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thanksgiving and imitation, from this lowly, this most humble behaviour.

O most good and gracious Jesus, thou coming to the garden of Olives, beganst to be sore amazed and very heavy; whereupon thou saidst to thy disciples, "My soul is sorrowful unto death; and he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeling down and praying, said, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will but thine be done."

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Whence is this, that in a cold night my Lord is sweating in the open air? What sweat is this which flows in such abundance from his blessed body, so that it runs and trickles down to the ground, like drops or clods of blood? Whence is it? We may soon know, it is our sin causeth this bloodshed; our guilt this sweat: Adam sinned in a garden, Christ there sweat for it, to deliver us from more exquisite torments. He suffers this agony and bloody sweat for a time, that we should not endure the pains of hell for ever; he did thus sweat for another's guilt, and shall I not weep and lament for my own? If instead of the pains of repentance, I take pleasure in sin, will not this turn to my exceeding great loss? Yes; but for my comfort, if I be contrite and sorrowful for my sins, I may escape the wrath to come; and may hope, by the virtue of this agony of Jesus Christ, to be delivered from the bitter pains of eternal death.

Let us dwell in love, and we shall be happy; for see how our Lord would engage thee, O my soul, by these bonds in which thou art going to tie thyself, to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself. Let us go then and wait upon him, and shew him the love that we bear unto him: be not discouraged," for when the wicked forsakes his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts,

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Blessed Jesus, what shall I render unto thee, for the favours which thou hast done me! Grant me thy meekness and loving gentleness, to the end that I may find grace before thee. The prayer of the humble and meek bath always pleased thee. Command me (Lord) what thou wilt, helping me with thy grace duly to accomplish what thou commandest. O Saviour of the world, I confess that I am foul and defiled with innumerable sins, from which I cannot wash myself; for to sin was mine, but to pardon them is thine; wherefore once more wash me from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; that i may come holy and clean to thy table, and thereby have fellowship with thee and never lose thy friendship. And since thou (Lord) didst desire so much to eat the last supper with thy disciples, I also desire earnestly to eat the same with thee. O King of heaven, who standest at the door of our hearts knocking, desiring vehemently that thy voice may be heard, and that the gate of our hearts may be opened; that entering into us, thou mayst sup with us, and we with thee, be favourable unto me. Come, Lord, into my house, for my heart is ready, my heart is ready to receive thee. My soul thirsteth for thee, O Jesus; O that I may taste the joy that I so desire! O that I were satisfied with thy likeness, in all holiness and virtue! for this I do hunger and

thirst; that where thou art, there I may be also, beholding thy face in glory, O blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus. Amen:

Friday's Meditations in the Morning. Upon the Passion of Jesus Christ.

I Will consider the innocency of our Lord

Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sins," who was most innocent, without spot of sin; most holy, full of all graces and virtues; most wise and most discreet, in whom were contained the spiritual treasures of the wisdom of God, and of his divine spirit. Thou,, O most beneficent Saviour, didst spend thy

whole life in doing good (as thy apostle saith) and healing all such as were oppressed with the devil: Thou didst give sight to the blind; cleanse the lepers; cure the sick, and raise the dead, and didst open unto us the gates of heaven. O the infinite charity of our Lord, in giving himself a ransom for all! He is my master, my ransom for all! He is my master, my physician, my redeemer, my benefactor, preserver of my soul, my God, and my all in all. Thou a little before thy passion, didst institute this holy feast: O may thy body which was given for me, and thy blood which was shed for me, preserve my body and soul, unto everlasting life!

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ET us now summon together all the powers of our souls, and approach the table of the Lord with the most devout

affections. Let us consider with ourselves suffering. The Jews cried out, Crucify him, Crucify him; such was the greatness of their malice, that (if possible) they would have had him twice crucified; but yet, led in us? They crucifying him once with is not their desire too unhappily fulfiltheir bands, and we, even we, crucifying him often by our sins; who art thou then

that our sins have been the cause of Christ's

that comest to Christ without floods of tears, when he comes to us in streams of blood? Who can meditate on his wounded

his pierced side without a pierced heart? body, without a wounded soul? or view In this our Saviour requires our devotion, bespeaking us, as well as the daughters of selves; weep not for me, or my sufferings, Jerusalem; Weep not for me but for your selves; weep not for me, or my sufferings, is a fruitless compassion; but weep for yourselves, and your sins, in a hearty contrition. O let your hearts be raised by faith, that so, whatsoever is your affliction and pain, ye may find an healing virtue in my blood; that so, for every sinful distemper, ye may receive an healing virtue from me; having remission of sins and peace of conscience confirmed unto your souls, by this blessed sacrament, which is a seal of grace, and a sure pledge of glory.

A Confession of Sins out of the Holy | because of thy displeasure; neither is there Bible, for Friday Morning.

I Confess, O Lord,

That I was shapen in wickedness, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psal. li. 5.

That my heart is rebellious, like a deceitful bow. Hos. vii. 16.

any rest in my bones by reason of my sin.

And what shall I now say, or wherein shall I open my mouth?

What shall I answer, seeing I have done these things?

Out of the deep do I call unto thee, O Lord; Lord hear my voice. Psal. cxxx.

That I am a person of unclean lips. mark what is done amiss, O Lord who may If thou, Lord, shouldst be extreme to

Is. vi. 5.

That my tongue hath devised mischiefs. Psal. lii. 2.

That mine eyes are evil, prone to lust and vain desires. St. Mark vii. 22.

That my members have been instruments unto sin. Rom. v. 19.

That my feet are swift to evil. Rom. iii. 15.

I have sinned against thee, O Lord, and in thy sight, not fearing thy majesty.

My sins, O Lord, are great and very grievous, therefore fearfulness and trembling are come upon me.

They are a burden too heavy for me to bear; they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.

I feel the sad effects of my foolishness; for what fruit have I in those things whereof I am now ashamed? Rom. vi. 21.

My days are consumed in vanity, and my years in trouble.

And now there is no health in my flesh, No. 26.

abide it?

Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

Behold, O Lord, though I have sinned, yet I humble myself under thy mighty hand; I am thine, O save me!

Spare the humble and contrite sinner, for behold I judge myself.

O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

For thy mercies, O Lord, are sweet and comfortable; yea, better than life itself. Matt. ii. 28.

Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

I come not to judge the world, but to save the world. John xii. 47.

Wherefore in the multitude of the sorrons that are in my heart, thy comforts, O Lord, do refresh my soul. Psal. xciv. 19.

Henceforth we will come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. iv. 16.

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When my flesh and my heart faileth, God shall be the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psal. Ixxiii. 26.

O Lord be thou so to me, for ever. Amen.

A Prayer for Friday Morning, of Confession of Sins to God, before the Holy Sacrament.

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Most glorious and holy Lord God, who art the searcher of hearts and trier of the reins, behold I prostrate myself, with all humility, before thy divine majesty. O cast me not away from thy presence. I am polluted and become loathsome in thy sight, through mine own corruption: (here name your particular sins.) O thou great and glorious, O thou just and righteous judge, I do here prostrate myself at the bar of thy justice, not knowing what to answer thee; my conscience witnesseth against me, and thy law condemus me: Who! Oh, who shall plead for me? Wilt not thou, blessed Jesus, my surety, and my Saviour? Wilt not thou undertake my cause, who art my advocate? Wilt not thou procure my pardon, who art my mediator? O blessed Jesus! Be нow my Jesus: And seeing thou art able to save unto the uttermost all them that repent them truly of their former sins, and cast themselves upon thy mercy; O save thou me, or else I perish. And that I may truly please thee, O plant in my heart gentleness and patience, a meek and long-suffering spirit, that I may never be transported with anger; never be disordered by peevishness; never indulge thoughts of revenge: But may with meekness receive all injuries that shall be done to me, and patiently bear every cross accident, and with charity return blessing for cursing: Good for evil; kind words for foul reproaches; that living all my days with meekness and charity, keeping peace with all men, and loving my neighbour as

myself; and thee, O sweet Jesus, more than myself, and more than all the world; I may at last come to the regions of peace and eternal charity, where thou livest, who lovest all men, and wouldst have none to perish, but all men to be saved through thee, O most merciful Saviour and Redeemer Jesus. Amen.

A Prayer out of the Psalms.

Great and glorious Lord God, king

of glory, who dost acknowledge him to be a blessed man, that abhorreth the way of sinners, and doth meditate in thy law day and night; teach thou me to hate the conversation of the wicked, and to study thy precepts; and seeing that with all humility of heart I do call unto thee with my voice, hear me, have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer. Keep me as the apple of an eye; hide me under the shadow of thy wings, cleanse me from my secret faults, and keep thy servant from presumptuous sins. O remember not the sins of my youth, but deal graciously with thy poor servant. Forigve the offence of thy servant, and cover all my sins: Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon me, like as I do put my trust in thee. Deliver me out of all my fears, and say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Thou art the God of my strength; let not my steps, go out of thy paths, but so order my steps in thy word, that I may evermore love righteousness, and hate iniquity. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep them unto the end; give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law ; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart; make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Amen.

A Prayer.

Blessed Jesus, the Lord of life, prince of glory, and captain of our salvation, who hast vanquished satan, and all the powers of darkness; O give victory to my languishing soul in her spiritual conflict; guide me with thy counsel, sustain me with thy grace, refresh me with thy comforts, preserve me in thy love, and crown me with thy glory. O Jesus, grant, I beseech thee, that so long as I am in the darkness of this misty desert, the eyes of my mind may, with devout Stephen, be often fixed upou heaven, aud contemplate the most shining light and brightness of thee, O God, and that I may always praise thee for ever and ever. Amen.

Friday's Meditations in the Even

ing.

Upon the Passion of Jesus Christ.

THIS

HIS is one of the highest exercises of a christian to meditate often upon the holy passion of our Saviour, and endeavour ourselves to imitate some part of that which is there represented unto us: For it is manifest that all the perfection of a christian's life, consisteth in imitating, and following the example of our Saviour Christ. Whereto the apostle St. Peter exhorteth us, saying, Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his footsteps; who when he was evil spoken of, did not speak evil again; and when he was tormented, did not threaten his tormentors, but delivered himself unto him that did most unjustly condemn him; he suffered his bitter pains without any mixture of ease or consolation: He was deprived of all manner of ease or consolation that might come unto him, ei

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ther from heaven or from earth: insomuch that he was forsaken, not only of his disciples and friends, but also of his heavenly father. This is that forsaking, which our Saviour signified upon the cross, when he said, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" For (as concerning the bond of union) the divine nature in our Lord never forsook the human, to which it had been united from all eternity; yet, as touching the consolation and ease of our Saviour's pain and torments, it did wholly forsake the same. We read that the martyrs, when they went to suffer death, shewed themselves very courageousand joyful; but our Saviour, though the very fountain of all grace and strength, (through whose virtue the martyrs had such strength and courage as to be able to do what they did) trembled and sweat even drops of blood when he went to suffer pains and torments for us. The light and joy of God's countenance caused the martyrs to triumph and be glad: but from our Saviour Christ all consolations were withdrawn at that hour, that so he might drink the cup of his father's wrath, pure, and without mixture of any manner of ease or consolation.

Consider moreover, the profound humility, wherewith the most high and only begotten Son of God vouchsafed to be contemned, and less esteemed than Barabbas; and to be crucified upon a cross between two thieves, as though he had been a captain and ring-leader of malefactors.

Consider his wonderful patience in the midst of so many reproachful injuries and torments, and withal, his great magnanimity, in that he offered himself so willingly into the hands of his enemies, and suffered the greatest pains and conflicts that ever were suffered in the world.

Consider his most fervent charity which passeth all understanding, by the which he was moved to offer himself a sacrifice for the

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