Devotions IN The Ancient Way OF OFFICES: WITH PSALMS, HYMNS, and PRAYERS; for every day in the Week, and every Holiday in the Year.
Mind not who speaks, but what is said.
PARIS, MDCLXVIII.
DIRECTIONS.
THis Book consists chiefly of Eleven Offices: One for each day in the Week: One for our Saviour's Feasts: One for the H. Ghost: One for Saints: and One for the Dead.
Each Office has four Parts; Matins and Lauds, for the Morning. Vefpers and Complin, for the Evening.
The manner of reciting these Offices.
When one says his Pray'rs alone, the circumstances are free to be govern'd by his own devotion. But if two say together, 'tis convenient they agree on some Rules: for which purpose these following are propos'd; yet so as to be alter'd by their own discretion as they please.
The Place, I suppose, will be their private Oratory, or other convenient Retirement.
Matins.
FIrst, Both stand a while, to make the Presence of God, and implore his assistance; either without set form of words; or with the Pray'r, Prevent we beseech Thee, &c. secretly.
Then Both make the sign of the Cross, and say,
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the H. Ghost. Amen.
Then Both joyning their hands before their brests, and lowly bowing their heads, say,
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.
Then Both kneel and say,
Our Father. Hall Mary. I believe.
Thus far secretly.
Then Both rise, and standing, A. says with an audible voice,
O Lord open thou our lips. (Saying these words, he makes the sign of the Cross with his thumb mov'd near his mouth.)
B. And our mouths shal declare thy praise.
[Page] A. O God incline unto our aid. (Saying this, he makes the sign of the Cross, moving his hand from forehead to brest, then from left shoulder to the right.)
B. O Lord make hast to help us.
A. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the H. Ghost.
B. As it was in the begining, both now and ever, world without end. Amen.
Then Both say, Alleluja; except in Advent and Lent, in which times Alleluja is always omitted.
Then, Both standing, A. says the Invitatory. B. repeats it. A. says the first Verse of the Psalm. B. again repeats the Invitatory. A. says the second Verse. B. the Invitatory; and so to the end of that Psalm. A. says, Glory be. B. As it was. A. says the Invitatory. B. repeats it. Then, Of the Hymn, each recites his Stanza.
Then One says the Antiphon: The Other begins the Psalm, which they recite alternately, Both sitting. And so all the rest of the Psalms and Antiphons.
At the end of every Psalm, Both rise; or [Page] at least bow their heads while the first Verse of Glory be, &c. is said.
The three Psalms being ended, Both standiug, say secretly, Our Father—
Then A. reads the first Lesson: after which, B. begins the Responsory as far as to the first Star. There A. takes it and goes on to the next full point. Then B. to the second Star; and that Star A. again repeats to the next full point, as before.
Thus are all Responsorys said.
B. reads the second Lesson. A. Begins the Responsory to the first Star. B. goes on to the full point. Then A. to the second Star, and that B. repeats.
A. reads the third Lesson, B. begins the Responsory. A. goes on, &c. as above.
At the end of the third Responsory, Te Deum is said, on all Sundays and Holidays, except the Sundays of Advent and Lent, and then 'tis omitted, and immediately after the third Responsory, Lauds begin; and so, always, on the Week-days.
Lauds.
BEfore Lauds, pause a while, to reflect on what you have read, and to renew attention. Then,
Both standing, A. begins,
O God incline, &c. (saying these words, he makes the sign of the Cross from forehead to brest, &c.)
B. O Lord make hast, as at Matins.
The Antiphons and Psalms are all recited alternately, Both sitting. Then, both standing up, One reads the Capitulum or short Lesson; the Other begins the Hymn; of which, each says his Stanza, to the end.
Then B. says the Antiphon. A. the Versicle. B. the Response.
A. O Lord hear our prayers:
B. And let our supplications come to Thee.
A. Let us pray. Then Both kneeling,
A. says the Pray'r of the Day. B. Amen.
On all Sundays and Holidays, immediately after the Hymn, the Canticle Benedictus is said, with its Antiphon before and after.
[Page] In all Commemorations B. says the Antiphon. A. the Versicle. B. the Responsory. A. the Prayer.
After all the Prayers both of the Day, and of the Commemorations. A. says,
A. O Lord hear our Prayers:
B. And let our supplications come to Thee.
A. Bless we our Lord:
B. Thanks be to God.
A. May the souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. B. Amen.
Paufe and mediate according to your devotion. Then A. says, The Blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend upon us, and dwell in our harts for ever. B. Amen.
Pause a while, then rise, and so ends the Morning-Office.
Vespers.
BOth stand a while, to make the presence of God, and implore his grace. Then say, In the Name, &c. Blessed be, &c. as at Matins.
[Page] Then kneeling say, Our Father. Hail Mary: thus far secretly.
Then both rise and stand. A. says audibly, O God incline, &c. as at Lauds.
The Antiphons, Psalms, Capitulum, Hymn, and all the rest of Vespers are said in the same method as at Lauds.
If they go on immediately to Complin, then, having made a short pause to reflect on what is said, and renew attention, they omit, The Blessing of, &c. and rising from their knees, A. begins,
Complin.
A. Our help is, &c.
B. Who made, &c.
All the Versicles, Responses, Antiphons, Psalms, Hymn, are said alternately. A. says the Capitulum. B. the Antiphon. A. the Versicle. B. the Response. Then, both kneel during the rest of the Office.
A. says, Let us pray, and the Pray'r.
B. Amen. A. Vouchsafe. B. Amen.
A. all the Versicles following:
B. all the Responses.
[Page] A. the Pray'r, Visit we. B. Amen.
A. O Lord hear. B. And let our.
A. Bless we our Lord. B. Thanks be to God.
A. May the souls, &c. B. Amen.
Pause a while: then A. says, Our Lord give us his peace. B. And life everlasting, Amen.
Then A. begins two verses of One of the great Antiphons of our blessed Lady. B. says the next Two; and so alternately to the end of the Antiphon.
A. says the Versicle. B. the Response.
A. Let us pray, and the Pray'r. B. Amen.
Pause a while: Then A. says,
The blessing of God, &c. B. Amen.
Pause a while, rise. So ends the Office of the whole day.
The Office of our Saviour,
Is said on all the feasts of our Saviour, and on all Sundays of Advent and Lent; as is noted in the Proper of Festivals: where you will find somtimes a particular Invitatory, which is to be recited [Page] with its Psalm; and always three particular Antiphons, One for each Psalm of Matins, Lauds, Vespers and Complin; and then the Antiphons set down in the Office are omitted; they being provided only for those who think the particular ones too troublesom, and such as chuse to say our Saviour's Office somtimes on a day that is not of Obligation.
The same may be observ'd in the Antiphons for Benedictus and Magnificat; and in the Pray'r, whenever any particular ones are provided.
All the rest, Psalms, Lessons, Hymns, &c. say, as in the Office of our Saviour.
The Office of the H. Ghost
Is said on Whitsunday, and dring the Octave: and on every first Wednesday of the Month, unles it be a Holiday, and then 'tis remitted to the next convenient day.
The Office of Saints
Is intended only for Feasts of Obligation, [Page] but may be apply'd to Others, according to particular devotion.
In saying this Office, the same method is to be observ'd as in that of our Saviour.
The Office of the Dead
Is said every first Monday of the Month, unles it be a Holiday, aud then 'tis transfer'd to the next convenient day: as also at other times, according to occasion or particular devotion.
When ever this Office is said, that of the day is omitted; only the ordinary Complin must be us'd, this having none of its own.
Alleluja.
From Easter morning til the Octave of Corpus Christi be past, to every Antiphon and Invitatory is added one Alleluja, except at Matins and Vespers on Fridays.
In Advent and Lent, Alleluja is never said.
Of Concurrence of Offices.
If a Holiday fall on a Sunday, the Office [Page] is said for the Holiday, except Easter-day, Whitsunday, Trinity-Sunday, and all the Sundays in Advent and Lent. Only the Annunciation is prefer'd before the Sundays in Lent; unles it fall on Palm-Sunday, and then 'tis omitted that year with a Commemoration.
If any Holiday happen on Thursday, Friday or Saturday in holy Week, 'tis omitted that year without a Commemoration.
If any Holiday happen on Monday or Tuesday in Easter or Whitsun-week, 'tis omitted that year with a Commemoration. On other days within those Octaves, the Office of the Holiday is said, and so in all other Octaves, with a Commemoration of the Octave.
These Feasts only have Octaves, Christmas-day, Twelft-day, Easter, Ascension, Whitsunday, Corpus Christi, Assumption of our B. Lady, All-Saints.
A Commemoration.
Is made by reciting all that's set down in the Proper of Festivals for the Feast commemorated; [Page] and is to be made immediately after the Pray'r of the Day whose Office is actually said.
In all Pauses, 'tis advisable rather to think and meditate, then use any set form of words: but let every one prastise what he finds most condusive to his devotion.
Though these Directions concerning Festivals, &c. would by a litle acquaintance become familiar to any attentive Considerer; yet whoever finds it troublesom to observe them, let him recite the Offices as they ly; and for the Feasts, &c. read at Lauds and Vespers, all the proper Antiphons and Pray'r, immediately together, without distributing them to their particular Psalms.
Holidays of Obligation.
All Sundays, New-years-day, Twelf-day, the Purification, Annunciation, Assumption and Nativity of our B. Lady; all the twelve Apostles, S. Joseph, the Invention of the H. Cross, S. John Baptist, S. Ann, the Mother of our B. Lady, S. Laurence, [Page] S. Michael, All-Saints, Christmas-day, S. Stephen, Holy Innocents, S. Sylvester.
Moveable Holidays.
Easter-day, with two days next following, Ascension-day, Whitsunday with two days following, Corpus Christi-day.
Fasting-days.
All Lent, except Sundays, the Ember-days, the Eves of Christimas and Whitsunday, the Eves of the Nativity, Purification, Annunciation (unles it fall in Easter-week) and Assumption of our B. Lady, the Eves of All-Saints, of all the twelve Apostles (except S. John Evangelist, and SS. Philip and Jacob) of the Nativity of S. John Baptist; and of S. Laurence, all Fridays, except in Christmas, and between Easter and Ascension. As long as the Bridegroom is with us, Mat. 9. 15.
Days of Astinence.
All Sundays in Lent, all Saturdays in the year, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, before Ascension, and S. Marks day, if it fall not in Easter-week.
These Lessons are out of Holy Scripture, but somtimes the particular places not cited, because somtimes the Lesson is not taken out of one place, but compos'd of many.
THE OFFICE FOR SUNDAY.
MATINS.
Introduction.
PRevent, we beseech thee, O Lord, our actions with thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by thy gracious assistance; that every prayr and work of ours may begin always from thee, and by thee be happily ended, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, Amen.
BLessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever, Amen.
OUr Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven: give us this day our dayly Bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespas against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.
[Page 2] HAil Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women; and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, JESUS. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and in the hour of our death; Amen.
I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth: and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary; suffer'd under Pontius Pilate; was Crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead: I believe in the holy Ghost; the holy Catholick Church; the Communion of Saints; the forgivenes of Sins; the Resurrection of the Body; and Life Everlasting, Amen.
V. O Lord open thou our Lips:
R. And our mouths shall declare thy praise.
V. O God incline unto our aid:
R. O Lord make hast to help us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy Ghost:
As it was in the begining, both now and ever, world without end Amen. Alleluja.
Thus far is the Introduction, and it is said in the begining of every Matins, except Those of the Dead.
[Page 3] In Advent and Lent: Alleluja is omitted both here and every where.
Invitatory: Come, let's adore our glorify'd Jesus.
Come, let's adore our glorify'd Jesus.
Psal. I.
BEhold the Angels assembled in their Quires; & the blessed Saints ready with their Hymns: behold the Church prepares her solemn Offices; and Summons all her Children to bring in their prayses.
Come, let's adore our glorify'd Jesus.
The King of heav'n himself invites us, and graciously calls us into his own presence: He bids us suspend our mean imployments in the world; to receive the honour of treating with Him.
Come, let's adore our glorify'd Jesus.
To him we ow all the days of our life; at least, let us pay this one to his service: a service so sweet, and easie in it self; and so infinitely rich in its eternal rewards.
Come, let's adore our glorify'd Jesus.
Let us chearfully ascend to the house of our Lord, the place he has chosen, for our sakes, to dwel in: let us reverently bow to his holy Altars; where himself in person comes to meet our prayrs.
Come, let's adore our glorify'd Jesus.
[Page 4] Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the begining, both now, and ever, world without end, Amen.
Come, let's adore our glorify'd Jesus.
Come, let's adore our glorify'd Jesus.
Hymn. I.
Antiphon. This is the day which our Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoyce therein: Alleluja.
Psal. II.
WElcome, blest day, wherin the Sun of Righteousnes arose, * and chased away the clouds of fear.
Welcome, thou birth-day of our hopes; a day of joy and publique refreshment.
A day of holines and solemn devotion; a day of rest and universal Jubilee.
Welcome to us, and our dark world; and may thy radiant Name shine bright for ever.
May all the earth be enlightned with thy beams; and every frozen hart dissolve and sing.
[Page 6] This is the day which our Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoyce therin.
This is the day he has sanctify'd to himself; and cal'd by his own most holy Name.
That in it we may meet to adore his Greatnes; and admire the wonders of his infinite Power.
That we may remember his innumerable Mercies; and deeply imprint them in the center of our harts.
That we may visit his holy Temple; a [...]d humbly present our homage at his Altars.
Those sacred Altars, where the Lamb of God is daily offer'd; and the memory of our Saviour's love renew'd.
Worthy art thou, O Lord, of all our time; worthy the praises of all thy creatures.
Every moment of our life is bound to bless thee; since every moment subsists by thy Goodnes.
Shal others labour so much for vanity; and shal we not rest for the service of our God?
Shal we employ the whole week on our selvs; and not offer in gratitude one day to Thee?
To Thee, who bestowst on us all we have; and wilt give us hereafter more than we hope.
O gr [...]ous Lord, whose mercy accepts * such slender payment as our poverty affords.
Whose bounty grants so liberally to us; and retains so small a part for thy self.
[Page 7] O make us faithfully observe our duty; and render so exactly the tribute we ow thee.
That passing still thy days to thy honour; we may end our own in thy favour.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the begining, both now, and ever; world without end, Amen.
Antiph. This is the day which our Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoyce therein: Alleluja.
Antiph. Thou hast created all things, O Lord, for the use of man; and man for the enjoyment of thy self.
Psal. III.
AS when the harvest Sun provides a cloud, and seems to rest his wearied beams.
He seeks not to save the journy of his light, but only spares the Reapers head.
Much less seek'st thou, O Lord, who mad'st the Sun, * and inspir'st all creatures to represent thy bounty.
Much less seek'st thou, by the reserve of a day, to procure thine own repose.
Thou who createdst all things by a word of thy mouth, and sustain'st them in thy hand, without feeling any weight.
[Page 8] Who govern'st the whole World without perplexing thy thoughts; and always remain'st the same unchangeable fulnes.
'Tis not to increase thine own Eternity, that thus thou tak'st a portion of our time.
Thy goodnes friendly bears the name; but intends for us all the profit of the day.
That the wearied hands may be reliev'd with rest, and enabled to lift themselvs up to thee.
That the ignorant minds may be taught thy truth; and learn the way to everlasting happines.
That the guilty consciences may accuse their crimes; and be absolv'd on earth, to be pardon'd in heaven.
That the love-prepared souls may approach thy Table; and feast their hopes with that delicious Banquet.
That all may speak to thee by Prayer; and hear thy voice by the mouth of their Pastors.
O blessed Lord, what excellent arts * has thy wisdom invented to bring us to thy self!
Thou tak'st our eys by the beauty of thy house; and the decent splendors of thy solemn Offices.
Thou quicken'st our affections by the livelyness of Pictures; and meltest our hearts with the sweetness of thy Musick.
Thou strengthen'st our Faith by thy publique Assemblies; and improv'st our Charity both to Thee and one another.
[Page 9] While we all meet together for the same blest end; and by mutual reflections encrease our fervours.
Happy, thrice happy they, O Merciful God! whom thy Providence has favour'd with all these blessings.
Who freely may enter thy holy Sanctuary; and sing aloud their praises to thy Name.
Who every day may wait on thy Altars; and there securely adore thy Person.
Where thou art pleas'd to deny these Mercies; refuse not O Lord, to extend thy grace.
That at least we may build a litle Chappel in our harts; and consecrate our selvs entirely to thee.
Be thou but present, gracious God! and fill our Souls with thy chast love.
No farther motives shall we need to draw us; nor other Temple to address our Prayrs.
Since every place, where Thou art not, is unholy, and where thou art is Joy and Peace.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Thou hast created all things, O Lord, for the use of Man; and Man for the enjoyment of thy self.
Antiph. Has the Almighty Goodness made all things us for; and shall we do nothing for him? nothing for our selvs?
Psal. IV
COme let us lay aside the cares of this world; and take into our minds the Joys of Heav'n.
Let us empty our heads of all other thoughts; and prepare that upper room to entertain our God.
Retiring from the many distractions of this life; and closely recollecting all the forces of our soul.
So to pursue in earnest that One necessary work; the securing for our selves the Kingdom of Heav'n.
Why should we thus neglect that sacred Science; and be busie in every thing but our own Salvation?
Why should we still forsake the real substance; to embrace an empty fancy?
Miserable are they, O Lord, who study all things else; and never seek to tast thy sweetness.
Miserable, though their skill can number the Stars; and trace out the ways of the Planets.
To know thee, O Lord, is to be truly wise; and to contemplate thee, the highest learning.
But, O thou glorious God of Truth; in whom the treasures of knowledge are all laid up!
Unless thou draw the Curtain from before our eys; and drive away the clouds that intercept our sight.
Never shall we see those heav'nly mysteries; nor discern the beauty of thy Providence.
[Page 11] Send forth thy light, O thou morning Star! and lead us to thy holy Hill.
Send forth thy truth, O increated Wisdom! and bring us to thy blessed Tabernacle.
Shew us Thy self, and thy eternal Father; and it suffices to satisfie our utmost desires.
Shew us thy self alone, O glorious JESU! and in thee we shall behold all we can wish.
Only so much we beg to conceive of thy Majesty; as may move our harts to seek thee.
Only so much of thy un-approachable Deity; as may guide our Souls to find thee.
If we may not know thee clearly now; let us know so far, that we long to know farther.
If we cannot love thee perfectly in this life; let us love so much that we desire to love more.
So let us know and love thee here; O Thou Soveraign bliss of our Souls!
That we hereafter may know thee better; [...]nd love thee more for ever. Glory be:
Antiph. Has the Almighty Goodnes made all things for us; and shall we do nothing for him? nothing for our selves?
Our Father, &c.
First Lesson. 1 Cor. 15. and Coll. 3.
CHrist is risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept; for by a Man came death, and by a Man the Resurrection of the dead: And as in Adam all dy, even [Page 12] so in CHRIST shall all be made alive: If then you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting on the right hand of God: Mind the things that are above, not those which are on the Earth; for you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God: when Christ, who is your life, shall appear; then shall you also appear with him in glory: mortifie therfore your Members that are on the Earth, Fornication, Uncleaness, Lust, Evil Concupiscence, and Avarice, which is the service of Idols: for which things the wrath of God comes on the children of incredulity. And now lay you also away Anger and Indignation, Malice, Blasphemy, and Filthy Talk out of your Mouth: Ly not one to another: Devest your selvs of the old man, and put on the new; who is renew'd into the knowledg of God, according to his Image who created him; where there is not Gentile and Jew; Circumcision and Uncircumcision; Bond and Free; but all, and in all Christ.
Responsory: O Glorious Jesu! in whom we live, and without whom we die; mortifie in us all sensual desires, and quicken our harts with thy holy love; that we no longer esteem the vanities of this world; but place our affections entirely on Thee; * Who dy'dst for our sins, and rose again for our Justification. O Thou our only hope and portion in the Land of the Living! may our thoughts and discourses still be of Thee; [Page 13] our works and sufferings all for Thee, * Who dy'dst for our Sins, and rose again for our Justification.
Second Lesson. Coll. 3.
PUt you on therfore, as the Elect of God, holy and beloved, the Bowels of Mercy, Benignity, Humility, Modesty, Patience, supporting one another, and pardoning one another; if any have a quarrel against any one, as our Lord has pardon'd us, so also do you. But above all these things have Charity, which is the band of perfection: and let the peace of Christ triumph in your harts, in which you are cal'd in one body, and be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwel in you abundantly, in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing your selvs with Psalms and Hymns, and Spiritual Canticles; singing with grace in your harts to God. What ever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Women be subject to your Husbands, as you ought in our Lord: Men love your Wives, and be not bitter towards them: Children obey your Parents in all things; for that is well-pleasing to our Lord: Fathers, provoke not your Children to indignation; that they become not discouraged: Servants, obey in all things your Masters according to the Flesh; not with eye-service, as pleasing men; but in simplicity of hart, as [Page 14] fearing God. What ever you do, do it from the hart, as to our Lord; and not to men: knowing you shall receive of our Lord the reward of the inheritance. Serve our Lord Jesus; for he that does injury, shall receive what he has done unjustly; and there is no acceptance of persons with God.
Resp. Open thou our Eys, O Lord, that we may see the beauty of thy Commands; how wise and sweet in themselvs, how necessary and beneficial to us: * While they improve our felicity here, and intitle us to That of hereafter. Guide thou our lives, O gracious Lord, in the ways of thy Precepts; that by observing faithfully these excellent Rules, we may all be every where happy: * While
Third Lesson. Heb. 12. & 13 Chapt.
LAying aside every weight, and sin that compasses us about; let us run with patience to the Combate that's set before us: looking on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith; who despising the shame, for the joy that was propos'd him, sustain'd the Cross, and sits on the right hand of the Throne of God: Think diligently on him, who indur'd such contradiction of siners against himself; that you be not wearied, and faint in your minds: for you have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation, which speaks to you as Children, saying, [Page 15] My Son neglect not the Discipline of our Lord, nor be weary while thou art rebuk't of him: for whom our Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every Child he receivs. Now no Discipline for the present seems to be joyful, but grievous; but afterward it will render to them who are exercis'd by it, the most peaceable fruit of Justice: Follow Peace with all men, and Holines, without which none shall see God; and look diligently lest any one be wanting to the grace of God: Let Brotherly love abide in you; and forget not hospitality; for by it some have entertain'd Angels unawars. Remember them that are in bonds, as if you were bound with them; and them that labour, as being your selvs also in the body: Let your conversation be without covetousness; contented with what you have; for he has said; I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee: so that we may confidently say, our Lord is my help, I will not fear what man can do to me. And the God of Peace, who brought again from the Dead the great Pastor of the Sheep, in the blood of the eternal Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ, make you perfect in all goodness; that you may do his Will; working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, thorough Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Resp. Thither, O my Soul, let us still be going, where once to arrive, is always to be at rest; there let us dwell already in hope; where [Page 16] once to enjoy, is always to be happy: * Since whate're we desire, we are sure to have; and whate're we have can never be taken from us. Let us believe, and obey, and suffer; let us read, and meditate, and pray; Heaven's a reward worth all our pains * Since what e're we desire, we are sure to have; and whate're we have can never be taken from us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: * Since whate're we desire, we are sure to have; and whate're we have can never be taken from us!
Te Deum.
In Thee, O Lord have I plac't my hope; let me not be confounded for ever.
Pause a while; to reflect on what you have said, and to renew your attention; then begin Lauds.
Sunday Lauds.
O God incline unto our ayd:
O Lord make hast to help us:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, both now and ever; world without end, Amen. Alleluia.
Antiph. O how adorable are thy counsels, O Lord! how strangely indearing the ways of thy love! Alleluia.
Psal. V.
SIng to our Lord a Psalm of Joy; sing praises to the God of our Salvation:
Sing with a loud and chearful voice; sing with a glad and thankful hart:
Say to the weak of Spirit, be strong; and to the sorrowful be of good comfort.
Tel all the world this soul-reviving truth; and may their harts within them leap to hear it:
Tel them, the Lord of life is risen again; and has cloth'd himself with immortal glory:
He made the Angels messengers of his victory; and vouchsaf't even himself to bring us the joyful news:
How many ways did thy mercy invent; O Thou wise contriver of all our happines!
To convince thy followers into this blest belief; and settle in their harts a firm ground of hope.
[Page 19] Thou appeard'st in the Garden to the holy women that sought Thee; and open'dst their eys to know and adore Thee:
Thou overtook'st in the way the Two that discour'st of thee; and mad'st their harts burn within them to hear thee:
Thou shewd'st thy self on the stedfast shore, to thy weary Disciples labouring at Sea;
Labouring, alas, all night in vain; without the blessing of their beloved JESUS:
Thou shew'dst thy self, and told'st them who thou wert; in the kind known token of a beneficial miracle:
Thorow the doors, though shut, thou swiftly passed'st; to carry peace to thy comfortles friends:
To encourage their fears with thy powerful presence; and secure their faith by thy charitable arguments:
How did'st thou condescend to eat before them; and invite them to touch thy impassible body!
How didst thou sweetly constrain that incredulous servant, to thrust his hand into thy wounded side!
Actions we know unfit for thy glorify'd state; but absolutely necessary for our slow belief:
How often, O my gracious Lord, in those blessed forty days, * did thy charity cast to meet with thy Disciples!
That thou might'st teach them stil some excellent [Page 20] truth; and imprint still deeper thy love in their harts.
Discoursing perpetually of the Kingdom of heav'n; and establishing means to bring us thither.
At last, when all thy glorious task was done; and thy parting hour from this earth approacht:
Thou tenderly gather'dst thy Children about thee; and in their full sight wentst up into heaven.
Leaving thy dearest blessing on their heads; and promising them a Comforter to supply thine absence.
O how adorable are thy counsels, O Lord! how strangely endearing the ways of thy love!
Say now, my Soul, is not this evidence clear enough, * to answer all our darkest doubts?
Is not this hope abundantly sufficient, to sweeten all our bitterst sorrows?
What though we mourn and be afflicted here; and sigh under the miseries of this world for a time?
We're sure our tears shal one day rejoyce; and that joy none shal take from us:
What though our bodies be crumbled into dust; and that dust blown about o're the face of the Earth?
Yet we undoubtedly know our Redeemer lives; and shal appear in brightnes at the last great Day:
[Page 21] He shal appear in the midst of innumerable Angels; and with these very eys we shal see Him:
We shal see him in whom we have so long believ'd; we shal find him whom we have so often sought:
We shal possess him whom our souls have lov'd; and be united to him for ever, who is the only end of our Being:
Glory be, &c.
Psal. VI.
RAise thy head, O my soul! and look up; and behold the glory of thy crucify'd Saviour:
He that was dead and layd in the grave, * low enough to prove himself Man,
Is risen again and ascended into heaven, * high enough to prove himself God:
He is risen, and made the light his Garment; and commanded the Clouds to be the chariot of his triumph:
The gates of heaven obey'd their Lord; and the everlasting doors opened to the King of glory:
Enter bright King attended with thy beauteous Angels; and the glad train of thy new deliver'd Captives:
Enter, and repossess thy antient Throne; and reign eternally at the right hand of thy Father:
[Page 22] May every knee bow low to thy exalted Name; and every tongue confess thy glory:
May all created nature adore thy Power; and the Church of thy Redeem'd exult in thy goodnes:
Whom have we in heav'n, O Lord, but Thee, who expresly wentst thither to make way for thy followers?
What have we on earth but our hope, by following Thee, * to arrive at last where Thou art gon before us?
O glorious JESU, our strength, our Joy; and the immortal life of all our Souls!
Be Thou the principal subject of our studyes; and dayly entertainment of our most serious thoughts:
Draw us, O dearest Lord, from the World, and our selvs; that we be not entangled with any earthly desires:
Draw us after Thee, and the odours of thy sweetnes; that we may run with delight the ways of thy Commands:
Draw us up to Thee on thy Throne of blyss; that we may see thy face, and rejoyce with Thee for ever in thy Kingdom.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. VII.
WHy should our harts stil dwel upon earth; since the treasure of our harts is return'd to heav'n?
[Page 23] Since our glorify'd Jesus is ascended above; to prepare us a place in his own Kingdom?
A place of rest, and secure peace; where we shal see and praise and adore Him for ever:
A place of joy and everlasting fruition; where we shal love and possess and delight in Him for ever:
O happy we, and our poor souls; if once admited to that blisful Vision!
If once those heav'nly portals unfold their gates; and let us in to the joys of our Lord:
How wil our spirits be ravisht within themselvs; to reflect on the fulness of their own beatitude!
How shal we all rejoyce in one anothers felicity; but infinitely more in the infinitely greater felicity of God!
O heav'n! towards thee we lift up our languishing heads; and with stretcht-out hands reach at thy gloryes:
When, O Thou Finisher of all our hopes! when shal we once behold that incomparable light?
That light which illuminates the eys of Angels, and renews the youth of Saints:
That light, which is thy very self, O Lord our God! whom we shal there see face to face:
Whom we shal there know as we are known; we shal know thee in thine own clear light:
O light! shine thou perpetually in our eys; [Page 24] that thy brightnes may darken the false lustre of this world:
O Light! shed thou thy flames in our harts: that thy heat may consume all other desires.
That we may burn continually with the chast love of thee: til thine own bright day appear.
Til we be cal'd from this vale of darknes, into the glorious presence of the living God:
To see Him that made the heav'ns and the earth; and disposes all creatures in so beauteous order:
To see him that first gave us our being; then govern'd us in our way, * and brought us at length to so blest an end.
Meanwhile, O gracious Lord, the Crown of all thy Saints; and only expectation of thy faithful servants!
Make us entertain our life with the comfort of this hope; and our hope with the assurance of thy promises:
Make us still every day more perfectly understand * our own great duty, & thy infinite love:
Make us continually meditate the advancement of Thy glory; and invite all the World to sing thy praises:
Praise our Lord, O you holy Angels! Praise him, O you happy Saints!
Praise him, O you Faithful departed in his grace! Praise him O you Living who subsist by his mercy!
Praise him in the vast immensity of his power; [Page 25] Praise him in the admirable wisdom of his Providence:
Praise him in the blest effects of his goodnes:
Praise him in the infinitenes of all his Attributes:
Praise thy Eternal Self, O glorious God! and, to all the felicities Thou essentially possessest, may every creature say, Amen. Glory be:
Antiph. O how adorable are thy Counsels, O Lord! how strangely endearing the ways of thy love! Alleluia.
Capit. 1 Pet. 1.
Blessed be God, and the Father of our Lord JESUS Christ, who according to his great mercy, has regenerated us to a lively hope; by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and pure, and which cannot fade, conserv'd for you in the heav'ns.
Hymn. II.
Antiph. Why seek you the Living among the the Dead? He is risen, He is not here: He is [Page 27] gloriously ascended, and the heav'ns have receiv'd Him. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Benedictus.
BLessed be our Lord, the God of Israel; for he has visited and redeem'd his People:
And rais'd up a Kingdom of Salvation to us, in the house of David his Servant.
As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, who have been since the world began:
Salvation from our Enemies; and from the hands of all that hate us:
To shew mercy to our Fathers; and to remember his holy Testament.
The Oath which he sware to Abraham our Father, that he would give us Himself:
That, being deliver'd from the hand of our enemys, we may serve him without fear:
In holines and Justice before him * all the days of our life.
And Thou, Child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of our Lord, to prepare his ways:
To give Knowledg of salvation to his people; for remission of their sins:
Through the tender mercy of our God, wherby the Day-spring from on High has visited us:
To give light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death; to direct our feet into the way of Peace.
Glory be: &c.
[Page 28] Antiph. Why seek you the Living among the dead? He is risen, He is not here: He is gloriously ascended, and the Heavens have received Him. Alleluja, Alleluja.
O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our supplications come to thee.
Let us Pray.
O God, who hast glorify'd our Victorious Saviour with a visibly triumphant Resurrection from the dead, and Ascension into Heaven, where he sits at thy right hand, the Worlds supream Governour, and final Judg! Grant, we humbly beseech thee, his Triumphs and Glorys may ever shine in our eyes; to make us more clearly and couragiously look thorow his sufferings, and assure by his Example our hopes on his promises, that, if by thy grace, we endeavour to live and dye like Him, purely for the advance of thy love in our selvs and others, Thou wilt raise again our bodies too, and conforming them to his glorious body, call us up above the clouds, and give us possession of thy everlasting Kingdom; Through the same our Lord JESUS CHRIST thy Son, who with thee, and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns One God, world without end, Amen.
COMMEMORATIONS
For the B. Virgin.
Antiph. And the King sate on his Throne; and a Throne was plac'd for the Kings Mother; and She sate on his right hand: And the King said to her, ask on, my Mother, for I will not deny thee.
V. Ask thou all Blessings for us, O Blessed among Women!
R. Of thy wombs Blessed Fruit, our Lord JESUS.
O God, who hast endow'd the ever Blessed Virgin MARY with all the graces on earth, and all the gloryes in heaven, worthy the Mother of thy son the Worlds great Redeemer! Grant, we beseech thee, that as we praise and magnifie thy Name, for so highly exalting the lowliness of thy Handmaid, we may be encourag'd, by the confidence of her intercession, to hope still more in thy mercy, both for pardon of our sins, and conduct of our lives, and joyful reception into thy everlasting Kingdom; through the same our Lord JESUS CHRIST thy Son, who with thee, and the Holy Ghost, lives and reigns One God, world without end, Amen.
For the Saints.
Antiph. They seem, in the eys of the foolish, dead to themselves, and all the world; but they rest with God in immortal peace, and exercise towards us a far greater charity.
V. Hear thou, O Lord, their Prayers for us in Heaven;
R. Who on Earth have taught us to pray.
O Eternal Father, whose holy Spirit by thy blessed Apostles, has planted in the world the saving Doctrine of thy Son; and water'd it with so much sweat & blood of Them and their Followers, that it has o'respread the earth, and born much fruit to heav'n! Most thankfully we praise Thee for the gracious Lives and Deaths of all thy Saints here, and the glorious Crowns with which they are rewarded in thy Kingdom: where, we humbly beseech Thee, accept their intercession for us siners; applying so home to our harts their Memorys and Merits, that we too, by thy grace, may in some measure live and dy like Them, and be crown'd at length with the same blisful rewards; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns, One God, world without end, Amen.
For the Church.
Antiph. Let us, in all things grow in Him, who is our head, Christ: from whom the whole body being compact and knit together by every joynt of subministration, increases to the edifying it self in charity.
V. We all are Members of the same Body.
R. Let us serve and love and pray for one another.
O God, who gatherest thy Flock, out of all Nations, into the saving Fold of one Catholik Church; where thy Providence has ordain'd Bishops and Pastors immediately to feed thy Sheep and Lambs; and one Supreme Governour to secure Unity among the rest. Bless we beseech thee thy Servant N. who at present sits in the known Chair of St. Peter, with all the graces necessary to that highest Office on earth. Bless all Bishops and their Clergy with courage and skil, and fatherly care, to edify and guard their several Charges. Bless all the Faithful with a filial love and due obedience to their Superiours: that the clearnes of truth, and beauty of holines dayly increasing in thy Church, through every ones devout pursuance of their dutys; all Heresies and Schisms may at length vanish among Christians; and all Pagans and Jews be happily won into her sacred bosom, the sole Ark of Salvation; through our Lord [Page 32] Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns one God, world without end, Amen.
For the King.
Antiph. Be subject to all in Autority; to the King, as most excellent; and to the Rulers, as sent by Him, for punishment of the Bad, and reward of the Good: Be subject, for so is the Will of God; that by doing well you may stop the mouths of the ignorant and malicious.
V. Be subject, not only for fear;
R. But for Conscience sake.
O God, by whom alone Kings reign, and all kinds and degrees of lawful Magistracy are substituted, to provide for the publik Peace, among such infinite varieties of humours and interests; and, by restraining private injurys, to remove the impediments of true Charity; that so the whole State and each Member may be built up together to their greatest fitness for thy heav'nly Kingdom: Preserve we humbly beseech thee, and govern by thy grace our Soveraign Lord King Charles; endow his royal Person with Wisdom and Courage, and all qualities befitting his weighty Office. Bless him with fidedelity and diligence in his Ministers; and with reverence and obedience in all his Subject: that the sword of Justice in his Hand may establish us in peace and plenty; to our freer improvement [Page 33] under the Discipline of true vertue, and the higher exalting his own Crown in the Kingdom of Eternity, through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end, Amen.
O Lord hear our Prayers:
And let our Supplications come to Thee.
Bless we our Lord. Thanks be to God.
May the Souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.
Pause and meditate a while, according to your devotion. Then say,
The Blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and holy Ghost descend upon us, and dwell in our harts for ever, Amen.
Pause a while, then rise: And so ends the Morning Office.
These four Conmemorations are said every day at the end of Lauds.
Sunday Vespers.
IN the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, Amen.
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever, Amen.
Our Father. Hail Mary.
O God incline unto our aid.
O Lord make hast to help us.
[Page 34] Glory be to As it was Alleluja.
Antiph. Glorious things are said of Thee, thou [...] City of the King of Heav'n. Alleluja.
Psal. VIII.
LEt them, O Lord, seek other delights; who expect no felicity from thee.
Let them fill up their time with other imployments; who think thy rewards not worth their labour.
As for thy servants, our chief content shall be, to meditate the glories prepar'd for us above.
All the few years we live shall spend themselvs; to purchase that one eternal Day.
That Day whose brightness knows no night; nor ever fears the least eclips.
Whose chearful brow no cloud o'recasts; nor storm molests the passage of its rays.
But still shines on serene and clear; and fills with splendors that spacious Palace.
It needs not the fading lustre of our Sun; nor the borrow'd silver of the Moon.
The Sun that rises there is the Lamb; and the Light that shines, the Glory of God.
O how beauteous truths are sung of thee, thou City of the King of Heav'n!
Thy walls are rais'd with precious stones; and every gate is of one rich pearl.
Thy mansions are built with choicest jewels; and the pavement of thy streets is transparent gold,
[Page 35] Down in the midst runs a crystal river; perpetually flowing from the throne of God.
There all along those pleasant banks, deliciously grows the tree of life.
Healing all wounds with its balmy leaves; and making imortal all that tast but its fruit.
Thus is the holy City built; thus is the new Jerusalem adorn'd.
O fortunate and glorious City! how free and happy are thy glad Inhabitants!
Every head wears a royal Crown; and every hand a palm of Victory.
Every ey overflows with joy; and every tongue with Psalms of praise.
Behold, O my soul, the inheritance we seek; and where can we find more riches to invite us?
Behold the felicities to which we are cal'd; and where can we meet such pleasures to entertain us?
Away then all vain and worldly desires; be banisht for ever from molesting my peace.
Descend thou blessed Heav'n into my hart; or rather take up my hart to thee.
Thy joys are too great to enter into me; O make me fit to enter into them.
Make me still think on my Country above; and there establish my eternal home.
Where I shall dwell perpetually in the view of my God; and be fill'd for ever with the [Page 36] sweetness of his presence. Glory be, &c. Antiph. Glorious things are said of thee, thou City of the King of Heaven! Alleluja. Antiph. If these imperfect shadows so sweetly please; how will the real substance transport our harts! Alleluja.
Psal. IX.
BLest be thy gracious Wisdom, O Lord! that so mercifully stoops to our low conceits.
Under these veils thou hid'st those glorious mysteries; too high and spiritual for our flesh and blood.
Thou hid'st, or rather so reveal'st thy sublime rewards; to take us with things we most admire.
Scepters and Crowns thou know'st are apt * to win the harts of us thy children.
Children alas, too truly in useful knowledg: O that we were so in love and duty!
What is a drop of water to the boundless Ocean; or a grain of dust to this vast Globe?
Such, O my God, and infinitely less * are the richest Kingdoms here below.
Should we compare their most pompous state * to the meanest degree in the Court of Heav'n.
When thou hast fed us a while with milk; thou invit'st our appetite to stronger meat.
Thou tel'st us of a sweet delicious life, in the blest society of Saints and Angels.
[Page 37] With whom we shall dwell in perpetual friendship; and be lov'd and esteemed by them all for ever.
Thou tel'st us of a pure soul-ravishing joy; to behold the amiable face of JESUS.
Whose gracious smiles shine round about; and fill the Heav'ns with holy gladnes.
Thou tel'st us still of incomparably higher delights; harken, O my soul, and humbly adore thy God.
Whose bounty has provided thee large rewards; Since they are no less then his very Self.
Himself he will clearly unveil before us; and openly shew us that great Secret.
O happy Secret, if once at last attain'd; if once we but see the face of our God.
What is it, glorious Lord, to see thy face; but to know Thee as thou art in thine own blest Being?
To know the immensity of thy self-subsisting Essence; and the infinite excellence of all thy Attributes.
To know the Power of the Eternal Father; and the Wisdom of the Increated Son.
To know the Goodnes of the Holy Ghost; and the incomprehensible Glorys of the undivided Trinity.
This O my Soul, is the top of happines; this the supreme perfection of our nature.
[Page 38] This, this alone is the aim of our Being; the hope and end of all our labors.
When we are come to this, we shall presently rest; and our satisfyd desires reach no farther.
We shall be fill'd with overflowing bliss; and our utmost capacities hold no more.
But in one Act of joy be eternally fixt; and that one act spring fresh for ever.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. If these imperfect shadows so sweetly please; how will the real substance transport our harts! Alleluja.
Antiph. Never can we say too much of this glorious subject; never can we think enough of the felicities of Heav'n. Alleluja.
Psal. X.
ARise, my soul, to thee these joys belong; arise, and advance thy self on high.
Leave here below all earthly thoughts; and fly away with the wings of thy Spirit.
Fly to that glorious Land of Promise; and gladly salute those heav'nly regions.
Hail happy Paradise of pure delights; thou beauteous Garden of never fading flowers.
Hail blest Society of beatify'd Spirits; who perpetually contemplate the eternal Deity:
Hail, and for ever may your glorys grow; [Page 39] till they rise so high, they can grow no more.
Hail, and among your cheerful Hymns remember us; who dwell below in this vale of tears.
We hope one day to come up to You; and be plac't to sing in your holy Quires.
We hope to know that all-producing Cause; we hope to know all it has produc't.
O what a fire of love will it kindle in our harts; when we shall see those shining mysteries!
When our great God, like a burning Mirroir, shall strike his brightness on the eys of our soul.
O what excessive joy will that love produce; a love so violently desiring, and so fully satisfyed?
When our capacities shall be stretch't to the utmost; and the rich abounding Object fill and overflow them.
O what profound repose will that joy beget; a joy so infinitely high, and so eternally secure!
When in an amorous languishment we shall sweetly dissolve, into that blysful union with our first Begining.
When without losing what we are; we shall become even what He is.
We shall take part in all his joys; and share in the glorys of all his Heav'n.
O what divine and ravishing words are these! how gently they enter and delight my ear!
[Page 40] How they diffuse themselvs over all my brain; and strongly penetrate to my very soul!
Me thinks they turn to substance as they go; and I feel them stir and work through all my powers.
Me thinks they ly as a Cordial at my hart; and send forth spirits to quicken and refresh me.
There, O my soul, we shall rest from all our labors; which are but the way to all that happines.
There we shall rest from sin and sorrow; and no longer be troubled with our selvs or others.
There we shall rest for ever in the protection of our God; in the arms and bosom of our dearest Lord.
O Heav'n! the eternal source of all these joys; and infinitely more, and infinitely greater.
As the Hart pants after the water-brooks; so let my soul thirst after thee.
After Thee let me dayly sigh and mourn; and with a fixt and longing ey look up, and say,
When, O my God; shall I sit at that fountain head; and drink my fill of those living streams!
When shall I be in [...]briated with that torrent of pleas [...]res; which springs for ever from thy glorious Throne!
O that the days of my banishment were fully finish't! How is the time of my pilgrimage prolong'd!
[Page 41] Why am I still detain'd in this vally of tears? stil wandring up and down in this wilderness of dangers?
Come Thou, sweet JESU, my only Hope; and sure Deliverer out of all my sorrows.
Come Thou and here begin to dwell in my hart; and fit me for the life I shall lead hereafter.
Come, O my dearest Lord, and prepare my soul for Thee; and then, when thou pleasest, take it to Thy self. Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Never can we say too much of this glorious subject; never can we think enough of the felicities of heaven. Alleluja.
Capit. Rom. 12.
Let love be without dissimulation. Hate that which is evil; Cleave to that which is good: Love brotherly charity one towards another; with honor preventing one another: In business not slothful. In spirit fervent. Serving our Lord. Rejoycing in hope. Patient in tribulation. Instant in prayer. Communicating to the necessities of the Saints. Practising hospitality. Bless them that persecute you. Bless and curse not. Rejoyce with them that rejoyce. Weep with them that weep; being mutually of the same mind: not affecting high things, but condescending to mean things. Be not wise in your own conceits. Render to none evil for [Page 42] evil. Be solicitous to do well, not only before God, but in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as is in you, live peaceably with every one. Revenge not your selvs, most dearly Beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith our Lord. But, if thy enemy hunger give him meat; if he thirst, give him drink; for, doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil; but overcome evil with good.
Hymn III.
Antiph. O glorious God! thy infinite perfections cause us to admire Thee; and thy bounteous promises ingage us to hope in Thee; Thy incomparable beauty ravishes our harts; and the joys thou hast prepared for us transcend all our wishes. Alleluja.
Magnificat.
My soul magnifys our Lord;
And my spirit has rejoyced in God my Saviour:
Because he has regarded the low degree of his handmaid.
For behold from henceforth, all generations shall call me Blessed:
For he that is mighty has done great things to me; and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him; from generation to generation.
He has shew'd strength in his arm; he has scatter'd the proud in the imagination of their harts.
He has depos'd the pow'rful from their seat; and exalted them of low degree.
He has fill'd the hungry with good things; and the rich sent empty away.
He has receiv'd Israel his child, being mindful of his mercy;
As he spake to our Fathers; to Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. O glorious God! thy infinite perfections cause us to admire Thee, and thy bounteous promises ingage us to hope in thee: thy incomparable beauty ravishes our harts; and the joys thou hast prepar'd for us transcend all our wishes. Alleluja.
[Page 45] O Lord hear our Pray'rs:
And let our supplications come to Thee: Let us pray:
O God; who graciously woo'st us to our eternal Inheritance, by describing its inexpressible glorys all possibly-taking ways to our low conceits, that they may fitly insinuate themselvs, and become by degrees absolute Master of our harts: Bring them; we beseech Thee, stil seasonably into our memorys; and so strongly settle them in our affections, that our souls being wholly ravish't with these great hopes, all the temptations and vanities of this world may fly unconcerningly by us; and never be able to distract our intire and steddy and dayly strengthning desires of entring once for ever into possession of thy Kingdom: through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns One God world without End: Amen.
O Lord hear our pray'rs:
And let our supplications come to Thee:
Bless we our Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the souls of the Faithful Departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace; Amen.
Pause a while to reflect on what you have said, and to renew your attention: Then begin Complin.
Sunday Complin.
V. OUr help is in the Name of our Lord,
R. Who made heav'n and earth:
V. Convert us, O God, our Saviour!
R. And turn away thy anger from us:
V. O God incline unto our ayd:
R. O Lord make hast to help us:
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy Ghost:
R. As it was in the begining; both now and ever, world without end, Amen, Alleluia.
Antiph All is unquiet here, til we come to Thee; and repose at last in the Kingdom of Peace.
Psal. XI.
VVHo wil give me the wings of a Dove; that I may fly away and be at rest? That I may fly away from the troubles of this life; and be at rest, Dear Lord, with Thee:
Here we alas! are forc't to sigh, and bear with grief the burthen of our miserys:
Often we encounter chances that endanger us; and divert our progres in the way to Blys.
Often we are assaulted with temptations that overcome us; and set us back in the accounts of eternity:
How many times, O my Soul, have we plainly concluded * that this earth affords no real joy!
[Page 47] How many times have we fully agreed; that heav'n alone is the place of happines!
Yet do these false allurements again deceive us; and steal away our harts to dote upon folly:
Yet do inconstant we forget our resolvs; and wretchedly neglect our true felicity:
O thou victorious Conquerour of sin and death; do thou assist us in this dangerous warfare:
O thou benign Refresher of distressed Spirits; do thou relieve us in this tedious pilgrimage:
Make us stil thirst, and sign after Thee; the living-fountain of life-giving streams:
Make us despise all other delights; and set our affections entirely on thy joys:
Since nothing, Lord, can satisfie our souls but Thee; O let our souls seek nothing but Thee. Glory be, &c.
Psal. XII.
GIve me, O Lord, the innocence of Doves; and fill my soul with thy mild spirit:
Then shal I need none of their wings; since heav'n it self wil dwel in my hart
'Tis on the proud thou look'st afar off; but inclin'st thine ear to the thumble and meek:
Who delight in the peace of a contented mind; and limit their thoughts to their own litle sphear:
Never intermedling with the actions of others; [Page 48] unless where reason and charity engage 'em.
But their belov'd imployment is to sit in silence; and think on the happiness they expect hereafter.
To meditate the joys of Saints and Angels; and the blysful Vision of the face of JESUS.
O how secure and sweetly do they sleep; who go to bed with a quiet conscience:
Who after a day of faithful industry; * in a course of just and pious living:
Lay down their wearied heads in peace; and safely rest in the bosom of Providence:
If they awake, their conscience comforts them in the dark; and bids them not fear the shadow of death:
No, nor even death it self; but confidently look up, * and long for the dawn of that eternal day:
This too, my soul, should be our care * to note, and censure, and correct our selv's:
To strive for mastery over the passions that molest us; and dismiss from our thoughts what no way concerns us:
Are not our own occasions busines enough, to fill as much time as this life deserv's?
Does not the other at least deserve * every minute of leisure we can spare from this?
Let then the world pursue their libertys; and say and do as they think fit:
[Page 49] What's that to thee, my soul! who shalt not answer for others; unless thou some way make their faults thine own.
Thy pity may grieve, and thy charity indeavour; but if they will not hear, follow thou thy God.
Follow the way that leads to truth; follow the truth that leads to life.
Follow the steps of thy Beloved JESUS; who alone is the way, the truth, and the life.
Follow his holines in what he did; follow his patience in what he suffer'd.
Follow him that cals thee with a thousand promises; follow him that crowns thee with infinite rewards.
Follow thy faithful Lord, O my soul, to the end; and thou'rt sure in the end to possess him for ever.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XIII.
MEeknes indeed, is the heav'n of this life; but the heav'n of heav'ns, O Lord, is above with Thee.
Meekness may qualify our miseries here; and make our time pass gentlier away.
But to be fully happy, we must stay till hereafter; till thy mercy bring us to our last great end.
That glorious end, for which our souls are [Page 50] made; and all things else to serve them in their way.
'Tis not to sport our time in pleasures *, that thou, O Lord hast plac't us here.
'Tis not to gain a fair estate; that thy kindnes still prolongs our days.
But to do good to our selvs or others; and glorifie thee in improving thy creatures.
To increase every day our longing desires * of beholding Thee in thine own bright self.
O glorious Lord, whose infinite sweetnes * provokes and satisfys all our appetites!
May my entire affections delight in thee; above all the vain enjoyments of this world.
Above all praise and empty honour; above all beauty and fading pleasure.
Above all health and deceitful riches; above all power and subtlest knowledge.
Above even all thy own bounty can give; and what ever is not thy very self.
O may my wearied soul repose in Thee; the home and center of eternal rest.
May I forget my self to think on thee; and fill my memory with the wonders of thy love.
That infinite love, which when my thoughts consider; not as they ought, alas, but as I am able.
The weight of my sufferings sits light upon me; and all my fears are turn'd into joys.
[Page 51] O my adored JESUS! let me love thee always; * because from eternity thou hast loved me.
O let me love Thee only, gracious God! because thou alone deserv'st all my hart.
Always and only let me love thee, O Lord! since always my hope is only in Thee.
Antiph. All is unquiet here till we come to Thee; and repose at last in the Kingdom of Peace.
Hymn IV.
Capit. 1 Jo. 2.
Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world: if any one love the world, the charity of the Father is not in him. For, all that is in the world is concupiscence of the flesh, concupiscence of the eys, and pride of life; which is not of the Father, but of the world: and the world passes away, and the concupiscence therof; but he that does the will of God abides for ever.
Antiph. Learn of me, says our Lord, for I am meek and humble of hart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
V. Meekness indeed is the heav'n of this life.
R. But the heav'n of heav'ns is above with Thee.
[Page 54] O Lord hear our prayers.
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, whose gracious Providence has particularly ordain'd the Spirit of Meeknes to waft us safely through the turbulent Sea of this world to our Haven of Blyss! Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, so to dispose thy servants for this precious vertue, by making every days clearer experience of our own weaknes and vanity, strike our lofty sails, and lay flat on the ground all proud conceits of our selvs, that we suffer not our minds to be discompos'd with any passion, nor our tongues to break forth into any violent expression; but always preserve our selvs in such a regular and even temper, stir the world how it will about us, as becomes those, all whose Powers are possest with the joys of heav'n, and apt to feel in every thing only the sweet impulses of hope and charity: through our Lord JESUS Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns, One God world without end, Amen.
V. Vouchsafe us we beseech thee, O Lord, a quiet night, and a happy end, R. Amen.
V. Lord have mercy on us.
R. Christ have mercy on us.
V. Lord have mercy on us. Our Father, &c.
V. And lead us not into temptation;
R. But deliver us from evil, Amen.
[Page 55] V. Into thy hands, O Lord, we commend our spirits.
R. Into thy hands, O Lord, we commend our spirits.
R. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, thou God of truth!
R. Into thy hands, O Lord, we commend our spirits.
V. Preserve us, O Lord, as the apple of thine ey.
R. Under the shadow of thy wings protect us.
V. Save us, O Lord, waking, defend us sleeping:
R. That we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace.
V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin.
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Lord let thy mercy be on us;
R. As our hope is in Thee.
V. O Lord hear our prayers.
R. And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
VIsit we beseech thee, O Lord, this habitation, and drive far away all snares of the enemy; let thy holy Angels dwell therein, to preserve us in peace; and thy blessing be upon us for ever; through our Lord JESUS Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns One God world without end, Amen.
V. O Lord hear our Prayers:
R. And let our supplications come to Thee.
[Page 56] V. Bless we our Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen.
Pause a litle, then say one of the following Antiphons and Prayers, according to the time.
From Advent Sunday Morning, to Candlemas Eve.
V. Our Lord give us his peace.
R. And life everlasting, Amen.
V. Blessed, O Lord, is the womb that bare Thee.
R. And the brests that gave Thee suck.
Let us pray.
O God, who by the blessed Fruit of the Virgin Mary hast bestow'd on mankind the rewards of eternal salvation: grant we beseech Thee, that we may always injoy the benefit of her intercession, by whom thou wert pleas'd we [Page 57] should receive the Author of our life, JESUS Christ thy Son our Lord, Amen.
May the divine Assistance remain with us for ever, Amen.
Pause a litle: then say,
The Blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and holy Ghost descend upon us, and dwell in our harts for ever, Amen.
Pause a litle: then rise.
So ends the whole Office of the day.
From Candlemas to Maundy Thursday.
V. Our Lord give us his peace.
R. And life everlasting, Amen.
V. Vouchsafe, O holy Virgin, to accept our praises.
R. And favour us with thy prayers for strength against our enemies.
Let us pray.
SUstain we beseech Thee, O merciful God, the weaknes of thy servants; that we, who celebrate the memory of the blessed Mother of our Lord, may, by the [...] of her intercession, obtain thy grace to rise from our iniquities; through the same JESUS Christ our Lord, Amen.
May the divine Assistance remain with us for ever, Amen.
Pause. Then,
The Blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and holy Ghost descend upon us, and dwell in our hearts for ever, Amen.
From Easter to Trinity Sunday.
V. Our Lord give us his peace.
R. And life Everlasting, Amen.
V. Rejoyce and triumph, O Blessed Virgin Mary. Alleluja.
R. For our Lord is risen indeed. Alleluja.
Let us pray.
O God, who, by the resurrection of thy Son our Lord JESUS Christ, hast vouch [...]af't [Page 59] to make glad the harts of the world: grant we beseech Thee, that by the prayers of his immaculate Virgin-Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life; through the same JESUS Christ our Lord, Amen.
May the divine Assistance remain with us for ever, Amen.
Pause. Then,
The Blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and holy Ghost descend upon us, and dwell in our hearts for ever, Amen.
From Trinity Sunday to Advent Sunday.
V. Our Lord give us his peace.
R. And life everlasting, Amen.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God!
R. That we may be made worthy the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray,
ALmighty and everliving God, who by the Co-operation of the Holy Ghost, vouchsafedst to prepare the Body and Soul of the glorious Virgin-Mother Mary, that she might become the worthy habitation of thy Son! Grant, that, as with joy we celebrate her memory, we may by her pious intercession, be deliver'd from all temporal evils, and from eternal death; through the same JESUS Christ our Lord, Amen.
May the divine assistance remain with us for ever, Amen.
Pause, then
The Blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost descend upon us, and dwel in our harts for ever, Amen.
MONDAY MATINS.
Introduction, as page 1.
Invitatory. Come let's adore our God that made us.
Come let's adore our God that made us.
Psal. XIIII.
LEt us with reverence appear before Him; and humble our selvs in the presence of his glory: Let us all bring forth our Psalms of Praise; and sing with joy to our great Creator.
Come let's adore our God that made us.
He made us, not we our selvs; and freely bestow'd on us all the rest of his creatures: to engage our harts to love his goodnes, and admire the riches of his infinite bounty.
Come, let's adore our God that made us.
Our bodys he fram'd of the dust of the earth; and gave us a soul after his own likenes; a soul which all created nature cannot fill, nor any thing below his own Immensity,
Come; let's adore our God that made us.
For himself he made us, and for his glorious Kingdom: that we might dwel with him in perfect blyss, and sing his praises for ever
Come, let's adore our God that made us. Glory be, &c. As it was:
Hymn V.
Antiph. All things ly open to the eys of God; all things are naked to Him with whom we speak.
Psal. XV.
HAppy are they, O glorious Lord, * who every where adore thy Presence:
Happy, who live on earth as in the sight of the King of heaven; and every moment say in their hart, Our God is here:
Here in the Center of our souls, to witnes all our thoughts; and judg exactly our most secret intents:
Though his Throne of state be establisht above; and the splendors of his glory shine only on the Blessed:
[Page 64] Yet his unlimited Ey looks down to this lower world; and beholds all the ways of the children of Adam:
If we go out, he marks our steps; and, when we retire, our Closet excludes not him:
While we are alone, He minds our contrivings; and the ends we aim at in all our studys:
When we converse with others, He observs our deportment; and the good or ill we do them, or our selvs:
In our devotions he notes our carriage; and regards with what attention we recite our pray'rs.
All the day long He considers how we spend our time; and our darkest night conceals not our works from Him:
If we deceive our Neighbor, He spys the fraud; and hears the least whisper of a slandering tongue:
If we in secret oppress the Poor; or by private alms relieve their wants:
If in our harts we murmur at the Rich; or live contented with our litle portion:
What e're we do, He perfectly sees us; wher e're we are, he is sure to be with us:
Why, O thou Soveraign Lord of heav'n! why dost thou stoop thus low thy glorious Ey?
What canst thou find that here deservs thy sight; among the trifles of our empty world?
What canst thou find, alas, that should not [Page 65] fear thy sight; among the follys of our vicious lives?
'Tis not thy self, O Lord, thou seekst to satisfy; but all thy design is for our advantage.
Thou graciously stand'st by, to see as work; that thine awful ey may quicken our diligence.
Thou art still at hand to relieve our wants; that so friendly a nearnes may increase; our confidence.
Thou appear'st still ready to punish our sins; that the shake of thy rod may prevent our miserys.
Sure, O my God, thy favours must needs be sweet; since even thy threatnings have so much mercy.
Sure we must needs be worse then blind; if to the face of heav'n we dare be wicked.
Henceforth, O gracious Lord! as children freely play * in the indulgent presence of their tender father.
So make us still, with humble boldnes * rejoyce before Thee our merciful Creator.
And as new pardon'd subjects justly fear * the angry brow of their offended Prince.
So let our oft-forgiven souls, continually tremble *, to provoke the wrath of thy dread Majesty.
O temper thus our love with reverence; and thus allay our fear with hope.
Glory be, &c.
[Page 66] Antiph. All things ly open to the eys of our God: all things are naked to Him with whom we speak.
Antiph. Happy we, who have our God so near us; happy, if our pious lives keep us near Him.
Psal. XVI.
MY God! since Thou art never absent from us; let us be always present with Thee.
Let us go up to thy Throne above; and there contemplate and admire thy glory.
Let us attend on thy holy Altars; and there adore and praise thy mercy.
Every where let us seek to meet Thee; every where let us delight to find Thee.
All our wants let us spread before Thee; all our petitions let us offer to Thee.
Thou willingly inclin'st thy gracious ear * to the pray'rs that come from a fervent hart.
Thou lov'st to hear us so treat of Heav'n; as if we made it our business indeed to go thither.
All other things we must ask with submission to Thee; since we know not absolutely what's good for our selvs.
But thy eternal joys we may beg without restraint; and urge and press for thy assistance to gain them.
Heav'n we may wish without the check of resignation; [Page 67] Heav'n we may pray for without fear of improtunity.
O wise and gracious Lord! what e're thou dost * thy love intends it all for the good of thy servants:
If thou defer'st som times to grant our requests; 'tis only in charity to make us repeat them:
That we may feel more sensibly our own poverty; and be stronglier convinc't of our dependance on Thee:
That we may practise our hope, while we long expect; and increase our gratitude, when we receive at last:
That we may learn this sure and happy skil, * of working in our souls the Vertues we desire;
By often renewing those very desires; til themselvs become even the graces we seek:
But O improvident we! how unwilling to pray * are most of us always, and all of us sometimes!
How do our litle Offices seem long and tedious; and half an hour quite tire our patience!
How are we slow to begin, and swift to make an end; how heavy while they are saying, and glad when they are said!
Yet sure no easier work, than to ask what we want; nor cheaper purchase than to have for asking:
Sure, no sweeter pleasure than to Converse [Page 68] with God; nor greater profit then to gain his favour.
Still we have new transgressions to confess; and shall never, alas, want infirmities to lament.
Often, O dreadful Lord! when we speak to Thee, * we do not so much as hear our selvs.
Often we pursue impertinent objects; and our careles thoughts contradict our words.
But, O Thou blessed End of all our labors, and only Center of all our wishes!
Do thou reclaim our wandring fancys; and guide and fix them to attend thy service.
Night and day let us call on Thee; and never cease knocking at the doors of thy Palace.
Let no delay discourage our hope; nor even refusal destroy our confidence.
But let this firm foundation still sustain us; and on This let our peace be stablisht for ever.
What's truly necessary thy Goodnes will not deny; the rest our obedience submits to thy Pleasure.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Happy we, who have our God so near us: happy, if our pious lives keep us near Him.
Antiph. You have not, because you ask not; you ask and receive not, because you ask amiss.
Psal. XVII.
DEliver us, O Lord, from asking of Thee * what we cannot receive without danger to our selvs.
Deliver us from receiving what we cannot use *, without offending others, and ruining our own souls.
Deliver us from presuming so on thy bounty *, that we omit to perform our own duty.
Still to our devotion let us joyn our best endeavours *, and make our earth comply with thy heaven.
If we desire of Thee to relieve our necessitys *, let us faithfully begin to labor with our hands.
And not expect a blessing from the clouds *, on the idle follys of an undisciplin'd life.
If we beg grace for victory o're our passions; let us constantly strive to resist their assaults.
Let us wisely foresee our particular dangers; and use the proper weapon against every sin.
To obtain the gift of chastity, we must mortify our senses; and immediately fly the least shadow of tentation.
In vain we approach thy holy Altars; if our lives prepare not the way for our Offerings.
Thou shut'st thy ears to our loudest pray'rs; if we open not ours to the voice of the poor.
Thou deny'st to pardon our trespasses against [Page 70] Thee; unless we already have forgiven our Enemys.
O the extreme benignity of our glorious God! who treats with his creatures on equal terms.
Who deals no otherwise with us miserable wretches; then we our selvs commerce with one another.
He promises to give us the same measure we give our neighbors; and performs incomparably more then he promises.
Prest down, and shaken together, and runing over *, into the bosoms of them that love him.
Such, O my God, is the bounty of thy Goodness; and no less the patience of thy generous hand.
Thou holdest thy blessings hovering o're our heads; still watching the time when we are fit to receive them.
Then thou immediately send'st them down upon us; to enter our harts, and dwell with us for ever.
Even that very temper which thus disposes us *, intirely depends on the favour of thy providence.
Every Condition thou requirest on our part * being nothing else but thine own free gift.
Thy mercy alone is the fountain of all our blessings; and, in what channel soever they flow to us, they spring from Thee.
[Page 71] Thou art the God of nature and reason; Thou art the God of grace and religion.
Give, gracious God, what thou art pleas'd to command; and then command what thou pleasest.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. You have not, because you ask not; you ask and receive not, because you ask amiss.
Our Father, &c.
First Lesson.
GOd from the beginning made man, and left him in the hand of his own counsel. He added his commandments and precepts; if thou wilt keep them, they will preserve thee. Fire and water he has set before thee; stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt. Before man is life and death, good and evil; that which he chuses shall be given him: for the Wisdom of God is great, and he is mighty in power; his eys are towards them that fear him, and he knows every work of man. He has commanded none to do wickedly; nor given any a lycence to sin: but the penitent he restores to the way of justice; and those who were failing in perseverance he confirms, and appoints them the lot of truth. Turn to our Lord, and forsake thy sins; pray before his face, and lessen thy offences. Be not rash with thy mouth, nor let thy [Page 72] hart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heav'n, and thou art on earth; therefore let thy words be few. Before prayer prepare thy soul; and be not as one that tempts God. Go not after thy concupiscences, but turn away from thine own will; if thou giv'st to thy soul her desires, it will make thee a derision to thy enemys. A wise man will fear in every thing; and in the occasion of sin will take heed of being negligent. He that loves danger shall perish therin; and he that despises small things shall fall by litle and litle. Better is he that has less knowledg, and fears; then he that abounds in understanding, and transgresses the Law of the Highest.
R. My soul, what canst thou wish for more? behold thy gracious Lord offers thee to chuse what thou wlt, and promises to give thee what thou chusest. * O infinite Goodnes! 'tis Thy self alone I chuse; Thou art my only happines for ever. I see my portion hereafter depends on my choice here; but my choice, O Lord, depends on thee: guide me with thy holy grace, that I withdraw my affections from all vain and perishable creatures, and fix them intirely on the enjoyment of Thee, my Lord, and my God, and my eternal felicity. * O infinite Goodnes! 'tis thy self—
Second Lesson.
THe beginning of wisdom is the true desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love; and love is the keeping of her laws; and the keeping of her laws is the accomplishment of incorruption, and incorruption makes us next to God: therefore the desire of wisdom leads us to an everlasting Kingdom. If then you be delighted with Thrones and Scepters, seek wisdom that you may reign for ever. Into a malicious soul wisdom will not enter, nor dwell in a body subject to sins: for the holy Spirit will fly from him that dissembles, and withdraw himself from thoughts that are without understanding; and be chaced away when iniquity comes in. The Spirit of wisdom is gentle, and will not deliver the Curser from his own lips: for God is witnes of his reins, and searcher of his hart, and hearer of his tongue; therefore he that speaks unjust things cannot be hidden, nor shall the chastizing vengeance forbear him. If thou shalt call for wisdom, and incline thy hart to prudence; if thou shalt seek her as mony, and dig her up as treasure: then shalt thou understand the fear of our Lord, and fynd the knowledg of God. For, our Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth is prudence and knowledge.
R. Send down, O thou God of our Fathers and Lord of mercy! send down thy Wisdom [Page 74] thy holy heav'n, and from the seat of thy greatnes to be in us, and labor with us, and teach us what is acceptable to thee: * That we may know our end, and wisely chuse our way; and order all our actions to our true felicity. Our thoughts are fearful, and our prudences incertain; we scarce conjecture the things that are on earth, and find with pains the things that are in sight: Give us O Lord the wisdom that assists at thy Throne, and reject us not from among thy Children: * That we may —
Third Lesson.
THe Spirit of those that fear God shal live, and at his sight shal be Blessed: for their hope is in him that saves them, and the eys of God are on them that love him. He that fears our Lord shal tremble at nothing, because He is his hope: he raises up the Soul, and illuminates the eys, and gives life and health and blessing: Our Lord is only theirs who expect him in the way of truth and justice: the Highest allows not the gifts of the wicked, nor regards the oblations of the unjust; nor pardons their offences for the multitude of their sacrifices. By mercy and faith sins are purged; and by the fear of our Lord every one declines from evil: Despise not a man that turns himself from sin, nor upbraid him therwith; remember we are all in state to be blam'd. Forgive thy neighbor that [Page 75] hurts thee; and when thou pray'st thy sins shal be forgiven thee: One man reservs anger against another, and does he seek pardon of God? he has not mercy on a man like himself, and does he intreat for his own sins? Remember the last things, and cease to be at enmity: remember the fear of God, and be not angry with thy neighbor. Hast thou sin'd? do so no more; but withal; pray that thy former sins may be forgiven thee. Fly from sin as from the face of a serpent: if thou approach, it will bite thee; the teeth thereof are as the teeth of lyons, killing the souls of men. He that is washt from the dead, and touches him again; what does his washing profit him? so a man that fasts for his sins, and does the same again; what avails it to have humbled himself? who will hear his prayer?
R. Deliver us O Lord from relapsing into the sins we have repented, the sins we so often have promised to amend: Deliver us from all malice and enmity with our neighbors; and from oppressing the poor, who have none to defend them. * Then may we confidently expect thy protection; if we serve Thee, and love one another. Thou art our strength O Lord, whom shall we fear? Thou art our Salvation, of what shall we be afraid? nothing can hurt us, but our own vicious desires; nothing can endanger us, but disobedience to our God: * Then may we —
[Page 76] Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Then may we confidently expect thy protection; if we serve Thee, and love one another.
Pause a while to reflect, and renew attention; then begin
Monday Lauds.
O God incline unto our aid:
O Lord make hast to help us:
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the begining, both now and ever; world without end, Amen. Alleluia.
Antiph. Bless our Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
Psal. XVIII.
COme, let us sing the praises of our God; and joyfully recite his divine Perfections: His being is from himself alone; and he depends not on any but his own eternal Essence:
His Knowledg fathoms the extent of all things; and his power commands them as he pleases.
His goodnes is supreamly infinite; and all his glorious Attributes transcendently adorable:
Come, let us sing the praises of our God; and joyfully recite his divine perfections:
He is the Source of all felicity; eternally full of his own unchangable Blyss:
[Page 77] Before time began, He was; and when the Sun must lose its light, his day will remain the same for ever:
The heav'n of heav'ns is the Palace of his Glory; and all-created nature the subject of his Dominion:
In his presence the brightest Seraphims cover their faces; and all the blessed Spirits bow down their heads to his footstool:
Come, let us sing aloud the prerogatives of our God; and stretch our utmost thoughts to exalt his Greatnes:
But O most glorious and dreadful Deity; how dare we wretches undertake thy praise!
How dare our sin-polluted lips pronounce thy Name: or where shal we seek expressions fit for Thee?
All we can say is nothing to thy unspeakable Excellencys; all we can think, but a faint shadow of thy unconceivable Beautys:
Even the voice of Angels is too low to reach thy Worth; and their highest strains fall infinitely short of Thee.
Only in this shal thy servants rejoyce; and all the Powers of our souls be glad:
That Thy self alone art thine own full praise; Be to thy self thine own glory:
Live our great God eternally incompast * with the beams of thine own inaccessible light:
Live our ador'd Creator, and raign for ever * [Page 78] on the Throne of thine own immortal Kingdom. Glory be, &c.
Psal. XIX.
Too glorious art thou, O Lord, in Thy self; and thy direct ray shines too bright for our eys:
Yet may we venture to praise Thee in thy works; and contemplate Thee, at least, reflected from thy creatures:
In them we may safely behold our mighty Maker; and freely admire the Magnificence of our God:
Heav'n and earth are full of his greatnes; heav'n and earth were created by his power:
From him all the hosts of Angels receiv'd their Being; from him they have the honour to assist in his presence:
He kindled warmth and brightnes in the Sun; and beauteously garnisht the Firmament with stars.
He spred the Ayr, and stor'd it with flocks of birds; He gather'd the waters, and replenisht them with shoals of fishes:
He establisht the Earth on a firm foundation; and richly adorn'd it with innumerable varietys:
Every Element is fill'd with his blessings; and all the world with his liberal Miracles:
He spake the word, and they were made; he commands and they are still preserv'd:
[Page 79] He governs their motions in perfect order; and distributes to each its proper Office.
Contriving the Whole into one vast Machin; a spacious Theater of his own unlimited Greatnes.
O glorious Architect of universal nature; who disposest all things in number, weight, and measure!
How does thy wisdom engage us to admire Thee! How does thy Goodnes oblige us to love Thee!
Not for themselvs alone, O gracious God; did thy hand produce those happy Spirits:
But to receive in charge thy litle flock; and safe conduct them to the folds of Blyss:
Not for themselvs at all, O bounteous Lord; were the Rest of this huge Creation fram'd:
But to sustain our lives in the way; and carry us on to our eternal home.
O may our souls first praise Thee for themselves; and employ their whole powers to improve in thy service.
May we praise Thee, O Lord, for all thy gifts; but infinitely above all, still value the Giver.
May every blessing be a motive of gratitude; and every creature a step of approach towards Thee.
So shall we faithfully observe their end; and happily arrive at ours.
Using them only to entertain us here; till our [Page 80] souls be prepar'd for the life of heav'n.
Till they become full ripe for Thee; and then fly away to thy holy presence.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XX.
HOw admirable is thy Name, O Lord, over all the earth! how wise and gracious the counsels of thy Providence!
After Thou had'st thus prepar'd the world; as a house ready furnisht for man to inhabit.
Thy mighty hand fram'd our bodys of the dust; and built them in a shape of use and beauty.
Thou breath'dst into us the spirit of Life; and fittedst us with facultys proportion'd to our end.
Thou gav'st us a soul to govern our bodies; and reason to command in our soul.
Thou reveal'dst to us a Law for the improvement of our reason; and enablest us by thy grace to observe that Law.
Thou mad'st us Lords over all thy creatures; but little inferior to thy glorious Angels.
Thou compellest whole Nature to serve us without reward; and invitest us to love Thee for our own happiness.
Thou design'dst us an age of pure delights *, in that sweet and fruitful Garden.
Where having led a long and pleasant life; [Page 81] thou promisedst to transplant us to thine own Paradise.
All this thou didst, O glorious God; the full Possessor of universal blys!
Not for any need thou hadst of us; or the least advantage thou could'st derive from our being.
All this thou didst, O infinite Goodnes; the liberal bestower of what e're we possess!
Not for any merit, alas, of ours; or the least motive we could offer to induce Thee.
But for thine own excessive charity; and the mere inclination of thine own rich nature.
That empty we might receive of thy fulnes; and be partakers of thy overflowing bounty.
So sheds the generous Sun his beams; and freely scatters them on every side.
Guilding all the world with his beauteous light; and kindly cherishing it with his fruitful heat.
And so dost Thou, and infinitely more; O thou God of infinite more perfections!
So we confess thou dost to us: but we, what return have we made to Thee?
Have we consider'd well the end of our being? and faithfully comply'd with thy purpose to save us?
Ah wretched we! we neglect thy holy rules; and govern our actions by chance and humour.
We quite forget our God that made us; and [Page 82] fill our heads with thoughts that undo us.
Pardon, O gracious Lord, our past ingratitude; and mercifully direct our time to come.
Teach every passage of our yet remaining life; to express an acknowledgment fit for thy mercys.
O make our senses subject to our reason; and our reason entirely obedient to thee:
O make the whole Creation conspire to thy honour; and all that depend on thee joyn together in thy praise.
This is the only praise thou expectest from us; and the whole honour, thou requirest of thy Creatures:
That by observing the orders thou appointest here; in this lower region of change and motion.
We may all grow up to be happy herafter; in that state of permanency and eternal rest.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Bless our Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
Capit. 4. Apoc.
WOrthy art Thou, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power: because Thou hast created all things, and for thy will they are, and were created.
Hymn VI.
Antiph. The boundless Ocean of Being could not contain his streams; but overflow'd upon pure nothing, and behold a beauteous world appear'd: Heav'n and earth and all therein, from the highest Angel to the least grain of dust; all together the most perfect participation of his Essence.
V. He spake the word, and they were made.
R. He but commanded, and they were created.
O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O Almighty Lord, the only wise and good Creator of the Universe; who mad'st all corporeal nature for the use of Man; and Man for his own felicity! enlarge our souls we beseech Thee, humbly to admire and adore thy infinite fulnes of Being in Thy self; and thy immense liberality of it to us; and mercifully carry on the whole Creation to its end: Vouchsafing so to order all thy creatures about us, by thy grace, that they may attain their perfection in duly serving us, and we Ours in eternally injoying Thee: through our Lord JESUS Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns One God world without end, Amen.
Commemorations, &c. as pag. 29.
Monday Vespers.
IN the Name of the Father, &c. as pag. 33.
Antiph. To know Thee, O Lord, is the highest learning; and to be known of Thee, the greatest happines.
Psal. XXI.
LEt us now consider, O Lord our God! let us thankfully remember what Thou art to us.
[Page 86] Thou art the great Begining of our nature; and glorious end of all our actions.
Thou art the overflowing Source from whence we spring; and the immense Ocean into which we tend.
Thou art the free Bestower of all we possess; and faithful Promiser of all we hope.
Thou art the strong Sustainer of our lives: and ready Deliverer from all our enemys.
Thou art the merciful Scourger of our sins; and bounteous Rewarder of our obedience.
Thou art the safe Conducter of our pilgrimage; and the eternal Rest of our wearied souls.
Such words, alas, our narrownes is constrain'd to use, * when we endeavour to speak thy bountys.
Wider a litle can our thoughts extend; yet infinitely less than the least of thy mercys.
Tell us thy self; one word of thine expresses more *, then all the eloquence of men and Angels,
Tell us Thy self, O Thou mild instructer of the ignorant! what thou art to us.
Say to our souls, Thou art our salvation; but say it so that we may hear Thee.
Gladly will we run after the sound of that voice; and hope by following it to find out Thee.
When we have found Thee once, O Thou joy [Page 87] of our harts! never let us lose thy sight again.
Never let us turn our eys from Thee; but steddily fix them on thy glorious face.
Suffer us not to go, till thou hast given us thy blessing; and then may thy blessing bind us faster to Thee.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. To know Thee, O Lord, is the highest learning; and to be known of Thee, the greatest happines.
Antiph. To know our selvs is the truest wisdom, and to see our own poverty, the safest riches.
Psal. XXII.
LEt us now consider, O Lord our God! let us humbly remember, what we are to Thee.
We who, alas, are nothing in our selvs; what can we be to thy Immensity?
Thou who art all things in thine own rich self; what canst thou receive from our poverty?
This only we are to Thee, O great Creator! the unthankful object of all thy bountys.
This only we are to Thee, O dear Redeemer! the unworthy cause of all thy sufferings.
Guilty we committed the crime; and thou with thine innocency undertookst the punishment.
[Page 88] We went astray from the path of life; and thy mercy came down from heav'n to seek us.
To seek us in the wilderness where we had lost our selvs; and bring us home to the discipline of thy love.
Lord, what are we, that thou shouldst thus regard * such poor and vile and inconsiderable wretches!
What can our good will avail thy Blyss; that with so many charms thou woo'st us to love Thee!
What can our malice prejudice thy content; that thou threatnest so violently if we love thee not!
Is there, O my God, not felicity enough * in the sweetness alone of loving Thee?
Is there perhaps not misery enough * in living depriv'd of thy blysful love?
Yes, Yes, dear Lord, and that thou knew'st; and that's the only cause * which mov'd thy goodnes to court our affections.
Thou knew'st we else would cast away our selvs; * by doating on the follys of this deceitful world.
Thou knew'st the danger of our wilful nature; and therefore striv'st by greatest fears, and greatest hopes.
And all the wisest arts of love, and bounty, * to draw us to thy self and endow us with thy kingdom.
[Page 89] Unhappy we! whose frowardness requir'd so strange proceeding, * to force upon us our own salvation.
Happy we! whose wants have met so kind a hand; that needed but our emptines to engage him to fill us.
Happy yet more, that our Lord, who thus favours us now *, will at last even give us Himself.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. To know our selvs is the truest wisdom, and to see our own Poverty, the safest riches.
Antiph. Vanity of vanitys, all is vanity; but the love of God, and hope to enioy Him.
Psal. XXIII.
LOrd, without Thee, what's all the world to us, * but a flying dream of busie vanitys? It promises indeed a Paradise of blyss; but all it performs is an empty cloud.
Thine are the joys that shine fixt as the stars; and make the only solid heav'n.
Lord, without Thee, what are we to our selvs, but the wretched causes of our own ruin?
We, till thou gav'st us Being, were purely nothing; more remov'd from happines, then the miserablest of thy creatures.
Now thou hast made us, we wholly depend [Page 90] on Thee, and perish immediately if thou forsake us.
Thou, without us, art the same all-glorious Essence; brim-ful of thy own eternal felicity.
Without us, thy royal Throne stands firm for ever; and all the Powers of heav'n obey thy pleasure,
Pity, O gracious Lord, our imperfect nature; whose every circumstance is so contrary to Thine.
Thou dwel'st above in the Mansions of glory; and we below in houses of clay.
Thou art immortal, and thy day out-lives all time; we every moment go downwards to our grave.
Thou art immense, and thy presence fills the heav'ns; but the Greatest of us, alas, how litle are we!
Two yards of air contain us while we live; and a few spans of earth suffice us at our death.
When, O my God, shall these distances meet together? when will these extremitys embrace each other?
We know they once were miraculously joyn'd * in the sacred Person of thy eternal Son.
When the King of heav'n stoopt down to earth; and grafted into his own Person the nature of man.
We hope they once again shall be happily [Page 91] united *, in the blysful vision of thy glorious Self.
When the children of the earth shall be exalted to heav'n, and made partakers of thy divine nature.
But are there no means for us here below? O Thou infinitely high and glorious God!
Is there no way to approach towards Thee; and diminish, at least, this uncomfortable distance?
None but the way of holy love; which none can attain but by thy free gift:
Nor must we sinners dare to ask thy love; being infinitely unworthy to be cal'd thy servants.
Rather let us humbly beg the grace to love Thee; who art so many ways worthy of more than our harts:
And yet, O dearest Lord, unless thou first love us; and sweetly draw us by thy gentle hand:
Never shal we be so happy as to love Thee; nor ever happy unless we love Thee:
O bounteous God! to all thy favours add this one, * of making us esteem Thee above them all:
Be thou to us our God, and all things; and make us nothing in our own eys:
Be thou our whole everlasting delight; and let nothing else be any thing to us:
Glory be, &c.
[Page 92] Antiph. Vanity of Vanitys, all is Vanity; but the love of God, and hope to enjoy him.
Capit. Ephes. 6.
CHildren obey your Parents, in our Lord, for this is just: and you Fathers, provoke not your Children to anger; but bring them up in discipline, and the fear of our Lord. Servants be obedient to your Masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling in the simplicity of your harts, as to Christ: not serving to the ey as it were pleasing men; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the hart; knowing whatever good any one shal do, that shal he receive of our Lord, whether he be bond or free: And you Masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatnings; knowing that both their Lord and yours is in heav'n, and with Him is no acceptance of persons.
Hymn. VII.
[Page 94] Antiph. He that fram'd the hart of man, design'd it for himself: and bequeath'd it unquietnes, til possest of its Maker.
V. Vanity of Vanitys, all is Vanity: R. But to love our God, and attend his service.
O Lord hear our prayers: And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray:
O God, who alone art all in all things to us, and to whom we are nothing but wretched objects of thy bounty; which the more flows upon us, the more we truly feel our own pure emptines and want of it! Encrease, we humbly beseech thee, this happy sense iu thy servants, by our dayly experience of this worlds unsatisfyingness: and grant that, finding it ordain'd by Thee, to breed and widen, not fill our capacity; we may make this only use of all thy creatures here, to raise and heighten our desires of thy infinite Self in Eternity: through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with thee and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end: Amen
V. O Lord hear our prayers: R. And let our Supplications come to Thee:
V. Bless we our Lord R. Thanks be to God.
V. May the Souls of the Faithful Departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace: Amen:
Pause a while, to reflect, and renew —
Then begin Complin▪
Monday Complin.
V. OUr help is in As Page 46.
Antiph. All thy ways, O Lord, are mercy and wisdom; and all thy Counsels tend to our happines.
Psal. XXIV.
MY God, in every thing I see thy hand; in every passage thy gracious Providence:
Thou wisely govern'st the house thou hast built; and preventest with thy mercy's all our wants:
Thou cal'st us up in the early morning; and giv'st us light by the beams of thy Sun:
To labour every one in their proper Office; and fill the litle place appointed them in the world:
Thou provid'st a rest for our weary Evening; and favour'st our sleep with a shady darknes:
To refresh our bodys in the peace of night; and save the wast of our decaying spirits:
Again thou awak'st our drowsy eys; and bid'st us return to our dayly task:
Thus has thy wisdom mixt our life; and beauteously interwoven it of rest and work:
Whose mutual changes sweeten each other; and both prepare us for our greatest duty:
Of finishing here the work of our Salvation; to rest herafter in thy holy peace.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XXV.
LOrd, how thy bounty gives us all things else, * with a large and open hand!
Our Fields at once are cover'd with corn; and our trees bow under the weight of their fruit:
At once thou fill'st our Magazines with plenty; and sendst us who'e show'rs of other blessings:
Only our time thou distil'st by drops; and never giv'st us two moments at once:
But tak'st away one when thou lendest another; to teach us the price of so rich a Jewel:
That we may learn to value every hour; and not childishly spend them on empty trifles:
Much less maliciously murther whole days; in pursuing a course of sin and shame.
Lord, as Thou thus hast taught our ignorance; so let thy grace enable our weaknes:
Wisely to manage the time thou giv'st us; and stil press on to new degrees of improvement:
That with our few, but wel-spent years; we may purchase to our selvs a blest eternity.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XXVI.
IT was thy mercy too, O gracious Lord, to dispense by parcels our portion of time:
That the succeeding day may learn to grow wise; and correct its faults by experience of the past:
[Page 95] Else, were our Being all at once; as it shall be in the next Eternal life.
Our sins would have here no power to be repented; and then, alas, how desperate were we!
We, who are born in the way to misery; and, unless we change, can never be happy.
We, who so often wilfully go astray; and, unless we return, must perish for ever.
O Thou, in whose indulgent hands * are both our time and our Eternity!
Whose Providence gives every minute of our life; and governs the fatal period of our death.
O make us every Evening still provide *, to pass with comfort that important hour.
Make us still ballance our accompts for heav'n; and strive to increase our treasures with Thee.
That, if we rise no more to our acquaintance here; we may joyfully waken among thy blessed Angels.
There to unite our Hymns with Theirs; and joyn all together in one full Quire.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. All thy ways, O Lord, are mercy and wisdom; and all thy Counsels tend to our happines.
Hymn VIII.
Capit. 4. Ephes.
BE angry and sin not; let not the Sun go down upon your wrath; and contristate not the holy Spirit of God, in which you are seal'd to the day of Redemption. Let all bitterness, and anger, and indignation, and clamor, and blasphemy, with all malice, be taken away from you: be gentle one to another, and merciful; pardoning one another, as God also in Christ has pardon'd you.
Antiph. Happily ends that day, whose evils end with it, cancel'd by just contrition; happily begins that night which is introduced, with aspirations to our eternal rest.
[Page 98] V. The day is thine, and the night is thine.
R. Lord, may thy grace, through both, breed us up also Thine.
Let us pray.
O God, whose gracious Providence vouchsafes us a frequent Monitor of our own and the worlds last end; by burying every day in the silent grave of night! Sweeten, we humbly beseech Thee, and render familiar to our expectation Those terrible periods of time, by our constant due use of this, to even our accounts with Thee, and fit our selvs for sleep with a devout Composure of our souls to their eternal rest: and grant that our so often easie yielding to suspend all operations of the whole man, for some hours, at the summons of flesh and blood's drowsy humors, may teach our souls to reflect themselvs into a more reasonable willingnes, when ever thou calst, to leave our bodys in the bed of dust, and pass into the state of their own perfect and ever-waking activity and blyss, highten'd by sure hopes of a compleatly-glorifying Resurrection; through our Lord —
Vouchsafe us we beseech, &c. As page 54. to the end.
TUESDAY MATINS.
Introduction, as page 1.
Invitatory. Come let's adore our God that preservs us.
Come let's adore our God that preservs us.
Psal. XXVII.
FRom thee, O Lord, we derive our Being; and from the same Goodnes our Continuance to be: if thou withdraw'st thy hand but a moment, we instantly return to our first nothing.
Come let's adore our God that preservs us.
From all our enemys his Providence defends us; and covers our head in the day of danger: he sends in his grace to relieve our weaknes; and disappoints the tentations that threaten to undo us.
Come let's adore our God that preservs us.
Here his Almighty Power sustains our life, and mercifully allows us space to repent: that, by well employing the time he lends us, we may wisely provide for our own Eternity.
Come let's adore our God that preservs us.
He still repeats his Blessings to us; and shall we neglect our duty to him? he freely bestows [Page 100] on us all our day; and shall we not spend half an hour in his service?
Come let's adore our God that preservs us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, both now and ever; world without end, Amen.
Come let's adore our God that preservs us.
Come let's adore our God that preservs us.
Hymn IX.
Antiph. If we receive all we have of God why do we boast as if we had it our selvs?
Psal. XXVIII.
NOt unto us, O Lord, not unto us; but to thine own blest Name give all the glory.
When we have apply'd our utmost cares; and us'd all the diligence that lys in our power.
What can we do, but look up to Thee; and [Page 102] second our endeavours with pray'rs for thy blessing?
When we have implor'd thy gracious mercy; and offer'd thee our dearest Sacrifice to obtain it.
What can we do, but submit our hopes; and expect the event from thy free goodnes?
We know, and thou thy self hast taught us; unless thou defend'st the city, the Guard watches in vain.
We know, & our own experience tells us; unless thou reach forth thy hand, we are presently in danger of sinking.
Every moment of our day subsists by Thee; and every step we take moves by thy strength.
Even the line we now repeat, must beg its breath of Thee; and stop if thou deny'st it.
If Thou deny'st, who can compel thy Will; or call in question thy Decrees?
Are we not all thy creatures, O gracious God! and, as helpless children, hanging at the brest of thy Providence?
Are we not all as clay in thy hands; to frame us into vessels of what use thou pleasest?
Behold we confess, O Lord, in thee we live; in thee we move and have our being.
All our sufficiency proceeds from Thee; and all our success depends on thy favour.
Others may tell us the way we should go; [Page 103] but Thou alone canst enable us to walk.
Others may tell us the way; but even they must first be taught by Thee.
They must be mov'd by Thee to act that charity; and so all at last is resolv'd into Thee.
Should we presume, O Lord, to divide thy grace; and proudly challenge any share to our selvs:
Thy mighty truth stands up against us; and our own infirmitys plainly confute us.
Should'st thou severely examine our harts; and ask who works all their actions in them:
Sure we must needs bow down our heads; and from our low dust humbly say;
Nothing are we, O Lord, but what thou hast made us; nothing have we, but what thou hast given us:
Only our sins are entirely our own; which O, may thy grace extinguish for ever.
O may all self-presumption dy in us; and our whole confidence live only in Thee.
May even our frailties make us more strong; and our being nothing teach us to be humble.
So shall thy power, O God, be magnify'd in our weaknes; and thy mercy triumph in relief of our misery.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. If we receive all we have of God; why do we boast as if we had it of our selvs?
[Page 104] Antiph. God is my Saviour, whom shall I fear? God is my Protector, of what shall I be afraid?
Psal. XXIX.
THus we depend, and happy we in this dependance; did we but know our own true interest.
We and our whole Concerns are deposited with God; and where can we find a better hand to ensure them?
Is he not wise enough to chuse safely for us, who disposes all nature in such admirable order?
Has he not power to go through with his purpose, who commands the wills of men and Angels?
Wants he perhaps an inclination to favor us; who desires our felicity more than our own harts?
He feeds the fowls of the air; and cloths the lillys of the field.
Without his providence not a sparrow falls to the ground; and shall we mistrust his care for his children?
Under his government we have liv'd all this while; and can we now suspect he'l forsake us?
He has shewn his bounty in extraordinary graces; and will he deny us his lesser blessings?
He has freely bestow'd on us his dearest Son; [Page 105] how shall He not with Him give us all things else?
All that are truly useful to carry us on our way; and bring us at length to his eternal rest.
If our necessities be the effects of our folly; we must not presume he'l maintain us in our sins.
Rather we should strive to moderate our appetites; and correct the vices that have bred these myserys.
But, if our wants be innocent and pressing; he'l sooner do a miracle then break his word.
His word, which he so often has solemnly engaged; so often prov'd by a thousand experiments.
Ask but the former ages, and they will tell you *, the wonders he wrought in favour of his servants.
He multiply'd the oyl in the poor widows Cruse; and fed his Prophet by the service of a Raven.
He dry'd the Sea into a path for his People; and melted the rocks to refresh their thirst.
He made his Angels stewards of their provision, and nourisht them in the wilderness with the bread of heav'n.
Still, O my God, thy eternal charity retains * the same affections for them that rely on Thee.
[Page 106] Still thy all-seeing Wisdom governs the world; with the same immense unalterable goodnes.
Nay surely now the streams of thy mercy run more strong; and have wrought to themselvs a larger channel.
Since thou brought'st down the waters from above the heav'ns; and openedst in thine own body a spring of life.
A spring of joy and blyss to revive our harts; and overflow them with a torrent of everlasting pleasures.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. God is my Saviour, whom shall I fear? God is my Protector, of what shall I be afraid?
Antiph. Seek first the Kingdom of God; and all things else shall be added to you.
Psal. XXX.
LEt us then sit down in peace, O my soul! and rest secure in the bosom of providence.
Let us not disturb the order of those mercys *, which our God has design'd us in his eternal counsels.
Every accident may be turn'd into vertue; and every vertue is a step to our glorious end.
If our affairs succeed, let us praise our great Benefactor; and think what he'l give us herafter, who so favours us here.
If they miscarry, let us yield to the will of [Page 107] heav'n; and learn by our crosses in this world to betake us to the other.
What ever happens, let this be our constant rule; to provide for the future life, and be contented with the present.
Shall we not patiently accept a litle evil *, from Him that has given us so much good?
Shall the being without some one thing we need not *, more sensibly affect us, then the having all we need?
Ingrateful we! the common benefits we all enjoy *, deserve the thanksgiving of a whole life.
The air we breath in, and the Sun that shines on us; the water and the earth that so faithfully serve us.
The exercise of our senses, and the use of our wits; if not in excellence, at least to some degree.
All these, O Lord, thou generally giv'st to the Good, and to the Bad; and for the least of these, none can praise thee enough.
What shall we say to those high supernatural blessings; a Son of God to redeem us, and a Heav'n to reward us?
What shall we say? can we yet complain * because some few perhaps are more prosperous then we?
Should we not rather look down on the many below us; and be thankful to see our selvs more favor'd then they?
[Page 108] Should we not reckon o're the miserys of mankind; and bless our God that has so far preserv'd us?
Had we some desperate canker breeding on our face; or noysom leprosy spreading o're our skin.
(These we must all confess are incident to our nature; and more then these due to our sins;)
What would we give to be as now we are? how gladly change for a moderate affliction?
'Tis but interpreting our worst condition well; to find motives enough for our gratitude to God.
'Tis but interpreting our best condition frowardly; and find defects enough to think our selvs miserable.
Did we adore, as we ought, the Wisdom of our God; we should easily trust Him to rule his own world.
Could we understand the secret character of his Decrees; we should read in each syllable a perfect harmony.
Teach us, O Thou blest Enlightner of our minds! teach us to expound thy actions in a fair sense.
Suffer us not to follow our private spirit; lest we create to our selvs a voluntary misery.
Still let us construe the afflictions thou sendst us *, as meant to correct, and not to destroy us.
To prevent some sin, or practise some vertue; and when we need our crosses no longer, thou'lt take them away.
[Page 109] Meanwhile, O gracious Lord, make us wait thy time; and not impatiently prescribe limits to thee.
Make us rejoyce that our lots are in thy hands; but O, let thy mercy chuse favourably for us.
Dispose as thou pleasest our condition here; only our portion hereafter, let it be with thy Blessed.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Seek first the Kingdom of God; and all things else shall be added to you.
Our Father, &c.
First Lesson.
HAve confidence in our Lord with all thy hart, and rely not on thine own prudence: in all thy ways think on Him, and he will direct thy steps. Be not wise in thine own conceit: fear God, and depart from evil. The greater thou art, so much the more humble thy self; and thou shalt find grace before God: for, the power of God only is great, and he is honor'd of the humble. Seek not the things that are too high for thee; nor search into those that are above thy strength: but the things which God has commanded thee, think always on them, and in many of his works be not curious; since 'tis not necessary for thee to see with thine eys those things that are hidden. Place thy treasure in the [Page 110] precepts of the Highest, and it shall profit thee more then gold. Lay up thy alms in the hart of the poor, and it shall obtain for thee against all evil: above the shield of the mighty, and above the spear, it shall fight against the enemy. In all thy gifts shew a chearful countenance, and dedicate thy tyths with gladness: give to the Highest, according to what He has given thee; and with a good ey do according to the ability of thy hands; for our Lord is thy rewarder, and he will repay thee seven times as much. When the ways of a man please our Lord, he will convert even his enemys to peace. The hart of a man disposes his way; but it pertains to our Lord to direct his steps. He that is patient is better then the strong; and he that rules over his mind, then the Conqueror of Cities. There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against our Lord: the horse is prepar'd for the day of batle; but our Lord gives salvation.
R. Well may we give thee, O Lord, some part of what we have, since we receiv'd of thee even all we have: well may we give with gladness to Thee; since thy bounty rewards us with so great advantage. O make us still mistrust our selvs, and with an humble confidence rely on Thee. Without thy blessing our labors are in vain; and against thy decrees no pollicy can succeed: but if we humbly submit to thee, thou [Page 111] wilt direct us; if we keep thy commandments, thou wilt defend us. O make us—
Second Lesson.
WHen thou com'st to the service of God, stand in justice and fear; and prepare thy soul for tentation. What ever is brought upon thee receive, and in thy sorrow bear up, and when thou art humbled have patience: for gold and silver are try'd in the fire; and acceptable men in the furnace of affliction. Believe God, and he will recover thee: order thy way aright, and hope in Him: keep his fear, and grow old therein. You who fear our Lord, expect his mercy; decline not from him, lest you fall: believe him, and your reward shall not miscarry. You who fear our Lord, hope in him; and mercy shall come to you for your refreshment: love him, and your harts shall be illuminated. Behold the generations of men; and know that none has hop't in our Lord, and been confounded. Who ever continued in his commandments and was forsaken; or cal'd upon him, and he despised him? God is compassionate and merciful, and will pardon sins in the day of tribulation; and protect all those that seek him in truth. Wo to the double hart and wicked lips, and the hands that work evil, and the sinner that goes on the earth two ways. Wo to them that are of dissolute hart; who believe not God, [Page 112] and therefore shall not be protected by him. Wo to them that have lost patience, and forsaken the right path, and declin'd into perverse ways: what will they do, when our Lord shall begin to look into them?
R. Teach us, O gracious Lord, to begin our works with fear; and go on with obedience, and finish them with love; and after all, sit humbly down in hope, and with a chearful confidence look up to thee, * whose promises are faithful, and rewards infinite. All this we may do for men, and yet they fail us; we may fear and obey, and they forget our service; we may love and hope, and they neglect our affections: only Thou, O Lord our God, whom we no way can benefit, dost every way oblige us *, whose promises —
Third Lesson.
BEcause sentence is not speedily pronounc't against the wicked, the children of men commit evil without fear: but though a sinner offend a hundred times, and be forborn by patience, I know it shall be well with them that fear God. There are just men to whom evil things happen, as though they had done the works of the impious; and there are impious who live secure, as if they had the deeds of the just: and this also I judg most vain. The just and the wise and their works are in the hands of [Page 113] God; yet no man knows whether he be worthy of love or hatred: but all things are reserv'd incertain for the time to come; because all things happen alike to the good and to the bad. As is the vertuous; so is the sinner; and as the perjur'd, so he that swears the truth: by this the harts of men are fill'd with malice and contempt while they live; and after are led away into hell. I turn'd me to another thing and saw under the Sun; that the race is not to the swift, nor the batle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the learned, nor favour to men of skill: but time and chance in all things.
R. And sure 'tis fittest so: for what can an infinite Power, and Wisdom, and Goodnes do, but that which is best? Lord I submit and adore thy Providence, which scatters these temporal things with a seeming negligence; as trifles of so litle importance, that they signifie neither love nor hatred: * Nothing but heav'n is indeed considerable; nothing but Eternity deservs our esteem. Fix thou our steps, O Lord, that we stager not at the uneven motions of the world; but steddily go on to our glorious home: not censuring our journy by the weather we meet; nor turning out of the way for any accident that befals us. * Nothing but —
Glory be — * Nothing but:
Pause. as page 17.
Tuesday Lauds.
O God incline, &c. as page 18.
Antiph. Praise our Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Psal. XXXI.
BE thou eternally ador'd, O God of our salvation; and may thy praises be sung by thy servants for ever.
When our first parents had disobey'd thy precepts; to the ruine of themselvs, and their whole posterity.
Thy mercy immediately provided a remedy; and graciously promised a powerful Redeemer.
A Redeemer that should conquer sin and death; and crush in pieces the serpents head.
A Redeemer that should fully repair the breaches of mankind; and render our condition better then before.
Enlightning our eys with a clearer view * of those excellent truths that belong to our peace;
And supporting our nature with a stronger grace, * to bear us safely on through all encounters.
Till we arrive at the land of rest; and be receiv'd for ever into that glorious Kingdom.
O Blessed JESU, our strength, our guide; [Page 115] who know'st and pittiest our weak capacitys:
Who in thy tender care hast contriv'd such means, * that nothing can undo us but our own perversnes.
How easie hast thou made the way to heav'n! how light is the burthen thou lay'st on thy followers!
'Tis but to love Thee, our greatest Benefactor; and we perfectly fulfil every branch of thy Law.
'Tis but desiring to see Thee, our supream Beatitude; and we are sure to possess an eternity of joy.
Blessed, O my God, be the wisdom of thy Providence; that alone knows the way to draw good out of evil.
That not only restores us to our first degree; but makes even our fall rebound us to a greater hight.
Lord, as thy goodnes turns all things to the advantage of thy Elect; O may the Elect praise thy goodnes in all things.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XXXII.
ADmirable wert thou, O Lord, in thy merciful promise, but infinitely more, in thy wonderful performance.
Thou deputedst not an Angel to supply thy place; nor entrustedst so tender a work to the [Page 116] manage of a Seraphin:
But Thy self bow'dst the heav'ns and cam'st down; and with thy own blest hands wroughtst our redemption.
Thy self took'st upon thee our frail nature; and vouchsaf'dst to be born of an humble Virgin.
Thou condescendedst to the weaknesses of a child; a child whose parents were poor and unesteem'd in the world.
Thou declinedst not the mean entertainment of a stable: O, how unfit for the birth of the King of Heav'n!
Thou contentedst thy self with the cradle of a manger; and the uneasy lodging on a bed of straw.
Thou refusedst the soft accomodations of the rich; to undergo the inconveniencies of a poor stranger.
Only the faithful Ioseph stood waiting on Thee; and provided, as he was able, for his helples family:
Only thy pious Mother dearly embrac't Thee; and wrapt thy tender limbs in litle clouts.
Wonder O heavens, and be amaz'd O earth; and every creature humbly bow your heads:
Bow and adore this incomprehensible mystery; The VVORD was made flesh, & dwelt among us.
But most of all, we who are most concern'd; [Page 117] the banisht children of unfortunate Adam.
Let us bow down our faces to the dust; and prostrate adore so unspeakable a mercy.
Behold thus low my Saviour stoopt for me; * to check the pride of my corrupted nature.
Behold thus low He stoopt to take me from the ground; and raise me to the felicitys of his own Kingdom.
Lift up thy voice with joy, O my soul; and sing Hosanna to the new born JESUS.
Call all the blessed Angels to celebrate his birth; and repeat afresh that heav'nly Antheme, Glory be to God on high, * in earth peace, towards men of good will.
Lift up thy voice aloud, O my soul! and to the Quires of heav'n ioyn the musick of the Church.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XXXIII.
REjoyce all you faithful Nations of the earth, * when you hear the sweet Name of our dear Redeemer.
Rejoyce, and with your bended knees and harts, * adore the blessed JESUS.
He is the Son of the everliving God; equally participating the glorys of his Father.
He is that great Messias whom the Prophets foretold, * and all the ancient Saints so long expected.
[Page 118] At length, in the fulnes of time, he came; to visit in person our miserable world:
He came with his hands full of miracles; and every miracle full of mercy:
He made the crooked become straight; and the lame to walk and leap for joy.
He open'd the ears of the deaf to hear; and gave sight to them that were born blind:
He loosen'd the tongues of the dumb to speak: O may he govern ours to sing his praise!
He clens'd the leprous by the word of his mouth; and heal'd their diseases who but toucht his garment.
To the poor he reveal'd the treasures of his Gospel; and taught the simple the mysterys of his Kingdom.
He cast out Devils by the command of his Will; and forc't them to confess and adore his Person.
He rais'd the dead from the grave to life; the dead that were four days buryed and corrupted:
Nay even Himself, being slain for us on the Cross, * and his tomb made fast and secur'd with a guard,
He rais'd again by his own victorious power; and carry'd up our nature into the highest heav'ns.
All these stupendious signs, O glorious JESU! were done by the hand of Thy Almighty mercy:
[Page 119] To witness thy truth with the seal of heav'n; and endear thy precepts with obliging miracles.
That thus engag'd we might believe in Thee; and obeying thy Law, be eternally sav'd.
O Let not all this love, dear Lord, be lost; be so many Tokens so kindly exprest.
One miracle more we humbly beg; but one as strange and hard as any of the rest.
Soften our stony harts into a tender sense, * of thy great goodnes and their own true duty.
Raise our dead spirits from this heavy earth; to dwell with Thee in the land of the Living;
That as we here admire thy bounteous Power; and daily sing the wonders of thy Grace:
We may herafter adore thy Blessed Self; and sing eternally the wonders of thy Glory.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Praise our Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Capit. Jude v. 24, 25.
TO Him who is able to preserve you without sin, and set you immaculate before the sight of his glory, in exultation at the coming of our Lord JESUS Christ; to the only God our Saviour, by JESUS Christ our Lord, be glory and magnificence, Empire and Power; before all ages, and now, and to all ages for ever, Amen.
Hymn X.
Antiph. I saw the bright Sun shew his flaming eys, and behold a thousand rays fill'd the ayr, and beauteously guilded the earth: his glorious face but maskt it self in a cloud, and immediately they vanisht away, and their place was to be found no more: & I said, such, O my God, just such is the stability of every creature.
V. Even the line we now repeat must beg its breath of Thee;
R. And stop if Thou deny'st it.
O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God the eternal Source and Necessity of Being, on whose free overflowing, that of thy whole Creation every moment depends! strike we beseech Thee our harts with a continual dread and reverence of thy absolute Dominion, which, should it but never so litle suspend thy Bounty, resolvs us all instantly into nothing: [Page 122] nothing: and grant, that as we know thou preservst still on this world, to grow daily riper for the Other, to which thou hast ordain'd it; we may by thy grace so husband our time here, as in the next life to possess thy Eternity, through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who, &c.
Commemorations, &c. as page 29.
Tuesday Vespers.
IN the Name, &c. As page 13.
Antiph. Who is like thee, O Lord, among the Gods! who is like thee, terrible in judgments!
Psal. XXXIV.
SPeak no more proudly vain dust; nor provoke any longer the living God.
Seal up thy lips in humble silence; and tremblingly remember his dreadful judgments.
Remember how the earth open'd it self; and swallow'd up alive so many thousands.
Remember how the clouds rain'd fire and brimstone; and buried whole Cities in their own ashes.
Remember how the general deluge o'respred the world, and swept away almost all mankind.
[Page 123] Remember, and ask the cause of all this ruin; and tell it aloud to the bold offender:
Tell him, 'twas sin, and such as his *, that drew upon them so swift destruction.
Sin threw the Angels down from heav'n; and chain'd them up in eternal darknes:
Sin banisht Adam out of Paradise; and turn'd that delicious garden into a field of weeds.
O God, how terrible is thy mighty arm; when Thou stretchest it forth to be aveng'd of thine enemys!
O sin, how fatal is thy desperate malice; that pulls on our heads all the thunder of heav'n!
O my soul, how dull and sensles are we; to sleep secure, as if all were safe!
Can we repeat these amazing Truths; and not tremble, at the wrath of the divine justice?
Can we consider the deplorable end of sinners; and still go on in the ways of sin?
Even while we sing thy praises, O glorious Lord! our very duty should fear before Thee.
What should corrupted nature, then, do, when it sees its self ready to offend Thee?
What should a guilty Conscience do; when it sees it self ruin'd by offending thee?
Strike thou our harts, O Thou infinit Majesty! with an awful reverence of thy great Name.
Correct our many levitys into a pious sadnes; [Page 124] and break our proud spirits to bow to Thee:
Still may our consciences cry aloud within us; dare you commit this evil, and sin against your God?
Dare you commit this evil, and undo your selvs? and plunge your own souls in everlasting torments?
Forbid so rash a madness, gracious Lord! and make thy judgments on others mercys to us.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Who is like thee, O Lord, among the Gods! who is like thee, terrible in judgments!
Antiph. Who is like thee, O Lord, among the Gods! who is like thee, amiable in mercys!
Psal. XXXV.
WIpe away the tears from thine eys, O my soul! and clear thy hart from all clouds of despair.
He that's thus infinite in power to punish *, is full as infinite in goodness to save.
How often have we broken his divine Commands; yet still his earth sustains and servs us!
How often have we abus'd our fulnes of bread, yet still his clouds shower plenty upon us!
[Page 125] Himself with his own Almighty Word consin'd the waters; and sharply reproacht their officiousnes to destroy.
Hitherto shall you come, and no farther; and here will I stay your proud waves:
Only the ambitious Angels find no forgivenes; because their obstinacy refuses to seek it:
Else, could those rebel-spirits disclaim their crimes; and turn again to obey their Maker.
His clemency would soon revoke their sentence; and restore them to shine in their first bright seats.
But O! the excess of mercy vouchsaft to Adam; and to us dust and ashes his posterity!
For whom the soveraign King of heav'n * humbled Himself to descend upon earth.
Leading a poor laborious life; and suffering a painful ignominious death:
Only to teach us how to live, and how to dy; and what in both to aim at.
Thy mercys, Lord, are above all thy works; and this above all thy mercys.
Antiph. Who is like thee, O Lord, among the Gods! who is like thee, amiable in mercys!
Antiph. Dreadful art thou, O Lord, in the terror of thy Judgments; but infinitely more amiable in the sweetnes of thy mercys.
Psal. XXXVI.
STill let us sing the mercys of our God; and hold and shake a litle longer this sweet key.
When we, alas! lay buried in the abyss of nothing; his own free goodnes first cal'd us into Being.
He fashion'd our limbs in our mothers womb; and fill'd our Nurses brest with milk.
He enlarg'd our litle steps when we began to go; and carefully preserv'd our helpless infancy:
Commanding even his Angels to bear us in their hands; lest we dash our feet against a stone.
How many dangers have we happily escapt; and not one of them but was govern'd by his providence!
How many blessings do we dayly receive; and not one of them but proceeds from his bounty!
He provided Tutors to instruct our youth; and plant in our tender minds the seeds of vertue.
He appointed Pastors to feed our souls; and safely guide them in the ways of Blyss:
He founded his Church on an immovable Rock; and to render our faith firm and secure:
He seal'd his love with Sacraments of grace; [Page 127] to breed and nourish in us the life of charity.
All this thou hast done, O merciful Lord! the wise Disposer of heav'n and earth.
All this thou hast done, and still goest on *, by infinite ways to gain us to thy love.
Thou command'st us to ask, and promisest to grant; thou invitest us to seek, and assur'st us to find.
Thou vouchsaf'st even thy self to stand at the door and knock; and if we open, thou entrest and fill'st our harts with joy.
If we forget thee, thou renew'st afresh our memory; if we fly from thee, thou still find'st some means to recal us.
If we defer our amendment, thou patiently stay'st for us; and when we return, thou open'st thy arms to imbrace us.
Surely, O my God! from all eternity * Thou hast cast thy gracious ey upon us.
Surely thy merciful hand has sign'd our lot; and mark't us out for thy everlasting favors.
We know thy ways are in the deep abyss; and none can sound the bottom of thy counsels.
Yet may we safely look on the flowing streams; and gather this comfort from their gentle course.
When we were not, thou freely lov'dst us; Thou wilt nor forsake us, now we strive to love thee:
[Page 128] When we had lost our way, thou sought'st after us; thou wilt not refuse us, now we seek after thee.
Lord, all we have is deriv'd from thee; and all we expect can come from none but thy self.
Accomplish thine own blest purpose in us; and finish these happy beginings towards us.
For our hopes are great, thou hast chosen us to thy glory: since already thou so far art engag'd by thy grace
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Dreadful art Thou, O Lord, in the terrors of thy judgments; but infinitely more amiable in the sweetnes of thy mercys.
Capit. Rom. 13.
LEt every soul be subject to the higher Pow'rs; for there is no Power but of God, and they that be are ordain'd of God: who ever therefore resists the Power resists the ordinance of God; and they who resist purchase to themselves damnation. For Princes are not a terror to good, but evil works: wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of it; for he is the minister of God, to thee for good: but if thou dost evil, fear, for he bears not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to wrath on him [Page 129] that does evil. Wherefore be subject to what is so necessary; not only for wrath, but also for conscience. And for this cause do you also pay tribute; for they are the ministers of God, serving to this very purpose. Render therfore to all their dues; tribute, to whom tribute; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honor, to whom honor. Ow no man any thing, but to love one another; for he who loves has fulfill'd the Law.
Hymn XI.
[Page 131] Antiph. What hart can resist the great King of Kings? terrible, and amiable, and mightily shewing Both, in glorious miracles of vengeance and love.
V. His right hand holds a golden Scepter:
R. And his left a flaming sword.
O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who by hopes and fears, the main swayers of our nature here, hast graciously provided to counterpoise our weight downwards, and sustain our faint progress up to Thee in thy Kingdom! Grant, we humbly beseech Thee, that the many notorious Examples of thy dreadful judgments on obstinate and incorrigible sinners may strongly over-aw our vices and impenitence; and thy many more eminent instances of indulgence and mercy to the penitent and truly desirous of vertue may incourage our weaknes into effectual endeavours after it, by the abundant and surely efficatious means thou hast vouchsaf't in thy Church; through our Lord—
O Lord hear, &c. As page 45.
Tuesday Complin.
OUr help is in, &c. as page 46.
Antiph. Thou art, O Lord, all goodnes and patience; and we, alas, all sin and disobedience.
Psal. XXXVII.
GOod God, how extreamly ingrateful are we! how strangely insensible of our manifest duty!
Every creature hears thy voice, but we; every thing lives by rule but we.
The Sun observs its constant rising; and sets exactly at his appointed time.
The Sun stands still, if thou commandest; and even goes back, to obey thy will.
And yet the Sun pretends no reward; nor looks to be plac'd in a higher heav'n.
We who expect those glorious promises; and aim no lower then the heav'n of heav'ns.
Shall we forget the law of our God; that only instructs us to perfect our selvs?
We who are bought by the blood of JESUS; and freely redeem'd by his sacred Cross.
Shall we neglect so gracious a Saviour; whose only design is to draw us to his love?
Shall we neglect so generous a love; whose only effect is to make us happy?
[Page 133] O may thy holy will dear, Lord, be all our rule; and thy gracious hand our only guide:
O may thy infinite goodnes engage us to love Thee; and thy blessed love prepare us to enjoy Thee.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XXXVIII.
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 forbidst, we eagerly pursue; and what thou command'st, our frowardnes still resists.
We boldly converse with temptation and sin; which thy charity advises us to fly like death.
We timorously fear a loss or frown; where Thou bidst us proceed with undaunted courage.
We govern our actions by our own wild fancys; and expect thy Providence should comply with our humors:
We would have Thee relieve us when we list; and rain and shine as we think fit.
Pardon, O gracious Lord, this rude perversnes; and fashion our spirits to submit to Thee.
Make us exactly observe what Thou prescrib'st; how bitter so ever it tasts to our sense▪
[Page 134] We are sure thy wisdom knows our infirmities; we are sure thy Goodnes delights in our relief. Glory be, &c.
Psal. XXXIX
TWas not alone to make the day; that Thou O Lord, did'st make the Sun:
But to teach us these pious Lessons; and write them plain as it's own beams;
So should our light shine forth to others; and so our charity warm their coldness:
So when they say we are under a cloud; we should, like the Sun, be really above it;
And though we appear sometimes Eclipst; or even extinguisht in a night of sorrow:
Still we should shine to our selves and Thee; and still go on the ways of light:
Still, like the regular Sun, unchangedly expect * the appointed periods of bright and dark.
Only in this we gladly disagree; and blest be our God who made the difference:
Not like the Sun, that every night goes down; and must at last be quite put out:
When we have finisht here our course; and seem to set to this dark earth:
We hope to rise and set no more; but shine perpetually in a brighter heav'n.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Thou art, O Lord, all goodnes and [Page 135] patience; and we, alas, all sin and disobedience.
Hymn XII.
Capit. 1 Pet. 4.
THe end of all is at hand; bewise therefore, and watch in prayers: but above all have mutual charity continually among your selves; for charity covers a multitude of sins; use hospitality one towards another, without murmuring: every one as he has receiv'd grace, ministring the same one towards another; as good dispensers of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, as the words of God; if any man minister, as of the Power which God gives: that in all things God may be honored by JESUS Christ; to whom is Glory and Empire, for ever and ever, Amen.
Antiph: The Sun runs it's Course, or stands still, or goes back, as thou command'st; the raging Sea growes calm, nay divides it's waves at thy word; only Thine own Israel resist the voice of their God;
V. A rod of direction is the Scepter of thy Kingdom:
R. Swaying man to observe the discipline of life.
O Gratious Lord, whose laws are but necessary Rules of Soul-saving love; and whose Commands are but emphatical Advises of what our nature requires to grow happy! [Page 137] Quicken, we beseech Thee, the slacknes of our obedience to them, by often reflecting on this thy generous Goodnes; and grant the ready observance paid by all other creatures to thy least will, for serving us, may so reproach our perverse resisting the guidance of thy sweet spirit, towards our own only good; which thou kindly cal'st thy Service; that we may feel our selves confounded with shame at our notorious follys, and be henceforth apter to learn, by all the world about us, our duty to Thee, through our Lord: —
Vouchsafe us, as Page 54 to the end.
Office for Wednesday Matins.
Introduction, as page 1.
Invitatory. Come let's adore our God that governs us.
Come let's adore our God that governs us.
Psal. XL.
HE is our great soveraign and Lord; the absolute King of heav'n and earth: he sees at once the whole frame of all things; and thorowly comprehends their various natures.
Come let's adore our God that governs us.
To every creature he appoints a fit Office; and guides all their motions in perfect order: till he has wrought his glorious design, to finish the world in a beauteous cloze.
Come let's adore our God that governs us.
All these he governs with infinite wisdom; and all for the good of them that love him: his counsels are deep, and beyond our reach; but all his ways are just and merciful.
Come let's adore our God that governs us.
He governs his enemys with a rod of iron, and punishes their wilfulnes with eternal miserys: but his servants he blesses with the priviledg of children, and provides for their duty a rich inheritance. Come, lets adore our God that governs us: Glory be, &c.
As it was, &c.
Hymn XIII.
Antiph. The day will come, it will infallibly come, when God will destroy all that work iniquity.
Psal. XLI.
WHy do you laugh, unhappy wretches, * who tire your selves in the ways of sin?
Ways that indeed seem smooth at first; but lead to danger, and end in ruine.
Why do you boast your pleasant life, * who ly asleep in the arms of death?
Awake, and chace the dream away, * that deludes your sick heads with empty fancys
Awake, and fill your eys with teares; * and sadly look on your real miserys:
Whither, alas, will your souls be hurry'd; when in cold despare you sigh away your last faint breath?
They shall fly amaz'd from the sight of heav'n; [Page 141] and hide their guilty selves in eternal darknes:
There they shal dwel with intolerable pains; weeping and wailing, and lamenting for ever:
Their understanding shal sit as in a deep dungeon; and think on nothing but its own calamitys.
Their Will shal be heightn'd to a madness of desire; and perpetually rackt with the despir of obtaining.
Their Memory shal serve but to renew their sorrows; and their whole souls be drown'd in a sea of bitternes.
They shal wish the Mountains to fall upon them; and cry to the Hils to cover them:
But nothing shal fal on them but the wrath of God; nor cover them but their own confusion:
There, every vice shal have its proper torment; prodigiously bred out of its own corruption:
The lascivious shal burn in unquenchable fire; perpetually flaming from their own passions:
The Glutton and the Drunkard shal vainly sigh * for a drop of water to cool their tongues:
The furious colerick shal rage like mad dogs; and the spiteful envious knaw their own bowels:
The riches of the covetous shal be as thorns in their sides; and the proud be thrown down to the bottom of contempt:
The slothful shal miserably deplore their [Page 142] lost time; and languish with grief for their stupid negligence:
But O, what horrid pangs shal seize them all; and wound and pierce the very center of their souls!
When they shal see themselvs eternally deprived * of the bright and blisful Vision of God.
When they shal see themselvs eternally banisht * from the sweet and gratious presence of JESUS:
That God who made them to injoy his glory; that JESUS who [...] redeem'd them to be heirs of his felicity.
Then they shall curse the day of their birth; and the unfortunate companions that inveagled them to sin:
They shall curse this vain deceitful world; and cry out with a desperate enraged fury:
Are these the effects of those found desires; whose enjoyment we made our chief felicity?
Alas! what avail us, now, our wanton liberties; aud the fugitive pleasures we so eagerly persu'd?
What comfort receive we from those empty honours, * and faithles riches we so highly esteem'd?
They all are vanisht away, like a shadow; and as a cloud of smoke that's scater'd with the wind
But the remorse and punishment endure for ever; and torture our spirits with perpetual anguish.
[Page 143] Thus shal they cry, and none regard to hear them; thus shal they mourn, and none be found to pity them.
O sad expectance of a dissolute life! O dreadful consequence of an impenitent death!
Eternally to long for what they never can enjoy; eternally to suffer what they never can avoid.
Blessed be thy gracious Providence, O God; that with such tender care forewarns us of our dangers.
O save us too, dear Lord, from all those dangers; save us for thy mercys sake.
Save us, and make us fearful to do * what, when we have done, will make us miserable to suffer.
Quicken our apprehensions of the ruinous effects of Sin; and with thy terrible threatnings check our unbridled passions
That, if thy glorious promises move not our harts; the fear, at least, of hell may fright us into heav'n. Glory be, &c.
Antiph. The day will come, it will infallibly come; when God will destroy all that work iniquity.
Antiph. The day will come, it will infallibly come; when God will Crown all that love his glory.
Psal. XLII.
VVHy do you mourn, you children of the light; to whom belong the promises of Blyss?
Who feed on the pleasant fruits of piety; and the continual feast of a good conscience:
Who tast already the sweetnes of hope; and herafter shal be satisfied with the fulnes of fruition.
What can molest your happy state; whom the God of Glory has chosen for himself?
Whom he has adopted into his own Family; and design'd for heirs of the Kingdom of heaven.
That Blessed Kingdom where all delights abound; and sorrow and tears are banisht away.
Where none are sick, or grow old, or dy; but flourish in health and youth, and immortal life:
Where none are perplext with cares or fears; but dwel secure and free for ever:
Where we no more shal be subject to chance: no more expos'd to the danger of tentation:
Where we no more shal be crost by others: no more disquieted by our own passions:
But a serene tranquillity perpetually within us: and innumerable joys all round about us;
Joy in the excellencys of our glorifyd bodys; [Page 145] joy in the perfections of our enlarged souls:
Joy in the sweet society of Saints; joy in the glorious company of Angels:
Joy in the ravishing sight of our beloved JESUS; joy in the blisful union with the adored Deity:
All shal be joy, and love, and peace; and all endure for eternal ages:
Let then the impenitent sinner be frighted with fear; and the obdurate hart break asunder with grief.
But for the hopeful Innocent, let them always be glad; and the servants of JESUS rejoyce and sing:
Sweet is the yoke of thy love, O Lord; and light the burthen of thy commands:
But O, how far more rich are thy faithful promises! how infinitely greater thy glorious rewards!
When every vertue shal wear its proper crown; and shine with a Diadem fit for its own head:
The humble there shal be highly exalted; and the poor in spirit prefer'd to be Kings:
The meek shal posses that holy land; and the mourners be comforted with eternal refreshments:
The clean of hart shal see the God of purity; and the lovers of peace have the priviledg of his Children:
[Page 146] They who hunger and thirst after heav'n shal be fill'd; and the merciful entertain'd with the embraces of mercy:
They who suffer persecution shal abundantly be rewarded; and the enlightners of others shine bright as the stars:
They who relinquish any thing for God shal receive a hundred fold; and all the Just be in glory for ever:
Then shal they bless the true friend that reprov'd them; and the charitable hand that assisted to their happines:
They shal bless the provident mercys of their God; and sing aloud the victorys of his grace:
Is this the effect of those litle pains we took? are these the repairs for those petty losses we suffer'd?
Happy we who deny'd our selvs toys; and now are advanc't to these high felicities:
Millions of years shal pass away; and our glory shal seem but then to begin:
Millions of Millions shal pass away; and our glory shal be no nearer its end:
Thus shal they all rejoyce, and none disturb them; thus shal they sing, and all the heav'ns joyn with them.
O sweet expectance of a pious life! O happy consequence of a holy death!
Eternally to be free from whatever can afflict; eternally to enjoy whatever can [...]elight.
[Page 147] Blest be thy gracious Providence, O God; that with so large a bounty woos us to our happines:
Woos us in a way we are so apt to be taken; the love of our selvs, and our own great interest.
As thou hast prepar'd such felicitys for us; O may thy grace prepare us for them:
O may this best of works take up all our time; at least take up the best of our time:
At least every morning let us renew our hope; and close the evening with the same sweet thoughts.
Let us not faint, and we surely shall see a prosperous issue out of all our sorrows:
Still let us labour, still let us suffer; our troubles are short, and our joys eternal.—
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. The day will come, it will infallibly come; when God will crown all that love his glory.
Antiph. What will it profit us, to gain the whole world, and lose our own Souls? or what shal we give in exchange for our souls?
Psal. XLIII.
COme now, my soul, and chuse; for life and death are set before thee:
Chuse while thy gracious Lord allows thee day; lest the night of darknes overtake thy neglect:
[Page 148] Chuse, but remember thy eternity is concern'd; and examine well ere thou mak'st thy resolve;
Call all the pleasures of the world before thee; and ask if any of them be worth such pains:
Ask if to satisfy some irregular passion * can recompence the forfeiture of such felicitys:
Ask if the vain forbidden things thou lov'st * deserve thy affection better than thy Maker:
Are they more worthy in themselvs, or beneficial to Thee; that thou canst prefer them before thy Redeemer?
Dost thou expect to be quiet by enjoying them? or everlastingly happy by their procurement?
Will they protect thee at the hour of thy death? or plead thy caus at the day of Judgment?
O [...], they but deceive me with a smiling look; which I too often have prov'd by dear experience:
'Tis heav'n alone that yeilds a true content; 'tis heav'n alone that fils us with delight.
Take then away your flatterys, false world; and leave me free for better thoughts.
Turn thou thy face to me, dear JESU; and keep mine eys stil turn'd towards Thee:
That I may look continually on thy glorious beautys; and be ravisht for ever with the charms of thy sweetnes.
'Tis Thee, chast Spouse of souls, 'tis thee [Page 149] alone I chuse; and dedicate my self entirely 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; then I'am sure I cannot chuse but love thee.
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 soon should chang the cours of our life:
Did we but see the Damned in their flames; or hear them cry in the midst of their torments:
How should we fear to follow them in their sins; which we know have plung'd them into all those miserys!
How should we strive against the next tentation; and cast about to avoid the danger!
Did we but see the glorys of the Saints; or hear the sweet hymns they continually sing:
How should we study to imitate their lives; which we know have rais'd them to all their happines!
How should 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 Creed.
[Page 150] What would we do, to attain those joys! what would we not do, to escape those sorrows!
Would half an hour be too long to pray? or once a week too often to fast?
Would 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 idlenes and folly?
Yet is all this as sure as if we saw it; and would move as much, if we seriously consider'd it.
If we consider'd what I'm sure we believe; we should never live as I'm sure we do.
Which of us doubts but ere long we shall all be dust? yet which of us lives as if we thought to dy?
Pity O gracious Lord, the frailtys of thy servants; and suffer not our blindnes to lead us into ruine.
Supply our want of sight by a lively faith; and strengthen our faith by thy powerful grace.
Make us remember, 'tis no childrens sport *, to gain or lose the Kingdom of heav'n.
Make us chuse wisely, and pursue our choyse; and use as well the means, as like the end.
O set thou right the byass of our harts; that in all our motions we may draw off from the world.
That we may still incline towards Thee; and [Page 151] rest, at last, in thy holy presence.
Thou art our Lord, and we will serve thee in fear; Thou art our God, and we will love thee in hope.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. What will it profit us to gain the whole world and lose our own souls? or what shall we give in exchange for our souls?
Our Father, &c.
First Lesson.
THe fear of our Lord is the begining of wisdom. If sinners intice thee, consent not to them; if they say come with us, walk not with them: for their feet run to evil and make hast to shed blood; nay, themselvs ly in wait even against their own blood, and practise deceits against their own souls. They have hated discipline, and not receiv'd the fear of our Lord: therefore shall they eat the fruits of their way, and be fill'd with their own counsels. The blessing of our Lord is on the head of the just; but iniquity covers the mouth of the impious. The memory of the just is with praises; but the name of the wicked shall rot. He that walks sincerely walks confidently; but he that goes crooked ways shall be made manifest. He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and he that lays a snare for another shall perish in it. He that gives wicked counsel, it shall be turn'd upon himself, [Page 152] and he not know whence it comes. He that will be reveng'd shall find vengeance of our Lord; and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance. The hope of the just is joy; but the expectation of the impious shall perish. That which the wicked fears shall come upon him; and to the just, their desire shall be given them.
R. O sweet and admirable Providence! Thou hast commanded, and so it is; that the inordinate affection of every one shall be his punishment: * For, as we sow, so shall we reap; and as the tree falls, so shall it ly. Thy grace O Lord, is the seed of glory, and sin the root of misery: he that sows in the flesh shall reap corruption; and he that sows in the spirit, life everlasting. * For, as —
Second Lesson.
FOllow not in thy strength the concupiscence of thy hart; nor say, how mighty am I! who can controul me in what I have done? for God is a sure revenger. Say not, I have sin'd, and what harm has happen'd unto me; for the Highest is a patient punisher. Be not without fear of thy sin though forgiven; nor add one sin to another: Say not, the mercy of our Lord is great; he will have pity on my many offences: for mercy and wrath come speedily from Him; and his indignation keeps an ey upon sinners. Defer not to be converted to our Lord; [Page 153] nor put it off from day to day: for his wrath shall come suddenly, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy thee. Though hand joyn in hand, the ungodly shall not be unpunisht; but the seed of the just shall be sav'd. The congregation of the wicked is as tow wrapt together; and their end a flame of fire. Every corruptible work shall fail at last, and the Doer thereof shall go with it; but every excellent deed shall be justified, and he that does it be honour'd therein.
R. My soul, how many thousands have been surpriz'd in the midst of their sins, and hurried away to everlasting sorrows! and we, alas, how many times have we been guilty, and yet our God has spar'd us! * O my indulgent Saviour, no other reason can I give why I'm not miserable, but that Thou art merciful. Blessed be thy patience that indures so long; and blessed be thy grace that delivers at last. * O my —
Third Lesson.
LEnd to thy neighbor when he is in necessity; and pay thou thy neighbor again in his time: keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him; and thou shalt always find that which is necessary for thee. Do good to the just, and thou shalt have great reward; if not from him, assuredly from our Lord. Lose thy mony for thy brother and thy friend; and hide it not under [Page 154] a stone to be lost. Be not asham'd to say the truth; for there is a shame that brings sin; and a shame that brings glory and grace. Accept no person against thy soul; not let the respect of any cause thee to fall. Reverence not thy neighbour in his offence; nor refrain from speaking when there is occasion to do good. By no means contradict the truth; nor be asham'd to confess thy sins. Be not hasty in thy words, and remiss and unprofitable in thy deeds. Let not thy hand be stretcht out to receive, and clos'd to give. Be not as a lyon in thy house, nor oppress those that are under thee. Fear our Lord and the King; and with detracters meddle not: for their perdition shall suddenly come upon them. He that swears much shall be fill'd with iniquity; and mischief shall not depart from his house: if he deceive his brother, his sin shall be upon him; if he dissemble, he doubles his offence; and if he swear in vain, he shall not be acquitted. Turn away thy face from a woman trimly drest; and gaze not at anothers beauty: for by the beauty of a woman many have perisht; and it inflames concupiscence as a fire. Be not at the feast of great drinkers; nor at the riotous banquets of those who bring their dishes together to eat: for the drunkard and the glutton shall be consum'd; and the drowsy cloth'd with rags. I past by the field of a slothful man, and by the vinyard of a fool; and, behold, it was run over with netles, [Page 155] and thorns cover'd its face, and the stone wall was destroy'd: which when I saw, I laid it in my hart, and by the example learnt discipline. By what things a man sins, by the same he shall be tormented.
R. Blessed, O my God, be thy Providence for ever, which so plentifully furnishes us with rules of vertue, and so safely guides all those sould to happines, who chuse to live under thy sweet government; * As thou hast shewn us the way, Lord give us strength to walk in it, and bring us in the end to thy eternal rest. Make us seriously reflect on every line we read, and love the truth when it most reproves us: Make us labour to correct every error of our lives, and always humbly implore thy gracious assistance. * As thou hast —
Glory be, &c. * As thou hast — Pause, As page 17.
VVednesday Lauds.
O God incline, &c. as page 18.
Antiph. All my life long will I praise my God; and lift up my hands to his holy Throne.
Psal. XLIV.
LEt them neglect thy praises, O Lord; who never consider thy mercys:
Let them be silent to thee, O gracious God; whose mouths are full of themselves.
But as for us who subsist by thy gifts, * and thankfully acknowledg the riches of thy goodnes.
Our harts shal continually meditate on Thee; and our lips delight to sing thy glory:
Blessed for ever be thy name, O JESU; and blessed be the sweetnes of thy Wisdom:
Whose infinite Charity has vouchsaft our earth * such excellent Rules to guide it to heaven:
Thou taughtst us that happy skil of finding our lives; by a generous losing them to follow Thee:
Thou taught'st us to love our true selvs best; by wisely hating our mistaken selvs:
Thou taught'st us to trample this world under our feet; and use it as a step to climb up to the next:
From Thee we learn those glorious Mysterys, * that exalt our faith so high above reason:
From thee we derive those Heroick Counsels, * that raise our souls so far above nature:
From thee alone, and from thy school of grace, * all we know we learn, and all we do we receive:
[Page 157] How long, alas, might we have wandred here, * in the midst of darknes and error:
Had not thy love and pity, O merciful Lord; brought down thy very self to become our light!
Never should we else have learnt to deny our selvs; and take up our Cross and follow Thee:
Never should we have known that great secret of peace; to forgive our enemys, and do good to those who despitefully use us.
On the unsatisfying things of this low earth, * should we blindly have set our whole affections.
Hadst thou not told us of the Kingdom of Heav'n; and bid us lay up our treasures there:
Hadst thou not terrify'd us to fear thy wrath; by declaring the miserys that attend our sins:
Hadst thou not invited us to obey thy Commands; by proposing the felicitys of a pious life:
What hast thou promised, gracious Lord * to the meek and poor in spirit!
What hast thou promised to the Weepers here; to those that hunger and thirst after holines!
How many joys has thy bounty prepar'd: for the lovers of mercy, and the makers of peace!
How many blessings for the pure of hart; and those who with patience bear their Crosses!
[Page 158] O thou all-seeing Wisdom of the eternal Father * and Soveraign King of Men and Angels:
Who left'st thy glorious Throne to come down on our earth; and familiarly teach us the Oracles of heav'n:
Write thou these sacred words in the tables of our harts; and suffer not, at any time, our passions to break them:
Make us stil study Thee our heav'nly Master; and continually admire the beauty of thy Law:
A Law that so clearly shews us our end, and so plenteously furnishes means to attain it:
A Law that so safely cures our infirmitys; and so fitly supplys all our defects:
A Law so exactly conform to true reason; and so highly perfective of humane nature:
A blessed Law, that makes, even here, our life more sweet; and leads us herafter to everlasting felicity. Glory be, &c.
Psal. XLV.
NEver will we cease to exalt thy Goodnes O JESU; since thou never ceasest to oblige us with new Blessings:
Thy generous charity could not thus be satisfyd; to have only spoken to us the words of lif
'Twas not enough for thy excessive love that thy heav'nly Sermons told us our duty:
But thou must urge and provoke our obedience; [Page 159] by the sweet inforcement of thine own example:
Thou forbad'st thy followers to affect superfluitys; and thine own provision was a few barly loavs:
Thou command'st the rich to give alms with cheerfulnes; and bestow'st on the poorest wretch even thy precious self:
Thou bid'st us not fear them that kill the body; and yeildest up thine own to the death on the Cross:
Thou injoyn'st us to love our fiercest Enemys; and thy dying breath pray'd for thy Crucifiers:
Thy perfect Soul needed not, as our weak natures, * the outward forms and discipline of Religion:
Yet thou vouchsafed'st to observe the common Feasts; and assist at the publique Offices of the Temple:
To watch, and pray, and fast, with so fervent a zeal; that thy practice outdid thine own precepts:
This life, and even death it self our merciful Lord undertook; to mark out for us the way to heav'n.
To beat it plain by his own sacred steps; and render our passage thither easy and secure:
Shal we not then, O my Soul, rejoycingly follow that path; * which we see our Saviour trod before us?
[Page 160] Which we see though spred all o're with thorns; yet carried Him directly to the glory's of Paradise?
Shal we not confidently rely on so gracous a Leader; who promises, if we faint, to look back and relieve us?
O dearest Lord, bow down thy merciful eys, and pity the frailtys of our imperfect nature:
Reach forth thy hand and strengthen us with thy grace; that nothing divert our advance towards Thee:
But in this dangerous labyrinth of the world, * and the whole course of our pilgrimage here:
Thy heav'nly Dictates may be our map, * and thy holy life our guide:
Glory, be, &c.
Psal. XLVI.
MAy every Age sing praises to our God; and all generations adore his providence:
From the begining his mercy has stil laid means, * to raise us to those blessed objects above our nature:
At first he created Adam with all necessary knowledg; and then ordain'd the Patriarks to inform their familys:
Afterwards He charg'd the Angels to bring us his Commands; and often inspir'd the Prophets to declare his Will:
When he had done all this, and found it not [Page 161] enough; to guide untoward man to his true end:
What did He then to save the perishing world? O strange excess of the divine goodnes!
He sent even his own beloved Son to dwel among us; and teach us the art of working our Salvation:
That sacred art of training up our souls for heav'n; and fitting them for the blisful Union with Himself:
But O, Thou King of glorious sweetnes; whose flowing tongue dropt milk and honey!
We were, alas, not happy to behold thy Person, nor our ears worthy to hear thy voice:
Yet e're we were born thou hadst us in thy thoughts; and providedst a method to supply that defect:
Selecting a number of choice Disciples; and thorowly instructing them in thy heav'nly doctrine:
That they might keep alive the memory of Thee; and witnes to all Nations thy stupendious works:
Thou verifyd'st their Mission with the power of Miracles; and enflamd'st their harts with the fire of thy Spirit:
O're all the world they proclaim'd thy Law; and undauntedly preach'd the crucify'd God:
Deep in the brests of the Faithful did they write thy Gospel; and seal it before their eys with their own blood.
[Page 162] Their Successors deposited the same precious treasure; in the common Magazin of the Universal Church:
Enjoyning their Children to guard it with their livs; & convey it unchang'd to future ages:
Thus is the Catholique Faith descended on us; and thus shal continue to the end of the world:
'Tis but to ask our Fathers, and they will tell us; our Ancestors, and they will instruct us.
Blessed by thy wisdom, O Lord, which has laid such marks to seek thy Church; * and open'd our eys to find it:
Blessed be thy power that has wrought such miracles▪ to confirm thy faith; and inclind'd our harts to believe it.
How many Souls are unhappily seduced; and lose themselvs in the wildernes of Heresy!
While we by thy Providence are directly led, * the straight and only way to blyss:
How many Nations ly miserably involv'd, * in the darknes of barbarism and unbelief!
While we enjoy a clear noon day; and safely walk in the light of truth:
O infinite Goodnes! who freely chusest * to pour forth thy blessings on unworthy us:
As 'tis from Thee alone we receive these favours; to Thee alone let us return our praises.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. All my life long will I praise my God; and lift up my hands to his holy Throne.
Capit. 1 Peter 5.
THe God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory in Christ JESUS, will himself, after you have suffered a litle, perfect, confirm, and stablish you: To him be glory and empire, for ever and ever, Amen.
Hymn. XIV.
Antiph. Happy we, securely happy, could our busy folly let us see it, whose lots are deposited in the hands of wisdom it self; which strongly reaches from end to end, and disposes all things sweetly.
V. Are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing?
R. Yet not one of them falls to the ground without our Father.
O Lord hear our Prayers:
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O Soveraign Lord, whose wise ey continually looks through universal nature; and whose omnipotent hand steers every part of it most fitly to the end of thy goodnes! Suppress we humbly beseech Thee, all distractive solicitude in thy servants, by this clear Reflection, Who Governs the World: and grant that duly confident of thy Providence, for all [Page 165] things out of our just reach, we may diligently apply all our own endeavours in improving our selvs and others, according to the rules of thy perfect charity; through our Lord.
Commemorations as Page 29.
VVednesday Vespers.
OUr Father, &c. As page 33.
Antiph. A good Conscience is a continual feast, and a peaceful mind the Antipast of heav'n.
Psal. XLVII.
LOrd, how secure and quiet they live *, whom thy grace preservs in innocence!
The day goes smoothly over their heads *, and silent as the shadow of a dyal.
The spirits of their fancy run calm and even; and eb and flow in obedience to reason.
All their delight is to think on heav'n; and reckon o're the joys they shall one day possess.
Till some unruly passion press to come in *, and by its fawning outside gain admittance.
It promises at first all joy, all happines; but soon discovers its pernicious intent.
Soon it grows bold to undermine their repose; and open a door to all their enemys:
So, at a litle breach of the City wall *, a whole Army pours in their numerous body:
[Page 166] Enslaving all that submit to their violence *, and destroying all that make head to resist it:
And such, alas, is their confusion *, when once they have yielded to the first assault.
Immediately a throng of tumultuous spirits croud into their heads; and utterly consume the litle remnant of their peace.
O the distraction of a life led by humor; and the miserable thraldom of being subject to our passions!
How often do they engage us to contend with others; and imbitter all our days with strife and envy!
How often do they quarrel even among themselves; and raise a war in our own bosoms!
If they by chance agree in one desire; they many times vex us with their being disappointed:
If they perhaps somtimes succeed; they seldom produce the expected content:
If they delight our corrupted tast; and we greedily swallow their unwholsom sweetnes:
Then 'tis, alas, they most of all undo us; by feeding the humour of our fatal disease:
Vain, at the best, and short are the injoyments of this world; and after a litle flattery betray us into ruine.
Save us, O Blessed JESU, or else we perish; awake, and with thy speedy mercy rescue thy servants.
[Page 167] Send down thy powerful grace to sustain our part; and thorowly reduce these unquiet disorders:
That we again may return to our former rest; and constantly injoy an universal peace:
Peace with the bad, by bearing their injurys; and with the good, by conforming to their vertues:
Peace with our selvs, by subduing sense to reason; and with Thee, by improving reason with religion.
Glory be, &c.
Antiphon. A good Conscience is a continual feast, and a peaceful mind the Antipast of heav'n.
Antiph. Thou art, O Lord, the only anchor of our hope; save us, O JESU, or else we perish.
Psal. XLVIII.
THus are they miserably tost up and down *, who float on the waves of their own passions:
Their wearied souls soon faint within them; when they see the Lord has withdrawn his presence:
They seek him, but cannot find him; they call, but he gives them no answer.
O, still seek on, still call on your God; for his mercy will surely awake at last:
[Page 168] Though He sometimes may slumber for a while, to try your duty, or punish your disobedience:
Though He may suffer a while the fury of the tempest, * to shew you your hopeless state, if left to your selvs:
Yet be assur'd He'l hear your prayers at last; He'l not permit you to perish for ever.
And now, when all their fears were grown to the hight; and no means appear'd to sustain their patience:
When the proud waves beat violently against them; and cover'd their litle vessel with despair and ruin:
Behold, his blessed voice commands a calm; and immediately the sea and winds obey him:
Immediately his Sun arises in their harts; and with its gentle beams revives their hopes:
Then is their darknes turn'd into light; and the clouds disperst into a bright day:
Then they recollect their scatter'd thoughts; and range them again in their ancient order:
Often they look back on the dangers they have escapt; and as often bless the mercy that deliver'd them:
Often they look forwards on the course they are going; and as often sing with joy for their happy change.
Welcome again the easie yoke of Christ; and the light burthen of loving our Saviour:
[Page 169] Welcome the holy Offices of sweet devotion; and that soul-enflaming silent prayer.
Now we discern this beauteous truth; and O may we print it deeply in our minds:
That the pleasures of vertue are pure and constant; and infinite blessings attend to reward it:
But the pursuit of vice is troublesom and intricate; and finishes its course in an abyss of misery.
Pity O Lord, thou Raiser of them that fall; and sole Sustainer of them that stand!
Pity thy childrens weaknes who look up to Thee; and dearly know we are nothing in our selvs.
Let us not lose this unhappy experience; but teach us wisdom from our own miscarriage:
Teach us to observe where our error was; and fortify our selvs against that defect:
To suppress our tentations in their first approach; when their power is weak, and our choyce in full strength:
To remember how formerly their flatterys have abus'd us; and, when they counterfeit again, be no more deceiv'd:
Never to look on the face of pleasures *, as they come drest up and smiling towards us:
But always reflect, how sadly they go off; and leave nothing behind but their venemous sting,
[Page 170] So shall we gain the best of victorys; while we master our own corrupt inclinations:
So shall we be honour'd with the noblest of Triumphs; while our conquer'd passions draw us up into heav'n.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Thou art, O Lord, the only anchor of our hope; save us O JESU, or else we perish.
Antiph. All our lots are in the hands of God; and all our safety in the assistance of his grace.
Psal. XLIX.
LOrd, as thy all-wise Providence seems to sleep sometimes, * and permit the storm to grow high and loud;
Yet never fail'st to relieve thy servants, * who faithfully call on thee in their day of trouble:
So let thy favorable hand still bear us up, when thou seest us charg'd with any strong assault:
Leave us not then to our own infirmities; lest the enemy of our souls prevail against us:
Forsake not our misery when we are faln; lest we ly for ever groveling on the earth:
Suffer not our frailtys to become a custom; lest we dy impenitent, and perish without recovery:
Deliver us, O Lord, from the occasions of [Page 171] sin; and the improtunities of such as delight in folly:
Deliver us from the snare of enticing company; and the dangerous infection of ill example:
Infection that spreads in every place its poysonous air; * and, where e're it enters, corrupts and kills.
Once more, my soul, let us repeat this prayer; and humbly implore again so necessary a blessing.
Deliver us, O Lord, from the occasions of sin; and the importunitys of such as delight in folly:
Deliver us from the snare of enticing company; and the dangerous infection of ill example:
Set a strict watch continually over our eys; and diligently keep the door of our lips:
Govern all our senses that they seduce not our minds; and order every motion of our hart and fancy:
Perfect, O dear Redeemer, the work thou hast begun; and make even our passions servants of thy grace:
Change our rude anger to a severity against our selvs *, and a prudent zeal for others:
Convert our fear into a timorousness to offend *, and an awful reverence of thy sacred Name:
[Page 172] Let all our affections be turn'd into charity; that our harts may desire nothing but Thee:
Whom we may safely love with our whole strength; whose heav'n we may covet, and fear no excess.
O Thou, whose blysful vision is the joy of Angels, * and soveraign happines of all thy Saints!
O that our souls could love thee without limits; as thou art in thy self most infinitely amiable!
That we could fix all our thoughts on Thee; and never take them off from the memory of thy Sweetnes!
At least, O thou fountain of eternal bounty *, that flows so freely with perpetual blessings!
Let every day we receive of thee * still set apart some portion of its self;
Seriously to meditate thy infinite mercys; and hartily rejoyce in thy glorious rewards:
Mercys that give us all we have; and rewards that reserve for us all we can wish.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. All our lots are in the hands of God, and all our safety in the assistance of his grace.
Capit. 5. Gal.
THe works of the flesh are manifest; which are fornication, uncleanes, wantonnes, luxury, serving of Idols, witchcraft, enmities, [Page 173] contentions, emulations, angers, brauls, seditions, sects, envys, murthers, drunkennesses, riots, and such like: and they who do such things shall not obtain the Kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodnes, long-suffering, mildnes, faith, modesty, continency, chastity: against such there is no Law.
Hymn XV.
Antiph. When O my soul, did we ever follow our passions; but they instantly wrought our disturbance, and threatned at last our ruin? when did we ever turn our thoughts to piety; but it presently brought us peace, and refresht our minds with new hopes of felicity?
V. The winds are often rough, and our own weight presses us downwards.
R. Reach forth, O Lord, thy saving hand, and speedily deliver us.
O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our supplications come to thee.
Let us pray.
O God, whose infinite mercy has vouchsaft us the mighty Rescue of thy only Son, [Page 175] from the desperate rebellion of our passions, which utterly confound the government and peace of our souls! Grant, we humbly beseech Thee, that our experience of the miserable effects of yielding to their allurements, may make us [...]arier in observing, and severer in repressing their first motions; and thy grace so strongly fortify us against all their furious and repeated assaults, that Reason may more and more recover its due force, and calmly joyn with Faith to secure and exalt in our harts the blysful throne of thy Charity; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son who, &c.
O Lord hear, &c. as page 45.
Wednesday Complin.
OUr help is in, &c. as page 46.
Antiph. Repent now, my soul, for the evils thou hast done; and bless thy God, for the goods thou hast receiv'd.
Psal. L.
VVEll, we are so much nearer our grave; and all the world is older by a day.
The portion of the wicked is so much less; and their time of punishment so much approacht.
[Page 176] The sufferings of the Patient are so much diminisht; and their hopes of delivery so much increast:
They, who have spent this day in sin and folly, * see all their thoughts now vanish like a dream:
They see all's past but a fear of revenge; and the best that can follow is a bitter repentance:
But such as have wisely bestow'd their time, and made another new step towards heav'n;
They see their joys come to meet them in the way; and stil grow bigger as they come:
Til by a holy death they joyn in one; and dwel together for eternal ages.
O Thou blest Author of all our hopes; * and perfect Satisfier of all our wishes!
Do Thou instruct us in this great wise truth; and let every Evening renew it on our minds.
That the things of this world are of litle import; since its joys and griefs last but for a time:
But the future state most infinitely concerns us; where life and death endure for ever.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. LI.
WE are nearer indeed the end of our life; but what are we nearer the end for which we live?
[Page 177] What have we done, my soul, to day, * thats truly advancive to our last great home?
Have we encreast our esteem of heav'n; and setled its love more strongly in our harts?
Have we avoided any known temptation; or faithfully resisted when we could not avoid?
Have we interrupted our customary faults; and checkt the vices we are most enclin'd to?
Have we embrac't the opportunitys of good, * which the mercy of Providence has offered to our hands?
Have we industriously contriv'd occasions, * to improve, as we are able, our selvs and others?
Alas, dread Lord, what do we see; when seriously we look into our guilty selvs!
When we reflect on our former years; nay even the follys but of this one day:
So many hours mispent in nothing; so many abus'd in worse than nothing:
Pardon, O meek Redeemer, what our passions have done; and favourably supply what our weaknes has omited:
Make us herafter more carefully watch, * that our time unprofitably slide not away:
Make us select every day some fit retreat; to study the knowledg of our selvs and Thee:
Our selvs, to correct our many infirmitys; and Thee, to adore thy infinite perfections:
Glory be, &c.
Psal. LII.
LItle thou know'st, O Lord, is the good we do; and every grain of it deriv'd from Thee:
Great we confess, are the evils we commit; and all to be charg'd entirely on our selvs.
Tell me my soul, when first thou hast well examin'd * the innumerable circumstances that concern thy state:
Tell me, and let not pride deny the truth; nor any thing divert thy free confession:
Could we have sav'd our selvs from that dangerous tentation unles our God had powerfully sustain'd us?
Could we have carry'd on that pious purpose, unles his hand had blest our endeavours?
No, to thy self, O Lord, give all the praise; if thy creatures have perform'd the least good work:
Give to thy self all the glory, O Lord! if they have not commited the worst of sins:
Thy hand, alone directs us to do wel; and the same blest hand restrains us from ill.
'Tis not in us to esteem those unseen joys; and despise the flatterys of this deceitful world:
'Tis not the work of corrupted nature to mortify our senses; and patiently bear the crosses we meet.
Of our selvs we are inclin'd to none of these; [Page 179] but the grace of God enables us to all.
Grace gives us strength to overcom our passions; and the world and the flesh shal be subject to us:
Grace gives us faith to fortify our reason; and heav'n it self shal be conquer'd by us.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Repent now, my soul, for the evils thou hast done; and bless thy God, for the goods thou hast received.
Hymn XVI.
Capit. Philip. 4.
FOr the rest, Brethren, whatever things are true, whatever honest, whatever just, whatever amiable, whatever of good fame; if there be any vertue, if any praise of discipline, think upon these things, which you have both learnt, and receiv'd and heard, and seen in me. These things do, and the God of Peace shal be with you.
Antiph. Every night approaches us nearer [Page 181] our last; which reservs for us eternal wages, justly, yet with a vast and generous bounty, proportion'd to the works of our days:
V. The Wise will always keep their lamps ready trim'd;
R. That the Bridegrooms call may never surprize them:
O Lord hear our pray'rs:
And let our supplications come to thee.
Let us Pray,
O God whose merciful providence breaks and eases the laborious course of our Pilgrimage through this world, with constant conveniencys, and seasons of repose! Vouchsafe us, we humbly beseech Thee, to make our due advantage of this thy mercy; Composing our souls more satisfyedly to rest, by a faithful recollection every Evening, how we have kept our way; and whether we are advanc't: and grant that reflecting with harty contrition on every step we have made a wry, and with thankful acknowledgements on those thou hast led aright, we may henceforth be rendred more wary of our deviating inclinations, and more attentively obsequious to the steddy guidance of thy grace; through our Lord.
Vouchsafe, as pag. 54.
Thursday MATINS.
Introduction, as page 1.
Invitatory. Come let's adore our God that feeds us.
Come le'ts adore our God that feeds us.
Psal. LIII.
HE freely opens his bounteous hand; and fills with his blessing every living creature: he gives even Kings their dayly bread; and all the world's maintain'd by his Provision.
Come let's adore our God that feeds us.
He feeds our understanding with the knowledg of truth; and strengthens our wills with his holy grace: he refreshes our memorys with a thousand benefits; and feasts our whole souls with everlasting hopes.
Come lets adore our God that feeds us.
With Himself and with his sacred Flesh he feeds us, and nourishes up to immortal life: begining even here that blessed union, which shall fully be perfected in his own Kingdom.
Come let's adore our God that feeds us.
Come all we servants of so gracious a Lord; whom he daily entertains with innumerable [Page 183] mercys: come all you children of so loving a Father; for whom he has provided an eternal feast.
Come let's adore our God that feeds us.
Glory be, &c. As it was, &c.
Come let's adore our God that feeds us.
Come let's adore our God that feeds us.
Hymn XVII.
Antiph. Upon this rock will I build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Psal. LIV.
HE, who made the Sun to enlighten our steps, * in the pilgrimage of this short life.
Has he ordain'd no guide to conduct our souls, * in the difficult way to their eternal home?
He who feeds the ravens that call upon him; has he not provided bread for his children?
He has; and still his mercy furnishes means, * to perform whatever his justice commands.
Long since he espouds'd to himself an unspotted Church; and promis'd It his presence to the end of the world:
Establishing his truth on a firm pillar; a solid foundation to sustain our faith:
[Page 186] That we waver no longer as litle children; nor be carried about with every wind of doctrine:
Nor consume all our days in studying to believe; without ever proceeding to life and action.
This Spouse, O Thou glorious King of heaven, * and admirable Lover of poor ruin'd man!
This humble Spouse Thou cam'st down to woo, * and dearly purchase with thine own blood.
Thou hast indow'd her with eminent prerogatives, * above the rest of the daughters of the earth:
Preserving her in the midst of Jews and Pagans; and the subtler Enemys, Politicians and Hereticks.
Preserving her bright and conspicuous as the Sun; that every open ey may see her light.
Preserving her still in perfect unity; while all that divide from her are divided among themselves.
Thou hast adorn'd her with the beauty of order; and the precious jewels of heroick vertues.
Thou hast strengthen'd her hands with the power of miracles; and crown'd her head with a diadem of Saints.
Thou hast given her the keys of all thy treasures; and open'd to her the mysterys of heav'n it self.
[Page 187] Mysterys that free our souls from the dominion of sense; and place them above the reach of reason.
These thy whole Church unanimously attests; as deriv'd from Thee their original source;
And, runing along through every age, * have always maintain'd their constant chanel.
O may they still bear on their course; and still spread wider their wholsom streams.
May all the world be water'd with this dew of heav'n; and bring forth fruit to everlasting life.
But O unhappy you, who seek new paths; and blindly follow your misleading guides!
You who forsake the known Church-way to truth; and charge the whole Christian world with malice and error.
Tell me, can any reason considerately think, * that so many witnesses should conspire in a falshood?
Such as must necessarily damn themselvs; and desperately endanger all their posterity.
Such as by every ey may easily be discern'd; and the credit of the forgers confounded with shame:
Stay till a thousand Mothers freely agree, * to poyson themselvs and their beloved children:
Stay till a Nation solemnly vote, * that a wave of the Sea is firmer then a rock.
[Page 188] When you have seen this done; and the deluge of Antichrist himself invade the world.
Yet shall that holy Ark still float above; and save the Just from the fury of the waves.
O the excessive goodnes of our merciful God; who has made his Testimonys even too credible:
Too credible to be doubted by any thing but ignorance; too credible to be deny'd by any thing but passion.
We are almost now constrain'd to believe; Lord grant us grace but to hope and love.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Upon this rock will I build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Antiph. How admirably, O Lord, has thy Wisdom contriv'd our salvation: infusing even by our senses grace into our souls!
Psal. LV.
SAfe in this hand has our provident Lord * deposited the richest treasures of his Kingdom:
Commanding his Priests to conserve them with reverence, * and dispense them to others with a prudent charity:
Soon as we're born into this world of danger; his vigilant Baptism stands ready to save us:
Ready to wipe out the guilt of our birth; and write our new names in the book of life:
[Page 189] What all eternity could never have worn off, * a litle sprinkling of water washes away.
When we are come to riper years; and a fit capacity of professing our Faith:
His holy Bishops mysteriously anoint our foreheads; to cherish and Confirm our growing beleef:
That we never be asham'd of the Cross of Christ; but to the face of death freely confess him.
If in our spiritual combat we receive a wound; he has appointed persons expresly to cure us:
Only he requires we should open our sores before them; and hartily repent our wilful rashnes:
He requires we should satisfy the world and our own souls; in repairing the damage they sustain by our trespas.
Heal'd by the bitter waters of Pennance; we are imediatly invited to all the sweetnes of Paradise:
To tast the delicious bread of Angels; to eat even the Flesh it self of the Son of God:
So to become intirely one with him; while we feed on his Body, and are govern'd by his Spirit.
That the world may continue in a blest succession; he solemnly sanctify'd the rites of Marriage:
Exalting that state to the honour of a Sacrament; [Page 190] that we might more regard the holines of its dutys:
To prevent the failing of Governours in the Church; the Church, for which this world continues:
Themselvs are impowr'd to kindle fresh lights; who stil may shine on when the old ones are spent.
Yet is there one important period of our life; the sicknes that summons us to the bar of death.
Nor has our gracious Lord forgotten this; but carefully provided a holy Unction:
To allay our fears in that sad hour; and strengthen our hopes of everlasting felicity:
That we may finish our course in peace; and go up with joy to receive our crown.
Thus by thy wise indulgent care; O Thou sweet Conductor of our Souls!
Every station of our pilgrimage has a fit entertainment; and every defect a proper remedy
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. How admirably, O Lord, has thy Wisdom contriv'd our Salvation; infusing even by our senses grace into our souls!
Antiph. We confess we are bound to do many things against our will; why not believe some few above our understanding?
Psal. LVI.
THese are the seven bright golden Candlesticks, * set up to enlighten and adorn the Church:
But behold, in the midst, One like the son of man; but is indeed the Son of God:
Behold One disguis'd in the shape of bread; but is indeed the Son both of God and man.
He whom the Seraphims prostrate adore; and fly with all their wings to perform his commands:
He who came down to dy for us sinners; and ascended again above the highest heav'ns:
Himself is there, and graciously stays our coming; to receive our pray'rs, and send us home with his blessing:
He's there, though not discern'd by sense; nor the mysterys of his presence comprehended by reason:
Yet may a lively faith pass through the veil; and confidently enter into the holy of holys:
A faith that works by love may enter; and fill it self with celestial Manna.
But the uncharitable faith shall be cast into darkness; among them that believe and tremble.
Behold O Lord, we believe and hope; perfect by thy vigorous grace our faint endeavours:
[Page 192] Quicken our half dead faith into a ready assent; where ever thou art pleas'd to engage thy word:
Why should we doubt the Power of God can do somthing, that the weaknes of man cannot understand?
Which of us knows how the common bread we eat * is naturally turn'd into our own substance?
And shall we dispute the supernatural conversion * of this blessed bread into the substance of our Saviour?
Shall we submit our reason to the secrets of nature; and make it judg of the mysterys of grace?
Shall we rely on the reports of men, where we do not see: and distrust the word of God, because we do not see?
No, let us now believe, that herafter we may see; when our eys shall be open'd in the Kingdom of light:
Where our dark faith shall cease into vision: and our hope expire into full enjoyment:
Where all our affections shall be contracted into love; and love extended to eternity.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. We confess we are bound to do many things against our will; why not believe some few above our understanding?
Our Father, &c.
First Lesson.
CHrist loved his Church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify it, cleansing it by the Laver of water, in the word of life; that he might present to himself a glorious Church: not having spot or wrinckle: And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors, and Doctors: for the consummation of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying the body of Christ; til we all meet into the unity and knowledge of the Son of God, into a perfect man, into the measure of the age of the fulnes of Christ: That henceforth we be not children, wavering, and carry'd about with every wind of doctrine, by the wickednes of men, and their craftines to circumvent into error; but following the truth in charity, let us in all things grow in him, who is our head, Christ. And I beseech you, Brethren, by the name of our Lord JESUS Christ, that you all say one thing, and that there be no schisms among you; but that you be perfect in one sense, and in one knowledge. Mark them that make dissentions and scandals, contrary to the Doctrin which you have learn't, and avoyd them: for such serve not Christ our Lord, but their own belly; and by sweet speeches and benedictions seduce the harts of the simple. Beleeve not every spirit, [Page 194] but prove the spirits whether they be of God; for many false Prophets are gone out into the world: Therefore, Brethren, stand fast, hold the traditions which you have learn'd, whether by word of mouth, or our Epistle. Obey your Prelats, and be subject to them; for they watch, as being to render account for your souls.
R. My God, if ravenous Wolvs seek by force to devour me, and with threats and penalty's fright me from thy Faith; this shal be my shield against all their fiery darts, * I beleeve my Creed, and, in it, One holy Catholick and Apostolick Church. If subtle foxes seek by fraud to deceive me, and with wit and fallacy's seduce me from thy truth; this shal be my answer to all their Objections, * I beleeve —
Second Lesson.
ANd JESUS coming near, spake to his Disciples, saying, All power is given me in heav'n and in earth; Go therfore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and behold I am with you always to the end of the World.
The Apostles hearing that Samaria had receiv'd the word of God, sent to them Peter and John; who when they were come pray'd for [Page 195] them, that they might receive the holy Ghost, for he was not yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptiz'd in the name of our Lord JESUS; then they impos'd their hands on them, and they receiv'd the holy Ghost.
And JESUS said to his Disciples, As my Father sent me, I also send you: And He breath'd on Them, and said, Receive you the holy Ghost; whose sins you shal forgive, they are forgiven, and whose you shal retain, they are retain'd.
The Chalice of benediction which we bless, is it not the Communication of the Blood of Christ? and the Bread which we break, is it not the participation of the Body of our Lord?
When they had ordain'd to them Priests in every Church, and had pray'd with fastings; they commended them to our Lord in whom they beleev'd.
For this cause shal a man leave his Father and Mother, and cleave to his Wife; and they shal be two in one flesh: this is a great Sacrament; but I speak in Christ and in the Church.
Is any one sick among you? let him bring in the Priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anoynting him with Oyl in the name of our Lord; and the prayer of faith shal save the sick, and our Lord shal raise him up; and, if he be in sins, they shal be remitted him.
Now to him that is able to do all things more [Page 196] abundantly then we desire or understand, according to the power that works in us; to Him be glory in the Church, and in Christ JESUS, to all generations, world without end. Amen.
R. Blessed, O Lord, be thy holy Name, who hast provided the Scriptures for comfort of the Faithful; and blessed be thy gracious Wisdom, who hast left in thy Church a Rule to interpret Them: Lest the unlearned and instable should pervert them to their own destruction. Renew, O merciful Lord, a right spirit in the world: a spirit of humility and obedience: that, in reading those sacred Books, none may prefer their private fancys before the testimony of the Church; but readily submit to Them, whom he that hears; hears Thee, and he that despises despises Thee: * Lest —
Third Lesson, 1 Cor. 11.
FOr I received of our Lord that which also I have deliver'd to you; that our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betray'd, took bread, and giving thanks, brake, and said, Take and eat, This is my Body which shal be deliver'd for you: this do in Commemoration of me. In like manner also the Chalice, after he had supt, saying, This Chalice is the new Testament in my Blood; this do, as often as you shal drink it, in Commemoration of me: For as often as you eat this Bread, and drink the Chalice, [Page 197] you shall shew our Lords death, till he come. Therefore, who ever shall eat this Bread or drink the Chalice of our Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of our Lord: but let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that Bread, and drink of the Chalice; for he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning our Lords Body.
R. I am the Bread that came down from heav'n, not as your fathers ate Manna and dyed: he that eats of this Bread shall live for ever; and the Bread which I give is my Flesh, for the life of the world. * These, O my dearest Saviour, are thy very words; O give us always of this Bread! As the living Father sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eats me shall live by me, and I will raise him up at the last day: for my Flesh is meat indeed, and my Blood is drink indeed. * These—
Glory be, &c. * These—
Pause, &c. as page 17.
Thursday Lauds.
O God incline, &c. as page 18.
Antiph. How great is the multitude of thy sweetnes, O Lord; which thou hast hidden for those that love Thee!
Psal. LVII.
WHere, O thou boundless Ocean of Charity! where will thy overflowing streams stay their course?
We, and our ingratitude strive to oppose thee; but nothing can resist thy almighty Goodnes.
When the impiety of man was at the hight; and their treacherous heads ploting to betray thee:
Then did thy wisdom mercifully consult, * to overcome our malice with thy bounty:
Immediately thou contriv'dst an admirable way, * to invite all the world to a feast of miracles:
A feast where thy sacred Body should be our food, * and thy precious Blood our drink:
A feast where thy whole all-glorious Self * is freely given to the meanest guest.
A feast of peace and love and incomparable sweetnes; to which thine own blest mouth thus kindly cals us,
Come to me, you that labour for holines, * and are opprest under the weight of your sins:
Come to me, you that hunger after heav'n, * and thirst to drink at the fountain of blyss:
Come to me, and I will refresh you, * with the wine of gladnes, and the bread of life:
Come you that are weak, that you may grow [Page 199] strong; and you that are strong, lest you become weak:
Come you that have leisure, and here entertain your time; come you that are busy, and here learn to sanctify your imployment:
Come all, and gather freely of this celestial Manna; and fill your souls with the food of Angels.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. LVIII.
THus does our gracious Lord invite, and shall we go? shall sinners dare to sit down at his table?
Thus He invites, and shall we not go? shall wretches presume to refuse his Call?
Rise then, my soul, and take thy swiftest wings; and fly to the presence of this great Mystery:
Soon as thou com'st, bow low thy head; and humbly adore our hidden God:
Our God, who is come thus far to meet us; and brings along with him a whole heav'n to entertain us.
Arise, and leave the world behind thee; and run with gladnes to salute thy Lord:
Enter the Palace of that admirable Tabernacle; the house of his own most glorious Residence:
There we shall see the Eternal Word, * that [Page 200] descended from heav'n to become man for us:
We shall see him still more wonderfully abridg'd; * into a lesser space and lower shape:
There we shall see the Lord of glory, * vested with the familiar forms of bread and wine:
There we shall see the Prince of Peace, * sacrifice himself to reconcile us with his Father:
There we shall see, O stupendious mercy! the Son of God stoop even to the mouths of men.
Can we, O dear Redeemer! believe these Wonders; and not be ravisht with admiration of thy love?
Can we acknowledg thy supream Veracity; and not believe (were they possible) stil greater wonders?
What though our eys say ther's nothing but bread? our faith assures us there's nothing but our Saviour:
Shall not the almighty Power, that made our senses, * exceed the operation of his own creatures?
Shall we refuse to believe our God; because his mercys transcend our capacitys?
No, no, 'tis thy very self we see, O Blessed JESU! 'tis thine own light by which we see Thee:
None but an infinite Wisdom could ever have invented * so strange and high and prodigious a mystery:
[Page 201] None but a more then infinite Goodnes would ever have imparted * so dear and tender and rich a blessing.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. LIX.
LOrd, who are we, unworthy sinners; that thus thou regardest our wretched dust?
What is all the world compar'd to Thee; that thus thou seem'st to disregard thy self?
'Tis for our sakes, and to draw us to thy love; that thou personally vouchsafest to dwell among us:
'Tis for our sakes, and to spare the infirmity of our nature; that thy brightnes appears not in its proper luster.
Blessed, O JESU, are the eys that see thee in this kind disguise; and the mouth that reverently receives Thee:
Blessed yet more is the hart that desires thy coming; and longs to see thee in thy beauteous self.
O Thou eternal Lord of grace and glory; * our joy and portion in the land of the Living!
What hast thou there prepar'd for thy servants; who bestowest such pledges of thy bounty here!
What dost Thou there reserve in thine own Kingdom; who giv'st us Thy self in this place of banishment!
[Page 202] How will thy open vision transport our souls; when our dark faith yields such delight!
Nothing on earth so sweet, as to kneel whole hours before thee; and one by one consider thy innumerable mercys:
VVhat must it be in heaven to shine continually before Thee; and all in one contemplate thy u [...]speakable glorys!
O my ador'd Redeemer, when will that happy day appear; that mine eys may behold thee without a veil?
When will these clouds and shadows pass away; that thy beams may shine on me in their full brightnes?
Object not against me, dearest Lord; that none can see thy face and live:
Those fears thy love has chang'd, and all my hope * is now to live by seeing thee:
Say not, O thou mild and gracious Majesty! if I approach thy presence I must dy:
Rather instruct me so to dy; that I may live for ever in thy presence.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. How great is the multitude of thy sweetnes, O Lord, which Thou hast hidden for those that love Thee!
Capit. 7. Apoc.
A Men, Benediction and Glory and VVisdom, and Thanksgiving, Honor, and Power, and Strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn XVIII.
Antiph. He feeds the young Ravens that call on Him; and says, He esteems us much better then them: behold a full proof; He feeds them and all things else, but to feed us: behold yet a fuller; O Riddle of Bounty! even out of the Feeder himself comes food for us.
V. The bread of life which came down from heav'n.
R. Feed us with the bread of science and understanding.
O Lord hear our pray'rs,
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O Bounteous Lord, the continual supplier of thy creatures with all convenient sustenance; to advance our growth and strength, fit to take heav'n by violence, and rise at length eternal Injoyers of thy self! Fix, we beseech Thee, our eys and adoration on that open Hand which thus graciously gives us our dayly bread: and grant that the miraculous Feast of thy Sons Body and Blood, may duly sanctify our tasts to all other thy bountys; that they [Page 205] may relish, as they are, only thy great love to us, and feed, as they ought, purely thy dear love in us: through the same our Lord —
Commemorations, as Page 29.
Thursday Vespers.
OUr Father, &c. as Page 33.
Antiph. Whether, O my God, should we wander, if left to our selvs? where should we fix our harts, if not directed by thee?
Psal. LX.
UNhappy man! at first created just; as every work comes fair from the hands of God.
At first endow'd with dominion o're the Earth; and, which was more, with dominion o're thy self:
At first, not only made sole Lord of Paradise; but heir apparent of the Heav'n of heav'ns.
All this thou lost by one rash act; * disobeying the Law of thy wise Creator.
All this, alas, we lost by thy transgression; which brought in sin, and death, and universal misery:
Our bodys were deprav'd by thy distemper; and our souls made fit for such depraved bodys:
[Page 206] Our senses quickly rebel'd against reason; and both together conspir'd against grace.
Dulnes and ignorance o'respred the world; error and vice possest mankind.
The Law they observ'd was their own unruly appetites; and the Deity they worship'd, the work of their own hands.
Even the selected people of the true God; the favourite Nation of the Almighty Providence:
They who were brought out of Egypt with so many wonders; and seated in a Country flowing with Milk and Honey:
They, who had seen the sea divide before them; and stand on each side, as a wall to defend them:
They who had tasted the quails and manna from heav [...]n: and drunk of the streams that came gushing from the Rock:
Even they forgot their great Deliverer; and set up for their God a Golden Calf:
They could not worship what they did not see; they must have Gods to go before them.
Thus lay the miserable world all cover'd with darknes; and the thickest mists of gross Idolatry:
Thus had poor man quite lost his way; and all he could do was to wander up and down a while:
Til, when his few vain years were spent, * he suddenly descended to everlasting sorrows:
[Page 207] This mov'd thy pity, gracious Lord! who often art found by those that seek thee not:
VVho never withdraw'st thy hand in time of need; but constantly supply'st us in all our distresses:
This mov'd thy pity to undertake our relief; and come down thy self, and dwel among us:
That as our nature us'd to worship what it saw; we now should see what we might safely worship:
But thou again, dear Lord, must leave our world; and, though it be good for us, 'tis hard to part from Thee:
Thou must again ascend into thy Fathers bosom, to prepare a place for thy faithful Followers.
Yet, even then, O thou wise and infinite Goodnes! thou didst not wholly forsake our earth:
Only thy usual cloaths and shape were chang'd; but thy former Self stil dwels among us:
Stil thou art really here to move us by thy presence, * and entertain our devotions without fear of excess:
VVe know 'tis impossible to adore our God too much; O that 'twere possible to adore him enough. Glory be, &c.
Antiph. VVhether, O my God should we wander; if left to our selvs? where should we fix our harts, if not directed by Thee?
[Page 208] Antiph. Blessed be thy Providence, O God, that so tenderly nurses up the world; stil growing on to new degrees of perfection:
Psal. LXI.
LOrd, what a happy change has thy coming wrought! what glorious effects has thy Doctrin produced!
Narrow was once the gate, and strait the path to bliss; and few there were that found it:
Once in a populous City not ten that were just; and on the whole earth but eight that were sav'd:
Now we see thousands, with a strong and generous love, * run swiftly after Thee in the ways of thy Counsels:
Now, we see millions, with a fair degree of hope, * walk constantly towards Thee in the ways of thy Commands:
Now we see Kings and mighty Nations submit to Thee; and hope all the world will ere long adore Thee.
Whence, O my God, could this strange improvement come; but that JESUS ascending left himself on our Altars?
Whence could this blessing spring, but from his holy life; and the infinit merits of his painful death?
Both which are here miraculously united; and the fruits of both abridg'd into this one Mystery.
[Page 209] This is the Mystery that gives life and spirit to the Church; and works all the wonders that adorn the world:
This builds our great and sumptuous Temples; to bestow on our God the best house we have:
This with our richest treasures beautifys our altars; to entertain our Lord in the best way we can:
This breeds the reverence we pay to Priests; and excellently disposes us to believe and obey them:
This keeps alive our dear Redeemers death; and applies to our souls all the vertue of his Passion:
This fills our hearts with heroick courage, * to do and suffer for the Name of JESUS.
This is, in fine, the food of faith, and hope, and love: and these 3 fit us for eternal happines.
O blest memorial of my Saviours love; and faithful Seal of all his promises!
If I forget to sing of thee, * let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth:
If I forget to meditate on Thee, * let my head forfeit its power to think:
All the short time I remain in thy presence, * I will wholly employ to adore thy Majesty:
Thee will I bless for all thy mercys; to Thee will I open all my necessitys;
Beging thy pardon for my past offences, * and thy gracious assistance for the time to come:
[Page 210] Imploring thy peace for the souls departed; and thy blessing for all the world.
O spotles Lamb, once slain for us on the Cross; and dayly sacrificed on the holy Altar!
Be thou our powerful Advocate with thy heav'nly Father; and solicite by thy Merits his mercy for us:
Offer thy sacred Self before his Throne, and turn away the wrath we deserve for our sins;
So slaves are rescu'd from their chains, * and prisoners from the doom of death:
While they appease their offended King, * with the pleasing remembrance of his beloved Son:
And so hope we, and infinitely more; from the infinitely greater Mediation of JESUS.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt thus restore our liberty; and cloath thy servants in the robes of innocence:
Then shall we all delight to be still in thy presence; and follow thee, where're thou goest:
In thy Processions, we'l wait on thy triumph; in thy visiting the sick, we'l attend thy charity:
When thou art lifted up, we'l bow before Thee; when solemnly expos'd, we'l publickly adore thee:
Where e're Thou art we'l never forsake Thee; where e're we are our harts shall be with Thee.
Glory be, &c.
[Page 211] Antiph. Blessed be thy Providence, O God, that so tenderly nurses up the world; still growing on to new degrees of perfection.
Antiph. This is the greatest charity that God himself can bestow: since God can bestow nothing greater then himself.
Psal. LXII.
ANd does our glorious God not only visit; but dwelt perpetually with us men upon earth?
He whom the heav'n of heav'ns cannot contain; does he make his residence in our litle Tabernacles?
Where are you holy Angels, that you fly not swiftly down; and in your whitest robes attend your Lord?
Where are you careles men, that you run not quickly hither; and with your lowliest homage bow to your King?
Who though he shines out clear to the Blessed alone; and the beams of his glory strike bright upon their faces:
Yet have his mercys to us far more of miracle; far more of care and tender Providence:
VVhile he not only is pleas'd to be among us; but condescends to become even one with us:
VVhile he not only is our God to go before us; but our very food to enter into us.
[Page 212] O souls redeem'd by the Blood of JESUS; and nourisht with the flesh of his sacred Body!
Why melt you not away into tears of joy; for being so regarded by the King of heav'n?
Why not, at least, dissolve into tears of sorrow; for so litle regarding him?
Who will not tremble with an amorous reverence * that stands in the sight of so great a Majesty!
Who can forbear to be transported with joy; that thinks, I'm going to receive my God!
Who can contain the overflowings of his hart; while his brest can say, here I have my God!
My great and glorious God, who, meerly out of love, * thus gives me Himself in pledg of my salvation:
O infinite sweetnes, how good is it for us to be here; and behold our Lord transfigur'd before us!
Here let us make a thousand Tabernacles; one, O my JESU, for Thee, and one for each of us:
That in our litle tents we may dwel about thee; and sing and bow and rejoyce before thee:
What should the captive wish but liberty? and the weary Pilgrim, but to be at rest?
What should the sick desire, but helth? and what can I, but to be with my God?
[Page 213] But stay, am I drest like a friend of the Bridegroom, * that I safely may come to this Marriage Supper?
Have I consider'd how chast those eys should be, * which go to behold the God of purity?
Have I consider'd how clean that mouth should be, * which presumes to eat the Bread of heav'n?
But most, how all-celestial that soul should be, * which aspires to an union with the Body of our Lord?
Look, look my hart, look well into thy self; and strictly search every Corner of thy brest.
Alas, how poor and dull and empty are we! how infinitely unworthy so divine a Sacrament!
Yet are we cal'd by Him that can command; by Him that sees and pitys our misery.
He bids us come, he surely will receive us; and with his bounteous fulnes supply our defects.
Go then my soul, go to that sacred Table; and take thy part of that delicious Banquet:
Go all inflam'd with love, and joy, and hope; and quench thy holy thirst at that Spring of Blyss.
When thou hast tasted the sweetnes of thy God; and feel'st his heav'nly streams flow gently on thee:
Open thy happy brest, and suck those waters in; and let them freely run over all thy powers:
[Page 214] Let them soak deep to the root of thy hart; and turn thy barren heath into a fruitful land:
Fruitful in holy thoughts, and pious words; fruitful in good and just and charitable deeds.
Fruitful to thy self, in thine own improvement; fruitful to others in thy good example.
No more ingratitude to so gracious a God; no more neglect of so glorious a Majesty:
Away false pleasures, sin and vanity; for the God of holines hath touch't my hart:
He has himself gone in, and taken full possession; and seal'd it up for his own service.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. This is the greatest charity that God himself can bestow; since God can bestow nothing greater then himself.
Capit. 1 Cor. 13.
IF I speak with the tongues of men and Angels, and have not charity; I am become as sounding brass, or a tinckling Cymbal: and if I should have Prophecy and understand all mysteryes, and all knowledg, and if I should have all fayth, so that I should remove mountains, and have not charity; I am nothing. Charity is patient, is benigne; Charity envyes not, deals not perversly, is not puft up, is not ambitious, seeks not her own, is not provok't to anger, thinks not evil, rejoyces not upon iniquity, but rejoyces with the truth; suffers all things, beleevs all [Page 215] things hopes all things, bears all things. Charity never fayls: but whether Prophesyes, they shal be made void; or tongues, they shall cease; or knowledg, it shal be destroy'd: for we know in part, and Prophecy in part; but when that which is perfect shal come, that which is in part shal be made void. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Now we see darkly through a glass, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shal know, even as I am known: and now there remain faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is Charity.
Hymn XIX.
Antiph. Thou art ascended our glorious Redeemer, to prepare a place for us; yet continuest stil here our gracious Emmanuel to prepare us for it.
V. 'Tis thy delight, O Lord, to be with the children of men;
[Page 217] R. O make it ours to be with the God of heav'n.
O Lord hear our prayers,
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us Pray:
O God, who, seeing the dulnes of our spirits need so often fresh impulses of sense, hast wonderfully contriv'd our alone saving Object, thy sacrific'd Son, continually to solicite our harts by his own dear Presence, stil really among us! Reclaim, we humbly beseech Thee, all our wandring affections; with this miracle of goodnes, and compose them into such a diligent and devout attendance on our graciously veild JESUS, that we may dayly feed our adoration and love of Him, and dayly grow in our desires of seeing eternally his glorious Face; who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns One God world without end:
Amen.
O Lord hear, as Pag. 45.
Thursday Complin.
OUr help, &c. as Pag. 46.
Antiph: What could'st thou say dear Lord, more sweet then this? Thy delight is to be with the Children of men.
Psal. LXIII.
VVHo will give me this happy favour; that I may find my God alone?
That I may find him in the silence of retirement; where the noise of this world can no way interrupt us:
But that my God may speak to me, and I to him; as dearest friends converse together:
That I may unfold before him all my wants; and freely ask the charity of his counsel.
VVhat shall I do, O my gracious Lord, to be happy here? VVhat shall I do to be happy herafter?
Nature already has thus far taught me; that in all I undertake, I seek my own good:
Only I have cause to fear, I may mistake that good; and set up an Idol instead of thee:
Unless my God vouchsafe to instruct me; and shew my soul its true felicity:
Hark, how the eternal wisdom gives thee advice; and let every word sink deep into thy soul:
Seek with thy first endeavours the Kingdom of heav'n; and all things else shall be added to thy wish:
Love with thy whole affections the injoyment of thy God; and all things else shall conspire to thy happines.
All these, my lips confess, are excellent truths; [Page 219] but when O my God, shall my life confess them?
When shall I perfectly overcome my passions; and guide them so, that they may draw me to thy light?
While they are mine, alas, I cannot govern them; behold dear Lord, I offer them all to Thee:
Check thou their lawles motions by thy grace; lest they violently carry me away from my duty:
Wean thou my hart from the follys of this world; and quicken its appetite to thy solid joys:
That I may hunger and thirst perpetually after Thee; and those glorious promises thou hast made to thy servants:
That my whole soul may seek Thee alone; since Thou alone art all my heav'n.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. LXIV.
WHen O my soul, shall thy God find thee alone; free from those busy thoughts that fill thy head?
O with what ready charity would he then instruct thee; and let thee in to his blessed Secrets:
Himself would become thy familiar Guest; and dwell with thee in perpetual joy.
Lord, Thou must enter first, and chace those [Page 220] fancys away; and consecrate my soul a temple to thy self:
Take thou entire possession, and hold it fast for ever; and suffer not the enemys of my peace to return:
Sit thou as Soveraign King, and absolutely command; for thy government is mild, and rewards are infinite.
What hast thou promis'd, gracious Lord, * to him that receives thee with an humble love!
All that's contain'd in those sweet and mystick words, * he dwels in me, and I in him.
O blessed words, if once my soul can say, He dwels in me, and I in him!
He is my refuge in all temptations; He is my comfort in all distresses:
He is my security against all enemys; He dwels in me, and I in him.
What can an infinite bounty give greater then it self? and what can an empty creature receive greater then his God?
O glorious God, my life; my joy; and the only center of all my hopes!
VVere my unsteddy soul once united to Thee; or once had relisht the sweetnes of thy presence:
How would all other company seem dull and tedious: and the whole world be bitter to my tast!
How would my thoughts cleave fast to thee; and gladly seal this everlasting Covenant!
[Page 221] If Thou, O Lord, wilt dwel with me, my hart shall continually attend on Thee:
Night and day will I sing thy praises; and all my life long adore thy mercys.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. LXV.
THou art my only hope, O blessed JESU! and thy favour alone is all things to me:
In thee I find the providence of a father, * and the tender kindnes of an indulgent mother:
In thee I enjoy the protection of a King * and the rare fidelity of a constant friend.
In thee I possess what ever I want; and thy fulnes exceeds even my utmost desires:
Thou art, O JESU, my God and all things; what can I think or wish for more?
Already enough is said for them that love; and know the value of those precious words:
O sweet and charming words, my God and all things! sweet in excess to those that tast them:
Not to the corrupted palates of the world; who relish nothing but the food of sense.
VVordes that revive the fainting mind; and fill its darkest thoughts with light and joy:
O may these blessed words dwell on my tongue; and live for ever in my faithful memory!
VVhere e're I am in this inconstant world; and what ever busines entertains my hand: [Page 222] Still let my inward ey look up towards Thee; and fix my sight on thy glorious face:
Still may I wish and long for that happy day, * which opens to my soul so blest a view:
Where I shall see, and no longer darkly believe, * that thou, O Lord, art my God and all things.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. What couldst thou say, dear Lord, more sweet then this! Thy delight is to be with the children of men.
Hymn XX.
Capit. 1. Pet. 5.
HUmble your selvs under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the day of visitation: casting upon Him all your solicitude, for He has care of you. Be sober and watch, for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lyon compasses about, seeking whom he [Page 224] may devour: whom resist, strong in faith.
Antiph. Be vacant, and see how sweet our Lord is; get above the eclipse of earth, and be ravisht with the light of his countenance.
V. I said to all creatures, Peace, be gone.
R. Let me injoy my God in solitude and silence.
O Lord hear our prayers.
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, whose delights are to be with the children of men, when thy grace can prevail with us to quit all other Converse, and retire to Thee alone! Grant, we humbly beseech Thee, that thy Providence's withdrawing every night all the world from our senses, may efficaciously prompt us to clear our heads and harts of all its distractions; and thy holy Spirit, finding our minds happily vacant, may fill them with acts of love and reverence and adoration of Thee, as our only God and all things; through our Lord—
Vouchsafe, &c. as page 54.
Friday MATINS.
Introduction, as page 1.
Invitatory. Come let's adore our God that redeem'd us.
Come let's adore our God that redeem'd us.
Psal. LXVI.
VVHen we had sold our selvs to sin, and were all become the slaves of Satan; our blessed JESU descended from heav'n, and brought a vast price to buy out our freedom.
Come let's adore our God that redeem'd us.
The price was no less then his own dearest blood, which he plenteously shed on the holy Cross; depositing so his inestimable life, to rescue us sinners from eternal death.
Come let's adore our God that redeem'd us.
Let us consecrate this day to his sacred memory, and tenderly compassionate his unparalleld sufferings; repenting from our harts our many sins, and thankfully admiring his infinite mercys.
Come let's adore our God that redeem'd us.
Let us wean our minds from unbecoming delights, and mortify our senses with a prudent restraint; that, carry'd on the wings of fasting [Page 226] and alms, our prayers may mount up more swiftly to heav'n.
Come let's adore our God that redeem'd us.
Glory be to the Father, &c.
As it was, &c.
Come let's adore our God that redeem'd us.
Come let's adore our God that redeem'd us.
Hymn XXI.
Antiph. Take up thy cross, and follow thy Lord; for his yoke is sweet, and his burthen light.
Psal. LXVII.
MY God, who can complain of doing too much; if they consider the labours of JESUS?
Those painful labours he so freely undertook; and mildly stoopt to his humble task:
When he might have flown on the wings of Cherubims; he chose to walk with us worms in the dust:
When he might have cal'd for Manna from [Page 228] heav'n; in the sweat of his brows he would eat his bread:
When he might have made the Angels his footstool; he rather became the servant of his Parents:
Living with Them in their litle cottage; and readily obeying even their least command:
There, in that humble privacy, He increast in wisdom; and grew in grace both with God and man:
Still by his pious candor gaining the love * of those happy few that saw his life:
That saw thy holy life, O glorious JESU! and heard with joy and wonder thy incomparable sayings:
That felt a gentle motion stir their harts * to love and imitate so blest a pattern.
O that the same sweet spirit of grace * might draw our minds, dear Lord, to thee!
O that we could, in every passage of our life, * still actually reflect on the example of Thine!
Thy retirements were fill'd with holy speculations; and in the midst of busines thy mind was free for heav'n:
Thy converse with others mispent no time; but bestow'd every moment in excellent charity:
To instruct the ignorant, and reduce the deceiv'd; to comfort the afflicted, and heal the diseas'd.
[Page 229] To convince the froward, and absolve the penitent; and perswade all the world to be truly happy:
It was thy meat and drink to do thy Fathers will; O make it ours to perform Thine:
Make us in every action still think on Thee; what thou wouldst counsel us to do:
What Thou thy self wouldst do, O Blessed JESU! if thou again wert here among us:
And when we thus have learnt our duty; Lord, make us do, what thou hast made us know
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Take up thy Cross, and follow thy Lord; for his yoke is sweet, and his bruthen light.
Antiph. He humbled himself for us, and became obedient to death; even the death of the Cross.
Psal. LXVIII.
MY God, who can repine at suffering too much; if they remember the afflictions of JESUS?
Those many afflictions he so patiently endur'd, and bore with silence all their weight:
Even from his humble cradle in the grot of Bethelem, to his bitter Cross on the mount of Calvary:
How litle do we read of glad and prosperous! [Page 230] how much of pains and grief and perpetual affronts!
Somtimes abandon'd by his nearest friends; and left alone among all his discomforts:
Somtimes pursu'd by his fiercest enemys; and made the common mark of all their spite:
Somtimes they plot to insnare Him in his words; and enviously slander his miraculous deeds:
Somtimes tumultuously they gather about him; to gaze at and abuse this Man of sorrows:
Somtimes they furiously seize on his Person; and hale and drag him along the streets:
At last, they all conspire to take away his life; and condemn him to a sharp and cruel death.
Have you not seen a harmless Lamb * stand silent in the midst of ravenous wolves?
So stood the Prince of Peace and Innocence; besieg'd with a ring of savage Jews:
When they blasphem'd Him, he reply'd not again; and when they injuriously struck him, he only observ'd their rashnes:
When they provok't him with their utmost malice, he pleaded their excuse; and when they kill'd him, he earnestly pray'd for their pardon:
O strange ingratitude of humane nature; thus barbarously to crucify the worlds Redeemer!
[Page 231] O admirable love of the worlds Redeemer; thus patiently to dy for humane nature!
Say now, my soul, for whom thy dearest Lord * indur'd all this and infinitely more:
Canst thou complain of thy litle troubles; when the King of glory was thus afflicted?
Canst thou complain of a meanly furnisht house; when the Son of God had not where to lay his head?
We wear the conisance of a crucify'd Lord; and shall we shrink back at every cross we meet?
We believe in a God that was crown'd with thorns; and shall we abide to tread on nothing but roses?
Before our eys, O JESU, we see thee humble and meek; and shall thy servants be proud and insolent?
We see thee travail up and down poor and unregarded; and shal thy followers strive to be rich and esteem'd?
Thy charitable labours were maliciously slander'd; and shall not our faults have the patience to be reprov'd?
Thou disdain'dst not to be cal'd in scorn the Carpenters son; and cannot our lownes bear a litle disparagement?
O how unlike are we to that blest Original, * who descended from heav'n to become our pattern!
[Page 232] How do we go astray from that sacred path, * which the holy JESUS trac'd with his own steps!
Pity, O dear Redeemer, the infirmitys of thy children; and strengthen with thy grace our fainting harts:
Arm us, O glorious Conqueror of sin and death! against all the fears and terrors of this world:
Arm all our powers with those celestial vertues, of Faith, and Hope, and invincible Love:
That we may still go on, and resolutely meet * whatever stands in our way to heav'n:
Since we must suffer as Christians; and deserve it as sinners; * Lord, let us bear it as becomes thy servants.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. He humbled himself for us, and became obedient to death; even the death of the Cross.
Antiph. Unworthy are we, O Lord, of the least of thy favours; and ingrateful for all.
Psal. LXIX.
MY God, when I consider what thou hast suffer'd for us; and what we have done against our [...]elvs:
I am amaz'd at the wonders of thy goodnes; and confounded at the vilenes of our misery:
Our sins were the cause of thy cruel death; [Page 233] yet still we permit them to live in us.
We entertain the worst of thine enemys; and treacherously lodg them in our own bosoms:
Prefering a petty interest before thy heav'n; a transitory pleasure before eternal felicity:
Many we confess, are the follys of our life; and our consciences tremble at their own great guilt:
Many are the times thou hast graciously pardon'd us; and still we relapse and abuse thy clemency:
The memory of our transgressions is bitter to us; and the thought of our ingratitude extreamly afflicts us:
But is there, O my JESU, any stain so foul, * which thy precious Blood cannot wash away?
Is there any heap of sins so vast, * to exceed the number of infinite mercys?
O no; Thou canst forgive more then we can offend; but Thou wilt not forgive, unless we fear to offend:
Unless we seek to Thee for peace and reconcilement; and humble our selvs in thy holy presence.
Wherefore, behold O Lord, we fall down at thy crucified Feet; and there ask pardon for our perverse affections:
Reverently we kiss thy pierced Hands; and implore forgivenes of our wicked actions:
[Page 234] Humbly we salute thy bleeding Side; and supplicate thy grace to purify our intentions:
All we can offer thy offended Majesty, * to pacify the justice of thy wrath,
Is only an humble ey bath'd in tears; and a penitent hart broken with contrition:
Only a firm Resolve to change our lives: and even all this we must beg of Thee.
O Thou our gracious and indulgent Lord! who freely pardon'st all that truly repent:
Who giv'st repentance to all that ask; and invit'st all to ask, by promising to give!
Make us look seriously into our own brests; and hartily lament our many failings:
Make us search diligently for our bosom-sins; and strive to cast them out with prayer and fasting:
Open thou, O Lord, our lips to accuse our crimes; that we blush not to confess what we fear'd not to do.
Correct our past sins with the works of pennance; that the stains they leave may be quite ta'ne away:
Preserve us herafter with thy powerful grace; that no temptation surprize or overcome us.
Extend thy mercy, O Lord, over all our works; since Thy self has declar'd 'tis above all thine own.
Glory be, &c.
[Page 235] Antiph. Unworthy are we, O Lord, of the least of thy favors; and ingrateful for all.
Our Father, &c.
First Lesson.
ATtend to me, O my People! hear me, O my Nation! for a Law shall proceed from Me, and my judgment shall rest to be a light of the world. I gave my back to the scourgers, and my cheeks to those who pluckt off the hair. I turn'd not away my face from them that rebuk't me, and spit upon me. I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the Gentiles there was not a man with me. I lookt about, and there was no helper; I sought, and there was none to aid. All that saw the laught me to scorn; they shot out their lips, and shook their heads: he hop't in the Lord, let him deliver him; because he delights in him, let him save him. I was as one that is deaf and heard not; and as a dumb man that opens not his mouth. They who sought evil against me, spake vanitys; and meditated deceits all the day long. They open'd their mouths upon me, as a lyon ravening and roaring: many dogs incompast me; the councel of the malignant besieg'd me. They pierc'd my hands and my feet; they numbre'd all my bones; they divided my garments, and for my vesture they cast lots. They gave me gall to eat, and, in my thirst, vineger to drink. I am [Page 236] poured out as water, and all my bones are disjoynted; my hart is made like wax melting in the mid'st of my bowels: my strength is dry'd up like a potsheard; and my tongue cleav'd to my mouth. Thou hast brought me down to the dust of death.
R. All this, O Blessed JESU! thou taught'st thy holy Prophets, to prepare the world for thy coming; all this and infinitely more Thou verify'dst in thine own Person, with pains, and sorrows, and reproaches, able to make even patience it self break forth into this sad complaint, * O all you that pass by the way, behold and see, if there be grief like to my grief! I was betray'd, and bound, and led away captive; I was revil'd, and buffeted, and scornfully spit on; I was stript and scourg'd, and condemn'd to a cruel death; I was crown'd with thorns, and pierc't with nails, and crucify'd among theeves: * O all—
Second Lesson.
NOw therefore saith our Lord, Turn to me with all your hart, in fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your harts and not your garments, and be converted to the Lord your God; for he is benign and merciful, patient and of much compassion, and ready to pardon your offences: who knows if he will return and forgive and leave behind him a blessing? Seek our [Page 237] Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is nigh: Behold the hand of the Lord is not shortned that he cannot save; nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have divided between you and your God; and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Let the impious forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; and return to our Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he is bountiful in pardoning. Wash you, be clean, take away the evil of your thoughts from mine eys: cease to do perversly, learn to do good, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judg for the fatherless, defend the widow. Come now, and argue with me, saith our Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; and though they be red as vermillion, they shall be white as wool.
R. Who will give water to my head▪ and a fountain of tears to my eys; that day and night I may continually weep and mourn and lament, for my own sins, and for my Saviours sufferings! * O my ador'd Redeemer! make us hartily sorry to have offended Thee; make us speedily mend, least we ruine our selvs. Thou hast given us these holy rules to guide our lives, and enforc't them on us by thine own example; fasting, and praying, and weeping, and humbling thy self to death, even the death of the Cross: * O my—
Third Lesson.
BEhold in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exact of all your debtors; you fast to debates and contentions, and strike with the first impiously. Is this such a fast as I have chosen; a man to afflict his soul for a day? is this it? to wind his head about like a circle, and spread sackcloath, and ashes? Is not this rather the fast, I have chosen? dissolve the bands of impiety, unlose the heavy burthens; break in pieces every yoak, and let the opprest go free: deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the poor and harbourles into thy house; when thou seest the naked, cover him, and despise not thine own flesh: Then shal thy light break forth as the morning, and thy helth speedily arise, and thy justice go before thy face, and the glory of our Lord compass thee round about: Then shalt thou call, and our Lord will answer; thou shalt cry, and he will say, behold I am here: I am he who blot out thy iniquitys for my own sake, and thy sins I will remember no more: I am the Lord thy God, who teach thee profitable things, and govern thee in the way where thou walkest: I am the Lord thy God, who take thee by the hand, and say to thee, fear not, I will help thee: fear not, for I am with thee; shrink not aside, for I am thy God.
[Page 239] R. My God, never let me so rely on any outward performances, that I neglect the improvement of my mind; lest my fasting becom an unprofitable trouble▪ and my prayer a vain lip labor. * The soul and the body make a man; and the spirit and discipline make a Christian. Never let me so pretend to inward perfection, that I slight the outward observances of Religion; lest my thoughts grow proud and phantastick, and all my arguments be but a cover for licenciousnes. * The Soul—
Glory be, &c. * The Soul— Pause, as Pag. 17.
Friday Lauds.
O God incline, as Pag. 18.
Antiph. Come let us glory in the Cross of our Lord JESƲS Christ; in whom is our life and helth, and resurrection.
Psal. LXX.
SHal we rejoyce, my soul, to day? Shal we not mourn at the Funeral of our dear Redeemer?
Such, O my Lord, was the excess of thy goodnes; to derive joys for us, from thine own sorrows:
Thou forbadst thy followers to weep for Thee; and reserved'st to thy self alone the shame and grief:
[Page 240] Thou invitest all the world to glory in thy Cross; and command'st us to delight in the memory of thy passion:
Sing then, all you dear-bought Nations of the Earth! sing hymns of glory to the holy JESUS:
Sing every one who pretends to felicity; sing immortal praises to the God of our Salvation:
To Him, who for us indur'd so much scorn; and patiently receiv'd so many injurys:
To Him, who for us swet drops of blood; and drank off the dregs of his Fathers wrath:
To the eternal Lord of heav'n and earth; who for us was slain by the hands of the wicked:
Who for us was led away as a Sheep to the slaughter; and as a meek Lamb open'd not his mouth:
Whither, O my God, did thy compassion carry thee! how did thy charity too far prevail with Thee!
Was it not enough to becom man for us; but thou must expose thy self to all our miserys?
Was it not enough to labor all thy life; but thou must suffer for us even the pains of death?
No, gracious Lord, thy mercy stil observ'd * some wants in our nature as yet unsupplyd:
Thou saw'st our too much fondnes of life * needed thy parting with it, to reconcile us to death:
[Page 241] Thou saw'st our fear of sufferings could no way be abated; but by freely undergoing them in thine own person:
O blessed JESU! whose grace alone * begins and perfects all our hopes:
How are we bound to praise thy love! how infinitely oblig'd to adore thy goodnes!
At any rate thou would'st stil go on, to heal our weak and wounded nature:
Even at the price of thine own dear blood; thou would'st finish for us the purchase of heav'n. Glory be &c.
Psal. LXXI.
AWake, my soul, and speedily prepare * thy richest sacrifice of humble praise:
Awake, and summon all thy thoughts * to make hast and adore our great Redeemer:
For now 'tis time we should reverently go; and offer our harts at the foot of his Cross:
Thither let us fly from the troubles of the world; there let us dwel among the mercys of heav'n:
Under the shade of that happy tree let us kneel; and often look up to our dearest Lord:
Let us remember every passage of his love; and be sure that none escape our thanks:
Let us compassionate every stroak of his death; and one by one salute his sacred wounds:
Blest be the hands that wrought so many miracles; [Page 242] and were bor'd with cruel nails:
Blest be the feet that so often travail'd for us; and at last were unmercifully fastned to the Cross:
Blest be the head which was crown'd with thorns; the head that so industriously studied our happines:
Blest be the hart which was pierced with a spear; the hart that so passionately lov'd our peace:
Blest be the entire person of our Crucifyd Lord; and may all our powers joyn in his praise:
In thy eternal praise, O gracious JESU! and the ravishing thoughts of thy incomparable sweetnes.
O what excess of kindnes was this! what strange extremity of love and pity!
The Lord is sold, that the slave may be free; the Innocent condemn'd, that the guilty may be sav'd:
The Phisician is sick, that the Patient may be cur'd; and God himself dys that man may live:
Tell me, my Soul, when first thou hast well consider'd, * and lookt about among all we know:
Tell me, who ever wisht us so much good? who ever lov'd us with so much tendernes?
What have our nearest friends done for us? [Page 223] or even our Parents in comparison of this Charity?
No less then the Son of God came down to redeem us; no less then his own dear life was the price he paid for us:
What can the favour of the whole world promise us, compar'd to this miraculous bounty?
No less then the joys of Angels are become our hope; no less then the Kingdom of heav'n is made our inheritance. Glory be, &c.
Psal. LXXII.
TO thee, O God, we ow our whole selvs; for making us after thine own image.
To thee, O Lord, we ow more than our selvs; 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 suffer'd most of all:
To redeem us He humbled himself to this low world; and all the infirmitys of our miserable nature:
He patiently endur'd hunger and thirst; and the malicious affronts of enraged enemys:
How many times did he hazard his life, to [Page 244] sustain with courage the truths of heav'n!
How many tears did he tenderly weep, in compassion of his blind ingrateful 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 yeelded up the Ghost:
So sets the glorious Sun in a sad cloud; and leaves our earth in darknes and disorder.
But goes to shine immediately in the other world; and soon returns again, and brings us light:
And so dost Thou, dear Lord, and more; thy very darknes is our light:
'Tis by thy death we are made to live; and by thy wounds our soars are heal'd.
O my ador'd Redeemer, who took'st upon thee all our miserys; to impart to us thine own felicitys!
Can we remember thy labours for us: and not be convinc't of our duty to Thee?
Can our cold harts recount thy sufferings; and not be inflam'd with the love that suffer'd?
Can we beleeve our salvation cost thee so dear; and live as if to be sav'd were not worth our pains?
Ingrateful we, how do we [...]light the kindnes [Page 245] of our God! how carelesly comply with his gracious design!
For all his gifts, he requires no other return; then to hope still more, and desire still greater blessings:
For all his favours he seeks no other praise; then our following his steps to arrive at his glory.
O glorious JESU! behold to thee we bow; and kumbly kiss the dust, in honor of thy death:
Behold thus low we bow▪ to implore thy blessing; and the sure assistance of thy special grace:
That we may wean our affections from all vain desires; and clear our thoughts from all impertinent fancys:
Then shal our lives be intirely dedicated to Thee; and all the facultys of our souls to thy holy service:
Our minds shal continually study thy knowledge; and our wills grow every day stronger in thy love:
Our memorys shal faithfully lay up thy mercys; and both tongue and hart shal sing for ever.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Come let us glory in the Cross of our Lord JESƲS Christ, in whom is our life, and helth, and resurrection.
Capit. 2 Cor. 1.
BLessed be the God and Father of our Lord JESƲS Christ, the Father of mercys, and God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our tribulations; that we also may be able to comfort them who are in any distress, by the consolation wherewith we also are comforted of God. For, as the passions of Christ abound in us, so likewise by Christ our comfort abounds.
Hymn XXII.
Antiph. We are bought with a price, even the most precious sweat and blood of JESUS; henceforth to call Him Master, whose service is perfect freedom, and gives us effectual power to become the sons of God.
[Page 248] V. The chains fell off our hands and feet;
R. When Thine, dear Redeemer, were nail'd to the Cross.
V. O Lord hear our prayers:
R. And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O Eternal Father, who sent'st down thy only Son to redeem the world inslav'd to sin and Satan, by assuming our frail nature, and powerfully teaching us, both by word and example, its sole way to that blyss, for which we are created! Grant, we humbly beseech Thee, that the continual memory of his bitter passion and death on the Cross may beget in us an utter disvalue of the Goods or Ills we meet with here, compar'd to the advancing our selvs or others, in the esteem of what we hope herafter, through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns One God world without end. Amen.
Here, on every Friday that is fasted, say kneeling
V. Lord have mercy on us.
R. Christ have mercy on us.
V. Lord have mercy on us.
Our Father, &c.
V. And lead us not into temptation:
R. But deliver us from evil, Amen.
V. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
[Page 249] R. For our souls confide in thee.
V. And under the shadow of thy wings will we hope;
R. Til our iniquities pass away.
V. Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are weak:
R. Heal us, O Lord, for we have sinned against thee.
V. Our iniquities are gone over our head,
R. And like a sad burthen sit heavy on us.
V. Will not our God require an account of these things?
R. Will he not examine every passage of our lives?
V. He sees the secrets of our harts;
R. And our darkest sins are not hid from Him.
V. Lord, make us judg our selvs, lest we be condemn'd by thee,
R. And chastize our selvs, lest we be punisht by thee:
V. Make us mortify our senses with discreet austeritys;
R. Particularly contrary to the passions which molest us:
V. That we may reduce our bodys into subjection to our minds;
R. And our minds into subjection to Thee:
V. That as our too much liberty brought us to folly;
R. Our just severity may bring us to pardon:
[Page 250] V. Pardon, O Lord, the iniquity of our sins;
R. And graciously remove away all thy punishments:
V. Enter not into judgment with thy servants, O Lord;
R. For in thy sihgt shall no one living be justify'd:
V. Our ruine, we confess, is wholly from our selvs;
R. And all our hope is in thy salvation:
V. If we repent, and say, Now we'l begin;
R. 'Tis time now to rise from sleep:
V. Behold temptation stands at the door;
R. And our weak resistance lets it in:
V. Our corrupt nature conspires with our enemys;
R. And our evil customs prevail against us:
V. Pity us, O Lord, Thou who know'st whereof we are made;
R. Wean us from this world, Thou who mad'st us for a better:
V. Deliver us from the occasions that so often endanger us;
R. Deliver us from the occasions that so often overcome us:
V. Deliver us from all sudden and disastrous mischances:
R. Deliver us from the miserys of everlasting torments:
V. Why art thou sad, O my soul?
[Page 251] R. And why art thou disquieted within me?
V. Still trust in God, for still we will praise his Name;
R. He is our Saviour and our God:
V. O praise our Lord, for he is good;
R. And his mercy indures for ever:
V. Let all who fear our Lord, now say,
R. That his mercy indures for ever:
V. He was mindful of us in our low estate;
R. For his mercy indures for ever:
V. And redeem'd us from our enemys;
R. For his mercy indures for ever:
V. He will guide us here in the ways of peace;
R. For his mercy indures for ever:
V. He will bring us herafter to the joys of eternity;
R. For his mercy indures for ever.
V. O Lord hear our prayers;
R. And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who didst severely punish our first parents for eating the forbidden fruit, and hast so often recommended to us the necessary dutys of abstinence and fasting, grant we beseech thee that by observing diligently thy holy Discipline propos'd to us in the laws and practise of thy Church, we may correct our levitys and revenge our excesses, and subdue our irregular appetites, and frustrate the temptations of the [Page 252] enemy, and secure our perseverance, and daily proceed to new degrees of vertue and devotion; till in the end of our lives, we receive the end of our labours, the salvation of our souls in thy heavenly kingdom, through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns One God world without end. Amen.
These Versicles, Responses and Prayers are said, kneeling, on all Fasting days, immediately after the Prayer at Lauds. Then,
Commemoration, &c. as page 29.
Friday Vespers.
OUr Father, &c. as page 33.
Antiph. O sensless we, that so litle consider what our Saviour suffer'd for us; or what we do against Him!
Psal. LXXIII.
LOrd, how the world requites thy love! how ingrateful are we to thy blessed memory!
We negligently forget thy sacred Passion; or rather far worse, our sins renew thy sufferings:
While we deprive others of their right; what [Page 253] do we else but devest thee of thy cloaths?
While we delight in strife and Schisms; what do we else but rend thy seamless coat?
If we despise the least of thy servants; are we not as so many Herods that scorn'd Thee?
If we for fear proceed against our conscience; how are we better then Pilate that condemn'd Thee?
By forsaking thy will to follow our own; do we not chuse a murtherer before thee?
By retaining a sharp and bitter malice; do we not give thee vineger and gall to drink?
By shewing no mercy to the poor and afflicted; do we not pass by thy Cross as strangers unconcern'd?
Thus we again crucify the Lord of Glory; and put him afresh to an open shame:
Is this, O wretched we! the duty we pay * to the sacred memory of our dear Redeemer?
Are these the thanks our gratitude returns * to that strange excess of our Saviours love?
When we sate in darknes he took us by the hand; and kindly led us into his own light:
We sought not him, but he came from far to find us; we lookt not towards him, but his mercy call'd after us:
He call'd aloud in words of tendernes; why will you perish, O you children of men?
Why will you run after empty trifles; as if there were no joys above with me?
[Page 254] Return, O you dear-bought souls; and I will receive you; * repent, and though you had really crucifyed me, I will forgive you:
Behold, O Blessed JESU, to Thee we come; and on thy holy Cross fasten all our confidence:
Never will we unclasp our faithful hold; till thy grace has seal'd the pardon of our sins:
Never will we part from that standard of hope; till our troubled consciences be dismist in peace:
There will we stand, and sigh and weep; and every one humbly say to thy mercy:
JESU, my God, I suffer violence; * answer Thou for me.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. O sensless we, that so litle consider what our Saviour suffer'd for us; or what we do against Him!
Antiph. He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.
Psal. LXXIV.
BE silent, O my soul, and thy Lord will answer for thee; be content, and he is thy security:
Be innocent, and he will defend thee; be humble, and he will exalt thee:
He will forgive thee all thou repentest; he [Page 255] will bestow on thee more then thou askest:
Never let us fear the favour of our God; if we can but esteem and desire it:
He that so freely gave us himself; will he not with himself give us all things else?
Is not his painful life and bitter death * sufficient pledg of his love to us?
Is not his infinite love to us * sufficient motive of our duty to Him?
A duty to which we are so many ways oblig'd; and wherin our Eternity is so highly concern'd:
Surely they have litle faith, and far less hope; who doubt the mercys of so gracious a God:
Mercys confirm'd by a thousand miracles; and dearly seal'd with his own blood:
That innocent blood which was shed for us; to appease the wrath of his offended Father:
That blood, whose every precious drop * was worthy to save so many worlds:
O blest and all-redeeming blood! which flow'd so freely from the source of life:
Bath our polluted souls in thy clear streams; and purge away all our foul impuritys:
Cleanse us, O merciful Lord, from our secret faults; and from those darling sins that most abuse us:
Wash off the stains which our malice has caus'd in others; and those which our weaknes has receiv'd of them:
[Page 256] Let not them perish by our occasion; nor us be undone by theirs:
But let our charity assist one another: and thy clemency pardon us all:
Pardon, O gracious JESU, what we have been; and with thy holy discipline correct what we are:
Order by thy Providence what we shal be; and in the end crown thine own gifts.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only; but for the sins of the whole world.
Antiph. Now is the time of acceptance; now is the day of salvation: let us demean our selvs as the servants of God, in fasting and watching, in patience and charity.
Psal. LXXV.
SHould'st thou, O Lord, have dealt with us in rigour; we had long since been sentenced to eternal death:
Long since our guilty souls had been snatch't away; and hurried down to everlasting torments:
But thy gracious mercy has repriev'd our lives; and given us space to work out our pardons:
Now is the time of acceptance with Thee; now is the day of salvation for us:
[Page 257] Now let us mourn our former offences; and bring forth fruits worthy of repentance:
If we, O JESU, have hitherto persecuted thee; and with our sins nayl'd thee on the tree of death:
Now let our whole endeavours attend thy service; and loyally conspire to un-crucify their Lord:
Let us ascend the Mount of Calvary; and often, as we go, kiss thy holy steps:
We kiss thy steps, when we love thy ways; and humble our selvs, and follow Thee:
Let us there on our knees approach thy Cross; and reverently cover thy naked Body:
We cover thee, when our charity cloaths thy servants; and hides the infirmitys of thy litle Ones:
Let us there with tendrest care unfasten the nails; and gently draw them out of thy hands and feet:
We draw them out, when we freely obey thy will; and loosen our affections from cleaving to the world:
Lord, when we thus have rescu'd Thee; and plac'd thee again on thy Throne of glory:
Instead of Thy self, nail thou us to the Cross; who really deserve what Thou really indured'st:
Crucify our flesh with the fear of Thee; and give us our portion of sorrow here:
Crucify the world to us, and us to the [Page 258] world; that, dead to it, we may live in Thee:
At least, live thou in us, O holy JESU! and fit our souls for so glorious a guest:
Enter into our harts, and fill them with thy self; that no room be left for any thing but Thee:
One only hope we have, thy care of us; one only fear, our neglect of our selvs.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Now is the time of acceptance, now is the day of salvation: let us demean our selvs as the servants of God; in fasting and watching; in patience and charity.
Capit. Philip. 2.
IF there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of Charity, if any fellowship of spirit, if any bowels of Commiseration, fulfil my joy: that you be of one meaning, having the same charity, of one mind, of one sentiment: Let nothing be done by contention, nor by vain glory; but in humility, every one counting others better then themselvs, every one considering not the things that are their own, but those that are of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ JESƲS; who, being in the form of God, thought it no robbery to be equal to God: but he abased himself, taking the form of a servant, made into the similitude of men, and in shape found as [Page 259] man. He humbled himself, being made obedient to death, even the death of the Cross; for which God has exalted him, and given him a name above all names: that at the name of JESƲS every knee bow of things in heaven, of things on earth, and of things under the earth; and every tongue confess, that our Lord JESƲS Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
Hymn XXIII.
Antiph. Our Lord dyed for us, that we might live in Him, and putting off the old man with all his concupiscences, be renew'd henceforth in the spirit of our minds,
V. Behold dear Saviour thou art exalted from the earth.
R. Fulfil thy word, and draw all things to thy self.
O Lord hear our prayers,
And let our Supplications come to Thee:
Let us pray.
O God, who, at the price of thy only Sons last drop on the Cross, hast purchased our harts from this life and all the goods of it, to the sole pursuit and hopes of Thy self in eternity! Possess, we beseech Thee, and absolutely dispose of what Thou hast so dearly paid for: mortifying us to this world, and confirming our courage to fight manfully under the Banner of our crucify'd JESUS; that we stand the shock of all temptations, and nothing in life or death be able to separate us from thy love in Him, our glorious Redeemer, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns One God world with out end, Amen.
Here, on all Fridays that are fasted, say kneeling,
V. Lord have mercy on us:
R. Christ have mercy on us:
V. Lord have mercy on us:
Our Father, &c.
V. And lead us not into temptation!
R. But deliver us from evil, Amen.
V. Who will give water to our eys;
R. And a fountain of tears to our head?
V. That we may weep, day and night,
R. The loss of our time past, and the danger of our time to come.
V. That we may weep for our many sins;
R. And humbly confess our grievous offences.
[Page 262] V. We have sin'd with our fathers, we have sin'd;
R. We have done unjustly, we have committed iniquity.
V. We have broken the Laws of our Maker;
R. We have provokt the wrath of our Judg.
V. We have despised the goodnes of our God;
R. What shall we do, O thou Preserver of men!
V. What shall we do, but appeal from the bar of thy justice,
R. To thy mild and gracious Seat of Mercy.
V. Spare us, O Lord, for thy mercy sake;
R. Spare the works of thine own hands:
V. Spare us whom thou hast made for the enjoyment of thy self;
R. Spare us whom thou hast redeem'd with thy precious Blood:
V. Pardon, O Lord, our sins of weaknes and surprize:
R. Pardon, our sins of wilfulnes and malice:
V. Pardon our relapsing into the sins we have repented;
R. Pardon our lying in sins without repentance:
V. Make us to grieve for our sins that we hate them;
R. And hate them so, that we quite forsake them:
V. Check our unruly passions with thy holy fear;
[Page 263] R. And guide our lives in the ways of discipline:
V. That we may turn to thee with our whole hart;
R. In fasting weeping and mourning:
V. That we may humble our souls in prayer;
R. And redeem our sins with alms:
V. That we may root out our vices with contrary vertues;
R. And bring forth fruits agreeable to penance:
V. Hear us, O merciful Lord, when we pray for our selvs;
R. Hear us, when we pray for others:
V. Remember the Congregation thou hast possest from the begining;
R. Defend and govern and increase it for ever.
V. Give to thy Priests the spirit of knowledg;
R. The spirit of holiness and zeal and wisdom:
V. Give to thy People the spirit of docility;
R. The spirit of obedience, devotion, and charity:
V. Reveal thy self, O Lord, to those who never knew thee;
R. And bring home those who have gone astray from thee:
V. Preserve we beseech thee our King and Council;
R. And bless all the people of this Nation:
V. Bless us with helth and peace and plenty;
R. And make us use them with sobriety, gratitude and charity:
[Page 264] V. Reward, O Lord, our kinred, friends and benefactors;
R. And forgive our enemys, and all that hate us:
V. Comfort those that mourn, and are opprest with their afflictions;
R. Or labour under the burthen of a troubled mind:
V. Relieve the poor who have none to help them;
R. And defend the cause of the fatherless and widow:
V. Strengthen those who languish on the beds of their sicknes;
R. And those who struggle in the agony of death:
V. Have mercy on the Faithful departed in thy grace;
R. Have mercy on all the world, and bring us to thy glory.
V. O Lord hear our prayers:
R. And let our supplications come to thee.
Let us pray.
O God who by thy holy Doctrine hast taught us to fast, and watch, and pray, and by thy blessed Example powerfully engag'd us to follow thy steps: vouchsafe us, we beseech thee, thy grace, so to mortify our bodys, by withdrawing the fewel from our unruly passions, and reducing our immoderate sleep to the measures of necessary refreshment, that our [Page 265] minds may the better be dispos'd for prayer and meditation, devoutly to celebrate here the Fasts and Festivals of thy Church, and eternally to rejoyce with Thee hereafter in the Kingdom of thy glory, where with the Father and the holy Ghost thou livest and reignest One God world without end. Amen.
O Lord hear, &c. as page 45.
These Versicles, Responses and Prayers, are said kneeling, at the end of Vespers, on all Fasting days throughout the year.
Friday Complin.
OUr help is in, &c. as page 46
Antiph. In peace will we sleep and take our rest; for thou, O Lord, hast particularly establisht us in hope.
Psal. LXXVI.
COme let us now call off our thoughts; from ranging abroad where they but lose themselvs:
Let us diligently examine the accounts of our time; and sum up the profit we have made to day;
What have we gain'd by all we have seen or [Page 266] heard? since nothing so barren, [...]ut may yield some fruit:
Had we the art to cultivate it right; and fitly apply it to our own advantage:
If we have spy'd some good example; which our gracious God presents to excite us:
Did we immediately entertain the motion; and resolve in our hart effectively to follow it?
If we have faln among vicious company; which O, too often engages into folly:
Did the danger increase our care; and the sin of others breed vertue in us?
We have heard perhaps some melancholy news; of sudden sicknesses, or unexpected deaths:
But do we fear to be surpriz'd our selvs; and provide betimes for that day of trial?
VVe meet with accidents enough to disparage this world; but do we really feel it lose credit in our harts?
Does our esteem of the other grow strong and high; and every one faithfully tell his own soul?
'Tis not in this poor world thou must expect content; nor hope to enjoy a perfect rest:
Order thy whole affairs with utmost skill; and, which is seldom seen; let all succeed:
Still thou shalt find something to trouble thee; and even thy pleasures will be tedious to thee:
[Page 267] VVhere e're thou goest, still crosses will follow thee; since, where e're thou goest, thou carriest thy self:
VVho then, my God, is truly happy? or rather who comes nearest happines?
He that with patience resolvs to suffer * what e're his endeavours are not able to avoid:
Happy yet more is he that delights to suffer; and glorys to be like his crucify'd Saviour:
VVhen thou art come to this my soul; that thy crosses seem sweet for the love of JESUS:
Think then thy self sublimely happy; for sure thou hast found a heav'n upon earth:
At least, the best heav'n this earth can afford; and take it as a pledg of a better to come.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. LXXVII.
MY soul, when thou art thus retir'd alone; and fitly dispos'd for quiet thoughts:
Never let the greatnes of another molest thy peace; nor his prosperous condition make thee repine:
Say not in thy hart, had I that fair estate; or were intrusted with so high a place:
I should know how to contrive things better; and never commit such gross mistakes.
Tell me, how dost thou manage thine own imployments: and fit the litle room thou hold'st in the world?
[Page 268] If thou hast leisure, art thou not idle; and spend'st thy precious time in unprofitable follys?
If thou art busie, art thou not so too much; and leav'st no time to provide for thy soul?
Do thy riches make thee wise; and generously assist the innocent poor?
Does thy poverty make thee humble; and faithfully labour for thy litle family?
Dost thou in every state give thanks to heav'n; and contentedly subscribe its severest decrees?
Canst thou rejoycingly say to God; * O my ador'd Creator! I am glad my lot is in thy hands?
Thou art all wisdom, and seest my wants; Thou art all Goodnes, and delightest to relieve me:
Under thy Providence I know I am safe; what ever befals me, thou guid'st to my advantage:
If thou wilt have me obscure and low; thy blessed will, not mine, be done:
If thou wilt load my back with crosses; and imbitter my days with grief or sicknes:
Still may thy blessed will, O Lord, be done; still govern thy creatures in thine own best way:
Place where thou pleasest thy other favours; but secure to my soul a portion in thy love:
Take what thou wilt of the things thou hast lent me; but leave in my hart the possession of thy self:
[Page 269] Let others be prefer'd, and me neglected; let their affairs succeed, and mine miscarry:
Only, one thing I humbly beg; and may my gracious God Vouchsafe to grant it:
Cast me not away from thy presence for ever; nor wipe my name out of the book of life:
But my eternal hopes; let them remain; and stil grow quicker as they approach their end.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. LXXVIII.
MY thoughts, run o're the passages you have met to day; or rather forget such impertinent things:
What have we seen but distracting vanitys? and what brought home but unprofitable fancys.
How often have we felt our minds disturb'd! how often endanger'd by unhappy accidents!
Somtimes we frowardly throw our selvs down; and, like sullen children, will not stand:
Somtimes the tempest throws us down; and, like weak children, we cannot stand:
Yet are we venturing stil among the snares; entic'd by the appearance of some present delight:
We weary our selvs with running after flyes; which are hard to catch, and trifles when they are caught:
This we pursue, and follow that; but nothing [Page 270] we mee [...] can fill our harts;
Til we have found out Thee, O gracious Lord! our only full all-satisfying Good:
Til we have found out Thee, not by a dark beleef; but clearly, as thou art in thine own bright Self:
Remember, O my soul, this truth of the world we live in; which our own experience too evidently proves:
The ey is not fill'd with seeing its varietys; nor the ear with hearing all its harmony:
Remember this truth of the world we hope; made sure to our faith by the word of JESUS:
The ey has not seen such beauteous glorys; nor has the ear heard such ravishing charms:
Nor can the hart it self conceive such incredible joys; as our God has provided for them that love him:
As our Blessed JESUS has purchas'd for his servants, and even for Thee, my soul, to crown thy patience:
Wherfore in peace lay down thy head; and rest secure in the protection of thy God:
Whose mercy so graciously has singled. Thee out; and so strongly establisht on himself thy hope. Glory be, &c.
Antiph. In peace will we sleep and take our rest, for thou, O Lord, hast particularly establisht us in hope.
Hymn XXIV.
Capit. 6 Galat.
GOd forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord JESƲS Christ; by whom the world is crucifyd to me, and I to the world: For in Christ JESƲS neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but a new Creature: and whoever shal follow this rule, peace on them, and mercy, and on the Israel of God.
Antiph. Consider; O my soul, and see that nothing can happen unprofitable to those who know how to use it; and real [...]y seek, by tempering right their minds, to build them up in true Vertue.
V. Day to day utters words of instruction:
[Page 273] R. And night to night affords Science.
O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our Supplications come to thee.
Let us pray.
O God whose provident mercy makes every day a new branch of the tree of Knowledge to us, whence the Evening may gather fresh variety of wholsom fruit, for the nourishment of souls, whose digestion by grace has sanctifyd by feeding on the tree of life, the Cross of JESUS! Grant, we humbly beseech Thee, that no experience of good or evil which this day has afforded, may be lost on us; but what e're of moment has happen'd to our selvs or others, may by seasonable and minute rumination, be fitted, to render us more skilful in discerning the true value and use of this state, in all its postures; and stronger, to sacrifice up, with our Saviour, our whole Concerns and Being here, to thy Will, and the sole advance of thy glory, which at length will surely crown thy Servants with immortal Blyss, through our Lord —
Vouchsafe as Pag 54 to the end.
Saturday MATINS.
Introduction, as page 1.
Invitatory. Come let's adore our Victorious Redeemer.
Come let's adore our Victorious Redeemer.
Psal. LXXIX.
COme all you Powers of my deliver'd soul, and pay your homage to the Prince of our salvation: cast your unworthy selvs at his sacred feet; and renew your vows of following his steps.
Come let's adore our Victorious Redeemer.
He triumpht over death in his own body; and enables us to conquer it in ours; imparting to us his heav'nly skill; and provoking our courage with infinite rewards.
Come let's adore our Victorious Redeemer.
He chang'd the corrupted government of the world; and establisht 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 dy in his blest obedience; and no temptation ever separate us from him: who, [Page 275] 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, &c. As it was, &c.
Come let's adore our victorious Redeemer.
Come let's adore our victorious Redeemer.
Hymn XXV.
Antiph. This is, alas, the land of the Dying; but we hope to see the glory of God, in the land of the Living.
Psal. LXXX.
PRostrate before thy Tomb, O Lord; behold we freely confess our misery:
And, in the lowliest posture of afflicted Pilgrims, humbly implore thy mercy:
Peacefully in the grave thy body repos'd; and thy soul went triumphing to redeem thy Captives:
[Page 277] But we, alas thy helpless orphans; how are we left in the midst of our enemys!
To how many dangers is our life expos'd! with how many tentations are we round besieg'd!
Tentations in meat, tentations in drink; tentations in conversing, tentations in solitude:
Tentations in business, tentations in leisure; tentations in riches, tentations in poverty:
All our ways are strew'd with snares; and even our own senses conspire against us:
Whether, O my God, shall our poor souls go; encompast with a body so frail, and a world so corrupt?
Whether, but to Thee, the Justifier of sinners; 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 endeavour what we know:
Thy grace enables us to perform our resolvs; and, when all's done, thy grace must give the success:
Govern us with this thy grace, O Eternal Wisdom! and direct our steps in the safe way:
Order every chance, to prevent our falling; and still lead us on towards our happy end:
Give us the ey and wing of an eagle; to see our danger, and fly swiftly away:
If we must needs engage our Enemy; and no means left to escape the encounter:
[Page 278] Strengthen us, O Lord, to persevere with courage; that we never be wanting in our fidelity to Thee:
Convince us, Blessed JESU, into this firm judgment; and may our memorys faithfully retain it:
What ever 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 supream felicity.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. This is, alas, the land of the Dying; but we hope to see the glory of God, in the land of the Living.
Antiph. Well done, thou good and faithful servant: I gave thee two talents, and thou hast gain'd two more; enter into thy Masters joy:
Psal. LXXXI.
HAppy are they, O Lord, who have so much employment; that there remains no room for idle thoughts:
Happy are they who have so litle business; that they want not space to attend their souls:
Happy yet more are they, who in the midst of their work, * can think somtimes of the wages above:
Whom nothing diverts from that chief concern * of seeking to make their election sure:
But, while their backs are bow'd down with [Page 279] labor, they freely can raise up their minds to heav'n.
And, while they are tyed to their beds with sicknes, can yet move on towards their eternal rest:
Often they rejoyce with themselvs alone; and silently say in their contented harts:
Here we, alas, are narrowly confin'd; and our time entertain'd with trivial affairs:
But herafter we expect an unbounded enlargement; and the same glorious office with the blessed Angels:
Here we are subject to a thousand miserys; and the most prosperous life is vain and short:
But herafter we expect an infinity of joy; and the solid pleasures of heav'n 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 vicious extreme:
Deliver us from the stormy sea of busines; and the dead water of a slothful life:
Lest we be cast away by forgetting thee; or becom corrupted by neglecting our selvs:
Make us, somtimes at least, recollect our thoughts; how much soever our condition distract us:
Make us look up with confidence in our God; [Page 280] how low soever our afflictions depress us:
Make us look up to the eternal mountains; and feed our souls on this sweet hope:
The day wil come, when, out of this dark world, * we shal joyfully ascend to that beauteous light:
The day will come and cannot be far off; when we shal rest for ever in the bosom of blyss. Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Well done thou good and faithful servant, I gave thee two talents, and thou hast gain'd two more; enter into thy Masters joy:
Antiph. Well done thou good and faithful servant: I gave thee five talents, and thou hast gain'd five more; enter into thy Masters joy.
Psal. LXXXII.
HAppiest of all, O Lord, are they, * whose very business is thy service:
Who not only bestow an interrupted glance; but stedily fix their eys on Thee:
Who not only visit thy house somtimes; but night and day dwel in thy presence:
If the Sun rise, 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 Sabaoth.
Every object an occasion of Piety; and every accident an exercise of vertue:
[Page 281] 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 and down:
They pass through all as unconcern'd; and smoothly go on their regular course:
Looking stil up to that glorious life above; and entertaining this present in hope and solitude:
If they depart somtimes from their proper center; and forsake a while their belov'd retirement:
'Tis to approach, and give light to others; and enflame some cold or [...]ukewarm hart:
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 hast to return; and injoy Thee alone in their litle Cell:
There Thou receiv'st them as familiar friends; and freely admit'st them to thy secret sweetnes:
Thou giv'st them a tast from thine own full board; and overflow'st their harts with the wine of gladnes:
Often they feel a litle beam from heav'n * strike gently, and fill their brests with light:
Often that gentle light is kindled into a flame; and chastly burns with pure desires.
Desires that stil mount up. and aim at Thee; * [Page 282] the supernatural center of all their hopes:
O happy state of reverend Discipline! free from the cares and tumults of this world:
Free from the dangerous allurements of sin; and perpetually solicited with engagements to vertue:
Where they seldom fall, and quickly rise; and make swift advances in the way to heav'n:
Where they live in purity, and dy with confidence; and go to sing among the Quires of Angels.
Blest Providence! who govern'st all things in perfect wisdom; and assign'st to every one his proper place:
If Thou hast pleas'd to dispose our lives, * in circumstances less favourable then these:
O let thy powerful hand supply our wants * and lead us on in our low path:
That, at least, afar off we may follow them, * who strive to tread so near thy steps:
So shal we too, though slowly, arrive, * at the rich inheritance of that holy Land:
So shal we gladly enter those Blysful gates; and dwel for ever in the City of peace.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Well done thou good and faithful servant: I gave thee five talents, and thou hast gain'd five more; enter into thy Masters joy.
Our Father: —
First Lesson.
HAve thy thoughts in the precepts of God; and let thy chief busines be his Commandments. Deliver him that suffers injury, out of the hands of the proud; and be not faint-harted when thou sittest in judgement. Be merciful to Orphans as a father, and as a husband to their mother: and thou shalt be as the obedient Son of the Highest; and he will have mercy on thee more then a mother: He that calumniates the poor, upbraids his Maker; but he honours Him that pitys the necessitous. The wicked shal be cast out in his malice; but the just has hope in his death. Our Lord will not accept any person against the poor; and will hear the prayer of him that is injur'd. He will not despise the prayer of the Fatherles; nor the widow when she pow'rs out her words of complaint. Do not the Widows tears run down her cheeks; and is not her cry against him that causes them [...] but from the cheek they go up to heav'n; and our Lord who hears them will not be pleased. Turn not away thine eys in anger from the poor; nor give him occasion to curse thee behind thy back: for the prayer of him that curses thee in the bitternes of his soul shal be heard; He that made him shal hear him. Remember not every wrong of thy neighbour; nor do any thing by injurious practises. If thine enemy be [Page 284] hungey, give him bread to eat; and if he thirst, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap [...]ot coals on his head; and our Lord will reward thee. Contemn not the just man that is poor; nor magnify the sinful that is rich. The Great, and the Judg; and the mighty are in honor; but there's none greater then he that fears God.
R. Lord, with what admirable wisdom dost thou govern the world! Thou mak'st the poor, and appoint'st them their task of innocent work; Thou mak'st the rich, and giv'st them leasure for their better improvement; and both poor and rich, to need and help one another. * O give us harts to comply with this thy blest design; that every one may strive for the good of all. One God created us; one Saviour redeemed us, one holy spirit sanctify'd us, that we all may live in love and unity & mutual assistance: * O give us—
Second Lesson.
BE not eager to grow rich, but use moderation in thy endeavours. Welth hastily gotten shal be diminish't; but that which is gather'd with the hand by litle and litle shal be multiply'd. Lift not thine eys to the riches which thou canst not have; for they make themselvs wings as of an Eagle, and fly into the Ayr. Let not thy hart envy siners▪ but be always in the fear of our Lord: then shalt thou hope in the [Page 285] later end, and thy expectation shal not be disappointed. A deceitful ballance is an abomination to God; and an equal weight is his delight. There's nothing more wicked then to love mony; for he that does so will set even his soul to sale. Riches will not profit in the day of wrath; but justice shall deliver from death. The j [...]stice of the righteous shall deliver them; and the unjust shall be caught in their deceitful practises: the justice of the simple shall guide his way; and the wicked shall fall in his own impiety. Better is a dry morsel with joy, then a house full of victims with brawling. Better is a poor man walking in his simplicity, then the rich in crooked ways. Sweet is the laborers sleep, whether he eat much or litle; but the satiety 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's not their own, and are always in want. The sincerity of the just shal direct them; and the deceitfulnes of the perverse shall destroy them.
R. Give me, O thou sweet Disposer of all things! give me neither beggary nor riches; but only things necessary for my sustenance: * Lest perhaps being full, I be allur'd to deny thee; and say, who is the Lord? or, compel'd by want, [Page 286] steal, and forswear the name of my God: or rather, dearest Lord, give me what thou pleasest; since Thy self hast taught me now a more perfect Lesson, to submit intirely my will to Thine: only I still may beg, that in all my ways thy Providence govern me, and in all my temptations thy grace preserve me; * Lest—
Third Lesson.
'TIs better to go to the house of mourning, then to the house of banqueting: for in that the end of all men is signified, and he that is alive thinks what herafter he shall be. All flesh shall wax old as grass: and as leavs growing on a green tree, some bud forth, and others fall off; so is the generation of flesh and blood; one is buried and another is born. If a man live many years, and rejoyce in them all; he must remember the darksom time, and those many days, which when they come, the things that are past shall be reprov'd of vanity. Rejoyce therefore, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy mind be chearful; walk in the ways of thine hart, and in the sight of thine eys: but know, for all these God will bring thee to Judgment. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth; before the time of aff [...]ction come, and the years approach of which thou shalt say, They please me not. Before the dust return to its ear [...]h, from whence it came; and the spirit to God who [Page 287] gave it. Of making many books there is no end; and much study is wearines to the flesh: Let us hear the Conclusion of all: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
R. In all thy works remember thy last end, when thou must bid a long farewel to all this 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 innocent, and the miserys that attend the wicked: Remember how nearly it concerns thy soul, to have a good or bad eternity; * And Thou—
Glory be, &c. * And thou—
Pause a while to ref [...]ect, and renew: Then—
Saturday Lauds.
O God incline, &c. as page 18.
Antiph. When thou hadst overcome the sting of death; thou open'dst the kingdom of heav'n to all Believers.
Psal. LXXXIII.
IF we rejoyc'd for our selvs, in the sufferings of our Lord; let us now rejoyce for Him, that his sufferings are ended:
[Page 288] Now that the fowlers net is broken; and the meek and innocent Dove escap't:
Now that the cup of bitternes is past away; and never possible to return again.
Never again, O dearest JESU, shall those blest eys weep; nor thy holy soul be sorrowful to death:
Never shall thy precious life be subject any more * to the bloody malice of ambitious hypocrites:
Never shall thy innocence any more be expos'd * to the barbarous fury of an ingrateful multitude:
But thou shalt live and reign for ever; and all created nature perpetually adore Thee:
O happy end of well indur'd afflictions! O blessed fruits that spring from the Cross of JESUS!
Look up my soul, and see thy crucify'd Lord * sit gloriously inthron'd at the right hand of his Father.
Behold the ragged purple now turn'd into a robe of light; and the scornful reed into a royal Scepter:
The wreath of thorns is grown into a sparkling diadem; and all his scars polisht into brightnes.
His tears are all now chang'd into joy; and the laughter of his persecuters into sad despair:
Herod long since perisht in miserable contempt; [Page 289] and Pilate still trembles with everlasting fears:
The impenitent Jews are scatter'd o're the world; to attest his truth and their own obdurate blindness:
But Himself is crown'd with eternal Triumphs; and the souls he has redeem'd 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 hope at last to see Thee:
We'l 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 into life:
We'l love no more the pleasures of vanity; nor set our harts on unsatisfying riches:
Since Thou hast open'd Paradise again; and purchas'd for us the kingdom of heav'n.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. LXXXIV.
BLessed be thy Name, O holy JESU! and blessed be the mercy of thy Providence:
Who hast cast our lot in these times of grace: and design'd our birth in the days of light:
[Page 290] When we may clearly see our ready way; and directly go on to our glorious end:
Till Thou appear'dst, O Thou only light of the world! our miserable earth lay cover'd with darknes:
Till thou went'st away, O thou soveraign Lord of life! thy Saints sate expecting in the shades of death:
The kingdom of heav'n was close shut up; and none permitted to behold thy glory:
Soon as thine own afflictions were ended; thou communicatedst 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 eys are shut; or turn'd away by their own malice:
Thy presence, alas, yields no more joy; then light to those who will not see:
But the harts that love Thee Thou fill'st with gladnes; and overflow'st them with an ocean of heav'nly delights:
Come happy souls, to whom belongs * so fair a title to all these mercys:
Come, let us now raise up our thoughts; and continually medi [...]ate 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 unlockt the gates of everlasting blyss:
[Page 291] Now that they stand wide open to admit * such as press on with their utmost strength:
Such as have wisely made choice of heav'n * for the only end and business of their life:
Rejecting all these false allurements; to attend the pursute of true felicity.
O Blessed JESU, 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 direct our whole life to Thee; and undervalue all things compar'd with thy love:
Seal thou our eys to the illusions of this world; and open them upwards to thy solid glorys:
That when our earthly tabernacle shal be dissolv'd; and this house of clay fall down into the dust:
We may ascend to Thee, and dwel above; in that Building not made with hands, eternal in the heav'ns. Glory be, &c.
Psal. LXXXV.
PRaise our Lord, O you children of men! praise Him as the Author of all your hopes:
Praise our Lord, O you Blessed of heav'n! praise Him as the Finisher of all your joys:
Sing, O you reverend Patriarks, and holy Prophets! sing Hymns of glory to the great Messias:
[Page 292] Sing and rejoyce all you Ancient Saints; who so long repos'd in the bosom of Abraham:
Bring forth your best and purest incense; and humbly offer it at the Throne of the Lamb:
The Lamb that was slain from the begining of the world; by the sprinkling of whose blood you all were saved:
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 darknes; and brake asunder the bars of death:
'Twas He came down to visit your prisons; and lead you away out of the shades of sorrow:
How did your glad eys sparkle with joy; to see at last your Desir'd Redeemer!
How were your spirits transported with delight; to behold the splendors of his glorious presence!
His presence that can quickly turn * the sadest night into a chearful day:
That can change a dungeon into a house of mirth; and make every place a Paradise:
O glorious Presence! when shall our souls be fill'd * with strong and constant desires of enjoying Thee?
When, dearest JESU! shal our desires be fil'd * with the everlasting fruition of thy Blessed self?
Henceforth for Thee and for thy sacred love; O Thou great and only Comfort of our souls?
[Page 293] May all afflictions be welcom to us; as wholsom phisick to correct our follyes:
May the pleasures of the world be rejected by us; as dangerous fruits that fill us with diseases:
May we, by thy example, neither feare to dy; nor refuse the labours of this life:
But while we live obey thy grace; that, when we dy, we may injoy thy glory.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. When thou hadst overcom the sting of death, Thou opend'st the Kingdom of heav'n to all believers.
Capit. 2. Pet. 3.
TAke heed lest, being led aside by the error of the unwise, you fall away from your own stedfastnes. But grow in grace and the knowledg of our Lord JESUS Christ: to Him be glory, both now, and to the day of Eternity. Amen.
Hymn XXVI.
Antiph: 'Tis consummated; Thou hast, O JESU, overcom in thy Body all the Powers [Page 295] of darknes: their hour is past; but thy souls eternal blyss remains; and, Behold, That of thy triumphant Resurrection approaches:
V. Be not afraid of those who kill the body:
R. And after that have no more they can do.
O Lord hear our Prayers:
And let our Supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who hast submitted thy only Son, our Saviour JESUS, to expire 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 or fright us, from the ways of vertue; nor shake this sure and fundamental truth, which thy grace has laid in our harts, That the greatest mischiefs our salvation can cost us here are but momentary, and work above measure exceedingly in us an eternal weight of glory, through the same our Lord—
Commemorations as Page 29. to the end.
Saturday Vespers.
OUr Father, &c. as Page 33.
Antiph. They who use this world, let them be as if they [...]s'd it not: for the figure of this world passes away.
Psal. LXXXVI.
WHy do we stil pursue this world; and so eagerly seek its fond enjoyments?
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 delights pass quickly away:
A world where the innocent are condemn'd with shame; and the guilty freed with applause.
Where often the wicked are advanc'd to honour; and the vertuous opprest with disgrace:
Where friends fall off and kindred forget; and every one minds his private interest.
Yet are we taken with this crooked world; and blindly court its painted face:
We make some ugly passion mistress of our hart; and neglect the pure and amiable love of JESUS:
Whose goodnes to us gives us all we have; whose perfections in himself are more then we can conceive.
Thou art, O glorious JESU, the beauty of Angels; and the everlasting joy of all thy Saints:
Thou art the heay'n of heav'n it self; and in thy sight alone is the fulnes of Blyss.
All this thou art, and infinitely more; and yet, alas, how few esteeem thee!
The world, we dearly know, too often has [Page 297] deceiv'd us; and our rashnes cares not to be undone again:
Thou never, O JESU, hast fail'd our hope; and our dulnes fears to rely on Thee:
The world distracts and embroils our spirits; and wretched we delight in our misery:
Thou always, O JESU, fil'st our harts with peace; and sensles we are weary of thy happines:
The world calls, and we faint in following it; thou cal'st, and we are stil reliev'd by Thee:
Yet is our nature so ingratefully perverse; we run after that which tires, and abandon that which refreshes:
Somtimes our lips speak gloriously of Thee; O Thou living fountain of eternal Blyss!
Some happy times we relish thy sweetnes; and decry aloud the poyson of the world:
But we are soon enticed by its guilded cup; and easily forsake the waters of life:
O Blessed JESU, who took'st upon thee all our frailtys; to bestow on us thine own perfections:
Teach us to prize the joys of heav'n; and part with all things else to purchase Thee:
Make all the pleasures of this life, seem b [...]tter to our tasts; as they are indeed pernitious to our helths:
Let not their flatterys any more delude us; nor superfluous cares perplex our minds:
[Page 298] But may our chief delight be to think on Thee; and all our study to grow in thy love.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. They who use this world, let them be as if they us'd it not: for the figure of this world passes away.
Antiph. We by a fond self-love blame every thing but our selvs; while nothing can hurt us, but our own misplac't affections.
Psal. LXXXVII.
ALl this is true, and yet the world is lov'd; and our nature inclines to affect its vanitys:
'Tis lov'd, and so it justly deservs; did we understand its real value:
Our life indeed seems mean and trivial; and all things about us troublesom and dangerous:
Yet, O my God, is their consequence excellent in this; that they are our only way of coming to Thee:
This world, and this alone's 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 heav'n.
O that we had that happy skill; how soon would every thing help forward to advance us!
[Page 299] Whether we eat or drink, or what ever else * an innocent hand can undertake:
If we regard our faithful end; and order all to the improvement of our minds:
They instantly change their secular name; and deservedly are prefer'd to become religious:
Riches themselves and imperious honour * have not so perverse and fixt a malice:
But a prudent use converts them to piety; and makes them fit instruments of highest Blyss:
Our very delights, O the Goodnes of our God! may so be temper'd with a wise alloy:
That his mercy accounts them as parts of our duty; and fails not to give them their full reward.
While they are entertain'd for the health of our bodys, or the just refreshement of our wearyed spirits:
And both our bodys and spirits constantly apply'd * to gain new degrees of the love of heav'n.
Thus, gracious Lord, every moment of our lives * may still be climbing up towards Thee:
Thus may we still proceed in thy service; even then when we most of all serve our selvs:
And then indeed it is we best serve our selvs; when we are busiest in what we call thy service:
Thou sweetly vouchsaf'st to stile th [...]t thy glory; [Page 300] which in very truth is nothing but our interest:
Thou kindly complain'st we dishonour thy Name; when we only mischief our own souls:
O Blesses JESU, King of clemency; and great Rewarder of every little grace!
Thou who by all we can do pretendest no gain; but bestow'st on us all thy self hast done:
Thou who cam'st down from heav'n to shew us a pattern; and mad'st us free to work for our own profit:
Instruct our gratitude to consecrate all to Thee; since all by thy bounty will redound to our selves.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. We by a fond self love blame every thing but our selvs; while nothing can hurt us but our own misplac't affections.
Antiph. It is decreed for all men once to dy; and after death, Judgment.
Psal. LXXXVIII.
THis life indeed is the way we must walk; but this alone cannot bring us to our end:
Ere we arrive at our appointed home; we must be led through the gates of death:
[Page 301] Where we shall absolutely be stript of all we have; and carry nothing with us but what we are:
Where we not only must quit the whole world; but leave behind us even part of our selvs:
Hast thou, my soul, seen som Neighbour dy? and dost thou remember those circumstances of sorrow?
VVe are sure, the case ere long, will be our own; and are not sure but it may be very soon:
Have we our selvs 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 particularly indanger us:
'Twill come to this again, and no reprieve be found, * stay one single minute the hand of death:
But he immediately will seize upon us; and bear us away to the region of spirits:
There to be rang'd in our proper place; as the course of our life has qualify'd us here.
Nor is this all, to expire and dy; and dwell for a time in a state of separation:
VVe must expect another Day; a day of publick accounts and restiution of all things:
[Page 302] When the Archangel shal sound his trumpet; and proclaim aloud this universal summons:
Arise you dead, and come to Judgment; arise and appear before the Throne of God:
Then shall the little heaps of dust immediately awake; and every soul put on her proper body:
Immediately all the children of Adam shal be gather'd together; from heav'n and hell and every corner of the earth.
There they must stand, and all attend their doom; but O with how sad and fatal a difference!
The Just shal look up with a cheerful confidence; and in their new white robes triumph and sing,
Alleluia, let us rejoyce, for the marriage of the Lamb is come; and his Bride has prepar'd her self:
Let us rejoyce, for the Kingdom of the world is made our Lords and his Christs; and He shal 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 Desire of our harts; 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:
[Page 303] Lo, where aloft he comes in power and Majesty; attended with a train of innumerable Angels:
Behold where he sits inthron'd on the wings of Cherubins; 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 you Blessed of my Father, possess the Kingdom * prepared for you from the begining of the world:
O the joys their souls shal feel; when those heav'nly words sound in their ears!
Joys that the wit of man cannot conceive; joys, that the tongues of Angels cannot express.
Let it suffize, themselvs shal tast their own felicity; and feed on its sweetnes for ever.
But O, with what dejected eys and trembling harts, * shal the wicked stand expecting their Judg:
What shal they do when, where're they look, * their ey can meet with nothing but despair?
Above, the offended Judge ready to condemn them; below, the bottomless pit gaping to devour them:
[Page 304] Within, the worm of conscience knawing their bowels; and round about all the world in flames:
What shal they do, when that terrible voice * shal strike them suddenly down to the bottom of hell?
Go you accursed into everlasting fire, * prepar'd for the Devil and his Angels:
The day of man is past, when siners did what they pleas'd; and God seem'd to hold his peace:
'Tis now the day of God; when his wrath shal speak in thunder; and siners suffer what their wickednes deservs.
Then shal they sink immediately into the pit of sorrow; and dwel in darknes and torments for ever:
While the Just shal go up in joy and triumph; and reign with our Lord in his Kingdom for ever.
Thus shal the whole Creation be finally dispos'd; and mercy and justice divide the world.
O my soul! who now art here below; and read'st these dreadful truths as things afar off:
Know, thou shalt then be present, and see them with thine eys; and be thy self concern'd for all eternity:
Know, as thou livest, thou art like to dy; and as thou dy'st thou art sure to be judg'd:
Think what a sad condition it will be, * to [Page 305] find thy self on the wrong hand:
Think what thou then would'st give to have repented in time; think what thou would'st give for a litle time to repent.
Watch therfore now and continually pray; for we know not the hour when the Son of man will come.
O Son of God and man, who cam'st in mercy to save us; bring the same mercy with thee, when thou com'st to judg us!
Mean while, assist us with thy heav'nly grace; to stand perpetually with our accounts prepar'd:
That we may dy in the peace of God and his holy Church; and go to live with Him and his blessed Saints. Glory be, &c.
Antiph. It is decreed for all men once to dy; and, after death, judgment.
Capit. Tytus 2.
SPeak thou the things which becom sound doctrin; that the aged men be sober, chast, wise, sound in faith, in charity, in patience: likewise the aged women, that they be in holy attire, not speaking ill of others; not given to much wine, teaching good things, that they may learn the young women wisdom; to love their husbands, to love their children, to be prudent, chast, sober, to have a care of the house, to be gentle; subject to their husbands; that the word of God be not blasphem'd: Young men [Page 306] also exhort to be sober: Servants to be obedient to their Masters; pleasing them in every thing, not contradicting, not defrauding, but shewing good fidelity in all things; that in all things they may adorn the doctrin of God our Saviour.
Hymn XXVII.
Antiph. Thou giv'st us tasts of Good here; to beget and feed in us an appetite: Thou giv'st us but tasts here, to draw our affections up to thy self; whose fruition alone can fully satisfy us.
V. Vain and preposterous it is to expect our Port at Sea:
R. Or to look for a heav'n on earth, but in hope.
[Page 308] O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our supplications come to Thee:
Let us pray.
O Merciful God, whose Providence disparages with shortnesses and crosses all the injoyments of this world, to allay their temptatiousnes, and slacken their hold on our harts! grant us grace, we beseech Thee, wisely to discern and praise Thee, for this their most beneficial nature: and since we cannot attain Thee, the heav'n of heav'ns, but by our sole Fixure on Thy self, nor be rais'd to That, without a sense of dissatisfyingnes in what ever else we do or can possess; make us check and overcome the repinings of flesh and blood, with juster adorations of Thy infinite mercy, for qualifying so fitly this womb of our souls, that, by its own uneasines, it more easily disposes them for a happy birth into thy blessed eternity, through our Lord—
O Lord hear, &c. as page 45.
Saturday Complin.
OUr help is in, &c. as page 46.
Antiph. Too often are we troubled about many things; when the truly necessary is but One.
Psal. LXXXIX.
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 felicity? and whither tend thy strongest desires?
Go to the Great and Prudent of the world; and learn of them to chuse thy interests:
Do they not there increase 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 travellers?
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 may stay very litle.
O Thou eternal Being, who changest not; yet art the cause and end of all our changes!
Who still remain'st the same rich fulnes in thy Self, * the same bright glory to all thy Blessed!
Teach us, O Lord, to use this transitory life; as Pilgrims returning to their beloved home:
That we may take what our journy requires; and not think of setling in a forrein country:
But wisely forecast our treasures so; to be [Page 310] happy there where we must always be.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XC.
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 facultys:
Purchase at any rate that blest inheritance; and wiseley 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 heav'n be happy enough; where every Vessel is fil'd to the brim; yet to enlarge our capacity to the least higher degree * deservs the busiest diligence of our whole life.
Shall the industious 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 faithfully works; and tires it self in a perpetual motion:
For whom the tender providence of God, * commands even his Angels to watch and pray:
[Page 311] For whom the ador'd JESUS came down from heav'n; and spent a whole life in continual labours:
Shall we sleep on in a drowsy sloth; and not stir a finger to help our selvs?
Awake my soul, and chide thy sluggish thoughts; and let their stupid folly plainly know:
We have a store to provide, as well as Ants; and infinitely richer then their poor hoard:
We have a work to do as well as Bees; and infinitely sweeter then all their hony:
What can so noby 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 encrease of his hope?
O blessed hope! be thou my chief delight; and the only treasure I covet to lay up:
Be thou the quick'ning life of all my actions; and sweet allay of all my sufferings:
So shall I ne're refuse any meanest labour; while I look to receive such glorious wages:
So shall I ne're repine at any temporal loss; whil [...] I hope to gain such eternal rewards.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XCI.
BUt O, 'tis not so much our sloth undoes us; as the imprudent choice in applying our diligence:
[Page 312] Many, alas, take pains enough; many perplex themselvs too much:
See how the busie toylers 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 to meet with dangers:
See how the ventrous Mariners expose their lives, * over stormy Seas into barbarous Nations.
And why all this, poor ill-advised wretches! but to fetch, perhaps, a litle fish or spice?
To gain a few pence or some petty honour; which others often share in more then your selvs?
O bounteous Lord, how easie are thy commands! how cheap hast thou made the purchase of heav'n!
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 bidst us not freez under the Polar 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 [Page 313] the world about us distract our reason:
Thou bidst us but wisely love our selvs; and attend above all things our own true happines:
Thou bidst us value even this world as much as it deservs; since 'tis the School that breed us up to the Other:
Only we are forbidden to be wilful fools; and prefer a short vanity before eternal felicity.
O the mild government of the King of heaven! this we can do, what ever else we are doing:
This we can do, even while we sit still; and only move our thoughts towards Thee:
Nay, then we best perform this best of works; when all our powers are quiet in Thee.
Yet let not this thy facil sweetnes, dearest Lord! be abus'd by us to a wanton neglect:
But make us love Thee so much more; as Thou more discover'st the excess of thy love.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Too often are we troubled about many things; when the truly necessary is but One.
Hymn XXVIII.
Capit. Thessal. 5.
THe day of our Lord shall come as a thief in the night: let us not therefore sleep as others, but watch and be sober. For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to the purchasing salvation by our Lord JESƲS Christ, who dyed for us; that whether we wake or sleep, we may live together with Him.
Antiph. We have here no permanent City; but are bound in quest of Jerusalem above, the eternal mansion of Blyss.
[Page 316] V. Jesus came down, to give us a glimpse of it:
R. And made his own life the Card to direct us to it.
O Lord hear our prayers.
And let our supplications come to thee.
Let us pray.
O God, whose eternal Providence has imbarkt our souls in the ship of our bodys, not to expect any port or anchorage on the Sea of this world, but steer directly through it to thy glorious Kingdom! grant 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 hartily feel our selvs confounded with just reproach, who, knowing our ingagement on so important a voyage, yet take so litle pains to perform it. Preserve us, O Lord, from those dangerous winds that on all sides assault us, and keep the sails of our affections still duly trim'd to receive thy holy inspirations; that carried sweetly forward by the gales of thy Spirit, we may happily arrive at last in the haven of eternal salvation, through our Lord—
Vouchsafe, &c. as page 54. to the end.
The OFFICE of our B. SAVIOƲR.
Matins.
Introduction, as Page 1.
Christmas Invitatory. To day for us, our Lord was born, alleluia, Come let's adore Him.
Newyears-day Invit. To day our Lord was Circumciz'd, and receiv'd the sweet name of JESƲS, alleluia: Come let's adore Him.
Twelfth-day Invit. To day the holy Kings brought their presents to our Lord [...] alleluia: Come let's adore Him.
Candlemas-day Invit. To day our Ble [...]ed Lord was presented in the Temple, alleluia: Come let's adore Him.
Lady-day Invit. To day the Eternal WORD was made flesh: Come let's adore Him.
Passion-Sunday, and Palm-Sunday
Invit. To day if you will hear the voice of our Lord: harden not your harts.
Easter-day, All as in the Office for Sunday: except as in the Proper for Festivals.
[Page 318] Invention of the Cross, Invit. To day the miraculous Cross of our Lord was found, alleluia: Come let's adore Him.
Ascension. Invit. To day our glorious JESƲS ascended into heav'n, alleluia: Come let's adore Him.
If this Office be said on any day that is not a feast of our Saviour, let the Invitatory be
To day let's adore our God that redem'd us.
Psal. XCII.
BRing to our Lord all you his servants; bring to our Lord the sacrifice of praise: bring to our Lord all you nations of the earth; bring hymns of glory to his great Name.
To day, &c.
He is our God, and we his people; created by his goodnes to be happy for ever: he is our Redeemer, and we his purchase; restor'd by his death to a better eternity. To day, &c.
Let us learn of Him, and he will teach us his ways; let us follow Him, and we shal walk in the light: for the Law and its types were given by Moses; but grace and truth came by JESƲS Christ. To day, &c.
O Come let's ascend to the house of our Lord, and celebrate this day with a holy joy: imploring his mercy for all we need, and blessing his bounty for all we have. To day, &c.
Glory be, &c. As it was—
To day, &c. To day, &c.
Hymn XXIX.
Antiph. Blessed be the mercy of our God, who has left no way untry'd, that could possibly recover us.
Psal. XCIII.
COme now, and hear you that fear our Lord; and I will tell you what he has done for my soul:
Hear, and I wil tel you what he has done for yours; and the wonders of his bounty towards all the world.
When we lay asleep in the shades of nothing; his mighty hand awak't us into Being:
Not That of stones or plants or beasts; o're which he has made us absolute Lords:
But an accomplisht body and immortal spirit; and litle inferiour to his glorious Angels.
[Page 321] He printed on our souls his own similitude; and promis'd to our obedience his own feli [...]ity.
He endued us with appetites to live well and happy; and furnisht us with means to satisfie those appetites:
Creating a whole world to serve us here; and providing a heav'n to glorify us her-after.
Thus didst thou favour us, O infinite Goodness! but we, what return did we make to Thee?
Blush, O my Soul, for shame at so strange a weaknes; and weep for grief at so extreme an ingratitude:
We childishly prefer'd a trivial apple, * before the Law of our God, and the safety of our own lives:
We fondly embrac't a litle present satisfaction, * before the Pleasures of Paradise, and the eternity of heav'n:
Behold the unhappy source of all our miserys; which still increast it streams as they went farther on:
Till they exacted, at last, a deluge of justice, * to drown their deluge of iniquity.
And here, alas, had been an end of Man; a sad and fatal end of the whole world:
Had not our wise Creator foreseen the danger; and in time prevented the extremity of the ru [...]e:
[Page 322] Reserving for himself a few choice plants, * to replenish the earth with more hopeful fruit.
Yet they grew quickly wilde, and brought forth sowre grapes; and their childrens teeth were set on edg.
Quickly they aspir'd to an intolerable pride * of fortifying their wickedness against the power of heav'n:
Justice was now provok't to a second deluge; and to bring again a cloud o're the earth:
But mercy discover'd a bow in the cloud; and our faithful God remembred his promise:
Allaying their punishment with a milder sentence; and only scattering them from the place of their conspiracy:
Which yet his Providence turn'd into a blessing, * by making it an occasion of peopling the world:
Stil their rebellious nature disobey'd again; and neither fear'd his judgments, nor valued his mercys:
But with a graceles emulation propagated sin, * as far as his Goodnes propagated mankind.
Then he selected a private Family; and increast and govern'd them with a particular tendernes:
Giving them a law by the hands of Angels; and ingaging their obedience by a thousand favours.
But they neglected too their God and heav'n; [Page 323] and fel in love with the ways of death.
When thou hadst thus, O dearest Lord! try'd every remedy; and found our disease beyond all cure:
When the light of nature prov'd too weak a guide; and the general flood too mild a correction:
When the miracles of Moses could not soften their harts; nor the law of Angels bring any to perfection:
When all was reduc't to this desperate state; and no imaginable hope left to recover us:
Behold the eternal Wisdom finds a strange expedient; the last and highest instance of almighty love:
Himself he resolvs to cloath with our felsh; and come down among us, and dy to redeem us.
Wonder, O my soul, at the mercys of thy Lord; how infinitely transcending ev'n our utmost wishes:
Wonder at the admirable providence of his counsels; how exactly fitted to their great design:
Had he been less then God, we could never have believ'd * the sublime Mysterys of his heav'nly Doctrin:
Had he been other then Man, we must needs have wanted * the powerful motive of his holy Example.
[Page 324] Had He been only God, he could never have suffer'd * the least of those afflictions he so gloriously overcame:
Had He been meerly Man, he could never have o'recome those infinite afflictions he so patiently suffer'd:
O blessed JESU, both these Thou art in thy self; be Thou both these to us:
Be thou our God, and make us adore Thee; be thou our Leader, and make us follow Thee.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Blessed be the mercy of our God, who has left no means untry'd, that could possibly recover us.
Antiph. Lord, thou not only offer'st us salvation; but lay'st in means before hand to make us accept it.
Psal. XCIV.
SOon as this blest decree was made, * of sending the Son of God to redeem mankind:
Immediately his goodnes was ready to come among us, had our ungracious world been ready to receive him:
But we as yet were too gross and sensual; and utterly incapable of so pure a Law:
We were immerst in cares and pleasures; and wholly indispos'd for so perfect an obedience.
While we were thus unfit for thee; O thou [Page 325] God of pure and perfect holines!
Thou graciously wert pleas'd to stay for us; and all that time prepare us for thy presence.
From the begining entertaining us with hope; and through every age confirming our faith.
How early, O my God, didst thou engage to relieve us; The Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head?
How often didst thou repeat thy promise to Abraham; In thy seed shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed?
How many ways did thy mercy invent, * by unquestionable tokens to give notice of thy Coming?
Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son; and his name shall be called, God with us:
A branch shall shoot out of the stock of Jesse; and from the root of that branch shall spring a Flower:
The Spirit of our Lord shall rest upon him; and the spirit of wisdom, and piety, and fortitude:
Our Lord shall raise up a Prophet like Moses; and put his words in his mouth, and he shall teach us:
And thou Bethelem who art litle among the thousands of Juda, out of thee shall He come that's to be the Ruler in Israel:
Whose goings forth are from the beginning; even from the days of eternity.
[Page 326] Hark how the eternal Father introduces his Son▪ commanding first all the Angels to adore Him.
Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee; Thou art my Son, and I will be thy Father:
I will give Thee the Gentiles for thine inheritance; and the ends of the world for thy possession:
'Tis too litle that thou raise up the Tribes of Jacob; and convert the dregs of Israel:
Thou art appointed a lght for the Gentiles; and a Saviour to the utmost parts of the earth.
Hark, how the antient Prophets rejoyce in the Messias; and in soft and gentle words foretel his sweetness:
He shall come down as rain into a fleece of wool; and as drops of dew distilling on the earth:
He shall feed his flock like a Shepherd; and gently lead those that are with young:
He shall gather his lambs with his arms; and carry them in his own bosom:
The bruised reed he shall not break; nor quench the smoking flax:
Justice and peace shall flourish in his days; and sin and death be destroy'd for ever:
Then shall the eys of the blind be open'd; and the ears of the deaf be made to hear:
Then shall the tongues of the dumb be loosen'd; and the lame man leap like a Back.
[Page 327] Thus did thy holy Servants prophecy of Thee; thus did their children sing thy praises:
Blessed be the Lord our God who alone does wonderful things; and blessed be the Name of his Majesty for ever:
His dominion shall reach from sea to sea; and from the river to the end of the world:
They who dwell in the wildernes shall kneel before him; and his enemys shall lick the dust:
The Kings of Tharsis and the Isles shall offer him presents; the Kings of Arabia and Saba shal bring him gifts:
All the Kings of the earth shal adore him; and all Nations do him service:
For he shall rescue the weak from the hand of the mighty; the weak who had none to help him:
He shall be favourable to the simple and the needy; and preserve the souls of the poor:
He shall deliver them from usury and oppression; and their name shall be honourable in his sight:
He shal live, and to him shal be given of the gold of Arabia; they shal adore him perpetually, and bless him all day long.
O thou eternal King of heav'n and earth, make good to thy servants these happy predictions:
So rule us here that we obey thy grace; so [Page 328] favour us herafter that we injoy thy glory.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Lord, thou not only offer'st us salvation, but lay'st in means before hand to make us accept it.
Antiph. All's one to Thee, O mighty Love! whether joy or sorrow, so mankind be sav'd.
Psal. XCV.
'TWas not thy joys alone, O dearest Lord! that thou inspir'dst into thy holy Prophets:
But thou reveal'dst to them thy sorrows too; and commandedst them to publish them with a tender care:
That they not only should speak thy words; but, the more to affect us, put on thy person.
O let our eys run down with water; and our harts faint away with grief:
While we remember the suff'rings of our Lord; and hear his sad complaints:
I gave my body to those that beat it; and my cheeks to those that buffeted them:
I turn'd not away from them that reproach't me; nor from them that spit on my face:
My enemys whisper together, and spitefully maligne me; when wil he dy, and his name perish?
My familiar friend, who ate of my bread, * [Page 329] has lifted up his heel against me.
But thou upheldst me, O Lord, in my integrity; and fet'st me before thy face for ever.
They Compast me about with words of malice; and fought against me without a cause:
They rewarded me evil for good; and hatred for my love:
I am poured forth like water; I am taken away as a shadow when it declines:
My hart within me is as melted wax; and all my bones are out of joynt:
My strength is dry'd up like a potsheard; and my tongue cleaves to the roof of my mouth:
I'expected some to pity me, and there was none; I look't for Comforters, but I found not one.
O my god, my God, how far hast thou forsaken me! thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Our fathers called to Thee, and were deliver'd; they trusted in Thee, and were not abondoned:
But I am a worm and no man; the reproach of men, and the despis'd of the people:
All that see me laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, and shake their head, saying,
He trusted in God that he would save him; let him deliver him, if he delight in him:
Be not far from me, O Lord, my strength! for trouble is nigh, and none to help me:
[Page 330] The Assembly of the wicked have inclosed me about; they pierce my hands and my feet:
I [...] tell all my bones; they gaze and stare upon me:
They part my garments among them; and on my vesture they cast lots:
They gave me gall to eat, and in my thirst vinegar to drink:
All these sad things, O Lord, thy Prophets foretold, * to prepare our faith for such exorbitant truths:
All these indeed they expresly foretold; but could there be found such wretches as would act them?
Yes, O my God, thine own selected nation conspir'd against Thee; and with innumerable affronts most barbarously murther'd Thee:
This too, even this thy cruel death thou plainly foreshewd'st; The Inhabitants of Jerusalem shall look on me whom they crucify'd.
But O you holy Prophets, what was the dismal cause * that shed the blood of this spotles Lamb?
He had, they quickly answer, done no iniquity; nor could any fraud be found in his mouth:
But he was smiten for the sins of the people; and taken away from the land of the living:
He deliver'd up himself to death, and was numbred with the wicked; he bore the sins of many, and pray'd for his transgressors:
[Page 331] All we like sheep have gone astray; and God laid on Him the iniquity of us all:
He was wounded for our offences; and bruised for our transgressions:
The chastisements of our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we were healed.
O blessed JESU, who took'st upon thee our infirmitys, to bestow on us thy own perfections!
Heal us, thou great Physician of our souls! and let us sin no more, lest a worse thing befal us:
Heal us by the Mystery of thy holy Incarnation; and the meeknes of thy humble Birth:
Heal us by the precious blood of thy Circumcision; and the sweet and ever blessed name of JESUS:
Heal us by thy gracious manifestation to the Gentiles; and the powerful influence of all thy Miracles:
Heal us by the exemplary obedience of thy Presentation; and the Soveraign balsom of thy passion:
Heal us by the joys of thy victorious Resurrection; and the triumph of thy glorious Ascension:
Heal us by the memory of all thy Blessings; heal us by the memory of this days Mercy:
Heal us thou great Physician of our souls! and let us sin no more, lest a worse thing befal us. Glory be, &c.
[Page 332] Antiph. All's one to Thee, O mighty Love! whither joy or sorrow, so mankind be sav'd.
Our Father, &c.
First Lesson, Isa. 11.
A Branch shal come forth from the root of Jesse, and a flower rise up out of his root, and the spirit of our Lord shal rest upon Him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of Counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledg and piety, and the spirit of the fear of our Lord shal replenish him. He shal not judg according to the sight of the eys, nor rebuke according to the hearing of the ears; but he shal judg the poor in justice, and rebuke for the mild of the earth in equity: he shal strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips kil the impious. Justice shal be the Girdle of his loyns, and Faith the binder of his reins. The Wolf shal dwel with the Lamb, and the Leopard ly down with the Kid; the Calf and the Lyon and the Sheep shal abide together, and a little child lead them: they shal not hurt and they shal not kil in all my holy mountain; because the earth is filled with the knowledg of our Lord, as the waters cover the Sea. In that day the root of Jesse, which stands for a sign to the People; him shal the Nations beseech; and his Sepulcher shal be glorious.
R. Thus holy JESU. did the antient Prophets [Page 333] foretel thy perfections, and the blessed changes thy doctrin should produce; the cruelty of the proud should be soften'd into meeknes, and the innocence of the weak be protected by the strong; and peace and charity flourish o're the world. * This was thy wise and gracious design to make us happy by making us holy. Thou hast planted the seeds of all these effects: O give the increase, that we may gather the fruit; defend the good, and rebuke the wicked, and fill the earth with thy knowledg; that all discord and animosity may utterly cease, and justice and equity govern our lives. * This was—
Second Lesson. Heb. 1.
GOd, who, in time past; diversly and many ways spake to our Fathers in the Prophets, has last of all in these days spoken to us in his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightnes of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and sustaining all things by the word of his power, having made purgation of sins, sits at the right hand of Majesty on high; being so much better then Angels as he has inherited a more excellent name above them: For to which of his Angels has he at any time said, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? and again, I wil be to Him a Father, and He shal be to me a Son: and again, when [Page 334] he brings in the First-begotten into the world, he says, And let all the Angels of God adore him. To the Angels indeed he says, He makes his Angels Spirits, and his Ministers a flame of fire: but to the Son, Thy throne, O God shall be for ever and ever; the Scepter of thy Kingdom is a Scepter of equity; thou hast loved justice and hated iniquity, therfore has God, thy God, annointed thee with the oyl of gladnes above thy fellows. Thou in the begining, O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heav'ns are the works of thy hands: they shall perish, but thou shalt continue, and they all shall wax old as a garment, and as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed; but thou art the self-same, and thy years shall not fail.
R. Live, glorious Jesu, and reign for ever, eternal King of heav'n and earth; may all thy Blessed above perpetually adore thee, and all thy servants here continually praise thee: * And every tongue confes that thou, O Lord, art most high in the glory of thy Father, Alleluja. Thou wert for us obedient to death, even the death of the cross; wherefore God has exalted thee, and given thee a Name above every name, that at the Name of JESUS every knee bow, of things in heav'n, of things on earth, and of things under the earth: * And every tongue—
Third Lesson, Ephes. 1.
BLessed be God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual benedictions in celestial things in Christ, as he has chosen us in him before the constitution of the world, that we should be holy and immaculate in his sight in charity; who has predestinated us into the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace by which he has made us gracious in his beloved Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace, which has exceedingly abounded in us in all wisdom and prudence; that he might make known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure which he purpos'd in him, that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might restore all things in Christ which are in heav'n and earth.
R. Lord, what are we that thou shouldst thus regard us! thou hast chosen us in thy Son before the world began; and freely predestinated us into the adoption of thy children; thou hast made us heirs of thy kingdom, and co-heirs with Christ: * O happy we, if we forfeit not these mercys; but labour by good works to make sure our election. Thou hast redeem'd us by the [Page 336] blood of Jesus; and given us in him remission of our sins; thou hast by him reveal'd to us the secrets of heav'n, and promis'd to restore us here to holines, and replenish with our souls the vacant seats among thy glorious Angels. * O happy we—
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy Ghost. * O happy we, if—
Te Deum. as page 16.
Lauds for our B. Saviour.
O God incline, &c. as page 18.
Antiph. Bless our Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me praise his holy Name.
Psal. XCVI.
PRaise our Lord all you Nations of the earth; praise him with the voice of joy and thanksgiving:
Praise him with the well-tun'd strings of your hart; praise him with the sweetest instrument, obedience:
Let every one that pretends to felicity, * sing immortal praises to the God of our salvation:
He is our full and all-sufficient Redeemer; he has perfectly finisht what he graciously undertook:
[Page 337] For all our trespasses he has made satisfaction; for all our forfeitures he has paid the ransom:
We by disobedience were banisht from Paradise; and he has receiv'd us into his own kingdom:
We wandred up and down in the wildernes of error; and he has guided us into the ways of truth:
We were by nature the children of wrath; and he has mediated our peace with his offended Father:
We were become the slaves of sin; and he has bought our freedom with his own blood:
We were in bondage to the dominion of Satan; and he has overcome and confin'd his power:
We were in danger of sinking into hell; and he has sav'd us from that bottomles pit:
The gates of heav'n were shut against us; and he went up himself, and open'd them to all Believers:
Dissolving for ever the terrors of death; and rendring it now but a passage into life.
O dearest Lord, who mad'st us first of nothing; and restor'dst us again when we had made our selvs nothing:
Who wouldst at any rate redeem us from misery; at any rate procure our felicity:
How came we wretches to be so consider'd! how came we sinners to obtain such favour!
[Page 338] That thou shouldst leave thy Throne, where Scraphins ador'd thee; and descend on our earth where slaves affronted thee:
That thou shouldst lead a life of poverty and labour; and dy a death of shame and sorrow.
That thou shouldst do all this for such worms as we; without the least concern or benefit to thy self:
Only to raise us up from our humble dust; and set us to shine with thy glorious Angels.
O infinite Goodnes, the bounteous Author of all: our hopes; and strong Deliverer from all our fears!
What shall we say to this thy excessive charity? what shall we render for these thy unspeakable mercys?
We search over all we have, and find nothing to return thee; but what thy self hast freely given us.
We search over all thou hast given us, and find nothing thou expectest; but that we use thy gifts to make our selvs happy.
O may our souls perpetually bless thee; and every minute of our time be spent in thy service:
Let us not live, O Lord, but to love thee; nor breath, but to speake thy praise; * nor be at all, but to be all Thine.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XCVII.
SIng on, my soul, the praises of the Lord; sing on with fresh attention the mercys of thy God:
Whose wisdom has contriv'd [...]o compendious a method, * to redeem mankind by one short word:
He saw the only cause of all our ruine * was our love misplac't on this present world:
He saw the only remedy of all our misery * was to fix our love on the world to come.
This therefore was his great intent; and in this concentred all his merits:
To change the byass of our wrong-set harts, by establishing among us new motives of charity:
Such as might strongly incline our affections: and efficaciously draw us to love our true Good:
Such as might gain by degrees upon all mankind; and render salvation easie and universal:
For this, he came down from his Fathers bosom, * to teach us the Rules of eternal life:
That we might firmly believe those sacred truths, * which God himself with his own mouth had told us:
For this, he converst so long on our earth, * to encourage and provoke us by his own example:
That he might confidently imbrace those unquestionable [Page 340] vertues; * which God himself in his own Person had practis'd:
For this, he endur'd those sharp and many afflictions; and became at last obedient even to death:
That we might patiently suffer whatever should befal us, * when God himself was so treated by his creatures.
For this, he so often preacht of the joys of heav'n; and set them before us in so clear a light:
That seeing so rich a prize hang at the race's end, we might run and strain our utmost force to gain it:
For this, he ordain'd the Mysterys of grace; and left us a Sacrifice made all of miracles:
That he might breed and nourish in us the life of charity; and ravish our harts with the sweetnes of his presence.
For this, he establisht a perpetual Church; and sent the holy Ghost to inspire and govern it:
That it might flourish for ever in truth and sanctity; and plant the same heav'nly seed over all the world.
For this, he assum'd those strange endearing names * of friend, and brother, and spouse to us wretches:
Doing far more for us then all those names import, * then all our harts can wish.
Blessed, O glorious JESU, be the wisdom of [Page 341] thy mercy, * that has found so sweet and short away to save us.
Thou art, O Lord, the cause of our love; and love the cause of our happiness:
By love we fulfil all thy commands; and by making us love, Thou fulfil'dst all thy Father's:
By love we are reconcil'd from enemys to friends; by love we are translated from death to life:
By love we are deliver'd from the fear of hell; by love we are adopted to be heirs of heav'n:
By love we are dispos'd for that blysful Vision; by love we are secur'd of the enjoyment of our God:
Who by the sole perfection of his own free goodnes, * can never deny Himself to any that love him:
Else would their very loving Him be the cause of their misery; since the misery of a soul is the want of what it loves.
Thus, Lord, whate're thy holy Books record of Thee, in words comporting with our low capacitys:
Whate're they say of thy Restoring all things; and Repairing again the ruines of mankind:
All is exactly verify'd by this one line, which may our thankful harts repeat with joy:
[Page 342] Heav'n is attain'd by love alone; and love alone by Thee.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. XCVIII.
STil, O my soul, let us sing a few lines more, * to Him whose mercys are no fewer then infinite:
To Him whose pity took us by the hand; and kindly led us into his own light:
To thee, O blessed JESU, our Lord, our God! who alone art the source of all our happines:
The world, till thou cam'st, sate wrapt in darknes; and few discern'd so much as a shadow of Thee:
They follow'd the appetites of sense and humour; and plac't their felicity in being prosperous here:
Litle considering the life to come; and less the joys that entertain that life.
This was, alas! their miserable state; and worse then this, they had no power to help it:
How could they believe what they never heard; or love what they never believ'd?
How could they desire what they never lov'd; or be glad to receive what they never desir'd?
'Twas thou, O Lord, first taught us our true end, * the blysful Vision of the eternal Deity:
'Twas thou first taught us the true means to [Page 343] attain that end; by a harty love and desire to attain it.
O the blest changes which thy hand has wrought! the happy improvements which thy coming has produc't!
Now every woman and illiterate man * can discourse familiarly of the highest truths:
The Creation of the world, and the Fall of Adam; the Incarnation of God, and Redemption of man:
The Mystery of the Trinity, and Miracle of the Resurrection; the Day of Judgment and State of Eternity.
All these we know, but 'twas Thou, O Lord, who taught'st us; and by thy holy Church first spred them o're the world.
Now thou hast open'd our eys, we plainly see * what unassisted nature could ne're have reacht.
We see, the framing right our affections here * is both cause and measure of our happines hereafter:
If we supremely esteem the Goods of the future life, * we shall find them there and be happy:
If we love heav'n with our whole soul, and press on strongly with all our force:
We shall enter into its glorys with a strange surprizing delight; and possess them for ever in a perpetual extasy.
We see, our souls are made to know, and perfect [Page 344] themselvs by the worthiest objects:
We see, their nature is free and unconfin'd; and nothing can fill them but that which is infinite:
All other knowledges enlarge our facultys; and breed new desire to know stil more:
Which if unsatisfy'd, we yet are miserable; since none can be happy who want their desire.
Only the sight of God fils us to the brim; and infinitely overflows our utmost capacitys:
It fils and overflows all the powers of our souls, * with joy and wonder and unconceivable sweetnes.
O blest and glorious Sight! when wil the happy day appear, * and open to my soul that beauteous prospect!
When, dearest Lord, shall I see Thee face to face! when shall I hartily, at least, desire to see Thee!
Thou art my full and high felicity, * and only and alone sufficient for me:
O make me ardently love Thee, that I may eagerly desire Thee; and eagerly desire Thee, that I may transportedly enjoy Thee!
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Bless our Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me praise his holy Name.
Capit. Ephes. 3.
NOw, to Him who is able to do all things more abundantly then we desire or understand, according to the power that works in us; to Him be glory in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, to all generations world without end, Amen.
Hymn XXX.
[Page 347] Here recite the Antiphon for Benedictus; and the Canticle Benedictus; and the Prayer, as in the Proper of our Saviours Feasts.
But if you voluntarily say this Office on any day that is not some Feast of our Saviour; then use the Antiphon and Prayer following.
Antiphon for Benedictus.
BLessed be thy holy Name O glorious Son of God, and blessed be thy mercy for ever: thou hast perfectly fulfil'd all thy Prophets foretold, and infinitely transcended all the wonders they admir'd: thou hast done enough to convince us into faith, and suffer'd too much to inflame us with thy love; Blessed be thy holy Name, O glorious Son of God, and blessed be thy mercy for ever, alleluia.
Benedictus, &c. as Page 27.
O Lord hear our Prayers.
And let our Supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
MOst gracious Lord, who so loved'st the world that thou gavest thy self to redeem it, and humbly took'st upon thee our low nature, that thou might'st familiarly teach us the truth of salvation, and invincibly fortify us against all persecution, and efficaciously draw us after thee into thine own Kingdom, by thy holy life, and precious death, and glorious resurrection! Grant us, we beseech thee, so to meditate [Page 348] these ifinite mercys, and fill our whole souls with the memory of this love, that we may live in thy obedience, and dy in thy favour, and rise again to rejoyce with thee for ever in thy glory; Who with the Father and the holy Ghost liveth and reigneth One God world without end. Amen.
Commemorations, as Page 29.
Vespers for our B. Saviour.
IN the Name as Page 33.
Antiph. Thy judgements, O Lord, we confess are just; but deal, we beseech thee, with thy servants in mercy.
Psal. XCIX.
LIft up thy voice Jerusalem, and be not afraid; say to the Citys of Juda, behold your God:
Behold the Lord your God is come with a strong hand; his reward is with him, and his work before him:
He is come to bring redemption to all the world; and graciously offers it first to you his People:
But you refus'd the Holy One and the Just; and desir'd a murtherer to be granted to you:
[Page 349] Hark with how sweet and eligant a Compassion * thy kind Redeemer complains of thy ingratitude:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophets; and stonest them who are sent to thee.
How often would I have gather'd thy children together: as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, * and thou wouldest not!
O hadst thou known in that thy day the things which belong to thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eys.
Harken once more with what terrible threatnings * thy provident Lord forewarns thee of thy danger.
Gird thee with sackcloth Jerusalem; and ly down in ashes; cover thee with mourning, and bitterly lament:
For the days shal come when thy enemys shal besiege thee; and compas thee about with a trench:
They shal not leave one stone upon another; but beat thee to the ground, and thy children in thee:
Thy people shal be slain by the edge of the sword; and led as slaves into all Countrys;
They shal wander up and down without King or Prince; they shal mourn without sacrifice or altar:
And Jerusalem shal be trodden under feet by [Page 350] the Gentiles; till the fulnes of Nations be accomplisht:
But O, how long Lord holy and merciful, how long! wilt thou be angry with them for ever?
Hast thou not said, he that scatters Israel will gather them again; and keep them as a Shepherd does his flock?
Remember thy antient promises, O Lord! and save the remnant of thy once lov'd Israel:
Take away the veil from before their eys; that they may see thy truth and imbrace it:
Take away the hardnes from their stony harts; that they again may be thy people, and thou again their God:
Then shal they lay aside the garment of mourning, and put on the brightnes which comes from Thee.
They shall celebrate the Jubily of this their greatest Deliverance, and every one sing in that day of joy:
Come let's ascend to the mountain of our Lord; let us learn his ways and walk in his paths:
As 'twas our wickednes to go astray from our God; so now, return'd, let us seek him ten times more:
Too late have we known thee, O thou ancicient Truth! too late have we lov'd thee, O Thou desir'd of all Nations!
We were misled by the error of our fathers; [Page 351] we were abus'd by our own blind passions:
The Kingdom we expected deservs not that name; a short, and vain, and troublesom prosperity:
Thy Dominion, O Lord, is holines and peace; and of thy Kingdom there shal be no end:
Such was the Kingdom thou promisedst to David; Thy Throne will I establish for ever.
Such is the Kingdom thou giv'st to thy Servants; They shal live and reign with Thee for ever.
O make us love, dear Lord, this eternal Kingdom; and all things else shal be added to it.
O make us love this eternal Kingdom; though nothing else should be added to it:
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Thy judgements, O Lord, we confes are just; but deal, we beseech Thee, with thy servants in mercy.
Antiph. Thou art, O Lord, the true light of the world; they who follow Thee walk not in darknes.
Psal. C.
RIse holy Spouse of the Son of God; rise and put on thy robes of joy:
Rise, and shine forth, for thy glory is come; and the splendor of our Lord strikes bright upon Thee:
The Gentils shal walk in the beams of thy [Page 352] light; and Kings in the lustre of thy brightnes:
Lift up thine eys round about, and behold; they gather all together and flock to Thee:
Thy Sons shal come from far; and thy Daughters be nurst at thy side:
Then thou shalt see and flow in abundance; thy hart shal wonder, and be enlarg'd with gladnes:
When the multitude of the Sea shal be converted to Thee; and the strength of the Gentiles submit to thy Laws.
The sons of strangers shal build thy walls; and Princes obey thy commands:
The Nation shal perish that will not serve thee; and the Kingdom be utterly wasted that refuses thee:
The sons of thy afflicters shal bow before thee; and they that despis'd thee kiss thy footsteps:
For our Lord shal be thy everlasting light; and the days of thy mourning shall end in glory:
To thee shal be given the Keys of heav'n; and thou shalt shut and open those eternal doors:
Thy foundation shal be laid on a firm rock; and the gates of hell not prevail against thee:
A way shal be made so direct and plain, that the Passengers, though fools, shal not err therin:
And the Earth shal be filled with the knowledg of our Lord, * as the waters cover the sea.
[Page 353] All this we read, all this we firmly beleeve; for the mouth of our Lord has spoken it:
Heav'n and earth shal pass away; but not a tittle of his Word be disappointed for ever.
Already these sacred Prophecys are in part fulfill'd; abundantly sufficient to assure us of the rest:
Already a Virgin has brought forth a Son; and given him the gracious Name of JESUS:
The Kings of the east have been led to him by a star; and offer'd him gold and frankincense and myrth:
His holy Parents have presented him in the Temple; and the devout Simeon was overjoy'd to see him:
In his tender infancy he fled into Egypt; and the Idols fell down at the presence of a child:
He past his private life in peace and meeknes; and taught a contradicting people in patience and humility:
He confirm'd his doctrin with innumerable miracles; and defended the truth to the last drop of his blood:
He rose again victoriously from the grave; and ascended in triumph to the right hand of his Father.
And there, O glorious JESU mayst thou sit and reign; till all thy enemys becom thy footstool.
Nor has thy judgment slept, O dreadful Lord! [Page 354] but with a swift and terrible vengeance crusht them into ruine:
Jerusalem long since was made a heap of stones; and the children of thy Crucifyers run wandring o're the world.
While thou art thus severe in the predictions of thy justice; thou did'st not forget those of thy mercy:
Thousands of that ingrateful City have acknowledg'd Thee their Lord; thousands of that perverse generation have submitted to thy Scepter:
Whole Nations of the Gentiles have embrac't thy faith; and remotest Islands received thy law.
Blessed for ever be thy Name, O Lord! and blessed be the sweetnes of thy mercy:
Who reveal'st thy self to those that knew thee not; and art found of those that sought thee not:
Who often followest those that fly from thee; and never refusest any that come to thee.
Thou stil exactly perform'st thy part; but we ingrateful wretches, how do we comply with ours?
Where is the profit thou mayst justly require, to answer the care of thy providence over us?
Thou hast planted us, O Lord, in thine own Vineyard; and fenc'd us about with thy holy discpline.
[Page 355] Where is the fruit we should always be bea [...] ing; since good works are never out of season?
Of our selvs, alas, we are dry and barren; and our nature, at best, brings forth nothing but leaves:
O Thou, in whom while we remain we live; and from whom divided we instantly dy:
Curse not, we humbly beg, these fruitless branches; lest they wither away, and be cast into the fire:
Pronounce not against us that dreadfull sentence; Cut them down, why Cumber they the ground?
But mercifully Cut them off from their wild stock? and graft them in Thy self the only true vine.
water, O Lord, our weeds with the dew of heav'n; and bless our low shrubs with thy powerful influence:
So grapes shal grow on thorns; and figs be gather'd on Thistles.
Glory be &c.
Antiph. Thou art, O Lord, the true light of the world; they who follow thee, walk not in darkness.
Antiph. In Thee, O Lord, is all our hope; have mercy on the works of thine own hands.
Psal. CI.
REjoyce in our Lord all you children of Adam, rejoyce in the bounty of his free grace:
No longer now confyn'd to a few choyce Favorites; and the narrow compass of a private Family:
He has thrown down that partition wall; and opened the way of life to all mankind:
That all may beleeve and love him here; and all injoy and be happy in him herafter.
But, O my God, what do we see, * when we look abroad into the wide world?
We see sad effects, but cannot see the cause, * why so many Kingdoms ly miserably wast:
We know, O Lord, thy ways are in the deep abyss; and humbly adore thy secret Counsels:
Only we cannot think on their lamentable condition without pitying their misery, and imploring thy mercy:
Some have not yet so much as heard of thee; & others, who have heard, refuse to entertain thee:
Some who have once acknowledg'd thee, have quite faln away; and others reject what they list, and obey by halfs:
Many even of those who rightly beleeve, * abuse their holy faith by a wicked life:
Thus the for greatst part of wretched mankind; whom thy goodness created to thine own similitude:
[Page 357] Whom thou hast redeem'd with thy precious blood; and design'd to so great and long a happiness:
Still fail, alas, of their true end; and dy in their sins, and eternally perish.
Look down, O Lord, and behold from heav'n; behold from the Habitation of thy holines:
Where is thy Zeal, and the bowels of thy mercy? where are thy promises to thy beloved Son?
Hast thou not said all Nations shal adore Him; and all the Tribes of the earth be blessed in him?
Hast thou not said Thy self, O glorious JESU; If I be exalted, I wil draw all men to me?
Hast thou not given thy Disciples express Commision, * to go into all the world, and Preach to every Creature?
Remember O thou God of everlasting truth! remember, O thou Author and Finisher of our faith!
Remember these thy dear engagements; and graciously acomplish what thou hast mercifully begun:
Visit, O Lord, thine own house first; and thorowly redress what thou findst amiss:
Make our lives holy as thou hast made our faith; and perfectly unite us in the bonds of love:
[Page 358] Kindle in the harts of Kings & the great ones of the world, * an Heroick spirit to advance thy glory:
Enflame the harts of Prelats and the Preists of thy Church, * with a generous Zeal of Conversion of souls:
Convince them all 'tis the end and duty of their place * to improve mankind in vertue and Religion.
One mercy more we humbly beg; which O may thy Providence favorably supply!
Prepare, O Lord, the harts of those that err, * and make them apt to receive the truth:
Then chuse thy burning and thy shining lights; and send them forth over all the world:
Send them, O God of infinite Charity, but send them not alone; * lest they faint by the way, or miscarry in the end;
Go with them Thy self & guide them by thy grace; and crown their labors with thy powerfull blessing:
So shall the humble vallyes be rais'd up; and the stubborn mountains be brought low:
So shal the crooked paths be made direct, and the rough ways smooth and plain:
So shal the glory of God be every where reveal'd; and all flesh see it together.
Happy the times when this shal come to pass; happy the eys that shal see these times.
Come glorious days wherin that Sun shal [Page 359] shine, * which inlightens all at once both the hemisphears:
Come, holy JESU, and make those glorious days: and let no cloud o'recast them for ever:
Come, and in the largest sense maintain thy Title; Be effectively the Saviour of the universal world. Glory be, &c.
Antiph. To Thee, O Lord, we look up for salvation; have mercy on the works of thine own hands.
Capit. Tytus 2.
THe grace of God our Saviour has appeared to all men; instructing us that, denying all iniquity and wordly desires, we should live soberly justly and piously in this present world: expecting the blessed hope, and the coming of the glory of our great God and Saviour JESUS Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself an acceptable people, zealous of good works.
Hymn XXXI.
Here recite the Antiphon for Magn. with the Canticle Magnificat, and the Prayer after it; as in the Proper of our Saviours Feasts.
But if you voluntarily say this Office on any day that is not some Feast of our Saviour, then use the Antiphon and Prayer following.
Antiph. Come all you Nations of the earth, whom the mercy of our Lord has so dearly redeem'd; Come, and, in honour of the divine Son, sing the Canticle of the Blessed Mother, alleluia.
Magnificat. as Pag. 44.
O Lord hear our Prayer,
And let our Supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O Holy and ever-blessed JESU, who, being the eternal Son of God, and most high in the glory of thy Father, vouchsafed'st for us sinners, to be born of an humble Virgin, to be subject to the weaknesses of a litle child, to grow up in a life of privacy and labour, to declare thy self at last the Redeemer of the world, by establishing a perfect law of grace, and confirming it with innumerable miracles, and suffering for it intollerable persecutions even to death it self! Work in us, we humbly beseech thee, the happy effects of all these mercys; that, beleeving in thee, we may imitate thy life; and obeying thy commands, injoy thy promises; who, with the Father and the holy Ghost, livest and reignest, one God world without end, Amen.
Commemorations, as Page. 29.
O Lord hear our Prayers, as Page 29.
Complin for our B. Saviour.
OUr help is in as Pag. 46.
Antiph. Whither, O my God, should we go but to Thee? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
Psal. CII.
REtire now, my soul, from thy Common thoughts, * permitted to entertain thy less serious hours.
Retire, and call thy wandring fancys home; and speedily range them into peace and order:
That thou mayst so be prepar'd to hear thy Lord * invite thee, among the rest, to tast his sweetnes:
Come to me you that labour, and are opprest; and I will refresh you:
Take up my yoke, and learn of me, for I am meek and humble of hart; and you shal find. rest to your souls:
For my yoak is sweet; and my burthen light.
Enough, dear Lord, enough is said, * to draw all the world to thy holy Discipline:
What can be offer'd so agreable to our nature, * too much, alas, inclin'd to pleasure and profit;
What can be offer'd so powerfully attractive; as to make our work delightful, and then reward it?
As to propose an employment like the musick of Churches; devout and sweet and gainful to the performers?
Whither, O my God, should we go, but to thee! Thou hast the words of eternal life:
Thou art our wisest Instructer to know what [Page 364] to do; and only Enabler to do what we know:
Thou art the free Bestower of all we have; and faithful Promiser of all we hope:
Thou kindly calst us; O make us gladly hear thy voice, * and constantly follow it till we come to Thee:
Suffer us no longer to go astray like lost sheep; wandring up and down in our own by-ways:
Suffer us no longer to be distracted among many things * from thee, O Lord, who art but One:
But gather us up from the world into our selvs; then take us from our selvs into Thee:
There to be ravisht with thy holy embraces; there to be feasted with the Antepasts of heav'n:
O how unspeakable are thy sweetnesses, O Lord; which thou hast hid for those who fear Thee!
Which thou hast partly reveal'd to those who love Thee; * and keep their tasts uncorrupted with the world.
But O, what are they then to those who see Thee; and in that sight see all things else!
To those who rejoyce perpetually before Thee; and in that joy find all joys else.
O beauteous truth, which known inforces love; and lov'd begets felicity!
Live thou for ever in my faithful memory; and be my constant guide in all my ways:
Stil let me think on those joys above; and [Page 365] undervalue all things compar'd to my salvation:
Stil let me think on my Saviours love, that purchas'd for me all those joys.
O my ador'd Redeemer, be Thou the masterwish of my hart; the scope and end of all my time:
Soon as I wake, let me look up to Thee; and when I rise, first lowly bow to Thee:
Often in the day let me call in my thoughts to Thee; and when I go to rest cloze up mine eys in Thee:
So shal my time be govern'd by thy grace; and my eternity corwn'd with thy glory.
Antiph. Whither, O my God, should we go but to Thee? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
I look not, O Lord, to be pardon'd without repentance; but I hope thy grace to make me repent.
Psal. CIII.
MY God when I remember those words of Thine; Repent, for the Kingdom of heav'n is at hand:
When I consider they were the first thou spak'st in publick; the chosen text of the Eternal Wisdom:
Instantly I'm struck with the importance of the duty; and deeply affected with the power of the motive.
[Page 366] If what this last line says be not wholy true; but repeated in course, as a form of devotion:
Forgive, dear Lord, the de [...]eitfulness of my hart; and make me think as well as say my prayers:
Make me apply those searching words to my self; and bind them fast on my own soul:
Repent, O my soul! for the Kingdom of heav'n is at hand; repent, for the Kingdom of heav'n depends on thy repentance.
Vnhappy me! I cannot live without sin; nor hope for pardon without due repentance.
I cannot repent without the grace of God; nor obtain his grace, without his own free gift:
O my sweet Saviour JESU, who cam'st not to call the just; but such as I am, sinners, to repent!
Since I am not strong enough to be perfectly innocent; at least, make me humble enough to be truly penitent:
Make me hartily sorry for what I have done amiss; and not do again what will make me sorry:
Wo to the day and hour wherin I sin'd; wo to the many days and hours I have foolishly mispent:
Or rather, wo to me, who abuse my days and hours, * allow'd by thy goodnes to work out my salvation.
Deliver me O Lord, from the punishments I [Page 367] deserve; deliver me from the sins that deserve those punishments:
Teach me that safe and easy method * of censuring my self, to be acquitted by Thee:
Every night let me sit as an impartial judg; and call before me all my day:
Let me severely examine every thought and word; and strictly search every deed and omission:
Condemning my offences to their just penance; and making more firm and wary resolvs:
Imploring for the past the mercy of heav'n; and for the time to come, the same unbounded mercy.
If I perhaps find some litle thing well done, * when weigh'd with the allowance indulg'd our frailty;
Let me return all the glory to my God; and beg his grace to continue and improve it.
H [...] is the hand that sews the seed; h [...] is the blessing that gives the increase.
Thus let me once a day, at least, look home; and seriously inquire into the state of my soul:
What ere my weaknes or malice may have done; let me now undo with a harty contrition:
Let not the sun go down upon my wrath, nor on any other unrepented sin:
Still let me write at the foot of my account, * [Page 368] Reconcil'd to my God, and in charity with all the world:
Then go to bed with a quiet conscience; and fall asleep in peace and hope.
Glory be &c.
Antiph. I look not O Lord, to be pardon'd without repentance; but I hope thy grace to make me repent.
Antiph. Since where my treasure is, there will my hart be, O make me place my treasure where my hart ought to be.
Psal. CIV.
LOrd, e're I take my leave of this Holy day, * which thy Church has sanctify'd in honor of thy memory:
Let me repeat some few words more * of those incomparable many thou hast left among us:
Let me attentively mediate their substantial sense; and settle them as Principles of my life and action:
Lay not up for your selvs treasures on earth, * where rust and moth corrupt, and Theeves break thorow and steal:
But lay up for your selvs treasures in heav'n, * where neither rust nor moth corrupt, nor Theeves break thorow and steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your hart be also.
[Page 369] Go now, you curious, and study what you please; for me, Ile stay, and listen to my Saviour:
He'l teach me high and sure and useful truths; he'l teach me truths that will make me happy:
Hark but this one word more, and you'l stay too; if any sense of your eternal good can hold you:
Hark how he kindly tels us this new and glorious Secret; we shal be herafter like the Angels in heav'n:
O sweet and precious word to them that relish it; and thorowly digest its strong nourishment:
To them that feed on't often as their dayly bread; we shal be hereafter like the Angels in heav'n:
And what, O dearest Lord, are those blessed Angels, * but spirits that know and love and delight for ever:
Such, O my soul, we shal be, and that sweet life we shal lead; we shal be and live like the Angels in heav'n:
We shal know all that's true, and love all that's good; and delight in that knowledg and love for ever:
No ignorance shal darken us, nor error deceive us; we shal be like the Angels in heav'n:
No cares shal perplex us, nor crosses afflict us; we shal be like the Angels in heav'n:
[Page 370] Our joys shal be full and pure and everlasting; we shal be like the Angels in heav'n.
Cheer thee, my soul, and bless thy bounteous Lord; 'tis by him we shal be like the Angels in heav'n:
Cheer thee, and raise thy hopes yet gloriously higher; we shal be like Himself, for we shal see him as he is.
Antiph. Since where my treasure is there will my hart be; O make me place my treasure where my hart ought to be.
Hymn XXXII.
Capit. 1 Thes. 5.
BUt we who are of the day, let us be sober, having on us the brest-plate of faith and charity; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation; for God has not appointed us to wrath, but to the purchasing salvation thorow Jesus Christ our Lord, who dyed for us, that whither [Page 372] we wake or sleep, we might live together with Him.
Antiph. By seeking our selvs in this world of vanity, we lose both thee, O Lord, and our own souls: by seeking our selvs in Thee and thy love, we find both Thee and our own happines: injoying already a sweet possession of hopes, to end e're long in a sweeter fruition of glory.
V. Thou art, O Lord, the free bestower of all we have:
R. Thou art the faithful Promiser of all we expect.
O Lord hear our Prayers,
And let our Supplications come to thee.
Let us pray.
O Blessed JESU. whose sacred Body, after thou hadst finisht in it the work of our redemption, was taken down from the Cross; and after a short repose in the Sepulcher, was rais'd again to a glorious immortality: Grant us, we beseech thee, so frequently to renew in our minds the memory of thy grave, that we always be prepar'd for our own; and so seriously to reflect on the consequences of a holy death, that every day we grow less affected to this transitory life, and more in love with thy eternal joys, who with the Father and the holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God world without end, Amen.
Vouchasfe, &c. as Pag. 54. to the end.
Office of the Holy Ghost, Matins.
Introduction, as pag. 1.
Psal. CV.
Invitatory. Come, let's adore our God that sanctifys us. Come, let's adore our God that sanctifys us.
COme let us humbly first implore his grace, to make us worthy to adore our Sanctifier; who from the Father and the Son eternally proceeds, and with the Father and the Son is equally glorifyed.
Come, let's adore our God that sanctifys us.
He infuses into us the breath of life, and brings us forth in our second birth: a birth that makes us heirs of heav'n, and gives us a title to everlasting happines.
Come, let's adore our God that sanctifys us.
Let us prepare our understandings to assent to his truths, and our wills to follow his divine inspiratons: let us fil our memorys with his innumerable mereys, and our whole souls with the glory of his Attributes.
Come, let's adore our God that sanctifys us.
Let us confidently addres to Him our petitioNs, [Page 374] who promises to help the infirmity of our pray'rs; let us not doubt the bounty of his goodnes, but hope he will grant what Himself inspires to ask.
Come, let's adore our God that sanctifys us.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, both now, and ever, * world without end, Amen.
Come, let's adore our God that sanctifys us.
Come, let's adore our God that sanctifys us.
Hymn XXXIII.
Antiph. In those days, saith our Lord, I wil pour out my spirit upon all flesh, Alleluja, Alleluja.
Psal. CVI.
LOrd, with how sweet and natural a conduct * does thy Providence govern the children of men!
Leading them on from one degree to another; till thou hast brought them up to their highest perfection.
Thou putst them to learn in the school of [Page 376] Vertue; and disposest their capacity's into several forms:
In the first ages, when the world was young, * thou gav'st them for their guide the book of Nature.
There thy divine assistance helpt them to read * some few plain Lessons of their duty to Thee:
They saw this admirable frame of creatures; and as far as these could argue, they could conclude;
Sure ther's a God, the cause of all things; sure ther's a Providence the disposer of all things:
He must be powerful that made so vast a world; he must be wise that contriv'd such excellent works:
He must be goodnes it self that did all this for us; and we ingrateful wretches if we'l do nothing for Him.
Thus far some few could say, and very few could do; with those slender assistances they then injoy'd.
After thou gav'st thy people a written Rule; which train'd them up in a set form of discipline:
Which grew and spred into a publick Religion, and uniformly profest by a whole Nation.
They had some weak conceit of the Kingdom of heav'n; and some imperfect means to bring them thither:
[Page 377] But for those high supernatural Mysterys, * that so gloriously exalt the Christian faith:
They all, alas, were blind or in the dark; and dangerously expos'd to the effects of their ignorance:
Wanting those clear instructions to know their End; wanting those powerful motives to love their God.
Yet this prepar'd them for the times of Grace, * to which thy mercy, O Lord, reserv'd far greater favours:
To which thou hadst promis'd by thy holy Prophets * an effusion of blessings from thine own full hands:
I will put my Law in their bowels, and write it in their harts; I will be their God, and they shal be my People:
I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shal prophesy:
They shal teach no more every one his Neighbor; for all shal know me, from the greatest to the least.
O merciful Lord, who hast lov'd us from the begining, be graciously pleased to love us to the end.
Pity the unhappy state of faln mankind, which neither nature nor law could bring to perfection.
If any riper souls came forward to the birth; there wanted spirit to bring them forth:
[Page 378] But O, send out thy spirit, O Lord, and they shal be created; and from their nothing of sin rais'd to the life of holines.
Send out thy spirit and renew the face of the earth; and our weeds and our thorns shal be turn'd into a Paradise.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. In those days saith our Lord, I will pour out my spirit upon all Flesh: alleluia, alleluia.
Antiph. When He ascended on high he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men, alleluia, alleluia.
Psal. CVII.
LOok up languishing world, look up, and see * how punctually thy faithful Lord performs his word:
When he had finisht here that glorious work * which his goodnes undertook for our redemption:
When he had told us what we ought to do, and what to suffer for the Kingdom of heav'n:
When he himself had done more then he requir'd of us; and suffer'd more then our boldest hopes could expect of Him:
When he had wrought our salvation so far, that he saw his absence more expedient for us:
He first prepares the harts of his Disciples; and comforts their sorrows with these sweet words:
[Page 379] Children, I will not leave you Orphans; * but will pray to my Father, and he shal give you another Comforter:
Even the Spirit of truth, who shal teach you all things; and bring to your remembrance whatever I have said.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you; let not your hart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.
I go to my Father, and to your Father; to my God, and to your God:
I go to prepare a place for you; that where I am, there may my followers be.
This said, He led them forth together, and gave them his blessing, and parting from them went away into heav'n.
So loving Mothers, when the weaning time is come, withdraw themselvs from their beloved Children:
But while they thus deprive their tender litle Ones * of their own most dear and all-supplying presence:
They stil depute some faithful friend to assist them; for though they leave 'em, they mean not to forsake 'em:
Such and far greater was the care of our God; as his love is far greater then that of Mothers.
He saw it necessary for so mysterious a faith; to be shewn in a clear and supernatural light to the first Beleevers.
[Page 380] That they might confidently recommend to others * what they knew so infallibly was certain to themselvs.
He saw it necessary for so perverse a world; to infuse into its first Converters the fulnes of Charity:
That with an ardent zeal they might instruct their hearers; and with a patient courage overcome their opposers.
He saw it necessary for such variety of Nations; to furnish his Preachers with variety of Tongues:
That they might teach every one in their native speech; and understand their doubts▪ and satisfy their objections.
Wherefore, when the appointed time was come; as all the works of God go forth in their fittest season:
When the Disciples were gather'd together in one mind and place; and so excellently dispos'd for the visits of heav'n:
When they had long continued in ardent Prayer; and wrought [...] their affections to the utmost point of desire.
Behold a sound rushes suddenly down from above; whence every good and perfect gift descends:
Behold a vehement wind fills the whole house; for the grace of God is strong and liberal:
[Page 381] Behold on the head of each sits a tongue as of fire; the properest inablements to convert the world:
While they were all illuminated with a pure light: and while they were inflam'd with a fervent heat
And to communicate both to every Nation: were all indued with the gift of languages.
Thus was the promise of our Lord fulfill'd; thus were the Messengers of everlasting peace prepar'd:
Miraculously baptiz'd with the holy Ghost and with fire; and perfectly qualify'd for their great commission.
To preach to every creature this happy Gospel; he that beleevs and is baptiz'd shal be sav'd.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men: alleluia, alleluia.
Antiph. This is our Lords doing, and it is wonderful in our eys. alleluja, alleluja.
Psal. CVIII.
HOw glorious is thy grace, O Lord, over all the world! how admirable the influence of thy holy spirit!
They who through dulnes so slowly understood * the often repeated Lessons of their divine Master:
Now with the first swist glance they see [Page 382] through all; and no Mystery can pose them, nor error deceive them.
They who through fear forsook their Lord; and fled all away from the danger of being His:
Now they rejoyce in suffering for his Name; and neither life nor death can forbid them to confess him:
They who knew only their Mother-tongue; and that no better then as simple Fishermen:
Now speak to every Nation in their several language; and with their powerful eloquence ravish their harts.
They who, even after our Saviours resurrection, * shut fast the dores for fear of the Jews:
Now in the open streets and publick Synagogs, they confidently proclaim the Name of JESUS.
These were new bottles fill'd with new wine, that made them quite forget their former selvs:
Wine that exalted them into a generous spirit * of despising all things for love of JESUS:
Wine that, in the midst of racks and prisons, * made 'em often break forth into that sweet extasy:
No joy like the pain of suffering for JESUS; no life like the death indur'd for his love.
O were there now such tongues of fire, to kindle in the world those divine flames!
O were there now such harts in the world, to receive the holy sparks that fall from heav'n!
[Page 383] The Prince of the Apostles preacht but one Sermon; and immediately converted three thousand souls:
He preacht again, and wrought but one miracle; and five thousand more were added to the Church.
Thus every day they increast in number; and which was better, their number increas'd in Vertue:
They were inebriated with the same heav'nly wine; and fill'd with the same heroick spirit:
They sold all they had, and brought the price, * and laid it down at the Apostles feet:
They liv'd in common, and cal'd nothing their own; and even in their will and understanding, they were all united:
Every one had enough, and that's to be rich; none had too much, and that's to be free:
Free from the cares that perplex the welthy; free from the tentations that wait on superfluity.
Hadst thou been there, my soul, to have seen * the flaming ardours of those first Converts:
Imagine at least, and know, thy utmost fancy * is far below what they really practis'd:
O how devoutly did they visit those holy places, where our blessed Lord had shed his blood!
The garden where he pray'd, and the hal [...] where he was condemn'd; the mountain where [Page 384] he suffer'd, and the sepulcher where he was bury'd:
At every station they fel down on their knees and faces; and ador'd, & meditated, and pray'd:
They pray'd, and mingled with their prayers their tears; they wept and mingled with their tears their complaints.
Ah, dearest Lord! why were not we so happy * to be conuerted by Thee while thou dweld'st among us?
Why not entertain salvation when thou brought'st it to our homes; and preferd'st our litle nation before all the world?
Vnhappy we, how came this misery to pass, * that many of us look't on thy miracles, and saw them not!
Before our eys thou gav'st sight to the blind; and our souls were darkned with sin and prejudice.
Thou did'st cleanse the leprous, and heald all manner of deseases; thou did'st raise the dead, and cast out divels with thy word:
Yet we, alas, how many of us blasphem'd thy name; how many conspir'd with thy bloody crucifyers!
Spare us, O Lord; have mercy on us O JESU; for we knew thee not to be the Lord of glory.
Blessed be thy holy spirit, who has open'd our eys; and made us see through the veil that ecclipst us.
[Page 385] Now we beleeve Thee the Messias we expected; now we acknowledg Thee the King of Israel.
Such were the fervours of those happy times; and O how happy were our times had we those fervours!
But ours are become miserable by schisms and heresys; and the darknes that covers a great part of the earth:
Ours are become miserable by the unfruitful lives * and scandalous examples of too many Christians:
Too many, alas, yet, even the gates of hell * can ne're prevail against the power of God:
Stil the same spirit governs the world; and keeps alive the same primitive fire:
Stil there are harts ful of the holy Ghost; ful of that ravishing wine of divine love:
Stil there are souls who renounce all they have; and take up their cross and follow our Lord.
Stil there are fiery tongues kindled by the breath of heav'n; who carry their sacred flames into every Nation:
Stil the Apostolick Church is true to its name; and sends abroad her burning and her shining lights.
Stil the Almighty Goodnes is true to his Church; and conservs it one and holy and universal.
[Page 386] O keep us, blessed Spirit, in this thy fold of grace; and bring the whole world into one flock:
That all may be of the same mind here; and all enjoy the same happines herafter.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. This is our Lords doing; and it is wonderful in our eys, Alleluja, Alleluja.
Our Father, &c.
First Lesson, Jo. 14.
AMen, amen, I say to you, he that beleevs in me, the works that I do, he also shal do; and greater then these shall he do, because I go to the Father; and wharever you shal ask in my name, I wil do; that the Father may be glorify'd in the Son. If you love me keep my Commandments; and I wil ask the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete to abide with you for ever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, nor knows Him; but you know Him, for he shal abide with you and be in you.
Resp. Blessed be thy merciful Providence, O JESU! who when thon hadst finisht thy great work on earth, ascendedst into heav'n to draw up our minds even thither after Thee, Alleluja. * That where our happines is, there might our harts be also, Alleluja, Alleluja. Blessed be thy infinite goodnes, O dear Redeemer! who, when [Page 387] thou hadst taught us the words of eternal life, [...]entst down the holy Ghost, to make us observe them, and raise up our affections to that glorious Kingdom whether thou art gone before us, Alleluja, * That
Second Lesson, Acts. 2.
WHen the days of Pentecost were accomplisht, they were all together in once place; and suddenly there was made a sound from heav'n as of a vehement wind coming, and it fill'd the whole house where they were siting: and there appear'd to them parted tongues, as it were of fire, and sate upon each of them; and they were replenisht with the holy Ghost, and began to speak with divers tongues, according as the holy Ghost gave them to speak. And there were dweling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, of every Nation under heav'n: and when this noise was made, the multitude came together, and was astonisht in mind; because every one heard them speak in his own tongue the wonderful works of God.
Resp. Thus were the words of the Prophets fulfil'd, and the promises of our Saviour perform'd, and the faith of the Christian Church miraculously begun: Alleluja. * O may it stil go on and increase, and multiply, til every Nation speak in their own tongues the wonderful works of God, Alleluja, Alleluja. Govern O [Page 388] blessed Spirit the Church thou so wonderfully hast establisht, govern it with thy special grace, and always preserve it in obedience to Thee, and us in obedience to it. Alleluja, * O may—
Third Lesson, Acts 4.
ANd the multitude of Beleevers had one hart and one soul: nor did any say that ought was his own of what he possest, but all was common to them. And the Apostles with great power gave testimony to the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord; and great grace was in them all: nor was there any one needy among them; for as many as were owners of lands of houses sold them, and brought the price of what they sold, and laid it at the feet of the Apostles: and to every one was divided, as every one had need.
Resp. O happy life! O heav'n upon earth! this is the blest effect of the fire of the true Spirit, which warms without scorching, and shines without smoking, and inlightens without consuing: Kindle in our harts, O Lord, this holy fire of meeknes and peace and unity; * That all the world may know whose Disciples we are, by seeing us love one another, Alleluja. But O deliver us from the contrary fire, the fire of the false spirit; that scorches without warming, and smokes without shining, and consumes without inlightening: deliver us from [Page 389] schism and heresy, and every least uncharitable passion: * That all the —
Glory be, &c. *That all the —
Lauds for the Holy Ghost.
O God incline, &c. as Page 18.
Antiph. Kindle in our harts, O Lord, thy holy fire; that we may offer to thee the incense of praise: Alleluja.
Psal. CIX.
COnsider now, my soul, the mercys of thy God; consider the wonders he has wrought for the children of men.
The eternal Father created us of nothing; and set us in the way to everlasting happines:
The eternal Son came down from heav'n to seek us; and restor'd us again when we had lost our selvs:
The eternal spirit sends his grace to sanctify us; and gives us strength to walk that holy way.
Thus every Person of the sacred Trinity * has freely contributed his peculiar blessing:
And All together as one co-infinite Goodnes, * have graciously agreed to compleat our felicity.
[Page 390] But O ingrateful we! was it not enough, * to receive of our God all we have and are?
Was it not enough that the Son of God should come down; and live to teach us, and dy to redeem us?
Was not all this enough to make us love? and love is all he aim'd at, and love is all we needed.
Let us confess to thee O mercifull Lord: let us confess to thee our miserable condition;
Such was, alas, the corruption of our nature; and so many and strong the rentations round about us:
That without this thy last miraculous favour * of sending the holy Ghost to guide and quicken us:
We should have still remain'd in our old dull pace; slow to understand, and slower to obey.
We should have quite forgotten our God that made us; and neglected the service of our Lord that bought us:
Had not thy fulnes been readily furnisht * with one blessing more to bestow on thy children:
Ha'dst not thou providently reserv'd a better blessing, then the dew of the clouds and fatnes of the earth:
Better then plenty of corn and wine, * or the multitude of posterity, or dominon o're our Brethren.
[Page 391] These were the great rewards of the old Law: but behold far greater then these are here.
Divine refreshments from the heav'n of heav'ns, and the rare delicious fruits of the holy Ghost:
Meeknes and peace and joy diffus'd in our brests; strength and undaunted courage kindled in our harts:
A thousand sweet imbraces of the Spouse of Souls; a thousand dear pledges of his everlasting love.
These are the great rewards of the law of grace; and given to prepare us for the Kingdom of glory.
O blessed Spirit, who bestow'st thy favours as thou pleasest; and the more thou hast given, stil the more thou giv'st!
Fit and dispose thy servants first to entertain thee; then graciously vouchsafe to descend into our harts:
Fil us, O holy Ghost, and our litle Vessels; and as thou fil'st us inlarge our capacitys:
Make us, the more we receive of thee, stil grow in desire of receiving more:
Til we ascend to those satisfying joys above; where all our facultys shal be stretcht to the utmost:
Where they shal all be fil'd to the brim; and overflow'd with a torrent of pleasure for ever.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. CX.
Blessed for ever be thy name O holy Spirit; and blessed be the bounty of thy goodnes.
When the eternal Father, by creating the world, * had declar'd Himself and his almighty Power:
When the Increated Word, by redeeming mankind, * had reveal'd Himself and his infinite Wisdom:
When now there remain'd but one seal more * to be open'd of the Book of divine Mysteryes:
Behold a strange condescendance to our weak nature; the invisible Spirit visibly appears:
He descends from heav'n in the shape of a doue and gently lights on the Prince of peace
Again he descends in the liknes of fire; and miraculously sits on the heads of the Disciples:
Mingling thus together into one blest compound * those cheif ingredients of excellent vertue:
Mildnes to allay the heat of zeal; and zeal to quicken the indifferency of mildnes:
Innocence to adorn the light of knowledg; and knowledg to direct the simplicity of innocence.
O blest and admirable Teacher! who can instruct like the spirit of God!
He needs no years to finish his course; but with a swift and effecacious touch consummates all things:
[Page 393] He entred the soul of a young delighter in musick; and presently sanctify'd him into a Composer of Psalms:
He took a poor shepherd from following the flock; and immediatly rais'd him to the degree of a Prophet:
He by one lesson perfected the Disciples; and polisht rude fishermen into eloquent Prechers.
He toucht the hart of a persecuting Pharisee; & instantly chang'd him into a glorious Apostle:
All this thou hast done O infinite Goodnes! and all we do is wrought in us by thee:
By thee we are regenerated at first in our baptism; by thee confirm'd in the imposition of hands:
By thee we are heal'd in the Sacrament of Penance; by thee prepar'd for that banquet of the bread of Angels:
By thee thy choycer servants are consecrated into Priests; by thee our marriages are sanctifyed into blessings:
By thee our souls are comforted on our beds of sicknes; and by thy holy vnction all our life is govern'd.
If in the Church be any wisdom or knowledg; if any real sanct [...]ty or decent order:
If any faith of the mysterys of religion; if any hope of everlasting salvation:
If any love of God as our soverain bliss; if any mutual charity of one towards another:
[Page 394] If any miracles to convert unbelievers; or quicken devotion in such as faintly beleeve:
All flows from Thee; and thy free grace; O thou boundles Ocean of eternal mercys!
All flows from Thee; and may we all return * our litle streams in tribute to thy bounty!
May every favour thou offer'st be thankfully receiv'd; and every talent thou bestow'st diligently improv'd:
So shal we faithfully perform our duty; and render to thy grace its just glory:
While whate're we have, we acknowledge from thee; and whate're thou giv'st us is not in vain.
Glory be, &c.
Psal. CXI
STil let us sing, O blessed Spirit, to Thee; let us humbly sing these few lines more:
To Thee, the eternal Love of the Father and the Son; and glorious Finisher of that sacred Mystery:
To Thee, the quickning Spirit of regenerate Souls; in whom they live and move and have their being:
To Thee, the soveraign Balsom of our wounds; and only Comfort of all our sorrows:
To Thee, our Refuge in this place of banishment; and faithful Guide in this wandring pilgrimage.
[Page 395] To Thee the sacred Pledg of our free adoption; and ensuring Seal of our eternal Salvation:
What do we say, O thou adorable Spirit of God! what do we say when we utter such words as these!
We say what we can in our low capacity; but alas, how short of thy unspeakable excellencys!
O that we had the tongues of Saints and Angels! O that we had thine own miraculous tongues!
Those which sate flaming on the heads of the Apostles; and made them speak thy wonders in every language:
Stil all our praises would be poor and narrow; stil infinitely less then thy more then infinite perfections.
But, if we cannot speak as our God deservs; shal we hold our peace, which our God forbids?
Wo be to them, O Lord, who are silent of Thee; and spend the breath thou giv'st them on any but Thy self.
O thou who openest the mouths of the dumb; and makest the tongues of children eloquent!
Inspire thy servants, if not with expressions suitable to Thee; at least with such as are profitable to us:
Such as may instruct us what we ought to do; such as may move us to do what we say.
And when we have try'd our best endeavours; [Page 396] and taken measure of our own defects:
Let us beg this charity of thy Blessed above, to supply our weaknes with their worthier hymns.
Praise the eternal Spirit, O thou Queen of Saints! by whom the world's Redeemer was conceiv'd in th [...] womb:
By whom thou wert made the Mother of the Son of God; so high a favour to thee, and so happy to us.
Praise him all you Quires of rejoycing Angels, whose early grace confirm'd you in glory.
Praise him you reverend Patriarks, whose ways he govern'd; and by particular providence led you to felicity.
Praise him you ancient Prophets, whose souls he inspir'd * to teach his chosen People the mind of heav'n.
Praise him you glorious Apostles, whose persons he empowr'd * to be Embassadors of peace betwixt heav'n and earth.
Praise him you generous Martyrs, whose spirits he encourag'd; and gave you victory o're the terrors of death:
Praise him you blessed Confessors, whose lives he sanctify'd; and gave you victory o're the world and your selvs.
Praise him you holy Virgins, whose souls he espous'd; and consecrated your chast bodys into Temples for himself.
Praise him you faithful departed, whose hope [Page 397] he sustains; and will at last bring you to full fruition.
Praise him all you Elect, in your several happy states; bless him, and magnify him for ever.
Praise him in the power and freedom of his grace; praise him in the greatnes and eternity of his glory.
Praise him, O my soul, for his mercys to thee: praise him for his goodnes to all the world.
Praise him on thy choicest instrument, that of thy hart; praise him in thy best words, those of the Church.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Kindle in our harts, O Lord, thy holy fire; that we may offer to Thee the incense of praise: Alleluja:
Capit. Rom. 8.
WE are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh: for if you live according to the flesh you shal dy; but if by the spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shal live. For, whoever are led by the spirit of God are the sons of God; and if sons, then heirs: heirs truly of God, and coheirs of Christ; if we suffer with him, to be also glorifyed with him.
Hymn XXXIV.
Antiph. Come holy Spirit, the free Dispenser of all graces, visit the harts of thy faithful servants, and replenish them with thy sacred inspirations: illuminate our understandings, and inflame our affections, and sanctify all the facultys of our souls; that we may know, and love, and constantly do the things that belong to our [Page 400] peace, our everlasting peace: Alleluja, Alleluja.
Recite the Canticle Benedictus, as page 27.
Then, repeat this Antiphon, &c.
O Lord hear our prayers.
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who miraculously sent'st down the holy Ghost to supply the absence of thy Son, and comfort his hartless Followers, and instruct them in all things necessary to their great work, the conversion of the world! Grant, we humbly beseech thee, that our devout commemorating those fiery tongues which sate on each of their heads, and produced such glorious effects, may increase the fervour of our harts to continue and attest, by all fruits of grace, the same spirits stil abiding with us; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee in the unity of the same blessed Spirit, lives and reigns one God world without end. Amen.
Commemorations, &c. as page 29.
Vespers for the holy Ghost.
IN the name, &c. as Pag. 33.
Antiph. We are not our own, but the temples of the holy Ghost; let us dedicate our selvs entirely to his service.
Psal. CXII.
COme let us now again prepare our harts; and humbly offer this our evening sacr [...]ce:
Let us clear our heads of all other thoughts; that fil us, at best, with nothing but emptines:
Let us remember our God is a pure Spirit; and delights to dwel in a clean tabernacle:
He wil not enter a soul that's subject to [...]in▪ nor stay where he finds his grace neglected:
If he vouchsafe us the blessing of a visit; and O how heav'nly sweet and ravishing is his presence!
Let us open wide our bosoms to receive him; and summon all our powers to come and entertain him.
Come, my understanding, and bring all thou know'st; all that enlightens thee in the way to felicity:
Come, my Wil, and call in all thy loves; and contract them into one, and setle it here for ever:
Come, my Memory, with all thy swarm of notions; and forget them all but what concerns thy eternity:
Come, my whole Soul, with these thy facultys about thee; and prostrate adore the eternal Spirit:
Behold, he now is with us, and sits in our [Page 402] harts, as on his throne; * to receive our petitions, and give us his blessings:
He never will forsake us, if we chace him not away; but guide and comfort us with his holy inspirations:
Come then, and with devoutest reverence attend; and hear what the Lord our God wil say.
He leads us thus into retirement and silence; and there familiarly speaks to our heart:
Tel me, O you design'd for everlasting happines; tel me now freely, for none shall interrupt us:
What do you chiefly delight to think on? and what do you aim at in all those thoughts?
Consider wel the question I propose; and when you have examined your selvs, give me your answer.
O thou our merciful though offended God! behold thus low we bow our guilty heads:
Blushing for shame to see our folly; and so much the more because we see our duty:
Happy were we, could we still be thinking on Thee; and raise all those thoughts into desires to be with thee:
Happy were we could we always feel those fervours, * of which somtimes thou inspirest a litle spark:
O were that spark kindled into a fire, and that fire blown up into a continual flame!
[Page 403] But we, alas, are hot and cold by fits; and, which is worse, our cold fit is the longer.
Some few half hours we spend in pray'r; and many whole days in idlenes and vanity:
Somtimes we bestow a litle on the poor; and often throw away a great deal on our passions:
Somtimes we deny and mortify our selvs; but far more often obey our sensual appetites:
Somtimes we are drawn by thy grace to do one good work; and seduc'd by our nature to a thousand iniquitys.
Thus we confes to thee, O Lord our God! who perfectly seest every corner of our harts:
Thus we confes to thee, not that thou may'st know us; but that we may know our selvs, and thou may'st cure us.
Cure us, O thou great Physician of our souls! cure us of all our sinful distempers:
Cure us of this aguish intermitting piety; and fix it into an even and constant holines:
O make us use religion as our regular diet; and not only as a single medicine in a pressing necessity:
Make us enter into a course of harty repentance; and practise vertue as our daily exercise:
So shal our souls be endu'd with a perfect health; and dispos'd for a long, even everlasting life.
Glory be, &c.
[Page 404] Antiph. We are not our own, but the temples of the holy Ghost: let us dedicate our selvs intirely to his service.
Antiph. Quicken us by thy grace, O holy Spirit! that we may thorowly mortify the works of the flesh.
Psal. CXIII.
NOw we have begun, permit us, mighty Lord! to speak once more, who are but dust and ashes.
Let us go on and confess to Thee; and open before thee all our miserys.
Such an occasion often endangers us; such a tentation too often overcomes us:
Our own infirmitys are too strong for us; and our ill customs prevail against us:
Every day we resolve to amend; and every day we break our resolutions:
Have mercy on us, O God of infinite compassion! have mercy on us, O thou Comforter of afflicted minds!
Have mercy on us and pardon what is past; have mercy on us, and prevent what is to come.
When e're thou seest us unhappily engag'd; and blindly running on in the ways of death:
O send thy holy grace to check our desperate speed; and make us stay, and look before us:
Shew us the horrid downfal into that bottomles [Page 405] pit; where impenitent sinners are swallow'd up for ever:
Strike our regardles souls with fear and trembling, * at the dreadful sight of so sad a ruine:
Then turn our eys, and kindly set before them * the beauteous prospect of a pious life:
Make us look long and steddily upon it; make us look through, and see beyond it:
Make us delight in the hope it injoys; but incomparably more in the joy it hopes.
A joy which none but thy self can give; none but thy self can make capable to receive.
Give us, O gracious Lord, thou free Beginer, * and perfect Finisher of all vertuous actions!
Give us a right spirit to guide our intentions; that we may aim directly at our true end:
Give us a holy spirit to sanctify our affections; that what we rightly design, we may piously pursue:
Give us an heroick spirit to confirm our harts; that what we piously endeavour, we may couragiously atchieve.
Suffer not the flesh to deceive us any more; but fortify our spirit against all its assaults:
If the flesh grow bold, and insolently demand, * how can you live without those libertys.
Let the spirit answer, their followers are slaves; and the service of God is the only true freedom:
[Page 406] If the flesh alledg, what joy in suffering ills; or doing contrary to our own inclinations?
Let the spirit reply, that the cross of Christ is sweet, and nothing so glorious as the conquest of our selvs:
If the flesh insist, what do you see or hear, * or exercise any sense in, but the things of this world?
Let the spirit immediately enter this protest; and may every experienc'd soul subscribe the truth!
I see its vanity, and feel its vexation; and meet in every thing its falsenes and danger.
Away then flesh and blood, away deceitful world; you cannot enter into the Kingdom of heav'n.
You were created only to serve us in the way; and set us down at our journeys end:
Away with all your fond deluding dreams; be banisht for ever from our awaken'd souls.
Come thou to us blest spirit of faith! and govern our lives with thy holy maxims:
Subdue our sense to the dictates of reason; and perfect our reason with the mysterys of Religion:
Teach us to love and fear what we see not now; as at too great a distance for our short sight:
But what we are sure wil herafter be * our blyss or misery for ever.
Glory be &c.
[Page 407] Antiph. Quicken us by thy grace, O holy Spirit; that we may thorowly mortify the works of the flesh.
Antiph. Deliver us, O gracious God, from every evil spirit; and vouchsafe to give us thine own good spirit.
Psal. CXIV.
LEt not our Lord be angry and wil we speak yet once; for we have much to ask, and he has infinite to give.
We have much to ask for our selvs and all the world; who depend intirely on his free goodnes.
Many O Lord, are the graces we want; and none can give them but thy bounty:
Many are the sins and miserys we are expos'd to; and none can deliver us but thy Providence:
Deliver us, O Lord, from what thou know'st is against us; deliver us from what we know our selvs will undo us.
Deliver us from the spirit of prophaness and infidelity; from the spirit of error and schism and heresy:
Deliver us from the spirit of pride and avarice; from the spirit of anger and sloath and envy:
Deliver us from the spirit of drunkenes and gluttony; from the spirit of lust and wantones and impurity:
[Page 408] Deliver us, O gracious God, from every evil spirit; and vouchsafe to give us thine own good spirit:
Vouchsafe to give us the spirit of fortitude; the spirit of temperance and justice and prudence:
The spirit of wisdom and understanding and counsel; the▪ spirit of knowledg and piety and fear of Thee:
The spirit of peace and patience and benignity; the spirit of humility, sobriety, and chastity:
O Thou who never deny'st▪ thy favours; unles we first deny our obedience:
Thou who art often near us, when we are far From thee; often ready to grant, when we are unmindful to ask:
Refuse not, O Lord, to hear us, now we call on Thee; and make us stil hear Thee when thou cal'st to us.
Fil our understandings with the knowledg of such truths, as may fix them on Thee the eternal Verity:
Inure our wils to imbrace such objects, as may unite them to Thee the soveraign Goodnes:
Shew us the narrow way that leads to life; the way which few can find, and fewer follow:
Guide us stil on in the middle path of vertue; that we never decline to any vicious extreme:
Let not our faith grow wild with superfluous branches; nor bestript into a naked and fruitles trunk:
[Page 409] Let not our hope swel up to a rash presumption; nor shrink away into a faint despair:
Let not our charity be cool'd into a careles indifferency; nor heated into a furious zeal:
But above all suffer us not, O thou blest and holy Spirit! to be guilty of those unpardonable sins against Thy self:
Suffer us not obstinatly to persist in any known wickednes; nor maliciously impugn any known truth:
Suffer us not to dy in our sins without repentance; but O have mercy on us in that serious hour:
Have mercy on us and govern us in our life; have mercy on us, and save us at our death.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Deliver us, O gracious God, from every evil spirit; and vouchsafe to give us thine own good spirit.
Capit. Gal. 5.
NOw, the works of the flesh are manifest; fornication, uncleaness, impudicity, luxury, serving of Idols; witchcrafts, enmityes, contentions, emulations, angers, brawles, dissensions, sects, envies, murders, drunkeness banquetings, and such like: which I foretel you, that they who do such things shal not obtain the Kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodnes, [Page 410] long-suffering, mildnes, faith, modesty, continency, chastity: against such there is no law. And they who are Christs have crucify'd their flesh with its vices and concupiscen [...]es. If we live in the spirit, in the spirit let us walk. Let us not be covetous of vain glory, envying one another, provoking one another.
Hymn XXXV.
Antiph. Blessed be thy name, O holy spirit of God, who dividest thy gifts to every one as thou pleasest, and workest all in all: in Thee our sorrows have a comforter to allay them, and our sins an Advocate to plead for them; in Thee our ignorances have a guid to direct them, & our frailties a Confirmer to strengthen them, and all our wants a God to releeve them, alleluja, alleluja.
[Page 412] Magnificat, &c. as pag. 44.
Repeat the Antiphon. Then—
O Lord hear our pray'rs.
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who by thy holy Spirit didst at first establish and sanctify thy Church, and by the same Spirit dost still preserve and govern it! hear we beseech Thee, the pray'rs of thy servants, and mercifully grant us the perpetual assistance of thy grace, that we never be deceiv'd by any false spirit, nor overcome by the vicious suggestions of flesh and blood; but in all our doubts be directed into the way of truth, and in all our actions guided by thy holy Spirit, who with Thee and thy eternal Son lives and reigns One God world without end, Amen.
O Lord hear, &c. as page 45.
Then say the Complin of the day, for this Office has none of its own.
Office of the SAINTS.
MATINS.
On some particular Sundays, noted in the Proper of Festivals; and on all Holidays of Obligation, before and after every Psalm at Matins, Lauds, Vespers and Complin, say one of the Three Antiphons set down in the Proper of Festivals, that is, each Antiphon eight times in the whole Office of the Day.
Say also the Antiphon (where any proper one is prepar'd) before and after Benedictus and Magnificat: else say the common one, as in the Office.
Then, the Prayer, as in the Proper of Festivals.
The rest of these particular Offices is to be ricited out of the common Offices, as is noted in the Directions, and Proper of Festivals.
Introduction, as pag. 1.
Invitatory. Come let's adore the King of Saints.
Come let's adore the King of Saints.
Psal. CXV.
GReat is the Majesty of the King we serve, and rich the splendors of his Court: o're [Page 414] all the world he sends his commands, and none dare resist or dispute his power.
Come let's adore the King of Saints.
Great is the clemency of our gracious Soveraign, to pardon the offences of repenting sinners: great is the bounty of our glorious Lord, to crown with rewards his faithful servants.
Come let's adore the King of Saints.
Thousands of Saints attend in his presence, and millions of Angels wait on his Throne: all beauteously rang'd in perfect order, all joyfully singing the praises of their Creator.
Come let's adore the King of Saints.
Thou art our King too, blessed JESU; and we, alas! thy unprofitable subjects: we cannot praise Thee like those thine own bright Quires; yet humbly offer our little tribute.
Come let's adore the King of Saints.
Let us bow low our heads to Him, before whom the Seraphins cover their faces: let us bow low our harts to Him, at whose fee [...] the Saints lay down their crowns.
Come let's adore the King of Saints.
Glory be, &c.
As it was, &c.
Come let's adore the King of Saints.
Come let's adore the King of Saints.
Hymn XXXVI.
Antiph. Happy are thy Saints, O Lord! who wisely chose their End; and constantly pursu'd the means to attain it.
Psal. CXVI.
TEl me you eager lovers of the world, what 'tis you aim at in all your pretences?
You weary your bodys with restles labour; and afflict your minds with perpetual care:
[Page 417] Day and night you are still perplext; stil busily plotting to compas your ends:
Tel me what are those ends you so long have sought; and I will tell you what you soon will find.
While they are many they but distract your thoughts; and often engage them to quarrel among themselvs:
One end, and one alone's the way to peace; and on that One must all the rest depend.
'Tis true, and by that rule we guide our lives * whate're we undertake is only to be happy.
'Tis to be happy that we strive to be great; and enrich our selvs by defrauding others:
'Tis to be happy that we run after pleasures; and covet in every thing our own proud wil:
But we, alas! mistake our happines; and foolishly seek where 'tis not to be found
As silly children think to catch the Sun; when they see it setting at so neer a distance:
They travail on and tire themselvs in vain; for the thing they seek is in another world:
Just so we judg, and just so are deceiv'd; when we think to meet with heaven upon earth.
This world, alas! has now no Paradise; but all its fruits are weeds and thorns.
All dangerously mixt with occasions of sin; all sprinkled over with the bitternes of sorrow.
What did we ever passionately love, but stil in the end it made us repent?
[Page 418] Nay the best end was hartily to repent, and learn by our falling to tread more sure.
'Tis not then here we must seek our happines; and yet 'tis happines we all must seek.
Pity us, O Lord, who live below in the dark; stil wishing for rest, but finding none:
Scatter those mists of passion that blind our eys; and shine upon us with thy beauteous light:
Convince us thorowly there's a better world then this; a happier people then those we know:
That we may now begin our journy thither; and fit our selvs for that blessed company.
Glory be, &c
Antiph. Happy are thy Saints, O Lord, who wisely chose their end; and constantly pursu'd the means to attain it.
Antiph. O how glorious is the kingdom of heav'n, where our Lord reigns in the midst of his Saints!
Psal. CXVII.
IF thus our nature tend to happines; there's sure some happines to content our nature.
Sure the All-wise Creator has provided means, to satisfy the appetites which himself has made.
Doubt not, my soul, the bounty of thy Lord; but turn all thy fear on thine own unworthines:
[Page 419] Look up, and see a rich delicious Land; that flows with sweeter streams then milk and hony:
Look up, and see a glorious City, incomparably braver then the Courts of Kings:
Behold the blessed Angels shining on their thrones; and all the holy Saints triumphing with their hymns.
Behold the glory wherewith their Lord has crown'd them, in the solemn day of their Espousals with Himself.
Look up, and see a more exalted seat; and on it one far brighter then the rest, the Queen of all those Saints and Angels; the Virgin-Mother of the Son of God:
Look up yet higher, O my soul, and see * the sacred Humanity of thy deer Redeemer:
That blessed JESUS, who dy'd for us on the Cross; and now invites us to partake his crown.
See, and rejoyce in those eternal honors, which heaven and earth pay to their King:
Look up once more, and infinitely farther; and humbly admire the unspeakable Mystery:
See and adore the Soveraign Deity, essentially ful of its own blest Light:
Full and overflowing into all his creatures; which shine as litle beams deriv'd from Him.
When thou hast seen all this, my soul; and staid and dwelt a while among those wonders:
[Page 420] Turn down thine ey towards the earth again; and see the petty things that entertain our minds:
What is a name of honor, and a momentary pleasure; compar'd to the blyss of an eternal Paradise?
What is a bag of mony, or a fair Estate; if counterballanc't with the treasures of heaven?
How narrow, there, do our greatest kingdoms seem! how smal a circle the whole globe of the earth!
Citys and towns shew like litle hils; and the busie world but as a swarm of ants:
Runing up and down, and jostling one another; and all this stir for a few grains of corn.
O heaven! let me again lift up my eys to thee; and take a fuller view of that glorious Prospect.
There let me stand and fix my steddy sight; til I have look't my self into this firm judgment:
All the most prosperous fortune can here posses; or even the largest fancy possibly imagin;
All is an idle dream to those real joys; an absolute nothing to that solid felicity.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. O how glorious is the kingdom of heav'n; where our Lord reigns in the midst of his Saints!
Antiph. In thee, O Lord, is all our hope; in life and death, in time and eternity.
Psal. CXVIII.
TIs true, there is, I see, a glorious state * prepar'd above for the spirits of the Perfect:
But how shal we, poor dust and ashes; and laden too with the burthen of our sins;
How shal we hope to ascend those higher Regions; or claim a portion in that holy land?
Fear not, my soul; send up thy sighs and prayers; * and ask with confidence those celestial spirits.
They want not knowledge to resolve our doubts; they want not charity to relieve our needs:
Themselvs somtimes have come down to assist us; what wil they do, when we go up to wait on them?
Ask the bright Angels, what made them happy; and straight they'l answer with a spriteful voice;
We readily obey'd our great Creator; and he fixt us here to shine for ever.
Ask the blest Saints, what brought them to felicity; and immediately they'l tel you in the same glad tune;
We faithfully lov'd our dear Redeemer; and that love plac't us here:
Ask Both together, what bred those excellent vertues; and Both together will proclaim aloud;
[Page 422] Blessed for ever be the grace of our God, which alone has wrought all our works in us:
Blessed for ever be the Bounty of our Lord; which gave us freely first, then crown'd his own gifts.
Hark how the holy Saints, as more ally'd to us, * bear on alone and sweetly cloze the song:
Fear not, say they, you who dwel below; and sigh under the weight of flesh and blood:
Fear not to ascend at last to this place of joy; and take your happy seats among our Quires:
We too liv'd once in that valley of tears; and were set to strive with the same unruly passions:
He that made us o'recom can as easily strengthen you; He that has crown'd our victorys wil as surely glorify yours.
Fear not, the way is smoother then you are made believe; and the time shorter then perhaps you wish:
'Tis but to love your own true interest, which seems no hard command; * and that but while you live, which you seldom think too long:
This once well done, you have no more to do; but to come and sing and rejoyce with us.
O you blest Saints, who now are gladly arriv'd * at the quiet harbor of eternal rest!
Behold us here below imbarkt on the same Ship; and bound with all our interest for the same Port.
Behold us strugling yet in this Sea of storms: [Page 423] and guide us safely thorow all our dangers.
Come holy Angels with your swiftest speed, and disappoint the enemys that threaten to sink us.
Bend down thy gracious eys, O Queen of clemency; and fill them from our woes with soft compassion:
Then sweetly turn them to thy Son's mild throne; whose love stands always ready to meet thy wishes:
There represent to Him our needs, our fears; and favorably obtain for us a happy passage.
And Thou, O soveraign Lord of universal nature, on whom the whole celestial court continually waits!
Command thy vigilant Angels to watch about us; and carry us strongly on to the Place of our desires:
Save us, O Thou whom the Sea and winds obey! save us, O merciful Lord, or else we perish:
Save us who call on Thee in all our distresses: save us for whom thy glorious Heaven pours forth their prayers:
Save us for whom thy immortal self wert pleased to dy; and graciously receive us into thine own blest Arms:
Thou art thy self, O Lord, the Heaven of repose; bring us to thy self, and our souls shall be safe. Glory be▪ &c.
[Page 424] Antiph. In thee, O Lord is all our hope; in life and death, in time and eternity.
Our Father, &c.
First Lesson.
THe souls of the Just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shal not touch them: they seem'd to the eys of the unwise to dy, and their departure was counted affliction; but they are in peace. Though before men they suffer'd torments, their hope is full of immortality. Vext in a few things, they shall be well treated in many; for God has try'd them and found them worthy Himself: as gold in the furnace he has prov'd them, and as a burnt-offering receiv'd them; and in time there shall be respect of them. The Just shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble; they shall judg Nations, and have dominion over Peoples, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful in love shall remain with him: for, rest and peace is to his Elect.
Resp. Rejoyce all you holy Saints, rejoyce, and sing for ever the mercys of our Lord: his blessed hand has wip't away all tears from your eys; and now you no more shall weep, no more complain: * For, the evening of sorrow is past and the day of eternal joy is come; Alleluja. Now you no longer shall sigh, to be delivered [Page 425] out of this dark and tedious prison; but dwel for ever in that glorious light, the light which springs from the face of God. * For, —
Second Lesson.
THe Just, if prevented with death, shal be in a place of refreshment: for venerable age consists not in length of time, nor is accounted by number of years; but wisdom is the gray hair to a man, and an unspotted life old age. He pleased God, and was belov'd of Him, and living among sinners was translated; he was taken away lest malice should change his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul: for the bewitching of vanity obscures good things, and the wandring of concupiscence perverts the simple mind. Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfil'd much time; for his soul pleased God, therefore he hastned to bring him out of the midst of iniquities. This the people saw, but did not understand; not laying up such things in their harts: That the grace of God and mercy is with his Saints, and that He has respect to his Chosen.
Resp. O happy they whom our Lord shall honor on the day of his triumph; and, rising from his Seat of Judgment, go gloriously before them, and with these sweet and gracious words invite them to follow him; Come you blessed of my Father, possess the Kingdom prepared [Page 426] for you from the foundation of the world. * The reward of your labours I will give you, I my self will be your reward: Alleluja. You have firmly beleev'd, you have firmly beleev'd, you have readily obey'd, you have constantly suffer'd; Come enter now into your Masters joy. * The reward —
Third Lesson.
THen shal the Just stand with great confidence, before the face of those who have afflicted him and made no account of his labors. When they shal see it, they shal be troubled with terrible fear, and amaz'd at the suddennes of his unexpected salvation: and repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit, they shal say within themselvs, These are they whom heretofore we have had in derision, and as a byword of reproach. Sensless we esteem'd their lives a madnes, and their end dishonorable: behold, how they are numbred among the children of God, and their lot is among the Saints. We therfore have err'd from the way of truth, and the light of justice has not shin'd to us: we have wearied our selvs in the paths of iniquity and perdition, we have walked hard ways; but the way of our Lord we have not known. What has our pride profited us; or what benefit has Vaunting of our riches brought us? They all are past away as a shadow, and as a [Page 427] Post that runs by in hast; or as bird that flys in the sky, and no sign of her passage to be found, but only a sound of her wings beating the light air: so we, assoon as we were born, began to draw to our end; not able to shew any token of vertue, but were consum'd in our own wickednes. Such things said they in hell who had sin'd; for the hope of the impious is as dust, blown away with the wind, and as a thin froth scatter'd by the storm. But, the Just shal live for ever, and their reward is with our Lord, and the care of them is with the Highest: therefore shal they receive a glorious Kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the hand of our Lord; for with his right hand shal he cover them, and with his holy arm defend them.
Resp. Deliver us, O Lord from that sad deplorable end, which thy justice has prepar'd for the wicked: deliver us from those vain deceitful ways, that lead us to so miserable an End. * O make us always fear thy Judgments, that we never feel them; always hope in thy mercys, that we never forfeit them. Bless us, O Lord, with a happy death, that our souls may depart in peace, and go up to dwel among thy Saints and Angels: bless us, O Lord, with a holy life, and then our death cannot but be happy. * O make — Glory be, &c. O make —
Te Deum as Page 16.
Lauds for Saints.
O God incline, as Page 18.
Antiph. The Just shal be as lillys planted in Paradise, Alleluja: and flourish in the presence of God for ever, Alleluja.
Psal. CXIX.
COme lets all bring forth our Psalms; and go together to the house of Praise:
There let us meet in peace and love; and joyn our harts and voices into one glad song.
Come let us sing, but who shal be our theme? what worthy subject shal our Musick chuse?
No, 'tis not Conquerours we mean to admire; nor any of the Great Ones whom the world applauds:
But You, Blest Spirits, who bravely overcame your selvs; and led in triumph your own passions:
Who either wisely us'd this world; or to be safer, us'd it not at all.
You are the illustrious worthies we desire to praise, * and guild our hymus with your bright names:
Yours are the only Trophys we delight to set up; and beautify our Churches with your holy Pictures:
Sing then aloud, my Soul, the glorys of the [Page 429] Saints; and let their sacred memorys be always in thine.
Rejoyce thou, who feelst these miserys here, * and often complain'st of the dangers of this life:
Rejoyce at their glad delivery from all these sorrows; and hartily congratulate their secure felicity:
Rejoyce, and with thy best instructed thoughts admire * the exquisite wisdom of the divine Providence.
Who from such low beginings can raise so great effects; yet every step thrust naturally on the next:
Behold a litle seed that's buryed in the earth * shoot gently out its tender leav [...];
And, nourisht on with the clouds and Sun, * climb up by degrees into a tall stalk:
There it displays its full blown hope; and crowns its own head with a silver lilly.
Such is the progres of immortal souls; even those who shine now among the highest Seraphins:
At first shu [...] up in their mothers womb, where they ly confin'd close prisoners in the d [...]rk:
Thence they come forth to see, and h [...]ar; and slowly begin to walk and spek:
Next they advance to understand and discourse; then learn to fly with the wings of grace:
[Page 430] Til they get up even beyond themselvs; and believe and live above their own nature:
At last the kindly hand of death gives them a stroke, and they instantly become like the glorious Angels.
Instantly their dark and narrow knowledg unfolds it self, and spreads into a clear and spacious view:
Where they at once shal see all the glorys of heav'n; at once possess and for ever injoy them.
Thus, from the humble seed of grace, connaturally spring the flowers of glory:
And from this life's green stem of hope * grow just on the top of the Lillys of Paradise.
Lillys that never fade, but stil shine on, and fil the heav'ns with their beauteous sweetnes:
Lillys, that even Salomon, in all his glory, * was not array'd like one of these.
Sing then, my soul, but stil among thy Hymns * mingle resolvs to imitate their lives:
Those are the Lauds most deligh [...]ful to Them, whose charity rejoyces at the conversion of a sinner:
Those are the Feasts most profitable to thee, whose weaknes needs the impressions of example:
Learn but of them to be humble and meek; to submit all thy wishes to the Will of heav [...]:
[Page 431] To govern thy senses by a rule of reason, and thy reason by the dictates of Religion:
To design thy whole life in order to thy end; and establish for thy end the blyss of eternity.
These holy Lessons let thy life transcribe; and never fear their acceptance of thy praise.
Saints like our service best, when our honoring them * becomes an occa [...]ion of benefiting our selvs.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. The Just shal be as lillys planted in Paradise, Alleluja: and flourish for ever in the presence of God, Alleluja.
Antiph. Rejoyce, O you Holy and Just, Alleluja: for our Lord has chosen you for his own inheritance, Alleluja.
Psal. CXX.
O Praise our Lord, all you powers of my soul; praise the immortal King of Saints and Angels:
Praise him as the Author of all their graces; praise him as the Finisher of all their glorys:
Praise him in the admirable priviledges of his Virgin-Mother; whom he obeyed on earth and assum'd into heav'n:
That he might give us hope our petitions will be heard, presented by the hand of so powerful an Advocate:
Praise him in the mighty hosts of Angels; [Page 432] whom he sets about us as the Guard of our lives:
That they may safely keep us in all our ways; and carry us at last to their own home.
Praise him in the sacred Colledg of Apostles, to whom he reveal'd the mysterys of his Kingdom:
That they might teach us too those heavenly truths; and shew us the same best way to felicity.
Praise him in the generous fortitude of Martyrs; whom he strengthen'd with courage to resist even to death:
That we might learn of them to hold fast our faith; and rather lose this life, then hazard the Other.
Praise him in the eminent fanctity of Confessors; whose whole design was a course of heroick Vertue:
That we might raise our minds from our usual lazy flight; and with a quick and active wing mount up towards heav'n:
Praise him in the Angelical purity of Virgins, whose harts he enflam'd with his divine charity:
That they might kindle ours with the same chast fire; the same fe [...]vent love to the spouse of our souls:
Praise him in the perfect holines of all his Saints; whose lives he moulded into so various shapes:
[Page 433] That every size of ours might readily be furnisht * with a pattern cut out, and fitted for it self.
O praise our Lord all you powers of my soul; praise the immortal King of Saints and Angels:
Praise every Person of the sacred Deity; and give a harty joy to the whole court of heaven.
Blessed for ever be the Eternal Father; who has fixt his Angels in so high a happines:
Triumph bright Angels on your radiant thrones; and shine continually in the presence of your God:
Blessed for be ever the Eternal Son; who has crown'd so gloriously his incomparable Mother:
Live most miraculous Mother of the King of heaven; and dwel perpetually in the joys of thy Son:
Blessed for ever be the Eternal Spirit; whose grace prefers all the Saints into glory:
Rejoyce every happy Saint in your own felicity; rejoyce every one in the felicity of All.
Blessed for ever be the undivided Trinity; whose sight alone is the heaven of heaven:
Sing all you holy Citizens of heaven; sing all together everlasting hymns:
Sing, and among your highest fervours forget not us; who thus in our low way remember you:
[Page 434] Still pray our dear Redeemer to save our souls; and still we'l praise his Name for saving yours. Glory be▪ &c.
Antiph. Rejoyce, O you Holy and Just, Alleluja: for our Lord has chosen you for his inheritance, Alleluja.
Antiph. Perpetual light shall shine on thy Saints, O Lord, Alleluja: and joy and glory for ever, Alleluja.
Psal. CXXI.
BUt, who are we, born here below in the dust, and still kept down with the thoughts of this world?
Lord who are we, that our polluted hands * dare offer to Thee the incense of praise?
We who so often disobey thy commands; and so seldom weep for our many follys:
Forgive, great God, our boldnes, who thus rashly presume; forgive our frailtys who thus weakly perform.
Plead our excuse, O you glorified Spiritis; and with your flaming charity warm our coldnes:
O praise our Lord, you pure unblemisht Angels, * who never displeas'd him with the least offence;
Praise him, O you freely pardon'd Saints, who perfectly repented every litle trespass.
Praise him with the highest Office of all your [Page 435] Feasts; praise him with the loudest musick of all your Quires.
And so they do: look up, my soul, and see * the innumerable multitude of triumphing Spirits.
See how they stand all cloth'd in white robes; with palms in their hands, and golden crowns on their heads:
Behold the glorious Angels fall down before the Throne; and prostrate adore Him that lives for ever.
Behold the blessed Saints lay their Crowns at his feet; and on their faces adore Him that lives for ever.
Hark how they fill that spacious Temple with their Hymns, * while night and day they continually sing; Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty: who was, and is, and is to come, Alleluja.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts; heav'n and earth are full of thy glory; Alleluja.
Glorious art Thou in creating all things; glorious in preserving them every moment of their being:
Glorious in governing them their several ways; glorious in appointing them their proper ends:
Glorious in rewarding thy servants above their hopes: glorious in punishing sinners below their demerits:
Glorious art Thou, O Lord, in all thy works; [Page 436] but infinitely more in thine own self-blessed Essence.
Thus they rejoyce above, thus they triumph; and may their joy and triumph last for ever.
But O, were we not made, as wel as they, * * to serve and glorify our great Creator?
We ow him all we have, and they can ow no more; they can but do their best, and we should do no less:
Your pardon, blessed spirits, if we worms aspire to sing the same bright name which you adore.
We are ingag'd as deep as You; but cannot pay without your charity:
O, in your golden Censers put our prayers; and offer them perfum'd with the odours of yours:
Though we are now, alas! in this land of banishment; and indispos'd for those Songs of Sion:
Yet 'tis our hope one day to dwel above; and hear your holy harps, and learn to sing of You:
We hope to walk with you those ways of light; and follow the Lamb with you where're He goes.
Mean while we every day will joyn our Vow [...] to Yours; and say a glad Amen to all You sing:
We as Your faithful Ecchoes will every day repeat * these few short Ends of Your Seraphik Hymns:
[Page 437] Salvation to our God who sits on the Throne; and to the Lamb that redeem'd us with his blood, Alleluja.
Blessing and Wisdom and Power be to Him that sits on the Throne; and to the Lamb for all eternity, Alleluja. Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Perpetual light [...] shine on thy Saints, O Lord, Alleluja: and joy and glory for ever, Alleluja.
Capit. Apoc. 7.
AFter these things I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues; standing before the Throne, and in the sight of the Lamb, cloth'd in white robes, and palmes in their hands. And they cry'd with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God who sits on the Throne, and to the Lamb. And all the Angels stood in the Circuit of the Throne, and of the Seniors, and of the four Beasts: and they fell in the sight of the Throne upon their faces, and ador'd God, saying, Amen; Benediction and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever, Amen.
Hymn XXXVII.
Antiph. The number of Them was thousands of thousands, saying, with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom and strength, and honor, and glory, and benediction, Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja.
O Lord hear our Prayers:
And let our Supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray
MOst gracious God the author of all sanctity and Lover of unity, whose wisdom has establisht an admirable communion between thy Church Triumphant in heav'n, and Militant on earth, as members of the same mystical Body, wherof thy Son Christ Jesus is the head: mercifully grant, that as thy Blessed, without ceasing, pray to Thee for us, we may continually praise Thee for them; and in correspondence to their perfect charity, with pious observance celebrate their Memory, till-we all meet before thy glorious throne, and with one hart adore the Saviour of us all, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end. Amen.
Commemorations, &c. as page 29.
Vespers for Saints.
IN the Name, &c. as page 33.
Antiph. Pity, O Lord, the infirmitys of thy servants; and quicken our slownes by the example of thy Saints.
Psal. CXXII.
LOrd, what a lukewarm life is this of ours, compar'd to the zeal and fervor of thy Saints!
[Page 441] Often and long they fasted to chastize their bodys, and bring them under the command of reason:
On all their senses they set a constant Guard; to let nothing in that might disturb their peace:
Part of the night they watcht, and most of the day they labor'd; and both night and day continually pray'd:
All things about them went on in perfect measure; just fit for their pious purpose, and no more:
Their cloaths, their food, their sleep, their recreation; all taught to serve the improvement of their mind:
Their mind, the only aim of all their cares; the only scope of all their severitys:
That disengag'd from the embroylments of this world, they might quietly consider the felicitys of the Other:
That they might daily grow more enamor'd of their Lord; and more enflam'd with his divine perfections.
Til, at the last dissolv'd in those holy fires, * they melted away with longings to enjoy Him.
Sharp to themselvs they were, but sweet to others; obliging all the world with their candid charity:
Whatever any wanted they gladly supply'd; [Page 442] and gave away at once, somtimes, both fruit and tree.
They study'd not here how to raise their familys; but to entail on their Posterity the example of their vertues:
'Twas not their plot to leave a fair Estate behind them; but to benefit the world with their useful labours:
To instruct the ignorant, and confirm the weak; to comfort the sorrowful, and protect the helples innocent:
This was their constant work, this their belov'd design, * to promote with their utmost strength the happines of all.
Lord, what a litle 'tis our frowardnes endures, compar'd to the heroick patience of the Saints!
When they were revil'd, they revil'd not again: when spitefully scorn'd, they meekly held their peace:
When they were curst, they blest their enemys: when barbarously opprest, they pray'd for their persecutors.
They serv'd their Lord in hunger and thirst; and all the incommoditys of an impoverisht life:
Often they were threatned: and they stood the danger: often entic'd, and they repel'd the flattery:
[Page 443] Prisons and chains they willingly accepted; tortures and racks they cheerfully imbrac't:
Even death it self they undauntedly encountred; death furiously arm'd with every shape of terror:
All this they endur'd, and infinitely more, * of which unmindful we keep no remembrance:
All this they endur'd, and under all rejoyc't; that they were counted worthy to suffer for JESUS.
O generous Souls, who conquer'd heav'n it self; and entred by force those everlasting gates!
Who sate not down in the lowest forms; but stil prest on to new degrees of perfection:
You who so freely endeavor'd the salvation of others; while yet you were concern'd to procure your own:
Help us, O blessed Spirits, now your State is secure: pray for us, O holy Saints, now your charity is compleat:
Pray that the seed you have sown may take deep root; and bring forth fruit to everlasting life:
Pray we may follow those who imitate you; and not be corrupted by the example of the careles.
And when our pray'rs seem long or dry, or call us away from some vanity we love;
When to forgive our enemys seems heavy to [Page 444] us; or any other Duty crosses our humor:
Pray, we may then remember what you have done; and what you have gain'd by doing it:
Pray, we may think what our Lord himself has done; and what he has promised to them that follow him:
Their names he will write in the Book of life; and make them sit with him on his own Throne.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Pity, O Lord, the infirmitys of thy servants; and quicken our slownes by the example of thy Saints.
Antiph. Blessed be thy name, O Lord, who hast provided us so great rewards; and strengthened our hope with so many witnesses.
Psal. CXXIII.
LItle, O Lord, we know, is the good we do; litle, the ill we suffer with patience:
But what, alas, should we have done or suffer'd, had we not seen such divine Examples?
Had not thy provident hand hung out those Lamps, * bright as the Stars, to shine before us:
Had not thy self, the Sun of righteousnes, appear'd, * to light and warm us with thy cherishing beams:
Our faith had been dark, and our charity cold; * and the flower of our hope had languisht away.
Now we are sure the way to heaven is easie, [Page 445] made broad and smooth by so many Passengers:
Men cloathed in flesh and blood like us; and weakn'd with the same imperfect nature:
Now we are sure the promises of our God are true; confirm'd by as many witnesses as there are Saints in Paradise:
Who by their own experience are joyfully convinc't; a happy argument where heav'ns the Question;
And by the ravishing sweets they perpetually tast, * are perpetually excited to adore and sing,
Faithful is our Lord in all his words: and overflowingly bounteous in all his gifts:
While we liv'd we receiv'd the hundred fold; and now are translated to an infinity of Blyss:
What he freely promised, he has fully perform'd: what he engag'd to give us, he has abundantly paid.
He told us of treasures and golden crowns; but the joys we find are incomparably greater:
Joys of a far more high and noble race; which neither we can expres, nor you below conceive.
'Tis enough for us that we feel them in our brest; 'tis enough for you, as yet, that you see them in your faith.
Even our lesser happinesses infinitely surpas * the greatest pleasures of your dul world.
O how agreeable is the Company we enjoy! [Page 446] how delightful the meeting of our old acquaintance!
With whom we have pray'd, and wept, and suffer'd; with whom we spake of this day and place:
With whom we now can safely sing, free from the scorn and malice of our enemys:
Blessed for ever be the goodnes of our God, that has brought us hither to his own place:
This is not like our cottages of clay; nor the loathsom prisons where we lay in fetters:
This cheerful melody is not like our old complaints; nor the threatning words of our stern Oppressors.
The Scene is chang'd, and, for our world of miserys, * behold a Paradise of endles felicitys:
Here we shal live, and ever live; here we shal praise our God, and ever praise him.
Thus sings the Church triumphant: and thus shal we; if we practise diligently the Lessons they have taught us.
If we injure our selvs to the same blest Notes; and live in tune with our holy songs:
We shal herafter be admitted to their Quires; and sing as long and loud as they.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Blessed be thy Name, O Lord, who hast provided us so great rewards; and strengthned our hope with so many witnesses.
[Page 447] Antiph. If God be with us, who can be against us? if He justify us, who can condemn us?
Psal. CXXIV.
TAke courage now, my soul, and chace away thy doubts; for more are with us then against us:
God and his holy Angels are on our side; JESUS and his blessed Saints all take our parts:
Our great Creator looks on to excite us; our gracious Redeemer comes down to instruct us:
The blessed Spirit is within us to confirm our harts; and the whole Trinity present to crown our victorys:
Whom shal we then fear thus safely guarded? who can resist so invincible a strength?
None but our own corrupted nature dare contend, and the unlucky accidents that conspire with it against us:
Somtimes surprizing our unwary negligence; somtimes defeating even our strongest resolvs:
Not that they can compel our wills, unles we yeild; or make the least wound without our consent:
Much less prevail against the power of heav'n; and frustrate the purpose of the Almighty Wisdom:
Whose mercy has us'd more arts to save us: when the craft of Vice can invent to destroy us:
[Page 448] Such a redemption so miraculously wrought: such holy Sacraments so often repeated:
Such glorious promises so faithfully assur'd; and, which revives our hope, so easily attain'd:
O infinite Goodnes, how generous is thy love! how liberally extended over all the world!
Thou invitest little children to come to Thee; and the lame and the blind to sit down at thy feast:
None are shut out of heav'n, but such as wil not go in; none made unhappy but those who care not to be otherwise.
Cheer then thy self, my hart, and let no fears molest thee; * nor even death it self abate thy courage:
Death is a passage that was always short; and our SAVIOURS Cross has made it safe:
By the practise of his Saints 'tis grown familiar; and by their happy success becom desirable:
Lose not then thy hope in so glorious an enterprise; Eternity is at stake, and heav'n the reward:
That heav'n for which the antient Hermits peopled the Desart; and so many Religious live bury'd in their Cells:
That heav'n for which the holy Confessors spent all their time; and innumerable Martyrs; laid down their dearest lives:
[Page 449] That heav'n where Millions of Angels continually sing; and all the Blessed make one glorious Quire.
That heav'n where the ador'd JESUS eternally reigns; and the immortal Deity shines bright for ever:
That very heaven is promis'd thee, my soul; that blest eternity thou art commanded to hope:
Raise now thy head, and see those beauteous Prospects, that ravish the harts of all their Beholders:
Yonder far above the Stars is thy Saviours Kingdom; yonder we must dwell when we leave this earth:
Yonder must our souls remove to rest; when the stroak of death shal divide them from their bodys:
And when the Almighty Power shal joyn them again; yonder must we live with our God for ever.
O bounteous Lord, the only Author of all we have; the only object of all we hope:
As thou hast thus prepar'd a heav'n for us; O may thy grace prepare us for it:
O make us live the life of the Just; and let our last end be like Theirs:
That we may dy the death of the Just; and live for ever in their blest society.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. If God be with us, who can be against [Page 450] us? if He justify us, who can condemn us.
Capit. Apoc. 7.
THese are they who are come out of great tribulation, & have washt their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb: therfore they are before the Throne of God, and serve him day and night in his Temple; and He that sits on the Throne shal dwel over them. They shal hunger no more, nor thirst: the Sun shal not fal upon them, nor any heat: for the Lamb who is in the midst of the Throne shal rule them, and conduct them to the living fountains of waters; and God shal wipe away all tears from their eys.
Hymn XXXVIII.
Antiph. Worthy art Thou, O Lord, to receive the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wert slain, and hast redeem'd us to God with thy blood out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us to our God a Kingdom, Alleluja.
Magnificat. as Page 44.
Antiph. Worthy art Thou, &c.
O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, whose merciful Providence has stil from the Begining, sown the seeds of grace in the harts of thy chosen servants; which at the Resurrection of thy Son (the first fruit of them that slept) sprung up into glory: and by his holy doctrin and admirable life, and precious death has infinitely encreast the mean [...] of salvation, and the number of thy Saints Grant we beseech Thee, that we, whom tho [...] hast favour'd with so many advantages, may by the powerful intercession of that glorious Com [...]pany [Page 453] obtain thy grace to imitate them here, and rejoyce with them for ever in thy Kingdom hereafter; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end. Amen.
Commemorations, as page 29.
Complin for Saints.
OUr help, &c. as page 46.
Antiph. Help us you blessed Citizens of heaven! direct our way, you who have attain'd your end!
Psal. CXXV.
THus we have past another day, another step towards our long home:
We have seen the Sun a few hours more; and our day is lost in its own night:
But is it lost? O careles we! and all the holy words we have read and heard:
Leave they no mark in our memorys behind them, but make a litle sound and vanish in the air?
Have we not been at a solemn Feast? and do we soon forget our entertainment?
Could we see nothing among all those raritys * that relisht with us and stir'd our appetite?
[Page 454] Was there no fit provision for some vertue we want? no proper remedy for some weaknes we have?
Are we devout already as the Saints of God? and chast, and temperate, and resign'd as they?
Do we despise this world with a zeal like theirs? and value heav'n at the same rate with Them?
Would we give all we have, just now, to be there? and part with life it self to dy and go thither?
Alas! how short are we of these perfections! how slowly do we follow those excellent Guides!
O that we liv'd, I dare not say, blest Souls, like you, * whose aim was high, and a generous heat bet in your brests!
But that our harts desire were to live like you; and what you really did, we really wisht to do:
O that we liv'd in some degree like you; and lov'd to think, and read, and speak of you!
To sign and publish your heroick Acts; and where we cannot imitate, at least admire:
At least, let us learn to humble our selvs; and check the vanity of our proud conceits:
Let us mourn and blush at our many infirmitys, and so much the louder call to heav'n for releef:
Hear us you blessed Saints who dwel secure [Page 455] above; and turn your eys of pity towards us below.
Look down with tendernes on our world of miserys, and bow your charitable knees to the God of mercys:
That what our own unworthines cannot obtain, we may hope to receive by your holy prayers.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Help us, you blessed Citizens of heav'n! direct our way, you who have attain'd your end!
Antiph. Fear not, my soul, our God has a blessing too for us if we have a love and obedience for Him.
Psal CXXVI.
LEt us humble our selvs, but not grow faint, * at the sight of others so far before us:
Rather let us quicken our sloth by their swift pace; and encourage our fears with their happy success:
We who profess the Religion of all these Saints, who liv'd and dy'd in the same Church with us:
We who partake of the same holy Sacraments; and eat the same celestial Food:
Why should we fear, one day, to shine above; and rejoyce together with you glorious Saints?
Are we not all redeem'd by the same rich [Page 456] price, & the same eternal crowns propos'd to us all
Are we not bred in the same Apostolick faith; and nurst at the brests of the same Catholick Church?
The Lessons, I see, and Teacher is the same▪ but the hand is dul, and instrument out of tune;
You liv'd indeed in a dangerous world like this; and were ty'd to bodys frail as ours:
But by a constant vigilance you o'recame the world; and subdu'd your bodys to the service of your minds.
You overcame with a joyful hart; * and we thus congratulate the triumph of your victorys:
You overcame, but not by your own strong hand; you now triumph but 'tis by the bounty of your God?
Chear then thy self, my soul, & raise thy head, * and open thy bosom to the hopes of heaven;
Fear not, our God has a blessing too for us; if we have a love and obedience for Him:
If we delight in the ways of piety; and diligently attend the Offices of devotion:
If we refrain from the libertys of the world▪ and curb the loose suggestions of the flesh:
If we can look on gold and honor, and their flaming beams not dazle our eys:
If we perform with them, the part of faithful servants, * we shal surely, with them, have the portion of children. Glory be &c.
Antiph. Fear not, my soul, our God has a [Page 457] blessing too for us; if we have a love and obedience for Him.
Antiph. Precious in thy sight, O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; precious to thee and themselvs and us.
Psal. CXXVII.
PRecious in thy fight. O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; which finishes thy greatest work, the perfecting of Souls:
Whom Thou esteem'st as the jewels of heav'n, and choicely gather'st into thine own Treasury.
Precious to themselvs, O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; which takes off the dusky cover that hides their brightnes:
Which shapes and polishes them to a beauteous luster; and sets them as stars round about thy Throne.
Precious to us, O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; which makes us heirs of so great a welth:
Which leaves us furnisht with so rich variety, that every kind of want is abundantly supply'd:
Some teach us courage to encounter dangers; and not, for fear, make Shipwrack of our conscience:
Others instruct us to converse with meeknes; and patiently bear neglects and injurys:
From some we learn how wisely to use this world, and make it serve us in our way to the next:
[Page 458] From others, how more generously to renounce it; and pass our time in peace and prayer:
From all we learn this best of arts, to live and dy like Saints; and, in the best of methods, their own example:
O gracious Lord whose love still looks about, and searches every way to save us siners!
Who cam'st thy self, bright Sun of glory, * to inlighten our darknes and warm our frozen harts!
Who with thy fruitful beams stil kindlest others, to burn as tapers in thy Churches hand;
And by their near proportionate distance stand fit to shine into every corner of our lives!
O make us bless thy Name for all these mercys, and let not one be lost by our ingratitude.
Let us not see in vain the crown at the races end; and sit down lazily in the shades of ease:
Let us not keep in vain these sacred memorys, to be only a reproach to our unprofitable lives:
But let us stretch our selvs and pursue to the mark, for the glorious prizeis that set before us:
Stil with our utmost speed let us follow
Them, whose travails ended in so sweet a rest.
And when our life's last day begins to fal; and bids us hasten to prepare for night;
Then come you holy Angels and watch about [...]; and suffer not the enemy to disturb our [...]ssage:
[Page 459] Come and receive in peace our departing souls; and bear them safely to the presence of our Lord.
Then, O Thou blessed Virgin-Mother protect us with thy favor; and all you glorious Saints assist us with your pray'rs:
Then, O Thou dear Redeemer of the world, and Soveraign King of life and death!
Thou who despisest not the tears of the penitent; nor turnest away from the sighs of the afflicted:
Thou who preserv'dst all that rely on Thee; and fulfilst their desires that long to be with Thee:
Hear Thou our cryes, and pardon our sins; and graciously deliver us from all our fears:
Cal us to thy self with thine own blest voice; cal us, O dearest JESU, in thine own sweet words:
Come you Blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom * prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Then O my happy soul immediately obey; and go forth with gladnes to meet the Lord:
To live with Him, and behold his glory; to rejoyce with Him, and sing his Praise.
Glory be, &c.
Antiph. Precious in thy sight, O Lord, is the death of thy Saints; precious to Thee and themselvs and us.
Hymn XXXIX.
Capit. Mat. 11.
COme to me all you that labour and are opprest, and I will refresh you: take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and humble of hart; and you shal find rest to your souls: for my yoke is sweet, and my burthen light.
Antiph. The just shal shine as the Sun in the presence of God, and neither night nor cloud eclipse them for ever.
V. For the glory of God shal shine upon them.
R. And the light of the Lamb illuminate them.
O Lord hear our pray'rs:
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who, after thy servants had spent the day of their life in a course of piety and heroick vertue, didst cloze their evening with a [Page 462] holy death and eternal rewards! Grant us we beseech thee, so to imitate thy Saints in the wise bestowing our time here, that we may follow them in their Happy passage out of this world, and be admitted to thy everlasting glory with them in the other world; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end. Amen.
Vouchsafe, &c. as page 54.
OFFICE for the DEAD.
MATINS.
PRevent. In the Name, Blessed be.
Our Father, &c. I beleeve, &c.
Kneeling, then rise and begin immediately
Invitatory. Come let's adore our God to whom all things live.
Come let's adore our God, to whom all things live.
Psal. CXXVII.
HE is the great Creator of the world; and Soveraign Judg of all mankind:
He sits above on his glorious Throne; and in his hands are the key's of life and death.
Come let's adore our God, to whom all things live.
What ever he pleases he brings to pass; and none can resist his almighty Power: what ever he does, is stil the best; and none can accuse his all-knowing Goodnes.
Come let's adore our God, to whom all things live.
All things do live to Thee, O Lord! Thou sole preserver of universal nature: the blessed [Page 464] Saints rejoyce in thy glory; and the imperfect souls are sustain'd in hope.
Come let's adore our God, to whom all things live.
Even the unhappy spirits declare thy justice; and the rest of thy creatures look up for mercy: expecting at last to be deliver'd from corruption, into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God.
Come let's adore our God, to whom all things live.
Lord! while we breath, make us live to Thee; and, when we expire, depart in thy peace: that whether we live or dy, we be always Thine; and, after death, stil live with Thee.
Come let's adore our God, to whom all things live.
Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord!
And may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
Come let's adore our God, to whom all things live:
Come let's adore our God to whom all things live.
Antiph. Come, let us humble our selvs [...] the sight of our God; and spread before him all our complaints.
Psal. CXXVIII.
UNhappy we, the children of the dust! wh [...] were we born to see the Sun?
[Page 465] Why did our Mothers bring us forth to misery; and unkindly rejoyce to hear us cry?
Whether, alas! has their error led us? in how sad a condition does our birth engage us?
We enter the world with weeping eys; and go out with sighing harts:
All the few days we live are ful of vanity; and our choicest pleasures sprinkled with bitternes:
The time that's past is vanisht like a dream; and that which is to come, is not yet at all:
The present we are in stays but a moment; and then flys away, and never returns:
Already we are dead to all the years we have liv'd; and shal never live them over again:
But the longer that we live, the shorter is our life; and in the end we become a litle lump of clay.
O vain and miserable world! how sadly true is all this story!
And yet alas! this is not all; but new complaints remain, and more, and worse:
We begin our race in contemptible weaknes; and our whole course is a progress of dangers:
If we escape the mischances of a child; we pass on the rash adventures of youth:
If we outlive those sudden storms; we fal into far more malicious calamitys:
Our own superfluous cares deliberately consume [Page 466] us; and the crosses of the world wear out our lives:
Should we, by strange success, o'recome all these; and stil bear up our prosperous head:
We are sure, at last, old age wil find us; and bow our strength down to the grave:
The grave, from whence no priviledg exempts; nor any power controuls its command:
The rich must leave their welth behind them; and the great ones of the world be crumbled into dust:
The beauteous face must be turn'd into rottennes; and the pamper'd body become the food of worms:
The busie man must find a time to dy; though his ful employment spare none to provide for't:
Even the wise and vertuous must submit to fate; and the heirs of life it self be the prisoners of death.
This when I see, I weep, and am afraid; since we all must drink of the same cold cup:
A'l must go down to the same dark grave; and none can tel how soon he may be cal'd:
To day we are in helth among our friends and affairs; and to morrow arrested by the hand of death:
Nature may faintly struggle for a time; but must yield at last, and be buryed in the earth:
At last we must take our leave of our neerest [Page 467] Relations; and bid a long farewel to all the world:
Perhaps, the people may talk of us a while; somtimes as we deserve, and often as they please:
Perhaps, our bodys once laid out of sight; we no more are remembred, then if we never had been:
Only our good works follow us to the grave; and faithfully go on with us beyond our funerals.
Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever. Glory be &c.
Antiph. Come let us humble our selvs in the sight of our God; and spread before him all our complaints.
Antiph. 'Tis not for us, O Lord, to chuse our own conditions; but to manage wel, what thou appointest.
Psal. CXXIX.
WHy do we thus bemoan our selvs; and rashly utter such repining words?
Seems it so hard a fate to tread the path * which all our Ancestors have gone before us?
Adam the first of men; and Abraham the friend of God:
David the man after God's own hart; and [Page 468] the blessed Mary, Virgin-Mother of our Lord:
All these have paid their debt to nature; and subscrib'd the law of universal mortality:
JESUS himself, the Eternal Son of God, expir'd on the Corss; * and went to his glory through the gates of death:
And shal our fond self-love so blindly flatter us; to wish an exception from this general Rule?
Shal we be murmuring stil, our life is but a sapn; and that expos'd to innumerable sorrows?
Does not the very shortnes abate it's miserys? do not those many miserys commend its shortnes?
Should we not rather rejoyce at the sight of death; that, when e're it comes, stil brings us advantage?
If in our age, 'tis a haven of repose; and ought to be welcome after so long a voyage:
If in our youth, it prevents a thousand calamitys; a thousand dangers of ruining our souls:
If by an ordinary sicknes, 'tis the course of nature; if by an outward violence, 'tis always the wil of heaven:
What need we fear how many deaths there are; we are sure there can be but one for us:
Dying is an act to be done but once; and once wel done, we are happy for ever.
[Page 469] Lord! we confes thy Decrees are just; and our selvs the cause of all our miserys:
We sacrifice our youth to sport and folly; and our manly years to lust and pride:
We spend our old age in craft and avarice; and begin not to live til we are ready to dy:
Then we bewail the shortnes of our time; when our selvs have prodigally thrown it all away:
We lead a loose and negligent life; and then complain death takes us unawares:
Our days are perhaps too few to grow rich; or satisfy the ambition of a haughty spirit:
But, to be taught the love of God, * and the meek and humble life of JESUS,
Requires not so much the number of years; as the faithful endeavours of a pious mind:
Could we bestow on the improvement of our souls * the time we so vainly trifle away:
Our day would be short enough not to seem tedious; and long enough to finish our appointed task.
And what, O glotious Lord! is our busines here; * but to trim our lamps and wait thy coming?
But to sow the immortal seed of hope; and expect herafter to reap the Increase?
No matter how late the fruit be gather'd; if stil it go on in growing better:
[Page 470] No matter how soon it fal from the tree; if not blown down before it be ripe.
O thou most just, but secret Providence! who govern'st all things by the counsel of thy Will!
Whose powerful hand can wound and heal; lead down to the grave, and bring back again!
Behold, to Thee we bow our heads; and freely submit our dearest concerns:
Strike as thou pleasest our helth, our lives; we cannot be safer then at thy dispose:
Only these few requests we humbly beg; which O may thy clemency vouchsafe to hear:
Cut us not off in the midst of our folly; nor suffer us to expire with our sins unpardon'd:
But make us, Lord, first ready for thy self; then take us to thy self, in thine own fit time.
Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever. Glory be, &c.
Antiph. 'Tis not for us, O Lord, to chuse our own conditions; but to manage wel what thou appointest.
Antiph. Only our earth shal return to earth; but our better part shal live for ever.
Psal. CXXX.
MY Soul, all these complaints concern not thee; whom thy bounteous God has made immortal:
Who, when this house of clay shal fal into [Page 471] dust, * and this narrow cage be broken down,
Shalt soar aloft on thine own free wings; and spread thy boundles ey over all the world.
If thou hast happily train'd up thy self; * to aim stil upwards at the highest heavens;
Swift as a flash of quickest lightning, * shalt thou instantly fly to those blessed Objects:
But, if thy thoughts have flag'd below; and delighted to hover too near this earth:
If above all things thou hast lov'd thy God; but not lov'd all things in order to thy God:
Or if thy tears have been too few, to wash away thorowly the remaining stains:
Unworthy as yet of that blysful light; * whose beams endure not the least impurity;
Thou must sit down in the shades of sorrow; and dwel in the vale of tears and darknes:
There thou must sigh and mourn, and wait; til the days of thy purifying be fully finisht.
O the dear price those prisoners pay, * for neglecting here to perfect their accounts!
How are their souls enflam'd with anguish; and continually tortur'd with unspeakable pains!
How do they sadly lament their careles libertys; and the litle passions they too much obey'd!
But, alas! their repentance comes now too late; * to meet with that mercy they so long abus'd:
Now they must ly in this tedious dungeon; [Page 472] til their patience have satisfyd the utmost farthing:
Only this hope sustains their hart; and sweetens a litle their bitter cup:
That the redeeming Day is stil drawing on; and wil infallibly at last appear.
O may that happy Day make hast to come; and chear their darknes with its radient beams!
O may that Sun of Justice speedily arise; and disperse the mist that intercepts their sight!
Come Lord, come quickly dearest JESU! and rescue with thy power thine own Inheritance:
Thou who cam'st humbly once, to redeem us sinners; come gloriously now to deliver thy Servants:
Deliver them, O Lord! from the snare of the enemy; and their captive souls out of the hand of the Wicked.
That they may pass from death to life; and dwel with Thee in thy blessed peace.
Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
Antiph. Only our earth shal return to earth; but our better part shal live for ever.
Our Father &c.
First Lesson.
MAn that is born of a woman, lives a short time, and is fill'd with many miserys. He comes forth as a flower and is bruised into dust; he flyes away as a shadow, and never continues in the same state: and thinkest thou fit to open thine eys upon such a one, and bring him before thee into Judgment? Who can make clean him that is conceiv'd of unclean seed? is it not Thou, who only art? The days of man are short, and the number of his months are with thee; thou hast appointed his limits which cannot be passed; depart a litle from him, that he may rest, till as a hireling his wisht-for day shal come. Who wil grant me this, that in Hell thou wouldst protect me, and hide me til thy fury pass away; and appoint me a time wherin thou wilt remember me? All the days, in which I now am in warfare, I wait til my change Come. Thou shalt cal me, and I shal answer thee; to the work of thy hands thou wilt reach forth thy right hand: thou hast indeed numbred my steps; but do thou pardon my sins.
R. Where shal I hide me, O Lord, from the face of thy wrath? where shal I hide me when thou com'st to judg the living and the dead? I tremble at my own unworthines; I am asham'd, thus impure, to appear in thy presence. * Wash me yet more, O Lord, from my [Page 474] iniquitys, and purge me thorowly from my sins. I know the enemy that obstructs my way; my sins exclude me from thy Kingdom, where no unclean thing can enter, nor any clean be deny'd admittance. * Wash me—
Second Lesson.
SPare me, O Lord, for my days are nothing: I have sinned, what shal I do to thee, O thou Preserver of men? why hast thou set me contrary to thee? and I am become burdenous to my self. Why dost thou not take away my sin? why dost thou not clear me of my iniquity? Behold now I shal sleep in the dust, and if thou seek me in the morning I shal not be. My soul is weary of my life; I will let my speech pass against my self; I will speak in the bitternes of my soul: I will say to God, Condemn me not; tell me, why dost thou judg me so? seems it good to thee to overcharge me, and oppress the works of thy hands, and help the counsel of the wicked? hast thou eys of flesh, or, as man sees shalt thou also see; that thou seekest my iniquity, and searchest my sin? Thy hands have made me, and fram'd me wholly round about; and dost thou so suddenly cast me down headlong? With skin and flesh thou hast cloathed me; with bones and sinews thou hast compacted me; life and mercy thou hast given me; and thy visitation has kept my spirit.
[Page 475] R. Wo to me, wretched sinner, what shal I do? I have commited evil in the sight of my God; I have offended the eys of his Majesty: Whither shal I fly from the Justice of my Judg? whither, but to the mercy of my Saviour. * Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy on me; when thou com'st in glory to judg the world by fire. My corrupt nature has brought forth sin, and sin has brought forth sorrow: where shal I seek for pardon? where shal I find releef, but in thee, my God, my hope, and portion in the land of the living? * Have mercy on me—
Third Lesson.
DEliver me, O Lord, and set me beside Thee; & let any mans hand fight against me. My days are past, and my thoughts dissipated, tormenting my hart: they have turn'd night into day; and again after darknes I hope for light. Have pity on me, at least you my friends; for the hand of our Lord has toucht me: he has hedg'd my path round about, and I cannot pass; and in my way he has put darknes. Who wil grant me that my words may be written? Who wil give me that they may be drawn in a book with an iron pen, and in a plate of lead, or graven with steel on a marble stone? For, I know my Redeemer lives, and in the last day I shal rise out of the earth, and be compast again with my skin, and in my flesh shal see God; [Page 476] whom I my self shal see, and my eys shal behold, and no other: This my hope is laid up in my bosom.
R. My days are declin'd as a shadow, and I am wither'd away as grass; and nothing remains but the cold grave. O let me cal back that uncomfortable word! my days indeed are declin'd, but my eternity is safe; I am wither'd away as grass, but the Spring wil come and revive me into a flower of Paradise: * This my hope is laid up in my bosom. Let then my body be crumbled into dust, and my soul detain'd for a time in sorrow: I know my Redeemer lives, and in the last day I shal rise out of the earth, and be compast again with my Skin, and in my flesh shal see God, and in that blysful sight be for ever happy: * This my hope is laid up in my bosom. Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever. * This my hope is laid up in my bosom.
At Lauds O God incline, &c. is not said: but begin immediately with the Antiphon, Return—
Lauds for the Dead.
Antiph. Return, O my soul! to thy Rest again; for thy Lord deals graciously with all that love him.
Psal. CXXXI.
WHen we have shed our solemn tears; and paid our due sighs to the memory of the Dead:
Let us wipe our eys with the comfort of hope; and change our grief into a charitable joy:
The friends we mourn are deliver'd from this world; and all the miserys we so justly deplore:
Their bodys tremble no more with the Palsy; nor burn with the flames of a scorching feaver:
They cry out no more for want of sleep; nor roul up and down their uneasy beds:
But quietly rest in the silent grave; till they rise again to immortal glory:
Wh [...]ch while they there expect in peace; their souls are enlarg'd to a spacious liberty:
No longer confin'd to this prison of the body; but gone to dwel in the region of spirits:
No longer expos'd to these stormy Seas; but gladly arriv'd at their safe harbour:
Where though their passage be stopt a while; they are free from all fear of being cast away:
Though for a time they attend with sorrow; they are sure to rejoyce at last for all eternity:
[Page 478] They are sure at last to behold their Redeemer; and live for ever with the Blessed JESƲS:
O, were it not for this sweet hope; who could indure such Killing delays?
Who, that but knows the beauty of God, as they all do; and sees himself detayn'd from so great a happines?
Detain'd, for affecting some trifle here; if such we may cal what deferrs our heav'n:
O glorious Lord, the free Original Source, * and final end of universal nature!
Since by thy grace Thou hast thus begun, and sown in their harts the seeds of glory:
O, may the same all-powerful hand * go on to finish it's own ble'st work:
Ripen the fruit Thou reserv'st for thy self; and hasten the day of their joyful harvest:
Send forth thy blessed Angels to reap thy grain; and lay it up safe in thy heavenly Magazine:
There to supply the place of those unhappy tares, * which thy justice threw down into everlasting fire:
There to assist among those holy Quires; which thy mercy establisht in everlasting blyss.
Give them eternal rest' O merciful Lord! And may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
Antiph: Return O my soul, to thy rest again, for thy Lord deals graciously with all that love him.
[Page 479] Antiph. Merciful art Thou, O Lord, in all thy ways; and infinitely wise in all thy counsels.
Psal. CXXXII.
COme let us praise the Goodnes of our God; who orders every thing to the best for his Servants:
Whose Providence governs us all our life; and takes so particular a care of our death:
He casts us down on our beds of sicknes; and draws the curtain 'twixt the world and us:
Shutting out all its vain designs; and contracting our busines to a litle chamber:
There, in that quiet solitude, he speaks to our harts; and sets before us all our life:
There, he discovers the falacys of this world and invites us now at last, to prepare for the other:
Thither he sends his Messengers of Peace; to treat with our Souls, and reconcile them to heav'n:
Thither he sends even his only Son, * to secure our passage, and conduct us to Himself:
O! how quite other wil our thoughts be then; * to what they were in our careles helth!
How shal we freely censure what we once esteem'd; and be easily convinct into wiser counsels!
When our unruly senses shal be checkt with [Page 480] pain; and our rash minds made sober with fear:
When the occasions of sin shal be remov'd away; and every thing about us incline us to repent.
Blessed for ever be thy Name, O Lord! whose mercy sanctifys even thy punishments into savours:
Thou bringst us low, to perswade us to be humble; and prescrib'st us a sicknes to cure our infirmitys!
Thou command'st the grave to dispense with none; but indifferently seize on all alike:
That all may alike provide for that fatal hour; and none be undone with mistaken hopes.
Thou telst us plainly, we all must dy; but kindly conceal'st the time and place:
That every where we may stand on our guard; and every moment expect thy Coming.
Thou teachest us the use of decent Funerals; and the holy charity of praying for the Dead:
That we may often renew the memory of our grave; and the whol [...]om thoughts of our future state:
So, with one Act of excellent piety; * to shorten the pains of others, and prevent our own.
Let not, O Lord, these gracious acts be lost; which thy merciful Wisdom contrives for our sakes:
[Page 481] But, while we thus remember the death of others; * make us seriously stil reflect on our own:
And every time we reflect on our own; make us piously stil remember Theirs.
Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
Antiph. Merciful art Thou, O Lord, in all thy ways; and infinitely wise in all thy Counsels.
Antiph. O all you works of our Lord, praise you our Lord! bless him and magnify him for ever.
Psal. CXXXIII.
O Praise our Lord all you Nations of the earth; whom his Providence yet sustains alive:
Whom he so long forbears to strike; though our sins have often provok'd his wrath:
Whom he so graciously cals to repent; though our passions have hitherto neglected his voice:
Making experiments by the death of others; to advise his servants into a waryer life.
To clear this useful truth, we too must dy; and strictly account for every idle word:
We must appear before that great Tribural; and tremblingly receive our everlasting do [...]m.
[Page 482] O praise our Lord all you faithful departed; for his mercy preservs the Just:
Though you dwel below in the Valley of death; and sit afflicted in the shades of darknes:
Yet wil he bring you up to his eternal mountains; and fill your eys with glorious light:
Though your bones be bruis'd with sorrow; and your harts made heavy with faintnes:
Yet you again shal be cloath'd with beauty; and plac'd to sing among the Blessed Saints:
O praise our Lord, all you Blessed Saints; whom his bounty already has crown'd with glory:
You who, entirely wean'd from the allurements of this world; * found no unwillingnes at your death to leave it:
You who, designing your whole life for heaven, * departed with joy to possess your hopes:
Millions of Angels meeting you in the way; and carrying you directly to the presence of their King.
O praise our Lord all you glorious Angels; whose bright felicity began so early:
Stars that a rose in the morning of the world; and stil maintain your unchangeable lustre:
Shining perpetually near the throne of God; as the top and Master-piece of all his works.
[Page 483] O Praise our Lord all you his Works; bless him and magnify him for ever:
Praise his almighty Power that gave you your Being; and stil preservs you from relapsing into nothing:
Praise his all-seeing Wisdom, that here directs your steps; and leads you on to your eternal end:
Praise, above all, his boundles Goodnes; that pours into every thing as much as it can hold:
And though our short sight now reach not so far; but often mistake, and repine at his government;
Yet at the last great day we shal clearly discern * a perfect concord in the harshest note.
When our ador'd Redeemer shal come in the clouds; and summon all nature to appear before him:
There to receive each one their proper part; * exactly fitted to their best capacity:
There to behold the whole Creation strive * to expres in it self the perfections of its Maker:
Whose admirable Wisdom shal guide that last universal Scene; and finish the whole action in a beauteous cloze.
Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
Antiph. O all you works of our Lord, [Page 484] praise you our Lord; bless him and magnifie him for ever.
Antiph. I am the resurrection and the life; he that believes in me; though he be dead, shal live: and every one that lives and believes in in me, shal not dy for ever.
Benedictus. as page 27.
Antiph. I am, &c.
Then kneeling, say,
Our Father, &c. and the Miserere, as follows.
V. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy:
R. And, according to the multitude of thy compassions wipe away my offences.
V. Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin:
R. For I know my iniquity; and my sin is always before me.
V. Against thee only have I sined, and done evil in thy sight; that thou mayest be justify'd in thy words, and mayst overcome when thou art-judg'd.
R. For behold, I was conceiv'd in iniquity; and in sins my mother brought me forth.
V. Behold, thou hast loved truth; the incertain and hidden things of thy Wisdom thou hast manifested to me.
R. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shal be clens'd; thou shalt wash me, and I shal be made whiter then snow:
[Page 485] V. Thou shalt give to my hearing joy and gladnes; and the bones thou hast humbled shal rejoyce.
R. Turn away thy face from my sins; and blot out all my iniquitys.
V. Create a clean hart in me, O God; and renew a right spirit in my bowels.
R. Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
V. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation; and confirm me with an heroick spirit.
R. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shal declare thy praise:
V. For wouldst thou have had sacrifice, I verily had given it; with burnt-offerings thou art not delighted.
R. A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit; a contrite and an humbled hart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
V. Deal favorably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
R Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
V. Turn not thy face away from them, O Lord;
R. Turn not thy face away in wrath from thy servants.
V. Behold their humiliation and their labor;
R. And forgive them all their sins.
[Page 486] V. Behold how their spirit is in anguish,
R. And their hart troubled within them.
V. Their iniquitys have overtaken them;
R. Innumerable evils have compast them about.
R. And now, what is their expectation, but thou, O Lord;
R. And their substance is with Thee.
V. Before Thee is all their desire;
R. And their groans are not hid from Thee.
V. As the Hart pants after the water brooks;
R. So do their souls thirst after thee.
V. Their souls thirst after Thee, the living fountain;
R. When shal they come, and appear before thy face!
V. Their tears are their bread day and night;
R. While stil 'tis said to them, Where is your God?
V. Convert them, O Lord, thou God of strength;
R. Shew them thy face, and they shal be safe.
V. Bring out their souls from prison to praise thy Name;
R. The Just stand expecting til thou rewardst them:
V. How long Lord, wilt thou forget them for ever!
R. How long wilt thou hide thy face from them!
[Page 487] V. Turn thee, O Lord, and deliver their souls;
R. Save them for thy mercys sake.
V. Save thy People, O Lord, and bless thy Inheritance:
R. Govern them and raise them up to eternity.
V. That they may walk in the light of thy countenance.
R. And rejoyce in thy presence for ever.
V. That their souls may live, and sing thy praise:
R. While even thy judgments lead them to their Blyss.
V. O Lord hear our pray'rs:
R. And let our supplications come to thee.
Let us pray.
O God who in thy mercy hast prepar'd immediate rewards for the Perfect; and in thy justice, immediate punishments for the wicked; and mingling thy mercy and justice together, hast ordain'd a middle state for those who depart in a true but weak degree of divine charity: hear, we beseech thee, our prayers for these thy afflicted servants who look up to thee, and sigh after the times of refreshment from thy glorious presence; forgive them their sins, and deliver them from their sorrows, and bring them to the possession of all their wishes, in rest and peace and everlasting joy, through [Page 488] our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns One God world without end, Amen.
A Prayer for any particular person departed.
BEhold with pity, we beseech thee, O Lord, the soul of thy servant N. for whom we humbly offer our Pray'rs to thy Divine Majesty; and grant that the offences which humane frailty has inconsiderably committed, being by thy clemency mercifully forgiven; and all impediments by a perfect cleansing from the strains of sin, thorowly remov'd; the happy effect of seeing Thee face to face for ever, may immediately follow, through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son who—
V. Give them eternal rest merciful Lord.
R. And may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
Vespers for the Dead.
OUr Father. Hail Mary. Secretly and Kneeling: then rise and say
Antiph. Blessed are the servants whom our Lord shal find watching; he surely wil bestow on them all the mercys of heav'n.
Psal. CXXXIV.
COme let us make our peace betimes with our God; before the evening approach too near:
While it is cal'd to day, let us faithfully labour; for the night wil come wherein none can work:
Let us implore his favour first for our selvs; and not til then presume to beg for others.
Let us look first into our own brests; and strictly examine what passes there:
Lest, while we pray for the salvation of others; * our selvs becom everlasting reprobates.
Tel me, my soul, how stand our great account? are all things even betwixt heav'n and us?
Are we prepared to go meet our Judg; whose justice punishes every least defect.
Is there not stil some restitution to make; which the love of this world tempts us to delay?
Is there not stil some mis-affection to rectify; which our own false harts abuse us to connive at?
Not that we esteem, O Lord; any creature more then thee; from which abhor'd ingratitude defend thy servants:
But that we esteem them more then they deserve; [Page 490] serve; and busy our thoughts too eagerly about them:
We love them in some degree for themselvs; not purely as instruments to bring us to Thee:
Forgive, O Soveraign Goodnes, these our imperfections; and fix our whole harts on nothing but Thy self.
Why are we thus, at best, but good by halfs; for whom there's a heav'n prepar'd worth all our labors!
Why do we mingle stil with thy pure grace * so much of our own corrupted nature!
Deliver us, O Lord, from the tentations of this world; and mercifully save us from the wrath to come:
That dreadful wrath which we so justly fear; and which so many terribly feel:
Justly, they too confes; and yet they hope * in the God of clemency to meet with pity:
Pity, O Lord, their miserys; Thou who hear'st their crys; releive their sorrows, Thou who seest their tears:
Pity their fainting eys that perpetually wake, * till the long expected day appear:
Pity their wearied hands stretch't out to Thee; and send thy blessed Angels to unloose their bonds:
That they may pass away to those mansions of joy; where holy Souls rest, and weep no more.
[Page 491] Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
Antiph. Blessed are the servants whom our Lord shal find watching; he surely wil bestow on them all the mercys of heav'n.
Antiph. Happy they who are pray'd for by others: but far more happy they who pray for themselvs.
Psal. CXXXV.
HEar these our Pray'rs, O Lord, for thy servants; and favourably accept our humble charity?
Hear their own better pray'rs, O Lord, for themselvs; and tenderly regard their doleful complaints:
Out of that dark and dismal prison, behold they cry in the anguish of their harts:
O wretched we! what do we feel? what strange extremitys do we here endure?
How has the just Avenger of our crimes * severely pour'd his wrath into our souls!
Every thing afflicts us in this sad abode; but nothing so much as our own iniquitys:
They like a heavy yoke oppress our necks; and keep down our eys from looking into heaven:
Lord! we confess we have follow'd vanity; and negligently perform'd the work thou gav'st us:
[Page 492] We confess we have gone astray after the manner of men; but our chief desires were towards thee:
In Thee we believed, and lov'd thy Name; and now we grieve that we lov'd no more:
Quench not, O God of mercy, the smoking flax; nor break the bruised reed:
Pardon the sins of the days of our folly; and supply the failings of the days of our repentance.
O, were we now again on earth; and had the benefit but of one months space:
How would we spend every minute in penance; to purge away thorowly every least impurity:
How gladly would we take any cross or sicknes; that might wholsomly imbitter the world to our tast!
How, after this experience, would we hartily strive, * at any rate to escape these pains?
But we, unhappy we! have slipt our time, * which our gacious God so long indulg'd us:
Now we are left to our sighs and tears; and the incertain charity of those few that remember us:
At least, O! you our friends! send up your prayers, * to hasten the day of our glad deliverance:
At least, look well to provide for your selvs; that you come not hither to this place of sufferings:
[Page 493] Sufferings, which may your Souls ne're know; yet may they ne're know worse then these:
These are indeed extremely afflictive; but infinitely less than eternal torments:
We hope in time to rejoyce again; we are sure at last our God will deliver us:
But O! how long delays our Lord to come! why are the wheels of his chariot so slow?
Hast thou not said, O God of truth! that for thy Elect those days shal be shortned?
Hast thou not said, O Lord of glory! behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me?
Come, glorious JESU! with all thy holy Angels, * and the bright attendance of rejoycing Saints:
Come, and redeem the captivity of thy children; and lead them away as trophys of thy victory:
Thus, dearest Lord, will we cry continually to thee; and never leave weeping at the gates of thy Palace:
Til thou art pleased to open those everlasting dores, * and graciously say to our languishing souls;
Behold, I am come to pardon and refresh you; your sighs and tears have provok't my pity:
Behold, I am come to cal you to my self, * and give you possession of the inheritance I promis'd:
[Page 494] Come, come you Blessed of my Father; receive the Kingdom prepared for you:
'Tis enough that my servants have wept thus long; come, enter now into your Masters joy▪
Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
Antiph. Happy they who are pray'd for by others; but far more happy they who pray for themselvs.
Antiph. Gracious art thou, O God, in all thy promises; and bounteously faithful in all thy performances.
Psal. CXXXVI.
COmfort your selvs, O you heirs of hope and be not cast down at your present distres:
If he defer a while, expect; * for he surely wil come, and bring you relief:
He justly stays to punish your neglect; when he often cal'd, and you would not come to him:
He mercifully stays til your souls be refin'd▪ and able to bear the splendor of his presence:
Then, wil his glorious light immediately appear; and open to your view that blysful prospect:
Then wil he graciously unveil himself; and your eys shal see him face to face:
[Page 495] Then wil the eternal Deity shine brightly on you; and ravish your harts with everlasting Extasys:
All your great hopes shal be fully satisfy'd; and your long expectation abundantly rewarded:
You shal remember your afflictions with pleasure; when you see they alone were your way to felicity:
Even this very delay shal increase your joys; and every thing conspire to crown you with happines.
Meanwhile, our task shal be to pray for your peace; and joyn our humble voice to your strong crys:
That both our vows, thus charitably united, * may obtain for Both the pardon of our sins.
But, we, alas! are dust and ashes; and you your selvs, as yet, imperfect.
O pray for us, you holy Saints! whose wellprepar'd affections went strait to heaven:
Pray for us you Quires of Angels! who assist continually at the throne of glory:
Pray for us, bright Queen of heavenly Spirits, * and blessed Mother of the Son of God!
Pray for the faithful detain'd in sorrow; that the days of their banishment be no more prolong'd:
Pray for us siners, yet, Pilgrims in the way; that our souls may arrive at their true home.
[Page 496] Pray that we Both may stil look up to your glorys; and wish and long for that happy state:
Pray that, in all our eagerest desires, we may stil submit to the orders of heaven:
Stil frame our songs of hope and patience; and stil clo [...]e all with these precious words;
Thy Kingdome come, O glorious Lord! and yet, O Lord! thy wil be done.
Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
Antiph. Gracious art Thou, O God, in all thy promises; and bounteously faithful in all thy performances.
Antiph. I heard a voice from heav'n saying to me, Write, Blessed are the dead who dy in our Lord; from henceforth now saith the Spirit, that they rest from their labours, for their works follow them.
Magnificat. as page 44.
Antiph. I heard a voice, &c.
Then kneeling, say,
Our Father—and De profundis, as follows, From the depths, O Lord, have I cry'd to thee; O Lord, hear my voice:
Let thy ears become attentive, to the words of my petition:
If thou shalt mark our iniquitys, O Lord;
O Lord, who can sustain it?
[Page 497] But with Thee there is propitiation; and for thy Law I have expected thee, O Lord:
My soul has expected in his word; my soul has hoped in our Lord:
From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in our Lord:
For with our Lord is mercy; and with Him is plenteous redemption:
And He shal redeem Israel, from all its iniquitys.
Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord! and may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
V. Have mercy on them, O Lord; have mercy on them:
R. For their souls confide in Thee:
V. And in the shadow of thy wings shal they hope:
R. Til their iniquitys pass away:
V. Have mercy on them, O Lord, and bless them;
R. Shew them the light of thy countenance, and be merciful to them:
V. Turn not thy face away from them;
R. Lest they become like those who descend into the lake:
V. Keep thou their souls, O Lord, for they are holy;
R. Save thy servants who put their trust in thee:
[Page 498] V. They shal praise thee, O Lord, with their whole harts;
R. And glorify thy Name for ever:
V. For thy mercy already has been great towards them;
R. Thou hast deliver'd them from the lowermost hell:
V. Yet hast thou set them in obscure places;
R. As the Dead of the world:
V. Thy arrows are stuck deep in them;
R. And thou hast fastened thy hand upon them:
V. Their iniquitys are gone over their heads;
R. And keep them down as a heavy burthen:
V. But thou, O Lord, art their strong sustainer;
R Their glory, and the lifter up of their heads:
V. Thou art always near to relieve the afflicted;
R. And wilt save the humble of spirit:
V. Thou raisest those that are faln;
R. And bindest together the broken harts:
V. Shew them thy mercy, O Lord, who call on thy Name;
R. Make them rejoyce, who lift up their souls to thee:
V. To thee, O Lord, they lift up their souls;
[Page 499] R. In thee is their confidence; let them not be asham'd.
V. Let not their enemys triumph over them;
R. For all that expect thee shal not be confounded:
V. Though they walk in the midst of the shadow of death;
R. Let them not fear, for thou art with them:
V. Thou art their God and their Deliverer;
R. O Lord delay not thy coming.
V. O Lord hear our prayers:
R. And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who, in thy mercy, hast prepar'd immediate rewards for the Perfect; and in thy justice, immediate punishments for the wicked: and mingling thy mercy and justice together, hast ordain'd a middle state for those who depart in a true but weak degree of divine charity! Hear, we beseech thee, our prayers for these thy afflicted servants, who look up to Thee, and sigh after the times of refreshment from thy glorious presence: forgive them their sins, and deliver them from their sorrows, and bring them to the possession of all their wishes, in rest and peace and everlasting joy; thorow our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end.
A Prayer for any particular Person departed.
BEhold with pity we beseech thee, O Lord, the soul of thy servant N. for whom we humbly offer our prayers to thy divine Majesty: and grant that the offences which humane frailty has inconsiderately committed being by thy clemency mercifully forgiven, and all impediments, by a perfect cleansing from the stains of sin, thorowly remov'd; the happy effect of seeing Thee face to face for ever, may immediately follow, through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns One God world without end, Amen.
V. Give them eternal rest, O merciful Lord▪
R. And may thy glorious light shine upon them for ever.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
Pause a while; to reflect on what you have said; and renew your attention: then begin the Complin of the day.
Our help, &c. as page 46.
PROPER of FESTIVALS, &c. Sundays in Advent.
All, as in the Office of our Saviour, except Invitatory. Behold the day of our Lord draws nigh; Come let's adore him.
Then recite the Psalm, Bring to our Lord. page 318.
1. Antiph. Behold our Lord wil appear, and not fail to make good his promises: if he delay a while, expect; for he surely wil come and deliver us: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. Come, O thou Sun of righteousnes, and Fountain of eternal light! come and illuminate those that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death; and guide our feet into the ways of peace: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. Come, O Thou hope of the Gentils; and the desir'd of all Nations: come and redeem us from the vassallage of sin, into the only true liberty of serving Thee: Alleluja.
Antiph. for Benedictus and Magnificat. Prepare now thy ways, O my soul, before our Lord; make thy paths strait before the face of our God: for he will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; and blessed all they who are ready to meet him: Alleluja, Alleluja.
[Page 502] At Lauds recite Benedictus, page 27. and at Vespers Magnificat, page 44. Then, after each, repeat the Antiphon. Prepare, &c.
O Lord hear our pray'rs:
And let our supplications come to thee.
Let us pray.
O God, by whose providence thy Church has appointed the solemn time or Advent, to fore-run the Commemoration of our Saviour's Nativity, and prepare its way in our harts! Grant us, we humbly beseech thee, so devoutly to imploy this holy season in meditating on the Prophecys and gracious preparations of the world for the coming of the Messias, and on the infinitely greater mercys he brought along with him, and has left behind him: that our spirits may be rais'd to celebrate the great Feast with due joy and exaltation, and thereby better dispos'd to expect his second coming, who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end. Amen.
S. Andrew.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. Soon as the holy Apostle S. Andrew saw afar off the Cross prepar'd for his Martyrdom, he was transported with joy, and triumphingly saluted it, as the happy instrument of his approaching glory: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. O blessed Cross, dearly by me belov'd, [Page 503] and earnestly desir'd, and often sought; and now at length ready to satisfy my longing soul take me up into thy arms, the Disciple of Him who was crucify'd on thee: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. Take me up into thy arms, O blessed Cross! and bear me to my glorious Master; that by thee He may receive me, who by thee has redeemed me: Alleluja, Alleluja.
3. Antiph. Take me up into thy arms, O blessed Cross! and bear me to my glorious Master; that by thee He may receive me, who by thee has redeemed me: Alleluja, Alleluja.
Antiphon for Benedictus and Magnificat, as in the common Office of Saints.
O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our supplications come to thee.
Let us pray.
O God, whose grace kindled in the B. Apostle S. Andrew so ardent a love of his Master, that it flam'd out in vehement desires of his Cross! Grant, we beseech thee, that our devout celebrating the Memory of his Course and Crown may quicken thy Charity in our harts; and encourage us with confidence and joy to undergo whatever suffrings thy Providence casts in our way towards the glorifying Thee and advancing thy truth, and secure attainment of our own eternal salvation: through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with thee and the H. Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end. Amen.
S. Thomas, Apostle.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. The merciful and almighty JESUS came in, the doors being shut, and said to Thomas, put in thy finger here, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be no longer faithles, but beleeve.
2. Antiph. O admirable sweetnes of our Saviour's Spirit! Thomas was absent, and incredulous; and peremptory: and our Lord forgives him all; and restores him to his favor, with the easy penance of a gentle reproof.
3. Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believ'd: blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believ'd: Alleluja.
O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, whose condescendence to convince the incredulity of thy Apostle S. Thomas has turn'd his hardnes to believe into a means of facilitating more the faith of thy Church! Grant, we beseech Thee, that this festival Memory of his glorious Attestation to our risen Saviour may quicken our harts, not only in words, but in life and death like him, exemplarily to confes thy Son JESUS our Lord and our [Page 505] God; to whom with Thee and the H. Ghost be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Christmas-day, and the fourth and fifth days in the Octave.
All, as in the Office of our Saviour, except
1. Antiph. O joyful tydings, worthy an Angels mouth! Behold, this day was born to us a Saviour, who is Christ our Lord: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. Wonderful signs, to seek this new-born King of heav'n and earth! you shal find him wrapt in swadling cloths, and laid in a manger: Alleluja.
3. O blessed harmony of the celestial Quires! Glory be to God on high, in earth peace towards men of good wil: Alleluja, Alleluja.
Antiph. for Benedictus and Magnificat. This is the day which our Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoyce therein; Alleluja: This is the day which made our Lord, let us ex [...]lt and triumph therein; Alleluja, Alleluja.
O Lord hear our prayers:
And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who every year giv'st a fresh birth to the devotions of thy Church, by the welcom Festival of our Saviour's Nativity! Grant us, we beseech Thee, with such tender [Page 506] affections to entertain this first humble Rising of the Sun of righteousnes to us, as may better dispose and stronglier engage us to follow Him through the whole painful course which like a Giant he rejoyc't to run, inlightening the world with thy truth, and inflaming it with thy love; til in the end we arrive at his eternal Rest: through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the H. Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end. Amen.
S. Stephen.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. Stephen ful of grace and courage wrought great miracles among the people, and none could resist the Wisdom and Spirit by which he spake: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. And looking stedfastly up, he saw the heav'ns open'd, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; he saw, and enter'd: blessed are they to whom the heav'ns shal be open'd: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. While they ston'd him, he cal'd up on God, and pray'd Lord Jesu receive my soul: and kneeling down cry'd out with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who in thy first Martyr S. Stephen hast vouchsafed thy Church an eminent [Page 507] example of perfect Christianity! Kindle, we beseech Thee, in our harts a zealous emulation of his graces: that imitating here his constancy in asserting thy truth, and his charity in praying for our persecuters, even to death, we may with him herafter receive the crown of eternal life; through our Lord Jesus Christ, &c.
For Commemoration of Christmas-day, recite the four Antiphons and Prayer of Christmas-day.
S. John, Evangelist.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. This is that favorite Disciple, who learn'd on our Lord's brest at his last supper; and to whom were reveal'd the secrets of Heav'n: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. This is He in whom meet all those glorious Titles, of Apostle, Evangelist, and Prophet; of Martyr, Confessor, and Virgin: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. This is He, who, above all those glorious Titles, delights in this One, incomparably greater then them all, The Disciple whom JESUS lov'd: Alleluja: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, by the prerogative of whose special grace the B. Apostle S. John obtain'd that transcendent character of Beloved of his Master; [Page 508] and after became the great Doctor of mutual charity over all the world! Grant, we beseech Thee, that his sacred Memory may excite us also, and encourage us by the same purity of body and mind, and steddy love of Thee, and sincere charity one with another, to aspire to some share in that blessed Title, and its happy consequents, thy grace here, and thy glory herafter; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who, &c.
For Commemoration of Christmas-day, recite its four Antiphons and Prayer.
SS. Innocents.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. God withdrew his only Isaac, and left a thousand happy lambs to be sacrific'd in his stead, and accepted for his sake: Alleluja▪
2. Antiph. A voice was heard in Rama, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children and would not be comforted, because they were not.
Antiph. 3. Weep not for thy children, Rachel! behold they are: be comforted, they are Kings, and reign with Christ for ever: Alleluja: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who, by the Martyrdom of the H. Innocents, hast taught thy Church that [Page 509] no age or occasion of suffring for our Saviour is exempt from high reward! Grant, we beseech Thee, that our celebrating their Festival may make us adore this gracious Ordination of thy Providence: and however severely it may seem, at any time, to treat us or our relations, confirm our harts in a hopeful resignation to thy Will, and assured trust that all leads to eternal advantage; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who, &c.
For Commemoration of Christmas-day, recite its four Antiphons and Prayer.
S. Sylvester.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. This is the holy Pope, who miraculously heal'd the great Emperor Constantine; and by the sacred laver of Baptism, cleans'd him at once from the leprosy of his body, and the sins of his soul: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. The sign of the Son of man in the heav'ns, which, copyed on his Banner; made him a Conqueror; display'd on his forehead did incomparably more, made him a Christian: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. O happy times, when Paganism was abolisht, and Arianism condemn'd; when persecution ceas'd, and publick liberty was given to profes and practise as Christians and Catholicks: Alleluja: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, whose bounty crown'd, even on earth, thy holy servant Pope Sylvester with the glory of baptizing the first Christian Emperor Constantine, and the happines of obtaining liberty and incouragement for Christianity over all his Dominions! Grant, we beseech Thee, that our celebrating his Festival may refresh in us the memory of that high mercy to the world; and render us more tenacious of that primitive Faith, so eminently, at length, victorious over all persecutions: through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who, &c.
For Commemoration of Christmas-day, recite its four Antiphons and Prayer.
New-years-day.
1. Antiph. To day our B. Saviour, who was Lord of the Law, and by his perfect purity absolutely exempt, undertook for us the smart of Circumcision, and dishonour of being reckon'd among siners: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. To day was given Him the Name above every name; that at the Name of JESUS every knee should bow, of things in heav'n, of things on earth, and things under the earth: Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja.
3. Antiph. O B. JESU, make good to us thy precious Name, and save us from our sins: [Page 511] that now we may begin a new year of vertue▪ and cancel by repentance all the failings of the old: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who for our example, commandedst thy beloved Son to submit his pure and innocent flesh to the rigour of the Law, and, for encouragement of our hope, madest choice of that sweet and amiable Name JESUS! Teach us, we beseech Thee, with readines and humility to obey thy sacred Laws, how cross soever to our unmortify'd passions; and in all our necessitys with joy and confidence call on that holy Name, in which whate're we ask we are promis'd shal be granted: through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, &c.
Twelfth-day; and during the Octave.
1. Antiph. Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja: This is the priviledg'd Festival, that comes forth adorn'd with the glory of three miracles. To day the Wise-men were led by a Star to the cradle of our Lord; and falling down ador'd Him, and offer'd Him their royal Presents of Gold, Frankincense and Myr [...]: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. To day our gracious Redeemer vouchsaft his presence at a Marriage-feast; and [Page 512] there first publisht to the world his divine power, turning water into wine: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. To day our B. Saviour was baptiz'd by S. John, and the H. Ghost descended visibly upon Him, and a voice was heard from heav'n. This is my beloved Son in whom I am w [...]l ple [...]'d: Alleluja, Alleluja.
Antiph. for Ben [...]dictus and Magnificat. To day the first fruits of the Gentils, were consecrated to our Lord; and that sacred Prophesy happily fulfil'd, In his light shal the Gentils walk, and Kings in the brightnes of his rising: Alleluja, Alleluja, Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who, by the guidance of a miraculous Star in the heav'n, led'st the Gentils to the sight of the more miraculous Son of righteousnes newly risen to the world in a Stable! Grant, we humbly beseech Thee, that, inlighten'd and inflam'd by the memory of this wonderful providence, our eys and harts may be more lively fixt on thy goodnes, stil as graciously working towards the accomplishment of thy promises, to call at length the Jews and all the earth to the saving knowledg and love of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; who with Thee, &c.
Candlemas.
All, as in the Office of our Saviour, except
1. Antiph. To day the immaculate Mother [Page 513] humbled her self to the common rites of Purification, and presented her first-born JESUS in the temple: and for the litle price of a pair of Doves redeem'd the world's inestmable Redeemer: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. To day the devout Simeon took our Lord in his arms: and knowing nothing now could make him happier but the joys of heav'n, sung aloud this glad farewel to all the world, Now let thy servant, O Lord, depart in peace according to thy word; for mine eys have seen thy salvation: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. To day the holy Widow and Prophetes, Anna, who had spent her life in fasting and prayer and in the service of the Temple, came happily in, and saw our Lord; and spake gloriously of Him to all that expected the redemption of Israel: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who vouchsafest us this day to commemorate the B. Virgin's presenting, in the Temple, her self to be purify'd, and her Son to be redeem'd according to the Law! Give us grace, we beseech Thee, to adore and praise the condescendence of thy providence, that by such great Examples teaches us our evident duty of submitting to thy Discipline, though seeming perhaps unnecessary for our selvs: and grant that, as we bear in our hands these hallowed candles, we may confes in our lives our Lord [Page 514] Jesus Christ, thy Son, to be the light of the Gentils and the Glory of thy people Israel; who with Thee and the H. Ghost, &c.
Ash-Wednesday.
All, as in the Office of Wenesday, except Invitatory. Come let us fast and mourn and pray; for our Lord is merciful and just.
- Antiph.
- 1
- 2
- 3
Remember, O man, that dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.
Say this one Antiphon before and after every Psalm at Matins, Lauds, Vespers and Complin.
Prayer.
O God, whose providence introduces thy Church to the grave discipline of Lent by the mortifying Memento of the vile and frail matter we are made of! Grant, we humbly beseech thee, that the Cross of our Redeemer, form'd to day in ashes on our foreheads, may lay all our proud conceits in the dust, and make flesh and blood feel it self highly honour'd, if by whatever crosses or mortifications it may be temper'd and rais'd to become a fit instrument for rip'ning souls in they love, the immediate disp [...]sition to eternal felicity; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who, &c.
Sundays in Lent.
All, as in the Office of our Saviour, except
Invitatory. Come let us fast, and mourn, and pray; for our Lord is merciful and just.
1. Antiph. Now is the time of acceptance; now are the days of salvation: let us not rereceive the grace of God in vain, but in all things approve our selvs his servants; in labours, and watchings, and fastings.
2. Antiph. Now let us take a just and holy revenge on our sins past, and strive for the future to bring forth fruits agreeable to our penance; in purity, meeknes and temperance, in charity, patience and obedience.
3. Antiph. Let us follow, as we may, our divine Master, in his forty days retirement and fasting: who needed not, as we, the arts of religion, but all he did was for our example, that we might learn to fly from the danger of occasions, and take away the fewel from our passions; and by using to contradict the appetites of sense, inure our selvs to obey the commands of reason.
Antiph. for Benedictus and Magnificat. Convert us, O God of our salvation! and turn away thy anger from us; hear us in thy mercy, and speedily forgive us: lest prevented with death [Page 516] we find no time to repent, and without repentance eternally perish.
Prayer.
O God, whose gracious Providence has ordain'd us to lighten the oppressive weight of our corrupt bodys on our souls, by the long and solemn Abstinence of Lent! Grant us, we beseech Thee, conscienciously to observe the wholsom discipline now prescrib'd us; and with the due mortification of our flesh, so tojoyn the quickening of our spirit by frequent devotions, that all our carnal appetities may be fitted for burial in our Saviour's grave, and all our affections ready to rise with Him to immortality, at those sacred Feasts for which this season is to prepare us; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who, &c.
S. Mathias.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. Let them that stand take heed lest they fall: Judas was an Apostle, yet betray'd his Master, and dy'd in despair, and another took his Bishoprick.
2. Antiph. The lot fel on Mathias, a continual Follower of JESUS, from the baptism of John▪ till the day of His ascension; and he was numbred with the eleven Apostles.
[Page 517] 3. Antiph. He liv'd their life, and dy'd their death, and sits with them in glory to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Prayer.
O God, by whose special grace the B. Mathias was chosen to supply the room of the Traitor Judas, and compleat again the number of the Apostles: Grant we humbly beseech Thee, our celebrating his memory may raise our ambitions, every one by steddy following him, to fill up▪ the breaches made by our falling Brethren, and advance towards accomplishment the happy number of thy Elect, through our Lord JESUS Christ thy Son, who &c.
S. Joseph.
All as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. This is that wise and faithful servant, whom our Lord appointed over his Family.
2. Antiph. This is He who was honour'd with the title of Father of our SAVIOƲR and Spouse to the B. Virgin-Mother.
3. Antiph. This is He who knew decently to joyn a carriage becoming these titles with all reverence to Their Persons.
Prayer.
O God, who hast rewarded the blessed S. Joseph with glory in heav'n, worthy these high graces vouchsaf't him on [Page 518] earth, of Spouse to the B. Virgin, and Father to thy eternal Son, and faithful Guardian to them Both! Grant, we beseech Thee, that as we celebrate the Memory of his glorious Titl [...]s, we may imitate the Vertues of his holy life; and by the like perfect fidelity in whatever thy Providence intrusts to our charge, secure our hopes to attain hereafter the same everlasting felicity; through our Lord JESƲS Christ thy Son, who &c.
Anunciation.
All as in the Office of our Saviour, except.
1. Antiph. To day the Archangel Gabri [...]l was sent from God to the Virgin Mary; and entring her litle chamber humbly presented Her this honourable salutation; Hail ful of grace, our Lord is with thee, Blessed art thou among Women.
2. Antiph. To day the B. Virgin Mother gave her [...]st consent to that glorious Embassy, [...]Behold the Handmaid of our Lord, be it to me according to thy word.
3. Antiph. To day the H. Ghost came upon Her, and the power of the most High overshadow'd her; and untoucht of man, she conceiv'd in her pure Womb the Son of God.
Prayer.
O God, who, by the mouth of the Archangel Gabriel didst so graciously woo humble Handmaid, Mary, that her Virgin-Womb immediately conceiv'd the WORD, [...]ested thy eternal Son with our humanity! Grant us, we humbly beseech Thee, with such devout admiration to celebrate the memory of this highest Mystery, as may feed and increase thy charity, begotten in our harts by thy Spirit; and ripen it, to bring us forth partakers of his Divinity, who with Thee and the same H. Ghost lives and reigns one God world without end, Amen.
Passion Sunday.
All, as in the Office of our Saviour, except
Invitatory. Behold the Passion of our Lord draws nigh, Come let's adore Him.
1. Antiph. Who will give water to my head, and a fountain of tears to my eys; that day and night I may weep for my own sins, and for my Saviours sufferings!
2. Antiph. What, O my JESƲ, could our weaknes want that Thou hast not done! what could our malice invent that Thou hast not suffer'd!
3. Antiph. Far be it from us to glory in any thing but the Cross of our Saviour, in [Page 520] whom is our life and helth and resurrection.
Instead of Lessons read the Passion according to St. Matthew, Chapters 26 & 27.
Antiphon for Benedictus and Magnificat.
LOok up, my soul, on thy crucify'd Lord; look up and see the utmost extremity of divine love: already He had carry'd on, to a fair degree, the work of our redemption, in fasting and praying, in travailing and preaching, in doing miracles and bearing injuries; but now to finish all with one incomparable charity, behold He suffers even death it self, and death upon the Cross.
Prayer.
O God, who, by the mortifying discipline of Lent, hast graciously dispos'd us for the solemn season of closer preparation to celebrate the memory of our Saviours bitter Passion! Make us, now, we beseech Thee, so devoutly attend to, and thorowly meditate every circumstance of this dear Mystery, That our Lord JESUS may appear crucify'd even before our eys. and melt our harts with such tender compassion, as may kil in them all sin, the sole cause of his sufferings; and fit us by perfect love of Him for a happy part in his glorious resurrection: through the same our Lord JESUS Christ thy Son, who, &c.
Palm-Sunday.
All, as in the Office of our Saviour, except.
Invitatory, To day our Saviour entred Jerusalem in triumph; Come lets adore Him.
1. Antiph. Rejoyce, O Daughter of Sion! shout for gladnes, O daughter of Jerusalem! behold thy King comes to Thee, the Just One and thy Saviour; he comes to Thee meek and lowly, and riding on a Colt the foal of an ass.
2. Antiph. As he rode, a very great multitude spread their garments, and boughs in the way; and they that went before, and followed after; cry'd aloud, Hosanna to the son of David, blessed is He that comes in the name of our Lord, Hosanna in the Highest.
3. Antiph. Behold this is our Lord whom we have long expected, He himself is come to redeem us: this is our God whom we long have lookt for, let us sing and rejoyce in his salvation.
Instead of Lessons, read the Passion according to St. Mark, which begins Mark 14. 12. and ends Mark 15. 46.
Antiphon for Benedictus and Magnificat.
COme let us joyn our voices too with this pious multitude, and sing Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he that comes in the name of our Lord, Hosanna in the Highest: blessed is He that comes, for he is our Lord, Hosanna in the Highest.
[Page 522] Recite the Canticle, Repeat the Antiphon, then pray.
Prayer.
O God, who by this days solemnitys reviv'st to us the memory of our Saviours Triumph, ushering in his Passion! teach us, we beseech Thee, from this perfect instance, the ficklenes of this worlds justest glorys; and mortify our esteem of its best deserv'd applauses; and bring our harts chearfully to expect a Cross after them, as the highest way to our eternal glory with Thee, through the same our Lord JESƲS Christ thy Son, who &c.
On Munday in holy Week, instead of Lessons read the Passion according to St. Luke, which begins Chap. 22. vers. 1. and ends Chap. 23. ver. 53.
On Tuesday in holy Week, instead of Lessons, read the Passion according to St. John, in the 18 and 19 Chapters.
On Wednesday in holy Week, instead of Lessons, read the Passion according to St. Matthew in the 26 and 27 Chapters.
Maundy Thursday.
All as in the Thursday Office, but omit all Antiphons and Hymns, and Glory be &c. instead whereof, at the end of every Psalm, say kneeling, Christ was made for us obedient to death: and [Page 523] instead of Lessons, read the Passion according to St. Mark, which begins Mark 14. 12. and ends Mark 15. 46.
When you have done the third Psalm, at Lauds, say this following Antiphon, and so to the end.
Antiphon for Benedictus,
Our Lord JESƲS rose from the Table, and laid by his garments, and girt himself with a towel, and pour'd water into a Basin, and wash't the feet of his Disciples, and wip't them with the towel, which having done, he took his garments, and sate down again, and said to them, do you know what I have done to you? you call me Master and Lord; and you say well, for so I am: if therefore I, who am your Lord and Master, have wash't your feet; you ought also to wash one anothers: for I have given you an Example, that as I have done to you, you also do.
Say the Canticle Benedictus, then repeat the Antiphon: then kneel, and say, Christ was made for us obedient to death. Our Father. all silently: then in a low grave tone, say.
V. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy:
R. And according to the multitude of thy compassions, wipe away my offences.
V. Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sins.
[Page 524] For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.
Against Thee only have I sin'd and done evil in thy sight; that thou mayst be justified in thy words, and mayst overcome when thou art judg'd.
For behold I was conceiv'd in iniquity; and in sins my Mother brought me forth.
Behold Thou hast loved truth; the incertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast manifested to me.
Thou shalt sprinkle me with Hysop, and I shal be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shal be made whiter then snow.
Thou shalt give to my hearing joy and gladnes; and the bones thou hast humbled shal rejoyce.
Turn away thy face from my sins; and blot-out all my iniquitys.
Create a clean hart in me, O God! and renew a right spirit in my bowels.
Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of thy salvation; and confirm me with an heroick spirit.
O Lord open thou my lips; and my mouth shal declare thy praise.
For wouldst thou have had sacrifice, I verily had given it; with burnt-offerings thou art not delighted.
[Page 525] A Sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit; a contrite and an humbled hart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
Then shalt thou accept sacrifice of justice, oblations of holocausts; then shal they lay calves upon thine Altar.
Look down, O Lord, we beseech Thee on this thy family, for which our Lord JESƲS Christ vouchsaf't to be betray'd into the hands of the wicked, and undergo the torments of the Cross— who with Thee and the holy Ghost lives and reigns one God, world without end, Amen.
So end the Lauds and Vespers for these three days.
Antiph. for Magnificat.
Our Lord Jesus, the night wherein he was betray'd, took bread, and giving thanks, brake it, and said, Take and eat This is my Body which shal be given for you; do this in commemoration of me: Likewise the Cup also, after He had sup't, saying, This Cup is the new Testament in my Blood; this do, as often as you drink it, in commemoration of me: for as often as you eat this Bread, and drink this Cup, you declare our Lords death till he come.
Christ was made for us obedient to death.
[Page 526] Our Father, &c.
Have Mercy on me, O God — Page 523
Look down as Page 525
At Complin, begin with the first Psalm without Antiph, and instead of Glory be, &c. say, Christ was made, &c. Our Father. Have mercy. Look down. as Pag. 525 and so for the two following days.
Good Friday.
All as in the ordinary Office of Friday, omitting all Antiphons and Hymns, and Glory be, &c. instead whereof at the end of every Psalm say Kneeling; Christ was made for us obedient to death, even the death of the Cross.
Instead of Lessons, read the Passion according to S. Luke, which begins Luke 22. 1 [...] and ends Luke 23. 53.
When you have done the third Psalm at Lauds and Vespers, say this following Antiphon.
Antiph. for Benedictus and Magnificat.
Look up my soul, on thy crucify'd Lord: look up and see the utmost extremity of divine love: already he had carry'd on, to a fair degree the work of our Redemption, in fasting and praying, in travailing and preaching, in doing Miracles, and bearing injurys; but now, to finish all with one incomparable charity, behold He suffers even death it self, and death upon the Cross.
[Page 527] Recite the Canticle. Repeat the Antiphon then Kneel and say.
Christ was made for us obedient to death, even the death of the Cross.
Our Father. Have mercy. Look down. and so end as on Ma [...]ndy-Thursday.
Holy Saturday.
All as in the ordinary Office of Saturday, omiting all Antiphons, Hymns, and Glory be, &c. Instead whereof at the end of every Psalm, say Kneeling,
Christ was made for us obedient to death, even the death of the Cross; wherefore also God has exalted Him, and given Him a Name above every Name.
Instead of Lessons, read the Passion according to S. John in the 18. and 19 Chapters.
When you have ended the third Psalm, at Lauds and Vespers, say this following Antiphon.
Antiphon for Benedictus and Magnificat.
Death is swallow'd up in Victory. Death where is thy victory? Death where is thy sting? the sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the Law: but thanks be to God who has given us victory by our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us therefore be stable and immovable, abounding always in the work of our Lord: knowing our labour is not in vain in our Lord.
Recite the Canticle. Repeat the Antiphon▪ [Page 528] then Kneel and say,
Christ was made for us obedient to death, even the death of the Cross; wherefore also God has exalted Him, and given him a Name above every Name.
Our Father. Have mercy. Look down. and so end, as on Maundy Thursday.
Easter day, and during the Octave.
All as in the Office for Sunday, except.
1. Antiph. Christ is risen from the dead, alleluja; and become the first fruits of them that slept, alleluja.
2. Antiph. Fear not, I know whom you seek; He is risen, he is not here, alleluja; Come see the place where our Lord was laid, alleluja.
3. Antiph. He that rais'd up JESUS will also raise up us, alleluja: and refine our vile flesh into the likeness of his glorious body, alleluja.
Antiph. for Benedictus and Magnificat.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing for ever and ever, alleluja, alleluja, alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, whose gracious Providence restores to thy Church the face and voice of holy exultation, by the triumphant Festival of [Page 529] our Saviours resurrection! Grant, we humbly beseech Thee, that the joy which shines in our looks may flame in our harts, and purify them worthy those high and glorious hopes, so firmly seal'd to us by this days experience, of Rising again at last from our graves, and rejoycing thenceforth for ever in state of blysful immortality, through our Lord JESUS Christ thy Son: who with Thee and the H. Ghost lives and reigns One God world without end, Amen.
SS. Philip and Jacob.
All as in the Office of Saints, except.
1. Antiph. Now it suffices thee Philip, our Lord has shewn thee the Father, and henceforth for ever thou shalt see Him face to face: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. And thou holy Jacob the Brother of our Lord art gloriously happy; injoying for ever the same blysful Vision: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. These are Two of those precious stones that found and adorn the walls of the heav'nly Jerusalem. Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, by whose grace the B. Apostles S. Philip and S. Jacob water'd, as this day, with their blood the heavenly seed which they had long swet in sowing o're the world: Redouble, we beseech Thee the devotions of thy [Page 530] servants by celebrating together their happy Memorys, and grant that our Faith sopreciously confirm'd may fructify into holy lives & deaths worthy such glorious Masters; through our Lord JESUS Christ thy Son, who—
Invention of the H. Cross.
All, as in the Office of our Saviour, except
1. Antiph. Glorious art thou, O B. Empress Helen; whose devotion so miraculously restor'd to the world the standard of Salvation: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. This holy Sign shal be in the heav'ns; Alleluja: when our Lord shal come to Judgment; Alleluja.
3. Antiph. Far be it from us to glory in any thing but the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; in whom the world is crucify'd to us, and we to the world: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who, as this day, vouehsafedst to raise again even the Cross of our Saviour from its ignominious grave, to become a close and striking memorial of his Passion! Grant, we beseech Thee, that our devout celebrating this thy special providence may still more deeply imprint in our harts its gracious design; of making us often reflect on the great benefit of our redemption, and the infinite love and mercy [Page 531] of our Redeemer: through the same our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who, &c.
Rogation VVeek: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
All, as in the Weekly Office, except
1. Antiph. Ask and you shal receive, seek and you shal find, knock and it shal be open'd to you; says our Lord, whose word cannot fail: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. Thou know'st we need all these things; but more, but more, by these our needs to be drawn to look up to Thee: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. Seek first the kingdom of heav'n; and all things else shal be added to you: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, by whose H. Spirit thy Church ordains this a solemn time of supplication for all our necessitys! Open, we humbly beseech Thee, thy gracious ears to the pray'rs thou inspir'st and draw'st from our harts: and by granting us those Goods which thy Children with humility and resignation ask of Thee their heav'nly Father, so encourage our devotion and obedience, and so increase our hope and love; that transcending all Particulars, as safely to be trusted in the hand of thy Providence, our whole [Page 532] souls may thirst after Thee thy self alone, who art our All in All for ever: through our Lord—
Ascension; and during the Octave.
All, as in the Office of our Saviour, except
1. Antiph. I have finisht the work which my Father commanded me; and now 'tis time I return to him that sent me: let not your harts be troubled; I go to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God; Alleluja.
2. Antiph. Let not your harts be troubled; I go to prepare a place for you: and I wil come again, and receive you to my self; that where I am, there may my servants be; Alleluja.
3. Antiph. Meanwhile, I wil not leave you desolate; but wil pray to my Father, and he shal give you another Comforter, the Spirit of truth, to dwel with you for ever: Alleluja.
Antiph▪ for Benedictus and Magnificat. Why stand we looking downwards on the things of this world? behold our Lord is ascended into heav'n, and sits in glory at the right hand of his Father, Alleluja. Why stand we idle with our accounts unprepar'd? behold the same JESUS shal come again to judg the living and the dead, and give to every one according to his works: Alleluja, Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who hast inspir'd thy Church to celebrate, this day, the memory of our Saviours Ascension; when, having finisht on earth the great work of our Redemption, He carryed up his glorify'd Humanity above the clouds to its eternal Rest! Grant, we humbly beseech Thee, that taking off our eys from these vanitys here below, we may stand continually looking after Him into heav'n; and, hartily expecting his appearance thence again at the last great day, be always ready to obey his call, and meet him in the clouds, and follow him into those blysful Mansions which he went to prepare for us at thy right hand for ever, through the same our Lord, &c.
VVhitsunday, and during the Octave.
All, as in the Office of the H. Ghost.
Trinity-Sunday.
All, as in Sunday Office, except
1. Antiph. There are Three that bear witnes in heav'n; the Father, the Word, and the H. Ghost: and these Three are One; Alleluja.
2. Antiph. The Father is God, and the Son [Page 534] is God, and the H. Ghost is God: yet are they not three Gods, but One God; Alleluja.
3. Antiph. In this adorable Trinity none is before or after; none greater or less then Another: but all the Three Persons are coequal among themselvs, and coeternal; Alleluja.
Antiph. for Benedictus and Magnificat. To thee the eternal Father, made by none; to thee the increated Son, begotten by the Father alone; to thee the B. Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son; One holy, consubstantial, and undivided Trinity; be ascrib'd all power and wisdom and goodnes, now and for ever. Alleluja.
Prayer.
O Eternal Father, who by the visible dedescent of thy Son to redeem the world, and of thy H. Spirit to sanctify the Elect, has wonderfully made thy Churches own experience facilitate our faith of the incomprehensible Trinity! Grant us, we beseech Thee, in hart and voice to profes this most high and supernatural truth, and rejecting all the fallacious suggestions of short reason, humbly adore Thee, Three every-way-coequal Persons, in the same indivisible Deity; til we come herafter to thy blysful presence, and see the Mystery reveal'd in thine own glorious face; through our Lord, &c.
Corpus Christi; and during the Octave.
All, as in Thursday Office, except
1. Antiph. I am the living bread that came down from heav'n: if any one eat of this bread, he shal live for ever; and the bread which I wil give is my flesh, for the life of the world: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shal not have life in you: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I wil raise him up at the last day: Alleluja.
Antiph. for Benedictus and Magnificat. O sweet and sacred Feast, wherein Christ himself is receiv'd, and the memory of his Passion renew'd; our minds are fill'd with grace, and our future glory secur'd to us with a dear and precious Pledge: Alleluja, Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, whose infinite mercy has wonderfully contriv'd the very Body of our Saviour, which glorify'd sits at thy right hand in the heav'ns, to become stil the daily visible Object and Solliciter of our adorations on earth! Grant us, we beseech Thee, so devoutly to celebrate [Page 536] this glorious Festival, instituted by thy Church in memory of that stupendious providence, as may sanctify us every day to feed more strongly with it our faith and hope and charity; and raise in us a higher appetite of that clear unveiled Vision, to which our hidden God thus miraculously now condescends to invite us; through the same our Lord, &c.
S. John Baptist.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. This is the great Precursor of the world's Redeemer, the miraculous Son of age and barrennes; in his Mothers womb he was sanctify'd, and in his nativity many shal rejoyce; Alleluja.
2. Antiph. This is a Prophet, and more then a Prophet; of whom our Saviour said, Never did there rise among the children of women, a greater then John the Baptist: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. This is that burning and that shining light, who, despising the pleasures and conveniences of the world, chose his garment of camels hair, and a leathern girdle about his loyns, and his meat was locusts and wild hony: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, whose gracious providence summons us this day to celebrate the Nativity of [Page 537] the great S. John Baptist, thy Son's holy Precur [...]or! Grant, we beseech thee, that as we fulfil the Prophecy of thy holy Angel by rejoycing in his Nativity, we may improve both our selvs and others by imitating his life; while every one of us, in our several conditions and capacitys, faithfully indeavour to learn of him those excellent lessons of retirednes and mortification, of humility and self-denial, of zeal for justice, and courage in defending the truth, and generous and industrious charity in all our actions; through our Lord, &c.
SS. Peter and Paul.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. This day the Prince of the Apostles was nail'd to the Cross, and in reverence to his Master, with his head downwards; imitating with that humble difference, Him in his death, whom in his life he so dearly had lov'd; Alleluja.
2. Antiph. This day the Doctor of the Gentils bow'd his head to the sword; and receiv'd of our Lord the crown of Martyrdom: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. These are they who taught us thy Law, O Lord! thou shalt establish them Princes over all the earth, and they shall propagate thy Name to the end of the world: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who this day vouchsafest to refresh and excite the devotions of thy Church by the glorious Festival of its principal Founders, thy Son's great Apostles, S. Peter and S. Paul! Grant us, we beseech Thee, both humbly to adore thy powerful Providence in rendring frail men so firm a rock of saving truth, that the gates of hell neither have nor can prevail against it; and duly submit to that eminent Authority of the supreme Bishop of the Christians, which thy infinite Wisdom has ordain'd, as the fittest means to establish order, and preserve unity in thy Church: through our Lord, &c.
S. James.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. No sooner was he cal'd by our Lord, but immediately he obey'd, and left nets, and boat, and father, and all to follow JESUS: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. This was the first Apostle who laid down his life for our Lord; and receiv'd at his hand the crown of Martyrdom: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. Now, glorious Apostle, thou injoy'st thy Mother's desire, and for ever shalt injoy it, seated at the right hand of JESUS in his Kingdom: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who by the feast of the H Apostle S. James reviv'st in us the memory of thy great mercy to the world in so glorious a seedsman of thy saving truth! Cultivate so our harts, we beseech thee, by the solemn devotions of this day, that the blessed seed may bring forth more abundant fruit in our lives and deaths, worthy thy grace vouchsaf't us in such eminent Masters: through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who—
S. Ann.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. Blessed art thou among women, O holy Ann; and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Mary; Alleluja.
2. Antiph. Rejoyce, O glorious Matron, for thy pray'rs are heard, and thy barrennes comforted: thou hast brought forth the Mother of all our hopes, the Mother of JESUS; Alleluja.
3. A [...]tiph. I wil pour out my Spirit on thy seed, and my blessing on thy Off-spring, saith our Lord; Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, whose peculiar Providence sanctify'd the womb of the barren and devout S. Ann to bear the blessed among women, thy Son's Virgin-Mother! Grant us, we humbly beseech [Page 540] thee, in venerating her memory to adore thy free grace, which vouchsaf't her so glorious a priviledg from thee, and so high an honor in thy Church; through our Lord, &c.
S. Laurence.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. This is the glorious Martyr, S. Laurence, whose courage remain'd invincible in the midst of his torments; they broyl'd him on a gridiron, and he confest our Lord; they try'd him with fire; and he was found true: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. They sought his treasures, but his charity had laid them out of their reach: the hands of the poor had carry'd them into heav'n; Alleluja.
3. Antiph. While they were burning his flesh, he generously said to the Tyrant; I worship my God, and him alone I serve; therefore I fear not thy torments: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, by whose grace the glorious Deacon, S. Laurence, sustain'd the cruel torments of a lingring death on a gridiron, rather then betray the Goods of the Church deposited in his hands, or deny the truths of Religion conserv'd in his hart! Grant us, we beseech thee, in solemnizing his Feast, both to praise thy [Page 541] Name for so great and early an example of Christian courage: and be strengthen'd by it, against all possible temptations, to preserve inviolate our fidelity to thee and our spiritual trusts: through our Lord, &c.
Assumption of our Lady; and during the Octave.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
Invitatory. Come let's adore the King of Saints, whose Virgin-Mother was assum'd into heav'n; Alleluja.
1. Antiph. To day the Mother of our Lord was assum'd into heaven; Alleluja: and seated in glory above the highest Angels: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. Behold from henceforth all generations shal cal thee blessed; Alleluja: for he that is mighty has done great things for thee, and holy is his Name: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. Blessed, O holy Virgin, art thou among women; Alleluja: and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, JESUS; Alleluja, Alleluja.
Antiph. for Benedictus and Magnificat. Come forth now all you glorious Angels and blessed Saints of heaven; come forth, and behold your Queen, with the crown wherewith her Son has crown'd her in the day of her Espousals, in the day of the gladnes of her heart: Alleluja, Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, whose gracious Providence would not suffer the sacred womb that bore thy Holy One to see corrution; but, raising from the grave the B. Virgins body, assum'd it with her soul to the highest Throne in heav'n! Grant we humbly beseech thee, that devoutly celebrating the memory of this thy grace to her, we may inure our minds to raise and fix themselvs there, where at lenght we hope also to ascend; through our Lord &c.
S. Bartholomew.
All as in the Office of Saints, except
1. Antiph. His skin, and all he had, and even life it self he freely gave for the testimony of the truth, and for the love of JESUS: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. At the last day he shal rise from the earth, and be compa'st again with his skin, and in his flesh shal he see God: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. His body must expect for a time, in hope; but his soul went immediatly away to injoy the blysful Vision: Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who by the Martyrdom of thy B. Apostle Saint Bartholomew, refreshest in our memorys the glorious attestations which thy providence has vouchsaf't the world for c [...]rmation of thy truth: Grant us, we humbly beseech Thee, with such concern to reflect [Page 543] on the excesive pains he took and suffered for propagating the Gospel, and the superabundant rewards he now enjoys in thy blysful Presence; that our faith may be strengthen'd and more actively apply'd to carry us on in the same race to the same happy end; through ous Lord JESUS Christ thy son, who—
Nativity of our Lady
All as in the Office of Saints, except
Invitatory. Come lets adore the King of Saints whose Virgin Mother was born to day: Alleluia.
1. Antiph. To day was born the B. Virgin Mary, of the seed of Abraham and tribe of [...] da, and Family of David: Alleluja.
2. Antiph, To day was born the B. Virgin Mary. spouse of the H. Ghost, and mother of the Son of God, and daughter of the eternal Father: Alleluja.
3. Antiph. Let all the world rejoyce in the Nativity of the B. Virgin Mary Alleluja: of whom was born the Redeemer of all the world▪ Alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who this day cal'st us to celebrate Her Nativity of whom thy only Son vouchsaf't to take our flesh, and be born the worlds Redeemer! Grant us we beseech Thee so devoutly to rejoyce in the dawn of her [Page 544] immaculate birth, as more fitly may dispose us to behold and walk by her light, which every moment increasingly shin'd before men through the whole day of her life here, and follow it setting hence into eternal glory; through our JESUS Christ thy Son, who—
S. Mathew.
All as in the Office of Saints, except.
1. Antiph. Be not discourag'd, O my soul, nor make thy past offences unpardonable by dispare.
2. Antiph. This is he who of a sinner became a Preacher, and of a Publican was cal'd to be an Apostle.
3. Antiph. Fear not the power of the grace of God; but take heed▪ of delaying to imbrace it, take heed of refusing to obey it.
Prayer.
O God, whose powerful call drew Matthew the Publican from the very receit of Custom to become an eminent Apostle and Evangelist in thy Church; grant us we humbly beseech Thee in celebrating the B. memory of his life and death, worthy his high and extraordinary vocation, both to advance thy praise for so glorious an example of thy Grace, complying readyly and faithfully with thy grace, imitate to our utmost capacitys so glorious an example; through our Lord JESUS Christ thy Son, who—
S. Michael.
All, as in the Office of Saints, except
Invitatory. Come let's adore the King of Angels—
1. Antiph. He has commanded his Angels to keep us in all our ways; they shal bear us it [...] their hands, lest at any time we dash our feet against a stone: Alleluja.
2. Antiph. Take heed you despise not any of my litle Ones, says our Lord; for their Angels continually behold the face of my Father who is in heav'n; Alleluja.
3. Antiph. In the sight of thy Angels wil I sing to thee, O my God; Alleluja. I will adore at thy holy Temple, and confess to thy name; Alleluja.
Antiph. for Benedictus and Magnifica [...].
Praise our Lord all you Angels, Archangels and Thrones; praise him all you Dominations, Principalities and Powers; praise him all you heav'nly Vertues, Cherubins and Seraphins▪ praise him all you glorious Quires of blessed Spirits; praise him and magnify him for ever: alleluja, alleluja, alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who by the Feast of S. Michael the Archangel, Prince of the Church, summonest us to commemorate all the glorious Host of heav'n, rang'd under his standard to assist thy Elect against the powers of darknes! Grant [Page 546] us, we beseech Thee, both to admire and praise thy grace for so high a providence; and in faith of such Guardians, with firmer hope pursue the holy ways of increasing their joy by advancing our own Blys; through our Lord—
SS. Simon and Jude.
1. Antiph. These are they who planted the Church of God with preaching, and setled it with miracles, and water'd it with their blood: alleluja.
2. Antiph. They ventur'd their lives among barbarous Nations, and converted vast Regions to the faith of Christ: alleluja.
3. Antiph. They rejected the flatterys of the world, and despised the menaces of their Persecuters; and now, for all they did, and all they sufferd are eternally rewarded: alleluja.
Prayer.
O God, who, as this day, by a glorious Martyrdom calledst the B. Apostles Simon and Jude from their eminent labours in thy vineyard, to blisful rest in thy kingdom! Grant us thy grace we beseech Thee, to improve this d [...] vout opportunity of celebrating their Memorys, both by praising thee for such excellent Masters, and pressing more lively on our selvs their saving doctrin and examples; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who—
All-Souls.
All, as in the Office of the Dead.
A Prayer for a Family at night.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the H. Ghost: Amen.
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity now and for ever: Amen.
Our Father. Hail Mary. I believe.
O Eternal, infinite, and almighty God, whose gracious wisdom vouchasafes to command such things as are necessary to fit us for everlasting Blyss; & forbid such as are apt to render us eternally miserable! we wretched sinners, the frail off-spring of disobedient Adam, humbly prostrate our souls and bodys before thy adorable Majesty, and with a true and harty sorrow, each of us particularly thus accuse and condemn our selvs.
[Page 548] I confess to almighty God, to the B. Virgin Mary, to [...] B. Saint Michael the Arch [...]gel, to the B. Saint John Baptist to the holy Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul, and to all the Saints; that I have grievously sin'd in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my exceeding great fault.
Here pause a while to examine and repent, and make holy purposes: Then say,
Therefore I beseech the B. Virgin Mary, the B. Saint Michael the Archangel, the B. Saint John Baptist, the holy Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul, and all the Saints, to pray to God for me.
The great and glorious Lord of heav'n and earth have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life: Amen.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
JESU receive our prayers.
Lord JESU grant our petitions.
O God the Father, Creator of the world, have mercy on us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of mankind, have—
O God the Holy Ghost, Perfecter of the Elect, have—
O Sacred Trinity, three Persons and one God, have—
O God, the eternal Fulness of all Perfection—
[Page 549] O God, the overflowing Source of all Being—
O God, the bounteous Author of all our Good—
O God, who hast chosen us in thy Son before the constitution of the world—
O God, who hast created us of nothing to thine own similitude—
O God, who preserv'st us every Moment, that we return not again to nothing—
O God, who hast made all the world for the use of us, and us for the injoyment of Thy self—
O God, who hast redeem'd us by the death of thy Son; and sanctify'd us by the grace of thy holy Spirit—
O God, who hast brought us to the knowledg of thy truth; and blest us with so plentiful means of working our salvation—
O God, who hast prepared for us a glorious inheritance, if we love thee and keep thy Commandments—
O God, who art thy self that glorious inheritance—
O God, the only end of all our labours—
O God, the only Rest of our wearied souls—
O God, the only joy of our time and eternity—
O God, our God, & all things, have mercy on us.
Have mercy, O Lord, and spare us.
Have mercy, O Lord, and hear us.
From all evil, deliver us, O Lord.
From all sin deliver—
[Page 550] From all occasions of offending thy divine Majesty—
From the particular temptations to which we are most expos'd—
From sudden and unprovided death—
From everlasting death—
By thy almighty Power, deliver—
By thy unsearchable Wisdom—
By thy adorable Goodnes—
By all thy glorious Attributes—
By all thy gracious Mercys—
By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation, and humble Nativity—
By the sanctity of thy heav'nly Doctrin, and miraculous Life—
By the merits of thy bitter Passion, and all reviving Death—
By the joys of thy victorious Resurrection, and triumphant Ascension [...]—
By the glory of thy eternal Kingdom, and incomprehensible Majesty, deliver—
In the hour of Death, and in the day of Judgment, deliver us, O Lord.
We sinners beseech Thee hear us.
That it would please Thee to give us a true and harty sorrow for all our offences, we—
That it would please Thee to work in us a firm and sincere resolution of amending our lives, we—
That it would please Thee to pardon our sins [Page 551] past; and prevent us by thy grace for the time to come, we—
That it would please thee to have pity on the weaknes of our nature; and in all our necessitys, temptations and dangers, to strengthen and relieve us, we beseech Thee hear us.
That seeing every day our many imperfections, we may quicken our diligence, and humble our selvs, and learn to depend on Thee, we—
That acknowledging all we have is deriv'd from thy free bounty, we may praise and glorify Thee, and above all thy benefits love Thee our Benefactor we—
That knowing all we hope proceeds from the same free bounty, we may faithfully indeavour to serve and please Thee, and secure to our selvs thy everlasting rewards we—
That considering thy Providence does all things for the best; we may thankfully accept whatever Thou assign'st us; and not murmur at our part, but strive to act it well we—
That we may diligently observe the Rules of our several places; and contentedly stoop to the meanest work of our condition; sweetning all our labours with this glad hope, if we be innocent here, we shal be happy hereafter. we—
That we may live in peace and charity with all the world; especially among our selvs, so particularly ingag'd by our union into one [Page 552] Family; patiently forbearing, and freely forgiving, and readily assisting one another we—
That often, in the midst of our busines, we may steal up our thoughts to Heaven, to renew and encrease our desire of that glorious eternity, we—
That whether we sleep or wake we may still be safe in Thee; and whether live or dy, be always thine. We beseech Thee hear us.
Son of God, we beseech Thee hear us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, spare us O Lord.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, hear us O Lord.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us,
V. Lord have marcy on us.
R. Christ have mercy on us.
V. Lord have mercy on us.
Our Father &c.
V. And lead us not into temtation:
R. But deliver us from evil, Amen.
V. Bless we beseech thee O Lord, thy spouse the Church:
R. Bless her with the graces of vnity and truth and holines.
V. Bless thy servant our Soverain Lord King Charls:
R. Bless him with the spirit of wisdom and courage and piety.
[Page 553] V. Bless all the Nations subject to his Government:
R. Bless them with the gifts of peace, and truth, and unfeigned charity.
V. Bless our kinred and acquaintance, our friends and benefactors.
R. Bless our enemys and standerers, and all that despitefully use us.
V. Have mercy, O Lord, on the Nations who never knew Thee:
R. And Those who knew Thee once, but now are faln from the Truth.
V. Have mercy on the poor, and helpless, and afflicted:
R. And comfort them with hope, and patience, and releef.
V. Have mercy on the living, and govern them by thy grace.
R. Have mercy on the Dead, and bring them to thy glory.
V. Have mercy on us thy servants here assembled in thy presence.
R. And Thou who art our Refuge, be our Defence.
V. Into thy hands, O Lord, we commend our spirits:
R. Into thy hands, O Lord, we commend our spirits.
V. Thou hast redeem'd us, O Lord, thou God of truth:
[Page 554] R. Into thy hands, O Lord, we commend our spirits.
V. Preserve us, O Lord, as the apple of thine ey:
R. Under the shadow of thy wings protect us.
V. Save us O Lord, waking; defend us sleeping:
R. That we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace.
V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin:
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, let thy mercy be on us:
R. As our hope is in Thee.
V. O Lord hear our prayers:
R. And let our supplications come to Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, the comfortable Repose of thy servants in Hope, and their blysful Rest in thy everlasting Possession! obedient to thy Call by the voice of our nature, behold we retire to lay down our weary heads; and instructed by thy grace confidently resign up all we are and have, while we sleep, in the h [...]s of thy everwaking Providence; most humbly beseeching Thee, that, if it please Thee to take us hence this night, our souls eys, as our bodys, may be found absolutely closed to all this worlds Goods, and wide open to receive thy ardently-expected Vision: or, if thou vouchsafest by [Page 555] convenient refreshment to protract still our lives, we may rise from our Beds, cheerfully disposed, by good works in our [...] vocations, to make our Election sure, and advance our glorious Mansion for ever with Thee; through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who with Thee and the H. Ghost lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
V. O Lord hear our prayers:
R. And let our supplications come to Thee.
V. Bless we our Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. May the souls of the Faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace:
R. Amen.
O. B. Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for us.
O glorious Angels whom our Lord sends in mission for the good of his Elect, pray for us.
O holy Saints who perfectly secure of your own happines, are charitably sollicitous of ours, pray for us.
O all you blest inhabitants of heav'n, who continually behold the face of God, and readily dispense his benefits to us, pray for us.
God the Father sustain and protect us.
Jesus Christ illuminate and govern us.
The H. Spirit sanctify and perfect us to life everlasting. Amen.
Pause a while. Then rise.