Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/506

 Christ thy Son: see whether it be thy Son’s coat that is sprinkled with Blood so precious. Consider why his apparel is red, and turn hence-forward the eyes of thy mercy to us, Eve’s wretched children; but now, by adoption, thine, through the Blood of thy only-begotten Son. Shall we suffer repulse, when it is not the blood of Abel, nor of goats, nor of calves, that cries for us, but the Blood of the spotless Lamb, thy only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ?

O Jesus, beloved, white, and ruddy Spouse of blood, who hast redeemed us to God in thy own Blood, favourably admit me when I enter into the sanctuary by thy Blood. Behold, I will take the chalice of salvation (thy Blood), and I will call on the name of the Lord. Therefore, I pray above all,

For there is no other name, O Jesus, under heaven more holy given to men, whereby we must be saved ; and which is more worthy to be honoured than thine, O most holy Jesus! Name, I say, that is above every name, which was given to thee in Circumcision ; when, but newly born, thou begannest to shed for us thy infant Blood. Oh, make this Blood warm within our hearts, and excite in us a fervid zeal for ever, spreading abroad the glory of thy Name! Be thy Name blessed, O Jesus, henceforth, and for ever!

For thou art King, O Jesus! and a great King, above all the gods and kings of the earth. But alas! what a one art thou reckoned by the wicked! How do they honour thee as king? with what a diadem do they crown thee, by what gestures adore thee? For they mock thee as a mad king, for their sport, platting for thee a crown of sharpest thorns, and forcing it deep into thy head.

By the shedding of thy most holy Blood, cause thy kingdom to come to us here, where thou crownest us with mercy and compassion; and thy other kingdom hereafter, where thou crownest us with glory and honour. May the blood shed at thy coronation obtain for us this.

O Jesus, who, for our sakes, hast most readily resigned thy own will to the good pleasure of thy Father by becoming obedient even to death, when in thy agony on Mount Olivet so great were the sorrows that oppressed thy heart, that thy sweat