The first Pointe.

FIrst, * for the foundation of the meditations ensuing, I will consider, how the Worde Incarnate beeing in the wombe of his mother, would make the newest, most admirable, and holyest entrance into the Worlde, that euer was, or shalbe, painefull to himselfe, and profitable to vs, to settle the foundations of that Euan∣gelicall perfection, which he was to preache. So that his first entrance into the Worlde, was (as S. * Cyprian sayeth) a Patterne of our first entrance into Christian Religion, that his Disciples might enter by the way he entred, exercizing those Vertues that he exercized. And to this ende he left all that the worlde loueth, and seeketh: and sought for all that which the worlde abhorreth, and flyeth. And therefore to be borne, he disposed how to get out of Nazareth, to leaue those commodities that he might haue had, beeing borne in the house of his mother, and among his kinred, and freindes, where he could not haue wanted the shelter of some warme lodging, and couerture, besides some daintinesse for his nourishment, which Iohn Baptist failed not of, beeing borne in his fathers house. But he aban∣doned it all, demonstrating how much he ab∣horreth the pampering of the flesh, and what Page  167a louer he is of Pouertye: seeing he forsooke that litle that his poore mother had, and like a straunger would be borne in Bethlehem, and in such a season, when all things should be wanting vnto him. With this example I will confounde myselfe, for beeing so greate a Louer of myne owne commodities, and delicacyes, that not only I doe not flye from them, but I carefully seeke for them, and if I finde them not, I afflict myselfe.

O IESVS of Nazareth, * florishing with the flowers of celestiall Vertues, which commest out of Nazareth to abandon the flowers of earthly delightes: I humbly beseeche thee, by this thy comming from thence, that thou wilt be pleased to fauour my im∣becillitye, that I may renounce the flowers, and flat∣teries of my fleshe, desiring only the flowers of thy Vertues, with the which thou maiest so adorne my Soule, that thou maiest daigne to be borne therein. Amen.