Meditations collected and ordered for the vse of the English colledge of Lisbo by the svperiovrs of the same colledge.

THE FIFTH CHAPTER, Of the Passion & Death of our B. Sauiour.

NOw wee are come to the last Seene of our Sauiours life and sufferings; which as it is euer more full and patheticall, then all the former; so shall vvee find in this his

period, both the malice and hatred of his ene∣mies more violent, then euer; and his patience, loue, magnanimity neuer more perspicuous: & lastly for a Christian soule, no vvhere greater examples to all vertues; apply therefore, ô Chri∣stian, the mouth of thy soule to these flowing conduits of life & grace: sucke the bloud of the Lambe of God, sacrificed for thy redemption.

THE FIRST MEDITATION. Hovv our Sauiour is sold by Iudas; and taketh leaue of his Mother.

1. COnsider first, vvhat an iniurie it vvas to our B. Sauiour to be sold to his enemyes by his owne disciple; and that for thirty pence: Si inimicus meut male dixisset mihi, susti∣nuissem vtique; if myne enemie had spoken euil to me, I vvould verilie haue borne it; but thou, my beloued Apostle, Dux meus & notus meus; my guide and my familar; vvho liued and slept together, and eate our bread at the same table; this seemes to surpasse all measure: vvere it not, that the vilenes of the price yet goeth further: ô Iudas, couldst thou set the Sonne of God at no higher a price then that of a common slaue? vvhy, he bought thee and vs allvvith the price of his bloud. But how came Judas to fall into so desperate a treason? see vvhether a passion, not at first resisted, carrieth a man: his couetous∣nesse made him first steale for himselfe out of

the common purse, vvhich he kept; at last in∣creasing made him sell his Master, to get thirty pence; and afterward to hang and damne him∣selfe. Now vvhat face, what colour could he put vpon so horrid a fact, as to sell this Paschall Lambe to those bloudy wolues; that is; his owne Master to his publike enemies? vvhat reasons could he alleadge? forsooth, that he was vveary of his company, because he broake the law; kept not the Sabboth; kept company with publike sinners, glutrons, drunkards, vvhores, Publicans &c. vvas a coniurer, blasphemer, and made himselfe for all this, the Sonne of God: ô Judas! how against truth, and thy owne con∣science dost thou blaspheme? but all is there good and holy, the bargaine is made, and the mony payed: and Iudas returnes home to his Masters company; followes him, and speakes him faire, as though nothing vvere done; as though his Master knew nothing of it.

Conclude to take heed of thy passions at the beginning; sleight them not, neglect them not trust not to any dignity, thou art placed in, none higher then an Apostle-ship, from vvhich Iu∣das fell; examine thy selfe vvell, it thou haue neuer sold thy Sauiour for lesse, then he did; for a thought, or for a rotten pleasure.

2. Consider secondly how the time being come, that our B. Sauiour vvas to enter into the last and most terrible combate of his passion; & to take his last leaue and farewell of his most deare Mother; he takes her a side, and begin∣ning

a most solemne and sad discourse; first as a most gratefull and humble Sonne thanketh her for all the loue and care, she hath shewed him in his education and breeding; and for the bread he hoth eaten at her table: then declareth vnto her, how the time appointed him by his Eter∣nall Father to accomplish the redemption of mankind, vvas come; how he vvas novv to goe to Jerusalem; there to be taken prisoner by the treachery of his ovvne disciple Iudas; to be falsly accused, condemned, hanged on a Crosse be∣tvvixt tvvo theeues &c. all vvhich he vvas most vvilling to vndergoe, because it vvas his Eathers vvill, and for the good of men; and desired her to doe also the same, and to conforme her vvill to Gods, as he did. And vvith this he embraced her most tenderly; asked and gaue a mutuall blessing; tooke his leaue and left her; but in what case, expect not to haue it vvritten or expressed; for he his more dull then lead, vvho cannot ap∣prehend somewhat and more stony then flint, vvho cannot drop one teare: but to vvade into the depth it selfe, as it vvas, not the tallest Cedar of Libanus; nor Angell of heauen can doe it.

Conclude therefore; euery one for himselfe, vvith that sorrow, teares and compassion, that such a story deserues; and both Christ and his B. Mother shall inspire.

3. Consider thirdly here for all that shall fol∣low in our Sauiours passion; that as on the one side the sorrow, griefe and anguish vvhich the B. Virgin suffered at euery passage and station

of her Son's Tragedy, vvas the greatest that euer hath or shall oppresse a humane heart, and exceeded onely by that of her Son; able a hun∣dred times, not onely to dismay and put her by her selfe, but also quite to bereaue her of her life: so on the other side, her modesty, courage, and comportment vvas such that being euery vvhere present, and oft an eye-vvitnes of vvhat passed; yet she neuer shewed the least vveaknes, feare, or imperfection in the vvorld. Her griefe proceeded from her loue, vvhich being by all titles the greatest, that euer vvas, increased her sorrow in like proportion: her constancy and fortitude was supernaturall, grounded in that her totall resignation and conformity to the vvill of God: this vvas so great and intire, that duubtles had God so commanded her, she vvould vvit∣hout the least flinching or pusillanimity, like an other Abraham, haue sacrificed him vvith her owne hands; that is, scourged, crowned & cru∣cified him; although euery thorne and naile vvould haue pierced her tender heart, more then her Sonnes flesh. O how oft did she vse the prayer of her Sonne in the garden, and cry out to the Eternall Father? Pater mi, si possibile est, transeat à filio tuo & meo calix iste, verumtamen non mea, sed tua voluntas fiat. My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice passe from mine & thy sonn, but yet not my vvill but thine be done.

Conclude to accompany the Virgin Lady in this her sad pilgrimage to mount Caluary, vvith true sorrow; compassion and teares; but with as

full a resignation also of thy selfe to God, In tom∣pore & aeternitate: in time and eternitie: take heed thou increase not her Sonnes torments, & her griefes by sinne; for this it is, that pierceth more to the quicke both their hearts, then all the nailes and thornes of his enemies.

THE SECOND MEDITATION. Of his last supper & vvashing of feet.

1. COnsider first, how our B. Sauiour ac∣companied vvith his Apostles, went to Ierusalem; and entred into a house pre∣pared for him, Canaculum grande stratum: A spatious and vvell furnished dining-roome, fit and capable of the great mysteries, vvhich vvere to be vvrought in it: for here he eate his last Paschall supper: here he instituted the most B, Sacrament: here after his resur∣rection he appeared to his Disciples: here came downe the holy Ghost vpon them all: here was sayd the first masse, and raised the first Christian Altar. Entring here, his first vvords were: Desiderio desideraui hoc Pascha manducare vobiscum antequam patiar: vvith desire I haue desired to eate this Pasche with you before I suffer: to shew the long and earnest desire he had to suffer for our redemption: blessed be that breast, vvhere such loue did harbour: vvhen he saw the Paschall Lambe lie rosted on the table before him; ô how did he see himselfe in this figure,

lying on the table of the Crosse before his Eter∣nall Father, the true Lambe, Qui tollit peccata mundi, vvho taketh avvay the sinnes of the vvorld, flead vvith the knife of the diuine iu∣stice, and rosted in the flames of his owne chari∣ty? But harken vnto his most iust and amorous complaint; Amen dico vobis, vnus vestrum me traditurus est: Amen I say to you one of you is about to betray me; ô Iudas how dost thou looke? how dost thou not sinke vnder the table, at such a thunder-bolt? ô how true is it, Pecca∣tor cum in profundum venerit, contemnit? a sinner vvhen he shal come into the depth of sinne, con∣temneth? he stirreth not, but vvith the rest of the most innocent and fearefull Apostles durst aske; Nunquid ego sum Rabbi? ô Iuda tu dixisti; is it I Rabbi? ô Iudas thou hast said. Yea thou art he; but repent, and be sorry; and I vvill yet forgiue thee.

Conclude to prepare in thy soule a Coenacu∣lum grande a great refecterie for thy Sauiour; that is, a free and noble heart; but let it be stra∣tum; cleane from filth and adorned vvith gra∣ces, take heed no Iudas enter, he vvill spoile the quiet & sweetnes of thy heauenly banquet.

2. Consider secondly, how the Paschall sup∣per being ended, and vvith it all the figures and ceremonies of the old law; and our Sauiour in∣tending to ordaine and institute the Sacraments and rites of his new law; to shew the dignity of them before those others; and the different re∣uerence, they required; see the solemnity

wherewith he beginnes: Sciens quia omnia de∣dit ei Pater in manus & quia à Deo exiuit & ad Deum vadit, surgit à caena, & ponit vestimenta sua, & cum accepisset linteum praecinxit se, deinde mittit aquam in peluim & capit lauare pedes dis∣cipulorum &c. Knovving that the Father gaue him all things into his handes, and that he came from God, and goeth to God, he riseth from upper, and laieth a side his garments, and hauing taken a tovvell, girded himselfe, after that he put vva∣ter into a bason, and began to vvash the feete of the disciples &c. Where he hath recommended vnto vs three vertues, most necessary for the vse of these his diuine Sacraments; that is, purity or conscience, humility and charity; the first he signified in the washing his disciples feet, saying; Qui lotus est, to wit from great sinnes, non indi∣get, nisi vt vt pedes lauet, sed mundus est totus, He that is vvashed, needeth not but to vvash his feete but is cleane vvholy. From all vvhat so euer: the other two he practised himselfe in the highest degree. Behold, my soule, the Sonne of God, the Monarch and Master of the vvorld, lying at the feet of poore fishermen, vvashing and vviping them vvith those hands, that had done so many miracles; that made both heauen and earth; and vvith the powers of heauen stand astonished at such a spectacle; againe his burning loue and charity vvould not admit a seruant, a boy to helpe him in this act, all must be done by his owne hands, that belonged to our good and example: Discite à me quia mitis

sum & humilis corde. Learne of me, because I am meeke, and humble of hart.

Conclude neuer to come to the holy Sacra∣ment vvithout some speciall exercise of these three vertues, of purity of conscience, of pro∣found humility and sincere loue, both of God and thy neighbour; then maist thou come con∣fidently ad mensam Domini tui. To the table of thy Lord.

3. Consider thirdly, how the holy & zealous S. Peter seeing his Lord and Master cast him∣selfe at his feet to vvash and vvipe them, all amazed and affrighted, drew backe his legges and cryed out; Domine, Tu mihi lauas pedes? Lord, doest thou vvash my seete? thou my Lord and Master? thou, vvhom lately by the reue∣lation of thy heauenly Father, I haue publikely confessed to be the Sonne of the euer liuing God? Thou to me a poore vvorme, and vile sinner farre too vnworthy to doe the like office to thee? Bee content and yeeld, quoth our Sa∣uiour; Quod facio, nescis modo, scies autem po∣stea: that vvhich I doe thou knovvest not novv, hereafter thovv shalt knovv. No, no deare Lord, vvhat soeuer it be, J care not; Non laua∣bis mihi pedes in aeternum. Thou shalt not vvash my feete for euer. Our Sauiour seeing Peter so hot, and out of humility to forget his obedien∣ce; vvith a gentle yet piercing frowne sayd; Si non lauero te, non habebis partem mecum: If I vash thee not, thou shalt not haue part. vvith me. Where at poore Peter, as one thunder-strooke,

shrinkes vp his shouldyrs, & boweth downe his head vvith, Domine non tantum pedes meos, sed & manus & caput; Lord, not only my feete but allsoe my hands and head; all what thou wilt good Lord, rather then lose or displease thee. A most deuout passage and containing two necessary lessons; the one that our duty and obedience towards our Prelates and Superiours must not be broken or omitted for any pretence or colour of priuate or publike good, no not vertue it sel∣fe; for vve see S. Peters humility could not ex∣cuse him: the second, that vpon the least notice, that vvhat vvee doe offends God, presently vvee surrender our selues and fly back vvithout any more excuses or disputes.

Conclude to learne and practise these tvvo vvholesome lessons, as thou hopest to haue a share vvith Christ: see & marke the daylie occa∣sions thou hast to vse either one or both of them.

4. Consider fourthly, hovv our most hum∣ble Sauiour vvith the bason in his hand, and tovvell about his middle, passing on from S. Pe∣ter to the rest, found in euery one the like ef∣fects of admiration, humility and obedience; vntill he came to the traytour Judas; vvhere be∣sides some dissembling perhaps, and false hear∣ted complements, he found nothing, but a sinke of sinne and treason; a rock of obstinacy & ma∣lice: noe vvaters so chrystall-cleare, as can cleanse him; no bathes so vvarme, as can mol∣lify him, See the Lambe of God, vvith more

humility, doubtles, than ordinary, prostrate at this traytours seet, vvashing, vviping & kissing them, to the astonishment of heauen & earth; and vvith bedeawed eyes speaking thus vnto his benummed soule: ô Iudas, friend, disciple, and Apostle of mine; vvhy vvilt thou persist in thy malice and treason? Quid feci tibi, aut in quo molestus fui? vvhat haue I done to thee, or in what haue I bene trovvblesome? or rather, Quid non feci pro te? vvhat haue I not done for thee? I haue made thee my Apostle; giuen thee power to doe miracles; cast out diuells &c. Et si hac parua sunt, adijciam tibi multò plura: and if these are litle I vvill add far more, onely repent and saue thy soule: feare not, I shall suffer for thee & all the vvorld; but vvhy by thy treason, and dam∣nation? thou heardest vvhat I sayd euen now,; Va homini illi per quem filius hominis tradetur. vvoe be to that man, by vvhom the Sonne of man shall be betrayed. But all in vaine; the Traytour feeles nothing: Daemonium surdum, caecum & mutum. A deafe, blind and dumme deuil.

Conclude to imitate thy sweetest Sauiour; in vvinning thy enemies by sweet and amiable meanes: heare vvhat he sayes: Exemplum ded•• vobis, vt quemadmodum ego feci & vos facitatis: I haue giuen you an example, that as I haue done, soe you doe all soe: next take heed of an obdurate heart: all the deaw of heauen is hardly able to mollifie it: pray to thy Sauiour daylie: Animo irreuerenti & infrunito ne dederis me. Giue me not ouer to a shamelesse and foolish mind.

THE THIRD MEDITATION. Of his instituting the B. Sacrament & prayer in the garden.

1. COnsider first, how true are those vvords of S. Iohn, speaking of our Sauiour pre∣paring himselfe for the instituting of the most B. Sacrament of his body and bloud; Cum dilexisset suos, qui erant in mundo, in sinem dilexit eos; vvhereas he had loued his that vvere in the vvorld, vnto the end he loued them: that is, shewed greater signes and gaue greater pledges of his loue at the end, then euer before: let vs for the present ponder onely these two points: the first, vvhat he gaue & left vvith vs; vvhich vvee shall also finde to be two things, so great and superexcellent; that heauen and earth are capa∣ble of no more: the one is his true and reall body vnder the shape of bread, his true & reall bloud vnder the shape of wine; vvhere vnto is annexed his Diuinity, and in a vvord the whole B. Trinity, or vvhat soeuer is contained in him as God and man: the other is a full absolute power to all Priests good or bad, wise or simple, vvhen, vvhere: and as oft, as they please, to con∣secrate the same body and bloud, and giue it to vvhom they please, good or bad. O you holy Angells, enuy vs not. The second is, vvhen and vvhy he left vs this holy Sacrament; vvhen did he it? but vvhen the high Priests and Iewes

were plotting his death; when Judas vvas betray∣ing him; when his Apostles with all the world vvere ready to runne avvay and forsake him: fi∣nally, then vvas he preparing a banquet for vs, vvhen vve vvere preparing vvhippes, thornes & naises for him: and vvhy, ô most louing Jesus? Haec, quoth he, quotiescumque feceritis, in mei memoriam facietis; these things as often as you doe them you shal doe them for the commemora∣tion of me. The greatest signe of an ardent louer is, vvhen he desireth to be beloued againe: no∣thing but this doth our Sauiour require of vs for all that he hath done and suffered for vs: Fili, praebe mihi cor tuum. Sonne, giue me thy hart.

Conclude to thanke thy Sauiour daylie for this inestimable Sacrament: and for the power, he hath giuen to Priests to consecrate it: repay him in the coyne, he requireth: that is, loue for loue, heart for heart.

2. Consider secondly, how our sweetest Sa∣uiour hauing communicated all his Apostles, & Iudas gone about his villany: he maketh vnto them a very large & most heauenly sermon, set dovvne by S. Iohn in foure longs chapters: and most sweet to any deuout soule, that shall read it: euery sentence is a flame, and euery vvord a sparke of that loue-burning furnace of his diui∣ne breast: taking his last leaue of his deare and best beloued Disciples; and comforting their vveake and heauy hearts: Filioli, modicum vobis∣cum sum; Litle children, a litle vvhile I am vvith you; farewell, for I am going to my Father: but

bee not grieued, it is for your good, to prepare you a place in heauen; to send you the holy Ghost; nay I vvill not leaue you orphans, but I vvill come againe and take you to my selfe: in the meane time, aske my Father vvhat you vvill in my name, and he vvill giue it you; for my Fa∣ther loueth you tenderly, and so doe I also; and the holy Ghost and vvee vvill all come, and liue vvith you to the end of the vvorld; and if you be persecuted and grieued, know that your griefe shall be turned into ioy; and you shall doe mira∣cles and vvonders greater than euer I haue done. I haue much more to say, Sed non potestis por∣tare modò: pacem meam relinquo vobis, pacem do vobis: But you can not beare novv: my peace I leaue to you, peace I giue to you. Farewell dearest children; and take this command as my last will and testament: Mandatum nouum do vohis, vt diligatis inuicem; sicut dilexi vos, vt & vos dili∣gatis inuicem: in hoc cognoscent omnes quia disci∣puli mei estis, si dilectionem habueritis ad inuicem: surgite, eamus hinc. A nevv commaundement I giue to you, that you loue one an other: as I haue loued you, that you alsoe loue one an other; in this all men shall knovv that you are my disciples, if you haue loue one to an other: arise let vs goe hence.

Conclude vvith all the tendernes, loue and teares that thy heart & eyes can afford thee: loue him, that is, keepe his commandments, and aboue all his last, that is, loue thy neighbour, keepe mutuall charity, vvhatsoeuer it shall cost

thee; deceiue not thy selfe vvith pretences, but looke truly in thy heart, and if thou find not there this loue, thou art not Christs disciple.

3. Consider thirdly, how our B. Sauiour ha∣uing at length ended his sermon; he lifted vp his eyes to heauen, and made a long and most deuout prayer to his Eternall Father, both for his disciples then present, and also for all that should beleeue in him to the end of the vvorld Vt omnes vnum sint, sicut tu Pater in me & ego in te. That all may be one, as thou Father in me, and I in thee. This done, he led them out into the garden of Gethsemani, a knowne place to the Traytour, because he oft vsed to repaire thither vvith his Disciples. Behold my soule the Lambe of God, walking now amidst his disciples and friends, shortly to returne the same way bound and dragged by his vvoluish enemies: behold him enter the garden, the field and place of battle: our first Adam vvith the abuse of his li∣berty lost vs all in a garden: our second Adam, to restore vs all vvith the losse of his owne li∣berty, enters also a garden: but as farre different from the former, as the fruit they both yeelded: that with it's sweets brought vs to death this vvith it's bitternes restored vs to life. Here leauing the eight behind, vvith Sedete hic & orate: sit you here, and pray. he goeth a little fur∣ther vvith those three, that had seene his glorie on mount Tabor, to be also now vvitnesses of his bleeding anguish in the garden of Gethse∣mani: to these commending more earnestly,

Sustinete & vigilate mecum, stay and vvatch vvith me; he betaketh himselfe to prayer, the onely shield in the day of battell, the surest helme in a stormy and boistrous sea.

Conclude to accompany thy Sauiour in this sad passage vvith compassion, teares and sorrow; but aboue all vvith prayer; take heed of vvhat happened to the Apostles & to that valiant Pe∣ter, vvho because they slept, vvhen they should haue prayed, ran away, vvhen they should haue fought and dyed vvith him, as they had promi∣sed. O take heed; purposes are to little purpose, vnles backed and strengthened vvith prayer.

4. Consider fourtly, how our B. Sauiour dis∣closeth vnto these three disciples, the torrent of griefe, feare and anguish, vvhich oppressed his tender heart; Caepit contristari, pauere, taedere & maestus esse; He began to feare, to be sorie heauie and sad. Which hitherto he had repressed, that he might comfort and encourage them: but now, ô my trusty and beloued disciples; Tristis est onima mea vsque ad mortem; my soule is sorrovvsull euen till death; that is, vvith a griefe, that now presently vvould strike me dead, did I not preserue my selfe for the future torments, that is, vvith a griefe, that shall en∣dure till my death, vvithout the least sparke of comfort or relief. Dearest Lord, vvhat sudden storme in this? is not thy soule glorious! & can∣not shee then dispell these clouds, & quiet these thy inward troubles? yes, she is both glorious, and can doe it; but now she doth quite aban∣don

the inferiour part to all her naturall passions and feares, to suffer the more truly and feelingly for vs: and so consider him hence forward in all his passion, as a pure man, weake, tender and delicate of complexion: and so, as desirous of company, a thing naturall to griefe and feare; he sayd vnto them Sustinete hic & vigilate me∣cum: stay here and vvatch vvith me: what did the poore Apostles thinke, to heare this new language from their Master? how did they loo∣ke to see him tremble and all in a cold sweat? certainely their vveake hearts vvere all in a con∣fusion, and their griefe burst out into a floud of teares.

Conclude to keepe them company with a true and louing compassion of thy dearest Sa∣uiours affliction: thanke him most humbly for discouering this his tribulation, vvhich being invvard, would otherwise not haue been know∣ne, and so haue lost the due thankes, vvhich all Christians owe him for it, as being suffered for them.

5. Consider fifthly the fortitude and coura∣ge, vvith vvhich our B. Sauiour tooke from the company of his disciples, a naturall comfort to griefe; Auulsus est ab eis; he vvas pulled away from them; and falling prostrate on the ground before his Eternall Father, cried out; Pater mi, si possibile est, transeat à me Calix iste; my Fa∣ther, if it be possible, let this chalice passe from me. this vvas the cry of the inferiour part, trembling at the future torments; but presently checked by

the Superiour, least it might prooue inordinate, vvith, Uerumtamen non mea sed tua voluntas fiat: but yet not my vvill, but thine be done: this he repeated three times, for three vvhole houres at least, vvith the humility, instance & feruour, as vvee may imagine: yet hee made notvvith∣standing two interruptions, to visit his three disciples, & see how they behaued themselues, but found them both times alseep. O my soule, how carefull and sollicitous is thy Sauiour for thy saluation, but how drowsie and carelesse art thou? Behold him in the saddest plight, that euer happened; going and coming betwixt his Fa∣ther and discipless there petitioning for his owne griefe, & here solliciting their good and saluation; but can get not hearing on either side: left and forsaken of all, in a solitary place, in a darksome night, in the deepest anguish of an af∣flicted soule. Till at length; an Angell from hea∣uen appeared to comfort him. O my God! is it come to that passe, that an Angell must come to raise vp that head, and cheere vp that face, In quam omnes Angeli desiderant prospicere? On vvhich all the Angels desire to looke?

Conclude vvith the affections, thy deuotion shall giue thee: striue to imitate thy Sauiour in two things, in his humility perseuerance and resignation in his praying: and also in care and vvatchfulnes, first for thy owne saluation, and next for theirs, who are vnder thy charge,

6. Consider sixthly, vvhat kind of comfort this vvas, that the Angell brought him; it is not

expressed, but by the effect it had in him, vve may be certaine, it vvas no other, than that his Fathers pleasure and last command vvas, he should die on the Crosse for the redemption of man: for, Faitus in agonia, quoth S. Luke, prolixius orabat, & factus est sudor eius sic••t gut∣tae sanguinis, decurrentis in terram. Being in an agonie, he praied the longer, and his svveat be••a∣me as droppes of bloud trikling dovvne vpon the earth. Who hath euer heard of a sweat like this, of drops so thick, so great, and those not of vva∣ter; but of purest purple bloud, trickling dovvne a pace, not on his face or garments, as vsually, but round about from all his body, to the very ground vvhereon he lay, Decurrentes in terram. Trikling dovvne vpon the earth. If his body suf∣fered thus, vvhat pangs then, vvhat agonies did that his noble and tender soule, endure from vvhose sole anguish those showers of bloud streamed through his body? in our griefes and feares the bloud recoiles from the outward parts to the heart; but here the heart of our dearest Ie∣sus is so pinched and pressed, that it spouts forth it's best and vitall bloud vpon the ground: pressed, I say, on the one side vvith the naturall feare of so crueell and ignominious a death; and on the other, vvith a vehement desire to obey his Fathers vvill, and redeeme man; & so great vvas the violence, so strong the impression of the Superiour part vpon the inferiour to make her stoope and pronounce these foure words, Non mea sed tua voluntas fiat; not my vvill but

thine be done; that it cost her a mortall agony & a shower of bloud.

Conclude at least vvith a drop or two of tea∣res, if thou canst repay thy Sauiour in no better coine: ô thanke him for that sinall consent for that, Fiat voluntas tua, thy vvill be done, on vvhich depended our eternall happines; by vvhich he bought vs of his Father, and sealed the contract wirh his bloud; by vvhich finally vvee are pardoned & receiued into fauour. Bles∣sed be our bleeding Iesus for euer.

7. Consider seuenthly the reall causes, that so oppressed the heart of our stoutest Dauid, and laid flat on the ground the strength of our Sam∣son: the first vvas the liuely representation of his imminent death vvith all the torments, igno∣minies and scoffes he vvas to suffer; so that vve may truly say, that he suffered all his bitter pas∣sion twice ouer; once by the hands of his ene∣myes, & once by his owne; that is, by his cleare imagination of all at once, vvhat in the execu∣tion came but successiuely. The second vvas, a distinct knowledge and sight of all the sinnes of the vvorld, from the beginning to the end, how little or great so euer; & that all this black scroll vvas now laid to his charge by his Father, to be crossed and cancelled vvith the last drop of his bloud. Most innocent Lambe! hell doubtlesse vvith all its furies, could not affright thy soule like one of those monsters. The third vvas, to see the little vse and fruit, the very Christians vvould make of all his labours and sufferings;

but most blind, vngratefull, & obdurate, would rather turne this hony into their poison; Et con∣culcare sanguinem Agni; and tread vnder foote the bloud of the lambe. Then endeauour thereby to vvorke their owne saluation. These vvith many others, like a fierce squadron of enemies assailed at once his noble and tender heart, and made it dissolue into sighs, groanes, an not tea∣res, but streames of bloud.

Conclude ô Christian soule with a true feeling and hatred against sinne, the sole cause of all thy Sauiour's miseries, and thy owne: againe, hate ingratitude, Quae exsiccat ossa; vvhich dryeth vp the bones; make good vse of his pas∣sion, for thou canst not please him better. Lastly prouide in time for a good death; for if in Christ, Et in viridi ligno haec fiunt, and in the greene vvood those things be done, to vvitt, these feares, these agonies: In arido quid fiet? in the dri•• vvhat shall be done? vvhat vvill a poore sinner doe at that houre? how will he looke? vvhether vvill he runne?

THE FOVRTH MEDITATION. Of our Sauiours being taken prisoner.

1. COnsider first how our B. Sauiour, ha∣uing after so long and bloudya combate vanquished all feare and pusillanimity, riseth from the ground vvith his face and eyes swolne and inflamed, his vhole body and gar∣ments

in gory bloud, Et rubicundi sicut calcan∣tium in torculari: and red like those that treade vvine in the presse. But vviping and clearing vp his countenance as vvell as he could hee vvent to his discipls, vvhom againe he found asleep, little thinking in vvhat case their deare Master had been: but he vvas now so farre from chiding them, that as a most tender Father he sayd: Dormite iam & requiescite. Sleepe novv and rest. But thou sweetest Iesu, Quando dormies? quan∣do requiesces? vvhen vvilt thou sleepe? vvhen vvilt thou rest? vvearied, toiled and congealed in thy owne bloud, when or vvhere vvilt thou repose? no more sleep, no more rest for thee, but In ara Crucis, the last sleep of death on the hard bed of the Crosse. But behold Iudas thy Apostle, thy disciple is come as Captaine to a band of souldiers vvith clubs, bills and swords; and of∣fers thee a most false kisse, vvith Aue Rabbi: haile Rabbi: strike this Goliath dead, ô Dauid, confound these Philistine troopes, ô our Sam∣son: nothing lesse: our Sauiour vvith a setled & vndaunted courage goeth forth to meet him, receiueth the kisse, with, Amice ad quid veni∣sti? Iuda osculo filium hominis tradis? friend vvhere to art thou come? Iudas, vvith a kisse dost thou betray the Sonne of man? J know and haue told thee vvhat thou comest for: thou hast betrayed me; be yet ashamed, and repent, and J vvill forgiue thee, and as a friend receiue thee into my fauour and grace.

Conclude with admiration & hatred of such

obduratenesse, vvith feare of so desperate an estate; with loue also & considence in the good∣nes of thy Sauiour how much soeuer thou hast offended him; for he denieth his friendship to none, vvho offered it to Judas. How oft hast thou betrayed thy Sauiour with a kisse in coming vn∣worthylie to the blessed Sacrament; for he that doth so, inuiteth Christ in amongst his enemies.

2. Consider secondly, how our B. Sauiour, to shew that no force vvas able to take him; had he not freely and of his owne will de∣liuered himselfe; he vvrought by his om∣nipotent hand no lesse then fiue miracles in this passage. The first, that although they had. seen Iudas kisse him, vvhich vvas the signe agreed on, yet he blinded them so, as they for all that knew him not; for asking them, Quem quaeritis? vvhom seeke ye? Their answer vvas, Iesum Naezarenum; Iesus of Nazareth; not knovving, that it vvas he vvho asked them; and this happened not once but tvvice: the second, that at these tvvo vvords, Ego sum, I am he, like men thunderstruck, they all reeled backvvard, and fell flat on the ground; and there had remained, had he not raised them againe vvith a second, Quem quae∣ritis? vvhom seeke ye? ô vvho shall be able to stand the thunder of his voice at the day of iud∣gement, that Ite maledicti, goe ye cursed, if these tvvo vvords so mildly vttered throvv dovvne troopes? The third vvas: the curing vvith a touch

of his blessed hand the eare of Malchus, vvhich the sword of valiant Peter had cut of. The fourth, that none yet durst lay hands on him, but stood like dogs at a bay, vntill after a large discourse vnto them, and complaint that they came vnto him as to a thiefe, he gaue them leaue in these words, Haec est hora vestra & potestas tenebra∣rum: This is your houre, and the povver of darke∣nesse; yet not vvithout the condition (& this vvas the fifth miracle) that they should not touch any of his disciples; Si ergo me quaeritis sinite hos abire. If therefore you seeke me ••et these goe their vvayes.

Conclude vvith ioy and thankes to thy Sa∣uiour for this his glory; vvith humble gra∣titude•• for deliuering himselfe so freely into his enemies hands for thy redemption: begge of him that he vvill neuer let thee fall into such obduratnesse of heart as these blind men did; vvho, for all so many miracles done before their eyes, vvent on vvith their vvic∣ked entreprise.

3. Consider thirdly, how no sooner had our B. Sauiour deliuered himselfe vvith those words, Haec est hora vestra & potestas tenebrarum; this is your houre, and the povver of darkenesse; but like so many rauenous & hunger y vvolues they rushed in vpon him; and such vvas their fury and multitude, bore him ouer to the ground, vvhere they buffetted him, kickt him, & pulled him by the haire of the head and heard; Concul∣cauerunt me inimici mei, quoniam multi bellantes

aduersum me; myne enemies haue troden vpon me, because they are many that vvarr against me; ô vvhat clamour;, vvhat shouts, vvhat op∣probrious out cryes did they make! Sicut exul∣tant victores capta preda: as conquerors reioyce after a pray is taken, & presently, seast he should slip from them, as before he had often done, they cast great ropes about him; one, as S, Ber∣nard contemplates, about his neck, another about his middle, vvith his hands noosed be∣hind him. O you Philistines feare no more our Sampson, his Dalila hath betrayed his strength into your hands; a hempen twist vvill hold him. Thus they dragge him away thorough thick & thin; now running, now falling, now stum∣bling in the darke, without a hand to helpe himselfe, or vvithout a friend to lend him one: ô you Apostles, vvhere are you! vvhat is beco∣me of your valour, your loyaltie, your promise? all gone, all vanished, and he alone In medio ini∣micorum suorum, in the midst of his enimies, Is carried to the slaughter like an innocent Lam∣be, for them and all the vvorld, vvithout ope∣ning his mouth, or once complaining.

Conclude from hence forward to follow thy Redeemer from stage to stage, from Iudge to Iudge, vvith prayer, loue and compassion, but euer remember vvho he is and the dignity of his person, Judge him not by his present condi∣tion, vnles it be to see, how low he stoopeth for thee.

THE FIFTH MEDITATION. Our B. Sauiour is brought before Annas and Caiphas.

1. COnsider first, how the first Iudge before whom our innocent Iesus was presen∣ted, vvas Annas Father in law to Cai∣phas, high Briest of that yeare; because he was a man of dignity and his house lay in their way: behold this proud Priest sitting in his chaire, and vvith sweelling pride and content, asking of the King of Maiesty and Judge of the vvorld, im∣pertinent questions De discipulis & doctrina eius: of his disciples and of his doctrine: our Sauiour vvith his eyes on the ground and his hands tied behind him, answered nothing touching his disciples; for vvhat should he say of them? ac∣cuse them he vvould not, and praise or defend them in this last action he could not: but for his doctrine he raised vp his head and voice, and sayd, Ego palàm locutus sum mundo &c. Quid me interrogas? interroga eos, qui audierunt &c. I haue openly spoken to the vvorld &c. vvhy aske you me? aske them that haue heard &c. And it is obserued that our diuine Master in all his passion seldome or neuer made answer to any but in the behalfe of truth or his doctrine. But here a vile seruant standing by, vp vvith his sist, and gaue him a blow ouer the face, vvith, Siccinè re••pondes Pontifici? ansvverest thou the

high priest soe? to the great content and laugh∣ter of all present, but to our meeke Lambe a great paine and greater affront: yet he replied no more, but Si malè locutus sum, testimonium perhibe de malo; si autem bene, quid me caedis? If I haue spoken ill, giue testimonie of euil; but if well, vvhy strikest thou me? and this also in defence of his former vvords.

Conclude to stand vp euer for the Catholike faith & doctrine of thy Sauiour; ne••er hide thy head, neuer spare thy voice when or howsoeuer thou shalt be questioned about it; and what buf∣fets soeuer thou shalt suffer for it, answer no otherwise than our Sauiour did; and how soeuer the vvorld laugh at thee, comfort thy sel••e with this promise of thy Lord, Qui me coufessus fue∣rit coram hominibus, confitebor & ego eum co∣ram Patre meo. Euery one that confesseth me be∣fore men, I alsoe vvill confesse him before my Fa∣ther.

2. Consider secondly, how from thence he was hurried to the Pallace of Caiphas the high Priest, Vbi Scribae & Seniores conuenerant; where the scribes and auncients vvere assembled. All vvith a longing desire to see before them this new prisoner, and vvith a full resolution to ma∣ke him away by right or by vvrong: and there∣fore at his very entring after a scornfull vvelco∣me fell presently to the examining of witnesses; but because they could find none true, they con∣tented themselues vvith false ones, Multi testi∣monium falsum dicebant aduersus eum; many

spake false vvitnes against him; yet all in vaine, for such vvas the innocency of our Sauiour, that euen false vvitnesses could conclude nothing against him, Quia non erant conuenientia testi∣monia eorum, for theire testimonies vvere not con∣uenient, but contradicted one the other, vvhich euen made their galls burst vvith rage and enuy; so that the high Priest rose vp in a storme, as∣king him vvhy he answered nothing to all these testimonies! But to vvhat, proud man, to what? make first thy testimonies agree, hovv false soeuer, and then demand an answer. Whe∣refore he tries another vvay, Et adiuro te, quoth he, per Deum viuum, vt dicas nobis si tues Chri∣stus filius Dei. I adiure thee by the liuing God that thou tell vs if thou be Christ the Sonne of God. Our Sauiour out of reuerence to this Father, & in defence of such a mystery, wouchsafed his answer, and sayd: Tu dixisti: thou hast said: 'tis true; but one day you shall see the Sonne of man coming in the clouds vvith maiesty and terrour: whereat, out of zeale forsooth, they rent their garments, and cried out, blasphemy, blasphe∣my! giue sentence, vvhat doe you thinke of him? At illi, vvithout more adoe, dixerunt, Reus est mortis. But they said he is guilty of death.

Conclude thou to cry out to the contrary with all the Angells of heauen: Dignus es, Do∣mine, accipere virtutem & diuinitatem & hono∣rem & gloriam & benedictionem, Thou art vvor∣thie, ô Lord, to receiue povver and diuinitie; &

honour, and glorie, and benediction. Thanke him for receiuing this so not onely vniust but also il∣legall sentence of death for our sake; and take euer great heed of opposing the known truth out of passion or any other pretence.

3. Consider thirdly, how this illegall sentence had an execution as illegall; for all vvith vnheard of barbarisme and cruelty laid presently hands on him, and like furies of hell more then men, showred vpon him all manner of blows, blas∣phemies and affronts: vvee may reduce them to these foure heads. First, they spit in his face, and disgorge their filthy fleame on that diuine for∣ehead, vvhere beauty and maiesty sits: ô my soule, vvhat canst thou thinke? men seeke a dunghill, or by-corner to spit in, but these de∣uills find no other sinke, then that face, in which the Angells are delighted. Secondly, they buffet, kick and strike him vvith merciles rage; and he, vvith his hands tied behind him, not able to¦vvard one blow, wipe his face, or helpe him∣selfe: heare vvhat he saies by Isaias: Corpus meum dedi percutientibus & genas meas vellenti∣bus, faciem meam non auerti ab increpantibus & conspuentibus in me. I haue geuen my bodie to the strikers, and my cheekes to the pluckers: I haue not turned avvay my face from the rebukers, and spitters. Thirdly, they couer and muffle his face vvith some dish-clout; and then at euery blow aske him in scorne; Prophetiza nobis Christe, quis te percussit? Prophecie vnto vs, ô Christ, vvho is he that strook thee? These vil∣laines

hide that face, vvhich the old Prophets cried out to see; Ostende faciem tuam & salui eri∣mus. Shevv thy face, and vve shall be saued. Fourthly, they pulled him by the haire & beard, vvith a thousand other as namelesse, as shame∣lesse affronts: vvhat shall vv••e more admire? the meeknes, patience ••nd fortitude of our heauen∣ly Sampson, or the madnes & frenzy of these Sa∣tanicall Philistins?

Conclude, as on the one side thou can'st not choose, but detest their malice, and adore thy Sauiour's patience and magnanimity; so on the other, to beare vvith like patience, vvhat iniu∣ries shall befall thee; and to take heed hovv thou ioynest vvith these villaines in affronting thy Sauiour; beleeue it, euery mortall sinne strikes him ouer the face, and spits at him more than all the Jewes did.

4. Consider fourthly, that none of all his tor∣ments, scornes and abuses pierced his tender heart nigh so much, as did the vtter losse of his disciple Judas, and the most dangerous fall of Peter. Iudas for the gaine of a little money, lost his Master, his life, his soule, nay and money too; for Proijciens in templo abiens laqueo se su∣spendit. Casting it dovvne in the temple he vvent and hanged himselfe vvith an halter. How many in the world for the like drosse doe daylie the same, and come to the same end? sell their Sa∣uiour, his faith, his grace; and at one clap lose all, and gaine hell and damnation. Peter, vvho had receiued more fauours, than all the rest;

vvho like a Giant had vaunted that if all forsoke him, yet he neuer; vvho had been vvarned more than once, to take heed; vvho had he knowne it, had doubtlesse runne the traytour Iudas through vvith his sword: yet now he growes cold, stands by the fire, and at the voice of a silly maid, once, twice and thrice, denyes, sweares and damnes himselfe if euer he knew the man: strange, that he should not now know him, for vvhom, but euen now he had fought and cut of Malchus his eare neither could the cock's crowing make him remember himselfe; till his sweetest Master amidst his furious tor∣tures' sent him a glance of his eye, and vvith one ray opened his vnderstanding, and warmed his breast anew; so that, Exiens foras, fleuit amarè; going forth he vvept bitterly. Not onely then, but all his life time from the cock-crow till morning, euer vvatering his aged cheekes in penance.

Conclude to take heed by the example of these two Apostles, the one for euer lost, the other hardly recouered: take heed, I say, in vvhat estate soeuer thou art, of couetousnesse of any vvordly things, and of presumption on thy owne strength: then feare a fall most, vvhen thou shalt fancy thy selfe most secure Finally learne of S. Peter to doe penance for thy sinnes, and to thanke thy Sauiour for the million of times, he hath raised thee, dead and drow∣ned in sinne.

5. Consider fifthly, vvhat a night our sweet∣est

Sauiour passed amongst those his vnsatiated enemies: for about midnight the high Priest with the Princes and Pharises going to take their rest, left him amongst the rout to vse him at their pleasure; who out of their owne cruelty and malice, as also to please their Masters, fell afresh vpon him vvith all their furie and rage. O vvho can tell, vvhat our dearest Lord endu∣red all this sad night? S. Luke passeth them ouer in these foure vvords: Et alia multa bla∣sphemantes dicebant in eum: And blaspheming many other things they said against him. And S. Hierome affirmeth, that all will not fully be known till the day of iudgement. Yet sit by him a vvhile, my soule, and contemplate on the one side the fury, rage, and basenesse of these mini∣sters of the deuill; and on the other, thy Lord's inuincible patience, grauity and charity, euen then praying Pro persequentibus se. For them that persecute him. After a vvile step ouer to thy La∣dy, his most afflicted mother, (vvho no doubt had quickly tidings of the state her Sonne vvas in) and see, if thou canst, the vniuersall eclipse and oppression of her soule, the flouds of her eyes, the sighs and groanes of her breast, the cryes she made to heauen for him; Pater si possi∣bile est, transeat à filio tuo & meo Calix iste; Fa∣ther if it be possible, let this chalice passe from thine and my Sonne; yet vvith the same resignation; Non mea sed tua voluntas fiat. Sic plorans plora∣uit in nocte, & lacrymae eius in maxillis eius; non est qui consoletur eam ex omnibus charis eius.

Not mine, but thy vvill be done. Soe vveeping she hath vvept in the night, and her teares are on her cheekes; there is none to comfort her of all her deare ones.

Conclude to accompany thy Lord and Lady some part of this sad night in vvatching, prayer and compassion: offer all, that both suffered, to the Eternall Father for all thy hidden and vn∣known sinnes, wrapped vp in the night of thy owne negligence and carelessenes: begge light from these two morning-stars to see them, amend, and satisfie for them.

THE SIXTH MEDITATION. Our Sauiour is brought before Pilate and Herod.

1. COnsider first, how early in the mor∣ning, the high Priest and the Princes of the Iewes meet in a full counsell, no∣twithstanding their late going to bed; & vvhat to doe, but to satisfie their ovvne malice, & ex∣tinguish the light of the vvorld? so it is, the wic∣ked are farre more vvatchfull and industrious to obtaine their vvicked ends, than the children of God to obtaine theirs. Our Sauiour is againe brought to the barre; the same question asked againe; Si tu es Christus, dic nobis; if thou be Christ, tel vs: and the same answer returned, that he vvas: vvith that, all rose vp against him as a man conuicted by his owne confession: Et

surgens omnis multitudo duxerunt eum ad Pila∣tum. And all the multitude rising vp, led him to Pilate. But vvhy did they carry him to Pilate a Gentile and Roman Gouernour? vvhy did they not stone him themselues for blasphemy, as aftervvard they did S. Steuen? for noe other rea∣son, but their malice, to haue him die on a Crosse, a death so infamous, that they themsel∣ues could not inflict it; a death onely for famous theeues, murderers and malefactours. See by this, their rancour against this most innocent Lambe of God: see how he is hurried away to Pilate's house at the further end of the city, abo∣ue a mile and a quarter; haled thorough the streets vvith showts and cryes; that now all vvas discouered; that he had confessed himselfe a blasphemer, cheat and inchanter; and for that, the vvhole Councell resolued to deliuer him ouer to the Gentiles &c.

Conclude to follow thy Sauiour this third stage to Pilate, and at length count them all, and thou shalt find almost ten miles, that he vvent from thursday euening till friday noone. Take pity of his vvearied limmes; & vvish it lay in thy power to ease him; but aboue all take heed of increasing his paine, by sinne, sloth and in∣gratitude.

2. Consider secondly, how the King of glory, Iudex viuorum & mortuorum, the Iudge of the li∣uing and of the dead, stands bound before a petty Gouernour; and the Princes and chiefe of his owne people stand for his accusers; but behold

the processe: Pilate demands vvhat they haue to say against that man: they thinking to beare all ouer vvith a kind of scorne; Si non esset hic ma∣lefactor, non tibi tradidissemus eum. If he vvere not a malefactour, vve vvould not haue deliue∣red him vp to thee. Wee haue already examined and condemned him, vvhat needst thou aske any more? but vvhen Pilate vvould haue parti∣culars, presently new ones were inuented: this man disquieteth the people; forbids tribute to be pay'd to Cesar, and makes himselfes King of the Iewes. O shameles men! did not he persuade the people to obey euen you, such as you are, because you sate in the chaire of Moyses? did not he command all, Dare quae sunt Caesaris Caesari, to giue the things that are Caesars, to Cae∣san, and payd for himselfe and Peter? did not he fly, when the people vvould haue made him their King? how many stand there present, that can giue you the lie in all these things? But though our Sauiour answered not a word, euen to the great admiration of the President, yet the force of truth is so great, that he beleeued nothing, what they sayd; onely hee stuck at the vvord, King; and asking our Sauiour about it, receiued full satisfaction, and laboured to to free him.

Conclude to imitate thy Sauiour, vvhen thou art falsly accused, to hold thy peace, or to an∣swer briefly and quietly; and hauing done, that, to commit the rest to the diuine prouidence, & force of truth it selfe, vvhich will, in spite of all

her enemies, at length put forth and appeare, to God's glory and thy justification.

3, Consider thirdly, how Pilate seeing the malice of the Iewes, to free himselfe of their importunity, sent our Sauiour away to Herod, as one belonging to his iurisdiction of Galilee. O my soule follow thy Sauiour this fourth stage; see how they hale him againe thorough the streets, vvith shouts and cryes to Herods pala∣ce; vvho vvas most glad of his coming, & soone gaue him audience; asking him a hundred im∣pertinent questions, and offering him no doubt great fauours, if he vvould but doe some mira∣cle before him; for to that end he had long since much desired to see him▪ on the other side the Iewes stood alleadging, all they could inuent, against him, that Herod vvould put him to death; Stabant Principes Sacerdotum & Scribae constanter accusantes eum. The cheefe priests & the Scribes stoode constantly accusing him. But our Sauiour vvould not ansvver one vvord, either to their accusations, as most false, or to Herod's allurements, as most vaine and idle; and he a most bloudy Tyrant, and incestuous adulterer, vvho had killed S. Iohn Baptist, & kept his bro∣thers vvife. Whereat in a rage, Spreuit illum cum exercitu suo, & illusit indutum veste alba. He vvith his armie set him at naught, and he mocked him putting on him a vvhite garment. O you Cherubins of heauen, vvhat thinke you of this? the Eternall Wisedome of God, clothed in a fooles coat, scoffed, kickt and abused for a foole

thorough the vvhole court and streets this one∣ly title vvas vvanting to all the rest, of a sinner, blasphemer, Samaritane, necromantick &c.

Conclude vvith thy Sauiour to learne to hold thy peace, vvhen vaine curiosity is the obiect of discourse; and if thou be called foole or idiot for thy paines, looke back vpon Iesus-Christ, and it is impossible it should grieue thee: remember his rule; Non est discipulus super Magistrum, nec seruus super Dominum suum: si patrem familias Beelzebub vocauerunt, quanto magis domesticos eius? The disciple is not aboue the maister, nor the seruant aboue his Lord: if they haue called the good man of the house Beelzebub, hovv much more, them of his houshold?

4. Consider fourthly, how our Sauiour with the new title and liuery of a foole vvas brought back againe to Pilate; and this is the fifth stage; vvherein, no doubt, followed after the B. Vir∣gin accompanied vvith S. John and the other holy vvomen; & vvas present at all vvhat passed hereafter; but in vvhat plight of griefe and sor∣row, let euery pious soule conceiue of it, what shee can; and accompany in spirit and deuotion the mother of God in these passions and fune∣ralls of her onely Sonne; Filius vnicus matris suae. The onlie Sonne of his mother. But Pilate inuented now a new vvay to deliuer him: he had in prison one Barabbas for raising sedition and committing murder in the City a notorious and infamous malefactour; and being to set one free at Easter, vvhom the people should aske,

made sure they vvould neuer aske such a fellow: vvherefore; Quem vultis vobis dimittam? Ba∣rabbam; an Iesum qui dicitur Christus? VVhom vvill you that I release to you, Barabbas, or Iesus that is called Christ? here the principes Sacerdo∣tum & Seniores, the cheefe Priest, and auncients, persuaded the people to aske Barabbas: Quid igitur quoth Pilate, faciam de Iesu? Crucifigatur. VVat shall I doe then vvith Iesus? let him be cru∣eified. O dearest Lambe of God, vvho can con∣ceiue the feeling of thy tender heart, to see thy selfe so reiected and abased by that blind and vn∣gratefull people, after so many benefits, mira∣cles and cures bestowed amongst them? these they vvho vvould haue made thee King, vvho cryed but sunday last, Hosanna in excels••s, bene∣dictus qui venit: Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he that cometh: Now worse than Barabbas, Opprobrium hominum & abiectio plebis. A re∣proch of men and out cast of the people.

Conclude neuer more to repine, if any be pre∣ferred before thee in honour, vnderstanding or vertue: for besides that it may be true, euer re∣member that Barrabbas vvas preferred before Christ: begge of him, that he vvill neuer let thee fall into such blindnes and vngratitude of beart, as to praise him in the morning and offend him before night.

5. Consider fifthly, how Pilate vvondered at the vnheard of malice of the chiefe Priests, and blindnes of that people, to preferre such a pu∣blike villaine, as Barabbas, vvho had deserued a

hundred deaths, before Christ, in vvhom nei∣ther he nor they could finde the least colour of a fault; and so, partly out of a naturall honesty, partly because his vvife had vvarned him, Nihil tibi & iusto illi, haue thou nothing to doe vvith that iust man; but chiefly Because God by him, in spite of all his roaring enemies, vvould declare to the vvorld the innocency of his dearest Son∣ne, behold how Pilate and the Jevves contest: they cry: Tolle hunc & dimitte nobis Barabbam; quid enim mali fecit, Dispatch him, and release vs Barabbas: vvhy, vvhat euill hath this man done; quoth Pilate; see, I haue examined him before you, and can find nothing: no nor Herod, as you see, to vvhom I remitted him: Crucifige, crucifige eum, Crucifie, crucifie him: quoth they: but he; Nullam causam mortis inuenio in eo: I find noe cause of death in him: vvhat haue you more to say against him? Corripiam ergo illum & di∣mittam: at illi instabant vocibus magnis postu∣lantes vt crucisigeretur & inualescebant voces eo∣rum. I vvill correct him therfore, and let him goe: but they vvere instant vvith loud voices re∣quiring that he might be crucified, and there voices preuailed. O innocent Lambe, how doe these rauenous vvolues thirst thy bloud? vvas it euer heard, that the Judge should stand vp and protest the innocency of the accused; and the ac∣cusers vvithout shame stand barking like dogs; kill him, kill him, vvithout alleadging of any the least crime?

Conclude with ioy of heart and hearty thanke

to God for the honour he did his Sonne, & thy Sauiour before the face of all his enemies, then vvhen he seemed most forsaken of all: conceiue also a neglect of vvhat the vvorld shall cry a∣gainst thee; and a confidence in God, that he vvill defend thee, if thou ••ee innocent, vvhen thou shalt bee most oppressed.

THE SEVENTH MEDITATION. Our Sauiour is scourged at a pillar.

1. COnsider first, the most vniust procee∣ding of Pilate, who knowing the ma∣lice of the Iewes, and publikely profes∣sing the innocency of our Sauiour, yet to satisfie their cruelty, caused him to be most cruelly whipped; a punishment so ignominious, that it vvas inflicted on none but slaues, thieues and vvhores; and a Roman citizen could, for no cri∣me vvhat soeuer, be liable to it: and yet the Sonne of God, to free vs from the gastie stripes of hell, vvould subiect himselfe vnto it. Behold therefore, my soule, how foure fierce tigers lay hands on this Lambe of God, strip him of his clothes, tie him to a stony pillar hands and feet, naked as he vvas borne, vvithout a ragge to couer him from shame or cold, in publike vview and scorne of all the people; and then cry out to the powers and dominations of heauen, to come downe, to couer, defend or reuenge this their vniuersall Lord, as they did afterward

diuers of his Saints in the like streights. Who can apprehend the confusion, that couered the heart and face of our dearest Iesus, when he saw his Angelicall body, made by the hands of the holy Ghost, and borne of a Seraphicall Virgin, lie open and euery vvay exposed to the view and scoffing of those villaines? and vvhat did then his Uirgin Mother feele in her heart, and shew in her countenance? Verè operuit confusio faciem vtriusque. Confusion hath trulie couered both their faces.

Conclude on the one side vvith sorrow, but on the other vvith infinite thankes to thy Sa∣uiour, vvho vndergoes this shame, to satisfie for thy shamelesnesses; and suffers this naked∣nes, to gaine for thee the robe of grace: say to him vvith S. Bernard: Quantò pro me vilior, tantò mihi charior. The viler he hath made him∣selfe for me, the dearer he shall be to me But aboue all fly all acts of vnchastity, Per illam en••m reno∣uas nuditatem Redemptoris. For by it thou re∣nevveth the nakednesse of thy redeemer.

2. Consider secondly, how hauing tied him fast and sure, not able to stirre hand or foot, they begin to thunder vpon is blessed back & shoul∣ders vvhole peales of stripes, lashes & scourges vvithout measure or number; Fabricauerunt suprà dorsum meum peccatores & prolongauerunt sulcum suum; sinners haue builded vpon my backe; and they haue prolonged their furrovvs, That is; plowed and harrowed vpon my back and now, the bloud comes spouting forth on all sides,

drops a pace on the ground, and Tanquam san∣guis Testamenti, as the blood of the testament, besprinkles the people standing round about: yet the blowes increase, the vvounds grow vvi∣der, and the flesh opens to the very bone, and entralls; till at length all comes to be but one sore, from neck to heele, A planta pedis vsque ad verticem non est sanit as. From-the sole of the foote vnto the toppe of the head there is not health. See, Christian soule, see how thy Iesus stands as immoueable, as the pillar, to vvhich he is tied; not able to auoid or ease himselfe of one blow, but onely to shrinke vp is shoulders, & lift his eyes to heauen for comfort: When presently they turne him on the other side, and vvith fresh vvhippes and hands left him not till they had made him all ouer a perfect vlcer; Quasi lepro∣sum & percussum & humiliatum. As it vvere a leper, and striken of God, and humbled. O diuine and princely bloud, how frankly and prodigally art thou shed, Sicut aquae in plateis? as vvaters in the streetes: how art thou trampled vnder the feet of those hangmen? as though thou vvert not more vvorth than a thousand vvorl••s: & as though thou vvert not the licour, Ad saluandas gentes. To saue all nations.

Conclude to shed at least a teare or two, to mingle vvith this thy Creatour's bloud; so of both to make the mixture of that balsame, that must cure and seare vp all those gaping wounds of thy soule; but especially those tvvo of pampe∣ring thy flesh in riot and luxury, vvhich now costs so deare.

3. Consider thirdly, that this flagellation of our Sauiour vvas vnto him a most grieuous tor∣ment; so that he himselfe neuer speaketh of his passion, but maketh euer mention of it, as one of the principall parts: and this for many reasons; as first for the number of stripes vvhich as it hath been reuealed, exceeded fiue thousand; & those laid on by foure most cruell villaines, with three sorts of whips; as rods, twisted cords or bull's nerues, and little chaines of iron. Second∣ly, because Pilate caused him to be scourged to appease the furious hatred of his enemies, so that it could not but be most cruell, according to the proportion of their rage: but most of all for the tendernes of his most virginall and delicate bo∣dy, of complexion more sensible than the body of any little childe; and now also tired out with a bloudy sweat and vvatching, trauells and tor∣ments of the night past: yet his ardent loue of vs so farre exceeded all, that to leaue vs a most co∣pious redemption, he bore these most willingly, and was most ready to receiue them all ouer a∣gaine and againe, if it had been required. O insi∣nite goodnes and charity, deseruing a gratitude and correspondence farre different from that vvee vvretches returne thee! stirre vp thy selfe, ô Christian soule, and desire at least to doe or suffer somewhat for this thy all-suffering Lord.

Conclude vvith a feruent desire to suffer for Christ, in vvhat vvay soeuer it shall please him, in body or soule, honour or fortune; and be sure the greatest fauour God can doe thee in

this vvorld, is to giue thee matter and grace to suffer for him: honour therefore from thy heart his holy Martyrs and Confessours, who in thy poore country and els vvhere, Lauerunt stolas suas in sanguine Agni, & dealbauerunt eas. Haue vvashed their robes, and made them vvhite in the blood of the lambe.

4. Consider fourthly, how these hangmen, tired at length, cease; and vntying our Sa∣uiour's hands and feet from the Pillar, there leaue him helplesse to helpe himselfe; but ah! how helpelesse? how vnable to moue or stirre? bathed all ouer in his gory and congealed bloud, harrowed as it vvere vvith vvounds and sores; and trembling with vvearines and cold, vvi∣thout a hand to vvash his vvounds or stanch his bloud, vvithout any to reach him his clothes & couer him from the cold; vvith bruised armes and vvearied knees leaning himselfe against the cold and hard pillar. Runne now vnto him, ô Christian soule, how sinfull so euer; for neuer shalt thou find a fitter opportunity; offer him thy back and shoulders to leaue and rest his vvearied limbes on, or any other poore seruice thou can'st afford him. See him creeping to the corner, vvhere his clothes vvere throwne, and putting them all on, as vvell as he can, euen to the fooles coat, vvhich Herod had bestowed on him: ô dearest Jesu, vvhat doe these course and vvoollen clothes doe, but stick and cleane to thy sores, and so keep thee in a continuall torment? vvho doubteth of this, let him put any vvoollen

ragge vpon the least sore he hath; and he shall quickly feele how true this is? so that the vl∣cers he now beareth, goe increasing euery mi∣nute▪ and vpon euery touch vntill his death.

Conclude vvith all the compassion thy soule is capable of; or, if thou find thy heart so stony, looke about, and find out his afflicted Mother, standing at a distance yet vvithin view of this bloudy spectacle, & she vvill teach thee to la∣ment and grieue: thanke him for this flood of bloud, shed for thee; and turne thy anger, not vpon his executioners, but on thy owne foule sinnes.

THE EIGHTH MEDITATION. Hovv our Sauiour is crovvned vvith Thornes.

1. COnsider first, the vnsatiable fury of these ministers of hell: one vvould haue thought the past scourging a sufficient punishment for innocency: but now they vvill crowne him for King forsooth; neuer vvas a cruelty so barbarous heard of: they hale him into the Praetorium, the Pallace, or Court of Audience, Conuocant totam cohortem; they call together the vvhole band; violently strip him againe of all his clothes; set him on a bench or stoole; throw about him some purple ragge; twist a wreath of long, hard and sharpe thornes; clap it on his sacred head; put in his hand for scepter

a cane or reed; bow their knees before him with a scornefull, Aue Rex Iudaeorum, Egredi∣mini filiae Sion; Haile King of the levves Goe fortth ye daughters of Sion. all Christian soules; Et vi∣••dete Regem vestrum in diademate, quo coronauit eum mater sua, and see your King in the Diademe vvhervvith his mother, that is the Synagogue, In die desponsationis suae, hath crovvned him in the day of his despousing, with his Spouse the Church. But, vvhat can vvee first admire? what first lament? the Deuills monstruous inhumani∣ty, or our Iesus his prodigious charity and pa∣tience? the ripping vp of his former vvounds? the renewing of his nakednes? the piercing of the pointed thornes into the middle of his brai∣nes? or the scoffes, ieeres and shouts, vvith vvhich they treated him? let euery one conceiue and bewaile, what he can, and yet all together shall neuer reach vnto the thou sandth part of vvhat here passed.

Conclude as thou hopest one day to see him in his glorie, and to adore him there vvith the foure and twenty Seniours, not to forsake or neglect him now: accompany him vvith com∣passion and imitation; be not one of those, Qui regnare cum Christo volunt, non pati: who would reigne, but not suffer vvith Christ: but heare S. Bernard; Non decet sub spinato capite membra esse mollia & delicata: Soft and delicate members becomes not a head, crovvned vvith thorness: suf∣fer as he doth, if thou meane or hope to reigne with him.

2. Consider secondly at leasure, and imprint in thy soule the image and Idea of thy dearest Lord, seated on this throne of scorne; and see, vvhether exceedeth in cruelty, his torment or ignominy: being placed on some bench or foot∣stoole amidst a vvhole troope of souldiers; his face full of shame and consusion; his eyes swim∣ming in teares for all the vvorld; an old ragged cloake ouer his shoulders, rubbing his green wounds, vvithout couering his nakednes from shame and colo; a crowne of piercing thornes on his head; guesse at this torment, by the touch of a pin or needle on the temples or sinews of thy head, if thou dare not pierce it deeper; a reed in his hand for scepter, vvith vvhich euer & anon they presse and beate downe the thornes into his head; Et percutiebant caput cius arundine; And they smote his head vvith a reede. Where∣vvith the bloud came trickling downe afresh on his face and neck: his enemies saluting him by turnes vvith scoffes, buffets & spitting againe in his face; vvhich before being more beautifull than the sunne, vvas now all bruised, bloudy, defiled vvith spit and durt: and he, his hands being tied, not able to vvipe or ease him selfe: vvhen thou hast viewed him vvell in this sort, then turne thy eyes vpward, and see how he sits in heauen Ad dexteram Patris, adorantibus An∣gelis; Adored by Angels at the right hand of his Father; and hauing compared these two ex∣tremes.

Conclude to adore him, loue and praise him,

as much here In Praetorio Pilati, In Palats pal∣lace, as there, In Palatio Caeli; in the court of heauen; for, Quantò pro me vilior, tantò mihi charior. The more vile he hath made him∣selfe appeare for me, the dearer is he to me: Lend him also a few teares of compassion, lest thou proue more stony & vnhumane than these barbarous souldiers, or the furious Jewes.

3. Consider thirdly, how Pilate, confident now that the rage of the Iewes would be al∣layed; and their malice glutted at such a specta∣cle, led him forth by the hand as he vvas, and from some eminent place shewing him to the people sayd, Ecce homo; behold the man, you so much feared vvould rise vvith the Kingdome, trouble and captiuate you all: feare him no more for such, but rather take pity of him, as of a man of your owne country, flesh and bloud. But they; Crucifige, crucifige eum: Crucifie, cru∣cifie him: ô cry of hellish fiends and not of men! Take him you, quoth Pilate, and crucifie him; Ego enim non inuenio in eo causam: For I find noe cause in him: Wherefore say and doe, vvhat you vvill, I am resolued to set him free: vvhereat they cryed out vvith open throats; Si hunc dimit∣tis, non es amicus Caesaris. If thou release this man thou art not Caesars friend. What now poore Pi∣late? vvhat vvilt thou novv doe? if thou free the most innocent Sonne of God, thou shalt be no more Cesar's friend vvho can conceiue some∣vvhat of that griefe, vvhich pierced the heart of our dear est Sauiour, to see himselfe so banded

against by his ovvne but most obdurate & vvret∣chedly vngratefull people? hovv he pleaded also vnto them his Ecce homo; loe the man; promised and sent vnto them by his Eternall Father, to re∣deeme and teach them the vvay to saluation: he vvho hath done so many miracles, cured all their diseased, and preached vnto them the vvord of life &c.

Conclude thou also vvith tvvo Ecce homo's; loe the man's; the one to God the Father, repre∣senting vnto him this his disfigured Sonne, that looking fast vpon his passion and merits, he may vievv thee vvith mercy: the other to thy afflicted Sauiour, that for the sad case, his loue hath put him in, he vvill looke vpon thy vveak∣nes cure thy vvounds made by sinne, and giue thee strength to imitate his sufferings: take heed of a Ievvish obduratenesse; take heed, thy sinnes cry not against him a nevv Crucifige, Cru∣cifie him.

THE NINTH MEDITATION. Hovv our Sauiour is sentenced to death, and carrieth his Crosse.

1. COnsider first, hovv Pilate ouercome at length vvith the vvearilesse importunity of the Ievves, and vvith the feare of losing the sauour of his Prince, placed himself in the iud∣gement seat; and yet euen there his conscience accusing him, made one weake reply more,

saying; Ecce Rex vester; loe your King. But they no way relenting; Tolle; tolle, crucifige dum: Re∣gem vestrum crucifigam? Non habemus Regem ni∣si Caesarem. Avvay vith him: shall I crucifie your King? vve haue no King but Caesar. Then Pilate calling for water, and washing his hands before all the people, made this last protestation for himselfe and the innocency of Christ: Inno∣cens ego sum à sanguine iusti huius; vos videritis: I am innocent of the bloud of this iust man; looke you to it: But they, ô blind and desperate nation! tooke this dread curse vpon themselves & their children yet vnborne: Sanguis eius, super nos & super filios. nostros. His bloud be vpon vs, & vpon our children. Then Pilate pronounced sentence, by vvhich he set Barabbas free, Iesum verò tra∣didit voluntati eorum, vt crucifigeretur: but de∣liuered Iesus to the vvill of them to be crucified; in this one act committing two most foule in∣iustices; the one in setting a thiefe and murderer at liberty, the other in condemning vvhom he and all the vvorld know to be most innocent, & also a great cruelty, in deliuering him to the will and pleasure of his bitter enemies, vvho, you may be sure, reioyced and exulted not a little thereat. But ô see thy Sauiour vvith vvhat humi∣lity, charity and silence he heareth and receiueth this sentence, as most necessary, as most iust; not from Pilate, but aboue from the decree & plea∣sure of his Eternall Father.

Conclude vvith humble thankes to thy sweetest Iesus for this sentence; which as it freed

Barabbas then from a temporall death, so it freed all mankind from an eternall one: inuoke this his bloud also vpon thy soule, not to thy condemnation, but to free it from the sentence of eternall death, so oft incurred.

2. Consider secondly, how this sentence vvas as cruelly put in execution, as pronounced: for presently Barabbas vvas set at liberty; and a most heauy Crosse of some fifteen foot long, vvith greatnes proportionable to beare a man, vvas layed on the shoulders of our dearest Sa∣uiour, vvith two theeues more to keep him company. OB. Iesus, vvhat is this familiarity & affinitie, thou hast vvith theeues? a thiefe sold and betrayed thee; as to a thiefe they came vvith clubs to take thee; à famous thiefe was put in ballance with thee, nay and preferred before thee: now two theeues accompany thee, and are to hang by thee; Et cum iniquis deputatus est, And vvith the vvicked he vvas reputed. Come all deuout soules, and view vvith attention this procession or last progresse of your Redeemer and King of glory. A cryer leads the vvay pu∣blishing aloud the crimes, murders, treasons and blasphemies of this neuer heard of malefa∣ctour; and ô how truely? for Posuit super eum Deus iniquitates nostras: For God put vpon him our iniquities: then follow the vvhole band of souldiers to guard his person: next the hangmen vvith ropes, ladders; nailes, hammers &c. after goeth or rather creepeth our sacrifice. our Isaac, vvith a thiefe on each hand, all bruised, bloudy,

and torne, vvith a massy beame on his back, and a crowne of thornes on his head, dragging it forward step by step: his heauenly Abraham aboue him vvith the svvord of iustice and fire of charity ready to sacrifice him: lastly, round about him all the Psiests, Elders, Scribes & people cur∣sing, reuiling and scoffing at him; besides the multitude of all nations then at Ierusalem, as it is thought, aboue a hundred thousand.

Conclude to follovv also thy Sauiour this his last stage or Catastrophe: But seeke out the B. Virgin, S. John, and the other holy vvo∣men, to keep them company, vvith like af∣fections to theirs.

3. Consider thirdly, hovv our B. Sauiour ha∣uing vvith vnspeakable toile and torment, car∣ried his Crosse tovvards a mile through the streets, novv stumbling, novv falling, alvvayes groaning vnder the vveight, and staggering at the kickes and blovves they gaue him to hast him forvvard; at ledgth falleth flat dovvne, not able vvith all their haling, kicking and pulling, to rise any more, or cary it a foote further. O svvetest Iesus! vvhat shall a poore and sinfull soule say here vnto thee? Quaerens me sedisti, see∣king me thou hast a••t dovvne. Or rather, ceci∣disti lassus, redemisti crucem passus: vvearie thou hast falen, and by vndergoing the burden of the Crosse, thou hast redeemed vs: 'tis not the vveight of this peece of timber, that oppresseth thee, ô no, thou sustainest the vvhole vvorld vvith thy litle finger; 'tis the vnsupportable vveight of

my sinnes, that lay thee so along: Quid faciam tibi ô custos hominum? vvhat shall I doe to thee, ô keeper of men? giue me thy Crosse, and I vvill carry it vvith Cyrenaeus after thee; Vel tollam crucem meam & sequar te, or I vvill take vp my Crosse and follovv thee, as thou hast comman∣ded me: in the meane time, I vvill accompany thee vvith my teares amongst those deuout vvomen, that followed thee, and to vvhom thou saydst; Filiae Ierusalem, nolite flere super me, sed super vos ipsas flete, & super filios vestros; quia si in viridi ligno hoc faciunt, in arido quid fiet? daughters of Hierusalem vveepe not vpon me, but vveepe vpon your selues, and vpon your children; for if in the greene vvood they doe these things, in the drie vvhat shall be done? If this body more fresh and green than the trees of Paradise, feele so much this nipping vvinde of persecution; how vvill your trunkes, dry and rotten vvith sinne, seele and endure the allscorching flames of hell?

Conclude to vveep and bewaile thy Sauiours, burden, that is, thy owne sinnes, and those of the vvhole vvorld; and take heed, how thou layest more vveight on his shoulders; but re∣solue rather to ease him, of vvhat he already beareth; that is, take vp his Crosse after him, and beare it for his sake, Quicumque te anga∣riauerit, aut tibi eam imposuerit; VVhosoeuer vvill force thee, or put it on thee; for to this onely end he hath laid it downe.

THE TENTH MEDITATION. Hovv our Sauiour is nailed on the Crosse.

1. COnsider first, how being'arriued at length at mount Caluary about mid∣day, in the case vvee may imagine; it seemes, that the malice and rancour of his enemies increased vvith his torments: for the first thing they doe, is, to mixe gall in the cup of vvine and myrrhe, vvhich vsually vvas giuen to comfort and hearten those, that vvere to dy: ô Tygers and not men? vvell did Moyses say of you: Uua eorum, vuafellis & botri amarissimt; fel draconum vinum eorum: their grape the grape of Gall, and the clusters most bitter; the gall of dragons their vvine: but vvhat did our mee∣kest Sauiour doe? Cùm gustasset, noluit bibere; vvhen he had tasted he vvould not drinke; that is, he tooke as much, as vvould torment his tast, tougue and palate, but vvould not vvithall receiue the comfort it might afford his vveake stomack: that is, to cure vs thoroughly, he would suffer in euery part purely vvithout ease to the rest. Next they violently strip him againe starke naked, Nam nudus pependit in ligno; for he hang naked on the crosse: ô vvho can expresse or conceiue the horror of this torment? his in∣ner garment vvas by this time congealed to his flesh and vvounds, and the crowne of thor∣nes vvas fast to his head, and intangled vvith his

bloudy and clotted haire: yet both are pulled off vvith mercilesse rage, and the crowne vvith no lesse clapt & pressed on a new: all his wounds are opened againe and bleed a fresh; the cold aire pierceth him thorough and thorough; and new shame before such a multitude confoun∣deth his diuine face: ô see him, vvhile the Crosse is preparing, falling on his knees vvith his ar∣mes crossed, and offering himselfe to his Eter∣nall Father In holocaustum vespertinum, an euen∣ing holocaust, to appease his wvrath against mankind &c.

Conclude to kneel downe by him, and make the same oblation: to drinke the bitter Chalice of his passion vvith him, vvhich thy sinnes haue made more bitter then gall: and to imitate his extreme pouerty and nakednes, not a ragge nor leafe of a tree to couer him.

2. Consider secondly, how the Crosse lying flat on the ground & all things in readines, they lay our dearest Redeemer stretched out vpon it; and first spreading out his vvearied armes, and driuing sharp and grosse iron nailes thorough the palmes of his hands, fasten them to the vvood; then pulling downe his leggs to the length, doe as much for his sacred feet; and all this, vvith such violent cruelty, that t'is thought vvith stretching and pulling, they mightily strained his vvhole body, and disioyn∣ted it in many parts; according to that, Fode∣runt manus meas & pedes meos, & dinumeraue∣runt omnia ossa mea. They haue digged my han∣des

and my feete they haue numbered all my bones. O Christian or any humane soule, vvhat can'st thou here thinke, say, or doe? did'st thou euer feele any nerue, sinew or veine contracted or pierced but vvith, a pin? or a bone, neuer so small; or ioynt displaced? or did'st thou euer see it in an other? tell me then, vvhat cries, vvhat shriekes, thou madest, vvhat restles paines and tortures thou suffered'st: and what vvere all that to this torment of thy Sauiour; vvhose hands and feet, vvhere all the sinews, veines, and bones concurre, are bored thorough vvith nailes of a finger thick? ô view it vvell, if thine eyes vvill giue thee leaue; thinke on it, if the affright di∣stract thee not. Runne to thy bleeding Sauiour, vvho calleth on thee vvith these vvords: Surge, & veni amica mea, speciosa mea, columba mea, in foraminibus petrae, in cauerna maceria; lectus no∣ster floridns, arise, and come my friend, my beau∣tifull one, my doue, in the holes of the rock, in the holovv places of the vvall, our bed is slorishing, vvith the red bloud that vvaters this bed of my Crosse &c.

Conclude to make good vse of this occasion; enter into these caues of the rock, that are open∣ed for thee; and shelter thy selfé here, vvhenso∣euer the storme of temptation shall inuade thee; chouse this Crosse for thy bed, pillow, or couch to rest thy wearied soule on.

3. Consider thirdly, how hauing fast nailed him on the Crosse they begin vvith forkes, hal∣berds and ropes to raise him in the aire: ô vvhat

shouts, cries & blasphemies made his enemies, vvhen he appeared ouer the peoples heads? but vvhat affrights, sighs and teares ouer vvhelmed his dearest Mother & other deuout friends? At length, they let the foot of the Crosse fall into the hole made for it, and so fasten it straight vp in the aire: Et sicut Moyses exaltauit serpentem in deserto, ita exaltatus est filius hominis & filius Dei in Caluario: And as Moyses exalted the ser∣pent in the desert, soe hath the Sonne of man and Sonne of God bene exalted on Caluarie: but with such new torments, that all hitherto vvill seeme but trifles: his body now hangs poised in the aire, and it's vvhole vveight on his pierced hands and feet, vvith a new and continuall renting open of the said vvounds; vvith a horrour and trembling of his vvhole body, vvhich now is become the chiefe torment to it selfe. Et factus est sibimetipsi grauis. And he is become burdenous to himselfe. O now crucified & tormented Iesu, how doe all things conspire to thy torture? thy Father hath forsaken thee, thy mothers presen∣ce pierceth thy heart; thy enemies shouts ama∣ze thee; thou thy selfe, thy owne body doth most of all torment thee; Nec habes vbi caput reclines, nor hast thou vvhere to repose thy head. But vpon thornes; nec vbi manum aut pedem fi∣gas, nor vvhere to fasten thy hand, or foot, but on piercing nailes. O vos omnes qui sititis venite ad aquas, ô ye all that thirst, come ye to the vva∣ters, put your mouths to these foure riuers or conduits, vvhich streame from Paradise, Ad

irrigandam vniuersam terràm. To vvater all the earth. Runne and vvash your leaprie into snow in the bloud of the Lambe.

Conclude with all the compassion of thy sou∣le and teares of thy eyes; and vvish at least, that it lay in thy power any vvay to ease thy tormen∣ted Sauiour, or his afflicted mother; remember the hard & flinthy stones opened at his passion; and yet how many be there in the vvorld; and Christians too, that neuer drop one teare for him, or scarce thinke on him?

4. Consider fourthly, the infinite charity of our Sauiour, and no lesse malice of his enemies; he amidst his torments cryes out; Pater, dimitte illis, quia nesciunt quid faciunt; Father forgiue them, for they knovv not vvhat they doe; they grin and shake their heads at him, Vah qui do∣struis templum Dei; salua te ipsum; si filius Dei es, descende de Cruce; Vah thou that destroyeth the temple of God; saue thine ovvne selfe, if thou be the Sonne of God, come dovvne from the crosse; and this not onely the souldiers and common people, Sed & Principes Sacerdotum illudentes cum Scibis & Senioribus dicebant, alios saluos fe∣cit, seipsum non potest saluum facere; si Rex Israel est, descendat nunc de Cruce & credimus &c. id∣ipsum autem & latrones, qui crucifixi erant cum eo, improperabant ei: In the like manner allsoe the cheife Priestes vvith the Scribes and auncients mocking said, he saued others; him ••elfe he can not saue; if he be the King of Israel, let him novv come dovvne from the crosse and vve vvill beleeue &c.

and the selfe-same thing the theeues alsoe that vvere crucified vvith him, reproched him vvi∣thall: this is the musicke of our Salomons bed chamber In die despensationis eiu?. In the day of his despousing. Obserue notwithstanding and reioyce to see how in despight of all, his Eter∣nall Father proclaimes him for the true Messias, and the King of those very Iewes, that murder him; by causing Pilate to put ouer his head in three languages, that all nations might read & know it, this his title; IESVS NAZA∣RENVS REX IVDEORVM; IESVS OF. NAZARETH THE KING OF THE IEVVES. neither, doe they what they could, vvould he alter a letter of it. Againe nature by her sufferance acknowledgeth him for her soue∣raigne Lord and God; and in token of her griefe to see him so treated by man, breaketh open her bowells, renteth her hardest rocks a sunder, & hideth her face in a darke Eclipse for three houres space; the religious Temple also ren∣teth her sacred vaile from top to bottom, not able to beare the horrid sacriledge, nor heare the fearefull blasphemies, that her owne Priests committed and powred out, against her God, her manna and Arke of her Testament.

Conclude to ioyne vvith the Angells of hea∣uen in thy Sauiours prayses, vvhilst his ene∣mies curse and scoffe him: and in mourning with dame nature, and all good soules whilst his enemies exalt and reioyce at their imagi∣ned victorie ouer him.

These follovving must begin to be read on Saterday night the Eue of Passion Sunday.