Here we, alas! move flowly in the Dark led on by the Argument of Things not feen. Did we but clearly fee what we say we believe; we fhou'd certainly change the Course of our Lives.

Did we but fee the Damned in their Flames; or hear them cry in the midst of their Torments:

How fhou'd we fear to follow them in. their Sin; which we know hath plunged them in all those Miseries?

How fhou'd we strive against the next Temptation; and caft about to avoid the Danger?

Did we but fee the Glories of the Saints; or hear the sweet Hymns they continually fing:

How fhou'd we ftudy to imitate their Lives; which we know hath raised them to all their Happiness?

How should we feek all Occafions of Improvement; and make it our Bufinefs to work out our Salvation?

Nay, did our Faith but firmly believe the Truths we every Day recite in our Creeds;

What would we do to attain those Joys? What would we do to escape thofe Sorrows?

Wou'd Half an Hour be too long to pray; or once a Week too often to faft?

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Wou'd

f

Wou'd the Pardon of an Injury be too hard a Law; or the making Reftitution too dear a Price?

Durst we return to our Sins again; or fpend our Time in Idlenefs and Folly?

Yet is all this as fure as if we saw it and would move us as much if we feri oully confider'd it.

If we confider'd what I'm fure we believe; we fhou'd never live as I'm fure we do.

Which of us doubts but e're it be long we shall all be Duft; yet which of us lives as if we thought to die?

Pity, O gracious Lord, the Frailties of thy Servants; and fuffer not our Blindness to lead us to Ruin.

Supply our want of Sight by a lively Faith, and ftrengthen our Faith by thy powerful Grace.

Make us to remember 'tis no Childrens Sport to gain, or lose the Kingdom of Heaven.

Make us chufe wifely, and purfue our Choice; and as well use the Means, as like the End.

O fet thou right the Byafs of our Hearts; that in all our Motions we may draw off from the World.

That they may ftill incline towards thee; and reft at last in thy holy Préfence,

Thou

Thou art our Lord, and we will ferve thee in Fear; thou art our God, and we will love thee in Hope, and humble Confidence too of enjoying thee for ever. Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the Beginning, &c.

Antiphon.

What will it profit us to gain the whole World, and lofe our own Souls? Or what fhall we give in Exchange for our Souls? Our Father, &c.

T

First Leffon.

HE Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom. If Sinners entice thee, confent not to them; for their Feet run to Evil, and their Hands make hafte to shed Blood. Nay, themselves lie in wait even against their own Blood, and practise Deceit against their own Souls. They have hated Knowledge, and did not chufe the Fear of the Lord. Therefore fhall they eat the Fruits of their Way, and be filled with their own Counsels. The Bleffing of the Lord is on the Head of the Juft, but Iniquity covers the Mouth of the Wicked. The Memory of the Juft is bleffed, but the Name of the Wicked fhall rot. He that walketh uprightly walketh furely, but he that perverteth his Ways fhall be known. He that digs a Pit fhall fall into it, and he that lays a Spare for another fhall perish in it. He

that

that giveth wicked Counsel, it shall be turned upon himself, and he fhall not know whence it comes. He that will be revenged fhall find Vengeance of our Lord, and he will furely keep his Sin in Remembrance. The Hope of the Juft is Joy; but the Expectation of the Wicked shall perish.

Refp] O fweet and admirable Providence! thou haft commanded, and so it is, That the inordinate Affection of every one fhall be his Punishment: * For as we Sow fo fhall me reap, and, as the Tree falls, fo fhall it lie. Thy Grace, O Lord, is the Seed of Glory, and Sin the Root of Mifery, He that fows to the Flefh fhall reap Corruption; and he that fows to the Spirit shall reap Life everlasting. * For, as

Second Leffon.

Ollow not thine own Mind, and thy Strength, to walk in the Ways of thine Heart; and fay not, Who fhall controul me for my Works? For the Lord will furely revenge thy Pride. Say not, I have finned, and what Harm hath happen'd unto me? For the Lord is long-fuffering, he will in no wife let thee go. Concerning Propitiation, be not without Fear to add Sin unto Sin. And fay not, His Mercy is great, he will be pacified for the Multitude of my Sins; for Mercy and Wrath come from him, and his Indignation refteth up

on

on Sinners. Make no tarrying to turn unto the Lord; and put it not off from Day to Day. For fuddenly shall the Wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy Security thou fhalt be destroy'd, and perish in the Day of Vengeance. Though Hand join in Hand, the ungodly shall not go unpunish'd.

Refp.] My Soul, how many Thousands have been furpriz'd in the midft of their Sins, and hurry'd away to everlasting Sorrows? And we, alas! how many times have we been guilty? And yet our God has fpar'd us. O my indulgent Saviour, no other Reafon can I give, why I am not miferable, but that thou art merciful. Bleffed by thy Patience, that endures fo long; and blessed be thy Grace, that delivers at last. * 0

my

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Third Leffon.

End to thy Neighbour in the Time of his Need, and pay thou thy Neighbour again in due Seafon. Keep thy Word, and deal faithfully with him, and thou fhalt always find that which is necessary for thee. Do good to the Juft, and thou shalt have great Reward, if not from him, yet affuredly from the Lord. Loofe thy Money for thy Brother, and thy Friend, hide it not under a Stone to be loft. Be not afhamed to fay the Truth; for there is a Shame that brings Sin, and a Shame that