Devotions in the ancient way of offices. With psalms, hymns, and prayers for every day of the week and every holiday in the year. / Reformed by A person of quality, ; and published by George Hickes, D.D.

Psalm 4.

COme let us lay aside the Cares of the World, and take into our minds the Joys of Heaven.

Let us empty our heads of all other Thoughts, and prepare that upper Room to entertain our God.

Retiring from the many Distractions of this World, and closely recollecting all the Forces of our Souls.

So to pursue in earnest that one Ne∣cessary Work, the securing to our selves the Kingdom of Heaven.

Why should we thus neglect sacred Science, and be busie in every thing but our own Salvation?

Why should we forsake the real Sub∣stance, to embrace an empty Fancy?

Miserable are they, O Lord, who study all things else, and never taste thy Sweet∣ness.

Miserable, tho' their Skill can number

the Stars, and trace out the Way of the Planets.

To know thee, Lord, is to be truly Wise, and to contemplate thee, the high∣est Learning.

But, O thou glorious God of Truth, in whom the Treasures of Knowledge are all laid up.

Unless thou draw the Curtain from be∣fore our Eyes, and drive away the Clouds that intercept our Sight,

Never shall we see those Heavenly My∣steries, nor ever discern the Beauty of thy Providence.

Send forth thy Light, O thou Mor∣ning Star, and lead us to thy Holy Hill.

Send forth thy Truth, O uncreated Wisdom, and bring us to thy Blessed Ta∣bernacle.

Shew us thy Self, O blessed Jesus, and in thee we shall behold all that we can wish.

Only so much we beg, to conceive of thy Majesty, as may move our hearts to seek thee.

Only so much of thy Approachable Deity as may guide our Souls to find thee.

If we may not know thee clearly here, let us know thee so much, as to long to know thee more.

If we cannot love thee perfectly, let us love thee so much, as to desire to love thee more.

Let us so love and know thee here, O thou soveraign Bliss of our Souls,

That hereafter we may know thee bet∣ter, and love and enjoy thee for ever.

Glory be to the Father, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c.