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. LXXXVII.

ALl this is true, and yet the world is lov'd; and our nature inclines to affect its vanitys:

'Tis lov'd, and so it justly deservs; did we un∣derstand its real value:

Our life indeed seems mean and trivial; and all things about us troublesom and dangerous:

Yet, O my God, is their consequence excel∣lent in this; that they are our only way of com∣ing to Thee:

This world, and this alone's the womb that breeds us; and brings us forth to see thy light:

This is alone the proper Machine, wherein thy hand has set our lives:

To learn the art of managing it right; and wind up our selves to thy glorious heav'n.

O that we had that happy skill; how soon would every thing help forward to advance us!

Whether we eat or drink, or what ever else * an innocent hand can undertake:

If we regard our faithful end; and order all to the improvement of our minds:

They instantly change their secular name; and deservedly are prefer'd to become religious:

Riches themselves and imperious honour * have not so perverse and fixt a malice:

But a prudent use converts them to piety; and makes them fit instruments of highest Blyss:

Our very delights, O the Goodnes of our God! may so be temper'd with a wise alloy:

That his mercy accounts them as parts of our duty; and fails not to give them their full re∣ward.

While they are entertain'd for the health of our bodys, or the just refreshement of our wea∣ryed spirits:

And both our bodys and spirits constantly apply'd * to gain new degrees of the love of heav'n.

Thus, gracious Lord, every moment of our lives * may still be climbing up towards Thee:

Thus may we still proceed in thy service; even then when we most of all serve our selvs:

And then indeed it is we best serve our selvs; when we are busiest in what we call thy ser∣vice:

Thou sweetly vouchsaf'st to stile th••••t thy glo∣ry;

which in very truth is nothing but our in∣terest:

Thou kindly complain'st we dishonour thy Name; when we only mischief our own souls:

O Blesses JESU, King of clemency; and great Rewarder of every little grace!

Thou who by all we can do pretendest no gain; but bestow'st on us all thy self hast done:

Thou who cam'st down from heav'n to shew us a pattern; and mad'st us free to work for our own profit:

Instruct our gratitude to consecrate all to Thee; since all by thy bounty will redound to our selves.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. We by a fond self love blame eve∣ry thing but our selvs; while nothing can hurt us but our own misplac't affections.

Antiph. It is decreed for all men once to dy; and after death, Judgment.