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 of the SAINTS.

MATINS.

On some particular Sundays, noted in the Proper of Festivals; and on all Holidays of Obligation, before and after every Psalm at Matins, Lauds, Vespers and Complin, say one of the Three Antiphons set down in the Proper of Festivals, that is, each Antiphon eight times in the whole Office of the Day.

Say also the Antiphon (where any proper one is prepar'd) before and after Benedictus and Mag∣nificat: else say the common one, as in the Of∣fice.

Then, the Prayer, as in the Proper of Fe∣stivals.

The rest of these particular Offices is to be ricited out of the common Offices, as is noted in the Di∣rections, and Proper of Festivals.

Introduction, as pag. 1.

Invitatory. Come let's adore the King of Saints.

Come let's adore the King of Saints.

Psal. CXV.

GReat is the Majesty of the King we serve, and rich the splendors of his Court: o're

all the world he sends his commands, and none dare resist or dispute his power.

Come let's adore the King of Saints.

Great is the clemency of our gracious Sove∣raign, to pardon the offences of repenting sin∣ners: great is the bounty of our glorious Lord, to crown with rewards his faithful servants.

Come let's adore the King of Saints.

Thousands of Saints attend in his presence, and millions of Angels wait on his Throne: all beauteously rang'd in perfect order, all joyful∣ly singing the praises of their Creator.

Come let's adore the King of Saints.

Thou art our King too, blessed JESU; and we, alas! thy unprofitable subjects: we cannot praise Thee like those thine own bright Quires; yet humbly offer our little tribute.

Come let's adore the King of Saints.

Let us bow low our heads to Him, before whom the Seraphins cover their faces: let us bow low our harts to Him, at whose fee•••• the Saints lay down their crowns.

Come let's adore the King of Saints.

Glory be, &c.

As it was, &c.

Come let's adore the King of Saints.

Come let's adore the King of Saints.

Hymn XXXVI.

AWake my soul, chace from thine eys This drowsy sloth, and quickly rise; Up, and to work apace: No less then Kingdoms are prepar'd, And endless blyss, for their reward, Who finish wel their race.

'Tis not so poor a thing to be Servants to heav'n, dear Lord, and Thee, As this fond world believes: Not even here, where oft the Wise Are most expos'd to injurys, And friendles vertue grieves.

Somtimes thy hand lets gently fall A litle drop, that sweetens all The bitter of our Cup; O what herafter shal we be, When we shal have whole draughts of Thee, Brim-ful and drink them up!

Say happy souls, whose thirst now meets The fresh and living stream of sweets, Which spring from that blest throne: Did you not find this true ev'n here, Do you not find it truer there, Now heav'n is all your own?

O yes, the sweets we tast exceed All we can say, or you can read; They fil, and never cloy: On earth our cup was sweet, but mixt; Here all is pure, refin'd, and fixt; All Quintessence of joy.

Hear'st thou my soul what glorious things The Church of heav'n in triumph sings Of their blest life above? Chear thy faint hopes, and bid them live; All these thy God to thee will give; If thou imbrace his love.

Great God, of rich rewards, who thus Hast crown'd thy Saints, and wilt crown us! As Both to Thee belong O may we both together sing Eternal praise to thee our King, In one eternal song.

Antiph. Happy are thy Saints, O Lord! who wisely chose their End; and constantly pursu'd the means to attain it.

Psal. CXVI.

TEl me you eager lovers of the world, what 'tis you aim at in all your pretences?

You weary your bodys with restles labour; and afflict your minds with perpetual care:

Day and night you are still perplext; stil busi∣ly plotting to compas your ends:

Tel me what are those ends you so long have sought; and I will tell you what you soon will find.

While they are many they but distract your thoughts; and often engage them to quarrel a∣mong themselvs:

One end, and one alone's the way to peace; and on that One must all the rest depend.

'Tis true, and by that rule we guide our lives * whate're we undertake is only to be happy.

'Tis to be happy that we strive to be great; and enrich our selvs by defrauding others:

'Tis to be happy that we run after pleasures; and covet in every thing our own proud wil:

But we, alas! mistake our happines; and foolishly seek where 'tis not to be found

As silly children think to catch the Sun; when they see it setting at so neer a distance:

They travail on and tire themselvs in vain; for the thing they seek is in another world:

Just so we judg, and just so are deceiv'd; when we think to meet with heaven upon earth.

This world, alas! has now no Paradise; but all its fruits are weeds and thorns.

All dangerously mixt with occasions of sin; all sprinkled over with the bitternes of sorrow.

What did we ever passionately love, but stil in the end it made us repent?

Nay the best end was hartily to repent, and learn by our falling to tread more sure.

'Tis not then here we must seek our happines; and yet 'tis happines we all must seek.

Pity us, O Lord, who live below in the dark; stil wishing for rest, but finding none:

Scatter those mists of passion that blind our eys; and shine upon us with thy beauteous light:

Convince us thorowly there's a better world then this; a happier people then those we know:

That we may now begin our journy thither; and fit our selvs for that blessed company.

Glory be, &c

Antiph. Happy are thy Saints, O Lord, who wisely chose their end; and constantly pursu'd the means to attain it.

Antiph. O how glorious is the kingdom of heav'n, where our Lord reigns in the midst of his Saints!

Psal. CXVII.

IF thus our nature tend to happines; there's sure some happines to content our nature.

Sure the All-wise Creator has provided means, to satisfy the appetites which himself has made.

Doubt not, my soul, the bounty of thy Lord; but turn all thy fear on thine own unwor∣thines:

Look up, and see a rich delicious Land; that flows with sweeter streams then milk and hony:

Look up, and see a glorious City, incompara∣bly braver then the Courts of Kings:

Behold the blessed Angels shining on their thrones; and all the holy Saints triumphing with their hymns.

Behold the glory wherewith their Lord has crown'd them, in the solemn day of their Espou∣sals with Himself.

Look up, and see a more exalted seat; and on it one far brighter then the rest, the Queen of all those Saints and Angels; the Virgin-Mother of the Son of God:

Look up yet higher, O my soul, and see * the sacred Humanity of thy deer Redeemer:

That blessed JESUS, who dy'd for us on the Cross; and now invites us to partake his crown.

See, and rejoyce in those eternal honors, which heaven and earth pay to their King:

Look up once more, and infinitely farther; and humbly admire the unspeakable Mystery:

See and adore the Soveraign Deity, essentially ful of its own blest Light:

Full and overflowing into all his creatures; which shine as litle beams deriv'd from Him.

When thou hast seen all this, my soul; and staid and dwelt a while among those wonders:

Turn down thine ey towards the earth again; and see the petty things that entertain our minds:

What is a name of honor, and a momentary pleasure; compar'd to the blyss of an eternal Paradise?

What is a bag of mony, or a fair Estate; if counterballanc't with the treasures of heaven?

How narrow, there, do our greatest king∣doms seem! how smal a circle the whole globe of the earth!

Citys and towns shew like litle hils; and the busie world but as a swarm of ants:

Runing up and down, and jostling one another; and all this stir for a few grains of corn.

O heaven! let me again lift up my eys to thee; and take a fuller view of that glorious Prospect.

There let me stand and fix my steddy sight; til I have look't my self into this firm judgment:

All the most prosperous fortune can here pos∣ses; or even the largest fancy possibly imagin;

All is an idle dream to those real joys; an ab∣solute nothing to that solid felicity.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. O how glorious is the kingdom of heav'n; where our Lord reigns in the midst of his Saints!

Antiph. In thee, O Lord, is all our hope; in life and death, in time and eternity.

Psal. CXVIII.

TIs true, there is, I see, a glorious state * prepar'd above for the spirits of the Perfect:

But how shal we, poor dust and ashes; and laden too with the burthen of our sins;

How shal we hope to ascend those higher Re∣gions; or claim a portion in that holy land?

Fear not, my soul; send up thy sighs and prayers; * and ask with confidence those cele∣stial spirits.

They want not knowledge to resolve our doubts; they want not charity to relieve our needs:

Themselvs somtimes have come down to as∣sist us; what wil they do, when we go up to wait on them?

Ask the bright Angels, what made them happy; and straight they'l answer with a sprite∣ful voice;

We readily obey'd our great Creator; and he fixt us here to shine for ever.

Ask the blest Saints, what brought them to felicity; and immediately they'l tel you in the same glad tune;

We faithfully lov'd our dear Redeemer; and that love plac't us here:

Ask Both together, what bred those excellent vertues; and Both together will proclaim aloud;

Blessed for ever be the grace of our God, which alone has wrought all our works in us:

Blessed for ever be the Bounty of our Lord; which gave us freely first, then crown'd his own gifts.

Hark how the holy Saints, as more ally'd to us, * bear on alone and sweetly cloze the song:

Fear not, say they, you who dwel below; and sigh under the weight of flesh and blood:

Fear not to ascend at last to this place of joy; and take your happy seats among our Quires:

We too liv'd once in that valley of tears; and were set to strive with the same unruly passions:

He that made us o'recom can as easily streng∣then you; He that has crown'd our victorys wil as surely glorify yours.

Fear not, the way is smoother then you are made believe; and the time shorter then per∣haps you wish:

'Tis but to love your own true interest, which seems no hard command; * and that but while you live, which you seldom think too long:

This once well done, you have no more to do; but to come and sing and rejoyce with us.

O you blest Saints, who now are gladly ar∣riv'd * at the quiet harbor of eternal rest!

Behold us here below imbarkt on the same Ship; and bound with all our interest for the same Port.

Behold us strugling yet in this Sea of storms:

and guide us safely thorow all our dangers.

Come holy Angels with your swiftest speed, and disappoint the enemys that threaten to sink us.

Bend down thy gracious eys, O Queen of cle∣mency; and fill them from our woes with soft compassion:

Then sweetly turn them to thy Son's mild throne; whose love stands always ready to meet thy wishes:

There represent to Him our needs, our fears; and favorably obtain for us a happy passage.

And Thou, O soveraign Lord of universal na∣ture, on whom the whole celestial court conti∣nually waits!

Command thy vigilant Angels to watch a∣bout us; and carry us strongly on to the Place of our desires:

Save us, O Thou whom the Sea and winds o∣bey! save us, O merciful Lord, or else we perish:

Save us who call on Thee in all our distresses: save us for whom thy glorious Heaven pours forth their prayers:

Save us for whom thy immortal self wert pleased to dy; and graciously receive us into thine own blest Arms:

Thou art thy self, O Lord, the Heaven of re∣pose; bring us to thy self, and our souls shall be safe. Glory be▪ &c.

Antiph. In thee, O Lord is all our hope; in life and death, in time and eternity.

Our Father, &c.

First Lesson.

THe souls of the Just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shal not touch them: they seem'd to the eys of the unwise to dy, and their departure was counted affliction; but they are in peace. Though before men they suffer'd torments, their hope is full of immorta∣lity. Vext in a few things, they shall be well treated in many; for God has try'd them and found them worthy Himself: as gold in the furnace he has prov'd them, and as a burnt-offer∣ing receiv'd them; and in time there shall be re∣spect of them. The Just shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble; they shall judg Nations, and have dominion over Peo∣ples, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful in love shall remain with him: for, rest and peace is to his Elect.

Resp. Rejoyce all you holy Saints, rejoyce, and sing for ever the mercys of our Lord: his blessed hand has wip't away all tears from your eys; and now you no more shall weep, no more complain: * For, the evening of sorrow is past and the day of eternal joy is come; Alleluja. Now you no longer shall sigh, to be delivered

out of this dark and tedious prison; but dwel for ever in that glorious light, the light which springs from the face of God. * For, —

Second Lesson.

THe Just, if prevented with death, shal be in a place of refreshment: for venerable age consists not in length of time, nor is ac∣counted by number of years; but wisdom is the gray hair to a man, and an unspotted life old age. He pleased God, and was belov'd of Him, and living among sinners was translated; he was taken away lest malice should change his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul: for the bewitching of vanity obscures good things, and the wandring of concupiscence perverts the simple mind. Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfil'd much time; for his soul pleas∣ed God, therefore he hastned to bring him out of the midst of iniquities. This the people saw, but did not understand; not laying up such things in their harts: That the grace of God and mercy is with his Saints, and that He has respect to his Chosen.

Resp. O happy they whom our Lord shall honor on the day of his triumph; and, rising from his Seat of Judgment, go gloriously be∣fore them, and with these sweet and gracious words invite them to follow him; Come you blessed of my Father, possess the Kingdom pre∣pared

for you from the foundation of the world. * The reward of your labours I will give you, I my self will be your reward: Al∣leluja. You have firmly beleev'd, you have firmly beleev'd, you have readily obey'd, you have constantly suffer'd; Come enter now into your Masters joy. * The reward —

Third Lesson.

THen shal the Just stand with great confi∣dence, before the face of those who have afflicted him and made no account of his labors. When they shal see it, they shal be troubled with terrible fear, and amaz'd at the sudden∣nes of his unexpected salvation: and repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit, they shal say within themselvs, These are they whom here∣tofore we have had in derision, and as a by∣word of reproach. Sensless we esteem'd their lives a madnes, and their end dishonorable: be∣hold, how they are numbred among the chil∣dren of God, and their lot is among the Saints. We therfore have err'd from the way of truth, and the light of justice has not shin'd to us: we have wearied our selvs in the paths of iniquity and perdition, we have walked hard ways; but the way of our Lord we have not known. What has our pride profited us; or what be∣nefit has Vaunting of our riches brought us? They all are past away as a shadow, and as a

Post that runs by in hast; or as bird that flys in the sky, and no sign of her passage to be found, but only a sound of her wings beating the light air: so we, assoon as we were born, began to draw to our end; not able to shew any token of vertue, but were consum'd in our own wickednes. Such things said they in hell who had sin'd; for the hope of the impious is as dust, blown away with the wind, and as a thin froth scatter'd by the storm. But, the Just shal live for ever, and their reward is with our Lord, and the care of them is with the High∣est: therefore shal they receive a glorious Kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the hand of our Lord; for with his right hand shal he cover them, and with his holy arm defend them.

Resp. Deliver us, O Lord from that sad de∣plorable end, which thy justice has prepar'd for the wicked: deliver us from those vain deceitful ways, that lead us to so miserable an End. * O make us always fear thy Judgments, that we never feel them; always hope in thy mercys, that we never forfeit them. Bless us, O Lord, with a happy death, that our souls may depart in peace, and go up to dwel among thy Saints and Angels: bless us, O Lord, with a holy life, and then our death cannot but be happy. * O make — Glory be, &c. O make —

Te Deum as Page 16.

Lauds for Saints.

O God incline, as Page 18.

Antiph. The Just shal be as lillys planted in Paradise, Alleluja: and flourish in the presence of God for ever, Alleluja.

Psal. CXIX.

COme lets all bring forth our Psalms; and go together to the house of Praise:

There let us meet in peace and love; and joyn our harts and voices into one glad song.

Come let us sing, but who shal be our theme? what worthy subject shal our Musick chuse?

No, 'tis not Conquerours we mean to ad∣mire; nor any of the Great Ones whom the world applauds:

But You, Blest Spirits, who bravely over∣came your selvs; and led in triumph your own passions:

Who either wisely us'd this world; or to be safer, us'd it not at all.

You are the illustrious worthies we desire to praise, * and guild our hymus with your bright names:

Yours are the only Trophys we delight to set up; and beautify our Churches with your holy Pictures:

Sing then aloud, my Soul, the glorys of the

Saints; and let their sacred memorys be always in thine.

Rejoyce thou, who feelst these miserys here, * and often complain'st of the dangers of this life:

Rejoyce at their glad delivery from all these sorrows; and hartily congratulate their secure felicity:

Rejoyce, and with thy best instructed thoughts admire * the exquisite wisdom of the divine Pro∣vidence.

Who from such low beginings can raise so great effects; yet every step thrust naturally on the next:

Behold a litle seed that's buryed in the earth * shoot gently out its tender leav••••;

And, nourisht on with the clouds and Sun, * climb up by degrees into a tall stalk:

There it displays its full blown hope; and crowns its own head with a silver lilly.

Such is the progres of immortal souls; even those who shine now among the highest Sera∣phins:

At first shu•••• up in their mothers womb, where they ly confin'd close prisoners in the d••••rk:

Thence they come forth to see, and h••••ar; and slowly begin to walk and spek:

Next they advance to understand and dis∣course; then learn to fly with the wings of grace:

Til they get up even beyond themselvs; and believe and live above their own nature:

At last the kindly hand of death gives them a stroke, and they instantly become like the glo∣rious Angels.

Instantly their dark and narrow knowledg unfolds it self, and spreads into a clear and spa∣cious view:

Where they at once shal see all the glorys of heav'n; at once possess and for ever injoy them.

Thus, from the humble seed of grace, conna∣turally spring the flowers of glory:

And from this life's green stem of hope * grow just on the top of the Lillys of Pa∣radise.

Lillys that never fade, but stil shine on, and fil the heav'ns with their beauteous sweetnes:

Lillys, that even Salomon, in all his glory, * was not array'd like one of these.

Sing then, my soul, but stil among thy Hymns * mingle resolvs to imitate their lives:

Those are the Lauds most deligh••••ful to Them, whose charity rejoyces at the conversion of a sinner:

Those are the Feasts most profitable to thee, whose weaknes needs the impressions of ex∣ample:

Learn but of them to be humble and meek; to submit all thy wishes to the Will of heav••••:

To govern thy senses by a rule of reason, and thy reason by the dictates of Religion:

To design thy whole life in order to thy end; and establish for thy end the blyss of eternity.

These holy Lessons let thy life transcribe; and never fear their acceptance of thy praise.

Saints like our service best, when our hono∣ring them * becomes an occa••••ion of benefiting our selvs.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. The Just shal be as lillys planted in Paradise, Alleluja: and flourish for ever in the presence of God, Alleluja.

Antiph. Rejoyce, O you Holy and Just, Al∣leluja: for our Lord has chosen you for his own inheritance, Alleluja.

Psal. CXX.

O Praise our Lord, all you powers of my soul; praise the immortal King of Saints and Angels:

Praise him as the Author of all their graces; praise him as the Finisher of all their glorys:

Praise him in the admirable priviledges of his Virgin-Mother; whom he obeyed on earth and assum'd into heav'n:

That he might give us hope our petitions will be heard, presented by the hand of so power∣ful an Advocate:

Praise him in the mighty hosts of Angels;

whom he sets about us as the Guard of our lives:

That they may safely keep us in all our ways; and carry us at last to their own home.

Praise him in the sacred Colledg of Apostles, to whom he reveal'd the mysterys of his Kingdom:

That they might teach us too those heavenly truths; and shew us the same best way to feli∣city.

Praise him in the generous fortitude of Mar∣tyrs; whom he strengthen'd with courage to resist even to death:

That we might learn of them to hold fast our faith; and rather lose this life, then hazard the Other.

Praise him in the eminent fanctity of Con∣fessors; whose whole design was a course of heroick Vertue:

That we might raise our minds from our usual lazy flight; and with a quick and active wing mount up towards heav'n:

Praise him in the Angelical purity of Virgins, whose harts he enflam'd with his divine charity:

That they might kindle ours with the same chast fire; the same fe••••vent love to the spouse of our souls:

Praise him in the perfect holines of all his Saints; whose lives he moulded into so various shapes:

That every size of ours might readily be fur∣nisht * with a pattern cut out, and fitted for it self.

O praise our Lord all you powers of my soul; praise the immortal King of Saints and Angels:

Praise every Person of the sacred Deity; and give a harty joy to the whole court of heaven.

Blessed for ever be the Eternal Father; who has fixt his Angels in so high a happines:

Triumph bright Angels on your radiant thrones; and shine continually in the presence of your God:

Blessed for be ever the Eternal Son; who has crown'd so gloriously his incomparable Mo∣ther:

Live most miraculous Mother of the King of heaven; and dwel perpetually in the joys of thy Son:

Blessed for ever be the Eternal Spirit; whose grace prefers all the Saints into glory:

Rejoyce every happy Saint in your own feli∣city; rejoyce every one in the felicity of All.

Blessed for ever be the undivided Trinity; whose sight alone is the heaven of heaven:

Sing all you holy Citizens of heaven; sing all together everlasting hymns:

Sing, and among your highest fervours forget not us; who thus in our low way remember you:

Still pray our dear Redeemer to save our souls; and still we'l praise his Name for saving yours. Glory be▪ &c.

Antiph. Rejoyce, O you Holy and Just, Al∣leluja: for our Lord has chosen you for his in∣heritance, Alleluja.

Antiph. Perpetual light shall shine on thy Saints, O Lord, Alleluja: and joy and glory for ever, Alleluja.

Psal. CXXI.

BUt, who are we, born here below in the dust, and still kept down with the thoughts of this world?

Lord who are we, that our polluted hands * dare offer to Thee the incense of praise?

We who so often disobey thy commands; and so seldom weep for our many follys:

Forgive, great God, our boldnes, who thus rashly presume; forgive our frailtys who thus weakly perform.

Plead our excuse, O you glorified Spiritis; and with your flaming charity warm our coldnes:

O praise our Lord, you pure unblemisht An∣gels, * who never displeas'd him with the least offence;

Praise him, O you freely pardon'd Saints, who perfectly repented every litle trespass.

Praise him with the highest Office of all your

Feasts; praise him with the loudest musick of all your Quires.

And so they do: look up, my soul, and see * the innumerable multitude of triumphing Spirits.

See how they stand all cloth'd in white robes; with palms in their hands, and golden crowns on their heads:

Behold the glorious Angels fall down before the Throne; and prostrate adore Him that lives for ever.

Behold the blessed Saints lay their Crowns at his feet; and on their faces adore Him that lives for ever.

Hark how they fill that spacious Temple with their Hymns, * while night and day they continually sing; Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty: who was, and is, and is to come, Alleluja.

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts; heav'n and earth are full of thy glory; Alleluja.

Glorious art Thou in creating all things; glo∣rious in preserving them every moment of their being:

Glorious in governing them their several ways; glorious in appointing them their pro∣per ends:

Glorious in rewarding thy servants above their hopes: glorious in punishing sinners be∣low their demerits:

Glorious art Thou, O Lord, in all thy works;

but infinitely more in thine own self-blessed Es∣sence.

Thus they rejoyce above, thus they triumph; and may their joy and triumph last for ever.

But O, were we not made, as wel as they, * * to serve and glorify our great Creator?

We ow him all we have, and they can ow no more; they can but do their best, and we should do no less:

Your pardon, blessed spirits, if we worms aspire to sing the same bright name which you adore.

We are ingag'd as deep as You; but cannot pay without your charity:

O, in your golden Censers put our prayers; and offer them perfum'd with the odours of yours:

Though we are now, alas! in this land of banishment; and indispos'd for those Songs of Sion:

Yet 'tis our hope one day to dwel above; and hear your holy harps, and learn to sing of You:

We hope to walk with you those ways of light; and follow the Lamb with you where're He goes.

Mean while we every day will joyn our Vow•••• to Yours; and say a glad Amen to all You sing:

We as Your faithful Ecchoes will every day repeat * these few short Ends of Your Seraphik Hymns:

Salvation to our God who sits on the Throne; and to the Lamb that redeem'd us with his blood, Alleluja.

Blessing and Wisdom and Power be to Him that sits on the Throne; and to the Lamb for all eternity, Alleluja. Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Perpetual light 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shine on thy Saints, O Lord, Alleluja: and joy and glory for ever, Alleluja.

Capit. Apoc. 7.

AFter these things I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nati∣ons, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues; standing before the Throne, and in the sight of the Lamb, cloth'd in white robes, and palmes in their hands. And they cry'd with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God who sits on the Throne, and to the Lamb. And all the Angels stood in the Circuit of the Throne, and of the Seniors, and of the four Beasts: and they fell in the sight of the Throne upon their faces, and ador'd God, saying, Amen; Benediction and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, ho∣nour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever, Amen.

Hymn XXXVII.

WAke all my hopes, lift up your eys, And crown your heads with mirth▪ See how they shine beyond the skys, Who once dwelt on our earth.

Peace busy thoughts, away vain cares, That clog us here below: Let us go up above the Sphears, And to each order bow.

Hail glorious Angels Heirs of light, The high-born Sons of fire; Whose heats burn chast, whose flames shine bright; All joy, yet all desire.

Hail holy Saints, who long in hope, Long in the shadow sate; Til our victorious Lord set ope Heav'ns everlasting gate.

Hail great Apostles of the Lamb, Who brought that early Ray, Which from our Sun reflected came, And made our first fair day.

Hail generous Martyrs, whose strong harts Bravely rejoyc't to prove, How weak, pale death, are all thy darts, Compar'd to those of love.

Hail Blessed Confessors, who dy'd A death, too, love did give; While your own flesh You crucify'd, To make your spirit live.

Hail beauteous Virgins whose chast vows Renounc't all fond desires; Who wisely chose your Lord for Spouse, And burnt with his pure fires.

Hail all you happy Spirits above, Who make that glorious ring About the sparkling Throne of love, And there for ever sing.

Hail, and among your Crowns of praise, Present this litle wreath; Which while your lofty Notes you raise, We humbly sing beneath.

All glory to the sacred Three, One ever-living Lord: As at the first, stil may he be Belov'd, obey'd, ador'd.

Antiph. The number of Them was thou∣sands of thousands, saying, with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to re∣ceive power, and divinity, and wisdom and strength, and honor, and glory, and benediction, Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja.

O Lord hear our Prayers:

And let our Supplications come to Thee.

Let us pray

MOst gracious God the author of all sancti∣ty and Lover of unity, whose wisdom has establisht an admirable communion between thy Church Triumphant in heav'n, and Mili∣tant on earth, as members of the same mystical Body, wherof thy Son Christ Jesus is the head: mercifully grant, that as thy Blessed, without ceasing, pray to Thee for us, we may continu∣ally praise Thee for them; and in correspon∣dence to their perfect charity, with pious obser∣vance celebrate their Memory, till-we all meet before thy glorious throne, and with one hart adore the Saviour of us all, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end. Amen.

Commemorations, &c. as page 29.

Vespers for Saints.

IN the Name, &c. as page 33.

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

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.

Psal. CXXIII.

LItle, O Lord, we know, is the good we do; litle, the ill we suffer with patience:

But what, alas, should we have done or suf∣fer'd, had we not seen such divine Examples?

Had not thy provident hand hung out those Lamps, * bright as the Stars, to shine before us:

Had not thy self, the Sun of righteousnes, ap∣pear'd, * to light and warm us with thy cherish∣ing beams:

Our faith had been dark, and our charity cold; * and the flower of our hope had languisht away.

Now we are sure the way to heaven is easie,

made broad and smooth by so many Passengers:

Men cloathed in flesh and blood like us; and weakn'd with the same imperfect nature:

Now we are sure the promises of our God are true; confirm'd by as many witnesses as there are Saints in Paradise:

Who by their own experience are joyfully convinc't; a happy argument where heav'ns the Question;

And by the ravishing sweets they perpetually tast, * are perpetually excited to adore and sing,

Faithful is our Lord in all his words: and overflowingly bounteous in all his gifts:

While we liv'd we receiv'd the hundred fold; and now are translated to an infinity of Blyss:

What he freely promised, he has fully per∣form'd: what he engag'd to give us, he has a∣bundantly paid.

He told us of treasures and golden crowns; but the joys we find are incomparably greater:

Joys of a far more high and noble race; which neither we can expres, nor you below conceive.

'Tis enough for us that we feel them in our brest; 'tis enough for you, as yet, that you see them in your faith.

Even our lesser happinesses infinitely surpas * the greatest pleasures of your dul world.

O how agreeable is the Company we enjoy!

how delightful the meeting of our old ac∣quaintance!

With whom we have pray'd, and wept, and suffer'd; with whom we spake of this day and place:

With whom we now can safely sing, free from the scorn and malice of our enemys:

Blessed for ever be the goodnes of our God, that has brought us hither to his own place:

This is not like our cottages of clay; nor the loathsom prisons where we lay in fetters:

This cheerful melody is not like our old com∣plaints; nor the threatning words of our stern Oppressors.

The Scene is chang'd, and, for our world of miserys, * behold a Paradise of endles felicitys:

Here we shal live, and ever live; here we shal praise our God, and ever praise him.

Thus sings the Church triumphant: and thus shal we; if we practise diligently the Lessons they have taught us.

If we injure our selvs to the same blest Notes; and live in tune with our holy songs:

We shal herafter be admitted to their Quires; and sing as long and loud as they.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Blessed be thy Name, O Lord, who hast provided us so great rewards; and strength∣ned our hope with so many witnesses.

Antiph. If God be with us, who can be a∣gainst us? if He justify us, who can condemn us?

Psal. CXXIV.

TAke courage now, my soul, and chace a∣way thy doubts; for more are with us then against us:

God and his holy Angels are on our side; JESUS and his blessed Saints all take our parts:

Our great Creator looks on to excite us; our gracious Redeemer comes down to instruct us:

The blessed Spirit is within us to confirm our harts; and the whole Trinity present to crown our victorys:

Whom shal we then fear thus safely guarded? who can resist so invincible a strength?

None but our own corrupted nature dare contend, and the unlucky accidents that con∣spire with it against us:

Somtimes surprizing our unwary negligence; somtimes defeating even our strongest resolvs:

Not that they can compel our wills, unles we yeild; or make the least wound without our consent:

Much less prevail against the power of heav'n; and frustrate the purpose of the Almighty Wis∣dom:

Whose mercy has us'd more arts to save us: when the craft of Vice can invent to destroy us:

Such a redemption so miraculously wrought: such holy Sacraments so often repeated:

Such glorious promises so faithfully assur'd; and, which revives our hope, so easily attain'd:

O infinite Goodnes, how generous is thy love! how liberally extended over all the world!

Thou invitest little children to come to Thee; and the lame and the blind to sit down at thy feast:

None are shut out of heav'n, but such as wil not go in; none made unhappy but those who care not to be otherwise.

Cheer then thy self, my hart, and let no fears molest thee; * nor even death it self a∣bate thy courage:

Death is a passage that was always short; and our SAVIOURS Cross has made it safe:

By the practise of his Saints 'tis grown fami∣liar; and by their happy success becom desira∣ble:

Lose not then thy hope in so glorious an en∣terprise; Eternity is at stake, and heav'n the reward:

That heav'n for which the antient Hermits peopled the Desart; and so many Religious live bury'd in their Cells:

That heav'n for which the holy Confessors spent all their time; and innumerable Martyrs; laid down their dearest lives:

That heav'n where Millions of Angels conti∣nually sing; and all the Blessed make one glo∣rious Quire.

That heav'n where the ador'd JESUS eter∣nally reigns; and the immortal Deity shines bright for ever:

That very heaven is promis'd thee, my soul; that blest eternity thou art commanded to hope:

Raise now thy head, and see those beauteous Prospects, that ravish the harts of all their Beholders:

Yonder far above the Stars is thy Saviours Kingdom; yonder we must dwell when we leave this earth:

Yonder must our souls remove to rest; when the stroak of death shal divide them from their bodys:

And when the Almighty Power shal joyn them again; yonder must we live with our God for ever.

O bounteous Lord, the only Author of all we have; the only object of all we hope:

As thou hast thus prepar'd a heav'n for us; O may thy grace prepare us for it:

O make us live the life of the Just; and let our last end be like Theirs:

That we may dy the death of the Just; and live for ever in their blest society.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. If God be with us, who can be a∣gainst

us? if He justify us, who can condemn us.

Capit. Apoc. 7.

THese are they who are come out of great tribulation, & have washt their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb: therfore they are before the Throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple; and He that sits on the Throne shal dwel over them. They shal hunger no more, nor thirst: the Sun shal not fal upon them, nor any heat: for the Lamb who is in the midst of the Throne shal rule them, and conduct them to the living fountains of waters; and God shal wipe away all tears from their eys.

Hymn XXXVIII.

TEll me You bright Stars that shine Round about the Lambs high Throne; How, through bodys once like mine, How are you thus glorious grown?

Hark with one voice they reply; This was all our happy skil: We on JESUS fixt our ey, And his emi'nent followers stil.

As we clearly saw their mind Set and rul'd, we order'd ours

Both This state alone design'd, Up towards this strem'd all our Powers.

Taught by Temp'rance we abstain'd From all less for greater Goods: Slighting litle drops, we gain'd Full and sweet and lasting Floods.

Arm'd with Fortitude, we bare Lesser Evils, worse to fly: Mortal death we durst outdare, Rather then for ever dy.

Iustice we observ'd by giving Every one their utmost due: That in peace, and order living, All might freely Heav'n pursue.

Prudence govern'd all the Rest; Prudence made us still apply What was fittest, what was best, To advance great Charity.

On those golden wheels of grace, That loves fiery Chariot bear; We ariv'd at this bright place; Follow us and never fear.

O sure truth! O blest Attesters! O that a•••• the world may prove

Of both these such strong digesters, That both these may feed their love.

Him who made us all for This; Him who made Himself our way; Him who leads us in'to Blyss; May all praise, and all obey.

Antiph. Worthy art Thou, O Lord, to re∣ceive the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wert slain, and hast redeem'd us to God with thy blood out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us to our God a Kingdom, Alleluja.

Magnificat. as Page 44.

Antiph. Worthy art Thou, &c.

O Lord hear our prayers:

And let our supplications come to Thee.

Let us pray.

O God, whose merciful Providence has stil from the Begining, sown the seeds of grace in the harts of thy chosen servants; which at the Resurrection of thy Son (the first fruit of them that slept) sprung up into glory: and by his holy doctrin and admirable life, and precious death has infinitely encreast the mean•••• of salvation, and the number of thy Saints Grant we beseech Thee, that we, whom tho•••• hast favour'd with so many advantages, may by the powerful intercession of that glorious Com••••pany

obtain thy grace to imitate them here, and rejoyce with them for ever in thy Kingdom hereafter; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end. Amen.

Commemorations, as page 29.

Complin for Saints.

OUr help, &c. as page 46.

Antiph. Help us you blessed Citizens of hea∣ven! direct our way, you who have attain'd your end!

Psal. CXXV.

THus we have past another day, another step towards our long home:

We have seen the Sun a few hours more; and our day is lost in its own night:

But is it lost? O careles we! and all the holy words we have read and heard:

Leave they no mark in our memorys behind them, but make a litle sound and vanish in the air?

Have we not been at a solemn Feast? and do we soon forget our entertainment?

Could we see nothing among all those rari∣tys * that relisht with us and stir'd our appetite?

Was there no fit provision for some vertue we want? no proper remedy for some weaknes we have?

Are we devout already as the Saints of God? and chast, and temperate, and resign'd as they?

Do we despise this world with a zeal like theirs? and value heav'n at the same rate with Them?

Would we give all we have, just now, to be there? and part with life it self to dy and go thither?

Alas! how short are we of these perfecti∣ons! how slowly do we follow those excellent Guides!

O that we liv'd, I dare not say, blest Souls, like you, * whose aim was high, and a generous heat bet in your brests!

But that our harts desire were to live like you; and what you really did, we really wisht to do:

O that we liv'd in some degree like you; and lov'd to think, and read, and speak of you!

To sign and publish your heroick Acts; and where we cannot imitate, at least admire:

At least, let us learn to humble our selvs; and check the vanity of our proud conceits:

Let us mourn and blush at our many infirmi∣tys, and so much the louder call to heav'n for releef:

Hear us you blessed Saints who dwel secure

above; and turn your eys of pity towards us below.

Look down with tendernes on our world of miserys, and bow your charitable knees to the God of mercys:

That what our own unworthines cannot ob∣tain, we may hope to receive by your holy prayers.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Help us, you blessed Citizens of hea∣v'n! direct our way, you who have attain'd your end!

Antiph. Fear not, my soul, our God has a blessing too for us if we have a love and obe∣dience for Him.

Psal CXXVI.

LEt us humble our selvs, but not grow faint, * at the sight of others so far before us:

Rather let us quicken our sloth by their swift pace; and encourage our fears with their happy success:

We who profess the Religion of all these Saints, who liv'd and dy'd in the same Church with us:

We who partake of the same holy Sacra∣ments; and eat the same celestial Food:

Why should we fear, one day, to shine above; and rejoyce together with you glorious Saints?

Are we not all redeem'd by the same rich

price, & the same eternal crowns propos'd to us all

Are we not bred in the same Apostolick faith; and nurst at the brests of the same Catholick Church?

The Lessons, I see, and Teacher is the same▪ but the hand is dul, and instrument out of tune;

You liv'd indeed in a dangerous world like this; and were ty'd to bodys frail as ours:

But by a constant vigilance you o'recame the world; and subdu'd your bodys to the service of your minds.

You overcame with a joyful hart; * and we thus congratulate the triumph of your victorys:

You overcame, but not by your own strong hand; you now triumph but 'tis by the bounty of your God?

Chear then thy self, my soul, & raise thy head, * and open thy bosom to the hopes of heaven;

Fear not, our God has a blessing too for us; if we have a love and obedience for Him:

If we delight in the ways of piety; and dili∣gently attend the Offices of devotion:

If we refrain from the libertys of the world▪ and curb the loose suggestions of the flesh:

If we can look on gold and honor, and their flaming beams not dazle our eys:

If we perform with them, the part of faith∣ful servants, * we shal surely, with them, have the portion of children. Glory be &c.

Antiph. Fear not, my soul, our God has a

blessing too for us; if we have a love and obe∣dience for Him.

Antiph. Precious in thy sight, O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; precious to thee and them∣selvs and us.

Psal. CXXVII.

PRecious in thy fight. O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; which finishes thy greatest work, the perfecting of Souls:

Whom Thou esteem'st as the jewels of heav'n, and choicely gather'st into thine own Treasury.

Precious to themselvs, O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; which takes off the dusky cover that hides their brightnes:

Which shapes and polishes them to a beaute∣ous luster; and sets them as stars round about thy Throne.

Precious to us, O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; which makes us heirs of so great a welth:

Which leaves us furnisht with so rich variety, that every kind of want is abundantly supply'd:

Some teach us courage to encounter dangers; and not, for fear, make Shipwrack of our con∣science:

Others instruct us to converse with meeknes; and patiently bear neglects and injurys:

From some we learn how wisely to use this world, and make it serve us in our way to the next:

From others, how more generously to re∣nounce it; and pass our time in peace and prayer:

From all we learn this best of arts, to live and dy like Saints; and, in the best of methods, their own example:

O gracious Lord whose love still looks about, and searches every way to save us siners!

Who cam'st thy self, bright Sun of glory, * to inlighten our darknes and warm our fro∣zen harts!

Who with thy fruitful beams stil kindlest others, to burn as tapers in thy Churches hand;

And by their near proportionate distance stand fit to shine into every corner of our lives!

O make us bless thy Name for all these mer∣cys, and let not one be lost by our ingratitude.

Let us not see in vain the crown at the races end; and sit down lazily in the shades of ease:

Let us not keep in vain these sacred memorys, to be only a reproach to our unprofitable lives:

But let us stretch our selvs and pursue to the mark, for the glorious prizeis that set before us:

Stil with our utmost speed let us follow

Them, whose travails ended in so sweet a rest.

And when our life's last day begins to fal; and bids us hasten to prepare for night;

Then come you holy Angels and watch about 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and suffer not the enemy to disturb our ••••ssage:

Come and receive in peace our departing souls; and bear them safely to the presence of our Lord.

Then, O Thou blessed Virgin-Mother protect us with thy favor; and all you glorious Saints assist us with your pray'rs:

Then, O Thou dear Redeemer of the world, and Soveraign King of life and death!

Thou who despisest not the tears of the peni∣tent; nor turnest away from the sighs of the afflicted:

Thou who preserv'dst all that rely on Thee; and fulfilst their desires that long to be with Thee:

Hear Thou our cryes, and pardon our sins; and graciously deliver us from all our fears:

Cal us to thy self with thine own blest voice; cal us, O dearest JESU, in thine own sweet words:

Come you Blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom * prepared for you from the foundati∣on of the world:

Then O my happy soul immediately obey; and go forth with gladnes to meet the Lord:

To live with Him, and behold his glory; to rejoyce with Him, and sing his Praise.

Glory be, &c.

Antiph. Precious in thy sight, O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; precious to Thee and themselvs and us.

Hymn XXXIX.

NIght forbear; alas, our Praise, And our young begining hope, Set to grow on these blest days, Faint and dull requires more scope.

'Twill not hear, but sullen flys, Summons all the world to sleep, Bids us close our books and eys, What w'have gain'd content to keep▪

Blessed Saints! this broken rate Bids our slownes ply its wings: While your quick and active state Always wakes, and always sings.

Yet ev'n This your School, too, was; And your now unweary'd Lays, By this change of sing and Pause, Here 'mong us you learnt to raise.

Here you, thus, took often breath; Yet have climb'd those hills of light: O may your success bequeath Hope to reach that glorious hight.

Though our Notes be short and few, And our Rests too oft and long; If we keep in tune with you, We at last shall sing your song.

If our utmost humble powers Here our daily pray'rs attend: These poor Psalms shall there like yours, In a nightless Compline end.

Glory Lord to Thee alone, Here below, as there above: May thy joys, Great Three in one, Ever draw and crown our love.

Capit. Mat. 11.

COme to me all you that labour and are op∣prest, and I will refresh you: take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and humble of hart; and you shal find rest to your souls: for my yoke is sweet, and my bur∣then light.

Antiph. The just shal shine as the Sun in the presence of God, and neither night nor cloud eclipse them for ever.

V. For the glory of God shal shine upon them.

R. And the light of the Lamb illuminate them.

O Lord hear our pray'rs:

And let our supplications come to Thee.

Let us pray.

O God, who, after thy servants had spent the day of their life in a course of piety and heroick vertue, didst cloze their evening with a

holy death and eternal rewards! Grant us we beseech thee, so to imitate thy Saints in the wise bestowing our time here, that we may follow them in their Happy passage out of this world, and be admitted to thy everlasting glory with them in the other world; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end. Amen.

Vouchsafe, &c. as page 54.