Sweete thovghtes of Iesvs and Marie, or, Meditations for all the feasts of ovr B. Saviovr and his B. Mother togeither with Meditations for all the Sundayes of the yeare and our Sauiovrs Passion : for the vse of the daughters of Sion : diuided into tvvo partes / by Thomas Carre ...

THE FIRST MEDITATION.

The first disposition. The consideration of our owne miserie. I. POINT.

CONSIDER, as the first disposition to the receiuing of the holy Ghost, our owne nakednesse, miserie, and nothing

for if we conceiue indeede (as indeede it is most true) that we are nothing, we haue nothing, we can doe nothing but onely by the assistance and grace of God, which is powred forth in our hartes, by the holy Ghost which is giuen vs; how is it possible that we should not make an earnest application to that good giuer of all best gifts, that now that the comfort of Christs visible presen∣ce is taken from vs, he would bestow vpon vs that other comforting Spirit.

[Affection.] Looke downe, ô thou Al∣mightie giuer of all good giftes, and be∣hold the slaue that was redeemed by the wounds which thy Christ, my Aduocate layes open before thee to plead for my pouertie. Looke vpon thy Christ, and take pittie on this languishing christian of thyne for whom he dyed; O almighty father loo∣ke vpon this poore child of thine who lyes sicke of a palsie, and is cruelly tortured send downe speedily that comforting Spirit which thou art about to send, least he otherwise perish, for whose safetie thy deare sonne spared not his pretious bloud.

The 2. disposition, Humilitie. II. POINT.

CONSIDER, and lets vse as a secon∣de disposition: rysing out of the truth of the former, as absolute a desire as we can possibly conceiue, not to be knowen nor esteemed by any: or at least lets de∣sire to be knowne as we knowe our selues, and as God knowes vs (that is to be poore miserable sinners) not as we deludingly appeare. This, as being a reall effect of true humilitie, is the best harbinger to prepare a place for this heauenly Guest: for in whom, saith the holy Scripture; will the Spirit of God rest, but in a hart that is mylde and humble &c.

[Affection.] Studie to be a louer of truth my soule, not of vanitie and lyes, which haue alwayes proued emptie shadowes, and haue left, nothing in our hands. Be sincere and iust, and striue to keepe iusti∣ce betwixt thy selfe and thyne owne harte betwixt what thou appearest to be, and what indeede thou art: and desire not, that esteeme and honour (by others igno∣rance)

be payd to thy corruption and sin∣fulnesse. Haue frequently in hart and mouth, to thee alone ô Lord be honour and glo∣rie, to me nothing but shame and confusion: Be∣cause in thy sight I am a miserable sinner, and vnworthy of all respect. But thou, ô Lord, haue mercy.