A journal of meditations for every day in the year gathered out of divers authors / written first in Latine by N.B. ; and newly translated into English by E.M. in ... 1669.

Of the Election of the Mother to the Word Incarnate. And of her Prerogatives. 2. Part.

* 1.1COnsider 1. It was fitting that the Eternal Word should honour his Mother, and raise her above the common condition of Mortals, by special Priviledges. King Salomon made a great Throne of Ivory, and covered it with Gold exceeding yellow, &c. There was not such a work made in all Kingdoms. How much more sitting was it, that the King of Heaven should adorn his Throne, or Bed-chamber, where he was to lie for nine moneths together?

Consider 2. Several of her Priviledges. 1. San∣ctity, and that the greatest of any pure creature, communicated unto her from the first moment of her Conception; for it was not fit that the Mother

of God should ever, even for one single moment, be under the slavery of the Devil. 2. Suppression of Concupiscence. 3. Confirmation in Grace, so as never to forfeit it by Mortal Sin, or even to suffer the least diminution of its fervour by Veni∣al. 4. Continual progresse in the same, by hero∣ick acts of Vertue, whereby it was increased to an infinite proportion. 5. The use of reason from the first moment. 6. To conceive, and remain a Virgin. 7. To be in child-birth without pain. 8. To be a Mother, and delivered of her Son without detriment of her Virginal Integrity. 9. To be a Mart, a Sea,* 1.2 and Ocean of all manner of Grace, so as to surpasse the perfections of all the Saints put together.

* 1.3Consider 3. Her admirable Titles, in being af∣ter an especial manner Daughter to the Eternal Fa∣ther, Mother to the onely begotten Son, Spouse to the Holy Ghost, and Soveraign Queen of Men and Angels. She is also stiled the Mother of Mer∣cy, the Advocatrix of Mankind, and Refuge of Sinners. Think what a Refuge, and Protection you have in such a Mother. Commend your self ear∣nestly to her, for such is his will, who will have us have all by Mary.

Notes

• * 1.1

  3 Reg. 10.18.
• * 1.2

  Suar. c. 2.3. p. d. 18. sec. 4.
• * 1.3

  S. Bern.