at the prayers of Elias neither Meal nor Oyl was wanting although the present provision was daily spent Who would not willingly serve so good and powerful a Lord who can prepare a Table in the Desart and is able to bring forth honey out of the Rock and Oyl out of the hardest stone Is 55.2 Consider 2. They did all eat and had their fill The delights of this world may please and content us for a while but cannot fill for the Souls capacity and appetite is greater then to be satisfied with such Trash Christ alone is able to give it full content wherefore he saith by the Prophet Why bestow you silver not for bread and your labour not for satiety Come therefore to him that you may be filled Pro. 19. 17 Consider 3. After all had eaten the Apostles gathered out of the leavings more then what they had given out to wit twelve full baskets of the fragments So God is wont to reward the Charity of his Servants and is liberal to the liberal He lendeth our Lord that hath mercy on the poor and he will repay him the like Give therefore to your Brother good measure and pressed down Luc. 6.38 and shaken together and running over that you may receive the like into your bosome Christ flyeth Jo. 6.14 not to be made King Ps 43.5 COnsider 1. Those men therefore when they had seen what a sign Jesus had done said that this is the Prophet c. They were astonished at the strangeness of the Miracle of feeding five thousand with so little provision and would therefore have made Christ their King Our Lord worketh daily a far greater Miracle in feeding the whole world bringing forth plentiful Harvests out of a few grains of Corn why therefore do we not make him King of our heart obeying him in all things Thou art the same my King and my God which commandest the salvations of Jacob said King David Consider 2. Jesus therefore when he knew that they would come to take him and make him King he fled again into the Mountain himself alone Soveraignty was due to Christ as being Son of God it was due also to his Merits and Bountifulness towards men but he would not accept of it and whensoever there was any Treaty about it he fled away and hid himself
of his Passion and Death as to the perfect use and exercise of it Hence it followeth that we have a Triple Obligation of serving him 1. As our God by his Deity 2. As the Sovereign Lord and Head of all Mankind by his Incarnation 3. As our Saviour and Redeemer by his Death and Passion He hath exercised his Power to the full for your good See that you fulfill your duty in serving him Consider 2. Going therefore teach ye all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost By virtue of his Divine Power he doth Authorize and Commission his Disciples 1. To go and teach what he had taught them 2. To Baptize them in the Name of the B. Trinity that by the benefit of Baptism they might obtain Divine Faith Remission of their sins Grace and Everlasting Glory 3. To deliver unto them Christs new Law Precepts and Councels teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Consider 3. And behold I am with you all daies even to the consummation of the world Christ is with us 1. As God by his Immensity 2. As God and Man by his Presence in the H. Eucharist 3. By Habitual and Actual Grace enabling us to act Supernaturally in order to our End 4. By a special Providence governing and directing every one towards the attaining to the perfection of their Vocation 5. After a special manner he is with the whole Church and principle Members thereof assisting them with his Divine Wisdom and Veracity in their Councels and Definitions Interpretation of Scriptures and Government and arming them with his Omnipotent Power against Persecutions Heresie and Infidelity so that the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevail against them Be grateful for these benefits and endeavour to be always present with him in mind and affection On the same day as being the 1. Sunday after Pentecost the Gospel is chiefly of Mercy Luc. 6.36 for which see page 344. Corpus Christi day Of the Mystery Jo. 6.55 page 284 285 286 287. Sunday in the Octave of Corp. Chr. Of the great Supper Luc. 14.16 page 288. c. to the page 296. see page 439 440. 3. Sunday after Pentecost Of the lost sheep Luc. 15.1 page 296. see page 459. 4. Sunday after Pentecost Christ teacheth c. out of Peters Ship Luc. 5.1 page 304. Consider 1. The multitudes pressing our Lord went up into Peters Ship and that being brought back a little from the Land sitting be taught the multitudes from the ship Ponder with what fervour the people did run to hear the Word of God be ashamed of your own dulness herein and eagerness of hearing Toys News and Reports of the World Christ teacheth from Peters Boat from which we are all to take the Word of God our Faith and the hopes of our Salvation out of which there is none Observe how the Boat was brought from the Land to teach us that the Preachers Life and Doctrine must not be worldly but Coelestial Consider 2. As he ceased to speak he said to Simon Launch forth into the deep and let loose your Nets to make a draught It is Christ that moves our heart in Sermons but 't is our part to co-operate to launch forth into the deep by proceeding always forwards and raising our intentions and desires to heavenly things and to loose our Nets by a forwardness and endeavour of profiting upon all occasions Peter answered Labouring all night we have taken nothing Such are the fruits of worldly cares and labours and in the Night of Sin nothing is gained in order to Eternal Life We must therefore loose our Nets in Christs Name and upon his Word by a sincere intention of serving and obeying him Consider 3. And when they had done this they inclosed a very great multitude of Fishes and their Net was broken Whereupon Peter fell down at Jesus kaâ—eâ— saving Go forth from me for I am a sinful man Ponder here 1. Peter lendeth Christ his empty Boat and receives it full of Fish and is well enough contented to have his Net broken in so profitable a service So ought we in temporal losses that are accompanied with great spiritual gains 2. Peter out of Humility falleth upon his knees and is made the Fisher of men From this time thou shalt be taking men 3. Upon the same account he willeth Christ to go from him and thereby came the nearer unto him for leaving all things they followed him Ponder each particular and gather something for your own profit 5. Sunday after Pentecost Of the observance of the Law Mat. 5.21 page 312. Consider 1. Valesâ— your Justice abound more then that of the Scribes and Pharisees you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven The Pharisees did often fast they prayed much in the Temple and in the Streets they gave the Tythes of what they had they gave God thanks for his benefits they carried the Law about them in the Hem of their Garments c. Do you do as much Yet all this was nothing but an outward shew of Virtue and only ceremonious observances of their own The Justice of a Christian must be internal and real consisting in a pure intention of Gods Honour in all things in the exercise of Christian Virtue chiefly of Charity Patience Humility c. in subduing our Passions evil Inclinations and Affections and the like Consider 2. It was said to them of old thou shalt not kill c. But I say to you that whosoever is angry with his Brother shall be in danger of judgment c. Ponder the Excellency of the New Law above the Old 1. That which was given to a dull and earthly people prohibited only gross things this forbiddeth even little imperfections 2. That went no further then the outward appearance this passeth to the interiour affections of the mind 3. That proposed no other then temporal reward this everlasting Think what perfection God requireth of you according to your Calling and be su e you come not behind the Pharisees upon peril of your Salvation 1 Cor. 10.17 Consider 3. And imprint in your heart and memory those words of Christ If thou offer thy gift at the Altar and there thou remember that thy Brother hath ought against thee leave there thy Offering before the Altar and go first to be reconciled to thy Brother Fraternal Charity is so necessary that no Sacrifice nor Divine Worship can be acceptable to God without it and if this in the Old Law how much more in the New and in the Sacrifice of Mass and Communion of the H. Eucharist which is the Sacrament of Union for we are one body all that participate of one bread Observe how God vouchsafeth to accept of our poor duties as offerings and gifts whereas they are indeed his own gifts and bringing no good to him from us 6. Sunday after Pentecost Of the seven Loaves Marc. 8.1 page 320. Consider 1.
Jesus calling his Discipees together he saith to them I have compassion upon the multitude because loe three daies now they endure with me neither have they what to eat And if I dismiss them fasting into their home they will faint in the way This is a perfect Embleme of our condition in this world where even at the best we are an object of compassion The World is a Desart an habitation of wild beasts and void of all good having nothing whereon our Immortal Soul can feed and satiate it self we are a far off from our heavenly Country and ready to saint and fail in our way home happy only in this if we keep company with Jesus and can be content to endure with him Consider 2. Christs infinite goodness 1. In having compassion of their condition 2. In consulting with his Disciples for Redress 3. In making the multitudes sit down upon the ground 4. In distributing amongst them that little provision which he had for himself and his Disciples all which he did giving thanks breaking the loaves blessing the fish and giving them to his Disciples Apply this also spiritually and acknowledge in the fish and seven loaves the Provision of Grace afforded us in the seven Sacraments as also the seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost whereby the Soul is filled with comfort strength and vigour to continue the course of our Pilgrimage Consider 3. And they took up that which was left of the fragments seven Maunds Thus God is always overflowing in his liberality and gifts towards us but how niggard and close-handed are we towards him and our Neighbour Observe here that the Over-plus that we have either in Temporals or Spirituals ought not to be cast away but gathered together for the supply of others that are indigent Lastly learn this great Lesson that none will ever be the poorer but rather the richer for what they bestow out of pure Charity upon others for relief of their corporal or spiritual necessities See more of the like subject concerning the five loaves page 362 363. 7. Sunday after Pentecost Of False Prophets Mat. 7.15 page 327. Consider 1. Take ye heed of false Prophets which come to you in the cloathing of sheep but inwardly are ravening wolves False Prophets 1. Are Heretiques who under the fair pretence of Sanctity Liberty of Conscience expounding of Scripture c. preach false Doctrine 2. All those which under the pretext of some good or Virtue especially of Prudence and Discretion preach to us such things as are more agreeable to flesh and blood Such are Self-love Concupiscence Passion Worldly Maximes Pleasant Companions the Devil c. Have a care what Prophets you entertain see they be none of those of whom Jeremy Thren 2.14 Thy Prophets have seen false and foolish things to thee Phil. 3.20 Consider 2. By their fruits you shall know them Think what are the fruits of the above-mentioned false Prophets Obstinacy Licentiousness Disorder Disquiet Sting and Wound of Conscience c. A good Tree cannot yield evil fruits neither an evil Tree yield good fruits The Tree planted in the earth raiseth its branches and fruit upwards so man though upon earth should have his conversation in Heaven and produce heavenly fruit Every Tree that yieldeth not good fruit shall be cut down and shall be cast into fire Take warning and yield good fruit in time Mat. 3.10 perhaps the Axe is now put to the root of your Tree 1 Thes 4.3 Consider 3. Not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven Not all that call upon God by an exteriour Profession of Godliness nor all that undertake to Preach his Word shall be saved but those only which bring forth the good fruit above required viz. the Will of God declared unto them by the Holy Church Superiours Directors Interiour Inspirations c. This is the Will of God saith the Apostle your Sanctification by supernatural Grace and exercise of solid Virtue according to every ones state and profession 8. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Bailiff of Iniquity Luc. 16.1 page 335. see page 449. 9. Sunday after Pentecost Of Christs weeping upon the City Luc. 19.41 page 343. see page 147. 10. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Publican and the Pharisee Luc. 18.9 page 350. see page 460. 11. Sunday after Pentecost Of the Deaf and Dumb Man Marc. 7.31 page 357. see page 409 410 411. 12. Sunday after Pentecost Of the man wounded by Thieves and of the good Samaritan Luc. 10.23 page 365. see page 433 434. 13. Sunday after Pentecost Of the ten Lepers Luc. 17.11 page 372. see page 407 408. 14. Sunday after Pentecost Of serving God and Mammon Mat. 6.24 page 380. Consider 1. No man can serve two Masters c. You cannot serve God and Mammon There are two that would have you for their Servant God and the World you cannot serve both because they are opposite to one another neither can you serve one without hating the other God requires of you that you should seek Heaven contemn Earthly things imbrace Virtue curb the Flesh subdue Sense c. The World on the contrary will have you seek your own content and satisfaction enjoy the conveniences of this life neglect spiritual things cherish and pamper the flesh and give full scope to all your sensual Appetites Now chuse which of these two Services you like best whom you will have for your Master whom you will love and whom you will hate Consider 2. Therefore I say unto you be not careful for your life what you shall eat neither for your body what rayment you shall put on c. Christ perswades us here to cast off all immoderate care of Temporals which he doth by five convincing Arguments 1. A Majori If God hath given us our Soul and Body he will also provide us with necessaries for their preservation 2. A Minori If God doth so providently feed the beasts of the earth and adorn the flowers and grass of the field what will he not do for his children 3. For that all our care availeth nothing without Gods Providence not being able to add a Cubit to our stature 4. For that this care is common to Heathens and Infidels that know not God not proper for Christians that believe and trust in him 5. For that God is a loving Father who cannot know the necessities of his children and let them want Luc. 10.42 Mat. 13.44 45. Consider 3. That most admirable and comfortable conclusion Seek therefore first the Kingdom of God and the Justice of him and all these things shall be given you besides The Kingdom of God is his Glory and our Everlasting Happiness This one thing is necessary this is the treasure hidden in a field this is the precious Margarit to be purchased with all we have this ought to be our prime care to imploy our chiefest thoughts to take up our best