cross did tremble, out of whose side did gush abundance of blood and water, for the redemption of all mankind. O river of paradise, running forth to water the whole earth! O precious wound which rather the love thou didst bear to us sinful men, than the enemies' weapon did inflict! O gate of heaven, window of paradise, place of rest, tower of fortitude, sanctuary of the just, nest of doves, tomb of pilgrims, flourishing bed of the spouse! Hail, sacred wound, which piercest devout hearts; hail, rose of incredible beauty; hail, precious stone of inestimable valor; hail, door, through which lieth open a free passage to the heart of Christ, an argument of his love, and pledge of eternal felicity!
Consider, that in the evening, Joseph and Nicodemus came with ladders to loose and take down the body of our Saviour; but the Blessed Virgin, after all these torments, perceiving her Son to be taken from the cross, and disposed for the grave, she took him when he was let down, in her arms, humbly beseeching that holy company, that they would suffer her to come near his body, and to bestow her last kiss and embracings upon him, which upon the cross she could not do, which they would not, nor could deny; for if her friends had deprived her of him dead, which her enemies did her, of him living, they had redoubled the anguish of her soul.
When she saw her Son in this case, what
