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 46.

MAY every Age sing Praises to our God; and all Generations adore thy Providence.

From the Beginning his Mercy has still laid Means; to raise us to those blessed Objects above our Nature.

At first he created Adam with all neces∣sary Knowledge; and then ordain'd the Patriarchs to inform their Families.

Afterwards he charg'd the Angels to bring us his Commands; and often inspi∣red the Prophets to declare his Will.

When he had done all this, and found it not enough; to guide untoward Man to his true End.

What did he do then to save the perish∣ing World? O strange excess of Divine Goodness!

He sent even his own beloved Son to dwell amongst us; and teach us the Art of working out our Salvation:

That sacred Art of training up our Souls for Heaven; and fitting them for the blissful Union with himself.

But, O thou King of glorious Sweet∣ness; whose flowing Tongue dropt Milk and Honey!

We were not alas! so happy as to be∣hold thy Person; nor our Ears worthy to hear thy Voice.

Yet e're we were born thou hadst us in thy Thoughts; and didst provide a Me∣thod to supply that Defect.

Selecting a number of choice Disciples; and throughly instructing them in thy Heavenly Doctrine.

That they might keep alive the Memo∣ry of thee; and witness to all Nations thy stupendious Works.

Thou didst verifie their Mission with the power of Miracles; and enflamedst their Hearts with the Fire of thy Spi∣rit.

O'er all the World they proclaim'd thy Law; and undauntedly preach'd the cru∣cified Jesus.

Deep in the Breasts of thy Faithful did they write thy Gospel; and seal'd it be∣fore their Eyes with their own Blood.

Their Successors deposited the same precious Treasure; in the common Ma∣gazin of the Universal Church.

Enjoyning their Children to guard it with their Lives; and convey it unchan∣ged to future Ages.

Thus is the Catholick Faith descended on us; and thus shall continue to the end of the World.

Blessed be thy Goodness, O gracious God; who hast thus made known thy Will to us.

Blessed be thy Power, O Lord; who by thy Apostles hast wrought such Mira∣cles to confirm thy Faith, and inclin'd our Hearts to believe it.

How many Souls are unhappily sedu∣ced; and lose themselves in the Wilder∣ness of Error and Heresie?

While we are guided by thy Provi∣dence; and directly led the strait and on∣ly way to Bliss.

How many Nations lie miserably in∣volved in the Darkness of Barbarism and Unbelief?

While we enjoy a clear Noon∣day; and safely walk in the Light of Truth.

O infinite Goodness! who freely chu∣sest to pour forth thy Blessings on unwor∣thy us.

As tis alone from thee we receive these Favours; to thee alone let us return our Praises.

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