Grant that I may weep for past sins; repel future temptations; correct vicious propensities; cultivate suitable virtues. Grant me, O Good Lord, to love Thee; to distrust myself; to be zealous for my neighbour; and to despise the world. May I study to obey those set over me; to assist those under me; to consult for the good of my friends; and to hate nobody. May I bear in mind and follow, O Lord, Thy blessed Example, by loving my enemies; by bearing injuries; by doing good to those that persecute me; and by praying for those who speak evil of me. May I subdue impurity by mortification; avarice by liberality; anger by gentleness; lukewarmness by devotion. May I be prudent in counsel; firm in danger; patient in adversity; humble in prosperity. May I have grace to be ever recollected in my prayers; guarded in my company; active in my duties; and firm in my resolutions. May I take care to gain inward holiness; outward modesty; watchful conversation; regularity in life. May I be vigilant in subduing nature; in fostering Grace; in keeping the law; in working out my own salvation with fear and trembling. May I follow after holiness, by sincere confession of sin; by fervent Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ; by constant recollectedness; and by a pure intention of heart. May I learn of Thee, O Lord, how frail is all that is earthly; how mighty all that is Divine; how short what is temporal; how lasting what is eternal. And grant that I may daily anticipate Death; dread the Judg ment; flee Hell; approach Heaven; through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Things to be Sorrowed over. TO BE USED OCCASIONALLY. W HILST thanking God for His mercy and goodness do thou lament and grieve, that thou art yet : So carnal and worldly; so unmortified in thy passions; so inclined to evil. So unwatchful over thy outward senses; so often entangled with many vain fancies: So careful of outward things; so negligent in things inward and spiritual : So prone to laughter and unbridled mirth; so indisposed to tears and compunction: So curious to hear news and to see beautiful sights; so slack to embrace what is humble and low : So covetous of abundance; so niggardly in giving; so fast in keeping: So inconsiderate in speech; so reluctant to keep silence: So uncomposed in manners; so fretful in action: So eager about food; so deaf to the Word of God: In such a hurry to rest; so slow to labour : So watchful after gossiping tales; so drowsy at the sacred services : So hasty to arrive at the end thereof; so disposed to be wandering and inattentive: So quickly distracted; so seldom wholly gathered into thyself: So suddenly moved to anger; so apt to take displeasure against another : So ready to judge; so severe to reprove : So joyful in prosperity; so weak in adversity: So often making good resolutions; and yet bringing them at last to so poor effect: So prompt to ease and pleasure of the flesh; so dull to strictness of life and zeal : So impatient of bearing thy daily Cross; so inclined to "follow afar off." Do thou resolve at the same time to be always amending thy life, and to be endeavouring still after a further progress in holiness; "looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." A Prayer FROM THE LITURGY OF S. BASIL. TO BE USED OCCASIONALLY, OR, AS MARKED AT PAGE 129. LORD God, Father Almighty and adorable, it is very meet and right, and befitting the Majesty of Thy Holiness, to praise Thee, to hymn Thee, to bless Thee, to worship Thee, to give thanks to Thee, to glorify Thee, the Only True God, and to offer Thee with broken heart, and with the spirit of humility, this our reasonable service. For Thou art He Who gavest us the knowledge of Thy Truth. And who is able to declare Thy mighty acts or to shew forth all |