£- ^ s^ ^.^1^ (f; ^ M .J^ •-5 o ^ w g ^ , <^ • ^ o ^ ^ i-t o U^ ?^. ^i^ w « t ^ Q Q H >^'" fe PE? ^ O CO o o x^ tf W • j^ CQ en tH m Q) HH CO o^ >i h:; P^ CO w to •-a tH -H ^ Q O ft Jz; (N c: W VD rO 0) J^ 0^ CO U 4-> O pq CO P4 03 (XS > • > b » -•-H |3j in w ^ o X5 a 1 (N x^ :3 CD > -p x: nq w H ^^^^^z^ ^^^2 ^.^ .r r...,,;^. JAN ^2 1932 PRIVATE PRX^^pg.^ A MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION AND PRAYER FOR COMPILED AND EDJTED BY FRANCIS H. STUBBS, A.M. RECTOR OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, BALTIMORE N£IV EDIT/ ON NEW YORK E. & J. B. YOUNG & CO, Cooper Union, Fourth Avenue i8qi TROW DIRECTORY PRINTINQ AND BOOKBINDING COMPANr NEW YORK BY HIS KIND PERMISSION TO Ube IReverenb jfatbec (n (5o& GEORGE FRANKLIN SEYMOUR, S.T.D., LL.D. The Bishop of Springfield IN GRATEFUL MEMORIES OF THE PAST, AND IN LOVING RECOGNITION OF THAT SPIRIT, WHICH HE HAS EVER MANIFESTED, OF COURAGE, FIDELITY AND ZEAL IN TEACHING, CONSISTENCY IN PRACTICING, Ube CatboUc jfaitb CONTENTS. Part I, — Faith and Prayer. Pagii. Creed, 3 Summary of Faith, 3 Things to be Remembered, 8 Explanation of the Lord's Prayer, . • . .12 Morning Prayers, 13 Mid-day Prayers, . . , . • • .17 Evening Prayers, 18 Occasional Prayers , , 22 1. A Short Litany for Friday, , . , , 22 2. Prayers for a Good Death, . • • .23 3. Act of Thanksgiving, . . . o . 26 4. According to the State of Life, . • • ,28 For Parents, 28 " Children, 29 *' Masters and Mistresses, . . . 2g " Servants, 30 ** Husband and Wife, .... 30 iii IV CONTENTS. For Woman with Child, .... " Thanksgiving after Childbirth, '• One about to be Married, " Students, ...... " Sunday-school Teachers, . •* Members of Choirs, . . . . " Members of Parish Societies, . 5. For Graces, ....... Against the Deadly vSins and for the Opposite Graces, ...... For Truthfulness, .... For the Love of Christ Before a Journey, .... In Anxiety, For the Choice of a Vocation, , • Before any Work, . . . • « Before Service, After Service, Before and After Meals, Intercessions, For Unity of Church, .... " Purification of Church, . , , " Heretics and Schismatics, " The Clergy, " The Parish, ..... Page . 32 32 ■ 32 33 . 33 33 • 33 36 . 36 36 . 36 37 . 37 37 . 38 38 . 38 39 • 39 39 • 39 40 CONTENTS. V Page For The Tempted, ...... 42 Missions, ...... 42 Friends, ....... 43 Those whom You have Led into Sin, . 43 God-Children, ...... 43 Sufferers, ...... 44 Sick and Dying, . . . . .44 The Faithful Departed, ... 44 The Reading of Holy Scripture, . . . -45 Meditation, . . . . . « o . 46 The Christian Year, ....... 48 Fasts, ......... 48 Feasts, 50 Advent, ,51 Christmas, . . . , . . , .55 The Circumcision, .... • • 59 The Epiphany, 60 The Purification of S. Mary the Virgin, . . ^ 61 Ash-Wednesday, ....... 6r The Days in Lent, . . t . . . 62 The Annunciation, ....... 63 Mid-Lent, . 63 Passion Week, ........ 64 Litany of the Passion, 65 Holy Week, .68 VI CONTENTS. Page Good Friday, ....... 72 Easter Eve, ........ 81 Easter Day, 82 Ascension Day, , . 86 Whitsun-Day, 88 Litany of the Holy Ghost, ..... 90 Trinity Sunday, 93 Devotions to the Blessed Trinity 94 Devotions for the Sick, ...... 95 Rules, 95 Prayers, 96 Bona Mors, 98 When the Soul has departed, . * . . . 102 Thaiiksgiving for Recovery from Sickness, . . 103 Part II.— Repentance. Page The Nature, Manner, anrl Kinds of Sin, , , . 104 Self-Examination, . . ^ . . . 108 Prayer Before Self-examination, . . , . 108 Questions on the Ten Commandments, • . • lOg To Discover the Easily Besetting Sin, . , . 122 Godly Sorrow, 123 CONTENTS. vii Page Confession, . . . . . . . .126 Prayers for Pardon and Amendment, . . . 127 Litany of Repentance, . . , . . .128 How of ten to Confess, 129 Sacramental Confession, . . . . . > 129 "When to Use Sacramental Confession, . . . 131 Considerations Thereon, . . . . . .132 Directions For, ........ 133 Amendment of Life, 136 Part III. — The Common Worship. Page Necessity of Public Worship, .... 138 The Days of Christian Worship The Services, ...... The Holy Liturgy : Names by which it is called, Three Things in the Blessed Sacrament, The Real Presence of Christ, As Our Sacrifice, ...... And Our Spiritual Food, ..... Adoration of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, The Altar, Vlll CONTENTS. Page The Vestments of the Altar, ..... 149 The Altar Cross and Lights, . . . . , 149 The Eucharistic Vestments, . . . . .150 Preparation to Receive the Holy Communion, . 150 A Week's Preparation, . . . . . -151 Questions for Self-Examination, . . , . 156 Four Days' Preparation, . . . . . .158 Devotion for the Day of Communion, . . . 162 Early and Fasting Communion, .... 163 How Often to Receive, ..... 164 Presence at the Holy Sacrifice Without Sacramental Communion, ....... 164 The Holy Liturgy : its parts, .... 166 The Pro- Anaphora and Devotions, . . . .166 The Anaphora, 177 Devotions After the Prayer of Consecration, . . 183 Devotions for Communion, ..... 186 Rules for Receiving, 187 Acts of Spiritual Communion, . . . . 1 91 A Litany for Those Who do not Make a Sacramen- tal Communion, ...... 194 A Devout Prayer After Holy Communion, . . 196 The Post Communion, ... ... 198 Three Days' Thanksgiving, ..... 202 PREFACE. This little book is mainly a new arrangement and adaptation of doctrinal statements, explanations and directions, and prayers contained in quite a large num- ber of devotional books in use in England and America, such as " Heygate's Manual," " Carter's Private Prayers," '' The Plain Guide," " The Priest's Prayer Book," " The Treasury of Devotion," etc. The object has been to combine in one book, conven- ient for popular use, both a manual for the Holy Com- munion, and a guide of Repentance and a true Christian life. The Compiler was led to attempt this work by the need which he felt would be met by it in his own parish. He thinks many of the Reverend Clergy, with himself, desire a manual of devotion which they may oflFer to their flocks, which shall be at once comprehensive of all the essential teaching of the Catholic Church, and yet not too large and expensive, too profuse and elaborate. The difficulty of making such a book none can know except by actual experience, for the very wealth of devo- tional material in the Church increases the perplexity and labor of selection. Though conscious of the defects of the Manual he has prepared, he trusts that it may at least lead on to something better, and he humbly prays Almighty God to accept and bless it and make it instrumental to the good of souls. F. H. S. Easter tide, A. D., 1882. i -5» © Mutatis l0^tte» -4— Js it notljing to i)ou, all pc that pass bp? |5el)oli>, ani> nee if tljerc be ani) ^orrcnw like «nt0 iHi) 0orrotD, iTamcntationa 1-12. PART I. FAITH AND PRA YER, I. THE CREED. 1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth : 2. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate ; was crucified, dead, and buried ; 5. He descended into hell ; the third day He rose again from the dead ; 6. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of GoD the Father Almighty ; 7. From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost : 9. The Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints ; 10. The Forgiveness of Sins ; 11. The Resurrection of the Body ; 12. And the Life everlasting. Amen. SUMMARY OF FAITH. I. The Blessed Trinity. — Every Christian must believe that there is only one God, and that in this one God there are three several Persons, perfectly equal, 4 FAITH AND PRAYER. and of the same substance : the Father, who proceeds from none ; the Son, who is begotten of the Father be- fore all ages ; and the Holy Ghost, who proceeds eter- nally from the Father and the Son ; and that these three Persons are all equally eternal, equal in wisdom and power, and are all three one and the same LORD, one and the same God. 2. Creation. — All things were made by Him, He created the angels to be with Him forever, but one part, of them fell from God by sin, and became devils. In six days, or periods of time, He made this world as a home of man, whom last of all He created in His own image and likeness. 3. The Fall of Man. — One of the features of the Divine image and likeness in man is his possession of liberty of will that he may choose the objects and ac- tions of his life. The possible objects of man's life, how- ever, are really only two, the Creator and the creature. God created man for Himself as the supreme object of man's life. Yet it was needful that he snould have opportunity to exercise his free-will and make his choice between GoD and the creature, as to which he would love the most. Hence the trial of Adam and Eve in Eden, which is repeated under a different condition in all their descendants. God commanded them not to eat of the fruit of a certain tree. They forsook GoD, however, and took the fruit, the creature of His hands, as of more account than God, seeking their pleasure apart from and against GoD. In doing this they broke the design of their being, which was made for God, and introduced a fault and corruption into their nature, which involves death of the soul, which is separation of the will from God, the outward result and sign of which is also death of the body. Adam means all men, for all mankind are the continuation of his nature thus ruined. 4. The Incarnation. — To restore man's nature the Son of God became the Second Adam, the New Head to the race of men, by taking man's nature of the substance FAITH AND PRAYER. 5 of the Virgin Mary, His mother, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, and that without spot of sin ; for in the act of uniting it with His Divine nature it was restored to purity and eternal health and perfection. The Son of God has, therefore, two natures in the unity of His Divine Person, being perfect GoD and perfect Man. His name is Jesus Christ, which means God our Anointed Saviour. 5. The Redemption. — We must believe that our Lord Jesus Christ, having by word and action taught all truth and righteousness, and confirmed His doctrine by miracles, offered a Sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, by dying upon a Cross, to purchase mercy, grace, and salvation for us; and that neither mercy, nor grace, nor salvation, either can, or ever could, since Adam's fall, be obtained in any other way than through this Death and Passion of the Son of God. 6. The Resurrection and Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Coming of the Holy Ghost. — We must believe that Jesus Christ, after He had been dead and buried for part of three days, rose again on the third day, from death to life, never to die any more; and that, for the space of forty days, He was pleased at different times to manifest Himself to His disciples, and then ascended into Heaven in their sight; where, as Man, He appears in the presence of God for us. From thence He sent down the Holy Ghost upon His disciples to unite men to Himself, the Second Adam, and to form His mystical Body, the Church. 7. The Church. — We must believe the Catholic or Universal Church, of which Christ is the perpetual Head, and His Spirit the perpetual Guide; which is founded on a Rock, and is ever victorious over Death and Hell. The Church is 07ie by all its members being baptized into one Body, and so partaking of the one Spirit, having one Lord, holding the one Faith, offering one Worship, and having one organization — of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. 6 FAITH AND PRAYER. The Church is Holy by teaching holy doctrine, by conveying in the Sacraments the power of being holy, by inviting all to holiness of life, and by the great holi- ness of many of her children. The Church is Catholic or Universal because it is for all times, all places, all mankind, teaches all truth, and ministers all grace needful for all souls. The Church ib Apostolic by receiving her doctrine, her orders, and her mission by unbroken succession from the Apostles. 8. The Rule of Faith.— With the Catholic Church the Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament were deposited by the Apostles. She is by her Pastors the keeper and interpreter of them, and judge in all controversies about them. In the Scriptures, interpre- ted by her with the aid of the HoLY Spirit, according to Apostolic tradition, is contained the Faith once for all delivered to the Saints. The Church, not individuals, can alone decide what is the meaning of the Bible, where its meaning is disputed, and what is the Faith. That Faith is briefly summed up in the Creeds, partly explained in the Catechism, and set forth generally in the Prayer Book. 9. The Sacraments. — We must believe that Jesus Christ has instituted in His Church two great Sacra- ments, or Sacraments of the Gospel ; and that there are other Sacramental Rites for special needs or states of life. Sacraments are mysterious channels, by M'hich Di- vine Grace is conveyed into our souls. They are these : Baptism, or new Birth, in which being washed from the sin of our birth, or original sin, we are bom again spiritually, and made members of CHRIST, the Second Adam, and partakers of His SPIRIT. Holy Conunimion, wherein we are fed and nourished, supported and strengthened by the spiritual BODY and Blood of Christ really present after consecration under the forms of Bread and Wine. The Sacramental Rites are : Confirmation, by which we are confirmed or strength- FAITH AND PRAYER, 7 ened by receiving the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of the hands of the Bishops, the successors of the Apostles. Holy Matrimony, which, a type of the sacred union between Christ and the Church, unites the married couple in a holy bond, and gives a grace suitable to their state. Absolution, by which penitent sinners on confession are absolved from their sins by virtue of the power given by Christ to His Priests. (As My Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted. — John xx : 23.) Visitation of the Sick, or Unction of the Sick, wherein by the prayers and ministrations of the Priest, the soul may receive special grace in sickness, and be prepared for its last journey. Holy Orders, in which the ministers of the Church are consecrated by Bishops. 10. The Eucharistic Sacrifice. — We are also to believe that Jesus Christ instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of His Body and Blood in perpetual remem- brance of His Death ancJ Passion. He is ' a priest for ever,' and ever liveth to make intercession for us, by pleading His Death. As He presents the Sacrifice of Himself (though finished on Calvary) before the throne of God, so it is by His order and power mystically pre- sented through His Priests at the Altars of the Church in the Eucharist, He Himself being the only true Priest and the Victim. Thus is His Death constantly shewn forth. This Sacrifice is the great act of Worship of the new Law, in which and by which we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, and with Him and through Him we adore God ; we give Him thanks, obtaua His grace and all blessings for ourselves, and the whole Church living and departed, and ask pardon for our sins. 11. The Communion of Saints. — We must believe that there is in the Catholic Church, a communion, or bond of union, by which we share with all holy persons in all holy things. We have fellowship with God the 8 FAITH AND PRAYER, Blessed Trinity and with the Holy Angels We com- municate with those in Paradise through their know- ledge and love of us in God, and their prayers for us, and by our own prayers for them, that their blessed- ness may be advanced and perfected, it being yet in an imperfect state. And we communicate with the faithful on earth in the same Sacraments and Sacrifice, and in a holy union of faith and love and prayer. 12. Grace. — We believe also the necessity of Divine grace, (or Spiritual help and power freely given, specially through the Sacraments,) without which we cannot make so much as one step towards heaven ; and that all good- ness and any merits of ours are the gift of GoD ; that Christ died for all men ; that God is not the author of sin ; and that His grace does not take away our free will. 13, The Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. — We must believe that Jesus Christ will come at the last day to judge us all ; that all the dead, both good and bad, will rise from their graves at the sound of the last trumpet, and shall be judged by Him according to their works ; that the good will go to heaven with Him, body and soul, to be happy for all eternity in the enjoyment of God's presence ; and that the wicked will be con- demned, both body and soul, to the torments of hell, which are most grievous and everlasting. n. THINGS TO BE REMEMBERED. the ten commandments. I. I am the Lord thy God : thou shalt have none other gods but Me. II. Thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship th »m. III. Thou shalt not 'ake the Name of the Lord thy God in vain. FAITH AND PRAYER. 9 IV. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day. V. Honor thy father and thy mother. VI. Thou shalt do no murder. VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery. VIII. Thou shalt not steal. IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness. X. Thou shalt not covet anything that is thy neigh- bor's. RULES COMMONLY CALLED THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH. 1. To keep holy all Sundays and the Holy-days ap- pointed by the Church, especially by being present at the Holy Sacrifice. 2. To abstain from meat on Fridays, and to keep all the Fast-days of the Church. 3. To confess our sins to our Pastor, or some other Priest, if there is need. 4. To receive the Holy Communion at least at Easter, and twice a year besides. (The two other times besides Easter are generally said to be Christmas and Whitsun- tide.) 5. To pay according to our means for the support of the Church. 6. Not to marry within the forbidden degrees of kin, nor during Advent and Lent. THE EIGHT BEATITUDES. 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit ; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 2. Blessed are they that mourn ; for they shall be comforted. 3. Blessed are the meek ; for they shall inherit the earth. 4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after right- eousness ; for they shall be filled. 5. Blessed are the merciful ; for they shall obtain mercy. lO FAITH AND PRAYER. 6. Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they shall see God. 7. Blessed are the peacemakers ; for they shall be called the children of GoD. 8. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteous- ness' sake ; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. THE THREE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES. I. Faith. 2. Hope. 3. Charity. THE FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES. I. Prudence. 2. Justice. 3. Fortitude. 4. Tem- perance. THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST. I. Wisdom. 2. Understanding. 3. Counsel. 4. Strength. 5. Knowledge. 6. Godliness. 7. Fear of the Lord. THE TWELVE FRUITS OF THE HOLY GHOST. I. Love. 2. Joy. 3. Peace. 4. Patience. 5, Gentleness. 6. Goodness. 7. Longsuffering. 8. Mild- ness. 9. Faith, 10. Modesty. 11. Continence. 12. Chastity. THE SEVEN CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY. I. To feed the hungry. 2. To give drink to the thirsty. 3. To clothe the naked. 4. To visit the prisoner. 5. To shelter the stranger. 6. To visit the sick. 7. To bury the dead. THE SEVEN SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY. I. To correct the sinner. 2. To teach the ignorant. 3. To counsel the doubtful. 4. To comfort the sorrow- ful. 5. To bear wrongs patiently. 6. To forgive all in- juries. 7. To pray for the quick and dead. FAITH AND PRAYER. SIN. Is twofold — Original and Actual. Actual Sin may be — i. Mortal {i. e., Deadly), or 2. * Venial. THE SEVEN CAPITAL SINS. I. Pride. 2. Covetousness. 2. Lust. 4. Anger. 5. Gluttony. 6. Envy. 7. Sloth. THE CONTRARY VIRTUES. I. Humility. 2. Liberality. 3. Chastity. 4. Meek- ness. 5. Temperance. 6. Brotherly Love. 7. Dili- gence. NINE WAYS OF BEING AN ACCOMPLICE TO another's SIN. I. By counsel. 2. By command. 3. By consent. 4. By provocation, 5. By praise or flattery. 6. By concealment. 7. By partaking. 8. By silence. 9. By defending what has been wickedly done. THE THREE EMINENT GOOD WORKS. I. Alms Deeds. 2. Prayer. 3. Fasting. THE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS. I. Voluntary poverty. 2. Perpetual chastity. 3. En- tire obedience. THE FOUR LAST THINGS. I. Death. 2. Judgment. 3. Heaven. 4. Hell. * Venial sin acquiesced in becomes deadly. FAITH AND PRAYER. III. THE LORD'S PRAYER. THE ADDRESS. Our Father, Who art in heaven. SEVEN PETITIONS. 1. Hallowed be Thy Name. 2. Thy Kingdom come. 3. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 4. Give us this day our daily bread. 5. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us : 6. And lead us not into temptation ; 7. But deliver us from evil. THE END. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glorj-. For ever and ever. Amen. This prayer was given to us by our SAVIOUR Jesus Christ. We must use it when we pray ; and all our prayers ought to be like it. We speak to GOD as our heavenly Father, because He is the Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We say not my but our Father, because we can have access to GoD through the mediation of Christ, not as mere individuals, taken apart and by ourselves, but only as we are faithful mem- bers of His collective Body, the Church, and share in the privileges common to that whole Family which, by the Sacraments and Public Worship, is united with Him, and therefore is represented by Him before His Father in Heaven. We do not pray for ourselves except as first devoting ourselves to God, His honor. His king- dom, and His will. Then, and not till then^ do we say four prayers for ourselves. We ask for all things need- ful both for our souls and bodies. Sin kills the soul ; but we go on to pray that God would in mercy forgive FAITH AND PRAYER. I3 US, help US in temptation, and keep us from evil, Lastly, we give all praise to God the Holy Trinity, and say Amen, vt'hich means " Truth," " So be it." IV. MORNING PRAYERS. On rising say: *^ In Thy Name, O Lord Jesus Christ crucified for me, do I rise from my bed. O LoRD, bless me, keep me, guide me, and bring me to everlasting life, for Thy mercy's sake. Amen. [^Learn this by heart, and say it very devoutly. \ When dressed, kneel down humbly, and say : In the Name of the *J« Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Our Father, etc. EXAMINE YOUR CONSCIENCE AND CONFESS. I confess to Almighty GOD that I have sinned by O God, have mercy on me, and forgive me, and grant me the grace of true repentance, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. GIVE THANKS. I laid me down and slept, and rose up again ; for the Lord sustained me. Thanks be to God. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever sliaD be, world without end. Amen. 14 FAITH AND PRAYER. SEEK GRACE, AND DEVOTE YOURSELF TO GOD. Come, O Holy Ghost, my God, and fill my heart. Keep me, O Lord, this day Mathout sin. Guard my going out and my coming in, henceforth and for ever. Show Thou me the way that I should walk in ; for I lift up my soul unto Thee. O God, Thou art my God, Who hast made me for Thyself. O Lord. Heavenly Father, to Thee I devote my heart, my reason, my will, every faculty of my being, and my entire life. Grant me Thy grace, I implore Thee, that this day I may live as in Thy presence, and walk in the path of Thy commandments, following the example of my Saviour Christ, and being made like unto Him. Give tome Thy Holy Spirit that, trusting only in Him, I may overcome those sins which beset me especially which 1 now renounce before Thee, and do all my duty in that state of life unto which Thou has been pleased to call me. Vouchsafe, O Gracious God, to me and such blessings as we need both temporal and spiritual. I ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. May the Almighty and Merciful Lord, 4^ Father, Son, and HoLY Ghost, bless and preserve us, and bring us to life everlasting. Amen. SECOND FORM. At rising say : ►J* In Thy Name, etc. When dressed : In the Name, etc. Our FATHER, etc. I confess to Thee, O Lord God Almighty, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my own most grievous fault. \He7e call to r/iind seriously and with sorrow the chief sins of yotir past life.\ FAITH AND PRAYER. 1 5 Wherefore I beseech Thee, O Lord, to have mercy upon me, forgive me my sins, grant me true repentance, and bring me to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Almighty God, I humbly adore Thy Divine Majesty, and with all the powers of my soul and body I bless and praise Thy Holy Name for the blessings Thou hast so bountifully bestowed upon me, for the comforts of this life and the hope of a better, for Thy gracious protection during the night past and bringing me safely to the light of another day ; and, above all, for the Precious Death and Passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. My Lord and my God, I humbly offer my -elf to Thee with all my thoughts, words, and actions of this day, to be in all what Thou wiliest, and I pray Thee to sanctify them, and to accept the desire of my heart to serve Thee. Continue, O Lord, I beseech Thee, Thy mercy and goodness towards me, and as Thou hast awakened my body from sleep, so raise my soul from, sin, that I may walk soberly and honestly as in the day, in all holy obedience before Thy Presence. Deliver me, O merciful God, from the evils of this day, and guide my feet in the paths of peace and holiness. Strengthen my resolutions to embrace with gladness the opportunities of doing good, and carefully to avoid all occasions of sin, especially those which I know to be most dangerous to me [N.]i And of Thy goodness, O Lord, I beseech Thee to give me the graces and virtues Thou knowest me most to need, especially [N.Js Increase and strengthen my faith, that Thy Holy Word may be the guide of my daily life. Teach me to live in the spirit of prayer, and to carry out what I pray for in my life and actions. O give me a heart delighting in prayer, and teach me day by day in all my necessities to lean on Thee, look to Thee, and call on Thee for help. Keep me ever near to Thee, and make me more wholly Thine. O my God, give me an unfailing charity, to love Thee 1 Nn me any special temptations. 2 Name any grace you may desire. l6 FAITH AND PRAYER. wholly, and my neighbour, for Thy sake, as myself. Let Thy Blessing be upon my actions, and Thy Grace direct my intentions, that the whole course of my life and every purpose of my heart may tend to Thy glory, the good of others, and the eternal salvation of my own soul ; through Jesus Christ my Lord and only Sa- viour. Amen. Have mercy, O Lord, upon all men. Pour Thy graces and blessings upon the whole Church, upon the Clergy, especially of this parish, upon my relations, [N.] (my godchildren) my friends and benefactors, and all for whom I desire to pray. Comfort the sick and sorrowful, support those who are in their last hour, and turn the heart of sinners, [especially N. and N.^ For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. \Here make an earnest resolution against yotir besetting sin, and say the followitig p-ayer to our Lord Jesus to help you ^ Good Jesu, my Saviour and my God, Thou, Who didst make me, knowest how weak I am. Thou knowest, good Lord, that I am tempted to \Here name the temp- tations to it, and the luays in which you sin, as well as you know themi\ But good Lord, for .love of Thee, I would this day keep wholly from all [jiatning the sin,'\ and be very [naming the contrarj' grace^. I will not, by Thy grace, do one [N.]i act, or speak one [N.] word, or give one [N.] look, or harbor one [N.] thought in my soul. If thou allow any of these temptations to come iipon me this day, I desire to think, speak, or do only what thou wiliest. Lord, without Thee I can do noth- ing, with Thee I can do all. Accept, good Lord, this my desire, help me by Thy grace, that I fall \aot, or if I fall, bring me back quickly to Thee, and grant me to love Thee better, for Thy tender mercies' sake. Amen. The blessing of God Almighty, the 4* Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon me, and abide in me, this day and for evermore. Amen. 1 N. means the name of the fault. FAITH AND PRAYER, f MID-DAY PRAYERS. Think of our Loi'd Jesus CJuist in His Agony on the Cross for your salvation, and say : ►f- In the Name, etc. Our Father, etc. O Saviour of the world, Who by Thy Cross and Precious Blood hast redeemed us ; save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. Lord, I beseech Thee, grant Thy servant grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil, and with a pure heart and mind to follow Thee, the only God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty GoD, Who hast given Thine Only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an ensample of godly life ; give me grace that I may always most thankfully receive that His inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor to follow the blessed steps of His most holy life, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Lord, from Whom all good things do come, grant to me Thy humble servant, that by Thy holy inspiration I may think those things that are good, and by Thy mer- ciful guiding may perform the same, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. [ Vou may add any of the Occasional Prayers. See p. 22] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Chost, be with us all evermore. Amen. SECOND FORM. memorial of the incarnation. I. The Angel of the Lord announced unto Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Ghost. l8 FAITH AND PRAYER. II. And Mary said, Behold the Hand-maid of the Lord, be it unto me according to Thy Word. III. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. THE COLLECT. We beseech Thee, O Lord, pour Thy grace into our hearts ; that as we have known the Incarnation of Thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel so by His Cross and Passion we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection ; through Jesus Christ oui Lord. Amen. [ Vou can learn this and say it even if yoti are necessa, rily at your woi-k.'] VI. EVENING PRAYERS. Hh In the Name, etc. Our Father, etc. PRAY FOR light. O my God, show me my sins, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. examine your conscience. Was I lazy in rising? Did I think of GoD the first thing ? Did I say my Prayers earnestly or negligently ? Did I allow myself to think of other things ? Have I remembered God in the day ? Have I done my work diligently ? been faithful to trust placed in me ? or have I been idle and wasted time? Have I judged my neighbour? given way to unkindly feelings ? Have I spoken evil of any one, made mis- chief between neighbours, listened to evil? Have I been guilty of lies or any kind of untruthfulness, deceit, or dishonesty ? Have I indulged in vanity, seeking to gain admiration or praise : done anything or left any duty undone, from neglect, or fear of displeasing, or FAITH AND PRAYER. ig desire to please man instead of GoD? Have I given way to impatience, murmuring, or greediness, or to any- bad thoughts ? Have I used any bad words, been sel- fish in anything ? Have I been persuaded to do wrong or neglect duties, or led others to do so ? Have I had any quarrel or disagreement ? I confess to Almighty God that I have sinned by O God, have mercy on me, and forgive me, and grant me the grace of true repentance, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. GIVE THANKS AND IMPLORE GRACE. My God, I thank Thee for all the blessings of the past day. I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest ; for it is Thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety. Guard my lying down and my rising up, from henceforth and for ever. Lord, save us as we wake, keep us as we sleep ; that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace. Grant, O Lord, grace, mercy, and life everlasting to all my relations — and friends, — and every one for whom I ought to pray, — or who needs my prayers. — Comfort the afflicted. — Give rest to the departed. — Visit, O Lord, this house, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy ; let Thy Holy Angels dwell in it, to preserve us in peace ; and may thy blessing be upon us evermore, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Father, into Thy hands I commend myself, my spirit, soul, and body ; for Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, Thou God of truth. May the Almighty and Merciful Lord, 4* Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless and preserve us, and bring us to life everlasting. Amen. When you lie down say: ►I-t In the Name of Jesus Christ, Crucified for me. 20 FAITH AND PRAYER. I lay me down to sleep ; may He bless me, preserve and keep me, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen, SECOND FORM. *i* In the Name, etc. Our Father, etc. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love. thanksgiving. O most Gracious God, my Creator, Redeemer, Pre- server, my only Good, my All ; I thank Thee from my inmost heart for all Thy blessings which this day and through the whole course of my life. Thou hast so boun- tifully bestowed upon me so utterly unworthy. Espe- cially I thank Thee for Thy great Glory in the Redemp- tion of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the gift of the Blessed Sacraments. Praise and glory be to Thee from me and Thine Elect in heaven and earth, and from all Thy creatures for ever and ever. Amen. prayer for light. O God Who searchest the heart and markest all our steps, do Thou enlighten my darkness and show me wherein I have this day gone astray in thought, word, or deed. Here examine your conscience as above, going through in your mind the whole course of the day. Consider ivhere you have been, in what company, tuhat have you done, said, and thotight — ■especially examine yoiirself as to your calling, and yotcr sins both of oinission and commission therein. Consider also what progress yoti have made in rooting out yotcr besetting sin, or in gaining the opposite grace. Confess your sins to GOT), and pj-ay for pardon. O Father of Mercies I Who hast no pleasure in the FAITH AND PRAYER. 21 death of sinners, look upon me in the multitude of Thy mercies. I have sinned against Thee. [^A'ame your sins of the day], O most Pitiful God, I cast all of the offences of this day and of all my life into the ocean of Thine everlasting Love, wherewith Thou hast loved us. I grieve from my inmost heart that I have been so un- grateful for Thy many blessings to me, and have so often offended Thee my God, and all my Good. I beseech Thee by the Death and by the Love of Thy Son Jesus Christ, spare me a poor sinner, and of Thine exceeding Mercy forgive me all that I have this day or ever com- mitted against Thee, my neighbour, or myself. RESOLUTION OF AMENDMENT. O Almighty God, before Thee and before^ all the company of heaven, I firmly resolve to amend my ways, to attend more diligently to my duties, to avoid all sins and the occasions of them. Do Thou Who givest me the will give me also the power to perform, that so I may live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, and in the world to come, with all Thy saints may praise Thee eternally. O Lord, let my prayer come before Thee. And accept this my evening sacrifice. INTERCESSION. Remember, Gracious God, for good my father, mother, brothers, sisters, husband, (wife,) children, god-children ; bless all my relations, benefactors, and friends (especially N.) Give Thy grace and heavenly benediction to the clergy of this parish. Hear me. Good Lord, who commend unto Thy tender mercy all that labor under trials and afflictions. Have mercy upon this household ; and grant that humility and meekness, peace and charity, chastity and purity, may rule therein. 1. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight " 22 FAITH AND PRAYER. Grant that we may so correct and amend ourselves, that we may love, and fear, and serve Thee faithfully all our days ; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Add if possible : O Eternal Father, I beseech Thee, of Thy bound- less mercy, and by the life and passion of Thy dear Son, enable me to persevere unto the end, and to die in Thy grace. O Blessed Jesus, by the love of Thy Eternal Father, and by Thy last words upon the Cross, whereby Thou didst commend Thy Spirit into His hands, I pray Thee to receive my soul at my last hour. O Holy Spirit, true God, have mercy upon me ; and guard me with Thy holy inspirations now and in the hour of my death. O most Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy upon me, now, and in the hour of death, and in the Day of Judgment. Amen. conclusion. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts : Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Glory be to Thee, O Lord most High. Amen. Almighty GoD, »J* the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be with me, and with all for whom I pray, this night, and for ever. Amen. VII. OCCASIONAL PRAYERS. I. a short litany for FRIDAY. \7vhick we observe every week in memory of Good Friday. ^ Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. FAITH AND PRAYER. 23 O Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, That takest away the sins of the world ; Have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins. Jesus, Who earnest to seek and to save that which was lost ; Have mercy tipon tis, and forgive us our sins, Jesus, the Propitiation for our sins ; Have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins. By Thy Life of toil and care ; Pity and sustain us. By Thy Victory in temptation ; Succour us in our trials. By Thy Watchings and Prayers ; Uphold our weary spirits when we would watch with Thee. By Thy carr)dng Thy Cross to Calvary ; Give us grace to bear our little cross in patience after Thee. By all Thine unknown sorrows ; Have compassion upon us. Good Lord, by all that Thou hast done and suffered to save sinners, have mercy upon us, deliver us from the chains of our sins ; give us thankfulness to Thee for Thine exceeding love and for all Thy sufferings for us. By the immensity of Thy love grant us Thv grace and fill us with the love of Thee. Be Thou,' O Blessed Lord, the supreme object of our love, and the life of our soul, Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen. Our Father, etc. 2, prayers for a good death. For special use on Saturdays, in Advent, in Holy Week, and after attending a burial : »J* In the Name, etc. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. 24 FAITH AND PRAYER. In the midst of life we are in death : of whom may we seek for succour, but of Thee, O Lord, Who for our sins art justly displeased ? Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts ; shut not Thy merciful ears to our prayer ; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, Thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from Thee. O Holy Jesus, Who by Thy Precious Death and Passion hast overcome death, and made it the gate of eternal life, grant me grace, that my daily life may be a preparation for the time when Thou shalt call me hence. Give me now, O Lord, true repentance and amendment of life, and grant me to persevere unto the end in faith, hope, and charity. Let not my death be sudden, but if it seems good to Thee, bless me then with all the means of grace which Tliou hast provided for us in Thy Holy Church, and above all, grant me worthily to receive the Blessed Sacrament of Thy Body and Blood, that Thou mayest raise me up at the Last Day. In the hour of my death call me and place me where Thou didst place the repentant thief, O Blessed Jesus, Who reignest at the right hand of the Father, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. A LITANY for THE SAME. O God the Father, of Heaven, O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, O God the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, O Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy upon me now and in the hour of death. Remember not, Lord, mine offences, nor the offences of my forefathers, neither take Thou vengeance of our FAITH AND PRAYER. 2$ sins ; spare us, Good Lord, spare Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy most Precious Blood, and be not angry with us for ever. From Thy wrath and heavy indignation, from the guilt and burden of my sins, from sudden unprepared death, Good Lord, deliver me. From impatience, distrust, and despair, from ex- tremity of sickness and pain, which may withdraw my mind from God, Good Lord, deliver me. From the bitter pangs of eternal death, from the powers of darkness, from the deceits of Satan, Good Lord, deliver me. By Thy manifold and great mercies, by Thy manifold and great merits, by Thine Agony and Bloody Sweat, by Thy bitter Cross and Passion, by Thy triumphant Resurrection and Ascension, by Thy prevailing Inter- cession, and by the grace of the Holy Ghost, Good Lord, deliver me. In my last and greatest need, in the hour of death, and in the Day of Judgment, Good Lord, deliver me, and receive 7ny soul, for Thy mercies' sake. Be merciful unto me, most Merciful Jesu, my Lord and my God, and forgive me all my sins, which by the malice of the devil, or by my own frailty I have at any time of my life committed against Thee. Be tnerciful, hear me, good Lord. That when my soul shall depart from the body "] its place may be in peace, and its abode in Zion : That the Light of God appearing may sustain and comfort me in my last conflict : That holy Angels waiting for me, may conduct my soul to its place of rest, and present it before Thee: \ That Thou wouldest receive me with a forgiving Countenance, and place me amongst those who are to stand before Thee for ever : 26 FAITH AND PRAYER. That admitted into Thy Blessed, and Blessed- I making Presence, I may rejoice with Thy holy | Saints for evermore : J O Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy upon me, now and in the hour of my death. O Lamb of God, etc. Have mercy upon me, and gi-ajit ??ie Thy peace. Our Father, etc. O God, Who hast appointed unto us all to die, but hast mercifully concealed from us the hour of our death, grant me so to live in holiness and righteousness all my days that I may die happily in Thy love : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [6>r the Collect for the First Sunday i?i Advent.] 3. ACT OF THANKSGIVING. " Praised be the Lord daily ; even the God Who helpeth us, and poureth His benefits upon us." Note. — There is no duty more urgent and which helps more to groivth in the love of God than thanksgiving. Then try to cultivate the spirit of gratitude— grateftd love. Say often, " Thanks be to God" whether in sor- row or in joy. Upon every occasion you viay lift up your heart to God with this especial feeling, and make a prac- tice of more particular thanksgiving to Him at times for all His many attd great betiefits. You might make it your Sunday devotion. ^ In the Name, etc. Our Father, etc. most Holy Trinity, One God, I give thanks to Thee for my creation in Thine own image and likeness that Thou, my GoD, might bring me, made only for Thyself, to Thine own presence in eternal honour and joy. 1 give thanks to Thee for my Redemption through the Incarnation, the Sacrifice for my sins, the Resurrec- tion, Ascension, and Intercession of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Blessed for ever. FAITH AND PRAYER. 27 I give thanks to Thee for the coming of God the Holy Ghost, by His Gracious operation and indwell- ing Presence to unite me, through the Divine Sacraments, to the glorious Manhood of Christ my Lord, and to make me more and more like unto Him, that my life may continually grow into His life — into His eternal health and perfection. I give thanks to Thee for the confidence of the certain faith, and the fulness of Thy grace, which Thou grantest to Thy people in the Holy Catholic Church. my God, Heavenly Father, I, who am Thine own offspring, thank Thee for my body and my soul endowed with wonderful and noble faculties wherein to rejoice with Thee for ever. 1 thank Thee for my birth in the midst of Christian privilege. For my Holy Baptism when Thou forgavest »J« the guilt of my corruption and madest *J< me Thine own child m the membership and new life of Thine Incarnate Son. For my state of life wherein thou hast placed me to fulfill Thy glorious purposes, and attain salvation and be rewarded in everlasting life. For thy care and providence over me every day to this hour. For the air I breathe, the food I eat, the clothes I wear, whatever I have of earthly good. For whatever earthly misery I have experienced ; for every trial and affliction of my life, which in Thy tender, loving wisdom is only for my highest good. For my Holy Confirmation, and all its gifts and blessings. For the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, by which my body and soul live in Christ. For Thy calls to repentance, Thy voice in my heart. Thy grace unceasing, Thy patience with me, unworthy sinner. Thy longsuffering mercy. For good books, sermons, and advice. For my friends benefactors all who have done me good by reproof or otherwise 28 FAITH AND PRAYER.- For my health and strength. For my recovery from sickness. For Thy love and goodness to my family to my friends to all those also who forget to thank Thee. Por * * * * (^Here mention any special mercies for which you ought to give thanks to God.) For these and all other Thy blessings which I know and which I know not, which I have forgotten, or have never thanked Thee for. For all the grace Thou hast given me and art ready to give me. For all future blessings, and for all Thou hast in store for me, espe- cially for the blessed hope of everlasting life, I give thanks to Thee, and will give thanks to Thee all the days of my life. I cannot thank Thee as I ought. Pour Thy love into my heart, that I may know how to love and thank Thee. Accept the desire of my heart for the merits, and in union with the thanksgivings of Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, to Whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, praise and thanksgiving, world without end. Amen. 4. ACCORDING TO THE STATE OF LIFE, For Parents : Almighty and most Merciful FATHER, give me, I beseech Thee, grace and wisdom for the bringing up of my children in Thy faith and fear. Make me gentle and forbearing with them according to their several dis- positions, but let me not through idleness or weak fond- ness indulge their self-will and wrong tempers. May I reprove and check their faults with firmness, and care- fully provide them with opportunities of learning to know and serve Thee. Grant that I (or we) may show piety at home, and both by word and example teach them to seek first Thy kingdom and righteousness. Give unto them, O Lord, the spirit of dutiful obe- dience, according to Thy holy Commandment, and strengthen them by Thy grace to resist the enticements of evil from within and without. Bless them, O Lord : FAITH AND PRAYER. 29 let Thy Fatherly Hand ever be over them ; Thy Holy Spirit ever be with them ; and grant that faithfully serv- ing Thee here, in the end they may obtain everlasting life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. For Children : Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, give me grace, I beseech Thee, that I may always observe my parents with all kind of duty, according to Thy holy command- ment. Make me to honour and obey them, to succour and comfort them, and never to grieve them by sinful or thoughtless conduct. Good Lord, forgive all the offences I have committed against them, increase the number of their days, support them in sickness, infirmity, and affliction, and refresh their declining years with Thy comfort. [Bless my brothers, sisters.] Help us as Thou knowest to be needful for us in body and soul, and grant that we may all so faithfully serve Thee in this life that we fail not finally to attain Thy heavenly promises ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Masters and Mistresses : Almighty and Gracious God, give me grace so to ordei- my family that we may be a household serving Thee. Make me to know and do my duty to the servants Thou hast committed to my charge, to use their services with mercy and moderation, and to reprove their faults with wisdom and kindness, remembering that I have a Master in Heaven. O Lord, bless my servants and make them Thine. Give them grace to serve Thee first, and then to serve me with faithfulness and diligence, not to please me, but as the servants of Christ, doing Thy will from the heart, and looking for their recompense in Heaven. Make me ever ready to repay them the time and strength they spend to do me service, (and to have a care for them in sickness and old age.) Above all may I Dtovide for their religion, and the interest of their souls, 30 FAITH AND PRAYER. and never through selfishness or idleness deprive them of opportunities of attending on the means of grace. Grant this, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Servants : Almighty God and Father, Who hast appointed the different states of life, I humbly pray Thee to give me the grace I need for doing the duties of my calling as a faithful servant of Thine. Make me diligent and in- dustrious in my work, faithful to my trust, truthful and honest in all my dealings, and to serve those whom Thou hast placed over me, not with eye service, but at all times and in Thy presence, always remembering that in all my duty to them I am serving Thee. Make me obedient to my master and mistress, not answering again when reproved ; and kind to my fellow- servants. Strengthen my weakness, that by Thy grace I may have the courage to resist the persuasions of those who would lead me wrong, and fearing and loving Thee alone may rather seek to win others to serve Thee, that we may be a godly and peaceable household together ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For a Husband and Wife : O Merciful God, we humbly beseech Thee to send Thy blessing continually upon us, and to make us thank- ful for all that Thou hast already vouchsafed unto us ; and as Thou hast made us one in the mystical Grace of Matrimony, grant that we may be also inwardly of one heart and of one mind, paying due honour one to another, united in love to Thee and to each other in Thee : living together in peace and holiness as faithful members of Thy Church, denying ourselves, and being a mutual help, comfort, and support to each other all the days of our life. (Give us grace to train our children in Thy faith and fear.) Bless us with health and strength, if it be Thy will ; and with whatever else Thy good provi- dence shall see to be best for our souls and bodies. Fit FAITH AND PRAYER. 3I and prepare us day by day for our departure hence, that we may together inherit eternal life in Thy Heavenly Kingdom ; for the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. For a Woman with Child : Almighty GoD, the Father of all mercy and comfort, of Whose only gift it is that the womb becometh fruit- ful ; graciously behold me. Thine humble and unworthy handmaid ; that as by thy good providence I have con- ceived a child within my womb into which Thou hast breathed the breath of life, so, by Thy continual aid, I may be preserved with it from all perils ; and at the fulness of my time may safely bring it forth into the world, to my great joy and comfort, and to the glory of Thy holy Name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. When the time of travail approaches : Merciful Lord, Who, when Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man didst not abhor the Virgin's womb, but when the fulness of time was come wast Thyself made of a woman ; I beseech Thee, of Thy tender pity and goodness, to protect and strengthen me against all the dangers and pains of my labor and travail ; that through Thy most mighty aid I may be safely delivered. Vouch- safe, O Lord, that when the child is born into the world, it may be bom again by Baptism, and being brought up in the Catholic Faith, may be finally received into Thine everlasting Kingdom, where with the Father and the HoLY Ghost, Thou livest and reignest, ever One God, world without end. Amen. Thanksgiving after childbirth : Gracious God, by whose providence we are all fear- fully and wonderfully made, Who beholdest us when we are yet imperfect, and in Whose book are all our mem- bers written ; I humbly beseech Thee to accept this my acknowledgement of Thy power, and to receive this my 32 FAITH AND PRAYER. most hearty praise and thanksgiving, which I now offer to Thy Divine Majesty, for Thy favour and goodness towards me. Behold, O Lord, what Thine own hands have fashioned ; and grant that this infant which Thou hast made by Thy power, may be preserved by Thy goodness, and forthwith enjoying the benefit of Thy Holy Baptism, may be made a lively member of Thy Church, and be carefully brought up to serve Thee in all godliness and honesty ; through the merits of Thy Well-Beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For One about to be Married : O Gracious Father, Who dost bless us by Thy bounty, pardon us by Thy mercy, support and guide us by Thy grace, and govern us by Thy providence ; I give Thee humble and hearty thanks for all the mercies which I have received at Thy hands in time past. And now since Thou hast called me to the holy estate of marriage, be pleased to be with me in my entering into it and passing through it, that it may not be a state of temptation or sorrow to me by occasion of my sins or infirmities, but of holiness and comfort, of love and dutifulness, as Thou hast intended it to be to all that love and fear Thy Holy Name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Students : O God, Who art the Fountain of Light, and Author of all knowledge, vouchsafe we beseech Thee to en- lighten our understandings, and to remove from us all darkness of sin and ignorance. Give us diligence in studying, quickness of apprehension, the power to retain what we hear or learn, that what we acquire by Thy help, we may apply to Thy honour, the eternal salvation of our souls, and the good of our brethren ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Sunday Sc/iool Teachers : O Heavenly Father, pour down Thy blessing, I FAITH AND TRAYER. 33 beseech Thee, upon those children to whom Thou hast called me to teach Thy truth, and give me understanding and grace, both by word and example, with diligence and patience, to train them in Thy faith, fear, and love, that as they grow in years they may grow in grace, and may hereafter be found in the number of Thine elect children ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Members of Choirs : O Lord God Almighty, who has endowed me Thy ser\'ant with the gift of musical knowledge and ability, and privileged me to use Thy gift as a leader in the holy worship of Thy Church, I give Thee humble thanks for Thy gracious mercy to me unworthy, and implore Thee for the Holy Spirit of Thy fear and love that with an enlightened understanding, with thoughtfid reverence, with true and earnest devotion, purely for Thy glory, I may sing to Thee both with my heart and with my tongue, with harmony of soul and sweetness of outward sound ; and grant that I, striving to do Thy will on earth as it is done in heaven, may there with Thy holy angels ever praise Thy blessed Name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Members of Parochial Societies : Vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, merciful Lord, to prosper with Thy blessing the work of N, Grant that we who serve Thee therein may seek only Thy glory, and do that which is well pleasing in Thy sight, and persevere in Thy service ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 5. for graces. Against Pride and for Hufniliiv : O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst humble Thyself for us, and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, take from us all pride and vain-glory, show us to ourselves even as we are in tnith, miserable and guilty sinners, whatever good we have belonging to Thee 34 FAITH AND PRAYER. alone, having nothing of ourselves but our own shame that we have abused Thy gifts, so often frustrated Thy grace, marred, and, but for Thy mercy, ruined Thy glorious work in us ; grant us Thy Holy Spirit that we, confessing from the heart our ignorance, weakness, and sins, may submit ourselves to Thy teaching, Thy grace. Thy healing mercy ; and glorying in nothing save only in Thee, may attain the place where Thou, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, One God, world without end. Amen. Against Covetousness and for Liberality : O Lord Jesus Christ, Who though Thou wast rich yet for our sakes became poor, grant that all over eager- ness and covetousness of earthly goods may die in us ; and the desire of heavenly things may live and grow in us ; so that, avoiding all idle and vain expenses, and denying ourselves, we may with earnest love give of our worldly substance, according as Thou hast blessed us, for the support and extension of Thy Church, and its charities, and be made through Thy merits partakers of the riches of Thy heavenly treasure. Who livest and reignest with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen. Against Ltist and for Chastity : O Lord Jesus Christ, guardian of chaste souls, and lover of purity. Who wast pleased to take our nature, and to be born of a pure Virgin, mercifully look upon my infirmity. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me ; help me to drive away all evil thoughts, to conquer every sinful desire ; and so pierce my flesh with the fear of Thee, that, this enemy being overcome, I may serve Thee with a pure heart, "Who livest, etc. Against Envy^ and for True Love of God and man : O most loving Jesus, pattern of charity. Who makest all the commandments of the law to consist in love FAITH AND PRAYER. 35 towards God and towards man, grant to us so to love Thee with all our heart, with all our mind, and all our soul, and our neighbor for Thy sake, that the grace of charity and brotherly love may dwell in us, and all envy, harshness, and ill-will may die in us ; and fill our hearts with feelings of love, kindness, and compassion, so that by constantly rejoicing in the happiness and good success of others, by sympathizing with them in their sorrows, and putting away all harsh judgments and envious thoughts, we may follow Thee, Who art Thyself the true and perfect Love, and Who livest, etc. Against Gluttony, and for Temperance : O Lord Jesus Christ, mirror of abstinence, Who to teach us the virtue of abstinence didst fast forty days and forty nights, grant that serving Thee, and not our own appetites, we may live soberly and piously with contentment, without greediness, gluttony, or drunken- ness ; that Thy will being our meat and drink, we may hunger and thirst after righteousness, and attain the blessedness of eternal perfection in Thy presence, Who livest, etc. Against Anger, and for Meekness : O most Meek Jesus, Prince of Peace, Who, when Thou was reviled, reviled not again, and on the Cross prayed for Thy murderers ; implant in our hearts the virtues of gentleness, and patience, that restraining the fierceness of anger, impatience, and resentment, we may overcome evil with good, for Thy sake love our enemies, and as children of our Heavenly Father seek Thy peace, and rejoice in Thy love, Who livest, etc. Against Sloth, and for Diligence : O Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Love, Who in the garden didst pray so long and so fervently that Thy sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground, put away from us, we beseech Thee, all sloth and inactivity both of body and mind ; kindle 36 FAITH AND PRAYER. within US the fire of Thy love, strengthen our weakness, that whatever Thou appointest us to do, we may do it with our might ; and that striving heartily to please Thee in this life, Thou mayest hereafter be our ex- ceeding great reward, Who livest, etc. For Truthfulness : O God, the God of truth, mercifully grant that the Holy Spirit of truth may rule my heart, grafting therein the love of truth, and making me in all my thoughts and words and works to study, speak, and follow truth, that I may be sincere before men and blameless before Thee : for His sake Who is the Truth, — in Whose most blessed mouth was no deceit — Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the Love of Christ : O Lord Jesus Christ, make me to love Thee fer- vently and perseveringly, make me to feel with what a boundless love Thou hast loved me. O Lord, I desire to love Thee, which without Thee I cannot do. Give me, O Lord my God, a reverent, humble, grateful love ; a love sorrowing for all mine o.ffences for love of Thee Who hast so loved me, and a humble confidence in Thy Passion ; Who livest and reignest One God for ever and ever. Amen. Before a Journey : O Almighty God, Who didst send Thy angel to bless Jacob in his journey, remember me in Thy mercy, and be with me, in my going out, and my coming in. Pre- serve me from dangers, and all accidents, and bring me again to my home in peace and safety, with Thy favour and blessing ; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen. [ When you return do not forget to thank God, for His preservation of you. '\ In Anxiety : O Good Jesu, Who didst say to the troubled waters, FAITH AND PRAYER. 37 "Peace, be still," still my heart in this — [Najjte the inar\ — that it may rest in Thee. May the thought of Thy will cheer the past, calm the present, give me rest of soul in fear of the future, quietness in anxiety, simple dependence upon Thee, Thy good pleasure. Thy provi- dence, and Thy love ; that whatsoever befall me I may be patient and still for love of Thee, and in patience may possess my soul. Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, world with^ out end. Amen. For the choice of a Vocation : O Jesus, Eternal Wisdom, and most Mighty Coun- sellor, grant me the light of Thy HoLY Spirit, that I may know what Thou wouldest have me do ; I offer my- self entirely to Thee, do with me what seemeth good in Thy sight : not my will but Thine be done. Give me grace, I beseech Thee, so to follov/ the leadings of Thy providence that my life may be spent to Thy honour and glory, in whatever way it pleases Thee, Who livest and reignest GoD for ever and ever. Amen. Before ajiy Woi'k : Prosper Thou the work of my hands, O Lord ; O prosper Thou my handywork, and guide me with Thy counsel. For Thee, O GoD, do I do this work : to Thee do I offer it. Grant me grace that whatever I do in word or deed I may do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus as seeking only Thy will and Thy glory ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Before Service : O Lord, open Thou our lips to bless and praise Thy Holy Name. Cleanse our hearts from all evil, vain, and wandering thoughts, enlighten our understanding, and kindle our affections, that we may fitly, reverently, and devoutly join in this service so as to be heard before Thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 38 FAITH AND PRAYER. After Service : Accept, most Merciful God, this our duty and service. AVhatever has been offered aright, graciously regard ; wherein we have sinned, mercifully pardon. Receive our prayers and our alms as a memorial before Thee. That we may live as we pray, grant, O Lord ; that in the new power of Thy grace we may now become more holy, grant, O Lord ; that we may attain to praise Thee in the heavenly courts, Grant, O Lord ; in the Name 4* of Jesus Christ our mediator. Amen. Before Meals : ►J« In the Name, etc. Bless these Thy gifts, O Gracious God, to the strength- ening of us, Thy servants, that we may live only for Thy glory ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. After Meals : Thanks be to Thee, O God ; through Jesus Christ ■our Lord. Amen. VIII. INTERCESSIONS. Note. — We cannot live as faithful Christians with- cut praying for others , according to the tirgent covimand- inentof God's word, and the example of our Blessed Lord ■on earth, arid noxv in heaven . Jntercessoiy prayer is the jHost effectual means of good to our brethi-en, and a supj'cme and necessaiy action of charity. If you have the love of God and of man in your soul you will be moved to stick prayers. The Lord' s Prayer is a prayer of general intercession, because of its plural form. It is made a prayer of special intercession by including within its first word, " Our,'* those for whojn we desire to pray y and saying it thus with FAITH AND PRAYER. 39 particular Uitention for ihevi. This should be a frequent, and is a most blessed use of it. For the Visible Unity of the Church : O Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst unto Thine Apos- tles, Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you ; regard not our sins but the faith of Thy Church, and grant her that peace and unity which is according to Thy will, Who livest and reignest, God, for ever and ever. Amen. For the Purification of the Chzirch from all Error : Dissipate, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, throughout Thy whole Church every self-willed opinion which tends by subversion of the faith to coun- teract the truth ; that as Thou art acknowledged in heaven and in earth to be the one and only God, so Thy people, gathered from all nations, may with visible com- munion glorify Thee in the unity of the faith handed down from the beginning, ^^Tlo livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen. For the Conversion of Heretics and Schismatics : Almighty and Everlasting GOD, Who hast given us the Catholic Church for a light to our feet amid the dark- ness of this world, have pity upon all those, especially , who through ignorance, or doubting, or denial thereof, are wandering astray from the pathway of safe- ty, the way of Thy revealed truth, and of the fullness of Thy grace. Enlighten their minds, O Lord, and purify their hearts. Take from them every false opinion. Overpower them with conviction of Thy truth, and bring them as little children into the unity of Thy Church ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the Clergy : I. Most Merciful Father, I humbly beseech Thee 40 FAITH AND PRAYER. to send down upon Thy servants, the Bishops and Pastors of Thy Church, and especially upon the Bishop of this ' diocese, and the Clergy of this parish. Thy heavenly blessing. Give them the Spirit of wisdom and holiness, patience and charity, zeal and watchfulness, that they may faithfully declare Thy will, boldly rebuke vice, rightly and duly administer Thy holy Sacraments, and intercede vidth Thee acceptably for Thy people. Support and comfort them under all suffering and op- position for the cause of Thy truth, and grant that they may turn many to righteousness ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 2. O Lord, Who delightest to effect by grace what the weakness of our nature cannot attain to, illuminate the Stewards of Thy Mysteries, especially with Thy indwelling purity, that in the work of the ministry their word may go forth as fire to consume the evil, to melt the stony-hearted, to purify the unclean, to enlighten the ignorant, and to quicken the dead ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the Parish. 1. Far the Peace and Unity of the Church : Vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, to grant unto the whole Christian people, and especially Thy servants in this parish, unity, peace, and true concord, both visible and invisible ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 2. For the Conversion of Sinners and Awakening of the Listless : Almighty GoD, we beseech Thee to hear our prayers for such as sin against Thee, or neglect to serve Thee, especially in this parish, that thou wouldest vouchsafe to bestow upon them true repentance, and an earnest longing for 'Thy service ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. . FAITH AND PRAYER. 41 3. For the Advance?fient and Perseverance of the Faith- ful : Vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to strengthen and confirm all Thy faithful, especially in this parish, and to lift them up more and more continually to heavenly desires ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 4, For all things Needful : Almighty and Everlasting GoD, \\Tio dost govern all things in heaven and earth, mercifully hear the supplica- tions of us Thy servants, and grant unto this parish all things that are needful for its spiritual welfare. Move the hearts of the people that they may generously con- tribute for its support and charities. [Grant schools wherein to bring up the young in Thy faith and fear ; ministers to labor in this portion of Thy vineyard ; a Church restored to the beauty of holiness. * * * * Mention special needs and works^ Strengthen and increase the number of the faithful ; visit and relieve the sick ; turn and soften the wicked ; rouse the careless ; recover the fallen ; restore the penitent ; enlighten the ignorant ; remove all hindrances to the advancement of Thy truth ; bring all to be of one heart and mind within the fold of Thy holy Church ; to the honour and glory of Thy Holy Name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. I humbly approach Thy Throne of Mercy, O Heavenly Father, for those adults who are unbaptized * * * * that Thou wouldest grant and continue to them the fullness of Thy preventing grace, calling and moving them to Birth in Thy Son Jesus Christ. For those preparing for Holy Baptism, * * * * that Thou wouldest grant them understanding and sincere faith and repentance. For those who are unconfirmed * * * * that Thou wouldest create and make within them new hearts and minds that they may hear and obey Thy will. 42 FAITH AND PRAYER. For those preparing for Confirmation * * ♦ * that Thou wouldest illumine their understandings, kindle their hearts with fire of Thy love, and purify their souls and bodies by exercise of real contrition, that Thy Holy Spirit may fill them, docile to His grace, with His abiding presence. For those who refuse or neglect the Sacrament of Holy Communion, * * * * that Thou wouldest grant them such knowledge of Thy truth and sense of Thy love in this Sacred Mystery, and conviction of their duty and their need, as to produce in them hunger and thirst for Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and draw them to Him with earnest devotion of heart and life. For those preparing for Holy Communion * * * * that they may omit no means thereto needful for the health and welfare of their souls. O Father, Who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in Thy Son's name, hear me, I implore Thee, grant these my petitions which I present before Thee in the Name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^ For the Tempted : O Merciful and Faithful High Priest, Who didst deign for us to be tempted of Satan, make speed, I beseech Thee, to aid those who are exposed to special tempta- tions, particularly who are tempted to and who find it difficult permanently and effectually to tear away from them the chains of Satan, who has in them a stronghold of easily besetting sin. As Thou knowest their infirmities so do Thou, O Lord, grant them humbleness of trust in Thee, and the grace of perseverance, and do Thou protect and save them, O Blessed Jesus, WholivestGOD over all for ever. Amen. For Missions : O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst charge Thine Apostles that they should preach the Gospel to every FAITH AND PRAYER. 43 nation ; prosper, I pray Thee, all missions both at home and abroad (especially N. ) ; give them all things needful for their work, making them to be centres of spiritual life, to the quickening of many souls, and the glory of Thy Holy Name. For their maintenance and extension grant Thy people grace earnestly to pray, and largely to contribute of their worldly substance. Support, guide, and bless the Clergy who labor in them, give them grace to witness to the faith, endue them with burning zeal and love, make them patient under all disappointments, and meekly submissive under all persecutions, that they may turn many to righteousness, and may themselves win a crown of everlasting glory, Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. For our Friends : O Lord Jesus Christ, I pray Thee for those who love me, and for those whom I love in Thee. For thine own sake make them love Thee with all their heart, and mind, and soul, that they may will, and speak, and do only those things that are pleasing to Thee and expe- dient for them, that being always and everywhere ruled and protected by Thee, they may attain to eternal life ; through Thy merits, Who livest and reignest, GoD for ever and ever. Amen. For Those whom you have led into Sin : O Merciful GOD, I pray Thee most humbly for all who have sinned against Thee through my fault, all to whom I have taught evil by word or action. Forgive their sins, and the evil I have caused by my wickedness do Thou put away in Thy mercy ; for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen, For our God-children : O Heavenly Father, look graciously, I beseech Thee, upon Thy children to whom by Thy calling I stand in the holy relationship of God-father [or God-mother] ; 44 FAITH AND PRAYER. that the life of Thine Incarnate Son into Whom they are new-born by the operation of the HOLY Ghost may ever perfect them according to Thy will ; grant that they, with pure hearts attaining the years of discretion, may speedily receive the strengthening of Confirmation, the nourishment and support continually of the Holy Com- munion, and that renouncing all sin, believing all Thy truth, seeking all Thy commandments, they may, in the grace of the Holy Sacraments, attain everlasting life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For Sufferers in Mind or Body : Almighty Everlasting GoD, comfort of the sorrowful, strength of the weary, our only help in time of need, draw Thou near to Thy suffering servants in their sick- ness of body, or trouble of mind. Be Thou their com- fort, their strength, their help. Give them the grace of true contrition, patience, resignation, and the enlighten- ment of Thy Holy Spirit, Grant them merciful relief (and restore them to health) if according to Thy will ; yet bestow such grace that their affliction may work their spiritual advancement and eternal blessedness ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the Sick and Dyin^ : O Gracious Lord Jesus, Who didst vouchsafe to die ■on the Ci'oss for us ; remember, we beseech Thee, all sick and dying persons (especially ****). and grant that they may omit nothing which is necessary to make their peace with Thee before they die. Deliver them, O Lord, from the malice of the devil, and from all siri and evil, and grant them a blessed departure in Thy favor, for Thy loving mercy's sake. Amen. For the Faithful Departed : O God, Whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive, have mercy upon the souls of all Thy servants who have departed this life in Thy faith FAITH AND PRAYER. 45 and fear, especially Grant him blessed rest with Thy Saints in the peace of paradise ; and so perfect and fit hi7}i for Thy heavenly kingdom that he may enjoy their companionship in everlasting life. Grant, O God, that I may live with him and them in the joy of eternal brightness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. IX. THE READING OF HOLY SCRIPTURE. All Scripture is God's Word written by holy men moved by the Holy Ghost. God speaketh to us in it, unspeakable blessing ! God speaketh even to us, O what need of reverence and holy caution ! It is God Who speaketh. We see then that there can be no book in all the world like the Bible, no book so much worth reading, so worthy of our loving, patient, and reverent study. But the more precious and holy the Scriptures are, the more impossible is it to profit by them unless we use them rightly. If we read them carelessly, we can never hear God's voice in them. If we read them in our sins we shall be deaf to them. If we read the Bible in pride or vanity, it will be a closed book to us. They read in pride who think they can find out the faith by themselves, and judge the Church by their own notions. The Catholic Church is the judge of the meaning of Scripture, and the Creeds and all her other teaching should guide us in trying to understand it, and should show us its real sense. If men follow their own judg- ments in reading Scripture there will be as many religions or rather errors as there are chapters, but if they hear the Church which is the " pillar and ground of the truth," 1 they will read peacefully, securely, and profitably. Do not read much at a time, and always meditate afterwards. In all difficulties consult thy Parish Priest. Remember the wise saying, ' ' All Scripture must be I I Tim. iii : 15. 46 FAITH AND PRAYER. read in the spirit in which it was written," that is, a spirit of holiness, awe, and humility, or it will hurt instead of profit us. EJACULATIONS BEFORE READING HOLY SCRIPTURE. Lord, open my eyes, that I may see the wondrous things of Thy law. O Heavenly Father, I humbly beg Thy Holy Spirit so to help me to read, mark, learn, remember, and prac- tice Thy word that I may attain eternal life. When we read God's commands, they should stir up a holy zeal to obey. When we read His threats, they should excite a holy fear. His mercies should move us to thanksgiving ; His promises to prayer. His wonders to humility. Pause then whilst reading, and say : Give us grace to do this, or, Deliver me from this sin, or judgment, or, Thanks be to Thee, O Lord, for this mercy, or. Fulfil, O Lord, this gracious promise, or. Lord, I believe and adore this mystery. You should thus read your Bible every day, if only a few verses, in connection with your morning or evening prayers. X. MEDITATION. Meditation, that is to say a thinking devoutly upon what you read (or upon any subject you may have chosen) M'ith Prayer, is so profitable an exercise in the Christian life that it should be practiced daily if only for a few minutes. Some short rules may help you, and those who have not time to meditate at home may do so whilst at work. The Morning is the best time. FAITH AND PRAYER. 47 1. Kneel down and pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit to help you. You might say "O Lord, open Thou mine eyes, that I may see the wondrous things of Thy law." "Lord, teach me to pray," or, "Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire," page 204 2. Then read a few verses of Holy Scripture, or re- present to yourself the subject for meditation. If it be an event in our Blessed Lord's life, make a picture in your mind of the scene and its circumstances — as His sitting on the well wearied with His journey ; the stable of Bethlehem, with the manger and the cattle ; the Cru- cifixion, with the company around the Cross, etc. [ You should meditate upon Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell ; the Life and Sufferings of our Blessed Lord^ especially His bitter Cross and Passion ; about which you may read in the latter chaptei'S of the Holy Gospels, — or upon the words of the Creed or the Lord' s Prayer, orzipon a virtue, and its necessity ^ as Truthy Humility, etc., or a vice, and its misery, as Worldliness, Anger, Sloth; and in meditation you will co??ie to know more of yourself and of God / of your own weakness a7id sinfulness and needs ; and of God's Love, and Mercy, and Grace.^ 3. Think over your subject attentively, weighing what there is in it to be noted — the fresh motives it supplies, the example, the warning, the promise, making reflec- tions and drawing conclusions, and during your medita- tion it is well to say often some one short prayer, as, "Jesus, crucified for me, have mercy upon me," or any other. 4. Then make acts either of love, repentance, thank- fulness, faith, offering of yourself to GOD, trust in Him. resignation, as you may be led to do out of the subject you are meditating upon. Pray earnestly for God's grace, and for all the graces yon need, [especially those opposed to your besetting faults,] for the pardon of sins, the gift of God's love, and the gift of final perseverance. Make firm resolutions of amendment, as, to do this or that; or to break off some sin that very day. 48 FAITH AND PRAYKR. 5. Finish by thanking GoD for any good thought He may have given you, and say the Lord's Prayer. Think of the subject of your meditation from time to time, during the day, and practise any good resolution you have made. Note. — A good rule is to make the text, or subject, of each Sunday's sermon the subject of your meditation on some day or days of that week. This, indeed, is the only way to profit by sermons. XI. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR. The days of the Christian year are of two kinds : (i) Those Festivals and Fasts which concern our Blessed Saviour, that we may show before God in holy worship His adorable life ; may duly honor and thank Him for His love and mercy toward us ; and rejoice before Him with faith and hope, or mourn before Him in special penitence ; may have impressed upon our mind, one by one, in order, the facts of our redemption, and the verities of our creed ; and may continually wit- ness before the v/orld their historical truth. (2) Those Feasts which commemorate His Saints, that we may glorify God for His grace vouchsafed them and note its power ; may testify our union with them in the one Body, and the one Faith, and Grace of Christ ; may confess and think upon their present life in paradise ; and may learn and be moved to follow their good ex- amples. I. fasts. Fasts are of two kinds : I. Voluntary, to be adopted after falling into any great sin, or to subdue some lust, or before Confirmation, IVIarriage, or any other great occasion, or when one de- sires particularly to give oneself to prayer. FAITH AND PRAYER. 49 2. Church Fasts which are (i) Ash-Wednesday and Good Friday, and (2) ' ' other days of fasting on which the Church requires such a measure of abstinence as is more especially suited to extraordinary acts and exercises of devotion," which are, 1. The days of Lent. 2. The Ember-days, being the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the first Sunday in Lent, the Feast of Pentecost, September 14, and December 13, when we should offer special prayers for the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons of the Catholic Church, particularly for those who are soon to receive the grace of Holy Orders. Use the Prayer Book Prayers, and see page 39 3. The Rogation-days, being the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before the Feast of the Ascension, which are days of special prayer and intercession. See page 38 4. All the Fridays of the year except Christmas-day. See page 22. II. FASTING. Almighty God requires fasting : 1. As a token before Him of repentance. If we are not willing to punish ourselves for our sins as the Church directs, it is a sign that we are lacking true contrition. 2. As a means of deepening repentance. 3. As a means of mastering our own will in His grace. , 4. As a means of detaching the mind from earthly things to be more free to contemplate things spiritual and eternal. Toasting is : 1. To abstain from all food till sunset of the fast-day ; or to eat only one full meal and one half-meal on that day ; or, if health allows of nothing further, then to omit at least one meal. This is required on Ash- Wednesday and Good Friday. 2. To lessen somehow the quantity of food, or to deny oneself some one or more articles of food which one 50 FAITH AND PRAYER. likes, and to find a way of crossing and subjugating the will, it may be, in other matters than in food. This is required on th« other days the Church names. To abstain from flesh-meat is a rule for Fridays, Ember, and Rogation-days, and certain days in Lent. Do not, however, substitute for meat something else which you like as well, or better. You should consult your Priest as to your rule of abstinence, especially for the days of Lent. Special prayers and almsgiving are to accompany fasting, III. FEASTS. O servant of Christ, rejoice in His days of joy, and think upon the great feast and rest when you may worship God in peace for ever. The following are the Feast-days on which there is a strict obligation to be present at the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, and to ifest, as far as possible, from servile work : All Sundays of the year, Movable. Christmas day, 25th Dec. The Circumcision, ist Jan. The Epiphany, 6th Jan. Annunciation day, 25th March. Ascension day. Movable. All Saints day, 1st Nov. The following are the Feasts when we will try to go to Church if we can, and will at any rate say their Collects in our private devotions, and read their Epistles and Gospels with meditation. The conversion of S. Paul, Jan. 25 The Purification of S. Mary the Virgin, Feb. 2. S. Matthias, Feb. 24. S. Mark, April 25, SS. Philip and James, May I. S. Barnabas, June ii. Nativity of S. John the Baptist, June 24. S. Peter, June 29. FAITH AND PRAYER. 5 1 S. James, July 25. S. Bartholomew, Aug. 24. S. Matthew, Sept. 21. S. Michael and all Angels, Sept. 29. S. Luke, Oct. 18. SS. Simon and Jude, Oct. 28. S. Andrew, Nov. 30. S. Thomas, Dec. 21. S. Stephen, Dec. 26. S. John, Dec. 27. The Holy Innocents, Dec. 28. ADVENT. HOW TO IMPROVE CERTAIN HOLY SEASONS AND FESTIVALS. Advent or the coming of Christ is a season appointed to prepare us to rejoice rightly in the birth of our Re- deemer at Christmas, and to be ready for His second coming at the end of the world. We are to consider also how He comes to us in manifold grace in His Church in the operation of God the Holy Ghost to prepare us for Death and Judgment. Consider often therein : 1. Our lost and wretched state without Christ. 2. When Christ shall come again at His second Advent to judge the world, how thou wilt bear to meet Him. If thou art in any sin now which makes thee turn away from Christ and the thought of Him, thou wilt not endure to meet Him then in all His glory and power. If thou canst not now approach Him at His Altar, where thou canst not see Him though He is present, much less wilt thou be able to meet Him face to face before His Judgment throne. If thou art not looking 52 FAITH AND PRAYER. for His coming thou wilt not be ready for it. He will come suddenly, when men think not. When He comes the Judgment Day begins. PRACTICE. 1. Bear any trouble^ or do any hard work, or receive any pleasure, zvith little care, saying to thyself. It is not long. Christ cometh quickly. 2. Think, speak, and act, remembering the Judgmetit Day. 3. If thou a7't awoke in the night, or %vhen thou liest down in the dark, say. The Son of Man cometh as a thief in the night. At midnight there was a cry made, The Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet Him. Also add this to thy evening prayers : Blessed Jesus, prepare Thy way before Thee. O Lord, have mercy upon me in Thy great and terrible day. O Lord, grant me to be found watching when Thou comest. Amen. And on Thursday night, or some other, kneel most hiimbly and try in thy heart to see the throne of judgme7it set, afid the books opened and multitudes standing in the valley of decision, and the Holy Angels witnessing, and the eye of God piercing throtigh thee, and thy- self naked and helpless before the Judge of all the earth ; then say : O Holy ever Blessed Trinity, God of penitents, and Saviour of sinners, I have sinned before Thee, O Lord. And thus and thus {mentioning thy chief sins) have I done. Alas! Alas! Woe I Woe! How was I enticed by my own heart- How have I hated instruction. FAITH AND PRAYER, 53 Xor felt I fear nor shame, At Thy great glory, At Thy awful presence, Thy fearful power, Thy exact justice, Thy winnmg goodness. How fearful is Thy judgment, O Lord ! When the thrones are set And Angels stand around, And men are brought in, The books opened. The works inquired into, The hidden things made known, Yea, those things which I did, O wretched man that I am. Those things which I did as if none saw me ; And Satan accusing. And my conscience bearing witness And I -without excuse. Self-condemned, justly damned for ever. Yea, for ever, Unless Thou have mercy, Mercy beyond all thought. O God, who shall quench my flame r Who shall lighten my darkness ? Who shall cool my tongue ? Who shall loose my chains ? Who shall withhold the worm that dieth not ? Who shall lift me from the bottomless pit ? ^ But Thou, iThou art my hope, \My only hope, e oTthf By the love ofthe Father save me. By the Blood of the Son save me. By the pleadings of the Spirit have mercy on me. And therefore snatch me, O Lord, from my sins even now. I repent, Lord ; O Lord, I repent, help Thou mine impenitence ; and more, and still more pierce, rend, break this stony heart. 54 FAITH AND PRAYER. Lord, have mercy upon me ; Christ, have mercy upon me ; Lord, have mercy upon me. Psalms Jit for Advent : Ps. i., vii., ix., xi., xxxvii., xcvi., xcvii. Sc7-iptures for Advent : The first Lessons for the month of December, the Book of the Prophet Joel, Malachi iii. , iv. Short Scriptures to be read on the knees one at a time with prayer, and dwelt upon afterwards : S. Matt, v : 21-26 ; xiii : 33-43 ; S. Mark viii : 34-38 ; ix : 43-48 ; S. Matt, xxii : 11-14 ; xxiv : 29-35 ; 36-40 ; 42-51 ; XXV : 1-13 ; 14-30 ; 31-46 ; Rom. xiv:8-i3 ; I Thess. iv : 1-8 ; 2 Thess. i : 6-10 ; Heb. x : 26-31 ; 2 S. Pet. iii ; S. Jude 5-7 ; Rev. i : 7-8 ; xx : 4-15 ; xxi : 7-8 ; xxii : 11-13 ; 14-21. advent hymn. Day of wrath ! O day of mourning ! See ! once more the Cross returning — Heaven and earth in ashes burning ! O what fear man's bosom rendeth. When from Heaven the Judge descendeth, On Whose sentence all dependeth. Lo the Book, exactly worded ! In which all hath been recorded ; Thence shall judgment be awarded. What shall I, frail man, be pleading? Who for me be interceding ? When the just are mercy needing? King of majesty tremendous, Who dost free salvation send us, Source of pity ! Thou befriend us \ FAITH AND PRAYER. 55 Think, kind Jesus, — my salvation Caus'd Thy wondrous Incarnation ; Leave me not to reprobation. Faint and weary Thou hast sought me, On the Cross of suffering bought me ; — Shall such grace be vainly brought me ? Guilty, now I pour my moaning, All my shame with anguish owning ; Spare, O GoD, Thy suppliant groaning ! Thou the sinful woman savest — Thou the dying thief forgavest ; And to me a hope vouchsafest ! With Thy favor'd sheep, O place me ! Nor among the goats abase me ; But to Thy right Hand upraise me. While the wicked are confounded. Doomed to flames of woe unbounded. Call me ! with Thy saints surrounded. Ah ! that Day of tears and mourning ! From the dust of earth returning, Man for judgment must prepare him ! — Spare ! O God, in mercy spare him. FEAST OF THE NATIVITY, OR CHRISTMAS. HOLY THOUGHTS. The Son of God became the Son of man that we might become the sons of God. Am I like a child of God ? The Son of God, Who made the Heaven and Heaven of Heavens, Lord of Angels and all creation, humbled Himself to become man, and to be born in a manger. Am I humble ? 56 FAITH AND PRAYER. Am I content with poverty ? Do I love it for Christ's sake ? The Birth of Christ was the new birth of man. Old things have passed away. Behold all things have be- come new. What is there of the new creation in me ? The shepherds heard of Christ whilst watching their flocks by night. Do I watch ? The Holy Lord took our sinful nature, joining it to Himself, to make us pure of sin. Does sin dwell in me still ? Woe is me if it reigns in me. On Christmas Eve, if thou canst, watch until mid^iight; or, if thou wakest, think of the Lord's birth, and in thy soul see the glorious light that dawned tipon the shepherds, and hear the Angels' song, saying: Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips, but let me join in the heavenly song, though last and least, and say, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. Say Ps, ciii. or cl. , if thou canst. VIGIL OR night devotions FOR THOSE WHO WATCH. V. Our soul waiteth for the Lord. P. For He is our helper and defender. Kneel and say : V. Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Christ, have mercy upon us. V. Lord, have mercy upon us. Our Father, etc. Ps. Ixxx. Isa. xl. O God, Who makest us glad with the yearly remem- brance of the birth of Thy only Son Jesus Christ, grant that as we joyfully receive Him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold Him when He FAITH AND PRAYER. 57 shall come to be our Judge, Who liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Ghost now and for ever. Amen. FOR CHRISTMAS-DAY. 4« In the Name, etc. , V, The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us. R. Full of grace and truth. V. O God make speed to save us. J^. O Lord, make haste to help us. Our Father, etc. Rise and say : I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Alleluia. I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters. Alleluia. O joyful tidings, worthy of an Angel's mouth ! Be- hold to us was born this day a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Alleluia. wonderful sign ! the King of Heaven and earth, you shall find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Alleluia. This is the day which the Lord has itiade, let us be glad and rejoice therein. Then meditate. Behold in thy heart thine ittfani Saviour lyiftg in the Mange?', and say : 1 adore, I praise and glorify Thee, and I give thanks unto Thee, O Son of the living God, Most Gracious Jesus ; Who for me didst vouchsafe to be born a feeble Infant in a stable, and to be laid in a manger. Thou didst become poor and weak that Thou mightest make me rich. Kneel down most humbly and say : Behold, I fall down in body and soul before Thee and adore Thee my Lord the King of Angels. Hail, Holy 58 FAITH AND PRAYER. Child, God Most High, Most Gracious Jesus. Hail, Prince of peace, Light of the nations, the long-desired Saviour. Grant us O Lord, we beseech Thee, with devout affection to receive this first humble rising of the Sun of Righteousness, that we may follow Him through the wJiole painful course of His life, which like a giant He rejoiced to run, enlightening the world with Thy truth and inflaming it with Thy love, till in the end we arrive at His eternal rest through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen. Stand up and say : Glory be to the Father, etc. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. Alleluia. Put away all anxious careful thoughts. Be full of holy joy and love to God and man. Wish all thy fellow- creatures to rejoice with thee in that exceeding joy. Do any work of charity thou canst. Avoid all sinful and unseemly festivities, it is a most holy and sacred time ; defile it not with greediness, or excess, or levity : but rejoice unto the Lord : and be sure to communicate, if possible : for not only will the Sacrament purify thy joy and keep thee sober in spirit, but it is the way to share in the Incarnation of the Lord : for as at the first He took our flesh and joined it to Himself, and us in It, so in His Sacrament the HOLY Spirit sanctifies the Bread and Wine, and joins us to Him by our receiving His Body and Blood. The Altar is another Bethlehem. The Holy Sacrament is a continual Christmas. COLLECTS which MAY BE USED FOR THE SEASON. O God the Father, Who as at this time didst give Thine only Son to be born of a woman, and to be made the Son of Man, that we may be made the sons of God, grant us to be indeed Thy children, and be Thou still FAITH AND PRAYER. 59 our Father ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Holy Jesus, Who at this time wast born in a manger and made like unto us ; grant that we, being made like unto Thee in holy poverty and fervent charity, may be partakers of Thy Incarnation. Amen. O God the Holy Ghost, by Whom our sinful nature was joined to the nature of GoD, and that without spot of sin to make us pure from all sin ; grant us, being made pure, to be partakers of GoD ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity, three Persons and one GoD, Who as at this time didst create man anew in Thine own inv^ge and after Thy likeness, grant to us being now regenerate by Baptism to be conformed more and more to the image of Him that created us ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. O Gracious Saviour, I beseech Thee, of Thy love and goodness, to remember my great unworthiness, and to pity me : sanctify me wholly ; give me full pardon of my sins, and a new spirit ; grant that I may strive to follow Thy humility, resignation, patience, charity, and all other virtues, that I may be well-pleasing to Thee : and may Thy holy Name be blessed throughout all ages. Amen. FEAST OF THE CIRCUMCISION. For us the SoN of GoD was circumcised and made obedient to the Jewish law ; and now He has given to us "the Circumcision of Christ," "made without hands," that is to say, Holy Baptism ; so that our hearts and members being mortified and dead to all carnal and worldly affections we may obey Him in righteousness and true holiness all the days of our life. He received also the holy Name Jesus or Saviour, that name which is above every name, at which we bow, by which only we are saved ; the hope of penitents, the joy of saints ; our consolation in life, and our support in death. 6o FAITH AND PRAYER. Use the Collect for the day, Uftd also the following Prayer : O God, Who didst ordain Thine Only-Begotten Son to be the Saviour of mankind, and didst command that His name should be called Jesus : mercifully grant that we may so love and honor His holy Name on earth, and so faithfully live in His grace, that we may ever- more enjoy the Vision of Him in Heaven ; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY, OR THE MAN- IFESTATION OF CHRIST TO THE GENTILES. At the first, God was in covenant relation with the Jews only ; but now, in His Blessed Son, He is the Covenant GoD of the gentiles also : for, as on this day, Christ showed Himself to the wise men who travelled from a far country by the guidance of a star until they came to the place w4ere He was ; when they offered gifts unto Him and worshipped. It is not enough for Christ to be born for us. Un- less He manifest Himself to us we have no part in Him. He manifests Himself to those who devote themselves to Him in loving obedience and holy worship, presenting to Him their gifts. Antiphon, Arise, shine, for thy Light is come, and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Alleluia. V. O Lord, arise, help us : R. And deliver us for Thy mercy's sake. Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hast made known the Incarnation of Thy Son by the bright shining of a star ; which, when the Wise Men beheld, they pre- sented costly gifts and adored His Majesty : grant that the star of His Faith may always shine in our hearts ; and that as our treasure we may give ourselves and all FAITH AND PRAYER. 6l that we possess to His service ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Use. also the Collect for the day. THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE, COMMONLY CALLED THE PURIFICATION OF S. MARY THE VIRGIN. As on this day the Blessed Virgin made her offering, which bare witness to the sin which belongs to every man born into the world ; except only the Son of Man, Who came to destroy sin. Also the Son of God was presented in the Temple for us, that God might accept the offering of little children to Him, and might receive an acceptable service from every age ; even as we have been offered to Him at our Baptism in His Temple, the Church of Christ, for holy duty and service. Use the Collect for the day in private prayer as well as public. ASH-WEDNESDAY. Rise early for prayer. Fast from one meal or two, as thou canst. Consider thy sins, omissions ayid co?nmis- sions. Go silent and thoughtful all the day through. Be at Church as much as you can. Devotions : O Lord, deal not with us after our sins : Neither reward us after our iniquities, O Lord, remember not our old sins. Have mercy upon us soon, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God our Saviour ; 62 FAITH AND PRAYER. And for the glory 'of Thy Name deliver us, O Lord ; and be merciful unto our sins for Thy Name's sake. O Lord, cleanse Thou me from my secret faults : Keep Thy servant also from presumptuous sins. O God, Who rejectest not the greatest sinner, but in loving pity are reconciled to him by penitence, merci- fully regard our lowly supplications and give us strength to fulfill Thy commandments. Amen. God, Who desirest not the death of sinners but their repentance, most mercifully regard the weakness of our mortal nature, and strengthen our endeavours by Thy goodness, that of Thy Infinite mercy we may obtain pardon for our sins, stedfastness in Thy Service, and finally with joy, the rewards promised to those who per- severe unto the end ; through our Lord Jesus Christ. For other penitential acts, see pages 123-129. for the days in lent. Say the Collects for Ash- Wednesday and the first Stinday in Lent. Say also the following prayer : 1 adore, praise, and glorify Thee, and I give thanks to Thee, O Son of the living God, most gentle Jesus. , For me Thou didst endure with a most meek and loving heart Thy labors, sorrows, persecutions, and Thy most bitter Passion and Death, O most gentle Jesus! I beseech Thee of Thy love and pity remember and have mercy upon me, seeking to follow Thee in the way of Thy Cross. Sanctify all my members by Thy Sacred Humanity. Grant me a full pardon of all my sins, and renew a right spirit within me. Grant me grace to imitate Thy humility, resigna- tion, labors, patience, gentleness, loving compassion, and all Thy other amiable virtues, so that I may be pleasing to Thee, and may attain the place where, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, Thou livest and reignest, One God, world without end. Amen. FAITH AND PRAYER. 63 THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. The Annunciation was the message of the Angel to the Blessed Virgin, that of her according to the flesh Christ should be born, Who is over all, God blessed forever: and the Feast of the Annunciation is a message to us, teaching and reminding us of the awful but joyful mystery that in the womb of the Virgin God took flesh and became man by the operation of the Holy Ghost; in order that we, who had fallen into corruption and death, might be created anew in Him. After a like manner, according to our degree, this mystery is worked even in us when Christ, as the Apostle says, is conceived in us ; when His holy doctrine, or His Sacramental grace, falling into our hearts, becomes united with our souls, and renews us in righteousness and true holiness. Use the Collect^ and also Prayer: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who being the Word of God, wast in such wise made flesh that the womb of the Virgin was by the overshadowing of the Most Highest enabled to conceive Thee supernaturally, and bring Thee forth ; mercifully accept my humble service, and vouchsafe to enter into my heart also, that I may attain that inward purity which is well-pleasing to Thee. Do Thou vouchsafe to be the Guardian of me. Thine own work, and to dwell within me, for Thy mercy's sake, WHio God and Man livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, world with- out end. Amen. MID-LENT. The Fourth Sunday in Lent is called Mid-Lent Sun- day, and also, from the Gospel for the Day, Refresh- ment Sunday. Half the holy Season is over when it comes. Alas! how little progress have we made I 64 FAITH AND PRAYER. Lent is a figure of this life, and Easter of the Resurrection. As life should daily fit us more and more for death and judgment and rising again, so Lent should fit us for the joy of Easter, and the holiness necessary before we share that joy. Let us then press on, and persevere; yea rather increase our devotions, lest the holy Season pass and we remain unchanged. Prayers for the Week : Glory, honour, and praise be to Thee, O LORD jESUS Christ; may all the world adore Thee ; blessed be Thy Holy Name, "Who for us sinners vouchsafedst to be J3orn of a humble Virgin ; and blessed be Thine in- finite goodness, Who diedst on the Cross for our re- demption. O Jesus, Son of God and Saviour of mankind, have mercy upon us ; and so dispose our lives here by Thy grace, that we may hereafter rejoice with Thee for ever in Thy glory. Amen. O Saviour of the world, Who by Thy Cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, plant in our hearts, we beseech Thee, gentleness and patience, a meek and long-suffering spirit, quietness of mind and stability of soul. Give us patience in all injuries, and content in all conditions and changes. May we with charity return good for evil. Deliver us from an evil tongue, and from an angry contentious spirit. Let Thy example convert lis. Thy gentleness soften us. Thy sufferings and stripes heal us. Thy blood cleanse us, and Thy death satisfy for and save us. Amen PASSION WEEK. Passion Week is the last week of Lent but one, the week before Holy Week. In it, the Meditations of the Church bear more and more upon the approaching suf- FAITH AND PRAYER. 65 ferings of her Lord: and with Him we should stedfastly set our face towards Jerusalem in spite of sufferings be- fore us; ready to be afflicted with Him, that we may rejoice with Him; to die with Him, that we may reign with Him. LITANY ON THE PASSION OF OUR LORD. Vott need not say the whole of this Litany at one time. Dwell on each sentence, applying it to your own wants, and pleading to Jesus each of His separate Blessed Acts and Sufferings ; and then the Prayer ' ' Have mercy, " will snit all your vaiied needs. [ You might use it for Meditation, see page 46.] Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. O God the Father, of Heaven, O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, O God the Holy Ghost, Holy Trinity, One God, Holy Jesu, True God and Man, Jesu, earnestly desiring to redeem mankind, Jesu, keeping the Passover with Thy disciples, Jesu, instituting the Holy Sacrament for a Memorial of Thy Passion, Jesu, kneeling on the ground in prayer, Jesu, in Agony, bathed in Bloody Sweat, Jesu, sold by Judas, and betrayed with a kiss, Jesu, taken by wicked hands, and bound roughly by the soldiers, Jesu, forsaken by all Thy disciples, Jesu, brought before Annas and Caiaphas, Jesu, accused by false witnesses, Jesu, struck on the Face, and defiled with spit- ting, Jesu, denied thrice by S. Peter, Jesu, turning and looking upon S. Peter, •^ 66 FAITH AND PRAYER. f Jesu, reviled, and answering nothing, Jesu, scourged at the pillar, and bruised for our iniquities, Jesu, mocked with a purple robe, Jesu, crowned with thorns, Jesu, struck on the Head with a reed, Jesu, condemned by Pilate to a shameful death, Jesu, carr}''ing the Cross on Thy wounded Shoulders, Jesu, stripped of Thine own garments, Jesu, fastened with nails to the cross, and wounded for our transgressions, Jesu, crucified for us, Jesu, crucified between two thieves, and num- bered with the transgressors, Jesu, praying for Thy murderers, Jesu, made a scorn of men. Jesu, given gall and vinegar in Thy Thirst, Jesu, promising Paradise to the penitent Thief, Jesu, commending S. John to Thy Mother, Jesu, crying, "Why hast Thou forsaken INIe?" Jesu, declaring Thy work of love was " Fin- ished," Jesu, commending Thy Spirit to the Father, Jesu, pierced after Death with a Spear, Jesu, shedding out of Thy most Precious Side, both Water and Blood, a Fountain to cleanse us from all sin, Jesu, taken down from the Cross, and buried in a new tomb, Jesu, rising gloriously on the third day, [esu, ascending triumphantly to Heaven, Jesu, sending down the Holy Ghost upon Thy Church to abide with us for ever, Jesu, ever living to make intercession for us Jesu, Who shalt come to be our Judge, Be merciful, spare us, Lord Jesus. FAITH AND PRAYER. 67 From all sin, From sudden unprepared death, From all evil, By Thy Holy Incarnation, By Thy Humble Birth, By Thy Circumcision, By Thine all-holy Name, By Thy Baptism, By Thy holy Fastings, Toils, and Watching, By Thy nights of Prayer, By Thy miracles of mercy for the healing of souls and bodies, By Thy glorious Transfiguration, By Thy Holy Cross and Passion, By the Sacred Atoning Sacrifice of Thy whole Life, By Thy Precious Blood shed to redeem us, By Thy Precious Death, By the Water and the Blood flowing from Thy Sacred Side, By the Blessed Sacraments Thou ordainedst as means to unite us to Thyself, By Thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, By Thy sending the Holy Ghost to dwell in us. By Thy boundless Love and Mercy, In our daily trials. In the time of temptation. In the hour of our death, In the Day of Judgment, We sinners beseech Thee, Jesu, hear us. That Thou wouldest bring us to true repent- ^ ance. That Thou wouldest forgive us all our sins, That being much forgiven, we may love Thee much, That we may bear all crosses with love and patience, That we may persevere unto the end in grace and in Thy holy service, 68 FAITH AND PRAYER. Lamb of GOD, that takest away the sins of the world. Spare us, LoRD Jesu, Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Hear us. Lord Jesu. Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us, Lord Jesu. Our Father, etc. O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, the only Hope and Refuge of sinners, I beseech Thee, set Thy Holy Cross and Passion between Thy Judgment and my soul, now, and in the hour of death I beseech Thee also for all my friends and benefactors, and for all for whom I desire or am bound to pray, [and for all poor sinners.] O, let not Thy Precious Blood be shed for us in vain, but grant us, by Thy grace, that cleansed from all our sins, after our death, we may joyfully enter Paradise, to love and adore Thee eternally ; where with the Father and the Holy Ghost, Thou livest and reignest, One God, world without end. Amen. HOLY-WEEK. This is the last week of Lent, and finishes our pre- paration for Easter. The first day is Palm Sunday, on which our Lord rode into Jerusalem on an ass, and the people strawed branches and spread garments in the way, and the men and children cried Hosanna to Him. •But as He came in sight of Jerusalem He wept over it; and when He arrived at the city, many were angry with those who sang His praises. Therefore think with thyself, if Jesus were to come would He weep over thee, finding thee in hopeless sin? Wouldst thou be glad to receive Him? Art thou ready to receive Him ? He will come in the clouds, with all His holy Angels, Judge of quick and dead; hast thou received Him now so that tliou canst meet Him then? FAITH AND PRAYER. 69 Observe also the Lord's humility. He made Him- self, as the Epistle tells us, of no reputation. Is that mind in thee which was in Him, that mind of lowliness and love? O Holy Jesus, Who now dost come to my soul with- out Thy glory, lest I should faint and die ; grant me so to receive Thee and ever to possess Thee, that in the great and terrible day I may rejoice at Thy appearance, and sing Hosanna with Thy redeemed, saying, Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Amen. Use also the Collect for the day in private. MONDAY IN HOLY-WEEK. As the Lord went into the city in the morning of this day, He cursed the fruitless fig-tree ; and going into the Temple He cast out all that bought and sold, say- ing, My house shall be called the House of Prayer. But ah ! hast not thou, O my soul, borne leaves and not fruit, fair words and show, but not deeds ? And hast thou made God's house truly a house of prayer, not bringing worldly thoughts therein ? And the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is thy- self, hast thou filled it with covetous desires and evil thoughts ? collects. O Holy and Merciful Saviour, Thou most worthy Judge Eternal, Who as on this day didst curse the fig- tree bearing leaves and no fruit, take away from me all hollow, vain, and false appearance, and make me plenteously to bring forth the fruit of good works, and of Thee to be plenteously rewarded, through Thy merits, WTio with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, ever One GoD, world without end. Amen. 70 FAITH AND PRAYER. O Merciful Jesus, Who with the burning of Thy holy zeal didst cleanse Thy temple and cast out everything that defiled ; purge Thy Church from all covetous and worldly works, and cleanse the hearts of Thy people from all things that offend, that we may be a holy temple unto Thee. Amen. TUESDAY IN HOLY-WEEK. On this day the Lord taught for the last time in the temple. All day long His enemies watched Him and laid snares for His life. He spake many holy parables, and at last He left the temple for ever ; and then sitting down upon the Mount of Olives He taught His disciples concerning the judgment which was soon coming upon the guilty city, and at the end of the world upon all the earth. O my soul, dost thou resist Christ's teaching ? Will He forsake thee and leave thee to thy impeni- tence ? Dost thou look for the end, and art thou ready to leave all things to save thyself? COLLECTS. Blessed Jesus, Who as on this day, didst endure such contradiction of sinners, grant to us Thy servants not to wish to be above our Master, but to be as our Master, even like Thee our only Lord and Saviour. Amen. O Holy Jesus, Light of light, the Way, the Truth, and the Life ; grant us never to resist Thy blessed word, but ever to hear when Thou dost speak,' and to obey when we have heard. Amen. O most Merciful Jesus, Who as on this day didst leave Thy Temple, and foretelling that not one stone should be left upon another, didst declare that Thine ancient Church should see Thy face no more ; make us to know the day of our visitation ; and never forsake us, lest we perish ; but build up the waste places of Thy Church, and these our sinful souls, through Thy mercy, FAITH AND PRAYER. 71 Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, One God, world without end. Amen. WEDNESDAY IN HOLY-WEEK. This day the Lord of heaven and earth was betrayed by His own disciple Judas, to whom He had been so gracious, and sold for thirty pieces of silver, the value of a slave. What more can be said against covetousness, or the awful danger of harboring any bosom sin ? And who shall feel confident, when not even all the twelve Apos- tles were saved ? Resolve then by God's help, To cast out thy bosom sin. To be content with such things as thou hast. COLLECTS. Collect for S. Matthias' Day, and the following : Blessed Jesus, Who as on this day wast sold into the hands of wicked men to redeem us from sin and death, root out of us the love of money, and make us content with such things as we have, through Thy merits, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, ever One God, world without end. Amen. Blessed Jesus, Who wast betrayed by Thine own familiar friend, grant us never to be false to Thee ; but loving Thee above all things to persevere unto the end, and to be found in the number of Thine elect, through Thy mercy. Who with the Father and the Holy. Ghost, livest and reignest, ever One God, world without end. Amen. THURSDAY IN HOLY-WEEK. On the evening of this day the Lord washed His disciples' feet, and then instituted the Sacrament of His Body and Blood, and gave His last teaching to His 72 FAITH AND PRAYER. Apostles, leaving us His peace, and a new Command- ment, to love one another, and a promise of glory. But hast thou been ready to stoop down and wait on others ? How much of Thy sinful life didst thou spend before thou didst obey Thy Lord's loving command, "Do this in remembrance of Me ?" And since thou didst begin to communicate, hast thou not been very cold, and sinned much, being more like a dead than a living branch of Him? Hast thou loved thy brethren as Christ loved thee ? Hast thou presers^ed Christ's peace in thyself and with others? collects. Blessed Lord, Who as on this day didst wash the feet of Thy disciples, grant us also to be ready to wash one another's feet, and gladly to minister to our brethren with great humility and love. Amen. Holy Jesus, Who didst wash Thy Apostle's feet be- fore the institution of the Sacrament of Thy Most Holy Body and Blood grant us never to approach with un- clean hands, but washed with tears of true repentance, and purged from an earthly mind, so to compass Thine Altar in innocence. Amen. By the marvelous mystery of Thy Holy Body and Precious Blood, on the evening of this day appointed. Lord, have mercy upon us. GOOD FRIDAY. This is the day of days, the most awful, the most blessed ; full of fear and sorrow ; full of hope and com- fort. For very early in the morning, and scarce past mid- night, our Saviour suffered His dreadful agony in the garden ; and prayed whilst His disciples slept ; and en- dured the kiss of Judas ; and was seized by His enemies ; and was forsaken by His friends. He was taken to the FAITH AND PRAYER. 73 house of Annas and put in bonds ; then led away to Caiaphas ; tried by the Jews ; denied by S. Peter ; falsely accused, condemned, smitten, and buffeted ; then carried away to Pilate ; and before him accused again ; sent to Herod and mocked by him ; sent back to have a murderer preferred before Him by His own nation ; condemned to die ; stripped and scourged until the Blood ran down from His mangled Sides and Back. A crown of thorns was put upon Him ; and he was smitten on the Heac\, and spit upon, and mocked, and led away to be ciTicified, bearing His own cross until He could bear it no longer. On Calvary He was stripped of His clothes and nailed to the Cross ; and then His Cross was dropped, with a terrible shock, into the hole made for it ; and he was left, crucified between two thieves, to die. These things were done before the hour of nine. Look to the picture of the Crucifixion at the beginning of this book, or any others thou hast, noiv and at other times in the day ; watch it, and meditate tipon it. Now since all this was for us ; since all this shame and agony was due to us, shall we forget it, and be cold and impenitent all this while? Shall we not rise up early, and fast, and weep and pray, when we think of these things ? Shall we not repent of the sins which crucified Christ, and watch Him in our hearts, until we know more of our great sins, and His unspeakable love? Rules to observe during the day. 1. To keep a strict fast. 2. To avoid all pleasures and lightness. 3. To give way to others in everything. 4. To practice fervent love to others. 5. To mortify our own wishes and will. 6. To be private as much as possible. 74 FAITH AND PRAYER. DEVOTIONS BEFORE NINE. Kneel dorun, and thmk that thou art kneeling before the Cross with thy Saviour hanging upon it, and say,- Pitifully behold the sorrows of our hearts. Mercifully forgive the sins of Thy people. Our Father, &c. O Most Mighty God and Merciful Father, Who hast compassion upon all men, and hatest nothing that Thou hast made ; Who wouldest not the death of a sinner, but that he should rather turn from his sin and be saved, mercifully forgive us our trespasses ; receive and com- fort us, who are grieved and weary with the burden of our sins. Thy property is always to have mercy ; to Thee only it appertaineth to forgive sins. Spare us, there- fore, Good Lord, spare Thy people, whom Thou hast re- deemed ; enter not into judgment with Thy servants, who are vile earth, and miserable sinners ; but so turn Thine anger from us, who meekly acknowledge our vileness, and truly repent us of our faults, and so make haste to help us in this world, that we may ever live with Thee in the world to come ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Blessed Jesus, by the prayer which Thou didst thrice repeat in the Garden of Olives, when a bloody sweat ran down Thine agonized Body ; Have mercy upon us. By Thy condescending to receive a kiss from the mouth of the trator Judas ; Have mercy upon us. By Thy being apprehended, bound, and brought be- fore the judgment seat of Annas and Caiaphas ; Have mercy upon us. By the blindfolding of Thy holy Eyes, and by the FAITH AND PRAYER. 75 smiting of Thy holy Face, and all the reproachful usage Thou didst endure the night before Thy Crucifixion ; Have mercy upon us. By Thy being brought before Pontius Pilate, as if Thou hadst been a criminal ; Have mercy upon us. By Thy being sent before Herod, and set at nought and mocked by that wicked king and his men of war ; Have mercy upon us. By all the shame and hardships Thou didst endure in going from one judge to another, from Annas to Caiaphas, from Pilate to Herod, and from Herod back again to Pilate'; Plave mercy upon us. By Thine endurance of the clamors of the people to have Barabbas the murderer released, and Thine inno- cent Self put to death ; Have mercy upon us. By Thy suffering the false accusations, suborned wit- nesses, slanders and calumnies brought against Thee by the Jews ; Have mercy upon us. By the pressing a crown of sharp-pointed thorns on Thy sacred Head ; Have mercy upon us. By Thy being clothed in a purple garment, and de- rided as a mock king, having a reed put into Thy Hand for a sceptre ; Have mercy upon us. By the scoffing salutations, and scornful adoration of the Jews and the soldiers ; Have mercy upon us. By their spitting on Thy divine Face and smiting Thy sacred Head ; Have mercy upon us. By Thy great heaviness of heart when Pilate brought Thee forth before the multitude and said, Behold the Man ; Have mercy upon us. 76 FAITH AND PRAYER. By Thy meek and patient hearing of the sentence of death pronounced against Thee ; Have mercy upon us. By Thy bearing Thy Cross on Thy sacred Shoulders, and by Thy suffering Thyself to be led forth to death ; Have mercy upon us. By the painful stretching of Thy naked Body on the Cross, and fastening Thy Hands and Feet thereto with sharp nails, and by the precious Blood flowing out of the wounds ; Have mercy upon us. THE PASSION OF OUR LORD BETWEEN THE HOURS NINE AND TWELVE. When the Lord was hanging upon the Cross, the soldiers parted His garments, and cast lots for His ves- ture. The priests and people and passers by mocked Him as He hung ; but He rebuked them not. He had only spoken once, and that was when they were nailing Him to the Cross, or fixing it in the ground, and then He said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And now Jesus forgave the penitent thief, liaving power in heaven and earth even upon the Cross, and being full of love and feeling for others in the midst of His own agonies. He said, " Verily I say unto the.e, to-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." Not long ■ after the Lord beheld His Mother and His beloved dis- ciple S. John standing by the Cross, and spake again, saying to the Blessed Virgin, "Behold thy vSon ;" to S. John, "Behold thy Mother," providing a home for His earthly parent, and feeling for her even at such a time. And then darkness came over the earth. For how could the sun shine, when the Sun of Righteousness was being overclouded in death. Heaven could not look on such a deed of darkness. Yet it was our sin which crucified the Lord of glory. Ours was the shame : ours should have been the sorrow. FAITH AND PRAYER. 77 O Infinite love, that He should have had the suffering, and we the salvation ! Devotions on the First Speech upon the Cross : Father, forgive us. Alas, we knew not what we did when we sinned so grievously against Thee. O teach us, Holy Jesus, to forgive and love, after the pattern of Thy marvellous mercy. On the Second Speech : Blessed Jesus, Who didst give to the thief upon the cross both penitence and pardon, help us to repent and believe, and to confess Thee in shame and pain and death, and finally to come to Thine everlasting kingdom. On the Third Speech : Blessed Jesus, Who from Thy Cross didst bid Thy disciple receive Thy Mother into his own home : may Thy Church always be the home of the afflicted, and may we be tender and dutiful to our relations and the aged. THE passion of THE LORD, FROM TWELVE o'CLOCK TO THREE o'clock. At the ninth hour, or three o'clock, Jesus cried with a loud voice, " My God, My God, why hast Thou for- saken Me ?" So awful was the wrath of GoD which He endured for us. And then being tortured by the thirst caused by His wounds. He cried " I thirst ;" but they gave Him vine- gar to drink. And when the time of the end drew near. He said, "It is finished." His sufferings, and our salvation were complete : and bowing His head and crying with a loud voice, to show that He laid down His life Himself, so He gave up the Ghost, saying, " Father, into Thy Hands I commend My Spirit," Jesus died. The Lord of Life died, that we might live. 78 FAITH AND PRAYER. Devotions upon the Fourth Speech : O Lord, forsake us not. Carest Thou not that we perish ? We have forsaken Thee, but deprive us never of Thy grace, nor of Thy comfort, lest we come to nothing. On the Fifth Speech : Blessed Lord, Who on the Cross didst thirst for our salvation, grant us never to come where we shall long in vain for one drop of cold water to cool our tongue ; but thirsting here after righteousness, may we hereafter drink of Thy pleasures as out of a river. On the Sixth Speech : Blessed Jesus, finish Thou Thy work in us and by us before we die. On the Seventh Speech : Father, into Thy hands we commend our spirits. May we die to the world and to sin now, and live to holiness and Thee forever, through His merits Who died upon the Cross for us. Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. ancient prayers upon the PASSION OF CHRIST. , First : I adore Thee, Holy Jesus, hanging upon the Cross, and bearing on Thy venerable Head a crown of thorns; and I humbly beg, by Thy Cross to be delivered from the destroying angel. Second: I adore Thee, Holy Lord Jesus, stretched upon the Cross with five great wounds in Thy nailed Hands and Feet, and pierced Side ; and I humbly beg, that Thy FAITH AND PRAYER. 79 sad and ghastly wounds may be the healing medicine of my sin-sick soul. Third: I adoi-e Thee, Holy Lord Jesus, panting under the sad weight of the sins of the world ; and I humbly beg, by that inconceivable bitterness of sorrow, which Thy innocent soul suffered in that moment when It left the Body ; have mercy upon my soul in the moment of her departure hence. Fourth . I adore Thee, Holy Lord Jesus, laid in the sepul- cre, and anointed with myrrh and aloes ; and I humbly beg that Thy death may be the life of my soul. Fifth : O Most Holy Jesus, Good Shepherd, Who didst lay down Thy life for Thy sheep, save and preserve the righteous, call home the wicked, justify the penitent, have mercy upon all true believers, and upon me a miserable sinner. Amen. from after three on good FRIDAY. When the Lord spake for the last time the veil of the Temple was rent, and the graves opened, whereby it was signified that Heaven was opened, and that the grave had lost its victory. Then the soldiers coming to kill those who were hanging upon the Cross in order that none might die such a death upon the great Sab- bath of the Passover, found the thieves living, but the Lord dead. Nevertheless one pierced His Side with a spear, and thereout came Blood and Water, figures of the two Sacraments, Baptism and the Holy Saci-ifice of the Altar. Then Joseph of Arimathea grew bold and begged the Body of Jesus from Pilate, and took It down all mangled as It was, torn with the scourges, So FAITH AND PRAYER. bruised by the reed, wasted with fasting, bloody from the wounds ; this sacred Body of Jesus, so marred that one could scarce know It again, he took down, and with Nicodemus laid it in his own new tomb close by, wound in myrrh and aloes. There they laid the Lord of Life, the Lord of Life lying cold in the tomb ; and Mary Magdalene and the other Mary watched. But the Spirit of the LoRD Jesus went down to the place of the dead, and the penitent thief with Him. DEVOTIONS. I beseech Thee, O King of Saints, by Him Who is the Chief of Saints, my Blessed Redeemer, make me to run the way of Thy commandments, that I may be united unto Him, who abhorred not to be clothed with my flesh. Behold, Most Merciful Creator, the Manhood of Thy Beloved Son, and have mercy upon the weak- ness of Thy frail creature. Hc7'e try to see in thy heart thy SAVIOUR hanging on the Cross, His nailed Ha7ids and Feet, His Forehead pierced with the thorns. His Sides torn with the scourge. His parched Lips, ajid failing Eycs^ atid the Sacred Blood falling from His Wounds, ajid then with sorroiv of heart and all earnestness af soul go on to say. Behold the punishment of GoD made Man : consider O my God, the sufferings of my Redeemer, and forgive the sin^ of the redeemed. This is He whom Thou hast stricken for the sins of Thy people, although He be "Thy Beloved Son, in Whom Thou art well pleased." This is He " Who knew no sin, neither was any guile found in His mouth," and yet " He was numbered among the trans- gressors, and bare the sins of many." Amen. Thus, O Blessed Jesus, Thou didst finish Thy holy Passion with pain and anguish so great that nothing could be greater than it, except Thyself and Thy own infinite mercy ; and all this for men, even for me. And now. Lord, Who hast done so much for me, be pleased FAITH AND PRAYER. 8l only to make it effectual, tKat it may not be useless and lost to me, lest I become eternally miserable. O Lord, do Thou turn me all into love, and all my love into obedi- ence, and let my obedience be continual. Teach me to live wholly for Thee, Jesus my God. O dearest Saviour, clothe my soul with Thy holy robe ; hide my sins in Thy Wounds, and bury them in Thy grave, and let me rise to the life of grace, and abide and grow- in it, until I come to the kingdom of Glory. Amen. EASTER EVE. The Body of the Lord was still in the grave for us men ; His soul still in the place of spirits for us. Meditate therefore upon death, and prepare for it. Say often. Lord, teach me to number my days. Holy Jesus, may thy death be my life, May I die to the world, and live unto Thee. Behold, I am baptized into the death of Jesus Christ, and all the world is dead to me, and I to the 'world. Say also the Collect of the Day, and the followitig : O God, Who hast willed that we who are appointed to death should know neither the day nor the hour (thereof ; grant to us Thy servants, that we may walk before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days ; and finally depart in peace, and die in the Lord ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. See also page 98. devotions for those who watch for their lord's ARISING. Kiieeling say. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. 82 FAITH AND PRAYER. Lord, have mercy upon us. Our Father, etc. Standing say some or all of these Psalms^ Ps. xvi., xxvii,, XXX., xxxi., xliii. Then read some or all of Lam. iii : 22-30 ; iv : i-o ; v. ; Ezek. xxxvii : 1-14 : Isa. li. ; S. John xi. Rise and say, O death ! I will be thy death. O grave ! I will be thy destruction. Glory be to the Father, etc. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia. If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above. Alleluia. O death ! where is thy sting ? O grave ! where is thy victory ? Thanks be to GoD which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia Kneel and say. Pour into our hearts, O Lord, the Spirit of Thy love, that we whom Thou callest to Thy Paschal Feast may by Thy goodness agree in love, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. EASTER DAY. On this day shortly past midnight Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and we arose in Him. He rose our FAITH AND PRAYER. 83 justification. He rose our spiritual life. He rose our resurrection. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ we are justified before God : we rise to newness of life : and at the end of the world our dust shall be made alive ; we shall re- ceive our bodies, and in those bodies we shall give an account for the works done in them ; and if we are par- doned, then, in these same bodies, made glorious, with- out sin, or pain, or death, we shall live for ever with our beloved, and all the redeemed of CnKiSTi Old things are passed away, all things are become new. Rejoice, rejoice in pardon. Rejoice in deliverance from the power of sin. Rejoice in the hope of the Resurrection. Let no earthly care be on thy brow this day. Let no angry, troubled thought be in thy heart. Go to the House of God with such as keep holiday, and lift up thine heart, specially in the ser\'ice of the Holy Sacra- ment, by which the Lord makes us partakers of His Resurrection, and gives His immortality to our souls and bodies. Let no Easter pass without communicating. If possible, let it be on Easter Day ; if not, as speedily as possible. devotions. Blessed Jesus, Who didst burst the doors of the grave, and rise from the dead ; O roll away the stone from our hearts, that we may rise with Thee. Amen. Blessed Jesus, Whom the holy women sought very early in the morning ; grant us, also, to seek Thee from the first. Amen. O Blessed Jesus, Who was sought by Thy penitent Mary, who would not be comforted until she had found Thee ; grant us also never to rest until we have found Thee ; and finding Thee never to lose Thee, until we ascend unto the Father. Amen. Blessed Lord, Whose holy Apostles ran to seek Thee, grant us to run the way of Thy Commandments, and be guided by Thy holy Angels. Ps. cxiv., cxlvi. 84 FAITH AND PRAYER. With gentle voice the Angel gave The women tidings at the grave ; Forthwith your Master shall you see : He goes before to Galilee. And while with fear and joy they pressed To tell these tidings to the rest, Their Lord, their living Lord, they meet And see His Form, and kiss His Feet. Th' eleven, when they hear, with speed To Galilee forthwith proceed ; That there they may behold once more The Lord's dear Face, as oft afore. In this our bright and Paschal day, The sun shines out with purer ray ; When Christ, to earthly sight made plain, The glad Apostles see again. The Wounds, the riven Wounds He shows In that His Flesh with light that glows, With public voice, both far and nigh, The Lord's arising testify. To Thee Who dead, again dost live, All glory. Lord, Thy people give : All glory as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete. Amen. During the day, say, I adore, I praise and glorify Thee, and I give thanks to Thee, O Most Gracious Jesus, Son of the living God. Who for me didst rise from the dead, and after forty days ascend, in the presence of Thy disciples, into heaven, and didst send the Holy Ghost upon them,* FAITH AND PRAYER. 8$ have mercy upon me, O Lord my God, and grant that, rising from the evils of the old conversation, I may walk before Thee in newness of life ; and being daily renewed by Thy Holy Spirit, and confirmed and filled by His Presence, I may serve Thee with a pure and steadfast heart, until I come to Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. Use the same devotions through the Octave. During the forty days between Easter and Ascension, in which the Lord was instructing His disciples, and filling them with faith and knowledge, do thou also re- member thy risen Saviour, and be with Him in thy heart, practising His Resurrection, full of joy and peace, dead to this world and alive to the next. Specially be careful on Easter Monday and Tuesday to join in no light and sinful mirth, and to shun all haunts of folly and noise and drinking, being sober and watchful, lest the Lord's rising be thy dying, the dying of thy soul : for how will He not leave thee to perish, if thou make the very Feast of His Resurrection an occasion of sin ? Although our Lord was with His disciples forty days, only a few appearances are mentioned, and of some of these it is only said that they took place. Eight, however, furnish subjects of meditation for Easter Day and its Octave. Consider them, then, one by one with prayer: I. That to Mary Magdalene, S. John XX. 2. To the women, S. Matt, xxviii : 9. 3. To the disciples at Emmaus, S. Luke xxiv. 4. To the ten disciples in the room, S. John xx : 19. All these with the appearance to S. Peter took place prob- ably on Easter Day. 5. To the eleven, S. John xx. 26. 6. By the See of Galilee, S. John xxi 14 ; 7. On the Mountain, S. Matt, xxviii. 16. 8. The Ascension, S. Luke xxiv : 50. Those who will can go through this holy course of thought again and again until the Ascen- sion, in order to keep up the Easter doctrine and devo- tion in their souls. FAITH AND PRAYER. ROGATION DAYS. Before Ascension Day come the three Rogation days, which are days of prayer against plague, and war, and famine, and all the punishments which our sins have deserved, and from which the Intercession of Christ delivers us. They prepare us to celebrate the Festival with pure and humble hearts. ASCENSION DAY. After the forty days spent with the disciples in in- structing them how to form and settle His Church, the Lord ascended up to Heaven, from which He had come. He descended when He was GOD only, but when He ascended He was Man also. In Him this very nature of ours went up into Heaven, and is even now at God's right hand. Heaven is open to us : and now our risen and ascended Lord intercedes for us there, and having received all power in Heaven and earth He gives us all things for the good of His Church. Lift up thy thoughts to Heaven on Holy Thursday or Ascension Day, and if it be any how possible lift them up in God's House ; and in that highest service in which it is said, Lift up your hearts. And we reply. We lift them up unto the Lord. Think not of earth, for Heaven is thine. Long for it, pant after it. There, is no more pain nor sorrow. There, is no more sin. There, you shall see the saints and holy Angels, and thy Blessed Saviour, yea, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. What is all earth compared with this? Strive only after Heaven. Reach up to it. Ascend thither now in heart and mind that hereafter thou mayest ascend in body and soul and dwell therein for ever. Practise this doctrine, FAITH AND PRAYER. 87 1. By trying to think of Heaven, and to long for it, 2. By putting away all anxious and troubled thought, by the thought of Heaven, 3. By praying more earnestly, because Christ is praying for us in Heaven. 4. By doing nothing which will unfit thee for Heaven, and everything which comes into thy mind, which will prepare thee for it. DEVOTIONS for THE OCTAVE. Antiphon. God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trump. Alleluia, V, O sing praises, sing praises unto our Lord. Alleluia. R. O sing praises, sing praises, unto our King. Alleluia. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who art ascended into Heaven there to intercede for us thy servants, to bring the king- doms of the earth beneath the sceptre of Thy righteous- ness, and to draw up Thine Elect in blessed union with Thee their Head, Who art gone before ; Grant us firm faith in Thine Almighty power, Christ our God. Strengthen our hope in Thee, Who art for ever offering Thyself in Thy risen and glorified Body in the most Holy Place, O Christ our Advocate. Quicken our love for Thee, O Jesu, King most Wonderful, Who didst lead captivity captive, and give gifts unto men, es- pecially the most unspeakable gift of Thy Holy Spirit, uniting us to Thee in bonds of Heavenly love. Hear us, O Thou Who hast triumphed gloriously. Bride- groom of Thy Holy Church, and only Mediator between God and men ; and grant that we may so follow Thee now in patient toil and suffering, that when thou comest again to judge the world we may be counted worthy to sit with Thee in Heavenly places, through Thy merits, O Lord and only Saviour, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest ever One God, world without end. Amen. 88 FAITH AND PRAYER. Also the Collect for the Day. Jesu, nostra Rede7nptio. Jesu, Redemption all divine, Whom here we love, for Whom we pine. God, working out creation's plan. And, in the latter time, made Man. What love of Thine was that, which led To take our woes upon Thy head. And pangs and cruel death to bear. To ransom us from death's despair ! To Thee Hell's gate gave ready way, Demanding there his captive prey ; And now in pomp and victor's pride, Thou sittest at the Father's side. Let every mercy force Thee still To spare us, conquering all our ill ; And, granting that we ask, on high With Thine own Face to satisfy. Be Thou our joy, and Thou our guard, Who art to be our great reward ; Our glory and our boast in Thee For ever and for ever be ! Amen. WHITSUN-DAY. The Lord had promised that after He was ascended into Heaven He would send the Comforter to dwell in His Church, so that it should not lose His Blessed Presence, but possess Him even more nearly and fully than when He was upon earth. For now He dwelleth unseen by us, because within us ; He is present in every Sacrament and means of grace, and in these He FAITH AND PRAYER. 89 gives US by His HOLY Spirit pardon of sin, and holi- ness, the seven-fold graces, the fruits of the Spirit. Yea, we are the temples of the Holy Ghost. Well may vve be full of fear ; for he that defileth the temple of God, him shall God destroy. Well may we be full of joy also, and of hope, for we have Him in our hearts Who will make us to triumph over every affliction and temptation if we only follow His gracious influence ; Who will conform us to the image of the Son of God, and make us fit for His everlasting Kingdom. On the eve of Whitsun-Day think over the many sins against the Holy Ghost ; by what evil tempers thou hast grieved Him ; by what evil thoughts, by what words, by what deeds ; how holy thou mightest have been, and art not. These Psalms will help to prepare thee for this great Festival. Ps. xliii. xlviii. Ixiii. cxliii. Be sure, if thou canst, to communicate upon Whitsun-Day, that being joined to thy Saviour by partaking of Him, His Spirit may flow into thee, and fill Thee full of holy desires and resolutions, and grace to fulfil the same. Exa77iine thyself by Gal. v : 19-23. devotions. O Thou Who didst send down upon Thy disciples Thy Holy Spirit, withdraw not the gift, O Lord, from us, but day by day renew it in us, who ask it of Thee, for Jesus Christ's sake Thine only Son our Lord, Amen. Grant us, O Lord, the fruits of Thy Most Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, good- ness, faith, meekness, temperance ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Come, Holy Ghost, Eternal God, Proceeding from above, Both from the Father and the Son, The God of peace and love. 90 FAITH AND PRAYER. Visit our minds, into our hearts Thy heavenly grace inspire ; That truth and godliness we may Pursue with full desire. O Holy Ghost, into our minds Send down Thy heavenly light ; Kindle our hearts with fervent zeal To serve God day and night. Grant us the grace that we may know The Father of all might. That we of His Beloved Son May gain the blissful sight. And that we may with perfect faith Ever acknowledge Thee, The Spirit of Father and of Son, One God in Persons Three. To God the Father laud and praise And to His Blessed Son, And to the Holy Spirit of grace, Co-equal Three in One. And pray we that our only Lord Would please His Spirit to send, On all that shall profess His Name, From hence to the world's end. Amen. litany of the holy ghost. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. O God the Father, of Heaven, O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, O God, the Holy Ghost, Holy Trinity, One God, FAITH AND PRAYER. Ql Holy Spirit, Author of all good, Holy Spirit, Who didst overshadow the Blessed Virgin Mary, Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, Spirit of Counsel and Might, Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, Spirit of the Fear of the Lord, Spirit of holy repentance. Spirit of Grace and Prayer, Spirit of Love, Peace, and Joy, Spirit of Gentleness, Goodness, and Faith, Spirit of manifold grace. Spirit Who didst descend upon Christ, in the form of a dove, Spirit of Truth, Who guidest us into all truth. Spirit Who helpest our infirmities. Spirit Who sheddest the Love of God in our hearts. Spirit, the Discemer of the thoughts of the heart. Holy Spirit, by Whom we also are born again. Holy Spirit, Who dwellest in us, Holy Spirit, Who abidest with us forever, Holy Ghost, the Comforter, Holy Ghost, the Sanctifier, Holy Ghost, Who on the Day of Pentecost didst appear in fiery tongues upon the disciples. From all evil, From the snares of the devil. From presumption and despair, From doubting and unbelief, From envy and unkindness, From obstinacy and impenitence, From anger and strife, From all unholiness and impurity. From dullness and sloth. From every evil spirit, In the Day of Judgment, J (^ g2 FAITH AND PRAYER. Holy Ghost, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou wouldest renew the face of the earth, and enkmdle the fire of Thy Love in our hearts, That Thou wouldest help us to love one another, That Thou wouldest teach us to pray, and Thy- self pray within us, That Thou wouldest inspire us with holy and pious thoughts. That Thou wouldest inspire us with a hatred of sin, That Thou wouldest help us to remember that our body is Thy Temple, That Thou wouldest keep us for Thyself, That we grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, That Thou wouldest endue us with the grace of final perseverance. That we may sow in the SPIRIT, and of the Spirit ^ (^ reap life everlasting. Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Grant us Thy HoLY Spirit. Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Pour down upoii us Thy Holy Spirit. Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world. Give unto us the Spirit of Peace. Holy Ghost, hear us. Holy Ghost, graciously hear us. . V. Create in me a clean heart, O GoD. R. And renew a right spirit within me. Our Father, etc. O God, forasmuch as without Thee we are not able to please Thee ; mercifully grant, that Thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty and Everlasting God, by Whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified ; receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before Thee for all estates of men in Thy holy Churcli, FAITH AND PRAYER. 93 that every member of the same, in his vocation and ininistr}% may truly and godly serve Thee ; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen. TRINITY SUNDAY. The Feast of the Holy Trinity finishes the number of those great days which celebrate the chief mysteries of the faith. Having now seen how God the Father hath revealed Himself to us by His Son, through the Spirit, by the obsen-ation of those Feasts which show forth our Redemption and Sanctification, we come now to put the whole of our faith together, and to worship God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Three Per- sons and One GoD, Trinity and Unity. This is a won- derful doctrine, past our finding out. ^Ye cannot under- stand it, but we can believe it. It was not likely that we men could comprehend GoD. We must believe now, and hereafter we shall understand. Trinity Sunday is a day of Faith, and a day of Hu- mility, and a day of Hope for greater knowledge in Heaven, and a day of thankfulness to GoD for giving us this mystery to believe, and for making us partners of the benefit : for into the Holy Trinity we were bap- tized ; and in the name of the Holy Trinity the Blessing and the Absolution of the Church are given : and in the Holy Communion we are brought near to God the Father, by partaking of God the Son, through the operation of GoD the Holy Ghost ; to which Holy Undivided Trinity, Three in one, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 94 FAITH AND PRAYER. DEVOTIONS TO THE BLESSED TRINITY. Antiphon. O Holy, Blessed, and Glorious TRINITY, Three Persons and One God ; have mercy upon us now and ever, and to ages of ages. Alleluia. V. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Alleluia. J?. From this time forth for evermore. Alleluia. Blessed and Glorious Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, thanks be to Thee, Very and One Trinity, One and Perfect Deity, Holy and Simple Unity, Thee, the Father Unbegotten, Thee the Only Begotten Son, Thee the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, Holy and Undivided Trinity, Thee with our whole heart and our mouth do we confess and praise and bless : to Thee be glory for ever and ever. Alleluia. O Lord God, Father Almighty, bless and protect Thy servants who are obedient to Thy Majesty, through Thine Only Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit, that, being secure in every danger, we may continually rejoice in praising Thee. O Lord Jesus Christ, pour forth upon us the promised Spirit of the Father, to give us life and to teach us tlie fulness of truth in the mystery of the Blessed and Undivided Trinity, that our salvation may be accomplished through His gift, in which the perfection of all virtue consists. O Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Who with the Father and the Son, abidest One God in Trinity, descend this day into our hearts, that while Thou dost intercede for us with the Father, we may call upon Him with stadfast faith. May the Infinite and Ineffable Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, direct our lives in all good works, and after our earthly pilgrimage vouchsafe to us eternal life with the Saints. Grant this, O Al- mighty and Everlasting God. Amen. FAITH AND PRAYER. 9$ XII. DEVOTIONS FOR THE SICK. RULES FOR A SICK PERSON. 1. Receive your sickness from God. It is His visit to your soul. He is dealing with you as His child. 2. Look on it as a loving correction for your sins, and as a summons to prepare more carefully for death. 3. In any dangerous sickness let your first care be ta send for a priest. Confess your sins to him, if you feel your conscience burdened with any weighty matter, that you may receive the benefit of Absolution, and the Blessed Sacrament. 4. Examine your life and prepare for confession with special honesty and earnestness. Pray for contrition. See part II. 5. If your sickness is prolonged seek to receive the Holy Communion frequently. 6. Engage your friends to give you timely notice if your illness be dangerous, and not to flatter you with false hopes of recovery. 7. Cultivate the virtues of patience and submission to- the will of God ; deepen your repentance, and offer yourself to GoD to suffer, if it pleases Him, still greater trials ; give thanks for the blessings you enjoy. 8. Make the best use of the time you have : admit but few visitors, and let your conversation be as little as may be of worldly matters. g. Settle your temporal affairs in ordei to give your- self more entirely to spiritual matters. 10. Meditate often on our Lord's Passion. The Cross was His dying bed. 11. Bear in mind S. Augustine's words, " However innocent your life may have been, no Christian ought to- venture to die in any other state than that of a penitent.'" 96 FAITH AND PRAYER. PRAYERS FOR THE SICK. A Prayer that jnay be added to Daily Prayers in ti?ne of Sickness : my God, my first Beginning, my last End, I receive this affliction as from Thy hand ; I confess Thy right to do with me as Thou wilt ; I rejoice in Thy fatherly goodness, which will never chasten me without cause ; I have sinned enough to deserve every punish- ment Thou couldest send me, yea, punishment eternal ; I offer myself therefore to endure whatsoever Thou wiliest, as Thou wiliest, as long as Thou wiliest. But, O my Father, remember whereof I am made ; remember that I am but dust, rebuke not in Thy wrath, chasten me not in Thy displeasure : scourge me, but as Thy son ; chasten me, but as Thy child. Remember that I am a member, erring and unworthy in truth, but still a member of Thine Only-begotten Son ; call to mind His holy life and conversation. His passion and death, and for the sake of His abundant merits, leave not my poor soul, which confesses Thee, without Thy comforts, but save me for the sake of Thy mercy and of Thy dear Son. Amen. Ejaculatory Prayers proper for a Sick Person: Lord, I accept this sickness from Thy hands, and entirely resign myself to Thy blessed will, whether it be for life or death. Not my will, but Thine be done ; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Lord, I submit to all the pains and uneasiness of this my illness ; my sins have deserved infinitely more. Lord, I offer up to Thee all that I now suffer, or may have yet to suffer, to be united to the Sufferings of my Redeemer, and sanctified by His Passion. 1 worship Thee, O my God and my All, as my first Beginning and last End ; and I desire to bow down all the powers of my soul to Thee. FAITH AND PRAYER. 97 Lord, I desire to praise Thee for ever, in sickness as well as in health ; I desire to join my heart and vvjvce with the whole Church of heaven and earth in blessing Thee for ever. • I give Thee thanks from the bottom of my heart for all Thy mercies and blessings bestowed upon me and Thy whole Church, through Jesus Christ Thy Son, I thank Thee above all for having loved me from all eternity, and redeemed me with His precious Blood. Let not that Blood be shed for me in vain. Lord, I believe all those heavenly truths which Thou hast revealed, and which Thy holy Catholic Church be- lieves and teaches. O my God, all my hope is in Thee ; and through the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, I hope for salvation from Thee. In Thee, O Lord, have I put my trust, let me never be confounded. sweet Jesu, receive me into Thine amis, in this day of my distress : hide me in Thy Wounds, bathe my soul in Thy precious Blood. 1 love Thee, O my God, with my whole heart and soul above all things ; at least I desire so to love Thee. Oh, come, and take now full possession of my whole soul, and teach me to love Thee for ever. I desire to depart and to be with Christ. When will Thy kingdom come, O Lord ? When wilt Thou perfectly reign iii all hearts ? When shall sin be no more ? I desire to embrace every neighbor with perfect charity for the love of Thee. I forgive, from my heart, all who have in any way offended or injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have in any way offended. Have mercy on me, O God, after Thy great goodness ; according to the multitude of Thy mercies, do away mine offences. Who Mdll give water to my head and a fountain of 95 FAITH AND PRAYER. tears to mine eyes, that night and day I may weep for all my sins ? Oh, that I had never offended so good a God I Oh, that I had never sinned! Happy those souls that have always preserved their baptismal innocence. Lord, be merciful to me a sinner : sweet Jesus, Son of the living GoD, have mercy on me. I commend my soul to GoD, my Creator, Who made me out of nothing ; to Jesus Christ, my Saviour, Who redeemed me with His precious Blood ; to the Holy Ghost, Who sanctified me in Baptism. Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. I renounce from this moment, and for all eternity, the devil and all his works ; and I abhor all his suggestions and temptations. Oh, suffer not, O Lord, this mortal enemy of my soul to have any ppwer over me either, now or at my last hour. BONA MORS : Or prayers for a Happy Death, throtigh the Passion of our Lord Jestis Christ. Lord, have mercy upon us ; Christ, have mercy upon us ; Lord, have mercy upon us. Be favorable unto us : Spare us, good Lord. From an unprovided death. From the pains of hell. From the power of the devil. By Thine Incarnation, By Thy Passion and Death, By Thy Resurrection and Ascension, By the grace of the Holy Ghost, By the intercessions of Thy Saints, In the hour of death, and in the Day of Judg- ment, Lord, have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us. FAITH AND PRAYER. Qg Lord, have mercy upon us, Our Father. V. And lead us not into temptation. J^. But deliver u^ from evil. V. Cast me not away in the time of age. R. Forsake me not when my strength faileth. V. Lighten my eyes, O Lord, R. That I sleep not in death. F. Let me die the death of the righteous. R. Let my last end be like his. V. Lord, hear my prayer. jR. And let my cry come unto Thee. Let tispray. O God of mercy, strengthen us Thy ser\'ants with Thy heavenly grace, that at the hour of our death the enemy may not prevail against us, and that we may be counted worthy to be carried by the Angels into ever- lasting life. Almighty and most tender GOD, Who broughtest a fountain of living water out of a rock for Thy thirsting people, bring forth from the hardness of our hearts the tears of true repentance, that we may worthily bewail our sins, and be deemed meet, by Thy mercy, to receive remission of all our sins. Through CHRIST our LORD. Amen. Here make an Act of Contrition, and Confession. For forms see pp. 1 23 -129. O Lord Jesus, God of goodness, and Father of mer- cies, I draw near unto Thee with a broken and contrite heart ; and I commend unto Thee the last hour of my life, and the decision of my everlasting doom. When mine eyes, beginning to grow dim, shall warn me that my end is near, and shall fix themselves on lOO FAITH AND PRAYER. Thee, my last and only support ; by Thine Agony in the Garden, Merciful Jestis, have mercy upon vie. When the pallor of my face, and when the sweat of death breaking forth, shall forebode my approaching end ; by Thy Sweat of Blood, Mercifid Jesus, have mercy upon nie. When my ears, soon to be forever shut to the speech of men, shall be opened to hear Thine irrevocable de- cree ; by Thine unjust condemnation, Merciftd Jesus, have mercy upon ?ne. When my imagination shall be disturbed, and when my soul, affrighted with the sight of my sins and of Thy judgments, shall have to struggle with the angel of dark- ness ; by Thy scourging and crowning with thorns, Afer- ciful Jestis, have mercy upon me. When my poor heart, exhausted by its frequent strug- gles, shall feel the pangs of death ; by the bearing of Thy Cross, Merciftd JesnS, have mercy tijon me. When the last tear, the forerunner of my dissolution, shall drop from my eyes, receive it as an act of contri- tion for the sins of my whole life, and in that dreadful moment ; by Thy Crucifixion, Merciful Jesus, have juercy upon me. When the last sigh shall summon my soul to burst from the embrace of the body, let it fly unto Thee on the wings of impatience and desire, and then at that mo- ment ; by Thy thirst on the Cross, Merciful Jesus, have mercy upon me. When my soul, trembling on my lips, shall bid fare- well to the world, and leave my body lifeless, pale and cold, receive this separation as an act of homage which I willingly pay to Thy Sovereign Majesty ; and by Thine own most holy Death, Merciftd Jesus, have mercy upon i7ie. When at length my soul, admitted to Thy presence, shall first behold Thine awful Majesty and Beauty, reject me not, and receive me unto Thy bosom, where I may forever sing Thy praises ; and in that mo- FAITH AND PRAYER. lOI ment, when eternity shall begin for me, Merciful Jesus, have 77iercy tipoti me. Let us pray. O God, Who for the redemption of the world wast pleased to be born, circumcised, rejected by the Jews, betrayed by the kiss of Judas the traitor, bound with cords, led as an innocent lamb to the slaughter, shame- fully brought before Annas, Caiaphas, and Herod, ac- cused by false witnesses, mocked with scourgings and reproaches, defiled with spittings, crowned with thorns, buffeted with blows, smitten with a reed, blind- folded, stripped of raiment, nailed to the Cross, lifted up on the Cross, reckoned among thieves, to be given gall and vinegar to drink, and to be wounded by a spear : do Thou, O Lord, by these Thy most holy suf- ferings, which I, although unworthy, call to mind, and by Thy holy Cross and Death, deliver me. Thy servant, from the pains of hell, and be pleased to lead ine whither thou didst lead the thief cracified with Thee ; Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen. For other devotions see the Litany on the Passion, p. 65 APPROACH OF DEATH. Jesus ! ever loving Saviour, Thou didst live and die for me ; Living, I will live to love Thee, Dying, I will die for Thee, Jesus ! Jesus ! By Thy life and death of sorrow, Help me in my agony. When the last dread hour approaching, Fills my guilty soul with fear, All my sins rise up before me, I02 FAITH AND PRAYER. All my virtues disappear. Jesus ! Jesus ! Turn not Thou in anger from me; With Thine Angels then be near. Oh, by all that Thou didst" suffer, Grant me mercy in that day ! Let Thy Blood and let Thy Body Be, at that last hour, my stay. Jesus ! Jesus ! By Thy life and death of sorrow. Help me in my agony. Amen. ^ When the Soul has Departed. May the Holy Ones of God succour hun ; may the Angels of God receive and bear his soul, and present it before the Face of the most High. V. May Christ, Who has called thee, receive thee, may the Angels carry thee into Abraham's bosom. R. Receive his soul, and present it before the Face of the most High ! V. Grant him eternal rest, O Lord ; and let per- petual light shine upon him. R. May the Angels of God receive and bear his soul, and present it before the Face of the most High J Lord, have mercy upon him. Christ, have mercy upon him. Lord, have mercy upon him. Our Father. V. And lead us not into temptation, R. But deliver us from evil. V. Grant him eternal rest, O Lord. R. And let perpetual light shine upon him, V. From the gales of Hell, R. Deliver his soul, O Lord. V. May he rest in peace. R. Amen. FAITH AND PRAYER. I03 V. O Lord, hear our prayer. R. And let our cry come unto Thee. Let us pray. We commend to Thee, O Lord, the soul of Thy Servant N., that being dead unto the world, he may live unto Thee : and whatsoever sins he has committed through the frailty of his mortal nature, do Thou of Thy merciful loving kindness, blot out for ever : through Christ our Lord. Amen. ^ A THANKSGIVING FOR RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. In the Name «►]-< of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Glory be to Thee, O Lord : glory be to Thee, for delivering me from the terrors of death, and restoring me to my health again ; glory be to Thee. I called upon the Lord in my trouble, and the Lord heard me at large. I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Praise the Lord therefore, O my soul ; as long as I have my life, which at first, GoD gave me, and which He has now restored to me, I will sing praises unto my GOD. O Lord God, Who hast in Thy tender mercy pro- longed my days in this world, give me grace to spend this life, which Thou hast now lengthened, in Thy service. O, give me grace to perform all my resolu- tions of new obedience, and so to live in the filial fear of Thee, all the remainder of my time, that I may at last die at peace with myself, at peace with the whole world, and at peace with Thee ; and that for the sake of Thy Well-Beloved Son, and my Saviour, in Whose holy words I sum up all my wants. Our Father, etc. ^^ The blessing of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost descend upon me and all belonging to me, and dwell in my heart and be with me in my going out and coming in now and for ever. Amen. CTT^L^^ ^- / cr^ ^^c<^<^ >^>2,^iy j^f^^y^^ ^Cc^^^^^x^ <^^yC/CJ,,<^ ^l.;;i^, ^i^ PART II. ^ 7 ^^'"^^^'^ ^REPENTANCE. Sin is the only evil. Sin is that deadly woe out of which Christ has come to save us. Unless you truly repent of all your sins you will be lost body and soul in Hell. Repentance is the work in us and with us of our Lord Jesus Christ through God the Holy Ghost, by which we forsake all sin and give ourselves to all God's will, and grow more and more holy, that we may attain ever- lasting perfection in. the love and joy of God. There are in Repentance, four necessary actions : I. Self-Examination. II. Godly Sorrow. III. Con- fession. IV. Amendment. I. SELF-EXAMINATION THAT WE MAY KNOW Oy.R SINS. A, The knowledge of our sins involves., first., tJu knowl- edge y according to our ability, of the nature of sin, the manner, the kinds of it. (i). Sin is the act of turning, or the state of being turned, away from GoD, Who created man for Himself, to some other object or objects instead of God. (2). The law of God is the law of man's own being. Sin breaks the law of GoD, and in that act breaks also REPENTANCE. I05 the law and design of man's own being, bringing it into ruin. (3). Sin has guilt and power. 1. The guilt of sin is the obligation to suffer the punishment of God's justice for His law broken. 2. The power of sin is the dominion it has over us, so that, of ourselves, we are unable to possess and control cii'S'ilver, btit: are possessed and governed by sin as slaves under a master. Christ alone can free us from the guilt and power of sin. ^4). There are these two kinds of sin — the sin of our birth, and the sin of our life. 1. The sin of our birth is that sin in which we are conceived and born as receiving the sinful nature of our first father, Adam. By Baptism we are taken by a new birth into the Nature of the Second Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ, the guilt of our birth sin is washed away, and the power of His Indwelling Life and Grace is given us to overcome, if we will, the evil in- clination of our old corrupt nature which remains in us until our death, but which, if we are faithful Christians, will thereafter itself become dead. 2. The sin of our life is that of our own will resist- ing God's grace, and consenting to evil. When thus we sin the grace of our Baptism is violated, and cannot be restored except through Repent- ance. The most terrible form of sin is habitual sin, by which, committing the same sinful acts again and again, we bind a chain around us difficult to break. But the grace of God can enable us to do even this. (5). Also sin is by — 1. Commission, that is, by doing what God forbids. 2. Omission, that is, by leaving undone what GOD commands. I06 REPENTANCE. A sin of omission is as great as a sin of commission. We sin as much by not doing what is right, as by doing what is wrong. People often ignore this plain truth, to their eternal misery. (6). Again, sin is against— I. God. 2. Our neighbor. 3. Ourself. Some people think that they will be saved because, as they say, they do no one any harm, and are good to their neighbors. But sin is, in the first place, in not living unto God with regard to all His commandments on the one principle of obedience to His authority. Such people profess to do their duty toward their neighbor, but ignore their duty toward GOD, and their own souls, and will be lost unless they repent. (7). Three great enemies lead us into sin, 1. The Devil, by tempting us directly through wicked suggestions, or indirectly through — 2. The World, its follies and vanities, its unbelief and evil teaching, its evil company and evil associations, and 3. The Flesh, that is, our own sinful tendencies and desires which ever and again rise up within us against God's grace. Our Christian life is a deadly conflict with these enemies. (8). There are three steps into sin, 1. Temptation, in which there is no sin. 2. Delectation, pleasure indulged in the temptation in which sin is commenced. 3. Consent, and sin is complete. (9). Again sin is in thought, word, and deed. I. We sin in Thought when we consent to think what it would be sinful to say or do. We may never say or do it, but we have effectually torn our soul away from GoD by the act of our will in thinking the e,vil. Words and Deeds are merely Thoughts grown into outward expres- sion. To hate one's brother is the sin of REPENTANXE. I07 murder, only undeveloped. To look after a woman with lust, is the sin of adultery or for- nication : and so, with eveiy sin. The only way to escape sin, is to have pure thoughts. (Read St. Mark vii : 14-23.) 2. If sin dwells in the mind and heart it will soon show itself somehow on the lips. Most people talk a great deal too much, and the tongue is the easy instrument of evil. (Read S. Matt. xii : 35-37 ; S. James iii.) 3. Sinful Deeds are a further unfolding of sin. (10). Sins have been classed under seven heads, com- monly called the capital sins; as follows: OPPOSITE VIRTUES. 1. Humility. 2. Liberality. 3. Chastity. 4. Meekness. 5. Temperance. 6. Charity. 7. Diligence. (11). You have another danger to flee. You may sin by having share in the sin of others. This you may do in nine ways. 1. By counsel. 5. By praise or flattery. 2. By command. 6. By concealment. 3. By consent. 7. By partaking. 4. By provocation. 8. By silence. 9. By defence of the ill done. (12). It is also a sin not to avoid, so far as you can, all occasions of sin. Many people who are afraid to sin, take pleasure in going near sin. Then they excuse them- selves by saying that the temptation was too strong. Beware of this. " GoD is not mocked." (Read Psalm i.) (13). Moreover, impress this simple and dreadful truth on your mind that one sin is a/one all-sufficient to destroy the soul ; for by every one sin your one whole CAPITAL SINS. I. Pride. 2. Covetousness. 3. Lust. 4. 5. 6. 7. Anger. Gluttony. Envy. Sloth. I08 REPENTANCE. will wholly rebels against the One Authority of all law. Your integrity in God is broken. Your soul is severed from God. Your soul is lost. (14). Lastly, there is in every character and life some one sin called the easily besetting sin. What is yours ? Satan will seek to hide it from you. It is his stronghold in your soul. Upon your victory over him in this, de- pends your power over him in every other point, and your eternal salvation. B, The htowledge of our sins, in the second place, in- volves the exaniinatio7t, in the light of God's grace, of our mind, heart, and life. It is not enough to say that you are a sinner like other people. Ever}'body will confess this. God asks you, ' ' What is this that thou hast done ? " (Gen. iii : 13.) You are to examine yourself and not others. ' ' Every one of us shall give an account of himself to GOD," (Rom. xiv : 12.) Don't think of other men's sins. Seek cleansing for your own soul. You ought not to put off this duty ; for delay 1. Strengthens evil habits, and weakens your power of resisting them. 2. Shuts by degrees the door of God's mercy. You cannot examine yourself without God's help. *' The way of the wicked is as darkness : they know not at what they stumble." '* There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Prov. iv : 19 ; xiv : 12.) Begin yotcr self-examination by saying this prayer : O Lord God, Who lightenest every man that cometh into the world, let the light of Thy grace shine into my heart that I may fully know my sins by omission or by commission, and may confess them with that true sorrow and contrition of heart which befits me before Thee, and may amend them to Thy honor and glory and to the REPENTANCE. IO9 salvation of my soul ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, etc. Then think of yourself as a child of God, and of your wickedness in following the temptations of the world — the flesh — and the devil — sinning against God — your neighbour — and yourself — in thought — word — and deed. Notice in each case how far you sinned through ig- norance — ^weakness — or wilfulness. Enquire as to your sins in hearing, seeing, knowing, thinking, desiring, speaking, enjoying, keeping in mind anything against the law of God. Consider, 1. The person, that is, yourself who offended ; also those with whom, and against whom, you offended. 2. The matter in or about Avhich you sinned. 3. The length of tiuie the sin was continued. 4. The nature of xSxo^ place. 5. The i?«^ aimed at. 6. The i7ieans used. 7. The ntimber of your relapses. 8. The injtny done by the sin, in the way of damage, or scandal, or bad example. 9. The knozvledge and grace against which you sinned. If examining yourself for the first time, or preparing, it may be, to make a First Confession, you will find it well to divide your life into periods ; think 7vith whom and where you have lived, acted, conversed, been inti- mate. Do not be in a hurry, and do not vex yourself that you cannot remember every thing. The Holy Spirit will bring much to your remem- brance that now you have forgotten. Only do your best, and your God will make up all deficiencies. questions on the ten commandments. I. Thou shalt have none other gods but Me. I. The Faith of God. — Have I, with humble submis- no REPENTANCE. sion of mind to the teachings of God, as delivered to me through His Catholic Church, and the Holy Scrip- tures as interpreted by the Church, embraced all the Christian Faith and Religion ? ever rejected any one point of it, although all of it comes to me on the One Au- thority of God Himself? if so, was it daringly by the sin of self-conceit and self-will — pride and disobedience? or from ignorance ? and if so, was the ignorance due to my sloth and unwillingness to be taught and to learn ? to my carelessness and indifference ? ever neglected the means GoDhasput in my power {Instnuiion of Fa?'e7its, Counsel of Clergy, Sunday School, Bible Class, Cate- chising, Sermons, Books) of learning all such things as a Christian ought to know to his soul's health? if in any kind of doubt or unbelief have I tried, with honest mind, to obtain instruction ? in such state, for instance, con- sulted the Clergy? diwdt. prayed iox faith? ever presumed to measure divine Mysteries as the Blessed Trinity, the Incarnation, the Ho]y Sacraments — merely by my own reason ? ever exalted my own reason against God, my own private judgment against the voice of the Universal Church ? sought to know God by my own powers and not alone in the Revelation and Grace of God Himself ? to make my own creed, form my own theories of life, enthrone my own miserable opinions above the declared truth of God ? needlessly companied with those who might draw me from the true faith, read infidel or heret- ical books, joined in schismatical worship ? led others to do so, or in any way drawn them into unbelief? ever allowed Free masonry, or any human association, to be- come a substitute for the Church, and the ser\ace of GoD in the Church ? consulted Fortune-tellers, used charms, given way to superstition ? 2. The Fear of C^*/.— Have I from fear of man neglected to confess God's faith and obedience before men ? for instance, neglected my duty toward God for fear of being laughed at, or thought peculiar? ever laugh- ed at others for doing right ? ever laughed at sin ? — REPENTANCE. Ill spoken lightly of it ? ever put off repentance ? allowed myself to sin, intending afterwards to repent ? — presumed upon God's mercy ? lain down at night without making my peace with GoD by Confession, Prayer, and Resolu- tion of Amendment ? been less ashamed of sinning be- fore God than of confessing my sins ? been withheld from confessing sin when I ought to have done so, as, for instance, lies, calumnies, &c. , for shame before man ? been kept by same reason from rightful apology, and asking forgiveness — making restitution ? 3. The Siiprevie Authority of God. — Have I done or said anything merely to be praised, or to please myself, with no consideration of right and wrong ? chosen ap- parent self-interest instead of God's laws when I could not follow both ? acted from false motives, professed Religion, performed any act of Religion, done any good thing, not for God's sake, but for man's respect, or some earthly advantage ? kept any of His Command- ments only when not incurring self-sacrifice and self-de- nial? Has God been my Supreme King and His law my ruling principle of action in all things ? Have I ig- nored any doctrines of the faith or any commandments of God, accepting some, and rejecting others ; or have I embraced all as the rule of my believing and my living on the sole Aut/writy of God zohich covers them all alike ; that is, have my faith and obediance been entire as aris- ing from the proper motive ? Have I been true to God when no eye has seen me but His ? Equally true to God in all places and in all company ? rebelled against the dispensations of His providence ? 4. The Ownership and the Glory of God. — Have I ever thought, spoken or acted as though whatever I am, except through sin, whatever I have, was not God's, and His gift ; and thus robbed God of His honor and glory by my vanity and pride ? paid the due proportion of my means, according to my poverty or riiy wealth, in His worship, for the support and extension of His- Church ? given the due proportion of my time to His 112 REPENTANCE. special service ? neglected to give Him thanks for all His benefits ? for His afflictions as for my real good in His love and wisdom ? honored all men for God's sake ? looked down upon, been contemptuous of any ? sought to be flattered, admired ? when praised given the praise to God ? 5. The Goodness, Power^ and Grace of God. — Have I /sinned by despair of His love or grace ? trusted in myself or others, not in GoD ? sought to please Him, or over- come sin, by my own powers ? sought to live unto GoD through my natural powers by creation, which way is broken off by sin ; and not through living union by the Sacraments with our Lord Jesus Christ, and His Mediation ? Have I practically recognized the truth of the omnipresence of GoD, and that He ordains or overrules all things ? 6. The Love of God. — Has GoD been my highest good ? Have I loved any person or thing more than God ? has God been first with me in all things ? Have I allowed the world, my companions, business, pleasures, earthly inclinations to keep me from my duty toward God ? Have \ prayed 2^\^ striven to love Him with my w//fZ? heart, and above all things? been lukewami, un- willing, soon weary in His service, careless of the things of God ? What value have I set upon the Church, the Holy Eucharist, the Means of Grace, the Worship of God ? Have I loved His House? the Holy Scriptures? the Common Prayer and Praise ? loved all others on prin- ciple because I loved God in Whose image and likeness man is created, and for W^hom CHRIST died ? II. Thou shall not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the zvater tinder the earth. Thou shall not bowdozvn to thetn, nor worship them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sifis of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate 3Ie, REPENTANCE. II3 and shoiu mercy tmto thousands in thein that love Me, a7id keep My commandmetits. (^This conimand?ncnt forbids all wrong worship, and therefore cotnmands all tf'tie worship of the true GoD.) Have I lived in the neglect of the worship of God either in public or private ? how long ? missed my Morn- ing or Evening Prayers ? how often ? risen up too late to say them, or neglected them from unwillingness to say them ? used other opportunities of prayer ? said them reverently, kneeling, attentively, from my heart and without wilfully letting my thoughts wander? been to Church regularly? delayed to receive Holy Baptism, or Confinnation, from negligence, sloth, or any other cause? delayed or neglected to receive the Holy Communion ? been indifferent about it ? received it without due preparation, self-examination, repentance, and prayer ? received it infrequently and irregularly ? from any kind of unbelief been careless in receiving ? been careless afterwards, or neglected thanksgiving? received it for any human end — love, or fear of man, or the like ? ever denied the blessed truth of our Lord's Presence therein ? ever kept away from Church or any duty of religion from being offended with my Clergj'man? been in any way irreverent in Church by looking about needlessly, talking, laughing, &c., either in, before, or after the Services ? hindered others in their prayers and worship, or led others into irreverence ? devoutly follow- ed the service as in the presence of GoD? worshipped GoD with my body by kneeling upright, bowing, standing, taking my part in the responses — the Aniens? received the Holy Communion at Early Celebrations in preference to late ones so that I might receive fasting? What has been my demeanor in the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ on His Altar Throne? Have I remained on my knees before Him, or irreverently seated myself? Have I been a hypocritical formalist? worshipped GOD with my body while my heart was far from Him? per- 114 REPENTANCE. formed outward actions of worship for others to see me > Have my outward actions of worship expressed the in- ward faith, fear, love and realities of my heart ; and have I thus worshipped God in spirit and in truth ? Have I made an act of devotion before and after Service ? Have I neglected self-examination, reading Holy Scrip- ture ? had Family Prayers ? received the grace of Con- firmation, or Matrimony without due preparation ? con- fessed to a Priest, when necessary ; omitted to do so through false shame ; when preparingfor Confession, has it been done carefully ? made my Confession with sor- row for my sins, and full purpose of amendment ; and humbly received the counsel given me ? ///. Thou shall not lake the N'ame of the Lord thy God in vain ; for the Lord zvill not hold him guiltless that taketh LLis Name in vain. Have I used any oaths or profane words ? used the Name of God lightly — or to confirm an untnith? ever sworn to what I did not know to be true, saying, " I'll take my oath of it," or any such words ? had a habit of calling out "On my soul," "Good heavens," "O Lord," or such like exclamations? spoken lightly of religion in any way ? used the words of Holy Scripture lightly : to point a joke : laughed at others when they have done so — read it in an improper spirit — for wrong purposes? cursed myself or others? ever mocked or ridiculed the clergy ? — ignored the greatness and Divine Authority of their office ? ever acted irreverently in an empty Church as though it was not always and equally the House of God — in any way profaned the Church by irreverent conduct — the Font — the Altar — at the Church doors? ever led others into irreverence — countenanced irreverence when I could stop it ? ever been ashamed to show reverence at Church and to holy things — being afraid of being laughed at for doing so — laughed at others for doing so ? ever spoken against any duty en- REPENTANCE. II5 joined by the Church — against her ceremonies — need- lessly or conceitedly criticised sermons ? How have I kept my Baptismal Vows, any resolution made at my Confirmation, at the Holy Communion, or any other time ? Have I made any rash vows ? Have I wilfully concealed anything in confession, or slurred over any sin to avoid its full shame and censure ? For Members of Choirs. — Have I ever at Re- hearsals, or other times, ignored the presence of God in His Church? ever dared to sing God's Holy Name laughingly or lightly — to sing His praises without His fear in my heart ? talked needlessly, joked, laughed, passed notes, otherwise mis-behaved — not been attentive to the service, and taken my part therein with earnest devotion ? caused others to sin in these respects ? Has my motive in the choir been God's glory ? IV, Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all that thou hast to do ; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. Ill it thou shalt do no manner of ivork, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them, is, and rested the seventh day : wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it. Have I profaned the Lord's day by not attending when able the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, and the Church Services ? If I could not go to Church, failed to say special prayers and to read God's Word at home? kept others from going to Church ? spent the day in idle- ness, revelling, reading newspapers, unfit books — made it man's day and not the Lord's day, by seeking my own pleasure therein irrespective of the glory of GoD ? sought to rejoice on this day unto GoD and in God's will with a thankful heart and a quiet conscience ; taking Tl6 REPENTANCE. all proper rest and recreation, but not to the neglect of His Public Worship ? done work on Sundays that might be done at other times — bought and sold — traveled with- out reasonable cause ? put off till Sunday any work that ought to have been done in the week ? been lazy and idle on work-days — not done all GoD gave me to do ? been careful that my children, sen^ants, dependants should attend Church ? allowed myself or family to ne- glect Church through receiving company, visits, etc. ? failed to keep the Holy Days and Seasons of Christmas, Easter, Ascension-day, Whitsun-day, and other Holy Days as I was able, by devout presence at the Holy Eucharist, and the worship of God ? broken them by seeking on them mere worldly pleasure — by excess? kept Fridays by a rule of self-denial in food or other- wise — the great fast of Good Friday — Ash- Wednesday and Lent ? V. Honor thy Father and thy Mother ; that thy days may be long in the land, which the Lord thy God giveih thee. ( This commandment includes our duty to all our supe- riors, spiritual and temporal — also to our inferiors, and generally to all our relations and neighbors.^ Have I ever disobeyed my parents openly or secretly — done anything in their absence that I should not have dared to do in their presence —obstinately refused to obey them ? ever been sulky to them — caused them grief by my faults — spoken disrespectfully of them or to them — been unnecessarily a burden to them ? neglected to help them in sickness, poverty, or old age ? spoken to them with rude, angry, or impatient words ? ever de- ceived them — laughed at them — shown impatience of their infirmities? failed in love, tenderness, gratitude, to them ? been obstinate in taking my own way, disregard- ing their wishes or advice ? been otherwise than humble REPENTANCE. II7 and obedient to those who are set over me — jNI asters — Teachers — especially failed in my duty towards my spiritual Pastors ? been unwilling to learn humbly from God's Minister what is needful for my soul ? ever failed in respect, in thought, word, or deed, or encouraged others in such faults ? ever broken the law of the land ? ever acted unkindly towards my brothers or sisters — towards the poor, or towards sinners ? judged the rich or those above me rashly and uncharitably without cause ? failed in respect to aged persons ? been obstinate or conceited in my own opinion, refusing to receive advice ? been unkind to idiots or persons of weak intellect, making sport of them or in any other way ? If a parent. — Have I been careful to have my children Baptized as soon as possible — to teach them their prayers and the Christian Faith and Law — to train them up religiously by my own example — to take them with me to Church — to bring them in their early years for preparation for Confirmation and Holy Communion — removed them from occasions of sin, bad companions, bad books — corrected their faults with patience and not with temper — with firmness — not overlooked their faults — not indulged or spoiled them — been equally just to all of them — not hindered their marriage without just reason — nor forced them to marry — not forced them into a profession of my choice — not hindered their vocation when called to the Religious Life — earnestly prayed for them ? If a sponsor. — Have I done what I could to see that my God-children are taught the Catholic Faith, and become Communicants ? neglected to pray for them ? If a husband, or wife. — Have I prayed for my wife (husband) — set bad example — led into sin — been partaker in sin — not encouraged to truly serve God — broken my marriage promises — been wanting in love. Il8 REPENTANCE. kindness, obedience, duty — given occasions for jealousy — been unfaithful — neglected the reasonable wishes of — used angry, abusive words towards — neglected the comfort of — been wasteful or extravagant ? If a master or mistress. — Have I been careless of the souls of my servants — not given them opportunity of going to Church — not had Family Prayers — treated them unkindly — made their work too hard — found fault with them harshly, hastily, or without cause — failed to reprove their faults when necessary ? If a servant. — Have I been in any way unfaithful to my master or mistress — robbed, deceived, cheated them — allowed others to do so — defrauded them by giving any thing away without their knowledge — by idling away my time — wilfully wasted or spoiled their property — neglected to take care of what was put under my charge — disobeyed their orders — been disrespectful — obeyed or flattered them in anything sinful ? ever chosen a place of work where my faith or good character might be lost ? in any way led my fellow servants into sin ? VT. Thoii shalt do no mttrder. ( This Commandment is broken by every kind of anger and bad temper, by hatred, malice, and injuiy of others ; and also by not seeking other s good.) Have I ever been violently angry, or given way to a sullen, passionate, or pettish temper? What caused it? — How did I show it— in words or deeds ? Have I borne malice or hatred ? lived peacefully with all men ? done any harm to any one in anger — struck any one— tried to make others angry — called them names ? been quarrel- some — stirred up quarrels ? hurt the soul of any one by bad example, or persuasion — or leading them into sin ? been unforgiving — cherished desires of revenge — given way to resentment in thought or word ? refused to REPENTANCE. II9 be reconciled to others ? been fretful, irritable — sullen — gloomy — oppressive — spiteful ? In what instance ? harsh- ly and intemperately insisted on my rights and broken Charity although in the right ? asked forgiveness and made restitution when I have harmed any one ? prayed for my enemies, and sought to do them good ? Have I taken delight in hearing others evil spoken of — spoken of other's faults without cause — thought evil of them with unnecessary or uncharitable judgment — slandered or gossiped about them? Have I been as glad for other's good as for my own? — been envious — jealous? Have I told others their faults when it was my duty to do so? in meekness? — been more severe than needful when correcting others ? When vexed or in trouble, have I been cross with my wife or children ? been impatient in sickness or trouble — murmured or complained? been cruel to animals, beating, kicking, or in anyway ill-using them ? — was it in anger, wantonness, or love of cruelty ? tried to show sympathy to others — to help them — to make my life useful to my fellow-men — not seeking to be ministered unto, but to minister? sought to make others happy ? prayed for others, especially those related to me ? been thankful to those who took trouble or bore anxiety for me ? VII. Thoit shall not commit adutteiy. ( This commandtnent requires you to keep your body in temperance, soberjiess, and chastity, and forbids all excessive indulgence of the senses.^ Have I ever actually broken this commandment ? been guilty of immodest talking ? Did I begin it or join others ? Was it in the presence of children ? listened to such conversations, or failed to avoid occasion of hear- ing them ? suffered others to be too free in their be- haviour towards me ? persuaded or led others into sin ? read immodest books, or indecent accounts in news- papers — given way to such thoughts — or worse than I20 REPENTANCE. thoughts ? done or said anything, or dressed myself, to attract the admiration of others ? Examine yourself as to dress, behaviour, the company you keep, the places you go to — dancing — pleasure-making — songs — jests — pictures. Have I kept a vv^atch over my eyes ? been curious to enquire into what was contrary to perfect modesty ? avoided all occasions of this sin — not tampered in any way with temptation ? remembered that my body is the member of Christ my God, and the temple of God the Holy Ghost? Have I eaten or drank too much at any time? Examine yourself also as to the excessive use of tobacco — the use of opium — whatever may injure the health — idleness — taking too much sleep — neglect of fasting, and self-denial— excessive talking — unconsidered language. VIII. Thou shalt not steal. Have I taken anything belonging to another — parents or relations ? ever borrowed money or other property without returning it, destroyed the property of others by carelessness or otherwise (wasted my Master's time or property, or been careless of what was in my charge ?) run into debts without knowing whether I could pay them ? been careless about paying them — neglected or refused to pay them ? given too little wages for service ? given false or light weight or measure, sold anything above its value — taken advantage of the ignorance or weakness of others to do so — of persons of weak intel- lect ? knowingly given less than its value for anything ? been honest in little things as well as great ? pre- tended to be worse off (or more ill) than I was, and received money on that account ? neglected to make amends to those whom I have wronged ? ever knowingly passed false money ? undertaken any situation or busi- ness without sufficient knowledge — to the injury of my employer, or of any one ? ever received stolen goods, or aided in any fraud against a neighbour or against the REPENTANCE. 121 laws ? evaded paying toll or taxes ? got at others' secrets by wrong means ? given to others the full credit, honor, consideration due to them ? Have I robbed Almighty God by not giving to His Church, to the poor, for works of mercy, willingly, and according to my means ? Have I made full restoration, or such restitution as was iri my power, in case of sin. of theft, dishonesty, defama- tion, &c. IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neigh- bour. {This forbids all evil-speaking, lying, and slandering,~) Have I told a falsehood — how often — with what pur- pose — vanity — malice, in word or act, to hide a fault ? made false excuses or in any way made another believe that which is not true ? added to or diminished from the truth — hidden the truth — in any way deceived — been guilty of any kind of hypocrisy ? said anything about my neighbour which was not strictly true — raised suspicions of another — given way to suspiciousness ? spoken evil of any one ? — Was it spitefully, from jealousy, or idly ? Have I listened to evil-speaking, attributed motives — judged any one in matters I could not know ? told any secret entrusted to me — read letters intended for others — listened at doors ? spoken of the faults of others — taken pleasure in it — or in hearing them spoken of? ever flattered any one ? X, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbotif^s house, thou shalf not covet thy neighbour s wife, nor his servant, nor his tnaid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is his. Have I wished for things which GoD has not given me — murmured and given way to discontent — been dis- satisfied with God's will — complained against it — strug- gled against it ? not tried to do my best where God has 122 REPENTANCE. placed me ? Have I been pleased at another's misfor- tunes — desired another's hurt that I might be a gainer by it ? Have I wrongly wished for any particular thing belonging to my neighbor and taken improper means tr get it ? envied them their riches — clothes — talent — str tion — religious privileges — friends — attentions they re- ceive — anything in which I think them better off than myself ? been jealous or angry when others have been better liked or more praised than myself, or when I have heard of their having received something I should have liked ? been covetous with my money — keeping it for inyself — not giving away — making it an idol — in any way over anxious about it — or selfish? coveted or over- estimated the praise of men ? Have I made God's will the rule of my life ? desired and loved God's will in all things — prayed and labored to do so ? ever wished that it might be right to do what I knew was sin ? Questions in order to discover the easily besetting sin. When Death and the Day of Judgment and Hell come before you what sin most frightens you ? By what do you fall most often ? For what does your conscience most reproach you ? Against what have you made most good resolutions, and have broken them ? What is your most frequent temptation ? What fault does it seem the hardest to give up ? What makes you the most unhappy, or weighs most upon you when alone ? What seems most to keep you back from GoD, or afraid to think of Him? What seems to stand most in your way when you would wish to serve GoD ? About what does your conscience oftenest smite you in hearing God's Word, reading some good book, or in company of holy people? In what would you least like others to know you just as you are ? What frightens you from coming to the Holy Com- munion, or when you come to it ? What sin are you most tempted to conceal from your own self? — to excuse? On what subject do your thoughts most dwell upon when REPENTANCE. 1 23 you have nothing else to do ? Or amidst other occupa- tions what thoughts flash across you, come oftenest to you, and you entertain, or take pleasure in them? What have others most blamed in you ? When a child what was your chief fault of which your parents may the oftenest have told you ? ; In some or other of these luays GoD will show yotc wherein yoitr chief sin lies — pe^'haps He will show it you through those who know you well and love you : seek their help. HOW OFTEN TO EXAMINE YOURSELF. 1 . By this long form at least twice every year, in Ad- vent and in Lent — and 2. In preparation for Confirmation and First Com- munion, after which, unless you receive at long intervals you may use the shorter form hereafter provided — and 3. In preparation for Sacramental Confession, if at long intervals. 4. You should also examine yourself every night as to ^^ your thoughts, words, and deeds, and omissions of duty, of the day past. 5. Sometimes, as you are able, at Mid-day. 6. And you should live in watchfulness, self-recol- lection, and self-knowledge. II. GODLY SORROW. The second action of Repentance is Godly Sorrow. It is not enough to know your sins you must be truly sorry for them. Godly Sorrow or Contrition — 1. Comes from GoD as its Author. 2. Is unto God as its end : that is. is caused not alone 124 REPENTANXE. by regret through loss by sin of self-respect, of man's respect — through fear merely of the consequences of sin in this life or the next : but is pain felt for sin as a borrible evil committed against God Infinitely Holy, Lov- ing, and Good : as David said, "Against Thee, Thee on\y have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight." (Ps. 51: 4.) Godly Sorrow is caused by the fear of GOD, but is made perfect only by love for GoD : — is not grief for the consequence of sin, which sin indeed deserves, but for sin itself — therefore 3. Will take in «// your sins. 4. Make you turn from all with hatred of all. 5. Will somehow express itself before GoD by the ways of self-punishment, as fasting and self-denial, specially in Lent and on Fridays, by meek patience under humiliations and afflictions, by prayers and alms- giving, and other like tokens. (Read 2 Cor. vii : lO-ii.) 6. Will work the continual amendnent of your whole life in all God's Will and Grace. To get Godly Sorrow seek it by Meditation and Pray- er as follows : 1. Place before yourself as distinctly as you can the sins which have come to your remembrance, and their circumstances. 2. Consider Who God is against Whom you have sinned, how Great, how Good, how Gracious to you ; that because He loved you He created you for Himself, that He gave His Only Son to die for you, that He made you His child in Baptism, that He has loaded you with blessings and prepared Heaven for you. Consider how patient He has been with you, striving to turn your will unto His by the motions of His PIOLY Spirit Whom you have resisted and fought against — how long- sufifering in calling and urging you to repent. Say — O Most Loving God, O Infinite Goodness, I have sinned against Thy Love, Thy Grace : in Thine own presence and sight I have turned the powers of my being against Thyself Who gave them, and would sancti- REPENTANCE. 125 fy them : behold me in my vileness at Thy feet : O pity me, fill my heart full with grief for my sins. O my Father, my Creator, my Benefactor, grant me the grace of true contrition. 3. Consider the infinite wickedness of sin. Say — O my Saviour, I behold Thee on the Cross, torn and wounded. Thy Sacred Body streaming with Blood — j this is the work of my sin. In Thy Wounds, O Jesus my Saviour, grant me grace to see the unthankfulness of my heart and to read the greatness of the guilt and malice of my sins. By the greatness of Thy Pains and Sorrows, O my loving Redeemer, grant me grace to measure the hatefulness of my offences. 4. Place before your mind your Death, your Judg- ment at the last Day. Behold Heaven — and Hell. Consider the consequences of one mortal sin, how many souls are now in torment for one single, un repented, deadly sin, how many have I not committed! Say — O my God, how much do I owe Thee for not cutting me ofi in the midst of my sins ? By my sins I have cut myself off from Thee, and commenced Hell in my soul and incurred Everlasting Misery, I have chosen sin, devils, hell, in place of God, Angels, Heaven. For the sake of sin I have scorned and lost the love of Jesus, the sight of Jesus. I have said ' ' not Jesus, but my Oivn will, my own ruin." Heaven was my home; by sin I have given up my title to the glory of the blessed. Eternity is long, but by sin I have made it for myself an Eternity of woe. O my God, pity and help me : fill my heart full of sorrow and contrition : cause me to hate my sins with bitter, lasting enmity ; and wholly to turn to Thee my God, my Good, All-Loving, All- Mer- ciful, All-Bountiful, All-Worthy of my love, that I may rejoice with Thee in the Everlasting Salvation of my soul : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ameu 126 REPENTANCE. III. CONFESSION. The third action of Repentance is Confession unto God — not of our sinfulness, but of our sins, owning them, and taking the guilt of them upon ourselves. It is only by God's mercy through Christ that we cai re- ceive the forgiveness of our sins ; but before that cleans- ing can be affected, it is ordained by Him that we slx)uld present those sins to Him for cleansing ; or rather, that we should present ourselves to Him, pointing to those defilements from which we desire to be cleansed, laying them down before Him, praying that the Blood of Christ may flow over that particular sin of o.irs to which we point, that particular defilement, and tliat it may be perfectly washed away. And this pointing to our individual sins, and presenting them thus before God for pardon, is what is meant in Holy Scripture by Confession of Sin. ' ' I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord, and so Thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin," (Ps. xxxii : 6). "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness," (i S. John i : 9). It is true that we cannot know all our sins ; but if we do our best to find them out, and confess those we knew, we may then, and not till then, confidently hope for the pardon of those which are hidden from us. It will be well, in your self-exammation, to say each time you are convicted of a sin : In this have I sinned : Lord, have mercy upon me. Then in conclusion say this confession : *ft In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. O Lord Jesus Christ, Very God and Very Man, my Creator and Redeemer ; I grieve with my whole heart that I have offended Thee, my Lord and my God ; Whom I desire to love above all things ; I con- fess to Thee that I have broken Thy Holy Command- REPENTANCE. I27 vci.QXii'&'by (^Here 7tai}ie your sitis in ordej'^ and by other transgressions which I cannot now remember. I desire earnestly to sin no more. I resolve to shun all occasions of sin. O Blessed Lord, in satisfaction for my sins, I offer to Thee Thy Most Sacred Life, Thy Passion and Thy Death, and the whole price of Thy Blood, which was shed for us. O Blessed Jesus, of Thine infinite goodness and mercy, by the merits of Thy precious Blood forgive me all my sins, loose me from their chains, pour on me the riches of Thy Grace that I may live holily and serve Thee perfectly to the end, O Saviour of my soul, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, One GoD, world without end. Amen, Our Father, ecc. Fi'ayers for Pardon and Amendment, I. />^ O Most Compassionate Lord Jesus Christ, I, un- worthy sinner, call to Thy memory all the holy Thoughts which from Eternity hitherto Thou hast ever had, above all that one whereby Thou, Eternal Word, thoughtest to become Man. O Most Merciful Lord, I pray from my heart of hearts, that Thou in turn wilt pardon me all the vain, foul, and evil thoughts which up to this time I have against or beside Thy Will entertained, or in any way caused others to entertain. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. II. Most Pitiful Lord Jesus Christ, I, miserable sin- ner, call to Thy Memory all the good and health-giving Words which Thou ever utteredst on earth. 1 pray Thee humbly, O Good Jesus, forgive me all 128 REPENTANXE. the words which I have up to this time uttered against Thy Will, or have caused others to utter. O Lamb of GoD, That takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. III. Most Loving Lord Jesus Christ, I, unworthy sin- ner, yet redeemed by Thy precious Blood, call to Thy Memory all the good Works which for our salvation Thou wroughtest in the earth. 1 beseech Thee, Most Pitiful Lord, pardon me what- soever by my ill-doing I have knowingly, or unknowing- ly, committed against Thy Law and the glory of Thy Name, or have caused others to commit ; and all that by neglect of good works I have left undone. And now, O Most Kind Lord, direct and order all my thoughts, words, and works according to Thy good pleasure, to the praise of Thy Name, and conform them to the perfect rule of Thy most holy Life and Conver- sation. Thine I am, O Lord, and will be, in life and in death. Into Thy Hands I command myself and all I am. O Lamb of God, That takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. Our Father, etc. A short Litany. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. O God, Who wouldest notthe death of a sinner, but his repentance. Who calledst Adam after his fall to acknowledge his guilt. Who forgavest the sins of Thy disobedient peo- ple at the prayer of Moses. REPENTANCE. I29 Who broughtest David to confess his sin. Who didst put away his sin upon his confession, Who sparedst Ahab when he humbled himself, Who camest into the world to save sinners. Who broughtest salvation to the house of Zac- cheus, when he restored fourfold, Who heardest the Canaanite, when she perse- >■ vered in prayer. Who forgavestthe many sins of Mary Magdalene who loved much, Who didst forgive and heal the sick, bidding them *' sin no more," Who looking upon Peter didst call him to con- fess his fault, and weep bitterly. Who didst promise Paradise to the penitent thief on the Cross, ' Who didst bear our sins in Thine own Body on the Tree, Who after repentance rememberest all our sins no more, O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me, and grant me Thy peace. Our Father, etc. J^or other Devotions use the Prayers against the Deadly sins on page2,2)Ctlso the Penitential Psalms which are Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143. HOW OFTEN TO CONFESS. 1. By special act before Confirmation, Holy Com- munion, Marriage ; in Advent and Lent ; in sickness. 2. And every night of your life. 3. And by mental act, if you can make no other, every time you sin, asking at once wkh repentance for God's pardon. SACRAMENTAL CONFESSION. Our Lord Jesus Christ has provided yet another I30 REPENTANCE, way of confessing our sins to GOD, namely, through the Office of His Priests to whom He has committed the Ministry of Reconciliation — that is, the Office to represent and act for Him, and in His Name to convey by word of mouth His direct pardon to individual penitents. (See S. John xx : 21-22-23 I 2 Cor. v : 18-21.) Do not think confession to a Priest is in itself one of the errors of the Church of Rome. " The use of pri- vate confession is an inherent I'ight of sinners, and the power of absolution is involved in the office of every Priest." Such is the teaching of Holy Scripture and the doctrine of the Catholic Church. The Romish error lies in the abuse of this Means of Grace, and chief- ly in making it compidsoiy upon all as essential to their forgiveness. The Catholic Church declares it as a Special Divine Remedy for sin, highly needful, even necessary, for some ; and a blessed privilege and means of holier life for all, if they hicmbly and heartily desire it. Read what the Prayer Book says at the end of the Exhortation which the Priest is to use in giving notice of the Holy Communion, The language of the English Church Prayer Book in the same place is yet more explicit, declaring "The Benefit of Absolution" as the first end of such confes- sion. And in the Preface to the American Prayer Book it is laid down as a principle that " This Church is far from intending to depart from the Church of England in any essential point of Doctrine, Discipline, or \Vor- ship." The same remarks apply to the Directions of the American Church in the offices for the Sick and Pris- oners, compared with the similar Directions (more ex- plicit) in the Office for the Sick in the English Prayer Book. Confession to a Priest is not a privilege confined to the sick or prisoners. Prisoners are not the only ones who have committed grievous sins. And sick people are often not so near death as other people are who seem quite well. "What is well to do in sickness in pre- REPENTANCE. I3I paration for death is yet more advisable in health when we have full possession of our faculties and greater time and opportunity. " Live this day as if thy last." If your soul is sick, and needs this special remedy, do not wait till your body is sick also before you seek it. Repentance is not true, unless entire. If you go to Confession you must confess all the sins you know, or the Priest cannot know how true is your repentance. He will then, if he thinks proper, give you Absolution. If you are really penitent his Absolution will be the Forgiveness of Almighty God Himself, taking effect on your soul and life. You may be as certain, then, that your sins are pardoned as the man was to whom our Lord said, "Son be of good cheer ; Thy sins be for- given thee." (S. Matt, ix : 2. See also verses 6 and 8.) For Jesus has said, by His Priest, the same words to you. Do not regard what people so ignorantly say, that " The Priest cannot forgive sins." This is true enough in one sense, for only God can forgive sins. But God does so, and makes known that He does so, through means which He has ordained for that purpose ; and those means are. His Ministers and Sacraments. It j^ might as well be affirmed that the Priest cannot Baptise, /v for Baptism gives Regeneration and Remission of sins. Only God can Baptise, but He does so by the Ministry of His Priests. What the Priest does, by the Com- mand and Authority of Christ, it is not the Priest but Christ Himself Who does it. The Priest is only the ofhcer and instrument of Christ. As the Priest can say, I Baptise thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; so he can say, I Absolve thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. when to use sacramental confession. I. If you cannot by your own preparation come to the Holy Communion with a quiet consciefice, that is. 132 REPENTANCE. with a full trust in God's mercy that your sins are for- given. Have you for a long time not gone to the Holy Communion ? Then your conscience cannot safe- ly be quiet. On the other hand, are you preparing for Holy Communion with a quiet conscience ? Why is your conscience quiet ? Is it because you have no un- repented and unforgiven sins— or because you are asleep ? 2. If you are grieved and wearied with the burden of your sins — troubled with any weighty matter — and long for a more effectual cure than you have yet had. Are you troubled ? Does sin lie heavy on your conscience ? If so, make your confession and " open your grief." If not, is it because there is no weighty matter ? or because you do not feel it. and are not ' ' weary and heavy la- den?" 3. If you need enlightment and counsel as to your sins — duties — repentance — difficulties and perplexities of your life. 4. If you have great difficulty in overcoming your sin, for Absolution is deliverance not alone from the guilt but also from the power of sin. 5. If you desire to express more fully your sorrow be- fore God by punishing yourself and taking on yourself before His Officer the shame and guilt of your sins. 6. If God moves you luith the tuish to confess that you may forsake sin more vehemently, live a more safe and watchful life, and serve Him more devoutly. If you think you should go to Confession, let nothing keep you back. Consider — 1. It is better to be ashamed here, than to be con- demned hereafter. To be ashamed of sin, and to take shame for sin, is the blessed way out of shame into Eter- nal Honor. 2. The Lord Jesus would not have given the power of Absolution to His Priests if He did not think it good or needful for some or many souls. Does your soul need it ? REPENTANCE. I33 3. Gob's Priest is only a sinner like yourself. He knows that you and he are sinners. He will know you after Absolution as a pardoned sinner. 4. God's Priest will not speak to any one about your sins. It would be a very great sin for him to do so. He knows very well that he would lose his soul, if he broke the seal of confession. 5. Priests sometimes make mistakes. So do doctors and lawyers ; yet we go to them, when our lives and es- tates are in danger. Do you value your soul ? Do yoii believe that it is in danger ? DIRECTIONS. 1. You are not obliged to go to your Parish Priest. " To me," he is taught to say, " or to some other Minister of God's Word." Only be careful, if possible, to choose a Priest who is holy, learned, discreet — one who himself goes to Confession. 2. See him and he will appoint a time to meet ycu in the Sacristy or Church. 3. Then prepare, as in the sight and Judgment of God. Use the Form of Examination given above, or some other ; and write your sins m order, unless you are quite sure you can remember them. 4. Kneel down in the appointed place, and, after the Priest has prayed and taken his seat, begin your Confes- sion. Speak plainly that he may hear. Do not hurry or be confused. Speak unto God. Say — tfiln the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. I confess to God the Father Almighty, to His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, and to God the Holy Ghost, before the whole Company of Heaven, and to you, my Father, that I have sinned exceed- ingly in thought, word, and deed, by my fault, by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault. Es- pecially I accuse myself that (since my last Confession 134 REPENTAN'CE. which was ago) I have {Be careful to name your sins orderly^ that is, tender the heading of the Ten Co?n??iandmejtts ; or, if you desire, of the Deadly Sins, or by some other system. Yoti will then not be liable to become confused, and you will help the Triest to understand you . ) After your Confession, say — For these and all other my sins which I cannot now remember, I am heartily sorry, firmly purpose amend- ment, most humbly ask pardon of God ; and of you, my Spiritual Father, penance, counsel, and Absolution. Wherefore I pray GoD the Father Almighty, His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Ghost to have mercy upon me ; and desire you my Father, to pray for me to the LORD our GOD. Amen. You may add this Act of Cojitidtion : O my God, I am heartily sorry for having sinned thus against Thee, because thereby I have offended Thee, Who art my chief and only Good. I utterly hate my sins, because they displease Thee. From this moment I intend, with Thy help, to flee from all causes, occa- sions, and danger of sin, and I resolve to take all pain and trouble which may come upon me as a fitting punish- ment from Thee for my sins. " A broken and contrite heart, O GoD, Thou hast promised not to despise." Amen. 5. Listen, then, to all that the Priest says to you. Answer him with truth, and as plainly as you can. Be ready to do what he tells you, and to follow his advice about keeping from sin. When he gives you the Abso- lution, hear Jesus Christ your Lord saying to you, through His Minister, the words of peace and grace. 6. Before you leave the Church give GOD thanks. REPENTANCE. I35 A Thanksgiving after Confession : O Most Merciful God, Who according to the multi- tude of Thy mercies dost so put away the sins of those who truly repent that Thou rememberest them no more, look graciously upon me, Thine unworthy servant, and accept Avhat I have now done for Thine Own mercies' sake. O most loving Father, I give Thee humble thanks that of Thy great goodness Thou hast bestowed upon me the pardon and forgiveness of all my sins. O may Thy love and pity supply whatever has been want- ing in the fulness of my confession, and earnestness of my sorrow, and according to that same love vouchsafe to have me fully absolved in heaven, and grant me the help of Thy grace, that I may never fall back into the sins I have repented of, but may diligently amend them [especially ] and persevere in Thy sers'ice to the end, through Jesus Christ our Lord ; to Whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be honor and glory world without end. Amen. If you have time, say Psalm ciii. Praise the Lord, O my soul. A Prayer when Absolution has been defenrd : O Lord my God, do Thou give me the spirit of true repentance, and take away from me all that separates me from Thee. Assist me, by Thy grace, to gain true sor- row for my sins, and to form a sincere resolution to amend my life. I have wearied Thee, yet turn Thou, O Lord, once more, and seek Thy servant, and I shall live ; have mercy on me, and succour me with Thy grace. Create in me a new heart, and renew a right spirit within me ; give me grace that I may carefully avoid all occa- sions of sin, diligently keep all my good resolutions, and obtain from Thee the full pardon of all my offenses j through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 7. Be very watchful and self-recollected after your Absolution. Receive the Holy Communion as soon as 136 REPENTANCE. possible. Do not talk idly to others about your confes- sion or theirs. It is a sin not to treat Confession and Absolution with a sacred reserve. IV. AMENDMENT. The fourth action of Repentance is Amendment of life. Amendment is the purpose of Repentance, and the test of the reality and sincerity of our Self-examination, Sor- row, and Confession. Where we have broken God's law in the past, now we will be keeping it by the whole- hearted endeavor of our life : what we have left undone of duty, now we are performing. A ixwe pejii tent is one who can say, as the case may be, I was proud, now I am growing humble — false, now truthful — irritable and angry-spirited, now meek and loving — neglected prayer, now regular in my prayers, etc., etc. , Unless there is an actual change unto better and better things, there is no Repentance and no Forgiveness. This change is, in one sense, complete : in another sense, incomplete, but ever growing more perfect. 1. Complete as to the will and intention, wholly, in God's grace, turned from all sin and wholly given to all God's commandments, 2. Incomplete, but ever growing more perfect, as to the accomplishment, through Grace, of that work of holiness which the will purposes ; for the accomplish- ment is, in many things, necessarily gradual, and some- times so slow as hardly to be perceived, except after long intervals of time. There will be many falls into sin, but constant rising again out of sin unto greater and more successful efforts of resistance, continual battling against sin with wholehearted and persistent determination— and ultimate triumph. REPENTANCE. I37 Repentance is thus a life-long work involving con- tinual Self-examination, renewed and deepening Contri- tion, repeated Confessions, and Prayers for Pardon, and so also perpetual Amendment and unceasing improve- ment and progress ; so that true penitejits become less and less sinful, more and more holy. The Christian Life, which is the Life of Penitence, is therefore called in God's Word a Way, a Race, a War- fare, a Growth, a Building in course of erection ; for penitents advance, go on from grace to grace, from strength to strength, from virtue to virtue — and they will in the Last Day have reached the Perfection to which in this life they are in 'Ca.o. pivcess of attaining. Repentance is thus described in the words of the Baptismal Service — the ^' cojitinua//y mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections," and the '■'^ daily proceedmg in <«// virtue and godliness of living." C-'V^ ^^tc^^Ly ftr<^ CL't^'-c- t-*-<^ -'^'C^^^'-r-' ^^-Z'tyyxy ^^^X^-^-t*/ PART III. THE COMMON WORSHIP, I. THE NECESSITY OF COMMON WORSHIP AS THE MEANS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE ME- DIATION OF CHRIST, Many people think they need not go to Church. They may, if they choose, pray at home, they say, as well as at Church. This is a sinful error, destructive of the Christian Religion. We have no access unto God directly, that is, by our natural powers by creation. That way is broken off by sin. If no other way is pro- vided, then we are lost souls separate from GOD. But another way is provided. *' There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus," (i Tim. ii : 5). We have access unto God, then, only through the "One Mediator," "the Man Christ Jesus." He said, " I am the Way .... No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me," (S. John xiv : 6). Unless we come by Him, we need not try to come at all. And Jesus has told us how to come by Him. We "must be born again" "of water and of the Spirit." It is only as members of His Church that the Lord Jesus Christ receives us. When we are baptized into the Church of Christ, and thus made mem- bers of His Body, then Christ owns us for His people, and represents us before His Father as one with Him- self. And only as we continue in living union with His THE COMMON WORSHIP. I39 Body, the Church, can we continue to share in the benefits of His Mediation. But as soon as we are able in our own responsibility to exercise the powers of our Christian nature, then we cannot continue living members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Catholic Church, unless we take part in that common voice and action of prayer and worship which necessarily expresses the Corporate Life, share in those public functions of His religion, those federal rites which minister to, and denote, the Life of the Body, and of ourselves as members of the Body. Hence appears the necessity of Common Worship as the means of participating in the Mediation of Christ. Unless we attend the Common Worship, as GoD gives us power, we are not living, but dying, members of the Church, lose our portion and privilege in Christ, and fall back into the nature of the first Adam, which is separate from God. This peculiar character and blessedness of Public Worship our Lord signified when He said, "Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in tlie midst of them," (S. Matt, xviii : 20). He meant that his Mediatorial Presence is realized by the united action of His people in His Body, the Church; for their union with each other in Him itself shows and pleads before God that Nature of Christ in which they unite, and in which alone are they able to have access to the Throne of Grace. So be mindful that the efficacy of our prayers at home depends upon the Mediation of Christ, and we have no part in His Mediation unless living members of His Church, and are not living members of His Church un- less speaking in the voice, acting in the action, living in the life of the Church, the Collective Body of Christ, through which all His blessings flow to us ; just as our tongue or hands would not be living, but dying, mem- bers of our body, if they did not speak and act in the life common to the body. A 140 THE COMMON WORSHIP. Private prayers, then, however necessary, have no true efficacy if disconnected fjvm ike corporate fnnctio7is, the public ordinances, of the religion of Christ. If we pray as separating ourselves in any manner from the Church we are not praying as Christians, even though we use the name of Christ, simply because we are not praying in that Nature which confers the Christian character, and which Christ represents in Heaven. '^ In brief, it is very plain that we must act like members of the Church, or we lose the blessings we have got by being born into it. Keep in mind those words of GOD, "Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is," (Heb. x : 25). II. the days of christian worship. 1. There is one day in each week set apart by Al- mighty God's will for His special worship, the Lord's Day, the Day of the Resurrection of Christ. Do not allow yourself to be deceived in this matter ; for to be absent from Church on Sunday without due cause is to separate yourself from the Mediation of Christ, to com- mit the sin of disobedience and unthankfulness, and to incur a grievous loss of Divine Grace. 2. The other Feasts of Obligation are those of Christ- mas, The Circumcision, The Epiphany, The Annuncia- tion, The Ascension, and All Saints. 3. Beside these days, if we consider the special priv- ilege of the common prayer, we shall go to Church as often as we can at other times, especially on the great Fasts of Ash-Wednesday, Maundy-Thursday, and Good- Friday. The Church invites her children to daily worship. hi. the services. The services for public worship are mainly of two kinds, the Holy Liturgy, and the Divine Offices. I. The Holy Liturgy, or solemn Eucharistic service, is distinguished from every other ser\'ice — THE COMMON WORSHIP. I4I (a.) Because our Blessed Lord Himself ordained it to be the one essential act of Christian worship when He said, " Do this in remembrance of Me," that is "Offer this for My Memorial," (S. Luke xxii : 19). (b.) Because therein He vouchsafes His real Presence, that He may be offered and pleaded before GoD, Who is the Propitiation for our sins, and our Thank-offering infinitely acceptable to GOD ; and also that He may be "our spiritual Food and Sustenance in that Holy Sac- rament." This, then, is the chief function of Divine worship, and by it we approach unto God in and through the merits and mediation of Christ in a manner which is not possible through any other service. 2. The Divine Offices of Mattins and Even-Song are ordained by the Church. They cannot take the place of, and are never to be substituted for, the Holy Eucharist. They are subordinate services, attendants and safeguards of the Holy Eucharist, dependent upon, and ministering to, the One Essential Service, and deriving their true . efficacy only as used in proper relation with it. 7? You should attend the Divine Offices, for they are S necessary in their place ; but it is necessary in yet a / higher sense for you to attend the Holy Sacrifice. The I Blessed Sacrament is of such necessity and obligation ^ that without it, if you are an adult, you cannot be saved. "^ 3. The Holy Liturgy is so called because it is the Se7-vice which GoD gave, and in which His Priests and people minister, (Acts xiii : 2). It has other names such as — 1. The Sacrament of the Altar; because oii}a^ place where It is celebrated, and because It is the Sacrifice which we offer unto God. It is, therefore, called the Anaphora, the Oblation, the Holy Sacrifice, and by similar titles, (Heb. xiii : 10 ; Mai. i : ii ; i Cor. xi : 26). 2. The Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ ; because of the Real Presence of our Saviour's Body and Blood on the Altar in this Sei-vice, (i Cor. xi : 29). 142 THE COMMON WORSHIP. 3. The Eucharist ; because It is the Offering by which we thank and praise God, (i Cor. xiv : 16 ; i S, Tim. ii : I ; Heb. xiii : 15). 4. The Mass : an ancient word, the exact meaning of which is uncertain ; and which, therefore, itself myste- rious, is fitted to denote the Holy Mystery of the Altar. This word appears to be in such names as Christmas, Candlemas, and Lammas. 5. The Lord's Supper ; because in It we eat the Flesh of Christ, and drink His Blood, though in no carnal or material manner. 6. The Holy Communion ; because in It we are made one with CHRIST, and Christ with us, (i Cor. x : 16). IV. three things in the blessed sacrament. 1. The outward visible sign ; — bread and wine. 2. The inward part and thing signified : — the Body and Blood of Christ. 3. The benefits conferred thereby. But they who wickedly communicate receive condemnation. V. three points of the doctrine. 1. The real presence of Christ. 2. As our Sacrifice. 3. And our Spiritual Food. ^ I. THE REAL PRESENCE. The Holy Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ under the forms of bread and wine, (S. John vi:5i). Christ instituted It just before His Crucifixion (S. Matt, xxvi : 26-28), and empowered and bade His Apostles and their successors, the Priests of His Church, to " Do this" (S. Luke xxii : 19), that is, offer this sacri- fice, as He had done, until the end of time. CiiRiST did so that, even after the withdrawal of His visible presence, He might still really be with His Church, (S. THE COMMON WORSHIP. I43 Matt, xxvi : 20 ; S. John xiv : i8). Therefore when the Priest breaks the Bread and blesses the Cup as Christ did, and says in the Consecration prayer the words which Christ said, the Bread and Wine become "verily and indeed" the Body and Blood of Christ; and where His Body and Blood are, there is Very Christ Himself. The outward elements of Bread and Wine do not cease to be what they were before, but they becofne what they were not before ; even as in the beginning GoD breathed the breath of life into that body which He had created, and man became a living soul, (Gen. ii : 7) ; and as in the Incarnation the Word became Flesh, and two Natures were united in one Person, without " confusion of substance." (Athan. Creed.) We cannot tell how the Bread and Wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, except that it is by the power of the Holy Ghost, exerted in the act of Consecration through the agency of the Priests of the Church, to whom Christ gave authority, (i Cor. xi : 24 ; Heb. v : 4.) Although we cannot explain this Mystery yet we must carefully notice that our Blessed Lord is present in the Eucharist through the presence therein of the Very Substance of His Man's Nature. The consecrated Sacrament is the same Body which was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, is now in Heaven, only pre- sented to our sight under another form. And, further. His Manhood is present in the Eucharist : — 1. Not, therefore, as It may be said to be present everywhere, by conjunction and co-operation with His Divine Nature. 2. Nor again, as It is present in Heaven where He ascended, and will remain, until He comes again in Judgment, and where Its presence is local and natural. 3. But after a third manner of presence (no less real than is Its presence in Heaven, and no way conflicting with Its presence in Heaven) whicli is supra-local and supernatural, divine, ineffable, incomprehensible, called Sacramental because peculiar to the Holy Eucharist, and 144 1"KE COMMON WORSHIP. altogether mysterious; which presence is after a law of Spiritual Life and Divine Power which utterly transcends our knowledge; a presence which is to be believed, but the manner of which cannot be understood. How can man fathom the knowledge, the power, the operation of the Infinite GoD? 2. AS OUR SACRIFICE. Christian worship is a sacrifice or offering made to God by the people, together with the Priest acting for them according to his office. The sacrifices offered are — i. Prayer ; 2. Praise ; 3. Gifts of our worldly substance; 4. And these are of no worth unless they express and convey the offering also of ourselves and our life to God. 5. But all these offerings are worthless in themselves unless offered through the "Mediator," "the Man Christ Jesus," unless united with the offering of the Incarnate God, Who was slain for us on the Cross, Who appears for us in Heaven, Who is present in the Divine Mysteries on the Altars of His Church on earth — the I.amb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world. There is only one Offering which we can present unto God which is All-Holy and acceptable to Him, His Only Begotten Son in our nature, in Whom He is well pleased. We make this Offering in words in our prayers "through Jesus Christ our Lord," but in Actual Reality in the Holy Eucharist, where we offer : — 1. Bread and Wine that they may become, through His Consecration, the Body and Blood of Christ. 2. Christ Himself present under the forms of bread and wine. Through this Offering our prayers, praises, alms, and ourselves, our souls and bodies, united with Christ, become sanctified and acceptable to GOD, through the merits of His Mediation. THE COMMON WORSHIP. I45 The word "sacrifice" (like the words "church," "school," etc.,) has in this connection two significations. It signifies (i) the act of slaying a victim ; (2) the victim itself which has been slain. In the first sense we speak of the Sacrifice on the Cross ; in the second of the Sacrifice of the Eucharist. The Body of Christ was sacrificed once for all on the Cross, (Heb. vii : 27 ; ix : 26, 28) ; but is continually offered to God by our Risen and Ascended Lord through His natural presence in Heaven, and His supernatural presence vouchsafed in the Holy Eucharist in His Church on earth. The ceremonies on the great Day of Atonement (Lev. xvi : II, 14, 15) typified the two-fold nature of Christ's Sacrifice. He, the Great High Priest, offered Himself to die on the Cross (Heb. vii : 27) in Jerusalem, God's Holy Place, (Ps. ii : 6 ; xlviii : 2 ; S. Matt, v : 35), and then went up to Heaven, the Most Holy Place, (Heb. ix : 24 ; X : 19), to offer His Blood in the Presence of His Father, (lb. ix : 12. 23, 24.) As far as pain and death are concerned, our Lord's Sacrifice of Himself is over, for He suffered once for all, (Rom. vi : 10 ; Heb. vii : 27 ; ix : 12, 26, 28 ; x : 12); but, having thus suffered He remains a Priest and a Sacrifice for ever, (Heb. vi : 20 ; vii : 15, 16, 17, 24, 25), " the Lamb as It had been slain," (Rev. v :6), the per- petual Sacrifice and Propitiation for our sins appearing in the Presence of God for us, (Heb. ix : 24). He will exercise His Priestly Office and be our Mediatorial Sac- rifice in Heaven until He comes again in glory, (i Cor. xi : 26), because we are always sinning, and are there- fore always needing propitiation for our sins, (i S. John 1:7 ; ii :i,.2). That which Christ is doing i n. Heaven , the Church, which is His Body, (Eph. i : 22, 23), does qn_earth by celebrating the Holy Eucharist; and thus "showing forth," noi before men, but before Gup, His Death, by offering and pleading Himself, the" Cmcified but 146 THE COMMON WORSHIP. Risen and Ascended Lord, (i Cor. xi : 26 ; S. Luke xxii : 19). Hence this is the essential Act of Christian worship, and is thus dependent upon the reality of our Lord's presence. It is the doing in act what we say in zaords at the end of our prayers, " through Jesus Christ." "Thankfulness is the absorbing idea of worship in the Church of the redeemedj" But the only thank-off- ering we can offer acceptably to God, that which sancti- fies every other action and gift of gratitude, is our Blessed Lord Himself. Hence the Altar Service is called the Eucharist or Thanksgiving, and " our Sacri- fice of praise and thanksgiving." For the Offering of Jesus Christ upon the Cross was the only perfect ack« nowledgment of the sovereignty of God and of that which is due unto God, the one spotless Offering by which alone true and worthy praise has been given to God. We offer Him in the Eucharist Who alone has given, Who alone can give, on behalf of man, holy and sufficient thanks to God, Who is Himself the Infinite Gift of Praise and Glory to God. "We have an Altar, and Jesus is set forth thereon as the true Object wherein God delights. He came to do God's will : to offer that wherein GoD should be well pleased : He gives Himself to us that we may make the same Offering, and it is by Him therefore that we must offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually," (Heb. xiii : 15). 3. AND our spiritual FOOD. In addition to being a re-presentation of Christ's Sacrifice, the Eucharist is a Sacrament of Communion (i Cor. X : 16), in which Christ unites Himself to us (Rev. iii : 20 ; S. John xv : 5) by feeding us with His Body and Blood, (S. John vi : 55, 56); and thus, in Him, we are united to all His members, (i Cor. x : 17), The chief type of the Eucharist under this aspect was the Passover, in which the Jews ate of a lamb which THE COMMON WORSHIP. 147 had been slain, (Exod. xii : 3); and therefore Christ is called "our Passover," (i Cor. v : 7), for we feed (S. John vi : 54) upon Him Who is the Lamb of God, (S. John i : 29, 36 ; i S. Pet. i : 19 ; Rev. v : 6). Other types of the Eucharist were the Bread and Wine which Abram received at the hand of Melchiz- cdek, (Gen. xiv : 18, 19). The blessing of corn and wine given to Jacob but withheld from Esau, (Gen. xxvii:37). The manna, "What is this ?" mysterious food, (Exod, xvi : 15.) The flour and the wine, which, together with the lamb, formed the continual burnt- offering, (Exod. xxix : 40 ; Lev. xxiii : 13). The cake of barley bread which fell into the camp of IMidian, and caused Gideon to overthrow his enemies, (Judg. vii : 13). The cake which strengthened Elijah until he reached the mount of GOD, (i Kings xix : 6.) fl^ The Baptismal life will languish and die unless sup- ported by "the Living Bread." The Holy Communion is the essential means of growth and strength of the Christian life. Our Blessed Lord, in giving Himself therein vouchsafes to His people a Gift the greatest and most precious there is, and One which involves the communication of all possible grace. The Holy Com- munion is the highest and closest relationship with Christ our Lord in His Church on earth, which is only further developed in the blessed state of souls in Paradise, and thereafter will become the perfect bliss of the Saints in the Beatific Vision of God in Heaven VI. adoration of CHRIST IX THE HOLY EUCHARIST. "We adore the flesh of Christ in the Mysteries." — S. Ambrose. "Calling upon Him Who is worshipped upon the Altar."— 5. Greg. Naz. " No one eateth that flesh till he have first adored," — S. Augustine. " Enormous is the error of the more rigid Protestants 148 THE COMMON WORSHIP. who deny that Christ is to be adored in the Eucharist, save with an internal and mental adoration, but not with any outward rite of worship, as by kneeling, or in some other similar position of the body. They, with few exceptions, hold wrong views concerning the pres- ence of Christ the Lord in the Sacrament, Who is present in a wonderful but true manner." — Bishop William Forbes. " Christ Himself, the Substance of the Sacrament, in and with the Sacrament, out of and without the Sacra- ment, is, wherever He is, to be adored." — Bishop An- dre-wes. VII. THE altar. The Altar is the Holy Table whereon CHRIST is offered. It is made unlike ordinary tables for the sake of reverence. In honor of GoD our Saviour it is made beautiful with costly Vestments, Lights, and Flowers, and is surmounted by His Cross. The Altar has been described by such Titles as these : The Venerable Altar ; The Life-Bringing Table ; The Life-Bearing ; The Altar of GoD ; Prepared (or adorned) and Sacred Altar ; Altar to be Reverenced ; Mystic and Royal Table ; Table having the Lamb ; Most Tremendous Altar ; Divine ; Table of the Peace of Christ ; God's Chair of State ; The Tabernacle of Christ's Glory : The Eye of the Church ; God's Throne and Mercy-Seat ; " That I may say of the Holy Altar, as David of the Holy City, Glorious things are spoken of thee, O thou Altar of God." ^ VIII. reverence for the altar. Siftce the Altar is the Throne of God and the place of His special manifestation, we not only regard it with dear and sacred reverence, but otitivardly show such reverence by bowing the head as we approach or leave, or pass before it. "for the relation to God Almighty.'' THE COMMON WORSHIP. I49 It is an expression of honor of like kind with bowing to each other when we pass in the street, only differing iji degree ; the intention, in this case, being religious, as ac- knowledging the relative sanctity and honor of the Altar, for that it is "God's Throne and Mercy-Seat," iJi use at the time of the Holy Mystery, established, designated by Him for such use at all times ; therefore always the place where, in greater or less degree, His honor dwell- eth. Such outward action of reverence is according to God's own teaching and will. He said, " Ye shall reV' erence Aly Sanctuary. And see, for instance, Exod. iii: 5. But after the consecration in the Holy Eucharist we will bow or genuflect and kneel to render Worship to the Lord Himself Who is now occupying His Throne. IX. THE VESTMENTS OF THE ALTAR. The Altar is made beautiful with embroidered cloths whose colors denote the days and seasons of the Chris- tian year and make the Eucharistic Scriptures yet more pointed in their application. The colors ordinarily are: White, for joy ; Purple, for penitential sorrow ; Black, for Good-Friday ; Red, to denote the fire of love, and also martyrdom ; Green, for Immortality. Over the Altar vestments is spread the fair, white linen cloth, (Fair means beautiful with embroidery), upon which the Priest unfolds the Corporal at the time of the Blessed Sacrament, and which remains on the Altar as the con- stant memorial thereof. It is coveredjon top by ^ green cloth to protect it. X, THE ALTAR CROSS AND LIGHTS. On one of the steps or re-tables, which should form part of the Reredos, is placed in the centre a Cross ; for at the Altar is shown and pleaded before GOD Him Who died on the Cross, the Memorial of His Blessed Sacrifice of Atonement is made, and we obtain all the benefits of His Passion. We can approach the Blessed I50 THE COMMON WORSHIP. Sacrament also only by the way of the Cross — that is. by true repentance and sacrifice of our will to God. On each side of the Cross stand the tapers which are lighted in welcome of Christ, the true Light of the world, Who vouchsafes His presence to communicate His Light of Knowledge and Grace to His people. They are two in number, to signify His two-fold nature. If four or six are used, they are meant as a more intense form of two. XI. the eucharistic vestments. The Church distinguishes the Holy Eucharist from every other service by allowing the Priest to wear a di stincti ve Vestment at its Celebration, never to be worn at any other time, that the supreme dignity and importance of this Great and Essential Act of Divine Worship may be truly set forth. This Vestment is the Chasuble. The other vestments which go therewith, are the Amice, the Alb, the Girdle, the Stole, and the Maniple. The color of the Chasuble, the Stole, and Maniple is according to the Season. Other than white linen chasubles are, however, not common among us in these times ; but the use of the colors, in this respect, too, is being revived. The Eucharistic Vestments, and also the Altar Lights, are according to the Statute Law of the Church of Eng- land, which is to be obeyed in this Country on the foot- ing of Common Law. XII. PREPARATION TO RECEIVE THE HOLY COMxMUNION. Prepare for each Communion as if y^u kne%y it would be your last . Prepare as you would desire to be pre- pared to meet God, if now calling away your soul in death. You will, if a faithful Christian, live as one always in readiness for death ; yet if you thought death immediately approaching, you would make unusual and THE COMMON WORSHIP. I5I special preparation for it. In like manner you must live in constant readiness for the Holy Communion, but must make unusual and special preparation for its actual reception. Preparation is for the purpose of putting your soul in condition and giving it capacity to receive the grace of His Blessed Presence which Christ desires to confer upon you. He desires to give you more grace each time you communicate. The measure of the grace will depend upon the measure of your capacity to entertain it ; and your capacity will depend upon the way in which you prepare yourself. Read carefully the last question and answer in the Catechism, the Warning the Priest is to give of the Holy Communion, the Exhortation to the Negligent, and the Long and Short Exhortations in the Service, and you will see that there is required in those who come, Repentance, including all its actions, Faith, and Charity, Thankfulness, and a Spiritual Appetite for the Blessed Sacrament, that is, some desire to receive it, and do God's will therein. Preparation will consist, therefore, of Meditation with Prayer for such disposition of heart and life as is above set forth, Special Self-examination and Confession, and Resolutions of Amendment. ^ I, A WEEK S PREPARATION. SUNDAY. [Place yourself in the presence of God. Say, »^ In the Name, etc.] Think that Christ is knocking at thedoo}- of your heart; , that He may come to you, and you to Him, in closest union. Offer your preparation to Christ. [Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy upon me a sinner. LoRD, help me. Our Father, etc.] 152 THE COMMON WORSHIP. O Lord Jesus Christ, King of everlasting glory, behold, I desire to come to Thee, and to receive Thy Body and Blood in this heavenly Sacrament for Thy honor and glory, and for the good of my soul ; but, O my God, Thou knowest how unworthy I am of this favor, and Thou alone canst make me worthy. O Blessed Jesus, I humbly offer Thee my poor heart : do Thou prepare it for Thyself. Fill it with desire for Thy presence ; Cleanse it with true repentance for all my sins ; Enlighten it with faith ; Kindle it with supreme love for God and in God with charity for man; Awaken it to thankfulness ; that Thy Heavenly Visit may not be for my condemnation, but for my salvation, O Blessed Jesus, Who livest and reignest with the Father in the Unity of the HoLY Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. [Hymn — O Salutaris Hosiia, O Saving Victim ! slain to bless. Who op'st the Heavenly Gate to all : The attacks of many a foe oppress ; Give strength in strife, and help in fall. To God, the Three in One, ascend All thanks and praise for evermore ; He grant the life that shall not end. Upon the Heavenly Country's shore. O God, Thou art my God, early will I seek Thee. My soui thirsteth for Thee. O satisfy me with Thy- self. Amen. Blessed be the Holy, Undivided Trinity, now, henceforth, and for evermore. Amen. Blessed, praised, and hallowed be Jesus Christ on His Throne in Heaven, and in the most Holy Sacra- ment of the Altar. Amen.] Note, — What is luithin the brackets is to be daily. THE COMMON WORSHIP. 1 53 Think how Christ comes to yon. Act of faith, O Lord Jesus Christ, I most firmly believe that in the Blessed Eucharist Thou Thyself art present verily and indeed ; that therein under the form of bread and wine is Thy Body and Blood, Thy Soul and Thy God- head ; all this I confess that I receive when I receive the Holy Communion with my mouth. All this I be- lieve, for Thou hast taught this truth by Thy Word and by Thy Church. O Lord, increase my faith. Grant me the light of Thy Holy Spirit, that I may by faith behold Thee where, in Thy natural presence, Thou intercedest for me at the Right Hand of Thy Father in the Heavenly Height, and in Thy Supernatural pres- ence upon Thy Altar Throne on earth where, in a won- derful and Divine mystery, Thou art my Propitiation and my Spiritual Food. Grant me to worship Thee with Thy Angels, with them to feel the joy of Thy presence, yea, humbly to receive Thee to my heart and devote myself to Thy service in the new power of Thine own life, O Blessed Jesus, Who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the HoLY Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen. TUESDAY. Think Who Christ is, and what He is able to do for yon. Think of your dangers, temptations, difficulties^ troubles^ deficiettcies, your ignorance, and iveakness. What do yoti need from Christ, your God and Saviour? Make an Act of Hope. Why should I not hope in Thee, O Thou One Hope and Salvation of my soul ? Or whither can I fly but to Thee, O Jesus, my refuge ? Who hast Thyself said, " Come unto Me all ye that travail, and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you." Therefore, O Lord, will I come with sure hope to Thy Holy Altar Throne, The 154 THE COMMON WORSHIP. Lord is my Shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing. O Good Jesus, what wilt Thou not give me. Who dost give me Thyself in Thy Blessed Sacrament ? Grant to me, then, my Lord and my God, most merciful, and my Bread of Life — grant to me this * * * this * * * and this * * * and all thanks and glory be to Thee, Whom, with the Father, and the HoLY Ghost, we worship, One God, forever. Amen. WEDNESDAY. Consider that God has given you the power of love, and for what end. Of all possible objects of your love, there are only these two : Himself, Who made you for Himself , or the creature of His hands, which He made that with it you inis:;ht glorify and serve Him . Which will you choose to love the most ? Which is the most worthy of your heart ? Think how the Blessed Trinity, One God, declares su- premely His love to you, and seeks your best love in re- turn, through the hicarnation and Mediatorial Office of the Son of God. Make an Act of Love. O Lord, how worthy art Thou of my love. Who art the Infinite Perfection, and Who dost so love us as to have embraced our very nature, and made it one with Thyself by the Incarnation, and offered Thyself a pure and spotless victim for our sins in the agony and death of Thy Cross, and dost now plead Thyself for us, and give Thyself to us in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. I will love Thee, then, O Lord, my Crucified Lord, Lover of my soul, my Strength, my Refuge, and my Salvation. I desire in this Sacrament to receive Thee that I may be more firmly joined to Thee in the bond of love. Grant, O Lord, to me, Thy servant, the in- crease of my love for Thee, and that nothing may ever separate me from Thee, that I] may attain to see Thee face to face where Thou livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, world with- out end. Amen. THE COMMON WORSHIP. I55 THURSDAY. Think ho7u precious God is to your soul. Would you have 7visdovi, strength, guidance, resctie from the guilt and power of sin, peace, satisfaction, and blessedness ? He is the ofily source of them. He is the sole wisdom, power, holiness, love., and joy. He is the whole sum of blessed- ness. You live only because He made you and stippoi^ts yoti. O, how worthless and ivretched is your life if you do not exercise its powers in union with the life of God as yourself the livijig temple which God has forined for His own indwellijig presence. Make an Act of Desire. O my God, whom have I in Heaven but Thee ? And there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison of Thee. Increase, I beseech Thee, and fulfill this my desire. O Thou Who saidst, " Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness," and Who art Thyself "the Lord, our Righteousness," cause, by Thy Divine Spirit, that my heart may ever hunger after, and feed upon. Thyself in Thy Holy Sacrament, and may be filled with the sweet- ness of Thy love and grace ; may my heart thirst for Thee, the Fountain of Life, the Fountain of Wisdom and Knowledge, the Fountain of Eternal Light, the River of Pleasure, the richness of the House of God ; may it ever seek Thee, stretch toward Thee, arrive at Thee, find Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy Holy Name. O Lord Jesus, the God of my heart, and my Portion forever, like as the hart desireth the water-brooks, so longeth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul is adiirst for God, yea, even for the living GoD. O send out Thy light and Thy truth, that they may lead me to Thine Altar, that I may go unto the Altar of GoD, even unto the GoD of my joy and gladness; to Whom, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, be adoration and thanksgiving, for ever and ever. Amen. 156 THE COMMON WORSHIP. FRIDAY. Appoint this day, if possible, for your special Act of Repentance, as it is the day of our Blessed Lord's Sacji- fice for our sins. Begin as usual, and then say the prayer befo?'e self-examination on pageio%. You may ordinarily tise this shorter form of examination. {See, howtver, pageioc)^ Ask yourself, as in God's presence, Have I, since my last Communion, wilfully encouraged any of these thoughts, and how often ? Proud. Vain. Wandering in prayer. Impure. Covetous. Envious. Jealous. Spiteful. Angry. Revengeful. Dishonest. Slothful. Suspicious (with rash judg- ing)- Blasphemous. Unbelieving. Presumptuous. Despairing. Discontented. Have I spoken, and how often ? words which were Lying. Idle. Frivolous Boasting, Abusive. Dishonest. Flattering. Proud. Self-conceited Immodest. Slanderous. Idle jesting. Ill-natured. Sneering. Talking. Gossiping. Blasphemous (by swearing, &c.) Canting. Tempting others to sin. Have I committed, and how often, any of these sins.' Idleness. Laziness. Neglect of duty. Squandering money. Wasting useful things. Dishonesty. Gambling. Omitting to return things borrowed. Breach of promises made. THE COMMON WORSHIP. 157 Covetousness. Stinginess. Unkind to those in trou- ble. Neglectful of them. Omitted paying debts. Omitted or hurried over my prayers — public or private. Misspent Sunday, or other solemn days. Misbehaved in church. Neglected self-denial. Been vain of my dress, &c. Injuring any one in person or character. Want of straightforward- ness. Betrayal of confidence. Cruelty to animals. Impurity with myself or others. Reading bad things i n books cr newspapers. Intemperance in eating or drinking. Carelessness in religious duties. Crossness. Ill-nature. Sulkiness. Selfishness. Quarrelsomeness. Teasing. Scolding. Mischievousness. Leading others into sin. Trying to please man rath- er than God. Examine also as to your besetting sin. See page 122. Ask yourself. Is there one sin of omission or commis- sion which I am allowing myself to commit ? Is there any one with whom I am not in charity ? Any one to whom I owe restitution ? Use, then, the meditations and prayers on page 124, and, turning wholly to GoD, say the confession on page 126, adding, if possible, the prayers for pardon and amendment. Make your special resolutions for amendment, and offer them to God, and beseech Him for grace to keep them. Enquire what act of self-denial and almsgiving you can do as the fruit of your repentance. Give earnest attention to what is said beginning on page 129, on the subject of Sacramental Confession. Note. — It is all-important for yoti to have careftilly read and mastered the whole of Part II of this Book. 158 THE COMMON WORSHIP. SATURDAY. Reflect upon your sins and nttcr nnivoHhiness. Empty your soul of all falsehood and pride, that feeling what you really are, and your C7ying ivant of God's mercy, you may have capacity for His grace, even room for our Blessed Lord in your soul. Make an Act of Humility. How shall I dare to draw near to Thee, O Lord, my God, my Creator and my Redeemer, most Holy Judge, the King of Heaven and earth ? What am I ? A vile worm of earth, dust, and ashes, in myself corruption and death; yea, an unthankful and disobedient sinner against Thee. My sins have crucified Thee, my GoD, Indeed, O Lord, I am not worthy to touch Thee; not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; yet, have mercy, have mercy upon me, O Christ, my Sa- viour. For thou didst humble Thyself to eat with publicans and sinners, and for me did not hide Thy Divine and Gentle Face from shame and spitting; for me gave Thy back to the scourge, and Thy whole Body and Soul to be wracked and torn in the anguish and un- known suffering of Thy Cross. By Thy great humility; by Thine infinite love; by all Thy sorrows for my soul, O despise me not, and turn not from me. Thou wiliest that I should come to Thee. O receive me kindly. Grant me to touch Thee by faith in this Blessed Sacra- ment of Thy Body and Blood. I plead therein Thine Atoning Sacrifice. Enlighten me; cleanse me; strengthen me by Thine own life, O Blessed Jesus, Who livest and reignest with the P^ather, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, One God. world without end. Amen. 2. four days' preparation. (Note. — Begin and end the following prayers as above. Meditate before them, and also remember that it is not the number of prayers merely y but how we offer them, which determines their blessing.) THE COMMON WORSHIP. 1 59 1ST DAY. GENERAL. Blessed Jesus, Who art about to come to us, Thy unworthy servants, in the Blessed Sacrament of Thy Body and Blood, prepare our hearts, we beseech Thee, for Thyself. Grant us that repentance for our past sins, that faith in the atonement made for them by Thee upon the Cross; that full purpo>,e of amendment of life; that perfect love to Thee and to all men, which shall fit us to receive Thee. Lord, we are not worthy that Thou shouldst come under our roof, much less that we should receive Thee into ourselves ; but, since Thou didst not disdain to be laid in a manger amidst unclean beasts, so vouchsafe to enter into our souls and bodies, unclean though they be through many sins and defile- ments. Lord, come to us that Thou mayst cleanse us. Lord, come to us that Thou mayest heal us. Lord, come to us that Thou mayest strengthen us. And grant, that having received Thee, w^e may never be separated from Thee by our sins, but may continue Thine forever, till we see Thee face to face in Thy Heavenly Kingdom, where, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, Thou livest and reignest, ever One God,. world without end. Amen. O, Sacred Feast! "Wherein Christ is received; the memory of His Passion is brought to our remembrance; our souls are fulfilled with grace, and the pledge of eternal glory is given unto us. Alleluia. 2ND day. give thanks AND BESEECH A BLESSING. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who, out of the love of the Eternal Father, and seeking in and through all things, not Thine own, but His glory, didst give up Thyself for us as an Offering and Sacrifice to God, for a sweet- smelling SAVOUR ; I praise and adore Thy supreme power, goodness, wisdom, justice, and mercy, which so l6o THE COMMON WORSHIP. wondrously shine forth in this Sacrifice and work of Redemption. All glory, honor, and praise be to Thee, O LORD Jesus Christ ; may all the world adore Thee ; blessed be Thy Holy Name, Who, for us sinners, didst vouch- safe to be born of a Virgin. Blessed be Thou, Who, of Thine infinite goodness, didst die on the Cross for our Redemption. Have mercy on us most merciful Savi- our and so dispose our lives here by Thy grace, that we may hereafter rejoice with Thee in Thy Glory. Amen. O mysterious God, ineffable and glorious Majesty, what is this that Thou hast done to the sons of men ? Thou hast, from Thy bosom, sent Thy Son to take upon Him our nature ; in Him Thou hast opened the fountains of Thy mercy. Admit me, O God, to this great effusion of loving kindness, that I may partake of the Lord Jesus ; that in Him I may be comforted in all my griefs, satisfied in all my doubts, healed of all my wounds; that I * * * and being filled with the Bread of Heaven, and armed with the Strength of Thy Spirit, I may begin, continue, and end my journey unto the same place whither our Lord has gone before to prepare a mansion for each loving and obedient soul. Grant this, O Eternal GoD, for His sake Who died for us. Who intercedes for us, and gives Himself to us, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 3D DAY. REPENTANCE. After examination. ( See page 156) O Gracious Lord Jesus Christ, I, a sinner, nothing presuming on my own deserts, but trusting in Thy mer- cy and goodness, with fear and trembling approach the Altar of Thy most Sweet Feast. For my heart and body are stained with many sins; my thoughts and lips not diligently kept. To Thee, O Lord, I show my THE COMMON WORSHIP. l6l wounds; to Thee I lay bare my shame. Look upon me with the eye of Thy mercy, O Lord Jesus Christ, God and man crucified for me; hearken imto me whose trust is in Thee; have mercy upon me who am full of sin and misery, O Thou Fount of mercy opened for my cleansing. Hail, Saving Victim, offered for me and all mankind on the Cross of suffering and shame. Hail, noble and precious Blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and washing away the sins of the whole world. Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy creature whom Thou hast redeemed with Thine own Blood. I repent that I have sinned ; I desire to amend what I have done. Take away from me, O Most Merciful Saviour, all my iniqui- ties and sins, (Jiei-e make your confession'), that being cleansed both in body and soul, I may worthily taste the Holy of Holies ; and grant that this holy feeding on Thy Body and Blood of which, unworthy as I am, I purpose to partake, may be for the remission of my sins, and the perfect cleansing of all my offences, for the driving away of all evil thoughts, and the renewal of all holy desires ; for the healthful bringing forth of fruit well pleasing to Thee, and the sure protection of my soul and body against the wiles of all my enemies ; for Thine own merit's sake. Who livest with the Father and the HoLY Ghost, One God, for ever and ever. Amen. 4TH DAY. STEADFAST PURPOSE TO LEAD A NEW LIFE. O God, the Strength of all those who put their trust in Thee, mercifully accept our prayers; and, because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without Thee, grant us the help of Thy grace, that in keeping Thy commandments we may please Thee, both in will and deed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Let Thy love, O my God, so perfectly control my soul that I may, for the future, steadfastly purpose to l62 THE COMMON WORSHIP. lead a new life, that I may renew my baptismal vow, and hereafter live as a sworn votary to Thy love. Whatsoever things oppose my desire and Thy com- mand, O Lord, as*** or** * I seriously and sincerely resolve to shun, and that out of love to Thee. O, tliat Thine abounding and effectual grace may, in the virtue and union of the Sacrament, assist the purpose of my will, of itself, Thou knowest, O Lord, so unstable and frail. Thine eyes see my imperfection, but in Thee is all my sufficiency. Amen. I desire, O gracious Lord, from this moment, to re- nounce everything that may displease Thee * * * and resolve, through the grace of Thy Holy Sacrament, to resist all temptations, and to become wholly Thine; for in my own strength I can do nothing; but on Thee I depend entirely, O my Saviour and best Friend. For Thy Name's sake, O Lord, for Thy love's sake, for Thy promises' sake, teach me whatever Thou wouldst have me to do, and then help me to do it. Teach me first what to resolve upon, and then enable me to per- form my resolutions, that I may walk with Thee in the ways of holiness here, and rest with Thee in happiness hereafter, for Thy merit's sake. Who liveth with the Father and the Holy Ghost, One God, for ever and ever. Amen. 3. FOR THE DAY OF COMMUNION. Before Service begins say these prayers, either at home or in Church. Bjiln the Name, etc. Our Father, etc. May the fire of the Holy Spirit, O Lord, cleanse our hearts and reins, that we may serve Thee with a chaste body and pure heart; through Jesus Christ. Amen. O Lord, we beseech Thee, visit and cleanse our con- sciences, That Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, may, when He cometh, find in us a dwelling place prepared THE COMMON WORSHIP. 163 for Him, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world with- out end. Amen. Ah-nighty, Everlasting God, lo! I draw near to the Sacrament of Thy Only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ ; I come sick to the Physician of Life ; unclean to the Fountain of mercy ; blind to the Light of Eternal Splendour, poor and needy to the Lord of all things. I pray Thee, therefore, to wash my defile- ments to enlighten my blindness, to enrich my poverty, to clothe my nakedness, that I may receive the Bread of Angels, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, with a humble, lowly, and contrite heart, with a lively faith in Thy mercy, and a pure desire to do Thy will. Grant, I beseech Thee, that I may receive, not only the Sacrament of the true Body and Blood of the Lord, but also the full benefit of the Sacrament. O Most Gracious GOD grant me so to receive the Body of Thy Only-Begot- ten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which He took of the Virgin Mary, that I may be again made perfectly one with his Holy Body, the Church, and be accounted among His members. O most loving Father, grant unto me, that as I desire here to receive Him veiled from sight, so I may hereafter behold Him face to face, where, with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, He liveth and reigneth, ever One God, world without end. Amen. Joy with peace, amendment of Life, time for true repentance, the grace and comfort of Thy Holy Spirit, perseverance in good works, grant me, O Almighty and Merciful Lord, for Thy mercy's sake. Am^n. XIII. early and fasting communion. For sake of deep reverence to the Blessed Sacrament of Christ, you will not receive it except as fasting from midnight, and before earthly food has passed your lips. l64 THE COMMON WORSHir. unless your health require otherwise. This has been a rule much observed in the Church from ancient times. For this reason you will, on the same authority, re- ceive at an Early Celebration. Other reasons are, (i) Christ rose in the early morning, and the Blessed Sacrament is the proof of His Resurrection, and the gift of His new Life; (2) that you may give to the high Ser- vice of God the first of your time and strength, and your first, fresh thoughts, before ought may occur to disturb your mind; (3) and that you may in this, per- haps, undergo some inconvenience and hardship which, as the exercise of self-denial and self-sacrifice, is an im- portant pi eparatlon, for we must approach the Sacrifice of Christ Crucified with some token of His Cross upon us. If we are tiot willing to rise and go out early to receive His Sacrament, it will show that our desire for Him is not tme a.nd earnest. XIV. HOW OFTEN TO COMMUNICATE. On Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun days, which are Communion days of obligation; and, at the very least, every month by regnla7 habit. Less than thib is dan- gerous for your soul. But as much oftener as God gives you the desire, and as you are diligent in preparation. A blessed life is the life of weekly Communion. The more frequently you can receive with true devotion the easier will be your preparation, and the more holy and happy will be your life. You should consult your Priest on so vital a question. XV. PRESENCE AT THE BLESSED SACRAMENT WITHOUT COMMUNICATING. It is a very sad error to t'link that because you may not be prepared to communicate at every Celebration that, therefore, you should not be present during the Ser- vice. The Church intends the very contrary. Without THE COMMON WORSHIP. I65 Sacramental Communion you do not have they^/Zbene- fit of the Service, but you will not lose all the blessing of it, if you take that part in it which you can. Your Lord Jesus Christ is present. It is blessed to be in His Presence. Himself the Sacrifice for our sins is offered and pleaded as the great essential Act of Wor- ship to God. You may kneel in His. adoration; you may say your prayers to GOD in the very presence of the Adorable Sacrifice and Mediator, and there is no time so meet for prayers for ourselves, and those dear to us, or for whom we ought to pray. You may, alas, not be able to communicate sacramentally, but you can do what is next best to that and make an act of spiritual communion with your Lord, by the devout exercise of your mind and heart according to His Grace. And you will be moved by this to desire Sacramental Communion, and to seek it more frequently. Moreover, you may often communicate at the Early Celebration, and then have the privilege of presence at a Late One. Yon could not communicate twice on the same day. You will, in the Second Celebration, offer your thanks to God for His Gift in the First. Do not neglect Mattins; but, none the less, always remember that by its nature the Holy Eucharist, even if you cannot communicate sacramentally, is the most necessary and the most blessed Service. But you should seek to prepare for the Holy Commnnion as often as you can. In what follows, therefore, you will find devotions which you may use if you do not communicate, namely, all which are not in brackets. ^ L- ,/ir^^^ ^^^H^ /rHt our IUcfciiiicr, miiJ look upon t\)e face of %\)'me 5tnointcii. psalm 84 : 9. ►% THE COMMON WORSHIP. l8l now lying before Thee, and send down Thy HOLY Spirit upon this Sacrifice : that He may make this Bread the Body of Thy Christ, and this Cup the Blood of Thy Christ. Amen. THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION. All glory be to Thee, Almighty God, our Heaven- ly Father, for that Thou, of Thy tender mercy, didst give Thine Only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our Redemption ; Who made there, by His one Oblation of Himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient Sacrifice, Oblation, and Satisfac- tion, for the sins of the whole world ; and did institute, and in His Holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual Memory of that His precious Death and Sacrifice, until His coming again : For in the night in which He was betrayed, He took Bread ; and when He had given consecration thanks. He brake It, and gave It to OF THE bread. His Disciples, saying. Take, Eat, THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH IS GIVEN FOR YOU : Do This in Remembrance of Me. Likewise, after Supper, He took the Cup ; and when He had given thanks. He gave it to them, saying. Drink ye all of this; FOR THIS consecration is MY BLOOD OF THE NEW OF THE CUP. TESTAMENT, WHICH IS SHED FOR YOU, AND FOR MANY, FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS ; Do This, as oft as ye shall drink It, in Remembrance of Me. Wherefore, O Lord and Heavenly Father, ac- cording to the institution of Thy dearly Beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we. Thy the oblation, humble servants, do celebrate and make here before Thy Divine Majes- ty, with these Thy Holy Gifts, which we now offer unto Thee, the Memorial Thy Son hath commanded us to l82 THE COMMON WORSHIP, make ; having in remembrance His blessed Passion and precious Death, His mighty Resurrection and glorious Ascension ; rendering unto Thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same. And we most humbly beseech Thee, O Merciful Father, to hear us ; and, of Thy Almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with THE INVOCA- Thy Word and Holy Spirit, these TION. Thy gifts and creatures of Bread and Wine ; that we, receiving them ac- cording to Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in Remembrance of His Death and Passion, may be partakers of His most Blessed Body and Blood. And we earnestly desire Thy Fatherly goodness, mer- cifully to accept this our Sacrifice of Praise and Thanks giving; most humbly beseeching Thee to grant, that by the merits and death of Thy SoN Jesus Christ, and through faith in His Blood, we, and all Thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of His Passion. And here we offer and present unto Thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto Thee ; hum- THE oblation bly beseeching Thee, that we, and OF ourselves, all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with Thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with Him, that He may dwell in them, and they in Him. And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto Thee any sacrifice ; yet we beseech Thee to accept this our bounden duty and service ; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord ; By Whom, and with Whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all THE COMMON WORSHIP. 183 honour and glory be unto Thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen, After the Act of Consecration. Of the Bread. Hail most Holy Flesh of Christ ! to me above all things the sum of delight ! Of the Cup. Hail Heavenly Drink of Jesus' Blood ! to me above all things the sum of delight ! devotions after the prayer of consecration. act of oblation. O Most Gracious Fa.ther, accept this Pure, this Holy Sacrifice at the hands of Thy Priest, in union with that All-Holy Sacrifice which Thy Beloved Son, throughout His whole life, at the Last Supper, and upon the Cross, offered unto Thee, for me, for (N.), and for all for whom He vouchsafed to die. ACTS OF adoration. I. Agnus Dei. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world : have mercy upon us. O Lamb of GoD, that takest away the sins of the world : have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world : grant us Thy Peace. II. Ave verum Corpus. Hail to Thee ! true Body Sprung From the Virgin Mary's womb ! 184 THE COMMON WORSHIP. The Same that on the Cross was hung, And bore for man the bitter doom ! Hear us, Merciful and Mild, Jesu ! Mary's gracious Child. Amen. From Whose Side for sinners riven "Water flowed and mingled Blood ; May'st Thou, dearest Lord ! be given In death's hour to be my Food ! Hear us. Merciful and Mild, Jesu I Mary's gracious Child. Amen. HI. I adore Thee, O Lord my God, Whom I now be- hold veiled beneath these earthly forms. Prostrate I adore Thy Majesty, and because, sinful and unworthy that I am, I cannot honour Thee as I ought, I unite myself with Thy Saints and Angels in their more perfect adoration. Hail, most HoLY Body of Christ ! Hail, Living Bread, that comest down from Heaven to give life to the world! Hail, most Holy Blood of Jesus, shed for sinners ! Above all things the sum and fullness of delight ! Hail, Saving Victim, offered for me and for all mankind ! Christ, Eternal King ! Man, crucified for man ! Behold, I praise, I bless, I glorify Thee. I would that all might glorify Thee in this Mystery of Thy love. And grant to me that, dying to the world and living here a life hidden in Thee, I may hereafter see Thy Face unveiled, to love and adore and rejoice in Thee, through all eternity. Amen. Co?nme?noration of the Living. Remember, O Lord, and have mercy upon the whole Church and its Rulers, upon all Christian Princes, and all Estates of men, whether serving GoD in His ministry, in special works of piety, or in the world, who have the THE COMMON WORSHIP. I85 greatest power, whether to promote or to hinder Thy glory, and the good of souls : Also upon my Parents, Brethren, Benefactors, and Friends ; upon those who have especially commended themselves to me, or who have aggrieved me, whom I have aggrieved, offended, neglected to help, and whom Thou desirest that I should lead in the way of salvation : On all these have mercy, O Thou Father of mercies, even as Thou knowest and wiliest, granting them Thy grace perfectly to please, acknowledge, fear, love, and glorify Thee with the Same Thy Beloved Son, and the Holy Ghost, now and ever, and for endless ages. Amen, Commemoration of the Saints. And here we do give unto Thee, O Lord, most high praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all Thy Saints, from the beginning of the world : and chiefly in the Glorious and most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, and in the Holy Patriarchs, Prophets, and Martyrs, whose example, O Lord, and steadfastness in Thy faith, and keeping Thy holy commandments, grant us to follow. ^^ Co7?i7nemo'yation of the Departed. Remember also, O Lord, the souls of Thy Servants and Hand-maidens (N.) who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and sleep the sleep of peace ; to them, O Lord, and to all who rest in Christ, we pray Thee, grant a place of refreshment, of light, and of peace. Through the Same Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer for Unity. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who saidst unto Thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you ; regard not my sins, but the faith of Thy Church ; and grant her that peace and unity which is agreeable to Thy will. Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen. 1 86 THE COMMON WORSHIP. Jesus is here with us, Jesus is here ; Earth fades in mist away, Heaven's gate is near. Doubt not, sad heart, nor fear. For thy dear Lord is here, Jesus is here ! Firstfruits of Bethlehem, Thee we adore. God in the House of Bread Tarries once more : With lowly faith draw near; For our own Lord is here, Jesus is here ! Jesus here pleads for man Pardon to win. Pure Flesh in earthly veil Offered for sin ; Sinful man's sins to bear, The Lamb of God is here, Jesus is here ! [devotions for communion. Before Communicating. O come, Blessed Jesus, and take full possession of my heart forever, I offer it unto Thee without reserve, I desire to consecrate it eternally to Thee ; I oelieve in Thee ; I hope in Thee ; I love Thee above all things — at least, I desire so to love Thee ; I grieve, for love of Thee, that I have offended Thee. Pardon, forgive, atone, by Thine own Self. Amen. THE COMMON WORSHIP. On Approaching the Altar. 187 O Lord, I am not worthy to receive Thee, but by the bitterness of Thy Passion, forgive me all my sins. Amen. Note — l. Women should remove their gloves and lift their veils before coming to the Altar-rail. 2. When you come to the rail kneel upright with your head erect. 3. Receive the species of Bread in the palm of your right hand, making your left hand a support for your right, and never in your fingers j THUS raise it to your lips, and be careful lest you leave any Cru?nbs on your hand. 4. When you receive the Chalice, unless the Minis- trant gives it entirely into your hands, guide it by holding the base, and receive only a very little. 5. Never wipe your mouth after receiving, either with your hand, or with a handkerchief After receiving the Body of otir Lord. O my God, Thou art Holy ; O my soul, thou art blessed. Abide with me, O Lord. For any special petition at the Altar. O Eternal FATHER ! I receive this Holy Communion of Thy dear Son's Body and Blood, humbly beseeching Thee, because of It, in It, and with It, to grant me After receiving the Blood of our Lord. Let my sins be washed away in Thy Blood, O LORD. l88 THE COMMON WORSHIP. On Leaving the Altar. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable Gift. On Kneeling again in the Church. My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For some moments zvith closed eyes deeply Jix your mind on the truth that God and Man is within your soul and body. Then say : Anima Chris ti. Soul of Christ, sanctify me ! Body of Christ, save me ! Blood of Christ, ransom me ! Water from the side of Christ, M'^ash me ! Passion of Christ, strengthen me ! Good Jesu ! hear me I Within Thy wounds hide me ! Suffer me not to be separated from Thee 1 From the malicious enemy defend me ! In the hour of my death call me ! And bid me come to Thee, That with Thy Angels and Thy Saints, 1 may bless Thee, praise Thee, and adore Thee, Through the Ages of Eternity. Amen. I adore Thee, O Lord Jesus, where Thou reignest in Heaven, and in this Blessed Sacrament on Thine Altar Throne. In the holy temple of my body where Thou dwellest, O Lord Jesus, I worship Thee, I give Thee thanks. Jesu, gentlest Saviour ! God of might and power. Thou Thyself art dwelling In us at this hour. THE COMMON WORSHIP. I89 Nature cannot hold Thee, Heaven is all too strait For Thine endless glory And Thy royal state. Out beyond the shining Of the furthest star, Thou art ever stretching Infinitely far. Yet the hearts of children Hold what worlds cannot, And the God of wonders Loves the lowly spot. Jesu, gentlest Saviour, Thou art in us now ; Fill us with Thy goodness Till our hearts o'erflow. Pray the prayer within us That to Heaven shall rise ; Sing the song that Angels Sing above the skies. Multiply our graces, Chiefly love and fear. And dear Lord ! the chiefest, Grace to persevere. ^ O, how can we thank Thee For a Gift like this ? Gift that truly maketh Heaven's eternal bliss. Amen. Behold, Lord, I have Thee no\f , Who hast all things ; I possess Thee, Who possessest all things, and canst do all things ; therefore, O my God and my all. 190 THE COMMON WORSHIP. do Thou wean my heart from all other things beside Thee, for in them there is nothing but vanity and vexa- tion of spirit ; on Thee alone may my heart be fixed ; in Thee be my rest, for in Thee is my treasure, in Thee is the sovereign Truth, and true Happiness, and eternal Life. O Thou true Light, enlighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death. O Word of God Incarnate, of Thee alone do I seek wisdom. O my Lord and my God ! behold I am Thy servant ; give me understanding, and kindle my affection, that I may know and do Thy will. O Fire, continually burning and never failing ! behold how lukewarm and cold I am. Do Thou inflame my soul that I may be on fire with love for Thee. For Thou comest to send fire in the earth. O King of Heaven and earth, rich in pity ! behold I am poor and needy. Thou knowest what I most require; Thou alone art able to enrich and help me. Help me, O God, in these my duties *****, Succor me in these temptations *****_ O Lamb of God, take from me whatever hurteth me, and displeaseth Thee ; and give me what Thou knowest to be pleasing to Thee, and good for me ; for Thine own merit's sake. Amen. ^ Jesus Christ, remember, When Thou shalt come again Upon the clouds of Heaven With all Thy shining train ; When every eye shall see Thee In Deity revealed, Who now upon this Altar In silence art concealed ; Remember then, O SAVIOUR, 1 supplicate of Thee, That here I bowed before Thee Upon my bended knee ; THE COMMON WORSHIP. IQI , That here I owned Thy Presence, And did not Thee deny, And glorified Thy greatness, Though hid from human eye. Accept, Divine Redeemer, The homage of my praise ; Be Thou the light and honor And glory of my days ; Be Thou my consolation When death is drawing nigh ; Be Thou my only Treasure Through all eternity. Amen. I thank Thee, O Heavenly Father. I thank Thee, O Divine Son. I thank Thee, Most Holy Spirit of God. I praise, bless, and magnify Thee, O Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity, for Thy power, wisdom, and love displayed in this wonderful Sacrament, beseeching Thee that through its grace and virtue we may be so hallowed in body and soul, that we may laud Thee with thanksgiving in Thy kingdom for ever and ever. Amen.] ACTS OF S PIRITJJ AL CO MMU NION. (Note — The following acts ai-e intended to be said only by those who are hindered from Sacrafnental Cofnmti^ nion.) Meditate upon our Blessed Lord's Incarnation, His cruel Passion and Death, His Resurrection, Ascension, and Intercession, His Great Love, His Grace, His Presence before Thee. Devote yourself to Him, and say: 192 THE COMMON WORSHIP. O most loving Jesus ! most Blessed Saviour ! Spouse of holy souls ! come to me, I beseech Thee, and unite Thyself with me. Though I cannot now receive Thee Sacramentally, yet I believe that Thou art able, even when received by faith and desire only, to heal, enrich, and sanctify me ; and I beseech Thee, grant me this grace, while hindered from more perfect union with Thee. Come, Thou Life of my soul, rule me and every move- ment of my being with an absolute dominion, that I, being incorporated into Thee, and Thou in me, every hateful desire and affection maybe quenche^ in me, and every virtue matured in me after Thy likeness. Possess me wholly ; let the consuming fire of Thy love absorb me, and Thy Presence abide so intimately one with me, that it is no longer I that live, but Thou Who livest in me. Amen. Lord Jesus Christ, what great things hast Thou done, what hast Thou endured, from the force of Thy boundless love towards me ! But what return have I made ? or what shall I make unto Thee ? 1 mourn from my inmost heart that I ever sinned against Thee, who hast so greatly loved me. I believe in Thee with lively faith, O Thou Eternal Truth ! that Thou Thyself art GOD and Man, my Lord, and my Saviour ! I hope in Thee, O Lord, O Thou the only hope and true Salvation of my soul I I will love Thee, O Lord my strength, above all things, with my whole heart, O Thou Lover of my soul ! Whom have I in Heaven but Thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire in comparison of Thee ! Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks, So longeth my soul after Thee, O God. THE COMMON WORSHIP. I93 What is man that Thou art mindful of him ; or the son of man that Thou visitest him? Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. Then say : Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof, but speak the word only, and Thy ser- vant shall be healed. O most loving Jesus, I believe that Thou art truly present in this most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. I adore Thee ; I love Thee : and since I cannot now receive Thee Sacramentally, I most earnestly desire to partake of Thee spiritually. Come to my poor soul, Unite Thyself to me f]-* O my Jesu. My soul rejoices in Thee ; my soul blesses Thee. O never leave me. Amen. Or, In union, O Blessed Lord, with the faithful at every Altar of Thy Church where Thy Blessed Body and Blood are being offered to the Father, I desire to offer Thee praise and thanksgiving. I present to Thee my soul and body, with the earnest wish that I may be always united to Thee. And since I cannot now receive Thee Sacramentally I beseech Thee to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to Thee, and embrace Thee with all the affections of my soul. O let nothing ever separate Thee from me. Let me live and die in Thy love. Amen. III. Sho7'ter Form. Behold, I kneel poor and needy before Thee, O Mer- ciful Jesu, and since I cannot now receive Thee Sacra- mentally, I say with the Centurion, "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only, and thy servant shall be healed.*' Enter, I pray Thee »J« spiritually into my soul ; cleanse 194 THE COMMON WORSHIP. it from all evil, adorn it with all virtues, feed it with Thy Body and Blood, and fulfill it with the richness of Thy Heavenly benediction for ever and ever. Amen. A Litany which may be said by those who do 7tot Com- municate in preparation for Sacramental Comtmcniojt : Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. O God the Father, Creator of the World, Have mercy upon us, and fit us, unworthy sinners, to receive Thee. ^ ;^ O God the Son, Redeemer of mankind, '"^ O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the j t^ Church, O Holy Trinity, One God, Jesus, God and Man, in two natures. One Di vine Person, Jesus, our Lord and our God, Who vouchsaf est " to be Present in the Holy Communion, Jesus, our Heavenly Physician, Who givest Thy- self to us to heal and comfort us, Jesus, our gracious God, Who givest Thyself to us in the Holy Communion under the form of Bread and Wine, Jesus, the Bread of Life, Which, whosoever eat- eth, shall live for ever, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Who didst lay down Thy life for Thy sheep, and feedest them with Thine own Body and Blood, Jesus, Who in this wonderful Sacrament art Thyself both Sacrifice and Priest, Jesus, our adorable High Priest, Who ever liv- est to make intercession for us, J !^ Have mercy, O Lord, and pardon our sins. Have mercy, O Lord, and hear our prayers. THE COMMON WORSHIP. I95 From unbelief in this Holy Sacrament, From all irreverence during this awful service, From neglecting to come, and from coming neg- ligently, From an unworthy and fruitless receiving of this Holy Sacrament, From hardness of heart, and ingratitude for so unspeakable a blessing. By Thine Almighty Power, which orders all things as Thou pleasest, By Thine Infinite goodness in giving Thyself to us in this wonderful Mystery, By Thy Blessed Body broken for us on the Cross and really given to us in the Holy Communion, By Thy Precious Blood shed for us on the Cross and really given to us in the Cup of Blessing, We sinners beseech Thee to hear us. That we may ever believe all Thy words teach us. "" That before we approach this Holy Sacrament we may sincerely endeavor to be reconciled to Thee, and be in perfect charity with all men, That returning from this Holy Sacrament, we may praise and bless Thee, and strive diligently to amend our lives. That by this heavenly medicine we maybe healed and strengthened against future falls, That we may always, through Thy grace, so be- lieve and understand, so speak and think, and firmly hold of this exceeding Mystery, as shall please Thee and be good for our souls, That by this Holy Communion our hearts may be kindled to love Thee ever more and more, That we may love Thee in this Holy Sacrament with our whole heart, and never be separated from Thee, That as we see Thee now by faith under these visible Forms, so we may hereafter see Thee face to face, and eternally enjoy Thy Presence, ^ 196 THE COMMON WORSHIP. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of thj? world, Spare us, O Lord. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Grant us Thy peace. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us. [a devout prayer after holy communion. Father of Mercies and God of all comfort ! Who, out of the abundance of Thine infinite love, hast given unto us Thine Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life ; and that out of the exhaustless treasury of His mer- its our wants maybe supplied ; lo, I a miserable sinner, but by Thy mercy called into the fellowship of Thy Son, have now also been made partaker of His Body and Blood. And I now enfold Him in my bosom, and pos- sess Him as mine own most closely united with me. And thus possessing and possessed, in the union of that love wherewith He once gave Himself for us on the Altar of the Cross, and now giveth and communicateth Himself to us in the Sacrament of the Altar, do I now offer Him unto Thee, together with all His merits and virtues, to Thy eternal praise and glory ; that in Him Thou mayest be perfectly well-pleased ; and that we, who by our own deeds are not able to please Thee, may by the merits and intercession of Thy most Well-beloved Son, be perfectly pleasing to Thee. 1 offer unto Thee, O most Holy Father, all His charity, piety, obedience, humility, poverty, gentleness, patience, with all the other virtues which He had sur- passingly, that by them all my defects may be supplied. THE COMMON WORSHIP. I97 And, since I cannot thank Thee as I ought for all the benefits conferred upon me, I offer unto Thee all the praises which He Himself offered, whilst He was visible on earth amongst men, and those which He now offerelh unto Thee in glory. But forasmuch as I cannot satisfy Thee for my debts, that is my sins, I offer unto Thee all His labors, fast- ings, watchings, weariness, prayers, whatsoever in fine, He did or suffered from the first moment of His Con- ception until He gave up the ghost on the Cross ; all the anguish, griefs, and torments of His Passion, all the Blood poured out for me, all the wounds for me re- ceived, and the Death which He endured in my stead. Behold, this is the Treasure, most merciful Father, in Which I repose all my hope ; these are the riches which I offer in satisfaction of all my debts. Holy Father, look upon the face of Thy Christ, and since He is Thy Beloved Son in Whom Thou art ever well-pleased, Who now is most inwardly united with me, look upon me also, I humbly beseech Thee, with the eyes of Thy mercy. Under His protection and defence, under the shadow of His merits do I appear unto Thee, that, looking chiefly upon Him, Thou mayest regard me also with mercy and f avoi", whom He has pur- chased and made His servant for ever. Suffer not, I beseech Thee, that soul to perish, which so often receiveth into itself, Thy Son, Who, sent by Thee, came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost. Grant this unto me, through Thine In- finite Mercy. Amen.] You -cuill remain on your knees throughout the entire time that the Blessed Sacrament is on the A Itar, for how will you dare TO SIT in the Real Presence of the King, your God. But you will desire to kneel before Him in adoring love, and to use this precious time for prayer. The time may be very short, or it may be long, and you will order your devotions accordingly ; but do not forget to 198 THE COMMON WORSHIP. pray for others as well as for yourself. Turn back for this purpose tot lie intercessions on page 38. To pray in the very Presence of the Holy Sacrifice, our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, is to pray at the time when God will most especially hear you. © III. THE POST COMMUNION. When the Blessed Sacrament is again placed upon the Altar, say : Lord Jesus, may I be clothed in the fine linen, white and clean, of a pure conscience. By Thy Sacred Body wrapped in fine linen, and laid in the new tomb : Hear us, Holy Jesus. the lord's prayer. Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come : Thy Will be done on earth, as it is Heaven : Give us this day our daily Bread : And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us : And lead us not into temptation : But deliver us from evil : For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen.. THE THANKSGIVING. (Note. — If you have not received follow the Thanks- giving as an act of Thanksgiving for the Priest and those who 7nay have received ; thiiiking also of the Com- munions which you have made in time past and reneiving your thanks for them.) Almighty and Everliving God, we most heartily thank Thee, for that Thou dost vouchsafe to feed us, who have duly received these Holy Mysteries, with the THE COMMON WORSHIP. jgg Spiritual Food of the most precious Body and Blood of Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ ; and dost assure us thereby of Thy favor and goodness towards us ; and that we are very members incorporate in the Mystical Body of Thy Son, which is the Blessed Company of all faithful people ; and are also heirs through hope of Thy everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious Death and Passion of Thy dear Son. And we most humbly beseech Thee, O Heavenly Father, so to assist us with Thy grace, that we may continue in that Holy Fellowship, and do all such good works as Thou hast prepared for us to walk in ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. A men. THE gloria in EXCELSIS. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord God, Heavenly King, GOD the Father Almighty, O Lord, the Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins oi the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou only art Holy ; Thou only art the Lord ; Thou only, O Christ, •][•* with the Holy Ghost, art most High in the glory of God the Father. Amen. the peace and blessing. Receive the Peace and Blessing on yonr hues with great devotion ; reinember that GOD has '''•set apart " the Priests to " bless in Bis N^amc."'' 200 THE COMMON WORSHIP, The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowl- The Peace, edge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord : And the Blessing of God Almighty, *l< the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be The Blessing, amongst you, and remain with you al- ways. A/ueft. the consumption and ablutions. Refnain kneeling while the Blessed Sacrament is being consufned, and say : O Lamb of GoD, Sacrifice for our salvation ; ever be- ing eaten, yet never consumed ; filling the world with pardon, and Heaven with joy : Have mercy upon us. Blessed and praised every moment be Jesus in this most Holy Sacrament. Wine and water are here poured into the chalice and drunk by the Priest, lest any of the Sacred Species should remain unconsunied. While the Priest is consuming these Ablutions, say — O Jesu, Thou Who didst drink the cup of agony to the very dregs for us : Have mercy upon us. Keep us in Thy grace. O Holy Trinity, let the performance of my homage be pleasing to Thee, and grant that this Sacrifice which I have joined with Thy Priest in offering up in the sight of Thy Majesty may be pleasing to Thee, and profitable to me, and to all Christian souls. Forgive my idle and wandering thoughts ; hear and receive my prayers ; for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. When the Priest and his ministers are about to depart from the Altar rise from your knees, and remain stand- THE COMMON WORSHIP. 20I ing until the Priest has entered the Sacristy, then kneel and say the followijig : CLOSING DEVOTIONS. From an Ancient Syriac Liturgy. [Grant, O Lord, that we which are Thy soldiers here may enjoy Thy peace hereafter ; that the eyes which havg looked upon Thee in Thy Sacrament of love may also behold the fruition of Thy blessed hope ; that the tongues which have sung Thy praises may also speak the truth ; that the feet which have stood in Thy Sanctuary may walk in the land of light ; and that the bodies which have feasted on Thy living Body maybe restored in new- ness of life, to dwell with Thee where Thou reignest with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, in the Unity of Godhead, King for ever more. Amen. Or this, Behold, O Eternal Father, the Salutary Sacrifice of the Eucharist is done. May It be acceptable to Thee, inasmuch as in It Thy Son, in Whom Thou art ever well pleased, is set forth before Thee. May He now, I beseech Thee, perform the office of a Mediator and Advocate, where He sitteth at Thy Right Hand, and maketh intercession for us. Remember all His patience, love, and pity ; and vouchsafe to listen to one who prayeth in the Name of Thy beloved Son ; for He Himself hath said, If ye shall ask anything in My Name, He will give it to you. This one thing I ask, O Lord, let this Sacrifice be well pleasing to Thee, to the glory of Thy Name ; and may It be profitable to the Salvation of all Thy faithful servants. Amen. Thanks be to God. Amen.] ^ 202 THE COMMON WORSHIP. Note. — You have now to guard and use the precious Gift of the Presence and Life of Christ vouchsafed you. Be especially watch- ful lest through sudden temptation of the devil you forfeit It by sin. Expect temptation. Seek retirement and quiet all this day, that you may inwardly behold Christ Who has united Himself to you, and may hear His voice. Take care not to be cross or gloomy. Be full of joy. Be more loving and patient with all. You must earnesdy endeavor to live that better life you resolved upon, and for which you have now received "more grace." "Receive not the grace of God in vain." An indispensable condition of retaining and profiting by your blessing is Thanksgiving. Do not forget your Communion, but thank God. See S. Luke xvii. 15-19. XVII. THREE DAYS' THANKSGIVING. FIRST DAY. THE DAY OF COMMUNION. *J* In the Name, etc. Meditation. "Whoso eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." S. John vi. 54. Glory be, etc. As it was, etc. Praise the Lord, O my soul ; and all that is within me praise His Holy Name ; Who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities ; Who saveth thy life from destruction, and crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindness ; Who satisfieth thy mouth with Good Things. Alleluia. In Easter season add, Alleluia, Alleluia. Our Father, etc. Let all Thy works praise Thee, O Lord. And Thy saints give thanks to Thee. Not unto us, O Lord : not unto us, But to Thy Name give glory. Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto Thee. O God, Who didst to the three children soothe the THE COMMON WORSHIP. 203 flames of fire, mercifully grant that the flames of sin may- net kindle upon us Thy servants. Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help ; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy Holy Name ; and finally, by Thy mercy obtain everlasting life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. I render Thee thanks, O Lord, Holy Father, Al- mighty, Everlasting GoD, Who hast vouchsafed, not for any goodness of mine, but only out of the greatness of Thy mercy, to feed me, a sinner, Thy unworthy servant, with the Precious Body and Blood of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring guilt upon me to my destruction, but may help forward the peace and salvation of my soul. O Lord, I pray Thee by this Sacrament to strengthen my faith, to rid me of my sins, to root out my evil de- sires, and to make me loving, patient, and humble. Defend me against the craft and subtlety of the evil one, and enable me, in true peace of soul, to cling to Thee, my Lord and my GOD, Who hast made me for Thyself. Bring me, a poor sinner, to that glorious Feast where Thou, with Thy Son and the Holy Spirit, dost lighten and fill and rejoice the hearts of Thy servants in the courts of Heaven: through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. May Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Who feeds His flock with His own Body and Blood, be adored ►J^ ^^^ praised for ever. Amen. second day. »J« In the Name, etc. Meditation. " They constrained Him, saying, Abide with us." S. Luke xxiv. 29. Glory be, etc. As it was, etc. 204 THE COMMON WORSHIP. Our Father, etc. T Lord Jesus Christ, with the Angels and Arch- angels, with Thy holy Mother Mary, and all Saints, I worship and adore Thee, I give Thee thanks, True GOD and True Man, truly present in the Most Holy Sacra- ment of the Altar ; Blessed be Thou Who hast come to live within me, Brightness of the Father, Prince of Peace, Living Bread, Son of the Virgin, Most Loving Saviour, Joy of our hearts : leave me not, humbly I be- seech Thee, leave me not, though I am so unworthy of Thee, but abide with me for ever. Abide with me, Lord, in all I say, think, do, fear, hope, and enjoy. I fear my unsteadfastness : abide with me. Lord. I fear I shall fall : abide with me, Lord, Make me feel Thy nearness. Be Thou my Refreshment in weariness ; my Comfort in trouble ; my Refuge in temptation ; in death my Life ; in Judgment my Redeemer. Abide with me always that I may abide in Thee, O Good Jesu, Thou God of my Salvation. Amen. May Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Who feeds His flock with His own Body and Blood, be adored "J* ^^^^1 praised for ever. Amen. third day. »Ji In the Name, etc. Meditation. " My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." S. John x. 27. Glory be, etc. As it was, etc. Our Father, etc. 1 thank Thee, O Lord my God, that Thou hast enabled me, though unworthy, to receive Thy Pure and Heavenly Gifts. I thank Thee that Thou hast made Thyself known to me. and hast drawn me close to Thy- self in this Blessed Sacrament. O grant that I may hear Thy sweet voice in my heart speaking to me by Thy Holy, Life-giving Spirit, the Minister of Thy Presence, Who unites me with Thyself, to seal me unto the Day of Thy last Redemption with Thine own Image THE COMMON WORSHIP. 205 and l^ikeness. Lord IMost Merciful, I beseech Thee that I may not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, but, yielding to all His grace, may know, love, and follow all Thy will, and showing forth my thanks and praise in my life by giving up myself to Thy Service may attain to serve and praise Thee where Thou livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, And lighten with celestial fire : Thou the anointing Spirit art. Who dost Thy seven-fold gifts impart. Thy blessed Unction from above, Is comfort, life, and fire of love, Enable with perpetual light The dullness of our blinded sight. Anoint and cheer our soiled face With the abundance of Thy grace : Keep far our foes, give peace- at home : Where Thou art guide, no ill can come. Teach us to know the Father, Son, And Thee of Both to be but One : That through the ages all along, This may be our endless song : Praise to Thine eternal merit, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. May Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Who feeds His flock with His own Body and Blood, be adored ►J-* and praised for ever. Amen. FINIS. tu autem, domine, miserere nobis, deo gratias. /■ ' ^/jCy ^7^^^ '^^■^-C^ £^V-i^ ^>*^^-2- ^y-tr^^i^ /i-^-ry-^ TTTC^^-ux^ ^^<^ i^^ p^^^^--»^v< ^^^yzt^^^^ ^-^c-i^OL^^ ^'Z