ciple and his disciple to thee, to take me under thy care and protection, and to be with me in all the dangers and difficulties of my whole life; but chiefly to assist me at the hour of my death. Amen.
RECOMMENDATION TO HOLY PATRONS.
O my holy patrons, objects of my special choice and love! with my whole heart I recommend myself to you by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ; and I implore you by the peculiar and unspeakable love of almighty God, with which from all eternity he chose you to be his friends, and predestined you to be heirs of his glorious kingdom. And I adjure you by the abundant and efficient grace of God, with which he forearmed you on the way, and prepared you for glory.
For, though set in this vale of misery, and in this frail flesh, yet, clothed with power from heaven, you stood steadfast against all your enemies; nor were any deceits of the world, allurements of the flesh, or wiles of the devil, able to separate you from the love of Christ Jesus; but with constancy you adhered to him to the end, even to the death; and, therefore, as invincible champions, you now reign with Christ your leader, and triumph in glory.
From my heart, O my holy patrons, I rejoice with you, and congratulate you upon your glory and happiness; and I praise God for having so loved you, and given you the victory. But my soul meanwhile sighs and pants after you with groaning and trembling, amid so many enemies and risks to salvation; entreating you, by the tender mercy of God, and the happy exaltation you now enjoy in heaven, to remember your Ghent; and, as faithful patrons, to obtain for me from the Most High the effectual grace of God, that so I may follow your steps, bravely withstand my foes, the world, the flesh, and the devil, and never yield to their power or deceit; but, like you, may persevere to the death in constancy to Christ my Saviour; and so order my mortal life, as to be united to you here in grace, and. hereafter in glory, and praise God in your company for ever and ever. Amen.
RECOMMENDATION AND OBLATION
To the three holy Kings and Magi, whose bodies are religiously preserved and honoured at Cologne.
O holy Magi, illustrious kings, first-fruit of the Gentiles, and honoured patrons! I beseech you by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereby, kings yourselves, you were so beloved and charmed
