He wears the cross before him, that he may bewail his own sins; and behind him, that, through compassion, he may lament the sins of others, and know that he is placed, as it were, a mediator betwixt God and the sinner:
Neither ought he to cease from prayer and oblation, till he be favoured with the grace and mercy which he implores.
When a priest celebrates, he honours God, he rejoices the angels, he edifies the Church, he helps the living, he obtains rest for the dead, and makes himself partaker of all that is good.
Chap. VI.
A Petition concerning
the exercise proper before Communion.
The Voice of the Disciple.
1. When I consider thy greatness, O Lord, and my own vileness, I tremble very much, and am confounded in myself:
For if I come not to thee, I fly from life; and if I intrude myself unworthily, I incur thy displeasure.
What then shall I do, O my God, my helper, my counsellor in necessities?
2. Do thou teach me the right way: appoint me some short exercise proper for the holy communion: