Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/158

 ful conflict,  which  I,  a frail and helpless  creature,  have  to wage  with  the  same  enemy.

Be with me,  O most  mighty prince, that  I may  powerfully  withstand,  and  successfully prevail  over,  that  proud dragon, whom,  by  the  divine power, thou  gloriously  overcamest,  and  whom  Christ, our almighty  king,  overthrew in our  nature  which  he  took; that so  I may  both  with  thee triumph over  the  enemy,  and with the  holy  angels  continually praise  the  mercy  of God,  who  has  so  tenderly permitted our  race  to  rise again to  grace  after  our  fall, though, by  a just  judgment, he refused  mercy  to  the  bad angels, after  the  sin  which was their  ruin.

I adjure thee,  angelic spirit, who  art  my  faithful guardian and  defender,  to  direct me,  who  have  been  entrusted to  thy  custody  and protection, in  the  way  of peace,  prosperity,  and  salvation; and  to  defend  me  from every evil  spirit  and  sore temptation.

Thou knowest,  most  tender guardian, that  I am  framed to the  image  of  God  himself, our Creator; redeemed  from the power  of  Satan  at  so great  a price  as  the  blood  of Christ,  and  committed  by  the providence of  God  to  thy  care and protection. And all  for what purpose,  but  to  secure one so  mightily  fenced  by  the goodness and  mercy  of  God, from falling  a prey  to  the envy of  the  enemy?

Let thy  faithful  assistance, therefore, preserve  me,  that such eminent  tokens  of  the divine goodness  may  not  be lost  upon  me. Most dear angel, I implore  thee,  by  the love of  the  most  merciful God, which  preserved  thee with the  good  angels  in  grace and glory,  when  the  rest, who were  reprobate,  fell from the  height  of  happiness by  pride,— that,  by  thy aid and  favour,  I also  may obtain the  powerful  assistance of  God,  to  preserve  me from  danger  of  falling; and to keep  me  constant  to  the end in  grace  and  good  works, and in  the  love  and  service of God  my  Creator,  until  I come  to  behold  him  in  my heavenly  home,  and  am  united with thee  and  all  the  saints, in praising  him  for  ever  and ever. Amen.

O angel of  God,  who  art my guardian,  enlighten,  keep, govern, and  direct  me,  this day, night,  or  hour,  who  by the  divine  goodness  am  entrusted to  thy  charge.

V. He  hath  given  his  angels charge  over  thee.

R. To  keep  thee  in  all  thy ways.

Almighty and  everlasting