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MAy every Age sing praises to our God; and all generations adore his providence:
From the begining his mercy has stil laid means, * to raise us to those blessed objects a∣bove our nature:
At first he created Adam with all necessary knowledg; and then ordain'd the Patriarks to inform their familys:
Afterwards He charg'd the Angels to bring us his Commands; and often inspir'd the Pro∣phets 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 then to save the perishing world? O strange excess of the divine goodnes!
He sent even his own beloved Son to dwel a∣mong us; and teach us the art of working our Salvation:
That sacred art of training up our souls for heav'n; and fitting them for the blisful Union with Himself:
But O, Thou King of glorious sweetnes; whose flowing tongue dropt milk and honey!
We were, alas, not happy to behold thy Per∣son, nor our ears worthy to hear thy voice:
Yet e're we were born thou hadst us in thy thoughts; and providedst a method to supply that defect:
Selecting a number of choice Disciples; and thorowly instructing them in thy heav'nly do∣ctrine:
That they might keep alive the memory of Thee; and witnes to all Nations thy stupendi∣ous works:
Thou verifyd'st their Mission with the power of Miracles; and enflamd'st their harts with the fire of thy Spirit:
O're all the world they proclaim'd thy Law; and undauntedly preach'd the crucify'd God:
Deep in the brests of the Faithful did they write thy Gospel; and seal it before their eys with their own blood.
Their Successors deposited the same precious treasure; in the common Magazin of the Uni∣versal Church:
Enjoyning their Children to guard it with their livs; & convey it unchang'd to future ages:
Thus is the Catholique Faith descended on us; and thus shal continue to the end of the world:
'Tis but to ask our Fathers, and they will tell us; our Ancestors, and they will instruct us.
Blessed by thy wisdom, O Lord, which has laid such marks to seek thy Church; * and o∣pen'd our eys to find it:
Blessed be thy power that has wrought such miracles▪ to confirm thy faith; and inclind'd our harts to believe it.
How many Souls are unhappily seduced; and lose themselvs in the wildernes of Heresy!
While we by thy Providence are directly led, * the straight and only way to blyss:
How many Nations ly miserably involv'd, * in the darknes of barbarism and unbelief!
While we enjoy a clear noon day; and safe∣ly walk in the light of truth:
O infinite Goodnes! who freely chusest * to pour forth thy blessings on unworthy us:
As 'tis from Thee alone we receive these fa∣vours; to Thee alone let us return our praises.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. All my life long will I praise my God; and lift up my hands to his holy Throne.
THe God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory in Christ JESUS, will himself, after you have suffered a litle, perfect, confirm, and stablish you: To him be glory and empire, for ever and ever, Amen.
Antiph. Happy we, securely happy, could our busy folly let us see it, whose lots are de∣posited in the hands of wisdom it self; which strongly reaches from end to end, and disposes all things sweetly.
V. Are not two Sparrows sold for a far∣thing?
R. Yet not one of them falls to the ground without our Father.
O Lord hear our Prayers:
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O Soveraign Lord, whose wise ey conti∣nually looks through universal nature; and whose omnipotent hand steers every part of it most fitly to the end of thy goodnes! Suppress we humbly beseech Thee, all distra∣ctive solicitude in thy servants, by this clear Reflection, Who Governs the World: and grant that duly confident of thy Providence, for all
things out of our just reach, we may diligently apply all our own endeavours in improving our selvs and others, according to the rules of thy perfect charity; through our Lord.
Commemorations as Page 29.
OUr Father, &c. As page 33.
Antiph. A good Conscience is a continual feast, and a peaceful mind the Antipast of heav'n.