advancing him, to weary him, and possibly give him a fall. Such is the distrustful care that many have in their spiritual course; they raise a hundred questions about the way of their performances, and their acceptance, and their estate, and the issue of their endeavours. Indeed, we should endeavour to do all by our rule, and to walk exactly, and examine our ways, especially in holy things, to seek some insight and faculty in their performance, suiting their nature and end, and His greatness and purity whom we worship. This should be minded diligently, and yet calmly and composedly, for diffident doubtings do retard and disorder all. But quiet stayedness of heart on God, dependence on Him, in His strength for performance, and His free love in Christ for acceptance, this makes the work go kindly and sweetly on, makes it pleasing to God and refreshing to thy soul.

Certainly thou art a vexation to thyself, and displease thy Lord, when thou art questioning whether thou shalt go on or not, from finding in thy service so much deadness and hardness, thinking, therefore, that it were as good to do nothing, that thou dost but dishonour Him in all. Now, thou considerest not, that in these very thoughts thou dost more wrong and dishonour Him than in thy worst services, for thou callest in question His lenity and goodness, takest Him for a rigorous exacter, yea, representest Him to thyself as a hard master, who is the most gentle and gracious of all masters. Do not use Him so. Indeed, thou oughtest to take heed to thy

foot, to see how thy heart is affected in His worship. Keep and watch it as thou canst; but in doing so, or in endeavouring to do, however thou find it, do not think He will use rigours with thee; but the more thou observest thine own miscarriages towards Him, the less severely will He observe them. To think otherwise, to fret and repine that thy heart is not to His mind, not indeed to thine own, to go on in a discontented impatience, this is certainly not the commanded watchfulness, but that forbidden carefulness.

COLLECT.

PRAYER BOOK.

GOD! who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful

people by the sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit; grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in Thy holy comfort. Through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

COLLECT.

PRAYER BOOK.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always

more ready to hear than we to pray, and art wont

to give more than either we desire or deserve; pour

down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

KEBLE.

HOU smil'st on us in wrath, and we

THOU

E'en in remorse would smile on Thee;
The tears that bathe our offer'd hearts,
We would not have them stained and dim,
But dropped from wings of seraphim,

All glowing with the light accepted love imparts.

Time's waters will not ebb, nor stay,

Power cannot change them, but love may.

What cannot be, love counts it done,

Deep in the heart, her searching view
Can read where faith is fixed and true,

Through shades of setting life can see Heaven's work begun.

O Thou, who keepst the key of love,

Open Thy fount, eternal Dove,

And overflow this heart of mine,

Enlarging as it fills with Thee,

Till in one blaze of charity

Care and remorse are lost, like motes in light divine.

Till as each moment wafts us higher,
By every gush of pure desire,

And high-breath'd hope of joys above,
By every secret sigh we heave,

Whole years of folly we outlive,

In His unerring sight, who measures Life by Love.

I. WILLIAMS.

HEN conscience grieves for what is past,

WHEN

May I on Thee my burden cast,

Resolved in Thee to do my best,

Resigned to leave the rest

With Thee, and so contented be,

With what Thou thinkest best for me.

Resolved that I my part fulfil

In what I know to be Thy will;
Resigned, in that I will rejoice
Which is in Thy dear choice;
If Thou wilt only in Thy love
Prepare me for Thy house above.

IN quietness and in confidence shall be thy strength.

E

Isaiah xxx. 15.

EIGHTH DAY.

The Good Fight.

FINALLY, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given