A choice manual containing what is to be believed, practised, and desired or prayed for; the prayers being fitted to the several days of the week. Also festival hymns, according to the manner of the ancient church. Composed for the use of the devout, especially of younger persons, by Jeremy Taylor, D.D.

THURSDAY.

The fifth Decad.

[ 41] SOon may a man lose that by neg∣ligence which hath by much la∣bour & a long time and a migh∣ty grace scarcely been obtain'd. And what shall become of us before night, who are weary so early in the morning? Wo be to that man who would be at rest, e∣ven when he hath scarcely a foot-step of holiness appearing in his conversation.

[ 42] So think, and so do, as if thou wert to die to day, and at night to give an account of thy whole life.

[ 43] Beg not a long life, but a good one; for length of days often times pro∣longs the evil, and augments the guilt. It were well if that little time we live, we would live well.

[ 44] Entertain the same opinions and thoughts of thy sin, and of thy present state, as thou wilt in the day of sorrow.

Thou wilt then think thy self very mise∣rable and very foolish, for neglecting one hour, and one day of thy Salvation: Think so now, and thou wilt be more provident of thy time and of thy talent. For there will a time come, when every careless man shall desire the respite of one hour for Prayer and Repentance, and I know not who will grant it. Hap∣py is he that so lives, that in the day of death he rejoyces, and is not amazed.

[ 45] He that would die comfortably, may serve his ends by first procuring to himself a contempt of the would, a fer∣vent desire of growing in grace, love of discipline, a laborious repentance, a prompt obedience, self-denial, and to∣leration of every cross accident for the love of Christ, and a tender Charity.

[ 46] While thou art well thou maies•…•… do much good, if thou wilt; but when•…•… thou art sick, neither thou nor I can tel what thou shalt be able to do: It is no•…•… very much, nor very good. Few me•••• mend with sickness, as there are but few•…•… who by travel and a wandering life be∣come devout.

[ 47] Be not troubled nor faint in the•…•… labours of mortification, and the auste∣rities

of Repentance; for in Hell one hour is more intollerable than a hundred years in the house of Repentance: and try; for if thou canst not endure God punishing thy follies gently, for a while, to amend thee, how wilt thou endure his vengeance for ever to undo thee?

[ 48] In thy Prayers wait for God, and think not every hearty Prayer can pro∣cure every thing thou askest. Those things which the Saints did not obtain without many prayers, and much la∣bour, and showrs of tears, and a long protracted watchfulness and industry, do thou expect also in its own time, and by its usual measures. Do thou valiantly, and hope confidently, and wait pati∣ently, and thou shalt find thou wilt not be deceived.

[ 49] Be careful thou dost not speak a lie in thy prayers, which, though not observed, is frequently practis'd by care∣less persons, especially in the forms of Confession, affirming things which they have not thought, professing sorrow which is not, making a vow they mean not.

[ 50] If thou meanest to be devout, and to enlarge thy Religion, do it rather by

increasing thy ordinary devotions then thy extraordinary. For if they be not re∣gular, but come by chance, they will not last long. But if they be added to your ordinary offices, or made to be daily, thy spirit will by use and custom be made tender, and not willing to go less.