Page:Goldentreatiseof00pete.djvu/178

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men placed in dignity, that by their diligent care, their subjects may live a quiet life, well instructed with honest manners, for this is grateful to God, that willeth all should be saved, and come to the knowledge of his truth.

Then for all the members of his mystical body; for the just, that he would be pleased to conserve them in their sanctity; for sinners, to convert them from their wicked courses, to the amendment of their lives; for the dead, that he would free them from the expiating torments wherein they are detained, and bring them to their eternal rest.

We must pray to God, for the poor infirm captives, bond-slaves or others, in whatsoever tribulation; that for the merits of his dear Son, he would vouchsafe to help, and free them from all their miseries.

After we have prayed for the good of our neighbors, let us, at length, intreat for our own necessities, which discretion will teach every one in particular (if he be not altogether ignorant of himself,) what they are. But, that we may set down a method for beginners, we will lead them into this pathway. First, therefore, we must pray to God, that through the merits and passion of his only begotten Son, he would pardon our sins, give us grace to avoid them, and to expiate them with good works worthy of penance; but especially, to implore for help and assistance, against those evil inclinations, and vices, in which we are most addicted, lay-