Sermons & Letters 188 part 5/15

Through, etc. May the voice of thy Church crying out ascend, we beseech thee, O Lord, to the ears of thy loving-kindness; that, having received pardon of sins, she may become devout by thy working, secure by thy protection. Through, etc. Sanctify, we beseech thee, O Lord, the gifts dedicated to thy name, that they may afford us both the sacrament of eternal life and its increase. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For amid whatsoever perils of the world, the only prosperity is not to have departed from thee, since to those who trust in thy mercy no adversities strike down, but rather train them unto salvation. Through, etc. May the holy participation of thy mystery, we beseech thee, O Lord, give us life, and equally bestow upon us both expiation and defence. Through, etc.

Help, O Lord, thy people, and to it, wholly subject to thee with all its heart, grant the effect of a good manner of life: for thou wilt fill it with all good things, if thou make it to please thee. Through, etc. VIII. Likewise another. — From all sins, we beseech thee, O Lord, propitiously absolve us, and vanquish those who strive to assail us. Through, etc. Restrain, we beseech thee, O Lord, the lips of those who speak iniquity, and confound those who devise to accuse us falsely. Through, etc. We beseech thee, O Lord our God, that through these exchanges of the heavenly life, avoiding the snares of falsehoods, we may be directed unto thy truth by the way and path divinely granted to us. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Thou who deignest to instruct thy servants, that the foolish rending of the proud may not so much stir us up, as rather the pitiable state of those who rend us may move us. Since, as it becomes us to take precaution lest we be truly assailed, so we ought to weep for the destruction of those who have strayed from the truth, praying that either we may be able, by humbly entreating, to bring them help toward correction, or may gain for ourselves the fruit of piety. Through, etc. Those whom thou hast refreshed, O Lord, by the heavenly mystery, propitiously absolve from their own sins and from the sins of others; that with purified minds we may enjoy the divine gift. Through, etc.

Stretch forth thy right hand, we beseech thee, O Lord, to thy people that asks thy mercy, whereby it may both avoid human errors, and receive the consolations of this mortal life, and lay hold of everlasting joys. Through, etc. IX. Likewise another. — Deliver us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from the debts of our sins, and, that thou mayest propitiously rescue us from all evils, absolve our iniquities, by which we are justly requited. Through, etc. Crush, we beseech thee, O Lord, the enemies of thy people, and cleanse away our offences, by whose desert they lord it over us; that, when thou hast poured into our minds the purity pleasing to thee, thou mayest also bestow peace. Through, etc. Receive, O Lord, we beseech thee, the singular sacrifice, which is ever both rendered and owed to thy majesty.

Through, etc. May this sacrifice, O Lord, be acceptable to thy name when it is offered, that it may be made to be demanded unceasingly. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who by chastening dost heal us, and by re-forming dost kindly instruct, willing rather that the corrected be saved than that the neglected perish. Through, etc. Suppliant we ask thee, O Lord our God, that we who have received the substance of the heavenly table may attain unto eternal life. Through, etc. Thine are the peoples, O Lord, who await the ministry of our voice. We beseech thy clemency that, to those who ask its saving benefits, whatever the confidence of the one praying does not possess, thy grace, which needs not our goods, may bestow. Through, etc. X. Likewise another.

— Be present, O Lord, to thy suppliants, and kindly protect with heavenly help those who hope in thy mercy. Through, etc. Look upon us, O Lord, we beseech thee, as we ask the support of thy loving-kindness. Give indulgence to the guilty, that thou mayest propitiously succour us the afflicted. Through, etc. Work in us thy sanctification, O Lord, being appeased, by these mysteries, which may both cleanse us from earthly vices and lead us to heavenly gifts. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who by expiating dost justify our minds, and by justifying dost make them capable of immortality. Through, etc. May we be filled, O Lord, with the grace of the sacred gift, and may we feel sweeter in our minds the things which we touch by bodily taste with sweet veneration. Through, etc.

Mercifully attend, O Lord, to the prayers of thy household, and follow, sustain, and protect on every side her who is wholly subject to thee with all her heart; that she who trusts under thy governance may neither be entangled in any evils, nor be filled with all good things. Through, etc. XI. Likewise another. — Almighty, everlasting God, whose ways are ever mercy and truth, grant, we beseech thee, that we who are cherished by thy clemency may also grow by the increase of religion. Through, etc. Grant us, we beseech thee, O Lord, worthily to handle thy mysteries, that we may both render due observances to thy compassions, and more confidently ask the things to be hoped for. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Seeking thy loving-kindness with all our vows, that, having received the prosperity of human affairs, we may so rejoice in earthly consolations as not to cease seeking the joys above, but that whatever is spent upon temporal gladness may profit for eternal instruction. Through, etc. We beseech thee, O Lord our God, sustain by thy defences those whom thou refreshest by the sacraments, and feed with things divine and everlasting those whom thou cherishest with temporal benefits. Through, etc. Follow thy Church, O Lord, with perpetual compassion, that, set amid the whirlwinds of the age, she may both take breath by present gladness, and receive the brightness of eternal blessedness. Through, etc. XII. Likewise another.

— Be present, O Lord, to our supplications, and, trusting in the intercessions of the apostles, may we be disturbed neither by the threats of adversaries, nor by any assault. Through, etc. Help, O Lord, our times, that, by thy right hand protecting us everywhere, both the integrity of religion and the security of the Roman name may stand restored. Through, etc. Suppliant we beseech thee, O Lord, that the gift set forth in trembling service may not be esteemed according to our merits, but, since it was instituted by thee, may be sanctified by thy gracious regard of those who offer it. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Whose very severity heals us, while it restrains the desire of sinning, while the human mind is made more ready to supplicate thee, while tranquillity returns more welcome after adversities, and, amid these things, tested faith is trained unto its reward. Through, etc. Deliver us from all evil, and propitiously grant that what we ask to be remitted to us, we also may remit to our neighbours. Through, etc. We beseech thee, O Lord our God, that what thou didst will to be for us the pledge of immortality, thou mayest grant to come forth as a support unto eternal salvation. Through, etc. Look propitiously, O Lord, upon those who bow themselves to thy majesty, that those who are refreshed by the divine gift may ever be fortified by heavenly helps. Through, etc. XIII. Likewise another.

— Grant us, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, ever to rejoice in devotion to thee, for happiness is perpetual and full if we continually serve the Author of all good things. Through, etc. We beseech thee, almighty God, that the prosperity bestowed upon us may not turn to the neglect of thy worship, but rather may ever kindle us to the giving of thanks, to be shown more readily unto thee. Through, etc. We bring victims to thee, O Lord, to be immolated, thou who by temporal consolation dost signify that we should not despair of the eternal things promised. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Since, as thy clemency not only bestows benefits upon the undeserving, but also inspires the affection whereby we may give thanks,

so it becomes us, since we cannot fittingly fulfil thy praises, at least to utter them without ceasing; that what we never sufficiently discharge, we may never cease to render. Through, etc. Rejoicing in the celebration of the yearly observance, that we may rejoice with full effects in those whose deeds we cleave to. Through, etc. May thy Church, O Lord, be filled and grow with heavenly grace; and, cleansed from all vices, may she receive the increase of everlasting redemption; that what she venerates in her members by the copious prolongation of the ages, she may lay hold of by the bounty of spiritual gifts. Through, etc. XIV.

Likewise another. — Almighty, everlasting God, turn our minds, we beseech thee, to works pleasing to thee, that thy correction may not be a greater cause of punishment to the negligent, but may become a fatherly instruction to the corrected. Through, etc. O God, who hast placed all the ordinances of the sacred law in the love of thee and of neighbour, grant us propitiously the fulfilling of these commandments, since no one excuses himself that it is impossible, which is comprised in such brevity, enjoined with such equity. Through, etc. Almighty, everlasting God, who grantest the things to be offered to thy name, and reckonest what is offered to the devotion of our service, we beseech thy clemency that what thou grantest whence there may be merit, thou mayest bestow to profit us unto reward. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Thou who so justly and kindly trainest our mutability unto things unchangeable, that thou neither forsakest our frailty, and restrainest the insolent; whereby, alike established in a devout manner of life and in the heavenly sacraments, we so now use the good things that pass away, that we may already be able to cleave to those that are eternal. Through, etc. Hear, O God, our prayer; and suffer thy holy things, which we have received, not to come forth unto judgement for us, but unto the remedy of thine immense propitiation. Through, etc. Look calmly, O Lord, upon thy people, and cleanse her whom thou makest a partaker of thy gift from all evils of body and mind; that, harmful disturbance ceasing, they may ever render thee free service. Through, etc. XV. Likewise another.

— Grant us, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy grace, whereby we may be able to be good, and grant that we may follow after that same grace with fitting endeavours. Through, etc. O God, whom our injustice unceasingly offends, give us the effect of an upright manner of life, whereby we may also obtain pardon. Through, etc. May the oblation to be consecrated, O Lord, we beseech thee, purify us, and make us alike worthy of its ministry and of its participation. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who governest the care of us on this principle, that the outward outcome proceeds from the quality of inward things. For by no outward miseries shall we be afflicted, if we bridle the vices of our souls; nor shall he lie subject to visible disgrace who withstands foul lusts;

no disquiet shall prevail from without, if we act with a sincere heart; we shall be subject to no enemies, if we keep inward peace. Thus, as we are wounded by no one more than by ourselves, so all hurtful things will succumb, if we first conquer our very selves. Through, etc. May the heavenly medicine of thy sacrament grant us, O Lord, we beseech thee, health of mind and body; that, quickened by its working, we may lay hold of helps both present and eternal. Through, etc. May thy Church, O Lord, we beseech thee, obtain the help of thy blessing which she as a suppliant asks; may she receive pardon; be instructed in good work; take breath by the consolation of temporal necessities; attain unto everlasting joys, and receive things eternal. Through, etc. XVI. Likewise another.

— Help us, O God our Saviour, and to those to whom thou grantest the affection of supplicating thee, bestow the effect of thy propitiation. Through, etc. Performing thy mysteries, O Lord, with the due services of our servitude, suppliant we ask thee that what we offer unto the honour of thy majesty may profit us unto salvation. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Whose beginning of propitiation we chiefly perceive from this very thing, when thou graciously pourest into the senses of thine own to supplicate thee with the whole mind, and to trust not in human resources, but in thy power; and we prove thine unfailing grace, when thou grantest us either to persevere in this very devotion, or to glory in the benefits received, not in ourselves, but in thy name. Through, etc.

Filled with the saving gift, we beseech thy mercy, O Lord, that by this same sacrament whereby thou dost temporally quicken us, thou mayest make us partakers of eternal life. Through, etc. Help thy servants, O Lord, and be continually propitious to those who trust in thy loving-kindness; that they may both, by thy protection, escape present perils, and, by thy bounty, receive future joys. Through, etc. XVII. Likewise another. — Spare, O Lord, spare thy people, that, chastened by worthy scourgings, it may take breath in thy compassion. Through, etc. Hear, O Lord, thy people, and what the merits of the suppliants have not, may thy grace, ever going before us, bestow. Through, etc.

Upon thine altars, O Lord, we bring the gifts of our servitude, which mayest thou receive appeased, and may they make both our service acceptable to thee, we beseech thee, and the sacrament of our redemption. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For thy praise must never be ceased from, which both amid straits affords needful help, and, in prosperity rendering thee thanksgiving, the more it makes us mindful of the benefit, the more it wins for us thy greater gifts. Through, etc. We beseech thee, O Lord our God, that those whom thou grantest to rejoice in divine participation thou wilt not suffer to lie subject to human perils. Through, etc. Almighty, everlasting God, instructor and ruler of thy faithful people, in the household consecrated by the sacrament of thy name.

so guard the gifts of thy grace, that the good things which it received by thee as Author may, by thee protecting, be preserved (or otherwise: by thee bestowing, be more abundantly increased). Through, etc. XVIII. Likewise another. — Almighty, everlasting God, give us to hold thy will with faithful mind, and to set it forth in a devout manner of life; that thy Church, cleansed from profane vanities, may not profess one thing in words and practise another in action. Through, etc. Hear us, O Lord our God, and sever the hearts of thy faithful from the depravities of the world, that they who pronounce the Lord with their voice may not fall back into diabolical servitude. Through, etc.

That the gifts of thy people may be pleasing to thee, O Lord, cleanse us, we beseech thee, from all contagion of perversity, nor suffer us to cleave to fleeting joys, whom thou promisest to come unto the rewards of thy truth. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who willest thy Church to be purged from diabolical dissimulation, and who, that thou mayest discern the sincere from the feigned, commandest the fruit of wills to be understood from the quality of works; not reckoning as pertaining to thee those whom thou shalt have perceived either to dissemble the things that are thine, or to do things contrary to these. Wherefore we bless thee, O Lord, and praise thee with due servitude. Through, etc. Be present to us, almighty and merciful God, and suffer not the sacraments which we have received to be violated either by our own excesses or by the sins of others. Through, etc.

Look propitiously, O Good Shepherd, upon thy flock, and suffer not the sheep which thou hast redeemed by thy precious blood to be torn by diabolical assault. Through, etc. XIX. Likewise another. — Receive, we beseech thee, O Lord, our prayers, and propitiously regard the devotion of those who cry to thee. Through, etc. Hear, O Lord, we beseech thee, the groaning of thy people, nor let the offence of the transgressors prevail more with thee than thy compassion, ever granted to the weeping of suppliants. Through, etc. Attend propitiously, O Lord, to the sacrifice to be celebrated for thee; which may both cleanse us from the vices of our condition, and render us acceptable to thy name. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who therefore deferrest the vows of those who ask, that in the very length of entreaty they may also profit;

and by granting later the things asked for, thou art known to bestow upon the minds of thy faithful an increase of devotion. Through, etc. We humbly beseech thy majesty, that, as thou feedest us with the food of the most holy body and blood, so thou mayest make us to be partakers of the divine nature. Through, etc. May they be fortified, O Lord, we beseech thee, by heavenly defences, who, trusting in thy protection and glorying in thee alone as their Guardian, are ever cherished by thy help. Through, etc. XX. Likewise another. — Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and gladden us with speedy propitiation. Through, etc. Attend, O Lord, we beseech thee, to thy suppliants; and grant us kindly alike indulgence and joy. Through, etc.

Receive, O Lord, appeased, the victims offered, which by sanctifying, make salutary for us, we beseech thee. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who, instructing us in heavenly disciplines on every side, showing how we should discern false brethren from thy faithful, dost pronounce by the voice of thine Only-begotten: By their fruits ye shall know them (Matt. VII, 20). For of these are they who are inflated with the mind of their own flesh, and hold not the Head. Of these are they who, being earthly-minded, so scorn the words of those who entreat thee, because, being animal and carnal, they receive not with foolish mind the things that are of the Spirit of God. Of these are the reprobate concerning the faith, who, knowing not what they say nor of what they affirm, have often tried, and try, to subvert.

Of these are the crafty workers, who enter in to spy out the liberty of the Church which she has in Christ, that they may reduce her with themselves into base servitude. Of these are they who creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins; devouring not only the substance of widows, but even of married women. These now neither desire to seem righteous, nor even outwardly to be so, whether whited or washed, but openly, trampling shame underfoot, they even glory in their depraved manners of life, and, contracting filth at home and abroad, are not so much filled with the bones of the dead, as they themselves are rather dead. To whom the evangelical sentence fitly cries out: If then the light that is in thee is darkness, how great is that darkness (Matt.

VI, 23)? For since, in the things that are seen, they are obscure and black with the disgrace of ill fame, it appears clearly enough that they carry on in secret such things as are even shameful to speak of. These not only deter those coming to thy grace by their foulness, but even set the stumbling-block of their perversity against the brethren established within, for whom Christ died. Such thou biddest us to beware, saying through thine Apostle: Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly (II Thess. III, 6). And thou commandest us to do those things which all thy truly faithful, seeing, may praise and magnify thee as their heavenly Father; from whom every perfect and best gift of a reasonable conscience and of good repute descends. Through, etc.

May what we have taken with the mouth, O Lord, we beseech thee, we receive with the mind, and may the temporal gift become for us an everlasting remedy. Through, etc. Regard, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy servants and handmaids, to whom thou hast granted to hope in thee; and grant them alike both to ask the things that please thee, and rather to receive the things asked. Through, etc. XXI. Likewise another. — Grant us, O Lord, pardon of our offences, and vanquish those who contrive to assail us; for to those established under thy protection no seduction of the devil shall harm. Through, etc. Protector of those who hope in thee, O God, hear our prayers, and have mercy upon us; that, quickened in body and mind, we may ever cleave to thy services. Through, etc.

Suppliant we ask thee, O God, that the gifts which we bring may both confer upon us the grace of devotion, and salvation. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For as thou ceasest not to instruct the sons of thy Church, so thou dost not cease to help them, that they may both know the things to be rightly done, and receive the ability of performing them. Through, etc. Receiving the heavenly gifts, we return thee thanks, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God. Through, etc. Protect, O Lord, thy faithful, and those whom thou hast deigned to quicken with spiritual food, accompany with perpetual salvation. Through, etc. XXII. Likewise another. — Increase thy faith, O Lord, we beseech thee, having mercy upon us; for thou wilt not deny the supports of thy loving-kindness to those on whom thou hast bestowed firmness in believing in thee. Through, etc.

Grant us, O Lord, we beseech thee, to trust in thee with the whole mind; for as thou ever withstandest the proud who presume upon their own strength, so thou forsakest not those who glory in thy mercy. Through, etc. Offering gifts, O Lord, we beseech thee, that thou wouldst deign both to cleanse us from all sins, and to protect us from all adversities. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For since it is established that every good work is begun by thee, and perfected — this very perseverance in supplicating which thou grantest us — we are certain that we can obtain the things we ask. Through, etc. Grant us, O Lord, filled with the strength of the heavenly table, both to desire the things that are right, and to receive the things desired. Through, etc. Be thou, we beseech thee, O Lord, the fortress and guardian of thy people;

be thou the sustainer and ruler of the present life; be thou the bestower of the eternal. Through, etc. XXIII. Likewise another. — Guard, O Lord, we beseech thee, us thy servants, that, abstaining from all sins, we may serve thee with a ready will. Through, etc. May the oblation of thy people be pleasing to thee, we beseech thee, O Lord, whereby it may both bring back sanctification, and obtain the things it devoutly prays for. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For, having mercy, thou regardest our frailty, and both grantest us a mind for supplicating, and bestowest thy gifts upon thy suppliants. Through, etc. Be present to us, O Lord our God, and defend with perpetual defences those whom thou hast refreshed by thy mysteries. Through, etc. Kindly illumine thy household, O Lord, and confirm it by the bounty of thy blessing;

that it may be counted worthy to have thee as leader in all things, thee as guardian. Through, etc. XXIV. Likewise another. — Almighty and merciful God, unto whose everlasting blessedness one ascends not by the frailty of the flesh, but by the alacrity of the mind, make us both ever to aspire, by thy inspiration, to the courts of the city above, and confidently, by thine indulgence, to enter therein. Through, etc. O God, who, though thou needest no gifts, thyself bestowest all gifts upon us, receive propitiously the things which of thine own gifts thou hast willed us to offer to thee; not only reckoning to our devotion the things that are thine, but also, through these, leading us to the heavenly kingdoms. Through, etc. To thee, O Lord,

we render thanks and praises, thou who hast quickened us by the communion of the body and blood of thy most beloved Son our Lord; suppliantly entreating thy mercy, that this thy sacrament, O Lord, may not be for us guilt unto punishment, but may become a saving intercession unto pardon. XXV. Likewise another. — Protect, we beseech thee, O Lord, everywhere the rulers of the Roman name, that, with these conquering by thy power, the peace of thy people may come forth secure. Through, etc. Extend to us, O Lord, thy mercy, that what we seek by our vows we may obtain by a manner of life pleasing to thee. Through, etc. Hear, O Lord, our prayers, that the most holy exchanges of our redemption may both confer upon us the help of the present life, and win for us everlasting joys. Through, etc.

Filled with the blessing of thy sacraments, we beseech thee, O Lord, that by these we may ever be cleansed from vices and be kept safe from perils. Through, etc. Be present, we beseech thee, O Lord, to thy people; that what it has faithfully received it may, by thy protection, guard alike in mind and in body. Through, etc. XXVI. Likewise another. — Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and, that thou mayest continually follow us with thy gifts, make us ever devoted to thy majesty. Through, etc. Almighty, everlasting God, who graciously goest before us the undeserving with thy gifts, grant that, rendering thee thanks, we may be made also deserving. Through, etc.

We offer thee, O Lord, the gifts which thou hast given, that they may both testify thy help toward our mortality by thy creation, and work in us the remedy of immortality. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For, since thou needest not our praise, yet the devotion of thy servants is pleasing to thee; nor do our praises augment thee, but they profit us unto salvation. For as to pass by the fount of life is the cause of dying, so continually to overflow from that same fount is the effect of living without end. Through, etc. Drinking, O Lord, the heavenly gifts, we rejoice that a defence is within us, and, amid these things which pass away, we trust in those which are to abide. Through, etc. Protect, O Lord, thy servants; feed them with bodily supports;

and, nourishing them with spiritual food, render them safe from all their foes. Through, etc. XXVII. Another likewise. — Turn us, O Lord, by the help of thy propitiation, that the chastisement fittingly applied to sinners may become a saving correction. Through, etc. Look, we beseech thee, O Lord, upon our prayers, and to these gifts join the presence of thy majesty; that what is enacted by our service may rather be shaped by thy operation. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Whose propitiation we feel first of all in this, when we are moved to desire what is pleasing to thee and salutary for us. For since apart from thee we can will, or do, or accomplish nothing right, whatever we rightly perform belongs beyond doubt to grace. Through, etc.

To those who receive the heavenly gifts, we beseech thee, O Lord, suffer not that to turn unto judgement which thou hast provided for the healing of thy faithful. Through, etc. Be present, O Lord, to the peoples who have touched these sacred offerings, that they who trust in thee as their protector may be afflicted by no perils. Through, etc. XXVIII. Another likewise. — We proclaim thy magnificence, O Lord, humbly imploring that thou who hast delivered us from imminent perils may also graciously absolve us from our sins: that thou mayest grant us greater benefits, and make us obey thy commandments. Through, etc. We present gifts to thy name, O Lord, with thanksgiving, thou who grantest us, freed from hostile foes, to receive the paschal sacrament with untroubled (or: peaceful) mind. Through, etc.

It is truly meet, beseeching thy majesty with all our senses, that thou wouldst so drive away our vices as thou dost extinguish the deadly enemies of our bodies; nor suffer us to endure inwardly the captivity which thou hast removed from without. But that thou mayest scatter all harmful things and ever bestow prosperity, make us always to shun what is depraved and to love what is just. Through, etc. We do not keep silent thy praises, O Lord, because thou, delivering us from the evils we deserved, grantest us to celebrate thy good things with rejoicing. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, to thy faithful ever to persevere in sacred action, that they who are made worthy by thy mercy may become worthier through the office of piety. Through, etc. XXIX. Another.