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.

THe same Lawe likewise commaunded that these first-borne should be redeemed for fiue sicles, and so the blessed VIRGIN redeemed her Sonne, paying them to the Prieste, who tooke them, and retourned her Sonne vnto her. Vpon this passage I am to consider, who maketh this sale of the Childe; who it is that buyeth him; with what price; and for whome; and what benefits arize thereof.

First, [ 1] I will consider how the eternall Father, to whome this Childe offered himselfe, will not keepe to himselfe, that which was giuen him, but would a newe giue him to the Worlde, and to men, and sell him to them for their good, demonstrating heerein his infinite Libe∣rallitye,

and Bountye, which is so farre from repenting to haue giuen vs, what he once gaue vs, that he ratifieth the Donation, inuenting newe respectes to giue vs what he hath giuen vs. She that buyeth, [ 2] and redeemeth him is the blessed VIRGIN, to bring him vp as her Sonne: and yet she also will not detaine him to herselfe, but will nourish him for vs, and buy him that he may be employed for our good. The price is no more but fiue sicles. [ 3]

O eternall Father, how cheape doest thou sell a thing that is so precious? why doest thou equall this first∣borne in price with the rest? if the rest were redee∣med for fiue sicles, this was to be redeemed for many millions, for he is infinitely more worth then all the rest. But I now perceiue, o Lord, that this is to aduise me, that although the name of this ransome, soundeth sale, and price, yet he is giuen vs freely, and of meere grace, that I may incessantly thanke thee for this newe grace, for the which mayest thou be glorifyed, and praised by all thy Creatures worlde without ende. Amen.

I may also consider the Spirit that is inclu∣ded in the price of these fiue sicles, by the which is signified the price wherewith is bought the most precious golde of diuine Wisdome, which is Christ; in such sorte as it may be bought. This price is the mortification of the fiue senses, and the actes of the fiue Vertues which dispose vs to obtaine Grace, and the perfection thereof: that is to say: Liuely faithe, Feare of God, Dolour for Sinnes, Confidence in Gods mercye, and an effectuall Resolution to obey God, and wholely to accomplish his holy will.

Therefore, o my Soule, if thou desirest to haue

Christ to be thine, consider that he is not bought with golde, nor siluer, but with these fiue sicles of the Spirit, offer them to the eternall Father, and he will giue him vnto thee.

Fourthly, [ 4] I will ponder the ende where∣fore he is redeemed, and bought, which is, to be the Slaue, and Seruant of men, and to de∣liuer himselfe for them vnto Deathe.

O sweete IESVS, how willingly doest thou suffer thyselfe to be solde, and redeemed, to vndoe by thy sale, that which I by sinning did with my Soule, and to redeeme it with thy ransome, that it might bee perpetually thine? and yet thy Loue stoppeth not heere, for thou art readye to be solde againe by a false Disciple, and bought by thy enemies to take from thee thy life, making an ende of our redem∣ption with thy Deathe. Blessed be thy immense Cha∣ritye that is neuer satisfied, nor wearied in doing vs good. O my Soule reioice, that the blessed VIR∣GIN hath bought her Sonne for thee; be glad that IESVS is alreadye thine, seeing his Father hath giuen him thee for fiue sicles. O good IESVS thou art mine by this newe buying, but I yeilde myselfe to be thine, and with greate Confidence will say: My beloued to me, and I to him: bee it so, o Lord, that thou leaue not me, nor I neuer leaue thee. Amen.

Notes

• Exod. 13.13. Leuitic. 27.6.
• Colloquie.
• Apoc. 3.17 Isa. 55.1.
• Colloquie.
• Colloquie.
• Cant. 2.16