Page:Beautifulpearlso00oreirich.djvu/22



V.   We  adore  Thee,  O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  bless  Thee.

R.    Because  by  Thy  holy  Cross  Thou  hast  redeemed  the  world.

HIS third  Station  represents  how  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  overwhelmed  by  the weight of  the  Cross,  fainting  through  loss  of  blood, falls  to  the  ground  the first time.

Contemplate the  unwearied  patience  of  the  meek  Lamb,  amidst  the insulting blows  and  curses  of  His  brutal  executioners;  while  you,  impatient  in  adversity and infirmity,  presume  to  complain,  nay,  to  insult  the  Majesty  of  Heaven,  by  your  curses and blasphemies. Purpose here  firmly  to  struggle  against  the  impatient  sallies  of  temper; and beholding  your  amiable  Jesus  prostrate  under  the  Cross,  excite  in  yourself  a  just hatred for  those  sins,  which  rendered  insupportable  that  weight,  with  which  your  Saviour, for love  of  you,  was  burthened,  and  thus  address  your  afflicted  Jesus:

LAS, MY  Jesus! the merciless  violence  of  Thy  inhuman  executioners,  the excessive weight  of  the  Cross,  or  rather  the  more  oppressive  load  of  my sins,  crush  Thee  to  the  earth. Panting for  breath,  exhausted  as  Thou  art. Thou dost  not  refuse  new  tortures  for  me. Will I  then  refuse  the  light burthen of  Thy  commandments;  will  I  refuse  to  do  violence  to  my  perverse  passions  and sinful attachments;  will  I  relapse  into  those  very  crimes  for  which  I  have  shed  false  and delusive tears! O Jesus! stretch Thy  holy  hand  to  my  assistance,  that  I  may  never  more fall into  mortal  sin;  that  I  may  at  the  hour  of  death  secure  the  important  affair  of  my salvation. Amen, Jesus.

Our Father,  &amp;c. Hail Mary,  &amp;c. Glory, &amp;c.

Jesus Christ  crucified,  have  mercy  on  us!