The devout hart or Royal throne of the pacifical Salomon. Composed by F. St. Luzuic S.I. Translated out of Latin into English. Enlarged with incentiue by F. St. Binet of the same S. and now enriched with hymnes by a new hand

IESVS CELEBRATES THE HEAVENLY Nuptials in the hart. (Book 19)

THE HYMNE.

THe nu••t••al supper, now I see, O happy soule! prepar••••d for thee; The table's co••erd: but what sea••, Hast thou for thy repose? What meat? Except a Lamb, I nothing find, The amourous Spouse is now so kind, That what ••e fed thee with before; From th'eye shalbe conceal'd no more. As with a fleece, in species white, He long in earth appear'd in sight. As with a fleece, by grace gaue heat: But now behold the Lamb thy meat. In ••im repose, freed from annoy By seeing, comprehend, enioy.

THE INCENTIVE.

1. IESVS the bloudy Spouse or Spouse of blouda 1.1 leads his be∣loued, whom now long since he pur∣chased with the price of his life, vn∣to the Nuptial supper of the Lamb, into the heauenly Bride-chāber. The hart therefore (who admires not] is the banqueting roome of these Nuptials and the Bed-chamber of the Spouse IESVS himself.

2. It is a supper truly, because these ioyes are not affoarded til after the toyles of the day and labours past. Expect not lampes; here han∣ging on sumptuous and precious seelings: These Pallaces shine with∣in, and without sunne, moone, and starres. The Lamb himself is the lamp within,b 1.2 and he the banque•• Host, and Ghest who is the Spouse.

3. Seest thou this royal Table here These things are al prepared for thee: Seekest thou daintyes? Hardly are thy seen of mortal eyes. Such as sit downe here are alwayes feeding, they drinke without gluttony, are alwayes satiated, and yet a-thirst, without any loathing or irksomnes at al. Behold al things are ready. Come to the wedding, the Spouse cals.c 1.3

THE PREAMBLE to the Meditation.

IESVS, receiues the soule, whom he gratiously beheld, though fowly dight with her immundityes before, and now hauing cleansed her with purging waters, and ador∣ned a 1.4 with feminine brauery, ta∣kes her I say, not only to his Spouse,

b 1.5 but if she keep her holily and chastly to him, casting her out of the most miserable banishment of this life, he leades her vnto the great so∣lemnity of the Nuptials, into the heauenly house of his Father: where he tyes her eternally to him with an indissoluble knot of wedlock. Whe∣reto belongs that sacred Epithala∣mium: Let vs reioyce and exult; and giue glory to him; because the Nuptials of the lamb are come, and his Spouse hath made herself ready, and she hath had giuen her shining and wh••e silke to we∣are. c 1.6 Yt is surely a great matter to be reckoned of the family of the King of Kings, more to be accoun∣ted among his freinds and familiars; but most of al to beheld the Sonne of God, the brother and coheyr of Christ: I wil speake more boldly yet; this same is surely more honou∣rable then al these to be called in

the weding the Spouse or Wife of the Lamb, that is, partaker in a man∣ner of his bed and bord, companion of his throne & crowne. And this is that honour if I be not deceiued, which the Prophet Esay meanes:d 1.7 I wil giue then a place in my house, and within my wals; and a better name then sonns and daughters. For children being but a slender part or portion of pa∣rents, chalenge and retayne indeed much of their right and substance from them: but for man and wife, so great is the society and community between them of their whole life & of al their goods and titles, and they are bound together with so streight a tye, as how farre so euer they be a∣sunder, yet are held to be as is were in one place, and al one, which hap∣pens also in the celestial wedlock of IESVS with the soule. For who ad∣heares to God is in al one spirit with him,

as the Apostlee 1.8 hath taught. Whence it is, that the soule perfectly vnited with God, is not only diuine, but in a certaine manner (if I may so say) is made God. And hence is al (whatsoeuer it is, which is surely very great) that dignity; profit, and sweetnes of these nuptials. For looke whatsoeuer els besides haue any con∣nexion with them, doe al euen flow from thence, as from an endlesse spring of al good and beatitudes; es∣pecially those three, (to say nothing of those of the body] to wit, the most singular and eminent dotes of the soule espoused & wedded to IESVS, as Vision, Comprehension, Fruition: f 1.9 Which are not procured her ei∣ther of parents or nature it-self, but being so poore a Spouse, are most bountifully affoarded her by IESVS the Spouse himself (as with Kings is wont when they match with any

of low degree, most richly to endow their beloued Spouses, by reason of their nuptials had between them. But in reguard these things of them∣selues are greater then can be worthi∣ly weighed by vs, much lesse expres∣sed, the diuine Scriptures, doe lightly shadow at least and adumbrate in a sort al the excellencies and delicious fruits thereof, with the pleasant and most apt figure (for our capacity) of royal nuptials, and a wedding supper.g 1.10 The reason is, for that no noises of affaires & negotiations, nor cares, which commonly fal out by day, doe not trouble or disturb the peace and delights of suppers; & for the feasts of royal Nuptials, they vse especially to be very curious and dainty indeed, where no part of the senses abounds not with exquisite delights. Here the eyes are fed with various Emblems of the tapistries of

the Hal most gallant to behold, with the gorgeous apparel of the Ghests and waiters also, with the gold of the plates, and iewels of the whole furniture there. Here the eares are charmed with the artificious harmo∣ny of musical instruments & voyces. Here the sent most sweetly is perfu∣med with the delicate odours of flowers and herbs, and boxes ful of the sweetest oyntmēts: the palat sea∣soned & relished with delicious wi∣nes, and the daintyest viands; pur∣chased with the greatest study and industry; and sought for farre and neere by al the exquisit meanes that may be deuised, and dressed especial∣ly by the rarest Cookes. Lastly, to the end the sense of feeling, the most brutish sense of al the rest, might not want it's peculiar delights also, the touching hath its proper delectation, from the softnes of downy beds, and

curious carpets, from the feathers, and downe of swans and the like. Let vs runne ouer a while, if you please, the gardens & pictures of the great Assuerus, that from that feast, the royallest perhaps that euer was in the memory of men, by ghesse at least we may gather in some manner, what a bāquet it is, which IESVS furnisheth forth in the hart of his Spouse.

He then, as wel, to shew the ri∣ches of the glory of his Kingdome, and the greatnes and the ostentation of his power; as also in the third yeare of his raigne, to celebrate pu∣blikely the day wherein first he tooke a perfect possession of Susa the chiefe seat of his Kingdome, pre∣pared a Persian, royal, and a sump∣tuous banquèt. For first Assuerus himself was the Master of the feast and who was he? He raigned from India to Ethiopea, from the East to

the West: and what more? He gaue lawes to 27. Prouinces, appoin∣ting so many Prefects and Gouer∣nours to them, who in the Kings name might administer iustice. As∣su••••••rus therefore was a mighty and most puissant King; yea truly he had conquered and subdued to his owne dominion the whole world,h 1.11 if we beleeue but his owne Epistle:i 1.12 though indeed I should thinke it rather to be no more then a meere exaggeration of insolent men, who extending their bounds a litle wider, vse to flatter themselues with the Empire streight of the whole world: But be it so as they boast of & make their braggs, Assuerus yet shal seem but a fly compared with God him∣self; nor euer shal though he pusse vp himself neuer so much, ariue to the bulke and worth of an Elephant. IESVS, the Master of this feast,

not only as God, but euen also as man, is the Soueraigne & supreame Lord of al things, in whose loynes is written King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,k 1.13 and at whose aspect & tribunal comming to iudgement shal Assuerus himself appeare one day, yea tremble and groane the while. The rest may likewise be gathered by this: Yet if you please let vs sur∣uay them more perticularly that our purpose & scope may appeare more clearly.

Susa was not the head-Citty of the kindome of Persia, but a pleasant and most delicious Tempe, which that riuer Coaspes washed as it went a long; whose waters Kings, and those very farre remote from thence, made vse of for daintyest drink: and for the amenity of the place; it tooke the name of Lilly, which Susa signi∣fies in Persia. Here therofore they

reposed and lodged themselues, and that truly in those royal and princely gardens, wodds and grouesl 1.14 in the Spring especially as we may be∣leeue. Here not only the pleasant variety of flowers and herbs made a wanton daliance but euen of the beautifullest trees also; in disposing whereof in checker-wise, and distri∣buting the allyes, walks, and ar∣bours the royal hands themselues, after the Countrey fashion, had la∣bowred to some purpose. But what trow you was the rest of the garnish∣ment of this festiual Court Where the Pauilions were of a costly and rich stuffe; of cerulean, aetherean, and of the colour of the Hya∣cinth, whose curteynes hung with strings of purple silk, fastne with ••••••inges made of iuory: at either end these rich and stately Canopyes were gallantly susteyned with mar∣ble

pillars; beneath lay humble pal∣lots on the ground a pleasant paue∣ment, to rest vpon al of gold and siluer, streyed with the fayrest man∣tles and rich carpets (as the 70. Interpretours signify) wrought al ouer, embrodered and curiously set forth with needle-works of roses, and diuerse other flowers, glittering and beguiling the senses: besides al which, the pauement it-self shined al of a certaine square stone, and that in quadruple wise; enterstin∣guished with in the emerald, and touch-stone, and (as the Hebrew hath) with marble and Hyacinth being certaine titles forsooth, diuer∣si••yed al in an admirable manner.

And these for the most part were p••••pared for the common Ghests; for I should thinke those of the bet∣ter ••••••t, were al entertained in the i•• most lodgings of those Princely

Palaces, where with tapistryes and pictures, were al the roomes and lobbeyes sumpteously hāg'd. Could there be euer any thing either for maiestie more royal and magnifi∣cent or for luxury and delight more soft and delicious? O childish toyes, & meerly gugawes! O loose cogita∣tions, of the soule, euen bending∣to the earth! why creepest thou on the earth, thou litle mush rump, and pleasest thy self so much with these trifles? Measure with the eyes of thy mind at least, the vast immensnes of the Heauens gaze if thou canst, and behold the sunne, moone, and the rest more then common people of that starry house; which are but onely outward ornaments: for those within, farre different from them, transcending not only the faculty of the senses, but euen the agility of

the mind also are meerely laid out of sight. Heare the mellifluous Ber∣nard: m 1.15 that same indeed is the true and onely ioy, which is not of the creature, but is truly conceiued of the Creatour himself, and which being p••sses∣sed by thee no man can take away from thee: where to compared al pleasure other∣wise is but sorrow, al sweetes but bit∣ternes, al beautie d••formity. Lastly al other things nought els but tedious and irksome, which otherwise might seeme more pleasing and delightful.

Now then, which is the other point; looke we into the great As∣suerus Ghestsn 1.16 and directours of the feast. Of these I note two sorts, some purple Heroes of tke Perseans and chiefe Prefects of those Coun∣treyes and Prouinces 127. in nom∣ber; who al (leauing magistrates of inferiours orders behind them in their roomes, to take vp differences

accurring the while) flock to thy City & Princely Court, to that great feast: the other Ghests were the common sort of the City of Susa it∣self, from the highest to the lowest a vast people vvithout head or cer∣taine number of them.

But for the ministers and vvaiters there, I seeme also to behold tvvo orders of them some Prefects of the royal Palace; vvho as Stervvards, V••••••hers, and Sevvers of the feast ap∣pointed and placed the Ghests, pres∣cribing lavves and rules to them to be kept amongst them; others to execute lesser and inferiour offices, as Butlers, Tasters, Cup-brearers, and the rest of vvayters al: But if compared vvith the Angels, as vvel the Pages, and others of that diuine table; as the bidden Ghests themsel∣ues, or either vvith the number or splendour, of the rest of the blessed

Citizens of heauen, those are but dvvarfs; these Giants, those vvret∣ches, and for manners most cōmon∣ly vvicked, these blessed and happy; yea most holy these except a fevv, an ignoble and base people, and these not only most graue Sena∣tours, but Kings and Monarks al vvithout exception.

Behold here the Queene-Mother of God (to amit the Spouse him∣selfc, behold, the Patriarks Pro∣phets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confes∣sours, Virgins, and al the rest of the Court of Heauen, and let the Me∣des and Persian Ghests alone. Yet stil Assueruso 1.17 vants & Boasts of the bowels & dishes of his feast. Be it so, let vs set downe thē to eate & drink our fil, for this is thesumme of al.

The dishes, plates, and trenchers, are often changed; such is the mul∣titude and variety there, and store of

siluer gold, and other precious ves∣sels: For here they eat and drinke also in gold, and cups made al of gēmes. As for the cups the Septua∣ginta auerre there was one made of Carbuncles, surely of a vast and immense price, to wit, of thirty thousant talents, which of our flo∣rens comes to more then 101 mil∣lions. Let no man after this speake or wonder any more at the suppers, excesse, costs of Cleopa••••••ra, L••••••llus, or Heliog••balus. But what was the meate now brought to the table? The sacred Scriptures speake not a word thereof for that perhaps al might guesse then, if they would, as wel by the Pe••••••sia•• pomp, very vsual in those things, and now brought into a prou••rb, as by the great ostentation touched aboue of the plates, cups, and dishes had in that feast. What the drinke? Forsooth

the best forts, as became the royal magnificence: there was aboundan∣ce of al and the choycestp 1.18 wines that could possibly be had, but on that condition that none should be compelled to drinke more or lesse; but euery-one haue liberty to drink as much and as litle as he would. Surely a holsome and laudable law of the King. For this tyrannical or∣der of Let him doe reason or begone, sprūg first no doubt from the Greek Tauernes, of I know non what Caldus, B••••••berius, or Meroq 1.19 But now goe to, thou great admirer of the Pe••••••sian banquet: vvhat account ma∣kest thou of the gold, siluer, ievvels, in those cups and dishes? This gold, siluer, ievvels, beleeue me are but a harder kind of earth, vvhereto the sunne & starres haue giuen a colour and some lustre; vvhereon I say, lest auarice perhaps might set to great

a price, nature had vvissel hid them in the vvomb or bovvels of the ele∣ments, and these also vvhere they are most in vse, and vvorne of al, be∣come but cheap, and of litle worth. But for meats and drinks what they are, appeareth then, when hardly being let downe into the stomake they are streight egested thence. And wilt thou compare this filth, this dirt [to say no worse) with the ri∣ches, and delights of heauen, with the Nuptials of IESVS with the Euangelical supper, with the vision of the diuine Essence, lastly with those delights and inexhaustible pleasures, which flow incessantly from that ocean of the highest good? The great lohn sawr 1.20 this table in his Apocalyps, and wonde∣red at it; the royal Psalmist saw it li∣kwise, and wholy astonished, ex∣claymed: ••hey shal be inebriated with

the plenty of thy house, and thou shalt make them drink of the torrent of pleasure. s 1.21 But take here a litle this simple tast therof. Al the goods of this world are nothing els, but as rinds and springs of the fruits of Paradise, cut off: and if the rinds and springs be such that men euen raie with the loue and d••sire of them, what shal the fruits themselues be, and the apples of Paradise it-self? and if such be the fruits and apples; what shal the rest be of those more solid and better meats? Surely they shal be such as they may al∣wayes be eaten without loathing, and al∣wayes desired without anxietie.t 1.22

And now finally how long haue these feasts of Assuerus lasted? A hun∣dred & eightye dayes at most; scarce half a yeare, especially if we speake of the feasts of the Peeres and No∣bles; for the cōmon sort•• continued hardly a weeke in these transitory delightes.

Take me here a hundred thousand yeares, yea a thousand millions of yeares of this Nuptial supper, which IESVS furni••eth in the louers hart, and you shal find no end of the feast, which end yet, if you seeke further, measure Eternity. As long as Heauen and God shal be, these Nuptials shal continue alwayes. Not so, in this banquet of Su••a. For (oh inconstancy of humane things!) behold how in the tables of Assuerus himself mourning occupies the last of ioyes. u 1.23 After the Persian King had wel carroused, & now al enflamed with B••••••cchus, deep in his cups, & thought he had done but litle yet, if he shewed not the Queene Vasth••, to his Ghests; because the, either of pride or modesty rather, refused to come into the drunken presence of al those Princes, by the King her hus∣bād, she was fowly & ignominiously

intreated, in the very banqueting roome it-self, weere she feasted with her Ladyes, being thrust from the royal throne and dignity, was refu∣sed and reiected by him. Goe to now, and praise the feasts and nup∣tials of the great Assuerus, if you wil; or rather be wise and admire, and loue the celestial Nuptials of the Lamb.

XIX. MEDITATION.

The preparatory Prayer.

Actiones nostras quesumus, &c.

THE PRELVDE.

BLessed are they who are cald to the Nuptial supper of the Lamb

1. Point. Cōsider the highest dignity (then which a greater cānot be ima∣gined) as wel of the soule, in loue which IESVS, which from an ab∣ject and base condition is aduanced to the Nuptials of God himself, as of the humane hart, wherein these diuine Nuptials are celebrated. Whence comes it, O humane soule, saith S. Bernard,a 1.24 whence happens this so in••stimable glory to thee, that thou shoul∣d••st deserue to be his Spouse, on whom the Angels wish to gaze? How happens this,

that he sho••ld be thy Spouse, whose beau∣ty the sunne and moone admire, at whose b••ck are al things changed: What wilt thou yeald to thy Lord for al he hath thus afforded thee, to be his com••anion at table, and compartener of his Kingdome; lastly his bed-fellow, and to haue the King him∣self to lead th••e into his chamber? And by and by behold with what armes of mutual charity, he is to be embraced, and loued againe, who hath made such reckning of thee; and at last: forget thy people, and thy fathers house: Forsake carnal affects, vn∣learne secular māners absteine from former vices, commit al naughtie customes to obliuion.

2. Point. Weigh how great, sin∣cere, and solid, the pleasures, are like to be, which the spouse pre∣pares for thee in the Nuptial sup∣per: suruey al things which vnder heauen, are precious delightful, and

deare to men, in the ayr, earth, or ocean Sea, and then reason with S. Augustine thus: Is, my Lord, thou af∣fordest so much to vs in prison; what wilt thou doe in the Palace? For since here al things are so exceeding good and delectable, which thou hast conferred on the euil as wel as the good; what wil those be which thou hast laid vp for the good onely? If so various and innumerable thy guifts are, which now thou equally distri∣bu••est to frends and enemyes, how great and innumerabbe, how sweet and dele∣ct••ble shal they be, thou wilt bestow on thy freinds only! If in this day of teares and mourning thou impar••st such things what wilt thou doe on the nuptial day? Hearest thou this my soule, and yet exclaymest not? Blessed be he who shal eate bread in the Kingdom of God.b 1.25

3. Point Attend to this also; how of the ten Virgins of the Ghospel c 1.26 being al Virgins indeed, that

is, espoused to Christ through true and sincere faith, and who had so∣metimes pleased the Spouse in cary∣ing lamps of good works in their hands, fiue were become foolish, and from the nuptials and wedding sup∣per on hard fortune! quite excluded. Beware thou be not of their num∣ber let thy lamp be alwayes bur∣ning, and sending forth light; let the oyle of charity abound in thy lamp, and euen, flow ouer, and es∣pecially take heed thou neuer sleep or slumber a whit, nor be surprized vnaware, suspecting nothing of death, or iudgement, or be vnproui∣ded. Haue continually ringing in thine eares, that voyce of thy Spouse Vigilate, so often whispered in thy hart, that when that cry shalbe heard Behold the Spouse comes, goe forth and meet him, thou maidst presently meet him chearfully comming to thee,

and with him enter into the wed∣ding. For woe and a thousand woes to them, who vnmindful wholy of so great a good, and deafe to the words of God, being taken nap∣ping drown'd in sleep with their lamps extinguished, and so exclu∣ded from the sweetest nuptials of the lamb, shal be forced to cry out in vayne, Lord, Lord open to vs; on whom that iron bolt shal be obtruded, I know you not, or that wholy as lamen∣table; The gate is shut.

THE COLLOQVY.

SHal be directed to IESVS the Spouse. Especially thou shalt yeald him thankes with al thy powers, for choosing thy soule to be his Spouse, for louing it so dea∣rely

hitherto, and endowing it with the espousal guifts. Then shalt thou humbly beseech pardone of him, for hauing so coldly answered to his feruent loue, wherewith he hath so often preuented thee; and sometimes perhaps for breaking thy faith to him so firmly engaged. Lastly by that his loue, wherewith he hath so of ten preuented thee, shalt thou most earnestly beg at his hands, that through his grace thou maist be continually vigilant, and prouided for that last Aduent, which is like to be at mid-nigh, when perhaps thou least suspectest the same; that then thou maist meet him, with thy burning lamp, and with the pru∣dent Virgins enioy him and his nu∣ptial feast for euer.a 1.27

Pater. Aue.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Exod. 4.
• b 1.2

  Apoc. 21.
• c 1.3

  Mat. 22.
• a 1.4

  Ezech. 16.
• b 1.5

  Osee. 2.
• c 1.6

  Apoc. 19.
• d 1.7

  Isa. 56.
• e 1.8

  1. Cor. 6.
• f 1.9

  S. Tho. 1. 2. q. 4. ar. 3.
• g 1.10

  Luc. 14. Mar. 22.
• h 1.11

  Ester. 1.
• i 1.12

  Ester. 13.
• k 1.13

  Apoc. 19.
• l 1.14

  Ester. 1.
• m 1.15

  Bern. ep. 114.
• n 1.16

  Ester. 1.
• o 1.17

  Ester. 1.
• p 1.18

  ibid.
• q 1.19

  Cicero. lib. 5. Tuscul.
• r 1.20

  Apoc. 6. & 21.
• s 1.21

  Psal. 55.
• t 1.22

  Bellarm. de fel. 88.
• u 1.23

  Pro. 14.
• a 1.24

  Bern. ser. 2. de mut. aquae in vinum.
• b 1.25

  Luc. 14.
• c 1.26

  Mat. 25.
• a 1.27

  Mat. 25.