Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/225

 O God,  who  justifiest  the  wicked,  and  desirest  not  the death of  the  sinner,  we  humbly  entreat  of  thy  majesty, graciously to  protect  thy  servants  who  trust  in  thy  mercy, and constantly  to  preserve  them  by  thy  heavenly  aid; that we may  continually  serve  thee,  and  never  by  any  temptations be separated  from  thee.

O God, who  desirest  not  the  death,  but  the  repentance of sinners,  most  tenderly  regard  the  weakness  of  our  human condition, and  of  thy  goodness  further  our  endeavours; that, by thy  infinite  mercy,  we  may  happily  obtain  pardon  of  our sins, constancy  in  thy  service,  and  finally,  the  rewards  promised to  those  who  persevere  to  the  end; through  Jesus Christ our  Lord. Amen.

O Lord Jesus  Christ,  meek and humble  of  heart,  who  by word  and  example  hast  commanded us  to  learn  humility of thee; for,  being  in  the  form of God  equal  to  the  eternal Father, thou  didst  humble thyself, taking  upon  thee  the form of  a servant,  and  becoming obedient  to  death,  even to the  death  of  the  cross.

Take away  from  us  all  pride and swelling  of  spirit,  that, glorying in  nothing  but  thee, and despising  none,  we  may think humbly  of  ourselves, and, with  a lowly  heart, praise thee  alone; and  if  we seem  to  have  any  good,  make us acknowledge  it  to  come, not from  ourselves,  but  from thee, the  everflowing  fountain of  all  good; that  so  we may  ever  give  glory,  not  to ourselves,  but  to  thee. Amen.

Most bountiful  God,  who needest not  any  thing  that we have,  and  who  in  so  abundantly bestowing  upon  us thy  blessings,  biddest  us  be liberal  to  our  poor  neighbours of  the  things  granted to us  for  the  support  of  life, and therefore  constantly  recommendest  to  us  alms-giving and  works  of  charity: incline our  hearts  to  thy  testimonies. and not  to  covetousness; grant  that  for  thy