Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/176

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world with the bread of tears in measure, amid so many pains, trials, and afflictions, sod didst often support them in hunger— not indeed with the bread of this earth (for man lives not by this alone), but didst strengthen their heart with the bread of sons, the bread of patience, hope, and thy word and consolation; the bread of life and understanding; and givest them, now that they are conquerors, to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of thy paradise: so, too, vouchsafe to give food to us, both for body and soul, in due season in the many tribulations and necessities of this life, that we faint not by the way in which we perseveringly follow thee. Oh, that we too may reach thee, and with them be satisfied with the plenty of the house of God.

5. And forgive us our trespasses.

We adore thee, most merciful Father, because thou art rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. We therefore humbly pray thee, by the merits and intercession of thy holy confessors, that, as they never closed their hearts to love and mercy towards their neighbour, but willingly and cheerfully forgave even their enemies all offences and injuries, prayed for their persecutors, and did good to them that hated them; so we, too, may be ready to forgive our neighbour for thy sake, that thou mayest, in return, be more ready to forgive us, and to be favourable to our sins, and not to requite us according to our iniquities.

6. And lead us not into temptation.

We adore thee, most loving Father, because thou art not a tempter of evils, and temptest no man. We therefore most humbly pray thee, by the merits and prayers of all holy virgins, that as they, though weak in age, and sex, and strength, yet, by the assistance of thy grace, nobly and successfully overcame, with a masculine courage, all temptations, the allurements of the world, the lusts of the flesh, and the wiles of the devil; so we, too, by thy grace and their intercession, may never yield to any temptations, but, for the love of thee, may manfully resist every thing which could separate us from thee, to be united to whom is our happiness now and for ever. Meanwhile prove and try us, O Lord, whether we love thee sincerely. Yet suffer us not to be tempted above our power, but give us, with the temptation, the means of escape. For, if thou givest us thy grace and increasest our faith, we shall be able