Breife meditations of the Most Holy Sacrament and of preparation, for receuing the same. And of some other thinges apertaining to the greatnes and deuotion of so worthy a misterie. Composed in Italian by the rev. father Luca Pinelli of the Societie of Iesus.

THE XV. MEDITA∣TION. (Book 15)

Of frequentinge the Blessed Sacrament. CHAP. XV. (Book 15)

Pointes to meditate.

1 CONSIDER how that in the primitiue CHVRCH which was gouerned by the A∣postles the Christians did often Communicat, and that from re∣ceauing did proceed the greate holines & feruor of spirit which was then: it is most certaine for that by experience we haue ben taught, that as this vse beganne to decrese and be diminished so

likewise did sanctitie and feruor decay & waxe lesse in the Chri∣stian people.

2 Consider how that in this our agean the which God of his good¦nes hath stirred vp greater deuo∣tion & more often frequentinge of this venerable Sacrament, is seene greater goodnes & perfe∣ction in those which frequent the same, and the Catholicke Church is greatly increased by many new & holy orders of re∣ligion.

3 Cōsider how that this diuine Sa¦crament being the meat of mans soule which comforteth and su∣staineth the same in spiritual life it cōsequently foloweth that the more often the soule is fed with this pretious meate, the more strong and more perfect she re∣maineth in spirituall life.

4 Consider more-ouer, that as this heauenly Sacrament is the fountaine of all perfection and holines, & imparteth most hol∣some effectes to all those which worthely receaue the same; so is it certaine that the oftener that any person doth communicate, the more he is made partaker of the graces therof: for this cause all the holy Fathers of the Ca∣tholicke Church do earnestly ex¦hort vs often to frequent this B. Sacrament.

The Fruit.

The fruit of this 15 Meditation shalbe to make firme purpose, both of making worthy prepa∣ration for this diuine Sacrament and alsO of often frequēting the same, for such as the one is, such wilbe the effect of the other. In preparing our selues we ought

principally to procure soundnes of loue, the which will cause out often receauinge to be pleasing and gratfull vnto God.

A Colloquium.

O my sweet Iesus, what greate fauour and grace is this which you do vnto me, for you vouch∣safe not onely to discouer vnto me that pretious mineral which remaineth in the field of the ho∣ly Catholicke Church, & is that Thesaurus absconditus, hidden treasure, which maketh the man which findeth it to sell all that euer he hath for to buy the field: But farther you innite me that I should often digge forth of this mine this most pretious treasure, therby to enrich my soule: And this maketh me to maruel much that for the obtaininge of this field, and for taking forth of this

treasure as oftē as I list, you haue graunted me such a wonderfull commoditie that I need not to sell any kind of thing for the by∣ing therof: Blessed be you my SAVIOVR, that for my greater good it hath pleased you to hide your glorious Bodie vnder the forme and accidents of bread to thentent that I should often re∣turne to tast the same,* 1.1 & should say with your holy Prophet Vere tues Deus absconditus Trewlye you are a hidden God. O my Lord if for the taking forth of this diuine treasure, you should haue ordained sharpe fastinges, long pilgrimages, sheding forth of blood & other such like hard penances, yet all these paines & labours shold haue ben well imploied to haue once only ta∣sted your most sacred bodie; But

O vnspeakable charity, you haue vouchsafed to make it both ea∣fic and delightfull vnto me, that by this meanes I shoulde often come vnto this diuine minerall. O Adam, how much better is the condition of thy posteritie, then was thy owne? Thankes be therfore to our bening and libe∣rall Iesus:* 1.2 Thou wert cast forth of Paradish & to the entent that thou shouldst not return to eate of the tree of life therby to haue liued for euer: God most iust pla¦ced a Cherubine with a fierie sworde to keepe thee from en∣tring in: but we thy sonnes and offprings, remaining within the Paradise of the holie Church, are not onely not prohibited of an Angell with a fierie swoord, but farther, the Lord of the An∣gells with fire of loue, most ear∣nestly

inuiteth vs often ro come and eate of the tree of life, or ra∣ther to receaue him who gaue vertue vnto that tree of life, and who giueth vs most happie and eternall life, for thus he promi∣seth vs, inuiting vs to come vn∣to him: Qui manducat meā car∣nem,* 1.3 viuet in aeternum: He that eateth my flesh shall liue for e∣uer. Awake a litle my soule and magnifie thy God. Qui fecit tibi magna, qui potens est.* 1.4 Because he that is mightie hath done great thinges vnto thee, dust thou not see how that for inriching of the he hath made him selfe thy trea∣sure? Come therefore often to digge it forth, for since that he is a most pretious treasure he wil giue thee good contentment, & seeing that he is infinite, he can neuer by drawing forth, faile or be wanting vnto thee.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Isay. 45
• * 1.2

  Gen. 3.
• * 1.3

  Ioan. 6.
• * 1.4

  Luc. 1.