The spiritual conflict writen in Italian by a deuout seruant of God ; and lately translated into English out of the same language.

Of meditation of Christ crucifi∣ed, to stirre vp our affections.

Chap. 27. (Book 27)

HItherto I haue treated of Prayer and of Meditation of Christ crucified, by way of prayer, now I wil treate of the

same meditation, to shew thee how thou mayest gather out certaine affections, whereof I will here set downe some.

Thou dost purpose to me∣ditate for example the coro∣nation of our Sauiour in this these points may be taken.

How our Sauior in scorne was clad with purple.

How his reuerent head was crowned with thornes, and smitten with a reede.

Howe his diuine face was spit vpon.

How the King of eternall glory adored in heauen with so many legions of Angelles, was in earth with fained reue∣rence and honor scorned and mocked by a most vile & in∣famous people.

By these or other points if thou be desirous to kindle in thy hart, the affection of loue, enforce thy selfe with medita∣tion of them, to increase more and more in the knowledge of the infinite goodnesse of thy Lord, and of his loue towards thee, who for thee hath suffe∣red so much, and also to in∣flame thy selfe more and more in a louing affection towards him: out of this same goodnes and loue of his, thou maist ea∣sily bring forth in thy self con∣trition, and sorrow for hauing offended so good and loue∣ing a Lord, who for thy ini∣quitie was thus euill handled, and abused in so diuerse man∣ners.

To raise thy selfe in hope

consider that a Lord so great was brought to such miserie, to deliuer thee from the snares of sinne, and of the diuell, to reconcile his eternall Father vnto thee, and to giue thee firme confidence, in all thy neede, to haue recourse vnto him.

In like manner thou shalt procure spirituall ioy, by pas∣sing from his paines to their effects: that is, considering that by them he purged thy sinnes, and the sinnes of the whole world, he pacified the wrath of his father, draue a∣way the prince of darkenesse, killed death, brought vnto the fold againe the strayed sheep, and filled againe the vacant seats of Angells. Moreouer

moue thy selfe to ioy by me∣morie of that ioy that the Fa∣ther, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost, and all the Church tri∣umphant, and millitant therby receiued.

To moue thee to sorrow and compassion of thy most afflicted Sauior, besides the meditation of the aforesaide paines of his body, enter with thy thought to other greater, of his most sacred soule. That he knowing the most high dignitie and goodnesse of his father▪ and louing him aboue all vnderstanding, did grieue aboue measure for the offen∣ces of his creatures committed against him: and moreouer he sustained inspeakable sor∣row, for so many precious

soules, that he did see should bee condemned eternally for their sinnes.

And besides this, that sword of sorrow did pearce his heart, that pearced the heart of his most afflicted mother.

And his tender heart felt exceeding griefe for the tor∣ments, that he did foresee in his eternall wisedome, so many Martyres and tender virgins were to suffer for his loue.

Besides this aduise (that in all these sorrowes, thou hast to take compassion of thy Sa∣uior in such manner as I haue said) withall I aduertise thee, yea the same Sauior doth also require of thee, that thou haue another kinde of more true compassion, the which is, that

thou attend hereafter to perse∣cute thy self wills, which haue caused these his wounds, the which thou mayest as it were anoint with sorrow for thy in∣gratitude.

But to moue thee to the ha∣tred of sin, thou shalt apply all the points of thy meditation to this end only, as if thy Lord and Sauiour had suffered for no other end, but to enduce thee to hate thy euill inclina∣tions, and that euil especially which dooeth most molest thee, and most displease his di∣uine goodnesse.

Last of all, to moue thee to admiration, consider atten∣tiuely who he is that suffereth, to witte, the word incarnate, the same God, who for thee

was made man, for whom he suffered, for vs most vile crea∣tures, that alwaies haue offen∣ded him. Of whom he suffe∣red; of all kind of most wicked people, and the refuse of the common sort. The paines that he suffered, and they are most vnworthy, full of shame, and of torment, great and horrible aboue al estimation. And that thou mayest more maruaile, weigh well the maner and the mind wherewith he suffered. But beleeue that thou art not able to comprehēd it as it was indeede, since that it passeth all vnderstanding, how that poore and most humble Sa∣uior amongst so many angui∣shes and shames shewed an in uincible pacience, & towards

those cruell minds fierce and enraged against him, he al∣waies kept the same heart full of sweetnesse, and pure loue.