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FIrst, * 1.1 is to be considered the apparition of the Starre in the East, when it appeared, for what ende, and what effectes it wrought in those three kings, or Sages. First, [ 1] I will ponder how the eternall Father, desiring that his Sonne
newe borne in Bethlehem should be knowen, and adored, not only of some Iewes, but also of some Gentiles, hauing sent an Angell to de∣clare the newes of this birth to the Shepheardes, the same daye he created in the East, a most beautifull, and bright shining Starre, to be a signe that the Messias, and king of Israel was borne, of whome Balaam had prophecyed, * 1.2 de∣siring that they also should come to acknowledge, and to adore him, seeing for the good of all in generall he was borne.
I giue thee thankes, o soueraigne Father, * 1.3 for the care thou hast, that thy Sonne should be knowen, and adored, by the Gentiles, aswell for his Glorye, and Honour, as also for the proffit of those that are to knowe, and to adore him. O that all did knowe, and adored him, that all might participate the fruite of his Comming!
Secondly. [ 2] I will ponder, * 1.4 how that there were many in the Easte that sawe this Starre, that admired at the beauty of it, and that vnderstood what it signified: but there were none that moued, but only the three kings, who resolued to goe to seeke out this king, whose Starre they had seene: the rest would not stirre, for they were loth to leaue their Houses, their wealthe, their Wiues, and their freindes, and to departe out of their owne Countrey to vnder∣take such a long, and laborious iourney, into a straunge Lande, and to an vncertaine place: and the fleshe, and the Diuell augmented all these difficulties, to hinder them from this iourney: that being fullfilled in them which is written: The Sluggard sayeth, A Lyon, * 1.5 and a Lyonesse are in the waye, I shallbe killed in the middest of the Streete, to auoyde this Daunger,
I will not goe from home. But these wretches flying from the Lyon encountered with the Beare, * 1.6 and flying from temporall Deathe, fell into eternall: for it is to be beleeued that this was the cause of their eternall Condemnation, they remaining in the darkenesse of their Infi∣dellitye. And this I am to applye to myselfe, pondering how often the Starre of diuine Inspi∣ration appeareth within my Soule, solliciting me to seeke Christ, and to embrace his Pouertye, Humillitye, and Vertues: and albeit I vnder∣stand what this Starre meaneth, yet I will not moue, nor stirre a foote to seeke him, because I will not loose my Commodities, nor abandon those thinges that I loue, and because I will not suffer a litle Affliction, faining Difficulties when there are none at all: and so flying the frost, * 1.7 which is the Afflictions of the Earthe, the snowe will fall vpon me, which is the Chastize∣ment of Heauen, our Lord God leauing me frozen, and abandoned: and the Starre which appeared for my Saluation, shallbe a witnesse against me to my Condemnation.
Thirdly, [ 3] I will ponder the greate fauour of God to these three kings, in inspiring them so effectually, and illuminating them with such an interiour light, to vndertake this resolution of leauing their owne Countreys, and Houses, to come to seeke after Christ, letting others alone in their blindenesse, and miserye. And by this shall I knowe the efficacye of Gods diuine Inspiration, and will humbly beseeche our Lord to preuent me therewith, and to say to me, as he sayed to Abraham: * 1.8 Goe forth of thy Countrey, and out of thy kinred, and out of thy Fathers house, and come into a Lande which I will shewe thee.
But if God hath alreadye donne me this fa∣uour, that with the Light of another Starre, he hath effectually called me out of the Worlde to seeke him in Religion, leauing others in the middest of those turmoyles, and traffickes, I am to giue him many thankes, and am humbly to beseeche him, that he will be pleased to sende often into my Soule such like Starres, and Illu∣minations, that they may moue me to abandon all, that hindreth me from louing him, and to followe him with perfection.
Lastly, [ 4] I will ponder how heerein was full∣filled the veritye of that dreadefull Sentence, * 1.9 that many are called, but fewe are chosen: for among so many men of the Easte, three only were chosen for this enterprise, the holy TRI∣NITY selecting them for the first fruites of the elected among the Gentiles.
O blessed TRINITYE, * 1.10 make me of the number of these three, that following thy diuine Vocation, I may confesse, adore, and glorifye thee, worlde without ende. Amen.
D. Th. 3. p. q 36. ar. 7. & 8. Matt. 2.1
Num. 24.17.
Colloquie.
Slothful∣nesse in seeking Christ, and the punish∣ment thereof.
Prou. 22.13. & 26.13.
Amos 5.19.
Iob 6.16.
Gen. 12.1
Matt. 20.13.
Colloquie.