His work is worthy to be praised, and had in honour and His righteousness endureth for ever. : The merciful and gracious LORD hath so done His marvellous works: that they ought to be had in remembrance. He hath given meat unto them that fear Him He shall ever be mindful of His covenant. : He hath showed His people the power of His works that He may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of His hands are verity and judgment: all His commandments are true. They stand fast for ever and ever: and are done in truth and equity. He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant for ever: holy and reverend is His Name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom a good understanding have all they that do thereafter; the praise of it endureth for ever. Glory be to the FATHER, &c. As it was in the beginning, &c. crown. WHITSUN EVE. "I appoint unto you a kingdom.” This then is the object for which JESUS CHRIST deals with us,-it is to prepare us for His future kingdom, and for our future He prepared it for us from all eternity. He prepared it for us by the merits of His sufferings. But He will have us also prepare for it ourselves. Our home is ready, but we must also be ready. And as He prepared it for us by sufferings, so will He have us prepare to suffer but these sufferings for JESUS' Sake, to what do they lead? To heaven, to a kingdom, to a crown of glory, and everlasting salvation. "For if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him." And the "HOLY SPIRIT helpeth our infirmities.” : Čome then, O most benign Spirit, Thou Comforter of the sorrowful soul in time of need, and Helper in tribulations. Come, Purifier of sins, Healer of wounds; come, Strength of the frail, Lifter up of the falling; come, Teacher of the humble, Destroyer of the proud; come, FATHER of the fatherless, and Sweet Judge of the cause of the widows; come, Hope of the poor, Restorer of them that are failing; come, Star of the voyagers, Harbour of the shipwrecked; come, Thou special Glory of all the living, Thou Supporter of the dying; come, Most HOLY SPIRIT,-come, and have pity on me; fit me for Thyself; prepare me to meet my GOD and my ŠAVIOUR; and receive me into glory, according to Thy compassions; through JESUS CHRIST my SAVIOUR, Who with the FATHER liveth and reigneth in Thy Unity for ever. Amen. Ŏ LORD our GOD, Who by Thy SON, JESUS CHRIST, hast promised Thy HOLY SPIRIT to them who ask Him of Thee, we beseech Thee to give Him to us in all the graces and assistances of which we stand in need: we ask Him in the deepest sense of our own weakness, as knowing that without His continual inspiration we can desire nothing that is good, or do anything that is pleasing to Thee. O therefore let Him be with us, and remain with us, and support us in all our trials and temptations. Let Him be to us a SPIRIT of sanctification to purify our corrupt nature; a SPIRIT of counsel in all difficulties; of courage in all dangers; of constancy in all persecutions; of comfort in all troubles, especially in time of sickness and at the hour of death, and of submission and resignation to Thy holy Will in all afflictions that are most grievous to flesh and blood. Grant this, O GOD our FATHER, for JESUS CHRIST'S sake. Amen. Come, O HOLY SPIRIT, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit, and our hearts shall be renewed. O GOD, Who by the light of the HOLY GHOST didst instruct the hearts of Thy faithful; give us, by the same HOLY SPIRIT, a love and relish of what is right and just, and a constant enjoyment of His comforts; through JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen. O HOLY SPIRIT, impart to me Thy wisdom, that I may discern on all occasions the path of safety and holiness; and Thy fortitude, that I may pursue it. Give me a meek and lowly heart. Give me a pure and patient heart. Give me a heart having no will but that of God. Give me a heart always in peace. Give me a heart delighting in prayer. Give me a heart having no desire but for the glory of GOD, and the salvation of souls. "Like as the hart desireth the waterbrooks so longeth my soul after Thee, O GOD. My soul is athirst for GOD: yea, even for the living GOD." Our FATHER, &c. Alleluia ! PSALM CXXXVIII. Confitebor tibi. I will give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: even before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee. I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy Name, because of Thy loving-kindness and truth for Thou hast magnified Thy Name and Thy Word above all things. When I called upon Thee, Thou heardest me and enduedst my soul with much strength. All the kings of the earth shall praise Thee, O LORD: for they have heard the words of Thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD that great is the glory of the LORD. For though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly as for the proud, He beholdeth them afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, yet shalt Thou refresh me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thy Hand upon the furiousness of mine enemies, and Thy Right Hand shall save me. The LORD shall make good His lovingkindness towards me: yea, Thy mercy, LORD, endureth for ever; despise not Thou the works of Thine Own Hands. Glory be to the FATHER, &c. |