Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/555

 the sins  of  such  as  repent,  and  graciously  remittest the guilt  of  their  past  offences,  mercifully  regard  this thy servant  [N.,]  and  grant  [him]  a full  discharge  from all [his]  sins,  who  most  earnestly  begs  it  of  thee. Remove, O merciful  Father,  whatever  is  corrupt  in [him]  through  human  frailty,  or  by  the  snares  of  the enemy; make [him]  a true  member  of  the  Church; and let [him]  partake  of  the  fruit  of  thy  redemption. Have compassion, Lord,  on  [his]  tears,  and  admit  [him]  to the  sacrament  of  thy  reconciliation,  who  has  no  hope but in  thee,  through  Christ  our  Lord. Amen.

I recommend thee,  dear  brother, to  Almighty  God, and leave  thee  to  his  mercy,  whose  creature  thou  art; that having  paid  the  common  debt,  by  surrendering thy soul,  thou  mayest  return  to  thy  Maker,  who formed thee  out  of  the  earth. Let, therefore,  the splendid company  of  Angels,  meet  thy  soul  at  its departure; let the  court  of  the  Apostles  receive  thee: let the  triumphant  army  of  glorious  Martyrs  conduct thee; let the  crowds  of  joyful  Confessors  encompass thee; let the  choir  of  blessed  Virgins  go  before  thee; and let  a happy  rest  be  thy  portion  in  the  company of the  Patriarchs; let  Christ  Jesus  appear  to  thee with a mild  and  cheerful  countenance,  and  give  thee place among  those  who  are  to  be  in  his  presence  for ever. Mayst thou  be  a stranger  to  all  that  which  is punished  with  darkness,  chastised  with  flames,  and condemned to  torments. Let the  wicked  enemy, with all  his  evil  spirits,  depart  from  thee; may  he tremble  at  thy  approach  in  the  company  of  Angels, and retire  into  the  horrid  confusion  of  eternal  night. May thy  God  arise,  and  thy  enemies  be  put  to  flight. May all  who  hate  [him]  fly  before  [his]  face. Let them vanish like  smoke,  and  as  wax  before  the  fire  so  let sinners perish  in  the  sight  of  God; but  for  the  just.