Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/176

 world with  the  bread  of  tears in measure,  amid  so  many pains, trials,  and  afflictions, sod didst  often  support  them in hunger— not  indeed  with the bread  of  this  earth  (for man  lives  not  by  this  alone), but didst  strengthen  their heart with  the  bread  of  sons, the bread  of  patience,  hope, and thy  word  and  consolation; the  bread  of  life  and understanding; and givest them, now  that  they  are  conquerors, to  eat  of  the  tree  of life,  which  is  in  the  midst  of thy  paradise: so,  too,  vouchsafe to  give  food  to  us,  both for body  and  soul,  in  due  season in  the  many  tribulations and necessities  of  this  life, that we  faint  not  by  the  way in which  we  perseveringly follow thee. Oh, that  we  too may reach  thee,  and  with them be  satisfied  with  the plenty of  the  house  of  God.

We adore  thee,  most  merciful Father,  because  thou  art rich in  mercy,  and  ready  to  repent of  the  evil. We therefore humbly  pray  thee,  by  the merits and  intercession  of  thy holy confessors,  that,  as  they never closed  their  hearts  to love  and  mercy  towards  their neighbour, but  willingly  and cheerfully forgave  even  their enemies all  offences  and  injuries, prayed  for  their  persecutors, and  did  good  to  them that hated  them; so  we,  too, may be  ready  to  forgive  our neighbour for  thy  sake,  that thou mayest,  in  return,  be more  ready  to  forgive  us,  and to be  favourable  to  our  sins, and not  to  requite  us  according to  our  iniquities.

We adore  thee,  most  loving Father, because  thou  art  not a tempter of  evils,  and  temptest  no  man. We therefore most humbly  pray  thee,  by the  merits  and  prayers  of  all holy virgins,  that  as  they, though weak  in  age,  and  sex, and strength,  yet,  by  the  assistance of  thy  grace,  nobly and successfully  overcame, with a masculine  courage,  all temptations, the  allurements of the  world,  the  lusts  of  the flesh, and  the  wiles  of  the devil; so  we,  too,  by  thy grace and  their  intercession, may never  yield  to  any  temptations, but,  for  the  love  of thee,  may  manfully  resist every thing  which  could  separate us  from  thee,  to  be united  to  whom  is  our  happiness now  and  for  ever. Meanwhile prove and  try  us,  O Lord,  whether  we  love  thee sincerely. Yet suffer  us  not to be  tempted  above  our power, but  give  us,  with  the temptation, the  means  of escape. For, if  thou  givest us thy  grace  and  increasest our faith,  we  shall  be  able