Devotions in the ancient way of offices with psalms, hymns, and prayers for every day in the week and every holiday in the year.

TUESDAY MATINS.

Introduction, as page 1.

Invitatory. Come let's adore our God that preservs us.

Come let's adore our God that preservs us.

Psal. XXVII.

FRom thee, O Lord, we derive our Being; and from the same Goodnes our Continu∣ance to be: if thou withdraw'st thy hand but a moment, we instantly return to our first no∣thing.

Come let's adore our God that preservs us.

From all our enemys his Providence defends us; and covers our head in the day of danger: he sends in his grace to relieve our weaknes; and disappoints the tentations that threaten to undo us.

Come let's adore our God that preservs 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's adore our God that preservs 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's adore our God that preservs us.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, both now and ever; world without end, Amen.

Come let's adore our God that preservs us.

Come let's adore our God that preservs us.

Hymn IX.

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 ey: They stood and watcht about our bed; To 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; What e're besets our way.

And, O my soul, how many snares Ly spred before our feet! In all our joys, in all our cares, Some danger still wee meet.

Sometimes the sin does us o'retake, And on our weaknes win: Sometimes our selvs our ruine make; And we o'retake the sin.

O save us, Lord, from all those darts, That seek our souls to slay: Save us, from us, and our false harts; Lest 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. Amen.

Antiph. If we receive all we have of God why do we boast as if we had it our selvs?

Psal. XXVIII.

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 us'd all the diligence that lys in our power.

What can we do, but look up to Thee; and

second our endeavours with pray'rs for thy blessing?

When we have implor'd thy gracious mercy; and offer'd thee our dearest Sacrifice to ob∣tain it.

What can we do, but submit our hopes; and expect the event from thy free goodnes?

We know, and thou thy self hast taught us; unless thou defend'st the city, the Guard watches in vain.

We know, & 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 deny'st it.

If Thou deny'st, 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 at the brest of thy 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 and 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.

They must be mov'd by Thee to act that cha∣rity; and so all at last is resolv'd into Thee.

Should we presume, O Lord, to divide thy grace; and proudly challenge any share to our selvs:

Thy mighty truth stands up against us; and our own infirmitys plainly confute us.

Should'st thou severely examine our harts; 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 entirely our own; which O, may thy grace extinguish for ever.

O may all self-presumption dy 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 God, be magnify'd in our weaknes; and thy mercy triumph in relief of our misery.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. If we receive all we have of God; why do we boast as if we had it of our selvs?

Antiph. God is my Saviour, whom shall I fear? God is my Protector, of what shall I be afraid?

Psal. XXIX.

THus we depend, and happy we in this de∣pendance; 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 safely for us, who disposes all nature in such admirable or∣der?

Has he not power to go through with his pur∣pose, who commands the wills of men and Angels?

Wants he perhaps an inclination to favor us; who desires our felicity more than our own harts?

He feeds the fowls of the air; and cloths the lillys of the field.

Without his providence not a sparrow falls to the ground; and shall we mistrust his care for his children?

Under his government we have liv'd all this while; and can we now suspect he'l forsake us?

He has shewn his bounty in extraordinary graces; and will he deny us his lesser blessings?

He has freely bestow'd on us his dearest Son;

how shall He not with Him give us 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 effects of our folly; we must not presume he'l maintain us in our sins.

Rather we should strive to moderate our ap∣petites; and correct the vices that have bred these myserys.

But, if our wants be innocent and pressing; he'l sooner do a miracle then break his word.

His word, which he so often has solemnly en∣gaged; so often prov'd by a thousand expe∣riments.

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 poor widows 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 provi∣sion, and nourisht them in the wilderness with the bread of heav'n.

Still, O my God, thy eternal charity re∣tains * the same affections for them that rely on Thee.

Still thy all-seeing Wisdom governs the world; with the same immense unalterable goodnes.

Nay surely now the streams of thy mercy run more strong; and have wrought to them∣selvs a larger channel.

Since thou brought'st down the waters from above the heav'ns; and openedst in thine own body a spring of life.

A spring of joy and blyss to revive our harts; and overflow them with a torrent of everlasting pleasures.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. God is my Saviour, whom shall I fear? God is my Protector, of what shall I be afraid?

Antiph. Seek first the Kingdom of God; and all things else shall be added to you.

Psal. XXX.

LEt us then sit down in peace, O my soul! and rest secure in the bosom of providence.

Let us not disturb the order of those mer∣cys *, which our God has design'd us in his eter∣nal 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'l give us heraf∣ter, who so favours us here.

If they miscarry, let us yield to the will of

heav'n; and learn by our crosses in this world to betake us to the other.

What ever happens, let this be our constant rule; to provide for the future life, and be con∣tented with the present.

Shall we not patiently accept a litle evil *, from Him that has given us so much good?

Shall the being without some one thing we need not *, more sensibly affect us, then the ha∣ving all we need?

Ingrateful we! the common benefits we all enjoy *, deserve the thanksgiving of a whole life.

The air we breath in, and the Sun that shines on 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 to some de∣gree.

All these, O Lord, thou generally giv'st 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; a Son of God to redeem us, and a Heav'n to reward us?

What shall we say? can we yet complain * be∣cause some few perhaps are more prosperous then we?

Should we not rather look down on the many below us; and be thankful to see our selvs more favor'd then they?

Should we not reckon o're the miserys of mankind; and bless our God that has so far pre∣serv'd us?

Had we some desperate canker breeding on our face; or noysom leprosy spreading o're our skin.

(These we must all confess are incident to our nature; and more then 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; to find motives enough for our gratitude to God.

'Tis but interpreting our best condition fro∣wardly; and find defects enough to think our selvs miserable.

Did we adore, as we ought, the Wisdom of our 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.

Suffer us not to follow our private spirit; lest we create to our selvs a voluntary misery.

Still let us construe the afflictions thou sendst us *, as meant to correct, and not to destroy us.

To prevent some sin, or practise some vertue; and when we need our crosses no longer, thou'lt take them away.

Meanwhile, 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, &c.

Antiph. Seek first the Kingdom of God; and all things else shall be added to you.

Our Father, &c.

First Lesson.

HAve confidence in our Lord with all thy hart, and rely not on thine own prudence: in all thy ways think on Him, and he will direct thy steps. Be not wise in thine own conceit: fear God, and depart from evil. The greater thou art, so much the more humble thy self; and thou shalt find grace before God: for, the power of God only is great, and he is honor'd of the humble. Seek not the things that are too high for thee; nor search into those that are above thy strength: but the things which God has commanded thee, think always on them, and in many of his works be not curious; since 'tis not necessary for thee to see with thine eys those things that are hidden. Place thy treasure in the

precepts of the Highest, and it shall profit thee more then gold. Lay up thy alms in the hart of the poor, and it shall obtain for thee against all evil: above the shield of the mighty, and above the spear, it shall fight against the enemy. In all thy gifts shew a chearful countenance, and dedicate thy tyths with gladness: give to the Highest, according to what He has given thee; and with a good ey do according to the ability of thy hands; for our Lord is thy rewarder, and he will repay thee seven times as much. When the ways of a man please our Lord, he will convert even his enemys to peace. The hart of a man disposes his way; but it pertains to our Lord to direct his steps. He that is patient is better then the strong; and he that rules over his mind, then the Conqueror of Cities. There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against our Lord: the horse is prepar'd for the day of batle; but our Lord gives sal∣vation.

R. Well may we give thee, O Lord, some part of what we have, since we receiv'd of thee even all we have: well may we give with glad∣ness to Thee; since thy bounty rewards us with so great advantage. O make us still mistrust our selvs, and with an humble confidence rely on Thee. Without thy blessing our labors are in vain; and against thy decrees no pollicy can succeed: but if we humbly submit to thee, thou

wilt direct us; if we keep thy commandments, thou wilt defend us. O make us—

Second Lesson.

WHen thou com'st to the service of God, stand in justice and fear; and prepare thy soul for tentation. What ever is brought upon thee receive, and in thy sorrow bear up, and when thou art humbled have patience: for gold and silver are try'd in the fire; and acceptable men in the furnace of affliction. Believe God, and he will recover thee: order thy way aright, and hope in Him: keep his fear, and grow old therein. You who fear our Lord, expect his mercy; decline not from him, lest you fall: believe him, and your reward shall not miscar∣ry. You who fear our Lord, hope in him; and mercy shall come to you for your refreshment: love him, and your harts shall be illuminated. Behold the generations of men; and know that none has hop't in our Lord, and been con∣founded. Who ever continued in his command∣ments and was forsaken; or cal'd upon him, and he despised him? God is compassionate and merciful, and will pardon sins in the day of tri∣bulation; and protect all those that seek him in truth. Wo to the double hart and wicked lips, and the hands that work evil, and the sinner that goes on the earth two ways. Wo to them that are of dissolute hart; who believe not God,

and therefore shall not be protected by him. Wo to them that have lost patience, and forsa∣ken the right path, and declin'd into perverse ways: what will they do, when our Lord shall begin to look into them?

R. Teach us, O gracious Lord, to begin our works with fear; and 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 they neglect our affections: only Thou, O Lord our God, whom we no way can benefit, dost every way oblige us *, whose pro∣mises —

Third Lesson.

BEcause sentence is not speedily pronounc't against the wicked, the children of men commit evil without fear: but though a sinner offend a hundred times, and be forborn by pa∣tience, I know it shall be well with them that fear God. There are just men to whom evil things happen, as though they had done the works of the impious; and there are impious who live secure, as if they had the deeds of the just: and this also I judg most vain. The just and the wise and their works are in the hands of

God; yet no man knows whether he be worthy of love or hatred: but all things are reserv'd incertain for the time to come; because all things happen alike to the good and to the bad. As is the vertuous; so is the sinner; and as the perjur'd, so he that swears the truth: by this the harts of men are fill'd with malice and con∣tempt while they live; and after are led away into hell. I turn'd me to another thing and saw under the Sun; that the race is not to the swift, nor the batle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the learned, nor favour to men of skill: but time and chance in all things.

R. And sure 'tis fittest so: for what can an infinite Power, and Wisdom, and Goodnes do, but that which is best? Lord I submit and adore thy Providence, which scatters these temporal things with a seeming negligence; as trifles of so litle importance, that they signifie neither love nor hatred: * Nothing but heav'n is indeed considerable; nothing but Eternity deservs our esteem. Fix thou our steps, O Lord, that we sta∣ger not at the uneven motions of the world; but steddily go on to our glorious home: not censuring our journy by the weather we meet; nor turning out of the way for any accident that befals us. * Nothing but —

Glory be — * Nothing but:

Pause. as page 17.

Tuesday Lauds.

O God incline, &c. as page 18.

Antiph. Praise our Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Psal. XXXI.

BE thou eternally ador'd, O God of our sal∣vation; and may thy praises be sung by thy servants for ever.

When our first parents had disobey'd thy pre∣cepts; to the ruine of themselvs, and their whole posterity.

Thy mercy immediately provided a remedy; and graciously promised a powerful Re∣deemer.

A Redeemer that should conquer sin and death; and crush in pieces the serpents head.

A Redeemer that should fully repair the brea∣ches of mankind; and render our condition bet∣ter then before.

Enlightning our eys 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 through all en∣counters.

Till we arrive at the land of rest; and be re∣ceiv'd for ever into that glorious Kingdom.

O Blessed JESU, our strength, our guide;

who know'st and pittiest our weak capacitys:

Who in thy tender care hast contriv'd such means, * that nothing can undo us but our own perversnes.

How easie hast thou made the way to heav'n! how light is the burthen thou lay'st on thy followers!

'Tis but to love Thee, our greatest Benefactor; and we perfectly fulfil every branch of thy Law.

'Tis but desiring to see Thee, our supream Beatitude; and we are sure to possess an eternity of joy.

Blessed, O my God, be the wisdom of thy Pro∣vidence; that alone knows the way to draw good out of evil.

That not only restores us to our first degree; but makes even our fall rebound us to a greater hight.

Lord, as thy goodnes turns all things to the advantage of thy Elect; O may the Elect praise thy goodnes in all things.

Glory be, &c.

Psal. XXXII.

ADmirable wert thou, O Lord, in thy mer∣ciful promise, but infinitely more, in thy wonderful performance.

Thou deputedst not an Angel to supply thy place; nor entrustedst so tender a work to the

manage of a Seraphin:

But Thy self bow'dst the heav'ns and cam'st down; and with thy own blest hands wroughtst our redemption.

Thy self took'st upon thee our frail nature; and vouchsaf'dst to be born of an humble Virgin.

Thou condescendedst to the weaknesses of a child; a child whose parents were poor and un∣esteem'd in the world.

Thou declinedst not the mean entertainment of a stable: O, how unfit for the birth of the King of Heav'n!

Thou contentedst thy self with the cradle of a manger; and the uneasy lodging on a bed of straw.

Thou refusedst the soft accomodations of the rich; to undergo the inconveniencies of a poor stranger.

Only the faithful Ioseph stood waiting on Thee; and provided, as he was able, for his helples family:

Only thy pious Mother dearly embrac't Thee; and wrapt thy tender limbs in litle clouts.

Wonder O heavens, and be amaz'd O earth; and every creature humbly bow your heads:

Bow and adore this incomprehensible mystery; The VVORD was made flesh, & 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 felicitys 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 heav'nly Antheme, Glory be to God on high, * in earth peace, to∣wards men of good will.

Lift up thy voice aloud, O my soul! and to the Quires of heav'n ioyn the musick of the Church.

Glory be, &c.

Psal. XXXIII.

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 harts, * adore the blessed JESUS.

He is the Son of the everliving God; equally participating the glorys of his Father.

He is that great Messias whom the Prophets foretold, * and all the ancient Saints so long expected.

At length, in the fulnes of time, he came; to visit in person our miserable world:

He came with his hands full of miracles; and every miracle full of mercy:

He made the crooked become straight; 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 clens'd the leprous by the 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 mysterys of his Kingdom.

He cast out Devils by the command of his Will; and forc't them to confess and adore his Person.

He rais'd the dead from the grave to life; the dead that were four days buryed and corrupted:

Nay even Himself, being slain for us on 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 into the highest heav'ns.

All these stupendious signs, O glorious JESU! were done by the hand of Thy Almighty mercy:

To witness thy truth with the seal of heav'n; and endear thy precepts with obliging mira∣cles.

That thus engag'd we might believe in Thee; and obeying thy Law, be eternally sav'd.

O Let not all this love, dear Lord, be lost; be so many Tokens so kindly exprest.

One miracle more we humbly beg; but one as strange and hard as any of the rest.

Soften our stony harts into a tender sense, * of thy great goodnes 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 herafter adore thy Blessed Self; and sing eternally the wonders of thy Glory.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Praise our Lord, O my soul, and for∣get not all his benefits.

Capit. Jude v. 24, 25.

TO Him who is able to preserve you with∣out sin, and set you immaculate before the sight of his glory, in exultation at the com∣ing of our Lord JESUS Christ; to the only God our Saviour, by JESUS Christ our Lord, be glory and magnificence, Empire and Power; be∣fore all ages, and now, and to all ages for ever, Amen.

Hymn X.

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'le ne're 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.

When I am dead in grief; Or, which is worse, in sin: I call on JESUS, and he hears; And I to live begin.

Wherefore to thee bright Name, Behold, thus low I bow; And thus again: yet is all this Far less then what I ow.

Down then, down both my knees, Still lower to the ground; While with mine eys and voice lift up, Aloud these lines I sound.

Live glorious King of heav'n, By all the heav'n 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 harts and tongues Sing hyms of praise to Thee. Amen.

Antiph. I saw the bright Sun shew his flam∣ing eys, and behold a thousand rays fill'd the ayr, and beauteously guilded the earth: his glorious face but maskt it self in a cloud, and immediately they vanisht away, and their place was to be found no more: & I said, such, O my God, just such is the stability of every creature.

V. Even the line we now repeat must beg its breath of Thee;

R. And stop if Thou deny'st it.

O Lord hear our prayers:

And let our supplications come to Thee.

Let us pray.

O God the eternal Source and Necessity of Being, on whose free overflowing, that of thy whole Creation every moment depends! strike we beseech Thee our harts with a conti∣nual dread and reverence of thy absolute Domi∣nion, which, should it but never so litle suspend thy Bounty, resolvs us all instantly into no∣thing:

nothing: and grant, that as we know thou pre∣servst still on 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 thy Son, who, &c.

Commemorations, &c. as page 29.

Tuesday Vespers.

IN the Name, &c. As page 13.

Antiph. Who is like thee, O Lord, among the Gods! who is like thee, terrible in judg∣ments!

Psal. XXXIV.

SPeak no more proudly vain dust; nor pro∣voke any longer the living God.

Seal up thy lips in humble silence; and trem∣blingly 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 buried whole Cities in their own ashes.

Remember how the general deluge o'respred the world, and swept away almost all man∣kind.

Remember, and ask the cause of all this ruin; 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 heav'n; and chain'd them up in eternal darknes:

Sin banisht 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 forth to be aveng'd of thine enemys!

O sin, how fatal is thy desperate malice; that pulls on our heads all the thunder of heav'n!

O my soul, how dull and sensles 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 ju∣stice?

Can we consider the deplorable end of sin∣ners; 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.

What should corrupted nature, then, do, when it sees its self ready to offend Thee?

What should a guilty Conscience do; when it sees it self ruin'd by offending thee?

Strike thou our harts, O Thou infinit Ma∣jesty! with an awful reverence of thy great Name.

Correct our many levitys into a pious sad∣nes;

and break our proud spirits to bow to 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 selvs? and plunge your own souls in everlasting torments?

Forbid so rash a madness, gracious Lord! and make thy judgments on others mercys to us.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Who is like thee, O Lord, among the Gods! who is like thee, terrible in judg∣ments!

Antiph. Who is like thee, O Lord, among the Gods! who is like thee, amiable in mercys!

Psal. XXXV.

WIpe away the tears from thine eys, O my soul! and clear thy hart from all clouds of despair.

He that's thus infinite in power to punish *, is full as infinite in goodness to save.

How often have we broken his divine Com∣mands; yet still his earth sustains and servs us!

How often have we abus'd our fulnes of bread, yet still his clouds shower plenty upon us!

Himself with his own Almighty Word con∣sin'd the waters; and sharply reproacht their officiousnes to destroy.

Hitherto shall you come, and no farther; and here will I stay your proud waves:

Only the ambitious Angels find no forgive∣nes; 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 sen∣tence; and restore them to shine in their first bright seats.

But O! the excess of mercy vouchsaft to Adam; and to us dust and ashes his posterity!

For whom the soveraign King of heav'n * 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 dy; and what in both to aim at.

Thy mercys, Lord, are above all thy works; and this above all thy mercys.

Antiph. Who is like thee, O Lord, among the Gods! who is like thee, amiable in mercys!

Antiph. Dreadful art thou, O Lord, in the terror of thy Judgments; but infinitely more amiable in the sweetnes of thy mercys.

Psal. XXXVI.

STill let us sing the mercys of our God; and hold and shake a litle longer this sweet key.

When we, alas! lay buried in the abyss of no∣thing; his own free goodnes first cal'd us into Being.

He fashion'd our limbs in our mothers womb; and fill'd our Nurses brest with milk.

He enlarg'd our litle steps when we began to go; and carefully preserv'd our helpless in∣fancy:

Commanding even his Angels to bear us in their hands; lest we dash our feet against a stone.

How many dangers have we happily escapt; and not one of them but was govern'd by his providence!

How many blessings do we dayly 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 Blyss:

He founded his Church on an immovable Rock; and to render our faith firm and secure:

He seal'd his love with Sacraments of grace;

to breed and nourish in us the life of charity.

All this thou hast done, O merciful Lord! the wise Disposer of heav'n and earth.

All this thou hast done, and still goest on *, by infinite ways to gain us to thy love.

Thou command'st us to ask, and promisest to grant; thou invitest us to seek, and assur'st us to find.

Thou vouchsaf'st even thy self to stand at the door and knock; and if we open, thou entrest and fill'st our harts with joy.

If we forget thee, thou renew'st afresh our memory; if we fly from thee, thou still find'st some means to recal us.

If we defer our amendment, thou patiently stay'st for us; and when we return, thou open'st thy arms to imbrace us.

Surely, O my God! from all eternity * Thou hast cast thy gracious ey upon us.

Surely thy merciful hand has sign'd our lot; and mark't us out for thy everlasting favors.

We know thy ways are in the deep abyss; and none can sound the bottom of thy coun∣sels.

Yet may we safely look on the flowing streams; and gather this comfort from their gentle course.

When we were not, thou freely lov'dst us; Thou wilt nor forsake us, now we strive to love thee:

When we had lost our way, thou sought'st after us; thou wilt not refuse us, now we seek after thee.

Lord, all we have is deriv'd from thee; and all we expect can come from none but thy self.

Accomplish thine own blest purpose in us; and finish these happy beginings towards us.

For our hopes are great, thou hast chosen us to thy glory: since already thou so far art en∣gag'd by thy grace

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Dreadful art Thou, O Lord, in the terrors of thy judgments; but infinitely more amiable in the sweetnes of thy mercys.

Capit. Rom. 13.

LEt every soul be subject to the higher Pow'rs; for there is no Power but of God, and they that be are ordain'd of God: who ever therefore resists the Power resists the ordinance of God; and they who resist purchase to them∣selves damnation. For Princes are not a terror to good, but evil works: wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of it; for he is the mini∣ster of God, to thee for good: but if thou dost evil, fear, for he bears not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to wrath on him

that does evil. Wherefore be subject to what is so necessary; not only for wrath, but also for conscience. And for this cause do you also pay tribute; for they are the ministers of God, serving to this very purpose. Render therfore to all their dues; tribute, to whom tribute; cu∣stom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honor, to whom honor. Ow no man any thing, but to love one another; for he who loves has fulfill'd the Law.

Hymn XI.

FAin would my thoughts fly up to Thee, Thy peace sweet Lord to find: But when I offer, still the world Lays clogs upon my mind.

Sometimes I climb a litle 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 eys, To feast my hungry sight: I meet with heav'n 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 hart on fire.

When I have thus triumph't a while, And think to build my nest: Some cross conceits come fluttering by, And interrupt 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 God, whether I rise, Or still ly 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.

Antiph. What hart 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 a golden Scepter:

R. And his left a flaming sword.

O Lord hear our prayers:

And let our supplications come to Thee.

Let us pray.

O God, who by hopes and fears, the main swayers of our nature here, hast graci∣ously 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 Exam∣ples of thy dreadful judgments on obstinate and incorrigible sinners may strongly over-aw our vices and impenitence; and thy many more emi∣nent instances of indulgence and mercy to the penitent and truly desirous of vertue may in∣courage our weaknes into effectual endeavours after it, by the abundant and surely efficatious means thou hast vouchsaf't in thy Church; through our Lord—

O Lord hear, &c. As page 45.

Tuesday Complin.

OUr help is in, &c. as page 46.

Antiph. Thou art, O Lord, all goodnes and patience; and we, alas, all sin and disobe∣dience.

Psal. XXXVII.

GOod God, how extreamly ingrateful are we! how strangely insensible of our ma∣nifest duty!

Every creature hears thy voice, but we; every thing lives by rule but we.

The Sun observs its 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 plac'd in a higher heav'n.

We who expect those glorious promises; and aim no lower then the heav'n of heav'ns.

Shall we forget the law of our God; that on∣ly instructs us to perfect our selvs?

We who are bought by the blood of JESUS; and freely redeem'd 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 goodnes engage us to love Thee; and thy blessed love prepare us to enjoy Thee.

Glory be, &c.

Psal. XXXVIII.

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 forbidst, we eagerly pursue; and what thou command'st, our frowardnes still resists.

We boldly converse with temptation and sin; which thy charity advises us to fly like death.

We timorously fear a loss or frown; where Thou bidst us proceed with undaunted cou∣rage.

We govern our actions by our own wild fancys; and expect thy Providence should com∣ply with our humors:

We would have Thee relieve us when we list; and rain and shine as we think fit.

Pardon, O gracious Lord, this rude pervers∣nes; and fashion our spirits to submit to Thee.

Make us exactly observe what Thou pre∣scrib'st; how bitter so ever it tasts to our sense▪

We are sure thy wisdom knows our infirmi∣ties; we are sure thy Goodnes delights in our relief. Glory be, &c.

Psal. XXXIX

TWas not alone to make the day; that Thou O Lord, did'st make the Sun:

But to teach us these pious Lessons; and write them plain as it's own beams;

So should our light shine forth to others; and so our charity warm their coldness:

So when they say we are under a cloud; we should, like the Sun, be really above it;

And though 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, unchangedly ex∣pect * the appointed periods of bright 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 heav'n.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Thou art, O Lord, all goodnes and

patience; and we, alas, all sin and disobedience.

Hymn XII.

BLessed, O Lord, be thy wise grace; That governs all our day: And to the night assigns its place, To rest us in our way.

If works the laboring 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 ope's our eys: So shal the dust be once our bed; And so we hope to rise:

To rise, and see that beauteous light Spring from those eys of Thine: Not to be check't by any night; But clear for ever shine.

All glory to the sacred Three One everliving Lord:

As at the first, still may He be Belov'd, obey'd, ador'd. Amen.

Capit. 1 Pet. 4.

THe end of all is at hand; bewise therefore, and watch in prayers: but above all have mutual charity continually among your selves; for charity covers a multitude of sins; use hospit∣ality one towards another, without murmuring: every one as he has receiv'd grace, ministring the same one towards another; as good dispensers of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, as the words of God; if any man minister, as of the Power which God gives: that in all things God may be honored by JESUS Christ; to whom is Glory and Empire, for ever and ever, Amen.

Antiph: The Sun runs it's Course, or stands still, or goes back, as thou command'st; the rag∣ing Sea growes calm, nay divides it's waves at thy word; only Thine own Israel resist the voice of their God;

V. A rod of direction is the Scepter of thy Kingdom:

R. Swaying man to observe the discipline of life.

O Gratious Lord, whose laws are but necessary Rules of Soul-saving love; and whose Commands are but emphatical Advises of what our nature requires to grow happy!

Quicken, we beseech Thee, the slacknes of our obedience to them, by often reflecting on this thy generous Goodnes; and grant the ready observance paid by all other creatures to thy least will, for serving us, may so reproach our perverse resisting the guidance of thy sweet spirit, towards our own only good; which thou kindly cal'st thy Service; that we may feel our selves confounded with shame at our notorious follys, and be henceforth apter to learn, by all the world about us, our duty to Thee, through our Lord: —

Vouchsafe us, as Page 54 to the end.