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tentions, that no dregs of sinful pollution cleave there

unto.

24. “Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me" assist me, by Thy All-seeing Spirit, to look into mine heart, and diligently to search and try my ways, lest in any respect I swerve from Thy most holy laws: "and lead me in the

way everlasting," the way that leads to the full enjoyment of Thee, my God, the fountain of everlasting life and happiness; that without distraction or cessation, I may ascribe

Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

OF

CHAP. VIII.

MEDITATIONS FITTED TO EVERY DAY'S ORDINARY ACTIONS, AND SEVERAL DISPOSITIONS OF THE SOULS OF MEN, AND OTHER SUBJECTS OF RELIGIOUS MEDITATION.

Hold Thou up my goings

When you go forth out of in Thy paths; that I may

your house or chamber, say,

"THE Lord preserve my going out, and my coming in from this time forth for

evermore

n"

66 He shall give His Angels charge over thee : to keep thee in all thy ways.

"In their hands they shall bear thee, lest at any time thou hurt thy foot against a stone"."

"O hold Thou up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not "."

A Psalm cxxi. 8.

daily perform my vows.

"Lead me forth in Thy truth, and learn me for Thou art the God of my salvation, in Thee hath been my hope all the day long."

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• Psalm xci. 11, 12.

9 Psalm xxv. 4.

Joh. xiv. 6.

P Psalm xvii. 5.

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As you behold pleasant grounds, and variety of objects.

"O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all : the earth is full of Thy riches.

"So is the great and wide sea also wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts;

"These wait all upon Thee, that Thou mayest give them meat in due season.

When Thou givest it them, they gather it and when Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good.

"When Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled : when Thou takest away their breath, they die, and are turned again to their dust.

"When Thou lettest Thy breath go forth, they shall be made and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

"The glorious Majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever the Lord shall rejoice in His works.

"The earth shall tremble at the looks of Him : if He but touch the hills, they shall smoke.

"I will sing unto the Lord

Psalm xxxvi. 5-9.

as long as I live: I will praise my God while I have my being.

"And so shall my words please Him my joy shall

be in the Lord.

"As for sinners, they shall

be consumed out of the

earth and the ungodly shall come to an end. Praise thou the Lord, O my soul, praise the Lord."

Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

When you hear or see any thing extraordinary. "Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of Saints.

"Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy Name? for Thou only art holy"."

"Blessed be the Lord God, even the God of Israel, Who only doth wondrous things.

"And blessed be the Name of His Majesty for ever and all the earth shall be filled with His Majesty. Amen, Amen."

Psalm civ. 24-35. y Psalm cxliv. 4. cxix. 18.

When you hear the Clock, or see the Hour of the Day.

How fast doth hour after

hour come on! Time hasting to be swallowed up of Eternity.

"Man is like a thing of nought his time passeth away like a shadow"

66

Our days upon earth are as a shadow: and we bring our years to an end as a tale that is told.

"So teach me to number my days, that I may apply myself unto wisdom z:" wisely providing for that long day, wherein the Sun of Righteousness shall shine without setting.

When you go to Read or
Study.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of trutha."

66

Open Thou mine eyes, O Lord, that I may see the wondrous things of Thy law," in the true sense and meaning of Thy Holy Spirit therein, being not deceived by any false glosses, and misinterpretations of men. Grant, blessed Lord, that

* Psalm lxxii. 18, 19. b Psalm

u Rev. xv. 3, 4. z Psalm xc. 9. 12. a 2 Tim. ii. 15.

what I read or meditate | may conduce to a more clear understanding of Thy will; and that I may confirm the same by the holiness of my life: "being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer" of Thy word c.

Being wearied therewith.

:

"Much study is a weariness to the flesh and of making books there is no endd."

"Turn again unto thy rest, O my soul," return to converse with thy God, Who is the centre in Whom alone the immortal soul finds rest: hearken unto the sweet refreshing call of thy dear Lord and Saviour, saying, "Come unto Me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will refresh your."

Behold, I come, holy Jesus, relying upon this, and that other gracious saying, "In Me ye shall have peace, but in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the worlds."

Lord, let me never be weary in well-doing, but, when I may, do better: and prevent me in all my doings with Thy most gracious fa

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vour, and further me with Thy continual help, that in all my prayers and meditations, studies and endeavours, begun, continued and ended in Thee, I may glorify Thy Holy Name, and finally obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ

about any

When you go worldly employment. "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evilh."

"O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing; let me not be occupied in ungodly works, with the men that work wickedness: neither let me be ensnared with their delightsi."

66

Deliver me, O Lord, from every evil work, and stablish me in every good word and work.”

Blessed Jesus, let all my works be accepted through the merits of Thy sacred and renowned actions, and the imperfections thereof pardoned through faith in Thy blood. Amen.

When you are sad or
discontented.

"When I am in heavi

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"Put thy trust in God: for I will yet give Him thanks for the help of His countenance1."

"Put thy trust in God, and be doing good." Whilst I do the thing that is good, and abstain from evil, I may reasonably hope (upon my devout prayers) for the return of God's favour unto me and that the light of His countenance shall dispel all my darksome imaginations, all my gloomy fears and the perturbations of my spirit.

Return, return, O Lord God of Hosts, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy servant: O shew the light of Thy countenance, and I shall be whole.

When you sit idle. "Why stand you here all the day idle?" The devil, who tempteth unto all other

sins, is himself tempted by idleness.

"Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh: at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning :

"Lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping"." Upon wandering, wanton

eycs.

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k Psalm lxxvii. 3.-Nemo est in mundo sine aliqua tribulatione et molestia, sive Rex-Sed quis est qui melius habet? Utique qui pro Deo aliquid pati volet.-T. K.

1 Psalm xlii. 6, 7.

• Mark

xiii. 35, 36. • Mat. v. 28.

m Psalm xxxvii. 3. P Ecclus. xxxi. 13.

n Mat. xx. 6.

a Eccles. ii. 14.

r Job xxxi. 1.

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