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 SECONDE MEDITATION FOR THE SAME SVNDAY

Of the Centurion, or Capitaine of an hundred Soldiers, who sued to our Sauiour for the cure of his seruante.

THE FIRST POINTE.

CONSIDER, that we may most iu∣stly admire him, whom our Sauiour the wisdome of God, seemed to admire (how euer he could not indeede be sub∣iecte to admiration, to whom nothing was vnknowne) His great faith, being but yet a gentile; then which our Sauiour testifies, he found none greater in Israell His tender care of his sicke seruant, whom he tearmes his child. His greate humili∣tie, iudging himselfe vnworthy to haue our Lord come to him. His true sense of his power or omnipotencie, who, he knew could cure at any distance, by his word alone, saying: say but onely the word, and my boy shall be healed.

[Affection.] Iustly I say, my soule, may we admire, those many, and great ver∣tues, in that poore gentile but much more

that mercyfull Lord who first freelie gaue what he pleased afterward to admire: for faith is not ours by nature, but is a hea∣uenly light sent from aboue wherby he and we are taught, to loue and serue the meanest, as our children or brethren: humbly to deferre to our Superiours: to haue high thoughts of Gods omnipotent power: and with an absolute confidence, to flye to his ayde in all our owne, and our neighbours necessities. We will ther∣for, not so much admire, as striue to imi∣tate the good Centurion, in our appro∣ches to our almightie Lord.

THE SECONDE POINTE.

I haue not found so great faith in Israel.

CONSIDER that our Sauiour ma∣kes well appeare, that God is not the God of the Iewes onely, but of the Gentils too: For how euer the Iewes brag∣ged, that God was onely knowne in Iuda, and that his name was great in Israel: yet Truth reproches to them, that he had not mette with so great faith in Israel, as he found in that poore gentile, and with a dreadfull minace, leaues them

in a doubtfull expectation what might be∣come of them, who esteemed themselues alone Gods chosen people, with exclu∣sion of all others; saying: many shall come from east and weste, and shall sitt downe with Abraham Isaac and Tacob in the Kingdome of heauen, but the children shall be cast out into exteriour darknesse, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

[Affection.] Who thinkes himselfe to stande, my soule, let him beware that he fall not. Ther is noe assurance in mans fayling force. Be our vocation neuer so holy, and angell-like, there is noe secu∣ritie; the brightest Angells fell. Seeme we to sayle neuer so prosperously, yet we haue iust cause to dreade a storme: and oftentymes we meete with shipwrake euen in the harbour, Blessed therfor; saith a holy Father, is the man who is alwayes fearfull, and diffident of himselfe. Accursed is he who places his confidence in man. If none know then, who is worthy of loue or hate, let vs labour the more that by good workes we may make sure our vocation and election: as saith that blessed Pope S. Peter, being taught that wholsome lesson by his owne fall.