all adversities, and profoundly to write in my heart the mysteries of thy painful Passion; that thereby I may bring forth fruit of everlasting life, and may faithfully follow thee in the truth of thy holy teaching, so that my secret enemy may find no way to overthrow me in temptation. Amen. OUR FATHER.

GLORIOUS Lord, who straightway after thy death upon the cross didst, of thine own mysterious power, descend in great brightness, with ministry of many angels, into hell; and breaking the bonds of death tookest with thee many holy Fathers, Patriarchs, Prophets, and holy souls, and didst accompany them into the most joyful place of Paradise; I beseech thee, merciful LORD, give me grace here to live free from mortal sin, so that in the hour of death I may pass from this life into life eternal, with thy chosen and elect, in the joys of Paradise, to thy pleasure and will. Amen. OUR FATHER.

VI.

OST mighty Lord, who after thine Ascension didst send down the Holy Ghost upon thy disciples, in form of many tongues, illumining their hearts and souls that they might speak and understand, in all languages, the great mercies of God; I beseech thee to illumine me with the said Spirit of grace and understanding, so that I may diligently follow all that shall be to thy

honour and to the health of my soul, and may count all things vain which follow not the truth. Amen.

OUR FATHER. I BELIEVE.

RULE OF LIFE.

ABOVE all things love God with all your

heart. Desire his honour more than the health of your own soul. Take heed, with all diligence, to purge and cleanse your mind with often confession. And raise your hopes and desires from earthly things. Be humbled with entire devotion. Repute not yourself better than any other persons, be they never so great sinners: but rather endeavour to hold yourself in the lowest esteem of all. When you consider the conduct of others, always give them credit for the best motives. Use much silence; and never talk for the sake of talking. Delight not much in familiarity with persons unknown to you. Be solitary, as much as is compatible with your station in life, or your profession. Pray often. Make it your endeavour to promote love and good-will between the different members of your household. Resort to God every hour. Announce not your works and deeds with any pride. Be not too familiar with your servants, but use to them a serious and prudent countenance, with gentleness. Show before all men a good example of virtuous life. Rebuke charitably light and frivolous persons. Encourage and comfort all persons in well

doing. Love cleanliness in your home, and especially in young persons. Show yourself a decided enemy to vice and dishonesty; and be not a coward in rebuking all low and unclean words and deeds, and dishonourable or mean conduct. Be not partial for favour, gain, or malice; but frame your life according to truth, reason, justice, and equity. Be kind and good to poor folk, and help them to the utmost of your power; for thereby you will greatly please God. Give fair and courteous language to all persons, but especially to the poor and needy. Also be diligent and busy in giving alms, and in spirit be meek of heart, and in adversity be patient. Pray continually to God, that you may do what is his pleasure. Also apply diligently the inspirations of the Holy Ghost, in whatsoever work you may be moved to undertake. Continually pray for perseve rance. Ever continue in deed, and always have God before your eyes. Renew every day your good purposes, and examine your conscience at night as to the performance of them. Whatsoever you have to do, do it diligently; stablish yourself in well-doing. If perchance you fall into sin, do not despair. And if you keep these precepts, the Holy Ghost will strengthen you in all other things necessary; and thus doing, you will so live, that hereafter you shall be with Christ in his glorious country of heaven, to whom be given all honour, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE.

HOU, most merciful Lord, dost all things of thy exceeding charity, and not for any merits of my own, or for anything that I can deserve. Wherefore, good Lord, remember thine own gentleness, not our miserable impediments. For we would continually give thee thanks with tears, for joy of thy kindness and beneficial gifts yielded to us daily; but our hearts are so dull and heavy, from the multitude of our sins, that we are blind of sight in seeing thy great goodness, and our tongues are dumb in praising it, and our ears are deaf to hear the still small voice of thy love. Wherefore, I beseech thee, with thy grace to open my ears, and quicken my dulness, and speak and open my eyes and relieve my misery, so that I may eternally praise thee, and joyfully sing with thy holy Prophet David, My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name for ever and ever.

PRAYER WHEN THE SOUL DESIRES THE GRACE OF GOD FOR HER OFFENCES.

MY

Y Sovereign Lord Jesu Christ, I humbly beseech thee not to be long absent from me, who am destitute and barren of all virtue and goodness, when thou, Lord, hidest thy face. Wherefore, I entreat thee to be ready to come to me, whenever I shall call unto thee in thy most holy Name. Jesu,

preserve me, Lord, from all vain glory and sinful thoughts, which will rise within me in sundry ways against thee; which, I am sure, Lord, I cannot escape without thy gracious aid, and I am not able to withstand them. For I find written in Holy Scripture that thou, Lord, sayest to thy servant, Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God. Thus, dear Lord, it shall ever endure to them that faithfully trust in thee. And so, my God, I trust that thou mayest dwell in my soul, as in thy temple, edified by the virtue of the Holy Ghost; and mayest enlighten my soul and spirit with thine everlasting light, and drive from my heart all manner of darkness, and the blindness of vain-glory and wilfulness. Help me, O Lord, to fight and subdue all the powers of evil who infect my soul; even the treacherous desires, and the concupiscence of the eye, and the lust of the flesh, which daily assail me, and try my strength to the utmost of its power. O my Lord, I fear to fall into danger, without the aid of thy sustaining grace. Wherefore I call to thee for help and the grace of thy true light, to illumine my poor spirit; so that I may perceive the error of my carnal heart, which