〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Or the PATTERN OF GRACE. AND GLORY. In our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST, To be admired, adored, and imitated. Collected out of the Holy Scriptures. Illustrated by the Ancient Fathers and Expositors. Presented with 1. Contemplations. 2. Observations. 3. Confirmations. 4. Doxologies. Egosum Via, Vita, & Veritas. John 14.6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Heb. 8.5. Narratores originis, factorum, dictorum, passionum Domini nostri Jesu Christi propri● dicti sunt Evangelista. D. Chrys. super Matth. cap. 16. Aliquando prodest Sancta Rusticitas. D. Hieron. ad Pauli. by Dr. Edward Wolley, Lord Bishop of Clonfert in the Kingdom of IRELAND. DUBLIN, Printed by josiah Windsor in Castle-street. 1669. To the Most Honourable JAMES Duke, Marquess, and Earl of Ormond, Earl of Ossory, Brecknock, Viscount Thurles, Lord Baron of Arklow and Lanthony, Lord of the Regalities and Liberties of the County of Tipperary, Chancellor of the University of Dublin, Lord Lieutenant General, and General Governor of His Majesty's Kingdom of Ireland, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Somerset, the City and County of Bath and Wells, one of the Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Councils of His Majesty's Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, Lord Steward of His Majesty's Household, Gentleman of His Majesty's Bedchamber, and Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, his Grace. AS many have written of honour and true renown, as Diogenes Babylonius, Metrodorus Atheniensis, Plato, Aristotle, and others. So I read of Hieronimus Osorius Lusitanus, more divinely affected, A Ut novissimè, ita eloquentissimè omnium, quorum libros vidimus. Hicronimus Osorius Lufitaenus De Nobilitate Christianâ libros tres scripsit. And Tiraqueb. cap 1. composed three Books De Nobilitate Christianâ ●. The chief aim of that zealous Author, being to kindle, and raise a flame in all men's hearts and affections, and to make them in love with true and Christian Nobleness, which once acquired, as far outshineth all other virtuous habits, as the beams of the Sun the radiation of the lesser stars. This truth seems to appear in the nature and name of this high quality. For the Nobles rightly (a) Nobilitatem quasi Noscibilitatem, prae caeteris notam, claram, illustrem, apertam, spectabilem, conspicuam, vulgatam, atque hominum sermone celebratam. Festus Bonipeius & Nonius Marcellus. presented, aught to be persons of greater wisdom, knowledge, and experience, so the Civilians will have it. Scire oportet Nobiles, à noscendo dicti, veluti Noscibiles. Noblemen aught to be sharp-sighted, quick and active, ingenious and judicious. This is taught from the Sacred Dictates of God's Law (b) Deut. 1.13. which commandeth, That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Septuagint. Ideo Castellio peritos vertit, that wise men, and understanding, known amongst the Tribes, be made Rulers over the people. Some are of opinion, that (c) Nonus Marcellus. Nobilis is used pro noto, as more eminently known. Thus Virgil charactered Aenaeas, that Trojan (d) Et nos aliquod nomenque de● cusque Gessimus. q Aeneid. Prince, as one, whose Name and Renown was great. Some conclude, that he who is Noble is, Vir clarus of great honour, & fame. Thus the Historian (e) Idem fecit clari generis, magnaeque dignitatis Vir Fulvi●●. Valerius Maximus. lib. 5. c. 9 describes Fulvius as a Roman famous for his birth and progeny, and of most transcendent dignity. Thus Tully, pleading for Rabirius Posthumus, urgeth in his Oration, that Clarus, & Nobilis vir, He was a famous and Noble Worthy. Offilius Calanius had the honour to be styled, Clarus genere, factisque, And to be in high esteem, both for his birth and breeding, both for his worth in words, & deeds. Thus the Satirist observed, (f) Clarus genere atque opibus vir. In●en. Sat● 2. that some Romans were famous, as well for their wealth, as for their birth and kindred. The Hebrews distinguished their Nobles and Ignobles by two words, the one presenting (g) Alb●r & laudor qui nomine light and brightness, the other obscurity and darkness. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Solomon (the most glorious of all Kings) approveth lucem accedit. Conti● this allusion (h) Eccles. 10.17. concluding, Beata terra cujus Rex est Nobilis, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. sive fil●us Nobilium, à tenebris accepta metaphora ad obscuros & ignobiles. And ●●raq. de Nobil. cap. 2. Blessed art thou O land, when thy King is the son of Nobles. And in this very sense, the Wiseman promiseth, that the diligent man shall stand before Kings, he shall not stand before mean men. The original bears it more fully, He shall (i) Prov. 22.29. not stand before dark, low, and obscure persons: and from hence it is most probable, that the epithet Illustrious is usually attributed to Kings, Princes, and Noble men, because as the light itself, their actions and their passions, their ways, their words, their works, and all their achievements are more eminent, conspicuous and visible. It was Otho's honour to have the Historians testimony, that Splendidis ortus Majoribus, (k) Aurel. Victor in vita Othonis. he was descended from splendid Ancestors: and to those additions other adjuncts supervene, as those who are truly noble, have a sublimity of spirit, and generosity in their souls (l) Quis sublime genus formamque insignis Hetrurci Nesciat.— Stat. lib. Syl. 3. clearly calcined and rarified from all sordid feculency, and Plebeian business. And though Nobility be followed and waited on, with many others, eminent attendants: yet her chiefest beauty is made up, and the compliment achieved, by virtue and piety; and these two, do not only civilize rude man, but in some proportion deify him, and conform the rational creature, in some proximity, to his Almighty Creator. (m) Bald. Pan●rm. Hence is raised that Encomium by universal consent and tradition, Omnes consentiunt bonos more's, sive virtutem, esse Nobilitati anteponendam, that a civil and sweet comportment, and a virtuous conversation, far out steppeth Nobility itself. Some others go further in the commendations of virtue, and boldly assert, that virtue (n) Fatentur plerumq●e virtutem dare causam Nobilitati, quoniam ad eam conserendam Princeps saepius movetur, & moveri debet illius virtutibus cui vult concedere. Ba●t. Plat. Rag. gives an esse and being to Nobility, and that a King or Prince is chief moved, and persuaded by her directions and counsel, to confer grace and favour, honour, trust and power, upon the merits of his subjects, whose virtues have an attractive power: and as the Loadstone hath a secret magnetic influence over Princely affections, and their Royal confidence and inclinations. It was from this firm foundation whence the Noble (oh) Romans elevated their thoughts, (p) Malo pater tibi sit Thersites, dummodo tu sis Aeacidae similis, Vulcaniaque arma capessas, Iuven. Sat. 8. esteeming it no dishonour or disrepute, though their birth were as mean as from Thersites: so their fortitude and courage, were (at lest in some degree) equal to that of Achilles. It was this, and only this, that forced the Romans (p) Libera si dentur populo suffragia q●is tam perditus, & dubitet Senecam praeferre Neroni, juven. Sa. 8. to honour a learned, and modest Philosopher, above, and before a puissant Emperor. There is yet another jewel that graceth Nobility, and outshineth virtue itself, and that is piety, and godliness. This is wisdom which is preferred above sceptres and thrones, (q) Wisd. 7.8.25, 26. A pure influence, flowing from the glory of the Almighty, that brightness of the everlasting light, the breath of the power of God; he is truly honourable and most noble, whose soul is embellished and beautified with this grace, which as the Wiseman saith, Omnibus nobilibus nobilior est sapientia, is more precious than rubies, and in it self is more noble and transcendent than all the accesses and endowments of either nature or fortune. In the variety of these manifold reflections, the eyes of many thousands are intentive with admiration, and their ears listen and harken after your Grace, as a person perfectly Noble, and most richly accomplished with the endowments of clear worth and honour. This truth appears confirmed by heaven and earth, by God and man; and as it hath pleased God to commence his blessings to your Grace, by a most noble birth and pious education: so it hath pleased the Lords anointed, * K. Char. I. K Char. II. Two Royal Monarches, successively to confer their highest trust, honour and power of their Imperial Crown, and of their three Kingdoms, into your Grace's hands and managery: and as their Majesty's trust was immense and great, so your Grace's fidelity and loyalty hath been as equally remarkable: for when the torrents and inundations of treason and rebellion did first break forth in this Kingdom, your Grace did use your utmost endeavour, to calm and suppress those superbe and foaming waves: and when they did swell to such a magnitude, as not to be reclaimed by Royal authority; your Grace (after many dangers & extremities) did choose rather to endure an exile abroad, than to submit to disloyal subjects at home, Hault & puissant Seigneur (and so the French estimate one rightly Noble, and a great soul) rather to choose to adventure, to loose lands, liberty, life, and to part with the nearest and dearest relations and concerns, than to hazard the loss of loyalty, or to admit the suspicion of tainting true honour and renown: And as your Grace's fidelity to the Crowns, was most conspicuous and impregnable: so; your Grace's perseverance and constancy to the truly Catholic and Apostolic faith, your Grace's practice and adherency to your Religion, professed in the Doctrine and Discipline, and to the Liturgy of the Church of England and Ireland, is most admirable and remarkable. Thus whilst interest biased some to a Papal persuasion, and faction carried others to a Presbyterian Combination, and a third party were deluded and transported with Enthusiasms, and the Puffs of new Doctrine, and Phanatique distempers; it hath pleased God to keep your heart aright, in the Worship and service of his Church, and the true Religion, now replanted by miraculous and Divine Providence in this Kingdom, These signal testimonies of incomparable worth, cannot but raise your renown above the malignant breath of either envy or flattery: (besides others your singular obligations to me) these encourage me to present to your Grace's Patronage and favour, this little spiritual Infant, which desires to be in your Grace's eye, or in your hand, or yet nearer, into your Grace's bosom, when you can spare a minute from your great and high employments: The subject is, our Saviour in his birth, his life, his death in his Resurrection and Ascension; and, as in a Chart, or Model in this example, you may see, and measure out much holy advantage to your soul, in a trice of time, or a short view, which may prove to your future and eternal happiness, prayed for most devoutly by (My LORD) Your GRACES faithful and humble Servant, Edvar does Clonfert. & Diacens. Revereridis in Christo Patribus, ac Dominis, Domino lacoho, P●ovidentia Divina, Archiepiscopo Arma hano, totius Hiherniae Primati & Metropolitano; nec non Domino Michaeli, eadem Providentia, Archiepiscopo Dublinensi, Primati & Metropolitano, Regnique Hiberniae summo Cancellario, etc. SIc olim, vel farre modico, vel exiguo sale, vel saliente mica (si nihil adesset majoris pretii) litarunt veteres; ab ipso autem Dei instituto, in usum ac ornamentum Sanctuarii tam pelles arietum rubicatas, & Ianthinas quam aurum, argentum, hyacinthum, aut purpurum obtulisse licuit: turtures, ac corumbarum pullos, aeque ac pingues agnos sacras esse victimas; ac è pio pectore, ac innocenti manu, pauperrimae viduae, vel inacuta duo in Gazophylacium missa, numeravit, & observavit Dominus. Quid obstat igitur, quo minus munusculum hoc, vel saltem, ut obsequii sui testimonium, vel ut officii sui argumentum, in gremium matris, (scilicet, Ecclesiae Hibernicae) majori cum confidentia projiciat filius? In hunc morem, non solum regulis & praeceptis, sed etiam operibus & exemplis, ducuntur et moventur Christiani; ita ut contra liberos suos, tanquam inscios, & ignaros, aut quod multo calamitosius, in impios, & ingrates, merito conqueretur Ecclesia: si honorem & debitam venerandae Matri reverentiam, praestare negligerent: quod genus observantiae, tam in ad versis, quam in prosperis concedendum fateamur, & merito in hodiernum diem majori cum labore, ac vigilantia protegenda est vinea Domini, cum tot immineant pericula, tot hostes turbidi & violenti appareant effodientes fundamentum pietatis, & circumvallentes undequaquc, & radices orthodoxae doctrinae, una cum disciplina stirpitus extirpare conantes. Summo etiam honore, ac omni dignitatis gradu, potius observanda & tractanda est, quia amica, sorori Sponsa Christi, filia Regis inter latrones, sacrilegos, haereticos, schismaticos, phanaticos & prophanos, obambulare cernitur, & iniqui, immundi, tumultuosi & injusti, non solum faedis suis manibus, conspurcare, sed etiam linguis & labiis falso accusare, imo, & quod adhuc multo detestabilius, vitiare, stuprari, deglutire, & devorare sitiunt, & strenue laborant. Sic olim perfidia ac adulatione Hierobami, ad vitulos aureos itum est; idem vero, magno quodam damno, jam sentit Mater Ecclesia, per dissertores impios, qui apostatas angelos secuti, ut sectas perditionis introducerent, se â fratribus seperarunt: nec hoc solum vulnus & venenum, sed etiam tanquam inferni tenebris obvoluti & obcaecati, obedientiam erga Ecclesiam, fidelitatem erga Regem, observantiam erga leges, charitatem erga vicinos, ac omne genus humanitatis protenus prostrarunt, et repudiaverunt; et, quo nihil deterius excogitari possit, totum Jus Divinum ac humanum dirumpentes, tot sceleribus prius perpetratis, seipsos tamen servos Dei, sanctos Domini, unctos Jehovae, mites agnos terrae, appellasse et aestimasse, autumant e● audent: et cum sint (procul dubio) maximi, et pessimi, vel Atheistae, vel Hypocritae, et haeresium, et schismatum authores, lupi-voraces, Carol. II. laesae Majestatis Regiae rei, palpones venenosi, omne quod sanctum, quod justum, vel honestum abhorrentes, nihilominus, seipsos gloriantur: vel solos esse vel vere Catholicos, vel Electos, et si●nantur esse viros Dei: cum multo probabilius, et è contra, vel ex impulsu satanico, vel è stimulo superbiae, vel ab aerugine cordis putrefacti, et obdurati, irruentes agitentur, et sua facinora tam igneo et caeco anhelitu satagant. Exista certe abysso ac voragine, adoritur sumus iste sulphurcus, quod tanto clamore, et indignantium strepitu, bacchati vociferantur, contra Reges Christianos, contra orthodoxos Ecclesiae Episcopos: hinc est, quod civiles Magistratus ordines, ac dispositiones hominum negligunt, et contemnunt: quod Leges, Canones, Sanctiones, Juramenta, Sacramenta, omniaque alia, quae ex conclavi, aut ex suis Conventiculis non prosiliant, aut ex ingenio suo ac phantasia prae●ipiti, non proveniant; omnino frivola, superstitiosa, inutilia et inania dijudicant, ac veluti vestigia Anti-Christi, ●t op●ra Satanica, determinant. (Deus Bone) est in medio lucis ex protervitate sua caecutiunt impii, et exinde quot, quantisque malis Domus Dei violari videatur? cum Templum Domini pateat injuriis improborum, qui, ut vulpes astutiones, aut, ut aprisaevientes, exterminarent: Praedonum manibus, qui sacra diriperent, Prophanantium pedibus, qui conculcarent, vel indignissimorum hominum severis censuris et contumeliis, qui (si possent) funditus evecterent, et avaritia, et ambitione elati, non solum sacras paginas dilacerarent, & Templum, & Sanctuarium Domini diruerent, sed & dulce nomen jesu, & Cultum Divinum in Ecclesia Dei jugiter celebrandum obliterarent, & extinguerent. Aliud etiam & maximum apparet malum, quod sicut Balaamum stultum, ac vanum Ariolum asina, stupidum & iners animal, insaniae redarguit: Ita jam modo rude, et indoctum vulgus è Popinis, tabernisque sectoriis, potoriis fabrilibus emersum, sacrorum sibi voluminum explanationem, mysteriorumque scientiam, arcanorum perspicientiam sibi (inquam) vindicat. Et non mirandum est, quanta audacia fuperba, ac temeritate, illiterati turgeant, cum in Ecclesiam Dei, nova partenta, ac non prius audita paradoxa comportent et evomant; quo scelere et flagitio, nihil gravius, pestileni iusve dici, aut excogitari possit. At Deo Optimo Maximo, gratias, qui, post tot tantasque tempestates circumstantes undique, & è maligno spiritu concitatas, navem & arcam suam in portum reduxit, nec ibi solum post pericula, & jacturam naufragii in pace collocavit; sed, ut Dominus ipse de Aegyptiaca confusione vineam transtulit. Ita Ecclesiam Hibernicam propria sua manu Deus replintavit; ita Dux itineris fuit: totam terram implet, operuit montes umbra ejus, extendit palmites, usque ad mare, & adusque flumen prepagines ejus. Ac ut Christus Dominus, Sponsus Ecclesiae est in caelis: ita per spiritum consolantem s●mper versatur in te●ris, qui ita operatur: ut Reges, Imperatores, & Christiani Principes, sint Patres et Patricii Ecclesiae; nec two solum, sed etiam Praelati, Antistes, Archi Episcopi, et vencrandi Sacerdotes, Pastores, et Doctores, et Angeli Dei, vineae Domini existunt vigiles, et custodes: hoc ipsum annunciat Divus Paulus (Acts 20.27, 28▪) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ob hanc causam et rationem, sub umbra Clementiae vestrae hi pusilli admodum conatus, de dictis et factis, de vita & morte Redemptoris nostri Domini jesu Christi sperant paululum acquiescere; vel sub alis gratiae & favoris vestri foveri, eo tuto ac secure in lucem prodire valeant: & quid ni succedat modesta & humilis expectatio; cu● tamburlaine bene nota vestra sit humanitas & paterna pietas, ut non solum sublimiores Ecclesiae Hibernicae dignitates Providentia Dei, & ex intuitu & gratia serenissimi Regis accepistis, sed etiam strenue, et magna cum vigilia ac sedulitate laborastis; et quod multo longe excellentius per singularia, patientiae indefatigabilis, constantiae immutabilis et invictae fidei testimonia, acerbissimos Ecclesiae hostes ac veritatis adversarios superastis: et, Consopitis illorum opprobriis, et columniis, ut multa perpessa mala, ita procul dubio, pro Deo, pro Rege, ●clesia graviora perpessuri. Postremo, nec mirum sit, quod opusculum hoc, qualecunque, ad mutuum refugium Illustrissimi Pro-Regis, et piissimorum Praesulum ac patrum occurrat asylum, cum Deus ipse vineam suam suo piissimo Regi Carolo Secundo; et Rex ipse, ex intuitu benigno, et gratia singulari, tot, tantaque labori, vigiliae, consilio, prudentiae, sinceritati & pietati suissim● Pro-Regis jacobo Ducis Ormoniae, vestraeque fidelitati recommendavit. Faxit Deus, ut omnibus haereticorum & schismaticorum conceptaculis eversis, redeat Ecclesia Hibernica ad perfectam tranquillitatem quam expetimus: instaurationem quam quaerimus: pacem & concordiam quam optamus: & pro constantia, moderatione, industria, & conatibus vestris, ut Cidares, ac Tiaras inter homines: ita Sceptra, & Coronas inter Angelos, in caelis, consequamini, sic orat, sic optat Clementiae, ac Amplitudinis vestrae Studiosissimus, Observantissimusque Edvardus Cl●nfert. & Duacens. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Or the PATTERN OF GRACE. and GLORY In our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST, To be admired, adored, and imitated. I. Contemplation. THe Sacred Scriptures, and holy Evangelists set forth, and describe our Blessed Lord and Saviour jesus to his Church. First, in his miraculous Conception. 1. Observation. CHrist jesus was the Son of God a. was conceived by the holy Ghost b. without human coition, or carnal seed; without original sin, or natural corruption. c to sanctify all who were conceived in sin, or brought forth in iniquity. 1. Confirmation. a FIlium solum esse, super quem vox illa Patris insonuit, & Spiritum sanctum solum esse qui in specie columbae supra Christum baptizatum descendit, D. Aug. De Trin. c. 21. Mat. 3.17. b Christus Dei Filius, non solum nomine, sed proprietate. D. Hilar. Origine, non adoptione: veritate, non nuncupatione: nativitate, non creatione, D. Aug. supra johannem: Mat. 1.18. Luke 1.31. Isa. 7.14. c Deus qui scripsit lapideas tabulas sine stilo ferreo, ipse gravidavit Mariam Spiritu sanctu, D. Aug. in Scr. De Nativ. H●b. 1.3. Heb. 2.16, 17. Heb. 4.15. 1 Cor. 1.2. 1 Cor. 6.11. Epist. jude 1. john. ●0. 36. 1. Doxology. BLessed be the God * 2 Cor. 1.3. and Father of our Lord jesus Christ, who vouchsafed of the blessed Virgin Mary, to be shadowed by the power of the most Highest; and that our Saviour jesus was conceived by the influence and operation of the holy Ghost: the holy Name of God be blessed for evermore, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 2. Contemplation. IEsus Christ is eminent, and more famous in his genealogy, descent, and generation: as man. 2. Observation. CHrist descended from the loins of the most Noble Patriarches, e of the most Royal Kings: f and most noble Priests, that he might be the Father of his people; g the Prince of Peace: b a King to rule, a Priest, to pray and sacrifice i A Prophet to instruct his Church for ever k. 2. Confirmation. e MAtthaeus cum hoc exordio ostendit Generationem Cbristi. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Consuetudo H●braeorum, ut voluminibus ex eorum principijs imponunt nomina. Glos. ordinar. Mat. 1.1. Luke 3.23. Mat. 1.6. Mat. 1.17. Rom. 1.3. Heb 2.16. Psal. 132.11, 12. f Nec jam parva aestimes te audire hanc, audience Generationem; est enim valde auditu mirabile, quod ineffabilis Deus ex mulieri nasci dignatus est, & habere progenitores David & Abrah●m, D. Chrys. Homi●. in Matth. In hoc autem quod dicit, jesu Christi Regalem & Sacerdotalem in eo exprimit dignitatem, R●ba. in Matth. Psal. 110.4. g Christus filius Da id, filius Abrah●m; quia tres dignitales erat habiturus, Rex, Propheta, Sacerdos: amborum filius nomina●us est, ut utriusque patris triplex dignitas originali jure recognosceretur in Christo▪ D. Amb. ●up●r Luc. Isa. 9.6. Luke 1.32. h Isa. 9.7. i Psal. 2.6. Psal. 45.7. k Heb. 2.17. Deut. 18.18. Isa. 61.1. 2. Doxology. BLessed for ever be the God of mercy and truth, who hath performed and made good his promise to our forefathers, * Goe 12.3. to Abraham the Patriarch, and to David his anointed servant, the King of Israel; for in their seed all the Nations of the earth are blessed, even in jesus Christ; the Son of David, the Son of Abrabam, blessed for ever, more. Amen. 3. Contemplation. THe Angels of heaven, as well as the holy Evangelists on earth, sing and set forth the Birth and Nativity of our blessed Saviour. 3. Observation. CHrist jesus was born of a pure Virgin, l to purify the uncleanness of our nature, m that he might be more fitly and fully the Head of his Church, n our Mediator, and our o Advocate. 3. Confirmation. l CHristus conceptus est de Spiritu sancto, intra uterum Virginis Matris, quae ita illum salva virginitate edidit, quemadmodum salva virginitate concepit, D. Aug. Ser. de Nativ. Isa. 7.14. Mat. 1.23. Luke 1.27. m Quod invenit integrum non violavit nascendi, in partu ejus crevit integritas corporis potius, quam decrevit, & virginitas potius ampliata est, quam fugata, Theo. in Ser. Ephes. Concil. Dan. 12.10. 1 Pet. 1.19, 22. n Virgo, Haebraice Bethula ap pellatur, quod in praesenti loco Prophetae Isaiae non scribitur, sed pro hoc verbo positum est Halma, quod praeter 70 omnes adolescentulam transtulerunt: & Halma non solum Puella, aut Virgo dicitur, sed etiam Virgo abscondita & secreta, quae nunquam paruerit, Viconium aspectibus, sed magna parentum cura custoditasit D. Hieron. in Prophet. Isaiam. Eph. 5. 2●. Colos. 2.10. oh 1 Tim. 2.5. Heb. 9 H●b. 12.24. p 1 john 2.1, 2. 3. Doxology. ALL honour and glory to God the Father, who in the * Gal. 4.4. fullness of time sent forth his Son made of a woman: and to God the Son, who when he took it upon him to deliver man, did not abhor the Virgin's womb: and to God ●he holy Ghost, who did overshadow and purify the blessed Virgin, for the holy Conception, and happy B●rth of our Lord and Saviour jesus. Amen. 4. Contemplation. THe Evangelists, as exact and faithful Secretaries to the holy Ghost, set forth the truth, with the place, the manner, the time of the Circumcision of jesus. 4. Observation. CHrist was subject to the Law for us r PVer ille Iesus factus est sub lege, ut eos qui sub lege erant, lucrifaceret, D. Amb. in Luc. De Circumcis. Salvato●. Circumcisus est veraciter, non apparenter octavo die, Epiph. advers. Haeres. Haeresi. 3. and that not only to the duties, but likewise to the curses and punishments of the Law s Sicut mortui sumus cum illo moriente; & consurreximus resurgenti: sic cum eo circumcisi sumus, unde nequaquam nunc indigemus carnali circumcisione, Origen. 14. Hom. in Luc. Pluribus de causis circumcisus est Christus, & primo quidem, ut ostendat carnis veritatem contra Manichaeum: Deinde, ut pateat quod nequaquam Deitati consubstantiale corpus extiterit, ut fatur Apollinaris, neque caelitus detulit illud, ut asserit Valentinus; & ut confirmet Circumcisionem quam olim instituerat, ejus adventui servientem. Quinetiam, ut nulla sit Iudaeis excusatio; nam nisi circumcisus fuisset, objicere poterant, quod non possent circumcisum Christum recipere, Epiph. which we merited, that he might be as well our Sacrifice as our Priest, to appease his Father's wrath t Circumcisus est Christus, ut nobis obediendi virtutem commendaret exemplo, B●d. in Hom. De Circum. Domini. to acquit us from the malediction of the Law, and so to gain pardon for our rebellions, by his submission and obedience u Octavo die consuetum erat carnalem celebrari circumcisionem; octavo enim die resurrexit Christus à mortuis, & insinuavit nobis spiritualem circumcisionem, D. Cyril cap. 7. in Lucam. 4. Doxology. ALL honour and glory be ever devoted and dedicated to Almighty God, our heavenly Father, * Luke 2.31. who made his blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the Law for man's salvation; and blessed for ever be the Name of thy holy Child jesus. Amen. 5. Contemplation. THe Prophet, and Evangelist; the Law, and the Gospel, as they describe our Saviour in his natures, Divine and Human; and in his Person, God, and Man: so they present him wonderful, and magnify him in his proper Name and Appellation, jesus. 5. Observation. IEsus, a Name sent from the King of Heaven, to his beloved Son on Earth, imposed by God the Father, w proclaimed by an Angel, x foretold by the Prophets, y recommended to the blessed Virgin Mary, z enjoined to joseph a at the mentioning whereof all knees aught to bow, b and to use holy reverence. The Name jesus more peculiarly and properly signifying, and representing a Saviour, who should eternally save his Church, and preserve his Saints and Servants from the sting of everlasting death, and from the jaws of Satan, and from the torments of hell. 5. Confirmation. w QVi ante omnia secula ineffabiliter genitus est à Deo Patre, idem ipse in fine temporum factus est Emanuel, id est, nobiscum Deus ex Virgin Matre. Remig. Vocabitur Mat. 1.21, 25. Luke 1.31, and 2.21. x jesus, id est, Salvator, eo quod universum genus hominum sit salvaturus, D. Hiero. lib. 3. cap. 7. in Isa. Mat. 1.21, 23. y Nomen jesu gloriosum, omnique cultu dignissimum Nomen, quod est super omne nomen: non decuit primum ab hominibus appellari, neque ab eis afferri in mundum, Origen. Homil. 14. Isa. 7.14, and 8.8. z Luke 1.31, and 2.21. a Quis tam lapidei cordis, cujus anima non est liquefacta in hoc verbo, jesus, D. Bernard. in Vigil. Nativ. Dom. Mat. 1.25. b Quid annuntiari dulcius poterat? Quid delectabilius cogitari? Quid unquam tale auditum est? Aut quid simile mundus aliquando accepit? D. Bern, in eodem loco. Philip. 2.9, 10. Isa. 45.23. Rom. 14.11. 5. Doxology. O Ye Angels, * Benedic. om. opera Dei. and Archangels of heaven: O ye spirits and souls of the righteous; O ye holy and humble men of heart; O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord, praise his holy Name, and magnify the Name of jesus our Lord and Saviour for ever. Amen. 6. Contemplation. AS the holy Evangelists have presented many admirable truths in the Conception Genealogy, Nativity, Circumcision, and Nomination of our Lord jesus: so they represent him as equally wondered by many miraculous circumstances, which accompanied our Saviour in his Infancy, which was proclaimed from God to man, from heaven to earth, in the Heraldry and message of an Angel. 2. Observation. THe Angels, and Archangels of heaven are celestial Ambassadors, and glorious Heralds of heaven, c they are Christ's Attendants and followers, d his servants and soldiers, e ministering spirits sent abroad to obey and execute the will and pleasures of Christ jesus their Lord and Master. 6. Confirmation. c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Damascen. lib. 2. Luke 2.11, 12, 13. Psal. 148.2. d Angeli nobis adsunt & insunt vigiles & custodes mundi, D. Bern. lib. 5. De Considerate. cap. 5. Isa. 6.3. e Hoc etiam maximum existimo beneficium, quod ab ortu Nativitatis meae, Angelum pacis ad me custodiendum usque ad finem meum dedit mibi Dominus, D. Aug. lib. 1. Meditat. cap. 12. Mat. 4.2. Psal. 104.4. Luke 1.26. Heb. 1.14. Gen. 28.12. 2 Kin. 16.35. Act. 5. 1●. Colos. 1.16. 6. Doxology. HAlleluiah, * Rev. 19.1. praise ye the Lord, praise ye the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights, praise ye him all his Angels, praise ye him all his hosts; ye who do him service continually in heaven, and secure his servants on earth, praise ye the Name of the Lord, from this time forth for evermore, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 7. Contemplation. AS Christ in his infancy was proclaimed by the Angels: so was he immediately attended by the vigilant & innocent shepherds, who went in haste (as the angel directed) to Bethlem, and there they found (f) Mary, and joseph, and the (g) Babe lying in a manger. (h) 7. Observation. THe shepherds were witnesses of Christ's birth, (f) of his poverty and great humility, (g) their souls were inflamed with the beams of that glorious light, that shone round about them, they harkened to the angels voice, and made haste to Bethlem to find their Saviour. f 7. Confirmation. (f) Videte quenadmodum divina Curia fidem aestruat, Angelus Mariam, Angelus joseph, Angelus pastors edocet, D. Amb. Homil. 8. in joseph Luke 2.15. (g) quidem apparuit Angelus in somnis; pastoribus autem visibiliter quasi rudioribus: non autem Angelus ivit Hierosolymam, non requisiult Scribas, & Pharisaeos, qui erant corrupti, & prae invidiâ cruciabantur; sed hi erant sinceri, antiquam conversationem Patriarcharum & Moysi colentes. D. Chrys. Luke 2.16. (h) Nascitur Christus in Bethleem; quip domus Pa●is interpret●tur, D. Greg. Homil. ●. in Luc. 1. Qui ad dextram Patris sedet, in divei sorto loco ege●, ut nobis in domo Patris sui multas manstones praeparet, Ven. Beda. Propter te infirmitas in se potentia, propter te in optam se opulentia noli hoc aestimare quod carnis, sed quod redimeris, agnosce, non prodesset nasci nisi & redimi profuisset, D. Amb. Hom. 8. in Lucam. john 1.4, 9 Luke 2.17. (i) Luke 2.32. Acts 9.3. Acts 12.7. Rom. 2.19. 7. Doxology. BLessed be the * Benedic. Luke 1.68. Lord God of Israel, who hath visited & redeemed his people; who made his glorious light to shine round about poor shepherds, and sent his holy angels to guide them to Bethlem, to find their blessed Lord and Saviour jesus. Amen. 8. Contemplation. AS our Saviour jesus was proclaimed, and adored by the Angels, (a) and attended by the shepherds; (b) so was he presented in the Temple, (c) by joseph, and his blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary. (d) 8. Observation. GOd commanded by his servant Moses, saying, Sanctify unto me all the first. born, e whatsomever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast, it is mine; and not only so, but f God commands, saying, Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors. Thus Christ was presented in the Temple, dedicated and devoted to God his Father, as the first-fruits of the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary. g 8. Confirmation. e POst circumcisionem, rursus expectatur purgationis tempus, Cyril. Exod. 13.2. f Ipsa Dei genetrix, ut à commistione viri, sic à legali fit à jure immunis: non u● mulier parien● designatur immunda, ritusque legis docetur esse mandanda, quia Virgo concepit & peperit Sed ut à legis vinculo solveremur nos, s●●nt Christus: ita beata Maria sponte legi est subjecta, Venerab. Bed. in Luc. Exod. 22.29. Num. 18.6. Exod. 34.19. Ezek. 44.30. g Propternos sistitur Domino, ut discamus Deo praesentare nos●psos, D. Athanas. Post tricesimum autem & tertium circumcisionis, diem Domino sistitur, mystice infinuans, neminem nisi circumcisum vitiis, Dominicis dignum esse conspectibus, Ven. Bed. in Lucam. Neminem nisi mortalisatis nexibus absolutum, superna●ivitatis gaudia poste perfecte subire, Idem in Lucam. Luke 2.22, 23. 8. Doxology. PRaise God * Psal. 150. in his Sanctuary, praise him in the firmament of his power; for the blessed Virgin hath offered up her Son, brought him to Jerusalem, presented him in the Temple: nay, Christ hath offered up himself to God his Father, as the first ripe fruits of righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption: to him be given all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen. 9 Contemplation. AS Christ was presented at Jerusalem, in the holy Temple before the jews: so was he, near Jerusalem, at Bethlem, visitted and adored by the Magis, the Gentiles, that as he was Lord of all, he might appear the Saviour of all, both jews and Gentiles. 9 Observation. AT the Birth of Christ, glad tidings were sent from heaven to all Nations, b the Partition-wall was than thrown down, Angels came from heaven to sinned, good will towards men on earth, the Gentiles, as well as the jews were than admitted and received as Gods own people, and they came from far to worship and adore k the Son of God, l the Saviour of all the world. m 9 Confirmation. (h) PAstoribus Angeli, magis stella Christum demonstrat, utriusque loquitur lingua coelorum, quia lingua cessaverat prophetarum, D. Aug. serm. de Epiph. Mat. 2.1. (i) Rationabiliter Iudais rationale animal, i e. Angelus praedicare debuit: Gentiles ver● quia ratione uti nesciebant ad cognoscendum ●ominum, non per vocem, sed per signa producuntur, D. Greg. Homil. 10. supper Evangel. Ephes. 2.14. Micah 25. john 7.42, 1. Psal. 68.29. (k) Ipse etiam Christus erat expectatio gentium, Leo Pap. serm. 3. de Epiphan. Psal. 72.10. (l) O beati magi, qui ante conspestum crudelissimi Regis, priusquam Christum cogn●scerent, Christi facti sunt, confessores, D. Chrysost. super Matth. Adhuc non viderant Christum, & parati erant mori pro eo, Idem super Matth. Luke 2.10. (m) Luke 1.47. Hosea 13.4. john 4.42. Acts 5.31. 9 Doxology. LEt the sons of japhet now devil securely in the tents of Sem; let the Gentiles as well as the jews rejoice in God their Saviour, let all Nations address to, and adore the Son of God the Saviour of the world, for he was a light to * Nune dimittis, Luk. 2, 32. light the Gentiles, as well as he was the glory of his people Israel, to h●m be devoted and dedicated all honour, glory, and worship for ever, and world without end. Amen. 10. Contemplation. THe Birth of Christ was proclaimed, and celebrated by holy Angels; attended and admired by vigilant shepherds: Christ was presented in the Temple, and visitted and adored by the Gentiles, but thence by the cruelty and suspicion of Herod, he was banished and forced to fly to Egypt. 10. Observation. AT the birth of Christ, the Angels expressed their joy, (n) the shepherds their amazements, (oh) the Gentiles their hope, (p) joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary their faith, their humility, their obedience, (q) and flying with the Child jesus to Egypt, for fear of Herod's cruelty, (r) they show and set forth their prudence, their patience, their love and honour that they had for our Blessed Saviour jesus; for Christ fled for us, that we might flee to him: He fled from Herod, that we might flee from hell; (s) He was banished from Jerusalem, that he might lead us back to Paradise, whence our sins had banished us; and that we might be made sons and Citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, which is (t) above, which is the mother of us all. 10. Confirmation. (o) QVamvis joseph & Maria timerent Herodem, tamen non sunt ausi transgredi legem, Raba, Cum itaque rumor de pu●ro inceperat dilatari, mittitur Angelus, qui in Aegyptum faciat puerum transportari, Idem. Luke 2.13. (p) Mittitur Angelus joseph in somnis apparuisse dicitur, mysticè designatur, quia illi qui à curis terrenis & seculari●us negotiis quiesc●nt, perf●ui Angelica visione merentur, Remig. Luke 2.9. (q) [Fuge in AEgyptum] quomodo autem filius Dei ante hominem fugit, aut quis libe●et de inimicis, si & ipse inimicos suos timet? oportet, ut regulam humanae naturae quam suscepit conservet, & in hoc parte pu●●ilitati convenit fugere potestatem minantem: quare in AEgyptum? Recordatus Dominus quanta mala fecer●t in AEgpp●um, ideo mi●tit fi●●um in eam, & dat illi magnae reconciliationis signum, ut decem plagas AEgypti una medicina sonaret, ut populus qui ante fuerat persecuter trimogeniti populi, custos fieret Filii unigeniti, ut jam non irent ad mare rubrum demergendi, sed vocarentur ad aquas baptismatis vivificandi, D. Chrysost. super Matthaeum, Homil. 2. Mat. 2.10, 1●. (r) Mat. 2.12, 13. (s) Gen. 3.24. (t) Galatians 4.25, 26. Hebrews 12.22. 10. Doxology. WE praise thee * Hos. 11. ●. O God, for the deliverance of thy Son our Saviour in his infancy and innocency from the cruelty of bloodthirsty Herod, and all others, both treacherous and barbarous adversaries. It pleased thee, O Lord, to live and dye, and by active and passive obedience to perfect the great work of man's salvation, to fly to Egypt, and to return to Jerusalem, to suffer on the Cross for poor sinners. Therefore to thee, O Father, with the Son, and the Hol● Ghost, be all honour, praise, and thanksgiving, world without end. Amen. 11. Contemplation. AN Angel was sent to admonish joseph and the Blessed Virgin of Herod's cruelty towards our Lord and Saviour, commanding them to fly with the Child to Egypt. But the Tyrant grew enraged, and spread his persecution with greater violence, sparing no infants under two years old, and thereby designing probably, the more securely to murder and slay our Saviour jesus. 11. Observation. CHrist the Son of God was threatened with death, (a) tyrannised over & persecuted by Herod and bloody sinners, (b) that his Church might be delivered from the blackest persecutions, and poor Christians, and all his servants more securely rescued from the (c) jaws and torments of sin, the Grave, Death, Satan, and Hell. 11. Confirmation. (a) VIde in ipso nato statim Tyrannum insanire, mate● cum Puer● ad extraneam effugatur regionem; ut si tu incipiens alicui rei spirituali desero vire, videar●s tribulari, ne turberis, D. Chrys. super Matth In AEgyptum Idolis plenam, Christu● ad Gentes in ●nissimis re●igionibus deditas colendus infertur, Hilar. in Matth. Matth. 2.7, 16. jerem. 31.15, 16. (b) Nocte tollit & in tenebris, quia omnis persecutio nox est, D. Hieron. Dominus à parentibus sublatus in Aegyptum, significat Electos saepius malorum improbitate suis effug●n● dos esse sedibus, vel etiam exilio esse damnandos, B●da. Psalm 2.2. Acts 4.27. (c) Ephes. ●. 2, 3, 4. Eph. 6.12. 11. Doxology. ALmighty God, who delivered Israel from the rage and fury of Pharaoh; joseph from the prison, and jeremy from the dungeon, was pleased to rescue and deliver our Blessed * Psal. 12● 6, 7. Lord and Saviour jesus from the bloody designs and hands of cruel Herod, his eyes are ever over his children, his hand is stretched forth still for their safety and deliverance, to his holy Name be given all honour and praise, now and for ever. Amen. 12. Contemplation. AS Christ in his Birth and infancy amazed the world with his humility, his patience, his graces and wonderful goodness: so in his Childhood and tender years, he expressed his duty and obedience to the will of his heavenly Father, and observation of the Laws of God, it was from this principle, That Christ went up devoutly to Jerusalem to worship, and so to fulfil the Law. 12. Observation. CHrist fulfilled all righteousness, to supply the emptiness of our errors and infirmity, (c) and in his younger years presented himself a holy pattern and example of humility and obedience, (d) teaching all Christians thereby, to begin early to be devout and reverend in God's worship and service. (e) His Parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the Feast of the Passover, and when Christ was Twelve years old, he went with them. 12. Confirmation. (c) IN Hebraeorum solennitatibus non solum tempus, sed etiam locum observare lex jusserat, & ideo nec Domin● Purentes extra Hierosolymam celebrare P●scha volebant, D. Chrys. Quodautem Dominus per e●●es arnos cum Parentibus in Pascha Hierosolymam veni●, humilitatis est humanae judicium; hominis namque est ad efferenda Deo sacrificia concu●●ere, & cum o●●ioni●us conciliare, Beda in Homil, super E●●●g. Sequ●mur igitur iter humanae conversationis ejus, si Deitalis gloriam delectamur intue●●, Beda. Exod. 12.2. Exod. 13.3. Deut. 16.1, 2. (d) Luke 2.41. (e) 12. Doxology. O Praise the Lord, * Psalm ●3●. ●● laud ye the Name of the Lord, praise it O ye servants of the Lord, ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God; O praise the Lord, for the Lord is graaiou●; O sing praises unto his Name, for it is lovely. The Lord sent his Son to be our Saviour, and the Son for our sakes, and our example, went up yearly to Jerusalem to wait and worship in the holy Temple. Blessed be God the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen. 13. Contemplation. AS Christ went yearly up to Jerusalem to worship in the Temple his heavenly Father: so he manifested his filial obedience to joseph, and the Blessed Virgin his mother in a daily and dutiful submission to their parental orders and directions, exactly observing the first Commandment of promise, Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 13. Observation. undutiful disobedience in children towards parents, (f) is dangerous if not damnable. (g) Therefore Christ offereth himself, as a copy and pattern of obedience (h) to all the sons and daughters of men, guiding them to that honour and reverence that they own to their parents; for thus (i) the Scriptures record of Christ, that he went down with his parents to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. 13. Confirmation. (f) Luke 2.51. (g) AB ipsa autem prim●va aetate parentibus obediens quemlibet corporeum lab●rem humiliter & reverenter sustinuit, B●sil. in lib, Religion. Et miraris si patri defert, qui matri subditur? non utique infirmitatis sed pietatis est ista subjectio, Amb. titulo de subject. jesus. Exod. 20.12. (h) Prius vivendi proponit exemplar postea verbo tenus sanctionem, haec tria prae caeteris opere monstrans, Mat. 15.4. (i) Diligere Deum, honorare parentes; Deum vero & ipsis praferre parentibus, G●aec. Ephes. 6.2. (k) Discamus ergo & nos filii parentibus nostris esse subjecti, quod si patres non fuerint, subjiciamur his qui patrum habent aetatem; jesus filius Dei subjicitur joseph & Mariae, ego vero subjiciar Epifcopo, qui mihi constitutus est Pater, Orig. Homil. 20. 13. Doxology. NOt unto us, O Lord, * Psal. 115 ●. not unto us, but unto thy Name give the praise and glory, for thy loving mercy and thy truth's sake. Thou hast redeemed our souls by the merits of thy Son, and hast taught us how to honour our parents, by the example and rules of his holy obedience. To thee therefore, O Lord, be ascribed all honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 14. Contemplation. CHrist the eternal word, and wisdom of God the Father, went to Jerusalem, not only to worship, but likewise to manifest his divine graces; and therefore at twelve years of age, he reasoned and disputed with the Rabbis and Doctors, hearing them, and posing them, and ask them questions. 14. Observation. THe beams of the Divine Nature began to (l) radiate, and to shine and show themselves in Christ, when he was twelve years of age. (m) Than did the rose of Sharon begin to bud, and to set and sand forth his blush, fragrancy and beauty, (n) being full of the holy Ghost, (oh) his graces did overflow, and at that tender age, the Son of God did dispute, astonish and confounded the great Rabbis, and profound Doctors of the Law. 14. Confirmation. (l) INdica mihi, dilectissi●a Domina mea, mater Domini mei, quid tibi fuerit animi, quid stuporis, quid gaudii, cum dulcissimum filium tuum Dominum jesum inven●●es non inter pueros, sed inter Doctores, cum omnium oculos in ipsum intentos, omnium cerneres auret ad ipsum erestas, cum de prudenti● ejus & responsi● pusill● & magni, docti & indocti una liquerentur? Te●e, O dúlc● Domina, tene quem diligis, & tridu●●●am ejus absentiam multiplicatis deliciis recompensa, D. Bern. Homil. infra Octau. Epiphan. Luke 2.47. (m) Cogitemus quanta eorum fuerit felicitas, qui tot diebus viderunt faciem ejus, & mell●fluos ejus sermones audierunt, & consideraverunt in homine & puer● in signia quaedam coelestis radiare virtutis, D. Bern. Homil. infra octav. Epiph. Colos. 2.9. Heb. 1.3. Mat. 11.9. (n) Cerne, quaso, quem admodum à fingulis rapitur, à singulis trabitur, senes osculantur, amplectantur juvenes, pueri obsequuntur. D. Bern. Colos. 2.3. Cant. 1.1. Isa. 35.1, 2. (o) Duodecimo anno Dominicae, sumitur disputationis exordium; hic enim praedicandae fidei Evangelie zantium numerus debebatur, D. Ambro. lib, 2. in Lucam. 14. Doxology. LEt the heavens rejoice, * Psalm 96. ●1. and the earth be glad; let angels and men sing glory to God on high, who sent his holy prophet, his anointed Christ our Saviour, to teach and instruct his Church the heams of whose Majesty broke forth in his tender age, and shone so gloriously, that they did enlighten the ignorant, confirm the weak, convert the perverse and obstinate, and confounded the proud and haughty. To this glorious Redeemer of all mankind, be given all Dominion and Power throughout all ages. Amen. 15. Contemplation. AS the Infancy and tender years of our Saviour did bud and blossom most Divine Graces: so his manhood and riper age did sand forth rich and rare fruits, and did abound with miracles. And as he was circumcised when he was tender and young: so was he baptised, when he was at full age by S. john in the river jordan. 15. Observation. CHrist was baptised, and by his example and command, he recommended that Sacrament to his Church (p) for ever: the jewish Circumcision was than (q) exchanged into the Christians Baptism, which putteth us in mind of the Death of Christ, and we are to be washed from our sins in the laver of Regeneration. (r) 15. Confirmation. (p) parvulus evim erat, jam triginta annorum ad baptismum ipse perexit; Incanatur sub Baptistae manibus caput tremendum potestatibus, principatibus adcrandum, D. Bern. de Baptism. ferm. 40. Mat. 3.16. Mark 1.9. Luke 3.21 (q) Qui in plenitudine temporis venit, & in quo habitat plenitudo divinitatis; nil novit nisi plenum, D. Bern. ser. qua●to de Circumcis. & Baptism. Mat. 28.19, 20. (r) Tunc venit jesus à Galileo in jordanem ad johannem, ut baptizaretur ab eo. In his verbis describuntur, personae, l●ca, tempus, officium, Remig. Salvator ideo baptizari voluit, non ut sibi munditium acquireret sed ut nobis fluenta mundaret, D. Augus. Homil. 4. in opere imperf. Titus 3.5. Eph. 5.26. (s) Quicunque vult baptizari, transmigret à Galilaea In jordanem, à vitiis ad virtutes, & veniendo ad baptismum se humiliet, D. August. Rom. 6.4. Gal. 3.27. QVod circumcisus erat Christus, Parents fecerunt; 15. Doxology. LEt us * Magnificat. Luke ●. 46, magnify the Lord, with the Blessed Virgin, and rejoice in God our Saviour, who humbled himself for us men and for our salvation, by his Birth and by his Baptism, and hath washed our souls in his crimson Blood, that at the last day we may be presented pure, clean, and undefiled, before God his Father, to whom, with the holy Ghost, be all honour and praise for ever. Amen. 16. Contemplation. AFter Christ was baptised, and went strait way out of the waters; lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove, and lighting upon him; and lo, a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. After which solemn inauguration, jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil. 16. Observation. CHrist was tempted, but first baptised, (t) he was led by the holy Spirit which should (u) ever be our guide and comfort. (w) He was tempted, that he might support and secure his servants in their temptations, (x) that he might subdue the tempter, and (y) make his servants more than (z) conquerors. 16. Confirmation. (t) POstquam baptizatus est Dominus à Iohanne in aqua, ducitur à spir●tu in d●se●tum, ut baptizaretur igne tentationis, D. Chrys. Homil. 5. Mat. 4.3, 10. (u) Quisquis ergo post Baptismum majores sustin●t tentationet, ne turber●; propter hoc enim suscepisti arma, ut non vaces, sed ut praeticris, D. Chrysost. Homil. 13. Heb. 2.18. (w) Cur seipsum quoque tentandum praebuit? ut ad superandas tentationes adesset ● ediator, non solum per ●djutorium, sed etiam per exemplum, D. Au. 4. de Trin. Eph. 4.8. (x) Ad homines Diabolus vadit, ut tentet eos, quoniam autem adversus Christum diabolus ire non poterat, ideo contra diabolum Christus processit, D. Chrys. in Matth. Homil. Rom. 8.37. (y) Tunc autem maxime tentat diabolos, cum viderit solitariot, D. Chrys. Homil. 13. Psal. 95.8. (z) ●oc desertum, ubi tentabatur Dominus, est inter Jerusalem & Hierico, ubi morabantur latrones, qui locus vocatur Damin, id ●st sanguinis, propter effusionem sanguinis, quam ibi latrones faciebant, Gross, ordinar. in 4. Matth. Luke 4.2. 16. Doxology. BLessed for ever be our Lord and Saviour jesus, who as he was circumcised and presented in the Temple: so he fasted, prayed, and was tempted, and * Mat. 4 10. conquered Satan for man's salvation, and taught us by his example, not to yield nor faint under any trials or temptations; to the holy name of jesus be all honour and glory for ever. Amen. 17. Contemplation. SAint Matth●w records the sacred story, * Mat, 4.2. That Christ fasted forty days and forty nights, and that afterwards he was an hungered. Saint Luke doth vary the relation, * Luke 42. saying, jesus being full of the holy Ghost, returned from jordan, (where he had been baptised) and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the Devil; and when they were ended, he afterwards hungered. 17. Observation. CHrist fasted forty days, and forty nights, (a) that we might be filled (b) with the joys of heaven, and with the pleasures at Gods right hand for evermore. (c) As he fasted, so he was tempted (d) forty days and nights together, that his servants might be enabled to conquer Satan, (e) and so be free from his temptations for ever. Christ fasted, that the sin of eating in our first Parents, (f) might be expiated by his abstinence, and that by Christ's righteousness and obedience, the sons of the first Adam (g) might be readmitted and restored to Paradise. 17. Confirmation. (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Luke 4.2. Dies quadraginta tentante eum diabol●. M●t. 4.23. (b) Ecce factus est in Athletis jube●s agones Deus, qui coronat sanctorum vertices, Cyril. cap. 3. Psal. 16 11. (c) Post baptismum Christus tentatur, innuens nobis, quod postquam erimus baptizati, tentatione● imminent nobis, Theoph. In Com. in Luc. Luke 4.2. (d) Tentatur à diabolo Iesus quadraginta diebus, & quae fuerint tentamenta nescimus, quod ideo forsitan praetermissa sunt, quia majora erant, quam quae literis trad●re●tur, Origen. Homil. 2●. Mat. 4.1, 2. (e) Nam nisi Iesu● certasset, non mihi ille vicisset, Ambros. in serm. lib. 4. in Luc. Mat. 4.10, 11. Eph. 4.8. (f) jejunavit Dominus, ostendens quod illi, qui se vult ●a pugnas tentationum accingere, sobrietas est necessaria, Ambros. Gen. 3.6. (g) Quadraginta autem dierum, mysticum numerum recognoscis, tot enim diebus aquas abyssi effusa● esse meministi, & tot jejunio dierum sanctificato refus●m coeli serenioris ostendi● clementiam: tot jejunio dierum Moyses perceptionem legis emeruit: tot annos in eremo constituti patres, panem Angelorum consecuti sunt, Ambros. lib. 4. in Luc. Rom. 5.19. 17. Doxology. THe Lords holy Name be praised, * Psal. 147.8. who filleth heaven and earth with the glory of his Majesty, and all living creatures with his goodness and plenty. And blessed be thy holy Name, O jesus, who wast pleased to empty thyself, and to fast forty days and forty nights for poor sinners, that they might feed on manna, at thy table, O Lord, in the Kingdom of heaven. Let Angels and Archangels, with all thy Saints and Servants sing and set forth thy praise and glory world without end. Amen. 18. Contemplation. When Christ returned from his baptism, fasting and tempttion, * Mat. 4, 11, 13. behold, the Angels came and ministered unto him: and hearing that john was cast into prison, jesus departed into Galilee, and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelled in Capernaum; from that time jesus began to preach, and went about doing good. 18. Observation. THe light wherever it is, sends forth its brightness and beams. (h) Thus our Saviour, (i) the true light that lighteneth every one that cometh into the world, shineth gloriously in good works, (k) preacheth repentance, (l calleth his Disciples, (m) teacheth in the Synagogues of Galilee, and healeth (n) all manner of diseases and torments, and dispossesseth the people of Devils. (oh) 18. Confirmation. (h) QVia Dominus tentatorem vicerat, virtus ni add●ta est, q●anium scilicet ad manifestationem; unde dicitur [Egres●us est Iesus in virtute spiritus in Galilaeam. Mat. 5.14 15. (i) Omnis rex pugnaturus contra adversarium, prius congregat exercitum, & sic vadit ad pugnam, sic & Dominus contra diabolum pugnaturus, prius congregavit Apostolos; sic caepit Evangelium predicare, Chrys. Homil. 8. super Matth. john 1. ●. (k) Quia illi, ut debiles ad medicum pervenire non poterant, Dominus studiosus medicus, circuibit graviter agrotantes, & regiones singulas, Chrysost. ut supra. Distat inter docens & praedicans; docens enim refertur ad praesentia, praedicans adfutura, Tho. ●quin. Cate. Aurea. in Matth. Mat. 5.16. (l) Non elegit Reges, aut Senatores, aut philosophos, aut Oratores; imo elegit plebeios, pauperes & indoctos piscatores, Aug. serm. 49. de ver. Do. Luke 11. ●4. 35. (m) Docebat justiti ●s naturales, castitatem, humilitatem, praedicabat Evangelium, annuntianda bona, scil. beatitudinem caelestem, mortuorum resurrectionem, & hujusmodi, Chrys. ut supra. Mat. 4.17, 18. (n) Docebat justiti ●s naturales, castitatem, humilitatem, praedicabat Evangelium, annuntianda bona, scil. beatitudinem caelestem, mortuorum resurrectionem, & hujusmodi, Chrys. ut supra. Mat. 4.23. (o) Infirmitas ●st corporum, languor vero animarum, Chrys. super Matth. Mat. 4.25. 13. Doxology. ALL honour be ascribed to our Blessed Redeemer, our Saviour jesus: as for all his goodness, so chief that he was pleased * Isa 61.1, 2. Luke 4.18. to go in the virtue of the Spirit, from place to place, to preach the Gospel, to work miracles, and to cure his people from their infirmities, and to dispossess them of Devils, and so to set them in the way to everlasting happiness: to this blessed Redeemer be all dominion, praise and thanksgiving, now for ever. Amen. 19 Contemplation. When Christ had manifested himself to be the Son of God by many miracles, he called and ordained his Twelve Apostles: the sacred Scriptures set forth their names, their number, their office, their honour and authority; and the chief end of their vocation was, that they might be with jesus, * Mark 3.14. and that he might sand them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sickness, and to cast out Devils. 19 Observation. CHrist, as he hath great honour for God his (p) Father: so hath he great care and tender kindness for the Church our mother; (q) and therefore he chose the Twelve Apostles, that they (r) and their Successors, Bishops and Pastors, might feed the Flock (s) o● Christ, and by virtue of his Commission, preach the Gospel to all the wo●ld, (t) baptise all nations, and consecrated and administer the holy Sacrament in a blessed Communion of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance of (u) Christ's Death and Passion. 19 Confirmation. (p) HOneravit Patrem Dominus ulciscens eum, & non tolerans homicidas & mendaces, Dei veraces filios appellari, Theoph. john 8.49. (q) Bonus pastor animam ponit pro ovibus: Dominus fecit quod monuit, ostendit quod jussit, pro ovibus suis animam suam posuit, Greg. Homil. 14. Eph. 5.23. (r) Iste numerus per multas figuras in veteri Testamento praesignatus est Per 12 filios jacob, per 12 principes filiorum Israel, per 12 fontes viventes in Helim, per 12 lapides in rationali Aaron, per 12 panes propositionis, per 12 exploratores à Moyso missos, per 12 lapides unde factùm est altare, per 12 lapides sublatos de jordane, per 12 boves qui sustinebant mare AEneam. Ac in Novo Testamento, per. 12 stellas in corona Sponsae, per 12 fundamenta Jerusalem, quae vidit johannes, * Rev. 21.12. & per 12 portas, Rabant in Matth. Mat. 10.1. Mark 3.14. Eph 4.11. 1 Cor. 12 28. (s) Consideratur hic ordo praecipuus, jussit Apostolos ut primum docerent universas gentes; deinde fidei tingerent Sacramenta, & post fidem & baptisma, quae essent observanda praeciperent, Hieron. Acts 20.28. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. (t) Quia mag●a injunxerat Apostolis, erigit eorum sensus, di●●n● [vobiscum sum omnibus diebus, usque ad consummationem saeculi] quasi dicat, ne dicatis difficile esse ●njunctum negotium; Ego sum vobiscum qui omnia facio levia, Chrys. in Homil. supra Mat. Mat. 28.19. (u) 1 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25. Luke 24.47. 19 Doxology. O Be joyful in the Lord, * Psa. 95.1 all ye lands serve the Lord with gladness, & come before his presence with a song, for Christ hath strengthened our faith by the patience and courage of the noble army of Martyrs, confirmed us in the truth by the goodly fellowship of the Prophets, and settled his Church on himself as the head-corner-stone, a●d on the Doctrine of the glorious company of his Apostles. Now to this blessed jesus be all honour, power and glory, for ever. Amen. 20. Contemplation. AS Christ went about doing of good, and c●ose his Apostles, and appointed their Successors for the honour and service of his Church▪ so all h●s works and words entirely aimed at God's glory, and man's salvation, and whiles he lived on e●r●h, were testimonies of his humanity and Divinity, hypostatically united i● one Person, seen partly in his Discourses and Sermons, which were either plain and practical, or allusive and parabolical. 20. Observation. CHrist though he was the natural and eternal (a) Son of God, yet was he pleased to live and converse with t●e sons of men, (b) flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bones, like unto us in all things, sin only excepted; and as a King, (c) a Priest, (d) a Prophet, (e) he came from the bosom of hi● F●ther, to the womb of his mot●er and thence sprang into the world to rule, to save, to teach his Church. 20. Confirmation. (a) IOhannes, quia Deo exordium fecerat, dicens, [in principio erat verbum] tentationem Domini non descripsit, quia Deus tentari non possit, de quo sermo erat▪ quia vero in Matthaei Evangelio, & in Luca generatio hominis scribitur, & in Marco, homo autem est, quia tentatur; ideo Matthaeus, Marcus & Lucas tentationem descripserunt, Origen. in Lucam. john 1.14. Heb. 1.2, 3. (b) Quia aciem hominis Matthaeus significat; Iudaeis quasi de homine, exorsus est scribere, Hieron. Gal. 4.4, 5. Rom. 8.3. Philip. 2.7. (c) In hoc quod dicit, [jesu Christ●] Regalem & Sacerdotalem exprimit dignitatem, Rab. Dominus se ostendit ejusdem Dei esse Filium, cujus ille fuerat Propheta. [exinde caepit Iesus praedicare.] Psal. 2.6. (d) Heb. 7.17. (e) Deut. 18.15. john 1.45. Acts 3.22. Acts 7.37. 20. Doxology. HOsanna * Mat. 21 5 and Halleluiah to Christ the Son of David, the Son of Ahraham. For as his works were full of wonder, so his lips were full of grace and truth; never man spoke as he spoke he was meek and lowly, preaching to the poor the glad tidings of salvation, binding up the , proclaiming liberty * Isa. 61.1 to the captives, opening the prison to them that are bound. To this King, to this Priest, to this Prophet, to this our Saviour jesus, be all honour and obedience for evermore. Amen. 21. Contemplation. AMongst m●ny others, Christ preached, and taught, and catechised Nicodemus, a great Ruler in Israel, but an ignorant jew, instructing that Rabbi in the Doctrine of Regeneration and Righteousness by Faith. 21. Observation. CHrist came into the world to call all (d) sinners to Repentance, he came (e) to seek and to save that which was lost: as he called poor Fishermen from their ships, (f) so he reclaimed the great Doctors of the Law from their errors, (g) willing that all men should learn the Doctrine of Repentance, the new Birth, and so be saved by faith in Christ, as Nicodemus was. 21. Confirmation. (d) Cum Dominus esset Hierosolymis, multi crediderunt in Nomine ejus videntes signa & prodigia, quae faciebat ex his autem erat Nicodemus, Aug. tract. 2. in joh. 1 Tim. 1.15. Luke 2.10. (e) Quid me criminamini. si rectifico peccatores? tam enim proculà me est pecc●torum odium, quod eorum causa advenerim, nam medicus veni, non judex; ob hoc conviva fio languentium, patiorque faetorem, ut praestem remedia, Chrys. super Lucam. super eo quod, filius Abrahae. Loke 19.10. Mat. 18.11. (f) Nicodemus venit ad jesum nocte, cupiens, scilicet, secreta ejus allocutione plenius discere mysteria fidei, D. Chrys. Homil. 23. Pulchre in nocte venisse dicitur, in tenebris ignorantiae obnubilat●●, ad tantam lucem nondum pervenerat, ut perfecte Deum verum crederet, Haymo. Mat. 4.18. (g) Nox enim in sacro eloquio, pro ignorantia ponitur, adhuc à Iudaica detenebatur infirmitate, propte● rea nocte venit, trepidans hoc in die facere, Chrys. Hom. 23. john 3.1, 2, 3 to verse 22. john 7, 50, john 19.39, 21. Doxology. LEt jews and Gentiles, * Psa. 148.11.12. judah and Israel, young men and maidens, old men and children, princes and rulers, rich and poor praise the Name of the Lord; for he hath sent his Son to preach the Gospel, to confounded the mighty, to instruct the ignorant, to convert the obstinate, and to proclaim salvation to all the world; Now to the blessed Trinity be all glory and praise for ever. Amen. 22. Contemplation. AS Christ preached to Nicodemus, so did he, most graciously, to the woman of Samaria, when he came to a City, which is called Sythar, near to the parcel of ground that jacob gave to his son joseph, now jacohs well was there. jesus therefore being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well, and it was about the sixth hour. * John 4. ●, 6. 22. Observation. CHrist was pleased to discourse freely with the (h) woman of Samaria, humbly to ask her a draught (i) of water, that he might drink, and in recompense of that slender civility, and in great compassion, doth teach her the way to find the fountain of the (k) water of life, and giveth her to drink living waters, that she might never thirst again. Thus our Saviour vouchsafed to converse with a (l) sinner, a Samaritan; and wisdom itself, to instruct (m) a silly woman, and thereby the Samaritans were converted, and believed on him. 22. Confirmation. (h) SIcut Apostoli expulsi à Iudaeis, ad Gentes venerunt: ita & Christus ad Samaritanos a●cedit, Chry. Hom. 30. in johan. john 4.5. (i) Invenimus Christum fortem & infirmum; fortem, quia in principio erat verbum; infirmum, quia verbum caro factum est. Sic ergo infirmus Iesus itinere fatigatus, sedebat super fontem, Chrys. sup. joh. Homil. 30. Congruè autem disputatio ad mulierem, à siti sumpsit occasionem, in de sequitur [da mihi bibere] Theophilac. john 4.7. (k) Sitiebat etiam Iesus mulieris illius fidem, eorum enim fidem sitit pro quibus sanguinem fudit, Aug. lively 83. quaest, 64. john 4.13. (l) Expleta doctrina, & convent●nter ad tempus discipuli ●ccurrunt, admirabant●r quidem super abundantem Christi mansuetudinem, quoniam ita perspicuus existens, sustinuit loqui cum tantae humilitate mulieri inopi & Samaritanae, Chry. Homil. 32. in johan. john 4.9. (m) Quia scilicet quaerebat perditum, qui venerat quaerere quod perierat, Aug. Tract. 15. john 4.39.40.41, 42. 22. Doxology. LEt men and women, * Psal. 148. 1●. bond and free, and all sinners address to Christ, their Lord and Saviour. Let them admire his goodness, honour his humility, fly to his mercies, embrace his loving kindness, and praise his holy Name; for he was pleased to discourse and converse with poor sinners, and scandalous Samaritans, to save their souls, and to refresh them with the waters of life, that they might never thirst again. To this blessed jesus be all honour and glory, for ever. Amen. 23. Contemplation. CHrist, as he pleased to teach and talk to single persons: so he preached to the multitudes, that by all means he might woe and win the people to save their souls, to believe the Gospel, and thereby glorify God his Father, who had sent redemption and salvation into all the world. 23. Observation. Our Saviour, in his Sermon on the Mount to the multitudes, taught (n) who are blessed, (oh) expounded the Law, (p) how to give alms, (q) how to pray, (r) how to fast, (s) how to depend on God's Providence, (t) discoursed of (u) rash judgement, (w) of false prophets, (x) of Saint john the Baptist, (y) of the fear of God, of the spiritual feeding on the Body and Blood of Christ, and of his heavenly Doctrine. 23. Confirmation. (n) OMnis artifex secundum professionem suam, opportunitatem operis videns, gaude●: sic & Dominus videns, magnam congregationem populi, excitatus est ad docendum, Chryso. Homil. 2. opere imperf. Mat. 5.3. (o) Si quis pie & sobri● consideraverit, inveniret, in hoc sermone, quantum ad mores opportunos pertinet, perfectum vitae Christianae modum, Aug. serm. Dom. in monte. Mat. 5.17. (p) Subli●ia autem praecepta Domino dicturo in monte, praemittitur, scilicet, [Et aperiens os suum docebat eos] qui dudum aperuerat ora prophetarum, Greg. 4. Moral. 6.1. (q) Vbicunque autem legitur, Dominus [aperuisse ●s] inspiciendum est, quia magna sunt, quae sequuntur, R●mig. in Matth, Mat. 6.5. (r) Mat. 6.25. (s) Mat. 7.1. (t) Mat. 7.15. (u) Matth. 11.4, 10, 11, 12. (w) Luke 1●. 39, 40. (x) john 6.50, 51. (y) john 7 chapped. (z) john 8 chapter. 23. Doxology. AS the beams of the Sun * Ps. 148.3 thankfully return towards that glorious body, from the earth, that did radiate and sand them forth: so let all sinners, enlightened with the beams of grace, reflect with all humble obedience and thankfulness on the true Son of Righteousness, our Lord and Saviour jesus, blessed for ever. Amen. 24. Contemplation. CHrist preached the gospel to the multitudes, that they might believe, ●n● be saved, but more exact●● and sequently to his Apostles, because they were to be shepherds of his Flock, leaders of his people, pillars of his Church, and Confessors and Martyrs to seal his Truth. Therefore did he more distinctly call them, more completely empower them, more precisely name them, and more freely sand them to preach the gospel, saying, the Kingdom of God is at hand. 24. Observation. (r) Our Saviour taught his Apostles what to do, and what to suffer; (s) how to love him, and how to take up his Cross; (t) how to value the world, and how to respect their lives for Christ's sake; (u) teacheth the world how to entertain his Ministers,, (w) and promisetd great rewards for small kindness to his servants. 24. Confirmation. (r) BEnignus & clemens Dominus ac Magister, non invidet servis, atque discipulis suis virtutes suas; sicut ipse caruerat omnem languorem & infirmitatem; Apostolis quoque tribuit potestatem, ut curent omnem languorem & infirmitatem, Hieron. in commentar. in cap. 10. Matth. Catalogus Apostolorum ponitur, ut extra hos, qui sunt pseudo-Apostostoli, extrudantur, idem Hieron. Mat. 10.1, 6, 18, 19 (s) Tota autem virtutis Dominicae potestas in Apostolis refertur, Hilar. can. 10. Mat. 10.37, 38. (t) Mors Sanctorum bonis in adjutorium, malis in testimonium, ut inde perversi sine excusatione pereant, unde electi exemplum cupiunt, ut vivant, Hil. can. 10. in Matth. Mat. 10.39. (u) Nolite timere persecutorum saevitiam, & blasphemantium rabiem, quia veniet dies judicii, in quo & vestra virtus, & illorum nequitiae demonstrabitur, Hil. can. 10. in Matth. Mat. 10.40. (w) Dominus ad praedicationem discipulos suos mittens, docet pericula non timenda, affect●m subjicit religioni, aurum supratulerat, ac de zona excusserat, dura Evangelistorum condiiio, Hier, super [qui vos recipit, me●ecipit] Repromittit honorem suscipient bus Apostolos, ut Christum suscipiant, & etiam Patrem: quid autem huic hon●ri fiat aequale, ut ●uis Patrem & Filium accipiat, Chrys. Homil. 36. Matth. Mat. 10, 41, 42. 24. Doxology. O All ye Saints and servants of the Lord, bless and praise the holy Name of jesus; for he who descended is the same also that ascended up * Eph. 4.20, 11. far above all heavens, that he might fill all things: and he gave some Apostles, and some Evangelists, and some Prophets, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ, to whom with the Father, and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory for evermore. Amen. 25. Contemplation. AS Christ did preach to his Apostles, and to the multitudes: so did he to the Cities, Towns and Villages, where he wrought his miracles, that he might confirm his works by his Word. So Saint Matthew * Mat. 11.1 presents the History of Christ's life and actions, (when jesus had made an end of commanding his Twelve Disciples, he departed thence to preach and to teach in their Cities.) 25. Observation. IEsus went about doing of good, (a) healing all that were diseased, (h) preaching the Gospel, (c) promising salvation to all who did believe, (d) and threatening the unbelievers with the judgements of hell for their impiety, ingratitude, and infidelity. 25. Confirmation. (a) POstquam discipulos suos Dominus ad praedicandum mittens, praem●ssis verbis eos instruxit; ipse etiam quod docuerat verbis, factis implevit, offerens primam praedicationem Iudaeis, Raban. 4. in Matth. Mat. 11.1. (b) Pulchrè autem de speciali doctrina, qua instruxerat Apostolos, ad generalem transit in civitatibus praedicando de caelis ad terras descendit, ut omnes illuminaret, in quo facto monentur etiam suncti Praedicatores, ut omnibus prodesse studeant, Remig. Mat. 4.17. (c) Post praedicationem atque doctrinam signorum offertur occasio, ut per virtutum miracula praeterritus apud audientes sermo firmetur, Hieron. in 8. Matthae. Mark 16.15, 16. (d) Multis Dominus exprobraverat civitatibus, quia post factas virtutes, & signa quàm plurima non egerat paenitentiam, Hieron. super veh. tibi Cora. Mat. 11.20, 24, 25. 2 Pet. 2, 9 25. Doxology. BLessed be the God and Father of our Lord jesus * 2 Cor. 8.3. Christ, who, as he was born at Bethlem, brought up at Nazareth, and died at Jerusalem: so, whiles he lived, he went about doing of good, healing all diseases, teaching and preaching the glad tidings of the Gospel, in the Cities, Towns and Villages of judea. To this everlasting and immortal King, Priest and Prophet, be ascribed all honour and glory for ever. Amen. 26. Contemplation. CHrist, the Lords Anointed Prophet, did show and set forth many miracles, and preach many Sermons. But he was not so sharp and plain in any, as in that which he preached against the sins of the Scribes and Pharisees, who have Eight several woes denounced * Mat. 23. v. 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 2●, 25, 29. against their hypocrisy. 26. Observation. IN this Sermon our Saviour tells and rebukes the Pharisees, (e) First for their pride, than for hypocrisy, (f) for their cunning cruelty, (g) [devouring widows, houses, and for a pretence making long prayers] for their compassing of Sea and Land to make one proselyte, (h) for their blindness and ignorance, (i) for their craft and dishonesty, paying petty ●ythes to the Church, a● Mint, Anise, Commin; but omitting weightier● matters of the Law, judgement, Mercy and Faith, for their external cleanness, (k) and their internal filthiness, for murdering the Prophets, and building and (l) garnishing their tombs; (m) for being as subtle and suppling as (n) serpents, and as venomous as vipers. 26. Confirmation. (e) VIdendum est quomodo quis super Cathedram sedeat, quia non Caohedra facit sacerdotem, sed sacerdos Cathedram; non locus sanctificat hominem, sed homo locum, Chrys. super Matthae. Homil. 43. Mat. 23.2. (f) Sicut aurum de terra eligitur, & terra relinquitur; sic & auditores dactrinam accipiant, & mores relinquat, Chrys. Hom. 13. Mat. 23, 5, 6, 7. (g) [Vae vobis Scribae & Pharisaei Hypocritae] istud vae non ex pronuntiant● contingit peccanti, sed ex peccatis, quibus dignum se praebet ad sufceptionem istorum, quae Deus disciplinae causa pronuntiavit, Orig. Tract. 25. Mat. 23.14. (h) [Vae vobis] quia praeceper●t Dominus propter alimoniam sacerdotum & Levitarum, (quorum pars erat Dominus) omnium rerum offerri in Templo Decimas: Pharisaei hoc unum habebant studii, ut quae vilia fuerant comportarentur, caetera quae erant majo: raparvi pendebant, Hieron. super Vae vobis. Mat. 23 15. (i) [Vae vobis] quia praeceper●t Dominus propter alimoniam sacerdotum & Levitarum, (quorum pars erat Dominus) omnium rerum offerri in Templo Decimas: Pharisaei hoc unum habebant studii, ut quae vilia fuerant comportarentur, caetera quae erant majo: raparvi pendebant, Hieron. super Vae vobis. Mat. 23.17. (k) [Vae vobis] quia praeceper●t Dominus propter alimoniam sacerdotum & Levitarum, (quorum pars erat Dominus) omnium rerum offerri in Templo Decimas: Pharisaei hoc unum habebant studii, ut quae vilia fuerant comportarentur, caetera quae erant majo: raparvi pendebant, Hieron. super Vae vobis. Mat. 23.23. (l) [Vae vobis] quia praeceper●t Dominus propter alimoniam sacerdotum & Levitarum, (quorum pars erat Dominus) omnium rerum offerri in Templo Decimas: Pharisaei hoc unum habebant studii, ut quae vilia fuerant comportarentur, caetera quae erant majo: raparvi pendebant, Hieron. super Vae vobis. Mat. 23.25. (m) Omnia mala, quae in singulis generationibus à constitutione mundi pati meruerunt, omnes iniqui, super novissimos judaeos venerunt, quia Christum repul●runt, Chrys. Hom. 46. Mat. 23.30. (n) Omnium peccata impiorum, tantum malum mereri non potuerunt, quantum peccata Iudae●rum, ut corperalia paterentur, qualia passi sunt à Romanis? & sic postmodum omnes generationes eorùm usque in finem saeculi projicerentur à Deo, & ludibrium fierent Gentibus universis. Quid nempe pejut potest fieri, quam filium Dei cum misericordia & humilitate venientem non suscipere, sed tali modo interficerc? Chry. Hom. 46. opere imperf. Mat. 23.33. 26. Doxology. TO the immortal, * 1 Tim. 6.16. invisible, only wise God, be devoted and dedicated power and praise; for he searcheth the hearts, and tryeth the reinss of the proudest Pharisees, he seethe the thoughts of the most cunning Scribes, and discerneth all the ways of the most dissembling Hypocrites, all things are plain and naked in the sight of God. Let us therefore worship him and his Son jesus with reverence and godly fear, for ever. Amen. 27. Contemplation. AS God complained to Abraham of Sodom and Gomorah, because their sins were very grievous, * Gen. 1●. 20. and the Prophet against Bethel * 1 Kings 13.32. and Samaria: so Christ crieth out against the City of Jerusalem for her pride, her cruelty, her disobedience, her irrepentance, and many other horrid sins, and after threatens her with bitter judgements, and utter desolation. 27. Observation. OBstinacy, (oh) impenitency, (p) apostasy, (q) cruelty, murder, (r) and ki●ling of God's Prophets, are remarkable testimonies of wilful, incorrigible sinners, and most certain provocations and forerunners of Gods heavy wrath and displeasure, and (s) a wilful refusal of mercy, hastens and hurries on grievous judgements, and (t) fearful indignation. 27. Confirmation. (o) Isa. 48.4. (p) POst praedicta, ad civitatem convertit Dominus sermonem, ex h●c crudire volens auditores, unde dicit, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Chrysost. in Hom. 75. Rom. 2.5. (q) Haec autem duplicatio, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, miserentis est & valde diligentis, Chrysost. ut supra. Jerusalem, non saxa & aedificia civitatis, sed habitatores vocat, quam Patris affectu plangit, Chrys. ut supra. Praevidens ruinam civitatis illius, & plagam quae à Romanis superventura erat, recordabatur quidem sanguinis sanctorum suorum, qui effusus erat ab illis & postmodum effudendus, Chrys. Hom. 46. Luke 8. 13. (r) Non dixit, occidisti & lapidisti, sed occidis & lapidas, quasi hanc propriam & naturalem consuetudinem habens, ut occidas & lapides Sanct●s, Chrys. Hom. 75. Gen. 9.6. Mat. 26.52. Rev. 13.10. (s) Occidisti, lapidasti, excerebrasti Sanctos, qu●i modo Mat. 23.37, 38. (t) Salvaberis, quae ad te medicum pervenire non permittis? Chrys. ut supra. 27. Doxology. LEt the holy * Te De. 'em. Patriarches, Prophets, Apostles, Disciples, Confessors and Martyrs praise God for their courage, their patience, their faith and love to the Truth, O right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints, he will revenge their blood on earth, and crown their heads in heaven with victory and everlasting happiness, to him be given immortality and honour world without end. Amen. 28. Contemplation. AS Christ followed many, so a great company [at his Passion] of the people followed him, and of women which also lamented and bewailed him; and Christ moved with compassion, to save their souls, preacheth * to them before his Death. 28. Observation. CHrist turns the women's weeping for him [going to be crucified] to sorrow for themselves; (u) Luke 23.29. jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but for yourselves, and for your children, (w) for the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the paps that never gave suck. 28. Confirmation. (u) MVlta quidem turba crucem Domini, sed non una eademque ment sequchatur, Beda cap. 93. Mandate depl●rantibus eum in futura mala prospectum intendere, & super illis flere, Theoph. Luke 23.27, 28. (w) Irruente bello in terra judaeonum, cuncta fim●●i peribunt magni & parvi, Cyril. Refer josephus, insistentibus Iudaeis Romanis, certatim judaeos cavernas montium, colliumque petiisse speluncas, Beda cap. 93. Luke 23.29. Isa. 2.19. Hosea 10.8. Rev. 6.16. 28. Doxology. LEt men and women, * Psal. ●●●2. virgins and wives, young men and maidens, old men and children praise the Name of the Lord, for he hath tender compassion for all the Daughters of Jerusalem, and for all his Saints and Servants abundance of loving kindness and mercies, To thee therefore, O Saviour jesus, be all honour and glory now and forever. Amen. 29. Contemplation. AS many of Christ's Sermons were plain, personal, and practical; so many others were allusive and parabolical, as that of the seed, * Mat. 13. ●, 5. and he spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sour went forth to sow. 29. Observation. THe seed, alludes to God's Word, (x) which sometimes falls by the wayside, than cometh (y) the wicked one, Mat. 13.19. and catcheth it away, that which was sown in his hea●t, (z) sometimes to stony ground, and than the seed perisheth for want of root, sometimes amongst thorns, (a) that is, cares of the world, and deceitfulness of richeses, which choke it; and sometimes the seed falls into good grounds, that is, into the meek ears and humble hearts of believing and understanding hearers, (b) and they thrive and bring forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty; some an hundred fold. 29. Confirmation. (x) LOquitur autem Dominus per similitudinem: Primo quidem ut att●ntiores faceret auditores, consueverunt nempe homines obscuris se exercitare, & spernere manifesta. Deinde, ut non caperent indigni, quae mystice dicebantur, Theoph. in 8. ca Lucae. Mat. 13.3, 4. (y) Extra domum docebat per parabolas, sed intra domum parabolam discipulis exposuit, Origen super Lucam. Mat. 13.19. (z) In parabolis enim erat locuturus, & facti ipsius genere significat eos, qui extra Ecclesiam positi sunt, nullam divini sermenis posse capere intelligentiam, Hilar. Mat. 20.21. (a) Quamvis in ment non ita fecerit, nec per parabolas sermonem contexit. Tunc enim turbae solae erant, & plebs incomposita; hic autem Scribae & Pharisaei, Chrys. Hom. 45. in Matth. Mat. 13.22. (b) Perspicua Dominus miscet obscuris: ut per ea quae intelligant, provocentur ad illorum notitiam, quae non intelligunt, Hieron. in Matth. Mat. 13.23. Luke 8.8. 29. Doxology. LEt the Preachers sow, and the hearers of * Mat. 13.23. God's Word faithfully and humbly receive the pure seed of God's grace, not in sandy, stony, nor thorny ground, but in a meek heart and humble spirit, that they may cheerfully return always the fruits of praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 30. Contemplation. CHrist put forth another parable of the tares, * Mat. 23. ●4. saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man, which sowed good seed in his field, but whiles men slept his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 30. Observation. Our Saviour, and his true servants, sow no seed in God's Church but pure wheat (c) the word of grace, (d) and truth, (e) peace and holiness, (f) and faith, hope, and charity, (g) and the way and means to everlasting life: but the Devil [the common enemy of mankind] (h) with all his wicked instruments, Atheists, Heretics, and Schismatics, they sow the tares of infidelity, dissension, rebellion, and all kind of mischiefs and wickedness amongst the pure seeds of grace. (i) 30. Confirmation. (c) HOc est diabolicae machinationis, veritati semper errorem miscrere, Chrys. 47. Hom. in Marthae. Mat. 13.24. (d) Modum insidiarum Diabolus ostendit, dicens, [Cum autem dormirent homines, venit inimicus] error post veritatem existit, quod & rerum exitus testatur, idem ut supra. Mat. 13.25, 28. (e) Post Prophetas fuerunt Pseudoprophetae, & post Apostolos Pseudoapostoli, & post Christum Anti-Christus, Chrys. 2 Cor. 4.7. Eph. 1.13. (f) Hinc apparet Diaboli malignitas, tunc enim seminavit quando universa erant completa, ut magis noceret agricolae study, Chrysost. Homil. 47. in Marthae. 2 Cor. 13.11. Heb. 12. ●4. (g) Nisi Diabolus viderit, quid imitetur, vel quibus insidietur, non tentat, Chrysost. Homil. 47. in Matthae. 1 Cor. 13.13. joh. 3.16. (h) Haeretici, & male vive●tes sunt Zizania, Schismatici, spicis corruptis sunt similes, & sunt palea, Aug. quaest. Evang. cap. 2. Mat. 13.25. Rom. 1.32. 1 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. (i) Cum Diabolus aspersis pravis erroribus, falsisque opinionibus superseminasset, hoc est, praceaente nomine Christi, Haereses superjecisset, magis ipse latus it, atque occultissimus factus est, Aug. quaest. Evan. cap. 2. 30. Doxology. LEt God arise, * Psal. ●● 1.3 and let his enemies be scattered. Let them also that hate him flee before him, but let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God. Let them also be merry and joyful, for he soweth the seeds of grace in his servants hearts, and preserveth them from the Devil, and all their enemies. O sing unto God, and sing praises unto his Name, and rejoice before him for evermore, and world without end. Am●n. Amen. 31. Contemplation's IN another parable Christ taught the people, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which is indeed the lest of all seeds; * Mat. 13.32. but when it is grown, it is the greatest amongst herbs, and becometh a Tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in it. 31. Observation. MVstard seed is a very small grain, but it groweth quickly both great and fruitful, (k) the branches thereof do spread, (l) and prove lodgings and entertainment for the birds of the air; and thus the pure Word of God, both grows and thrives in all true Believers hearts, whose branches spread as high as heaven, and over all the world, with faith, hope, and charity, (m) and good works of mercy and piety. (n) 31. Confirmation. (k) REgnum coelorum praedicatio Evangelii est & notitia scripturarum, quae duci● ad vit●m, de qua dicitur ad judaeos, auferetur à v●bis re● 〈◊〉 Dei: hujusmodi ergo regnum coelorum est simile grano synatis, Hier. super Matth. Mat. 13.31. (l) Granum synapis ad fervorem fidei pertinet, vel eo quod dicatur venena expellere, August. de quaest. Evang. Mark 4.30, 31. Luke 13.19. (m) Homo qui seminat in agro suo, à plerisque Salvator intelligitur, qui in animus credentium seminat, Hier. ubi supra. 1 Cor. 13.13. (n) Quis autem est iste qui seminat, nisi sensus noster & animus, qui suscipiens granum praedicati●●i●, & fovens sementem humore fidei, facit in agro sulpectoris pullulare? Hier. ubi supra. Mat. 5.16. Mark 4.20. 31. Doxology. GIve ear, O heavens, and hear, O earth, * De. 3●. 1, 4. ascribe ye greatness unto the Lord, he is the rock, his work is perfect, O God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he, his mercies are infinite, his works are wondered, he can raise a tree from the seed of grace, whose branches shall spread, and whose top shall reach to heaven, and whose fruit shall never fade or fail. * Psal. 1.4 To this Creator and Preserver of his servants be glory and dominion for ever. Amen. 32. Contemplation. CHrist taught the people in another parable, That the kingdom of Heaven is like unto leaven, * Mat. 13.33. which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 32. Observation. THe word of God, as leaven hid in meal, is diffusive and apt to ferment, to season and swell, to incorporate, (oh) and to impart its virtue and nature to the meal and substance, (p) whereinto it is diffused: and a very drop or grain of grace, as a little leaven, is able to season and sanctify (q) the inward and outward man. 32. Confirmation. (o) SIcut fermentum multam farinam transmutat in suam virtutem; ita & ●o● totum mundum transmutabitis, Chrys. Hom. 47. Mat. 13 33. (p) Ita & vos cum subjecti eritis impugnat●rib●● vestris, tunc eos superabitis, Chrysostom. ubi supra. Luke 13.20. (q) Sicut fermentum suffoditur, non destr●●●r, sed ●aulatim ad suum habitum omnia transmutat: sic in praedicatione vestra continget, Chrysostom. ubi supra. 1 Cor. 15.10. (r) Fermentum dilectionem, eo quod facit fervescere, mulierem sapientiam, August. quaest. Evang. Amos 4.5. 1 cor. 5.6. Gal. 5, 9 (s) Charitas in vestra ment recondita, consque crescere debet, ut totam mentem in sui perfectionem commutet, Raban. 32. Doxology. O Praise God in his holiness, praise him in the firmament of his power, * Psa. 150.1, ●. praise him in his noble acts, praise him according to his excellent greatness, for he doth season the hearts of his servants with the wholesome leaven of his word, and sanctify their souls with the graces of his holy Spirit. Now to the blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, be all honour and glory for ever. Amen. 33. Contemplation. Our Saviour jesus taught, That the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure, * Mat. 13. ●4. hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 33. Observation. THe parables of the grain of mustard seed, and of the leaven, hid in three measures of meal, set forth the powerful operation of God's word. But this (t) of the hid treasure, presents the excellency, the worth and dignity, (u) and the transcendent value and esteem, which all Christians aught to have on God's holy word. (w) 33. Confirmation. (t) PRaedicatio Evangelii occulta est in mundo, & si non vendideris omnia, non e●●es eam; & cum gaudio hoc oportet sacere, Chrys. Hom. 48. in Matth. Prov. 2.2, 24. Mat. 6.19, 20. (u) Hic quidem thesaurus gratis invenitur, Hilar. can. 13. joh. 6.68. (w) Thesaurus in agro absconditus est, coeleste desiderium, Greg. in Hom. super Evang. 6.63. jer. (x) Coelorum regnum id●o terrenis rebus simile dicitur, ut ex his quae animus novit, surgat ad incognita, & discat ignotum amare, Greg. ubi supra. 15.16. Ezek. (y) Thesaurus iste Dominus, in quo sunt omnes thesauri sapten●iae & scientiae abscondiit, Hier. super Matth. ●. 3. Rev. 10.9. (z) Thesaurus iste, Deus verbum est, qui in carne Christi videtur absconditus, aut sanctae Scripturae, in quibus reposita est notitia Salvatoris, Hieron. ubi supra. 33. Doxology. THou, O Lord, art full of compassion and mercy, long suffering, plenteous in goodness * Psal. 86.15. and truth, thou fillest thy servants souls with the rich treasures of thy holy word, and with the hopes and joy● of the kingdom of Heaven: I will thank thee O Lord my God, Vers. 12. with all my heart, and praise thy Name for evermore. Amen. 34. Contemplation. CHrist our Saviour sets a second, but higher valuation on the Gospel, saying, * Mat. 13.40. the kingdom of Heaven is not only as treasure hid in a field, but is far above all precious pearls and jewels, which when the merchant hath found, he sells all that he hath to purchase them. 34. Observation. A Christian, like a merchant, aught to be active and (a) diligent, to la●our and travel, to adventure danger, to run risks and hazards, to search and found out, to gain and possess the precious pearl (b) of eternal life. 34. Confirmation. (a) EVangelica praedicatio non solum multum lucrum praebet ut thesaurus, sed etiam preciosa est ut margarita, Chrysost. Homil. 48. in Matth. In praedicatione duo oportet adesse, scil. ab hujus vitae negotiis superari, & vigilantem esse, quod negotiatio designat, Idem ut supra. Prov. 31.14. Isa. 23.8. Mat. 13.35. (b) Bonae margaritae possunt intelligi Lex & Prophetaes' audi ergo Martion & Manichee, una ergo preciocissimà margarita est scientia Salvatoris, & Sacramentum Passionis & Resurrectionis ejus, quod cum invenerit homo negotiator similis Pauli, Omnia quasi purgamenta contemnit, ut Christam lucrifaceret, Hier. super Matth. Mat. 6.33. Mat. 12.28. Mark 1.15. Luk. 6.20. Luke 10.9. (c) Per margaritam preciosam intelligitur vitae coelestis dulcedo, quam inventam, omnia vendens emit, Greg. Hom. 2. in Evang. Prov. 10.4. Prov. 12.27. 2 Pet. 3.14. 34. Doxology. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous, for it becometh well the just to be thankful, * Psal. 3●. 1. sing unto the Lord a new song, sing praises lustily unto him with a good courage, for the Lord hath opened the richeses of his treasure on earth, and hath adorned the Church, his Spouse, with the precious pearls and jewels of the kingdom of Heaven. To him be given all honour and glory world without end. Amen. 35. Contemplation. CHrist preached and said, That the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Net, * Mat. 13.47. that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind, which when it was full, they drew to the shore, and set down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 35. Observation. THe Church of God, (d) as a Net cast into the sea, gathereth some of all kinds, jews and Gentiles, Greeks and Barbarians, (e) bond and free. There promiscuously good and bad, just and unjust, (f) Heretics, Schismatics, Apostates, Atheists, meet together with true Catholics, and humble-hearted and faithful Christians. But at the end of the world (g) the Angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from amongst the just. (h) 35. Confirmation. (d) POstquam per praedictas parabolas Evangeliam praedicationem commendaverat, ut non confidamus in praedicatione solum, neque fidem solam nobis aestimenius sufficere ad salutem, aliam parabolam subdit terribilem, de sagena, Chrysost. Homil 48. in Matth. Mat. 5.47, 48. (e) Impleto Hierimiae vaticinio dicentis, Ecce ego mittam ad vos piscatores multos, * Jer. 16.16. Hieron. Acts 2.9, 10, 11. (f) Postquam audicrunt Petrus & Andreas, jacob & johannes, [sequimini me saciam vos piscaetores hominum] contexuerunt sibi ex veteri & novo Testamento, sagenam Evangelicorum dogmatum, & miserunt eam in mare hujus saeculi, quae usque hodie in mediis fluctibus tenditur, Hieron. Mat. 13, 49, 50. (g) Sancta Ecclesia sagenae comparatur, quae & piscatoribus est commissa, & per cam quisque ad aeternum regnum à prasentis saeculi fluctibus irahitur, ne aeternae mortis prosundo mergatur, Gregor. Hom. 2. in Evang. Mat 13.41, 42. (h) Boni in quietissimo pertu requiescent; malos, Gehennae flammam suscipiet, Raban. 2 Cor. 11.13, 26. 35. Doxology. O Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, and his mercy endureth for ever, * Psal. 107.1, 2, 3. Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed and delivered from the hand of the enemy, and gathered them out of the Lands, from the East, and from the West, from the North, and from the South. O that men would therefore praise the Lord * Vers. 8. for his goodness, and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men. To him be all honour and glory for ever. Amen. 36. Contemplation. When Saint Peter came to Christ, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him, till seven times? * Mat. 18.21, 22. jesus saith unto him, not until seven times, but until seventy times seven, * Mat. 18.23. Therefore is the kingdom of Heaven like unto a certain King, which would take account of his servants. 36. Observation. CHrist teacheth his Church to exercise the works of mercy and charity, in the parable of a King, (i) forgiving his servant Ten thousand talents, (k) who when he fell down at his feet, and worshipped him, (l) praying for patience, and promising payment, (m) the Lord was moved with compassion, and forgave the debt. But this great Act of charity, requited with unparallelled cruelty upon a fellow servant, the merciless Creditor, being a large Debtor to his Lord and King, (n) is justly delivered over to the Tormentors, till he should pay all that was due: so likewise (oh) shall my heavenly Father do unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (p) 36. Confirmation. (i) PVtavit quidem Petrus, se aliquid magnum dicere, sed quid amatoe hominum Christus responderit, subditur. [non dico tibi usque ad septies, sed usque septuagies septies,] Mat. 18.25. (k) Audeo dicere & si septuagies octies, ignoscas, & si centies, & omnino quoties peccaverit ignosce Aug. ser. 15. Mat. 18.26. (l) Si enim Christus millia peccatorum invenit, & tamen omnia donavit, noli subducere misericord●am, Aug. ut supra. Mat. 18.27. (m) Familiare est Syri●, & maxime Palaestinis, ad omnem sermonem suum, parabolam Jungere, ut quod per simplex praeceptum ab auditoribus teneri non potest, per similitudinem exemploque teneatur, Hi●ro. super Matth. 18.28. (n) Omnis vitae nostrae ratio petenda est à Rege, quando omnes nos praesentari oportuerit, ante Tribunal Christi, Origen. tract. 6. in 18. Matth. Mat. 18.31, 32. (o) Larga Dei benignitas & clementia erga peccatores conversos, Dominus semper paratus est per baptismum & poenitentiam peccata dimittere, Remig. Mat. 13.33. (p) Tortores dicuntur Daemones, quia semper ad hoc parati sunt, ut perditas anima● suscipiant, & in poena aeternae damnationis eos torqueant, ut supra Remig. Mat. 18.35. 36. Doxology. IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and * Psal. 92.1. to sing praises to thy Name, O thou most highest; for thy mercy is above all thy works, Thou, O King of heaven, forgivest thy servants ten thousand talents, and penitent sinners ten thousand sins, teaching all men charity and mercy by thy own example. To thee therefore, O Lord, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, be all honour and glory for evermore. Amen. 37. Contemplation. CHrist taught his Disciples, in the parable of the sheep, and of the shepherd, telling them, * John 10. ●, 11. that he was the door of the sheep-fold, that he was the good shepherd, who laid down his life for his sheep, no man taketh it from me, * John 10. ●8. but I lay it down of myself, I have power to lay it down, and have power to take it again. 37. Observation. Our Saviour said to Saint Thomas, * John 14. 6● I am the way, the truth, and the life. (q) Saint john standing with two of his Disciples, and looking upon jesus as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God. (r) Christ preaching to his Disciples, tells them, (s) I am the door, (t) I am the good shepherd. That his Church may learn to hear and obey the voice and command of the chief Bishop and shepherd of all men's souls, (u) and that a true shepherd may be known and distinguished (w) from a sacrilegious thief, or timorous lazy hireling. 37. Confirmation. (q) OStium Scripturas vocavit Dominus, ha enim cognitionem Dei aperiunt, hae oves custodiunt, & lupos supervenire non permittunt, haereticis introitum praludentes, Chrys. Hom. 5.8. john 1.36. (r) Pastorem scipsum, & ●vem Dominus differentem praedicat, quia enim adducit nos Patri, ostium se dicit, quia vero procurat pastorem, Chrysost. Hom 58 john 10.1. (s) Petrus pastor, & caeteri Apostoli pastores, & amnes boni Episcopi; ostium vero nemo nostrum se dicit, hoc sibi ipsi Dominus proprie tenuit, Augustin, tract. 46. john 10.11. Isa. 40.11. Ezek. 34.23. (t) Mali pastores sunt sures & latrones, aut certe ut multum mercenarii, Aug. ut supra. john 10.4. (u) Fecit quod monuit, ostendit quod jussit, pro suis ovibus animam suam posuit, ut over quas redemerat, carnis suae alimento satiaret, Gregor. in Homil. 14. Heb. 13.20. 1 Pet. 2.25. (w) Non enim pastor sed mercenarius vocatur, qui non pro-amore intimo oves dominicas, sed ad temporales mercedes pascit, qui lucrum animarum non quaerit, sed terrenis commodis inhiat, honore Praelationis gaudet, aliud in Ecclesia quaerit, non Deum quaerit, Aug. de verbis Dom. ser. 4●. 1 Pet. 5.4. john 10.8, 12. 37. Doxology. O Praise the Lord, for the Lord is my Shepherd; * Psal. 23.1.2, 3. therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture, and lead me forth besides the waters of comfort: he shall convert my soul, and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Names sake. We are his people, and the sheep of his flock. To him therefore, as the chief * 1 Pet. 2.25. Shepherd, and Bishop of our souls, let us ascribe all praise, honour and obedience, for evermore. Amen. 38. Contemplation. CHrist instructed a certain Lawyer, who tempted him, and seemed to be earnest to inherit eternal life, and said, What is written in the Law? how readest thou? and he answering said, * Luke 10.27. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbour as thyself. Christ replied, Thou hast answered right, this do, and thou shalt live. But the Lawyer, willing to justify himself, said unto jesus, And who is my neighbour? on which occasion Christ presented a parable, saying, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to jericho, and fell amongst thiefs, who did rob and wound the poor traveller. * Luke 10.39. 38. Observation. MAny Pharisaical and carnal wits are more full of quirks and curiosities, than of any sincere desires of the Truth, of saving grace, (x) or the concerns of eternal life, (y) and pretending to know the Law, will not know who is their neighbour; and many who abound with much knowledge, have little or no charity. And therefore Christ hath taught his Church a perfect Lesson, (z) by the example of the good Samaritan, * Luke 10. ●●. condemning and commanding the Lawyer out of his own confession, [Go thou and do likewise.] 38. Confirmation. (x) Erant enim quidam verbosi circumeuntes totam regionem judaeorum, incusantes Christum, & dicentes, quod praeceptum Moysi inutile dicerets Ipse autem quasdam novas doctrinas promeret: v●lens igitur legisperitus seducere Christum, ut aliquid contra Moysen loqueretur, adest tentans ipsum, magistrum vocans, doceri non patiens, Cyril. Luke 10.33. Mat. 22.35, 36. (y) In hoc quod quaerit [quis est meus proximus] vacuus à dilectione proximi ostenditur, Cyril. Qui non credit in Christum, nescit proximum suum; & qui Christum nescit, Legem nescit, Ambi. in loc. Mark 8.11. Mat. 16.1. 1 Tim. 1.4. (z) Sive judaeus, sive Gentilis, non cavilleris auxiliari, quaecunque mala fuerit passus, Chrys. Nihil enim tam secundum naturam, quam juvare consortem naturae, Ambros. ut supra. Luke 10.37. 38. Doxology. PRaise the Lord O my soul, * Psal. 103 1, 2, 3, 4. and all that is within me, praise his holy Name. Praise the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thy infirmities, which saveth thy li●e from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy, and loving mercies. To thee, O Lord, be ascribed all praise and power for ever. Amen. 39 Contemplation. CHrist taught the people by the parable of the marriage of the King's son, saying, * Mat. 22.2, 3. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, who made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding, and they would not come. 39 Observation. GOd is very gracious, (a) and wooeth sinners to salvation; (b) courts and invites them to the marriage of his Son: (c) but wicked sinners are perverse and obstinate, and do not only make light of heavenly invitations, but scornfully and cruelly (d) entreat his servants and messengers, which barbarous usage provoked the King to wroth, to raise armies * Mat. 22.7. to destroy those murderers, and to burn up their city. 39 Confirmation. (a) PArabolam autem istam solus Matthaeus narrat, simile quidem Lucas commemorat, sed non est hoc, sicut ipse ordo indicat, August de Evangel. concor. Mat. 22.2. (b) Ergo quando misit servos suos, jam invitati prius erant, à tempore Abrahae, cui Christi incarnatio promittebatur, Chrys. homil. 41. Hosea 11.3. (c) Nonnulli vocati, gratiam non solum respuunt, sed etiam persequuntur, Chrysost. Homil. 38. in Evang. Mat. 22.5, 6. (d) [Missis exercitibus] per hoc exercitus Romanos intelligimus, sub Duce Vespasiano & Ti●o, qui occisis Iudeae populis, praevaricatricem incenderunt civitatem, Hieron. super verba [missis exercitibus.] Mat. 23.30, 31. Luke 14.21. 39 Doxology. O Be joyful in God all ye lands, * Psa. 66.1. sing praises unto the honour of his Name, make his praise to be glorious, for the great King of heaven and earth hath made a marriage for his Son Christ jesus, and he is espoused to his Church for ever; he inviteth poor sinners to the Marriage-feast, to eat the bread of angels, and to drink the waters of everlasting life. To this immortal King of glory be all honour and praise for evermore. Amen. 40. Contemplation. CHrist was pleased to preach to the Publicans and sinners, who drew near to hear him; but whiles they heard with reverence, the Pharisees and Scribes murmured and filled with envy, on which occasion our Saviour taught * Luke 15, 4, 8, 11. them in the parables of the lost sheep, the piece of silver, and the prodigal son. 40. Observation. Our Lord and Saviour, as he much desireth, so he much rejoiceth at the conversion of a sinner, (e) as a good shepherd who hath found his lost sheep (f) as a poor woman who hath found her lost groat, (g) as a tenderhearted father who hath found his lost prodigal son. 40. Confirmation. (e) DIdiceras in superioribus, secularibus occupatio onibus non teneri, caduca non praeferre perpetuis: jam vero adversus errorem remedia tibi bonus medicus demonstravit, spem veniae judex misericors non negavit, Ambros. in Luc. de ove centes. [Publicani & Peccatores] id est, qui publica exigunt vectigalia vel conducunt, & qui lucra seculi per negotia sectantur, Gloss. Dives Pastor, cujus, nos omnes, centefima portio sumus, Ambr. homil. 34. in Luc. una ovis tunc perit, quando peccando homo pasc●a vitae reliquit, Gregor. Cum pastor invenisset ovem, non ●univit, n●n duxit ad gregem urgendo, sed superponens bu ●ero, & p●rtans clementer annumeravit gregi, Gregor Nyssenus. Luke 15.6. Mat. 18.11. 1 Pet. 2.25. (f) Per praecedentem parabolam docemur, quod Deus ●os fecit, & non ipsi nos, cujus ●ascuae oves sumus: subjungitur secunda parabola, qua genus humanu●n comparatur drachmae quae peritt. Cyril. Luke 15.8. (g) Tres ex ordine Lucas parabol●s posuit, ovis quae perierat & inventae est, drachma perterat & inventa est, filius qui erat mortuus & revixit, ut triplici remedia provocati vulnera nostra cu●emus, Amb. lib. 7. in Luc. de ove cente●. Christus ut Pastor te suo corpore vehit, quaerit ut mater Ecclesia, recipit Deus Pater, A●bros. ut supra. Luke 15.11, 12, 13. Luke 15.32. 40. Doxology. O Be joyful in the Lord all ye lands, * Psa, 100.1, 3, 3, 4, serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song, be ye sure that the Lord he is God, it is he that made us, and not we ourselves, we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his cou●ts with praise. Be thankful unto him and speak good of his name, for the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth from generation to generation, even so be it. Amen, Amen. 41. Contemplation. CHrist taught his Disciples how to pray, * Luke 1.1, 2 and what to say, both for matter and form, that is, Our Father which art in heaven, etc. and than preached, and made an Exposition on the Lord's Prayer. In the parable of a friend, * Luke 11.5 from whom a neighbour importuned at midnight to borrow three loaves of bread, pressing the courtesy with necessity, for a friend of mine in his journey is come unto me, and I have nothing to set before him. 41. Observation. CHrist is our Mediator and Advocate, (h) full of compassion and mercy, (i) a most cheerful friend in the greatest w●●ts and miseries, (k) and supplieth his servants in their most bitter extremities: First, teaching them how to pray, and than speedily granting to (l) them what they pray for, or else providing for them wha● is far bet-better. 41. Confirmation. (h) NOn frustra Dominus & ipse orasse, & discipulos orare docuisse scribitur, quia & oratio quam docuit, utriusque in se vitae continet mysterium, & perfectio non viribus nostris, sed precibus obtinenda, Beda in Lucam. Galat. 3.19. 1 Tim. 2.5. Heb. 9.15. 1 john 2.1. (i) Amicus iste Deus est, qui omnes amat, & omnes salvos vult fieri, Ambros. exemplo Dom. in Lucam. Ps●l. 3.4. (k) Quis autem nobis est amicior, quum qui pro nobis corpus suum tradidit, Ambrose ut supra. Ma●th. 11.19. (l) Qui differt, dare vult, ut amplius desideres dilatum, ne visescat cito dat●m, [noli mihi molestus esse] forsi●an etiam ob hoc differt, quaesi ingeminans tui assiduitatem, & frequentiam erga se, ut agnoscas, quia donum Dei sit, & in timore donata custodias, Basil. L●ke 11.9. Mat. 7.7. 41. Doxology. I Will magnify thee, O God my King, and I will praise thy name * Ps. 145.1, 2, 8. for ever and ever, every day will I give thanks unto thee, and praise thy name for ever and ever; the Lord is gracious and merciful, long-suffering, and of great goodness, he is a Comforter, a Father and a Friend to all his children, he will hear and help all who in distress call upon him faithfully. To him be all honour and glory for evermore. Amen. 42. Contemplation. CHrist in a Sermon taxed the Pharisees, because they were excessively proud and covetous; and though they derided him, * Luke 16. ●3. yet he taught them, saying, [Not servant can serve two masters, ye cannot serve God and Mammon.] and than was pleassd to enlarge his discourse in the parable of the rich man, verse 19 and the beggar Lazarus. 42. Observation. MEn, who are lovers of themselves, are (as Saint Paul observes) * ● Tim. ●. ●. covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (m) such was the Pharisaical temper, to be a saint (n) in show, but inwardly a wolf or Devil; or as the merciless Glutton clothed in purple and fine linen, (oh) and fared deliciously every day; when a poor beggar is ready (p) to starve for want of bread, sadly complaining at the merciless gates. 42. Confirmation. (m) [VAE vobis Scribae & Pharisaei hypocritae] hoc dicit Dominus, quod foris hominibus osteudere●t sanctitatem, vel quoties ingressuri erant templum, aut sacrificia oblaturi, aut per dies fest●s, seipsos & vestimenta sua, & utenfilia lavant, & à peccatis nemo seipsum purgabat: pone quod Deus odit sordes corporum & vasorum, quanto magis sordes conscientiae horret, Chrysostom. super Vae vobis Homil. 44. Mat. 23.28, 33. Mat. 7.15. (n) Vestimentum ovile est species Christianitatis & simulatae religionis: nulla autem res sic exterminat b●nam, sicut simulatio, nam malum sub specie boni caelatum, dum non cognoscitur, non cavetur, Chrys. ut supra. Luke 10.3. Acts 20.29. (o) Potens sermo de Divite & Lazaro similitudinaris scriptus in parabola, ut innotescat, quod, qui terrenis affluunt opibus, nisi velint opitulari necessitatibus pauperum, gravem incurrent sententiam, Cyril. Luke 16.19, 20. (p) Quia nemo ei ad visitandum aderat, testantur canes, & ulcera, quae nullus hominum lavare dignabatur & contractare fere mites lambunt, Chrys. in hom. 4●. super Evang. Multus erat nitor vestium, & delicatus ciborum apparatus apud illum divitem, qui indu●batur purpura, & bysso, & epulabatur quotidie splendide, mortuus tamen est, & sepultus in inferno, Bern. serm. in Pastor. cong. Luke 16.21. 42. Doxology. PRaise the Lord ye servants, O praise the name of the Lord, * Psa. 11●, 1, 6, 7. the Lord taketh the simple out of the dust, and lifteth the poor out of the mire, that he may set him with the princes, even with the princes of his people. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth for evermore. Amen. 43. Contemplation. CHrist spoke this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves, * Luke 18.11. that they were righteous, and despised others. Two men went up into the Temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, the other a Publican. 43. Observation. PHarisees and Publicans, (q) holy men and hypocrites, (r) good men and bad come to Church, and meet in the Temple, (s) [the house of Prayer] at their devotions: but God knoweth the thoughts, and searcheth the hearts of all men, (t) and as he pleaseth to justify and pardon humble and penitent sinners, (u) so he abasheth and punisheth proud and haughty Hypocrites. 43. Confirmation. (g) Luke 18.10. (r) In domo Dei non debent emere & vendere, sed orationibus tantum vocare, Orig. in Mat. cap. 21. tract. 25. Mat. 13.47, 48. (s) Nemo ergo in oratorio agat, nisi id quod factum est, unde & nomen accepit, Augustin. in Regula. Mat. 21.13. john 2.14, 15, 16. (t) Latr● est & templum Dei in latronum convertit speluneam, qui lucra de religione sectatur, Hiero. super (Intravit jesus in Temp. 1 Chr. 28.9. Rom. 8.27. (u) Geminos aurigas & du es bigas in stadio positas serm● praesens proponit; in altera quidem justitiam cum superbia; in altera peccatum & humilitatem, sicut humilitas per sui eminentiam peccati pondus superat, & solvens attingit Deum: sic superbia● ob sui molem de facili justitiam deprimit, Chrys. hom. ut supra. Rom. 2.6. Psa. 62.12. Mat. 16.27. (q) NVnc enim bonos malosque communiter quasi permistos, pisces fidei sagena continet, fed litus indicat, sagena Ecclesiae quid trahebat, Greg. hom. 11. in Evang. 43. Doxology. MY soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour, for he hath regarded * Lu. 1, 46 the lowliness of his servants, and hath pitied penitent Publicans; he scattereth the proud Pharisees in the imagination of their hearts, putting down the mighty from their seat. He exalteth the humble and meek. To this immortal and eternal Father be all honour and glory for evermore. Amen. 44. Contemplation. CHrist said, * Mat. 20.1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his Vineyard, and when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his Vineyard. 44. Observation. CHrist is (Pater-familias) the great Housholder of all the world, his Church (w) is his Vineyard, all men aught to be labourers, and not idle (x) loiterers in God's Vineyard, (y) every true labourer shall certainly receive his wages. (z) And God doth promise', as he did to Abraham, * Glen, 15.2. to all his faithful servants, to be their exceeding great reward. 44. Confirmation. (w) HOmo Pater-familias Christus est, cui cali & terrae quasi una est domus; familia autem caelestium & terrestrium & inferiorum creaturarum, Chrys. hom. 34. oper. imperf. Mat. 20.1, 2. Mat. 20.3, 4, 5. (x) Vinea ejus est justitia, in qua diversa species, i e. man suetudo, castitas, patientia, caeteraeque virtutes, homines hujus vineae, i e. justitiae ponuntur cultores, Chrys. ut supra. Conditor noster habet vineam, universam scilicet ecclesiam, Greg. in hom. super Evang. joh. 15.1. Isa. 5.1, 2, 3. (y) Mat. 20.6, 7. (z) Dominus Iesus Christus, ipse est Pater familias, & vineae procurator, sicut & ipse est ostium & ostiarius: ipse enim est venturus ad judicium, ut unicuique reddat, secundum quod gessit; vocat ergo operarios, & reddit illis mercedem quando omnes congregabantur in Judicio, ut unusquisque accipiat secundum opera sua, Remig. john 4.36. 44. Doxology. THou, O Lord, hast brought a vine out of Egypt, thou hast cast out the heathen * Psal. 80.8, 9, 10. (with Atheists, Heretics and Schismatics) and planted it, thou madest room for it, and when it had taken root, it filled the land, the hills were covered * Mater Ecclesia, with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly Cedar-trees, she stretched forth her branches unto the sea, and her boughs unto the river. Thou, O Lord, hast a tender care of the Vineyard that thy right hand hath planted. To thee therefore be given all praise and thanksgiving for evermore. Amen. 45. Contemplation. AT the conversion of Zaccheus, * Luke 19.10, 11, Christ proclaimed publicly, The Son of man is come to seek & to save that which is lost; and he added and spoke a parable, and said, The Kingdom of God should immediately appear, he said therefore, A certain Nobleman went into a far Country for to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return, and he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 45. Observation. THe Church of God is his Treasure-house, the Word and Sacraments (b) his Treasure, all his servants are his Treasurers, (c) their duty is to improve their trust, to give an account of their time (d) and talents. Idleness, as it is the daughter of sloth, so it is the mother of shame and sorrow. (e) God giveth the light of his grace to man, and man must let that light so shine, (f) that he may glorify his Father which is in heaven. 45. Confirmation. (a) NIhil ita pecunias concupiscere facit, ut gloriae cupido; propter hoc namque samulorum greges, & auro opertos equos, & argenteas mensas expetunt homines, non ut utilitatem aut voluptatem impleant, sed ut multis ostendantur; & hoc est quod dicit Dominus, [Nolite thesaurizare vobis thesauros in terra] Chrys. hom. 2●. in Mat. Mat. 6.19, 20, 21. (b) Est profecto quidam modus manducandi illam carnem, & bibendi illum sanguinem; quomodo qui manducaverit & biberit, in Christo manet, & Christus in eo, Augustin. de verbis Dom. super johan. cap. 6. Luke 12.33. (c) Nullum negotium aliud erat, nisi dogma regni sui, intentis mortalibus praedicatum per suos discipulos; idem autem omnium documentum est, cadem fides, vinum baptisma, & ob hoc mina una singulis datur, Euseb. Luke 19.15. (d) Qui transacto long● tempore, pro vita sua laborare neglexerunt, quasi tota die ociosi stabant, Chry. hom. 19 Luke 19.22. (e) Natura luminis est, ut lucem qu●cunque circumferatur emittat, illatumque aedibus tenebras interimat, luce dominante, Hil. can. 4. Ezek. 16.49. Eccles. 10.18. (f) Matth. 5.16. 45. Doxology. O Give thanks unto the Lord, * Psa. 105.1, 2, 3. and call upon his name; tell the people what things he hath done. O let your songs be of him, and praise him, and let your talking be of his wondrous works, for he inricheth his servants with the treasure of his grace, and will fill their hearts with the glory of his Majesty. To him be given praise and thanksgiving for ever. Amen. 46. Contemplation. CHrist said, The Kingdom of heaven is likened to ten Virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom, * Mat. 25.1.2, 3. and five of them were wise, and five of them were foolish. The foolish took their lamps, and take no oil in them. But the wise take oil in their vessels with their lamps. 46. Observation. SOme Christians are diligent and wise, (f) others be negligent and foolish, (g) all who have lamps in their hands, have not oil in their lamps; (h) a sleepy security in sin may shut the doors, (i) and endanger the loss of heaven, and separate foolish sinners from the presence of the Bridegroom for ever. (k) 46. Confirmation. (f) IN haec parabola punitionem inducit Dominus etiam ei, qui utilitatem non affert, neque copiose haec, quibus indiget sibi praeparat, Chrysost. homil. 79. Mat. 25.1, 2. (g) Sancta Ecclesia decem virginibus similis denuntiatur, ubi mali cum bonis, reprobi cum electis admixti sunt, recte simile virginibus prudentibus & fatnis perhibetur, Greg. hom. 4. Mat. 25.3. (h) Lampades quae manibus gestantur, operasunt, Aug. serm. 22. Luk. 15.32. (i) Qui recte credunt, & juste vivunt assimulantur quinque prudentibus: qui autem profitentur fidem josu, non autem se praeparant bonis operibus ad salutem, reliquis quinque virginibus fatuis, Greg. hom. Evang. 12. Mat. 25.12. Mat. 24.42. (k) Qui dormit, non corpora vera, sed phantas●ata intendit, & vacuus vigilat de his quae videat: sic nimirum sunt, quos mundi amor rapit, Hier. Vigilare debet omnis Christianus, ne imparatum eum inveniat Domini adventus, Augustinus ad Hesich. Mark 13.33. 46. Doxology. LEt our hearts indite good matter, and let our tongues * Psal 45.1, 2.15.16 be as the pens of ready writers. For our Saviour jesus is fairer than the sons of men, full of grace are his lips. God hath blessed him for ever, and he hath blessed his Spouse the Church, and made her all-glorious within. The Virgin● are her fellows, and bear her company. Therefore let us praise the Lord with joy and gladness, and worship his holy name for evermore. Amen. 47. Contemplation. Our Lord jesus in another parable said, that the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far Country, who called to him his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods; and to on● he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his several ability, and strait way took his journey. 47. Observation. GOd, as a good and gracious Master, (l) calleth his servants to employment, trusteth them with the Treasures of his grace and mercy, (m) allotting to every one a talon and proportion suitable to his ability, (n) expecting an improvement when he cometh to reckon, and than (oh) the Lord rewardeth the faithful and slothful servants according to their works. 47. Confirmation. (l) HAEc parabola inducitur contra eos, qui non solum pecuniis, sed nec verbo nec alio modo prodesse proximis volunt, sed omnia occultant, Gloss. Mat. 25.14, 15. (m) Homo qui peregre proficiscitur, redemptor noster est, qui in ea carne quam assumpserat, abiit in coelum; Greg. hom. 9 Evaog. 2 Cor. 12.9. Rom. 1.5. (n) In quinque, & duobus, & uno talento, diversas gratias intelligimus, quae unicuique traditaesunt, Chrys. hom. 59 oper. imperf. Mat. 25.16, 17. Rom. 2.6. Rev. 22.12. (o) Qui habent sensus exercitatos salubriter conversari, & ad majorem scientiam seipsos erigentes, & studiose docentes, lucrati sunt alia quinque, Origen. Tract. 32. 47. Doxology. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous, for it becometh well the just to be thankful. * Psal. 33, 1, 2. Praise the Lord with Harp, sing Psalms unto him with the Lute, and instrument of ten strings, for the word of the Lord is true, and his works are faithful; he delivereth the rich talents of his abundant mercies to his unworthy servants, and rewardeth those who love and fear him with eternal life. To him therefore, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory for ever. Amen. 48. Contemplation. AS Christ was exceeding gracious in his practical and parabolical Sermons: so was he most wondered in his works and miracles. First, turning * John 2.11, 1●. water into wine at a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of jesus was there, and jesus and his Disciples were called to the marriage. 48. Observation. CHrists Sermons did inform and instruct (p) the people, but his miracles did convert them to believe, confirm them in the truth, (q) and did amaze and confounded his greatest adversaries. (r) Christ, by his miracles did manifest his Father's glory, (s) and declare to all the world his own Divine Power, (t) that he was the Son of God. (v) 48. Confirmation. (p) EXinde coepit Dominus praedicare, ex quo tentatus, samem vicit in deserto, avaritiam s●revit in monte, vanam gloriam repercussit in Templo, Chrys. hom. 6. oper. imper. Mat. 4.17. Isa. 61.1. (q) Per doctrinam & miracula Christi, tam discipuli quam turbae instruantur, Gloss. in Mat. Mat. 11.4, 5. Isa. 35.6. (r) Tri● signa simul in uno homine perpetrata sunt, caecus videt, mutus loquitur, possessus à Daemone liberatur, Hier. Mat. 12.22, 23. Mark 2.12. (s) Turbae autem quae minus eruditae videbantur, Domini semper facta videntes, mirabantur, Raban. Mat. 16.16. john 6.69. (t) Denegavit quidem Petrus aliquid eorum esse jesum, quae arbitrabantur judaei, confessus est autem [Tu es Christus] quod nesciebant judaei, sed & quod majus est, Filius Dei vivi, qui & per prophetas dixerat [Vivo ego dixit Dominus] Orig. in com. sup. 16. Mat. (v) Et ideo dicitur vivus, quia supereminet omnibus habentibus vitam, quoniam solus habet immortalitatem, & est fons vitae, Origen. ut supra. 48. Doxology. SIng praises unto the Lord, O ye Saints of his, and give thanks unto him for a remembrance of his * Psal. 30.4.13. holiness, for his wrath endureth but the twinkling of an eye, and in his pleasure is life. Therefore shall evely good man sing of thy praise without ceasing. O my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Amen. 49. Contemplation. AS Christ turned water into wine at the marriage in Cana: so * Mat. 21.12. when he came to Jerusalem, he went into the Temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the Temple, and overthrew the tables of the Money-changers, and the seats of them that sold Doves, and said, It is written, My house shall be called the house of Prayer, but ye have * Mat. 21.13. made it a den● of thiefs. 49. Observation. Sacrilege, (w) profaneness, (x) buying and selling, (y) are abominable sins and presumptuous, especially in God's House, (z) which offences Christ our Saviour, in great zeal and most holy passion, did detest and correct. Churches are (a) places devoted by some pious Founder, consecrated for Godsworship, and pious uses, (b) and therefore to be (c) frequented ever, and employed with holy respects, (d) and Divine reverence. (e) 49. Confirmation. (w) HOc erat proprium boni filii, ut ad domum curreret patris, & illi honorem redderet: & tu imitator Christi factus, cum ingressus fueris aliquam civitatem, primo ad ecclesiam curras, Chrys. Hom 37. sup. Matth. Rom. 2.22. (x) Sicut cum videris arborem pallentibus foliis, intelligis quia vitium habet in radice: sic cum videris populum indisciplinatum, sine dubio cognosce, quia sacerdotium efus non est sanum, Chrysost. ut supra. Mat. 21.12. Isa. 56.7. Mark 11.17. (z) Dominus cernens in Domo Patris negotiationem seu latrocinium, ardore spiritus concitatus, tantam hominum multitudinem ejecit è Templo, Hier. super verba, (jesus intravit in Temp.) Mark 11.16. jer. 7.11. (a) Latro est, & Templum Dei, in latronum convertit speluncam, qui lucra de religione sectatur, Hier. ut supra. 1 Kings 5.11, 12, 13, 17. (b) In Templo Dei non debent vendere & emerc, sed orationibus tautum vocare, qui congregantur, quaesi in Domo orationis, Orig. in Matth. 21. 1 Kin. 8.1, 2, 3. (b) In Templo Dei non debent vendere & emerc, sed orationibus tautum vocare, qui congregantur, quaesi in Domo orationis, Orig. in Matth. 21. 1 Kings 8.22.64. Levit. 26.2. (y) Sciendum est, quod juxta mandata legis, in venerabili Templo Domini, de cunctis pene regionibus Iudaeorum populo illuc confluente innumerabiles immolabantur hostiae, Hier. super Matth. (c) Nemo in oratorio aliquid agat nisi quod factum est, unde & nomen accepit, August, in Regula. (d) Manifestum hoc est, non semel, sed iteram à Domino esse factum, August. de Con. Evan. lib, 2, cap, 67, (e) In hoc major est accusatio judaeorum, quoniam cum hoc idem bis fecesset Dominus, morabantua tamen in sua demeutia, Chrys, hom, 68, 49. Doxology. I Will come into thy house, O Lord, even upon the multitude of thy mercies, * Psal 4.7 and in thy fear will I worship towards thy holy Temple; for the Lord is in his holy Temple, the Lords Seat is in Heaven: blessed be the man whom thou choosest, and receivest unto thee, he shall devil in thy Court, and shall be satisfied with the pleasure * Psal. 65, 4. of thy House, even of thy holy Temple, Psal. 65.1. that he may sing praises to the honour of thy name, for ever. Amen. 50. Contemplation. AS Christ, in great zeal, drove profaneness out of the holy Temple; so in great mercy he wrought many stupendious miracles, to amaze and allure, to convince and to convert, and to confirm and comfort the people in the grace of faith and salvation of their souls. 50. Observation. CHrist was as well the Physician of the body, as of the soul; (f) he cured Jairus daughter, (g) the ten jepers, (h) the Centurion's servant, (i) Saint Peter's mother-in-law, (k) the possessed with devils, (l) Malchus ear smote of by Saint Peter's sword, (m) made the blind to see, (n) the lame to walk, (oh) the deaf to heat, (p) Christ raised the dead to life, (q) cured all diseases and infirmities, (r) the withered hand, (s) the man sick of the palsy, (t) the poor impotent creature, who had been diseased eight and thirty years, who sat at the pool of Bethesda, (t) the woman who had been troubled twelve years with a bloody issue, (w) the man who had the dropsy, (u) at Christ's command the figtree withereth, (x) the winds and seas are calmed, (y) Christ walketh on the waters of the sea, as on dry dry land, (z) Christ with a few loaves and a few fishes fed m●ny thousands, (a) and at his command the fishes of the sea keep his Coffers, and be his treasurers. 50. Confirmation. (f) Dominus puellam in domo, juvenem extra portum, Lazarum in sepulchro suscitat, Grego. 4. moral. Mark 5.42. (g) Inopinate & mirifice sanati sunt leprosi, concedente Deo iis salutem, Cyril, Luke 17.14. (h) [Et sanatus est puer ab illa hora] velocitatem admirare, neque e●im solum curare, sed inopinate & in momento temporis, hoc facere, virtutem Christiostendebat, Chrys. hom. 27. in Mat, Mat. 8.13. (i) Sanitas quae confertur à Domino, tota simul redit, nec sufficit esse sanatam, sed ut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. vehementia fortitudinis indicetur additum est [surrexit & ministrabat iis] Hier. in Mat. Mat. 8.14, 15. (k) Daemones & morbos solo verbo repellebat Dominus, ut his signis & virtutibus ostenderet se ad salutem generis humani venisse, Remig. Mat. 8.16. (l) Nunquam pietatis suae Dominus obliviscitur, illi juito mortem inferunt: iste persequentium vulnera sanat, Beda cap. ●2. in Luc. Luke 22.51. (m) Fidem coecorum affirmans & contestans, quoniam adulationis verba non erant, quae dixerant, postea curationem adjungit, [& aperti sunt oculi] Chr. hom. 33. in Mat. Matth. 9.30. (n) Multitudo eorum qui curabantur, & facilitas sanationis, turbas in stupore mittebat, Chryso. homil. 53. Mat. 15.30. (o) johannes interficiendus ab Herode, suos discipulos mittit ad Christum, ut per hanc occasionem videntes figna atque virtutes, crederent in eum, Hiero. in princip. Commentar, in capit. 11. Matth. Mat. 11.5. (p) Passiones corporales divinitatis virtute sanabat, spirituales verbo pietatis, Chry●hom. 8. opere imperf. Mat. 4.23. (q) In Evangelio quo utuntur Nazaraei & Hebionitae, h●mo iste, qui aridam habet manum caementarius scribitur, istiusmodi vocibus auxilium precans, scil. caementarius eram manibus victum quaeritans, precor te jesu ut mi●i restituas sanitatem, ne turpiter mendicem cib●s, [& manus restituta sanitati] Hier. super verba [ex●ende manum.] Mat. 12.13. (r) Ejusdem virtutis sit & animae & corporis vitia dimittere fit tamen carnale signum ut probetur spirituale. (ait paralytico, surge, tolle lectum, Chrysost. hom. 30. Mat. 9.6, 7. (s) Instruere divina sapientiae superabundantiam non solum savat, sed & lectum portare jubet Dominus, ut & credibile faceret miraculum, & nullus existimet phantasiam esse quod factum est, Chrys. hom. 36. in johan. john 5.8. (t) Credidit, dixit, tetigit, quia his tribus, fide, verbo, & opere omnis salus acquiritur, Gloss. in verbo, (si tetiger● tantum vestimentum.) Mat. 9.20. (v) Neglactis Iudaeorum infidiis, liberat Iesus hydropicum à m●rbo, Cyril. Luke 14.4. (w) Non in alia planta, sed in omnium humidissimamiraculum hoc fecit, ut & hinc majus hoc miraculum appareat. Hier. in verba scil. (nunquam ex te f●nctus.) Mat. 21.18. (x) Cum intellectus humanus sibi providere non poterit, tunc salus divina advenit, (Ego sum, nolite timere) ego semper ossisto, & sicut Deus permaneo, cum vel homines vel daemones per timorem n●tuntur movere, audiamus Christum dicentem, (Ego sum) Theoph. john 6.18, 21. (y) Dum Christus orat in excelso, navicula turbatur magnu fluctibus in profundo; & quia insurgunt fluctus, potest ista navicula turbari; sed quia Christus orat non potest ●ergi, August. de verbis Domini Serm, 14. Mat. 14.25. (z) Frangente Domino seminarum fit ciborum, Hier. super (acceptis quinque panibus.) Mat, 14.19. (a) Quid primum hoc in loco mirer nescio, utrum praescientiam, vel magnitudinem salvatoris: prascieutiam, quod noverat habere piscem staterem in ore, & quod primus ipse capiendus esset: magnitudinem & virtutem, si ad ejus verbum stater in ore piscis creatus esset, Hieronimus super (ut non scandailzemus.) Mat. 17.27. * QVando novum fit aliquid, signa Deus facere consuevit praestans suae potentiae pignora, Chr. hom. 14. super Mat. 50. Doxology. I Will magnify thee, O God my King, and will praise thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I * Psal. 145 1, 2, 3. give thanks unto thee, and praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and marvellous worthy to be praised, there is no end of his greatness. As for me, I will be talking of thy worship, thy glory, thy praise, thy wondrous works henceforth and for ever. Amen. 51. Contemplation. AS Christ was glorious for his m●ny miracles: so was he in his person, to be highly honoured, for many attendances of grace and glory that waited on him: he was transfigured on the Mount, * Mat. 17. ●. 2.5.6. in the presence of Peter, james and john, and his face did shine as the Su●, and his raiment was white as the light. A bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him. 51. Observation. CHrist was transfigured, (b) that his Apostles might behold the splendour of his Divine Majesty, and see on earth a glimpse and beam of eternal glory. He was transfigured in his body, that (c) we might be transformed in our minds, and for ever honour and admire him, as the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person. 51. Confirmation. (b) REsplenduit facies ejus sicut sol) ubi splendor saciei ostenditur, & candor describitur vestium, non substantia tollitur, sed gloria commutatur, Hier. super Transfig. Mat. 17.2. Mark 9.2. Luke 9.28. (c) Visa Domini Majestate, & ●u●rum servorum Petrus adeo delectatus est, ut cuncta temporalia oblivis oni traderet, & ibi in perpetuum vellet mavera, H. l. Cano. 17. in Matth. Sancti animi ducuntur seorsum, quia sancti viri toto animo & fidei intentione separati sunt à male●, funditusque separabuntur in futuro, Hil●r. ut supra. Rom. 12.2. (d) In Transfiguratione, quae est Sacramentum secundae regenerationis, tota Trinitas apparuit Pater in v●ce, Filius in homine, in columbae specie Spiritus sanctus, Gloss. Heb. 1.3. Wisdom 7. 25, 26. 51. Doxology. O Lord our Governor, * Psal. 8.1.4.5. how excellent is thy Name through all the world, thou hast set thy glory above the heavens, What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him? Thou hast been, O Lord, transfigured in thy body, that sinners might be transformed to grace in their souls. Thou hast crowned thy servants with glory and worship. To thee therefore, O Father, Son, and holy Ghost be all honour and glory for ever. Amen. 52. Contemplation. AS Christ our Saviour was glorious at his transfiguration on the Mount; so was he magnanimous and courageous in the Garden * joh. 18.3. over the brook Cedron. For when judas, with a band of men and officers from the chief Priests and Pharisees, came thither with lanterns, and torches, and weapons, Christ went to them, and said, Whom seek ye? They answering, jesus of Nazareth. jesus saith unto them, I am he, at which words, (as if they had been thunderstruck) they went backward and fallen to the ground. 52. Observation. THe presence of our Saviour was terrible (e) as a flash of lightning in the eyes, and his voice as a crack of thunder in the ears of the guilty officers and soldiers, who came to apprehended the Lord of life. When Christ spoke, (f) their hands were feeble, (g) their feet failed, their hearts fainted, they went backward and fallen to the ground. (h) 52. Confirmation. (e) IN medio illorum existens Dominus, excacavit eorum aculos, Chrys. hom. 28. 2 Sam. 22.15. john 28.26. Psal. 144. 6. Luke 17.14. (f) [ ergo dixit ego sum] abierunt retrorsum & ceciderunt in terram, ubi nunc militum cohors? ubi munimen & armorum terror? una vox turbam ferocem od u armisque terribilem, sine telo ullo per cussit, repulsit, stravit. Deus enim latebat in carne, & sempiternus dies ita membris occultabatur humanis, Aug. tract. 112. Isa. 13.8. Micah 7.17. (g) Quid autem hoc? quod electi in faciem, & reprobi retrorsum cadunt, nisi quod omnis qui post se cadit, ibi cadit ubi non videt: qui vero ante se ceciderit, ibi cadit ubi videt, Gregor, homil. 9 super Ezechiel. john 18.18.6. Psalm 40. 14. (h) Fecit hoc jesus, ostendens, nisi ipse concederet, non solum comprehendere eum non possent, sed nec videre in medio existentem, Chrys. ut supra. 53. Doxology. I Will always give thanks unto the Lord, his praise shall ever be in my mouth, * Psal. 34.1, 2, 3. my soul shall make her boast of the Lord, the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. O pra●se the Lord with me, and let us magnify his name together; for as he is thunder and terror to all his enemies, so is he the ●oy and comfort of all his servants, he is wisdom, righteousness, and salvation to all who call upon him faithfully. To him be given all honour and praise for evermore. Amen. 53. Contemplation. AS Christ with his presence, and a word from his mouth, did terrify the bloody Traitor judas, and the savage officers and soldiers: so did he in his Doctrine most sharply rebuke and reprehend the Scribes * Mat. 23.33. and Pharises for their hypocrisy, cruelty, and covetousness, telling them plainly, that they were serpents, a generation of vipers, and how could they escape the damnation of hell? 52. Observation. CHrist taught his Apostles and Disciples (i) neither to fear the faces, (k) nor flatter the ears of mortal men; (l) the prophets were commanded to tell judah and Israel of their sins, the Apostles directed not to fear those who are only able to kill the body. (m) It is the Preachers duty to declaim against sins, to call (n) the people to repentance, and to amendment of life, and as our Saviour, rebuking the Scribes and Pharisees, to decry the sins of hypocrisy, pride, cruelty, covetousness, oppression, and all other impieties and iniquities. 53. Confirmation. (i) QVare non esset timendum, manifestat Dominus, dicens, [ne ergo timucritis eos] scil. persecutores, quia judicabit Deus occulta hominum; & illuminabit latebras tenebrarum, & manifesta faciet consilia cordium, Hier. in loc. Mat. 10.28, 31. Luke 12.4. (k) Nolite timere persecutorum savitiam, & blasphemantium rabiem, quia veniet dies judicii, in quo & vestra virtus, & illorum nequitia demonstrabitur, Hier, in loc. 1 The. 2.5. Ezek. 12.24. (l) Sacra Scriptura secundum stimulantes pass●anes, plerumque ferarum nomina imponit hominibus, interdum eos canes causa procacitatis, eos ob luxum as●not, propter dementiam & leones, & pardoes causa rapacitatis & p●tulantid, aspides causa doli, serpentes & viperos causa veneni & call ditatis, Chrysost in Luc. jer. 35.13. (m) Non satis est poenitentibus peccata dimitt, sed & opus est fructus ferre; sicut non sufficit ad sanationem sagittam evellere, sed oportet ulceri medicamentum opponere, Chrysost. homil. 20. super Evangel. Isaiah 58.1. (n) Prudentissimo syllogismo arguit Dominus Scrib●s & ●harisaes esse filios homicidarum, du● ipsi opinione bonitatis & gloriae in populo, adificant sepulchra Prophetarum, quos majores eorum interfecerunt, diversis verbis eodem sensu Pharisaeos arguit simulatu onis & mendacii, Hier. super [Vae vobis.] Matth. 3.2, 10. Kuke 3.8. 53. Doxology. O Praise the Lord who dwelleth in Zion, * Psal. 9.11. show the people of his do; for he is a God of truth, sharply rebuking sins, that he might save the sinner's souls. He openeth our wounds, that he may pour in the wine and oil of his comfort and mercy, and so heal our infirmities. Therefore * Psal 9.1. will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart, and praise thy name for ever and ever. Amen. 54. Contemplation. AS Christ was the teacher of truth: so was he the great example of humility. So Saint john records the History, * John 1●. 4.5. Christ risen from suppet, and laid aside hi● garments, and ●ook a towel, and girded himself, after that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash his Disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Than arguing and so concluding with his Disciples, * John 13.14.15. If I than your Lord and Master, hav● washed your feet, ye also aught to ●ash one another's feet, for I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you. 45. Observation. CHrist said to Saint Thomas, * Joh 14. ●. I am the Way, (oh) the Truth, and the Life, the way and foundation whereon (p) the truth and guide (q) whereby, and the life and happiness (r) whereunto every Christian aught to walk, Christ was powerful in his Doctrine, (s) wondered in his works, (t) and meek and lowly in his person, (u) and by Christ's example the whole Church is taught the lesson and doctrine of humility. (w) 54. Confirmation. (o) NOn enim nos in erratica atque in invia dedu cit ille qui via est, neque illudit per falsa qu veritas est, neque in mortis relinquit errore, qui vitae est, Hilar. 7. de Trim Eph. 2.20. (p) Quo vis ire? Ego sum via. Qu● vis ire? Ego sum veritas. Vbi vis permanere? Ego sum vita, Aug. de verb. Dom. ser. 4. 2 Tim. 2.19. (q) Ego sum Dominus ducendi ad Patrem, omnino invenietis illuc; neque enim possibile est alia venire via, Chrys. hom. in Evang. Psal. 48.14. (r) Ipse per seipsum, & ad seipsum, & ad Patrem, & nos per ipsum, & ad ipsum, & ad Patrem imus, Chrys. ut supra. john 4.14. (s) Dictum de johanne, quia erit magnus: sed ille quasi homo magnus, hic quasi Deus magnus, Amb. lib. 2. in Lucam. Late nempe funditur Dei virt●, late substantia coelestis magnitudo perrigitur, non loco clauditur, non opinione comprehenditur, non aestimatione concluditur, non aetate variatur, Amb. ubi supra. john 7. 4●. (t) Discendum ergo à Salvatore nostro, ut simus mites moribus, & humiles mentibus, neminem ladamus, neminem contemnamus, & virtutes quas fori● ostendimus in opere, intus teneamus in corde, Raban. super [tollite jugum meum.] Isa. 9.6. (u) Cogitas magnam fabricam constituere celsitudinis? de fundamento prius cogita humilitatis, Chr. hom. 39 in Matth. Mat. 11.29. (w) Quanto quisque vult superponere majus aedificium, tanto altius fodiat fundamentum, quo autem perventurum est cacumen aedificii nostri? usque ad conspectum Dei, Chrys. ut supra. 1 Pet. 5.6. 54. Doxology. O Lord thou art our Shepherd, * Psal. 23.5.2. therefore can we lack nothing, thou art pleased to feed us in green pastures, and to lead us forth by the waters of comfort, to convert our souls by thy heavenly word, and to bring us up in the paths of righteousness and true humility by thy own example. Thou didst wash thy Disciples feet with thy hands, as well as purifyings their hearts with thy precious blood, to instruct thy Church in all degrees of lowliness, meekness, and thankfulness. To thee, O blessed Lord, be all honour and praise for ever. Amen. 55. Contemplation. AS Christ in great humility washed his Disciples feet; so in great care and tenderness towards his Church, he ordained, and consecrated, and commanded the celebration of * Mat. 26.26. his last Supper, before his Death. So Sain Matthew writeth, jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to his Disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body; and he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye, all of it. 55. Observation. AS Regeneration, & the spiritual birth of christians, is effected in the Sacrament (x) of Baptism; so in a communion and holy participation of the Lords Supper by faith, we feed on the body and blood of christ. (y) The Sacraments are holy mysteries, pledges of christs love, (z) and testimonies of our remembrance of his Death, until he come again; ordained by Christ for our great and endless comfort. The benefits are the strengthening and refreshing of our souls * Church-catechism in the Common rayer Book. by the Body and Blood of christ, which are verily and indeed taken and received of the faithful in the Lord: Supper. 55. Confirmation. (x) OVid in hoc Sacramento salutis humana non continetur? plena sunt omnia, ut à pleno & perfecto relata, Hil. can. ultim. Primum docent omnes gentes, deinde doctas intingunt in aqua: non enim fieri potestut corpus bapt smi recipiat Sacramentum, nisi ante anima fidei reciperit veritatem, Hier. in Mat. Mat. 28.19. Acts 22.16. Rom. 6.3. 1 cor. 12.3. (y) Invitat Domiws servos, ut praparet iis cibum seipsum, Aug. de verb. Dom. Quia corpus suum sub s●ecie panis, Dominus discipulis dederat; pulchre etiam calicem sui sanguinis tradit iisdem, Remig. Mat. 26.25, 26. 1 cor. 11.26. (z) Cibus & potus iste incorruptibilee & immortales facit, societas ista sanctorum, ubi par erit & unitas plena & perfecta; propterea Dominus noster corpus & sanguinem suum in eis rebus commendavit, quae ad unum aliquid rediguntur ex multis, scilicet, panis ex multit granis in unum constat: sis vin●●n ex mu●tis asimis in unum confluit, Augustin. tractat. 25. in 6. johan. 1 cor. 10.16. john 6.55, 56. 55. Doxology. O Most gracious Lord, who out of thy side didst upon the Cross pour out most precious blood for man's salvation, and didst ordain thy holy Supper for our comfort. To thee, O Lord, * Exhortation in the communion. with the Father, and the holy Ghost, we give continual thanks, and will submit ourselves wholly to thy holy will and pleasure, and study to serve our Lord and Saviour in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen. 56. Contemplation. AS Christ instituted the holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper: so he constituted the holy Orders * Ephes. 4.11.12. and Hierarchy of his Church. And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 56. Observation. AS God called the Patriarches (a) before the Law, and ordained Priests and Prophets under the (b) Law: so for the service of the Gospel he hath, and will continued to the world's end, a succession of holy Orders, (c) for his own honour, and the service of his Church. And it is evident unto all men, (d) diligently reading holy Scripture, that from the Apostles time there have been these Orders of Ministers in Christ's Church, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. 56. Confirmation. (a) HOrtatur Dominus suos Praedicatores, i e. Apostolos & eorum sequaces, ut quotidie sui numeri augmentationem exposcant, Remig. in Matth. Gen. 18.18. Heb. 7.4. (b) Patriarchae capita familiarum, quibus se ●eus ante & post diluvium patefecit per visiones, apparitiones, & per somnia, ac voce perceptibili, Gen. 8.16. and 6.13. and 12.7. Prophetae immediate & extraordinary à Deo personae vocatae, 1 Sam. 3.4. 2 Sam. 12.7. Exod. 42.41. Heb. 1.1. (c) [Ecce ego sum vobiscum usque ad consummationem seculi] quasi dicat, ne dicatis difficile esse injunctum negotium; ego sum vobis qui cuncta facio levia, Chrys, in Hom. Eph 4.11, 12. (d) Non autem illis solum dixit se futurum esse, sed & cum omnibus, qui post illos credunt, Chry. hom. 91. in Matth. Philip. 1.1. Form of Ordaining and Consecrating Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and Deacons, as in the Preface, and 37. Article of Religion, 1 Cor. 12.28 1 Tim. 3.2. (e) Vsque ad finem seculi non sunt defuturi in mundo, qui divina mansione & inhabitatione dignisunt, Rabban. jussit Apostolos ut primum docerent omnes gentes; deinde fidei tingerent Sacramento, & post fidem ac baptisma, quae essent observanda praeciperent, Hier. [super docentes eos.] 56. Doxology. BLessed be Almighty God our heavenly Father, who hath purchased to himself * Collect for Ember week in commonpr an universal church by the precious blood of his dear Son, and hath sent Bishops and Pastors into his flock, and labourers into his Vineyard, for the honour and service of his sacred ministry. To that eternal Lord and God of order, for all graces and heavenly benediction, be given all honour and glory, henceforth and for evermore. Amen. 57 Contemplation. AS at the Conception and Birth of our Blessed Saviour, and in all his life, his words and works were wonderful: So before, at, and after his Death, many miraculous passages attended the Lord jesus, encountering to conquer the strength of sin, the jaws of death, the darkness of the grave, and the terrors of Hell and Satan the Prince of darkness. 57 Observation. (f) CHrist, as the way doth lead, as the truth doth guide and instruct, as the life doth reward and encourage his faithful servants with the free grace of eternal (g) happiness, but as the King of kings, (h) and Lord of all, he is Commander of heaven and earth, (i) and by his Divine power (k) for man's salvation, he hath completely conquered and subdued the strength of sin, the sting of death, the imprisonment of the grave, the torments of hell, and all the malice and power of Satan. 57 Confirmation. (f) QVid retribuam Domino pro omnibus quae tribuit mihi? primo, nihil eram, & fecit me; perieram & quaesivit me; captivum redimit me; emptum liberavit me; de servo fratrem fecit me, Aug. serm. 51. de Tempore. john 14.6. (g) ●●atus, vixit, mortuus est Christus, nativitas ejus purgavit nostram, mors ejus destruxit nos ●tram, vita ejus instruxit nostram, Bernard. lib. de ●e●tent. Rom. 6.23. (h) Suscipe nos Domine quasi via, confirma quasi veritas, verifica quasi vita; nam in te sumus, vivimus, movemur, quasi in via, vita, & veritate, Amb. lib. de bon. mortis cap. 12 1 Tim. 1.17. and 1 Tim. 6.15. Revel. 17.14. (k) 〈◊〉 Christus Le● de tribu Iuda dicitur, & ille vict●r, quon●am judaeos, Dia●olum, mortem, ac omne hujus mundi calamitates devicit. Mors absorpt● est in victoria, ligatus est Diabolus, & per opu●●in● per dilectionem oper 〈◊〉 sin●d●● bi●ejiciuntur Damonia, cum eradicantur e●corde peccata, Bernardus de Ascens. Domin. sermon. prim. Rom. 8.31. 1 Cor. 15.55, 56, 57 Eph. 4.8. (i) Qu●ndo Diabolus sibi usurpavit divinum honorem, & Dei Paeris gloriam, aspernatus est Dominus, & repulit cum, dicens. [Va●e Sata●a] ut nos discamus illius ex●mplo, nostras injurias magnanimiter ferre, Dei autem injurias nec usque ad auditum permittere, Chrysostom. 5. homil. oper. imperfect. 57 Doxology. O Lord jesus, who for thy mercy sake dost deliver our souls * Psal. 6.5. out of trouble Remember us when we are in death, and swallowed up in the pit, who art the Resurrection and the Life, and hast most gloriously conquered all our enemies. Thanks be unto Almighty God, * 1 Cor. 15 ●1. which giveth us the victory, through jesus Christ our Lord for ever. Amen. 58. Contemplation. BEfore our Saviour's Death, at his Trial, and at his bitter Passion, many circumstances and aggravations of shame and sorrow, did environ and surround the innocent Lamb of God, taking away the sins of the world, bearing his Fa hers wrath, the malice of Satan, and barbarous bloody cruelty of wicked and ungodly sinners. 58. Observation. THe shame and sorrows that Christ endured for man's salvation, and above all expression or apprehension. In holy Iob's phrase, (l) Christ saith, I am afraid of my sorrows. In King David's prophecy, (m) The sorrows of hell did compass him about. In Ieremia●● Lamentations, (n) See if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me, in the day of his anger. In the Prophet Esaias (oh) relations, he was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, we esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. And if the sumptoms and circumstances of our Saviour's passion be examined, they will be found to be most notorious and terrible; for he was (p) betrayed by his own servant, (q) conspired against by their chief Priests and Elders, (r) sold by judas one of his own Apostles, (s) discov●red in the Treason by a kiss, (t) apprehended by the soldiers, (u) led away by Caiphas: (w) forsaken by his Disciples, (x) forsworn by St. Peter, (y) bound, and ●o led to Pontius Pilate, z scourged by pilate's command, (a) crowned with thorns by the savage soldiers, clothed in purple, saluted as a king in greater scorn, and than smitten with their hands. (b) Those bloodthirsty Tigers put a reed in our Saviour's hand, than bowed the knees and mocked (c) him, and than they spit upon him, take the reed out of his hand, and more him on the head. 57 Confirmation (l) NAturales nostrae passiones, secundum naturam & supra naturam fuerunt in Christo: secundum naturam, quia permittebat carni pati, quae propria: super naturam, quia non praecedebant in eo voluntatem naturalia; nihil enim coactum in Christo, sed omnia voluntaria, Damas. lib. 3. job 9.28. (m) Contristatus Dominus non timore patiendi, qui ad hoc venerat ut pateretur, & Petrum temeritatis arguerat, s●d propter infelicissimum Iud●m, & scandalum omnium Apostolorum, & rejectionem vel reprebationem judaeorum, & eversionem miserae Jerusalem, Hieron. Psal. 18.5. (n) Tempore Passionis, quam voluntarie sustinui●, habuit mortis timerem naturalem & tristitiam. Est enim timor naturalis, quo anima non vult dividi à corpore propter naturalem familiaritatem, quam ei à principio conditor rerum imposuit, Damas. lib. 3. La●. 1.12. (o) Dominus noster ut veritatem assumpti probaret hominis, vere quidem contris atus est, Hier. in Matth: Isa. 53.34. (p) Ostendit Evangelista apparatum & machinationem Dominicae Passionis, quam Christus praenunciaverat, Glos. in Mat. Mat. 26.2. (q) Non autem veri sacerdotes & seniores illius, qui videbatur populus Dei, vere autem erat populus Gomorrae, non intelligentes, summum Dei sacerdotem insidiati sunt, Orig. tract. 35. Mat. 26.3. (r) Abiit Iudas adversus unum principem sacerdotum, & qu factus fuerat sacerdos in aeternum: ad multo principes sacerdotum, ut venderet precio volentem redimere totum mundum, Origen. Tractat. 35. Matth. 2●. 14. (s) O mira Domini patientia, prius dixerat, [unus vestrum ●e tradet] perseverat proditor in male manifestius; cateris contristantibus, & manus retrabentibus, & cibos ori suo interdicentibus, temeritate & impudentia, qua proditurus erat, etiam m●num cum magistro in parapfidem mittit, ut audacia b●nam conscientiam mentiretur, Hier. super [qui intingit mecum.] Mat. 26.49. (t) E●ulta Christiane in commercio inimicorum tuorum vicist●, quod Iudas vendidit, & quod judaeus emit tu acquivisti, Raban. Mat. 26 50. (u) Ductus est ligatus, ad Caipham. Ref●rt autem Iosephus istum Caipham unius tantum anni Pontificatum precio redemisse, cum Moses, Deo jubente, praeceperit, ut Pontifices patribus succederent. & generationis in sacerdotibus series terreretur. Non ergo mirum est, si iniquus judex & pontifex iniqua judicet, Hieron. super [Tenentes jesum.] Matt. 26.57. (w) Hoc facto demonstratur fragilitat Apostolorum, qui de ardore fidet promiserant so mori cum eo; nunc timore fugiunt immemores sua promissionis, Remig. Mark 14.50. (x) Quam noxia pravorum hominum colloquia; ipsa quippe coegerunt Petrum negrre Dominum, quem prius confessus fuerat esse Filium Dei, Remig. Perseverare in peccato dat incrementum scelerum. & qui minima aspernit, cadit in majora, Remig. ut supra. Matth. 26.72. (y) Vide solicitudinem sacerdotum ad malum, tota nocte vigilarunt, ut homicidium facerent, & vinctum tradiderunt Pilato. Habebant enim hunc morem, ut quem adjudicassent morti, ligatum judici traderent, Hier. in Mat. cap. 27. Mat. 27.2. 2 john 19.1. (a) Pro diademate spincam illi imposuerunt coronam, & pro purpureo vestimento, quo reges veteres utebantur, vestem purpuream ei circumdant, Beda. Io●. 19.2. (b) Calamo Christi caput percutiunt, qui divinitati ejus contradic●ntes, errorem suum, auctoritate sanctae Scripturae (quae calamo scribitur) confirmare conantur, Rab. Matth. 27.29. (c) Spuunt in faciem, qui praesentiam gratiae illius verbis execrandu respuunt, & jesum in carne venisse negant, Rab. ut supra. Mat●h. 27.30. (z) Cum Iu●aei clamassent non jesum sibi dimitti à Pilato velle propter Pascha, se● Barrabum latr●nem, [Tunc ergo apprehendit Pilatus jesum, & flageliavit,] Aug. tract. 16. 58. Doxology. TO thee, O blessed jesus, be given all honour and glory, for thou dost never forsake thy servants who put their trust in thee. Thou didst please to humble thyself to be of ●o reputation, to be a worm and * Psa. 22.6 scorn of men, who did shoot out their lips, vers. 22. and shake their heads. Thou didst suffer thy hands and feet to be pierced, thy head to be crowned with thorns, thy side to be gored with a spear, thy face to be spit upon, and thy body to be stripped of thy garments. O my soul, what wilt thou give to thy blessed jesus, for all his griefs and sorrows for thee in his bitter Passion? I will declare thy Name unto my brethrens, in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee for ever. Amen. 59 Contemplation. AS before our Saviour's Death, and in our Saviour's Passion; So at his Death and Crucifixion many signs and wonders were seen, and the most bitter and bloody proceed of his merciless enemies are recorded in holy Scriptures, how Christ suffered and died on the Cross. 58. Observation. CHrist was crucified, that his servants (d) might be crowned; endured an ignominious death, (e) that Christians might live gloriously for ever? The circumstances of time and place, the manner and nature of his Death, his executioners and companions, do highly justify our Saviour's patience, humility, and charity, and most clearly aggravate the envy, covetousness, and malice of wicked men and Devils. He was led to Golgotha, as a place for his Execution. (f) A strange Potion, a mixture of Vinegar and Gall is ministered unto him. (g) The rude soldiers part his garments, and cast lots for them. (h) In jealousies and suspicions they watched him when he was nailed to the Cross. (i) They fixed an accusation over his head. (k) Two thiefs were crucified with him. (l) The passengers and spectators ●ailed and reviled him. (m) From the sixth hour to the ninth was darkness over the land. (n) At the ninth hour Christ cried with a loud voice, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me. (oh) When he had cried again with a loud voice, he gave up the Ghost. 59 Confirmation. (d) HIc ducitur Abel in agrum, ut àfratre perimatur; hic adest Isaach cum lignis, & Abraham cum ariete vepribus haerente: hic etiam Ioseph cum fasce somniato, tunica talari sanguine lita, Hier. supe● [vultis dimittam.] 1 Pet. 5.4. (e) Caro factus ipse Dominus, vitae aeternitatem erat caducis, & corporeis, & mortalibus rediturus, Hilar. 3. de Trinit. Philip. 2.8. (f) Audivi quendam exposuisse Calvariae locum in quo sepultus est Adam, & ideo sic appellatum, quia ib● antiqui hominis sit conditum caput; favorabilis interpretatio, & mulcens aurem populi, nec tamen vera: extraurbem enim & foris portam loca sunt in quibus truncantur capita damnatorum, & Calvariae, id est, decollatorum sumpsere nemen, Propterea autem ibi crucifixus est jesus, ut ubi prius erat area Damnatorum, ihi erigerentur vexilla martyrii, Hic. super [veherunt in locum.] Mat. 27.33. (g) Ordinatione quadam existente, alii alia adferebant; quidam acetum & fel, quidam vinum myrrhatum, Theo super verb. Mat. 27.34. (h) Illudentes hoc fecerunt, cum povebant sortem super vestimonta, quasi regis essent, cum v●lta erant, & non vald● preciosa, Toco. ut supra. Mat. 27.35. (i) Diligentiae militum & sacerdotum nobis profuit, ut major & apertior virtus resurgentis appareat, Hier. super verba, [sedentes, etc.] 27.36. (k) Non possum digne admirari, pro rei magnitudine, quod emptis falsis testibus, & ad seditionem clamoremque in felici populo concitato, nullam aliam invenerunt causam interfectionis ejus, nisi quod Re●e Iudaeorum esset, & illi forsitan illudentes ac ridentes hoc fecerunt, Hier. Mat. 27.37. (l) Sicut pro nobis maledictum crucis fa●tus est Christus: sic pro omuium salute internoxios, quasi noxius crucifigitur, Hier. serm. 4 Matt. 27.38. (m) Cum Christum denudaessent, crucifixissent, ultra procedunt, & in cruce affixum videntes, exprobant ei, Chrys. hom. 88 Mat. 27.39. (n) Tribus etiam horis te●ebrae permanscrunt, cum Eclipse, in momento transeat; non enim habet moram, Chrys. in hom. 39 Matt. 27.45. (o) Manifeste intelligere poteris quid sit hoc quod dicit Dominus [Deus meus, Deus meus, ut quid dereliquisti me] faciens comparationem gloriae illius quam habuit apud Patrem; ad confasionem, quam contemnens, sustinuit crucem, Orig. tract. 35. Mat. 27.46. (p) Nec mirandum est, si pro nobis posuit, quod suscepit à nobis, scilicet animam, qui propter nos fecit tanta, & talia largitus est nobis, A●g. serm. de Passione. Luke 23.46. 59 Doxology. O Most blessed Lord and Saviour jesus, who wast obedient to the Death, * Phil. ●. 8. even to the ignominious and accursed death of the Cross, and didst there make poor sinners peace, by the effusion of thy most precious blood, blotting out the band-writing of Ordinances that was against us, Colos. 2.14 and nailing it unto thy Cross, that penitent sinners might be saved, and crowned with immortal blessings. To thee O blessed Saviour, for thy great sufferings, a●d our salvation, be ascribed, with the Father, and the holy Ghost, all praise and dominion, and thanksgiving, ever. Amen. 60. Contemplation. AS before, and at our Saviour's Death, many strange and wonderful effects did manifestly appear; so after his innocent and bitter Death, more and more strange miracles did succeed, to set forth and evidence, that Christ, * Te Deum Apost. Athan. Nicen. Creed. who suffered on the Cross, was the immortal seed, and the eternal Son of God. 60. Observation. WHen jesus had yielded up the Ghost, immediately after his Death the vail of the Temple * Mat. 27 51. was rend in twain from the top to the bottom, (q) the earth did quake and tremble, (r) and the rocks rend, (s) the Centurion (who commanded the guards) was amazed, and confessed, saying, Certainley, this was a Righteous Man (t) And again, as Saint Mark relates, (u) Truly this man was the Son of God. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things that were done, smote their breasts, and returned. (w) Thus Heaven and earth did bear (x) witness, and seem to sympathise, and groan, and tremble, when the Son of God had suffered, that the enemies of the Cross of Christ might be confounded and terrified, if not converted. 60. Confirmation. (q) MAgna sunt ex co quod magna voce clamavit, clamavit jesus, & [emisset spiritum] Orig. tract. 35. Mat. 27.51. Mark 15.38. (r) In quo satis ostendit Dominus, tunc esse scissum velum Templi in duas partes à summo usque deorsum; cum Dominus emisit spiritum, Augustin. de Con. Evang. Duo fuisse vela intelliguntur, unum quod velat sancta sanctorum; aliud exterius, sive ●abernaculi, sive templi. In passione ergo Domini Salvatoris, velum quod erat à f●ris, canscissum est à sursum usque de●rsum, ut ab initio mundi usque ad finem, conscisso velamine, mysteria publicentur que usque ad adventum Domini rationabiliter fuerunt occultata, Origen. Tract. 35. Exod. 19.18. 1 Kings 19.11, 12. (s) Ex hic considerandum, quod Centurio in ipso scand●lo Dominicae Passionis vere Dei Filium confitentur, & Arrius in Ecclesia praedicit creaturam, Hier. super Centur. Luke 23.47. (t) Exemplo igitur Centurionis co●tremiscat in Redempt●ris supplicio terrena subtiantia, Leo Pap. in serm. de Pas. Mark 15.39. (v) Percutiebant pectora, quia poenitentiae & luxus indicium est, id est, vel injuste occisum dolebant, vel hunc in morte amplius glorificatum tremebant, Beda. Luke 23.48. (w) O duriora saxis pectora judaeorum; Iudex arguit, credit minister, proditor scelus suum morte sua condemnat, elementa fugiunt, terra concutitur, monumenta reserantur; judaeorum tamen immobilis duritia manet, orbe concusso, Amb. lib. 10. in Luc. de commend. spirit. jesus. Deu. 32.1. Rom. 8.22. Acts 4.31. 60. Doxology. LEt heaven and earth praise the Lord, * Psa. 148.2. Angels and men let them and all creatures give thanks unto God, for the great blessings that the whole world hath received by our Saviour's bitter Death and Passion. Let all the sons of men fear and tremble, smite their breasts, and humble their souls at the sight of their own sins, and our blessed Saviour jesus sufferings, and for our salvation by his Death. Let us give him praise and glory for evermore. Amen. 61. Contemplation. AS many notable signs and wonders attended before, at, and after the death of Christ: so these which follow seem more remarkable, and therefore preserved and placed as Articles of our Creed, that Christ after his Death was buried, that he descended into hell, that he risen again the third day, that he ascended into Heaven, that he sitteth on the right hand of God, and from thence shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 61. Observation. THe Scriptures are the Treasure-houses (x) of the richeses of Heaven, and the Church, our Mother, (y) dispenseth by her faithful sons and servauts, the treasure and richeses of God's grace and mercies in the merits of Christ to repenting and believing Christians, in the ministration (z) of the holy Word and Sacraments, wherein they are taught (a) the truth of Christ's Burial, and his descension into Hell, (b) the certainty of his Resurrection, and how than the graves were opened, and many bodies (c) of Saints which slept arose, (d) the confirmation of his Ascension into heaven (e) in the presence of his Apostles, and the holy Angels, (f) the glory of his Session at God's right hand, (g) and the final expectation of Christ's coming to judgement. (h) 61. Confirmation. (x) IN iis quae aperte in scriptura posita sunt, inveniuntur illa omnia, quae continent fidem moresque vivendi, Aug. de Doct Christia. lib. 2. c. 9 Regula fidei una omnino est, sola illa immobilis & irreformabilis, Tertul. de virg. veland. cap. 1. Rom. 9.4. (y) Ecclesia depositorum apud se dogmatum custos, etc. Vincen. Lirinen. cont. Haeres. cap. 32. Ecclesia mater fidelium, Gal. 4.26. Familia & d●mus Christi, Mat. 24.45. Tabernaculum & templum Dei, Psal. 15.1. and 1 Cor. 3.16. Veritatis Thesaurus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 1 Tim. 3.15. 1 Tim. 3.15. (z) Quicquid per sanctos Apostoles dicit Dominus, acceptandum esse, quia qui illos audit, Christ●m audit, Cyril. Mat. 28.19. 1 Cor. 11.23. (a) Salvator in aliena sepulturaponitur, quiapro aliorum moriebatur salute, tumulus est in terris, cujus sede● est in caelis; in sepulchro jacuit, non tam mortuus, quam velut in lecto conquievit; sepulchrum autem mortis necessarium habitaculum; ergo non mortis habitaculum Christo qui vita, August. serm. de Sabbat. Sancto. Luke 23.53. (b) Totus Filius fuit apud Patrem, totus in utero Virginis, totus in caelo, totus in terra, totus in cruce, & totus in inferno, August. Eph. 4.9. (c) Si verbis meis non creditis, vacuo credatis sepulchro, Hier. super [nou est hic, surrezit.] Mat. 27.52. (d) Angelus praedicit nomen, dicit crucem, loquitur passionem, sed post resurrectionem Dominum confitetur, past tanta supplicia, post sepulchrum agnoscit ●ominum suum Angelus, Sever. Acts 1.9. (e) Multa corpora sanctorum resurrexerunt, ut essent testes Dominicae resurrectionis, Hieron. super verba. Colos. 3.1. (f) Helias quidem videbatur assumi in caelum: sed Salvator ipse, praecussor omnium, ascendit in caelum, appariturus divino conspectui in sacro suo corpore, & jam nostra natura in Christo honoratur à qualibet virtute Angelica, Theoph. in 24. c. Luc. Heb. 1.3. (g) Infirmitatem quandam regalem significat se●●i● Filii hominis ad dextram, & virtutem Dei sedens judicantis; stare vero pugnantis est, aut adjuvantis, Greg. in Hom. Ascen. Acts 3.21. (h) Christus ad judicandum veniet in form● humana, ut mitis appareat Electis, qui concu●cibit impios, [Hic Iesus veniet] in hac ipsa corporis forma atque substantia, Bernar. super. C●●t. serm. 73. Mat. 26.64. 61. Doxology. WE praise thee, O God, we knowledge thee to be the Lord, * Te Deum all the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting, the Father of infinite Majesty, thine honourable, true and only Son, also the holy Ghost the Comforter, thou art the King of glory O Christ, thou art the everlasting Son of the Father, thou hast overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers, thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge day by day. We will magnify thee, and worship thy name world without end. Amen. FINIS. CONTEMPLATIONS. 1. On Christ's conception Page 1 2. On Christ's Genealogy Page 5 3. On Chri●●s Birth Page 8 4. On Christ's circumcision Page 10 5 On the blessed Name jesus Page 12 6. On the Angel's attendance Page 15 7. On the shepherd's Page 17 8. On Christ's presentation in the Temple Page 19 9 On the Magi●daring Christ Page 22 10. On Christ flying into Egypt Page 24 11. On Herod's design to murder Christ Page 27 12. On Christ's going to Jerusalem to worship Page 30 13. On Christ's obedience to his Parent's Page 32 14. On Christ disputing with the Ra●bie●● Page 35 15 On Christ's Baptism in jordan Page 38 16. On the holy Ghost descending like a Dove Page 40 17. On Christ's falling and temptations Page 43 18. On Christ's preaching repentance Page 46 19 On Christ's calling 〈◊〉 Twel●● Apostles Page 49 20. On Christ's Sermons in general Page 52 21. On Christ's preaching to Nicodemus Page 55 22. On Christ's reasoning with the woman of Samaria Page 58 23. On Christ preaching to the multitude Page 61 24. On Chri●●s 〈…〉 Page 63 25. On 〈…〉 ●●ing to the 〈◊〉 Page 66 26. On Christ's Sermon to the Scrib●s and Pharisees Page 69 27. On Christ's troph●sying against Jerusalem Page 72 28. On Christ's speaking to the daughters of Jerusalem Page 75 29 On Christ's Parabolical sermons Page 77 30. On the Parable of t●e seed Page 80 3●. On the grain of Mustard ●eed Page 83 32. On the leaven Page 86 33 On the treasure hid in the field Page 88 34. On the precious pearl Page 91 35. On the net cast into the se● Page 93 36. On the King taking an account Page 96 37. On the sheep and the shepherd Page 100 38. On the Lawyer tempting Christ Page 103 39 On the marriage of the King's son Page 106 40. On the lost sheep, the price of silver, and the prodigal son Page 108 41. On the three l●aves of bread Page 111 42. On the rich man and Lazarus Page 114 43. On the Pharisee and the Publican Page 117 44 On the Housholder Page 119 45. On Zaccheus the Publican Page 122 46. On the ten Virgin's Page 125 47. On the Traveller Page 128 48. On Christ's turning water into wine Page 130 49. On Christ's visiting the Temple Page 133 50. On Christ's many miracles Page 136 5●. On Christ's transfiguration Page 14● 52. On Christ's courage in the garden Page 145 53. On Christ's rebuking the Scribes and Pharisees Page 148 54. On Christ● washing his Disciples feet Page 151 55. On Christ celebrating his last Supper Page 155 56. On Christ blessing and ordaining his disciples Page 158 57 On the miracles, before, at, and after Christ's Death Page 161 58. On Christ's trial and passion Page 164 59 On Christ's Death and Crucifixion Page 170 60. On the miracles after Christ's death Page 175 61. On Christ's Burial, Death, Descension into Hell, on his Resurrection, Ascension, ●ession on Gods right hand, and coming to judgement Page 178