First of Mary , who heere cryes Rabboni .

The winged Quiristers of Heauen , the Birds , vnto whom God has granted the large patent of the whole aire , as his glorious Chappell , to sing their sweet notes & anthymnes , their shrill praises vnto God Almighty in : In winter time , in drizling clowdy weather , and when the day is shut in , they , silly soules , as all disconsolate and drowzy , doe sit within their bowres and eaues , and on their branches . But when the winter is past , Cant. 2.11 . the raine is changed , and is gone away , when the flowers appeare in the earth , when the time of singing of Birds is come , when the cheerefull spring arises , to apparrell the earth with such ornature , as that Salomon , in all his royalty and princely paludaments , may not compare with it ; and when the glorious Sunne vnlockes the doore of the morning , to run his race like a Gyant , then they begin to prune and picke themselues , and in their circling turnes doe mount and soare aloft , and chirp and caroll out their praises to God Almighty , as rendring their dutifull deuotions and thankes vnto the Lord , who thus reflects the beames of the Sun vpon them .

Loe heere ( Beloued in our Lord ) a hainous sinner , that was aye , and yet is ; for this viper can neuer be shaken off from S. Pauls hand , Ios. 15. this Iebusite will needs remaine wonted sluces , her eyes , the daily-dropping Conduit-pipes of her greefe . Shee goes wringing her myrrh-dropping fingers , being robbed by the Sabeans , the cursed Iewes , of her prizelesse pearle , the signet of her owne right hand , Iesus her Sauiour , whom she tendred and loued as the apple of her eye , she is grown Extaticall , intranced , in a deliquium , a swound , ready to fall , ready to dye .

After her running to and fro , her timorous heart , throbbing & panting within her , with her iourneying and greeuing , her seeking and sighing , she at length takes vp her Inne , at the tombe of Iesus , the Hoast of the house of Israel , and there thinkes to refresh and recouer her pining consumed soule with her restauratiue wonted Manna , the bread that came downe from heauen : But out alas , the childrens bread was gone , no crums were left for the silly whelps that wait at their Masters table : She , no lost sheep , seekes the lost shepheard of her soule , she disburses many a brinish siluer drop , many a salt teare that drilled downe her cheekes , into the lap of the earth .

Was it I pray you , to mollifie the earth , which , as she thought , was growne obdurate , hard-hearted , in so soone deliuering vp her Lord , in retaining and keeping him no longer ? or else did she , trow yee , bedeaw the earth in thankfulnesse , as hauing carried these hallowed feet of his , and hauing borne her owne defiled feet vnto the sacred Temple , Recedentibus discipulis Maria non recedebat : she stayd and wept , vt propheticum . the presence-chamber of the King of Kings , where Iesus powerfully preached , and she her selfe was happily conuerted ? No ,

Teares were her meat day and night , whiles they sayd , Where is now thy God ?

See Bonauent : lig. vit. cap. Iesus intumulatus .

no : Rachel mourned for her lost Lord , and would not bee comforted , because hee was not . And thus she mones .

Aye mee , poore forlorne wretch , I haue lost my Lord , my most louing Lord , the crowne of my head , of my hopes ; the Shrine of my blisse ; the Sanctuarie of my disconsolate soule ; the Graue of all my greefes ; the Rock where I , the Doue , did make my nest ; whose fiue wounds were as them fiue Cities of refuge vnto mee , who so often fled from his sacred presence to doe the works of darknesse , whose Sun-shine brightnesse neuer yet could brooke any impiety or impurity .

O wish I now rather to dye , then to liue ; for thus dying , I may liue , so dying , I may happily finde him , whom I see , I cannot finde liuing , therefore Viuere cùm ne queam , sit mihi posse mori .

O Let me dye , 1 Reg. 19.4 . Lord now let thy seruant depart in peace , it is now enough , ô Lord , take my soule : so shall I haue a full fruition of thee , ô Lord , in Heauen , the City and Colledge of deceased Saints . Alas , what good can I enioy on earth without thee ? and what good shall I not enioy in Heauen with thee ? For with thee is the well-spring of life , Psal. 36.9 . & in thy light shall we see light , the light of that Celestiall Goshen . O call me no more Naomi , no more Mary , but Marah , Bitternesse : Lam. 3.15 . Lam. 3.15 . Hee hath filled mee with bitternesse , and made my soule drunke with wormewood . Yet heere is the benefit of bitternes ; Marcus Heremite , Marcus Heremita 2. lib. in his booke De Lege spirituali , Wormewood is good for ill stomacks , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ( and so for good no question ) it will stir vp still a farre more eager appetite in mee to desire Christ Iesus , the hidden manna , Ioh. 6.34 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Lord giue vs euermore of this bread , Praeda canum lepus est , Mart. vastos non implet hiatus . Wee put on sable weedes , and mourne for our ordinary acquaintance departed , Corporis factura . Corporis fractura . and yet we know that they were but earthen vessels , as there is a moulding , so there is a marring of the body , as there is a Genesis , so an Exodus , a comming in , so a going out , they are our Harbingers sent before vs , S. Cyprian . lib. de mortalitate praemittuntur non amittuntur . we haue onely left them for a time , not lost them . But Mary Magdalens sorrowfull madrigals , in a higher key , they ayme at another farre more eminent and glorious obiect : shee wept not with those indiscreet women , Exech. 8.14 . for Thammyz , which , as some write , was a brazen Image with leaden eyes , which being molten with heat , seemed to weepe , and then the women , in sympathy , did weepe too , and mourne for their Goddesse , Rabbi Dauid , and Rab. Shel . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which was thought to bee Adonis : no , shee mournes not for Adonis ; but for Adonai , her Lord , her sole Mediatour , Lord of Lords , shee deplores his absence , in whose presence is fulnesse of ioy , and at his right hand , pleasures for euermore .

Shee complaines , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioh. 20 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Verse 13. They haue taken away the Lord , first ; but after , she betters her stile , They haue taken away my Lord : And this is sutable to that of Christ , in calling her first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Ioh. 20.15 . Verse 16. woman , then after that , Mary .

See , I beseech you , her vnparallel'd and vntraced loue . First , she ran thither before the Disciples . Secondly , she ran back for them , and no question , though they ran hard , and Iohn out-ran Peter , yet she ran very hard too , almost as soone there as they . Thirdly , shee stayed there after they were gone . Peter , the Disciple that is said to loue Christ best , the accounted Primate of the Apostles ; Theophylact. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . and Iohn , the Disciple who is sayd to be the best beloued of the Lord , Cubicularius Domini , Cyp. lib. de ablutione pedum . the Chamberlaine of Iesus , as S. Cyprian sayth , to whom Christ commended , Thalamum humanitatis the Bed-chamber of his humanity ; his mother ; Mary Magdalen , was not much behinde them in expedition . Triplex hic funiculus amoris : Loue is as strong as death , and ought to be for him , especially of whom it may rightly bee sayd , as in that riddle of Sampson , out of the strong came sweet , for hee alone was able to saue . Mary stayd after them : the weaker sex , but stronger in affection . They ran , but their deuotion was sooner spent , was sooner out of breath , they stayed not : shee stood still and blubbred out many a teare , when as shee saw that Iesus her Rabboni was gone .

Stetit , she stood still , and stood to it : not like Peter , a flincher , a reuolter , an abiurer of Christ , for he cowardly went out and wept .

Stetit , she stood : oportet Mariam stantem flere , stantem mori , It behooues Mary to stand to her teares , I ( as Vespasian sayd at his death of an Emperour ) to dye standing .

Stetit , shee stood : shee had no prop , no pallet , no ease for her greefe , no bed of downe , to cast her sorrow asleepe on , as Dauid had his couch , Euery night wash I my bed , and water my couch with my teares .

Stetit , she stood : A positure of the body , ready still for to remooue , as if she would neuer lin seeking , vntill shee had found him , whom her soule loued , and so much desired .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ver. 1. Mary comes first , earely , while yet it was darke , like a Manna-gatherer , very earely , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Septuagint . to finde him happily out , whom her soule , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Entre le ch●●n & le loup . I say , affected and embraced so much . In that time shee came vnto the Sepulcher , Iohn 20.1 . when she by course of nature should haue beene in bed , and fast asleep . But her eyes are like the morning watch , that watch for the morning : shee takes away from Nature , to giue to Grace . Peraduenture , in the whole circuit of that night , shee gaue no sleep vnto her eyes , nor any slumber to her eye lids , in musing of him , who is the Keeper of Israel , that neither slumbreth nor sleepeth , but watcheth ouer hers and all our soules .

Thus with the Spouse in the Canticles , Cant. 3.1 , 2 , 3. shee may well say , In my bed I sought him , Si non inuenit amor quando inuen●et tepor ? Gilbert . Abbas sir. vicant . whom my soule loued , I sought him , but I found him not : and so shee rises earely , and sought him , but found him not . The watch-men can tell her no tydings of him , she askt the two Angels in linnen , Ioh. 20.12 . the one sitting at the head , the other at the feet , where the body of Iesus had layen . Those Nightingales , Pausanias in Baeoti●s . that were making of their nests , and singing at the Sepulcher of Orpheus , that heauenly Orpheus , our Sauiour Iesus . The Angels she sought not , but all our hearts : Cant. 4.15 . O fountaine o● these gardens , ô well of liuing waters , ô the springs of Lebanon water and moysten , ô Lord , with thy speciall grace , these gifts and heauenly vertues of thine owne plantation . Cant. 4.16 . Thus let my beloued come to his garden , and taste of his pleasant apples , his delicacies his sweetnesses . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of Meged delicatum dulce pomum . So Meged shammaijm is the deaw , the excellent gift of Heauen . So peri mega● thau signifies . This word in the plurall number denotes out vnto vs , both the multiplicity and excellency of Gods graces , wherewith from his heauenly Exchequer , hee in mercy and bounty doth inrich vs .

Well , Mary enquires of Iesus himself , whether he knew where Iesus was , and shee cals him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Lord , which S. Hierom seemes to tax in way of dispute , for that she cals the Gardiner , Lord ; & Iesus but Rabboni , Master .

But heere , Beloued in our Lord , was her feruent and longing desire , much more exprest , in giuing such a title to the Gardiner , as whereby to woe and to win him , to tell her the sooner , as being impatient to brooke the least delay : S. August . in Serm. 133. or else , as S. Augugustine , Prophêtat & nescit quando dicit Domine , This was in a prophetike straine , by a heauenly Enthousiasme , calling him Lord , who was Lord indeed , who hath vpon his garment , and on his thigh , Reuel. 19.16 . a name written , King of Kings , and Lord of Lords . But sure it is no more then thus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Cyr , or Sir , write it as you list : as if on this manner . O my deere and gentle Sir , good Gardiner , Thou seemest to bee the Keeper of this garden , where the loue of my soule was laid , where he was interred , Petra in petra , nouus in

Nor was she like to timorous Nicodemus , that came to see our Sauiour by night , no beameling of heauenly boldnes illustrating his too too darkned soule . Nor was she like to Ioseph of Arimathia , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Ioh. 19.38 . the Counsellour , who secretly , for feare of the Iewes , begged of Pilate the body of Iesus : but she , like an heroyke spirit , steeled and maled with a manly resolution , she feares not death it selfe , maugre the breards of all them that may stand in opposition , in despite of al affronts , Ego illum tollam , I will take him away , and will neuer basely beg any other helpe , but his alone , of whom our help standeth in the name of the Lord , who hath made both heauen and earth : Ego illum tollam . Loe here a resolute new S. Christopher . Lucan . lib. 6. Quam non mille modi mortis , &c , As Lucan of Scaeua , that valiant Souldier of Caesar , so wee may say of her , She feared not a thousand sorts of death , to lose her dearest life for him , in whom she liu'd , and moou'd , and had her cheefest being .

And thus Mary speakes , and mournes , and pines within her selfe , and weepes . No man , but would rather haue imagined Mary her selfe had been the Gardiner , who with the full bottles of her heart , the water pots of her head , her eyes , did all to be-water that garden .

O heauenly showres , such sweet riuers make glad the City of God .

Thus while shee , with a languid , dead , and longing eye , a heart full heauy , big with greefe , was sighing , and sobbing , and blubbring , and crying , O stay me with flagons , and comfort me with apples , for I am sicke of loue , S. Augustin . cap. 35. medit. Quia te Domine Iesu prae caeteris dilexit Maria ideo meruit , &c. Because Mary loued thee , ô Lord , aboue all , therefore shee obtained to bee both seene of thee first , to bee called of thee so louingly , Mary , and to call thee so loyally , Rabboni .

Iesus our gracious Lord speakes to Mary in a passionate straine of affection , no obiurgation and chiding , as some doe write : S. Chrysostom . Homil. 28. & S. Cyrill . 10.45 But as S. Chrysostome saith , out of a singular and deepe affection , and compassion , he vtters out this one word , Mary . The onely Electuary and Cordiall , the Ros Solis , to recouer her drowping and dying soule : Mary . Vnto whom shee turning with an open and a nimble eare , for the touch of such a heauenly string , with a liuely alacrity and cheerefulnesse of spirit , hauing thus heard his sweet and gracious voyce , in terming her Mary , she out of a singular , dutifull , & strict obligation of her loue to him , ecchoes backe this one and sole reciprocall word of her lowly loue , and most humble respect vnto him , Rabboni .

Non nouit ex vultu , Oraculo non oculo credebat . fides ex auditu . She knew him not at first by his outward lineaments : faith comes by hearing . Shee heard him , and then beleeued in him . Thy rough garment shewes thee to be the Gardiner ; but thy voyce is Iacobs voyce : I , Iacob indeed , the true supplanter , the true wrastler , supplanting the old Adam , thy elder brother , for thou hast got the birth-right , and the blessing , for thou art the First-begotten , Reuel. 1.8 . Alpha & Omega , the Beginning and the Ending , Rom. 1.25 . and God blessed for euermore . Thou art Iacob the true Huntsman , Gen. 27. who hast brought the true venison , the pleasant and sauoury meat , the saluation of thy beloued brethren , vnto thine euerlasting Father , that celestiall Isaac ; for God would in no wise the death of a sinner : S. Bernard . For this , ô thou heauenly Iacob , thou didst put on our sinnes , these were thy rough skins , ô Lord , wherewith thou wast arrayed : But in meere mercy thou hast got the blessing , not for thy selfe ( with old Iacob ) but for me , ô Lord , and so for all , who claime an interest in thy prizelesse drops of bloud , Heb 9.14 . the true Purgatory , that purges our consciences from dead workes , to serue the liuing God . I therefore , and let vs all therefore , with the golden Censors of the Sanctuary in our hands , and in our hearts burne deuotion as incense vnto thee , and with the 24 Elders wee fall downe before him , Reuel. 4.10 , 11. that sits on the Throne , and worship him who liues for euermore , and wee will cast our crownes before the Throne , saying , Thou art worthy , ô Lord , to receiue glory , and honor , and power , for thou hast created all things , and for thy wils sake , they are and haue been created : but more , and much more , for thy deare loues sake , thou hast redeemed vs by that thy dearest bloud-shed , powred out for our saluation .

What ? doe I heare the sweet voyce of my heauenly Iacob ? calling me Mary , out of his mercy ? ô then let mee returne backe the drops of my deerest loue and dutifulnesse , and acknowledge we may in this respect of Maries : Few or none at all such Maries , nay , hardly euer such a Mary , saue Mary Theotôcos , the mother of our Lord. Mary Magdalen , much louing , and much beloued of Christ , stiles him Rabboni ,

O well-deseruing duty vnto an all-meriting loue , garded with Gods especiall grace , vshered on by faith , attended with singular affection , deuotion , admiration : she is as out of her selfe , her selfe being wholly in Christ , her more then second selfe : for shee estimates and prizes him far aboue her selfe : shee beleeues it is her Lord , and Master , and Sauiour , yet stands she agashed and amazed first , at this so sudden , happy end inexpected sight .

O heauenly change , a blessed Conuert , a true Penitentiary : Thus , Beloued , thus shee was not ; she that is now Christ Iesus his Follower , his Retainer , was erewhile Satans seruitour , the daughter of darknesse , very loth to haue beene seene in committing the deedes of darknesse , but now with Henoch , Gen. 5. shee walkes with God , as in the presence of God : with S. Basils Virgin , shee dreaded the sight of holy Angels , and the soules of Saints departed , who ( if they see ) might mourne at her vnchaste and lewd misdemeanor : Marcus Drusus in Velleius Paterculus . she , with Drusus , now desires her house may be so built of the Architectours , if there be any skill in them , as that euery one passing by , might see what was done within . Shee paints not out , with the men of Crête , Melancthon . Iupiter without eyes : For hee that made the eye , shall not he see ? shee knowes of it , shee thinkes on it , that it cannot bee and hard to bee sit , who will often cast Reason , I and Grace too ( the Riders ) did carry her away a ho-gallop , euen to the brinke of death , the suburbs of Hell . O blessed , and euermore blessed be God , in that like Marcus Curtius , shee was not hurried head-long into the gulfe , the bottomelesse pit , Tsalmâueth Beershacatb , the shadow of death , the fountaine of destruction , where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth .

Beloued in our Lord , they runne farre that neuer turne : God hath his owne times , and houres , and moments , for the conuersion of a sinner , though his soule bee litted in a crimson die of sinne , the bloud of Iesus shall lauer and rinse it , as white as that snow in Salmon , if wee returne to him by weeping Crosse , and bathe our selues in Bethesda , the teares of true repentance , the sacred poole that God delights to see a sinner swim in .

Mary Magdalen , while she was plunged in the midst of mare mortuum , the dead sea of her misdeedes , acknowledged not this blessed Rabboni . But after her heauenly retired thoughts , her deepe and serious consideration of that Legion , wherwith she had been possessed , the talent of lead wherewith her soule was burthened , her infinite sins she had committed ▪ her good and gracious God she had displeased , the terrors of eternall death she had deserued , and with all his remarkable mercies , Esa. 55. who is multus ad misericordiam , of much mercy , and very ready to forgiue , as the Prophet termes him : Fulgent . ad Venantiam filiam . And as Fulgentius well sayth , In hoc multo nihil deest in quo est omnipotens misericordia & misericors omnipotentia . In this [ much ] is nothing wanting , wherin is both omnipotent mercy , and mercifull omnipotency , shee thinking to despaire of mercy , was most impious , and sacrilegious , and derogatory to the sufferings of her sweet Sauiour , shee then was big-bellyed with sorrow for her sinne , and brought forth like an Hebrew woman without Midwife , such a faire off-spring , such an issue as is acceptable to the Lord of Hosts , euen her relenting teares , the sweetest Wine and Hypocras of Angels , the sad and drery drops that peirce the Following Rocke , 1 Cor. 10.4 . CHRIST IESVS , which make him supple , and milde , and gentle , and mooue him vnto mercy . And thus , as Dionysius & Egesippus record , she betook her self solitary & sequestred from all the world , and the pleasures therof , vnto the mountaine Balma , Dionys. in Matth. 20. full thirty yeeres , to meditation , fasting and prayer ( for which , as also for sitting at Iesus his feet , and hearing him preach , she might be truly said of Christ to haue chosen the good or better part : Luk. 10.42 . ) And , as Iosephus reports , after Christs ascension from the Mount of Oliues into Heauen , she neuer could endure any company .

See now how this new Conuert puts on now a new liuery , she that before stood in defiance of Iesus , and scorned to haue the title and name of any of his meane , despised Followers , now happily challenges him to bee her Master , and Lord , and cals him by the name of Rabboni : Isa. 63.1 . lo heere is the sauing power of him who is mighty to saue .

O doe but ponder the difficulty of her and our turning after so much sinning , it will make vs much more admire , and stand in a deepe amazement at the exuberant loue and mercy of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus . In the prime act at our first entrance into conuersion , when we begin to forsake Satan , and neuer till then , ô Lord , to feele the plunges , and pangs , and convulsions , and apoplexies , and swounds , that the soule hath with Satan : now is the time for Satan , the most of all to bestirre himselfe , to labor tooth and naile , Dum à Deo auertimur ludit . Dum ad Deum conuertimur laedit Satan . to continue his long challenged interest in a sinner : now hee fomes , and rores , and rages , and rends , and teares ( as much as is permitted him from God ) a poore sinner in peeces , like a sauage , fierce and hungry Lyon , so long as his prey , the silly Lambe , is vnder his paw , so long will hee play with it , and licke it with his tongue , & dandle it ouer with an easie gentle tallon ; but if it once seeke to struggle , and to make an euasion and escape out of his clawes , timorously to crawle away , then begins hee to yell and rore , and with his cruell clutches , and mercilesse teeth , to seaze vpon it , and so to deuoure it . So long as Iacob stayed in Labans house , he was at quiet ; but when he departed to his fathers house , then was he pursued .

And thus , in the very beginnings of turning to God , it fares with Mary , and all the Elect of God : see then , how vigilant , and busie , and furious , Satan is , sweating and toyling , by all possible meanes , to scrue a sinner on to Deliuerer , our soules often escape , as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler , the snare is broke , and we are deliuered .

We will sing an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a song of victory and triumph vnto God , All glory vnto him , who curbs in and martingales Iobs proud Horse , Iob 39.22 . so that hee cannot fling and yerke out at his pleasure : who bindes the strong man , who rebates and duls the edge of Satans fury , who stints his malice , who limits his power , who cancels this huge Ocean , with a Gnadth po , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 huc vsque . hitherto shalt thou come , and no further , heere lay downe thy proud waues . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iob 38.11 . Ierem. 5.22 . Theodoret. ser. 4. pag. 66.

As Theodoret of the sea , so we of him , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Satan cannot range beyond his tethering . The heauenly Xerxes giues more then three hundred stripes vnto this sea : hee will trample ouer this Hellespont , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Herodotus . as hee pleases : for this is that omnipotent Lord , whom the windes and seas doe obey . Loe heere Nicocreon the Tyrants head is laid indeede in a platter ; Diogen . Laert. in vita Anax. archi . Anaxarchus , the Christian Philosopher , I meane , needs not feare his pounses . Loe , all that hee hath is in thy hands , but saue his soule or life , meddle not with that , Iob 2 6. Satan cannot enter into a silly heard of swine , except Iesus , like the Centurion to his seruant , bid him goe : nay more , without the Diuine Prouidence & Permission , he hath not so much power , as ouer the bristle of a Swine , Porcorum setae , Tertullian . the very bristles of Hogs , are numbred to God , that heauenly Arithmetician , how much more your haires , and all your members , are they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , euen besides himselfe , and as it were , strucke with an astounding thunder-clap . Satan onely bruized her heele : This blessed woman being of the seed of that more blessed woman , or of that man , who is God blessed for euermore ( Cuius sanguis prius profuit quam fuit ) by a powerfull faith did , S. Bernard . hom. de Coena Domini . as it were , break his head , did stop the mouth of this roring Lyon , Heb. 11. Heb. 11.33 . Shee , though once a publike and notorious sinner , a stigmaticke , branded , a marked sinner with murderous Cain , she now shakes hands with all her old and sweetest embracements : shee giues a bill of diuorce to wantonnesse , vnto the which she had beene so long wedded : she refuses to bee called the darling daughter of the world , chusing rather to suffer a short affliction , to endure a hard penance with the children of God , then to enioy the pleasures of sin for a season : she disrobes and strips her selfe of all her princely paludaments , her rich aray , her courtly acoutrements , her sumptuous weedes , and puts on the comely attire of a true Penitentiary : shee bathes her soule in a full sea of teares , which neuer shall haue ebbe : she comes with all expedition , making all haste to God , to kisse the Sonne least that hee should bee angry : No lingring now , no delaying , no putting off from day to day , lest too late shee should come and knock at Mercies gate : so shee being very sensible of the lothsome sauour of her owne sinnes , Amos 8.2 . that Basket of Summer fruit , a whole haruest ripe and ready for the sickle ; shee takes an Alabaster box , of very costly and odoriferous oyntments , whose sweet perfume and flowry sent , might happily confound , and take away the rancknesse and rottennesse of her sins , from the sacred nostrils of her Sauiour Iesus , shee comes to Simon the Pharisies house , who had enuited Iesus , as a guest , to take repast with him , shee comes trembling , and blushing , and crouching , and blubbring , to the table where Iesus was sit downe , she came quiuering behinde that Lord , that saw her well enough , shee did her decent obeysance , she bowing downe her selfe , began to kisse the feet of her deare Sauiour , and to wash them with her teares ( the liuely expression of her penitence and penance ) and shee wipes them cleane with her disheueld locks , that she had layd out before for lewd enticements : Quod membra tot olocausta : S. Gregory . Euery limbe that shee had lent before to sinne , now shee makes an Holocaust , a sweet burnt Sacrifice to Christ : Her Teares are her best Aduocates and Proctours , to plead for mercy and remission before the Throne of grace . O Taciturnitas clamosissima : A silence that spoke much in the eares of . Almighty God , who though the euerliuing Word respects sad and sighing thoughts , as well as words : this , sutable to Abels bloud , that vocall bloud , that was so loud and shrill an Orator , to Heauen , for to declaime against the massacring and assasining hand of that his guilty brother : Neuer a word she spake , for shee knew it was vnto the Word , who knew her speech that was retired into her inner Cabinet , the priuate with-drawing chamber of her heart . And more , lest the sacred feet of Iesus , should seeme vnto the dissembling Pharisies , to take a taint , to receiue the least pollution by her sinnefull teares , the pudled water of her infected heart , her soule that had the crimson graine and dye of all iniquity , and so her action might be vnpleasing and distastefull vnto that Iesus , who did refuse to drink the vineger and gall ; therfore Mary , to take away that stench , annoyleth his hallowed feet with a sumptuous oyle , Of Spikenard . a precious balme , and in another place , she powred oyntment on his sacred head , an oyntment of so much worth , that Iudas the Treasurer , the Bearer of the burse , repined ( but in an easily-detected policy ) with a Quanto melius , How much better had this been sold for three hundred pence , and the price thereof employed to the behoofe of the poore ? which Iudas spoke not out of loue vnto the poore , but for enriching of himselfe , by vnlawfully detaining the almes of the poore , for hee carryed the bagge , Ioh. 12.6 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the purse , or tongue ( the word of the Euangelist ) for that was it , hee thought would alway speake for him : well , Mary came and annoynted Christ her Sauiours feet , not because , by that she could adde any sweetnesse , but more liuely to expresse her thankfulnesse , for he was he , of whom the Spouse speaketh Cant. 5.16 . vecullo macomaddim , Canc. 5.16 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Nazianz. hee is wholly delectable , nothing but sweetnesse it selfe . In which her weeping , and then annoyling of Iesus his feet , wee may by the way essentially tent Beleeuer ) is sufficient to wash away the magnitude and multitude of all thy sinnes , bee they neuer so mighty , bee they neuer so many : For great sinnes , he is a God of great mercy , and for many sinnes , hee is a God of much mercy , of manifold compassion . One grape of the clusters of the vine of Engaddi , is able to cheere and reuiue thy swounding and dying heart . One glance of fauor , one glimpse of mercy is enough . An Ephah , a Gomer full . Mercy is like Manna , hee that gathered much , had nothing ouer , and he that gathered little , had no lack : Misericordia est miserorum chorda , Vrbanus quartus in exposit . 51. Psalmi . Qua , de lacu facis & miseriae extrahuntur . sayth Vrbanus , Mercy is the line or cord , by which wretched soules are haled vp ( with Ieremy ) out of the dungeon of iniquity and misery ; this is the three-fold cord of Gods mercy in Iesus Christ , which cannot easily , nay , which neuer can be broken , for whom the Lord loues once , hee loues to the end , the gates of hell shall neuer preuaile against them , the deare Elect of God shall stand fast for euer , like the Mount Sion , which cannot bee remooued : O Peter , Peter , Satan hath desired to fan , and sift , and winnow thee , but I haue prayed that thy faith faile not . Reuel. 7. And there were sealed vnto the Lambe , an hundred and foure and forty thousand , of all the Tribes of the children of Israel : and a great number besides , which no man could number , of all nations , and kinreds , and people , and languages , stood before the Throne , and before the Lambe , clothed with long white robes , and palmes in their hands : And these are they that came out of great tribulation , and haue washed their soules , to be Anathema's , as being forsaken of their God , no God of mercies now to them , nor Father of consolations , the Lord standing ( as Dauid expostulates with God ) a farre off : Psal. 10.1 . no gleame of comfort , no beameling of blisse , but all dismall and shady night vpon the surface of the soule : yet at the length , as plants that seemed withered and dead , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Naz Orat. in Laud. Cypriani . in that dull and downe-looke of winter , ( as that Father termes it ) haue new life infused into them , by the blessed rayes of the Sunne , when the quickning spring doth once put in : so the deare Elect , they haue their blessed spring and sun-shine of grace , to reuiue ( as it were ) their drooping & languishing soules , to make them flourish , and blossome , and bud in faith againe . And that poore remainder , that small sparke of faith couered in cold embers , interred ( as it were ) in the Sepulcher of their hearts , shall once bee raked vp againe ▪ and kindled , and grow to a big flame , the blessed Spirit of God , that breatheth where it lusteth , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , with heauenly bellowes , blowing it vp againe : and so it prooues the sacred fire of Gods Altar , that neuer goes out : For needes must Gods eternall determination ( in whom there is no shadow of change ) stand sure and immutable , of sauing his Elect.

Faith , in the chosen Sons of God , may haue a pang , a spasme and convulsion , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Faith may looke all forlorne , and pine , and win●le away , but sure it withereth not . a qualme , a swound ; but it shall not dye : It may bee remota , but not amota ; percussa , not excussa ; it may haue remissionem , not amissionem ; it may haue a slip , a fall , but no falling on into Maries heart , from embracing the holy seruice of this Rabboni , from turning vnto him with teares of true contrition : In one of the premises , the Maior of his counterfet Syllogisme , he puts in all her sinnes ; in the other , which is no Minor , he layes before her , her long dwelling in the tents of Kedar , her continuance in sinning , and withall , the rigour of the Law , the iudgements of her God , and so windes vp a weake conclusion , otherwise then that in S. Paul , Rom. 11.32 . Rom. 11. for that is a conclusion of mercy , Conclusit Deus omnes in incredulitate , vt omnium misereatur : He hath shut vp all in vnbeleefe , that he might haue mercy on all : For this tels her , & so all the discomforted ( not discomfited ) children of God , that now there is no balme in Gilead ; that the good Samaritane is passed by : That the Prophets spotted Leopard and vgly Black-more can neuer bee rinsed white : Ierem. 13.23 . That her name was Legion , and that El-gibbor , or Gabriel himselfe , the God of strength and power , was vnable to dispossesse Zabûlus , that subtill Serpent , who was more subtill then all the beasts of the field : Gen. 3.1 . That they that rise not early , can gather not so much as one gomer full of manna : That the vnwise Virgins come too late to knocke at mercies gate : That her sinne , with Cains , was greater then God could forgiue : That the childrens bread is not to be throwne to dogs , who are not worthy of the crums of mercy , that fall from the table of the Lord : * * S. Cyprian : but Hierome saith 2. ag. Iouinian , it was Montanus his heresie before Nouatus : for Montanus was in Commodus his time , but Nouatus in Decius , &c. That Nouatus was no Heretike , for denying all vertue of repentance , vnto them that sinned after baptisme , who , if they once fell , could neuer rise againe : That Hels Nabuchadonosors fiery furnace is the guerdon and wages of sinne , whose feruent flame made by naptha , and pitch , and tow , and faggots , doth licke vp and deuoure all rebellious transgressours .

Thus formes he from hence a sophisticall inference , a cunning conclusion , derogatory to true Diuinity , that notorious sinners are neuer to expect for mercy . But as S. Ambrose , Ambrosius Coriolanus . seeing S. Augustine to bee too nimble a Disputant , and too much skild in sophistry , caused this to bee sung in the Letanies , A logica Augustini libera nos Domine : So let vs all pray , From this Logicke of that grand Sophister , Satan , Good Lord deliuer vs . See , I beseech you , how with this Logicke , this great Enginer of arguments , accosts and sets vpon the soule of deuout S. Bernard , when the agony and pangs of death were on him , a little before his soule and body , these two frends of long acquaintance , did take their last leaue one of another , ( yet not last , if wee haue an eye to the resurrection , at the latter day . ) Thus the Diuell , the great Iempter , appearing to him , did accuse him , saying , Hee had no title nor interest , hee could make no plea nor challenge to the Kingdome of eternall blisse . In vita Sancti Bernard .

This holy Father being nothing appalled , or cast downe with Lucifer ( who was indeede himselfe cast downe like lightning ) made this present reply . I confesse with that faithfull Centurion , that I am not worthy to enter vnder the heauenly roofe of my deare Lord , except the Word do say the word : nor can I challenge it by any merit ; I build no such Babel , which will come tumbling downe vpon my owne head , but Iesus my Sauiour ( whose diuine power , the true Vbiquitary , is now present with , and assistant vnto me ) hath taken possession of Heauen by a double right , Iure hereditatis , and Iure redemptionis , by right of inheritance , and by right of redemption : by the first , hee hath got possession for himselfe , as the eternall Sonne of that eternall Father : and by the other , in regard of his death & passion , & of his redemption , he hath purchased and obtained Heauen for mee , and for euery penitent Beleeuer : At which words Satan departed . And thus , thankes bee to the Lord , S. Bernards soule , ( as no question , Mary Magdalens ) escaped , as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler , Psal. 124.6 . the snare is broken , and it was deliuered : And thus hee peaceably resigne● his soule into the hands of him that created it , like Babilas the Martyr , he vttering these his last words , the vp-shot of his life , them words of that Negnim zemiroth , 2 Sam. 23.1 . the sweet Singer of Israel . Now , ô my Soule , Psal. 56.13 . returne vnto thy rest , for the Lord hath blessed thee , hee hath deliuered thy soule from death , thine eyes from teares , and thy feet from falling , henceforth shall I walke with the Lord in the land of the liuing . Thus , Psal. 57.11 . ô Lord , thy mercy reacheth vnto the Heauens , and thy truth vnto the clowds : wherefore we will praise thy name : yea , our soules shall bee satisfied with marrow and fatnesse , Psal. 63.6 . when our mouths praise thee with ioyfull lips : These are the golden Cymbals , that so much delight thy skilfull eares , ô Lord Almighty .

O let vs all returne with Mary Magdalen , with penitential tears , vnto this blessed Rabboni , who cries to vs for to returne , Can● . 6.12 . Shuui , shuui , hashullammith , shuui , shuui : Returne , returne , ô Shulamite , returne , returne . Foure times Returne : for God the Fathers sake returne , for God the Sonnes sake returne , for God the Holy Ghost his sake returne , for the whole and holy Trinities sake returne .

And if so bee wee turne vnto the Lord , hee will accept of our penitency , ( for he bottles vp all our teares ) and hee will receiue vs into mercy , the mercies of our God shall embrace vs on euery side . Maryes penitency , and so the repentance of vs all , is the Asylum , the Sanctuary of euery sinnefull soule ; the Birth-day of our regeneration , the Super-sedeas of all our spirituall debts , the heauenly Iordan , to bathe and wash the leprosie of our soules and bodyes ; it is the red sea wherin the hoast of our spirituall Pharaoh and himselfe are drowned ; it is the swelling waters of the deluge , that carries the Arke of the soule aloft , and keepes it from drowning in perdition ; it is the casting out of the old leauen of maliciousnesse , and the eating of the sweet bread of sincerity and holinesse ; it is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , S. Chrysostom . Homil. 15. vpon 2 Corinth . an house of physicke for euery sicke soule , the Hospitall or Inne of the good Samaritane , the Physician of our soules , where the wine and oyle of consolation is ; it is the source and spring , the draw-well of Gods fathomlesse and infinite mercies ; one drop of which , one mite , one crumme is sufficient to wash away our crimson sinnes , to feede our starued discontented soules withall : O Lord , thou Celestiall ▪ Almoner , giue vs of the broken meat of thy mercies , which thou hast layd vp in more then twelue baskets full , for them that turne to thee , & turne vs , ô good Lord , with Mary Magdalen , so shall we be turned vnto thee , ô Rabboni : for wee perswade our soules , that if our sinnes were more in number by millions , then those of Mary Magdalens , yet thou in mercy wouldest race them all out of thy booke of Items . Fulgent . B. of Rusp . in Africa lib. de poenitud . & retributione . And for this , I beseech you read that heauenly & comfortable booke of Fulgentius fore-mentioned , to Venantia of penitence and retribution : wherin hee hath bundled vp the places of the Scripture , pregnant for this purpose , saying , Non est perfecta bonitas , à qua non omnis malitia vincitur : nec est perfecta medicina , cui morbus aliquis incurabilis inuenitur : There is no absolute goodnesse , that ouercomes not all maliciousnesse , nor perfect drug , or true skill in physicke , that leaues any malady vncured . And hee shewes moreouer , that if Iudas , as hee legally repented , had trusted in Gods mercy , he surely had been saued : The Lord hath his owne peculiar times and places , of gathering together that which was scattered , of bringing home the lost sheep vpon his owne shoulders , to the heauenly fold : of running to meet , of falling on the neck , and kissing the riotous Prodigall . Hee hath a — Tolle lege , S. Aug. with Tull Hortensius in his hand , found the Bible vnder a fig-tree . lib. confess . — vnder the tree , Take vp and read , [ the 13. to the Romanes , the three last verses : For S. Augustine — Not in surfetting and drunkennesse &c. He hath a shining light from Heauen , both to darken and illumine Pauls , or Sauls eyes , as hee trauelled to Damascus , Acts 9. breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord ; was their not a heauenly trap layd , by this Rabboni , our Lord and Sauiour Iesus , to catch this Courtier in ? to make a Courtier a true Conuert ? ( A thing , some will say , something rare : ) Yet surely , there be many Courtiers very holy , religious , and deuout , and God encrease the number of them : But sure , a chaine is sooner and fairer made of purest gold , then of impurer mettall mixt with earth . Christ Iesus , with his heauenly gospelling , his powerfull preaching , caught this notorious sinner , Mary Magdalen .

Penalty alwayes followes not immediately , nor fals vpon the necke of impiety : Thus many , by the vnspeakable mercies of him that wholly is composed of mercy , who , in their April and prime of youth , haue greeuously sinned ; in their yeeres of more maturity , were happily reclaimed : of Apostata's , became Apostles : of Sauls , persecuting ; were made Pauls , diuinely preaching : of Succisores , were made Successores , to vse Bullingers words : of Cutters , and Swash-bucklers , and prophane persons , were made Captaines ouer the Host of Israel , Successours of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 1 Pet. 5.4 . the cheefe Shepheard