CHAPTER XXXVIII.

OF THE GREAT ESTEEM AND DEVOTION GIVEN BY

THE ANCIENT FATHERS ΤΟ THIS MOST HOLY

SACRAMENT.

WITH what chastity of body and purity of

mind ought I to receive that Mystery, where Thou, O Lord, art the Feeder and the Food, the Giver and the Gift? Ambrosius in Oratione ante Sacr. Can.

St. Jerome, a little before his departure, being about to receive, humbly kneeling, did communicate with many tears. Eusebius in Vita S. Hieronymi.

It is written of Constantine, no less godly than mighty an emperor, that with great reverence and devotion, before any attempt against his enemies, his wont was to receive the Holy Eucharist. Eusebius in Vita Constantini.

By the force of this Sacrament the force of the devil is abated. Ignatius ad Ephes.

St. Cyprian calleth this blessed Sacrament a joyful solemnity. Cypr. de Con. Dom.

Of the old Christians, their solemn assembly to receive the Eucharist was called άyánŋ, an assembly or feast of love.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

A FORM OF THANKSGIVING, AFTER THE RECEIVING

I

OF THE MOST HOLY COMMUNION.

GIVE Thee thanks, O most loving Jesus, who hast vouchsafed to admit me, a sinful creature, to the magnificent and quickening feast of Thy Sacred Table.

Thou wouldest that I should be, as the Ark of the Covenant, where Thou Thyself vouchsafest to abide. Thou wouldest that in this Ark, manna should be kept, wherewith Thou didst feed Thy people, until they entered into the land of promise. Cause, I beseech Thee, that this manna now received, whereof that was but a figure, may be preserved in my soul, that I may feel the effectual fruit of Thy Passion, for the remission of my sins, the merit of righteousness, purchased by Thy Passion, and the reward of everlasting glory.

Cause also that like as in the Ark the Tables of the Law were kept, so a desire of fulfilling Thy will may be contained in my soul. Grant that I may honour, love, and obey Thee, that I be separated from this love by no allurements whatsoever of my ghostly enemy. Tarry with me, O blessed Jesus, until the evening of my age, and

when the night of death approacheth, I will not let Thee go till Thou hast blessed me, and yielded to this petition of my sobbing soul. O Lord, fulfil her desire, never depart from her.

What blessings shall I give unto Thee, O my dear Saviour? Where shall I begin to express my love and duty towards Thee, who hast said, "Behold I am with you even unto the end?" My soul desireth to be satisfied in the beholding of Thy countenance, even as the hart longeth for the fountains of water. Turn thee, O my soul, unto thy rest, for the Lord hath done well for thee: He hath shewed thee marvellous great kindness in the land of the living. For this cause also is my heart glad, and my glory rejoiceth, and my flesh shall rest in hope bless thou the Lord, O my soul.

CHAPTER XL.

ANOTHER FORM OF THANKSGIVING.

MNIPOTENT and most loving Father, I can

not give Thee thanks worthily or enough, according to the desire of my mind, for the treasure of this heavenly food, which Thou hast now given me in this heavenly Mystery, the true Bread of

heaven, that everlasting meat that abideth for ever, Thy blessed Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in whom I have obtained, by the gift of this Holy Communion, an assured pledge of an inheritance to come. Grant, O Lord, that I may daily profit in virtue and godliness, that this sacred union with Christ my Redeemer may be of such force in me, that rejecting all evil ways, I may go forward in piety towards God, chastity towards myself, and charity towards my neighbour, to Thy good pleasure, through the same our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE SOLILOQUY.

Awake, my soul, and behold the new favour wherewith thy loving Jesus doth prosecute thee. Thou hast good cause to rejoice that the Lord of Majesty vouchsafes to come unto thee to comfort thee. Vouchsafe only a good-will for all His bounty towards thee. Be not as the nine unthankful lepers who forgat their curing. Cast all thy care upon Him who careth for thee: cease not to magnify Him, O my soul, for He that is mighty hath magnified thee, and done great things for thee.

Thou knowest how the Son of God hath loved

thee, when, departing out of the world unto the Father, He left thee so comfortable a remembrance and seal of all His mercies. O love without measure! Return, O my soul, give glory unto God, for the Lord hath blessed thee. Return unto thy gracious Saviour, of whom thou mayest say, Here will I rest, here will I dwell for ever.

Can it be, O Lord, that Thou wouldest follow man with such love, as to unite Thyself unto him? Rejoice, O ye sons of Adam, for no longer shall that saying of the Prophet be applied to you, "My tears have been my meat day and night, whilst they yet daily said, Where is now thy God?" Tears are now no longer your meat, but the gladsome food of angels. Your God is with you even unto the end. The poor do eat and are satisfied. O Lord, grant me the grace of devotion and thankfulness, that I may ask instantly, expect patiently, receive it gratefully, preserve it humbly, and use it diligently, to the glory and honour of Thy holy and blessed name. Amen.

I desire to offer myself, my soul and body, a sacrifice unto Thee; nay, I offer up all my sins, both original and actual, upon the acceptable altar of Thy mercy: consume them with the sacred fire of Thy love, and let this offering, as Abel's offering, be well pleasing in thy sight. But to return unto