Of the love of our only Lord and Saviour, Iesus Christ: Both that which he beareth to vs; and that also which we are obliged to beare to him. Declared by the principall mysteries of the life, and death of our Lord; as they are deluiered [sic] to vs in Holy Scripture. With a preface, or introduction to the discourse.

The same discourse is continued, concerning the great loue, which our Lord Iesus ex∣pressed in his Doctrine.

CHAP. 34.

I Haue vvillingly entertained my selfe vpon the consideration of some circumstances vvhich concerne the aduantages of this diuine Doctour of our soules, beyond all the Do∣ctours vvhich are, or euer vvere, or are to be. Because though no argumēt should be dravvn from the very Doctrine it selfe, to proue the loue of him that taught it; yet his person a∣lone, and the very manner vvhich he held therin, vvas such, as ought to oblige the most rebellious mindes that liue, to all obedience.

Our Lord IESVS himselfe, (notvvith∣standing that he had incomparably the grea∣test humility that euer vvas possessed by any soule) did yet vvell vnderstand, and iustly prize the dignity of his ovvne person so farre, as to knovv, that he tooke no authority from his Doctrine; but that his Doctrine tooke it all from him. Yet so great vvas his goodnes, that although he vvere as perfect God, as he vvas perfect man, he(a) 1.1 vvould not yet oblige vs to beleeue it, vnlesse first he had prooued it, by infallible testimonies. But that being once done, he was not to indignify, & diminish any one vvord of his Doctrine and decrees, by al∣leaging reasons and proofes; but only & sim∣ply

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to affirme it: This point I touch diuers times, because occasion is ministred very oftē; and euen Popes and Princes (who are but dust, and ashes) doe hold this stile, and are wont to send out their decrees, and to make their Edicts, in a positiue and expresse forme. And whatsoeuer earnest asseuerations or rea∣sons should be added for the grace & strength therof, would many tymes be, but as a con∣trary meanes to that end.

So that the(b) 1.2 plainenes of the deliue∣ry of the Doctrine of Christ our Lord, is a vehe∣ment proose of the diuinenes of it. Since, be∣ing voyd of all those helpes of art (in the arme wherof, all other Doctrines put their hope) this alone is a Doctrine, which dares expose it selfe playne and naked. And in despight of the whole wicked world, it liues, it breathes, it gathers ground, and strength amongst all the venemous weeds of the world. And in des∣pite of ignorance, sensuality, and sinne; it strikes at the roote, not only of all things, which are contrary to God and goodnes; but euen of all things, which are lesse good and perfect. And it(c) 1.3 erecteth Trophees, and keepeth tryumphes in the profoundest part of the harts, of the ciuilest, the worthiest, the lear∣nedst, the wisest, and the holyest people of the whole world.

The more sublime authority this Do∣ctrine hath, and the more aduantage other∣wise; the more infinitely are we Catholikes, bound to that diuine goodnes, which with

an eternall loue, did make choyce of vs, as the disciples thereof. And to the end that we might the more easily conceaue it with the vnderstanding, and the more faithfully retaine it with the memory, it pleased that altitude of diuine wisedome, to abase it self to our meane capacity. And (when the Doctrine of it selse, would not perhaps haue bene so well recei∣ued) to set it out, by allusions and Parables; yea and many tymes euen they, are borrowed, but from the figures of meane bodies;* 1.4 as of Plowes, of Corne, of Netts, of Fishes, of Leauen, of Mustard-seed, and the like. Establishing, by that familiar and easy meanes, a kind of com∣merce and traffique betwene things diuine & humane, in the mindes of men.

And indeed if this Doctrine had not bene brought by the sweet hand of God, to carry a great proportion to mans nature, assi∣sted by his holy grace; what possibility had there bene, that it could haue wrought such wonders in the world? Making(d) 1.5 so many Kings and Queenes for the loue of Christ our Lord, become voluntary beggars. Making youth become chast; old age obedient; know∣ledge humble; austerity so sweete and plea∣sant, as that there are, and haue bene milliōs of people, in the Catholike Church, (and our Lord be euer blessed and praysed for it, and he knoweth that it is true, (vvhatsoeuer any So∣ctary shal either say or thinke to the contrary) vvho insteed of fine lynnen, haue inclosed, & claspedthemselues, vvithin Girdles of wy••e,

and shirts of haire; Insteed of delighfull bathe haue taken frequent disciplines in bloud; In∣steed of curious and costly beds, haue spent their vvhole nights vpon the hard ground; Insteed of sumptuous banquets, haue enter∣tayned themselues in rigorous fasts. And last∣ly insteed euen of lavvfull pleasures, haue ex∣ercised themselues, vvith great attention, in the mortification of the faculties, and senses, both of the body and mind.

This I say they doe, & they haue done; and that, vvith all the secresy they could; and only, in contēplation of the loue of our Lord Iesvs; & in conformity to his diuine life and Doctrine, vvhich requires men to looke vpon his example, & to liue therafter; & which pro∣claimes to all the(e) 1.6 vvorld (as instantly I shall touch againe) that, If any man would come after him, he must deny himselfe, & take vp his Crosse & follow him. For he that would saue his life, should loose it, and he that would loose his life for him, should saue it. If a sectary or libertine shal heare this Do∣ctrine he vvil be sure to say that it is Durus ser∣mo. A bit vvhich hath a bone in it, so bigge, as that he knovves not hovv, either to chavv, or svvallovv, and much lesse digest it. And yet this very bit, this bitter pilwhich is so vn∣sauoury to the man, vvho is all made of flesh and bloud, being vvrapped vp in the golden vvords of our Lord, doth in the taking it dovvne, grovv so full of delight and gust, (through the puissance vvhich it hath ouer the soules of such as doe seriously & sincerely loue

him) that no pennance in this life, could be so grieuous to them, as if they should be boüd from doing pennance. And see now by this, whether the Doctrine of Christ our Lord be not of strange power, and strength; and whether his diuine Maiesty, haue not infinitely loued vs, who hath made weake men so able, and so willing to imbrace it for the loue of him.

This(f) 1.7 strength, wherwith the Doctrine of Christ our Lord abounds, is no rude or course kind of strength; but rather it is like some one of those most excellēt Minerall Phi∣sicks, which is exactly well prepared. For to∣gether with the discharging of peccant hu∣mours, (which vseth to carry with it, a kind of paine) it is a cordiall withall, and it com∣forts the very substance of the soule, incompa∣bly more excellently then that other Phisicke can, the nature of the body. Besides, there is not heere, any one receipt alone for the cure of soules; as there be Empericks inough in the world, who (withall their bragges) haue but some one medicine or two, for the corporall cure, of as many patients as they may chance to haue. But heere, are fully as many helpes, as there can be motions in the minde; & this Doctrine is fit to worke vpon them al. For who sees(g) 1.8 not, how it abounds with exact com∣mandements; expresse prohibitions; high and holy counsailes; heroicall examples; a clear notice of benefits already receiued and faithful promises of more; sweet admonitions; seuere reprehensions, and terrible threats. To the

end that no man may be able to defend, or e∣uen excuse his disobedience, with any appea∣rance of reason; but that euery one may, as he ought, submit himselfe.

What misery can that be, whereof heere he may not find a remedy? what doubt, wherof he may not find a solution? What pi∣ous affection, wherof he may not find an in∣flamation? What vertue would he obtaine, or what vice would he auoyd, wherin he shall not find a world of counsaile & addresse? And in a word, what thought of God, or of him∣selfe, can he haue, with any relation to his comfort, either for this life, or the next, which being a good student of this Doctrine of Christ our Lord, he may not easily apparaile in that rich and choyce wardrobe of his, with iacu∣latory prayers and aspirations. I say not only significant, but which haue withall, so much of the ardent, of the great, and of the noble, as it will become the eares of God to heare, & will not become his mercifull hart not to har∣ken to.

Notes

• (a) 1.1

  The sectartes will be be∣leeued v∣pon their wordes; yet Christ Lord, would not exact so much of the Iewes.
• (b) 1.2

  Euen the play n∣nes of the deliuery of the do∣ctrine of Christ our Lord gi∣ues it great au∣thority.
• (c) 1.3

  The Trophees which the Doctrine of Christ our Lord erecteth in the hart of man.
• * 1.4

  See euery where in the holy Ghospell.
• (d) 1.5

  The diuine wonders which the doctrine of Christ our Lord hath wrought in the world.
• (e) 1.6

  The abnegatiō of ones self which is requi∣red by the doctrine of Christ our Lord. Luc. 14. Ioan. 12. Ioan. 6.
• (f) 1.7

  This doctrine as it is on the one side effica cious and strong; so on the o∣ther it is smooth & sweet.
• (g) 1.8

  The seuerall wayes, wherby the hart of man, is holpen by that Doctrine of Christ our Lord.