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

Psal. XCI.

BUt O, 'tis not so much our sloth undoes us; as the imprudent choice in applying our di∣ligence:

Many, alas, take pains enough; many perplex themselvs too much:

See how the busie toylers of the world * are chain'd perpetually like slaves to their work:

How early they rise, and go late to sleep; and eat the bread of care and sorrow:

See how the hardy soldiers follow their Prince, * through a thousand difficulties to meet with dangers:

See how the ventrous Mariners expose their lives, * over stormy Seas into barbarous Na∣tions.

And why all this, poor ill-advised wretches! but to fetch, perhaps, a litle fish or spice?

To gain a few pence or some petty honour; which others often share in more then your selvs?

O bounteous Lord, how easie are thy com∣mands! how cheap hast thou made the purchase of heav'n!

Half these pains would make us Saints; half these sufferings canonize us for Martyrs:

Were they devoutly undertaken for Thee; and the higher enjoyment of thy glorious pro∣mises:

Thou bidst us not freez under the Polar star; nor burn in the heats of the torrid Zone:

But proposest a sweet and gentle rule; and such as our nature it self would chuse;

Did not our passions strangely mislead us; and

the world about us distract our reason:

Thou bidst us but wisely love our selvs; and attend above all things our own true happines:

Thou bidst us value even this world as much as it deservs; since 'tis the School that breed us up to the Other:

Only we are forbidden to be wilful fools; and prefer a short vanity before eternal fe∣licity.

O the mild government of the King of hea∣ven! this we can do, what ever else we are doing:

This we can do, even while we sit still; and only move our thoughts towards Thee:

Nay, then we best perform this best of works; when all our powers are quiet in Thee.

Yet let not this thy facil sweetnes, dearest Lord! be abus'd by us to a wanton neglect:

But make us love Thee so much more; as Thou more discover'st the excess of thy love.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Too often are we troubled about many things; when the truly necessary is but One.

Hymn XXVIII.

MY soul; what's all this world to thee; This world of sin and wo: Where only sense can tast its sweets, And those unwholsom too?

Truth is thy food, truth thy delight; Which cannot here be free: Thy mind was born to know and love What this life ne're can see.

Malicious world, how dost thou lay and cover thy false baits! Here, those of pleasure, there, of gain; Each for our ruine waits.

Unhappy we, it is our fault; 'Tis we our life abuse: The world presents a furnisht shop And we the tools misuse.

So have I seen a litle child, If Nurse but turn her ey; Instead of heft, take hold o'th blade, And cut it self and cry.

This litle child, alas, am I; Self-will'd, self-wounded too:

But, Lord, turn not thy face away; Lest I my self undo.

O make me stil so use this world, That I the other gain: O make me so the other love, That this its end attain.

Its end, to breed up souls for heav'n; Then be it self new drest: No more corruption, no more change; But one perpetual rest.

To Father, Son and holy Ghost, The undivided Three, One equal glory, one same praise, Now and for ever be.

Capit. Thessal. 5.

THe day of our Lord shall come as a thief in the night: let us not therefore sleep as o∣thers, but watch and be sober. For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to the purchasing sal∣vation by our Lord JESƲS Christ, who dyed for us; that whether we wake or sleep, we may live together with Him.

Antiph. We have here no permanent City; but are bound in quest of Jerusalem above, the eternal mansion of Blyss.

V. Jesus came down, to give us a glimpse of it:

R. And made his own life the Card to direct us to it.

O Lord hear our prayers.

And let our supplications come to thee.

Let us pray.

O God, whose eternal Providence has im∣barkt our souls in the ship of our bodys, not to expect any port or anchorage on the Sea of this world, but steer directly through it to thy glorious Kingdom! grant we beseech Thee, that daily reflecting with what care and un∣wearied diligence the wretched Adventurers for all sorts of vanity pursue round about us their desperate courses; we may hartily feel our selvs confounded with just reproach, who, know∣ing our ingagement on so important a voyage, yet take so litle pains to perform it. Preserve us, O Lord, from those dangerous winds that on all sides assault us, and keep the sails of our affections still duly trim'd to receive thy holy inspirations; that carried sweetly forward by the gales of thy Spirit, we may happily arrive at last in the haven of eternal salvation, through our Lord—

Vouchsafe, &c. as page 54. to the end.