Chapter 73

Of the way which we are to hold in the consideration of the life and passion of jesus Christ our Lord.

THIS exercise of thinking upon the paces of the life, and death of Jesus Christ our Lord; may be performed in one of these two manners. Either¹ by representing to thy imagination, the corporal figure of Christ our Lord; or, by merely thinking, without any imaginary representation. And² do thou know, that since the most high & invisible God, did make himself a visible man, to the end, that, by means of that visible, he might convey into us the consideration of that which is invisible; there is no question, but that it was a very profitable thing, to behold him with corporal eyes, that so men might come to behold him, with the spiritual, which are of Faith; if the malice of the looker on, had given no impediment. And without doubt, all that which in our Lord was corporal, was excellently ordered; & did carry a particular efficacy, towards the helping of a pious hart, to raise itself up, towards spiritual things. Nor was it a small favour, for them to enjoy this sight, which many Kings, and Prophets, desired to enjoy, but obtained it not. And although we, that come after, do not enjoy this favour, in so complete a manner; yet may we not forbear to help ourselves thereby, in the best sort we may. And to this purpose, our Mother, the holy Church, doth, with great reason, propose to us, the images, or pictures of the body of our Lord; that so being stirred up thereby, we may remember his corporal presence; and he may communicate to us, by means of his resemblance some part of the much, which would have been communicated to us, by his presence. And since a picture which is painted without myself, upon a piece of wood, doth bring me profit; without doubt, that which is painted within me, and in the imaginative part of my mind, will also profit me, by taking it, as a step, whereby I may be raised higher. For³ all that, which hath relation to our Lord, and which concerneth, and representeth him; doth carry a marvellous force, towards the conducting us towards him.

And although these things may seem mean to thee; yet because they are a way to higher things, these also must be esteemed, high. And by this meanness, God will have them to begin, who are humbled, and whom by his hand, he will advance to greater matters. But they⁴ who instantly give themselves to such high flying thoughts, as seeming to be full of taste and more worthy of their consideration; may look for a fall sure enough. For, as the Scripture⁵ saith, He that goeth a pace, will stumble: And,⁶ he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be without sin. And it happeneth to these men, that if they would afterwards return to think of such things, as carry proportion with their poorness, they cannot light upon it; because they have been entered, with such a gluttonous appetit, upon greater matters. And so they run, such a kind of hazard, as a bird may do, which maketh too much hast out of her nest; whither it cannot return again, nor yet proceed, by way of flight. Therefore it will be fit for us, to begin at the bottom; with the consideration of our sins, as hath been said; and then, with the Meditation, of the sacred humanity of Jesus Christ our Lord; that so we may be exalted, to those altitudes of his Divinity.