engraved frontispiece, image of Saint Joseph spouse to the Virgin Mary 
Faithful and prudent servant, constituted by our Lord for the Comforter of his Mother; for the Forster-Father of his Humanity; and for his only and most faithful assistant in his great design upon earth.  S. Bern. Hom. 2. Super Missus est   

PIOUS REMARKES UPON THE LIFE OF S. JOSEPH SPOUSE Of the B. Virgin Mary Mother of our Lord JESUS CHRIST.  
Written Originally in French by Rd. Father Paul Barrie.  
The Second Edition of the English Translation.  
Printed by T. F. in the Year, M.DCC   

THE TABLE OF THE CHAPTERS.  
Pious Remarks upon the Life of Saint Joseph Spouse to the Bles-Virgin Mary, exciting Devotion to this Glorious Saint.  

CHAPTER I. OF the admirable Love that God bore Saint Joseph. Pag. 1.  
CHAP. II. Of those wonderful Qualities, whereby God rendered Saint Joseph aimiable, above all other Saints except JESUS and MARY. Pag. 20.  
CHAP. III. Of the great Love and special Devotion we owe Saint Joseph, and that it ought to be next to that we have for JESUS and MARY. Pag. 28.  
CHAP. IU. What was the Reason why it was so long, before Saint Joseph, the best beloved of God, and most aimiable of all the Saints after JESUS and MARY, had such a Love and Devotion paid him, as was due to the greatness of his Merits. Pag. 34.  
CHAP. V Of the ten particular Clients of Saint Joseph, who by their Pious Examples have invited and moved us to a particular Devotion to him next to Jesus and Mary. Pag. 50.  
CHAP. VI Of the Ordinary Devotions that may be daily Exercised towards Saint Joseph. Pag. 78.  
The Alphabetical Litany of Saint Joseph. Pag. 85.  
CHAP. VII. What Devotions are to be used to Saint Joseph upon his Feast. Pag. 96.  
CHAP. VIII. Of Devotions to S. Joseph during the Octave of his Feast or at other times according to the opportunity or affection of his Clients. Pag. 108.  
CHAP. IX. Containing nine different occasions of particular Devotions proper to Saint Joseph, and practised by his particular Devots. P, 113.  
CHAP. X. Of the help and Assistance that Saint Joseph gives to his Devout Clients towards their attaining Interior Perfection, and in what this Perfection does consist. Pag. 130.  
CHAP. XI. Of the assistance Saint Joseph gives to Spiritual Maladies; especially to those who are in a bad State of Soul. Pag. 146.  
CHAP. XII. The Miraculous Assistance which Saint Joseph gives in Curing Corporal Diseases, especially the Plague. Pag. 155.  
CHAP. XIII. The assistance which God gives upon all occasions by Saint Joseph Intercession. Pag. 171.  
CHAP. XIV. To exhort all to have recours to Saint Joseph, and Confide in his Powerful Protection. P. 177.    

PIOUS REMARKS UPON The Life of Saint Joseph, Spouse to the Blessed Virgin Mary; exciting Devotion to this Glorious Saint.  

CHAP. I. Of the admirable Love that God bore Saint joseph.  
IT was doubtless a Divine Inspiration with which that Painter was moved, who first put a Lily into Saint Joseph's Hand. Flowers we know have something very lovely and charming in them; and 'tis looked upon as an honour and good Fortune, no less to bear their Name, than to bear them in our Scutcheon or Coat of Arms: Wherefore the City of Florence esteems it as a very great one, to bear the Name of that rich Flower, that adorns her delicious Gardens.  
The glorious Name of Rose, is also justly entailed upon the Island of Rhod's, as being so beautiful and pleasant a place, that it even resembles a Rose in the Spring.  
All the World knows, that Susa, the chief City, in great Assuerus' Kingdom, pretended to better Fortune than all the other Cities of Asia; because the Name Susa signifies a Lily, whereby she gave herself a right above all other Cities, of styling herself the City of Lilies.  
And there are none, even of the Interpreters of Holy Scripture, who do not take notice, that the City of Nazareth fortunately bore the Name of Flowers, Because it was the residence of Jesus Nazarenus, that is, Jesus of the City of Flowers, and the Native Town of Mary and Joseph, the three fairest Flowers, in the Garden of the Holy Catholic Church.  
We Read also in Ancient Annals, that the very name and sight of Flowers; have been looked upon as a most happy and prosperous Omen; for as Plutarch recounts in the Life of Sylla, the Roman Army being drawn up in Battle array, ready to charge the Enemy, an agreeable gale arising, brought a great quantity of Lilies, Roses, Violets, Flower-de-luces', Daffodils and several other sorts of flowers, from the Neighbouring Fields and Gardens; which falling upon the Shields and Headpieces of the Roman Soldiers, they believed it a certain presage of their good Fortune; and even a kind of crowning them Conquerors beforehand.  
At the Battle of Lepanto, Roses were there sold in the public Piazza, in the Month of October, as red and fresh as they are in June: From whence all assured themselves of a signal Victory, that the Christians should obtain against the Turks. This Lily therefore Saint Joseph bears, betokens those extraordinary qualities and privileges, wherewith he is enriched; and therefore the Painter who first put it into his Hand, was, as I said; without doubt inspired from Heaven to do so, since this Branch of Lilies, silently hint's at whatsoever can be said of him; and even manifests all those wonders, that lie hid in this Great Saint: As I shall hereafter endeavour to explicate.  
Wherefore do but learn the price and excellency of the Lily, and thereby you'll know the eminent and admirable Perfections of Saint Joseph, and perceive also that wonderful and almost incredible Love, which God had for him. For as a Lily is the grace and ornament of a Garden of pleasure; as 'tis the beautiful Masterpiece, that draws the Eyes, and charms the Hearts of the beholders, at their first entrance into it; so according to Saint Austin, there are no less charming Lilies in the Garden of Heaven: 
† Floribus caeli neque rosa neque liliae desunt. Aug. serm. 11 de Sanctis.  Amongst Heavenly Flowers neither Roses nor Lilies, says he, are wanting: That are no less charming to their beholders.  
Now let us see how beautiful and sweet a Lily Saint Joseph is; for since the heavenly Spouse is highly pleased with a feast of Lilies; therefore Saint Joseph had the honour to be invited to it, next after the Bridegroom himself. 
* Dilectus meus mihi & ego illi qui pascitur inter lilia. Cant. 2.26.  My beloved is mine, says the Spouse, and I am his, who feeds amongst Lilies. Behold then Jesus, Mary and Joseph, three glorious Lilies indeed, that assist at this Banquet of Lilies. The honour and beauty both of Heaven and Earth, and the most amiable of all Created Objects. But before we Contemplate Saint Joseph, let us take a view of the Lilies Perfections, which is an Emblem of him.  
The Lily surpasses all other odoriferous Flowers in growth, as well as beauty, she raises her beautiful head upon a straight stalk, many feet higher than any other Flowers do; as Saint Joseph also in the height of Justice and Perfection, surmounts all other Saints: Wherefore when we behold Saint Joseph leading his reputed Son Jesus, in one Hand, and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the other, we cannot but admire, to what a height of Dignity God has raised him, and must own, that none ever was raised to the like; and that such a Dignity as this, is not given in the House of God, but according to the Sanctity and Graces, the Person raised to it, is partaker of; and which the Ministry he is employed in, does require.  
The first and highest degree of all Honours and Dignities upon Earth, was due to Jesus, the Son of God Incarnate; the second, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God; and the third, to Saint Joseph, Spouse to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Foster-Father to the Son of God. Wherefore according to the most devout and learned Doctor of the Church, Saint Thomas, our Lily Saint Joseph is raised also, after Jesus and Mary, to the highest Dignity upon Earth, 
* Eo fuit excellentior, quo ad altiorem ordinem pertinuit. S. Th. 3. par. ●  By so much, says he, he excelled others, by how much he was raised to a higher Dignity than others were.  
The Lily also is an Emblem of pure Love, and springs from a Heart, the source of Love, which its Root resembles; and in this it resembles also our Saint Joseph: Who, next to Jesus and Mary exceeds all Creatures both in active and passive Love; his Heart was most inflamed, by being replenished with the Love of God towards him, which moved his Divine Majesty to raise him to the highest Dignity on Earth, next to Jesus and Mary. And Saint Joseph reverberates and casts back these Flames towards God, by a faithful correspondence, and fidelity in those high functions, to which he had chosen him; which rendered him most amiable both to Heaven and Earth, as I shall hereafter prove more at large. So that we see how the Lily is a lively Emblem of our Saint, and that this Lily he holds in his Hand intimates something that is great, and what is beyond our power to express. The very number also of the Lilies leaves, betokens those six wonderful privileges, which the extraordinary Love of God, moved him to bestow upon our Lily Saint Joseph.  
Margaret Queen of Navarre took for her Device, a crowned Lily, at which two rich Pendants of Jewels were hung; with this Motto: 
* Mirandum naturae opus.  The wonderful work of Nature: Which Device, may also be very well applied to Saint Joseph. The Lily is his Ensign, and is not only the wonder of Nature, but of Grace also; upon which, hung those two rich Jewels, Jesus and Mary, whom he led in each Hand, bearing the Title of Father to the one, and of Husband to the other; he therefore justly deserves to be Crowned, since in the Love of God he bears away the Prize from all; both in the Church Militant and Triumphant: So that none must dare to dispute the right of Coronation with him, he having those high Prerogatives bestowed upon him, from which all others, except Jesus and Mary, his beloved, Son and Spouse are excluded. The part and portion also he has of Divine Love in this Triumph, is very remarkable, and gives him a place in that title, which his great Progenitor David gave to the 44. Psalms; 
* Triumphus per lilia. Psal. 44.  The Triumph by Lilies. Making him partner in this Triumph with the two other Lilies Jesus and Mary, these being all, and always of a Company. Wherefore since this Triumph partly belongs to him, I may conclude him a Conqueror with the other two, and that this his Triumph, is as much above that of all other Saints, as he exceeds them in those wonderful Graces and Prerogatives, which the Love of God bestowed upon him: This will easily be perceived by displaying the six Leaves of our Lily, and discovering thereby the six extraordinary Prerogatives, the Love of God has bestowed upon him, above all other Saints, excepting upon Jesus and Mary.  
The Head or Blossom of this Flower contains, as I said, six white resplendent Leaves, which represent the six particular and extraordinary Prerogatives, that shine in Saint Joseph, beyond all other Saints; Wherefore 'twill be sufficient only to open and display these six Leaves, to let you see the wonderful novelties they contain, and thereby both raise your Imagination of Saint Joseph's Perfections, and charm your Affection to such a height, with Love and Devotion to him, as he truly deserves. Novelties, as we find by experience, contain a certain lustre within themselves, that causes admiration, and therefore they need not borrow words or discourses to set themselves out. A Beauty enriched by Nature, as you know, needs neither Paint nor Patch; a Diamond of great price wants no foil to set it off. A Cabinet also filled with rich and sparkling jewels, declares its own value, and therefore needs no other commendation, than to set it open; containing within itself it's own light, lustre and beauty. The Leaves I am about to display of this glorious Lily, are of the same stamp or nature, so that by giving you only a sight of them, as of so many unheard of Prerogatives, they cannot but raise your admiration of his Perfections, and even charm and move you to a Devotion to him.  
The first Leaf or Prerogative I lay open, cannot but cause a strange admiration; for is it not wonderful that a Son should choose his own Father? 'Tis a wonder never before heard of in the World, since it's first beginning. Read the Roman Annals, turn over all the Histories of the Universe, you'll find nothing like to this, and were this a practice that could be brought into the World, what a change would it make in it? Poor, Deformed, Imperfect and Vicious Men, would never be chosen for Fathers: None but such as were Rich, Prudent, Virtuous and every way Accomplished, would be made choice of; from whence we may conclude, that a Person who is chosen by one that is very Prudent; must needs be very Good, Beautiful, and most Accomplished in all kind of Perfections.  
Now to apply this to our Lily, to our Glorious Saint- Joseph. You know that the Son of God, by right of his Divine Existence, had a Being before his Human Birth; and therefore had the advantage of Time, in which he might choose his Father; and supposing his design, to choose one amongst Men, 'tis certain his infinite Wisdom, would make choice of one most Perfect and Eminent in Sanctity; and of one that were most fit and most capable, for so high a Dignity: For if a Worm, like myself, would make choice of the bravest of Men for its Father, had it an occasion offered to do so; can we imagine that the Son of God, the Eternal Wisdom, who judges of things as they are, knows the value and depth of Hearts, and sees the worth of all Creatures, would not choose the most Perfect of all Men for his Father? To think otherwise, would be to rank his Wisdom beneath our own. Wherefore since he has chosen Saint Joseph before all others, since his Knowledge and Love moved him to this Election, must not this choice he made of him, be an evident proof, that he was eminent in all Perfections? Especially since the Divine Wisdom itself chose him for his Father?  
Let us now pass on, and take a view of the second Leaf, or second Prerogative of our glorious Lilly. He was not only chosen by the Divine Wisdom to be his Father; but even to be Father to him, who was the Son of God. So that by this Election which the Eternal Wisdom made, Joseph had God for his Son. Who could have thought it possible, that a Man could be Father to the Son of God? Or could ever have imagined, that Man might with truth say to the Son of God, you are my Son? Or that Man should arrive to so high a pitch of Dignity, as to bear the relation of Paternity, to the Word Incarnate? Which in some measure resembled, the Paternity of the Eternal Father, to his Eternal and Uncreated Son. O wonderful Dignity! Joseph Father of Jesus! Father of the Son of God Incarnate! Having the honour to be Father to him upon Earth, to whom God is Father in Heaven: But to evidence, and make this Truth more clear.  
We must know, that Jesus was not his Son by Nature, but by the Lawful Right that accrued to Saint Joseph. by Jesus his being Son to his Spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary: For by his being her Son he was Produced in, and Born of that Flesh, which by right of Marriage was Saint Joseph's, and was under his power and jurisdiction. So that according to the common axiom of the Civil Law, that says: 
† Quid in alieno solo nascitur vel aedificatur, sub illius dominium cadit cujus est solum. Institut, de rer. divis.  Whatsoever grows in, or is built upon another's Soil, belongs to the owner thereof: This title was strong enough, to give him the right and title of a Father, and caused our Blessed Lady, to style him his Father even to her Son himself, when she said, 
† Pater tuus & Ego dolentes quaerebamus te. Luc. 2.48.  Behold with how much Grief your Father and I have sought after you; he also by his Answer, seemed to own him for his Father upon Earth; when he said, 
* Nesciebatis quia in his quae patris mei sunt oportet me esse. Ibid v. 49.  Knew ye not, that 'twas chief my duty to take care of my Father's business? Meaning his Heavenly Father, as if he would have said, you have reason for what you say, but you know that my first and chief obligation, is to comply with the Will of my Heavenly Father.  
But this is not all; Saint Joseph was not only the Father of Jesus; because he was called so; or because he had that relation to the Blessed Virgin I before spoke of; but because he wanted nothing, that is found in a true Paternity, or Fatherly Right. He had all that care, affection, and authority, that any Father ever had, or ever will have, in relation to a Son. For as Saint John Damascen says, 
† Omne jus quo constituitur Paternitas, sortitus est Joseph, solo jur● generation is excepto. S. ●o. Damas'. Orat. de na B. V.  Saint Joseph had all that could entitle him to the right of Paternity, except that of Generation: 
* Et hoc supple vit Deus Pater, infundendo viro Mariae, paternum pro filio Jesu amorem. Rupertus in 1. Matth.  Which, according to Rupertus the Abbot. God the Father supplied, by infusing into the Husband of Mary, a Paternal Love of her Son Jesus. By which infusion, Saint Joseph participated of all Graces that can either be named or imagined; for if God had a design to Love a Man after the best manner imaginable, or to give him the highest place of Glory in Heaven; what more could he do for him, than to constitute him to bear the Office of a Father, over his own and only Son? than which nothing can be more excellent, nothing more rare or more admirable; for by giving him this Office, he gives him all the qualities necessary for it; and gives him power to call even the Son of God, his Son, causing the effect to correspond to the Name.  
The third Miraculous Leaf or Prerogative of this Lily, is, that being Man, he should become Husband to the Mother of God. O wonder of wonders! When we would comprehend in few words, all the wonderful Perfections and Prerogatives of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we make use of Saint Mathews words; 
† Maria de qua natus est Jesus. Matth. 1.16.  Marry of whom Jesus was born. For as by styling her Mother of Jesus, we comprehend all that can be said of her; so Saint Joseph by being styled Husband to the Mother of God, comprehends, under this title, all other Dignities and Perfections whatsoever: So that a greater than this cannot be given him, as Saint John Damascen well observes, when he says. 
* Dicis illum virum Mariae, hoc est prorsus ineffabile, & nihil praeterea dici potest. Cant. 3. in Nat. B. V.  You call him the Husband of Mary, this is such a title as cannot be explicated, and more than this, cannot be said of him.  
Marry Spouse to Joseph, does in plenitude of Grace surpass both Men and Angels; and has not her Husband think you the like endowments? Since God judged him a fit match for her; and for this end gave him so great an abundance of Grace, Virtue and Sanctity, that neither Men nor Angels ever had the like, hereby to fit him to be Spouse, and Guide to the Virgin-Mother: God judging it fit, that in her right, he should partake of all her Honours, Favours and Dignities. If therefore she be a Princess he is a Prince; and he also is King, wherever she is Queen. For God who designed to raise Mary to the quality and honour of the Mother of God: At the same time designed her a Husband, like to herself; whom he loved above all Men upon Earth, and therefore endowed him with all Grace's suitable to such a Dignity. O thrice happy Joseph! Thus chosen by God, and thus fitted and advanced to be the Husband of the Mother of God, as his best beloved, next to Jesus and Mary.  
The fourth Miraculous Leaf or Prerogative of this Lily, is, that he is at once both a Father and a Virgin. Which is so singular a Prerogative, that 'tis allowed to none but him. There have been many Virgin-husbands, but of Virgin fathers there has never been any one but S. Joseph, who is Spouse also of a Virgin-mother. Which singular Prerogative, was reserved by God; only for his best beloved JOSEPH and MARY. God lodging his special Favours, wherever he places his particular Affection.  
The fifth Miraculous Leaf or Prerogative of this Lily, is, that S. Joseph being a Creature, should take care of his Creator. For he was 
† Pater familias.  Father of the Family, Foster-father, Tutor and Guardian of the Word Incarnate. So that the Angels who beheld the Son of God, in the Bosom of his Eternal Father in Heaven, seeing him also in the Arms of Saint Joseph upon Earth, might very well cry out with admiration and astonishment● behold the Governor of the Universe, governed by a Man! Behold him who carefully nourishes all Creatures, nourished by his Creature! Behold him whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain, sheltered under the Roof and Protection of a poor Inhabitant of Nazareth! And these Angels might also very well have addressed to Saint Joseph, the same admirations, that Methodius did to the Mother of God, in these following words: 
† O Nutriti cuncta nutrientis. Ave Joseph cujus gratia, Deus factus est indigens; Euge qui debitorem illum habes, qui omnia omnibus mutuat; omnis enim ereatura omnia Deo debet, Deu● aut●m tibi debtor existi●.  O Nursing-Father to him who feeds all Creatures. O Rich Joseph, to whom God himself becomes a Beggar! Thrice happy art thou, who hast him for thy Debtor, who lends to every one whatsoever he possesses; for all Creatures are indebted to God for their Being, and for every thing they Enjoy: But to oblige thee, God will become obliged to thee; and make himself thy Debtor Wherefore let us join our Admirations and Congratulations with those of the Angels, saying; O thrice happy Joseph, favourite of the Court of Heaven! O best Beloved of God since he has placed so great a confidence in thee, as to commit his only Son to thy Care and Conduct.  
The sixth and last Miraculous Leaf, or Prerogative of this Lily, is, that he is one of the Persons of the Created Trinity, which is next in dignity to the uncreated; and wonderfully also resembles all the three Persons of the uncreated Trinity; as the Lily also does, which he bears in his Hand; For in a white resplendent Cup or Throne, it includes three Golden Sceptres, all three equal in Odour, Beauty and Shape, issuing from the middle or heart of the Flower; which resemblance, gives no little honour to the Lily; since it makes it a similitude, whereby to declare the Majesty of this Divine Mystery. Nor is it any less honour to our Lilly. Saint Joseph, to resemble the three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, which he does after such a manner as might raise a jealousy even in the Angels; to see that God has bestowed upon Man, such a resemblance of that Mystery, which in itself is the most wonderful of all Mysteries; did they not Adore, with all possible Submission and Resignation, his Divine Will and Pleasure in all things. For as the Eternal Father, is the Father of the Uncreated word, so Saint Joseph is the reputed Father of the word Created: And as God the Son is the Redeemer of Mankind; so Saint Joseph is his Coadjutor in this great work; since he imploy's all his cares, all the labours of his Hands, and all the sweat of his Brows, to gain wherewithal to nourish and maintain our most Merciful Redeemer. Lastly as the Holy Ghost is the Spouse of Mary the Mother of God, so Saint Joseph is also her Spouse. What therefore can be a greater Subject of jealousy to the Angels than this? But they know him to be a favourite of God, and therefore rejoice as much in the honour God bestows upon him, as in their own; and honour him as a Prince of their Grand-masters Court, and as one he will have thus honoured.  
After having thus displayed these Miraculous Leaves; and declared the wonderful Prerogatives of our Lily, I cannot refrain from blessing and praising the Divine Providence, for inspiring the Painter to put a Lily into Saint joseph's Hand, by the help of which, the same Providence has been pleased to inspire me to explicate his Merits and wonderful Prerogatives. And if heretofore an ingenious Artist, did so cut and dispose the Leaves of several Flowers that they made a very Beautiful Picture of Flora; why may not I, quickened by Saint Bernard's Fancy, when he says; 
† Quot virtutes tot Lilia. Ser. 70. in Cant.  So many Lilies, so many Virtue's endeavour to make a lively Picture of Saint joseph's Virtues, out of the different sorts of Lilies, and different signification of their Colours? By the white Lily, is represented his Chastity, by the yellow, his Charity, by the carnation, his Mortification, and by the green one, his Hope. So many Lilies, so many Virtues. Let therefore this declaration of his Virtues, joined with the rest of those wonderful Prerogatives I have before declared, convince us of his extraordinary Perfection, and give us an assurance that there is neither in Heaven nor Earth any Creature above Saint joseph, or that is more favoured by God, except jesus and Mary.   

CHAP. II. Of those wonderful Qualities, whereby God rendered Saint Joseph amiable, above all other Saints, except Jesus and Mary.  
ARIUS Montanus a famous Antiquary, and no less admired for his knowledge in the Hebrew Tongue; kept in his Cabinet amongst his other Rarities, a Medal that he extremely valued, both for its Antiquity and Prophetical signification. Which was a piece of Money called by the Jews a Shekle, on the one side of which, was represented such a Vessel, as the Crisme or Consecrated Oil was kept in, in the Temple, with this inscription under it, 
† Genealogia.  The Genealogy, and on the reverse of the Medal was a double rank of Pearls, one and forty in number, in the centre of which, were these words, 
† Tempus Unctionis.  The time of Anointing. By the number of the Pearls, were signified the P●ogenitors of Christ, who were fitly represented by such precious jewels, who were in all, one and forty, himself, the 
* Christus.  Anointed, being included.  
I willingly make use of this erudition, to begin my description of the amiable qualities of Saint joseph; who was one of these Pearls, to which he is fitly compared, since you know how much this Jewel is esteemed for its resplendent Beauty and Heavenly colour, and therefore one of his Devots, could not find out a title that more fitly expressed his Beauty, than to call him 
† Margarita amabilis. S. Teresa.  Lovely Pearl, as the Church styles his Spouse, 
* Mater amabilis. Let. Laur.  Lovely Mother; both being Parents of the Amiable and Lovely jesus, whom his Royal Progenitor styles in his Psalm of Triumph: 
† Speciosus forma prae Filijs Hominum. Psal. 44.31.  The most Beautiful of the Sons of Men. We know amongst other Perfections, Beauty of Body is very highly esteemed, which when it meets with good Natural Parts, and a Virtuous disposition of Mind, nothing can be more desired. I shall therefore endeavour to show, how Saint joseph excelled in all these.  
To begin then with h●s Beauty of Body, in this he resembled his Spouse, and as she surpassed all other Beauties, so in Beauty Saint joseph was her Consort: In which truth, I agree with those learned Men, who hold for certain, that he was no less excellent in all Perfections of Body, than in those of his Mind. For we cannot imagine that jesus would permit so strict an alliance of his Beautiful Mother, with a Man who had any Personal Defect. For what Father is there that chooses not the most accomplished Person to Marry his Daughter unto? Gerson affirms that in his Face or Countenance; he resembled and was very like to jesus, the most Beautiful amongst the Sons of Men; the 
† Fancies jesu erat similis faciel joseph. Gerson.  Face of jesus, says he, resembled the Face of joseph. And Saint Bernard testifies also; that he was like to that unparallelled Beauty, the Blessed Virgin Mary; 
* Erat Ioseph factus ad similitudinem Virginis Sponsae suae. S. Ber.  joseph, says he, was made to the likeness of the Blessed Virgin his Spouse. So that they are all alike in Beauty, in which they exceeded all others. Thus much therefore may suffice for the description of his Beauty in general, now let us descend to particulars.  
His Face cast forth such rays of Beauty and Sweetness, as charmed all that beheld him. One sight of him was sufficient to win the affection of the beholders, and move them to a Devotion to him. This, Sister jane of the Angels, Prioress of the ursulins at Lodun testified; when the Painters asked her (after Saint Ioseph's Apparition and Miraculous cure of her Health) how they should draw him; for having described to them his Forehead, Eyes, Nose, Chin, Beard, Hair and all the rest of his Features, after the best manner she was able; she added, make use infine of all the advantages your Art admits of, or is able to perform; yet after all you can do, you will never be able to express the Beauty of his Countenance. And when they asked her whether he was as handsome as such and such a Person; make him as much handsomer than these you speak of as you are able, yet after all, you will come short of his Beauty; it being impossible truly to express it, as it is. I must therefore forbear to endeavour to express by Pen, what they were not able to express by their Pencils; and conclude with this short description, that in Beauty he was next to Jesus and Mary; whose Beauties were above what can be expressed by Words, and are even beyond any idea or imagination can be framed of ' 'em.  
Yet to give you some glimpse or shadow of his Beauty, I am assured that when they showed this Devout ursuline his Picture at Paris as she passed by, which Hurlet the Famous Engraver had made, to represent the Miracle of her Recovery; she acknowledged the Face had many Features like his, and that it had some resemblance of that Majesty, she beheld in Saint joseph, when he Appeared to her, and at the same time perfectly cured her. Which moved me to get a Plate Engraved after that, tho' far smaller (which you may see in the Frontispiece of this Book) which the Graver has performed with so good success, that it contains such a Majesty and Sweetness, as strike both a Reverence and Affection into the beholders; and gives 'em a glimpse or shadow of his heavenly Beauty.  
Moreover an agreeable exterior, a sweet and pleasant conversation, are no less charming than Beauty: Which Saint joseph had in very great Perfection, as well from his Natural temper, as from the many Years conversation, he had enjoyed with tho Word Incarnate, and with the Queen of Angels: For in him the least defect in this kind; would have been very notorious; he being designed by God to treat and converse with those Kings, whom he inspired, and led by a Star to Adore his Son; and not only to treat with Kings but even with Angels themselves, sent to him upon several Embassys, to inform him of the Mystery of the Incarnation; of the Name he should give his Son; of Herod's design against his Life; to warn him to fly with him and ●is Mother into Egypt; to give him notice of Herod's Death, and that he might return home again, tho' by a different way from that he took when he fled into Egypt. Whom moreover he designed to be t●e constant Companion of the Queen of Angels; and even of the Son, and Mother of God: And therefore he endowed him with a great, noble and generous Mind; and replenished his Heart with such a Heavenly joy, as even broke forth and discovered itself in his Countenance; and gave a grace and ornament to every action he performed; whereby ●e gained every on's Affection and Esteem, besides his own; he being hereby not the least puffed up with any self-love or self-esteem; nor did he, as it ordinarily happens, become less affable upon account of these honours done him, but received 'em with so bashful a modesty, and such an angelical sweetness, as declared that he looked upon himself as undeserving, of the esteem and love they showed him; more admiring and regarding their goodness, than his own merits. So that this his sweet disposition, this his excellent humour, together with his beautiful and pleasant Countenance, which breathed such an Humility, joined with winning and Angelical Modesty, as rendered his conversation both pleasing to Men, and Angels, nay even to God himself. So that the Interpretation of the Patriarch Joseph's Dream, was verified in our Saint Joseph; for the Sun of Justice and she who was as beautiful as the Moon, even the Son and Mother of God, both admired and even reverenced him.  
But all these are only exterior ornaments, and nothing, in comparison of the interior he possessed; I mean those Virtues that adorned his Soul; for nothing is so lovely as Virtue; and nothing renders any object so worthy of Love as Virtue does. And this it was that made Saint Joseph gain so great a conquest over the Hearts of all that knew him: For he was Charitable, Patient, Meek, Humble, Devout, Obedient, and infine was all that either the reputed Father of Jesus, or the Spouse of Mary ought to have been. And though he had not of himself been so Eminent in these Virtues; yet the constant conversation with such eminent Patterns of them, as Jesus and Mary were, could not but render him also most eminent in the same. For as one who lives in a perfumer's shop, does not only take pleasure in the smell of the perfumes round about him, but is thereby perfumed himself, so the Virtues of Saint Joseph, were increased by theirs, with whom he constantly Lived and Conversed.  
What I have said, cannot, I am sure, but raise in your Hearts such a Love and Devotion to this great Saint as theirs was; whose Examples I shall hereafter recount, and at the same time, show how great this Love and Devotion ought to be: That is to say, it ought to be next to our Love and Devotion to Jesus and Mary.   

CHAP. III. Of the great Love and special Devotion we owe Saint Joseph; and that it ought to be next to that we have for Jesus and Mary.  
CERTAINLY none can refuse to pay this debt of Love to our Amiable Saint Joseph; to this object of the Love of Jesus and Mary; and to one so highly beloved by God himself: For can the Eternal Wisdom Error be Deceived? Can Mary engage her Affections without Reason? Or can we charge God with partiality, because he Loves Saint Joseph next to Jesus and Mary? Certainly such thoughts as these can never enter into a Pious Heart. Wherefore we must conclude, that since he was so amiable, they could not elsewhere lodge their Affections better, or give a present of their Love to any one more deserving than Saint Joseph.  
Let us therefore see how they Loved him, and endeavour to Love him as they did. Believing that God has rendered him lovely above others, to move us to Love him above others; and move us to follow the tracks of his own Divine Affection towards Saint Joseph.  
'Tis hereby we shall know that we are proficients in this Divine School of Love, when we come to Love Saint Joseph above all other Saints next to Jesus and Mary; in which consists that special Devotion we ought to have to him. I say not this, to lessen your Love and Devotion to any other Saint, but to augment your Love and Devotion to this Saint; who in regard of his Merits, holds the first rank in Heaven and Earth, not only upon account of that Love that Jesus and Mary bore him; but of the Love that God has manifested towards him, by those high prerogatives he has bestowed upon him. Not but that God has also very highly favoured, many other Saints of his Heavenly Court; such as Saint John Baptist, whom the Divine Word declared the 
† Inter natos Mulierum non surrexit major Joanne Baptista. Matth. 11.11.  Greatest amongst the Sons of women; and such as the Apostles also were, who are Pillars of his Church, and like Stars of the first magnitude in the glorious Firmament of Heaven; as well as several other Saints like unto these; but we must remember, what the Learned and Devout Gerson says, that if the first Rank and Hierarchy in Heaven, is, that of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; so the second is, this of Jesus, Mary and Joseph; and that all other Saints are of a lower Rank and of a different Hierarchy. These other great Saints hold indeed the first place in their Rank and Hierarchy, according to the ordinary Law of Love; but not in that of the Order of the Hypostatical Union, and in the Mystery of the Incarnation, wherein those are only comprised, who most nearly relate to Jesus and Mary, namely Saint Joseph; who completes this Created Trinity as I before signified; and therefore makes a Hierarchy apart, of far greater Excellency and Dignity than the rest.  
But still to set forth more at large Saint Joseph's Dignity, I will here declare the Source and Order of this Hierarchy, which comprehends none but Jesus, Mary and Joseph? We must therefore take notice, that God who is admirable in his Works, was not content only to make Man after his own Image and Likeness, but would also make a Created Image and Likeness of the Increated Trinity; in these three wonderful personages, Jesus, Mary and Joseph; whom he chose for the Mystery of the Incarnation. So that as the three Persons of the Increated Trinity, have all Cooperated to the Sacred Mystery of the Incarnation; so they would also make an Illustrious and Created Emblem of themselves, to Cooperate likewise towards the same Mystery. For Example, first in the subsistence of the two Natures of JESUS CHRIST, his Soul, Body and Divinity, are United in the Person of the Son of God. So by the Union of the admirable Love and singular Report that these three Persons Jesus, Mary and Joseph have to one another, they Contributed to it upon Earth; Mary bears the Image of God the Father, Jesus is the Son according to his Humanity, in a just likeness to what he is in Heaven, as he is the Word or Son of God. And Saint Joseph Represents the Holy Ghost in the quality of Spouse to the Blessed Virgin, or in the Love he had for Jesus and Mary; which he manifested, by the care he took both of the one and of the other.  
What Affections therefore are due to this Admirable and Venerable Created Trinity, as the Learned Gerson styles it, either in general or in particular? And if the greatest Honour be conferred upon them by this Title, why ought not the greatest Love to accompany it? If Love attends Merit, what can be next the Uncreated Trinity, but the Created? And next to the Father Son and Holy Ghost, but Jesus, Mary and Joseph, who ought to take the next place in our Affections. And as it would be amiss for any one, first to Love God the Father, secondly to Love God the Son, and then, breaking the Order of the Trinity, to Love one of the Angels; placing the Holy Ghost in the same Rank with these Holy Spirits, so infinitely inferior to him in all things; if therefore this would be very Preposterous; since by denying his first Affection to the Holy Ghost, he would refuse him the first of all possible Devotions, which he deservedly challenges as his Right; it being an undoubted Truth, that we cannot render a greater Honour than by Love, and by offering our Heart in Homage. Wherefore as none can divide their Love and Devotion to the three Persons in the Uncreated Trinity, to give it elsewhere, no more can they do so in order to the Created Trinity: But must Love Jesus, Mary and Joseph, after the Uncreated Trinity, before any other object tho' never so Perfect; and therefore to Love Jesus and Mary, and in the next place to Love any Saint or Angel, would be to break the order of Love, and become injurious to this Created Trinity, robbing it of that Honour God has given it; and 'twould be to displace Saint Joseph, who ought to have the third Rank in the sanctuary of our Affections; which would clearly appear no less a Defect of Judgement, than of Devotion. Wherefore our greatest Devotion after that to Jesus and Mary, aught to be to Saint Joseph; without any fear or apprehension; that any Saint or Angel will thereby be disobliged; they all giving him the precedency, knowing very well, what Honour and Devotion is due to the Spouse of Mary, the Mother of God, and to the reputed Father of Jesus, the Son of God, and to the third Person of the admirable Created Trinity, of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.   

CHAP. IU. What was the reason why it was so long, before Saint Joseph, the best beloved of God and most amiable of all the Saints, after Jesus and Mary, had such a Love and Devotion paid him, as was du to the greatness of his Merits?  
THO' I dare not presume to penetrate into God's hidden Counsels, nor pretend to a knowledge of his Divine Secrets, by permitting my curiosity to make inquiry why God has not permitted the wonderful Splendour of Saint Joseph's Glory, to break out, and shine forth, till these latter Years, permitting so many Years since the Incarnation to pass, without any extraordinary knowledge or acknowledgement of the wonderful Merits of the Holy Spouse of the Mother of God; yet I hope it will not appear a rashness in me, to assign some motives that appear very reasonable; since all that I pretend to herein, is only to declare my own Thoughts, grounded upon such observations, as are taken from the ordinary Conduct, which the Divine Providence has used in such like accidental occasions: And hereby also to promote a Devotion to Saint Joseph, which was the chiefest design I had in Writing this Treatise; that by enlightening the Understandings of his Clients, I may prepare a way for Saint Joseph to gain a higher place in their Affections.  
We know that his Feast has not long been kept, with that solemnity as now it is: And that in the Primitive Ages, no mention is made of any particular Devotion to this Saint; nor no such notice taken of his Canonization, as is now adays in practice concerning other Saints. I cannot therefore but own, that this Devotion towards Saint Joseph is only of late standing, since the most Ancient marks of Honour showed him in several places, are but of a very fresh date; as we may guests by the Confraternities, Chapels and Altars erected in his Honour, both in Italy, Germany and several other places; of which I find the City of Avignion to be the first that was so happy, as to express any Devotion to him in this kind; for in the chief Church in that City: there is a fair Chapel Dedicated to Saint Joseph, in which there is a Confraternity of Bachelors, and a Sodality of Virgins; who assemble themselves upon his Feast to hear Mass and Vespers, which are sung in this Chapel with great solemnity; to gain thereby the Indulgences granted by the Pope, where each of these Virgins has not only a Loaf of Holy Bread presented 'em as in other Confraternities, but a Posy of Flowers also, which they carry along with 'em in the Procession.  
This Devotion seems to have had its rise or beginning from Gregory the XI. in the fourteenth Age, for in a certain Chapel in the Church; Dedicated to Saint Agricula, there is an Altar-piece of Saint Joseph, accompanying and conducting the Blessed Virgin and her Infant Jesus in their flight into Egypt; which Church both shows the Liberality of this Pope, as well as his Devotion to Saint Joseph; whose Coat of Arms is placed round about the Chapel Dedicated to this Saint, in great Scutcheons of Stone; so that 'tis more than probable 'twas he that began the Honours given to this Saint, in this Ancient Church of Avignion, where he held his Chair or Holy Sea at that time. Who moreover at the same time increased the revenues of the Canons of the Church of Agricola. This is the first place, in which I find any public Honours and Devotions done to Saint Joseph. So that 'tis not much above three hundred Years, since we find any Foostteps of any extraordinary Devotion to this Saint; and if before this time, there were any, they were but very small, and far remote from the Primitive Ages; God by his Divine Providence thus ordering the Conduct of Devotion to great Saint Joseph.  
But why did God so long conceal the wonderful Merits of this Saint, without encouraging Christians by a knowledge of them, to exhibit that Love and Devotion to him which is now every where practised? The chief reason that occurs to me, is because this Devotion would have given too great an advantage and encouragement to the Ebionites, who began betimes to rob CHRIST of his Divinity, and maintained that Joseph was his Natural Father. This Heresy not only Sacrilegiously denying the Divinity of JESUS CHRIST, but the Virginity also of his Blessed Mother.  
Now Men as we know, being easily carried to Extremes, and to an excess in honouring those they esteem and love, reflecting upon the incomparable excellency of the Spouse of the Virgin Mary, they might easily have believed, and taken him for the Father of Jesus, Son to the Blessed Virgin; especially meeting with some, who were of that opinion; but now we are out of the danger of any such erroneous credulity, and all that Sect of Heretics, who were Enemies of CHIST's Divinity, and the Virginity of our Blessed Lady, are silenced and shut up in an everlasting Prison; there is no danger of extolling his Merits, which caused him to possess such eminent Glory in Heaven; and to deserve such a Love and Devotion upon earth, as was next to that of Jesus and Mary.  
Moreover tho' there had not been this danger of giving countenance to so great an Heresy; yet this extraordinary Devotion suits better with these latter Ages, in which the world draws towards an End, which still decaying in Piety and Fervour, stands in need of some Spiritual Cordial (as I may say) to warm its Chilliness and Tepedity, and to enkindle Fervour in the Hearts of the Faithful; for which end nothing could be more efficacious, than a Love and Devotion to this great Patriarch, and Favourite of God. There are now one thousand six hundred ninty and eight Years past, since the Law of Grace took its beginning, by the happy conduct of Saint Joseph; who had the charge of the Word Incarnate committed to him. And can it end more happily and with greater Glory, than under his conduct also? procured by the affectionate acknowledgements, applause and devotions of all Nations, to this their thrice obliging Benefactor and Parent of Christianity. And by their cordial and grateful acknowledgement to the Father of our King, and to the Spouse of the Queen of Heaven and Earth: Hereby also God would manifest to the World, that in the Beginning and in the End of the Law of Love, which are the two Gates of God's Church, and of the Law of Grace; he would have Joseph the most  and Holy-Spouse of Mary, appear glorious and noble in this his enterprise, and faithful in his conduct; that thereby he might deserve the Triumph of a Possession of our Hearts, by our Love and Devotion to him; wherefore to him may be well applied these words of the Proverbs. 
† Nobilis in portis Vir Ejus. Prov. 31.23.  Her Husband is Noble in the Gates. Or as the Chaldaic Translation has it, Her Husband is known in the Gates; at the Entrance and going out of the Law of Grace. that is, he is honoured with the public mark of a Senator, which was to be placed at the Gates where such Men only were wont to sit.  
For tho' it would have been an incredible satisfaction to the Faithful, to have had him as much Loved and honoured during the whole time of the Law of Grace, as now; yet God would reserve this Joy and Contentment for these latter Years. And therefore the Devout and Learned Bellarmin, was wont to call this Age in which we now Live, the Age of Saints. He judging the number of Persons that arrive to an eminent degree of Sanctity, by making Petfection the chief and whole study of their Lives, to be far greater in these our Days, than ever it was in former Ages. No time therefore could be better for the acknowledging and serving Saint Joseph, the greatest of Saints, than the Age of Saints; wherein the Splendour of his Perfections might appear so much the more Glorious, by how much it had been for so many Ago● Eclipsed and lain under a Cloud. O how wonderful is God in all his Designs: And how good is he to us who Live in this Age? Since he deprived former Ages of the Beauty of this Sun, and ordained it should break through that Cloud it lay hid in, in this our Age, to give us this most bright Day, and to move us to a servant Love and Devotion to Saint Joseph.  
Moreover the Divine Providence has in this (which is one of the chief works of Grace) acted after the same manner as he does in the rarest Masterpieces of Nature. 'Tis his special Favour that permits us to enjoy the sight of these Beautiful Objects, which are the product of his Divine Creation. Such as are Diamonds, Rubies, Emerods', Pearls and all other sorts of Precious Stones; that gives us also a sight of Gold, Silver and other resplendent Metals; yet there are far greater Treasures of this kind, buried in the Bottom of the Sea, and in the Bowels of the Earth, than ever we have yet seen or heard of His Bounty let's us also behold, the many Beautiful Flowers, Plants, Trees, Birds and Beasts, together with that wonderful and agreeable variety of so many beautiful Faces of Men, Women and Children, the wonders of the Universe; yet God has laid up and kept a reserve of all these Objects, far more Beautiful than any we have ever yet seen. He permits us also to behold the most glorious objects, of the Sun, Moon and Stars; tho' their distance hinders us, in some measure, from perceiving that wonderful Beauty they contain in themselves. But there are far greater, richer and more beautiful Objects than all these in the Empyrial Heaven, which God has still concealed from us, which are as far above the Sun in Beauty; as the Empyrial Heaven is above it in Height. Tho' God's Liberality and Bounty towards us, in affording us the Contemplation of all these Beautiful Objects, is a great mark of his Goodness: Yet he has been far more gracious towards us, in showing us the wonderful works of his Grace, than in discovering to us the foresaid works of Nature: By giving us some knowledge of those wonderful ornaments of the Empyrial Heaven; especially of those two great Luminaries Jesus and Mary, which adorn and imbelish his Heavenly Palace, together with a great number of other Saints also, who like so many Blaeing Stars Beautify his Celestial Jerusalem, or Vision of Peace: And tho' we must own our sight too short, and even too weak to behold these great Lights, whose number is beyond our casting up, and whose Beauty and Glory exceed our Imagination; because we can have no full and complete knowledge of 'em, till we be so happy as to enjoy their company by being placed with them in the Celestial Court. Yet we must nevertheless acknowledge this imperfect and abstractive knowledge he gives us as a special favour, and also that he has after so extraordinary a manner, been pleased to discover to us in this our Age, one of the Richest Treasures of Heaven, for Greatness, Sanctity and Glory, which for so many foregoing Ages he had concealed from the World, that we may enrich ourselves by paying due honour and affection to him, whom he had raised to the honour of being the Foster Father of Jesus; and Spouse of the Virgin Mary; and hereby gain those Heavenly Blessings, that accompany such a Devotion. And 'tis no less for Saint Joseph's greater honour than our greater merit; that God has reserved the discovery of his Merits, till our Days.  
We also know, that except the work of Creation, of all things out of nothing, that nothing is done here upon Earth, without fit Dispositions and due Preparations. The Painter prepares his Pallet with Colours, and primes his Cloth, before he gins to Paint. The Architect squares and makes ready his Timber, Stone and other Materials, before he gins to Build. The Goldsmith refines his Silver and hammers out his Plates, before he gins to imboss his Work. Ladies make up their Commodes, all their other Ornaments and Rich Attire, before they Dress or Adorn themselves. A good rhetorician prepares and disposes his Matter and Figures, to adorn his Oration, before he Composes it. Nay we see that even all sorts of Artisans, prepare both Tools and Matter to work upon, and great preparations are made, before any excellent Piece of Work can be accomplished and when 'tis done, 'tis also necessary that the Beholders should be duly informed, and well disposed for the better conceiving, understanding and admiring its Perfections. God therefore would dispose the World to conceive and understand the great Perfections of Saint Joseph, before he would discover to them such a Masterpiece.  
And not only Art, but Nature also does produce her Works by degrees, nor does she furnish them without many Previous Dispositions and Trials of her Skill. For according to Pliny, who searched more narrowly into her Works than any other Naturalist has ever done, ●●ys that 
† Campanula rudimentum est Naturae Lilia facere addiscentis.  The Bell-flower is an Essay 〈◊〉 Trial of Nature, how to make a ●●illy or Tulip: For after she has thus ●ade or produced it of one Colour, ●he takes still longer time (as the ●●ost experienced Florists inform us) ●o Adorn, Trace and Paint it, after ●o Artificial a manner, with so many ●indes of rich resplendent Colours, ●s render it so very Beautiful, that ●he Divine Wisdom gives it this high Commendation, saying. 
* Nec Salomon in omni Gloria su● coopertus est sicut unum ex illis. Matth. 6.29.  That Solomon in all his Glory, was not so Richly Attired, as one of these. Yet Nature does not Communicate this Beauty to them but by degrees, and after several trials of her Skill, for she first raised it from Seed, only of one Colour, which Colour also is very indifferent and ordinary, in respect of those Colours wherewith she afterwards Stripes, Traces and Adorns it.  
Now if from the Works of Art and Nature, we have recourse to those of Grace, immediately wrought by God himself, we shall find he takes the self same Measures, wherewith he inspires both Art and Nature to Operate. Especially in framing his chief Masterpiece his Holy Church. For to what End did he ordain so many Ceremonies in the Old Jewish Law? Why was he so careful of all the Ornaments of salomon's Temple, as even to Ordain that the very Snuffers and other Instruments, of less Moment, should be of Gold? It was because the beholding all these Ordinations and Ceremonies, served to his Elect People as an Aprentiship; to understand and learn both the Excellency and Sublime Practices of the New Law, that JESUS CHRIST was to Establish; these served as Foundations whereupon that was to be built; and to dispose us to that Perfection as was required, and obtained by those Sacraments instituted in the Law of Love, which the Divine Wisdom was to Establish in his Church. 'Twas therefore for this End that he brought up his Elect People in the Exercise of such a Multitude of Ceremonies in the Old Law, that he might hereby dispose and bring them by little and little, to that solid Devotion and Attention required in the New.  
We also see that the Written Law God gave to Moses, Perfected the Law of Nature, and the Law of Grace Perfects both the Law of Nature and the Written Law; and God made use of all these to bring us to that Perfection, which the Virtue and Prerogatives of his Grace prepared us to obtain; the better to entertain him, with such Fervour and Devotion as he required, when he should favour us with his Divine Presence.  
Thus we see that God both by himself and his Creatures, prepares, disposes, brings about, and perfects all his designs by degrees. And we see the reason why God for the space of near seventeen hundred Years has disposed and ordered that particular Honours and Devotions, should be performed by his Servants to particular Saints, for particular benefits received by their Intercession; for he bestows upon each Saint some particular Grace or Privilege; to move the Faithful to a particular Devotion to that particular Saint; giving to one Saint the power of cureing one Disease, to another the power of curing a different Distemper; to one Saint power to help us in one Necessity, to another Saint power to help us in a different Exigency; to one Saint he gives the privilege to obtain one Virtue for us, to another to obtain some other different Virtue; and why did God do all this, but to move his Servants to a particular Devotion to the Saints in general? And to move and dispose us also to a Devotion to each Saint in particular, when we wanted their help in such a necessity as God had given that Saint a particular power to help us in. And why, has God reserved to this last Age the declaration of the Merits and Power of Saint Joseph, but that the Devotion wherewith he had Inspired us to give to each Saint in in Particular, might serve us like so many dispositions and steps to raise us to such a Devotion to Saint Joseph, as he merits above all other Saints, next to Jesus and Mary; he having all that Power united in himself, which God had distributed amongst all other Saints, whereby he was able to cure all Corporal and Spiritual Diseases, both of Soul and Body, and to help his Clients in all their Necessities whatsoever; his Dignity and Merits challenging this extraordinary privilege above all other Saints, except Jesus and Mary; to the end therefore that all the particular Devotions exhibited for so many Ages, to many different Saints, might be united and offered to him, and that all might have Recourse to him in all their Necessities, God has discovered to us that all the power he had before Communicated and Distributed to several Saints, is united and given to Saint Joseph, he having all Power given him next to Jesus and Mary.  
I should not thus freely have declared my Thoughts upon so sublime a Subject, had I not beforehand made my Apology; since after all, none but God and his Saints do certainly know the true reason why Saint Joseph received not more Early Honours in the Catholic Church; Now therefore I shall go on to perform that which I also Promised; and will be a far easier task, which is to make known to you who were those particular Clients, of Saint Joseph, that in these latter Years, God has Inspired to endeavour after a most particular manner, the promoting his Honour.   

CHAP. V Of the ten particular Clients of Saint Joseph, who by their Pious Examples have invited and moved us to a particular Devotion to him, next to Jesus and Mary.  
THE Clients of Saint Joseph daily increase, and are already become so numerous, that there are few or none, that desire not to be enrolled amongst ' 'em. All the Clients of Jesus and Mary have also Consecrated their Affections to him, in acknowledgement of his Amability, and of the Love which his reputed Son Jesus and his Virgin Spouse Mary have for him; their Mouths and Pens express the desires and wishes of their Hearts; saying, Long Live Jesus Mary and Joseph, these are now become their Aspirations, adding Joseph to the common Aspiration of Devout Souls, Long Live Jesus and Mary; and their frequent prohouncing, of these words, is a signal mark of the Victory he has gained over their  Affections. It has been heretofore a singular Devotion of some Persons, who were particularly Devoted to the Virtue of Purity, to add Alexius to those two Venerable Names of Jesus and, Marry, but since this Lovely Sun Saint Joseph has pierced the Cloud, under which he so many Years lay hid, all change their notes and cry out Jesus Mary and Joseph, instead of Jesus, Mary, Alexius, giving Saint Joseph his own, yet without lessoning their Devotion to Alexius, whom after Saint Joseph they honour also with frequent Aspirations, Live Alexius, O let Alexius Live. But they knowing the Merits of Saint Joseph to be of a different and higher rank, upon account of the alliance he had with the Virtues of his Holy Spouse, and with the Mystery of the Incarnation; which rendered him, as I have said, one of the Created Trinity, where he takes his place; gives him a preference, above all other Saints; though after him every one may take Alexius, or what other Saint they are particularly Devoted unto, for the Object of their particular Affection.  
The first and chief of those, who were tenderly affected to Saint Joseph, was Jesus the Son of God. For tho' our Blessed Lady was first by the date of time, that Loved her Spouse; since her Love began before JESUS CHRIST her Son was Born; yet 'tis not to be doubted, but that the Saviour of the World incomparably more Loved and Cherished him, than our Lady did. And therefore tho' her Love was precedent, as I said, in regard of time. Yet the Love which Jesus, as Son of God, had for him before time, was above our imagination, and beyond the power of Angels to express; he loved him as his Father, and never Son loved a Father as Jesus did Joseph; nay join all the tender Affections that all the Children that have ever yet been, have ever had for their Fathers; yet the Affection of Jesus to Joseph transcended 'em all; he had in proportion the same tenderness of Affection for Saint Joseph, which he had for his Virgin Mother; and preferred none upon Earth before Saint Joseph excepting herself, perfectly fulfilling the Commandment, of honouring his Father and Mother, with greater exactness and tenderness of Affection, than ever any Child in the World did; and loved him also as it became such a Child to love such a Father, so Amiable, so Tender, so Careful of him, so Singularly Obliging to him, as he was upon so many accounts.  
Jesus loved him also as a Saviour for saving him from the Cruel Hands of Herod, by flying with him into Egypt. Whereby he became even the Saviour of his Saviour. Moreover he loved him as his Nursing Father, as Fostered by his Sweat and Labours; he loved him moreover under the title of his Angel Guardian. Other Persons have invisible Angel Guardians given 'em by God; Jesus alone had no Angel Guardian given him, his Divinity being so strictly united to his Humanity was to him a sufficient guard; wherefore God gave him Saint Joseph as a visible Guardian, which honour he conferred upon Saint Joseph, for the space of thirty Years, he bearing all that while the title and office of conductor, Tutor and Governor of the word Incarnate. Moreover the very Name and Right of a Godfather, appointed by God himself, was another motive of Jesus' extraordinary affection towards Saint Joseph. Infine such was his Love, that as the Eastern Church recounts, out of some Revelations, he loved him as the Apple of his Eye. The Saviour of the World (as Isidorus recounts out of very Grave Authors) entertaining his Disciples upon the Life of Saint Joseph, spoke thus of him, 
† Morals in Mat. Isid. Dominic.  I Conferred and Conversed with Saint Joseph, as if I had been his Son, he be called me Son, and I called him Father, he Commanded me and I Obeyed him and loved him as my Father, and even as the Apple of my Eye.  
If you still desire to see the effects of this his extraordinary Love, know that generally he favoured him with all the particular Marks of his Love, whereby he has ever favoured any Saint. 'Twas esteemed a signal favour to Saint 
* Ex P. Johan de S.M. in His. O.S. Don.  Mary Magdalen, of the Vrsins to have a sight of the Infant Jesus, as he lay upon Straw in the Manger at Bethlem. Blessed Teresa de Cerda as a reward of her Zeal in watching the Corporals upon which his Body was wont to lie upon the Altar, whilst they were drying, lest any Flies might light upon or slain 'em, saw our Saviour himself lying upon them and wrapping them about his Sacred Body. The honour Saint Mary Magdalen received in Kissing our Saviour's Feet in the Huose of Simon, was also very great; but all these were nothing in comparison of what Saint Joseph received.  
He not only once but all the time of Jesus his Infancy, saw him in the Crib; how often did he behold him in his Swadling-clouts; and how many thousand times did he kiss hi● Sacred Feet?  
'Twas a signal Favour Saint John received, by laying his Head upon his Master's Sacred Breast; and what knowledge of Secrets and Mysteries did he draw from thence? But how many times has Jesus rested his Sacred Head upon Saint Joseph's Breast? Whilst he carried him in his Sacred Arms, tenderly Embracing and Cherishing him, both at home and abroad in his journeys to Egypt and elsewhere; and how many Secrets did he then Communicate to him?  
'Twas esteemed a particular Favour to Blessed Ursula of Valence, when our Saviour appeared to her clothed in Episcopal Robes, and giving her his Blessing. And at another time, when be Entered by Night into her Chamber, whilst she was at her prayers, more Bright and Glorious than the Sun, transporting and filling her Heart with Divine Comforts. Great was the happiness our Saviour afforded his Apostles by three Years continual Conversation with them, seeing his admirable Example, and hearing his Divine Wisdom. But Saint Joseph surpassed all these, Conversing with him not only three but thirty Years together, seeing and hearing this Divine Word. Beholding him not in an Episcopal but Mitaculous Habit, that grew as his Body did, and this not as he was passing from one place to another, but constantly in his own House; not receiving one but innumerable Benedictions from his Divine Hand.  
We Read also of an extraordinary favour that our Saviour did Blessed Jane of France, when he sat down at table with her, at no other Banquet than that of three Hearts, served up upon a Plate of Gold. Which were his own, his Mothers and Hers. The Apostles also enjoyed the honour of Eating with him at Lazarus', Simion's, Zachaeus', Saint Mathew's and several other Tables; But was it not a far greater favour that Saint Joseph enjoyed, of being his and his Mother's constant Guest, sitting at Table with them, having his Soul fed and set on fire with the Inflamed Words, that proceeded from the Heart and Mouth of the Son of God, and from that large Heart of his Blessed Mother, where she had laid and hoarded up all those Mysteries she had both heard and seen.  
We admire the Visions he bestowed upon his Apostles and other Saints, at his Transfiguration upon Mount Thabor, and by several Apparitions after his Resurrection, or ascension into Heaven; as to Saint Paul, Saint Catharine of Sienna, Saint Teresa, Saint Francis and Saint Dominick, Blessed Stanislaus Kosta, Saint Ignatius and to many other Saints, replenished with such a resplendent Beauty, accompanied with such a Melodious attendance of Angels, as all the Annals of Saints do recount. And was not Saint Joseph also surrounded by all the Quires of Angels, singing Gloria in Eccelsis Deo? Saint Bridget in her Revelations relates, that Saint Joseph saw our Saviour environed by a Divine Light, which according to his Mother's Testimony, far exceeded the Lustre and Brightness of the Sun, saying to Saint Bridget, 
* Lib. 9 Revel. 58.  Saint Joseph often beheld an admirable Glory, in the midst of which my Son appeared in great Splendour, and at the same time Heavenly Music delighted our Hearts, the Angels declaring and singing the Glories of my Son. last, we with reason look upon it as the highest Point of the Love of JESUS CHRIST, when he visibly appears to his Favourites at the hour of their Death, Visiting, Comforting and Assisting them in that last passage out of the Miseries of this World into everlasting Happiness in the next. For in this Saint Joseph had a most particular mark of his favour above all others, whose Heart was filled with most delicious Dying Thoughts; for as the Eastern Church, I before cited, assures us, our Saviour assisted him in his last Agony, leaning on his Pillow, taking him by the Hand, and receiving his last Breath from his Lips; and at his last Groan, closed his Eyes, shut his Mouth and formed his Visage with his own most Divine Hand, to give him a graceful Aspect, at his last farewell. Are not all these extraordinary marks of Jesus his particular Love to Saint Joseph?  
The second we find inrouled amongst the fervorous Lovers of Saint Joseph, is Mary the Mother of Jesus; she Loved him in quality of her Spouse, never any Virgin Lady was so Faithfully Loving, so Chastely Observant, so Religiously engaging in her Conversation with her espoused Husband as Mary was, to her Joseph. He was Most passionately loved and esteemed by her, as the Protector of her Consecrated Virginity, and also the conserver of her Honour. Whose Conversation was a security to her unblemished Reputation, against any reproach that could be made concerning her Virgin Childbirth. For had he forsaken her during the nine Months after her Conception, her Purity would unavoidably have been suspected. Moreover she bore an affectionate service to him as to her Husband and Head, and as to one of the greatest Merit amongst all Man kind; next to her Son Jesus.  
This Love of the Virgin Mary to her Spouse, caused her to descend to the meanest and lowest Services, whereby she could any ways express her Love and Esteem of him; it caused her to attend and wait upon him, to prepare his Meat, and to perform all other humble Offices he stood in need of; she knew very well the place she possessed upon Earth, and that also which was designed for her in Heaven: As being the Queen Mother of God; as being Queen both of Men and Angels, and that in this regard Saint Joseph was her Inferior; yet the Love she had for him, made her lay aside these considerations, and render him all sorts of honour and respect imaginable; for as Saint Bridget says in her Revelations, 
* Lib. 7. Revela. S. Brigit. cap. 25. lib. 6. cap. 59  she called him her Lord, never spoke to him but with a wonderful and most submissive respect, and there was no tenderness of affection that a loving Soul can express, to one she highly esteems and passionately loves, which she did not thousands and thousands of times testify to Saint Joseph, wherefore to convince you how she loved him, harken to the affectionate Character, she herself gives of him, to Saint Bridget as 'tis set down in her Revelations, after the following manner.  
My Spouse was reserved in Speech, never uttering the least unprofitable, murmuring or complaining Word; never was he moved to Anger, or showed the least Impatience; he was contented in Poverty, diligent and vigilant in Labour, most obedient and condescending to all my Inclinations. Very Meek and Affable, even to those that most rudely treated him; he courageously defended the absent that suffered Detraction, and was a faithful Witness and Divulger, of God's wonderful Works, he was resigned to live upon Earth though his longing and earnest desire was after Heaven, expecting and confiding in God's Promises; and frequently repeating, God grant I may see them Accomplished; he avoided Public Assemblies, took no content at all in Creatures; but all his thoughts and desires, were, that he might perfectly accomplish God's Divine Will.  
Saint Teresa of Jesus, deserves the third place, amongst those who after a particular manner, have expressed their Love and Esteem to Saint Joseph: Who merits the title of Saint Joseph's chiefest Devote, and may well therefore be placed amongst his lovers. She made choice of him for her particular Advocate, frequently recommending herself to him, as to one she honoured above all other Saints, she styled him her Father and Master, and had such a confidence in him as was admirable; and thereby deserved such a reward for it, as she herself attests, in the sixth chapter of her Life, which was, that she never asked any thing of him either for Body, or for Soul, that he denied her; which caused her to say, that God by his other Saints, helped and succoured us in some particular cases of necessity; but helped us in all necessities by Saint Joseph, as by his Plenipotentiary. To let us understand, that as he was subject to him in all things upon Earth, as to a father who Commanded him: So he was the same in Heaven; granting him whatsoever he asked. This was Saint Teresa's opinion concerning her great Patron, to whom she was so particularly Devoted, that she endeavoured to invite all to take him for their particular Patron and Protector. But especially those who desire to give themselves to Prayer, and to become knowing in that most holy and profitable Exercise; and therefore was wont to say, let him who cannot find a Master to teach him the Art of Praying, take this great Saint for his Master; and he shall not fail to prove a great Proficient, and a most skilful Scholar. Infine she did what she could to instill into all sorts of Persons a particular Devotion to Saint Joseph, who as he was Master of her Heart, so she had a desire he should be so, of the Hearts of all others; and therefore endeavoured to engage their Hearts with her own, in an ardent Love of him and Devotion to him; which desire of hers, together with the experiments she had had, of the good, obtained by the Merits and Prayers of this Saint, caused her engageingly to promise the same success, to all that should recommend themselves to him: Attesting that she never knew any Person, that had a true Devotion for him, or rendered him any particular Service, that obtained not a great progress and advancement in Virtue.  
You see here the cause, of my ranking her in the first place, of those of this last Age, that set up the Standard of Devotion to Saint Joseph; by divulging his Merits and by a due acknowledgement of his Favours, whereby in these our times, in which we have more need than ever of Heavenly assistance, she brought in that profitable Devotion to this great Saint.  
The fourth Person, noted for his particular Devotion to Saint Joseph, is that holy Minim blessed Gaspar Bond, who after Jesus and Mary, had none so near his Heart as Saint Joseph. All his Life long he had a most singular Devotion to him, and at his Death his chief recours, was to none so much as to this Holy and Amiable Patriarch; and expressed his Devotion by a particular honour showed to his Name, after the Name Jesus and Maria; which made such an impression in him, that he could think or speak of nothing else; he took a particular gust in the pronouncing of them, and thought the doing so gave a good success, and prospered all his undertake, and this was the short, but pithy Incomium, that he gave them.  

* 
Haec tria nomina,  
Bona sunt omnia.  
Et mundi lumina,  
Et coeli limina.   This Trinity of Names,  
This lower World Inflames.  
Contains the goods of Love,  
O pens Heaven's Gates Above.  
Wherefore to show the Love and Esteem he had of them, he used them as a watchword, as a salutation both at meeting or parting, as a sign of admiration, as a parenthesis, as a transition, and even upon all occasions he made use of them.  
when he came home, his Salutation to the Porter, was Jesus Mary Joseph, pray Brother open the Gate; and the same Salutation he used when he went forth; and when any Strangers came in, his Salutation was Jesus Maria Joseph, Father you are welcome; thus on all occasions these Names were in his Mouth; and as he lived in this Devotion so he desired to die in the same; wherefore in time of his last Sickness, he earnestly recommended to those that assisted him, that when they saw him in his last Agony, they would frequently repeat these Names in his Ears, which were an extract and abridgement of his Affections; and a singular cordial to help and conduct his Soul in its passage to God: And that fell out which he desired; for he died with these Words in his Mouth; 
† Bone Jesu miserere mei.  Good Jesus have Mercy upon me, and then Invocating these three Names, Jesus Maria Joseph, he yielded up his happy Soul. God grant us all so happy an end as this.  
The fifth Person Devoted after a a particular manner to Saint Joseph, was that Prince and Prelate of Geneva, Saint Francis of Sales, who as we have reason to believe, honoured him above all the Saints in Heaven, according to the Testimony of Father Peter Bernaud of the SOCIETY of JESUS; who had the honour to assist him in his last Sickness, who was acquainted with two or three very remarkable passages, that testified the very great Devotion this Holy Prelate had to Saint Joseph. The Night before he died, being at Lions upon the point of his Departure, an Apoplexy seized him, tho' not perceptable to the Rector of Saint Joseph's College, of the SOCIETY of JESUS, when he came to salute and bid him adve; who offering him, his and all the Father's Services that were in his House; to which all the reply or compliment the Bishop returned, was to tell him with an Angelical Sweetness, O Father know ye not that I am all Saint Joseph's? The same Father also related, that watching the Night following in the Chamber of this holy Prelate, to assist him at his happy Death, whilst the Apoplexy grew worse, not having his own Breviary to say his Hours, one lent him the Breviary of the sick Prelate; in which he found but one Picture, which was of Saint Joseph. Another mark of his tender Devotion to Saint Joseph, is related also by the same Father, happened some time before, when he made the first Sermon in our Church, upon the Feast of Saint Joseph. It seems the Lord Cardinal of Markmont, Archbishop of Lions, had engaged the Bishop to Preach upon Saint Joseph's Day, in the Church of the Carmelits, which Father Bernaud being ignorant of, invited him also to Preach in the Jesuits Church, Dedicated to Saint Joseph: who notwithstanding refused not to do him this favour, giving him this Answer, Tho' when I bring forth Twins by one Days Labour, I shall not come off well, yet for the Love of Saint Joseph I will de it. However he performed it in the afternoon with very good success, and for an hour and a half so employed his Eloquence in expressing his feeling Devotion to Saint Joseph, explicating the Eminent Merits, and setting forth the Praises of his Beloved Patron after such a manner, that convinced the Cardinal and the rest of his Auditory, of the great Passion and ardent Affection he had for this Saint.  
This Devout Sermon of his, puts me in mind of a rich Treatise 〈◊〉 writ concerning this Divine Spouse of our Blessed Lady, which is in his Book of Spiritual Entertainments, wherein he evidences how great a● esteem he had of Saint Joseph; and that you may by a part, judge of the whole Piece; and of the great Affection and Esteem he had for this Saint; give me leave out of it to recite one of his Exclamations. O what a great Saint, says he, in the entrance of the Discourse, i● the Glorious Saint Joseph! He's not only a Patriarch, but the chief of all the Patriarches. He's not only a Confessor, but more than a Confessor, for in his Prerogative of Confessor, is included the Dignity of Bishops, the Generosity of Martyrs, the Purity of Virgins, and the Perfections of all other Saints. 'tis therefore with just reason that he is compared to the Palm, which is the King of Trees. This is sufficient to declare his Zeal of the Honour. of this Saint, and of the Love he had for him, this being his whole drift in that Discourse. Moreover if we address ourselves to the Religious of the Visitation of our Blessed Lady, his Spiritual Children, they being of the Order he Instituted, and who inherit the Love their Founder had for Saint Joseph; They'll tell you their Patriarch has Dedicated his Book, Of the Love of God, to Saint Joseph: That he has put the first Monastery and Church of their Order under his Protection: That he every where bears the title of their Tutelar Saint or Protector; that he has ordered, that in all their Houses, they keep his Feast with Solemnity, and in his Institute has Commanded, that all these Religious his Children should hear a particular Devotion to him, that the Mistress of Novices, should cause the Novices, and even the Postulants, to get a habit of calling upon him, when they began their Mental Prayer; and that they take him for their Guide and Advocate in that Exercise. These are his Daughters, who Imitate their Father in their Love and Devotion to Saint Joseph, which he has, as his Divine Legacy, entailed upon them.  
The sixth, who was Eminent for her Devotion to Saint Joseph, was Blessed Margaret de Chateau, of the Holy Order of Saint Dominick. As commonly we think upon what we Love, so this Virgin had ordinarily no other subject of Meditation than the Sacred Birth of our Saviour lying in the Manger, assisted by the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph, and this her Meditating upon those small services that Saint Joseph rendered to this little Infant and his Holy Mother, caused both an incredible Consolation in her Mind, and a singular Affection to this Holy Patriarch; nor was this without many wonderful effects that accompanied it, which were manifestly wrought by the Finger of God, who most wonderfully drew in her Heart, these three Personages attending upon Jesus lying in the Crib. A favour never before heard of: who being often heard to tell her Confidents, saying, O that ye did but know what I carry and keep in my Heart! After she was Dead, she was opened, and in her Heart they found three Precious Stones, in which were Engraven the three Objects of her Love: In the first was an Image of our Blessed Lady, with a Rich Crown upon her Head; in the second lay little Jesus surrounded by a Flock of Lamb's; in the third stood Saint Joseph with a Venerable Countenance, a Mantle of Gold hanging upon his shoulder, a Dove over his Head, and a Religious Woman kneeling at his Feet, resembling the deceased Nun. The sight of this, as we may truly believe, was a comfort to all the beholders; and the fame of it, was spread abroad far and near, which much increased the Devotion to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, especially to the last, who had thus rewarded his suppliant. Which three Miraculous pieces are preserved to this very Day, and to be seen in the Town of Chateau, in the Monastery of the Order of Saint Dominick, where they are kept with great Devotion.  
The seventh Person, Famous for her particular Devotion to Saint joseph, is Blessed Agatha, of the Holy Cross, of the same Order. And it was upon the Feast of the Purification, that this Pious Soul conceived so great a Devotion to this Saint: The occasion whereof was this: she had a design to act the part of a severe Governess, in correcting certain Women, whom the had a little before taken in a Fault; thereby to frighten 'em from falling again into the like. Which afterwards she had a scruple of, fearing she might have exceeded in her Words and manner of her Correction; wherefore she resolved to go to Confession and whilst she was in the Church preparing herself for it: Our Blessed Lady Appeared to her with her Infant Jesus in her Arms, accompanied by Saint Joseph; the surprise of so great a favour, made her not lose so good an occasion of begging Pardon for her Fault, both of the Infant and his Mother, which they granted her, and at the same time filled her Heart with so great an abundance of joy and comfort, that she spent the whole Day in Thanksgiving to them; considering at the same time the seraphical affections Saint Joseph had, when he assisted in the Temple of Jerusalem, at the Purification of our Blessed Lady.  
Nor did she permit this Devotion they had enkindled in her Heart, both towards themselves and Saint Joseph to cool, but still increased the fervour thereof towards the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin, which was encouraged and increased by a Vision she had, upon the Feast of this Holy Patriarch, concerning his Life and Death.  
Wherein she understood, by Divine Inspiration, that when this Saint was at his last Gasp, he felt an extreme regret to quit the Company and Conversation of Jesus, and his Beloved Spouse; knowing that after the departure of his Soul from his Body, he was not presently to enjoy God, but was to expect this Happiness, till the Resurrection of the Son of God, which grief continuing, our Blessed Saviour bid him not afflict himself at this separation; for he should quickly see both him and his Eternal Father also, with an accomplishment of the chief and greatest Promises God had made by the Prophets. These words Comforted him, but the Prayers that Jesus made for him in his last Agony, comforted him far more, and so he passed from this Life to the next, ●n the Arms of his Son and Sailour, and in the Presence of the most Sacred Virgin his Spouse. The consideration of these particular Pri●iedges, with reason rendered the Holy ●●●gin Agatha more Devoted than ●●●r to Saint Joseph.  
The Devout Yolant de Silua deserves with reason to have the eighth place or rank amongst the Devotees of Saint Joseph. Her chief Devotion was to consider the Infancy of our Blessed Saviour, who was dressed in swaddling Bands for the Love of Men; and often Meditating upon this Point, enkindled her Devotion towards Saint Joseph; she imagining, his Ears, Blessed with the Cries of this Blessed Babe; his Eyes, with beholding him in all Conditions; his Arms, by being as a Cradle to Rock, Carry and Embrace him; his Mouth, by declaring the faith and Affection of his Heart; both by his Words, and those Amorous Impressions of his Lips, upon the Infant's Sacred Feet. This Mystery occasioned her Devotion also to the Holy Innocents', who as the Church says, 
† Non loquendo sed moriendo confessi sunt: Orat. Innocent.  Not by Speaking but by Dying Professed their Faith: In Memory an● Honour of them, she Yearly say● a hundred and forty thousand times our Lord's Prayer; they being s●● many in number, as some reasonabl● suppose, grounding their Opinion upon what Saint John relates in his Apo●●lyps, 
* Cum co centum & quadraginta qua● tor millia habentes Nomen ej●● scriptum in Frontibus. Apoc. c. 14.1.  They having his Name writer in their Foreheads, for whom they Sacrificed their Lives. These Devotions proved very advantageous to her; for Saint Joseph and the Holy Innocents' in requital, visited her at the hour of her Death, never quitting her till they accompanied and conducted her Devout Soul unto Heaven.  
The Ninth Client of Saint Joseph, was the Devout John Gerson, Chancellor of the University of Paris. No passionate lover ever having the like affection for his belov'd object, as he had for Saint Joseph. He having composed a Book, he in titles it, his Josephin, in honour of Saint Joseph. In each one of his Sermons he never omitted to say something in his Praise. And in having, as I may say, amassed and gathered together, all that can be said to increase Saint Joseph's praise and esteem in this his work, it may very well be called a Magazine of Saint Joseph's Praises. But the better to judge of his Love to Saint Joseph, 'tis necessary to Read what he says of him, and what praises he gives him. As that he was Sanctified in his Mother's Womb as Saint John Baptist was. That he had obtained a perfect Victory ●●er Sensuality, which was always subject to his Reason; that he was confirmed in Grace; that he ●ose ●ith our Saviour from the Dead; That he than Appeared to his belov'd Spouse the Blessed Virgin: That no Saint in Heaven is greater than he except the Blessed Virgin: So that to hear what he says, you would believe God had chosen him for Saint Joseph's chief Panegyrist, to write and set forth his Praises; and that all others who have writ of this Subject, are but his Scholars. 'Twas he that found out the true elevation of this Star, and that its ascendent was next to the Virgin Mother. All which proves him a true Lover and Client of Saint Joseph.  
The Devout Henry Chycot, Canon of Chartres, deserves the tenth place amongst the Clients of Saint Joseph; all his thoughts being taken up how to augment his honour, either by himself or others. He undertook to write a Book, upon his Marriage with the Mother of God, in which he endeavoured to set forth his Praises; but not being able to finish it, that Saint Joseph might lose nothing by his Death, he addressed himself by Letter to his Friend John Gerson, obliging him by all the ties of Friendship between them, either to perfect this Work he had begun, or to make one of his own upon the same Subject: Which he performed, both to satisfy his Friend's Piety, and his own Devotion to Saint Joseph, the Canon also that he might the better evidence his signal Devotion to Saint Joseph, in his last Will and Testament, left a considerable Sum of Money as a Foundation for a Yearly distribution to the Canons, to oblige them Daily to sing his Hymn and Prayer in his honour; hereby to habituate them to the Devotion of honouring and recommending themselves to this Saint.  
Behold here the ten Lovers of Saint Joseph, given us for an Example how to honour his Merits, and how to put ourselves under the shelter of his powerful Protection, with assurance of the considerable advantages we shall gain thereby. But he has had very many other Clients besides these of both Sexes, the number of which would make too long a list for so short a Treatise; yet I cannot omit the nameing a few more of them, as first Blessed Joseph Herman of the Order of Saint Norbert, who for his Devotion to Saint Joseph deserved to have the Name of Joseph given him by the Blessed Virgin; who as Surius relates in his Life, deserved her doing him also so great an honour as to take him for her Spouse; because he honoured her dearest Spouse Saint Joseph. And as a token of indearment, put her little Infant JESUS into his Arms, that he might carry him therein as Saint Joseph had done. Father Peter Cotton also, of the SOCIETY of JESUS, so well known all over France for his rare Virtues, was also particularly Devoted to Saint Joseph, which moved him to procure that the first Church in France, that was honoured with his glorious Name, should be Dedicated to him at Lions, near the place called the Bellcourt. He had so tender an affection to him as thereby he moved Saint Joseph to Reveal to him the Day of his Death, and to procure it upon his own Feast. Saint Bridget and Saint Gertrude were commanded to be his Devotees, and doubtless executed so advantageous a Command. And those happy Carmelites, Ann of Saint Bartholomew, and Ann of Jesus, who in this imitated their Foundress Saint Teresa, were his constant and ferverous Clients. I ought here also to recount, those Writers who with so much Zeal have set forth his Perfections; as Saint Bernard, Saint Bernardin of Sienna, Saint Chrysostom, Saint Gregory Nazianzen, Saint Peter Chrysologus, Saint Thomas of Aquin the late James of Arana, Charles Stangel, Peter Moreles, Stephen Bennet, Charles of Saint Paul, and many others, who have set forth his Praises. Nor ought we to forget those many Devout Souls of our own acquaintance, who have had a great tenderness for his Service, whereof some are still living, both in the World, and out of it in Religion; and others gone to Heaven to reap the Fruit of this their Devotion.  
But if these Examples have not force enough or power, to effect what I pretend, I shall endeavour to propose in the following Chapters such congruous and easy Devotions to this Saint, as will of themselves incite us to Practise them.   

CHAP. VI Of the ordinary Devotions that may be Daily Exercised towards Saint Joseph.  
ACTIONS are proper language and best expressions of Love, they testifying by effects the truth of our good wishes and protestations to the Person we Love. What does the frequent repetition of I Love you, I honour you great Saint Joseph, and esteem you above all Saints after Jesus and Mary; if this Love and Honour halts or stops here, and makes no farther progress than our Lips?  
Wherefore all that I intent to say, is to make our Love to this Saint no less effective, than affective; not that I require that every Point I set down should be put in Practice, but I propose several, that the Pious Reader may make choice of that, which most of all pleases him; and all of 'em are so easy and profitable, that none but a Soul that is hardened against, or disgusted with what conduces to her Eternal Happiness, can dislike or be displeased with any of ' 'em.  
The first Devotion is to have an Image or Picture, either in our Chamber, Book, or Oratory: And this was that which his Devout Client Saint Teresa practised; who as her Life informs us, set up over the Gates of all the Monasteries she Founded, the Statues of Jesus Mary and Joseph; and wherever she went, carried with her a Picture of Saint Joseph, which Picture is still kept at Avila; nameing and styling him the Founder of her Order. And that which occasioned this her. Devotion, was a Conference our Saviour once had with her, after she had Communicated; for she being crossed in the Foundation of the Monastery of Saint Joseph at Avila, CHRIST bid her use all her endeavours, to build this Monastery, promising it should be his own Work; and that it wou●d be very agreeable to his Divine Majesty, would redound much to his honour, and that he should Faithfully be served therein; and Commanded her to call it the Monastery of Saint Joseph, to set up Saint Joseph's and the Blessed Virgins Statue at the Gate: Promising that he himself would with them be Guardian thereof. Saint Teresa understanding his Will, put all his Commands in execution, ordering the Images to be placed as he had ordained. Perhaps you'll tell me you have neither House to build, nor any Foundations to make. Pardon ●●e if I tell you, you lie under a great mistake, since you have the Building of Perfection to raise, the Foundation of a Virtuous Life to lay, you are also to employ your Thoughts about an Habitation that you must live in for all Eternity. One of the best means therefore to compass this great Work of our Salvation, is a tender Devotion to Saint Joseph; this is the best means to finish the Edifice of Perfection, and to procure to ourselves a happy and Eternal Habitation. What Devotion therefore can be easier than this, only to keep the Spiritual Image of Saint Joseph in our Thoughts, and to procure it by carrying it in our Books; by keeping it in our Closet; and by letting it put us in mind to call upon him, whom the Image represents, and to beg his assistance in all our necessities. By the help of such an Image, a Gentleman of Venice was drawn from a most miserable, to a most happy State of his Soul, which had otherwise been lost. The Story I shall hereafter relate, in the XI. Chapter with several others therein scited, which prove the care he takes of the Spiritual Malady, of those who are Devoted to him.  
The second Devotion I propose. is a particular and singular affection to some Mystery of his Holy Life. Such as was that of his Marriage to the Blessed Virgin; his Flight into Egypt with our Saviour and the Blessed Virgin his Spouse; or any other like unto these. Blessed Agatha of the Holy Cross, was wont to six her thoughts upon his happy Death, in the Arms of our most Merciful Redeemer: And did I know to which of these my Pious Readers Inclinations would most of all lead him, I would promote his Devotion thereunto. But instead of this, to show how pleasing such Devotions as these, are to Almighty God, I will here relate what happened to a Devout Client of Saint Joseph, a Religious Man of the Monastery of Monferat in Spain, who was particularly Devoted to his voyage into Egypt, with JESUS and his Holy Virgin Mother.  
It fell out that this Religious Man, returning once very late to his Monastery, lost his way and wandered so long up and down a Mountain some distance from it, that at length he gave himself for lost; by reason of the contagious effects that were occasioned by the unwholesome Foggs of that place; or because he feared to become ● Prey to the Merciless savage Beasts of which the place was very full; his fears and apprehensions increased with the darkness of the Night, and caused him to recommend himself to Saint Joseph, when upon a sudden he meets a grave Man leading an Ass, which had a Woman upon it, bearing an Infant in her Arms; this happy encounter, gave him ● wonderful Comfort, which was increased when ask the way to the Monastery, the Man who lead the Ass, bade him follow him, and he would lead him the right way thither: As they went their whole Discourse was of God, and this with so much Fruit, that never in his Lif● the Religious Man, even in Prayer, had felt the like Sweetness; which was accompanied with no less Joy, when he saw himself enter into the Village in which the Monastery was; which joy was followed with no less astonishment, when on a sudden his guide Disappeared, as soon as he had thus brought him out of all danger. Which gave him presently the assurance that 'twas Saint Joseph that had brought him out of this trouble, and danger he was in, whereby his Devotions to this great Saint was increased, and also to that particular part of his Life, to which he was before so particularly Devoted.  
The third Devotion, is to say every Day, or at least once a weak, his little Office; which is in the Key of Paradise, which is Printed at the end of this Book; for the greater conveniency of those who desire to make use thereof. This Office contains a continual Praise of Saint Joseph, in which some of his Devotees, who say it Daily, others who say it every Saturday, find great Comfort, and no less Profit also: And the great advantage that the Clients of Saint Joseph experience, is his readiness always to acknowledge them as such, and to assist 'em accordingly, as appears by what some Years since happened at Loudun in France.  
The Prioress of the Vrsulins of Loudun, named in Religion, Sister ●ean of the Angels, of the House of Cousin, was Possessed by an Evil Spirit called Leviathan, who exercised extraordinary violences and cruelties towards her; she not knowing, how better to defend herself against this his Tyranny, made a Vow to say every Day the Office of Saint Joseph for a whole Year together, and Weekly also to do some Penance in his honour, to obtain by his powerful Intercession, a freedom from the Persecution she suffered from this her Infernal Enemy. Two or three Days after she had made this Vow, the Wicked Spirit left her at the first Exorcism leaveing a Cross on the Forehead of the said Religious, as the Exorcist had enjoined him, and at the same time another Devil cried out, Saint Joseph is come, and has caused Leviathan to departed.  
The fourth Devotion, is Daily to recite the Litany of Saint Joseph, which contain all the chief Passages of his Life, together with all the extraordinary Privileges God bestowed upon him. And having lately seen a Manuscript of a certain Religious of the Order of Saint Bennet, in which were set down amongst some particular Devotions to Saint Joseph: A little Litany Composed in his honour in an Alphabetical order, which pleased me very much it facilitating the Memory in relating it, and therefore take occasion of giving you the same in English, after the same Order, which if you like not; you may make use of the great Litany, which you will find in the Office of Saint Joseph. Page 15. with the Prayer. Page 5.  

THE ALPHABETICAL LITANY OF S. Joseph.  
LORD have Mercy on us.  
Christ have Mercy on us.  
Lord have Mercy on us.  
Jesus Receive our Prayers.  
Lord Jesus Grant our Petitions.  
O God the Father, Creator of the World. Have Mercy upon us.  
O God the Son, Redeemer of Mankind. Have Mercy upon us.  
O God the Holy Ghost, Perfecter of the Elect. Have Mercy upon us.  
Holy Trinity, one God. Have Mercy upon us.  
Holy Mary, Spouse of Saint Joseph. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Advocate of the Humble, Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Blessed amongst Men. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Confirmed in Grace, Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Defender of the Meek. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Exiled with Christ into Egypt. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Favourite of the King of Heaven. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Guardian of the Word Incarnate. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Honoured amongst Men. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Idea of Humility and Obedience. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Kind Intercessor for the Afflicted. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Lily of Chastity and Temperance. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Mirror of Silence and Resignation. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Nurfing Father to the Sou of God. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Obsequious Servant to the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Patron of the Industrious and Innocent. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Quintessence of all Virtue. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Ruler of the Family of Jesus. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Spouse of the ever Blessed Virgin. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Theatre of all Glorious Privileges. Pray for us.  
Holy Joseph, Union of all Christian Perfections. Pray for us.  
O Lamb of God, who takest away the Sins of the World, Spare us O Lord.  
O Lamb of God, who takest away the Sins of World, Hear us O Lord.  
O Lamb of God, who takest away the Sins of the World, Have Mercy upon us.  
Pray for us, O Holy Joseph.  
That we may be made worthy of the Promises of Christ.   
The Prayer. ASSIST us O Lord we beseech thee, by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most holy Mother, that what our unworthiness cannot obtain, may be given us by his Intercession; Who livest and reignest, with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, World without end. Amen.  
But the better to excite you to a Practice of this Devotion, of re●●●eing the Litany of this great Saint. I shall here set down some particular Favours obtained by the recital of them, either every Day, or only for a certain time prefixed.  
The Religious of the Order of Saint Ursula, had a design to settle themselves in Lambesa in Province, some Years, since upon hopes given 'em of effecting it by some Inhabitants of that place, who herein testified their good will. Wherefore they transported themselves thither, but found so little satisfaction at their first arrival, meeting with so great and so many difficulties, that they could not so much as find a House to hire to live in, that hereupon they resolved to return back to Aix from whence they came; but first, had their Recourse to Saint Joseph, whom they had taken for Protector in this their Design, and resolved for nine Days together to say his Litany after Mass: But what appeared as a wonderful effect of their Devotion, before the end of the nine Daus, a Priest of great worth and authority, who had built a House, and a Church adjoining to it, in honour of Saint Teresa near the said Town, came to find out the Superior, to make her an offer both of the Church and House, and to put her in Possession of all things else belonging thereunto. Which ofler they accepted and presently the Religious took Possession of it, and were settled there by the especial favour of Saint Joseph. Who not only took them into his particular charge and care, but placed 'em under the protection of his great Devote and dear Child Saint Teresa, in a House and Church where she was greatly honoured, and where she desired her great Patron Saint Joseph should be honoured also.  
Fifthly, say at least the Prayer at the end of the Litany, every Day, or very often, this being a short but a substantial and pleasing Devotion to him, which qualities cannot but invite us to make use of it, and thereby to imitate the Canons of Charters, who Daily recite it, as well to satisfy their own Devotion, as to comply with the Pious desires of the Devout Henry Chicot their Benefactor, and Founder of this Devotion.  
I cannot here omit, what will authorize this Devotion, by relating how great an advantage it procured to a Religious House of Nuns, which I heard from the Mouth of its Superior, a few Months ago. This Monastery had not received any Novices for a long time, which much afflicted the Religious, wherefore the Superior thought it necessary to have recourse to Saint Joseph, to beg his Assistance, and therefore they resolved for six Months' together, Daily to recite this hi● Prayer after Mass, for this Intention, which all the Religious Cheerfully performed. Which Devotion wa● no sooner begun, but a young Lady of Quality with a good Fortune offered herself to Live and Dye with 'em in God's Service; which favour will never be forgot by that Community; and has obliged 'em to a constant Confidence in Saint Joseph as in a Father, and particularly this his Child, for having procured such a favour to them and her, by his powerful Intercession.  
Sixtly, you may assign one Day in the Week, for the Exercise o● some particular Devotion in honour of Saint Joseph. Saturday seems to me the most proper Day, upon which he may be jointly honoured and served with his most Amiable Spouse. 'Tis now a Days a Devotion practised by some Pious Souls, to assign or dedicate each Day in the Week, to so me particular Devotion. As Sunday to the honour of the Blessed Trinity, and the Angel Guardian. Monday, to the honour of God the Father, and for the Souls in Purgatory. Tuseday to God the Son, and Saint Ann. Wednesday to God the Holy Ghost, and the Patron whose Name we bear. Thursday to the honour of the Blessed Sacrament and Saint Barbara, who rewards her Clients, with Receiving their Viaticum or Communion before their Death. Friday, to the honour of the Passion of our Saviour. And Saturday, to the honour of the Mother of God, and Saint Joseph her Spouse. 'Tis not convenient, I should here suggest what each one is to do that Day, but leave it to the Affection or Devotion wherewith each one shall find himself inspired with all. For Example, some good Work; as the giving of Alms, the doing some Penance, or performing any of the Devotions before mentioned in this Chapter, or whatever else the Holy Ghost shall inspire you, let it be performed upon this Day in honour of the Person to whom you design your Devotion  
The seventh Devotion may be to call to mind the memory of the seven Dolours, or Griefs that Afflicted Saint Joseph, or of the seven Joys that were a constant Comfort to him throughout his whole Life: Which you will find Composed after his Office and Beads. Page 30. This was a Devotion that Saint Joseph himself taught to two Religious Men of the Holy Order of Saint Francis, after he had delivered 'em from the danger of Death. Who being cast away at Sea, they happily laid hold of a Plank, upon which they were tossed to and fro upon the Waves, for three Days and Nights together in this their Danger and Affliction, their whole Recourse was to Saint Joseph, begging his help and assistance, in the sad Condition they were in. Who appeared to them in the Habit of a Young Man, of a Beautiful and Comely Feature, who encouraged them to confide in his Assistance, and as their Pilot Conducted them into a safe Harbour. They desirous to know who their Benefactor was, begged his Name, that they might gratefully acknowledge so great a Blessing and Favour. He told them he was Saint Joseph, he advised them Daily to recite seven Pater Nosters, and seven Ave mary, in Memory of his seven Dolours or Griefs, and of his seven Joys, and having said this he Disappeared.  

The seven Dolours of Saint Joseph.  
I. The thought he had of forsaking his Spouse, seeing her big with Child.  
II. He seeing the Infant JESUS in the Crib, shivering with cold and so ill accommodated.  
III. Beholding the Wound of JESUS in his Circumcision, and seeing him so early shedding his Blood for Love of Sinners.  
iv The Words of Simeon on the Day of the Purification of our Blessed Lady, testifying that a Sword should pierce our Lady's Heart.  
V His flight into Egypt occasioned by Herod's Persecution,  
VI The news he heard, as he returned out of Egypt that Archilaus was more Cruel than his Father Herod.  
VII. His losing JESUS at twelve Years of Age, when they went up to the Temple of Jerusalem.   

The seven Joys of Saint Joseph.  
I. That which he received by the Message of the Angel, who bid him to Fear nothing, but to take Mary for his Spouse.  
II. The Adoration of the Angels, Saluting our Saviour in the Crib, and singing at his Birth the Hymn, Gloria in Excelsis Deo.  
III. The hearing the Salutiferous Name of JESUS, from the Angel, which as Godfather he was ordered to give the Son of God at his Circumcision.  
iv From the Words of Simeon, when he foretold that CHRIST should be the Salvation of many and the Glory of Israël.  
V From the falling down of the Idols of Egypt, at the Presence of our Saviour JESUS CHRIST,  
VI From the Command given him by the Angel to Return home with the Infant JESUS and his Mother.  
VII. From his finding JESUS in the Temple, Disputing with the Doctors.   
These good Religious Men daily Meditated upon these piercing Dolours, and comfortable Joys of their Charitable Deliverer and performing his Commands continued his Devour Clients all their Lives, hereby honouring so powerful a Protector, whom he told moreover, as may be seen in Peter Morales, that he would afford the like particular help and assistance to all that shall practise this Devotion in all their Necessities, but most particularly at the Hour of their Death. Wherefore it will be our own Faults if we enjoy not the same happiness of obtaining his Favour, by rendering him the like Services, he esteeming nothing more, than the good Will of his Clients, expressed after this manner.  
Eighthly, To lead a Life full of that constant Resignation both Interior and Exterior, in Thought Word and Deed to the Will of God, as Saint Joseph did. in which he took so great a content and pleasure, that his ordinary aspiration was 
† Utinam vivam & videam voluntatem Dei adimpletam. In Rev. S. Brig.  O that I nay but Live to see the Will of God entirely fulfilled. This was his ordinary aspiration, and only desire as the Mother of God revealed to Saint Bridget. Adding that this was the cause, 
* Ideo magna gloria ejus.  Why he was so great and glorious in Heaven. There's nothing therefore so easy as to imitate him in this point by often saying every Day. 
† Fiat voluntas Dei.  God's Will be done; I desire to live, only to fulfil the Will of God. We should at least accustom ourselves as soon as we wake, constantly to begin the Day with this Act of Conformity, in risigning ourselves punctually to the Will of God, it being the most Sublime of all Acts of Virtue, and the Crown of all Perfection.   

CHAP. VII. What Devotions are to be used to Saint Joseph upon his Feast.  
THERE is no place throughout the whole World where the Feast of Saint Joseph is kept with greater Solemnity than in Canada, a Country in the Nourthwest part of America. He being the Father, the Patron, and Protector of new France. 'Tis for this reason that his Feast is so Solemnly kept there: And that we may see how 'tis kept, I will here set down (what I took out of a Relation Printed in the Year 1637. The manner how they Celebrate it, is as follows; Upon the Vigil of his Feast is set up the Standard of Kebec upon one of the chief Bastions, and at the discharge of a Cannon or Warning-Piece, the Governor of the causes very Artificial Fire works to be Lighted.  
On the one side there is raised a Pillar, upon which there Appears the Name of Saint Joseph in Fire, in very large Characters, over which from a Crown of Stars, made in Fire-Works, are cast out a great company of Serpents that fly into the Air, and behind it are placed a great many Rockets, which also fly a great height, and there break into many Stars, that fall from them.  
Near this Pillar is raised a fair Castle richly Painted, and set out with great Variety of Colours, flanked with four Towers, beset with so many lights and fireworks as inlightens the whole Battery,  is also surrounded with a great many saming Spears, and a great number of Flags bespangled with Fire, appear from the tops of the Towers, from whence there continually ascend a great many Serpents made in fireworks. Six and six at a time into equal distance one from another, and also many dozen of great Rockets, twelve at a time, resting some while between each dozen. At the close of the Evening the Governor of Kebec (accompanied with all his Officers, in sight of a great number of Savages that live round about the Country, and come thither to see the Solemnity) put's Fire to these Machines', the Wonderful sight whereof gi●'s great occasion to the Savages to honour and esteem Saint Joseph for whom they perceive the Christians to have so great a Veneration. Upon the Day of his Feast, they also, express very great Devotion in all their Churches, where all things are performed with as great Solemnity as upon Easter Day itself, all giving thanks to God for having done them the honour to bestow Saint Joseph upon them for their Protector, whom he had made Guardian to his Son JESUS CHRIST the Word Incarnate.  
From the consideration of this Solemnity and Devotion to Saint Joseph in Canada; let us consider what we may also Practise upon the same Feast; that as they do what they can, to observe it with due Solemnity, so we may do the like; not so much by exterior Marks of Joy, which are very laudable; but by Exercising Interior Devotion and Fervour in all our Actions; to increase thereby the Glory of this Saint, and move him to advance us in Perfection, for the secure obtaining ou● Salvation. For if there be a Feast in the whole Year, next to those of our Saviour and Blessed Lady, in which we may hope for a grant of our Petitions, 'tis this of Saint Joseph. Since Saint Teresa assures us in the sixth Chapter of her Life, that whatsoever we ask him upon his Feast, shall either have a successful grant, or be changed into a grant of something else, more Beneficial for the Soul of the Petitioner.  
But if you desire to know more particularly how to spend the Day of his Feast with Piety and Profit. I will here set down half a dozen Devotions, of which you may take your choice: I suppose you observe the Feast of his Espousals, which the Church keeps on the two and twentith Day of January, as well as the Feast of his Return out of Egypt, upon the seventeenth of the same Month; and the Memory also of his Flight into Egypt, upon the two and twentith of December, these are unanimously agreed upon by all; but some differ about his chief Feast: Which the Greeks Celebrate on the six and twentith of December, the Day after Christmas, as Cardinal Baronius recounts in his martyrologue. Others observe it on the twenty sixth of ●une; the Eastern Church assuring us that he Died on that Day. But setting aside these Days, we follow, as ●●e aught to do, the Catholic Church's Ordination, of keeping it upon the nineteenth of March: Wherefore 〈◊〉 shall here suggest how to spend this ●ay profitably: Proposing six different Devotions, each of which you may make use of according as you find yourself inclined.  
The first Devotion is to follow the Practice of the Reverend Fathers Carthusians, by observing his Feast as a Feast of Precept; tho' the place we Live in should not observe it at such; which now in most places they do. Performing this in acknowledgement of the many Benefits received from his Fatherly goodness. 'Tis also Solemnised after this manner by the Children of Saint Teresa, imitating in this their Glorious Foundress. Moreover the Fathers of the Oratory kept it, who have nothing nearer their Hearts than Jesus Mary Joseph. The Children also of Sain● Francis Sales, who are the Religious of the Visitation; in this make know● both their own, and their Foundery inclinations. And the Nuns of the Word Incarnate, or the Annunciates from their first beginning put themselves under his happy Protection.  
The manner of celebrating hi● Feast is the same, with that we Celebrate the Feast of other Saints some Fast upon the Eve in his honour; others perform some other Penance and Mortification for the same end; others Communicate upon his Feast, others abstain from aservil Works as upon Sundays; others give more time to Prayer tha● upon other Days; others Read h● Life; others spend the Day in more Religious Exercises; performing all this in testimony of their Love to Saint Joseph.  
The second Devotion is, to take him for your special Patron and Director for the following Year; or should you already have chosen him for such, then to make choice of him for the effecting some particular affair you have in hand of great Importance: Resolve to perform some Devotions to him for this Intention, for the space of some Months, as the necessity or length of your affairs, shall require.  

† Ex Libro de gloria S. Joseph.  Mother Jane of the Angels, of whom I have already spoken, begged of Saint Joseph upon New Years Day, that he would take her for that Year. 1636. into his Protection, and by his powerful Intercession, obtain of our Saviour the Blessing, of being delivered from all Interior or Exterior Impediments in God's Service; and to dispossess her of those Devils that Tormented her; and free her from whatsoever else that kept or retarded her Soul, from the Union of his Divine Love. The Night following, as she fell asleep, she seemed to feel a more particular Devotion than ordinary, accompanied with a most incredible sweet smell, quite different from all other scents; that are found in the Perfumes of this World. And at the same time she heard a Voice that said to her, Behold him, to whom thou hast Recommended thyself. Hereupon the Holy Patriarch Saint Joseph came into her mind, and her Heart was filled with an extraordinary veneration for, and love of him: She seemed in her Sleep to see such a dazzling Light, as far exceeded the Brightness and Splendour of the Sun: Within which she beheld a Countenance full of wonderful Majesty, so Beautiful that she neither found Words to express it, nor any Comparisons whereby to discover her Thoughts.  
After all, the Person spoke to her as follows: Conserve Patience and Constancy in these Sensible difficulties you suffer; support 'em with Resignation and endeavour to forget yourself; for God has Favours in store to bestow upon you. Tell your Exorcist, that if Men labour not for your Recovery, God will make it his own Work. By all means let him continue his Endeavours, and God by his Ministry, will Expel the Devil that most of all hinders your Devotions. This being said all Vanished, except the Perfume, which lasted so strong for some time after, that when she awaked, she verily thought her Chamber had been Perfumed.  
Her Thoughts were taken up all the Day following with a Confidence in our Saviour, and with the Assurance, of Saint Joseph's Assistance, in this extreme necessity she was then in. Nor was she deceived; for five Days after, upon the Feast of the Epiphany, she found the effect of her Protectour's Intercession, by being dispossessed of that Devil that did so maliciously interrupt her Devotions. The Father Exorcist Commanding him in the Presence of all that were Spectators, that for a Mark of his going out, he should write the Name of Mary upon her Hand, as he did, tho' not without great difficulty and repugnance; fixing this Name in very legible Characters immediately above Saint Joseph's, which had been writ there before, upon the going out of another Devil. which Names, during her whole Life, appeared as clear and distinct as they did the first Day; which I myself was an Eye-witness of, as the said Religious passed by Lions, to go to Anessy to visit the Tomb of Saint Francis of Sales, in the Year 1638. I say nothing of the Names of JESUS and Saint Frantis of Sales, that were to be seen on the back of the same Hand, Writ at the Command of the Exorcist, as a Mark of these Devils quitting their Possession; which by God's Permission they had taken of her Body, that being not so much to my purpose; which is only to declare, how much it conduced to her Happiness, to have recourse to Saint Joseph for his Protection, either upon his own, or upon any other Feast.  
The third Devotion that may be performed to Saint Joseph, is to take him for our chief Patron and Advocate, during our whole Life; and Yearly to renew this Resolution upon his Feast. I know a Religious Person of our Society, who constantly practices this Devotion every Year, Offering himself unto him by the Recital of such a Prayer, as in our Sodalities of our Blessed Lady, erected in our Colleges, is publicly recited at their Reception into it. I pretend not to persuade you to perform this Exercise every Day, lest to some it might seem too great a burden, but only once a Year, at least upon his chief Feast; which his true Clients can not think too much to perform. And the first time one makes use of this Prayer, 'tis fit to choose him for our particular Patron and Protector. The Prayer is short and therefore I shall insert it here, as I shall insert a longer at the end of this Book, Page, 25. amongst other particular Devotions to be recited at Leisure.  
O Holy Joseph, Spouse of the most Blessed Virgin Mary. I N. N. choose you this Day for my special Advocate and Patron, and do firmly purpose never to forsake you, nor to say, do, nor suffer any under my charge, to say or do any thing against your Honour. I earnestly therefore beseech, you that you will please to take me for your perpetual and constant Servant, and to aid and assist me in all my Actions, especially in the hour of my Death. Amen.  
Make a firm Resolution to keep this Purpose, and renew it often, either at Holy Communion, or when you visit the Blessed Sacrament; whereby you will render this Devotion more Pleasing to God, more Honourable to the Saint, and more profitable to yourself.  
The fourth Devotion may either be to offer Mass yourself, or get a Priest to offer one in Honour of Saint Joseph; and that piece of the Eastern Church History, that was found and offered to Pope Adrian the V I. as very authentic, assures us, that CHRIST assisting Saint Joseph at his Death, gave him his Blessing, and Promised to give the same to all those, that should offer Sacrifice to God in Honour of Saint Joseph upon the Day of his Glorious Death, the ninteenth of March: But we have no Sacrifice except the Sacrifice of Holy Mass. And what greater Blessing can we have than the Sacrifice of the Son of God, who was Promised to us? Moreover were not this true, yet all that we can perform that is considerable, all that is of any worth, or that conduces to the Glory of any Saint, is included in the Oblation of the Divine Sacrifice of Mass; wherein JESUS CHRIST is offered in thanks giving to his Eternal Father, for all those Favours and Benefits he has heaped upon any Saint, raising him to so Eminent a Glory and Dignity.  
The fifth Devotion is to give Alms, or bestow a Dinner upon some poor Man or Widow in Honour of Saint Joseph, and if you please for the same end relieve a poor Woman and her little Infant to Honour the Created Trinity; the Infant JESUS, Mary, as also Saint Joseph, and to encourage you to so Pious a Work, Saint Vincent Ferrerius recounts a wonderful Story of a Gentleman of Valence, who was very Devout to all these three, and amongst the rest of his Devotions, used every Christmas Day, to invite a Woman with a Sucking Child, and an Old Man to Dine with him; and all this for the Love he bore to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. This Charity and Devotion was so pleasing to God, that upon his Death Bed, he had the Comfort to see them, who just as he Departed, gave him this comfortable Invitation to Paradise, as follows. Friend you have every Year invited us to a Feast in your House, come now and we will receive you to our Feast, and into the dwelling place of the Blessed, there to sign with us and them in all sorts of contentment as long as a happy Eternity shall last. Who can conceive how God Recompenses, even the least Services we do to him or his Saints? I wish we could always think on this. And practise what these thoughts would move us to perform.  
The sixth and last Devotion to Saint Joseph, is to meditate upon the Virtues, Mysteries or chief Passages of his Life. The Morning either before or after Communion, is the most proper time for Meditation: Because the Afternoon is reserved for Even-Song, Sermon, or some other Works of Charity, as visiting the Sick in Hospitals, comforting and relieving Prisoners. How and when these Meditations are to be used, I shall declare in the following chapter.   

CHAP. VIII. Of Devotions to Saint Joseph during the Octave of his Feast, or at other times according to the Opportunity or Affection of his Clients.  
I Cannot think there's any better means to pass the Octave of Saint Joseph with Devotion and profit, than by the consideration of his Life and Death; and the contemplating upon his Glory in Heaven. Because such Reflections as these, will increase our Love and Affection towards him, and move us to earnest and efficacious attempts to imitate his transcendent Virtues. However because some may not have time or opportunity of making these Meditations, and that those that have not, or know not how to Meditate, may make use of 'em instead of Spiritual Reading; I have made the Meditations somewhat longer than ordinary. Which you will find Printed in a large Character at the end of this Book, amongst other Devotions: Page, 41. There are eight of 'em in all, for each Day of the Octave of his Feast, in which are briefly contained the chief Passages of the Life, Death and Glory of Saint Joseph; and tho' the Reading of 'em for your Spiritual Lecture, will be very profitable, yet they will produce far greater profit and comfort in your Soul, if you Meditate upon 'em; whereby you will increase a far greater Devotion to Saint Joseph, than only by the bare Reading of them.  
We have declared already that all the Devotions, Honours and Respects that are rendered to other Saints, aught to be given to Saint Joseph. For whosoever Loves him, as he deserves, must needs think he can never sufficiently Honour him, his Merits exceeding all Honour and Devotion that can be showed him. Wherefore should I advise you to cause a Mass to be said in his Honour, to perform some good Work of Charity or Pennance, you may say I invite you only to such a general testimony of Affection, as we give to all other Saints whom we honour; I will here therefore propose to you such a particular Devotion, as Mother Jane of the Angels, Superior of the Vrsulins practised with admirable success. Who having purposed for her Deliverance to Communicate nine Days together in honour of Saint Joseph; upon the Ninth Day, one of the Devils within her, of his own accord presented himself to the Exorcist, during his Exorcisms; and acknowledged he was Commanded in the Name of Saint Joseph, as he left his Station to write the Name of Saint Joseph upon her Hand, which he swore he would perform, as he did soon after.  
You may also say or get nine Masses said in honour of Saint Joseph, which was a Devotion that very much assisted Father John Joseph Seurin, Exorcist to this Religious Woman; for before he had ended his nine Masses, the Devil left her, writing according to his Promise his Name, in the presence of many upon her bare Hand, and amongst others in the Presence of an English Nobleman, 
† The Right Honourable Walter Montague, Son to the Earl of manchester's  than a Protestant, who held her Arm, which was the occasion of his Conversion to the Roman Catholic Faith; and of another, than an Atheist, whose Life is Writ, he afterwards becoming as renowned for Sanctity, as before he was Infamous for Atheism. You may also perform the Devotion proper to all Saints, by endeavouring to Imitate his rare and particular Virtues. As the exercise of a retired and hidden Sanctity; the practice of Angelical Purity, even in Marriage; his Humility, Patience, and Meekness in Conversation; his great Recollection and wonderful Silence: Who, as a Holy Person declared to Father Seurin, Was a very great keeper of Silence, and that in the House of our Saviour at Nazareth, he spoke very little, our Blessed Lady and Jesus still much less, and that his Eyes performed to him the Office of a Tongue, without need of speaking.  
Lastly, you may Imitate the works of Piety that Saint Joseph Practised; But because these are also found in most Saints, and therefore seem a general Devotion, I will propose some that were particular and proper to Saint Joseph: Which other Persons of Piety and Particular Devotees of his, 
* Quiriolê.  have performed in his Honour; they are six in number, some of which I hope you will find suitable to your Devotion and Inclination.   

CHAP. IX. Containing nine different occasions of particular Devotions proper to Saint Joseph, and practised by his Particular Devotees.  
THE first is, when you have lost any thing, you had a high Value for, to have recourse to Saint Joseph, either to beg his help, or at least to suffer profitably this loss, if by his Assistance we happen not to recover it. John Gerson his great Client suggests this Devotion; assuring us, that such as in these occasions recommend themselves to this great Patriarch, presently either recover what is lost, or by his efficacious Assistance, even gain by their loss, bearing the same with perfect Patience and Resignation. For a proof of what he asserts, he brings for an Example the Comfort which one of his acquaintance received, who lost something of great Value; and recovered it by this means. 'Tis perhaps upon this account that Scrupulous and Anxious Persons have recourse to him, since they have lost so great a Jewel, as is the Repose of Conscience, and Peace of Mind; this being the dearest, most precious; and considerable Treasure we have in this World; for we may assure ourselves, and certainly believe, that he who felt the loss of JESUS and the grief it cost him, will not fail to comfort those who implore his assistance in, the like exigency.  
The Second is, to take occasion for Saint Joseph's sake, to make it your endeavour to Love all his Clients and Devotees, whether they be already gone before us to Heaven, or are still with us upon Earth; and especially those who have born the happy Name of Joseph; but above all to show a particular Love and Devotion to Saint Teresa his particular, and as I may say his chief Devote; and not only to those, that are in Heaven, but also to those as you know particularly to be Devoted to him upon Earth. For your Love to them upon this account, will become no less pleasing to Saint Joseph, than if they bore his Name; and the bearing a tenderness and love to those that do so, is very pleasing also to Saint Joseph. Wherefore to help you to practise this Devotion, I will here give you a ' List of some Eminent Persons that have born his Name, and upon this account received from God some of those particular Favours he bestowed upon him. And shall begin with the Patriarch Joseph, who tho' he lived so many Ages before our great Saint Joseph, yet was a Type of him, and probably upon that account might receive his Name and those other extraordinary Favours God bestowed upon him.  
The first therefore in this List of those that bore the Name of Joseph: Is the Patriarch Joseph of the Old Law, to whom the Holy Ghost gives a every great Elogium or Commendation in the 49. Chapter of Ecclesiasticus. Calling him, Ruler and Prince of his Brethren, the Stay and Support of his Nation and People. Who deserves also the first place, he being not only the first to whom this Name was given, but who was also a Type of our Saint Joseph, upon account of his Chastity. The Character also that the Holy Ghost gives the Patriarch, agrees with our Joseph in a far more eminent degree than it did to the Patriarch; he being a Prince and Ruler not only over his Brethren, but Governor to the Mother and Son of God, being their support in all their Necessities, and Saving him who was to Save not only one, but all Nations throu'out the whole World.  
The second is Joseph of Arimathea, that Noble Centurion praised by the Holy Ghost for his Love to CHRIST in a time of extreme danger. For when those who were Friends of CHRIST fled from him, as being looked upon as Enemies to the State; he courageously asked his Body, and took care of Embalming it, and laying it in a new Monument he had prepared for himself; by the Love and care he took of it after his Death, hereby Imitating our Saint Joseph's Love to the Living Body of JESUS. He also resembles him in recovering things lost. As may appear by the following Example. 
† Ex P. Joan. a S. Maria in Hist. S S. Ordinis.  Saint Mary Vasquez of Mela, of the Order of Saint Dominick and of the Monastery of Zamata in Spain, had a singular Devotion to this Saint Joseph of Arimathea, upon account of) the tender Devotion he showed to the Precious Body of JESUS begging it, taking it from the Cross, Embalming it; and laying it in his own Monument, and when her Monastery had lost a Paper of great importance, she had recourse to him for it: Soon after there came a Person well mounted to the Monastery Gate, where lighting from his Horse he asked for Sister Mary Vasquez, and as soon as she came Delivered her the Paper, and returned without any Conversation at all with her.  
The third, is Saint Joseph Son to the Samaritan Woman, who gave Water to our Saviour at the Well, whilst he rested himself in the Journey he made with his Disciples. Who, accompanied with his Brother Victor, obtained the Glorious Crown of Martyrdom; their Mother also shared in the Victory, as a Reward for her Charity to JESUS. Whose Feast is kept upon the twentith of March, according to Baronius' martyrologue, who now drink of that Water their Mother begged, that takes away all Thirst for an Eternity.  
The fourth, is Joseph the Just, one of the seventy two Disciples of our Saviour, to whom the Holy Ghost gave the same title of Just, as to our great Saint Joseph; so esteemed by the Apostles for his Sanctity, that they named him with Saint Mathias, to be substituted in Judas Escariot's place.  
The fifth, is Joseph the Poet, by Excellency called the Sacred Poet, Whose delight was to Compose Verses in Honour of the Saints, whom they recompensed, by Appearing to him and assisting him at his Death, and accompanying him, to Everlasting Life; his Feast is kept upon the third of April, according to the 
† Euseb. Hist. lib. 3. cap. 32.  Greek martyrologue; but according to Baronius, the fifteenth of February.  
The sixth is, Joseph of Ste●ald called Herman in the World, of the Order of Saint Norbert, so singularly devoted to the Mother of God, that she took him for her Spouse, and gave him the Name of Joseph, to the end that in all things he should resemble her first Spouse. The manner how it fell out is as follows. 
* Surius. Apr. 11.  The Religious amongst whom he Lived, began first to call him Joseph, upon account of Virginal Bashfulness, which caused him to Blush upon the least occasion, even when the Religious called him Joseph, which made him complain to the Abbot, tho' without redress, for their calling him so, and the Night after, in time of his Prayer in the Choir, he saw a most Beautiful Lady coming towards him, full of Majesty and Glory with two Angels attending her; the one asked the other; to whom this Beautiful Lady should be espoused? To whom replies the other; but to him you see here before you. Poor Herman was surprised at this discourse, and so confounded, that he wished himself hid in some by Corner, where none might see him. But one of the Angels takes him by the Hand, and leads him to the Altar, and there takes his Virginal Hand, and joins it with the Hand of the Sacred Virgin: saying, By the order of God my Master, I give you the Virgin of Virgins for your Spouse, and with the Title of Spouse I give you the Name of Joseph. This favour he thus received; which the Virgin afterwards seconded by her frequent Visits, often putting her Dear Infant into his Arms, as she was wont to do into Saint Joseph's; often calling him by the indearing Name of Joseph, sometimes in his Cell, other times as he walked about the House, which increased in his Heart, the most tender Love he before had for the Blessed Virgin.  
The seventh is, Joseph the Earl. who was so wonderfully Obstinate in the Jewish Religion, as even to resist God himself; who wrought several Miracles by means of the Holy Cross in his Presence: And our Saviour also by several Visions invited him to the true Faith, yet without any effect. But these working nothing upon him, God visited him with very sharp Maladies, which also for a long time did him no good; but their continuance by degrees softened his Heart, and caused him to become a Christian, and so good a one too, that Constantin to encourage and settle him in the True Faith, Created him an Earl: But these Earthly Honours hindered him not from exercising true Humility, and becoming a true Servant of God; whereby he attained to so high a Pitch of Sanctity, as to be Canonised, and to receive the best and most lasting Title of Honour of being a Saint in Heaven; whose Feast is kept the two and twentith of July.  
The eighth is Joseph Hildegond, who Died the twentith of April, the first Woman that ever bore the Name of Joseph, which happened upon the following account. Her Father after her Mother's Death, and the settling her Sister Religious in a Monastery, resolved to visit the Holy places of Jerusalem, and fearing lest in his absence any misfortune might happen to his Daughter, should he leave her behind him, he having no other Child left to take care of but her, causes her to take the Name of Joseph, and to take the Habit of a Man, the better and more easily to accompany him in his pilgrimage. She submitted to her Father's Pleasure, and they both of 'em parted from Cullen, their Native Town, to begin their pilgrimage to Jerusalem; but her Father Dying by the way, leaves poor Joseph behind him in very great perplexity what she should do; who still continues her Journey, tho' she met with very troublesome adventures, but her Constancy in God's Service, enabled her happily to overcome 'em all; but the last adventure proved most happy to her; for passing for a Man, she entered into a Convent of Monks, wherein she Lived Devoutly, and with great Edification, none ever discovering her Pious deceit till after her Death, when they went to wash and lay out her Corpse for Burial.  
The ninth was 
* Ex P. Zach. Boverio. Annal Caput.  Joseph Matthew, the sixth Person of the Holy Order of Capucines, famous for Sanctity and Miracles: For twice as he Travelled, the Day being far spent, he having got no Alms to support himself and his Companion, or wherewith to Relieve or Strengthen 'em to hold out their Joutney, a most beautiful Young Man came to him and the first time gave him a white Loaf, and the second time two, with these comfortable Words, Take Joseph these Alms which our Saviour sends you, and give him thanks for this Benefit.  
The tenth is Father Joseph Anchieth of the SOCIETY of JESUS styled the Apostle of Brasil, as Saint Xaverius is styled Apostle of the Indies. Who upon account of the many Miracles he wrought, may also be styled: Moses of the said SOCIETY, working 'em in all kinds, and upon all occasions. For as he travelled in rain none fell upon him; passing throu ' the Scorching Sun, he commanded the Birds to fly in great numbers over his Head, to serve him for an Umbrella or Canopy, to defend him from the heat thereof. Nay he commanded Birds, Beasts and even all the Elements, after such a manner, as if he had had a full Empire and Dominion over all Creatures; as you may Read in his Life, which you will find full of wonders.  
Behold here ten Joseph's worthy to be honoured, no less for their Virtue, than out of Love to Saint Joseph, whose Name they bear; and who deserves that in consideration of his worth, we should set a high esteem upon any one that has any Relation to him, either by bearing his Name, or by Imitating his Virtues; and therefore I shall end this Piece of Devotion I recommended to you, by recounting what I received few Months ago from the Mouth of a very Faithful Servant of God, a Religious Woman of Lions, and a great Devote of Saint Joseph's. Who told me she was wont to Pray often, and to Recmmend herself to the Glorious Joseph in Heaven; and she assured me, that she found very great Help and Comfort from this Deyotion, for they by their Intercession obtained for her, what she desired 'em to help her in.  
The third particular Devotion we may show to Saint Joseph, is to take all occasions to honour his Name. First, by giving the Name of Joseph in Baptism, Confirmation, or Entrance into Religion, to any one who shall have any Dependence upon us, or by taking it ourselves in the two last occasions. We have an Example of this Devotion, in out Blessed Ladies giving it to Blessed Berman, which I just now related; and God be praised 'tis in this Age a very frequent Devotion; for both seculars as well as Religious, covet to bear this Name; and that with a great deal of reason; since Magicians are forced to own, that their Sorceries have not that power upon any Infants that are Named Joseph; as upon others. For the proof of which a Person of Honour, who had lost all his Children by Witchcraft, a few Days after their Birth, being Counceled (by one who had once studied that wicked Art more than he ought to have done) to give his next Child the Name of Joseph, assuring him to his own knowledge, it was sufficient to prevent all Witchcraft; he followed his Priends' Advice, and found his Remedy very Powerful; for his next Child Lived to inherit both his Honour and Estate.  
Secondly, to Consecrate Churche● and Chapels to the Honour of Saint Joseph, and give his Name to Provinces and Religious Houses. In the Order of Saint Teresa this Devotion is commonly practised, and our Saviour himself, gave the Name of Joseph to the Monastery of Avila. Father Francis Canilec one of our SOCIETY, no less renowned for his Virtue, than his Noble Birth, Founded the House in Bell-Court at Lions, and gave it the Name of Joseph, to testify his Affection to the Spouse of the Virgin Mother of God. And his Example gave occasion several Years after to Father Cotton, to give the same Name to the Church he there built; so that whatsoever we possessed in that place, might be under the Protection of Saint Joseph.  
Thirdly, By frequent pronouncing or repeating the Name of Joseph, as Gaspar Bond, that good Minim was wont to do, of whom I have made mention, Page, 63. This Devotion is very easy, if we do but take the the pleasure he took, in pronouncing these three Holy Names of Jesus, Maria, Joseph.  
Fourthly, To wear Rings in which the Name of Joseph is engraven, either by itself, or with the other two Names, Jesus and Mary, and to encourage you to this Devotion, when the great Plague caused a very great Destruction at Lions, I knew many that wore such engraved Rings for this Intention, that Saint Joseph would protect them from the Infection, and with so great a success, that not so much as one of the Family of those that wore them, or of the House where they lodged, Were Infected; God giving so great a Blessing to this small Devotion.  
Fifthly, To begin our chief Actions under the auspicious favour of his Name, as the Governor of Kebeck did, at the Dedication of the Church of Kebeck in new France 1637. before which he planted a Standard with a triple Crown and Wreaths, with Scutcheons, in which were written in Capitals these three Names, JESUS, MARIA, JOSEPH, which Standard was no sooner erected, but it was saluted by the Soldiers with a Volley of Musket shot.  
The fourth particular Devotion to Saint Joseph, is to imitate Saint Teresa's Love, to her Good Father as she stilled him, by taking occasion to invite others to become his Clients, and omitting nothing that may contribute to his Honour and Glory; which is so grateful a Devotion to the Blessed Virgin also, that she gave thanks to Saint Teresa for having contributed and incited Persons to this Devotion towards her Spouse all over the Church, especially throu-out all Europe. whom John Gerson Chancellor of the University of Paris also imitated; for what did he not do in this Point? He Composed an Office and Mass for his Feast. He writ to several Bishops to induce them to order his Feast to be Celebrated in their Bishoprics with Devotion and Solemnity, as a Feast of Obligation, and by their own Examples to move the People to observe it. His ordinary Conversations and Entertainments of those that Visited, him, were upon this Subject. Moreover those who list themselves in the Confraternity of Saint Joseph, and by their Piety and Examples move others to the like Devotion, do hereby also Imitate Saint Teresa, and the Pious Ghancelour's Devotion towards him.  
The fifth, is frequently to take occasion to thank Saint Joseph for the Labour and Pains he took for Jesus and Mary, and the Services he did for them; for how is it possible. says Saint Teresa, to think upon what the Queen of Heaven and her little Infant suffered upon Earth, without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for his Charitable Assistance in their Sufferings. The thinking therefore of those Passages of Charity he Exercised; as even the bearing JESUS in his Arms, his helping his Spouse to dress him, his laying him in his Cradle, and such like ordinary Actions as these, though they seem but small and inconsiderable; yet 'tis not to be imagined what tender Affections the consideration of them breeds in our Hearts; and how they move us to Exercise greater Services to JESUS, and also a Love to Saint Joseph, who hereby expressed his Affection to him.  
The sixth Particular Devotion we may Exercise towards Saint Joseph, is to take occasion when any Affairs of Importance happen, to address our seles to Saint Joseph, and wholly commit them to his Care and Conduct. 'Tis also a good Devotion, frequently to ask him Blessing, and to repose a Confidence in him as in a Father; beseeching him to ●●●tain of his Son and Spouse, such an Assistance, as we shall in all occasions stand in need of. Thus the Devour Vrsulin Jean of the Angels, whom I have frequently mentioned, was wont to, do before and after her Exorcisms, in which the suffered great agitation of Body from the Devil: Wherefore to prepare herself the better to suffer, she presented her before his Image, and begged his Blessing and Assistance, whereby she found herself extremely fortified.  
To these I may add some other Devotions. I know some Persons are wont to Exercise. Some in their necessities say a little Pair of Beads in his honour, see the manner of saying them Page. 28. amongst the Devotions to this Saint. Others never deny any thing asked them, in the Name and for the sake of Saint Joseph; but I should be too tedious; should I set down all the Dovotions, that the Affections of his Clients suggest to them; what I have already said, is sufficient; for whatever may be done to other Saints, either by Prayers, Vows, or any other Respects, that and much more may be done to him. But the more to incite you to this, in the following Chapters, I will set down what Help and Assistance he renders upon all occasions to his Clients both for Soul and Body, who endeavour to express their Love and Devotion towards him, by such Practices as I have here set down.   

CHAP. X. Of the Help and Assistance that Saint Joseph gives to his Devout Clients, towards their attaining Interior Perfection; and in what this Perfection does Consist.  
TO give you a satisfactory account of the care Saint Joseph takes to render his Clients Interior and Spiritual Persons; I must first declare to you what is meant by Interior Perfection, and in what this Spiritual and Interior Life does consist; There being very few Persons who Solidly attend thereunto; and therefore there is great need of so solid and Powerful an Assistance for the obtaining it, as Saint Joseph gives his Devout Clients.  
An Interior and Spiritual Life therefore, is that which minds nothing else but Perfection; and which rests in the Virtuous Actions of the Soul, practising the inward Acts of all Virtues; namely of Faith, Hope, Charity, Religion, Adoration, Thanksgiving, Humiliation, with a good, perfect and sincere Intention, without any mixture of Carnal ends. And in the performance of all Exterior and Corporal Actions, with an Interior Spirit and Presence of Mind; Beholding God Present, and being carried with a tender Affection towards him, whilst we perform the outward Action we are about.  
This is what is called a Spiritual and Interior Life; and is so called because it consists not in the Exterior or Corporal Action, but because it Acts Interiorly in the bottom of the Soul, and within the Spirit or Mind only; and 'tis this we must begin withal, and what is thus begun in Spirit, must afterwards pass to our Exterior Actions, which are but of very small Value, if not accompanied with this Interior Life and Virtue; there being no comparison between the inward and outward Actions; and if we work not by this Interior Spirit and Purity of Intention, all the pains we take are lost; we labour much and gain little or nothing, how great things soever in appearance we may perform: But working after this manner we gain and heap up Everlasting Treasures, with so much profit and advantage, that even the least Action wonderfully advances and increases our Perfection, and gains a great degree of Glory in Heaven. This caused Saint Mary Magdalen of Pazzi, after that the Glory of Blessed Aloysius Gonzaga was revealed to her, to say he had gained that Sublime Glory, by his Interior Actions; in which lies all the Perfection of the Soul. So that this Interior, and this Spiritual Life, is one and the self same thing.  
But 'tis not so easy, as one may conceive, to enter into this Interior and Inward Life, or to lead such a Spiritual Life as I speak of: Since to be much recollected, and to enter into ourselves, is the way to become a Perfect Interior Man: And to do this you must cast off and wean yourself from all attention to Creatures, you must lay aside Interest, and Human Respects, such as are, Gain, Honour, Flesh and Blood; you must give yourself to Recollection and Prayer, and hereby unite yourself too God. To do this you must constantly walk in the Presence of God, seek nothing but his Divine Will, Subdue your own Passions, and then practise all sorts of Virtues, belonging to the Interior Powers of your Soul. But all this is very hard to perform; and from hence it follows, that very few Persons attain to it; and for this reason a great Master of Spirit said very well; 
† Perfectio est Paucorum.  Few are Perfect. But on the contrary the Imperfect and Extroverted Persons are very many, who permit themselves to sink into the Passionate Affection of self Love, give their Will the Reins, and yield to all that sense requires, languishing in Sensuality, rather than practising true Virtue, of whom Saint Paul complains; All seek their own, or themselves, not JESUS or the things that belong to him. But care must be taken, by those who list themselves Clients to Saint Joseph, that they do not too soon and too easily believe themselves to have obtained, this Interior and Spiritual Life; because they find some sensible feelings of Devotion: 
* Omnes quae sua sunt quaerunt non quae JESUS CHRISTI ad Philip. 2.21.  But when they find their Passions, ill Habits and all their Imperfections perfectly subdued, and that they are become Fervent and Constant in the practice of all Virtues, than they may hope they have made some progress in this Spiritual Life.  
This Spiritual deceit was very well understood by Blessed Mary Magdalen of the Vrsulins, as the handsome reply she made to a Sister, Inferior in Government, when she came to make her Complaints to her.  
This Sister coming to her and expressing how great a desire she had of the Spiritual Advancement of the Monastery, and in order thereunto told her that she had observed some Imperfections in certain of the Religious; which gave Disedification. Telling her that such and such Persons were guilty of them. The Superior took in good part this Advertisement she gave her, and with her wont Sweetness, promised in time to redress 'em, and provide a seasonable cure. But this Religious being of the Number of those, who would Reform all at once, and who thought herself far from wanting any such Reform, unsatisfied with this Sweet Answer of her Superior, told her that a speedy Order ought to be taken, and so efficacious a one, as might keep the Evil from spreading; and she knew none better, than to divide the Monastery, and that all who were Stubborn and of an Ill Choleric Humour, Sluggish in Riesing, Tepid, Contentious and Imperfect, should go by themselves into another House; and the other part of the Community, that is the Good, Fervent, Perfect and Affable, that had made progress in Virtue, practised Mortification, and were exact observers of Religious Discipline, should remain in this.  
The good Mother still Patiently gave ear to all she said, and sweetly asked her, when she had ended her Discourse, which of these she designed to be in? Amongst those that are Perfect, replied the Religious, that I may have no trouble nor vexation of Mind, to hinder me in Virtue. And I, replied the Superior, will accompany the less Perpect; first, because I am one of their number, and also out of Compassion to them, that by having occasion of showing Sweetness and Patience towards 'em, I may gain 'em, and have a greater subject of Merit. When the Sister heard this admirable Reply from her Superior, she was silenced, and saw how much she was deceived by thinking herself one of the more Perfect; and moreover saw that there being not many such, the Monastery being slenderly furnished with Subjects, there would scarce have been half a dozen left in the whole House. For in effect in a Community of threescore Religious, you will scarce find six true Interior Persons, and amongst a hundred Religious Men, or five hundred Seculars, it would be hard to find ten such as we speak of, who are eminent in this Interior Life, and make the seeking after Perfection their chief Endeavour.  
Prom whence we may gather, how great an advantage the Clients of of Saint Joseph have, who by his Intercession obtain so great a Blessing, than which nothing is so considerable, nothing harder to obtain, nor any thing that ought more earnestly to be sought after. What a Comfort is it then, to have so powerful an Assistant who sweetens all Difficulties, lending us his efficacious Hand; whereby he manifests that God has left to his sole care, the bringing up of all those, who efficaciously desire to become eminent in this hidden Interior Life, as a Recompense of that Interior hidden Life he led himself at Nazareth, with his Sacred Family; and that he is the Ruler and Governor of those Souls, who desire to have their Virtue and Actions concealed to the World, and only known to God. As a Young Man greatly enlightened by God, testified to Father Se●rin of the SOCIETY of JESUS.  

† P. Severin In Relatione impressâ.  This Farther accidentally meeting him, and finding him wonderfully replenished with so many extraordinary Gifts and Graces of God, that in his Life he never met with the like, and this after a very high manner; for tho' he had never been Instructed, and only served a Priest till he was eighteen Years of Age; yet he spoke most Spiritually, and not only like a Divine, but also like a Saint of high Perfection. The Father proposed many Questions to him, and amongst the test he asked him if he were Devout to Saint Joseph; to which he made Answer, that for the six Years last passed he had been his Protector, and Director; and affirmed that our Saviour himself had given him Saint Joseph for this end. Adding that he was the greatest of Saints after the Blessed Virgin; that he had the Plenitude of the Holy Ghost with the Apostles; and that he was the Master and Spiritual Director of those Souls who addicted themselves to a hidden Interior Life and Conversation with God.  
To prove this Truth; 'tis only necessary to observe the assistance Saint Joseph gives in this behalf, and the particular desire he has to assist and help Retired and Interior Souls, and to become Master Directour and Protector of those Souls that aim at this Hidden and Spiritual Life, as the following passage will declare, which I had from the Mouth of a Religious Person, who serves God in a Monastery of the Seraphical Saint Francis' Order. Who as she disposed herself to make the Spiritual Exercise, according to the advice I gave her out of Philagie, she resolved to take a Saint for her Protector, to assist her in so important an affair, and was inclined to choose Saint Francis, as being Father and Patron of her Order; whilst her Thoughts were thus employed an Interior trouble of Mind seized her, and raised a doubt whither or no this choice were according to the Will of God. Whereupon she resolves to draw Lots and to write the Name of Saint Ninevehs who came first to her Mind, with that of Saint Francis, in little billets apart; and twice together the first she drew, was Saint Joseph; which was sufficient to let her se● 'twas God's Will to take him for her Director in this her Solitude.  
Some time after God gave her a strong inpulse to make choice of some Saint, that might for her Life time, take care of her Interior; hereupon she thought of choosing some of those Saints, for whom, from her tender Years, she had had a Devotion. Nevertheless it came into her Mind to put Saint Joseph amongst the rest: After she had well mingled the Papers or Suffrages, Saint Joseph, as before, twice fell to her Lot; however tho' it was very pleasing to her, that she had thus drawn him; yet she beg's of God, that she might most certainly know his Divine Will, to permit her if it were his Divine Pleasure, to light upon the same Lot the third time; wherefore mingling 'em again, the first that came to her Hand was Saint Joseph, which success made her entirely acknowledge, and receive him for her Spiritual Father, Protector, and faithful Director, of her Interior Religious Life.  
But to give us still a greater incitement to choose him for our Master and Director in this Intenour Life. Not only Saint Teresa Counceled all who desired to profit in Prayer, and in this Spiritual kind of Interior Life, to have recourse to Saint Joseph, and take him for their Master. But also his Virgin Spouse the Mother of God, who knows his Power and Goodness, gave the same Counsel to a Religious Person, who upon account of her Name and that of her Order, had a Filial Affection for her, and a Confidence and Tender Devotion to her. This Religious being very much Disquieted for some Temptations, she suffered, especially in time of Prayer, they giving her a great deal of trouble and disincouragement, upon account, that they made her think she should never be able to treat with God with that Fervour, nor have so open and liberal a Heart towards his Divine Majesty as she earnestly desired, and found necessary perfectly to serve him. Hereupon she addresses herself to the Blessed Virgin as to her tender Mother, and Affectionately tells her with a Filial Confidence, that she must needs obtain for her this Liberty of Spirit, and Inspire and Direct her what Saint she should choose to help her herein; and in whose Assistance she might securely Confide; that she might express her Gratitude during her whole Life, for obtaining by her Assistance so great a Benefit: She had no sooner ended her Petition, but she obtained a grant thereof; for she found that Saint Joseph was very lively presented to her Mind, and with a great Interior Sweetness; and the Excellency and great Perfection of this Saint was so clearly set before her, that she retained the idea thereof during her whole Life; and ever after Confided in him, in all and for all, as in a Loving Father; who immediately freed her from the pain she was in, not only for the present, but for the future; and when at any time any of her former Temptations returned, she found no disquiet at all, nor did she do any thing else, but confidently cast herself into the tender Arms of her Dear Father, and immediately she found her wont calm and Peace of Mind, accompanied with a most comfortable Union and Entertainment with God.  
Having thus st own you, how willingly Saint Joseph takes upon him to help Souls to lead this Spiritual and Interior Life, I shall declare to you the manner how he does it, and the helps he gives towards the gaining this Interior Perfection; by procuring those things that are required for it, and conduce to it, such as are Prayer, Presence of God, Peace of the Mind, and the Interior Practice of all sorts of Virtue.  
As for Prayer, Saint Teresa assures us in her Life, that he who cannot find a Master to teach him how to Pray, must choose Saint Joseph for his Guide and Directour; and he will certainly find out the way to perform this Exercise well.  
To Confirm this; I know two Persons who found great difficulty in Prayer, the one by frequently recommending himself to Saint Joseph, the other by undertaking the Recital of a few Prayers in his Honour, found themselves assisted by him, even as soon as they had performed these Devotions; and they have since by his Intercession obtained so great a facility in Mental Prayer, that there is no greater Comfort or Consolation to them, than the Exercise thereof.  
A Religious Person of my acquaintance being newly Professed in a Holy Order, desiring very earnestly, as she told me, the gift of quiet Prayer, and to be freed from Distractions, found herself inwardly moved to have recourse to this admirable Master; to whom she most readily addressed herself, and did it with such a Confidence in his help, that he obtained this gift for her. And she moreover owns, that when she Meditates upon any Point of Saint Joseph's Virtues and Perfections, there's nothing else to be thought on, but what ordinary happens in the Meditations of the Blessed Trinity, the Blessed Sacrament, and such like high Mysteries, Acts of Admiration, Submission, entering into her own nothingness, and Contemplation of so high and sublime a greatness.  
But the other favours she received of this Saint, by means of recommending herself to him, are equal to these already related. When she goes to Bed she beg's something she wants and receives it, she desires to be freed from Impure Dreams, he obtains for her this Petition also. So happy a thing it is to have so powerful a Master and so good a Father.  
Now as to the Presence of God another thing conducing to this Interior Life, 'tis this that he certainly obtains for his Children and Devout Clients.  
I knew some who continually walked in the Presence of God, whereby they were guided in all, even their least Actions, with very great Atention, yet without the least let or hindrance to the exact performance of their Employments; so that they seemed to me rather Angels than Men; and ask them how they obtained this happiness, they assured me it was the effect of Saint Joseph's Intercession; they having begged it of him, who was himself thirty Years together in the continual Presence of the Word Incarnate; and found by experience the good that proceeded from it; who is therefore ready to help Recollected Souls, to a Participation of this incomparable Comfort, of being Constantly in God's, sight, which influences and facilitates all their Actions.  
But Saint Joseph's help is no les● efficacious also, in obtaining Peace of Mind, another necessary Disposition, for obtaining this Interiou● Life; and amongst many other Examples I could bring of my own knowledge, I will here produce one. A certain Person of the number of those, who think extraordinary Devotion and sublime Spirituality, consists in discoursing of such high Points; as are both above their own, as well as Auditors reach, either to understand or explicate; yet will venture at new Propositions, to make themselves admitted as Persons more than ordinarily enlightened by God. This Person came to a Monastery, and at the Grate, broaches one of his own Fantastical Opinions for a truth; that the Humanity of our Saviour, was in all places, as well as his Divinity; and that one might have the Presence of the one as well as of the other. This new proposition wrought some trouble in those that were present, especially in one of 'em, who recounted the passage to me, telling me she was not able any longer to make her Prayer, but that this new and extravagant Doctrine came into her Head, and so darkened her Soul, that she was able to do nothing. Wherefore by my Direction, as soon as this Thought occurred and troubled her, she recommended herself to Saint Joseph and begged him to disperse this Cloud; who had scarce finished this her Petition, but her trouble vanished, and he● wont Peace and Tranquillity of Mind returned after such a manner, that she never more thought of that Discourse, and resolved never more ●o give ear to such Discourses of Novelties, which nothing but a vain curiosity can lead us unto.  
And as ●o the gaining all forts of Interior Virtues, required also for this Spiritual and Interior Life; I need only tell you Saint Teresa's Thoughts. 
† S. Teresa in the 6. Chap. of her Life.  there's no sort of Virtue, says she, which is not lodged as in its Proper Seat, in the Soul of those who serve Saint Joseph with a Faithful Heart, and recommend themselves to his Prayers, for one may perceive in them in a little time, incredible advancements. 'Tis but making trial therefore and having recourse to him for these Ends expecting and assuring ourselves of a Happy Success by his  Assistance. Thus Saint Te●●sa assures us of his efficacious help.   

CHAP. XI. Of the assistance Saint Joseph gives to Spiritual Maladies; especially to those who are in a bad State of Soul.  
THE Vision Saint Teresa had upon the Assumption of our Blessed Lady, whilst she considered the Sins of her Past Life; is a proof of Saint Joseph's help, in all our Spiritual Infirmities; At which time a Divine Transport seizing her Soul, she saw it clothed with a very white and resplendent Robe. At first she perceived not who put it on, but at last she saw the Mother of God on the one side of her, and Saint. Joseph on the other, and understood that this was done by them, to signify that at the same time her Soul was freed from all Sin and Imperfection. Which proves how careful and desirous the Holy Spouse of Mary is, to disperse and drive away all Spiritual Distempers, and restore Purity to our Soul; so that in all attacks of any Violent Passion; in any dangerous Temptation; and in our failings or falls into any Imperfection; there is no better means to free ourselves, and obtain a particular help and assistance, than by calling upon Saint Joseph.  
We see daily Examples of this by the great and wonderful change we find in the Conversations of those, who are noted for their Devotion to this Saint; what Victories do we perceive they have gained over their Passions? What Mortifications do they not use to subdue their Senses? And with what Peace and Tranquillity do they perform all this? I knew some who could not forbear Jesting and Rallying, which serves for nothing but to wound and destroy Charity; others who had strange aversions against those who suited not with their Temper and Humour, they not being able to suffer so much as their sight, much less their Conversation; others that were so Passionately carried away with Private and Particular Affections, that they could neither Pray, Labour nor perform any of their Duties; which is a Passion, if not cured, that is very Dangerous and Pernicious to Purity. But to my great Joy and Comfort I ever found, all these Passions vanish, after they had performed some Devotions to Saint Joseph for this Intention: For this ill Habit of Sharp and Mortifying Words, of Uncharitable and Malicious Thoughts, that caused these aversions, soon Vanished; after application made to Saint Joseph for his Assistance: I knew a Young Woman violently attacked with a Passion of Love, which she freed herself from, by resolving in honour of Saint Joseph, to obstain for nine Days from the Conversation of the Person she Loved; which the performing and recommending herself every Day during that time to Saint Joseph, to beg his help to overcome it, she was perfectly freed from this tormenting and dangerous Spirit of Love; and that she might never more be troubled with th● like, she resolved during her whole Life, to say Daily Saint Joseph●● Litany, whereby she obtained th● happy end she aimed at. but to p●● her in mind that this constant Devotion to Saint Joseph, was th● means whereby she obtained th●● Favour; when ever she neglected th● ordinary time of performing it● she found some small returns of this Passion, which immediately vanished at its performance.  
I knew also another Person, who by a violent attack of the same Passion, had quite lost her Sleep; and was in great danger of losing her wit's also; for she was seized upon by Despairing Thoughts and Doubts of her Perseverance in Religion; who being Counceled for nine Days together, to say the Beads of Saint Joseph I before spoke of Page. 28. some of her Friends joining their Devotions with here's to Saint Joseph for this end, at the end of the nine Days she found herself perfectly cured.  
There are many such like Favours which this great Saint obtains for his Faithful Servants, that have recourse to him, by his obtaining for them a Victory over those Passions, they find themselves seized withal, which often times they have not Confidence to Discover, and which pass only between God and themselves, these I have set down for encourageing all in the the like circumstances, to have recourse to this Spiritual and Powerful Physician, the great Saint Joseph.  
Isador, in his fourth Book and ●enth Chapter, Recounts a very Remarkable Example of a Gentleman of Venice, so Devoted to Saint Joseph, who Daily upon his Knees he was wont to recite before his Image, several Devotions in his Honour. This Person lying dangerously Sick, without thinking, as he should have done, of a Penitent Confession; his cares being rather taken up about the Health of his Body, than that of his Soul. Being in this condition, Saint Joseph mindful of his past Devotions to him, shows himself a true Friend and Father to his Soul; by Appearing to him, and warning him to make a good and speedy Confession, and to prepare himself for Death, which was nearer him than he imagined; he followed his Council, put himself in a good State, Received the last Sacraments, and assisted by Saint Joseph in his last Agony, made a most happy End, and Received hereby a Reward for his constant Devotions to this Saint.  
Another Example of later Date, I received from the Testimony of Persons most worthy of Credit. A Father of the SOCIETY, being desired earnestly by some Friends to say a Mass; and another of the same SOCIETY not Priest, to Offer nine Communions in Honour of Saint Joseph; that by his powerful Intercession a near Kinsman of theirs might be drawn from a Wicked Licentious Life, in which he had been so Miserably plunged for the space of five Years, that by no means or Prayers they could use, they ●ou'd prevail with him to Live even like a Man of Honour before Men, as became his Quality; much less like a Christian before God, as his Sacred Character and Habit also he ●ore required. At the self same time these Prayers were Offered for this Person, he fell grieviously Sick, as his Relation had desired he might, in case no other means would reform him; and so it fell out according to his wish; the Distemper increased to such an Extremity, that ●he Received the last Sacraments, and then Miraculously Recovered; with a Resolution hereafter to employ his time and all his endeavours in a Work of great Importance to God's Glory. Which he Faithfully performed, to the great Edification and Comfort of all that knew him; who were witness of this great change wrought by Saint Joseph. This Conversion happened at Paris.  
Another no less strange Conversion than this happened at Lions, where a Young Man of very good Condition, who had passed his Youth in the Fear of God, and infine was resolved to quit the World, and entirely give himself to God's Service, for the greater security of his Salvation. But this design not pleasing his Parents, they endeavoured to devert him from it, but very unhappily; for he now seeing himself Frustrated of his design of executing his good Desires, his former fervour cooling by little and little, he fell from a Remissness in his Devotions, to an entire neglect of them; at last he quite loosed the Rains of his Passions, and gave himself up to all shameful Liberties. Then he betakes himself to the War, where he exercises all the Licentiousness of a Soldier's Life. So that there was no Mischief or Excess, in which he was not the Ringleader. In the mean time his Father and Mother Conscious of their great Fault, having a Sense of Piety and of God's Honour and Glory, fell into unconsolable Regrets and Afflictions of Mind, acknowledging their Error, and never giving over by Letters and Good Counsels, both by themselves and Friends, to persuade him to quit his Irregularities; but all in vain, his Heart being hardened and become obstinate. At length, as their last Refuge, they have recourse to Saint Joseph, daily beseeching him to reclaim and bring back this Prodigal Child, by taking him under his Protection. The third day they had earnestly Offered these daily Devotions, the Young Man returned home, cast himself at his Parents Feet, begged their Pardon for his follies, began a new Life, and corresponded to his former Vocation, by entering into Religion; in which God Rewarded him with Perseverance; all which Favours he obtained by Saint Joseph's Intercession.  
We have in our Church in Lions a Votive Picture of a Woman extremely afflicted for the Debaucheries of her Husband, no endeavours for Reclaiming him prevailing, she had Recourse to Saint Joseph, making a Vow to him, for the obtaining her Husband's Conversion, which she had no sooner performed, but, her Husband's Thoughts were quite changed, and he was never after Disloyal to his Consort.  
A Person of Worth and Confident Friend of mine, writ to me a little while ago, knowing I had a Piece of Work in Hand in honour of Saint Joseph, assuring me, that Saint Joseph had Delivered her from a most miserable slavery and thraldom of Mind, which happened to her after the following manner. She having failed in a matter of great Importance, even against a Vow made to God, could not bring herself to a plain and clear Confession of her Fault; finding this great difficulty and repugnance, she fully resolved to overcome so dangerous a Bashfulness, and for this end that she might obtain Grace of God, to put her Soul in a good State, for nine Days together she said the Hymn and Prayer of Saint Joseph, Printed at the end of this Book; Page. 20. and upon the ninth Day, she felt a strange Remorse for her Offence, found a sufficient Courage to declare all, and to make a good Confession, which she performed with a very great Sorrow, and a firm purpose of Amendment; and ever after resolved to carry about her an Image of Saint Joseph, even in the Night, to preserve her from bad Dreams, whereby she acknowledges to have Received very singular help and Assistance.   

CHAP. XII. The Miraculous Assistance which Saint Joseph gives in Curing Corporal Diseases, especially the Plague.  
THE Examples I here set down, I have chosen out of many more; they being what I was either an Eye Witness of, or was very well acquainted with the Persons upon whom they were wrought, in this our City of Lions, where I now live; or else are such as have irrefragable Authority to ●rove their Truth.  
None can doubt of what Saint Te●sa herself recounts of the Miratulous Cures he wrought upon her ●n her Youth; and in those very ●ong and lasting Distempers. She ●ad after she was Religious. Who for eight Months together lost the use of all her Limbs, suffered frequent Faintings, Soundings, Palpitations of the Breast, all which were her ordinary Distempers, that held her for three Years together; from all which she was Delivered by the Intercession of Saint Joseph, to whom she was extremely Devoted, and whose Feast she kept every Year, with very great Solemnity; she being upon it, suddenly freed from those long Distempers, that had kept her for so long a time in her Bed, and able to rise and walk about the House, as if she had never been Sick.  
Sister Jane of the Angels being brought to Death's Door, by a Mortal Pleurisy; there being, according to the Physician's Opinion, no hopes of her Recovery, received it by Saint Joseph's Assistance; who Appeared to her, and laid his Hand upon that side where the Pain was; and so Cured her: But this being a very Miraculous Cure, and the circumstances very extraordinary. I cannot omit to give you in short, a particular account of the chief Passages, leaving the rest to a Printed Relation of it, approved by the Bishop of Poicters; and showing how she Recovered by a most Miraculous Ointment, that the Saint applied: And because the most satisfactory relation I think that can be made of it, is what she Relates herself in a Letter to a Friend; I shall therefore put it down in her own Words.  
I fell into very violent Convulsion Fits, like one ready to give up the Ghost; I found myself deprived of all Sense, yet my Judgement was still at liberty, and as I lay in this sad Condition, there appeared to me a great and beautiful Clowed, in which on my right side, stood my Good Angel, of incomparable Beauty, like a Youth of eighteen Years of Age, with fair desheveled Hair: This Youth had in his right Hand a fair Wax flaming Taper; on the other side in the Cloud was my Holy Father Saint Joseph, with a Countenance outshining the Sun in Brightness, and a Majesty more than Human, resembling in Age, a Man of forty or forty five Years Old, with a goodly Head of Hair, of a Chestnut colour very long and I perceived he looked upon one of the Assistants that stood by me, after a very sweet manner, full of Amity and Affection. Then beholding me he laid his Hand upon that side, where from the beginning was the principle Source if my Distemper, he anointed me With Oil, or some such kind of Liquor, and the place he anointed remained something moist: And at that same in●ient I found myself perfectly re●ever'd, and told the standers by as much.  
This is what she herself Recounts, now see what followed. she finding herself very well, ris out of her Bed, which she had kept upon account of her Fever, for fourteen Days together, occasioned by a formed Pleurisy that gave her extraordinary pain; she had been let Blood nine times in twelve Days space, which caused such a Weakness and Feebleness, as she was scarce able to turn herself in her Bed, none expecting any thing but Death. But Mr. Faveon her Physician and a Protestant was most of all astonished, when entering into her Chamber, not knowing any thing of the Miracle, he saw all the Company on their Knees, the Sick Woman's bed empty and covered, and saw her, who but a little before he had left as a Dying Person, rising from her Knees, walking in her Religious Habit about the Chamber without any help, and coming towards him with a Smiling Countenance: To whom she recounted her Miraculous recovery, giving him also thanks for the Pains he had taken. This surprise was so sudden, that he remained for along time in a silent astonishment, not knowing what to say or think, but in the end coming to himself, he acknowledged it to be a wonderful change, but God says he is Omnipotent.  
But another, yet greater Miracle soon followed this; of which this was partly the occasion; for the rest of the Ointment, remaining upon a Linen Cloth, wherewith the recovered Person wiped the Place Saint Joseph had Anointed, not only retained a Sweet and Aromatic Smell, as I myself experienced, as this Religious Person, so Miraculously Cured, passed by Lions, but has also the power of Working Miracles, which it likewise Communicates to Beads, Medals, Images and Papers that have only touched this Miraculous Ointment, or the Cloth that Wiped it off the Religious Persons Side.  
The second Miracle wrought by the Ointment is as follows. Madame. de Laubougemont, about eight Days after Sister Jean of the Angels had so Miraculously Recovered, being big with Child, happened after the self same manner to fall Sick of a Pleurisy at Trevoux, which four of the ablest Physicians of that place judged Incurable, and therefore thought it in vain to apply any Remedies. But God Inspired both the Patient and her Husband to make use of the Remedy, Saint Joseph had afforded the foresaid Religious; and therefore they sent an Express to Loudun to desire they might make use of the Cloth that had Wiped off the Heavenly Balsam, from the Place Saint Joseph had Anointed. This being brought to the Sick Lady the very Smell of its Divine Perfume, filled her Soul with Joy, and the Application of it to her Right Side perfectly recovered her, and a few hours after she was Delivered of a Child, which the Doctors and Surgeons judged to have been a whole Month Dead in her Body.  
A Young Man called Claud Murner at Laubougemont, afflicted with an extraordinary swelling in one of his Ribs, that reached quite to his Reins, and caused a very violent Fever: So that all concluded he would either be a Cripple as long as he lived, or else the breaking of the Ulser would occosion his Death, such an abundance of humours being gathered together, and had caused so great an inflammation and swelling, as gave him a very great deal of pain; so that he could not lie in any other Posture in his Bed, but upon his Belly. Which moved a great compassion in those that visited him, amongst which was one of his Relations, a Father of the SOCIETY, from whom I received this account. Who hearing the Doctors and Surgeons of Mascon conclude there was no hopes of a Cure, caused the Youth with all Confidence to make a Vow to Saint Joseph: The Father said Mass in honour of the same Saint, to procure his powerful Intercession, and advised the Youth to Confess and Communicate. This done he caused the Name of JESUS to be written and brought to the Sick Person who swallowed down the Paper, it having touched the Heavenly Balm of Saint Joseph, I before spoke of; they rubbed also the inflammation with a piece of the same Paper. The same Day the Fever left him, his appetite returned, the swelling wasted by degrees, and his strength recovered after such a manner, that within three or four Days he found himself able to perform a journey of seven Leagues on Horseback, and this happened not only to these Persons I have Named, but to several others both at Lions, Trevoux and Loudun were cured of very Desperate Fevers by the same means.  
Sister Margaret Rigaud a Professed Religious of the Monastery of Saint Elizabeth at Lions, fell from a flore one story high, the fall caused such a bruise in her Head, as made the Blood gush out of her Ears, and deprived her of her Senses; they used all remedies, but nothing could ease her Head, which was so bruised, that for several Months together she was not able so much as to lean, or rest it even upon the softest Pillow. Her Mind was in no less pain, being very much disquieted; caused by the weakness of her offended Brain; and the Evil very much increasing, a Consult of Doctors and Surgeons were called, who all concluded that her Head was to be opened by being Trapan'd, and unless this Remedy were used, she would soon be deprived either of Life or at least of her Senses. At the Patient's request, who extremely apprehended this Violent Operation, it's execution was deferred, and in the mean time the Superior of the Monastery by God's Inspiration, took a resosution to apply another Remedy which had its effect: She ordered that a Communion for nine Days together, should be Offered for the Recovery of this Religious, in honour of Saint Joseph, thereby to obtain his Intercession; the Distemper notwithstanding continued very Violent, and caused great and sharp pain to the Patient, during eight Days, and the ninth Day being begun without an appearance of Health, some of the Religious proposed that the Sick Person should make a Vow to Saint Antoline, who was wont by her Intercession to Cure such kind of Distempers. Another Religious hearing this, and being unwilling that any but Saint Joseph should have the honour of this Cure, addresses herself to him, with a great deal of Fervour begging of him that he would take to himself the honour of this Cure, whose honour was now at stake, she being first recommended to him, and that he would not permit another to deprive him of it; especially since he had full power to effect it; and last of all she conjures him by those Eminent Prerogatives of his being the reputed Father of JESUS, and Spouse of Mary, to assist the Sick Person, Promising him if he did so, that in thanksgiving, she would perform nine Mortifications, and say nine times his Prayer in his honour, but whilst she Offered these Devotions in behalf of her Sick Sister, at the expiring of the ninth Day, she was suddenly Cured, and so perfectly well, that she could not contain herself from running about the House, and crying out a Miracle a Miracle, I am quite recovered, I am perfectly well again, and so she was indeed; for she not only received health of Body but of Soul also; enjoying ever after a continual Peace and Repose of mind; a Love of Devotion and regular Observances; whereas before, it was a Mortification to her to be at the Choir, and Plainsong was insupportable to her; whereas now she is, the most Punctual and Zealous observer of this Duty, and takes a most particular Satisfaction therein, and in exactly following the Community in all other Regular Observances: Having received so great Light from Saint Joseph as to see and value Perfection, and whatever tends to it, even before her Corporal Health or any other Satisfaction whatsoever; and therefore Honours him as her chief Patron, since together with the Health of her Body, he bestowed upon her such Interior Blessings, and Benefits to her Soul.  
In the same Monastery about eight Years ago, a Religious newly Professed, was taken with so violent an Headache, that she could take no rest at all, and Prayer even became impossible to her to perform; hereupon her Superior, order her to Communicate nine Tuesdays following, in honour of Saint Joseph, to obtain his Intercession, for her Delivery from this Violent Distemper; upon the fourth Tuesday, which that Year happened to be the Feast of Saint Joseph, in time of the Sermon, which was made in their Church in honour of Saint Joseph, in which his Praises were set fourth, her Torments were so redubled, that she was scarce able to hold up her Head, and scarce knew even where she was, or what she did. But this pain as great as it was, was not able to make her neglect her Duty and Devotion of hearing out the Sermon; nor hindered her afterwards from ●aying in the Church to Pray with ●he rest of the Religious, tho' she ●on'd say, or think of nothing else ●et these two Words O Saint Joseph! ●hich from time to time she repeated with incredible joy of Heart, rejoicing that he was such a Saint; which joy was attended with that ●f her being delivered from her Headache, and that so entirely, that ●ever since she has felt the least ●ain in her Head.  
The Superior of the Congregation of the Word Incarnate, being afflicted for ten Years together with ●ore Eyes, so that she could not Read; and a continual Defluxion fell upon 'em, that so darkened her Sight, that the Occulists thought she would never perfectly recover it; who no sooner had made a Vow to Saint Joseph to say his Office for a Year together, ●ut she was immediately delivered from this dimness of Sight.  
How successful Saint Joseph is also in Curing his Clients defending 'em even from the greatest of all Distempers the Plague, we may gather from his defending the City of Avinion from being utterly Destroyed by the Plague, about ten Years since, upon account of a Solemn Vow made to him of for ever Celebrating his Feast, and this Example caused several at Lions to have Recourse to him by their Prayers, and receive Succour from him also in time of the Plague, of whom I shall relate two or three of the most remarkable Examples.  
Mr. Augury an Advocate in the Parliament of Dauphiné, being at Lions, and understanding July the 15. 1638. that Theodor Augury his Son, seven Year, of Age, was seized on by the Plague, a hard swelling appearing under his right Arm, accompanied with a violent Fever, which were evident sign's of the Plague, which the Day following very much increased, together with the Bubo or Swelling; he made a Vow to God that if Saint Joseph by his Intercession would procure his Son's Recovery, and preserve his Family from the Plague, he would for nine Days together hear Mass at his Church, in his Honour, and offer Tapers and wax Candles at his Altar, with a Votive Picture, as a lasting memory of this Favour. In the mean time the Sick Youth being visited by the Plague Surgeons, who gave him over for Dead, was taken out of the House, and carried to Saint Laurence the Pest-House, for fear of Infecting others; where he found himself perfectly well, nor were any more of his Family Infected, which were nine in number, whereupon he performed his Vow, and hung up a Picture at Saint Joseph's Altar, in which he and his Wife and Children were all Painted on their Knees, giving thanks to God for this Favour, obtained by the Intercession of Saint Joseph, with the Story written at the bottom of the Picture, and signed by himself.  
Father Melchior of Faug a Religious of the SOCIETY of JESUS, being a Month ago exposed to serve those who were in the Quarantin, or Pest-House, having catched the Plague, and lying in extremity of Death, all despatring of his Recovery, after having been three Days in his Agony, a Friend of his of the same Order, made a Vow, and invited the Sick Man to do the like, in case he recovered; which was to Offer Nine Masses in the Church of Saint Joseph, in thanksgiving for his Recovery. At the self same hour that the Vow was made, he Recovered his Speech and found himself out of all danger.  
Tevenet a good Old Man of Saint Laurence Dauger, a Village near Lions, Infected with the Plague, asked the Viccaire of the Place, whether there were no means for his Recovery; who answered him that there was none, but by having Recourse to Saint Joseph; and by making a Vow every Year to keep his Feast, and to Confess and Communicate upon it; and for nine Days to say seven Pater's and Aves, and conclude them with JESUS, MARIA, JOSEPH. The Pious Old Man immediately made the Vow, and at the same time found himself freed from the Plague, wondering what was become of his Bubo's and Swell, which all Vanished upon a sudden.  
Martin de Ba●● a little Child of four Years of age, was struck with the Plague as he was at play; all gave him for lost, and his Mother being in very great Desolation and Affliction, was Counceled to Recommend him to Saint Joseph, which she immediately did in these Words, Saint Joseph to you I Recommend my Child, about two hours after the Child's Father perceiving some signs of Death, calls his Wife, who now giving him for Dead, made a kind of Pious Complaint, saying Ah Saint Joseph! She comes to the Child and finds the Evil diminished, who a little after calls to his Mother for some Meat, recovers his wont Countenance, rises from his Bed, and cries out I am well, Saint Joseph has Cured me. And the Morning following there was not the least sign of any Disease, and he felt no more Weakness than if he had never been Sick; whom his Parents carried to the Church of Saint Joseph to give thanks, where they hung up a Votive Picture to testify not only the Child's, but the Father's Delivery from the Plague; who afterwards was visited and Delivered also by Saint Joseph's Intercession, from the same Evil; by the Application of some Cotton or the Bubo or Swelling, that had touched the Ointment of Loudun, whereby Saint Joseph Miraculously cured one of the Religious of that place, as I before mentioned, whereby he was immediately cured.  
Bennet Gontelle a Gardner living in a Garden, that joins to Saint Joseph's Church, every Day lost one of his Family, consisting of seventeen Persons, out of which one Daily fell sick and was led to the Pest-House, where his Wife and all his Children were already Dead of it; and he and one Servant only left alive in the House, who Daily expeeted to follow the rest. I visiting him, being his nex Neighbour in this sad Affliction, Counceled him to make a Vow to Saint Joseph, which he did, and I joined with him in it; promising him to Offer several Masses and Communions in his Honour, if by his Intercession he would obtain his and his Servants Preservation from the Plague, God hears his Prayers and preserved 'em both from the Infection.  
To Conclude this Catalogue o● those, whom Saint Joseph assisted after a very extraordinary manner, who were either cured when Infected or preserved from the Infection; ● must also add the following Relation: Those who were appointe● Masters of Health in this City o● Lions, appointed to take care of the Infected, and to prevent the increase of the Infection, having after a particular manner recommended themselves to Saint Joseph were all preserved from it; notwithstanding for the discharge of their employment they were Daily exposed to the danger of gaining the Infection. Wherefore they all came in a Body to Saint Joseph's Church, in the Year 1638. to Confess and Communicate, and to Offer Wax Candles at Saint Joseph's Altar, to express their Gratitude to him, for so signal a favour, which by his Intercession he had obtained both for them and for the whole Town.   

CHAP. XIII. The Assistance which God gives upon all occasions by Saint Joseph's Intercession.  
WHOSOEVER desires to experience the effects of Saint Joseph's Intercession, will find him a true Father; for he forsakes none in their necessities, but assists those who have recourse to him in all their exigencies, especially, if what they desire does any way conduce to God's Honour and Glory. Thus he assisted Saint Teresa in the Foundation of the greatest part of her Monasteries; as is set down at large in the History of her Order. And I know a person who was in great pain about the success of an affair of importance, whereupon he caused Mass to be said in honour of Saint Joseph, begged his Intercession and it succeeded as well as be could wish it should have done.  
Saint Joseph also has concern not only for Spiritual but even temporal Affairs, and by his Intercession assists those that beg his help herein; as we may see by the Example Saint Teresa relates of herself, who was in great pain about some Debts she had contracted, in building the Monastery of Avila; not knowing what course to take, for the payment of the Workmen: In this perplexity Saint Joseph Appears to her, bids her confidently to agree with the Workmen, and engage for all necessaries for the building, promising she should not want Money to Defray the Expenses; and in effect she found he performed his Promise, she receiving moneys from such Persons, from whom she least of all expected so great Charities, both to her own and other Persons Astonishment.  
The Carthusians also experienced in the last Age, how powerful his Intercession is with Almighty God; for fearing so great a Desolation, as the failing of their Order would have been for want of Subjects, none presenting themselves to undertake that sort of Life; a general Chapter held at their great  by Grenoble, to the end they might obtain Saint Joseph's powerful intercession, in what was of the greatest concern for the support of their Order, they made a Decree in General Chapter, in which they chose him for the Patron and Advocate of their Order; and they ordained, that his Feast should for the future not only be kept as a Feast of Obligation, throu'out their whole Order, but with very great Solemnity; which singular Devotion of theirs, was so favoured and accepted by Saint Joseph; and his Intercession was so Efficacious in the Court of Heaven, that in all Parts of the World where they are established, they have never since wanted proper Subjects to increase their Holy Order; and if any particular House at any time wants Subjects, 'tis but addressing themselves to him, and they find his powerful Assistance; as their House at Lions did some five Years ago, where by making a Vow that the Priests should every Day make a Commemoration of him in their Mass, they have never since wanted fit Subjects to Increase their Number.  
But Saint Joseph not only brings Subjects to Religion, but even whole Nations to the Catholic Church; and this was the reason that our Fathers gave the Name of Joseph to the first Tarquois whom they Baptised: New France also owns him for its Patron, and for the Propa●atour of the Catholic Faith, in the Southern Parts of America; and one of the chief Missions in those Parts is called The Mission of Saint Joseph, and in the Year 1626. two hundred Families were Baptised, and their Example moved six Neighbouring Townships to unite themselves to the True Faith, that they might also become partakers of those Spiritual and Temporal Blessings, which Saint Joseph Visibly obtained for these happy Converts.  
Saint Joseph also favours Marriage, and unites the Hearts of Married Persons, procuring them a True and Constant Conjugal Assection, ●s appears in the Example of a very Rich Merchant of Lions, who had great Inclinations to Marry with a Young Woman of quality; but she rejected all Propositions in that kind, whereupon he addresses himself to Saint Joseph, Vow's the giving an Alms of a hundred Crowns in his Honour, if he would move her to hearken to his proposal of Marriage. The Vow was no sooner made, but he gains her Consent, and the Marriage is made up, and they lived a most happy Couple in a Constant Peace and Union of Affections, which is one of the greatest Blessings in this Sacrament.  
He assists  Persons also and preserves them from all attempts, that the Enemy makes to Destroy in them the admirable Virtue of Chastity; as appears in an Example of a Pious Virgin, who being attacked in this Point, her Confessor advises her to have recourse to Saint Joseph, and causes her to wear about her, a Paper that had touched the Miraculous Ointment at Loudun, whereby she presently found Help and Comfort. As another also did, who recommended herself to the same Saint, promising to wear his Image for nine Days together. I had this Relation from the Person herself, who received this benefit by Saint Joseph's Intercession,  
Saint Joseph also hears and helps Persons with Child, as appears by a Votive Picture in the Church of Saint Joseph at Lions, on the side of his Altar; her Child being Dead for some Days within her, she could not be delivered thereof. Yet she no sooner begged his Assistance, but she was Delivered of it half putrified, with safety also of her Life, which all despaired of. The like favour happened to a Woman at Trevoux who by a very hard Labour for three Days together, was brought to the last extremity and danger of Death, in these straits she thought of Recommending herself to Saint Joseph, and Purposed to Confess and Communicate in his Honour, and to swallow a Paper that had touched the Miraculous Ointment of Loudun, which she had no sooner done but she was happily Delivered.  
He favours also Married Prisons, giving them Children, one of the chief Blessings of Marriage. as a Votive Picture in Saint Joseph's Church testifies, of one who wanted this Blessing, who had no sooner begged his Intercession, but within a Year she obtained it.  
But to save the setting down many other Examples of Saint Joseph's powerful Assistance; the Testimony of Saint Teresa, and of many others of his, Clients, whom I have heard avouch the same Truth, is that he refuses nothing that is asked him, but provides a remedy in all necessities, which is a sufficient motive to make us all have Recourse to him, with all confident assurance of our obtaining our Petitions.   

CHAP. XIV. To exhort all to have Recours to Saint Joseph and Confide in his Powerful Protection.  
WE ought Piously to believe, that the Mother of God has a knowledge from her Son, of what is good for our Salvation; wherefore if we do but Consult her, and desire her to advise us what is best for us to do to secure our Saltation, we cannot doubt but she will tell us, Be Devout to Saint Joseph, love my Dear Spouse Saint Joseph.  
To prove this Assertion I will relate what Father Balthasar Alvares, a great Client of hers, and Confessor to the great Devote Saint Teresa, affirms. Who being one Day Sick at Valedolid of a Violent burning Fevaer, one of the Religious that helped him, showed him an Image of our Blessed Lady and Saint Joseph; and put him in mind of Recommending himself to the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. You have Reason, says he, for the Mother of God has expressly Commanded me to do so. And as afterwards he owned, 'twas in the Holy Chapel of Laurette where she gave him this Command. She gave the same advice also to Saint Teresa, who was Father Balthazar's Penitent, which caused her to have so great a Devotion to Saint Joseph and such a Confidence in him, that she styled him her Father, and those that follow our Blessed Ladies advice in this particular, may expect such a particular mark of her kindness and encouragement upon this account as she showed S. Teresa.  
It happened that at Avila upon the Feast of the Assumption, whilst Saint Teresa was carrying on the Foundation of that Monastery, under the Name of Saint Joseph, that one Day whilst she was at her Prayer, she saw our Blessed Lady upon one side, and Saint Joseph on the other, showing her extraordinary expressions of kindness; and amongst others, that which gave her an incredible Consolation, was a familiar treatment our Blessed Lady used towards her, takeing her by the Hand, and giving her thank's for her Affection to her door Spouse; and for her particular Devotion towards him. After these thanks she ptomised her all sorts of Assistance in her Pious design, and in confirmation of her Affection, she made her a Present of a Collar or Chain of Gold, with a Cross hung at it, set with Precious Stones so resplendent, as she never beheld the like. This made Saint Teresa use her utmost endeavours to induce and persuade all to a Devotion to her Glotious Patron. And without doubt were we so happy as to Converse with the Saints now in Heaven, they would join with her in persuading us to so Pious and Profitable a Work, by their own Example: For we Read in Saint Gertrud's, Life that upon the Vigil of the Annunciation of our Blessed Lady, she perceived all the Saints in Heaven bow their Heads in honour of Saint Joseph, whilst his Name was Recited in the Choir, they looking upon one another with signs of Joy and Congratulation, to see Saint Joseph Honoured upon Earth as they Honour him in Heaven.  
Since therefore the Queen of Saints and Angels, and all the Saints and Angels themselves, take such a Satisfaction in seeing Saint Joseph Honoured, can we think it proceeds from any other reason, than because they see this Honour done Saint Joseph, highly pleasing to God, and most profitable to Man. Wherefore let us upon this account renew our Pious Resolutions, of rendering him all Honour, and of Honouring him abore all next to Jesus and Mary. Let us resolve to honour him all the Days of our Lives, especially upon his Feast Days, since there's none more Beloved, nor none more Worthy of our Love, than he, next to Jesus and Mary; Who obliges his Lovers by all sorts of Favours, Wins their Devotions by Miracles, especially in matters of Life and Death, both in Body and Soul, as well for this Life as the next, and who most easily and favourably grants what ever is asked, and procures us a free access to Jesus and Mary.  
Wherefore it was a profitable and imitable invention of the Devours Henry, Canon of Charters, to have Recourse to Saint Joseph; since as th●● Learned Gerson remarks, having him on his side, he was sure also of his Son and Spouses Protection, Saint Joseph having their Power at his Disposal; and 'tis sufficient to take him for our Protector, to have his and their help in all our Necessities at the very first Petition, or ever without ask it, as appears by the following Examples.  
Saint Teresa making a Voyage with some of her Religious to Found vieth was gone out of the right way, and so engaged with her Company among the Rocks, which hung over a Brow of a Precipice, so that the Wagoner could not go either forwards or backwards. Presently she goes to her wont Refuge Saint Joseph, ordering her Companions to join with her in begging the Protection of her Dear Father, they had no sooner ●one so, but they saw an Old Man, who crved to them with a loud Voice, Stand, for you will be lost if you go on. Wherefore they asked him, what way shall we go then? That way, replied he, which seemed impossible for a Wagon to go to; but on a sudden they found themselves Miraculously put into it, at which time they endeavoured to find out the the Old Man to thank him, but in vain as S. Teresa foretold, who assured them 'twas her good Father Saint Joseph, who had freed them from the great langer they were in.  
'Twas for this Reason that the Exorcist of Sister Jean of the Angels, Prioress of the Vrsulins at Loudun, who knew his goodness and power, those him for his Protector in this work: For the Devils complained of Saint Joseph, by whose means they could not molest the Religious at her Devotions.  
And to prove that Saint Joseph even helps without being asked, or expecting our Prayers, the following passage that happened at Lions in the Month of September last passed, 1638. does evidently prove; which I had from the Persons own Mouth, and is as follow's.  
Mr. Peter Evialvin a Rich Merchant, coming upon the eighth of September, our Blessed Ladies Nativity, with a Friend of his to the Church of Saint Joseph, after some Discourse with his Friend, who was a Client of Saint Joseph's, about several Graces and Favours that Saint Joseph bestowed upon his Clients; and of the Merits of this great Saint; conceived a great desire to take him for his Advocate, and resolved to frequent his Church and to heat Mass in it the Thursday and Friday following. The next Sunday, within the Octave, upon which he put himself under Saint Joseph's Protection, as he walked in the Fields for his divertisement, he met two Men unknown to him, one of which shot at him with a Blunderbuss, charged with thirty hailshot, all enter'd his Body without giving him any Mortal Wound, two or three stayed in his Belly, and one of them was beat flat upon his forehead: His Wife and some Passengers coming to his Assistance, found him upon the Ground, and thought him Dead; but being taken up, the Wounded Man seeing himself all Bloody recommends himself to Saint Joseph, to whom his Wife also makes a Vow; which succeeded so well, that her Husband recovered his Hurts, within five Days and came to give thanks at Saint Joseph's Church for this Preservation, being perfectly well, and there Offered a Picture of this Miraculous escape, as a memory of his Gratitude.  
Give me leave therefore to end this Treatise by joining my Petition with Saint Teresa's and beseeching you if you'll not Believe me yet, for the Love of God that you would make trial how advantageous the Devotion to this great Saint is, and how prosperous you'll find it by Expetience: For I have not said all I might have said, there being greater Advantages in Loving and being Devout to Saint Joseph, than the most persuasive Panagerist, is able to Express. But believe me who will, and let them that will Imitate me also, I for my Part am resolved to Love Saint Joseph for Time and Eternity, not with a languishing but flaming Love, thereby to redeem time lost, nor will I prefer any object under God before him; for next after Jesus and Mary, Joseph shall have place in my Affections, in which I will persever to my last Breath, which shall be employed in pronouncing these Sacred Names Jesus, Maria, Joseph: Live Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Amen.   
FINIS.   

DEVOTIONS TO S. JOSEPH SPOUSE to the B. V. Marry Mother of jesus.  
Printed by T. F. in the Year, 1700.   


THE OFFICE OF S. Joseph.  

At Matins.  

Jesus, Mary, Joseph.  
verse. O Lord, open my Lips,  
resp;. And my Mouth, shall declare thy Praise.  
verse. O God incline unto my aid.  
resp;. O Lord make haste to help me.  
verse. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.  
resp;. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.   

The Hymn.  
JOSEPH, the Son of David, was esteemed,  
Father of Jesus, who the World Redeemed.  
The Virgin he espoused, In Heart conjoined,  
And Guardian was of both By Heaven assigned.  
Antiphon. All Hail, honour of the Patriarches, Steward of the holy Church of God, who didst conserve the Bread of Life, and the Wheat of the Elect.  
verse. O holy Joseph, Pray for us  
resp;. That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST.   

The Prayer.  
ASsist us O Lord, we beseech thee, by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most holy Mother, that what our possibility can not obtain, may be given us by his Intercession: Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, World without end. Amen.    

At Prime.  

Jesus, Mary, Joseph.  
verse. O God incline unto my aid.  
resp;. O Lord make haste to help me.  
verse. Glory be to the Father. etc. Alleluia.   

The Hymn.  
WHen thou the Virgin did●st with Child perceive, Perplexed in thought, thou her design'dst to leave.  
But in thy Sleep, an Angel with his Voice,  
Advised thee not to fear, but to Rejoice.  
Antiphon. All Hail, honour of, etc. as before, Pag. 4.   

The Prayer.  
ASsist us O Lord, we beseech thee, etc. as before, Pag. 5.    

At the Third Hour.  

Jesus, Mary, Joseph.  
verse. O God incline unto my aid.  
resp;. O Lord make haste to help me.  
verse. Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.   

The Hymn.  
TO Bethlem, with the pregnant Virgin, he  
Travelled to pay th'imposed Subsidy:  
Where Christ was to be born, and in which place,  
He shortly should his Infant Lord embrace.  
Antiphon. All Hail, honour of, etc. as before, Pag. 4.  
verse. O holy Joseph, Pray for us.  
resp;. That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST.   

The Prayer.  
ASsist us O Lord, we beseech thee, etc. as before, Pag. 5.    

At the Sixth Hour  

Jesus, Mary, Joseph.  
verse. O God incline unto my aid.  
resp;. O Lord make haste to help me.  
verse. Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.   

The Hymn.  
WHen cruel Herod th'Innocents oppressed,  
By th'Angel warned, thou cal'dst thy Spouse from rest,  
That, taking her celestial Babe, she might  
With thee to Egypt make a speedy flight.  
Antiphon. All Hail, honour of the, Patriarches Steward of the Holy Church of God, who didst conserve the Bread of Life, and the Wheat of the Elect.  
verse. O holy Joseph, Pray for us.  
resp;. That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST.   

The Prayer.  
ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee, by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most Holy Mother, that what our possibility cannot obtain, may be given us by his Intercession: Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, World without end. Amen.    

At the Ninth Hour.  

Jesus. Marry, Joseph.  
verse. O God incline unto my, aid.  
resp;. O Lord make haste to help me.  
verse. Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.   

The Hymn.  
THY foes being Dead, thou mad'st no longer stay;  
But into Galileé didst bring away,  
Mother and Child, Heaven this advice did give,  
And thou at Nazareth didst humbly Live.  
Antiphon. All Hail, honour of, etc. as before, Pag. 9  
verse. Pray for us, O holy Joseph.  
resp;. That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST.   

The Prayer.  
ASsist us O Lord, we beseech thee, as before, Pag. 9    

At Even-Song.  

Jesus, Mary, Joseph.  
verse. O God incline unto my aid.  
resp;. O Lord make haste to help me.  
verse. Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.   

The Hymn.  
Blessed Jesus (of thine Eye the glorious Light)  
At twelve Years old was lost, unto thy sight;  
But finding him among the Doctors, thou  
His Guardian was; to who●● the Angel's bow.  
Antiphon. All Hail, honour of the, etc. as before, Pag. 9  
verse. Pray for us, O holy Joseph.  
resp;. That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST.   

The Prayer.  
ASsist us O Lord we befeech thee, etc. as before. Pag. 9    

At Compline.  

Jesus, Mary, Joseph.  
vers. COnvert us, O God, our Saviour.  
resp;. And turn away thine anger from us.  
verse. O God incline unto my ●id.  
resp;. O Lord make haste to help me.  
verse. Glory be to the Father, etc. Alleluia.   

The Hymn.  
O Happy Man, to be embraced by,  
CHRIST and the Virgin in Death's Agony:  
That so thou mightst thy course directly bend,  
To Limbo, having made a godly End.  
Antiphon. All Hail, honour of the, etc. as before. Pag. 9  
verse. O holy Joseph, Pray for us.  
resp;. That we may be made worthy of the Promises of CHRIST.   

The Prayer.  
ASsist us O Lord we beseech thee, etc. as before. Pag. 9    

The Commendation.  
THese hours Canonical I have addressed,  
To thee, Saint Joseph, from a Zealous Breast:  
That, by thy Prayers, thou wilt obtain that I,  
May live with thee, in Heaven Eternally. Amen.    

THE LITANY OF S. JOSEPH.  


LOrd have Mercy on us.  
Christ have Mercy on us.  
Lord have Mercy on us.  
Christ Hear us.  
Christ graciously Hear us.  
O God the Father, Creator of the World, have Mercy on us.  
O God the Son, Redeemer of Mankind, have Mercy on us.  
O God the Holy Ghost, Perfecter of the Elect, have Mercy on us.  
O Sacred Trinity, three Persons, and one God, have Mercy on us.  
Holy Mary, Queen of the whole World. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Sanctified before Birth. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Privileged and Preserved from all Mortal Sin. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Confirmed in Grace. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Honour of the Patriarch's. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Replenished with unspeakable Benedictions. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Reputed Father of Jesus. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Abounding with all the Gifts of the Holy Ghost. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Who Adored Jesus in the Crib. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, An Angelical Man. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Who, by the admonition of thy good Angel, preserv'dst CHRIST from the fury of Herod. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Who (as a Principality of the first Hierarchy of Angels) didst govern Christ. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, who, as a Virtue, wert a Minister to CHRIST. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Greater than the Dominations, whom the King and Queen of Heaven Obeyed. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, In whose Arms and Bosom, CHRIST, was seated, as in a Throne. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Who as a Cherubin, hadst care of the Virgin of the true Paradise. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, a Seraphical Man. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, A most high Contemplative Soul. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Who died'st in CHRIST'S Arms. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Who didst hear Angelical Music. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Praecursor of CHRIST to the Holy Fathers in Limbo. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Who arose with CHRIST from the Dead. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Who in Body and Mind, did enjoy peculiar gifts of Glory. Pray for us.  
Saint Joseph, Our dear Patron, and Defender. Pray for us.  
Lamb of God that takest away the Sins of the World, spare us, O Lord.  
Lamb of God, that takest away the Sins of the World, hear us, O Lord.  
Lamb of God, that takest away the Sins of the World, have mercy upon us.  
O Lord hear my Prayer:  
And let my Supplication come to thee.    

The Prayer.  
ASsist us O, Lord we beseech thee etc. as before, Pag. 9    

THE HYMN In Honour of S. JOSEPH.  
HAil holy Joseph, whose pure Mind,  
Rendered thee fit to be designed,  
The Husband of a most pure Bride,  
To Royal David both allied.  
Hail Guardian of God's Son on Earth,  
Fore-to'ld of his stupendious Birth,  
And other Heavenly Secrets, known  
But to thyself and Spouse alone.  
How often did thy happy Arms  
Secure that Sacred Babe from Harms;  
When with him, and thy Virgin-Wife,  
Constrained to fly, to save thy Life!  
With what unspeakable delight  
Didst thou enjoy the precious sight,  
Of thy Redeemer, whose bright Eyes,  
Did far outshine the Sun's uprise!  
How many times didst thou embrace  
The tender giver of all Grace,  
And didst as often fix a Kiss,  
To fill the measure of thy Bliss?  
To whom did God such joys Impart,  
As to thine own, and Spouse Heart?  
Which did strange Comforts entertain,  
When Jesus lost, was found again.  
Most happy was thy House, to be  
That Paradise, in which the Tree  
Of Life did prosper, when the ground,  
Where that first grew, could not be found.  
How sweetened was thy daily pains,  
While Jesus lived on thy gains!  
Whereby the Food that ye did Eat,  
Became all Sanctified Meat.  
With thee he frequently did walk,  
Calling thee Father in his talk;  
And by his charming sweet Discourse,  
Did Sorrows from thy Heart Divorce.  
No Instruments, however Strung,  
' E'er sounded like our Saviour's Tongue;  
Which thou heard'st hourly! Happy then  
Wert thou above the rest of Men.  
And when, in age, resistless Death,  
Gave summons to thy latest Breath,  
Couldst thou more happiness devise,  
Than to have Jesus close thine Eyes?  
Great is thy glory sure above,  
Whom CHRIST did so entirely love,  
As on thy Person to bestow,  
Such Privileges here below.  
Then let us all, with one Beseech Saint Joseph to present,  
Our wants to God; and for us Pray,  
That serve our Lord we ever may. Amen.  

The Prayer.  
OMnipotent and Merciful Lord Jesus who didst provide Saint Joseph, the just, Son of David, for Spouse of Blessed Mary, thy Virgin-Mother, and chose him for thy Nursing-Father: Grant, we beseech thee, that by his Prayers and Merits, thy Church may enjoy a perfect Peace, and so arrive at the consolation of thy everlasting Vision. Throu ' the same Lord Jesus, our Saviour, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, for ever and ever. Amen.    

A VOTIVE OBLATION TO S. JOSEPH. To choose him for our Patron.  
O Holy JOSEPH! Virgin-Spouse of the Virgin-Mother of GOD; most glorious Advocate of all such as are in danger, or in their last Agony; and most faithful Protector of all the Servants of MARY your dearest Spouse: I. N.N. In the Presence of JESUS and MARY, do from this moment choose you for my Lord and Master, for my powerful Patron and Advocate, for the obtaining a most happy Death: And I firmly Resolve and Purpose, never to forsake you; and never to say or do, nor even to suffer any under my charge to say or do, any thing against your Honour; receive me therefore for your constant Servant, and recommend me to the constant Protection of MARY your dearest Spouse, and to the everlasting Mercies of JESUS my Saviour: Assist me in all the Actions of my whole Life, all which I now offer to the greater and everlasting glory of JESUS and MARY, as well as to your own. Never therefore forsake me, and whatsoever Grace you see most necessary and profitable to me, obtain it for me now, and at the hour of my Death, to which I now invite you, against the uncertain hour in which it shall happen; that whatsoever now and then shall not be possible for me to obtain, may by your Intercession be bestowed upon me by JESUS, the GOD the of my Soul, Amen.  
Ex Man: Tyrnaviensi.   

THE BEADS OF S. JOSEPH.  

UPON the great Beads, you recite the following Prayer which the Holy Church makes use of in his Divine Office, and is as follow's.  
The Prayer.  
ASsist us O Lord, we beseech thee, by the Merits of the Spouse of thy most Holy Mother, that what our possibility cannot obtain, may be given us by his intercession: Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, World without end. Amen.   

Upon the lesser Beads, you say.  
HOLY Joseph most Blessed of all Blessed Souls after JESUS and MARY, Pray for us now and at the hour of our Death. Amen.    

SEVEN PRAYERS OR DEVOTIONS Containing the seven Dolours and Joys of Saint Joseph.  

The first Prayer. Containing the first Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph.  
O Most  Spouse of the most Holy Mother of Jesus, by the grief you felt when you perceived her your beloved Spouse with Child, being as yet Ignorant of that Ineffable means God had made use of for this end, which caused you to think of leaving her: And by the great Joy you had as soon as the Angel freed you from the Suspicion, by declaring to you the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Eternal Word; Pray for us, that we may endeavour to advance your honour and worship throughout the whole World, to the end that by the assistance of God's Grace, surmounting all troubles and asslictions of Mind in this Mortal Life, we may in the next become the peaceful Mansion of the Holy Ghost for all Eternity, Amen.  
Our Father. Hail Mary.   

The second Prayer. Containing the second Dolo●● and Joy of Saint Joseph.  
O Thrice happy Joseph Foster-Father of Jesus, by the great grief you 〈◊〉 in your Heart, when you contemplated this beloved Infa●● lying in the Manger, Weeping and Shivering with Cold. And by the great Joy you received in beholding the Holy Angels adoring, and honouring h●● with their Heavenly Musicl●● and in seeing the three King Prostrate before him and Offering him three rich Presents Pray for us O great Saint, 〈◊〉 the end that our Souls may b●● come fit Mangers to recei●● our Saviour into, and that 〈◊〉 may lodge and keep him always therein even to the last Moment of our Lives, that then we may find and enjoy him in Heaven in the midst of his Everlasting Glory, Amen.  
Our Father. Hail Mary.   

The third Prayer. Containing the third Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph.  
O Great Joseph a Man according to God's own Heart, by the grief you felt at the Circumcision of the tender Infant Jesus, shedding his most Precious Blood, and by the Joy you had in giving him the Sweet Name of Jesus, according to the Revelation which the Angel had made you; Pray for us to your Blessed Son, to the end we may be washed and purified with his most Precious Blood, and always bear his Name imprinted in our Hearts, Amen.  
Our Father. Hail Mary.   

The fourth Prayer. Containing the fourth Grief and Joy of Saint Joseph.  
O Most Glorious Joseph and Prudent Servant of God, by the great Grief that Wounded and Pierced your Afflicted Heart, when you heard by the Mouth of Simeon, that the Soul of your dear Spouse was to be pierced with a Sword. And by the joy you felt therein when you heard from the same Simeon that Jesus was designed for the Resurrection and Salvation of Mankind; Pray for us to the end that we may become such partakers of the Dolours of the Mother, that we may afterwards partake of the Joy and Happiness of her Beloved Son Jesus, Amen.  
Our Father. Hail Mary.   

The fifth Prayer. Containing the fifth Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph.  
O Pious Comforter of the Mother of God, by the Dolours and Anxieties you underwent in your Flight into Egypt, and by the Joy you received when at your entrance you saw the Idol's fall down upon the Earth as not being able to suffer the Presence 〈◊〉 your Divine Jesus, Pray for us I beseech you, that flying the dangers of all Terrene and Inordinate Inclinations, we may one Day rejoice by seeing all the black Idol's of our Sins Entirely cast down and destroyed in our Souls, Amen.  
Our Father. Hail Mary.   

The sixth Prayer. Containing the sixth Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph.  
O Most  and Vigilant Guardian of Mary the Virgin of Virgins, by the great perplexity you were in, when called out of Egypt, you heard that Archilaus the Son of Herod was made King, who was no less Cruel and Bloody than his Father; and by the great Joy that possessed your Heart, when the Angel Commanded you not to fear; because all were Dead that sought his Life. Pray for us that we may so live in the midst of the Egypt of this Sinful World, that one Day we may deserve to be called to the Celestial Juda, Amen.  
Our Father. Hail Mary.   

The seventh Prayer. Contaning the seventh Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph.  
O Merciful Joseph, who is able to conceive the sensible Sorrow and extreme grief you felt, when you had lost the Child Jesus? Methinks I hear you say, O unfortunate Man that I am what is become of my Beloved? Where is the Soul of my Heart? And where shall I seek him? I will never Sleep or give myself any Repose, till I find him; but presently without any loss of time run over all parts of the Earth to find him, whom Heaven has pleased to commit to my Charge and Custody; and without whom I cannot live but in extreme Grief and Affliction: And on the other fide who is able to express the Joy and extreme Satisfaction wherewith your Heart was replenished, when you found him in the midst of Doctors. We humbly beseech you by this unconceivable Sadness and Joy, that we may never lose our most amiable Jesus, or if ever we be so unhappy as to lose him, make us feel such a true and lively sorrow as you did, that we may so carefully seek him, as that we may soon find him, with so great and sensible a Comfort; that our sole care afterwards may be always to conserve him, without ever losing him any more; Amen.  
Our Father. Hail Mary.    

EIGHT MEDITATIONS FOR The Octave of Saint JOSEPH.  

I. Meditation. Of the Sanctification, Birth and Name of Saint Joseph.  

Preparatory Prayer.  
TO beg Light of God to understand his particular Providence towards Saint Joseph, and those special Prerogatives he bestowed upon him before and at his Birth, as also at his Circumcision.   

I. Prelude.  
Imagine yourself at Nazareth, where Saint Joseph was born, and there behold the difference wherewith Men and Angels regarded this Royal Infant. Hearken to the sweet Name of Joseph given him at his Circumcision; consider the esteem the Angels had both of this Holy Infant, and of the sweet Name of Joseph that was given him at his Circumcision.   

II. Prelude.  
BEG Grace to be Inflamed with Love and Devotion to this sweet Infant, and the Holy Name of Joseph.  

I. Point. Consider that Saint Joseph, as Gerson solidly proves was Sanctified before his Birth: for if the Prophet Jeremy, Saint John Baptist and other Saints received this favour, upon account of those Functions, they were afterwards to Exercise; The Office designed for Saint Joseph, of being Spouse to the Mother, and Foster-Father and Governor to the Son of God, far exceeded theirs, and therefore no less required, the same privileges they had. Admire the Purity of this holy Infant, give thanks to God for this favour of his early Sanctification, congratulate with him for it, and for those high Dignities, for which God designed him, that moved him to give it. And beg by the Intercession of Saint Joseph, such a true Sanctification as may render you pleasing to his Divine Majesty, and his Celestial Court; whose love is as much to be valued, as the esteem of the World is to be contemned.   

II. Point. Consider this holy Infant thus dear to God, linally Descended from David, heir to so many Kings and Royal Prophets, is Born in a Poor house, of Poor but Noble Parents, without any of those marks of honour and greatness, which are common to the Birth of Princes. See the difference between God's and the World's esteem of Riches and Honour; consider how be treats his true Favourites; behold how the Angels admire what the World takes no notice of Praise their Wisdom and con●emn its Folly. The Glory of this Royal Infant is from within, hid from the Eyes of the World, but seen by God and his Angels. O the Beauty and Riches of Poverty? Which Worldlings perceive not. O Royal and Holy Infant, obtain for me such an inflamed Love of Poverty, such a generous Humility as you had, that I may esteem no honour greater than to be contemned by the World for God's Sake; or than the being loved and esteemed by him and his Celestial Court.   

III. Point. Consider the signification of the Name that was given him at his Circumcision; either by Divine Inspiration, or which is more probable by the Revelation of a● Angel as Saint John Baptist's was Joseph signifies Increase, an● what an Increase in all kinds, did he receive with it? All son● of such Heavenly Graces, a●sorts of Privileges and Prerogatives, as the Dignity of hi● Person and Employments justly required. The Name of the great Patriarch Joseph, who was a Figure of this, was given him upon account of his Angelical Chastity, and the care he was to take in Feeding, Protecting, and Preserving the Elect Children of God in Egypt. But our Joseph of whom the other was a Type, was to be the Virgin-Spouse of the Virgin-Mother of God, Protector and Preserver both of her and her Son, nay even of the Son of God himself in Egypt. O Name above all Names ●ext to JESUS and MARY, ●●t it be a constant Comfort to ●ny Heart, and from the abundance of Heart, let my Mouth frequently repeat the sweet ●ame of Joseph, joining it to ●●ose Delicious Names of JESUS ●nd MARY.    

The Colloquy.  
O most Holy and Royal Infant, O most Blessed Joseph, be to me a Joseph, that is, ●otain for me such Increase of sanctity, such a Love of Poverty ●nd Angelical Purity, with such 〈◊〉 true Humility, as rendered you ●●uly great, and such a Devotion to your dear self, that the ●ery pronouncing your Blessed Name may create such a Joy and Comfort in my Heart, as may move you to interceded for, and consequently to obtain an● Increase of all Virtues in it.    

II. MEDITATION. Of the humble Vocation and Sanctity of Saint Joseph.  

Preparatory Prayer.  
TO beg of God to let us set why Saint Joseph followed so humble a Profession, as that of a Carpenter, and after what manner he practised it, Increasing at the same time in all sorts of Perfection.   

I. Prelude.  
Imagine yourself at Nazareth beholding Saint Joseph, a most comely Youth of eighteen Years of age, learning and exercising the laborious and humble trade of a Carpenter.   

II. Prelude.  
BEG of God to teach you by S. Joseph's Example, how Profitably to join an Humble, Active and Passive Life, that thereby the less you are esteemed upon Earth by Creatures, the more you may be Esteemed and Loved by your Creator in Heaven.  

I. Point. Consider first that Providence ordained, that Saint Joseph, tho' of a Royal extract, should learn and exercise so mean a Trade, as that of a Carpenter: first to avoid Idleness so vety dangerous, to the Virginal Purity he had Vowed to him. Secondly, that the Humble exercises of this Trade, might balance the Dignities he designed to bestow upon him, of being Spouse to the Mother, and Foster Father to the Son of God: That no Ostentation or Vanity might take any place in his Humble Heart. Thirdly, that by the Labour of his Hands and Sweat of his Brows, he might gain wherewithal to Exercise the greatest of Charities; by nourishing and maintaining the Mother and Son of God? O wonderful Providence! O mark of an extraordinary Love! I bless and return a Million of thanks to thy Divine Majesty, for this thy Love to Saint Joseph: And I Congratulate with thee my belov'd Saint Joseph; for being so great a Favourite of Heaven: Vouchsafe to obtain for me by thy Intercession, such a Detestation of Idleness, such a Love of Labour and Chastity its Companion, such a Love of JESUS and MARY, as may move me to show it to every one, even the least that wants my assistance as you did, and I would wish to have done to themselves, since they take the same as kindly as if done to them: He having assured us: 
† Quiquid uni ex minimis meis fesistis mihi feustis.  What we do to the least of his, he takes it as done to himself. O admirable Exercise of Charity! O wonderful occasion of expressing such a Love to JESUS and MARY, as Saint Joseph practised!   

II. Point. Consider what moved Saint Joseph to Exercise this calling, nothing else but his Humility and desire of expressing his Love by these Occasions of labours and Sufferings, that accompany so painful a Trade. O most Humble and Mortified Joseph, obtain for me such a Love of Humility and Mortification, as may procure that Virtue of Chastity you so excelled in, that I may truly Love and faithfully practise this Virtue of Chastity as you did.   

III. Point. Consider his laborious and painful Life, was accompanied with so great Piety and Purity of Intention, doing all purely to please God, as rendered him so great a Saint, that he deserved to be Canonised by the Holy Ghost himself, who styles him Just, that is, Replenished with all Virtues, and free from all Imperfections; verifiing hereby his Name of Joseph, or Increase, by such a daily Increase in all kind of Perfection, as moved God to bestow upon him even the highest of Dignities, of being Spouse to the Mother, and Foster-Father to the Son of God. O wonderful intention that raises such ordinary Actions to so high a Perfection! O admirable Perfection that rendered Saint Joseph worthy in God's opinion of such great Imploments! Blessed be thy Divine Majesty for bestowing 'em and thus Rewarding so great a Sanctity, whereby thou didst render hi● in Dignity next to JESUS and MARY. I Congratulate with you O great Saint Joseph, for you● faithful compliance with the Divine assistance, obtain for m● a Love of all Humble Actions, and teach me your Art of Joining their exterior practice, with such an interior and purt Intention, as may render me pleasing to God, and a worthy Client of your dear self.    

The Colloquy.  
O Infinite goodness, always preventing us with your special Graces and Favours, grant me such a perfect Conformity to whatsoever your Providence shall ordain, and such a constant compliance with your Grace, with such a Purity of In●ention, in all my Actions by the powerful Intercession of Saint Joseph, as may obtain for me your Sanctifying Grace and Love in this Life, and the Eternal Enjoyment, of your Divine self in the most Happy Company of JESUS MARY and JOSEPH in the next.    

III. MEDITATION. Of the Marriage of Saint Joseph.  

Preparatory Prayer.  
TO beg Grace of God to understand those many admirable Lessons of Perfection, that are taught us in this Mystery.   

I. Prelude.  
Imagine a great assembly of the chief Bachelors of the Tribe of Juda, whom the Highpriest had summoned together, to choose out of 'em a Husband for the Blessed Virgin Mary; and behold amongst 'em Saint Joseph, a most Beautiful and Comely Man of forty years of Age, with a Wan in his Hand from which green Buds sprouted forth, and a Dove over his Head, which were the marks that God had given the Highpriest, when he Consulted the Propitiatory, to know which of 'em was to be the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin. Behold the Ptiest also giving this most Beautiful and Modest Virgin to Saint Joseph, and he Espousing her by putting a Ring on her Finger and Veiling her Head with his Cloak, in token of making her partaker of all his Goods, and of his taking her into his Care and Protection.   

II. Prelude.  
BEG Grace to understand an● draw Fruit from those extraordinary Mysteries that appear in this wonderful Marriage.  

I. Point. Consider the Budding of the Wan in his Hand and the Dove over his Head, i● a token of Fruitful Purity, and a mark of that Love o● Chastity, that they both ha● Vowed to God. Consider also how wonderfully God rewatded this Vow, by choosing the one to be Mother, the other to be her Spouse and Foster-Father of his only Begotten Son. See the difference between God's and the World's choice, he chooses a Poor Humble Tradesman to be Husband to his Mother, and for his Foster-Father ●nd Governor; not any Rich or Great Person, as Worldlings ●on'd have done: Oh how different are God's and the World's sentiments, as God himself de●ares. 
* Non enim cogitationes meae co●itationes Vestrae, Nec Viae Ves●rae viae meae dicit Dominus: Quia ●cut exaltantur Caeli a Terra sic exaltatae sunt viae meae a vijs ves●ris & cogitationes meae a cogitationibus vestris. Isaiae. 55.8.9.  My Thoughts are not ●ke yours; nor my Ways, the same ●ith your Ways, For as far as ●e Heavens are exalted above ●e Earth so far are my Thoughts ●nd Ways Exalted above yours. The World beheld Saint Joseph as a poor Contemptible Tradesman, Heaven besides his Royal Extraction, beheld him Rich in Virtue, saw his admirable Chastity and Humility, which rendered him worthy to be choosen a happy and fit Consort for the Queen of Angels, and Mother of God. O Thrice happy Marriage! O  Espousals! O most Happy pair! I Congratulate with you both, and Bless the Divine Goodness for this Angelical Union, and that joent happiness you both obtained thereby: Obtain for: me such a Love and Practice of Purity, with such an Humility as may win God's Heart, and move him as your Purity and Humility did, to a Love and Tenderness for me.   

II. Point. Consider what moved the Divine Providence to effect this extraordimary Marriage: First he ordained it for the Comfort and Assistance of the Blessed Virgin, that Saint Joseph might take care of her, and protect both her and her Son. Secondly, for the defence of both hers and her Son's Honour; that she might not be accused for an Adultress, nor he for being Illegitimate or Unlawfully Born. Thirdly, that he might be a Faithful and Credible Witness of the Divine Incarnatton of the Son of God, which none could Testify like himself. Fourthly, that this Marriage might augment the esteem of Chastity, which before was Contemned by the World; and that their Example might make others Vow it as a thing more perfect than Marriage, and give Example to Married Persons to Practise it, and hereby produce as many Children as there should be Lovers and Professors of Chastity in Marriage. Wherefore Alexins, Eleazar, Julian, Henry the Emperor and Edward King of England, with their Spouses may be styled Children of Joseph and Mary. O Divine Motives! Oh what care has God of his Servants! Oh Angelical Chastity! How little art thou esteemed by Men, and how art thou loved and admired by God and Angels? Oh  and Fruitful Marriage, that has brought forth so many Virgins! O Virgin Mother of JESUS, O Virginal Spouse of the Virgin Mary, inspire us with these  desires, enable us to make and practice, such Nuptial and Virginal Contracts as these, that may render us capable of accompanying and following the  lamb your Son JESUS for all Eternity.   

III. Point. Consider also God's infinite Wisdom by uniting in Marriage two Persons so alike in all things, excepting their Age (he being forty she only fourteen Years old) which disparity was very fit upon account of those Reasons mentioned in the foregoing Point. For first, they were both of the Royal Line of David: Secondly, they were both Sanctified before their Birth. Thirdly, they were both signal Lovers of Chastity, they being the first that knew its Merit and Vowed it. Fourthly, they both so excelled in Sanctity and Humility, that she who styled herself a humble Handmaid, or Slave, was declared by an Angel full of Grace; and he who endeavoured to cover his Sanctity by his humble Trade and Profession, is Canonised by the Holy Ghost, who pronounced him Just.    

The Colloquy.  
O Matchless and most happy pair, to whose Care and Protection can I better commit myself than to yours, to whom God committed the Care and Protection of his only Son and of his Virgin Mother? O Virgin Mother of God accept me therefore for your Child, since your Son has recommended me to you as such: O Virgin Father, to whom God committed the Care of his only Son and of his Virgin Mother, accept, own and protect me as your and her Child; and teach me to show my Love to you both, by a Love of Chastity of which you have given me so admirable an Example, in these your Angelical Espousals; and a Love of Humility and all other Virtues, by your Constant Practice of 'em upon all occasions.    

iv MEDITATION. Of Saint Joseph's Journey with the Blessed Virgin to Visit St. Elisabeth.  

Prepratory Prayer.  
TO beg Grace to understand the Virtues Exercised by the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph in this Journey, and to profit by their admirable Examples.   

I. Prelude.  
Imagine yourself, bearing our Blessed Lady and Saint Joseph, company in their troublesome Winter Journey of forty miles, over steep Mountains, to Visit Saint Elizabeth. Harken to their Pious Discourses in their Journey, and behold also what passed at their meeting Saint Elizabeth; and in their three months' abode in her House. Behold also Saint Joseph's perplexity when he perceived our Blessed Lady with Child.   

II. Prelude.  
BEG Grace to understand their Charity, their Patiented Sufferings, their Humility. And Saint Joseph's Resignation, together with his most Prudent and Meek Carriage in the greatest of Trials.  

I. Point. Consider that about four Months after Saint Joseph's Espousal with the Blessed Virgin, and a few Days after the Angel Gabriel had declared to her, unknown to Saint Joseph, the Mystery of the Incarnation, and that her Cousin Elizabeth was six Months gone with Child: The Blessed Virgin desired leave of Saint Joseph that she might visit her; but he out of the tender affection he had for his Spouse, would not permit her to go alone, but would accompany her himself, O Charitable Visit? O Tender Affection, that renders the hardest things Delightful? O Amiable Virgin thus dear to your Spouse, what a Journey did your Charity to your Cousin move you to undertake: O great Saint Joseph what pains did the care and tenderness you had for your Spouse, move you Joyfully to suffer: O Holy Joseph obtain for me by your powerful Intercession this ardent Charity, that even renders the hardest and most troublesome things easy and even delightful.   

TWO, Point. Consider what Joy and what Congratulations passed at the meeting of these Relations? what sincere expressions of Kindness passed between Saint Joseph and Saint Zachary. And what extraordinary expressions thereof passed also between our Blessed Lady and Saint Elizabeth. Who Prophetically confirmed to her what the Angel had revealed, by calling her 
* Mater Domini.  Mother of our Lord. Consider also with what Affection and Humility our Blessed Lady and Saint Joseph, assisted Saint Elizabeth and Saint Zachary, in all kinds of services both before and at the Birth of Saint John Baptist, consider also what Pious conversations passed between these Pious Persons, during the three Months they stayed there. O Angelical and Heavenly conversation! O Wonderful practisers, of Charity and Humility, obtain for me by your Intercession those two Virtues you so excelled in.   

III. Point. Consider the great trial Almighty God gave Saint Joseph, when in his return home he found our Blessed Lady with Child. O what a Combat of different Passions did this knowledge endeavour to raise in his Peaceful Heart? The experience he had of her Virtue would not permit him to Judge hardly of her, nor the tender Affection he had for her, suffer him to act with Severity against her; but ●n the other side the Zeal he had ●or God's Law, the chief object ●f his Love, required he should ●●ut her away as an Adultress, ●et on the other side her con●ant Obedience to the Law and practise thereof, would not per●it him rashly to accuse her ●ereof, and to quit the greatest Comfort of his Life by forsaking her; yet to satisfy God's Command, without divulging ●er crime in appearance, at his return home, he purposed a pri●ate Divorce, being unwilling to publish what perhaps was no ●rime in her, for as Saint Jerom ●ously surmizes, the thought ●f the Promised Messiah who was to be Born of a Virgin occurred to him, and her Virtue made him think she might 〈◊〉 designed for his Mother, 〈◊〉 this thought made him also th●● himself unworthy of her Conversation, and therefore to thi●● of retiring himself from 〈◊〉 Sanctuary; judging himself 〈◊〉 deserving of that Relation he 〈◊〉 contracted with her. O ra●ing Perplexity! O interior Martyrdom! O cruel Combat between the Love of God and 〈◊〉 of his Spouse! O how does Go● try his best Servants? And wi●● what Silence and Humility do the Blessed Virgin as well as 〈◊〉 bear this Cross? But how Miraculously does God Comfort those that thus bear Afflictions He sends Divine when Human helps cannot afford any? Fo● behold God sends the Angel G●●briel to bid him take his Wi●● who had Conceived of the Holy Ghost, and should bring forth a Son, to whom he should give the Name of JESUS, who should save his People: O Joyful tiding! Whereby Joseph is not only freed from all Perplexity and Discomfort, but a new dignity is given him, by being Declared Godfather to the Son of God. O stupendious Dignity! O just Reward of such Pious Sufferings! Consider also what mutual Joy did the reciting their past feelings one to another occasion, after these most Joyful Tidings.    

The Colloquy.  
O Infinite Goodness, that thus triest and rewardest even thy best Servants, let all Saints and Angels praise thee, for this thy Bounty to thy dearest Mother, and her dearest Spouse; and cry out with Saint Paul, 
† Non sunt Condignae Passiones hujus temporis ad futuram gloriam quae revelabitur in nobis. Rom. 8.18.  That all the Afflictions and Iribulations of this World, are nothing in comparison of the Glory they will  us withal in the next. Grant us O God, that with Patience, Courage and Conformity we may suffer those thou shalt vouchsafe to send us, as they did, rather to please thee, than for any other Reward that can be hoped for. O Pious Joseph, O Amiable Virgin, Intercede to obtain this Favour for us, by your powerful Intercessions in all perplexing Difficulties.    

V MEDITATION. Of the Virtue's Saint Joseph exercised at the Birth, Circumcision and Presentation of the Son of God.  

Prepratory Prayer.  
BEG Grace of God profitably to consider the Examples Saint Joseph gives us in these three Mysteries.   

I. Prelude.  
IMAGINE Saint Joseph after his tiresome Winter Journey of thirty Miles with our Blessed Lady, who had now almost accomplished her ninth Month, arrived at Bethleem, whither he came to comply with the Emperor's Edict, to unroll himself and his Consort. Behold him with Solicitude seeking a place for her to retire into, but finding none, he is forced to lead her into a poor ruinous Stable, where the Son of God is Born: There behold him Adoring him newly Born: Then Circumcising and giving him the Name of JESUS: And lastly accompany them with their Divine Infant to the Temple, where they are met by Simeon and Anne who had long expected this happy hour; and attend to what passed in this meeting.   

II. Prelude.  
BEG Grace to understand and profit by those Pious Thoughts wherewith Saint Joseph's Heart was replenished, whilst he Contemplated these wonderful Mysteries.  

I. Point. Consider how promptly Saint Joseph Obeyed the Emperor's Edict, cheerfully quitting, in the circumstance his Spouse was in, those conveniencies they had at Nazareth, to expose himself and her to the inconveniencies of a long Winter Journey, to go to a strange place, where by reason of his Poverty, he could expect none; wanting wherewithal to purchase ' 'em. O wonderful Love of Poverty and Mortification! O blind Obedience! O admirable Confidence in the Divine Providence! He knew the Emperor's Edict, was God's Command, who could and would take care of 'em, and support 'em to comply with it. O! What Heavenly Discourse passed in the way upon this Subject? O! What Acts of Resignation to the Inconveniencies and usage they met withal? Being denied place in an Inn, and forced to lodge and and bring forth her Son in a Stable. O! What Joy was it to him to become a Victim of Obedience, and feel these sensible effects of Poverty? O! What Love, what Compassion, what sorrow filled his tender Heart, to see what the Divine Infant and his Mother suffered at his entrance into the World? What Acts of Love, what Congratulations and Thanksgiving did he the give him? And with what Joy and Comfort did JESUS fill his Heart, pierced with Sorrow for what he and his Mother Suffered, by his Heavenly Smiles and Carresses? And how did the Angels by their Heavenly Canticles endeavour to Comfort and Rejoice his sad Heart, as they had done the Shepherds; whom they brought to Adore him? And what occasion did the sight also of the Offerings and Adorations of the three Kings give him to Bless Admire and Love the Divine Providence? Procuring these Honnours to the Divine Infant and his Mother. O the Charming Beauty of Poverty! O the Dignity of Humility! O unspeakable Pleasure of Suffering Mortification for God, in God, and with God O Divine Lessons taught us and practised, not only by S. Joseph but by no less than God himself; yet how are these admirable Virtues thus esteemed by God, contemned by Men? O Blessed Joseph obtain for me such a Love, Esteem and Practice of 'em, as may constantly replenish all my Thoughts and Actions, influenced by those that were Communicated to your Heart, from the Heart of the Divine Infant JESUS.   

II. Point. Consider Saint Joseph performing that hard task of Obedience, in Circumcising this Divine Infant; Imagine how the Pain he caused him, pierced his own Heart; consider how the Divine Infant by his Smiles and Interior Inspirations encouraged, assisted and even provoked and helped him to performthis great Pledge of his Divine Love, by this early shedding of his Sacred Blood. Consider what a strife of Joy and Sorrow were raised in Saint Joseph's Heart, first by beholding him shedding his Precious Blood, and Contemplating this Fountain and Stream of Mercy, as a certain Pledge of Man's Redemption; and secondly by feeling himself the Pain he occasioned, by the Wound he gave him. Consider also the Joy with which Saint Joseph gave, and the Divine Infant received the Holy Name of JESUS: Beg Saint Joseph's Intercession to pronounce it with such a tender Affection and Devotion, as may render it essential towards the Salvation of your Soul, O JESUS be to me a JESUS: OH. Joseph beg of him to be to me a JESUS, for Love he bears to his most Blessed Mother and your dearest self.   

III. Point. Consider that forty Days after his Birth, Saint Joseph led the Blessed Virgin Mother with her Divine Infant to the Temple, carrying a pair of Turtles in his Hand for his Redemption; where Saint Simeon and the Holy Prophetess Anne, after many Years Expectation of this Happy Day, were Inspired to receive them at the Gate: Join yourself to this pious Procession, behold with what a transport of Joy Saint Simeon takes the Divine Infant out of his Mother's Arms, into his own; and how willingly the Blessed Virgin parted with what was dearer to her than her Life, to make an Oblation of him to his Eternal Father. Harken to Saint Simeons' Prophecy in this transport, and consider with what Affection he Offers his Life to the God of Life. Behold Saint Joseph's Heart, pierced whilst Saint Simeon foretold, the piercing of that of his Spouse. Behold also the Joy Saint Joseph felt in hearing, that JESUS was to be the Light and Salvation of the Gentil's, as well as of the People Israel. Behold Saint Joseph Offering the Turtles to Saint Simeon to Redeem his Beloved JESUS. O wonderful Riches of Poverty! Acceptable to God, for the Purchase and Redemption of an inestimable Treasure. O what a mutual Joy passed between JESUS and Joseph at this Reception into his Arms? And between him and his Mother in in being restored to here's. O Powerful Joseph, obtain for me such a disposition, as his Mother yourself and Saint Simeon had, as often as I Receive him; and obtain for me such a Disposition of Heart for his Reception, as may cause a Joy in him to be Received by me.    

The Colloquy.  
O Divine Infant, inspire me with those Thoughts of these Mysteries, wherewith thou didst Inspire the tender and Loving Heart of Saint Joseph: O most Holy Joseph, obtain by your Spouses and your own Intercession, such a true Disposition of Heart to Receive, and lay them up in my Heart, that I may profit by them; that hereby my Heart may become a grateful Present to you, to Offer to JESUS: Behold such as it is, I here Offer with all the Affection I am able: O Increase this Affection, that the present may be more acceptable, and than Offer it to the Divine JESUS the God of my Heart.    

VI MEDITATION. Of the Virtue's Saint Joseph Exercised in the Flight of JESUS into Egypt, in his Return from thence and at his loss of him in Jerusalem.  

Preparatory Prayer.  
BEG Grace to see and Imitate those Virtue's Saint Joseph practised in these Mysteries.   

I. Prelude.  
BEHOLD Saint Joseph, as soon as he heard the Angel Pronounce those Words, Take the Child and his Mother and fly into Egypt; getting up at Midnight, and without any delay beginning a long Winter Journey of above a hundred and sixty Miles, with his Spouse the Blessed Virgin and her tender Infant JESUS, not yet a Year old. Behold him also exercising his Trade for seven Years together, at Mattutes six miles from Babylon, amidst a company of Idolaters, who were incited by the Devil to treat these Holy Persons after a most rude and inhuman manner: All which Saint Joseph patiently suffered, till he was warned by an Angel to return home. Then imagine them returning back, the same tedious Winter Journey to Nazareth, were remaining four Years, they ascended with JESUS, now twelve Years of of Age, to Jerusalem, where they lost him and returning back to seek him found him in the Temple.   

II. Prelude.  
BEG Grace rightly to Consider, the profit Saint Joseph made by all these Mysteries, and beg his Intercession to do the like.  

I. Point. Consider Saint Joseph's Blind and Prompt Obedience, by entirely adandoning himself to God's Provindence. Quitting at midnight his Country, his House, Friends and all other Conveniencies; to begin a long Winter Journey, to go to live amongst Idolaters. The Love of JESUS and his Precious Life, made him set at naught all other things to save this. God's Will was his Guide and Law, which he Blindly Obeyed without consulting his Reason; which might have suggested difficulties; and objected, for Example, why at this time of Night? Why in this hard season of Winter? Why must we go amongst Idolaters, and not rather to the three Kings? What, must he Fly? He who is to Save others, Cannot he Save himself? How long must we remain in this Banishment? But nothing passed of all this, he knew Reason was not to be Consulted, but Contradicted when God Commands. He knew God never adandon's those, that abandon themselves to his Providence. O sublime Obedience! O perfect Resignation! O admirable Confidence! O Holy Joseph, obtain for me these Virtues, Practised by thee after so sublime a manner, as raised thee to this Dignity, of becoming Saviour to him, who was to Save the whole World.   

II. Point. Consider what a Mortified Life Saint Joseph must needs lead amongst such Barbarous Idolaters. Consider what he must Interiorly suffer for seven Years together, by seeing God continually Offended: And what Exterior Sufferings he underwent, by a want of all things? Living only upon the poor Earnings of his Trade, and the effects of Poverty he saw JESUS and his Spouse suffer, were more sensible than his own and then behold and admire his Patience, Resignation and Joy, in Suffering with and for JESUS. Consider how by his continual Adorations and Honours done to God, he endeavoured to satisfy for those Idolatries which he with a sad Heart continually beheld. O Pious, O Patient and Resigned Joseph, teach me how to Love and to Express my Love by Labours and Sufferings as you did; and that Love may make Labours and Sufferings both Easy and Delightful; assist me to undergo them as in the Presence, and purely for the sake of JESUS. Then Consider what Joy the Angel's tidings of Herod's Death occasioned in his Heart, not for his own sake, but for the sake of JESUS, whose Life Herod, sought and which was dearer to him than his own. O teach me this generous and disinteressed Love, that may make me have no regaurd at all to my own Interest, but that my chief delight may be only in what relates to God's Honour and Happiness.   

III. Point. Consider at Saint Joseph's return from Jerusalem how sensible he was when he missed JESUS, finding he had lost the only object of his Love; and fearing this loss might proceed from his own Fault and Negligence. Consider his Resignation to this so sensible Affliction, and with what Peace and equality of Mind he bore it, and with what Diligence he sought him; and then consider what Joy his Heart felt when he found him, and heard his Divine Disputations with the Doctors in the Temple: Consider also what Joy the Words of our Blessed Lady caused in his Soul, when she gave him the Title of Father; which Joy was accompanied with no less Humility and Confusion, reflecting upon his own unworthiness thereof, O great Saint Joseph, Intercede that I may never lose JESUS through my own Fault, and when he withdraws himself, that I may suffer it with resignation and so efficaciously seek him, that I may find him as soon as you did.    

The Colloquy.  
O Infinite Goodness grant me by the Intercession of Saint Joseph, that I may in all things entirely abandon myself to your Divine Will, Patiently suffer what you think best, where, when, and as long as you please; grant that I may never Wilfully lose you; but when you please to withdraw yourself, may suffer it with that Patience and Resignation, and seek you with such Fervour and Constancy, as that I may find you.    

VII. MEDITATION. Of Saint Joseph's eighteen Years Conversation with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth.  

Preparatory Prayer.  
TO beg of God to understand the great profit Saint Joseph made by, the advantage of two such admirable Examples, increasing in all sorts of Virtue.   

I. Prelude.  
IMAGINE yourself to hear his Royal Progenitor David under a Similitude Prophetically declare in the following words, the profit he made by his abode at Nazareth. 
† Justus ut Palina florebit, sicut Cedrus Libani multiplicabitur, plantati in Domo Domini, in atrijs Domus Dei nostri florebunt. Psal, 91.13.  The Just, says he, planted in the House or Court of God; shall flourish like a Palm Tree; and Increase or be Exalted in Perfection, like a Cedar of Libanus. See how Saint Joseph verifies this Prediction, both by his Title of Just, and Name of Joseph, which signifies An Increase; and reflect how like a Cedar he grew and increased even to the highest pitch of Perfection in Nazareth; which may truly be called the House and Court of God, since 'twas the Habitation of the Son of God, his Virgin Mother and his Foster Father Saint Joseph, for no less than eighteen Years: Imagine yourself there to hear and see Saint Joseph's Pious Conversation and manner of Living.   

II. Prelude.  
BEG Grace to Conceive those admirable Virtues practised by Saint Joseph, in his Conversation with JESUS and MARY, and beg also his Powerful Intercession, that you may seriously endeavour to Imitate his excellent Example.  

I. Point. Consider with how great an Affection, Patience, Constancy and Humility Saint Joseph Exercised all those Humble and Laborious Actions, that belonged to so painful a Trade; and to his Domestic Affairs. Consider with what Concern, Tenderness and Compassion he beheld our Saviour Labouring with him; consider what courage his Presence and Assistance gave him in all his Labours; and with what Content he performed 'em for the Maintenance of JESUS and his Blessed Mother; how joyfully also he Assisted 'em both on all occasions, and with how pure an Intention he performed each Action, both to please, and to express his Love towards God. Who does not envy Saint Joseph's Happiness in this particular? And who would not wish himself in Saint Joseph's place to do the same? Do but help those for God's sake you live withal, or that want your Assistance, and you will have the same Merit and Reward. Consider also what Joy you should have had to serve JESUS and MARY as Saint Joseph did; Exercise the same Acts of Charity to God's Image, your Neighbour, as he did to JESUS, and he his promised the same reward as if you did it to himself. 
* Quamdiu fecistis uni ex his fratribus meis minimis, mihi fecistis. Matth. 25. v. 40.  What you have done to the least of these my Brethren, you have done it to me. Reflect also upon God's Presence, who beholds, helps and encourages you whilst you Labour, and you'll have the same Comfort in your Labours which he had; Labour purely to please God for the Love of God, and to do the Will of God, and you will have the same Reward as if you had Wrought and Laboured as Saint Joseph did, to maintain JESUS. Who says his 
† Cibus meus est facere Voluntatem ejus qui misit me. Joan. 14. v. 34.  Meat is the fulfilling the Will of his Father. O how did Saint Joseph do all this? And how pleasing did this make him in God's Sight? His chief delight being to do God's Will.   

II. Point. Consider that his Conversation with JESUS and MARY, was so pleasing to him, that he avoided all other Conversations, to which the Will of God did not particularly lead him; consider whither the Conversation you have with these in Prayer, be as pleasing to you● as to make you quit all other unnecessary Conversations; see whither you prefer Retirement Silence and Conversing with JESUS and MARY, before all other Conversations in this world Consider also Saint Joseph's Modest behaviour, his Silence, Recollection, Temperance and Mortification, both in Eating and Drinking, and Imitate him in these: Reflect upon his Pious Discourses with JESUS and his Spouse, and frequently Practise the same, by such like Pious Aspirations and Colloquies as he made to them: Consider how he pondered and laid up in his Heart (after his Spouses Example) all the Divine say of JESUS, and do you also hearken unto, keepin memory and reflect upon those Divine Inspirations, whereby JESUS also speaks to you, in Prayer or at other times. Consider how his Heart was Inflamed by the words of JESUS, and how without doubt he often expressed it to his Spouse, as the Disciples did by this their Interrogation. 
* Nun Cor nostrum ardens erat in nobis dum loqueretur. Luke. 24.32.  Was not our Heart Inflamed whilst he spoke within us: And reflect how those Flames also broke forth in his pious Discourses, and set others on fire. Who would not have wished to have his Heart thus Inflamed, by enjoying this delightful Conversation? Endeavour only in your Conversation to bring in Pious Discourse, and you will invite him to come and Converse with you: 
† Ubi sunt duo vel tres Congregati in Nomine meo, ibi sum in medio eorum. Matth. 18. v. 20.  Meet but those you Converse withal in his Name, and you will meet him; you will always find him in the midst of 'em, darting Flames into your Heart. Lastly, in your Conversation follow Saint Joseph's Example, in taking the part and excusing the absent, when you hear 'em Blamed; and you will be secure from falling into that ordinary Defect, which renders most Conversations Dangerous and Displeasing to God, the Censuring or Backbiting your Neighbour.   

III. Point. Consider Saint Joseph's Silence, Recollection and Interior Peace of Mind, wherewith he performed all his Exterior Actions; whilst his Hands Laboured upon Earth, his Thoughts and Affections were employed in Heaven. Consider with what Humility of Spirit, with what Perfect Obedience, and with what Joy of Heart he performed all his Actions, having always before his Eyes, the wonderful Obedience of JESUS both to himself and his Spouse; beholding him verify what the Royal Prophet foretold that he should be, 
* In Laboribus a Juventute. Psal. 87. v. 16.  In Labours from his Youth; and what the Holy Ghost also declar's, 
† Et erat Subditus illis. Luc. 2. v. 82.  That he was Subject to them. Who therefore can think even the hardest Labour, too much to do for JESUS, who thus Laboured for us? Who can think even the Humblest and Meanest Employment below him, when with Saint Joseph he beholds the Son of God stooping to the like; and Obeying Saint Joseph in the Meanest and Vilest Offices: Beg of Saint Joseph to Inspire and put you in mind of these or such like Thoughts in all your Actions, Labours and Mortifications, which he had in his, that they may become pleasing to God, and both easy and profitable to yourself; whereby you shall not only Labour, but Pray continually. Imitate him therefore in all you do, and beg of him to teach you this most profitable Art, so pleasing to God of joining Prayer and Action together.    

The Colloquy.  
BEG of God, by Saint Joseph's Intercession, that Spirit wherewith he Conversed with JESUS and MARY, and performed all his Actions, during those eighteen Years he lived at Nazareth; whereby you shall not only make yourself pleasing to God in this World, but b● acting after this manner, sha●● obtain such a foretaste of th●● next, as will make you thin● nothing too hard, or too muc● for the purchase of so great an● everlasting a Happiness.    

VIII. MEDITATION. Of Saint Joseph's last Sickness, Death, and Glory in Heaven.  

Preparatory Prayer.  
BEG of God to understand the Sentiments Saint Joseph had in his Sickness and Death, and the Reward he now Possesses of all his Virtues.   

I. Prelude.  
IMAGINE Saint Joseph lying Sick upon his Deathbed, with our Blessed Saviour and our Lady on each side of him, imagine him sweetly giving up the Ghost. His Soul carried by Angels to Limbo, and his Body decently Interred in the Valley of Josaphat by our Saviour and his mournful Spouse; and after our Saviour's Resurrection raised to Life: Which also Ascended with him to Heaven, where he placed him in the Seat next to that he had ordained for th● Blessed Virgin his Mother.   

II. Prelude.  
BEG Grace of God so to Liv● as to enjoy the Assistance of JESUS, MARIA, JOSEPH at our Death, and their Company also in Heaven.  

I. Point. Saint Joseph according to Cedrinus, died a little before the Baptism of JESUS, at seventy Years of Age, Assisted by JESUS and MARY. Consider with what Joy and Resignation he suffered the Incommodities of Sickness, and the Pangs of his approaching Death, knowing they would put an end to all his Labours and Miseries in this World, and open to him the Gate of Happiness in the next. Imagine what Comfort he Received from those Pious and Fervent Acts, our Saviour suggested to him. Consider what thanks our Saviour and Blessed Lady gave him, for all the Care and Pains he had taken of them: Congratulating with him for the great Reward he was ready to receive for them all. Consider also what thanks Saint Joseph Returned for their constant Affection towards him, begging as the last Favour, their powerful help and Intercession, for a happy passage to Eternity. And then consider with what a Peaceful Resignation, and with what a Joyful and Smiling Countenance, he rendered his Soul to God his Creator, by the Hands of JESUS his Redeemer. Consider our Saviour Closing his Eyes, and Composing his Sweet Countenance with his Sacred Hands: Behold his Blessed Mother, recommending his Soul to the Eternal Father of JESUS. O most happy Death! The certain Reward of a most Pious Life. O Happy Joseph! Dying in the Merciful Arms of JESUS and MARY. Obtain for me by your Pious Intercession, that I may so serve them during my whole Life, that I may enjoy your and their Comfortable Assistance at my Death.   

II. Point. Consider a great Company of Angels, sent by God to Conduct his Soul to Limbo. Consider the Joyful tidings he brought thither of their Speedy Deliverance; he having for thirty Years continually Conversed with, and Served the Messiah. Consider also what care our Saviour and our Blessed Lady took in Burying his Precious Body, according to Saint Hierom, in the Valley of Josaphat, between Mount Olivet and Mount Zion; in the self same place where the Virginal Body of his Spouse, was afterwards for some Days to Repose. Thrice Happy Soul thus Dear to God and his Angels! O most Precious Relics! Thus taken care of by the Son of God, and Queen of Angels. Oh how estimable in God's sight, is whatsoever belongs to his Saints and Servants? O Holy Joseph obtain by your Intercession, that in Body and Soul I may so serve the Amiable JESUS here, that they may be Loved and Esteemed by him hereafter.   

III. Point. Consider that after our Saviour's Resurrection, he took Saint Joseph and several others his special Servants out of Limbo: Raised his Body to Life after his own, and carried him to Visit and Comfort his Blessed Mother. O what Joy! What Comfort! And with what Reason? Consider our Saviour afterwards carrying him with him in Triumph, at his Ascension into Heaven; placing him there next to the Seat prepared for his Blessed Mother; giving him power to obtain all Favours for his Clients, together with a tender Heart of a Father, and a tender Affection of a Spouse towards them. Consider also the Part he had in the Mystery of the Incarnation, his bearing the Dignity of Spouse to the Mother, and Foster-Father to the Son of God. Consider that the Labours, Pains, and Dangers he underwent in their thirty Years Service, required such a speedy Reward in Heaven: The Truth of which was Verified, by the Glory that appeared about the Head of Saint Bernardine, when in a Sermon he declared this Truth. Where he receives the Reward of Virgins, for his Fidelity to the Vow of Virginity; the Reward of Doctors for Reducing so many Idolaters in Egypt, to the Worship of the True God; Of Martyrs and Confessors in the Labours and Dangers he Suffered for JESUS: And therefore he deserves the Crown of Virgins, Doctors, Confessors and Martyrs; and to be Honoured by all, above all, next to JESUS and MARY.    

The Colloquy.  
O Powerful, Joseph Foster-Father to JESUS, and Spouse to MARY, who hast the Heart of a Father, and Affection of a Spouse for thy true Clients, and hast also the Power of JESUS and MARY joined with thy own, for their Assistance in all their Necessities. Obtain for me such a Filial Confidence in thee, and such a tender Affection for thee, as JESUS and MARY had; that I may obtain their and thy Powerful Assistance in all the exigencies of this Life, and the happy enjoyment of their and thy Company in the Life to come. Amen.     
FINIS.   

THE TABLE OF THE DEVOTIONS TO Saint Joseph Spouse to the B. V. Marry Mother of Jesus.  

THE Office of Saint Joseph. Pag. 3.  
The Litany of Saint Joseph. P. 15.  
The Hymn in Honour of Saint Joseph. Pag. 20.  
A Votive Oblation to Saint Joseph, to choose him for our Patron. Pag. 25.  
The Beads of Saint Joseph. Pag. 28.  
Seven Prayers or Devotions Containing the seven Dolours and Joys of Saint Joseph. Pag. 30.  
The I. Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph. Ibid.  
The II. Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph. Pag. 32.  
The III. Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph. Pag. 33.  
The iv Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph. Pag. 34.  
The V Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph. Pag. 35.  
The VI Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph. Pag. 36.  
The VII. Dolour and Joy of Saint Joseph. Pag. 37.  
Eight Meditations for the Octave of Saint Joseph. Pag. 41.  
I. Med. Of the Sanctification, Birth and Name of S. Joseph. Ibid.  
II. Med. Of the Humble Vocation and Sanctity of S. Joseph. P. 48.  
III. Med. Of the Marriage of Saint Joseph. Pag. 56.  
IV. Med. Of Saint Joseph's Journey with the Blessed Virgin to Visit S. Elizabeth. P. 66.  
V Med. Of the Virtue's Saint Joseph exercised at the Birth, Circumcision and Presentation of the Son of God. Pag. 76.  
VI Med. Of the Virtue's Saint Joseph exercised in the Flight of JESUS into Egypt, his Return from thence, and at his Loss of him in Jerusalem. Pag. 87.  
VII. Med. Of Saint Joseph's eighteen Years Conversation with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth. Pag. 96.  
VIII. Of Saint Joseph's last Sickness, Death and Glory in Heaven. Pag. 109.