Devotions in the ancient way of offices. With psalms, hymns, and prayers for every day of the week and every holiday in the year. / Reformed by A person of quality, ; and published by George Hickes, D.D. Birchley, William, 1613-1669. 1700 Approx. 685 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 320 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2014-11 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2). A35816 Wing D1243 ESTC R6658 13705144 ocm 13705144 101478

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Early English books online text creation partnership. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A35816) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 101478) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English Books, 1641-1700 ; 842:3 or 2263:1) Devotions in the ancient way of offices. With psalms, hymns, and prayers for every day of the week and every holiday in the year. / Reformed by A person of quality, ; and published by George Hickes, D.D. Birchley, William, 1613-1669. Hopton, Susanna, 1627-1709. Hickes, George, 1642-1715. Dorrington, Theophilus, d. 1715. [36], 598 p. Printed for J. Jones at the Bell, in St.-Paul's Church-Yard, London : 1700. Written by John Austin (known under his pseud. William Birchley) but sometimes ascribed to Theophilus Dorrington. Cf. DNB. The work was "reformed" by Susanna Hopton. Cf. DNB. This item appears at reel 842:3 as Wing D1243 (number cancelled in Wing 2nd. ed), and at reel 2263:1 as Wing (2nd ed.) A4250C. Reproduction of original of 842:3 in Cambridge University Library. Reproduction of original of 2263:1 in William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles, California.

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eng Church of England -- Liturgy. Devotional exercises. 2020-09-21 Content of 'availability' element changed when EEBO Phase 2 texts came into the public domain 2013-08 Assigned for keying and markup 2013-08 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2013-12 Sampled and proofread 2013-12 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2014-03 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

DEVOTIONS In the ancient Way of OFFICES. WITH Pſalms, Hymns, and Prayers FOR Every Day of the Week, AND Every Holiday in the Year. Reformed by a Perſon of Quality, AND Publiſhed by George Hickes, D. D.

LONDON, Printed for J. Jones at the Bell, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1700.

TO THE READER.

IT is not the reſpect for the Reformer if theſe Devotions, which I acknowledge to be very great, nor any thoughts of advantaging the Book-ſeller, for which I write this Preface, but a pure and unintereſſed deſire to give ſome Account and Character of this Book, which in one dreſs or other, hath been ſent abroad no leſs than nine Times into the World.

It hath had Four Editions unreform'd from the Roman Catholicks, in the laſt of which is added, The Office for the Bleſſed Virgin, which J. S. in the Epiſtle Dedicatory before the Second Edition, aſſures us, was begun by the excellent Author before he died, who intended to annex it to his Devotions; and truly I cannot but wonder, who he was that durſt undertake to finiſh a Piece, that this Apelles, left imperfect, eſpecially after ſo great a Judge of Senſe and Style as Mr. S. had ſaid that—It was ſo inimitably excellent, that ſcarce any would be found in all reſpects able to match his Senſe and Expreſſion, or finiſh it as it ought. It hath had Five Editions more, as it was reformed by the Reverend and Worthy Mr. Dorrington, and a great part of it hath had divers other Editions in ſtollen Books of Devotion, whoſe Mercenary Authors, have wiſely conceal'd their Names, leſt their ſhameful Practices ſhould be proved upon them. It now preſents it ſelf again in a new reform unto the World, in which I do not doubt but it will have many Editions, and perhaps as many, as any Book of Devotion in what Language ſoever, except the Pſalter, ever had. For though Mr. Dorrington's reform of it hath very well deſerved the good reception it hath found in the World, yet it was not altogether ſo acceptable to ſome diſcerning, as well as devout Perſons, who were skilful in divine Offices, and curious in the Theory, as well as conſtant in the practice of Devotions. Among theſe I have known not a few, who choſe to mark with their Pencils, whatever was amiſs in the unreform'd Devotions, that they might uſe them for their own private Benefit in the Author's own Method, rather than in that of Mr. Dorrington, which in their Judgment was not ſo enflaming, nor fitted for the great and delightful Benefit of mutual and alternate Devotions, for which the divine Author (ſo I cannot but call him) ſeemed principally to contrive his Book, though it is no leſs fit for ſolitary Devotions, than that of Mr. Dorrington is.

Beſides, they objected, that Mr. Dorrington had contracted the Four daily Offices into Two, that he had omitted the Leſſons; as many of which as are Scriptural, the devout Author of this Reform hath continued in the Verſion of the Church of England; that he had not reformed the Office for the Dead; that in the other he had left out many things, which they think as uſeful as any he hath taken in, together with the Verſicles, Reſponſories, and Antiphons, as Such; with which the Pſalms make up that moſt venerable, edifying, and elevating way of alternate or ſocial Devotion, which was uſed in the beſt and pureſt Ages of Chriſtianity, and truly reſembles the Worſhip and Devotions of the great Choire of Saints and Angels in the Church Triumphant, that moſt glorious Jeruſalem, which is above.

Wherefore to oblige thoſe devout Perſons who deſired another Reformation of thoſe Devotions, another is here preſented to them in the Author's own Way, from the Pen of a moſt Pious, as well as Ingenious and ready Writer, who hath not left out or altered any thing, but ſome few Sentences and Expreſſions, which hindered thoſe Offices from being introduc'd into the Cloſets and Oratories, of the more devout Sons and Daughters of the Church of England, eſpecially of thoſe who delight in the more Heaven-like way of Worſhip; I mean in alternate or choral Devotion, which it is in the power of every devout Maſter, or Miſtreſs of a Family, or any two or more religious Perſons, who happen to live in the ſame Houſe, or Neighbourhood, or to Travel together in the ſame Journey, to exerciſe themſelves in at vacant Times, to the Honour of God, whom they delight to Worſhip; the comfort and ſatisfaction of their own Conſciences, when they find their Souls ſo quickned, and delighted in bearing their Parts in ſuch harmonious Devotions; nay, to the unſpeakable inward Joy, and exultation of the immortal Spirits within them, which have raviſhing foretaſtes of Heaven in thoſe Heaven-like Exerciſes, which make this Life much more than other Devotions, reſemble that which is to come.

But of all others, none have it in their Power to practiſe this moſt delightful way of Worſhip in the Heaven like Fellowſhip of alternate Devotion, to ſo much advantage as the Religious Societies, of whoſe Riſe and Progreſs, the World hath lately had an Account, by the Reverend Mr. Woodward, Miniſter of Poplar. It is to the Votaries of theſe, and ſuch like Societies, that I particularly recommend this Book of Devotions, which in other forms, hath already more than once been recommended to the whole Chriſtian World. J. S. who I ſuppoſe is Mr. John Serjeant, in the Epiſtle Dedicatory, of the Second Edition, tells us, that it is the moſt ſubſtantial part of Divinity rendered uſefully Practical, the beſt Matter delivered in the beſt Manner, and that it neither needs nor courts any Man's Patronage to ſet it off, as being above all the Ends at which Dedications commonly aim, nay, above the World it ſelf, as conſining upon its neareſt Neighbour Heaven. The Reverend, and moſt Worthy Mr. Dorrington, to whom the World is ſo much obliged for the firſt Reform of it, tells us, in the Epiſtle Dedicatory, that it is a Book very excellent in its kind, and worthy, as ſuch, to be recommended to the World; that it is fitted to poſſeſs Mens Minds with that pure and peaceable Wiſdom which is from above, to excite Devotion in the coldeſt, and moſt careleſs Hearts, nay, to poſſeſs with a love of Devotion, our too nice and witty Age, as being rational, ſolid, and ingenious in its higheſt flights. He thinks no Book of Devotion of any Author of the ſame Communion comparable to it, and reformed from the Errors with which it was firſt compoſed; he thinks it as fit to poſſeſs Mens Minds with an affectionate, and powerful ſenſe of the Truths of Chriſtianity, as any Book that can be met with, unleſs any one will except the Expoſition of our Church-Catechiſm, compoſed for the uſe of the Dioceſs of Bath and Wells.

But before I proceed farther in the Character of this Divine Book, I think fit to give ſome Account of its Offices, with ſome Directions about the uſe of them, which thoſe, who are not verſed in divine Offices, will not eaſily find out.

Know then, It conſiſts of Eleven Offices; One for every Day in the Week, One for our Saviour's Feaſts, One for the Holy Ghoſt, One for Saints, and One for the Dead, which the Author of this Reform hath entitled, A Preparatory Office for Death.

The Offices for every Day of the Week, though indeed they may be uſed on any other Day, are appropriated to their reſpective Days, not only for the ſake of Order or Method, but for particular Reaſons, upon which the great Author had his Eye in their reſpective Appropriations. This appears from the Offices themſelves; as in that for Thurſday, which is all upon the Subject of the Holy Euchariſt, and its Inſtitution, becauſe on that Day our Lord before his Paſſion appointed that Holy Sacrament, and commemorative Sacrifice, to be a perpetual Memorial, or Commemoration before God, as well as among Men, of the great Propitiatory Sacrifice he made upon the Croſs.

The Subject of Fridays Devotions, are our Saviour's Sufferings, and our Redemption by them.

Saturday's Office is upon the ſame Subject of our Lord's Sufferings, with a particular reſpect to the Victory he thereby obtained over Sin and Death, and the Powers of Darkneſs.

Sunday's Devotions are chiefly upon the Subject of our Lord's glorious Reſurrection, with ſome Pſalms in it, which become the Chriſtian Sabbath, upon God's finiſhing the Creation, and reſting from all the Works which he had made.

The Office of Monday, which was the ſecond day of the Creation, is all compoſed in the praiſe of God for the Works of Creation, and in celebrating his infinite Power, Wiſdom, and Goodneſs of the great Architect, who made the World with infinite Art in Number, Weight, and Meaſure.

Tueſday's Office is made in the Praiſe of God, as Preſerver and Suſtainer of all that he hath Created, and particularly, as the Preſerver, and Guardian of Men.

Wedneſday's Office is appointed to adore God, as the great Governour and Sovereign of the Creation, who appoints every Creature its proper Office, and guides all the Motions of the Ʋniverſe, according to his own infinite Wiſdom and Counſels, ſo as to bring about his own glorious Deſigns.

The Office of our Saviour is all contrived to ſet forth his Nature, as Mediator, and Redeemer, and the Praiſes of his infinite Love towards Men, in undertaking, and accompliſhing the great Work of our Redemption.

The Office of the Holy Ghoſt is all in the Praiſe and Adoration of the Holy Spirit of God, the Third Perſon of the bleſſed and undivided Trinity, as He is our Sanctifier, where, after aſſerting his eternal Proceſſion from the Father and the Son, and his equality with them in Glory, the Author celebrates his Praiſes in moſt divine Pſalms and Hymns, as the Author of our ſecond Birth, and glorifies him for all his Gifts, and Graces, and Comforts to the Sons of Men. More particularly for illuminating our Ʋnderſtandings, and ſanctifying our Wills, for helping us in our Prayers, and aſſiſting us againſt Evil Spirits; finally, for being our Director, Guide, and Counſellor, for making our Bodies his Temples, and for finiſhing the Myſtery of our Redemption; withal, praiſing our Lord for ſending him in his miraculous Effuſions upon the Apoſtles punctually according to his Promiſe, and ſhewing how every Perſon of the bleſſed Trinity, as one co-infinite Goodneſs contributed to our Redemption, and graciouſly agreed to compleat our Felicity.

In the Office for the Dead every thing is ſaid that the Subject of Death, or our Preparation for it can require. There is ſet forth in moſt affecting manner the Miſery and Vanity of Man, as Mortal; the excellency of his better and immortal Part; the happineſs of departed Spirits; the moderation with which we ought to temper and limit our Sorrow for our dead Friends; how nearly it concerns us to ſecure our Peace with God before we die; with many things interſperſed, concerning the Reſurrection, and the laſt Judgment, and the impartial, and indiſpenſible Juſtice of God in inflicting Death without diſtinction, or reſpect of Perſons, upon all Sorts, Ranks, and Conditions of Men.

In the Office of Saints are deſcribed in moſt devout manner the Sovereign Majeſty, and Glory of God, as King of Saints; and Angels, the Glories of the other State in the Kingdom of Heaven, the union of Prophets, Apoſtles, Martyrs, and Confeſſors, and all the Saints departed in one happy Fellowſhip, with Angels; and Seraphims; the wonderful Progreſs from Grace to Glory; the immenſe Goodneſs of God who rewards ſuch imperfect Services, and ſhort Sufferings with infinite Rewards, and the obligation which lies upon us to mention the Saints departed with Honour, to commemorate and imitate their Virtues, to follow their bleſſed Examples, and reverently to obey the Church in obſerving thoſe Feſtivals, which ſhe hath appointed to remember their Vertues, and recite their Sufferings for our own Edification, their Honour, and the Glory of God, to whom the Church of England, in her excellent Office for the Communion, firſt after the Reformation, did, in moſt Catholick manner, offer moſt high laud, and hearty thanks for the wonderful Graces and Virtues, which he had declared in all his Saints, and by them beſtowed upon his Church from the beginning of the World.

Every one of theſe Offices hath Four Parts; and every one of theſe Parts may, as they are reformed in this Book, be performed in ſingle, or ſolitary Devotion in a quarter of an Hour, or little more, which make but a ſmall part of Time in every day to ſpend in God's Service, and may well be ſpared from our other common Employments, or from our vacant Hours, wherein we do nothing, or are apt to do ill, and are much better ſpent than in giving and receiving vain, idle, and unprofitable Viſits, or waſting our precious Hours in places of publick, and dangerous Reſort, or long, and tedious Dreſſes, or fooliſh amuſements of our Thoughts, which ſo many times in the Day might be ſo nobly entertained with the ſublime, and ingenious Notions of this Book.

Two of theſe Four Parts are allotted for the Morning, or Forenoon, and Two for the Evening or Afternoon, at ſuch Hours as every one may find moſt convenient for himſelf, if he is a ſingle Perſon, or as many Perſons agreeing together may appoint with leaſt inconveniency to themſelves. If a ſingle Perſon happens to be engaged unawares in Buſineſs, or Company, or to be in a Journey, or Voyage with others, he may retire with his Book for one quarter of an Hour, into ſome receſs, in an Houſe, Garden, or Field; and a Maſter of a Family, that hath appointed Hours for Devotion, may order his Books to be laid at his appointed Hours, and invite his Friends who come in to join with him, if they are ſuch as he may Communicate with, or they with him, or if not, with all Civility he may borrow ſo ſmall a part of an Hour of them, while he ſays his Prayers. This Cuſtom, if generally obſerved, would ſoon bring Religion, and Religious Perſons into Credit, Honour, and Veneration; and I hope no Man will be ſo uncharitable, as to think, that while I thus recommend ſet Hours of Devotion, I am ſo Superſtitious as to put any Truſt in the bare recital of a few Pſalms, and Prayers, and Hymns, at ſuch and ſuch preſcribed Times, but that I do it to reſtore the ancient practice of Devotion, which was in uſe among the Jews and the Primitive Chriſtians, among whom the diſtinction of Hours for Prayer was not the effect of Superſtition, but a rational Inſtitution, in which they agreed as it were by common Inſpiration, as the beſt means of advancing Piety, and Devotion.

Of the Four laſt Offices, that of our Saviour is to be uſed on all the Sundays in Advent, and the Feſtivals of our Saviour, as Chriſtmas-day, the Circumciſion, or New-Years-day, Epiphany, called among us, from the time of the Saxons the Twelfth-Day, the Annunciation, Paſſion-Sunday, which may be innocently obſerved, though not noted in the Church of England Calendar, Palm-Sunday, and Aſcenſion-day.

The Office of the Holy Ghoſt is to be ſaid on Whitſunday, Munday, and Tueſday.

The Office of Saints is to be uſed on all the proper Feſtivals, or days of Commemoration for particular Saints, whoſe Offices are alſo here added by the excellent Reformer of the Devotions.

The Office of the Dead is intended to be ſaid at diſcretion upon all Occaſions, of epidemical Diſeaſes, and Mortality, upon the death of our Neighbours, Friends, and Relations, or upon the Anniverſary day of the death of any Perſons, whoſe Departures we think fit to Commemorate, as long as we ſurvive them; or ſometimes a devout Perſon may have occaſion, or inclination to ſay one or other of theſe Offices on any day of the Week, with great advantage, which may be done, omitting the proper Office of the day.

As for directions in uſing theſe Offices, none are to be given to thoſe who uſe them alone; but they are wholly left to the government of their own diſcretions. But when two, or more ſay them together, it is fit they ſhould obſerve ſome Orders, and Rules in their ſocial Devotion, for which purpoſe I propoſe theſe which follow.

Firſt, As to the place, let it be ſome private Oratory, if any ſuch can be had, at leaſt ſome retirement, if the Houſe where they meet will afford any ſuch.

At Mattins both falling down on their Knees, let them implore the Aſſiſtance of God; A. ſaying, Prevent we beſeech thee, &c. Then both riſing, let them ſay together, In the Name of the Father, &c. Then let A. ſay the Invitatory, and B. repeat it every where as in the Book. Then both continuing ſtanding, let A. recite one Stanza of the Hymn, and B. the other, or rather ſing them if they have skill anſwerable to their Devotion. But if there be ſo many Perſons preſent, as to make a Choire, then they may be ſung in the Tunes of the ſinging Pſalms, as Mr. Dorrington directs, viz. Hymn 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 28, 31, 39, in the more common Tunes; Hymn 7, 12, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 27, 33, 36, 38, 40. in the Tune of the Hundredth Pſalm; Hymn 10, 26, 29, 30, 35, 37. in the Tune of the Hundred and thirteenth Pſalm; and Hymn 19, 22, 33, 34. in the Tune of the Twenty fifth Pſalm. Then let A. ſay the Antiphon, and B. begin the Pſalm, which they are to recite alternately; or if they like it better, let the Antiphon be ſaid at the beginning and end of the Pſalm, and the Verſes of the Pſalm be read alternately in the way of Pſalmody, according to the preſent practiſe of moſt Congregations of the Church of England, which makes a moſt divine Harmony in Worſhip, betwixt the Prieſt and Chorus of the People. But the way of reciting the Antiphon, and the Verſes of the Pſalm alternately, is preferred by the Reformer, as well as the Author of the Devotions. The Primitive Church had them both from the Synagogue; and there are many Examples of both to be found in the Book of Pſalms. At the end of every Pſalm, let A. ſay, Glory be to the Father, &c. and B. As it was in the beginning, &c. both continuing to ſtand, and ſhewing ſome other ſign of Worſhip by bowing the Head, or lifting up the Eyes to Heaven: For in all Devotion, the exteriour Worſhip is never to be neglected, and thoſe ſtiff, moroſe, and ſaturnine Votiſts, who are ſo ſparing of bodily Adoration, in our moſt ſolemn Services, refuſing to ſtand at the ſinging of Pſalms, and Anthems, or to bow to God before his Holy Altars, act not only againſt the common Notions of Mankind, and the Nature of divine Worſhip; but if they would obſerve it, againſt their own Inclinations, which if not reſtrained by falſe preconceptions, or warpt contrary to their bent, by perverſeneſs of Humour, and Education, would naturally prompt them, like other Men, to declare their inward by their outward Adoration, and join the Worſhip of the Body with the Devotion of the Soul. The Pſalms being ended, let A. read the Leſſons, and B. the Reſponſories; or rather let the Reſponſories be marked with Stars, as in the unreformed Devotions, and then let A. and B. read the parts of the Reſponſories ſo diſtinguiſhed alternately in their turns. The Great Hymn, called TE DEUM, is diſtinguiſhed to be ſaid on Sundays and Holidays, at the end of the third Reſponſory, or indeed on any other day, when the Votaries pleaſe, and at the end of it, or the third Reſponſory, when it is not uſed, A. may conclude the Mattins with the ſolemn Benediction, viz. The Peace of God, &c. But if he is not a Prieſt OUR is to be uſed inſtead of YOUR, and US inſtead of YOU.

The ſame Invitatory may ſerve to begin all the other parts of every Office, as well as the Mattins, and the ſame directions will ſerve to guide all devout Perſons in the uſe of them; and at any time, when unforeſeen accidents, and buſineſs will not allow them to ſay them at diſtinct Hours, they may paſs immediately from the Mattins to the Lauds in the Morning, and from the Veſpers to the Complines in the Afternoon. And it is to be noted, that any other Prayers, or Forms of Prayer, for the Morning or Evening, for the King, the Church, or our Friends, or Interceſſions for any other Perſons, or Petitions for Things; as alſo any Forms of Thanksgiving, may be uſed in any, or all the Parts of theſe Offices, as Prudence ſhall direct ſingle Perſons in their ſolitary Devotions, or as Religious Companions, or Societies, who join together in ſocial Worſhip, ſhall agree among themſelves.

Thus much I thought fit to premiſe concerning the excellency of theſe Offices, and the uſe of them, and I hope no Friends to Piety, or Devotion will, through prejudice, or other human Weakneſs of Ʋnderſtanding, diſlike them becauſe they are Reformed Devotions. Far be this from any Man that would be thought wiſe, or good, leſt by the ſame Power of Prejudice and Paſſion, if God do not reſtrain him, he ſhould come to diſlike our pure Religion it ſelf, and its ſolemn Worſhip, becauſe they are both Reformed.

There are ſome among the Learned, as well as among the more common Sort, that are ſubject to ſuch Prejudices againſt the Church of Rome; they are apt to think there are no true Fruits of Piety among thoſe of that Communion, nor any helps to Heaven can come from thence. But theſe Perſons ſhould conſider, that there are three ſorts of Men in that Church, who are not ſo accountable for the Errors and Corruptions thereof. Some through the powerful Influence of Education, and the invincible, or almoſt invincible Ignorance, that attends it, do not diſcern the great Faults of their Church, and God being merciful to ſuch Mens Miſtakes, gives them his holy Spirit, by the aſſiſtance whereof they bring forth the Fruits of true Piety; and among theſe we may find many Perſons eminent for Humility, Purity, Charity, Devotion, Gentleneſs, Self-denial, and Reſignation, and other Chriſtian Graces, and where we find Men in dangerous Communions, ſo ſecured againſt the dangers of them, by the ſpecial favour of God, we ought to magnifie his Goodneſs, and their Examples ought to provoke us to emulation, and to imitate the Patterns they ſet us in good Works.

Some there are again, who knowing the controverted Doctrines, and practiſes of their Church, and the heavy Charges we juſtly lay upon them, yet through the modeſty and humility of their Tempers, joined with a credulous Charity, and great admiration they have for that Church, upon the account of ſome Such as Antiquity, a clearer Hiſtory of Succeſſion, great extent over many Dominions, number of Martyrs, being the Mother or Planter of many other Churches, &c. glaring, but accidental Advantages, which other Churches want, they are unwilling to enter into a thorough Examination of the Points in Controverſie, thinking it the ſafeſt way to make no ſtrict Reſearches, but to deny their Ʋnderſtandings in ſome things, as they do their Wills in others, in ſubmiſſion to the Church's Authority, and to believe, as ſhe doth. This, as I gueſs, from ſome Expreſſions in the Thurſday-Office of the unreformed Devotions, was the Caſe of that humble and charitable Gentleman, who was the Author of theſe Devotions. He thought it hard to charge a Church of ſuch eminent Prerogatives with ſuch great Errors, and could not believe, that ſo great a part of Chriſtianity, as ſhe poſſeſſes, and ſo many guides of Souls, that are in her, ſhould all be in the Wrong. Thus his Modeſty and Charity to that Church made him forget the ſtate of the Jewiſh Church in the Reign of Ahab, and of the Chriſtian in the Arrian Reigns. Nevertheleſs, we ought to magnifie the abundant Mercy of God, who, in infinite pity to his miſtaken Humility, and too credulous Charity, was pleaſed to give him the Spirit of Devotion, with many other eminent Gifts, and Graces, of which we have an account in the Epiſtle Dedicatory to the unreformed Devotions, by J. S. which is left out of the Fourth Edition of them.

Others there are in the third place, who though they are convinced of the dangerous Errors both in Doctrine and Practice of their Church, and that it ought to reform from them, yet think it better to bewail them in private, and daily praying for a Reformation, to bear with them till the happy time when the Church ſhall refosm it ſelf in Peace, and with Security to the Succeſſion, and Authority of the Prieſthood, the Government, Diſcipline, and Patrimony of the Church, and the juſt exerciſe of all her ſpiritual Powers, and Rights. Great Numbers of ſuch well diſpoſed Men are, and always have been in the Church of Rome, ſince it needed to be reformed, and the Chriſtian World is beholden to many of them, for their admirable Works, which we are to embrace, with all reſpect to their Perſons, and Memories, and thankfulneſs to God, who gave them ſuch excellent Gifts. Theſe Men are none of thoſe, who ſend us in the lump to Hell, as Hereticks, though they think us not Reformed in that happy manner, that in love to the Church of God, and compaſſion to us, ſome of them ſeem heartily to wiſh. One of them writing of us not long ſince, ſaid, we are rather to be called Non-Catholicks than Hereticks; and though theſe Men do not come over to us, but think it beſt to abide in that Communion, from which we had great reaſon to reform; yet it would be not only great weakneſs, but peeviſhneſs, and want of Chriſtian Candor for us to refuſe to pay that Honour to their Perſons, or Memories, which is due unto them, upon the account: of their ſingular Gifts, or not give their excellent Writings, that acceptance they deſerve, eſpecially when they are reformed.

Wherefore in commending the Author of the Devotions, and recommending this reform of them to the World, I hope, I have done nothing contrary to my Character, and the relation I bear to the Church of England, to which I would to God every one that is of her Communion, wiſhed as well, as I do. I am ſure ſuch Books, as this, will do her no harm, but very much good, though it comes from a Member of a Church, that will never be Friends with us for reforming from her, till God ſhall give her Grace to reform her ſelf. I have commended it purely for its Worth, and Excellence, Ʋpon the account whereof, I am not aſhamed to declare, that I intend to uſe it my ſelf, and make it one of my Companions whereſoever I go, as being, in my Judgment, a Book of Devotion, which contains very great variety of ſublime, and uſeful Thoughts in the moſt proper, pure, and plain Language, and joineth the higheſt flights of Devotion, with Liturgical Gravity, in a ſeraphick, but ſober Style. Indeed, I think it a juſt Pattern for Chriſtian Devotion in all its Offices, being accommodated with great exactneſs of Compoſure to devout Perſons of all Tempers, and made, not only to excite, but to govern, and regulate Devotion. It not only raiſes the dull, and quickens the ſluggiſh, and warms the frozen Spirits, but tempers the fervour of over-hot Votaries, and ſecures them with great Art againſt the Enthuſiaſm of their Tempers, and from running into the frenzy, and rapturous Exceſſes of the myſtical Devotion. Wherefore this Book being wiſely and curiouſly ſuited to Religious Perſons of all Diſpoſitions, and Tempers, I have, I hope, without deſerving any Cenſure, preſumed to recommend it to Maſters of Families, and to Religious Fellowſhips, and Societies; in the laſt of which, there muſt be Votaries of all ſorts. Among the former I commend it more eſpecially to thoſe, who cannot have the benefit of Publick Inſtruction in the Churches, or who cannot have it ſo duly, and conſtantly, as the Neceſſities of their Families require. Such are they, who live at a great diſtance from Churches, to which acceſs is difficult in the Winter. Such alſo who have the misfortune to live in the Spiritual Deſarts, which Sacrilege hath made in many Places, where, for want of Maintenance, there is an inſufficient Clergy, or it may be none all. And laſtly, Such who happen to live in Spiritual Deſarts, of another Nature, in Pagan or Mahometan Countries, or in Chriſtian Countries of another Communion, to whoſe Aſſemblies they cannot go. The uſe of this Book, in ſuch deſtitute Families, will not only teach the Children, and Servants how to pray in the beſt manner, but alſo inſtruct them in all the Doctrines, and Duties of Chriſtianity, and in a great meaſure ſupply the want of going to Church. It is incumbent upon Maſters of Families, in theſe unhappy Circumſtances, to be, as far as they can, Prieſts in their own Families; and thoſe who think fit to uſe this Book, by the benefit of it will with great eaſe, make their Domeſticks truly knowing Chriſtians; and if to the daily uſe thereof they pleaſe to add, on the Lord's-Day, the reading of the Church Catechiſm, as expounded by the R. R. the Biſhop of Bath and Wells, Mr. Kettlewell's Practical Believer, and the Chriſtian Monitor, they will, in great meaſure, make up the loſs of Parochial Inſtruction, and throughly furniſh their younger Dependants unto all Good Works.

Among the latter, I have more particularly commended it to thoſe Religious Societies, of which the Reverend Mr. Woodward hath given us an Account. They cannot, in my Opinion, better Sanctifie the Lord's-Day in their Families, or Meetings, for which they worthily profeſs ſo great a Zeal, than by the Sunday-Office of this Book. They cannot better prepare themſelves for the Worthy Receiving of the Holy Communion, to the frequent Reception of which they devoutly oblige themſelves, than by reading the Thurſday-Office thereof, in their Meetings, or in their Cloſets. And as they often meet together to Diſcourſe on Spiritual Subjects, ſo they will no where find more, or more noble Subjects of that nature, than in this little Volume; which will alſo anſwer the Orders they have made, to bind themſelves to pray many times every day, and to read pious Books for their Ediucation. In ſhort, it is a Book fitted for their Religious Conferences, and Devotions; and if at any time they think fit to uſe its Offices, the Stewards who preſide in their Meetings, may do the part of A. in the Directions above given, and the reſt making a noble and harmonious Chorus, may perform the part of B.

But all this while I have been ſpeaking of the Book, I had almoſt forgot the devout Reformer of it, who is one that hath a mighty genius for Divinity; and though never bred in Scholaſtick Education, yet by Converſation with learned Clergy-Men, and reading the beſt Divinity Books, hath attained to a Skill in the Sacred Science, not much inferiour to that of the beſt Divines. It is one who hath already given the World one Book of Devotions, which hath been well received in Three, or Four Editions, and will leave it another, for which Poſterity will bleſs the Author's Name; one whoſe Houſe is a Temple, and whoſe Family is a Church, or Religious Society, and whoſe Hands are daily lifted up unto Heaven, with Alms, as well as Prayers; one whe Religiouſly obſerves all the Orders of the Church, that concern the People, and wiſhes, that thoſe were better obſerved, which concern the Prieſts; one who more particularly keeps with moſt exact Obſervance, all the Faſts and Feſtivals of the Church, and for the great Ends for which they are enjoined; in a word, One who is a great Example of Chriſtian Piety, and a ſingular Ornament to our Communion, in this degenerate Age; and among the many and moſt ſerious good Wiſhes I have for the Church of England, this is, and always ſhall be one, that all her Sons and Daughters were Such.

GEORGE HICKES.
A Preparatory Collect for all our Addreſſes to Almighty God.
Sundays Devotions.

PRevent, we beſeech thee O Lord, all our doings with thy moſt gracious favour, and farther them with thy continual help; that every Prayer and Work of ours, may begin always from thee, and by thee be happily ended, and more eſpecially the Service we are now entring upon, through Chriſt our Lord, Amen.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt, Amen.

Bleſſed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever-more, Amen.

The Invitatory.] Come let us Adore our Glorified Jeſus.

Come let us Adore our Glorified Jeſus.
Pſalm 1.

BEhold the Angels Aſſembled in their Choires, and the Bleſſed Saints ready with their Hymns; behold the Church prepares her ſolemn Offices, and ſummons all her Children to bring in their praiſes.

Come let us Adore our Glorified Jeſus.

The King of Heaven invites us, and graciouſly calls us into his Preſence; he bids us ſuſpend our mean employments in the World, to receive the honour of Treating with him.

Come let us Adore our Glorified Jeſus.

To him we owe all the days of our Lives; at leaſt let us pay this one to his Service, a Service ſo ſweet and eaſie in its ſelf, and ſo infinitely rich in its Eternal Rewards.

Come let us Adore our Glorified Jeſus.

Let us cheerfully aſcend to the Houſe of our Lord, the place he has choſen for our ſakes to dwell in; Let us Reverently bow before his Holy Altars, where himſelf comes to meet us and our prayers.

Come let us Adore our Glorified Jeſus.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoſt;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever ſhall be, world without end, Amen.

Hymn. 1. BEhold we come, dear Lord, to thee, and bow before thy Throne: We come to offer on our Knee, our Vows to thee Alone. What e're we have, what e're we are, thy Bounty freely gave, Thou doſt us here in Mercy ſpare, and wilt hereafter ſave. But O can all our Store afford, no better Gifts for thee? Thus we confeſs thy Riches Lord, and thus our Poverty. 'Tis not our Tongue or Knee can pay, the mighty Debt we owe; Far more we ſhould, than we can ſay, far lower ſhould we bow. Come then my Soul, bring all thy pow'rs, and grieve thou haſt no more; Bring every day thy choiceſt hours, and thy great God Adore. But above all, prepare thy Heart, on this his own bleſt Day; In it's ſweet task to bear thy part, and Sing, and Love, and Pray. Glory to thee Eternal Lord, thrice Bleſſed three in one; Thy Name at all times be ador'd, till Time it ſelf be done.
Antiphon.

This is the Day the Lord hath made; let us be glad and rejoyce therein, Alleluja.

Pſalm 2.

WElcome bleſt Day, wherein the Sun of Righteouſneſs aroſe and chaſed away the Clouds of Fear.

Welcom thou Birth-day of our Hopes, a day of Joy and publick Refreſhment.

A Day of Holineſs and Solemn Devotion; a day of Reſt and Univerſal Jubilee.

Welcome to us and our dark World, and may thy Radiant Name ſhine bright for ever; May all the Earth be inlightned with thy Beams, and every frozen Heart diſſolve and ſing.

This is the day which our Lord hath made, let us be glad and rejoyce therein.

This is the day he hath Sanctified to himſelf, and called by his moſt holy Name;

That in it we may meet to adore his Greatneſs, and admire the Wonders of his infinite power;

That we may remember his innumerable Mercies, and deeply imprint them in the very center of our Hearts.

That we may viſit his holy Temple, and humbly preſent our homage before his holy Altars.

Thoſe Sacred Altars where the Sacrifice of the Lamb of God is daily ſhewn forth, and the Memory of our Saviour's Love continually Renewed.

Worthy O Lord art thou of all our time, Worthy the praiſes of all thy Creatures.

Every Moment of our Life is bound to bleſs thee, ſince every Moment ſubſiſts by thy Goodneſs.

Shall others Labour ſo much for Vanity, and ſhall we not reſt for the Service of our God?

Shall we employ the whole Week on our ſelves, and not offer in gratitude one day unto thee?

To thee, who beſtoweſt on us all we have, and wilt give us hereafter more then we can hope.

O Gracious God, whoſe Mercy accepts ſuch ſlender payment as our poverty affords, whoſe bounty grants ſo liberally to us, and retains ſo ſmall a part to thy ſelf:

O make us faithfully obſerve our Duty, and render ſo exactly the Tribute we owe thee,

That paſſing ſtill thy Days to thy Honour, we may end our own in thy Favour.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.

This is the day the Lord hath made, let us be glad and rejoyce therein.

Thou haſt created all things, O Lord, for the uſe of Man, and Man for the enjoyment of thy ſelf.

Pſalm 3.

VVHen the Harveſt Sun provides a Cloud, and ſeems to reſt his wearied Beams;

He ſeeks not to ſave the Journey of his Light, but only ſpares the Reapers Head.

Much leſs ſeekeſt thou, O Lord, who madeſt the Sun, and inſpireſt all Creatures to repreſent thy bounty by the reſerve of a day, to procure thine own Repoſe.

Thou who created'ſt all things by a word of thy Mouth, and ſuſtaineſt them in thy hand without feeling any weight;

Who governeſt the whole World without perplexing thy thoughts, and always remain'ſt the ſame unchangeable fulneſs;

'Tis not to increaſe thine own Eternity, that thus thou takeſt a portion of our Time?

Thy Goodneſs friendly bears the Name, but intends for us all the profit of the Day.

That the wearied hands may be relieved with Reſt, and enabled to lift up themſelves to thee.

That the ignorant Minds may be taught thy Truth, and learn the way to Everlaſting Happineſs.

That the Guilty Conſciences may accuſe their Crimes, and be abſolv'd on Earth to be pardon'd in Heaven;

That the love prepared Souls may approach thy Table, and feaſt their Hearts with that Delicious Banquet.

That all may ſpeak to thee by Prayer, and hear thy Voice by the Mouth of thy Paſtors:

O Bleſſed Lord, what excellent Arts has thy Wiſdom invented to bring us unto thy ſelf?

Thou takeſt our Eyes by the beauty of thy Houſe, and the decent Splendors of thy ſolemn Offices.

Thou quickeneſt our Affections by our mutual Devotions, and melteſt our Hearts with the ſweetneſs of thy Muſick.

Thou ſtrengtheneſt our Faith by thy publick Aſſemblies, and improveſt our Love both to thee and one another.

Whilſt we all meet for the ſame bleſt end, and by mutual Reflections encreaſe our Fervours:

Happy, thrice happy they O merciful God, whom thy providence has favour'd with all theſe Bleſſings.

Who freely may enter thy holy Sancturay, and ſing a loud their praiſes to thy Name;

Who every day may wait on thy Altars, and there ſecurely adore thy Perſon;

But where thou art pleas'd to deny theſe Mercies, Refuſe not, O Lord, to extend the greater meaſure of thy Grace;

And in all Afflictive Deſtitutions, grant us thy more extraordinary ſupply;

That at leaſt we may build a Chappel in our Hearts, and Conſecrate our ſelves intirely unto thee.

Grant that the more we want of other helps, we may find the greater Aſſiſtances from thee:

Forgive both the neglect and ill improvement of thoſe Bleſſed opportunities we have had, and now want to wait upon thee:

And be thou preſent gracious Lord, and fill our Souls with thy chaſt Love.

Bring to my Remembrance thoſe ſaving Truths I have learned, and direct my life thereby?

Nor farther Motives ſhall we need to draw us, nor can we be deſtitute whilſt Repleniſht by thee;

Since every place where thou art not preſent, by thy favour is Miſerable; but where thou art by the influence of thy Spirit, is Joy and Peace.

Antiphon.

Thou haſt created all things for the uſe of Man, and Man for the enjoyment of thy ſelf.

Ant. Has the Almighty Goodneſs made all things for us, and ſhall we do nothing for him, nothing for our ſelves?

Pſalm 4.

COme let us lay aſide the Cares of the World, and take into our minds the Joys of Heaven.

Let us empty our heads of all other Thoughts, and prepare that upper Room to entertain our God.

Retiring from the many Diſtractions of this World, and cloſely recollecting all the Forces of our Souls.

So to purſue in earneſt that one Neceſſary Work, the ſecuring to our ſelves the Kingdom of Heaven.

Why ſhould we thus neglect ſacred Science, and be buſie in every thing but our own Salvation?

Why ſhould we forſake the real Subſtance, to embrace an empty Fancy?

Miſerable are they, O Lord, who ſtudy all things elſe, and never taſte thy Sweetneſs.

Miſerable, tho' their Skill can number the Stars, and trace out the Way of the Planets.

To know thee, Lord, is to be truly Wiſe, and to contemplate thee, the higheſt Learning.

But, O thou glorious God of Truth, in whom the Treaſures of Knowledge are all laid up.

Unleſs thou draw the Curtain from before our Eyes, and drive away the Clouds that intercept our Sight,

Never ſhall we ſee thoſe Heavenly Myſteries, nor ever diſcern the Beauty of thy Providence.

Send forth thy Light, O thou Morning Star, and lead us to thy Holy Hill.

Send forth thy Truth, O uncreated Wiſdom, and bring us to thy Bleſſed Tabernacle.

Shew us thy Self, O bleſſed Jeſus, and in thee we ſhall behold all that we can wiſh.

Only ſo much we beg, to conceive of thy Majeſty, as may move our hearts to ſeek thee.

Only ſo much of thy Approachable Deity as may guide our Souls to find thee.

If we may not know thee clearly here, let us know thee ſo much, as to long to know thee more.

If we cannot love thee perfectly, let us love thee ſo much, as to deſire to love thee more.

Let us ſo love and know thee here, O thou ſoveraign Bliſs of our Souls,

That hereafter we may know thee better, and love and enjoy thee for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Firſt Leſſon, 1 Cor. 15. 20. and Col. 3.

BUT now Chriſt is riſen from the dead, and become the firſt Fruits of them that ſlept.

For ſince by Man came Death, by Man came alſo the Reſurrection from the dead.

For as in Adam all died, even ſo in Chriſt ſhall all be made alive.

If ye then be riſen with Chriſt, ſeek thoſe things that are above, where Chriſt ſitteth on the right hand of God.

Set your affections on things above, not on things on the Earth.

For you are dead, and your life is hid with Chriſt in God.

When Chriſt, who is your life, ſhall appear, then ſhall ye alſo appear with him in Glory.

Mortifie therefore your Members that are upon the Earth; Fornication, Uncleanneſs, Inordinate Affection, Evil Concupiſcence, and Covetouſneſs, which is Idolatry:

For which things ſake the wrath of God cometh on the Children of diſobedience.

In the which you alſo walked when you lived in them.

But now you alſo put off all theſe; Anger, Wrath, Malice, Blaſphemy, Filthy Communication out of your mouth.

Lie not one to another, ſeeing that you have put off the Old Man with his deeds;

And have put on the New Man, which is renewed in Knowledge, after the Image of him that created him.

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, Circumciſion nor Uncircumciſion, Barbarian, Scythian, Bond or Free, but Chriſt is all in all.

Reſponſory.] O Glorious Jeſus, in whom we live, and without whom we die, mortifie in us all Senſual Deſires, and quicken our hearts with thy holy Love; that we no longer eſteem the Vanities of the World, but place our affections intirely on Thee; Who didſt die for our Sins, and riſe again for our Juſtification. O thou, our only hope and portion in the Land of the Living, may our Thoughts and Diſcourſes ſtill be of thee, our Works and Sufferings all for thee; Who didſt die for our Sins, and riſe again for our Juſtification

Second Leſſon, Col. 3. 12.

PUT on therefore (as the elect, of God, holy, and beloved) bowels of mercies, kindneſs, humbleneſs of mind, meekneſs, long-ſuffering;

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel againſt any: even as Chriſt forgave you, ſo alſo do ye.

And above all things put on Charity, which is the Bond of Perfectneſs.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which alſo ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wiſdom; teaching and admoniſhing one another in Pſalms and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, ſinging with grace in your hearts unto the Lord.

And whatſoever ye do in word and deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Wives be ſubject unto your own Husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Husbands love your Wives, and be not bitter againſt them.

Children obey your Parents in all things, for this is well-pleaſing unto the Lord.

Fathers provoke not your Children to anger, leſt they be diſcouraged.

Servants obey in all things your Maſters according to the fleſh; not with Eyeſervice, as Men-pleaſers, but in ſingleneſs of heart, fearing God.

And whatſoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not as unto Men;

Knowing that you ſhall receive of the Lord the reward of the Inheritance: For ye ſerve the Lord Chriſt.

But he that doth wrong, ſhall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no reſpect of Perſons.

Reſponſ.] Open thou our Eyes, O Lord, that we may ſee the beauty of thy Commands; how wiſe and ſweet they are in themſelves, how neceſſary and beneficial unto us while they improve our Felicity here, and entitle us to that of hereafter. Guide thou our Lives, O Lord, in the ways of thy Precepts, that by obſerving faithfully theſe excellent Rules, we may be all every where happy.

Third Leſſon, part of the 12th and 13th of the Hebrews.

LET us lay aſide every weight, and the Sin that doth ſo eaſily beſet us, and let us run with patience the Race that is ſet before us,

Looking unto Jeſus the Author and Finiſher of our Faith; who for the Joy that was ſet before him, endured the Croſs, deſpiſing the ſhame, and is ſet down at the right hand of the Throne of God.

For conſider him that endured ſuch Contradiction of Sinners againſt himſelf, leſt ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Ye have not yet reſiſted unto Blood, ſtriving againſt Sin.

And you have forgot the Exhortation, which ſpeaketh unto you, as unto Children, My Son, deſpiſe not thou the Chaſtening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him.

For whom the Lord loveth, he chaſteneth, and ſcourgeth every Son whom he receiveth.

Now no chaſtening for the time ſeemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheleſs afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of Righteouſneſs unto them which are exerciſed thereby.

Follow Peace with all men, and Holineſs, without which no man ſhall ſee the Lord:

Looking diligently, leſt any man fail of the Grace of God; leſt any root of Bitterneſs ſpringing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

Be not forgetful to entertain Strangers, for thereby ſome have entertained Angels unawares.

Remember them that are in Bonds, as bound with them; and them which ſuffer Adverſity, as being your ſelves alſo in the Body.

Let your Converſation be without Covetouſneſs, and be contented with ſuch things as you have; for he hath ſaid, I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee.

So that we may boldly ſay, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what Man can do unto me.

Now the God of Peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlaſting Covenant,

Make you perfect in every good work, to do his Will, working in you that which is well-pleaſing in his ſight, through Jeſus Chriſt; to whom be Glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Reſponſ.] Thither, O my Soul, let us ſtill be going, where once to arrive, is always to be at Reſt: There let us dwell already in hope, where once to enjoy, is always to be happy: Since whate'er we deſire we are ſure to have, and whate'er we have can never be taken from us. Let us believe, and obey, and ſuffer; let us read, meditate and pray: Heaven is a reward worth all our pains; ſince whate'er we deſire we are ſure to have, and whate'er we have can never be taken from us.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Te Deum Laudamus.

VVE praiſe thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

All the earth doth worſhip thee: the Father everlaſting.

To thee all Angels cry aloud: the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.

To thee Cherubin, and Seraphin: continually do cry,

Holy, holy, holy: Lord God of Sabaoth.

Heaven and Earth are full of the Majeſty: of thy Glory.

The glorious Company of the Apoſtles: praiſe thee.

The goodly Fellowſhip of the Prophets: praiſe thee.

The noble Army of Martyrs: praiſe thee.

The holy Church throughout all the World: doth acknowledge thee;

The Father: of an infinite Majeſty;

Thine honourable, true: and onely Son;

Alſo the Holy Ghoſt: the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory: O Chriſt.

Thou art the everlaſting Son: of the Father.

When thou tookeſt upon thee to deliver Man: thou didſt not abhor the Virgins Womb.

When thou hadſt overcome the ſharpneſs of Death: thou didſt open the Kingdom of Heaven to all Believers.

Thou ſitteſt at the right hand of God: in the Glory of the Father.

We believe that thou ſhalt come: to be our Judge.

We therefore pray thee help thy Servants: whom thou haſt redeemed with thy precious Blood.

Make them to be numbred with thy Saints: in Glory everlaſting.

O Lord, ſave thy People: and bleſs thine Heritage.

Govern them: and lift them up for ever.

Day by day: we magnifie thee;

And we worſhip thy Name: ever World without end.

Vouchſafe, O Lord: to keep us this Day without Sin.

O Lord, have mercy upon us: have mercy upon us.

O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us: as our truſt is thee.

O Lord, in thee have I truſted: let me never be confounded.

O God make ſpeed to ſave us; O Lord make haſte to help us.

Invitatory.]

Come let's Adore our Glorified Jeſus.

Pſalm 5.

SIng unto our Lord a Pſalm of Joy; ſing Praiſes to the God of our Salvation.

Sing with a loud and chearful voice; ſing with a glad and thankful heart.

Say to the weak in Spirit, be ſtrong; and unto the ſorrowful, be of good comfort.

Tell all the World this Soul-reviving Truth; and may their hearts within them leap to hear it.

Tell them, the Lord of Life is riſen again, and has cloathed himſelf with immortal Glory.

He made the Angels Meſſengers of his Victory; and vouchſafed even himſelf to bring us the joyful News.

How many ways did thy Mercy invent; O thou wiſe Contriver of all our Happineſs?

To convince thy Followers into this bleſt belief; and ſettle in their hearts a firm ground of hope.

Thou appearedſt to the holy Women in their return from the Sepulchre; and openedſt their Eyes to know and adore thee.

Thou overtookedſt in the Way, the two that diſcours'd of thee, and made their hearts burn within them to hear thee.

Thou ſheweſt thy ſelf on the ſtedfaſt Shore, to thy weary Diſciples labouring at Sea:

Labouring all Night, alas, in vain; without the Bleſſing of their beloved Jeſus:

Thou ſhew'd'ſt thy ſelf, and told'ſt them who thou wert, in the kind known Token of a beneficial Miracle.

Through the Doors, though ſhut, thou ſwiftly paſſed'ſt, to carry Peace to thy comfortable Friends;

To encourage their Fears with thy powerful Preſence, and ſecure their Faith by thy Charitable Arguments.

How didſt thou condeſcend to Eat before them, and invite them to touch thy impaſſible Body!

How didſt thou ſweetly provoke that Incredulous Servant to thruſt his Hand into thy wounded Side!

Actions, we know, unfit for thy Glorified State; but abſolutely neceſſary for our ſlow belief.

How often, O my gracious Lord, in thoſe bleſſed forty Days, did thy Charity caſt to meet with thy Diſciples!

That thou mighteſt teach them ſtill ſome excellent Truths, and imprint ſtill deeper thy Love in their hearts. Diſcourſing perpetually of the Kingdom of Heaven, and eſtabliſhing means to bring us thither.

At laſt, when all thy glorious Task was done, and thy parting Hour from this Earth approach'd;

Thou tenderly gatheredſt thy Children about thee, and in their full ſight went'ſt up to Heaven;

Leaving thy deareſt Bleſſings on their heads, and promiſing them a Comforter to ſupply thine Abſence.

O how Adorable are thy Counſels, O Lord! how ſtrangely endearing are the ways of thy Love!

Say now, my Soul, is not this Evidence clear enough to anſwer all our darkeſt Doubts? Is not this Hope abundantly ſufficient to ſweeten all our bittereſt Sorrows?

What, though we mourn, or be afflicted here; and ſigh under the miſeries of this World for a time? We are ſure our Tears will be one day turn'd into Joy; and that Joy none ſhall take from us.

What tho' our Bodies be crumbled into Duſt; and that Duſt blown about over the face of the Earth?

Yet we undoubtedly know our Redeemer lives; and ſhall appear in brightneſs at the laſt great Day.

He ſhall appear in the midſt of innumerable Angels, and with theſe very Eyes we ſhall ſee him:

We ſhall ſee him in whom we have ſo long believ'd; we ſhall find him whom we have ſo often ſought. We ſhall poſſeſs him whom our Souls have lov'd, and be united to him for ever, who is the End of all our Being.

Glory be the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 6.

RAiſe thy head O my Soul; look up and behold the Glory of thy Crucified Saviour.

He that was dead and laid in the Grave low enough to prove himſelf Man,

Is riſen again and aſcended into Heaven, high enough to prove himſelf God.

He is riſen, and made the Light his Garment, and commanded the Clouds to be the Chariots of his Triumph.

The Gates of Heaven obeyed their Lord; and the Everlaſting Doors opened to the King of Glory.

Enter bright King attended with thy beauteous Angels; and the glad Train of thy new deliver'd Captives.

Enter and re-poſſeſs thy Antient Throne; and Reign Eternally at the Right hand of the Father.

May every Knee bow low at thy Exalted Name; and every Tongue confeſs thy Glory.

May all created Nature adore thy power; and the Church of thy Redeemed exult in thy Goodneſs.

Whom have we in Heaven O Lord but thee, who expreſly wenteſt thither to make way for thy Followers?

What have we on Earth, but our Hope by following thee, to arrive at laſt where thou art gone before us?

O Glorious Jeſus, our Strength, our Joy, and the immortal life of all our Souls!

Be thou the principal ſubject of all our Studies; and daily entertainment of our moſt ſerious Thoughts.

Draw us deareſt Lord from the World and our ſelves; that we be not entangled with any earthly deſires.

Draw us after thee, and the odour of thy ſweetneſs; that we may run with delight the ways of thy Commands.

Draw us up to thee on thy Throne of bliſs; that we may ſee thy Face, and rejoyce with thee for ever in thy Kingdom.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 7.

WHy ſhould our hearts ſtill dwell upon Earth, ſince the Treaſure of our hearts is return'd to Heaven?

Since our Glorified Jeſus is aſcended above; to prepare us a place in his own Kingdom?

A place of Reſt and ſecure Peace, where we ſhall ſee and praiſe, and adore him for ever:

A place of Joy and everlaſting Fruition; where we ſhall love and poſſeſs, and delight in him for ever.

O happy we and our poor Souls, if once admitted to that bliſsful Viſion!

If once thoſe Heavenly Portals unfold their Gates; and let us in to the Joys of the Lord.

How will our Spirits be raviſht within themſelves; to reflect on the fullneſs of their own Beatitude!

How ſhall we all rejoyce in one anothers felicity; but infinitely more in the infinitely greater felicity of our God!

O Heaven! towards thee we lift up our Languiſhing Heads, and with longing Hearts and ſtretched out Hands, reach at thy Glories.

When, O thou finiſher of all our hopes; when ſhall we once behold that incomparable Light?

O Light ſhine thou perpetually in our Eyes; that thy brightneſs may darken the falſe Luſtre of the World.

O Light ſhed thou thy Flames in our Hearts; that thy heat may conſume all other deſires.

That we may burn continually with the chaſt love of thee, till thine own bright day appear;

Till we be called from this Veil of Darkneſs, into the glorious preſence of the living God.

To ſee him that made the Heavens and the Earth; and diſpoſes all Creatures into ſuch beauteous Order;

To ſee him who firſt gave us our being, then govern'd us in our way, and brought us at length to ſo bleſt an end.

Mean while, O gracious Lord, the crown of all thy Saints, and only expectation of thy faithful Servants!

Make us entertain our life with the comfort of this hope, and our hope with the aſſurance of thy promiſes.

Make us ſtill every day more perfectly underſtand our own great Duty, and thy infinite Love.

Make us continually meditate the advancement of thy Glory, and invite all the World to ſing thy praiſes.

Praiſe our Lord O ye holy Angels! praiſe him O ye happy Saints!

Praiſe him O ye faithful departed in his Grace! praiſe him O ye living who ſubſiſt by his Mercy!

Praiſe him in the vaſt immenſity of his Power; praiſe him in the admirable Wiſdom of his Providence.

Praiſe him in the bleſt effects of his Goodneſs; praiſe him in the infiniteneſs of all his Attributes.

Be thou for ever thine own praiſe, O Glorious God! and to all the felicities thou eſſentially poſſeſſeſt, may every Creature ſay, Amen.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the, &c.
Antiphon.

O how Adorable are thy Counſels, O Lord, how ſtrangely endearing are the ways of thy love, Alleluja.

1 Peter 1. 3.

Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, which according to his abundant Mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt from the dead.

Hymn 2. VVAke, my Soul, riſe from this Bed Of dull and ſluggiſh Earth, Quickly riſe, lift up thy head, And ſee thy Lord's new Birth. Once he came, O Bleſſed He! Born of a Virgins Womb; Now he comes (both times for thee) Sprung from a Virgin Tomb. Loe he riſes freſh and bright, Incircled round with Stars; Which from him take all their Light, And from his Glorious Scars. Still as he his Progreſs makes, Up to his Heaven again; Each bleſt Saint his Muſick takes, And follows in his Train. Thus together they aſcend, Till at Heaven's Gate they come, Where the Angels all attend, To bid him welcome home. Soon they know again their King, Soon they his call obey; All the Quires come forth to ſing, And crown with Mirth the Day. Come my Soul let us rejoyce, Let us our Conſort bring, Up to Heaven lets lift our Voice, And with the Angels ſing. Glory, Honour, Power and Praiſe, To the Myſterious three; As at the firſt beginning was, May now and ever be.
Antiphon.

Why ſeek ye the Living among the Dead? He is not here, he is gloriouſly aſcended, and the Heavens have received him, Alleluja, Alleluja

V. Our Lord is riſen and aſcended indeed:

R. The Firſt-fruits of them that die in his Love.

The Prayer.

O God, who haſt glorified our victorious Saviour with a viſible Triumphant Reſurrection from the Dead, and Aſcenſion into Heaven, where he ſits at thy Right-hand, the World's Supreme Governour and final Judge; grant, we beſeech thee, that his Triumphs and Glories may ever ſhine in our Eyes, to make us more clearly ſee through his Sufferings, and more couragiouſly wade through our own; being aſſured by his Example that if we endeavour to live and die like him, purely for the advance of thy Love in our ſelves and others, thou wilt raiſe again our dead Bodies too, and conforming them to this glorious Body, call us up above the Clouds, and give us poſſeſſion of thy Everlaſting Kingdom; through the ſame Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth One God World without end, Amen.

Sunday Veſpers.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt.

Bleſſed be the holy and undivided Trinity now and for evermore, Amen.

V. O God make ſpeed to ſave us;

R. O Lord make haſte to help us.

Pſalm 8.

LET them, O Lord, ſeek other Delights who expect no Felicity from thee.

Let them fill up their Time with other Employments, who think thy Rewards not worth their Labour.

As for thy Servants, our chief Content ſhall be to meditate the Glories prepar'd for us Above.

All the few Years we live, ſhall ſpend themſelves to purchaſe that One Eternal Day.

That Day whoſe Brightneſs knows no Night; nor ever fears the leaſt Eclipſe.

Whoſe chearful Brow no Cloud o'ercaſts; nor Storm moleſts the Paſſage of its Rays.

But ſtill ſhines on ſerene and clear; and fills with Splendor that ſpacious Place.

It needs not the fading Luſtre of our Sun; nor the borrow'd Silver of the Moon.

The Sun that riſes there, is the Lamb; and the Light that ſhines, is the Glory of God.

O how beauteous Truths are ſung of thee, thou City of the King of Heaven!

Thy Walls are rais'd with precious Stones; and every Gate is as one rich Pearl.

Thy Manſions are built of choiceſt Jewels; and the Pavement of thy Streets tranſparent Gold.

Down in the midſt runs a Chryſtal River, perpetually flowing from the Throne of God.

There all along thoſe pleaſant Banks, deliciouſly grows the Tree of Life;

Healing all Wounds with its balmy Leaves; and making immortal all that but taſte its Fruit.

Thus is the Holy City built; thus is the new Jeruſalem adorn'd.

O fortunate and glorious City! how free and happy are thy glad Inhabitants!

Every Head wears a Royal Crown; and every Hand a Palm of Victory.

Every Eye o'erflows with Joy; and every Tongue with Pſalms of Praiſe.

Behold, O my Soul, the Inheritance we ſeek; and where can we find more Riches to invite us?

Behold the Felicities to which we are call'd; and where can we meet ſuch Pleaſures to entertain us?

Away then, all vain and worldly Deſires; be baniſh'd for ever from moleſting my Peace.

Deſcend thou bleſſed Heaven into my Heart; or rather take up my Heart unto thee.

Thy Joys are too great to enter into me; O make me fit to enter into them.

Make me ſtill think on my Country above; and there eſtabliſh my Eternal Home.

Where I ſhall dwell perpetually in the view of my God; and be filled for ever with the Sweetneſs of his Preſence.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Glorious things are ſaid of thee, thou City of my God!

Ant.] If theſe imperfect Shadows ſo ſweetly pleaſe, how will the real Subſtance tranſport our Hearts! Alleluja.

Pſalm 9.

BLeſt be thy gracious Wiſdom, O Lord, that ſo mercifully ſtoops to our low Conceits.

Under theſe Veils thou hideſt thoſe glorious Myſteries; too high and Spiritual for our Fleſh and Blood.

Thou hideſt, or rather, ſo revealeſt thy ſublime Rewards; to take us with things we moſt admire.

Scepters and Crowns thou knoweſt are apt to win the Hearts of us thy Children: Children, alas, too truly in uſeful Knowledge; O that we were ſo in Love and Duty!

What is a Drop of Water to the boundleſs Ocean; or a Grain of Duſt to this vaſt Globe?

Such, O my God, and infinitely leſs, are the richeſt Kingdoms here below;

Should we compare their moſt pompous State, to the meaneſt Degree in the Court of Heaven.

When thou haſt fed us with Milk; thou inviteſt our Appetite to ſtronger Meat.

Thou telleſt us of a ſweet delicious Life; in the bleſt Society of Saints and Angels.

With whom we ſhall dwell in perpetual Friendſhip; and be loved and eſteemed of them all for ever.

Thou telleſt us of a pure Soul-raviſhing Joy, to behold the amiable Face of Jeſus;

Whoſe gracious Smiles ſhine round about; and fill the Heavens with Holy Gladneſs.

Thou telleſt us ſtill of incomparably higher Delights; hearken, O my Soul, and humbly adore thy God;

Whoſe Bounty has provided thee large Rewards; ſince they are no leſs than his very Self.

Himſelf he will clearly unvail before us; and openly ſhew us that great Secret.

O happy Secret, if once at laſt attained; if once we but ſee the Face of our God!

What is it, Lord, to ſee thy glorious Face; but to know thee as thou art in thine own bleſt Being?

To know the immenſity of thy Selfſubſiſting Eſſence; and the infinite Excellence of all thy Attributes.

To know the Power of the Eternal Father; and the Wiſdom of the Increated Son.

To know the Goodneſs of the Holy Ghoſt; and the incomprehenſible Glories of the Undivided Trinity.

This, O my Soul, is the top of Happineſs; this is that ſupreme Perfection of our Nature.

This, this is alone the Aim of our Being; the Hope and End of all our Labours.

When we are come to this, we ſhall preſently reſt; and our ſatisfy'd Deſires reach no farther.

We ſhall be filled with overflowing Bliſs; and our utmoſt Capacities hold no more.

But in one Act of Joy will be eternally fixt; and that one Act ſpring freſh for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

If theſe imperfect Shadows ſo ſweetly pleaſe, how will the real Subſtance tranſport our Hearts! Alleluja.

Ant. Never can we ſay too much of this Glorious Subject; never can we think enough of the Felicities of Heaven. Alleluja.

Pſalm 10.

ARiſe, my Soul, to thee theſe Joys belong; ariſe, and advance thy ſelf on high.

Leave here below all Earthly Thoughts; and fly away with the Wings of thy Spirit.

Fly to that glorious Land of Promiſe; and gladly ſalute thoſe Heavenly Regions.

Hail happy Paradiſe of pure Delights; thou beauteous Garden of never-fading Flowers!

Hail bleſt Society of beatify'd Spirits; who perpetually contemplate the Eternal Deity!

Hail, and for ever may your Glories grow; till they are ſo high they can grow no more.

Hail, and among your chearful Hymns; remember us who dwell below in this Vale of Tears.

We hope one Day to come up to you; and be plac'd, and ſing in your Holy Quires.

We hope to know all things produc'd; we hope to know that All-producing Cauſe.

O what a Fire of Love will it kindle in our Hearts; when we ſhall ſee thoſe ſhining Myſteries!

When our Great God, like a burning Mirror, ſhall ſtrike his Brightneſs on the Eyes of our Souls.

O what exceſſive Joy will that Love produce; a Love ſo violently deſiring, and ſo fully ſatisfy'd?

When our Capacities ſhall be ſtretch'd to the utmoſt; and the rich abounding Objects fill and o'erflow them.

O what profound Joy will that Love beget; a Joy ſo infinitely high, and ſo eternally ſecure!

When in an amorous Languiſhment we ſhall ſweetly diſſolve, into the bliſsful Union with our firſt Beginning.

When without loſing what we are, we ſhall become in a great meaſure even what he is.

We ſhall take part in all his Joys; and ſhare in the Glories of all his Heaven.

O what Divine and raviſhing Words are theſe! how gently they enter and delight my Ear!

How they diffuſe themſelves over all my Brain; and ſtrongly penetrate to my very Soul!

Methinks they turn to Subſtance as they go; and I feel them work and ſtir through all my Powers.

Methinks they lie as a Cordial at my Heart; and ſend forth Spirits to quicken and refreſh me.

There, O my Soul, we ſhall reſt from all our Labours; which are but the way to all that Happineſs.

There we ſhall reſt from Sin and Sorrow; and no longer be troubled with our ſelves or others.

There we ſhall reſt for ever in the protection of our God; in the Arms and Boſom of our deareſt Lord.

O Heaven! the eternal Source of all theſe Joys; and infinitely more, and infinitely greater.

As the Hart pants after the Water-Brooks; ſo let my Soul thirſt after thee.

After thee let me daily ſigh and mourn, and with a fixt and longing Eye look up and ſay,

When, O my God, ſhall I ſit at that Fountain-Head; and drink my fill of thoſe living Streams?

When ſhall I be inebriated with that Torrent of Pleaſures; which ſprings for ever from thy glorious Throne?

O that the day of my Baniſhment were fully finiſh'd! how is the time of my Pilgrimage prolong d!

Why am I ſtill detain'd in this Valley of Tears? ſtill wandring up and down in this Wilderneſs of Dangers?

Come thou, ſweet Jeſus, my only Hope; and ſure Deliverer out of all my Sorrows.

Come thou, and here begin to dwell in my Heart; and fit me for the Life I ſhall lead hereafter.

Come, O my deareſt Lord, and prepare my Soul for thee; and then when thou pleaſeſt, take it to thy ſelf.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Never can we ſay too much of this glorious Subject; Never can we think enough of the Felicities of Heaven, Alleluja.

Romans 12. Ver. 9.

LET Love be without Diſſimulation; hate that which is evil, cleave to that which is good.

Be kindly affectionated one towards another, with brotherly Love, in Honour preferring one another:

Not ſlothful in Buſineſs; fervent in Spirit, ſerving the Lord.

Rejoycing in Hope, patient in Tribulation, continuing inſtant in Prayer,

Diſtributing to the Neceſſity of Saints; given to Hoſpitality.

Bleſs them which perſecute you; Bleſs and Curſe not.

Rejoyce with them that do rejoyce, and weep with them that weep.

Be of the ſame Mind one towards another.

Mind not high things, but condefcend to Men of low Eſtate.

Be not wiſe in your own Conceits.

Recompence to no Man Evil for Evil; provide things honeſt in the ſight of all Men.

If it be poſſible, as much as in you ly h, live peaceably with all Men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not your ſelves, but rather give place unto Wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay it.

Therefore if thine Enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirſt, give him drink; for in ſo doing thou ſhalt heap Coals of Fire upon his Head.

Be not overcome of Evil, but overcome Evil with Good.

Hymn 3. WHY do we ſeek Felicity Where 'tis not to be found; And not, dear Lord, look up to thee, Where all Delights abound? Why do we feek for Treaſure here, On this falſe barren Sand: Where nought but empty Shells appear, And Marks of Shipwrackſtand. O World, how little do thy Joys Concern a Soul that knows It ſelf not made for ſuch low Toys, As thy poor Hand beſtows! How croſs art thou to that Deſign For which we had our birth! Us, who are made in Heaven to ſhine, Thou bow'ſt down to thy Earth. Nay, to thy Hell; for thither ſink All that to thee ſubmit: Thou ſtrew'ſt ſome Flowers on the brink, To drown us in the Pit. World, take away thy Tinſel Wares, That dazzle here our Eyes; Let us go up above the Stars, Where all our Treaſure lies. The Way we know; our deareſt Lord Himſelf is gone before: And has ingag'd his faithful Word, To open us the Door. But, O my God, reach down thine Hand, And take us up to thee: That we about thy Throne may ſtand, And all thy Glories ſee. All Glory to the Sacred Three, One ever-living Lord: As at the firſt, ſtill may he be Belov'd, Obey'd, Ador'd. Amen.
Antiphon.

O Glorious God! thy infinite Perfections cauſe us to admire thee; and thy bounteous Promiſes ingage us to hope in thee. Thy incomparable Beauty raviſhes our Hearts; and the Joys thou haſt prepar'd for us, tranſcends all our Wiſhes. Alleluja.

V. It has not aſcended into the Heart of Man.

R. What he hath prepared for them that love him.

The Prayer.

O God, who graciouſly wooeſt us to our Eternal Inheritance, by deſcribing its inexpreſſible Glories all manner of ways which are apt to work upon our low Conceits, that they may fitly inſinuate themſelves, and become by degrees abſolute Maſter of our Hearts: Bring them, we beſeech thee, ſtill ſeaſonably into our Memories; and ſo ſtrongly ſettle them in our Affections, that our Souls being wholly raviſh'd with thoſe great Hopes, all the Temptations and Vanities of this World may fly unconcernedly by us, and never be able to diſtract our intire and ſteddy and daily ſtrengthening Deſires of entring once for ever into poſſeſſion of thy Kingdom, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; who with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth one God, World without end, Amen.

V. Bleſs we our Lord:

R. Thanks be to our God.

COMPLINE.
Antiphon.

All is unquiet here till we come to Thee; and repoſe at laſt in the Kingdom of Peace.

Pſalm 11.

WHO will give me the Wings of a Dove; that I may fly away, and be at reſt?

That I may fly away from the Troubles of the World; and be at reſt, dear Lord, with thee:

Here, alas! we are fore'd to ſigh, and bear with Grief the Burthen of our Miſeries.

Often we encounter Chances that endanger us; and divert our Progreſs to the Way of Bliſs.

Often we are aſſaulted with Temptations that overcome us; and ſet us back in the Accounts of Eternity.

How many times, O my Soul, have we plainly concluded, that this Earth affords no real Joy!

How many times have we fully agreed, that Heaven alone is the place of Happineſs!

Yet do theſe falſe Allurements again deceive us; and ſteal away our Hearts to dote on Folly:

Yet do unconſtant We forget our Reſolutions; and wretchedly neglect our true Felicity.

O thou victorious Conqueror of Sin and Death! do thou aſſiſt us in this dangerous Warfare.

O thou benign Refreſher of diſtreſſed Spirits! do thou relieve us in this dangerous Pilgrimage.

Make us ſtill thirſt and ſigh after Thee; the Living Fountain of Life-giving Streams.

Make us deſpiſe all other Delights; and ſet our Affections entirely on thy Joys.

Since nothing, Lord, can ſatisfie our Souls but Thee, O let our Souls ſeek nothing but thee.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 12.

GIve me, O Lord, the Innocency of Doves; and fill my Soul with thy mild Spirit:

Then I ſhall need none of their Wings; ſince Heaven it ſelf will dwell in my Heart.

'Tis on the Proud thou lookeſt afar off; but enclineſt thine Ear to the Humble and Meek:

Who delight in the Peace of a contented Mind; and limit their Thoughts to their own little Sphere:

Never intermedling with the Actions of others; unleſs where Charity and Reaſon engage them:

But their beloved Employment is to ſit in Silence; and think on the Happineſs they expect hereafter.

To meditate the Joys of Saints and Angels; and the bliſsful Viſion of the Face of Jeſus.

O how ſecurely and ſweetly do they ſleep; who go to Bed with a quiet Conſcience!

Who after a Day of faithful Induſtry, in a Courſe of juſt and pious living,

Lay down their wearied Heads in peace; and ſafely reſt in the Boſom of Providence:

If they awake, their Conſcience comforts them in the dark; and bids them not fear the Shadow of Death:

No, nor even Death it ſelf; but confidently look up, and long for the Dawn of Eternal Day.

This, too, my Soul, ſhou'd be our Care; to note, and cenſure, and correct our ſelves:

To ſtrive for maſtery over the Paſſions that moleſt us; and diſmiſs from our Thoughts what no way concerns us.

Are not our own Occaſions Buſineſs enough, to fill as much time as this Life deſerves?

Does not the other, at leaſt, deſerve every Minute of Leiſure we can ſpare from this?

Let then the Worldly purſue their Liberties; and ſay and do as they think fit:

What's that to thee, my Soul! who ſhalt not anſwer for others; unleſs thou ſome way make their Faults thine own.

Thy Pity may grieve, and thy Charity endeavour; but if they will not hear, follow thou thy God.

Follow the Way that leads to Truth; follow the Truth that leads to Life.

Follow the Steps of thy beloved Jeſus, who alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Follow his Holineſs in what he did; follow his Patience in what he ſuffer'd.

Follow him that calls thee with a thouſand Promiſes; Follow him that crowns thee with infinite Rewards.

Follow thy faithful Lord, O my Soul, to the end; and thou art ſure in the end to poſſeſs him for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 13.

MEekneſs indeed is the Heaven of this Life; but the Heaven of Heavens, O Lord, is above with thee.

Meekneſs may qualifie our Miſeries here; and make our Time paſs gentlier away.

But to be fully happy we muſt ſtay till hereafter; till thy Mercy bring us all to our laſt great End.

That glorious End for which our Souls were made; and all things elſe, to ſerve them in their way.

'Tis not to ſport our Time in Pleaſures that thou, O Lord, haſt placed us here.

'Tis not to gain a fair Eſtate; that thy Kindneſs ſtill prolongs our Days.

But to do good to our ſelves and others; and glorifie thee in improving thy Creatures.

To encreaſe every day our longing Deſires, of beholding thee in thine own bright ſelf.

O Glorious Lord, whoſe infinite ſweetneſs provokes and ſatisfies all our Appetites!

May my intire Affections delight in Thee; above all the vain Enjoyments of the World.

Above all Praiſe and empty Honour; above all Beauty and fading Pleaſure.

Above all Wealth and deceitful Riches; above all Power and ſubtleſt Knowledge.

Above all even thine own Bounty can give; and whatever is not thy very Self.

O, may my wearied Soul repoſe on Thee; the Home and Center of Eternal Reſt.

May I forget my ſelf to think of Thee; and fill my Memory with the Wonders of thy Love.

That infinite Love which when my Thoughts conſider; not as they ought, alas! but as I'm able,

The Goods and Ills of this World loſe their Name, and yield not either Reliſh or Diſtaſte.

O my adored Jeſus! let me love thee always; becauſe from Eternity thou haſt loved me:

O let me love thee only, gracious God! becauſe thou alone deſerveſt all my Heart.

Always and only let me love thee, O Lord! ſince always my Hope is only in thee.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

All is unquiet here, till we come to Thee, and repoſe at laſt in the Kingdom of Peace.

Hymn 4. DEar Jeſu, when, when will it be That I no more ſhall break with thee! When will this War of Paſſions ceaſe, And let my Soul enjoy thy Peace! Here I repent and ſin again; Now I revive, and now am ſlain: Slain with the ſame unhappy Dart, Which, O, too often wounds my Heart. When, deareſt Lord, when ſhall I be A Garden ſeal'd to all but Thee! No more expos'd, no more undone; But live and grow to thee alone? 'Tis not alas in this low Earth, That ſuch pure Flowers can find a birth: Only they ſpring above the Skies, Where none can live, till here he dies. Then let me die, that I may go, And dwell where thoſe bright Lillies grow; Where thoſe bleſt Plants of Glory riſe, And make a ſafer Paradiſe. No dangerous Fruit, no tempting Eve, No crafty Serpent to deceive; But we like Gods indeed ſhall be; O let me die that Life to ſee. Thus ſays my Song: But does my Heart Joyn with the Words, and ſing its part? Am I ſo thorough wiſe to chuſe The other World, and this refuſe? Why ſhou'd I not? what do I find That fully here contents my Mind? What is this Meat, and Drink, and Sleep, That ſuch poor things from Heaven ſhou'd keep? What is this Honour, or great Place, Or Bag of Money, or fair Face? What's all this World, that thus we ſhou'd Still long to dwell with Fleſh and Blood? Fear not, my Soul, ſtand to thy Word, Which thou haſt ſung to thy dear Lord; Let but thy Love be firm and true, And with more Heat thy Wiſh renew. O may this dying Life make haſte, To die into true Life at laſt; No hope have I to live before, But then to live, and die no more. Great Ever-living God, to Thee In Eſſence One, in Perſons Three: May all thy Works their Tribute bring, And every Age thy Glory ſing.
1 John, Chap. 2. Ver. 15.

LOve not the World, neither the things that are in the World: If any Man love the World, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the World, the Luſt of the Fleſh, and the Luſt of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life, is not of the Father, but is of the World;

And the World paſſeth away, and the Luſts thereof; but he that doth the Will of God abideth for ever.

Antiphon.

Learn of me, ſays our Lord, for I am meek and lowly in Heart, and ye ſhall find reſt for your Souls.

V. Meekneſs indeed is the Heaven of this Life;

R. But the Heaven of Heavens is Above with thee.

The Prayer.

O God, whoſe gracious Providence has particularly ordain'd the Spirit of Meekneſs to waft us ſafely through the turbulent Sea of the World, to our Haven of Bliſs; vouchſafe, we beſeech thee, that the clear Experience we every Day make of our own Weakneſs and Vanity, may ſo diſpoſe us for this precious Vertue, that our Minds may never be diſcompos'd with Paſſion, nor our Tongues break forth into violent Expreſſions, but our Temper may be always preſerv'd, (let the World ſtir how it will about us,) calm and regular, and as becomes thoſe, all whoſe Powers are poſſeſs'd of the Joys of Heaven, and apt to feel in every thing only the ſweet Impulſes of Hope and Charity, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son; to whom with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, be all Honour and Glory, World without end, Amen.

Monday MATTINS.
Invitatory. Come let us Adore our God that made us. Come let us Adore our God that made us.
Pſalm 14.

LET us with Reverence appear before him, and humble our ſelves in the preſence of his Glory; Let us all bring out our Pſalms of Praiſe, and ſing with Joy to our great Creator.

Come let us Adore our God that made us.

He made us, not we our ſelves, and freely beſtow'd on us all the reſt of his Creatures, to engage our Hearts to love his Goodneſs, and to admire the Riches of his infinite Bounty.

Come let us Adore our God that made us.

Our Bodies he fram'd of the Duſt of the Earth, and gave us a Soul after his own Likeneſs; a Soul which all created Nature cannot fill; nor any thing below his own Immenſity. Come let us Adore our God that made us.

For himſelf he made us, and for his glorious Kingdom, that we might dwell with him in perfect Bliſs, and ſing his Praiſes for ever.

Come let us Adore our God that made us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoſt;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever ſhall be, world without end, Amen.

Hymn. 5. WAke now, my Soul, and humbly hear, What thy mild Lord commands; Each Word of his will charm thine Ear, Each Word will guide thy Hands. Hark! how his ſweet and tender Care Complies with our weak Minds; Whate'er our State and Tempers are, Still ſome fit Work he finds. They that are merry, let them ſing; And let the ſad Hearts pray; Let thoſe ſtill ply their chearful Wing, And theſe their ſober Day. So mounts the early chirping Lark Still upwards to the Skies; So ſits the Turtle in the dark, Among her Groans and Cries. And yet the Lark, and yet the Dove Both ſing, though ſeveral Parts; And ſo ſhou'd we, how e'er we move, With Light or heavy Hearts. Or rather both ſhou'd both aſſay, And their croſs Notes unite; Both Grief and Joy ſhou'd ſing and pray, Since both ſuch hopes invite. Hopes that all preſent Sorrow heal, All preſent Joy tranſcend; Hopes to poſſeſs, and taſte, and feel Delights that never end. All Glory to the ſacred Three, All Honour, Power, and Praiſe; As at the firſt may ever be Beyond the end of Days.
Antiphon.

All things lie open to the Eyes of God. All things are naked to him with whom we ſpeak.

Pſalm 15.

HAppy are they, O glorious Lord! who every where adore thy Preſence.

Happy, who live on Earth as in the ſight of the King of Heaven; and every Moment ſay in their Heart, Our God is here:

Here in the Centre of our Souls, to witneſs all our Thoughts, and judge exactly our moſt ſecret Intents.

Tho' his Throne of State is eſtabliſh'd Above; and the ſplendors of his Glory ſhine only on the Bleſſed:

Yet his unlimitted Eye looks down to this lower World, and beholds all the ways of the Children of Adam.

If we go out, he marks our Steps; and when we retire, our Cloſet excludes not him.

While we are alone he minds our Contrivings; and the Ends we aim at in all our Studies.

When we converſe with others he obſerves our Deportment, and the Good or Ill we do them or our ſelves.

In our Devotions he notes our Carriage; and regards with what Intention we recite our Prayers.

All the day long he conſiders how we ſpend our Time; and our darkeſt Nights conceal not our Works from him.

If we deceive our Neighbour, he ſpies the Fraud; and hears the leaſt whiſper of a ſlandering Tongue:

If we in ſecret oppreſs the Poor; or by private Alms relieve their Wants:

If in our Hearts we murmur at the Rich; or live contented with our little Portion.

Whate're we do, he perfectly ſees us; where're we are, he is ſure to be with us.

Why, O thou Soveraign Lord of Heaven! why doſt thou ſtoop thus low thy glorious Eye?

What canſt thou find that here deſerves thy ſight, among the Trifles of this empty World?

What canſt thou find, alas! that ſhou'd not offend thy ſight, among the Follies of our vicious Lives?

'Tis not thy ſelf, O Lord, thou ſeekeſt to ſatisfie; but all thy Deſign is for our Advantage.

Thou graciouſly ſtandeſt by to ſee us work; that thine awful Eye may quicken our Diligence.

Thou art ſtill at hand to relieve our Wants; that ſo friendly a nearneſs may encreaſe our Confidence.

Thou appeareſt ſtill ready to puniſh Sins; that the ſhake of thy Rod may prevent our Miſeries.

Sure, O my God, thy Favours muſt needs be ſweet; ſince even thy Threatnings have ſo much Mercy.

Sure we muſt needs be worſe than blind; if to the Face of Heaven we dare be wicked.

Henceforth, O gracious Lord! as Children freely play in the indulgent preſence of their tender Father;

So make us ſtill with humble Boldneſs, rejoyce before thee our merciful Creator.

As new-pardon'd Subjects juſtly fear the angry Brow of their offended Prince;

So let our oft-forgiven Souls continually tremble to provoke the Wrath of thy dread Majeſty.

O temper thus our Love with Reverence; and thus allay our Fear with Hope.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

All things lie open to the Eyes of our God; all things are naked to him with whom we ſpeak.

Ant. Happy we, who have our God ſo near us; happy if our pious Lives keep us near him.

Pſalm 16.

MY God ſince thou art never abſent from us; let us be always preſent with thee.

Let us go to thy Throne above; and there contemplate and admire thy Glory.

Let us attend on thy Altars; and there adore and praiſe thy Mercy.

Every where let us ſeek to meet thee; every where let us delight to find thee.

All our Wants let's ſpread before thee; all our Petitions let us offer unto thee.

Thou willingly enclineſt thy gracious Ear, to the Prayers that come from a fervent Heart.

Thou loveſt to hear us treat of Heaven; as if we made it our Buſineſs indeed to go thither.

All other things we muſt ask with ſubmiſſion to thee; ſince we know not abſolutely what's good for our ſelves.

But thy Eternal Joys we may beg without reſtraint; and urge and preſs for thy Aſſiſtance to gain them.

Heaven we may wiſh, without the Check of Reſignation; Heaven we may pray for, without fear of Importunity.

O wiſe and gracious Lord! whate'er thou doeſt, thy Love intends it all for the good of thy Servants.

If thou deferreſt ſometimes to grant our Requeſts, 'tis only in Charity to make us repeat them;

That we may feel more ſenſibly our own Poverty; and be ſtronglier convinc'd of our dependance on thee:

That we may practice our Hope while we long expect; and encreaſe our Gratitude when we receive at laſt:

That we may learn this ſure and happy Skill, of working in our Souls the Vertues we deſire;

By often renewing thoſe very Deſires, till themſelves become even the Graces we ſeek.

But, O improvident we! how unwilling to pray are moſt of us always, and all of us ſometimes?

How do our little Offices ſeem long and tedious; and half an Hour quite tire our Patience?

How are we ſlow to begin, and ſwift to make an end?

How heavy while they are ſaying, and glad when they are ſaid?

Yet ſure no eaſier Work than to ask what we want; no cheaper Purchaſe than to have for asking.

Sure no ſweeter Pleaſure than to converſe with God; nor greater Profit than to gain his Favour.

Still we have new Tranſgreſſions to confeſs; and ſhall never, alas! want Infirmities to lament.

Often, O dreadful Lord, when we ſpeak to thee, we do not ſo much as hear our ſelves:

Often we purſue impertinent Objects; and our careleſs Thoughts contradict our Words.

But, O thou bleſſed End of all our Labours, and only Centre of all our Wiſhes!

Do thou reclaim our wandring Fancies; and guide and fix them to atend thy Service.

Night and Day let's call on thee, and never ceaſe knocking at the Doors of thy Palace.

Let no Delay diſcourage our Hope; nor even Refuſal deſtroy our Confidence.

But let this firm Foundation ſtill ſuſtain us; and on this let our Peace be eſtabliſhed for ever.

What's truly neceſſary thy Goodneſs will not deny; the reſt our Obedience ſubmits to thy Pleaſure.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Happy we who have our God ſo near us; Happy if our pious Lives keep us near him.

Pſalm 17.

DEliver us, O Lord, from asking of thee, what we cannot receive without danger to our ſelves.

Deliver us from receiving what we cannot uſe, without offending others, and ruining our own Souls.

Deliver us from preſuming ſo on thy Bounty; that we omit to perform our Duty.

Still to our Devotions let's joyn our beſt Endeavours; and make our Earth comply with Heaven.

If we deſire of thee to relieve our Neceſſities; let us faithfully begin to labour with our Hands.

And not expect a Bleſſing from the Clouds; on the idle Follies of an undiſciplin'd Life:

If we beg Grace for Victory over our Paſſions, let us conſtantly ſtrive to reſiſt their Aſſaults:

Let us wiſely foreſee our particular Dangers; and uſe the proper Weapon againſt every Sin.

To obtain the Gift of Chaſtity, we muſt mortifie our Senſes; and immediately fly the leaſt Shadow of Temptation.

In vain we approach thy Holy Altars; if our Lives prepare not their way for our Offerings.

Thou ſhutteſt thy Ears to our loudeſt Prayers; if we open not ours to the Voice of the Poor.

Thou denyeſt to pardon our Treſpaſſes againſt thee; unleſs we have already forgiven our Enemies.

O the extream Benignity of our glorious God; who treats with his Creatures upon equal Terms!

Who deals no otherwiſe with us, miſerable Wretches; than we our ſelves deal with one another.

He promiſes to give the ſame meaſure we give our Neighbours; and performs incomparably more than he promiſes;

Preſt down, and ſhaken together, and running over, into the Boſoms of them that love him.

Such, O my God, is the Bounty of thy Goodneſs; and no leſs the Patience of thy generous Hand.

Thou holdeſt thy Bleſſings hovering over our Heads; ſtill watching the time we are fit to receive them.

Then thou immediately ſendeſt them down upon us; to enter our Hearts, and dwell with us for ever.

Even that very Temper which thus diſpoſes us intirely, depends on the Favour of thy Providence.

Every Condition thou requireſt on our parts, being nothing elſe but thy own free Gift.

Thy Mercy alone is the Fountain of all our Bleſſings; and in what Channel ſoever they flow to us, they ſpring from thee.

Thou art the God of Nature and Reaſon; thou art the God of Grace and Religion.

Give, gracious God, what thou art pleaſed to command; and then command what thou pleaſeſt.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

You have not becauſe you ask not; you ask and receive not, becauſe you ask amiſs.

Firſt Leſſon.

GOD from the beginning made Man, and left him in the hands of his own Counſel. He added his Commandments and Precepts; if thou wilt keep them, they will preſerve thee. Fire and Water are ſet before thee, ſtretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt. Before Man is Life and Death, Good and Evil; that which he chuſeth ſhall be given him, for the Wiſdom of God is great, and he is mighty in Power; his Eyes are towards them that fear him, and he knows every Work of Man: He has commanded none to do wickedly, neither has he given any a Licence to ſin; but the Penitent he reſtores to the way of Juſtice; and thoſe that are failing in Perſeverance he confirms, and appoints them the Lot of Truth. Turn to the Lord, and forſake thy Sins; pray before his Face, and leſſen thy Offences. Be not raſh with thy Mouth, nor let thy Heart be haſty to utter any thing before God; for God is in Heaven and thou art on Earth, therefore let thy Words be few. Before Prayer prepare thy Soul, and be not as one that tempts God. Go not after thine own Luſts, but turn away from thine own Will. If thou giveſt to thy Soul her Deſires, it will make thee a Deriſion to her Enemies. A wiſe Man will fear in every thing; and in the occaſion of Sin will take heed of being negligent. He that loves Danger ſhall periſh therein, and he that deſpiſes ſmall things, ſhall fall by little and little. Better is he that hath leſs Knowledge and Fears, than he that aboundeth in Underſtanding, and tranſgreſſes the Law of the Lord.

Reſ.] My Soul, what canſt thou wiſh for more? Behold thy gracious Lord offers thee to chooſe what thou wilt, and promiſes to give thee what thou chooſeſt! O infinite Goodneſs! 'tis thy ſelf alone I chuſe, for thou art my only Happineſs for ever. I ſee my Portion hereafter depends on my Choice here, but my Choice, O Lord, depends on thee. Guide me with thy Holy Grace, that I withdraw my Affections from all vain and periſhable Creatures, and fix them intirely on thee, my Lord and my God, and my eternal Felicity.

Second Leſſon.

THE beginning of Wiſdom is the true deſire of Diſcipline; the care of Diſcipline is Love, and Love is the keeping of her Laws, and the keeping of her Laws is the accompliſhment of Incorruption, and Incorruption makes us next to God; therefore the deſire of Wiſdom leads to an everlaſting Kingdom: If then you be delighted with Thrones and Sceptres, ſeek Wiſdom that you may reign for ever. Into a malicious Soul Wiſdom will not enter, nor dwell in a Body ſubject to ſin. For the Holy Spirit will fly from him that diſſembles, and withdraw himſelf from Thoughts that are without Underſtanding, and be chaſed away when Iniquity comes in. The Spirit of Wiſdom is gentle, and will not deliver the Curſer from his own Lips; for God is Witneſs of his Reins, and Searcher of his Heart, and Hearer of his Tongue; therefore he that ſpeaks unjuſt things cannot be hidden; nor ſhall the chaſtizing Vengence forbear him. If thou ſhalt call for Wiſdom, and incline thine Heart to Prudence; if thou ſhalt ſeek her as Money, and dig her up as Treaſure; then thou ſhalt underſtand the Fear of the Lord, and find the Knowledge of God; for our Lord gives Wiſdom, from his Mouth is Prudence and and Knowledge.

Reſ.] Send down, O God of our Fathers, and Lord of Mercy, ſend down thy Wiſdom from thy Holy Heaven, and from the Seat of thy Greatneſs, to be in us, and labour with us, and teach us what is acceptable unto thee; that we may know our End, and wiſely chuſe our Way, and order all our Actions to our true Felicity. Our Thoughts are fearful, and our Prudence uncertain; we ſcarce conjecture the things that are on Earth, and find with Pains the things that are in ſight. Give us, O Lord, the Wiſdom that aſſiſts at thy Throne, and reject us not from among thy Children.

Third Leſſon.

THE Spirit of thoſe that fear God ſhall live, and at his ſight ſhall be bleſſed; for their hope is in him that ſaves them, and the Eyes of God are on them that love him. He that fears the Lord ſhall tremble at nothing, becauſe he is his Hope; he raiſes up the Soul, and illuminates the Eyes, and gives Life, and Health, and Bleſſing. Our Lord is only theirs that expect him in the way of Truth and Juſtice. The Higheſt allows not the Gifts of the Wicked, nor regards the Oblations of the Unjuſt, nor pardons their Offences for the multitude of their Sacrifices. By Mercy and Faith Sins are purg'd, and by the Fear of the Lord every one declines from Evil. Deſpiſe not a Man that turns himſelf from Sin, nor upbraid him therewith, remember we are all in a ſtate of Guilt. Forgive thy Neighbour that hurts thee, and when thou prayeſt, thy Sins ſhall be forgiven thee. One Man reſerves Anger againſt another, and does he ſeek pardon of God? He has not Mercy on a Man like himſelf, and does he entreat for his own Sins? Remember the laſt things, and ceaſe to be at Enmity: Remember the Fear of God, and be not angry with thy Neighbour. Haſt thou ſinned, do ſo no more, but withal pray that former Sins may be forgiven thee. Fly from Sin as from the face of a Serpent; if thou approach, it will bite thee: The Teeth thereof are as the Teeth of Lions, killing the Souls of Men. He that is waſh'd from the Dead, and touches him again, what does his waſhing profit him? So a Man that faſts for his Sins, and does the ſame again, what avails it to have humbled himſelf? who will hear his Prayer?

Reſ.] Deliver us, O Lord, from relapſing into the Sins we have repented of, the Sins we have ſo often promiſed to amend: Deliver us from all Malice and Enmity with our Neighbours, and from oppreſſing the Poor, who have none to defend them. Then may we confidently expect thy Protection, if we ſerve thee, and love one another. Thou art our Strength, O Lord, whom ſhall we fear? Thou art our Salvation, of what ſhall we be afraid? Nothing can hurt us but our own vicious Deſires; nothing can endanger us but Diſobedience to our God.

Antiphon.

Conſider well your Steps, O ye Children of Men, behold who regards you: walk ſincerely and walk confidently, for his Rod and Staff are ever at hand to comfort you.

V. Fear not, O ye of little Faith, he is here.

R. Preſume not, O ye enclin'd to Folly, he is here.

Let us pray.

O God, who art ever preſent to all that thou haſt made, ſtill watching to improve us, as we grow fit for greater Bounty; keep, we beſeech thee, our Eyes continually fixt on thine over us, at once awfully checking our Inclination to Folly, and tenderly encouraging our Purſuit of true Good: Make us always feel our ſelves under thy ſure Protection in our Dangers, and within free reach of thy gracious Ear, for whatever Good we faithfully ask, and uſe our juſt Endeavours, according to thy diſcipline, to attain, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son. Amen.

Monday LAUDS.
Antiphon.

Bleſs the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me, praiſe his holy Name.

Pſalm 17.

COme let us ſing the Praiſes of God; and joyfully recite his Divine Perfections.

His Being is of himſelf alone; and no Dependance his eternal Eſſence knows.

His Knowledge fathoms the extent of all things; and his Power commands them as he pleaſes.

His Goodneſs is ſupreamly Infinite; and all his glorious Attributes tranſcendently adorable.

Come, let us ſing the Praiſes of our God; and joyfully recite his Divine Perfections.

He is the Source of all Felicity; eternally full of his own unchangeable Bliſs.

Before Time began he was; and when the Sun muſt loſe his Light, his Day will remain the ſame for ever.

The Heaven of Heavens is the Palace of his Glory; and all created Nature the Subject of his Dominions.

In his Preſence the brighteſt Seraphins cover their Faces; and all the bleſſed Spirits bow down their Heads to his Footſtool.

Come let us ſing aloud the Prerogatives of our God; and ſtretch our utmoſt Thoughts to exalt his Greatneſs.

But, O moſt glorious and dreadful Deity! how dare we Wretches undertake thy Praiſes?

How dare our Sin-polluted Lips pronounce thy Name? or where ſhall we ſeek Expreſſions fit for thee?

All that we can ſay is nothing to thy unſpeakable Excellencies; all we can think but a faint Shadow of thy unconceivable Beauties.

Even the Voice of Angels is too low to reach thy Worth; and their higheſt Strains fall infinitely ſhort of thee.

Only in this ſhall thy Servants rejoyce; and all the Powers of our Souls be glad:

That thy ſelf alone art thy own full Praiſe; be to thy ſelf thine own Glory.

Live, our great God, eternally encompaſt with the Beams of thine own inacceſſible Light.

Live our adored Creator, and reign for ever on the Throne of thine own immortal Kingdom.

Glory be the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 19.

TOO glorious art thou, O Lord, in thy ſelf; and thy direct Rays ſhine too bright for our Eyes.

Yet may we venture to praiſe thee in thy Works; and contemplate thee at leaſt reflected from thy Creatures.

In them we may ſafely behold our mighty Maker; and freely admire the Magnificence of our God.

Heaven and Earth are full of his Greatneſs; Heaven and Earth were created by his Power:

From him all the Hoſts of Angels receive their Being; from him they have the Honour to aſſiſt in his Preſence.

He kindled Warmth and Brightneſs in the Sun; and beauteouſly garniſh'd the Firmament with Stars.

He ſpread the Air, and ſtor'd it with Flocks of Birds; he gather'd the Waters, and repleniſh'd them with Shoals of Fiſhes.

He eſtabliſh'd the Earth on a firm Foundation, and richly adorn'd it with innumerable Varieties.

Every Element is fill'd with his Bleſſings; and all the World with his liberal Miracles.

He ſpake the Word and they were made; he commands and they are ſtill preſerv'd.

He governs their Motions in perfect Order; and diſtributes to each its proper Office

Contriving the whole into one vaſt Machine; a ſpacious Theatre of his own unlimited Greatneſs.

O glorious Architect of univerſal Nature; who diſpoſeſt all things in number, weight, and meaſure!

How does thy Wiſdom ingage us to admire thee? how does thy Goodneſs oblige us to love thee?

Not for themſelves alone, O gracious God, did thy hand produce thoſe happy Spirits:

But to receive in charge thy little Flock; and conduct them to the Folds of Bliſs.

Not for themſelves at all, O bounteous Lord! were the reſt of this huge Creation fram'd:

But to ſuſtain our Lives in the Way; and carry us on to our eternal Home.

O may our Souls firſt praiſe thee for themſelves; and imploy their whole Power to improve in thy Service.

May we praiſe thee, O Lord, for all thy Gifts; but infinitely above all ſtill value the Giver.

May every Bleſſing be a motive of gratitude; and every Creature a ſtep of approach towards thee.

So ſhall we faithfully obſerve their end; and happily arrive at ours.

Uſing them only to entertain us here; till our Souls be prepar'd for the Life of Heaven.

Till they become full ripe for thee; and then fly away to thy Holy Preſence.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 20.

HOW admirable is thy Name, O Lord over all the Earth? how wiſe and gracious the Counſels of thy Providence?

After thou hadſt thus prepared the World as a Houſe, ready furniſht for Man to inhabit:

Thy mighty hand framed our Bodies of the Duſt; and built them of a ſhape of Uſe and Beauty:

Thou didſt breath into us the Spirit of Life; and fit us with Faculties proportionable to our End.

Thou gaveſt us a Soul to govern our Bodies; and Reaſon to command in this our Soul.

Thou revealedſt unto us a Law for the improvement of our Reaſon; and enabledſt us by thy Grace to obſerve that Law.

Thou madeſt us Lords over all thy Creatures; but little inferiour to thy glorious Angels.

Thou compelledſt whole Nature to ſerve us without Reward; and invitedſt us to love thee for our own Happineſs.

Thou deſignedſt us an Age of pure Delights, in that ſweet and fruitful Garden;

Where having led a long and pleaſant Life; thou promiſedſt to tranſplant us to thine own Paradiſe:

All this thou didſt, O glorious God; the full Poſſeſſor of univerſal Bliſs!

Not for any need thou hadſt of us; or the leaſt Advantage thou couldſt derive from our Being.

All this thou didſt, O infinite Goodneſs, the liberal Beſtower of whate'er we poſſeſs!

Not for any Merit, alas! of ours; or the leaſt Motive we cou'd offer to induce thee:

But for thine own exceſſive Charity, and the meer Inclination of thine own rich Nature,

That empty we, might receive of thy Fulneſs; and be partakers of thy overflowing Bounty.

So ſheds the generous Sun his Beams; and freely ſcatters them on every ſide;

Gilding all the World with his beauteous Light; and kindly cheriſhing it with his fruitful Heats.

And ſo doſt thou, and infinitely more, O thou God of infinite more Perfections!

So we confeſs thou doſt to us; but we, what return have we made to thee?

Have we well conſider'd the end of our Being; and faithfully comply'd with thy Purpoſe to ſave us?

Ah wretched we! we neglect thy Holy Rules; and govern our Actions by Chance and Humour.

We quite forgot our God that made us; and fill our Heads with Thoughts that undo us.

Pardon, O gracious Lord, our paſt Ingratitude; and mercifully direct our time to come.

Teach every Paſſage of our Lives, how to expreſs an Acknowledgment fit for thy Mercies.

O make our Senſes ſubject to our Reaſon, and our Reaſon entirely obedient unto thee.

O make the whole Creation conſpire to thy Honour; and all that depend on thee joyn together in thy Praiſe.

This is the only Praiſe thou expecteſt from us; and the whole Honour thou requireſt of thy Creatures.

That by obſerving the Order, thou appointeſt them here, in this lower Region of Motion and Change; we may all grow up to be Happy hereafter, in that State of Permanency and Eternal Reſt!

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the, &c.
Antiphon.

Praiſe the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me, praiſe his Holy Name.

4 Revelation, the laſt.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive Glory, and Honour, and Power; for thou haſt created all things; and for thy Pleaſure they are and were created.

Hymn 6. HArk, my Soul, how every thing Strives to ſerve our bounteous King; Each a double Tribute pays; Sings its part, and then obeys. Nature's ſweet and chiefeſt Quire Him with cheerful Notes admire; Chanting every day their Lauds; While the Grove their Song Applauds. Though their Voices lower be, Streams have too their Melody; Night and Day they warbling run, Never pauſe, but ſtill run on. All the Flowers that gild the Spring, Hither their ſtill Muſick bring; If Heaven bleſs them, thankful They Smell more ſweet, and look more gay. Only we can ſcarce afford This ſhort Office to our Lord; We, on whom his Bounty flows, All things gives, and nothing owes. Wake for ſhame, my ſluggiſh Heart, Wake, and gladly ſing thy part: Learn of Birds, and Springs, and Flowers, How to uſe thy nobler Powers. Call whole Nature to thy Aid, Since 'twas He who Nature made; Joyn in one eternal Song, Who to one God all belong. Live for ever glorious Lord! Live by all the World ador'd; One in Three, and Three in One, Thrice we bow to thee alone.
Antiphon.

The boundleſs Ocean of Being could not contain its Streams, but overflowed upon pure Nothing; and behold a beauteous World appear'd: Heaven, and Earth, and all therein, from the higheſt Angel to the leaſt Grain of Duſt, altogether the moſt perfect participation of his Eſſence.

V. He ſpake the Word, and they were made.

R. He but commanded, and they were created.

The Prayer.

O Almighty Lord, the only wiſe and good Creator of the Univerſe, who madeſt all Corporeal Nature for the uſe of Man, and Man for his own Felicity! enlarge our Souls, we beſeech thee, humbly to admire and adore thy infinite fulneſs of Being in thy Self, and thy immenſe Liberality of it to us; and mercifully carry on the whole Creation to its End, vouchſafing ſo to order all thy Creatures about us by thy Grace, that they may attain their Perfection in duly ſerving us; and we ours in eternally enjoying thee, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, Amen.

Monday Veſpers.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt.

Bleſſed be the Holy and Undivided Trinity, Amen.

Pſalm 21.

LET us now conſider, O Lord our God; let us thankfully remember what thou art to us.

Thou art the beginning of our Nature; and glorious end of all our Actions.

Thou art the over-flowing Source from whence we ſpring; and the immenſe Ocean into which we tend.

Thou art the free Beſtower of all we poſſeſs; and faithful Promiſer of all we hope.

Thou art the ſtrong Suſtainer of our Lives; and ready Deliverer from all our Enemies.

Thou art the merciful Scourger of our Sins, and bounteous Rewarder of our Obedience.

Thou art the ſafe Conductor of our Pilgrimage; and the eternal Reſt of wearied Souls.

Such Words, alas! our Narrowneſs is conſtrain'd to uſe; when we endeavour to ſpeak thy Bounties.

Wider a little can our Thoughts extend; yet infinitely leſs than the leaſt of thy Mercies.

Tell us thy ſelf; one Word of thine expreſſes more than all the Eloquence of Men and Angels.

Tell us thy ſelf, O thou mild Inſtructor of the Ignorant! what thou art to us.

Say to our Souls, thou art our Salvation; but ſay it ſo, that we may hear thee, and feel it ſo.

Gladly will we run after the Sound of that Voice; and hope by following it to find thee.

When we have found thee once, O thou Joy of our Hearts! never let us loſe thy ſight again.

Never let us turn our Eyes from thee; but ſteddily fix them on thy glorious Face.

Suffer us not to go till thou haſt given us thy Bleſſing; and then may thy Bleſſing bind us faſter unto thee.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

To know thee, Lord, is the higheſt Learning; and to ſee thy Face the only Happineſs.

Ant.] To know our ſelves is the trueſt Wiſdom; to ſee our own Poverty the ſafeſt Riches.

Pſalm 22.

LET us now conſider, O Lord our God! let us humbly remember what we are to thee.

We, who, alas! are nothing in our ſelves; what can we be to thy Immenſity?

Thou, who art all things in thine own rich Self; what canſt thou receive from our Poverty?

This only we are to thee, O great Creator! the unthankful Objects of all thy Bounties.

This only we are to thee, O dear Redeemer! the unworthy Cauſe of all thy Sufferings.

Guilty we committed the Crime, and thou with thine Innocency undertookeſt the Puniſhment.

We went aſtray from the Path of Life; and thy Mercy came down from Heaven to ſeek us:

To ſeek us in the Wilderneſs where we had loſt our ſelves; and bring us home to the diſcipline of thy Love.

Lord what are we that thou ſhouldſt thus regard ſuch poor, and vile, and inconſiderable Wretches!

What can our Good-will avail thy Bliſs; that with ſo many Charms thou wooeſt us to thy Love?

What can our Malice prejudice thy Content; that thou threatneſt ſo violently if we love thee not?

Is there not, O my God, Felicity enough in the Sweetneſs alone of loving thee!

Is there not perhaps Miſery enough in living depriv'd of thy bliſsful Love?

Yes, yes, dear Lord, and that thou kneweſt; and that's the only Cauſe which moved thy Goodneſs to court our Affections.

Thou kneweſt, we elſe ſhould caſt away our ſelves; by doting on the Follies of this deceitful World.

Thou kneweſt the danger of our wilful Nature, and therefore ſtriveſt by greateſt Fears and Hopes. And all the wiſeſt Arts of Love and Bounty, to draw us to thy ſelf, and endow us with thy Kingdom.

Unhappy we, whoſe Frowardneſs required ſo ſtrange Proceedings; to force upon us our own Salvation!

Happy we, whoſe Wants have met ſo kind a Hand; that needed but our Emptineſs to engage thee to fill us!

Happy we, that our Lord that thus favours us will at laſt even give us Himſelf.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

To know our ſelves is the trueſt Wiſdom; and to ſee our own Poverty the ſafeſt Riches.

Ant.] Vanity of Vanities, all is Vanity, but the love of God, and hope to enjoy him.

Pſalm 23.

LOrd, without thee, what's all this World to us; but a flying Dream of buſie Vanities?

It promiſes indeed a Paradiſe of Bliſs; but all it performs is an empty Cloud.

Thine are the Joys that ſhine fixt as the Stars; and make the only ſolid Heaven.

Lord, without thee, what are we to our ſelves; but the wretched Cauſes of our own Ruine?

We, till thou gaveſt us Being, were purely Nothing; and muſt have remain'd ſo, hadſt not thou made us.

And now thou haſt made us, we wholly depend on thee; and periſh immediately if thou forſake us.

Thou, without us, art the ſame Allglorious Eſſence; brimful of thy own Eternal Felicity.

Without us, thy Royal Throne ſtands firm for ever; and all the Powers of Heaven obey thy Pleaſure.

Pity, O gracious Lord, our imperfect Nature; whoſe every Circumſtance is ſo contrary to thine.

Thou dwell'ſt above in the Manſions of Glory; and we below in Houſes of Clay.

Thou art immortal, and thy Day outlives all Time; we every Moment go downwards to the Grave.

Thou art immenſe, and thy Preſence fills the Heavens; but the greateſt of us, alas, how little are we!

Two Yards of Air contain us while we live; and a few Spans of Earth ſuffice us at our Death.

When, O my God, ſhall theſe Diſtances meet together? when will theſe Extremities embrace each other?

We know they were once miraculouſly joyn'd, in the Sacred Perſon of thy Eternal Son.

When the King of Heaven ſtoopt down to Earth, and grafted in his Perſon the Nature of Man.

We hope they once again ſhall be happily united; in the bliſsful Viſion of thy glorious Self.

When the Children of the Earth ſhall be exalted to Heaven; and made Partakers of the Divine Nature.

But are there no means for us here below? O thou infinitely high and glorious God!

Is there no way to approach towards thee; and diminiſh at leaſt this uncomfortable Diſtance?

None but the way of Holy Love; which none can attain but by thy free Gift.

But how can we Sinners dare to ask thou ſhouldſt love us; being infinitely unworthy to be call'd thy Servants;

Let us humbly beg the Grace we may love thee; who art ſo many ways worthy of more than our Hearts.

And yet, O deareſt Lord, unleſs thou firſt love us; and ſweetly draw us by thy gentle Hand:

Never ſhall we be ſo happy as to love thee; or ever be happy unleſs we do love thee.

O bounteous God! to all thy Favours add this one; of making us eſteem thee above them all.

Be thou to us our God and all things; and make us nothing in our own Eyes.

Be thou our whole and everlaſting Delight; and let nothing elſe be any thing unto us.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
The Leſſon, Epheſ. 6.

CHildren obey your Parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Honour thy Father and Mother; which is the firſt Commandment with Promiſe.

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayeſt live long upon the Earth.

And ye Fathers, provoke not your Children to Wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Servants be obedient to your Maſters according to the Fleſh, with fear and trembling, in ſingleneſs of Heart, as unto Chriſt.

Not with Eye-ſervice as Men-pleaſers, but as the Servants of Chriſt; doing the Will of God from the Heart; with good Will doing Service as unto the Lord, and not unto Men;

Knowing that whatſoever good thing any Man doth, the ſame ſhall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

And ye Maſters do the ſame things unto them, forbearing Threatning, knowing that your Maſter alſo is in Heaven; neither is there reſpect of Perſons with him.

Hymn 7. LOrd who ſhall dwell above with thee, There on thy holy Hill? Who ſhall thoſe glorious Proſpects ſee, That Heaven with gladneſs fill? Thoſe happy Souls who prize that Life Above the braveſt here; Whoſe greateſt Hopes, whoſe eagereſt Strife, Is once to ſettle there. They uſe this World, but value that, That they ſupreamly love; They travel through this preſent State, But place their Home above. Lord! who are they that thus chuſe thee, But thoſe thou firſt didſt chuſe? To whom thou gav'ſt thy Grace moſt free, Thy Grace not to abuſe. We of our ſelves can nothing do, But all on thee depend; Thine is the Work and Wages too, Thine both the Way and End. O make us ſtill our Work attend, And we'll not doubt our Pay; We will not fear a bleſſed End, If thou but guide the way. Glory to thee, O bounteous Lord! Who giv'ſt to all things Breath; Glory to thee eternal Word! Who ſav'ſt us by thy Death. Glory, O bleſſed Spirit, to Thee, Who fill'ſt our Hearts with Love; Glory to all the myſtick Three, Who reigns One God above.
Antiphon.

He that framed the Heart of Man, deſigned it for himſelf, and bequeath'd it unquietneſs till poſſeſt of his Maker.

V. Vanity of Vanities, all is Vanity;

R. But to love our God, and attend his Service.

The Prayer.

O God, who alone art all in all things to us, and to whom we are nothing but wretched Objects of thy Bounty, which the more it flows upon us, the more we truly feel our own Emptineſs and want of it; encreaſe, we humbly beſeech thee, this happy Senſe of thy Servants, by the experience we every day have, how unſatisfactory this World is; and grant that finding it ordain'd by thee to increaſe and widen, not fill our Capacity, we may make this only Uſe of all thy Creatures here, to raiſe and heighten our Deſires of thy infinite Self in Eternity, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with thee and the holy Ghoſt, lives and reigns one God World without end, Amen.

Monday Compline.
Antiphon.

All thy Ways, O Lord, are Mercy and Wiſdom.

Ant. And all thy Counſels tend to our Happineſs.

Pſalm 24.

MY God, in every thing I ſee thy Hand; in every Paſſage thy gracious Providence.

Thou wiſely governeſt the Houſe thou haſt built; and preventeſt with thy Mercies all our Wants.

Thou calleſt us up in the early Morning, and giveſt us Light by the Beams of thy Sun.

To labour every one in their proper Office; and fill the little place appointed them in the World.

Thou provideſt a Reſt for our weary Evening; and favoureſt our Sleep with a ſhady Darkneſs.

To refreſh our Bodies in the Peace of Night; and ſave the waſte of our decaying Spirits.

Again thou awakeſt our drowſie Eyes; and bid'ſt us return to our daily Task.

Thus has thy Wiſdom mixt our Life; and beauteouſly interwoven it of Reſt and Work.

Whoſe mutual Changes ſweeten each other; and both prepare us for our greateſt Duty:

Of finiſhing here the Work of our Salvation; to reſt hereafter in thy Holy Place.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 25.

LOrd, how thy Bounty gives us all things elſe, with a large and open Hand!

Our Fields at once are cover'd with Corn; and our Trees bow under the weight of their Fruit.

At once thou filleſt our Magazines with Plenty; and ſendeſt whole Showers of other Bleſſings.

Only our Time thou diſtilleſt by Drops and never giveſt us two Moments at once.

But takeſt away one when thou lendeſt another; to teach us the price of ſo rich a Jewel.

That we may learn to value every Hour; and not childiſhly ſpend them on empty Trifles:

Much leſs maliciouſly murder whole Days; in purſuing a Courſe of Sin and Shame.

Lord, as thou haſt taught our Ignorance; ſo let thy Grace enable our Weakneſs;

Wiſely to manage the time thou giveſt us; and ſtill preſs on to new degrees of Improvement.

That with our few, but well-ſpent Years, we may purchaſe to our ſelves a bleſt Eternity.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 26.

IT was thy Mercy too, O gracious Lord, to diſpenſe by Parcels our Portion of Time;

That the ſucceeding Day may learn to grow wiſe, and correct its Faults by experience of the paſt.

Elſe were our Being all at once; as it ſhall be in the next eternal Life.

Our Sins would have here no power to be repented of; and then alas! how deſperate are we?

We, who are born in the way of Miſery; and unleſs we change can never be happy.

We, who ſo often wilfully go aſtray; and unleſs we return, muſt periſh for ever.

O Thou, in whoſe indulgent Hands are both our Time and our Eternity!

Whoſe Providence gives every Minute of our Life; and governs the fatal Period of our Death!

O make us every Evening ſtill provide, to paſs with Comfort that important Hour.

Make us ſtill ballance our Account for Heaven; and ſtrive to encreaſe our Treaſures with thee.

That if we riſe no more to our Acquaintance here; we may joyfully awake among thy bleſſed Angels.

There to unite our Hymns with theirs; and joyn altogether in one full Quire.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Hymn 8. NOW my Soul the Day is gone, Which in the Morn was thine; Now its Glaſs no more ſhall run, Its Sun no longer ſhine. True alas! the Day is gone, O were it only ſo: Is't not loſt as well as done? Caſt up thy Counts and know. Are we ſo much nearer Heaven, As to the Grave we bow? Has our Sorrow made all even, And clear'd the Debts we owe? From what Vice have we refrain'd, To break the Courſe of Sin? What new Virtue have we gain'd, To make us rich within? Time is well beſtow'd on thoſe, Who well their Time beſtow; Whoſe main Concern ſtill forward goes, Whoſe Hopes ſtill riper grow. Who, whene're the Clocks proclaim Another Hour is paſt; Have an Art to ſet their Aim, And Thoughts upon their laſt; That their laſt and happy Hour, Which brings them to their home; Where they ſing and bleſs the Power, That made them thither come. O my God of Life and Death, The Ever-living King! Since thou giv'ſt to all their Breath, May all thy Glory ſing. Glory, Honour, Power, and Praiſe To the myſterious Three; As at firſt beginning was, May now and ever be.
Leſſon, Epheſ. 4. 26.

BE angry, but ſin not; let not the Sun go down upon your Wrath.

Neither give place to the Devil.

Let him that ſtole ſteal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his Hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Let no corrupt Communication proceed out of your Mouth, but that which is good to the uſe of edifying, that it may miniſter Grace to the Hearers.

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are ſealed unto the Day of Redemption.

Let all Bitterneſs, and Wrath, and Anger, and Clamour, and Evil-ſpeaking be put away from you, with all Malice.

Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Chriſt's ſake hath forgiven you.

Antiphon.

Happily ends the Day whoſe Evils end with it, cancell'd by juſt Contrition; happily begins the Night which is introduc'd with Aſpirations to eternal Reſt.

V. The Day is thine, and the Night is thine,

R. Lord, may thy Grace through both breed us up alſo to be thine.

The Prayer.

O God, whoſe gracious Providence vouchſafes to put us frequently in mind of our own and the World's laſt End, by burying every Day in the ſilent Grave of Night; ſweeten, we humbly beſeech thee, and render familiar to our Expectation, thoſe terrible Periods of Time, by our conſtant due uſe of this, to even our Accounts with thee, and fit our ſelves for Sleep, with a devout Compoſure of our Souls to their eternal Reſt: And grant that our yielding ſo often, and ſo eaſily at the Summons of our drowſie Humours, to ſuſpend for ſome Hours all Operations of the whole Man, may teach our Souls to reflect themſelves into a more reaſonable Willingneſs, when ever thou call'ſt us to leave our Bodies in the Bed of Duſt, and paſs into the ſtate of their own perfect and ever-waking Activity and Bliſs, heighten'd by ſure Hopes of a compleatly glorifying Reſurrection, t •••• g our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son; 〈◊〉 with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth one God world without end, Amen.

Tueſday MATTINS.
Introduction.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt.

Invitatory. Come let us Adore our God that preſerves us. Come let us Adore our God that preſerves us.
Pſalm 27.

FRom thee, O Lord, we derive our Being, and from the ſame Goodneſs our continuance to be: If thou withdraweſt thy Hand but a Moment, we inſtantly return to our firſt Nothing.

Come let us Adore our God that preſerves us.

From all our Enemies his Providence defends us, and covers our Heads in the day of Danger; he ſends in his Grace to relieve our Weakneſs, and diſappoints the Temptations that threaten to undo us.

Come let us Adore our God that preſerves us.

Here his Almighty Power ſuſtains our Life, and mercifully allows us ſpace to repent, that by well-employing the Time he lends us, we may wiſely provide for our own Eternity.

Come let us Adore our God that preſerves us.

He ſtill repeats his Bleſſings to us, and ſhall we neglect our Duty to him? he freely beſtows on us all our Day, and ſhall we not ſpend half an Hour in his Service?

Come let us Adore our God that preſerves us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoſt;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever ſhall be, world without end, Amen.

Hymn 9. COme let's adore the gracious Hand, That brought us to this Light; That gave his Angels ſtrict command, To be our Guard this Night. When we laid down our weary Head, And Sleep ſeal'd up our Eye; They ſtood, and watcht about our Bed, And let no harm come nigh. Now we are up they ſtill go on, And guide us through the Day; They never leave their Charge alone, Whate're beſets our Way. And O my Soul, how many Snares Lie ſpread before our Feet? In all our Joys, in all our Cares, Some Danger ſtill we meet. Sometimes the Sin does us o'ertake, And on our Weakneſs win; Sometimes our ſelves our Ruin make, And we o'ertake the Sin. O ſave us, Lord, from all thoſe Darts, That ſeek our Souls to ſlay; Save us from us, and our falſe Hearts, Leaſt we our ſelves betray. Save us, O Lord, to thee we cry, From whom all Bleſſings ſpring: We on thy Grace alone rely, Alone thy Glory ſing. Glory to thee, eternal Lord, Thrice bleſſed Three in One; Thy Name at all times be ador'd, Till Time it ſelf be done.
Antiphon.

If we receive all we have of God, why do we boaſt as if we had it of our ſelves?

Pſalm 28.

NOT unto us, O Lord, not unto us; but to thine own bleſt Name give all the Glory.

When we have apply'd our utmoſt Cares; and uſed all the Diligence that lies in our power:

What can we do but look up to thee; and ſecond our Endeavours with Prayers for thy Bleſſing?

When we have implor'd thy gracious Mercy; and offer'd thee our deareſt Sacrifice to obtain it:

What can we do but ſubmit our Hopes; and expect the Event from thy own free Goodneſs?

We know, and thou thy ſelf haſt taught us; unleſs thou defendeſt the City, the Guard watches in vain.

We know, and our own Experience tells us; unleſs thou reach forth thy hand, we are preſently in danger of ſinking.

Every Moment of our Day ſubſiſts by thee; and every Step we take moves by thy Strength.

Even the Line we now repeat muſt beg its Breath of thee; and ſtop if thou denyeſt it.

If thou denyeſt it, who can compel thy Will; or call in queſtion thy Decrees?

Are we not all thy Creatures, O gracious God! and as helpleſs Children hanging on the Breaſt of Providence?

Are we not all as Clay in thy Hands; to frame us into Veſſels of what uſe thou pleaſeſt?

Behold, we confeſs, O Lord, in thee we live; in thee we move, in thee we have our Being.

All our Sufficiency proceeds from thee; and all our Succeſs depends on thy Favour.

Others may tell us the way we ſhould go; but thou alone canſt enable us to walk.

Others may tell us the way; but even they muſt firſt be taught by thee.

Should we, O Lord, preſume to divide thy Grace; and proudly challenge any Share to our ſelves:

Thy mighty Truth ſtands up againſt us; and our own Infirmities plainly confute us.

Shouldſt thou ſeverely examine our Hearts; and ask who works all their Actions in them;

Sure we muſt needs bow down our Heads; and from our low Duſt humbly ſay:

Nothing are we, O Lord, but what thou haſt made us; nothing have we but what thou haſt given us.

Only our Sins are intirely our own; which O may thy Grace extinguiſh for ever.

O may all Self-preſumption die in us; and our whole Confidence live only in thee.

May even our Frailties make us more ſtrong; and our being nothing teach us to be humble.

So ſhall thy Power, O Lord, be magnify'd in our Weakneſs; and thy Mercy triumph in relief of our Miſery.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

If we receive all we have of God, why do we boaſt as if we had it of our ſelves?

Ant.] God is my Saviour, whom ſhould I fear? God is my Protector, of what ſhould I be afraid?

Pſalm 29.

THus we depend, and happy we in this Dependance; did we but know our own true Intereſt.

We, and our whole Concerns are depoſited with God; and where can we find a better Hand to enſure them?

Is he not wiſe enough to chuſe Safety for us; who diſpoſes all Nature in ſo admirable an Order?

Has he not power enough to go thorow with his Purpoſe; who commands the Wills of Men and Angels?

Wants he perhaps an Inclination to favour us; who deſires our Felicity more than our own Hearts can do?

He feeds the Fow's of the Air; and curiouſly cloaths the Lillies of the Field.

And without his Providence not a Sparrow falls to the Ground; and ſhall we diſtruſt his Care for his Children?

Under his Government we have lived all this while; and can we now ſuſpect he'll forſake us?

He has ſhewn his Bounty by extraordinary Graces; and will he deny us his leſſer Bleſſings?

He hath freely beſtow'd on us his deareſt Son; how ſhall he not with him give all things elſe?

All that are truly uſeful to carry us on our way; and bring us at length to his eternal Reſt?

If our Neceſſities be the effect of our Folly; we muſt not preſume he'll maintain us in our Sins.

Rather we ſhou'd ſtrive to moderate our Appetites; and correct thoſe Vices that have bred theſe Miſeries.

But if our Wants be innocent and preſſing; he'll ſooner do a Miracle than break his Word.

His Word, which he has ſo ſolemnly engag'd; ſo often prov'd by a thouſand Experiments.

Ask but the former Ages, and they will tell you the Wonders he wrought in favour of his Servants.

He multiply'd the Oyl in the Widow's Cruſe; and fed his Prophet by the Service of a Raven.

He dry'd the Sea into a Path for his People; and melted the Rocks to refreſh their Thirſt.

He made his Angels Stewards of their Proviſion; and nouriſhed them in the Wilderneſs with the Bread of Heaven.

Still, O my God, thy eternal Charity retains the ſame Affections for thoſe that rely on thee.

Still thy All-ſeeing Wiſdom governs the World; with the ſame immenſe, unalterable Goodneſs.

Nay ſurely now the Streams of thy Mercy run more ſtrong; and have wrought to themſelves a larger Channel.

Since thou broughteſt down the Waters from above the Heavens; and openedeſt in thine own Body a Spring of Life.

A Spring of Pleaſures of Joy and Bliſs, to revive our Hearts; and overflow them with a Torrent of everlaſting Jubilees.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

God is my Saviour, whom ſhall I fear? God is my Protector, of whom ſhall I be afraid?

Ant.] Seek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you.

Pſalm 30.

LET us then ſit down in Peace, O my Soul; and reſt ſecure in the Providence of God.

Let us not diſturb the Order of thoſe Mercies; which our God hath deſign'd us in his eternal Counſels.

Every Accident may be turn'd into Vertue; and every Vertue is a ſtep to our glorious End.

If our Affairs ſucceed, let us praiſe our great Benefactor; and think what he'll give us hereafter, who ſo favours us here.

If they miſcarry, let us yield to the Will of Heaven; and learn by our Croſſes in this World, to betake us to the other.

Whatever happens, let this be our conſtant Rule; to provide for the future Life, and to be contented with this.

Shall not we patiently accept a little Evil from him, that has given us ſo much Good?

Shall the being without ſome one thing we need not, more ſenſibly affect us, than the having all we need?

Ingrateful we! the common Benefits we all enjoy, deſerve the Thankſgiving of a whole Life.

The Air we breath in, the Sun that ſhines upon us; the Water and the Earth that ſo faithfully ſerve us:

The exerciſe of our Senſes, and the uſe of our Wits, if not in Excellence, at leaſt in ſome degree:

All theſe, O Lord, thou generally giveſt to the Good and to the Bad; and for the leaſt of theſe none can praiſe thee enough.

What ſhall we ſay to thoſe high ſupernatural Bleſſings; The Son of God to redeem us, and Heaven to reward us?

What ſhall we ſay? can we yet complain, becauſe ſome few perhaps are more proſperous than we?

Had we ſome deſperate Canker breeding on our Face, or noiſome Leproſie ſpreading over our Skin:

(Theſe, we muſt confeſs, are incident to our Nature; and more than theſe due to our Sins.)

What would we give to be as now we are? how gladly change for a moderate Affliction?

'Tis but interpreting our worſt Condition well; and we find Motives enough for our Gratitude to God.

'Tis but interpreting our beſt Condition frowardly; and we find Defects enough to think our ſelves miſerable.

Did we adore as we ought the Wiſdom of God; we ſhould eaſily truſt him to rule his own World.

Could we underſtand the ſecret Character of his Decrees, we ſhould read in each Syllable a perfect Harmony.

Teach us, O thou bleſt Enlightner of our Minds; teach us to expound thy Actions in a fair Senſe.

Still let us conſtrue the Afflictions thou ſendeſt us; as meant to correct, not to deſtroy us:

To prevent ſome Sin, or beget ſome Vertue in us; and when we need our Croſſes no longer, thou'lt take them away.

Mean while, O gracious Lord, make us wait thy Time; and not impatiently preſcribe Limits to thee.

Make us rejoyce that our Lots are in thy Hands; but, O let thy Mercy chuſe favourably for us.

Diſpoſe as thou pleaſeſt our Condition here; only our Portion hereafter let it be with thy Bleſſed.

Glory be the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Seek firſt the Kingdom of God, and all things elſe ſhall be added unto you.

Firſt Leſſon.

TRuſt in our Lord with all thy Heart; and lean not to thy own underſtanding. In all thy Ways think on him, and he will direct thy Paths. Be not wiſe in thine own Conceit; fear God, and depart from Evil: The greater thou art, the more humble thou ſhouldſt be; ſeek not the things that are too high for thee, nor ſearch into thoſe above thy Strength; but the thing that God has commanded thee, that do thou; and in many of his Works be not thou curious, ſince it is not neceſſary for thee to ſee with thine Eyes thoſe things that are hidden. Lay up thy Treaſure according to the Commandments of the Moſt High, and it ſhall profit thee more than Gold. Shut up Alms in thy Storehouſes, and it ſhall deliver thee from all Affliction: It ſhall fight for thee againſt the Enemy better than a mighty Shield and ſtrong Spear: In all thy Gifts ſhew a chearful Countenance, and pay thy Tythes with gladneſs. Give to the Higheſt according to what he has given thee, and with a good Eye give according to the Ability of thy Hands; for the Lord is thy Rewarder, and he will repay thee ſeven times as much. When a Man's ways pleaſe the Lord, he maketh even his Enemies to be at Peace with him. The Heart of Man deviſeth his way, but the Lord directeth his ſteps. He that is patient is better than he that is ſtrong; and he that rules over his Mind, than he that conquers Cities. There is no Wiſdom, nor Underſtanding, nor Council againſt the Lord.

Reſ.] Well may we give thee, O Lord, ſome part of that we have, ſince we receiv'd from thee all we have; well may we give with gladneſs to thee, ſince thy Bounty rewards us with ſo great Advantage. O make us ſtill miſtruſt our ſelves, and with an humble Confidence relie on thee. Without thy Bleſſing our Labour is in vain, and againſt thy Decrees no Policy can ſucceed; but if we humbly ſubmit to thee, thou wilt direct us; if we keep thy Commandments, thou wilt defend us.

Second Leſſon.

WHen thou comeſt to ſerve the Lord, prepare thy Soul for Temptation; cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayeſt be increaſed at thy laſt End. Whatever is brought upon thee, take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low Eſtate; For Gold is try'd in the Fire, and acceptable Men in the Furnace of Adverſity. Believe in God, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and truſt in him. Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his Mercy, and go not aſide, leſt ye fall; ye that fear the Lord, believe him, and your Reward ſhall not fail: Ye that fear the Lord, hope for Good, and for everlaſting Joy and Mercy. Look at the Generations of old, and ſee, did ever any truſt in the Lord, and was confounded, or did any abide in his Fear and was forſaken? Or whom did he ever deſpiſe that call'd upon him? For the Lord is full of Compaſſion and Mercy, Long ſuffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth Sins, and ſaveth in time of Affliction. Woe to the fearful Hearts, and faint Hands, and the Sinner that goeth two ways. Woe to them that are fainthearted, who believe not God, and therefore ſhall not be defended.

Reſ.] Teach us, O gracious Lord, to begin our Works with Fear, and to go on with Obedience, and finiſh them with Love, and after all, ſit humbly down in hope, and with a chearful Confidence look up to thee, whoſe Promiſes are faithful, and Rewards infinite. All this we may do for Men, and yet they fail us; we may fear and obey, and they forget our Service; we may love, and hope, and yet they neglect our Affections; only thou, O Lord our God, whom we no way can benefit, doſt every way oblige us.

Third Leſſon.

BEcauſe Sentence againſt an Evil-doer is not ſpeedily executed, therefore the Hearts of the Sons of Men are fully ſet in them to do Evil. But tho' a Sinner ſin an hundred times, and his Days be prolonged, I know it ſhall be well with them that fear the Lord. There are juſt Men to whom it happeneth according to the Works of the Wicked, and there are Wicked to whom it happeneth according to the Works of the Righteous. The Righteous and the Wiſe are in the Hands of God, yet no Man knoweth either Love or Hatred by all that is before him; becauſe all things come alike to all, and there is one Event to the Righteous and to the Wicked, to the Good, and to the Clean, and to the Unclean; as is the Good ſo is the Sinner, and he that Sweareth as he that feareth an Oath: Yea alſo the Hearts of the Sons of Men are full of Evil, and Madneſs is in their Hearts while they live, and after that they go to the Dead. I returned and ſaw under the Sun, that the Race is not to the Swift, nor the Battel to the Strong, neither yet Bread to the Wiſe, nor Riches to Men of Underſtanding, nor Favour to Men of Skill, but Time and Chance happeneth to them all.

Reſp.] And ſure 'tis fit it ſhould be ſo, for what can infinite Power and Goodneſs do but that which is beſt? Lord, I adore thy Providence which ſcatters theſe temporal things with a ſeeming Negligence, as Trifles of ſo little importance, that they ſignifie neither Love nor Hatred. Nothing indeed but Heaven is conſiderable; nothing but Eternity deſerves our Eſteem. Fix thou our Steps, O Lord, that we ſtagger not at the uneven Motions of the World; but ſteddily go on to our glorious Home; neither cenſuring our Journey by the Weather we meet with, nor turning out of the way for any Accident that befals us.

Antiphon.

I ſaw the bright Sun ſhew his flaming Eyes, and behold a thouſand Rays fill'd the Air, and beauteouſly gilded the Earth. His glorious Face but masks it ſelf in a Cloud, and immediately they vaniſht away, and their Place was to be found no more; and I ſaid, Such, O my God, is the ſtability of every Creature.

V. Even the Line we now repeat muſt beg its breath from thee,

R. And ſtop if thou denyeſt it.

The Prayer.

O God, the eternal Source and Neceſſity of Being, on whoſe free overflowing that of the whole Creation every Moment depends! ſtrike, we beſeech thee, our Hearts with a continual Diead and Reverence of thy abſolute Dominion, which ſhould it but never ſo little ſuſpend thy Bounty, we ſhould inſtantly vaniſh into nothing; and grant that as we know thou preſerveſt this World to grow daily riper for the other, to which thou haſt ordain'd it, we may by thy Grace ſo husband our Time here, as in the next Life to poſſeſs thy Eternity, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who liveth, &c.

Tueſday Lauds.

Praiſe our Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within thee, praiſe his Holy Name.

Pſalm 31.

BE thou eternally ador'd, O God of our Salvation; and may thy Praiſes be ſung by thy Servants for ever.

When our firſt Parents had diſobey'd thy Precepts; to the ruine of themſelves and their whole Poſterity.

Thy Mercy immediately provided a Remedy; and graciouſly promiſed a powerful Redeemer.

A Redeemer that ſhould conquer Sin and Death; and cruſh in pieces the Serpent's Head.

A Redeemer that ſhould fully repair the Breaches of Mankind; and render our Condition better than before.

Enlightening our Eyes with a clearer View of thoſe excellent Truths that belong to our Peace;

And ſupporting our Nature with a ſtronger Grace, to bear us ſafely on thro' all Encounters;

Till we arrive at the Land of Reſt; and be receiv'd for ever into that glorious Kingdom.

O bleſſed Jeſus! our Strength and Guide; who knoweſt and pitieſt our weak Capacities;

Who in thy tender Care haſt contrived ſuch means; that nothing can undo us but our own Perverſeneſs;

How eaſie haſt thou made the Way to Heaven; how light the Burthen thou layeſt on thy Followers?

Tis but to love thee our greateſt Benefactor; and we perfectly fulfill every Branch of thy Law.

Tis but deſiring to ſee thee, our ſupreme Beatitude; and we are ſure to poſſeſs an Eternity of Joy.

Bleſſed, O my God, be the Wiſdom of thy Providence; which alone knows the way to draw Good out of Evil.

Which not only reſtores us to our firſt degree; but makes even our Fall rebound us to a greater height.

Lord, as thy Goodneſs turns all things to the advantage of thy Elect; O may thy Elect praiſe thy Goodneſs in all things.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 32.

ADmirable, O Lord, wert thou in thy merciful Promiſes; but infinitely more in thy wonderful Performance.

Thou didſt not depute an Angel to ſupply thy Place; nor entruſt ſo tender a Work to the management of a Seraphin.

But thy Self didſt bow the Heavens, and come down; and with thy own bleſt Hands work our Redemption.

Thy Self didſt take upon thee our frail Nature; and vouchſafe to be born of an humble Virgin

Condeſcending to the weakneſs of a Child; a Child whoſe Parents were poor, and uneſteem'd in the World.

Not declining the mean Entertainment of a Stable; O how unfit for the Birth of the King of Heaven!

But contenting thy ſelf with the Cradle of a Manger; and the uneaſie Lodging of a Bed of Straw.

Refuſing the ſoft accommodation of the Rich; to undergo the Inconveniencies of a poor Stranger.

Only the faithful Joſeph ſtood waiting on thee; and provided, as he was able, for his helpleſs Family.

Only thy pious Mother dearly embrac'd thee; and wrapt thy tender Limbs in little Clouts.

Wonder, O Heavens! and be amaz'd, O Earth! and every Creature humbly bow your Heads.

Bow and admire this incomparable Myſtery; The Word was made Fleſh, and dwelt among us.

But moſt of all we, who are moſt concern'd, the baniſht Children of unfortunate Adam.

Let us bow down our Faces to the Duſt; and proſtrate adore ſo unſpeakable a Mercy.

Behold thus low my Saviour ſtoopt for me; to check the Pride of my corrupted Nature.

Behold thus low he ſtoopt to take me from the Ground; and raiſe me to the Felicities of his own Kingdom.

Lift up thy Voice with Joy, O my Soul; and ſing Hoſanna to the new-born Jeſus.

Call all the bleſſed Angels to celebrate his Birth; and repeat afreſh that Heavenly Anthem;

Glory be to God on high, on Earth Peace, Good-will towards Men.

Lift up thy Voice aloud, O my Soul; and to the Quires of Heaven joyn the Muſick of the Church.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 33.

REjoyce all you faithful Nations of the Earth; when you hear the ſweet Name of our dear Redeemer.

Rejoyce, and with your bended Knees and Hearts, adore the bleſſed Jeſus.

He is the Son of the Ever-living God; equally participating the Glories of his Father.

He is that great Meſſias whom the Prophets foretold; and all the ancient Saints ſo long expected.

At length in fulneſs of Time he came; to viſit in Perſon our miſerable World.

He came with his hands full of Miracles; and every Miracle full of Mercies.

He made the crooked become ſtreight; and the lame to walk, and leap for Joy.

He open'd the Ears of the Deaf to hear; and gave ſight to them that were born blind.

He looſen'd the Tongues of the dumb to ſpeak; O may he govern ours to ſing his Praiſe!

He cleanſed the Lepers with a Word of his Mouth; and heal'd their Diſeaſes who but toucht his Garment.

To the Poor he reveal'd the Treaſures of his Goſpel; and taught the Simple the Myſteries of his Kingdom.

He caſt out Devils by the Command of his Will; and forc'd them to confeſs and adore his Perſon.

He raiſed the Dead from the Grave to Life; that was four Days bury'd and corrupted.

Nay even himſelf being ſlain for us upon the Croſs; and his Tomb made faſt and ſecur'd with a Guard:

He rais'd again by his own victorious Power; and carry'd up our Nature to the higheſt Heavens.

All theſe ſtupendious Signs, O glorious Jeſus! were done by the hand of thy Almighty Mercy.

To witneſs thy Truth with the Seal of Heaven; and endear thy Precepts with obliging Miracles.

That thus ingag'd we might believe in thee; and obeying thy Law, be eternally ſaved.

O let not all this Love, dear Lord, be loſt; by ſo many Tokens ſo kindly expreſt.

One Miracle more we humbly beg; but one as ſtrange and hard as all the reſt.

Soften our ſtony Hearts; into a tender Senſe of thy great Goodneſs, and their own true Duty.

Raiſe our dead Spirits from this heavy Earth; to dwell with thee in the Land of the Living.

That as we here admire thy bounteous Power; and daily ſing the Wonders of thy Grace:

We may hereafter adore thy bleſſed Self; and ſing eternally the Wonders of thy Glory.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Jude 24, 25.

Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling; and to preſent you faultleſs before the Preſence of his Glory with exceeding Joy;

To the only wiſe God our Saviour, be Glory and Majeſty, Dominion and Power both now and for evermore, Amen.

Hymn 10. LET others take their courſe, And ſing what Name they pleaſe; Let Wealth or Beauty be their Theme, Such empty Sounds as theſe. For me, I'll ne'er admire A Lump of burniſht Clay; Howe're it ſhines, it is but Duſt, And ſhall to Duſt decay. Sweet Jeſus! is the Name My Song ſhall ſtill adore; Sweet Jeſus is the charming Word, That does my Life reſtore. Wherefore to thee bright Name, Behold thus low I bow; And thus again; yet is all this Far leſs than what I owe. Down then, down both my Knees, Still lower to the Ground; Whilſt with mine Eyes and Voice lift up, Aloud theſe Lines do ſound. Live glorious King of Heaven, By all thy Heaven ador'd; Live gracious Saviour of the World, Our chief and only Lord. Live, and for ever may Thy Throne eſtabliſht be; For ever may all Hearts and Tongues Sing Hymns of Praiſe to Thee.
Antiphon.

Behold, our faithful Lord has remembred his Word, he has rais'd up amongſt us the long-expected Prophet like Moſes, and put his Word into his Mouth, and he hath taught us.

V. He has led us out of the Bondage of Aegypt,

R. And made us a way to the true Land of Canaan.

The Prayer.

O God, who to preſerve in reach of Happineſs thoſe whom thou preſerveſt in Being, ſenteſt down in the fulneſs of Time, (as thy Mercy ancient, as our Miſery promiſed,) the true Meſſias, to ſave the World from the Ruine into which Adam's Fall had plung'd it; fill our Souls, we beſeech thee, through deep Admiration at this thy exceſſive Bounty, with an over-flowing Love of thy ſelf, infinitely fuller of thy Goodneſs than can be expreſt; and grant that this Love to may ſo powerfully endear to us our Heavenly Maſter's gracious Precepts and Example, that our perfect obſerving them may raiſe reciprocally this thy Love, till it fit us for our only Bliſs, the eternal Enjoyment of thee, thro' our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Amen.

Tueſday Veſpers.
Pſalm 34.

SPeak no more proudly, vain Duſt; nor provoke any longer the living God.

Seal up thy Lips in humble Silence; and tremblingly remember his dreadful Judgments.

Remember how the Earth open'd it ſelf; and ſwallow'd up alive ſo many Thouſands.

Remember how the Clouds rain'd Fire and Brimſtone; and bury'd whole Cities in their own Aſhes.

Remember how the general Deluge o'er-ſpread the World; and ſwept away almoſt all Mankind.

Remember, and ask the Cauſe of all this Ruine; and tell it aloud to the bold Offender.

Tell him 'twas Sin, and ſuch as his, that drew upon them ſo ſwift Deſtruction.

Sin threw the Angels down from Heaven; and chain'd them up in Eternal Darkneſs.

Sin baniſh'd Adam out of Paradiſe; and turn'd that delicious Garden into a Field of Weeds.

O God, how terrible is thy mighty Arm, when thou ſtretcheſt it to be avenged on thine Enemies!

O Sin, how fatal is thy deſperate Malice; that puls on our Heads all the Thunder of Heaven!

O my Soul, how dull and ſenſleſs are we; to ſleep ſecure as if all were ſafe!

Can we repeat theſe amazing Truths; and not tremble at the Wrath of the Divine Juſtice?

Can we conſider the deplorable End of Sinners; and ſtill go on in the ways of Sin?

Even while we ſing thy Praiſes, O glorious Lord! our very Duty ſhould fear before thee.

Still may our Conſciences cry aloud within us; Dare you commit this Evil, and ſin againſt your God?

Dare you commit this Evil, and undo your ſelves; and plunge your own Souls into everlaſting Torments?

Forbid ſo raſh a Madneſs, gracious Lord; and make thy Judgments on others Mercies to us.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 35.

WIpe away the Tears from thine Eyes, O my Soul; and clear thy Heart from all Clouds of Deſpair.

What's thus infinite in Power to puniſh; is full as infinite in Goodneſs to ſave us.

How often have we broke his Divine Commands? yet ſtill his Earth ſuſtains, and ſerves us.

How often have we abus'd his fulneſs of Bread? yet ſtill his Clouds ſhower Plenty upon us.

Himſelf with his own Almighty Word confin'd the Waters; and ſharply reprov'd their officiouſneſs to deſtroy.

Hitherto ſhall you come, and no farther; and here will I ſtay your proud Waves.

Only the Ambitions Angels find no forgiveneſs; becauſe their Obſtinacy refuſes to ſeek it.

Elſe could thoſe Rebel Spirits diſclaim their Crimes, and turn again to obey their Maker;

His Clemency would ſoon revoke their Sentence; and reſtore them to ſhine in their firſt bright Seats.

But O! the Exceſs of Bounty vouchſaft to Adam; and to us Duſt and Aſhes his Poſterity.

For whom the Soveraign King of Heaven humbled himſelf to deſcend upon Earth:

Leading a poor laborious Life; and ſuffering a painful ignominious Death.

Only to teach us how to live, and how to die; and what to do, and what to aim at in both.

Thy Mercies, Lord, are above all thy Works; and this above all thy Mercies.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the Gods, who is like thee amiable in Mercies?

Ant. Dreadful art thou, Lord, in the Terror of thy Judgments, but infinitely more amiable in the ſweetneſs of thy Mercies.

Pſalm 36.

STill let us ſing the Mercies of our God; and hold and ſhake a little longer this ſweet Key.

When we alas! lay bury'd in the Abyſs of Nothing; his own free Goodneſs firſt brought us into Being.

He faſhion'd our Limbs in our Mother's Womb; and fill'd our Nurſe's Breaſt with Milk.

He enlarg'd our little Steps when we began to go; and carefully preſerved our helpleſs Infancy.

Commanding even his Angels to bear us in their Hands; leſt we daſh our Feet againſt a Stone.

How many Dangers have we happily eſcap'd? and not one of them but was govern'd by his Providence.

How many Bleſſings do we daily receive? and not one of them but proceeds from his Bounty.

He provided Tutors to inſtruct our Youth; and plant in our tender Minds the Seeds of Vertue.

He appointed Paſtors to feed our Souls; and ſafely guide them in the Ways of Bliſs.

He founded his Church on an immoveable Rock; to render our Faith firm and ſecure.

He ſeal'd his Love with Sacraments of Grace; to breed and nouriſh us up in the Life of Charity.

All this thou haſt done, O merciful Lord! the Wiſe Diſpoſer of Heaven and Earth.

All this thou haſt done, and ſtill goeſt on, by infinite Ways, to gain us to thy Love.

Thou commandeſt us to ask, and promiſeſt to grant; thou inviteſt us to ſeek, and aſſureſt us to find.

Thou vouchſafeſt even thy ſelf, to ſtand at the Door and knock; and if we open thou entereſt, and filleſt our Hearts with Joy.

If we forget thee, thou reneweſt afreſh our Memory; if we fly from thee, thou ſtill findeſt ſome means to recal us.

If we defer our Amendment, thou patiently ſtayeſt for us; and when we return, thou openeſt thy Arms to embrace us.

Surely, O my God! from all Eternity thou haſt caſt thy gracious Eye upon us.

Surely thy merciful Hand has ſign'd our Lot; and markt us out for thy everlaſting Favours.

We know thy Ways are in the deep Abyſs; and none can ſound the bottom of thy Counſels.

Yet may we ſafely look on the flowing Streams; and gather this Comfort from their gentle Courſe.

When we were not, thou dearly lovedſt us; thou wilt not forſake us now we ſtrive to love thee.

When we had loſt our Way, thou ſoughteſt after us; thou wilt not refuſe us now we ſeek after thee.

Lord, all we have is derived from thee; all that we can expect can come from none but thy ſelf.

Accompliſh thine own bleſt Purpoſe in us; and finiſh theſe happy Beginnings towards us.

Four our Hopes are great, thou haſt choſen us to thy Glory; ſince already thou haſt ſo kindly diſpoſed us by thy Grace.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Dreadful art thou, O Lord, in the Terror of thy Judgments; but infinitely more amiable in the Sweetneſs of thy Mercies.

Rom. 13.

LET every Soul be ſubject to the higher Powers; for there is no Power but of God: The Powers that be are ordained of God.

Whoſoever therefore reſiſteth the Power, reſiſteth the Ordinance of God; and they that reſiſt ſhall receive to themſelves Damnation.

For Rulers are not a Terror to Good Works, but to the Evil; wilt thou then not be afraid of the Powers? do that which is good, and thou ſhalt have Praiſe of the ſame.

For he is the Miniſter of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is Evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the Sword in vain: For he is the Miniſter of of God, a Revenger to execute Wrath upon him that doth Evil.

Wherefore ye muſt needs be ſubject, not only for Wrath, but alſo for Conſcience ſake.

For for this Cauſe pay you Tribute alſo.

Tribute to whom Tribute is due, Cuſtom to whom Cuſtom, Fear to whom Fear, Honour to whom Honour.

Owe no Man any thing but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law.

Hymn 11. FAin would my Thoughts fly up to thee, Thy Peace dear Lord to find; But when I offer, ſtill the World Lays Clogs upon my Mind. Sometimes I climb a little way, And thence look down below; How nothing there do all things ſeem, That here make ſuch a Show. Then round about I turn my Eyes, To feaſt my hungry Sight; I meet with Heaven in every thing, In every thing Delight. I ſee thy Wiſdom ruling all, And it with Joy admire; I ſee my ſelf among ſuch Hopes, As ſet my Heart on fire. When I have thus triumph'd a while, And think to build my Neſt; Some croſs Conceit comes fluttering by, And interrupts my Reſt. Then to the Earth again I fall, And from my low Duſt cry; 'Twas not in my Wing, Lord, but thine, That I got up ſo high. And now my Lord! whether I riſe, Or ſtill lie down in Duſt; Both I ſubmit to thy bleſt Will, In both on thee I truſt. Guide thou my Way who art thy ſelf, My everlaſting End; That every Step or ſwift, or ſlow, Still to thy ſelf may tend. To Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, One conſubſtantial Three, All higheſt Praiſe, all humbleſt Thanks, Now, and for ever be. Amen.
Antiphon.

What Heart can reſiſt the great King of Kings, terrible and amiable, and mightily ſhewing both, in glorious Miracles of Vengeance and Love?

V. His Right-hand holds out a Golden Scepter,

R. And his Left a flaming Sword.

The Prayer.

O God, who by Hopes and Fears, the main Swayers of our Nature here, haſt graciouſly provided to counterpoiſe our Weight downwards, and ſuſtain our faint Progreſs up to thee in thy Kingdom! Grant, we humbly beſeech thee, that the many notorious Examples of thy dreadful Judgments on obſtinate and incorrigible Sinners, may ſtrongly overawe our Vices and Impenitence, and thy many more Inſtances of Indulgence and Mercy to the Penitent, and truly deſirous of Vertue, may encourage our Weakneſs, and make us effectually endeavour to gain it, by the abundant and ſurely efficacious Grace, and Means thou haſt vouchſafed us in thy Church, thro' our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, one God bleſſed for ever, Amen.

Tueſday Compline.
Antiphon.

Thou art, O Lord! all Goodneſs and Patience, and we alas! all Sin and Diſobedience.

Pſalm 37.

GOod God! how extreamly ingrateful are we! how ſtrangely inſenſible of our manifeſt Duty!

Every Creature hears thy Voice but we; every thing lives by Rule but we.

The Sun obſerves his conſtant riſing; and ſets exactly at his appointed time.

The Sun ſtands ſtill if thou commandeſt; and even goes back to obey thy Will.

And yet the Sun pretends no Reward; nor looks to be placed in a higher Heaven.

We who expect thoſe glorious Promiſes; and aim no lower than the Heaven of Heavens:

Shall we forget the Law of our God; that only inſtructs us to perfect our ſelves?

We, who are bought by the Blood of Jeſus; and freely redeemed by his ſacred Croſs:

Shall we neglect ſo gracious a Saviour, whoſe only Deſign is to draw us to his Love?

Shall we neglect ſo generous a Love; whoſe only effect is to make us happy?

O may thy Holy Will, dear Lord, be all our Rule; and thy gracious Hand our only Guide.

O may thy infinite Goodneſs ingage us to love thee; and thy bleſſed Loveprepare us to enjoy thee.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
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Pſalm 38.

WHat did I ſay, O Lord my God! we guide not our Lives by thy ſtrait Rules?

It was too mild and gentle a Reproof for us, who quite contradict thy Laws.

What thou forbiddeſt we eagerly purſue; and what thou commandeſt our Frowardneſs ſtill reſiſts.

We boldly converſe with Temptation and Sin; which thy Charity adviſeth us to fly like Death.

We timorouſly fear a Loſs or a Frown; where thou bidſt us proceed with undaunted Courage.

We govern our Actions by our own wild Fancies; and expect thy Providence ſhould comply with our Humours.

We would have thee relieve us when we liſt; and rain and ſhine as we think fit.

Pardon, O gracious Lord, this rude Perverſeneſs; and faſhion our Spirits to ſubmit to thee.

Make us exactly obſerve what thou requireſt and preſcribeſt; how bitter ſoever it is to our Taſte.

We are ſure thy Wiſdom knows our Infirmities; we are ſure thy Goodneſs delights in our Relief.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 39.

'TWas not alone to make the Day; that thou, O Lord, didſt make the Sun:

But to teach us theſe pious Leſſons; and write them plain as its own Beams.

So ſhall our Light ſhine forth to others; and ſo our Charity warm our Coldneſs.

So when they ſay we are under a Cloud; we ſhould like the Sun be really above it.

And tho' we appear ſometimes eclipſt; or even extinguiſht in a Night of Sorrow.

Still we ſhould ſhine to our ſelves and thee; and ſtill go on the ways of Light.

Still like the regular Sun, unchangeably expect the appointed Periods of Light and Dark.

Only in this we gladly diſagree; and bleſt be our God who made the difference.

Not like the Sun that every Night goes down; and muſt at laſt be quite put out.

When we have finiſht here our Courſe; and ſeem to ſet to this dark Earth:

We hope to riſe, and ſet no more; but ſhine perpetually in a brighter Heaven.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Thou art, O Lord, all Goodneſs and Patience, and we alas! all Sin and Diſobedience.

Hymn 12. BLeſſed, O Lord, be thy wiſe Grace, That governs all our Day; That to the Night aſſigns its place, To reſt us in our way. If Works the labouring Hand impair, Or Thoughts the ſtudious Mind; Both are conſider'd by thy Care, Both fit Refreſhment find. Fit to relieve their preſent State, Fit to prepare the next; While we are taught to meditate, This plain and uſeful Text. As every Night lays down our Head, And Morning opes our Eyes; So ſhall the Duſt be once our Bed, And ſo we hope to riſe. To riſe, and ſee that beauteous Light, Spring from thoſe Eyes of thine; Not to be checkt by any Night, But clear for ever ſhine. All Glory to the ſacred Three, One Ever-living Lord; As at the firſt, ſtill may he be Belov'd, Obey'd, Ador'd. Amen.
Chap. 1. V. 7.

BUT the End of all things is at hand, be ye therefore ſober, and watch unto Prayer.

And above all things have fervent Charity; for Charity ſhall cover a multitude of Sins.

Uſe Hoſpitality one to another without grudging.

As every Man hath received the Gift, even ſo miniſter the ſame one to another, as good Sewards of the manifold Grace of God.

If any Man ſpeak, let him ſpeak as the Oracles of God: if any Man miniſter, let him do it as of the Ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified, thro' Jeſus Chriſt, to whom be Praiſe and Dominion for ever and ever, Amen.

Antiphon.

The Sun runs its Courſe, or ſtands ſtili, or goes back as thou commandeſt; the raging Sea grows calm, nay divides its Waves at thy Word. Only thine own Iſrael reſiſts the Voice of their God.

V. A Rod of Direction is the Sceptre of thy Kingdom, ſwaying Man to obſerve the Diſcipline of Life.

Let us pray.

O Gracious God, whoſe Laws are but neceſſary Rules of Soul-ſaving Love, and whoſe Commands are but efficacious Advices of what our Nature requires to grow happy, quicken, we beſeech thee, the ſlackneſs of our Obedience to them, by often reflecting on thy generous Goodneſs; and grant that the ready Obſervance paid by all other Creatures to thy Holy Will in ſerving us, may ſo reproach our perverſe reſiſting the Guidance of thy ſweet Spirit towards our own only Good, which thou kindly calleſt thy Service, that we may feel our ſelves confounded with Shame at our notorious Follies, and be henceforth apter to learn, by all the World about us, our Duty to thee, thro' our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Amen.

Wedneſday MATTINS.
Invitatory. Come let us Adore our God that governs us. Come let us Adore our God that governs us.

HE is our great and ſovereign Lord, the abſolute King of Heaven and Earth; he ſees at once the whole Frame of all things, and thorowly comprehends their various Natures.

Come let us Adore our God that governs us.

To every Creature he appoints a fit Office, and guides all their Motions in perfect Order; till he had wrought his glorious Deſign to finiſh the World in a beauteous Cloſe.

Come let us Adore our God that governs us.

All theſe he governs with infinite Wiſdom; and all for the good of them that love him; His Counſels are deep, and beyond our reach, but all his Ways are juſt and merciful.

Come let us Adore our God that governs us.

He governs his Enemies with a Rod of Iron, and puniſhes their Wilfulneſs with eternal Miſeries; but his Servants he bleſſes with the Priviledge of Children, and provides for their Duty a rich Inheritance.

Come let us Adore our God that governs us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoſt;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever ſhall be, world without end, Amen.

Hymn 13. OPen thine Eyes, my Soul, and ſee, Once more the Light returns to thee; Look round about, and chuſe the Way, Thou mean'ſt to travel o're to Day. Think on the Dangers thou may'ſt meet, And always watch thy ſliding Feet; Think where thou once haſt fall'n before, And mark the place, and fall no more. Think on the Helps thy God beſtows, And caſt to ſteer thy Life by thoſe; Think on the Sweets thy Soul did feel, When thou didſt well, and do ſo ſtill. Think on the Pains that ſhall torment Thoſe ſtubborn Souls that ne'er repent; Think on thoſe Joys that wait above, To crown the Head of Holy Love. Think what at laſt will be thy part, If thou goeſt on where now thou art; See Life and Death ſet thee to chuſe, One thou muſt take, and one refuſe. O my dear Lord, guide thou my Courſe, And draw me on with thy ſweet force; Still make me walk, ſtill make me tend, By Thee my Way, to Thee my End. All Glory to the Sacred Three, One undivided Deity; As it has been in Ages gone, May now and ever ſtill be done. Amen.
Antiphon.

The Day will come, it will infallibly come, when God will deſtroy all that work Iniquity.

Pſalm 40.

VVHY do you laugh, unhappy Wretches! who tire your ſelves in the ways of Sin?

Ways that indeed ſeem ſmooth at firſt; but lead to Danger, and end in Ruine.

Why do you boaſt your pleaſant Life; who lie a-ſleep in the Arms of Death?

Awake, and chaſe the Dream away; that deludes your ſickly Heads with empty Fancies.

Awake, and fill your Eyes with Tears; and ſadly look on your real Miſeries.

Whither alas! will your Souls be hurried; when in cold Deſpair you ſigh away your laſt faint Breath?

They ſhall fly away amaz'd from the ſight of Heaven; and hide their guilty ſelves in eternal Darkneſs.

There ſhall they dwell with intolerable Pains; weeping, and wailing, and lamenting for ever.

Their Underſtanding ſhall ſit as in a deep Dungeon; and think on nothing but its own Calamities.

Their Will ſhall be heightened to a madneſs of Deſire; and perpetually wrackt with Deſpair of obtaining.

Their Memory ſhall ſerve but to renew their Sorrows; and their whole Souls be drown'd in a Sea of Bitterneſs.

They ſhall wiſh the Mountains to fall upon them; and cry to the Hills to cover them.

But nothing ſhall fall on them, but the Wrath of God; nor cover them, but their own Confuſion.

There every Vice ſhall have its proper Torment; prodigiouſly bred out of its own Corruption.

The Laſcivious ſhall burn with unquenchable Fire; perpetually flaming from their own Paſſions.

The Glutton and Drunkard ſhall vainly ſigh; for a Drop of Water to cool their Tongues.

The furious Cholerick ſhall rage like Mad-Dogs; and the ſpiteful Envious gnaw their own Bowels.

The Riches of the Covetuous ſhall be as Thorns in their Sides; and the Proud be thrown down to the bottom of Contempt.

The Slothful ſhall miſerably deplore their loſt Time; and languiſh with Grief at their ſtupid Negligence.

But O, what horrid Pangs ſhall ſeize them all; and expand and pierce the very Centre of their Souls.

When they ſhall ſee themſelves eternally depriv'd of the bright and bliſsful Viſion of God.

When they ſhall ſee themſelves eternally baniſht, from the ſweet and gracious Preſence of Jeſus.

That God who made them to enjoy his Glory; That Jeſus who redeemed them to be Heirs of his Felicity!

Then ſhall they curſe the Day of their Birth; and the unfortunate Companions that inveagled them to Sin.

They ſhall curſe the vain deceitful World; and cry out with a deſperate enraged Fury.

Are theſe the Effects of thoſe fond Deſires, whoſe Enjoyment we made our chief Felicity?

Alas! what avails now our wanton Liberties; and the fugitive Pleaſures we ſo ſo eagerly purſu'd?

What Comfort receive we from thoſe empty Honours; and faithleſs Riches we ſo highly eſteem'd?

They all are vaniſht away like a Shadow; and as a Cloud of Smoke that's ſcatter'd with the Wind.

But the Remorſe and Puniſhment endure for ever; and torture our Spirits with perpetual Anguiſh.

Thus ſhall they cry, and none regard to hear them; thus ſhall they mourn, and none be found to pity them.

O ſad Expectance of a Diſſolute Life! O dreadful Conſequence of an impenitent Death!

Eternally to long for what they never can enjoy; eternally to ſuffer what they can never avoid.

Bleſſed be thy gracious Providence, O God; that with ſuch tender Care forewarns us of our Dangers.

O ſave us, Lord, from all thoſe Dangers; ſave us for thy Mercy's ſake.

Save us, and make us fearful to do what when we have done will make us miſerable for ever.

Quicken our Apprehenſions of the ruinous Effects of Sin; and with thy terrible Threatnings check our unbridled Paſſions.

That if thy glorious Promiſes move not our Hearts; the fear at leaſt of Hell may fright us into Heaven.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

The Day will come, it will infallibly come, when God ſhall deſtroy all that work Iniquity.

Ant.] The Day will come, it will infallibly come, that God will crown all that love his Glory.

Pſalm 42.

WHY do you mourn, ye Children of Light, to whom belong the Promiſes of Bliſs?

Who feed on the pleaſant Fruits of Piety; and the continual Feaſt of a good Conſcience.

Who taſte already the ſweetneſs of Hope; and hereafter ſhall be ſatisfy'd with the fulneſs of Fruition.

What can moleſt your happy State; whom the God of Glory hath choſen to himſelf?

Whom he has adopted into his Family; and deſign'd for Heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven.

That bleſſed Kingdom where all Delights abound; and Sorrow, and Fears are vaniſht away.

Where none are ſick, or grown old, or die; but flouriſh in Health, and Youth, and immortal Life.

Where none are perplext with Cares or Fears; but dwell ſecure, and free for ever.

Where we no more ſhall be ſubject to Chance; no more expos'd to the Danger of Temptation.

Where we no more ſhall be croſt by others; no more diſquieted by our own Paſſions.

But a ſerene Tranquility be perpetually within us; and innumerable Joys all round about us.

Joy in the Excellencies of our glorified Bodies; Joy in the Perfections of our inlarg'd Souls.

Joy in the ſweet Society of Saints; Joy in the glorious Company of Angels.

Joy in the raviſhing ſight of our beloved Jeſus; Joy in the bliſsful Union of the ador'd Deity.

All ſhall be Joy, and Love, and Peace; and all endure for eternal Ages.

Let then the impenitent Sinner be frighted with Fear; and the obdurate Heart break aſunder with Grief.

But for the hopeful Penitents, let them always be glad; and the Servants of Jeſus rejoyce and ſing.

Sweet is the Yoke of thy Love, O Lord! and light the Burthen of thy Commands.

But O! how far more rich are thy faithful Promiſes? how infinitely greater thy glorious Rewards?

When every Vertue ſhall wear its proper Crown; and ſhine with a Diadem fit for its own Head.

The Humble there ſhall be highly exalted; and the poor in Spirit preferr'd to be Kings.

The Meek ſhall poſſeſs the Holy Land; and the Mourners be comforted with eternal Refreſhments.

The clean of Heart ſhall ſee the God of Purity; and the Lovers of Peace have the Privilege of his Children.

They who hunger and thirſt after Heaven, ſhall be filled; and the Merciful entertained with the Embraces of Mercy.

They who ſuffer Perſecution ſhall be abundantly rewarded; and the Enlighteners of others ſhine bright as the Stars.

They who relinquiſht any thing for God, ſhall receive a hundred fold; and all the Juſt ſhall be in Glory for ever.

Then ſhall they bleſs the true Friend that reproved them; and the Charitable Hand that aſſiſted them to their Happineſs.

They ſhall bleſs the provident Mercies of their God; and ſing aloud the Victories of his Grace.

Is this the effect of thoſe little Pains they took? are theſe the Repairs for thoſe little Loſſes they ſuffer'd?

Happy we, who deny'd our ſelves Toys; and now are advanc'd to theſe high Felicities.

Millions of Years ſhall paſs away; and our Glory ſhall ſeem then but to begin.

Millions of Millions ſhall paſs away; and our Glory ſhall be no nearer its End.

Thus ſhall they all rejoyce, and none diſturb them; thus ſhall they ſing, and all the Heavens joyn with them.

O ſweet Expectance of a pious Life; O happy Conſequence of a holy Death.

Eternally to be free from whatſoever can afflict; eternally to enjoy whatever can delight.

Bleſt be thy gracious Providence, O God; that with ſo large a Bounty wooes us to our Happineſs.

Wooes us in a way we are ſo apt to be taken; the love of our ſelves, and our own great Intereſt.

As thou haſt prepared ſuch Felicities for us; O may thy Grace prepare us for them.

O may this beſt of Works take up all our Time; at leaſt take up the beſt of our Time.

At leaſt every Morning let us renew our Hopes; and cloſe the Evening with the ſame ſweet Thoughts.

Let us not faint, and we ſurely ſhall ſee a proſperous Iſſue of all our Sorrows.

Still let us labour, ſtill let us ſuffer; our Troubles are ſhort, and our Joys eternal.

Glory be the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

The Day will come, it will infallibly come, when God will crown all that love his Glory.

Ant.] What will it profit a Man to gain the whole World, and loſe his own Soul? or what ſhall we give in exchange for our Souls?

Pſalm 43.

COme now my Soul, and chuſe; for Life and Death are ſet before thee.

Chuſe whilſt thy gracious Lord allows thee Day; leſt the Light of Darkneſs overtake thy Neglect.

Chuſe, but remember thy Eternity is concern'd; and examine well e're thou make thy Reſolve.

Call all the Pleaſures of the World before thee; and ask if any of them be worth ſuch Pains.

Ask, if to ſatisfie ſome irregular Paſſion, can recompence the Forfeiture of ſuch Felicities?

Ask, if the vain forbidden Things thou loveſt, deſerve thy Affection better than thy Maker?

Are they more worthy in themſelves, or beneficial unto thee; that thou canſt prefer them before thy Redeemer?

Doſt thou expect to be quiet by enjoying them; or everlaſtingly happy by their Procurement?

Will they protect thee at the Hour of Death; or plead thy Cauſe at the Day of Judgment?

O no, they but deceive me witha ſmiling Look; which I too oft have proved by dear Experience.

'Tis Heaven alone that yields a true Content; 'tis Heaven alone that fills us with Delight.

Take then away your Flatteries, falſe World; and leave me free for better Thoughts.

Turn thou thy Face to me dear Jeſus; and keep mine Eyes ſtill turn'd towards thee.

That I may look continually on thy glorious Beauty; and be raviſht for ever with the Charms of thy Sweetneſs.

'Tis thee, chaſte Spouſe of Souls, tis thee alone I chuſe; and dedicate my ſelf intirely to thy Service.

Thou art my ſole and abſolute Lord; be thou my Part and Inheritance for ever.

But, O my deareſt Lord, do thou chuſe me; and guide my uninſtructed Soul to chuſe thee.

O make me chuſe to love thee, till I come to ſee thee; and then I'm ſure I cannot chuſe but love thee, and be raviſht with thee for ever.

Here we alas! move ſlowly in the Dark; led on by the Argument of things not ſeen.

But did we clearly ſee what we ſay we believe; we ſhou'd certainly change the Courſe of our Lives.

Did we but ſee the Damned in their Flames; or hear them cry in the midſt of their Torments:

How ſhou'd we fear to follow them in their Sins; which we know have plung'd them in all thoſe Miſeries?

How ſhou'd we ſtrive againſt the next Temptation; and caſt about to avoid the Danger?

Did we but ſee the Glories of the Saints; or hear the ſweet Hymns they continually ſing:

How ſhou'd we ſtudy to imitate their Lives; which we know have rais'd them to all that Happineſs?

How ſhou'd we ſeek all Occaſions of Improvement; and make it our buſineſs to work out our Salvation?

Nay did our Faith but firmly believe the Truths we every Day recite in our Creeds;

What would we do to attain thoſe Joys? what wou'd we not do to eſcape thoſe Sorrows?

Wou'd half an Hour be too long to pray; or once a Week too oft to faſt?

Wou'd the Pardon of an Injury be too hard a Law; or the making Reſtitution too dear a Price?

Durſt we return to our Sins again; or ſpend our Time in Idleneſs and Folly?

Yet is all this as ſure as if we ſaw it; and wou'd move us as much if we ſeriouſly conſidered it.

If we conſidered what I'm ſure we believe; we ſhou'd never live as I'm ſure we do.

Which of us doubts but e're it be long we ſhall all be Duſt; yet which of us lives as if we thought to die?

Pity, O gracious Lord, the frailty of thy Servants; and ſuffer not our blindneſs to lead us to ruine.

Supply our want of ſight by a lively Faith; and ſtrengthen our Faith by thy powerful Grace.

Make us to remember 'tis no Childrens Sport, to gain or loſe the Kingdom of Heaven.

Make us chuſe wiſely, and purſue our Choice; and as well uſe the Means, as like the End.

O ſet thou right the Byaſs of our Hearts; that in all our Motions we may draw off from the World.

That they may ſtill incline towards thee; and reſt at laſt in thy Holy Preſence.

Thou art our Lord, and we will ſerve thee in Fear; Thou art our God, and we will love thee in Hope, and humble Confidence too of enjoying thee for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Firſt Leſſon.

THE Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wiſdom. If Sinners entice thee, conſent not to them; for their Feet run to Evil, and make haſte to ſhed Blood. Nay themſelves lie in wait even againſt their own Blood, and practiſe Deceit againſt their own Souls. They have hated Knowledge, and did not chooſe the Fear of the Lord. Therefore ſhall they eat the Fruits of their Way, and be fill'd with their own Counſels. The Bleſſing of the Lord is on the Head of the Juſt, but Iniquity covers the Mouth of the Wicked. The Memory of the Juſt is bleſſed, but the Name of the Wicked ſhall rot. He that walketh uprightly walketh ſurely, but he that perverteth his Ways ſhall be known. He that digs a Pit ſhall fall into it, and he that lays a Snare for another ſhall periſh in it. He that giveth wicked Counſel, it ſhall be turn'd upon himſelf, and he ſhall not know whence it comes. He that will be revenged ſhall find Vengeance of our Lord, and he will ſurely keep his Sin in remembrance. The Hope of the Juſt is Joy; but the Expectation of the Wicked ſhall periſh.

Reſ.] O ſweet and admirable Providence! thou haſt commanded, and ſo it is, That the inordinate Affection of every one ſhall be his Puniſhment: For as we ſow, ſo ſhall we reap, and as the Tree falls ſo ſhall it lie. Thy Grace, O Lord, is the Seed of Glory, and Sin the Root of Miſery. He that ſows to the Fleſh ſhall reap Corruption; and he that ſows to the Spirit ſhall reap Life everlaſting.

Second Leſſon.

FOllow not thine own Mind and thy Strength, to walk in the Ways of thine Heart; and ſay not, Who ſhall controul me for my Works? for the Lord will ſurely revenge thy Pride. Say not, I have ſinned, and what harm hath happened unto me? for the Lord is Longſuffering, he will in no wiſe let thee go. Concerning Propitiation, be not without Fear to add Sin unto Sin. And ſay not his Mercy is great, he will be pacified for the Multitude of my Sins; for Mercy and Wrath come from him, and his Indignation reſteth upon Sinners. Make no tarrying to turn unto the Lord; and put not off from Day to Day. For ſuddenly ſhall the Wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy Security thou ſhalt be deſtroy'd, and periſh in the Day of Vengeance. Though Hand joyn in Hand, the Ungodly ſhall not go unpuniſhed.

Reſ.] My Soul, how many Thouſands have been ſurpriz'd in the midſt of their Sins, and hurry'd away to everlaſting Sorrows? and we alas! how many times have we been guilty? and yet our God has ſpared us. O my indulgent Saviour, no other Reaſon can I give, why I am not miſerable, but that thou art merciful. Bleſſed be thy Patience, that endures ſo long; and bleſſed be thy Grace that delivers at laſt.

Third Leſſon.

LEnd to thy Neighbour in the time of his need, and pay thou thy Neighbour again in due Seaſon. Keep thy Word, and deal faithfully with him, and thou ſhalt always find that which is neceſſary for thee. Do Good to the Juſt, and thou ſhalt have great Reward, if not from him, yet aſſuredly from the Lord. Looſe thy Money for thy Brother, and thy Friend, and let it not ruſt under a Stone to be loſt. Be not aſhamed to ſay the Truth; for there is a Shame that brings Sin, and a Shame that brings Glory and Grace. Accept no Man's Perſon againſt thy Soul, nor let the Reſpect of any cauſe thee to fall. Be not haſty in thy Words, and remiſs in thy Deeds. Let not thy Hand be ſtretcht out to receive, and cloſed to give. Be not as a Lyon in thy Houſe, nor oppreſs thoſe that are under thee. Fear thou the Lord and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their deſtruction ſhall ſuddenly come upon them. He that uſeth much ſwearing ſhall be fill'd with Iniquity, and the Plague ſhall not depart from his Houſe. The Drunkard and the Glutton ſhall come to Poverty; and Drowſineſs ſhall cloath a Man with Rags. I paſt by the Field of the ſloathful Man, and by the Vineyard of the Man void of Underſtanding; and behold it was grown over with Nettles. By what things a Man Sins, by the ſame he ſhall be tormented.

Reſp.] Bleſſed, O my God, be thy Providence for ever, which ſo plentifully furniſhes us with Rules of Vertue, and ſo ſafely guides all thoſe Souls to Happineſs, who chuſe to live under thy ſweet Government. As thou haſt ſhewn us the Way Lord, give us Strength to walk in it; and bring us in the End to thy eternal Reſt. Make us ſeriouſly reflect on every Line we read, and love the Truth when it moſt reproves us. Make us labour to correct every Error of our Lives, and always humbly implore thy gracious Aſſiſtance.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Before Man is Life and Death, Good and Evil; that which he chuſes ſhall be given him.

The Prayer.

O God, whoſe wiſe Government reſerves eternal Joys for thoſe who obſerving thy Diſcipline of Love, mortifie their Affections here to all things but Thee; and eternal Griefs for ſuch as neglecting thy Law of Reaſon, indulge to their Paſſions! Grant, we humbly beſeech thee, that thy gracious acquainting us with this indiſpenſible Order and End of thy Providence, may continually ſway our Choice to leave the broad and flattering Road of preſent Eaſe, leading to Death, and preſs reſolutely forward in the rough and narrow Path, which leads to true Life; thro' our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth, one God World without end, Amen.

Wedneſday LAUDS.
Antiphon.

All my Life long will I praiſe my God; and lift up my Hands to his Holy Name.

Pſalm 44.

LET them neglect thy Praiſes, O God; who never conſider thy Mercies.

Let them be ſilent to thee, O gracious God; whoſe Mouths are full of themſelves.

But as for us who ſubſiſt by thy Gifts; and thankfully acknowledge the Riches of thy Goodneſs:

Our Hearts ſhall continually meditate on thee; and our Lips ſhall delight to ſing thy Glory.

Bleſſed for ever be thy Name, O Jeſu; and bleſſed be the ſweetneſs of thy Wiſdom.

Whoſe infinite Charity has vouchſaft our Earth, ſuch excellent Rules to guide us to Heaven.

Thou taughteſt us the happy Skill of finding our Lives; by a generous loſing them, to follow thee.

Thou taughteſt us to love our true ſelves beſt; by wiſely hating our miſtaken ſelves.

Thou taughteſt us to trample this World under our Feet; and uſe it as a Step to climb up into Heaven.

From thee we learn thoſe glorious Myſteries; that exalt our Faith ſo high above Reaſon.

From thee we derive thoſe Heroick Counſels; that raiſe our Souls ſo far above Nature.

From thee alone, and from thy School of Grace; all we know we learn, and all we do we receive.

How long, alas! might we have wandered here, in the midſt of Darkneſs and Errors;

Had not thy Love and Pity, O merciful Lord! brought down thy ſelf to become our Light?

Never ſhou'd we elſe have learnt to deny our ſelves; and take up our Croſs, and follow thee.

Never ſhou'd we have known that great Secret; to forgive our Enemies, and do good to thoſe that deſpitefully uſe us.

On the unſatisfying things of this low Earth; ſhou'd we blindly have ſet our whole Affections:

Hadſt thou not told us of the Kingdom of Heaven; and bid us lay up our Treaſures there:

Hadſt thou not terrify'd us to fear thy Wrath; by declaring the Miſeries that attend our Sins:

Hadſt not thou invited us to obey thy Commands; by propoſing the Felicities of a pious Life.

What haſt thou promiſed Lord to the Weepers here; to thoſe that hunger and thirſt after Holineſs?

How many Joys have thy Bounty prepared; for the Lovers of Mercy and Makers of Peace?

How many Bleſſings for the pure of Heart; and thoſe who with patience bear their Croſſes?

O thou All-ſeeing Wiſdom of the Eternal Father; and ſoveraign King of Men and Angels!

Who from thy glorious Throne didſt deſcend on our Earth; familiarly to teach us the Oracles of Heaven.

Write thou theſe ſacred Words in the Tables of our Hearts; and ſuffer not at any time our Paſſions to break them.

Make us ſtill ſtudy thee our Heavenly Maſter; and continually admire the beauty of thy Law.

A Law, that ſo clearly ſhews us our End; and ſo plenteouſly furniſhes us with means to attain it.

A Law, that ſo ſafely cures our Infirmities; and ſo fitly ſupplies all our Defects.

A Law, ſo exactly conformable to Reaſon; and ſo highly perfective of Humane Nature.

A bleſſed Law, that makes even here our Life more ſweet; and leads us hereafter to everlaſting Felicity.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 45.

NEver will we ceaſe to exalt thy Goodneſs, O Jeſu; ſince thou never ceaſeſt to oblige us with new Bleſſings.

Thy generous Charity cou'd not thus be ſatisfy'd; to have only ſpoken to us the Words of Life.

'Twas not enough for thy exceſſive Love, that thy Heavenly Sermons told us our Duty:

But thou muſt urge, and provoke our Obedience; by the ſweet enforcement of thine own Example.

Thou forbideſt thy Followers to affect Superfluitie; and thine own Proviſion was a few Barley-Loaves.

Thou commandeſt the Rich to give Alms with Chearfulneſs; and beſtoweſt on the pooreſt Wretch even thy precious Self.

Thou bid'ſt us not fear them that kill the Body; and yieldedſt up thine own to the Death of the Croſs.

Thou injoyneſt us to love our fierceſt Enemies; and thy dying Breath pray'd for thy Crucifiers.

Thy perfect Soul needed not, as our weak Natures, the outward Forms and Diſcipline of Religion.

Yet thou vouchſafedſt to obſerve the common Feaſts; and aſſiſt at the publick Offices of the Temple.

To watch, and pray, and faſt with ſo fervent a Zeal; that thy Practice out-did thine own Precepts.

This Life, and even Death it ſelf, our merciful Lord undertook; to mark out for us the Way to Heaven.

To beat it plainly by his own ſacred Steps; and render our Paſſage thither eaſie and ſecure.

Shall we not then, O my Soul, rejoycingly follow that Path; which we ſee our Saviour hath trod before us?

Which we ſee, tho ſpred all o'er with Thorns; yet carry'd him directly to the Glories of Paradiſe.

Shall we not confidently rely on ſo gracious a Leader; who promiſes if we faint to look back and relieve us?

O deareſt Lord, bow down thy gracious Eye; and pity the Frailties of our imperfect Nature.

Reach forth thy Hand, and ſtrengthen us with thy Grace; that nothing divert our Advance towards thee.

But in this dangerous Labyrinth of the World; and the whole Courſe of our Pilgrimage here:

Thy Heavenly Dictates may beour Map; and thy holy Life may be our Guide.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 46.

MAY every Age ſing Praiſes to our God; and all Generations adore thy Providence.

From the Beginning his Mercy has ſtill laid Means; to raiſe us to thoſe bleſſed Objects above our Nature.

At firſt he created Adam with all neceſſary Knowledge; and then ordain'd the Patriarchs to inform their Families.

Afterwards he charg'd the Angels to bring us his Commands; and often inſpired the Prophets to declare his Will.

When he had done all this, and found it not enough; to guide untoward Man to his true End.

What did he do then to ſave the periſhing World? O ſtrange exceſs of Divine Goodneſs!

He ſent even his own beloved Son to dwell amongſt us; and teach us the Art of working out our Salvation:

That ſacred Art of training up our Souls for Heaven; and fitting them for the bliſsful Union with himſelf.

But, O thou King of glorious Sweetneſs; whoſe flowing Tongue dropt Milk and Honey!

We were not alas! ſo happy as to behold thy Perſon; nor our Ears worthy to hear thy Voice.

Yet e're we were born thou hadſt us in thy Thoughts; and didſt provide a Method to ſupply that Defect.

Selecting a number of choice Diſciples; and throughly inſtructing them in thy Heavenly Doctrine.

That they might keep alive the Memory of thee; and witneſs to all Nations thy ſtupendious Works.

Thou didſt verifie their Miſſion with the power of Miracles; and enflamedſt their Hearts with the Fire of thy Spirit.

O'er all the World they proclaim'd thy Law; and undauntedly preach'd the crucified Jeſus.

Deep in the Breaſts of thy Faithful did they write thy Goſpel; and ſeal'd it before their Eyes with their own Blood.

Their Succeſſors depoſited the ſame precious Treaſure; in the common Magazin of the Univerſal Church.

Enjoyning their Children to guard it with their Lives; and convey it unchanged to future Ages.

Thus is the Catholick Faith deſcended on us; and thus ſhall continue to the end of the World.

Bleſſed be thy Goodneſs, O gracious God; who haſt thus made known thy Will to us.

Bleſſed be thy Power, O Lord; who by thy Apoſtles haſt wrought ſuch Miracles to confirm thy Faith, and inclin'd our Hearts to believe it.

How many Souls are unhappily ſeduced; and loſe themſelves in the Wilderneſs of Error and Hereſie?

While we are guided by thy Providence; and directly led the ſtrait and only way to Bliſs.

How many Nations lie miſerably involved in the Darkneſs of Barbariſm and Unbelief?

While we enjoy a clear Noonday; and ſafely walk in the Light of Truth.

O infinite Goodneſs! who freely chuſeſt to pour forth thy Bleſſings on unworthy us.

As tis alone from thee we receive theſe Favours; to thee alone let us return our Praiſes.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
1 Pet. Chap. 5. Ver. 10.

But the God of all Grace, who hath call'd us to his eternal Glory by Jeſus Chriſt, after that ye have ſuffer'd a while, make you perfect, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, ſettle you.

To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever, Amen.

Hymn 14. MY God, had I my Breath from Thee, This Power to ſpeak and ſing? And ſhall my Voice, and ſhall my Song, Praiſe any but our King? My God, had I my Soul from Thee, This Power to judge and chuſe? And ſhall my Brain, and ſhall my Will, Their beſt to thee refuſe? Alas! not this alone, or That, Haſt thou beſtow'd on me; But all I have, and all I hope, I have and hope from Thee. And more I have, and more I hope, Than I can ſpeak or think; Thy Bleſſings firſt refreſh, then fill, Then overflow the Brink. But tho' my Voice and Fancy be Too low to reach thy Praiſe; Yet both ſhall ſtrain, thy glorious Name, High as they can to raiſe. Glory to Thee immortal God, One great coequal Three; As at the firſt Beginning was, May now, and ever be, Amen.
Antiphon.

I have planted, and fenc'd, and ſet Guardians over it, what more can I do for my Vineyard? ſays our Lord.

V. Still it needs thine own continual Eye;

R. Still the Dew of Heaven to keep it fruitful.

The Prayer.

O God, whoſe Eternal Wiſdom, the Word made Fleſh and dwelling amongſt us, not only told the World with his own Sacred Mouth, the unthought on Steps which lead directly to Heaven, but trod them out plain with his own Sacred Feet, and ordained his Holy Scriptures thro' all Generations, to guide ours ſteddily in them! let not, we humbly beſeech thee, ſo much Love and Care be loſt on us; but vouchſafe us thy continually neceſſary Grace, not only to learn by Roat, and profeſs with our Lips this precious Way, kept ſtill open to our Eyes; but make it our whole Life to walk diligently in it, even to Death, and beyond, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth ever One God, World without End, Amen.

Wedneſday Veſpers.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt.

Antiphon.

A good Conſcience is a continual Feaſt; And a peaceful Mind the Antipaſt of Heaven.

Pſalm 47.

LOrd, how ſecure they live whom thy Grace preſerves in Innocence!

The Day goes ſmoothly over their Heads; and ſilent as the Shadow of a Dial.

The Spirits of their Fancies run calm and even; and ebb and flow in obedience to Reaſon.

All their Delight is to think of Heaven; and reckon o'er the Joys they ſhall one Day poſſeſs.

Till ſome unruly Paſſion preſs to come in; and by its fawning Out-ſide gain admittance.

It promiſes at firſt all Joy, all Happineſs; but ſoon diſcovers its pernicious Effects and Intents.

Soon it grows bold to undermine their Repoſe; and open a Door to all their Enemies.

So at a little Breach of a City Wall, a whole Army pours in their numerous Body.

Enſlaving all that ſubmit to their Violence; and deſtroying all that make Head to reſiſt it.

And ſuch, alas! is their Confuſion; when once they have yielded to their firſt Aſſault.

Immediately a Throng of tumultuous Spirits crowd into their Heads; and utterly conſume the little Remnant of their Peace.

O the Diſtraction of a Life led by Humour; and the miſerable Thraldom of being ſubject to our Paſſions!

How often do they engage us to contend with others; and imbitter all our Days with Strife and Envy?

How often do they quarrel evenamong themſelves; and raiſe a War in our own Boſoms?

If they by chance agree in one Deſign; they many times vex us with their being diſappointed.

If they perhaps ſometimes ſucceed; they ſeldom produce the expected Content.

If they delight our corrupted Taſte; and we greedily ſwallow their unwholſom Sweetneſs:

Then it is, alas! they moſt of all undo us; by feeding the Humour of our fatal Diſeaſe.

Vain at the beſt, and ſhort are the Enjoyments of this World; and after a little Flattery, betray us into Ruin.

Save us, O bleſſed Jeſus, or elſe we periſh; awake and with thy ſpeedy Mercy, reſcue thy Servants.

Send down thy powerful Grace to ſuſtain us; and throughly reduce theſe unquiet Diſorders.

That we again may turn to our former Reſt; and conſtantly enjoy an univerſal Peace.

Peace with the Bad by bearing their Injuries; Peace with the Good by conforming to their Vertues.

Peace with our ſelves by regulating our Deſires by Reaſon; and with thee by improving Reaſon with Religion.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

A good Conſcience is a continual Feaſt; and a peaceful Mind the Antipaſt of Heaven.

Thou art, O Lord, the only Anchor of our Hope; ſave us, O Lord, or elſe we periſh.

Pſalm. 48.

THus are they miſerably toſt up and down; who float on the Waves of their own Paſſions.

Their wearied Souls ſoon faint within them; when they ſee their Lord hath withdrawn his Preſence.

They ſeek him, but cannot find him; they call upon him, but he gives them no Anſwer.

(O ſtill ſeek on, ſtill call upon your God; for his Mercy will ſurely awake at laſt.

Tho' he may ſometimes ſlumber for a while; to try our Duty, or puniſh our Diſobedience:

Tho' he may ſuffer a while the Fury of the Tempeſt; to ſhew you your hopeleſs State if left unto your ſelves:

Yet be aſſur'd he'll hear your Prayers at laſt; he'll not permit you to periſh for ever.)

And now when all their Fears were grown to the height; and no means appeared to ſuſtain their Patience:

When the proud Waves beat violently againſt them; and cover'd their little Veſſel with Deſpair or Ruin.

Behold his bleſſed Voice commands a Calm; and immediately the Sea and Winds obey him.

Immediately his Sun ariſes in their Hearts; and with its gentle Beams revives their Hopes.

Then is their Darkneſs turn'd into Light; and the Clouds diſperſt into a bright Day.

Then they recollect their ſcatter'd Thoughts; and range them again in their ancient Order.

Often they look back on the Dangers they have eſcap'd; and as often bleſs the Mercy that delivers them.

Often they look forwards on the Courſe they were going; and as often ſing with Joy for their happy Change.

Welcome again, that eaſie Yoke of Chriſt; and the light Burden of loving your Saviour.

Welcome the Holy Offices of ſweet Devotion; and that Soul-enflaming fervent Prayer.

Now we diſcern this beauteous Truth; and O may we print it deeply in our Minds.

That the Pleaſures of Vertue are pure and conſtant; and infinite Bleſſings reward it.

But the purſuit of Vice is troubleſome and intricate; and finiſhes its Courſe in an Abyſs of Miſery.

Pity, O Lord, thou raiſer of them that fall; and ſole ſuſtainer of them that ſtand!

Pity thy Children's Weakneſs, who look up to thee; and dearly know we are nothing in our ſelves.

Let us not loſe this unhappy Experience; but teach us Wiſdom from our own Miſcarriage.

Teach us to obſerve where our Error was; and fortifie our ſelves againſt the like Defect.

To ſuppreſs our Temptations in their firſt Approach; when their Power is weak, and our Choice is in full Strength.

To remember how formerly their Flatteries have abuſed us; and when they counterfeit again, be no more deceived.

Never to look on the Face of Pleaſures, as they come dreſt up, and ſmiling towards us:

But always reflect how ſadly they go off; and leave nothing behind but their own venomous Sting.

So ſhall we gain the beſt of Victories; while we Maſter our own corrupt Inclinations.

So ſhall we be honour'd with the nobleſt of Triumphs; whilſt our conquer'd Paſſions draw us up to Heaven.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Thou art, O God, the only Anchor of our Hope; ſave us, O Lord, or we periſh.

Ant.] All our Lots are in the Hands of God; and all our Safety in the Aſſiſtance of his Grace.

Pſalm 49.

LOrd! as thy All-wiſe Providence ſeems to ſleep ſometimes; and permits the Storm to grow high and loud:

Yet never failes to relieve thy Servants; who faithfully call on thee in the Day of Trouble:

So let thy favourable Hand ſtill bear us up; when thou ſeeſt us charg'd with any dangerous Aſſault.

Leave us not then to our own Infirmities; leſt the Enemy of Souls prevail againſt us.

Forſake not our Miſery when we are fallen; leſt we lie for ever groveling on the Earth.

Suffer not our Frailties to become a Cuſtom; leſt we die impenitent, and periſh without Recovery.

Deliver us, O Lord, from the Occaſions of Sin; and the Importunities of ſuch as delight in Folly.

Deliver us from the Snare of inticing Company; and the dangerous Infection of ill Example:

Infection that ſpreads in every place its poiſonous Air; and where-e'er it enters, corrupts and kills.

Once more, my Soul, let's repeat this Prayer; and humbly implore again ſo neceſſary a Bleſſing.

Deliver us, O Lord, from the Occaſions of Sin; and the Importunities of ſuch as delight in Folly.

Deliver us from the Snare of inticing Company; and the dangerous Infection of ill Example.

Set a ſtrict Watch continually before our Eyes; and diligently keep the Door of our Lips.

Govern all our Senſes that they ſeduce not our Mind; and order every Motion of our Heart and Fancy.

Perfect, O dear Redeemer, the Work thou haſt begun; and make even our Paſſions Servants of thy Grace.

Change our rude Anger into a Severity againſt our ſelves; and a prudent Zeal for others.

Convert our Fear into a Timorouſneſs to offend; and an awful Reverence to thy Sacred Name.

Let all our Affections be turn'd into Charity; that our Hearts may deſire nothing but Thee.

Whom we may ſafely love with our whole Strength; whoſe Heaven we may Covet, and fear no Exceſs.

O Thou, whoſe bliſsful Viſion is the Joy of Angels; and ſovereign Happineſs of all Saints!

O that our Souls cou'd love thee without Limits; as thou art in thy ſelf moſt infinitely amiable.

That we cou'd fix all our Thoughts on Thee; and never take them off from the Memory of thy Sweetneſs.

At leaſt, O thou Fountain of eternal Blifs, and Bounty that flows ſo freely with eternal Bleſſings!

Let every Day we receive of thee, ſtill ſet apart ſome Portion of it ſelf:

Seriouſly to meditate thy infinite Mercies; and heartily rejoyce in thy glorious Rewards:

Mercies that give us all we have; and Rewards that reſerve for us all we can wiſh.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

All our Lots are in the hands of God; and all our Safety in the Aſſiſtance of his Grace.

Chap. Gal. 5. 19.

NOW the Works of the Fleſh are manifeſt, which are theſe; Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanneſs, Laſciviouſneſs,

Idolatry, Witchcraft, Hatred, Variance, Emulations, Wraths, Strifes, Seditions, Hereſies,

Envyings, Murders, Drunkenneſs, Revellings, and ſuch-like; of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in times paſt, that they which do ſuch things ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-Suffering, Gentleneſs, Goodneſs, Faith, Meekneſs, Temperance, Patience, againſt ſuch there is no Law.

Hymn 15. LET others court what Joys they pleaſe, And gain what e'er they court; For me I find but little Eaſe In all their gayeſt Sport. Be thou alone but with my Heart, My God, my only Bliſs; I ſhall not murmur at my part, Not envy their Succeſs. They talk of Pleaſure, talk of Gain, None muſt their Humour croſs; But well I know their Pleaſure's Pain, Their greateſt Profit Loſs. Let them talk on: and have not we Our Gains our Pleaſures too? Pleaſures that ſpring more ſweet and free, Gains that more fully flow. Nay well endur'd, our very Pains To us a Pleaſure are; And all our Loſſes turn to Gains, If Hopes may have their Share. And ſure they may, ſuch Hopes that cheer, The Heaven-eſpouſed Breaſt; Hopes that ſo ſtrangely charm us here, What will they be poſſeſt. All Glory to the Sacred Three, All Honour, Power, and Praiſe; As 'twas at firſt, ſtill may it be, Beyond the end of Days, Amen.
Antiphon.

When, O my Soul, did we ever follow our Paſſions, but they inſtantly wrought our Diſturbance, and threatned at laſt our Ruine? When did we ever turn our Hearts to Piety, but it preſently brought us Peace, and refreſht our Minds with new hopes of Felicity?

V. The Winds are often rough, and our own Weight preſſes us downwards.

V. Reach forth thy Hand, thy ſaving Hand, and ſpeedily deliver us.

Let us pray.

O God, whoſe infinite Mercy has vouchſaft us the mighty Reſcue of thine only Son, from the deſperate Rebellion of our Paſſions, which utterly confound the Government and Peace of our Souls! Grant, we beſeech thee, that our Experience of the miſerable Effects of yielding to their Allurements, may make us warier in obſerving, and ſeverer in repreſſing their firſt Motions; and let thy Grace ſo ſtrongly fortifie us againſt all their furious and repeated Aſſaults, that Reaſon may more and more recover its due force, and calmly joyn with Faith to ſecure and exalt in our Hearts the bleſsful Throne of thy Love, thro' our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, One God bleſſed for ever, Amen.

Wedneſday Compline. V. Our help ſtandeth in the Name of the Lord.
Antiphon.

Repent now my Soul for the Evils thou haſt done, and bleſs thy God for the Goods thou haſt received.

Pſalm 50.

WELL! we are ſo much nearer our Grave; and all the World is older by a Day.

The Portion of the Wicked is ſo much leſs; and the time of their Puniſhment ſo much approach'd.

The Sufferings of the Patient ſo much diminiſht; and their hopes of Deliverance ſo much encreaſt.

They who have ſpent this Day in Sin and Folly; ſee all their Thoughts now vaniſh like a Dream.

They ſee all's paſt but a fear of Revenge; and the beſt that can follow is a bitter Repentance.

But ſuch as have wiſely beſtow'd their Time; and made another new Step towards Heaven:

They ſee their Joys come to meet them in the way; and ſtill grow bigger as they come.

Till by a Holy Death they joyn in One; and dwell together for Eternal Ages.

O thou bleſt Author of all our Hopes; and perfect Satisfier of all our Wiſhes!

Do thou inſtruct us in this great wiſe Truth; and let every Evening renew it in our Minds:

That the things of this World are of little import; ſince its Joys and Griefs laſt but for a Time.

But the future State moſt infinitely concerns us; where Life and Death endure for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 51.

WE are nearer indeed the end of our Life; but what are we nearer the End for which we live?

What have we done my Soul to Day; that is truly advancive to our laſt great Home?

Have we encreaſt our eſteem of Heaven; and ſetled its Love more ſtrongly in our Hearts?

Have we avoided any known Temptation; or faithfully reſiſted when we cou'd notavoid?

Have we interrupted our cuſtomary Faults; and checkt the Vices we are moſt inclin'd to?

Have we embrac'd the Opportunities of Good; which the Mercy of Providence has offer'd to our Hands?

Have we induſtriouſly contriv'd Occaſions, to improve, as we are able, our ſelves and others?

Alas, dread Lord! what do we ſee; when ſeriouſly we look into our guilty ſelves?

When we reflect upon our former Years; nay even the Follies of this one Day.

So many Hours miſpent in nothing; ſo many abuſed in worſe than nothing.

Pardon, O meek Redeemer, what our Paſſions have done, and favourably ſupply what our Weakneſs has omitted.

Make us hereafter more carefully watch; that our Time unprofitably ſlide not away.

Make us felect every Day ſome fit Retreat; to ſtudy the Knowledge of our Selves and Thee:

Our ſelves to corect our many Infirmities; and thee to adore thy infinite Perfections.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 52.

LIttle thou knoweſt, O Lord, is the Good we do; and every Grain of it deriv'd from Thee.

Great we confeſs are the Evils we commit; and all to be charg'd intirely upon our ſelves.

Tell me, my Soul, when thou haſt well examined the innumerable Circumſtances that concern thy State;

Tell me, and let not Pride deny the Truth; nor any thing divert thy free Confeſſion:

Could we have ſaved our ſelves from any dangerous Temptation; unleſs our God had powerfully ſuſtained us.

Could we have carry'd on any pious Purpoſe; unleſs his Hand had bleſt our Endeavours?

No! to thy Self, O Lord, we give all the Praiſe; if thy Creatures have perform'd the leaſt good Work.

Give to thy ſelf all the Glory, O Lord; if they have not committed the worſt of Sins.

Thy Hand alone directs us to do well; and the ſame bleſt Hand reſtrains us from ill.

'Tis not in us to eſteem thoſe unſeen Joys; and deſpiſe the Flatteries of this deceitful World.

'Tis not the Work of corrupted Nature to mortifie our Senſes; and patiently bear the Croſſes we meet.

Of our ſelves we are inclin'd to none of theſe; but the Grace of God enables us for all.

Grace gives us Strength to overcome our Paſſions; and the World and the Fleſh ſhall be ſubject to us.

Grace gives us Faith to fortifie our Reaſon; and Heaven it ſelf ſhall be conquered by us.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Repent, O my Soul, for the Evil thou haſt done; and bleſs thy God for the Good thou haſt received.

Hymn 16. AND do we then believe There is a World to come; Where all this World ſhall ſummon'd be, To take their final Doom? Is there a Heaven indeed, To crown the Innocent? Is there a Hell, and horrid Pains, The Wicked to torment? Are theſe Eternal too, And never to have end? Shall never theſe Delights decay, Thoſe Sorrows never mend? Good God! is all this true? And ſure moſt true it is; And yet we live as if there were Nothing ſo falſe as this. O quicken, Lord, our Faith Of theſe great Joys and Fears; And make the laſt Days Trumpet be Still ſounding in our Ears. Still may this glorious Hope Shine bright before our Eyes; We ſhall at laſt go up to meet Our Jeſus in the Skies. Come, Jeſus, come, and take Our baniſht Souls to thee; Come quickly, Lord, that in thy Light, Our Eyes thy Light may ſee. Glory to thee, great God, One co-eternal Three; As at the firſt Beginning was, May now, and ever be, Amen.
Chap. Phil. 4. V. 8.

FInally Brethren, whatſoever things are true, whatſoever things are honeſt, whatſoever things are juſt, whatſoever things are pure, whatſoever things are lovely, whatſoever things are of good Report; if there be any Vertue, and if there be any Praiſe, think on theſe things, and the God of Peace be with you.

Antiphon.

Every Night approaches nearer our laſt, which reſerves for us Eternal Wages; juſtly, yet with a vaſt and generous Bounty proportion'd to the Works of our Days.

V. The Wiſe will always keep their Lamps ready trimm'd,

R. That the Bridegrooms Call may never ſurprize them.

The Prayer.

O God, whoſe merciful Providence ſweetens and makes eaſie the laborious Courſe of our Pilgrimage thro' this World with conſtant Conveniencies and Seaſons of Repoſe! vouchſafe us, we humbly beſeech thee, to make our due Advantage of this thy Mercy, compoſing our Souls more ſatisfiedly to reſt by a faithful Recollection every Evening how we have kept our Way, and whether we are advanced; and grant that reflecting with hearty Contrition on every Step we have made awry, and with thankful Acknowledgments for thoſe thou haſt led us aright, we may henceforth be rendred more wary of our deviating Inclinations, and more attentively obſequious to the ſteddy Guidance of thy Grace, thro' our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; who with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth One God World without end, Amen.

Thurſday MATTINS.
Invitatory. Come let's Adore our God that feeds us. Come let's Adore our God that feeds us.
Pſalm 53.

HE freely opens his bounteous Hand, and fills with his Bleſſings every living Creature; he gives even Kings their daily Bread, and all the World's maintain'd with his Proviſions.

Come let's Adore our God that feeds us.

He feeds our Underſtanding with the Knowledge of Truth, and ſtrengthens our Wills with his Holy Grace; he refreſhes our Memories with a thouſand Benefits, and feaſts our whole Souls with Everlaſting Hopes.

Come let's Adore our God that feeds us.

With himſelf, and his ſacred Body and Blood, he feeds us, and nouriſhes us up to immortal Life; beginning even here that bleſſed Union, which ſhall be fully perfected in his own Kingdom.

Come let's Adore our God that feeds us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoſt;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever ſhall be, world without end, Amen.

Hymn 15. RIſe Royal Sion! riſe and ſing, Thy Soul's kind Shepherd, thy Heart's King; Stretch all thy Powers; call if you can Harps of Heaven to Hands of Man. This Soveraign Subject ſits above The beſt Ambition of our Love. Lo here the Bread of Life! this Day's Triumphant Text, provokes thy Praiſe: The Living and Life-giving Bread, To the great Twelve diſtributed: When Life it ſelf at point to die, Of Love was his own Legacy. But leſt that die too, we are bid Ever to do what once he did; And by a mindful, thankful breath, That we may live, revive his Death, By the myſterious Bread and Wine, Bleſt, Sanctify'd, and made Divine. The Heaven-inſtructed Houſe of Faith, Here a peculiar Power hath: That what appears in form but Bread, By Conſecration's Holy made: And is to us Chriſt's Fleſh, if we Receiv't with due Humility. Thus too the Blood our dear Lord ſhed, For us is there exhibited; And he that eats and drinks by Faith, Chriſt's Fleſh and Blood, Salvation hath. I'th' myſterious Fruit o'th' Vine, The Holy Sacramental Wine. Lo the Life-Food of Angels then Bow'd to the lowly Mouths of Men; Lo! the full final Sacrifice, On which all Figures fix their Eyes. The ranſom'd Iſaac, and his Ram. The Manna, and the Paſchal Lamb. Jeſus! to thee we Sinners ſue; O thou our Food and Shepherd too Still by thy ſelf vouchſafe to keep, As with thy ſelf thou feed'ſt thy Sheep. Bleſt be that Love, which thus makes thee Mix with our low Mortality. O may it raiſe, and ſet us up, Partakers of thine own full Cup; Coheirs of Saints, who ſhine moſt bright, In Manſions of Eternal Light; That we, for ever bleſt, may ſing, Praiſes to thee our Lord and King, Amen.
Antiphon.

Upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it.

Pſalm 54.

HE who made the Sun to enlighten our Steps, in the Pilgrimage of this ſhort Life:

Has he ordained no Guide to conduct our Souls, in the difficult way to their Eternal Home?

He who feeds the Ravens that call upon him; has he not provided Bread for his Children?

He has; and ſtill his Mercy furniſhes us with Means to perform whatever his Juſtice commands.

Long ſince he eſpouſed to himſelf an unſpotted Church; and promis'd it His Preſence to the End of the World.

Eſtabliſhing his Truth on a firm Pillar; a ſolid Foundation to ſuſtain our Faith.

That we waver no longer as Children; nor be carry'd away with every Wind of Doctrine:

Nor conſume all our Days with ſtudying to believe; without ever proceeding to Life and Action.

This Spouſe, O thou glorious King of Heaven, and admirable Lover of poor ruin'd Man!

This humble Spouſe, thou cameſt down to wooe, and dearly purchaſe with thine own Blood.

Thou haſt endow'd her with eminent Prerogatives; above the reſt of the Daughters of the Earth.

Preſerving her in the midſt of Pagans and Jews; and the ſubtiler Enemies, Politicians, and Hereticks.

Preſerving thy Truth in her, bright and conſpicuous as the Sun; that every open willing Eye may ſee her Light.

Preſerving the Profeſſors of thy ſaving Truths in perfect unity; while all that divide from Truth are divided among themſelves.

Thou haſt adorn'd her with the Beauty of Order, when thy Church is in ſplendor; and with Peace and Patience under an Eclypſe.

Thou didſt introduce her with the Powêr of Miracles; and cemented her with the Blood of Martyrs.

Thou haſt given her the Keys of thy Treaſures; and open'd unto her the Myſteries of Heaven it ſelf.

Myſteries that free our Souls from the Dominion of Senſe; and place them above the reach of Reaſon.

Theſe thy whole Church unanimouſly confeſſes and atteſts; as deriv'd from thee their Original Source.

Whence running along through every Age; they have always maintain'd their conſtant Channel.

O may they ſtill bear on their Courſe; and ſtill ſpread wider their wholſome Streams.

May all the World be water'd with this Dew of Heaven; and bring forth Fruit to everlaſting Life.

We are almoſt now conſtrain'd to believe; Lord grant us Grace to hope and Love.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 55.

SAſe in the Hand of the Apoſtolick Catholick Church, has our provident Lord depoſited the richeſt Treaſures of his Kingdom.

Commanding his Biſhops and Prieſts to conſerve them with Reverence; and diſpenſe them to others with a prudent Charity.

Soon as we are born into this World of Danger, his vigilant Paſtors are ready according to their Offices; to diſpenſe his Baptiſm to ſave us.

To wipe out the guilt of our Birth, and write our new Name in the Book of Life.

What all Eternity could not have worn off; a little ſprinkling of Water waſhes away.

When we are come to riper Years, and a fit Capacity of profeſſing our Faith;

His holy Biſhops impoſe their Hands; confirm and cheriſh our growing Belief:

That we may never be aſhamed of the Croſs of Chriſt; but to the Face of Death freely confeſs him.

If in our Spiritual Combat we receive a Wound; he has appointed Perſons expreſly to cure us.

Only he requires we ſhould open our Sores before them; and heartily repent of our wilful Raſhneſs.

He requires we ſhould ſatisfie the World and our own Souls; in repairing the Damage they ſuſtain by our Treſpaſs.

Heal'd by the bitter Waters of Repentance; we are immediately invited to all the Sweetneſs of Paradiſe.

To taſte the delicious Bread of Angels; to eat the very Fleſh it ſelf, ſpiritually and ſacramentally, of the Son of God.

So to become intirely one with him; while we feed on his Body and Blood, and are govern'd by his Spirit.

That the World may continue in a bleſt Succeſſion; he ſolemnly ſanctify'd the Rites of Marriage.

Exalting that State to the Honour of a Myſtery; that we might the more regard the Holineſs of its Duties.

To prevent the failing of Governours in the Church; (the Church for which the World continues;)

Themſelves are impower'd to kindle freſh Lights; who ſtill may ſhine on when the old ones are ſpent.

Yet is there one important Period of our Life; the Sickneſs that ſummons us to the Bar of Death.

Nor has our Church forgotten this; but carefully provided a holy Office,

For the Viſitation of the Sick; and Abſolution for the dying Penitent.

To allay our Fears in that ſad Hour; and ſtrengthen our Hopes of everlaſting Felicity

That we may finiſh our Courſe with Peace; and go up with Joy to receive our Crown.

Thus by thy wiſe indulgent Care; O thou ſweet Conductor of our Souls!

Every Station of our Pilgrimage has a fit Entertainment; and every Defect a proper Remedy.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

How admirably, O Lord, has thy Wiſdom contriv'd our Salvation, infuſing even by our Senſes Grace into our Souls!

Ant.] We confeſs, we are bound to do many things againſt our Will; why not believe ſome few above our Underſtanding?

Pſalm 56.

THeſe are the ſeven Golden Candleſticks, the ſeven Golden Offices; ſet up to enlighten, ſerve, and adorn God's Church.

But behold in the midſt one like the Son of Man; but it is indeed the Son of God.

Behold he comes to us by the Symbols of Bread and Wine; who is indeed both God and Man.

He whom the Seraphims proſtrate adore; and fly with all their Wings to perform his Commands.

He who came down to die for us Sinners; and aſcended again above the higheſt Heavens.

Himſelf is there, and graciouſly ſtays our Coming; to receive our Prayers, and ſend us home with a Bleſſing.

All the Faithful that approach him with prepar'd Hearts, feel the virtue of Divine Love;

Going out of him to heal their Infirmities, and warm their Souls, and enflame their Affections.

And thus a lively Faith paſſes through the Vail; and confidently enters into the Holy of Holies.

A Faith that works by Love may enter; and fill it ſelf with Celeſtial Manna.

But the uncharitable Faith ſhall be caſt into Darkneſs; among them that believe and tremble.

Behold, O Lord, we believe and hope; perfect by thy vigorous Grace our faint Endeavours.

Quicken our half-dead Faith into a ready Aſſent, where-ever thou art pleas'd to engage thy Word.

Why ſhould we doubt the Power of God can do ſomething, that the Weakneſs of Man cannot underſtand?

Which of us know how the common Bread we eat, is naturally turn'd into our own Subſtance?

And ſhall we diſpute the ſupernatural Efficacy of this Bleſſed Bread and Wine in the Sacrament?

Shall we ſubmit our Reaſon to the Secrets of Nature; and make it Judge of the Myſteries of Grace?

Shall we relie upon the Reports of Men where we do not ſee; and diſtruſt the Word of God for that Reaſon?

No! let us now believe, that hereafter we may ſee; when our Eyes ſhall be open'd in the Kingdom of Light.

Where our dark Faith ſhall ceaſe into Viſion; and our Hope expire into full Enjoyment.

Where all our Affections ſhall be contracted into Love; and Love ſhall be extended to all Eternity.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Epheſ. Chap. 4. ver. 25.

CHriſt loved his Church, and gave himſelf for it, that he might preſent it to himſelf a glorious Church, not having Spot or Wrinkle, or any ſuch thing; but that it ſhould be Holy and without Blemiſh. And Epheſ. 4. 11. He gave ſome Apoſtles, ſome Prophets, and ſome Evangeliſts, and ſome Paſtors and Teachers:

For the perfecting of the Saints, for the Work of the Miniſtery, for the edifying of the Body of Chriſt.

Till we all come in the Unity of the Faith, and of the Knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect Man, unto the Meaſure of the Stature of the fulneſs of Chriſt.

That henceforth we be no more Children, toſſed to and fro, and carry'd about with every Wind of Doctrine, by the ſlight of Men, and cunning Craftineſs, whereby they lie in wait to deceive: But ſpeaking the Truth in Love, may grow up in him in all things, which is the Head, even Chriſt. And 1 Cor. 1. 10. Now I beſeech you, Brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that ye all ſpeak the ſame thing, and that there be no Diviſions amongſt you; but that ye be perfectly joyn'd together in the ſame Mind, and in the ſame Judgment.

And 16. Rom. 17. Mark them which cauſe Diviſions and Offences, contrary to the Doctrine which you have learn'd, and avoid them. For they that are ſuch ſerve not our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own Belly, and by good Words, and fair Speeches, deceive the Hearts of the Simple. 1 Jo. 4. 1. Believe not every Spirit, but try the Spirits whither they be of God, becauſe many falſe Prophets are gone out into the World: And 2 Theſ. 2. 15. Therefore, Brethren, ſtand faſt, and hold the Traditions which we have been taught, whither by Word or our Epiſtle. And Heb. 13. 17. Obey them that have the Rule over you, and ſubmit your ſelves, for they watch for your Souls, as they that muſt give an account.

Second Leſſon. Matt. 26. 18.

AND Jeſus came, and ſpake to them ſaying, All Power is given unto me both in Heaven and Earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt.

Teaching them to obſerve all things whatſoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the World, Amen.

Acts 8. 14. Now when the Apoſtles, that were at Jeruſalem, heard that Samaria had receiv'd the Word of God, they ſent unto them Peter and John.

Who when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghoſt.

For as yet he was fallen on none of them, only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jeſus.

Then laid they their Hands on them, and they receiv'd the Holy Ghoſt.

John 20. 21. As my Father ſent me, ſo ſend I you;

And when he had this ſaid, he breathed on them, and ſaid unto them, Receive you the Holy Ghoſt:

Whoſe-ſoever Sins ye remit they are remitted unto them, and whoſe-ſoever Sins ye retain they are retained.

1 Cor. 10. 16. The Cup of Bleſſing which we bleſs, is it not the Communion of the Blood of Chriſt?

The Bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of Chriſt?

Acts 14. 23. And when they had ordain'd them Elders in every Church, and had prayed with Faſting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believ'd.

Gen. 2. 24. Therefore ſhall a Man leave his Father and Mother, and ſhall cleave unto his Wife, and they two ſhall be one Fleſh.

Eph. 5. 32. This is a great Myſtery; but I ſpeak concerning Chriſt and his Church.

James 5. 14. Is any ſick among you, let him call for the Elders of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with Oil in the Name of the Lord.

Epheſ. 3. 20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we can ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us;

To him be Glory in the Church throughout all Ages, World without end, Amen.

Third Leſſon. 1 Cor. 11. 23.

FOR I have received of the Lord that which alſo I have deliver'd unto you, That the Lord Jeſus the ſame Night in which he was betrayed, took Bread;

And when he had given Thanks he brake it, and ſaid, Take, eat, this is my Body which is broken for you; This do in remembrance of me.

After the ſame manner alſo he took the Cup when he had ſupped, ſaying, This Cup is the New Teſtament in my Blood; this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me;

For as often as ye eat of this Bread, and drink of this Cup, ye do ſhew the Lord's Death till he come.

Wherefore whoſoever ſhall eat this Bread, and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily, ſhall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord.

But let a Man examine himſelf; and ſo let him eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup.

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh Damnation to himſelf, not diſcerning the Lord's Body.

Reſp.] Bleſſed be thy Holy Name, O Lord, who haſt provided the Scriptures for a Comfort of the Faithful; and bleſſed be thy gracious Wiſdom who haſt left in thy Church a Rule to interpret them, leſt the Unwary and Unſtable ſhould pervert them to their own Deſtruction. Renew, O merciful Lord, a right Spirit in the World, a Spirit of Humility and Obedience, that in reading thoſe Sacred Books, none may prefer their private Fancies before the Teſtimony of the Church-Univerſal; nor be obſtinately perverſe againſt their proper Paſtors; but all may readily ſubmit to them whom he that hears, hears thee, and he that deſpiſes deſpiſes thee.

Reſ.] Jo. 6. 48. I am the Bread of Life. And Jo. 6. 31. Our Fathers did eat Manna in the Wilderneſs, as it is written, He gave them Bread from Heaven to eat. v. 33. For the Bread of God is he which cometh down from Heaven, and giveth Life to the World. Then ſaid they unto him, Lord evermore give us this Bread.

V. 51. I am the living Bread which came down from Heaven; if any Man eat of this Bread he ſhall live for ever; and the Bread that I will give is my Fleſh, which I will give for the Life of the World: For my Fleſh is Meat indeed, and my Blood s Drink indeed. Theſe, O my deareſt Saviour, are thy very Words, O evermore give us this Bread.

Thurſday Lauds.
Antiphon.

How great is the multitude of thy Loving-kindneſſes, which thou haſt laid up for them that fear thee?

Pſalm 57.

WHere, O thou boundleſs Ocean of Charity! where will thy overflowing Streams ſtay their Courſe?

We, and our Ingratitude ſtrive to oppoſe thee; but nothing can reſiſt thine Almighty Goodneſs:

When the Impiety of Man was at the height, and their treacherous Heads plotting to betray thee:

Then did thy Wiſdom mercifully conſult to overcome our Malice with thy Bounty.

Immediately thou contrivedſt an admirable Way, to invite all the World to a Feaſt of Miracles:

A Feaſt in which are continually wrought new Miracles of Love for us.

And as if it had not been Love enough, to have given thy ſelf on the Croſs for us:

Thou haſt found out a Way to give thy ſelf to us in the Holy Sacrament:

To unite us to thy ſelf with the moſt intimate Union that its poſſible to conceive; and which we can better feel than expreſs.

For what greater Mercy, and Bounty can be extended to us poor Mortals, than for our Redeemer to become the very Food of our Souls?

To become the Life, the Strength, the Support and Comfort of our Souls:

Nay to become even one with me, and be unto me the very Soul of my Soul?

O Lord my God, this is ſo unconceivable a Bleſſing; this is ſo Divine an Union;

That the very Angels, who ſo much deſire to look into the great Myſtery of our Redemption,

Do crowd about our Altars, and with awful Admiration contemplate thy wonderful Condeſcention in it.

Reſp.] Pet. 1. 12. Epheſ. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 10.

What Thanks then, gracious Lord, can I return thee for thoſe Wonders of Love thou haſt ſhewed to me a wretched Sinner; which thoſe bleſſed Angels above, who never ſinned, ſo diligently attend, ſo much admire?

In this Feaſt thy whole All-glorious Self is freely given to the meaneſt, if truly prepar'd Gueſt.

A Feaſt of Love and incomparable Sweetneſs, to which thine own bleſt Mouth ſo kindly calleth us.

Come to me you that labour for Holineſs, and are oppreſt under the Weight of your Sins.

Come to me you that hunger after Heaven, and thirſt to drink at the Fountain of Bliſs.

Come to me, and I will refreſh you with the Wine of Gladneſs, and the Bread of Life.

Come you that are weak, that you may grow ſtrong; and you that are ſtrong leſt you become weak.

Come you that have Leaſure, and here entertain your Time; Come you that are buſie, and here learn to ſanctifie you Employment.

Come all, and gather freely of this Celeſtial Manna, and fill your Souls with the Food of Angels.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 58.

THus does our gracious Lord invite, and ſhall we go? ſhall Sinners dare to ſit down at his Table?

Thus he invite and ſhall we not go; ſhall Wretches preſume to refuſe his Call?

Riſe then, my Soul, and take the ſwifteſt Wings; and fly to the Preſence of this great Myſtery.

Soon as thou comeſt, bow low thy Head; and humbly adore thy bleſt Redeemer:

Our God that comes ſo far to meet us; and brings along with him all his Mercies and Merits to entertain us.

Ariſe, and leave the World behind thee; and run with Gladneſs to ſalute thy Lord.

Enter the Palace of his moſt glorious Reſidence; the Place where his Honour dwelleth.

There ſhall we ſee the Eternal Word, that deſcended from Heaven to become Man for us;

Not only repreſented, but really convey'd to us, and made one with us.

There we ſhall ſee this Prince of Peace, not only Symbolically ſacrific'd for us, but really giving himſelf to us.

Can we, O dear Redeemer, believe, and feel, and experimentally enjoy thoſe great Effects of thy Love;

And not be raviſht with Admiration of that Love, which produces ſuch wonderful Effects.

Can we believe thy all-ſupream Veracity, and not believe all thou haſt ſaid and done?

What tho' our Eyes ſee nothing but Bread and Wine? Our Faith and Experience too, aſſure us, that there is alſo our dear Saviour.

For, O the Guſts of Joy, and Souls over-flowing Comforts, the Juſt do find herein!

Producing nothing but Praiſes, and Thankſgivings, and Love, and Joy, and Fear;

And Care of Offending this bleſſed and new-enter'd Gueſt.

What earneſt Supplications do they make, that their Lord will keep poſſeſſion of their Hearts, and never depart from them more?

Let us not then refuſe to believe our God, becauſe his Mercies tranſcend our Capacities.

No, no, 'tis thy very Self, O bleſſed Jeſu; and 'tis thine own Light by which we ſee thee.

And 'tis thine Holy Spirit the Comforter, by which we feel and find thee.

None but infinite Wiſdom couldever have invented ſo ſtrange, and high, and prodigious a Myſtery.

None but an unconceivable infinite Goodneſs, would ever have imparted ſo dear and rich a Bleſſing.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 59.

LORD, who are we unworthy Sinners, that thus thou regardeſt our wretched Duſt?

What's all the World compar'd to thee; that thus thou ſeemeſt to diſregard thy ſelf?

'Tis for our ſakes, and to draw us up to thy Love, that thou thus vouchſafeſt to dwell among us.

'Tis for our ſakes, and to ſpare the Infirmity of our Nature, that thy Brightneſs appears not in its proper Luſtre.

Bleſſed are the Eyes that ſee thee by Faith, in this moſt Bleſſed Sacrament; and bleſſed is the Mouth that reverently receives thee.

Bleſſed yet more is the Heart that deſires thy Coming, and longs to ſee thee in thy beauteous ſelf.

O thou eternal Lord of Grace and Glory, our Joy and Portion in the Land of the Living!

What haſt thou there prepared for thy Servants, who beſtoweſt ſuch Pledges of thy Bounty here?

What doſt thou reſerve in thine own Kingdom, who giveſt us thy ſelf in this place of Baniſhment?

How will thy open Viſion tranſport our Souls; when our dark Faith yields ſuch Delights?

Nothing on Earth ſo Sweet as to kneel whole Hours before thee, and One by One conſider thine innumerable Mercies.

What muſt it be in Heaven to ſhine continually before thee; and all in one contemplate thine unſpeakable Goodneſs and Glories?

O my ador'd Redeemer! when will that happy Day appear, that mine Eyes ſhall behold thee without a Veil?

When will theſe Clouds and Shadows paſs away; that thy Beams may ſhine on me in their full Brightneſs?

Object not againſt me, deareſt Lord, that none can ſee thy Face and live?

Thoſe Fears thy Love has changed, and all my Hope is now to live by ſeeing Thee.

Say not, O thou mild and gracious Majeſty, if I approach thy Preſence I muſt die.

Rather inſtruct me ſo to die, that I may live for ever in thy Preſence.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the Beginning, &c.
Revel. 7. 10.

SAlvation to our God, who ſitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb, Amen.

Bleſſing, and Glory, and Wiſdom, and Thanksgiving, and Honour, and Power, and Might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn 18. WIth all the Powers my poor Soul hath, Of humble Love, and loyal Faith, Thus low, my God, I bow to thee, Whom too much Love bow'd low'r for me. Down buſie Senſe, Diſcourſes die, And all adore Faith's Myſtery. Faith is my Skill, Faith can believe, As faſt as Love new Laws can give. Faith is my Eye, Faith ſtrength affords, To keep pace with thoſe gracious words; And words more ſweet, more ſure than they Love could not think, Truth could not ſay. O dear memorial of that Death, Which ſtill ſurvives, and gives us Breath! Live ever, Bread of Life, and be My Food, my Joy, my All to me. Come, glorious Lord, my hopes encreaſe, And fill my Portion in thy Peace. Come hidden Life, and that long Day, For which I languiſh, come away. Where this dry Soul, thoſe Eyes ſhall ſee, And drink the unſeal'd ſource of Thee. When Glory's Sun, Faith's Shade ſhall chace, And for thy Veil give me thy Face.
Antiphon.

He feeds the young Ravens that call upon him, and ſays, he eſteems us much better than they: Behold a full proof! He feeds them and all things elſe; but to feed us: Behold yet a fuller, and O riddle of Bounty! even out of the Feeder himſelf comes Food for us.

V. The Bread of Life which came down from Heaven,

R. Feeds us with the Bread of Knowledge and Underſtanding.

Let us pray.

O Bounteous Lord, the continual Supplier of thy Creatures, with all convenient Suſtenance to advance our Growth and Strength, fit to take Heaven by violence, and riſe at length eternal Enjoyers of thy ſelf. Fix, we beſeech thee, our Eyes and Adoration on that open hand, which thus graciouſly gives us our daily Bread: And grant that the wonderful Feaſt of thy Son's Body and Blood may duly ſanctifie our Taſtes to all other thy Bounties, that they may reliſh as they are only thy great Love to us, and feed, as they ought, purely thy dear Love in us, thro' the ſame our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Amen.

Thurſday Veſpers.
Pſalm 60.

UNhappy Man! firſt created juſt; as every Work comes fair from the hands of God.

At firſt endow'd with Dominion over the Earth; and which was more with Dominion over himſelf.

At firſt not only made ſole Lord of Paradiſe; but Heir Apparent of the Heaven of Heavens.

All this was loſt by one raſh Act; diſobeying the Law of thy wiſe Creator.

All this, alas, we loſt by Adam's Tranſgreſſion; which brought in Sin, and Death, and univerſal Miſery.

Our Bodies were deprav'd by his Diſtemper; and our Souls made fit for ſuch deprav'd Bodies.

Our Senſes quickly rebell'd againſt Reaſon; and both together conſpir'd againſt Grace.

Dulneſs and Ignorance o'erſpread the World; Error and Vice poſſeſt Mankind.

The Law they obſerv'd was their own unruly Appetite; and the Deity they worſhip'd, the work of their own hands.

Even the ſelected People of the true God; the favourite Nation of the Almighty Providence.

They who were brought out of Egypt with ſo many Wonders; and ſeated in a Country flowing with Milk and Honey.

They who had ſeen the Sea divide before them; and ſtand of each ſide as a Wall to defend them:

They who had taſted the Quails and the Manna from Heav'n; and drunk of the Streams that came guſhing out of the Rock.

Even they forgot their great Deliverer; and ſet up for their God a Golden Calf.

They could not worſhip what they did not ſee; they muſt have Gods to go before them.

Thus lay the miſerable World, all cover'd with Darkneſs, and the thickeſt Miſts of groſs Idolatry.

Thus had poor Man quite been loſt; and all he could do was to wander up and down a while.

Till when his few vain Years were ſpent, he ſuddenly deſcended into everlaſting Sorrows.

This mov'd thy pity, gracious Lord! who often art found by thoſe that ſeek thee not.

Who never withdraweſt thy Hand in time of need; but conſtantly ſupplieſt us in all our Neceſſities.

This mov'd thy pity to undertake our Relief; to come down thy ſelf to dwell among us.

That as our Nature us'd to worſhip what it ſaw; we ſhould now ſee that God-Man whom we might ſafely worſhip.

But thou again, dear Lord, muſt leave our World; and though it be good for us, 'tis hard to part from thee.

Thou muſt again aſcend into thy Father's Boſom, to prepare a place for thy faithful Followers.

Yet even then, O thou wiſe and infinite Goodneſs! Thou didſt not utterly forſake us.

But didſt both ſend thy Holy Spirit to comfort us; and give thy ſelf in the Sacrament to feed us.

Still thou art here to move us by thy Preſence; and entertain our Devotions without fear of exceſs.

We know 'tis impoſſible to adore and love our God too much; O that it were poſſible to love and admire him, and adore him enough.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Whither, O my God, ſhould we wander, if left to our ſelves? Where ſhould we fix our Hearts, if not directed by thee?

Antiphon.

Bleſſed be thy Providence, O God! that ſo tenderly nurſes up the World; ſtill growing on to new degrees of Perfection.

Pſalm 61.

LORD what a happy change has thy coming wrought! What glorious effects has thy coming produced!

Once in a populous City not ten that were Juſt; and on the whole Earth but eight that were ſaved.

Now we ſee thouſands with a ſtrong and vigorous Love, run ſwiftly after thee in the ways of thy Counſels.

Now we ſee Millions with a fair degree of Hope; walk conſtantly towards thee, in the ways of thy Commands.

Now we ſee Kings and mighty Nations ſubmit to thee; and hope e're long that all the World will adore thee.

Whence could this ſtrange Improvement come? whence could all thoſe Bleſſings ſpring?

But from thy holy Life, O bleſſed Jeſus, and the infinite Merits of thy painful Death?

Both which are united, and the Fruits thereof abridg'd, in this bleſſed and holy Sacrament.

This, and our holy Baptiſm, are the two Breaſts, that give Life and Spirit to thy Church:

And that work all the Wonders which ſo highly adorn the World.

For theſe we build our great and ſamptuous Churches; to beſtow on our God the beſt Houſes we have.

For theſe we beautifie thy Temples; and entertain our Lord in the beſt way we can.

Theſe ſacred things, thy Word and Sacraments; breed in us, not only profound Veneration and Adoration to thee:

But alſo a great and due reſpect to thy Paſtors and Prieſts; the Apoſtolick Diſpenſers thereof.

Theſe ſaving Myſteries keep alive our dear Redeemer's Death; and apply to our Souls all the Merits of his Paſſion.

Theſe fill our Hearts with Heroick Courage; to do, and ſuffer for the name of Jeſus.

Theſe, in fine, are the food of Faith, and Hope, and Love; and theſe three fit us for eternal Happineſs.

O bleſt Memorial of my Saviour's Love; and faithful Seal of all his Promiſes!

If I forget to ſing of thee; let my Tongue cleave to the Roof of my Mouth.

If I forget to meditate on thee, let my Head forfeit its Power to think.

All the ſhort time that I remain in thy preſence, I will wholly imploy to adore thy Majeſty.

Thee will I bleſs, for all thy Mercies; to thee will I open all my Neceſſities.

Begging thy Pardon for my paſt Offences; and thy gracious Aſſiſtance for the time to come.

Imploring thy Grace, and preſervation of thy Church; and thy Bleſſing upon all the World.

O ſpotleſs Lamb, once ſlain for us on the Croſs; and duly commemorated on, and communicated to us at thy holy Altar.

Be thou our powerful Advocate with thy Heavenly Father; and ſolicite by thy Merits, his Mercy for us.

Offer thy ſelf before his Throne; and turn away the Wrath we deſerve for our Sins.

So Slaves are reſcued from their Chains; and Priſoners from the doom of Death.

Whilſt they appeaſe their offended King, with the pleaſing remembrance of his beloved Son.

And ſo we hope, and infinitely more; from the infinitely greater Mediation of Jeſus.

If thou, O Lord, ſhalt thus reſtore our Liberty; and cloath thy Servants with the Robes of thy Righteouſneſs:

Then ſhall we delight to be ſtill in thy Preſence; and where e're we are our Hearts ſhall ſtill be with thee.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Bleſſed be thy Providence, that ſo tenderly nurſes up the World, ſtill going on to new degrees of Perfection.

Ant.] This is the greateſt Charity that God himſelf can beſtow; ſince God can beſtow nothing greater than himſelf.

Pſalm 62.

AND does our glorious Lord not only viſit; but dwell perpetually with us Men upon Earth?

He whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain; does he make his Reſidence in our little Tabernacles?

Where are you holy Angels, that you fly not ſwiftly down to attend your Lord?

Where are you careleſs Men, that you run not quickly hither; and with your loweſt Homage bow to your King?

Who though he ſhines out clear to the Bleſſed above; and the Beams of his Glory ſtrike bright upon their Faces:

Yet have his Mercies to us far more of Miracle; far more of Care, and tender Providence.

Whilſt he not only is pleaſed to be among us; but condeſcends to become even one with us.

While he is not only our God to go before us; but our very Food to enter into us.

O Souls redeem'd by the Blood of Jeſus; and nouriſh'd with the Fleſh and Blood of his ſacred Body!

Why melt you not into Tears of Joy, for being ſo regarded by the King of Heaven?

Why not at leaſt diſſolve into Tears of Sorrow; for ſo little regarding him?

Who will not tremble with an amorous Reverence; that ſtands in the ſight of ſo great a Majeſty?

Who can forbear to be tranſported with Joy; that thinks I'm going to revive my God?

Who can contain the overflowings of his Heart; whilſt his Breaſt can ſay here I have my God?

My great and glorious God, who meerly out of Love, thus gives me himſelf in pledge of my Salvation.

O infinite ſweetneſs! how good is it for us to be here; and behold our Lord transfigur'd before us?

Hear let us make a thouſand Tabernacles; one, O my Jeſus, for thee, and one for each of us.

That in our little Tent we may dwell about thee; and ſing, and bow, and rejoyce before thee.

What ſhould the Captive wiſh but Liberty; and the weary Pilgrim but to be at reſt?

What ſhould the Sick deſire but Health? and what can I, but to be with my God?

But ſtay, am I dreſt like a Friend of the Bridegroom; that I ſafely may come to this Marriage-Supper?

Have I conſider'd how chaſte the Eyes ſhould be, which go to behold the God of Purity?

Have I conſider'd how clean that Mouth ſhould be, which preſumes to eat the Bread of Heaven?

But how all-celeſtial that Soul ſhould be; which aſpires to an union with the Body of our Lord?

Look, look my Heart, look well into thy ſelf; and ſtrictly ſearch every corner of thy Breaſt.

Alas! how poor, and dull, and empty are we! how infinitely unworthy of ſo divine a Sacrament?

Yet are we call'd by him that can Command; by him that ſees, and pities our Miſeries.

He bids us come, he will ſurely receive us; and with his bounteous fulneſs ſupply our defects.

Go then my Soul, go to that ſacred Table, and take thy part of that delicious Banquet.

Go all enflam'd with Love, and Joy, and Hope; and quench thy holy Thirſt at that ſpring of Bliſs.

When thou haſt taſted the ſweetneſs of thy God; and feel'ſt his heavenly Streams How gently on thee:

Open thy happy Breaſt, and ſuck thoſe Waters in; and let them freely run over all thy Powers.

Let them ſoak deep to the root of thy Heart; and turn thy barren Heath into a fruitful Land.

Fruitful in holy Thoughts, and pious Words; fruitful in good, and juſt, and charitable Deeds.

Fruitful to thy ſelf in thine own Improvement; fruitful to others in thy good Example.

No more Ingratitude to ſo gracious a God; no more neglect of ſo glorious a Majeſty.

Away falſe Pleaſures, Sin and Vanity; for the God of Holineſs hath touch'd my Heart.

He has himſelf gone in and taken Poſſeſſion; and ſeal'd it up for his own Service.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Chap. 1 Cor. 13.

THough I ſpeak with the Tongues of Men and Angels, and have not Charity, I am become as ſounding Braſs, or a tinkling Cymbal.

And tho' I have the gift of Prophecy, and underſtand all Myſteries, and all Knowledge; and though I have all Faith, ſo that I could remove Mountains, and have not Charity, I am nothing.

And tho' I beſtow all my Goods to feed the Poor; and tho' I give my Body to be burn'd, and have not Charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity ſuffereth long, and is kind; Charity envieth not, Charity vaunteth not it ſelf, is not puffed up, doth not behave it ſelf unſeemly, ſeeketh not her own, is not eaſily provoked, thinketh no Evil!

Rejoyceth not in Iniquity, but rejoyceth in the Truth.

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth; but whether there be Prophecies, they ſhall fail; whether there be Tongues, they ſhall ceaſe; whether there be Knowledge, it ſhall be done away.

When I was a Child, I ſpake as a Child, I underſtood as a Child, I thought as a Child; but when I became a Man, I put away childiſh things.

For now I ſee thro' a Glaſs darkly, but then Face to Face: Now I know in part, but then I ſhall know, even as I am known.

And now abideth Faith, Hope, and Charity, theſe three; but the greateſt of theſe is Charity!

Hymn 19. DO I reſolve an eaſie Life, Stor'd with Plenty, free from Strife? When, dear Lord, thy Days and Nights Paſs'd in Poverty and Fights. Do I deſign a gentle Death, Singing out my aged Breath? When, my Saviour! Tortures tore Thy dear Soul out, drown'd in Gore. May this our holy Sacrifice! Acting in a ſweet diſguiſe, Jeſus Paſſions o'er again, Such undue Conceits reſtrain. Keep, keep, ſtill lively in thy Mind, How I ought to be reſign'd; How this Pattern ought deſtroy All my ſenſual Grief and Joy. Are Sufferings ills? no; Wiſdom choſe His, and our way to Bliſs through thoſe. Are Pleaſures Goods? no; Wiſdom ſcorn'd Their dalliance, and us forewarn'd. This, Lord, this make my ditty be, At leaſt whenever thee I ſee, Thee its ground ſo oft repeating, To prevent my Souls forgetting; Jeſu! thus arm'd, no Terrors ſhall Make my vertuous Courage fall; No Flatteries here my beſt hopes drown, Since thy Croſs led to thy Crown. Live for ever, glorious Lord, Live by Heav'n and Earth ador'd; O may both their Praiſes give, They who ſee, we who believe.
Antiphon.

Thou art aſcended, our glorious Redeemer, to prepare a place for us: Yet continueſt ſtill here our gracious Emanuel, to prepare us for it.

V. Thy delight, O Lord, is to be with the Children of Men;

R. O make it ours to be with the God of Heaven.

Let us pray.

O God! who ſeeing the dulneſs of our Spirits, needs ſo often freſh impulſes of Senſe, haſt wonderfully contriv'd our alone ſaving Object, thy ſacrificed Son, continually to ſollicite our Hearts, by his own dear Preſence ſacramentally among us; Reclaim, we humbly beſeech thee, all our wandring Affections, with this Miracle of Goodneſs, and compoſe them into ſuch a diligent and devout Attendance on our gracious Lord, that we may daily feed our Adoration and Love of him, and daily grow in our deſires of ſeeing Eternally his glorious Face, who with Thee, and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth One God, World without End. Amen.

Thurſday Compline.
Pſalm 63.

WHO will give me this happy Favour; that I may find my God alone?

That I may find him in the ſilence of Retirement; where the noiſe of the World can no way interrupt us.

But that my God may ſpeak to me, and I to him; as deareſt Friends converſe together.

That I may unfold before him all my Wants; and freely ask the Charity of his Counſel.

What ſhall I do, O my gracious Lord, to be happy here? what ſhall I do to be happy hereafter?

Nature already has thus far taught me; that in all I undertake I ſeek my own good.

Only I have cauſe to fear I may miſtake that Good; and ſet up an Idol inſtead of Thee:

Unleſs my God vouchſafe to inſtruct me; and ſhow my Soul its true Felicity.

Hark! how the eternal Wiſdom gives thee advice! and let every Word ſink deep into thy Soul.

Seek with thy firſt endeavour the Kingdom of Heaven; and all things elſe ſhall be added to thy wiſh.

Love with thy whole Affections the Enjoyment of thy God; and all things elſe ſhall conſpire to thy happineſs.

All theſe my Lips confeſs are excellent Truths; but when, O my God, ſhall my Life confeſs them?

When ſhall I perfectly overcome my Paſſions? guide them ſo that they may draw me to thy Light.

While they are mine, alas, I cannot govern them; behold, dear Lord, I offer them all to Thee.

Check thou their lawleſs Motions with thy Grace; leſt they violently carry me away from my Duty.

Wean thou my Heart from the Follies of this World; and quicken its Appetite to thy ſolid Joys.

That I may hunger and thirſt perpetually after Thee; and thoſe glorious Promiſes thou haſt made to thy Servants.

That my whole Soul may ſeek Thee alone; ſince Thou alone art all my Heaven.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 64.

WHen, O my Soul, ſhall thy God find thee alone; free from thoſe buſy thoughts that fill thy Head?

O with what ready Charity would he then inſtruct thee; and let thee into his bleſſed Secrets!

Himſelf would become thy familiar Gueſt; and dwell with thee in perpetual Joy.

Lord, thou muſt enter firſt, and chaſe thoſe Fancies away; and conſecrate my Soul a Temple to thy ſelf.

Take Thou intire Poſſeſſion, and hold it faſt for ever; and ſuffer not the Enemies of my Peace to return.

Sit Thou as Sovereign King, and abſolutely Command; for thy Government is mild, and thy Rewards are infinite.

What haſt Thou promis'd, Lord, to him that receives Thee with an humble Love?

All that's contain'd in thoſe ſweet and myſtick words; he dwells in me, and I in him.

O bleſſed words, if once my Soul can ſay, he dwells in me and I in him!

He is my Refuge in all Temptations; he is my Comfort in all Diſtreſſes.

He is my Security againſt all my Enemies; he dwells in me, and I in him.

What can an infinite Bounty give greater than it ſelf? and what can an empty Creature receive greater than his God?

O glorious God, my Life, my Joy; and the only Center of all my hopes!

Were my unſteady Soul once united to Thee; or once had reliſh'd the ſweetneſs of thy Preſence:

How would all other Company ſeem dull and tedious; and the whole World be bitter to my taſte?

How would my Thoughts cleave faſt to Thee; gladly ſeal this everlaſting Covenant?

If Thou, O Lord, wilt dwell with me, my Heart ſhall continually attend Thee.

Night and Day will I ſing thy Praiſes; and all my Life long adore thy Mercies.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 65.

THou art my only hope, O bleſſed Jeſu; and thy Favour alone is all things to me.

In Thee I find the Providence of a Father; and the tender kindneſs of an indulgent Mother.

In Thee I enjoy the Protection of a King; and the rare Fidelity of a conſtant Friend.

In Thee I poſſeſs whatſoever I want; and thy Fulneſs exceeds even my utmoſt Deſires.

Thou art, O Jeſus, my God, and all Things; what can I think, or wiſh for more.

Already enough is ſaid for them that love, and know the value of thoſe precious words.

O ſweet, and charming words, my God and all things! ſweet in exceſs to thoſe that taſte them.

Not to the corrupted Palates of the World, who reliſh nothing but the Food of Senſe.

Words that revive the fainting Mind; and fill its darkeſt Thoughts with Light and Joy.

O may theſe bleſſed Words dwell on my Tongue; and live for ever in my faithful Memory.

Where e're I am in this unconſtant World; and whatever buſineſs entertains my Hands;

Still let my inward Eye look up to Thee; and fix its ſight on thy glorious Face.

Still may I wiſh, and long for that happy Day; which opens to my Soul ſo bleſt a view.

Where I ſhall ſee, and no longer darkly believe, that thou, O Lord, art my God and all things.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

What couldſt thou ſay, dear Lord, more ſweet than this! thy delight's to be with the Children of Men.

Hymn 20. COme my Thoughts, that fondly fly At every Toy which paſſes by; Spending ſo your Strength in vain, While what you court you ne'er can gain. Come, fond Man, who ſure muſt be Quite tir'd with all this Life can ſee, Loſing oft thy Hopes and Time; Come take Advice of this plain Rhime. Seek no more abroad thy Reſt, But ſeek at home in thine own Breaſt: Let thy Mind from Guilt be clear, Then look for all thy Comforts there. With thy ſelf, and with thy God, Delight to make thy chief abode: There repoſe ſecure and free; And no Miſchance can trouble thee. Should Death it ſelf thy Walls aſſail, Still thou art ſafe, and canſt not fail: Still thy Soul's thine own; and ſhe To a new Houſe remov'd ſhall be. New and laſting there above, All built and furniſh'd with pure Love; There ſhall this Mud-Wall of thine, Repair'd, the brighteſt Stars outſhine. There thy Lord that feeds thee now, With his own Fleſh, ſhall more beſtow. He came down to be like Thee, Thou ſhalt go up and like him be. King of Glory, King of Peace, May theſe our Praiſes never ceaſe: Still may we adore thy Throne, Still bow, and ſing to Thee alone.
1 Pet. Chap. 5. Ver. 6.

HUmble your ſelves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

Caſting all your Care upon him, for he careth for you.

Be ſober, be vigilant, becauſe your Adverſary the Devil, as a roaring Lyon, walketh about ſeeking whom he may devour.

Whom reſiſt ſtedfaſt in the Faith.

Let us pray.

O God, whoſe delights are to be with the Children of Men, when thy Grace can prevail with us to quit all other Company, and retire to Thee alone; Grant, we humbly beſeech Thee, that thy Providence, withdrawing every Night all the World from our Senſes, may efficaciouſly move us to clear our Heads and Hearts of all its diſtractions; and thy holy Spirit finding our Minds happily vacant, may fill them with the profoundeſt Love, and Reverence, and Adoration of Thee, as our only God and all things, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth One God bleſſed for ever. Amen.

Friday MATTINS.
Invitatory. Come let's Adore our God that redeem'd us. Come let's Adore our God that redeem'd us.
Pſalm 66.

WHen we had ſold our ſelves to Sin, and were all become the Slaves of Satan, our bleſſed Jeſu deſcended from Heaven, and brought a vaſt Price to buy out our Freedom.

Come let's adore our God that redeem'd us.

The Price was no leſs than his own deareſt Blood, which he plenteouſly ſhed on the Holy Croſs, depoſiting ſo his ineſtimable Life, to reſcue us Sinners from the Jaws of Death.

Come let's Adore our God that redeem'd us.

Let us conſecrate this Day to his ſacred Memory, and tenderly Compaſſionate his unparallell'd Sufferings, repenting from our Hearts our many Sins, and thankfully admiring his infinite Mercies.

Come let's Adore our God that redeem'd us.

Let us wean our Minds from unbecoming Delights, and mortifie our Senſes with a prudent Reſtraint, that, carry'd on the Wings of Faſting and Alms, our Prayers may mount up more ſwiftly to Heaven.

Come let's Adore our God that redeem'd us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoſt;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever ſhall be, World without end. Amen.

Hymn 21. COme, let's adore the King of Love, A King of Suff'rings too: For Love it was that brought him down, And ſet him here in wo. Love drew him from his Paradiſe, Where Flow'rs that fade not grow: And planted him in our poor Duſt, Among us Weeds below. Here for a time this Heav'nly Plant Fairly grew up and thriv'd: Diffus'd its ſweetneſs all about, And all in ſweetneſs liv'd. But envious Froſts and furious Storms So long, ſo fiercely chide; This tender Flow'r at laſt bow'd down Its bruiſed Head, and dy'd. O narrow Thoughts, and narrower Speech, Here your Defects confeſs; The Life of Chriſt, the Death of God, How faintly you expreſs! May he who from a Virgin Root, Made this fair Flow'r to ſpring, Help us to raiſe both Heart and Voice And with more Spirit ſing. To Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, One undivided Three, All higheſt Praiſe, all humbleſt Thanks, Now and for ever be. Amen.
Antiphon.

Take up thy Croſs, and follow thy Lord; for his Yoke is eaſie, and his burthen light.

Pſalm 67.

MY God, who can complain of doing too much; if they conſider the Labours of Jeſus?

Thoſe painful Labours he ſo freely undertook; and mildly ſtoop'd to his humble Task.

When he might have flown on the Wings of Cherubims; he choſe to walk with us Worms in the Duſt.

When he might have made the Angels his Footſtool; he rather became the Servant of his Parents.

Living with them in their little Cottage; and readily obeying even their leaſt Command.

There in that humble Privacy he increas'd in Wiſdom; and grew in favour both with God and Man.

Still by his pious Candor, gaining the Love of thoſe happy few that ſaw his Life:

That ſaw thy holy Life, O glorious Jeſu; and heard with Joy and Wonder thy incomparable Sayings.

That felt a gentle motion ſtir their Hearts, to love and imitate ſo bleſt a Pattern.

O that the ſame ſweet Spirit of Grace might draw our Minds, dear Lord, to thee!

O that we could in every Paſſage of our Lives, actually reflect on the example of thine!

Thy Retirements were fill'd with holy Speculations; and in the midſt of buſineſs thy Mind was free for Heaven.

Thy converſe with others miſpent no time, but beſtow'd every moment in excellent Charity.

To inſtruct the Ignorant, to reduce the Deceived; to comfort the Afflicted, and heal the Diſeaſed.

To convince the Froward, and abſolve the Penitent; and perſwade all the World to be truly happy.

It was thy Meat and Drink to do thy Father's Will; O make it ours to perform thine.

Make us in every Action ſtill think on Thee; what thou wouldſt counſel us to do.

What thou thy ſelf wouldſt do, O bleſſed Jeſu; if thou again wert here amongſt us.

And when we thus have learnt our Duty, Lord make us to do what thou haſt made us to know.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Take up thy Croſs, and follow thy Lord; for his Yoke is eaſie, and his burden light.

Ant.] He humbled himſelf for us, and became obedient to Death, even the death of the Croſs.

Pſalm 68.

MY God, who can repine, as ſuffering too much, if they remember the Afflictions of Jeſus?

Thoſe many Afflictions he ſo patiently endured, and bore with ſilence all their weight.

Even from his humble Cradle in the Grot of Bethlehem; to his bitter Croſs on the Mount of Calvary.

How little do we read of Glad and Proſperous; how much of Pains and Grief, and perpetual Affronts?

Sometimes abandon'd by his deareſt Friends, and left alone among all his Diſcomforts.

Sometimes purſued by his fierceſt Enemies; and made the common Mark of all their ſpight!

Sometimes they plot to ſnare him in his words; and enviouſly ſlander his miraculous Deeds.

Sometimes tumultuouſly they gather about him; to gaze and abuſe this Man of Sorrows.

Sometimes they furiouſly ſeize on his Perſon; and hale and drag him along the Streets.

At laſt they all conſpire to take away his Life; and condemn him to a ſharp and cruel Death.

Have you not ſeen a harmleſs Lamb ſtand ſilent in the midſt of ravening Wolves?

So ſtood the Prince of Peace and Innocence; beſieg'd with a Ring of Savage Jews.

When they blaſphem'd him, he reply'd not again; and when they injuriouſly ſtruck him, he only obſerv'd their Raſhneſs.

When they provok'd him with their utmoſt Malice, he pleaded their Excuſe; and when they kill'd him, he earneſtly pray'd for their Pardon.

O ſtrange Ingratitude of humane Nature; thus barbarouſly to Crucify the World's Redeemer.

O admirable Love of the World's Redeemer; thus patiently to dye for humane Nature!

Say now, my Soul, for whom thy deareſt Lord endur'd all this, and infinitely more.

Canſt thou complain of thy little Troubles, when the King of Glory was thus afflicted?

Canſt thou complain of a meanly furniſh'd Houſe; when the Son of God had not where to lay his Head?

We wear the Badge of a Crucified Saviour; and ſhall we ſhrink back at every Croſs we meet?

We believe in a Lord, that was crown'd with Thorns; and ſhall we abide to tread on nothing but Roſes?

Before our Eyes, O Jeſu, we ſee Thee Humble and Meek; and ſhall thy Servants be Proud and Inſolent?

We ſee Thee travel up and down, poor and unregarded; and ſhall thy Followers make it their chief aim to be rich and eſteem'd?

Thy charitable Labours were maliciouſly Slander'd; and ſhall not our Faults have the Patience to be reprov'd?

Thou diſdain'dſt not to be call'd in Scorn the Carpenters Son; and cannot our vileneſs bear a little diſparagement?

O how unlike are we to that bleſt Original; who deſcended from Heaven to become our Pattern!

How do we go aſtray from that ſacred Path; which the Holy Jeſus trac'd with his own Steps?

Pity; O dear Redeemer, the Infirmities of thy Children; and ſtrengthen with thy Grace our fainting Hearts?

Arm us, O glorious Conqueror of Sin and Death! againſt all the Fears and Terrors of the World.

Arm all our Powers with thoſe celeſtial Vertues, of Faith, and Hope, and invincible Love.

That we may ſtill go on, and reſolutely meet whatever ſtands in our way to Heaven.

Since we muſt ſuffer as Chriſtians, and deſerve it as Sinners; Lord, let us bear it as become thy Servants.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the Beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

He humbl'd himſelf for us, and became obedient to Death, even the death of the Croſs.

Ant.] Unworthy are we, O Lord, of the leaſt of thy Favours; O let thy Paſſion make us worthy of the greateſt.

Pſalm 69.

MY God, when I conſider what thou haſt ſuffer'd for us; and what we have done againſt Thee:

I am amaz'd at the wonders of thy Goodneſs; and confounded at the vileneſs of our Miſery.

Our Sins were the cauſe of thy cruel Death, yet ſtill we permit them to live in us.

We entertain the worſt of thy Enemies; and treacherouſly lodge them in our own Boſoms.

Preferring a petty Intereſt before thy Heaven; a tranſitory Pleaſure before thy Felicity.

Many, we confeſs, are the Follies of our Life, and our Conſciences tremble at their own great Guilt.

Many are the times thou haſt graciouſly pardon'd us; and ſtill we relapſe, and abuſe thy Clemency.

The memory of our Tranſgreſſions are bitter unto us; and the thought of our Ingratitude extreamly afflicts us.

But is there, O holy Jeſus, any ſtain ſo foul, which thy gracious Blood cannot waſh away?

Is there any heap of Sins ſo vaſt, to exceed the number of thine infinite Mercies?

O no; thou canſt Forgive more than we can Offend; but thou wilt not Forgive unleſs we fear to Offend:

Unleſs we ſeek to Thee for Peace and Reconciliation; and humble our ſelves in thy holy Preſence.

Wherefore behold we fall down at thy crucified Feet; and there ask Pardon for our perverſe Affections.

Reverently we kiſs thy pierced Hands; and implore Forgiveneſs of our wicked Actions.

Humbly we ſalute thy bleeding Side, and ſupplicate thy Grace to purifie our Intentions.

All we can offer thy offended Majeſty, to pacifie the Juſtice of thy Wrath;

Is only an humble Eye bathed in Tears, and a faithful penitent Heart, broken with contrition.

Only a firm reſolve to mend our Lives; and even all this we muſt beg of Thee:

O thou our gracious and indulgent Lord, who freely pardon'ſt all that truly Repent:

Who giveſt Repentance to all that ask; and inviteſt all to ask, by promiſing to give.

Make us look ſeriouſly into our own Breaſts; and heartily lament our own Failings.

Make us ſearch diligently for our Boſom Sins; and ſtrive to caſt them out with Prayer and Faſting.

Open thou, O Lord, our Lips, to accuſe our Crimes; that we bluſh not to confeſs, what we fear'd not to do.

Correct our paſt Sins with the works of Repentance; that the Stains they leave may be quite taken away.

Preſerve us hereafter with thy powerful Grace; that no Temptation ſurpriſe or overcome us.

Extend thy Mercy, O Lord, over all our Works; ſince thy ſelf haſt declar'd 'tis above all thine own.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Unworthy are we, O Lord, of the leaſt of thy Favours; O let thy Paſſion make us worthy of thy greateſt.

Firſt Leſſon. Iſa. 51. 14.

HEarken unto me, my People, give ear unto me, O my Nation, for a Law ſhall proceed from me; and I will make my Judgment to reſt for a Light of the People.

Iſa. 50. 6. I gave my Back to the Smiters, and my Cheeks to them that plucked off the Hair: I hid not my Face from Spitting.

Iſa. 63. 3. I have trodden the Winepreſs alone, and of the People there was none with me.

And Ver. 5. I looked and there was none to help.

Pſal. 22. 7. All that ſee me laugh me to ſcorn; they ſhoot out their Lips, they ſhake the Head, ſaying, He truſted in the Lord that he would deliver him, let him deliver him, ſeeing he delighted in him.

Pſal. 21, &c. I was as one that is Deaf, and heard not; as a Dumb Man that opens not his Mouth.

They gaped upon me with their Mouths, as a ravening and a roaring Lyon; for Dogs have compaſſed me, the aſſembly of the wicked have encloſed me. They pierced my Hands and my Feet. All my Bones are out of Joint. They part my Garments among them, and caſt Lots for my Veſture.

And Pſal. 96. 2. They gave me Gaul for my Meat, and in my Thirſt they gave me Vinegar to Drink.

And Pſal. 22. 15. My ſtrength is dry'd up as a Potſherd; and my Tongue cleaveth to my Jaws, and thou haſt brought me to the duſt of Death.

R. All this, O holy Jeſus, thou taughteſt by thy holy Prophets, to prepare the World for thy Coming.

All this and infinitely more, thou verifiedſt in thine own Perſon, with Pains, and Sorrows, and Reproaches, able to make even Patience it ſelf break forth into this ſad Complaint, Lam 1. 12. Is it nothing to you all ye that paſs by? Behold and ſee if there be any Sorrow, like unto my Sorrow, which is done unto me, &c.

I was betray'd, and bound, and led away Captive; I was revil'd, buffeted, and ſcornfully ſpit on; I was ſtript, ſcourg'd, and condemn'd to a cruel Death; I was crown'd with Thorns, and pierc'd with Nails, and crucified among Thieves. O all ye that paſs by the way, behold my Sorrow.

Second Leſſon. Joel 2. 12.

THerefore alſo now ſaith the Lord, Turn ye even unto me with all your Heart, with Faſting, with Weeping, and with Mourning.

And rent your Hearts and not your Garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, ſlow to Anger, and of great kindneſs, and repenteth him of the Evil.

Who knoweth if he will return, and repent, and leave a bleſſing behind him?

Iſa. 59. 1. Behold the Lord's hand is not ſhorten'd that he cannot ſave; neither his ear heavy that he cannot hear.

But your Iniquities have ſeparated between you and your God, and your Sins have hid his Face from you, that he will not hear.

Iſa. 55. 7. Let the wicked forſake his Way, and the unrighteous Man his Thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have Mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly Pardon.

Iſa. 4. 16. Waſh you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine Eyes; ceaſe to do Evil, learn to do well, ſeek Judgment, relieve the Oppreſſed, judge the Fatherleſs, plead for the Widow.

Come now, and let us reaſon together, ſaith the Lord; though your Sins be as Scarlet, they ſhall be as white as Snow; though they be red like Crimſon, they ſhall be as Wooll.

Reſ. Oh that my Head were Waters, and mine Eyes a Fountain of Tears, that I might continually weep, and mourn, and lament for my own Sins, and for my Saviour's Sufferings. O my ador'd Redeemer, make us heartily ſorry to have offended Thee; make us ſpeedily amend, leſt we ruine our ſelves; thou haſt given us theſe holy Rules to guide our Lives, and enforc'd them on us by thine own Example, Faſting, and Praying, and Weeping, and humbling thy ſelf unto Death, even the death of the Croſs.

Third Leſſon. Iſa. 58. 3, 4, &c.

BEhold in the day of your Faſt you find Pleaſure, and exact all your Labours.

Behold you faſt for Strife and Debate; and to ſmite with the Fiſts of Wickedneſs, &c.

This is the Faſt that I have choſen to looſe the Bands of Wickedneſs; to undo the heavy Burdens, and let the Oppreſſed go free; and that ye break every Yoke.

It is to deal thy Bread to the Hungry, and that thou bring the Poor that are caſt out unto thy Houſe, when thou ſeeſt the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thy ſelf from thine own Fleſh.

Then ſhall thy light break forth as the Morning, and thy health ſhall ſpring forth ſpeedily; and thy righteouſneſs ſhall go before Thee, the Glory of the Lord ſhall be thy ere ward.

Then ſhalt thou call, and the Lord ſhall anſwer thee; thou ſhalt cry, and he ſhall ſay, here am I.

Iſa. 43. 25. I, even I am he that blotteth out thy Tranſgreſſions, for mine own ſake, and will not remember thy Sins.

I am the Lord thy God, who teach thee to Profit, and govern thee in the way thou ſhouldſt go in, Iſa. 48. 17.

Reſ. My God! never let me ſo rely upon any outward Performances, that I neglect the improvement of my Mind; leſt my Faſting become an unprofitable Trouble, and my Prayer a vain Lip-labour. The Soul and the Body make one Man, and the Spirit and Diſcipline make a Chriſtian: Never let me ſo pretend to inward Perfection, that I ſlight the outward Obſervances of Religion; leſt my Thoughts grow proud and fantaſtick, and all my Arguments but a cover for Licentiouſneſs.

Antiphon.

O ye fooliſh, when will you underſtand the gracious Providence of the Lord, in chaſtening whom he loves, and ſcourging every Child he receives?

V. Gold is try'd and refin'd in the Fire.

R. And the faithful Man in the Furnace of Affliction.

Let us pray.

O God, who by our great Maſters dear Example, haſt taught us what Labours and Sufferings Heaven deſerves, and may require to take it by Violence: Confound, we humbly beſeech Thee, the nice tenderneſs of our nature in us, by this thy more tenderly condeſcending Grace, and diſpoſe us more eaſily to follow it by this plain reflection, that ſince Fleſh and Blood cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, whatever inures us practically to put them off here, by prudently denying even their juſt Contentments, moſt certainly helps us in our way thither; and is uſeful to perfect farther, even the perfecteſt, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who liveth and reigneth ever One God, World without End. Amen.

Friday Lauds.
Antiphon.

Come let us Glory in the Croſs of Chriſt, in whom is our Life, and Health, and Reſurrection.

Pſalm 70.

SHall we rejoyce, my Soul, to Day? Shall we not mourn at the Funeral of our dear Redeemer?

Such, O Lord, was the exceſs of thy Goodneſs; to derive Joys for us from thine own Sorrows.

Thou forbadeſt thy Followers to weep for thee; and reſerveſt to thy ſelf alone the Shame and Grief.

Thou inviteſt all the World to glory in thy Croſs; and commandeſt us to delight in the memory of thy Paſſion.

Sing then all you dear bought Nations of the Earth; ſing Hymns of Glory to the holy Jeſus.

Sing every one who pretends to Felicity; ſing immortal Praiſes to the God of our Salvation.

To him who for us endur'd ſo much Scorn; and patiently receiv'd ſo many Injuries.

To him who for us ſweat drops of Blood; and drank off the dregs of his Father's Wrath.

To the eternal Lord of Heaven and Earth; who for us was ſlain by the hands of the Wicked.

Who for us was led away as a Sheep to the Slaughter; and as a meek Lamb, opened not his Mouth.

Whither, O my God, did thy Compaſſions carry Thee? how did thy Charity ſo much prevail with Thee?

Was it not enough to become Man for us; but thou muſt expoſe thy ſelf to all our Miſeries?

Was it not enough to labour all thy Life; but thou muſt ſuffer for us even the Pains of Death?

No, gracious Lord, thy Mercy ſtill obſerv'd ſome Wants in our Nature to be unſupplyed.

Thou ſaweſt our too much fondneſs of Life needed thy parting with it to reconcile us to Death.

Thou ſaweſt our fear of Sufferings could no way be abated; but by freely undergoing them in thine own Perſon.

O bleſſed Jeſus, whoſe Grace alone begins, and ends, and perfects all our Hopes!

How are we bound to praiſe thy Love; how infinitely oblig'd to adore thy Goodneſs?

At any rate thou wouldſt ſtill go on; to heal our weak and wounded Nature.

Even at the price of thine own dear Blood; thou would'ſt finiſh for us the purchaſe of Heaven.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 71.

AWake, my Soul, and ſpeedily prepare thy richeſt Sacrifice of humble praiſe.

Awake, and ſummon all thy Thoughts, to make haſte and adore our great Redeemer.

For now 'tis time we ſhould reverently go; to make haſte and adore, and offer our Hearts at his Footſtool.

Thither let us fly from the Troubles of the World; there let us dwell among the Mercies of Heaven.

Under the ſhadow of his Croſs, let us kneel, and often look up to our deareſt Lord.

Let us remember every paſſage of his Life; and be ſure that none eſcape our Thanks.

Let us compaſſionate every ſtroke of his Death; and one by one ſalute his Wounds.

Bleſt be the hands that wrought ſo many Miracles; and were ſo barbarouſly bored with cruel Nails.

Bleſt be the Feet that ſo often travel'd for us; and at laſt were unmercifully faſten'd to the Croſs.

Bleſt be the Head that was crown'd with Thorns; the Head that ſo induſtriouſly ſtudied our happineſs.

Bleſſed be the Heart that was pierced with a Spear; the Heart that ſo paſſionately lov'd our Peace.

Bleſſed be the intire Perſon of our crucified Lord; and may all our Powers join in his Praiſe.

In thy eternal Praiſe, O gracious Jeſu and the raviſhing thoughts of thy incomparable ſweetneſs.

O what exceſs of kindneſs was this! what ſtrange extremity of Love and Pity!

The Lord is ſold, that the Slave may go free; the Innocent condemn'd, that the Guilty may be ſaved.

The Phyſician is ſick, that the Patient may be cured; and God himſelf dies, that Man may live.

Tell me, my Soul, when firſt thou haſt well conſider'd; and look'd about among all we know:

Tell me, whoever wiſh'd us ſo much good? whoever lov'd us with ſo much tenderneſs?

What have our neareſt Friends done for us; or even our Parents, in compariſon of Thee?

No leſs than the Son of God came down to Redeem us; no leſs than his own dear Life was the Price he paid for us.

What can the Favour of the whole World promiſe, compar'd to this miraculous Bounty?

No leſs than the Joys of Angels are become our Hope; no leſs than the Kingdom of Heaven is made our Inheritance.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 72.

TO Thee, O God, we owe our whole ſelves; for making us after thine own Image.

To Thee, O Lord, we owe more than our ſelves; for redeeming us with the death of thine only Son.

Nor were our Ruines ſo ſoon repair'd, as at firſt our Being was eaſily produc'd.

Thy Power to create us ſaid but one word; and immediately we became a living Soul.

But thy Wiſdom to redeem us, both ſpake much, and wrought more, and ſuffer'd moſt of all.

To redeem us he humbl'd himſelf to this low World; and all the Infirmities of this miſerable Nature.

He patiently endur'd Hunger and Thirſt, and the malicious Affronts of enrag'd Enemies.

How many times did he hazard his Life; to ſuſtain with Courage the Truths of Heaven?

How many Tears did he tenderly weep; in compaſſion of his blind ungrateful Country?

How many drops of Blood did he ſhed, in that doleful Garden, and on the bitter Croſs?

The Croſs, where after three long hours of Grief, and Shame, and intolerable Pains:

He meekly bow'd his fainting Head; and in an Agony of Prayer yielded up the Ghoſt.

So ſets the glorious Sun in a ſad Cloud; and leaves our Earth in darkneſs and diſorder:

But goes to ſhine immediately in th'other World; and ſoon returns again, and brings us Light.

And ſo doſt thou, dear Lord, and more; thy very Darkneſs is our Light.

'Tis by thy death we are made to live; and by thy Wounds our Sores are cured.

O my ador'd Redeemer, who tookeſt upon Thee all our Miſeries; to impart to us thine own Felicities!

Can we remember thy Labours for us; and not be convinc'd of our Duty to Thee?

Can our cold Hearts recount thy Sufferings; and not be enflam'd with the Love that ſuffer'd?

Can we believe our Salvation coſt Thee ſo dear; and live as if to be ſaved were not worth our Pains?

Ingrateful we! how do we ſlight the kindneſs of our God? how careleſly comply with his gracious Deſign?

For all his Gifts he requires no other return; than to hope ſtill more, and deſire ſtill greater Bleſſings.

For all his Favours, he ſeeks no other Praiſe; than our following his Steps to arrive at his Glory.

O glorious Jeſus! behold to Thee we bow; and humbly kiſs the Duſt in honour of thy Death.

Behold thus low we bow, to implore thy Bleſſings; and the ſure aſſiſtance of thy ſpecial Grace.

That we may wean our Affections from all vain Fancies; and clear our Thoughts from all Impertinencies.

Then ſhall our Lives be intirely dedicated to Thee; and all the Faculties of our Souls to thy Service.

Our Minds ſhall continually ſtudy thy Knowledge; and our Wills grow every day ſtronger in thy Love.

Our Memories ſhall faithfully lay up thy Mercies; and both Tongue and Heart ſhall ſing for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Leſſon. 2 Cor. 1. 31.

BLeſſed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of Mercies, and the God of all Comfort, who comforteth us in all our Tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in Trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our ſelves are comforted of God: For as the ſufferings of Chriſt abound in us, ſo our Conſolation abouneth by Chriſt.

Hymn 22. TUne now your ſelves, my Hearts ſtrings high, Let us aloft our Voices raiſe; That our loud Song may reach the Sky, And there preſent to thee our praiſe. To thee bleſt Jeſus, who cameſt down, From thoſe bright Spheres of Joy above; To purchaſe us a dear bought Crown, And wooe our Souls to eſpouſe thy Love. Long had the World in darkneſs ſate, Till thou, and all thy glorious Light, Began to dawn from Heaven's fair Gate, And with thy Beams diſpel their Night. We too, alas, ſtill there had ſtood, As common Slaves, in the ſame Shade; But Mercy came, and with his Blood, Our general Ranſome freely paid. Not all the ſpite of all the Jews, Nor Death it ſelf could him remove; Still he his bleſt deſign purſues, And gives his Life to take our Love. And now, my Lord, my God, and all, What ſhall I moſt in thee admire; That Power that made the World, and ſhall, The World again diſſolve by Fire? O no, thy ſtrange Humility, Thy Wounds, thy Pains, thy Croſs, thy Death: Theſe ſhall alone my Wonders be, My Health, my Staff, my Joy, my Breath. To thee, great God, to Thee alone, Three Perſons in one Deity, As in paſt Ages was, be done, All Glory now, and ever be. Amen.
Antiphon.

We are bought with a Price, even the moſt precious Sweat and Blood of Jeſus, henceforth to call him Maſter, whoſe Service is perfect Freedom; and give us effectual Power to become the Sons of God.

V. The Chains fell off our Hands and Feet.

R. When thine, dear Redeemer, were nailed to the Croſs.

Let us pray.

O Eternal Father, who ſenteſt down thine only Son to redeem the World, enſlav'd to Sin and Satan, by aſſuming 〈◊〉 frail Nature, and powerfully teaching us, both by Word and Example, its ſole way to that Bliſs for which we are created! Grant, we humbly beſeech thee, that the continual Memory of his bitter Paſſion, and Death on the Croſs, may beget in us an utter diſvalue of the Goods or Ills we meet with here, compar'd to the advancing our ſelves or others, in the eſteem of what we hope for hereafter, through the ſame our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth ever One God, World without End. Amen.

Lord have Mercy upon us, Chriſt have Mercy upon us. Lord have Mercy upon us. Our Father, &c.

V. Have Mercy upon us, O Lord, have Mercy upon us;

R. For our Souls truſt in thee.

And under the ſhadow of thy Wings will we hope; till our Iniquities paſs away.

Have Mercy upon us, for we are weak; heal us, O Lord, for we have ſinned againſt thee.

Our Iniquities are gone over our Head; and like a ſad burden ſit heavy upon us.

Will not our God require an account of theſe things? Will he not examine every Paſſage of our Lives?

He ſees the Secrets of our Hearts and our darkeſt Sins are not hid from him.

Lord, make us judge our ſelves, leſt we be condemn'd by thee; and chaſtiſe our ſelves, leſt we be puniſh'd by thee.

Make us mortifie our Senſes with diſcreet Auſterities; particularly contrary to the Paſſions that moleſt us.

That we may reduce our Bodies into ſubjection to our Minds; and our Minds into ſubjection unto thee.

That as our too much Liberty brought us to Folly; our juſt Severity may bring us to Pardon.

Pardon, O Lord, the Iniquity of our Sins; and graciouſly remove away all our Puniſhments.

Enter not into Judgment with thy Servants, O Lord; for in thy ſight ſhall no one living be juſtified.

Our ruine, we confeſs, to be wholly from our ſelves; and all our hope is in thy Salvation.

If we repent, and ſay now we'll begin, 'tis time now to ariſe from Sleep.

Behold Temptation ſtands at the Door, and our weak reſiſtance lets it in.

Our corrupt Nature conſpires with our Enemies; and our evil Cuſtoms prevail againſt us.

Pity us, O Lord, thou who knoweſt whereof we are made.

Wean us from this World, thou who mad'ſt us for a better.

Deliver us from the occaſions that ſo oft endanger us.

Deliver us from the occaſions that ſo often overcome us.

Deliver us from all ſudden and diſaſterous Miſchances.

Deliver us from the Miſeries of everlaſting Torments.

Why art thou ſo ſad, O my Soul? And why art thou diſquieted within me?

Still truſt in God, for we will ſtill praiſe his Name; He is our Saviour and our God.

O praiſe the Lord, for he is good; and his Mercies endure for ever.

He will bring us hereafter to the Joys of Eternity; for his Mercy endures for ever.

Let us pray.

O God, who didſt ſeverely puniſh our firſt Parents, for eating the forbidden Fruit, and haſt ſo often recommended to us the neceſſary Duties of Abſtinence and Faſting! Grant, we beſeech thee, that by obſerving diligently thy holy Diſcipline, propoſed to us in the Laws and Practice of thy Church, we may correct our Levities, and revenge our Exceſſes, and ſubdue our irregular Appetites, and fruſtrate the Temptations of the Enemy, and ſecure our Perſeverance, and daily proceed to new degrees of Vertue and Devotion, till in the end of our Lives, we receive the end of our Labours, the Salvation of our Souls, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who with Thee and the bleſſed Spirit, liveth and reigneth, One God, World without End. Amen.

Friday Veſpers.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt, &c.

Pſalm 73.

LORD, how the World requites thy Love? how ingrateful are we to thy bleſſed Memory?

We negligently forget thy ſacred Paſſion; or rather far worſe, our Sins renew thy Sufferings.

While we deprive others of their right; what do we but diveſt Thee of thy Cloaths?

While we delight in Strife and Schiſms; what do we elſe but rend thy ſeamleſs Coat?

If we deſpiſe the leaſt of thy Servants, are we not as ſo many Herod's that ſcorn'd thee?

If we for fear proceed againſt our Conſcience, how are we better than Pilate that condemn'd thee?

By forſaking thy Will to follow our own; do we not chooſe a Murderer before Thee?

By retaining a ſharp and bitter Malice, do we not give thee Vinegar and Gall to Drink?

By ſhewing no Mercy to the Poor and Afflicted, do we not paſs by thy Croſs, as Strangers unconcern'd?

Thus we again crucifie the Lord of Glory; and put him afreſh to an open Shame.

Is this, O wretched we! the Duty we pay to the Sacred Memory of our dear Redeemer?

Are theſe the Thanks our Gratitude returns, to that ſtrange exceſs of our Saviour's Love?

When we ſate in Darkneſs he took us by the hand; and kindly led us into his own Light.

We ſought not him, but he came from far to find us; we look'd not towards him, but his Mercy call'd after us.

He call'd aloud in words of tenderneſs; why will ye periſh, O you Children of Men?

Why will ye run after empty Trifles; as if there were no Joys above with me?

Return, O ye dear bought Souls, and I will receive you; repent, and though you had really Crucified me I will forgive you.

Behold, O bleſſed Jeſus, to thee we come; and to thee, dying on the Croſs, faſten all our Confidence.

Never will we unclaſp our faithful hold; till thy Grace has ſealed the Pardon of our Sins.

Never will we part from that Standard of Hope; till our troubled Conſciences be diſmiſt in Peace.

There will we ſtand, and ſigh, and weep; and every one ſay to thy Mercy:

Jeſus, my God, I ſuffer Violence; anſwer, I beſeech thee, anſwer thou for me.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

O ſenſeleſs we, that ſo little conſider what we do againſt our Saviour, or what he ſuffer'd for us!

Ant] He is the Propitiation for our Sins; and not for ours only, but for the Sins of the whole World.

Pſalm 74.

BE ſilent, O my Soul, and thy Lord will anſwer for thee; be content, and he is thy Security.

Be Innocent, and he will defend thee; be Humble, and he will exalt thee.

He will forgive thee all thou repenteſt; he will beſtow on thee more than thou askeſt.

Never let us fear the favour of our God; if we can but eſteem and deſire it.

He that ſo freely gives us himſelf; will he not with himſelf give us all things?

Is not his painful Life, and bitter Death ſufficient pledge of his Love to us?

Is not his infinite Love to us, ſufficient motive of our Duty to him?

A Duty to which we are ſo many ways oblig'd; and wherein our Eternity is ſo highly concern'd.

Surely they have little Faith, and far leſs hope; who doubt the Mercies of ſo gracious a God.

Mercies confirm'd by a thouſand Miracles; and dearly ſeal'd with his own Blood:

That innocent Blood that was ſhed for us; to appeaſe the Wrath of his offended Father.

That Blood, whoſe every precious drop was worthy to ſave ſo many Worlds.

O bleſt, and all redeeming Blood; which flow'd ſo freely from the ſource of Life!

Bathe our polluted Souls in thy clear Streams; and purge away all our foul Impurities.

Cleanſe us, O merciful Lord, from our ſecret Faults; and from thoſe darling Sins that moſt abuſe us.

Waſh off the Stains our Malice has caus'd in others; and thoſe which our weakneſs has receiv'd of them.

Let not them periſh by our occaſion; nor us be undone by theirs.

But let our Charity aſſiſt one another; and thy Clemency pardon us all.

Pardon, gracious Jeſus, what we have been; with thy holy diſcipline correct what we are?

Order by thy Providence what we ſhall be; and in the end crown thine own Gifts.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

He is the Propitiation for our Sins, and not only for ours, but for the Sins of the whole World. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of Salvation; let us demean our ſelves as the Servants of God, in Faſting, and Watching, in Patience, and Charity.

Pſalm 75.

SHouldſt thou, O Lord, have dealt with us in rigour; we had long ſince been ſentenc'd to eternal Death,

Long ſince our guilty Souls had been ſnatch'd away; and hurried down to everlaſting Torments.

But thy gracious Mercy has repriev'd our Lives; and given us ſpace to work out our Pardons.

Now is the time of Acceptance with thee; now is the day of Salvation for us.

Now let us mourn our former Offences; and bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance.

If we, O Jeſu, have hitherto perſecuted thee; and with our Sins nail'd thee on the Tree of Death:

Now let our whole endeavours attend thy Service; and loyally conſpire to uncrucify our Lord.

Let us aſcend the Mount of Calvary; and as often as we go, kiſs thy holy Steps.

We kiſs thy Steps when we love thy ways; and humble our ſelves, and follow thee.

Let us there on our Knees approach thy Croſs; and reverently cover thy naked Body.

We cover thee, when our Charity cloaths thy Servants; and hides the Infirmities of thy little ones

Let us there with the tendereſt care, unfaſten the Nails; and gently draw them out of thy Hands and Feet.

We draw them out when we freely obey thy Will; and looſen our Affections from cleaving to the World.

Lord, when we have thus reſcu'd thee, and plac'd thee again on thy Throne of Glory:

Inſtead of thy ſelf, nail thou us to thy Croſs; who really deſerve what thou really enduredſt.

Crucify our Fleſh with the fear of thee; and give it our portion of Sorrow here.

Crucify us to the World; that dead to it we may live in thee.

At leaſt live thou in us, O holy Jeſu; and fit our Souls for ſo glorious a Gueſt.

Enter into our Hearts, and fill them with thy ſelf; that no room be left for any thing but thee.

One only hope we have, thy care of us; one only Fear, the neglect of our ſelves.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Now is the accepted time, now is the day of Salvation; let us demean ourſelves as the Servants of God, in Faſting, and Watching, in Patience, and Charity.

Leſſon. Philip. 2. 1.

IF there be therefore any Conſolation in Chriſt, if any Comfort of Love, if any Fellowſhip of the Spirit, if any Bowels and Mercies,

Fulfil ye my Joy, that ye be like-minded, having the ſame Love, being of one Accord, of one Mind.

Let nothing be done through Strife, or Vain-glory, but in lowlineſs of Mind let each eſteem other better than themſelves.

Look not every Man on his own things, but every Man alſo on the things of others. Let this Mind be in you which was alſo in Chriſt Jeſus.

Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himſelf of no Reputation, and took upon him the Form of a Servant, and was made in the likeneſs of Men.

And being found in faſhion as a Man, he humbled himſelf, and became obedient to Death, even the death of the Croſs.

Wherefore God hath alſo highly exalted him, and given him a Name which is above every Name:

That at the Name of Jeſus every Knee ſhould bow, of things in Heaven, and things in Earth, and things under the Earth:

And that every Tongue ſhould confeſs, that Jeſus Chriſt is the Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.

Hymn 23. ANd now my Soul canſt thou forget, That thy whole Life is one long Debt Of Love, to him who on this Tree, Paid back the Fleſh he took for thee? Lo, how the ſtreams of precious Blood Flow from five Wounds into one Flood: With theſe he waſhes all thy Stains, And buys thy Eaſe with his own Pains. Tall Tree of Life! we clearly now, That doubt of former Ages know; It was thy Wood ſhould make the Throne Fit for a more than Solomon. Large Throne of Love! royally ſpread, With Purple of too rich a Red: Strange coſtly Price! thus to make good Thine own eſteem with thy King's Blood. Live, O for ever live, and reign Bleſt Lamb, whom thine own Love has ſlain; And may thy loſt Sheep live to be True Lovers of thy Croſs and Thee. All Glory to the Sacred Three, One undivided Deity; As it has been in Ages gone, May now and ever ſtill be done.
Antiphon.

Our Lord dyed for us, that we may live in him, and putting off the Old Man with all his Concupiſcence, be renew'd henceforth in the Spirit of our Minds.

V. Behold, dear Saviour, thou art exalted from the Earth.

R. Fulfil thy Word, and draw all things unto thy ſelf.

Let us pray.

O God, who at the price of thy only Sons laſt drop of Blood upon the Croſs, haſt won our Hearts from this Life, and all the Goods of it, to the ſole purſuit and hopes of thy ſelf in Eternity. Poſſeſs, we beſeech thee, and abſolutely diſpoſe of what thou haſt ſo dearly paid for, mortifying us to this World, and confirming our Courage, to fight manfully under the Banner of our Crucified Saviour, that we may be able to ſtand the ſhock of all Temptations, and nothing either in Life or Death may ever ſeparate us from thy Love, in him our glorious Redeemer; who with thee and the Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth, One God, bleſſed for ever. Amen.

Let us pray. Lord have Mercy upon us. Chriſt have Mercy upon us. Lord have Mercy upon us.

V. Oh that my Eyes were Waters,

R. And my Head a Fountain of Tears, that I might weep Day and Night,

The loſs of our time paſt, and the danger of our time to come;

That we might continually weep for our many Sins, and humbly confeſs our grievous Offences.

We have ſinned with our Fathers, we have ſinned.

We have done amiſs, and dealt wickedly.

We have broken the Law of our Maker.

We have provoked the Wrath of our Judge.

We have deſpiſed the Goodneſs of our God.

What ſhall we do unto thee, O thou preſerver of Men?

What ſhall we do, but appeal from the Bar of thy Juſtice.

To the mild and gracious Seat of thy Mercy.

Spare us, O Lord, for thy Mercies ſake.

Spare the work of thine own hands.

Spare us whom thou haſt made for the enjoyment of thy ſelf.

Spare us whom thou haſt redeem'd with thy precious Blood.

Pardon, O Lord, our Sins of weakneſs and ſurpriſe.

Pardon our Sins of Wilfulneſs and Malice.

Pardon our relapſes into the Sins we have repented of.

Pardon our lying in Sins without Repentance.

Make us ſo grieve for our Sins that we may hate them; and hate them ſo that we quite forſake them.

Check our unruly Paſſions with thy holy fear; and guide our ways in thy diſcipline.

That we may turn to thee with our whole Heart, in Faſting, Weeping, and Mourning.

That we may humble our Souls in Prayer; and as much as we can, redeem our Sins with Alms.

That we may root out our Vices with contrary Vertues; and bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance.

Hear, O merciful Father, when we pray for our ſelves; hear us when we pray for others.

Remember thy Congregation which thou haſt poſſeſt from the beginning.

Defend and govern it, and increaſe it for ever.

Give to thy Prieſts the Spirit of Knowledge; the Spirit of Holineſs, Zeal, and Wiſdom.

Give to thy People the Spirit of Docibility, the Spirit of Obedience, Devotion, and Charity.

Reveal thy ſelf to thoſe who never knew thee; and bring home thoſe who have gone aſtray from thee.

Preſerve, we beſeech thee, our King, and his Council, and bleſs all the People of this Nation.

Bleſs us with Health, and Peace, and Plenty; and make us uſe them with Sobriety, Gratitude, and Charity.

Reward, O Lord, our Kindred, Friends, and Benefactors; and forgive our Enemies, and all that hate us.

Comfort thoſe that mourn, and are oppreſt with Afflictions; or labour under the burden of a troubl'd Mind.

Relieve the Poor who have none to help them; and defend the Cauſe of the Fatherleſs and Widow.

Strengthen them who languiſh on the Bed of Sickneſs; and thoſe who ſtruggle in the Agony of Death.

Have Mercy upon all the faithful who live in thy Grace; have Mercy upon all Mankind.

Convert the Unconverted, and bring us all to thy Glory.

O Lord hear our Prayers; and let our Cry come unto thee.

Let us pray.

O God, who by thy holy Doctrine haſt taught us to Faſt, and Watch, and Pray; and by thy bleſſed Example, O holy Jeſu, haſt powerfully engag'd us to follow thy Steps! vouchſafe, we beſeech thee, by thy Grace, ſo to mortify our Bodies, by with-drawing the Fewel from our unruly Paſſions, and reducing our immoderate Sleep to the meaſures of neceſſary Refreſhment, that our Minds may be better diſpos'd for Prayer and Meditation, devoutly to celebrate the Faſts and Feſtivals of thy Church, and eternally to rejoyce with thee hereafter, in the Kingdom of thy Glory, where with the Father and the Holy Ghoſt, thou liveſt and reigneſt, One God, World without End. Amen.

Friday Compline.

Our help ſtandeth in the name of the Lord.

In Peace will we lie down, and take our reſt;

For it is thou only that mak'ſt us dwell in ſafety.

Pſalm 76.

Come, let us now call off our Thoughts from ranging abroad; where they do but loſe themſelves.

Let us diligently examine the Accounts of our Time; and ſumm up the Profit we have made to day.

What have we gain'd by all that we have heard or ſeen; ſince nothing is ſo barren but may yield ſome Fruit.

Had we the Art to cultivate it right; and fitly apply it to our own advantage.

If we have ſpied ſome good Example; which our gracious Lord preſents to excite us:

Did we immediately entertain the Motion; and reſolve in our Hearts effectually to follow it?

If we have fallen among vicious Company; which too often engages us to Folly:

Did the danger encreaſe our Care; and the Sin of others breed Vertue in us?

We have heard perhaps ſome melancholy news, of ſudden Sickneſs, or unexpected Deaths:

But do we fear to be ſurpriz'd our ſelves; and provide betimes for the day of tryal?

We meet with Accidents enow to diſparage this World; but do we readily feel it loſes credit in our Hearts?

Does our eſteem of the other World grow ſtrong and high; and every one faithfully tell his own Soul?

'Tis not in this poor World thou muſt expect Content; nor hope to enjoy a perfect reſt.

Order thy whole Affairs with utmoſt Skill; and which is ſeldom ſeen, let all ſucceed:

Still thou ſhalt find ſomething to trouble thee; and even thy Pleaſures ſhall be tedious unto thee.

Where-e'er thou goeſt ſtill Croſſes will follow thee; ſince where-e'er thou goeſt thou carrieſt thy ſelf.

Who then, my God, is truly happy? or rather who comes neareſt happineſs?

He that with Patience reſolves to ſuffer; and glories to be like his crucified Saviour!

When thou art come to this, my Soul; that thy Croſſes ſeem ſweet for the love of Jeſus:

Think then thy ſelf ſublimely happy; for ſure thou haſt found a Heaven upon Earth.

At leaſt the beſt Heaven this Earth can afford; and take it as a pledge of a better to come.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 77.

MY Soul, when thou art thus retir'd alone; and fitly diſpos'd for quiet Thoughts.

Never let the Greatneſs of another moleſt thy Peace; nor his proſperous Condition make thee repine.

Say not in thy Heart, had I that fair Eſtate; or were intruſted with ſo high a place:

I ſhould know how to contrive things better; and never commit ſuch groſs Miſtakes.

Tell me, how doſt thou manage thine own Employments; and fit the little room thou holdeſt in the World?

If thou haſt leiſure, art thou not Idle, and ſpendeſt thy precious Time in unprofitable Follies?

If thou art buſie, art not thou ſo too much; leaveſt no time to provide for thy Soul?

Do thy Riches make thee wiſe; and generouſly to aſſiſt the innocent Poor?

Does thy Poverty make thee humble; and faithfully to labour for thy little Family?

Doſt thou in every State give thanks to Heaven; and contentedly ſubſcribe to its ſevereſt Decrees?

Canſt thou rejoycingly ſay to God; O my ador'd Creator! I am glad my Lot is in thy hands?

Thou art all Wiſdom, and ſeeſt my Wants; thou art all Goodneſs, and delight'ſt to relieve me.

Under thy Providence, I know I am ſafe; whatever befals me thou guid'ſt to thy advantage.

If thou wilt have me obſcure and low; thy bleſſed Will, not mine be done.

If thou wilt load my back with Croſſes; and imbitter my Days with Grief and Sickneſs:

Still may thy bleſſed Will be done; ſtill govern thy Creature in thine own beſt way.

Place where thou pleaſeſt thy other Favours; but ſecure to my Soul a portion in thy Love.

Take what thou wilt of the things thou haſt lent me; but leave in my Heart the Poſſeſſion of thy ſelf.

Let others be preferr'd, and me neglected; let their Affairs ſucceed, and mine miſcarry.

Only one thing I humbly beg; and may my gracious God vouchſafe to grant it.

Caſt me not away from thy Preſence for ever; nor wipe my Name out of the Book of Life.

But my eternal hopes, let them remain; and ſtill grow quicker as they approach to their end.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 78.

MY Thoughts, run o'er the Paſſages you have met to Day; or rather forget ſuch impertinent things.

What have we ſeen but diſtracting Vanities? and what brought home but unprofitable Fancies.

How oft have we ſelt our Minds diſturb'd? how oft endanger'd by unhappy Accidents?

Sometimes we frowardly throw our ſelves down; and like ſullen Children will not ſtand.

Sometimes the Tempeſt throws us down; and like weak Children we cannot ſtand.

Yet are we venturing ſtill among the Snares; entic'd by the appearance of ſome preſent delight.

We weary our ſelves with running after Flies; which are hard to catch, and Trifles when they are caught.

This we purſue, and follow that; but nothing that we can meet can fill our Hearts.

Till we have found out thee, O gracious Lord! our only full all-ſatisfying Good.

Till we have found out thee, not by a dark belief; but clearly as thou art in thine own bright ſelf.

Remember, O my Soul, this Truth of the World we live in; which our own Experience too evidently proves:

The Eye is not fill'd with ſeeing its Vanity; nor the Ear with hearing all its Harmony.

Remember this Truth of the World we hope; made ſure to our Faith by the Word of Jeſus:

The Eye hath not ſeen ſuch beauteous Glories; nor has the Ear heard ſuch raviſhing Charms:

Nor can the Heart it ſelf conceive ſuch incredible Joys; as our God has prepar'd for them that love him.

As our bleſſed Jeſus has purchas'd for his Servants; and even for thee, my Soul, to crown thy Patience.

Wherefore in Peace lay down thy head, and reſt ſecure in the Protection of thy God.

Whoſe Mercy has ſo graciouſly ſingled thee out; and ſo ſtrongly eſtabliſh'd on himſelf thy hope.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Hymn 24. 'TIs not for us, and our proud Hearts, O mighty Lord, to chooſe our parts, But Act well what thou giv'ſt; 'Tis not in our weak Pow'r to make One ſtep o'th way we undertake, Unleſs thou us reliev'ſt. What thou haſt given thou canſt take, And when thou wilt new Gifts canſt make, All flows from thee alone; When thou didſt give it, it was thine, When thou retook'ſt it, 'twas not mine, Thy Will in all be done. It might perhaps too pleaſant prove, Too much attractive of my Love, And make me leſs love thee; Some things there are, thy Scriptures ſay, And reaſon proves that Heav'n and they Do ſeldom well agree. Lord, let me then ſit calmly down, And reſt contented with my own, That is what thou allow'ſt. Keep thou my Mind ſerene and free, Often to think on Heaven and Thee, And what thou there beſtoweſt. There let me have my Portion, Lord, There all my Loſſes e reſtor'd, No matter what falls here; Is't not enough that we ſhall ſing, And love for ever our bleſt King, Whoſe Goodneſs brought us there? Great God, as thou art one, may we With one another all agree, And in thy Praiſe conſpire; May Men and Angels joyn, and ſing Eternal Hymns to Thee their King, And make up all One Quire. Amen.
Leſſon. Gal. 6. 14.

BUt God forbid that I ſhould Glory, ſave in the Croſs of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom the World is crucified unto me, and I unto the World.

For in Chriſt Jeſus neither Circumciſion availeth any thing, nor Uncircumciſion, but a new Creature; and whoever ſhall follow this Rule, Peace be on them, and Mercy, and upon the Iſrael of God.

Let us pray.

O God, whoſe provident Mercy makes every day a new Branch of the Tree of Knowledge to us, whence the Evening may gather freſh variety of Fruit, fit to nouriſh thoſe Souls whom thy Grace has brought to feed on the Tree of Life, the Croſs of Jeſus! Grant, we beſeech thee, that no experience of Good or Evil, which this day has afforded, may be loſt on us, but what e'er of moment has happen'd to our ſelves or others, may by ſeaſonable and minute rumination be fitted to render us more skilful in diſcerning the true value and uſe of this Eſtate in all its Poſtures, and readier to reſign (with our Saviour) our whole Concerns and Beings here to thy Will, and the ſole advancement of thy Glory, which at length will ſurely crown thy Servants with immortal Bliſs, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth One God, World without End. Amen.

Saturday MATTINS.
Introduction. Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer. Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer.
Pſalm 79.

COme all you Powers of my deliver'd Soul, and pay your Homage to the Prince of Peace, to the Prince of our Salvation; caſt your unworthy ſelves at his ſacred Feet, and renew your Vows of following his Steps.

Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer.

He triumph'd over Death in his own Body, and enables us to conquer it in ours; imparting to us his Heavenly Skill, and provoking our Courage with infinite Rewards.

Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer.

He changed the corrupted Government of the World, and eſtabliſh'd a new and holy Law, that as we were Vaſſals to Sin before, we might now become the free Subjects of Grace.

Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer.

Let us live and die in his bleſt Obedience, and no Temptation ſeparate us from him; who, if we reſiſt, will make us overcome; and when we have overcome, will crown us with Peace.

Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoſt;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever ſhall be, world without end, Amen.

Hymn 25. LOrd, we again lift up our Eyes, And leave our ſluggiſh Beds; But why we wake, and why we riſe, Comes ſeldom in our Heads. Is it to ſweat and toil for Wealth, Or ſport our time away; That thou preſerv'ſt us ſtill in Health, And giv'ſt us this new Day? No, no, unskilful Soul! not ſo, Be not deceiv'd with Toys; Thy Lords Commands more wiſely go, And aim at higher Joys. They bid us wake to ſeek new Grace, And ſome freſh Vertue gain; They call us up to mend our pace, Till we the Prize attain. That glorious Prize for which all run, Who wiſely ſpend their Breath; Who when this weary Life is done, Are ſure of reſt in Death. Not ſuch a Reſt as here we prove, Diſturb'd with Cares and Fears; But endleſs Joy, and Peace, and Love, Unmixt with Grief and Tears. Glory to Thee, O bounteous Lord! Who giv'ſt to all things Breath; Glory to Thee, eternal Word! Who ſav'ſt us by thy Death. Glory, O bleſſed Spirit, to Thee who fill'ſt our Souls with Love; Glory to all the myſtick Three, Who reign one God above. Amen.
Antiphon.

This is, alas, the Land of the dying; but we hope to ſee the Glory of God in the Land of the Living.

Pſalm 80.

PRoſtrate before thy Tomb, O Lord! behold we freely confeſs our Miſery.

And in the loweſt Poſture of afflicted Pilgrims, humbly implore thy Mercy.

Peacefully in the Grave thy holy Body repoſed; and thy Soul went triumphing to redeem thy Captives.

But we, alas, thy helpleſs Orphans; how are we left in the midſt of our Enemies!

To how many dangers are our Lives expos'd? with how many Temptations are we round beſieg'd?

Temptations in Meat, Temptations in Drink; Temptations in Converſing, Temptations in Solitude.

Temptations in Buſineſs, and in Leiſure; Temptation in Riches, and ſo in Poverty.

All our Ways are ſtrew'd with Snares; and even our own Senſes conſpire againſt us.

Whither, O my God, ſhall our poor Souls go; encompaſs'd with a Body ſo frail, and a World ſo corrupt?

Whither, but to Thee, the Juſtifier of Sinner; and to thy Grace the ſuſtainer of the weak?

Thy Grace inſtructs us what we ought to do; and breeds in us the Will to endeavour what we know.

Thy Grace enables us to perform our Reſolves; and when all's done, thy Grace muſt give the Succeſs.

Govern us with thy Grace, O eternal Wiſdom! and direct our Steps in thy ſafe way.

Order every Chance to prevent our Falling; and ſtill lead us on to our happy end.

Give us the Eye and Wing of an Eagle, to ſee our danger, and fly ſwiftly away.

If we muſt needs ingage our Enemy, and no means left to eſcape the Encounter.

Strengthen us, O Lord, to perſevere with Courage; that we may never be wanting in our Fidelity to thee.

Convince us, bleſſed Jeſus, into this firm Judgment; and may our Memories faithfully retain it.

Whatever our Senſes ſay to deceive us; or the World to obſcure ſo beauteous a Truth:

That thy ſelf alone art our chiefeſt Good; and the ſight of thy Glory our ſupream Felicity.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

This is, alas, the Land of the dying; but we hope to ſee the Glory of God in the Land of the living.

Ant.] Well done, thou good and faithful Servant, I gave thee two Talents, and thou haſt gained two more, enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord.

Pſalm 81.

HAppy, O Lord, are they who have ſo much Employment; that there remains no room for Idleneſs.

Happy are they who have ſo little buſineſs; that they want not ſpace to attend their Souls.

Happy yet more are they who in the midſt of their work, can think ſometimes of the Wages above.

Whom nothing diverts from their chief Concern, of ſeeking to make their Election ſure.

But while their Backs are bow'd down with Labour; they freely can raiſe up their Minds to Heaven.

And while they are ty'd to their Beds of Sickneſs; can yet move on to their eternal Reſt.

Often they rejoyce with themſelves alone; and ſilently ſay in their contented Hearts.

Here we alas are narrowly confin'd; and our time entertain'd with trivial Affairs.

But hereafter we expect an unbounded enlargement; and the ſame glorious Office with the bleſſed Angels.

Here we are ſubject to a thouſand Miſeries; and the moſt proſperous Life is vain and ſhort.

But hereafter we expect an infinity of Joy, and the ſolid Pleaſures of Heaven for ever.

We too, O gracious Lord, who now adore thee; and in thy Preſence ſing theſe holy words.

We humbly pray thee, guide us in the middle Path; that we never decline to any vitious extream.

Deliver us from the ſtormy Sea of buſineſs; and the dead Water of a ſloathful Life.

Leſt we be caſt away by forgetting thee; or become corrupted by forgetting our ſelves.

Make us ſometimes at leaſt recollect our Thoughts; how much ſoever our Condition diſtracts us.

Make us look up with Confidence in our God; how low ſoever our Afflictions depreſs us.

Make us look up to the eternal Mountains; and feed our Souls with this ſweet Hope.

The day will come that out of this dark World, we ſhall joyfully aſcend to that beauteous ſight.

The day will come, and cannot be far off; when we ſhall reſt for ever in the Boſom of Bliſs.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Well done thou good and faithful Servant; I gave thee five Talents, and thou haſt gain'd five more.

Pſalm 82.

HAppieſt of all, O Lord, are they; whoſe very buſineſs is thy Service.

Who not only beſtow an interrupted glance; but ſteddily and conſtantly fix their Eyes on thee.

Who not only viſit thy Houſe ſometimes; but Night and Day dwell in thy Preſence.

When the Sun riſes it finds them at their Prayers; and when it ſets leaves them at the ſame ſweet Task.

Every place is a Church to them, and every Day a holy Sabbath.

Every Object an occaſion of Piety; and every Accident an exerciſe of Vertue.

Do they behold the beauteous Stars? they preſently adore their great Creator.

Do they look down on the fruitful Earth? they inſtantly begin to praiſe his Bounty.

Let War or Peace do what they will; and the inconſtant World reel up or down:

They paſs through all as unconcern'd; and ſmoothly go on their regular courſe:

Looking ſtill up to that glorious Life above; and entertaining this preſent in Hope and Solitude.

If they depart ſometimes from their proper Center; and forſake a while their beloved Retirement.

'Tis to approach and give Light to others; and enflame ſome cold or lukewarm Heart.

While they are thus abroad, their Minds are at home with thee; and nothing can divide them from thy dear Preſence.

Yet do they wiſely make haſte to return; and injoy thee alone in their little Cell.

There thou receiv'ſt them as familiar Friends; and freely admitteſt them into thy ſecret ſweetneſs.

Thou giveſt them a taſte from thine own full board; and overfloweſt their Hearts with the Wine of Gladneſs.

Often they feel a little Beam from Heaven ſtrike gently, and fill their Breaſts with Light.

Often that gentle Light is kindled into a Flame; and chaſtly burns with pure Deſires.

Deſires that ſtill mount up and aim at thee; the ſupernatural center of all their Hopes.

O happy ſtate of reverend Diſcipline; free from the Cares and Tumults of the World!

Free from the dangerous allurements of Sin; and perpetually ſollicited with the engagements to Vertue.

Where they ſeldom fall, and quickly riſe; and make ſwift advances in the way to Heaven.

Where they live in Purity, and dye with an humble Confidence; and go to ſing among the Quires of Angels.

Bleſt Providence, who govern'ſt all things in perfect Wiſdom; and aſſigneſt to every one his proper place!

If thou haſt pleas'd to diſpoſe our Lives, in Circumſtances leſs favourable than theſe.

O let thy powerful hand ſupply our Wants, and leadus on in our low Path.

That at leaſt afar off we may follow them, who ſtrive to tread ſo near thy Steps.

So ſhall we too, though ſlowly, arrive at the rich Inheritance of thy Holy Land.

So ſhall we gladly enter thoſe bliſsful Gates, and dwell for ever in the City of Peace.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Firſt Leſſon.

HAve thy Thoughts in the Precepts of God, and let thy chief buſineſs be his Commandments.

Deliver him that ſuffers Injury out of the hands of the Proud, and be not fainthearted when thou ſitteſt in Judgment.

Be merciful to Orphans as a Father, and as a Husband to their Mother.

He that deſpiſeth the Poor reproacheth his Maker; but he loves him that pitieth them.

The Wicked ſhall be caſt out in his Malice; but the Juſt hath hope in his Death.

Our Lord will not accept any Perſon againſt the Poor; and will hear the Prayer of him that is wronged.

He will not deſpiſe the Prayer of the Fatherleſs, nor the Widow, when ſhe pours forth her Complaint.

Do not the Tears run down the Widows Cheeks? and is not her cry againſt them that cauſed them?

Turn not away thine Eyes in Anger from the Poor; nor give him occaſion to curſe thee.

Remember not every Wrong of thy Neighbour; nor do any thing by injurious Practice.

The Great, the Judge, the Mighty are in Honour; but there is none greater than he that fears God.

Reſp. Lord, with what admirable Wiſdom doſt thou govern the World! Thou makeſt the Poor, and appointeſt them their Task of innocent Work. Thou makeſt the Rich, and giveſt them leiſure for their better Improvement: And both Poor and Rich to need and help one another. O give us Hearts to comply with thy bleſt Deſign, that every one may ſtrive for the good of all. One God Created us, One Saviour Redeemed us, One Holy Spirit ſanctified us, that we all may live in Love, and Amity, and mutual Aſſiſtance.

Second Leſſon.

BE not eager to grow Rich, but uſe moderation in thy Endeavours: Wealth haſtily got ſhall be diminiſh'd; but that which is gather'd with the hand by little and little ſhall be multiply'd.

Lift not up thine Eyes to the Riches thou canſt not have; for they make themſelves Wings and fly away.

Let not thy Heart envy Sinners, but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

A deceitful Balance is an abomination to the Lord; and an equal Weight is his delight.

There is nothing more wicked than the Love of Money; for he that has it will ſet even his Soul to Sale.

Riches will not Profit in the day of Wrath; but Righteouſneſs ſhall deliver from Death.

The Righteouſneſs of the Righteous ſhall deliver them; and the Unrighteous ſhall be caught in their deceitful Practices.

The Righteouſneſs of the Simple ſhall guide his Way; and the Wicked ſhall fall in his own Wickedneſs.

Better is a dry Morſel with Joy, than a Houſe full of Victims with Brawling.

Better is a Poor Man walking in his Simplicity, than the Rich in crooked ways.

Sweet is the Labourer's Sleep, whether he eat much or little; but the fulneſs of the Rich ſuffers him not to Sleep.

Some who have nothing are as if they were Rich; and others who abound in Wealth, are as if they were Poor.

Some give of their own, and become Richer; others take what is not their own, and are always in Want.

The Sincerity of the Upright ſhall direct them; and the deceitfulneſs of the Perverſe ſhall deſtroy them.

Reſp.] Give me, O thou ſweet diſpoſer of all things, neither Poverty nor Riches.

Feed me with Food convenient for me, leſt I be full and deny thee, and ſay, who is the Lord? Or leſt I be Poor and Steal, and take the name of my God in vain. Or rather, deareſt Lord, give me what thou pleaſeſt, ſince thy Self haſt taught me now a more perfect Leſſon, to ſubmit my Will intirely to thine. Only I ſtill beg that in all my ways, thy Providence may govern me; and in all my Temptations thy Grace may preſerve me.

Third Leſſon.

IT is better to go to the Houſe of Mourning, than to the Houſe of Feaſting; for that is the end of all Men, and the Living will lay it to Heart.

If a Man live many Years, and rejoice in them all, yet let him remember the days of Darkneſs.

Rejoice, O young Man, in thy Youth, and let thy Heart chear thee in the days of thy Youth, and walk in the ways of thy Heart, and in the ſight of thine Eyes; but know that for all theſe things God will bring thee unto Judgment.

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy Youth, while the evil days come not, nor the Years draw nigh, when thou ſhalt ſay, I have no pleaſure in them.

Of making many Books there is no end; and much Study is a wearineſs to the Fleſh.

Let us hear the Concluſion of the whole Matter; Fear God, and keep his Commandments, for this is the whole Duty of Man.

Reſp.] In all thy Works remember thy laſt end, when thou muſt bid a long farewel to all the World. Remember that dreadful day of the univerſal Judgment, when thou muſt give account for every Idle word; and thou ſhalt not Sin for ever. Remember the Joys prepar'd for the Innocent, and the Miſeries that attend the Wicked. Remember how nearly it concerns thy Soul, to have a good or bad Eternity.

Antiphon.

Be ſober and vigilant, for our Adverſary the Devil goes about, as a roaring Lyon, ſeeking whom he may devour; whom reſiſt ſtedfaſt in Faith.

V. We muſt reſiſt Evil, that we may purſue Good;

R. And eſcaping Hell, may arrive at Heaven.

Let us pray.

O God, who ſeeſt and pitieſt the Infirmity of our Nature, ſurrounded on every ſide with the worſt of Dangers, Temptations to Sin; ſtrengthen us, we beſeech thee, with thy all-powerful Grace, to ſtand continually on our Guard, reſolv'd, even to Death, either warily to avoid, or ſtoutly break through all that offers to divert or ſtop the advance of thy Love in our Hearts. And grant us ſo wiſely to improve the Talents of Capacity, and Means, thy Providence aſſigns us in this preſent Life, that at the great day of Account, we may every one be received with thoſe precious words; Well done thou good and faithful Servant, enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord; through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth, one God, World without End. Amen.

Saturday Lauds.
Antiphon.

When thou hadſt overcome the ſharpneſs of Death, thou didſt open the Kingdom of Heaven to all Believers.

Pſalm 83.

IF we rejoyc'd for our ſelves in the Sufferings of our Lord; let us now rejoyce for him that his Sufferings are ended:

Now that the Fowlers Net is broken; and the meek and innocent Dove is eſcap'd:

Now that the Cup of Bitterneſs is paſt away; and never poſſible to return again.

Never again, O deareſt Jeſus, ſhall thoſe bleſt Eyes weep; nor thy holy Soul be ſorrowful to death.

Never ſhall thy precious Life be ſubject any more, to the bloody Malice of ambitious Hypocrites.

Never ſhall thy Innocence any more be expoſed to the barbarous Fury of an ingrateful Multitude.

But thou ſhalt live, and reign for ever; and all created Nature perpetually adore thee.

O happy end of well endured Afflictions! O bleſſed Fruits that ſpring from the Croſs of Jeſus!

Look up, my Soul, and ſee thy Crucified Lord ſit gloriouſly enthron'd at the right-hand of his Father.

Behold the ragged Purple now turn'd into a Robe of Light; the ſcornful Reed into a Royal Scepter.

The Wreath of Thorns is grown into a ſparkling Diadem; and all his Scars poliſh'd into Brightneſs.

His Tears are all now chang'd into Joy; and the Laughter of his Perſecutors into ſad Deſpair.

Herod long ſince periſh'd into miſerable Contempt; and Pilate ſtill trembles with everlaſting Fears.

The impenitent Jews are ſcatter'd o'er the World; to atteſt his Truth, and their own obdurate Blindneſs.

But himſelf is crown'd with eternal Triumphs; and the Souls of his redeemed ſhall ſing his Victories for ever.

Live glorious King of Men and Angels; live happy Conqueror of Sin and Death.

Our Praiſes ſhall always attend thy Croſs; and our Patience endeavour to bear our own.

Through fierceſt Dangers our Faith ſhall follow thee; and nothing wreſt from us our hopes of enjoying thee.

We'll fear no more the ſting of Death; nor be frighted at the darkneſs of the Grave.

Since thou haſt chang'd our Grave into a Bed of Reſt; and made Death it ſelf but a Paſſage unto Life.

We'll love no more the Pleaſures of Vanity; nor ſet our Hearts on unſatisfying Riches.

Since thou haſt open'd Paradiſe again; and purchas'd for us the Kingdom of Heaven.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 84.

BLeſſed be thy Name, O holy Jeſus! and bleſſed be the Mercy of thy Providence.

Who haſt caſt our Lots in theſe times of Grace; and deſign'd our Birth in the days of Light:

When we may ſee our ready way; and directly go on to our glorious End.

Soon as thine own Afflictions ended, thou didſt communicate thy Joys to all the World:

All that eſteem'd ſo bleſt a Sight; and ſtood prepar'd to entertain thy Coming.

As for the reſt, whoſe Eyes are ſhut; or turn'd away by their own Malice:

Thy Preſence yields them no more Joy, than Light to thoſe that will not ſee.

But the Hearts that love thee thou filleſt with Gladneſs; and overfloweſt them with an Ocean of heavenly Delights.

Come happy Souls, to whom belongs ſo fair a Title to all theſe Mercies!

Come, let us now raiſe up our Thoughts, and continually meditate on our future Beatitude.

Let us comfort our Labours with the hope of Reſt; and our Sufferings with the expectance of a quick Reward.

Now that the hand of our gracious Lord, has unlock'd the Gates of everlaſting Bliſs:

Now that they ſtand wide open, to admit ſuch as preſs on with their utmoſt ſtrength:

Such as have wiſely made choice of Heaven; for the only end and buſineſs of their Life:

Rejecting all theſe falſe Allurements; to attend the purſuit of true Felicity.

O bleſſed Jeſus, our Hope, our Strength; and the full rewarder of all thy Servants!

As thou haſt freely prepar'd for us ready Wages; ſo, Lord, let thy Grace enable us to work.

Make us to direct our whole Life to thee; and undervalue all things compar'd with thy Love.

Seal thou up our Eyes to the illuſions of the World; and open them upwards to thy ſolid Glories.

That when our earthly Tabernacle ſhall be diſſolv'd; and this Houſe of Clay fall down into the Duſt:

We may aſcend to thee, and dwell above; in that Building not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 85.

PRaiſe our Lord, O ye Children of Men; Praiſe him as the Author of all your Hopes.

Praiſe our Lord, O ye bleſſed of Heaven; praiſe him as the finiſher of all your Joys.

Sing, O ye Reverend Patriarchs, and Holy Prophets; ſing Hymns of Glory to the Great Meſſias.

Sing and rejoyce, all you ancient Saints; who ſo long repoſed in the Boſom of Abraham.

Bring forth your beſt and pureſt Incenſe; and humbly offer it at the Throne of the Lamb:

The Lamb that was ſlain from the beginning of the World; by the ſprinkling of whoſe Blood ye are all ſav'd.

O ſtill ſing on the Praiſes of the King of Peace; and bleſs for ever his victorious Mercy.

'Twas he diſſolv'd the Power of Darkneſs; and brake aſunder the Bars of Death.

How did your glad Eyes ſparkle with Joy; to ſee at laſt your deſir'd Redeemer!

How were your Spirits tranſported with Delights; to behold the Splendor of his glorious Preſence!

O glorious Preſerver, when ſhall our Souls be filled with ſtrong and conſtant deſires of enjoying thee?

When, deareſt Jeſus, ſhall our Deſires be filled with the everlaſting fruition of thy ſelf?

Henceforth for thee, and for thy ſacred Love, O thou great and only comfort of our Souls!

May all Afflictions be welcome to us; as wholſome Phyſick to correct our Follies.

May the Pleaſures of the World be rejected by us; as dangerous Fruits that fill us with Diſeaſes.

May we by thy Example, neither fear to die; nor refuſe the Labours of this Life.

But while we live, obey thy Grace; that when we die, we may enjoy thy Glory.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
2 Pet. 3. 17.

BEware leſt ye alſo being led away by the Error of the Wicked, ye ſall from your own ſtedfaſtneſs.

But grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt; to him be Glory, both now, and for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn 26. MY God, to thee our ſelves we owe, And to thy Bounty all we have; Behold to thee our Praiſes flow, And humbly thy acceptance crave. If we are happy in a Friend, That very Friend 'tis thou beſtow'ſt; His Power, his Will to help our end, Is juſt ſo much as thou allow'ſt. If we enjoy a free Eſtate, Our only Title is from thee; Thou mad'ſt our Lot to bear that rate, Which elſe an empty Blank would be. If we have Health that well tun'd Ground, Which gives the Muſick to the reſt; It is by thee our Air is ſound, Our Food ſecur'd, our Phyſick bleſt. If we have hope one Day to view The Glories of thy bliſsful Face; Each drop of that refreſhing Dew Muſt fall from Heav'n, and thy free Grace. Thus then to Thee our Praiſes flow, And humbly thy acceptance crave; Since 'tis to Thee our ſelves we owe, And to thy Bounty all we have. Glory to Thee, great God, alone, Three Perſons in One Deity; As it has been in Ages gone, May now and ſtill for ever be. Amen.
Antiphon.

'Tis conſummated; thou haſt, O Jeſu, overcome in thy Body, all the Powers of Darkneſs; Their Hour is paſt, but thy Souls eternal Bliſs remains; and behold that of thy triumphant Reſurrection approaches.

V. Be not afraid of thoſe that kill the Body.

R. And after that have no more to do.

Let us pray.

O God, who haſt ſubmitted thine only Son our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, to expire on the Croſs, and deſcend into the Grave, that he might deſtroy the Life of Sin, and bury the Terrors of Death! Grant, we beſeech thee, they may never revive or riſe again, to tempt us, or fright us from the ways of Vertue, nor ſhake this ſure and fundamental Truth, which thy Grace has laid in our Hearts, that the greateſt miſchiefs our Salvation coſts us here, are but momentary, and work above meaſure in us an eternal weight of Glory, through the ſame our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Amen.

Antiphon.

They who uſe this World, let them be as if they uſed it not; for the faſhion of this World paſſeth away.

Saturday Veſpers.
Pſalm 86.

WHy do you ſo eagerly purſue the World; and ſeek its fond Enjoyments?

A World of Vanity and falſe Deceits; a World of Miſery and ſad Diſaſters.

Whoſe Croſſes are ſolid, and Comforts empty; whoſe Sorrows are permanent, and its Delights paſs quickly away.

A World where the Innocent are condemned with Shame; and the Guilty are freed with Applauſe.

Where often the wicked are advanc'd to Honour; and the vertuous are oppreſs'd with Diſgrace.

Where Friends fall off, and Kindred forget; and every one minds his proper Intereſt.

Yet are we taken with this crooked World; and blindly court its painted Face.

We make ſome ugly Paſſion Miſtreſs of our Hearts; and neglect the pure and amiable Love of Jeſus.

Whoſe Goodneſs to us gives us all we have, whoſe Perfections in himſelf are more than we can conceive.

Thou art, O glorious Jeſus, the beauty of Angels, and the everlaſting Joy of all Saints.

Thou art the Heaven of Heavens it ſelf; and in thy ſight alone is the fulneſs of Bliſs.

All this thou art, and infinitely more; and yet, alas, how few eſteem thee?

The World, we dearly know, too often has deceiv'd us; and our raſhneſs cares not to be undone again.

Thou never, O Jeſus, haſt fail'd our Hope; and yet our Dulneſs fears to rely on thee.

The World diſtracts and embroils our Spirits; and wretched we delight in our Miſery.

Thou always, O Jeſu, fill'ſt our Hearts with Peace; and ſenſeleſs we are weary of thy Happineſs.

The World calls, and we faint in following it; Thou call'ſt, and we are ſtill relieved by Thee.

Yet is our Nature ſo ingratefully perverſe; we run after that which Tires, and abandons that which Refreſhes with ineffable ſweetneſs.

Sometimes our Lips ſpeak gloriouſly of thee; O thou living Fountain of eternal Bliſs!

Some happy times we reliſh thy ſweetneſs; and decry aloud the Poyſon of the World.

But we are ſoon enticed by its gilded Cup, and eaſily forſake the Waters of Life

O bleſſed Jeſus, who took'ſt upon thee all our Frailties; to beſtow on us thine own Perfections!

Teach us to prize the Joys of Heaven; and part with all things elſe to purchaſe that.

Make all the pleaſures of this Life ſeem bitter to our taſte; as they are indeed pernicious to our Healths.

Let not their Flatteries any more delude us; nor ſuperfluous Cares perplex our Minds.

But may our chief delight be to think of thee; and all our ſtudy to grow great in thy Love.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

We by a fond ſelf-love blame every thing but our ſelves; whilſt nothing can hurt us but our own misplaced Affections.

Pſalm 87.

ALL this is true, and yet the World is loved; and our Nature inclines to affect its Vanities.

'Tis loved, and ſo it juſtly deſerves; did we underſtand its real value.

Our Life indeed ſeems mean and trivial; and all things about us ſeem troubleſome and dangerous.

Yet, O my God, are their conſequences excellent in this; that they are our only way of coming to thee.

This World, and this alone, is the Womb that breeds us; and brings us forth to ſee thy Light.

This is alone the proper Machine, wherein thy Hand has ſet our Lives:

To learn the Art of managing it right; and wind up our ſelves to thy glorious Heaven.

O that we had that happy Skill! how ſoon would every thing help forward to advance us?

Whether we eat or drink, or whatſoever elſe an innocent Hand can undertake:

If we regard our happy end, and order all to the improvement of our Minds:

They inſtantly change their ſecular Name; and deſervedly are preferr'd to become Religious.

Riches themſelves, and imperious Honour, have not ſo perverſe and fixt a Malice:

But a prudent uſe converts them to Piety; and makes them fit Inſtruments of higheſt Bliſs.

Our very Delights, O the goodneſs of God! may be ſo temper'd with a wiſe alloy:

That his Mercy accounts them as parts of our Duty; and fails not to give them their due Reward:

While they are entertain'd for the Health of our Bodies, or the juſt refreſhment of our wearied Spirits:

And both our Bodies and Spirits conſtantly apply'd, to gain new degrees of the love of Heaven.

Thus, gracious Lord, every moment of our Lives may ſtill be climbing up towards thee.

Thus may we proceed in thy Service; even then when we moſt of all ſerve our ſelves.

And then indeed we beſt ſerve our ſelves, when we are buſieſt in that we call thy Service.

Thou ſweetly vouchſafeſt to ſtile that thy Glory, which in very truth is nothing but our Intereſt.

Thou kindly complain'ſt we diſhonour thy Name; when we only miſchief our own Soul.

O bleſſed Jeſus, King of Clemency, and great Rewarder of every little improv'd Grace!

Thou who by all we can do pretendeſt no Gain; but beſtoweſt upon us all thy ſelf haſt done!

Thou who cameſt down from Heaven, to ſhew us a Pattern; and mad'ſt us free to work for our Profit!

Inſtruct our Gratitude to conſecrate all to thee; ſince all by thy Bounty redounds to our Profit.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

We by a fond ſelf-love blame every thing but our ſelves, whilſt nothing can hurt us but our own miſplac'd Affections.

Ant.] It is decreed for all Men once to dye; and after Death to come to Judgment.

Pſalm 88.

THis Life indeed is the way we muſt walk; but this alone cannot bring us to the end.

E're we arrive at our appointed home, we muſt be led through the Gates of Death.

Where we ſhall be abſolutely ſtript of all we have; and carry nothing with us but what we are.

Where we muſt not only quit the World; but leave behind us even a part of our ſelves.

Haſt thou, my Soul, ſeen ſome Neighbour die; and doſt thou remember thoſe circumſtances of Sorrow?

We are ſure the Caſe e're long will be our own; and are not ſure but it may be very ſoon.

Have we our ſelves been dangerouſly Sick? and do we remember the Thoughts we had then?

How we reſolv'd to correct our Paſſions; and ſtrive againſt the Vices that ſo particularly endanger us?

'Twill come to this again, and no reprieve be found, to ſtay one ſingle Minute the hand of Death.

But he immediately will ſeize upon us; and bear us away to the Region of Spirits:

There to be rang'd in our proper place; as the courſe of our Life has qualified us here.

Nor is this all to expire, and die, and dwell for a time in a ſtate of Separation.

We muſt expect another Day; a Day of publick Accounts, and reſtitution of all things.

Where the Arch-Angel ſhall ſound his Trumpet; and proclaim aloud this univerſal Summons:

Ariſe you dead, and come to Judgment; ariſe, and appear before the Throne of God.

Then ſhall the little heaps of Duſt immediately awake; and every Soul put on her proper Body.

Immediately all the Children of Adam ſhall be gather'd together; from Heaven, and Hell, and every corner of the Earth.

There they muſt ſtand and attend their Doom; but Oh with how ſad and fatal a difference!

The Juſt ſhall look up with a chearful Confidence; and in their new white Robes triumph and ſing:

Alleluja, let us rejoice, for the Kingdom of the World is made our Lord's, and his Chriſt's; and he ſhall reign for ever and ever.

Let us rejoyce, for now our Redeemer is nigh; behold he comes quickly, and his reward is with him.

Come, come, Lord Jeſu, thou long deſire of our Hearts; come quickly thou full delight of our Souls.

Come, and declare to all the World thy Glory; come, and reward before all the World, thy Servants.

Lo, where he comes aloft in Power and Majeſty; attended with a Train of innumerable Angels.

Behold where he ſits inthron'd on the Wings of Cherubims; and takes at once a view of all Mankind.

Soon he commands his Angels to ſever his Sheep; and gather them together on his right Hand.

Firſt then to them he turns his glorious Face; and ſhines upon them with theſe raviſhing words:

Come ye bleſſed of my Father; poſſes the Kingdom prepar'd for you, from the beginning of the World.

O the Joys their Souls ſhall feel; when thoſe heavenly Words ſhall ſound in their Ears!

Joys which the Wit of Man cannot conceive; Joys that the Tongue of Angels cannot expreſs!

Let it ſuffice, themſelves ſhall taſte their own Felicity; and feed on its ſweetneſs for evermore.

But O! with what dejected Eyes, and trembling Hearts, ſhall the wicked ſtand expecting their Judge!

What ſhall they do, when where-e'er they look, their Eye can meet with nothing but Deſpair?

Above the offended Judge, ready to condemn them; below the bottomleſs Pit gaping to devour them:

Within the Worm of Conſcience gnawing their Bowels; and round about all the World in Flames.

What ſhall they do, when that terrible Voice ſhall ſtrike them ſuddenly down to the bottom of Hell:

Go ye curſed into everlaſting Fire, prepar'd for the Devil and his Angels?

The Day of Man is paſt; when Sinners did what they pleas'd, and God ſeem'd to hold his peace.

'Tis now the Day of God, when his Wrath ſhall ſpeak in Thunder; and Sinners ſuffer what their wickedneſs deſerves.

Then ſhall they ſink immediately into the Pit of Sorrows; and dwell in Darkneſs and Torments for ever.

Whilſt the Juſt ſhall go up in Joy and Triumph; and reign with our Lord in his Kingdom for ever.

Thus ſhall the whole Creation be finally diſpoſed; and Mercy and Juſtice divide the World.

O my Soul, who now art here below; and readeſt theſe dreadful Truths as things afar off!

Know thou ſhalt then be preſent, and ſee them with thine Eyes; and be thy ſelf concern'd for all Eternity.

Know as thou liveſt thou art like to die; and as thou dieſt thou art ſure to be judged.

Think what a ſad condition it will be, to find thy ſelf on the wrong hand.

Think what thou then wouldſt give to have repented; think what thou wouldſt give for a little time to repent.

Watch therefore now, and continually pray, for we know not the Hour when the Son of Man will come.

O Son of God, God-Man, who cam'ſt in Mercy to ſave us! bring the ſame Mercy with thee, when thou comeſt to judge us.

Mean while aſſiſt us with thy heavenly Grace, to ſtand perpetually with our Accounts prepar'd.

That we may die in the peace of God, and his Holy Church; and go to live with him and his bleſſed Saints for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

It is decreed for all Men once to die, and after death to come to Judgment.

Titus, Chap. 2.

BUT ſpeak thou the things that become ſound Doctrine, that the aged Men be Sober, Grave, Temperate, ſound in Faith, Charity, Patience.

The aged Women likewiſe, that they be in Behaviour as becometh Holineſs, not falſe Accuſers, not given to much Wine, teachers of good things.

That they may teach the young Women to be Sober, to love their Husbands, to love their Children.

To be Diſcreet, Chaſte, keepers at Home, Good, Obedient unto their own Husbands, that the Word of God be not Blaſphem'd.

Young Men likewiſe exhort, to be ſober minded; in all things ſhewing thy ſelf a Pattern of Good Works, in Doctrine ſhewing incorruptneſs, with Gravity, Sincerity.

Exhort Servants to be obedient to their own Maſters, and to pleaſe them well in all things; not anſwering again, not purloining, but ſhewing all good Fidelity, that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Hymn 27. LOrd, what a pleaſant Life were this, If all did do their Parts; If all did one another love Sincerely with their Hearts! No Suits of Law, no noiſe of War, Our quiet Minds would fright; No Fear to loſe, no Care to keep, What juſtly is our right. No envious Thought, no ſlandring Tongue, Would e're diſturb our Peace; We ſhould help them, and they help us, And all unkindneſs ceaſe. But the All-wiſe choſe other Laws, And thought it better ſo; He made the World, and ſure he knows What's beſt with it to do. 'Tis for our Good, that all this Ill Is ſuffer'd here below; 'Tis to correct thoſe dangerous Sweets, That elſe would Poyſon grow. So Storms are rais'd, to clear the Air, And chaſe the Clouds away; So Weeds grow up to cure our Wounds, And all our Pains allay. How often, Lord, do we miſtake, When we our Plots deſign? Rule thou hereafter thine own World, Only thy ſelf be mine. Or rather, Lord, let me be thine, Elſe I am not my own; Give me thy ſelf, or take thou me, Undone if left alone. To thee, great God of Heaven and Earth! Each Knee for ever bow: May all thy Bleſſed ſing above, And we adore below. Amen.
Antiphon.

Thou giveſt us taſtes of good here, to beget and feed in us an Appetite. Thou giveſt us but taſtes here, to draw our Affections up to thy ſelf; whoſe fruition alone can only ſatisfy.

V. Vain and prepoſterous it is to expect our port at Sea:

R. Or to look for a Haven on Earth, but in Hope.

Let us pray.

O Merciful God, whoſe Providence diſparages with ſhortneſs, and croſſes, all the enjoyments of the World, that they may become leſs tempting to us, and take leſs hold of our Hearts! Grant us Grace, we beſeech thee, wiſely to diſcern, and heartily praiſe Thee, for this moſt beneficial alloy of their Natures; and ſince we cannot attain Thee, the Heaven of Heavens, if we do not fix our ſelves intirely on Thee, nor yet be rais'd to this, if we are or may be ſatisfied with any thing beſides thy glorious Self; make us check and overcome the Repinings of Fleſh and Blood, with juſter Adorations of thy infinite Mercy, for qualifying ſo ſitly this Womb of our Souls, that by its own uneaſineſs it may more eaſily diſpoſe them for a happy Birth, into thy bleſſed Eternity, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, One God, World without End. Amen.

Saturday Compline.
Antiphon.

Too often are we troubled about many things; when only the one thing is needful.

Pſalm 89.

REtire, O my Soul, into thine own Boſom, and ſearch what thou aim'ſt at in all thy Thoughts.

Where doſt thou place thy chief Felicity? and whither tend thy ſtrong Deſires?

Go to the Great and Prudent of the World, and learn of them to chuſe thy Intereſts.

Do not they encreaſe their Eſtates, where they mean to ſpend moſt of their Life?

Do they project their Manſion-Seat, in a Country through which they paſs as Travellers?

No more, my Soul, ſhould we build our beſt Hopes, on the Sandy Foundation of this periſhable Earth.

Where ſure we are we cannot ſtay long; and are not ſure we ſhall ſtay a very little.

O thou eternal Being, who changeſt not; yet art the cauſe and end of all our Changes!

Who ſtill remaineſt the ſame rich fulneſs in thy ſelf; the ſame bright Glory to all the Bleſſed.

Teach us to uſe this tranſitory Life; as Pilgrims returning to their beloved Home.

That we may take what our Journey requires; and not think of ſettling in a Foreign Country.

But wiſely forecaſt our Treaſures ſo; to be happy there where we muſt always be.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 90.

NOW thou haſt found thy happy End; and found it the only Good that laſts for ever:

Study, O my Soul, to know ſtill more; and ſtill more value thoſe Immortal Joys.

Strive for ſo glorious a Prize with thy whole force; and the utmoſt ſtrainings of all thy Faculties.

Purchaſe at any rate that bleſt Inheritance; and wiſely neglect even all things elſe.

All that divert thee from thy holy Courſe; or but retard the ſpeed of thy Advance.

For though the leaſt in the Kingdom of Heaven be happy enough; where every Veſſel is fill'd to the brim:

Yet to enlarge our Capacity to the leaſt higher degree, deſerves the buſieſt diligence of our whole Life.

Shall the induſtrious Bee endure no reſt; but fly, and ſing, and labour all the day?

Shall the unwearied Ant be running up and down; to fetch and carry a few Grains of Corn?

And we, for whom all Nature ſo faithfully Works; and tires it ſelf in a perpetual Motion.

For whom the tender Providence of God commands even his Angels to watch and pray:

For whom the ador'd Jeſus came down from Heaven; and ſpent a whole Life in continual Labours:

Shall we ſleep on in a drowſy Sloath; and not ſtir a Finger to help our ſelves?

Away my Soul, and chide thy fluggiſh Thoughts; and let their ſtupid Folly plainly know:

We have a Store to provide as well as Ants; and infinitely richer than their poor Hoard.

We have a Work to do as well as Bees; and infinitely ſweeter than all their Honey.

What can ſo nobly enrich an immortal Soul; as ſtill to be gathering a Stock for Eternity?

What can ſo highly delight one, that every Day improves; as daily to ſee the exerciſe of his Hope?

O bleſſed Hope, be thou my chief delight; and the only Treaſure I covet to lay up.

Be thou the quickening Life of all my Actions; and ſweet alloy of all my Sufferings.

So ſhall I ne'er refuſe the meaneſt Labours; whilſt I look to receive ſuch glorious Wages.

So ſhall I ne'er repine at any Temporal Loſs; whilſt I hope to gain ſuch eternal Rewards.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the Beginning, &c.
Pſalm 91.

BUT Oh! 'tis not ſo much our Sloath undoes us; as the imprudent choice in applying our diligence.

Many, alas, take pains enough; Many perplex themſelves too much.

See how the buſie Toilers of the World are chain'd perpetually like Slaves to their Work.

How early they riſe, and go late to Sleep; and eat the Bread of Care and Sorrow.

See how the hardy Soldiers follow their Prince; through a thouſand Difficulties and Dangers.

See how the venturous Mariners expoſe their Lives, over Stormy Seas, into barbarous Nations.

And why all this, poor ill adviſed Wretches! but to fetch perhaps a little Fiſh or Spice?

To gain a few Pence, or ſome petty Honour; which others more ſhare in than your ſelves?

O bounteous Lord, how eaſy are thy Commands; how cheap haſt thou made the purchaſe of Heaven!

Half theſe Pains would make us Saints; half theſe Sufferings canonize us for Martyrs:

Were they devoutly undertaken for thee; and the higher enjoyment of thy glorious Promiſes.

Thou bid'ſt us not freeze under the Polar Star; nor burn in the heats of the torrid Zone.

But propoſeſt a ſweet and gentle Rule; and ſuch as our Nature it ſelf would chuſe:

Did not our Paſſions ſtrangely miſlead us; and the World about us diſtract our Reaſon.

Thou bid'ſt us but wiſely love our ſelves; and attend above all things our own Happineſs.

Thou bid'ſt us value even this World, as much as it deſerves; ſince it is the School that breeds us up for the other.

Only we are forbidden to be wilful Fools; and preferr a ſhort Vanity before eternal Felicity.

O the mild Government of the King of Heaven! this we can do whatever elſe we are doing.

This we can do, even whilſt we ſit ſtill; and only move our Thoughts towards Thee.

Yet let not this thy facile ſweetneſs, Lord! be abuſed by us by a wanton neglect.

But make us to love thee ſo much more; as thou more diſcovereſt the exceſs of thy Love.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Hymn 28. MY Soul! what's all this World to thee, This World of Sin and Woe; Where only Senſe can taſte its ſweets, And thoſe unwholſome too? Truth is thy Food, Truth thy delight, Which cannot here be free; Thy Mind was born to know, and love, What this Life ne'er can ſee. Malicious World! how doſt thou lay, And cover thy falſe Baits? Here thoſe of Pleaſure, there of Gain, Each for our Ruine wait. Unhappy we! it is our Fault, 'Tis we our Life abuſe; The World preſents a furniſh'd Shop, And we the Tools miſuſe. So have I ſeen a little Child, If Nurſe but turn her Eye, Inſtead of Haft, take hold o'th' Blade, And cut it ſelf, and cry. This little Child, alas, am I, Self-will'd, ſelf-wounded too; But, Lord, turn not thy Face away, Leſt I my ſelf undo. O make me ſtill ſo uſe this World, That I the other gain; O make me ſo the other love, That this its end attain. Its end to breed up Souls for Heaven, Then be it ſelf new dreſs'd: No more Corruption, no more Change, But one perpetual Reſt. Amen.
Antiphon.

The Day of the Lord cometh as a Thief in the Night.

V. We have here no abiding City, but we ſeek one above.

V. Jeſus came down to give us a glimpſe of it,

R. And made his own Life the Chart to direct us to it.

Let us pray.

O God, whoſe eternal Providence has embark'd our Souls in the Ship of our Bodies, not to expect any Port or Anchorage on the Sea of this World, but ſteer directly through it to thy glorious Kingdom! Grant us, we beſeech Thee, that daily reflecting with what Care and unwearied Diligence, the wretched Adventurers for all ſorts of Vanity purſue, round about us, their deſperate Courſes, we may heartily feel our ſelves confounded with juſt Reproach, who knowing our engagement on ſo important a Voyage, yet take ſo little Pains to perform it. Preſerve us, O Lord, from the Dangers that on all ſides aſſault us, and keep our Affections ſtill fitly diſpos'd to receive thy holy Inſpirations, that carried ſweetly and ſtrongly forward by thy holy Spirit, we may happily arrive at laſt in the Haven of eternal Salvation, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth, One God, bleſſed for ever. Amen.

MATTINS for our Saviour's OFFICE. The Office of our Bleſſed Saviour appropriated to all the Feaſts of our Redemption.
Invitatory. Come let's Adore our God that Redeem'd us.
Pſalm 92.

BRING to our Lord, all you his Servants; bring to our Lord the Sacrifice of Praiſe; bring to our Lord all you Nations of the Earth, bring Hymns of Glory to his Name.

To day let's Adore our God that Redeem'd us.

He is our God, and we his People, created by his Goodneſs to be happy for ever; He is our Redeemer, and we his Purchaſe, reſtor'd by his Death to a better Eternity.

To day let's Adore our God that Redeem'd us.

Let us learn of him, and he will teach us his ways; let us follow him, and we ſhall walk in his Light; for the Law, and its Types, were given by Moſes; but Grace and Truth came by Jeſus Chriſt.

To day let's Adore our God that Redeem'd us.

Come, let us aſcend to the Houſe of our Lord, where he is truly worſhipped, and celebrate this Day with a holy Joy, imploring his Mercies for all we need, and bleſſing his Bounty for all we have.

To day let's Adore our God that Redeem'd us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoſt;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever ſhall be, world without end, Amen.

To day let's Adore the God that Redeem'd us.

Hymn 29. JEſu, who from thy Father's Throne, To this low vale of Tears cameſt down, In our poor Nature dreſt! O may the Charms of that ſweet Love, Draw up our Souls to Thee above, And fix them there to Reſt. Jeſu, all Graces Thee adorn, Who waſt with Joy conceiv'd and born Of a pure Virgin's Womb! O may we breed and bring thee forth, In our glad Hearts; for all is Mirth Where thou art pleas'd to come. Jeſu, whoſe high and humble Birth, In Heaven the Angels, and on Earth The faithful Shepherds ſing! O may our Hymns, which here run low, Shoot up aloft, and fruitful grow, In that eternal Spring. Jeſu, how ſoon didſt thou begin To bleed, and ſuffer for our Sin, The Circumciſing Knife? O may thy Grace, by making good Our Souls juſt cauſe 'gainſt Fleſh and Blood, Cut off that dangerous Strife. Jeſu, who took'ſt that Heavenly Name, Thy bleſſed Purpoſe to proclaim, Of ſaving loſt Mankind! O may we bow our Heart and Knee, Bright King of Names to glorious Thee, And thy hid ſweetneſs find. Jeſu, who thus began'ſt our Bliſs, Thus carried'ſt on our Happineſs! To Thee all Praiſe be paid. O may the great myſterious Three, For ever live, and ever be Ador'd, belov'd, obey'd. Amen.
Antiphon.

Bleſſed be the Mercy of our God, who hath left no way untry'd, that could poſſibly recover us.

Pſalm 93.

COme now, and hear, you that fear the Lord; and I will tell you what he has done for my Soul.

Hear, and I will tell you what he has done for yours; and the wonders of his Bounty for all the World.

When we lay aſleep in the Shades of Darkneſs, of nothing, his mighty Hand awak'd us into Being:

Not that of Stones and Plants, and Beaſts, o'er which he has made us abſolute Lords:

But an accompliſh'd Body, and immortal Spirits; little inferior to his glorious Angels.

He printed on our Souls his own ſimilitude; and promiſed to our Obedience his own Felicity.

He endu'd us with Appetites to live well and happily; and furniſh'd us with means to ſatisfy thoſe Appetites.

Creating a whole World to ſerve us here; and providing a Heaven to glorify us hereafter.

Thus didſt thou favour us, O infinite Goodneſs! but we! what return did we make unto thee?

Bluſh, O my Soul, for ſhame, at ſo ſtrange a Weakneſs; and weep for grief at ſuch extream Ingratitude.

We childiſhly preferr'd a trivial Apple; before the Law of our God, and the ſafety of our own Lives.

We fondly embrac'd a little preſent Satisfaction; before the pleaſure of Paradiſe, and eternity of Heaven.

Behold the unhappy Source of all our Miſeries; which ſtill encreas'd its Streams as they went further on.

Till they at laſt exacted a deluge of Juſtice; to drown their deluge of Iniquity.

And here alas had been an end of Man; a ſad and fatal end of the whole World:

Had not our wiſe Creator ſeen the danger; and in time prevented the extremity of the Ruine.

Reſerving for himſelf a few choice Plants; to repleniſh the Earth with more hopeful Fruit.

Yet they quickly grew wild, and brought forth ſowre Grapes; and their Childrens Teeth were ſet on edge.

Quickly they aſpir'd to an intolerable Pride; fortifying their wickedneſs againſt the Power of Heaven.

Juſtice was now provok'd to a ſecond Deluge; and to bring again a Cloud o'er the Earth.

But Mercy diſcover'd a Bow in the Cloud, and our faithful God remember'd his Promiſe!

Allaying their Puniſhment with a milder Sentence; only ſcattering them from the place of their Conſpiracy.

Which yet his Providence turn'd into a Bleſſing; by making it an occaſion of peopling the World.

Still their Rebellious Nature diſobey'd again; and neither fear'd his Judgments, nor valu'd his Mercies.

But with a graceleſs emulation propagated Sin; as far as his Goodneſs propagated Mankind.

Then he ſelected a private Family; and encreas'd and govern'd them with a particular tenderneſs.

Giving them a Law by the hand of Angels; and engaging their Obedience by a thouſand Favours!

But they neglected too their God and Heaven; and fell in love with the ways of Death.

When thou had'ſt thus, O Lord, try'd every Remedy; and found our Diſeaſe beyond all Cure:

When the Light of Nature prov'd too weak a Guide; and the general Flood too mild a Correction:

When the Miracles of Moſes could not ſoften their Hearts; nor the Law of Angels bring any to Perfection:

When all was reduc'd to this deſperate State; and no imaginable hope left to recover us:

Behold the eternal Wiſdom finds a ſtrange expedient; the laſt and higheſt Inſtance of Almighty Love.

Himſelf he reſolves to cloath with our Fleſh; and come down among us, and die to redeem us.

Wonder, my Soul, at the Mercies of the Lord; how infinitely tranſcending our utmoſt Wiſhes.

Wonder at the admirable Providence of his Counſels; how exactly fitted to their great deſign.

Had he been leſs than God, we could never have believed the ſublimer Myſteries of his Heavenly Doctrine.

Had he been other than Man, we muſt needs have wanted the powerful Motive of his holy Example.

Had he been only God, he could never have ſuffer'd the leaſt of thoſe Afflictions he ſo patiently overcame.

O bleſſed Jeſu! both theſe thou art in thy ſelf; be thou both theſe to us.

Be thou our God, and make us adore Thee; be thou our Leader, and make us to follow Thee.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Bleſſed be the Mercy of our God, who has left no means untry'd, that could poſſibly recover us.

Ant.] Lord, thou not only offereſt us Salvation, but layeſt in means before-hand to make us accept it.

Pſalm 94.

SOon as this bleſt Decree was made of ſending the Son of God to redeem Mankind:

Immediately his Goodneſs was ready to come amongſt us; had our ungracious World been ready to receive him.

But we were as yet too groſs and ſenſual; and utterly uncapable of ſo pure a Law.

We were immers'd in Cares and Pleaſures; and wholly indiſpos'd for ſo perfect an Obedience.

While we were thus unfit for thee; O thou God of pure and perfect Holineſs!

Thou graciouſly were pleas'd to ſtay for us; and all that time prepare us for thy Preſence.

From the beginning entertaining us with Hope; and through every Age confirming our Faith.

How early, O my God, didſt thou engage to relieve us; The Seed of the Woman ſhould bruiſe the Serpents Head?

How often didſt thou repeat thy Promiſe to Abraham; In thy Seed ſhall all the Nations of the Earth be bleſſed?

How many ways did thy Mercy invent; by unqueſtionable Tokens to give notice of thy Coming?

Behold a Virgin ſhall conceive, and bear a Son; and his Name ſhall be called Emanuel.

There ſhall come forth a Rod out of the Stem of Jeſſe; and a Branch ſhall grow out of his Roots.

And the Spirit of the Lord ſhall reſt upon him; the Spirit of Wiſdom and Underſtanding.

The Spirit of Counſel and Might; the Spirit of Knowledge, and the fear of the Lord.

The Lord thy God ſhall raiſe up unto thee a Prophet, of thy Brethren like unto me; unto him ſhall ye hearken.

But thou Bethlem Ephratah; though thou be little among the Thouſands of Judah:

Yet out of thee ſhall he come forth unto me; that is to be Ruler in Iſrael:

Whoſe goings forth have been of old; even from the days of Eternity.

Hark how the Almighty Father introduces his Son, commanding all the Angels of God to worſhip him.

Thou art my Son, my dearly beloved Son; this day have I begotten Thee.

Ask of me, and I ſhall give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance; and the uttermoſt parts of the Earth for thy Poſſeſſion.

And is it a light thing that thou ſhould'ſt be my Servant; to raiſe up the Tribes of Jacob, and reſtore the preſerv'd of Iſrael?

I will give thee for a Light to the Gentiles; that thou may'ſt be my Salvation to the ends of the Earth.

Hark how the ancient Prophets rejoice in the Meſſias; and in ſoft and gentle words foretel his ſweetneſs.

He ſhall come down as Rain into a Fleece of Wool; and as drops of Dew diſtilling on the Earth.

He ſhall feed his Flocks like a Shepherd; and gently lead thoſe that are with young.

He ſhall gather his Lambs with his Arms; and carry them in his Boſom.

The bruiſed Reed ſhall he not break; nor quench the ſmoaking Flax.

Righteouſneſs and Peace ſhall flouriſh in his days; and of his Kingdom there ſhall be no end.

Then ſhall the Eyes of the Blind be open'd; and the Ears of the Deaf be made to hear.

Then ſhall the Tongues of the Dumb be looſen'd; and the Lame Man ſhall leap as a Hart.

Thus did thy Holy Prophets propheſy of Thee; thus did their Children ſing thy Praiſes.

Bleſſed be the Lord our God, who only doth wond'rous things; and bleſſed be the name of his Majeſty for ever.

His Dominion ſhall reach from the one Sea to the other; and from the River to the ends of the World.

They who dwell in the Wilderneſs ſhall kneel before him; and his Enemies ſhall lick the Duſt.

The Kings of Tarſhiſh, and of the Iſles, ſhall bring Preſents; the Kings of Sheba, and Seba ſhall offer Gifts.

Yea, all Kings ſhall fall down before him; all Nations ſhall ſerve him.

He ſhall ſpare the Simple and Needy, when he crieth; the Poor alſo, and him that hath no helper.

He ſhall redeem their Soul from Deceit and Violence; and precious ſhall their Blood be in his ſight.

And he ſhall live, and to him ſhall be given of the Gold of Arabia; Prayer alſo ſhall be made for him continually, and daily ſhall he be praiſed.

O thou eternal King of Heaven! make good to thy Servants theſe happy Predictions.

So rule us here, that we may obey thy Grace; ſo favour us hereafter, that we may enjoy thy Glory.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Lord! thou not only offereſt us Salvation, but layeſt in means before hand to make us accept it.

Ant.] All's one to Thee, O mighty Love; whether Joy or Sorrow, ſo Mankind be ſaved.

Pſalm 95.

'TWas not thy Joys alone, O deareſt Lord; that thou inſpiredſt into thy holy Prophets.

But thou revealedſt to them thy Sorrows too; and commanded'ſt to publiſh them with tender care:

That they not only ſhould ſpeak thy words; but, the more to affect us, put on thy Perſon.

O let our Eyes run down with Water; and our Hearts faint away with Grief:

While we remember the Sufferings of our Lord; and hear his ſad Complaints.

I gave my Back to the Smiters, and my Cheeks to them that plucked off the Hair; I hid not my Face from ſpitting.

My Enemies whiſper together againſt me; and ſay, when ſhall he die, and his name periſh?

My familiar Friend, that did eat of my Bread, has lifted up his Heel againſt me.

But thou upholdeſt me, O Lord, and ſetteſt me before thy Face for ever.

I am poured out like Water, and all my Bones are out of Joint.

My Heart is like Wax; it is melted in midſt of my Bowels.

My ſtrength is dry'd up like a Potſherd, and my Tongue cleaveth unto my Jaws; and thou haſt brought me into the Duſt of Death.

Our Fathers called to Thee, and were deliver'd; they truſted in thee, and were not forſake:

But 〈◊〉 a Worm and no Man; a reproach of Men, and deſpiſed of the People.

All that ſee me laugh me to ſcorn; they ſhoot out their Lips, they ſhake the Head, ſaying:

He truſted in the Lord, let him deliver him; let him deliver him, ſeeing he truſted in him.

Be not far from me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

The Aſſembly of the Wicked have encloſed me; they pierced my Hands and my Feet.

I may tell all my Bones; they look and ſtare at me.

They parted my Garments among them; and caſt Lots upon my Veſture.

They gave me Gall for my Meat; and in my Thirſt they gave me Vinegar to drink.

All theſe ſad things, O Lord, thy Prophets foretold; but could there be found ſuch Wretches as would act them?

Yes, O my God, thine own ſelected Nation conſpir'd againſt thee; and with innumerable Affronts moſt barbarouſly murther'd Thee.

This too, even this thy cruel Death thou plainly fore-ſhewed'ſt; the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem ſhall look upon me, whom they have pierced.

But, O ye holy Prophets, what was the diſmal cauſe, that ſhed the Blood of the ſpotleſs Lamb?

He had (they quickly anſwer'd) done no Iniquity; nor was ever Guile in his Mouth.

He was ſmitten for the Sins of the People; and taken away from the Land of the Living.

He deliver'd himſelf up unto Death, and was number'd with the Wicked; He bore the Sins of many, and pray'd for the Tranſgreſſors.

All we, like Sheep, have gone aſtray, we have turn'd every one to his way; and the Lord hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all.

He was wounded for our Tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our Iniquities; the chaſtiſement of our Peace was upon him, and with his Stripes are we healed.

O bleſſed Jeſu, who took'ſt upon thee our Infirmities; to beſtow on us thine own Perfections!

Heal us, thou great Phyſician of our Souls; and let us ſin no more leſt a worſe thing come unto us.

Heal us by the Myſtery of thy Holy Incarnation; and the meekneſs of thy humble Birth.

Heal us by the precious Blood of thy Circumciſion; and the ſweet and ever bleſſed Name of Jeſus.

Heal us by thy gracious manifeſtation to the Gentiles; and the powerful Influence of all thy Miracles.

Heal us by the exemplary Obedience of thy Preſentation in the Temple; heal us by the ſoveraign Balſom of thy Paſſion.

Heal us by the Joys of thy victorious Reſurrection; and the Triumph of thy glorious Aſcenſion.

Heal us by the memory of all thy Bleſſings; heal us by the memory of this days Mercy.

Heal us thou great Phyſician of our Souls; and let us ſin no more leſt a worſe thing befal us.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Firſt Leſſon. Iſa. 11.

AND there ſhall come forth a Rod out of the Stem of Jeſſe, and a Branch ſhall grow out of his Roots.

And the Spirit of the Lord ſhall reſt upon him; the Spirit of Wiſdom and Underſtanding, the Spirit of Counſel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord.

He ſhall not judge after the ſight of the Eyes; neither reprove after the hearing of his Ears; but with Righteouſneſs ſhall he judge the Poor; and Juſtice ſhall be the Girdle of his Loins, and Righteouſneſs the Girdle of his Reins.

The Wolf alſo ſhall dwell with the Lamb, and the Leopard ſhall lie down with the Kid; and the Calf and the young Lyon, and the Fatling together; and a little Child ſhall lead them.

For the Earth ſhall be full of the Knowledge of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea.

And in that day there ſhall be a Root of Jeſſe, which ſhall ſtand for an Enſign to the People; to it ſhall the Gentiles ſeek; and his Reſt ſhall be glorious, Iſa. 2. 9, 10.

R. Thus, holy Jeſus, did the ancient Prophets foretel thy Perfections, and the bleſſed Changes thy Doctrine ſhould produce, the Cruelty of the Proud ſhould be ſoften'd into Meekneſs, and the innocency of the Weak be protected by the Strong, and Peace and Charity flouriſh o'er the World. This was thy wiſe and gracious deſign to make us happy, by making us Holy. Thou haſt planted the Seeds of all theſe effects. O give the encreaſe that we may gather the Fruit; defend the Good, and rebuke the Wicked; and fill the Earth with thy Knowledge, that all Diſcord and Animoſity may ceaſe, and Juſtice and Equity govern our Lives.

Second Leſſon. Heb. 1.

GOD, who at ſundry times, and in divers Manners, ſpake in time paſt to the Fathers, by the Prophets,

Hath in theſe laſt days ſpoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom alſo he made the World.

Who being the brightneſs of his Glory, and the expreſs Image of his Perſon; and upholding all things by the word of his Power, when he had by himſelf purg'd our Sins, ſate down at the Right-hand of the Majeſty on high; being ſo much better than the Angels, as he hath by Inheritance obtain'd a more excellent Name than they.

For unto which of the Angels ſaid he, at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; and again, I will be to him a Father, and he ſhall be to me a Son.

And again, when he bringeth in the firſt begotten into the World, he ſaith, and let all the Angels of God worſhip him.

And of the Angels he ſaith, who made his Angels Spirits, and his Miniſters a flame of Fire.

But unto the Son he ſaith, thy Throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a Scepter of Righteouſneſs is the Scepter of thy Kingdom.

Thou haſt loved Righteouſneſs, and hated Iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the Oyl of Gladneſs above thy Fellows.

And thou, Lord, in the beginning, haſt laid the Foundations of the Earth, and the Heavens are the Works of thy hands.

They ſhall periſh, but thou remaineſt, and they all ſhall wax old, as doth a Garment:

And as Veſture ſhalt thou fold them up, and they ſhall be changed; but thou art the ſame, and thy Years ſhall not fail.

R. Live, glorious Jeſu, and reign for ever, eternal King of Heaven and Earth; may all the bleſſed above perpetually adore Thee, and all thy Servants continually praiſe thee; and every Tongue confeſs, that thou, O Lord, art moſt high in the Glory of God the Father, Alleluja. Thou wert obedient to Death, even the death of the Croſs, wherefore God hath exalted Thee, and given Thee a Name above every Name, that at the Name of Jeſus, every Knee ſhould bow, of things in Heaven, of things on Earth, and of things under the Earth.

Third Leſſon. Epheſ. 1. 3.

BLeſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath bleſſed us with all Spiritual Bleſſings, in Heavenly places in Chriſt.

According as he hath choſen us in him, before the foundation of the World, that we ſhould be Holy, and without blame before him in Love.

Having predeſtinated us to the Adoption of Children, by Jeſus Chriſt to himſelf, according to the good pleaſure of his Will.

To the Praiſe and Glory of his Grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

R. Lord, what are we that thou ſhouldſt thus regard us? Thou haſt choſen us in thy Son before the World began, and freely predeſtinated us into the Adoption of thy Children. Thou haſt made us Heirs of thy Kingdom, and Co-heirs with Chriſt? O happy we, if we forfeit not theſe Mercies, but labour by Good Works, to make ſure our Election! Thou haſt redeem'd us by the Blood of Jeſus, and given us in him remiſſion of our Sins. Thou haſt by him revealed to us the Secrets of Heaven, and promiſed to reſtore us to Holineſs, and repleniſh with our Souls the vacant Seats among the glorious Angels.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Lauds for our bleſſed Saviour.
Antiphon.

Praiſe the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me, praiſe his holy Name.

Pſalm 96.

PRaiſe our Lord, all you Nations of the Earth; praiſe him with the Voice of Joy and Thanksgiving.

Praiſe him with the well-tun'd Strings of your Heart; praiſe him with the ſweeteſt Inſtrument, Obedience.

Let every one that pretends to Felicity ſing immortal Praiſes to the God of our Salvation.

He is our full and all-ſufficient Redeemer; he has perfectly finiſh'd what he graciouſly undertook.

For all our Treſpaſſes he made ſatiſfaction; for all our Forfeitures he has paid the Ranſom.

We by Diſobedience were baniſh'd from Paradiſe; and he receiv'd us to his own Kingdom.

We wander'd up and down in the Wilderneſs of Error; and he has guided us into the ways of Truth.

We were by Nature the Children of Wrath; and he has mediated our Peace with his offended Father.

We were become the ſlaves of Sin; and he has bought our Freedom with his own Blood.

We were in Bondage to the Dominion of Satan; and he has overcome him, and confin'd his Power.

We were in danger of ſinking into Hell; and he has ſav'd us from that Bottomleſs Pit.

The Gates of Heaven were ſhut againſt us; and He went up himſelf, and open'd them for all Believers:

Diſſolving for ever the Terrors of Death; and rendring it now but a Paſſage to Life.

O deareſt Lord, who mad'ſt us firſt of nothing; and reſtoreſt us again when we had undone our ſelves:

Who would'ſt at any rate redeem us from Miſery; at any rate procure our Felicity!

How came we Wretches to be ſo conſider'd? How came we Wretches to obtain ſuch Favour?

That from thy Throne of Glory, where Seraphims ador'd thee, thou ſhouldſt deſcend to our Earth, where Slaves affronted Thee.

That thou ſhouldſt lead a Life of Poverty and Labour; and die a Death with Shame and Sorrow.

That thou ſhouldſt do all this for ſuch Worms as we; without the leaſt concern or benefit to thy ſelf.

Only to raiſe us up from our humble Duſt; and ſet us to ſhine with thy glorious Angels.

O infinite Goodneſs, the bounteous Author of all our Hopes; and ſtrong deliverer from all our Fears!

What ſhall we ſay to thy exceſſive Charity? What ſhall we render for theſe unſpeakable Mercies?

We ſearch over all thou haſt given us, and find nothing thou expecteſt; but that we uſe thy Gifts to make our ſelves happy.

O may our Souls perpetually bleſs thee; and every Minute of our time be ſpent in thy Service.

Let us not live, O Lord, but to love thee; nor breathe, but to ſpeak thy Praiſe; nor be at all but to be thine.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 97.

SIng on, my Soul, the Praiſes of thy Lord; ſing on with freſh attention the Mercies of thy God.

Whoſe Wiſdom has contriv'd ſo compendious a Method, to redeem Mankind from eternal Miſery.

He ſaw the only cauſe of all our Ruine was our Love miſplac'd on this preſent World.

He ſaw the only Remedy of all our Miſery was to fix our Love on the World to come.

This therefore was his great Intent; this was the great deſign of his unſpeakable Compaſſion:

To change the byaſs of our wrong ſet Hearts; by eſtabliſhing amongſt us new motives of Charity:

Such as might ſtrongly incline our Affections; and efficaciouſly draw us to love our true Good:

Such as might gain by degrees upon all Mankind; and render Salvation eaſy and univerſal.

For this he came down from his Father's Boſom; to teach us the Rules of eternal Life.

That we might firmly believe thoſe ſacred Truths; which God himſelf, with his own Mouth, hath told us.

For this he convers'd ſo long upon Earth; to encourage and provoke us by his Example.

That we may confidently embrace thoſe unqueſtionable Vertues; which God himſelf, in his own Perſon, hath practiſed.

For this he endur'd thoſe ſharp and many Afflictions; and became at laſt obedient unto Death:

That we might patiently ſuffer whatever ſhould befal us; when God himſelf was ſo treated by his Creatures.

For this he ſo often preach'd the Joys of Heaven; and ſet them before us in ſo clear a Light:

That ſeeing ſo rich a Prize hang at the Race end; we might run, and ſtrain our utmoſt force to gain it.

For this he ordain'd the Myſteries of Grace; and left us a bleſſed Sacrament to commemorate his Death.

That he might breed and nouriſh us in the Life of Charity; and raviſh our Hearts with the ſweetneſs of his Preſence.

For this he eſtabliſh'd a perpetual Church; and ſent the Holy Ghoſt to inſpire and govern it:

That it might flouriſh for ever in Truth and Sanctity; at leaſt be glorious under all Eclipſes:

That it might grow, increaſe, and ſpread, and plant the Heavenly Seed over all the World.

For this he aſſum'd thoſe ſtrange endearing Names, of Friend, and Brother, and ſpouſe to us Wretches:

Doing far more than all thoſe Names import; far more than all our Hearts can wiſh.

Bleſſed, O glorious Jeſus! be the Wiſdom of thy Mercy; that haſt found ſo ſweet and ſhort a way for us (tho' painful to thee) to ſave us.

Thou art, O Lord, the cauſe of our Love; and Love the cauſe of our Happineſs.

By Love we fulfil all thy Commands; and by making us Love thou fulfilleſt all thy Father's.

By Love we are reconcil'd from Enemies to Friends; by Love we are tranſlated from Death to Life.

By Love we are deliver'd from the fear of Hell; by Love we are adopted to be Heirs of Heaven.

By Love we are diſpos'd for that bliſsful Viſion; by Love we are ſecur'd of the enjoyment of our God.

Who by the ſole Perfection of his own free Goodneſs, can never deny himſelf to any that Love him.

Thus, Lord, what e'er thy holy Book records of Thee, in expreſſions ſuited to our low Capacities.

What e'er they ſay of thy reſtoring all things; and repairing again the Ruines of all Mankind:

All is exactly verified by this one Line; which may our thankful Hearts repeat with Joy:

Heav'n's attain'd by Love alone; and Love alone by Thee.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 98.

STill, O my Soul, let us ſing a few lines more to him, whoſe Mercies are no fewer than Infinite:

To him, whoſe pity took us by the hand, and kindly led us into his own Light.

To thee, O bleſſed Jeſus, our Lord our God, who alone art the ſource of all our Happineſs.

The World, till thou cam'ſt, ſate wrapt in Darkneſs; and few diſcern'd ſo much as a ſhadow of Thee.

They follow'd their Appetites of Senſe and Humour; and plac'd their Felicity in being proſperous here:

Little conſidering the Life to come, and leſs the Joys that entertain that Life.

This was, alas! their miſerable ſtate; and worſe than this, they had no power to help it.

How could they believe what they never heard; or love what they never deſir'd?

'Twas thou, O Lord, firſt taught'ſt us our true end; the bliſsful Viſion of the eternal Deity.

'Twas thou firſt taught'ſt us the true means to attain that End, by a hearty Love, and deſire after it.

O the bleſt changes that thy hand has wrought; the happy improvements which thy coming hath produc'd!

Now every Woman, and illiterate Man can diſcourſe familiarly of the higheſt Truths:

The Creation of the World, the Fall of Adam; the Incarnation of God, and Redemption of Man:

The Myſtery of the Trinity, and Miracle of the Reſurrection; the day of Judgment and ſtate of Eternity.

All theſe we know: but it was thou, O Lord, who taught'ſt us; and did'ſt by thy holy Church and Word firſt ſpread them o'er the World.

Now thou haſt open'd our Eyes, we plainly ſee, what unaſſiſted Nature could ne'er have reach'd.

We ſee the framing right our Affections here, is both cauſe and meaſure of framing our happineſs hereafter.

If we ſupreamly eſteem the Goods of the Future Life, we ſhall find them there and be happy.

If we love Heav'n with our whole Soul; and preſs on ſtrongly with all our Force:

We ſhall enter into its Glories with a ſtrong ſurprizing delight; and poſſeſs them for ever in a perpetual extaſy.

We ſee our Souls are made to know; and perfect themſelves by the worthieſt Object.

We ſee their nature is free and unconfin'd; and nothing can fill them but that which is infinite.

All other Knowledges enlarge our Faculties; and breed new deſires to know ſtill more.

Which yet if unſatisfied we are miſerable; ſince none can be happy who want their deſire.

Only the ſight of God fills us to the brim; and infinitely o'erflows our utmoſt Capacities.

It fills, and o'erflows all the Powers of our Souls, with Joy and Wonder, and unconceivable Sweetneſs.

O bleſt and glorious ſight! when will the happy day appear; and open to my Soul that beauteous Proſpect?

When, deareſt Lord, ſhall I ſee thee Face to Face? When ſhall I heartily, at leaſt, deſire to ſee thee?

Thou art my full and high Felicity; and only, and alone ſufficient for me.

O make me ardently love thee, that I may eagerly deſire thee; and eagerly deſire thee, that I may tranſportedly enjoy thee.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Bleſs the Lord, O my Soul; and all that is within me praiſe his holy Name.

Third Leſſon. Epheſ. 3. 30.

NOW to him that's able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us; unto him be Glory in the Church, by Chriſt Jeſus, throughout all Ages, World without End. Amen.

Hymn 30. SWeet Jeſus! why, why do'ſt thou Love Such worthleſs things as we? Why is thy Heart ſtill towards us, Who ſeldom think of Thee? Thy bounty gives us all we have, And we thy Gifts abuſe: Thy bounty gives us even thy ſelf, And we thy ſelf refuſe. And why, my Soul, why do we love Such wretched things as theſe; Theſe, that withdraw us from our Lord, And his pure Eyes diſpleaſe? Break off, and be no more a Child, To run, and ſweat, and cry; While all this ſtir, this huge concern Is only for a Fly: Some ſilly Fly, that's hard to catch, And nothing when 'tis caught: Such are the Toys thou ſtriv'ſt for here; Not worth a ſerious Thought. Break off, and raiſe thy manly Eye Up to thoſe Joys above: Behold all thoſe thy Lord prepares, To wooe, and crown thy Love. Alas, dear Lord! I cannot Love, Unleſs thou draw my Heart; Thou who ſo kindly mak'ſt me know, O make me do my part. Still do thou love me, O my Lord, That I may ſtill love Thee: Still make me love Thee, O my God, That thou may'ſt ſtill love me. Thus may my God, and my poor Soul, Still one another Love: Till I depart from this low World, T'enjoy my God above. To Thee, Great God, to Thee alone, One coeternal Three, All Power and Praiſe, all Joy and Bliſs, Now and for ever be.
Antiphon.

Bleſſed be thy holy Name, O glorious Son of God! and bleſſed be thy Mercy for ever.

Thou haſt perfectly fulfill'd all thy Prophets foretold; and infinitely tranſcended all the Wonders they admir'd. Thou haſt done enough to convince us into Faith, and ſuffer'd abundantly to enflame us with thy Love.

V. Bleſſed be thy glorious Name, O thou Son of God!

R. And bleſſed be thy Mercy for ever.

Let us pray.

MOſt gracious God, who ſo loved'ſt the World, that thou gav'ſt thy ſelf to redeem it, and humbly took'ſt upon thee our low Nature, that thou might'ſt familiarly teach us the Truth of our Salvation, and invincibly fortify us againſt all Perſecutions, and efficaciouſly draw us after thee into thine own Kingdom, by thy holy Life, and precious Death, and glorious Reſurrection! Grant, we beſeech thee, that we may ſo meditate on theſe infinite Mercies, and ſo fill our Souls with the Memory of this Love, that we may live in thy Obedience, and die in thy Favour, and riſe again to rejoyce with thee for ever in thy Glory, who with the Father and the Holy Ghoſt, liveſt and reigneſt, One God, World without End. Amen.

Veſpers for our Bleſſed Saviour. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt, &c.
Antiphon.

Thy Judgments, O Lord, we confeſs are juſt: But deal, we beſeech thee, with thy Servants in Mercy.

Pſalm 99.

LIft up thy Voice, Jeruſalem, and be not afraid; ſay unto the Cities of Judah, behold your God,

Behold the Lord your God is come with a ſtrong hand; his Reward is with him, and his Work before him.

He is come to bring Redemption to all the World; and graciouſly offers it firſt to you his People.

Hark with how ſweet and elegant a Compaſſion, thy kind Redeemer complains of thy Ingratitude.

O Jeruſalem, Jeruſalem, thou that killeſt the Prophets, and ſtoneſt them which are ſent to thee!

How often would I have gather'd thy Children together; as a Hen doth her Chickens under her Wings, and ye would not!

Hark with how tender and charitable a Reproof thy Lord unwillingly withdraws from thee his Favour:

O had'ſt thou known, even thou, at leaſt in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy Peace.

Hearken once more, and if his kindneſs cannot move thy love, he'll try how his Anger will work upon thy Fear.

Hearken then, and tremble at thoſe terrible Threatnings, with which thy provident Lord forewarns thee of thy Danger:

Gird thee with Sackcloth, Jeruſalem, and lye down in Aſhes; cover thee with Mourning, and bitterly lament:

For the days ſhall come upon thee, that thine Enemies ſhall caſt a Trench about thee; and ſhall compaſs thee round, and keep thee in on every ſide:

And ſhall lay thee even with the Ground, and thy Children within thee; and they ſhall not leave in thee one Stone upon another, becauſe thou kneweſt not the time of thy Viſitation.

But O how long, Lord, holy and merciful; how long! wilt thou be angry with them for ever?

Haſt thou not ſaid, he that ſcatters Iſrael ſhall gather them again; and keep them as a Shepherd doth his Flock?

Remember thy ancient Promiſes, O Lord; and ſave the remnant of thy once beloved Iſrael.

Take away the Veil from before their Eyes; that they may ſee thy Truth, and embrace it.

Take away the hardneſs of their ſtony Hearts; that they again may be thy People, and thou again their God.

Then ſhall they lay aſide the Garment of Mourning; and put on the brightneſs that comes from Thee.

They ſhall celebrate the Jubilee of this their great Deliverance; and every one ſing in that day of Joy:

Come let us aſcend to the Houſe of the Lord; let us learn his ways, and he will teach us his Paths.

As it was our Wickedneſs to go aſtray from our God; ſo now being return'd, let us ſeek him ten times more.

Too late have we known thee, O thou ancient Truth; too late have we lov'd thee, O thou deſir'd of all Nations.

We were miſled by the Error of our Forefathers; we were abuſed by our own blind Paſſions.

The Kingdom we expected deſerves not that Name; a ſhort, a vain, and troubleſome Proſperity.

Thy Dominion, O Lord, is Holineſs and Peace; and of thy Kingdom there ſhall be no end.

Such was the Kingdom thou promiſed'ſt to David; thy Throne will I eſtabliſh for ever.

Such is the Kingdom thou giveſt unto thy Servants; they ſhall live and reign with thee for ever.

O make us love, dear Lord, this eternal Kingdom; and all things elſe ſhall be added unto us.

O make us love this eternal Kingdom; though nothing elſe ſhould be added to us.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Thy Judgments, O Lord, we confeſs are juſt; but deal, we beſeech thee, with thy Servants in Mercy.

Pſalm 100.

RIſe, holy Spouſe of the Son of God riſe, and put on thy Robes of Joy.

Riſe, ſhine, for thy Light is come; and the Glory of the Lord is riſen upon thee.

The Gentiles ſhall come to thy Light; and Kings to the brightneſs of thy riſing.

Lift up thine Eyes round about, and ſee; all they gather themſelves together, they come to thee.

Thy Sons come from far; and thy Daughters ſhall be nurs'd at thy ſide.

Then ſhalt thou ſee, and ſlow together; and thine Heart ſhall fear, and be enlarg'd:

Becauſe the abundance of the Sea ſhall be converted unto thee; the Forces of the Gentiles ſhall come unto thee.

The Sons of Strangers ſhall build up thy Walls; and their Kings ſhall miniſter unto thee.

For in my Wrath I ſmote thee; but in my Favour, I had Mercy on thee.

Therefore thy Gates ſhall be open continually; they ſhall not be ſhut Day nor Night.

That Men may bring unto thee the Forces of the Gentiles; and that their Kings may be brought unto thee.

For the Nation and Kingdom that will not ſerve thee ſhall periſh; yea, thoſe Nations ſhall be utterly waſted.

The Sons of them that afflicted thee, ſhall come bending unto thee; and all they that deſpiſed thee, ſhall bow themſelves down at the Soles of thy Feet.

And they ſhall call thee the City of the Lord; the Zion of the Holy One of Iſrael.

A way ſhall be made direct and plain, that all Men may come unto thee.

And the Earth ſhall be filled with the Knowledge of the Lord; as the Waters cover the Sea.

All this we read, all this we firmly believe; for the Mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it.

Heaven and Earth ſhall paſs away; but not one tittle of his Word ſhall paſs away till all be fulfilled.

Many of the Sacred Prophecies are already fulfilled; enough to aſſure us of the reſt.

Already a Virgin hath brought forth a Son; and given him the gracious Name of Jeſus.

The wiſe Men of the Eaſt have been led to him by a Star; and offer'd him Gold, and Frankincenſe and Myrrh.

His Holy Parents have preſented him in the Temple; and the devout Simeon was overjoy'd to ſee him.

In his tender Infancy he fled into Egypt; and afterwards return'd again into Canaan.

He paſs'd his private Life in Peace and Meekneſs; and taught a contradicting People in Patience and Humility.

He confirm'd his Doctrine with innumerable Miracles; and defended the Truth to the laſt drop of his Blood.

He roſe again victoriouſly from the Grave; and aſcended in Triumph to the right-hand of his Father.

And there, O glorious Jeſu, may'ſt thou ſit and reign; till all thy Enemies become thy Footſtool.

Nor has thy Judgment ſlept, O dreadful Lord! but with a ſwift and terrible Vengeance cruſh'd them into Ruine.

Jeruſalem was long ſince made a heap of Stones; and the Children of thy Crucifiers run wandring o'er the World.

Whilſt thou art thus ſevere in the Predictions of thy Juſtice; thou haſt not forgot thoſe of thy Mercy.

Thouſands of that Ingrateful People have acknowledg'd thee their Lord; thouſands of that perverſe Generation have ſubmitted to thy Scepter.

Whole Nations of the Gentiles have embrac'd the Faith; and remoteſt Iſlands received thy Law.

Bleſſed for ever be thy Name, O Lord! and bleſſed be the ſweetneſs of thy Mercy.

Who revealeſt thy ſelf to thoſe that knew thee not; and art found of thoſe that ſought thee not.

Who often followeſt thoſe that fly from thee; and never refuſeſt any that come to thee.

Thou ſtill exactly performeſt thy part; but we, ungrateful Wretches, how do we comply with ours?

Where's the Profit thou may'ſt juſtly require, to anſwer the care of thy Providence over us?

Thou haſt planted us, O Lord, in thine own Vineyard; and fenc'd us about with thine holy Diſcipline.

Where is the Fruit we ſhould always be bearing; ſince good Works are never out of ſeaſon?

Of our ſelves, alas! we are dry and barren; and our Nature, at beſt, brings forth nothing but Leaves.

O thou, in whom while we remain we live; and from whom divided we inſtantly die!

Curſe not, we humbly beg, theſe fruitleſs Branches; leſt they wither away, and be caſt into the Fire.

Pronounce not againſt us that dreadful Sentence; cut them down, why cumber they the Ground?

But mercifully cut them off from their wild Stock; and graft them in thy ſelf the only true Vine.

Water, O Lord, our Weeds with the Dew of Heaven; and bleſs our low Shrubs with thy powerful Influence.

So Grapes ſhall grow on Thorns, and Figs be gather'd on Thiſtles.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Thou art, O Lord, the true Light of the World; they who follow thee, walk not in Darkneſs.

Ant.] In thee, O Lord, is all our hope; have Mercy upon the work of thine own hands.

Pſalm 101.

REjoice in our Lord, all ye Children of Adam; rejoice in the bounty of his Free Grace:

No longer now confin'd to a few choice Favourites; and the narrow compaſs of a private Family.

He has thrown down that Partition-Wall; and open'd the way of Life to all Mankind.

That all may believe, and love him here; and all enjoy, and be happy in him hereafter.

But, O my God, what do we ſee; when we look abroad into the World?

We ſee the ſad Effects, but cannot ſee the Cauſe; why ſo many Kingdoms lie miſerably waſte.

We know, O Lord, thy ways are in the deep Abyſs; and humbly adore thy ſecret Counſels.

Only we cannot think of their lamentable Condition; without pitying their Miſery, and imploring thy Mercy.

Some have not yet ſo much as heard of thee; and others who have heard, refuſe to entertain thee.

Some who have once acknowledg'd thee, have quite fallen away; and others reject what they liſt, and obey by halves.

Many of thoſe who even rightly believe, abuſe their holy Faith by a wicked Life.

Thus the far greateſt part of Mankind; whom thy Goodneſs created to thine own ſimilitude:

Whom thou haſt redeemed with thy precious Blood; and deſign'd to ſo great and long a happineſs:

Still fail, alas! of their true end; and die in their Sins, and eternally periſh.

Look down, O Lord, and behold from Heaven; behold from the habitation of thy Holineſs.

Where's thy Zeal, and the ſounding of thy bowels of Mercy? Where are thy Promiſes to thy beloved Son?

Haſt thou not ſaid, all Nations ſhall adore him; and that all the People upon Earth ſhall be bleſſed in him?

Haſt thou not ſaid thy ſelf, Lord Jeſus! When I am exalted I will draw all Men unto me?

Haſt thou not expreſly commanded thy Apoſtles to go, and teach all Nations; Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt?

And haſt thou not bid them, Go into all the World; and preach the Goſpel to every Creature.

Remember, O thou God of everlaſting Truth; remember, O thou Author and Finiſher of our Faith:

Remember theſe thy dear engagements; and graciouſly accompliſh what thou haſt mercifully begun.

Viſit, O Lord, thine own Houſe firſt; and thoroughly redreſs what thou find'ſt amiſs.

Make our Lives Holy as thou haſt made our Faith; and perfectly unite us in the bonds of Love.

Kindle in the Hearts of Kings, and the Great Ones of the World, an Heroick Spirit to advance thy Glory.

Enflame the Hearts of the Prelates, and Prieſts of thy Church, with a generous Zeal for Converſion of Souls.

Convince them all, it is the end and duty of their place; to improve Mankind in Vertue and Religion.

One Mercy more we humbly beg; which O! may thy Providence favourably ſupply.

Prepare the Hearts of thoſe that err: and make them apt to receive the Truth.

Then chooſe thy burning and thy ſhining Lights; and ſend them forth over all the World.

Send them, O God of infinite Charity! but ſend them not alone; leſt they faint by the way, and miſcarry in the End.

Go with them thy ſelf, and guide them by thy Grace; and crown their Labours with thy powerful Bleſſing.

So ſhall the humble Vallies be rais'd up; and the ſtubborn Mountains be brought low.

So ſhall the crooked Paths be made ſtrait; and the rough ways ſmooth and plain.

So ſhall the Glory of God be every where reveal'd; and all Fleſh ſhall ſee it together.

Happy the Times when this ſhall come to paſs; happy the Eyes that ſhall ſee theſe Times.

Come glorious Days, wherein that Sun ſhall ſhine; which enlightens all at once both Hemiſpheres.

Come, Holy Jeſus, and make thoſe Holy Days; and let no Cloud over-caſt them for ever.

Come, and in the largeſt ſenſe maintain thy Title; be effectually the Saviour of the univerſal World.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Titus, Chap. 2. Ver. 11.

FOR the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation, hath appear'd to all Men;

Teaching us that denying ungodlineſs and worldly Luſts, we ſhould live Soberly, Righteouſly, and Godly in this preſent World;

Looking for that bleſſed Hope, and glorious appearing of the Great God, and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt:

Who gave himſelf for us, that he might redeem us from all Iniquity; and purify unto himſelf a People zealous of Good Works.

Hymn 31. JEſu! whoſe Grace inſpires thy Prieſts, To keep alive by ſolemn Feaſts The Memory of thy Love; O may we here ſo paſs our days, That they at laſt our Souls may raiſe To feaſt with Thee above. Jeſu! behold Wiſemen, from far Led to thy Cradle by a Star, Bring Gifts to Thee their King; O guide us by thy Light, that we May find the right way, and to Thee Our ſelves for Tribute bring. Jeſu, the pure and ſpotleſs Lamb, Who to the Temple humbly came, Thoſe legal Rites to pay! O make our proud and ſtubborn Will Thine and the Churches Laws fulfil, What e'er fond Nature ſay. Jeſu, who on that fatal Wood Pour'dſt forth thy Life's laſt drop of Blood, Nail'd to a ſhameful Croſs; O may we bleſs thy Love, and be Ready, dear Lord, to bear for Thee All Grief, all Pain, all Loſs. Jeſu, who by thine own love ſlain, By thine own Pow'r took'ſt Life again, And from the Grave did'ſt riſe! O may thy Death our Spirits revive, And at our Death a new Life give, A Life that never dies. Jeſu, who to thy Heaven again Return'dſt in Triumph, there to reign, Of Men and Angels King. O may our parting Souls take flight, Up to that Land of Joy and Light, And there for ever ſing. All Glory to the Sacred Three, One undivided Deity, All Honour, Power, and Praiſe: O may thy bleſſed Name ſhine bright, Crown'd with thoſe Beams of glorious Light, Its own eternal Rays.
Antiphon.

Come all you Nations of the Earth, whom the Mercy of the Lord hath redeem'd; come, and in Honour of the Divine Son, ſing the Canticle of the bleſſed Mother.

V. My Soul doth magnify the Lord;

R. And my Spirit hath rejoyc'd in God my Saviour.

Let us pray.

O Holy and ever bleſſed Jeſus, who being the eternal Son of God, and moſt high in the Glory of God the Father, vouchſafed'ſt for us Sinners to be born of an humble Virgin, to be ſubject to the weakneſs of a little Child, to grow up in a Life of Privacy and Labour, to declare thy ſelf at laſt the Redeemer of the World, by eſtabliſhing a perfect Law of Grace, and confirming it with innumerable Miracles, and ſuffering for it intolerable Perſecutions, even to Death it ſelf! work in us, we humbly beſeech thee, the happy effects of all theſe Mercies, that believing in thee we may imitate thy Life, and obeying thy Commands, may enjoy thy Promiſes, who with the Father and the Holy Ghoſt, liveſt and reigneſt One God, World without End. Amen.

Compline for our Bleſſed Saviour
Antiphon.

Whither, O my God, ſhould we go, but unto Thee? thou haſt the words of eternal Life.

Pſalm 102.

REtire now, O my Soul, from thy common Thoughts; permitted to entertain thy leſs ſerious Hours.

Retire, and call thy wandering Fancies home; and ſpeedily range them into Peace and Order.

Come to me (ſaith our bleſſed Saviour) all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt.

Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart; and ye ſhall find reſt unto your Souls.

For my Yoke is eaſie; and my burden light.

Enough, dear Lord, enough is ſaid; to draw all the World to thy Holy Diſcipline.

What can be offer'd ſo agreeable to our Natures; (too much, alas, inclin'd to Pleaſure and Profit.)

What can be offer'd ſo powerfully attractive; as to make our work delightful, and then reward it?

As to propoſe an employment like the Muſick of Churches; devout and ſweet, and gainful to the Performers?

Whither, O my God, ſhould we go, but unto Thee? thou haſt the words of eternal Life.

Thou art our wiſeſt Inſtructer to know what to do; and only enabler to do what we know.

Thou art the free beſtower of all we have; and faithful Promiſer of all we hope.

Thou kindly call'ſt us; O make us glad to hear thy Voice; and conſtantly follow it till we come to Thee:

There to be raviſh'd with thy Holy Embraces; there to be feaſted with the Antepaſts of Heaven.

O how unſpeakable are thy ſweetneſſes, O Lord; which thou haſt hid for thoſe that fear Thee?

Which thou haſt partly reveal'd to thoſe that love Thee; and keep their Taſtes uncorrupted with the World.

But O what are they then to thoſe that ſee Thee; and in that ſight ſee all things elſe?

O beauteous Truth, which known, enforces Love; and lov'd begets Felicity!

Live thou for ever in my faithful Memory; and be my conſtant Guide in all my ways.

Still let me think on thoſe Joys above; and undervalue all things compar'd to my Salvation.

Still let me think on my Saviour's Love; that purchas'd for me all thoſe Joys.

O thou, my ador'd Redeemer, be thou the Maſter-Wiſh of my Heart; the Scope and End of all my Time.

Soon as I awake, let me look up to Thee; and when I riſe firſt lowly bow to Thee.

Often in the Day let me call in my Thoughts to Thee; and when I go to reſt cloſe up mine Eyes in Thee.

So ſhall my Time be govern'd by thy Grace; and my Eternity be crown'd with thy Glory.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 103.

MY God, when I remember thoſe words of thine; Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand:

When I conſider, they were the firſt thine Inſpir'd Prophet, St. John Baptiſt, ſpoke in Publick; and that it was the choſen Text of the eternal Wiſdom:

Inſtantly I'm ſtruck with the Importance of the Duty; and deeply affected with the power of the Motive.

If what this Line ſays be not wholly true, but repeated in courſe as a Form of Devotion:

Forgive, dear Lord, the deceitfulneſs of my Heart; and make me think, as well as ſay my Prayers.

Make me apply thoſe ſearching words unto my ſelf; and bind them faſt on my own Soul.

Repent, O my Soul, for the Kingdom of Heav'n is at hand; Repent, for the Kingdom of Heav'n depends upon thy Repentance.

Unhappy me! I cannot live without Sin, nor hope for Pardon without due Repentance.

I cannot repent without the Grace of God; nor obtain his Grace without his own free Gift.

O my ſweet Saviour, who cam'ſt not to call the Righteous, but Sinners to Repentance!

Since I am not ſtrong enough to be perfectly Innocent; at leaſt make me humble enough to be truly Penitent.

Make me heartily ſorry for what I've done amiſs; and not do again what will make me ſorry.

Wo to the Day and Hour wherein I ſin'd; wo to the Days and Hours I have fooliſhly miſpent.

Or rather wo be unto me, who have abus'd both Days and Hours; allow'd by thy Goodneſs to work out my Salvation.

Deliver me, O Lord, from the Puniſhments I deſerve; deliver me from the Sins that deſerve thoſe Puniſhments.

Teach me that ſafe and eaſie Method of cenſuring my ſelf to be acquitted by Thee.

Every Night let me ſit as an impartial Judge; and call before me all my Day.

Let me ſeverely examine every Thought and Word; and ſtrictly ſearch every Deed and Omiſſion:

Condemning my Offences to their juſt Penance; and making more firm and wary Reſolutions:

Imploring for the paſt the Mercy of Heaven; and for the time to come the ſame unbounded Mercy.

If I perhaps find ſome little thing well done; when weigh'd with the allowances indulg'd our Frailty:

Let me return all the Glory to my God; and beg his Grace to continue and improve it:

His is the Hand that ſows the Seed; his is the Bleſſing that gives the encreaſe.

Thus let me once a day, at leaſt, look home; and ſeriouſly enquire into the ſtate of my Soul.

What e'er my Weakneſs or Malice may have done, let me now undo with a hearty contrition.

Let not the Sun go down upon my Wrath; nor on any unrepented Sin.

Still let me write at the foot of my account; reconcil'd to my God, and in Charity with all the World.

Then go to Bed with a quiet Conſcience; and fall aſleep in Peace and Hope.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 104.

LOrd, e're I take my leave of this Holy Day; which thy Church has Sanctified in honour of thy Memory:

Let me repeat ſome few words more, of thoſe incomparable many thou haſt left amongſt us.

Let me attentively meditate their ſubſtantial ſenſe; and ſettle them as Principles of my Life and Actions.

Lay not up for your ſelves Treaſures upon Earth; where Moth and Ruſt doth corrupt, and where Thieves break through and ſteal.

But lay up for your ſelves Treaſures in Heaven; where neither Moth nor Ruſt doth corrupt, and where Thieves do not break through and Steal.

For where your Treaſure is, there will your Heart be alſo.

Go now you curious, and ſtudy what you pleaſe; for me, I'll ſtay and liſten to my Saviour.

He'll teach me high, and ſure, and uſeful Truths; he'll teach me Truths that will make me happy.

Hark but this one word more, and you'll ſtay too; if that any ſenſe of your eternal Good can hold you.

Hark, how he tells us this new and glorious Secret; we ſhall hereafter be like the Angels in Heaven.

O ſweet and precious Word to them that reliſh it; we ſhall be hereafter like the Angels in Heaven!

And what, O deareſt Lord, are thoſe bleſſed Angels; but Spirits that know, and love, and delight for ever?

Such, O my Soul, we ſhall be, and that ſweet Life we ſhall lead; we ſhall be and live like the Angels in Heaven.

We ſhall know all that's True, and love all that's Good; and ſhall delight in that Knowledge and Love for ever.

No Ignorance ſhall darken, nor Error deceive us; we ſhall be like the Angels in Heaven.

No Cares ſhall perplex us, nor Croſſes afflict us; we ſhall be like the Angels in Heaven.

Our Joys ſhall be full, and pure, and everlaſting; we ſhall be like the Angels in Heaven.

Chear thee, my Soul, and bleſs thy bounteous Lord; 'tis by him we ſhall be like the Angels in Heaven.

Chear thee, and raiſe thy hopes yet gloriouſly higher; we ſhall be like himſelf, for we ſhall ſee him as he is.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Whither, O my God, ſhould we go, but unto Thee? thou haſt the words of eternal Life.

Hymn 32. LOrd, now the time returns For weary Man to reſt; And lay aſide thoſe Pains and Cares, With which our day's oppreſt. Or rather change our Thoughts To more concerning Cares; How to redeem our miſpent Time, With Sighs, and Tears, and Prayers. How to provide for Heaven, That place of reſt and peace; Where our full Joys ſhall never wain, Our Pleaſures never ceaſe. Bleſt be thy Love, dear Lord, That taught us this ſweet way; Only to love thee for thy ſelf, And for that Love Obey. O thou, our Souls ſweet hope, We to thy Mercy fly; Where'er we are, thou can'ſt Protect, What e'er we need, Supply. Whether we ſleep, or wake, To thee we both reſign: By Night we ſee, as well as Day, If thy Light on us ſhine. Whether we live or die, Both we ſubmit to Thee; In Death we live as well as Life, If thine in Death we be. Glory to Thee, great God, One co-eternal Three; To Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, Eternal Glory be. Amen.
1 Theſſ. Chap. 5. Ver. 8.

BUT let us, who are of the Day be Sober, putting on the Breaſt-plate of Faith, and Love, and for an Helmet the hope of Salvation.

For God hath not appointed us to Wrath, but to obtain Salvation by our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; who died for us, that whether we wake or ſleep, we ſhould live together with him.

Antiphon.

By ſeeking our ſelves in this World of Vanity, we loſe, both Thee, O Lord, and our own Souls.

By ſeeking our ſelves in Thee, and thy Love, we find both Thee and our own Happineſs, enjoying already a ſweet Poſſeſſion of Hopes, to end e're long in a ſweeter fruition in Glory.

V. Thou art the free beſtower of all we have.

R. Thou art the faithful Promiſer of all we expect.

Let us pray.

O Bleſſed Jeſus, whoſe Sacred Body, after thou had'ſt finiſh'd in it the work of our Redemption, was taken down from the Croſs, and after a ſhort repoſe in the Sepulcher, waſt raiſed again to a glorious Immortality! Grant us, we beſeech thee, ſo frequently to renew in our Minds the Memory of thy Grave, that we may be always prepared for our own; and ſo ſeriouſly to reflect on the Conſequences of a Holy Death, that every day we grow leſs affected to this Tranſitory Life, and more in love with thy eternal Joys, who with the Father, and the Holy Ghoſt, liveſt, and reigneſt, one God, World without End. Amen.

OFFICE for the Holy Ghoſt MATTINS.
Invitatory. Come let's Adore our God that Sanctifies us. Come let's Adore our God that Sanctifies us.

COme, let us humbly firſt implore his Grace; to make us fit to adore our Sanctifier, who from the Father and the Son eternally proceeds, and with the Father and the Son is equally glorified.

Come, let's Adore our God that Sanctifies us.

He infuſeth into us the breath of Life, and brings us forth into our ſecond Birth, a Birth that makes us Heirs of Heaven, and gives us a title to everlaſting Life.

Come let's Adore our God that Sanctifies us.

Let us prepare our Underſtandings to aſſent 〈◊〉 his Truths, and our Will to follow his Inſpirations; let us fill our Memories with his innumerable Mercies, and our whole Soul with the Glory of his Attribute.

Come let's Adore our God that Sanctifies us.

Let us confidently addreſs to him our Petitions, who promiſes to help the Infirmity of our Prayers; let us not doubt the Bounty of his Goodneſs, but hope he will grant what himſelf Inſpires.

Come let's Adore our God that Sanctifies us.
Hymn 33. COme, holy Spirit, come, and breath Thy ſpicy Odours on the Face Of our dull Region here beneath; And fill our Souls with thy ſweet Grace. Come, and root out the poyſonous Weeds, Which over-run and choak our Lives; And in our Hearts plant thine own Seeds, Whoſe quickening Power our Spirit revives. Firſt Plant the humble Violet, That dwells ſecure by dwelling low; Then let the Lily next appear, And make us chaſte yet fruitful too. But O plant all the Vertues Lord! And let the Metaphors alone; Repeat once more that mighty word, Thou need'ſt but ſay, Let it be done. We can, alas! not be, nor grow, Unleſs thy powerful Mercy pleaſe; Thy hand muſt Plant, and Water too, Thy hand alone muſt give th'encreaſe. Do then what thou alone canſt do, Do what to Thee ſo eaſy is; Conduct us through this World of woe, And place us ſafe in thine own bliſs. All Glory to the Sacred Three, One ever living ſoveraign Lord, As at the firſt ſtill may he be Belov'd and prais'd, fear'd and ador'd, Amen.
Antiphon.

In thoſe days, ſays our Lord, I will pour out my Spirit upon all Fleſh. Alleluja, Alleluja.

Pſalm 106.

LOrd with how ſweet and natural a Conduct does thy Providence govern the Children of Men?

Leading them from one degree to another; till thou haſt brought them up to their higheſt Perfection?

Thou putteſt them to learn in the School of Vertue; and diſpoſeſt their Capacities into ſeveral Forms.

In the firſt Ages, when the World was young, thou gav'ſt them for their Guide the Book of Nature.

There thy divine Aſſiſtance help'd them to read, ſome few plain Leſſons of their duty to Thee.

They ſaw this admirable frame of Creatures; and as far as theſe could argue, they could conclude:

Sure there is a God, the cauſe of all things; ſure there is a Providence the Diſpoſer of all things:

He muſt be powerful that made ſo vaſt a World; he muſt be wiſe that contriv'd ſuch excellent Works.

He muſt be Goodneſs it ſelf, that did all this for us; and we ungrateful Wretches, if we will do nothing for him.

Thus far ſome few could ſay, and very few could do; with thoſe ſlender Aſſiſtances they then enjoy'd:

After thou gav'ſt thy People a written Rule; which train'd them up in a ſet form of Diſcipline.

Which grew and ſpread into a publick Religion; and uniformly profeſt by a whole Nation.

They had ſome weak conceit of the Kingdom of Heaven; and ſome imperfect means to bring them thither.

But for thoſe high ſupernatural Myſteries; that ſo gloriouſly exalt the Chriſtian Faith:

They all, alas! were blind, or in the dark; and dangerouſly expos'd to the effects of their Ignorance:

Wanting thoſe clear Inſtructions to know their ends; wanting thoſe powerful Motives to love their God.

Yet this prepar'd them for the times of Grace; to which thy Mercy, Lord, reſerv'd far greater Favours:

To which thou haſt promiſed by thy Holy Prophets; an effuſion of Bleſſings from thine own full hands.

I will put my Laws into their Mind, and write them in their Hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they ſhall be to me a People.

I will pour out my Spirit upon all Fleſh; and your Sons, and your Daughters ſhall Propheſy.

They ſhall no more teach every one his Neighbour; for all ſhall know me from the greatest to the least.

O merciful Lord, who haſt lov'd us from the beginning; be graciouſly pleas'd to love us to the End.

Pity the unhappy ſtate of all Mankind; which neither Nature nor Law could bring to Perfection.

If any riper Souls came forward to the Birth; there wanted Spirit to bring them forth.

But ſend out thy Spirit, O Lord, and they ſhall be created; and from their nothing in Sin, rais'd to the Life of Holineſs.

Send out thy Spirit, and renew the face of the Earth; and our Weeds and Thorns ſhall be turned into a Paradiſe.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the Beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

In thoſe days, ſaith our Lord, I will pour out my Spirit upon all Fleſh. Alleluja, Alleluja.

Ant.] When he aſcended up on high, he led Captivity captive, and gave Gifts unto Men. Alleluja.

Pſalm 107.

LOok up, languiſhing World, look up; and ſee how punctually thy faithful Lord performs his Word.

When he had finiſh'd here that glorious work; which his Goodneſs undertook for our Redemption:

When he had told us what we ought to do; and what to ſuffer for the Kingdom of Heaven:

When he himſelf had done more than he requir'd of us; and ſuffer'd more than our boldeſt hopes could expect from him:

When he had wrought our Salvation ſo far, that he ſaw his Abſence more expedient for us:

He firſt prepares the Hearts of his Diſciples; and comforts their Sorrows with theſe ſweet words:

Children, I will not leave you comfortleſs; but will pray to my Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter:

Even the Spirit of Truth, and he ſhall teach you all things; and bring to your remembrance whatſoever I have ſaid unto you:

Peace I leave with you, my Peace I give to you: Let not your Hearts be troubled nor be afraid.

I go to my Father, and to your Father; to my God, and to your God.

I go to prepare a place for you; that where I am you may be alſo.

This ſaid, he led them forth together, and gave them his Bleſſing; and parting from them went away into Heaven.

So loving Mothers, when the weaning time is come; withdraw themſelves from their beloved Children.

But while they thus deprive their tender little ones, of their moſt dear and allſupplying Preſence:

They ſtill depute ſome faithful Friend to aſſiſt them; for though they leave them they mean not to forſake them.

Such, and far greater was the care of their God; as his Love is far greater than that of Mothers.

He ſaw it neceſſary for ſo myſterious a Faith to be ſhewn in a clear and ſupernatural Light, to the firſt Believers:

That they might confidently recommend to others, what they knew was ſo infallibly certain to themſelves.

He ſaw it neceſſary for ſo perverſe a a World, to infuſe into its firſt Converts the fulneſs of Charity.

That with ardent Zeal they might inſtruct their Hearers; and with a patient Courage overcome their Oppoſers.

He ſaw it neceſſary for ſuch variety of Nations, to furniſh their Preachers with variety of Tongues:

That they might teach every one in their Native Speech; and underſtand their Doubts, and ſatisfy their Objections.

Wherefore when the appointed time was come; as all the Works of God go forth in their ſitteſt Seaſon:

When his Diſciples were gather'd together in one Mind and Place; and ſo excellently diſpoſed for the viſits of Heaven:

When they had long continued in ardent Prayer; and wrought up their Affections to the higheſt pitch of Deſire:

Suddenly there was a ſound from Heaven; whence every good and perfect Gift deſcends.

A vehement Wind fill'd the whole Houſe; for the Grace of God is ſtrong and liberal.

Behold on the Head of each ſate a Tongue as of Fire; the propereſt enablements to Convert the World.

While they were all illuminated with one pure Light; and all enflam'd with a fervent Heat.

And to communicate both to every Nation; were all endu'd with the Gift of Languages.

Thus was the Promiſe of our Lord fulfilled; thus were the Meſſengers of the everlaſting Peace prepar'd:

Miraculouſly baptiz'd with the Holy Ghoſt, and with Fire; and perfectly qualified for their great Commiſſion:

To preach to every Creature this happy Goſpel; He that believes, and is baptized, ſhall be ſaved.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

When he aſcended up on high he led Captivity Captive, and gave Gifts unto Men. Alleluja.

Ant.] This is our Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our Eyes. Alleluja, Alleluja.

Pſalm 108.

HOW glorious is thy Grace, O Lord! over all the World? how admirable the Influence of thy Holy Spirit?

They that through dulneſs ſo ſlowly underſtood the oft repeated Leſſons of their divine Maſter:

Now with the firſt ſwift Glance ſee through all; and no Myſtery can poſe them, nor Error deceive them.

They who through fear forſook their Lord, and fled away all from the danger of being his:

Now rejoyce in ſuffering for his Name; and neither Life nor Death can forbid them to confeſs him.

They who knew only their Mother-Tongue; and that no better than as ſimple Fiſher-Men:

Now ſpeak to every Nation in their ſeveral Language; and with their powerful Eloquence raviſh their Hearts.

They who even after our Saviour's Reſurrection ſhut faſt the Doors for fear of the Jews:

Now in the open Streets, and publick Synagogues, confidently proclaim the Name of Jeſus.

Theſe were new Bottles filled with new Wine; that made them quite forget their former ſelves:

Wine that exalted them into a generous Spirit; of deſpiſing all things for the love of Jeſus:

Wine that in the midſt of Racks and Priſons, made them oft break forth into that ſweet extaſy:

No Joy like the pain of Suffering for Jeſus; no Life like the death endur'd for his Love.

Oh! were there now ſuch Tongues of Fire; to kindle in the World ſuch divine Flames!

Oh! were there now ſuch Hearts in the World; to receive the holy Sparks that fall from Heaven!

The great Apoſtle preach'd but one Sermon; and immediately converted three thouſand Souls.

He preach'd again, and wrought but one Miracle; and five thouſand were added to the Church.

Thus every day they encreas'd in number; and which was better, their numbers encreas'd in Vertue.

They were inebriated with the ſame Heavenly Wine; and fill'd with the ſame Heroick Spirit.

They ſold all they had, and brought the Price, and laid it down at the Apoſtles Feet.

They lived in common, and call'd nothing their own; and even in their Will and Underſtanding they were all united.

Every one had enough, and that's to be rich; none had too much, and that's to be free:

Free from the Cares that perplex the Wealthy; free from the Temptations that wait on Superfluity.

Had'ſt thou been there, O my Soul! to have ſeen the flaming Ardors of thoſe firſt Converts!

Imagine at leaſt, and know, thy utmoſt Fancy is far below what they really practiſed.

They fell upon their Knees, and ador'd and meditated; and pray'd to him who had done ſuch great things for them.

They pray'd, and mingled with their Prayers their Tears; they wept, and mingled with their Tears their Complaints.

Ah deareſt Lord! why were we not ſo happy, to be converted by Thee, while thou dwelledſt amongſt us?

Why not to entertain Salvation, when thou broughteſt it to our Homes, and preferred'ſt our little Nation before all the World?

Unhappy we! how came this Miſery to paſs, that many of us look'd on thy Miracles, and ſaw them not?

Before our Eyes thou gaveſt Sight to the Blind; and our Souls were darken'd with Sin and Prejudice.

Thou did'ſt cleanſe the Leprous, and heal all manner of Diſeaſes; thou did'ſt raiſe the Dead, and caſt out Devils by thy Word.

Yet we alas, how many of us blaſphem'd thy Name? how many conſpir'd with thy bloody Crucifiers?

Spare us, O Lord, have Mercy upon us, O Jeſu! for we knew thee not to be the Lord of Glory.

Bleſſed be thy Holy Spirit, who haſt open'd our Eyes; and made us to ſee thro' the Veil that eclips'd us.

Now we believe thee to be the Meſſias we expected; now we acknowledge thee to be the King of Iſrael.

Such were the Fervours of thoſe happy Times; and O how happy were our Times had we thoſe Fervours!

But ours are become miſerable by Schiſms, and Hereſies; and the Darkneſs that covers a great part of the Earth.

Ours are become miſerable by the unfruitful Lives; and ſcandalous Examples of too many Chriſtians.

Too many alas! yet even the Gates of Hell can ne'er prevail againſt the Power of God.

Still the ſame Spirit governs the World; and keeps alive the ſame primitive Fire.

Still there are Hearts full of the Holy Ghoſt; full of that raviſhing Wine of divine Love.

Still there are Souls who readily deny themſelves; and take up their Croſs and follow their Lord.

Still there are Fiery Tongues kindled by the Breath of Heaven; who carry their ſacred Flames into every Nation.

Still the Apoſtolick Church is true to its Name; and ſends abroad her burning and her ſhining Lights.

Still the Almighty Goodneſs is true to his Church; and conſerves it againſt all the Powers of the Enemy.

O keep us, bleſſed Spirit, in this thy fold of Grace; and bring the whole World into one Flock.

That all may be of the ſame Mind here; and all enjoy the ſame happineſs hereafter.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Firſt Leſſon. John 14. 12.

VErily, verily, I ſay unto you, he that believeth on me, the Works that I do ſhall he do alſo, and greater Works than theſe ſhall he do.

And whatſoever ye ſhall ask in my Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son, If ye love me keep my Commandments;

And I will pray the Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter; that he may abide with you for ever:

The Spirit of Truth, whom the World cannot receive, becauſe it ſeeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and ſhall be in you.

R. Bleſſed be thy merciful Providence, O Lord, who when thou hadſt finiſh'd thy great Work on Earth, aſcended'ſt up to Heaven, to draw up our Minds even thither after thee, Allelajah; that where our Happineſs is, there might our Hearts be alſo. Bleſſed be thy infinite Goodneſs, O dear Redeemer, who when thou had'ſt taught us the words of eternal Life, ſent'ſt down the Holy Ghoſt to make us obſerve them, and raiſe up our Affections to that glorious Kingdom, whither thou art gone before us.

Second Leſſon.

AND when the day of Pentecoſt was fully come, they were all with one accord, in one place;

And ſuddenly there came a ſound from Heaven, as of a ruſhing Wind, and it filled all the Houſe where they were ſitting.

And there appear'd to them Cloven-Tongues, like as of Fire, and it ſate upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghoſt, and began to ſpeak with other Tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And there were dwelling at Jeruſalem, Jews, devout Men out of every Nation under Heaven.

And when this was nois'd abroad, the Multitude came together, and were confounded, becauſe that every Man heard them ſpeak in his own Language, the wonderful Works of God.

R. Thus were the words of the Prophets fulfilled, and the Promiſes of our Saviour perform'd, and the Faith of the Chriſtian Church miraculouſly begun. Alleluja. O may it ſtill go on, and encreaſe, and multiply, till every Nation ſpeak in their own Tongue the wonderful works of God.

Third Leſſon. Acts 4. 32.

AND the multitude of Believers were of one Heart, and of one Soul, neither ſaid any of them, that ought of the things that he poſſeſſed was his own, but they had all things common.

And with great Power gave the Apoſtles witneſs of the Reſurrection of the Lord Jeſus, and great Grace was upon them all.

Neither was there any of them that lacked; for as many as were Poſſeſſors of Lands or Houſes, ſold them, and brought the Prices, and laid them at the Apoſtles Feet.

O happy Life! O Heaven upon Earth! This is the bleſt effect of the Fire of the true Spirit, which warms without ſcorching, and flames without ſmoaking, and enlightens without conſuming. Kindle, O Lord, in our Hearts, this holy Fire of Meekneſs, and Peace, and Unity, that all the World may know whoſe Diſciples we are, by ſeeing us Love one another. Alleluja. But O deliver us from the contrary Fire of the falſe Spirit, that Scorches without warming, and Smokes without ſhining, and Conſumes without enlightning: Deliver us from Schiſm and Hereſy, and every the leaſt uncharitable Paſſion.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Lauds for the Holy Ghoſt.
Pſalm 109.

COnſider now my Soul, the Mercies of God; conſider the wonders he hath wrought for the Children of Men.

The eternal Father created us of nothing; and ſet us in the way of everlaſting Happineſs.

The eternal Son came down from Heaven to ſeek us; and reſtor'd us again when we had loſt our ſelves.

The eternal Spirit ſends and brings his Grace to ſanctify us; and gives us ſtrength to walk that holy way.

Thus every Perſon in the ſacred Trinity has freely contributed his peculiar Bleſſing:

And altogether as one co-infinite Goodneſs, have graciouſly agreed to compleat our Felicity.

But, O ingrateful we! was it not enough to receive of our God all we have and are?

Was it not enough that the Son of God ſhould come down; and live to teach us, and die to redeem us?

Was not all this enough to make us love? and Love is all he aim'd at, and all he deſir'd.

Let us confeſs, O merciful Father! let us confeſs to Thee our miſerable Condition.

Such, alas, was the corruption of our Nature; and ſo many and ſtrong the Temptations that are round about us:

That without this thy laſt miraculous Favour; ſending the Holy Ghoſt to guide and quicken us:

We ſhould ſtill have remain'd in our old dull pace; ſlow to Underſtand, and ſlower to Obey.

We ſhould quickly have forgot our God that made us; and neglected the Service of our Lord that bought us:

Had not thy fulneſs been readily furniſh'd with one Bleſſing more, to beſtow on thy Children:

Hadſt not thou providently reſerv'd a better Bleſſing, than the Dew of the Clouds, and the fatneſs of the Earth:

Better than plenty of Corn and Wine, or the multitude of Poſterity, or dominion o'er our Brethren.

Theſe were the great Rewards of the old Law; but behold far greater than theſe are here:

Divine Refreſhment from the Heaven of Heavens; and the rare delicious Fruits of the Holy Ghoſt:

Meekneſs, and Peace, and Joy diffuſed in our Breaſts; Strength and undaunted Courage kindled in our Hearts.

Fill us, O Holy Ghoſt, and our little Veſſels; and as thou filleſt us enlarge our Capacities.

Make us, the more we receive of Thee, ſtill to grow in deſire of receiving more.

Till we aſcend to thoſe ſatisfying Joys above; where all our Faculties ſhall be ſtretch'd to the utmoſt.

Where they ſhall be fill'd to the Brim; and overflow'd with a torrent of Pleaſure for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 110.

BLeſſed be thy Name, O Holy Spirit; and bleſſed be the Bounty of thy Goodneſs.

When the eternal Father, by creating the World, had declar'd himſelf and his Almighty Power:

When the in-created Word, by redeeming Mankind, had reveal'd himſelf and his infinite Wiſdom:

When now there remain'd but one Seal more, to be open'd of the Book of divine Myſteries:

Behold a ſtrange condeſcenſion to our weak Nature; the inviſible Spirit viſibly appears.

He deſcends from Heaven in the ſhape of a Dove; and gently lights on the Prince of Peace.

Again he deſcends in the likeneſs of Fire; and miraculouſly ſits on the Heads of the Diſciples:

Mingling thus in one bleſt Compound, thoſe chief Ingredients of excellent Vertue:

Mildneſs to allay the heat of Zeal; and Zeal to quicken the indifferency of Mildneſs:

Innocency to adorn the light of Knowledge; and Knowledge to direct the ſimplicity of Ignorance.

O bleſt and admirable Teacher! who can Inſtruct like the Spirit of God?

He needs no Years to finiſh his courſe; but with a ſwift and efficacious touch conſummates all things.

He enter'd the Soul of a young delighter in Muſick; and preſently ſanctified him into a Compoſer of Pſalms.

He took a poor Shepherd from following the Flock; and immediately rais'd him to the degree of a Prophet.

He by one Leſſon perfected the Diſciples; and poliſh'd rude Fiſhermen into Eloquent Preachers.

He touch'd the Heart of a Perſecuting Phariſee; and inſtantly chang'd him into a glorious Apoſtle.

All this thou haſt done, O infinite Goodneſs! and all we do is wrought in us by thee.

By thee we are regenerated at firſt in our Baptiſm; by thee confirm'd by the Impoſition of Hands.

By thee we are heal'd by a bleſſed Repentance; by thee prepar'd for that Banquet of the Bread of Angels.

By thee thy choicer Servants are conſecrated to be Prieſts; by thee our Marriages are ſanctified into Bleſſings.

By thee our Souls are comforted on the Bed of Sickneſs; and by thee all our Life is govern'd.

If in the Church be any Wiſdom of Knowledge; if any real Sanctity of decent Order:

If any Faith of the Myſteries of Religion; if any hope of everlaſting Salvation:

If any love of God, as our ſoveraign Bliſs; if any mutual Charity to one another:

If any Miracles to convert Unbelievers; or quicken Devotion in ſuch as faintly Believe:

All flows from thee and thy free Grace; O thou boundleſs Ocean of eternal Mercies!

All flows from thee; and may we all return our little Streams in tribute to thy Bounty.

May every Favour thou offereſt, be thankfully received; and every Talent thou beſtow'ſt diligently improv'd.

So ſhall we faithfully perform our Duty; and render to thy Grace its juſt Glory.

While whate'er we have we acknowledge from thee; and whate'er thou giveſt us is not in vain.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 111.

STill let us ſing, O bleſſed Spirit! to thee let us humbly ſing theſe few Lines more.

To thee the eternal Love of the Father and the Son; and glorious finiſher of that ſacred Myſtery.

To thee the quickening Spirit of regenerated Souls; in whom they live and move and have their Being.

To thee the ſoveraign Blaſom of our Wounds; and only Comfort of all our Sorrows.

To thee our Refuge in this place of Baniſhment; and faithful Guide in this wand'ring Pilgrimage.

To thee the ſacred pledge of our free Adoption; and enſuring Seal of our eternal Salvation.

What do we ſay, O thou adorable Spirit of God! what do we ſay when we utter ſuch words as theſe?

We ſay what we can in our low Capacity; but alas, how ſhort of thy unſpeakable Excellencies!

O that we had the Tongues of Saints and Angels; O that we had thine own miraculous Tongues.

Thoſe which ſate flaming on the Heads of the Apoſtles; and made them ſpeak thy Wonders in every Language.

Still all our Praiſes would be poor and narrow; ſtill infinitely leſs than thy more than infinite Perfections.

But if we cannot ſpeak as our God deſerves; ſhall we hold our Peace, which our God forbids?

Woe be to them, O Lord, who are ſilent of thee; and ſpend the Breath thou giveſt them on any but thy ſelf.

O thou that openeſt the Mouths of the Dumb; and makeſt the Tongues of Children Eloquent!

Inſpire thy Servants, if not with Expreſſions ſuitable to thee; at leaſt with ſuch as are profitable for us:

Such as may inſtruct us what we ought to do; ſuch as may move us to do what we ſay.

And let us, with the Holy Pſalmiſt, not only praiſe him our ſelves; but call upon all Spirits and Beings to praiſe him.

Praiſe him all you Quires of Angels; whoſe early Grace confirm'd you in Glory.

Praiſe him you reverend Patriarchs, whoſe ways he govern'd; and by particular Providence lead you to Felicity.

Praiſe him you ancient Prophets, whoſe Souls he inſpir'd; to teach his choſen People the mind of Heaven.

Praiſe him you glorious Apoſtles, whoſe Perſons he impower'd to be Ambaſſadors of Peace between Heav'n and Earth.

Praiſe him generous Martyrs, whoſe Spirits he encourag'd; and gave you Victory over the Terrors of Death.

Praiſe him ye bleſſed Confeſſors, whoſe Lives he Sanctified; and gave you Victory over the World and your ſelves.

Praiſe him ye Holy Virgins, whoſe Souls he eſpouſed; and conſecrated your chaſte Bodies into Temples for himſelf.

Praiſe him all that live in his Grace, praiſe him all that hope for his Glory; and let every thing that hath Breath praiſe the Lord.

Praiſe him, O my Soul, for his Goodneſs to thee; praiſe him for his Goodneſs to all the World.

Praiſe him on thy choiceſt Inſtrument, thy Heart; praiſe him in thy beſt words, thoſe of the Church.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Kindle in our Hearts, O Lord, thy Holy Fire, that we may offer to thee the Incenſe of Praiſe.

Rom. 8. 12.

THerefore, Brethren, we are Debtors not to the Fleſh, to live after the Fleſh:

For if you live after the Fleſh you ſhall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the Deeds of the Body, ye ſhall live

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, are the Sons of God.

And if Children, then Heirs, Heirs of God, and Joint-Heirs with Chriſt; if ſo be we ſuffer with him, that we may be alſo Glorified together.

Hymn 34. COme, mild and holy Dove, Deſcend into our Breaſt; Do thou in us, make us in thee For ever dwell and reſt. Come, and ſpread o'er our Heads Thy ſoft all-cheriſhing Wing; That in its Shade we ſafe may ſit, And to thee Praiſes ſing. If by the way we faint, Thou reacheſt forth thy hand; If our own Weakneſs makes us fall, Thou mak'ſt our Weakneſs ſtand. Elſe there we ſtill muſt lie, And ſtill ſink lower down; Our hope to riſe is all from thee, Our Ruin's all our own. O my ingrateful Soul! What ſhall our dulneſs do, For him that does all this for us, Only our Love to Woe? We'll love thee then, dear Lord, But thou muſt give that Love; We'll humbly beg it of thy Grace, But thou our Prayers muſt move. O hear thine own ſelf ſpeak, For thou in us doſt pray; Thou can'ſt as quickly Grant as Ask, Thy Grace knows no delay. Glory to Thee, O Lord, One co-eternal Three; To Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, One equal Glory be. Amen.
Antiphon.

Come, holy Spirit, the free beſtower of all Graces, viſit the Hearts of thy faithful Servants, and repleniſh them with thy ſacred Inſpirations; illuminate our Underſtandings, and enflame our Affections, and ſanctify all the Faculties of our Souls, that we may know, and love, and conſtantly do the things that belong to our Peace. Amen. Alleluja.

V. Our departing Lord promiſed he would not leave us comfortleſs;

R. But give us in his place the Holy Ghoſt.

Let us pray.

O God, who miraculouſly ſent'ſt down the Holy Ghoſt to ſupply the Abſence of thy Son, and comfort his heartleſs Followers, and inſtruct them in all things neceſſary to their great Work, the Converſion of the Word! Grant, we beſeech thee, that our devout commemorating thoſe fiery Tongues, which ſate upon each of their Heads, and produc'd ſuch glorious Effects, may encreaſe the fervour of our Hearts, to continue and atteſt by all fruits of Grace, the ſame Spirit ſtill abiding in us, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who with thee, in the Unity of the ſame bleſſed Spirit, liveth and reigneth One God, World without End. Amen.

Veſpers for the Holy Ghoſt.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt, &c.

Bleſſed be the Holy and undivided Trinity. Amen.

Antiphon.

We are not our own, but the Temples of the Holy Ghoſt, let us dedicate our ſelves entirely to him.

Pſalm 112.

COme, let us now prepare our Hearts; and humbly offer this our Evening Sacrifice.

Let us clear our Heads of all other Thoughts; that fill us, at beſt, with nothing but emptineſs.

Let us remember our God is a pure Spirit; and delights to dwell in a clean Tabernacle.

He will not enter into a Soul that is ſubject to Sin; nor ſtay where he finds his Grace neglected.

If he vouchſafe us the Bleſſings of a viſit; and O how ſweet and raviſhing is his Preſence!

Let us open wide our Boſoms to receive him; and ſummon all our Powers to entertain him.

Come my Underſtanding, and bring all thou knoweſt; all that enlightens thee in the way to Felicity.

Come my Will, and call in all thy Loves; and contract them into one, and ſettle it here for ever.

Come my Memory, with all thy ſwarms of Notions; and forget them all but what concerns thy Eternity.

Come my whole Soul, with theſe thy Faculties about thee; and proſtrate adore the eternal Spirit.

Behold he is now with us, and ſits in our Hearts, as on his Throne; to receive our Petitions, and give us his Bleſſings.

He never will forſake us, if we chaſe him not away; but guide and comfort us with his holy Inſpirations.

Come then, and with devouteſt Reverence attend; and hear what the Lord our God will ſay.

He leads us thus into Retirement and Silence; and there familiarly ſpeaks to our Hearts.

Tell me, O you deſign'd for everlaſting Happineſs! tell me now freely, for none ſhall interrupt us:

What do you chiefly delight to think of? What do you aim at in all your Thoughts?

Conſider well the Queſtion I propoſe; and when you have examin'd your ſelves, give me your anſwer.

O thou our merciful, though offended, God! behold thus low we bow our guilty Heads:

Bluſhing for Shame to ſee our Folly; and ſo much the more to ſee our Duty.

Happy were we, if we could be ſtill thinking of thee; and raiſe all thoſe Thoughts into Deſires to be with thee.

Happy were we could we always feel thoſe Fervours; of which ſometimes thou inſpireſt a little Spark.

O were that Spark kindled into a Fire; and that Fire blown up into a continual Flame.

But we alas are hot and cold by Fits; and which is worſe, our cold Fit laſts the longer.

Some few half Hours we ſpend in Prayers; and many whole Days in Idleneſs and Vanity.

Sometimes we beſtow a little on the Poor; and often throw away a great deal on our Paſſions.

Sometimes we deny and mortify our ſelves; but far more obey our ſenſual Appetites.

Sometimes we are drawn by thy Grace to do a good work; but ſeduced by our Nature to a thouſand Iniquities.

Thus we confeſs to thee, O Lord our God! who perfectly ſees every corner of our Hearts!

Thus we confeſs to thee, not that thou may'ſt know us, but that we may know our ſelves, and thou may'ſt cure us.

Cure us, O thou great Phyſician of Souls! cure us of all our ſinful Diſtempers.

Cure us of this aguiſh intermitting Piety; and fix us into an even and a conſtant Holineſs.

O make us uſe Religion as our regular Diet; and not only as a ſingle Medicine in a preſſing Neceſſity.

Make us enter into a courſe of hearty Repentance; and practiſe Vertue as our daily exerciſe.

So ſhall our Souls be endu'd with a perfect Health; and diſpoſed for a long, even an everlaſting Life.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Quicken us by thy Grace, O Holy Spirit, that we may thorowly mortify the works of the Fleſh.

Pſalm 113.

NOW we have begun, permit us, mighty Lord! to ſpeak once more who are but Duſt and Aſhes.

Let us go on, and confeſs to thee; and open before thee all our Miſeries.

Such an occaſion often endangers us; ſuch a Temptation often overcomes us.

Our own Infirmities are too ſtrong for us; and our ill Cuſtoms prevail againſt us.

Every Day we reſolve to mend; and every Day we break our Reſolutions.

Have Mercy on us, O God of infinite Compaſſion! have Mercy upon us, O thou Comforter of the afflicted Minds!

Have Mercy upon us, and pardon what is paſt; have Mercy upon us, and prevent what is to come.

When e'er thou ſeeſt us unhappily engag'd; and blindly running on in the ways of Death:

O ſend thy holy Grace to check our deſperate ſpeed; and make us ſtay and look before us.

Shew us the horrid downfal into that bottomleſs Pit; where impenitent Sinners are ſwallow'd up for ever.

Strike our regardleſs Souls with Fear and Trembling; at the dreadful ſight of ſo ſad a ruine.

Then turn our Eyes, and kindly ſet before them the beauteous Proſpect of a Pious Life.

Make us look long and ſteddily upon it; and make us look through, and ſee beyond it.

Make us delight in the hope it enjoys; but incomparably more in the Joy it hopes.

A Joy which none but thy ſelf can give; none but thy ſelf can make capable to receive.

Give us, O gracious Lord, thou free beginner, and perfect finiſher of all vertuous Actions!

Give us a right Spirit to guide our Intentions; that we may aim directly at our true end.

Give us thy holy Spirit to ſanctify our Affections; that what we rightly deſign we may piouſly purſue.

Give us an Heroick Spirit to confirm our Hearts; that what we piouſly endeavour, we may couragiouſly atchieve.

Suffer not the Fleſh to deceive us any more; but fortify our Spirits againſt all its aſſaults.

If the Fleſh grow bold, and inſolently demand, how can you live without theſe Liberties?

Let the Spirit anſwer, their followers are Slaves; and the Service of God is the only true freedom.

If the Fleſh alledge what Joy in ſuffering Ills; or doing contrary to our own Inclinations?

Let the Spirit reply, That the Croſs of Chriſt is ſweet; and nothing ſo glorious as the Conqueſt of our ſelves.

If the Fleſh inſiſt, What do you ſee, or hear, or exerciſe any ſenſe in, but in the things of the World?

Let the Spirit enter this proteſt; and may every experienced Soul ſubſcribe the Truth:

I ſee its Vanity, and feel its Vexation; and meet in every thing its falſeneſs and danger.

Away then Fleſh and Blood, away deceitful World; you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

You were created only to ſerve us in the way; and ſet us down at our Journeys end.

Away with all your fond deluding Dreams; be baniſh'd for ever from our awaken'd Souls.

Come thou to us, bleſt Spirit of Truth; and govern our Lives with thy holy Maxims.

Subdue our ſenſe to the dictates of Reaſon; and perfect our Reaſon with the Myſteries of Religion.

Teach us to love and fear what we ſee not now, as at too great a diſtance for our ſhort ſight.

But what we are ſure will hereafter be our Bliſs or Miſery for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Quicken us by thy Grace, O holy Spirit, that we may thorowly mortify the works of the Fleſh. Deliver us, O God, from every evil Spirit, and vouchfafe to give us of thine own free Spirit.

Pſalm 114.

LET not our Lord be angry, and we will ſpeak yet once; for we have much to ask, and he has infinite to give.

We have much to ask for our ſelves and all the World; who depend intirely on his free Goodneſs.

Many, O Lord, are the Graces we want; and none can give them but by thy Bounty.

Many are the Sins and Miſeries we are expos'd unto; and none can deliver us but thy Providence.

Deliver us, O Lord, from what thou knoweſt is againſt us; deliver us from what we know will undo us.

Deliver us from the Spirit of Prophaneneſs and Infidelity; from the Spirit of Schiſm and Hereſy.

Deliver us from the Spirit of Pride and Avarice; from the Spirit of Anger, Sloath, and Envy.

Deliver us from the Spirit of Drunkenneſs and Gluttony; from the Spirit of Luſt, Wantonneſs, and Impurity.

Deliver us, O gracious God, from every evil Spirit; and vouchſafe to give us of thine own free Spirit.

Vouchſafe to give us the Spirit of Fortitude; the Spirit of Temperance, Juſtice, and Prudence:

The Spirit of Wiſdom, and Underſtanding, and Counſel; the Spirit of Knowledge, and Piety, and the Fear of thee:

The Spirit of Peace, Patience, Meekneſs, and Benignity; the Spirit of Humility, Sobriety, and Chaſtity.

O thou, who never denieſt thy Favours, except we deny our Obedience!

Thou who art often near us, when we are far from thee; often ready to grant, when we are unmindful to ask!

Refuſe not, O Lord, to hear us, now we call upon thee; and make us ſtill hear thee, when thou calleſt to us.

Fill our Underſtanding with the knowledge of ſuch Truths as may fix them on thee.

Inure our Wills to embrace ſuch Objects; as may unite them unto thee the ſovereign Goodneſs.

Shew us the narrow way that leads to Life; the way that few can find, and fewer follow.

Guide us ſtill on in the middle Path of Virtue; that we never incline to any vicious extream.

Let not our Faith grow wild with ſuperfluous Branches; nor be ſtript into a naked fruitleſs Trunk.

Let not our hope ſwell up to raſh preſumption; nor ſhrink away into a faint deſpair.

Let not our Charity be cool'd into a careleſs indifferency; nor heated into a furious Zeal.

But above all, ſuffer us not, O thou bleſſed and holy Spirit! to be guilty of the unpardonable Sin againſt thy ſelf.

Suffer us not obſtinately to perſiſt in any known Wickedneſs; nor maliciouſly impugn any known Truth.

Suffer us not to die in our Sins without Repentance: And, O Lord, have Mercy upon us in that ſerious Hour.

Have Mercy upon us, and govern us in our Life; have Mercy upon us, and ſave us in our Death.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Deliver us, O Lord, from every evil Spirit, and vouchſafe to give us of thine own good Spirit.

Leſſon. Galat. Chap. 5. Ver. 19.

NOW the Works of the Fleſh are manifeſt, which are theſe, Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanneſs, Laſciviouſneſs,

Idolatry, Witchcraft, Hatred, Variance, Emulations, Wrath, Strife, Seditions, Hereſies,

Envyings, Murders, Drunkenneſs, Revellings, and ſuch like, of the which I tell you before, as I have alſo told you in time paſt, that they that do ſuch things ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-ſuffering, Gentleneſs, Goodneſs, Faith,

Meekneſs, Temperance, againſt ſuch there is no Law.

And they that are Chriſt's have crucified the Fleſh, with the Affections and Luſts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us alſo walk in the Spirit.

Let us not be deſirous of Vain-Glory, Provoking one another, Envying one another.

Hymn 35. COme, holy Spirit, ſend down thoſe Beams, Which gently flow in ſilent Streams, From thy bright Throne above; Come thou, enricher of the Poor, And bounteous ſource of all our Store, Come fill us with thy Love. Come, thou our Souls delicious Gueſt, The wearied Pilgrims ſweeteſt reſt, The Sufferers beſt relief; Come thou our Paſſions cool Allay, Whoſe Comfort wipes all Tears away, And turns to Joy all Grief. Come thou bright Sun, ſhoot home thy Darts, Pierce to the center of our Hearts, And make our Faith love thee; Without thy Grace, without thy Light, Our Strength is Weakneſs, our Day Night, We cannot move or ſee. Lord, waſh our ſinful Stains away, Water from Heaven our barren Clay, Our many Bruiſes heal: To thy ſweet Yoke our ſtiff-necks bow, Warm with thy Fire our Hearts of Snow, Our wand'ring Feet repeal. O grant thy Faithful, deareſt Lord, Whoſe only Hope is thy ſure word, The ſeven Gifts of thy Spirit; Grant us in Life t'obey thy Grace, Grant us at death to ſee thy Face, And endleſs Joys inherit. All Glory to the ſacred Three, One ever-living Deity, All Power, and Bliſs, and Praiſe; As at the firſt when Time begun, May the ſame Homage ſtill be done, Till Time it ſelf decays.
Antiphon.

Bleſſed be thy Name, O holy Spirit of God, who divideſt thy Gifts to every one as thou pleaſeſt, and workeſt all in all! In Thee our Sorrows have a Comforter to allay them; in thee our Ignorances have a Guide to direct them; and our Frailties a Confirmer to ſtrengthen them; and all our Wants a God to relieve them. Alleluja, Alleluja.

V. By thy precious Fruits thou art ſurely known,

R. Controuling all the wicked Works of the Fleſh.

Let us pray.

O God, who by thy Holy Spirit didſt, at firſt, eſtabliſh a Church, and Sanctifying it by the ſame Spirit, doſt ſtill preſerve and govern it! Hear, we beſeech thee, the Prayers of thy Servants, and mercifully grant us the perpetual aſſiſtance of thy Grace, that we may never be deceived by any falſe Spirit, nor overcome by the vicious Suggeſtions of Fleſh and Blood, but in all our Doubts be directed in the ways of Truth; and in all our Actions guided by thy holy Spirit, who with thee and thy Eternal Son, liveth and reigneth, One God, World without End. Amen.

Compline for the Holy Ghoſt.
Antiphon.

The Spirit of the Lord hath made me, and the Almighty hath given me Life.

Pſalm 115.

COme, my Soul, let us farther conſider who this Holy Ghoſt is; that we may the better adore him.

He is a ſpiritual divine Subſtance; the third Perſon in the Glorious Trinity.

He is diſtinct from the Father and the Son; in the unity of both, proceeding from Both.

He is the Comforter, but Comfort preſumes Sadneſs; therefore let us take Comfort in him, notwithſtanding our Sins.

For Sin does not make us wholly incapable of Comfort; though want of true Repentance for Sin does.

So that we always carry away ſo much of the true Comfort of the Holy Ghoſt; as we have true Sorrow for our Sins.

But deliver us all, O Lord, from all thoſe Sins that exclude this Comforter.

Deliver us, O Lord, from Preſumption and from Deſpair;

For Preſumption takes away the fear of God; and Deſpair the Love and Goodneſs of God.

Deliver us from all Impenitence, and from hardneſs of Heart.

For Impenitence excludes all Sorrow for Sins paſt; and hardneſs of Heart makes us continue, and go on in our courſe of Sinning.

Deliver us from impugning a known Truth; or from envying thoſe who embrace it.

Deliver us from reſiſting lawful Authority; for therein we reſiſt thee our God.

Deliver us from Relapſes and counterfeit Repentances; for though we cannot deceive thee, yet therein we deceive and ruine our ſelves.

Deliver us from all Schiſmatical rending the Peace of the Church; and therein deſtroying our ſelves.

Thus by removing theſe Obſtructions of thy bleſſed approach, we may humbly hope our Souls will be ready for thy Impreſſions.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 116.

THY Impreſſions, O Lord, who art Goodneſs it ſelf; will make us good and able to retain them.

They will make us good, in communicating thoſe Gifts thou giveſt us, unto others.

It is thy holy Spirit, O Lord, that giveth thy Prieſts Eloquence and Utterance in Preaching.

It is thy Spirit engenders a burning Zeal in them for thy Glory; and makes it more and more ardent.

It is thy Spirit that gives them a fiery Tongue to publiſh thy holy Goſpel and chearfully profeſs the Truth in the Face of all the World.

And as our Saviour ſaith, It is not you that ſpeak; but the Spirit of your Father ſpeaketh in you.

By thee, O holy Spirit, and thy divine Inſtruction, the Holy Men of God ſpake as they were moved.

Thou wert the mighty worker in the Conception; and Nativity of our bleſſed Saviour.

Thou art the worker of our Sanctification; and makeſt us new Men in Jeſus Chriſt.

This Holy Spirit made a poor Shepherd a Princely Prophet; and a ſimple Fiſherman a chief Apoſtle.

He made a Perſecuting Saul a faithful Paul; a choſen Veſſel to preach the Doctrine of Salvation to the Gentiles.

As his Perſon is great, divine, and for ever to be ador'd; ſo are his Works great, and his Goodneſs tranſcendent and ever to be loved.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 117.

AS Man is known by his Voice; ſo the Holy Ghoſt hath Particularities by which he may be known.

He mollifies hard Hearts (if they reſiſt him not;) and awakes them out of the dead ſleep of Sin.

He puts a holy Fire and Zeal into the Hearts of thoſe that were cold and frozen.

He gives ſtrength to the Weak, and enables them to contemn the World and worldly Things.

He mortifies the diſorder'd Appetite, and more diſorder'd Paſſions; and makes both to become moderate and regular.

He illuminates the Underſtanding, he ſanctifies the Memory; and makes it retentive of thoſe good things we have been taught by him.

He not only enflames our Affections with a holy Ardour; but ſweetly draws them off from all other things unto himſelf.

He makes the Heart of the Raſh to underſtand Knowledge, and to become Prudent.

This bleſſed Spirit breeds an Alteration where-ever it enters; it gives other Actions and other Tongues, and gives other Hearts and makes a new Man.

And as our corporal Motion ſhews we have a Soul in our Body; ſo our holy Life ſhews we have this holy Spirit in our Soul.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

It is the ſame wonder and Mercy that the Holy Ghoſt is ſent from the Court of Heaven to ſanctify us,

Ant.] As that the bleſſed Jeſus was ſent from thence to Redeem us. Alleluja.

The Leſſon.

FOR the holy Spirit of Diſcipline will flee Deceit, and remove from Thoughts that are without Underſtanding.

For Wiſdom is a loving Spirit; and will not acquit a Blaſphemer of his Words; for God is witneſs of his Reins, and a true Beholder of his Heart, and a hearer of his Tongue.

For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the World; and that which containeth all things has knowledge of his Voice.

Therefore he that ſpeaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid; neither ſhall Vengeance, when it puniſheth, paſs by him.

Hymn 36. A Hymn in the Language of our Church. COme, holy Ghoſt, our Souls inſpire; And lighten with celeſtial Fire. Thou the anointing Spirit Art; Who doſt thy ſeven-fold Gifts impart. Thy bleſſed unction from above Is Comfort, Life, and Fire of Love. Enable with perpetual Light The dulneſs of our blinded Sight. Anoint, and chear our ſoiled Face With the abundance of thy Grace. Keep far our Foes, give peace at home; Where thou art guide, no ill can come. Teach us to know the Father, Son, And thee of both to be but one; That through the Ages all along, This may be our endleſs Song: Praiſe to thy eternal Merit, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Antiphon.

Shew us the Light of thy Countenance, and we ſhall be whole.

The Prayer.

O Bleſſed Spirit of God, who by reaſon of thy eminent height canſt pray to no body; and yet by thy Divine Wiſdom and God-head makeſt all the World to pray to thee, give us the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication; that we may adore thee in Spirit, with Reverence, Stedfaſtneſs, and Perſeverance. Confirm us who are weak, reduce us when we go aſtray from thee; let thy Grace prevent our Falling, or thy Power and Mercy lift us up when we are down; govern our Senſes, inſpire our Thoughts, guard our Words, direct all our Actions to thy Glory; accept the Offering of our whole Soul, Body, and all we are, and have, as being intirely devoted unto thee; and keep us always ſafe from our viſible and inviſible Enemies, in the Mercies of God the Father, in the Merits of God the Son, and in the continual Grace of God the Holy Choſt, to which Three Perſons in one Divine Eſſence be all Honour, and Glory, Power, Might, and Dominion, from this forth and for evermore. Amen.

Antiphon.

How great is the Mercy of God, that only one Sin excludes it, even that againſt the Holy Ghoſt? How unſpeakably abominable is that Sin that excludes that Mercy?

The OFFICE for the Commemoration of Saints, proper for All-Saints-Day, or any of thoſe Feſtival Days in which they are Commemorated.
Invitatory. Come let's Adore the King of Saints. Come let's Adore the King of Saints.
Pſalm 118.

GReat is the Majeſty of the King we ſerve, rich the Splendor of his Courts; o'er all the World he ſends his Commands, and none dare reſiſt or diſpute his Power.

Come let's Adore the King of Saints.

Great is the Clemency of our gracious Sovereign, to pardon the Offences of Repentant Sinners; great is the Bounty of our glorious Lord, to crown with Rewards his faithful Servants.

Come let's Adore the King of Saints.

Thouſands of Saints attend in his Preſence, and Millions of Angels wait on his Throne, all beauteouſly rang'd in beauteous Order, all joyfully ſinging the Praiſes of their Creator.

Come let's Adore the King of Saints.

Thou art our King too, bleſſed Jeſus, and we, alas, thy unprofitable Subjects; we cannot praiſe thee like thoſe in thine own bright Quires, yet humbly offer our little Tribute.

Come let's Adore the King of Saints.

Let us bow down low our heads to him, before whom the Seraphims cover their Faces; let us bow low our Hearts to him, at whoſe Feet the Saints lay down their Crowns.

Come let's Adore the King of Saints.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghoſt;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever ſhall be, world without end, Amen.

Hymn 37. AWake, my Soul, chaſe from thine Eyes, Thy drowſie Sloath, and quickly riſe Up, and to work apace; No leſs than Kingdoms are prepar'd, And endleſs bliſs for their Reward Who finiſh well their Race. 'Tis not ſo poor a thing to be Servants to Heav'n, dear Lord, and Thee, As this fond World believes. Not even here, where oft the wiſe Are moſt expos'd to Injuries, And friendleſs Vertue grieves. Sometimes thy Hand lets gently fall A little drop that ſweetens all The bitter of our Cup; O what hereafter ſhall we be, When we ſhall have whole draughts of Thee, Brimful and drink them up! Say happy Souls, whoſe Thirſt now meets The freſh and living ſtreams of Sweets, Which ſprang from that bleſt Throne; Did you not find this true, even here; Do you not find it truer there, Now Heaven is all your own? O yes, the Sweets we Taſte exceed All you can ſay, or you can read, They fill and never cloy; On Earth our Cup was ſweet, but mix'd, Here all is pure refin'd and fix'd, All quinteſſence of Joy. Hear'ſt thou, my Soul, what glorious things The Church in Heaven in triumph ſings, Of their bleſt Life above? Chear thy faint hopes, and bid them live, All theſe to thee thy God will give, If thou embrace his Love. Great God of rich Rewards! who thus Haſt crown'd thy Saints, and wilt crown us, As both to thee belong; O may we both together ſing, Eternal praiſe to Thee our King, In one eternal Song. Amen.
Antiphon.

Happy are thy Saints, O Lord, who wiſely choſe their end, and conſtantly purſu'd the means to attain it.

Pſalm 119.

TELL me, you eager lovers of the World, what is't you aim at in all your Pretences?

You weary your Bodies with reſtleſs Labour; and afflict your Minds with perpetual Care.

Day and Night you are ſtill perplex'd; ſtill buſily plotting to compaſs your Ends.

Tell me what are thoſe Ends you ſo long have ſought? and I will tell you what you ſoon will find.

While they are many they do but diſtract your Thoughts; and often engage them to quarrel amongſt themſelves.

One End, and one alone's the way to peace; and on that one muſt all the reſt depend.

'Tis true, and by that Rule we guide our Lives; whate'er we undertake is only to be happy.

'Tis to be Happy, we ſtrive to be Great; and enrich our ſelves by defrauding others.

'Tis to be Happy, that we run after Pleaſures; and covet in every thing our own proud Will.

But we, alas, miſtake our Happineſs; and fooliſhly ſeek where it is not to be found.

As ſilly Children think to catch the Sun, when they ſee it ſetting at ſo near a diſtance.

They travel on, and tire themſelves in vain; for the thing they ſeek is in another World.

Juſt ſo we judge, and juſt ſo are deceived; when we think to meet with Heaven upon Earth.

This World, alas! has now no Paradiſe; but all its Fruits are Weeds and Thorns.

All dangerouſly mixt with occaſions of Sin; all ſprinkl'd over with the bitterneſs of Sorrows.

What did we ever paſſionately love; but ſtill in the end it made us repent?

Nay, the beſt end was to make us heartily repent; and learn by our falling to Tread more ſure.

'Tis not then here we muſt expect our Happineſs; and yet 'tis happineſs we all muſt ſeek.

Pity us, O Lord, who live below in the dark; ſtill wiſhing for reſt, but finding none.

Scatter thoſe Miſts of Paſſion that blind our Eyes; and ſhine upon us with thy beauteous Light.

Convince us throughly there's a better World than this; a happier People than thoſe we know.

That we may now begin our Journey thither; and fit our ſelves for that bleſſed Company.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Happy are thy Saints who wiſely choſe their End; and conſtantly uſed the means to attain it.

Ant.] O how glorious is the Kingdom of Heaven, where our Lord reigns in the midſt of his Saints!

Pſalm 120.

IF thus our Nature tend to Happineſs; there's ſure ſome happineſs to content our Nature.

Sure the All-wiſe Creator has provided means to ſatisfie the Appetites which himſelf has made.

Doubt not, my Soul, the Bounty of thy Lord; but turn all thy fear to thine own Unworthineſs.

Look up, and ſee a rich delicious Land; that flows with ſweeter Streams than Milk and Honey.

Look up, and ſee a glorious City; incomparably braver than the Courts of Kings.

Behold the bleſſed Angels ſhining on their Thrones; and all the Holy Saints triumphing with their Hymns.

Behold the Glory wherewith they are crown'd; in the ſolemn day of their eſpouſals with himſelf.

Look up, yet higher, O my Soul! and ſee the ſacred Humanity of thy dear Redeemer:

That bleſſed Jeſus, that died for us upon the Croſs; and now invites us to partake of his Crown.

See and rejoice in thoſe eternal Honours; which Heaven and Earth pay to their King.

Look up once more, and infinitely farther; and humbly admire the unſpeakable Myſtery.

See, and adore the ſoveraign Deity, eſſentially full of its own bleſt Light:

Full, and overflowing to all its Creatures; which ſhine as little Beams deriv'd from him.

When thou haſt ſeen all this, my Soul; and ſtaid and dwelt a while among thoſe Wonders:

Turn down thine Eye to the Earth again; and ſee the petty things that entertain our Minds.

What is a name of Honour, or momentary Pleaſure, compar'd to the bliſs of an eternal Paradiſe?

What is a Bag of Money, or a fair Eſtate; if counter-balanc'd with the Treaſures of Heaven?

How narrow there do our greateſt Kingdoms ſeem? how ſmall a Circle the whole Globe of the Earth?

Cities and Towns ſhew like little Hills; and the buſie World but as a ſwarm of Ants:

Running up and down, and joſtling one another; and all this ſtir for a few grains of Corn.

O Heaven! let me again lift up mine Eyes to thee; and take a fuller view of that glorious Proſpect.

There let me ſtand, and fix my ſteddy ſight, till I have look'd my ſelf into this firm Judgment:

All the proſperous Fortune we can here poſſeſs, or even the largeſt Fancy can imagine;

All is an idle Dream to thoſe real Joys; an abſolute nothing to that ſound Felicity.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the Beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

O how glorious is the Kingdom of Heaven, where our Lord reigns in the mid'ſt of his Saints!

Ant.] In Thee, O Lord, is all our hope, in Life, and Death, and Time, and Eternity.

Pſalm 121.

'TIS true, I ſee a glorious State prepar'd above, for the Spirits of the Perfect.

But how ſhould we, poor Duſt and Aſhes, and laden too with the burden of our Sins:

How ſhould we hope to aſcend thoſe higher Regions; or claim a Portion in that Holy Land?

Fear not, my Soul, ask the bright Angels, what made them happy; and ſtrait they'll anſwer with a ſprightful Voice:

We readily obey'd our great Creator; and he fix'd us here to ſhine for ever.

Ask the bleſt Saints, what brought them to Felicity; and immediately they'll tell you in the ſame glad tune:

We faithfully lov'd our dear Redeemer; and that love has plac'd us here.

Ask both together, what bred thoſe excellent Vertues? and both together will proclaim aloud:

Bleſſed for ever be the Grace of our God; which alone has wrought all our Works in us.

Bleſſed for ever be the Bounty of our Lord; which gave us freely firſt, then crown'd his own Gifts.

Hear alſo how the Saints ſweetly tell us; Fear not (ſay they) who dwell below, and ſigh under the weight of Fleſh and Blood:

Fear not to aſcend at laſt to this place of Joy; and take your happy Seats among our Quires:

We too once liv'd in that Valley of Tears; and were ſet to ſtrive with the ſame unruly Paſſions.

He that made us Overcome, can as eaſily ſtrengthen you; He that hath crownd our Victories will as ſurely glorifie yours.

Fear not, the way is ſmoother than you are made believe; and the time ſhorter than perhaps you wiſh.

'Tis but to love your own true Intereſt, which ſeems no hard Command; and that but while you live, which you ſeldom think too long.

This once well done, you have no more to do; but to come, and ſing, and rejoice with us.

And thou, O Sovereign Lord of univerſal Nature on whom the whole celeſtial Court continually waits!

Command thy vigilant Angels to watch about us; and carry us ſtrongly to the place of our Deſires.

Save us, O thou whom the Sea and Winds obey; ſave us, O merciful Lord, or we periſh.

Save us, who call on Thee in all our Diſtreſſes; ſave us, for whom thy immortal ſelf did die.

Save us, O Lord, we moſt humbly beſeech Thee; and graciouſly receive us into thine own bleſt Arms for evermore.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Firſt Leſſon. Wiſdom 3.

BUT the Souls of the Righteous are in the hands of God, and there ſhall no Torment touch them.

In the ſight of the unwiſe they ſeemed to die; and their departure is taken for Miſery;

And their going from us to be utter Deſtruction; but they are in Peace.

For though they be puniſh'd in the ſight of Men, yet is their hope full of Immortality.

And having been a little Chaſtiſed, they ſhall be greatly rewarded; for God prov'd them, and found them worthy of himſelf.

As Gold in the Furnace has he tryed them, and received them as a burnt Offering.

And in the time of their Viſitation they ſhall ſhine, and run to and fro as Sparks among Stubble.

They ſhall judge the Nations, and have Dominion over the People, and their Lord ſhall reign for ever.

They that put their Truſt in him ſhall underſtand the Truth, and ſuch as be faithful in Love ſhall abide with him; for Grace and Mercy is to his Saints, and he hath care for his Elect.

Reſp. Rejoyce all you holy Saints, rejoyce, and ſing for ever the Mercies of the Lord; his bleſſed hand has wiped all Tears from your Eyes; and now you ſhall no more weep, no more complain, for the evening of Sorrow is paſt, and the day of eternal Joy is come. Alleluja.

Now you no longer ſhall ſigh to be deliver'd out of this dark and tedious Priſon, but dwell for ever in that glorious Light, which ſprings from the face of God.

Second Leſſon.

THough the Righteous be prevented with Death, yet ſhall he be in reſt.

For honourable Age is not that which ſtandeth in time, nor that which is meaſur'd by number of Years;

But Wiſdom is the Grey Hair unto Men; and an unſpotted Life is old Age.

He pleas'd God, and was belov'd of him; ſo that living among Sinners he was tranſlated,

Yea, ſpeedily was he taken away, leſt that Wickedneſs ſhould alter his Underſtanding.

For the bewitching of Naughtineſs, doth obſcure things that are honeſt; and the wand'ring of Concupiſcence doth undermine the ſimple Mind.

He being made perfect in a ſhort time, fulfilled a long time; for his Soul pleaſed the Lord; therefore haſted he to take him away from among the Wicked.

This the People ſaw, and underſtood it not, neither laid they this up in their Minds, that his Grace and Mercy is with his Saints, and that he hath reſpect unto his choſen.

Reſp. O happy they whom our Lord ſhall honour on the day of his Triumph, and riſing from his Seat of Judgment, go gloriouſly before them; and with thoſe ſweet and gracious words invite them to follow him, Come ye bleſſed of my Father, poſſeſs the Kingdom prepar'd for you, from the Foundation of the World, the reward of your Labours I will give you, I my ſelf will be your Reward. Alleluja.

You have firmly believ'd, you have readily obey'd, you have conſtantly ſuffer'd.

Come, enter now into your Maſter's Joy.

Third Leſſon.

THen ſhall the Righteous ſtand in great boldneſs, before the Face of ſuch as afflicted him, and made no account of his Labours.

When they ſee it, they ſhall be troubled with terrible Fear, and ſhall be amazed at the ſtrangeneſs of his Salvation, ſo far beyond all that they look'd for.

And they repenting and groaning for Anguiſh, ſhall ſay within themſelves, this was he whom we had ſome time in deriſion, and a Proverb of Reproach;

We Fools counted his Life Madneſs, and his End to be without Honour,

How is he number'd among the Children of God, and his Lot is among the Saints?

Therefore have we err'd from the way of Truth, and the light of Righteouſneſs hath not ſhin'd upon us, and the Sun of Righteouſneſs hath not roſe upon us.

We wearied our ſelves in the ways of Wickedneſs and Deſtruction; yea, we have gone through Deſarts, where there lay no way; but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it.

What hath Pride profited us? or what good have Riches, with our vaunting, brought us?

All thoſe things are paſſed away like a Shadow, and even as a Poſt that haſted by;

Or as a Bird hath flown through the Sky, and there is no token of her way to be found; but the light Air being beaten with the ſtroke of her Wings, and parted with the violent Motion of them is paſſed through, and therein afterwards no ſign where ſhe went is to be found:

Even ſo we, in like manner, as ſoon as we were born, began to draw to our End, and had no ſign of Vertue to ſhew, but were conſum'd in our own Wickedneſs.

For the hope of the Ungodly is like Duſt that is blown away with the Wind, like a thin Froth that is driven away with a Storm.

But the Juſt ſhall live for evermore, their Reward alſo is with the Lord, and the Care of them is with the moſt High.

Therefore ſhall they receive a glorious Kingdom, and a beautiful Crown from the Lord's Hand; for with his right-hand ſhall he cover them, and with his Arm he ſhall protect them.

R. Deliver us, O Lord, from the ſad deplorable End which thy Juſtice has prepar'd for the Wicked; deliver us from thoſe vain deceitful ways, that lead us to that end.

O make us always fear thy Judgments, that we may never feel them; and always hope in thy Mercies, that we never forfeit them.

Bleſs us, O Lord, with a happy Death; that our Souls may depart in Peace, and go up to dwell among thy Saints and Angels. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Lauds for Commemoration of Saints.
Pſalm 122.

COme, let us all bring forth our Pſalms; and go together to the Houſe of Prayer and Praiſe.

There let us meet in Peace and Love; and join our Hearts and Voices into one glad Song.

Come, let us ſing, but who ſhall be our Theme? what worthy Subject ſhall our Muſick chooſe?

No, 'tis not Conquerors we mean to admire; nor any of the great Ones that the World applauds.

But you, bleſt Saints, who bravely overcame your ſelves; and led in Triumph your own Paſſions.

Who either wiſely uſed this World; or to be ſafer ſcarce uſed it at all.

You are the illuſtrious Worthies we deſire to Praiſe; and gild our Hymns with your bright Names.

Sing then aloud, my Soul, the Glories of thy Saints; and let their ſacred Memories be always in thine.

Rejoice thou who feeleſt theſe Miſeries here; and often complaineſt of the Miſeries of this Life.

Rejoice at their glad delivery from all theſe Sorrows; and heartily congratulate their ſecure Felicity.

Rejoice, and with thy beſt inſtructed Thoughts, admire the exquiſite Wiſdom of the Divine Providence:

Who from ſuch low beginnings can raiſe ſuch great effects; yet every ſtep thruſts connaturally on the next.

Behold a little Seed that's buried in the Earth, ſhoot gently out its tender Leaves:

And nouriſh'd on with the Clouds and Sun, climb up by degrees into a tall great Stalk.

There it diſplays its full blown hope; and crowns its own Head with a Silver Lily.

Such is the progreſs of Immortal Souls, even thoſe which ſhine now amongſt the higheſt Seraphins.

At firſt ſhut up in their Mother's Womb; where they lie cloſe Priſoners in the dark.

Thence they come forth to ſee and hear; and ſlowly begin to walk and ſpeak.

Next they advance to underſtand and Diſcourſe; then learn to fly with the Wings of Grace:

Till they get up beyond themſelves; and believe and live above their own Nature.

At laſt the kindly hand of Death gives them a ſtroke; and they inſtantly become like the glorious Angels.

Inſtantly their dark and narrow Knowledge unfolds it ſelf; and ſpreads into a clear and ſpacious view.

Where they ſhall at once ſee all the Glories of Heaven; at once poſſeſs, and for ever enjoy them.

Thus from the humble Seed of Grace connaturally ſpring the Flowers of Glory:

And from this Life's green Stem of Hope grow, juſt on the top, the Lilies of Paradiſe:

Lilies that never fade, but ſtill ſhine on; and fill the Heavens with their beauteous ſweetneſs:

Lilies, that Solomon in all his Glory was not array'd like one of theſe.

Sing on, my Soul! but ſtill among thy Hymns mingle reſolves to imitate their Lives.

Thoſe are the Lauds moſt delightful to them, whoſe Charity rejoices at the Converſion of a Sinner.

Thoſe are the Feaſts moſt profitable to us; whoſe Weakneſs needs the Impreſſions of Example.

Learn but of them to be humble and meek; and ſubmit all thy Wiſhes to the Will of Heaven:

To govern thy Senſes by the Rule of Reaſon; and thy reaſon by the dictates of Religion:

To deſign thy whole Life in order to the end; and eſtabliſh for thy end the bliſs of Eternity.

Saints like our ſervice beſt, when our honouring of them becomes an occaſion of benefiting our ſelves.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 123.

O Praiſe the Lord, all you Powers of my Soul; praiſe the Immortal King of Saints and Angels.

Praiſe him, the Author of all their Graces; Praiſe him, the finiſher of all their Glories.

Praiſe him in the mighty Hoſts of Angels; whom he ſets about us as the guard of our Lives:

That they may ſafely keep us in all our ways; and carry us at laſt to their own home

Praiſe him in the ſacred College of the Apoſtles; to whom he reveal'd the Myſteries of his Kingdom.

That they may teach us too thoſe Heavenly Truths; and ſhew us the ſame bleſt way to Felicity.

Praiſe him in the generous Fortitude of Martyrs; whom he ſtrengthen'd with Courage to reſiſt even to Death.

That we might learn from them to hold faſt our Faith; and rather loſe this Life than hazard the other.

Praiſe him in the eminent Sanctity of Confeſſors; whoſe whole deſign was a courſe of Heroick Vertue.

That we might raiſe our Minds from our uſual lazy dulneſs; and with a quick and active Wing mount up to Heaven.

That they might kindle our Breaſts with the ſame chaſte Fire; the ſame fervent Love to the Spouſe of our Souls.

Praiſe him in the perfect Holineſs of all his Saints; whoſe Lives he moulded into ſo various ſhapes:

That every ſize of ours might readily be furniſh'd with a Pattern cut out, and fitted for it ſelf.

O praiſe the Lord, all you Powers of my Soul; Praiſe the immortal King of Saints and Angels.

Praiſe every Perſon of the Sacred Deity; and give a hearty Joy to the whole Court of Heaven.

Bleſſed be the eternal Father; who has fix'd his Angels in ſo high a happineſs.

Triumph bright Angels in your radiant Thrones; and ſhine continually in the Preſence of God.

Bleſſed be the eternal Son; who has ſo honour'd human Nature, as to exalt it above the very Angels themſelves.

Bleſſed be the eternal Spirit; who by his Grace and Sanctification, hath made us Joint-Heirs with Chriſt himſelf in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Bleſſed be the holy and undivided Trinity; whoſe ſight alone is the Heaven of Heavens.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 124.

BUT who are we, born here below in the Duſt; and ſtill kept down with the thoughts of the World!

Lord, who are we, that our polluted hands dare offer unto thee the incenſe of Praiſe!

We who ſo often diſobey thy Commands; and ſo ſeldom weep for our many Follies.

Forgive, Great God, our boldneſs who ſo raſhly preſume; forgive our Frailties who ſo weakly perform.

O praiſe our Lord, you pure unblemiſh'd Angels; who never diſpleas'd him with the leaſt Offence.

Praiſe him, O you freely pardon'd Saints; who perfectly repented every little Treſpaſs.

Praiſe him with the higheſt Office of all your Feaſts; praiſe him with the loudeſt Muſick of all your Quires.

And ſo they do; look up my Soul, and ſee the innumerable multitude of triumphing Spirits.

See how they ſtand all cloathed in white Robes; with Palms in their hands, and golden Crowns on their Heads.

Behold the glorious Angels fall down with their Crowns; and proſtrate adore him that liveth for ever.

Hark how they fill that ſpacious Temple with their Hymns; while Night and Day they continually ſing.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hoſts! Heaven and Earth are full of thy Glory. Alleluja.

Glorious art thou in creating all things; glorious in preſerving them every moment of their Being.

Glorious in governing their ſeveral ways; glorious in appointing them their ſeveral Ends.

Glorious in rewarding thy Servants above their hopes; Glorious in puniſhing Sinners below their Demerits.

Glorious, O Lord, art thou in all thy Works; but infinitely more in thine own ſelf-bleſſed Eſſence.

Thus they rejoice above, thus they Triumph; and may their Joy and Triumph laſt for ever.

But O! were we not made, as well as they, to ſerve and glorifie our great Creator?

We owe him all we have, and they can owe no more; they can but do their beſt, and we ſhould do no leſs.

Therefore every Day we will, with you, repeat thoſe few ſhort Ends of your Seraphick Song:

Salvation to our God who ſits on the Throne; and to the Lamb that redeem'd us with his Blood:

Bleſſing and Honour, Wiſdom and Power be to him that ſits on the Throne; and to the Lamb for all Eternity. Alleluja, Alleluja. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

The Juſt ſhall be planted in the Houſe of our God, and flouriſh in his Preſence forever.

Chap. Revel. 7. 9.

AFter this I beheld a great Multitude, which no Man could number, of all Nations, and Kindreds, and People, and Tongues, ſtood before the Throne, and before the Lamb, cloathed with white Robes, and Palms in their Hands, and cried with a loud Voice, ſaying, Salvation to our God which ſitteth on the Throne, and unto the Lamb.

And all the Angels ſtood round about the Throne, and about the Elders, and the four Beaſts, and fell before the Throne on their Faces, ſaying, Amen; Bleſſing, and Glory, and Wiſdom, and Thankſgiving, and Honour, and Power, and Might, be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn 38. WAke, all my Hopes, lift up your Eyes, And crown your heads with Mirth; See how they ſhine beyond the Skies, Who once did dwell on Earth. Peace, buſie Thoughts, away, vain Cares, That clog us here below; Let us go up above the Spheres, And to each Order bow. Hail, glorious Angels, Heirs of Light, The high born Sons of Fire! Whoſe Heats burn chaſte, whoſe Flames ſhine bright, All Joy, yet all Deſire. Hail, holy Saints, who long in hope, Long in the ſhadow ſate; Till our victorious Lord ſet ope, Heav'ns everlaſting Gate. Hail, great Apoſtles of the Lamb, Who brought that early Ray; Which from our Sun reflected came, And made our firſt fair Day. Hail, generous Martyrs, whoſe ſtrong Hearts. Bravely rejoyc'd to prove, How weak, pale Death, are all thy Darts, Compar'd to thoſe of Love. Hail, bleſſed Confeſſors, who dy'd A death too, Love did give; Whilſt your own Fleſh you crucify'd, To make your Spirit live. Hail, all you happy Spirits above, Who make that glorious Ring, About the ſparkling Thorns of Love, And there for ever ſing. All Glory to the Sacred Three, One ever living Lord; As at the firſt ſtill may he be Belov'd, Obey'd, Ador'd. Amen.
The Prayer.

MOſt gracious God, the Author of all Sanctity, and the lover of all Unity; whoſe wiſdom has eſtabliſhed an admirable Communion between thy Church Triumphant in Heaven, and Militant on Earth, as Members of the ſame myſtical Body; mercifully grant, That as thy Bleſſed pray to thee for us, we may continually praiſe thee for them, and in correſpondency to their perfect Charity, with pious Obſervance celebrate their Memories, and imitate their Holy Converſations, till we all meet before thy glorious Throne, and with one Heart adore the Saviour of us all. Amen.

Veſpers for Saints Days.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoſt, &c.

Bleſſed be the Holy and undivided Trinity, now and for evermore. Amen.

Antiphon.

Pity, O Lord, the Infirmities of thy Servants, and quicken our Slowneſs by the Example of thy Saints.

Pſalm 125.

LOrd, what a luke-warm Life is this of ours; compar'd to the Zeal and Fervour of thy Saints?

Often and long they Faſted to chaſtize their Bodies, and bring them under the command of Reaſon.

On all their Senſes they ſet a conſtant guard; to let nothing in, that might diſturb their Peace.

Part of the Night they watch'd, and moſt of the Day they labour'd; and both Day and Night continually pray'd.

All things about them went on in conſtant meaſure; juſt fit for their Pious purpoſe and no more.

Their Cloaths, their Food, their Sleep, their Recreation; all taught to ſerve the improvement of their Mind.

Their Mind thus rectified, the only aim of all their Cares, the only ſcope of all their Severities.

That diſengag'd them from the embroilments of this World; that they might quietly conſider, and prepare for the Felicities of the other:

That they might grow more enamour'd of their Lord; and more admire his Perfections:

Till at laſt diſſolv'd into thoſe holy Fires; they melted away with longings to enjoy him.

Sharp to themſelves they were, but ſweet to others; obliging all with their candid Charity.

Whatever any wanted they gladly ſupplied; and gave away at once both Fruit and Tree.

They ſtudy'd not ſo much how to raiſe their Families; as to entail on their Poſterities the example of their Vertues.

'Twas not ſo much their Plot to leave a fair Eſtate behind them; as to benefit the World with their uſeful Labours:

To inſtruct the Ignorant, to confirm the Weak; to comfort the Sorrowful, and protect the helpleſs Innocent.

This was their conſtant Work, this their beloved Deſign, to promote with their utmoſt ſtrength the happineſs of all.

Lord, what a little is it our Frowardneſs endures, compar'd to the Heroick Patience of the Saints!

When they were reviled, they reviled not again; when ſpitefully ſcorn'd they meekly held their peace.

When they were curs'd they bleſs'd their Enemies; when barbarouſly oppreſs'd they pray'd for their Perſecutors.

They ſerv'd our Lord in Hunger and Thirſt; and all the diſadvantages of an impoveriſh'd Life.

Often they were threaten'd, and they withſtood the danger; often they were entic'd, and they withſtood and repell'd the Flattery.

Priſons and Chains they willingly accepted; Tortures and Racks they chearfully embrac'd.

Even Death it ſelf they undauntedly encounter'd; Death furiouſly arm'd with every ſhape of Terror.

All this they endur'd, and infinitely more; of which unmindful we keep no remembrance.

All this they endur'd, and under all rejoyc'd; that they were counted worthy to ſuffer for the name of Jeſus.

How did theſe generous Souls conquer Heav'n it ſelf; and enter by force thoſe everlaſting Gates?

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Bleſſed be thy name, O Lord, who haſt provided ſuch great Rewards, and ſtrengthen'd our Hope with ſo many Witneſſes.

Pſalm 126.

LIttle, O Lord, we know, is the Good we do; little is the Ill we ſuffer with Patience.

But what, alas! ſhould we have done, or ſuffer'd, had we not ſeen ſuch divine Examples?

Had not thy provident Hand hung out thoſe Lamps, bright as the Stars to ſhine before us:

Had not thy ſelf, the Sun of Righteouſneſs appear'd; to light and warm us with thy cheriſhing Beams:

Our Faith had been dark, and our Charity cold; and the flower of our hope had languiſh'd away.

Now we are ſure the way to Heaven is eaſie; made broad and ſmooth by ſo many Paſſengers:

Men cloath'd in Fleſh and Blood, like us; and weaken'd with the ſame imperfect Nature.

Now we are ſure the Promiſes of our God are true; confirm'd by as many Witneſſes as there are Saints in Heaven.

Who by their own experience are joyfully convinc'd; A happy Argument where Heaven's the Queſtion.

And by the raviſhing Sweets they perpetually taſte, are perpetually excited to adore and ſing:

Faithful is our Lord in all his words; and overflowingly bounteous in all his Gifts.

While we lived, we received the hundred-fold (in the ineffable Satisfaction of his Service:) and now are tranſlated to an infinity of Bliſs.

What he freely promiſed he has fully perform'd; what he engag'd to give us he has abundantly paid.

He told us of Treaſures, and golden Crowns; but the Joys we find are incomparably greater:

Joys of a far more high and noble rate; which neither we can expreſs, nor you below conceive.

It is enough for us, that we feel them in our Breaſt; it is enough for you as yet, that you ſee them in your Faith.

Can our leſſer Happineſſes infinitely ſurpaſs the greateſt pleaſures of your dull World.

O how agreeable is the Company we enjoy! how delightful the meeting our deareſt Friends!

With whom we have pray'd, and wept, and ſuffer'd; with whom we have ſpoke of this day and place:

With whom we now can ſafely ſing; free from the ſcorn and malice of our Enemies:

Bleſſed for ever be the goodneſs of God; that has brought us hither to his own Palace.

This is not like our Cottages of Clay; nor the loathſome Priſons where we lay in Fetters.

This chearful Melody is not like our old Complaints; nor the threatning words of our old Oppreſſors.

The Scene is chang'd, and for our little Miſeries, behold a Paradiſe of endleſs Felicities.

Here we ſhall live, and ever live; here we ſhall praiſe our God, and ever praiſe him.

Thus ſings the Church triumphant, and thus ſhall we; if we practiſe diligently the Leſſons they have taught us.

If we inure our ſelves to the ſame bleſt Notes; and live in tune with our holy Songs:

We ſhall hereafter be admitted to their Quires; and ſing as long, and as loud as they.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

If God be for us, who can be againſt us? If he juſtifie us, who can condemn us?

Pſalm 127.

TAke courage now, my Soul, and chaſe away thy Doubts; far more are with us, than againſt us.

God and his bleſſed Angels are on our ſide; Jeſus and his bleſſed Saints all take our parts.

Our great Creator looks up to excite us; our gracious Redeemer came down to inſtruct us.

The Holy Spirit illuminates us, and is within us, to confirm our Hearts; and the whole Trinity preſent to crown our Victories.

Whom then ſhall we fear, being thus ſafely guarded? who can reſiſt ſo invincible a Strength?

None but our own corrupted Nature dare contend; and the unlucky Accidents that conſpire with it againſt us:

Sometimes ſurpriſing our unwary negligence, ſometimes defeating our ſtrongeſt Reſolves.

Not that they can compel our Wills, unleſs we yield; or make the leaſt wound without our conſent:

Much leſs prevail againſt the Power of Heaven; and fruſtrate the Purpoſe of the Almighty Wiſdom.

Whoſe Mercy has us'd more Arts to ſave us; than the craft of Vice can invent to deſtroy us.

Such a Redemption, ſo miraculouſly wrought; ſuch holy Sacraments ſo often repeated.

Such glorious Promiſes ſo faithfully aſſured; and which revives our hope, ſo eaſily attain'd.

O infinite Goodneſs! how generous is thy Love? how liberally extended o'er all the World?

Thou inviteſt little Children to come unto Thee; and the Lame and the Blind to ſit down at thy Feaſt.

None are ſhut out of Heaven, but thoſe that will not go in; none made unhappy, but thoſe who care not to be otherwiſe.

Chear then thy ſelf, my Heart, and let no Fears poſſeſs thee; nor even Death it ſelf abate thy Courage.

Death is a paſſage that was always ſhort; and our Saviour's Croſs hath made it ſafe.

By the practiſe of the Saints it is grown familiar; and by their happy Succeſs become deſirable.

Loſe not thy hopes in ſo glorious an End; Eternity is at ſtake, and Heaven's the Reward.

That Heaven for which the holy Confeſſors ſpent all their time; and inumerable Martyrs laid down their Lives:

That Heaven where millions of Angels continually ſing; and all the Bleſſed make one glorious Quire:

That Heaven where the ador'd Jeſus continually reigns; and the immortal Deity ſhines bright for ever:

That very Heaven is promis'd to thee, my Soul; that bleſt Eternity thou art commanded to hope.

Raiſe now thy head, and ſee thoſe beauteous Proſpects; that raviſh the Hearts of all Beholders.

Yonder, far above the Skies, is thy Saviour's Kingdom; yonder we muſt dwell, when we leave this Earth.

Yonder muſt our Souls remove to reſt; when the ſtroke of Death ſhall divide them from our Bodies.

And when the Almighty Power ſhall join them again; yonder we muſt live with our God for ever.

O bounteous Lord, the only Author of all we have; the only Object of all we hope!

As thou haſt thus prepared a Heaven for us; O may thy Grace prepare us for that Heaven.

O make us live the Life of the Righteous; and let our laſt End be like his.

That we may die the Death of the Righteous; and live for ever in their bleſt Society.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Leſſon. Revel. 7. 14.

THeſe are they which came out of great Tribulation, and have waſhed their Robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.

Therefore they are before the Throne of God, and ſerve him Day and Night in his Temple; and he that ſitteth on the Throne ſhall dwell amongſt them.

They ſhall Hunger no more, they ſhall Thirſt no more, neither ſhall the Sun light on them, nor any Heat.

For the Lamb that is in the midſt of the Throne ſhall feed them, and ſhall lead them unto living Fountains of Waters; and God ſhall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes.

Hymn 39. TELL me, you bright Stars that ſhine Round about the Lamb's high Throne; How, through Bodies once like mine, How are you thus glorious grown? Hark, with one Voice they reply, This was all our happy Skill: We on Jeſus fix'd our Eye, And his eminent Followers, ſtill; As we clearly ſaw their Mind, Set and ruled, we order'd ours; Both this State alone deſign'd, Up towards this we ſtrain'd our Powers. Taught by Temperance, we abſtain'd From all leſs, for greater Goods; Slighting little drops, we gain'd Full, and ſweet, and laſting Floods. Arm'd with Fortitude, we bare Leſſer Evils, worſe to fly; Mortal Death we durſt out-dare, Rather than for ever die. Juſtice we obſerv'd, by giving Every one their utmoſt due; That in Peace, and Order, living, All might freely Heav'n purſue. Prudence govern'd all the reſt, Prudence made us ſtill apply, What was fitteſt, what was beſt, To advance great Charity. On thoſe golden Wheels of Grace, That Loves fiery Chariot bear, We arriv'd at this bright place; Follow us, and never fear. O ſure Truth! O bleſt Atteſters O that all the World may prove, Of both theſe ſuch ſtrong Digeſters, That both theſe may feed their Love. Him who made us all for this, Him who made himſelf our way, Him who leads us into Bliſs, May all Praiſe, and all Obey. Amen.
Antiphon.

Worthy, O Lord, art thou to receive the Book, and to open the Seals thereof; for thou wert ſlain, and haſt redeem'd us to our God with thy Blood, out of every Tribe, and Tongue, and People, and Nation, and haſt made us to our God a Kingdom. Alleluja.

V. Thou haſt made us to our God a Kingdom; may he reign in it for ever.

Reſ. Thou haſt prepar'd for us a Kingdom with our God; may we reign in it for ever.

Let us pray.

O God, whoſe merciful Providence has ſtill from the Beginning, ſown the Seeds of Grace in the Hearts of thy choſen Servants, which at the Reſurrection of thy Son, (the firſt Fruits of them that ſleep) ſprung up into Glory; and by his holy Doctrine, and admirable Life, and precious Death, haſt infinitely encreas'd the means of Salvation, and number of thy Saints! Grant, we beſeech Thee, that we, whom thou haſt favour'd with ſo many Advantages, may obtain thy Grace, to imitate them here, and rejoice for ever with them in thy Kingdom hereafter, through the ſame our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Amen.

Compline for Saints Days.
Antiphon.

Precious in thy ſight, O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; precious to Thee, and themſelves, and us.

Pſalm 128.

THus we have paſt another Day; another Step towards our long Home.

We have ſeen the Sun a few Hours more; and our Day is loſt in its own Night.

But is it loſt? O careleſs we! O careleſs we! and all the holy Words we have heard and read?

Leave they no mark in our Memories behind them? but make a little ſound and vaniſh into Air?

Have we not been at a ſolemn Feaſt? and do we ſo ſoon forget our Entertainment?

Could we ſee nothing among all thoſe Rarities, that reliſh'd with us, and ſtirr'd up our Appetite?

Was there no fit Proviſion for ſome Vertue we want? no proper Remedy for ſome weakneſs we have?

Are we devout already as the Saints of God; and chaſte and temperate as they?

Do we deſpiſe the World with a Zeal like theirs? and value Heaven at the ſame rate with them?

Would we give all we have juſt now to be there? and part with Life it ſelf to die and go thither?

Alas! how ſhort are we of thoſe Perfections! how ſlowly do we follow thoſe excellent Guides!

O that we lived, I dare not ſay, bleſt Souls, like you; whoſe aim was high, and a generous heat glow'd in your Breaſts:

But that our Hearts deſire were to live like you; and what you really did we really wiſh'd to do.

O that we lived in ſome degree like you; and loved to think, and read, and ſpeak of you:

To ſing and publiſh your Heroick Acts; and where we cannot imitate, at leaſt admire.

At leaſt let us learn to humble our ſelves; and check the Vanity of our proud Conceits.

Let us mourn and bluſh at our many Infirmities; and ſo much the louder call to Heaven for relief.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 129.

LET us humble our ſelves; but not grow faint at the ſight of others ſo far before us.

Rather let us quicken our ſloath by their ſwift pace; and encourage our ſelves with their happy ſucceſs.

We who profeſs the Religion of all thoſe Saints; who lived and died in the ſame Church with us:

We who partake of the ſame Holy Sacraments; and eat the ſame celeſtial Food:

Why ſhould we fear one day to ſhine above; and rejoyce together with you glorious Saints?

Are we not all redeem'd with the ſame rich price? and the ſame eternal Crowns propos'd to us all?

Are we not bred in the ſame Apoſtolick Faith; and nurſed at the Breaſts of the ſame ſpiritual Mother?

The Leſſons I ſee, and Teachers are the ſame; but the hand is dull, and the Inſtruments out of Tune.

You liv'd indeed in a dangerous World, like this; and were ty'd to Bodies frail as ours.

But by a conſtant vigilance overcame the World; and ſubdu'd thoſe Bodies to the ſervice of your Minds:

You overcame with a joyful Heart; and we thus congratulate the Triumphs of your Victories.

You overcame, but not by your own ſtrong hand; you now triumph, but 'tis by the Bounty of your God.

Chear then thy ſelf, my Soul, and raiſe thy Head; and open thy Boſom to the hopes of Heaven.

Fear not, our God has a Bleſſing too for us; if we have a Love and Obedience for him:

If we delight in Piety; and diligently attend the Offices of Devotion:

If we refrain from the Liberties of the World; and curb the looſe ſuggeſtions of the Fleſh:

If we look on Gold and Honour; and their flaming Beams not dazle our Eyes:

If we perform with them the part of faithful Servants; we ſhall ſurely with them have the portion of Children.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 130.

PRecious in thy ſight is the death of thy Saints; which finiſhes thy greateſt Work, the perfecting of Souls.

Whom thou eſteemeſt as the Jewels of Heaven; and choicely gathereſt into thine own Treaſury.

Precious to themſelves, O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; which takes off the dusky colour that hides their brightneſs.

Which ſhapes and poliſhes them into a beauteous luſtre; and ſets them as Stars round about thy Throne.

Precious to us is the Death of thy Saints; which makes us Heirs of ſo great a Wealth:

Which leaves us furniſh'd with ſo great variety; that every kind of want is abundantly ſupplied.

Some teach us courage to encounter Dangers; and not for fear make Shipwrack of our Conſciences.

Others inſtruct us to converſe with Meekneſs; and patiently bear Neglects and Injuries.

From ſome we learn how wiſely to uſe this World; and make it ſerve us in our way to the next.

From others more generouſly to renounce it; and paſs our time in Peace and Prayer.

From all, we learn the beſt of Arts, to live and die like Saints; and in the beſt of Methods, their own Example.

O gracious Lord, whoſe Love ſtill looks about; and ſearches every way to ſave us Sinners!

Who cam'ſt thy ſelf, bright Sun of Glory! to enlighten our Darkneſs, and warm our frozen Hearts:

Who with thy fruitful Beams ſtill kindleſt others; to burn as Tapers in thy Churches hands:

And by their near proportionate diſtance, ſtand fit to ſhine in every corner of our Lives:

O make us bleſs thy Name for all theſe Mercies; and let not one be loſt by our Ingratitude.

Let us not ſee in vain the Crown at the Races end; and ſit down lazily in the Shades of eaſe.

Let us not keep in vain theſe ſacred Memories; to be only a reproach to our unprofitable Lives.

But let us ſtretch out our ſelves, and purſue to the Mark; for the glorious Prize that is ſet before us.

Still with our utmoſt ſpeed let us follow them; whoſe travails ended in ſo ſweet a reſt.

And when our Life's laſt Day begins to fall; and bids us haſten to prepare for Night:

Then come ye holy Angels, and watch about us; and ſuffer not the Enemy to diſturb our Paſſage.

Come, and receive in Peace our departing Souls; and bear them ſafely to the Preſence of our Lord.

Then, O dear Redeemer of the World, and ſovereign King of Life and Death!

Thou that deſpiſeſt not the Tears of the Penitent; nor turneſt away from the Sighs of the Afflicted:

Thou that preſerveſt all that rely on thee; and fulfilleſt the deſires of them that long to be with thee:

Hear thou our Cries, and pardon our Sins; and graciouſly deliver us from all our Fears.

Call us to thy ſelf in thine own bleſt Voice; call us, O deareſt Jeſus, in thine own bleſt words.

Come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the World.

Then, O my happy Soul, immediately obey; and go forth with gladneſs to meet thy Lord.

To live with him and behold his Glory; to rejoyce with him, and ſing his Praiſe.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the Beginning, &c.
Hymn 40. NIght forbear; alas our Praiſe, And our young beginning hope, Set to grow on theſe bleſt days, Faint, and dull, requires more ſcope. 'Twill not hear; but ſullen flies, Summons all the World to Sleep; Bids us cloſe our Books and Eyes, What we have gain'd content to keep. Bleſt Saints! this broken rate, Bids our ſlowneſs ply its Wings; While your quick and active ſtate, Always wakes, and always ſings. Yet even this your School too was, And your, now unwearied, lays, By this change of Sing, and Pauſe, Here 'mong us you learnt to raiſe. Here you thus took often Breath, Yet have climb'd thoſe Hills of Light; O may your Succeſs bequeath Hope to reach that glorious Light. Though our Notes be ſhort and few, And our reſts too oft and long, If we keep in tune with you, We at laſt ſhall ſing your Song. If our utmoſt humble Powers, Here our daily Prayers attend; Theſe poor Pſalms ſhall there, like yours, In a nightleſs Compline end. Glory, Lord, to Thee alone, Here below, as there above; May thy Joys, great Three in One, Ever draw, and crown our Love.
The Leſſon. Mat. 11. 28.

COme unto me all you that Labour, and are heavy Laden, and I will give you reſt.

Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart, and ye ſhall find reſt for your Souls.

For my Yoke is eaſie and my burthen is light.

Antiphon.

The juſt ſhall ſhine as the Sun in the Preſence of God, and the light of the Lamb illuminate thems.

Let us pray.

O God, who after thy Servants had ſpent the day of their Life in a courſe of Piety and Heroick Vertue, didſt cloſe their Evening with a holy Death, and eternal Rewards! Grant, we beſeech thee, thy Grace unto us, ſo to imitate thy Servants, in the well beſtowing of our Time here, that we may follow them in their happy Paſſage out of this World, and be admitted to thy everlaſting Glory with them in the other, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveſt and reigneſt One God, World without End. Amen.

The preparatory OFFICE for Death, by way of Commemoration of the Faithful departed.
Invitatory. Come let's Adore our God, to whom all things do live.
Pſalm 131.

HE is the great Creator of the World, and ſovereign Judge of all Mankind; he ſits above on his glorious Throne, and in his Hands are the Keys of Life and Death.

Come let's Adore our God, to whom all things do live.

Whatever he pleaſes he brings to paſs, and none can reſiſt his Almighty Power; whatever he does is ſtill the beſt, and none can accuſe his all-knowing Goodneſs.

Come let's Adore our God, to whom all things do live.

All things do live to thee, O Lord, thou ſole preſerver of univerſal Nature; the bleſſed Saints rejoyce in thy Glory, and the imperfect Souls are ſuſtained in Hope.

Come let's Adore our God, to whom all things do live.

Even the unhappy Spirits declare thy Juſtice; and the reſt of thy Creatures look up for Mercy, expecting at laſt to be removed from Corruption, into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God.

Come let's Adore our God, to whom all things do live.

Lord! whilſt we breath, let us live to thee; and when we expire, depart in thy Peace; that whether we live or die, we may be always thine, and after Death ſtill live with thee.

Come let's Adore our God, to whom all things do live.

Give all thy Faithful eternal Reſt, O merciful God, and may thy glorious Light ſhine upon them for ever.

Come let us humble our ſelves in the ſight of God, and ſpread before him all our Complaints.
Pſalm 132.

UNhappy we, the Children of Duſt! why were we born to ſee the Sun?

Why did our Mothers bring us forth to Miſery; and unkindly rejoyce to hear us cry?

Whither, alas! has their Error lead us? in how ſad a condition doth our Birth engage us?

We enter the World with weeping Eyes; and go out with ſighing Hearts.

All the few Days we live, we are full of Vanity; and our choiceſt Pleaſures are ſprinkled with bitterneſs.

The time that's paſt is vaniſh'd like a Dream; and that which is to come is not yet at all.

The preſent we are in, ſtays but a moment; and then flies away, and never returns.

Already we are dead to all the Years we have liv'd; and ſhall never live them over again.

But the longer we live, the ſhorter is our Life; and in the end we become a little lump of Clay.

O vain and miſerable World! how ſad and true is all this Story! And yet alas! this is not all; but new Complaints remain, and more, and worſe.

We begin our race in contemptible weakneſs; and our whole courſe is a progreſs of dangers.

If we eſcape the Miſchances of a Child; we paſs on to the raſh adventures of Youth.

If we outlive theſe ſudden Storms; we fall into far more malicious Calamities.

Our own ſuperfluous Cares deliberately conſume us; and the Croſſes of the World wear out our Lives.

Should we by ſtrange Succeſs o'ercome all theſe; and ſtill bear up our proſperous Head:

We are ſure at laſt old Age will find us; and bow our Strength down to the Grave.

The Grave, from which no privilege exempts; nor any Power controuls its Command.

The Rich muſt leave their Wealth behind 'em; and the great Ones of the World be crumbled into Duſt.

The beauteous Face muſt be turned into Rottenneſs; and the pamper'd Body become the food of Worms.

The buſie Man muſt find a Time to die; though his full employment find no time to provide for it.

Even the wiſe and vertuous muſt ſubmit to fate; and the Heirs of Life it ſelf muſt be the Priſoners of Death.

This, when I ſee, I weep and am afraid; ſince we muſt all drink of the ſame cold Cup.

All muſt go down to the ſame cold Grave; and none can tell how ſoon he may be called.

To day we are in Health among our Friends and Affairs; to morrow arreſted by the hand of Death.

Nature may faintly ſtruggle for a time; but muſt yield at laſt, and be buried in the Earth.

At laſt we muſt take our leave of our neareſt Relations; and bid a long farewel to all the World.

Perhaps the People may talk of us a while; ſometimes as we deſerve, and often as they pleaſe.

Perhaps our Bodies once laid out of ſight; we are no more remembred than if we had never been.

Only our good Works follow us to the Grave; and faithfully go on with us beyond our Funerals.

Give us eternal reſt, O merciful Lord; and may thy glorious Light ſhine upon us for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Come let us humble our ſelves in the ſight of our God, and ſpread before him all our Complaints.

Antiphon.

'Tis not for us, O Lord, to chooſe our Conditions; but to manage well what thou appointeſt.

Pſalm 133.

WHy do we thus bemoan our ſelves; and raſhly utter ſuch repining words?

Seems it ſo hard a Fate to tread the Path which all our Anceſtors have gone before us?

Adam the firſt of Men, and Abraham the Friend of God; David the Man after God's own Heart, and the bleſſed Virgin Mother of our Lord.

All theſe have paid their Debt to Nature; and ſubſcrib'd the Law of univerſal Mortality.

Jeſus himſelf, the eternal Son of God, expir'd on the Croſs; and went to his Glory through the Gates of Death.

And ſhall our fond ſelf-love ſo blindly flatter us, to wiſh an exemption from this general Rule?

Shall we be murmuring, ſtill our Life is but a Span; and that expoſed to innumerable Sorrows?

Does not the very ſhortneſs abate its Miſeries? Do not thoſe many Miſeries commend its ſhortneſs?

Should we not rather rejoyce at the ſight of Death; that when e'er it comes it brings us advantage?

If in our Age it is a Haven of Repoſe; and ought to be welcome after ſo long a Voyage.

If in our Youth it prevents a thouſand Calamities; a thouſand dangers of ruining our Souls.

If by an ordinary Sickneſs, 'tis the courſe of Nature; if by an outward violence, it is always the Will of Heaven.

What need we fear how many Deaths there are? we are fure there can be but one for us.

Dying is an act that is to be done but once; and once well done, we are happy for ever.

Lord, we confeſs thy Decrees are juſt; and our ſelves the cauſe of all our Miſeries.

We ſacrifice our Youth to Sport and Folly; and our manly Years to Luſt and Pride.

We ſpend our Old Age in Craft and Avarice; and begin not to live, till we are ready to die.

Then we bewail the ſhortneſs of our Time; when our ſelves have prodigally thrown it all away.

We lead a looſe and negligent Life; and then complain that Death takes us unawares.

Our Days perhaps are too few to grow rich; or ſatisfie the ambition of a haughty Spirit:

But to be taught the Love of God, and the meek and humble Life of Jeſus,

Requires not ſo much the number of Years, as the faithful endeavours of a pious Mind.

Could we beſtow on the improvement of our Souls the time we ſo vainly trifle away;

Our day would be ſhort enough not to ſeem tedious; and long enough to finiſh our appointed Task.

And what, O glorious God, is our buſineſs here; but to trim our Lamps, and wait for thy coming?

But to ſow the immortal Seed of Hope; and expect hereafter to receive the encreaſe.

No matter how late the Fruit be gather'd; if ſtill it go on in growing better.

No matter how ſoon it fall from the Tree; if not blown down before it be ripe.

O thou moſt juſt, but ſacred Providence; who governeſt all things by the ſecret of thy Will.

Whoſe powerful hand can wound and heal; lead down to the Grave, and bring back again:

Behold, to thee we bow our Heads; and freely ſubmit our deareſt Concerns.

Strike, as thou pleaſeſt, our Health, our Lives; we cannot be ſafer than at thy diſpoſe.

Only theſe few Requeſts we humbly make; which, O may thy Clemency, vouchſafe to hear.

Cut us not off in the midſt of our Folly; nor ſuffer us to expire with our Sins unpardon'd:

But make us, Lord, firſt ready for thy ſelf; then take us to thy ſelf in thine own fit time.

Give us eternal reſt, O merciful Lord, and may thy glorious Light ſhine upon us for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Come let us humble our ſelves before our God, and ſpread before him all our Complaints.

Antiphon.

'Tis not for us, O Lord, to chooſe for us our own Conditions, but to manage well what thou appointeſt.

Only our Earth ſhall return to Earth; but our better part ſhall live for ever.

Pſalm 134.

MY Soul, all theſe Complaints concern not thee; whom thy bounteous God has made immortal.

Who when this Houſe of Clay ſhall fall into Duſt; and this narrow Cage ſhall be broken down.

Shalt ſoar aloft on thine own free Wings; and ſpread thy boundleſs Eye o'er all the World.

If thou haſt happily train'd up thy ſelf, to aim ſtill upwards at the higheſt Heavens:

Swift as a Flaſh of quickeſt Lightning, ſhalt thou inſtantly fly to thoſe bleſſed Objects.

But if thy Thoughts have flag'd below; and delighted to hover too near the Earth:

If above all things thou haſt lov'd thy God; but not lov'd all things in order to thy God:

Or if thy Tears have been too few; to waſh away thorowly the remaining Stains:

Unworthy as yet of that bliſsful Light; whoſe Beams endure not the leaſt Impurity:

Thou muſt ſit down in the ſhades of Sorrow; and dwell in the vale of Tears and Darkneſs.

There thou muſt ſigh, and mourn, and wait, till the days of thy purifying be fully finiſh'd.

O the dear Price that all Penitents muſt pay for ever being vicious!

How are their Souls inflam'd with Anguiſh; and rack'd and tortur'd at the ſight of their Sins?

How do they ſadly lament their careleſs Liberties; and the horrid Paſſions they too much obey'd?

But much more miſerable are they, who by deferring their Repentance, come not to the ſight of their Sins at all.

After this Life, their Repentance comes too late, to meet with that Mercy they have ſo long abuſed.

O that the time of Darkneſs may be ſo dreaded, that it may never be felt by any of us:

But the happy Day may dawn upon us, and clear up poor benighted Souls with thy radiant Beams.

O may the Sun of Righteouſneſs ſpeedily ariſe; and diſperſe the Miſt that intercepts their ſight.

Come, Lord, come quickly deareſt Jeſu; and reſcue with thy Power thine own Inheritance.

Thou who cameſt once to redeem us Sinners; come gloriouſly now to deliver thy Servants.

Deliver our Souls out of the Snare of the Enemy; and deliver all Captives out of the hands of the Wicked:

That they may paſs from Death to Life; and dwell with Thee in thy bleſſed Peace.

Give us eternal reſt, O merciful Lord, and may thy glorious Light ſhine on us for ever. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Only our Earth ſhall return to Earth, but out better part ſhall live for ever.

Firſt Leſſon. Job 14.

MAN that is born of Woman, is of few Days, and full of Trouble.

He cometh forth like a Flower, and is cut down; he fleeth alſo as a Shadow, and continueth not.

And doſt thou open thine Eyes upon ſuch a one, and bringeſt me into Judgment with thee?

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one.

Seeing his Days are determin'd, the number of his Months are with thee, thou haſt appointed his Bounds that he cannot paſs.

Turn from him that he may reſt, till he ſhall accompliſh as an Hireling his day.

V. 14. All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Thou ſhalt call, and I will anſwer thee; thou wilt have a deſire to the work of thine own hands:

For now thou numbereſt my Steps, doſt thou not watch over my Sin?

Reſ. Where ſhall I hide me from the fear of thy Wrath? Where ſhall I hide me, when thou comeſt to judge the living and the dead? I tremble at my own unworthineſs; I am aſham'd, thus impure, to appear in thy Preſence. Waſh me yet more from my Iniquities, and purge me throughly from my Sins. I know the Enemy that obſtructs my way; my Sins exclude me from thy Kingdom, where no unclean thing can enter, nor any clean be deny'd admittance.

Second Leſſon Job 7. v. 20.

I Have ſinned, what ſhall I do unto thee, O thou Preſerver of Men; why haſt thou ſet me as a Mark againſt thee, ſo that I am a burden to my ſelf?

And why doſt thou not pardon my Tranſgreſſion, and paſs by mine Iniquity? for now I ſhall ſleep in the Duſt, and thou ſhalt ſeek me in the Morning, but I ſhall not be.

Job 10. v. 1. My Soul is weary of my Life; I will leave my Complaint upon my ſelf: I will ſpeak in the bitterneſs of my Soul.

I will ſay unto God, do not condemn me, ſhew me wherefore thou contendeſt with me.

Is it good unto thee that thou ſhould'ſt oppreſs? that thou ſhouldſt deſpiſe the work of thine hands, and ſhine upon the Counſel of the Wicked?

Haſt thou Eyes of Fleſh, or ſeeſt thou as Man ſeeth?

Ver. 8. Thy hands have made me, and faſhioned me round about, yet thou doſt deſtroy me.

Ver. 11. Thou haſt cloathed me with Skin, and Fleſh, and fenced my Bones with Sinews.

Thou haſt granted me Life and Favour, and thy viſitation hath preſerved my Spirit.

R. Wo is me wretched Sinner, what ſhall I do? I have committed evil in the ſight of my God; I have offended the Eyes of His Majeſty.

Whither ſhall I fly from the Juſtice of my Judge? Whither but unto the Mercy of my Saviour?

Have Mercy on me, O Lord, have Mercy on me, when thou comeſt in Glory to judge the World.

My corrupt Nature hath brought forth Sin; and Sin has brought forth Sorrow.

Where ſhall I ſeek for Pardon? where ſhall I find relief? but in thee my God, my Hope, and Portion in the Land of the Living?

Third Leſſon. Job 19. 21.

HAve pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my Friends, for the hand of God hath touched me.

He hath hedg'd my Path round about, that I cannot paſs.

O that my words were written, O that they were printed in a Book, that they were graven with an Iron Pen, and laid in the Rock for ever.

For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he ſhall ſtand at the latter day upon the Earth; and tho' after my Skin Worms deſtroy this Body, yet in my Fleſh ſhall I ſee God.

Whom I ſhall ſee for my ſelf, and mine Eyes ſhall behold, and not another, though my Reins be conſum'd within me.

Reſ. My days are conſum'd as a ſhadow, I am wither'd away as Graſs; and nothing remains but the cold Grave. O let me call back that uncomfortable word! my days indeed are declin'd, but my Eternity is ſafe; I am wither'd away as Graſs, but the Spring will come and revive me into a Flower of Paradiſe: This my hope is laid up in my Boſom, let then my Body be crumbled into Duſt, and my Soul be detained for a time in a leſſer degree of Bliſs. I know my Redeemer liveth, and at the laſt day I ſhall riſe out of the Earth, and be compaſs'd again with my Skin, and that in my Fleſh I ſhall ſee God, and in that bliſsful ſight ſhall be for ever happy. This my hope is laid up in my Boſom: Give us then, O gracious Lord, give us when we die eternal reſt; and may thy glorious Light ſhine bright upon us for ever. Amen.

Lauds for this Office.
Pſalm 135.

WHen we have ſhed our ſolemn Tears; and paid our due Sighs to the Memory of our Friend:

Let us wipe our Eyes with the comfort of Hope; and change our Grief into a charitable Joy.

The Friends we mourn for are deliver'd; from all the Miſeries we ſo juſtly deplore.

Their Bodies tremble no more with the Palſie; nor burn with the flames of a ſcorching Fever.

They now cry out no more for want of Sleep; nor rowl up and down upon their uneaſie Beds:

But quietly reſt in the ſilent Grave; till they riſe again to immortal Glory.

Which whilſt they there expect in Peace; their Souls are enlarg'd to a ſpacious Liberty.

No longer conſin'd to this Priſon of the Body; but gone to dwell in the Region of Spirits.

No longer expos'd to theſe ſtormy Seas; but gladly arriv'd at their ſafe Harbour.

Where though their Paſſage be ſtop'd a while; they are free from all fear of being caſt away.

Though for a time they attend with hope; they are ſure at laſt to rejoice for all Eternity.

They are ſure at laſt to behold their Redeemer; and live for ever with the bleſſed Jeſus.

O were it not for this ſweet hope, who could endure theſe killing delays?

O glorious Lord, the free original ſource, and final end of univerſal Nature!

Since by thy Grace thou haſt thus begun; and ſown in their Hearts the Seeds of Glory:

O may the ſame bleſt hand go on, to finiſh its own bleſt work.

Ripen the Fruit thou reſerv'ſt for thy ſelf; and haſten the days of their joyful Harveſt.

Send forth thy Angels to reap thy Grain; and lay it up ſafe in thy heavenly Magazine.

There to ſupply the place of thoſe unhappy Tares, which thy Juſtice threw down to everlaſting Fire.

There to join with thy perfectly bleſſed; to ſing eternal Hallelujahs unto thee.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c. Amen.
Pſalm 136.

COme let us praiſe the goodneſs of our God; who orders every thing to the beſt for his Servants.

Whoſe Providence governs us all our Life; and takes ſo particular care of our Death.

He caſts us down on our Bed of Sickneſs; and draws the Curtain 'twixt the World and us:

Shutting out all its vain deſigns; and contracting our buſineſs to a little Chamber.

There in that quiet Solitude, he ſpeaks to our Hearts; and ſets before us all our Life.

There he diſcovers the Fallacies of the World; and invites us now at laſt to prepare for the other.

Thither he ſends his Meſſengers of Peace; to treat with our Souls, and reconcile them to Heaven.

Thither he ſends even his only Son; to ſecure our Paſſage, and conduct us unto himſelf.

O! how quite other will our Thoughts be then; to what they were in our careleſ Health?

How ſhall we freely cenſure what we once eſteem'd; and be eaſier convinc'd into wiſer Counſels?

When our unruly Senſes ſhall be check'd with Pains; and our raſh Minds made ſober with Fears.

When the occaſions of Sin ſhall be removed away; and every thing about us incline us to repeat.

Bleſſed for ever be thy Name, O Lord! whoſe Mercy ſanctifies even thy Puniſhments into Favours.

Thou bring'ſt us low, to perſwade us to be humble; and preſcrib'ſt us a Sickneſs to cure our Infirmities.

Thou command'ſt the Grave to diſpenſe with none; but indifferently ſeize on all alike.

That all may alike provide for that fatal Hour; and none be undone with miſtaken hopes.

Thou telleſt us plainly that all muſt die; but kindly concealeſt the Time and Place.

That every where we may ſtand on our Guard; and every moment expect thy Coming.

Thou teacheſt the uſe of decent Funerals; and the Duty we owe to our deceaſed Friends!

That we may often renew the Memory of our own Grave; and the wholſome Thoughts of our future State.

That ſo with one act of excellent Charity we may do our Duty to our departed Friends.

And may excite our ſelves, from the thoughts of our Mortality, the more carefully to perform our Duty unto thee.

Let not, O Lord, theſe gracious Arts be loſt; which thy merciful Wiſdom contrives for our ſakes.

But whilſt we thus remember the death of others, make us ſeriouſly reflect upon our own.

And let every time we reflect upon our own, make us the more diligent in preparing for it.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Pſalm 137.

O Praiſe the Lord all ye Nations of the Earth; whom his Providence yet ſuſtains alive.

Whom he ſo long forbears to ſtrike; though our Sins have ſo oft provok'd his Wrath.

Whom he ſo graciouſly calls to repent; tho' our Paſſions have hitherto neglected his Voice:

Making Experiments by the death of others; to adviſe his Servants into a warier Life.

To clear this uſeful Truth, we too muſt die; and ſtrictly account for every Idle word.

We muſt appear before that great Tribunal; and tremblingly receive our everlaſting doom.

O praiſe the Lord all you faithful Souls; for his Mercy preſerves the Juſt.

Though we lie below in the Valley of Death; and ſit afflicted in the ſhades of Darkneſs:

Yet he will bring us up to his eternal Mountains; and fill our Eyes with glorious Light.

Though our Bones be bruiſed with Sorrow; and our Hearts made heavy with faintneſs:

Yet we ſhall be cloathed with Beauty; and plac'd to ſing among the bleſſed Saints.

O praiſe the Lord, all you bleſſed above whom his Bounty hath already crown'd with Glory.

You who entirely were wean'd from the Allurements of the World; and found o unwillingneſs at your death to leave it!

You who, deſigning your whole Life or Heaven, departed with Joy to poſſeſs our hopes.

Millions of Angels meeting you in the ay; and carrying you directly to the reſence of their King.

O praiſe the Lord all you glorious Angels; whoſe bright Felicity began ſo early.

Stars that aroſe in the Morning of the World; and ſtill maintain your unchangeable luſtre.

Shining perpetually near the Throne of God; as the top and maſter-piece of all his Works.

O praiſe the Lord, all ye his Works; praiſe and magnifie him for ever.

Praiſe his Almighty Power that gave you Being; and ſtill preſerves you from relapſing into nothing.

Praiſe his All-ſeeing Wiſdom; O ye Saints, that here directs your Steps, and leads you on to your eternal End.

Praiſe above all his boundleſs Goodneſs; that pours into every thing as much as it can hold.

And though our ſhort ſight now reaches not ſo far; but often miſtakes and repines at his Government:

Yet at the laſt great day we ſhall eaſily diſcern a perfect Concord in the harſheſt Note.

When our ador'd Redeemer ſhall come in the Clouds; and ſummon all Mankind to appear before him.

There to receive each one their proper part; exactly fitted to their beſt Capacity.

There to behold the whole Creation ſtrive, to expreſs in it ſelf the Perfections of its Maker.

Whoſe admirable Wiſdom ſhall guide that laſt univerſal Scene; and finiſh All into a beauteous cloſe.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Return unto thy Reſt, O my Soul, for the Lord hath dealt graciouſly with thee.

V. Bleſſed are they that die in the Lord;

R. For their Works follow them.

Antiphon.

I am the Reſurrection and the Life; he that believes in me, tho' he be dead, ſhall live; and every one that lives and believes in me ſhall not die for ever.

Now ſay the 51ſt Pſalm. Have Mercy, &c.

V. Turn not away thy Face from us, O Lord.

R. Turn not away thy Face in Wrath from thy Servants.

V. Behold our Humiliation and our Labour.

R. And forgive us all our Sins.

V. Behold how our Spirits are in Anguiſh.

R. And our Hearts troubled within us.

V. Our Iniquities have overtaken us.

R. Innumerable Evils have taken hold on us.

R. And now! what is our Expectation, but only thou, O Lord? and our Subſtance is with thee.

V. Before thee is all our deſire.

R. And our Groanings are not hid from thee.

V. As the Hart pants after the Water-Brook;

R. So do our Souls thirſt after thee.

V. Our Souls thirſt after thee, the living Fountain.

R. When ſhall we come and appear before thy Face.

V. Our Tears are our Bread Day and Night;

R. Whilſt ſtill its ſaid to us, where is your God?

V. Convert us, O Lord, thou God of ſtrength;

R. Lift up the light of thy Countenance upon us; and we ſhall be whole.

V. Bring our Souls out of Priſon, that we may praiſe thy Name;

R. The juſt ſtand expecting till thou rewardeſt them.

V. How long wilt thou forget them for ever?

R. How long wilt thou hide thy Face from them?

V. Turn thee, O Lord, and deliver their Souls.

R. Save them for thy Mercies ſake.

V. Save thy People, O Lord, and bleſs thine Inheritance.

R. Govern them, and lift them up for ever.

V. That their Souls may live and ſing thy Praiſe;

R. While even thy Judgments lead them to their Bliſs.

The Prayer.

ALmighty God, with whom do live the Spirits of them that depart in the Lord; and with whom the Souls of the faithful after they are deliver'd from the burden of the Fleſh are in Joy and Felicity, we give thee hearty Thanks for that it hath pleaſed thee to deliver our dear Friends out of the Miſeries of this ſinful World; beſeeching thee that it may pleaſe thee to accompliſh the number of thine Elect, and to haſten thy Kingdom; that we, with all thoſe that are departed in the true Faith of thy Holy Catholick Church, may have their perfect conſummation in Bliſs, both in Body and Soul, in thy eternal Kingdom, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.

Veſpers for this Office.
Pſalm 138.

COme let us make our Peace betimes with our God; before the Evening approach too near.

Whilſt it is call'd to day let us faithfully Labour; for the Night will come wherein none can Work.

Let us implore his Favour, look into our own Breaſts, and ſtrictly examine what paſſes there.

Leaſt while we pray for the Salvation of others, our ſelves become everlaſting Reprobates.

Tell me, my Soul, how ſtand our great Accounts; are all things even between Heaven and us?

Are we prepar'd to meet our Judge; whoſe Juſtice puniſhes every the leaſt voluntary defect?

Is there not ſtill ſome reſtitution to be made; which the love of the World tempts us to delay?

Is there not ſtill ſome miſaffection to rectifie; which our own falſe Hearts abuſe us to connive at?

Not that we eſteem, O Lord, any Creature more than thee; from which abhor'd Ingratitude defend thy Servants.

But that we eſteem them more than they deſerve; and buſie our Thoughts too eagerly about them.

Forgive, O ſovereign Goodneſs, theſe our Imperfections; and fix our whole Hearts upon nothing but thy ſelf.

Why are we thus at beſt but good by halves; for whom there is a Heaven prepar'd worth all our Labours?

Why do we mingle ſtill with thy pure Grace, ſo much of our own Corrupted Nature?

Deliver us, O Lord, from the Temptations of this World; and mercifully ſave us from the Wrath to come.

That dreadful Wrath which we ſo juſtly fear; and which ſo many terribly feel.

Juſtly we confeſs! but yet upon our true Repentance, we hope in thy Clemency to meet with pity.

Pity all poor Penitents Miſeries, thou that hear'ſt their cries; relieve their Sorrows who ſeeſt their Tears.

Pity their fainting Eyes that ſo much wake; and wait till the long expected day appears.

Pity their wearied Hands ſtretch'd out to thee; and ſend thy Holy Angels to bring them unto thee.

That they may paſs away to thoſe Manſions of Joy; where Holy Souls ſhall reſt and weep no more.

Give all thy Faithful eternal reſt, O merciful Lord; and may thy glorious Light ſhine upon them for ever.

Bleſſed are the Servants whom our Lord ſhalt find watching! he'll ſurely beſtow on them the Mercies of Heaven.

Happy are they who are pray'd for by others; but more happy are they who pray for themſelves.

Haſt thou not ſaid, O God of Truth that for thy Elect thoſe Days ſhall be ſhorten'd?

Haſt thou not ſaid, O Lord of Glory Behold I come quickly, and my Rewar is with me?

Come, glorious Jeſus, with all thy hol Angels, and the bright attendance of re joycing Saints!

Come, and redeem thy poor Captive and lead us away as Trophies of thy V ctory.

Thus, deareſt Lord, will we cry con nually unto thee; and never leave we ing at the Gates of thy Palace.

Till thou art pleas'd to open thoſe everlaſting Doors; and graciouſly ſay to our languiſhing Souls:

Behold I am come to pardon and refreſh you; your Sighs and Tears have provok'd my pity.

Behold, I come to call you to my ſelf; and give you poſſeſſion of the Inheritance I promiſed.

Come, come you bleſſed of my Father! receive the Kingdom prepared for you.

Come, come, ye faithful obedient Servants, enter into your Maſter's Joy.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.
Antiphon.

Gracious, O Lord, art thou in all thy Promiſes, and bountifully faithful in all thy Performances.

Pſalm 139.

LET the Faithful then comfort themſelves with the Conſideration, that hey are Heirs of Hope; and not be caſt own at their preſent diſtreſs.

If God defer a while, expect; for he rely will come, and bring them Relief.

He juſtly ſtays, to puniſh our neglect; hen he often called, and we would not me to him.

He mercifully ſtays till our Souls are refin'd; and able to bear the ſplendor of his Preſence.

Then will his glorious Light immediately appear; and open to our view that bliſsful Proſpect.

Then will he graciouſly unveil himſelf; and our Eyes ſhall ſee him Face to Face.

Then will the eternal Deity ſhine brightly on us; and raviſh our Hearts with everlaſting Extaſies.

All our great Hopes ſhall be fully ſatiſfied; and our long Expectation abundantly rewarded.

We ſhall remember our Afflictions with pleaſure; when we ſee they were the way to our Felicity.

Even this very delay ſhall encreaſe our oys; and every thing conſpire to Crown s with happineſs.

Mean while we'll frame our Songs of Hope and Patience; and ſtill cloſe all with theſe precious words taught us by ur Lord:

Thy Kingdom come, O glorious Lord; nd yet, O Lord, thy will be done.

Antiphon.

Gracious art thou, O Lord, in all thy romiſes; and bounteouſly faithful in all y Performances.

V. Bleſſed are the dead that die in the Lord.

R. They reſt from their Labours, and their Works follow them.

Antiphon.

All that my Father giveth me ſhall come unto me; and he that cometh unto me I will in no wiſe caſt out.

Come unto me all that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you reſt.

Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart; and ye ſhall find reſt for your Souls.

For my Yoke is eaſie, and my Burden light.

V. Out of the Depths have I cry'd unto thee, O Lord.

R. Lord, hear my Voice; let thine Ears be attentive to the voice of my Supplications.

V. If thou, Lord, ſhouldſt mark Iniquties, O Lord, who ſhall ſtand?

R. But there is Mercy with thee tha thou mayſt be feared.

V. I wait for the Lord, my Soul dot wait for him; and in his word do I hope.

R. My Soul waiteth for the Lord, mo than they that watch for the Morning, ſay more than they that watch for t Morning.

V. Let Iſrael hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is Mercy, and plenteous Redemption.

R. And he ſhall deliver Iſrael from all his Sins.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.

In the midſt of Life we are in death, of whom may we ſeek for ſuccour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our Sins art juſtly diſpleaſed?

Yet, O Lord moſt Holy, O Lord moſt mighty, O holy and moſt merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter Pains of eternal death.

Thou knoweſt, Lord, the ſecrets of our Hearts, ſhut not up thy merciful Ears unto our Prayers; but ſpare us, O Lord, moſt Holy, O God moſt mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou moſt worthy Judge eternal, ſuffer us not at our laſt Hour, for any pains of death to fall from thee.

The Collect.

O Merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Reſurrection and the Life, in whom, whoſoever believeth ſhall live though he die, and whoſoever liveth and believeth in him ſhall not die eternally; who haſt alſo taught us not to be ſorry as Men without hope, for they ſleep in him, we meekly beſeech thee, O Father, to raiſe us from the death of Sin, unto the Life of Righteouſneſs, that when we ſhall depart this Life, we may reſt in him, as all thy faithful departed did, and that at the general Reſurrection of our Bodies in the laſt day, we may be found acceptable in thy ſight, and receive the Bleſſing which thy wellbeloved Son ſhall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, ſaying, Come ye bleſſed Children of my Father, receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the World. Grant this, we beſeech thee, O merciful Father, through Jeſus Chriſt our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

The Motto proper not only for Aſh-Wedneſday, but for our whole Lives.

REmember, O Man, that Duſt thou art, and to Duſt ſhalt thou return.

All Fleſh is Graſs, and the Pride thereof is as the Flower of the Field, and leaves the Naked Soul to Judgment.

O God, whoſe Providence introduces thy Church to the ſober diſcipline of Lent; we humbly beſeech thee, that the Croſs of our Redeemer may lay all our proud Conceits in the Duſt, and make Fleſh and Blood feel it ſelf highly honour'd, f by whatever Croſſes or Mortifications, t may be temper'd and rais'd to become a it Inſtrument for ripening the Soul in thy Love, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son. Amen.

Antiphon.

Let us follow, as we may, our Divine Maſter, in his Forty days Retirement and Faſting, who needed not (as we) the means of Religion, but all he did was for our Example, (not of the Miracle but the Duty) that we might learn to fly from e danger of occaſions to Sin, and take away the Fewel of our Paſſions, and by uſing to contradict the Appetites of ſenſe inure our ſelves to obey the Commands o Reaſon.

V. Now let us take a holy Revenge on our Sins paſt.

R. And ſtrive for the future to bring forth Works meet for Repentance.

Let us pray.

O God, whoſe gracious Providence ha ordain'd us to lighten the weight o our corrupt Bodies, preſſing down ou Souls by the long and ſolemn Abſtinenc of Lent, Grant us, we beſeech thee, conſcientiouſly to obſerve the wholſome diſcipline now preſcrib'd us; and with du Mortification of our Fleſh, ſo to join th quickening of our Spirits by frequent Devotions, that all our carnal Appetites may be fitted for Burial in our Saviour's Grave and all our Affections ready to riſe with him to Immortality, at thoſe Sacred Feaſt for which this ſeaſon is to prepare us through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Amen.

For Ember-Days.

THE Harveſt is great, the Labourers are few; let us all therefore pray the ord of the Harveſt to ſend forth due La ourers into into his Harveſt.

How ſhall we hear without a Preacher; nd how ſhall they preach except they be nt?

Let us pray.

O GOD, by whoſe Providence thy Church from the beginning has ſet part certain Times, for the ſolemnity of onfirming Sacred Orders, to ſupply ſtill e Faithful with Sanctified Maſters of her Doctrine and Diſcipline, and enjoyn'd us l, with extraordinary Devotions to im ore thy ſpecial Aſſiſtance, to a work ſo uch concerning us all; hear, we humbly eſeech thee, the Requeſts of thy Servants, ho, by the Mortification of our Bodies, de re to encreaſe the fervour of our Prayers. nd vouchſafe our Governors the Grace f diſcerning Spirits, to Ordain only ſuch s are indeed fit for their Sacred Functions; hat thy Church being always preſerv'd rom falſe Apoſtles, may be ordered and uided by faithful and true Paſtors; and give us the Grace of Reverence, and d Subjection to thoſe ſo Ordain'd, as tru ſent by thee for our Edification, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Amen.

In time of Perſecution.

BLeſſed are ye when Men ſhall revil you, and perſecute you and ſay al manner of Evil againſt you falſly, for my Name ſake.

Rejoyce and be exceeding glad, fo great is your Reward in Heaven.

V. Thus the Holy Prophets earn'd thei Crown.

R. Thus the bleſſed Apoſtles climb' their Thrones.

Let us pray.

O Provident Lord, who permitteſt the Powers of Darkneſs to perſecute the Children of Light, that their Sufferings may evidence among themſelves, and atteſt to thoſe without the utter diſeſteem of all Temporal Goods, in compariſon o our eternal Hopes, attainable only by purſuing the Doctrine and Diſcipline of Salvation, in the Boſom of our Mother the ly Catholick Church; ſuſtain us, we mbly beſeech thee, againſt being ſha , either in this Faith or Practice, by rage of our preſent Perſecutors, and nt that in due Compaſſion both of m and us, no Temptation may be able ſway us, beſides our Duty; either im iently to violate our Allegiance to ar, or cowardly betray thy Truth; d the bleſſed occaſions of gaining a le to thy Kingdom, which thy own ed Mouth hath ſecurely entail'd on ſe, who ſuffer Perſecution for Righte neſs ſake, through our Lord Jeſus iſt. Amen.

Proper Feſtivals.
Sundays in Advent. All as in the Office of our Saviour, except
Invitatory. Behold the day of our Lord draws n come let's Adore him.
1. Antiphon.

BEhold our Lord will appear, and n fail to make good his Promiſes. he delay a while, expect; for he ſure will come, and deliver us. Alleluja.

2. Ant.] Come, O thou Son of Rig teouſneſs, and Fountain of eternal Ligh Come, and illuminate thoſe that ſit Darkneſs, and in the ſhadow of Death, guide our Feet into the ways of Peace.

3. Ant.] Come, O thou hope of Gentiles, and the deſir'd of all Nation Come, and redeem us from the Vaſſal of Sin, into the only Liberty of ſerv thee. Alleluja.

4. Ant.] Prepare now thy ways, O my Soul, before the Lord, make thy Paths trait before the Face of our God; for he will come again with Glory, to judge oth the quick and the dead; and bleſſed re they who are ready to meet him. Alleluja, Alleluja, &c.

V. Our Lord will come to judge the World.

R. Our Lord is come to redeem the World.

Let us pray.

O GOD, by whoſe Providence thy Church has appointed the ſolemn Time of Advent to fore-run the Commemoration of our Saviour's Nativity, and prepare its way in our Hearts! Grant us, we humbly beſeech thee, ſo devoutly to employ this Holy Seaſon, in meditating on the Prophecies, and gracious Preparations of the World, for the coming of the Meſſias; and on the infinitely greater Mercies he brought along with him, and has left behind him: that our Spirits may be raiſed, to celebrate the great Feaſt of his Nativity with due Joy and Exultation, and thereby better diſpoſed to expect his Second Coming, who with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth, One God, World without End. Amen.

Nov. 30. St. Andrew. All as in the Office of Saints, except

1. AS ſoon as St. Andrew ſaw the Croſs afar off prepar'd for his Martyrdom, he was tranſported with Joy; and triumphantly ſaluted it as the happy Inſtrument of his approaching Glory. Alleluja.

2. O bleſſed Croſs, on whom our Saviour was offered up, for the Sins of Mankind. Oh! that I may always be ready to embrace thee, as becomes the Diſciple of him who was Crucified upon thee. Alleluja.

Antiphon.

St. Andrew's ſole Glory was in the Croſs of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in whom the World was Crucified to him, and he unto the World.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whoſe Grace kindled in the bleſſed Apoſtle St. Andrew, ſo ardent a Love of his Maſter, that it flam'd out in vehement deſires of his Croſs; Grant that our devout celebrating the Memory of his holy Race, and happy Reward, may quicken thy Grace in our Hearts; and encourage us with Confidence and Joy, to undergo whatever Sufferings thy Providence caſts in our way, and grant they may be ſerviceable to glorifie thee, and advance thy Truth, and ſecure the attainment of our eternal Salvation, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth, One God, World without End, Amen.

Dec. 21. St. Thomas the Apoſtle. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. THE other Diſciples ſaid to Thomas, we have ſeen the Lord; but he ſaid unto them, Except I ſhall ſee in his Hands the print of the Nails, and put my Finger into the print of the Nails, and thruſt my Hand into his Side, I will not believe.

2. After eight Days Jeſus came in, the Doors being ſhut, and ſtood in the midſt, and ſaid, Peace be with you.

Then ſaid he to Thomas, Reach hither thy Finger, and behold my Hands; and reach hither thy Hand, and thruſt it into my Side, and be not Faithleſs, but Believing.

3. Thomas now no longer able to reſiſt ſo clear an Evidence, cry'd out to Jeſus, My Lord, and my God!

Antiphon.

O admirable ſweetneſs of our Saviour's Spirit! Thomas was abſent, and incredulous, and peremptory; and our Lord forgives him All, and reſtores him to his Favour, with the eaſie Penance of a gentle Reproof.

V. Becauſe thou haſt ſeen, O Thomas, thou haſt believed.

R. Bleſſed are they that have not ſeen, and yet have believed.

The Prayer.

O GOD, whoſe condeſcendence, to convince the Incredulity of thy Apoſtle St. Thomas, has turn'd his Hardneſs to Believe, into a means of facilitating more the Faith of thy Church! Grant, Lord, we beſeech thee, that this Feſtival Memory of this glorious Apoſtle's atteſting our Riſen Saviour, may quicken our Hearts, not only in words, but in Life and Death, like him, exemplarily to confeſs thy Son Jeſus, our Lord and our God, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, be all Honour and Glory. Amen.

Dec. 25. Chriſtmas-Day. All as in the Office of our Saviour, except,
Invitatory. To Day, for us, our Lord was born; come let us Adore him.

1. O Joyful Tidings, worthy of an Angels Mouth! Behold, to us was born, this Day, a Saviour, which is Chriſt the Lord. Alleluja.

2. Wonderful Signs, to ſeek the Newborn King of Heaven and Earth! you ſhall find him wrapt in Swadling-cloths, and laid in a Manger. Alleluja.

3. O bleſſed Harmony of the Celeſtial Quires! Glory be to God on high, on Earth Peace, Good Will towards Men.

Antiphon.

The Shepherds came to Bethlehem with ſpeed, and found Mary, and Joſeph, and the Infant laid in a Manger.

V. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoyce therein. Alleluja, Alleluja.

R. This is the day in which the Lord was made; come let us rejoyce. Alleluja, Alleluja.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who every Year giveſt a freſh Birth to the Devotions of thy Church, by the welcome Feſtivity of our Saviour's Nativity! Grant us, we beſeech thee, with ſuch devout Affections, to entertain this firſt humble riſing of the Sun of Righteouſneſs to us, as may better diſpoſe, and ſtronglier engage us to follow him through the whole painful courſe of his Life, which, like a Giant, he rejoyc'd to run, enlightning the World with thy Truth, and inflaming it with thy Love, till in the end we arrive at his eternal reſt, through the ſame our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth, ever One God, World without End. Amen.

Decemb. 26. St. Stephen's-Day. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. ST. Stephen, full of Grace and Courage, was ſo glorious a Saint in the ſight of the People, that none could reſiſt the Wiſdom and Spirit by which he ſpake. Alleluja.

2. He cut their Hearts with undaunted Reproaches of them and their Fathers, as Betrayers and Murderers of the Juſt One, and thoſe that foretold his Coming. Alleluja.

Antiphon.

When they gnaſh'd their Teeth at him, he looked ſtedfaſtly upon God, and prayed, Lord Jeſus, receive my Soul; and kneeling down, with a loud Voice, cryed, Lord, lay not this Sin to their Charge.

V. He ſaw the Heavens open'd he ſaw and enter'd.

R. He ſaw by his Faith, and enter'd by Charity.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who in thy firſt Martyr St. Stephen, haſt vouchſaft thy Church an eminent Example of perfect Chriſtianity! Kindle in our Hearts, we beſeech thee, a zealous emulation of his Graces; that imitating his Conſtancy here in aſſenting thy Truth, and his Charity in praying for our Perſecutors, we may, with him, hereafter, receive the Crown of eternal Life, through thy Son Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.

Decemb. 27. St. John Evangeliſt. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. THis is the Favourite Diſciple that lean'd on our Lord's Breaſt, at his laſt Supper, and to whom were reveal'd the Secrets of Heaven. Alleluja.

2. This is he in whom meet all thoſe glorious Titles of Apoſtle, Evangeliſt, and Prophet, of Martyr, Confeſſor, and Virgin. Alleluja.

Antiphon.

This was he who above all thoſe glorious Titles, delights in this one incomparably greater than them all, The Diſciple whom JESUS loved.

V. The ſcalding Oil could not hurt his chaſte Body.

R. Nor Baniſhment into Pathmos exclude his free converſe with Angels.

Let us pray.

O GOD, by the Prerogative of whoſe ſpecial Grace, the Bleſſed Apoſtle St. John obtain'd that tranſcendent Character of The Beloved of his Maſter, and after became the great Doctor of mutual Charity over all the World! Grant, we beſeech thee, that his Sacred Memory may excite us alſo, and encourage us to have the ſame purity of Body and Mind, and ſteady love of thee, and ſincere Charity one for another; and that we may aſpire after ſome ſhare in that bleſſed Title, and its happy Conſequents, thy Grace here, and thy Glory hereafter, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who liveth and reigneth One God with Thee, and the Holy Ghoſt World without End. Amen.

Dec. 28. Holy Innocents. All as the Office of Saints, except.

1. GOD withdrew his only Iſaac, and left a thouſand happy Lambs to be Sacrific'd in his ſtead, and accepted for his ſake. Alleluja.

2. Herod meant to deſtroy, but behold he ſaved; his diligent Cruelty ſecur'd the hazard of their Infant State, and by ſhedding their Blood, effected their Baptiſm. Alleluja.

3. Theſe were brought from amongſt Men, the firſt Fruits of God, and the Lamb, and in their Mouth was found no Lye; for they are without Spot before the Throne of God.

V. Weep not for thy Children Rachel! behold they Are,

R. Be comforted, they are Kings, and reign with Chriſt for ever. Alleluja, Alleluja.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who by the Martyrdom of the Holy Innocents, haſt taught thy Church, that no Age, or occaſion of Suffering for our Saviour, is exempt from high Reward! Grant, we beſeech thee, that our celebrating their Feſtival, may make us adore this gracious diſpenſation of thine, and however ſeverely it may ſeem at any time to treat us or our Relations, our Hearts may be confirm'd in a hopeful reſignation to thy Will, and aſſured Truſt, that all leads to eternal Advantage, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Amen.

Jan. 1. New-Years-Day.
Invitatory.

TO Day our Lord was Circumcis'd, and receiv'd the ſweet and ſaving Name of JESUS. Alleluja. Come let us Adore him.

1. To Day our Saviour, that was Lord of the Law, and by his perfect Purity abſolutely exempt, undertook for us the ſmart of Circumciſion, and diſhonour of being reckon'd among Sinners. Alleluja.

2. To Day was given the Name above every Name, that at the Name of Jeſus every Knee ſhould bow, of things in Heaven, of things on Earth, and things under the Earth. Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja.

3. O bleſſed Jeſus! make good to us thy bleſſed Name, and ſave us from our Sins, that now we may begin a New Year of Virtue, and cancel by Repentance all the Failings of the Old. Alleluja.

Antiphon.

After eight Days the Child was Circumcis'd, and his Name was called JESUS, as the Angel had appointed before his Conception in the Virgin's Womb.

V. Our Infant Lord endur'd the Knife.

R. To circumciſe the Concupiſcence of our Hearts.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who for our Example didſt command thy beloved Son to ſubmit his pure and Innocent Fleſh, to the rigour of the Law, and for encouragement of our Hope, mad'ſt choice of that ſweet and amiable Name JESUS! teach us, we beſeech thee with Readineſs, and Humility to obey thy Sacred Laws, how croſs ſoever to our unmortified Paſſions, and in all our Neceſſities, with Joy and Confidence, to call on that Holy Name, in which what e'er we ask we are promiſed to be granted, through the ſame our Lord Jeſus Chriſt our only Saviour. Amen.

Jan. 6. Twelfth-Day.
Invitatory.

TO Day the Wiſemen brought Preſents to our Lord, Alleluja. Come let us Adore him.

1. Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja. This is the privileg'd Feſtival that comes forth adorn'd with the Glory of three Miracles. To Day the Wiſe-Men were led by a Star to the Cradle of our Lord, and falling down ador'd him, and offer'd him their Preſents of Gold, Frankincenſe, and Myrrh, Alleluja.

2. To Day our gracious Redeemer vouchſaf'd his Preſence at a Marriage-Feaſt, and there firſt publiſh'd to the World his Divine Power, turning Water into Wine. Alleluja.

3. To Day our bleſſed Saviour was Baptiz'd by St. John, and the Holy Ghoſt deſcended viſibly upon him, and a Voice was heard from Heaven, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleaſed. Alleluja, Alleluja.

Antiphon.

Now were the firſt Fruits of the Gentiles conſecrated unto the Lord, and that Sacred Prophecy happily fulfill'd, The Gentiles ſhall come to thy Light, and Kings to the brightneſs of thy riſing. Alleluja.

V. The Sages entering found the Child with Mary his Mother;

R. And falling down ador'd, and offer'd him Gifts.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who by the guidance of a miraculous Star in the Heaven, did'ſt lead the Gentiles to the ſight of the more miraculous Sun of Righteouſneſs, newly riſen to the World in a Stable! grant, we humbly beſeech thee, that enlighten'd and enflam'd by the Memory of this wonderful Providence, our Eyes and Hearts may be more lively fixt on thy Goodneſs, ſtill as graciouſly working towards the accompliſhment of thy Promiſes, to call at length the Jews to the ſaving Knowledge of thy Son Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth ever One God, World without End. Amen.

Jan. 25. The Converſion of St. Paul. All as in the Office of Saints, except,
Invitatory.

THis Day was the great Apoſtle of the Gentiles miraculouſly converted to the Chriſtian Faith. Alleluja.

1. This Day did our Lord appear from Heaven, in a glorious Light, to the great aſtoniſhment of the Perſecuter Saul, and thoſe that travell'd with him, and in a moſt ſtupendous manner brought him over to the Chriſtian Faith.

2. So that henceforward he became a choſen Veſſel to bear the Name of Chriſt, before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the Children of Iſrael.

3. He undauntedly preach'd the Faith he had once deſtroyed, and laboured more abundantly for its Propagation, and at length laid down his Life in defence of it. Alleluja, Alleluja.

Antiphon.

He has preach'd, and lived, and died.

R. And received his eternal Reward.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who haſt made the Light of thy Goſpel to ſhine through the World, by the preaching of thy bleſſed Apoſtle St. Paul, whoſe miraculous Converſion we now thankfully Commemorate! Grant, we humbly beſeech Thee, that we may always keep in Mind, and diligently practiſe the Doctrines he taught, and may reſolutely follow his Example, and being faithful unto Death, may at laſt receive a Crown of Life and Glory in the higheſt Heavens, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord and only Saviour. Amen.

Feb. 2. Candlemas. All as in the Office of our Saviour, except,
Invitatory.

TO Day our bleſſed Lord was preſented in the Temple. Alleluja. Come let us Adore him.

1. To Day the Bleſſed and Holy Mother of God, in moſt humble obedience, perform'd the common Rites of Purification, and preſented her moſt Holy Child Jeſus in the Temple, and for the little price of five Shekels, redeem'd the World's ineſtimable Redeemer. Alleluja.

2. To Day the devout Simeon took our Lord in his Arms, and knowing nothing now could make him happier but the Joys of Heaven; ſung aloud this glad farewel to all the World. Now letteſt thou thy Servant depart in Peace according to thy Word, for mine Eyes have ſeen thy Salvation. Alleluja.

3. To Day the Holy Widow, and Propheteſs Anna, who had ſpent her Life in Faſting and Prayer, and in the Service of the Temple, came happily in, and ſaw our Lord, and ſpake gloriouſly of him to all that expected the Redemption of Iſrael. Alleluja.

Antiphon.

Behold the Lord, thy mighty Governor comes unto his Holy Temple; be glad, O Sion, and rejoyce to meet thy God.

V. He comes in the diſguiſe of a poor Child;

R. Yet has he provided thoſe that diſcern'd and atteſt him.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who vouchſafeſt us this Day to commemorate the bleſſed Virgin's preſenting in the Temple her ſelf to be Purified, and her Son to be Redeemed, according to the Law! Give us Grace, we beſeech thee, to adore and praiſe the Condeſcendence of thy Providence, that by ſuch great Examples teaches us our Duty; and we beſeech Thee grant us Grace ſo to follow them, that by our Lives, as well as Words, we may confeſs our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son to be the Light of the Gentiles, and the Glory of thy People Iſrael; who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth One God, World without End. Amen.

Aſh-Wedneſday. All as in the Office of Wedneſday, except,
Invitatory.

COme let us Faſt, and Mourn, and Pray; for our Lord is Merciful and Juſt.

Remember, O Man, that Duſt thou art, and to Duſt thou ſhalt return.

Antiphon.

All Fleſh is Graſs, and the Pride thereof as the Flower of the Field, the Flower fades, the Graſs withers, the Body dies, and leaves the naked Soul to Judgment.

V. Remember Man, that Duſt thou art;

R. And to Duſt thou ſhalt return.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whoſe Providence introduces thy Church to the ſober Diſcipline of Lent, by the conſideration of our Mortality, that Duſt we were, and to Duſt we ſhall return! Grant that the Meditation of the Sufferings and Croſs of our Redeemer, may lay all proud Conceits in the Duſt, and make our ſelves feel that we are highly honoured, if by whatever Croſſes, or Self-denial, or Mortifications here, we partake of thy eternal Glory hereafter, through the Merits of our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

The Annunciation. All as in the Office of our Saviour, except,

1. TO Day the Arch-Angel was ſent from God to the Virgin Mary, and preſented her this honourable Salutation: Hail, full of Grace, our Lord is with thee; bleſſed art thou among Women.

2. Behold thou ſhalt conceive, and bear a Son, and thou ſhalt call his Name Jeſus; he ſhall be Great, and call'd the Son of the most High; and of his Kingdom there ſhall be no End.

3. Then bleſſed Mary ſaid, Behold the Handmaid of the Lord, be it to me according to thy Word.

Antiphon.

To Day the Holy Ghoſt came upon he bleſſed Virgin, and the Angel ſaid, The moſt High ſhall over-ſhadow thee, &c. and Mary ſaid, Behold the Handmaid of the Lord, be it to me according to thy Word.

V. The Angel ſaid, Hail, Mary full of Grace.

R. Holy Elizabeth ſaith, Bleſſed art thou among Women.

Let us pray.

O Eternal God, who didſt ſend thy Holy Angel in Embaſſy to the Holy Virgin Mother of our Lord, to manifeſt the Incarnation of thine eternal Son! Give us all her Purity, Modeſty, Piety, Prudence, and Obedience; That we may conceive our bleſſed Saviour in our Souls, nouriſh him with moſt ardent Affections, and bring him forth in a Life of Piety and Obedience, that he may dwell in us, and we in him, for ever.

Paſſion-Sunday. All as in the Office of our Saviour, except,
Invitatory.

BEhold the Paſſion of our Lord draws nigh, Come let us Adore him.

1. O that my Head were Waters, and mine Eyes a Fountain of Tears, that Day and Night I may weep for my own Sins, and for my Saviour's Sufferings.

2. What, O my Jeſu, could our Weakneſs want, that thou haſt not done? What could our Malice invent, that thou haſt not ſuffer'd?

3. Far be it from us to Glory in any thing but the Croſs of Chriſt, by whom the World is crucified to me, and I unto the World.

Antiphon.

Look up, O my Soul, on thy crucified Lord, look up, and ſee the utmoſt extremity of Divine Love; already he had carried on to a fair degree the Work of our Redemption, in Faſting and Praying, in Travelling and Preaching, in doing Miracles, and bearing Injuries; but now to finiſh all with an incomparable Charity, he ſuffers even Death it ſelf, and Death upon the Croſs.

V. What, O Jeſu, could our Weakneſs want, that thou haſt not done!

R. What could our Malice invent, that thou haſt not ſuffer'd!

Let us pray.

O GOD, who by the mortifying Diſcipline of Lent haſt graciouſly diſpoſed us for that ſolemn Seaſon of cloſer Preparation to celebrate the Memory of our Saviour's bitter Paſſion! make us now, we beſeech Thee, ſo devoutly attend to, and thorowly meditate every Circumſtance of this dear Myſtery, that it may melt our Hearts with ſuch tender Compaſſion, as may kill in us all Sin, the ſole cauſe of his Sufferings, and fit us by perfect Love of Him, for a happy part in his glorious Reſurrection, through the ſame Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.

Palm-Sunday. All as in the Office of our Saviour, except
Invitatory.

TO Day our Saviour enter'd Jeruſalem in Triumph; Come let us Adore him.

1. Rejoyce, O Daughter of Sion; ſhout for Gladneſs, O Daughter of Jeruſalem! behold thy King comes to thee Meek, and ſitting upon an Aſs, &c.

2. Strew the way with Triumph, and cry aloud Hoſanna, bleſſed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

3. Lift up thy Voice, and cry: This is the Lord whom we have long expected, he himſelf is come to redeem us; Come let us rejoyce in his Salvation.

Antiphon.

And the multitude that went before him, and that follow'd, cry'd, Hoſanna to the Son of David; bleſſed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord, Hoſanna in the higheſt.

V. The Stones would have cryed, ſo ſhould they have held their Peace.

R. And own'd the divine Author of ſo many gracious Miracles.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who by this Day's Solemnities reviveſt to us the Memory of our Saviour's Triumph, uſhering in his Paſſion, teach us, we beſeech Thee, from this perfect Inſtance, the fickleneſs of this World's chiefeſt Glories, and mortifie in us our eſteem of its beſt deſerv'd Applauſes, and bring our Hearts chearfully to expect a Croſs after them, as the higheſt way to our eternal Glory with Thee, through the ſame our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, ever One God, World without End. Amen.

Eaſter-Day. All as in the Office for Sunday, except,

CHriſt is riſen from the dead, Alleluja, and become the firſt Fruits of them that ſlept. Alleluja.

2. The Lord of Life is riſen again, and hath cloath'd himſelf with immortal Glory.

3. He that rais'd up Jeſus, will alſo raiſe us up, Alleluja, and refine our vile Fleſh into the likeneſs of his glorious Body.

Antiphon.

Worthy is the Lamb that was ſlain, to receive Power, and Honour, and Worſhip, Bleſſing and Glory, &c.

V. O Death, where is thy Sting?

R. O Grave, where is thy Victory?

Let us pray.

O GOD, whoſe gracious Providence reſtores to thy Church the Face, and Voice of Holy Exultation by the Triumphant Feſtival of our Saviour's Reſurrection! Grant, we humbly beſeech Thee, that the Joy that ſhines in our Looks, may flame in our Hearts, and by purifying them, make us by thy Merits, O Jeſus, worthy of thoſe high and glorious Hopes, ſo firmly ſeal'd to us by this Days experience, of riſing again at laſt from our Graves, and rejoycing thenceforth for ever, in a ſtate of bliſsful Immortality, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.

Eaſter-Munday and Tueſday, and all Sundays after until the Aſcenſion. All as in the Office for Sunday, except,

1. OUR Lord that was dead and bury'd roſe again the third Day, looſing the Bonds of Death and Hell, as it was impoſſible he ſhould be holden of them.

2. He left his Grave, but not our Earth, till he had rais'd a cloud of Witneſſes to his Reſurrection. Alleluja.

3. Every Day of Forty he appear'd to ſome or other of his Diſciples to confirm their Faith, and open their Underſtandings, and to prepare their Hearts to bear his Aſcenſion. Alleluja.

Antiphon.

Chriſt the third Day roſe again according to the Scriptures, and was ſeen of Cephas; after that of the Eleven, then of more than Five hundred Brethren together, moreover of James, and of all the Apoſtles.

V. Thy Teſtimonies, O Lord! are render'd moſt highly credible,

R. By ſo great a cloud of Witneſſes encompaſſing us.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whoſe gracious Providence eſtabliſh'd the important Faith of our Lord's Reſurrection, by his frequent converſing with his Diſciples and Followers, the ſpace of Forty Days after, in all convincing Circumſtances! Grant, we humbly beſeech Thee, that by its proper Effects, our riſing from dead Works may have our Converſation every way worthy of firm Believers of it, that by this Faith we may advance to that great Day, when no longer by Faith, but with theſe very Eyes, we ſhall ſee him for ever; who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth One God bleſſed for evermore. Amen.

St. Mark the Evangeliſt. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

BLeſſed art thou, faithful Writer of the Goſpel of Peace, and Doer of the Work of an Evangeliſt, planting the Church of Alexandria.

V. How beautiful are the Feet of thoſe,

R. That Evangelize the Goſpel of Peace.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who moſt graciouſly ſummoneſt thy Church to ſpecial Devotions, by the Feaſt of thy Sons Bleſſed Diſciple and Evangeliſt St. Mark! Vouchſafe us, we humbly beſeech Thee, both in Heart to adore thy Providence for ſo glorious an Inſtrument of propagating the Hiſtory of our Salvation to us, and in our Lives duly to copy out and ſhew our Faith in his Goſpel, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt ever liveth and reigneth One God, World without End. Amen.

May 1. St. Philip and James. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. NOW it ſufficeth thee, Philip, our Lord hath ſhewn thee the Father, and henceforth and for ever thou ſhalt ſee him Face to Face. Alleluja.

2. And thou holy James, Brother of our Lord, art gloriouſly happy in enjoying for ever the ſame bliſsful Viſion. Alleluja.

3. Theſe are two of thoſe precious Stones that Found and Adorn the Heavenly Jeruſalem. Alleluja.

Antiphon.

St. Philip, the powerful Apoſtle of the Scythians, both Crucified and Stoned, aſcended to his Maſter. And Bleſſed James, the long reverenc'd Biſhop of Jeruſalem, thrown down from the top of the Temple, and brain'd with a Club, breath'd out his Soul in Prayer for his Murderers.

V. The ſenſeleſs World thought their End diſhonourable.

R. But behold their Lot is among the Bleſſed.

Let us pray.

O GOD, by whoſe Grace the Bleſſed Apoſtles St. Philip and St. James, water'd with their Blood the Heavenly Seed, which they had with long Sweat own o'er the World! Redouble, we beſeech Thee, the Devotions of thy Servants, by celebrating together their happy Memories; and grant that our Faith, ſo gloriouſly confirm'd, may fructify into Holy Lives and Deaths, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.

Aſcenſion-Day. All as in the Office of our Saviour, except,
Invitatory.

TO Day our glorious Jeſus aſcended into Heaven, Alleluja. Come let us Adore him.

1. I have finiſhed the Work which my Father gave me to do; and now it is time I return to him that ſent me. Let not your Hearts be troubled, I go to my Father, and your Father; my God, and your God. Alleluja.

2. Let not your Hearts be troubled, I go to prepare a place for you; and I will come again and receive you to my ſelf; that where I am, there you may be alſo. Alleluja.

3. In the mean while, I will not leave you deſolate, but will pray to the Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, to dwell with you for ever.

Antiphon.

And when he had ſpoken theſe things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a Cloud received him out of their ſight.

V. This ſame Jeſus, which is taken up from you into Heaven,

R. Shall ſo come in like manner as ye have ſeen him go into Heaven.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who haſt inſpir'd thy Church to celebrate this Day the Memory of our Saviour's Aſcenſion, when having finiſh'd on Earth the great Work of our Redemption, he carried up his glorified Humanity above the Clouds, to its eternal Reſt! Grant, we beſeech Thee, that taking off our Eyes from theſe Vanities here below, we may ſtand continually looking after him into Heaven; and heartily expecting his Appearance thence again at the laſt great Day, may be always ready to obey his Call, and meet him in the Clouds, and follow him into thoſe bliſsful Manſions, which he went to prepare for us, at thy Right-hand for evermore, through the ſame our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt liveth and reigneth One God, World without End. Amen.

Whitſunday, Munday, and Tueſday. All as in the Office of the Holy Ghoſt.
Trinity-Sunday. All as in Sunday's Office, except,
Invitatory.

Come let us Adore the Sacred Trinity, Three Perſons and One God. Alleluja.

1. THere are Three that bear Witneſs in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghoſt, and theſe Three are One. Alleluja.

2. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghoſt is God, yet not Three Gods, but One God. Alleluja.

3. In this Adorable Trinity none is before or after other, none greater or leſs than other, but all the Three Perſons are coequal, and coeternal. Alleluja.

V. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;

R. Heaven and Earth are full of the Majeſty of thy Glory. Alleluja.

Let us pray.

O Eternal Father, who by the viſible deſcent of thy Son to redeem the World, and of thy Holy Spirit to ſanctifie the Elect, haſt wonderfully made thy Church's own Experience facilitate our Faith of the Incomprehenſible Trinity! Grant us, we beſeech Thee, in Heart and Voice, to profeſs this high and ſupernatural Truth, and rejecting all the fallacious Suggeſtions of ſhort Reaſon, humbly to Adore Thee, Three coequal Perſons, in the ſame indiviſible Deity; till we come hereafter to thy bliſsful Preſence, and ſee the Myſtery reveal'd in thine own glorious Face, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth ever One God, World without End. Amen.

June 24. St. John Baptiſt. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. THis is the great Precurſor of the World's Redeemer, the miraculous Son of Age and Barrenneſs. Alleluja.

2. In his Mother's Womb he was ſanctified, and in his Nativity many ſhall rejoyce.

3. This is that ſhining burning Light, who, deſpiſing the Pleaſures and Conveniencies of the World, choſe his Garments of Camels Hair, a Leathern Girdle about his Loins; and his Meat was Locuſts and wild Honey. Alleluja.

Antiphon.

This is that Prophet, and more than a Prophet, of whom our Lord ſaid, Among them that are born of Women, there hath not riſen a greater than John the Baptiſt, yet he that is leaſt in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than He.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whoſe gracious Providence ſummons us this Day, to celebrate the Nativity of the great St. John Baptiſt! Grant, we beſeech Thee, that as we fulfil the Prophecy of thy Holy Angel, by rejoycing in his Nativity, we may improve both our ſelves and others, by imitating his Life, while every one of us in our ſeveral Capacities faithfully endeavour to learn of him, thoſe excellent Leſſons of Retir'dneſs, Mortification, Humility, and Self-denial, Zeal for Juſtice, and Courage in defending the Truth, and a generous Induſtry of Charity in all our Actions, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who with Thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth ever One God, World without End Amen.

June 29. St. Peter. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. THis Day was the Apoſtle St. Peter put to Death upon the Croſs, after the Example of his Bleſſed Lord and Maſter.

2. This Pattern he left us of ſuffering for the Doctrine he taught, and in the Service of the ſame Lord whom he had Preached.

3. For him did Chriſt our Redeemer pray, that his Faith might not fail; him did he commiſſion to feed his Sheep, and admoniſh'd him, when he was Converted, to ſtrengthen his Brethren.

4. And he both preach'd the Goſpel, and died for it, confirming with his Blood the Truths he had delivered. Alleluja, Alleluja.

Antiphon.

To Day Simon Peter aſcended the Croſs, and faithfully finiſhed the Courſe of his Apoſtleſhip.

V. He faithfully finiſhed the Office whereto he had been Ordained,

R. And went to receive his great Reward. Alleluja.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who ſenteſt forth thy Apoſtle St. Peter to feed thy Flock, enabling him moreover to ſeal the Truth with his Blood! Grant, we beſeech Thee, that all the Biſhops and Paſtors of thy Church may duly imitate both the ſoundneſs of his Doctrine, and his ſteady Zeal for thy Glory, and the Salvation of Men, and that we, and all thy People, may diligently attend to, and practice what they teach, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord and only Saviour. Amen.

July 25. St. James. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. NO ſooner was James the Son of Zebedee call'd by our Lord, but he immediately obey'd; and left Nets, and Boats, and Father, and all to follow Jeſus.

2. He frankly profeſs'd the Divinity of his Saviour, and by his chearfulneſs to loſe his Head for him, bare ſuch Teſtimony to him, that King Agrippa ſent him the firſt of the Apoſtles, a Martyr, to his Maſter. Alleluja.

V. Bleſſed James now enjoys his Mother's deſire,

R. Seated at the Right-hand of Jeſus in his Kingdom.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who by the Feaſt of the Holy Apoſtle St. James, reviveſt in us the Memory of thy great Mercy to the World, in ſo glorious an Example of readily following our Saviour, both in this Life, and out of it! Grant us, we humbly beſeech Thee, at the Call of thy Grace, the ſame readineſs to quit our Nets, and all Intanglements of worldly Affections and Intereſt, and apply our ſelves wholly, both to become our ſelves, and render others alſo worthy Diſciples of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth ever One God, World without End. Amen.

Aug. 24. St. Bartholomew. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. HIS Skin, and all he had, and even Life it ſelf, St. Bartholomew freely gave for the Teſtimony of the Truth, and for the Love of Jeſus. Alleluja.

2. At the laſt Day he ſhall riſe, and be cloathed again with his Skin, and in his Fleſh he ſhall ſee God.

Antiphon.

This is that wiſe Apoſtle, who gladly put off his Skin, and quitted his Head it ſelf, to receive a Crown of Glory. Alleluja.

V. He now Triumphs with thoſe who come out of great Tribulation;

R. Cloathed in Robes waſhed white in the Blood of the Lamb.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who by the Martyrdom of thy Bleſſed Apoſtle St. Bartholomew, refreſheſt in our Memories the glorious Atteſtations which thy Providence has vouchſaf'd the World for confirmation of thy Truth! Grant us, we beſeech Thee, with ſuch concern to reflect on the exceſſive Pains he took and ſuffered, for propagating the Goſpel, and the ſuperabundant Reward he now enjoys in thy bliſsful Preſence, that our Faith may be ſtrengthen'd, and more actively apply'd, to carry us on in the ſame Race, to the ſame happy End, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt ever One God, World without End. Amen.

Sept. 21. St. Matthew. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. BE not diſcouraged, O my Soul, nor make thy paſt Offences unpardonable by Deſpair.

2. This is he who of a Sinner became a Preacher; and of a Publican was called to be an Apoſtle.

3. Fear not the Power of the Grace of God, but take heed of delaying to embrace it; take heed of refuſing to obey it; take heed of relapſing into the Sins of which thou haſt repented.

Antiphon.

St. Matthew, the Publican, buſie at his Office, call'd by Jeſus, but in paſſing by, ſtraight aroſe, left all, and followed him. A wiſe Example to Sinners! And Jeſus vouchſaf'd to Feaſt at his Houſe with a great Multitude of Publicans for encouragement to Converts.

V. Our Lord came not to call the Righteous,

R. But Sinners to Repentance.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whoſe powerful Call drew Matthew the Publican from the very receipt of Cuſtom, to become an eminent Apoſtle and Evangeliſt in thy Church! Grant us, we beſeech Thee, in celebrating the Bleſſed Memory of his Life and Death, worthy his high and extraordinary Vocation, to advance thy Praiſe for ſo glorious an Example of thy Grace; and that complying readily and faithfully with it, we may forſake all to follow Thee, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Amen.

Sept. 29. St. Michael. All as in the Office of Saints, except,
Invitatory. Come let us Adore the King of Angels.

1. HE has commanded his Angels to miniſter for our good. They ſhall bear us in their Hands, leſt at any time we daſh our Feet againſt a Stone.

2. Take heed that you deſpiſe not one of theſe little Ones, ſaith our Lord, for their Angels continually behold the Face of my Father. Alleluja.

3. In the ſight of thy Angels will I ſing unto Thee, O my God, Alleluja. I will Adore in thy Holy Temple, and confeſs unto thy Name. Alleluja.

Antiphon.

Praiſe our Lord all you Angels, Arch-Angels, and Thrones; Praiſe him all you Dominations, Principalities, and Powers; Praiſe him all you heavenly Hoſts, ye Cherubims and Seraphims; Praiſe him all you glorious Quires of Bleſſed Spirits, praiſe him and magnifie him for ever.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who by the Feaſt of St. Michael the Arch-Angel, ſummoneſt us to commemorate all the glorious Hoſt of Heaven, who by thy appointment aſſiſt thy Elect againſt the Powers of Darkneſs! Grant us Grace, we beſeech Thee, to admire and praiſe Thee for ſo high a Providence, and that we may with firmer hope purſue the holy ways of encreaſing their Joy, by advancing our own Bliſs, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth ever One God, World without End. Amen.

Octob. 18. St. Luke. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. WE commemorate this Day the great St. Paul's Diſciple, and conſtant Companion in all his Travels. Alleluja.

2. We celebrate his Glory, who deſerv'd to be divinely Recorded, Luke the moſt dear Phyſician and Brother, whoſe Praiſe is in the Goſpel, throughout all the Churches. Alleluja.

3. To his Inſpir'd Pen we owe the Goſpel, and a faithful Hiſtory of the beginning of the Church, whom the Doctor of the Gentiles choſe one of his Inſtruments to build it.

Let us pray.

O GOD, whoſe ſpecial Grace render'd Luke the Phyſician a glorious Diſciple and Evangeliſt, firſt curing himſelf, and then happily applying all his Life and Power to the Cure of others Souls! Grant us, we beſeech Thee, by his Bleſſed Memory, encouragement to emulate the better Gifts, ſanctifying, if not changing, our Temporal Vocations, to the higheſt Spiritual advantage of our ſelves and others, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, our alone Saviour, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt liveth and reigneth ever One God World without End. Amen.

St. Simon and Jude. All as in the Office of Saints, except,

1. THeſe are they that planted the Church of God with Preaching, and ſettled it with Miracles, and water'd it with their Blood. Alleluja.

2. They ventur'd their Lives among barbarous Nations, and converted vaſt Regions to the Faith of Chriſt.

3. They rejected the Flatteries of the World, and deſpiſed the Menaces of their Perſecutors, and now for all they did, and for all they ſuffer'd, are eternally Rewarded. Alleluja.

Antiphon.

The Diſciple is not above his Maſter, nor the Servant above his Lord; it ſufficeth the Diſciple if he be as his Maſter; and the Servant as his Lord.

V. If they have blaſphem'd and ſlain the Maſter of the Houſe,

R. How much more them of his Houſhold.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who by a glorious Martyrdom called'ſt the Bleſſed Apoſtles, Simon and Jude, from their eminent Labours in thy Vineyard, to bliſsful Reſt in thy Kingdom! Grant us thy Grace, we beſeech Thee, to improve this devout Opportunity of celebrating their Memories, both by praiſing Thee for ſuch excellent Maſters, and preſſing more lively on our ſelves their ſaving Doctrine and Examples, through our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt.

All-Saints.

As in the Office of Saints.

On the Saints Eves, which are kept with Faſting.
Invitatory.

BEhold the Feaſt of—is at hand, let us timely prepare our Hearts to tertain it, that ſo gracious a help to De otion be not loſt upon us.

1. In vain we commemorate the Joys f the Saints, when we do not imitate eir Vertues.

2. In vain do we keep their Feaſts, hoſe Self-denials, Mortifications, and ſts we do not imitate, which brought em to Bliſs.

Let us pray.

O GOD, who inſpireſt thy Church, to fill and ſanctifie the Year with ſtival Memorials of our Saviour, and moſt exemplary Followers, and to excite and introduce our Devotions to ou Feaſts, by the wholſome Diſcipline of Religious Faſt! Grant to thy Servants, w moſt humbly beſeech thee, by this Day obedient Mortification of our carnal Appetites, to call in and purifie our Soul and fitly diſpoſe them for the fruitful Celebration of to Morrow's great Solemnity through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſ liveth and reigneth ever One God Worl without End. Amen.

Ember-Days.
Antiphon.

THE Harveſt is great, but the Labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harveſt, that he would ſen forth Labourers into his Harveſt.

V. How ſhall we hear without a Preacher?

R. And how ſhall they preach unle they be ſent?

Let us pray.

O GOD, by whoſe Providence thy Church from the beginning has ſet a-part certain Times for the ſolemnity of conferring Holy Orders, upon fitly prepar'd Perſons, to ſupply ſtill the Faithful with ſanctified Maſters of her Doctrine and Diſcipline, and enjoyn'd us all with extraordinary Devotions, to implore thy ſpecial Aſſiſtance to a work ſo much concerning us all! Hear, we moſt humbly beſeech Thee, thy Servants, that by the Mortification of our Bodies we may encreaſe the fervour of our Prayers, and vouchſafe our Governours the Grace of diſcerning Spirits to Ordain only ſuch as are indeed fit for their ſacred Functions; and give us the Grace of Reverence, and due Subjection to thoſe ſo Ordain'd, as truly ſent by Thee for our Edification, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy only Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghoſt, liveth and reigneth ever One God, World without End. Amen.

Rogation-Days.
Antiphon.

IF you ask the Father any thing in my Name, he will give it you, ſays our Lord; whoſe Word cannot fail. If you ask and receive not, it is becauſe you ask amiſs, ſaith St. James.

V. Father, thou knoweſt we need all theſe things;

R. But more, by theſe our Needs to be drawn to look up to Thee.

Let us pray.

O GOD, by whoſe Holy Spirit thy Church ordains this a ſolemn time of Supplication for all our Neceſſities! Open, we beſeech Thee, thy gracious Ears to the Prayers thou inſpireſt and draweſt from our Hearts, and by granting us thoſe Goods which thy Children with Humility and Reſignation ask of Thee their Heavenly Father, ſo encourage our Devotion and Obedience, and ſo encreaſe our Hope and Love, that tranſcending all Particulars, as ſafely to be truſted in the Hand of thy Providence, our whole Souls may thirſt after Thee thy ſelf alone, who art our All in All for ever, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, One God bleſſed for ever. Amen.

FINIS.