VII.

After Confession.

MY great and glorious God, I, who am less than the grain of dust that hangs upon the balance, profess, with the remorse of a wounded spirit, that I am not only sorry but confounded within myself that I have in so many ways sinned against so gracious a God and Father. But for the time to come, I will, by thy assisting grace, break off from my sinful courses, and fully purpose never to offend thee wilfully again. But thou knowest my infirmities, and my weakness is not hid from thee, and 1 beg thee, O God, to show thy strength in my weakness, and to confirm my infirm mind in this holy resolution, that, so having no need to repent of this repentance, nor wavering in the purposes which, by thy grace, I have made, I may go on continually in a pure and holy life, till, at the end of my days, I may come to those everlasting joys which thou hast prepared for them that love thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

ETERNAL Wisdom, who communicatest thyself into thy creatures in such measure as they are capable of, vouchsafe to impart to my soul that heavenly gift, to be a guide to me in all my thoughts, my words, my actions; that being taught by thy Holy Spirit, I may so far know thee as to love thee, and so far love thee as ever to fix my thoughts upon thee. Amen.

GOD

my everlasting keeper, blessed be thy name for evermore, thou madest me when I was nothing, thou hast so multiplied thy mercies on me through every moment of my life, that the sun has never risen or set upon me without new blessings from thee. And as thou hast done so much for me already, for which I pour out my very soul in thankfulness, so in the same degree of lowest humility I beseech thee to continue thy care of me, and so to shadow me under thy protection, that neither visible nor invisible enemies shall approach to hurt me. Grant this, O Lord, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

M

VIII.

Old Age.

ORD, have mercy on an aged pilgrim, whose sight grows dim, and whose faculties fail. Lord, grant to my last moment, if every thing leaves me, that a spiritual mind may never leave me; and as I get nearer to the grave, may I draw nearer to heaven, that Christ may be to me all in all. Amen.

IX.

For Devotedness to God.

M

OST holy God, who fillest heaven and earth with thy presence, let thy mercy listen to me though I am not worthy to approach thee; I have hitherto bent my wishes only on earthly benefits, turned aside from thee and disregarded those true joys which the consciousness of thy grace affords. Now do I sincerely desire to tear

myself from the world, and to depend on thee alone. But the thoughts of this world withdraw my thoughts from my good purpose, and avert my love from thee; my ideas wander from one idle object to another: my hope in thee sinks, my ardour for heavenly profession cools, and my heart is far from thee when I adore thee with my lips. O be gracious to me, O God. Strengthen my heart that it may wholly be resigned to thee and to thy love: elevate my soul above all worldly contemplations, and keep it in an uninterrupted longing after thy grace; let me never be overwhelmed with the anxieties of this life or careless in regard to the concerns of my soul. As often as I prostrate myself before thy throne, let me forget every worldly idea, collect my wandering thoughts, and centre them alone on thee. When I draw near to thee, teach me to pray to thee in such manner that I may seek and find thee. Teach me to live that I may hereafter die happily and in peace. Obtain these graces for me, O heavenly Saviour, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

X.

At the beginning of a Month.

MID the speedy flight of time, it soothes my heart, O God, to think that thy goodness is immoveable. How many changes of one and thirty days ocmay the space casion? how much may I have to endure? yet am I calm when I reflect that thy kindness endureth eternally. Maintain in me, O God, this good and precious belief; let nothing avert my heart from its love and affiance in thee; implant joyful confidence to my soul, and let me submit myself wholly to thy will. Amen.

XI.

At the close of a Month.

WHERE now are the days of this month? Its days appear to me

as so many hours! how much

did I purpose to perform which

remains undone. And what do I now!