sorrow is passing away, but the joy we hope for is more sure of lasting; and our having suffered, as all must suffer, before they enter into bliss, is but a token that our joy draweth nearer. That faith is tried and precious that doth not only submit to the Lord's will patiently for the present, but looks to the Lord's will joyfully in the future.

Jesus said, Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. John viii. 56.

VII.

Dismiss thy earthly anxieties when the night cometh, for day is their season; and the Lord hath appointed the still and solemn evening, not for the gloomy reflections of care, but for the repose of meditation. When

thou liest down let thy flesh rest, nor vex it with unquiet fears or regrets let it rest in hope. For He watches over it in the silent bed who shall keep watch over it in the holy grave. God shall refresh it this night from all weariness, and renew it from all traces of the grief of day, even as He shall raise it from corruption after a longer sleep, and receive it unto himself a spiritual body and unto a spiritual glory, not having spot or blemish, or any such thing.

The same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Rev. iii. 5.

And sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isa. li. 11.

PRAYER FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

O Lord, most mighty, by whose gracious providence my life is governed and preserved, I bless thy holy Name, that thou hast brought me one day nearer to the end of my course, and that I have one day less in which I shall be subject unto sin and vanity, and liable to fall under thy just displeasure. Thou hast protected my body from sickness, and every evil accident; but I acknowledge that I have been too remiss and negligent in watchfulness over my own soul. Grant that I may perceive whatever wrong or folly I have done this day, which may afflict me at some future time. Let me not

endeavour to heal my conscience

slightly with some vain excuse or

form of repentance.

Try me, O

God, and seek the ground of my heart, and reprove me of the wickedness I have committed ignorantly against Thee. Set before me, as they appear in thy sight, what have been the imaginations of my heart.

I confess, O Lord, that in many particulars I have too carelessly, if not too willingly, transgressed thy holy law; and those things which I have followed lawfully, I have followed too eagerly, setting my heart upon what I already possess, and coveting with inordinate labour that which is not mine. I have bowed down too much to this world, and subjected myself to inquietude and cares of my own seeking. I have walked in a vain shadow, and offended Thee in my vain conversation.

Pardon, I beseech Thee, for Jesus Christ's sake, all the sins which I

have committed or imagined against thy Divine Majesty. Thou wouldest that I should turn away from my wickedness, and not die; and yet I have continued to offend Thee, and have again to entreat thy mercy. Make pitiful allowance for my infirmities, and the corruption of my sinful nature, when that which I would not I did, and I did not that I would. Forgive these my trespasses, O Lord; O Lord, forget them; and, for the better confirmation of my pardon, add thereunto such a measure of thy grace as may preserve my body and soul from sin, and from thy dread displeasure.

I seek the remission of these my grievous faults the more earnestly, now I am about to commit myself unto thy holy keeping, and remember thine everlasting judgment. Give

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