ing; and give me grace that, all the days of my life, I may speak no leasing, backbiting, nor harm of anybody, nor sow discord among Christian people, but may speak only the truth, without flattery for favour or gain. Grant also that I may speak nothing but prudent words which tend to concord, and to unite in peace and charity those who are at discord, that they and I may join together in loving thee our Lord and Saviour.

Also, Lord Jesu, King of Glory, I believe and acknowledge that thou didst thirst full sore on the Cross, and saidst, I thirst. And since thou didst taste of the bitter vinegar and gall with myrrh, as the Holy Gospel witnesses, I pray thee, Lord Jesu, for thine endless pity and mercy, and for the bitterness of that drink whereof thou didst taste, that thou wilt please to forgive me all my sinful offences committed against thee, in eating and in drinking, and in superfluity of luxurious living. Give me grace, O Lord, that, all the days of my life, I may no more offend thee in the gluttony of food or in excess; but that, governing my lips in these things, I may have wherewith to feed the poor, who lack that of which I have too much, O Lord.

Also, Lord Jesu Christ, King of Eternal Glory, I believe and acknowledge that thou wast crowned with a garland of sharp thorns. I pray thee, Lord, for thine endless mercy and pity, meekness and patience, that thou wilt forgive me all the sins which I have

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committed in pride, in boasting, and in vainglory; and give me grace to avoid all pride while I live, that, following after meekness, I may give an example thereof to all men with whom I may ever consort, to thine honour and glory.

Also, Lord Jesu, King of Mercy and Pity, I stedfastly believe and acknowledge that thou sufferedst thy blessed Body to be beaten, rent, and torn with scourges, and thy tender limbs to be strained; insomuch that all the joints of thy precious Body might have been numbered and told, as the Prophet David says, I may tell all my bones. I humbly pray thee, my Lord God, of thine endless favour and pity, by all the pitiful wounds which thou didst suffer in thy tender Body, to forgive me all the sinfulness of my body, committed in lust and in all other unclean deeds, wrought in any part of my body. Give me grace, O Lord, for ever to despise all works of sinful lust which defile the temple of God within me with deadly sin; that I may, by thy assistance, be enabled to present pure before thee my body, which is thy temple, as S. Paul witnesses.

Also, sweet Jesu, I believe and acknowledge that, whilst thou wast yet hanging on the Cross, thou sufferedst thy most blessed Side to be pierced, and thy loving Heart also, with a sharp spear; so that both Blood and Water flowed thereout. I humbly implore thee, O Lord, to forgive me all my cruel sins, which have proceeded from my un

clean heart, in thought, or in deed, in vanity, or in deadly sin. Grant that henceforth I may spend no more my time in such sin and worldly folly, and in idle thoughts; but that I may use devout meditations, and may love to commune in my soul with thee, through prayers and holy desires which may please thy will; and that my whole heart's love may rejoice in thee, my eternal Lord; so that I may, through thy precious Blood and pains, escape the immortal danger of hell and pains intolerable, and may finally come to the everlasting fruition and inheritance which thou, Lord, hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee and that do thy will and pleasure in this troublesome life. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE FOUR CARDINAL VIR TUES, AND THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST.

ALMIGHTY Jesu, and God in Trinity,

Three Persons and One God, of thine endless mercy and pity give me grace to keep clean my soul, which thou, Lord, lovest so well; which thou hast created after thine own image and likeness, and hast made perfect by Faith, Hope, and Charity. And give me grace, good Lord, to govern my inward wits, and my outward words and works, to thy will and pleasure, that I may through these Four Virtues-even JUSTICE, PRUDENCE, TEMPERANCE, and FORTITUDE, overcome all sin, and faithfully serve thee.

And as concerning WISDOM, grant me grace, O Lord, to know thy goodness, will, and kindness, that I may do unto thee meet worship and service.

Also, my most Holy Lord God, as touching the gift of UNDERSTANDING, give me grace to understand and to know myself, and the good from the evil; that I may follow after virtue and spiritual goodness, and all such things as shall pertain to thy worship and honour, and to the health of my soul.

And, good Lord, through the gift of COUNSEL, grant that I may cast off the dulness of my spirit. Open the blindness of my eyes, and guide my heart in the plain, sure way of life, so that alway I may do thy will and pleasure, and not pursue my own folly and sin.

Also, dear Lord God, through the gift of GHOSTLY STRENGTH, give me grace alway to be stedfast in good works, and never to waver from thee, for weal or for woe, or by persuasion of others, but patiently to suffer for thy love.

Also, my loving Lord, give me grace through the gift of KNOWLEDGE, to rule with discretion my sensual appetites and desires, to thy pleasure, and in obedience to my vows as thy faithful soldier and servant.

Also, through the gift of TRUE GODLINESS, pour into my heart love and pity, that I may have compassion on my Christian brethren in their extreme need and poverty,

may comfort their hearts with good counsel, and succour them with the goods which thou hast given me, for thy dear sake, O Lord, who for our sakes wast truly poor.

And so with all my heart, and with all my soul, give me grace to love thee and my Christian neighbour, for thy sake; and thus, with HOLY FEAR, to dread thee in thy high. power and majesty, that I may never more offend thee, in joy or in sorrow, or in any distress which may fall to my share, O Lord, my Help, my Strength, and my Redeemer.

EARNEST SHORT PRAYER TO JESUS. JESU Lord, who madest me,

And with thy Blood my soul hast bought,

Forgive, if I have grieved thee

In word, in will, in deed, or thought.

JESU, in whom is all my trust,

Who on the tree of scorn didst die, Withdraw me from all fleshly lust,— From all worldly vanity.

JESU, by the deadly smart

On thy loving hands and feet,
Make me meek and pure in heart,

And to love thee as is meet.
JESU, by the bitter wound

Opened in thy bleeding side,
Let sin which hath my heart fast bound
Be washed away in that red tide.
JESU CHRIST, on thee I call,

Thou art God, and full of might;
Cleanse me, guard me, lest I fall,

In deadly sin, both day and night.