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 Second Pointe.

SEcondly, I am to consider, how the Parents of this our blessed Ladye gaue vnto her the Name of MARYE, as is credibly supposed by re∣uelation from God (who also reuealed the name of the Baptiste) and consequently with the name God pretended to declare the Greatenesses of this Childe: which as they were very many, so also hee chose a name, that in diuerse langua∣ges should haue many significations, because shee was borne for the good of all. For MARYE in∣terpreted, signifyeth Starre of the sea, or Bitter sea: Ladye, or the Exalted: Illuminated, or Illuminatrice, or Mistresse of People. And all this is founde in the Virgin. Shee is the Starre of the sea, for that shee is the Light, Consolation, and Guide of those, that sayle in the sea of this Worlde, combated with the greate waues, and tempestes of temp∣tations, and Perills of their damnation: who by the Praiers of the blessed VIRGIN, with her examples, and with the fauours that shee doeth them, are cheered, and fortified, and guessing at the right way, arriue at the Porte of Saluation. Shee is a Bitter Sea for diuerse respectes: a Sea, [ 2] for the Immensenesse of celestial Graces contained within her, communicated by the liberallitye of him that elected her for his Mother. Bitter for the Immensenesse of Bitternesses that shee suf∣fered in the Passion of her Sonne: for God vseth to mete equally the measures of Consolations, and Afflictions and so did hee with this sacred VIRGIN. Shee is a Lady, and Exalted, [ 3] for that shee was supereminently a Lady, and Gouernesse ouer her Faculties, and Appetites; and ouer her Imagination, and senses, commaunding all with

supreame Authority, as already hath beene saide Shee is likewise Ladye of the Angells exalted aboue them all: and is that much, when as after a sorte shee was likewise the Ladye of God himselfe, she commaunding him as hee was Man, and hee obeying her as a sonne, that was subiect vnto his Mother? [ 2] She is the Illuminated, or Illuminatrice, for that shee receiued from God greate light of ce: lestiall Wisdome: not alone for herselfe, but to illuminate others: and therefore shee was the Mistresse of the Apostles, and of all the faithfull, as heereafter wee shall see.

With these breife considerations I will awake in my soule seuerall Affections of Ioye, and Confidence, and of greate Deuotion to the sa∣cred name of MARIE; beseeching the VIRGIN to doe vnto mee those offices that her name doth signifye. O most sacred VIRGIN, with much reason I may say, that thy blessed name, like that of thy sonne, is Oyle powred out, for that it illuminateth, cōforteth, heateth, and reioyceth my hearte. Powre vpon mee, this so pretious Oyle with a liberall hande; and seeing thou art the Starre of the Sea, guide and protect mee in my temptations, and perills: Seeing thou art a Sea of Graces, and Bitternesses, share them also with mee: for it is no lesser a Grace to receiue giftes from Christ, then to bewaile with bitternesse his paines: Bee thou my Mistresse, illuminating my ignorances, ayding mee to bee Master of my Passions, and guide mee in the pathe of Perfection, that with the inuocation of thy holy name, I may arriue to the toppe, and excellencye thereof. Amen.

Heere also may bee considered, how this blessed Babe, beginning to haue the vse of Reason (whither in the wombe of her mother by speciall priuiledge, like S. Iohn Baptist: or about

three yeares before shee was presented in the Temple) shee presently began with greate fer∣uour to negotiate with those giftes, and Graces which shee had receiued, by those meanes which in the fourth pointe shalbe declared.

Notes

• Of the name of MARIE.
• Luc. 1.13. Nomen Virginis MARIA.
• Ex D. Bo∣nauent. in specul. B. Virg. c. 3. Num. 24.17.
• Ex D. Ber. serm. 2. in missus est.
• Luc. 2.51.
• Colloquie.
• Cāt. 1.2.
• Vide Sua∣rez. tom. 2. disp. 3. sect. 7.