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 Second Pointe.

SEcondly, I will consider the causes, why this name was giuen him on the eigth day, at his Circumcision: for albeit the Angell declared it before the Incarnation to the blessed VIRGIN, and afterwardes to S. Ioseph: yet in the Circum∣cision it was manifested for twoo principall causes. [ 2] First, for the honour of the Childe, for his father seeing him so humbled, that he bare the likenesse of a Sinner, would that he should then be exalted, giuing him a name aboue all names, which is the name of IESVS, that we might vnderstand, that not only he hath no Sinne, but that he is the Sauiour of Sinners, and pardoner of Sinnes. This is, to moue me to giue

infinite thankes to the eternall Father, for thus honoring his Sonne, when for his Loue he humbleth himselfe: whereby he giueth me an assured pledge, that if I humble myselfe, he will also exalt me, * 1.1 and will giue me a newe name so glorious, that none shall knowe how to esteeme it, as it ought to be esteemed, vntill he receiue it, and that God communicateth his greatenesses in glorye.

Secondly, to make manifest, that the name, [ 2] and office of Sauiour was to cost him the shedding of blood: for without shedding of blood (saieth the Apostle) there is no remission of Sinnes. * 1.2 And therefore our sweete IESVS taking the office of a Redeemer, giueth in earnest of the price that he is to pay for our ransome, a litle of that blood which he sheddeth in his Cir∣cumcision, with a determination to pay the whole price entirely in his passion, shedding for vs all the blood that he hath. True it is, that this litle was a sufficient price for all the Sinnes of the Worlde, yea, if there had beene a thousand other Worldes, because it was the blood of God: but his Charitye, and Liberallity would, that the price should be all his blood: to which ende he gaue licence to all the instruments that are on Earthe for shedding of blood, to drawe out his blood with greiuous Dolour, and Con∣tempt: to witte; the Knife, Whippes, Thornes, Nailes, & Speare. The knife on this daye opened the first fountaine of blood, but that was pre∣sently closed. The other instruments afterward opened others, which closed not till all his blood was runne out.

O sweetest Sauiour, * 1.3 vhose fountaines, albeit they are of blood, shed with greate dolour, yet they are

also fountaines of the liuing water of infinite thankes, which are to be gathered with greate reioicing, and Loue. May my Soule praise thee for this infinite Charitye, wherewith thou openest these fountaines, commaunding me to approache with alacritye, to enioye the price that thou sheddest with such paine. O my Soule what hast thou reason to doe for thy owne Saluation, when as thy Sauiour doeth so much for it? If it cost him his blood, is it much that it should cost thee thine? Beholde me heere, o Lord, readye to shed my blood for thy Loue, so that thou wilt make me partaker of thine. Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Apoc. 2.17
• * 1.2

  Heb. 9.22
• * 1.3

  Colloquie. Isa. 12.3.