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 Early English books online text creation partnership. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A07957) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 13358) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 324:10) Our Ladie hath a new sonne C. N., fl. 1595. [20], 80, [4] p. By the English secret press] Cum preuilegio, Printed at Dowaie [i.e. England : 1595. "To the reader" signed: C.N. The imprint is false; in fact printed in England by the secret press (STC). Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. eng John, -- the Apostle, Saint. eebo Our Ladie hath a new sonne. C. N., 1595 104 16275 3 0 0 0 0 0 1.84 B The rate of 1.84 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2013-04 Assigned for keying and markup 2013-04 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2013-06 Sampled and proofread 2013-06 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2014-03 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

OVR LADIE HATH A NEW SONNE .

APOCALIP . 3.

I will write my new name on him which shall ouercome .

PRINTED AT DOWAIE . CVM PREVILEGIO . 1595.

TO THE RIGHT VERtuous as Honourable Ladie , the Ladie M. C. A. health and encrease of Honour .

RAchell , a. a. Gen. 30.35 . the wife of Israell , had two sonnes , Ioseph , and Beniamin , b. b. Iohn . 19. Mary the spouse , not of Israell , that is of one which see God , but of God himselfe had likewise two Sons , Iesus and Iohn : the Mother of the first was a figure of the last Mother , and their Children not vnfitly to bee compared together .

Rachell signifieth a sheepe , and Marie c. c. Iohn . 1. broght a Lamb into the world , a Lambe which tooke away the sinnes of the world .

Ioseph the first begotten of Rachell , because of his dreames , which signified a superiority hee should haue ouer all his bretheren , grew so odious vnto them , that they sought opportunitie to kill him , and in the end was sold to the Egiptians for thirty pence by Iudas .

Iesus the first begotten of Mary , because the Iewes feared hee should be King ouer them , being mightie not in dreames , a. a. Luk. 24 but in worke and worde , became so much hated amongst them , although he were a Iew borne , & one of their brethren , that they thought it long vntil they crucified him : but he was first sold b. b. Mat. 26 by a Iudas also for 30 pence , yet did they no more preuaile in preuenting what they feared in him , them did Ioseph his brethren , c. c. Gen. 44. who afterward were forced to bow vnto him , for hee had as glorious a name , & did more worthely deserue it , than did Ioseph , d. d. Gen. 41 who was accounted and so called by the Egiptians : . The Sauiour of the world . a. a. Gen. 35. Beniamin the sccond sonne of Rachell , when his Mother was to be deliuered of him came with such defficulty into the world , that it was thought neyther shee coulde haue liued to haue beene disburdned , nor hee likelier to bee borne to breath , than to bee buried , in so much that beeing in the middest of her panges of death , shee called his name Benoin , which is as much to say , as the son of my sorrow . But with what great sorow our . b. b. Mark . 1. bless . Lady trauailed when she was to be deliuered of Ioh. it shall appeare in the discourse following , where the danger was not onely of the life of the mother & a sonne , but of life it selfe , which liuing as gratiously gaue euery one their life , as dying redemed gloriously each one from death , that had not Iohn been verie filty named before his birth , his Mother might haue rightly called him Benoin , and vppon greater cause then Rachell called hers .

His name was Iohn , and so it remaineth still . Iohn that is to say , to whom is giuen , & nothing named what is giuen : we are to vnderstande some excellent gift , the like whereof was neither before nor since giuen to any man . a. a. Iohn . 19. God gaue himselfe to our blessed Lady , and then gaue her to Iohn , and by this gift of her to him , & him againe to her by the sonne of God , is he borne a new into this world , and made our Lady her sonne .

This birth of Saint Iohn , together with his breeding I present vnto you , and rather this than anie other thing of his life , because it seemeth a matter touching most his honour , and a dignitie much passing all his titles , to bee the sonne of her , who only was thought meete and was the Mother of God .

His conception I suppose was at his mariage in Cana of Galile , Iohn . 2 and a. a. Iohn . 19 his birth at Christ his Passion vppon the mount Caluarie , the best of both which places , were an homely presence for any Honourable personage , but since that GOD himselfe made his choice of b. b. Luk. 1. a Carpenters spouse , to set vp the frame of his owne most blessed body , right well may it beseeme one of what dignitie soeuer to bee present at the labour of a poore Carpenter .

Presuming therefore of your vsuall fauoring good endeuours , whose outward actions , as well as inward intentions neuer sauored any other . I will vse no further perswations to forward a gratious acceptance of a slender trauaile in so worthy a labor , and forbeare to hold you with anie longer preface .

TO THE READER .

IF that may worthelie be iudged true , which is not onely discouered by common practise ; but also disfigured by holy Scripture , that where a mans treasure doth lie , Luke . 12. there his heart doth liue : this treatise it selfe will dispose the vertuous to a fauorable censure , and a friendly construction of whatsoeuer shall eyther sound harsh in the eare , or seeme hard in the History : But bycause that some tooched with a superfluous deuotion do seeme to doubt , and other troubled with a spirit of contradiction doe sloutlie denay that in the mariage mentioned in the Gospell a. a. Iohn . 2 the Euangelist himselfe was the bridegroome , I haue made choice of a late writer , but very learned , who is no lesse pregnant in giuing antiquities , then curious in recording them , one aduersarie so mightie , as hee hauing the mate , all the rest may rest mute .

Caesar Baronius the light of this , Lib. 1. pag. 121. and life of former ages , in his Eeclesiasticall Historie is of opinion , that in that famous mariage in Cana of Galile Saint Iohn the Euangelist was not the bridegroome : which first confirmeth with the authoritie of a. a. Epist. ad Philan. S. Ignatius , b. b. lib. 1. aduer. Ioui . S. Hierome , c. c. tract . vlt. in Ioa. S. Augustine , d. d. in vita . 5 Ioa. Abdias , and e. e. Heres. 58 Epiphanius : Secondly with this reason , that doubtlesse neyther Iouinian would haue forgotten that S. Iohn was maried , nor the Manichees conceale that Christ called him from mariage , who vrged the example of S. Paul and Tecla : eyther of them hauing by this somewhat to say for themselues , the one against Virginitie , the other against the Sacrament of mariage .

But vnder correction of so worthie an Antiquarie , neither doth S. Ignatius say otherwise , then that S. Iohn a. a. Non de . dit operam nuptiis . did not giue himselfe to mariage as S. Peter did , ( which no man affirmeth ) nor S. Hierome , then that it cannot bee prooued out of the Scriptures , that any of the Apostles were maried but Peter , ( which no man denyeth ) nor saint August . then that others thought that saint Iohn was neuer maried , which he saith cannot be proued out of the Scripture , although it may be somewhat confirmed by this congruence , that by him that life is signified , where shal be no mariage ; but if we shall say , Apocalip. 19.21 . that the Scriptures doe mention a mariage of the Lambe , and how that euery blessed soule shal be espoused vnto Christ , that life may much better bee perfigured in Iohn beeing maried , and remaining chast , then if hee were not maried . As for Abdias , if his authoritie be to be reckoned of , hee saith only that Saint Iohn woulde haue maried , and Saint Epiphanius that he did not marrie , for the better vnderstanding of whom , we are to consider a custome which was among the Iewes for their mariages .

When a couple were to be maried , a solemne meeting was made of their friendes , before whome the names of the couple were taken , & the maiden afterward caried backe to her Parents house , where she remained vntill the mariage shoulde be perfected : During which time they were accounted as man and wife , in so much as if the woman did offend with any man , shee was punished not as a fornicatrix , but as an adultres . Thus writeth a. a. Lib. de special . legis . Philo the Iew vppon his commandement : Thou shalt not commit Adultrie . In this sort was our B. Ladie married , who is said to haue an husband at the Incarnation of our Sauiour , & as yet was in her Parents house , from Ioseph as may appeare in the text of the b. b. Mat. 1. Gospell , vpon which place Origine in an Homilie , & S. Hierome in his Commentarie call her Iosephs wife which shal be . c. c. Vxoris futurae . By this custome , and example we see that diuerse men may speak diuersly of the same matter , & no contradiction betweene them , but in words only , for so doth S. Epiphanius , say that S. Iohn did not marry in respect that Christ altered his minde from that course of life , before that he & his spouse were ech in others possession .

So doth Abdias say only that S. Iohn would haue maried , had not Christ called him from that kinde of life . So dooth saint Hierome say both a. a. Prolog . in Apoca. that hee woulde haue maried , and b. b. ●●●th . 1. adued . Ioui . that hee was an husband .

As for Iouinian , and the Maniches , they coulde not but see that this example did rather confute , than confirme their opinions , and therfore they had little cause to remember it , for here both virginitie was preferred before mariage , and mariage notwithstanding allowed to be good , both by our Sauiour his presence , and by that which hee did at the mariage , howsoeuer the Maniches cauiled at that fact of saint Paul with Thecla .

b. b. Lib. 8. hist. eccle. cap. 30 Nicephorus might breede a scrouple , when describing Queene Helens visitation of the holy land , hee saith , that in this mariage S. Simon the Apostle was the bridegroome , but that vndertaking to certifie vs in a. a. Lib. 2. cap. 44. an other place , who of the Apostles were maried , he neuer nameth saint Simon , but rather leaueth some cause to thinke that S. Iohn was maried : yet doth b. b. pag. 121 Caesar Baronius encline vnto him , against whome ( to omit what he alleaged against vs ) is his owne opinion , that verie probablie in this mariage some kinsman of Christ was the bridegroome , and no man euer said that S. Simon was our Lords kinsman , but such as vppon errour tooke saint Simon the Apostle to be saint Simon , who succeeded saint Iames at Hierusalem .

How much more plainly & constantly doe they write , who say that saint Iohn was maried , or woulde haue maried ? both which phrases may be vsed indifferently of those , whose names were taken at the solemne meeting of their friendes , as is shewed before by Phylo the Iew , and the example of our blessed Ladie .

Abdias and Saint Hierome are before cyted a. a. Prolog●● in Ioan. Saint Augustine saith , that Christ called him from the troublesome state of mariage , Saint Bede vppon those words follow thou me , Ioan. 21. saith that Histories do mention that Saint Iohn would haue married , and thereupon concludeth , that because Christ withdrewe him from a Carnall delight , he recompeased him with the greater sweetnes of his loue . b. b. Lib. 3. lit . cap. 25. lib 4. lit. 15 cap. 38. Saint Anthonie is of opinion that this was his mariage . c. c. duica . 2. post Epi. Roiard also and Ierus vppon those wordes d. d. Iohn . 19 Behold thy Mother , among the thinges which Saint Iohn forsooke to follow Christ reckoneth his wife Ludolphus & S. Bonauenture vppon the life of Christ . a. a. Lib. 2. diol , cap. 12. Alane Cope cyteth Metaphrastes and S. Bede , and Lyra vppon the second Chap of Saint Iohn saith , it was the common opinion of all men , & that herevppon it was practised throughout all the world ; that any ( although married ) might leaue their spouse , before their mariage were consummated , without farther leaue , to betake themselues to a chaste life .

Many coniectures might also be made , why this shuld be thought Saint Iohns mariage as first because our blessed Lady was present , and as a coadiutrix : Secondly because Christ manifesting himselfe here first to the world by miracle , and making his Disciples thereby beleeue in him , no other Euangelist would mention a thing so worthie to be recorded : Thirdly because it was most meet that a virgin a wife should be committed to a virgin a husband in keeping : Iohn . 2.19 Fourthly , S. Iohn only making mention as well of this mariage , as also of his committing to our Lady and hers to him , we are to think that he would giue vs to vnderstand , that some great misterie was begun at the one and finished at the other , as both a. a. Prolog . in Ioa. S , Augustine and b. b. Prolog in Apocal. Sa. Hierome compare them together : but for breuities sake these , and other are omitted , & the discourse committed to the iudgment of the indifferent .

C. N.
Faults escaped in the Authors absence , by reason they wer not perfect in the English tongue .
In the Epistle Dedicatorie .

For Benoin read Benoni .

In the Epistle to the Reader .

Page 1. and line 4. for disfigured , reade adisciphered , and in the 21 line , for giuing 2. ntiquities , read prouing antiquities .

P. and 11. line , first confirmeth , read first he confirmeth .

in the note for ad Philan , read ad Philad ,

5. p. and third line , vppon his commandement , read vpon this commandement .

7. p. and is line , for Simion read Simeon .

8. p. and 19 line , for Antonie read Antonine .

Lib. 3. lit . cap. 25. read Lib. 3. Tit. 1. cap. 15. in the 11. line for Ierus read Ferus .

In the discourse .

5. p. for wert bidden , read art bidden .

7. p. and 13. line for expresse them , reade , oppresse thee .

10. p. and 14. line , for no men but , reade , no men , what then but ,

15. p. and 18. line , for nursed thee with read nursed thee , with .

heauines , she fled read beauines she fled .

18. p. and 23. his flight , read his slight ?

e 19. p. and 14 line for whether shall I end ad where shall I end .

b 23. p. and the leaueth line , for wicked argaine , read wicked bargaine ?

26 p , and 7 , line for that therby they , read that they .

27. p. and 17 line for die yee shall , reade die he shall

28 and 9. line gaue him read giue him .

29 22 for lightning read lighting ,

31. p : and 5 line for yeeldeth hee read yet yeldeth he , forced and constrained , reade constrained .

33 p. and the 13 line for profits read profiteth .

34 p , and 6 , line for if one offence , reade is one offence ,

36 p. and 2. line no other death , reade no death ,

38 and the 2 , line for game read gaine ,

49 p , and 1 line for great shame , reade with so great shame ,

52 , p and 2 , line for acquite he , read acquite him , he for although the reade as though the , for of them as read of , then as for called from the earth , read exalten from the earth ,

61 p , and 4 line for meane ey the , reade meane by the , for durest not , read dooest not , for or other wise she , reade as otherwise she .

69 pa , and ● , line for all God , read all good ,

72 p , and 12 line , for my walkes , reade my walles .

73 p , and 23 line , for a eteranall reade an eternall ,

78 p. and 20 line for that he had , reade that she had .

OVR LADY HATH A NEW SONNE .

THere was a mariage made in Cana of Galile , Iohn . 2. and the Mother of Iesus was there , & Iesus also was called and his Disciples to the mariage , where eyther in respect of the miracle wrought in turning water into wine , or by especiall inspiration , an inuisible conuersion of a married man into a vowed Maiden , Saint Iohn began to follow Christ , forsaking his Spouse , and deuote himselfe wholly to his loue and seruice .

He was then priuately taught by the Holy Ghost , that which was afterward publiquely preached by Saint Paul , 1. Cor. 7. he that is without a wife is carefull for the thinges which pertaine to our Lord : but he which is with a wife is carefull for the thinges which pertaine to the world , how hee may please his wife , and he is deuided .

Yet that we should vnderstand howe lawfull and Honourable a state mariage is , not onely Christ , but his Mother also , and his Disciples were present , that such as comming after condemned it as a thing deuised by the deuil , shuld by this act of his be more easilie suppressed .

They eate , they drinke , they are merrie and spend their time pleasantly & no man wondereth : a. a. Math. 9. for neither can the Children of the Spouse , so long as hee is with them mourne , nor as yet the day is come wherein his absence shall cause them to fast , neuerthelesse they haue some want of wine .

But how hapneth it sweet Lord that where thou wert , there was want ? Can hee which a. a. Prou. 8. findeth thee , findeth life , and yet want such thinges as are necessarie for the maintenance of his life ? or canst thou bee present and suffer that there should he want ? In b. b. Math. 15. desartes thou canst finde enough to satisfie thousandes , here are but few at this mariage , and yet there is great want .

True it is that the wine failed , but the guests fainted not : there was want but they felt it not : because that Christ was present to supply their want . If they would haue drunke water , there could not haue bin any want , for there was c. c. Cantic . 4 a Well standing by them full of waters of life : but they desired wine d. d. Ephe. 5 in which is lust , & therefore although that Christ were present they had what to want : yea therefore they wanted wine , because that hee was present .

But since that at the solemnizing of mariages , nothing is more intended than mirth , a. a. Psa. 103. & mirth is most procured by wine , no wonder if here be complaint of want , since that they haue no wine .

O Iohn ! what did you when you inuited Christ vnto your mariage and his mother ? you promised them a feast , & were not able to giue them to drinke . Thirst afflicteth him more than hunger , & his Mother telleth him there is no wine . b. b. Iohn . 4. So hee sate panting on the side of the Well , saying : Woman giue me to drinke . c. c. Iohn . 19. So he hung fainting on the wood of the Crosse crying out I thirst , and what neede soeuer now hee shoulde haue had there is no wine .

But ( O most louing LORD ) who is able to feaste thee without thee ? If thou make not the Feaste thy selfe to which thou wert bidden , thou shalt haue but simple entertainment : But pardon this boldnesse of thy Disciple , whose hart his loue to thee and to thy Mother did so occupie that hee minded not his mariage , and hauing himselfe wheron to feede and quench his thirst , hee attended not to satisfie others appetites . Hee had drunke wine with milke , for hee was as yet a little one : hee had harkned vnto thy voice , and followed thyne aduice . a. a. Cantic . 5 Eate my friendes and drinke and bee ouercome my dearest beloued : Yet did hee so follow thy counsell in this , that hee forgat not thine admonition giuen at an other time , b. b. Isai. 29. be drunk but not with wine , be moooued and not with drunkennes , for behold thy Mother sayth , they haue no wine . Iohn . 2.

O Mary ! what neede is there of any wine ? are not thy breastes better than wine ? If wine be desired for the excellencie of the colour , and beautie thereof , d. d. Canti. 4. thy breastes are fayrer than anie wine . If wine be wished for the plesant odour it hath a. a. Cant. 1. the sent of thy breastes is more fragrant than the most precious & costly Oyntments . If wine be thirsted after for anye strength it giueth to them which drinke it , b. b. Cant. 1. thy breastes are better than any wine : which gaue strength not to man onely , but vnto God himselfe , and who so knowing whome thy breastes haue nourished , should seeke to fill themselues with wine , they are vnworthy to bee beholding vnto him , which longed so much to enioy the pleasure of them , that being a most mighty King , hee became in manner a begger , and hauing giuen to euery thing their beeing , c. c. Phil. 2. made himselfe almost nothing , feeling neyther want of wine , nor of any thing else , when hee founde himselfe sucking at them , yet findest thou a want because there is no wine .

O Mary ! why doest thou desire that there should bee more wine ? Knowest thou not that when that vine is ripe and readie to be gathered , which saide of it selfe . a. a. Ioan. 15. I am the true vine , thy sorrowes wil expres them , of which also thine exceeding great woe wil threaten an end , b. b. Luke , 2. & a sword of griefe shall pierce thy soule , and commest thou to thy son to complaine that there is want of wine ? What hast ( Mother of pitty ) what hast of thy son his death ? he is only the vine of which wee must hope for wine , after which wee shall neuer thirst againe : wherefore in demaunding a full supplie of wine , what askest thou els but thy sonne his death ?

Was it agreed vppon betwixt thee and Iohn , that if thy Sonne would die thou shouldest adopt Iohn to thy sonne , and therefore commest in such haste to thyne owne sonne , saying , they haue no wine ?

Surelye thou gauest heere a pledge of more Motherlie loue to Iohn than to thine own sonne , and a. a. Iohn . 19. at thy sonne his death wee see that Iohn became thy Sonne , what reason els had thy sonne to giue thee so shorte an answere , as to say : Iohn . 2. Woman what haue I to doe with thee ? Why did hee not call thee Mother , but that thy speech did bewray thy desire to chaunge thy sonne ?

If thy Mother ( most sweete Lord ) had any such vnnaturall meaning toward thee , that loue aboue nature which made thee intend an act so much vnworthy thy person , made her also forget her selfe : Loth I dare boldly say she was to part with thee , but her excessiue charitie preferred a common profit , before her priuate comfort , and b. b. Luk. 2. shee remembred when shee lost the last , in three dayes she found thee againe , and in hope of like good hap shee is the more willing to parte with thee , and because thy selfe hast so appointed it .

If none had loued Iohn but Mary , some cause might haue bin demanded of that loue , but since that hee was the Disciple whose name was to be a. a. Iohn . 21. whom Iesus loued , what wonder sweet Lord if thy Mother loued him ? it is a motiue good and sufficient , able to abide any triall .

Againe if likenes causeth loue , great reason had shee to make account of Iohn : Shee loued thee who wert b. b. Iohn . 1. a God , a Man , c. c. Math. 1. her Son . What shall we say of Iohn ? If we say he was a man , wee say that which wee say of many : If we say he was a God , we shall say that which we say of few but vpon thine owne warrant : who after thou haddest asked of thine Apostles what men did say of thee , did dest then demaund of them d. d. Mat. 16. but what say yee of mee ? as who would say they were no men but Gods ? but if we say of Iohn that he is Maries son , we shall say that of him , which we cannot say of any els but thee , and in this respect thy Mother thought shee might iustly loue him aboue all creatures next vnto thee : wherefore seeing him abashed for the want of wine at his mariage , and knowing thee to bee as willing to doe what shee would haue thee doe , being her son , as able to performe what shee could wish , because thou wert also God , shee said vnto thee , they haue no wine .

O Mary ! where diddest thou first become so cunning a beggar ? thou diddest earnestly desire that there should be more wine , and why diddest thou not demaund it ? If thy loue were such vnto thy Cosen as he did deserue , or thy compassion for the want so great as it seemed , why didst thou not demaund some wine ? If thy confidence in thy son were such as it might haue beene , or if thy sonne his obedience to thee were such as a. a. Luk. 2. it is said to haue bin , why diddest thou not commaund some wine ?

O paterne of humilitie ! O example of rare vertue ! thou wert contented rather to expect somwhat what that thy sonne would , then to giue the aduenture to bee denayed , what he should not think meet at that time to be graunted , and therefore wouldest goe no farther than to shewe their want , and saidst : They haue no wine .

b. b. Iohn . 2. And Iesus saith vnto her , woman what haue I to doe with thee ?

O most sweete Lord what answere is this ? she is thy Mother , & sayest thou vnto her , what haue I to doe with thee ? Was it thy custome c. c. Mark . 10. by whome wee are commanded to honour our Parents , to giue thy Mother such sharpe answers ? wee haue not heard of much communication betwixt thee and her , and yet that little which hath bin , hath bin very bitter .

When thou wert lost in the Temple , she asked thee after that she found thee : a. a. Luke . 2. Sonne why hast thou so done vnto vs , thy father and I sorrowing did seeke thee , & thou gauest her this anuswere : why sought yee me ?

b. b. Math. 12. Againe beeing told that thy mother and brethren were without seeking thee , thou didst aske , who was thy Mother & thy brethren , adding moreouer , that who so should doe the will of thy Father which is in Heauen , hee was thy brother , thy sister , and thy mother .

But what encouragement was this to those which heard thee , to doe the will of thy Father , when they see the little reckoning thou madest of her which was thy mother , and of thy bretheren that they were vnworthy eyther to come into thee , or that thou shouldest goe forth to them ?

At thy death also diddest thou not after a sort denay thy Mother when thou saidst vnto her & her company , a. a. Luke . 23. Weepe not on me , but weepe on your selues , and on your Children : If thou diddest take her to be thy Mother , how could she weepe on her Children , and not weepe on thee ?

Surely O Lord these speeches were very straunge , considering what a dutifull sonne thou wert said to be , but aboue all , this answere . Woman what haue I to do with thee ? seemeth intollerable . Heauen & earth doe witnes that she is thy mother , and askest thou of her , Woman what haue I to doe with thee ? wherfore should the Holy Ghost come downe vpon her , & the power of the most high ouershadow her , if that holy one which should be borne of her , should not be called the Son of God , and doest thou aske of her , what haue I to doe with thee ? b. b. Math. 13 All the earth doth witnes thou wert the Carpenters sonne , and askest thou of her , what haue I to doe with thee ?

Diddest thou not thy selfe solicite her a. a. Luke . 1. by thine Angell Gabriell to be her sonne , and she humblie entertained thy messenger , granting thee thy sute , wherevpon thou haddest all that thy heart could desire , & askest thou nowe of her , what haue I to doe with thee ?

She bare thee nine monthes in her wombe , she brought thee into this world , shee carefully nursed thee with great sorrowe and heauines , b. b. Math. 2. she fled into Egipt to saue thy life , and now for a requitall doost thou aske her , Woman what haue I to doe with thee ?

What businesse haddest thou most louing Lord , that thou couldest finde nothing to do with thy Mother ? wert thou belike so earnest in thy Fathers affaires , that thou forgattest thy Mother ? surely thy minde was very much occupied , or els thou wouldest at the least haue remembred that she was thy mother , & not haue spoken vnto her as to a straunger , Woman what haue I to doe with thee ?

O Marie ! thou knowest not nowe , what thy sonne meaneth , but thou shalt know afterwarde , marke well that word woman , & when thou hearest it next attend what followeth .

He hath nowe partly resigned thee vp to Iohn in saying woman . but not wholy , for he hath not as yet added , Behold thy sonne : Hee foresaw what sorow thou wouldest suffer at his Passion , and therfore reserued this comfort vntill then , as a fresh reuiuing of thy dying spirits , Behold thy sonne . The time was not yet to commit thee to his custodie , because himselfe was yet with thee , and therefore as yet he said not behold thy sonne : but the time will come , when hee shall be taken away from thee , & then at this watch word , woman , behold thy sonne .

When therefore our Sauiour his houre was come , and that hee was to returne vnto his Father , our blessed Lady her time was also come that she should bee deliuered of her second sonne , where neyther she was priuiledged , aboue any other to bee deliuered without paine , nor Saint Iohn exempted from the ordinarie custome of Children , which no sooner beginne to looke into the worlde , then they bewaile their owne miserie , both of them being in those exceeding great panges , that no man could iustlye iudge , whether the mother was more likely to die in her trauaile , before her sonne was perfectly brought into the world , or the son yeelde vpp his Ghost in his Mothers wombe before hee shoulde bee borne .

The beginning of this grieuous trauaile was our Sauiours apprehension , when praying in the garden a. a. Math. 26 Iudas betraied him with a kisse , at what time Saint Iohn astonished ( beeing newlie awaked ) fled with the other Disciples , b. b. Mark . 14 leauing behinde him his sindon in the handes of the souldiers . But returning vnto himself , with what pittifull sighes & dolefull grones , bewailed hee hys flight .

Theeues , theeues , he cried out amaine , and the farther hee went the more he found , he eschewed the Souldiers and fell into the hands of their capitaines , he shunned Charibdis , and became in danger of Silla , whilst seeking to saue his bodie harmeles by flying from Iudas , hee put his Soule in hazard by forsaking his Master .

Ah vngratefull wretch that I am ( saith hee ) with what face or countenance shall I beholde my sweet Lord againe ? which waie shall I goe ? whether shall I run ? whether shall I end my shamefull flight ? more torment coulde I not haue suffered , if I had beene taken with my Master , and a great deale lesse shame I had sustained .

I remember my vocation a. a. Mat. 4. from the businesse of the world , to bee a diligent follower of my Lord I call to minde b. b. Mat. 17.26 . those priuiledges , which aboue the rest with Peter and Iames I did enioy , and also how aboue these , hee loued me so dearly that no longer since then this night at supper c. c. Iohn . 13. I rested in his bosome , and was bold to aske that which no other dared , and he vouchsafed mee an answere .

Had my sindon bin taken from me by the Souldiers of Iudas for such like cause d. d. Gen. 39. as Ioseph his garment was by the Egiptian harlot , mine action had bin Honorable : or if I had left it mounting aloft , as c. c. 4. Reg. 2. Elias left his cloak , my flight had bin glorious : but I left it to runne from the fountaine of puritie , and to forsake my Lord the King of heauen : for which being now attainted of sinne , for mine expected endles ioyes , I am in perrill of vnexpected endlesse griefe , and in place of a rewarde for fidelity , I am become subiect to perpetuall infamie .

Now the happinesse I had inioyed in loosing myselfe to finde my Lord , is too too well declared by the heauines I sustaine in loosing him to saue my selfe .

O Iudas ! haddest thou deliuered him to mee , much more had I giuen thee for him than any man els whosoeuer , and although none were so sacrilegious as the Iewes to buy that holye thing , which thou diddest set to sale , yet had I redeemed it , hadst thou brought it vnto me , & thou a greater gainer by the bargaine , rather would I haue satisfied thy couetous desire , and concealed thy malicious endeuour , then thou shouldest haue attempted this trecherous mischiefe , or entred into so bloody an action .

But thou fearedst to haue been staied for a thiefe , if to any of vnderstanding thou haddest offered that Iewell to be sold , and therefore thoughtest them meetest to possesse the Gemme , which hauing as corrupt minds as thy selfe , were as ready to be thy receiuers as thou to be their thiefe , which thou diddest manifestly declare , as wel in the price , as in the place , in the time , as in the manner of betraing : In a. a. Mat. 26. the price because thou soldest a Iewell not to be valued for a trifle : b. b. Mar. 14 In the place , because thou tookest him abroad , out of Cittie or towne : c. c. Iohn . 18. In the time because thou diddest betray him by night in the darke : d d Mar. 14 In the manner , because thou badst thy marchants lead him away warily .

Did thy conscience giue thee , that thou couldest not take too little for that , in which thou knowest thou haddest no part ? Diddest thou feare that in the open Cittie thy villanie shuld haue beene descried ? Didst thou so euilly in thine owne conceipt , that thou wroughtest in darkenes ? & was thy crafty malice so great , that warye leading away was iudged necessary for the conclusion of thy wicked bargaine .

But nowe alas my Master appeareth not . I whether shall I goe ? wandring alone a. a. Mark . 14 attired onely with teares , I shall bee as sorrowfull , as certaine a signe vnto his Mother , that the high Priests haue seased on him , for shee knoweth as well , that hee woulde bee no where of his owne appointment without me , as also that my sweetest beeing is in his bosome .

Some comfort may shee take to saue her life , whilst missing me shee may thinke her sonne is not cleane abandoned , and I cannot but be accessary to her death , if I should depriue her of it : returne therefore to her I will not , because I may not hurt her , to goe backe to him it booteth not , because I cannot help him , to liue without them it is impossible : If die then I must , the clubs of the souldiers will make a speedier dispatch than can the swords of sorrow : and although I should bee slaine by pressing into his presence , yet with his looke will hee reuine mee againe , and because liuing he loued me so dearely , too too ingratefull I were to forsake him now dying .

Thus resoluing rather to dye than to liue , whose life euer after was likely to prooue a death , hee followed his Master to Annas his house , from thence to Caiphas , & so from place to place , where when hee beheld with what crueltie his Lorde was entertained , his sorrowes grewe so great that they cannot be expressed , seeing a Lambe amongst Wolues ready to bee deuoured , an innocent among murderers , threatned to be killed , the Son of God among the diuels impes , adiudged to a shamefull death , hauing nowe an opportunitie as well to destroy the heyre , although they had no hope the inheritance should bee theirs , Math. 21. as also to reuenge themselues vpon God who was clothed with mans nature , and as it were , Iohn . 1. yeelded vp vnto their willes : for although they staggered , doubting whether he should die or no , as appeared by the message a. a. Mat. 27 done to Pilate from his wife , because they knewe thereby the saluation of the world should be wrought , yet was their mallice so extreame great against God , that they cared not what losse they shoulde sustaine afterward of men , so that thereby they might put GOD to a most cruell , and a painefull death .

He a. a. Iohn . 19. see him come in attired like a King , but vsed like a vassall ; hee see him weare a crowne vpon his heade , but to his paine ; hee see him haue a purple garment on his backe , but wherein to bee laughed at ; b. b. Mat. 27. he see him haue a Scepter in his hande , but for his head to beare a stroke therewith ; hee see him honoured with bowing of their knees , but all in scoffing wise , for by and by they vse him as before , and that which most afflicted Iohn c. c. Iohn . 19. no satisfaction woulde bee taken , where no offence was giuen , but a most shamefull death .

O cruell minded men ! ( saith hee ) is it so little yee haue done , that yee will neuer cease ? and whereas now ye seeme by death to giue an end to all his paine , it is too much against your wills , your intention was murder , and yee thinke it no murder , vnlesse yee doo some act , which of it selfe is murder . He liueth yet , but as one dying , and because he could sustaine no more and liue , vnmercifull pitty moued you to end his tormentes by a more cruell torture : Die ye saw he would , and die yee shall , yee all conclude , but with more paine , if too much paine before did not preuent all future paine .

Ye scorne that , which all the Court of heauen doth reuerence yee take disdalne where Angells take delight , a. a. Mark . 14. yee hide that face , which all the heauenly spirits desire to see : b. b. Mat. 27. ye strike that head , where is the Fountaine of all wisedome : c. c. Iohn . 19. yee bruse those cheekes , which neuer any worthely did kisse : d. d. Math. 27 yee defile that sauour , which is the beauty both of heauen and earth : yee gaue him a reede in his hand , whom all your stormie blastes could neuer moue : yee crowne him with thornes who crowneth all with glorie : yee cloath him in mockery , and strippe your selues of all humanitie : ye binde him straight with cordes , who giueth to all their liberty , not discerning a king from a vassall ; a sonne from a seruant ; a freeman from a slaue ; God himselfe from a pure and impure creature , and ( which I tremble to thinke on ) yee call for his blood vpon you and on your Children . Math. 27.

Yee haue had already more than ye can wel avouch the shedding thereof , and yet yee are not satisfied : Could euer any Tyger be more fierce , or Lyon greedier of his pray ? O men ! no men , but farre exceeding what euill could euer be deuised .

But beare with them a little , ( O Iohn ) they vnderstand perchance with what crueltie they haue erred , they weigh the debt into which they haue wilfullie runne by their wickednes , they feare the slauerye to which by their follie they haue made themselues subiect , and knowing that their error cannot otherwise bee discerned , their debt no way else discharged , their libertie and their Childrens by no other meanes procured , but by the lightning of his most precious blood vpon them and theirs , they call and cry out : Math. 27. His blood be on vs and on our children .

Expect a while , if peraduenture vpon the taking of so precious a receit , they will all cry out ; In very deede this man was iust , and returne knocking their brests sorrowing for their offence committed against him , and make him some satisfaction for what they haue done before vnto him .

Heard they not the high Priest say : Iohn . 11. It is expedient that one should die , that all the people perish not , and nowe they perceiue there is no other way but death , they wish they may bee washed with his blood , and thereby reconciled againe vnto him and be saued , and for this cause they all cry out His blood bee on vs and on our children .

A grieuous leprosie hath ouergrowne their soules , that they can no longer bee accepted for Citizens of Heauen . The water of Iordan cannot purge it , and although they haue often striken the Rocke yeeldeth he no water to cleanse it , vntill his side bee pierced , and therefore are they forced and constrained to vse a bath of Innocents blood , which forceth them to cry out : His blood bee on vs and on our children . Iohn . 6.

They haue heard him also say himselfe , that there is no way but death for such as eate not of his fleshe , and drinke not of his blood , and although at that time hauing a most carnall and brutish conceit , they abhorred so vnusuall a feeding , yet beeing now brought to this exigent , that they know in crueltie they haue exceeded the nature of men , and thinke the sore cannot bee salued but by his precious blood , albeit such potions seeme vnto them contrary to the same nature , they wil apply their sences vnto them , and master their former conceits , and therefore all cry out , His blood bee on vs , and on our Children .

Remembrest thou not a. a. Mat. 11 how that many blinde receaued their sight , by his laying his hands vpon them ? Luke . 7. call to minde howe for a most great debt Mary Magdalen , her bond was cancelled , when she only touched his holie feet .

Forgettest thou how many by his word onely hee set at libertie , Math. 8. which were possessed by diuells ? and blamest thou them whose blindnes is so grieuous , that it can not otherwise bee cured ; whose debt is so great , that it cannot otherwise bee discharged ; whose thraldome is so villanous , that they cannot otherwise bee freed , if with vehemency they call and cry out , His blood be vppon vs , & on our Children .

But alas , these surmises doe rather increase griefe , then ease it , what is it to me ( saith Iohn ) if they remaine still blinde ? What concerneth it mee if their debts bee not paide ? What toucheth it me if they still continue in bondage ? What profits it mee that all the world doe the better if I fare the worse ?

Cannot their eyes be opened , vnles mine bee put out ? Cannot their debts be paide , vnlesse I bee impouerished ? Cannot they be at libertie , vnles I liue in miserie ? Cannot the sunne shine clearelie to them , vnles it bee eclipsed to me ? Cannot they bee enriched , vnles I be robbed ? Cannot they ioy in freedome , vnles I grieue in thraldome ? or is there no other waye to worke this their weale , my woe , but by procuring hys bloud vpon them & on their Children ? If one offence pardoned by the committing of an other ? is an euill enterprise remitted by a cruell prosecuting of the same ? is it a satisfaction for the shedding of blood to cry for more ? No , no : murder it is which they intend , and for naught els then to glut themselues therewith , they all cry out , Mat. 27. His blood be on vs and on our Children .

The Iewes sometime the glory of the world , are now become opprobrious to all people , that whereas heretofore all such as vsed crueltie , were rightly likened vnto beastes , no tyrranie hereafter shall be adiudged comparable to this of the Iewes a measure to serue for all tyrants because it was without measure , that somuch the greater the tyrranie should be thought , by how much it hath proportion to the crueltie of the Iewes .

But thou ( O most louing Lord ) where or when couldest thou deserue so sharpe a torture : I knowe right well a. a. Psa. 68. thou payest that which thou diddest neuer owe . One drop of blood had bin enough for to haue saued a thousand worlds , and thou hast made no spare thereof : Why shouldest thou then die , since nought therby is done , but what alreadie is done ? The price is giuen , the vttermost farthing paid ; Thy Mother also and the rest of thy frends are sold to sorow & griefe , as though thou hadst not wherewithal to pay this debt thy selfe & of thy self . If die thou wilt , becaus thou must , yet choose some other death , no other death ( sweete Lord ) can sounde well in their eares , but this of all the rest , will be as grieuous vnto them , as painefull vnto thee : deferr at least the time , els now thy friendes , beside thy selfe become a fable to all nations .

What scandall will those take which did beleeue in thee ? Who will account of them , which once did followe thee ? What hope is left for them , which put their trust in thee ? a. a. Iohn . 8. thou madest a promise to set thy people free , and howe art thou thy self become a thrale ? b. b. Iohn . 18. Thou saidst thou wert a King , and how then art thou Iudged by these men to death ? c. c. Mar. 16 Thou doost professe thy selfe the sonne of God , but why then will men say doest thou not saue thy selfe ?

Those which haue seene thy life , may well beleeue what thou haste said , and who thou art , but those which see the manner of thy death , will easily be dismaied : In that thou liuedst as thou didst , all had thee in admiration : In that thou diest as thou dost , they turne it to derision : How shall thy life be deemed void of forgerie , since that thou sufferest now so great an ignominy ? How can that raising from the dead bee cleare from all suspition , when as thy selfe aliue doest suffer by compulsion ? How diddest thou free so manie from infirmities , and art thy selfe oppressed with calamities ?

It seemeth that thy forces wer as a. a. Iud. 16 Sampson fained his to be before that thou wert bound : thou alone without any other help b. b. Mark . 1. drauest out of the Temple , multitudes of people ( a thing to think impossible , as well for that the number was so great , as that they sate there for their game ) what power of men , what strength of armes , a. a. Iohn . 18 ouerthrew the souldiers , which comming to apprehend thee in the garden fell backward to the grounde ? but after once they bound thee , they drew thee like a sheepe vnto the slaughter , and nothing apeareth in thee singular , which is not in all others , but that thou liuest and sufferest that which no man els could do , aswell for the violence of the torture , as also the vilenes of thy tormenters , who as they wer patrons of all impuritie , so haue they now made themselues patterns of all impiety . But how couldest thou ( O Iohn ) remaine to see so vnworthie a spectacle ? How could thine innocent soule not fly this heinous fact ? how could thy maidenly heart behold such flowing streames of blood ? howe could thy louing minde forbeare the murderers of thy master ? who is it will not iudge thee to consent to all this treason ; which seeth thee present and silent at all this euill vsing ? and although thou diddest not keepe their garments , while they did this Execution , yet diddest thou keepe their counsell , while they wrecked on him their malicious intention .

Thou denaydst him not in open speech three times , a. a. Mark . 16 as Peter did , but innumerable stripes , the bloody crowne of thornes , the vnworthy scoffes and mocks , the inspeakable euill intreatinges , which thou diddest see & heare did euery one demaunde of thee whether thou wert not also with Iesus of Nazareth and one of his Disciples , and eyther feare did make thee quaile , or shame to holde thy peace , that it did seeme at least a secret nay of that thou wert .

What thinkest thou woulde Thomas doe ? who hearing that his Lord would goe to Hierusalem and knowing hee was there , sought for by his enemies offered frankely and with great courage : a. a. Iohn . 11. Let vs goe also and die with him . And now thou standest by , and seest him thus tormented , and nether makest offer to abide some small paine for him , nor yet are forwarde in suffering any thinge with him .

Knowest thou not that all thinges amongst louers ought to bee common ? Considerest thou not that friends doe ioy together , and mourne not one without the other , because as one ioyeth for the ioy of another , so doth he feele what smarteth in the other ? and not one who loueth offereth not his life to saue his loue ? for as they enterchange their hearts , so make they reckoning of theyr harmes .

All men doe seeke to saue their liues , but where they are , the louers life is where he loueth most , and there he liues and no where els : Wherefore ( O Iohn ) either nowe confesse thou louedst not , where it was thought thou diddest , or that thou madest but little reckoning of thy life .

Thinke when he is gone how many die in him , how fareth now his Mother and the rest of hys companye ? Can they bee well when he is ill ? Can they be whole when he is wounded ? Can they be sound when he is brused ? Can they finde ease when hee feeles paine ? How thinkest thou could they conteine themselues from that poore weak reuenge , which they would take vpon the souldiers ? the men woulde soone forgette that they were neuer trained vp to fight , the women would not thinke themselues the weaker sexe , loue banisheth away all feare , and sweete life maketh all sortes refuse no sower which may maintaine the same . Their loue is subiect to his enemies , and their life is in the hands of cruell murtherers , and holdest thou both tongue and hands as though thou knewest him not , or at the least regardest him not ?

How can this thy most beloued disciple ( sweet Lord ) be excused , who seemeth so much more then the rest to bee in fault , by howe much he was fauored aboue the rest ? for although he knewe that thou diddest suffer because thou wouldest , yet had it beene his part to haue defended thee in what he coulde , seeing that thou wert his Lord , his loue , his life .

But herein also shewed he his excessiue loue , which was so much the stronger , by how much it preuailed against loue , and now hee hath found by loue a secrete , that a greater loue may bee , then for a man to giue his life for his loue .

When thou shewedst to thy disciples that thou must goe to Hierusalem & suffer many things of the Elders , Mat. 16. Scribes and chiefe Priests , and be killed , & the third day arise ; Peter tooke thee vnto him , and rebuking thee said : Lord be it far from thee , this shall not be vnto thee , wherefore he deserued to heare , go after me Sathan , thou art a scandall vnto me , because thou sauourest not the thinges which are of God , but the things which are of men . & Iohn remembring these words thought hee could not without offending thee , either wishe , or worke thy safetie , and therefore chose to leese thee , rather than thy fauour , and to breath without his life , then bereaue himselfe of thy loue .

He knew right wel more than twelue Legions of Angels ready at thy call , Math. 26. both where and when thou wouldest haue vsed them , it booted not to striue against the streame , he was too weake , it was in vaine to offer himself to death , his time was not yet come , although that present death had bin but one for all , and now escaping this he dyed many deaths by liuing one loathsome life .

Had his heart beene as hard as stone , it had been riuen in a thousand peeces , but beeing soft it did relent at euery stroake , that still he seemed dying , and yet hee liued still , suffering the more because hee could , and died not rather as hee desired , for nothing coulde haue bin a greater ease to him , than that which should haue beene an end of all his griefe .

And whilst he waded more & more into a sea of sorrow , he see a heauie Crosse laide on his Masters shoulders , Iohn . 19. and the souldiers some drawing , some driuing him vnto the Mount Caluarie to bee crucified among the theeues .

Here might ye see infinite multitudes of people flocking to this spectacle , the like whereof could neuer be seene againe : Among the rest he espied the blessed Virgin but sorrowfull Mother , whome after he had saluted in as dutifull maner as he might , what sighes , what sorrows , what complaints were made by one to the other ? the mother for her only & dearely beloued sonne , the Disciple for his intirely louing Master , both of them for their only comfort , their harts ioy , their souls delight . Neyther of them were able to containe themselues from teares , especially our blessed Lady who had a warrant from her sonne , to ease her hart somewhat that way , when hee bad the women which followed him to weepe vppon themselues and on their children . Luke . 23.

They passe on together , with now and then halfe a worde , sorrow deuiding it a sunder , but being both of one minde , and grieuing for the selfe same losse , the signes they made were easily vnderstood . How often did they wish that heauy crosse vppon some other shoulders , and then contrould themselues , they see him faint and woulde most faine hee shoulde haue had some ease , they knewe againe that by that meanes hee shoulde bee sooner gone , and therefore knewe not what to wish , yet at the length seeing no hope of life , and waying the crueltie of the Iewes , they reioysed not a little to see an other take the crosse , Mat. 27. wishing earnestly their paines might haue procured that rest .

And nowe that this grieuous labour groweth to an ende , and much sorrow beginneth euen in thinges insensible , howe much more was our blessed Ladie afflicted , seeing her sonne so cruellie handled , and with sorrowfull sighes began to bewaile her selfe , somtime to him , other times to S. Iohn , & sometimes to the Iewes , who seeing her excessiue griefe coulde not but take compassion vpon her .

Who will giue water vnto my head ( saith she ) and a Fountaine of teares vnto mine eyes , to bewaile both day & night the murther , not of any other then mine owne and onlie sonne ? My daies of ioy are turned into griefe , and my song notes into sighes of sorrow .

Bewaile me ye hils and mountaines , lament me yee flouds and Fountaines , since that of a Mother of peace & ioy , I am become the Daughter of teares and sorrow : Mourne yee beasts of the earth : weepe yee foules of the ayre , & euery thing which liueth grieue , since that life it selfe , by whom ye all haue life , leaueth to liue any longer among you .

O who of you all ( once his chosen people , now his chiefest enemies ) can accuse him of the least sin , that ye cause him to die with great shame ? his pittifull cries do so pierce the heauens , as they are ashamed of this your cruell fact , and seeke to couer it with a wofull darkenes , and ye alone of all creatures are so hard harted , as ye discouer nothing to be in you but a wilfull deafenes . Had not hee himselfe come vnto you , and done those thinges which neuer any did , and done them to testefie that hee was Gods sonne , yee might haue had some excuse for this sinne , but hauing done so many good deedes among you , as yee all haue iust cause to loue him , for which of them all doo you kill him ? a. a. Iohn . 18 it is not lawfull for you ( yee say ) to kill any man , and is it lawfull for you to put Gods sonne and mine to death ? yee gaue not the sentence of death against him , but why then were all other iudgments vtterly condemned by you ? did yee not bewray howe much yee desired that he shuld die this death , when as vpon euery light motion or opportunity offered to speake , no other eccho rebounded in all the Pallace , a. a. Mat. 27 then , Let him be crucified without any remorce , either for his daylie good desertes , or the Iudge his own decree ? Too cruell were yee all , but much more friendly cruell was Pilate , than were ye , because he vsed that cruelty to procure his liberty , hoping that after this my son had abidden al maner of abuses , euen vntil the souldiers were tired with euill vsing him , his affliction wold haue mooued ye to some compassion , & therefore he brought forth vnto you so lamentable a spectacle , Iohn . 19. as no hart but yours would not but melt with griefe to behold him , & yee continued still your former notes crying out vntill yee were hoarse with crying crucifie him , Iohn . 19. crucifie him , what said ye ? & why so ? because ye wil haue no other king but Caesar . Alas he neuer labored to make himselfe a king , ( although no man had more right to be your king than he ) a. a. Iohn . 6. but rather fled when it was vrged vpon him , b. b. Mat. 17 and was willing to pay all duties as a subiect , euen from the time that hee was eight daies old . O how well haue ye tried ( well ? alas not well ) that he seeketh not that which is his own ( our selues only excepted ) when as wrangling with him for his cloake , c. c. Iohn . 9 he deliuored also vnto you his coate , and bore all your whippes vpon his bare back . True it is that Pilate gaue the sentence of death , not because hee iudged him worthy of death , for after diuers examinations hee openlie protested that d. d. Luk. 23 he found no cause of death in him , but because he feared that ye would falsly , and slanderously informe Caesar against him , if he should haue shewed but the least fauor in this cause , & ye vsing this his feare for the finishing of this blody tragedie , vrged him too often , that if b. b. Iohn . 19. hee did acquite hee was not Caesars friend , although the tryalls of iustice betweene a Prince and his subiects , should no other wise bee esteemed of them as quarrels . O heauenly father , Caesar is more regarded than thy sonne , and more are men afraide not to be ouer officious to Caesar than to be too much offensiue to thee and thy sonne , and therefore is thy sonne at this time called from the earth .

( O vngratefull creatures ) not because they iudged the earth vnworthie to beare him , but because in their corrupted conceits they thought him vnworthie to liue any longer vpon the earth , and hangeth in the ayre fast nayled to a Crosse . O happie Crosse ! O Holy nailes ! O sweete instrumentes of a sorrowfull death ! worthie for this so neare touche of so sacred a body , to bee had herafter in perpetual reuerence , ye were not painefull vnto him , but they which caused you to enter his hands and feete : but neither deserue ye any blame , if yee desierd to sticke so close vnto him .

O my sweete sonne , bee not hard to me , who haste beene so bountifull to all , but graunt mee this my last request : Take thy Mother vnto thee on the Crosse , that dying with thee I may also liue with thee after death , for nothing can be more sweet vnto me than hauing embraced thee , to die with thee , and nothing more loathsome , than to liue without thee after that thou art dead .

O true sonne of God , thou wert a father vnto me , thou wert a mother to mee , thou wert my sonne , thou wert my spouse , thou wert my soul , now am I become an orphant , without Father or Mother , a spouse without a mate , a Mother without a sonne , a body without sence , and soule , and in conclusion when thou art gone , all that I haue and all that I am is gone . Tell mee my most louing son , tell me who wert mine only ioy . Why sufferest thou mee to languish and pine awaye with griefe ? Why hast thou seperated thy selfe so far from me ? shall thy sorrowfull mother when shee most needeth receiue least confort of thee ? & where she least suspected , shall she there bee most neglected ? O how long dost thou hang with thine armes abroad , & none will come to be embraced ? How louingly dost thou stretch them out to an incredulous and contradictious people , and none do take any compassion vppon thee ? How largely doest thou bestowe thy most deare and precious blood vpon this prodigall Nation , and none there are which treade it not vnder their feete ? O had I bin thy Crosse , no other nayles should haue fastned thee vnto me , then a motherly affection , & no other witnesses shuld haue bin called of our sweet embracings , then thy Father and his Angels . Lesse paine ( I am well assured ) it should haue bin vnto thee , but knowing that neyther this nor any thing els can be done without thy priuity , I cannot say how much more pleasing at this time it wold haue bin vnto thee , but howsoeuer it is or might be , not seeing any likelyhood of thy longer life , I cannot but grieue as mothers vse to grieue at the death of their first begotten . But he being no les carefull of her now at his death , then hee was obedient vnto her in his life , mooued with these inward speeches , and wofull lamentations , looking downe vpon her , said vnto her : Iohn . 19. Woman behold thy sonne . O moste mercifull Lorde , what doubtfull wordes are these ? Woman behold thy sonne ? thou knowest right well that shee hath sorrowed so much for thee , that all her sences faile her : her vnderstanding also is quite dulled : shee standeth still like one without her life , looking vpp to thee and no where els , and sayest thou vnto her , Woman behold thy sonne ?

O most sweete Lord , whome doth shee behold when shee beholdeth thee ? on whome dooth shee looke when she looketh on thee ? where is her eye when it is fixed on thee ? & yet as though she had not regarded thee , but minded somwhat els beside thee , thou sayest vnto her : Woman behold thy sonne ?

What ioy would it bee to her to behold thee , if shee could help thee ? but being that she cannot , why to increase her griefe doest thou say vnto her , Woman behold thy sonne ? and the more sorrow conceaueth she by these thy wordes , that thou sayest vnto hir ( Woman ) as though shee could , and did not discharge the part of a Mother , as thou hadst done the dutie of a Sonne .

But if nowe at thy departure from her , thou art to deliuer her vp a Mother to another , & therefore saiest vnto her , Woman behold thy sonne ? consider her case , consider thine owne , sorrowe hath taken away her sence from her , and too much paine thy life from thee , both which concurring , what wonder if she stand amazed , not knowing what thou meanest , for although shee might aime at thine intention , yet was her attention so great , to euerie last word which she herd of thee , being now almost breathles , that nothing els seemed to sounde in her eares , and therfore she could not but behold thee still .

Beside this , if it had beene so , that thou hadst quickned her wits , that she had vnderstood thy meaning , that by vertue of thy word , Saint Iohn should become her sonne : yet since that this worde ( sonne ) hath such relation to Iohn , that it hath a more proper to thee : No woonder sweet Lord , if she still stand beholding thee , since that without naming which , thou sayest vnto her , woman behold thy sonne .

Our blessed Lady beeing now wounded to the death , hearing her sonne with a hoarse & fainting voice vtter these wordes , was not able to make him any answere , but beeing in a more grieuous trauaile than euer was any woman , shee cryed for help shee knewe not whence . a. a. Mat. 27. God had denayed it her , for hee had forsaken his son , the Angels neclected her , b. b. Luk. 22 for they knewe their Lord to be in this agonie , & would not defende him , c. c. Mat. 27 hys friendes stood looking on aloofe of , her paines grew vpon her , & her panges increased double and treble about her , there was not any of her dearest could comfort her .

But her sonne seeing her thus perplexed , knowing that he was the cause of al hir griefe although void of all comfort also himselfe , hastned what he could to confort her , by giuing her to vnderstand , that hee came into this world , to this end and no other , that by this way he should redeeme the world , and since that it pleased his father it shuld be so , he would not it shoulde displease his Mother , also that by this Passion hee was to enter into his glory , neuerthelesse that hee would not leaue her , although for a time he must be absent from her : During which season in his place , shee should take her cosen , & account him as her sonne , who should be a most faithfull comforter vnto her , loue her , serue her , haue care of her , and obey her as his Mother ; Looking therefore vppon Iohn , who stoode close by him with a sad countenance , & a sorrowfull hart , shedding manie a hote teare , he said vnto him , Behold thy Mother . Iohn . 19.

Sweet Lord , right well maist thou put her out of doubt by these wordes what before thou diddest meane ey the other , but thou darest not put her out of her dumpes , because she is now assured , that thou wilt depart from her ; but since that shee her selfe cannot nowe haue her choice , which shoulde haue beene no other then thy selfe . Shee is cotented with her chance , and not altogether somuch dismaied , or otherwise she should haue beene , if her lot had not lighted where shee not lightly loued , and yeeldeth vp her will to bee wholie thine , although to thine owne paine aswell as hers , thou leauest to be hers : But who can thinke what griefe will possesse this thy other beloued Disciple to heare him selfe posted ouer to another , whom , although he loued entirelie well , hee loued because she was thy mother , and now that this dignitie is eyther quite taken from her , or at the least suspended , hee knoweth not for how long ; as appeareth by that thou hast giuen her a mother to an other , howe can hee bee but full of sorrow ?

His loue to thee was such , as hee neuer loued himselfe , or anye for himselfe , wherefore if thou diddest mind to bequeath thy Mother to his custodie , much better haddest thou saide vnto him beholde my Mother , then beholde thy Mother , since that hee knewe not howe to loue anie but thy selfe , or els for thy sake .

But alas sweet Lorde , how in seeking to comfort him , doest thou take away all comfort from him ? Right well might hee call to minde nowe , yea and vnderstand that which once thou saidst , that the sonne of man ( for so did the sonne of GOD delight to call him selfe ) should bee betraied to the gentils , Luke . 13. he should bee mocked , whipped , and spet at , and that after that they should whippe him , they would kil him , for al this he hath seene both with watrie eyes , and a wofull heart , but howe can hee thinke in his minde , that according to thy promise thou wilt rise againe the third day , since that thou haste thus disposed of thy chiefest treasure ? can he thinke that thou hast any such meaning as to returne at the least in any short time , who hast giuen ouer both thy mother and him , & in such sorte as an euerlasting linke of loue shuld bee betweene them when thou saidst to the one in respect of the other . Woman behold thy sonne , behold thy mother ? Behold thy mother thou saiest vnto him , what child , sweet Lord , in his mothers wombe desireth not to see their Mother ? What els doe those throwes portend , which to their paine all mothers but thine own , and onely as thine , doe feele in their trauaile , so that no doubt this thy Disciple cannot but iudge this a most guide , and carefull motiue , by which hee should become thy mothers sonne .

He knew right well that once her bowels wer thy liuing Temple , and now he seeth that when thou diest , her heart will bee thy chiefest shrine , and therefore is verie well contented to beholde her as thou biddest him : yet pardon Lord , pardon doth he craue a while , and leaue to looke vpon thee still , because hee hath iust cause of feare in respect of thy grieuous torments , that whilest he casteth his eye one waie from thee to looke on her , thou wilt make an escape some other way both from her and him , and because he doubteth he cannot see thee so long as he would , hee desireth to look vpon thee so long as he may : and although she be one , who deserueth to bee beheld , aswell for the signes shee maketh of exceeding great loue vnto thee , as also for that she was so potent an obiect , that shee drew thee to looke in an extraordinarie manner vpon her , yet when thou art present , he thinketh his sences haue such an obiect of thee , in regard both of his owne loue and compassion , as also of thine exceeding great dignity ( beeing author of whatsoeuer is worthie praise , or maruaile in any other ) that he cannot as yet behold any other but thee .

Some comfort were these speeches vnto them , woman behold thy sonne , Behold thy mother : but they wished they might haue proceeded from some other occasion .

When he was with them him selfe hee was most tender ouer them , and now that hee is taken from them hee giueth the one of them charge ouer the other . He knewe not who loued him and his mother better than did Iohn , and therefore hee thought none so fitte to haue charge of her as Iohn , neither did he know who could loue Iohn better than did he and his mother , & therefore wold his mother shuld haue the care of him , and that this loue should continue in the most tender manner that might bee , hee ioyned them together as mother and sonne .

O Mary if thou wert a Virgin , as thou wert most pure , behold thy sonne , if thou wert espoused to thy mare , and yet remainedst chast , behold thy sonne : If thou wert one who for thy most rare vertues wert singularly beloued of Christ , beholde thy sonne , if thy loue were such vnto Christ , that neither bashfulnes in thrusting among the people beeing a maiden , nor feare of being trodden downe in the multitude being a weakeling , nor danger of being apprehended and euill intreated by the souldiers , being so deare and neare vnto him , could holde thee backe from accompanying him to the Crosse , beholde thy sonne .

a. a. Iohn . 21 Christ left Peter as his successour to guide his Church beeing his spouse , a signe of great loue , a place of high renowne & dignitie , a. a. Iohn . 19 Christ hath left Iohn as his successor to haue care of Mary , who was not onely his spouse , but also his mother , what greater honor with like contentment , could hee enioy in this world .

If Moyses hauing charge of the Iewes , had such aboundance of grace infused into him , that when it was deuided . b. b. Num. 11 it was sufficient for threescore more and tenne , what shall wee imagine was giuen vnto Iohn , who was to haue charge not of the children of Israell c. c. Iohn . 19 but of the Mother of God ?

Likewise when God passed by Moyses , hee passed in that order , and with such swiftnes , that nothing could be seene , but his hinder partes , and yet no doubt hys promise was performed a. a. Exod. 33 I will shew thee all God .

But Saint Iohn did so long behold God his face , that hee was not able to hold vp his head any longer , b. b. Iohn . 13 but laid it downe vppon his breast , and rested in his bosome , what good was it likely was shewed then to him ? nay rather what good had he not communicated vnto him .

Thence his exceeding great knowledge , whereby when others write of Christ as a man c. c. Iohn . 1. hee began his Gospell , with insearchable misteries of his Godheade : Thence his inuinsible courage , which could neyther with any promised honour , nor present horrour be vanquished : Thence his vnspeakable charitie which was so hote , and burning within him , that hee felt not the scalding oyle : The loue which lay within his breast was so potent , that fire it selfe in respect of it was cold , or at the least had no force in working comparable vnto it , for neyther did he desire a tabernacle in mount a. a. Math. 17 Tabor with Peter , nor couet a crowne , or b. b. Mat. 20 next sitting to Christ in heauen with Iames , without a firme purpose and a resolute minde to disburse what should be thought conuenient for so great a purchase , which fullie and truely he paid vpon his birth day .

Other Martirs haue their Martirdome and they suffer in it : S. Ioh. had his at his masters his Passion , but he suffered not in it , and therefore hee suffered the more , for it was death for him to liue , and to die for Christ his gaine .

But O most mercifull Lorde , why didst thou afflict this thy beloued Disciple in this sorte ? Thou a. a. Mat. 20 gauest him a promise , that he should drinke of thy cup , and he expecting a death for thy sake , cannot haue it : did pittie mooue thee beeing thy darling , that thou couldest not see him murdered , as thy other Apostles were , and whom thou louedst most entirelye ? and therefore wouldest hee should drinke of no other Cuppe than thine , and so to haue him as thy Mother and his , a Martyr in life , in minde , in will ; but not in death , that thou mightest haue to Crowne at once the Mother and the Sonne with the same Crownes of glory ?

Impossible it was ( O Mary ) that thou shouldest bee like vnto thy son in al things , wherefore in asmuch as it is possible , thy Sonne hath made one like vnto thee , where also thou shalt not leese the name of a mother : beholde then Saint Iohn thy sonne , a most pure virgin , a most learned Docter , a most constant Martir .

Nowe is it performed which was so long before promised a a Isai. 56. I will giue vnto mine Euenuches a worthie place in my house , & within my walkes , and a name better than the name of sonnes & daughters of Israell . I will giue them an eternall name which shall neuer faile . Woman behold thy sonne : What name vnder Heauen is comparable vnto this name ? What name shall endure after this name : the Sonne of Marie ?

It. b. b. Iohn . 8. was an honor to be accounted the son of Abraham , the son of Israell , and happie was hee which coulde bee numbered among them : But this name the sonne of Mary , none was worthie of , but God himselfe , the second person in the Trinitie : a. a. Iohn . 19 and nowe it is giuen to Iohn by Christ hanging vpon the Crosse , for his inheritance , when looking vppon his mother , and making signe toward Iohn , hee said vnto her , Woman behold thy sonne .

A name , which as it had no greater vnder heauen , so did it neuer perish : for as Christ dying vpon the Crosse , so lest a Sonne with his mother , as he himself did not leaue to be her sonne , so also shee dying , did so ioyne her selfe to her son in heauen , as shee left not to be a Mother also vnto him which was in earth , that this name might very well bee called a eternall name , for whether she were in earth or in heauen , aliue or dead , her sonne had so prouided it , there should bee Maries sonne .

O blessed Virgin ! when thou diddest conceaue Saint Iohn a. a. Iohn . 2 thou diddest conceaue him in mirth : b. b. Iohn . 19. but thou wert deliuered of him , when he was deliuered vnto thee in great sorrow & heauines . Hee was the first for whose cause at thy request , thy Sonne did manifest himselfe vnto the worlde , by shewing his power in working miracles , and now he is the last , & the only man committed vnto thee , when thy Sonne passeth out of the world , by suffering with patience , what malice could work against him : so that the measure of thy Son his life in this worlde , was no more than the time in which thou diddest breed Saint Iohn , for when the time was come that Iohn became thy Sonne , thou lost thyne other Sonne .

Nowe that thou shouldest be a comfort vnto others , thou hast experience what that saying meaneth , a. a. Gen. 3. thou shalt bring forth in griefe : for the ease thou hadst when Christ was borne , is with vsurie recompenced at thy deliuerie of Iohn , whom with excessiue sorrowe thou broughtest forth thy sonne .

b. b. Iohn . 16 A woman when she is in trauaile hath sorow , because her houre is come , but when she hath brought foorth the childe , now shee remembreth not the anguish for ioy that a man is borne into the world : But thou most blessed Virgin as thou wert priuiledged in this aboue all other women that thou wert deliuered of thy first begotten without any paine : so now hast thou this singular aboue any other woman , that at thy second trauaile , thou feelest as great panges after it as before it .

Shee ioyeth because a man is borne into the world , and thou haste cause to grieue , because a man is gone out of the worlde : shee is glad because shee hath a sonne , and thou haste cause to mourne , because thou haste lost a sonne , and so much is thy sorrowe more , than theyrioy may be , as thy sonne exceedeth all other womens sons : for although thou wert deliuered of a sonne , yet wert thou spoiled of an other , such was thy trauaile , and with such condition , that the birth of thy second son , supposed the death of thy first begotten .

a. a. Luk. 1 When thou gauest consent vnto the wordes of the Angell , God spake the worde , and the worde was incarnate , the same word vouchsafing to speake vnto thee , not by the mouth of an Angell , but by himselfe hath said the word , and thou haste not only conceaued thy second son , but art also deliuered of him , Woman behold thy sonne : Behold thy Mother .

Thus hauing eyther of them charge of other , glad they were , that neither was willing to depart , Saint Iohn feared not hee shuld be forced to leaue his Master in following his charge , when she should goe away , neither did our blessed Lady doubt what she might doe , if Iohn should parte from thence : their life was nayled on the Crosse , that they could not stirre from it , & rather had they stay a. a. Iohn . 19 & see him wounded ( a dolefull sight ) then not see him at all : wherefore neuer satisfied with looking vp vppon him , they tarried vntill hee was taken downe , whome when his Mother receaued in her Armes , sorrow and ioy fought so doubtfull a Combat , that it was not to bee iudged which of them was the stronger .

She had lost him and now she hath founde him againe , great cause she hath to ioy , he was her hope , her help , her life .

She had lost him and now she hath founde him againe , great cause she hath to mourne , hee is past hope , past help , and past out of his life .

What ioy was comparable to that he had , when she might speake vnto him , embrace him and kisse him , as shee was wont to doe .

But alas what griefe was like to that shee had , when hee did neyther answere by worde , or behauiour , as hee was wont to doe ?

Noe ioy to that shee hadde , when shee behelde him againe , a. a. Psal. 44. for hee was the moste fayre , and beautefull of all the Sonnes of men .

Noe greefe to that shee had when shee behelde him againe , and found that b. b. Isal. 53. neyther any fauour nor comelynesse was in him .

Shee see his heade swollen , with the Crowne of Thornes , shee see his face blacke and blew with the buffettes of their fistes , shee see his bodye torne from toppe to the toe with whippes , or to say more true , she neyther see heade , face , nor any part of his bodie , but a masse only of congealed blood , which couered all his body , beeing most grieuously wounded , and in so many places , that they altogether seemed one on lie wounde , which reached from the crowne of his head , vnto the soles of his seete .

So sate she at the foote of the Crosse , with the dead bodie in her lap , offering it all bloodie to Almightie God , Gen. 37. & demaunding of him whether that were not his sonne his coate , shewing it also vnto the Angels , and asking of them whether that were not their Master his Garment : Her self was not able to discerne perfectly , whether it were any part of her or no , it was so disfigured , but that with sorrowe shee had brought her selfe so out of sauor , that euerye one which see her , might easily iudge hee was her sonne and shee his mother .

Shee hath founde him againe , but because whatsoeuer shee founde shee must forgoe except sorrow , sorrow got the victorie , in which shee did so much abound , as her sonne his sorrowe beeing at an end , there was now no sorrowe like vnto hers , & no comfort would shee admit , because he was not .

They sought no water to wash his blessed body , fountains there were enough of hoate and scalding teares , wherein they bathed him first , then buried him against their willes , wishing that either they themselues were his sepulcher , or his were theirs .

When thy dayes were come ( O full of sorow ) that thou shuldest be deliuered , thou broughtest forth thy first begotten Son , thou swadlest him in cloutes , Luk. 2. & laidst him downe in a maunger , because there was no place for thee in the Inne , and nowe thy daies were fully come that thou shouldest bee deliuered againe thou broughtest foorth thy second sonne , Iohn . 19. and in steed of swadling him in cloutes , and ioyfull laying him downe , and tending him , thou art constrained to swaddle thy first begotten Sonne againe , and with sorrow to lay him downe in a Monument , because no other place but that , woulde hee make choice of to lie in .

The Funeralles beeing ended Saint Iohn doth take possession , he leadeth home his sorrowfull Mother , giuing her what comfort hee could , beeing nowe almost spent with griefe , with whome hee continued yeelding vnto her that dutie which became him . Iohn . 19. For from that houre , hee tooke her for his owne .

FINIS .