A12573:13
The book of the holy society commonly called of twelve containing the litanies, and…The booke of the holy societye commonly called of tvvelve conteyning the lytanies, and…
The book of the holy society commonly called of twelve containing the litanies, and prayers, with are to be said by those who are of that Society. To obtain of God the grace to dye well. Lately translated out of the French language for the benefit of English Catholics by N.N. a Catholic gentleman.The booke of the holy societye commonly called of tvvelve conteyning the lytanies, and prayers, vvich are to be sayd by those vvho are of that Societye. To obtaine of God the grace to dye well. Lately translated out of the French language for the benefit of English Catholikes by N.N. a Catholic gentleman.
Douay: printed by Laurence Kellam, 1626
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now since it is soe that either from à good, or evil death, the eternal and chief felicity is derived, or else everlasting and dreadful misery, if there be any thing, dear reader, which thou oughtest to have in singular recommendation whilst thou dost reside in this valley of tears, it is to search and know the means which thou must use and ⟨p. 5⟩practise to render the passage out of this mortal life, as much as in thee lieth, most easy and assured. And to this end I have been willing to lay down for thee, at the end of these prayers, some wholesome lessons for thy instruction, how thou oughtest to behave thy self both in sickness and in health, to the end thou mayest more happily finish thy days and life. Of which lessons the principal, and ⟨p. 6⟩most assured (next to à good life) is to have recourse as you shall hear hereafter in fit place to the perfections, and merits of the Saints, and above all of the most holy, and ever glorious mother of god. In which I shall declare unto thee (beloved reader) certain devout and religious persons being well instructed, cast themselves one day, being inspired from god, upon that consideration ⟨p. 7⟩that our good mother the church doth call the blessed virgin, mother of God; the Gate of heaven, and door of paradise: & that she doth daily sing unto her; Mary mother of grace, mother of mercy, defend •s from our adversary and receive us at the hour of death. But this was performed with soe serious attention, and soe much fervour of devotion; that from that time they resolved to address themselves always ⟨p. 8⟩with reverence to her, and to implore her aid and special assistance that they might more duly dispose themselves for that difficult, and dangerous passage of death.
Nowe since it is soe that eyther from à good, or euill death, the eternall and chiefe felicity is deriued, or els euerlasting and dreadful misery, if there be any thing, deare reader, which thou oughst to haue in singular recō mendation whilst thou dost reside in this valley of teares, it is to search and knowe the meanes which thou must vse and