As you began, so end with glorifying God, that the outgoings of the morning and evening may praise him; and when you compose yourself to rest, say: I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest; for it is thou, O Lord, only, that makest me to dwell in safety. Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love of thy only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Into thy hands I commend my spirit; for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth. He walks as in the presence of God, that converses with Him in frequent prayer and frequent communion; that runs to Him in all his necessities; that asks counsel of Him in all his doubtings that opens all his wants to Him; that weeps before Him for his sins; that asks remedy and support for his weakness; that fears Him as a judge, reverences Him as a lord, obeys Him as a father, and loves Him as a friend. BISHOP JEREMY TAYLOR. THE knowledge is small which we have on earth concerning things that are done in heaven. Notwithstanding, thus much we know even of saints in heaven, that they pray; and therefore prayer, being a work common to the Church as well triumphant as militant-a work common unto men with angels,-what should we think but that so much of our lives is celestial and divine as we spend in the exercise of prayer? HOOKER. BLESSED art thou, O Lord, my God and the God of my fathers, who turnest the shadow of death into the morning, and renewest the face of the earth; who scatterest the darkness by this return of light, and hast commanded night to give place to day. O Thou who formest the light, and bringest back the morning, causing thy sun to rise on the evil and on the good; scatter the darkness of our ignorance by the knowledge of thy truth, that in thy light we may see light; and lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, the light of grace here, and the light of glory hereafter. O, let me hear thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning; for in thee is my trust. Shew thou me the way that I should walk in; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; for I flee unto thee to hide me. Defend this day from all evil of mine, and preserve me from all the evil of this day. Remove far from me thoughts that are without understanding; and evermore inspire me with such thoughts as are wise, and good, and well-pleasing in thy sight. Enclose mine ears with a hedge of thorns, that no foolish, filthy, or profane talk may be allowed to enter in; but let them be open to discipline and wisdom, and always give willing attention to the words of truth and righteousness. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips; let my speech be seasoned with salt, and good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Into thy hands I commend my whole self, my spirit, my soul, and my body; for thou hast created, redeemed, and regenerated them, O Lord, thou God of truth. Let no work of my hands cause grief or just offence of heart; but let me be con |