SECTION X

CONSOLATIONES

PSALM 1xxxvi. Inclina, Domine.

Bow

OW down thine ear, O Lord, and hear me: for I am poor, and in misery. Preserve thou my soul, for I am holy: my God, save thy servant that putteth his trust in thee.

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I will call daily upon thee.

Comfort the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

For thou, Lord, art good and gracious: and of great mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

Give ear, Lord, unto my prayer: and ponder the voice of my humble desires.

In the time of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou hearest me.

But thou, O Lord God, art full of compassion and mercy: long-suffering, plenteous in goodness and truth.

O turn thee then unto me, and have mercy upon me: give thy strength unto

thy servant, and help the son of thine handmaid.

Show some token upon me for good; that they who hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

THE

HE sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.

O what great troubles and adversities hast thou showed me: and yet didst thou turn and refresh me: yea, and broughtest me from the deep of the earth again.

Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children: even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.

I will remember the works of the Lord: and call to mind thy wonders of old time.

If the Lord had not helped me: it had not failed, but my soul had been put to silence.

In the multitude of the sorrows that I had in my heart: thy comforts have refreshed my soul.

I called upon the Lord in trouble: and the Lord heard me at large.

Before I was troubled I went wrong: but now have I kept thy word.

It is good for me that I have been in trouble: that I may learn thy statutes.

For his wrath endureth but the twinkling

of an eye, and in his pleasure is life: heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee: and shall not suffer the righteous to fall forever.

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart and will save such as be of an humble spirit.

HE Lord hear thee in the day of trouble,

THE

the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Sion.

Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; grant thee thy heart's desire, and fulfil all thy mind.

I waited for the Lord, and he inclined unto me and heard my calling.

He brought me out of the horrible pit, he set my feet upon the rock, and ordered my goings;

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even a thanksgiving unto our God.

TH

HOU shalt cause me to hear of joy and gladness, when I hear what Mary

heard.

And what did Mary hear?

Of her I speak who wept at Thy feet. What, then, did she hear? Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

And I shall hear what the robber heard: This day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise. Therefore I shall have joy for the remission of sins; gladness for the promise of blessings.

And shall I not rejoice, and shall I not be glad, when Thou hast granted pardon for all my sins?

Then shall I begin to taste of joy, since Thou art good, O Lord.

Then shall I learn to dwell in heavenly places.

Then shall I say with the prophet, How plentiful is Thy goodness, which Thou hast hid away for them that fear Thee!

Then shall I rejoice and be glad.

Girolamo Savonarola.

OTH above and below, without and

BOTH

within, which way soever thou dost turn thee, everywhere thou shalt find the cross; and everywhere of necessity thou must hold fast patience, if thou wilt have inward peace, and enjoy an everlasting crown.

THEY

Thomas à Kempis.

HEY shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

PEACE I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.

He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

THESE are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb; therefore are they before the Throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His Temple.

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

GOD, if only our wills be right towards

Thine, do to us whatever it may please Thee. If it be Thy will that we should be in light, be Thou blessed; if it be Thy will that we should be in darkness, be Thou also blessed; if Thou vouchsafe to comfort us, be