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 38.

WHat did I say, O Lord my God! we guide not our Lives by thy strait Rules?

It was too mild and gentle a Reproof for us, who quite contradict thy Laws.

What thou forbiddest we eagerly pur∣sue; and what thou commandest our Fro∣wardness still resists.

We boldly converse with Temptation and Sin; which thy Charity adviseth us to fly like Death.

We timorously fear a Loss or a Frown; where thou bidst us proceed with undaun∣ted Courage.

We govern our Actions by our own wild Fancies; and expect thy Providence should comply with our Humours.

We would have thee relieve us when we list; and rain and shine as we think fit.

Pardon, O gracious Lord, this rude Perverseness; and fashion our Spirits to submit to thee.

Make us exactly observe what thou re∣quirest and prescribest; how bitter soever it is to our Taste.

We are sure thy Wisdom knows our Infirmities; we are sure thy Goodness delights in our Relief.

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