vealed Truth, to stimulate the will to the efforts necessary for salvation.

A meditation has three parts: (1) The preparation, consisting of suitable preliminary prayers, invocation of the Holy Ghost; and leading of the thoughts into harmony with the subject to be contemplated. (2) The consideration, in which the subject is recalled to memory, and so thought over by the intellect as to encourage the will to choose what is right. (3) The conclusion, consisting of suitable resolutions and prayers. It would not be possible within the compass of this work to add a sufficient number of meditations to be of any real use. The reader is recommended to procure one of the many volumes of meditations which have been published. The following devotions for use at the time of meditation, may be found helpful.

Prayer before Meditation.

MOST merciful and sweet

Lord Jesus, compassionate Lover of men, and gracious Saviour of the erring. I, a miserable offender, desire to think of Thee, to gaze upon Thy wondrous works, and to learn how great Thy lovingkindness towards us sinners is: that I may not be separated from Thee by despair on account of my sins but by the recollection of Thy truth, may learn at last to cease from

these mine iniquities; and to refresh my soul, bowed down by sins and evil deeds. Amen.

Another.

LMIGHTY

AL

and

most

merciful Father, I desire to make this Meditation to Thy honour and glory, and for the benefit of my sinful soul. Assist me with Thy grace in every part of it. Strengthen and renew my memory, that I may ever be sensible of the blessed and awful truths revealed to me. Illumine my understanding that I may think thoughts pleasing unto Thee, and profitable to myself. Guide and support my will, that I may choose, and, having chosen, courageously fulfil the better part, which shall not be taken away. Through Jesu Christ our Lord. Amen.

Another.

GOD, who fillest Heaven

and earth, I humbly come to adore Thee as here present before me; pardon the sins which I have committed against Thee, which have ren dered me unworthy to approach Thee, and grant my mind light to understand, and my will grace to accept the truths on

MY God, I firmly believe

that Thou art here pre

sent and seest me; that 'Thou

beholdest all my deeds, and readest my thoughts. I acknowledge myself unworthy to appear before Thee, or to lift up mine eyes to Thee; but do Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon me, and pardon all my sins. Strengthen me, also, with Thy free Spirit, that I may with humble and contrite heart make my supplication before Thee to-day. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom with Thee, in the

myself at the feet of Thy Divine Majesty, before which the whole universe is but a little dust, acknowledging Thee as my Creator, and myself as Thy creature, and offering myself entirely unto Thee. Amen.

Another.

My God, I believe that

Thou art here present, watching and judging all my actions, as Thou wilt one day

reward or condemn them. Prostrate I adore Thy Divine Majesty with all the reverence I can. I acknowledge Thee as my Lord and King, and desire to obey Thee entirely and for ever. Amen.

Another.

FIRMLY believe, O my God, as Thou hast taught me by the voice of Thy holy Church, that Thou art as truly present here as in the highest Heavens among the hosts of angels. I prostrate

Fill the hearts of Thy faithful servants, And light in them the fire of Thy love.

Who, through the diversity of all languages,

Hast gathered the nations together in the unity of the Faith. Amen.

Or Hymns, or Collect for Whitsun Day.

Prayer after Meditation.

I THANK Thee, O my

God, for the light and grace granted me in this Meditation; and I pray Thee to bless my desires, and to strengthen me with Thy om. nipotent grace to carry out the resolutions I have formed, that I may amend my evil ways, and walk hereafter in the path of virtue. Through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After an unsuccessful Medi

tation.

LORD, so far as I am myself the cause of these distractions and inattentions, I deeply grieve for them; but so far as they have happened according to Thy will, I accept them as a just and due rebuke for my sins, chastising my faults and my manifold negligences, and with gratitude receive them at Thy hand, Who livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.

A very brief Method of Meditation.

Preparation.

Preparatory prayer.

Invocation of the Holy Sp.r.t.

A Prayer before bearing or reading the Word of God.

HOLY and eternal Jesus, Who hast begotten us by Thy Word, renewed us by Thy Spirit, fed us by Thy Sacraments, and by the daily ministry of Thy Word, continue still to build us up to life eternal. Let Thy most holy Spirit be present with me and rest on me in reading or hearing Thy sacred Word; that I may study it humbly, reverently, without prejudice, with a mind ready and desirous to learn and to obey; that I may be readily furnished and instructed to every good work, and may practise all Thy holy laws and commandments, to the glory of Thy Holy Name, O holy and eternal Jesus. Amen.

GOD, Who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord: grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to the se unspeakable joys which Theu hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love Thee: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Act of Contrition.

MY God, I grieve that I

LORY be to the Holy and Undivided Trinity, now and for ever, and to all ages of ages. Amen.

In Trouble.

my sins, especially by this. God be merciful to me, sinner.

a

Thine be done.

MAY the most just, most

high, and most lovely will of God be ever done, praised, and exalted in all things. Amen.

At the Beginning or End of any Work.

ALL for the glory of God,

and the Love of Jesus..