OF THE HOLY WEEK ACCORDING TO THE MISSALL TRANSLATED OVT OF FRENCH With a new and ample explication taken ENRICHT WITH MANY FIGVRES. ΤΟ MY MOST HONOVRED DEAR MOTHER THE LADY M. B. ADAM, This Translation of the moft folemne and magnificent portion of the Churches Office and Lycurgie, was begun by my late most honoured Father a little before his death, and by his order continued by my self: bis intention therein being the speciall fatisfac tion and spirituall comfort of your ladyship and my Dear Sifters. And indeed what greater comfort can a devout foul (attentively and wifely exercifing her thoughts and affections on the glorious Myfteries of the death aud Refurrection of our bleffed Saviour celebrated in this office) enioy, then the contemplating thofe faving Myfteries reprefented with all poffible lufter and advantage, like the myfticall Jewells of VRIM and THVMMIM put on the Breaft plate of the high Priest, and encompaffed with a twelve-fold variety of sparkling ftones, all whose beames of feverall tinctures being united, gave a luster inexplicably delightfull: Or like that precious perfume compofed by God himself of most sweet spices with pure frankincenfe, tempered together, pure and holy, in which an odour exhaled from the feverall ingredients duly crushed toge ther was fo admirably reviving, that un der penalty of death the like compofi tion was forbidden, except in the fervice of God. Thus hath Holy Church, the divine Wifedom directing her, compofed for the inf truction and confolation of her children thefe devotions, relating to the forefaid saving myfteries, with fuch admirable variety, that nothing is wanting which may recommend them to our wonder, belief and affection. For here we find them confirmed by Prophecies, embelished by Figures, Allufions Histoires, and Allegories, and in a word enrich'd with all the treasures of Rhetoricall invention and elegance of expreffion. Thefe things confidered f do not doubt F but the small paines I have taken in preparing this divine Office for your ladyships ufe, will be acceptable to you, and now the more, fince being published, many others may become partakers of the Spirituall good, at firft intended especially for your ladyship which good fucceffe if it find ; |