The PRAYER.
O Thou Eternal Wisdom, who alone knowest what is best for me, who hast established this Ordinance in thy Church, and ordained it as a means, whereby thy loving Mem∣bers may come, in the unity of the Faith, unto a perfect Man. It shall be established for ever, as the Moon, and as a faith∣ful witness in Heaven: Give me, O give me, perseverance in the use of it, O Jesu! Thou art the promised Seed, the pro∣mised Messiah, the promised desire of all Nations! Thou art the fruitful Vine, and by the precious Liquor that drops from thee, innumerable Souls are cherished and refreshed! Thy Sa∣cred Name is as Ointment poured out! I smell the rich com∣position. My Soul doth gather strength, and life from that perfume. I am the wounded Man that's fallen among Thieves. O let thy Blood heal me of my Plagues! Thou hast been lifted up to the Cross, that the Enemy of Mankind might be tro∣den down. O let me participate of the Virtue of that exal∣tation, that I may trample upon his Temptations. Thou hast been lifted up to draw me after Thee, and to withdraw my Heart from worldly Desires and Affections. O lift me up from the Earth, that I may relish the comfort of thy Exal∣tation. Thou wast lifted up, that thou mightest be beheld by all. O let me look upon Thee, whom I have pierced by my Sins, that I may mourn for them bitterly. Thy Holy Arms were stretched out, that thou mightest embrace all that come unto Thee. I come, Lord! Take me into thy Arms and love me! O let thy Cross be my security against all my Enemies! Let thy Wounds be my refuge in the hour of Temptation! Let that innocent Blood, that dropt from thy Hands and Feet, and