Can it be both distasteful to meditate on the life of Christ, and a pleasure to imitate it ?
But thou, O Christian, hear a few words on the use of this Rosary. It exhibits briefly the whole life of Christ, but suggests, if I mistake not, matter that is fruitful enough for meditation. In the first part of each verse is propounded a mystery, or point in the life and actions of Christ; in the latter, some pious affection is elicited from it, and desire for the virtue indicated is especially expressed.
It is distributed into five parts, or Decades, containing,
I. The infancy and youth of our Saviour to his Baptism.
II. The life of Christ from his Baptism to his Passion.
III. The Passion of Christ to his Crucifixion.
IV. His Crucifixion and acts on the Cross to his Death.
V. His acts after death, and, finally, his Resurrection and Ascension.
This Rosary will serve for Holy Communion, for celebrating and hearing Mass well, and also for other occasions. For as each is a memorial of our Lord's Passion, a better exercise can hardly be drawn from a better source than from its Mysteries themselves.
But that thou mayest profit the more by the use of this Rosary, whenever thou perceivest or readest of any virtue of Christ's, let it draw forth at once thy heart's affection, so that it may respond the more to that virtue or act.
Now there are various affections of the soul that harmonise with so good a work, and with these thy meditation should be watered from time to time, otherwise it will be empty and barren. They are these that follow, with an act of each subjoined.
1. Of sympathy in adversity, and congratulation in prosperity. From my heart I condole with thee, O Lord, because thou hast suffered so bitterly and undeservedly for one so unworthy as I am, &c.
2. Of Compunction and Contrition. Woe is me, for I have sinned; I am sorry because I have caused thee so many sorrows. Can I hold myself worthless when I know that thou hast bought me at so great a price! Shall I deem my soul of little value, the price of which is the Blood of Christ? Shall I be such a wretch as to sin again, when the Son of God has suffered so greatly for my sins?
3. Of Hope and Joy. It is good for me to adhere to God, and in God to place my hope. What may I not hope from thee, when thou hast done and suffered so much for me, O my God and my only refuge!
4. Of Praise and Thanksgiving. What shall I ren-
