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 XXII. Meditation. Of the comming of the three kings of the Easte to adore the Childe: and of their entrance into Hierusalem.

The first Pointe.

FIrst, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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: 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, 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, make me of the number of these three, that following thy diuine Vocation, I may confesse, adore, and glorifye thee, worlde without ende. Amen.

The Second Pointe.

SEcondly, I am to consider the departure of these kings from the Easte, & their Voyage, till they arriued at Hierusalem. [ 1] Pondering first, how these kings with that liuely faithe, which they had, cast themselues into the handes of God, and began their Voyage, carrying with them giftes to offer vnto the Childe: and setting themselues in their Waye, they sodainely per∣ceiued the Starre to moue it selfe, as if it would be their guide in that iourney, whereat they

rejoiced with exceeding greate ioye, praising, & glorifying God for the greate Prouidence, and care he had of them: from whence I will collect, that if trusting in God, & building vpon Faithe, I begin to seeke him, his Prouidence will not be failing to prouide me a guide, and a Helper to prosecute my iourney; and the diuine Spirit, and the Grace of my Vocation, will goe alwaies before me like a Starre guiding, and directing my pathes, as he guided the Israelites through the Deserte, going before them, shewing them the waye by day in a piller of a clowde, to de∣fende them from the Sun; and by night in a piller of fier, that might shewe them light, to bee at both times their Guide. So likewise our Lord will guide me, protecting mee in the daye of Prosperitye, and in the night of Aduersitie, de∣fending me from the heates of sensuall, and Worldely temptations, & likewise from Colde∣nesses, Lukewarmenesses, and Pusillanimities.

Secondly, I will ponder, [ 2] how hauing behelde this, the kings went forward on their waye, alwaies following the Starre, without turning one way, nor other, staying where it stayed, and going when it moued, endeuouring to doe nothing vnworthy of our Lord, whome they acknowledged in the Starre. And in imitation heereof, I am to take for the Starre, and guide of my life, the light of reason, and the light of faithe, the Inspiration, or Illumination of the diuine Spirit, and the direction of my Prelates, or Confessors. These foure Starres, are reduced to one which is God, who guideth vs by them. And to me it belongeth directly to followe what this Starre dictateth vnto me, without turning to the right hande, nor to the left, ende∣uouring

not to doe any thing that may be of∣fensiue in his eyes.

Thirdly, [ 3] I will ponder, how these kings going forward on their wayes, and approching neere to Hierusalem, sodainely by Gods ordination the Starre disappeared, they remaining therefore very sad, and afflicted. This the diuine Proui∣dence ordained to make proofe of their faithe, and loyaltye, and to giue them occasion to ex∣ercize greate Vertues at their entrance into Hie∣rusalem: and that wanting the guide of Heauen, they might seeke such guidance as God hath left on Earthe, which is, the Sages, and Teachers of his Lawe, and the Prelates, and Superiours in his Church, and therefore these Sages were not dismayed, neither accoumpted they them∣selues deluded, neither did they leaue their enter∣prize to retourne to their owne Countrey; but determined to enter into Hierusalem to seeke what they desired; instructing me by their exam∣ple, what I ought to doe, when God hideth himselfe from me, and when sensible deuotion faileth me, & when I finde myselfe in darkenesse, and in temptations: for in such cases, I must not be distrustfull, nor tourne backe from what I haue begun, but must vse those meanes that I may, to seeke, and to finde God, hauing re∣course to his ministers, as it is saide in the booke of Canticles, that the spouse, that is, the iust Soule, being thoroug the absence of her Husband in darkenesse, and in the obscuritie of night, she riseth vp to seeke him in the streetes, and corners of the Cittye, exercizing herselfe in holy workes, & regarding the examples of other iust ones: & then she asketh those which watche, and garde the Cittye, which are the Prelates,

whither they haue seene whome her Soule desi∣reth, that they may informe her, and teache her where, & how she may finde him, & in this man∣ner she founde him, & so founde him the Sages.

O eternall God, giue me the faithe, & Constancye of these men, that I may seeke thee with that loyaltye, and perseuerance that they sought thee, comming with humillitye to take humane meanes, when diuine meanes lye not open vnto me.

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, worke, Iustice, and

obtaine the fullfilling of all their promises. O my Soule haue a liuely Faithe in thy God, for by his power thou shalt breake Walles, 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: 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.

The fourth Pointe.

FOurthly, I am to consider, how Herod hauing heard this demaunde, consulted thereupon with the high Preistes, and the Scribes of the People; who aunswering him that this king should bee borne in Bethlehem of Iuda, for that it was so foretalde by Micheas the Prophet, he saide vnto the Sages: that they should there inquire, & seeke for the Childe, whome hauing founde they should giue him aduise thereof. Wherein the prouidence of God is many waies resplendent; First, in that he maketh vse of the wiched, to fa∣uour the intentions of those that are good: as he made vse of Herod, to discouer vnto the Sages the place of the birth of our Sauiour: fullfilling that which is written, and to them that loue God, all things cooperate to their good. Secondly, it is resplendent, [ 2] in that by meanes of his ministers, although they are wicked, he discouereth the Veritye of holy Scri∣pture to those, that desier to knowe it for their proffit: as in this case he consented not, that the high Preistes, and Teachers of the Lawe should conceale this Veritye from the Sages. And if I with a good zeale desier to knowe the Will of God, God will discouer it vnto me by the meanes of his ministers: of whome he saieth by a Prophet, that their Lippes keepe knowledge, which they holde as it were in a cheste of truste, to teache the doubtefull things of the Lawe to those that demaunde them, for they are the Angells, and messengers of our Lord, and the manifesters of his will.

The Prouidence of God is likewise resplendent [ 3]

in hauing giuen vs the diuine Scriptures, wherein there is most sufficient light to knowe Christ, to seeke, and to finde him: without hauing neede of any miraculous Starre, or newe reuelation, but only feruent Praier, and profounde meditation: according to that which our Sauiour Christ sayed vnto the Iewes: Searche the Scriptures, for you thinke in them to haue life euerlasting, and the same are they that giue testimonye of me.

O sweete IESVS that saydest, Aske, and you shall haue, seeke, and you shall finde: illuminate me that I may seeke thee in thy sacred Scriptures, so that I may finde thee, and that I may searche out the eternall life contained in them, in such sorte that I may obtaine it.

Finally, [ 4] the secret iudgements of God res∣plendent in this case may affright me, and make my haire stande on ende: for that the Gentiles comming from Countreys so farre distant, and with so greate labour, and trauell to seeke Christ: the Iewes who so many yeares had expected him, being so neere him, yet mooued not to seeke him. And though they aduised the Sages where they might finde him, yet they tooke not this aduise to themselues; that the veritye of that might be manifested, which was afterwardes spoken by this our Lord: No man can come vnto me, vnlesse the Father that sent me, drawe him. But these wretches were not drawen by the Father, for they delighted more in pleasing a Tyrant: and deferring their going till the Sages were re∣tourned, they neuer performed it. Wherefore taking warning by other mens harmes, I will remoue all impediments, that may any waies hinder the eternall Father from calling me by his inspirations, and joyning me with Christ, not

deferring to another time to obey those which he shall giue me: for delaye may be peraduenture the cause of my perdition?

O eternall Father, whose iudgements vpon the Sonnes of men, are terrible, but yet iust; by that Loue which thou bearest to thy Sonne I beseeche thee, that seeing thou hast so greate a desier, that he should bee knowen, and adored by all men, cast me not of thorough my owne Sinne, and slackenesse, leauing me ouerwhelmed therein, but with efficacye pull, and drawe me vnto thee, that I may seeke, and finde him, knowe, and adore him, worlde without ende, to thy Glorye. Amen.

Notes

• 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.
• Exo. 13.21
• Apoc. 2 28 & 22.16
• Cant. 3.6
• Colloquie.
• Heb. 11.33
• Colloquie.
• Psal. 17.30
• Psal. 26.1 &c.
• Mich. 3.2
• Pro. 11.29 Rom. 8.28
• Mala. 2.7
• Ioan. 5.39
• Colloquie.
• Ioa. 6.44
• Colloquie. Psal. 65.5.