behold, O GOD, my desert and unfruitful soul. I am as a parched ground: make me as a land of rivers of waters. Be pleased, O my blessed Saviour, to create in thy servant a great hunger and thirst after the things of thy kingdom, and the righteousness of it, that I may long for the bread of heaven, and thirst after the fountain of salvation. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so may my soul desire thee, O LORD. O kindle such a holy flame in my breast, that it may consume all that might offend thee; that it may be my meat and drink to do thy will.

Grant, O blessed Jesus, that I may omit no opportunity of serving thee, of conversing with thee, and of receiving thee. Let me not rest in the performance of outward duty, but pass on to the excellencies of love, that there may remain in me no appetite for any thing but what thou lovest: that I may have no satisfaction but in a holy conscience, no pleasure but in religion, no joy but in my GOD. Grant, also, that with increased zeal I may follow after righteousness, and the things that belong to my peace, until I shall arrive at the land of eternal joy and praise, where thou livest

and reignest ever, world without end: to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all glory, now and for ever. Amen.

A Prayer for the Grace of Charity. MOST gentle, most merciful, and most gracious Saviour! Thou didst take upon thee our nature to redeem us from sin and eternal misery. Thou wert for us led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so thou openedst not thy mouth. Thou turnedst thy back to the smiters, and thy cheek to them that plucked off the hair. Thou wert mocked and scourged, crucified and slain, for us miserable sinners; setting us an example by doing good to thine enemies, healing the wound of one who came to lay violent hands upon thee, praying for thy murderers to thy heavenly Father to forgive them. O let thy bright example sink deep into my soul grant me thy Holy Spirit, that I may be enabled to forgive all who offend me.

O plant in my heart gentleness and patience, a meek and long-suffering spirit, that I may never be transported with vio

98 Prayer for the Grace of Charity.

lent anger, never indulge thoughts of revenge, nor be excited to discontent; but may receive all injuries with meekness, and patiently endure all crosses that may befall me; with charity return blessings for cursings, good for evil, kindness for unkindness, love for hatred, that living all my days in meekness and charity, keeping peace with all men, compassionating their necessities, and relieving their distress, loving my neighbour as myself, and thee more than myself, and more than all the world, I may at last come into the regions of everlasting peace and joy, where thou livest who lovest all men, and wouldst have none to perish, but all to be saved through thee, O most merciful Saviour and Redeemer, for of thee, and through thee, and to thee, are all things; to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory, thanksgiving, honour, power, and might, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer for Noon or Night.

LMIGHTY and Eternal GOD! who hast created me after thine own image and likeness, who hast made me capable of loving thee and enjoying thee eternally, I adore thee with all humility as my sovereign lord. Give me, I beseech thee, such a sense of thy infinite goodness, that I may render unto thee all possible love and obedience. O my GOD, upon whom all things depend, I acknowledge I have nothing but what is the effect of thy bounty. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and declare his loving-kindness to all generations.

I humbly and heartily thank thee for all the grace and favours thou hast bestowed upon me; for making me a rational creature, and for preserving me by thy gracious providence for redeeming me by the death of thy Son, and for providing the grace of thy Holy Spirit to sanctify my corrupt nature for bringing me to the knowledge of the Christian religion: for blessing me with plentiful means of salvation; and for preparing a glorious inheritance for those who love thee, and keep thy commandments.

O may I always delight to praise thee and glorify thy name, and above all thy benefits, to love thee, my great Benefactor. O Father of mercies, shut not up thy compassions from me, a vile and miserable sinner; despise not the work of thine own hands, the purchase of my Saviour's blood. I most humbly implore the pardon and forgiveness of all my sins, whether of omission or commission, for the sake of Jesus Christ. I am heartily sorry that I have offended thee. I detest my sins, because they are displeasing to thee, who art infinite goodness. I am resolved, by the assistance of thy grace, to return no more to folly, vanity, or vice: to avoid all occasions of evil, and to live better for the time to

come.

I dedicate to thee, O LORD, my soul and body, all that I am and have; and because, through the weakness of my mortal nature, I can do no good thing without thee, grant that all I shall do or suffer, by the help of thy grace, may tend to thy glory, and the salvation of my soul. Enlighten my mind with a thorough knowledge of my duty, and enable me, by thy Holy Spirit, to perform it with care and diligence. Make me sen