II

of all the merits of Christ. For the charity of Christ never groweth less, and the greatness of His propitiation is never exhausted. Therefore, by continual renewal of thy spirit, thou oughtest to dispose thyself hereunto and to weigh the great mystery of salvation with attentive consideration. So great, new, and joyful ought it to appear to thee when thou comest to communion, as if on this selfsame day Christ for the first time were descending into the Virgin’s womb and becoming man, or hanging on the cross, suffering and dying for the salvation of mankind.