IN

CHAPTER XXIII.

A MEDITATION FOR THE DAY WE ARE TO

COMMUNICATE.

N what day you are to communicate, as soon as you are awake early in the morning, think that the Lord doth expect you this day at His heavenly Table, think of putting on the inward ornaments of the soul, as faith, repentance, devotion, charity, humbleness of mind, and such like.

1. Consider, how Christ in His conception took our nature, and that we in this spiritual conception of Him, are to participate in His nature.

2. Consider, you are to receive Him this day in the state of grace, who shall one day receive you in the state of glory.

3. Consider, that of the first eating it was said, "That day thou eatest, thou shalt die ;" but by this eating, "That day thou eatest, thou shalt live."

4. Esteem thyself unworthy, and say, Sweet Jesus, what love is this Thou pursuest me withal! Behold, Lord, I prepare myself this day to receive Thee into the poor cottage of an humble heart: but alas, the wise man, Solomon himself, when he had in many years, and by much cost, built Thee

John v. 51.

a temple', did notwithstanding marvel that Thou, the God of all Majesty, wouldest vouchsafe to abide and dwell in it: what shall I say, who have bestowed so little pains, so small cost, in preparing Thee a temple? I beseech Thee to turn my soul into a house of prayer, and to whip out all evil affections, that it may be rightly said to be, domus tua, Thy house.

5. Now "Holiness," saith the Psalmist, "becometh Thy house for ever."

CHAPTER XXIV.

A MEDITATION UPON THE HISTORY OF ZACCHEUS.

LUKE XIX.

ZA

ACCHÆUS, desirous to see Jesus, but for that he was of a low stature, he could not for the press, wherefore he goeth up into a sycamore-tree, where Christ should pass by.

2. Christ passeth by, and casting His merciful eyes on Zacchæus, said, “Zacchæus, make haste to come down, for to-day I must abide in thy house." He came down then rejoicing, and receiveth Him into his house, thinking himself greatly rewarded. 3. The Jews, when they saw Christ turn into the 11 Kings viii.

house of a sinner, murmured; which Zacchæus perceiving, turning to Christ he saith, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any man, I restore fourfold. Jesus answering, saith, Salvation is come unto thine house." Think of Zacchæus; though little in body, great in example; rich in goods, but richer in goodness; emptying his house of earthly riches, but filling it with heavenly; giving not to them that can give again, but to the poor, who had not to give again; think how he dealt wisely, proving his own will, making his own hands his executors, his own eyes his overseers.

THE APPLICATION OF THIS HISTORY.

That thou mayest be partaker of salvation, which is offered in this Sacrament, it is necessary that thou be desirous to know and taste Christ, who is after an heavenly manner contained in the same. And to know Him, it is necessary, first, that thou lift up thy mind on high, and consider His greatness, keeping in the meanwhile the ground under thy feet, as Zaccheus kept it when he stood upon the tree; that is, to procure that temporal business be then under our feet, and not over our head.

2. We must receive our Lord, not with melancholy or anguish of mind, distracted with worldly

thoughts, but as Zaccheus did, receive Him with joy which springeth from a vehement affection towards this Holy Sacrament.

3. Consider that it is not sufficient to receive Christ into our house, and then put the hand in the bosom: but we must furnish the Sacred Communion with good works, by relieving the necessities of our poor neighbours, after the example of Zacchæus and he which doeth so shall hear that comfortable voice, "This day is salvation come into thine house."

As Zaccheus was willing to receive Jesus into his house, so let us be willing to receive Him into our hearts as Christ said unto Zacchæus, "This day must I abide in thine house," so saith He unto every one of us, This day must thy Redeemer abide with thee.

THE FRUIT.

The fruit of this meditation shall be, to desire and ask of Almighty God an affection to this Sacrament; from which affection springeth spiritual consolation, necessary for the receiving of the Holy Sacrament.

THE SOLILOQUY.

O my bountiful Jesus, how liberal art Thou towards him who doth desire and seek Thee!

Zaccheus was held with a desire but of seeing Thee only; and Thou not only didst shew Thyself of him to be seen, but also called him, and invited Thyself into his house; on whom, to augment Thy favour, Thou bestowed salvation. Oh, how well hath the Psalmist said of Thee, "All nations seeking Thee, shall rejoice and be glad : and let them say always which love Thy saving health, The Lord be praised"."

Zacchæus, thou worthily rejoicest, because thou hast Him in thine house, which maketh the Angels rejoice; only rejoice, and esteem it as nothing, if the Jews murmur, and call thee sinner, since He is at hand for thee who can defend and justify thee join thyself to Him, and He will be as a buckler for thee, and thou shalt also understand how sweet the Lord is. O my soul, thou hast also cause of rejoicing, and peradventure greater than Zaccheus had, seeing to thee also cometh the Fountain of all joy and gladness. Hear what the Prophet Zechariah saith unto thee, "Rejoice, O daughter of Sion, and be glad, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy righteous King and thy Saviour cometh unto thee" !" Nor cometh He to exact, or to command, any toilsome labour, but only for the cause of saving thee, and defend

m Fsalm ii. 19.

n Zechariah ix. 9.