LONG had the darke and cloudy night of flattering and deceitful Sinne , eclypsed from our poore Pilgrims sight the gladsome beames of Grace , wherby it came to passe , that the night being shrouded in vtter darknes , the weather tempestious , and the way dangerous , she hauing myst her ayme was led aside , and ranne headlong vnto her endlesse ruine and destruction . For such is the crafty dealing of our ancient enemy , and such the subtile inchaunting of the winding Serpent , that vnder the shaddow of the sweetest baytes , we deuoure the hidden hooke of deadly sinne ; and he being inded the Prince of Darknes , transformeth himselfe into an Angell of Light , thereby to wreke his teene vpon the Image of God , and be reuenged of those to whome the inheritance of the Kingdome of Heauen doth belong . Into the iawes of this foule Fiend was our poore Pylgrim fallen , who seduced with this false light , and true darknes , saw not the dangerous pit of her owne perill and perdition .

2. About which tyme the Orient Sunne of Iustice began to disperse these mysty Cloudes , and spread his gladsome beames ouer the Land of Iury , wherby our wandring halfe-lost Pylgrim did perceiue a most cheerfull dawing of a happy day to be at hand : by whose neere approching light she might easily discerne the certayne perill and iminent danger she was in . And therfore seeing no other remedy , in the middest of the ocean of her miscarried Fortune , she cast the strong anker of her Hope , not in the sand , but vpon the immoueable Rocke CHRIST IESVS , with vndoubted fayth ; that so she might escape the danger of this swallowing gulfe of sinne .

3. Seeing now the perillous estate she was drawne into , & the infinit good which she had almost lost ; she needed no further instigation to driue her forward , and make her striue to get forth of the myseries she had so long , and ( alas ) too long imbraced . And therfore making vse of the light already receiued , I imagin she brake forth into these or the like speaches . Almighty & euer-liuing God , grant , that from my hart I may desire thee , desiring to seeke thee , seeking to find thee , finding to loue thee , louing to obtayne forgiuenes of my sinnes , and being forgiuen neuer more to offend thee .

4. But yet the better to vnderstand the pittifull estate of this our stragling Pylgrim , let vs imagine with our selues a forlorne and desolate Traueller , in a strang and vnknowne Countrey , in a darke , rainy , and tempestious night , hauing vtterly lost his way , to fall into some deep and hideous pit , not so much filled with water , as replinished with all kind of venimous and poysoning Serpents , Adders , Snakes , Toades , and the like , amongst which this poore wretch should remayne all night , not knowing which way to turne himselfe to get forth , by reason of the depth ; or little dreaming what danger he was in , by reason of the darknes of the night , not giuing him leaue to behold these hideous Monsters . But if the cheerfull light of the Sunne should but begin to discouer vnto him the manifest danger he were in , and lay open to his view the venemous ranke wherwith he was beset , doubtlesse with all his powers he would striue , and with all his forces struggle , neuer ceasing with his loudest voyce to cry and call for help , that he might be freed from this second Hell .

5. Into a far more dangerous gulfe , and swallowing whirl-pit was poore MAGDALEN drawne , and caried downe ; little marking the danger she was in , or once thinking of the thicke muster of such Hellish Furies who wayted to deuoure her ; vntill the shining beames of the diuine Spirit sent from the Sunne of Iustice CHRIST IESVS , dispersed the mysty cloudes of darke ignorance , quickned her dimme sight , and opened her drowsy eyes to behold her owne misery , that she might cry with the Kingly Prophet , Infixus sum in limo profundi : I sticke in the sly my mudde of the bottome of the deep . Ad nihilum redactus sum , & nesciui : I am brought to nothing before I was aware : therfore de profundis clamaui ad te Domine , Domine exaudi vocem meā , from these deepes I cry vnto thee , o Lord , Lord harken vnto my voyce . Abyssus abyssum inuocat , one depth calleth vpon another : the depth of my misery , o Lord , cryeth and calleth vpon the depth of thy mercy ; therfore let me tast the sweetnes of thy mercifull pardon , Et misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo : and I will sing thy mercyes for euermore .

6. O sorrowfull MAGDALEN let me bring this comfort vnto thee . God himselfe made man is come downe to seeke thee , therfore make no delay to come vnto him . The Doue being let fly from the Arke , not finding where to rest her foot , came backe againe to saue her selfe . Come backe , come backe , o dolefull Doue vnto thy true Noë : For what doth Noë signify , but Rest . Come backe then vnto thy true Rest : bring the Oliue branch of peace in thy mouth , for now he is come into the world who bringeth peace vnto men , pardon vnto sinners , ioy vnto all . Say not , thou art a Sinner , for such he calleth ; say not thou hast offended him , for such he inuites , say not , thou hast erred and gone astray , for such he seeketh , and bringeth home , as a true sheepheard .

7. But ( alas ) what needeth counsell where the disease suffereth no delay ? or who will be deafe when CHRIST calleth ? who so discourteous as not to come when IESVS inuiteth ? who will not sell and forsake all , to buy the field , and find out the infinit treasure of the Sonne of God wrapped in humane flesh ? Runne then MAGDALEN , to the fountayne of liuing water , and like the wounded Hart neuer cease vntill thou hast quenched thy lingring thirst . Hasten vnto the Treasure-house of Mercy , neuer rest vntill thou hearest thy sinnes are forgiuen thee . Fly vnto the sure Castle of defence , wher thou shalt sit secure from all thyne enemies , and be protected from all thy foes . Aske , and thou shalt haue carefull guides to direct thee to him ; seeke , and thou shalt find his bountifull hand ready to receiue thee : knocke , and he will open the broad gates of his in sin it mercy vnto thee .

THE shining Sonne of Iustice CHRIST IESVS , now began to spread his beames of light more freely though the Land of Iury , and Fame began to post to all parts with the shrill report of his life and doctrine , when our Blessed MAGDALEN , either by her Sister Saint Martha , or otherwise , came not only to haue notice of him and his celestiall doctrine , but also to know in particuler where he was : which aslone as she vnderstood , taking a box of precious Oyntment , she made great hast vnto the house ; and finding him at dinner with his disciples and others , not so much as saluting any , but boldly rushing in , she ranne vnto the Phisitian of her soule ; and not daring to looke him in the face whome she had so often and so grieuously offended , guided by the mother of all vertues Humility , standing behind him she began to wash his sacred feet with floudes of teares ; with her beautifull hayre she did wipe them ; with all loue and deuotion she kissed them ; and lastly powred out her precious Oyntment vpon them , to refresh them .

2. But stay my hasty penne , me thinkes thou runnest too fast , and hast too soone posted ouer so rare and singular an example of vertue ; giue me leaue a little to discourse with this holy Penitent , and deuout Pylgrime . Tell me ( o sweet MAGDALEN ) where is all thy courteous behauiour , that thus so vnmannerly thou rushest into a banquet not inuited ? Didst thou not feare to offend the presence of him whome thou didst seeke , with so great boldnes ? Didst thou not imagine thou mighest haue been kept backe by force , and so haue been disgraced ? Didst thou not foresee the murmuration of the proud Pharisie against thee ? Could not the modest shamefastnes of a woman detayne thee ? Did not the multitude of thy sinnes affright thee ? Did not the rumour of thy badd life and name confound thee ? Could not the vnfitnes of the tyme and place delay thee ? Finally did not the very light of IESVS terrify thee ? How therfore durst thou in this strange and vnaccustomed manner present thy selfe vnto him ?

3. Alas , I see thou art to busie to answere me , yet I am not so busy but I will answere for thee . Apelles the Prince of Painters comming vpon a tyme to the Citty of Alexandria , was there receiued with great disdayne by the Paynters of the said Citty , and by one Planus was feygnedly inuited to the Kinges Table , that he might from thence be repelled with disgrace , comming thither , as the King might imagine , vnsent for , as indeed it happned : for the King most dishonorably commaunded him to depart , it being the custome that none might approach vnto that place vnlesse he were sollemnly inuited : but Apelles most ingeniously cleared himselfe from that blemist , saying , he was inuited , and that sollemnely ; and being demanded by whome , snaching vp a cole from the fier he paynted such a liuely image of him who had inuited him , that he caused great admiration , and was exceedingly honoured by the King , and held in no small estimation .

4. But ( alas ) Apelles his art was not able so to expresse the image of him that inuited him , as our Blessed MAGDALEN had in her hart and countenance expressed and imprinted the liuely image of IESVS , who inuited her , though others might thinke she was not called or inuited . No , no , O happy Saint , thou didst not come vnto him before thou wert inuited , who came to call and inuite sinners vnto him : and although he did not send visibly for thee , yet he came himselfe visibly to seeke thee , and with an inward light and ioyfull messenger did call thee , and therfore no breach of courtesy to seeke him , nor any impeachment to thy best demeanour to come vnto him . Yea rather great discourtesy had it been , with the couetous miser , ambitious wondring , or fleshly catiffe to excuse thy selfe . Coeperunt omnes simul se excusare : they began all to excuse themselues ; but thou , O Blessed Saint , knewest very well the force of him who called thee , the loue of him who inuited thee , the mercy of him who sought thee . And therfore assone as euer thou knewest , thou didst prepare thy selfe with all due reuerence and respect to seeke him ; how then couldst thou feare to offend him with thy boldnes ? Neither could these ore of any force detayne thee , where so strong loue did direct thee , quia sortis est vt mors dilectio , because loue is as strong as death .

5. Well didst thou foresee the murmuration of that proud and arrogant Pharisie ; but what could those vayne words hurt thee , where the sacred mouth of IESVS ready was to defend thee . Well might the modest shamefastnes of a woman haue detayned thee , had not thy inward blush been such , as outwardly thou didst respect nothing . The multitude of thy sinnes might well haue been terrible vnto thee , had not the multitude of Christ his mercyes appeared greater before thee . The rumour of thy bad name might haue byn cause of confusion , had not the only remedy byn to be confounded . The vnfitnes of the tyme and place might haue kept thee back , but that there is no tyme or place vnfit to follow Christ , and humbly to demand forgiuenes of our sinnes . The very terrour of his presence might haue amazed thee , had it not been the best remedy to delight thee .

6. Therfore I cease to wonder that this Blessed Saint not with importunity , but very fitly , and with so great diligence came so fast to seeke the remidy of her festred woundes . Let vs therfore marke with attention how she proceeded : for doublesse her example will be profitable vnto vs , and the fragrant odour of her excellent vertues farre surpasse the sweet perfurmes of her precious Oyntments . Neither without mystery hath the holy Ghost guided the penne of the holy Euangelist to set downe so exactly and in particuler all her actions . Iob was afflicted that we might learne ; and Toby stroken blind for our example , that by these myrrours of patience we might learne to suffer : Vt posteris daretur exemplum patientiae , sayth the Sacred Text , that they might leaue an example of inuincible patience vnto all posterity : yea as S. Paul wittnesseth , Omnia quae scripta sunt , ad nostram doctrinam scripta sunt : All things that be written , be written for our learning and instruction : and therfore let vs now discusse with diligence this matter of no small importance , and consequence .

ECCE mulier quae erat in Ciuitate peccatrix : Behold a woman who was a sinner in the Citty . The holy Euangelist making mention of a Pharisie who had inuited Christ vnto his house , begins to enter into the description of the admirable conuersion of our holy Pilgrime , and as a thing very wonderfull and strang , he inuiteth vs vnto attention with an Ecce , Behold : which manner of speaking signifieth some notable fact to follow . What therfore should we behold ? A woman that was a sinner in the Citty . What did she ? Assone as euer she knew that IESVS dined at the house of the Pharisie , she presently went thither with a box of precious Oyntment . But perhaps some will meruell why S. Luke being to paynt forth the vertues of this Blessed Saint , beginneth with mention of her sinnes ? This maketh not a little for her prayse and commendation , who ouercomming so many difficulties did come at last to exercise such rare acts of vertue : yea in this doth appeare the excellent art of the holy Ghost , for seeing that she was to be so great a Saint , the first ground being laid of black , the beautifull luster of her vertues might appeare the better , and be the more admyred , and therfore he bids vs behold , Ecce : which reflection vnto her sinnefull life , doubtles doth giue a greater grace vnto her vertues .

2. Neither must we when we heare this word Peccatrix , to wit a Sinner , haue such imagination that she was a common Harlot , nor yet excuse her so much on the contrary side , that we say she sinned not at all but seemed a sinner ; these two extremes must be auoyded . For we must acknowledge her a sinner , sith the Ghospell saith so , and that she was much noted for it , that he calleth her so . But no maruell that her defectes seemed so great , and were so scandalous in the sight of the world ; for being a noble Woman , and of great worth , vpon whom the eies of the vulgar sort vse allwayes to be most fixed , euery thing in such a person seemeth greater then it is ; and the more renowned the persons be , the greater the scandal if their falt be known . And this is the reason , that Blessed MAGDALEN was accounted a sinner , and so by the holy Euangelist described , according to the fame that ranne of her , and the occasion she had giuen therof , which now with the aboundance of her teares she washeth away . For assone as she knew that Christ was in the house of the Pharisie , she needed no further messenger , but with all speed she hasted vnto him , Vt cognouit , sayth the Euangelist , assone as euer she knew .

3. Heere beginneth the first steppe vnto all Vertue ; heere is the fountayne and source of all good ; heere is the ground and foundation of our spirituall building , to be diligent and watchfull in putting in execution the diuine inspirations we haue receiued , as this Blessed Saint did . The Euangelicall seed , saith CHRIST , was sowen in foure places , yet it grew but in one : so the diuine inspirations we receiue into our harts , either we lett them be deuoured by the foules of the ayre , that is wicked spirits ; or else we permit the thornes of vices to grow so fast , that they choake them ; or falling into a hard and stony hart , they proue naught for want of the moysture of deuotion . But that which falles in the good ground , that which is sowed in an excellent hart , taketh deep roote , & keepeth fast that light allready receiued , and maketh it fructify an hundred fold . Verbum Dei retinent & sructum offerunt in patientia : they keep the word of God , and bring forth fruite in patience . Such was the hart of Blessed MAGDALEN , after the Sunne of Iustice had reuested this darke cloude with his beautifull beames of grace ; she kept it too sure from the foules of the ayre to come neere it ; that it should not dy for want of moysture she made her head a fountayne , and her eies springs of teares to water it ; and least the pricking thornes of sinne might offend it , she plucked them vp by the rootes , and in the consuming fire of contrition burned them . O admirable diligence , by which she deserued that the Church should singe in her honour , Ab ipsa fauce Tartari redit ad vitae limina : from the very mouth of Hell she returned to the gate of Heauen .

4. Attulit Alabastrum vnguenti : She brought an Alabaster box of oyntment . The box was of Alabaster stone , very white , full of oyntment . What is the mystery of this ? Besides the ordinary courtesy of anoynting our Sauiour his feet , she meant that he should mollify her stonie hart , and make her soule white . A sit vessell for all kind of heroicall vertues , whose sweet perfumes might be most pleasing vnto Christ ; and therfore no doubt she said with the Spouse , Dum esset Rex in accubitu suo nardus mea dedit odorem suum : whilst the King was in his banquet , my spikenard hath hath giuen forth it odour . Neither was it in vayne that she presented this box of precious oyntment vnto Christ , and powred it out vpon his sacred feet , but that sinners might learne , not only to aske forgiuenes of their sinnes , but also to bring vnto Christ such oyntments as may annoynt his feet , that is almes , by which the poore may be refreshed .

5. Et stans retro secus pedes eius . And standing behind neere vnto his feet . O Queene of Vertues , Humility ! how well thou dost instruct thy followers ! how fit a place hast thou found for a penitent sinner whose feet had gone astray , to bring her to the sacred feet of him who neuer erred steppe : & how well was she placed behind him , whose heauenly countenance and diuine Maiesty she thought her selfe vnworthy to behold : Yet neere vnto his holy feet thou hadst placed her , that viewing well the impression of them , she might afterwards the better follow them . There might you haue seene this heauenly penitent , the first that euer came to Christ for help and remedy of their owne sinnes : there , I say , might you haue seene her stand couered with a modest veyle of true Humility , with her eies fixed vpon those Sacred feet ; the remembrance of her former life cutting the very synewes of her hart , & that bleeding with griefe , true contrition purifying her soule , loue crauing for pardon , and her outward teares giuing certayne testimony of her inward sorrow . In so much that lachrimis coepit rigare pedes eius : with her teares she began to water his feet . By which word rigare , to water , is signified the aboundance of her teares , and by the aboundance of her teares the greatnes of her sorrow and contrition .

6. Plantes which be newly set , & flowers planted in gardens must be watred , that is , not only water cast superficially vpon them , but in so great aboundance that it sinketh downe throughly to the rootes , & therfore much water is required for this effect . So did Blessed MAGDALEN , who wept so much as the Holy Ghost would expresse the aboundance of her teares by this word rigare , to water ; and by this giue vs to vnderstand her penitent teares , and by these outward signes her inward griefe , her bitter panges , and diuine loue . But as loue is neuer satisfied , but ascendeth like fier ; so the Blessed MAGDALEN in whose hart now diuine loue had chosen a perpetuall pallace , was not content with her teares to wash the venerable feet of her Sauiour , if vnto this extraordinary and strange lauatory she should not adde as strange a towell to wipe them , and therfore , capillis capitis sui tergebat : she did wipe them with her hayre .

7. O excesse of diuine loue ! what stange effectes canst thou compasse ! yea what canst thou not effect ! Are not these the hayres which she so much esteemed , that she would not suffer the least of them to be mangled or disordered ? Are not these the golden twindes wherein she placed the chiefest of her ioy ? Are not these the gilded spangles , wherwith the ayre seemed to delight it selfe to play ? and how is it possible that she should bring them now to this vse to wipe feet ? O yes , they be the feet of IESVS , they be the feet of the Sonne of God , they be the feet of God himselfe , they be reliques which she esteemes not only beyond her hayres , but prefers them before her life , worthy of all respect , worthy of all honour , worthy of all dutifull seruice in the world .

OSCVLABATVR pedeseius : she did kisse his feet . O how deuoutly doth she consecrate her selfe peece by peece vnto him , her hands , her hayres , her teares , her lipps , her hart , finally all that she hath , all that she is , there she presents before his diuine Maiesty , as a burnt Sacrifice for pardon of her sinnes . And now she giues the holy Kisse of sacred Peace , in signe that neuermore she will offend him : Misericordia & Veritas obuiauerunt sibi , Iustitia & Pax osculatae sunt . Mercy and true contrition haue met togeather , Iustice and peace hath kissed one another . And the more to shew the vehemency of her kindled affection she did not only once kisse them , or for a litle while , but as CHRIST himselfe witnesseth , continually : Ex quo intraui , non cessauit osculari pedes meos : Since I entred into the house , she neuer ceased to kisse my feet .

2. Her self thus diuersly sactificed vnto him , yet she was not content , but vnguento vngebat , she did annoynt them with oyntment . She would needs annoynt those Blessed feet with this sweet refreshing oyle , in recompence ( in some sort ) of that heauenly oyle of gladnes wherewith he had imbalmed her wounded Soule and dying Hart . O precious oyntment , and happily bestowed , but yet of low price , or no price at all , in comparison of that heauenly liquour , that flowed from thy weeping eyes ! O fragrant smell , whose perfume was fit for such a person , yet far inferiour to that sweet odour which did ascend from thy burning hart , whose smoking incense was more gratefull then a thousand oyles . Oyle being powred forth sinketh into the thing it falls vpon , in such sort that hardly , or not at all it can be taken out : And the oyle that fell from her penitent eyes , left such impression on the feet of CHRIST , that no age shall be able to blot it forth of memory , no iniury of tyme shall be able to blemish it , or any malice to defile it .

3. The oyntment no doubt was very precious , and might haue byn powred as well vpon his head as his feet , but that the rare Humility of our penitent Pilgrime would not permit her so much as to looke so high ; but Loue reserued that duty for another tyme , which she with no lesse care and diligence performed , as after we shall declare . The scope at which this Blessed Saint did ayme , was no lower then Heauen , therfore no meruaile that she laid so sure a foundation of Humility , without the which her famous Tower of so rare Sanctity could neither arise , nor stand ; but vpon such a sure ground , vpon such a firme & immoueable foundation what could be expected sutable vnto them , but her singular modesty , her strong resolution , her vnspeakable griefe & sorrow for her sinnes , such rare contrition , such flaming Charity , such perfect vnion with him , from whome she knew she had byn too longe disunited ; but now againe lincked in such sort , that no stormes , no blastes , no labours , no persecutions , no deceites , no flatteries could euer draw her from that happy course she had begun , from that best part which she had chosen , from those thrice happy feet , where she had receiued so liberall a pardon of her manifold faultes and offences committed against him , and with that generall Pardon , particular grace , neuer more to offend him in the like sort .