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 third Pointe.

THirdly, I am to consider the entrance of these kings into Hierusalem; & the demaunde they made, saying: Where is he that is borne king of the Iewes; wherein are resplendent the greate Vertues of these men. For first, [ 1] they shewed great faithe, beleeuing what they had not seene, con∣fessing that there was borne a Childe, who was the king, & Messias, promised to the Iewes, & they doubted not heere of, but only of the place where he was to be borne; for he that reuealed vnto them the first, reuealed not the second vnto them.

Secondly, they shewed greate magnanimitye, [ 2] & fortitude: for deuining what perill they might put themselues vnto, of being put to deathe by Herod, for asking in his Countrey, and Courte for another king: yet for all this, they entred not hiddenly, nor demaunded secretly in Cor∣ners, but publikely, and in his owne pallace. O heroicall Confidence, o couragious Portitude, inspired by this newe-borne king, who though he hidde from these Sages the light of the vi∣sible Starre, he hid not from them the inuisible light of faithe, by whose power the Sainctes ouercome kingdomes, * 1.1 worke, Iustice, and

obtaine the fullfilling of all their promises. * 1.2 O my Soule haue a liuely Faithe in thy God, for by his power thou shalt breake Walles, * 1.3 animate thy∣selfe to breake thorough difficulties feare not to set vpon Daungers, for he will protect thee, and set thee at liberty from them.

From this Faithe, [ 3] and Fortitude of these Sages it proceeded, that albeit at the hearing of this demaunde Herod was troubled, and all Hieru∣salem with him, yet they themselues were not troubled. Wherein I will ponder how Herod was troubled because he was a Tirant, and am∣bitious, and so feared leaste he that was borne might depriue him of his kingdome. But that which is most to be admired is, that the Iewes also were troubled at that, for which they should rather haue rejoiced, attending more to flatter, and to giue Contentment to a Tyrant king, then to the king of Heauen that was promised vnto them. Whereby I may learne how peril∣lous a thing it is, to entertaine strict amitye with potent, and vicious Personages, which are easily troubled with Passions of Hatred, Anger, Reuenge, and Ambition; for they being trou∣bled, I may also be troubled with them. But if I trust in God, as did the Sages, I shall not be troubled, though all others be troubled: rather I shall say with the Prophet Dauid: * 1.4 Our Lord is my Lighte, & my Healthe, whome shall I feare? Our Lord is the Protector of my life, who shall make me tremble? If Armyes of enemies come against me, my Heart shall not feare; and though they make greate warre against me, I will not be dismayed, but will hope in our Lord.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Heb. 11.33
• * 1.2

  Colloquie.
• * 1.3

  Psal. 17.30
• * 1.4

  Psal. 26.1 &c.