devout and acceptable homage; may they praise Thee and magnify Thee for ever!
May all the fervent desires of the Saints, all the sweet utterances of the Doctors of the Church, all the several virtues put forth, and all the most perfect actions wrought, in honour of Thy name, join the universal melody of all created things, in praising and in magnifying Thee to the utmost of their power, blessing the most Holy Name of the Lord their God for ever and ever!
And may all Thy Saints, and all Thy Elect, whose names are written in the Book of Life, laud and magnify Thee with never-ending praise; and may their prayers obtain for me the full remission of my sins, a good death, a happy end, deliverance from the pains of Hell, and an entry into Heavenly glory, there to have the bliss of dwelling with Thee for ever!
CHAPTER II
☙ A Prayer concerning the creation of the first man, and his unhappy fall
BLESS Thee, and give thanks to Thee,
O Holy Trinity, and undivided Unity —
Father, Son and Holy Ghost — one true
and Almighty God, Who, that Thou
mightest proclaim the unspeakable abundance of
Thy Goodness, didst in the beginning create the
heaven and the earth, and the sea and all the
things that are therein; and didst exalt man above
Thy other creatures, to Thine own image and likeness, by making him powerful in dominion, wise
in understanding, and innocent in life.
I praise and glorify Thee for Thy surpassing
