Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/161

 ciple and  his  disciple  to  thee, to take  me  under  thy  care and protection,  and  to  be  with me in  all  the  dangers  and difficulties of  my  whole  life; but chiefly  to  assist  me  at  the hour of  my  death. Amen.

O my holy  patrons,  objects of my  special  choice  and  love! with my  whole  heart  I recommend myself  to  you  by the  love  of  our  Lord  Jesus Christ; and  I implore  you by the  peculiar  and  unspeakable love  of  almighty  God, with which  from  all  eternity he chose  you  to  be  his  friends, and predestined  you  to  be heirs  of  his  glorious  kingdom. And I adjure  you  by  the abundant and  efficient  grace of God,  with  which  he  forearmed you  on  the  way,  and prepared you  for  glory.

For, though  set  in  this  vale of misery,  and  in  this  frail flesh, yet,  clothed  with  power from heaven,  you  stood  steadfast against  all  your  enemies; nor were  any  deceits  of  the world, allurements  of  the flesh, or  wiles  of  the  devil, able to  separate  you  from  the love of  Christ  Jesus; but with constancy  you  adhered to him  to  the  end,  even  to the  death; and,  therefore, as invincible  champions,  you now reign  with  Christ  your leader, and  triumph  in  glory.

From my  heart,  O my  holy patrons, I rejoice  with  you, and congratulate  you  upon your glory  and  happiness; and I praise  God  for  having so loved  you,  and  given  you the victory. But my  soul meanwhile sighs  and  pants after you  with  groaning  and trembling, amid  so  many  enemies and  risks  to  salvation; entreating you,  by  the  tender mercy of  God,  and  the  happy exaltation you  now  enjoy  in heaven,  to  remember  your  Ghent; and,  as  faithful  patrons, to obtain  for  me  from  the Most High  the  effectual  grace of God,  that  so  I may  follow your steps,  bravely  withstand my foes,  the  world,  the  flesh, and the  devil,  and  never yield to  their  power  or  deceit; but,  like  you,  may  persevere to  the  death  in  constancy to  Christ  my  Saviour; and so  order  my  mortal life, as  to  be  united  to  you here in  grace,  and. hereafter in glory,  and  praise  God  in your  company  for  ever  and ever. Amen.

O holy Magi,  illustrious kings, first-fruit  of  the  Gentiles, and  honoured  patrons! I beseech you  by  the  love  of our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  whereby, kings  yourselves,  you were so  beloved  and  charmed