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.

Antiphon.

'Tis not for us, O Lord, to choose for us our own Conditions, but to manage well what thou appointest.

Only our Earth shall return to Earth; but our better part shall live for ever.

Psalm 134.

MY Soul, all these Complaints con∣cern not thee; whom thy bounte∣ous God has made immortal.

Who when this House of Clay shall fall into Dust; and this narrow Cage shall be broken down.

Shalt soar aloft on thine own free Wings; and spread thy boundless Eye o'er all the World.

If thou hast happily train'd up thy self, to aim still upwards at the highest Hea∣vens:

Swift as a Flash of quickest Lightning, shalt thou instantly fly to those blessed Objects.

But if thy Thoughts have flag'd below; and delighted to hover too near the Earth:

If above all things thou hast lov'd thy God; but not lov'd all things in order to thy God:

Or if thy Tears have been too few; to wash away thorowly the remaining Stains:

Unworthy as yet of that blissful Light; whose Beams endure not the least Impu∣rity:

Thou must sit down in the shades of Sorrow; and dwell in the vale of Tears and Darkness.

There thou must sigh, and mourn, and wait, till the days of thy purifying be fully finish'd.

O the dear Price that all Penitents must pay for ever being vicious!

How are their Souls inflam'd with An∣guish; and rack'd and tortur'd at the sight of their Sins?

How do they sadly lament their care∣less Liberties; and the horrid Passions they too much obey'd?

But much more miserable are they, who by deferring their Repentance, come not to the sight of their Sins at all.

After this Life, their Repentance comes too late, to meet with that Mercy they have so long abused.

O that the time of Darkness may be so dreaded, that it may never be felt by any of us:

But the happy Day may dawn upon us, and clear up poor benighted Souls with thy radiant Beams.

O may the Sun of Righteousness speedi∣ly arise; and disperse the Mist that inter∣cepts their sight.

Come, Lord, come quickly dearest Je∣su; and rescue with thy Power thine own Inheritance.

Thou who camest once to redeem us Sinners; come gloriously now to deliver thy Servants.

Deliver our Souls out of the Snare of the Enemy; and deliver all Captives out of the hands of the Wicked:

That they may pass from Death to Life; and dwell with Thee in thy blessed Peace.

Give us eternal rest, O merciful Lord, and may thy glorious Light shine on us for ever. Amen.

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