Take heed to thyself, and see what kind of ministry has been delivered to thee by the imposition of the bishop's hands.
Lo! thou art made a priest, and art consecrated to say Mass: see now that in due time thou faithfully and devoutly offer up sacrifice to God, and that thou behave thyself in such manner as to be without reproof:
Thou hast not lightened thy burthen, but art now bound with a stricter band of discipline, and art obliged to a greater perfection of sanctity.
A priest ought to be adorned with all virtues, and to give example of a good life to others;
His conversation should not be with the vulgar and common ways of men, but with the angels in heaven, or with perfect men upon earth.
3. A priest, clad in his sacred vestments, is Christ's vicegerent, to pray to God for himself, and for all the people, in a suppliant and humble manner:
He has before and behind him the sign of the cross of the Lord, that he may always remember the passion of Christ:
He bears the cross before him in his vestment, that he may diligently behold the footsteps of Christ, and fervently endeavour to follow them:
He is marked with the cross behind, that he may mildly suffer, for God's sake, whatsoever adversities shall befal him from others: