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. CXXXI.

WHen we have shed our solemn tears; and paid our due sighs to the memory of the Dead:

Let us wipe our eys with the comfort of hope; and change our grief into a charitable joy:

The friends we mourn are deliver'd from this world; and all the miserys we so justly de∣plore:

Their bodys tremble no more with the Pal∣sy; nor burn with the flames of a scorching feaver:

They cry out no more for want of sleep; nor roul up and down their uneasy beds:

But quietly rest in the silent grave; till they rise again to immortal glory:

Wh••••ch while they there expect in peace; their souls are enlarg'd to a spacious liberty:

No longer confin'd to this prison of the body; but gone to dwel in the region of spirits:

No longer expos'd to these stormy Seas; but gladly arriv'd at their safe harbour:

Where though their passage be stopt a while; they are free from all fear of being cast away:

Though for a time they attend with sorrow; they are sure to rejoyce at last for all eternity:

They are sure at last to behold their Redee∣mer; and live for ever with the Blessed JESƲS:

O, were it not for this sweet hope; who could indure such Killing delays?

Who, that but knows the beauty of God, as they all do; and sees himself detayn'd from so great a happines?

Detain'd, for affecting some trifle here; if such we may cal what deferrs our heav'n:

O glorious Lord, the free Original Source, * and final end of universal nature!

Since by thy grace Thou hast thus begun, and sown in their harts the seeds of glory:

O, may the same all-powerful hand * go on to finish it's own ble'st work:

Ripen the fruit Thou reserv'st for thy self; and hasten the day of their joyful harvest:

Send forth thy blessed Angels to reap thy grain; and lay it up safe in thy heavenly Ma∣gazine:

There to supply the place of those unhappy tares, * which thy justice threw down into ever∣lasting fire:

There to assist among those holy Quires; which thy mercy establisht in everlasting blyss.

Give them eternal rest' O merciful Lord! And may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.

Antiph: Return O my soul, to thy rest a∣gain, for thy Lord deals graciously with all that love him.

Antiph. Merciful art Thou, O Lord, in all thy ways; and infinitely wise in all thy coun∣sels.