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.

Saturday MATTINS.

Introduction.

Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer. Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer.

Psalm 79.

COme all you Powers of my deliver'd Soul, and pay your Homage to the Prince of Peace, to the Prince of our Salvation; cast your unworthy selves at his sacred Feet, and renew your Vows of following his Steps.

Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer.

He triumph'd over Death in his own Body, and enables us to conquer it in ours; imparting to us his Heavenly Skill, and provoking our Courage with infinite Rewards.

Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer.

He changed the corrupted Government of the World, and establish'd a new and holy Law, that as we were Vassals to Sin

before, we might now become the free Subjects of Grace.

Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer.

Let us live and die in his blest Obedience, and no Temptation separate us from him; who, if we resist, will make us overcome; and when we have overcome, will crown us with Peace.

Come let's Adore our victorious Redeemer.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

Hymn 25.

LOrd, we again lift up our Eyes, And leave our sluggish Beds; But why we wake, and why we rise, Comes seldom in our Heads.

Is it to sweat and toil for Wealth, Or sport our time away; That thou preserv'st us still in Health, And giv'st us this new Day?

No, no, unskilful Soul! not so, Be not deceiv'd with Toys; Thy Lords Commands more wisely go, And aim at higher Joys.

They bid us wake to seek new Grace, And some fresh Vertue gain; They call us up to mend our pace, Till we the Prize attain.

That glorious Prize for which all run, Who wisely spend their Breath; Who when this weary Life is done, Are sure of rest in Death.

Not such a Rest as here we prove, Disturb'd with Cares and Fears; But endless Joy, and Peace, and Love, Unmixt with Grief and Tears.

Glory to Thee, O bounteous Lord! Who giv'st to all things Breath; Glory to Thee, eternal Word! Who sav'st us by thy Death.

Glory, O blessed Spirit, to Thee who fill'st our Souls with Love; Glory to all the mystick Three, Who reign one God above. Amen.

Antiphon.

This is, alas, the Land of the dying; but we hope to see the Glory of God in the Land of the Living.

Psalm 80.

PRostrate before thy Tomb, O Lord! behold we freely confess our Mi∣sery.

And in the lowest Posture of afflicted Pilgrims, humbly implore thy Mercy.

Peacefully in the Grave thy holy Body reposed; and thy Soul went triumphing to redeem thy Captives.

But we, alas, thy helpless Orphans; how are we left in the midst of our Ene∣mies!

To how many dangers are our Lives ex∣pos'd? with how many Temptations are we round besieg'd?

Temptations in Meat, Temptations in Drink; Temptations in Conversing, Tem∣ptations in Solitude.

Temptations in Business, and in Lei∣sure; Temptation in Riches, and so in Poverty.

All our Ways are strew'd with Snares; and even our own Senses conspire against us.

Whither, O my God, shall our poor Souls go; encompass'd with a Body so frail, and a World so corrupt?

Whither, but to Thee, the Justifier of Sinner; and to thy Grace the sustainer of the weak?

Thy Grace instructs us what we ought to do; and breeds in us the Will to en∣deavour what we know.

Thy Grace enables us to perform our Resolves; and when all's done, thy Grace must give the Success.

Govern us with thy Grace, O eternal Wisdom! and direct our Steps in thy safe way.

Order every Chance to prevent our Falling; and still lead us on to our hap∣py end.

Give us the Eye and Wing of an Eagle, to see our danger, and fly swiftly away.

If we must needs ingage our Enemy, and no means left to escape the Encoun∣ter.

Strengthen us, O Lord, to persevere with Courage; that we may never be wanting in our Fidelity to thee.

Convince us, blessed Jesus, into this firm Judgment; and may our Memories faithfully retain it.

Whatever our Senses say to deceive us; or the World to obscure so beauteous a Truth:

That thy self alone art our chiefest Good; and the sight of thy Glory our su∣pream Felicity.

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

Antiphon.

This is, alas, the Land of the dying; but we hope to see the Glory of God in the Land of the living.

Ant.] Well done, thou good and faith∣ful Servant, I gave thee two Talents, and thou hast gained two more, enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord.

Psalm 81.

HAppy, O Lord, are they who have so much Employment; that there remains no room for Idleness.

Happy are they who have so little bu∣siness; that they want not space to attend their Souls.

Happy yet more are they who in the midst of their work, can think sometimes of the Wages above.

Whom nothing diverts from their chief Concern, of seeking to make their Ele∣ction sure.

But while their Backs are bow'd down with Labour; they freely can raise up their Minds to Heaven.

And while they are ty'd to their Beds of Sickness; can yet move on to their eternal Rest.

Often they rejoyce with themselves alone; and silently say in their contented Hearts.

Here we alas are narrowly confin'd; and our time entertain'd with trivial Af∣fairs.

But hereafter we expect an unbounded enlargement; and the same glorious Of∣fice with the blessed Angels.

Here we are subject to a thousand Mi∣series; and the most prosperous Life is vain and short.

But hereafter we expect an infinity of Joy, and the solid Pleasures of Heaven for ever.

We too, O gracious Lord, who now adore thee; and in thy Presence sing these holy words.

We humbly pray thee, guide us in the middle Path; that we never decline to any vitious extream.

Deliver us from the stormy Sea of bu∣siness; and the dead Water of a sloathful Life.

Lest we be cast away by forgetting thee; or become corrupted by forgetting our selves.

Make us sometimes at least recollect our Thoughts; how much soever our Con∣dition distracts us.

Make us look up with Confidence in our God; how low soever our Afflictions depress us.

Make us look up to the eternal Moun∣tains; and feed our Souls with this sweet Hope.

The day will come that out of this dark World, we shall joyfully ascend to that beauteous sight.

The day will come, and cannot be far off; when we shall rest for ever in the Bosom of Bliss.

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

Antiphon.

Well done thou good and faithful Ser∣vant; I gave thee five Talents, and thou hast gain'd five more.

Psalm 82.

HAppiest of all, O Lord, are they; whose very business is thy Service.

Who not only bestow an interrupted glance; but steddily and constantly fix their Eyes on thee.

Who not only visit thy House some∣times; but Night and Day dwell in thy Presence.

When the Sun rises it finds them at their Prayers; and when it sets leaves them at the same sweet Task.

Every place is a Church to them, and every Day a holy Sabbath.

Every Object an occasion of Piety; and every Accident an exercise of Vertue.

Do they behold the beauteous Stars? they presently adore their great Creator.

Do they look down on the fruitful Earth? they instantly begin to praise his Bounty.

Let War or Peace do what they will; and the inconstant World reel up or down:

They pass through all as unconcern'd; and smoothly go on their regular course:

Looking still up to that glorious Life above; and entertaining this present in Hope and Solitude.

If they depart sometimes from their proper Center; and forsake a while their beloved Retirement.

'Tis to approach and give Light to others; and enflame some cold or luke∣warm Heart.

While they are thus abroad, their Minds are at home with thee; and nothing can divide them from thy dear Presence.

Yet do they wisely make haste to re∣turn; and injoy thee alone in their little Cell.

There thou receiv'st them as familiar Friends; and freely admittest them into thy secret sweetness.

Thou givest them a taste from thine own full board; and overflowest their Hearts with the Wine of Gladness.

Often they feel a little Beam from Hea∣ven strike gently, and fill their Breasts with Light.

Often that gentle Light is kindled into a Flame; and chastly burns with pure De∣sires.

Desires that still mount up and aim at thee; the supernatural center of all their Hopes.

O happy state of reverend Discipline; free from the Cares and Tumults of the World!

Free from the dangerous allurements of Sin; and perpetually sollicited with the engagements to Vertue.

Where they seldom fall, and quickly rise; and make swift advances in the way to Heaven.

Where they live in Purity, and dye with an humble Confidence; and go to sing among the Quires of Angels.

Blest Providence, who govern'st all things in perfect Wisdom; and assignest to every one his proper place!

If thou hast pleas'd to dispose our Lives, in Circumstances less favourable than these.

O let thy powerful hand supply our Wants, and leadus on in our low Path.

That at least afar off we may follow them, who strive to tread so near thy Steps.

So shall we too, though slowly, arrive at the rich Inheritance of thy Holy Land.

So shall we gladly enter those blissful Gates, and dwell for ever in the City of Peace.

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

First Lesson.

HAve thy Thoughts in the Precepts of God, and let thy chief business be his Commandments.

Deliver him that suffers Injury out of the hands of the Proud, and be not faint∣hearted when thou sittest in Judgment.

Be merciful to Orphans as a Father, and as a Husband to their Mother.

He that despiseth the Poor reproacheth his Maker; but he loves him that pitieth them.

The Wicked shall be cast out in his Ma∣lice; but the Just hath hope in his Death.

Our Lord will not accept any Person against the Poor; and will hear the Pray∣er of him that is wronged.

He will not despise the Prayer of the Fatherless, nor the Widow, when she pours forth her Complaint.

Do not the Tears run down the Wi∣dows Cheeks? and is not her cry against them that caused them?

Turn not away thine Eyes in Anger from the Poor; nor give him occasion to curse thee.

Remember not every Wrong of thy Neighbour; nor do any thing by injuri∣ous Practice.

The Great, the Judge, the Mighty are in Honour; but there is none greater than he that fears God.

Resp. Lord, with what admirable Wis∣dom dost thou govern the World! Thou makest the Poor, and appointest them their Task of innocent Work. Thou makest the Rich, and givest them leisure for their better Improvement: And both Poor and Rich to need and help one ano∣ther. O give us Hearts to comply with thy blest Design, that every one may strive for the good of all. One God Cre∣ated us, One Saviour Redeemed us, One Holy Spirit sanctified us, that we all may live in Love, and Amity, and mutual As∣sistance.

Second Lesson.

BE not eager to grow Rich, but use moderation in thy Endeavours: Wealth hastily got shall be diminish'd; but that which is gather'd with the hand by little and little shall be multiply'd.

Lift not up thine Eyes to the Riches thou canst not have; for they make themselves Wings and fly away.

Let not thy Heart envy Sinners, but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

A deceitful Balance is an abomination to the Lord; and an equal Weight is his delight.

There is nothing more wicked than the Love of Money; for he that has it will set even his Soul to Sale.

Riches will not Profit in the day of Wrath; but Righteousness shall deliver from Death.

The Righteousness of the Righteous shall deliver them; and the Unrighteous shall be caught in their deceitful Practices.

The Righteousness of the Simple shall guide his Way; and the Wicked shall fall in his own Wickedness.

Better is a dry Morsel with Joy, than a House full of Victims with Brawling.

Better is a Poor Man walking in his Simplicity, than the Rich in crooked ways.

Sweet is the Labourer's Sleep, whether he eat much or little; but the fulness of the Rich suffers him not to Sleep.

Some who have nothing are as if they were Rich; and others who abound in Wealth, are as if they were Poor.

Some give of their own, and become Richer; others take what is not their own, and are always in Want.

The Sincerity of the Upright shall di∣rect them; and the deceitfulness of the Perverse shall destroy them.

Resp.] Give me, O thou sweet disposer of all things, neither Poverty nor Riches.

Feed me with Food convenient for me, lest I be full and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord? Or lest I be Poor and Steal, and take the name of my God in vain. Or rather, dearest Lord, give me what thou pleasest, since thy Self hast taught me now a more perfect Lesson, to sub∣mit my Will intirely to thine. Only I still beg that in all my ways, thy Provi∣dence may govern me; and in all my Temptations thy Grace may preserve me.

Third Lesson.

IT is better to go to the House of Mourn∣ing, than to the House of Feasting; for that is the end of all Men, and the Living will lay it to Heart.

If a Man live many Years, and rejoice in them all, yet let him remember the days of Darkness.

Rejoice, O young Man, in thy Youth, and let thy Heart chear thee in the days of thy Youth, and walk in the ways of thy Heart, and in the sight of thine Eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring thee unto Judgment.

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy Youth, while the evil days come not, nor the Years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.

Of making many Books there is no end; and much Study is a weariness to the Flesh.

Let us hear the Conclusion of the whole Matter; Fear God, and keep his Com∣mandments, for this is the whole Duty of Man.

Resp.] In all thy Works remember thy last end, when thou must bid a long fare∣wel to all the World. Remember that

dreadful day of the universal Judgment, when thou must give account for every Idle word; and thou shalt not Sin for ever. Remember the Joys prepar'd for the In∣nocent, and the Miseries that attend the Wicked. Remember how nearly it con∣cerns thy Soul, to have a good or bad E∣ternity.

Antiphon.

Be sober and vigilant, for our Adver∣sary the Devil goes about, as a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist stedfast in Faith.

V. We must resist Evil, that we may pursue Good;

R. And escaping Hell, may arrive at Heaven.

Let us pray.

O God, who seest and pitiest the In∣firmity of our Nature, surrounded on every side with the worst of Dangers, Temptations to Sin; strengthen us, we beseech thee, with thy all-powerful Grace, to stand continually on our Guard, re∣solv'd, even to Death, either warily to a∣void, or stoutly break through all that of∣fers to divert or stop the advance of thy Love in our Hearts. And grant us so

wisely to improve the Talents of Capa∣city, and Means, thy Providence assigns us in this present Life, that at the great day of Account, we may every one be received with those precious words; Well done thou good and faithful Servant, en∣ter thou into the Joy of thy Lord; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, World without End. Amen.

Saturday Lauds.

Antiphon.

When thou hadst overcome the sharp∣ness of Death, thou didst open the King∣dom of Heaven to all Believers.

Psalm 83.

IF we rejoyc'd for our selves in the Suf∣ferings of our Lord; let us now re∣joyce for him that his Sufferings are ended:

Now that the Fowlers Net is broken; and the meek and innocent Dove is e∣scap'd:

Now that the Cup of Bitterness is past away; and never possible to return again.

Never again, O dearest Jesus, shall those blest Eyes weep; nor thy holy Soul be sorrowful to death.

Never shall thy precious Life be subject any more, to the bloody Malice of ambi∣tious Hypocrites.

Never shall thy Innocence any more be exposed to the barbarous Fury of an in∣grateful Multitude.

But thou shalt live, and reign for ever; and all created Nature perpetually adore thee.

O happy end of well endured Afflicti∣ons! O blessed Fruits that spring from the Cross of Jesus!

Look up, my Soul, and see thy Cruci∣fied Lord sit gloriously enthron'd at the right-hand of his Father.

Behold the ragged Purple now turn'd into a Robe of Light; the scornful Reed into a Royal Scepter.

The Wreath of Thorns is grown into a sparkling Diadem; and all his Scars po∣lish'd into Brightness.

His Tears are all now chang'd into Joy; and the Laughter of his Persecutors into sad Despair.

Herod long since perish'd into miserable Contempt; and Pilate still trembles with everlasting Fears.

The impenitent Jews are scatter'd o'er the World; to attest his Truth, and their own obdurate Blindness.

But himself is crown'd with eternal Triumphs; and the Souls of his redeemed shall sing his Victories for ever.

Live glorious King of Men and Angels; live happy Conqueror of Sin and Death.

Our Praises shall always attend thy Cross; and our Patience endeavour to bear our own.

Through fiercest Dangers our Faith shall follow thee; and nothing wrest from us our hopes of enjoying thee.

We'll fear no more the sting of Death; nor be frighted at the darkness of the Grave.

Since thou hast chang'd our Grave into a Bed of Rest; and made Death it self but a Passage unto Life.

We'll love no more the Pleasures of Vanity; nor set our Hearts on unsatisfy∣ing Riches.

Since thou hast open'd Paradise again; and purchas'd for us the Kingdom of Hea∣ven.

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

Psalm 84.

BLessed be thy Name, O holy Jesus! and blessed be the Mercy of thy Pro∣vidence.

Who hast cast our Lots in these times of Grace; and design'd our Birth in the days of Light:

When we may see our ready way; and directly go on to our glorious End.

Soon as thine own Afflictions ended, thou didst communicate thy Joys to all the World:

All that esteem'd so blest a Sight; and stood prepar'd to entertain thy Coming.

As for the rest, whose Eyes are shut; or turn'd away by their own Malice:

Thy Presence yields them no more Joy, than Light to those that will not see.

But the Hearts that love thee thou fillest with Gladness; and overflowest them with an Ocean of heavenly Delights.

Come happy Souls, to whom belongs so fair a Title to all these Mercies!

Come, let us now raise up our Thoughts, and continually meditate on our future Beatitude.

Let us comfort our Labours with the hope of Rest; and our Sufferings with the expectance of a quick Reward.

Now that the hand of our gracious Lord, has unlock'd the Gates of everlast∣ing Bliss:

Now that they stand wide open, to admit such as press on with their utmost strength:

Such as have wisely made choice of Heaven; for the only end and business of their Life:

Rejecting all these false Allurements; to attend the pursuit of true Felicity.

O blessed Jesus, our Hope, our Strength; and the full rewarder of all thy Servants!

As thou hast freely prepar'd for us ready Wages; so, Lord, let thy Grace enable us to work.

Make us to direct our whole Life to thee; and undervalue all things compar'd with thy Love.

Seal thou up our Eyes to the illusions of the World; and open them upwards to thy solid Glories.

That when our earthly Tabernacle shall be dissolv'd; and this House of Clay fall down into the Dust:

We may ascend to thee, and dwell a∣bove; in that Building not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.

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

Psalm 85.

PRaise our Lord, O ye Children of Men; Praise him as the Author of all your Hopes.

Praise our Lord, O ye blessed of Hea∣ven; praise him as the finisher of all your Joys.

Sing, O ye Reverend Patriarchs, and Holy Prophets; sing Hymns of Glory to the Great Messias.

Sing and rejoyce, all you ancient Saints; who so long reposed in the Bosom of A∣braham.

Bring forth your best and purest In∣cense; and humbly offer it at the Throne of the Lamb:

The Lamb that was slain from the be∣ginning of the World; by the sprinkling of whose Blood ye are all sav'd.

O still sing on the Praises of the King of Peace; and bless for ever his victorious Mercy.

'Twas he dissolv'd the Power of Dark∣ness; and brake asunder the Bars of Death.

How did your glad Eyes sparkle with Joy; to see at last your desir'd Redeemer!

How were your Spirits transported with Delights; to behold the Splendor of his glorious Presence!

O glorious Preserver, when shall our Souls be filled with strong and constant desires of enjoying thee?

When, dearest Jesus, shall our Desires be filled with the everlasting fruition of thy self?

Henceforth for thee, and for thy sacred Love, O thou great and only comfort of our Souls!

May all Afflictions be welcome to us; as wholsome Physick to correct our Fol∣lies.

May the Pleasures of the World be re∣jected by us; as dangerous Fruits that fill us with Diseases.

May we by thy Example, neither fear to die; nor refuse the Labours of this Life.

But while we live, obey thy Grace; that when we die, we may enjoy thy Glory.

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

2 Pet. 3. 17.

BEware lest ye also being led away by the Error of the Wicked, ye sall from your own stedfastness.

But grow in Grace, and in the Know∣ledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus

Christ; to him be Glory, both now, and for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn 26.

MY God, to thee our selves we owe, And to thy Bounty all we have; Behold to thee our Praises flow, And humbly thy acceptance crave.

If we are happy in a Friend, That very Friend 'tis thou bestow'st; His Power, his Will to help our end, Is just so much as thou allow'st.

If we enjoy a free Estate, Our only Title is from thee; Thou mad'st our Lot to bear that rate, Which else an empty Blank would be.

If we have Health that well tun'd Ground, Which gives the Musick to the rest; It is by thee our Air is sound, Our Food secur'd, our Physick blest.

If we have hope one Day to view The Glories of thy blissful Face; Each drop of that refreshing Dew Must fall from Heav'n, and thy free Grace.

Thus then to Thee our Praises flow, And humbly thy acceptance crave; Since 'tis to Thee our selves we owe, And to thy Bounty all we have.

Glory to Thee, great God, alone, Three Persons in One Deity; As it has been in Ages gone, May now and still for ever be. Amen.

Antiphon.

'Tis consummated; thou hast, O Jesu, overcome in thy Body, all the Powers of Darkness; Their Hour is past, but thy Souls eternal Bliss remains; and behold that of thy triumphant Resurrection ap∣proaches.

V. Be not afraid of those that kill the Body.

R. And after that have no more to do.

Let us pray.

O God, who hast submitted thine only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, to ex∣pire on the Cross, and descend into the Grave, that he might destroy the Life of Sin, and bury the Terrors of Death! Grant, we beseech thee, they may never revive or rise again, to tempt us, or fright

us from the ways of Vertue, nor shake this sure and fundamental Truth, which thy Grace has laid in our Hearts, that the greatest mischiefs our Salvation costs us here, are but momentary, and work a∣bove measure in us an eternal weight of Glory, through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Antiphon.

They who use this World, let them be as if they used it not; for the fashion of this World passeth away.

Saturday Vespers.

Psalm 86.

WHy do you so eagerly pursue the World; and seek its fond Enjoy∣ments?

A World of Vanity and false Deceits; a World of Misery and sad Disasters.

Whose Crosses are solid, and Comforts empty; whose Sorrows are permanent, and its Delights pass quickly away.

A World where the Innocent are con∣demned with Shame; and the Guilty are freed with Applause.

Where often the wicked are advanc'd to Honour; and the vertuous are oppress'd with Disgrace.

Where Friends fall off, and Kindred forget; and every one minds his proper Interest.

Yet are we taken with this crooked World; and blindly court its painted Face.

We make some ugly Passion Mistress of our Hearts; and neglect the pure and amiable Love of Jesus.

Whose Goodness to us gives us all we have, whose Perfections in himself are more than we can conceive.

Thou art, O glorious Jesus, the beauty of Angels, and the everlasting Joy of all Saints.

Thou art the Heaven of Heavens it self; and in thy sight alone is the fulness of Bliss.

All this thou art, and infinitely more; and yet, alas, how few esteem thee?

The World, we dearly know, too often has deceiv'd us; and our rashness cares not to be undone again.

Thou never, O Jesus, hast fail'd our Hope; and yet our Dulness fears to rely on thee.

The World distracts and embroils our Spirits; and wretched we delight in our Misery.

Thou always, O Jesu, fill'st our Hearts with Peace; and senseless we are weary of thy Happiness.

The World calls, and we faint in fol∣lowing it; Thou call'st, and we are still relieved by Thee.

Yet is our Nature so ingratefully per∣verse; we run after that which Tires, and abandons that which Refreshes with inef∣fable sweetness.

Sometimes our Lips speak gloriously of thee; O thou living Fountain of eternal Bliss!

Some happy times we relish thy sweet∣ness; and decry aloud the Poyson of the World.

But we are soon enticed by its gilded Cup, and easily forsake the Waters of Life

O blessed Jesus, who took'st upon thee all our Frailties; to bestow on us thine own Perfections!

Teach us to prize the Joys of Heaven; and part with all things else to purchase that.

Make all the pleasures of this Life seem bitter to our taste; as they are indeed per∣nicious to our Healths.

Let not their Flatteries any more delude us; nor superfluous Cares perplex our Minds.

But may our chief delight be to think of thee; and all our study to grow great in thy Love.

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

Antiphon.

We by a fond self-love blame every thing but our selves; whilst nothing can hurt us but our own misplaced Affecti∣ons.

Psalm 87.

ALL this is true, and yet the World is loved; and our Nature inclines to affect its Vanities.

'Tis loved, and so it justly deserves; did we understand its real value.

Our Life indeed seems mean and trivial; and all things about us seem troublesome and dangerous.

Yet, O my God, are their consequen∣ces excellent in this; that they are our only way of coming to thee.

This World, and this alone, is the Womb that breeds us; and brings us forth to see thy Light.

This is alone the proper Machine, wherein thy Hand has set our Lives:

To learn the Art of managing it right; and wind up our selves to thy glorious Heaven.

O that we had that happy Skill! how soon would every thing help forward to advance us?

Whether we eat or drink, or whatso∣ever else an innocent Hand can under∣take:

If we regard our happy end, and order all to the improvement of our Minds:

They instantly change their secular Name; and deservedly are preferr'd to be∣come Religious.

Riches themselves, and imperious Ho∣nour, have not so perverse and fixt a Ma∣lice:

But a prudent use converts them to Piety; and makes them fit Instruments of highest Bliss.

Our very Delights, O the goodness of God! may be so temper'd with a wise alloy:

That his Mercy accounts them as parts of our Duty; and fails not to give them their due Reward:

While they are entertain'd for the Health of our Bodies, or the just refreshment of our wearied Spirits:

And both our Bodies and Spirits con∣stantly apply'd, to gain new degrees of the love of Heaven.

Thus, gracious Lord, every moment of our Lives may still be climbing up towards thee.

Thus may we proceed in thy Service; even then when we most of all serve our selves.

And then indeed we best serve our selves, when we are busiest in that we call thy Service.

Thou sweetly vouchsafest to stile that thy Glory, which in very truth is nothing but our Interest.

Thou kindly complain'st we dishonour thy Name; when we only mischief our own Soul.

O blessed Jesus, King of Clemency, and great Rewarder of every little im∣prov'd Grace!

Thou who by all we can do pretendest no Gain; but bestowest upon us all thy self hast done!

Thou who camest down from Heaven, to shew us a Pattern; and mad'st us free to work for our Profit!

Instruct our Gratitude to consecrate all to thee; since all by thy Bounty redounds to our Profit.

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

Antiphon.

We by a fond self-love blame every thing but our selves, whilst nothing can hurt us but our own misplac'd Affections.

Ant.] It is decreed for all Men once to dye; and after Death to come to Judg∣ment.

Psalm 88.

THis Life indeed is the way we must walk; but this alone cannot bring us to the end.

E're we arrive at our appointed home, we must be led through the Gates of Death.

Where we shall be absolutely stript of all we have; and carry nothing with us but what we are.

Where we must not only quit the World; but leave behind us even a part of our selves.

Hast thou, my Soul, seen some Neigh∣bour die; and dost thou remember those circumstances of Sorrow?

We are sure the Case e're long will be our own; and are not sure but it may be very soon.

Have we our selves been dangerously Sick? and do we remember the Thoughts we had then?

How we resolv'd to correct our Passions; and strive against the Vices that so parti∣cularly endanger us?

'Twill come to this again, and no re∣prieve be found, to stay one single Mi∣nute the hand of Death.

But he immediately will seize upon us; and bear us away to the Region of Spi∣rits:

There to be rang'd in our proper place; as the course of our Life has qualified us here.

Nor is this all to expire, and die, and dwell for a time in a state of Separation.

We must expect another Day; a Day of publick Accounts, and restitution of all things.

Where the Arch-Angel shall sound his Trumpet; and proclaim aloud this uni∣versal Summons:

Arise you dead, and come to Judgment; arise, and appear before the Throne of God.

Then shall the little heaps of Dust im∣mediately awake; and every Soul put on her proper Body.

Immediately all the Children of Adam shall be gather'd together; from Heaven, and Hell, and every corner of the Earth.

There they must stand and attend their Doom; but Oh with how sad and fatal a difference!

The Just shall look up with a chearful Confidence; and in their new white Robes triumph and sing:

Alleluja, let us rejoice, for the King∣dom of the World is made our Lord's, and his Christ's; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Let us rejoyce, for now our Redeemer is nigh; behold he comes quickly, and his reward is with him.

Come, come, Lord Jesu, thou long de∣sire of our Hearts; come quickly thou full delight of our Souls.

Come, and declare to all the World thy Glory; come, and reward before all the World, thy Servants.

Lo, where he comes aloft in Power and Majesty; attended with a Train of innumerable Angels.

Behold where he sits inthron'd on the Wings of Cherubims; and takes at once a view of all Mankind.

Soon he commands his Angels to sever his Sheep; and gather them together on his right Hand.

First then to them he turns his glorious Face; and shines upon them with these ravishing words:

Come ye blessed of my Father; posses the Kingdom prepar'd for you, from the beginning of the World.

O the Joys their Souls shall feel; when those heavenly Words shall sound in their Ears!

Joys which the Wit of Man cannot conceive; Joys that the Tongue of An∣gels cannot express!

Let it suffice, themselves shall taste their own Felicity; and feed on its sweetness for evermore.

But O! with what dejected Eyes, and trembling Hearts, shall the wicked stand expecting their Judge!

What shall they do, when where-e'er they look, their Eye can meet with nothing but Despair?

Above the offended Judge, ready to condemn them; below the bottomless Pit gaping to devour them:

Within the Worm of Conscience gnaw∣ing their Bowels; and round about all the World in Flames.

What shall they do, when that terrible Voice shall strike them suddenly down to the bottom of Hell:

Go ye cursed into everlasting Fire, pre∣par'd for the Devil and his Angels?

The Day of Man is past; when Sin∣ners did what they pleas'd, and God seem'd to hold his peace.

'Tis now the Day of God, when his Wrath shall speak in Thunder; and Sin∣ners suffer what their wickedness deserves.

Then shall they sink immediately into the Pit of Sorrows; and dwell in Dark∣ness and Torments for ever.

Whilst the Just shall go up in Joy and Triumph; and reign with our Lord in his Kingdom for ever.

Thus shall the whole Creation be fi∣nally disposed; and Mercy and Justice divide the World.

O my Soul, who now art here below; and readest these dreadful Truths as things afar off!

Know thou shalt then be present, and see them with thine Eyes; and be thy self concern'd for all Eternity.

Know as thou livest thou art like to die; and as thou diest thou art sure to be judged.

Think what a sad condition it will be, to find thy self on the wrong hand.

Think what thou then wouldst give to have repented; think what thou wouldst give for a little time to repent.

Watch therefore now, and continually pray, for we know not the Hour when the Son of Man will come.

O Son of God, God-Man, who cam'st in Mercy to save us! bring the same Mer∣cy with thee, when thou comest to judge us.

Mean while assist us with thy heavenly Grace, to stand perpetually with our Ac∣counts prepar'd.

That we may die in the peace of God, and his Holy Church; and go to live with him and his blessed Saints for ever.

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

Antiphon.

It is decreed for all Men once to die, and after death to come to Judgment.

Titus, Chap. 2.

BUT speak thou the things that be∣come sound Doctrine, that the aged Men be Sober, Grave, Temperate, sound in Faith, Charity, Patience.

The aged Women likewise, that they be in Behaviour as becometh Holiness, not false Accusers, not given to much Wine, teachers of good things.

That they may teach the young Wo∣men to be Sober, to love their Husbands, to love their Children.

To be Discreet, Chaste, keepers at Home, Good, Obedient unto their own Husbands, that the Word of God be not Blasphem'd.

Young Men likewise exhort, to be so∣ber minded; in all things shewing thy self a Pattern of Good Works, in Doctrine shewing incorruptness, with Gravity, Sin∣cerity.

Exhort Servants to be obedient to their own Masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again, not pur∣loining, but shewing all good Fidelity, that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Hymn 27.

LOrd, what a pleasant Life were this, If all did do their Parts; If all did one another love Sincerely with their Hearts!

No Suits of Law, no noise of War, Our quiet Minds would fright; No Fear to lose, no Care to keep, What justly is our right.

No envious Thought, no slandring Tongue, Would e're disturb our Peace; We should help them, and they help us, And all unkindness cease.

But the All-wise chose other Laws, And thought it better so; He made the World, and sure he knows What's best with it to do.

'Tis for our Good, that all this Ill Is suffer'd here below; 'Tis to correct those dangerous Sweets, That else would Poyson grow.

So Storms are rais'd, to clear the Air, And chase the Clouds away; So Weeds grow up to cure our Wounds, And all our Pains allay.

How often, Lord, do we mistake, When we our Plots design? Rule thou hereafter thine own World, Only thy self be mine.

Or rather, Lord, let me be thine, Else I am not my own; Give me thy self, or take thou me, Undone if left alone.

To thee, great God of Heaven and Earth! Each Knee for ever bow: May all thy Blessed sing above, And we adore below. Amen.

Antiphon.

Thou givest us tastes of good here, to beget and feed in us an Appetite. Thou givest us but tastes here, to draw our Af∣fections up to thy self; whose fruition a∣lone can only satisfy.

V. Vain and preposterous it is to ex∣pect our port at Sea:

R. Or to look for a Haven on Earth, but in Hope.

Let us pray.

O Merciful God, whose Providence disparages with shortness, and crosses, all the enjoyments of the World, that they may become less tempting to us, and take less hold of our Hearts! Grant us Grace, we beseech thee, wisely to discern, and heartily praise Thee, for this most beneficial alloy of their Natures; and since we cannot attain Thee, the Heaven of Heavens, if we do not fix our selves intirely on Thee, nor yet be rais'd to this, if we are or may be satisfied with any thing besides thy glorious Self; make us check and overcome the Repinings of Flesh and Blood, with juster Adorations of thy infinite Mercy, for qualifying so sitly this Womb of our Souls, that by its own uneasiness it may more easily dispose them for a happy Birth, into thy blessed Eternity, through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, World without End. Amen.

Saturday Compline.

Antiphon.

Too often are we troubled about many things; when only the one thing is need∣ful.

Psalm 89.

REtire, O my Soul, into thine own Bosom, and search what thou aim'st at in all thy Thoughts.

Where dost thou place thy chief Felici∣ty? and whither tend thy strong De∣sires?

Go to the Great and Prudent of the World, and learn of them to chuse thy Interests.

Do not they encrease their Estates, where they mean to spend most of their Life?

Do they project their Mansion-Seat, in a Country through which they pass as Tra∣vellers?

No more, my Soul, should we build our best Hopes, on the Sandy Foundation of this perishable Earth.

Where sure we are we cannot stay long; and are not sure we shall stay a very little.

O thou eternal Being, who changest not; yet art the cause and end of all our Changes!

Who still remainest the same rich ful∣ness in thy self; the same bright Glory to all the Blessed.

Teach us to use this transitory Life; as Pilgrims returning to their beloved Home.

That we may take what our Journey requires; and not think of settling in a Foreign Country.

But wisely forecast our Treasures so; to be happy there where we must always be.

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

Psalm 90.

NOW thou hast found thy happy End; and found it the only Good that lasts for ever:

Study, O my Soul, to know still more; and still more value those Immortal Joys.

Strive for so glorious a Prize with thy whole force; and the utmost strainings of all thy Faculties.

Purchase at any rate that blest Inheri∣tance; and wisely neglect even all things else.

All that divert thee from thy holy Course; or but retard the speed of thy Advance.

For though the least in the Kingdom of Heaven be happy enough; where every Vessel is fill'd to the brim:

Yet to enlarge our Capacity to the least higher degree, deserves the busiest dili∣gence of our whole Life.

Shall the industrious Bee endure no rest; but fly, and sing, and labour all the day?

Shall the unwearied Ant be running up and down; to fetch and carry a few Grains of Corn?

And we, for whom all Nature so faith∣fully Works; and tires it self in a perpe∣tual Motion.

For whom the tender Providence of God commands even his Angels to watch and pray:

For whom the ador'd Jesus came down from Heaven; and spent a whole Life in continual Labours:

Shall we sleep on in a drowsy Sloath; and not stir a Finger to help our selves?

Away my Soul, and chide thy fluggish Thoughts; and let their stupid Folly plain∣ly know:

We have a Store to provide as well as Ants; and infinitely richer than their poor Hoard.

We have a Work to do as well as Bees; and infinitely sweeter than all their Ho∣ney.

What can so nobly enrich an immortal Soul; as still to be gathering a Stock for Eternity?

What can so highly delight one, that every Day improves; as daily to see the exercise of his Hope?

O blessed Hope, be thou my chief de∣light; and the only Treasure I covet to lay up.

Be thou the quickening Life of all my Actions; and sweet alloy of all my Suf∣ferings.

So shall I ne'er refuse the meanest La∣bours; whilst I look to receive such glori∣ous Wages.

So shall I ne'er repine at any Temporal Loss; whilst I hope to gain such eternal Rewards.

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

Psalm 91.

BUT Oh! 'tis not so much our Sloath undoes us; as the imprudent choice in applying our diligence.

Many, alas, take pains enough; Many perplex themselves too much.

See how the busie Toilers of the World are chain'd perpetually like Slaves to their Work.

How early they rise, and go late to Sleep; and eat the Bread of Care and Sorrow.

See how the hardy Soldiers follow their Prince; through a thousand Difficulties and Dangers.

See how the venturous Mariners expose their Lives, over Stormy Seas, into barba∣rous Nations.

And why all this, poor ill advised Wretches! but to fetch perhaps a little Fish or Spice?

To gain a few Pence, or some petty Honour; which others more share in than your selves?

O bounteous Lord, how easy are thy Commands; how cheap hast thou made the purchase of Heaven!

Half these Pains would make us Saints; half these Sufferings canonize us for Martyrs:

Were they devoutly undertaken for thee; and the higher enjoyment of thy glorious Promises.

Thou bid'st us not freeze under the Po∣lar Star; nor burn in the heats of the torrid Zone.

But proposest a sweet and gentle Rule; and such as our Nature it self would chuse:

Did not our Passions strangely mislead us; and the World about us distract our Reason.

Thou bid'st us but wisely love our selves; and attend above all things our own Hap∣piness.

Thou bid'st us value even this World, as much as it deserves; since it is the School that breeds us up for the other.

Only we are forbidden to be wilful Fools; and preferr a short Vanity before eternal Felicity.

O the mild Government of the King of Heaven! this we can do whatever else we are doing.

This we can do, even whilst we sit still; and only move our Thoughts towards Thee.

Yet let not this thy facile sweetness, Lord! be abused by us by a wanton neglect.

But make us to love thee so much more; as thou more discoverest the excess of thy Love.

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

Hymn 28.

MY Soul! what's all this World to thee, This World of Sin and Woe; Where only Sense can taste its sweets, And those unwholsome too?

Truth is thy Food, Truth thy delight, Which cannot here be free; Thy Mind was born to know, and love, What this Life ne'er can see.

Malicious World! how dost thou lay, And cover thy false Baits? Here those of Pleasure, there of Gain, Each for our Ruine wait.

Unhappy we! it is our Fault, 'Tis we our Life abuse; The World presents a furnish'd Shop, And we the Tools misuse.

So have I seen a little Child, If Nurse but turn her Eye, Instead of Haft, take hold o'th' Blade, And cut it self, and cry.

This little Child, alas, am I, Self-will'd, self-wounded too; But, Lord, turn not thy Face away, Lest I my self undo.

O make me still so use this World, That I the other gain; O make me so the other love, That this its end attain.

Its end to breed up Souls for Heaven, Then be it self new dress'd: No more Corruption, no more Change, But one perpetual Rest. Amen.

Antiphon.

The Day of the Lord cometh as a Thief in the Night.

V. We have here no abiding City, but we seek one above.

V. Jesus came down to give us a glimpse of it,

R. And made his own Life the Chart to direct us to it.

Let us pray.

O God, whose eternal Providence has embark'd our Souls in the Ship of our Bodies, not to expect any Port or Ancho∣rage on the Sea of this World, but steer directly through it to thy glorious King∣dom! Grant us, we beseech Thee, that daily reflecting with what Care and unwearied Diligence, the wretched Adventurers for

all sorts of Vanity pursue, round about us, their desperate Courses, we may heartily feel our selves confounded with just Re∣proach, who knowing our engagement on so important a Voyage, yet take so little Pains to perform it. Preserve us, O Lord, from the Dangers that on all sides assault us, and keep our Affections still fitly dispos'd to receive thy holy Inspira∣tions, that carried sweetly and strongly forward by thy holy Spirit, we may hap∣pily arrive at last in the Haven of eternal Salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, One God, blessed for ever. Amen.