says) the death of the wicked, most evil [1] and abominable, the end of their rest and beginning of their torments. And contrarily that the end of the good is precious in the sight of "the Lord God, [2] the end of their labours, and beginning of their rest; and herewith I will animate myself to procure a good death, in which I may receive a good sentence, encouraging myself to penance and to the exercise of virtues, trusting in the benignity of the judge, who will sentence me with mercy if in my life I make profit of it.
3. I will conclude with a speech to the most blessed Virgin, (who at that hour interposes not herself in this judgment, for when the soul departs the body the door of intercession and pardon is locked up, and that of rigorous justice is opened,) beseeching her that now presently she will be my advocatrix and intercessor, securing for me this good sentence, and obtaining for me works worthy of it. To which end it will aid me to say with spirit those last words which the Church puts in the prayer of the Ave Maria, and those which it uses in another hymn, saying, " Maria, mater gratiee, Dulcis parens clementi«, Tu nos ab hoste protege, Et hora mortis suscipe [3] " Mary, mother of grace, mother of mercy, defend us from the enemy and at the hour of death receive us!"
Colloquy. — O Sovereign Virgin, seeing thou art the advocatrix of sinners, be my advocatrix before thy Son, appease His wrath by thy intercession, obtaining for me time of true repentance, before the time be past in which I may do it. And seeing the sentence given in death is irrevocable, plead for me, O most benign mother, that it may be favourable towards me, that I may see " the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus," and enjoy Him in thy company world without end. Amen.
