Meditations vppon the mysteries of our holy faith with the practise of mental praier touching the same composed in Spanish by the R.F. Luys de la Puente ... ; and translated into English by F. Rich. Gibbons ...

The first Pointe.

FIrst, I am to consider what the Worde In∣carnate did in the wombe of his mother, when the hower was come of his deliuerance from thence. [ 1] Pondering, first, that as he would not anticipate the time of his birth, so also hee would not deferre it, but would puntually be borne at nine moneths ende, to manifest him∣selfe vnto the worlde, with an hearty desier to begin his carreere with greate feruour, and Ala∣critye of Hearte; fullfilling that of Dauid: He hath reioiced as a Gyaunt to runnet he waye: his comming forth from the top of Heauen, not staying till he come to the other extreeme. For albeeit he knewe what a sharpe carreere he was to haue from his natiuitye to his Deathe, yet he rejoiced with fortitude to begin it, issuing out from the wombe of the VIRGIN, which was his Heauen, and presently setting his feete vpon the vilest, and basest place that was on the Earthe. For the which I ought humbly to thanke him, beseeching him to giue mee light to knowe, and vnderstand what passed in this his entrance.

O Childe more strong, and valiant then a Gyant, seeing that, respleudent like a newe Sun thou wilt issue by thy Orient, to run thy Carreere vnto the Oc∣cident of the Crosse, Illuminate my Vnderstanding, and inflame my Will, that I may beholde, & contem∣plate thy egression, and may loue with feruent zeale the Vertues thou discouerest therein.

Then will I ponder how liberall he then shewed himselfe to his mother, like as a mighty, [ 2] and riche man, hauing beene lodged in the house of a poore labouring man, who hath giuen him good entertainement, not for any interest, but to serue him, vseth at his departure to re∣compense him well, and to giue him some pre∣cious gift, either in gratitude, or for almes: so likewise for that the blessed VIRGIN had so well harboured her Sonne for nine moneths; at such time as he meant to departe from his lodging, hee gaue her the richest giftes of grace; a most high Contemplation of that mysterye, and certaine extraordinary Iubilees of gladnesse, in steede of those paines that other women vse to feele when they are in trauell of Childe. For it was not reason, that she that had no sensuall pleasure in conceiuing, should haue any paine in bringing forth. And allbeeit as touching the suffering Dolours, he dispensed not with him∣selfe, yet he would not that his mother in this case should suffer any. In like sorte I may con∣sider, that when our Sauiour Christ entreth Sa∣cramentally into vs, at his first entrance he giueth vs Sacramentall grace: and if we giue him good hospitallitye, before his departure, he giueth vs riche Iewells of Affections of Deuotion, and Contemplation; and Iubilies of Alacrity, where∣with he recompenseth the good entertainement,

that we giue him.

Therefore, o my Soule, regarde how thou harbourest this soueraigne guest, that he may leaue thee riche, and abundantly stored with the giftes of Heauen.

Thirdly, [ 3] I will ponder how our Sauiour Christ would for the same cause issue out of his mothers wombe after a miraculous manner, shee not suffring any losse of her Virginitye; for it was no reason that he should departe out of a house, where he had beene so well entertained, with the indammaging of the Integritye that it had; honoring heerein his mother, and aduising vs all, that to entertaine him, and to serue him, wee shall receiue no detriment: rather if neede be, he will doe some miracle to that ende. For though he did none to preserue himselfe from suffering, yet he vseth to doe it, to preserue his elected, when it is conuenient for them.

O soueraigne master, how well thou teachest me by this Example the Condition of true Loue, which is rigorous to itselfe, and gentle to others! for ••••selfe it will haue rigours to afflict it: but for it neighbour, it will haue fauours to delight him: ayde me with thy abundant grace, that in both things I may imitate thy feruent, and admirable Charitye.

Notes

• Psal. 18.7.
• Colloquie.
• D. Th. 3. p. q. 35. ar. 6.
• Colloquie.
• Before in the 14. Medita∣tion, 3. pointe.
• Colloquie.