Imitation 4 520 verses
1The Voice of the Beloved.
2If thou hadst angelic purity and the holiness of holy , thou wouldest not be worthy to receive or to minister this Sacrament.
3For this is not deserved by merit of man that a man should consecrate and minister the Sacrament of , and take for food the bread of Angels.
4Vast is the mystery, and great is the dignity of the priests, to whom is given what is not granted to Angels.
5For priests only, rightly ordained in the church, have the power of consecrating and celebrating the Body of .
6The priest indeed is the minister of God, using the Word of God by God’s command and institution; nevertheless God is there the principal Author and invisible Worker, that to whom all that He willeth is subject, and all He commandeth is obedient.
7Therefore thou must believe God Almighty in this most excellent Sacrament, more than thine own sense or any visible sign at all.
8And therefore with fear and reverence is this work to be approached.
9Take heed therefore and see what it is of which the ministry is committed to thee by the laying on of the Bishop’s hand.
10Behold thou art made a priest and art consecrated to celebrate.
11See now that thou do it before God faithfully and devoutly at due time, and show thyself without blame.
12Thou hast not lightened thy burden, but art now bound with a straiter bond of discipline, and art pledged to a higher degree of holiness.
13A priest ought to be adorned with all virtues and to afford to others an example of good life.
14His conversation must not be with the popular and common ways of men, but with Angels in Heaven or with perfect men on earth.
15A priest clad in holy garments taketh ’s place that he may pray unto God with all supplication and humility for himself and for the whole people.
16He must always remember the Passion of .
17He must diligently look upon ’s footsteps and fervently endeavour himself to follow them.
18He must bear meekly for God whatsoever ills are brought upon him by others.
19He must mourn for his own sins, and for the sins committed by others, and may not grow careless of prayer and holy oblation, until he prevail to obtain grace and mercy.
20When the priest celebrateth, he honoureth God, giveth joy to the Angels, buildeth up the Church, helpeth the living, hath communion with the departed, and maketh himself a partaker of all good things.
