complaint, but to thee, my meek and merciful Saviour, with a full hope and confidence that thou wilt vouchsafe thy accustomed pity to my humble petition. This I humbly entreat of thee.
By the holy mystery of thy alliance with our human nature, when, resolving with the Father and the Holy Ghost to unite thy divine person to mortal flesh for man's salvation, thou didst send thy angel to the holy Virgin Mary with those happy tidings, and clothing thyself with our human nature, remainedst, true God and true man, for the space of nine months in her sacred womb.
By the anguish thou enduredst when, the time of thy designed passion drawing nigh, thou prayedst to thy eternal Father, that if it were possible that bitter chalice might pass away from thee; yet concluding with a most perfect act of resignation, Not my will, but thine be done.
By the outrageous injuries, shameful disgraces, cruel blows, contumelious blasphemies, forged witnesses, false accusations, and unjust judgments, which thou, innocent Lamb! patiently enduredst; by the shackles which fettered thy limbs, the tears which flowed from thine eyes, the blood which trickled from thy whole body; by the fears, sorrows, and sadness of thy heart; by the shame thou receivedst in being stript of thy garments, to hang naked on the cross, in the sight of thy sorrowful Mother, and in the presence of all the people.
By thy royal head crowned with thorns, and smitten with a reed; by thy thirst quenched with vinegar and gall; by thy side opened with a spear, whence issued blood and water, to refresh our souls with that living fountain of thy love and mercy; by the sharp nails wherewith thy tender hands and feet were cruelly pierced and fastened to the cross; by the recommendation of thy departing soul to thy heavenly Father, saying, Into thy hands I commend my spirit; by thy praying for thy enemies, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do; by thy giving up the ghost, when thou criedst out with a loud voice, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? and then, bowing down thy most blessed head, saidst, It is consummated. By the great mercy thou shewedst towards the peni-
