Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/502

 Father hast  given  thee  a Name  that  is  above  every name, that  in  thy  Name  every knee should  bow. Therefore thy Name  is  praised  from the rising  of  the  sun  to  the going down  of  the  same.

How, then,  can  we  poor  little worms  of  earth  add  to  the holiness of  thy  Name? Thy Name, most  holy  in  itself, is to  be  hallowed,  that  is honoured  and  proclaimed  by us,  but  chiefly  by  our  holy life and  conduct. “ Be holy,” he says,  "because  I am  holy.” But  who  shall  make  holy  and clean  those  that  are  conceived of  unclean  seed,  but  thou,  O Priest  for  ever,  who  sanctifiest  all  things! for  thou  hast loved  us,  and  given  thyself  for us,  to  be  an  Oblation  and  Sacrifice to  God,  that  thou mightst  sanctify  to  thyself  a Church,  not  having  spot  or wrinkle.  Sanctify  us,  then, in  the  truth,  that  we  may sanctify  thee,  and  that  our light  may  so  shine  before  men, that  they  may  see  our  good works,  and  glorify  thee  and thy  Father,  who  is  in  heaven.

O Jesus, great  King  above all the  kings  of  the  earth! O King of  glory,  who  camest  to us  (at  thy  first  advent)  meek and lowly,  not  striking  terror into  us  by  thy  majesty  or power,  but  refreshing  us  in our  misery  by  thy  humility and mercy! Born of  the  royal stock, thou  reignest  over  the house of  Jacob,  and  of  thy kingdom there  shall  be  no end. Thy kingdom  is  not,  indeed, of  this  world; yet,  when standing before  the  governor, thou  didst  not  disavow thyself a King; and  upon  the Cross too,  thou  bearest  the kingly Title. Thy eternal  Father, moreover,  has  crowned thee with  glory  and  honour, and all  power  is  given  to thee  in  heaven  and  in  earth.

Yes, King  that  art  best  and greatest of  kings,  let  thy kingdom come  to  us,  of  grace now, and  of  glory  hereafter. Far be  it  from  us,  like  sons of Belial,  to  despise  thee,  or refuse  thee  for  our  king: nay, we would  have  thee  to  reign over us,  King  peaceful  and wise, for  thy  throne  is  established in  justice  and  mercy. Set out,  then,  proceed  prosperously, and  reign  over  us, who, by  every  right,  are  thy subjects. Be Lord  also  in the  midst  of  thy  enemies,  and rule them  with  a rod  of  iron, that we  may  be  freed  from their power,  and  serve  thee! in holiness  and  justice  all  our days. And so  may  the  glory of thy  kingdom  grow  and  advance daily  more  and  more.

O Jesus, Lord  and  Master, who camest  to  do  and  to  teach the will  of  thy  Father;  O