Psal. LXXVI.
COme let us now call off our thoughts; from ranging abroad where they but lose them∣selvs:
Let us diligently examine the accounts of our time; and sum up the profit we have made to day;
What have we gain'd by all we have seen or
Devotions in the ancient way of offices with psalms, hymns, and prayers for every day in the week and every holiday in the year.
About this Item
- Title
- Devotions in the ancient way of offices with psalms, hymns, and prayers for every day in the week and every holiday in the year.
- Author
- Birchley, William, 1613-1669.
- Publication
- Paris :: [s.n.],
- 1668.
- Rights/Permissions
-
To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
- Subject terms
- Catholic Church. -- Breviary.
- Church of England. -- Book of common prayer.
- Rhymed offices.
- Link to this Item
-
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A69499.0001.001
- Cite this Item
-
"Devotions in the ancient way of offices with psalms, hymns, and prayers for every day in the week and every holiday in the year." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A69499.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 13, 2024.
Pages
Page 266
heard? since nothing so barren, ••••ut may yield some fruit:
Had we the art to cultivate it right; and fitly apply it to our own advantage:
If we have spy'd some good example; which our gracious God presents to excite us:
Did we immediately entertain the motion; and resolve in our hart effectively to follow it?
If we have faln among vicious company; which O, too often engages into folly:
Did the danger increase our care; and the sin of others breed vertue in us?
We have heard perhaps some melancholy news; of sudden sicknesses, or unexpected deaths:
But do we fear to be surpriz'd our selvs; and provide betimes for that day of trial?
VVe meet with accidents enough to disparage this world; but do we really feel it lose credit in our harts?
Does our esteem of the other grow strong and high; and every one faithfully tell his own soul?
'Tis not in this poor world thou must expect content; nor hope to enjoy a perfect rest:
Order thy whole affairs with utmost skill; and, which is seldom seen; let all succeed:
Still thou shalt find something to trouble thee; and even thy pleasures will be tedious to thee:
Page 267
VVhere e're thou goest, still crosses will fol∣low thee; since, where e're thou goest, thou carriest thy self:
VVho then, my God, is truly happy? or ra∣ther who comes nearest happines?
He that with patience resolvs to suffer * what e're his endeavours are not able to avoid:
Happy yet more is he that delights to suffer; and glorys to be like his crucify'd Saviour:
VVhen thou art come to this my soul; that thy crosses seem sweet for the love of JESUS:
Think then thy self sublimely happy; for sure thou hast found a heav'n upon earth:
At least, the best heav'n this earth can afford; and take it as a pledg of a better to come.
Glory be, &c.