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 FOR THE THIRD SVNDAY IN LENT.

And Iesus was casting out a Diuell and he was dumbe. Luc. 11.

THE FIRST POINTE.

CONSIDER, that the Diuells dominion was spredd in a man∣ner ouer all the face of the earth: Altars were erected, I∣dolls sett vp: Idolatrie, or the worship∣pe of the Diuell, raigned in euery place: so that his pride growen greater then his power, he durst attempt vpon the sonne of God (as in the first sunday in Lent) but in steed of victorie he mett with confusion. He was ouerthrowen with the sword of the word of God, without any other armes. But now Iesus, to comply with, and exercise the Office, of a Sa∣uiour, being sent to free the world out of the Diuells tyrannie, setts vpon him by his power and authoritie, and by ab∣solute

commande chaceth him out of the possessed body.

[Affection.] O blessed fruites of the co∣ming of our Sauiour Iesus Christ! Poo∣re man was kept à slaue vnder the Di∣uells tyrannie, nor was there any power in earth to free him: but Iesus our Hel∣per in opportunities, (that is seasonably as he iudges fitting) in tribulation, in tempta∣tion, &c. came graciously to his ayde: he assaults that stronge one: forceth him, by his flight, to acknowledge the power of his Master, who begins sake his rai∣gne, and abate his pride: nor doth he this in his owne person onely, but euen leaues the like power in his holie Church. He graciously teaches vs by his exam∣ple how we are to behaue our selues in temptation: and shewes vs in what power we ought to subdue that fierce foe. Bles∣sed and magnified be he for euer, who hath left such power to the sonns of man!

THE SECONDE POINTE.

CONSIDER that though the Diuells taking possession of mans body be not verie comon: yet his possession of

mans soule is but too ordinarie. And how euer, we perceiue it but a litle, yet it is farre more dangerous, and most ab∣solutly true. Neuer are we so vnhappie to committ mortall sinne, but the Di∣uell takes full possession of our soules: grace departs: the holy Ghost is turned out of dores: the Diuell becomes our Master, and we his miserable seruantes and slaues, ouer whom he exercises à ty∣rannicall dominion. We become blind to good; walke in darknesse, (not dis∣couering what is fitting to be done) and dumbe too, as to the making profession of what we know to be right.

[Affection.] O my soule, this is the pos∣session indeede which we ought most to feare: and dispossession which we ought most earnestly to seeke for because we haue left him who is able to throw both body and soule into Hell fire; because our strength hath left vs, we are sicke of a deade palsie, and sore tormented by the Diuell. Let vs neuer cease from sighets, and sobbs and lamentations, whi∣le we rcmayne in this sadd captiuitie. Gods grace alone is able to deliuer vs. Let vs begge it incessantly, like poore

lost slaues; knowing that there is noe mea∣nes to flye from him, but to him: from him offended, to him appeased: saying: haue mercy vpon me, ô God, according to thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of thy commiserations: be∣cause my miserie is exceeding great, and needes noe lesse a cure.