arm me with Thy might, that I may escape all the snares, and overcome all the assaults, of my great enemy.

For Thou truly art my strength and my salvation. Thou art my defence, so that I shall not fall.

My heart and my flesh faileth; but Thou art the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

Text.-"In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His tabernacle; yea, in the secret place of His dwelling shall He hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone."Ps. xxvii. 5.

The Prayer after Meditation.

O GOD, Who knowest that without Thee we cannot but fall, mercifully grant unto Thy servant, that coming unto JESUS in these holy Mysteries I may receive strength to contend against the prince and powers of darkness, and may henceforth abide unshaken on the Rock of my Salvation; through the same JESUS CHRIST, Thy SON, our LORD. Amen.

[Prayer for particular graces.]

Our FATHER, &c.

[Collect for the Season.]

GOD the FATHER, GOD, &c. (as at p. 10.)

THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE.

After Morning Prayers.

THE BETRAYAL OF CHRIST.

Text.-"JESUS knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him."-S. John vi. 64.

(K.)

MERCIFUL and loving JESUS, Who didst so long bear with the traitor Judas, bear with me still, I humbly beseech Thee, O Lord.

Leave me not, as Thou wast at length constrained to leave him, to the evil devices of my own heart.

Again and again have I betrayed Thee for some fancied good, for some deceitful bribe of Satan, or of this wicked world.

Save me from myself, I beseech Thee. Save me from the seductions of the evil one, lest I crucify Thee afresh by my sins, and put Thee to an open shame.

Thou wast betrayed with a kiss. Grant that I may never touch Thy Sacred Body

in those awful Mysteries with false or unclean lips;

That I may never cry Hail, Master! with my mouth, while I own another master in my heart.

Grant that I may at all times and in all places, but above all when I am preparing to meet Thee at this sacred Feast, both seek and serve Thee in sincerity and truth.

Or this, (L.)

Thou needest not that any should testify of man; for Thou knowest what is in

man.

Thou Who wilt one day be my judge art now the witness of all that I do.

There is not one thought or imagination of this sinful mind, there is not one emotion of this sinful heart, that can be hid from Thee.

Thou art at this moment reading all that is passing within me.

Thou knowest, if I love Thee.

Thou knowest, if my desire be towards Thee indeed.

O that I might long for Thee and for

Thy sacred Gifts with all the earnestness that I profess in words;

That I might love Thee, as Thou hast loved me;

That I might seek Thee as Thou in Thy great love hast sought me.

Make me, O LORD, in heart and soul what I would wish to seem, and what Thou wouldst have me be.

Unite me unto Thyself, and make me through this blessed union a partaker of Thy meekness and lowliness of heart, of Thy righteousness and charity, of Thy purity and holiness.

Text.-"I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts, and I will give unto every one of you according to your works."-Rev. ii. 23.

The Prayer.

O GOD, our ever present Judge, Who requirest truth in the inward parts, cleanse me, I beseech Thee, from all deceit and guile, from all hypocrisy and false pretence; and give me grace to keep this holy Feast of the New Passover, and to eat of the Lamb that was slain for me, with the bitter herbs of penitence and the unleavened bread of truth; through the

same JESUS CHRIST, Thy SON, our LORD.

Amen.

[Prayer for particular graces.]

Our FATHER, &c.

[Collect for the Season.]

Almighty GOD, the FATHER, &c. (as at

P. 14.)

After Evening Prayers.

THE PERSISTING LOVE OF GOD.

Text.-"Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in CHRIST JESUS, our LORD.”—Rom. viii. 38, 39.

(M.)

GOD, Whose very nature is to love, make me, I beseech Thee, less unworthy of Thy love.

I cannot love Thee as I ought, and I have deserved through my unthankfulness that Thou shouldst leave me to myself.

But Thou dost love me still. Thou hast not forsaken me, though I have forsaken Thee.