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 FIFT SVNDAY AFTER EASTER.

Vntill now you haue not asked anything. Io. 16.

THE FIRST POINT.

CONSIDER, that the poore beg∣gar needes noe other inuitation to aske, then the knowledge and sense of his owne pouertie, and want; whence the rich of this world doe as litle vse, as litle neede, to intreate the beggar to aske an almes of him. But the riches of heauen, by an ineffable bountie, and graciousnesse, importunes vs, vs, as it were, to importune him, saying: vntill now you haue not asked any thing: aske and you shall receiue.

[Affection.] Alas, my soule, me thinkes the longe and certaine knowledge we haue of our owne miserie and want; and the day∣lie temptations we suffer, and relapses we fall into, should sufficiently inuite vs to

haue frequent recourse to a bountifull giuer: but now at least being incited by the reproches he makes vs for not asking, let vs hourely run to those ouerflowing breasts of mercy and grace, least we may seeme gratis to loose our selues. Let vs, my soule, aske, seeke, knocke (that holy violence is gratefull to God) with as much importunitie, as we truly find ne∣cessitie.

THE SECONDE POINTE.

Amen, Amen I say to you, if you aske the fa∣ther any thinge in my name, he will giue it you. Io. 16.

WHOM WE ARE TO ASKE.

CONSIDER, how stronge hopes we ought to conceiue of obteyning our demande, where the promesse is made in so great a latitude, and where such a sonne the wisdome of heauen, confidently sends vs to such a Father the eternall sourse of all goodnesse, plentie, and happinesse, which can neuer be drayned: to his Father and our Father: as we are taught by his sacred mouthe to beleeue and say: Our Father which are in heauen &c.

[Affection.] O daughter of Sion, ah my poore soule, why wilt thou wilfully perish, where such large and louing offers of grace and abundance is made to thee? What confidence may we not iustly haue of ob∣teyning all things necessarie, when we are sent to the Father of mercys, and the God of all consolation, by his onely deare sonne who in obedience to his diuine will, putt downe, that plentifull price of his pretious bloud for the loue of vs? Be my faylings neuer so frequent, be my sinns in what number they will, at least from hence forth I will not forgett to call thee with Ieremie. Thou art my Father; the guide of my Virginitie.

THE SECONDE MEDITATION FOR THE SAME SVNDAY

Aske the Father in my name. Io. 16.

THE FIRST POINTE.

HOW WE OVGHT TO ASKE.

CONSIDER that our blessed Sauiour in these few words, instructs vs, not onely of whom we are to aske, to witt of his Father, but, how, or in what manner, to witt, in his name. If we aske of a Father,

and that of an all-knowing, all-seeing Fa∣ther: it ought to be done with the reue∣rence, humilitie, obedience, loue, and confidence of a child. If in the name of a sonne it ought to be done as that sonne vsed to doe it; saying with an absolute re∣signation: Father if it may be, if it be agrea∣ble to thy diuine will; if it be expedient for my eternall good; grant this or this &c. If otherwise, not my will but thyne be done.

[Affection.] Let vs then, my soule, in all our necessities and difficulties, addresse our selues to that omnipotent Father of mercyes, and all consolation: for none co∣mes to the sonne vnlesse the father drawe them. But let it be in the name of his sonne Iesus; since there is noe other name vnder heauen gi∣uen to men; wherin they must be saued. Let vs then humbly intreate that heauenly fa∣ther, in the name, and by the merites of that most dearely beloued sonne, be it for thinges necessarie for the bodie or soule; but let it still be done with perfect resigna∣tion to his blessed will and pleasure, saying as we were taught by him; Father if it may be, let this or this be done, or this or this be taken away. Howbeit not my will, but thy holy will be done.

THE SECONDE POINTE FOR THE SAME DAY

What we are to aske.

CONSIDER, that what we ought to aske, is to result out of the same words of our Sauiour: Aske of my Father, in my name. We must aske then of a louing Fa∣ther, we must therfor demande thinges sutable to his loue: his goodnesse will not giue vs a stone in lieu of breade, nor a ser∣pent in steede of a fish: he will not giue vs poyson because, our follie likes it. We must aske of a Father who is the Kinge of hea∣uen, we must not then aske earthly trash, which is vnworthy of his bestowing. Fi∣nally we must aske in the name of a Sauiour nothing therfor which is against our Sal∣uation.

[Affection.] Run then, my soule, to that almightie Father in the name of that best beloued sonne. But be not peremptorie in our demands: wisdome better knowes, what it best for vs. If we aske of a louing father, lets aske with loue, not with feare If we aske of an Almightie father who has Kingdomes to giue: aske not for cottages

trifles vnworthy of his giuing. If in the na∣me of a Sauiour, things then which most conduce to our saluation: things which he himselfe taught vs to aske: that his name may be sanctified in all nations! that he may absolutly raigne ouer all hartes: that his holy will may be punctually perfor∣med here belowe as in the Court of hea∣uen &c. Let vs aske that, my soule, and we shall neuer be confounded.