Then consider with what pain the most Blessed Virgin mirror of humility went from Nazareth to Bethlehem in cold winter, yielding obedience to the Emperor: And how the Son of God would before his birth show obedience with humility at all seasons: yea to thy inferior if need require or good occasion.
Secondly consider in what poor estate the Lord of all the world would be born and brought into this world: and here learn to contemn all worldly pomp and vainglorious curiosity.
Thirdly note here the love of our Saviour to mankind, and requite him with love again to the uttermost of all thy powers.
Fourthly behold how the Angels from heaven preached to poor Shepherds the coming of our Redeemer: And here learn to have ever due regard to the poor: and imitate thou those poor men which with great zeal simplicity and diligence sought our Saviour, to yield unto him all that honor and service which was requisite. And after these thoughts prepare thyself to the fourth Joy devoutly as before.
Rosary book by Bucke
IN THE THIRDE ten Aue Maries* meditate the third misterie, which is of the natiuitie and birth of Christe; wherein thinke first, how Cesar Au|gustus hauing caused proclamations to be made for eche one to enroule their names in suche chiefe Cities as they belonged too; the moste sacred virgin (the mirrour of al humilitie) being redy to obey this decree, went Page 62from Nazareth to Bethleem in so cold a season, and with so great pain, as her great pouertie must needes cō|strain and force her. Note here, with how rigorous an austeritie the sonne of God; whō she bare in her wombe, would before his birth perfourme O|bedience, and haue his mother to doo the same, were it neuer so painful to her; that thou shouldest hereby learn of them to be humble and obedient in al seasons, and occasions whatsoe|uer. Secondly contemplate, in what extreme pouertie the king of al kinges vouchsafed to be borne; and bound vp in poore swadling-clouts, * and laide in a cribbe and manger of brute beastes. Weigh withal, that loue and lowlye reuerence his bles|sed mother adored him with; as Ioseph also, and the Angels did; who with exceeding gladnes, and sweete heuēly harmonie, denounced this his Page [unnumbered] birth to the poore shepherdes. Mer|uailous examples maiest thou finde in al this discourse, of humilitie, po|uertie, * austeritie, mortification, pati|ence; and aboue al, of infinite charitie which caused this heauenly yonge babe beginne to suffer such annoyes in his so tender age; Indeuour thou likewise to imitate the poore Shep|herdes, in their pouertie, simplicitie, and watchfulnes; if thou desire to be visited by the Angels, and made par|taker of these diuine misteries, as they were.
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