Saint Bernard his Meditations: or Sighes, sobbes, and teares, vpon our sauiours passion in memoriall of his death. Also his Motiues to mortification, with other meditations.

SAINT BERNARD HIS MEDITATIONS : OR Sighes , Sobbes , and Teares , vpon our Sauiours PASSION : In Memoriall of his Death . ALSO His Motiues to Mortification , with other Meditations . The third Edition , much amended . By W. P. Mr. of Arts in Cambridge .

1 COR. 2.2 .

I esteeme not to know any thing amongst you saue Iesus Christ , and him crucified .

LONDON : Printed by T. S. for Francis Burton , dwelling in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the greene Dragon . 1614.

TO THE Right Worshipfull , Mr. IOHN BVLLOCKE , of the Inner Temple , ESQVIRE .

SYR , it was my purpose when I first vndertooke to translate these diuine and comfortable Meditations on the Lords Passion , and Motiues to Mortification , ( selected out of the workes of S. BERNARD , and other auncient Writers , not verbally turned into English , but augmented with such other Meditations , as it pleased God to infuse into my minde ) to haue dedicated them vnto your worthy Father , who ( both in respect of his neere alliance , and other reasons of moment ) might by his owne right haue challenged that duty at my hands .

But since it seemed good vnto the Diuine Maiestie , to remoue him from earth , out of the societie of mortall men , to liue for euer in the company of the blessed Angels in Heauen , before I could attaine to the accomplishment of my wished desires : I could finde none more neere and deere vnto me then your self , who might vouchsafe to giue the first kinde entertainement to my well-intended labours , when they should come forth into the light . For as the Lord hath blessed you with a peaceable fruition of your Fathers possessions : so no doubt you are also a true heire of his commendable Vertues .

My desire is to profit all , yet I am obliged by many priuate respects , to commend my labours , ( such as they are ) in a more speciall manner vnto your selfe , that thereby I might seale vnto you , a true assurance of my gratefull affection towards you , For farre be it from my thought , that eyther I should forget your kind speeches , or bury your good deed in the darke graue of Obliuion , expressed to mee , and extended towards mee at my last conference with you .

I know you cannot but kindely accept my small mite , if you ballance it with the willingnesse of my minde : and I am assured you will not mislike it , in regard of the matter , though happily you may finde some distaste in respect of the stile . For what can be more fit for these times , then Motiues to Mortification ? or more comfortable to the soule of a sorrowfull sinner , then a serious Meditation of the bitter Passion of our Crucified Redeemer , who being God , became man for our sakes : suffered a most cruell death on the Crosse for our sinnes : and being buried , rose againe for our iustification ?

But it is not my purpose heere to relate what sweet streames doe flow from this christall and pure Fountaine , what wholesome fruits may be gathered from this fruitfull Tree , or what rich Treasure may be found in this golden Mine . I desire to containe my lines within the bounds of Mediocritie : especially when the Current of my words turneth towards One whom God hath blessed with capacitie , able to conceiue the great commodities which doe proceed from such Christian exercises : Yet before I make a full period , giue mee leaue ( I pray you ) to let you vnderstand , that I haue much endeauoured , so to expresse the grieuous Passion of our gracious Redeemer , as if it were now in present action before our eyes , that I might the better stirre vp feruent motions of Pietie in the minde , and kindle the sparkes of true deuotion in the heart of the Reader . For indeed , the full scope of my desire is , to glorifie GOD , and benefit my brethren . And that your owne soule , ( as also the soule of euery religious Reader , ) may be the more neerely and deepely touched , and wounded with a feeling consideration of our Sauiours death , I suppose it the best way , after a due preparation thereunto by prayer ( without which nothing can be sanctified vnto vs , ) to beginne at the first Meditation , and so taking the History of his Passion before you , to proceed vntill you come vnto the yeelding vp of his Ghost vpon the Crosse .

In the progresse whereof , it may please God so to touch your heart with sorrow , that your eyes , ( with those in the Gospell , who came to see his death , Luke 24.48 . ) may gush forth Teares for griefe , that so innocent a Lambe should be so despightfully and cruelly tortured , tormented , and crucified . Where also you ( in whose person I speake vnto all ) may iustly conceiue a double griefe .

First , that Iesus Christ ( the Righteous , ) was killed for sinne .

Secondly , that hee was killed for our sinne .

The consideration whereof , should moue all , with weeping Peter , Luke 22.62 . to shed salt and brinish teares of contrition , in remembrance of our offences , that being therewith pricked at the heart , Christ Iesus may say vnto our sorrowfull soules , as sometimes he did vnto the Israelites , I haue heard your groaning , and will haue compassion on you , Iudg 2.18 . And may also thereunto adde , Sonne , be of good cheere , thy sinnes are forgiuen thee , Matth. 9 2. Come hither and taste how sweet I thy Lord am : with mee there is plenteous redemption .

And as in matter of sorrow , it more deepely pierceth the soule of the hearer with griefe , or in matter of delight , more affecteth the minde with ioy , to heare the particular relation of some Tragical euent , or the parts and particles of some delightfull accident reported , then onely to heare a bare narration of either in grosse , without expressing the parts thereof : so likewise it cannot chuse , but more deepely wound the soule of euery Christian , to heare , or read , the speciall and seuerall sufferings of Christ in his Passion , then if it were onely sayd thus , Christ died for vs .

But least I draw my lines beyond the limits of due measure , I heere conclude : desiring the LORD to blesse you , and the rest of your Fathers issue , with many happy dayes vpon earth , and when they are ended heere in peace , to receiue you all into his heauenly Kingdome of euerlasting Glory .

Yours ready at commaund , W.P.

A Table of the Meditations vpon the Lords PASSION . 1 A Meditation of the comming of the Lord IESVS into Hierusalem , riding vpon an Asse , &c. page . 1 Med. 2. Of the returning of the Lord Iesus into Ierusalem , and of his often preaching in the Temple , &c. page . 30 Med. 3. Of the preparation of the Lords Supper , and washing his Disciples feete , &c. page . 57 Med. 4. Of the institution of the blessed Sacrament , of the body and blood of Christ , &c. page . 72 Med. 5. How the Lord Iesus told his Disciples , that one of them should betray him , &c. page . 89 Med. 6. Of the going of Christ into the Mount-Oliuet , and of his praying thrice in the Garden , &c. page . 104 Med. 7. How Iesus arose from prayer , and went to meet Iudas , who with a multitude came to apprehend him , &c. page . 130 Med. 8. How the Lord Iesus was led to Annas , and how he was there beaten and buffeted , &c. page . 152 Med. 9. How the Lord Iesus was led from Annas to Caiphas , and of his scourging there , &c. page . 172 Med. 10. How Peter denied his Master thrice , & of his repentant weeping , &c. page . 184 Med. 11. How Iesus was sent vnto Pilate , & of his vsage there . pag. 205 Med. 12. How Pilate caused Iesus to be scourged , and then pronounced sentence of death against him . pag. 213 Med. 13. How Christ bearing his crosse on his shoulders , is led to Mount Caluarie to be crucified . page . 250 Med. 14. Of the cruell and bitter crucifying of our Lord Iesu , performed on Mount-Caluary . page . 285 Med. 15. Of the derisions and scornfull speeches vttered to the Lord Iesus , when hee was nayled on the Crosse . page . 319 Med. 16. Concerning the lamentation of the Virgin Mary , beholding her Son vpon the Crosse . page . 331 Med. 17. Of the Eclipse and obscuration of the Sunne about the ninth houre , and of the fourth speech which Christ vsed vpon the Crosse . page . 343 Med. 18. Of the fift & sixt words which the Lord Iesus spake vpon the Crosse , to wit , I thirst , and it is finished . page . 355 Med. 19. How Christ gaue vp the ghost , & of the wonders then wrought and his death . page . 369 Med. 20. Of Iesus Christ his buriall , and of the lamentation of his Mother , and other women for his death . page . 381 Med. 21. Of the Lord Iesus his Resurrection , of his appearance to his Disciples , of his ascention into heauen , and of his comming to iudgement . page . 397 FINIS .

engraving of two Garden of Gethsemane scenes from the Passion of Jesus Christ

O my Father , if it be possible , let this Cup passe from me .

He kneeled downe and Prayed , but beinge in an agonie , he prayed more earnestly , and his sweat was like droppes of blood , trikling downe to the ground . Luke . 22.44 .

Sit ye here , whil I goe and Pray yonder .

MOST DEVOVT MEDITATIONS , vpon the most holy and bitter Passion of our Lord Iesus Christ .

MED. I. A Meditation of the comming of the Lord Iesus into Hierusalem , riding vpon an Asse , and the bringing in of him into the Citie , with Songs and Praises , and of his returne into Bethany the same day . Into a a Mat. 21.5 . Hierusalem our Sauiour rides Vpon an b b Mat. 21.7 . Asse , ( a simple harmlesse beast : ) The people spread their c c Mat. 21.8 . cloathes and boughes besides , Crying d d Mat. 21.9 . Hosanna , Thou in Heauen highest .

THe time approaching , which the Diuine prouidence had from eternity prefixed , in which my most kinde and louing Iesus should come to his preordained Passion , & cruell death of the Crosse , which he willingly came to vndergoe , being the onely begotten of God , incarnated in the wombe of the Virgin , as through the whole course of his life he shewed exceeding great humility , so toward the houre of his Passion , comming to the place where hee should endure the torments of a most shamefull & cruel death , he tooke his entrance from humility , when riding meekly vpon an Asse , he came to the Citie , where he should sustaine the vndeserued punishment of the Crosse .

Therefore when the Lord Iesus , sixe dayes before the Passeouer , had made his Supper with his Disciples in Bethanie , the towne of Marie and Martha , in the house of Simon the Leaper , which was a friend to the said Mary and Martha , ( where Mary also had powred an Alablaster boxe of precious oyntment vpon his head ) the morning following very earely , most kind Iesus calling two of his Disciples , said , Goe into the towne which is ouer against you , where you shall find a she-Asse tied and her Colt , loose them and bring them vnto me : And if any man shall say any thing against you , say that the Lord hath neede of them , and strait-way they will let them goe . The lowly , and louing Disciples obeying the commandement of their Master , license being freely graunted to them by the Lord of all creatures , they presented the shee-Asse and her Colt , to their beloued Redeemer . Then Iesus riding vpon the Asse , directeth his iourney towards Hierusalem : And when hee came to the going downe of the mount Oliues , many people which were come thither , hauing heard of the strange miracle of Lazarus , whom Iesus raised out of his graue , went forth to meete him : And that they might doe him the greater honour , some spread their garments vpon the ground , others cut down boughes from the Trees and strewed them vpon the earth , and all of them , some going before , and some comming behinde , cried , Hosanna to the Sonne of Dauid , blessed is hee which commeth in the name of the Lord . And with these praises and Iubilies they brought louing Iesus , euen to the Gates of Hierusalem , following after him with his Disciples .

And after Iesus beheld the Citie , he now fore-knowing the destruction of it to come ( moued with compassion ) powred forth teares ouer it , but the Pharises and Scribes enflamed with the fire of enuie , seeing Iesus to be extolled with admiration and honour , rebuked sole redemption , to deliuer vs out of the bondage of eternall death , and from the intollerable paines of euerlasting damnation , to be made coheires with him of a most blessed life in the Kingdome of Heauen .

Learne therefore ( oh my soule ) to imitate thy blessed Sauiour , who abstained from meate to doe the will of his heauenly Father , by seeking by all meanes to winne their soules , who being void of all humanitie , sent him fasting out of their Citie . Oh hard-hearted Iewes , to giue such vnkinde entertainment to my bountifull Lord and louing Iesus ! But be thou kinde ( oh my soule ) like Lazarus , and ready like Mary and Martha , to receiue thy Sauiour , that hee may giue thee euerlasting bread for thy foode , and water of eternall life for thy drinke . Come and suppe with mee ( my sweet Sauiour , ) vouchsafe to enter into my simple cottage : I confesse I am vnworthy that thou shouldest come vnder my roofe , yet I know that thou art alwayes willing to come , where thou art kindly and friendly inuited . Open thou the dore of my heart , that thou maist enter and dwell with mee for euer : then saluation shall come to my whole house , then I shall lie downe to sleepe in peace , and rise againe without any dread of danger : for I shall be safely couered vnder the shadow of thy wings , and remaine in peaceable securitie vnder thy mightie protection .

Consider ( Oh my Soule , ) and meditate often in thine inward thoughts , of the strange ingratitude of the stony-hearted Iewes toward thy Sauiour IESVS , who would not afford him so much as a meales meate at night , for his great paines hee tooke with them all the day ; but hee was constrained to returne hungry with his Disciples , from so oppulent and populous a Citie , to Bethanie , a poore and small village , there to refresh his weary and weake body : where hee made so small a supper , that he returned hungry to Hierusalem the next morning ; and spying a Figge-tree which had onely faire leaues , Beware of hypocrisie . but no fruit to slake his hunger , or to afford him any refreshing in his iourney , he was so highly displeased , that it made so faire a shew , and bare no fruit , that he cursed it , and so it withered , and became barren for euer .

Wert thou ( oh my gracious Lord ) so highlie displeased with this fruitlesse Tree , and wert thou not grieuouslie offended with the vnthankfull Iewes ? No doubt but thou hadst iust occasion to haue cursed that vngratefull Nation , whose hearts were so barren , that they did beare no fruit , and their mindes so deuoid of all common humanitie , that although they euer stood in neede , yet they did neuer deserue any drop of thy sweet and comfortable mercie .

Oh Lord , who can worthilie land the immeasurable largenesse of thy infinite mercie ? who can throughly taste the sweetnesse of thy most excellent bountie ? It was thy desire to haue wonne them by mildnes : it had beene thy delight to haue conuerted them by kindenesse : thou diddest curse that barren tree which had store of leaues , but no profitable fruit : to teach that gracelesse Nation what thou did dest expect at their hands , and what thou mightst haue iustly inflicted vpon them , for the hardnes of their harts , whose mouths were often filled with religious words , their hearts and hands being euermore emptie of charitable works .

Be thou wise therefore ( oh my soule ) thinke not that thou hast done enough if thou vtterly condemne those inhumane and hard-hearted Iewes , who had not so much kindnes , as to offer thy Sauiour a crum of bread , or a cup of colde water , vnlesse thou thy selfe make some prouision to entertaine thy louing Iesus , whensoeuer hee shall vouchsafe to come into thy Cottage , to visit thee in kindnesse : Oh how happie shalt thou be , if thou art prouided to welcome so good a Guest , whose acceptance shall bring thee eternall blessednesse , and who is so kinde , that he will dwell with thee for euer : and where he remaineth , their store is alwayes increased , their riches are multiplyed in abundance : he cannot , he will not be chargeable vnto thee , if thou wilt shew him infallible tokens of thy true loue , and make any prouision , be it neuer so meane , to receiue him with chearefulnesse : he expecteth no sumptuous preparation , hee longeth for no daintie cates , hee regardeth no magnificent pompe , hee hateth vaine ostentation and outward glorie , he can neuer abide to make any abode in that house which is not furnished with true humilitie . Oh happie is that soule that is not vnprouided at his comming , but standeth alwayes ready at the doore to open vnto him , whensoeuer hee knocketh , and is willing to enter .

Consider also , ô my soule , the great paines and diligent labours of thy industrious Sauiour , who continued the day time in the Temple , preaching , and teaching the people ; and in the night , praying , or instructing his Disciples : therefore if thou wilt shew thy selfe a faithfull seruant to so good a Lord , and a louing Disciple to so kinde a Maister , set him alwayes before thine eyes , as a perfect patterne and liuely example , to imitate him in the carefull execution of thy lawfull calling .

Weare not out the moment of thy poasting life in carnall delights , fulfilling the lewd desires of the wanton flesh , accounting worldly pleasure thy chiefest treasure , and making thy bellie thy God , for the end of such is eternall damnation .

God hath giuen man an vpright countenance , that hee should lift vp his head , and looke towards Heauen , therefore derogate not so much from thy dignity , as to haue thine eyes , and thy thoughts , still fixed vpon the earth , like vnto the bruit beasts , neuer well pleased , but when ( like a Mole ) thou art turning ouer thy siluer and golden heapes .

Thou seest ( oh my soule ) that thy louing Sauiour Iesus , did seeke by all meanes to benefit the Iewes , his vnnaturall Country-men , and to do them all good , but they were alwaies so froward , that they were euermore forward to doe him nothing but mischiefe and hurt , who hauing exiled tender pittie from their eyes , & all humane compassion from their harts , had not onely so much kindenes , as to offer him a morsell of meat to refresh his weary body at night , when he had laboured all day to feed their soules with spirituall bread : but most vnkindely their chiefe rulers and the Scribes , held a Councell against him , complotted many strange inuentions , forged many odious calumniations , and imagined many false crimes , cruelly to depriue him of his harmelesse life , and to accelerate his speedy death : because the good deeds which Christ did daily to the people , were vnwelcome newes to their eares , and bred nothing else , but sorrow in their enuious mindes .

Therefore they raged with fury , and conspired in bitternesse of their malice , how they might entrap Christ Iesus by craft and subtiltie , and so like an innocent Lambe , lead him away to the slaughter : for so fell was their hatred to the life of our Sauiour , & so greedie were they to hasten his death , that had they not feared that the people would haue hindred their wicked purposes , interrupting the course of their malicious practise , they would haue vented their swelling spite , and disgorged their full stomackes , surcharged with malice against him , on the feast-day : but they suspected their cruell deede , at that time , would haue stirred vp greater tumults amongst the people , which did reuerence Iesus , as a Prophet : for if they might haue had their owne will , and satisfied the longing of their enuious humour , they would haue spared no day , nor regarded any place , so they might haue split his innocent bloud .

Oh with what damnable counsell and diuellish deuises , doe I heare thy furious enemies consulting against thee , my innocent Iesus , thou Lord of eternall glorie ?

What false imaginations , what monstrous inuentions , what hellish stratagems , what forged accusations , did they coyne against thee , their hearts burning , and their hands itching , to cut off thy blessed life , to staine the earth with thy precious bloud , and to worke ( as they wickedly wished ) thy finall destruction ?

How cruelly doe these faithlesse Iewes conspire against thee ? those impious wretches said within themselues ( carried away with the violent current of their irefull imaginations ) let vs oppresse that righteous man , let vs swallow him vp in our rage , let vs sodainely deuoure him in our madnes , let vs set traps to take him , and lay snares to entangle him : let vs roote him out from the land of the liuing , that his name may neuer be remembred any more , because he is obstinate in contradicting our words , and peremptory in carping at our workes . Wee cannot , wee may not tollerate his arrogancie , wee will not brooke his oppositions .

Hee layeth open our sinnes , to increase our shame , he professeth that hee hath the knowledge of God , and nameth himselfe the Sonne of God : He discloseth our secret thoughts , hee is loathsome to our eyes , wee cannot abide him in our sight , the course of his life is opposite to our Lawes , he is an open aduersary to our Decrees , hee abstaineth from our wayes , as though they were wicked , defiled with vncleannesse , and polluted with vices .

We are reputed of him as men of no worth , hee standeth not in awe of our authoritie , hee esteemeth our threatnings of no moment , and he arrogantly boasteth , that he hath God for his Father .

Let vs see if his protestations be faithfull , and if his speeches be true : and let vs assay and make tryall what things will happen vnto him .

If he be the true Sonne of God , hee will receiue him into his protection , deliuer him out of the hands of his foes , and keepe him safe from danger : Let vs examine him churlishly , and torment him cruelly , to make triall of his meeknesse ; let vs condemne him to a most shamefull death , that we may proue his patience .

Such were the bitter words of the cruell Iewes , who sate in counsell to kill my Sauiour Iesus , the true Lord of life , whose good deedes were so odious to their vicious sight , and his sweet breath so noysome vnto their stinking nosthrils , that they would not suffer him to liue any longer .

Oh that hellish enuie should so peruert the vnderstanding , and enrage the mindes of men to doe such mischiefe !

Why did the Iewes so furiously rage together ? why did they imagine a vaine thing against the Lord and his anointed ? saying , Let vs breake their bonds asunder , and cast away their cords from vs : But , the Lord had them in dirision : hee spake vnto them in his wrath , and vexed them in his sore displeasure , and placed his King vpon his holy hill of Sion for euer .

Now , although the bloudy minded Iewes longed for the death of my innocent Iesus , yet they were loath hee should suffer on the day of their Feast , not for any fauour they bare vnto him , but for feare of the people .

But thou my louing Lord , didst make choise of that time to offer vp thy selfe a Sacrifice for our sakes , that thou mightest receiue greater reproach , and that thy death might be acted with more shame , suffered onely for our sins .

Thy righteous life being not onely alwayes free from any euill action , but euermore so pure , that it neuer was tainted with euill cogitation . And also that thy death might be knowne vnto many ( although lamented of few which did behold thee ) the concourse of people being great , that flocked from many bordering townes and villages to Hierusalem , at the day of that great solemnitie : who seeing with their eies , had not Grace beene wanting , might haue vnderstood in their hearts , that thou wert the true substance , whereof the Paschall Lambe was but a figure .

Oh Lambe of God which takest away the sinnes of the world , sprinkle my soule with some drops of thy precious bloud , that although it haue lien long buried in the graue of sinfull iniquitie , yet at last it may be reuiued and liue againe by vertue of thy quickning mercy .

Now the bloody Iewes holding a wicked consultation , how they might depriue my beloued Sauiour of his life , euen then came cursed Iudas , and offered them ( for money ) to betray his louing Maister to death : saying , What will yee giue me and I will deliuer him vnto you ?

Nor was hee a more greedie Traytor , to set his kinde Maisters bloud to sale , then they readie chapmen to entertaine so bloudy an offer , seeing one of his owne familie so forward to deliuer him vp into their hands , whom they had already murthered in their hearts : So they proffered him thirtie pieces of siluer ; Oh cursed Iudas to make such an offer ! Oh execrable Iewes to accept it . But most damned Iudas to performe it .

Had Malice ( oh yee bloudie Iewes ) so hardened your hearts ? had Fury so blinded your eyes ? had Enuie so fired your grudging affections , that contrarie to the law of God & Nature , you should animate such a damnable Traitor to perpetrate so horrible a treason , against your Messias , your master ?

For what could be more hatefull to God , more odious to good Men ? what more opposite to Nature ? what more contrary to good Nurture , then that one of a mans owne houshold should proue so vnfaithfull , as to sell at so vilde a price the dearest bloud of his louing Lord ? or that any men should be found so monstrous , as to allow and like of such a damnable offer ? Oh thou most wicked traitor ! oh thou most ingratefull and gracelesse Seruant ! Oh yee generation of Vipers , cursed Iewes , damned Iudas ! Oh thou dissembling Disciple by name , but indeede a most bloudie enemie ! are these the thankes thou dost giue to thy Maister for his kindenesse ? is this the requitall of his loue ? are these the most worthy rewards that thou canst spare him for his liberall bountie ? are these the best arguments of thy gratuitie , for all his benefits bestowed vpon thee ? Oh thou Sonne of perdition , execrable Traitor , and damnable Merchant , to sell the sacred bloud of thy faithfull Maister ! Had my kinde Iesus committed any offence against thee ? or had hee discontented thy minde , and vexed thy heart , that thou shouldst treacherously betray him into the hands of his foes , to be tortured and put to a most cruell and shamefull death ? nay rather , what large liberalitie had he not vsed towards thee ? what store of benefits had hee not heaped vpon thee ? Oh thou vngratefull wretch ! Oh thou hatefull traitor ! my louing Iesus made thee one of the little number of his Disciples : admitted thee into the blessed societie of his elected , and made thee Steward of his familie , to keepe the bag , and bestow the money which was giuen to him and his Disciples : and dost thou in requitall of his fauourable loue , and in recompence of his extraordinary kindenesse , post to the cruell Iewes , whom thou , thou I say , knewest did alwayes prosecute him with deadly hate , and eagerly sought his innocent life ) to offer them open sale of the bloud of thy louing Maister , allured with the vnsatiable desire of money , ( a pleasant baite to take a couetous minde ) bewitched with Sathans enticements , and instigated with the vnquenchable thirst of damnable lucre , that distempered thy vnderstanding , and cleane put out the eye of thy naturall reason ?

Oh how doth couetous lust tyrannize ouer our soules , and captiuate our senses , if it once seaze vpon our hearts , and take possession in our breasts ! It maketh vs violate our Faith towards God , our Fidelitie towards Men : it maketh Parents vnkinde to their Children , and Children vndutifull towards their Parents : it armeth the wicked to commit bloudie murther : it maketh Subiects disloyall to their Prince , it eggeth and edgeth them to attempt the vtter ruine of their Country : it kindeleth the fire of ciuill and intestine Seditions : it bloweth vp the sparkles of horrible Treason : it excludeth kinde Hospitalitie , it is the Cut-throate of Christian Charitie : it pampereth all vices , it starueth all vertues . What is it but a Hellish Furie , the author and actor of humane miserie ? Oh how happie is the heart that is not affected to it ! Oh how peaceable is the conscience that is not infected with it ! Tell me thou bloudie Traytor Iudas , diddest thou not see many wonderfull Miracles done by thy louing Master before thine eyes ? diddest thou not heare many diuine speeches vttered by his blessed mouth ? didst not thou attend vpon him preaching in the day ? didst thou not accompanie him praying in the night ? hadst thou so soone forgot his blessed Sermons ? went all in at one eare and out at the other ? didst thou remember no better his heauenly Exhortations ? hadst thou quite raced out of thy memorie his generall compassion towards all , and his particular goodnesse towards thee ? why was thy soule starued for want of food in the middest of plentie ? why were thy spirits dryed vp with thirst , being so neare a pure fountaine ? It was because thou haddest no grace to taste of that sweet coelestiall Manna , or to drinke of that rocke of liuing water . Couldest thou esteeme so rare a Iewell , as my Sauiour Iesus , at so base a rate ? wouldest thou sell his precious bloud at so low a price that was sufficient to pay the greatest price of our Redemption ? What base opinion mightest thou thinke the high Priest might haue of thee , prouing so vilde a Traytor , ( although to serue their owne turnes they allowed thy Treason ? ) Didst thou not thinke the whole World would daily hate thee , when being a Disciple , thou hadst so vildely betraied thy louing Master , and craftily plotted the death of thy gracious Benefactor ? But woe be vnto thee , and to all of thy condition : it had beene better for thee thou haddest neuer beene , then being , to haue beene an instrument of such haynous , such detestable , such horrible Treason : Keepe my soule ( oh Lord ) set a Watch before the dore of my heart , that no couetous desire may haue passage into my bowels , or enter into my brest to get dominion ouer my reason , to wound my conscience , to inflict my minde with noysome lusts , and to confound my vnderstanding with greedy desires . Let the memory of this sorrowfull day , wherein thy couetous and damnable disciple Iudas sold thee , my innocent and louing Sauiour Iesus , vnto the murmuring and murthering Iewes , draw out floods of teares from mine eyes , and fetch out sorrowfull sobs and deepe sighes from my repenting heart , to bewaile the horrour of my transgressions , and to lament the innumerable multitude of my many most monstrous iniquities , which brought thy most sacred bodie to the market , there to be solde , and from thence to be led to the slaughter , cruelly to be slaine ; that with thy most precious bloud thou mightest pay the price of my Redemption , which am a most wretched and sinfull creature : yet let the sweet recordation of thy immutable loue , and the ioyfull remembrance of thy immeasurable mercy , so comfort mee in the midst of my miserie , that although I finde much matter in my selfe to make mee feare , yet that I may neuer despaire , knowing that thou art alwaies willing to apply a soueraigne salue to a wounded soule , and sweet consolation to a woefull conscience , whensoeuer ( oh blessed Sauiour ) we acknowledge our maladie , and faithfullie desire thy sauing helpe in our miserie .

Of the Preparation of Christs last Supper by the Disciples on Thursday : of the washing of the Disciples feete , performed by Iesus himselfe : and of many exemplary actions of Iesus at the Supper . MED. III. Christ Iesus a a Iohn 13.5 . washed his Disciples feete ; They loath , b b Iohn 13.8 . refuse ; but he enforceth it : For c c Iohn 13.2 . Supper done , to Symon thus said hee , Vnlesse I doo 't , thou hast no part with me . d d Iohn 13.8 .

THe first day of the sweet bread , that is to say , the fift day of the week , in the euening of which day the Paschall Lamb was slaine , and sweet bread was eaten , according to the custome of the Iewes , the Disciples came to Iesus , seeing it was the time of the Feast , and that their Maister had no resting place of his owne , where he might lay his head , and said vnto him , Where wilt thou that wee prepare for thee to eate the Paschall Lambe ? Teach mee here ( my sweet Sauiour , by thy example ) so to liue in the world , that I may be prepared euery day to leaue the world , esteeming my selfe as a Pilgrime , still trauelling , and euery day remouing , & not to build my palace of pleasure here in this transitorie world , where all things are vncertaine , subiect euery moment to miserie , changes and mutabilitie .

Let neyther the pleasant baites of prosperitie , nor the bitter brunts of aduersitie , hinder me in my iourney , whilest I trauaile toward the heauenly Ierusalem .

Let thy humilitie be my greatest honour in time of prosperitie ; let thy pouertie be my chiefest riches in time of aduersitie ; and let thy patience be my onely comfort in the sorrowfull day of affliction : let thy quiet contentment calme the tumults of my grudging minde , and barre out all repining thoughts , seeing thou the Lord of all , hadst not so much as a Cottage , to couer thy head from the dew of heauen , or to shadow thy face from the beames of the Sunne . But my sweet Sauiour , although thou wert poore in respect of thy Humanitie , that thy pouertie might be our consolation in time of our distresses , and to teach vs to beare with patience the heauie burden of our afflictions , yet thou didst shew the bright beames of thy Diuinitie to thy Disciples , when they saw that performed indeed , which thou haddest told them in word , when they met with the man in the Citie , a meere stranger vnto them , whose heart thou haddest prepared to make prouision for thee and thy Disciples , to celebrate the Feast of the Paschall Lambe .

Oh happie man ( whom thou didst vouchsafe to choose for thy Hoste ! Oh blessed house prepared to receiue such a Guest ! Send thy holy Spirit ( my louing Sauiour ) as a Harbinger , to prepare a lodging for thee in my heart , and so furnish my minde with thy heauenlie graces , that I may be able to giue thee such entertainment , that thou maiest like and loue to dwell with mee for euer . Now , when the Table was prepared , the Paschall Lambe made readie ( with other necessaries ) at euening , Iesus came thither with his disciples , and when the houre was come , he sate downe to the Table . Oh happy feast ! blessed are they ( my louing Sauiour ) which sit downe to meate at thy Supper . Most happie and blessed are they ( oh most mercifull IESVS , ) who are so dearely beloued of thee , and so highly honoured by thee , as to be made worthy to sit at thy Table .

Thou wilt giue them euerlasting food for their meate , and water of life for their drinke , so that after thy bountifull Feast , they shall neuer know any hunger , nor feele any thirst .

Graunt mee ( Oh bountifull Lord ) to taste of that heauenly food , and to drinke my fill of that Coelestiall water , so that my body may be thy holy Temple , and my soule thine euerlasting habitation . Behold ( oh my soule ) how thy louing IESVS sitteth amongst his Disciples ; a meeke Lambe among meeke sheepe , except cruell Iudas , who although hee were a deuouring Wolfe , sate downe to the Table in their holy societie . Oh most holy societie of thee , and thy faithfull Disciples ! Oh most glorious companie of all but one , who had a Diuell !

These thy children , my most louing Iesus , doe sit like Oliue branches round about thy Table : They sate downe with thee lincked together with the bond of perfect loue , the mindes of all them being faithfull vnto thee , and all their affections longing after thee , onely Iudas was an odious Traytor , and thou knewest well enough that he should betray thee .

They all eate with thee the meat set before them , and they eate the pure Paschall Lambe , after the manner of the Iewes .

Oh blessed house , oh happie supping-parlour , worthy of great honour , in which my gracious Lord vouchsafed to make his blessed Supper .

Wherefore was not I there then , my sweet Sauiour , to attend vpon thee , and thy faithfull Disciples ? I would haue esteemed it as my greatest honour , to haue done thee any seruice . Certainely , I would haue gathered vp some of the crummes which fell from the Table of my Lord .

Oh how ioyfull would it haue beene to my hart ! Oh how would it haue pleased mine eyes , to haue had but a view of thy amiable countenance ! I would haue fallen downe flat at thy feete , and with Mary Magdalene , I would haue washed them with my teares . And thou oh my most mercifull Lord , which didst not despise the teares of a sinfull and a sorrowfull Woman , wouldst not haue reiected mee , a poore Publican , and grieuous sinner : and as thou wert compassionate towards her , so thou wouldst also haue beene mercifull to me .

Oh how comfortable would thy most pleasant speeches ( my sweet Sauiour ) haue beene to my sorrowfull soule ? how quickly would thy most wholsome words wherwith thou didst refresh thy louing Disciples , haue healed the wounds of my grieued conscience ? What did my Lord beginne to speake ? what were thy first words when thou wert set at the Table ? Thou saist , I haue earnestly desired to eate this Passeouer with you before I suffer : Oh how great is thy Charitie ? how immeasurable is thy loue , my louing Iesus ? Thou didst earnestlie desire to eate with thy Disciples , but it was not to slake thy hunger , or to refresh thy feeble nature : thou hadst no such neede of corporall food , but it was thy meate to doe the will of thy Father : Thou wert desirous to leaue some tokens of thy exceeding loue , with thy louing Disciples , before thy departure , and to seale them an euerlasting assurance of thy continuall prouidence ouer them .

let the precious balme of thy soueraigne mercie , heale the deepe and deadly wounds of mine iniquitie : Oh my God , open thy pittifull eares to heare my petition , answere me graciously , and despise not my prayer .

Command my wandring heart to come out of the broad way that leadeth to Hell and damnation , and to returne into the narrow path , which conducteth to heauen and euerlasting saluation : so that being once againe returned into it , it may neuer hereafter wander out of it .

Shut all worldly cares and wicked cogitations out of my heart , that neither the heauie burthen of them may so depresse my minde , that the deuotion of my Prayer cannot ascend vp vnto thee , nor so stop the passage of my soule , that the comfort of thy grace cannot descend downe vpon me .

Draw mee vnto thee , my most louing Iesus , thou which art mine assured saluation , in the day of my greatest miserie , and my onelie comfort and consolation in the last and latest houre of my deadly agonie : for I am wounded , and my heart is consumed , because I haue forgotten to eate my bread , which should haue nourished me to euerlasting life .

Indeed , I haue beene altogether forgetfull of thee , my beloued Iesus , for I haue not called to my minde thy most holy Passion with any zealous or serious meditation : I haue had no delight to thinke vpon thy precious wounds , which thou didst suffer to heale my sores : neither haue I found any comfort in the pure streames of thy innocent bloud , powred out to wash away my sinnes , and to purge my corrupted soule : I haue not looked after my beloued in the day , I haue not longed for my Bride-groome in the night .

I confesse my gracious Lord , I haue not beene mindefull of thee , my thoughts haue beene wandring abroad , my minde hath not been exercised with any sweet meditation of thy mercie : my spirit hath not beene troubled with sorrow for my sinnes , mine eyes haue shed no teares , nor my heart sent forth any sighes for my manifold transgressions . Therefore what shall I doe ? I will returne to the Lord my God , and I will call vpon him , I will not cease to reiterate the most holy Name of Iesus , vntill thy voice sound in mine eares , there , there . Come therefore ( oh good Iesus ) and haue mercie vpon me . Heare ( oh sweet Iesus ) the prayer of thy seruant : infuse and dip my heart in thy bloud , and diffuse thy grace into my soule oh most mercifull Iesus : let my heart oh most louing Iesus ) be like waxe melting in the middest of thy bloudy side . Cloath my minde with the mourning garment of thy Passion , and let my zealous affections burne like fire in my serious meditation .

Leade me ( oh my most milde and kinde Iesus ) to thy most holy Supper , where I may heare thee speaking to thy Disciples , sitting at thy Table , after thou haddest washed their feete .

Tell mee ( oh my soule ) if thou hast read what the Lord my Iesus did when he sate downe againe to the Table , after the washing of his Disciples feete . Verily , while they were yet eating , Iesus tooke bread , and giuing thanks , he blessed it , brake it , and gaue it to his Disciples , and said : Take and eate this is my body which is giuen for you , doe this in remembrance of mee . And when hee had giuen euery one a morsell , hee tooke the cup , and powring wine into it , giuing thankes , hee likewise gaue it to them saying : Drinke yee all of this , for this is my bloud of the new Testament which is shed for you , and for many , for the remission of sinnes , and they all dranke of it . Let vs pause a while ( oh my soule ) and with deuout meditation ponder in our mindes , and treasure vp in our hearts , the wonderfull things which our blessed IESVS hath done for vs ; for our mercifull and gracious Lord hath made a memoriall of his wonders , hee hath giuen meate to them which feare him . Oh wonderfull Supper , in which so many admirable things were done and effected ! This was thy last Supper ( oh most sweet Iesu ) which thou didst make when thou wert about to depart out of the world to thy Father . How many admirable wonders of thy exceeding loue ? how many miracles of thy infinite mercy are presented vnto vs in this thy blessed Supper : but thou hast most speciallie ordained this mysticall , sweet , delightfull , and heauenlie sacrament of thy body and bloud , that the memorie of thy Passion might remaine for euer in the mindes of the faithfull : Oh wonderfull Sacrament , in which is contained such abundance of all kinde of sweenesse ! no sweetnesse be it neuer so dilicious can come neere it in goodnesse ; no pleasure , be it neuer so incomparable , is worthie to be compared vnto it .

Oh most sweet Iesu , how pleasant , how sweet art thou , if wee might haue a true taste of thy exceeding sweetnesse ? In this thy wonderfull Sacrament , thou dost feed vs with corporall bread , but after a spirituall manner . What therefore can I want to satisfie my what may I wish to augment my ioy , if I haue my Iesus present with me ? Though now I see thee darkely through a glasse , yet hereafter I shall see thee face to face . I cannot satisfie my minde ( oh my most bountifull Iesus ) with admiration of thy vnmeasurable liberalitie : I cannot wonder enough at the exceeding largenesse of thy bountie .

What greater gifts couldest thou haue bestowed vpon vs ? what more excellent benefits couldest thou haue deriued vnto vs ? For in this thy blessed Testament , thou hast bequeathed great and precious Legacies to all thy Brethren that faithfullie loue thee , and constantlie beleeue in thee : In verie deede thou hast left them a rich inheritance , wee cannot estimate the price , we can make no true account of the greatnesse . Some at their death leaue to their heires , Cities and townes , great possessions and store of monie : some build them sumptuous houses , and erect statelie Sepulchers , that their name might remaine among men , and their memorie continue vpon earth . But thy bountie , my most kinde and louing Iesus , doth farre exceed and surmount them all : for thou hast left thy owne selfe vnto vs , that wee should haue a continuall spectacle of thy most holy Passion in our mindes , and often thinke vpon thy innocent death in our repenting hearts . And in thy blessed Sacrament , which is so highly to be honoured of vs , and most reuerently to be celebrated by vs , thou dost giue thy selfe for food to be receiued of vs by faith , which may nourish vs to euerlasting life , and deliuer vs from the doome of eternall death . Oh my most bountifull Lord , oh exceeding , admirable , and incomparable loue of my louing Sauiour , my beloued Iesus ! But how odious is mine ingratitude , my kinde and louing Iesus , how great and grieuous is my forgetfulnesse , that I doe not continuallie remember the pangs of thy Passion , and euermore meditate on the paines of thy bitter death , when I participate thy wonderfull Sacrament , and celebrate thy blessed Supper , seeing by thy death thou hast merited for me euerlasting life , and by thy Passion hast purchased for mee eternall redemption .

Why doe I not remember that thou wert wrongfully accused , scornefully derided , spitefully reuiled , cruelly scourged , and crucified as a hainous malefactor , and put to a shamefull death as a wicked doer : and how patientlie thou didst endure the bitter paines of the crosse , to deliuer mee a most wretched sinner , from the curse of eternall death , iustly pronounced against mee , and readie to be inflicted vpon mee , if thy obedience had not appeased the wrath of thy heauenlie Father , and thy gracious mercy salued the wounds of my misery .

Oh my drie head , why doest thou not draw water with ioy out of the fountaines of thy Sauiour , for he is a Well of liuing water ? Oh teares , why doe yee not streame forth in great abundance , with exceeding ioy and exultation , while I call to minde the exceeding sweetnesse of mine euerlasting libertie , and meditate vpon the greatnesse and goodnesse of my eternall Redemption , in this most sacred , holie , and wonderfull Sacrament represented vnto me ? Why doe not my spirits faint with exceeding ioy ? and why is not my minde rauished with excessiue mirth , when I consider the immeasurable greatnesse of thy loue ; and the incomprehensible largenesse of thy bountie , whereby thou hast beene moued to giue vs thy selfe for euerlasting meate , to nourish vs to eternall life ? Haue mercie vpon mee ( oh my most mercifull Lord ) because by reason of the imbecillitie of my dull vnderstanding , and by the hardnes and drinesse of my heart , I am notable to relish the goodnesse , nor taste the sweetnesse of the wholesome fruit of thy holie and blessed Sacrament : yet I ( most vilde wretch ) presume to come to thy Table , and to receiue this holy foode , though most vnworthie of so great a mercie .

But woe bee vnto my conscience , and horror vnto my wounded soule , because I haue approached vnto thy holie Table , and taken of thy sanctified meat with polluted hands , and vnwashed feete , and yet I haue not blushed for shame , nor bewailed the follie of my intollerable Presumption . For I consider my most sweet IESVS , that in this thy most glorious Supper , before thou diddest institute the most blessed Sacrament , as a memoriall vnto vs of thy bloudie Passion , thou the true Christall-glasse of Humilitie , taking the shape of a Seruant , didst wash the feete of thy Disciples , saying moreouer vnto Peter , If I shall not wash thee , thou shalt haue no part with mee . Shall it not therefore bee my great presumption , and shall I not incurre the danger of a most grieuous offence against thee , if I would haue any part with thee , when I approach vnto thy holy Table with vnwashed feete , and participate thy blessed Sacrament with defiled hands ?

I know therefore ( my gratious Lord ) who , and what a one I ought to be , when I come to such an excellent Sacrament .

I know my louing Lord that I should first wash my feete , heart and hands , and purge all my corrupted affections , before I should presume to receiue thy pure and holie Sacrament . I know my good and gracious Iesus , that it is needfull for mee euery night to wash my Bed , and water my Couch with my teares : Yea , and to wash my feet with teares of true compunction , and with streames of sorrow , flowing from the inward deuotion of a relenting and repenting heart .

But woe be vnto me ( most vnhappie wretch ) because that I a most vilde creature , doe not feare to approach vnto such an excellent Maiestie , infected from the crowne of my head , to the sole of my foote , with sores and loathsome diseases , and being a most wicked sinner , wholie ouer-spread with corruption , and stained with filthie pollution : doe not blush to come into thy presence , but presume to intrude my selfe into thy blessed societie , and to sit downe at thy holie Table , which art a diuine Spirit , alwaies pure from the spots of sinne , and staines of iniquitie . I come vnto thee my meeke and louing Iesus , puffed vp with pride , and lifted vp with rebellious thoughts , and I presume to eate with impure hands , and vnwashed feet .

Notwithstanding my most mercifull IESVS , I know that thy clemencie is farre greater then mine indignitie , and thy mercie farre exceeding my miserie . And therefore confident in thy great benignitie , and relying whollie vpon thy immeasurable mercie , I am bold to receiue thee , and being infected with so manie dangerous and deadlie diseases , I come vnto thee , being a skilfull and louing Phisitian : that I may be cured from my grieuous maladies , by thy soueraigne medicines . For by how much the more weake I am , and by how much the greater the maladie is which doth afflict me , by so much the more I stand in need of thy helpe , that the infinitenesse of thy mercie may appeare the clearer in the cure of my grieuous maladie , and the beames of thy glorie shine the brighter by my deliuerance .

Therefore I will come confidentlie vnto thee ( my most milde and mercifull Iesus ) because thy mercies are infinite , that I may enioy with thee , the euerlasting delights of the blessed .

Giue me therefore thy heauenlie bread , oh my good Iesus , thou which art the life of the world , and graunt ( oh bountifull Lord ) that I may be enabled by thy grace , to eate worthilie , that I may remaine in thee eternallie , and thou in mee euerlastingly : for I desire this one thing , it is the ioy of my heart , and the contentment of my longing affections , that I may dwell inseparablie with thee for euer , and I will cleaue vnto none other but onely vnto thee , oh my sweet Iesus , because with thee is the fountaine of life , and in thy light , I shall see light .

A Meditation how the Lord Iesus fore-told his Disciples that hee should be betrayed by one of them that same night . MED. V. Amongst the a a Mat. 26.20.21 . twelue , as Iesus sate at meates , At his b b Marke 14.14 . last Supper ; thus to them he said ; Who c c Luke 22.22 . dips his hand in dish , and with me eates , By d d Iohn 18.5 . him the Sonne of man shall be betraid .

AFter our most louing and most gracious Iesus had fed his Disciples with his precious Bodie , and refreshed them with his Bloud , hee was troubled in spirit , and said to his Disciples : Verily , verily , I say vnto you , that one of you shall betray mee , which eateth with mee , that the Scripture may be fulfilled : he which eateth my bread , shall lift vp his heele against mee : Oh how hard is this saying , my blessed and bountifull Sauiour ! Oh how harsh and bitter meats hadst thou reserued for thy Disciples , at the end of thy Supper ? Thou didst feede them with sweet milke in the beginning , and thou gauest them delicious honie in the middle , when thou didst wash their feete ; and refreshedst them with thy precious body for their meate , and with thy roiall bloud for their drinke .

But now in the end thou hadst reserued gall and Wormwood , sowre sauce for their sweet meate , when these sorrowfull words did passe out of thy blessed lips , and that dreadfull speech was vttered , by thy honie-flowing mouth .

Woe is me ( my sweet and louing Iesus ) I seeme to see the cheerefull countenance of thy deare disciples sodainely changed , their hearts ouer-whelmed with floods of sorrow , their mindes perplexed with excessiue griefe , the heate of their desires quite extinguished , and all their hopes whollie dashed so soone as those fearefull words had passed through their eares , and pierced their hearts ; who of so sweet a beginning , little expected so sowre a conclusion .

Had they not much matter of mourning , and was it not a world of sorrow vnto them , that thou being their Master , Captaine , Gouernour , Gardian , and Ruler , shouldst be betraied to death ? and it did much more augment the matter of their woe , and increase the heapes of their griefe , that one of them should contriue this horrible Treason , and be the Author of this bloudie attempt .

The first was a violent motiue , to moue them to exceeding sorrow , because they so dearly loued and were so entirely beloued of their louing Maister : But the latter was so horrible to their eares , and so terrible to their hearts , that it quite abated all their former ioy , & vtterly amazed their perplexed mindes , maruelling in their troubled cogitations , who amongst such a little flocke of Sheepe , should proue so woluish , as to deuoure so good a Shepheard : admiring that any one in their holie societie , should so farre degenerate from his faithfull fidelitie , as to betray the life of so bountious , so milde , and so mercifull a Master . But heare oh my soule , what his faithfull Disciples answered , when they heard those lamentable words pronounced . They looked one vpon another , their faces being pale with feare , and their hearts full fraughted with sorrow , and scarcely could their tongues vtter any part of their inward griefe , the floud of their woes did flow fast , and rise to so high a tide in their hearts , and they said with a trembling voyce , what sorrowfull words are these which our deare Master doth vtter ? Who amongst vs shall proue such a cursed wretch , as once to imagine or such a horrible traitor as once to complot such a detestable deede and execrable fact ?

Such a hainous intention , said euery one of them , was farre from my thoughts , such a hellish motion did neuer enter into my breast . For how should such a Diuellish cogitation enter into our mindes , or finde any harbour in our harts ? but our Lord cannot be deceiued . Wherefore euery one of them turning to the Lord , said : Is it I Rabbi ? to whom blessed Iesus answered , One of the twelue which dips his hand with me in the dish shall betray me .

But peraduenture many of them shouing their hand in the dish at that time , they were not able to discerne who it should be .

Wherefore Iudas said : What is it I Rabbi ? But louing Iesus , otherwise not discouering him , answered , Thou hast said : as though hee should say , thou hast said and not I : for we may thinke truely , that if my louing Iesus had plainely discouered that cursed man to the rest of his louing and beloued Disciples , they ( if we should compare their affections with other mens passions ) had not beene able to haue contained their hands , but with one accord would haue assailed that most wicked traitor , and haue ended his hatefull daies , with a speedie death , who allured with the baites of the Diuell went about to make sale of the blessed life of their deare and best beloued Maister . For how wouldest thou haue beene able , oh bold and couragious Peter , to haue cooled the heate of thy furie , and to haue held thy hands from taking vengeance vpon such a damnable Traitor , when as thou didst not feare to make resistance against a great band of Souldiers , in the defence of thy beloued Master ? For as their loue toward louing Iesus was without meane , so their hatred toward hatefull Iudas would haue beene without moderation , if his treacherous plot had beene openly discouered vnto them . But I pray thee stay here a while , ( oh my soule ) and ponder within thy inward thoughts , with deuout meditation , the sacred words and diuine speeches , more sweet then honie & the honie-combe , which my most sweet Iesus vttered to his faithfull Disciples , as he went to the place of his vniust apprehension , which the Euangelist Iohn retaining in his memorie , through the holy Ghost , hath faithfully recorded in his heauenlie and most sacred Gospell . Meditate there seriouslie vpon the wonderfull loue which hee had towards his loyall Disciples : hee was their Lord and Master , yet he did not disdaine to eate meate , conforting with the meanest of them : hee washed their feete , hee gaue his bodie and bloud vnto them : and after all these things , did not cease to teach them the way of truth , and to feede their soules with the spirituall food of his coelestiall doctrine .

Oh most mercifull and blessed Iesus , thy words are spirit and life , which thou doest speake to thy Disciples : and that knew thy Seruant Peter , when he said ; Thou hast the words of eternall life : For thy words are pure and sweet to the taste of them that loue thee ; yea , more sweet then honie and the honie-combe . They also knew , that those who were sent by the chiefe Rulers , to lay hands vpon thee , were taken with such wonderfull admiration at the gracious words which did proceede out of thy blessed mouth , that they were constrained to proclaime thy worthie praises , telling them , That neuer any man spake so graciously : Oh most eloquent Orator ! streames of sweetnesse doe flow from thy lips , Honie and Milke are euer plentifull vnder thy tongue : Oh how powerfull , how eloquent , how wonderfull were the words which my Lord vttered to his Disciples in the end of his sweet Oration ! Hee exhorteth them to sow the seedes of true loue in their hearts , and to shew forth the fruits thereof one to another .

After , hee admonisheth them , that they should be constant in their loue , and permanent in their Faith towards him their louing Sauiour . For hee that is destitute of the former can neuer be possessed of the latter .

And after those things , he fore-telleth them what great dangers they should passe , what tribulations , troubles , afflictions , and calamities , they should suffer after his departure , that being fore-warned , they might be better armed .

Lastly , hee powreth forth his prayer vnto his heauenly Father for them , that they might not shrinke backe like cowards in the day of their triall , nor their Faith faile them in the bitter stormes of affliction , but aboue all things , oh my most sweet IESVS , I am not able to wonder enough at thy earnest Exhortations , which thou diddest vse to kindle the sparkes of feruent loue towards thee in the hearts of thy faithfull Disciples , thou doest specially aboue all things , charge and command thy Disciples , that they loue thee , and couet after nothing but thee ! Oh how great is the excellencie of true loue ! Oh how feruent is the vehemencie of a deuout spirit : Oh how forcible is the preheminence of a charitable affection ! Thou didst commend , and leaue loue ( my beloued Iesus ) as a most rare and precious Iewell to thy deare Disciples .

Therefore this is highly to be extolled of vs , and chiefely to be desired by vs , as our greatest riches , and onely treasure : Let him oh louing Iesus , be abiected out of thy gracious fauour , let him haue no taste of thy kindnes , that doth not honour thy name , and possesse his heart with thy loue .

Truely , many riuers of water , haue not beene able to put out the fire , nor quench the flame of true loue : for loue is as strong as death .

Verilie , if I should giue all my substance , were it neuer so great , I would regard it as nothing , rather then I would want or forgoe my true loue : for hee that loueth thee faithfully ( my most louing Sauiour ) will leaue all things willingly , take vp his Crosse chearefully , and follow thy steps constantly .

Therefore , who shall seperate mee from thy loue , Oh my most sweet Lord ? What shall diuert the current of my affections from thee ?

Shall tribulation or anguish ? shall persecution or hunger ? But because I can doe nothing without thy grace ( my gracious IESVS ) nor performe any thing without thy power , set such a deepe stampe of thy loue in my heart , that the print of it may neuer be raced out , but abide in it for euer ; yea , so wound my heart with thy sweetest loue , that all my desires may be turned towards thee , and that I may finde no ease , but when I thinke vpon thee , that I may loue thee with all my heart , with all my soule , with all my strength : & that my whole will , desires , and affections , may couet nothing but thee .

Let all my cogitations be onely occupied in the meditation of thy loue . Seperate and remoue from mee all other desires of the flesh , oh my sweet Iesus , that my whole heart may be solelie conioyned to thee in the day , my soule humblie attend vpon thee in the night , and that my spirit and bodie may chearefully seeke after thee when I awake earely in the morning : for my soule thirsteth after thee , oh God , which art a liuing fountaine , oh when shall I come before thy face ? when shall I appeare in thy presence ?

And I doubt not oh most mercifull Lord , but that I shall be loued of thy Father , if I shall loue thee as thou hast taught thy Disciples ; and that thou and thy Father will come to mee , and make your dwelling place with me !

And what doe I craue more , what doe I couet so much as that my Iesus may dwell and remaine in mee ? Oh how happy were my state , how blessed were my condition , if I could truelie say , my beloued ( as a bundle of Mirrhe vnto me ) will remaine betweene my breasts .

If I could imbrace my beloued Iesus , I would hold him fast betwixt mine armes , I would neuer let him depart any more from me , his presence should be my pleasure in the day , his societie should be my solace in the night . Kindle my reines , oh most louing Iesus , with the burning sparkles of thy loue , inflame my heart with the fire of an ardent deuotion towards thee , so that I may long after thee alone , my deare beloued Christ Iesus , and euermore search for thee , and neuer cease to seeke thee , vntill I finde thee , which by the vehemencie of thy loue , and compassion of thy mercie wert willing to be cruellie crucified for my grieuous transgressions , and to dye a shamefull death for my sinnes : Ingraue the memorie of this thy great loue , so deepe , in the Table of my heart , that it neither decay by length of daies , nor be worne out by the iniquitie of the time .

A Meditation concerning Iesus his going vp into Mount-Oliuet , and of his praying thrice in the Garden . MED. VI. My a a Marke 14.34 . soule is heauie , euen vnto death : Mans sinne doth b b Luke 22.44 . bloud and water from me draine : For sinne I feele my Fathers angry c c Marke 14.35 . wrath ; For sinne I drinke this cup d d Luke 22.42 . of deadly paine .

IT was the custome of our louing Iesus , to ascend vp often vnto the Mount Oliuet , which was distant the space of a mile from Ierusalem , that he might pray . There also was a Towne named Gethsemani , where there was a Garden , scituated on the Mountaines , into the which , beloued Iesus was accustomed to enter , specially at night time , with his Disciples to pray .

Wherefore after he had ended his glorious and blessed Supper , and also his sweet and comfortable exhortations made to his beloued and faithfull Disciples , hee resorted towards this place , late in the night , accompanied with them .

Here ( oh my soule ) behold thy Iesus , looke vpon that innocent Lambe , which goeth of his owne accord to the slaughter .

Take a view of his Disciples which follow him , hauing their faces pale with feare , their mindes perplexed with doubts , and their hearts drowned with flouds of sorrow .

Oh that thou mightst be so happie as to haue a little taste of the sweetnesse of his words , and to haue some rellish of his comfortable Admonitions , which hee made by the way to his sorrowfull Disciples , to refresh their fainting spirits , and to establish their doubtfull mindes .

What plentie of bitter teares did the Apostles poure downe by their cheekes , when they saw and heard their Lord and Master speaking so gentlie vnto them ? Hee propounded vnto them ( as I suppose ) all things which hee had done with them at his last Supper , and the words he had spoken vnto them , and also after what manner hee should be deliuered to death that night .

Behold , his Disciples amazed at his wofull words , and hearing with attentiue eares , the sweet admonitions of their carefull Master : They all gaue heedy attention to euery word that came out of the mouth of their beloued Lord , communicating so gentlie with them .

Oh wofull separation ! oh lamentable departure ! Now a most kinde and louing Master shall be separated from his beloued Disciples , a wakefull Shepheard from his harmelesse sheepe , yea , a louing Father from his beloued Children .

What maruell is it then if their mirth be changed into mourning , their ioy into sadnesse , and their solace into sorrow ? They knew well by experience , how ioyfull , how pleasant it was to remaine with their beloued Iesus , and to enioy his blessed societie : therefore they had good cause to be amazed with sadnesse , and to be wounded with sorrow , for the losse of their louing Redeemer .

Oh what pittifull words ( as I suppose ) what lamentable voices did they vtter , saying ; Wilt thou leaue vs ( our most gracious Master ) like silly Orphanes depriued of comfort ? Wilt thou leaue vs in a Sea of sorrow without a Pilot ?

Where shall wee hope for consolation ? where shall we seeke for helpe in thy absence ?

And as they could not refraine themselues from sorrow , so hee their most louing Shepheard was readie to giue them sweet comfort , chearing vp their drooping mindes , with assured hope of his powerfull helpe , and comforting their sorrowfull hearts with his neuer-failing promise of his euerlasting loue ; telling them , that although he were absent from them in bodie , yet he would alwayes be present with them , by his holy Spirit .

I thinke our most mercifull LORD could not containe his teares , he had such tender compassion towards his sorrowfull Disciples , so kinde was his affection towards them , so great was their reciprocall loue towards him .

Cleaue thou also ( oh my soule ) to this most holie and heauenly companie , and follow thy Lord , weeping and sighing , sorrowing and lamenting for him which goeth to die for thy transgressions , and to be sacrificed for thy sinnes , say vnto him faithfully , Lord , I will follow thee wheresoeuer thou goest , I am readie to goe with thee into prison , and to death .

Now alas , ( oh my louing Iesus ) thou doest arme thy beloued Disciples with spirituall weapons , and dost labor by comfortable exhortations to expell cowardly feare out of their hearts , and to settle a constant courage in their doubtfull mindes , that they might not be dismayed in the day of perill , nor falsifie their Faith for dread of any worldly affliction .

But most wicked Iudas was busied to furnish the Iewes with deadly weapons , that they might wrongfully apprehend thee , and cruelly condemne thee to a shamefull death .

What damnable deed hast thou done thou detestable Traytor ? What infernall Phrensie possessed thy minde ? What hellish furie peruerted thy vnderstanding ?

Thou didst leaue a most gentle Master , sitting at the Table with his Disciples , friendly eating , and familiarly talking with them ( the KING OF HEAVEN , and soueraigne Lord of the whole earth ) who was able to haue made thee partaker of his eternall kingdome , where thou mightest haue liued in happinesse without measure , and ioy without end : and thou didst follow the Diuell , who led thee to the Iewes , to bargaine with them , to betray into their hands thy gracious Lord and bountious Master .

And as thou hast beene obedient to his will , so shalt thou be partaker of his reward , who abideth in the prison of euerlasting darkenesse , tormented in the fire , whose flame is neuer slaked , nor shall euer be extinguished .

But now ( oh my soule ) let vs leaue damned Iudas , a fearefull spectacle for all horrible Traitors , and let vs returne to innocent IESVS , entring into the Garden with his Disciples , where hee exhorted them to watch carefullie , and to pray earnestly that they might not fall into temptation , nor runne into danger .

Here my Sauiour beganne to taste of the bitter Cup of sorrow , and to feele the pangs of humane affliction , his spirits wearied with heauinesse , and his minde tyred with sadnesse , so that he craued comfort of his Disciples , saying : Can yee not watch with me one houre ?

Stay here ( oh my soule ) straine forth teares from thine eyes , and throng forth sighes from thy heart : draw neare and expresse thy compassion towards thine afflicted Iesus .

Behold how his countenance is changed , & his face couered with palenesse , he is scant able to vtter in words , the sorrow of his heauy heart . And what doth hee say ? My soule is heauie , euen vnto death .

Thy words ( oh my most mercifull Iesus ) doe not a little amaze my minde , and affright my perplexed thoughts . For , what doest thou feare ? why art thou touched with sorrow ? why art thou pressed with heauinesse ? From whence ( oh my louing Lord ) doth arise the cause of thy sadnes ? doest thou feare any imminent danger ? Dost thou dread the punishment which thou art about to suffer ?

But for what other thing ( oh sweet Lord ) diddest thou come into the world ? For what other end ( most blessed Sauiour ) didst thou assume flesh vnto thee in the wombe of the blessed Virgin , but that by thy death thou shouldest destroy our death , and saue that which was lost ?

What benefit had we reaped by thy birth ? how could we haue reioyced for the happie day of thy blessed Natiuitie , if our condemned soules had not beene redeemed to life by thy most precious death ? If thou ( oh my louing IESVS ) hadst refused to die for mee , who should haue satisfied for my sins ? what could haue cured my loathsome Leprosie , but the drops of thy Bloud ? What could restore mee to life , but thy innocent death ?

What did moue thee to dye for mee , but thy exceeding mercie ? whereas ( my louing Sauiour ) thou wert subiect to feare , and heauie with the terrour of death : there appeared vnto vs the veritie of thy Humanitie , not exempted from the passions of our nature , yet alwayes free from the infection of sinne , and cleare from the spots of iniquitie .

Wherefore wee may the more boldlie , bee most earnest Sutors , vnto thee , to obtaine thy succour in the time of our necessitie , and to call for thy sweet mercie in our bitter miserie , because wee are assured , that thou in thy Humanitie , hast had a sense of our sufferings .

Behold also now my soule , his faithfull and sorrowfull Disciples ! looke vpon them , and view what store of teares doe fall from their eyes ; heare what pittifull sighes and grieuous grones doe come from their hearts , while they see their louing Master vexed in his bodie , and afflicted in his soule , suffering the wrath of his Father for the guilt of our sinnes . After my louing IESVS had told his sadfull Disciples the heauinesse of his soule , pressed with the ponderous waight of our sinnes , he departed from them about a stones cast , and kneeling on the earth , prayed vnto his heauenly Father , saying : My Father , all things are possible to thee ; if it be possible , remoue this Cup from mee , yet not my will , but thy will be done .

Learne here ( oh my soule ) of thine afflicted Sauiour , where to seeke a salue for thy wounds , and from whence thou maist hope for help , when any fearefull danger doth hang ouer thy head , or any present anguish torment thy hart , poure forth thy prayers in his holy Sanctuarie ; let thy deuotion ascend vp to him , that his benediction may descend downe vpon thee : learne alwayes to submit thy wish to his will , for if it be not his will to deliuer thee , it will be his will alwayes to comfort thee , if thou continue thy prayers with perseuerance , and attend his appointed time with patience .

Consider how thy Sauiour prayed three times , vttering the same words , when his pangs in his Agonie were so grieuous , and his paines so dolorous , that his sweate ranne downe like drops of bloud : so heauie was the displeasure of his Father against him for our sinnes , so great was the burden of our iniquities imposed vpon his shoulders .

But in the extremitie of his passions , and sorrow of his soule , his heauenly father sent downe an Angell from heauen to comfort him , for the Lord will neuer leaue them forsaken in their sorrow , that call vpon him faithfully : he hath commanded vs to call vpon him in our trouble , and he will deliuer vs ; and as he hath commanded the one , so will hee neuer faile to performe the other .

Draw me ( oh my louing Lord ) to the Garden where thou wert , that I may see thee praying , and suffer with thee in thy afflictions : call me and say , Come into my garden , my sister , my spouse : make hast oh my Soule , to come to thy Beloued , because thy Beloued is gone vp into his garden , to his bed of spices , that hee may feede there , and gather Lillies .

Let vs consider , oh my Soule , and meditate attentiuely vpon all things which our Iesus hath done , let vs ruminate his feuerall actions , which may afford vs consolation , and tend to our instruction . For we may take many examples from our louing Master , which should euermore be proposed before our eyes , that wee might alwayes imitate them in the course of our life .

Thou seest how our most gentle Master hath commanded his Disciples to lincke their hearts together with the bands of true loue , and to arme themselues with patience against the daies of danger , when he went to the mount Oliuet to pray . Wherefore being about to enter into a fearefull fight , to beginne a dangerous battell , and to encounter many deadly foes , hee animateth his courage , and armeth himselfe with prayers .

Learne thou also by this his example , in the day of thy tribulation , and houre of thy affliction , to haue thy speedy recourse vnto Prayer : Wee can finde no better weapon wherewith to offend our foes . Wee can vse no better shield wherewith to defend our friends .

Thou seest also my soule , how thy Sauiour Iesus preparing himselfe to Prayer , did leaue the companie of his Disciples , and he onely selected three out of his number , so that they three which before had beene spectators in mount Tabor , of his glorious Transfiguration , might now be companions and eye-witnesses of his grieuous Passion : that in the mouth of two or three euery word might be established .

Learne thou also to leaue the societie of men , when thou doest addresse thy selfe to talke with God . When thy Sauiour did pray , he ascended vp into a mountaine , to teach vs that although our bodies doe remaine vpon earth , yet our cogitations should mount and soare vp into heauen by the wings of deuout prayer : he poured forth the compassion of his heart , he being a good Shepheard doth diligently watch ouer his flocke : the extremitie of his owne passions doe not make him forgetfull of his Brethren .

Oh great loue ! how constantly , euen vnto the end , did he tender and loue the little flocke of his faithfull Disciples , being indeede their most kinde and louing Pastor , when in the most grieuous fits of his heauy Agonie , and greatest pangs of his Passion , he was carefull to procure their rest in that little time which was limited vnto them .

Teach me ( my mercifull Iesu ) not onely to be tender-hearted towards my poore Brethren , in the bright dayes of my flourishing prosperitie , but breed also within my bowels , such a feeling compassion towards them in the hard time of my clowdie aduersitie , that I may not onely wish mine owne ease , and labour for mine owne cause , but also that I may be mindfull of others afflicted , and doe for them what I may , which are in the like wofull case .

Attend also to the lowly demeanour and humble gesture of thy gentle Lord when hee prayeth , who kneeling meekely on his knees , and falling flat on the earth with his face , Luke 22.41 . Mark . 14.35 . doth plainely discouer by the submissiue humiliation of his bodie , the sincere humilitie of his minde .

Oh great , worthy , and wonderfull humilitie ! when as he being equall and coeternall with God , doth prostrate himselfe to the earth , when he prayeth his father , as though hee were a most base and wretched creature , and submitteth the issue of his Petition , to the pleasure and will of his Father .

Oh how should I learne to humble my soule , and prostrate my bodie , which am indeed nothing else but a sinke of sinne , and an vnsauorie lumpe of iniquitie ! When I addresse my selfe vnto holy prayer , and come to put vp my petition to a God of such infinite glory , should I not cast downe my high lookes ; should I not curbe mine aspiring thoughts ; should I not lay aside my proud attyre , and put on the mourning garment of sorrowfull and true Repentance ?

Oh how should I which am but dust and ashes ; yea , indeede nothing else but a very masse of grieuous misery , humble and cast downe my selfe , when I approach to speake to such a glorious Maiestie ? I confesse I must stand aloofe off with the poore publican , terrified with the horrour of my sinnes , which lye so heauie vpon my head , that I cannot lift vp mine eyes vnto heauen . Teach me ( oh Lord ) for none but thou can teach me to learne this hard lesson of true humilitie . This is the Ladder by which my prayers must ascend vp vnto thee , and thy Graces descend downe vpon mee : I cannot enter into the Palace of thy most ioyfull and glorious Eternitie , vnlesse I passe through the straite dore of selfe-debasing humilitie .

But now ( oh my soule ) turne thine eyes from thy Sauiours humilitie , and take a suruey of his bitter pangs in his grieuous Agonie ; whose heart was inflamed with heate , and all the parts of him so vexed with paine , that streames of sweate , mixed with drops of bloud , ranne downe from his sacred bodie , Luke 22.44 . Oh would my head might be turned into a fountaine or teares , and my bowels melt with tender compassion in this my sorrowfull meditation , when I thinke vpon the dolorous pangs , and dolefull paines which pressed drops of bloud out of the innocent flesh of mine afflicted Iesus .

Oh how was thy bodie pained ? how was thy minde perplexed ? how were all thy senses tired in this great worke of our Redemption ? How heauie is the weight of my sinnes , that dissolueth the blessed bodie of my Lord vnto such a wonderfull sweat ? How is the beautie of thy face , which the Angels doe behold with ioy and gladnesse , changed with rednesse , through excessiue heate ? how immoderately is it moistned with showers of watrish and bloudie sweate ? Thou diddest but speake the word , and thy word was a worke at the first Creation , Gen. 1.3 . But now I see thee sweating , toyling , yea , thy heart aking , while thou art acting the worke of our Redemption .

Oh wretched man , why am I so carelesse of the health of my soule , when it cost thee so deare a price to redeeme it ? What shall I say ? what shall I doe ( my good Iesu ) my heart is as hard as iron , and my bowels no softer then brasse , I haue no sense of tender compassion , nor any feeling of sorrowfull compunction : mine eies are as dry as the Pumise stone , I cannot shed one teare , to weepe for my sinnes , which were the source of thy sorrow , and the cause of thy passion . Indeed , my heart should distill drops of bloud , and mine eyes should trickle downe teares , when I meditate in my minde on the intolerable paines which thou didst suffer to satisfie the Iustice of thy Father for my grieuous sins , and to saue my guiltie soule . Oh how can I excuse ; nay rather , how should I but accuse my wretched and vile ingratitude ?

Where shall I hide my head for shame ? where shall I shrowd my selfe from thy presence ? My conscience is a continuall witnesse against me , that I am an vncleane and polluted creature : I may not , I dare not approach vnto thee , vnlesse thou wash me in the sacred Lauer of thy precious bloud , for then I dare and may appeare before thee .

Wherefore , haue mercie vpon me , shew me some pittie , my compassionate Iesus : giue me a Fountaine of teares , that I may weepe for my forgetfulnesse towards thee all the day , and water my bed for mine vngratitude , with my weeping , all the night : and so deepely imprint in my minde , the paines of thy Passion , that I may account all the time ill spent , and the day quite lost , wherein I doe not meditate on them : teach me to imitate thee , my mercifull IESVS , that with bended knees , and an humble heart , I may make my earnest prayer before thee ; inspire my minde with thy holy Spirit , and then teares of true Repentance shall flow from mine eyes .

Send thy Angell ( oh Lord ) to bring mee consolation in the distressefull time of my tribulation , for thou hast ordained them to assist vs in our prayers , and to comfort vs in our sorrow .

And as thy Angell appeared to comfort thee , Luke 22.43 . so also thou wilt neuer faile to send thine Angell to comfort vs , if wee pray vnto thee with true humilitie of minde , and sue vnto thee with heartie sorrow for our sinnes .

Instruct mee also , after thine example , ( my blessed Sauiour ) not to despaire of thy mercie , although it be long before I receiue any comfort .

Thou didst pray three times before thou hadst any consolation in thine Agonie , or any answere from thy heauenly Father ; and as the fiercenesse of thy grieuous Passion was augmented , so the feruencie of thy most holie prayer was increased . Mat , 26.44 . that by thy patience , our courage might the better bee cheared , and our Christian Magnanimitie more firmely resolued to tollerate Famine , Nakednesse , Persecution , or any affliction whatsoeuer , with constancie and meeknesse : building our hope vpon a firme rocke of a stedfast resolution , that wee shall eyther haue deliuerance out of trouble , or comfort in our tribulation , all in good time , day , houre ; yea , minute and moment , which the Lord hath appointed .

It is thy owne worke , it is thy onely mercie , my mercifull Sauiour , to corroberate our mindes , and confirme our hearts , with this constant and Christian resolution .

Wherefore I beseech thee for thy bountifull mercie , for thy mercie is my onely merit , to work such a resolute constancie in me , that in the bitter brunts of affliction , I may depend vpon thy wakefull prouidence , and wholie submit my selfe vnto thy diuine will , knowing that nothing can happen to thy Children , but that which thou hast determined to be most expedient for them , whether they liue at rest in prosperitie , or be tryed like gold in the fire of aduersitie .

A Meditation how IESVS arising from Prayer , went to meete Iudas , and of the multitude which came to apprehend him , and how Peter cut off one of their eares . MED. VII . The Prince of peace , the Lambe of God a a Math. 26.47 . betraid : Expos'd to murderers , by a traytours b b Matth. 26.49 . kisse : Iudas c c Matth. 27.3 . restores the price the Priests had paide : Despairing d d Matth. 27.5 . hangs himselfe . Traytors marke this .

AFter IESVS had receiued consolation by his Prayer , he went forth to meete false-hearted Iudas , who had solde him for a prey to the bloud-thirstie Iewes , for he knew that the time did approach , and that the houre drew neere , wherein hee should glorifie his heauenly Father , and accomplish the wonderfull worke of our Redemption .

Here ( oh my Soule , ) the first matter of our Meditation , is the monstrous ingratitude of a gracelesse Disciple towards his gracious and louing Master : how odious is his deede vnto my thoughts ? how doth his hellish madnes torment my minde ?

Oh that my tongue might be more bitter then gall , to exclaime against the dissembling hypocrisie of such a deceitfull Disciple : and my speech more sweet then honie , to proclaime the singular sinceritie of so louing a Master , that our soules might abhorre the infidelitie of the one , and our hearts for euermore , imbrace the faithfulnesse of the other .

Oh thou most wicked wretch , thou wretched , stubborne , and obstinate Traitor , thou Childe of the Diuell , thou Sonne of perdition , what furious malice hardened thy heart ?

How wert thou brought to such raging madnesse ? how could the light of thy reason be so darkened ? how couldest thou be so grosly seduced , that thou should'st betray thy most louing Master , and my most gracious Lord ?

Was there no sparke of grace left in thy breast ? had impudence so blinded thine eyes , and crueltie taken such sure possession in thy heart , that nothing could change thy bloudie minde , and stay the rage of thy franticke moode , wherewith the Diuell had bewitched thy soule , and poisoned thy affections ?

Thou goest about in thy monstrous madnesse , and vnbrideled furie to kill the immortall Lord , who is Truth it selfe , to direct vs ; and Life it selfe to quicken vs : and to bring him to the slaughter , who onely is able , and none but hee , to bring all men to death , & to restore all men to life .

Tell me ( I pray thee ) thou wicked and foolish mad-man , wert not thou also , as well as the other Disciples , with the Lord IESVS , when he reuiued the mayden which was dead ; when he cured the Sonne of the Ruler ; when he raised Lazarus out of his graue ; when he cleansed the Lepers , healed the man sicke of the Palsie ; deliuered them which were possessed with Diuels ; when he made him to see , which was borne blinde , and restored many others to their sight ?

Tell mee I pray thee , had hee beene able to haue done these miracles , if God had not beene with him ? What Aegiptian darknesse had blinded thine eyes , that thou couldest not see his diuinitie ? what Ignorance had blinde-folded thy vnderstanding , that thou couldest not know him to be the Sonne of God by his admirable workes ? Where wert thou , when at two sundrie times , he fed a great multitude of people , with a little bread and a few fishes ?

But to let these mercifull and miraculous workes passe , which hee did for others ; why did not these gracious and charitable deedes which hee performed toward thee , so mooue thy minde , that although thou hadst imagined , yet thou mightest not haue practised thy horrible intended mischiefe against him ?

Remember thou most wretched creature , and vngratefull Disciple , how thy humble Master washed thy feete . Iohn 13.5 .

How should this wonderfull humilitie of so great a Master haue humbled thy minde , being so base a Seruant ? Remember how hee alwaies extended the tokens of his loue to thee , as hee did to the other Apostles , yet no kindnesse could restraine thy wicked will , nor change thy couetous minde .

Consider thou most vngratefull and cruell Traitor , how often my louing Iesus did mildely admonish thee , that thou shouldest retire from thy wicked purpose , whose all-seeing eye was able to penetrate into the darkest corners of thy heart , and to search the secrets of thy inward bowels .

It might haue checked thy guiltie conscience , when hee said ( after hee had washed his Disciples feete ) Yee are cleane , but not all : Iohn 13.11 . And againe , I speake not of all of you , I know whom I haue chosen , Iohn 13.18 .

But although these generall reprehensions were motiues of small moment , to mollifie thy stonie heart , yet hee spake vnto thee particularly , saying : Doe that quickely which thou art about to doe , Iohn 13.27 . Didst thou not clearely see that hee knew thy inward thoughts , and the secret plot of thy wicked counsell ?

And who but God is able to know the secrets of the heart , and to discouer our hidden cogitations ?

But was not thy heart as flintie as an Adamant , that it did not relent with sorrow ? was not thy fore-head as hard as brasse , that thou didst not blush for shame ? Were not thine eyes more drie then a rocke , that they could shed no teares , when thy louing Master , and my beloued Lord said mildelie vnto thee , What Iudas , doest thou betray the Sonne of man with a kisse ? Luke 22.48 .

Oh great humilitie ! exceeding meekenesse ! most admirable clemencie of my Sauiour Iesus ! Yet neither the mildnes of his words , nor wonderfulnesse of his works could soften thy obdurate heart , or reclaime thy obstinate minde , oh thou pernicious Traitor ! My Sauiour called him friend , Mat. 26.10 . whom hee knew to be a direfull foe , that the meeknesse of the name , might haue a little calmed the furie of his nature : but the Diuell had sowed such naughtie seede in the furrowes of his couetous heart , that hee became a wicked guide , to deliuer his louing Master into the hands of his bloudie enemies , who hating his innocent life , had longed for opportunitie , to put him to a cruell and shamefull death .

Tell mee thou damned Iudas , what brought thee into such an hellish Phrensie , that thou didst complot with the bloudie Iewes to betray thy gracious Lord with a token of kindnesse ? Had thirstie Couetousnesse so inflamed thy minde that thou didst run headlong to sell thy soule for a little piece of monie .

If thou hadst come like a foe , thy crime had not beene so haynous , nor thy crueltie so odious : But thou like a cousening hypocrite , didst cunningly maske thy deadly hate with the vizard of counterfeit loue .

Thou didst salute my louing Iesus with no friendly , but a deadly kisse , that with this token of peace and kindnesse , thou mightest cast a mist before the eyes of his faithfull Disciples , that they might thinke thou hadst nothing to doe with those wicked persons who came to apprehend their Lord & Master : thou thoughtest thou haddest complotted so cunningly , and contriued thy matters so carefully , that all should haue beene hidden in darknesse , and no man haue knowne thy damnable practise , but onely the cursed crue of thy confederates : but the Diuill who was the author to allure thee to this mischiefe , did beguile thee with a deceitfull imagination , and so he will doe all others that follow thy crooked steppes , and walke in thy cursed waies . Such iugling hypocriticall trickes may often be hooded from the dim sight of men , but they can neuer be hidden from the all-seeing eye of Almightie God : thou camest with a word of peace in thy mouth , when thou didst pretend nothing but warre in thy heart : thy speech was as soft as Butter , but thy inward thoughts were more sharpe then a Raisor : thou didst presume to offer a Traitors kisse , Mat. 26.49 . to my blessed Sauiour , when thy lips were full of poyson , and thy throate an open Sepulcher : thou camest like a subtle Foxe to salute him with a word of health , when thou wert a wicked guide to a hand of cruell Souldiers , who meant him nothing but hurt ; so strong was the desire of filthie lucre to hale thee to mischiefe , so eager was thy greedie appetite to bite at this pleasant baite , that thou couldest not see the killing hooke . For when thou didst sell the precious life of thy louing Master , thou didst giue thy damned Soule to the Diuell , to be tormented with him for euer , in the fire which flameth continually , and burneth so extreamely , that the paines of the least sparkle of it are more then intollerable : wherefore my sweet Iesu , so mollifie my heart , and moderate my minde , which am thy most vnworthy Seruant , that I may not giue such direfull and deadly kisses vnto thee , which art my most kinde and louing Master . And grant vnto mee by thy gracious clemencie , that I may offer vnto thee the sweet kisses of loyall Obedience and constant Loue , that my Soule may say vnto thee , Kisse me with the kisses of thy mouth , Cant. 1.1 . for thy loue is better then wine . Run ( oh my soule ) and neither let the baites of terrene pleasure , nor the brunts of worldlie sorrow hinder thee in thy way , when thou goest to kisse thy sweet and louing Iesus . But first of all kisse his blessed feete , and bathe them , as Mary did , with the teares of true repentance , sighing and groaning with sense of thy sinnes , that the comfort of his mercie may be extended vnto thee , when such welcome tokens of thy loue are bestowed vpon him . Prostrate thy selfe ( oh my Soule ) on the earth , that thou maist cease to be wretched . Imbrace the feete of thy IESV , pacifie them with thy teares , who spared not to poure forth bloud out of his feet , hands , heart , and side , to clense thy pollution , and to wash away thy sinnes : so that after thy sorrowfull contrition , thou maist heare him pronounce vnto thee , the ioyfull word of saluation ; saying , Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee . And now my Soule , after wee haue fallen downe before the Lord in true humilitie , and haue powred out before him the teares of an vnfained contrition : let vs arise with a comfortable heart , to kisse his blessed hands . And then doe we kisse his gracious hands with a reuerent and lowly heart , when our mouthes are filled with his worthy praises , for his bountifull benefits freely bestowed vpon vs , proclaiming his wonderfull mercie , and disclaiming our vnworthie merit , whose hand hath raised vs vp out of the mire , and hath aduanced vs to euerlasting honor . Lastly , after wee haue reuerently kissed his hands , wee may more boldlie approach to kisse his blessed mouth ; to behold the glorie of our Creator , that the bright beames of his countenance may illuminate our obscure vnderstanding , and that his sweet breath may so inspire our soules , that all our cogitations may be consonable , and our actions conformable to his most holy will .

Shew vs the light of thy countenance , oh my louing Iesus , and then our hearts shall be filled with gladnesse , and wee shall be satisfied with the abundance of thine euerlasting goodnesse : for to see the beautie of thy face is our chiefest felicitie , and to be banished from thy face is our endlesse miserie . Therefore kisse the Sonne lest he be angry , for if his wrath be kindled ( yea but a little ) blessed are all they that trust in him . Psal. 2.12 . Thou hast heard , oh my soule , how traiterous Iudas betrayed my innocent Iesus : consider the crueltie of the one , wonder at the mildenesse of the other .

Oh that all treacherous persons and bloudie minded Traitors might haue a view of desperate Iudas , strangling himselfe with an Halter ; that the horror of his cursed death vpon earth , and the terror of his continuall paines in hell , might stay the rage of their furious mindes , and manacle their bloudie hands : For although desperate Iudas was so tormented with horror of a guiltie conscience , that hee could haue no peace in his fearefull thoughts , nor chuse but crie in his tormenting miseries , depriued of all hope of comfortable mercie , I haue sinned in betraying the innocent bloud , Matth. 27.4 . and could finde no other medicine to cure his desperate maladie , but the helpe of an halter , being his owne Hang-man , to shorten his woefull dayes vpon earth , that hee might make the more haste to abide euerlasting torments in hell : yet there are manie whose hearts are so sore infected with his venemous humour , and their thoughts so poisoned with greedie desires of vnlawfull gaine , that they make no conscience to betray their Prince and Countrie , to prooue disobedient and cruell to their naturall Parents , and faithlesse to their dearest friends : yea , to sell Heauen , their soules , and themselues , for a base piece of money : but woefull is their inheritance which buy Hell for their purchase . Yet let mee not so bitterly inueigh against the monstrous fact of cursed Iudas , that I forget the mildenesse of my mercifull IESVS , who did not rate and reuile him , calling him in name ( as hee was indeede ) a damnable Traitor , saluting his Master with a kisse as a token of his loue : but ( alas ) it was onely to betray him .

My patient Sauiour Iesus called him by the name of a friend , Mat. 26.50 . whom hee knew to be a deadly foe , that the mildnesse of the name might haue bred remorse in his heart , but that the Diuell had taken full possession in his minde , and ruled powerfully ouer his thoughts .

But why did my louing Sauiour vse such affable words to such a detestable Traitor ? It was to teach mee to represse mine affections from raging furie , when any of his wicked brood lie in waite to take away my life , and secretly seeke to contriue my death .

Teach mee my Iesu , to imitate thy patience , when my curtesie is rewarded with crueltie , when supposed friends proue faithlesse , and when my kindnesse is recompenced with bad words , and rewarded with worse deedes . Thou hast willed vs to blesse them that curse vs , and to pray for our persecutors , Mat. 5.44 . But our flesh is wayward , and it cannot away with this doctrine , wherefore I beseech thee my gracious Lord , to lend me thy helping hand , it is thine owne worke to conforme my minde to thy blessed will , that I may be made obsequious and obedient to thy sacred Law .

But now ( my Soule ) turne aside thine eies from hatefull Iudas , to looke vpon louing Peter , who beganne to be touched with the heate of true loue , when hee saw his Master attached by the hands of his enemies , and did boldlie obiect his owne life vnto danger , that hee might deliuer his harmelesse Master out of perill , and that hee might performe in deede that which a little before he had professed in word , Mat. 26.35 . Ioh. 18.10 . As his loue was much , so his courage was great in the defence of his dearelie beloued Master , hee regarded not the multitude that came against him , hee respected not how well they were armed , his true heart dreaded no danger .

But so soone as hee saw his dread master Iudasly betraied , and cruellie apprehended by his malicious foes , he drew out his sword and laid about him , and cut off Malchus his eare .

Thy loue was strong , louing Peter , although thy strength was feeble , to resist so manie , so ill-minded , and so well armed : I cannot but commend thee for thy loue , although thy louing Master doth not praise thee for thy deede ; thou diddest shew a token of thy feruent loue and affection , although ( alas ) he stood not in neede of thy weake protection : my louing Sauiour came to fulfill the will of his Father , to suffer death ; yea , to suffer a cruell and shamefull death on the crosse , that we might be restored to life , be freed , and deliuered from the curse .

It was the feruencie of thy loue , that had inflamed thy aged heart with courage , thou couldest not hold thy hands , when thou diddest see thy beloued Master so violently apprehended , so currishly handled , and haled to the slaughter .

For whosoeuer ( my louing Sauiour ) hath his heart knit vnto thee with bands of true loue , hee dreadeth no danger for thy sake , but will be more willing to forgoe his life , then to leaue his true loue . But thou diddest not desire ( my louing Iesus ) nay , thou didst not allow that Peter should shew his manhood , or attempt by anie force to rescue thee out of the hands of thy cruell foes : thou diddest disclose vnto thy faithfull Disciples , the dangerous daies that were to come , and tell them of the bitter afflictions which were to ensue , and that they should be like Sheepe scattered without a Shepheard . But it was not that they should arme their bodies with weapons , but their heads and soules with patience . So indeed the loue of thy Apostle was full of zeale , but yet it was barren & void of knowledge , who had beene often forewarned that thou shouldest suffer a cruell and shamefull death to fulfill the scripture , and do the will of thy Father .

Wherefore ( oh my most mercifull Iesus ) so inflame my heart with thy loue , that I may freelie confesse it with my mouth , and so performe it with my heart , that I may not onely be prepared to loose my libertie , but to forgoe my life for the name of my Lord Iesus , who is blessed for euer .

A Meditation how the Lord Iesus taken and bound , was led to Annas his house , where he was buffeted , and how all his Disciples fled from him . Iohn 18.13 . MED. VIII . To a a Ioh. 18.15 . Annas first is Christ in b b Io. 18.12.20 fetters lead : From thence to c c Iohn 18.24 . Caiaphas , where he beaten is , And d d Mat. 26.67 . Marke 18.22 . scourg'd , and mockt , spit on , and almost dead : All which h'endur'd to bring vs vnto blisse .

SO soone as false-hearted Iudas had saluted his faithfull Master Iesus with a deadlie kisse , the hard-hearted Souldiers laid violent hands vpon my kinde Sauiour , and did cruellie binde him .

Oh vngentle cords ! oh cruell hands and cursed hearts , that did binde my Lord Iesus !

Come hither therefore ( oh my Soule ) and with inward sorrow of heart , and with weeping eies , lament with tender compassion for the currishnesse in words , and crueltie in deedes , vsed against thy mercifull Sauiour , which patientlie suffered so manie bitter words and cruell blowes , for thee and thy sinnes : for it was now the houre of darknesse , and they beganne to act with their mercilesse hands , that which was conceiued in their malicious mindes , reuiling him with blasphemous speeches , and afflicting his precious bodie with deadlie blowes .

And thus they neuer ceased all that night long , both with their venemous tongues and villanous hands to torment my meeke and patient Iesus .

Tell mee ( my sweet Sauiour ) what were the contumelious words , what were the outragious deedes which thou didst suffer of those dogged Souldiers , when they had laid their tormenting hands vpon thee ?

For truely , the wicked rose vp against thee , and the Sinagogue of the mightie , they sought thy life , and set not God before their eyes .

They compassed thee about like Bees , and burnt with furie against thee , like fire among the Thornes .

Oh let some spectacle of their barbarous crueltie be presented vnto mee , that mine eyes may waxe dim with weeping , that my heart may be wounded with sorrow , & all my senses afflicted with mourning : for my guiltie conscience doth tell mee , that my sinnes were as fewell to kindle their rage , and mine iniquities , like wood to maintaine the fire of their furie .

Behold , Oh my Soule , with attentiue deuotion of minde , and with store of teares flowing from thine eyes , how furiously they rush vpon thy louing Sauiour , and how cruelly with their bloudie hands , they torture and vexe his blessed body .

One tuggeth him by his garment , another haleth him by the armes : one taketh holde of his necke , another pulleth him by the haire : and least he should get from them , they binde him , and drag him like an vntamed Bull to the shambles .

Oh most meeke Lambe ! Oh most milde sheepe ! how currishlie , how cruelly art thou handled like a wicked theefe ?

Yea , was euer any common theefe so inhumanely and shamefully vsed , although his life was odious , and his deedes neuer so desperate ?

Some hale him on this side , some thrust him on that side , some buffet him on the face , others thumpe him on the backe : After they haue reuiled and railed against him with most opprobrious words , they passe from diuellish words , to deadlie blowes , so that they neuer cease by word nor deede to grieue and vexe mine innocent Iesus , but imployed all the faculties of their minde , and all the forces of their bodie , to doe him all hurt , who neuer meant them any harme .

I am not able to tell thee , my sorrowfull soule , one halfe of the odious words , nor one moitie of the horrible deedes which those damned wretches vsed against thy harmelesse and louing Sauiour : my tongue doth falter for griefe , and my speech doth faile mee for sorrow , for all of them bitterlie cursing him , and cruellie beating him , void of all mercie , and raging with hellish furie , they hale him ( like a most innocent Lambe ) to the slaughter .

And amongst all that cursed crew , there was none so soft-hearted , that either would pittie the woefull case , or speake in the cause of my gracious Lord .

Oh how should mine eies haue beene watered with teares , and my heart haue beene wounded with sorrow , to haue seene my mercifull Iesus so vnmercifullie abused , so ignominiouslie and hatefullie misused , whiles they hurrie him in their madnesse , and hale him in their furie towards Hierusalem ; who went as an innocent Lambe , among a company of deuouring Wolues , not once opening his mouth to reproue them for their barbarous crueltie , but did willingly sustaine the extremitie of their malice , with a patient minde , sometime haled by one , and sometime thrust forward by another , thinking the time long , till they might bring him where they would haue him : so greedy was their desire to doe a bad deede , and they made such post-hast , to hasten the death of the Lord of life .

Oh my most sweet Iesu , what hast thou done ? What hast thou deserued , that thou shouldest endure the sting of their malice , and abide the tempest of their madnesse ?

Verilie my Lord , thou didst neuer offend them in thought , but thy exceeding loue did moue thee to suffer all things with patience , that thou mightst redeeme mee a most wretched sinner , & all others , that with a contrite hart & a broken spirit , sue vnto thee for grace , hauing an assured hope in thy blessed word , and confidently beleeuing in thy gracious promises .

I am that wofull man , which haue beene the occasion of thy torments , and the cause of thy grieuous Passion . The wicked man hath sinned , and the righteous is punished . The guilty hath trespassed , and the innocent is tormented . The vngodly hath offended , and the godly man is condemned .

Oh my most louing Lord , I haue eaten a sowre grape , and thy teeth are set on edge . I haue committed the trespasse , and thou hast suffered the punishment .

Blush therefore ( oh my soule ) for shame ; smite thy heart for sorrow : let thine eyes be dissolued into teares , and sacrifice thy selfe vpon the Altar of true repentance , because thou hast beene so forgetfully vngratefull towards thy louing IESVS , for his maruellous kindnesse , and so excessiuely vnmindfull of his excellent loue .

Oh my ( good Iesu ) what shall I render vnto thee , for thy great bountie ? What shall I yeeld vnto thee , for thy gracious mercie ?

I haue nothing , O Lord , thou knowest my pouertie ; I acknowledge my needy necessitie : I haue confessed my most haynous sinnes and grieuous offences before thy face .

I haue not hidden mine vnrighteousnesse out of thy sight .

Wherefore ( oh my most bountifull Lord ) supply that by thy infinite liberalitie , which is wanting by reason of my vile ingratitude : And thou which art onely able , create a thankfull heart in me , thy poore vnworthy seruant , that it may euermore be delighted with the remembrance of thy goodnes , and still be ioyfull with the sweet meditation of thy mercies .

But now , oh my Soule , meditate a while , how sodaine feare had quailed the loue of the Disciples of my distressed Sauiour . For being terrified with his vnexpected and cruell apprehension , and dreading their owne danger , they fled away , leauing their Lord and beloued Master . Mark . 14.50 .

Then thou mightest truely say ( oh most sweet Iesu ) They which saw me , fled from me , I am forgotten as a dead man out of minde .

And againe , Thou hast put my friends , my neighbours , and acquaintance farre from mee . Also , that was verified which the Prophet had fore-tolde , All my friends haue forsaken mee , and they that lay in waite haue preuailed against me : He whom I loued hath betrayed mee . For so wert thou left alone my louing Iesus , and they which were neere vnto thee made hast to be gone , and would tarrie no longer with thee .

Consider further , oh my soule , the disciples of my Sauiour flying for feare , and lamenting with sorrow , when they saw their most beloued master traiterously betrayed , ignominiously abused , and led like an innocent Lambe to the shambles .

Attend to their sighing and groning , to their weeping and moning , for loath they were , to leaue so louing and so well beloued a Master .

But why should feare of danger haue bin so violent , or dread of death so strong , as to pull them from so deare a friend ?

They professed they would remaine constant , and that no affliction should abate their courage , but their words proued no deedes , and all was but vaine presumption : Selfe-loue of their owne securitie , made them forsake their distressed Master in his captiuitie .

But tell mee bold-hearted Peter , why didst thou like a coward forsake thy faithfull Maister ? Didst thou professe so much , and performe so little ? Was thy manhood so soone quailed , when thou was put to thy triall ? I know thou didst shew some signe of courage , and thou beganst to play the man when thy Maister was first apprehended , but it was but done in a fit of thine anger , and thy heate was soone cooled : thy promise great , and thy performance little : when thou wert in mount Tabor , and saw but some beames ; yea , rather some sparkles of the eternall glory of thy blessed Maister , then thy senses were so rauished , and thy minde so amazed , that thou diddest crie out , Bonum est esse hic , Mat. 17.1 . Marke 9.2 . Luke 9.28 . It is good to be here , let vs build three Tabernacles : but now thou doest not say , Bonum est esse hic : It is good to tarry here with my poore disgraced Master .

Say thou didst loue thy Master well , yet it appeareth thou didst loue thy selfe better : oh why diddest thou make such a vaine ostentation of thy courage , and yet afterwards shew thy selfe such a coward ?

But take heed , oh my soule , that thou dost not so vehemently inueigh against faint-hearted Peter , and the rest of his fearefull fellowes , that thou forget thy selfe , and passe by thine owne infirmity .

Wee all loue Christ , when our cups may ouerflow with wine , and our bellies be filled with the finest wheate , but the heate of our loue is quickly cooled , if but a small blast of stormie persecution doe bluster against vs .

Wee all desire to dwell with him , as did rauished Peter , when his eyes were dazeled with the beames of his glory , appearing vnto him on Mount Tabor .

But all of vs flye from him , or follow him a-loofe-off , when wee see him going to Golgotha : We dare presume to say with forward Peter ; Lord , if all leaue thee , I will not forsake thee . Mat. 26.33 . Mark . 14.29 . Iohn 13.37 . But alas when wee come to the tryall , we are readie to flie and leaue the field , at the first alarme .

Wee could all be content to eate pleasant hony , and to feede our selues with sweet milke : but our mouthes are filled with murmuring , and our hearts with grudging : the time is long , and the iourney tedious , while wee trauell in the wildernes of this world towards heauenly Canaan . Exod. 17.2 .

Alas , were the Disciples of my Sauiour , so fearefull at the first encounter , who had beene so often fore-tolde of that day , and had beene so well instructed by their louing Maister , to arme themselues against the assaults of affliction ?

Then how can I poore worme boast of my strength , and vaunt of my manly courage ? How should I holde out vnto the end , when such stout Souldiers begin to shrinke at the beginning of the battell ?

I know mine owne imbecilitie , my powerfull Lord , I confesse mine infirmitie , I feele my heart quake , and I perceiue my courage to quaile , so soone as I see but a darke cloud of affliction , and stand in dread of euery storme of persecution .

Strengthen my heart , oh Lord , with Christian Fortitude , that my minde may not be dismayed with feare , nor my senses drowned with the streames of immoderate sorrow , whensoeuer I must drinke of the bitter waters of affliction for the profession of thy name , or feele the pricking thornes of persecution in my sides , for the confession of thy truth .

Teach me to take vp my crosse , and to follow thee , and that I may not be ashamed of this noble badge of true Christianitie .

Instruct mee to know that affliction is the lot of thy Children , and that thou wilt haue their Faith tryed in the fiery furnace : and graunt mee ( oh Lord ) such a plentifull measure of thy quickning grace , that although my fraile flesh beginne to tremble , and my weake heart to faint at the first assault of danger , and I seeke a corner to hide my head in , in the time of trouble , yet that I may not flye so farre from thee , but that I may quickly returne to thee as Peter and Iohn did , who loued , and were so dearely beloued of thee , and as the rest of thy Disciples did , after thy glorious resurrection , and in the sorrowfull time of calamitie , trouble and persecution , so mittigate the dolor of my passions , that I may endure all extremities with Christian patience , knowing that all the afflictions of this world are but momentarie , and that the ioyes prepared for the faithfull after this life , are innumerable , and shall endure eternally .

Now let vs leaue the sorrowfull Disciples , and come to our louing Iesus , who being bound was presented to Annas by the wicked Iewes , who examined him concerning his Disciples , and concerning his doctrine . Ioh. 18.19 . And although the humilitie of my Sauiour was great , and his modestie no lesse in returning a gracious answere vnto him : yet Malchus ( whose eare he had a little before restored , which Peter cut off ) gaue him a blow on the face , saying , Answerest thou the high Priest in that manner ? Iohn 18.22 .

Here my soule thou hast good occasion to eate thy bread with teares , and to mingle thy drinke with weeping , when thou dost meditate of this cruell blow , giuen by a most wicked vngratefull wretch , to my innocent Iesus .

And here thou maist admire at the incomparable mildnesse , and wonder at the wonderfull patience of my gentle Sauiour , who did modestly beare so great an iniurie , that hee gaue not him an euill word , who had done him such a cruell deede , but said to him mildly : friend , if I haue spoken euilly beare witnesse of euill : but if I haue said well , why smitest thou mee ? Iohn 18.23 . Oh how great was thy humilitie alwayes my good Iesus ? how exceeding was thy patience in all things euen vnto death ?

But what shall I say , oh thou barbarous & vngratefull wretch , how shall I speake bitter enough of thy monstrous crueltie , which diddest smite him on the face contrary to all humanitie , who of his owne accord did speedily heale the hurt , and salue the wound which his disciple had giuen thee ? Oh monster amongst men , vnworthy of any pittie , whose name shall be odious to all that are good , when they heare of thy crueltie ! Behold , oh my sweet Iesus what plentifull matter is offered vnto me , to breed a serious meditation in my minde , and to engender a sincere compassion in my heart , when I remember ( oh that I could continually remember it ) what clemencie , what benignitie thou hast vsed towards me , what calamity , what indignitie thou hast suffered for mee : for thou wert so treacherously betrayed , so wrongfully apprehended , so iniuriously bound , so currishly haled , so cruelly tormented , and so vnmercifully beaten for the sinnes of my guilty soule . But I pray thee , my mercifull and gracious IESVS , that as thou didst yeeld thy selfe a captiue to the Iewes , so thou wilt grant me thy grace to subiugate all my senses to doe thy blessed will , and to keepe them in true subiection , to obey thy holy law , and that I may captiuate all my vnderstanding , to performe the duties of thy happie seruice , which shall redeeme me from bondage , and bring mee an euerlasting freedome as thy faithfull Apostle hath taught me .

A Meditation how the Lord Iesus was led from the house of Annas to the house of Caiaphas , and also of the derisions , rayling speeches , and cruell scourging done vnto him there by the Iewes . MED. IX . To a a Mat. 26.57 . Caiaphas house ( where Scribes assembled are , And b b Marke 14.55 . Priests , and Elders , ) Iesus Christ is led : After to c c Iohn 18.28.29 . Pilate , where he meekely bare Their scoffes , and d d Iohn . 19.2 . thorny Crowne vpon his head .

A Wake now , ( oh my Soule , ) sleepe no longer in the bed of wanton sensualitie , driue away drowsinesse from thine eyes , and carelesse sloathfulnesse out of thy minde , and turne thy selfe whollie to thy most sweet IESVS , disdainefully dispised , scornefully derided , cruelly tormented , and vnmercifully scourged . Oh how should thy hart be fraughted with sadnesse , and thy minde be filled with sorrow , when thou shalt finde thy Lord thy God subiect to paines and afflictions , blowes and reproches ? For hee was whipped all the night , and hee was chastized in the morning .

Therefore let thine eyes waxe dimme with weeping , let thy ioy be turned into mourning , & the voice of melody into wofull lamentation ; when thou dost meditate vpon the sorrowfull miseries , and scornefull reproches which thy innocent Sauiour did suffer for thy sake .

Let all vaine cogitations , and idle thoughts be chased out of my mind , by which it may be fondly distracted , and vainely shiuered in this godly Meditation , so that it may be wholy reflected towards thee , and thinke vpon nothing but thee , my most mercifull Iesu .

Let it thinke vpon the contumelious reproches , odious raylings , and grieuous blowes , which thou didst suffer , being vnder the hands of the wicked Priests , as a harmelesse Sheepe amongst rauenous Wolues , or in the midst of deuouring Lions .

And grant mee , oh my sweet Lord , that while I ponder these things in my minde , teares of true repentance may fall from mine eyes , and sighes of vnfained sorrow arise from my heart , to bewaile the horrour of my sinnes , which were as cruell tormentors to afflict thy body , and as sharpe-pointed needles , to enter into thy tender flesh .

Lastly , let vs meditate deuoutly ( oh my soule ) how my kinde Iesus was posted ouer vnto Caiaphas , after hee had beene derided and buffeted in the house of Annas .

Beholde how this innocent Lambe was haled to the shambles , by the hands of those bloudie Butchers !

Behold thy beloued IESVS , brought with his hands bound before Caiaphas the high Priest , enuironed with a great multitude of Scribes and Pharises : all cry out against him : the base people raile vpon him , with vile and odious words : banning and cursing him for his blessed deedes , they maliciously accuse him , & wrongfully charge him , but their testimonies were found to be false , and their witnesses vntrue .

Truely thou maiest say that which the Prophet spake of thee , They deliuered mee into the hands of the vngodly , and they cast me forth among the wicked , and they haue not spared my life . The strong were gathered against me , and they stood like Giants against me .

But although their demean our towards thee ( my louing Sauiour ) was without all pietie , and their words and deedes without all pittie , yet thou diddest not open thy mouth , to vtter any word of reproofe , but thou didst heare their spitefull taunts with patience , and answere their malicious calumniations with silence : and therefore the high Priest began to be displeased : and rising vp from his seate , asked thee in his anger , why thou diddest not answere to those things which were obiected against thee ? Mat. 26.62 .

Attend ( oh my soule ) and consider the vnspeakeable mildenesse of my sweet Iesus , how patiently , how humblie hee holdeth his tongue , as one that were dumbe , and could not speake , and remaineth as one that were deafe , when they reuile him in their madnes , and raile vpon him in their furie , sustaining with patience their false calumniations , and forged obiections .

And therefore his wonderfull patience did make them more mad , and his silence did the more exasperate them in their furie , when they saw him so meekely to disgest the venome of their virulent tongues , and so mildely to suffer the blowes of their violent fists , so that being transported with choller , beyond the limits of modestie , & carried with rage , beyond the bounds of reason , they belched out such impious and clamorous speeches against him , Hast thou no tongue , thou most wicked wretch ? Behold , art thou dumbe , and canst not speake one word ? What is become of thy babling ? Where are thy long discourses , and plausible speeches , which thou diddest make to the multitude in the Temple , and to the seditious people in the streetes ?

Then thou wert full of words , and thy tongue did not cease to prattle , when multitudes did flocke after thee through the Cities , and when the base people did swarme after thee , through the villages and desarts .

And art not thou hee which preaching to the rude multitude in the Temple , and pleasing their giddie humor with thy long orations , was so impudent to inueigh against vs , Pharises , Doctors of law , and Rulers of the people , calling vs hypocrites ? checking vs rudely for our Manners , and reproouing vs rashly for our Doctrine , neither respecting the dignitie of our persons , nor dreading the force of our authoritie ?

Now behold , wee haue thee sure enough , thou canst not escape our hands , thou art bound for feare of starting , we are no babes , to be wonne with faire wordes ? Now we haue thee , thou wretch , as thy wicked deedes haue deserued , such shall be thy recompense .

Wee are none of the rude and base multitude , thou canst not gull vs with thy flattering speeches , nor beguile vs with false apparitions .

Suppose ( oh my wofull soule ) that thou doest heare the cruell Iewes , bellowing out such bitter taunts against my harmelesse and innocent Iesus , in the heate of their rage , adding more cruell deeds , to their cruell words , for all of them like mad-men rush vpon him in their violent furie : Some thumpe him with their hands , some spurne him with their feet , some strike him on the necke , and as their hands were nimble to load him with blowes , so their tongues were not idle , from rayling and reuiling him , with scornefull words .

Oh how wonderfully is my Lord derided , how vnworthily is hee scorned ! Yea , some ( so barbarous was their mindes , and so brutish was their manners ) do spit in his face : Who euer did see such grosse inhumanitie ? who doth not abhor such beastly inciuillitie ? They all striue who should doe him most hurt , and contend one with another , to doe him most mischiefe , seeking by spightfull words , to vexe his minde , and by cruell blowes , to wound his bodie .

Oh my louing Iesus , how bitter are their speeches , direfullie breathed out against thee ?

How terrible are their practises , so bloodilie inflicted vpon thee ?

Why are not my vitall spirits damped with woe ? why are not mine eyes drowned in a flood of teares ? and why is not my soule ouer-whelmed with the waues of sorrow , in this my sadde Meditation of thine afflictions , and deuout contemplation of thy humane miseries ?

Wherefore gush forth , oh yee teares , from the inward fountaine of my heart , and ouerflow mine eies with your plentifull shewers .

But art thou made of flint , Oh my hard heart , that thou doest not breake into pieces ? Is thy substance of marble , that thou doest not cleaue asunder , when I meditate vpon these cursed inuectiue reproches , and wicked deedes , done to my innocent Iesus , by the stony-hearted Iewes .

Alas for mee , a most wretched sinner , that my Lord should suffer such great and grieuous affliction for my sake , and yet , that I should still remaine sencelesse in my sins , and haue no remorse of conscience for my hainous offences ?

Haue mercy vpon mee , most mercifull Lord , because I call all these things to minde , and haue them in my meditation : but for want of true loue , I am depriued of true deuotion , and my hard heart is without all sense of sorrowfull contrition . Therefore wound my heart , my louing Iesus , that I may be grieued with thee , and suffer for thee , that thou maist vouchsafe to shew me mercie , & that I may with more boldnesse approach vnto thy Maiestie . Thou wert humbled , and I disdaine my brethren with pride : Thou wert pinched with hunger , and I surfeit with abundance : thou wert afflicted with torments , and I spend my dayes in wanton pleasure . Thou didst weepe , to thinke vpon the wofull destruction of Ierusalem , but I am not touched with any tender affection of mercie , when I see thousands oppressed with miserie .

I can finde no place , my sweet Iesu , to hide my face from confusion . I can finde no remedie for my deadly maladie , but in the vertue of thy comfortable mercie .

Oh , cure my disease with this excellent medicine , and salue all my wounds with this pretious Balme , that all mine affections may be so kindled with thy loue , that I may reioyce to suffer , and suffer with reioycing , for thy glorious name , who wert content to bee scorned and scourged , to be accounted as an abiect amongst the vile and wicked , that I might be raised out of the pit of endlesse miserie , to be exalted for euer with thee , in the Pallace of eternall glorie .

A Meditation how Peter denied his Maister three times in the house of Cayphas , and of his weeping for the same . MED. X. Trembling with feare , caus'd by a silly a a Iohn . 18.17 . Maid ; Once , twise , yea b b Luk. 22.60.61 . thrice , Saint Peter doth deny His blessed Lord : c c Mar. 14.72 . Remembring what Christ sayd , Goes forth , repents , and d d Mat. 26.75 . weeps most bitterly .

NOw let vs cease a while to meditate on my Sauiour , and consider how Peter carried himself in the afflictions of his Master .

He was loath to leaue him , because he did loue him , and therefore although at the first hee fled , yet hee returned againe with the other Disciple , who by friendship brought him into the Pallace of the high Priest : and as Peter stood there by the fire , a maide looked vpon him , and said to them that were by , This man also was with Iesus of Nazareth . But Peter , who not long before had made such great brags of his loue , was now so daunted with feare , that he flatly denied his seruice , saying : I know not the man . And a little after , another sayd vnto him , Art not thou also one of his Disciples ?

So that now Peter was not content simply to denie him , but hee beganne earnestly to forsweare him .

Now within a while after , another came and said : Verily , thou art one of them . And then Peter began to curse and sweare , saying : I know not the man whom thou speakest of , and immediately the Cocke crew . And the Lord who stood not far off in the hands of the wicked , looked back vpon Peter , not refusing faint-hearted Peter to be his seruant , although he had denied , and abiured him for his Maister .

Then Peter remembred the words which Iesus had spoken to him , and he went out & wept bitterly . Mat. 26.

Now let vs seriously meditate on the frailtie of Peter , that seeing so stout a Souldier so soone daunted with feare , we may take heed , not to presume too much vpon our owne weakenesse , lest we play the cowards , and start backe as he did , when wee are put to our tryall .

Consider ( oh my soule ) the feruency of his loue , and greatnesse of his feare , the willingnesse of his minde , and weakenesse of his might .

I dare not say but that Peter did loue his Lord , and was sorry for the distressed estate of his master , although his heart fainted , and his stomacke failed in the time of danger : hee thought hee should haue beene able to haue performed in deedes , that which he had so boldly boasted in wordes : but alas , hee did not know his owne imbecilitie , his eyes were blinded that hee could not see his owne infirmitie , the spirit indeede was willing , but the flesh was weake .

He began to shew some courage when he drew his sword , and cut of Malchus his eare , but alas , it was soone abated , and he fled from his Maister , when hee saw him in the hands of his enemies , and surprised by his cruell foes . And albeit hee was so bolde spirited then , that hee durst resist a multitude of men , yet hee was so timerous now , that being terrified with the voyce of a Mayde , hee did renounce his gratious LORD , and flatly denie his louing Maister , so soone were his boasting words turned into cowardly deeds , & the professed constancie of his loue found most inconstant in the day of tryall .

So we may note , that Peter presumed hee was able to haue done great exploits while hee was with Iesus , but we see the vigor of his courage was soone diminished , and the heate of his loue cooled when hee was separated from his Lord Iesus : so long as he did enioy peaceably his blessed societie , so long he dreaded no danger , he liued in securitie . In time of peace , he thought of no war : In time of calme weather , he feared no suddaine storme : But when he entered into the house of the high Priest , where hee saw his poore Master spightfully derided , mocked , and cruelly scourged , then his courage was cooled , his haughtie words proued no deedes , and hee became a starke coward .

Learne thou also ( oh my soule ) by the example of Peter , to loue thy Lord Iesus , but so to loue him , that no affliction or calamitie may compell thee to leaue him . But say with the Apostle , Who shall separate me from the loue of Christ ? shall tribulation or anguish ? shall persecution or hunger ? I am readie not onely to be bound , but also to die in Hierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus . Learne likewise by the example of Peter , not fondly to vaunt of thine owne courage , or to boast of thy strength : let the remembrance of his fall be as a bridle , to restraine thee from running headlong into the like fault .

Say not in the prosperous time of thine aboundance ( when all things succeede happily according to thy wish , and nothing falleth out contrarie to thy desire ) I shall neuer be moued , least afterward thou be constrained to change thy note , weeping with bitter teares for thy folly , and lamenting for thy presumption , with sorrowfull sighes : saying , Thou didst turne away thy face from mee , and I was troubled .

Teach mee , oh Lord , to know mine owne weakenesse : open the eies of my vnderstanding , that I may see the frailtie of my flesh , and ficklenesse of my minde , when any cloud of persecution doth appeare ouer my head , or any dread of future affliction trouble my heart .

I often presume with Peter , that I could goe to prison with thee , abide any torment for thy sake , yea lose my life for thy loue , my louing Sauiour : but ( alas ) I see by the frailtie of thy beloued Disciple , that I should proue but a dastard , when I come to fight thy battell , and begin to seeke some couerture , to hide my head from danger .

For how can I boast of my valour , or bragge of my manhood , when as one of thy stoutest Souldiers , who had beene so long trained vp vnder thee , and had receiued so many encouragements by thee , began to faint , at the word of so weake an enemie , that hee did denie the seruice of so good a Master , onely for feare , before he felt the bitternesse of affliction : What is man that hee may boast of his strength , or be proud of his vertue , when the best is so vnable to performe a good action , that he is altogether vnable to conceiue a good motion ?

Lighten thou ( oh my gratious Lord ) my darke and obscure vnderstanding , that I may not fondly runne into the snares of temptation , through a vaine confidence of my owne power , or through a fond presumption of my owne strength , seeing I am so weake that I cannot conceiue any good thought in my heart , nor do any good deed with my hands , vnlesse thy diuine grace doe gouerne mine affections , and direct the course of my actions . But oh my most mercifull Sauiour , although the allurements of the flattering world should so intice me , the pleasures of the wanton flesh so ouercome mee , and the feare of persecution so terrifie me , that I should be ashamed of thy liuerie , and denie so gracious a Lord : yet vouchsafe oh my sweet Iesu , to turne thy fauourable eies towards mee , that my faith may not vtterly faile , though it begin to quaile , and that thou wilt neuer leaue mee when I begin to shrinke from thee . Oh let me not presume of thy loue , nor dispaire of thy mercy .

Let remembrance of thy words wound my heart , and awake my sleepie conscience , that my soule may be cast downe with true sorrow , and that I may weepe , yea weepe bitterly with sorrowfull Peter . Luk. 22.62 . for my sinnes , that I may be made partaker of the benefit of thy comfortable mercie , and obtaine remission of my grieuous transgressions , by true Repentance as he did .

Thou hast left this example of the fall of thy louing Disciple , recorded in thy holy word , not to animate vs to commit the sinne of presumption , but to comfort vs that wee runne not into the pit of wofull desperation , when wee are ouertaken with the like fault , and haue committed the like folly : therefore teach me ( oh Lord ) so to presume of thy mercie , that I may alwaies stand in awe of thy Iustice .

I am not assured that thou wilt turne thine eies towards mee , as thou didst towards him , so that my heart may be smitten with sorrow , and mine eies streame forth bitter teares of true Repentance , and that thou wilt receiue me into thy blessed seruice againe , as thou didst him , after I haue denied thee to be my Lord and Master .

It was thy free mercie to afford vnto him such an vnspeakeable grace of thy extraordinarie loue : he could plead no worthinesse of words , nor merit of workes to deserue thy fauour .

But ( oh most gratious Lord ) if my guiltie conscience doe at anie time tell mee that I haue or doe commit the same offence , yet vouchsafe , that I may resort to the euerlasting fountaine of thy plentifull mercie , that there my thirstie soule may bee refreshed with the sweet waters of comfort , so that it may neither be drowned in the Sea of excessiue sorrow , nor wounded with the Darts of curelesse dispaire .

Now consider thou , ( oh my soule ) the place where Peter was , and the conditions of the people who were with him , when hee made such a fearefull defection , from his gracious Lord , and failed in his loue , towards his kinde and louing Master : He was in the Palace of the high Priest , who sate in counsell with the Scribes and Pharises , against the Lord and his annointed , amongst a wicked crewe of these cruell Ministers , whose mindes were incensed with furie , and hands armed with crueltie , to torment my innocent Sauiour .

Marke how soone he was infected by their wicked manners , how soone his soule was corrupted with their naughtie conditions : for now he began to protest with swearing , and to affirme with cursing , that he knew not his louing Maister , to whom not long before , hee had made a solemne vow , not onely to forgoe his libertie , for his cause , but also to loose his life for his sake . Luke . 22.33 .

Oh fearefull downfall , of so great an Apostle ! for if his louing Master , and mercifull Sauiour , had not beene more constant towards him in his loue , and tenderly compassionate towards him by his mercie , hee had neuer recouered himselfe , but had perished for euer .

No man can touch Pitch , but hee shall be defiled : no man can tread vpon thornes with barefeete , but he shall be pricked , nor any man holde his hands amongst fierie coales , but they will be burned : Euen so , no man can remaine amongst lewd persons , and conuerse in the companie of the wicked , but his minde shall be stained with the spots of impietie , his conscience wounded with the thornes of sinne , and his soule made loathsome with the botches , and blaines of iniquitie .

But so soone as my beloued Iesus had turned his eies towards Peter , and with his lookes had awakened his drowsie memorie , then perplexed Peter remembred the words of his Master , so that his heart being surcharged with sorrow , and his eyes flowing with teares , he left that wicked companie , and went out and wept : yea he wept bitterly . Luk. 22.62 . Teach me oh Lord , to leaue the dangerous societie of the wicked : neither let mee desire , or delight to dwell in the Tents of the vngodly : Let me also learne , by the example of thy sorrowfull Disciple , to goe into some secret place , and with-draw my selfe from the people , when I call my selfe to reckoning for my transgressions , ( but alas , I am negligent in casting vp this account ) and begin to sorrow for my sinnes , and to shed teares for my grieuous offences , that all impediments may be remoued from mine eies , and as much as is possible , all vaine and wicked cogitations out of my heart , when I come before thy presence ( oh Lord ) to prostrate my selfe before thee , in submissiue humilitie , desiring thee to passe ouer mine offences , and to forgiue me my sinnes , through thy infinite mercie .

Then ( oh my good Lord ) so deepely wound my conscience with horrour of my detestable sinnes , that I may offer vp a broken and contrite heart vnto thee , because thou art alwaies well pleased with such a Sacrifice , and it sendeth vp a sweet sauour into thy nosethrils .

Now consider ( oh my soule ) that as the trespasse of Peters deniall was great , so his sorrow was grieuous : as the remembrance of his fall was sowre , so the streames of his teares were bitter : yet they were not so bitter vnto him for feare of punishment , as they were bitter , because hee had denied so sweet and so louing a Master : the remembrance of his horrible ingratitude was more bitter vnto him then gall , and more vnpleasant then wormewood : his teares were bitter vnto him , in respect of his presumption , who promised so much , and performed so little : and they were bitter vnto him , when he thought vpon the sweet loue of his Master , and the great benefits hee had receiued of him .

And yet their bitternesse was mixed with sweetnesse , because they were signes of his hartie sorrow , and tokens of his true repentance , for where true repentance goeth before , remission of sinnes alwaies followeth after . Eze. 33.19 .

Thou seest also , that the lookes of the Lord , did draw out teares from Peters eies ; Neither is it any wonder , for the eies of the Lord were as a flame of fire , and the eies of Peter as Ice , which began to melt into teares , by the influence of their heat , as true tokens of his sorrowfull , relenting , and penitent heart .

Oh happie are thine eies , my blessed Sauiour , which doe so warme the coldnesse of our harts , that they may bee able to haue some sense of thy loue , and doe so illuminate our dimme vnderstanding , that we may see our errours , and seeing , may sigh and weepe for our transgressions . Oh how soone doe they dissolue the Ice , and melt the frost of our hard harts , and turne it into the waters of bitter lamentation , and sorrowfull deuotion !

Oh my most bountifull Iesu ! oh my most mercifull Lord , haue mercy vpon mee , pitty my wofull case , shut not the dore of thy compassion against mee ; oh let me taste of the sweetnesse of thy wonted clemency , which haue so often , so stubbornely renounced thee , through the peeuishnes of my will , so often denyed thee by my wicked words , and most often forsworne thee by my wretched deeds .

Haue mercy vpon me , oh my most sweet Iesus , let the beames of thine eyes make their reflection towards mee , that mine eyes may melt into teares , as the rocke did gush forth water , when Moses smote it with his rod , Exod. 17.5 . that I may weep for my sins , and bewaile my transgressions , which haue so often refused thy seruice , because I was loath to leaue the vanities of the wicked world , or to forsake the pleasures of the wanton flesh .

Heale mee ( oh Lord ) for I am full of sores , and my bones doe rot away with corruption . Stay me vp ( oh Lord ) when my feete begin to slide , and lift me vp when I am downe : vnlesse thou support mee I cannot but slide , and vnlesse thou doe lift me vp , I cannot rise againe when I doe fall : I can doe nothing without thee , thou onely doest heale those that are bruised , and thou alone doest raise them vp that are fallen .

Therefore looke towards mee , and haue mercie vpon mee , for I am desolate and poore .

Neither turne away thy face from me , but let thine eyes be fixed vpon me . If thou wilt vouchsafe ( oh my most kind and louing Lord ) to shew me this mercy , and to regard the wofull estate of mee a most wretched creature , then oh Lord , I shall call my transgressions to remembrance , & mourne for my grieuous offences that I haue committed against thee .

Raise mee vp ( oh Lord ) out of my dead sleepe of carelesse securitie , as thou didst Lazarus out of his graue : Ioh. 11.43 , 44. open the eyes of my vnderstanding , that I may see to tread in the pathes of thy commandements .

Be thou as a strong Pillar , to support and stay me in my weakenesse , for I am so feeble that I cannot stand without thy helpe , and euery moment I shall bee ouerwhelmed , vnlesse thy strong hand doe support me .

Let thy eyes ( oh my louing IESVS ) be euermore turned towards mee , that I may euery day returne vnto thee , by true and harty repentance , sorrowing for my sinnes that are past , and endeuouring by thy grace to take better heed to my wayes in time to come , so that I may do that which is agreeable to thy sacred law , and acceptable to thy holy will .

Oh my GOD , let thy seruant Peter his falling , put me in continuall minde to take heed to mine owne standing , and his Repentance , arme me with strong confidence in thy mercie , against desperation . AMEN .

A Meditation , how Iesus was sent vnto Pilate . MED. XI . Like an offender Iesus Christ is a a Mat. 27.2 . bound , And b b Mark . 15.1 . sent to Pilate : Pilate doth confesse That Christ is c c Math. 27.24 . guiltles : Nothing could be found To proue that Christ their d d Luk. 23.14 . law , did ere transgresse .

NOw let vs returne from weeping Peter , to meditate vpon my louing Iesus , who remained all night in the house of Cayphas , where hee was scorned with opprobrious words , and buffeted and beaten with cruell blowes , no man spake in his cause , no man pleaded his case , hee sustained their iniuries with meekenesse , hee did beare their intollerable reproches with mildnesse .

Now in the morning , my innocent Iesus was brought before the high Priest and others , who sat in counsell , to examine him as a pernicious traytor , not worthie to liue , but worthie of a most cruell death .

And after they had reuiled him with proud words , and haled him too and fro with cruell hands , they cried out in their madnes , and roared out in their furie , he is worthie of death , let him be led bound vnto Pilate , that hee may pronounce iudgment against him , to die a most shamefull & cruell death .

Oh how was my sweet Sauiour molested for my sake ! how was his soule afflicted for my sinnes ! I was the cause that thou wert conuented before the counsell of the high Priest , and my sinnes did send thee to Pilate .

Oh let mee weepe in the morning when I awake out of sleepe , and make my bed to swimme with teares , when I lie downe to rest , because I haue beene delighted with that , as my chiefest felicitie , which caused thee to abide the bitternesse of all their crueltie , and will be the cause of mine owne endlesse miserie , vnlesse my wounds be healed , and my sores salued with the pretious balme of thy sauing mercie .

Teach me , oh Lord , to suffer any affliction for thy sake , with alacritie , and to sustaine the malice of persecution with cheerefull humility , which shal be by Sathan raised against me , or by his instruments inflicted vpon me for thy cause .

Let the patterne of thy perfect humilitie , be alwayes placed before mine eyes , let the memorie of thy patience , neuer depart out of my minde . Oh ye wicked Iewes ! Oh ye false accusers ! oh ye lying caluminators ! oh ye periured wretches ! How maliciously , how vniustly , how spitefully , how impudently doe yee accuse my Lord ? ye raile vpon him as if hee were a most damnable traytor , ye reuile and curse him , as if hee had complotted some horrible treason , or inuented some notable mischiefe , when as his hands were neuer stained with any euill action , nor his heart tainted with any wicked cogitation , his words were nothing but verity and truth , and there was no guile to be found in his mouth : who alone is good , the author of goodnesse , and the fountaine of euerlasting happines . Tell me ye deceitfull and spitefull accusers , what euill hath he done ? what wicked deed hath he committed ? Enquire of them whom hee deliuered from the vncleane spirits wherewith they were miserably tormented ? aske the blinde whom hee had made to see ? demand of the deafe whom he made to heare ? aske the Leapers whom he clensed , and the dead persons whom hee reuiued ? let them answere your false accusations , and ouerthrow the forged testimonies of your criminall obiections ? Are ye so wilfull that ye will not acknowledge his mercy ? are ye so blinde that ye cannot see his miracles ? If an vngodly man can performe such mercifull deedes , then you may iustly accuse him as a wicked doer , and condemne him as a dangerous malefactor . Thou seest my soule , what cause thou hast to water thy cheekes with continuall teares , and to ouerwhelme thy hart in deepe streams of wofull sorrow , when thou dost thinke vpon the afflictions of thy blessed Sauiour , and meditate on the cursed torments executed by the cruell Iewes against thy innocent Iesus .

Was there euer any Traitor so execrable to men for his bloodie deeds ? or any vile wretch so odious for his vitious life , which sustained so many opprobrious words , scornfull derisions , bitter taunts , and grieuous torments , as the furious Iewes inflicted vpon my mercifull Iesus ?

Oh my blessed Sauiour and louing Redeemer , what did moue thee to sustaine such a heauie burthen of afflictions ? what was the cause that thou didst submit thy selfe to so many miseries ? I know my most gratious Lord , it did flow from the fountaine of thy vnmeasurable loue , in tendring the wofull estate of me a most wretched sinner : and because thou wert moued with the bowels of compassion towards mee , a most forlorne and miserable creature .

Thy exceeding loue was the cause of thy admirable humilitie : and thy vnspeakeable mercie , the soueraigne medicine to cure my miserie . Therefore grant me , my humble and lowly Iesus , which am thy poore and most vnworthy seruant , that I may suffer any contempt with humilitie for thy cause , & endure any vile reproach with alacritie for thy sake , esteeming it my chiefest honour to be scorned for thy loue , and accounting my selfe most happie , when I suffer any persecution for thy holy name .

Possesse my heart with true humilitie , that my thoughts may not thirst after vaine glorie , nor mine affections hunt after worldly honour . For I know ( oh Lord ) that thou doest resist the proud , and that thou giuest grace to the humble : Iames. 4.6 . Pro. 15.25 . and I know ( oh Lord ) that hee which desireth to ascend to the place of euerlasting glorie , must ascend vnto it by the steps of humility ; Therefore thou ( which art onely able ) teach mee that I may be truly humbled , so that my minde may not swell with pride in time of my prosperitie , nor any ambitious thoughts find any harbour in my heart in the time of my peaceable tranquility , that I may sing with the sweet singer Dauid , It is good for mee that thou hast humbled me . And that I may more easily learne to leuell my thoughts by the rule of humility , inflame my heart with thy loue , for if my heart be incensed and kindled with thy loue , my desires will be ready to performe thy wil , and I shall be chearefull to walke in thy wayes , which doest teach mee to be lowly in minde , and humble in heart .

A Meditation how Pilate caused Iesus to be scourged , and how afterward he pronounced sentence of death against him . MED. XII . Though Pilates mouth did Iesus a a Luke 21.4.14 . iustifie , And Pilates b b Mat. 27.19 . wife the like did testifie , Yet c c Mat. 15.15 . scourg'd he is : therewith not pleas'd , they crie : His bloud on d d Mat. 27.25 . vs and ours , him crucifie .

WHen Pilate had strictly examined my innocent Iesus , and could finde no cause why the cruell Iewes should so grieuously accuse him , but knew that they had deliuered him for enuie , and did spite him for malice : he was willing to haue set Iesus at liberty , but the furious Iewes did so greedily thirst after his innocent blood , and so eagerly desired to haue him put to a shamefull death , that they cried out in a rage , and exclaimed in their fury : Set Barrabas at libertie , and crucifie Iesus .

But when Pilate perceiued that nothing could calme the storme of their rage , and represse the violence of their madnesse , but effusion of his innocent blood , then he commanded that my harmelesse Iesus should be cruelly scourged , thinking that the streames of bloud running downe from his sacred body would haue allaide the heat of their malice , & quenched the flame of their fury . But alas , it was his life that they onely sought : nothing but his innocent death could satisfie their bloody mindes : yea , nothing but cruell death could tame their bruitish rage , Matth. 26.

But stay here my soule , that thou mayest reuiew againe thy innocent Iesus , accused vniustly , reuiled malitiously , spitefully scorned , and cruelly scourged by the commaundement of Pilate : they crowned his head scornefully with pricking Thornes , and did teare his tender flesh with their cruell whips . Oh my most louing Lord ! oh my most mercifull Iesus ! mollifie my hard hart that it may be wholy dissolued into streames of sorrow , with the memory of thy bitter scourging , and that my soule may be wounded so that it may send forth deepe groanes at the meditation of thine afflictions . Grant me oh my most mercifull LORD , that my thoughts and affections may be so seriously affected with the remembrance of thy tedious Passion , that my senses may be made partakers of thy grieuous paines : for I my selfe , most louing Lord , am nothing able to performe that indeed , which I doe desire , and conceiue in my minde .

I doe often times purpose with my selfe to meditate on thy Passion , and to thinke seriously vpon thine affliction , and to ruminate in my secret thoughts , what ignominious crueltie was acted against thee , when thou didst finish the worke of my redemption : But ( alas ) my senses are replenished with such stupiditie and dulnesse , that I am not touched with any sensible compassion , because my vnderstanding is distempered with vaine and fond cogitations , and my heart is become so hard that it is vnapt to conceiue any tender affection , while I meditate vpon the grieuous paines , and muse on the great afflictions which thou didst sustaine , and patiently endure to satisfie the wrath of thy Father , due vnto me for my sinnes . I cannot taste the sweetnesse , I cannot relish the goodnesse of thy passion , because the matter is tedious to my corrupted thoghts , and vnpleasant to my carnall desires . For so vnconstant and instable is my heart , so mutable and variable are the motions of my minde , that they are both soone distracted , alienated and diuorced from that heauenly meditation by swarms of idle fantasies , & foolish cogitations . But from whence , oh Lord , doe these noysome weeds grow vp in my hart ? how is it that they finde such a fertile soile in my minde ? truly , because my heart is not planted with thy loue , nor my mind furnished with thy graces . For I can neuer haue my fill of those things wherein I take too much delight : my minde cannot be drawne from their societie , because they haue wonne my fauor , & haue gotten my loue . Wherefore , oh my most mercifull Iesus , because I loue thee so little , and dote vpon worldly vanities so much , my hart slideth away from thee , & mine affections are diuerted from thee ; and I know oh Lord , how prone & ready I am to consent to euery wicked motion , and how impotent and feeble I am , to go about any good action .

Therfore I pray thee , not to correct me in thy wrath , nor to proceed against mee with seuerity of thy Iustice , but to haue pitty on me a most miserable sinner , and to confirme my vnconstant hart with a stedfast delight in thy loue , & to establish my wandring minde , according to the multitude of thy mercies : so that no pleasure , be it neuer so sweet , may be able to allure me to leaue thy blessed loue : nor any tribulation , be it neuer so bitter , constraine me to forsake thy happy seruice : driue all idle cares out of my minde , & purge all corrupt thoughts out of my hart , and draw me wholy vnto thee , that I may remember with a deuout compassion , & call to minde with a serious meditation , how many , what great & grieuous torments , what scornefull derisions thou didst suffer in thy most pretious body , by the commaundement of Pontius Pilate , who contrary to the equitie of thy cause , and testimony of his owne conscience , Ioh. 19.4 . commaunded thee to be scourged without all pitty , when as he himselfe with his owne words had iustified thy innocency .

Oh what a flood of teares should streame from mine eyes , what groanes and sorrowfull sighes should arise from the depth of my heart ? how should all my senses be ouer-whelmed with a sea of sorrow , when I meditate on the flinty hearts , and cruell hands of those tormentors , who scourged my louing Redeemer ?

My heart cannot conceiue the outrage of their tyranny : my tongue is too weake to expresse their barbarous inhumanitie : Who were as eager to lay violent hands vpon my poore Iesus , as rauenous Wolues are greedy to deuoure a tender Lambe , or hungry Lyons to ceaze vpon their prey .

They make haste to vnbinde his armes , and to vntie his hands , but it was not done to release him of his cruell bands , or to afford him any little ease : but that they might strip him of his garments , to scourge his naked body with their tormenting whips , and to make his veines spout out bloud with their cruell stripes .

Ah ruthfull spectacle to pittifull eyes , and able to haue made a deepe impression of tender compassion in their hearts ; if they had not beene more heard then Marble ! What sauage thoughts raigned in their murdering mindes ? What monstrous indignitie was done vnto my louing Redeemer , to be stripped of his garments , and to stand naked before such vile and base vassals , who cloathed the Heauens with exceeding glory , and adorned the earth with admirable beauty ?

Now , when they had stripped him of his cloathes , they bound him to a pillar , to endure their cruell stripes , hauing banished pitty from their hearts , and imbraced cruelty with their hands : somtime they lash him on the backe , sometime they scourge him on the brest : Now they let their smarting whips flie on his shoulders , anon they strike him on his armes : they suffer no part of his body to bee free from blowes , and they grieue his righteous soule with bitter words , whilest yet they are executing their cruell deeds .

But what Tygers heart harboured in their brest ( oh my innocent Sauiour ) which robbed them of grace , and they disrobed thee of thy cloathes ? What hellish fury armed their hands which bound thee to a pillar , and scourged thy blessed body ? how exceeding execrable is their sauage crueltie ? How rare and admirable is thy silent patience ? It was I , it was I , oh my most sweet Iesu , which deserued to bee scourged with the whips of euerlasting torments .

And thou my most mercifull Sauiour , looking vpon my miserable , wofull and distressed estate , with thine eye of pitty , wert willing to be scourged for me a most wretched sinner , and being innocent , to suffer for mine offences , that the streames of thy pretious bloud , might wash away the filthy staines of my hainous sins : Alas , how is the wonderfull glory , oh my most sweet Lord , of thy super-excellent beauty decayed ? how is the gracefull decency of thy amiable feature diminished ? And how much is the delightfull comelinesse of thy most sacred body disgraced ? Oh let mine eyes send forth a sea of teares , and let my perplexed heart breake into pieces with exceeding sorrow , to see my beloued Sauiour stained with his owne blood , and leopard-like bespotted with deformitie , who did farre excell all the sonnes of men with his glorious beauty .

Now thou seest oh my soule , how the snow-white skin of the bodie of thy Sauiour , is changed into a bloody tincture : Thou maist see , and sigh when thou seest how his tender flesh is made black and blew with the cruel blowes which cruell tormentors inflicted vpon him , whose stony hearts had no sense of his grieuous paines , when they saw with their eyes ( and yet alas they would not pitty his wofull case ) how the bloud ran out of his veines , as water floweth out of a fountaine .

Mourne and lament , oh my soule , send forth deepe groanes and sorrowfull sighes at so pittifull a sight . For now thou canst not say , My beloued is white and ruddy , Cant. 1.14 . as sometime thou mightest : But rather say , my beloued is blacke and blew , his pretious bloud gushing out of his veines , and his tender flesh mangled with grieuous wounds .

Who is so cruelly minded , and so stony-harted , which cannot be moued to shed plentifull teares , when he vieweth my sweet Sauior Iesus so sauagely abused without any pitty , and so spitefully taunted , and maliciously tormented without any mercy ?

Now when those cursed Tormentors had almost tired their hands , but yet not tamed the crueltie of their hearts , they cloathe him with a vesture of purple colour , set a crowne of sharpe thorns on his head , and put a Reed for a Scepter into his hands , calling him King in derision with their blasphemous mouthes , whom they accounted more base then the meanest abiect in al the world , Mat. 27.2 . Is it possible for thee , my sorrowfull soule , to keepe backe the tide of thy streaming teares , when thou dost meditate in thy perplexed minde , and as it were , view within thy secret thoghts how cruelly thy harmelesse Sauiour was tortured by those bloody tormentors : how spitefully he was tanted , and shamefully mocked by those blasphemous wretches ?

There was no man , oh my sweet Iesu , that did afford thee so much as a signe of pitty in thy greatest paines : thou mightest not haue a Chirurgion to stanch thy bleeding wounds , no man sought to ease thy smart , nor to bathe thy scourged body : no man offered thee a cup of water to refresh thy fainting spirits :

Oh let shewers of teares trickle downe my cheekes , and let a sea of sorrow ouer-flow my heart , when I enter into a serious meditation of the grieuous paines , derisions , and afflictions , which my innocent redeemer patiently endured . Oh then let mine eyes send forth a flood of teares , because my mercifull & louing Iesus suffered all those intollerable extremities for mee , a most wretched sinner , that he might pay the price of my redemption , and deliuer my soule from euerlasting captiuitie !

Oh how should I , my bountifull Iesu , sound the bottomlesse profunditie of thy vnspeakeable mercy ?

And how can I search the endles depth of mine owne wretched miserie ?

Touch my heart oh Lord , by the vertue of thy holy spirit , and teach me by the sacred documents of thine vnsearchable wisdome , so that the affections of my heart may be faithfully affianced , and for euer affixed vnto thy immeasurable loue , and my minde euermore imployed in the diuine meditation of thy holy law .

Instruct mee to lay vp in the store-house of my perpetuall memorie , how many , how great and grieuous paines thou hast endured for me . What should I render vnto thee in requitall of thine immeasurable loue ? how should I be able to demeane my selfe thankefully vnto thee , when of my selfe I am so vile a creature , that I cannot thinke dutifully of thee ? Wherefore open mine eyes ( oh my sweet Iesu ) that I may see the inestimable riches of thy bountie .

Infuse thy working grace into my vnderstanding , that I may know & acknowledge the greatnes of thy loue , and goodnesse of thy gratious benefits . Graunt me such a portion of thy grace , that in the highest degree of my prosperitie , I may meditate on thy pouerty , so that my minde may be brideled from ambitious thoughts , and my actions neuer transgresse the bounds of moderate humility .

And when I decke my body with costly attire , let me thinke of thy nakednes , that it may asswage my swelling pride , and induce me to abate somewhat of my superfluitie , to cloathe and relieue my poore brethren in their naked necessitie .

And when my Table is furnished with delicate meates , and my cuppe filled with delicious wine , then oh my louing Sauiour , let me remember thy hunger . Oh let me not forget thy thirst , that I may be sober in my diet , and temperate in my drinke , and remember to refresh poore hungry Lazarus , when he lieth crying and crauing at my gate .

When I enioy my libertie , let me thinke of thine imprisonment , that I may not let mine affections runne ryot , but tame their wilde motions before they breake forth into desperate actions . Let not worldly pleasure haue such soueraigne dominion ouer my peaceable thoughts , but that I may alwayes haue some taste of the paines which thou didst suffer for my sinnes with patience , and sustaine for my transgressions with silence .

Lastly , let me neuer dispaire of thy potent mercy , though by my owne merit I finde I haue deserued nothing else but hell and damnation . Now that this blessed worke of thine excellent goodnesse ( oh my gratious Lord ) may be affected in mee , make a deepe impression of thy loue in my bowels , and ingraue the true character of thy kindnesse on my heart , so that nothing may please my taste , nothing breed my delight , nothing affect my desires , but onely thou my King & God , my Sauiour and my Redeemer . Kindle the fire of thy loue within my bones , that my ardent zeale may neuer be quenched towards my beloued Lord Iesus , who did willingly abide the curse , and die on the crosse to pay my debt , and to deliuer my soule out of the prison of eternall death .

But stay not here my soule , turne thine eyes toward thine afflicted Iesus , view him harmlesse and innocent , and see in what scornefull habit iniurious Pilate doth present him to the bloudy-minded Iewes : his body is arraied in a roabe of purple : his cheekes bedewed with blood , running out of the veines of his head , wounded with a Crowne of sharpe thornes : A ruthfull spectacle , which might haue made their stony-hearts haue melted with compassionate pitty .

But ( alas ) what can mollifie those harts which are full fraughted with crueltie ? thinke oh my soule , thou doest heare Pilate that vniust and wrongfull iudge , vttering these or the like words vnto the muttering Iewes .

Behold , I bring him forth vnto you , that yee may know I can finde no cause to pronounce iudgement against him , but because yee pretend some matter : Behold how I haue punished the man , to calme the tumults of your enraged mindes .

Looke vpon him with your eyes , see how miserable , wofull , base , and contemptible he appeareth in your sight ! You need not stand in feare that he will seeke to rule ouer you as a king : you may see his power is too weake to compasse a kingdome : you may see how bitterly hee hath bene scourged , scoffed at by the people , scorned of the multitude , rudely haled , and roughly handled by the Souldiers : you need not dread him as a man dangerous to the State : though he had a mind , yet he hath no might to raise vp any tempest of sedition : Wherefore , ye may now set him at libertie after hee hath beene scourged , without any feare of perill , and let him goe without any dread of danger .

But consider heere my soule , that although vniust Pilate , contrarie to equitie of law , testimony of his owne conscience , and sentence of his owne mouth , had extreamely punished my louing Sauiour , and had authorised his basest officers to vse him at their pleasure , and to abuse him in their iesting humour : And although their taunts were bitter without meane , their derisions intollerable without any sparke of modesty , and their torments excessiue without measure , yet none of them , nor all of them could once delay the fury of the hasty executioner , nor allay the heat and fiery hatred of the enuious cruell Iewes , kindled in their burning breast without cause against my innocent Iesus : but although they saw him so deformed , so ignominiously disgraced , and grieuously afflicted , yet it could not satiate , no it could not so much as slake the thirst of their bloudy mindes : they were so farre transported beyond the limits of reason in their chollericke moode , and fretting without measure , to see his life prolonged the space of a moment , that they exclaimed in their madnesse , Crucifie him , crucifie him : his very breath is odious vnto vs , If thou let him goe , thou art not Caesars friend , Ioh. 19.12 . Oh ye peruerse and peeuish nation ! Oh yee wicked and viperous generation ! was it not enough to haue stopped your clamorous mouthes , to haue mollified your flinty hearts , and to haue stayed your bloudy hands , when yee sawe my meeke and kinde Sauiour so cruelly scourged , currishly scorned , and pittifully tormented , as though he had bene a man dangerous to your state , and a pernitious foe to your countrie ?

But although all those insupportable iniuries , and opprobrious indignities were contrarie to all pietie , and without any pitty inflicted vpon him , when as by the testimonie of Pilate , a sterne & seuere Iudge , he was pronounced to bee innocent and cleare from all offences , Ioh. 19.6 . yet ye supposed that al those torments were too little , and nothing too much , which was vniustly done to that innocent Lambe , who opened not his mouth once to murmure or mutter against his cruell persecutors .

Here hast thou cause ( oh my soule ) to admire the vnspeakeable mildnesse of my Iesus , and to stand amazed at the implacable crueltie of the Iewes . When Pilate perceiued that his words could not preuaile to slake the flame of their enuious mindes , but rather added more fuell to their boyling furie , and that delay of his death did so mad , & vexe their confused thoghts , that they would not be quieted before they had shed his innocent blood : then he willing to satisfie their franticke humor , and to shew himselfe a friend vnto Caesar , presumed against the contradiction and care of his owne conscience , to pronounce sentence of death , yea of a most vile and shamefull death against the innocent Lambe , my louing Lord Iesus .

Neuerthelesse he would make a fayre shew to the world , that he did acquit him in his heart , although hee condemned him with his mouth : And taking water , hee washed his hands before the people , saying : I am innocent from the blood of this iust man , looke ye vnto it : Mat 27.24 . Then all the people cryed out aloud with open mouthes and bloody mindes , His blood be vpon vs and our children , Mat. 27.25 .

And indeede at last they found the wofull effect of their bloudie wish , they felt the smart of their bloudie desire , though then in the heat of their furie they dreaded no danger , nor dreamed on the day of their sorrow , wherein their Citie was filled with slaughtered bodies , and the channels of their streets streamed with bloud . Although my tender hearted Sauiour had fore-told them of their wofull desolation , and with weeping teares fore-warned them of their dolefull destruction : but they stopped their eares and would not heare his voice , flattering themselues in their deceitfull securitie , and laughed at his words in the faire dayes of their prosperity .

But here cease a while my sorrowfull soule , to meditate on the malicious madnesse of the bloud-thirstie Iewes , whose clamorous voices could not be pacified before the corrupted Iudge ( cursed Pilate ) had condemned my deare and innocent Iesus : and consider the hainous and hatefull condition of Pilates sinne , and view the wofull horrour of his wretched soule , who for feare of Caesar , and fauour of the people , did contrary to the knowledge of his conscience , and custome of law , pronounce sentence of death against my poore Iesus , who neuer meant hurt , nor thought any euill .

Tell me ( thou wicked Iudge ) how couldest thou pretend any shadow to couer thy sinne ? where couldst thou think to find a place of refuge for thy guilty soule ?

Didst thou more dread the displeasure of the people , then the horrour of a guiltie conscience ? diddest thou stand in more awe of mortall men , then of the Eternall God ? didst thou more regard to protest thy selfe a friend vnto Caesar , ( who although he were a great King , was but a feeble creature ) than thou hadst care to discharge thine office to God , thine omnipotent Creator ?

Tell me , did not thy heart ake , and all thy body tremble , so soone as wrongfull iudgement had passed out of thy lippes against my innocent Sauiour ? Wert thou not tormented with the sting of thy wounded conscience ? Or wert thou depriued of all thy senses , so soone as thou haddest vttered that wrongfull sentence ? Thou didst know that the Iewes had deliuered him of enuie : Matth. 27.28 . and wouldst thou be an instrument to satisfie their wicked malice ? Thou wert ordained a Iudge , to execute Iustice , and to giue righteous iudgement , wherefore how horrible was thy sinne ? how wofull was the state of thy guilty soule , when thou hadst condemned my innocent Iesus .

Bitter and sweet water doth not flowe out of the selfe-same fountaine : yet thou ( with the selfe-same mouth ) didst iustifie my Sauiour , as an innocent person , and by and by ( with the selfe-same mouth ) condemne him , as an hainous malefactor ?

How odious should the crying voices of murthering Iewes haue beene to thy eares ? how shouldst thou haue hated their bloudie hearts , detested their vnlawfull requests , and loathed their malicious desires , when they cried out vnto thee in their furie , & exclaimed in their madnes : Let Barrabas goe free , let Barrabas goe free : Crucifie , crucifie Iesus ? Matth. 27.21 .

Thou knewst well enough , that wicked Barrabas had made an insurrection , disturbed the peace , and committed murther , and that thou couldst finde no fault , nor ferret out any offence in the life of my blessed Sauiour , but that the spitefull Iewes had accused him for enuie , and sought his death , to satisfie their malice , for indeede his whole life was a Mirrour of excellent vertues , his hands were cleane from euill actions , his heart was pure from sinfull cogitations : Say thine eyes were so blinded that thou could'st not see the bright beames of his Diuinitie ; yet thou didst see , and thy mouth did testifie , that thou didst see the apparant Vertues of his innocent humanitie .

What did mooue thee to pronounce false iudgement , to shed his innocent bloud ? Wert thou so fond to purchase fauour of the high Priests ? Didst thou so dote after the loue of the people , whose mindes are more mutable then the winde , altering their affections euery moment , that contrarie to the sense of Law , testification of thy conscience , and approbation of thy owne words , thou wert seduced to condemne such an innocent person ?

Thy wife did admonish thee that thou shouldest haue nothing to doe with that Righteous man , who suffered many things because of him in her sleepe , and therefore fore-warned thee by her fearefull dreame . Matth. 27.19 .

But neither the Caueat of thy wife , nor chastisement of thy own conscience , could stay thy false iudgement , but at last the enuious Iewes had what they would at thy hands , and thou didst giue them thy consent , to execute the extream malice of their wicked harts .

What hadst thou gotten , if thou hadst gained the whole world , with lose of thy soule ? Wofull is the purchase which is bought at so deare a rate .

Before thou wouldst vouchsafe to giue Iudgement against my harmlesse Redeemer , thou diddest make a solemne protestation before the multitude , that thou wouldst not be guiltie with them in the shedding of his innocent bloud , thinking by washing thy hands with a little water , to take away the deepe staines of thy conscience . Oh how may all the world wonder at thy madnesse ? How may all posterities condemne thee of folly ? Well might a little water cleare the spots of thy hands , but all the water in the Ocean could not wash away the blots of thy soule : Such prety slights may passe without contradiction amongst men , but alas , they cannot blinde the all-piercing eyes of the Eternall Iudge , who knoweth the secrets of euery mans heart , searcheth the reines , and vnderstandeth all our thoughts : It was horrible crueltie , yea , it was a cursed deed , voyd of all common humanitie , to command my Lord Iesus to be stripped out of his cloathes , and to haue his naked body wounded with stripes , when thou sawest he could not be conuicted of any wicked acte , nor iustly reproued for any euill word : and to license thy lewd Officers to gibe at him , at their wils , and to ieast at him like a foole at their pleasure , and by aggrauating his miseries to make themselues merrie : yet so popular was thy minde , and thine affections so glewed to the humor of the people , that when thou sawest that those streames of his precious bloud , could not extinguish the flame of their furie , thou didst doome him to a most scandalous and ignominious death , who was honourable aboue all the sonnes of men for his righteous life , and declared to be faultlesse , by thy voluntarie confession , after thy strict examination .

Oh happy are the eyes of those which sit on the seat of iudgement , which can see the deformity of thy sinne , that their hearts may be replenished with integrity , and their hands with innocencie , not stained with the spottes of Innocent bloud .

Curbe thou oh Lord the furious passions of my minde , and quench the flame of bloudie wrath , when it beginneth to be kindeled in my breast , that my heart may not imagine to slay the innocent , nor my hands be defiled with their bloud : Keepe me that I walke not in the counsell of the wicked , when they lay snares , and digge pits for the destruction of any of thy deare children . I know oh Lord , that I am readie euery moment to wander astray , vnlesse thou direct my feete by thy holy Spirit , and guide me in thy path , by the light of thy word .

I confesse my heart is tainted with originall vices , and my hands are stained with actuall offences : all my parts are defiled , yea my whole body is nothing else but a vessell full of corrupted liquor .

I am prone to commit all euilnesse with greedinesse ; But alas , I finde in my selfe not so much as a motion to doe any goodnesse .

I am forward to persecute thee , with the cruell Iewes , and to giue my consent to shed thy innocent bloud , with cursed Pilate : yea , I daily crucifie thee by my sinnes , and pierce thy blessed side , with mine iniquitie : I caused thee to be vniustly accused , and wrongfully condemned : Haue not my cursed words , and bloudie oathes beene like sharpe speares to wound thy heart , and my cruell deedes , like nailes , to fasten thee to the Crosse ? Wherefore wound thou my heart , that I may not lye still snorting in the bed of carelesse securitie , and continue senselesse in the lethargie of sinne .

Purge the drosse of my vitious heart , with the fire of thy holy spirit , and purifie my corrupted cogitations , by the bright beames of thy grace .

Oh let this holy fire bee still burning in my breast , that it may consume the corruption of mine infectious sinne , that cleaneth so fast vnto my bowels ! Bow downe thine eare ( oh my mercifull Sauiour ) vnto my humble petition , and giue a gracious answere to my earnest supplication ; then I shall bee emboldened to come before thy Maiestie , and to approach neere vnto thy seate of mercie . Oh let my morning and euening Sacrifice of thankes-giuing ( my louing LORD , and bountifull Iesu ) send vp a sweet sauour into thy nosthrils , which diddest suffer thy selfe to be scorned , scourged , and condemned , by the sentence of wicked Pilate , onely for my sake , and my sinnes , to set my captiue soule at libertie , and with the effusion of thy most precious bloud , to pay so deare a price , for the purchase of my Redemption .

Graunt that the remembrance of such a worthie , and more then wonderfull benefit , may euermore be fresh in my memorie , and laid vp as a most pretious Iewell , in the safest closet of my thankfull minde . And at the day of thy last iudgement , and generall Assises , when thou shalt come to iudge the quicke and the dead , enter not into iudgement with thy seruant , nor remember mine iniquities , but iudge me with thine elected , according to thy mercie , that I may possesse the kingdome with them , which thou hast prepared for them from the beginning of the world . Oh let my Prayer come before thy presence , let the zeale of my heart , and lifting vp of my hands , towards thy Throne of mercie , moue thee to grant the request of my humble petition . Amen .

A Meditation how the Lord Iesus carrying his Crosse on his shoulders , is led to Mount Caluarie to be crucified , and of those things which happened by the way . MED. XIII . Our blessed Sauiour ( Christ the perfect a a Iohn 19.17 . gaine ) Doth b b Matth. 27.32 . beare the crosse whereon himselfe must die : Simon of c c Luk. 23.26 . Cyrene sometimes they constraine To doe d d Mark . 15.21 . it . So saith the truth that cannot lie .

HE which will come after me , let him denie himselfe , take vp his Crosse , and follow me . Matth. 16.24 . Runne and make hast , oh my soule , at the voice of our most sweet Redeemer , who bearing his Crosse on his owne shoulders , Ioh. 19.16.17 . doth inuite thee to carrie thy Crosse , if thou desire to follow his steps . Oh how sweet , how delectable , how delightfull is it to carrie the Crosse after my Iesus ! His happinesse cannot be vttered , his blessednesse cannot be imagined , which doth follow thee , my Lord Iesu , in thy blessed pathes : he walketh not in darknesse , he commeth not neere the shadow of death , but shall haue the light of life .

Come therefore oh my soule , let vs follow our Iesus , bearing his Crosse on his owne shoulders : let vs leaue all and follow him with alacritie , let nothing stop our passage , let not any thing hinder vs in our course : Looke vpon thy Lord , thy Creator , thy Redeemer .

Consider his tedious labour , his grieuous afflictions , his intollerable torments , all of them without any meane , none of them hauing any moderation : let thy whole minde be pondering on them , let them be the continuall matter of thy daily meditation .

Let thy heart be wounded with the sword of sorrow , and let thine eyes be drowned with a flood of teares : let thy heauie groanes and sorrowfull sighes beginne in the morning , and let them not cease in the euening : Oh let the feruencie of thy lamentation , demonstrate the burning zeale of thy compassion , which thou doest beare to mine afflicted Iesus .

Mourne with true contrition of heart for thine iniquities , and weepe with hearty sinceritie for thy sinnes , which caused thy Christ to carrie so heauie a crosse .

Here is plentifull matter for thy meditation : heere wanteth no motiues to stirre vp in thee a feeling compassion , for thou seest how hee is scorned and despised , how cruelly , how currishly hee is abused by the perfidious Iewes .

Who is so obdurate in heart , oh my most patient Iesus ? who hath his affections so barren of compassion , that hee hath no sense of sorrow , when he entereth into a serious contemplation of the multitude of thine afflictions , and meditateth on the bitternesse of the passions which thou didst suffer to pay the ransome of our sinfull soules , and to deliuer them out of the bands of eternall captiuitie ?

For all the night thou wert wearied with the out-cries of contumelious tongues , and tired with the violence of cruell hands , hurried and haled from the Garden , where thou wert with thy louing Disciples : and although thou wert willing to goe of thy selfe , yet the churlish crew of hard-harted Souldiers were so froward , that their sturdie hands were alwaies readie to tugge and pull thee forward , to vexe thy feeble body , and to grieue thy righteous soule . For it was their solace to procure thy sorrow , it was their pleasure to augment thy paine , and they thought euery moment a moneth before they did present thee to Annas , where thou wert rebuked with taunting checkes , & buffeted with vngentle blowes on thy tender cheekes , and after that thou hadst with exceeding patience , endured the bitter tempest of their furie , they brought thee from thence to the house of Caiphas , there to abide another storme of their malicious crueltie . Sometime they raile vpon thee with their cursed tongues , sometime they thumpe thee with their cruell hands , their speeches were full of odious spite , their words were infected with malicious venome which they belched against thee my louing Sauiour : their deedes were nothing else but deadly cruelty , their words sauoured of nothing but barbarous inhumanitie , they scoffed and derided thee with bitter iests , they defiled thy comely face with their filthie spettle . Then without any pittie ( alas how should they shew any pitty , whose hearts were hardned with bloud-thirstie crueltie ? ) they bring thee in hast to the Court of King Herod , where thou wert flouted at , reputed as a sottish foole , scorned , contemned , and derided like a simple Idiot : their mirth was Bedlam-madnes : their iestes were full of gall and bitternesse .

Now when they had acted their outragious villanies against thee , and executed their diuellish deuises vpon thee my innocent Iesus , yet all of them were too little to calme the tempest of their hatefull furie , but then this cursed crew doth hurrie thee from the vngratious Court of proud Herod , to the gracelesse house of Pontius Pilate , where thou wert taunted and checked againe with cruell quips , and sharply scourged with smarting whips , stripped naked , contrarie to all humanitie , and beaten with bitter blowes without any pittie : their whips were sharp to teare thy flesh , their tongues were as keene as rasors to wound thy soule , they pierced thy head with a crowne of thornes , & putting a feeble reede in thy hands , flouted thee with the name of a King ; and bending their knees , did worship thee in derision , offending thy sacred eares with their cursed words , and afflicting thy wounded body with their bloudie hands , and when thou hadst beene so spitefully scorned , bitterly scourged , and vilely contemned , at last thou wast wrongfully condemned to suffer a most shamefull and dolefull death .

But ( oh my sweet Iesu ) who did afford thee any comfort in thy exceeding sorrowes ? who did approach to cure thy bleeding wounds ? Alas , there was no man by , which was moued with any sorrowfull compassion for thy vndeserued calamitie , but euery man was forward to augment thy miserie . Now they lay a most huge and heauy crosse vpon thy wounded shoulders , the weight of it doth make thy knees to tremble , thy legges to faile , and thy whole body to faint . And thus thou doest goe forward to the place of execution , guarded with a band of armed Souldiers , and hemd in on euery side with a rabble of bloudie tormentors , multitudes of the base and rude people doe flocke together out of euery quarter , they crowd and thrust one another to see thee , but ( alas ) it was not to afford thee any compassionate pittie , but to laugh and reioyce at thy miserie . They proclaime out the malice of their heart against thee in their madnesse , and raile and reuile thee in the heat of their furie : They all striue like Beares and fierce Lyons to approach neere vnto thee : oh what opprobrious speeches , what hatefull and odious rayling , what cursed words , what vncharitable deedes , did my most humble and patient Iesus suffer by those wicked & desperate people , whose eyes were more hard then a rocke , that they could not yeeld forth one teare for pittie , and hearts more vnapt then Adamant to relent with any tender compassion , when they saw so wofull and dolefull a spectacle ?

But for all the venemous speeches vttered out of their railing mouthes , and for all the brutish deedes done vnto thee my louing Iesus with their cruell hands , thou didst not once open thy mouth to contradict them in their raging madnesse , or once to blame them in the heat and hate of their greatest furie , but didst goe forward with meekenesse to the dolefull place of their bloudie execution , to suffer the painefull pangues , not for thy owne faults , but for mine iniquities , and that with thy pretious bloud thou mightst make a wholsome Bath , to cure the spots , and heale the blaines of my sinfull soule .

Teach me , oh my sweet Christ and louing Iesus , by thine example so to master mine affections , and to direct mine actions , that when mine enemies doe insult ouer mee with slaunderous words and slauish deedes , I may walke and tread in thy pathes with meekenesse of heart , and trace out thy steps with humility of minde , hearing their diuellish curses with silence , and bearing my heauie Crosse with patience , committing my cause vnto the GOD of vengeance , who heareth the cries of the silly orphane , putteth the teares of the weeping widow into his bottle , and deliuereth poore captiues out of prison when they call vpon him .

But tell me oh ye generation of vipers , tell me oh ye bloodie-hearted , and bloodie-handed Iewes , why were ye so bloodie minded against my innocent Iesus ? what horrible conspiracie had he plotted or practised against you , that yee were so eager to vndermine his life , and so greedie to hasten the bloodie day of his death ? Is this the honour that you giue to my Sauiour ? Is this the glorie you vouchsafe my Redeemer ? Is this the kinde entertainement you afford to your Prophet , whom the day before you receiued with such ioy , spreading your garments on the ground , and couering the earth greene boughes , when he entred into Hierusalem . Oh most vngratefull , vnconstant , vngracious and gracelesse people ! Is your loue so soone changed into deadly hate ? is your late curtesie conuerted into cruelty ? were your fauours so quickly turned into frownes ? Is your honour altered to shame ? are your plausible speeches changed into bitter curses ?

Doe yee to day lift him vp as high as Heauen , and to morrow throw him downe as low as Hell ? Doe yee blesse him to day , and curse him to morrow ? Doe yee flocke after him to day ( that your tongues may sing forth his prayses ) and to morrow doe ye crowd after him to fill his eares with reproches ? Doe ye to day entertaine him into the Citie ( as desirous of his life ) and to morrow doe yee leade him out of the Citie as a malefactor , to suffer a shamefull death ? Did yee but now like him , and by and by doe yee lothe him ? Is the milde complection of your loue , altered in a moment , into deadly hate ? What was the cause of your mutabilitie ? What was the occasion of your instabilitie ? Were the affections of your hearts so mutable , and your vnconstant desires so moneable ?

So soone as you perceiued that my louing Iesus began to bee hated of your enuious magistrates , and cruelly handled by their wicked ministers , scorned and scoffed at by the Souldiers ; tanted with proud and malicious words , beaten and buffeted with cruell blowes , scourged with whips , spitted vpon by the scumme of the people , disdainfully contemned of the high Priests , and lastly , condemned by Pilate : then yee began to like of their chollericke humors , and to play the executioners of their bloudy hate : This day ye misuse and abuse him most vilely , whom but yesterday yee honoured and exalted so highly : Now your malice towards him is without meane , and your cruell deeds without moderation . The cruell Enuy of the high Priest kindled the fire , and yee cast Oyle into it , to increase the flame .

Oh what extreame crueltie ? what cruell extremitie ? what ignominious indignitie , was done vnto my afflicted Iesus ? Was not the edge of your malice yet rebated ? Did the streame of your hatred growe to bee more violent ? Was there no little corner left for pitty to lodge in your brests ? Was there no motion of compassion within your bowels ?

Tell me then , how could ye be so harsh-harted , and hard-handed , as to lay so heauy & huge a crosse vpon the shoulders of my poore afflicted Christ , whose blessed body was disquieted for want of sleepe , being cruelly tormented all the night , faint with losse of blood , and sore with store of cruell blowes ?

Had Enuie so robbed your hearts , and dispoiled all your sences of common humanitie , that you were now so poore , that yee were not able to bestow vpon him so much as one mite of mercie ?

What infernall Phrensie , what Tyrannous impietie , what execrable Tyranny can be compared to this Iewish crueltie ?

But alas , was there not one amongst so many , which was so kinde-harted , as to lend a helping hand to ease the weary shoulders of my Sauiour Christ , when his knees bended , and his legs trembled vnder the burden of his heauy Crosse ? Oh let the lamentable relation of their furious ferocitie to my Iesus , be so odious vnto our eares , that it neuer finde any harbour in our hearts .

Behold oh my sorrowfull soule , the monstrous Atrocitie of the stiffe-necked Iewes , and the miraculous mildnesse of thy lowly Iesus ! Consider his humble obedience , view his obedient humility , who was euer truly obedient euen vnto death , and euer was willing to offer vp his life , as a sure pledge of his infinite loue , towards his beloued .

Behold , thou seest how mine afflicted Lord , wounded with the teeth of Enuie , and pierced with the darts of malice , grudgeth not at the paine , nor refuseth the tedious labour , to carry the heauy burthen on his feeble necke , contrary to all humanity , and without any pitty , so spitefully imposed vpon him .

But how should my sinnefull tongue divulgate the incomparable merite of thy admirable patience , my most kinde , sweet , and humble Iesu . How should my vnworthy words vtter the worthines of thy vnspeakeable humility , which wert willing to vndergo the burden of so heauy a Crosse , to deliuer me a most wretched sinner from a bitter curse , when the vigor of thy naturall faculties was decayed , thy humane strength weakened , and thy whole body wearied , with the grieuous paines , torments & afflictions , which the wicked Iewes ( not fleshy , but flinty-hearted ) without any mercy of theirs , and merit of thine , did cruelly heape vpon thee ?

Oh let my hart be deeply wounded with ceaselesse compunction . Let mine eyes be darkened with continuall weeping : Yea , let all my sences be afflicted with mourning : that my sorrowes may be great , because my sinnes are so grieuous : For they indeed were the Tyrannicall tormentors that layd so heauy a Crosse on thy tyred shoulders : who out of the abundance of thy infinite loue , taking pitty on my wretched miserie , didst willingly submit thy selfe to such slauish cruelty , not sparing to shed thy most pretious bloud , to compound of it a most soueraigne Medicine , to cure my desperate malady .

Now what measure of wordes can be so great , or what voyce so vehement , as may fully expresse the extreame impietie of the bloudy Iewes , towards my blessed Iesus . When such hellish fury did rule and reuell in their fiery harts , that in the middest of so many bitter paines and pangs of his body , and insupportable anguish of his soule , they did impose so ponderous and heauy a Crosse , on his faint and feeble shoulders , being framed extraordinarily in respect of the matter , and also vnvsually in regard of the forme .

More gently were the two Theeues vsed , which were led along with him ; who were constrained to endure no such labor : for we may wel think they would vse more kindnes to those wicked persons , then to my holy Iesus .

For we doe not read that they were put to the toile to beare their Crosses , whose bodies were more able , because they had not felt one fit of the grieuous paines , nor suffered one iot of the great tortures wherewith my sorrowful Sauiour had beene all the night before extreamely vexed and cruelly tormented .

Heere thou hast iust cause oh my soule , to cry out against the monstrous inhumanity , and brutish crueltie of the Iewes , acted against thy despised Iesus .

What imagination can sound the bottome of their sauage tyrannie ? What tongue is able to make a perfect relation of their horrible furie ? Was it not a most ruthfull Spectacle , forcible enough to haue drawne streames of teares out of the dryest eye , and to haue incited a multitude of heauy groanes out of the hardest heart , to see my beloued Lord carry so heauy a burden vpon his painefull shoulders , yet bleeding with cruell wounds , lately , without any meane , or mercie inflicted vpon them : was there euer cruelty like vnto this ?

Oh my louing Lord ! Oh my most beloued Iesu , thou art now become a laughing-stocke to the barbarous Gentiles , and matter of derision to the perfidious Iewes .

They scorned , despised , flouted and derided thee , bearing thy heauy Crosse with patience towards the place of execution , whereon thou shouldest suffer a most bloody , bitter , and shamefull death .

And so went my Lord Iesus , with constant humanity towards the place where he was to suffer the deadly pangs of their extreamest tyranny , whose knees were so weake , and legs so feeble , that they were not able to support the weight of so heauy a burthen , which with such disdainful indignation they had imposed vpon him , that thereby they might so much the more increase his derision , and multiply his dolorous affliction . Oh yee most cruell tormentors , doe yee neuer cease to molest & vexe my humbled Lord Iesus ? Could not one cruell death haue quenched the flame of your blood-thirsting malice ? Oh why doe you abuse his meeke-minded patience , by compelling him to feele so many deadly passions ?

Now when those malicious persecutors saw that my wearyed Christ was so surcharged with his heauy Crosse , being so weightie in respect of the ponderous substance , and also so cumbersome , in regard of the extraordinary length , that although hee had a willing minde , yet that he had not sufficient strength to carry so heauie a load : then they compelled Simon of Cyrene ( the father of Alexander Rufus ) to ease him of his burthen , and to follow my tyred Christ with that painefull Crosse . What , did their stonie hearts now begin to relent , with any motiue of compassion towards my poore afflicted Iesus ?

No , for the Curres were more curteous , that licked the loathsome soares of hungry Lazarus , that lay crying , and dying for want of foode at the gate of their churlish maister , then those vncircumcised Gentiles , and stiffe-necked Iewes were to my innocent Iesus .

For how should their mindes be affected with any sparke of pittie , whose harts were drowned in so deepe a sea of impietie ?

But because they were loth that my Sauiour should end his tedious life before hee came where hee should suffer a most painefull , pittifull , and shamefull death , they graunted him a little ease , that he might goe with better speed , and make a little more haste to the place of execution , where they should play , like the infernall Furies , the last act of their bloody Tragedie .

Oh my sadde and sorrowfull soule , how canst thou calme the waues of thy flowing sorrow ? how canst thou how canst thou asswage the pangs of thy turbulent passions , when thou dost meditate how many miseries , & mischiefes , calamities and distresses , were violently inflicted vpon my beloued Iesus , by the hatefull handes of those bloudy tormentors ?

Oh my most mercifull Iesu ! Oh my most louing Lord ! Oh why was not I with thee at that time , my sweet Christ , that I might haue carried thy heauy Crosse ?

Oh , how happily should I haue shut vp the last euening of my short and gloomy dayes ?

Oh how blessedly should I haue finished my restles course , if I had died with thee on thy sacred crosse ?

Oh how sweet had the sharpe deadly pangs and dolorous paines beene vnto mee , how ioyfull had dolefull death bene vnto me a sorrowfull sinner , if I had died with thee my bountifull Lord , and blessed Redeemer !

It may be thou wouldest haue bequeathed me some liberall gift of thine indulgent mercie : as thou didst vnto that true , though late repenting thiefe , which was crucified with thee . For at that houre thou didst franckely bestow the riches of thy bountiful mercy , and then thou gauest the treasure of thy mercifull bountie .

Then sweet streames of pure water did flowe out of the cleare fountaine of thy mercy , comfortable to coole the heat of a thirsty tongue , and medicinable to cure the spreading malady of a leperous soule , infected with sinne . Oh would I had bene there to haue had some sweet taste of that blessed fountaine ! If I had drunke neuer so little , it would haue beene enough to haue quenched my thirst , and yet I should still haue thirsted to drinke more , although I had drunke neuer so much : If the cursed churle & damned glutton had had but one drop of this caelestiall water , it had bin sufficient , not onely to haue cooled the tip of his flaming tongue , but also to haue extinguished the fire of his euer & neuer-dying soule , and of his continuall burning and neuer consuming body , tormented in Hell : fill my soule , oh my sweet Christ , with this comfortable water that may cure my sinfull soares , and mittigate my deserued sorrow .

But as thou didst go toward the place where thou shouldst offer vp thy selfe for a compleat sacrifice to appease the wrath of thy angry Father , & to make an euerlasting attonement betweene him and vs his disobedient children : thou saydst vnto those mourning women , who could not containe their trickling teares , nor deteine their sorrowfull sobs , to see their louing and dearely beloued Lord so doggedly haled and currishly handled : Weepe not for me ye daughters of Ierusalem , weepe for your selues , & your children . Luk. 23.28 . And now thou sayst vnto me , Weepe for thy selfe , bewaile thy sinnes , lament thy transgressions , for they indeed were the tyrants that compelled thee to beare so heauy a Crosse , they vrged thee to abide the penalty of so bitter a curse . Touch my heart oh Lord , touch my heart with the sting of a serious and restlesse compunction , that I may no longer lye lulled a sleepe in the lap of careles security : fetter my feet that I may runne no more in the broad way of iniquitie . Mannacle my hands that they may be deteined from cruell and impious actions : Snaffle the vnbrideled motions of my minde , that it may be restrained from all idle , scelerous , and wicked cogitations : keepe the doore of my lips , and hedge in my tongue that it may not run without the bounds of reason : Stop the passage of mine eares , when they are allured to listen to any loose or lewd discourses .

Dispell , and disperse the thicke clowdes of blindnesse from mine eyes , take away the grosse scales , that darken my sight , so that now I may see the vgly and deformed shape of my sinnes , that I may cease to loue them , begin to dislike and to loath them , which caused my Sauiour to endure the heauy wrath of his Father , which lay so heauie vpon his soule and body , that the weight of it pressed blood out of his veines mingled with water , Luke 22.44 . so ponderous was the burden of our iniquity , so dolorous was the extremity of his bitter agonie : for neuer was there sorrow like vnto this sorrow .

Let my sweetest musicke be continuall mourning , let my songs of ioy be turned into wofull lamentations , let it be all my pleasant melody to muse on the miserie of my soule , and multitude of my sins , which made thee discend from the highest heauens , and will throw me downe to the lowest hell , where the firie lake burneth that shal neuer be extinguished , whose flames is so fierce that it cannot be greater by any augmentation , neither is it subiect to any diminution .

If all the torments which bloody Tyrants haue inuented could be inflicted vpon me at one time , and my body were able to feele the paines of all them at once , yet all of them would not be so horrible , as one sparkle of this terrible fire : it needeth no fuell to nourish the flame : as it selfe neuer is wasted , so nothing iniected into it is euer consumed . No tongue is able to expresse the horrible pangs of the damned soules which are tormented in this euerlasting and vnquenchable fire .

Let the horror of it be fresh in my memory , and the meditation imprinted in my thoughts , so that my hands may tremble and shake for feare , and my whole body quiuer and quake with terror of it , when any euill imagination is hatched in my heart , or any wicked deed should be acted with my hands , that I may be terrified from nourishing sinne within my bosome , that layd so heauy a Crosse vpon thy shoulders : yet when feare hath cast me downe , let the gentle hand of thy mercy raise mee vp , so that in my last deadly agony , I may still lift vp my heart and hands towards the seat of thy mercy : and though remembrance of my haynous transgressions do present nothing vnto mee but cause of feare and terrour , yet al my vnfained repentance cause me to taste of thy infinite loue , and boundles mercy .

Teach me ( oh my sweet Sauiour ) to follow thee with fearefulnes to the place of execution , and to take vp my Crosse with alacrity on my shoulders . But if thou wilt haue mee to follow thee ( oh my most gratious Lord ) then draw mee after thee : For vnlesse thy Father and thou doe draw me , I am not able to follow thee , Iohn 6.44 .

I see mine owne infirmity , I feele the defects of my great imbicility , the cup of affliction is bitter vnto my taste : if it doe but once touch my lips , I am ready to refuse it , I will none of it , I am loth to feele any paine , I couet nothing but wanton pleasure .

Oh how doe I begin to storme if I be but crossed with an vnkind word ? much lesse am I able to beare the crosse of a malitious deed .

How is my minde troubled , & the temper of my senses distempered , if any thing fall out crosse to mine expectation , or contrary to my desire , so that oftentimes my mouth is filled with cursing , my heart with grudging , and all my words sauour of nothing else but bitter repining ? I am willing to be thy disciple my blessed Sauior , so long as I may dwell in peace , and reape a plentifull haruest of prosperitie , but alas , I am weary of thy company , if I feele but a little blast of aduersitie : teach me oh my sweet Iesu ( and I shal learne if thou be my schoolemaister ) to know that it is the lot of those which will be trained vp in thy schoole , to be vnder the rodde of correction , and that none are worthy thy to receiue a Crowne , vnlesse they be willing to take vp thy Crosse , those that belong vnto sweet spices , which send forth alwayes the most odoriferous smell , when they are brayed and brused in the morter , they are like vnto stones which must be hammered , hewed , and squared , before they can be fit for the building of thy holy Temple : yea they are like vnto gold mixed with much drosse , and can haue no glory before they be fined and refined seauen times , yea seauenty times seauen times , in the fire of affliction .

Arme thou my hart with christian fortitude , & my minde with constant patience , oh thou which art mine omnipotent Redeemer , that no torment may be so great , no affliction so grieuous , no miserie so vnmeasurable , but I may couragiously suffer it to publish the glory of thy name , and constantly endure it , to manifest the fidelitie of thy loue .

Teach me so to carrie thy Crosse in my heart , and let the remembrance of it be so deepely imprinted in my minde , that I may daily crucifie my carnall concupiscence , wanton vanities , and worldly desires . Oh let my soule be so rauished with ioy , by the sweet meditation of thy mercie , and all my senses so well pleased and ioyfully delighted with the odoriferous sent of thy loue ; that I may seeke nothing , thinke of nothing so much , or speake of any thing so often , as of my crucified CHRIST , who , onely of his free mercy and gratious bountie , died a most vile , painefull , and ignominious death for mee a most wretched , miserable , and desperate sinner , that by his pretious bloud , and blessed ( though bitter PASSION ) I might be made partaker of Euerlasting Saluation .

Graunt mee , oh my sweet CHRIST , some taste of it here vpon earth , that I may patiently waite for the full fruition of it , hereafter in HEAVEN . Amen .

A Meditation , declaring the bitter and cruell crucifying of our Lord Iesus Christ , performed on Mount Caluarie . MED. XIIII . View here the wounds of Christ vpon the a a Luk. 23.33 . Crosse . His head , his hands , his feet , also his b b Ioh. 19.33 . side Bleeding amaine . Consider eke the losse c c Luk. 23.46 . Of his deere life ; What more could he d d Ioh. 19.30 . abide ?

NOw blessed Iesus , and my beloued Sauiour , is come vnto Mount Caluarie , where he was to make the last period of all his humane miserie , by suffering a most bloudie , vile , and violent death , being cruelly nayled to that Crosse , which of late lay so heauie vpon his shoulders , that his whole body did shake and tremble vnder the burthen .

Oh blessed Mountaine ! happy for thy dignitie , happy for thy fertilitie , because it pleased the Lord Christ to suffer vpon thee . But who shall ascend vp to the Hill of the Lord , where the Lord Iesus is crucified ? Truly he that hath innocent hands , and a cleane heart .

He which loueth the Lord Iesus , with all his heart , with all his soule , with all his strength , hee shall ascend vp to his Mountaine , and shall be crucified with the Lord Iesus . Hee which hath crucified his flesh , and the concupiscence thereof , shall be crucified and suffer with his beloued Iesus . I desire to be crucified with thee , ( oh my most sweet Iesu ) I long to suffer on the crosse with thee , that I may be crowned by thee , but I know that first it is needefull for mee that the world be crucified vnto mee , and I vnto the world . Gal. 6.14 .

But now let vs see ( oh my sorrowfull soule ) how my innocent Iesus was vsed by the rough-handed and cruell hearted tormentor , when he was come to the place of execution , where malefactors did suffer grieuous punishment for their hainous offences .

First , hauing exiled all compassion and pittie from their heart , they lay hold vpon him with their bloudie and polluted hands , and then they hastily rob and disroabe him of his garments , before a rude multitude of the basest and meanest of the people , yea , they strip him starke naked , that hee might appeare more vile and contemptible in their eyes .

Here hast thou good cause , and iust occasion my perplexed soule , to ouer-flowe thy cheekes afresh with a flood of teares , and to dilate and open thy heart , that thy heauie groanes , and sorrowfull sighes , may haue their free passage , when thou seest thy louing Iesus stripped naked by the hands of such dogged and cruell tormentors , exposed to the eyes of the pittilesse people , and extreame coldnesse and roughnesse of the weather .

Oh how was the beauty of thy excellent composed body obscured with spots of bloud ? how was the pure-white colour of thy skin made blacke and blew with bitter blowes , my most beautifull Iesu ?

Oh how spitefull and vnappeasable was their indignation ! how bitter was the miserie ? how great , yea exceeding great was the ignominie of thy grieuous passion , my louing Christ , my mercifull Iesu ? For so sharp was the edge of their cruelty , so eager was the malice of their hearts , and inhumanitie of their hands against thee , that thou art layde naked vpon the Crosse , when as such extremitie was not vsed , but to most wicked , vile , and abiect persons , who for their notorious crimes deserued no pittie : such was their damnable impietie .

But what a spring of bitter teares might arise in the weeping eyes of thy sad and mourning Mother ? what sword of sorrow did pierce her tender heart , when she saw her deerely-louing , and deerely beloued Sonne , so roughly disrobed of his cloathes , and nakedly exposed to the view of the rude , base , and common people , who came not with relenting hearts to shew any signe of sorrow at the execution of such bloudie crueltie , but rather to solace themselues , and to laugh , deride , and raile vpon thee , in this extreamest miserie ?

Now when those cruell tormentors had speedily turned my innocent Iesus out of his cloathes , they layde his naked body vpon the Crosse , and first they nailed his innocent hands , and after his blessed feet , with long & strong nailes ; So that the streames of bloud , spouting out of his veines , changed the hew of his Crosse , into a crimson colour . Oh what grieuous paine , what horrible tortures , did those wicked wretches procure to my blessed Sauiour ?

Oh what infernall furie had incensed their bloudie mindes ? what diuellish madnesse enraged their hearts so farre to degenerate from the ciuill nature of men , into the sauage nature of beasts ? Oh spectacle full of sorrow ! oh sight full of ruth , how grieuous would that pittifull sight haue beene to mine eyes , when the very Meditation of it doth so deepely wound my heart .

Though I know that the immaculate Lambe was sacrificed on this woodden Altar , that he might wash and cleanse my polluted soule with his pretious bloud , take away the foule staines of my defiled flesh , and by suffering so vile a death on the Crosse , to deliuer me from a bitter curse , due vnto mee for my great and grieuous sinnes : Yet needes must mine eyes haue melted ( like Ice ) into teares , my heart haue beene consumed with sobs , and all my bowels pained with compassion , if I had beene a wofull beholder of his dolefull Passion ; vnlesse mine eyes had beene more drie then a flint , my heart more hard then iron , and my bowels composed of brasse .

But indeede , what riuers of streaming teares should water my cheeks ? what heauy groanes , and lamentable sighes should sound out of the bottome of my heart ? How should all mine affections be drowned in the waues of afflictions , when I contemplate the hidious deformities of my vgly sinnes , and seriously meditate on the cruell tyrannie of my trayterous transgressions , which indeed were nothing else , but cruell hands , and a hard hammer , to driue the iron-nailes into thy blessed hands , and innocent feet , and to crash their tender bones into pieces .

Wound my soule ( oh my sweet Iesu ) pierce my heart , that it may streame forth blood , let nothing but mournfull sighes be pleasant vnto my weeping eyes : let nothing but voices of horror and lamentation be delightfull vnto my dolefull eares , so that all my senses may be true mourners , to bewaile the crueltie of my sinnes , and to shew some tokens of true repentance for the multitude of my transgressions , which so pittifully wounded thy sacred body , and so grieuously vexed thy righteous soule .

Crucifie my heart , that it may die to wicked cogitations : Crucifie my hands , that they may haue no power to commit euill actions : Crucifie mine eyes , that they may want light ( in taking delight ) to gaze vpon worldly vanities : Crucifie mine eares , that they may be dull and depriued of hearing , when they should listen to fruitlesse and friuolous words , vnsauorie speeches , lasciuious , and wanton discourses : Crucifie my tongue , that it may haue no motion to vtter any opposite thing to the pure Law of my God , or hurtfull to the commoditie of those which are godly and good . Crucifie my Taste , that it may not be allured with the wanton enticements of delicate meates , nor so ouercome with the baytes of pleasant wine , that the eyes of my vnderstanding be darke with the fumes of gluttony , or my soule be polluted , or my body defiled with filthie adulterie .

Crucifie the olde man ( sinne ) that hath beene my Tenant so long , and hath had his habitation in my bosome , that being dead , he may be carried out to his graue , that my soule may be infected no longer with his carnall impietie , and that I may no longer wilfully loue , but willingly loath , and for euer leaue his damnable company .

But now ( oh my sorrowfull soule ) turne thine eyes towards thy crucified Iesus , meditate seriously in thy minde , & let it be the perpetuall matter of thy thoughts , to thinke how thy louing Sauiour was most pittifully martyred , and cruelly mangled , tortured without any pittie , scorned at his death with vile indignitie , and thought vnworthy of any mercy or kinde humanity , that thou mayest mourne for thy sinnes in the morning , and repent for thy misdeeds in the euening , which were hard-hearted , and bloudie-handed executioners , to crucifie thy innocent Iesus .

Crie out , oh my wretched , and wicked soule , trembling at the vgly sight of thy grieuous sinnes , and troubled with the horrour of thy guiltie conscience . Cry out saying : Oh my sweet Iesu ! oh my milde and mercifull Iesu ! how exceeding painefull are the pangs of thy Passion ? how violent are the streames of thy afflictions ? how cruelly is thy body wounded , and thy soule pressed with the heauie weight of my sinnes ? Oh how horrible , how detestable , how innumerable are my transgressions , that tormented my Sauiour with so many heauie afflictions ? What a deere price didst thou pay for my Redemption ? At what a high rate hast thou bought me a most wretched sinner ? no summes of gold had it beene neuer so much , no heapes of siluer had they beene neuer so great could rid mee out of Captiuitie : It was onely thy pretious bloud that might pay the price of my ransome . It was onely thy innocent death that was sufficient to purchase my freedome .

How is the naked body of my louing Redeemer and kinde Reconciler , stretched out vpon the Crosse , to deliuer mee from the bitter curse which was due vnto me for my monstrous impiety , and the execution of it readie to be serued vpon me for my intollerable iniquitie ?

How firme are thy harmelesse hands fixed vnto thy Crosse ? how hard are thy innocent feete nayled vnto it ? Thou hast onely liberty to moue , but ( Alas ) no where to lay downe thy weake , and wearie head . Thou liest naked , obiected to the blasts of the winde and storme of the weather , thou hast no cloathes to keepe thee warme , thou hast no shelter to keepe thee from harme .

Thou wert poore indeed at thy birth , but now thou art more poore at thy death : for at thy birth thou hadst a Stable for thy Chamber , and a Manger for thy Cradle : thou hadst swathling cloathes ( although they were course ) that might defend thee from colde , and cherish thy tender body . But at thy death thou art cruelly robbed of all thy garments , thou hast not so much as a ragge to lay vpon thee , the sharpnesse of the aire nippeth thy skin , the furie of the windes stormeth against thy naked body , thou hast no roofe to couer thy head from the blustering windes : thou hast no place of harbour to protect thy body from the stormie weather : Oh how hard is the bed thou liest vpon at the houre of thy death ? How hard is the pillow that lieth vnder thy head , when thou art readie to yeeld vp thy breath ? How is thy blessed body debased by wretched men heere vpon the earth , which is so highly honoured by the Angels in Heauen ? Oh how should my heart faint with bleeding wounds of sorrow for my sinnes ? How should mine eies make my bed to flote with a flood of teares , when I begin to call to an audit my hainous trespasses , and to cast vp the infinit summes of my transgressions , which caused my Lord to passe through such a great Campe of miseries , and to abide the bitter brunts of so many calamities ? for what hadst thou done , oh my most sweet Lord ? what hadst thou done , that thou should be so spitefully despised , so maliciously martired , so extreamely tortured , and so cruelly tormented ? What wicked action had thy pure hands committed , nay what good deed had they omitted , that they should be so pittifully wounded ? How had thy innocent feet transgressed , that they should be so seuerely punished ? How had any little particle of thy blessed body offended , that it should be so grieuously tormented ? Truly , thy deeds , my blessed Sauiour , were alwaies acted with integritie , and thy words did vtter nothing but truth and sinceritie : thy hands were alwaies cleane from sinfull actions , thy heart was alwaies pure from wicked cogitations : It was thy meruailous loue , thy miraculous mercie , thine vnspeakeable pittie , that did induce thee to suffer those torments which were due vnto me for mine offences . It was I my sweet Sauiour , it was I my selfe that had so grieuously sinned : It was thy wonderfull charitie , it was thy charitable mercy , to shed thy pretious bloud , to cure the desperate disease , of my deadly miserie .

But such , oh such , and so vile is the horrible ingratitude of my minde ; such , and so great , is the dulnesse of my memorie , such and so hard , is the stupiditie of my hart , that I am vnthankfull for thy mercy , forgetfull of thy bounty , senselesse without any compassion , yea quite colde , without any zealous meditation of thy grieuous Passion .

Haue mercy vpon mee , oh my most mercifull Lord , haue mercie vpon mee , Oh let the sweet dew of thy infinite mercie , distill downe vpon my head : yea rather let it bee infused into my heart , that it may mollifie the hardnesse of mine affections , moisten the drinesse of my bowels , and fructifie my minde with the fruits of thy loue because I cannot , yea rather because I am vnwilling to suffer with thee , and loue thee so little , who hath alwaies loued mee so much : for I freely confesse , I haue no sense of thy innarrable , and innumerable sorrowes , which thou didst suffer for the multitude of my sinnes . Alas mine eyes are dry without teares , my kinde Iesu , my heart is so dead , that it cannot breath forth any heauie groanes : mine affections are starke colde , without any heate of true deuotion , so often , yea rather so seldom , as I enter into a meditation of thy bitter Passion , and ruminate thy tedious paines and terrible pangs which thou didst feele in thy most pretious body , to reuerse the sentence of damnation pronounced against me for my sinnes , and to purchase a gratious pardon for my condemned soule .

But pardon me , forgiue me my most mercifull Lord , I haue a hart of Iron , my bowels are more hard then Marble , vnlesse thou mollifie them , they are vnapt to receiue any print of thy mercie , or any impression of thy grace .

Take away from mee I pray thee my stonie heart , giue mee a fleshie and tender heart , that may be wounded with the thornes of sorrowe for my rebellious thoughts , yeeld forth dolefull groanes for my grieuous sins , and bleed with the wounds of compunction , when my minde doth meditate on thy heauy Passion .

Oh why should not my heart , my wretched heart , be pinched with some paine for the loue of thee , which didst willingly vouchsafe to die for the loue of me ? Wherefore haue the sparks of my loue lien so long couered in the embers ? Or rather why are they almost extinguished ? Oh what seuere punishment should I take of my selfe , for my monstrous ingratitude ? How is my tongue able to vtter one word , yea one sillable of a word , to excuse the coldnesse of my loue ? How may I blush , nay how may my face be confounded with shame which am so wayward , and vnwilling to suffer any little affliction for thy sake , who endured so many extreame torments for my sinne ? I lie on feather-beds , couered warme with cloathes , and thou didst lie naked , nailed to a woodden Crosse , and that in the time of colde weather , when others doe warme themselues at a fire .

If my head begin to ake , I lay it downe vpon a soft pillow , to ease my paine , & lessen my griefe : But thou oh my louing Lord , hast not so much as a bolster of straw whereon thou mightest lay thy dying head , pierced with sharpe thornes , and bleeding with many wounds .

When I am sicke , my friends about mee bestirre themselues to ease my diseased body , and to reuiue my fainting spirits . But alas ( my sweet Sauiour ) there was none about thee at the houre of thy pittifull and painefull death , which would proffer thee any kinde deede , no , not so much as a comfortable word .

They offer thee bitter wine mixed with mirrhe , and mingled with Gall. But although thy thirst was great , caused by the extremitie of thy paines , and immoderate effusion of thy blood , yet when thou hadst tasted of it , thou didst refuse to drinke of their bitter potion .

How hard were their harts ? yea how dead , without any feeling of common compassion , that could giue vnto my sweet Sauiour no better then such a bitter Potion ?

Such was the succour that they would afford thee at the houre of thy death : This was the best Cordiall they would giue thee a little before the parting of thy breath .

What iust occasion hadst thou my mercifull Redeemer ? yea , what admirable patience hadst thou , that thou didst not bitterly inueigh against the bloudie Gentiles , and vnbeleeuing Iewes , who were so maliciously madded , and bloudily minded against thee , that all which they sought , and all which they wrought , was to augment thy sorrow ?

But whilst their hearts were inflamed with malice against thee , and their hands labouring to crucifie thee , thou wert so farre from accusing them for their sauadge cruelty , that thou didst pray vnto thy heauenly Father , that hee would remit and forgiue their iniquity , saying : Father pardon them , because they know not what they doe . Luk. 23.34 .

And this oh my sweet Christ , was the first words which thou spakest vpon thy bitter Crosse : Indeede they knew thee not , for their eyes were blinded that they could not see , and their hearts were hardned that they could not vnderstand .

Heere maist thou meditate ( oh my soule ) with exceeding comfort vpon the wonderfull patience , admirable mercy , & sweet words of thy louing Sauiour , who was not so much grieued with paine of his owne afflictions , as hee was earnest to pray for the remission of their sinnes . Hee did not once open his mouth , to make any iust Apologie , for his owne innocencie , nor to denounce any deserued malediction : No , not one bitter word against them , for their dogged cruelty . But in the extremest pangs of his bitter Passion , his tender heart was moued with pittifull compassion towards them , he opened the fountaine of his mercy , that the sweet streames of his Benediction might flow vpon them . Hee blessed them that cursed him , hee shewed them a true token of his entire loue , for their cruell hate , he prayed for them as if they had been his dearest friends , when indeed they were his deadly foes .

How should my feeble tongue , like a trumpet ( oh my bountifull Iesu ) sound forth the wonderfull worthinesse of thy surmounting mercy ? How should mine vnable and barren hart , conceiue the dignitie of thine vncomparable meeknesse ? How should the weake sight of my darke vnderstanding pierce into the hidden mysteries of thy gratious mildnesse , which surpasseth all vnderstanding .

How affable and ineffable is the sweetnesse of thy charitable prayer ? how bottomlesse is the depth of thy clemencie ? how vnexhaustible is the treasure of thy benignitie ?

How large and spacious , yea how infinit are the bounds of thy mercie ? For with what tranquility of minde ? with what piety and pittie of heart ? with what sweet , milde , and perswasiue words didst thou sue for their pardon , who now were breathing out nothing else but curses against thee , with their malicious tongues , and euen now acting the extremity of their Tyrannie against thee with their bloudie hands ?

Thou wert not discouraged by their iniuries , thou wert not hardned with their reproches : thou didst not rebuke them for their euill words : thou didst not check them for their wicked deeds : thou didst seeke to salue their soares , who gaue thee deadly wounds : thou diddest make intercession for their life , who cruelly put thee to death : thou wert full of pitty towards them , whose hearts were empty of all compassion towards thee . Oh with what wonderfull mildnes of mind , with what great deuotion of spirit , in what abundance of loue didst thou cry , Father , forgiue them ? Oh wonderfull worke of thy worthy mercy ! oh rare and memorable example of exceeding pitty ! oh perfect patterne of excellent charity ! oh let me poore wretched sinner , taste the sweetnes of this hony , reuiue my dying heart with this cordiall compassion , relieue my sicke soule with this comfortable confection . Cry out so for me , my sweet Lord , and kinde Mediator : commend my wofull case , and pleade my cause vnto thy Father , saying , Father forgiue him .

For in truth , I know not what I do : loue of the world hath blinded mine eyes , desire of carnall pleasures , is rooted in my heart , and all manner of wanton vanities are rife in my minde : I runne headlong in the broad way of destruction : I cannot finde the narrow path , which leadeth to Saluation .

Open mine eyes ( oh Lord ) that I may see to walke in thy wayes , and direct my feet , that I may tread in thy pathes .

Teach mee to follow the patterne of thy excellent patience , so that I may not wish well onely to my dearest friends , which dearely loue mee , but also pray for my cruell enemies , who deadly hate mee .

But alas , how soone am I displeased ? how long is it before I will forgiue , if I be once offended ? I am prone with enuious Cain , to stain my hands with horrible murder . I long for a day with rough Esau , wherein I may slay my innocent brother . I oftentimes fall out with my friend for a crosse word , so that oftentimes in requitall , I seeke to doe him a mischieuous deed : I thinke my selfe the worse when I see him : Oh how doe I disdaine to speake vnto him ?

Teach mee to learne this hard lesson of patience : purge the seed of malice out of my mind , mellow the ground of my heart with the deaw of thy graces , that it may not onely be tender , to giue my beloued poore Friends , but that it may also be pliable to forgiue my hatefull Foes : seeing that thou wert not so much touched with the sense of thy owne afflictions , ( and no doubt the paines of them were most grieuous vnto thee ) as thou wert mooued with zeale to pray for thy bloody enemies , when they made a prey of thy garments , and cast lots for thy vnseamed vesture , Ioh. 19.24 .

Now though Pilate gaue wrongfull iudgement against thee , to take away thy innocent life , yet he seemed to honour thee at the houre of thy death , when hee wrote on the Crosse , Iesus of Nazareth , King of the Iewes , Matt. 27.37 . Mar. 15.26 . Luk. 23.38 . Iohn 19.19 . It pleased him to intitle thee a King by name , but alas , hee had no such conceit of thee in his secret thoughts . But indeed thou wert worthy of a far more honorable Title , being not onely King of the Iewes , but also of the Gentiles : Yea , Creator and Gouernor of euery creature .

Neuerthelesse , thou didst not clothe thy selfe with the vesture of our Humanitie , that thou shouldst be honoured with any worldly dignity .

It was thy chiefest honor to do the will of thy heauenly Father ; Ioh. 14.31 . thou camest not to depriue Herod of his Kingdome , nor to gather any forces to deliuer the Iewes , as they fondly dreamed of their Messias , & vainely expected at the comming of their King .

Thou camest to deliuer the people from the Captiuity of their sinnes , and by shedding thy pretious blood to saue their soules . Graunt me oh my sweet Sauiour , that I may set open the dore of my heart , that thou mayest enter , which art the true King of glory , and that I may stil desire ( althogh I am vnable ) to shew my selfe a louing and loyall subiect to receiue thee .

Send thy holy spirit , as a Harbenger before thee , to giue mee warning of thy comming , and then I shall be prepared to entertaine my gratious Soueraigne ; with humility of minde , and tokens of sincere loue .

I long ( oh my King ) for thy comming , for I am assured if thou vouchsafe to enter into my cottage , thou wilt bestow such a royall gift vpon mee , that I shall beginne to disdaine the pompe of the world , and account nothing so deare vnto mee as thy loue .

Oh would my louing Sauiour would imbrace mee betweene his blessed armes ! Oh I wish to liue , I long to die betwixt thy louing imbracements : thy armes were stretched out on the Crosse , as if thou wert ready to receiue any penitent sinner , refuse not to receiue me a wretched sinner , who wounded with the horror of my sinnes , doe come vnto thee as my Physition , who is only able and willing to heale my wounds . Let thy pretious blood stoppe the bloody issue of my sinnes : thy mercy , and nothing but thy mercy can cure my malady : that one , and that alone , is all my remedy .

Graunt mee ( oh my sweet Iesu ) that I may bee able to say with thine Apostle , I am crucified with thee . Crucifie my wanton flesh with the nayles of thy feare : mortifie my rebellious thoghts with dread of thy Iustice , and Meditation of thy iudgements . Let it be the ioy of my hart : let it be the daily exercise of my minde : let it be the obiect of all my thoughts to thinke on my Lord Iesus , and him crucified .

I cannot wonder enough , thogh I neuer cease to wonder at thee , my Iesu , my Sauiour , and my Redeemer : yet let me neuer cease to maruaile at the wonderfull worke of thy Passion , which thou didst so patiently suffer , that by thy innocent death , thou mightest cancell the obligation of our infinite debt , & affixe it to thy Crosse , that thou mightest deliuer vs poore and miserable wretches , from the danger of the curse , which was gone out against vs : Oh how can my meditations attaine to the length of thy admirable loue ? how can my cogitations measure the bredth of thy clemency ? how should my deepest imaginations diue into the depth of thy mercy ?

My eye is too dimme , to perceiue the beauty , my eare is too dull , to heare the greatnesse , my hart is too grosse , to conceiue the goodnes , my taste is too weake , to rellish the sweetnes , my tongue is too feeble , to declare the worthines of thy loue : no words , be they neuer so many , can expresse the quantity , no eloquence , be it neuer so excellent , can relate the quality .

Oh with what humility of minde , with what exceeding patience , with what kinde and tender affections didst thou suffer the extreamest pangs of thy bitter afflictions ?

How is my minde amazed with the bright beames of thy loue ? How are all my thoughts confounded with the greatnes of thy clemency ?

How is my soule rauished with the goodnes of thy mercy ? What did mooue thee , oh my sweet Sauiour , but thy vnspeakeable loue ? what did induce thee , but thy incomparable mercy , to pay so deere a price for my Redemption ?

Oh let the remembrance of thy infinite bounty neuer depart out of my minde : Let all my affections be inflamed with the fire of thy loue : Let the sweetnesse and greatnesse of thy mercies be my chiefest Meditations : Mortifie my disobedient cogitations with thy feare , and crucifie my rebellious actions on thy Crosse : that although sinne must dwell and remaine in mee , yet it may not raigne and rule ouer mee .

A Meditation concerning the derisions and scornefull speeches , vttered to the Lord IESVS , ( when hee was nayled on the Crosse ) by the Iewes , and one of the Theeues which were crucified with him ; and of the second words he spake on the crosse . MED. XV. Twixt a a Mat. 27.38 . Mark . 15.27 . Theeues Christ suffered . For no fault he shed His pretious bloud . The b b Mark . 23.4 . Iohn 19.6 . Sunne thereat asham'd c c Mar. 15.33 , Matth. 27.45 . and 27.52 . Ore-uaild his face . The graues gaue vp their dead : With wonders more , that cannot here be nam'd .

NOw ruminate ( oh my sorrowful and lamenting soule ) what scornefull speeches , what spitefull derisions , and bitter reproaches , were breathed out of the mouthes of the enuious Iewes against my patient and silent Iesus , after they had nailed his pure hands , & blessed feet to the Crosse .

Call home all thy wandring cogitations , that they may be soly and wholy intentiue to this heauenly and diuine meditation .

Let streames of teares gush out of my melting eyes , let them penetrate into my bosome , that they may mollifie my stony heart , so that it may be so deepely wounded with sorrowfull compassion , as if I had beene an eye-witnesse of his painefull Passion , when his innocent hands , and blessed feet streamed forth pretious blood : yet the streames of it could not quench the fire of their malice , they could not calme the rage of their stormy minds , nor breed any one thought of pitty in their cruel hearts : It was not sufficient for them to torment him with their bloody hands , but now at his vndeserued death , they raile and reuile him with their blasphemous mouthes : for as their hearts were stony , not apt to take any print of compassion , and their hands filled with sauage cruelty without mercy , so their words and speeches were vnciuil , void of all modesty . Some cry out , He saued others , let him saue himselfe if he be the Sonne of God the Souldiers disdainfully deride him , and scornfully mocke him , saying : If thou be king of the Iewes saue thy selfe . Also they that passe by , nod their heads at him , reuile him bitterly , and blaspheme him , saying : Ah thou which doest destroy the Temple of God , and in three dayes dost build it againe , saue thy selfe : If thou be the Sonne of God , come downe from the Crosse : Oh how cruelly was my innocent Sauiour tormented with their vnmercifull hands ? oh how was his righteous soule wounded with their malicious tongues ? their words do sauour of Gall , and their speech is more bitter then wormwood . But so great was their malice , so grieuous was their indignation , so deadly was their hatred against my louing Iesus , that they thought all their cruell deeds were too litle to be inflicted vpon him : and that all their words were not halfe bitter enough , which their venemous mouthes did spue out against him .

But as my blessed Redeemer did patiently suffer the extreame tortures of their merciles hands , so hee did meekely beare the bitter taunts of their reuiling tongues . Oh let the memory of this thy exceeding patience bee so deepely sealed in my minde , that my thoughts may stil meditate on thy infinite loue ! let my teares ( often flowing out of my eyes ) be true tokens of my inward sorrow , and let my grieuous groanes be as faithfull messengers to declare my true repentance : For it was my horrible transgressions and hainous offences , my kinde and louing Sauiour , that made thee to abide the tyranny of their bloody and murthering hands , and to feele the sting of their sharpe and malicious tongues .

But ( alas ) mine eyes are so dry , that they cannot shed a teare , and my heart so hard , that it cannot yeeld a groane , vnlesse thou moysten the one with the gratious raine of thy graces , and mollifie the other , by the vertue of thy spirit .

Now not onely the irreligious Gentiles who were actors of this bloody Tragedy , and the enuious Iewes who were authors and Spectators of all their cruelty , did disgorge the bitter choller of their malice against my crucified Iesus , but also one of the malefactors hauing no remorse of conscience for his owne offences , nor pitty on my Sauiour , so grieuously taunted , and spightfully scorned of the basest of the people , began to raile vpon him without modestie , & to vse these tearmes against him , full of vile indignitie : If thou art Christ , saue thy selfe and vs , Luke 23.39 . But his other fellow touched with sorrow for his sinnes , and freely confessing that they had both worthily deserued , & did iustly suffer death for their transgressions , began to reprehend him for his blasphemous impietie , and to iustifie my Iesus for his blamelesse innocency .

And when he had rebuked his fellow for such great inhumanity , he turned to my Sauiour to implore his mercy , that he might be made partaker of the ioyes of his heauenly Kingdome , vttering this short and sweet prayer : Lord remember me , when thou commest into thy Kingdome . And hee had scant ended his short petition , but my mercifull Sauiour made him this gratious answere ; Verely I say vnto thee , this day thou shalt be with mee in Paradise , Luke 23.43 .

But now let vs consider , oh my soule , with deuout attention , and behold with attentiue deuotion , what riches of infinite bounty , what large promises of vnmeasurable liberalitie , what a blessed inheritance , my bountifull redeemer doth promise vnto this poore , naked , and true , though late repenting sinner .

How might this blessed promise mittigate the sorrowes , ( Oh thou sorrowfull sinner , ) of thy perplexed minde ? How might it ease the soares of thine afflicted body ? for as faith bred in thy heart a true contrition , and opened thy mouth to make that humble petition , so no doubt it sealed such an assurance vnto thy wounded conscience , that thou didst stedfastly beleeue his promise , and faithfully looke for the performance . But how may my speech extend it selfe to the length of thy boundlesse liberalitie ( my most liberall Redeemer ? ) How may my words measure the bredth of thy vnlimited mercy ? yea how can my thoughts sound the bottomlesse Sea of thy benignitie ? in thy first words vttered on the Crosse , thou doest pray thy Father to forgiue thy cruell tormentors , and in thy second words thou doest bountifully giue Paradice vnto a sorrowfull sinner .

Oh who can worthily estimate the dignitie of the gift ? who can sufficiently extol the bounty of the giuer ? although ( my sweet Iesu ) thy whole life was the merit of our saluation , yet at thy bitter death thou didst pay the full price of our redemption . Oh happy theefe that had such a sweet tast of thy mercy ! Oh blessed soule , that wert made partaker of such infinite bounty ! Oh what great graces & excellent vertues were infused into thee , that thou didst beleeue my Iesus to be the true Son of God thy Creator : whom thou didst see to die the death of a miserable creature ?

As thy faults were intollerable in thy dissolute life , so thy faith appeareth admirable at thy sorrowfull death . For what but faith was the motiue to moue thee to sue to him to be remembred in his kingdome of eternall felicity , who to thy outward eyes appeared nothing else but a spectacle of wofull misery ? and as thy confidence was great , and thy loue much , so thy Iesus doth speedily assure thee to enioy a bountifull reward .

Therefore I pray thee my most bountifull Iesu , so to inspire my minde with thy grace , and so to kindle thy loue in my brest , that I may be contented to be crucified with thee here vpon earth , that I may be receiued by thee into thy kingdome of heauen .

And grant that I may so truly lament for my trespasses , and shed such bitter teares for my sins that I may faithfully say with this penitent theefe : Lord remember mee when thou shalt come into thy Kingdome . For I confesse O Lord , I haue beene no better then a Theefe , for I haue robbed thee of thy honor , I haue bene vntrue vnto thee concerning thy glory . My lips are defiled with lying , my hands haue wrought the workes of deceipt , I haue often beguiled the widdow , and defrauded the Orphane . I haue sought to make my selfe rich by oppression , I haue beene disobedient to my gouernours , and would not liue vnder their lawfull subiection . Oh Lord remember not my great and grieuous offences , let thy mercy blot them out of thy memory , that they may not be laid against me , when I shall be summoned to appeare before thee : Remember me according to the multitude of thy mercies , as thou didst this late-repenting malefactor , whom thou hast left vnto mee as one rare example of thy infinite mercy , that I should not dispaire in regard of thy iustice , and that I should not presume to sin in respect of thy mercie . Oh let me remember this rare example of thy extraordinary goodnesse , so that I may neither dispaire with the heauy burden of my sinnes , nor presume without feare to transgresse the bounds of thy holy law : that although I haue runne long the wilde race of vnbrideled iniquitie , yet at last I may returne home vnto thee out of the way of impietie , with this faithfull and true repenting offender , and be a companion with him in thy Paradice of euerlasting felicitie .

A Meditation , concerning the lamentation of the Virgine MARY , beholding her Sonne , lifted vp vpon the Crosse , standing by it , accompanied with Iohn the Euangelist , and Mary Magdalene . MED. XVI . The blessed Virgin a a Iohn 9.25 . standing by the Crosse Of Christ our Lord ; Behold thy b b Ibid. 26. Sonne , sayd he Vnto his Mother ; Oh most grieuous losse , That he must die , who from all c c Luke 23.14 . faults was free !

NOw turne thy thoughts ( Oh my sorrowfull soule , from the blasphemous reproches , scornfull derisions , and malicious slanders of the wicked Iewes , insulting against my innocent IESVS .

And now thou hast heard how bountifull thy Sauiour was vnto the penitent Theefe , that was sorrowfull for his owne iniquity , and couragious to iustifie my mercifull Redeemer , for his vnspotted innocency : Meditate a while on the Lamentation of his blessed Mother , whose heart was wounded with sorrow , to see her Sonne so cruelly tormented , when hee had neuer offended in word , nor imagined any euill in thought .

How sharpe was the sting of dolour to wound her heart ? how intollerable was the griefe that did trouble her minde , when shee saw his body bleeding with so many wounds , before her wofull eyes , and heard their bitter words and diuelish reproches cast out against him , in the audience of her dolefull eares .

As shee had cause to reioyce at his blessed Birth , so now shee had good occasion to mourne for his cruell death .

For though no doubt she was annointed with oyle of graces aboue her fellowes , yet we may not thinke shee was quite exempted from the passions of a woman , or void of the tender affections of a Mother , when shee saw the harmlesse head of her louing and beloued Son bleeding with a Crowne of Thornes , & his innocent hands , and blessed feete , fastened to the Crosse with iron nailes .

Certainely shee knew that his Conception was so sanctified by the holy Ghost in her wombe , that his most blessed body was alwaies free from the infection of impiety , and his flesh neuer tainted with the corruption of iniquitie .

But yet shee knew hee did not suffer without sense of his paines , and although he was endued with a supernaturall patience , yet shee knew that he felt the pangs of his bitter Passion , subiect by his humane nature to many infirmities as we are : yet euer hauing a pure heart and cleane hands , from the spots of sinne , wherewith our soules are polluted , & our bodies continually infected .

Wherefore thinke oh my soule , that as her afflictions were grieuous , so her lamentation was great : suppose that thou doest see her , with her face discolored with palenesse , discouering her motherly sorrow to thy outward eies , and that thou didst heare her mournefull tongue , telling this dolefull tale to thy attentiue eares , which should cause thee to be a partner with her in her woe , and sigh for thy sinnes , which were the cause of her sorrow , to see her beloued Sonne so cruelly crucified by the Gentiles , and so disdainfully derided by the Iewes .

Thinke ( I say ) that thou doest see her watering her eyes with store of teares & vttering these or the like words , with her sorrowfull lips to her dearely beloued Son , ( which words should draw out teares from thine eyes , and driue out groanes from thy hart ) which shee pronounced with a dolefull accent in this or the like manner .

Oh what medicine , ( be it neuer so soueraigne ) can asswage the rigour of my malady ? what salue ( be it neuer so precious ) can heale the wounds of my bleeding heart ? what words ( be they neuer so comfortable ) can cheare vp my dolefull minde , when I see thee my beloued Sonne , so cruelly tormented , and so ignominiously taunted ? Alas for me poore wretch thy sorrowfull Mother .

How intollerable is the paine ? how grieuous is the punishment that is inflicted vpon thee ? Thy death is not so bitter vnto mee , ( and yet how loath I am to forgoe thee , ) as these cruell torments which I see , doe torture thy innocent body , and doe greatly augment the sorrow of my perplexed minde . As thy blessed life was the cause of my chiefest felicity , so will thy bitter death be the beginning of my miserie .

Who shall afford mee comfort in the time of my calamity ? who shall giue me counsell ? who shall be my succour in the time of my necessitie , when I am separated from thee ? How shall I spend the daies with sorrowing , and passe through the teadious nights with mourning ?

But thou oh my GOD omnipotent , which art his eternall Father , who canst not shut thine eies of compassion from thine afflicted Sonne , comfort mee his sorrowfull Mother .

Thou seest the wounds of his body , thou knowest the sorrowes of my heart , and because thou art a Father of mercies , and a GOD of all consolation , looke downe vpon me out of thy holy Sanctuarie , and as thou hast proued me to be thy faithfull Handmaide , so let the sweetnesse of thy Fatherly loue , temper the bitternesse of my griefe , that although I be depriued from the humane societie of my Sonne , yet the wings of thy prouidence , may still ouershadow mee , and thy omnipotent arme safely protect me .

But as the Virgine Marie did bewaile the cruell and bloudie death of her innocent Sonne , so Marie Magdalene , with many teares gushing out of her eyes , began to lament the wofull case of him her louing Master , on this or such like manner .

Oh my deere Master ! oh my gracious Lord ! oh my blessed and bountifull benefactor ! I cannot liue without thy louing company : I cannot abide , without thy amiable Societie : What tongue , though it speake neuer so dolefull , can truly relate my sorrow ? What words , be they neuer so rhetoricall , can ease my inward griefe , when I see I shall be separated from so louing and so kinde a Master ?

Oh how tyrannous are the torments wherewith the bloudy tormentors doe torment thine afflicted body ? How sharpe are the arrowes of their malice , wherewith they wound thy righteous soule ? How grieuous is the sight of their cruell deedes vnto mine eyes ? How odious are their dogged words vnto mine eares ? Yet my constant loue vnto thee , will not giue mee leaue to leaue thee , ( though it be a death vnto mee to see thy calamity ) so long as mine eyes may behold thee .

The sight of the bitter pangs of thy Passion doth affright me with horrour : The signes of thy approaching death , doth confound my senses with continuall terror : I see thy head which I annointed with pretious oyntment , cruelly pierced with Thornes , & pittifully bleedihg with many wounds .

I see thy harmlesse hands pierced with iron nayles , and thy innocent feete stained with bloud , which I bathed with the teares of mine eyes , and wiped with the haire of my head .

Oh how should I sufficiently bewaile the innocent death of my louing Iesus ?

How doth my heart faint with sorrow , and my senses faile me for griefe , when I see the torments of his body , and when I thinke vpon the affliction of his soule ? But alas , the waues of sorrow doe stop the passage of my words , my speech faileth , and my voice fainteth for griefe .

Now thou hast heard ( my sorrowfull soule ) the lamentation of the Virgine Marie , as a kinde Mother , sorrowing for the death of her dearest Sonne : and the pittifull mourning of Marie Magdalene , sighing for the losse of so louing and kinde a Master ; Cease not thou to shed teares , with thy weeping eyes , and to sob with a broken and contrite heart , for the cruell and shamefull death of thy louing Sauiour , who died for thy hainous sinnes , and suffered for thy horrible transgressions .

Grant me , oh my most gratious Lord , that my head may flowe with water , and that mine eyes may be turned into a fountaine of teares : For where shall I goe to draw water , but to the fountaine of my Sauiour ?

Oh why should I cease to weepe for thy sake , when thou didst weepe so often , because of my sinnes ? Thou hast told me , that they are happy , and blessed , that mourne for their sinnes , and lament for their offences , and that they shall be comforted in the day of their trouble , and receiue consolation at the houre of their affliction .

Draw me ( oh Lord ) vnto thee , that I may behold thee , and take such hold of thee , that thou maist neuer depart from me .

Receiue mee into the little number of thy louing and faithfull friends , who would not leaue thee in thy extreamest miserie , but did weepe and sigh to see thy calamitie : so that being partaker with them of their sorrow , by my meditation of thy bitter Passion , suffered here vpon earth , I may be made copartner with them of thine vnspeakeable ioyes , in thy blessed Kingdome of heauen . Oh let thine eares be open to the petition of my lips , and let thy mercy grant the desire of my heart .

A Meditation concerning the obscuration and Eclipse of the Sunne about the ninth houre , and of the fourth speech which the Lord spake on the Crosse . MED. XVII . When Christ vpon the a a Mar. 15.20 . Crosse for vs was nail'd , And that his Ghost was readie to b b Mat. 27.50 . depart . The c c Luk. 23.45 . and Math. 27.45 . Sun asham'd his splendant beames ore-vaild , As blushing to behold so vile a part .

NOw call to minde my sinfull soule , how the firmament was darkened , the Sunne eclipsed , and his beames obscured at the bitter Passion of thy Sauiour . And meruaile not that the brightnesse of the Sunne was dimmed , and that his golden beames , did not shew forth their glorie , when as the Sonne of righteousnesse , my innocent Iesus had his beautie obscured , and his glory darkened with the clowdes of his grieuous and bitter Passion . And if thou consider the cruelty of his enemies , and the malice of his foes , so virulent in the diuellish cogitations of their hearts , and so violent in the bloudy actions of their hands : thou maist thinke that the Sunne did as it were disdaine to afford them his comfortable heat , or deny them his cheerefull light , that so their eyes might be ouer-shadowed with darknesse , as the light of their vnderstanding was obscured with malice .

But meditate not onely oh my soule , on the horrible cruelty of the barbarous Gentiles , and on the execrable spite of the bloudy Iewes , and that their facts were so odious , and their deedes so detestable , that they seemed to depriue the Sunne of his splendant brightnes , and to rob the earth of her chiefest comfort : but more often thinke seriously of thy sins , & meditate sincerely of thy transgressions , which darken the light of thy minde , & eclipse the beames of thy vnderstanding , so that thou doest not see to tread in the path of harmelesse piety , but doest wander beside it , into the dangerous waies of damnable iniquity .

Wherefore let the light of thine eyes be obscured with weeping , and thy heart ake with groaning , as outward signes of thy inward sorrow , as faithfull witnesses of thy serious and true repentance : so that the bright beames of the comfortable loue of thy Redeemer may still enlighten thy heart , and the light of his cheerefull countenance euermore shine vpon thee . Oh let not the mistie vapours of my grosse offences , my mercifull Sauiour , so obscure the beames of thy mercy , but that their gratious influence may still haue their powerfull operation in my minde , and reuiue my dead heart with the liuely motions of feruent and true deuotion . Let the vertue of thy Spirit so dispell and dispierce the thicke cloudes of my sinnes , that my soule may be cherished with the heat of thy loue , and see the brightnesse of thy glory .

But now cease thou my soule , to behold the darkned Sun with thine amazed eyes , and attend to thy voice of thy crying Sauiour with thine attentiue eares . What mournefull tongue can vtter the sharpenesse of his agony ? what thought can conceiue the greatnesse of his paine ? Oh how grieuous was the extreamity of his pangs , which made him lift vp his eyes vnto heauen , and his earnest and loud voice vnto his Celestiall Father , crying out in this wofull manner : Eli , Eli , lammazabatani ? my God , my God , why hast thou forsaken mee ? Oh how vehement was the wrath of thy angry Father against thee my mercifull Iesu , my louing Sauiour ? how violent were the torments that vexed thy body ? How grieuous were the afflictions that pressed and perplexed thy minde , groaning vnder the heauie burden of our sinnes , imposed vpon thine innocent shoulders ? Indeede our haynous sinnes , our horrible transgressions , moued false-hearted Iudas to betray thee , and induced the stubborne-minded Iewes to reiect thee : they made thy Disciples to flye for feare , and to leaue their louing Master in time of danger : they compelled thy head to bee crowned with pricking thornes , thy face to be defiled with spettle , thy body to be scourged with whippes : they pierced thy hands , and nailed thy feete , they were the hammer and nailes that fastned thee to the Crosse . These caused thy Father to punish thee with the seuerity of his iustice , that thou being innocent , mightst make satisfaction for our trespasses , suffering a shamefull and cruell death to finish the great worke of our redemption , and to deliuer our bodies and soules from eternall destruction . These made thy louing Father seeme to withdraw his cheerefull countenance from thee , because thou didst appeare so deformed to his eyes , and vgly in his sight , hauing put on the filthy ragges of our iniquitie : although hee did alwaies loue thee , and could neuer leaue thee , being alwaies beautifull with the true ornaments of thy owne integrity . Oh how should mine eyes water my bed with flowing teares , and my heart labour with continuall groanes , to weepe for the cruelty of my sinnes , and to lament for the tyrannie of my transgressions : which were such cruell tormentors , to torture thy body , and such furious tyrants to vexe thy soule ? how great oh my sweet Iesu , are the tortures which thou doest patiently endure for my sake ? how painefull , how shamefull , and cursed was the death which thou didst suffer for my sinnes ? the punishment was great wherewith thy body was afflicted , the anguish was grieuous , wherewith thy soule was affected , the thornes were sharpe , that wounded thy sacred head , the whips were terrible that scourged thy naked body , the nailes were painefull that entred through thy hands and pierced thy feete : nothing but markes of cruelty appeared to thine eyes , nothing but scornefull reproaches of thine enemies sounded in thy eares . But as thy outward afflictions were vnspeakeable , so thy inward sorrow was more intollerable , when thou didst thinke how forgetfull wee would be of thy mercies , and how vnthankfull we would be for thy benefits .

And as thou , my most deare Iesu , in the fiercest fittes of thine agonie , and sorest pangs of thy Passion , didst call , and crie to thy heauenly Father for succour , so teach mee to lift vp my deuout heart , pure hands , and a lowde voice , towards the seat of mercy , when any outward affliction doth pinch my body , or any inward tribulation presse my soule : teach me oh Lord in the stormie daies of my greatest persecutions , to meditate on thy wonted goodnesse , and when my soule is most perplexed with the horror of my guilty conscience , to thinke on the multitude of thy mercies .

But forsake mee not , my sweet Iesu , when my strength faileth : vphold mee when my feete begin to slide , and raise mee vp when I begin to fall : thou doest neuer leaue them without comfort in time of their trouble , who come vnto thee with confidence of thy promises , and faithfully craue thy succour : Oh suffer not my soule to be cast downe with immoderate mourning , or my mouth to be filled with murmuring , when thy hand lieth heauie vpon mee . Comfort my drouping heart with some taste of thy heauenly consolation , when either the sword of persecution doth wound my body , or sorrow for my sinnes doth afflict my minde . Let mee remember that thy children are in this world as the Israelites were in the Desart : they shall haue many cruell foes , abide hunger and thirst , runne through many dangers , and drinke of the bitter waters of Mara , before they can come into heauenly Canaan , and chaw the Wormewood of affliction , before they can eate of the fruit of the tree of life , more sweet then milke , and more delicate then hony . Let me remember , that Abraham the Father of the faithfull , was often afflicted : that Iacob thy beloued , was constrained to flye for feare of Esau , his rough-handed , and hard-harted brother , and then vngently intreated , and vniustly rewarded for his faithfull seruice , by Laban his churlish Vnckle . That Dauid thy chosen was often in danger of his life , pursued and persecuted by furious Saul , before he was aduanced to his Kingdome . Oh let mee not forget the many miseries , and bitter afflictions , which tumbled in heapes vpon Iob thy faithfull seruant : Let their patience calme the turbulent motions of my repining minde , and let the remembrance of their deliuerance arme my hart with a confident and stedfast resolution , that the eye of thy carefull prouidence neuer sleepeth nor slumbreth , but continually watcheth ouer thy faithfull and beloued , and that thine omnipotent arme is then stretched out to rid them out of perill , when they seeme to be in a desperate case , past all hope , and farthest from succour .

And let me know that affliction is the best hope that thy children may expect in this worldly Lotterie , but yet let the anchor of my hope take such sure hold on thy promises in the time of my misery , that I may alwaies be assured , that thou art able , and neuer vnwilling to cure my maladie , if I call faithfully vpon thy name , and waite thy appointed time with patience , abiding constant in thy loue , and confident in thy word . Grant mee oh my Lord Iesus , to crie out vnto thee in the daies of my trouble , & to craue thy strong aide in the houre of my tribulation . O let mee drinke a deepe draught of the fountaine of thy mercie , when my poore heart is parched with thirst , in this world of miserie : Heare me from Heauen , and let my voice sound in thine eares , that I may receiue comfort when I am distressed , helpe me when I am oppressed , and peace of conscience when my soule is afflicted , that when I feele the sweet taste of thy mercy , my lips may shew thy praise , and my tongue declare thy glory , saying : With my voyce I cried vnto the Lord , with my voyce I prayed vnto the Lord , and hee heard mee .

A Meditation , concerning the fift and sixt words , which the Lord Iesus spake on the Crosse ; to wit , I thirst , and It is finished . MED. XVIII . When Christ our Lord , the a a Zach. 13.1 . fountaine of all blisse , Had said , I b b Ioh. 19.28 . thirst ; and that the houre was come That hee to Death must yeeld for our c c Rom. 4.25 . amisse , He said : It 's d d Ioh. 19.30 . finisht now ; and all is done .

HEere ( Oh my soule ) consider not onely the woes , but mark the words of thy dying Iesus : thou didst heare him cry vnto his heauenly Father , with feruencie of his affection , vttering the vehemencie of his affliction , and now heare thy wofull Iesus , speaking vnto the wilfull deafe-eard , and dead-hearted Iewes , saying , I thirst .

And although enuie had so parched vp their hearts , that they had no sap of relenting pittie , yet let his words pierce so deepe into thy tender heart , that it may be wounded with true compunction , and stirre vp actiue and liuely motions of compassion within thy bowels , so often as thou dost thinke on his necessity , and so often as thou dost meditate on his calamity : but alas , thou dost seldome or neuer meditate on his humane misery .

Oh what grieuous infirmities , miseries , distresses , and calamities , did our fraile assumed nature bring vpon thee , my louing , sweet , and mercifull Iesu ?

How many great and vnsupportable torments did our sinne , ( yea my sinnes , made thine by imputation ) compell thee to suffer ?

What did cause thee to doe it my blessed Sauiour , but the ardent feruour of thy exceeding loue ? What worthinesse of merit was there in vs , as a motiue to mooue thee ? it was thine vnspeakeable mercy , and nothing but thine inestimable mercy , which did induce thee .

But canst thou ( oh my sorrowfull soule ) containe thy teares within the little caue of thine eyes , and suppresse thy groanes , and represse thy sighes within the hollow corners and cauernes of thy heart , when thou doest thinke on the extreame thirst of thy louing Iesus , and of the small compassion that was shewed vnto him by the vnmercifull Iewes ? wherefore cry out with the voyce of mourning , and lament in thy crying , & say vnto thy beloued Iesus , Oh my most louing Lord , oh my most gracious Reconciler , oh my most mercifull Redeemer , how should my sad & sorrowfull soule be afflicted with heauinesse ? how should all my sences be afflicted with mourning , when my minde doth contemplate the wounds of thy body , and meditate the sorrow of thy soule , afflicted with the deadly pangs of thy bitter passion , which inflamed thy heart with excessiue heat , and dried vp the moysture of thy bowels , with immoderate thirst ? And how should mine eyes swell with weeping , and my hart be wearied with groning , to bewaile my sinnes , which so sharpened the hearts of the Gentiles , with the eagernesse of crueltie , and so shortned the hands of the Iewes , with the malice of impietie , that they reteined no sparke of pitty in their hearts , nor would extend their hands to giue thee any comfortable refreshing in thy greatest extreamity ? But as their hearts and bowels were filled with sharpe , sower , and malicious humors , so they giue thee a sowre and bitter drinke , compounded of Gall and Vinegar .

Oh nefarious & horrible impiety ! oh detestable cruelty of the perfidious Iewes , to be so stony-harted , as not to afford so much as a draught of cold water to my dying Iesus , who is able to giue water of life , which shall so plentifully satisfie the longing desire of those that drinke of it , that they shall neuer after be molested with thirst , nor haue any necessity to drinke .

Oh would I had beene there my bountifull Iesu , that my weeping eyes might haue afforded thee store of water , to haue slaked thy drinesse , and quenched thy thirst . Oh how extreame was the griefe of thy tender-hearted Mother ! Oh how sorrowfull was the sadnes of Iohn thy louing Disciple , who loued thee so tenderly , & was beloued of thee so intirely ?

Oh how dolorous was the lamentation of Mary Magdalene , mourning for thee her kinde distressed Master , who had forgiuen her many sinnes , because shee had shewed thee much loue ! Who all did behold thee with their wofull eyes , and did heare thee with their doleful eares , complaine that thou wert dry and thirsty , and no doubt but they did all wish with sighes , & desire with heauy groanes , that they had beene able , ( but alas , they might not be suffred ) to giue thee some comfortable refreshing .

When the Diuell our ancient enemy did tempt thee in the Wildernesse , thou wert pinched with hunger , & at thy death thou wert parched with thirst , thy moysture dryed vp like a pot-shard , and thy tongue cleauing to the rooffe of thy mouth .

Now what are these naturall wants and weak infirmities found in thy body , but strong arguments vnto vs of thy true man-hood , and true testimonies of thy humane nature , that we might know , that although thou wert indued with exceeding patience , yet that thou being man , wert subiect to our passions : but as thy sacred Conception was free from all carnall corruption , so thy pure Life was alwaies free from all sinnefull infection .

Thou hadst great cause ( my louing Sauiour ) to be molested with drinesse , and grieued with thirst , when as thy body was distempered with watching , brused with cruell blowes , and thy bloud exhausted with thy bleeding wounds : yet such as was the inhumanity , such was the cruelty of the pittilesse Iewes , that in this extremitie they would not afford thee a cuppe of colde water . But is it credible , yea , is it possible , that my Sauior should be afflicted with thirst at his death , who hath tolde vs ( and it is true that hee hath told vs ) that he hath the water of life ?

Tell me my bountifull Iesu , how was thy moisture consumed ? what caused thy thirst ? art thou not hee which cryed , If any man thirst , let him come to me & drinke ? Ioh. 7.37 . art thou able to satisfie others that are thirsty , and art thou thy selfe oppressed with thirst ? art not thou he my louing Sauiour , which said to the woman of Samaria , that thou hadst the water of life , & that hee which should drinke of this water , should neuer thirst any more , but that it should be a well of water in him , springing vp vnto euerlasting life .

Thy speech ( my Sauiour ) is veritie : and thy words are truth : thou hast the water of life , thou art able , and as thou art able , so thou art most willing , to refresh our thirsty soules , with this blessed water , if wee will resort to drinke of thy pure and Christall fountaine : I will come vnto thee ( my sweet Iesu ) that thou mayest satisfie my soule with thine euerlasting bread , and quench my thirst with this Water of life : for my soule thirsteth after God , which is a liuing Fountaine .

I will cry vnto thee , the Lord my God , my Sauiour , my protector , and I will say , I thirst , I thirst , my bountifull Iesu : Oh that I might haue but so much as a little taste of this Caelestiall water : Oh how doe I long to drinke of this fountaine ! quench thou my thirst , oh my sweet Iesu , with this liuing Water , for thou onely art able to quench my thirst , because with thee there is the fountaine of life .

And graunt that my soule may still thirst with such a longing after thy loue , that it may make haste to these waters of comfort .

Oh how dangerous and deadly were my malady ? how vnsufferable were my misery ? how damnable were my state ? how desperate were my case , if I should not drink of this heauenly Fountaine ?

But as the spring of these blessed and wholesome waters doth euer flowe , and as thy vnstinted bounty ( oh my mercifull Sauiour , euer aboundeth ) so thou doest neuer deny any thirsty soule to drinke of this liuing water .

Wherefore let the feruency of thy loue so inflame my soule , that it may thirst , and thirsting , may runne vnto thee , to be refreshed with this comfortable water .

I know , oh my blessed Redeemer , that thou wert not onely afflicted with thirst in thy body , but that thou wert more affected with thirst in thy spirit .

Heare thou , ( oh my thirsty soule ) the sweet word of thy Sauiour ! Oh with what exceeding mercy is it replenished ? with what inestimable Charity is it vttered ?

He saith , I thirst : but he saith not , I am pained , grieued , or afflicted : And what dost thou thirst for so much , oh my louing Lord ? Thou dost not thirst so much for wine which is pressed out of the grapes of the Vine : or for water which floweth out of the Riuer : but thy thirst is my saluation , thy meat is my redemption . Thou doest thirst for my faith , my saluation , my ioy : this spirituall thirst did more affect thy soule , then any naturall or humane thirst could afflict thy body : Therefore thirst thou ( oh my soule after thy louing and merciful Sauiour ) as the thirsty Hart desireth the water . Oh how canst thou but thirst after him , who hath thirsteth so much after thee ? Let all things ( be they neuer so sower ) be pleasant vnto thee for his sake : let all things ( be they neuer so bitter ) be most sweet vnto thee for his loue . Refuse not to drinke of the bitter cup of affliction for his cause , and hee will not faile to refresh thee in the time of thy calamitie , his hand shall be stretched out to deliuer thee in thy necessitie .

Grant me my Lord , that I may offer vnto thee the wine of my true deuotion , with the Mirrhe of mortification , and gall of hearty contrition . But as it might be dolefull vnto thee my soule , to heare thy louing Iesus cry out , Sitio , I thirst : so let it be ioyfull vnto thee , to heare him take his farewel with Consummatum est , It is finished , Ioh. 19.30 . Oh let the Meditation of this word be more sweet vnto me , then the hony which Sampson found in the carkasse of the Lyon , when he was hungry , Iudg. 14 8. and more delectable vnto mee , then the water which hee found in the Iawbone of the Asse , when he was thirsty , Iudg. 15.19 . For now had my blessed Redeemer fulfilled the sacred decrees of the holy Scriptures , concerning my saluation , and appeased the wrath of his Father , kindled against me for my sinnes .

Now he had cancelled the Obligation of my infinite debt , and not with siluer and gold , but with his owne most pretious blood purchased my Redemption : And by his death , conquered death , hell and the deuill .

Oh happy death that hath redeemed mee to eternall life ! Oh glorious victory , although my Sauiour obtained it so dearely ! Therefore let mee not be carelesse to sell that so cheape , which my Sauiour hath bought so deare . Let mee consecrate my soule and body wholly to him , for they are his owne , he hath dearely bought them .

Direct my spirit , oh Lord , by the leuell of thy perfect word : let the meditation of my heart be day and night in thy sacred law , that I may offer vp vnto thee daily the calues of my vnfained lippes , speaking of thy meruailous kindnesse early in the morning , and telling of thy manifold mercies late in the euening : send downe a gratious raine of thy holy Spirit into the furrowes of my heart , that the memory of thine innumerable benefits , may perpetually flourish in my minde , and thine euerlasting praises euermore sound in my mouth , for thou alone art my Redeemer , oh Lord God of my saluation .

A Meditation how CHRIST gaue vp the Ghost , and of the wonders which were seene at his death . MED. XIX . Strange a a Mar. 15.38 . wonders at our Sauiours death were wrought , The graues did b b Matt. 27.51 . open , and the dead came forth : The Temple rent in c c Luke 23.45 . twaine . Dumbe creatures sought T' expresse to blinded d d Luk. 19.40 Iewes , their makers worth .

LIft vp thine eyes , oh my soule , and behold how the countenance of thy Sauiour is couered with a deadly palenesse , his sight beginneth to faile , and his heart to faint , yet a little before the departure of his soule , and in his greatest pangs , hee cryed out with a lowd voyce , as if he had felt no paine , saying : Father , into thy hands I commend my spirit : and when he had said thus , bowing downe his head , and closing his eyes , he gaue vp the Ghost , Luke 23.46 . Now so soone as his blessed soule was dissolued from his breathlesse body , the vaile of the Temple was rent into two peeces from the top the bottome , the earth did quake , the stones were rent , the graues opened , and many bodies of the Saints , which slept , arose out of their graues , came into the holy Citie , and appeared to many .

Awake thou now oh my soule , lie no longer snorting in the bed of carelesse security : what wilt thou say ? what wilt thou doe , oh my soule ?

Thou seest that the earth trembleth , & quaketh , that the stones doe cleaue in pieces , and that the beholders are all amazed at the death of the Lord Iesus .

Oh! why art thou so senselesse oh my soule , and as it were dead without motion at the recordation of the death , and meditation of the Passion of thy Sauiour ? Oh let the sinnefull vaile of the Temples of thy head rend into peeces , which couereth the eyes of thy vnderstanding ! let thy earthly body tremble with horror , and thy stony heart cleaue in sunder with terror of thine impietie : and now arise thou out of the graue of thine iniquitie , let thine eyes waste and consume away with weeping , and let thy heart melt away with sighing , that thou mayest shew some signes of sorrow for thy sinnes , and some tokens of true repentance for thy transgressions , which caused the bitter Passion , and procured the cruell death of thy innocent IESVS : and cry out with the astonished Centurion , Verely this man was righteous , Hee was the Sonne of GOD , Mat. 17. Lift vp thy hands & crie out with a faithfull heart , Oh my gratious Lord , my sweet Sauiour , and louing Redeemer , how terrible were my trespasses , how haynous were my transgressions , that nothing but thy pretious blood could wash out the staines of mine iniquitie ? and nothing but thy death deliuer me out of the chaines of euerlasting captiuitie ? What shall I doe to gratulate the greatnes of thy loue ? how shall I perfectly rellish the goodnesse of thy mercy ? how shall I throughly tast the sweetnesse of thy compassion ? For how doth thy loue exceede in greatnesse ? how doth mercy abound in goodnes ? and how doth thy compassion excel in sweetnes , that thou being the true and naturall Sonne of God , shouldst be made man , that we being sinnefull men , should be made the sons of God ? yea , when wee were thine enemies , vessels of sinne , and vassals of Sathan ? And that thou being man , shouldest be made subiect to the same passions , to the same affections , to the same afflictions , that we are ? yea , obnoxious to death to pay our debt : but yet thy life was neuer infected with any sinfull action : no , not so much as affected with any euill cogitation .

Oh my kinde Iesu ! Oh thou innocent Lambe ! Oh my most louing Lord ! by how much the more I consider thy calamity , by how much the more I ruminate thy mercy , by so much the more cause I finde to be faithfully affected towards thee for the greatnes of thy loue , and to be afflicted with thee for thy grieuous torments . Oh let me behold in my serious meditation , and see with the eye of mine vnderstanding , how thy most sacred body is brused with cruell blowes , thy tender flesh mangled with bleeding wounds , thy venerable head perfored and pierced with a Crowne of pricking thornes , thy beautifull forehead spotted , and thy comely haire knotted with coniealed blood , thy nosthrils offended with stinking spittle , and thy blessed mouth distasted with gall and vinegar , thy most bright eyes obscured with a vaile , thy amiable face buffeted with fists , and defiled with dust , thy chast eares filled with reproaches , thy naked body scourged with whips , thy weary shoulders shrinking , and thy weake knees failing vnder the heauy burthen of the crosse , thy most holy hands pierced , & thy blessed feet bored with sharpe iron nailes , thy blessed side opened , and thy heart wounded with a speare . Oh let the remembrance of thy grieuous torments my louing Iesu , let the memory of thy bleeding wounds and scornefull reproaches , wound my heart with wofull compunction , and pierce into my hardened bowels , that they may relent with tender compassion , that I may feele some sense of painefull sorrow for thy sake , seeing thou hast suffered so much for my sinnes .

But before thou passe any further , ( oh my soule ) doe thou not let it passe without earnest meditation , how that although the hearts of the tormentors of mine afflicted Iesus , were so poysoned with impietie , and their hands so polluted with cruelty , that they grieued his righteous soule with their scornes and reproaches : killed his innocent body with their tortures , yet that the fury of their malicious harts was so restrained , and the violence of their cruell hands so repressed , that they could not breake one bone of his blessed body , as they did of the malefactors , which were crucified with him , because the sacred scripture had said they should not , and therefore their hands were fettered that they could not : Exod. 12.46 . Num. 9.12 . Zach. 12.10 . Wherefore let this meditation comfort thy drooping heart ( oh my soule ) and consolate thy fainting spirits in the sowrest fits of any worldly misery , and in the sorest conflicts of any affliction that can betide thee : that no Tyrant , be hee neuer so mighty , or his heart neuer so malicious , can imagine more in his cruell thoughts , or act any more with his bloudy hands against thee , then the Diuine prouidence hath predestinated , and the counsell of the highest hath alwayes determined .

Let this resolution be as a pretious Balme to heale the wounds of thy sorrow , and as a soueraigne Salue to cure thy soares , that they may not fester with dispairefull repining , or rancor with impatient mourning .

Let no dread of danger throw downe the Fort of thy hope : let no Tempest of persecution shake the foundation of thy Faith , and let no waues of affliction quench the flame of thy loue towards thy Sauiour , but let the oyle of his sufficient grace so strengthen the sinewes of thy Faith , when it waxeth feeble , that thy heart neuer faile , nor thy courage quaile , when thou art molested with any sickenes , or affliction of body , or moued with any malady of thy mind , being faithfully perswaded , that no calamity can betide thee without his will , nor no danger can come neere thy dwelling without his good pleasure : and that no Tyrants , ( although they be neuer so mighty ) can do but so much , and no more against thee , then hee in his wisedome knoweth to be profitable for thee .

For neither the prophane Gentiles , nor the superstitious Iewes , could doe any more vnto my innocent Iesus , then he was willing to suffer , who came to die for the sinnes of the people : they could not do one iot more then was enacted in the highest Court of the Caelestiall Parliament , determined by the secret Counsel of the Trinity , & confirmed by the euerlasting Statutes of the sacred Scriptures .

Confirme my mind ( oh Lord ) with a stedfast perswasion of thy power , and comfort my weake nature with a resolute confidence in thy word , that in the time of my aduersitie , and day of my tribulation , yea , at the houre of my death , I may commend my spirit into thy hands , as thou didst thine into the hands of thy heauenly Father .

Oh what a consolation & comfort may it be vnto me in my greatest misery , to commend my soule into thy custody , for there it shall remain in the safe harbor of eternal tranquility , no more subiect to misery , no more obnoxious to vanity : the ioy that it shall possesse is vnspeakable , the felicitie incomparable , the continuance of it neuer decaying , but alwayes durable without any change , or ending .

Receiue my soule ( oh my louing Sauiour into thy hands , that it may be safe , vnder the shadowe of thy wings : it is thine owne , it came from thee , and therefore let it returne vnto thee : receiue my gift , my bountifull giuer .

But because ( oh Lord ) nothing that is impure may appeare in thy sight , neither canst thou behold any vncleane thing with thine eie , purge my soule with the fire of thy spirit , and wash away the spots of it with thy precious bloud , that being beautified with the pure white robe of thy mercy , Reu. 12.18 it may confidently approach vnto the Throne of thy Maiesty .

Oh let the affection of my loue be neuer defectiue towards thee , and infuse that into me , by the gift of thy grace , which I am not able to obtaine by my owne strength , captiuate all my sences , that they may be obsequious to do thy will , and frame all the members of my body , to performe thy law , that being partaker of thy death , by true mortification of my flesh , I may also be made partaker with thee of thy glorious Resurrection , by the viuification of thy blessed Spirit .

A Meditation , how the Lord Iesus was buried , and of the lamentation of his Mother , and other women , for his death . MED. XX. Within a a a Mar. 15.46 . Tombe , which in a Rocke was wrought , Ioseph b b Mar. 27.90 . enshrines the body of our Lord . Wrapt in a c c Luk. 23.53 . Mark . 15.46 . cloath , which hee of purpose bought . Oh happy man , that did such loue afford !

AS there was a wicked and couetous Iudas , ( oh my soule ) amongst the faithfull Disciples of thy louing IESVS , to betray him to a cruell death , so there was a kinde Ioseph found among the Iewes , who brought him honourably to his graue .

Oh who is able to relate the lamentation , to expresse the sorrow , and vtter the griefe of the Virgin Marie , mourning for the death of her deare Sonne , and other women , who did behold him with their compassionate eyes , when ( like an innocent Lambe ) he gaue vp the Ghost , and bewailed his departure from them , with floods of teares !

Now thinke that thou doest heare the Virgine Marie discouering the inward sorrowes of her heart , ( of her grieued and wounded heart ) vttered out of her dolefull mouth , passionate , as she was a tender harted woman , and more compassionate , as shee was a louing Mother , when shee saw the wounded and breathlesse body of her Sonne , taken downe from the Crosse .

Let her sorrowfull words penetrate thine eares , and pierce thy heart , that thou maist bewaile the debts of thy sinnes , as she lamented the death of her Sonne , in this or the like manner .

Oh my most sweet Sonne , what is my felicity , which I had by thee in thy life ? Is it any thing else but extreame miserie at thy death ? how is my chiefest ioy changed into sorrow ? my mirth into mourning ? how is my reioycing turned into lamenting , my cheerefulnesse turned into heauinesse ? nothing can mittigate my calamity , nothing can ease my malady .

What hadst thou done ( oh my most deare Sonne ) what hainous crime hadst thou committed ? what odious treason hadst thou perpetrated , that thou wert condemned to die such a shamefull and bitter death ?

Thy pure hands were neuer defiled with any euill actions : and thy harmlesse heart did neuer harbour any wicked cogitations : thine eyes were neuer bewitched with worldly vanities , nor thine eares delighted with lewd discourses : thy mouth did vtter forth wisedome , and thy tongue spake nothing but the truth : thy whole life was a Mirrour of piety , thy words deserued no reprehension , thy deeds were without all exception . Oh how bitter was the malice ? how horrible was the enuie ? how blinde were the eyes ? how bloody were the hearts of the cruell Iewes , to crucifie my deare Sonne , my innocent Iesus ? how dolefull is it to mine eyes , and dolorous to my heart , to behold thy bright eyes obscured with deadly darknesse ! thy blessed hand depriued of action , and thy beautifull feete senslesse without any motion ! to see thy cheerefull countenance couered with an ashy palenesse , thy skinne blacke and blew with blowes , and thy flesh mangled with wounds .

This spectacle is so wofull , that I can no longer behold thee with mine eyes , and the waues of sorrow doe ouerflow my heart so fast , that they stop my words , and stay the current of my mournfull speech .

Now as Marie Magdalene did behold the blessed body of my Sauiour with his mourning Mother , so she did not cease to lament his death , who had beene so kinde a Master vnto her in his life : What a plentifull streame of teares ran downe her cheekes ? What a spring of sorrow arose in her heart ? How did her sorrowfull sighes second her heauie sobs ? How did her dolefull sobs preuent her lamentable sighes ? Thinke thou doest see her kisse his senslesse hands : thinke thou doest see her kisse his breathlesse feet , speaking vnto her louing Master , with her trembling voice being dead , as if he did heare her , and were aliue , bathing them with her teares , and giuing a little ease to her sore diseased heart , by vttering these or the like words , with her feeble lips .

Mary Magdalens lamentation for the losse of her Master . Alas ( my sweet Master ) alas my most louing Lord , the staffe of my stay , the onely ioy of my heart , the sole comfort of my perplexed spirit ; Alas for me , how comfortlesse doest thou leaue mee ? how sorrowfull shall I bee by being without thee ? To whom shall I haue recourse for comfort in the straightnesse of my sorrow ? To whom shall I goe for succour in time of my trouble ?

How lamentable is the view of thy wounded head vnto mine eies ? How grieuous is the view of thy sacred hands and feet vnto my sight , pierced with iron-nailes and depriued of sense , which I so carefully annoynted , bathing them with the teares of mine eies , and drying them with the haires of my head ? Ioh. 11.2 . and 12.3 . Mat. 26.7 . But now alas , in stead of odoriferous oyntment , they are mangled with wounds , and spotted with blood : Oh wretched woman , oh miserable creature , because I am depriued of such a louing and welbeloued Master .

Where shall I find one who will loue me so deerely , and regard me so entierly ? Thou art hee which diddest often vouchsafe to come into my cottage , and to sit downe at my Table , and didst vouchsafe to honour my poore house with thy gratious presence , when alas I was not able to afford thee any such entertainement as might in any sort requite thy kindenesse , or recompence thy loue , Iohn 11.28 . Oh my most sweet Iesu , thou didst defend me from the Pharisie who disdained me for my trespasses , and loathed me for my sinnes . Thou didst kindely excuse mee , speaking in my cause , and pleading my case , when my sister began to be angry with me , and to conceiue displeasure against mee : Thou didst commend me when I did annoynt thee with a pretious oyntment , washing thy feete with my teares , and wiping them with my haire , thou didst mittigate my sorrow , thou didst remit my sins , thou didst kindely aske for mee when I was not present with thee , and commanded my sister to call me vnto thee .

Oh what great , and how many demonstrations of thy loue , how many tokens of thy kindnesse , how many signes of thy charity , how many arguments of thy mercie , Oh my most sweet Lord , hast thou shewed vnto mee ? what a rich treasure of thy bounty , hast thou conferred vpon mee ? When thou didst see my mourning for the death of my Brother , thou didst comfort mee in my sorrow , thou didst asswage my griefe , thou didst weepe with me , such was thy kinde affection towards my louing brother , such was thy tender compassion towards mee his sorrowfull sister : and thou didst not onely shed teares , as signes of thy loue , but thou didst raise my dead brother out of his graue for my consolation , and restored him to life againe for my comfort : Iohn . 11.35 . Ibidem , 43. As nothing was more sweet and pleasant vnto me , then to enioy thy blessed company , so nothing can be more sowre and sharpe vnto me , then want of thy comfortable societie .

But alas , sorrowfull words are too weake a medicine to cure my maladie : and although I haue cause to say much , yet extreamity of griefe will suffer mee to say no more .

Now thou hast heard oh my soule , the lamentation of a tender Mother , deploring the death of her Sonne , and also the pittifull mourning of a faithfull seruant , bewayling the want of him , who was her louing Master , and bountifull benefactor : canst thou be so stonie-hearted , that thou art moued with no feeling compassion ? Is thy heart so hard that it cannot giue a groane ? Are thine eyes so dry , that they will not yeeld a teare , at the meditation of the death and buriall of thy Sauiour , who died for thy sinnes , and was slaine for thine iniquities ?

I flie vnto thee my most mercifull Lord , that thou maist mollifie and moysten , my hard , and dry heart with plentifull showres of thy graces : turne my head into a spring of water , and change mine eyes into a fountaine of teares .

I know not how to excuse my selfe , because I haue beene so vnthankfull for thy benefits , so forgetfull of thy mercies , and so vnkinde vnto thee for thy loue .

What shall I say , but woe and alas for me , a most wretched and wicked sinner ? Who can measure the quantity of mine infelicitie ? Who can describe the horrour of my miserie ? Who can quiet the troubles of my minde ? Who can pacifie my troubled conscience , because my hard heart hath not beene touched with any compunction , nor my bowels moued with any compassion , when I did think on thy cruell death , and meditate on thy bitter Passion ?

Oh wretched man that I am ! oh miserable creature ! for when others doe mourne at the meditation of thy Passion , shed teares , and send forth sighes at the remembrance of thy death : my hart is so ouer-growne with hardnesse , that it cannot be touched with sorrow , and mine eyes are so dry without moisture , that they will not send forth a teare . Oh why doe I not sigh , sob , and weepe in my Meditation of the bitter Passion of my Sauiour , my gratious and bountifull benefactor , who did abide so many painefull torments and reproachfull taunts for my sinnes , and suffered a most shamefull and cruell death on the Crosse for my transgressions ? How can I excuse the coldnesse of my loue ? How should I cleare my vnthankfull minde ? If Death take away my Father , or depriue me of my Mother , I water my cheekes with teares , and wearie my heart with groaning . I can weepe for the death of a Brother , and wring my hands for sorrow at the buriall of my sister : I cannot but mourne when I follow my friend to his graue , my teares doe testifie my loue , my voyce doth vtter words of lamentation , my heart is sadde with sorrow , and all my sences are disordered with griefe .

But alas , how is the moisture of mine eyes consumed , that they cannot yeeld one teare ? How obdurate is my heart that it will not groane when I think on the deadly pangs of my Sauiour , and when I meditate on the grieuous passion , and bitter death of my Redeemer , who hath beene more beneficiall vnto mee then any louing Father ! and more kinde then any tender-hearted mother : what kindnesse of a Brother , or milde affection of a Sister , can equall his loue ? What friend can be so glad for my prosperitie ? who of mine acquaintance can be so sad for my aduersitie ? Who can be so constant vnto me in affection ? Who can be so faithfull vnto me in compassion , as my mercifull Sauiour ? My Parents gaue me my flesh , polluted with sinne , and defiled with vices : I receiue from my Sauiour , Memory , Will Vnderstanding , and Reason : yea , what is there in me which is good , but it commeth from my GOD ? My Parents haue beene an occasion to throw me downe into hell , but my Redeemer did shed his pretious bloud to bring mee into the Kingdome of heauen : Therefore why doe I not sigh and lament for the death of my Lord , my Sauiour , my Redeemer , who is my solace in time of sorrow , my consolation in my misery , and my refuge in the houre of my necessity ? But oh my most bountifull Iesu , father of mercies , I mourne with sorrow , and lament with teares , when death doth rob mee of my receiue them to dwell in thy Caelestiall Citie , which is stored with all abundance : But who can describe the beauty , or demonstrate the glory of this heauenly Hierusalem ? for it is made of pure golde , the foundation of pretious stones , the walles of Iasper , & the gates of pearle . In needeth no Sunne to giue light vnto it in the day , or any Moone by night , for the glorious presence of the Lord doth fill euery place with his shining brighssetne . Reuel. 21.18.19.20.21.23 .

What eye hath seene one sparke of the glistering cleerenesse ? what eare hath heard one title of the greatnesse ? what heart can conceiue so much as a graine of the goodnes of this eternall Citie ? Oh happy are the people that shall enter into thy beautifull gates ! Oh happy are the Citizens that shall dwell within thy pretious walles ! for they shall liue with the Angels in eternall peace and security , and see God in his glorious Maiestie . Entertaine me ( oh Lord ) into thy gratious seruice , and graunt me grace , that I may serue thee all the dayes of my life in feare , and honour thee with my loue : that when I haue serued out my time as thy faithfull seruant here on earth , I may be incorporated into this heauenly Citie , and admitted into the freedome of this blessed societie . Come ( oh my Lord IESV ) come vnto vs quickly , and receiue vs to dwell with thee eternally , Amen .

FINIS . Soli Deo gloria .

MOST DEVOVT and Diuine MEDITATIONS OF Saint BERNARD . Concerning the knowledge of humane Condition . Seruing as so many Motiues to MORTIFICATION .

LONDON : Printed by T.S. for Francis Burton , dwelling in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the greene Dragon . 1614.

A Table of the Motiues to MORTIFICATION . Mo. 1. OF the similitude of man to God . page . 1. Mo. 2. Of the miserie of man , and of the examination of the last iudgement . page . 10. Mo. 3. Of the dignity of the soule . pag. 20 Mo. 4. Of the reward of the heauenly Countrey , the which all Christians ought to endeauour to obtaine . page . 33 Mo. 5. How a man ought to examine himselfe . page . 44 Mo. 6. That a man ought to bee diligent and deuout in performing of Diuine exercises . page . 48 Mo. 7. A consideration of death . page 59 Mo. 8. In what manner a man ought to pray deuoutly . pag. 63 Mo. 9. Of the instabilitie and wandering of the heart . page . 66 Mo. 10. That Sinne is not to be excused . page . 74 Mo. 11. What a great euill it is not to correct or reprehend others . page . 75 Mo. 12. How euery man ought to consider himselfe . page . 83 Mo. 13. Of the presence of the Conscience euery where . page . 85 Mo. 14. Of the three Enemies of Man . page . 87. Mo. 15. From whence the flesh of Man proceedeth , and what it bringeth forth . page . 93 Mo. 16. Of the short life of man . pag. 96

Other Additions . A Most zealous and deuout lamentation of blessed Anselmus , sometime Arch-bishop of Canterbury , for the losse of his Soules virginitie , appliable vnto the soule of euery mortified Christian . page . 111 A Meditation of S. Bernard , concerning the Passion and sufferings of Iesus Christ , diuided into twenty and one Sections . page . 139 The Authors deprecation or Petition for himselfe . page . 236 FINIS .

engraving of two Garden of Gethsemane scenes from the Passion of Jesus Christ

O my Father , if it be possible , let this Cup passe from me .

He kneeled downe and Prayed , but beinge in an agonie , he prayed more earnestly , and his sweat was like droppes of blood , trikling downe to the ground . Luke . 22.44 .

Sit ye here , whil I goe and Pray yonder .

Of the similitude of Man to GOD .

MOTIVE . I.

MAny knowe many things , False knowledge . and know not themselues : they pry into others , and leaue themselues . The ready way how to know God . They seeke God by those outward things , forsaking their inward things , to which God is neerer , and more inward . Therefore I will returne from outward things , to inward , and from the inward I will ascend to the Superiour : that I may know from whence I come , or whither I goe ; who I am , and from whence I am : that so by the knowledge of my selfe , I may be the better able to attaine to the knowledge of God . For by how much more I profit , and goe forward in the knowledge of my selfe , by so much the neerer I approach to the knowledge of God . Concerning the inward man , Three things in vs , whereby wee remember , behold , and desire God . I finde three things in my soule , by which I remember , behold , and couet God . But these three things are , the Memory , Vnderstanding , Will , or Loue . By the Memory , I remember him : by the Vnderstanding , I behold him : by the Will , I imbrace him . When I remember God in my Memory , I finde him : and in him I am delighted , because hee vouchsafeth to giue himselfe to mee . By the Vnderstanding , I view and contemplate what God is in himselfe , what hee is in the Angels , what he is in the Saints , what hee is in Men , what he is in the Creatures . In himselfe , hee is incomprehensible , because he is the beginning and end , and the beginning without beginning , the end without end . By my selfe , I vnderstand how incomprehensible God is , when as I cannot know , and vnderstand my selfe , whom he hath made . In the Angels he is desirable , because they desire to behold him . In the Saints hee is delectable , because being happy in him , they reioyce continually , in other creatures hee is admirable , because he createth all things powerfully ; gouerneth all things wisely , disposeth all things bountifully . In men hee is amiable , because he is their GOD , and they are his people . Hee dwelleth in them , euen as in his Temple , and they are his Temple . Hee disdaineth neyther particular , nor vniuersall . Whosoeuer is mindefull of him , and doth both know , and also loue him , Motiues to moue vs to loue God . hee is with him . Wee ought to loue him , because hee hath first loued vs , and hath made vs after his Image and similitude , which thing he would not impart to any other creature . Wee are made according to the Image of GOD , that is , according to the vnderstanding , and knowledge of the Sonne , by whom we vnderstand , and know the Father , and haue accesse vnto him .

So great is the affinitie betweene vs and the Sonne of God , as that wee are the image of him , who is the image of God . Which affinitie also , the similitude doth testifie : because wee are not onely made according to his similitude , but also to his likenesse . Therefore it behoueth , that that which is made according to his image , doe agree with his Image , and not participate onely a vaine name of the Image . In which regard , let vs represent , and expresse his Image in our selues , in the feruent desire of peace , in the beholding of truth , and in the loue of Charitie .

Let vs holde him in our memorie , let vs carrie him in our conscience , and let vs adore and worship him euery where , who is present euery where . For our vnderstanding in that same respect , is the image of him , in which it is capable of him , and may bee partaker of the same . The minde ( or soule ) is not therfore the Image of him , because the minde remembreth it selfe , How the soule is sayd to be the Image of God . vnderstandeth and loueth it selfe : but because it may be able to remember , vnderstand , and loue him , of whom it was made . The which when it doth it becommeth wise .

The three faculties of the soule , to wit , Memory , Will and Vnderstanding : resembling the Trinitie . For nothing is more like to that most excellent and highest Wisedome , then a reasonable Soule , which through Memory , Vnderstanding , and Will , consisteth in that vnutterable Trinitie .

But it cannot consist and abide in the same , vnlesse it remember , vnderstand , and loue the same . Let it therefore remember her God , loue and worship him , after whose Image it was made , with whom it may alwayes bee blessed . Oh blessed Soule , with whom GOD hath found rest , in whose Tabernacle hee dwelleth and remaineth : How the soule is said to be truly blessed . Blessed , which may say , and hee which created mee , resteth in my Tabernacle : For hee cannot denie the rest of HEAVEN vnto her . Therefore why doe wee forsake our selues and seeke God in these externall and outward things , who is at home with vs , if wee will be with him ?

Verely hee with vs , and in vs , but as yet by faith , vntill wee shall see him face to face . Wee know ( saith the Apostle ) that Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith . How God dwelleth in vs . Because Christ is in our Faith , Faith in our Vnderstanding , our Vnderstanding in the heart , the heart in our breast .

Through Faith I call God to minde ( as a Creator ) I adore him as a Redeemer , I attend and wait for him as a Sauiour , I belieue to behold him in all his Creatures , to haue him in my selfe , and that which is more pleasant , and blessed then all these ( vnspeakeable ) to know him in himselfe . What life euerlasting is . For to know the Father , Sonne , and the holy Ghost , is life Euerlasting , perfect blessednesse , What life euerlasting is . chiefest pleasure .

The eye hath not seene , the eare hath not heard , neither hath it entred into the heart of man , what great loue , what great sweetnesse , and what great pleasantnesse doth remaine vnto vs by that vision , when we shall see God face to face . Which is the light of those which doe inlighten , rest to the labouring , a Countrey to them that returne from exile , life to the liuing , a Crowne to the conquering . Therefore in my vnderstanding , I finde the Image of that most high and supreame Trinitie : to the which most supreme Trinitie alwayes to be remembred , looked vpon , and to be loued , that I may remember it , be delighted with it , embrace and view it , I must referre and employ that time which I liue .

The minde is the Image of GOD , The faculties of the soule resembled to the Father , the Sonne , & the holy Ghost . in which are these three things , Memory , Vnderstanding , and Will , or Loue . Wee attribute to the Memory , all which wee know , although we thinke not of it . Wee attribute to the Vnderstanding , all which wee finde to bee true in thinking , which wee also commit vnto Memory .

By Memory , wee are like to the Father , by Vnderstanding to the Sonne , by Will to the holy Ghost . Nothing in vs is so like to him , as Will , Loue , or Charitie , which is a more excellent will . For Loue or Charitie , is the gift of God .

So that no gift of GOD , is more excellent then this : For the loue which is of GOD , and which is also GOD , is called properly the holy Spirit , by whom the loue of God is disfused in our harts , by whom the whole Trinitie doth inhabite and dwell in vs .

Of the miserie of Man , and the examination of the last Iudgement . MOTIVE . II.

COncerning the outward man , I proceed from those parents , which made mee to be worthy of damnation before I was borne . Sinners begot a sinner , and nourished mee with sinne : the miserable brought a miserable creature into the miserie of the light . I haue nothing from them but misery , sinne , and this corruptible body which I carry about mee . And I hasten to goe to them , which through the death of the body , are departed from hence . When I looke vpon their Graues and Sepulchers , I finde nothing in them but ashes , wormes , stincke , and loathsomnesse . What I am , they haue beene , and what they are , I shall be .

What am I ? Man , proceeding from a liquid humour : For in a moment of conception I was conceiued of humane seed , afterward , that froth congealed , increasing a little , was made flesh , Mans corruption . and afterward crying and lamenting , I was deliuered to the banishment of this World : and behold , now I die , full of iniquities and abhominations . Now , euen , now I shall appeare before a seuere and strict Iudge , to render an account of my workes . Woe bee to mee miserable wretch , when that day of Iudgement shall come : and the Bookes shall bee opened , in which all my actions , and cogitations shall be recited , in the presence of the Lord .

Then hanging downe my head , with confusion of an euill conscience , I shall stand in iudgement before the LORD , trembling and sorrowfull , to wit , reckoning vp my wicked deeds which I haue committed : The conscience of the wicked shall be their owne accuser . and when it shall be sayd of mee , behold the man , and his workes : then I shall reduce and bring againe before mine eyes all my sinnes , and offences . For it shall be brought to passe , by a certaine diuine power , that good and euil works shal be recalled to the remembraunce of euery one , and shall be seene in the view of the minde , with a wonderfull speede and celeritie : that the knowledge of them may accuse , or excuse the conscience ; and that so both euery man seuerally and generally , may be iudged together . Euery man shall be iudged for his deeds . And all the secrets of all men shall appeare and lie open vnto all . For that which wee are ashamed , At the day of iudgement , all things shal be made manifest . and blush at to confesse now , shall then be manifest and apparant to all . And there the reuenging and deuouring fire shall burne and consume whatsoeuer heere wee cloake and flatter by dissembling . The swift fire shall rage , and raigne euery where , hauing gotten free scope and libertie .

And by how much the longer the Lord doth waite , and tarry for our amendement ; so much the more strictly hee will iudge vs , if wee shall abuse and neglect his patience .

Why therefore doe wee so earnestly couet this life , in which the longer wee liue , the more we sinne ? For by how much the more the dayes of our life are lengthened , Nothing more mutable then humane condition . by so much the more our faults and transgressions are augmented . For euill things do daily increase , but good things decay and are diminished ; Mans state doth neuer stand at a stay , but is continually chaunged by prosperity and aduersitie , and hee knoweth not when he shall die .

For as a blazing starre in the skie runneth swiftly , and vanisheth away suddenly ; The shortnesse of mans life shadowed out by a double similitude . or as a sparkle of fire is suddenly extinguished , and turned into ashes : so wee may see this life quickely ended , and suddenly consumed . For while man tarrieth willingly , and liueth most pleasantly in this World , and supposeth that hee shall liue long , and purposeth many things to be done in long time , hee is suddenly snatched away by death , and the Soule is taken from the body , before hee beware of it . Yet the soule is separated with great feare , much paine , and bitter griefe from the body . For the Angels come to take her , that they may bring her before the Tribunall seat of a most fearefull Iudge ; then shee calling to minde her euill and most wicked workes , which shee hath done day and night , trembleth , and seeketh to shunne and auoyd them , and to desire a truce of them , saying ; Graunt me the space , yea but of one houre .

Then her workes , as it were , Our works will follow vs to iudgement . speaking together , shall answere , and say ; Thou hast made vs , wee are thy workes , wee will goe forward with thee to iudgement . Vices also shall accuse her with many and manifolde crimes , and shall bring many false testimonies against her , although one sufficeth to her damnation . The Deuils also shall terrifie her , with their gastly countenance and horrible aspect they shall persecute her , and take holde of her , as terribly , so also horribly , desirous to reteine her , vnlesse there be one who can deliuer her from them .

Then the Soule , finding the eyes shut , the mouth , and other sences of the body , by which shee was wont to haue passage , and to bee delighted in these outward things closed , The state of a damned soule . shall returne to her selfe , and seeing her selfe alone , and naked , stricken with exceeding horrour , shee shall faint in her selfe , and fall downe with desperation .

And because for the loue of the world , and pleasure of the flesh , shee forsooke the loue of God , shee wretched shall be quite forsaken in the houre of such great necessitie , and shall be deliuered to the Deuils to be tormented in Hell : So the soule of a sinner , in the day wherein hee is ignorant , and houre in which hee knoweth not , is snatched away of death , and is separated from the body , and proceedeth forward full of miseries , trembling and sorrowing ; and when shee hath no excuse , which shee may alledge for her sinne , shee fainteth , and faileth with dreadfull feare , to appeare before GOD ; shee is shaken , and quaketh with exceeding horrour , and is tossed and troubled with manifold tempests of perplexed thoughts , and dispairefull cogitations ; the dissolution and separation of the flesh grieuing her , and all being remoued out of her sight , shee considereth her selfe , and that time to which shee approacheth , and after a little while , she findeth in that , that which can neuer be altered nor reuersed . Shee considereth throughly how seuere the eternall Iudge commeth , and what straight accounts she must make before the seueritie of such great Iustice .

For although shee haue escaped all the workes which shee could vnderstand , yet for all that , comming before a strict and seuere Iudge , shee dreadeth those more , which shee vnderstandeth not in her selfe . Feare increaseth , when shee thinketh she could not passe through the way of this life without a fault , neither that time , which shee hath liued commendably is without offence , if it be iudged , pitty and mercy excluded . For who is able to consider how many , and how great euils wee commit in moments of times , Sinnes are of two sorts of commission and omission . and what great good things wee neglect to doe ? For as the commission of an euill thing is sinne , so the omission of a good thing is an offence .

For great is the losse and dammage , when wee neither doe , nor thinke good things , but suffer our heart to wander & stagger abroad , through vaine and vnprofitable things .

Neuerthelesse , it is a very hard and difficult thing to bridle the heart , and keepe it from an vnlawfull cogitation . Also it is a thing ouer-hard , to execute earthly affaires without sinne . Wherefore no man can perfectly comprehend and discerne himselfe . But being busied & toyled with many thoughts , and cogitations , he remayneth in some measure vnknowne vnto himselfe , that hee knoweth not all those things which he tollerateth . Why man is at his death fearfull . Wherefore , his departure out of the world being instant , and pressing him , hee is terrified with a more exact feare : because , although he remembreth that hee hath not omitted those things which he knew , yet he dreadeth those things which he knoweth not .

Of the dignitie of the Soule . MOTIVE . III.

OH Soule , sealed with the Image of God , adorned with his similitude , Excellency of the Soule . betrothed to him by Faith , endowed with the Spirit , redeemed by bloud , associated with Angels , capable of Beatitude , heire of Goodnesse , partaker of Reason , what hast thou to doe with the flesh , of whom thou sufferest so many euils ?

Because of the flesh , the sinnes of another are imputed to thee , and thy vertues reputed as a stained and filthy clout , and thou thy selfe art brought to nothing , and reputed as nothing . The flesh is no other thing , with which thou hast so great societie , but a fome , become flesh , clothed with beautie , fraile , and euery moment decaying . But it shall be truely , it shall be a miserable and rotten carkasse , and meate for the wormes . For how much soeuer it be decked and adorned , it is alwayes flesh .

If thou doest consider , what issueth out by the mouth , nosthrils , and other passages of the body , thou shalt neuer see a more filthy dunghill . If thou wilt reckon vp all her miseries , thou shalt finde how shee is fraughted and laden with sinnes , prouoked with vices , itching with concupiscences , possessed with passions , polluted with illusions , alwayes prone vnto euill , and bending towards all kinde of vices , full of all confusion and ignominie . By the flesh , man is made like vnto vanitie , because from it he hath drawne the vice of lustfull concupiscence , by which hee is held captiue , and abased , that hee loueth vanitie , and worketh iniquitie .

Consider oh man , what thou art from the first beginning , The beginning of a proud man . and day of thy birth , vnto thy latter end , and day of thy death , and what thou shalt be after this life .

Truely , thou hast beene that which in time afore thou wert not , afterwards made of base matter , & wrapped in a homely cloth , thou wast nourished with vnclean bloud in thy mothers wombe , and a thin skin was thy best Garment , thou camest vnto vs , being so clothed and attyred , neither art thou mindfull of thy base , vile , and contemptible beginning : beauty , fauour of the people , youthfull heat and riches , haue stolne from thee the knowledge to know what man is . Mans vilenesse . For man is no other thing but corrupt seed , a vessell of vncleannesse , and meate for the Wormes . After hee is a man , hee becommeth a Worme , after the worme , commeth stinke and lothsomnesse : So euery man , is turned into no man . Wherefore is man proud , whose conception is sinne , whose birth is punishment , whose life is a turmoyling labour , and death an ineuitable necessity ? Why therefore art thou proud , oh man ? Consider what thou wert in thy Mothers wombe , Meanes to pull down pride , to humble vs . how afterwards thou wert exposed and obiected to the miseries of this life , and to sin : and after that to become a worm , a d wormes meat in the graue ? Why art thou proud , dust and ashes , whose conception is sinnefull , whose birth is misery , life a punishment , and death , anguish and calamity ? Wherefore doest thou feed , and pamper thy belly with delicate meate , and decke thy backe with sumptuous clothes , which within few dayes after , the wormes shall deuoure in the graue ? But thou dost not adorne thy soule with good workes , which is to bee presented vnto God , and his Angels in Heauen . Why doest thou basely esteeme thy Soule , and preferre the flesh before her ? That the Mistrisse should waite and play the Mayd , and the Mayde beare all the sway , like the Mistrisse , is a great abuse . The whole world verily cannot counteruaile the price and value of one soule . Therefore the price of the Soule is farre deerer , and is at an higher rate , which could not bee redeemed but with the bloud of CHRIST .

What wilt thou giue for exchange to redeeme thy soule , which doest giue her for nothing ? Did not the Sonne of GOD , The soule of man invaluable . when hee was in the bosome of his Father , descend from his royall Throne for her , that hee might deliuer her from the power of the Deuill ? The which when hee saw fettered with the ropes and chaynes of Sinnes , and forthwith to bee deliuered to the Deuils , that shee might bee damned to perpetuall death , hee wept ouer her , which knew not to weepe for her selfe . Neither did hee onely weepe , but suffered himselfe to bee slaine , that hee might redeeme her with the precious price of his bloud .

Behold oh mortall man , for whom such a Sacrifice is giuen . Acknowledge ( oh man ) how noble thy Soule is , and how grieuous her wounds were , for whom there was such necessitie , that the Lord Christ should be wounded . If her wounds had not beene to death , The haynousnesse of sinne . and to euerlasting death , the Son of God would neuer haue dyed to haue cured them .

Doe not therefore carelesly esteeme the passion of thy soule , to whom thou seest such great compassion to be yeelded , from such a great Maiesty . He powreth forth teares for thee , wash thou also euery night thy bedde with compunction of thy heart , and continuall streames of thy teares . Hee powred forth his bloud for thee , shed thou also thine , rather then for any worldly affliction to start from thy Christian profession .

Doe not regard what the flesh will , but what the spirit may : then shall the soule be glorious , when she shal returne to her God . Yet so , if she shall carry no sinne with her from the body , and shall wipe away all filthinesse . But if thou say , this is a hard saying , I cannot despise the World , and hate my flesh . Tell mee , where are the louers of the world , which were with vs a little while agoe ? Motions to despise the flesh . Nothing remaineth of them , but ashes & worms : marke diligently what they are , and what they haue beene .

They haue beene men , as thou art , they haue eat , drunke , laughed , and spent their dayes in prosperitie , and in a moment are gone downe all to the Graue , many to Hell . Heere their flesh is bequeathed to the wormes , and there their Soule to the fire : vntill they two being bound againe with an vnhappy coniunction , be ouerwhelmed in euerlasting flames , which were before companions together in vices . For one punishment doth entangle them in the end , whom before one loue had bound together in a wicked deed . What hath vaine-glory auailed them , their short ioy , worldly power and authoritie , the pleasure of the flesh , deceitfull riches , their great householde , and euill concupiscence ? Where is their laughter ? Where is their boasting ? Where is their pride and arrogancie ? Of such great mirth , what great mourning ? After so little pleasure , how grieuous miserie ? They are fallen from that exceeding reioycing , into great miserie , into great ruine and grieuous torments . Whatsoeuer is happened to them , A good catuion . may happen to thee , because thou art a man of the same earth , slime of the same slime .

Thou art from the earth , thou liuest of the earth , and thou shalt returne into the earth . When that last day shall come , which will come suddenly , peraduenture it shall be to day . The certaintie and vncertaintie of death . It is certaine that thou shalt die , but it is vncertaine when , or how , or where , because death doth alwayes attend and waite vpon thee euery where . Thou also , if thou wilt bee wise , Those which fulfill the lusts of the flesh , must bee punished with the flesh . shalt looke for death euery where . If thou wilt follow the flesh , thou shalt bee punished in the flesh : if thou art delighted with the flesh , thou shalt bee tormented in the flesh .

If thou shalt require fine and costly apparell , in stead of thy braue garments , the Wormes shall be spread vnder thee , and the Wormes shall be thy couering . For the Iustice of God can iudge and determine no other thing , but that which our works do deserue . For hee which loueth the world more then God , a place of pleasure , The marks of a wicked worldling . more then the House of Prayer ; gluttony more then abstinency ; letchery more then chastity ; followeth the Deuill , and shall goe with him to euerlasting punishment .

What mourning do you thinke there shall be then ? what lamentation , what sorrow and sadnesse , when the wicked shal be separated from the fellowship of the righteous , and from the sight of God , and shall be deliuered into the power of the Deuils , and shall goe with them into euerlasting fire , and shall be there with them alwayes without end , in perpetuall mourning and lamentation ? Because being banished farre from the blessed Countrey of Paradise , they shall be tormented in the place of neuer-ceasing torments , neuer to see the light any more , neuer to obtaine any releasement , or refreshing : but by thousands of thousands of yeeres to be tormented in Hell , neuer to be deliuered from thence : where the tormentors are neuer tyred nor wearied : neither hee which is tormented euer dyeth . For the fire there so consumeth , that it alwaies preserueth . The torments are so acted , that they are alwaies renewed . The quality of the paine shall be fitted to the quality of the offence . But euery one shall endure paine of torment , according to the quality of the fault and they that are guilty of the same sinne , shall be sorted and ioyned to their like , to be tormented . No other thing shall be heard there , but weeping and mourning , groaning and howling , lamentation , and gnashing of teeth . And nothing shall be seene there , but Wormes , and the terrible faces of the tormentors , and most hidious monsters of the Diuels . Cruell Wormes shall bite the innermost parts of the heart , heere shall be paine , there feares , sighing , astonishment , and horrible terrour . And they being miserable and wretched , shall burne in euerlasting fire for euer ; The condition of the damned after death of the body . and besides , they shall be tormented in the flesh by fire , in the spirit by the Worme of conscience , there shall be intollerable griefe , horrible feare , incomparable stinke , death both of soule and body , without hope of pardon or mercie . Neuerthelesse , they shall so dye , as they may alwayes liue , and shall so liue , as they may alwaies die . The difference of a repenting and an obstinate sinner . So the soule of a sinner is tormented in hell for his sinnes , or being conuerted from her sinnes , is placed in Paradise .

Now therefore let vs choose one of the two , either alwaies to be tormented with the wicked , or to liue in ioy with the righteous . For good and euill , life and death , are set before vs , that wee may put forth our hand to which wee will . If torments cannot terrifie vs , at least let rewards allure vs .

Of the reward of the heauenly Countrey , the which all Christians ought to endeauour to obtaine . MOTIVE . IIII.

IT is a reward to see God , to liue with God , to liue of God , to be with GOD , to be in God , which will be all things in all : To haue GOD , which is the chiefest good ; where the chiefest good is , there is the chiefest felicitie , chiefest pleasure , true libertie , perfect charitie , eternall securitie , and secure eternitie : there is true ioy , full knowledge , all beauty , and all beatitude . There is peace , pietie , goodnesse , light , vertue , honesty , ioyes , mirth , sweetnesse , euerlasting life , glory , praise , rest , loue , and sweet concord . The exceeding ioyes of the righteous . So the man shall be blessed with GOD , in whose conscience sinne hath not beene found .

Hee shall see God at his desire , he shall haue him at his pleasure , hee shall enioy him to his euerlasting delight .

He shall flourish in eternity , hee shall be glorious in truth , hee shall shine in glory , he shall reioyce in goodnesse , so hee shall haue eternity of continuance , so hee shall haue facilitie of knowledge and wisedome , and felicity of rest and quietnesse . For he shall be a Citizen of that Holy Citie , of which the Citizens are Angels , God the Father the Temple , his Sonne the glorie and brightnesse , the Holy Ghost the loue and charity .

Oh heauenly Citie , A description of the celestiall Citie . secure Mansion , fertile and ample Countrey , thou containest all which delighteth , the people liue without mourning , the Inhabitants are quiet and peaceable persons , hauing no want , or necessity : How glorious things are spoken of thee , oh Citie of God! So that the Habitation of all which reioyce , is in thee . All reioyce with mirth , and exceeding ioy : All are delighted and made ioyfull by God : whose lookes are beautifull , face faire and comely , speech sweet , and delectable : hee is delightfull to be seene , pleasant to be drunke , sweet to be enioyed : He pleaseth by himselfe alone , he both sufficeth of himselfe for desert , and also sufficeth of himselfe for reward : neither is any thing sought without him , because it is wholly found in him , whatsoeuer is desired .

I● God is all good . It is alwaies pleasing and delightfull to behold him , alwaies to be delighted in him , and alwaies to enioy him . In him the vnderstanding is clarified , and the affection is purified , to know and loue the truth . And this is the sole and whole good of man : namely , to know and loue his Creator . Therefore what madnesse of vices doth moue vs , to thirst after the bitter Wormewood of this World , to follow the shipwracke of this sliding life ? To suffer calamitie , to endure the Dominion of a wicked Tirannie : and not rather to flye and flocke together to the felicitie of the Saints , to the societie of the Angels , to the solemnitie of supernall and heauenly ioy , and to the pleasantnesse of a contemplatiue life , that wee may enter into the Dominions of the LORD , and see the superaboundant riches of his goodnesse .

There we shall be freed from toyling cares , and shall see how sweet the Lord is , and how great the multitude is of his exceeding sweetnesse . We shall see the beautie of his glorie , The happy estate of the iust in heauen . the brightnesse of his Saints , and honour of his Royall Maiestie . We shall know the power of the Father , the wisedome of the Sonne , the most liberall clemencie of the Holy Ghost : and so wee shall haue knowledge of the most high Trinitie .

Now we see bodies by the bodie , also we see the Images of bodies by the Spirit : but then wee shall see the Trinitie with the pure sight of the minde . Oh happie vision to see God in himselfe , to see him in vs , and to see vs in him . In which vision , with happy pleasure , and pleasant happinesse , wee shall haue all whatsoeuer wee shall desire , desiring nothing else besides , and wee shall loue whatsoeuer wee shall see : blessed with the loue , blessed with the sweetnesse of the loue , and pleasantnesse of the contemplation . This shall be the end of that contemplation , this shall be the summe of that felicity . Because the sincere Diuinitie shal be vnderstood to be in his purity , the incomprehensible Trinitie shall be comprehended in it .

The Mysteries of the Diuinitie shall be made manifest , God shall be seene , and shall be loued . Also this vision and delight filling and satisfying the whole heart of man , shall be the whole perfection , and summarie consumation of that blessednesse . All shall speake with one tongue and language : there shall be reioycing without wearisomnesse : one affection : Loue eternall . Truth shal appeare openly , charity shall fill them immeasurably , and there shall be a perfect and sound societie of body and soule . The Humanitie being glorified , shall glister like the Sun , the fellowship of the flesh and Spirit shall be quiet and peaceable , and there shall be one ioy of men and Angels , one feast , one speech and communication . Loue shall not languish , nor charity melt away , all good things being present . There shall be no affliction of delay , because the blessed presence of the Diuine Maiestie , shall be all things vnto all ; and there shall be a common omnipotencie of wisedome , peace , righteousnesse , and vnderstanding vnto all . There shall not be a diuersity of tongues in that eternall peace , but a peaceable and tuneable concord of manners and affections .

A description of perfect peace . In that flood and streame of felicity , aboundant saciety shall couet nor desire nothing else : there shall be great happinesse , for there shall be a heaped store of felicitie , glory euermore encreasing , and ioy superaboundant : but who shall be fit for these things ? Who is capable of heauenly happines . Verily , the true Penitent , the good Obedient , the louing Companion , and faithfull Seruant . For a true Penitent is alwaies in labour and griefe , hee is grieued with things that are past , he laboureth to preuent and auoyde euils to come . What true repentance is . For it is true repentance , without intermission of time , to be grieued for our sinnes and offences . And he repenteth truely , which doth so bewaile his trespasses committed , that hee doth not afterward commit things to be lamented : hee is a scoffer , and not a true Penitent , which doth that still , which hee may repent , and that may grieue him . If therefore thou wilt be a true Penitent , cease from sinne , and offend no more . Because that repentance is vaine , which afterward is stained with some ensuing trespasse . Euery good Obedient , A good Obedient . yeeldeth vp his consent and deniall , that he can say , My heart is readie , oh God , My heart is readie . Readie to doe whatsoeuer thou hast commaunded , readie to obey at thy becke . It is prepared to attend vpon thee , to minister to my Neighbours , to keepe and watch my selfe , and to rest and dwell in the contemplation of heauenly things .

A louing Companion , A louing Companion . is dutifull and beneficiall to all , burdensome to none . Hee is dutifull to all , because hee is deuout before God , kinde towards his Neighbour , sober towards the World , the Seruant of the Lord , the Companion of his Neighbour , the Lord of the World . Hee hath things that are aboue him , for his solace ; things that are equall to him , for his fellowship ; things that are beneath him , for his seruice : he is a burthen to none , but reduceth those things which are beneath , to the profit of the meane , and to the honour of the superiour , following superiour things , drawing the inferiour , possessed of the former , possessing the latter : he is a faithfull seruant , in the Meditation and contemplation of God , and in the care and custodie of himselfe . Therefore first vse all diligence , to keepe and watch thy selfe , afterward vnderstanding that thou canst not be able to keepe and preserue thee by thy owne industrie , humbly entreat for the ayde of the Diuine clemencie . Therefore that thou maiest behold the good , Wee must flye vnto GOD in the time of necessitie . well-pleasing and perfect will of thy Creator in thee , faithfully in thy prayers solicite him , that his royall Campe of Angels may pitch their Tents round about thee . Desire zealously the protection of Christ thy Redeemer .

Crie vnto him and say , Behold a poore sinner standeth at thy dore of mercie , open to him that knocketh , open thou oh sweet Sauiour , which hast said , Knocke and it shall be opened : that I may declare vnto thee all my miseries and necessities which I suffer . Powre out the secrets of thy heart before him , and craue pardon for thy transgressions , by a sorrowfull and true Confession . Let Iesus Christ keepe the dore of thy heart . For when Iesus Christ keepeth the dore of the heart , and is the Porter , so that all of the Houshold of the heart , enter in and come out by him , Thousands of Angels forth-with are present , reioycing at the gates of the outward senses : so that no Straunger dare breake into those terrible Armies , because of the reuerence and Maiestie of the Dore-keeper , and the Watch and Ward of the Angels .

How a man ought to examine himselfe . MOTIVE . V.

THou being a curious and strict examiner of thy integritie , examine thy life by a diligent and daily inquisition . Marke carefully how much thou doest profit and goe forward , or how much thou doest decay , and goe backwards : what thou art in manners , what thou art in affections ; how like thou art to God our Redeemer and Sauiour , or how vnlike ; how nigh , or how farre , not by distances of places , but by affections of manners .

Endeauour with all thy forces and all thy industrie to know thy selfe ; because thou art much better , and more laudable , if thou know thy selfe , then if thy owne selfe being neglected and not regarded , thou shouldest know the course of the Starres , the vertue of herbs , the complexions of men , the natures of beasts , and shouldst haue the science and knowledge of all celestial & terrestrial things . Therefore restore thy selfe to thy selfe , and if not alwaies or often , at least sometime . Rule thy affections , direct thy actions , and correct thy foote-steppes : let nothing remaine in thee , which is not rectified with necessarie Discipline : place all thy transgressions before thy eyes : place thy selfe before thy selfe , as it were before another , and so bewaile thy selfe . Lament thy iniquities and immeasurable sinnes , with which thou hast offended thy God , declare vnto him thy miseries , shew vnto him the malice of thy aduersaries . And when thou shalt humble thy selfe with teares before him , I pray thee that thou be mindfull of mee . How wee ought to be mindfull one of another in our prayers . For I , since the time I haue knowne thee in Christ , doe loue thee , and send vp mention of thee thither , where both an vnlawfull thought doth deserue punishment , and an honest thought is not vnrewarded . For when ( like a spirituall Priest ) I offer vp the calues of my lippes , and a sorrowfull heart , vpon the Altar of God , I doe remember thee .

Thou also shalt doe the like office for me , if thou wilt loue me , and make me partaker of thy prayers : I desire and couet to be present there with thee by remembrance , when thou powrest forth deuout Prayers before God for thy selfe , thy familiar acquaintance , Parents , and Friends .

Neither meruaile , The iust are all the Image of God . if I haue said , I desire to be present , if thou loue mee ; and therefore doest loue me , because I am the Image of God , I am as present to thee , as thou art to thy selfe , for whatsoeuer thou art , I am the same substantiall .

For euery reasonable soule is the Image of God : wherefore he which seeketh the Image of God in himselfe , doth as well seeke his Neighbour as himselfe . And hee which shall light vpon it , and finde the same Image by seeking , knoweth the same in euery man . For the sight of the soule is the vnderstanding , therefore if thou seest thy selfe , thou seest mee , because I am no other thing then thou art . And if thou louest the most righteous and great GOD , thou louest me , being the Image of God : The loue toward God , appeareth in the loue of our brethren . And also I , if I loue God , doe loue thee . And so while wee seeke one thing , and bend and encline to one thing , we are alwayes present together , but in GOD , in whom we loue one another .

That a man ought to be diligent and deuout in singing of Psalmes , and in performing other Diuine exercises in the Church , or else-where . MOTIVE . VI.

WHen thou shalt enter into the Church to pray , or to sing , leaue the tumultuous , and disquietfull motions of thy wauering cogitations without dores , Cares of externall things stop the passage of our prayers , that they cannot ascend into Heauen . and vtterly forget the care of externall things , that thou maiest be at leasure to God alone . For it cannot be , that hee can talke with God at any time , which holding his peace , doeth also prattle to the whole World . Be therefore earnest and deuout towards him , which is earnest and intentiue towards thee , heare him speaking to thee , that hee may heare thee speaking to him . And this shall be effected , if thou shalt bee present at the performing of Diuine praises , and holy exercises , with due reuerence , and diligent carefulnes , and attend to the diuine Scripture . I do not say that I can doe these things , but that I would , and it repenteth mee , that I haue not done them , & it doth not grieue me to doe them . But thou , to whom greater grace is granted , by vowes and deuout prayers , turne the kind eares of the Lord to thee , with thy teares and sighes , and entreate him gently , for thy grieuous transgressions , and with spirituall songs , laud , and glorifie him in his workes .

For the heauenly Citizens are delighted in nothing so much as to behold it , nothing can be performed more pleasant & delightfull to the King of Kings , as hee doth testifie : The Sacrifice of praise shall honour me .

A Consort of heauenly Musick . Oh how happy shouldest thou be , if thou mightest once behold with spirituall eyes , how the Princes goe before , ioyned to the Singers , in the middest of the Damosels , playing on the Timbrels . Thou shouldest see without doubt , with what care , with what dancing and reioycing , they are present among the Singers : with what care and dancing they are present to them which are silent , to them which meditate ; They are present with them which are silent , they rule ouer them which prouide and gouerne all things in order . Angels reioyce for the saluation of men . For the supernall powers doe loue their fellow-Citizens , and they all doe seriously reioyce together for them , which receiue the inheritance of saluation : they comfort , furnish , defend , and prouide for all . For they desire our comming , because they expect the ruines of their Citie shall be thereby repaired . They diligently enquire , and willingly heare good things of the good ; they run carefully too & fro , in the midst of vs , betweene God and vs , carrying our sighes and groanes to him most faithfully , bringing backe againe to vs , his grace and fauour most deuoutly . They will not disdain to be our companions , which are made our seruants , wee make them to triumph with ioy , when we are conuerted to repentance .

Therefore let vs make hast to fulfill their ioy by vs . Woe vnto thee , whosoeuer thou art , which doest desire to goe againe to thy vomit , and to returne to the mire ? Doest thou thinke thou shalt haue them pacified and pleased at the day of iudgement , whom thou wilt depriue of so great , and so long hoped for ioy ? They exceedingly reioyced , when we came to the profession of true Religion , euen as for them whom they did see called backe from the very gate of Hell .

What will it be then , when they shall see vs returne from the gate of Paradise , and that they should goe backwards againe , which had one foote in heauen ? For although we haue our bodies here beneath , yet wee may lift vp our hearts aboue . Therefore let vs runne , not with the steppes of the body , but with the affections , but with the desires , but with sighs of the soule , because not onely the Angels , but also the Creator of the Angels doth waite for vs . GOD the Father doth waite for vs , as children and heires , that he may put vs in possession of all his good .

The Sonne of God doth waite for vs as Brethren , and co-heires with him , that hee may offer vs to GOD the Father , the fruit of his Natiuitie , and price of his blood . The holy Ghost doth wait for vs , for hee is loue and benignity : Gods election irreuocable . in which we are predestinated from Eternitie , and there is no doubt , but hee will haue his predestination to be accomplished . Therefore because all the heauenly Court doth expect , and desire vs , let vs desire it with as great desire as we can .

For he shal come to it with confusion and blushing , whosoeuer doth not vehemently desire to see it . But whosoeuer is conuersant in the same , by continuall prayer and daily meditation , hee doth both depart from hence without griefe , and is also receiued into it with great ioy . Therefore , wheresoeuer thou shalt be , pray within thy selfe . If thou shalt be farre from the place of prayer , thou thy selfe art a place . If thou shalt be in thy bed , or in some other place , pray thou : and where the Temple of prayer is , thou must pray often , and the body being bowed downe , the minde is to bee lifted vp to GOD . What gesture is to be vsed of him which prayeth . For as there is no moment , in which man doth not vse , or enioy the goodnesse and mercie of GOD : So there ought to bee no moment , in which hee should not haue him present in memory . Obiection of a faithlesse petitioner . But you will say , I pray daily , and see no fruit of my prayer : but as I come to it , so I returne from it : no body doth answere mee , no body speaketh , none giueth any thing at all , but I seeme to haue laboured in vaine . So speaketh mans foolishnesse , nor marking what the Truth afterward promiseth : saying , Verely I say vnto you , that whatsoeuer yee aske praying , beleeue that you shall receiue it , and it shall be performed to you . Doe not therefore make slight account of thy prayer , because he to whom thou prayest , doth not make slight account of it , but before it passeth out of thy mouth , God giueth that he knoweth to be best for vs . he willeth that it should be written downe in his Booke . And we must vndoubtedly hope for one thing of two , that eyther he will giue vs that which we aske , or that which he knoweth to be more profitable for vs . Thinke therefore the best , whatsoeuer thou canst , of God , and the worst of thy selfe that thou maist ; thou oughtest to beleeue of him more copiously and amply then thou canst thinke . Make account that thou hast lost all that time in which thou dost not thinke of God . For all other things are none of our owne , but the time onely is our owne . Therefore finde leisure to serue GOD , and wheresoeuer thou shalt be , there be thou safe without danger . Doe not wholy deliuer vp thy selfe to worldly affayres , but vse the world as if thou vsedst it not . In what place or state soeuer thou dost consist , cast thy thoughts vpon God , and ponder something belonging to thy Saluation , in thy minde . We must relie onely vpon God . Therefore with all facilitie , gathering thy minde together , dwell freely with thy selfe , and walke in the latitude and bredth of thy heart , there prepare , and make ready a large supping parlor for CHRIST : for the minde of a wise man is alwaies with God . We ought to haue him alwayes before our eyes , by whom wee are , liue and vnderstand . For we haue him our Creator , that we should be , wee also ought to haue him our Teacher , that we should be wise , and the giuer of inward sweetnesse , that wee may be blessed , and in this wee know his Image in vs , that is , the Image of the most high Trinitie . For as he is , he is both wise and also good ; so also we , according to our small measure , both are , and know that wee are , and both loue to be , and to know the same . Therefore vse thy selfe as the Temple of GOD , because of that which is in thee like to God . For it is the greatest Honour which can be performed to GOD to worship and to imitate him . Thou doest imitate him , if thou art godly , for a godly minde is a holy Temple to God , and the hart of a godly man , the best Altar . Thou doest worship him , if thou art merciful , He worshippeth God truly , that doth the deeds of charitie . as he is merciful vnto all . For it is an acceptable sacrifice to God , to doe good to all in regard of God . Doe all things as the childe of God , that thou maist be worthy of him , who hath vouchsafed to call thee childe . But in all things which thou dost , God is present euery where . know that God is present . Beware therefore , that neither thy eyes , nor thy thoughts , be fixed on that which breedeth a sinfull delight : neither say nor doe that which is vnlawfull , although it like thee , neither offend God by any deed , or gesture , which being present euery where , beholdeth whatsoeuer thou doest any where . Thou hadst need to watch and looke to thy selfe narrowly , because thou doest all things before the eyes of a Iudge , which seeth all things cleerely . Neuerthelesse , thou needest not to stand in dread of him , but art secure with him , if thou prepare thy selfe to be such a one , as he may vouchsafe in fauour to be present with thee ; but if hee be absent by grace , yet is he present with thee by reuengement . God correcteth them whom he loueth . But woe be to thee , if it be so with thee : yea , rather woe be vnto thee , if he be not so with thee . For God is angry with him whom he scourgeth , not when he sinneth , for he condemneth him in time to come , perpetually , whom hee doth not amend by scourging when he liueth wickedly .

A Consideration of Death . MOTIVE . VII .

IT is certaine that Death threatneth thee euery where , the Deuill lieth in waite , that hee may snatch away thy soule when it departeth out of thy body , but feare thou not , for GOD which dwelleth in thee ( if hee yet dwell in thee ) will deliuer thee from death , God forsaketh none but such as willingly forsake him first . and from the Deuill . For hee is a faithfull friend , neither doth hee forsake them which trust in him , vnlesse he be first forsaken of them . But hee is forsaken when the heart , through wicked , vile , and vnprofitable cogitations , roaueth hither and thither with a wandering vnderstanding .

Therefore thou must with all carefulnesse and vigilancy watch and keepe it , that God may rest and remaine in it . For in euery Creature , which is busied and toiled in the vanities of the world vnder the Sunne , Nothing in the world more noble then the heart of man . nothing is more excellent then mans heart , nothing more Noble , nothing is found more like vnto God , wherefore hee requireth no other thing of thee , but thy heart . How to purifie the heart . Therefore cleanse the same by pure and sincere confession vnto God , and continuall Prayer , that thou maist see God with a pure and cleane heart , by a continuall looking vpon God .

In euery place be thou subiect and intentiue to him , and frame thy manners , that he may be pleased in thee . Loue all men inwardly , and shew thy selfe louing to all , that thou mayst be a peace-maker , and the childe of God . So thou shalt be a good childe , like vnto thy heauenly Father , also holy , humble , and righteous . And when thou shalt be such a one , be mindfull of mee , to commend mee to GOD in thy prayers . Woe bee to mee which say those things , and doe them not , Good words must be seconded with good deeds . and if I doe them sometime , I continue not long in them , I haue those things in my memory , and doe not obserue them in my life ; I haue them in my words , and not in my conditions ; I ruminate and ponder the Law in my heart and my mouth all the day , and doe things contrarie to the law ; I read of Religion in it , and I loue Reading more then prayer .

Notwithstanding , the holy Scripture doth teach me no other thing , but to loue Religion , to preserue Vnitie , and to haue Charitie . Some body waiteth and attendeth for mee , desirous to speak to mee concerning his want and necessitie , but I take some idle booke or other , Immoderate reading must not let the practise of Charitie , nor the exercise of Meditation . which this man or that man commends vnto me , I read in it , and by immoderate reading , I loose the practise of the fruits of Charitie , the affections of piety , the lamentation of compunction , and heartie sorrow , the profit of the holy Sacraments , and contemplation of heauenly things . Neuerthelesse , nothing is found more sweet in this life , nothing is receiued more delicious , nothing doth so separate the vnderstanding from the loue of the world , nothing doth so fortifie the minde against temptations , The profitable fruits of deuout meditation . nothing doth so stirre vp man , and further him to euery good worke and labour , as the Grace and benefit of diuine meditation , and heauenly contemplation .

In what manner a man ought to pray deuoutly . MOTIVE . VIII .

HAue mercy vpon mee , oh God , because I offend there most where I ought to amend my sinnes . For while I pray often , in the place of prayer , I doe not marke what I say , I pray truly with the mouth , but my minde wandering abroad , I am depriued of the fruit of prayer . With my body I am within , but with my heart I am without .

And therefore I loose that I say . For it profiteth little to sing , or pray with the voyce onely , without the deuotion of the hart . Therefore it is great foolishnesse , yea , rather great madnesse , when wee doe presume to speake with the Lord of Maiestie in prayer , It is presumption to pray without hearty and true deuotion . and being without vnderstanding , doe turne our minde from him , and turne our heart , I know not to what fooleries and toyes . It is also great madnesse , and grieuously to be punished , when most vile and base dust , doth disdaine to heare the Creatour of the whole world speaking to it .

But it is an vnspeakeable grace of the Diuine goodnesse , which doth daily behold vs vnhappy wretches , turning away our eares , hardning our hearts , and neuerthelesse cryeth out to vs , saying : Returne yee Transgressors with your heart , attend and see , because I am God .

God speaketh to me in a Psalme , neither yet when I say a Psalme , doe I consider whose Psalme it is . Wherefore I doe great iniurie to God , when I pray to him to heare my prayer , which I doe not heare my selfe , who doe vtter the same .

I intreat him that he attend to mee , The prayer of the wicked is turned into abhomination . but I neither attend to my selfe , nor to him , but that which is farre worse , by thinking filthy and vnprofitable things within my heart , I bring an horrible stinke before his sight .

Of the instabilitie and wandering of the heart . MOTIVE . IX .

The heart of man is tossed to and fro in the stream of euill cogitations . NOthing is more vnconstant , instable , and fugitiue in mee , then my heart , the which so often as it leaueth me , floweth and fleeteth away by euill cogitations , so often it offendeth God . My heart , great heart , wandering , vnstable while it is led by his owne will , cannot remaine constant in it selfe , but being more moueable then any moueable thing , is distracted and drawne through infinite things , and runneth vp & downe , hither and thither , through innumerable matters .

And while it seeketh rest and content by diuers things , it cannot finde the same : but continueth in the labour and turmoyle of miserie , voyd of rest and contentment . and seeketh here and there , where it may rest , and findeth nothing which may suffice it , vntill it doth returne to him backe againe , who gaue it .

It is ledde from cogitation to cogitation , and it is altered and changed , by diuers imployments and affections , that at least it may be filled with varietie and change of those things , with whose qualitie it cannot any way possibly be satisfied .

So the heart is troubled with it's owne illusions and fantasies ; The heart reuolting from God , can finde no rest , vntill it returne to God . All that we haue is Gods owne , yet hee saith , giue mee thy heart . the Diuine grace being remoued and substracted . And when it is returned to it selfe , and discusseth and examineth that which it thought , it findeth nothing , because it was not a worke , but an vnsauoury and vnseasonable thought , which compoundeth and frameth many things of little or nothing at all .

And lastly , imagination deceiueth it , which the illusion of the Deuill formeth and shapeth . God commaundeth me that I giue him my heart , and because I am not obedient and subiect to God , commanding , I am rebellious , and contrary to my selfe . Whereby I cannot be brought in subiection to my selfe , vntill I shall be subiect to him , and serue my selfe with an euill will , which would not serue him with a good will . Therefore my heart plotteth , endeauoureth , and goeth about more things in one moment , then all men are able to performe in a yeere ; I am not vnited with God , and therefore I am diuided in my selfe . I cannot be truly vnited with him , but by loue : neither be subiect to him , but by humility : neither can I be truly humble , but by truth .

It is expedient therefore that I examine my selfe in Truth , and know how vile , how fraile , how vnconstant and slipperie I am . Afterwards , when I shal know all my wants and miseries , it is needfull that I cleaue vnto him , by whom I am , and without whom I am nothing , and can doe nothing : and because I haue departed from the Lord by sinning , I cannot returne vnto him but by true confession . Therefore I must now confesse in truth and sinceritie , because I haue neuer confessed my sinnes , in that measure and manner , in which I haue sinned , neither haue I remembred all ; eyther because of the antiquitie or multitude of them . But if I haue confessed them , I haue not sincerely confessed them , but haue flattered the flesh in my confession , and haue dealt falsely in casting vp the sum of my great and grieuous transgressions . And it is a cursed dissimulation , to make but a slight and counterfeit confession of our rebellions towards GOD , and of our injurious and vncharitable actions towards men , and onely to pare the outside of sinne away , and as it were , to wash our hands with a little water , & not to pluck vp sinne by the rootes , that it may neuer afterwards grow vp in our hearts .

Our Confession must bee true and sincere . For confession is not profitable , but in the Truth and puritie of the heart , that there may be three which may beare vs witnesse in Heauen : The Father , and the Sonne , and the holy Ghost . And as men haue beene beholders of our manifolde transgressions , so let vs make them witnesses of our humble repentance , and hartie contrition . And although we must , and ought to acknowledge GOD alone to bee All-sufficient to graunt vs free pardon and absolution , yet wee should not refuse to shew forth manifest testimonies to men , of our true and sincere Humiliation . To which , the Apostle Saint Iames , doth counsell and perswade vs , saying : Confesse your sinnes one to another .

For it is very conuenient , that wee , which haue beene stubborne and rebellious by sinning against GOD , should be humble also towards men , whom we haue offended , eyther by the euill example of our wicked life , or else by our wrongfull dealing and false deeds .

For it is most healthfull to the soule , that a man repent in heart , and acknowledge his fault with his mouth , so that God , which is present in Mercy and Grace , may pricke his heart by compunction and bitter repentance , and afterward may bee also present and ready to giue him full pardon of his sinnes . But if a sinner doe truely repent , and yet by some accidentall necessitie bee preuented that he cannot make any acknowledgement to such men as he hath offended , we must confidently beleeue that whatsoeuer is defectiue in him concerning such acknowledgement , is fulfilled by Christ , who hath made a full satisfaction . For GOD accepteth that as done , which a man hath beene willing , although not able to performe .

That Sinne is not to be excused . MOTIVE . X.

IN the account of my sinnes , where I should haue amended , I haue augmented my sinnes , and added sinnes to sinnes . When I haue beene accused of them , I haue eyther by some meanes excused them , An vnrelenting sinner will either cunningly excuse or flatly deny his sinne . or wholy denied them , or that which is worst , I haue maintained and defended them , and haue answered impatiently , when indeed there is no sinne with which I am not , or may not be polluted . It is iust therefore , all occasion being remooued , that I promise amendment , howsoeuer , or of whatsoeuer I am accused , to the end that I may be deliuered from sinne committed or to be committed .

What a great euill it is , not to correct or reprehend others . MOTIVE . XI .

I Greatly dreading the multitude of my owne iniquities , haue beene afrayd to reprehend the transgressions of others , By silence we make our selues guiltie of other mens sinnes , when wee ought to admonish or correct them . and therfore haue beene the Author of death , because I haue not expelled the poyson , which I might haue purged by crying out vnto them .

I haue stormed against others , and haue beene incensed with furie , when they haue reprehended me for my vices , and I haue hated them whom I ought to haue loued : I desired that those things might not be , which did hurt or displease me .

Neuerthelesse , I did know that in their owne Nature they were good , and made of a good Maker ; and therefore they did hurt mee , because I was euill , and did vse them euilly . For nothing is contrary or hurtfull to my selfe , Good things are made euill by abuse . but I my selfe . For that is with mee and in mee , whatsoeuer is able to hurt mee , and I my selfe am a burthen to my selfe .

I wished also that God might not know my sinnes , or that hee would not , or could not punish them , and so I would haue God to be foolish , vniust , and impotent . Which if hee were , hee were not a God . There is no Pride aboue my Pride , therefore the words of my transgressions are farre from my saluation : Pride and God cannot dwell together . For Pride is suspected and hatefull to GOD , neither can it be , that it may returne into fauour with him . They lodge in diuers Innes , neither doe they dwell together in one and the same minde , which might not dwell together in HEAVEN . Shee was borne in Heauen ; but being as it were vnmindefull , by what way shee fell from thence , shee hath not beene able to returne thither afterward .

When as the Ayre hath beene at sometime troubled with Raine , or else with too much colde or heat , I murmured wickedly against God . For all things which we receiued for the vse of life , wee reuert , or rather peruert , to the vse of wickednesse . Wherefore it is iust , that wee which haue sinned in all things , be smitten and wounded in all things . Oftentime in singing diuine Psalmes , God more respecteth a true mourning heart , then a sweet melodious voyce . I was more delighted with the tune of my voyce , then in the compunction of my heart . But God , to whom nothing is hidden , which is wickedly committed , doeth not so much require the sweetnesse of the voyce , as the purity of the heart . For while the Singer doth tickle & delight the people with melodious voyces , he mooueth God to wrath , with his euill conditions .

I haue oftentimes extorted of my Gouernours and Rulers license to speake , or to doe something by ouermu h importunitie , or by crafty subtilty , not considering miserable wretch , that hee couseneth and deceiueth himselfe which laboureth priuily , or secretly that the Magistrate or Minister may enioyne him that which may best sort and most please his corrupt desire . I haue often coueted and desired a Needle or a Knife , or some base thing , and I haue not beene touched with any sense of sorrow for my couetous desire , because I did not esteeme it a sinne , by reason of the basenesse of the matter . Concupiscence is not to be iudged by the estimation of the thing , but by the corruption of the desire . But there is no great difference , what substance so euer be desired , base or precious , if the affection be equally corrupted . For the Knife is not in fault , but the couetous desire of the Knife is to be condemned . Neither is Gold in fault , but the greedie desire of Gold is vitious and sinfull .

In my labour , I haue not laboured so much as I should , or so much as I could .

In silence also I haue beene idle , which is a most great sinne . For in silence no man ought to be so idle , that in the same leasure he thinketh not on the profit of his Neighbour : nor so busied , that he require not the Meditation , and contemplation of God . For hee doth not profit himselfe much , which doeth not profit another when he may .

I haue boasted my selfe of my Vices , thinking that to be a signe of Vertue , which was a criminall Trespasse . Of Vertues also I haue made Vices . For Iustice , while it exceedeth due mediocritie and measure , ingendreth the Vice of all bad and hatefull cruelty : and too much pittie , bringeth forth the dissolution and ouerthrow of discipline , and necessarie correction , so oftentimes that is vice which is supposed to be vertue . Vices are taken , ( or rather mistaken ) for vertues . So carelesse remisnesse , is supposed to be gentle mildnesse , and the vice of sloathfulnesse doth imitate the vertue of quietnesse . I fained my selfe to be that which I was not , or that I would not do that which I would , said one thing with my mouth , and willed another thing in my heart , and so vnder the skin of a Sheepe , I shrowded the conscience , indeede of a subtill Foxe . * * Notes of a deceitfull Conscience . For indeede a luke-warme conuersation , and a more naturall and corrupt cogitation , ioyned with a fained confession , a short compunction , obedience without deuotion , prayer without earnest intention , reading without edifying , speech without carefull circumspection , are properties of a Fox-like and crafty conscience . Oh how hard are these things to mee which I speake , because I smite & wound my selfe by speaking them : notwithstanding , because I doe not denie my selfe to be a sinner , but doe acknowledge my sinne , peraduenture the acknowledgement of my faults , shall be the obtaining of my pardon with GOD , a mercifull and pittifull Iudge . The confession of sinnes is a ready way to obtaine remission . Therefore I will declare my miserie , if peraduenture his kindnesse and pittie may moue him , I will confesse my sin , because the acknowledgement of sinne is the beginning of saluation . I carrie my selfe kindely towards men , I exceede not in my garments , I am carefull to obserue Ecclesiasticall Orders , to pray and sing at houres appointed , but my heart is farre from my God . I looking vpon the outward part , think all things are safe and well to me , not feeling the inward Worme which gnaweth the inward bowels . As it is recorded in the seauenth Chapter of Oseas , Strangers haue eaten vp my strength , and I knew it not .

And therefore , wholly occupied and imployed about those things which are without , and altogether ignorant of the things within me , I am powred out like water , and brought to nothing , forgetting things past , neglecting things present , not fore-seeing things to come : I am vnthankfull for benefits receiued , prone to euill , and slow to good .

How euery man ought to consider himselfe . MOTIVE . XII .

IF I doe not looke vpon my selfe , I know not my selfe , but if I looke vpon my selfe , I cannot tolerate or endure my selfe : because I finde such great things in my selfe , which are worthy of reprehension and confusion : and by so much the more narrowly and more often I examine my selfe , by so much the more are the abhominations I finde in the secret corners of my heart . For from the very first moment I began to sin , I could not let one day passe without sinne .

Neither as yet doe I cease to sinne , but from day to day , I adde sinnes to sinnes , and I haue them before mine eyes . When we sin without sense of sinne , our soule is sicke , euen vnto death . I behold them , yet I doe not groane nor sigh for them . I see things to be blushed at , neither doe I blush : I looke vpon things to be grieued at , neither am I grieued : which thing is a signe of death , and a token of damnation . For a member , which feeleth not the paine , is mortified and dead : and a disease insensible , is alwayes incurable . I am vnconstant , and dissolute , neither doe I reforme my selfe , but I returne daily to the sinnes I haue confessed : neither doe I take heed of the Ditch , into which I wretched creature haue fallen , or into which I haue made or seene another fall into . And when I should haue wept and prayed for the euils I committed , and for the good thinges I neglected ( oh griefe ) it turned to mee into the contrary : For I was luke-warme , and I was quite cold from the feruent heat of prayer , and now haue remained colde without sense ; and therefore I cannot bewaile my selfe , because the grace of teares is departed from me .

Of the presence of the Conscience euery where . MOTIVE . XIII .

I Cannot conceale my sinnes , because wheresoeuer I go my conscience is with me , carrying with it whatsoeuer I haue layd vp in it , either euill or good . It keepeth the pledge which it hath receiued from me , being aliue , it will restore the same to me being dead . If I doe euilly , it is present : If I seeme to doe well , and therefore am lifted vp , it is present . Is present to me being aliue , it followeth mee being dead : there is inseparable confusion to mee euery-where , according to the quality of the pledge it hath receiued . So , so , in my owne house , A sinner hath his accusers within himselfe . and from my owne family , I haue mine Accusors , Witnesses , Iudge , and Tormentors .

My Conscience doth accuse me , my Memory is the witnesse against mee : Reason , the Iudge : my Will , the Prison : Feare , the Executioner : and my delight the Torment .

For how many wicked delights there haue beene to procure my carnall pleasure , so many Torments there shall bee in my grieuous punishment : for we are thereby punished , from whence we delighted .

Of the three Enemies of Man . MOTIVE . XIIII .

HElpe me oh my God , because mine enemies haue besieged and compassed my soule round about namely the Body , the World , and the Diuell . The flesh , the first enemie of man . I cannot flie from the body , nor driue it away from me . I must needes carrie it about mee , because it is fast tyed and bound vnto me , I may not destroy it , I am compelled to nourish and sustaine it . And when I make it fat , I nourish mine aduersarie , against my selfe . For if I shall pamper my selfe , and that I shall be lustie and strong , the health and strength of it doth trouble and molest mee . The world the second enemie of man . Likewise the world doth hemme mee in , and besiege me on euery side , and by fiue gates ( to wit ) by the fiue senses of the body ; namely , the sight , hearing , tasting , smelling , and touching , doth wound me with his arrowes , and Death entreth by my windowes into my soule .

Mine eye looketh backe , and turneth away my Vnderstanding . Mine eare heareth , and turneth aside the intention of my heart . Smelling hindereth my deuout cogitation . My mouth speaketh , and deceiueth . By touching , the burning of Lust is stirred vp , by any small occasion , and vnlesse it be quenched , it suddainely possesseth , burneth , and inflameth the whole body .

First , it tickleth the flesh a little with thought , afterward it defileth the minde with filthy delight , and at last it subiugateth and captiueth the minde by consent vnto wickednesse .

Further , the Diuell whom I cannot see , The Diuell , the third enemie of man . and therefore can the lesse be warie of him , hee hath bent his Bowe , and made readie his Arrowes in it , that he may suddainely wound me : Hee hath declared that hee would hide his Snares , and hath said , The Diuel vseth gold and siluer for alluring baits , to procure the soules bane . Who shall see them ? Hee hath laid a snare in gold and siluer , and in all things which wee abuse , with them wee are euilly delighted , and are ensnared . Hee hath not onely layde a Snare , but also Birdlime .

The loue of possessions is Birdlime , the affection of kindred , The Diuels Bird lime . the desire of Honour , and the pleasure of the flesh , by which the soule is glewed and entangled , that it cannot 〈◊〉 ●hrough the streetes of heauenly Syon , with the wings of Contemplation . The Arrowes of 〈◊〉 Diuell . The Arrowes and Shafts of the Diuell are , Anger , Enuie , Concupiscence , and other vices : with which the soule is wounded . And who is he which is able to quench his fierie Darts ? Oh lamentable griefe ! a faithfull soule is often wounded with these Darts , and ouercome with these temptations . Alas for me , because I see warres prepared for mee on euery side , Darts flie about euery where , on euery side assailements , on euery side dangers , wheresoeuer I shall turne my selfe there is no safety , no security : I feare both those things which delight mee , and also those things which make me sad , and molest me . I feare all things : Hunger and refection , sleepe and watching , labour and resting doe fight against mee . Ieasting is no lesse suspected of me then anger : for I after giuen offence vnto many by ieasting : Neither doe I lesse feare prosperitie then aduersity : For prosperous things , with their sweetnes , make me carelesse , and deceiue me : but aduerse and contrary things , because they haue some bitternesse , as bitter Potions , doe make mee suspitious and fearefull . I feare the euill more which I doe priuily , then that which I doe openly . For the Temptor commeth boldly to the euill , which no man seeth , which no man comprehendeth , and where no man is feared which should finde fault with it , and so iniquitie is more easily committed .

Truly , there is Warre on both sides , danger on both sides , to be feared on both sides . And euen as they which remaine in the Land of their enemies , must looke on this side , and that side , and must turne their head about at euerie noise : So the flesh suggesteth pleasant things to me , the world vaine things , the Diuell bitter things , because so often as a carnall cogitation doth importunately moue & assaile my minde , concerning meate and drinke , sleepe , and other like things , belonging to the care and prouision of the flesh , the flesh speaketh to me . When a vaine thought is busied in my heart concerning worldly Ambition , bragging and boasting , it proceedeth from the world : But when I am prouoked to anger and wrath , and to bitternesse of minde , it is a diuellish suggestion , the which I must resist no otherwise , then the Diuell himselfe , neither must I any otherwise take heede and beware of it , then of damnation it selfe . It is the office of Diuels to bring in false suggestions : it is our duite not to consent to them ; For so often as we resist them , so often we ouercome the Diuell , wee glad the Angels , we honour God . For he doth exhort and encourage vs that wee may fight : hee helpeth vs , that wee may ouercome : hee beholdeth vs fighting : he succoureth vs fainting : hee crowneth vs conquering .

From whence the flesh of Man proceedeth , and what it bringeth forth . MOTIVE . XV.

MY flesh proceedeth from the clay , and therefore I haue voluptuous thoughts from it , vaine and curious cogitations from the world , Three cruell enemies of man . euill & malitious suggestions from the Diuell . These three enemies doe assaile & persecute me , somtime openly , somtime secretly , but alwaies malitiously : For the Diuell trusteth most in the helpe of the flesh , because a domesticall enemie doth most hurt , and procureth greatest harme . For she hath entered a league with him for my ruine , ouerthrow , and destruction : to wit , being borne of sinne , and nourished in sinne , corrupted with vices from the very beginning : Flesh is corrupted , be birth , nurture , and custome . but made a great deale more vitious by euill custome . From hence it proceedeth , that she coueteth and lusteth so eagerly against the spirit , that she continually murmureth , and cannot abide good discipline and wholsome correction , because she suggesteth vnlawfull things , will neither obey reason , nor is brideled with any feare . That wretched Serpent approacheth to her , hee aydeth her , hee vseth her being the olde and deadly enemie of mankinde : who hath no other desire , no other businesse , no other exercise , but to destroy our selues . The continuall practise of the Diuell . This is hee which imagineth mischiefe continually , speaketh subtilly , suggesteth artificially , deceiueth craftily . Hee inspireth wicked and vnlawfull motions , raiseth warres , nourisheth hatred , stirreth vp gluttonie , incenseth lust , pricketh forward the vnbrideled desires of the flesh , and prepareth baites and occasion of sinne , and also assaulteth without ceasing , the hearts of men with a thousand slights , to hurt and destroy them . From hence it falleth out , that he beateth vs with our owne staffe , bindeth our hands with our owne girdle , and cutteth our throat with our owne knife , so that the flesh which is giuen to vs for a helpe , becommeth to vs ruine and hurt , and is as a blocke in our way , to make vs to stumble . It is a grieuous combat , and a great danger to fight against such a domesticall enemie , especially , seeing wee are strangers , and hee a Citizen ; hee inhabiteth his owne Country , we are banished men and strangers . It is also great perill and danger to endure so often , yea rather such continuall conflicts of his diuellish policie , whom , as well subtill nature , as long exercise of his inueterate malice , hath made so politicke and crafty .

Of the short life of man . MOTIVE . XVI .

THe day of man is as it were a shadow , or rather a shadow vpon earth , it hath no continuance : and then it is properly nothing , and more vaine then any thing , when it seemeth to stand surest , and to rest vpon a sound foundation .

Therfore why doth a couetous man hoord vp treasure here vpon earth so greedily , The folly of rich men . when both hee himselfe must passe away so suddenly , & also the treasure which he hath stored vp so carefully ? And in truth ( oh foolish man ) what fruit canst thou expect in the world , whose sweetest fruit is vtter ruine ; whose end is death and wofull destruction ? Would to GOD thou wert wise , could vnderstand and carefully prouide in thy short life , against the day of thy certaine and vncertaine death . A notable description of the olde man , or sinne . I know one who many yeeres hath liued familiarly with thee , hath sat downe at thy Table , hath receiued meat from thine owne hand , hath slept in thy bosome , and when he would , hath had priuate conference with thee .

He by hereditary law is but thy seruant . But because from his tender yeeres , thou hast pampered him delicately , brought him vp very wantonly , and hast spared the rod foolishly , hee is now become stubborne and rebellious against thee .

Hee hath lifted vp his heele aboue thy head , hee hath brought thee into slauish bondage , and doth cruelly tyrannize ouer thee . But peraduenture thou wilt say ; Who is hee ? It is thy olde man , which treadeth and trampleth thy Spirit vnder feete , who disdaineth , contemneth , and reputeth lesse then nothing that blessed Land , which is solely and wholy to be desired , because nothing can giue a sweet taste , or procure a pleasing rellish to his corrupted humour , but onely such things as may please the wanton flesh , and her vntemperate desires . This man is blinde and deafe from his Natiuitie , dumbe , ancient with dayes many and euill , rebellious against vertue , opposite to verity , an Enemie of the Crosse of Christ . Hee scorneth , derideth , and flowteth the innocent , and that man which walketh vprightly in truth and sincerity . He busieth himselfe , and intermedleth with great and wonderfull matters , which doe farre exceede his weake capacitie , and much surpasse the short reach of his dull & doltish vnderstanding . His arrogancie and impudent boldnesse , is more then all his fortitude and forces : hee dreadeth none , nor standeth in awe of any : but saith proudly in his doting foolishnesse , There is no God . Hee pineth and consumeth with good things , he is also fed and nourished with other mens euils , hee is fatted and cherished with vncleane thoughts , and impure cogitations , he is neuer tyred , nor wearied with them , rebelling and transgressing euen vnto the end : hee disperseth & scattereth abroad his owne , like an vnthrifty & wasting Prodigall : he coueteth and raketh to himselfe other mens goods , like a couetous and greedy Miser ; he heapeth vp to himselfe Ignominie and foule reproach , by his odious fraud and dissimulation , and through his malitious subtilty , kindleth the wrath of God against him , and daily addeth more fewell to augment the flame .

This man was conceiued , bred , and borne in sinne , and so being nurtured , and nusled in sinne , is become a friend of iniquitie , the childe of death , the vessell of wrath , exposed to contumelious reproach , and finall destruction . Who , although hee be so corrupted with wicked manners , depraued with vile conditions , and depriued of all commendable vertues , yet hee vttereth forth the sacred Iustice of God , with his dissembling words , and taketh his holy couenant in his prophaned mouth . He hateth discipline , and scorneth correction , he dishonoureth his soueraigne Lord , and casteth his commaundements contemptuously behinde his backe .

When hee spieth a Thiefe , hee entereth a league of societie , and runneth to mischiefe with him , he shareth and hath his portion with filthy and vncleane Adulterers , he is wholy delighted with their scandalous amitie , he alwaies frequenteth their damnable societie . Hee forgetteth many false accusations and criminall obiections against the sonne of his owne and onely mother ; hee also treasureth wrath vpon thee against the day of wrath and vengeance , to worke and contriue thy wofull and eternall perdition : he would rob and quite depriue thee of thy rich and royall inheritance , and would banish thee for euer from thy heauenly and most happy Country , to dwell in a land of perpetuall darknesse , full of euerlasting woes and lamentations .

Yet thou art so blinded with selfe-conceited folly , and so besotted with thy doting affections , that thou wilt not lift vp so much as thy little finger , to reuenge so great , so notorious , and grieuous an iniurie , but are content to dissemble thy hurts , and to put vp all his wrongs hee hath done vnto thee , to hold thy tongue , and so to let them passe away in silence ; neither doest thou speake an vnkinde or froward word , nor shew him a frowning or soure looke , but thou smilest vpon him with a ioyfull face . When he flattereth & sootheth thee in thy dangerous follies , thou doest sport , play , dally , and solace thy selfe with a scornefull mocker , thou knowest not that it is a deriding Ismael , which sporteth and playeth with thee .

This is no Childish sport acted in simplicitie , and qualified with harmelesse innocency : but the beginning of it is bloody persecution , and the end of it euerlasting death and damnation : hee hath tumbled thee downe headlong into the deepe pit which hee digged and made for thy eternall destruction : now thou art become an effeminate Coward , and hast lost the vigor of thy manly forces : now thou being a wretched Captiue , pressed downe with the grieuous yoke of most miserable and slauish bondage art basely deiected , trampled , and trod vpon vnder his feet .

O wretched , wofull , and miserable man , who shall deliuer , rescue , and redeeme thee from the heauy band and bondage of this ignominious , and opprobrious Nick-name ? Let God arise , and let that armed man fall downe to the ground , If God be on our side , wee need not care who be against vs . let him fall flat on the ground , & let that direfull foe , and bloody Tyrant be beaten into pieces , as small as the dust , to be scattered abroad with the violence of the stormy windes . A proud contemner of God , and all that are good ; a worshipper of himselfe ; a friend of the world , a seruant of the deuill . What thinkest thou ? What is thy opinon ? How inclineth thy minde and affection ? If Reason be thy Pilot to direct the course of thy opinion , and Wisedome the Master to stirre the helme of thy Vnderstanding , thou wilt say with mee , Hee hath committed most vile and horrible treason against the highest Maiestie , hee is guiltie of death , let him be crucified , and let him suffer ( as he hath well deserued ) the extreame rigour of most bitter and painefull Torments of the flesh .

Do not therefore play the Hypocrite , and maske thy counterfeiting affections with the vizard of dissimulation , deferre not his execution from day to day , by a fond repriuall , spare him not for foolish pitty , but speedily , boldly , & instantly crucifie that sinfull and guilty Traytor .

But on the Crosse of Christ , by whose death wee are restored and raised to life , made coheyres with him of his glorious Kingdome , and of euerlasting Saluation : to whom if thou shalt cry with a sorrowfull compunction of a groaning heart , and with the deepe sighes of a grieued and penitent minde : then thy crucified Christ will heare thee speedily , answering thee kindly : To day thou shalt be with me in Paradise .

Oh wonderfull pitty of Christ , a most louing Sauiour ! oh vndeserued , nay vnexpected Saluation of a great and grieuous Sinner ! So bountifull , so gracefull , and so delightfull is the exceeding loue of God : so admirable is his sweetnesse , so farre beyond our opinion is his fauourable kindnesse , so immeasurable is his meekenesse , that his eares are alwaies open to heare the complaints of his pleople : he is alwaies at leisure to receiue with kindnesse , and to answere with speedinesse , the humble petitions of those which in time of their distresses , will faithfully call vpon him , and with contrite and relenting hearts , will reuerently approach neere vnto him , because his mercy toward vs , is without measure , and his tender compassion knoweth no bounds .

Oh how great , worthy , and wonderfull is the mercy of our gratious God! Oh how vnvtterable is the powerfull alteration of the right hand of the highest ? Yesterday I was fast fettered in the Prison of darkenesse , vnder the checke of a cruell and mercilesse Murtherer : How pleasant is the freedome of sinne . to day I am in the hand of a pittifull and mercifull Mediator . Yesterday I was in the gate of deuouring hell , on euery side affrighted with feare , and afflicted with misery : to day I am in the pleasant Paradise , of eternall delights and pleasure , totally replenished with neuer-decaying ioy , endlesse delight , and euerlasting felicitie . But how may these Letters of admonition preuaile ? how may they profite ? vnlesse thou race out of the Booke of thy Conscience , the blacke letters of thy bloody death , and sinnefull debt ? How can these sentences affoord thee any solace , procure any profit , or bring any comfort when they are read and vnderstood , vnlesse thou read thy selfe truly , know and vnderstand perfectly ? Doe thy best diligence , afforde thy chiefest indeauours to internall and mentall reading : The true end and vse of reading bookes . that thou mayest read thy selfe truely , looke into thy selfe circumspectly , and know thy selfe throughly .

Read , that thou mayest loue God vnfainedly , that thou mayest fight , and hold out vntill the end of the battell couragiously , and that thou mayest ouercome the world , and euery cruell enemy victoriously : so that thy toyling labour may be turned into eternall rest and quietnesse : thy wofull mourning into mirth and gladnesse , thy streames of teares , into riuers of comfortable waters : and that when Death hath quite put out the twinckling Lampe of thy daily consuming life , thou mayest see the bright and glorious appearing of that euer-shining Morning ; whose euer-glistering Sunne shall neuer set , nor his golden beames be euer obscured with any cloudy Euening .

And that thou mayest also see with thy cleere-sighted eyes , neuer wearyed in beholding , to thy Soules eternall solace , to the infinite ioy of thy triumphing minde , and constant delight of all thy purified sences , the resplendant and radiant beames of the gliftering Sunne of conspicuous righteousnesse , in which thou mayest behold the bountifull , the beautifull , the glorious Bridegroome , the Lord Iesus Christ , vnited with his euerlasting , most deere , best , and onely beloued Spouse , whom hee hath decked with his rich and royall Robes , adorned with super-excellent and admirable beauty , hauing with his owne pretious Bloud , yea , Wee are clensed by Christs bloud . his Heart-bloud , washed , cleansed , and rinced her from all the foule staines , spottes , and blemishes of her former sinnefull deformitie : Hee that is one , and the same Lord of Eternall glory , who liueth and raigneth , by Times which are without any bounds of measure , and whose euer-durable continuance shall neuer haue any ending .

FINIS .

A most zealous and deuout Lamentation of blessed Anselmus , sometime Arch-bishop of Canterbury , for the losse of his Soules virginitie , appliable vnto the soule of euery mortified Christian .

OH my soule , sorrowfull soule ! Iob 14.1.5.7 . Eccles. 1.13 & 3.10 . Oh miserable soule , of a miserable , wretched , and contemptible Creature ! Arise out of the bedde of senselesse security , and narrowly examine the particulars of thy great and grieuous transgressions , Great sins desire and deserue great sorrowes . rouze vp thy drouzie vnderstanding , let the sence of thy haynous sinnes wound thy heart with such a dolefull compunction , that thy deepe fetcht sighes may pierce the skies with the sharpe accent of thy sorrowes . Let the greatnesse of thy b b Ezech. 18.4.5 . wickednesse affright thee with dismaying horrour , and deepely wound thee with intollerable dolour . The terror of a wicked conscience . Thou , I say , which some-time being made as white as Snow with the c c Eph. 2.22 Rom 3.25 . and 5.10 . celestiall Fountaine and Lauor , endowed with the holy Spirit , bound by a sacred oath to maintaine thy Christian profession , being a Virgin hast beene obedient , espoused to Christ thy glorious , d d Mat. 19.15 & 25.1.5.6 . Bride-groome .

Alas ! too well I remember it . Oh whom haue I named ? verily not so kinde a Spouse , of my chast Virginitie , as a terrible e e Wis. 17.1 . Mat. 16.27 . Rom. 2.1 . Iudge of my odious impuritie ! Alas , wofull is the remembrance of my decayed pleasure . Why doest thou more and more increase the sorrow of the possessor ? How miserable is the lot of wicked and hainous offences , to whom both good and euill , doe breed nothing else , but torment and torture ? For an euill f f Wis. 17.10 . Conscience doth trouble and vexe mee , and horrour of that vnquenchable fire doth terrifie me , in which I feare I shall burne continually , and neuer be consumed . The remembrance of a good Conscience , and of the rewards of it , doth afflict and affright mee , which I know I haue lost , and shall neuer repossesse or recouer .

Woe is me to lose , to lose that without hope of recouery , which should haue beene carefully g g Acts 23.16 . preserued for euer . Oh comfortlesse sorrow , to lose that which doth not onely depriue mee of good things , but doth also multiply my torments ? Oh Virginitie , now not beloued of mee , but lost & departed from me , thou art now not my onely solace , and felicitie , but alone my onely sorrow , and incurable misery ; how is thy former beauty changed into disdainefull deformitie ? Into what deepe pit of calamitie hast thou deiected me ?

Oh thou hatefull Fornication , which hast defiled my minde with thy contagious vncleannesse , and infected my soule with deadly diseases ; how and from whence didst thou creepe into my wretched bosome , to vexe and molest mee ? From what glorious and delightfull state of Felicitie hast thou tumbled me headlong , to languish in continuall miserie ? On this side bitter sorrow doth sting mee , on the other side extreame pangs and terrible feare doth torment mee , while my minde is distracted with heauy meditations vpon my vnrecouerable losses .

And as my losses are voyd of hope and consolation , so my torment will admit no moderation ; and a Sea of woes doth ouerflow mee . But if that which is good , and that which is euill doe both alike punish , and iustly afflict me , so that I often feele the horror of death , while I liue in this wretched life , my guilty conscience doth tell mee , and my perplexed thoughts teach mee , that I haue worthily deserued it .

For thou my Soule , disloyall , periured against God thy Creator , and become a filthy strumpet , to the dishonour of Christ thy louing Lord and Redeemer ; art wofully throwne downe from thy glorious & high estate of vnspotted Virginitie , into the bottomles lake of loathsom Adultery . Thou , sometime espoused to the King of Heauen , art now become an Harlot to the tormentor of Hell .

Alas , for thee that art cast out of the fauour of God , who did so kindely regard thee , and art exposed to the malice of the diuell , who will most cruelly torment thee ! Nay , rather thou which hast cast away God , and embraced the diuell . For thou being changed most miserably from a vertuous Virgin , to a vitious strumpet , and an impudent Harlot ; thou first hast offered an vnkinde refusall of thy first loue to God , thy gratious Creator : and wilfully and willingly hast prostituted thy selfe to the lust of the deuill , a cunning deceiuer , and thy cruell murtherer .

Oh damnable exchange , most miserable , and more then most miserable alteration ! Alas , from what high seat of blessednesse art thou throwne downe ? into what deepe dungeon of cursednesse art thou ouerwhelmed ? Alas , how kinde and louing a Husband hast thou treacherously reiected ? how malicious , mercilesse , and dreadfull a Tyrant hast thou accepted ! Ah , what hast thou done , thou furious madnesse of my doting vnderstanding , thou doting vncleannesse , and vncleane impiety , what hast thou done ? Thou hast vtterly forsaken thy chaste and faithfull Spouse , who gloriously raineth in Heauen , and hast eagerly followed the Authour of thy odious vncleannesse into hell : and in that deepe gulfe of euerlasting darkenesse , hast not prepared for thy selfe a Bride-chamber , to solace thy selfe with thy true and chaste beloued ; but a filthy Brothel-house , where thou mayest bee defiled , and polluted with incurable vncleannesse .

What wonderfull horror doth attend vpon thee ? what peruerse will and lustfull desires hath bewitched thee ? Oh horrible wonder , oh voluntary madnesse !

How , oh God , am I fallen into the corruption of such great impietie ? How oh Lord God , shall I make satisfaction vnto thee for my grieuous iniquitie ? Throw thy selfe downe , thou miserable and cursed Creature , into the depth of immoderate mourning and misery , who hast willingly cast thy selfe downe into the Gulfe of immeasurable and horrible iniquity . Let the waight of thy wickednesse ouerwhelme thee , let the heauy burthen of thy vnsupportable sorrow wholy depresse thee which art willingly tumbled into the filthy Mire of infernall stincke , and hellish sauours : bee thou ouerwhelmed with the horrible darkenesse of comfortles and in consolable sorrow , which hast wittingly cast thy selfe downe into a gulfe of such beastly and luxurious pleasures . Wallow thou in the whirepoole of bitternesse , which hast sported and delighted thy selfe in the puddle of lasciuious filthines . Oh yee horrible terrour , terrible sorrow , vncomfortable mourning , muster your selues against mee , assault , ouerwhelme , vexe , couer , trample vpon me . It is iust , it is iust , my wicked deeds haue deserued it .

I haue with impudent boldnesse disdained and contemned your forces , and with shamefull sensuality haue procured your displeasure : yea , rather I haue prouoked God , and not you , and now with lamentable repentance I desire you to poure your full measure of vengeance vpon me . Torment and torture the guilty , that my soueraigne Lord may be auenged , whom I haue so highly offended . Let the vitious Fornicatour feele before hand the Torments of Hell , which hee hath deserued : let him taste before hand , that which hee hath prepared : let him haue some smacke of those tormenting pangs and passions , which hee shall abide and suffer hereafter .

Extend and augment , ( thou immoderate and vnsatiable sinner ) thy sorrowfull and dolefull repentance , which hast so farre enlarged the leprous vncleannesse of thy odious and detestable vices . Tumble thy selfe , and throw thy selfe againe into the whirle poole of ceaslesse sorrow , bitternesse , and dolefull distresses , which hast so oft throwne downe thy selfe into the filthy pit of thy lustfull desires , and carnall pleasures . Consolation , securitie , delightfull pleasure , and ioy , doe yee now no more approach neere vnto mee , I hate and loath your delectable company , vnlesse pardon of my sinne shall reconcile and restore you . Let heauy pensiuenesse and bitter mourning , bee still at hand , like cruell Tormentors , and bloudy executioners , to vexe mee in my growing youth , and to trouble mee in my wearisome age . Would to God , would to God it may be so , I wish , pray , desire it may be so . If I bee not worthy to list vp my eyes towards HEAVEN , when I put vp my humble supplication , truly I am not vnworthy to obscure them , and to put out their light with the streames and fountaine of teares , and lamentable weeping .

If my minde bee confounded with great shamefulnes of my guiltie Conscience , that it cannot pray and craue for mercy : it is meet that it should bee ouerwhelmed with the tempest of exceeding sorrow and dolefull sadnesse . If it feare to come in the sight of God grieuously offended : it is iust that the vnsufferable torments prepared for rebellious sinners , should alwayes appeare , and be presented before it . Therefore let my heart thinke , and thinke againe , what hainous treason it hath committed , what endles torments it hath deserued .

Let my vnderstanding descend into itselfe , & make a priuie search in euery corner , before it goe downe into the land of darkenes , which death obscureth with his grosse and mistie vapours , and meditate who doth attend and wait there for my wicked soule : let it behold and view , see and be troubled . What is it , oh God , what is it , which I behold in the Land of misery and darkenesse ? Horror , Horror . What is it which I doe view , where no order , but wofull confusion inhabiteth ?

Woful are the out-cries of some , howling out with lamentable voyces : Wofull is the noyse of others , gnashing their teeth , tortured with intollerable torments . Lamentable is the sight of the confused multitude , sobbing , and sighing out , woe , woe ! How many , and how many woes ? Woe for that fire , which burneth with brimstone , whose flame is neuer extinguished : and wofull is that obscure and darke Dungeon , where there dwelleth euerlasting darkenesse ! With what terrible roaring doe I see you , oh Wormes , tossed and turned about , liuing in that flaming fire which continualy burneth ? What direfull and greedy desire doth inflame you to returne out of it , whom yet that fire of fires cannot so burne , as that euer yee shall be consumed ? Oh yee Deuils , burning together with them ; roaring with burning , and raging with fury ; wherefore are yee so terrible and cruell to them , which are tumbled , and rowled vp and downe among you ? Oh torments intollerable ! Oh extreame sentence of Iustice insupportable , shall no meane , no remedy , no end mittigate or asswage you ? Are these the things , oh great and powerfull God , which are prepared for filthy Fornicators , and wicked contemners of thee , of which I am one ? I , I am verily one of those .

Oh my soule , tremble thou with terrour : faint and faile thou my vnderstanding , with quaking feare ; and thou , oh my heart , cut and wound thy selfe with immoderate sorrow . Whither doe yee hale and tog maye cruell tormentors , while you execute your fury and wrath against mee , for my great and grieuous offences ? Whither dost thou deliuer mee , oh my sinne ? Whither dost thou deliuer me , oh my God ? whither dost thou deliuer me ? If I haue effected by my hainous and detestable rebellions , that I should be thy guilty offendor , could I also bring it to passe , that I should not bee thy Creature ? If I haue robbed my selfe of my chastitie , haue I also robbed thee of thy Mercy ? Oh Lord , Lord , if I haue lost that , for want whereof thou mayest condemne mee a grieuous offender , hast thou also lost that , whereby thou art wont to saue a penitent sinner ?

Doe not , Oh LORD , doe not so narrowly attend to my wickednesse , that thou forget thy wonted goodnesse . Where is it true , oh true GOD , where is , As I liue , I will not the death of a sinner , but rather that he be conuerted and liue ?

Oh Lord , thou which doest not lye , Lord , what is , I will not the death of a sinner : If thou doest burie in Hell a sinner which crieth vnto thee ? or is it to throw a sinner into the Lake of neuer-ceasing Torments , I will not the death of a sinner ? Or is this , I will that a sinner be conuerted and liue ?

I am a sinner , oh Lord , I am a sinner . If therefore thou wilt not the death of a sinner , what doth compell thee ( which thou wouldest not ) that thou deliuerest mee to death and destruction ? If thou wilt that a sinner be conuerted , and liue , what doth let thee to performe that which thou willest ; namely , that I be conuerted , liue , and be saued ?

If the enormitie of my sinne doth constraine mee to doe that which thou hatest , doth it also hinder thee to doe that which thou desirest , when as thou art a God omnipotent ? Farre be it , oh God , farre be it oh Lord my God , that the wickednesse of a repenting and lamenting Sinner , should preuaile more , then the sentence the Omnipotent .

Remember , oh iust , holy , and mercifull God , that thou art mercifull , and also my Creator , and Recreator . Therefore good Lord , remember not thy Iustice against thy sinner , but remember thy wonted clemencie , towards thy poore creature . Remember not thy anger against a guiltie offender , but be mindfull of thy accustomed commiseration , and mercie towards a miserable sinner .

It is true , that my conscience doth merit damnation , and that my repentance doth not suffice for satisfaction : But it is certaine , that thy exceeding mercie , doth surpasse all my vile iniquitie . Therefore good Sauiour , spare that of which thou art the Saluation ; yea , thou that desirest not the death of a sinner : Spare , oh spare , my sinfull soule ; for it being vtterly dismayed , flieth from thy terrifying Iustice , to thy comforting mercie , that because the reward of her virginitie being corrupted , ( oh heart-wounding sorrow ) is vnrecouerable : the punishment of hatefull Fornication , to her repenting , at least may not be vneuitable ; because it is not a thing impossible to thy omnipotencie , neither vnseemely to thy Iustice , nor vnaccustomable to thy mercie : Both because thou art good , and because thy infinite mercie endureth for euer . Which art blessed , world without end , Amen .

A Meditation of S. Bernard , concerning the Passion of Iesus Christ . Diuided into twentie and one Sections .

SECTION . I.

LEt vs who are true Christians , graced with so noble a name , so high a stile , and so glorious a title , honour and celebrate , with true , sorrowfull , relenting , & repenting harts , the Funerall Obsequies of our noble Lord , Iesus of Nazareth , that meeke , spotlesse , innocent , and harmelesse Lambe , who did not so much as open his mouth , being vnder the hand of the Shearer ; malitiously accused , odiously reuiled , innocently and wrongfully condemned of the furious and bloody Iewes , extreamely tortured , spitefully disdained , shamefully spetted vpon ; and lastly , cruelly crucified , by the barbarous and brutish Gentiles .

It is an exployt full of honour , full of renowne ; it is most healthfull and wholsome for our sickly soules , that we Christians , dayned worthie of such a gracious and honourable Name , should reuerently adore , louingly embrace , valiantly imitate , the weake infirmities , scornefull disgraces , base pouerty , painefull labours , sore and sorrowfull agonies , the deadly pangs of the bitter Passion of our louing Redeemer , and sweet Sauiour , Christ Iesus the righteous . For these are the powerfull instruments , and most strong weapons , by which the omnipotent vertue , and the infinite inuestigable , and vnsearchable wisedome of God , hath mightily and wonderfully effected , and wrought the restauration , and renouation of the decayed World , the eternall Saluation of vs men ; yea , of vs most miserable and wretched men , and the endlesse and vtter destruction of Hell , Death , and the Diuell : Heb. 2.14 . Luke . 1.71 . And in the working of this great worke , and admirable misterie of our Saluation , the Lord Christ was made lesser then the Angels , that he might make vs equall with the Angels , hee descended from his Throne of glory , that hee might deliuer vs from ignominie . Heb. 2 9. Hee being Lord of Lords , tooke vpon him the shape of a seruant , that he might make vs honourable : hee willingly dispossessed himselfe of all his Royalties , that he might eternally possesse vs with the euerlasting treasure , and full inheritance of his heauenly Kingdome . 2 Cor. 8.9 . And who is hee if hee could tast his infinite kindnesse , ( but alas , who is able to sound the bottomlesse depth , of this more then meruailous , yea miraculous loue ? ) but would willingly forsake his goodly earthly possessions , leaue all his worldly honours and dignities , subiect euery moment to decay and vanity , as soone gone as they are gotten , disroabe the stout Bride of her gay and gorgious apparell , and strip her naked from all her borrowed feathers ; cloath himselfe with the sackcloath of lowly humility , cut off his curled lockes , and sprinkle his head with ashes , that he might truly humble , prostrate , and debase himselfe ; cast downe his high lookes , curbe his proud aspiring and vntamed thoughts : for Christ Iesus , his meeke and mercifull Sauiour , who came downe from Heauen , out of the bosome of his Father , being coeternall , and coequall with him in euerlasting glorie , leauing the ioyfull societie of blessed Angels aboue , to conuerse here below amongst cursed men ; nay , to abide and patiently to beare , the curses and bitter taunts of blasphemous and fiery-minded men .

SECTION . II.

THis Lord Christ , was tyrannically tortured , & cruelly crucified for our , yea rather for my sins , and hath sweetned his bitter crosse to all that zealously loue him , & faithfully beleeue in him . Hee died a most shamefull , cruell , & cursed death on the Crosse , that he might deliuer vs from the curse of the condemning and killing Law , and taken vs out of the iawes of the deuouring Lyon , redeemed vs from Hell , from infernall fire , and euerlasting perdition .

Hee shed , yea powred out his most precious blood , spouting out the same from all the vaines of his pierced and martyred body , that with his precious and soueraigne Balme , he might salue all our deadly wounds , and saue our dying soules . He died , and by his death , killed death , that we might liue eternally in him , and by him .

And who may not amazedly admire , the incomparable loue of so milde , so mercifull , and so potent a Sauiour ? Who cannot , at least , who ought not , with rauished affections to loue ( and like ioyfull Simeon , with both armes to imbrace ) so magnificent , but for vs sinfull men , and for our sakes , made so humble and lowly , and yet a most powerfull Redeemer ? The dulcet taste of whose loue , doth farre exceede the Hony , and the Hony-combe in sweetnesse .

And although the least drop of it , be sufficient to fill all , and euery part of an hungry soule , yet it hath in it such a sauourie relish , and an appetite procuring quality , that the more the desirous soule eateth , the more it coueteth , the more it feedeth , the more eagerly it longeth and thirsteth after it . Why should we not patiently suffer , and constantly endure whatsoeuer the inueterate malice of the Diuell can imagine against vs , or the furious madnesse of wicked men , ( his wilfull Ministers ) can lay , or impose vpon vs , for Christ Iesus his cause , for the honouring of his truly and honourable name , and for our constant profession of a true Christian Faith ? Christ passed through the ignominie , shame , & contempt of the Crosse , to supernall dignity , infinite Maiestie , and endlesse glory , & all power & authority was giuen vnto him , for the aduancement of his euerlasting dominion , both in heauen aboue , and in earth beneath , by God his heauenly Father : all the Angels , Gods heauenly Heraulds , with ioyfull humility , melodious Harmony , and with continuall laud and thankes-giuing , doe worship and adore his incomprehensible , exceeding-glorious , and eternall Maiestie , and at the honourable name of Iesus , let euerie knee be bowed of things in Heauen aboue , and things in the darkest Caues of Hell belowe : Where is thy glory ( oh Christian ? ) Where is thy reioycing ? Where is thy boasting ? not in Nobilitie , honour and riches , but in the glorious name of thy crucified Lord , thy eternall God , and euerlasting Sauiour , and in the gratious , gracefull , and sweet name of Christ , which is a name aboue all names , farre surpassing all Noble , honourable , and glorious earthly titles , and the highest stile of worldly Maiestie . And whosoeuer is blessed in this name , shall be truly blessed here vpon earth , and afterward shall be eternally happy in Heauen .

Let vs glory , reioyce , and triumph in the blessed Name of our mighty Redeemer , and giue all honour , iurisdiction , dominion , and maiestie , to our mercifull Sauiour , which hath done great , meruailous , and admirable things in vs , and for vs , exalt , extoll , and magnifie his glorious Name , together with me , and let our tongues tuned with one Harmonicall concord , like Golden Trumpets , sound forth his meritorious , immeasurable , still encreasing and neuer-diminishing praises , saying ; wee adore and worship thee , oh Christ , King of Israel , and also of all the Nations , Prince , and Monarch of Kings , Lord of the Earth , GOD of the Sabaoth , the most powerfull power of GOD omnipotent . Wee adore thee being the precious price of our Redemption , the all-sufficient Sacrifice of our peace , attonement , and peaceable reconciliation , which alone with the inestimable , most pleasant , and fragrant sweetnesse of thy odoriferous sauour , hast moued and induced the Father of eternity , which dwelleth and resideth in the highest Heauens , to turne his eye of prouidence , and compassion towards base , vile , and contemptible things vpon earth , and hast reconciled and pacified him towards the sonnes of wrath , Hell , and damnation : to enter a new couenant of grace with them , to forgiue and forget all their rebellious trespasses , and treacherous transgressions , and to extend the tender bowels of his most desired and euer-vndeserued mercie towards them .

Wee ioyfully proclaime , oh Christ , the worthinesse of thy merrit , the multitude of thy mercies , and magnificence of thy commisseration , we sound and eccho forth ; wee record the sacred memorie of thy eare-delighting and heart-pleasing sweetnesse .

Wee cleerely offer vnto thee , oh Christ , the Sacrifice of euerlasting praise and heartie thanksgiuing for the innumerable multitude , and immeasurable magnitude of thy goodnesse , which thou hast vouchsafed , shewed , manifested , and extended to vs , as a wicked seede and gracelesse generation , sonnes of wickednesse , and heires of hell and damnation .

SECTION . III.

WHen as yet , oh gratious Lord , we were thy cruell enemies , by our treasonable practises , and monstrous vngratefull vnkindnesse , daily kindling thy consuming wrath against vs , and when as deuouring death exercised his rage , fury , and dominion against all mortall flesh , and vpon euery miserable creature , to which all the seed of Adam was obnoxious and subiect , tainted with the leporous infection of his first deadly transgression : thou diddest kindly remember the most infallible word of thy infinite mercie , when we were ready to be drowned and swallowed vp ( like proud hard-hearted Pharo ) in the bloody Sea of our swelling , and ouer-flowing iniquities . Thou diddest looke from thy holy and high habitation , and cast downe the pittifull eye of thy sauing , tender , and mellow-hearted compassion vpon this vally , streaming with riuers of teares , showers of ceaselesse weeping , and deluge of our ouer-flowing misery . Thou sawest the heauie affliction , afflicted condition , imminent danger , nay the instant destruction of thy distressed people , and touched with a true-delicious sweetnesse of thy inward loue , and bountifull charity , did thinke & ponder , to medicine , heale & recure the deadly-diseased state and desperate condition of thy forlorne and languishing people . Mat. 9.13 . 1 Tim. 15. moued & incited towards them with amiable thoughts of a new perpetuall peace & eternall redemption . And thou being the onely and dearely beloued Son of God , the very true God , coeternall & substantiall to God the Father , & the Holy-ghost , enhabiting the light , to which no man may approach , dazeling the eyes of euery mortall creature with the super-excellent lusture , and gouerning all things with the creating word of thy omnipotent power ; thou hast not despised to subiect thy selfe to the close & noysome prison of our base estate , where thou mightest tast , and also swallow vp our miserie , and so restore vs to glory . It was enough , oh sweet Sauiour , to demonstrate thy incomprehensible and vnspeakeable mercie , it was too little , Oh thou mirrour of mercie , to coole the ardent heat of thy burning loue .

It was not sufficient for thee , our gratious Redeemer , to appoint a Cherubin , Seraphin , or one of the Angels to consummate and finish the worke of our saluation : thou thy selfe being king of kings , and God of eternall glory , hast vouchsafed to come to vs , thy poore vassales , and captiue creatures , by the commandement of thy supernall Father . Psal. 40.8.9 . Acts. 2.23 . Whose vnlimited mercie , bottomlesse bounty , immutable loue , wee now plentifully enioy in thee , and hereafter shall ioyfully , fully , and euerlastingly possesse by thee .

Thou cam'st vnto vs I say , not by changing the place , but by yeelding thy presence vnto vs by the flesh .

Thou cam'st from the regall Throne of thy most high Glorie , into an humble , lowly , and abiect Mayden , in her owne eyes , although indeede she was most honourable for her chast vertues , and of the blood Royall by her Noble birth , whose life was adorned with the pretious Iemme of vndefiled virginitie ; in whose sacred wombe , the sole , wonderfull , and vnspeakeable power of the Holy-Ghost , caused and effected thy sanctified and blessed conception , and that thou shouldst so be borne in the very nature of true humanitie , that the occasion and manner of thy pure Natiuitie should neither violate the Maiestie of Diuinitie in thee , nor the integritie of vndefiled Virginitie in thy blessed Virgine-Mother . Oh amiable ! Oh admirable fauour ! Thou being God of immeasurable glorie , infinite power , and most magnificent Maiestie , hast not disdained , nor despised to become a contemptible worme , and to put vpon thee the ragged garment of our fraile and miserable nature . Thou being God of all , didst appeare as a fellow-seruant of seruants , vnto all . It was too little to satisfie thy louing affection , and to quench the thirstie desire of thy loue towards vs , to be a kinde Father vnto vs , and a gratious Lord , but thou hast vouchsafed to be our deere and welbeloued brother . What minde is not ouer-ioyed with the delectable meditation of thy wonderfull fauour ? What hart is not rauished with the sweet sent of thy admirable humilitie ? And what soule can euer be satisfied with the sweetnesse of thy exceeding mercie ? When all our obedience towards thee , be it neuer so great , or our praises , be they neuer so many , cannot paralel and equall the least iot of thy infinite goodnesse towards vs .

SECTION . IIII.

ANd thou Lord of all things , possessor of the highest heauens , and sole Commander of the whole earth , which hast no neede of any thing , because the fowles of the ayre fishes of the Sea , beasts of the field , are all at thy prudent and prouident disposition : yea , the greatest worldly Monarch , is but thy poore slaue and submissiue Vassall : at the beginning of thy birth , and first entrance into this transitorie world ( the sweetest ioyes whereof are soone sowred with sodaine misery , and the chiefest treasures liable euery moment , to wauering mutability ) thou diddest not abhorre to taste the bitter gall of pinching necessity , and to feele the irksome discommodities of beggarly , base , and abiect pouertie : so ill was thy entertainement , so bad was thy welcome , and vile was thy estimation amongst vngratefull men .

For as the thrise-holy , and Diuine Scripture testifieth , when thou wert borne , there was no roome in the Inne to receiue thee , nor any Cradle , wherein they might repose thy tender body , but thou wert thrust vnkindely into a noysome Stable , in stead of thy Princely Chamber , and layd in a homely Manger , for thy bed of honour , wrapped in swatheling clouts , and fettered like a prisoner , whose greatnesse cannot be contained of the heauens , and whose hand in the palme of it doth comprehend the whole earth . And thy blessed Mother did borrow this homely Chamber and hard bed , of bruite beasts , who were more willing to shew her a kinde fauour , then any hard-hearted men , though hee came to be their seruant .

Comfort your selues , cheere vp your dismayed mindes , and banish away all pensiue thoughts , whosoeuer haue had your drink mingled with teares , and haue bin long fed with the bread of affliction , being scorned , disdained , reiected of the proud and wealthy , because you haue been pined and pinched with needie pouertie , when as Christ , who as the neuer-dried Fountaine of euerlasting plentie and abundance , did willingly vndergoe , and patiently beare the heauie burden of needy want and grieuous necessity .

In the time or his blessed birth he did not take his rest in a sumptuous Chamber , adorned with carued Wainscot , or furnished with gorgious and costly hangings , neither was he found in the land of them which solace themselues with variety of pleasant delights , and spend their dayes in continuall sport and pleasure .

Why doest thou boast , oh thou wanton rich man , when-thou stretchest thy selfe vpon thy bed of Iuorie , painted with the choysest colours that may please the eye , beautified with the rarest deuices that Art can inuent , and garnished with the most delicate furniture that may breed wanton and carnall delight : when as the King of Kings did rather chuse a noysome Stable , then a Princely Pallace ; a homely Manger , then a stately Cradle ; rather hard straw to lay his tender body vpon , then a bed stuffed with Downe , or soft feathers ? Luk. 2.7.8 .

Why art thou then so proud that thou scornest to lye vpon straw , with contented humility ? when as this tender Infant , who had all things vnder his hand and iurisdiction , preferred hard straw before thy costly silkes , and soft feathers ?

SECTION . V.

BVt this thy tender and weake infancie , oh Christ , was not safe from the malice of thy furious foes , nor murthering swords of bloody persecutors , who craftily complotted , greedily sought , and would haue most grieuously wrought , thy cruell , bloody , and sodaine death , so soone as thou beganst to draw thy breath . For as yet thou wert sucking the sweet breasts of thy louing Mother ; when as an heauenly Messenger appeared to Ioseph in his sleepe , saying : Arise , and take the Childe and his Mother , and flye into Aegipt , and tarrie there vntill I shall bring thee word : For it shall come to passe , that Herode shall seeke the Childe to destroy him . Matth. 2.13.14.15 .

Since that time , oh sweet Iesus , thou beganst to taste of the bitter Cup of humane miserie , to bee touched with sense of our sorrow . and patiently to beare the heauie burden of our infirmities . For when bloudy Herod had heard vnwelcome newes of the birth of an other King dreading he should be forced to forgoe his royall dominions , goodly kingdomes , and golden Crowne ( for Tyrants dreame alwayes of their downefall , at the surmised noyse of any little rumor ) hee quickly vnsheathed his cruell Sword , to make a speedy end of thy beginning dayes , and to cut asunder the slender thread of thy Infant life , plaid the bloody Butcher , and made a most cruell slaughter of many thousand of innocent Babes , sucking the nourishing breasts of their louing and lamentable Mothers , Matth. 2.16 . so that hee dyed the streets with the streames of their guiltles bloud , mingled with the teares of lamenting mothers , Mat. 2.18 . thinking to murther thee in this great slaughter of so many harmelesse sucklings .

Oh miraculous immanitie ! monsterous murther ! more then bruitish , yea , hellish Tyranny ! And when thou hadst escaped the sting of this Tyrants malice , being appointed to bee transported into Aegipt , to be safe there , without the bounds of his bloudy mischiefe , and not without care of thy Father , and sorrow of thy Mother , wert deliuered from stormes of thy persecuted Infant-age : thou diddest meekely giue vs an example of trueth , worthy to bee praysed of vs , and to bee seriously practised by vs : for thou diddest not sit in the counsell of idle vanities , nor follow the vile and wilde affections of vnbrideled desires , but wert found in the middest of the Doctors , propounding questions to them , and attentiuely hearing their discourses , although in thy breast did euer flow a continuall Spring of infinite knowledge , being the Lord of all hidden sciences , and the most perfect and absolute wisedome of God the eternall Father .

Also thou hast shewed vs a perfect patterne of due obedience , to be truely performed , and duely obserued of Children towards their Parents , when thou being the great commander of the whole World , and Supreame head in all causes , and ouer all persons within thy boundlesse Dominions , didst yet humbly obey the commandement of thy parents , in performing the deeds of willing obedience towards them , in whatsoeuer the duty of a Childe might inioyne thee , or the iust commandement of thy earthly Parents impose vpon thee : But when by the course of Nature , thou camest to the fulnesse of a stronger age , about to take in hand things of greater weight , to bee acted with greater might , thou didst come forth for the saluation of thy people , like a valiant and stately Gyant , to runne the way of all our miserie , & passe through the race of humane calamitie .

And that thou mightest make thy selfe like vnto thy brethren in all things , and in thy selfe make a resemblance of their depraued nature , thou as it were a sinner , didst goe to thy Seruant , baptizing sinners vnto true repentance , thou , oh innocent Lambe of God , didst require to be Baptized . Mat. 3.13.14.15 . who euer wert free from the least staine of iniquitie , and neuer subiect to any little spot of our sinfull infirmity , but hauing put on thee the fleshly garment of our weake nature thou didst still continue pure , cleane , and vndefiled . And being baptized in the waters , thou doest not sanctifie thy selfe with the waters , but doest sanctifie the waters by thee , that by them thou mightest sanctifie vs .

SECTION . VI.

AFter thy Baptisme by the spirit of inuincible fortitude , thou didst enter into the solitary desart , Mat. 4.1 . that by thy example thou mightest teach vs , to depart as it were , out of the World , when we giue our selues to diuine Meditations , that worldly impediments being remooued from our outward senses , the zeale of our Spirits might the better be inflamed , our prayers haue freer passage , and the deuotion of our willing hearts lesse hindered . Thou didst constantly endure , and patiently beare what discommodities soeuer the vncouth wildernesse might bring , or the bitternesse of fasting for the space of forty daies and forty nights breed vnto thee , Mat. 4.2 . Thou didst mildely suffer the temptations and illusions of the Deuill , and at last with thy holy word , didst put him to a shamefull foyle , and forced him like a coward to flie the field , Matth. 4.10.11 . to make such bickerments more tollerable and easie vnto vs , and to instruct vs , that whensoeuer Christian warriours shall manage this double-edged sword aright , that their common enemie will soone be danted , take himselfe to flight , and they alwayes obtain a glorious conquest .

SECTION . VII .

AT length thou camest to the lost sheepe of the house of Israell , lifting vp the bright lampe of thy diuine word , openly to giue light to the world , which was obscured with thicke clouds of sinfull darkenesse , that men seeing their sinnes , might then sigh for their forepassed iniquities , & seeke by speedy and true repentance to saue their soules , Matth. 5.1.2.3.4.5.6.7 . &c. And thou also proclaiming the Kingdome of God , to all obeying the word , didst confirme the verity of thy infallible words , with many wonderous and miraculous deeds : thou diddest plainely declare the vertue of thy diuinitie , and manifest the incomprehensible essence of thy God-head in all things , to those which were diseased , and were affected and grieuously afflicted with many infirmities , Luke 5.12.18 . Performing all things of thy free mercy , without any merits , to all nations , that by thy gratious words , and mercifull workes , thou mightest gaine the Saluation of all , truly repenting for their sins , & seeking by thy only mercy to saue their soules . But their foolish heart , oh Lord , was darkened , their reason infatuated , & their vnderstanding blinded , they maliciously despised , proudly contemned , and carelesly reiected thy blessed words behind them , neither did they , Oh Lord , admire , no , not so much as regard thy wondrous workes , which by the Finger of thine owne hand , thou hadst powerfully wrought among them , except a few Noble Champions , which thou diddest chuse among the weake and abiect things of the World , that by them thou mightst batter downe strong holds , & throw downe high Towers , that thy inuincible power might appeare in their weaknes , & so the glory of thy Maiestie might shine the brighter . Neither were they onely vnthankefull to thee , for thy gracious benefits and great kindnesse , but they did very spightfully reproach thee , oh Lord of Lords , and spit out the Gall of their malice against thee , plotting in their Diuellish mindes , and performing with their desperate hands , whatsoeuer their vnbridled lust did command them . For thou doing the workes of God , which no other hath done , how malignant were their words ? How malicious were their speeches ? For they sayd in their mad mood and furious folly , This man is not of God , he casteth out Deuils by the Prince of Deuils , he hath the Deuill , hee seduceth the people , hee is a Glutton and a Drinker of Wine , a Friend of Publicanes and sinners , Matth. 11.9 . Why dost thou weepe ( oh man ) why are thy thoughts perplexed , and the peace of thy minde disturbed , when thou doest feele the sting of venemous tongues , or endure the stormy tempest of iniurious words ? Doest thou not heare what monstrous slanders , bitter taunts , and opprobrious speeches were belched out against the Lord thy God , onely for thy cause and thy sinnes , yet he did patiently disgest the extreame bitternesse of their cruell malice , and did alwayes seeke by gentle mildenesse , and workes of mercy , to mollifie their hard hearts , and to induce them to true repentance : If they haue called the Master of the house Belzebub , how much more will they call them of his household ? Mat. 10.25 . Luke 11.15 . But thou , oh righteous and innocent Iesus , diddest patiently heare , and constantly sustaine their blasphemous words , spightfull derisions , and taunting speeches ; although oftentimes they were carried with such a violent streame of raging fury against thee , that they assailed thee with stones , hating nothing so much as thy blessed life , and hastning nothing so much as thy cursed death . And thou becamest before them as a man which heareth not all , and as one that is dumbe , hauing no word of reproofe in thy mouth .

SECTION . VIII .

LAstly , they valued thy righteous and precious bloud , but at thirtie peeces of siluer , betrayed vnto them by thy vnkinde Disciple , the sonne of Perdition ; greedily desiring with extreame hate , without any shadow of iust cause , to hasten thy cruell death .

It was not a strange thing , or a concealed secret excluded from the search of thy knowledge , ( because the most couert cogitations of euery heart , are open vnto thee , ) that one of thine owne Disciples should proue disloyall , treacherously conspire against thee , and like a Traytour , sell thee his gratious Lord & kind Master , for a small piece of money . When as at the Supper , where thou didst wash thy Disciples feet , thou didst not disdaine to handle , wash , and wipe with thy most holy hands , the cursed feet of that damned Traytor , swift to shedde bloud , kneeling downe before him , Iohn , 13.4.5 . Oh wonderfull example of humilitie ! oh patience most worthy of continuall admiration ! But why dost thou walke with thy out-stretched necke , oh earth and ashes ? Doth Pride still lift thee vp ? Doth fretting anger euermore molest thee ? Behold , and looke vpon the Lord Iesus , the mirror of Humilitie and Meekenesse , the Creator of euery Creature , the fearefull Iudge of the quicke and the dead , bowing his knees before the feet of a man , that should traiterously betray him into the hands of his deadly Foes , who long thirsted for his innocent bloud , loathed his godly life , and could neuer quench the raging flame of their furie , vntill they had acted the lamentable Tragedy of his most cruell death .

Learne therefore of him , because he is meeke in minde , and lowly in heart , debase thy high and loftie lookes , and let the feeling sence of thy scornfull Pride , confound and cast downe thy haughty thoughts , and blush at thy furious madnesse , and sigh at the inward sight of thy impatient folly .

This also ( oh louing Lord ) was a plaine argument of thy meruailous kindnesse , and extraordinary fauour , that thou wouldest not publikely detect the mischieuous malice , and openly disclose the horrible Treason of thy gracelesse Disciple , and odious Traitor , but diddest onely in the assembly of his brethren , very slightly admonish him to hasten his intented purpose , Iohn 13.27 . Neuerthelesse , neither the sweet streames of thy mercy could quench the burning fire of his fury , nor the graces of thy Humility , stay the rage of his madnesse : but he departing out of the house , laboured diligently to bring his wicked designement into act , which as yet lay couered in his treacherous heart , Iohn 13.30 .

SECTION . IX .

HOW didst thou fall from Heauen , oh cleere-shining Lucifer , which didst appeare so bright at thy rising in the morning ? Thou once wert beautifull with exceeding glory , placed in pleasant Paradise , where all things were abounding which might breed delight , whose happy state did stand still at a stay , subiect to no contrary change , hauing the Citizens of Heauen for thy louing companions , & pure Manna of the Diuine Word for thy daily food : How art thou now tumbled downe , and consorted with the sonnes of darkenesse ?

Why hast thou refused sweet Hony , to feed on Gall , and wholesome food to cloy thy stomacke with stincking dung ?

At that time , oh sweet Christ , thy Family was cleared , & thy Houshold purged , when such a leaprous person , and deadly diseased creature , went out into the world , from the company of the Angels societie .

For then at last were the thirsty soules of that blessed company , plentifully filled with sweet flowing streames of thy Diuine Word , and with the most pleasant liquor of thy true celestiall Nectar , ( which thou art alwayes able , and euermore willing to giue vnto thy faithfull Seruants , ) when hee was worthily cast out from thy most holy and blessed Family , whom thou didst know to be vnworthy , to taste one drop of that liuing water which quencheth the thirst of all sinfull soules for euer : when thou of thy free loue , dost afford them to drinke of that blessed Fountaine , be their thirst neuer so great , or the people neuer so many , which resort to receiue refreshing by it .

SECTION . X.

NOW when thou hadst giuen a new Commaundement to thy louing Disciples , that they should knit their hearts together , with the true vnion of perfect loue , Iohn 13.34 . and arme themselues with patience against the approaching day of their fiery triall ; and also hadst disposed the kingdome of thy heauenly Father to thy faithfull Brethren , thou cammest to the place with them , well knowne vnto couetous Iudas , that Traitour , which did betray thee into the hands of the cruell Iewes , who were as greedy to buy , as he was couetous to sell thy innocent and precious bloud .

Yet thou diddest not audaciously obiect thy selfe vnto suddaine danger , or desperately throw thy selfe into perill , but thou wert willing to offer and lay downe thy owne life , to deliuer vs poore condemned vassals from the heauy doome of eternall death ; knowing all things which should come vpon thee , Iohn 18.4 .

Oh vnsearchable profundity of thy infinite loue ! Oh glorious beames of thy gracious mercy ! For like a tender-hearted Father , thou haddest willingly cast thy selfe into suddaine danger , to haue deliuered thy Children from some imminent perill : or if thou haddest aduentured thy life , to haue rescued thy friends from threatned death , this without doubt had beene a deed of true naturall affection , and excellent loue . But that thou shouldest of thine owne accord offer thy selfe to death , to saue thy deadly enemies , and willingly shed thy bloud , to ransome thy mortall foes : This , oh sweet Sauiour , is a miracle of superadmirable kindenesse , beyond the compasse of all vnderstanding .

SECTION . XI .

WHen thou wert come to the place where wretched Iudas had bargained to betray thee into the hands of the wicked Iewes , thou wert not ashamed to confesse the heauy pangs which thou didst sustaine by thy approaching Passion , in the audience of thy Brethren , which thou wert willing to endure , not for thy owne desert , but by thy owne desire , for our sakes , and our sins , saying ; My Soule is heauy , euen vnto death , Mat. 26.38 . So ponderous was the burden of our iniquities ; so heauy was the weight of mine , yea of all our sins , layd vpon thy shoulders . And there bowing thy knees on the ground , and falling downe with thy face on the earth , thou diddest in thy bitter agonie offer vp thy humble petition to God thy Father , saying : My Father , if it be possible , let this Cup passe from me , Matth. 26.39 .

Indeed that Cup contained a deepe draught to be taken of thee , for the health of our languishing soules ; more bitter then Colloquintida to the mouth , or Gall in the maw .

And no doubt but the bloody sweat , which trickled downe on the earth by drops from thy most holy flesh , did plainely declare the sorrowes of thy perplexed minde , and the anguish of thy sorrowfull Soule , Luke 22.44 .

Oh powerfull Lord Iesus , what meaneth , or what is the cause of thy lamentable supplication ? Didst thou not wholly of thine owne accord offer vp thy selfe , for a Sacrifice to thy Father , and willingly shed thy bloud , to pay the price of our ransome ?

Yes verely , oh gracious Lord , it was thy exceeding great loue , and onely mercy , that did moue thee so patiently to vnder-goe the wrath of thy Father , that thou mightest deliuer vs condemned sinners , from his iust and heauy displeasure , that by thy stripes wee might be healed , and that by thy free and voluntary death , wee might be restored to a second and euerlasting life .

But we thinke , that thou didst willingly taste the bitternesse of our miseries , and in thy selfe expresse vnto vs a true passion of our weakenesse , for the comfort and consolation of all thy feeling members , that no man might dispaire , or let goe the Anchor of stedfast Hope , when our weake flesh fainteth , and our naturall faculties faileth ; but yet the spirit is ready to abide the painefull pangs of any passion , and to suffer the conflicts of any affliction whatsoeuer . Truly thou didst expresse the naturall weakenesse of the flesh in thy selfe , by those tokens vnto vs , that wee might the sooner be prouoked to embrace thee with more loue , and gratefully to yeeld thee greater thanks . Whereby also we are taught , that thou didst truly beare our diseases , and infirmities , and that thou hast not runne through the thornes of grieuous passions without the sense of painefull afflictions . For that voyce seemeth to be the voice of the flesh , not of the Spirit , by that which thou hast added , The Spirit indeed is willing , but the flesh is weake : Marke 14.38 . And thou diddest openly declare , that the Spirit was willing to suffer the deadly pangs of thy grieuous passion , when thou diddest goe forth of thine owne accord , to meete those bloudy minded persons , conducted by their damnable General trayterous Iudas , in the night time , furnished with lanternes , torches , and weapons , seeking without any cause , raging with malice to destroy thy harmelesse life , and cruelly to shed thy innocent blood , and there didst openly discouer thy selfe to their eyes , and offer vp thy selfe to their bloudy hands , least they might thinke themselues beholding to their bloudy guide , and that by his craftie pollicie , thou hadst beene suddainely and vnwillingly apprehended . For thou diddest not repell , or put backe that cruell monster , comming to kisse thy most holy mouth ; but diddest gently put thy mouth , in which there was found no guile , to his mouth abounding with venome , and filled with malice , who vnder token of loue , pretended nothing but deadly hate ; and with a dissembling kisse , to betray thee into the hands of those , who were ready armed to kill thee .

And although desperate Iudas became his owne hangman , Mat. 27.5 . yet many doe follow his steps , and desperately runne to their wilfull & wofull destruction . Oh innocent Lambe of GOD , how couldest thou endure that such a rauenous Wolfe should come neere vnto thee , that came so greedily to deuoure thee ?

What fellowship hath light with darkenesse ? What agreement hast thou with Beliall ? But this , oh Lord , was a deed of thy gracious benignitie , and an act of thy exceeding bounty , that thou mightest shew vnto him all tokens of thine accustomed fauour , which might mollifie the hardnesse of his wicked heart , and quaile the malice of his couetous minde .

For , thou not forgetfull that once hee was sorted among thy Friends , & had tasted of the sweet fruit of thy former loue , admitted into the holy societie of thy faithfull Disciples , didst kindly admonish him , saying , Friend , wherefore comest thou ? Mat. 26.50 . And thou wouldest haue smitten the guilty conscience , and wounded the hardened heart of that odious dissembler and damnable Traytor , with the horrour of his hellish deede , and detestation of his execrable fact , when thou spakest to him , saying : Iudas , doest thou betray the Sonne of man with a kisse ? Luk. 22.48 . And behold , the Philistines are vpon thee Sampson .

SECTION . XII .

IT did nothing mittigate the rage of their furious mindes , nor stay the audacious attempts of their bloodie hands , when in the houre of thine apprehension , thou diddest throw them flatte on the ground with thy omnipotent arme , and make them to fall backward with the breath of thy mouth : yet it was not done to defend thy selfe from the edge of their malice , or to make an escape out of their cruell hands , but that humane presumption might know , that it could deuise nothing , nor act any thing against thee , but whatsoeuer was permitted by thee .

And who can restraine his eyes from showers of teares , and his heart from the ouer-flowing waues of sorrow , when he heareth how violently they were carried against thee , and how furiously they laid their murdering hands vpon thee ; and how quickly binding thy tender and innocent hands , they currishly haled thee , a most meeke Lambe , not once opening thy mouth against them , to bring thee ( who neuer had offended , ) to a most bloodie slaughter : As if thou haddest beene ( most innocent and louing Iesus ) a cruell Theefe , a cursed Traytor , or a bloodie murtherer . Their outragious vsage towards thee was so farre out of measure , and their mischieuous deedes so farre voyde of reason .

And then ( oh Christ ) thou didst not cease to powre downe showers of mercy , and to let the honey-deaw of thy aboundant sweetnesse to distill vpon the head of thy cruell enemies , when thou diddest with milde words and gentle speeches , calme the burning zeale of thy forward Disciple , who drew forth his sword , and beganne to lay about him in the defence of his louing Master . Luke . 22. verse 49.50 . For hee had no sooner giuen a wound , but thou diddest miraculously heale the hurt . Luke . 22. verse . 51. willing him to put vp his sword , keepe the peace , and make no resistance .

But such cursed fury had blinded their eyes , such stubborne grosnesse ouer-clowded their vnderstanding , and such stonie hardnesse had ouer-growne their hearts , that neither the Maiestie of the miracle , nor mercy of the benefit , could chase away the hellish vapours of their franticke furie , or soften the extreame hardnesse of their hearts ; that seeing their Bedlam folly , they might haue relented with pittie .

SECTION . XIII .

THou wert brought before the High-Priests , Iohn 18.24 . who maliced and hated thy vnblameable life , wickedly imagined , and cruelly sought thy bloody death .

When thou wert churlishly examined , and falsly accused , thy modest reply was voyd of bitternesse , and thou didst confesse the truth with much humilitie and mildnesse : yet they cried out in their raging madnesse , He speaketh blasphemous words ; What neede we stand vpon further triall ? He is worthie of a shamefull death .

Oh most louing Lord , how shamefully wert thou handled , how despightfully wert thou scorned , how cruelly wert thou abused of thine owne people ? They polluted thy amiable face with their noysome spettle . Mat. 26.67 . which the Angels doe alwaies desire to behold ; and which hath filled the heauens with ioy ; and shall be desired of the most rich & Noble of the people : And which not long before , shined more bright then the Sunne , & appeared most beautifull in glory , they did beat , and strike it with their sacriligious hands . They couered it with a vaile , to floute and deride thee , and did cruelly buffet thee with their fists , being Lord of euerie creature , like a base and contemptible seruant . Yea , they deliuered thee to bee swallowed vp , and deuoured of the vncircumcised .

SECTION . XIIII .

FOr after they had railed vpon thee with reuiling words , and buffeted thee with store of blowes , they brought thee bound like a Theefe before the face of Pilate , Mark . 15.1 . requiring in their franticke fit , and heate of their furie , that hee would pronounce sentence of death against thee . And they would neuer cease their clamorous voyces , neither were their outragious out-cries appeased , before thou wert condemned to suffer a most cruell and cursed death of the Crosse , which neuer knew sinne , or thought any euill .

And although that wicked Iudge had certaine knowledge , and his owne conscience did testifie vnto him that thou were falsly accused , brought like an innocent Lambe to the slaughter , and that all these things were forged of enuie against thee , when those hard-hearted Iewes earnestly desired , that a Murderer might be giuen them , and haue pardon for his bloody offence , and that thou mightest vniustly bee condemned , to suffer a most cruell death , preferring a deuouring Wolfe , before an innocent Lamb , and dirty drosse before pure gold : yet his words towards thee were without any mildnesse , and his deeds quite without mercy , filling thy soule with gall and bitternesse , when as hee could finde no cause , or ferrit out any occasion , whereby hee might iustly reproue thee . Luk. 23.14 .

He receiued thee at their hands , after they had tauntingly flouted , bitterly derided , and scornefully disgraced thee , and commanded thee to stand in the middest of those malitious scoffers , who had vsed thee for a foole , to cause their mirth , and to encrease thy sorrow . Neither did he spare to teare thy vndefiled flesh with most bitter blowes ; multiplying stripes vpon stripes with excessiue crueltie , and bleeding wounds vpon wounds , without any humane pittie . Matth. 26.67 . Oh thou beloued Sonne of my God! what haddest thou committed worthie of such barbarous immanitie ? What haddest thou done worthie of such wofull and bitter confusion ? In very deede nothing at all . I wretched man , I alone a most horrible sinner , haue beene the sole cause of all thy painefull sufferings : my grieuous sinnes haue hardened their hearts , and armed their bloody hands against thee . I oh Lord , haue eaten a sower Grape , and thy teeth are set on edge ; because then thou didst make satisfaction when thou hadst done no iniurie , and payd my infinite debt with thy most innocent death . But all these iniurious deeds , proceeding from malitious hate , and acted with cruell hands , could not satisfie the vnsatiable impietie of the perfidious & vnfaithfull Iewes , against thee most righteous and innocent Iesus ; who diddest neuer cease to doe them good , but euermore healed their incurable diseases : making the lame to walke , the blinde to see , the dumbe to speake , and the deafe to heare .

Thou didst cleanse loathsome Leapers , cure dead Palsies , and raise from death to life . Mat. 4.24 . Iohn . 7.23 . Yet for all thy paines , kinde benefites , and store of good workes , some for feare of their imperious Rulers , durst not , and the greatest sort would not scarse afford thee a good word ; For they that of late sung ioyfully , Hosanna , Hosanna , calling thee happie and blessed : soone changed their note , and blasphemously termed thee Beelzebub , Prince of Diuels .

SECTION . XV.

ANd lastly , thou wert hurried and haled with the murtherous hands of the bloodie vncircumcised Souldiers , to die on the Crosse , a most shamefull , cruell , cursed death .

But it was not enough for those vnbeleeuing miscreants , and bloody wretches , to torment thee without any pittie , and to nayle thee to the Crosse with most hatefull cruelty , but before hand they vexed , and filled thy heauie soule with blasphemous speeches , outragious raylings , and despightfull disgraces .

For what saith the Scripture concerning them ? And they gathered about him the whole Band : And they stripped him , and put vpon him a purple garment , and a roabe of scarlet , in their mad merriment , to flout , deride , and scoffe him .

And platting a crowne of Thornes , they put it vpon his head , in steede of a golden Diademe , that being pressed downe with their buffetting hands , might enter the flesh , and make the veines to spout out bloud .

And then they put a feeble Reede in his right hand , ( in stead of his royall Scepter ) and bowing their knees before him , saying : GOD saue the King of the Iewes . And they did buffet him , and spetting vpon him , tooke a Reede and smote him on the head . And when they had mocked him , they put his owne rayment vpon him , and led him away to crucifie him , bearing his owne Crosse . And they brought him to a place named Golgotha , and they gaue him Wine tempered with Myrrhe , and mingled with Gall. And when hee had tasted of it , hee would not drinke . Then they crucified him , and also two Theeues with him , one on the right hand , and another on the left , and Iesus in the middle . But Iesus said , Father forgiue them , for they know not what they doe . Afterward Iesus knowing that all things were finished , that the Scriptures might be fulfilled , hee said , I thirst : And one of them running , tooke a spunge , and filled it with Vinegar , and put it on a Reede , and they gaue it him to drinke . When hee had receiued the Vinegar , hee said , It is finished . And crying with a loud voyce , he said , Father into thy hands I commend my spirit . And bowing his head , he gaue vp the ghost . Then one of the hard-harted Souldiers with a Speare pierced his side , and forth-with there came out blood and water , for the redemption of our saluation : Iohn . 19. Christaline water , to wash away the staines of our sinnes , and pure blood , to nourish our soules .

Awake now my soule , rise out of the dust , stirre vp all thy faculties , and behold this memorable man in the Christall-Looking-glasse , of the Euangelicall word , as it were present before thee .

Consider ( oh my soule ) who he is , which commeth , hauing the Image of a King , and neuerthelesse is filled with the scornefull reproaches of a most base and contemptible seruant : Hee goeth with a Crowne , but that Crowne of his is his cruell torment , and woundeth his beautifull and blessed head with a thousand sharpe-pointed prickles .

Hee is cloathed with a royall roabe of purple , but is rather flouted and despised , then honoured by it .

Hee beareth a Scepter in his hand , but his blessed head is cruelly smitten with it . They adore him , bending their knees to the ground , and with loud voyces call him King , but they doe disdainfully deride him , and proudly contemne him , with their counterfeit worship , for by and by they spet vpon his amiable face , buffet his louely cheekes with their mercilesse hands , and loade his necke with their cruell blowes .

Behold ( oh my soule ) with what extreame cruelty , immeasurable impiety , and barbarous inhumanity , that most holy and sacred person is vexed , tormented , and despised of that irreligious people , who in all their odious actions , belched out the Gall of most bitter malice against him with their venemous mouthes : and inflicted the most grieuous torture of their damnable mischiefe vpon him , with their bloud-thirstie hands . Hee seemeth to faint , and his legges to faile him vnder the burthen of his heauie Crosse , which they had vnmercifully without any compassion imposed vpon him , while he beareth the burthen of thy shame , and is pressed downe , with the weight of thy ignominious reproaches .

Being brought to the place of execution , they gaue him Myrrhe , mingled with Gall to drinke , in stead of a comfortable Cordiall , hee is lifted vpon the Crosse , and saith : Father forgiue them , because they know not what they doe . Luke 23.34 .

SECTION . XVI .

WHat admirable spectacle of rare mildenesse , doth he afford to our eyes ? with what couragious magnanimitie doth he animate our hearts ? which in all the horrour of his intollerable torments , and in the middest of his painefull Agonies , and most bitter afflictions , did not open his mouth to vtter forth so much as one word , either to complaine against them for their beastly crueltie , to speake in his owne defence , iustifying his innocencie , or to vse any bitternesse of commination , or malediction against those cursed Dogges , for all their monstrous and bruitish immanitie ?

But lastly , hee powreth forth such sweet words of blessed Benediction , for the good of his deadly and diuellish foes , as were neuer heard since time had a beginning , or the world a foundation .

What may be conceiued , more milde then this blessed Martyr , and our louing Sauiour , the true mirrour of wonderfull meekenesse ? Didst thou euer see , oh my soule , a more rare example of excellent bounty ? Or was there euer presented before thine eyes a more liuely Image of exceeding benignity ? And this may teach thee to beare thy Crosse with patience , and to follow the steps of Christ with constant perseuerance , to forgiue and pray for our bloody persecutors . For God will reiect our petitions , if they be sowred with the Leuen of maliciousnesse , and our sacrifices of thankes-giuing , can send vp no sweet smelling sauour into his nosthrils , if we dare approach neere his holy Sanctuarie with hearts affected with hate , or mindes infected with malice .

As yet , oh my soule , turne hither thine eyes , and more stedfastly behold him , how worthie hee appeareth of wonderfull admiration , and most tender compassion . Behold him naked , beaten , bruised , and mangled with stripes , nailed to the Crosse with iron nailes , most shamefully betweene two Theeues , hauing Vinegar giuen him to drinke without any compassion , in the extreame fits of his bitter Passion on the Crosse . Oh hard-harted wretches , to giue such a sowre Potion , to so milde a Patient !

SECTION . XVII .

LOoke vpon him , my weeping soule , being wounded after his death with a sharpe-pointed speare , thrust into his side , by the hand of a violent Souldier , Iohn . 19.33 . View him , powring out plentifull streames of blood , gushing out from the fiue wounds of his tender hands , feete , and side , pittifully wounded , and cruelly pierced : so that in thy serious Meditation , thou mayst be touched to the quicke , with a patheticall compunction , and bathe his bleeding wounds with the streaming teares of thy true and zealous repentance .

Weepe forth showers of teares , and melt thou also my soule with the fire of compassion , and sigh with hartie contrition , and make deepe wounds in thy selfe with a sharpe point of sorrowfull compunction , when thou dost meditate of the bitter Passion of this louely and worthy person , whom thou seest afflicted with such terrible torments , and wounded from the crowne of the head to the sole of his feete , that with the plentifull streames of his most precious blood , he might wash away the multitude of thy sinnes . And now my perplexed soule , thou hast seene the sorrowes , distresses , weakenesse , and miserie of thy louing Sauiour , as hee was the seede of the Woman , ordained to breake the head of the Serpent : who cloathed with the base garments of our fraile humanity , was subiect to all our infirmities , ( the infection of our sinnes onely excepted ) and seeing him languishing on the Crosse , tormented , flouted , scorned , and villainously handled by the barbarous multitude , thou hast had cause to groane , sigh , and sob , moued with a sensible pittie , and touched with a feeling and wofull compassion .

SECTION . XVIII .

BVt now direct thine eyes from his lamentable miserie , and seriously contemplate the mighty power of his magnificent Maiestie , and then all thy senses will be amazed with sodaine feare , and thy selfe astonished with wonderfull admiration .

For what saith the Scripture ? Now from the sixt houre was there darknesse ouer all the land , vntill the ninth . And the Sunne was darkened . And the vaile of the Temple was rent in twaine , from the top to the bottome , and the earth did quake , and the stones were clouen . And the graues did open themselues , and many bodies of the Saints , which slept , arose . Matth. 27.

What manner of man is hee ? what kinde of Person ? Because Heauen and Earth hath such a Sympathie of his Passion : The Sunne mourning with his darkenesse , for his wofull miserie , and denying the light of his beames to the cruell tormentors , at the execution of their bloodie Tyrannie .

How powerfull ? how potent ? how auaileable was his death ? which opened the Graues , raised and reuiued the dead conquering Sunne , death , hell , and the diuell ? Oh worke of more then admirable wonder ! Oh honourable conquest and glorious victorie ! For in the thickest clouds of his darkest miserie , there appeared cleere beames of his brightest Maiestie .

Know my soule , know thou my soule , this is the Lord our God , Iesus Christ thy Sauiour , the onely begotten Sonne of God , Christ perfect God , and perfect man . true God true man , who alone vnder the Sunne was found pure from the spottes of sinne , and onely cleare from the staines of iniquitie , among the Sonnes of men . And behold how hee is sorted in the damnable ranke of the wicked , excluded like a loathsome Leaper from the fruition of common societie , reputed as an abiect , and one of the worst among the basest people ; cast out from the wombe of the vnhappy Sinagogue his Mother , like an abortiue , proiected out of the wombe of a woman . How is hee that was so beautifull aboue the Sonnes of men , become so deformed and vncomely to the eyes of them that behold him ? How are the Ornaments of his amiable feature diminished ? How is his royall dignity disgraced ? How is he become a subiect of nothing else but of sorrow & calamity , and a wofull obiect of lamentation and pitty ? He is wounded for our iniquities , he is bruised for our wicked offences , and is made an acceptable Sacrifice of a most sweet smelling sauour in thy sight , oh God of eternall glory ; that thou mightest auert thy indignation from vs , and reuerse the sentence of thy heauie displeasure gone out against vs , and make vs Co-heires with him for euer , in his heauenly habitation .

Looke downe , oh Lord , holy Father , from thy holy Sanctuarie , and from the high Throne of thy infinite Maiestie , and behold this holy Sacrifice , which our great high Priest doth offer vnto thee , thy holy Childe , the Lord Iesus , for the sinnes of his brethren , and let thy wrath be appeased , which our iniquities haue most iustly procured against vs , remouing farre out of thy sight , the multitude of our innumerable transgressions .

And let his innocent death pay the full summe of our heauy debt . Behold the voice of the bloud of our Iesus , doth cry vnto thee from the Crosse , begging mercy at thy hands for our many misdeeds , pardon for all our haynous sins , and speaking better things then the bloud of Abell . What meaneth this , Oh Lord ? Doth he still hang naked and nailed on the Crosse ? Are his veines newly lanced , will his bleeding wounds neuer bee stanched ? Shall his side remaine euermore pierced , and his skinne alwayes dyed with bloud ? Did not his Disciples behold him with their eyes , ascending aboue the Cloudes , really and royally , into the Mansion of eternal glory , and now hath he not his residence in Heauen , sitting at the right hand of thy Omnipotent Maiestie , leading Captiuitie Captiue , and giuing gifts vnto men ? Wee know oh Lord , and are certainely assured , that our blessed Sauiour ruleth and raigneth with thee in euerlasting glory , and yet hee remaineth fixed on the Crosse , his wounds still streaming out precious bloud , to wash away our sinfull blots , All times are present with God . because his painefull passion , with thee is euermore in action , and things long past are alwayes present before thee .

And we daily see him crucified , paying the price of our Redemption , in our spirituall contemplation & diuine Meditations . Know thou , oh heauenly and louing Father , the Coat of thy true Son Ioseph . Alas , a most cruell Beast deuoured him , and hath trodden his Garment vnder feet in his fury , and hath stained al the beauty , and disgraced all the glory of it , with spots of gore-bloud .

Behold , that rauenous beast hath left fiue pittifull rents in it . This , oh Lord , is the Garment which thy innocent Childe left in the hand of the Aegiptian Harlot , chusing rather to loose his Cloake , then to forgo the precious Iewel of his vnspotted Chastity , by polluting his vndefiled body with filthy adultery , chusing rather being spoiled of garment of the flesh , to descend into the prison of death , then to obey that adulterous voice , by which it was very well said , All these things I will giue thee , if thou wilt fall downe & worship me , Mat. 4.9 . As Ioseph did willingly forgo his cloake when he was allured to haue committed folly with his adulterous Mistris . And now omnipotent Lord , and gracious Father , we know that thy Son liueth & raigneth ouer all the land of Egipt , & in euery place of thy vniuersall Monarchy , for he is brought out of the prison of death & hell , into thy glorious Kingdom , crowned with the Emperial crown of eternall immortalitie , and hauing changed his Garment of the flesh , immortalitie flourisheth for euer , being receiued of thee with exceeding glory . For hee hath subdued and conquered the kingdome of Pharo , and with his owne noble valour , with an honourable triumph hath entred the heauens . And behold , he being crowned with glory and honour , sitteth at the right hand of thy Maiestie , who being our Aduocate , maketh continuall intercession for vs , that we being the children of wrath , and disobedience by Nature , may bee reconciled vnto thee for euer , by the exceeding riches of thy grace : For hee is flesh , & he is our brother . Looke , oh Lord , vpon the amiable face of thy sweet Christ , which became obedient vnto thee , euen vnto death , that thou being well pleased in beholding him , mayest send downe the comfortable dewe of thy mercy vpon vs : neither let his scarres depart for euer out of thy sight , that thou mayest remember what a great satisfaction thou hast receiued of him for our sinnes . I wish it might please thee to ballance the sinnes , wherewith wee haue deserued thy wrath and indignation , together with the calamitie and sorrow , which thy innocent Sonne hath suffered for vs . Certainely the waight of his heauy miserie , will more then counterpoyse the waight of all our iniquities , and it hath rather deserued , that thou shouldest raine downe the sweet shewers of thy mercy vpon vs , then that our sinnes haue demerited to kindle the fire of thy deuouring wrath against vs , that wee should vtterly be depriued of thy wonted clemency , which should slake the fury of thine incensed ire , and put out the flame of thy burning indignation .

But ; oh gratious and mercifull Father , let euery tongue proclaime immortall thankes vnto thee , and sound forth aloud thine eternall praises ; for the exceeding largenesse of thine immeasurable bounty , which hast not spared thine onely Sonne , which was as deere , and neere as thine owne heart vnto thee , but hast deliuered him vp vnto death for vs all , that we might haue him as a faithfull Aduocate , and louing Mediatour before thee in Heauen .

And to thee , oh Lord Iesus , a most couragious and constant Louer , and my gratious Redeemer , what thankes be they neuer so many , can I returne , or what praises , be they neuer so great , may I vtter , which might counteruaile the least iot of thy worthy merit ? when as I am but a base creature , made of dust , and shaped out of the clay , whose breath is in my Nosthrils , and I subiect euery moment to forgoe it , ( although I commonly forget it ) and to returne againe into the wombe of the Earth , from whence I was taken .

SECTION . XIX .

FOR what , oh sweet Sauiour shouldest thou haue done , which thou hast not willingly done , to finish the great worke of my saluation ? Thou hast diued and cast thy selfe ouer head and eares into the troublesome Ocean of thy stormy Passions , that thou mightest draw mee wholly out aliue , from those perillous Waters , when the waues haue entered euen into thy Soule ? For thou diddest willingly subiect thy selfe to the paines of Death , that thou mightest restore my soule vnto mee , which I had so wilfully lost , Luke 1.71 .

And now behold , I am obliged vnto thee by a double debt , because thou hast twise giuen mee my soule , once by Creation , and once by Redemption : what haue I , that I may more iustly giue thee then my soule ? But for thy precious soule , vexed , perplexed , and troubled with so many , and such heauy tribulations , I finde not what recompence man can bee able to render vnto thee , in any sort to gratifie the worthinesse of thy desert . For if I should be able to giue thee Heauen and Earth , and all their beautifull furniture , and the glorious ornaments of them , I could in no wise attaine the measure , or discharge the infinite sum of such an euerlasting debt : But that I may render both that which I owe , and also that which is possible for mee , is a matter wholly belonging to thy liberall bountie , and must onely flowe from the sweet fountaine of thy beneficiall goodnesse .

Thou art to be loued , oh Lord , with all my heart , with all my strength , I must tread in thy path , and follow thy steps , which hast endured all the extreamities of thy bitter Passions , with exceeding patience , and being Lord of life , hast of thine owne accord , vouchsafed to yeeld thy selfe vnto death , to redeeme mee , and all faithfull repentant sinners , to the ioyes of eternall life . And how shall that thing bee effected and wrought to mee , but onely and wholy by thee , through thy mightie power , which is able to worke all things in Heauen aboue , and in the Earth beneath ?

Let my Soule cleaue vnto thee , let it be vnited vnto thee , with the bond of euerlasting loue , because all the vertue and faculties of it depend onely vpon thee , and because it must needs sinke into a bottomlesse pit of endles misery , if it bee but a moment debarred from thy louing mercy .

And now , oh Lord , my gracious Redeemer , I worship thee as true God , I trust in thee , I hope in thee , I couet & long to approach so neere vnto thee , as the feeble wings of my mounting desires will carry me ; Let thy strong hand support my weakenesse : Let the rich treasure of thy mercy supply the wants of mine infirmity . Let the greatnesse of thine vnsearchable goodnesse neuer depart out of my remembrance . Let a memoriall of thy bitter passion , by which thou hast wrought mine euerlasting Saluation , be perfectly written within the palmes of my hands , so that mine eyes may still be viewing it : and let it be deepely ingrauen in my heart , that mine inward thoughts and cogitations may euermore be meditating and musing vpon it .

Let thy Crowne of Thornes , thy redde bloudy nailes , thy pierced side , thy grieuous wounds , thy precious bloud , thy death and buriall , bee euermore presented before the eyes of mine vnderstanding , that I may water my Couch , and make my bedde to swimme with teares of true sorrowfull repentance , that I may duely and truely bewaile the multitude of my haynous sinnes , which haue beene like so many Iron-nayles , to enter through thy harmelesse hands and innocent feete , and like so many sharpe Speares , to pierce thy blessed side , to make thy wounded heart send forth plentifull streams of thy deere and precious bloud .

Lastly , let the fresh remembrance of thy most glorious and victorious Resurrection , and the blessed memory of thy triumphant Ascention , comfort the fainting Spirits of my drooping soule , & with a sweet taste of ioy , mittigate the sorrowes of my perplexed minde . For in all these , the sweet odour of life doth ascend vp into my nosthrils . Raise thou , ( oh Lord ) my spirit , with their reuiuing odour , from the death of sinne , and out of the Graue of perpetuall darkenesse .

Touch my heart , oh Christ , that I may touch thee : yea , although it bee but the hemme of thy Garment , that Vertue may come out of thee , Matth. 14.32 . Marke 6.56 . Which may keepe me from the snares of Sathan , and comfort me in the houre of tribulation , so that the yoake of thy commaundements may be made easie vnto mee , and the burthen of the Crosse , which thou commandest mee to carry after thee may be light to my soule .

What am I a silly worme ? What is my strength ? What are mine vnited forces , to sustaine so heauy a burthen of worldly miseries , with such an invincible minde , and peaceable patience as thou hast commaunded ? How can I saile in this troublesome Ocean , but I must needs runne against the rockes of wofull Desperation , vnlesse thou be my Pilot , and guide my sterne ?

It is fond to put any confidence in men ; It is vaine to put any trust in Princes . For although thou hast called them Gods , to teach them how high thou hast exalted them , ( and they indeed are truly honorable , that remember thee to bee the author of their exaltion ) yet by and by thou hast giuen them a cooling Carde , to quaile and qualifie their haughtie pride , telling them plainely , that for all that , they shall die like men , and returne , and be turned into dust , as well as the meanest of the people .

SECTION . XX.

ARE my feet ( oh Christ ) like vnto the feet of a swift Hart , that I should bee able to follow thee , so swift a runner , through the thornes and pricking Bushes of thy painefull Passion ? Doe I not walke vpon the Water , alwayes ready to sincke with fearefull Peter , vnlesse thou put forth thy powerfull hand to succour me ? Mat. 14.29.31 . But heare my voyce ( oh thou Sonne of Dauid ) my mercifull Sauiour , infuse the precious Quintessence of thy celestiall Graces into my bosome , and then lay thy sweet Crosse vpon thy seruant , which is the Tree of Life , to them which apprehend it , then ( as I hope ) I shall runne forward cheerfully , and I shall carry that Crosse after thee with great willingnes , which thy cruell enemies did maliciously impose vpon thee .

Lay that most hard Crosse ( I say ) vpon my shoulders , whose breadth is Chastity , whose length is Eternity , whose height is Omnipotency , whose depth is vnsearchable Wisedome . Naile my hands and my feet vnto it , and make thy seruant , oh LORD , in all things conformable to thy Passion .

Graunt mee ( oh Lord ) to abstaine from the works of the flesh , which thou hatest , and to doe righteousnesse , which thou louest , and in both to seeke thy glory . Naile my left hand with the naile of Temperancie , and my right hand with the naile of Iustice , vpon that high Crosse .

Graunt my minde continually to meditate on thy holy Law , and to cast all my cogitations vpon thee ; and fasten my right foot to the same tree of life , with the naile of wisedome . Graunt that the vnhappy happinesse of this life , sliding away euery moment , may not allure mee like an enticing Harlot , to yeeld to the wanton inducements of carnall sensualitie , and to weaken his vigour , by the intemperate abuses of vnlawfull pleasures . Neither let pyning cares , pensiue thoughts , and suddaine vnhappy chances trouble the peace of it , or procure any turbulent motions : but let my Spirit , as well in the Sunneshine dayes of calme prosperitie , as in the blustering weather of stormy aduersitie , bee fastened to thy Crosse with the nailes of prudent moderation , and Christian fortitude , that neither in prosperitie I may soare too high , with the wings of aspiring pride , nor in the aduersitie bee depressed too lowe , with the weight of dispairefull care : But that there may appeare some similitude of the pricking thornes , which pearcing the vaines of thy head , made a passage for thy precious bloud , to runne downe to the skirts of thy cloathing ; graunt I pray thee , that my minde may bee so deepely wounded , with the forcible compunction of healthful repentance , that mine eyes may shewre downe plenty of teares , to wash away the spots of my defiled Conscience : So mollifie the hardenesse of my heart , that it may bee pliaable to receiue the impression of tender pitty , so that it may still haue a feeling compassion of other mens miserie .

Let an earnest zeale , to emulate and imitate that which is righteous before thee , so pricke forward my minde , that I may alwayes place thy perfect Law before mine eyes , and walke in the way of thy Commaundements ; and that in the extreamest fits of my greatest sorrow , I may turne vnto thee for my consolation and comfort ; and that dispayring of my owne merit , I may bee relieued by thy Mercy .

I am well pleased , that thou put a Spunge by a Reede to my mouth , and that thou giue sowre Vineger to my taste . It liketh me , that thou shouldest teach my reason by thy holy Word , that the glorious pride of the World , is nothing else but an emptie Spunge , which appeareth more in shew then it is in substance , and that the sweetest taste of it , is more sowre then vinegar , which exceedeth in sharpenesse , and all the concupiscence of it , more bitter then gall or worme-wood .

Euen so , oh heauenly Father , let the cup of Babilon be bitter vnto me , let not the pleasant colour of the wine allure me to taste of that poysoned liquor , neither let the deceitful sweetnes of it ouercome my vnderstanding , nor drowne my reason , as it hath done theirs , which thinke darknes to be light , and light to be darkenes , bitter to be sweet , & sweet to be bitter . I dare not drinke of the wine tempered with Mirrhe , and mixed with gall , because thou wouldest not drinke of it , Mark . 15.23 . For thereby appeared the bitternesse of the enuy and malice which thy furious Foes did beare against thee , who would afforde thee no humane pitty in thy greatest extreamitie , no not so much as to giue thee a cup of sweet water . Fashion thy seruant , oh Lord , like vnto thy quickning death , that according to the flesh I may die daily , crucifying my carnall lusts , alwayes loathing the thing that is euill , and that according to the Spirit , I may daily be reuiued , imbracing and louing the thing that is righteous and good . And that I may reioyce to carry in me the perfect Image of thee my Lord and crucified Sauiour , expresse also a similitude of that in mee , which the vnsaciable crueltie of the euill ones acted against thee , after thy cursed and yet most blessed death : Let thy liuely and powerfull Word pierce into my side , and wound my hart : For thy word , oh Lord , will sooner enter then a double-edged sword , and penetrate deeper then the sharpest speare , euen to the diuision of my soule , and the marrow inclosed in my bones , that in steed of bloud and water , there may issue forth continuall streames of loue , towards thee and thy brethren . So that as thou hast not spared to shed thy heart bloud for me , I may alwayes be willing to expresse my gratuitie towards thee .

Lastly , wrap my Spirit in the pure linnen cloth of thy righteous garment , in which I may safely rest , comming out , and going into the place of thy holy Tabernacle , and wherewith thou mayest hide mee vntill thine anger be appeased , and thy heauy displeasure remoued . But the third day , after the day of labour and punishment , earely in the dawning of the Sabbath day , raise mee euerlastingly amongst thy children , that in my flesh I may see thy brightnes , and be filled with the ioy of thy countenance .

SECTION . XXI .

OH my Sauiour and my God , let the time come I pray thee , let that blessed time come , wherein I may see that with my inward eyes , which now I beleeue by faith , which now I enioy by hope , and apprehend a farre off .

And that I may embrace that with mine armes , and kisse that with my ioyfull lips , which I now long to haue , with such thirstie desires , as will neuer be satisfied , vntill they be wholy possessed of it , and that I be swallowed vp in the deepe Sea of thine infinite goodnesse , oh my Sauiour and my God . But praise thou , oh my Soule , my God my Sauiour , and magnifie his Name . For it is holy , replenished with store of most holy delights , whose quantitie is stinted with no measure , nor qualitie subiect to any mutability .

Oh how good , how sweet art thou , Lord Iesus , to the soule that seeketh thee ? Oh Iesus , the Redeemer of those which were lost , the Sauiour of those which are redeemed , the hope of the banished , the strength of those that are troubled , the libertie of a Spirit afflicted with bondage , the comfortable solace , and sweet refreshing of a sorrowfull Soule , which sheddeth teares , and sendeth forth sweat , while it runneth after thee ; the Crowne of the Tryumphing , the onely reward and ioy of all celestiall Citizens , the most plentifull Fountaine of all Graces , the glorious Sonne of the highest God , and also the highest God , Roman. 3.25 . Matth. 9.12 . Zach. 13.1 . Psal. 16.5 . Iohn 10.7.9 . Let all things praise thee , which are in Heauen aboue , and which are in Earth beneath . Thou art great , and thy name is wonderfull . Oh exceeding glory of the high God , and most pure brightnesse of eternall light ; oh life quickening euery life ; oh light illuminating euery light , and preseruing them in eternall brightnesse . A thousand thousands of glistering lights are before the Throne of thy Diuinity for euer .

Oh eternall and vnaccessible substance , the most cleere & sweet streame of a Fountaine hidden from the eyes of all mortall Creatures , whose water is without beginning , profunditie without any bottome , depth without any end , amplitude vnsearchable , purity vncorruptible . The heart of the highest God hath sent thee out from his bottomlesse deepenesse ; life hath sent forth life , light hath sent forth light , the Eternall hath sent forth the Eternall , the incomprehensible hath sent forth the incomprehensible , and coequall to himselfe in all things ; all of vs receiue from thy fulnesse . For thou a most plentifull Fountaine , doest send out from thy Treasures , a precious Riuer of euery good thing of thy seauen-folde Graces ; with whose pleasant sweetnesse thou dost vouchsafe to sweeten the saltnesse of the salt Sea of our infirmities . A riuer of the oyle of gladnesse , a riuer of pure Wine , a riuer of fierie courage . The holy spirit , the comforter , is poured forth from thee and the Father into the World , equall to both , filling all things , contayning all things , the Spirit proceeding from thee , proceeding from the Father ; one Spirit proceeding from both , vniting both ; to wit , the vnseparable connexion ; the glewe of perfect Vnion ; the Cyment that can neuer be dissolued ; the euerlasting knot of eternall coniunction of both ; and peace passing all vnderstanding .

This is the flood , oh Lord , of abounding and exceeding pleasure , wherewith thou doest water continually that pleasant , and glorious Citie Ierusalem , which is aboue , so that the furrowes thereof are filled with the streames of eternall delight : Where the bright and glistering Organs sound out sweet songs of continuall reioycing , whose melody exceedeth in sweetnesse , neuer ceaseth , but hath an euerlasting continuance . With the sweet drops of this pleasant riuer , the thirsty iawes of thy banished people , oh Lord , doe waite continually to bee refreshed by thee . Suffer , oh Lord , the whelpes to drinke vp the droppes that fall from the Table of their Masters .

Let the Heauens send downe from aboue , the comfortable deaw , and let the clouds poure forth a gracious rayne , oh Lord , of that righteous Spirit , which thou diddest cause to streame downe vpon the famous first fruits of thy people ; an euident demonstration of our future tryumphing .

With the heauenly distillation of those fierie drops , we pray thee , oh Lord , that thou wilt vouchsafe to purge , renew , illuminate , enflame , to make ioyfull , confirme and vnite the harts of them which beleeue in thee , that they may be one , sauour one thing , require , and apprehend one thing , with one minde , that they may see and laud thee the GOD of Gods in Sion . Glory , thanks-giuing , honour , and dominion be ascribed to the inseparable Trinitie , now and for euer , AMEN .

Daemona non armis , sed morte subegit Iesus .

The Authors deprecation , or Petition , for himselfe .

DEliuer mee from mine enemies , oh my God , and from them which hate mee ; because of their multitude I dread them , and because of their might I am too weake to encounter them . And I , which euen vntill this day haue liued against my selfe , will euen now begin , through thy grace , to liue to my selfe .

For we ought to liue so here in this World , that when the body shall be deuoured of the Wormes in the graue , the soule may reioyce with the Saints in Heauen . We ought to seeke after the heauenly Ierusalem . The Spirit is to bee directed towards that place to which it shall goe , and wee ought to make hast thither , where wee may alwaies liue , and neuer stand any more in feare of our loue .

If we so deerely loue and highly esteeme this sliding , fickle , and fraile life , in which wee liue with toyle & labour , and yet by eating , drinking , and sleeping , can scant satisfie the necessities of the flesh , and supply her daily wants , wee ought farre dearer to esteeme and feruently to desire , to attaine to eternall life in the Hauen of rest , where we shall sustaine no labour , where is alwaies the chiefest pleasure , greatest happinesse , happy liberty , and endlesse blessednesse ; where men shall be like vnto the Angels of God , and the righteous shine like the Sunne in the Kingdome of their Father . How wonderfully and gloriously doest thou thinke , that the soules of the iust shall excell in brightnesse , when as the light of their bodies shall equall the splendour of the Sunne , when as his golden beames doe shine clearest ?

There shall be no sadnesse , no pensiuenesse , no paine , no feare : there shall be no labour , no death : but perpetuall health dwelleth there , and abideth for euer : there breedeth no spitefull malice , no miserie of the flesh , no dolefull calamitie . There is no grieuous sicknesse , no pinching want , no carefull necessitie . There is no hunger , no thirst , no colde , no heate , no wearisomnesse of Fasting , no temptation of the enemie : neither is there any will to sinne , nor facultie to offend , but ioy and gladnesse ouer-spreadeth all , reioycing and exultation possesseth all . Men there also associated with the Angels , and freed from all fleshly infirmitie , shall remaine and continue for euer . There shall be infinite pleasure , euerlasting blessednesse , in which whosoeuer shall once be happily inuested , hee shall surely and securely liue , possessed with it for euer . There shall be quiet rest , from our toyling and tyring labours , perpetuall peace without any dreadfull feare of our enemies , delightfull pleasantnesse , proceeding from flourishing and continuall newnesse : securitie arising from Eternitie : delectablenesse and sweetnesse , flowing from the glorious vision of GOD , our omnipotent Creatour . And who doth not hourely long , and daily desire , to dwell and remaine in this heauenly Paradise , and celestiall Pallace , of true and euerlasting pleasure , both in regard of that perpetuall peace , delightfull pleasantnesse , neuer-decaying eternity ? and also in respect of the glorious Vision and sight of God ; who shall replenish vs with infinite ioy and immeasurable gladnesse . No man shall be there a Pilgrime and Stranger , but whosoeuer shall be admitted , as worthy to come and enter into this celestiall City , they shall dwell there for euer in their owne Country , secure from all feare of any dreadfull danger , alwayes ioyfull , alwayes satisfied with the most delightfull sight of GOD their Creator .

And by how much the greater obedience any one shall performe towards God heere ; by so much the more bountifull reward hee shall receiue of him there : and by how much the more entierly and deerely he shall long after God , by so much the neerer hee shall approach vnto him , and see him , whom so exceedingly hee coueteth to view , and desireth to behold . To this Kingdome bring mee oh God , by the merits of thy Sonne Christ IESVS .

FINIS .