Page:LittleBookOfPrayersFromOldEnglish.djvu/55

This page needs to be proofread.

Our Lord fastened to the Cross

O Author of Charity, Model of Chastity, and Lover of Men: O Christ, our most merciful God, who didst stretch forth Thy arms upon the Cross, that Thy hands might be pierced by the nails, do Thou reach out to me the hand of Thy mercy, pierce my heart with the sharp darts of fear and awe, of love and trust in Thee. O Jesus Christ my Lord, do Thou, who didst allow Thy innocent hands to be fastened to the wood of the Cross, heal my heart from every wound, and cleanse my hands from every stain of vice. Amen.

Our Lord is offered Vinegar and Gall

O Good Master, my God, God of armies, God of all the earth, who, tasting the bitterness of the offered vinegar and gall, didst refuse it, I honour Thee because Thou hast opened to all the way of life and truth, and offered to them the joys of eternal life. Grant that I, poor sinner though I be, may with the rest of men escape the bitterness of eternal death. Hear me, hearken to my prayers, listen to my supplications, O Eternal God. Jesus Christ my Lord, in Thy great mercy, and not for any merit of mine, pardon my offences against Thee when my lips have sinned by blasphemies, oaths, falsehoods, or idle talk.