Page 396
Of Holy Communion.* 1.1
Consider Christ as your Souls Guest.
* 1.2COnsider 1. What is read this day in the Go∣spel, how Christ entered into the house of a certain Pharisee upon the Sabboth to eat bread, Luc. 14.1. He is also the Guest of our Souls, and he will enter, this day, into the house of your soul, in the Holy Eucharist, to feast with you, according to that, If any man open to me the gate, I will enter in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Con∣sider therefore attentively the Greatness and Majesty of this Guest, and take that of the Evangelist as spoken unto you by him,* 1.3 Make ready supper, and gird thy self.
Consider 2. This Divine Guest feedeth (as the H. Fathers teach) upon our Virtues;* 1.4 but above all, he is delighted with humility; and therefore while he was at Table to day with the Pharisee, he taught us to chuse the lowest place in Banquets: And the Spouse in the Canticles saith, While the King was at his repose, my Spikenard gave the odour thereof. The Spikenard is a low plant (saith S. Bernard) and Embleme of Humility: Therefore be careful to prepare such meat for your Guest, as you know he gladly eateth; and humble your self what you can in all things.
Consider 3. The Liberality of this your Guest, who wheresoever he cometh, bringeth with him gifts, and pledges of his bounty: So this day, in the house of the Pharisee, he cured one sick of the Dropsie: And if you look well into your self, perchance you will find that you are taken with the same Disease, that is, full of waterish humours of