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 43.

COme now my Soul, and chuse; for Life and Death are set before thee.

Chuse whilst thy gracious Lord allows thee Day; lest the Light of Darkness o∣vertake thy Neglect.

Chuse, but remember thy Eternity is concern'd; and examine well e're thou make thy Resolve.

Call all the Pleasures of the World be∣fore thee; and ask if any of them be worth such Pains.

Ask, if to satisfie some irregular Passi∣on, can recompence the Forfeiture of such Felicities?

Ask, if the vain forbidden Things thou lovest, deserve thy Affection better than thy Maker?

Are they more worthy in themselves, or beneficial unto thee; that thou canst prefer them before thy Redeemer?

Dost thou expect to be quiet by enjoy∣ing them; or everlastingly happy by their Procurement?

Will they protect thee at the Hour of Death; or plead thy Cause at the Day of Judgment?

O no, they but deceive me witha•• smiling Look; which I too oft have pro∣ved by dear Experience.

'Tis Heaven alone that yields a true Content; 'tis Heaven alone that fills us with Delight.

Take then away your Flatteries, false World; and leave me free for better Thoughts.

Turn thou thy Face to me dear Jesus; and keep mine Eyes still turn'd towards thee.

That I may look continually on thy glorious Beauty; and be ravisht for ever with the Charms of thy Sweetness.

'Tis thee, chaste Spouse of Souls, ••tis thee alone I chuse; and dedicate my self intirely to thy Service.

Thou art my sole and absolute Lord; be thou my Part and Inheritance for ever.

But, O my dearest Lord, do thou chuse me; and guide my uninstructed Soul to chuse thee.

O make me chuse to love thee, till I come to see thee; and then I'm sure I cannot chuse but love thee, and be ravisht with thee for ever.

Here we alas! move slowly in the Dark; led on by the Argument of things not seen.

But did we clearly see what we say we believe; we shou'd certainly change the Course of our Lives.

Did we but see the Damned in their Flames; or hear them cry in the midst of their Torments:

How shou'd we fear to follow them in their Sins; which we know have plung'd them in all those Miseries?

How shou'd we strive against the next Temptation; and cast about to avoid the Danger?

Did we but see the Glories of the Saints; or hear the sweet Hymns they continually sing:

How shou'd we study to imitate their Lives; which we know have rais'd them to all that Happiness?

How shou'd we seek all Occasions of Improvement; and make it our business to work out our Salvation?

Nay did our Faith but firmly believe the Truths we every Day recite in our Creeds;

What would we do to attain those Joys? what wou'd we not do to escape those Sorrows?

Wou'd half an Hour be too long to pray; or once a Week too oft to fast?

Wou'd the Pardon of an Injury be too hard a Law; or the making Restitution too dear a Price?

Durst we return to our Sins again; or spend our Time in Idleness and Folly?

Yet is all this as sure as if we saw it; and wou'd move us as much if we seriou∣sly considered it.

If we considered what I'm sure we be∣lieve; we shou'd never live as I'm sure we do.

Which of us doubts but e're it be long we shall all be Dust; yet which of us lives as if we thought to die?

Pity, O gracious Lord, the frailty of thy Servants; and suffer not our blind∣ness to lead us to ruine.

Supply our want of sight by a lively Faith; and strengthen our Faith by thy powerful Grace.

Make us to remember 'tis no Childrens Sport, to gain or lose the Kingdom of Heaven.

Make us chuse wisely, and pursue our Choice; and as well use the Means, as like the End.

O set thou right the Byass of our Hearts; that in all our Motions we may draw off from the World.

That they may still incline towards thee; and rest at last in thy Holy Pre∣sence.

Thou art our Lord, and we will serve thee in Fear; Thou art our God, and we will love thee in Hope, and humble Confidence too of enjoying thee for ever.

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