Have mercy on us. We have sinned in not profiting by the talents of grace and nature which Thy bounty has committed to us for our improvement, in idly spending that precious time, and unthankfully neglecting those gracious means which Thy goodness allows us for the work of our salvation; Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us, most merciful Father, and according to the greatness of Thy tender compassion, pardon the multitude of our grievous offences. Remember, O Lord, whereof we are made; remember the gracious promises of Christ; and for the merits of His sacred passion and most precious death, O Lord, deliver us. From all sin, and the danger most justly threatening our sins, from the spirit of pride, profaneness, and hypocrisy, O Lord, deliver us. From uncleanness, gluttony, and covetousness, from illtemper, envy, and rash judgment, from spiritual sloth, and forgetfulness of our salvation, O Lord, deliver us. From being deprived for ever of the sight and enjoyment of Thee; from the worm that never dieth, and the fire that never shall be quenched, O Lord, deliver us. We sinners do beseech Thee to hear us, and that Thou wouldst vouchsafe us the grace of knowing ourselves; that remembering we are but dust, and subject to a thousand infirmities and temptations, we may humble our proud thoughts, and sincerely acknowledge our own unworthiness; yet being created after Thine own image, and capable of eternal happiness, we may aspire to heaven, and value our souls above all the transitory enjoyments of earth; We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe us the grace frequently to scan and see clearly the state of our consciences, humbly to confess, and earnestly to repent of our sins, and diligently to practise all such virtues as may best conduce to the cure of our infirmities; We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. That Thou wouldst vouchsafe us the grace to keep a strict watch over our own senses, lest they entice our hearts to sin; to remember continually that Thou art present wherever we are, especially in prayer, and to offer up the same with a reverent gesture of our bodies, and the devout attention of our minds; We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. That we may love Thee the Lord our God, with all our heart, soul, and mind; and serve Thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life; We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. That we may never profane Thy sacred name by oaths or curses, and remember to keep holy the days consecrated to Thy service; That we may give due honour to our parents and lawful superiors, and be careful not to injure our neighbour in body, soul, or peace of mind; We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. That we may crucify the flesh, with its vices and lusts, and be ever clean of heart; And that Thou wouldst make Thy grace to abound in us; that presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to Thee, we may at length be brought to the kingdom which Thou hast prepared for us from the beginning of the world; We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. O Son of God, we beseech Thee to hear us. O Lord, graciously hear us, and have mercy upon us. OUR UR Father, which art Thy kingdom come. in heaven. Give us this Then all say, in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy will be done in earth, as it is day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen. us. If it be the season of Advent, Lent, or Ember-Days, here may follow the special Prayers which are to be said during those seasons. (See pages 73, 74.) Then he says the following Thanksgiving Prayer: ALMIGHTY God, who observest all the actions, thoughts, and secret motions of our hearts, and who watchest over us with an incomparable love, every moment bestowing favours and shielding us from evil, blessed be Thy holy name: and may all creatures bless Thy goodness, for benefits we have ever received from Thee, especially this day; but, above all, for the surpassing riches of Thy mercy, in creating and preserving, redeeming and sanctifying us. And, Lord, we beseech Thee, never permit us to be so base and wicked as to repay Thy bounties with ingratitude, or Thy blessings with offences and injuries but inflame our reins and hearts with the fire of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may serve Thee with a chaste body, and please Thee with a clean heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then he says the two Collects following, and Prayer for a blessing. WE pray Thee, O Lord, graciously continue to visit this habitation; drive far from it all snares of the enemy; and give us a quiet night and a perfect end; for the sake of our Saviour Jesus Christ. ASSIST, we beseech thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by Thy gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always from Thee, and by Thee may happily be ended; through Christ our Lord. MAY Amen. [AY the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless us and keep us. Amen. "BY FESTIVAL SOLEMNITIES AND SET DAYS WE DEDICATE AND SANCTIFY TO GOD THE MEMORY OF HIS BENEFITS, LEST UNTHANKFUL FORGETFULNESS THEREOF SHOULD CREEP UPON US IN COURSE OF TIME." ST. AUGUSTINE De Civit. Dei, lib. xvi. cap. 4. "WELL TO CELEBRATE THESE RELIGIOUS AND SACRED DAYS, IS TO SPEND THE FLOWER OF OUR TIME HAPPILY. THEY ARE THE SPLENDOUR AND OUTWARD DIGNITY OF OUR RELIGION-FORCIBLE WITNESSES OF ANCIENT TRUTH-PROVOCATIONS TO THE EXERCISES OF ALL PIETY -SHADOWS OF OUR ENDLESS FELICITY IN HEAVEN-ON EARTH EVERLASTING RECORDS AND MEMORIALS." HOOKER'S Eccles. Pol. lib. v. 71. |