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sisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble:" then may the devout communicant use that of St. Bernard, Domine, qui das gratiam humilibus, da gratiam ut sim humilis; "Lord, Thou that giveth grace to the humble, give me grace to be humble."

CHAPTER XXXIV.

A PRAYER TO GOD THE FATHER, TO BE SAID BEFORE THE HOLY COMMUNION.

O

Used by Thomas Aquinas.

GOD, the Creator of all things, Father Omnipotent, Whose beginning receiveth no beginning, Whose everlastingness is without end, Whom all things confess their Maker; I, miserable and unworthy sinner, being now to approach to the honourable feast of the Body and Blood of Thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, carrying a troubled heart, a defiled body, a polluted tongue, and a wounded conscience, am much perplexed, and what to choose I know not; for if I come not, I fly from life; and if I come unworthily, I purchase damnation. O high Divinity, O dreadful Majesty, O loving Mercy, whither shall I go? or

whither shall I fly or what (miserable creature that I am) shall I do? I have sinned against Heaven and before Thee, and am not worthy to ask Thee anything as a son, but sorrowfully sighing, and striking my breast, and travailing, I speak: Woe is me, wretched sinner; I have lost that which pertained to me of a son, but Thou hast kept the goodness of a most loving Father: pardon, therefore, O Father, O most gentle Father, pardon, pardon Thy prodigal son, returning, though at last; and stretching forth Thy hand of mercy from high, receive me, wretched sinner, in peace and favour; Who livest and reignest, God for ever and ever. Amen.

CHAPTER XXXV.

A PRAYER TO GOD THE SON, BEFORE THE HOLY

O

COMMUNION.

LORD Jesus Christ, Who art the only Son

of God, the most high King of kings, Lord of lords, the image of the Father, the brightness of eternal light, Whom the Angels do only desire to behold, Who after all Thy suffering, praying for Thine enemies, now sittest at the throne of

glory; who am I, that doth presume not only to behold Thee my God, but also to take and receive Thy Body into the lodging of my body, and house of my soul, contaminated sinner? O miserable that I am, and most unhappy of all men, who do this so exceeding great injury to Thee, my God and Saviour. For when a thousand years of tears are not sufficient to receive, at the least but once worthily, this reverent and most precious Sacrament, so high and Divine a Mystery: I, wretched and unworthy creature, daily offending, and adding sin unto sin, unprepared, and of an heart less contrite and purged, do notwithstanding take upon me often to receive it. But because Thy mercy is greater by infinite than my misery, neither hath it been heard from the beginning of the world that Thou hast ever despised the prayers of the humble, Who savest them that trust in Thee, and Who hast shed Thy precious blood for our salvation, and the salvation of the world; and for an everlasting pledge of Thy love towards us hast ordained this Sacrament. Trusting in this Thy unspeakable love, I most humbly prepare me to Thy Table, and of putting out from the house of my soul the sour leaven of hatred and evil will towards all, that I may keep this Holy Passover with the sweet bread of sincerity and love.

Grant me Thy grace, that this Holy Mystery may turn and become effectual to the life and salvation both of body and soul, that I may firmly abide in Thee, who intend this day to receive Thee unto me.

Let my mind be confirmed amongst so great Mysteries with Thy comfortable Presence, that it may understand Thou art present with her, and rejoice perfectly before Thee, the Fire which always burneth, the Brightness which always shineth : sweet Jesu, good Jesu, the Bread of life which refreshest us ever, and yet never decayest, which art always eaten, and remainest always whole, inflame and sanctify Thy vessel, purge it from malice, fill it with Thy grace, and being filled, preserve it evermore in Thy holy love, Who livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen.

A PRAYER TO GOD THE HOLY GHOST.

O Holy Spirit, make my spirit conformable unto Thee; sanctify me, O Thou sanctifier of the hearts and reins, that I may be prepared to receive Him holily, Who is the Holy of Holies, to Thy glory; to Whom with the Father and the Son, be all glory world without end. Amen.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

OF THE DEVOUT MAN, TO WHOM CHRIST IN HIS LAST SUPPER SHEWETH FAVOUR.

IMAGINE, thou hadst been at Jerusalem when this noble Sacrament was instituted by Christ; that thou hadst been invited by some of the Apostles to be present; consider with what joy thy soul had received this message, and how hastily all business laid aside, thou wouldest have run thither.

2. Imagine, that as soon as thou hadst come to the Supper, the Lord had washed thy feet, and said, with tears falling on them, I do this to wash away many sins committed against thy Creator, by walking through ungodly ways, I wash thee for the labour which thou shalt suffer for Me in a spiritual life.

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3. Imagine, that Christ said unto thee, Come unto the Table of Angels, eat My bread, drink wine, which I have mixed for thee; or, Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved!"

4. Lastly, imagine, how He bade thee sit down at the Table, casting His most longing eyes upon

Canticles v. I.

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