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

Office for Wednesday Matins.

Introduction, as page 1.

Invitatory. Come let's adore our God that go∣verns us.

Come let's adore our God that go∣verns us.

Psal. XL.

HE is our great soveraign and Lord; the ab∣solute King of heav'n and earth: he sees at once the whole frame of all things; and tho∣rowly comprehends their various natures.

Come let's adore our God that governs us.

To every creature he appoints a fit Office; and guides all their motions in perfect order: till he has wrought his glorious design, to finish the world in a beauteous cloze.

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

He governs his enemys with a rod of iron, and punishes their wilfulnes with eternal mise∣rys: but his servants he blesses with the privi∣ledg of children, and provides for their duty a rich inheritance. Come, lets adore our God that governs us: Glory be, &c.

As it was, &c.

Come, lets adore our God that governs us. Come, let's adore out God that governs us.

Hymn XIII.

OPen thine eys, 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 mayst meet, And always watch thy sliding feet: Think where thou once hast faln 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 sins that ne're repent: Think on the joys which wait above, To crown the head of holy love.

Think what at last will be thy part, If thou go'st 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.

Antiph. The day will come, it will infalli∣bly come, when God will destroy all that work iniquity.

Psal. XLI.

WHy 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 ly asleep in the arms of death?

Awake, and chace the dream away, * that deludes your sick heads with empty fancys

Awake, and fill your eys with teares; * and sadly look on your real miserys:

Whither, alas, will your souls be hurry'd; when in cold despare you sigh away your last faint breath?

They shall fly amaz'd from the sight of heav'n;

and hide their guilty selves in eternal darknes:

There they shal dwel with intolerable pains; weeping and wailing, and lamenting for ever:

Their understanding shal sit as in a deep dun∣geon; and think on nothing but its own cala∣mitys.

Their Will shal be heightn'd to a madness of desire; and perpetually rackt with the despir of obtaining.

Their Memory shal serve but to renew their sorrows; and their whole souls be drown'd in a sea of bitternes.

They shal wish the Mountains to fall upon them; and cry to the Hils to cover them:

But nothing shal fal on them but the wrath of God; nor cover them but their own confu∣sion:

There, every vice shal have its proper tor∣ment; prodigiously bred out of its own cor∣ruption:

The lascivious shal burn in unquenchable fire; perpetually flaming from their own passions:

The Glutton and the Drunkard shal vainly sigh * for a drop of water to cool their tongues:

The furious colerick shal rage like mad dogs; and the spiteful envious knaw their own bowels:

The riches of the covetous shal be as thorns in their sides; and the proud be thrown down to the bottom of contempt:

The slothful shal miserably deplore their

lost time; and languish with grief for their stu∣pid negligence:

But O, what horrid pangs shal seize them all; and wound and pierce the very center of their souls!

When they shal see themselvs eternally de∣prived * of the bright and blisful Vision of God.

When they shal see themselvs eternally ba∣nisht * from the sweet and gratious presence of JESUS:

That God who made them to injoy his glory; that JESUS who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 redeem'd them to be heirs of his felicity.

Then they shall curse the day of their birth; and the unfortunate companions that inveagled them to sin:

They shall curse this vain deceitful world; and cry out with a desperate enraged fury:

Are these the effects of those found desires; whose enjoyment we made our chief felicity?

Alas! what avail us, now, our wanton liberties; aud the fugitive pleasures we so eagerly persu'd?

What comfort receive we from those empty honours, * and faithles riches we so highly esteem'd?

They all are vanisht away, like a shadow; and as a cloud of smoke that's scater'd with the wind

But the remorse and punishment endure for ever; and torture our spirits with perpetual an∣guish.

Thus shal they cry, and none regard to hear them; thus shal 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 never can avoid.

Blessed be thy gracious Providence, O God; that with such tender care forewarns us of our dangers.

O save us too, dear Lord, from all those dangers; save us for thy mercys sake.

Save us, and make us fearful to do * what, when we have done, will make us miserable to suffer.

Quicken our apprehensions of the ruinous ef∣fects of Sin; and with thy terrible threatnings check our unbridled passions

That, if thy glorious promises move not our harts; the fear, at least, of hell may fright us into heav'n. Glory be, &c.

Antiph. The day will come, it will infalli∣bly come; when God will destroy all that work iniquity.

Antiph. The day will come, it will infalli∣bly come; when God will Crown all that love his glory.

Psal. XLII.

VVHy do you mourn, you children of the light; to whom belong the pro∣mises of Blyss?

Who feed on the pleasant fruits of piety; and the continual feast of a good conscience:

Who tast already the sweetnes of hope; and herafter shal be satisfied with the fulnes of fru∣ition.

What can molest your happy state; whom the God of Glory has chosen for himself?

Whom he has adopted into his own Family; and design'd for heirs of the Kingdom of hea∣ven.

That Blessed Kingdom where all delights a∣bound; and sorrow and tears are banisht a∣way.

Where none are sick, or grow old, or dy; but flourish in health and youth, and immortal life:

Where none are perplext with cares or fears; but dwel secure and free for ever:

Where we no more shal be subject to chance: no more expos'd to the danger of tentation:

Where we no more shal be crost by others: no more disquieted by our own passions:

But a serene tranquillity perpetually within us: and innumerable joys all round about us;

Joy in the excellencys of our glorifyd bo∣dys;

joy in the perfections of our enlarged souls:

Joy in the sweet society of Saints; joy in the glorious company of Angels:

Joy in the ravishing sight of our beloved JE∣SUS; joy in the blisful union with the adored Deity:

All shal be joy, and love, and peace; and all endure for eternal ages:

Let then the impenitent sinner be frighted with fear; and the obdurate hart break asun∣der with grief.

But for the hopeful Innocent, let them al∣ways be glad; and the servants of JESUS re∣joyce 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 shal wear its proper crown; and shine with a Diadem fit for its own head:

The humble there shal be highly exalted; and the poor in spirit prefer'd to be Kings:

The meek shal posses that holy land; and the mourners be comforted with eternal refresh∣ments:

The clean of hart shal see the God of purity; and the lovers of peace have the priviledg of his Children:

They who hunger and thirst after heav'n shal be fill'd; and the merciful entertain'd with the embraces of mercy:

They who suffer persecution shal abundantly be rewarded; and the enlightners of others shine bright as the stars:

They who relinquish any thing for God shal receive a hundred fold; and all the Just be in glory for ever:

Then shal they bless the true friend that re∣prov'd them; and the charitable hand that as∣sisted to their happines:

They shal bless the provident mercys of their God; and sing aloud the victorys of his grace:

Is this the effect of those litle pains we took? are these the repairs for those petty losses we suffer'd?

Happy we who deny'd our selvs toys; and now are advanc't to these high felicities:

Millions of years shal pass away; and our glory shal seem but then to begin:

Millions of Millions shal pass away; and our glory shal be no nearer its end:

Thus shal they all rejoyce, and none disturb them; thus shal they sing, and all the heav'ns joyn with them.

O sweet expectance of a pious life! O happy consequence of a holy death!

Eternally to be free from whatever can afflict; eternally to enjoy whatever can ••••elight.

Blest be thy gracious Providence, O God; that with so large a bounty woos us to our hap∣pines:

Woos us in a way we are so apt to be taken; the love of our selvs, and our own great inte∣rest.

As thou hast prepar'd such felicitys 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 hope; and close the evening with the same sweet thoughts.

Let us not faint, and we surely shall see a prosperous issue out of all our sorrows:

Still let us labour, still let us suffer; our trou∣bles are short, and our joys eternal.—

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. The day will come, it will infalli∣bly come; when God will crown all that love his glory.

Antiph. What will it profit us, to gain the whole world, and lose our own Souls? or what shal we give in exchange for our souls?

Psal. XLIII.

COme now, my soul, and chuse; for life and death are set before thee:

Chuse while thy gracious Lord allows thee day; lest the night of darknes overtake thy neglect:

Chuse, but remember thy eternity is con∣cern'd; and examine well ere thou mak'st thy resolve;

Call all the pleasures of the world before thee; and ask if any of them be worth such pains:

Ask if to satisfy some irregular passion * can recompence the forfeiture of such felicitys:

Ask if the vain forbidden things thou lov'st * deserve thy affection better than thy Maker:

Are they more worthy in themselvs, or be∣neficial to Thee; that thou canst prefer them before thy Redeemer?

Dost thou expect to be quiet by enjoying them? or everlastingly happy by their procure∣ment?

Will they protect thee at the hour of thy death? or plead thy caus at the day of Judgment?

O 〈◊〉〈◊〉, they but deceive me with a smiling look; which I too often have prov'd by dear experience:

'Tis heav'n alone that yeilds a true content; 'tis heav'n alone that fils us with delight.

Take then away your flatterys, false world; and leave me free for better thoughts.

Turn thou thy face to me, dear JESU; and keep mine eys stil turn'd towards Thee:

That I may look continually on thy glorious beautys; and be ravisht for ever with the charms of thy sweetnes.

'Tis Thee, chast Spouse of souls, 'tis thee

alone I chuse; and dedicate my self entirely 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; then I'am sure I cannot chuse but love thee.

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 be∣lieve; we soon should chang the cours of our life:

Did we but see the Damned in their flames; or hear them cry in the midst of their torments:

How should we fear to follow them in their sins; which we know have plung'd them into all those miserys!

How should we strive against the next tenta∣tion; and cast about to avoid the danger!

Did we but see the glorys of the Saints; or hear the sweet hymns they continually sing:

How should we study to imitate their lives; which we know have rais'd them to all their happines!

How should we seek all occasions of im∣provement; 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 Creed.

What would we do, to attain those joys! what would we not do, to escape those sorrows!

Would half an hour be too long to pray? or once a week too often to fast?

Would 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 idlenes and folly?

Yet is all this as sure as if we saw it; and would move as much, if we seriously consi∣der'd it.

If we consider'd what I'm sure we believe; we should never live as I'm sure we do.

Which of us doubts but ere long we shall all be dust? yet which of us lives as if we thought to dy?

Pity O gracious Lord, the frailtys of thy servants; and suffer not our blindnes to lead us into ruine.

Supply our want of sight by a lively faith; and strengthen our faith by thy powerful grace.

Make us remember, 'tis no childrens sport *, to gain or lose the Kingdom of heav'n.

Make us chuse wisely, and pursue our choyse; and use as well the means, as like the end.

O set thou right the byass of our harts; that in all our motions we may draw off from the world.

That we 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.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. What will it profit us to gain the whole world and lose our own souls? or what shall we give in exchange for our souls?

Our Father, &c.

First Lesson.

THe fear of our Lord is the begining of wisdom. If sinners intice thee, consent not to them; if they say come with us, walk not with them: for their feet run to evil and make hast to shed blood; nay, themselvs ly in wait even against their own blood, and practise deceits against their own souls. They have hated discipline, and not receiv'd the fear of our Lord: therefore shall they eat the fruits of their way, and be fill'd with their own counsels. The bles∣sing of our Lord is on the head of the just; but iniquity covers the mouth of the impious. The memory of the just is with praises; but the name of the wicked shall rot. He that walks sincerely walks confidently; but he that goes crooked ways shall be made manifest. He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and he that lays a snare for another shall perish in it. He that gives wicked counsel, it shall be turn'd upon himself,

and he not know whence it comes. He that will be reveng'd shall find vengeance of our Lord; and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance. The hope of the just is joy; but the expectation of the impious shall perish. That which the wicked fears shall come upon him; and to the just, their desire shall be given them.

R. O sweet and admirable Providence! Thou hast commanded, and so it is; that the inordi∣nate affection of every one shall be his punish∣ment: * For, as we sow, so shall we reap; and as the tree falls, so shall it ly. Thy grace O Lord, is the seed of glory, and sin the root of misery: he that sows in the flesh shall reap corruption; and he that sows in the spirit, life everlasting. * For, as —

Second Lesson.

FOllow not in thy strength the concupiscence of thy hart; nor say, how mighty am I! who can controul me in what I have done? for God is a sure revenger. Say not, I have sin'd, and what harm has happen'd unto me; for the Highest is a patient punisher. Be not without fear of thy sin though forgiven; nor add one sin to another: Say not, the mercy of our Lord is great; he will have pity on my many offen∣ces: for mercy and wrath come speedily from Him; and his indignation keeps an ey upon sin∣ners. Defer not to be converted to our Lord;

nor put it off from day to day: for his wrath shall come suddenly, and in the time of venge∣ance he will destroy thee. Though hand joyn in hand, the ungodly shall not be unpunisht; but the seed of the just shall be sav'd. The congre∣gation of the wicked is as tow wrapt together; and their end a flame of fire. Every corruptible work shall fail at last, and the Doer thereof shall go with it; but every excellent deed shall be justified, and he that does it be honour'd therein.

R. My soul, how many thousands have been surpriz'd in the midst of their sins, and hurried away to everlasting sorrows! and we, alas, how many times have we been guilty, and yet our God has spar'd us! * O my indulgent Saviour, no other reason can I give why I'm not misera∣ble, but that Thou art merciful. Blessed be thy patience that indures so long; and blessed be thy grace that delivers at last. * O my —

Third Lesson.

LEnd to thy neighbor when he is in necessi∣ty; and pay thou thy neighbor again in his time: 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, assuredly from our Lord. Lose thy mony for thy brother and thy friend; and hide it not un∣der

a stone to be lost. Be not asham'd to say the truth; for there is a shame that brings sin; and a shame that brings glory and grace. Accept no person against thy soul; not let the respect of any cause thee to fall. Reverence not thy neigh∣bour in his offence; nor refrain from speaking when there is occasion to do good. By no means contradict the truth; nor be asham'd to confess thy sins. Be not hasty in thy words, and remiss and unprofitable in thy deeds. Let not thy hand be stretcht out to receive, and clos'd to give. Be not as a lyon in thy house, nor oppress those that are under thee. Fear our Lord and the King; and with detracters meddle not: for their perdition shall suddenly come upon them. He that swears much shall be fill'd with iniquity; and mischief shall not depart from his house: if he deceive his brother, his sin shall be upon him; if he dissemble, he doubles his offence; and if he swear in vain, he shall not be acquitted. Turn away thy face from a woman trimly drest; and gaze not at anothers beauty: for by the beauty of a woman many have perisht; and it inflames con∣cupiscence as a fire. Be not at the feast of great drinkers; nor at the riotous banquets of those who bring their dishes together to eat: for the drunkard and the glutton shall be consum'd; and the drowsy cloth'd with rags. I past by the field of a slothful man, and by the vinyard of a fool; and, behold, it was run over with netles,

and thorns cover'd its face, and the stone wall was destroy'd: which when I saw, I laid it in my hart, and by the example learnt discipline. By what things a man sins, by the same he shall be tormented.

R. Blessed, O my God, be thy Providence for ever, which so plentifully furnishes us with rules of vertue, and so safely guides all those sould to happines, 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. * As thou hast —

Glory be, &c. * As thou hast — Pause, As page 17.

VVednesday Lauds.

O God incline, &c. as page 18.

Antiph. All my life long will I praise my God; and lift up my hands to his holy Throne.

Psal. XLIV.

LEt them neglect thy praises, O Lord; who never consider thy mercys:

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 acknowledg the riches of thy good∣nes.

Our harts shal continually meditate on Thee; and our lips delight to sing thy glory:

Blessed for ever be thy name, O JESU; and blessed be the sweetnes of thy Wisdom:

Whose infinite Charity has vouchsaft our earth * such excellent Rules to guide it to hea∣ven:

Thou taughtst us that happy skil of finding our lives; by a generous losing them to follow Thee:

Thou taught'st us to love our true selvs best; by wisely hating our mistaken selvs:

Thou taught'st us to trample this world un∣der our feet; and use it as a step to climb up to the next:

From Thee we learn those glorious Mysterys, * 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 wandred here, * in the midst of darknes and error:

Had not thy love and pity, O merciful Lord; brought down thy very self to become our light!

Never should we else have learnt to deny our selvs; and take up our Cross and follow Thee:

Never should we have known that great se∣cret of peace; to forgive our enemys, and do good to those who despitefully use us.

On the unsatisfying things of this low earth, * should we blindly have set our whole affecti∣ons.

Hadst thou not told us of the Kingdom of Heav'n; and bid us lay up our treasures there:

Hadst thou not terrify'd us to fear thy wrath; by declaring the miserys that attend our sins:

Hadst thou not invited us to obey thy Com∣mands; by proposing the felicitys of a pious life:

What hast thou promised, gracious Lord * to the meek and poor in spirit!

What hast thou promised to the Weepers here; to those that hunger and thirst after ho∣lines!

How many joys has thy bounty prepar'd: for the lovers of mercy, and the makers of peace!

How many blessings for the pure of hart; and those who with patience bear their Crosses!

O thou all-seeing Wisdom of the eternal Fa∣ther * and Soveraign King of Men and Angels:

Who left'st thy glorious Throne to come down on our earth; and familiarly teach us the Oracles of heav'n:

Write thou these sacred words in the tables of our harts; and suffer not, at any time, our passions to break them:

Make us stil study Thee our heav'nly Master; and continually admire the beauty of thy Law:

A Law that so clearly shews us our end, and so plenteously furnishes means to attain it:

A Law that so safely cures our infirmitys; and so fitly supplys all our defects:

A Law so exactly conform to true reason; and so highly perfective of humane nature:

A blessed Law, that makes, even here, our life more sweet; and leads us herafter to ever∣lasting felicity. Glory be, &c.

Psal. XLV.

NEver will we cease to exalt thy Goodnes O JESU; since thou never ceasest to ob∣lige us with new Blessings:

Thy generous charity could not thus be sa∣tisfyd; to have only spoken to us the words of lif

'Twas not enough for thy excessive love that thy heav'nly Sermons told us our duty:

But thou must urge and provoke our obedi∣ence;

by the sweet inforcement of thine own example:

Thou forbad'st thy followers to affect super∣fluitys; and thine own provision was a few barly loavs:

Thou command'st the rich to give alms with cheerfulnes; and bestow'st on the poorest wretch even thy precious self:

Thou bid'st us not fear them that kill the bo∣dy; and yeildest up thine own to the death on the Cross:

Thou injoyn'st us to love our fiercest Enemys; and thy dying breath pray'd for thy Crucifiers:

Thy perfect Soul needed not, as our weak na∣tures, * the outward forms and discipline of Re∣ligion:

Yet thou vouchsafed'st to observe the common Feasts; and assist at the publique Offices of the Temple:

To watch, and pray, and fast, with so fervent a zeal; that thy practice outdid thine own pre∣cepts:

This life, and even death it self our merciful Lord undertook; to mark out for us the way to heav'n.

To beat it plain by his own sacred steps; and render our passage thither easy and secure:

Shal we not then, O my Soul, rejoycingly follow that path; * which we see our Saviour trod before us?

Which we see though spred all o're with thorns; yet carried Him directly to the glory's of Paradise?

Shal we not confidently rely on so gracous a Leader; who promises, if we faint, to look back and relieve us?

O dearest Lord, bow down thy merciful eys, and pity the frailtys of our imperfect nature:

Reach forth thy hand and strengthen us with thy grace; that nothing divert our advance to∣wards Thee:

But in this dangerous labyrinth of the world, * and the whole course of our pilgrimage here:

Thy heav'nly Dictates may be our map, * and thy holy life our guide:

Glory, be, &c.

Psal. XLVI.

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.

Capit. 1 Peter 5.

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.

Hymn. XIV.

MY God, had I my breath from Thee, This pow'r to speak, and sing? And shal my voice, and shal my song, Praise any but their King?

My God, had I my soul from Thee, This pow'r to judg and chuse? And shal my brain, and shal 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, Then I can speak or think: Thy blessings first refresh, then fill, Then overflow the brink.

But though my voice and fancy be Too low to reach thy praise: Yet both shal strain thy glorious Name High as they can to raise.

Glory to Thee, immortal God, One great Coequal Three: As at the first begining was, May now, and ever be.

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.

VVednesday Vespers.

OUr Father, &c. As page 33.

Antiph. A good Conscience is a continual feast, and a peaceful mind the Antipast of heav'n.

Psal. XLVII.

LOrd, how secure and quiet they live *, whom thy grace preservs in innocence!

The day goes smoothly over their heads *, and silent as the shadow of a dyal.

The spirits of their fancy run calm and even; and eb and flow in obedience to reason.

All their delight is to think on heav'n; and reckon o're the joys they shall one day possess.

Till some unruly passion press to come in *, and by its fawning outside gain admittance.

It promises at first all joy, all happines; but soon discovers its pernicious intent.

Soon it grows bold to undermine their repose; and open a door to all their enemys:

So, at a litle breach of the 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 the first assault.

Immediately a throng of tumultuous spirits croud into their heads; and utterly consume the litle remnant of their peace.

O the distraction of a life led by humor; 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 even among themselves; and raise a war in our own bo∣soms!

If they by chance agree in one desire; they many times vex us with their being disap∣pointed:

If they perhaps somtimes succeed; they sel∣dom produce the expected content:

If they delight our corrupted tast; and we greedily swallow their unwholsom sweetnes:

Then 'tis, alas, they most of all undo us; by feeding the humour of our fatal disease:

Vain, at the best, and short are the injoyments of this world; and after a litle flattery betray us into ruine.

Save us, O Blessed JESU, or else we perish; awake, and with thy speedy mercy rescue thy servants.

Send down thy powerful grace to sustain our part; and thorowly reduce these unquiet dis∣orders:

That we again may return to our former rest; and constantly injoy an universal peace:

Peace with the bad, by bearing their injurys; and with the good, by conforming to their ver∣tues:

Peace with our selvs, by subduing sense to rea∣son; and with Thee, by improving reason with religion.

Glory be, &c.

Antiphon. A good Conscience is a conti∣nual feast, and a peaceful mind the Antipast of heav'n.

Antiph. Thou art, O Lord, the only anchor of our hope; save us, O JESU, or else we perish.

Psal. XLVIII.

THus are they miserably tost up and down *, who float on the waves of their own pas∣sions:

Their wearied souls soon faint within them; when they see the Lord has withdrawn his pre∣sence:

They seek him, but cannot find him; they call, but he gives them no answer.

O, still seek on, still call on your God; for his mercy will surely awake at last:

Though He sometimes may slumber for a while, to try your duty, or punish your disobe∣dience:

Though He may suffer a while the fury of the tempest, * to shew you your hopeless state, if left to your selvs:

Yet be assur'd He'l hear your prayers at last; He'l not permit you to perish for ever.

And now, when all their fears were grown to the hight; and no means appear'd to sustain their patience:

When the proud waves beat violently against them; and cover'd their litle vessel with des∣pair and ruin:

Behold, his blessed voice commands a calm; and immediately the sea and winds obey him:

Immediately his Sun arises in their harts; and with its gentle beams revives their hopes:

Then is their darknes 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 escapt; and as often bless the mercy that deliver'd them:

Often they look forwards on the course they are going; and as often sing with joy for their happy change.

Welcome again the easie yoke of Christ; and the light burthen of loving our Saviour:

Welcome the holy Offices of sweet devo∣tion; and that soul-enflaming silent 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 attend to re∣ward it:

But the pursuit of vice is troublesom and in∣tricate; 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 childrens weaknes who look up to Thee; and dearly know we are nothing in our selvs.

Let us not lose this unhappy experience; but teach us wisdom from our own miscarriage:

Teach us to observe where our error was; and fortify our selvs against that defect:

To suppress our tentations in their first ap∣proach; when their power is weak, and our choyce in full strength:

To remember how formerly their flatterys have abus'd us; and, when they counterfeit again, be no more deceiv'd:

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 venemous sting,

So shall we gain the best of victorys; while we master our own corrupt inclinations:

So shall we be honour'd with the noblest of Triumphs; while our conquer'd passions draw us up into heav'n.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Thou art, O Lord, the only anchor of our hope; save us O JESU, or else we perish.

Antiph. All our lots are in the hands of God; and all our safety in the assistance of his grace.

Psal. XLIX.

LOrd, as thy all-wise Providence seems to sleep sometimes, * and permit the storm to grow high and loud;

Yet never fail'st to relieve thy servants, * who faithfully call on thee in their day of trouble:

So let thy favorable hand still bear us up, when thou seest us charg'd with any strong assault:

Leave us not then to our own infirmities; lest the enemy of our souls prevail against us:

Forsake not our misery when we are faln; lest we ly for ever groveling on the earth:

Suffer not our frailtys to become a custom; lest we dy impenitent, and perish without re∣covery:

Deliver us, O Lord, from the occasions of

sin; and the improtunities of such as delight in folly:

Deliver us from the snare of enticing com∣pany; and the dangerous infection of ill ex∣ample:

Infection that spreads in every place its poy∣sonous air; * and, where e're it enters, corrupts and kills.

Once more, my soul, let us repeat this prayer; and humbly implore again so necessary a bles∣sing.

Deliver us, O Lord, from the occasions of sin; and the importunitys of such as delight in folly:

Deliver us from the snare of enticing com∣pany; and the dangerous infection of ill ex∣ample:

Set a strict watch continually over our eys; and diligently keep the door of our lips:

Govern all our senses that they seduce not our minds; and order every motion of our hart and fancy:

Perfect, O dear Redeemer, the work thou hast begun; and make even our passions servants of thy grace:

Change our rude anger to a severity against our selvs *, and a prudent zeal for others:

Convert our fear into a timorousness to of∣fend *, and an awful reverence of thy sacred Name:

Let all our affections be turn'd into charity; that our harts may desire nothing but Thee:

Whom we may safely love with our whole strength; whose heav'n we may covet, and fear no excess.

O Thou, whose blysful vision is the joy of Angels, * and soveraign happines of all thy Saints!

O that our souls could love thee without li∣mits; as thou art in thy self most infinitely amiable!

That we could fix all our thoughts on Thee; and never take them off from the memory of thy Sweetnes!

At least, O thou fountain of eternal bounty *, that flows so freely with perpetual blessings!

Let every day we receive of thee * still set a∣part some portion of its self;

Seriously to meditate thy infinite mercys; and hartily rejoyce in thy glorious rewards:

Mercys that give us all we have; and rewards that reserve for us all we can wish.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. All our lots are in the hands of God, and all our safety in the assistance of his grace.

Capit. 5. Gal.

THe works of the flesh are manifest; which are fornication, uncleanes, wantonnes, luxury, serving of Idols, witchcraft, enmities,

contentions, emulations, angers, brauls, seditions, sects, envys, murthers, drunkennesses, riots, and such like: and they who do such things shall not obtain the Kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodnes, long-suffering, mildnes, faith, modesty, continency, chastity: against such there is no Law.

Hymn XV.

LEt them go court what joys they please; And gain what e're they court: For me, I find but litle ease, In all their gayest sport.

Be thou alone but with my hart; My God, my only Blyss: I shall not murmur at my part; Nor envy their success.

They talk of pleasure, talk of gain; None must their humor 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 as chear The heav'n espoused brest: Hopes, that so strangely charm us here, What will they be possest!

All Glory to the sacred Three; All honor power and praise: As 'twas at first, still may it be, Beyond the end of days.

Antiph. When O my soul, did we ever fol∣low our passions; but they instantly wrought our disturbance, and threatned at last our ruin? when did we ever turn our thoughts 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.

R. Reach forth, O Lord, thy saving hand, and speedily deliver us.

O Lord hear our prayers:

And let our supplications come to thee.

Let us pray.

O God, whose infinite mercy has vouchsaft us the mighty Rescue of thy only Son,

from the desperate rebellion of our passions, which utterly confound the government and peace of our souls! Grant, we humbly beseech Thee, that our experience of the miserable ef∣fects of yielding to their allurements, may make us ••••arier in observing, and severer in repres∣sing their first motions; and thy grace so strong∣ly fortify us against all their furious and re∣peated assaults, that Reason may more and more recover its due force, and calmly joyn with Faith to secure and exalt in our harts the blysful throne of thy Charity; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son who, &c.

O Lord hear, &c. as page 45.

Wednesday Complin.

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

Antiph. Repent now, my soul, for the evils thou hast done; and bless thy God, for the goods thou hast receiv'd.

Psal. L.

VVEll, 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 their time of punishment so much ap∣proacht.

The sufferings of the Patient are so much di∣minisht; and their hopes of delivery so much increast:

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 heav'n;

They see their joys come to meet them in the way; and stil grow bigger as they come:

Til by a holy death they joyn in one; and dwel 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 on our minds.

That the things of this world are of litle im∣port; 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, &c.

Psal. LI.

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, * thats truly advancive to our last great home?

Have we encreast our esteem of heav'n; and setled its love more strongly in our harts?

Have we avoided any known temptation; or faithfully resisted when we could not avoid?

Have we interrupted our customary faults; and checkt the vices we are most enclin'd to?

Have we embrac't the opportunitys of good, * which the mercy of Providence has offered to our hands?

Have we industriously contriv'd occasions, * to improve, as we are able, our selvs and others?

Alas, dread Lord, what do we see; when se∣riously we look into our guilty selvs!

When we reflect on our former years; nay even the follys but of this one day:

So many hours mispent in nothing; so many abus'd in worse than nothing:

Pardon, O meek Redeemer, what our passi∣ons have done; and favourably supply what our weaknes has omited:

Make us herafter more carefully watch, * that our time unprofitably slide not away:

Make us select every day some fit retreat; to study the knowledg of our selvs and Thee:

Our selvs, to correct our many infirmitys; and Thee, to adore thy infinite perfections:

Glory be, &c.

Psal. LII.

LItle thou know'st, 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 entirely on our selvs.

Tell me my soul, when first thou hast well examin'd * 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 sav'd our selvs from that dan∣gerous tentation unles our God had powerfully sustain'd us?

Could we have carry'd on that pious purpose, unles his hand had blest our endeavours?

No, to thy self, O Lord, 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 commited the worst of sins:

Thy hand, alone directs us to do wel; and the same blest hand restrains us from ill.

'Tis not in us to esteem those unseen joys; and despise the flatterys of this deceitful world:

'Tis not the work of corrupted nature to mortify our senses; and patiently bear the crosses we meet.

Of our selvs we are inclin'd to none of these;

but the grace of God enables us to all.

Grace gives us strength to overcom our passi∣ons; and the world and the flesh shal be subject to us:

Grace gives us faith to fortify our reason; and heav'n it self shal be conquer'd by us.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Repent now, my soul, for the e∣vils thou hast done; and bless thy God, for the goods thou hast received.

Hymn XVI.

ANd do we then beleeve There is a world to come; Where all this world shal summon'd be To take their final doom?

Is there a heav'n 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? Shal never those 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 Stil ringing in our ears.

Stil may this glorious hope Shine bright before our eys: We shal at last go up to meet Our JESUS in the skys.

Come, JESU, Come, and take Our banisht souls to Thee: Come quickly Lord, * that in thy light Our Eys thy light may see.

Glory to Thee great God, One Coeternal Three: As at the first begining was May now and ever be.

Capit. Philip. 4.

FOr the rest, Brethren, whatever things are true, whatever honest, whatever just, what∣ever amiable, whatever of good fame; if there be any vertue, if any praise of discipline, think upon these things, which you have both learnt, and receiv'd and heard, and seen in me. These things do, and the God of Peace shal be with you.

Antiph. Every night approaches us nearer

our last; which reservs 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 trim'd;

R. That the Bridegrooms call may never surprize them:

O Lord hear our pray'rs:

And let our supplications come to thee.

Let us Pray,

O God whose merciful providence breaks and eases the laborious course of our Pil∣grimage through this world, with constant conveniencys, and seasons of repose! Vouch∣safe us, we humbly beseech Thee, to make our due advantage of this thy mercy; Composing our souls more satisfyedly to rest, by a faithful recollection every Evening, how we have kept our way; and whether we are advanc't: and grant that reflecting with harty contrition on e∣very step we have made a wry, and with thank∣ful acknowledgements on those thou hast led aright, we may henceforth be rendred more wary of our deviating inclinations, and more attentively obsequious to the steddy guidance of thy grace; through our Lord.

Vouchsafe, as pag. 54.