Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/519

 tisement, we  may  merit  to  be reckoned  worthy  members  of a thorn-crowned  Head. Who livest.

Lord Jesus,  who  at  the Sixth hour  of  the  day  didst hang on  the  wood  of  the  Cross by thy  Hands  and  Feet,  dug through with  nails,  and  with those same  nails  hast  fastened to that  gibbet  the  handwriting of  our  condemnation; grant that,  my  soul  being freed from  the  slavery  of  sin, I may ever  bear  these,  thy  most sacred Wounds,  as  tokens  of my  deliverance,  in  the  midst of my  heart. Who livest.

Lord Jesus,  who  at  the Ninth hour  of  the  day,  when all things  were  accomplished, didst bow  thy  Head  and  yield up thy  spirit  to  God  the  Father, and  breathe  the  breath of life  into  mankind  that  was heretofore dead; grant  to me,  a sinner,  that  I,  who  owe my whole  self  to  thee  for having made  me,  may  owe my whole  self  to  thee  again for having  made  me  anew, and live  now  no  more  to  myself, but  to  thee  who  hast died for  me,  for  ever. Who livest.

Lord Jesus,  who  at  the hour of  Evening  didst  will thyself to  be  taken  down dead from  the  Cross,  into  the arms of  thy  most  holy  Mother; mercifully  grant  that I too, while  I live,  may  never abandon my  cross,  which  of thy  goodness  it  has  been  thy will to  bestow  upon  me; and that,  when  taken  down from it  at  my  death,  I may merit to  be  presented  before thee by  the  hands  of  thy  most merciful Mother. Who livest.

Lord Jesus,  who  at  the hour of  Compline  reposedst in the  tomb,  and  wast  bewailed by  thy  most  sorrowful Mother, and  by  other  women; make us,  we  beseech  thee, with true  tears,  to  bewail thy most  holy  Passion,  and never to  give  place  to  the things by  which  thou  wouldst be crucified  again. Who livest.