in the Armes of our most Merciful Redeemer And did I know to which of these my Pious Readers Inclinations wou'd most of all lead him I wou'd promote his Devotion thereunto But instead of this to shew how pleasing such Devotions as these are to Almighty God I will here relate what happen'd to a Devout Client of Saint Joseph a Religious Man of the Monastery of Monferat in Spain who was particularly Devoted to his voyage into Aegypt with JESUS and his Holy Virgin Mother It fell out that this Religious Man returning once very late to his Monastery lost his way and wandred so long up and down a Mountain some distance from it that at length he gave himself for lost by reason of the contagious effects that were occasion'd by the unwholsome Fogg's of that place or because he fear'd to become â— Prey to the Merciless savage Beasts of which the place was very full his fears and apprehentions increas'd with the darkness of the Night and caus'd him to recommend himself to Saint Joseph when upon a sudden he meets a grave Man leading an Ass which had a Woman upon it bearing an Infant in her Armes this happy incounter gave him â— wonderful Comfort which was increas'd when asking the way to the Monastery the Man who lead the Ass bad him follow him and he wou'd lead him the right way thither As they went their whole Discourse was of God and this with so much Fruit that never in his Lifâ— the Religious Man even in Prayer had felt the like Sweetness which was accompanied with no less Joy when he saw himself enter into the Village in which the Monastery was which joy was follow'd with no less astonishment when on a sudden his guide Disappear'd as soon as he had thus brought him out of all danger Which gave him presently the assurance that 't was Saint Joseph that had brought him out of this trouble and danger he was in whereby his Devotions to this great Saint was increas'd and also to that particular part of his Life to which he was before so particularly Devoted The third Devotion is to say every Day or at least once a weak his little Office which is in the Key of Paradise which is Printed at the end of this Book for the greater conveniency of those who desire to make use thereof This Office contains a continual Praise of Saint Joseph in which some of his Devotes who say it Daily others who say it every Saturday find great Comfort and no less Profit also And the great advantage that the Clients of Saint Joseph experience is his readiness always to acknowledge them as such and to assist 'em accordingly as appears by what some Years since happen'd at Loudun in France The Prioress of the Vrsulins of Loudun nam'd in Religion Sister â—ean of the Angels of the House of Cose was Possess'd by an Evil Spirit call'd Leviathan who exercis'd extraordinary violences and cruelties towards her she not knowing how better to defend her self against this his Tyrany made a Vow to say every Day the Office of Saint Joseph for a whole Year together and Weekly also to do some Pennance in his honour to obtain by his powerful Intercession a freedom from the Persecution she suffer'd from this her Infernal Enemy Two or three Days after she had made this Vow the Wicked Spirit left her at the first Exorcisme leaveing a Cross on the Fore-head of the said Religious as the Exorcist had enjoyn'd him and at the same time another Devil cry'd out Saint Joseph is come and has caus'd Leviathan to depart The fourth Devotion is Daily to recite the Litany of Saint Joseph which contain all the cheif Passages of his Life together with all the extraordinary Priviledges God bestow'd upon him And having lately seen a Manuscript of a certain Religious of the Order of Saint Bennet in which were set down amongst some particular Devotions to Saint Joseph A little Litany Compos'd in his honour in an Alphabetical order which pleas'd me very much it facilitating the Memory in relating it and therefore take occasion of giveing you the same in English after the same Order which if you like not you may make use of the great Litany which you will find in the Office of Saint Joseph Page 15. with the Prayer Page 5. THE ALPHABETICAL LITANY OF S. Joseph LORD have Mercy on us Christ have Mercy on us Lord have Mercy on us Jesus Receive our Prayers Lord Jesus Grant our Petitions O God the Father Creator of the World Have Mercy upon us O God the Son Redeemer of Mankind Have Mercy upon us O God the Holy Ghost Perfecter of the Elect. Have Mercy upon us Holy Trinity one God Have Mercy upon us Holy Mary Spouse of Saint Joseph Pray for us Holy Joseph Advocate of the Humble Pray for us Holy Joseph Blessed amongst Men. Pray for us Holy Joseph Confirm'd in Grace Pray for us Holy Joseph Defender of the Meek Pray for us Holy Joseph Exil'd with Christ into Aegypt Pray for us Holy Joseph Favorit of the King of Heaven Pray for us Holy Joseph Guardian of the Word Incarnate Pray for us Holy Joseph Honour'd amongst Men. Pray for us Holy Joseph Idea of Humility and Obedience Pray for us Holy Joseph Kind Intercessour for the Afflicted Pray for us Holy Joseph Lilly of Chastity and Temperance Pray for us Holy Joseph Mirrour of Silence and Resignation Pray for us Holy Joseph Nurfing Father to the Sou of God Pray for us Holy Joseph Obsequious Servant to the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary Pray for us Holy Joseph Patron of the Industrious and Innocent Pray for us Holy Joseph Quintessence of all Vertue Pray for us Holy Joseph Ruler of the Family of Jesus Pray for us Holy Joseph Spouse of the ever Blessed Virgin Pray for us Holy Joseph Theatre of all Glorious Priviledges Pray for us Holy Joseph Vnion of all Christian Perfections Pray for us O Lamb of God who takest away the Sins of the World Spare us O Lord. O Lamb of God who takest away the Sins of World Hear us O Lord. O Lamb of God who takest away the Sins of the World Have Mercy upon us Pray for us O Holy Joseph That we may be made worthy of the Promises of Christ The Prayer ASSIST us O Lord we beseech thee by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most holy Mother that what our unworthiness cannot obtain may be giv'n us by his Intercession Who livest and reignest with the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost World without end Amen But the better to excite you to a Practise of this Devotion of reâ—â—â—eing the Litany of this great Saint I shall here set down some particular Favors obtain'd by the recital of them either every Day or only for a certain time prefixt The Religious of the Order of Saint Vrsula had a defign to settle themselves in Lambesa in Province some Years since upon hopes given 'em of
resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn WHen cruel Herod th'Innocents opprest By th'Angel warn'd thou cal'dst thy Spouse from rest That taking her celestial Babe she might With thee to Aegypt make a speedy flight Antiphon All Hail honour of the Patriarchs Steward of the Holy Church of God who did'st conserve the Bread of Life and the Wheat of the Elect. vers O holy Joseph Pray for us resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most Holy Mother that what our possibility cannot obtain may be giv'n us by his Intercession Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost World without end Amen At the Ninth Hour Jesus Mary Joseph vers O God incline unto my aid resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn THY foes be'ng Dead thou mad'st no longer stay But into Galileé did'st bring away Mother and Child Heav'n this advice did give And thou at Nazareth did'st humbly Live Antiphon All Hail honour of c. as before Pag. 9. vers Pray for us O holy Joseph resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee as before Pag. 9. At Even-Song Jesus Mary Joseph vers O God incline unto my aid resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn BLess'd Jesus of thine Eye the glorious Light At twelve Years old was lost unto thy sight But finding him among the Doctors thou His Guardian was to whoâ—â— the Angels bow Antiphon All Hail honour of the c. as before Pag. 9. vers Pray for us O holy Joseph resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we befeech thee c. as before Pag. 9. At Compline Jesus Mary Joseph vers COnvert us O God our Saviour resp And turn away thine anger from us vers O God incline unto my â—id resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn O Happy Man to be imbraced by CHRIST and the Virgin in Death's Agony That so thou might'st thy course directly bend To Limbo having made a godly End Antiphon All Hail honour of the c. as before Pag. 9. vers O holy Joseph Pray for us resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee c. as before Pag. 9. The Commendation THese hours Canonical I have addrest To thee Saint Joseph from a Zealous Breast That by thy Prayers thou wilt obtain that I May live with thee in Heaven Eternally Amen THE LITANY OF S. JOSEPH LOrd have Mercy on us Christ have Mercy on us Lord have Mercy on us Christ Hear us Christ graciously Hear us O God the Father Creator of the World have Mercy on us O God the Son Redeemer of Mankind have Mercy on us O God the Holy Ghost Perfecter of the Elect have Mercy on us O Sacred Trinity three Persons and one God have Mercy on us Holy Mary Queen of the whole World Pray for us Saint Joseph Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Pray for us Saint Joseph Sanctifiâ—d before Birth Pray for us Saint Joseph Priviledg'd and Preserv'd from all Mortal Sin Pray for us Saint Joseph Confirm'd in Grace Pray for us Saint Joseph Honour of the Patriarch's Pray for us Saint Joseph Replenish'd with unspeakable Benedictions Pray for us Saint Joseph Reputed Father of Jesus Pray for us Saint Joseph Abounding with all the Gifts of the Holy Ghost Pray for us Saint Joseph Who Ador'd Jesus in the Crib Pray for us Saint Joseph An Angelical Man Pray for us Saint Joseph Who by the admonition of thy good Angel preserv'dst CHRIST from the fury of Herod Pray for us Saint Joseph Who as a Principality of the first Hierarchy of Angels did'st govern Christ Pray for us Saint Joseph who as a Vertue wert a Minister to CHRIST Pray for us Saint Joseph Greater than the Dominations whom the King and Queen of Heaven Obey'd Pray for us Saint Joseph In whose Armes and Bosome CHRIST was seated as in a Throne Pray for us Saint Joseph Who as a Cherubin had'st care of the Virgin of the true Paradise Pray for us Saint Joseph a Seraphical Man Pray for us Saint Joseph A most high Contemplative Soul Pray for us Saint Joseph Who dyedst in CHRIST'S Armes Pray for us Saint Joseph Who didst hear Angelical Musick Pray for us Saint Joseph Praecursor of CHRIST to the Holy Fathers in Limbo Pray for us Saint Joseph Who arose with CHRIST from the Dead Pray for us Saint Joseph Who in Body and Mind did enjoy peculiar gifts of Glory Pray for us Saint Joseph Our dear Patron and Defender Pray for us Lamb of God that takest away the Sins of the World spare us O Lord. Lamb of God that takest away the Sins of the World hear us O Lord. Lamb of God that takest away the Sins of the World have mercy upon us O Lord hear my Prayer And let my Supplication come to thee The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee c. as before Pag. 9. THE HYMN In Honour of S. IOSEPH HAil holy Joseph whose pure Mind Rendred thee fit to be design'd The Husband of a most pure Bride To Royal David both ally'd Hail Guardian of God's Son on Earth Fore-to'ld of his stupendious Birth And other Heavenly Secrets known But to thy self and Spouse alone How often did thy happy Armes Secure that Sacred Babe from Harms When with him and thy Virgin-Wife Constrain'd to fly to save thy Life With what unspeakable delight Didst thou enjoy the precious sight Of thy Redeemer whose bright Eyes Did far out-shine the Sun's up-rise How many times didst thou imbrace The tender giver of all Grace And didst as often fix a Kiss To fill the measure of thy Bliss To whom did God such joy's Impart As to thine own and Spouse Heart Which did strange Comforts entertain When Jesus lost was found again Most happy was thy House to be That Paradise in which the Tree Of Life did prosper when the ground Where that first grew cou'd not be found How sweetned was thy daily pains While Jesus lived on thy gains Whereby the Food that yee did Eat Became all Sanctified Meat With thee he frequently did walk Calling thee Father in his talk And by his charming sweet Discourse Did Sorrows from thy Heart Divorce No Instruments however Strung ' Ere sounded like our Saviour's Tongue Which thou heard'st hourly Happy then Wert thou above the rest of Men. And when in age resistless Death Gave summons to thy latest Breath Cou'dst thou more happiness devise Than to have Jesus close thine Eyes Great is thy
next and who most easily and favorably grants what ever is ask'd and procures us a free access to Jesus and Mary Wherefore it was a profitable and imitable invention of the Devourâ— Henry Canon of Charters to have Recourse to Saint Joseph since as thâ—â— Learn'd Gerson remarks having him on his side he was sure also of his Son and Spouses Protection Saint Joseph having their Power at his Disposal and 't is sufficient to take him for our Protector to have his and their help in all our Necessities at the very first Petition or ever without asking it as appears by the following Examples Saint Teresa making a Voyage with some of her Religious to Found Vies was gon out of the right way and so engag'd with her Company among the Rocks which hung over a Brow of a Precipice so that the Wagoner cou'd not go either forwards or backwards Presently she go's to her wonted Refuge Saint Joseph ordering her Companions to joyn with her in begging the Protection of her Dear Father they had no sooner â—one so but they saw an Old Man who crv'd to them with a lowd Voice Stand for you will be lost if you go on Wherefore they ask'd him what way shall we go then That way reply'd he which seem'd impossible for a Wagon to go to but on a suddain they found themselves Miraculously put into it at which time they endeavour'd to find out the the Old Man to thank him but in vain as S. Teresa foretold who assur'd them 't was her good Father Saint Joseph who had freed them from the great langer they were in 'T was for this Reason that the Exorcist of Sister Jean of the Angels Prioress of the Vrsulins at Loudun who knew his goodness and power those him for his Protectour in this work For the Devils complain'd of Saint Joseph by whose means they cou'd not molest the Religious at her Devotions And to prove that Saint Joseph even helps without being ask'd or expecting our Prayers the following passage that hapen'd at Lyons in the Month of September last past 1638. do's evidently prove which I had from the Persons own Mouth and is as follow 's Mr. Peter Evialvin a Rich Marchant coming upon the eighth of September our Blessed Ladies Nativity with a Friend of his to the Church of Saint Joseph after some Discourse with his Friend who was a Client of Saint Joseph's about several Graces and Favours that Saint Joseph bestow'd upon his Clients and of the Merits of this great Saint conceiv'd a great desire to take him for his Advocate and resolv'd to frequent his Church and to heat Mass in it the Thursday and Friday following The next Sunday within the Octave upon which he put himself under Saint Joseph's Protection as he walk'd in the Fields for his divertisment he met two Men unknown to him one of which shot at him with a Blunderbuss charg'd with thirty hail-shot all enteâ—'d his Body without giving him any Mortal Wound two or three stayd in his Belly and one of them was beat flat upon his fore-head His Wife and some Passengers coming to his Assistance found him upon the Ground and thought him Dead but being taken up the Wounded Man seeing himself all Bloody recommends himself to Saint Joseph to whom his Wife also makes a Vow which succeeded so well that her Husband recover'd his Hurts within five Days and came to give thanks at Saint Joseph's Church for this Preservation being perfectly well and there Offer'd a Picture of this Miraculous escape as a memory of his Gratitude Give me leave therefore to end this Treatise by joyning my Petition with Saint Teresa's and beseeching you if you 'll not Beleive me yet for the Love of God that you wou'd make tryal how advantagious the Devotion to this great Saint is and how prosperous you 'll find it by Expetience For I have not sayd all I might have sayd there being greater Advantages in Loving and being Devout to Saint Joseph than the most perswasive Panagerist is able to Express But beleive me who will and let them that will Imitate me also I for my Part am resolv'd to Love Saint Joseph for Time and Eternity not with a languishing but flaming Love thereby to redeem time lost nor will I prefer any object under God before him for next after Jesus and Mary Joseph shall have place in my Affections in which I will persever to my last Breath which shall be imploy'd in pronouncing these Sacred Names Jesus Maria Joseph Live Jesus Mary and Joseph Amen FINIS DEVOTIONS TO S. JOSEPH SPOVSE to the B. V. Mary Mother of Iesus Printed by T. F. in the Year 1700. THE OFFICE OF S. Joseph At Mattins Jesus Mary Joseph vers O Lord open my Lips resp And my Mouth shall declare thy Praise vers O God incline unto my aid resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost resp As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end Amen Alleluia The Hymn JOSEPH the Son of David was esteem'd Father of Jesus who the World Redeem'd The Virgin he espous'd In Heart conjoyn'd And Guardian was of both By Heaven assign'd Antiphon All Hail honour of the Patriarchs Steward of the holy Church of God who did'st conserve the Bread of Life and the Wheat of the Elect. vers O holy Joseph Pray for us resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most holy Mother that what our possibility can not obtain may be giv'n us by his Intercession Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost World without end Amen At Prime Jesus Mary Joseph vers O God incline unto my aid resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn WHen thou the Virgin didâ—st with Child perceive Perplext in thought thou her design'dst to leave But in thy Sleep an Angel with his Voice Advis'd thee not to fear but to Rejoyce Antiphon All Hail honour of c. as before Pag. 4. The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee c. as before Pag. 5. At the Third Hour Jesus Mary Joseph vers O God incline unto my aid resp O Lord make hast to help me vers Glory be to the Father c. Alleluia The Hymn TO Bethlem with the pregnant Virgin he Travel'd to pay th'imposed Subsidie Where Christ was to be born and in which place He shortly shouâ—d his Infant Lord embrace Antiphon All Hail honour of c. as before Pag. 4. vers O holy Joseph Pray for us resp That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee c. as before Pag. 5. At the Sixth Hour Jesus Mary Joseph vers O God incline unto my aid
glory sure above Whom CHRIST did so intirely love As on thy Person to bestow Such Priviledges here below Then let us all with one Beseech Saint Joseph to present Our wants to God and for us Pray That serve our Lord we ever may Amen The Prayer OMnipotent and Merciful Lord Jesus who did'st provide Saint Joseph the just Son of David for Spouse of Blessed Mary thy Virgin-Mother and chose him for thy Nursing-Father Grant we beseech thee that by his Prayers and Merits thy Church may enjoy a perfect Peace and so arrive at the consolation of thy everlasting Vision Throu ' the same Lord Jesus our Saviour who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God for ever and ever Amen A VOTIVE OBLATION TO S. JOSEPH To choose him for our Patron O Holy JOSEPH Virgin-Spouse of the Virgin-Mother of GOD most glorious Advocate of all such as are in danger or in their last Agony and most faithful Protector of all the Servants of MARY your dearest Spouse I. N.N. In the Presence of JESUS and MARY do from this moment choose you for my Lord and Master for my powerful Patron and Advocate for the obtayning a most happy Death And I firmly Resolve and Purpose never to forsake you and never to say or do nor even to suffer any under my charge to say or do any thing against your Honour receive me therefore for your constant Servant and recommend me to the constant Protection of MARY your dearest Spouse and to the everlasting Mercies of JESUS my Saviour Assist me in all the Actions of my whole Life all which I now offer to the greater and everlasting glory of JESUS and MARY as well as to your own Never therefore forsake me and whatsoever Grace you see most necessary and profitable to me obtain it for me now and at the hour of my Death to which I now invite you against the uncertain hour in which it shall happen that whatsoever now and then shall not be possible for me to obtain may by your Intercession be bestow'd upon me by JESUS the GOD the of my Soul Amen Ex Man Tyrnaviensi THE BEADS OF S. IOSEPH UPON the great Beads you recite the following Prayer which the Holy Church makes use of in his Divine Office and is as follow 's The Prayer ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most Holy Mother that what our possibility cannot obtain may be giv'n us by his intercession Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost World without end Amen Upon the lesser Beads you say HOLY Joseph most Blessed of all Blessed Souls after JESUS and MARY Pray for us now and at the hour of our Death Amen SEVEN PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONS Containing the seven Dolours and Joy's of Saint Joseph The first Prayer Containing the first Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph O Most Chast Spouse of the most Holy Mother of Jesus by the grief you felt when you perceiv'd her your beloved Spouse with Child being as yet Ignorant of that Ineffable means God had made use of for this end which caus'd you to think of leaving her And by the great Joy you had as soon as the Angel freed you from the Suspicion by declaring to you the Mistery of the Incarnation of the Eternal Word Pray for us that we may endeavour to advance your honour and worship throughout the whole World to the end that by the assistance of God's Grace surmounting all troubles and asslictions of Mind in this Mortal Life we may in the next become the peaceful Mansion of the Holy Ghost for all Eternity Amen Our Father Hail Mary The second Prayer Containing the second Doloâ—â— and Joy of Saint Joseph O Thrice happy Joseph Foster-Father of Jesus by the great grief you 〈◊〉 in your Heart when you contemplated this beloved Infaâ—â— lying in the Manger Weeping and Shivering with Cold. And by the great Joy you receiv'd in beholding the Holy Angels adoring and honouring hâ—â— with their Heavenly Musiclâ—â— and in seeing the three King Prostrate before him and Offering him three rich Presents Pray for us O great Saint 〈◊〉 the end that our Souls may bâ—â— come fit Mangers to receiâ—â— our Saviour into and that 〈◊〉 may lodge and keep him always therein even to the last Moment of our Lives that then we may find and enjoy him in Heaven in the midst of his Everlasting Glory Amen Our Father Hail Mary The third Prayer Containing the third Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph O Great Joseph a Man according to God's own Heart by the grief you felt at the Circumcision of the tender Infant Jesus shedding his most Precious Blood and by the Joy you had in giving him the Sweet Name of Jesus according to the Revelation which the Angel had made you Pray for us to your Blessed Son to the end we may be wash'd and purified with his most Precious Blood and always bear his Name imprinted in our Hearts Amen Our Father Hail Mary The fourth Prayer Containing the fourth Grief and Joy of Saint Joseph O Most Glorious Joseph and Prudent Servant of God by the great Grief that Wounded and Pierc'd your Afflicted Heart when you heard by the Mouth of Simeon that the Soul of your dear Spouse was to be pierc'd with a Sword And by the joy you felt therein when you heard froÌ„ the same Simeon that Jesus was design'd for the Resurrection and Salvation of Mankind Pray for us to the end that we may become such partakers of the Dolours of the Mother that we may afterwards partake of the Joy and Happiness of her Belov'd Son Jesus Amen Our Father Hail Mary The fifth Prayer Containing the fifth Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph O Pious Comforter of the Mother of God by the Dolours and Anxieties you underwent in your Flight into Aegypt and by the Joy you receiv'd when at your entrance you saw the Idol's fall down upon the Earth as not being able to suffer the Presence 〈◊〉 your Divine Jesus Pray for us I beseech you that flying the dangers of all Terrene and Inordinate Inclinations we may one Day rejoyce by seeing all the black Idol's of our Sins Intirely cast down and destroy'd in our Souls Amen Our Father Hail Mary The sixth Prayer Containing the sixth Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph O Most Chast and Vigilant Guardian of Mary the Virgin of Virgins by the great perplexity you were in when call'd out of Aegypt you heard that Archilaus the Son of Herod was made King who was no less Cruel and Bloody than his Father and by the great Joy that possest your Heart when the Angel Commanded you not to fear because all were Dead that sought his Life Pray for us that we may so live in the midst of the Aegypt of this Sinful World that one Day we may deserve to be call'd to the Celestial Juda Amen Our Father Hail Mary The seventh Prayer
Contaning the seventh Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph O Merciful Joseph who is able to conceive the sensible Sorrow and extream grief you felt when you had lost the Child Jesus Methinks I hear you say O unfortunate Man that I am what is become of my Beloved Where is the Soul of my Heart And where shall I seek him I will never Sleep or give my self any Repose till I find him but presently without any loss of time run over all parts of the Earth to find him whom Heaven has pleas'd to commit to my Charge and Custody and without whom I cannot live but in extream Grief and Affliction And on the other fide who is able to express the Joy and extream Satisfaction wherewith your Heart was replenish'd when you found him in the midst of Doctours We humbly beseech you by this unconceivable Sadness and Joy that we may never loose our most amiable Jesus or if ever we be so unhappy as to loose him make us feel such a true and lively sorrow as you did that we may so carefully seek him as that we may soon find him with so great and sensible a Comfort that our sole care afterwards may be always to conserve him without ever loosing him any more Amen Our Father Hail Mary EIGHT MEDITATIONS FOR The Octave of Saint JOSEPH I. Meditation Of the Sanctification Birth and Name of Saint Joseph Preparatory Prayer TO beg Light of God to understand his particular Providence towards Saint Joseph and those special Prerogatives he bestow'd upon him before and at his Birth as also at his Circumcision I. Prelude Imagin your self at Nazareth where Saint Joseph was born and there behold the difference wherewith Men and Angels regarded this Royal Infant Harken to the sweet Name of Joseph given him at his Circumcision consider the esteem the Angels had both of this Holy Infant and of the sweet Name of Joseph that was given him at his Circumcision II. Prelude BEG Grace to be Inflam'd with Love and Devotion to this sweet Infant and the Holy Name of Joseph I. Point Consider that Saint Joseph as Gerson solidly proves was Sanctifi'd before his Birth for if the Prophet Jeremy Saint John Baptist and other Saints receiv'd this favour upon account of those Functions they were afterwards to Exercise The Office design'd for Saint Joseph of being Spouse to the Mother and Foster-Father and Governour to the Son of God far exceeded theirs and therefore no less requir'd the same priviledges they had Admire the Purity of this holy Infant give thanks to God for this favour of his early Sanctification congratulate with him for it and for those high Dignities for which God design'd him that mov'd him to give it And beg by the Intercession of Saint Joseph such a true Sanctification as may render you pleasing to his Divine Majesty and his Celestial Court whose love is as much to be valued as the esteem of the World is to be contemn'd II. Point Consider this holy Infant thus dear to God linally Descended from David heir to so many Kings and Royal Prophets is Born in a Poor house of Poor but Noble Parents without any of those marks of honor and greaâ—ness which are common to the Birth of Princes See the difference between God's and the World's esteem of Riches and Honor consider how be treats his true Favorits behold how the Angels admire what the World takes no notice of Praise their Wisdom and conâ—emn it's Folly The Glory of this Royal Infant is from within hid from the Eyes of the World but seen by God and his Angels O the Beauty and Riches of Poverty Which Worldlings perceive not O Royal and Holy Infant obtain for me such an inflam'd Love of Poverty such a generous Humility as you had that I may esteem no honour greater than to be contemn'd by the World for God's Sake or than the being lov'd and esteem'd by him and his Celestial Court III. Point Consider the signification of the Name that was given him at his Circumcision either by Divine Inspiration or which is more probable by the Revelation of aâ— Angel as Saint John Baptist's was Joseph signifies Encrease anâ— what an Encrease in all kinds did he receive with it All sonâ— of such Heavenly Graces aâ—sorts of Priviledges and Prerogatives as the Dignity of hiâ— Person and Employments justly requir'd The Name of the great Patriarch Joseph who was a Figure of this was given him upon account of his Angelical Chastity and the care he was to take in Feeding Protecting and Preserving the Elect Children of God in Aegypt But our Joseph of whom the other was a Type was to be the Virgin-Spouse of the Virgin-Mother of God Protectour and Preserver both of her and her Son nay even of the Son of God himself in Aegypt O Name above all Names â—ext to JESUS and MARY â—â—t it be a constant Comfort to â—ny Heart and from the abundance of Heart let my Mouth frequently repeat the sweet â—ame of Joseph joyning it to â—â—ose Delicious Names of JESUS â—nd MARY The Colloquie O most Holy and Royal Infant O most Blessed Joseph be to me a Joseph that is â—otain for me such Encrease of sanctity such a Love of Poverty â—nd Angelical Purity with such 〈◊〉 true Humility as rendred you â—â—uly great and such a Devotion to your dear self that the â—ery pronouncing your Blessed Name may creat such a Joy and Comfort in my Heart as may move you to interceed for and consequently to obtain anâ— Increase of all Vertues in it II. MEDITATION Of the humble Vocation and Sanctity of Saint Joseph Preparatory Prayer TO beg of God to let us set why Saint Joseph follow'd so humble a Profession as that of a Carpenter and after what manner he practic'd it Increasing at the same time in all sorts of Perfection I. Prelude IMagin your self at Nazareth beholding Saint Joseph a most comely Youth of eighteen Years of age learning and exercising the laborious and humble trade of a Carpenter II. Prelude BEG of God to teach you by S. Joseph's Example how Profitably to joyn an Humble Active aÌ„d Passive Life that thereby the less you are esteem'd upon Earth by Creatures the more you may be Esteem'd and Lov'd by your Creator in Heaven I. Point Consider first that Providence ordain'd that Saint Joseph tho' of a Royal extract shou'd learn and exercise so mean a Trade as that of a Carpenter first to avoid Idleness so vety dangerous to the Virginal Purity he had Vow'd to him Secondly that the Humble exercises of this Trade might ballance the Dignities he design'd to bestow upon him of being Spouse to the Mother and Foster Father to the Son of God That no Ostentation or Vanity might take any place in his Humble Heart Thirdly that by the Labour of his Hands and Sweat of his Brows he might gain wherewithall to Exercise the greatest of Charities by nourishing and maintaining the Mother and Son of God
inspire me with those Thoughts of these Mysteries wherewith thou didst Inspire the tender and Loving Heart of Saint Joseph O most Holy Joseph obtain by your Spouses and your own Intercession such a true Disposition of Heart to Receive and lay them up in my Heart that I may profit by them that hereby my Heart may become a grateful Present to you to Offer to JESUS Behold such as it is I here Offer with all the Affection I am able O Increase this Affection that the present may be more acceptable and than Offer it to the Divine JESUS the God of my Heart VI. MEDITATION Of the Virtues Saint Joseph Exercis'd in the Flight of JESUS into Aegypt in his Return from thence and at his loss of him in Jerusalem Preparatory Prayer BEG Grace to see and Imitate those Virtues Saint Joseph practis'd in these Mysteries I. Prelude BEHOLD Saint Joseph as soon as he heard the Angel Pronounce those Words Take the Child and his Mother and fly into Aegypt getting up at Midnight and without any delay beginning a long Winter Journy of above a hundred and sixty Miles with his Spouse the Blessed Virgin and her tender Infant JESUS not yet a Year old Behold him also exercising his Trade for seven Years together at Mattutes six miles from Babylon amidst a company of Idolaters who were incited by the Devil to treat these Holy Persons after a most rude and inhuman manner All which Saint Joseph patiently suffer'd till he was warn'd by an Angel to return home Then imagine them returning back the same tedious Winter Journy to Nazareth were remaining four Years they ascended with JESUS now twelve Years of of Age to Jerusalem where they lost him and returning back to seek him found him in the Temple II. Prelude BEG Grace rightly to Consider the profit Saint Joseph made by all these Mysteries and beg his Intercession to do the like I. Point Consider Saint Joseph's Blind and Prompt Obedience by intirely adandoning himself to God's Provindence Quitting at mid-night his Country his House Friends and all other Conveniencies to begin a long Winter Journey to go to live amongst Idolaters The Love of JESUS and his Precious Life made him set at naught all other things to save this God's Will was his Guide and Law which he Blindly Obey'd without consulting his Reason which might have suggested difficulties and objected for Example why at this time of Night Why in this hard season of Winter Why must we go amongst Idolaters and not rather to the three Kings What must he Fly He who is to Save others Cannot he Save himself How long must we remain in this Banishment But nothing pass'd of all this he knew Reason was not to be Consulted but Contradicted when God Commands He knew God never adandon's those that abandon themselves to his Providence O sublime Obedience O perfect Resignation O admirable Confidence O Holy Joseph obtain for me these Vertues Practis'd by thee after so sublime a manner as rais'd thee to this Dignity of becoming Saviour to him who was to Save the whole World II. Point Consider what a Mortified Life Saint Joseph must needs lead amongst such Barbarous Idolaters Consider what he must Interiourly suffer for seven Years together by seeing God continually Offended And what Exteriour Sufferings he underwent by a want of all things Living only upon the poor Earnings of his Trade and the effects of Poverty he saw JESUS and his Spouse suffer were more sensible than his own and then behold and admire his Patience Resignation and Joy in Suffering with and for JESUS Consider how by his continual Adorations and Honours done to God he endeavour'd to satisfie for those Idolatries which he with a sad Heart continually beheld O Pious O Patient and Resign'd Joseph teach me how to Love and to Express my Love by Labours and Sufferings as you did and that Love may make Labours and Sufferings both Easie and Delightful assist me to undergo them as in the Presence and purely for the sake of JESUS Then Consider what Joy the Angels tidings of Herod's Death occasion'd in his Heart not for his own sake but for the sake of JESUS whose Life Herod sought and which was dearer to him than his own O teach me this generous and disinteress'd Love that may make me have no regaurd at all to my own Interest but that my chief delight may be only in what relates to God's Honour and Happiness III. Point Consider at Saint Joseph's return from Jerusalem how sensible he was when he miss'd JESUS finding he had lost the only object of his Love and fearing this loss might proceed from his own Fault and Negligence Consider his Resignation to this so sensible Affliction and with what Peace and equality of Mind he bore it and with what Diligence he sought him and then consider what Joy his Heart felt when he found him and heard his Divine Disputations with the Doctours in the Temple Consider also what Joy the Words of our Blessed Lady caus'd in his Soul when she gave him the Title of Father which Joy was accompanied with no less Humility and Confusion reflecting upon his own unworthiness thereof O great Saint Joseph Interceed that I may never loose JESUS through my own Fault and when he withdraws himself that I may suffer it with resignation and so efficaciously seek him that I may find him as soon as you did The Colloquie O Infinite Goodness grant me by the Intercession of Saint Joseph that I may in all things intirely abandon my self to your Divine Will Patiently suffer what you think best where when and as long as you please grant that I may never Wilfully loose you but when you please to withdraw your self may suffer it with that Patience and Resignation and seek you with such Fervour and Constancy as that I may find you VII MEDITATION Of Saint Joseph's eighteen Years Conversation with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth Preparatory Prayer TO beg of God to understand the great profit Saint Joseph made by the advantage of two such admirable Examples encreasing in all sorts of Vertue I. Prelude IMAGINE your self to hear his Royal Progenitor David under a Similitude Prophetically declare in the following words the profit he made by his abode at Nazareth †Justus ut Palina florebit sicut Cedrus Libani multiplicabitur plantati in Domo Domini in atrijs Domus Dei nostri florebunt Psal 91.13 The Just says he planted in the House or Court of God shall florish like a Palm Tree and Increase or be Exalted in Perfection like a Cedar of Libanus See how Saint Joseph verifies this Prediction both by his Title of Just and Name of Joseph which signifies An Increase and reflect how like a Cedar he grew and increas'd even to the highest pitch of Perfection in Nazareth which may truly be call'd the House and Court of God since 't was the Habitation of the Son of God his Virgin Mother and his