The first Pointe.
IN those dayes there was a man in Hierusalem named Simeon, and this man was iust, and reli∣gious, expecting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Ghoste was in him, and he had receiued an aunswere from the holy Ghoste, that he should not see deathe, vnlesse he sawe first the Christ of our Lord.
Vpon this pointe I will consider first, [ 1] how the holy Ghoste desiring to manifest IESVS Christ newly borne, raised vp two Prophets that might knowe him, and manifest him, as he made Zacharias, and Elizabeth Prophets to manifest him before he was borne: to this ende he layed his hande vpon Simeon, preparing him for his office with those admirable Vertues recounted by the Euangelist: saying first, [ 1] that he was a iust man, and religious, fearing God, and puntuall in the obseruation of the whole lawe, without ad∣mitting any breache thereof: for no man is saide to feare, but he that auoydeth the leaste sinnes of all, according to that saying of the wiseman: He that feareth God, * Nihil negligit, despiseth nothing, by making small accoumpt thereof. Secondly, that he had greate hope, [ 2] and therewith feruent desires of the comming of Christ for the saluation of his people. [ 3] And thirdly he Page 239joyned thereunto feruent, and continuall praiers, earnestly requiring this comming, and that hee might be worthy to enjoy it. In this manner he spent his life, and with these Vertues he made himselfe worthy to be the habitation of the holy spirit. From whence I will collect that greate puritye, and Sanctitye of life giue a man greate confidence to aske, and desire greate things at Gods handes; * like Moyses when he saide vnto God: Shewe me thy glorye, and discouer thy face vnto mee. And like the Spouse in the Canticles: Tell me, o thou whome my Soule loueth, where thou feedest thy flocke, and where thou reposest at noone daye. And like this holy olde man who desired to beholde the Messias with his eyes, & obtained it: for (as S. Bernard saieth, * Greate faithe meriteth greate things, and the farther thou stretchest thy foote of Confidence into the benefits of our Lorde, the greater thou shalt obtaine of his liberall hande.
Secondly, [ 2] I will ponder how the holy Spirit (who doeth the will of those that feare him, and heareth the desires of the poore that loue him) would consolate, and rewarde this holy olde man, aunswering to his petitions, with an excellent promise, that he should see Christ be∣fore his Deathe: that we might vnderstand, what a happinesse it is, to knowe how to treate with the holy Ghoste, and to haue him within vs withfullnesse of grace. For he himselfe (as S. Paul saieth) requesteth in vs, and for vs, * with gronings vnspeakeable, giuing vs assurances, that the praier which proceedeth from him shallbe heard, and dispatched in conuenient time, albeit the accomplishment thereof be somewhat de∣layed; as it happened to holy Simeon: * for God will haue vs to be vnwearied with hoping, & Page 240in this manner to dispose ourselues to receiue what we hope for.
Thirdly, I will ponder, [ 3] how that which is promised to all the Iust after their deathe, is sometimes graunted in parte to such as are very deuoute, before their Deathe: that is, to beholde Christ in this life with the eye of Contempla∣tion, * fullfilling heerein vnto them, that promise which saieth: Blessed are the cleane of Hearte, for they shall see God. O eternall God, which saidest, No man can see me, and liue, Moriar vt te videam, videam vt hic moriar. May I die to be∣holde thee, and may I beholde thee that I may die, may I beholde thee in this life by contemplation, that I may die to myselfe with perfect mortification: and may I die this happy deathe, that I may after∣wardes beholde thee in thy soueraigne Glorye. Amen.
