A brief explanation of several mysteries of the Holy Mass, and of the actions of the priest celebrating Very necessary for all Roman Catholics for the better understanding thereof. Together with certain reflections upon the Apostles Creed, touching the blessed Sacrament. And also, divers meditations and prayers both before, and after communion. By T. G. heretofore fellow of New-Colledge in Oxon, deceas'd.

DEVOTION.

EStrange me, O my God, from from all Humane Inventions, and ways of Worshipping Thee, of what sort soever, though never so specious and Holy in Appearance!

In things of Thy Service, let me never be Acted by my own private Spring; by my own pro∣per Spirit; nor upon any Motive, tending to give my self Satisfacti∣on: That I may do nothing, but at the Call, and in submission to the Conduct, and by the Spirit of Thy Son; since Thou Receivest not any thing from Us, but what we Offer unto Thee by Him, as being the Mediator; nay, as being the First Mover and Author of all the Good we do; nor received'st it so, neither, but in the same Act by which He receives It, together

with Him, because both are one and the same Nature, One and the same God; and therefore are both equally concern'd, and Honour'd by the Homages we pay.

Lastly, Thou receivedest nothing but in Him also; (that is,) but from Those, who are so in Him, as that He, and They are but One; living in the Unity of His Body consisting of such Members, and Co-integrated with Him, (in a True, though not Ordinary sense) In one person.

May I never be perswaded to ac∣knowledge any other manner of Honouring and Serving Thee, or of Performing Acts and Exer∣cises of Holy Religion to Thee, but This, wherein are compriz'd, and to which tend, all that be good and True, so that (in Effect) The Eucharist, and Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Thy Son, may

be to Me not only a Lively Repre∣sentation and Continual Memo∣rial of His Passion; but also a complete and moving Model of all the Actions and good Works that belong to a Christian Life.

O, Holy Body of my Saviour! Let Virtue Issue out from Thee to Bless me; Now that the Priest Lifts Thee, and the Chalice a little up from the Altar into the Air, and presently re-placeth you there again. It is, even so O Lord, that thou usest to give Ʋs suddain and short Glympses of Thy Self, in this Life, by cer∣tain quick Gleams of Light, which dure not like those Thou displayest in Heaven, permanently, and Eter∣nally! But 'tis enough to make me Thine for ever; that but once, thou vouchsafe to pass before the Eyes of my Soul, though but like a flash of Lightning, as hereto∣fore thou didst to Elias.

Humble my Soul lowly with the Priest, still as He bowes so oft before thee at Thine Altar, and Adores Thee in Silence. Let the Eyes thereof shew their Modest Submission, in Closing themselves to All the Objects of this World, and They shall quickly discern Thee upon the Altar of my Heart within, when I am Thus become Thy True Temple.