I Beseech Thee, my most gracious God, preserve me from the cares of this life, lest I should be too much entangled therein; also from the many necessities of the body, lest I should be ensnared by pleasure; and from whatsoever is an obstacle to the soul, lest, being broken with troubles, I should be overthrown. Give me strength to resist, patience to endure, and constancy to persevere—Amen.

Thomas à Kempis.

O God, who purifiest the heart of man from sin,/and makest it more white than snow, pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy ; renew, we beseech Thee, Thy Holy Spirit within us, that we may show forth Thy praise, and strengthened by Thy grace, may obtain rest in the eternal mansions of the heavenly Jerusalem; through our Lord Jesus Christ—Amen.

Sarum Breviary, A.D. 1085