Ry. At midnight. p. 110. Lesson IX. are they which were not defiled with | whithersoever He goeth. But first women, for they are virgins; these come to Him Whom ye desire to are they which follow the Lamb follow, and learn that He is meek whithersoever He goeth. Not that and lowly of heart. Humbly come to the male sex only doth GOD to the Humble One, if ye love; promise the grace of continency, and depart not from Him lest ye passing over women, but, seeing fall. woman is part of man, from him taken and made, GoD in Scripture generally does name the first formed as being two in one flesh, so that in the male is signified the woman also. If then continency is a following of CHRIST, and virginity has its destiny in GoD's kindom, what have they to do with this world's apparel, and adornings, wherewith while seeking to please men they offend GOD? Ry, The virgins. p. 109. THIRD NOCTURN. Lesson of the Holy Gospel according to S. Matthew. Lesson VII. Chap. xix. A A Homily of S. Augustine. concerning Holy Virginity. Since the whole Church is a virgin espoused to one Man, even to CHRIST, as saith the Apostle, of how great honour are those His members worthy who preserve that in the body which the whole keepeth in faith? which thus imitate the mother of their Husband and LORD; for the Church is also both mother and virgin. Ry. This is the wise virgin. p. 110. THE married life has its own good. But virginal purity is the portion of angels; and incorruptible flesh is a meditation on perpetual incorruption. This then do, this then do, virgins of GOD, follow the Lamb OR whoso fears to depart from Him prayeth and saith, Let not the foot of pride cast me down. Follow the way that leadeth on high, on the foot of humility. For He exalteth those who humbly follow Him, the Same Who thought no scorn to descend to them that were cast down. Commit His gifts to Him to be preserved for you, treasure up all your fortitude for Him. For your strength, so far as it is tried, be not, because ye can bear some things, puffed up so far as it is untried, pray that ye may not be tempted above that ye are able to bear. Te Deum. p. 15. COMMON OF A HOLY WOMAN, Inv. Let us praise our God * HYMN. Hæc rita mundi gaudia. THE world and all its boasted good TO FATHER and to PARACLETE. Amen. in Ps. Ants., Pss., & V. of Nocturns as above in Common of V.V. p. 107. The Lessons of the 1st Nocturn for a Martyr are also read with RIRI. as above: I will thank Thee. p. 110. For one neither Virgin nor Martyr, Of the Proverbs of Solomon. WHO HO can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good done virtuously, but thou excellest Ry. In thy glory. p. 108. Bishop on Widows. Lesson IV. PERCEIVE this field of the Church and not evil all the days of her life. From the book of S. Ambrose the She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchant's ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. Ry. Come, My elect. p. 108. Lesson II. SHE perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her house hold: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Ry. Full of grace. p. 108. Lesson III. STRENGTH and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have the flower of virginity, now flourishing Lesson V. THEREFORE they who reverenced the adulteries and shameless deeds of their gods, decreed penalties against celibacy and widowhood; eager followers of evil, they would punish all endeavours to cultivate these virtues, in pretence seeking to secure fruitfulness, but in truth striving to Now the soldier whose term of service do away with the intent of chastity. has expired, layeth aside his weapons, and having resigned the post which he held, the veteran is sent back to his country home, that both he himself may gain rest from the toils of his warlike life, and that the hope of future repose may make others more ready to undergo service. The husbandman, in like manner, when advancing in years leaveth the guidance of the ploughshare to others, and, overborne with the labours of youth, the aged fall back upon what thrift hath laid E by. To keep under the youthful luxuriance of the vine, it is easier to prune than to train it, and its budding wantonness is cut off by the pruning hook; thus a certain chastity in bearing is taught even by vines. Ry. Thou hast loved. p. 109. A Lesson VI. WIDOW is as it were a veteran with a pension of chastity, and though she have laid aside the arms of wedlock, yet nevertheless she guideth peacefully her household; and though she be free from bearing her former burdens, yet nevertheless thoughtful of damsels about to wed, since where there is more care there is richer fruit, she seeketh to make their marriages happier by the aid of her matured experience. Therefore if the field be given in charge to the elders rather than to the younger, wherefore thinkest thou that it is better to be wedded than to be a widow? Because since the persecutors of the faith were likewise persecutors of widowhood, verily those who follow the faith should not flee from widowhood as a punishment, but should hold it fast as a prize. Ry. Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain. * A woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. y. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. A woman. Glory. A woman. A Homily of S. Gregory the Pope. 11th Homily on the Gospels. The kingdom of heaven, beloved brethren, is therefore compared to things earthly, to the intent that from that which the soul knoweth, it may rise to those hidden mysteries which it knoweth not; that by the patterns of things visible, it may soar to things invisible; that by things to which it is accustomed, it may learn to be inflamed with love to things to which it is unaccustomed; that by the loving that which is known, it may also learn to love that which is unknown. Behold, the kingdom of heaven is likened to treasure hid in a field, which he who hath found it, hideth, and for joy thereof he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Ry. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness: she looketh well to the ways of her household, * and eateth not the bread of idleness. . She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. And. Lesson VIII. AS regarding which matter, this is covered treasure is hidden that it to be kept in mind: the dismay be preserved. Learn thence, that he keepeth not in safety the yearning of heavenly desires from from human praise. In this present evil spirits, who keepeth them not life, we are as it were in the way, whereby we are journeying to our But country. evil thieves, beset our pilgrimage; he spirits, like must make up his mind to be attacked who openly on his journey carries a treasure. Yet, mind you, I say this as by no means telling you that our neighbours are not to behold our good works. For it is written, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER which is in heaven. But what follows? This, that in what we do we are not to seek praise from man. For thus, although the work be open, the intention will abide in secret; so that whilst we give example to our neighbour by good works, we shall nevertheless by our intention, whereby we seek to please GoD alone, ever desire secresy. Ry. The kingdoms of the earth and all the glory of the world I despised for the love of my LORD JESUS CHRIST: * Whom I have seen, Whom I have loved, in Whom I have believed, Whom I have desired. . My heart is inditing of a good matter, I speak of the things which I have made unto the King. Whom. Glory. Whom. did the victory, not because of the powerlessness of the sex of the combatants, but because the enemy is now also overcome, by those whom he overcame. Ry. Ride on. p. 109. Lesson V. BY a woman he conquered, by a woman he is defeated. This beforetime was his javelin: this is now made the weapon of his slaughter, this instrument appeareth unconquerable. The first woman sinned, and died: this woman died lest she should sin. She, puffed up by the hope of a worthless promise, broke the laws of GOD: this one despised this present life lest she should forswear her fidelity henceforth to her Benefactor. What excuse then can men hope to find, if they be effeminate, and slothful, and what pardon, when women bare themselves in so mighty and manly a fashion, when so nobly they girded themselves for the battle of godliness? Ry. Thou hast loved. p. 109. Lesson VI. SHE had a body powerless, and liable to all the weakness of her sex, nevertheless grace by its coming did hide the powerlessness of it all. For nought plainly is stronger than one who hath taken great care to have the fear of GOD rooted in the heart; whether it be flames, whether it be the sword, whether it be wild beasts, or whatever else it might be that the foe threateneth, such an one despiseth them all as a thing of nought; and that was what this blessed one also did. Rz. Favour is deceitful. p. 114. COMMON OF THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. Inv. Holiness becometh the House of GOD: * CHRIST her Bridegroom let us worship within her. Ps. Venite, p. 3. HYMN. Beata urbs Hierusalem. BLESSED City, Heav'nly Salem, Vision dear of Peace and Love, From celestial realms descending, To his presence, decked with jewels, Bright with pearls her portal glitters! And, by virtue of His merits, Thither faithful souls may soar, Who for CHRIST's dear Name, in this world Many a blow and biting sculpture By the Heavenly Architect, Laud and honour to the FATHER; While unending ages run. Amen. FIRST NOCTURN. Ant. Lift up * your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors. Ps. xxiv. Domini est terra, p. 92. Ant. The LORD shall be my GOD, and this stone shall be called the House of GOD. Ps. xlvi. Deus noster refugium, p. 28. Ant. And Moses * built an Altar to the LORD GOD. Ps. xlviii. Magnus Dominus, p. 29. y. Holiness becometh Thy House, O LORD. Ry. For ever. Our FATHER. Abs. Hear, LORD. y. Sir, pray. Ben. The FATHER Eternal. Of the 2nd Book of Chronicles. Lesson I. Chap. vii. NOW when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. R. At the dedication of the temple the people sang praise: * and made sweet melody with their lips. Ry. The LORD's house is established in the top of the mountains: and all nations shall flow unto it. And. Ben. The Only-Begotten. Lesson II. AND the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon and the fat of the peace offerings, had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat. Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. Ry. The LORD's house is established in the top of the mountains, and |