"In die parasceves devotissimus modus passionis domini nostri Iesu Christi contemplandus in quatuor viis cum utilibus questionibus". Introduction Ample introduction, which immediately underlines the duty of compassion and of weeping on Good Friday, as it will prove that one is a real Christian – a theme recurrent along the sermon which insist on the need for the preacher to move the audience and for the listeners to be moved by the Passion: «ido ipsam [Passionem] tenemur singuli qui sumus fideles adulti diligenter devote et lachrymabiliter sub pena eterne damnationis attendere» (f. H6r). This is proven in four points, namely ¬autoritates, rationes, similitudines, exempla. At the end of the first point, the preachers imagines Christ who addresses directly the human soul and who states that the Good Friday sermon serves to discern who is a true Christian (i.e. a limb of his body), since s/he will weep: «Attende bene quis ego sum et vide que patior et meam passionem fac tuam per compassionem et fletum. Id circo enim in hac die predicare facio meam acerbam passionem ut videam qui sunt membra mea, illi profecto qui sentiunt per compassionem, illi vero sunt alieni qui non dolent ergo nec curant flere» (f. H6v). On the basis of Nicholas of Lyra the body metaphor is then applied to the different groups in the Church. The salvific effect of the Passion needs to be welcomed by compassion and love (« per dilectione et compassione»), since: «ille qui illi non compatitur, dannabitur»; f. H7r). Imediately is presented as best exemplum the Virgin Mary, who was most sorrowful during the Passion (the key events are immediately listed) – she serves as emotional ‘spur’ for the faithful. Brief reference to the common place of the impossibility to pray the Ave Maria on the Good Friday – and so the need to turn towards the cross, using the hymn O crux ave (f. H7v).  Sermon body The sermon is organized around four routes (viae) of the Passion, which mark the chronological order of the Passion: «Et ideo charissimi salvatoris mundi discipuli et illius veri filii per quatour vias attendamus hodie et videamus redemptoris nostri maximum dolorem...» (f. H7v). 1: from Bethania to Jerusalem 2: to the Gethsemane 3: return as prisoner to the city 4: to the place of crucifixion. Each part is introduced by three theological questions (quaestiones) on the Passion (e.g. its necessity, role of God the Father, how pain and joy cohexisted in Christ during the Passion, whether it is the supreme pain ...), followed by a quite plain postillatio of the Passion narrative (harmonizing the four Gospels, with references mainly to Nicholas of Lyra), which includes several emotional addresses to the audience and/or dramatic description of the reaction of the Virgin Mary and the other characters of the Passion. Part one. Noteworthy the passage about what would have happened if Judas and the Jews did not betray Christ, with the hypothesis – presented in a moving way, with direct dialogues – that Jesus would have asked Peter or the Virgin Mary to crucify him [same reasoning in sermon 39] (f. I1r). Ample description of the last ‘private’ meeting of Jesus and the Virgin before his Passion, a very emotional and affective tone (full of kissing and weeping) in this direct dialogue between the two characters (Laskai is careful to state that this is an hypothetical reconstruction). Reference to Bonaventure. (f. I2v-I3r) Here and elsewhere addresses to the faithful soul to contemplate and see the Passion: «O anima mea, anima mea, vide quomodo filius benedicit matrem, et quomodo mater ad mortem licentiat filium. Vide inquam quam copiose flent discipuli, quam pie lachrymantur sancte muliere...» (f. I3r). This kind of address is also used to summarize each section. Part two. The sermon imagines the dialogue between Christ and the angel in the garden (f. I5v), and first description of the sufferings of Christ after his capture, with an emphatic address to the human soul, who is invited to address the Virgin Mary and to go in spirit to the places of the Passion so to gather the hairs of Jesus: «O lachrymandum negotium. O opus cruentis stupendum [...]. O anima christiana, quid audis? Quid cogitas? [...]. Vade igitur anima devota ad locum captivationis Christi saltem in spiritu, et te prosterne ibidem illi gratias agendo et evulsos crines et barbam sanctam recolligendo devotissime» (f. I6v). Part three opens with the descriuption of the diciples divided in groups who cry for Jesus' capture. Very emotional description of the announcement of Jesus capture by John the apostle to the Virgin Mary, with a detailed scene of collective weeping that involve Mary Magdalene, Martha and Lazarus of Bethania. The texts – in the direct discourse - simulates the speaking and weeping together with the anaphoric and pathetic use of heu. It finishes with the invitation to the audience to associate to this group of disciples, who moves towards Jerusalem in search of Jesus: «Ideo associa te mentaliter ad comitivam illius et cum ea attende et vide si est dolor...» (f. I8v), with the repetition of the thema that dots the sermon. Hence, the prosecution of the narrative of the Passion, although presented in a quite plain way, is supposed to happen in front of a special group of viewers/witnesses among which the listeners have been invited to stay.The emphatic tone returns at the end of the section, with the flagellation, with a renewed invitation to compassion and mental participation to the Passion (f. K2r). In comparison, references to the Jews’ responsibility is quite brief and plain. Part four. Christ on the cross as book that teaches all the virtues and distinction between Old testament figurae and he as veritas et identitas (f. K2v). Empathic description of the crucifixion, underling the point of view of the Virgin Mary and the appeal to the faithful to compassion. There is an insistence on the visual language (f. K3v). Yet, it seems that the sermon has to proceed quickly in this section, since – for instance – there is no elaboration on Jesus last words, yet just a brief expansion of with a discourse of Mary to his son on the cross. The sermon closes with a brief but vivid and graphic description of the mourning of the Virgin Mary and the disciples on the death body of Christ, the repetition of the thema and a final exhortation to compassion, with the exhortation to a final collective cry («cum grandi clamore et fletu magno dicamus sic: Christe fili dei vivi, miserere nobis [...]. Tandem unanimiter alta voce dicamus: Iesus, Iesus, Iesus!» (f. K4v).

Introduction  Final cause governs actions. Jesus went to the desert to be tempted by the devil. Did the devil know incarnation in advance? When he was an angel, he saw it mirrored in God, yet after his fall, his mind is clouded and he was doubting since he saw contradictory sings about Jesus (nativity: singing of the angels and the star vs. poverty and fragility). Hence, the devil tempted Jesus to discover the truth and to avoid the human salvation (4AB). Division The previous Gospel pericopes indicated the virtues and the dress that need to equip the penitent, now it is time to see the adversary’s attack and his attempt to strip the soul of the eternal reward: «qualiter adversarius tales aggreditur ut eos mercede possit eterna privare». The division follows the Gospel narrative (see above). First part «Circa litteram»: Jesus was brought to the desert between Jerusalem and Jericho (the same of the parable of the good Samaritan) as a place apt for doing penance. «Et vocatur quarentena» since Jesus was fasting for forty days and nights. Human beings have free will, otherwise there would be no merit in good works. Reference to Peter Lombard, Lib. Sen. II, II, 23 c. 1 and to the commentary of Bonaventure to it: “Deus ideo permittere voluit hominem a dyabolo impugnari, si fortiter et viriliter ageret, maiorem gloriam inde consequeretur” (4D).The temptations serve:  Ad probitatis probationem Ad iniquitatis corretionem Ad humilitatis eruditionem Temptations serve to prove the believers. Biblical exempla (Job and Abraham) and an extensive quotation from the story of Judith: «Vos frates, qui presbiteri estis...» (Judith 8.21-28), where the heroine recalls how God used to tempt the patriarchs and how one needs to keep trust in God. Temptations and tribulations serve to purify (as with gold, as with martyrs) and to avoid spiritual pride. Where does a temptation come from? From interior is the most dangerous, from the exterior is weaker (it does not have power if not joining an interior temptation), from the devil is the weakest, as said by Augustine and a rhymed verse: «Augustinus: Debilis est hostis, qui non vincit nisi volentem. Et ideo metrice dicitur: Hostis non ledit nisi cum tentatus obedit. Est leo dum cedit, si stat quasi musca recedit” (4G – comparison with lion and fly). However, the devil tempts more the penitent  then the sinner, since the latter is already in his power. Second part  Ample explanation ad litteram. Three temptations are the same used by Satan to overcome the humanity at the beginning (gluttony, vainglory and avarice), for this reason he is allowed to assault Jesus in this way. The reply to the second temptations (that upon the pinnacle of the temple, i.e. «locum ubi doctores legis consueverant populo legem exponere» serves to clarify that it is wrong to expect a miracle for something can be done normally (in this case, to go down using the staircase; 4H). The traps of the devil are without number, one needs to strike back with every kind of caution and virtue. In particular, the devil: Abstinentia maceratos tentat gulositate Pietatis assiduos, superbia et vanitate In divinis celicos, symoniaca pravitate (4K) In a mallow and rational way, the devil invites to moderate fasting and abstinence, arguing that they are weakening the person and are irrational. Reference to an exemplum taken from the life of saint Francis (source Bonaventure). Again, the image of the devil that tempts people in three ways (allegory of Daniel 7.5: the bear with three rows of threats as the devil that aims to swallow the devout souls  and to break their good purposes; 4L). Avarice – as a form of idolatry - is a form of adoration of the devil. The sermon connects it with simony, lamenting the present situation: «Heu multos hodie...» (4N). Issue of the offers for the sacraments: an offer cannot be requested or binding, but they can be accepted as free and as a laudable custom, yet the celebration of sacraments must not be postponed for it.  Third part Help of the angels  to people. As a person going to a battle needs someone who instructs and leads him, in the same way God sent a guardian angel to everyone as teacher – reference to Peter Lombard and Psalm 90. Three key aspects of the angel: Nobilitatem Dignitatem Utilitatem (4O). The last part underlines how the angels «a peccatis retrahant; ab inimicis defendant; ad paradisum perducant» (4T). Discussion whether Jesus and the Virgin Mary had a guardian angel. Jesus no but the angels served him. About the Virgin there are different positions: the sermon prefers the position of François de Meyronnes who sates that the Virgin was protected directly by the Trinity and so could not be attacked by the devil, so the angels only pay homage to her (4T). The angels assist the humans also to accelerate the full restauration of their status after the fall of the rebel angels, hence they help the conversion of sinners and rejoice for it. Finally, the sermon lists six characteristics that one has to learn from the angels to live like them.

Introduction As Aristotle says, wonder is the beginning of philosophy («Quia homines propter admirari inceperunt philosophari»; 5T), the same happens to the Jews during the exodus in front of the manna and to the citizens of Jerusalem at the arrival of Jesus (cfr. thema). Which is the most astonishing visible thing done by God? Three possible answers: creation; mercy towards sinners, which let them live and repent in this world; incarnation. The latter is clearly the answer chosen by the sermon and it is developed by quoting and commenting upon the first verses of Dante’s prayer to the Virgin Mary (Commedia, Paradiso, 33,1-9 – in Latin) [Dante is not mentioned but presented as «quidam sapiens» and «poeta» - poets]. The admired contemplation of the prodigy of the incarnation must move to love God so to reply to the question of the thema with the profession of faith. Division [Its introduction concerns only the second of the three parts] First part In the entrance to Jerusalem, Jesus is revealed as saviour of the humanity (connection with the singing of the Hosanna). Direct prayer directed towards Jesus, who is acknowledged as: «potens es ad liberandum promptus es ad adiuvandum clemens es ad indulgendum» (6A). 1.1. Doctrine of the redemption («solus Iesus»), according to Anselm (Cur deus homo). It is introduced the story of Codrus, king of Athens, which is interpreted as an allegory of Christ’s voluntary incarnation and sacrifice for the salvation of the militant Church. [All the section depends on Robert Holcot]  1.2. The affirmation that Christ was ready to help the humanity prompts the explanation of why the incarnation did not occur earlier. 1.3. Christ’s mercy asks to discuss whether God wants to save everybody and what does it mean exactly. The sermon relies on Nicholas of Lyra triple explanation of 1 Timothy 2.3 and argues for a balance between mercy and justice. This leads to the quaestio whether the damned are more then the saved. The reply is built again on Augustine and Anselm - with the addition of Franciscan theologians, namely François de Meyronnes and Bonaventure. Interesting the remark on the salvation of non-Christian, which is imagined through the grace  of a sudden and complete repentance at the moment of their death  («Volunt etiam multi doctores quod deus multis gentilibus virtutes excellentibus hanc faciat gratiam ut unum gemitum emittant et malorum actuum recognitionem et quod sic eorum extremam penitentiam acceptet»; 6F). Yet, it remains that the damned are more than the saved. Second part The expulsion of the merchants and money changers from the temple, highlight that opposite things cannot coexist. The scene is symbol of the expulsion of the «nogotiatores de ecclesia». The discourse turns to the actual merchants and their sins, which open with a quite radical opening sentence («Mercator nunquam potet placere deo»), since they are usually fraudulent in in their work, particularly in three ways: «Species diversas comiscendo Pondera et mensura variando. Defectus et rerum fracturas celando» (6H). The sermon presents a series of situations and frauds common at the marketplace (including also frauds committed by buyers). Noteworthy: a positive reference to alchemy; description of adulterations of wine, with terminology given in German [macaronic / vernacular]; Beda’s description of a vision of saint Fursey, who sees three symbolic fires that represents the inextinguishable corruption prompted by merchants to all the world: falsity, greed, impiety. [Use of a quite old source to discuss about economic ethics - yet it is readapted to target the merchants]. Third part Jesus teaches to separate oneself from the evil people, this must be done – on a moral level – through three transitions: «De rebellione ad reconciliationem De dissolutione ad religionem De peregrinatione ad quietationem» (6N). The first is the transition from sin to grace through penance, since Christ welcomes in his kingdom those who come back. Second, the entrance in the religious life, which is reserved to the most promising (image of the plants that are put in the viridarium so that they can produce more fruit) – the sermon discusses the simile between religious life and the vineyard, yet underlining that the transition must be complete, i.e. the roots must be planted there and not left in the world. It follows a brief quaestio on the superiority of the religious life on the secular life (again a reference to Anselm, to point out that the difference is between giving a fruit or giving the entire tree). The third transition is from this world to heaven, answering why God does not call people there while they are still completely innocent, i.e. as kids. The end of the sermon emphasise that God is ready to kindle the fire of charity and penance, as said by Revelation 3.15 and shown by Peter’s conversion.

Introduction As poison is worse than a sword and a false friend worse than a false coin, so it was the falsity and simulation of the Pharisees who asked Jesus for a sign. This leads to two brief quaestiones: whether and how it is licit to praise other people; why the Pharisees sinned mortally by calling Jesus "master" – although he was it. The latter include a discussion on how action and intention need to be joined, since both need to follow the law of God. Division - First part Main theme is ingratitude, first presented by commenting the Gospel episode (postillatio) and then moraliter by considering the Christians who – having received more benefits than the Jews – must thank God (reference to moral teaching of Seneca and, on a spiritual level, in particular to the special gift of the eucharist). Three possible mistakes: “De huius modi beneficiis et donis acceptis: Quidam de deo non cogitant. Quidam deum de beneficiis non honorant. Quidam dei beneficia exasperant” (6V). 1.1. To forget the benefits that God gave connectes with the sensuality of the flesh (voluptas carni) – reference to Plato and the opposition between soul and body. 1.2. Ungrateful people who do not give thanks to God are like a pork, which eats acorns without looking at the tree, i.e. without raising its eyes. An exemplum from the Vitas patrum: in a vision an old monk sees part of his fellow monks eating white bread and honey, while the others eating shit (stercus). The first are those who «in timore et gratiarum actione sedent at mensam», while the other are those who «murmurant, detrahunt et male locuntur in mensa, nec gratias dicunt» (6X). 1.3. Ungrateful is also to ask continuously God for more, without realizing that in the Passion everything has already been given to us. Seneca’s exemplum (De beneficiis) of the condemnation of a soldier ungrateful with the one who saved him from shipwreck. Allegorical application to the Christians, saved from death (the shipwrek), welcomed at home (the church), nourished with the eucharist: they promise a lot and then maintain very little («multa promittimus et pauca solvimus»; 6Y [note the use of the first person plural]), so Christ – the saviour - will expose our fault in front of God the father, who will impress the marks (stigmata) of eternal damnation on them. Second part  Interpretation of the parable of the return of the unclean spirit (parable): in the allegory (allegorice), the devil has left the gentile, who welcomed Christ with faith, and now inhabits the Jews («ideo recendente dyabolo a gentilibus ad iudeos est reversus, in quibus nunc per infidelitatem et obstinationem dicitur inhabitare»; 6Z). On a moral level (moraliter), the parable concerns the recidivist who returns to sin and the danger of his/her condition, since «per talem recidivationem sit: Homo debilior ad resurgendum. Dyabolus fortior ad invadendum. Deus difficilior ad indulgendum». 2.1. By repeating a sin, a person gets less sensible to its relevance and more tied to it do to the habit. Image of the fish or bird in the net. 2.2. Moral interpretation of the parable. The devil is expelled by penance, yet it might come back – it has no power but it can knock at the door of the heart both using fantasies in the memory («movendo fantasmata malorum in memoria reservata incendendo per desiderium amoris»; 6Z) or using the seven vices (seven capital sins). A quaestio about how can be interpret the return of previous sins, if they were forgiven. Indeed, it is the new sin of ungratefulness for their forgiveness that is added to the new sins. Hence, one has to confess it without repeating the confession of all the previous sins (unclear reference: «ut dicit Lodovicus in summa sua») [note the pastoral outcome of this interpretation]. 2.3. God is less ready to forgive those who repeatedly despised his mercy. Discussion whether the repetition of a sin makes it worst, with a detailed reference to the position of Bonaventure, who depicted four stages of sin: interior consent; action; habit; final absence of repentance. The last stage is final and cannot be forgiven, while the other three are connected with the three episodes of resurrections in the Gospel, which symbolically happen in three different places: at home, on the door of the city, in the tomb. Third part Jesus praises the grace given to those who perform good deeds. Explanation of the scene of the Gospel, when the Virgin Mary and the relatives of Jesus call him outside. It was an insidious request, since he would abandon his pastoral engagement showing human feelings. On a moral level, it teaches that one must choose by considering the utility and dignity of things, and this is true also at a spiritual level. «Ideo quilibet debet ea [spiritualia] preeligere et preponere et hoc quo ad tria, scilicet: Temporis prioritatem. Intentionis principalitatem. Ordinis dignitatem» (7E).  3.1. One must choose virtue while s/he is young, without waiting the old age – simile  of the wax, flexible only when is hot. And exemplum of the miller who had a donkey, which he did not force when it was young, and that later on refused to work and kicked the miller, killing him. The donkey symbolizes the body: if it is not dominated when one is young, it would condemn him/her to the eternal death. 3.2. Centrality of the intention - and quaestio on how to interpret the command: «Omnia in gloriam dei facite» (1 Corinthians 10 ). The solution seems to be not that each act needs to be directly connected to the glory of God, but that it becomes an habit, as the direct exhortation sates: «Ad hoc enim debemus tendere et hoc desiderare, quod ad talem statum perveniamus quod omnes actiones nostras et affectiones principlai intentione ad deum referamus» (6I). 3.3. The necessity to put spiritual before worldly things is exemplified by saint Luis of Toulouse, quoting John XXII’s the bull of canonization («unde in bulla eius translatione scribit Iohnnis Papa XXII: Ludovicus ut sol refulgens in virtute ...»; 6K).

Introduction The sermon opens by presenting the duty that parents have towards their children and exposing the cases in which a father can legitimately disinherit his son. The detailed list of seven cases is a vademecum on matters of inheritance (e.g. filial violence against his father, sexual intercourse with his mother or his father’s concubine, attempts to prevent the father from making a testament; do not care to set his father free from prison) serves to point out that the initial request of the prodigal son was legitimate. The sermon next presents three quaestiones that revolve around the restoration of the sinner after penance, with specific attention to the issue «whether the deeds that were alive through charity and mortified by sin will live again through penance» («Queritur tercio an opera per caritatem viva et mortificata ex peccato per penitentiam reviviscant»; 16R), underlining also the positive effects of the good works that one does in the condition of mortal sin. Drawing on Bonaventure, the sermon insists on the importance that one – even in mortal sin – should not desist from doing good because God will find the right way to remunerate him/her with his grace. Main division (see above) First part Far from God, the human being cannot have rest (reference to the Confessiones of Augustine: «my heart is restless until it would come to you, God» (Inquietum est cor meum donec veniat ad te; 16V). Hence, the sinner must return to the house of the Father (God), i.e. the church, where he will find also his mother, i.e. the Virgin Mary: “Through penitence, the sinner must return to the house of God the Father, which is the holy Church, where he will be safe from all his enemies. There he will find a graceful father and a mother, who is the glorious and clement Virgin May, because she welcomes those who seek refuge in the womb of her mercy, she protects them from all enemies, and she nourishes them with the milk of grace” («Debet ergo peccator redire ad domum dei patris, scilicet sanctam ecclesiam, in qua securatur ab omnibus adversariis, et hoc per penitentiam, et inveniet patrem graciosum, matrem scilicet virginem gloriosam clementem, que refugientes ad gremium sue misericordie suscipit et ab hostibus defendit et lacte gracie nutrit»; 16X). It follows a long digression on the Virgin who, as a mother, fosters the return of the sinners (the texts build upon several quotations of Anselm and Bernard of Clairvaux). Second part The fruitful return of the penitent to the state of grace («fructuosa reversio penitentisa ad statum gracie»; 17B). Sinners are invited to identify with the prodigal son: «the sinner is far away and separated from God and, in the same way of this prodigus, he must come to himself and think of his actual extreme misery and the great mercy of God the Father; he must lament and not rest until he will come to the father of mercy, God of full consolation» («Moraliter peccator, longe a deo divisus et separatus, debet instar huius prodigi per conversionem in se reverti, pensare propriam miseriam et inopiam et dei patris maximam pietatem, dolere et non quiescere donec ad eum veniat, qui est pater misericordiam et deus totius consolationis»). This exhortation to imitate the prodigal son is reiterated, in a process that involves heart, mouth and action («Ad hunc patrem pium et benignum debet peccator ad instar filii prodigi: in corde recurrere ad eius benignitatem; in ore proponere propriam iniquitatem; in opere intendere satisfactionis humilitatem»; 17C). This threefold division is connected with the three parts of penitence: contrition, confession, and satisfaction. The first point puts on the forefront not the memory of the sins but of the benefits received from God. This positive memory of God’s mercy is the starting point for the conversion, yet, mercy cannot be separated from justice. The listeners have to recall that God will punish those who do not convert from their sin, even though this goes against his merciful nature (17D). Dealing with confession, the sermon provides the listeners with a formulary to start an oral confession. Next, it considers the relationship between contrition and confession. Why is outward confession necessary? Is «contrition and confession of the heart» not sufficient? Per se, the contrition joined with the intention to confess and provide satisfaction as soon as possible already purifies the sinner. Later on, if he/she does not confess and satisfy, the previous sin cannot return. However, in that event he/she commits a new mortal sin by breaking the Church commandments (17E). Yet, if through contrition God already cancels the sin, what effect has confession? The sermon states that – since each sin is «against both God and the Church» – there is an ecclesiastical/social dimension of sin that, consequently, needs an ecclesiastical reconciliation «through confession, imposed satisfaction and the priest’s absolution» (Dum enim peccator peccat mortaliter, peccat contra deum et ecclesiam. […] peccat contra ecclesiam quam contemnit et scandalisat, et ligatur altero vinculo, quod solum per confessionem et satisfactionem iniunctam et absolucionem presbiteri ydonei relaxatus»; 17.F). Moreover, aural confession is necessary to tackle the problem of rightly establishing the measure of satisfaction: to solve it, God appointed the priest as arbiter and gave him the power to evaluate and impose penances (potentia arbitrandi et taxandi). Third part The final part deals with the amorosa receptio patris. It opens with a complex exemplum taken from the Gesta Romanorum (the story of the son of Alexander the Great, who revolted against his father – a story whose moral interpretation was already based on the parable of the prodigal son). The reaction of the father of the parable points out that God goes to the penitent rapidly (velociter), embraces him sweetly (dulciter), and dresses him nobly (nobiliter). Here, the sermon discusses prevenient grace and its accord with the human responsibility in the process of conversion. Grace is compared with the sun that shines but illuminates only those who open the doors, or with the indulgence that the pope offers to everybody but that are acquired only by those who go to Rome (17N). In the text, remains some tension between the free gift of God and human initiative, whose importance is clearly outlined by emphasising the importance of the first step taken by the prodigal son: «The father would not have come to the prodigal son along the way, if the son had not said before: I will rise and go to the father» («Non enim pater prodigo venisset obviam penitenti, si non prius dixisset: Surgam et ibo ad patrem»; 17N). Still, the sermon clarifies that it is not the penitent’s action that provokes and obtains grace, which remains a gift that is given «after this disposition but not because of this disposition» («post quam [contritionem] non propter quam deus vult dare gratiam»; 17N). Next, it turns to the spiritual theme of the love relationship between God and the soul [spiritual marriage]. The kissing of the father is connected with the kisses mentioned in the Song of Songs and opens the way for a first person discourse of the beloved soul: «The embrace and the kisses are signs of peace and love. […] The soul, bride of Christ, habitually longs for this greatly blessed and mostly beloved kiss; she longs with great desire and frequent sighs and repeats with the Song of Songs: Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth (1,1), so that she could rejoice and be delighted. As if the soul would say: ‘My mostly beloved groom Jesus, for whose love I am languishing, might give me those grace and mercy that I am longing for with the whole depths of my heart, and might comfort me with the sweetness of his piety and of his divine benediction, so that I could return to life’» («Nam amplexus and oscula sunt signa pacis et amoris. […] Isto osculo superbenedicto et amantissimo magno desiderio et frequenti suspirio anima sponsa Christi appetere solet, et ut iocundetur et letetur dicere illud Cantico 1: Osculetur me osculo oris sui, quasi dicat: ‘Amantissimus sponsus meus Iesus, in cuius amore langueo, immittat mihi gratiam et misercordiam quam totis visceribus cordis desidero et confortet me dulcedine sue pietatis et divine benedictionis et reviviscam’»; 17O).  Playing on the contrast between the two brothers within the parable, the sermon then introduces a final question: whether God loves more the sinner who does penitence than the righteous person who has always been so («queritur an deus plus diligit peccatorem penitentem quam iustum semper benefacientem»; 17R). The discriminating factor is the fervour, so a penitent can surpass a righteous person (examples are Mary Magdalene and Paul). The elder brother of the parable symbolises those who are righteous but tepid (cf. Revelation 3,15). Still, this is not the rule. The sentence of the Gospel that «there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance» (Luke 15,7) applies only to few special cases, while the supreme joy of heaven is indeed reserved for those who did not need to convert, first of all the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist.

Introduction
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Divisio (see above) 1) First part: definition of “confession”: «Confession is that act by which the latent disease becomes manifest in the form of forgiveness» (Augustine). Three types of confession: 1. “(self)confession” = referring every good to God and every evil to oneself, as human beings; 2. Confession for (human) justice: anyone who confesses is convicted and punished according to human justice = the opposite of the “ecclesiastical confession” (cf. infra), where those who confess are forgiven; 3. Ecclesiastical confession = confession for penitence (one of the seven sacraments). 2) Second part: three origins of confession (reference to Bonaventure): 1. From the evangelical authority of Jesus Christ: Jesus gave the apostles - and, consequently, all priests - the authority to absolve from sins (references to Iohannes 20, 22-23 and Matthew 18, 18). Forgiving is God's prerogative, and priests absolve as ministers of God; 2. From the autority of the apostles, who preached penance around the world (reference to Mark 16, 15); 3. From the authority and will of the Church: obligation to confess at least once a year, on Easter day (reference to Liber extra, tit. xxxviii, cap. xii); 3. Third part: two quaestiones. First quaestio: is it necessary to confess immediately after having sinned? It is necessary in many cases (reference to Duns Scotus, cf. General Notes): 1. When the moment of damnation or salvation approaches; 2. When you are in danger of death; 3. When you want to confess (reference to Liber extra, tit. xxxviii); 4. When giving or receiving a sacrament (direct warning to a certain «buffalo», i.e. a “rude man”, and to «madonna Bianca»); 5. When you want to do a solemn act in Church (even the priest, as a preacher of the divine word, must be free from sin). Second quaestio: do we need to repeat the confession if we forget to confess a sin? The confession must be repeated in four main cases (reference to Bonaventure): 1. In case of "impotence" of the confessor, i.e. if the priest is excommunicated; 2. In case of ignorance of the confessor (“[…] a blind man leads another blind man, and both fall into the ditch”, metaphor by Augustine); 3. When a sin is maliciously omitted; 4. When one negligently doesn’t do the penance imposed by the confessor: in this case, if one remembers the previously neglected penance, it’s sufficient to perform it without repeating the confession; otherwise, it’s mandatory to reconfess.
Conclusion Just as it is appropriate for a sick person to choose a good doctor, so it is appropriate for a sinner to choose a wise confessor (Franciscan and Dominican preachers are recommended).

Introduction Interpretation of the thema: the Samaritan woman is the reasonable soul who, being in sin, asks to haurire aquam, that is, to receive grace.
Divisio (see above) 1) First part: three definitions of “sin”: 1. “sin is deprivation of human goodness” (reference to Bonaventure, Commentaria in quattuor libros sententiarum Magistri Petri Lombardi, II); cf. Peccatum est carentia boni ubi debet esse (quote from Augustine’s De civitate Dei); according to Bonaventure, God has given human beings three supremely necessary goods: 1) “mesure” (i.e. desire nothing against the divine will; «sin has perverted this order, because now the human heart always desires and thinks evil, i.e. carnality and sensuality»); 2) “beauty” (the true beauty and nobility of the human being is the virtue; reference to Seneca [probably to Epistulae ad Lucilium, LXXVI]); 3) order (i.e. directing thoughts, actions and words to God; sin diverts our operations from God). So, “sin is deprivation of beauty, order and measure” (reference to Augustine). 2. “Sin is separation from what is according to nature and conversion to what is against nature” (reference to John of Damascus); as the sick person, whose nature is vitiated by illness, desires harmful things more than healthy things, so the sinner despises virtue and loves vices. 3. “Peccatum est, bono incommutabili [i.e. God] spreto, adherere bono commutabili [i.e. the human being]” (quote from Augustine's De libero arbitrio). 2) Second part: two operations of sin: 1. “Peccatum est prevaricatio divine legis et celestium inobedentia mandatorum” (quote from Ambrose (Saint), De Paradiso); three main laws: 1) “natural law”; 2) “law of Scripture” (i.e. the law given by God to Moses); 3) “law of grace” (i.e. the gospel of Christ, perfection of all laws). Sin is prevarication of all these laws (several biblical exempla for each law). 2. “expolation of virtue”, because sin is against human nature (“Everything that does not please God is against nature” [reference to Bernard of Clairvaux]), while virtue is according to it.
Conclusion Invitation to avoid sin, even at the cost of losing one's home, relatives and everything else (direct appeal to the preacher to rebuke «friars, priests, monks, merchants, gentlemen, widows and maidens who offend God for a penny»).

Introduction
Bonaventure's quaestio: are the goods done by human beings while in sin vain or meritorious? «No good is without merit in front of God» (reference to Augustine); three reasons: 1. «Divine equity»: it would not be right if God inflicted the same punishment on one sinner who has also done something good and on another who has never done any good. 2. “Honor your father and your mother” (quote from Exodus 20, 12): God has addressed this precept to all human beings, good and bad, so even a sinner will be worthy if he observes it. 3. «reason of goodness»: if one who does a good work for vainglory nevertheless receives a reward (reference to Matthew 6, 2), then a sinner who does a good work for God also deserves a reward: in fact, it is better to do good for God and not for vainglory.
Divisio (see above) 1) First part: God multiplies the temporal goods of sinners who also do good works (exemplum taken from Exodus 1, 15-21: God's reward for the Jewish midwives Shiphrah and Puah [names not mentioned] who saved the Hebrew boys). God, in fact, rewards even one good done among a hundred mortal sins (reference to Jerome); exemplum taken from Luke 16, 19-31: parable of the rich man and Lazarus (the rich man, though a sinner, is rewarded for his good deeds, but only in life; for the interpretation of the parable, reference is made to Gregory the Great, Homeliae in Evangelia). 2) Second part: reference to Decretum Gratiani. Exemplum taken from Acts 10 (conversion of Cornelius (centurion)). 3) Third part: the devil's power is enormous (“There is no power on earth equal to that of Satan”, reference to Job 41, 25 [but the source refers to Leviathan’s power]), but doing good deeds enables the human being - even the sinner - to free himself from the devil's grasp; exemplum: short story about a sinner who escapes from the devil's hands by simply reciting three Ave Maria and three Pater noster every day. 4) Fourth part: “participation in all goods” means that if you do a good work for the benefit of someone or something, then you will become a sharer in every good (temporal or eternal, depending on your condition) concerning that person or thing; for example, if you give alms to a Church, then you will benefit from all the prayers made by the clerics of that Church (references to Book of Sirach 29, 15 and Psalmi 118, 63). 5) Fifth part: a sinner who does good works receives less punishment than one who does not. 6) Sixth part: one must persevere in doing good, because sooner or later one will obtain divine mercy (reference to Luke 11, 9).

Introduction
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Divisio (see above)  Caracciolo constructs the sermon as a commentary on John 20, 19-25. 1) Cum esset sero … «Pax vobis!»: Christ stops in the midst of the disciples because he is the median element of the Trinity and is the mediator between God and human beings; being in the midst means “dignity" (reference to Aristotle; several exempla taken from the natural and human world). Pax vobis: many reasons must lead man to peace, first and foremost the admonition of the Scriptures (quotations from Romans 12, 18; 2Corinthians 13, 11; John 13, 34); three types of peace: 1. “polluted peace”: proper to those who are friends and companions in evil deeds (“devils are friends and have peace in evil deeds”, reference to Bonaventure); 2. “simulated peace”: proper of simulators, traitors (like Judas), who come «with honey in their mouths and poison in their hearts»; 3. “orderly peace”: the true peace, announced by Christ, consisting in «loving the friend in God and the enemy for God». The inheritance of Christ doesn’t consist in possessions, gold or silver, but in the peace left to human beings.  2) Et cum hec dixisset ostendit eis manus et latus: Jesus wanted to resurrect with the wounds for three reasons: 1. To demonstrate the truth of the resurrection; 2. For the edification of human beings: as Christ bore for humanity the wounds on his body, so human beings must bear Christ in their hearts; 3. in memory of humanity: Christ wanted to wear the sign of love on his body to continually remind himself of human beings (reference to Isaiah 49, 15-16). 3) Gavisi sunt discipuli … «Vidimus Dominum!»: Caracciolo goes on to recount the Gospel and emphasises how Jesus loved peace so much that he repeated a second time «Pax vobis!». The sermon concludes, following the Gospel, with the episode of Thomas' scepticism.

Introduction
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Divisio (see above) 1) First part: he who acts materially on something seeks to make it similar to himself (reference to Aristotle), so God made the human being similar to himself in his creation, justification and glorification. 1) In creation: God is one and triune, and the human being has one soul and three powers (intellect, memory and will); 2) In justification: God wanted to create the human being similar to his Son in grace; 3) In glorification: God wanted to create the human being similar to Himself in taking part in the glory. 2) Second part: “God and nature do nothing in vain” (reference to Aristotle's De Caelo; therefore, since the human being was made to obtain eternal life, God wouldn’t have created him if he couldn’t obtain it by doing good deeds. Quaestio: even if good deeds are performed, how can a human being obtain eternal life if his soul is finite? The soul in Paradise will see God in a finite way even though He is infinite, and will understand Him as much as it can (reference to Bonaventure): the human soul sees God in four degrees; the Angel sees Him in five degrees, the Archangel in six, the Seraphim in seven, but all still see him in a finite way. 3) Third part: Christ became man, therefore human beings are bound to Christ by a bond of affinity; consequently, human beings must not doubt that they can obtain eternal life by doing good deeds, because “where the head of Christians is, there the members will go” (reference to Ephesians). 4) Fourth part: God is the righteous judge of all persons; therefore, it is necessary that those who have done good deeds in life should receive righteous reward - that is, eternal life - after death; on the contrary, those who have done evil will receive eternal damnation (Qui bona egerunt ibunt in vitam eternam, qui vero mala in ignem eternum [quote from Athanasian Creed]).
Conclusion Exhortation to religious, that they may persevere in the observance of the rule; to married women, that they may persevere in the purity and honesty of marriage; to virgins, that they may persevere in fear, vigils, fasts, almsgiving, contemplation and prayer.

Introduction
Bonaventure's quaestio [reference to Summa Theologica III, 3]: was the pain experienced by Jesus Christ on the cross extremely great? According to the theological doctors, never was nor will there be a pain as great as that of Jesus, and this can be demonstrated by twelve reasons: 1. “reason of occasion”: when one is punished without reason, i.e. without having committed any crime (like Jesus Christ), one suffers much more; 2. “reason of measure”: during the crucifixion Jesus didn’t suffer in only one part of his body, but in its entirety (reference to Isaiah 1, 6); 3. “reason of condition”: Jesus Christ was of such a noble constitution and condition that he couldn’t have died except by violent death; 4. “reason of deprivation”: Jesus Christ suffered extremely because he was aware that «countless Jews, Turks, Tartars, Saracens, infidels and ungrateful Christians» would not benefit from his passion, but would be damned; 5. “reason of obligation”: the suffering of Jesus Christ was as great as the suffering of the damned must have been; 6. “reason of cutting”: as a man would suffer so much if all his limbs were cut off, so Christ suffered so much knowing that the souls of human beings - which were his limbs - would be damned; 7. “reason of separation”: just as man suffers greatly when the beloved woman separates from him, so Christ suffered greatly when the soul of human beings - which is his bride - separated from him because of sin; Christ crucified stands «with his feet fixed because he is waiting for you [scil. soul], he calls to you with his head bowed, he holds his arms out to embrace you»; 8. “reason of contrition” (“Great as the sea is your contrition” [quote from Lamentations 2, 13]); 9. “reason of compassion”: Jesus Christ experienced much pain in seeing the martyrs suffer because of their love for him; 10. “reason of deformation”: the body of Christ was so deformed that the mother didn’t recognise it (reference to Lamentations 4, 8); 11. “reason of offense”: Jesus Christ never offended anyone and was sent among human beings to remedy original sin; 12. “reason of reverberation”: Jesus Christ saw his mother suffering for him and suffered in turn because of that pain that reverberated within him. On Good Friday, one must not have recourse to the Holy Trinity, because on that day mankind condemned Christ to death; nor must one have recourse to the Virgin Mary by reciting the Hail Mary, since on that day she is grieving over the death of her son. Caracciolo divides the text of the Hail Mary into three parts [the final invocation is missing] and shows how it’s inappropriate for Good Friday; the only appropriate prayer on Good Friday is the prayer at the cross (Ave crux, spes unica, hoc passionis tempore. Auge piis iusticiam, reique dona veniam. Amen [quote from Vexilla Regis, 21-24].
Divisio (see above) 1) First part: although Christ and God could have redeemed mankind even without it, Christ's passion was necessary because it was «the most congruous and fitting way for our redemption» (= “necessity of congruity”). Two reasons for the death of Christ: I. envy of the high priests, caused by the many miracles performed by Christ (reference to John 12, 10). Narration of the events of Palm Sunday and the following Monday (cursing of the fig tree; Jesus and the woman taken in adultery), Tuesday (Jesus on the Mount of Olives reveals the signs of the Last Judgement to the disciples) and Wednesday (betrayal by Judas). II. Judas' greed (reference to John 12, 3-6). Dialogue on the evening of Holy Wednesday between Jesus and the Virgin Mary, in which Jesus announces his imminent death to his mother; the Virgin Mary gives her son twelve reasons why he should not die: 1. “Reason of sentence”: the sentence given against the order of justice shall not be executed. 2. “Reason of justice”: Jesus doesn’t have to die because he committed nothing against justice. 3. “Reason of mercy”: Jesus deserves compassion because he is innocent. 4. “Reason of Scripture”: the just and innocent man must not be killed (reference to Exodus 23, 7), and Jesus is just and innocent; 5. “Reason of punishment”: there is no punishment without crime, and Jesus committed no crime. 6. “Reason of obedience”: there is no punishment without disobedience to the law, and Jesus obeyed it. 7. “Reason of assumed nature”: divinity doesn’t have to suffer for the death of Christ, because it is united to his flesh. 8. “Reason of married nature”: without sin there is no separation (reference to Liber Extra IV, 15?), and Jesus has no sin. 9. “Reason of wisdom”: the wisdom of Jesus is able to find another way to redeem humanity. 10. “Reason of hostility”: Jesus never offended anyone, so he doesn’t have to die. 11. “Reason of motherly compassion”: Jesus must have compassion for his mother who would be distressed because of his death. 12. “Reason of fatherly offence”: he who offends his father or mother must die (reference to Exodus 21, 17), but Jesus didn’t offend his father, so he doesn’t have to die. Christ, in reply, sets out twelve reasons why he must die: 1. Order of the Eternal Father; 2. Honour for the Eternal Father; 3. Appeasement of the Eternal Father; 4. Exaltation of Jesus' name; 5. Glorification of Jesus' name; 6. Confirmation of Jesus' name; 7. Exaltation of the Holy Spirit; 8. Attraction of the Holy Spirit; 9. Confirmation of the Holy Spirit; 10. Atonement for sin; 11. Spoliation of Hell; 12. Opening of the gates of Paradise.
2) Second part: twelve contemplations of the passions of Christ = twelve branches, each with three fruits [this subdivision is functional to the following narration of the passion of Christ, based on entire and often literal quotations from the Gospels]: I. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus appear in the figure of a lamb” (reference to Exodus 12, 3-11); three fruits: 1. disciples' expedition (to look for a place that could host the Last Supper); 2. dinner preparation; 3. Jesus and the disciples go to the Upper Room. II. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus dining with the disciples with great dilection”; three fruits: 1. arrangement of diners at the table («which now is in Rome»); 2. the diners start eating the lamb «roasted according to the Law»; 3. diners «with sticks in their hands, shoes on their feet, wearing a tunic, ate [scil. the lamb] with verjuice and lettuce». III. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus on his knees washing the disciples' feet”; three fruits: 1. washing of the feet; 2. indication of the example; 3. insinuation of the traitor. IV. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus consecrating the sacrament worthy of veneration”; three fruits: 1. consecration of the sacrament; 2. communication of the sacrament («it’s written in the Decree [= Decretum Gratiani] that you must tolerate the bad by taking the example of Christ, who communicated the traitor Judas»); 3. Betrayal tolerance. V. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus speaking softly to the disciples”: Jesus' discourse to the disciples after the departure of Judas [without the canonical division into three fruits]. VI. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus praying in the garden with much suffering”; three fruits: 1. Jesus’ exhortation to the disciples; 2. Jesus’ contrition; 3. Jesus’ suffering; VII. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus caught with betrayal”; three fruits: 1. coming of Jesus; 2. coming of Judas; 3. healing of the ear; VIII. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus not denying the false accusation”; Jesus was accused in front of three people: 1. Anna, the “old priest”; 2. Caiaphas, the “young priest”; 3. Pilate, the prefect. IX. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus sent by Pilate to Herod to free him”; three fruits: 1. Christ is sent; 2. Christ is presented to Herod; 3. Christ is sent back from Herod to Pilate. X. “Pay attention, and you will se Jesus violently scourged by Pilate”; three fruits: 1. Christ sent back to Pilate; 2. Jesus' exchange with Barabbas;  3. scourging of Christ. XI. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus condemned to crucifixion”; three fruits: 1. condemnation of Jesus to crucifixion; 2. attempt at absolution made by Pilate's wife [Caracciolo supports the interpretation that the dream of Pilate's wife was an attempt by the devil to prevent the death of the Redeemer]; 3. Pilate's washing of hands [Caracciolo reports both John's version and that of Matthew]. XII. “Pay attention, and you will see Jesus speaking to the crowd during the crucifixion”; three fruits: 1. Jesus carries the cross; 2. Jesus speaks to the women; 3. Jesus speaks to the crowd after being crucified; seven last words from the cross: 3.1 “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23, 34); 3.2 “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23, 43); 3.3 “Woman, behold thy son!” and “Behold thy mother!” (John 19, 26-27); 3.4 “Eli, Eli, lama zabatani” (= “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Matthew 27, 46; Mark 15, 34]); 3.5 “Sitio” (= “I thirst” [John 19, 28]); 3.6 “It is finished” (John 19, 30); 3.7 “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23, 46).

Introduction Natural gold ≠ artificial gold (IA). To eat the gold dust provides strength and protect from leprosy (references to Avicenna and Platearius). The artificial gold is exteriorly similar but without these quality (it’s only an expense and a waste of time and work). The same is true with good works. When they are done with the correct intention, i.e. to glorify God, they protect you from the leprosy of sin. Yet, if they are done "cum sinistra intentione", i.e. for your own glory, they have only an exterior appearance, but without any merit. Biblical reference (Cain and Abel) and to canon law. Questio: "Utrum existens in peccato mortali vel faciens aliquod opus de genere bonorum sinistra intentione frustretur omni premio et nihil mereatur sua operatione" (IB). In the reply, the key authority is Bonaventure: a sinner should not stop from doing good works, since they prepare to receive the grace and dispose to conversion. Distinction between alive works and death works: “Oportet enim quod prius quis desinat esse vitiosus quam incipiat esse virtuosus, et naturaliter remissio peccatorum precedit infusionem gratie” (ID). This leads to discuss about Lent. Since God wants to grant abundant graces for the feast of the Resurrection, hence the Church organized this penitential time so to help the faithful to be ready to welcome them: “ut huius igitur simus capaces ordinavit mater ecclesia vigiliam scilicet tempus penitentie et dispositionis per XL dies quod hodie incipit et omni die aliquod preparativum ponit atque ipsius gratie speciale dispositivum”. Divisio (see above) - based on the whole pericope not on the thema First part Fasting and abstinence should not be hypocritical (in discussing the pericope, note the distinction between litterliter and moraliter). Three main fruits of fasting: Comprimit canis vitia Elevat mentem ad superna Dinat virtutem contra demonia 1.1. Fasting serves to rule the flesh (which is the horse of the soul...). Yet crucial is fasting from sin (IF). Question on who must fast, and list of the categories which are exempted (IG). 1.2. Fasting elevates the mind (series of exempla and ¬auctoritates). Question: if drinking clouds the mind more than eating, why does Lent require fasting from food? (II) 1.3. Fasting wins over devils. Natural example: the elephant wins over the dragon when it has an empty stomach. Question about the type of forbitten food - dairy and eggs are connected with the production of semen and so an arousal to lust (basic notions of medicine): “ex eorum commestione plus superfluit ut vertatur in materiam seminis cuius multiplicatio est maximum incitamentum luxurie” (IK). Second part Appeal to the moderation and the detachment from worldly things. Moraliter: Contraposition among the ancient philosophers about the true richness and happiness of human beings. Epicurean stated the earthly goods (the sermon harshly attacks them) while the Peripatetics said it was virtue, sit it cannot be lost (“qua non servantur in bursa sed in anima”; IL). Positive examples are Socrates renounced to gold (reference taken from the Decretum) and Boethius. Christ is put in the same line of the Peripatetics (“Hanc etiam opinionem doctor noster Christus tenuit...”; IM). One has not to treasure things on hearth for three reasons:  Periculose et damnabilies Nocive et instabiles Infructuose et steriles  2.1. When one looks for richness, s/he is exposed to dangers such as lie, fraud, usury, robbery. Here the sermon quotes the whole parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) and the sentence on the simplicity of the birds (“Nolite soliciti esse...”; Matthew 6.36). Distinction between different ways of “solicitudo circa temporalia”: necessary, unnecessary, immoral (“talis fuerat in Iudeis et Pylato, timentes ne perderent regnum quod possidebant occiderunt Christum” IN), erroneus. The Gospel criticizes the last three, not the necessary sollicity (such as in sowing or harvesting etc). 2.2. Their possession is harmful, since provokes anxiety and insecurity. Reference to the episode of the encounter of Augustine with the poor person in the Confessiones (IO). 2.3. They are infructuous and make also virtuous people infructuous (internal reference to XIXQ). Third part Necessity of a virtuous behaviour for the eternal reward. Crucial is to have an holy and immaculate life (“vita sancta et immaculata”). Erarium disponere Divicias reponere Custodiam apponere 3.1. Direct parenetic address to the listener in the last section: “Nunc ergo peccator audi me, et deus exaudiet te. Vita tua mors est et vana vita. Vis ergo apprehendere veram vitam, noli alta sapere [...] Per illa enim que tibi dat suadet exire a peccato [...]. Cur ergo bonam mortem desideras et vitam bonam non curas? [...] Iam persuasus es a deo ut recedas a malo”. Dangerous to postpone a good decision: “O frater, noli claudere hostium venie... [...] Iam deus pulsat ad hostium” 3.2. A laborious life of virtue keeps and increases the treasure, since it creates the habitus of virtue. 3.3. The custody of the senses is the protection one needs, since they are the gates of the heart.

Introduction Three quaestiones: Why it is more meritorious (merit) to love the enemies and how should be done (references to Peter Lombard and Thomas Aquinas). How one can do it (reference to Augustine). In which way one has to forgive the insults, namely by giving up on rancour and its signs, yet asking for the restitution of goods and reputation.  - Division [Note references to previous days] - First part Foundation of all is mutual love (caritas). “Debemos ergo nos invicem amare” in three ways:   Debitum persolvendum Eternum premium conseguendum Damnationis periculum evadendum 1.1. Forgive all debts, as requested in the Pater noster and quoting the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35). 1.2. Love is laborious but it yields an exrtraordinary eternal reward: “est grande labor in hoc seculo, sed grande premium in futuro”. The example is saint Stephen [2T]. 1.3. Hatred is deathly dangerous, it must be avoided, since it is like an mortal wound hidden in the mind and darkening the soul: “qui enim odit habet in mente letale vulnus et gerit in corde tenebris peccatorum” [2V].  -- Second part  Actions are good or bad depending on intention, this idea is applied to fasting, prayer and almsgiving. This applies even to the crucifixion of Christ: it is undoubtedly a good work, since from it salvation derives, yet the Jews (indicated as perpetrators) did not receive any reward, since they did it out of envy [2X]. “Deus enim cor interrogat et non manum” – interior intention is crucial. Superius elevata intentionis rectitudine Interius coaptata incorruptionis pulcritudine Inferius subiugata ex donationis celsitudine 2.1. Intention orients the actions to their final goal, which is God. Image of the crossbower who has to close one eye and open the other, which means: close the eye to the worldly seductions and keep the other fixed on Christ [2Z]. 2.2. One needs first of all to purify the heart to avoid to maculate the good works. It is useless to worry to be sparkling clean outside (graphic description) while neglecting the purity of the heart. Reference to the hypocrites as whitewashed tombs (Matthew 23:27). Discussion on hypocrisy, simulated sanctity and desire to be noted (it can be only vanity or a lesser sin, yet can be also a mortal sin) [3B.] 2.3. one needs humility, do not inflate. One must think that all goods derive from grace (“ex gratia dei”) and consider to be a sinner. Even the saints still (rightly) considered themselves as sinners: example told by Bonaventure about the reaction of saint Francis when a friar told him that saw in a dream the celestial throne prepared for him [3D]. -  Third part  The way one performs almsgiving also matters. This is discussed on the basis of the biblical sentence: “Ante mortem benefac amico tuo et exporrigens da pauperi secundum vires tuas” (Sir 14.13) – which becomes a sort of thema of this section. Conferentis celeritas Accipientis propinquitas Pacientis necessitas 3.1. Give alms quickly, willingly, without delay – since death is always close and one cannot delegate the relatives. An hermit had a vision: two tables, one full of food, the other empty, the latter symbolizes the good works delegated to others. Several quotations from the moral works of Seneca. Usual reference to the canon law on jesters (histriones) and prostitutes [3G] 3.2. When the need is similar, one first must help relatives and friends and then strangers. Issue: shall one make distinction between who has to receive alms? Discussion on the proverb: “Sudet elemosina in manu tua donec invenies iustum cui des” [3H], which dates to Augustine and Gregory the Great (not mentioned), and ultimately to the Didaché. First, alms must be given to preacher and prelate. Second, give without any distinction to those who need food. Next, if the need is similar, start from the neighbours. 3.3. Priority is to give to the poor that suffer the most. The sermon ends by commenting the epistle of the day: Frange esurienti panem tuum... (Isaiah 58:7), with a quite direct to treat the poor with respect: “induc in domo tuam, non in stabulum porcorum in locum despectum” [3I].  -

Introduction  Primacy of faith  (based on listening - link with previous sermon): "In precedenti sermone declaravimus verbi divini utilitatem et efficaciam, per quod verniunt homines ad fidem salutiferam; prout clare declarat Apostolus Rhomaorum X dicens: Fides ex auditu; auditus autem per verbum Christi. Nunc (divina favente gratia) delcaremus eiusdem fidei virtuositatem". Reference to Bonaventure to assert its necessity as basis for any other virtue - in particular, hope and love (cardinal virtues), since: "sine fide non est cognitio summi et veri boni; sine cognitione autem summi boni non potest esse expectatio et dilectio. Cognitio enim preambula est et dirigit affectum ad expectandum et desiderandum" (f. c6v) Faith is necessary also to have a correct intention, since only what is done for the glory of God is good: "Sine vero recta intentione nullus actus virtutis recte incedit" (f. c7r) Reference also to Hebrews 11:6: Sine fide impossibile est placere dei, which links with the thema - Divisio