Chapter 81

Of other profitable Considerations which may be drawn out of the Passion of our Lord; and of other meditations which may be made upon other points; and of some directions, for such, as cannot easily put that, which hath been said, in practice.

IF thou have well considered, that which hath been said to thee, of the mystery of the Passion of Jesus Christ our Lord, thou wilt have seen, how thou art to observe, both his sufferance in the exterior of his body; and the patience, and humility, and those other virtues, which were in his soul; and, above all, his amorous, and compassive hart; from which all the rest did proceed; & it will animate thee both to follow him in sufferance, and to imitate him also in other things. But thou art moreover to understand, that thou mayst entertain many other profitable considerations, concerning the passion of our Lord. For thereby thou mayst know (as we are permitted¹ to know it in this place of banishment) how glorious a thing, the joy of heaven is; and how grievous those infernal torments are; how precious is grace; how hurtful, and detestable is sin; since, for the purchasing of those blessings for us; and the removing of these mischiefs from us; Christ himself, (being what he is) was yet fain, to suffer so great miseries.

A book² this is, wherein thou mayst read the immense goodness of God, and the dear sweetness of his love; and so also, the wonderful rigour of the divine justice, which did so punish the sin of others, upon the judge himself, being made man. And because I had, both a desire, & a purpose, to prosecute this matter more at large; and to pass on, to the consideration of the divinity, by this step of the most holy soul, of Jesus Christ our Lord; and that my little health doth keep me from all means to do it; I now say no more, and that which here I writ, is the last of this³ discourse; saving that I recommended to thee all perseverance, in the Meditation of this sacred Passion. For⁴ although I have seen some persons, exercise themselves therein, for a year, and for more years than one, without gusting it much; yet by their continuance, our Lord was brought to pay them at last, whatsoever he had formerly deferred; in such sort, as that, when they considered the reward, they thought their labour well employed.

I⁵ do also advertise thee, that there are other exercises of Meditation, whereby we may walk on, towards our Lord; as well by the consideration of the creatures; and of the benefits of God; and by way of recollecting the hart, that it may employ itself upon loving, which is the end of all thinking, and indeed of the whole Law. And as there are diverse ways of exercises, so are there several inclinations in men; and it is a very great blessing of our Lord, when he applieth a man to that; which is to be of most profit to him. Which⁶ every one ought to beg of him, with great instance; and to procure (for as much as he findeth in himself (when first, he shall have given relation thereof, to such as know more than he) to judge what exercise of prayer is fittest for him; for this is that, which he is to follow.

It is⁷ also fit for me to let thee know, that there are some, so employed upon exterior things, that they cannot give themselves (at least for any good space of time) to these interior excrcises; at which they take discomfort & disgust. But now, if lawfully they cannot forsake those employments, they must content themselves with that state, which our Lord hath given them; and with diligence, and alacrity, they are to comply with their obligation; and to endeavour (as much as they can) to have our Lord⁸ ever present with them, for love of whom they must perform their works. And because there are some, who have a kind of natural inquietude in their soul; and who are wholly so undevout and dry, that although they employ both much time, and care, upon these inward exercises, yet they profit nothing; it is necessary to let them know, that since our Lord doth not give them the spirit of large, and inward prayer, they must content themselves with praying vocally, upon the parts of the passion; and so praying, let them think (although it be but brei fely) of that particular mystery. And let them have some devout picture to behold; and let them read some devout books of the passion, for it happeneth many times, that by these steps a man doth rise, to the exercise of inward thinking: & if our Lord be pleased, that yet they shall not rise; let them give him thankes, for conducting them by that other way.

Let⁹ such also, as are scrupulous, and dejected, understand; That our Lord is not pleased, that they should ever be thinking of the sins, which they have committed; & so to be buried in discomfort, and grief, like a Lazarus in his grave. But it is his will, that after mortification be used, and penance done (wherein they imitate his passion) they may also receive comfort, by the hope of pardon, whereby they may resemble his Resurrection. And when they shall have kissed his most sacred feet (by lamenting their sins) they may raise themselves up, to kiss his hands, for the benefits which they have receaned; and let them walk on, between hope, and fear, which is the safest way of all others. And I conclude, with telling thee, that although there be some, who through ignorance, or pride, have committed errors; in the way of prayer, yet¹⁰ thou art not to take occasion thereby, to leave it; since the fault of others must not make us give over, that which is good; but only we must attend to our business, with greater caution. And it ought more to encourage us, towards the following of it, to know that Jesus Christ our Lord, and his Saints, have walked therein, for our example; then the few, who have erred, must discourage us. For hardly will there be found that thing, whereof ill use, hath not been made, by some.

Footnotes

1. We see not eleerly, but as in a cloud. ↩

2. The Passion of our Lord jesus, is a book, wherein we may read and learn all saving knowledge. ↩

3. Of the Passion. ↩

4. Why we are to persevere in the meditation of the passion of our Lord jesus. ↩

5. Many other courses of devotion, whereby a man may also profit in spirit. ↩

6. Light is to be asked of our Lord in the address: of our devotions. ↩

7. A gooddirection for such, as can not greatly frame to the recollecting of themselues ↩

8. A blessed thing, to have, and keep the presence of God. ↩

9. Concerning such as are scrupulous, and pusillanimous. ↩

10. We must not give over good things, by the ill use that is made thereof by some. ↩