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I. POINT.
COnsider, as a third ex∣cellencie of Faith,
that their are no greater riches, no greater treasures, no ho∣nors no substance of this world greater then the Ca∣tholike faith, which saues sinners, inlightēs the blind, cures the infirme baptiseth the Cathecumenes, iustifies the faithfull, repaires the penitent, increaseth the just, crownes Martirs, con∣serueth
Virgins, widowes, wiues in puritie, orders clarkes, consecrates Priests, prepars vs to the Kingdome of heauen, and makes vs partake with the Angells in that eternall inheritance.
AFFECTION and RESOLV. See then my soule, how when we thinke to haue left all, we possesse all: nay while we thinke to haue lost all by persequution we inioy all more happily, while our Faith, which is the greatest riches, honor, substance of this world, is not impaired but increased by it. They may robbe vs of our riches, yet while our faith is firme they touch not that aurum optimum, which is Charitie; They may depriue vs of
wordly honors, but not of that noble title of being the sons of God; They may order our substance to new Masters, but they cannot quelle our expectation, and hope of a better and permanent subs∣tance.
II. POINT. Consider yet further that it is Christian faith, which doth rayse our thoughts, and conduct vs to the verie highth or topp of WISDOME AND TRVTH, the fruition vvherof is no other thing, then blessed life or BEATITVDE vvhich is neuer found saue onely in the discipline of our Catholike Mother.
AFFECTION and RESOL. If Beatitude be that which all men incessantly seeke for,
and not finding can neuer rest; if it can neuer be found saue by the benefit of Faith alone, and faith can noe way be procured but by Gods free gift. What millions of prayses doe we owe to that infinite Goodnes, who freely bestowed this incomparable great gift of Faith vpon vs, which inables vs to see all good things? O how many! hovv many vvould haue vvis∣hed to haue seene vvhat vve haue seene, and haue not seene it, &c. Benedicam Domino in omni tempore semper laus eius in ore meo.
III. POINT. Consider for the last fruite or excel∣lencie, that though this Ca∣tholike faith Eagle-like is able to flie right vp and fixe
those stronge and vndazeled eyes of hers vpon the sun it selfe, and euen gaze vpon Maiestie; without being op∣pressed by glorie,
yet doth she graciously accommo∣date her selfe to euery ca∣pacitie, be they litle, be they great, be they weake be they stronge, she hath foode wherwith to nourish them, to saciate them.
AFFECTION and RESOLV. Yes heauenly father, because so it was pleasing in thy sight. These things thou didst hide from the prudent and wise of the world, and hast reuealed them to the litle ones, to those litle ones who seeke thee in simplicitie and humilitie of hart. The wisest (if they be wise indeed, and
walke not in wonders aboue them selues, and so vanish in their owne presumption) must be forced to make their reason stoope in obedience to Faith, humbly pronoun∣cing Credo, I beleeue what I am not able by witt to dis∣couer. And the least and simplest of the children of God, doth no lesse. ô diuine faith how excellent a Mistrisse thou art who in a moment canst persuade vs more whol∣some truthes then all the Aristotles in an Age.