PART V.
HOW TO COMMUNICATE, AND TO CELEBRATE AND HEAR MASS WELL.
FOR THURSDAY.
CHAPTER I.
Colloquy or Meditation on the light and profitable practice of Holy Communion, proper for every state.
§ I. Encouragement, or invitation to Holy Communion.
Christ. Come to me, all you that labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you. I am the Good Shepherd, who have laid down my life for my sheep; and I feed them with that which is by far the sweetest food of life, my own very Body and Blood. For, to shew the wealth and power of my kingdom, I have made a great feast. Come, then, and eat of my bread, and drink of my wine, which I have mingled for you; for my delight is to be with the children of men. I desire to make you partakers of my grace and glory; that is, of all my goods, by every right and title of true and faithful friendship. And therefore have I come from heaven into this world, and become man, endured so many labours, tortures, and death itself, and with great desire desired to eat this pasch with my disciples. And that I might leave you a perpetual memorial of my great love, and pledge of future glory, I have given you myself. Behold, my whole self have I given you; at my birth to be your friend, at my table to be your food, at my death to be your redemption, and finally, in my kingdom, to be your reward. And what greater or more excellent gift could I bestow? Or what could I do more that I have not done?
Man. Thou, O Lord, art sweet and meek indeed, and very merciful. Oh, how ad-
