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. CXXII.

LOrd, what a lukewarm life is this of ours, compar'd to the zeal and fervor of thy Saints!

Often and long they fasted to chastize their bodys, and bring them under the command of reason:

On all their senses they set a constant Guard; to let nothing in that might disturb their peace:

Part of the night they watcht, and most of the day they labor'd; and both night and day con∣tinually pray'd:

All things about them went on in perfect measure; just fit for their pious purpose, and no more:

Their cloaths, their food, their sleep, their re∣creation; all taught to serve the improvement of their mind:

Their mind, the only aim of all their cares; the only scope of all their severitys:

That disengag'd from the embroylments of this world, they might quietly consider the feli∣citys of the Other:

That they might daily grow more enamor'd of their Lord; and more enflam'd with his divine perfections.

Til, at the last dissolv'd in those holy fires, * they melted away with longings to enjoy Him.

Sharp to themselvs they were, but sweet to others; obliging all the world with their can∣did charity:

Whatever any wanted they gladly supply'd;

and gave away at once, somtimes, both fruit and tree.

They study'd not here how to raise their fa∣milys; but to entail on their Posterity the exam∣ple of their vertues:

'Twas not their plot to leave a fair Estate be∣hind them; but to benefit the world with their useful labours:

To instruct the ignorant, and confirm the weak; to comfort the sorrowful, and protect the helples innocent:

This was their constant work, this their be∣lov'd design, * to promote with their utmost strength the happines of all.

Lord, what a litle 'tis our frowardnes en∣dures, compar'd to the heroick patience of the Saints!

When they were revil'd, they revil'd not a∣gain: when spitefully scorn'd, they meekly held their peace:

When they were curst, they blest their ene∣mys: when barbarously opprest, they pray'd for their persecutors.

They serv'd their Lord in hunger and thirst; and all the incommoditys of an impoverisht life:

Often they were threatned: and they stood the danger: often entic'd, and they repel'd the flattery:

Prisons and chains they willingly accepted; tortures and racks they cheerfully imbrac't:

Even death it self they undauntedly encoun∣tred; death furiously arm'd with every shape of terror:

All this they endur'd, and infinitely more, * of which unmindful we keep no remembrance:

All this they endur'd, and under all rejoyc't; that they were counted worthy to suffer for JESUS.

O generous Souls, who conquer'd heav'n it self; and entred by force those everlasting gates!

Who sate not down in the lowest forms; but stil prest on to new degrees of perfection:

You who so freely endeavor'd the salvation of others; while yet you were concern'd to pro∣cure your own:

Help us, O blessed Spirits, now your State is secure: pray for us, O holy Saints, now your charity is compleat:

Pray that the seed you have sown may take deep root; and bring forth fruit to everlasting life:

Pray we may follow those who imitate you; and not be corrupted by the example of the careles.

And when our pray'rs seem long or dry, or call us away from some vanity we love;

When to forgive our enemys seems heavy to

us; or any other Duty crosses our humor:

Pray, we may then remember what you have done; and what you have gain'd by doing it:

Pray, we may think what our Lord himself has done; and what he has promised to them that follow him:

Their names he will write in the Book of life; and make them sit with him on his own Throne.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Pity, O Lord, the infirmitys of thy servants; and quicken our slownes by the ex∣ample of thy Saints.

Antiph. Blessed be thy name, O Lord, who hast provided us so great rewards; and streng∣thened our hope with so many witnesses.