one’s unhappiness; but stifling all motions of envy, we may arrive at thee, who art the true charity. Amen.
6. Against anger.
Most meek Jesus, who, like a gentle lamb taken to sacrifice, and like a sheep led to the slaughter, didst not open thy mouth, but, when dragged, mocked, spit upon, struck, and at last nailed to the cross, didst not only not return evil for evil, but didst even pray for the transgressors to God the Father; implant, I beseech thee, in our hearts the virtues of meekness and patience, that we may restrain the fury of anger, with gentleness of heart overcome evil with good, and love our enemies; that so, being inflamed with kindness, as with hot burning coals, we may be enkindled to mutual love, and with one heart and mouth, in brotherly love, give glory to thee our God and Father upon earth, and finally attain to thee in heaven. Amen.
7. Against sloth.
O Lord Jesus, who didst shun no labour, but, often wearied with travel, didst suffer hunger and thirst and every hardship for our sake, and didst often also pass the night in prayer; expel from our hearts and bodies all inactivity and sluggishness, that we may be quick and ready to serve thee in watching, fasting, and prayer, and to devote ourselves entirely to thy glory, and the salvation of our neighbours; and that our soul may not slumber through heaviness, but that we may cheerfully run the way of thy commandments, when thou hast enlarged our heart by the love of thee and of our neighbour; lest at any time our lukewarmness disgust thee, and thou begin to vomit us out of thy mouth.
Kindle, therefore, within us the fire of thy love, and strengthen our weakness, that, being made strong in thee and by thee, we may endeavour by good works to make our calling sure; and whatever our hand finds to do, it may do it eafnestly, that so we may please thee alone, and thou mayest be finally our exceeding great reward.
Three short and forcible prayers for pardon of sins and amendment of life.
From the German prayers of F. Canisius.
FIRST PRAYER.
Most dear Lord Jesus Christ, I, an unworthy sinner, remind thee of all the holy contemplations thou hast ever had from all eternity until now, and of that especially by which, O eternal Word, thou didst contemplate becoming
