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 first Pointe.

FIrst, I am to consider what passed in Heauen, when the appointed time was arriued wheerein God our Lord would make himselfe man. Imagining how the most sacred TRINITYE beeing on the Throne of his Glory, desiring to giue notice heereof to her that was to bee the Mother of the Worde Incarnate, determined to send her a very glorious Em∣bassage, to moue her to accept it, the beginning whereof is recounted by the Euangelist, saying: The Angell Gabriel was sent of God into a Cittye of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a Virgin despoused to a Iust man, whose name was Ioseph, of the House of Dauid: and the name of the Virgin was MARYE.

In this Embassage I am to ponder, Who sendeth it: Who bringeth it: to whome it com∣meth: and vpon what cause: collecting out of all, Proffit to myne owne Soule. [ 1] Hee that sendeth it is the Omnipotent God, who without hauing neede of his creatures, only of his meere bountye, and to doe good vnto men, delighteth to communicate with them, and to sende them messages, and embassages, vsing for his ministers

heerein creatures so noble, as are the Angells: Who (as S. Paul sayeth) are ministers of God for the good of those that are to receiue the inhe∣ritance of Saluation. And their continuall mi∣nistery is, to ascende, and descende that Ladder that Iacob sawe, bringing downe messages from God to men, and carrying vp messages, and Pe∣titions from men to God.

O God of Immense maiestye, what is man that thou art mindefull of him? Or the Sonne of man, that thou visitest him? May thy Angells praise thee for the tender Loue thou hearest vnto men.

Hee that bringeth this Embassage is an Ar∣changell so excellent, [ 2] that hee hath to name Gabriel: which is to say: Fortitude of God: to signifye the Fortitude that is resplendent in our Lord that sent him: and in him that is to bee Incarnate: and in the Workes, that the Word Incarnate is to doe: and in the ministers that hee shall take to publish them, whome this Em∣bassadour representeth: who in the Vertue of God was strong, and Potent to fullfill what∣soeuer hee commaunded him; not only in this case that was so glorious, but in any other how humble soeuer, as heereafter wee shall see. For his Glorye is, to doe what God willeth: and in imitation of him, I will procure by Gods grace, to clothe myselfe with his Fortitude, to accom∣plish in all things the Diuine Will.

Shee, [ 3] to whome the Embassage commeth, is a poore Virgin, forgotten by the Worlde, despoused to a poore Artificer that liued in a litle Citty of so base esteeme, that it was hardely beleiued that any good could come out of it. But shee was most holy, & pure, and therefore so esteemed of God, that shee was preferred

before the Daughters of the kings, and Em∣perours of the Worlde: for in the eyes of God there is no such Greatenesse as Sanctitye: neither in mine ought there to bee, I esteeming only what God esteemeth.

The Intent of the Embassage is, to require the Consent of the VIRGIN to bee the Mother of God: for this our Lord is of so noble a condition, that though hee bee an ab∣solute Lord, hee will not bee serued by his Creatures in such waighty Affaires, without their free Consent. For though to bee the mother of God was a thing very excellent, yet greate Afflictions were annexed vnto it: it was there∣fore meete, that the Virgin should of her owne freewill accept the Dignitye with the Charge, that shee might merit the more, and it might be the more sweete, and easy vnto her. And so likewise, neither will God enter to inhabit in men by Grace, nor exalt them to the Di∣gnitye of the Sonnes of God, without their free Consent, hauing attained to the vse of Reason.

From hence I will passe, spiritually to con∣sider this Embassage, applying it to myselfe, and pondering how God our Lord sendeth mee euery day Inuisibly many Embassages with his Inspirations: the which (as S. Bonauenture saieth) are the Inuisible Embassadours, and messengers of God: and by them hee speaketh vnto mee, and discouereth his Will, and solliciteth mee to giue him entrance into my Soule, and to employ myselfe allwayes in his Seruice. And therefore in feeling within myselfe these Inspi∣rations, I am to reuerence them as Embassa∣dours of God, giuing him many Thankes, for

that hee daigneth to speake vnto mee by them, consenting presently to all that hee requireth of mee, and beseeching him more often to speake vnto mee.

O most louing Father that solicitest my Consent with so greate Loue, and Care, as if that which importeth mee, imported thee: Inspire mee what thou willt, for I am ready to consent to whatsoeuer thou inspirest mee.

Notes

• Luc. 1.26
• Heb. 1.14.
• Gen. 28.12.
• Colloquie. Psal. 8.5.
• Ex D. Gre. hom. 34. in Euang.
• Psal. 102.21.
• In the 13. Medita∣tion.
• Ioa. 1.46
• Tract. de 7. donis Spiritus sancti c. 6. ex Richa. de sancto Victore. Ex D. Ber. ser. 1. de Pentec.
• Colloquie.