Thirdly we ought to consider in the holy passion the greatness of the benefit which our Savior hath done unto us, in redeeming us by this mean. And although there be infinite things to be said in this matter, yet at this present I will do no more, but only note briefly three principal points, which are to be considered in this most excellent benefit of our Redemption. First, what our Savior hath bestowed upon us by the same redemption. Secondly, what mean he used in giving it unto us. And thirdly, with what passing great love he gave it unto us.
How passing great that is, which our Savior hath bestowed upon us by this benefit of our redemption, there is no tongue able to express. Howbeit we may conceive somewhat thereof by two ways. The first way, is by considering all the evils and miseries whereinto mankind incurred through the sin of the first man Adam: for all these miseries were sufficiently remedied by our Savior Jesus Christ, who bestowed upon us all such benefits as were contrary unto these miseries: forsomuch as it is evident, that he was given unto us to be a universal repairer of all the evils and miseries of the world. Now he that were able to reckon how many the miseries are, whereinto the world hath fallen by the sin of the first man Adam, might also understand, how many the benefits are, that came unto us by the second Adam, (to wit, by our Savior Christ,) which benefits be undoubtedly innumerable.
The second way, is by considering not all the miseries which our first father Adam brought unto us, but all the benefits which came unto us by our Savior Christ: Forsomuch as we are made partakers of all those benefits, by means of communicating his spirit unto us. For all such as are made partakers of the spirit of Christ, are made partakers also of the virtues and merits of Christ. Wherefore the Apostle saith, that all such as have received the Sacrament of Baptism have put on Christ. Giving us thereby to understand, that they all are made partakers of Christ, and are adorned with his virtues, and merits, and that so being clothed with this livery they seem in the sight of the heavenly father to be such after a sort (in their degree,) as his own very son seemeth before him. And therefore for good cause doth Ecclesiasticus allege this wonderful title of the son of God in his prayer: saying: have mercy O Lord upon thy people Israel, whom thou hast made equal and like to thy first begotten son. What dignity, what glory can be greater than this? Now according hereunto he that could reckon how many the virtues, and merits of our Savior Christ have been, might likewise understand how many the benefits have been that are come unto us by him: Forsomuch as we are made partakers of them all by the mean of his passion.
To conclude, by him is given unto us remission of our sins, grace, glory, liberty, peace, salvation, redemption, sanctification, justice, satisfaction, sacraments, merits, doctrine, and all other things, which he had, and were behooveful for our salvation. And by reason of this his so bountiful communicating, he is called in the holy Scriptures, the father, the bridegroom, and the universal head of the Catholic Church: because whatsoever the father hath, appertaineth to his children, and whatsoever the bridegroom hath, he imparteth to his spouse, and whatsoever the head hath, the members are made partakers of the same.
These are the benefits which our Savior Christ hath bestowed upon us. But by what mean hath he given them unto us? It is evident that by the mean of his holy incarnation, and passion, whereby he made himself partaker of all our debts, and miseries: and so by taking upon him all our miseries, he made us partakers of all his benefits. This taking upon him all our miseries is undoubtedly a far greater thing, than to make us partakers of all his benefits. For certainly it is a more wonderful thing in God to suffer miseries, than to bestow benefits: because as there is nothing more proper and convenient to his infinite goodness, than to bestow benefits, so is there nothing more strange and further from that infinite felicity, than to suffer miseries. Whereby it appeareth, that we are much more bound unto him for the pains and torments which he hath suffered for us, than for the great benefits which he hath given unto us: I mean hereby, that we are much more bound unto him for the manner whereby he hath remedied our miseries, than for the very remedy itself.
But how passing great was the love wherewith our Savior bestowed all this upon us? This is without all comparison far greater, than all the rest. For certainly the desire which our Savior had to suffer pains for us, was far greater, than the very pains which he suffered: and much more pains would he have suffered, in case it had been needful for us. Three hours he continued suffering pains and torments upon the cross for our sins: But what is this in comparison of that, which the greatness of his charity could have vouchsafed to do for us? Verily, if it had been needful for us, that he should there have suffered pains and torments until the day of judgement, the love was so passing great which he bare unto us, that he would undoubtedly have done it. So that albeit he suffered much for us, yet was the love which he bare unto us far greater, than the pains which he suffered for us. And therefore if we be greatly bound unto him for the great pains which he suffered for us, much more are we bound unto him for that which he desired to suffer for us. This consideration is very profitable to provoke us to give most humble thanks unto him, who hath bestowed so great benefits upon us: and withal to love him, who hath loved us much more, than by his benefits he hath shewed unto us. Other infinite things there be to be said concerning this matter, but now they shall remain for an other place, and somewhat I have specified already in the meditation of the benefits of almighty God.
OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION 