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 72.

TO Thee, O God, we owe our whole selves; for making us after thine own Image.

To Thee, O Lord, we owe more than our selves; for redeeming us with the death of thine only Son.

Nor were our Ruines so soon repair'd, as at first our Being was easily produc'd.

Thy Power to create us said but one word; and immediately we became a living Soul.

But thy Wisdom to redeem us, both spake much, and wrought more, and suf∣fer'd most of all.

To redeem us he humbl'd himself to this low World; and all the Infirmities of this miserable Nature.

He patiently endur'd Hunger and Thirst, and the malicious Affronts of enrag'd E∣nemies.

How many times did he hazard his Life; to sustain with Courage the Truths of Heaven?

How many Tears did he tenderly weep; in compassion of his blind ungrateful Country?

How many drops of Blood did he shed, in that doleful Garden, and on the bitter Cross?

The Cross, where after three long hours of Grief, and Shame, and intolerable Pains:

He meekly bow'd his fainting Head; and in an Agony of Prayer yielded up the Ghost.

So sets the glorious Sun in a sad Cloud; and leaves our Earth in darkness and dis∣order:

But goes to shine immediately in th'other World; and soon returns again, and brings us Light.

And so dost thou, dear Lord, and more; thy very Darkness is our Light.

'Tis by thy death we are made to live; and by thy Wounds our Sores are cured.

O my ador'd Redeemer, who tookest upon Thee all our Miseries; to impart to us thine own Felicities!

Can we remember thy Labours for us; and not be convinc'd of our Duty to Thee?

Can our cold Hearts recount thy Suf∣ferings; and not be enflam'd with the Love that suffer'd?

Can we believe our Salvation cost Thee so dear; and live as if to be saved were not worth our Pains?

Ingrateful we! how do we slight the kindness of our God? how carelesly com∣ply with his gracious Design?

For all his Gifts he requires no other return; than to hope still more, and de∣sire still greater Blessings.

For all his Favours, he seeks no other Praise; than our following his Steps to arrive at his Glory.

O glorious Jesus! behold to Thee we bow; and humbly kiss the Dust in ho∣nour of thy Death.

Behold thus low we bow, to implore thy Blessings; and the sure assistance of thy special Grace.

That we may wean our Affections from all vain Fancies; and clear our Thoughts from all Impertinencies.

Then shall our Lives be intirely dedi∣cated to Thee; and all the Faculties of our Souls to thy Service.

Our Minds shall continually study thy Knowledge; and our Wills grow every day stronger in thy Love.

Our Memories shall faithfully lay up thy Mercies; and both Tongue and Heart shall sing for ever.

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