meditated upon in the holy Passion of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Forsomuch as the most holy Passion of our Savior Jesus Christ is the principal matter of meditation, it is meet that sithence we have hitherto treated of meditation in general, we do now treat particularly how we ought to meditate upon the holy passion of our Savior Christ: to the intent that we may know, how to behave ourselves in this matter.
But here we must first presuppose, that among all the devotions in the world, there is none more secure, none more profitable, or more universal for all kind of persons, than the remembrance of the holy passion of our Savior Christ. Albertus Magnus saith, That it is more profitable for a man to meditate every day a little upon the holy passion of our Savior Christ, than to fast with bread and water all the Fridays in the year and to discipline and scourge himself until he shed blood, and to say all the whole Psalter from one end thereof to an other. At the least wise this is very certain, that this holy exercise is a passing great help to direct the soul in all virtue, and goodness. For considering that our Savior Christ is (as he himself saith) The way, the truth, and the life, there is none other exercise more fit and convenient to direct us to go unto God, to know God, and to enjoy God, than to fix always our eyes upon our Savior Christ. For though Christ be unto us the way, the truth, and the life, in all things wheresoever we consider him, yet is he most especially so unto us, when we behold him upon the Cross. And therefore St. Bernard said very devoutly: Well may I (O Lord) compass about heaven, and earth, yet shall I not find thee but upon the cross. There thou liest, there thou sleepest at noon day.
But leaving now this matter for an other place, I will only treat at this present after what sort we ought to behave ourselves when we meditate upon the holy passion of our Savior Christ. For there be some simple persons, that seek nothing else in this holy exercise, but only to shed a few tears, in taking compassion upon the bitter pains and sorrows of our Savior, and so do stay themselves in this point alone, without passing any further. And albeit this taking compassion of our Saviors pains be very good, and necessary, (forsomuch as it is the foundation of all the rest, as hereafter shall be declared) yet this is not the only fruit that may be gathered of this holy tree, but there be others far greater than this: forsomuch as out of the meditation of the holy passion doth all the profit of the spiritual life proceed.
Wherefore we must understand, that there be six things (among many others) that may be considered in the holy Passion of our Savior: To wit, The greatness of his pains: The grievousness of our sins: The excellency of the benefit: The magnificency of the goodness of almighty God: The multitude of the virtues of our Savior Christ, which do very brightly shine in his holy passion: And the conveniency of this mean, whereby almighty God vouchsafed to work our redemption. These six points ought we to consider for six effects, wherein consisteth all the profit of the spiritual life. For we must consider the greatness of the pains of our Savior Christ, that we may take compassion of them. We must consider the greatness of our own sins, that we may abhor them. We must consider the greatness of the benefit of his passion, that we may give him thanks for it. We must consider the excellency of the goodness of almighty God, which in this holy passion of our Savior is discovered unto us, that we may very heartly love the same passing great goodness. We must consider the multitude of the virtues of our Savior Christ, which do likewise shine very brightly in his passion, that we may be provoked thereby to imitate them. And we must consider the conveniency of the mystery of his holy passion, that we may be brought thereby in admiration of the wisdom of almighty God, and be the more confirmed in the faith of this holy mystery. Of these six points we intend now to great, and of each one of them in his due place, and order.
OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION 