A golden treatise of mentall praier with diuerse spirituall rules and directions, no lesse profitable then necessarie for all sortes of people. First composed by the venerable and blessed father, Fr. Peter de Alcantara, of the Seraphicall Order of S. Francis. Beatified the 18. of Aprill. 1622. Translated into English by G.VV. To vvhich is prefixed a breife relation of the life, and death of the same father vvritten by G.VV. of the same order and obseruance.

Seauen other Meditations.

A Meditation for Munday.

THis day after thou hast seigned thy selfe with the signe of the Crosse, thou shalt meditate vpon the washinge of the disciples feete, and institution of the blessed Sacrament.

Consider, ô my soule, at this supper sweet IESVS himselfe to be present, con∣template that inestimable example of hu∣militie, which he there proposed vnto thee for imitation; when risinge from the table, where he sat with his disciples, hee would be pleased to wash their feete: O sweete IESVS, what is it that thou doest? O sweet IESVS, why doth thy mightie Maiestie thus diminish it selfe? O my soule, what woul∣dest thou haue thought to see God tum∣blinge at the feete of men, and prostrate before IVDAS? O barbarous and cruel man, could not so great humilitie molifie

thy heart? was not so great bountie and sweetnes able to penetrate thy entrals, and to reclaime thee from thy intended mischeife? can it be that thou determi∣nest to sell this meeke lambe for so small a price? nay if it be so, how couldest thou yet endure to behold so rare an example? I wonder it did not wound thy guiltie soule with compunction for thy greuious crime? O delicate hands, howe could you touch so filthie, sordide, and with sinne contaminated feete? O pure and vnspotted hands, howe could you endure to wash those feete, that were fouled with goinge and cominge to make a sale of your precious bloud? O thrice happie Apostles, did you not trem∣ble and stand amazed at the sight of so great humilitie? What dost thou doe PETER? canst thou permitt the Lord of Maiestie to wash thy feete? S. PETER wholly astonished with the admiration of this spectacle, when he sawe our blessed Sauiour fallinge downe at his feete, cryed out: Domine tu mihi lauas pedes? Lord doest thou wash my feete? what, art not thou the Sonne of the euer-liuinge God? art not thou the creatour of the whole world, the beutie of heauen, the Paradise of An∣gels, redeemer of mankind, splendour

of thy Fathers glorie, most deepe fountai∣ne of the eternall wisdome? and doest thou wash my feet? howe cometh it to passe, that thou Lord of so great maiestie and glorie shouldest thus debase thy selfe to so vile a seruice?

Thē cōsider, howe he washed all his dis∣ciples feet one by one, and after washinge, wiped them with a linnen cloath wher∣with he was girded, open the eies of thy mind to behold in these misteries a repre∣sentation of our redemption. This linnen cloath so wiped their feet, that all the dirt which was vpon their feet did sticke on the linnen cloath: not without miste∣rie.

For what more foule then mā concei∣ued in sinne? What more pure thē CHRIST conceiued by the operation of the holy Ghost? Dilectus meus candidus & rubicundus electus ex milibus:* 1.1 My beloued saith the spouse in the canticles is white and rudly chosen of thousands. Yet not withstan∣dinge most pure, most beutifull CHRIST tooke vnto himselfe all the spots of our soules: frō which that he might clēse vs (as you may see him vpō the Crosse) he would be pleased to defile himselfe with the filth of our impuritie. Consider lastly with what words our Blessed Sauiour closed vp

this humble action: Exemplum dedi vobis vs quemadmodum ego feci vobis, ita & vos faciati••. I haue giuen you an example that as I haue done to you, you may doe the like. Which words doe not only pertaine to this pre∣sent action, and example of humilitie: but likwise to all the actions of CHRIST through-out his wholl life, vvhich is a most absolute and perfect rule for vs to square our actions by, especially of humilitie, which is here to life represented vnto vs.

Of the institution of the blessed Sacrament.

HE that desireth to comprehend any thinge of this noble misterie, must certainly thinke, that no tounge is able to express that immense loue, and ardent af∣fection vvhervvith our blessed Sauiour vvas inflamed tovvards his holy Church and all faithfull soules, in institutinge this stupendious misterie.* 1.2 For vvhen this brid∣grome determined to depart out of this mortall life, and to leaue the Church his beloued spouse; least this is departure should be any occasion to her of forget∣tinge her redeemer; he gaue her this Sacra∣ment vvherin he himselfe is present, as a pledge and memoriall of his perpetuall loue.

* 1.3Then seinge he was to be longe absent; least his spouse should remaine solitarie alone, he, for her consolation, would leaue himselfe for her companion in this holy Sacrament.

* 1.4When our blessed Sauiour was to suffer death for the redemption of his spouse, to enrich her with his most pretious bloud, and to purge her from sinnes: least she should be defrauded of so great a treasure, he would giue her a key in this Sacrament wherby she might at her pleasure enioy these riches: for as S. CHRYSOSTOME saith, we must thinke as often as we come to this Sacrament we put our mouth to the blee∣dinge side of CHRIST, and from thence drinke his most precious blood whose me∣rits we participate.

* 1.5More-ouer this celestiall bridgrome, did desire to be tenderly beloued of his spouse, and for this cause would leaue her this misticall meat, consecrated with most efficatious words, and therin so great ver∣tue, that whosoeuer receiues it worthily shall presently be strooke with the dartes of loue.

* 1.6He would likewise bestowe vpon his spouse some sure pledge therby to make her secure of the certaine succession of fu∣ture glorie, that in hope of so great a good,

he might temper the laborious difficultie and make the tedious bitternes of this present life, to be more tollerable, wher∣fore that the spouse might certainly be∣leeue, that she shall at length attaine to these vnspeakable goods, he hath giuen her for a pawne, this inesti∣mable treasure, vvhich is as much vvorth as that vvhich is expected hereaf∣ter, that she should not doubt but that God vvill giue her himselfe in glorie vvhere he liueth in spirit, that vvould be pleased to giue her himselfe in this vale of teares, vvhere he liueth in flesh.

* 1.7He vvould more-ouer vvhen he dyed make his last vvill and testament, vvher∣in he left to his spouse a singular man∣na to cure all her infirmities, a gift then vvhich, nothinge can be more soue∣raigne, nothinge more pretious, see∣ing the deity it selfe is therin contei∣ned.

* 1.8Lastly, he desired to feede our soules with some heauenly foode, seinge they need no lesse nourishment that they might liue spiritually, then the body needeth corporall sustinence that she might liue corporally. Wherfore this spirituall phy∣sition whē he had diligently examined and

felt the pulse of our fragilitie, instituted this holy Sacrament which he exhibited vnto vs vnder the species or forme of bread, that he might declare what effect it should worke in vs, that is to say, that it is as necessarie for our soules, as bread for the bodie.

A Meditation for Tvvesday.

THis day thou shalt meditate of the prayer CHRIST made in the garden, the methode therof, and the contumelies he suffered in the howse of ANNAS.

Consider therfore, howe CHRIST our Lord, after the consummation of his my∣sticall body with his disciples, before he entred into the tragedie of his passion, went to make his prayer vpon the mount Oliuet, wherby he would instruct vs, that in all aduersities and tribulations of this present life, we fly to prayer, as to a holy anchore; the power of which is so great, that it either beateth back the forces of tribulations, or (which is of greater excel∣lencie) ministreth sufficient strength to en∣dure them, with a constant and willinge mind.

He tooke for companions in his iourny 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his disciples, whome he loued

aboue the rest, S. PETER, S. IAMES, and S. IOHN. Which as they were eie-witt∣nesses of his transfiguration, so likwise they should be present in his agonie, to behold him for the loue of man now transformed into a farr more different shape; then he was, when he manifested himselfe vnto them, in a glorious and glitteringe for∣me.

That also he might open vnto them, his inward greife, to be much greater then ap∣peared outwardly. He saith vnto them: Tristis est anima mea vsque ad mortem. Susti∣nete hic & vigilate mecum: My soule is heauy vnto death. Stay heere and vvatch vvith me. O vvordes full of compassion! Then departinge from his disciples a stones cast, vvith great submission and reuerence he praied his Father: Pater si fieri potest transeat à me Calix iste, verumtamen non mea voluntas sed tua fiat: Father if it be possible let this Chalice passe from me, but not my vvill, but thine be done. Which prayer vvhen he had repeated thrice, he fell into such an agonie, that he svveat drops of blood, trickling dovvne the earth, from his pre∣cious body.

Consider that, partly the foreseeinge of the most vnspeakable torments that euer any mortall man suffered, prepared for his

most tender body: partly the distinct re∣presentatiō of the sins of the whole world, for the expiatinge of which he was nowe to suffer death vpon the Crosse: partly the remembrance of the ingratitude of many, which would not esteeme, or reape any profit from this great benefitt, strock such a deepe impression into his soule, that it filled it with sad and incredible anxiety, so troubled his senses and tender flesh, that all the elements of his body beeinge weake∣ned, the opened pores on euery side swett out drops of blood. If the flesh, which properly suffered not this anguish, but on∣ly through a simple immagination, was thus afflicted, what did his soule feale; to whome properly these sorrowes did ap∣pertaine?

His prayer beinge ended, that counter∣fait freind of CHRIST Iudas the traitour, came attēded with a hellish boand; he I say which renounced his apostleship, to be head and Captaine of a troope of hell∣hounds, behold in the fore-front of that wicked multitude, impudently cominge to his master whome before he had solde, be∣traying him with a kisse of peace and freindship.

In that hower saied IESVS to the company, which came to apprehend him:

You haue come out as to a theefe to apprehend me vvith svvordes and staues? I satt euery day with you teachinge in the temple, and you laied not hould on me. But this is your hovver and the povver of darkenes.

This misterie is worthy of admiration, for what thinge can be more admirable and stupendious, then to see the only be∣gotten Sonne of God, not only in the forme of sinfull man, but in the shape of a condemned man: Haec est hor a vestra, & po∣testas tenebrarum: This is your hower and the power of darkenes. From which wordes, is gathered that this innocēt lambe, was left to the diabolicall cruelty of the princes of darkenes, who by their vice-ge∣rentes and ministers powred all the malice and mischeife they were able to conceiue against him. Consider, how much for thy sake the supreme Maiestie of God is hum∣bled, to endure all the extremitie of tor∣mētes that euer any suffered in this present life, not to die for his owne faults but for thy sins, but he did vndergoe this of his owne accord, to free thee from the power of Sattan.

He had skarce spoken these wordes, when that wholl rabble of hunger-starued wolues, gapinge after their prey, rushed vpon this meeke and innocent lambe, ha∣linge,

tearinge and afflictinge him with as much cruelty as euer they could. O bar∣barous and inhumane proceedinges? ô cruell and sauage blowes, contumelious violences, wherwith they tormented him? they insulted after a horred manner no otherwise, thē conquerers retourne loaden with spoiles after they haue put to flight their enemies, or hunters when they haue caught their prey. The handes which a little before were exercised in workinge miracles, they were nowe bound with ropes so cruelly, that they rased the skin, and besmeared them with blood. Thus they led him through the publick streetes of Ierusalem, followinge him with contu∣melies and blowes: behould him in this iournie goinge alone, left by all his disci∣ples, compassed with a multitude of his enemies, forced to make such hast, that he was wholly out of breath, his colour changed, his face blushinge, and his wholl body weakened and wearied by reason of the intollerable present difficultie.

Although our blessed Sauiour was barbarously and most cruelly handled by that blood-suckinge multitude: yet neuer the less thou mightst haue seene in his countenance a pleasant sweetnes, in his eies a comely grauitie, in his manners a di∣uine

grace, which all the torments of the wholl world could not so much as dimi∣nish in the least degree.

After this goe with our blessed Sauiour into the house of ANNAS the high Preist, that there thou maiest take notice what fauour he reaped for his mild ans∣wer, when ANNAS examined him of his, and his disciples doctrine: which vvas, that one of the Officers gaue him a cruell blovve vpon his cheeke sayinge: Sic respon∣des Pontifici? Doest thou ansvver the high Preist so? to him CHRIST replied: Si male locutus sum, testimonium perhibe de malo:* 1.9 si autem bene, quid me caedis? If I haue spo∣ken euill bringe testimony of it, but if vvel, vvhy doest thou beate me?

Behould, ô my soule, not only the mild ansvver, but the print of the Officers hand in his tender cheeke, his countenance not∣vvithstandinge quiet and amiable, not a vvhitt moued at the shame of so great an effront, because he invvardly thought so lovve and humbly of himselfe, that he had tourned the other side vvithout delay, if the rascald had desired it.

A Meditation for VVeddensday.

THis day thou shalt consider, how CHRIST our Lord was offered vp to CAYPHAS the high Preist: what tor∣ments he endured there all that night: how. S. PETER denied him: and last of all how cruelly he was scourged.

Consider first of all, how he was led from the house of ANNAS to CAY∣PHAS his house, it is worth thy paines to followe him thether. For there thou shalt see the mighty sun of iustice ecclypsed: there thou shalt behould, the diuine face vpon which the Angels themselues de∣light to gaze, to be deformed with the filthie spittinges of the Iewes. For our blessed Sauiour standinge in the middest of them, was coniured by the high Preist in the name of his Father, to speake out, what he was. He answered as beseeming himselfe: but they who were vnworthy of such an answere, blinded with the splendour of this great light, like mad dogges rushed vpon him, vometing vp the bitter gaule of their wholl malice against him.

They began whole troupes of them to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him, to beate and kick him, they spit

vpon his diuine face, and threwe the verie snot of their filthy noses vpon it. Others hood-winked his eies with a dirty linnen cloath, smiteinge him vpō the cheeke, and would in mokerie haue him prophecy who it was that strooke him. O admira∣ble and vn-heard of patience, and humili∣tie of the only begotten Sonne of God. O the face which the Angels of heauen doe contemplate with incredible ioy, be∣smeared with their sordid and filthy spit∣tinges.

Men, when they spit, comonly tourne themselues to some foule place, some what remote from the sight of others. In this pallace was there no place found more contemptible therin to cast their spit and filthy dryuell, then the sacred face of CHRIST IESVS? O man that art but dust and ashes, canst thou choose but be stirred vp to humility, and contempt of thy selfe at so rare an example?

Consider more-ouer, what tormentes our blessed Sauiour suffered all that night, how the Officers that kept him, that sleepe should not close his eies, afflicted him, derided the supreme Maiestie of God, and loaded him with many iniurious contumelies.

Waighe with thy selfe, my soule, that now thy spouse is made the white and mark, receiuing vpō him selfe all the dartes of iniurious contumelies that the mischei∣uous Iewes could shute at him. O cruell night, o vnquiet night, in which thou blessed IESVS couldest rest no more by reason of anguish and affliction, then others who tooke pleasure to torment the. The night was ordained for the rest of all creatures, that the mēbers and senses wea∣ried with the labour of the day before, might then take some repose. But the wic∣ked Soldiers that kept thee, spent it in tor∣mentinge of thy senses, they did bind thy bodie, vexedthy soule, fettered thy hands and feete with manicles, buffeted thy cheekes, spit vpon thy face, blinded thine eies, so that all thy senses when they should haue beene refreshed were afflicted.

O! howe farre did these mattins differ from those, which at the same time the blessed Angels did singe in heauen? they cried holy, holy: and the Iewes cried he is guiltie of death, crucifie, crucifie him. O angelicall spirits which vnderstood both cries, what could you imagine or thinke whē you sawe the inhumane cruel∣tie wherwith he was handled in earth, whome in heauen you adored with so

great submission and reuerence? did you not wonder to see him suffer all these ex∣treame tormentes for to expiate the sins of those, who inflicted them vpon him? who hath euer heard of such immense charitie, that for this reason one should suffer death, to heale the greife and cure the woundes of his murtherers?

The fall of S. PETER, that great pillar, did not a little increase the anxietie of this tedious night; that he, whome he enteirely loued amongst the rest whome he chose to be present at his glorious transfigura∣tion, to whome he committed the prima∣cie of his holy Church, whome he ordai∣ned to be head and Prince of the Apostles, that he I say, should before his face, and in his presence denie him, not once but thrice, addinge blasphemies and oathes, that he knewe not the man. Tell me PE∣TER, did this man seeme to thee so vn∣godly and wicked, that in future times thou didest feare, it would bee a disgrace vnto thee to confess him now? didest thou not cōsider that thou didst first pronounce the sentence of condemnation against him, before he was adiudged by the high Preists, when thou didest not esteeme him so much as worthy of thy acknow∣ledgment? couldest thou doe a grea∣ter

iniury to CHRIST IESVS?

But CHRIST sorrowfull for this great fault of S. PETER turned himselfe, and cast his eies vpon him, that with his gra∣tious countenance he might reduce this wandering sheepe into the sheepfold of his mercies. O admirable aspect, secret in∣deed, but full of signification, which S. PETER knewe right vvell, and vvell vnderstood of vvhat force and efficacy it vvas. The trovvinge of the cock had little auailed to his compunction and conuer∣siō, had not the countenance of CHRIST our Sauiour bene adioyned. Whose eies did speake and vvorke that stupendious chaunge, the certainty of vvhich, not only the flovving teares of S. PETER, but of our blessed Sauiour himselfe did sufficient∣ly testifie.

After all these iniuries consider, vvhat CHRIST did suffer, vvhen he vvas bound to be scourged at the pillar, for the iudge vvhen he savve, that be could not pacifie the fury of those infernall monsters, he thought good to aduise thē, to beare him vvith roddes and vvhippes. Wherby his vvholl bodie might be torne, hopinge that vvay to molifie their obstinate and obdu∣rate hearts: that vvhen they savve him so torne and mangeled, they vvould cease

further to desire his cruell death.

Enter novve my soule in spirit, into the house of PILATE, and haue teares in readines, for thou vvilt haue neede of them, if thou shalt diligently consider, vvhat vvas done there.

Behould hovv inhumanely these abiect and infamous roagues spoyled our blessed Sauiour of his garmētes. Marke the humi∣lity of CHRIST, hovv he suffered him∣selfe to be stripped, not so much as ope∣ning his mouth, nor vtteringe any vvord against their iniurious behauiour. See his sacred body bound to the pillar vvith ma∣ny ropes, in such a fassion that on eue∣ry side they might haue rome to torture him.

Consider, hovv our Lord of Angels stood alone in the middest of his cruell enemies, vvithout any Aduocates or Pro∣curatours that vvould defend his cause, yea altogether vvithout any one man, vvho at leastvvise a farr of, vvould so much as cōpassionate the bitternes of his tormētes. Doest thou not heare the noise of roddes and vvhippes wherwith they loaded, tea∣red and rent the delicate fleshe of IESVS, addinge stroke vpō stroke, and vvound to vvound? doest thou not see his vvholl body in one short moment of time, vvith

the vehemency and often iteratinge the blowes, to be couered as it were with one vlcer, his skin to be dravvne from the flesh, and blood from his vvholl bo∣dy, from the crovvne of his head to the soles of his feete, to flovve dovvne vpon the earth? especially, is it not dreadfull for thee to behould the place betvvixt the shoulders, vvherupon al∣most the vvholl force of all the blovves did light?

Consider hovv CHRIST the Sauiour of the vvorld, after that extreame cruelty of his tormentours, vvent vp and dovvne the Pallace all torne and cutt, seekinge and gathering vp his garmentes, not findinge one amongst those inhumane rascalls, that vvould shevv vnto him the least act of humanity, in vvashinge or refreshing his vvoundes, or lend their hand to help him to putt on his cloaths. All these thinges are vvorthy of our diligent consideration, that therby vve might stirr vp our soules to due compassion of his miseries.

A Meditation for Thursday.

THis day thou shalt meditate, hovv CHRIST vvas crovvned vvith thornes, his presentation before all the people, his condemnation, his bringinge out to the place of execution, and last of all his caryinge of his Crosse.

The Spouse in the Canticles inuited vs to the consideratiō of these tormētes, when she saide:* 1.10 Egredimini filiae Sion & videte Regem SALOMONEM in Diademate, quo coro∣nauit eum Mater sua in die desponsationis eius, & in die laetitiae cordis eius: Goe forth yea daugh∣ters of Sion and see Kinge SALOMON in the Diademe vvhervvith his Mother hath crovvned him, in the day of his despou∣singe, and in the day of the ioy of his heart.

What doest thou doe? vvhat doest thou thinke my soule? my tounge vvhy art thou silēt? O sweet Sauiour whē I opē mine eies, and behould this sorrowfull spectacle, my heart is rēt vvith greife. What, Lord, vvere not thy former tormētes, imminēt death, and aboundāce of thy blood already shed, suffi∣ciēt for the redēptiō of mankinde? but thou must yet be crovvned vvith sharp thornes?

My soule that thou Maiest the better vn∣derstād this sadd spectacle, sett before thine eies our blessed Sauiour, in his former beutie

before he suffered these tormentes? Then behould him on the contrary in this mise∣rable state. If in the first, thou doest rightly veiwe him, thou shalt see him more beu∣tifull then the sun. In his eies a comely grauity, in his speech a gratious facillity: in his actions singular modesty: in the gesture of his wholl body profound humility, ioyned with reuerent Maiesty.

Then after thou hast satiated thy soule with pleasure, in behoulding this rare peece of admirable perfection, then tourne thine eies againe, and looke vpon him, as he is in this present miserable state. Ridicu∣lously cloathed in purple, bearinge in his hand a reede for a Kingely Sceptre, and vpon his head a Crowne of sharpe thor∣nes, in steade of a regall Diademe, his eies were dimmed, his face pall and wan, fou∣led and couered with the filthy spittles of the Iewes: behould him within, and with∣out: his heart consumed with greife: his body torne with woūdes and blowes, for∣saken of his disciples, hastened to vnder∣goe death of his enemies, mocked of the Soldiars: despised of rhe highe Preists: reiected as a wicked Kinge arrogantly as∣suming this title: vniustly accused, and de∣stitute of all humane aide.

Doe not consider these thinges as done and past many yeares since, but imagine with thy selfe, that at this present they be in actinge before thy face; nor as an other mans sorrowes, but as thine owne afflictiōs, sett thy selfe in his place and coniecture what tormētes thou shouldest suffer, if thy head were boared to the skull and thy brain-pan pearced with sharp thornes? But what doe I say thornes, when thou canst skearce endure the prick of a small needle? howe great then was the paine, his tender head suffered, with this newe and vn-heard-of torment.

The Coronatiō of our blessed Sauiour, with many mockes and scornes being en∣ded the iudge produced him before the people, saying: Ecce homo: Behould the mā. If yea thirst after the death of the man, behould him scarce a heares bredth distāt from it, yea he is brought to that pass, that he deserueth rather commiseration, then your enuy, if yea feare that he will make himselfe a Kinge, behould he is so defor∣med, that he scarce reteineth the shape of a mā: doe yea feare any violence from these hands that are so straightly manicled? doe yea dreade any harme frō a mā that is cast into such a miserable and deiected state, whose body is so māgeled and weakened?

Cōsider, ô my soule, in what state thy Sa∣uiour was, when the very iudge himselfe, did thinke with this aspect, would moue his bloody enemies to compassion: from vvhich vve may gather, vvhat a misera∣ble thinge it is, to see a Christian of such an obdurate heart, vvhich can or vvill not condole the passions of our Sauiour, vvhen they vvere such, that the very iudge did thinke them sufficient, to mo∣lifie the malice of his enemies. But PILATE seeinge vvith thees exceedinge tormentes, he could no vvay temper or asvvage their fury, vvent into his Pallace satt in the iudgment seat to pronounce the deffinitiue sentēce against CHRIST. Novve the Cross vvas prepared at the dore and the fatall standard vvhich thret∣ned ruine to our blessed Sauiour, vvas novve in a readines.

The sentence beinge pronounced vvith the addition of more tormentes, they loa∣ded his vvearied shoulders vvith a heauy Crosse, to carry to the place of his execu∣tion.

But our meeke Lord, not only not re∣iected it, but out of that immense charity tovvards vs, vvhervvith he suffered for our sins, obediently and vvillingly embra∣ced it.

Now the innocent ISAAC with his weake shoulders, supported the intollera∣ble burthen of the Crosse to the place of sacrifice. The simple people and deuout women, followed him weepinge. For who was able to conteine teares, to see the Lord and Kinge of Angels goinge thus on foote, with the extremity of tormentes, his knees quiueriuge, his body stoopinge, his eies blinded, his face besmeared with blood, his head crowned with thornes, and his eares deafened with the noise of droomes and trumpetts?

Leaue a while, ô my soule, this horred spe¦ctacle, & with wateringe eies, with sobbes, and sigthes goe to the blessed Virgine, and say to her. Lady of Angels, Queene of heauē, Gate of Paradise, Aduocate of the world, Sanctuary of sinners, Health of the iust, Ioy of the Saintes, Mistresse of vertue, Mirrour of purity, Symboll of chastity, Patterne of patience, and Rule of all perfe∣ction. O me miserable and vnfortunate, what haue I seene with the eies of faith? Howe could I liue to behould so inhumane vsage, interrupting sighes will not permitt me scarce to speake, howe I left thy only begottē Sōne, loadē vvith a mighty Crosse, to vvhich he vvas presently to be nayled, and carryinge it to the place of execution.

What heart, what minde, what soule, is able to comprehend the dolour, the bles∣sed Virgine MARIE then did suffer? her heart fainted, and a dead sweate with ex∣treame anguish possessed her wholl body, and presently she had giuen vp the ghost, had not the diuine dispensation reserued her, till better times, for her greater merite, and more aboundant reward.

The blessed Virgine, with speed fol∣loweth the steps of her beloued Sonne, that ardent desire wherwith she was in∣flamed to see him, added vigour to her, of which sorrowe had bereaued her: she heard a farr of the noise of armes, the con∣course of people, and the sound of trum∣pets, on euery side publishing the passion of CHRIST, after that she sawe the glitteringe of launces and holbeards: in the way she found his footsteps sprincked with drops of blood, by which without any guid or leader she might easily find the way. Approachinge to her Sonne, she lifted vp her eies swelled with teares, to be∣hould him, whome she esteemed dearer then her owne soule.

O what strife was there in the soule of this blessed Virgine, betwixt feare and loue? she did vehemently desire to see her Sonne, but on the other side she durst not

cast her eies vpon him in this lamentable and afflicted state. At length when she drew neerer, these two celestiall lights be∣held eatch other, their eies pearced eatch others soule, but greife enforced their tongues to silence, notwithstanding their heartes did mutually discourse, and the Sonne vnto the Mother said: Sweet Mo∣ther, why comest thou hether ony loue, my doue? thy sorrowe reneweth my mise∣ries, and my tormētes crucifieth thy soule? retourne, retourne againe into thy house. This defiled company of theeues and murtherers beseemeth not thy virginall purity. These and the like words they in∣wardly vttered; all the way vntill they came to the place of execution.

A Meditation for Fryday.

THis day thou shalt meditate vpon the misterie of the Crosse, and the seauen wordes which CHRIST spake vpon it: Rouze vp my soule and duely ponder this great mistery of the Crosse, which brought fourth the fruite of satisfactiō, to expiate that great losse, which all mankind suffered by a tree.

Consider how, before our blessed Sa∣uiour came to the Mount of Caluarie (to make his death more ignominious) his

cruell tormenters stripped him of all his cloathes, except his coate, which was with∣out seame, behould howe patiently this meeke lambe suffereth his garmentes to be taken from him, not so much as openinge his mouth or speakinge one worde against their barbarous dealinge. He permitted these thinges willingly, but with a great straine to modesty. He was stripped naked that we might receiue a better garment, to couer the nakednes of our sins, then that of ADAM the first parent of all mankind, made of the leaues of fig-trees to couer the nakednes of his body.

Some Doctours thinke that the crowne of thornes was taken of, to pull with more facillitie his vnseamed garment ouer his eares and after to be fastened on againe, which could not be without a vehement paine, the sharp thornes did a fresh wound his sacred head with vnspeakable torment. And surely this is not vnlike, seeing in the wholl time of his passion they spared him in nothinge; but the bitterest tormentes they could deuise, they heaped vpon him, especially when the Euangelist saith, they did to him whatsoeuer they would. This coate did so cleaue to the woundes of his sacred body, by reason of the congealed blood, that when the barbarous hangemen

drewe it of with exceeding violence, they renewed againe the woundes of IESVS, they pulled of with it many particles of flesh, so that the wholl body of CHRIST, in euery part fleyed and bloody, from the head to the foote seemed to be but one entire and continuate wound.

Weigh well with thy selfe (my soule) the immense goodnes and mercy of God, ma∣nifested in these tormentes, behould he that spreadeth the heauens with cloudes, vesteth the greene and pleasant feilds with flowers, and he that liberally bestoweth clothinge vpon euery creature, behould him I say starke naked. Consider what cold, this pretious body, beinge wounded, suffered, when they had not only spoyled him of his garmentes, but his very skin was not enteire, neither were his woundes bound vp, but exposed to the iniury of the aire.

If S. PETER, being well clothed could not ouercome the cold of the fore-passed night: What cold doest thou thinke this delicate body suffered being in euery place wounded and all naked?

Then consider how CHRIST was fastened to the Crosse, and what torment he suffered, when the sharp nayles pearced the most sensible parts of his tender body;

Weigh with thy selfe that the blessed Vir∣gine, which beheld these thinges with her eies, and hearing, the frequent blowes of the mallet, which they iterated in driuinge the nayles into the handes and feet of her Sonne, was not vnsensible, but the heart of the Mother was pearced with the handes and feete of the Sonne.

When CHRIST was made fast vpon the Crosse, presently they lifted it vp, and put it into a hole there before prepared, be∣hold how these wicked torterours of in∣nocēt IESVS pricked forward with their owne malice, lett the heauy Crosse fall into the hole with such a violence, that it so much strained his body hanginge only by the nayles, and rent wider the woundes of his handes and feete.

Sweet Sauiour cā there befound a heart so hard and steely, which is not molified at such a spectacle, when the very stones did cleaue in sunder, as sensible of thy cruell tormentes?

O Lord, the dolours of death compas∣sed thee round about, the stormes and waues of the raginge sea enuirouned thee on euery side. The waters entred into thy soule, thou didest descend to the deepe abysse, where thou couldst find no foot∣inge. When thy heauenly Father did for∣sake

thee, Lord, what couldst thou expect thine enemies would doe? they cried out against thee, and thy friendes did wound thy heart, thy soule was sad and heauy, nei¦ther was there any that would cōfort thee.

Lord, from these vnheard-of tormētes, and aboundāt satisfactiō which thou hast made for my sins, I cannot but acknow∣ledge with all humility the greiuiousnes of my heinous transgression, which were the occasions of all thy miseries. I see thee my King and God fastned vpon a wodden Crosse, with two yron nayles; thy pretious and tender flesh to be stretched without any manner of respite. If thou wouldest a little ease thy selfe vpon thy feete, the weight of thy wholl body enlargeth their woūdes: if thou wouldest leaue the burthē to thy hāds, the weight of it doth likewise rend their woundes; thy sacred head could find no rest because thou hadest no other pillowe thē the sharpe crowne of thornes.

O virgine Mother howe willingly wouldest thou haue embraced him in thine armes, therō to ease and rest himselfe a little. But the armes of the Crosse would not permitt the, vpon which, if he would repose the sharp thornes strooke deeper into his head: the troubles of the Sonne were much augmented by the presence

of the Mother; which no lesse crucified his soule then the Ievves his body to the Crosse.

O svveet IESV, in one day thou didest carry a double crosse, the one vpon thy bo∣dy, the other in thy soule, the one of pas∣sion, the other of compassion, the one pearced thy body vvith nayles of iron, the other thy soule vvith nayles of sorrovve. What tonge is able to expresse, vvhat thou didest suffer to see the anguish of thy Deare Mother? vvhose soule thou didest certainly knovve to be crucified together vvith thee? vvhen thou didst behould her heauy heart, pearced vvith the svvord of sorrovve: vvhen vvith bloody eies thou didst looke vpon her beutifull face, pale and vvan: and didst heare the sightes of her dyinge soule, lamentinge that she could not dye. What didst thou suffer to see pure fountaines of teares gushinge from her eies, and to heare her pittifull complaintes she made in sorrovvinge for thy suffe∣ringes.

Thē consider the seauē vvordes vvhich CHRIST spake vpon the Crosse, to his heauenly Father, sayinge: Pater ignosce illis quia nesciunt quid faciunt: Father forgiue them for they knovv not vvhat they doe. To the Theefe: This day thou shalt be

vvith me in Paradise; To his Mother: Woman behould thy Sonne. To the peo∣ple he said: I thirst. And to God againe: My God, my God, vvhy hast thou far sa∣ken me. Consummatum est: It is consum∣mate. In to thy hands I commande my spirit.

Ruminate, my soule, vvith vvhat excee∣dinge charitie, he made intercession to his heauenly Father, for his enemies and per∣secutours. With vvhat piety and mercy he receiued the penitent Theefe into his fa∣uour. With vvhat affection he committed his Mother to the protection of his belo∣ued disciple: vvith vvhat ardour he testi∣fied himselfe vehemently to thirst after the saluation of mankind. With vvhat cla∣mour he thundered out his prayer, expres∣singe to the diuine Maiestie the greiuious∣nes of his tribulations. Hovve perfectly he fulfilled the obedience, enioyned to hime by his heauēly Father. And lastly hovve he yealded his soule into his blessed handes.

Euery one of vvhich vvordes doe af∣ford vs a great deale of matter for our in∣struction. In the first, vve are taught, to loue our enemies: in the second, mercy to∣vvardes sinners: in the 3. piety tovvardes our parents: in the fourth, to thirst after our neighbours saluatiō: in the fift, vvhen

we are oppressed with tribulations, and seeminge as it were to be left of God, to fly to prayer: in the sixth, the vertue of obe∣dience and perseuerance: in the seauenth, perfect resignation into the handes of God, which is the sume of all perfe∣ction.

A Meditation for Saterday.

THis day thou shalt meditate vpon the pearcinge of our blessed Sauiours side with a speare: the takinge downe of CHRIST from the Crosse: the lamen∣tations of the women: and other thinges which did occurr about his buriall.

First take notice, how that CHRIST, after he gaue vp the ghost vpō the Crosse, his enemies much reioyced at his death. But yet there was not an end of their in∣satiate cruelty, but still their encreasinge malice raged against him being dead. They diuided and cast lotts for his garmētes, and with a speare pearced his pretious side.

O barbarous caitifes! ô adamantine heartes! did you thinke those tormentes he suffered before his death were not suffi∣cient, that you would not vouchsafe to spare him beinge dead? what madnes did possesse your soules? lift vp your eies and

behold his dead face, his eies sunck, his hanginge head, and his wholl body beinge wan and pale. Although your heartes be harder then adamant, yet let this pittifull aspect molifie them.

Behould the centurian stroock â launce into his sacred side vvith such violēce, that the very Crosse did tremble, out of whose side did gush aboundance of blood and water, for the redemption of all mankind. O riuer of paradise rūninge forth to water the wholl earth! O pretious wound which rather the loue thou didest bare to vs sin∣full men, then the enemies weapon did in∣flict! O gate of heauen, windowe of para∣dise, place of rest, tower of fortitude, san∣ctuary of the iust, neast of doues, tombe of pilgrimes, flourishinge bed of the spouse! Haile sacred woūd, which pearcest deuout heartes, haile rose of incredible beauty, haile pretious stone of inestimable valour, haile dore, through which, lieth open a free passage to the heart of CHRIST, an argument of his loue, and pledge of eter∣nall felicity.

Consider that in the eueninge, IO∣SEPH and NICODEMVS came with ladders to loose and take downe the body of our Sauiour: but the blessed Virgine after all these tormentes, perceiuinge her

Sonne to be taken from the Crosse, and disposed for the graue, she tooke him whē he was let downe, in her armes, hum∣bly beseechinge that holy company, that they would suffer her to come neere his body, and to bestowe her last kisse and embracinges vpon him, which vpon the Crosse she could not doe. Which they would not, nor could deny. For if her friends had depriued her of him dead, which her enemies did her of him liuinge, they had redoubled the anguish of her soule.

When she sawe her Sonne in this case, what greife, what dolours can we imma∣gine she then did suffer? Angels of peace come and lament with this blessed Vir∣gine, lament heauen, lament starres, lament all creatures of the vvorld. She embraced the mangeled body of her beloued Sonne, she hugged him in her armes (for loue ad∣ministred this strēgth) she thrust her face amongst the thornes to come to kisse his mouth, vvherby she vvounded her face vvith the sharp pricks vvhich she vvashed vvith flovvinge teares;

O svveet Mother, is this thy beloued Sonne? is this he vvhome thou didest con∣ceiue vvith great glorie, and bringe fourth vvith great ioy? is this that bright mirrour in vvhich thou vvert vvont to see thy selfe?

all that were present did likewise mourne, the other MARIES, which were there mourned, the noble-men lamented, hea∣uen and earth with all creatures mourned with the blessed Virgine.

That holy Euangelist lamented, who often embracinge the body of his deare Master, said: O my good Lord and Ma∣ster, who shall hereafter teach and instruct me? with whome nowe shall I consult in doubtfull occasiōs? vpon whose lapp shall I now rest my selfe? who shall now re∣ueale vnto me celestiall secretes? what sud∣daine change is this? yeasterday I rested vpon thy sacred brest, where thou didst communicate to me the ioyes and glory of euerlastinge life, and nowe in recompence of that benefit I embrace thee dead in my armes? is this that countenance which I beheld glorious and transfigurated vpon the mount of Thabor? is this that face which I sawe brighter and more glitte∣ringe then the sun?

And that blessed sinner S. MARY MAGDALEN lamented, who often kissinge the feete of her Sauiour, said: O the true light of mine eies, the only reme∣die and solace of my soule. If I sinne againe, who shall hereafter receiue me into fauour? who shall defend me from the ca∣lūnies

of the Pharisies? O how altered are these feete from those I washed with my teares? O beloued of my heart, why doe I not dye with thee? O life of my soule, how can I say, I loue thee, when I liuinge, see thee dead before me?

Thus this blessed cōpany did mourne, and lament, wateringe with aboundant teares the body of IESVS. The sepulchre beinge ready they spiced his holy body with sweet spices, they wrapped it vp in a fine linnen cloth, bound his head with a handkercher, laied it vpon a beere, carried it to the place of buriall and put it into a newe monument.

The monument was couered with a stone, and the face of MARIE obscured with a cloud of sorrowe. When there againe she bad her Sonne adue, she then began to be more and more sensible of her solitude. For then she savve her selfe, to be depriued of the greatest good. But her heart remained buried vvith her trea∣sure in the graue.

A Meditation for Sunday.

THis day thou shalt consider and me∣ditate of the descent of CHRIST to lymbus Patrum: his resurrection: diuers ap∣paritions to the blessed Virgine MARIE; S. MARIE MAGDALENE, and his other disciples: and last of all his glorious ascension into heauen.

Take notice therfore of the incredible ioy, the Fathers, vvhich vvere deteined in lymbus, felt at ther cominge of the redeeme vvho came to free them from the darke prison, vvherin they vvere shutt for many thousand yeares. What prayses, vvhat gi∣uinge of thankes did they render to him, vvho had brought them to the longe de∣sired hauen of their saluation? they vvhich retourne from the east Indies, are vvont to say, that they thinke all their forepassed labours vvell bestovved, only for that ioy they finde, the first day of their arriuall into their country. If the banishment of a yeare or tvvo, and the tediousnes of a little trouble some iourny, can breed such ioy in men, vvhat vvill the absence of three or fovvre thousand yeares doe frō that plea∣sant and celestiall country. What ioy ther∣fore doe vve thinke, those holy Fathers had, vvhen they tooke possession of it?

Then consider the excessiue ioy of the blessed Virgine, when she sawe her Sonne risen from death, when it is most certaine, and vndoubted, that she felt the greatest sorrowe and affliction at his ignominious death and passion that could be, her ioy must needs excell the rest, in his triumphāt resurrectiō. How great doest thou thinke was her content and pleasure to see her Sonne, whome she greuiously lamented before his death, liuinge, glorious, and at∣tended with a ioyfull troop of holy Pa∣triarches, whome he brought a longe with him? What said she? what did she? with what kisses did she salute him? with what affection did she embrace him? what plea∣sant riuers of teares distilled from her eies? how earnestly did she desire to followe her Sonne, had it been permitted to her?

More-ouer take notice, of the ioy of the holy MARIES, particularly of her which stood weepinge, at the Sepulcre of CHRIST, then, when she sawe him whome her soule loued: without doubt she cast her selfe at his feete, when she be∣held him liuinge, whome she sought amongst the dead.

After his Mother, he therfore appeared to her, who loued him most ardently, and,

aboue others, sought him most diligently and perseuerantly, to instruct vs that when we looke for God, vve must seeke him vvith teares and diligence.

Consider that after this, he appeared to his disciples going vnto Emans, in the habit of a Pilgrime; behould, hovv curteously he ioyned himselfe a companion to them: hovve familiarly he conuersed vvith them: hovve handsomely he dissembled his per∣son: and after, vvith vvhat affection he ma∣nifested himselfe vnto them, and last of all hovv he left their tounges and lippes filled vvith the delightfull discourse of his Ma∣iestie. Let thy discourse and talke, be like these disciples, as they trauailed in the vvay, of the loue and passion of our blessed Sa∣uiour; and I dare be bould to say, that he vvill not deny vnto thee his sacred pre∣sence.

In the mystery of our blessed Sauiours ascension, first consider that he deferred it for forty dayes, that in the meane time often appearinge to his disciples, he might instruct them, and vvith them discourse of the kingdome of heauen. For he vvould not forsake them by ascendinge into hea∣uen, before he had disposed their mindes to ascende vvith him spiritually.

Hence vve may note, that those are of∣ten depriued of the corporall presence of CHRIST, and of sensible deuotion, vvho vvith the vvinges of contemplation fly vp to heauen and feare no danger. Wherin the diuine prouidence, vvhervvith it cur∣beth & gouerneth the elect, doth vvon∣derfully manifest it selfe, hovve it strēgth∣neth the vveake, exerciseth the stronge, giueth milke to little ones, prepareth stronger meat for great ones, comforteth some, afflicteth others, and to conclude ac∣comodates himselfe to all accordinge to their seuerall degrees in their spirituall profitt. Wherfore he that is roborated by diuine comfort, ought therfore not to presume of him selfe, seeinge this sensible consolation, is but the meat for infirme ones, and a great signe of vveaknes: nor he that is exercised by affliction, ought ther∣fore to be deiected, seeinge temptation is for the most part, a testimony of a valiant minde.

CHRIST ascended vp to heauen, in the presēce of his disciples, that they might be vvittnesses of this mystery, of vvhich they vvere eie-beholders, none can giue better testimony of God almighties deedes, then he vvhich hath learned them by ex∣perience: vvherfore he that vvould cer∣tainly

knowe, how good, howe sweet, and mercifull he is towardes his, and what is the force and efficacy of his diuine grace, loue, prouidence, and spirituall con∣solatiōs: lett him aske those, which indeed haue had experience of them, for they and only they, will giue him the best instru∣ctions and satisfaction.

More-ouer CHRIST would ascend, his disciples lookinge vpon him, that they might prosecute him with their eies and spirit, that they might haue a cordiall fealinge of his departure: that in his ab∣sence, they might feare to remaine alone, and that they might the better dispose themselues to receiue his holy grace. The Prophet HELISEVS,* 1.11 when HE∣LIAS was to be taken and separated from him, desired that he would giue him his spirit, HELIAS made answere: Rem quidem difficilem postulasti, attamensi videris me, quando tollar àte, erit tibi quod pe∣tisti; Si autem non videris, non erit. Thou hast asked a hard thing: neuer the lesse if thou see me when I shall be taken from thee, thou shalt haue what thou hast asked: but if thou see me not, thou shalt not haue it.

In like manner they shall be heires of the spirit of CHRIST, whome loue

doth cause to mourne, for his departure: to whome his absence doth seeme greuious, who earnestly whilst they liue in this ba∣nishment, desire his holy presence. Such a Sainct was he that saied: thou art gon my comfortour, without any care of me, at thy departure thou didest blesse thine, and I sawe it not; the Angels promised, that thou shouldest retourne againe, and I heard them not. Who is able to expresse or vnderstand the solitude, trouble, cries and teares of the blessed Virgine, of his belo∣ued disciple, S. MARIE MAGDA∣LEN, and the other Apostles: when they sawe CHRIST to be pulled from them, who together with him carried vp their affectionate heartes? and yet notwithstan∣dinge it is saied of them, that they retour∣ned with great ioy into Hierusalem: the same loue and affection which made them bewaile the visible losse of their beloued Lord and Master, did likewise cause that they congratulated eatch other; much re∣ioycinge at his glory, for it is the nature of true loue, not so much to seeke the como∣ditie of it selfe, as the honour and comodi∣ty of the person that is beloued.

Last of all to close vp this meditation, it is left to vs to consider, with what glory, with what ioy, this noble conquerour was

brought into that heauenly citty: what so∣lemnities were then instituted in the glo∣rious Paradise, howe magnificently was he entertained by those celestiall citizens? what a delightfull spectacle was it, to see men accompanied with Angels, to goe in procession, and to sett vpon those seates, which for many thousand yeares, were va∣cant. But a most rauishinge ioy it was, to behold, the sacred humanity of CHRIST IESVS, farr transcending al others, to sett at the right hand of his eternall Father.

All these thinges are worthy of thy at∣tentiue consideration, that thou maiest learne, that the labours thou doest vnder∣goe for the loue of God, are not spent in vaine, therfore he that humbled himselfe vnder all creatures, it was requisite that he should be exalted aboue all; that the louers of true glory may trace this path, they must expect if they desire to be aboue all, that first they be subiect to all, euen their inferiours.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cant. 5.
• * 1.2

  The causes vvhy Christ in∣stituted this Sa∣crament.
• * 1.3

  The second
• * 1.4

  The third.
• * 1.5

  The fourth
• * 1.6

  The fifth.
• * 1.7

  The sixth.
• * 1.8

  The se∣uenth.
• * 1.9

  Ioan. 18.
• * 1.10

  Cant. 3.
• * 1.11

  4. Reg. 2.