THE PERPETVAL cross OR PASSION OF IESVS CHRIST From the first instant Of his INCARNATION, to the last of his life set forth In forty pictures for the greater profit of souls.  
 Maltese cross  
Printed at Antwerp By Cornelius Woons, dwelling at the sign of the golden Starie, 1649.  

With Permission.    

The perpetual cross of IESVS CHRIST, both interior, and exterior, from the first instant of his Incarnation, to the very last of his Life.  
THere are many of opinion that Christ onely suffered in the time of his Passion and was Crucified but those three howers that he hung upon the cross: whereas it is most certain he was fastened thereunto, and lived in continual sufferance the three and thirty whole yeares of his life, which, divided into dayes, make at least improve thousand and fifty, into howres two hundred, eight'y nine thousand, two hundred, seventy two.  
This assertion Cardinal Lugo shewes clearly out of scripture, a'nd holy fathers. CHRIST( saith he) was not onely in torments and bestow the time of his bitter Passion but during the whole course of his life. He did not onely grieve at the death of Lazarus, and sight of jerusalem; at both which times he is said to have equipped, but he felt the like sorrow all the time our sins, and his own Passion were represented to his mind, which was continually, according to the holy Psalmist: Psal. 37. Quon●am ego in flagella paratus sum, et dolor meus in conspectu meo semper. Because I am ready for stripes and my grief is always in my sight. which words are spoken of our B, Saviour, as S. Chrysostome, S. Austine, S. jerome, and S. Gregory do affirm: to omit innumerable other occasions of suffering which he had according to those other words of the Psalmist. Psal. 87. Pauper sum ego, & in laboribns a iuuentute mea I am poor and in labours from my youth. Which words are likewise interpnted of our B. Saviour by S. jerome, S. Austine, Euthymius and others. Thus Cardinal Lugo.  
Cardinal Bellarmine agrees with Lugo in the same point; for, commenting upon the 87. Psalm. thus he writes: To the end we may not think CHRISTS Passion was onely three howers or at most, one whole day the Holy ghost doth here declare unto us that he was never without his sufferings: for besides his most bitter death, which was allwaies before his mind, he was in continual Labours and misery his whole life long. Thus Bellarmine.  
Hence we conclude that our B. Saviour was never without his cross, both outward and inward; and especially this latter, for the towe reasons above mentioned by carded. Lugo.  
There are divers other learned authors of the same opinion as Lessius De Perfect div 〈…〉 l. 12. c. 17. n. n. 133. jo. Eusebius Nierembergius. l. 2. c. 5. de Adoratione in spiritu & veritate. jo. Lorinus. Ps. 37. v. 18. Corn. à Lapide. Math. 26. v. 37. Balthasar Corderius. Ps. 87. v. 16. Anton. de Gaudier de natura & statib. Perfectionis▪ de instruments. sect. 12. c. 5. Franciscus Arias. de Imitatione Christi. p. 3. c. 22. Tr. 1. joannes Baptista Sainctlure, De cognitione & amore Dei, lib. 1. cap. 11. sect. 1. Gabriel Vasques, Tom. 1. in. 3. p. q. 18. ab Disp. 73. c. 4. n, 28. R. P. Vincentius Carrafa Soc. JESV Praep. Generalis sub nomine Aloysij Siderei. De via caeli. c. 6. §. 9.  
I content myself, at present, with the authority of these twelve learned schoolmasters all of them being of our least Society, and meddle not with men of other Orders▪ whoe are very many, both learned and grave, of the same opinion.  

The manner and fashion of using the pictures of this little book.  
COnsider in every mystery some one, or more, of following circumstances.  
1. who is that suffers? God of an infinire majesty.  
2. What it is that he suffers? A pain, which is much augmented by the internal afflicton of his mind, that continually accompanies it.  
3. For whom doth he suffer? For me that am a vile sinner.  
4. Why? To comfort help and save me.  
5. In what place? In that where he finds greatest maitter of patience.  
6. At what time? At that which is most inconvenient to himself, and most agreeable to me.  
7. From whom? From those very persons for whose sake he suffers.  
8. After what manner? After such an one as if need were, he would suffer a hundred thousand times more for vs.   

afterwards demand these two questions of thyself.  
1. WHat hitherto you have done for him? hardly any thing, but instead of good a world of iniquity.  
2. What will you do hence forward? thi● very day I will do such, and such a good work, and suffer such, and such a cross, for his sake.  
Besides it will not be amiss to exercise some one of these acts following, which maisters of spirit are cannon-shot ordinarily to bring. 1. of Compassion. 2, of Gratitude. 3. Of Contrition. 4. Of admiration. 5. of Love. 6. of Confidence. 7, Of Imitation.  

De Picturis.  
QVod legentibus scriptura, hoc idiotis praestat pictura cernentibus. Quia in istâ etiam ignorants vident quod sequi debeant: in istâ legunt, qui literas nesciunt. Vnde & praecipuè gentibus pro lectione pictura est. Greg. Mag. l. 9. ep. 9. ad Serenum Massil. A picture to the ignorant is like a book to the learned. For the ignorant se● therein what they are to practise; and those read in it that know not their letters. Wherefore a picture serves the gentil● forl a lesson.  
Triplex fuit causa institutionis imaginum in Ecclesiâ. Primò, ad instructionem laicorum quibus imagines exhibentur loco librorum. Secundò, vt Incarnation is Mysterium, & Sanctorum exempla nobis frequentius, & presentius affigerentur. Tertiò, ad excitandum devotionis affectum, qui magis ex visis, quam auditis causatur. Rob. Holcotius in libr. sapient. lect. 157.  
For three respects the use of pictures was instituted in the Holy Church First to instruct the ignorant. Secondly, to imprint the mystery of the incarnation, and the example of saints, more lively in our mindes. Thirdly, to stir us up to greater devotion, which is done better by the object of our eyes then our ears.    

The Price of the book.  
This little book, to gather with the 40, pictures, is to be had, unbound, for three half pence.   


81. The cross chosen from eternity.  
 woodcut depicting the Christian trinity with a cross AS 
I C.I.   
In mercy everlasting have J had mercy on the, said thy Redeemer our Lord. Isaias▪ 54. v. 8.   

2. His internal cross at his Incarnation.  
 woodcut depicting Mary, an angel, and a cross AS 
I C.I.   
Coming into the world he Saith: Host and oblation thou wouldest not: but a body thou hast fitted to me. Heb. 10. v. 5.   

3. His external cross in his Nativity.  
 woodcut depicting the nativity set below a cross AS 
I.C.I.   
A little child is born to us, and a son is given to us, and principality is made upon his shoulder. Isaias cap. 9. v. 6.   

4. His Circumcision.  
 woodcut depicting the circumcision of Jesus AS 
I. C.I   
After eight daies were expired, that the child should be circumcised. luke. 2. v. 21.   

5. His oblation in the Temple.  
 woodcut depicting the presentation of Jesus as an infant in the temple AS 
I.C.I.   
They carried him into jerusalem to present him to our Lord. luke. 2. v. 22.   

6. His Flight into egypt.  
 woodcut depicting Joseph with Jesus and Mary on a donkey AS 
I.C.I.   
Arise, and take the child, and his Mother, and fly into egypt. Mat. 2. v. 13.   

7. His losing in the Temple.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus as a boy speaking in the temple AS 
I.C.I.   
Behold thy father and I sorrowing did seek the. luke. 2. v. 48.   

8. His Carpenters Trade.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus working as a carpenter A 
I.C.I.   
Is not this the Carpenter the Sone of Mary▪ Mar. 6. v. 3.   

9. The death of S. joseph.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus and Mary at Joseph's deathbed AS 
I.C.I.   
IESVS and the B. Virgin were with him when he dyed. Bernard. Sen. Tom. 3. a. 2. c. 3. pag. 462.   

10. His Temptation in the Desert.  
 woodcut depicting the temptation of Jesus AS 
I.C.I.   
The tempter approached, and said to him if thou be the Sone of God, command that these stones be made bread. Math. 4. v. 3.   

11. His wearines at the fountain.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus sitting at a fountain beside a woman AS 
I.C.I.   
IESVS therefore, wearied of his journey, sate so upon the fountain. jo. 4. v. 6,   

12. His Derision  
 woodcut depicting two men pointing at Jesus AS 
I.C.I.   
do not we say well that thou art a samaritan and hast a devil. jo. 8. v. 48.   

13. The beheading S. John Baptist.  
 woodcut depicting the beheading of John the Baptist AS 
I.C.I.   
He beheaded him in the prison and brought his head in a platter and gave it to the dansel. Mar. 6. v. 28.   

14. His stoning.  
 woodcut depicting three men stoning Jesus AS 
I.C.I.   
The Iewes took up stones to ston him. jo. 10. v. 32.   

15. His throwing down the mountain.  
 woodcut depicting three men pushing Jesus off cliff AS 
I.C.I.   
They cast him out of the city, and then brought him to the edge of the hil, that they might throw him down headlong. luke. 4. v. 29.   

16. His taking leave of his B. Mother.  
 woodcut depicting Mary kneeling before Jesus AS 
I.C.I.   
Speaking with her a part, and affoarding her his presence, which, with in a short time he was to bereave her of S. Bonavent. cap. 72. Mod. vitae Christi.   

17. His last Supper.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus at the Last Supper AS 
I.C.I.   
While rhey were eating he said: Amen, I Say to you, that one of you shal betrayme Math. 26. v. 21.   

18. His p 〈…〉 in the Cardin.  
 woodcut depicting of an angel with a cross handing a chalice to Jesus AS 
I.C.I.   
Father, if thou wilt, transf●rre this chalice from me. But yet not my will, but thine be done. And there appeared to him an Anges from heaven, strengthening him. luke. 22. v. 42.   

19. Iudas his Kiss●.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus being arrested as Judas kisses him AS 
I.C.I.   
Forthwith Coming to IESVS, he said, hail Rabbi. And he kissed him. Math. 26. v. 49.   

20. The Torrent Cedron.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus, bound at the hands, sitting in water beside a bridge AS  
He went forth with his disciples beyond the Torrent Cedron. joan. 18. v. 1. Jnto which he fell. Vid. Adrichom. in Descrip. jerus. n. 207.   

21. Annas.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus being struck on the head AS 
I.C.I.   
One of the Ministers standing by, gave IESVS a below. jo. 18. v. 22.   

22. Caiphas.  
 woodcut depicting a blindfolded Jesus being struck by two men AS 
I.C.I.   
They did blindefold him, and smote his face. And then asked him, saying prophecy. luke. 22. v. 64.   

23 Pilate.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus surrounded by men AS  
They began to accuse him saying, we haue found this man subverting our nation. luke, 23. v. 2.   

24. Herod.  
 woodcut depicting Herod sending Jesus away AS  
Herod with his Army set him at nought: and he mocked him putting on him a wh●te garment, and sent him back to Pilate. luke 23. v. 11.   

25. His whipping.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus being whipped by two men AS 
I.C.I.   
Then therefore P●late took jesus, and scourged him. jo. 19. v. 1.   

26. His Crowning with Tho●nes.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus wearing a crown of thorns, surrounded by three men AS 
I.C.I.   
plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it upon him. And they began to salute him hail king of the Jewes. Mar. 15. v. 17.   

27. ECCE HOMO.  
 woodcut depicting Herod with Jesus AS 
I.C.I.   
He ●a●th to th●●, Lo● the man. T●ey c●ied, saying crucify him, crucify him. jo. 19. v. 5. 6.   

28. His Carrying the cross.  
 woodcut depicting two men with Jesus carrying a cross AS 
I.C.I.   
Bearing his own cross newent forth into that which is called the of Calvary place. joan. 19. v. 17.   

29. His first fall under the cross.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus stumbling with cross AS 
I.C.I.   
In a place inwards the west Christ fell down upon the ground. Adrichom. in descript. jerus. n. 118,   

30. His meeting his B. Mother.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus carrying cross beside Mary AS 
I.C.I.   
The most ●o● ow●u● Mother meets the most sorrowfull Sone: S. B●navent. lib. Medit. vitae Christi cap. 77. Suar●z. Tom. 2. in 3. p. dist. 96. sect. 2.   

3▪ Simon ●v●●●oe●.  
 woodcut depicting man helping Jesus carry the cross AS 
I.C.I.   
They found a man of Cyrene, name Simon: him they forced to take up his cross, Math. 27. v. 32.   

●2. Veronica.  
 woodcut depicting woman holding handkerchief with Jesus 'face upon it next to Jesus carrying the cross AS 
I.C.I.   
This holy woeman took the form of Christs bloody face on a handekercher as it is commonly known. Adrichom. in descript. jerus. n. 118.   

33. His second fall under the cross.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus stumbling with cross AS 
I.C.I.   
At iudgement gate he fell again. Adric●om. Ibid.   

34. The lamentations of the weomen upon him.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus carrying cross beside weeping women AS 
I.C.I.   
Daughters of jerusalem, trip not upon me, but we●pe upon yourselves and upon your children. luke. 23. v. 28.   

35. His last fall under the cross.  
 woodcut depicting fallen Jesus below cross AS 
I.C.I.   
At mount Calvary he fell down under the cross. Adrichom. in Descript. jerus. n. 118.   

36. The plucking of his garments. and giving him gull to 〈◇〉.  
 woodcut depicting a stripped Jesus being handed wine AS 
I.C.I.   
H●ere they pulled of his garments Adrichom ibid. They gave him wine to drink mingled with gal. Math. 27. v. 34.   

37. His Crucifying on the ground.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus being nailed to the cross AS 
I.C.I.   
After they came to the place, which is called Calvary, there they Crucified him. luke. 23. v. 33.   

38. His hanging upon the cross.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus crucified with Mary and man (or angel?) standing beside the cross AS 
I.C.I.   
There stood beside the cross of IESVS his Mother. joan. 19. v. 25.   

39. The taking him douwne into his B. Mothers arms.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus laying in Mary's lap beside man (or angel?) AS 
I.C.I.   
Being taken down from the cross, his Mother received him into her arms. The place is yet extant. Adrichom. in descript. jerus n. 255.   

40. His Burial.  
 woodcut depicting Jesus 'burial AS 
I.C.I.   
He laid him in a monu●ent that was hewed ou●●● a rock. Math. 15. v. 46.     

The most Illustrious Lord Archbishop of Mechline grants 40. daies pardon to all that shal say this prayer once a day for thanck giuing, and increase of the honour of the continual cross of IESVS CHRIST.  
O IESVS crucified, let all men know thee and love the it is the onely thing I desire. This do I ask by the cross which thou modest choice of from alle eternity, and onderwent in thy Nativity, in thy Circumcision, at thy Oblation in the Temple, in thy Elight to Egypt, in the leaving thy Parents, in thy Labouring with thy hands, in the death of S. joseph, in thy Temptations, in thy Wearines at the fountain▪ in thy Ignominies from the Iewes, in the death of S. John Baptist, in their Stoning the, in their offering to throw thee down from the mountain. ●aske the same likewise by all that thou sufferedst at the taking thy last leave of thy B. Mother, at the Table with Iudas, in the Garden, at his treacherous kiss, at the Torrent of Cedron, in the House of Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, Herod, at the Pillar, at thy Crowning with thorns, at thy being shown to the people, at thy Carrying the cross, at thy first fall under it, at thy meeting the same time thy B. Mother, Simon Cyraeneus, the devout Veronica, at thy second fall under the cross, at thy meeting the daughters of jerusalem, at thy last fall under the cross, at the plucking of thy garment and drinking gull, at thy Crucifixcion on the ground, at thy Hanghing upon the cross, at thy taking down from thence into the arms of thy most afflicted Mother, finally, at thy Burial and laying thee in the Sepulchre. again and again by all these Crosses do I beg of the most sweet IESVS, that all men may know and love thee, and it is the onely thing I desire. Amen.  
The same P●elate grants like wise 40. daies pardon to all that for the space of, Paters and s. Aves. shall meditate upon any one of these mysteries, or say s. Pater and Aves in honour of it.  
To the greater glory of Christ ever crucify.