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OF THE TIME AND FRVITE OF the foresaid meditations. CHAP. III

THESE be the seuen first meditations, good Christian reader, vppon which thou maist discourse and occupie thy thought al the daies of the weeke; not that thou maist not think also as wel of som other things, and in other daies besides these; for, as hath ben said in the beginning, what soeuer thing induceth our hart to the loue and feare of God, and to the obseruation of his commaundments, is fit matter for meditation Neuer-theles the aforesaid passages & considerations haue ben heere set downe for two causes: the first whereof is, because they be the principal mysteries of our faith, and such as of them selues, moue vs more to that which we said, to wit to the loue & feare of God. The second is, that young beginners, whoe haue neede of milke, maie find heere chewed & digested those things, of which they ar to meditate, to th'end they goe not, as pylgrims in a straunge countrie, wandring vp and downe through vnknowen places, and taking som things, and leauing others, without hauing anie stabilitie or stedfastnes in anie.

It is also to be noted that the meditations of this wecke ar most fit, as hath ben said, for the beginning of a mans conuersion, that is when a man newlie turneth him self to God; for that then it behoueth to begin with those things, which maie moue vs to sorow & detestation of sinne, to the feare of God and contempt of the woorld, which be the first entries of this waie, and therefore those that begin must perseuer for som space of time in the consideration of these things, that they maie by thē, be better founded in the vertues and affects before mentioned.

OF THE OTHER SEVEN MEDITATIONS OF THE SACRED Passion, and of the manner which we must obserue in…

AFTER the meditations, which before we haue laid downe, there follow other seuen meditations of the holie Passion, Resurrection, & Ascension of Iesus Christ, to which also maie be annexed and ioyned the other principal passages of his most blessed life.

But heere wee must vnderstand, that there be sixe things to be cheefelie considered in the Passion of our Sauiour Christ; to wit. The greatenes of his paines: that we maie take compassion of them. The grieuousnes of our sinnes; which was cause of his paines, that we may abhor them. The excellencie of the benifit: that we maie bee thankful for it. The magnificencie of the goodnes, and charitie of almightie God which is heere discouered: that we maie hartilie loue the same. The conueniencie of this mysterie: that we may admire it. And the multitude of the vertues of our Sauiour Christ which dooe shine heere so brightlie that we maie be prouoked thereby to imitate them.

Now according to this, when we goe to meditate the Passion, we must endeuour to incline our hart som times to haue compassion of the paines of our Sauiour Christ, for that they were the greatest that euer were suffred in this world, as wel for the tendernes of his complexion, as for the greatenes of his charitie, and also for that he suffred without anie manner of consolation, as in an other place is declared.

Som other times we must procure to draw out of this holie passion motiues of sorow for our sinnes, considering that they were the very cause, why our Sauiour suffred such & so grieuous paines, as in deede he suffred.

Som other times we must take from hence motiues of loue and thanksgiuing; considering the greatenes of the loue, which our Sauiour by this meane discouered vnto vs; & the greatenes of the benifit which he bestowed vppon vs, redeeming vs so liberallie with so great cost of his, and so great commoditie of ours.

At other times we must lift vp our eyes to consider the conueniencie of the manner of this misterie which almightie God did choose to heale and cure our miserie; that is to satisfie for our debts; to succour our necessities; to merite for vs his grace; to beate downe our pride; & to induce vs to the contempt of the world; to the loue of the Crosse; of Pouertie; of Asperitie; of Iniuries; and of all other vertuous and laudable labours.

Som other times we must fix our eys in the examples of the vertues, which shine in the most holie life and death of our Sauiour: in his Meekenes, Patience, Obedience, Mercie, Pouertie, Charitie, Humilitie, Benignitie, Modestie, & in al the other vertues, which in al his woorks and woords shine more brightlie, then the starres in heauen; to the intent we maie imitate somwhat of that which we see in him, and that we receaue not in vaine the spirite and grace, which he hath giuen vs for this end, but that we endeuour to goe to him by him. This is the highest and most profitable manner of meditating the passion of our Sauiour Christ, which is by way of imitation, for that by imitation we com to be transformed, and so to sai[…] with the Apostle, I liue, now not I, 1 but Christ liueth in me.

Beside that which we haue hitherto said, it is verie expedient in the misteries of the holie passiō to haue Christ as it were present before our eyes, and to make account that we see him before vs when he suffereth, and to haue an eye not onlie to the historie of the sacred passion, but also to al the circumstances of the same, & especiallie to these fower as we haue touched before: that is, whoe suffereth; for whorne he suffereth; how he suffereth; and for what cause. Whoe suffereth? Almightie God, whoe is infinite, immense &c. For whome suffreth he? for the most vngrateful and vnmindful creature in the world. How suffreth he? with exceeding great humilitie, charitie, benignitie, meekenes, mercie, patience, modestie &c. For what cause suffreth he? not for anie, commoditie of his owne, nor anie merite of ours, but onlie for the bowels of his infinite pittie and mercie.

Moreouer we must not be content, to consider that onlie which our blessed Sauiour suffred outwardlie in his bodie, but much more that which he endured inward lie, because we haue much more whereof to contemplate in the sowle of Christ, then in the bodie of Christ; and this as welin the feeling and compassion of his paines, as also in other affections & considerations which were in him.

Now this litle preambule or preface being thus presupposed, let vs begin to separate & put in ordre the misteries of this most sacred and holie passion.

HEERE FOLOW THE OTHER SEVEN MEDItations of the holie Passion

Mondaie morning. Of our Sauiours entring into Ierusalem; wasshing his Apostles seete; and…

THIS daie when thou hast made the signe of the crosse, with such preparation as afterward shalbe declared, thou hast to meditate vppon the entring of our Sauiour into Ierusalem with boughs; vppon the wasshing his Apostles feete; and vppon the Institution of the most blessed Sacrament of the altar.

Of our Sauiours entring into Ierusalem

WHEN the lamb without spot had finished his sermons & preaching of the ghospel, and that the time of that great sacrifice of the Passion was now neere at hand, it pleased him to com to the place, where he was to make an end of the Redemption of mankind. And that it might be knowen with how greate charitie & ioy of mind he went to drink this chalice for vs, he would be receaued this daie with great triumph, the people going foorth to meete him with great acclamations and praises, with boughs of oliue trees and palmes in theire hands, & manie spreding their garments in the waie vnderneath him, and crying with one voice, 2 and saying. Blessed is he that commeth in the name of our Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Ioyne then also, my deare brother, thie cries with their cries, and thy praises with their praises, & giue thanks to our Lord for this so great a benifit, which he now bestoweth vppon thee, & for the loue with which he bestoweth it. For albeit thou owe him much for that which he suffred for thee, yet thou ouest him much more for the loue with which he suffred it. And a[…] though the torments of his passion were exceeding greate, yet greater was the loue o[…] his hart; and so he loued much more then h[…] suffred; and would also haue suffred much more, yf it had ben necessarie for vs.

Goe forth afterward into the waie, ther[…] to receaue this new triumpher; and receaue him with acclamatiō of praises, with oli[…] bowghs, and with palmes in thy hands spreading likewise thy proper garments vppon the grownd to celebrate this feast of his entring. The acclamations of praises, be praier and thanksgiuing. The oliue bowghs, be woorks of mercie; and the palmes be mortification and victorie ouer our passions: and the spreading of garments in the waie, is the chastising and hard vsing of the bodie. Perseuer then in praier, thereby to glorifie almightie God: vse mercie also, thereby to succour thy neighbours necessities; and with this mortfie thy passions, and chastise thy flesh, and in such manner thou shalt receaue in thy self the sonne of God.

Thou hast also heere a great argument & motiue to despise the glorie of the world, after which men runne so desperatelie, and for whose sake they commit such great excesses. But wilt thou see what account there ought to be made of this glorie? Cast thine eys vppon this honour, which the woorld heere giueth to this thy lord, and thou shalt perceaue that the self same woorld, which to daie receaued him with so great honour, fiue daies after esteemed him to be woorse then Barabbas, demaunded with great instancie his death, and cried out against him saying; Crucifie him; Crucifie him. So that the woorld, which this daie proclaimed him for the sonne of Dauid, that is for the most holie of holies, to morrow esteemeth him to be the woorst of all men, and more vnworthie to liue then Barabbas. Now what example can be more euident, thereby to see what the glorie of the woorld is, and what account ought to be made of the iudgments of men? what thing can there be more light, more wilfull, more blind, more disloyall, and more inconstant in his opinions, then the iudgment of this woorld? To day he affirmeth, to morow he denieth: to daie he praiseth, to morow he blasphemeth: to daie with much inconstancie and lightnes he setteth you aboue the skyes, to morow with more lightnes he throweth you downe to the verie depth: to day he saith that you ar the sonne of God; and to morow he saith that you ar woorse then Barabbas. Such is the iudgment of this beast of manie heads, and of this deceitful monster, which keepeth no faith, lealtie, or truth to anie bodie, nether measureth vertue or valour but by his owne interest. None is good, but he that is prodigal with him, yea although he be a panime and infidel; and none is euil, but he that vseth him as he deserueth, yea albeit he woork miracles; and this because he hath no other weight wherby to weigh vertue, but his owne interest and commoditie.

Now what shall I saieof his lies & deceits? with whome hath he euer faithfullie kept his woord? To whome hath he giuen that which he promised? with whome hath he had perpetual frindship? To whome hath he assured for long time that, which he gaue him? To whome hath he euer sold wine which he gaue not througlie watered? He hath onlie this of faithful, that he is faithful to none. This is that false Iudas which kissing his frinds, deliuereth them to death: This is that traitour Ioab, 3 which imbracing him whome he saluted as a frind, secreatlie thrust his dagger thorough his bodie. He crieth wine, and selleth vinagre; he promiseth peace, and secreatlie denounceth warre. He is euil to be kept; woorse to be gotten; daungerons to be holden; and verie hard to be left and forsaken. O peruerse woorld! false promiser, assured deceiuer, fained frind, true enimie, common liar, secreat traitour, sweete in the beginning, bitter in the end, faire faced, cruel handed, scarse in gifts, prodigal in grifes, in owtward shew somthing, inwardlie void and nothing, in appearence florishing, but vnder thy flowres ful of thornes.

Of the wasshing of feete

TOuching this mysterie contemplate, o my sowle, in this supper thy sweete and myld Iesus. Behold this wonderful example of inestimable humilitie, which he heere sheweth vnto thee, rising from the table, and wasshing his disciples feete. O good Iesus, what is this that thou dost? O sweete Iesus, wherfore doth thy maiestie so abase it self? what wouldest thou haue thought, o my sowle, yf thou haddest there seene God him self kneeling before the feete of men, yea euen before the feete of Iudas? O cruel Iudas, why doth not this so great humilitie mollifie thy heart? why doth not this so wonderful meekenes cause euen thy very bowels to burst and riue in sunder? Is it possible that thou hast conspired to betray this most milde and gentel lamb? Is it possible that thou hast no remorse and compunction in beholding this example? O be[…]iful hands, how could ye touch such lothsom and abominable feete? O most pure and cleane hands, why disdaine yee not to wash those feete so mired & durted in fowle waies whiles they sought to shead your blowd? O ye blessed Apostles, how tremble ye not seeing this so great humilitie? Peter what dost thou? wilt thou consent that the lord of maiestie shall wash thy feete?

Sainct Peter when he saw our Sauiour kneeling before him, being greatlie amazed & woondering at the matter, began to saie. What? wilt thou o Lord wash my feete? Art not thou the sonne of the liuing God? Art not thou the Creator of the world? the bewtie of heauen? the paradise of Angels? the remedie of men? the brightnes of the glorie of the father? the fowntaine of the wisdome of God, which dwellest in the highest? wilt thou then wash my feete? wilt thou being a lord of such maiestie and glorie take so vile & base office vppon thee?

Consider also how after our Sauiour had washed theire feete, he wiped them and made them cleane with that sacred towel where with he was girded: and lift vp the eys of thy sowle somwhat higher; & thou shalt see there represented the mysterie of our Redemption. Consider how that faire towell gathered and receaued into it self, al the filth and vncleanenes of those feete so mirie and fowle; and so the feete remained cleane and faire, and the towel, after al was ended, remained wholie bespotted and defiled. Now what is more filthie then man conceiued in sinne? & what is more cleane and bewtiful, then our Sauiour Christ conceiued of the holie Ghost? 4 My welbeloued is white and wel coloured (saith the spowse) and chosen out emong thowsands. This most sweete and louing lord then so faire and so cleane, was content to receaue into him self al the spots and filthines of our sowles, & leauing them cleane and free from those spots, he him self remained (as thou seeest him vppon the crosse) all bespotted and defiled with the same.

After this consider those woords with which our Sauiour ended this historie saying. 5 I haue giuen you an example, that as I haue donne to you, so you doe also. Which woords ar to be referred not onlie to this passage and president of humilitie; but also to al the other woorks and life of Iesus Christ: for so much as his whole life is a most perfect paterne of al al vertues, especiallie of those which be in this place represented vnto vs, to wit of humilitie & Charitie.

Of the institution of the most blessed Sacrament

THAT we may vnderstand somwhat of this mysterie, it is to be presupposed, that no tounge created is able to expresse the passing great loue, which our Sauiour Christ beareth towards the Catholique Churche his spowse; & consequentlie vnto euerie one of those sowles which be in state of grace, for so much as euerie such sowle is also his spowse.

Wherefore when this our most sweete bridegrome minded to depart out of this life, and to absent him self from the Church his spowse, to the intent that this his absence might not be to her anie occasion to forget him, he left vnto her for a remembrance this most blessed Sacrament, wherein he him self would remaine, not suffering that betweene him and her there should be anie other pledge to renewe in her the remembrance of him, then euen him self.

Moreouer this bridegrome in his long absence was desirous to leaue som companie to his spowse, that she might not remaine solitarie and comfortles: and so he left her the companie of this most blesed Sacrament, wherein he him self remaineth reallie present, which was in verie deede the best companie that he could leaue her.

At the same time also he would goe to suffer death for his spowse, and to redeeme, and enriche her with the price of his owne bloud: and that she might, as often as she would, enioy this treasure, he left her the keys thereof in this most blessed Sacrament. For as S. Chrysostom saith: So often as wee com to receaue the most blessed Sacrament, we must make account that we com to laie our mouthes to Christes very side, to drink of his most pretious blowd, & to be partakers of this soueraine and diuine misterie.

This heauenlie bridegrome desired likewise to be loued of his spowse with an exceeding great loue, and therefo[…]e he ordeined this mysticall, and mysterious morsell consecrated with such woords, that whoesoeuer receaueth it woorthilie, is foorthwith touched and wounded with this loue.

Besides this our Sauiour would assure his spowse, and giue her a pledge of that blessed inheritance of eternal glorie, that with the hope of this felicitie, shee might cheeresullie passe throwgh al the trowbles & aduersities of this life. And that the spouse might haue a firme and assured hope of this felicitie, he left her heere in pledge this vnspeakable treasure, which is of as great value, as al that which is there hoped for; and this that she should not mistrust, but that God wil giue him self vnto her in glorie, where she shalliue in spirite, seeing he denieth not him self vnto her in this vale of teares, where she liueth in fleash.

Moreouer our Sauiour purposed at the hower of his death to make his testament, and to leaue vnto his spowse som notable & worthie leagacie for her releife; and so he left her this most blessed Sacrament, which was the most precious, and most profitable bequest that he could leaue vnto her, for so much as in the same God left him self.

To conclude, our Sauiour minded to leaue vnto our sowles sufficient prouision, and foode wherewith they might liue: because the sowle hath no lesse neede of her proper sustenance, to mainteine her spiritual life, then the bodie hath of his foode, for maintenance of his corporal life. For this cause therfore, this wise phisition our Sauiour Christ (who had also felt the pulses of our weaknes) ordeined this diuine Sacrament, and for this hath he ordeined the same in forme of meate, that the verie forme, wherein he instituted it, might declare vnto vs the effect it worketh, and with al the great necessitie our sowles haue of the same, which is noelesse then the necessitie, that our bodies haue of their propre foode.

Tewsdaie morning. Of our Sauiours praier in the garden; his apprehension, and presentation before…

THIS daie thou hast to meditate vppon the praier of our Sauiour in the garden; vppon his apprehension; and vppon his presentation and euil vsage in the howse of Annas.

Consider heere first how after that this supper, so ful of misterie was ended, our Saui our went with his disciples vnto the mount Oliuet to make his praier, before he would enter into the combat of his passion, thereby to teach vs, that in al the trowbles and tentations of this life we must still haue recourse vnto praier, as it were to an holie ancker, by vertue of which the burden of tribulation shal either be taken quite awaye from vs; or els we shal haue strength giuen vs to be able to beare it, which is an other greater grace.

To accompanie him in this way our Sauiour tooke with him those three of his best beloued disciples, to wit S. Peeter, S. Iames and S. Iohn, which had ben witnesses of his transfiguration; that the verie same persons might see what a far different shape he tooke now vppon him for the loue of men, from that glorious shape, wherein he had shewed him self vnto them, at his transfiguration. And because they should vnderstand, that the inward troubles of his sowle were no lesse, then began to be discouered outwardlie, he spake vnto them those sorowfulwoords. 6 Mie soule is heauie euen to death; stay heere, and watch with me.

Our Sauiour when he had spoken these woords, departed from his disciples a stones cast; and lying prostrat vppon the grownd, he began his praier with verie great reuerece saying. O father yf it be posstble, let this cuppe passe from me; neuertheles not as I wil, but as thou. And hauing made this praier three times, at the third time he was in such a great agonie, that he began to sweateuen dropps of bloud, which ranne downe al along his sacred bodie, and trickled downe to the grownd.

Consider now our Sauiour in this dolowrous case, and behold how there were represented vnto him, al the cruel torments which he was to suffer; and how apprehending in a most perfect manner such cruell paines as were prepared for his bodie which was the delicatest of albodies; and setting before his eys al the sinnes of the whole world, for which he should suffer, and withall the great vnthankfulnes, and ingratitude of so manie sowles, as he knew would neuer acknowledge this benifit, nor profit them selues of this so greate, and so pretious remedie: his sowle was vexed in such sort, and his senses, and most tender flesh were so troubled, that al the forces & elements of his bodie were distempered, and his blessed flesh was opened on euerie side, and gaue place to the bloud, that it might passe, and distill throwgh al the same in great abundance, and streame euen downe to the grownd. Now yf the flesh suffred these grieuous paines with onlie remembrance, and was in so piteous a case, in what a dolefull state then, trow ye, was the sowle that suffred those paines directlie in it self?

Consider moreouer how when our Sauiour had finished his praier, that counterfaict frind of his came thither with that hellish companie, renouncing now the office of Apostleship, and becomming the ringleader and Captaine of Sathans armie. Behold how without al shame he set him forwards before al the rest, and comming to his good maister, sold him with a kisse of most traiterous frindship.

At the same time our Sauiour said vnto them that came to lay hands vppon him: Tow ar com owt as it were to a theese, 7 with swordes and clubbes to apprehend me: I sate daily with you teaching in the temple, and you laide no hands on me. But this is your howre, 8 and the power of darknes. This is a mysterie of great admiration. For what thing is more to be woondered at, then to see the sonne of God, to take vppon him the shape, and image not onlie of a sinner, but euen also of a condemned person? This, saith he, 9 is your houre and the power of darknes. By which woords is vnderstoode, that, from that time, that most innocent lamb was giuen vp into the power of the Princes of darknes, which be the diules, that by means of theire ministres they might execute vppon him al the cruelties and torments they could deuise.

Think thou then, o my sowle, how much that diuine highnes abased it self for thee, sithence it arriued to the last extremitie of al miseries, which is, to be giuen vp to the power of diuels. And because this was the paine, which was due to thy sinnes, it pleased him to put him self to this paine, that thou mightest remaine quite from the same.

So soone as these woords were spoken, foorthwith al that hellish rowte and malicious rable of rauenous woolues assaulted this most meeke and innocent lambe, som haled him this way, som that way, eche one to the vttermost of his power. O how vngentellie did they handle him? how discourteouslie did they speake vnto him? how manie blowes and buffets did they giue him? what crying & showting made they ouer him? euen as conquerours vse to doe, when they haue obteined theire praie? They lay hold vppon those holie hands, which a litle before had wrought so manie miracles, and dooe binde them verie straitlie with rowgh & knottie cords, in such sort that they gawle the skinne of his armes, and make the verie blood to spring out of them: and in this manner they leade him openlie throwgh the common streates with great despite and ignominie.

Consider now wel our Sauiour how he goeth in this way abandoned of his disciples, accompanied with his enimies; his pase hastened, his breath shortened, his colour changed, his face chafed and inflamed with his hastie going. And yet in al this euil intreating of his person, behold the modest behauiour of his countenance, the comelie grauitie of his eys, and that diuine resemblance, which in the middest of al the discourtesies in the woorld could neuer be obscured.

Forthwith accompanie thy Sauiour to the howse of Annas, and behold there how whilest he awnswered verie courteouslie to the demaund, 10 that the high priest made vnto him concerning his disciples and doctrine, one of those wicked caitifes that stoode there by gaue him a greate blowe vppon the face saying. 11 Answerest thou the high priest so? Vnto whome our Sauiour awnswered verie gentellie. If I haue spoken yl, 12 giue testimonie of euil; but yf wel, why strikest thou me?

Consider then heere, o my soule, not onlie the mildnes of this awnswere, but also that diuine face so marked and colowred with the force of the blowe, and that constant looke of his eys so cleare and faire, which were nothing distempered with this so shameful assault; and finallie that most holie sowle, which was inwardlie so humble & readie to haue turned the other cheeke, yf the naughtie wretched caitife had required the same.

Wensdaie morning. Of the presentation of our Sauiour before the high priest Cayphas: of the…

THIS daie thou hast to meditate vppon the presentation of our Sauiour before the high priest Cayphas; vppon the iniuries he receaued that night; vppon Saint Peters denial of his maister; and vppon his whipping and scourging at the pillar.

First consider how from the first howse of Annas, they leade our Sauiour to the house of Cayphas the high priest, whither reason would that thou shouldest goe with him to keepe him companie; & there shalt thou see the sonne of iustice, darkned with an eclipse; 13 and that Diuine face, which the Angels desire to behold, al defiled with spittel most vnreuerentlie. For when our Sauiour being coniured in the name of the father, to tel them what he was, awnswered to this demaund, as it was meete he should: those wicked men, so vnwoorthie to heare such an excellent and high awnswere, and blinded with the brightnes of so great a light, assaulted him like madde dogges, and disgorged vppon him al theire malice & furie. There eache one to the vttermost of his power giueth him buffers & strokes. There they bespit that diuine face with theire diuilish mouths. There they blindfold his eys and strike him in the face, and iest at him saying. Prophecie vnto vs, ô Christ, 14 whoe is he that strooke thee? O meruailous humilitie, & patience of the sonne of God! O bewtie of the Angels! was this a face to spit vppon! men vse, when they must spit, to turne theire face to the fowlest corner of the howse: and was there not to be found in al that pallace, a fowler place to spit in, then thy face, o sweete Iesus? O earth and ashes, whie dost thou not humble thy self at this so wonderful example?

After this consider what trowbles, and paines our Sauiour suffred in al that dolefull night: for that the souldiars, whoe had him in custodie, mocked & laughed him to scorne as S. Luke saith, & vsed as a meane, 15 to passe away the sleepines of the night, to scoffe & iest at the Lord of maiestie. Consider now, o my sowle, how thy most sweete spouse is set heere as a marke, to al the arrows of the strokes and b[…]ffets they coulde giue him there. O cruel night! O vnquiet night! in which thou, o my good Iesus, tookest no repose at al, neither did those rest, whoe accompted it a pastime to vex and torment thee. The night was ordained for this end, that therein al creatures should take their rest, and that the senses, & membres weried with toyles & labours of the day might be refresshed; and these wicked men vse it as a fit time to torment al thy membres and senses, stryking thy bodie, afflicting thy sowle, bynding thy hands, buffetting thy cheekes, spitting in thy face, and lugging thee by the eares, that thereby at such time as all the membres ar woont to take their rest, they al in thee might be trowbled and payned. O how far doe these mattins differ frō those, which at the same time the quiars of Angels soung to thee in heauen? There thy sing holy, holy; but heere these caitifes cry: Put him to death; put him to death: Crucifie him; crucifie him. O ye Angels of paradise that heard both these voices, what thought ye, when ye saw him so spitefullie contemned in earth, whome you with so great reuerence doe honour in heauen? what thought ye, when you saw God himself to suffer such despites, euen for those that did such villanies vnto him? whoe hath euer heard of such a kind of charitie, that one would suffer death, to deliuer frō death the verie same persons, that procured & practised his death?

But aboue al, the paines and turmoiles of this trowblesom night were increased far more by the denial of S. Peter. For that familiar frind of our Sauiour; he that was elected and chosen to see the glorie of his transfiguration; he whoe aboue al the rest was honoured with the principalitie and cheefe rule of the Christian Church; hee, I saie, first before al others, not once, but three seueral times together, euen in the verie presence of his lord and maister, sweareth & forsweareth that he knoweth him not, and that he wist not whoe hee is. O Peter is he that standeth there by thee so wicked a man, that thou accomptest it so great a shame onlie to haue knowen him? Consider that this is a condemnation of him by thee, before he be condemned by the high priests: sithence thou giuest to the woorld to vnderstand by this thy denial, that he is such a manner of man, that euen thou thy self dost accompt it as a great reproche & dishonour vnto thee, to haue as much as knowen him. Now what greater iniurie could be donne then this?

Our Sauiour then hearing this denial, turned back, and beheld Peter, & cast his eys vppon that sheepe, which there was lost from him. O looke of meruailous force and vertue! O silent and stil looke, but greatlie misterious and significatiue! Peter vnderstoode right wel the language, and voice of this looke: for so much as the crowing of the cocke was not able to awakē him, but this was able. In deede the eys of our Sauiour dooe not onlie speake, but also woork, as it appeareth by the teares of S. Peter, which yet gushed not so much from the eys of Peter, as they proceeded from the eys of Christ.

After al these iniuries cōsider whar scourgings, & whippings our Sauiour, suffred at the pillar. For the Iudge, perceauing that he could not pacifie the furious rage of those his most hellish enemies; determined to chastise him with such a seuere kind of punishment, as might suffice to satisfie the malitious owtrage of such cruel harts, that they being therwith content, should cease to seeke after his death. Goe now therefore, o my sowle, & enter with thy spirite into Pilates consistorie, & carrie with thee great store of teares in a readines, which shalbe needeful in that place, for that vhich thou shalt there both see and heare. Behold how those cruel & base tormentors doe strip our Sauiour of his garments with so great inhumanitie, he neuer so much as once opening his mouth, or speaking one woord to so manie discurtisies as they there vsed towards him.

Consider also what hast they make to bynde that holie bodie to a pillar, that so they might strike him more at theire pleasure, & where, & how they best list. Behold how the Lord of Angels standeth there alone among the cruel tormentors, hauing on his part neither frinds, nor suerties to help him, no nor so much as eys to take cōpassion vppon him. Mark how forthwith they begin with meruailous great crueltie to discharge theire scourges, & whips vppon his most tender flesh, & how they laie on lashes vppon lashes, stripes vppon stripes, & woū des vppon woundes. There thou mightest quicklie see that sacred bodie swolen with weales, the skinne rēted & torne, the bloud gusshing out, & streaming downe on e[…]erie side, throughout al parts of his bodie. But aboue al this, what a pitiful sight was it to behold that so great, & deepe open wound betwixt his sacred shoylders, where cheefelie al theire lashes and strokes did light?

After this behold how our Sauiour, when they had ended to whippe him, couered him self, & how he went through al that place seeking his garmēts in presece of those cruel tormētors, without that anie mā offred him anie seruice, help, wasshing, or other such reliefe as arwont to be aforded to those that be so wounded. Al these things no doubt ar worthie of great feeling, thankfulnes and consideration.

Thursdaie morning. Of our Sauiours Coronation with thorns; of the words, Ecce Homo; and bearing of…

THIS daie thou hast to think vppon the crowning of our Sauiour with thornes, how Pilate said of him, Ecce Homo; behold the man; and how he bare the crosse vppon his shoulders,

To the consideration of these most doleful passages, the spowse in the booke of Canticles inuiteth vs saying. 16 Goe forth, ô ye daughters of Syon, & behold king Salomon with the crowne, with which his mother crowned him in the daie of his espowsels, and in the daie of the ioifulnes of his hart. O my sowle what doest thov? o my hart what thinkest thou? O my toūge how is it that thou art becom domme? O my most swete Sauiour, when I open myne eys, and behold this dolorous image, which is set before me, my hart doth euen cleaue and rent in sunder for verie griefe. How happeneth this O Lord? what? did not the whippings which thou suffredst, and the death which ensueth, and so great quantitie of bloud alredie shed, suffice; but that now also the sharp thorns must, perforce, let out the blo[…]d of thy head, which the whippes and scourges before had pardoned?

Wherefore, o my sowle, that thou maist conceaue, and haue som feeling of this so doleful passage, set first before thine eys the fo mer shape of this lord, and withal the excellencie of his vertues, and then incontinentlie turne thy self to behold in what pitiful sort he is heere. Consider therefore the greatnes of his bewtie, the modestie of his eys, the s veetenes of his woords, his authoritie, his meekenes, his mild behauiour, and that goodlie countenance of his so ful of reuerence. And when thou hast thus beholden him, and delited thy self to see such a perfect foorme, turne thine eys and behold him in this pitiful plight, clad with an old purple garment to be scorned; holding in his hand a reede for roial scepter, that horrible diademe of thornes on his head; his eys hollow and wanne, his countenance dead, and his vtter shape wholie disfigured, and begored with blowd, and defiled with spittel, wherewith his face was al besmee[…]ed and be raide. Behold him in al parts inwardlie and owtwardlie; his hart pearced through, and through with sorows, his bodie ful of woundes, forsaken of his disciples, persecuted of the Iewes, scorned of the soldiars, contemned of the high priests, baselie reiected of the wicked king, accused vniustlie, & vtterlie destitute of the fauour of all men.

Think also vppon this, not as a thing past, but as present; and not as though it were an other mans paine, but thine owne. Imagin thy self to be in place of him that suffreth, & think what thou wouldest feele, yf in so sensible & tender a part as is thy head, they should fasten a nomber of thornes, and those also verie sharp, which should pearce euen to the skulle. But what speake I of thornes? yf it were but onlie the pricking of a pinne, thou couldest hardlie suffer it; now what, thinkest thou, did that most tender and delicate head of our Sauiour feele with this so straunge kind of torment?

When they had thus crowned, and scorned our Sauiour, the Iudge tooke him by the hand in such euil plight as he was, and leading him out to the sight of the furious people, said vnto them, Ecce homo. Behold the man, as much as yf he said. If for enuie you sought his death, behold him heere in such sort, that he is not to be enuied at, but rather to be pittied. Were you afraied lest he would haue made him self aking? behold him heere so disfigured, that he scarcelie seemeth to be a man. Of these hands so fast bound, what feare you? of this man so whipped and scourged, what demaund you more? By this thou maist vnderstand, o my sowle, in what sort our Sauiour came then forth, seeing the Iudge beleeued, that the pitiful plight in which he was, might suffice to breake the harts of such cruel enimies. Whereby thou maist wel perceaue how vnseemelie a thing it is, that a Christian man haue no compassion of the paines & sorows of our Sauiour Christ, seeing they were such as were sufficient, as the Iudge was fullie persuaded, to mollifie those so fierce and sauage harts.

But when Pilate saw that those punishments executed vppon that most holie and innocent lambe, were not able to asswage the furie of his enemies, he entred into the iudgment hall, and sate him downe in his tribunall seate, to giue final sentence in that cause. The Crosse was now prepared and readie at the gate, and that dreadful banner was displaied high in the ayer threatning the death of our Sauiour. And after that the cruel sentence was giuen and published, the enimies added thereunto an other crueltie, which was to charge vppon those shouldres, so rent and torne with whips and scourges receiued before, the heauie tree of the Crosse. Al wich notwithstanding, our merciful Sauiour refused not to carie this burthen whereuppon were laid al our sinnes, but embraced the same with singular charitie and obedience for the loue he bare vnto vs.

After this the innocent Isaac went to the place of sacrifice with that so heauie burthen vppon his weake shoulders, great multitudes of people folowing after him, and manie pitiful woomen that accompanied him with theire teares. Whoe would not haue wept most bitterlie, seeing the king of Angels to goe so faintlie with such a waightie burthen, his knees trembling vnder him, his bodie crowching, his eys […] modest, his face al bloudie, with tha[…] guirland of thornes in his head, and with those shameful and opprobrious exclamations and outcries which they gaue against him.

In the meane season, o my sowle, withdraw thine eys a little from this cruel sight and with al speede, with lamentable sigh[…] with larmeful eys, goe towards the how of the blessed virgin, and when thou art com thither, casting thy self doune at her feete, begin to speake to her with a doleful voice saying. O ladie of Angels, O Queene of heauen, Gate of paradise, Aduocatrice of the world, Refuge of sinners, Health of iust parsons, Ioie of Saincts, Mistres of vertues, Mirrour of cleanenes, Tytle of chastitie, Patterne of patience, and Example of al perfection: woe to me, o blessed ladie, that haue liued to see this present hower. How can I liue hauing seene with mine eys that which I haue seene? what neede more woords? I haue left thy onlie begotten sonne, and my lord in the hands of his enimies with a Crosse vppon his shoulders, to be crucified vppon the same.

What vnderstanding is able to comprehend, how deepelie this sorow pearced the blessed virgins hart? Her sowle began heere to wax faint, and her face, and al the parts of her virginlie bodie, were couered ouer with a deadlie sweate, which was sufficient to haue ended her life, yf the diuine dispensation had not resecuted her for greater pains, and for a greater crowne.

Now the holy virgen goeth to seeke her sonne, the great desire which she hath to see him, testoring vnto her againe the st ength which sorow had taken from her. She heareth a far of the classhing of armour, the trowpes of people, and the owtcries which by his enimies were thundered against him. Incontinentlie also she seeth the glistering spears and halbards, which were holden vppe a loft. She approcheth neerer and neerer vnto her deerelie beloued sonne, and openeth her eys, which were dimmed with sorow, to see, if she possibly might, him whom her sowle so exceedinglie loued. O loue and feare of this blessed virgin Maries hart! On one syde shee desired to see him, on the other she was vnwilling to see him so miserablie disfigured. At the length, when she was corn where she might see him, then those two lights of heauen did behold one an other, and their harts where pearced through with their eys, and they wounded with their mutual sight their pitiful sowles. Theire toungs were becom domme, and yet the hart of that most sweete sonne spake to the hart of his mother, and said vnto her, wherefore camest thou hither my doue, my beloued, and my sweete mother? Thy sorow increaseth mine, and thy torments be a torment to me, depart my deere mother and returne home: it is not decent for thy virginlie shame-fastnes and puritie, to be in companie of murderers and theeues.

These and otherlike woords ful of compassion and pitie, were spoken in those pitiful harts, and in this manner they passed ouer that irksom, and paineful way euen vnto the place of the Crosse.

Fridaie morning. Of the Crosse, and the seuen woords which our Sauiour spake vppon the same

THIS day thou hast to meditate vppon the misterie of the Crosse, and vppon the seuen woords which our Sauiour spake.

Awake now, o my sowle, and begin to think vppon the misterie of the Crosse, by whose fruite is repared the hurt of that poisened fruite, of the forbidden tree. Consider first how when our Sauiour was com to this place, those cruel enimies, to make his death more shamefull, stripped him of al his apparel, euen to his innermost garment, which was wholie wouen through out without anie seame. Behould now heere with what meekenes this most innocent lamb suffreth him self to be thus stripped, without opening his mouth or speaking anie woord against them that vsed him in such sort; but rather with a good wil consented to be spoiled of his garments, & with shame remaine naked, that by the merite of this nakednes, and with the same, the nakednes in which we were fallen throwgh sinne, might be far better couered, then with the leaues of the fig-tree.

Som holie fathers reporte that the tormētors to pluck of our Sauiours garments, tooke of most cruellie the crowne of thornes which he had vppon his head; and that hauing stripped him they set it on againe, & fastned the sharp thornes to the braine which was an exceeding great grife. And surelie it is to be thought that they vsed this crueltie against him, hauing vsed manie others, and those also verie strange in al the processe of his passion: especiallie seeing the holie Euangelist saith, that thy did vnto him whatsoeuer they would. And as his garment stucke fast to the woundes of his scourges, and the bloud was now congealed and fastned vnto his garment, at what time thy stripped him, they haled it of with such furious hast and force (as those caitisses were far from al pitie and mercie) that they renewed al the woundes of his whippings, in such rueful wise: that that great wound of his shoulders distilled bloud on al partes.

Consider now heere, o my sowle, the excellencie of the goodnes and mercie of God, which sheweth it self so euidentlie in this misterie. Behold how he that clotheth the heauens with clowdes, and the fields with flowers & bewtie, is heere spoiled of al his garments. Consider the cold which that holie bodie suffred, standing as it stoode spoiled, & naked not onlie of his garments, but also of his verie skinne and flesh, with so manie gapes, and wide holes of open woundes throughout the same. And yf S. Peter being clothed and shodde, felt cold the night before, how far greater cold suffred that most delicate and tender bodie, being so naked and wounded as it was?

Consider after this how our Sauiour was nayld vppon the Crosse, & the paine which he suffred at that time, when those great and square nailes pearced through the most sensible and tender parts of his bodie, which was of al bodies most delicate. And consider also what extreme griefe it was to the blessed virgin, when she saw with her eys, and heard with her eares the mightie and cruel hard strokes which were laid on so thick, & iterated one after an other vppon his diuine members. For certainelie those hammers & nailes passed through the hands of the sonne but they wounded and pearced the verie hart of the mother.

Consider how forthwith they hoysed vp the Crosse on high, & went about to rāme it in the hole, which they had made for that purpose, & how, such were those cruel ministers, at the verie time of rearing it vp & placing it, they let it fal with a iump into the hole with al the weight thereof: and so that blessed bodie was sore shaken and iogged in the ayre, and thereby his wounds of the nailes were enlarged, which was a most intollerable paine.

Now then o my sweete Sauiour and Redeemer, what hart maie be so stonie hard that wil not riue a sunder for griefe, sith this daie the verie stones them selues were ryuen cōsidering that which thou suffredst vppon the Crosse? The sorous of death, o Lord, haue enuironed thee; & the waues of the sea haue ouerwhelmed thee. Thou art mired in the depth of the bottomles goulfes, and findest nothing where vppon to staie thy self. Thy father hath forsaken thee; what hope maist thou haue of men? Thy enimies crie out against thee, thy frinds breake thy hart, thy sowle is afflicted, and for the loue thou bearest to me, thou admittest no comfort. Mie sinnes, o Lord, were vndoubtedlie verie greate, and thy penance wel declareth it. I see thee, o my king fastened to a tree, & there is nothing to susteine thy bodie but three yron nailes: of those thy sacred bodie hangeth without anie other stay or comfort. When the weight of thy bodie staieth vppon thy feete, then ar the wounds of thy feete more wydened, and torne with the nayls wherewith they ar pearced. And when the swaie of thy bodie staieth vppon thy hands, then ar the wounds of thy hands more rent with the poise of thy bodie. Now thy holie head tormented, and weakened with the crowne of thornes, what pillow hath it to rest vppon? O how wel might thy armes (most blessed and excellent virgin) be heere emploied to supplie this office! But alas, thy armes maie not serue for this present, but the armes of the Crosse. Vppon them must that sacred head recline it self when it wil repose, and yet the ease he shal receaue thereby, shal be but onlie to driue & stick those thornes more fast into his braine.

The sorows of the sonne were much increased by the presence of his mother, with which his hart was no les crucified within, then his holie bodie without. Two crosses be heere prepared for thee, o good IESVS, this daie; the one for thy bodie, and the other for thy sowle. The one is of passion, the other of compassion. The one pearceth thy bodie with nailes of iron, the other pearceth thy most holie sowle with nailes of sorowe; whoe is able to declare o[…] good IESVS, what griefe it was to thee when thou diddest consider the great anguishes of the most holie sowle of thy mother, which thou knewest so certainlie was there crucified with thee? when thou sawest that pitiful hart of her pearced, and thrust through with the swoord of sorow? when thou diddest open thy blowdie eys, and beheldest her diuine face, whollie ouer cast with palenes and wannes of death; and those angwishes of her sowle, which caused not her death, and yet were greater to her then death it self; and those riuers of teares which gusshed out from her most cleare eys, and heardest those deepe sighs and sobbes, which burst out of her sacred brest, being enforced with the vehemencie of griefe and sorow?

Now what brest (saith S. Bernard) maie be so of iron, what bowels so hard, that they be not moued to compassion, o most sweete mother, considering the teares and paines which thou diddest endure at the foote of the Crosse, when thou sawest thy most deere sonne suffer so grieuous, so long, and so opprobrious and shameful torments? what hart can think, what toung can expresse thy sorrow, thy teares, thy sighes, and the cleauing a sunder of thy hart, when standing in this place, thou sawest thy beloued sonne vsed in such cruel sort, and yet couldest not help him? when thou beheldest him naked, and couldest not clothe him; parched vp with thirst, & couldest not giue him to drink; iniuried, and couldest not defend him; diffamed as a malefactour, and couldest not answere for him; his face so defiled with spittel, and couldest not make it cleane; finallie his eyes gushing out teares, and couldest not drye them, nor receaue that last gaspe which came out from his sacred brest, nor ioyne thy face with, his so knowen and so beloued, and in such manner dye imbraced with him. In this time thou diddest wel proue in thy self, that the prophetie was fulfilled, which that holie old Simeon had foretold thee, before he died, saying, that a sword of sorow should pearce thy hart.

But o[…] most pitiful virgen, wherefore wouldest thou, o blessed ladie, increase thy sorow with the sight of thyne owne eys? wherefore wouldest thou find thy self present this daie in this place? It is not a thing decent for one so retyred, as thou art woont to be, to appeare in common places; It becommeth not a motherlie hart to see her children dye, although it stoode with their honour and reputation, and they dyed in their bead; and comest thou then to see thy sonne die by iustice, & amongst theeues vppon a crosse? But now seeing thou hast resolued to surpasse and ouercom al motherlie affection, and that thou wilt honour this misterie of the crosse, wherefore doest thou approche so neere vnto the same, that thou must carie away in thie mantle, a perpetual memorie and remembrance of this thy sorow? Thou canst not aford thy sonne anie comfort or remedie, but wel thou maist with thy presence increase and augment his torment.

In deede this onlie wanted to the increase of his sorows, that in the time of his agonie, in the last instant and conflict of his death, euen when the last sighs raised vp his tormented brest, he should then cast downe his eys altogeather dazeled and dimmed, & should behold thee standing at the foote of the crosse. And because he being neere to the end of his life had his senses so weakened and feebled, and his eyes so obscured with the shadow of death, that he could not see a far of, thou madest thy self so neere, to th'end he might know thee, and see those armes, in which he had ben receaued and caried into Egipt, so faint and broken; and those virginal brests, with whose milk he had ben nourisshed, become euen a sea of sorrow. Behold o ye Angels these two figures, yf peraduenture you maie know them. Behold o ye heauens this crueltie, and couer your self with mourning for the death of your Lord: let the cleere ayre become obscure and dark, that the woorld see not the naked bodie of your Creator. Cast with your darknes a mantel vppon his bodie, that profane eys behold not the ark of the testament vncouered. O ye heauens which were created so bright and faire! o thou earth clothed with such varietie and beawtie! yf you did hide your glorie in this so greate paine; yf you that be insensible, did after your manner feele the same, what then did the bowels and virginal brest of the blessed mother? O al you, saith shee, that passe by the waie, consider and behold yf there be anie sorow like vnto mie sorow. Trulie there is no sorow like vnto thie sorow, because in al the creature; of the woorld there is no loue like vnto thy loue.

After this thou maist consider those seuen woords, which our lord spoke vppon the Crosse, 17 of which the first was. Father pardon them, for they know not what they dooe. The second was to the good theefe: This daie shalt thou be with me in paradise. The third was to his most blessed mother; Woman behold thy sonne. The fourth was: I am a thirst. The fift was: My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? The sixt was: It is finished. The seuenth was: Father into thy hands I commit my spirite.

Consider now, o my sowle, with how great charitie he cōmended in these woords his enimies vnto his father; with how greate mercie he receaued the thife which confessed him; with what bowels he commended his pitiful mother to the beloued disciple; with how greate thirst and drith he shewed how much he desired the saluation of men; with how lamentable a voice he powred out his praier, and vttered his tribulatiō before the face of almightie God; how he performed so perfectlie, euen to the verie end, the obedience of his father; and how finallie he commended vnto him his spirite, and resigned him self wholie into his most blessed hands.

Heere hence it appeareth, hou in eche one of these woords, remaineth inclosed som singular document, and instruction of vertue. In the first, is cōmended vnto vs Charitie towards our enimies. In the second, pitie and mercie towards sinners. In the third dutie and reuerence towards our parents. In the fouerth, zeale and desire of our neighbours saluation. In the fift, praier in time of tribulations, and when we seeme to be forsaken of God. In the sixt, the vertue of Obedience and Perseuerance. And in the seuenth a perfect resignation into the hands of God, which is the summe and principal of al our perfection.

Satturdaie morning. Of the pearcing our Sauiours side; of his taking downe from the crosse; of the…

THIS daie thou hast to meditate vppon the pearcing of our Sauiours side with a spea[…]e; of his taking doune from the crosse; together with the lamentation of our lady, and the office of the burial.

Consider then, how after that our Sauiour had giuen vp the ghost vppon the crosse, and those cruel ministers had accomplisshed their desire, which longed so much to see him dead, yet with al this the flame of theire furie was not quenched: because that, notwithstanding such things as had past, they resolued to reuenge and flesh them selues more vppon those holie reliques which remained, parting and casting lottes vppon his garments, and pearcing his sacred brest with a cruel speare.

O ye cruel ministres! O ye harts of iron! Seemed that so litel to you which his bodie suffred being aliue, that ye would not pardon it euen after it was dead? what rage of enmitie is there so great, but that it is appeased, when it seeth his enimie dead before him? Lift vp a litle those cruel eys of yours & behold that deadlie face, those dimme eys, that falling countenance, that palenes and shadow of death: for although you be more hard then either iron or adamant stone, yea though ye be more hard then your owne selues, yet in beholding him you wil be pacified.

After this commeth the minister with a speare in his hand, and with great force thrusteth the same through the verie naked brest of our Sauiour. The crosse shooke in the aire, with the force of the stroke; and from thence issued water and bloud, wherewith ar healed the sinnes of the world. O riuer that runnest out of paradise, and waterest with thy streames all the whole face of the earth! O wound of this pretious side, made rather with feruent loue towards mankind, then with the sharp iron of the cruel speare! O gate of heauen! windowe of paradise! place of refuge! tower of strength! sanctuarie of iust persons! sepulchre of pilgrims! nest of cleane doues, & florishing bed of the spowse of Salomon. Al haile o wound of this pretious syde, that woundest al deuout harts; stroke that strikest the sowles of the iust; rose of vnspeakable bewtie; rubie of inestimable price; entrance into the hart of Christ; testimonie of his loue; and pledge of euerlasting life.

Next to this consider, how the very same daie in the euening, there came those two holie men Ioseph and Nicodemus, whoe reared vp their ladders vnto the crosse, and tooke downe the blessed bodie of our Sauiour into their armes. The holie virgin then perceauing, that the torment of the crosse was now ended, and that the holie bodie of our Sauiour was comming towards the earth, she prepareth her self to giue him a secure hauen in her brest, and to receaue him from the armes of the Crosse, into her owne armes. And so she requesteth with great humilitie of those noble men, that for so much as shee had takē no leaue of her sonne, nor receaued the last embracings of him vppon the crosse, at the time of his departure, they would now suffer her to approche neere vnto him, and not increase her discomfort on euerie side, yf, as the enimies had before taken her sonne from her, being yet aliue, so her frinds would take him from her being now dead.

Now when the blessed virgin had him in her armes, what tounge is able to expresse that, which she then felt? O ye Angels of peace, weepe with this holie virgin; weepe ye heauens; weepe ye starres of heauen; and al creatures of the world accompanie the lamentation of the blessed virgin Marie. The blessed mother embraceth the torne bodie, shee clippeth it fast to her brest, (her strength seruing her to his thing onlie) she putteth her face betweene the thornes of the sacred head; she ioineth countenance with countenance; the face of the most holie mother, is imbrued with the bloud of the sonne; and the face of the sonne, is bathed with the teares of the mother. O sweete mother, is this peraduēture thy most sweete sonne? Is this he whome thou conceauedst with so greate glorie, & broughtest foorth with so great ioy? what is now becom of thy former ioyes? whither is thy wonted gladnes gone? where is that mirrour of bewtie, in which thou diddest behold thy self?

Al those that were present, wept with her. Those holie matrones wept. Those noble gentlemen wept. Heauen and earth wept, and al creatures accompanied the teares of the virgin.

The holie Euangelist also wept, and embracing the bodie of his maister said: O my good lord & maister, whoe shalbe my teacher from this time forwards? To whome shal I resort with my doutes? vpon whose brest shal I rest mie self? whoe shal impart to me the secreats of heauen? what straunge change and alteration is this? The lasteuening thou sufferedst me to rest vppon thy holy brest, giuing me ioye of life; and now dooe I recompence that so greate benifit, with holding thee dead on my brest. Is this the face, which I sawe transsigured vppon the mount Thabor? Is this that figure, which was more cleere then the sonne at middaie?

Likewise that holie sinner Marie Magdalen wept, and embracing the feete of our Sauiour said. O light of myne eyes and remedie of my sowle, yf I shal see my self wearied with sinnes, whoe shal receaue me? whoe shal cure my wounds? whoe shal answere for me? whoe shal defend me against the Pharisees? O how far otherwise held I these feete, and wass hed them, when thou receauedst me? O my sweete hart-roote, whoe could bring to passe that I might now die with thee? O life of my sowle how can I saie that I loue thee, seeing that I remaine aliue, when I haue thee dead before mine eys?

In like manner did al that holie companie weepe and lament, watering & washing that holie bodie with teares. But now when the hower of his burial was com, they wynd his holie bodie in a cleane linnen sheete: they bynde his face with a napkin; & laying the bodie vppon a beere, they goe to the place of the monument, and there they laie in that pretious treasure. The sepulchre was couered with a stone, and the hart of the blessed mother with a clowde of heauines and sorowe. There once againe she taketh leaue of her sonne. There she beginneth a freshe to feele her heauie solitarines. There she seeth her self now dispossessed of al her good. Finallie there her hart remaineth buried, where her treasure was left.

Sonnedaie morning. Of the descending of our Sauiour into Limbus, of his appearing to our ladie, to…

THIS daie thou maist meditate vppon the descending of our Sauiour to Limbus; of his appearing to our blessed ladie, to S. Marie Magdalen, to the disciples; and of his glorious Ascension.

First of al consider, how exceeding greate the ioy & comfort was, which those holie fathers in Limboreceaued, through the visitation and presence of theire Redeemer, and what thankes and praises they gaue him for this saluation, so exceeding lie desired and hoped for. Those that returne from the east India into Spaine, saie of them selues, that they esteerne al the paines, and trauailes of their voiage past by sea, verie welimploied, when they cōfider the extreme ioy, which they receaue at the daie of theire returne to their countrie. Now yf this sayling, & absence from theire countrie of one or twoe yeares, be of force to cause so great ioye, what contentement and pleasure would the absence of three, or fouer thowsand yeares, woorke in those that were to receaue so great saluation, and to take hauen in the land of such as liue for euer?

Consider likewise the ioy, which the blessed virgin this daie receaued in the sight of her sonne, which was risen: for certaine it is, that as shee was the onlie person which most felt the paines of his passion and death, so she was the onlie, that most was partaker of the ioy of his Resurrection.

Now what inward comfort had she, when before her, she beheld her sonne aliue and glorious, accompanied with all those holie fathers which were risen with him? what did she? what said she? of what maner were her embracings? her kisses? the teares of her pitiful eys? and her desires to be alwais with him, yf it might be graunred her?

Consider the ioy of those holie Maries, & especiallie of her, which perseuered weeping before the sepulchre, when she sawe the beloued of her sowle, and cast her self downe at his feete, and fownd him risen and liuing, whome she sought and desired to see, although he had ben dead. And consider wel, that next to his blessed mother, he appeared first to this woman, who most loued him, most perseuered, most wept, and most carefullie sought him; thereby to make thee know for certaine, that thou shalt also find God, if thou seeke him with the self same teares and diligence.

Consider after what sort he appeared to the disciples, which went towards Emaus, in forme of a pilgrime; & behold how gracious, and courtious he sheweth him self vnto them in his woords; how familiarlie he keepeth them companie; how sweetlie he disguiseth him selt that they know him not; and finallie how louing lie hediscouered him self vnto them, and left them with passing inward comfort and contentement. Let thy speech and talk be also such as was this of these men, and coufer with inward sorow and feeling that, which they conferred (which was of the torments and paines that Christ had suffered) and perswade thy self assuredlie, that thou shalt not want his presence and companie, yf thou procure to haue alwaies this in thy remembrance and memorie.

Touching the misterie of the Ascension; consider first, how our Sauiour differred & prolonged his mounting vp into heauen, for the space of fortie daies […]in which he appeared oftentimes to his disciples, teaching them, and speaking with them of the kingdom of God. In such manner that he would not ascend vp into heauen, nor depart from them, vntil he had left them such, as they might be able with spirite, to ascend into heauen with him. Whereby thou maist vnderstand, that oftētimes the corporal presence of Christ (that is the sensible consolation of deuotion) leaueth those, that be now able with spirite to flie on high, and be more secure and free from peril and danger. In which thing the prouidence of almightie God maruailouslie discouereth it self, and the manner which he obserueth in dealing with his at sundrie times: that is, he cherisheth the weake and feeble; he exerciseth the valiant & stronge; he giueth milk to the little ones: he weaneth such as be greate; he comforteth some; he proueth others; and so dealeth with eche one, according to the degree of his profit, & aduauncement. Whereof it foloweth, that neither he which is fauoured, hath cause to becom presumptuous; seeing that cherishing is an argument of weakenes; nor he which is left discomforted, to be dismaied; seeing this is oftentimes a signe of strength.

In the presence of his disciples, and they beholding him, he went vp into heauen; because they were to be witnesses of these misteries: and none can better beare witnesse of the woorks of God, then he which knoweth them by experience. Yf thou ernestlie desire to know how good almightie God is, how sweete, and how pleasant towards his, how greate the vertue and efficacie of his grace is, of his loue, of his prouidence, and of his consolations, enquire of those that haue proued it, and they wil giue sufficient testimonie of it.

He was also desirous that they should see him goe vp into heauen, that thereby they might folow him with theire eys & with theire spirite, that they might feele his absence, that his departure might make them retired and solitarie, which was a most fit preparation to receaue his grace. 18 Heliseus requested Helias to giue him his spirite; and the good maister answered him. Yf thou canst see me, when I depart from thee, thou shalt obtaine thy demaund. So they in deede shalbe heyres of the spirite of Christ, whome force of loue shal make to feele the absence of Christ: they which shal feele his departure, and remaining in this banishment, shal cōtinuallie sigh for his presence. So felt that holie man, this absence, whoe said. Thou departedst from me, o my comforter, and thou tookest not thy leaue of me. Going on thy waie, thou didest giue thy blessing to thine, and I sawe it not. The Angels promised that thou wouldest returne, and I hard it not.

Now what solitarines, what feeling, what cries, what teares were those of the most blessed virgin, of the beloued disciple, of S. Marie Magdalen, & of al the Apostles when they saw him goe from them, & depart out of their sight whoe had stolen from them their harts? 19 yet, notwithstanding all this, it is writen, that they went back into lerusalem with great ioye, because they loued him exceedinglie. For the self same loue, which made them feele so much his departure, made them on the other side reioice of his glorie; & true loue seeketh not so much it self, as that which it loueth.

It remaineth to consider, with how great glorie, with what ioye, with what exclamations and praises, this noble triumpher was receaued in that excellent citie: what was the feast, and entertainement which they made him: what it was to behould men, & Angels there ioyned together, and al in companie to goe towards that noble citie, to fill vp those seates, which so manie yeares had ben voide; & that most blessed humanitie of our Sauiour, to mount aboue all, & to sit at the right hand of God the father? All this deserueth to be dulie considered, that we maie vnderstand, and see how wel our labours be imploied for the loue of God; & how he, which humbled him self, and suffered more then all other creatures, is now aduanced, & exalted aboue them all: that here hence the louers of true glorie, maie know the waie which they must follow to obtayne the same, which is to descend, thereby to ascend; and to put them selues vnder the feete of all others, thereby to be exalted aboue all.

Footnotes

  1. Galat[…] 2.20. ↩

  2. Matth. 2.9. ↩

    1. Regu. 3.27.
    ↩

  4. Cantic. 5.10. ↩

  5. Ioan. 13.15. ↩

  6. Matth. 26.38. ↩

  7. Matth. 26.55. ↩

  8. Luc. 22.53. ↩

  9. Luc. 22.53. ↩

  10. Ioan. 18.19. ↩

  11. Ioan. 18.22. ↩

  12. Ioan. 18.23. ↩

  13. Petr. 1.12. ↩

  14. Matt. 26.68. ↩

  15. Luc. 22.65. ↩

  16. Cautic. 3.11. ↩

  17. Mar. 23.34. Mar. 23.43. Ioan. 19.27. Ioan. 19.28. Matt. 27.46. Ioan. 19.30. Mar. 23.46. ↩

    1. Reg. 2.
    ↩

  19. Luc. 24.52. ↩

Chapter 6 of 23