^be Xove ot ^esus B 5 ^ I #ta5t ait5 present 3 There is scarcely a man of middle life in the ministry of to-day who does not recall these occasions with gratitude to God for the inspira- tion they gave to his early ministry. And yet it would startle an ordinary congregation if the minister were to announce as in our early days — " The quarterly fast-da}^ will be observed on Friday next." It would be still more startling if the President of the Conference were to issue a letter to the ministers and people calling their attention to the fact that in the " Large Minutes," which remain the standard of Methodist discipline, John Wesley emphasizes the importance of ob- serving Fridays as days of fasting, and gives de- tailed instructions as to the method to be adopted. ^ Again, when we contrast the present with the past in the private life of Methodism, as so many of us are privileged to do, we recall the love of God and humanity which breathed through those prayers in the home, in which the one who first taught us how to pray commended the child kneeling by her side to the Everlasting Love. She prayed in words never to be forgotten, how- ever imperfectly realized, that the life she had given to the world might be the spikenard oint- ment, to her ''very precious," poured out for the Master's honour. 1 Wesley, "Works," vol. viii. p. 316. 5ntro5uctors X-cttec There are many of us to whom the daily sacrifice in the home of praise and adoration was the great influence that made eternal truths the realities of life. There were days also when we were visited by some white-haired minister whose long 3'ears linked his infancy with the last days of Wesley's earthly ministry. We remember the apostolic fervour of his prayers, the passionate zeal which led him to inquire whether each one beneath the roof where he tarried for a few hours was a member of the household of faith. With what wise and tender words did such a one seek to awaken in careless youth a sense of the great love of God in Christ ! What was the secret of that flame of love for humanity which revealed itself in early Metho- dism, incidentally leading to the ihe ^ove emancipation of the West Indian **, o*"^ t slaves and the birth in England of the Secret of r r^ • ■, -r^ ^ the Saints ^^^ spirit of Social Reform, and which, according to Lecky the his- torian, saved England from the horrors of the French Revolution ? It is the secret which is revealed in the lives of all the great saints of the Universal Church. These men have been the divine instruments in those periodic revivals of spiritual life which, from generation to generation, have rekindled the embers of a faltering faith, XLbe Secret ot tbc Saints because of their consciousness of the Love of Jesus towards them, and as a result their personal devotion to the Living Christ. This note, of a love that triumphs over all other considerations, characterizes their lives and their teaching. St. Paul, as he reviews the earlier objects of his ambition, says, " I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." ^ To him the great object of all his endeavour is "to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." The vvhole burden of St. John's message is Love. " Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and gave His onl}^ Son to be the propitiation for our sins. . . . We love Him because He first loved us." 2 It was the love of Jesus which inspired Athan- asius in that lifelong fight against Arianism. It was no barren theological debate which so engrossed the " royal-hearted "^ saint of whom Hooker says that " during the forty -six years of his episcopate he was never permitted to enjoy the comfort of a peaceable day." It was simply --the theo- logical rationale of the Church's devotion to her Lord." ■* " The question was the evangelical one, 1 Phil. iii. 8. 2 I John iv. 10, 19. 3 J. H. Newman, " Lyra Apostolica," xci. * Dr. Bright, " Lives of Three Great Fathers," p. 17. 5ntro&uctor\? Xettev - What think ye of Christ ? ' " ^ ; and as Carlyle says, " If the Arian had won, Christianity would have dwindled into a legend." The French his- torian De Broglie says of Athanasius that he was, " from his youth up, enkindled with the passion which makes saints, the love of Jesus Christ." - The same passionate love for God in Christ lay at the root of the marvellous influence exercised by Francis of Assisi. The " Fioretti " contain the touching stor}^ of the conversion of a noble- man who became one of the earliest Franciscans, simply through witnessing" the saint's devotion in prayer. " Bernard . . . considering the great patience of St. Francis . . . invited him to his house and had a bed prepared for him in his room. Fra,ncis, believing that Bernard was asleep, rose from his bed and betook himself to prayer, raising his hands to heaven with the greatest fervour of devotion, and saying * My God, my God ! ' and so, shedding many tears, he remained till morning, continually repeating * My God, my God ! ' and nothing more. Bernard, seeing the devout acts 1 Wace, " Good Words," 1878, p. 68 ff., "The Practical Importance of the Controversy of St. Athanasius with Arianism." 2 M. Albert de Broglie, " L'Eglise et I'Empire Romain an IV. Siecle," I. iii. Zbc Secret of tbe Saints of Francis . . . was touched and inspired by the Holy Ghost to change his Hfe."^ There is a story that St. Thomas Aquinas was one day praying in the great church at Naples which is associated wdth his name, when he had a Vision of Our Lord Crucified, who said to him, -'Thou hast wi-itten well of Me, Thomas; what reward wilt thou have therefor ? " And Thomas replied, "Nothing, Lord, but Thyself."- Ignatius Loyola in his "Exercises " says, "as one who makes an ottering with great affection " : " Take, O Lord, all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and all my will, whatsoever I I have and possess. Thou hast given all these | things to me ; to Thee, O Lord, I restore them : j all are Thine ; dispose of them according to Thy j will. Give me Thy love and grace, for this is j enough for me." -^ I St. Catherine of Genoa ( 1447- 1 510), of whom her | biographer truly wTites that " she was surrounded j by the deep and peaceful ocean of her Love," j when asked by her spiritual children to tell them j something of that Love, replied, "I cannot find words appropriate to so great a Love. But this 1 " Little Flowers of St. Francis/' I. 2 " Vita di S. Tomaso d' Aquino da Paolo Frigerio," lib. j 1. cap. viii. 1 3 " Spiritual Exercises of S. Ignatius Loyola" (4thweek^ 5utroDuctory Xctter I can say Avith truth, that if of what my heart feels one drop were to go forth into Hell, Hell itself would altogether turn into Eternal Life." One who knew her wrote, " This soul remained many a time in company with its many spiritual friends, discoursing of the Divine Love in such wise that they felt as though in Paradise." ^ In the serener air of this experience, souls divided by bitter controversies can meet. Harnack writes of Luther : " From the time of Athanasius, there had been no theologian who had given so much living power for faith to the doctrine of the Godhead of Christ as Luther did ; since the time of Cyril, no teacher had arisen in the Church for whom the mystery of the union of the two natures in Christ was so full of comfort as for Luther : ' I have a better provider than all angels are : He lies in the cradle and hangs on the breast of a virgin, but sits, neverthe- less, at the right hand of the Almighty Father ' ; no mystic philosopher of antiquity spoke with greater conviction and delight than Luther of the sacred nourishment in the Eucharist." - Samuel Rutherford, the great Presbyterian > Baron Fr. von Hiigel, " The Mystical Element of Religion, as Studied in St. Catherine of Genoa and her Friends," vol. i. pp. 159, 160. 2 Hamack, " History of Dogma," vii. 173-4. Zbc Secret ot tbe Saints m3^stic (1600-1661), writes: "My desire is that my Lord would give me broader and deeper thoughts to feed myself with wondering at His love. I v.'ould I could weigh it, but I have no balance for it. . . . What remaineth, then, but that my debt to the love of Christ be unpaid to all eternity." ^ John Bunyan writes in "' Grace Abounding " : " Methinks I was as if I had seen Him . . . walk through the v»^orld from the cradle to the Cross, to which also when He came I saw how gently He gave Himself to be hanged and nailed upon it for niAT^ sins and wicked doings. . . . O, friends, cry to God to reveal Jesus Christ to you. . . . There is none teacheth like Him." - Charles Wesley sings in words familiar to us all : Jesu, lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly. Thou, O Christ, art all I v.ant ; More than all in Thee I find. Writing on the morrow of a day when for eight hours it was my privilege to see Bavarian peasants reproduce wdth marvellous fidelity the main incidents in the Passion of Our Lord, two lines of the many choruses sung come to my mind as most expressive of the whole story. They v.ere 1 " Letters of Samuel Rutherford," Letter cxxx. p. 2^7. 2 " Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners." ^ntroDuctors atettcc the lines sung by the chorus just before the final betrayal, condemnation, and crucifixion. Well did Daisenberger, the priest-dramatist of Ober Amniergau, write, towards the end of his wonderful tragedy : Wer kann die hohe Liebe fassen Die bis zum Tode liebt ? ^ No human artist can do more than dimly depict the greatness of that Love which loved to the death, and it is the realization of that Love which has created saints in all ages. The secret of the life of the Church is ever found in a personal devotion to the Lord who was " Very God of Very God . . . who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made Man." The arguments of Arius, Socinus, and others who have been led by their efforts to attempt to rationalize the Incarnation, are uttered in vain against the Mystery oi the Love of God revealed lo man in the person of Jesus our Lord. We who are the children of the JMethodist Revival must know that this realization of the Love of Jesus is a mightier force in the life of 1 Who caa that great Love express which loved even unto death ? {position of /iftoDcni /ifcetboMsm the world because of that spiritual armoury, j that Methodized prayer, meditation, study of i the Scriptures, self-discipline, and frequent use i of Holy Communion which earned for the Oxford j students the name of INIethodists. It is ever j true that " the wind bloweth where it listeth ; I so is every one that is born of the Spirit." ^ There j are forces at work in the spiritual life which we, I who are still guessing at the greatest natural j forces, can but dimly perceive. And yet there ! is one law which is wTitten plain for all to read | in the whole history of the Church — " The king- j dom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent I take it by force." - The Christian life, as Wesley, I like St. Paul, realized, is a soldier's life, and none | can fight effectively who do not take unto them j the whole armour of God. I What is happening to Modern Methodism ? i We have claimed for ourselves the name of a j Church. Our political power is being ' ne OS5 ion ^^^^ more effectively than ever before i or Modern , . -^ . , , i Methodism ^^ ^"^^ history. By a special effort i ^Methodism has contributed one million guineas to commemorate the birth of a new century, and we have no small satisfaction in ; contrasting that sum with the much smaller | sums raised by other communions, in some cases 1 Tohn iii. 8. 2 Matt. xi. 12. JntroDuctoi*^ Xettec wealthier. Never has a more powerful ecclesi- astical organization covered the world in so short a time. The despised sect of a hundred years ago now finds a not unnatural, however un- spiritual, pride in the fact that its sons have risen to occupy the Presidential chair of the great American Commonwealth, to take their places in the House of Lords and in the Cabinet of England, and to exercise a growing influence in those ancient English Universities which were once closed to the members of our communion. But these are among the "things that vanish all." They belong to the same category as that which St. Paul enumerated only to emphasize his love of Jesus and to sa}^ that he counted them " loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus." Whilst politically and ecclesiastically Metho- dism has gained such strength and power, we are compelled to recognize the fact that we are, at best, little more than holding our own in relation to the growth of population. If we are honest, and if we have eyes to read the signs of the times, we shall see that, along with the other churches of Christendom, Methodism is fighting for its life against a deadly materialism, perhaps less aggressively atheistic, less insolent, than it was thirty years ago, but more dangerous because more insidious, more subtle because it I Zbc Spirit ot tbe Bcje i.^ | comes in the garb of a "social progress" that -- seeks the amelioration of all classes of the people." Fifty years ago our grandsires sang : We have no abiding city here, But seek a city out of sight ; Thither our steady course we steer, Aspiring to the plains of light. In those days Methodism was attacked for being "other-worldly." None of us need fear or hope to be thus attacked in the present generation. The question A\ill naturally be asked whether it is possiole for us to contend successfully against the Zeitgeist — the spirit of the age in which wc live. Is it possible to Decline in r -r ui counteract the worldly tendencies in- Inevitable -^ duced by that enormous advance in the prosperity of great nations consequent on an era of invention ? Is it not ine\dtable that inven- tion should be followed by wealth, wealth by luxury, and luxury by a decline of spiritual force ? If we are true to history and to the experience of the Universal Church, we can triumphantly answer, " No, it is not ine\'itable." The Christian Church was born when the Roman Peace dominated the whole world. It became a mighty power in the catacombs ol 14 5ntvoOuctors ILetter Rome when the Imperial city was revelling in the luxury which was destined to undermine its own power. When Francis stood in the hall of Assisi and uttered his first protest against wealth and luxury, he spoke to an Italy which was enriched by the Second Empire of Rome, an Empire in which Pope and Cardinals had realized a dominion over the civilized world parallel to, but more powerful than, that of Emperor and Senate in the days of Augustus. When Loyola commenced the great Counter-Reformation which gave new life to the Church of Rome and made her a great missionary force in China and Japan, the old world was just being enriched by the conquests of the new ; Mexico and Peru were supplying their wealth to aid in building the great works of the Renaissance. We must recognize these facts however much we may deplore many of the deeds of "The Society of Jesus." And when Wesley began his work at Oxford, England was entering on that era of imperial expansion which gave her, during Wesley's lifetime, the Indian Empire and Canada. There is, therefore, no reason inherent in the present enormous advance of material prosperity and consequent luxury against as great a revival of religion in the twentieth century as the Church has ever known. present possibilities 15 " [We] have not because [we] ask not. . . . [We] ask and receive not because [we] ask amiss." ^ If it were possible for the Oxford Methodists deliberately to set themselves to induce a revival by systematic prayer, study of devotional writers in the Scriptures and after the apostolic age, meditation and self-discipline ; if such definite endeavour has, again and again, in the history of the Universal Church produced great out- breaks of spiritual fervour and zeal, we shall be wise if we learn the lessons of the past, and set ourselves to consider what we can now do to kindle anew the passion for the conversion of the world to Christ. Professor Seeley, the \\Titer of " Ecce Homo," was far removed from us ecclesiastically and in his intellectual outlook, and yet he A\Tote in that once famous book, " Surely this article of con- version is the true ariiculis stantis aut cadentis eccUsicB. Wlien the power of reclaiming the lost dies out of the Church, it may remain a useful institution, though it is most likely to become an immoral and mischievous one. Where the power remains, there, whatever is wanting, it may still be said that ' the Tabernacle of God is with men.' " '- These, then, are the means which the example 1 JaiTies iv. 2, 3. 2 " Ecce Homo," chap. xx. i6 5nti'o&iictou^ letter of Our Lord and His greatest apostles in every age teach us to adopt if we would eans o maintain the dunaniis which was p * poured out on the day of Pente- cost. Jesus bade His disciples tarry at Jerusalem for that Baptism. He found it necessary in His earthly ministry to spend whole nights in prayer. The Transfiguration was symbolical of much in His life, and revealed possibilities to His followers which the wisest of them have since realized. Communion with the Father, fellowship with the great souls of other ages, are possible to us all, if we follow His example and persistently seek such communion and fellowship. But is there anything in our lives which corre- sponds to that quest for God that made the Psalmist compare his longing for the divine with the " panting of the hart after the water- brooks "? ^ The world pursues us unceasingly. We are athirst and yet we scarcely pause to quench our thirst. What have we done to train our own children and the children of the Church in systematic prayer ? Contrary to the custom of John Wesley and the early Methodists, we have almost entirely eschewed, if not despised, such forms of prayer as Wesley 1 P3. xlii. I. included in the literature that he published. Wesley, although a man of wide literary culture, publishing for his preachers his own selection from the Fathers, and for his people a large devotional library, yet styled himself \\ith truth homo unius libri. He ever put in the foreground of all forms of prayer, of all liturgies, the Book of Psalms, the liturgy of the Jewish Church. From this treasure-house of adoration, confession, and intercession the Christian Church in every age and in all its communions has received much of its highest inspiration. Amongst Wesley's followers not only the Psalms, but all the de- votional chapters of the Bible, provide "forms of prayer," the supreme importance of which it is not necessary to emphasize. When Jesus Himself was asked, " Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples,"^ he responded by giving the '' form of prayer " which more lips have uttered than any other set of words since human speech began. But we,, in common with the rest of Christen- dom, are inheritors of another great legacy from the past, in addition to the canon of Sacred Scripture. In the Collects and Litanies of the whole Church are enshrined the thoughts of the saints of all ages, as they review the tragic experi- 1 Luke xi. i. 5ntroDnctor^ Xettec ences through which they have passed, and the great deliverances which God has wrought out for them. "All things are [ours]."^ We have wTongly allowed this wealth of spiritual life to be largely sealed from us and our children through a dread (in itself superstitious) of the superstitious repetition — " vain " repetition — of forms of prayer. Again, in the old Methodist hymns we have in the real sense a " Book of Common Prayer," and such it was to our people fifty years ago. Must we not sorrowfully admit that to-day these great theological poems and h^mns of intense devotion, which meant so much to our fore- fathers, have given place to superficial productions which, however admirably phrased, lack the strength and depth of the earlier hymns ? Is it not possible that, in our strange modern dread of forms of prayer, we have been removing one by one the tent-pegs which maintained the stability o£ our spiritual tabernacle ? May the presumption be pardoned, in one j whose life is crowded, if he has done \vrong in 1 striving to compile from prayers which he has i found helpful a basis for a return to the use of | the spiritual legacy of the Universal Church, i In addition to using collects and prayers from : various liturgies, I have drawn largely upon the 1 I Cor. iii. 21. /IBeDitation 19 " Preces Privatae," the private prayers written originally in Greek by Bishop Andrewes. One of the devotional works that has most influenced my ov/n life is a copy of the edition of these prayers edited by Dr. Alexander Whyte. of Edin- burgh, and given to me personally many years since by that great Presbyterian ^\^:iter on devotional literature. I have also taken certain prayers from the " Devotions for Every Day in the Week " pub- lished by John Wesley in his " Christian Library." He took them from an adaptation by Hickes, the Non-Juror, of a work by John Austin, a Roman Catholic hamster, written in the year 1650. These devotions as arranged by Wesley have recently been reprinted in Methuen's " Library of Devotion," and readers who find these extracts helpful will be well-advised to obtain the complete volume. IMeditation is an art, and in these days of high pressure and crowded lives is in danger of I - _ ,. , becoming, for many of us, a lost art. Meditation . i. - , ^. • ^ The power of self-isolation is to some i extent also a natural gift, but may be cultivated ! by all. It is one of the gifts of God, who | " giveth liberally" in this as in all other spiritual | matters to the faithful souls who persist in be- lieving prayer. In their case constant effort will 20 ^ntrc&uctorg Xettec convert the crowded street into a desert and the city pavement into a praying-carpet. If thou hast wanderings in the wilderness And findest not Sinai, 'tis thy soul is poor ; There towers the Mountain of the Voice no less. Which whoso seeks shall find ; but he who bends Intent on manna still and mortal ends Sees it not, neither hears its thimdcred lore. Marcus Aurelius, with all the cares of empire in a decadent Rome, heard the voice equally with Epictetus, the lonely slave. JMeditation is essentially an accompaniment of the highest and truest prayers as being itself a form of prayer and an expression of life. We use somewhat carelessly the words " unspeakable " and " inexpressible " ; but it is a fact that there is a point in love when words fail. We remember, as little children, sobbing in the dark until sleep- came, because our love had told us, in the favour- ing hour for such anxieties, that some day we must lose the mother who was the first object of our devotion. The passion of those moments we Avould not if we could — we could not if we would — have expressed to her in words. And when the second great love of our life sprang into being, again we understood the poverty ol language, the helplessness of speech or written word to tell the richness of oui possession. And /RbeDitatiou when the lover in due time became the father, speech became not so much an outlet for love as a barrier between parent and child. The deepest emotions of life shrink back from expression, and may seem sometimes to be wounded by the efforts to express them. So is it, so must it be, as \vq cultivate the Love of Love. In unspoken adoration, " the Spirit also helping our infirmities," ^ we must wait upon Our Lord in the Silence if we would receive His most intimate message. Silence has little space in our lives to-day. Just as the all-embracing grasp of the world's railway systems is awakening solitude after solitude, so are the solitary places in our lives becoming fewer every year. But the reward of a love v/hich finds a solitude will be the greater for the difficulty. In such cases, in life's desert, Jesus will give the thirsty soul a rich and re- freshing revelation of His love. Let us seek in the silence of meditation to understand more fully the Love of Jesus. The Meditations which follow are only intended to indicate lines of thought, subjects on which the soul may ponder, and so realize the infinite goodness of God and His claim on all we liave and are. It is in no sense intended that these i Rcua. viii. -6. ^utvoOuctor^ Xetter Meditations should be read daily as a chapter of a theological buok, but that the soul should rest on some of the thoughts suggested, and dwell long and earnestly on all that they involve. On some days and in some moods, a single passage may occupy our minds for all the time that we can spare ; on other occasions we shall find it possible not only to enter into the central thought of the day's meditation, but to follow the author as he develops it in its several aspects. But if we " covet earnestly the best gifts " ^ that have been granted to the great souls of , every age and race, we must realize The Soldier s^, ^ • ,i,- u ^i i that m this, as m all other de- partments of the devout life, " the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." ^ We may marvel at the more than military self -discipline of the greatest soldiers of the Cross, but it is only by this " violent " wrestling with our wandering thoughts and our inconstant purposes that we can by \iolence attain peace, by discipline achieve the highest expression of the spiritual life. One of the most gifted men of our generation wrote, in Reading Jail, " De Profundis," the cry of a soul that had interpreted liberty as licence, 1 I Cor. xii. 31. ■•2 Matt. xi. 12. S^asting 23 " self-expression " as the unbridled gratification of every appetite. How diiierent is the true self-expression which realizes that the supreme end of man is "to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever," ^ and that only through this endeavour will ! come the full development of those highest gifts ! which differentiate humanity from the brute I creation, and which work with " the Eternal not I ourselves which makes for righteousness." ^ I We have lost the sense of rejoicing in suffering, \ the deep joy of stern discipline, the calm confi- i dence which regards the trials of the present as bonds of union which join us in closer fellowship with the Christ of Gethsemane and make us worthy to bear His name. This volume is offered to the members of my own communion with the profoundest sense of unworthiness and with many mis- FasUng and gi^^ngs. In this introduction I have , ,V ' already torn aside the veil from cipime much in my life and thought which those nearest to me have ne^-er seen or known. I have done this because, as life wanes, there comes upon me with overwhelming force the conviction which first seized me in youth and has never ceased to rule my life, but is more 1 The Shorter Catechism of the Church of Scotland. 2 Matthew Arnold, " Literature and Dogma," chap. vii. 5ntroDuctorv ^Letter insistent than ever to-day, " Woe unto nie if I preach not the Ghid Tidings." ^ As the years pass and the shadows lengthen, the desire grows more intense to pass on to the next generation any lessons that life has taught. This sense of a message to be delivered at any cost alone explains, and i trust justifies, the relation of the personal experiences of self-discipline and fasting which follow. In my boyhood it seemed as plain to me as it does to-day that the great religious teachers, from St. Paul to John Wesley, were all agreed upon the importance of, and the need for, the practice of fasting in the cultivation of the spiritual life. In the life of my home, Saturday being market- day in the little town, it was easy, unobser\'ed, to omit the midday meal. Thus 1 commenced the practice of abstinence, and when my father reads these lines he will learn it for the first time. Later on, before I left home for college, I suggested to two young friends, local preachers, to join with me on Fridays in the dinner-hour in abstinence aiid prayer. We had only met for two or three months, when we were led to devise a series of special services in the places surrounding our little town. We persuaded our fellow local preachers to form a band of ev^angelists, eighteen i 1 Cor. ix- 10. jfastiucj 25 in number, who set out lor a fortnight's mission to six places. Three went to each \'illage. Thus the old message was carried with a fresh inspira- tion to the men of our neighbourhood. It is seldom given to those who sow in secret almost immediately to experience the joy of the reaper. On this occasion those who had toiled in the villages of this country circuit had this unusual experience when the Superintendent at the foUowing j\lay synod said that as the result of the special efforts of the local preachers he was able to report an increase in the circuit of over 100 members during the preceding year. Later, at Headingley Theological College, it was my privilege to " meet in Band " wdth my dear friend, the late W. B. Simpson, and one who is now an honoured minister of our Church. We met on Fridays, during the hour of the midday meal, and the iniluence of those hours has never left me. A well-known wTiter, i\Ir. Upton Sinclair, has recently startled society by athrming that pro- longed fasts of seven, ten, or fifteen days may be undertaken to the physical benefit of the average man. Speaking as a medical man, I may say in a sentence that I have tested and proved the truth of Mr, Sinclair's views in my own case and 5ntvoDucton2 Xetter that of others. From the purely physical stand- point, those who enjoy average health would benefit greatly by an occasional day of complete abstinence from food. But from the Christian standpoint it is even more important to em- phasize the value of fasting as a means of emanci- pating us from the thraldom of mere appetite and above all of subduing evil passions and quickening the spiritual life. This is the testi- mony of experience. Wesley's insistence on the absolute duty of fasting is not confined to the standard sermon given in these pages, but pervades his teaching right through life. He lays it down as a rule for all m.embers of the Band Societies, " To ob- serve as days of fasting all Frida3^s in the year." ^ In the " Large Minutes," containing the dis- cipline practised in the Methodist Connexion during his life, and finally revised in 1789, two years before his death, the duty is thus emphasized : " Do you know the obligation and the benefit of fasting ? How often do you practise it ? The neglect of this alone is sufficient to account for our feebleness and faintness of spirit." And here again " every Friday " is fixed for the observance of this duty. It is a strange illustration of the materialistic 1 Wesley, " Works," vol. viii. pp. 274, 316, spirit of our age that when an American literary- man affirms that in his experience long abstinence from food has proved to be a cure for ill health, the press of two continents reproduces his article and is ready to acclaim the new remedy for bodily- ills. But to-day the communion whose founder thus valued this practice as a spiritual discipline has relegated its observance to four nominal quarterly fast days, the first of which, in the official diary for 1910, is appropriately fixed for April i, as scarcely any one observes it, and only one other date is given for the remaining three-quarters of the year. This willingness of present-day Christianity to listen to any suggestion of self-discipline for bodily ailments, and to none for spiritual weaknesses, is strangely akin to the attitude of men of the world who say to the young medical missionary going out to the East, ■ ' Ah, yes — medical missions. You will do some good." Is it not our duty to fight against this soul-destroying materialism ? But the duty of fasting is only a small part of a wider question in relation to the central thought of this little volume, " The Love of Jesus." How far has that Love so conquered our lives that we can say, " I am crucified wdth Christ " ? How far do we deserve the censure of Pere Gratry, the friend of Lacordaire, when he wrote : 28 5ntroDuctor^ Uetter " Protestantism is, in essence, the abolition of sacrifice. To abolish mortification, abstinence, and fasting, to abolish the necessity of good works, effort, struggle, virtue, to shut up sacrifice in Jesus alone, and not let it pass to us, to say no more as St. Paul did, 'I fill up what is wanting of the sufferings of Christ,' but rather to say to Jesus on His Cross, ' Suffer alone, O Lord,' — this is Protestantism." We have shrunk with morbid dread from anything like visible renunciation until self- conquest has ceased to be attempted. We have so dreaded the *' Roman " image of the Crucifix, that the Cross itself has passed out of our lives. Fasting, self-denial, discipline, in every form, have value to the extent that they unite us with our suffering Lord, just in so far as they bring us to Calvary. " When the Bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then shall they fast in those days." ^ This question of self-denial is closely related to that of the acquisition and use of wealth. A friend of mine, who died some ^ r'^'' years ago, the Rev. Thomas Hancock, ^ an old clergyman with the passion and much of the insight of a true prophet, used to deplore the success of the de- 1 Luke V. 35. scendants of the Puritans in amassing fortunes. He used to say, " George Fox and John Wesley made a great mistake when they forbade their followers the pleasures of the bull-ring, the cock-fight, and the ale-house, and allowed them the deadliest pleasure of all — that of money- getting." This statement was unfair to John Wesley, but was it unfair to his followers ? Wesley made thousands out of his books, but he followed rigidly his own rule, " Get all you can. save all you can, and give all you can." The result was that, when he died, although he had made a huge fortune as fortunes then went, out of publishing, he had given it all awa^^-, and he only left behind him two silver spoons — "one in London and one in Bristol." Surely no religious leader ever illustrated more forcibly in his own life the Catholic insistence on poverty for those who would lead the highest life. In nothing is the intensity of Wesley's devotion to our Lord and to His poor, combined with that sanity which alwa^^s characterizes his enthusiasm, more strikingly shown than in the principle which he lays down to guide his followers in their handling of money. He never recognizes for one moment any such compromise as the Jewish rule of tithes. To him we are all stewards of property and never its owners. " I am pained 30 5ntro&uctoi'B ^Letter [lie ^vrites] for you that are rich in this world. Do you give all you can ? You who receive five hundred pounds a year and spend only two hun- dred, do you give three hundred back to God ? If not, you certainly rob God of that three hundred. * Nay, may I not do what I will with my own ? ' Here lies your ground of mistake. It is not yo2tr own. It cannot be unless you are Lord of heaven and earth." ^ In the warnings against the love of money which are given from his writings on page 212 he plainly allows for the provision of a reasonable subsistence for oneself and one's family, but everything beyond that is to be de- devoted to God and humanity. " Do you not know" that God entrusted you with that money (all above what buys necessaries for your families) to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to help the stranger, the widow, the fatherless, and indeed, as far as it will go, to relieve the wants of all man- kind ?" Therefore we are not followers of his, nor — as he understood the teachings of the Master — followers of Jesus, if we allow ourselves to do more than take a reasonable salary for our stewardship and provide for the reasonable well-being of our children. If we accept his interpretation of the will of Christ— I say it with a full sense of all the 1 Wesley, " Works," vol. vii. p. 362. preparation for Ibol^ Commumon 31 serious issues involved — we shall deliberately refuse to become rich. The resources of modern civilization and the wit of our lawyers are suffi- cient to enable us — if we wish it — to divest our- selves, on the threshold of becoming rich, of all possibility of receiving more from our estates than such a manager's salary as will supply our necessities. We can, if we will, escape the danger of which our Lord speaks when He said " How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God ! " ^ Wesley thus sums up his teaching on the matter — "After having served you between sixty and seventy years, with dim eyes, shaking hands, and tottering feet " — by saying : " Hoard nothing. Lay up no treasure on earth, but give all you can [Wesley's italics] — that is, all you have. I defy all men upon earth, yea, all the angels in heaven, to find any other way of extracting the poison from riches." It is natural to pass from the consideration of the crucifixion of self to the commemoration of our Lord's Cross and Passion by the Preparation ^-^^ ^^.j^.^j^ ^^ Himself instituted. In for Holy r „-^ our own Methodist Service Book, as Communion modified in the Conference of 1882, this passage occurs (in our abbreviated form -of the " Long Exhortation ") : 1 Luke xviii. 24. 3iitroductor^ Xetter Dearly Beloved in the Lord,. ye that purpose to come to the Holy Communion of our Saviour Christ, must consider how St. Paul exhorted all persons diligently to examine themselves before they eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. How far have we cultivated the love of Jesus by any preparation whatever for partaking of this Feast of Love ? Which of the teachers and preachers among us have urged on our people, adult or adolescent, the imperative duty of fitting themselves to " discern the Lord's Body " ? And yet this passage just quoted frem the Ex- hortation is part of the heritage which comes from the experience of the Universal Church. St. Paul's words are : Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. ^ This passage constitutes a warning which is ever being justified in the life of the Church. Therefore it is that I have given so much space 1 I Cor. xi. 27-30. Ipieparatiou tor Ibol^ Comnunuon 33 in the following pages to a duty almost unheard- of by our people — the duty of so preparing them- selves for the Holy Communion that they may rightly expect the answer to this prayer, also taken from our Communion Ser\4ce : Grant us therefore, Gracious Lord, so to eat the Flesh of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, and to drink His Blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by His Body, and our souls washed by His most precious Blood, and that we may evermore dwell in Him and He in us. Do we really believe the words of our Methodist Service Book, used after every Communion, in which we ask our heavenly Father " mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanks- gi\dng, humbly beseeching 'Jliee that all we who are partakers of this Holy Communion may be fulfilled with Thy grace and heavenly benediction " ? If this beautiful and solemn prayer is not mean- ingless, we have no right to relegate this " sacra- mentum," this supreme pledge of service, to that place in our religious life which it too often occupies. If. in St. Paul's words, we do in this service "show the Lord's death till He come,"^ if here we unite ourselves to Him in His shame, His agony. His crucifixion, and, as we realize the Sacrifice of Calvary, -' present 1 I Cor. xi. 26. 34 ^ntvoductorg Xettec ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reason- able, holy, and living sacrifice," then is a careless, indifferent manner of observing this supreme act of Christian love and service most blameworthy. Our Scottish brethren of the Presbyterian Church, whose formularies do not commit them to so high a view of the place of the Lord's Supper in Christian worship, yet make their observance of this rite the supreme event in their Church life. Zwingli, the rationalistic Swiss reformer, whose controversy with Luther on the words Hoc est corpus metim divided Protestant Europe into two hostile camps, could write of this sacrament, "The Eucharist is spiritual food whereby those who believe that the Death of Christ is their life, fasten and join and unite themselves into one Body of Christ." John Wesley was immeasurably nearer to Luther than to Zwingli ; the prayers quoted from our Service Book are antithetic to Zwinglianism, and therefore we, who profess to accept Wesley's leaching, are strangely recreant to it if in practice we attach less importance to the Lord's Supper than did the great Swiss Reformer. If we would hearken to the Divine Call, if we would that the Love of Jesus should dominate our being and make us apostles of a confident faith in a world of doubt and unbelief, we must jfrequent Conununion not allow this sacrament to take a lower place in our lives than it occupies in our formularies. We must not neglect the commemoration of the dying love of our Lord. We must, as often as our soul's life needs it, "draw near with faith and take this holy sacrament to our comfort," praying our heavenly Father "that we, re- ceiving these Thy creatures of bread and wine, according to Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of His Death and Passion, may be partakers of His most Blessed Body and Blood." If we thus "oft" obey Our Lord's command we shall find that Jesus has made this sacrament the trysting- place between the Lover and the beloved. ^ Let us meet our Lord there and learn how great is the Love of Jesus. The last promise and the hnal proof of His Love which Jesus gave to His disciples was contained in the words : "I will T^^^'^'°^ not leave you comfortless." 2 As He Spirit knew that sorrow must fill their hearts when their Teacher and Friend was taken away from them. He said : "I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another 1 This illustration was used in a recent conversation with me by one of the most venerated of uur Methodist theological professors. ^ John xiv. 18. ^nti'oOuctor^ Xettec Comforter, that He may abide with you lor ever, even the Spirit of truth." ^ In His last words on Olivet He bade them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to " wait for the promise of the Father."' We have seen already, we all confess it, that the great evil of the day is a want of spirituality. If, in loving obedience to the last earthly command of our Lord, we ex- pectantly pray for the constant outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our life and work, the Spirit will rule in our heart and we shall under- stand, as His gracious influence controls and guides our lives, why it is that we express our faith in Him as "The Lord," and "The Giver of Life." 3 He will make our lives fruitful. And if we are truly obedient to our Lord, we shedl, both privately and in union with the whole Church, seek ever for more of the "power from on high " which the presence of the Holy Spirit means in the life of the Church and of the individual believer. We shall repeat with new and deeper meaning Charles Wesley's lines : Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire. Let us Thine influence prove, Source of the old prophetic fire, Fountain of light and love. . . . I John xiv. i6. 2 Acts i. 4. 3 The Nicone Creed. ©ur CalUmi 37 God, through Himself, we then shall know If Thou within us shine, And sound, with all Thy saints below, The depths of Love Divine. Our forefathers in Christ, who won for them- selves and for us their spiritual children the name of Methodist by their constant Our Calling ^^^ ^^ -^^^^ Communion, Bible study, prayer, and self-discipline, went forth from Oxford as a flame of fire, to "spread Scriptural holiness " through the world. They strove themselves to be, and they called others to be, saints. We have shrunk from the word "holiness," the word "saint," in our dread of being "Pharisees." In avoiding the Scylla of hypocrisy, we have been too nearly drawn down into the Charybdis of worldliness. But He whose tender love so long bore with the wrongful ambitions, the self-love, and the waywardness of the first disciples, still gently says to us, "Ye know not what ye ask " ^ for ourselves or for our own communion. We put the wrong things in the first place. Jesiis is calling us by His love to our own special mission as a people — to testify from our own experience to the truth as it is in Jesus. In the introduction to his study of the German 1 Matt. XX. 22. 38 5ntro&uctorg Xetter mystics Professor Inge sa^^s with great truth, " The strongest wish of a vast number of earnest men and women to-day is for a basis of rehgious behef which shall rest not upon tradition, or external authority, or historical evidence, but upon the ascertainable facts of human experi- ence."^ He points out the widespread craving in all ages of the Church's history, but especially to-day, for what he terms "immediacy" — the direct intercourse without any intervening medium between the human soul and the divine. This craving, he tells us, " now takes the form of a desire to establish the validity of the God-con- sciousness as a normal part of the healthy inner life." This is a clear and definite echo of John Wesley's great message to the Church of the eighteenth century and for all time, of the " witness of the Spirit " as the universal privilege of believers. If we are worth}' of, and faithful to, our calling, we have a message which the world will never cease to need. The place which is occupied in the religious life of the world by this sense of " immediacy " is brought out with great clearness by that pro- found thinker, Baron von Hiigel, in his recent and masterly work on the place of mysticism in I W. R. Inge, " Light, Life, and Love : Selections from the German Mvstics," n. Iviii. 5nimeDiac^ religion. Dealing with the three elements of religion as he defines them — the institutional, historic, or Petrine school : the reasoning, specu- lative, or Pauline school ; and the experimental, mystical, or Johannine school, he expressly afi&rms that in England the Evangelical school represents the experimental mystical element. As he points out, this is one of the necessary elements of religion among all races of mankind and in each succeeding step of human history.^ Every organism is most effective when it works in harmony with, and along the lines of, its own special aptitudes. Ours is a lofty calling — to testify to all men of the love of God "shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - But we can only witness to the possibility of " immediacy " if we constantly live in immediate communion with our living Lord. Directly we profess a contact which has been bioken for howsoever short a time, we become "hypocrites." and our profession of what we do enjoy becomes a mask, the existence of which the world will not be slow to detect. Let us therefore diligently use the means which Jesus 1 Baron Friedrich von Hligel, " The Mystical Element of R.uligijn, as Studied in Saint Catherine of Genoa and her Friends," voL i. chap, ii, 2 Rom. V. 5. 40 5ntvot>uctovs Xcttcr has appointed for the maintenance of constant fellowship with Him. Brethren, the end of this long letter draws near. I have written to you in love, with a deep sense of unworthiness to touch such sacred themes or say aught that might imply that I have any right to be your teacher. " One is your Teacher, and all ye are brethren." ^ Those who have once been made captive by the mission and genius of Methodism may wander in many lands, and form friendships (as I have done) with the ministers, the clergy, and the priests of many communions, but they will find it well-nigh impossible to shake off their first spiritual love, to release themselves from their first allegiance. Therefore my one desire and prayer to God now is that we may be worthy of our high calling " to spread scriptural holiness throughout the land." If I may use a favourite word of the Apostle Paul, from which we shrink so much to-day, we are "called to be saints." ^ " Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to con- found the wise ; and God hath chosen the weak 1 Matt, xxiii. 8. 2 Rom. i. 7- Conclusion 41 things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things which are."^ We have had in common with Jesus the scorn and contempt of the world. If the world's dread of saintliness means the continuation of that scorn, let us strive to deserve it ; and those earthly gains of our communion, winning for us the praise of men of which we sometimes boast, let us " count as loss " that we may " win Christ " and know "the love of Christ that passeth knowledge." ^ Yours in the faith of the Crucified, Henry S. Lunn.=* 1 I Cor. i. 26-28. 2 Eph. iii. 19. 3 I shall be deeply grateful if any who sympathize with the purpose of the foregoing letter will write to me at Oldfield House, Harrow-on- the- Hill, in order that we may consider later how it may be possible to help each other and the Methodism we love. — H. S. L. pi^tbai) of IJrancr If the first moments of the day are spent in the spirit of prayer, that most difficult and blessed of all exercises, the practice of the Presence of God, will daily become easier. Therefore on waking our first thought should be, " When I awake I am still with Thee," or some similar ejaculation. The outlines of prayer which follow are intro- duced with the invocation : Lord, have mercy upon us, Christ, have mercy upon us, Lord, have mercy upon us, which means that we call upon God in His Three- fold Being, as our Father, our Redeemer, and our Guide. Let us then rest a moment or two in perfect silence, directing our thoughts to some aspect of the life and work of our adorable Redeemer. In these suggestions the endeavour has been made to cover in outline the great fields of prayer — Thanksgiving, Confession, Supplication, /IftetboC) of prater 43 and Intercession. Each of us will wisely draft prayers for our own use under these or other headings. In Miss Soulsby's " Suggestions on Prayer " (Longmans, is.) there is an interesting chapter on -'Making a Prayer-book," which is worth very careful and serious consideration. Such a book, uTitten out of our personal sense of need and desire for unity with the purpose of our Lord, must have a personal value which no general form of prayer could have. Dr. C. F. Harford Battersb}^ has also published an excellent little book, entitled " To-day," on the same lines (Marshall Bros., 9^/.). I have tried to suggest schemes of prayer which should be elastic, so that those who have more or less time for devotion than the normal amount can adapt them to their own needs. I have also given for days of leisure or retire- ment an extract from the "Private Prayers" of Bishop Andrewes, and a hymn of Charles or John Wesley. The practice of learning hymns and prayers by heart proves in the years that follow to be one of great devotional value, especially when sickness comes or when no outward stimulus to prayer is at hand. I have also added a series of very short extracts from " The Imitation," as suggestions for medita- tion, which may either be dwelt upon at length 44 /ftctboD ot ipvaver or may furnish some simple helpful thought with which to begin the business of the day. Special prayers for the great seasons of the Church's year as defined in our own Methodist Book of Services will be found under separate headings. The importance of making the beginning of each day a time of quiet intercourse with God cannot be overestimated. Mr. J. R. Mott in his most interesting leaflet, "The Morning Watch." says: "Without dwelling at all upon the general helpful results which come from the devotional study of the Bible and from com- munion with God, it should be explained that at the very beginning of the day the soul is in its most receptive state. The mind has been re- freshed by the rest of the night, and is also much less occupied than it will be at any subsequent hour of the day. Moreover, the outer conditions in the early morning hours are most favourable. The first hour is pre-eminently the still hour. The noises of yesterday have receded, and the din of the world of to-day has not yet broken in upon us. It is easier to say, ' My soul, be thou silent unto God.' It is easier to heed the com- mand, ' Be still, and know that I am God.' . . , The morning watch prepares us for the day's conflict with the forces of evil within us and /llbetbo& of ipuagei 45 around us. We do not wait until the enemy is upon us before we gird on the armour and grasp the sword. . . . Let us never forget the \ital truth expressed by Faber that ' the supernatural value of our actions depends upon the degree of our union with God at the time we do them.' " ©nfliiir of Jtlonuiig Uragfr 0)1 waking say the following or some other passage : " Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." " In Thy presence is fulness of joy." Commence the prayers of the day by uttering the following three short prayers, with a silent pause to consider the relation of each Person of the adorable Trinity to our lives. Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Silence Lord Jesus, I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and I grieve that I have wounded Thee by my sins. I desire to do Thy will, my Lord. Give me grace to resist temptation, to avoid every occa- sion of sin, and to do Thy holy will and com- mandments. Praise and Thanksgiving O Eternal God, I praise Thee and thank Thee from my inmost heart, because Thou hast created ©utUne ot /iRormncj prater 47 with the precious Blood of Thy dear Son ; and in addition to other countless blessings hast so mercifully preserved me, bringing me safely to the beginning of another day, and keeping me from e\*ils and dangers during the past night. What return, O Lord, shall I make to Thee, for these and all the other manifold mercies which Thou hast bestowed upon me ? Special Subjects for Praise Sunday. — The Resurrection of Our Lord. Monday. — The Means of Grace of the Lord's Day. Tuesday. — Our Creation, Preservation, and the Blessings of this life. Wednesday. — The Incarnation and the fellow- ship of Jesus with our humanity. Thursday. — The Lord's Supper. Friday. — The Atonement. Saturday. — The Gift of the Comforter. Consecvation O Lord Jesus, I commend to Thee my works of this day, to be directed according to Thy will. I pray that the realization of Thy love for me may fill m}- heart with love for Thee, and control my every thought, word, and deed this day and alwavs, for Thv Name's sake. Amen. 4^ ©utlmc ot r^oxnwQ ipraver Siipplicatiou and Intercession Almighty Father, I commend to Thee all whom I love. Let Thy Falhcrly Hand be over them, let the great love of my Lord Jesus Christ purify their lives, and inflame them with devotion to Thee. Let Thy Holy Spirit ever be with them, and so lead them in the knowledge of and obedi- ence to Thy word that in the end they may obtain everlasting life. Have mercy upon all men for the sake of the Crucified and Risen Lord, who now with Thee and the Holy Ghost livcth and reigneth ever one God, world without end. Amen. Hefc nientioii ciny causes or persons for whom you- wish to intercede. Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi ^ God Almighty, Eternal. Righteous, and Merciful, give to us poor sinners to do for TIi\' sake all that we know of Thy will, and to will always what pleases Thee, so that inwardly puri- fied, enlightened, and kindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit, we may follow in the footprints of Thy Well-Beloved Son. our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord's Prayer 6utliiic of 6bcning |^r:njer Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Silence Thanksgiving for the mercies of the past day. Self-examination. Confession of sins. Have mercy on me, O Lord, according to Thy lovingkindness : according to the multitude ol Thy tender mercies blot out my transgression. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a clean heart, O God ; and renew a right spirit within me ; Cast me not away from Thy presence : and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. (Ps. li. I, 2, lO, I 1-) 49 50 ©utlinc of Bventnci jprai^ev Lighten our darkness, we beseech Thee, O God, and of Thy great mercy defend us from all the perils and dangers of this night, for the love of Thine Only Son. Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Most blessed Lord Jesus. I beseech Thee that I may understand every da}^ more and more of the mystery of Thy love. JNIay Thy love sur- round me in the hours of darkness and give me peace. If I awake in the night, may Thy love be my first and constant thought. Whilst I sleep may the purifying influence of Thy love chase away all evil thoughts and desires. When I awake in the morning, may it be my lot more fully to comprehend with all saints what is the length and breadth and depth and height and to know Thy love, which passeth knowledge. Be Thou ever my Joy, my Delight, my Refuge, and my Rest, Amen. The Lord's Prayer In the Name of Christ Crucified I lay me down to rest. May He bless, save, and defend me, and brins: me to everlasting: life. Amen Cbe |^0ib's ^navcv Tills paraphrase oj the Lord's Prayer is taken u>iabridged f-roiii Bishop Afidrcwes' '* Private Prayers" — F. E. Briglttinans edition {Methucn <^ Co. J. It opens i

*e BMager 53 But there are other things withal, the which I feel less — • not less grievous, peradventure more grievous, whereof I ask to be enlightened, that so I be able to confess them. 6. And lead not, suffer me not to be led, suffer me not to enter, into temptation, mindful of and pitying my frailty and mine infirmity so oftentimes proved. 7. But deliver me from evil, evil in myself and the flesh and the surprises thereof : evil devil and his suggestion : evils of punishment which most righteously and most worthily I have deserved : evils of the world to come ; there spare, here burn, here cut, o Lord : evils of the age that now is ; here also spare : evils of this world and the things that befall therein : evils of this disease, wherewith I struggle : evils of business, wherein I am entangled : evils past, present and to come : from all these deliver me, o Lord, and save me thy servant, for ever, even last among- the last. Jlebotions 'anb Ijtlcbitations For days of Leis me or Retirement SUNDAY Jesu, Lover of my soul, Thou, O Christ, art all 1 Let me to Thy bosom want. fly. More than all in Thee 1 While the nearer waters find! roll. Raise the fallen, cheer tlie While the tempest still faint. is high : Heal the sick, and lead Hide me, O my Saviour, the blind : hide. Just and holy is Thy name. Till the storm of Hfe be I am all unrighteousness ; past ! False and full of sin I am. Safe into the haven guide, Thou art full of truth O receive my soul at and grace. last! Plenteous grace with Tlice is found. Other refuge have I none, Grace to cover all ni}' Hangs my helpless soul sin, on Thee ; Let the healing streams Leave, ah ! leave me not abound ; alone. Make and keep me pure Still support and com- within : fort me : Thou of life the fountain All my trust on Thee is art. stayed. Freely let me take of All my help from Thee Thee. I bring ; Spring Thou up witlii.i Cover my deienceless head my heart, With the shadow of Thy Rise to all eternity. wing. (C. Weshy.) 5 4 Sunday 55 JJrajjers for the ^■a;p Through the tender compassions of our God, the Dayspring from on high hath visited us. Glory be to Thee, o Lord, glory be to Thee, which didst create the light and lighten the world. God is the Lord who hath showed us light. B^^ thy resurrection raise us up to neA\mess of life, suggesting unto us wa^^s of repentance. The God of peace that brought again from the dead that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ : make us perfect in every good work to do his will, working in us that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glor}' for ever. Thou who on this day didst send down thy thrice holy Spirit on thy disciples : take It not withal from us, o Lord, but renew It day by day in us who supplicate Thee. Lord, full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering and plenteous in goodness : I have sinned, I have sinned, o Lord, against Thee. 1 hide not anything : I make none excuses : I give Thee glory, o Lord, this day : I acknowledge against myself my sins. And now what is my hope ? Is it not Thou, o Lord ? Yea, my hope is even in Thee, if I have hope of salvation, if thy love towards mankind overcome the multitudes of mine iniquities. 50 Devotions anD /lftc^ltatio^J3 But He is so merciful that He for- giveth iniquity and destroyeth not : YEA MANY A TIME TURNETH He HIS wrath away and suffereth not his whole dis- pleasure to arise. For the Lord knoweth whereof we ARE MADE, He remembereth that we are but DUST, and He remembereth that we are BUT flesh, A WIND THAT PASSETH AWAY AND COMETH NOT AGAIN. O Thoii that art the hope of all the ends of the earth : remember all thy creation for good ; o vdsit the world with thy compassions. O Thou preserver of men, o Lord Thou lover of man : remember all our race, and, as Thou hast concluded all in unbelief, on all have mercy, o Lord. (J Tliou that for this end didst die and come to life again, that Thou mightest l)e Lord both of dead antl living : whether we live or whether we die we ai'e thine. Thou art our Lord : have mercy on quick and dead, o Lord. O succourer of the succourless, refuge in due time of trouble : remember all that are in necessity, and need thy succour. C> Jesus lull of grace and truth : establish all that stand in grace and truth : restore all that are sick of htresifS and sins. SunOag 57 O 1 hou wholesome defence of thine anointed : remember thy congregations which Thou hast purchased and estabhshed and redeemed of old ; o may the heart and soul of them that believe be one. O Thou that walkest in the midst of the golden candle- sticks : remove not our candlestick out of its place : set in order the things that are wanting, strengthen the things that remain, that Thou wast ready to cast away. O Thou Lord of the harvest : send forth the labourers enabled of Thee into thy harvest. O King of the nations unto the ends of the earth : strengthen all the commonwealths of the whole world, as thine institution, albeit the ordinance of man : scatter the peoples that delight in wars ; make wars to cease in all the world. How excellent is thy mercy, o God, and therefore the children of men shall put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. The Lord bless us and keep us : The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us : The Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace. Amen.^ 1 These f>rayers are sht exUacis fyom the ^''Private Prayers of Bisliop Andrei.ves. There is an oUi saying that if any one prays ivith Bishop Andrcioesfor one iveek, he 7uill wish to pray -with hint to the end of his life. Reco7-ded origi?tally tJi Greek and Latin, found in original manuscript blotted all oz>er loiih tears, they 7oe7-e not intended or publication, and in their full form they are only outlines of the luorider/ul de^'ptions of this £nglish saint. Those to ichom they proz'e helpful will be zvise to pitrchase the book itself as edited eitlier by F. E. Brightman ( Methiien's Library of Dez>otion). or by the Re-i'. Dr. Alexander Whyte, of St. (.ieorge's United Free Church of Scotland, Edinburgh (Oliphnnt, Anderaon &= Fei-rier'). O God, who hast glorified our victorious Saviour with a visible triumphant resurrection from the dead, and ascension into heaven, where He sits at Thy right hand, the world's supreme Governor and final Judge ; grant, we beseech thee, That His triumphs and glories may ever shine in our eyes, to make us more clearly see through His sufferings, and more courageously endure our own ; being assured by His example, that if we endeavour to live and die like Him, for the advancement of Thy love in ourselves and others. Thou wilt raise us again, and give us possession of Thy everlasting kingdom ; through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen. (" Devotions," ed. J. Wesley.) ^UcbitvUiou for the '^W)) Of the Inward Life " The Kingdom of God is within you," ^ saith the Lord. Turn thee with thy whole heart ^ unto the Lord, and forsake this wretched world, and thy soul shall find rest. Learn to despise out- ward things, and to give thyself to things inward, and thou shalt perceive the Kingdom of God to come in thee. " For the Kingdom of God is peace and joy in 1 Luke xvii. 21. 2 Joel ii. 12. the Holv Ghost, ^hich is not given to the un- holy. Christ will come unto thee, and show thee His consolation, if thou pre- pare for Him a worthy mansion within thee. All His glory and beauty is from within,* and there He delighteth Himself. The inward man He often visiteth ; and hath with him sweet discourses, pleasant solace, much 3 Rom. xiv. 17. ♦ Ps. xlv. 13. Sunt)ai3 59 peace, familiarity exceed- ing wonderful. 2. O faithful soul, make ready thy heart for this BridegTOom, that He may vouchsafe to come unto thee, and dwell with- in thee. For thus saith He, " If any love Me, he will keep My words, and We will come unto him, and v.ill make our abode with him." ^ Give therefore admit- tance unto Christ, and deny entrance to all others. When thou hast Christ thou art rich, and hast enough. He will be thy faithful and provident helper in all things, so as thou shalt not need to trust in men. For men soon change, and quickly fail ; but Christ remaineth for ever,^ and standeth by us firmly unto the end. 3. There is no great trust to be put in a frail and mortal man," even though he be profitable and dear unto us : neither ought we to be much grieved if sometimes he cross and contradict us. They that to-day take thy part, to-morrow may be against thee ; and often do they turn right round like the wind. Put all thy trust in God/ let Him be thy fear, and thy love : He shall answer for thee, and will do in all things what is best for thee. Thou hast not here an abiding city ; ° and wheresoever thovi be, thou art a stranger and pil- grim : neither shalt thou ever have rest, unless thou be most inwardly united unto Christ. 4. Why dost thou here gaze about, since this is not the place of thy rest ? In Heaven ought to be thy home,*^ and all earthly things are to be looked upon as it were by the way. All things are passing away/ and thou together with them. Beware thou cleave not unto them, lest thou be caught and so perish. 1 John xiv. 23. 2 Jolm xii. 34. 3 Jer. xvii. 5. * I Pet. v. 7. 5 Heb. xiii. i 6 Phil. iii. 20. 7 V;i6d. V. 9 6o ©evotions anO /iftcMtattons Let thy thought be on the iSIost High, and thy prayer for mercy directed unto Christ without ceasing. If thou canst not con- template high and heaven- ly things, rest thyself in the passion of Christ, and dwell willingly in His sacred wounds. For if thou fly devoutly unto the wounds and precious marks of the Lord Jesus, thou shalt feel great comfort in tribula- tion: neither wilt thoumuch care for the slights of men, and wilt easily bear words of detraction. Christ was also in the world, despised of men, and in greatest necessity, forsaken by His acquaint- ance and friends, in the midst of slanders.^ Christ was willing to suffer and be despised ; and darest thou complain of any man ? Christ had adversaries and backbiters ; and dost thou wish to have all men thy friends and bene- factors ? Whence shall thy pati- ence attain her crown, 2 if no adversity befall thee ? If thou art willing to suffer no adversity, how wilt thou be the friend of Christ ? Suffer with Christ, and for Christ, if thou desire to reign with Christ. If thou hadst but once perfectly entered into the secrets of the Lord Jesus, and tasted a little of His ardent love, then would- est thou not regard thine own convenience, or in- convenience, but rather wouldest rejoice at slan- ders, if they should be cast upon thee ; for the love of Jesus maketh a man despise himself. A lover of Jesus and of the Truth, and a true in- ward Christian, and one free from inordinate affec- tions, can freely turn himself unto God, and lift himself above himself in spirit, and with joy remain at rest. [Thomas a Kempis.) 1 Matt. xii. 24, xvi. 21 ; John xv. 20. 2 2 Tim. ii. 5. /iRon^ap 6 1 MONDAY Jesu, Thy boundless love O Jesu, nothing may I see, to me Nothing desire, or seek, No thought can reach, but Thee ! no tongue declare ; O knit my thankful heart Unwearied may I this to Thee, pursue, And reign without a Dauntless to the high rival there ! prize aspire ; Thine wholly, Thine alone Hourly within my soul I am. reijew Be Thou alone my con- This holy flame, this stant flame. heavenly fire ; And day and night be all O grant that nothing in my care my soul To guard the sacred trea- :\Iay dwell, but Thy sure there. pure love alone ; O may Thy love possess My Saviour, Thou Thy me whole. love to me My joy, my treasure. In shame, in want, in and my crown ! pain, hast showed ; Strange flames far from For me, on the accursed my heart remove ; tree. My every act, word, Thou pouredst forth thought, be love. Thy guiltless blood ; Thy wounds upon my O Love, how cheering is heart impress, Thy ray ! Nor aught shall the loved All pain before Thy stamp efface. presence flies. Care, anguish, sorrow, More hard than marble is melt away, my heart, Where'er Thy healing And foul with sins of beams arise; deepest stain ; 62 devotions aii^ /llbcMtations But Thou the mighty How wondrous things Saviour art, Thy love hath Xor flowed Thy clean- wrought ! sing blood in vain ; Still lead me, lest I go Ah, soften, melt this rock. astray ; and may Direct my word, in- Thy blood wash all these spire my thought ; stains away ! And if I fall, soon may I hear Thy voice, and know tliat love is near. O that I. as a ^little child. May follow Thee, and In suffering be Thy love never rest Till sweetly Thou hast my peace. In weakness be Thy breathed Thy mild love my power ; And lowl}' mind into my And when the storms of breast ! Hfe shall cease. Nor ever may we parted Jesus, in that important be. hour, Till I become one spirit In death as life be Thou with Thee. my guide, And save me, who for me Still let Thy love point hast died. out my way ; (P. Gerhardl, tr. J. Wesley.) ^rag^rs fc X the ^a^ Let us beseech the Lord for the whole creation : 1' healthful, a supply of seasons •< fruitful, ( peaceful : for all our race : I not Christians t Christians for the restoration of them that are sick of errors and sins ; /iRon^a^ 63 for the confirmation of them to whom Thou grantest truth and grace : tor the succour and consolation of all, men and women, suffering hardness in dejection and sickness : for the thankfulness and sobriety of all, men and women, that are in good case in cheerfulness and health, resourcefulness and tranquillity : for them that dwell b}^ me quietly and harmlessly : for them I have promised to bear in mind in my prayers : for them that bear me in mind in their prayers and beg as much of me : for them that for reasonable causes fail of calling upon Thee : for them that have none to intercede for them in- dividually • for them that at present are struggling in extreme necessity or deep affliction ; for them that are essaying some achievement, whereb}' will come glory to thy Name 01 some great good to thy Church : for them that are doing good works either in respect of sacred things or in respect of the needy : for them that have any time been scandalised by me whether by deed or by word. God be merciful unto me and bless me : shew me the light of his countenance and be merciful unto me : God, even our own God, God give me his blessing. Accept my entreaty : direct my life unto thy commandments sanctify my soul. 64 Devotions an& /iBcMtatioiis purify my body, rectify my thoughts, cleanse my desires : soul and body, mind and spirit, heart and reins, renew me wholly, o Lord for if Thou wilt. Thou canst. (Bp. Andreives. O God, who alone art all in all things to us, and to whom we are objects of Th}^ bounty, which the more it flows upon us, the more we feel our own emptiness, and want of it ; increase, we humbly beseech Thee, this happy sense in Thy servants, b}' the experience we every day have how unsatisfactory this world is ; and grant, that finding it ordained by Thee to in- crease and widen, not fill our capacity, we may make this only use of all Th}^ creatures here, to raise and heighten our desires of Thy infinite self in eternity, through our Lord Jesi^s Christ, who, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen. ("Devotions." ed. J. Wesley.) ^Hebitation for. the ^aj(] Of the Love of Jesus above all things Blessed is he that under- standeth ^ what it is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus' sake. Thou oughtest to leave thy beloved, for thy Be- loved ; 2 for Jesus will be loved alone above all things. The love of things created is deceitful and inconstant ; the love of Jesus is faithful and per- severinor. 2 Deut. vi. 5 ; Matt. xxii. 37. He that cleaveth unto creatures, shall fall with that which is subject to fall ; he that embraceth Jesus shall stand firmly for ever. i Love Him, and keep Him for thy friend, who when all go away, will not forsake thee, nor suffer thee to perish in the end. Some time or other thou must be separated ; from all, whether thou wilt or no. 2. Keep close to Jesus both in life and in death, and commit thyself unto His trust, who, when all fail, can alone help thee. Thy Beloved is of that nature, that He will ad- mit of no rival ; but will have thy heart alone, and sit on His own throne as King. If thou could est empty thyself perfectly from all creatures, Jesus would willingly dwell with thee. Whatsoever thou re- posest in men, out of Jesus, is all little better than lost. Trust not nor lean upon a reed full of wind ; for that all flesh is grass, and all the glory thereof shall wither away as the flower of the field.i 3. Thou shalt quickly be deceived, if thou only look to the outward ap- pearance of men. For if in others thou seekest thy comfort and profit, thou shalt too often feel loss. If thou seekest Jesus in all things, thou shalt surely find Jesus. But if thou seekest thy- self, thou shalt also find thyself, but to thine own destruction. For man doth more hurt himself if he seek not Jesus, than the whole world and all his adver- saries can injure him. {Thomas a Kcmpis.) 1 Isa. xl. 66 ©evotions an& /llbeMtation6 TUESDAY With glorious clouds en- compassed round, Whom angels dimly see, Will the Unsearchable be found, Or God appear to me ? Will He forsake His throne above, Himself to me im- part ? Answer, thou Man of grief and love, And speak it to my heart 1 In manifested love ex- plain Thy wonderful design ; What meant the suffering Son of Man, The streaming blood divine ? Didst Thou not in our flesh appear. And live and die below, That I may now perceive Thee near, And my Redeemer know ? Come, then, and to my soul reveal The heights and depths of grace. The wounds which all my sorrows heal. That dear disfigured face. Before my eyes of faith confest, Stand forth a slaugh- tered Lamb ; And wrap me in Thy crimson vest, And tell me all Thy name. Jehovah in Thy person show, Jehovah crucified ! And then the pardoning God I know. And feel the blood applied : I view the Lamb in his own light. Whom angels dimly see, And gaze, transported at the sight. Through all eternity. (C. Wesley.) Zncsbn^ 67 ^nij3crs for the ^aj) God, Thou art my God : early will I seek Thee. 1 have sinned, I have done amiss, I have dealt wickedly : I know, o Lord, the plague of my heart, and behold I turn unto Thee with all my heart and with all my strength. And now, o Lord, from thy dwelling-place and from the throne of the glory of thy kingdom in heaven, hear therefore the prayer and the supplication of thy servant, and forgive thy servant and heal his soul. His wrath endureth but the twinkling of an eye ; in his favour is life : weeping may tarry for the night, but joy cometh in the morning. Be Thou my hope, o hope of all the ends of the earth and of them that remain in the broad sea. The Lord Himself be my keeper : o Lord, be my defence upon my right hand. The Lord preserve me from all evil : Yea the Lord be he that shall keep my soul. The Lord preserve my going out and my coming in, from this time forth for evermore. (t.'/'. .liidirurs.) 68 Devotions anC) /llbeMtations What can infinite Power and Goodness do, but that which is best ? Lord, I submit and adore Thy Providence, which scatters these temporal things with a seeming neghgencc, as trifles of so httle importance, that they signify neither love nor hatred. Nothing, indeed, but heaven is considerable ; nothing but eternity deserves our esteem. Fix Thou our steps, O Lord, that we stagger not at the uneven motions of the world, but steadily go on to our glorious home ; neither censuring our journey by the weather we meet with, nor turning out of the way for anything that befalls us. (" Devotions," cd. J . Wesley.) <|ttciiitatiou for the ^Ayi That it is Private Love which most Hinder eth from the Chiefest Good. My son, thou oughtest to give all for all, and to be nothing of thyself. Know thou, that the love of thyself doth thee more hurt than anything in the world. According to the love and affection which thou bearest towards any thing, so doth it more or less cleave to thee. If thy love be pure,^ simple, and well-ordered, thou shalt be free from the bondage of things. Do not covet that which it is not lawful for thee to have. Do not have that which may entangle thee, and de- prive thee of inward liberty. Strange it is that thou committest not thyself wholly unto Me, from the bottom of thy lieart, with all things thou canst have or desire. 2, Why dost thou con- sume thyself with vain grief ? 2 why weary thy- self with superfluous cares ? Stand to My good will, and thou shalt suffer no detriment at all. If thou seek this or Matt. vi. 22. 2 Exod. xviii. i8 ; Mic. iv. 9. tTuesDag 6^ that, and wouldest be in such or such a place, the better to enjoy thy own profit and pleasure, thou shalt never be at quiet, nor free from trouble of mind ; for in every in- stance somewhat will be wanting, and in every place there will be some one to cross thee. 3. Man's welfare then lies not in obtaining and multiplying any external things, but rather in despising them, and utter- ly rooting them out from the heart. And this thou must understand not of income and wealth only, but of I seeking after honour also, j and the desire of vain praise, all which must pass away with this world. The place availeth little if the spirit of fervour be wanting, neither shall that peace long continue which is sought from without ; * if the state of thy heart be destitute of a true foundation, that is, unless thou stand steadfast in Me, thou mayest change but not better thyself. For when occasion arises, and is laid bold of, thou shalt find what thou didst flee from, and more too. I Isa xli. 13. 70 Devotions anO ^eC)itation6 WEDNESDAY Thee will I love, my strength, my tower, [ Thee will I love, my j joy, my crown, Thee will I love with all I my power, \ In all Thy works, and Thee alone ; ' Thee will I love, till the i pure fire Fill my whole soul with chaste desire. Ah, why did I so late Thee know. Thee, lovelier than the sons of men 1 Ah, why did I no sooner go To Thee, tlie only ease in pain ! Ashamed, I sigh, and inly mourn. That I so late to Thee did turn. In darkness willingly I strayed, I sought Thee, yet from Thee I roved ; Far wide my wandering thoughts were spread, Thy creatures more than Thee I loved ; And now if more at length I see, 'Tis through Thy light and comes from Thee. I thank Thee, uncreated Sun, That Thy bright beams on me have shined ; I thank Thee, who hast overthrown My foes, and healed my wounded mind ; I thank Thee, whose en- livening voice Bids my freed heart in Thee rejoice. Uphold me in the doubt- ful race. Nor suffer me again to stray ; Strengthen my feet with steady pace Still to press forward in Thy way ; My soul and flesh, O Lord of might. Fill, satiate, with Thy heavenly light. Give to mine eyes re- freshing tears. Give to my heart chaste hallowed fires, MeOnesDa^ 71 Give to my soul, with i Thee will I love, my filial fears, ! Lord, my God ; The love that all heaven's Thee will I love, beneath host inspires ; i Thy frown. That all my powers, with ; Or smile, Thy sceptre, all their might, or Thy rod ; In Thy sole glory may What though my flesh unite. and heart decay ? Thee shall I love in end- Thee will I love, my joy, less day ! my crown, (Scheffler, tr. J. Wesley.) ^vajjcrs for the S;i,d I have thought upon Thee when I was waking, o Lord : for Thou hast been my helper. O God, Thou knowest my foolishness and my sins are not hid from Thee : Lord, all my desire is before Thee and my groaning is not hid from Thee. Let not them that wait on Thee he ashamed for my cause, Lord Lord of hosts : let not those that seek Thee he hrought to dishonour through me, God of Israel. But as for me, I make my prayer unto Thee, o Lord, in an acceptahle time : answer me, o God, in the multitude of thy mercy, even in the truth of thy salvation. Take me out of the mire that I sink not : let tne be delivered from them that hate me and out of the deep ivaters : let not the waterfiood drown me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the f>it shut her mouth upon me. 72 5)cvotlon0 an& /ifteDitations Answer me, o Lord, for thy lovingkindness is good : turn Thou unto me according to the multitude of thy com- passions. And hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble : o haste Thee and answer me. Draw nigh unto my soul, redeem it, ransom me because of mine enemies. But my trust is in tli}^ mercy from this time forth for evermore. How excellent is thy mercy, o God. If I have an hope it is in thy mercy : let me not be disappointed of this my hope. Remember to crown the 3^ear with thy goodness ; for the eyes of all wait upon Thee and Thou givest them their meat in due season : Thou openest thy hand and fillest all things living with thy goodness. Remember thy holy Church that is from one end of the earth to the other, and pacify her which Thou hast purchased with thy precious blood, and stablish her even unto the end of the world. Remember them that bring forth fruit and do good works in thy holy churches and are mindful of the poor and needy : recompense them with thy rich and heavenly gifts : Remember them that are in virginity and purity and discipline, and furthermore them withal that live in reverend wedlock, in piety and fear of Thee. Remember every christian soul McDnesDae iz afflicted and oppressed and struggling and needing thy mercy and succour : and our brethren that are in captivities and in prisons and bonds and bitter thraldoms : supplying return to the wanderers, health to the sick, deUverance to the captives, and rest to them that have fallen asleep aforetime. Remember, o God, all that need thy great tender mercy. And them that love us and them that hate, and them that have charged us unworthy to remember them in our prayers. And all thy people remember, o Lord our God, and on all pour out thy rich mercy. The glorious Majesty of the Lord our God be upon us : prosper Thou the work of our hands upon us. O prosper Thou our handiwork. {Bp. Andreives. O God, whose grace it is that mightily rescues our reason from the desperate rebellion of our passions, grant, we beseech Thee, that the experience of the miserable effects of yielding to their allurements may make us warier in observing, and severer in repressing their first motions ; and let Thy grace so strongly fortify us against all their assaults, that reason may more and more recover its due force, and calmly join with faith to secure and exalt in our hearts the blissful throne of Thy love, tlirough our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for ever. Amen. {" Devotions," ed. J, Wesley.) 74 ©evotione anD /llbe^itations ^^Icbitatiou for the ^;n) Of the Wonderful Effect of | Divine Love, | I BLESS Thee, O Heavenly Father, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, for that Thou hast vouch- safed to remember me, a poor creature. Father of mercies and God of all comfort,^ thanks be unto Thee, who some- times with Thy comfort refrcshest me, unworthy as I am of all comfort. 1 will always bless and glorify Thee, with Thy only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, the Com- forter, for ever and ever. Ah, Lord God, Thou Holy Lover of my soul, when Thou comest into my heart, all that is with- in me shall rejoice. Thou art my Glory and the Exultation of my heart : Thou art my Hope and Refuge in the day of my trouble. ^ 2. But because I am as yet weak in love, and im- perfect in virtue, I have 1 2 Cor. i. 3. 2 Ps. xxxii. 7, lix. 16. need to be strengthened and comforted by Thee ; visit me therefore often, and instruct me with all holy discipline. Set me free from evil pas- sions, and heal my heart of all inordinate affections ; that being inwardly cured and thoroughly cleansed, I may be made fit to love, courageous to suffer, steady to persevere. 3. Love is a great thing, yea, a great and thorough good ; by itself it makes everything that is heavy, light ; and it bears evenly all that is uneven. For it carries a burden which is no burden,^ and makes everything that is bitter, sweet and tasteful. The noble love of Jesus impels a man to do great things, and stirs him up to be always longing for what is more perfect. Love desires to be aloft, and will not be kept back by anything low and mean. Love desires to be free, and estranged from all 3 Matt. xi. 30. MeOnes^ai? 75 worldly affections, that so its inward sight may not be hindered ; that it may not be entangled by any temporal pros- perity, or by any adver- sity subdued'. Nothing is sweeter than Love, nothing more coura- geous, nothing higher, no- thing wider, nothing more pleasant, notliing fuller nor better in Heaven and earth ; because Love is born of God, and cannot rest but in God, above all created things. 4. Hethatloveth,fheth, runneth, and rejoiceth ; he is free, and cannot be held in. He givetli all for all, and hath all in all ; be- cause he resteth in One Highest above all things, from whom all that is good flows and proceeds. He respecteth not the gifts, but turneth himself above all goods unto the Giver. Love oftentimes know- eth no measure, but is fer- vent beyond all measure. Love feels no burden, thinks nothing a trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility ; for it thinks all things lawful for itself and all things possible. It is therefore able to undertake all things, and it completes many things, and warrants them to take effect, where he who does not love, would faint and lie down. 3. Love is watchful, and sleeping slumbereth not.i Though weary, it is not tired ; though pressed, it is not straitened ; though alarmed, it is not con- founded : but, as a lively flame and burning torch, it forces its way up- wards, and securely passes through all. If any man love, he knoweth what is the cry of this voice. For it is a loud cry in the ears of God, the mere ardent affection of the soul, when it saith, " My God, my Love, Thou art all mine and I am all Thine." 6. Enlarge Thou me in love, that with the in- ward palate of my heart I may taste how sweet it 1 Roui. viii. iq. 76 devotions anO /ifteMtations is to love, and to be dis- solved, and, as it were, to bathe myself in Thy Love. Let nic be possessed by Love, mounting above myself, through excessive fervour and admiration. Let me sing the song of love, let me follow Thee, my Beloved, on high ; let my soul spend itself in Thy praise, rejoicing through love. Let me love Thee more than myself, nor love my- self but for Thee ; and in Thee all that truly love Thee, as the law of Love commandeth, from Thyself. 7. Love is active, sin- cere, affectionate, plea- sant, and amiable ; cour- ageous, patient, faithful, prudent, long - suffering, manly, and never seeking itself.i For in whatever in- stance a person seeketh liimself, there he falleth from Love. 2 1 I Cor. xiii. 5. 2 Rom. viii. 35. Love is circumspect, humble, and upright : not yielding to softness, or to levity, nor attending to vain things. It is sober, chaste, steady, quiet, and guarded in all the senses. Love is subject, and obedient to its superiors, to itself mean and des- pised, unto God devout and thankful, trusting and hoping always in Him, even when God imparteth no relish of sweetness unto it : for without sorrow none liveth in love. 8. He that is not pre- pared to suffer all tilings, and to stand to the will of his Beloved, is not worthy to be called a lover.^ A lover ought to em- brace willingly all that is hard and distasteful, for the sake of his Beloved ; and not to turn away from Him for any contrary accidents. {Thomas d Kempis.) 3 I Cor. X. 33 ; Phil. ii. 21. THURSDAY / Come, O thou Traveller unknown, Whom still I hold, but cannot see ! My company before is gone, And I am left alone with Thee ; With Thee all night I mean to stay. And wrestle till the break of day. In vain Thou strugglest to get free, I never will unloose mv hold ! Art Thou the Man that died for me ? The secret of Thy love unfold ; WrestUng, I will not let Thee go. Till I Thy name. Thy nature know. Yield to me now, for I am weak. But confident in self- despair ; Speak to my heart, in blessings speak. Be conquered by my instant prayer ; Speak, or Thou never hence shalt move, And tell me if Thy name is Love. My prayer hath power with God ; the grace Unspeakable I now re- ceive ; Through faith I see Thee face to face, I see Thee face to face, and live ! In vain I have not wept and strove ; Th}^ nature and Thy name is Love. I know Thee, Saviour, who Thou art, Jesus, the feeble sin- ner's friend ; Nor M^lt Thou with the night depart, But stay and love me to the end. Thy mercies never shall remove ; Thy nature and Thy name is Love. (C. Wesley.) 78 ©evotiona an& ^cMtations J^rapcvs for the ^ay satisfy us with thy mercy and that early, o Lord. The things touching the Ascension Set up thy self, o God, above the heavens and thy glory above all the earth. By thine /Vscension draw us withal unto Thee, o Lord, so as to set our affections on things above, and not on things on the earth. By the awful mystery of the holy body and precious blood in the evening of this day : Lord, have mercy. Will the Lord cast off for ever ? and will He be favourable no more ? Is his mercy clean gone for ever ? doth his promise fail for evermore ? Hath God forgotten to be gracious ? hath He in displeasure shut up his compassions ? Selah. And I said, This is mine infirmity : but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. Coming unto God 1 believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. I know that my Redeemer liveth ; that He is the Christ the Son of the living God ; that He is indeed the Saviour of the world ; that He came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Through the grace of Jesus Christ we believe that we shall be saved even as our fathers withal. Our heart shall rejoice in the Lord, because we have hoped in his holy Name : the Name of the Father : the Saviour, Mediator, Intercessor, Redeemer : the double Paraclete, the Lamb, the Dove. Let thy merciful kindness, o Lord, be upon us, ]ike as we do put our trust in Thee. What reward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits that He hath done unto me ? What thanks can I render to God again for all things wherein He hath spared me He hath waited for me hitherto ? Holy, Holy, Holy Thou art worthy, o Lord and our God, the Holy One, to receive the glory and the honour and the power : for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. {Bp. Andrexves.) Lord, who are we, unworthy sinners, that thus Thou regardest us ? It was for our sakes, and to help the infirmities of our nature, that Thou didst appoint a commemorative sacrifice, Of that one oblation of Thyself once ottered upon the cross ; and bread and wine so offered, and blessed, as symbols of Thy body and blood. Blessed are the eyes, O Jesu, that see Thee in these holy signs ; and blessed is the mouth that reverently receives Thee. So 2)evotions an& /ifteMtatione Blessed yet more is the heart that desires Thy coming, and longs to see Thee in Thy beauteous self. O Thou eternal Lord of grace and glory, our joy and portion in the land of the living ! What hast Thou there prepared for Thy servants, who bestowest such pledges of Thy bounty here ! What dost Thou there reserve in Tliine own kingdom, who givest us Thyself in this place of banishment ! How will Thy open vision transport our souls ; when our dark faith yields us such delights ! Nothing on earth so sweet as to kneel whole hours before Thee, and one by one consider Thy innumerable mercies. What must it be in heaven to shine continually before Thee ; and all in one contemplate Thy unspeak- able goodness and glories ! O my adored Redeemer ! when will that happy day appear, when mine eyes may behold Thee without a veil ? When will the clouds and the shadows pass away ; that Thy beams may shine on me in their full bright- ness ? O bounteous Lord, the continual Supplier of Thy creatures with all convenient sustenance to advance our growth and strength, till we are fit to take heaven by violence, and rise at length to be eternal enjoyers of Thyself : Fix, we beseech Thee, our eyes and adoration on that open hand, wliich thus graciously gives us our daily bread. And grant that the wonderful feast of Thy Son's body and blood may duly sanctify our tastes to all other Thy bounties, that they may only relish, and feed upon Thy dear love to us, through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. ('* Devotions," cd. J. Wesley.) ^burs^a^ 8i ittfbitation for the Sar Of the Proof of a True Lover of Christ. My son, thou art not yet a courageous and con- siderate lover. Wherefore, O Lord ? opposition thou givest over thy undertakings, and too eagerly seekest consolation. A courageous lover standeth firm in tempta- tions, and giveth no credit to the crafty persuasions of the Enemy. As I please him in prosperity, so in adversity I am not displeasing to him.^ 2. A considerate lover regardeth not so much the gift of Him who loves him, as the love of the Giver. He esteems the good will rather than the value of the gift, and sets all gifts below Him whom he loves. A noble-minded lover resteth not in the gift, but in Me above every gift. All therefore is not lost, 1 Phil. iv. 11-13. if sometimes thou hast less feeling for Me or My saints than thou wouldest. That good and sweet affection which thou some- times feelest, is the effect of grace present, and a sort of foretaste of thy heavenly home : but here- on thou must not lean too much, for it cometh and goeth. 1 But to strive against evil motions of the mind which may befall thee, and to reject 2 with scorn the suggestions of the I devil, is a notable sign of ' virtue, and shall have j great reward. 3. Let no strange fancies therefore trouble i thee, which on any sub- ject whatever may crowd into thy mind. Keep to thy purpose, with courage, and an upright intention towards God. Neither is it an illusion that sometimes thou art suddenly rapt on high, and presently returnest again unto the accustomed vanities of thy heart. a Matt. iv. 10. 82 S)cvotiond and hesitations For these thou dost rather unwilhngly suffer, than commit : and so long as they displease thee, and thou strivest against them, it is matter of reward, and no loss. 4. Know that the an- cient Enemy doth strive by all means to hinder thy desire to good, and to keep thee clear of all rehgious exercises ; par- ticularly from the rever- ent estimation of God's saints, from the devout commemoration of My Passion, from the profit- able remembrance of thy sins, from the guard of thine own heart, and from the firm purpose of ad- vancing in \drtue. Many evil thoughts does he suggest to thee, that so he may cause a weari- someness and horror in thee, to call thee back from pra3'er and holy reading. Humble confession is displeasing unto him ; and if he could, he would cause thee to cease from Holy Communion. Trust him not, nor care for him, although he 1 Matt. iv. 10, xvi. 23. •' 2 Ps. xxvii. I. should often set snares of deceit to entrap thee. Charge him with it, when he suggesteth evil and unclean thoughts unto thee ; say unto him — " Away, thou unclean Spirit ! ^ blush, thou miserable wretch ! most unclean art thou that bringest such things unto mine ears. " Begone from me, thou wicked Seducer ! thou shalt have no part in mc : but Jesus shall be with me as a strong Warrior, and thou shalt stand con- founded. " I had rather die, and undergo any torment, than consent unto thee. " Hold thy peace and be silent ; I will hear thee no more, though thou shouldest work me many troubles. ' The Lord is my Light and my Salvation ; whom shall I fear ? ' 2 " If whole armies should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear. The Lord is my Helper and my Redeemer." 5. Fight like a good soldier : ^ and if thou Ps. xxvii. 14 ; i Tim. vi. 12. sometimes fall through frailty, take again greater strength than before, trusting in My more abun- dant grace ; and take great heed of vain pleasing of thyself, and of pride. This brings many into error, and makes them sometimes fall into blind- ness almost incurable. Let the fall of the proud, thus foolishly pre- suming of themselves, serve thee for a warning and keep thee evei humble. {Thomas d Kempis.) 84 Devotions anO /Recitations FRIDAY When I survey the won- i See, from His head, His drous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast. Save in the death of Christ, my God : All the vain tilings that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His ] blood. I hands. His feet. Sorrow and love flow mingled down : Did e'er such love and sorrow meet. Or thorns compose so rich a crown ? Were the whole realm of nature mine. That were a present far too small, Love so amazing, so di- vine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. (Dr. Watts.) ^vjiycrs for the ^viu Early shall my prayer come before Thee. O Lord, by the blood of thy covenant, in the fountain opened to sprinkle all uncleanness, cause my iniquity to pass away from me, and purge my sins. Save me as a brand plucked out of the fire. Father, forgive me : for I knew not, indeed I knew not, what I did in my sinning against Thee. !ic3'.c:- 3f^^a^ 85 Lord, remember me in thy kingdom. Lord, lay not to mine enemies' charge their sins : Lord, lay not to my charge my sins. By the sweat bloody, the soul in agony, the head wreathed with thorns driven in with the rods, the eyes filled with tears, the ears full of opprobries, the mouth given to drink of vinegar and gall, the face shamefully befouled with spitting, the neck loaded with the burden of the cross, the back ploughed with the weals and gashes of whips, the hands and feet digged through, the strong crying Eli, Eli, the heart pierced with a spear, the water and blood forth flowing, the body broken, the blood outpoured. Lord, Thou hast been favourable unto thy land : Thou hast brought again the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people : Thou hast covered all their sin. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath : Thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. '■- Turn us, o God of our salvation, and cause thine indignation to usivard to cease. Wilt Thou be angry with us for ever? wilt Thou stretch out thi)ie anger from one generatioii to another ? ' Wilt Thou not turn again and quicken us, that thy people may rejoice in Thee ? Sheiv us thy mercy, o Lord, and grant us thv salvati.>)i. 86 2)cv>otions aiiD /ifteOitations Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof ; for Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood, out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive the power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing. To Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honour and the glory and the power for ever and ever. x\men. Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb. Amen. The blessing and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honour and the power and the might be unto our God for ever and ever. (Bp. Andrewes.) O God, who, at the price of Thy only Son's last drop of blood upon the cross, hast won our hearts from this life, and all the goods of it, to the sole pursuit and hopes of Thyself in eternity : Possess, we beseech Thee, and absolutely dispose of what Thou hast so dearly paid for, mortifying us to this world, and confirming our courage, to fight manfully under the banner of our crucified Saviour ; that we may be able to stand the shock of all temptations, and nothing either in life or death may ever separate us from Thy love in Him our glorious Redeemer ; who, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God Blessed for ever. Amen. O Lord Christ, who, by Thy holy doctrine, hast taught us to fast, and watch, and pray ; and, by Thy blessed example, hast powerfully engaged us to follow Thy steps ! Vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, by Thy grace, so to mortify our bodies, withdrawing the fuel oumiryj jfriDap 87 from our unruly passions, and reducing our immoderate sleep to the measures of necessary refreshment, that our minds may be better disposed for prayer and meditation, devoutly to celebrate the fasts and festivals of Thy church, and eternally to rejoice with Thee hereafter, in the kingdom of Thy glory, where, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, Thou livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen. (" Devotions," ed. J . Wesley.) itt flirtation jfov the Bag How Few are the Lovers of the Cross of Jesus. Jesus hath now many lovers of His heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. He hath many desirous of consolation, but few of tribulation. He findeth many com- panions of His table, but few of His abstinence. All desire to rejoice with Him ; few are willing to endure anything for Him, or with Him. Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of bread ; but few to the drinking of the Cup of His Passion. ^ Many reverence His miracles ; few follow the ignominy of His Cross. Many love Jesus so long as no adversities be- fall them. Many praise and bless Him, so long as they receive any consolations from Him. But if Jesus hide Him- self, and leave them but a little while, they fall either into complaining, or into too much dejection of mind. 2. But they who love Jesus for the sake of Jesus, and not for some special comfort of their own, bless Him in all tribulation and anguish of heart, as well as in the state of highest comfort. Yea, although He should never be willing to give them comfort, thev 1 Luke ix. 1 1, xxii. 41,4. 88 2)evotione anD /iReMtations notwithstanding would ever praise Him, and wish to be always giving thanks. 3. O how powerful is the pure love of Jesus, which is mixed with no self-interest, or self-love ! Are not all those to be called mercenary, who are ever seeking consola- tions ? Do they not show them- selves to be rather lovers of themselves than of Christ, who are always thinking of their own profit and advantage ? ^ Where shall one be found who is willing to serve God for nought ? 4. Rarely is any one found so spiritual as to be stripped of the love of all earthly things. For where is any man to be found that is in- deed poor in spirit, and thoroughly void of all affection of creatures ? 1 Phil. ii. 21. " From afar, yea from the ends of the earth, is his value." 2 If a man should give all his substance, yet is it nothing. And if he should prac- i tise great repentance, still it is little. And if he should attain to all knowledge, he is still afar off. And if he should be of great virtue, and of very fervent devotion, yet there ismuch wanting; especially one thing, which is most necessary for him. What is that ? That leaving all, he forsake himself, and go wholly from himself, 3 and re- tain nothing out of self- love. And when he hath done all that is to be done, so far as he knoweth, let liim think that he hath done nothing. (Thomas ct, Kempis.) 3 Matt. xvi. 24. Prov. xxxi. 10, Latin version. ; Kjuuf^;. Saturday v;-'. - ^ 89 SATURDAY Love Divine, all loves ex- Thee we would be always celling. blessing. Joy of heaven, to earth Serve Thee as Thy hosts come down ! above. Fix in us Thy humble Pray, and praise Thee, dwelhng, without ceasing, All thy faithful mercies Glory in Thy perfect crown ; love. Jesu, Thou art all com- passion. Finish, then, Thy new Pure, unbounded love creation, Thou art ; Pure and spotless let us Visit us with Thy salva- be; tion. Let us see Thy great salva- Enter every trembling tion. heart. Perfectly restored in Thee ; Come, almighty to de- Changed from glory into liver. glory, Let us all Thy grace ' Till in heaven we take receive ; our place. Suddenly return, and Till we cast our crowns never, i before Thee, Never more, Thy | Lost in wonder, love, temples leave ; i and praise ! (C. Wesley.) |Sviiuer5 fo X the ^ag Lord, be gracious unto us : we have waited for Thee: be Thou our arm ever}- ' morning, and our salvation i ilso in time of trouble. 90 Devotions anD /iReDttations Blessed art Thou, o Lord, which didst rest on the seventh day from all thy works, and didst bless and hallow it. We will give Thee thanks for ever : we will shew forth thy praise to all generations. Mine eye ivasteth away by reason of affliction : I have called daily upon Thee, o Lord : I have spread forth my hands unto Thee. Wilt Thou shew wonders to the dead ? shall they that are deceased arise and praise Thee ? Selah. Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave or thy faithfulness in destruction ? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark, or thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness ? But unto Thee, o Lord, have I cried, and in the morning shall my prayer come before Thee. Lord, why dost Thou cast off 7ny soul ? why dost Thou hide thy face from me ? 1 am afflicted and ready to die from my youth xip : while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted : for in death there is no remembrance of Thee : in sheol who shall give thanks unto Thee ? I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to Thee, my God, for mine iniquities are increased over my head and my trespass is grown up unto the heavens. Since the days of my youth I am in a great trespass unto this day, and I cannot stand before Thee because of this. I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea : my transgressions arc nniltiiilicd. SaturOas 91 and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude of mine iniquities : neither have I any release, for I have provoked thy wrath and done evil before Thee : I did not thy will neither kept I thy commandments. Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching Thee of grace : I have sinned, o Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities. Wherefore I humbly beseech Thee, forgive me, o Lord, forgive me, and destroy me not with mine iniquities : be not angry with me for ever by reserving evil for me, neither condemn me into the lower parts of the earth : for Thou art the God, even the God of them that repent, and in me Thou wilt show all thy goodness : for Thou wilt save me that am unworthy, according to thy great mercy : therefore will I praise Thee for ever. Lord, if Thou wilt Thou canst make me clean. Lord, speak the word only and I shall be healed. Lord, save us : carest Thou not that we perish ? Say unto me Be of good cheer : thy sins are for- given THEE. Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. Jesus, Thou son of David, have mercy on me, Jesus, Thou son of David, Thou son of David. Lord, say unto me Ephphatha, 1 believe in Thee the Father : behold then, if Thou be a father, and we sons, like as a faihey pitieth his children, so pity us. 92 Devotione anO /BSeDltattons I believe in Thee the Lord : behold then, if Thou be Lord and we servants, our eyes wait upon Thee our Lord, until Thou have mercy upon us. I believe that if we be neither sons nor servants, but whelps only, it were lawful for us to eat of the crumbs that fall from th}-^ table. I believe that Christ is the Lamb of God : o Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, take away mine withal. I believe that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners : Thou that camest to save sinners, save even me, of sinners chiefest and greatest. I believe that Christ came to save that which was lost: Thou tliat camest to save that which was lost, never suffer that to be lost, o Lord, which Thou hast saved. I beUeve that the Spirit is Lord and Giver of life ; Thou that gavest me a living soul, grant me not to have received my soul in vain 1 believe that the Spirit imparteth grace in his hallowed things : grant me not to recciv^e the grace of them in vain, nor the hope of thy hallowed things. I believe that the Spirit intercedeth for us with groanings which cannot be uttered : of his intercession and these groanings grant me to partake. Our fathers hoped in Thee, they trusted in Thee and Thou didst deliver them : SaturOa^ 93 they called upon Thee and were holpen, they put trust in Thee and were not confounded : like as our fathers in the generations of old, so withal deliver us, o Lord, the while we put our trust in Thee. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, to Him be glory in the Church by Christ throughout all ages world without end. Amen. {Bp. Andrewes.) If we rejoiced for ourselves in the sufferings of our Lord, let us now rejoice for Him that His sufferings are ended : Never again, O Jesu, shall those blessed eyes weep, nor Thy holy soul be sorrowful to death. Never shall Thy precious life be subject any more to the bloody malice of ambitious hypocrites. Never shall Thy innocence any more be exposed to the barbarous fury of an ungrateful multitude. But Thou shalt live and reign for ever ; and all created nature perpetually adore Thee. O happy end of well-endured afflictions ! O blessed fruits that spring from the cross of Jesus ! Look up, my soul, and see Thy crucified Lord sit gloriously enthroned at the right hand of His Father, Behold the ragged purple now turned into a robe of light, and the scornful reed into a royal sceptre. The wreath of thorns is grown into a sparkling diadem, and all His scars polished into brightness. Live, glorious King of men and angels ; live, happy Conqueror of sin and death. 94 IDcvotione an^ /iReMtations Our praises shall always attend Thy cross, and our patience endeavour to bear our own. Through fiercest dangers our faith shall follow Thee, and nothing wrest from us our hope at last to see Thee. We will fear no more the sting of death, nor be frighted at the darkness of the grave ; Since Thou hast changed our grave into a bed of rest, and made death itself but a passage into life. We will love no more the pleasures of vanity, nor set our hearts on unsatisfying riches ; Since Thou hast opened Paradise again, and pur- chased for us the kingdom of heaven. O God, who seest and pitiest the infirmity of our nature, surrounded on every side with dangers and temptations, strengthen us, we beseech Thee, with Thy all-powerful grace, to stand continually on our guard, resolved even to death, either warily to avoid, or stoutly break through all that offers to divert or stop the advancement of thy love in our hearts ; and grant us so w^isely to improve the talents of capacity, and means, Thy providence assigns us in this present life, that at the great day of account we may every one be received with those precious words, " Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord " ; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who, with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen. (" Devotions," ed. J. Wesley.) ^fttcbitatiou for tlie ^ag That we ought to Deny Our- selves and Imitate Christ by the Cross. My son, the more thou canst go out of thyself, so much the miore wilt thou be able to enter into Me. As to be void of all desire of external things, produce th inward peace, SaturDag 95 so the forsaking of thy- self inwardly, joineth thee unto God. I wish thee to learn perfect resignation of thy- self toMy\vill,\vithoutcon- tradiction or complaint. Follow thou Me : "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life." i With- out the Way, there is no going ; without the Truth, there is no knowing ; without the Life, there is no living. I am the Way, which thou oughtest to follow ; the Truth, wliich thou oughtest to trust; the Life, which thou oughtest to hope for. I AM the inviolable Way, the infallible Truth, the endless Life. I AM the straightest Way, the supreme Truth, the true, the blessed, the uncreated Life. . If thou remain in My way, thou shalt know the Truth, and the Truth shall make thee free, and thou shalt lay hold on eternal life. 2. If thou wilt enter 1 John xiv. 6. 2 Matt. xix. 17. 3 Matt. xix. 21. 4 Luke ix. 23. into life, keep the com- mandments. 2 ' If thou wilt know the truth, believe Me. If thou wilt be perfect, sell all.3 If thou wilt be My dis- ciple, deny thyself utterly.* If thou wilt possess the blessed life, despise this life present. If thou wilt be exalted in Heaven, humble thy- self in this world. ^ '• If thou wilt reign with Me, bear the Cross with Me.6 ! For only the servants of the Cross do find the way of blessedness and of true i light. I 3. O Lord Jesus, for- asmuch as Thy life was strict and despised by the world, grant me grace to imitate Thee, though with the world's contempt. For the servant is not greater than his Lord,'^ nor the disciple above his Master. Let Thy servant be exercised in the know- ledge and practice of Thy 5 John xii. 25. " Luke xiv. 27. 7 Matt. X. 24 ; Luke vi. 40. 96 5)cv>otions anO /IReDitations life, for therein my salva- tion and true holiness consist. Whatsoever I read or hear besides it, doth not give me full refreshment or delight. 4. My son, inasmuch as thou knowest and hast read all these things, happy shalt thou be, if thou doest them. " He that hath My commandments and keep- eth them, he it is that loveth Me ; and I will love him, and will mani- fest Myself unto him," ^ and will make him sit to- gether with Me in My Father's kingdom. Lord Jesu, as Thou hast said and promised, so truly let it come to pass, and grant that I may not be wholly un- deserving of this favour. 1 have received the Cross, I have received it from Thy hand ; I will bear it. and bear it even unto death, as Thou hast laid it upon me. Truly the life of a good religious person is a Cross, yet is it also a guide to Paradise. We have now begun, it is not lawful to go back, neither is it fit to leave off. 5. Let us then take courage, brethren, let us go forward together; Jesus will be with us. For the sake of Jesus we have undertaken this Cross ; for the sake of Jesus let us persevere in the Cross. He will be our Helper, who is also our Guide and Forerunner. Behold, our King enter- eth in before us, and He will fight for us. Let us follow manfully, let no man fear any terrors ; let us be pre- pared to die valiantly in battle, nor bring such a disgrace on our glory as to flee from the Cross. ( Thomas A Kempis. John xiv. 21. Prf^oir 01 grager fax t|e (H^n.^tiait f ^ar The order of the Christian Year observed in the follow- ing pages is strictly based upon that set out in the Booh of Public Prayers and Services for the use of the People called Methodists adopted by the Conference of 1882. The Collects for the season are taken from the Methodist Service Book. ADVENT Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of dark- ness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which Thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility ; that in the last day, when he shall come again in His glorious Majesty to judge both the quick and dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through Him who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen. O Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sake didst vouchsafe to descend from Thy Throne of glory and from the bosom of the Father to this vale of tears and woe ; who wast conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, and was made Man, make, we beseech Thee, our hearts a lit habitation for Thyself. Beautify and fill them with all spiritual graces, and possess them wholly by Thy power. Give us grace to prepare for Thy Coming with deep humility, to receive Thee with burning love, and to hold Thee fast with a firm faith : that we may never depart from Thee for ever : through Thy merits. Amen. O Almighty God, the Coming of whose only- begotten Son in time past 9« /iftetboO ot iprager tor tbe Cbristian lt)cac we believe, and for whose Second Coming in the Last Day we look and watch ; defend us, we beseech Thee, in all our trials and temptations, and keep us free from the defilements of sin. Grant that we may so follow Thy Son Jesus Christ in the humility and purity of His First Coming, that we may without terror await His appearing again in His glorious Majesty to judge the world, and that in that great and awful Day our souls, washed in His precious blood, and i clothed in His merits, may be mercifully received by Thee into heaven, where with all Thy saints we may praise and bless Thee; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with I Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, for ever and ever. Amen. CHRISTMAS Almighty God, who hast given us Thy only-be- gotten Son to take our nature upon Him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin ; grant that we being regenerate, and made Thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by Thy Holy Spirit ; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. We adore Thee, and give thanks to Thee, O Son of the living God, most gracious Jesus, who for us wast conceivetl in the Virgin's womb, and be- camest a tender infant. Thou didst condescend to be poor and weak, that Thou mightest make us rich. Thou, our God, hast become our Brother, that Thou mightest re- deem us and bring us to Thy most glorious King- dom. Beliold, we fall down in spirit before Thy holy manger, and adore Thee our Lord, the King of Angels, God blessed for Cbristmas 99 ever. Hail, Holy Child, God most high, most gra- cious Jesus ! Hail, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us, Light of the world, the long-desired Saviour, Desire of all nations, the Hope of all the ends of the earth ! O gracious Saviour, we beseech Thee, of Thy love and goodness, to re- member our manifold in- firmities ; give us full pardon of our sins, and a new spirit : give us grace that we may always imi- tate Thy humility, resig- nation, purity, patience, charity, and all virtues, that we may be well- pleasing to Thee, may be- come daily more like unto Thee, and may hereafter dwell with Thee for ever. Amen. O blessed Spirit, cleanse with Thy purifying fire our hearts and bodies ; renew us day by day by Thy power, that the fruits of the Incarnation of our Lord may be seen in our Uves ; fill Thy whole Church and the whole world with the light, joy, and peace of His Nativity, that His Second Coming in glory may be hastened, the elect be gathered in, and the just be perfected in His eternal and everlasting kingdom. Amen. EPIPHANY O God, who by the lead- ing of a star didst mani- fest Thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles ; mercifully grant, that we, which know Thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of Thy glorious Godhead ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty and Everlast- ing God, who hast made known the Incarnation of Thy Son by the bright shining of a star ; which when the Wise Men be- held they presented costly gifts, and adored Thy Majesty ; grant that the star of Thy righteousness may always shine in our loo /nbetbo^ ot iprai^et foe tbe Cbrlsttan li)eai' hearts ; and that, as our treasure, we may give our- selves and all we possess to Thy service ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, who didst Thy- self anoint Thine only- begotten Son, with Thy Spirit, in the descent of the mysterious Dove ; grant, we beseech Thee, that there may come upon Thy whole Church a blessing which may keep us all continually safe, unceasingly bless all classes of Thy servants, direct the course of those who follow Thee, and open the door of Thy Heavenly Kingdom to all those who are waiting to enter ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. OLord Jesus, who didst veil the greatness of Thy divinity by being born in time, and didst humble Thyself in Thy humanity by becoming a little child ; grant that we may ack- nowledge infinite wisdom in childlike simplicity, power in weakness, ma- jesty in abasement, so that, adoring Thy humili- ation on earth, we may contemplate Thy glories in heaven, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, God for ever and ever. Amen. O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil and make us the sons of God and heirs of eternal life ; grant us, we beseech Thee, that having this hope, we may purify ourselves even as He is pure, that, when He shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto Him in His eternal and glorious kingdom, where, with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, He liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen. %cnt lOI LENT O Lord, who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights ; give us grace to use such abstin- ence, that, our flesh being subdued to the spirit, we may ever obey Thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to Thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. sustain them, crown them with a courageous per- severance ; give us grace to perfect our holy ob- servances by a pure in- tention and a sincere con- version, so that our bodily exercises of repentance may be made complete b}^ those of the mind and heart ; and this we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son. our adorable Saviour. Amen. O Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are no- thing worth ; send Thy Holy Ghost, and pour in- to our hearts tliat most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before Thee. Grant this for Thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. Assist, O Lord, by Thy grace, and by Thine in- finite goodness, these be- ginnings of our Fast, and of our humiliations. Ac- cept them, bless them. O Lord Jesus Christ, my Creator and my Saviour, I offer unto Thee the sacrifice of a troubled spirit. Oh that I had never offended Thee whom I ought to love above all things. Thou hast bestowed upon me many blessings, and I have returned Thee only evil for Thy good. I ac- knowledge my transgres- sion, and my sin is ever before me ; especially do I lament and grieve that I am yet so carnal and worldly, so unmortified in my passions, so full of the motions of concupiscence ; so un watchful over my I02 /iRetbot) of ipra^er tor tbc Cbristian )^cav outward senses ; so often entangled with many vain fancies ; so much incUned to outward things ; so neghgent of things inward and spiritual ; so prone to laughter and unbridled mirth, so indisposed to tears and compunction ; so prompt to ease and pleasures of the flesh, so dull to strictness of life and zeal ; so curious to hear news and to see sights, so slack to em- brace what is humble and low ; so covetous of abun- dance ; so niggardly in giving, so fast in keeping ; so inconsiderate in speech, so reluctant to keep si- lence ; so uncomposed in manner, so fretful in action ; so eager about food, so little anxious for the Bread of Life ; so hurried to rest, so slow to labour ; so wakeful after gossip, so deaf to the Word of God ; so inclined to be wandering and in- attentive in the prayers, so negligent in preparing to come to the Holy Eucharist, and so dry and heartless in the reception of it ; so quickly dis- tracted, so seldom wholly gathered into myself ; so suddenly moved to anger, so apt to take offence ; so ready to judge, so severe to reprove ; so joyful in prosperity, so weak in adversity ; so often mak- ing so many good resolu- tions, and yet so often bringing them, at last, to so poor an end. But be Thou merciful unto me, O Lord, for I humbly desire to have true sorrow and to confess my sins, to shun all occasions of them, to obtain pardon and for- giveness for them, to re- ceive strength sufficient to fall no more, that, cleansed by Thy pity and renewed by Thy grace, I may be strengthened in the love of Thee, and be defended against all tem]:>- tations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Amen. Daily A Prayer to Jesus Lord Jesu Christ, Maker, Redeemer, Lover, and Benefactor of man- kind, who graciously hearest those who earnest- 1 y call upon Thee, have mercy upon me. Cleanse %cnt me, I beseech Thee, by Thy most holy Incarna- tion and Passion from all sin. Cast down in me all haughtiness of pride : destroy all arrogance ; break in pieces and utter- ly crush all hardness of heart and stubbornness. Subdue all bitterness of spirit which is contrary to sincere love. Calm the troubled risings of im- patience. Repress and quell the wild impulse and madness of anger ; ex- tinguish the wrong desire of vain glory. Root out and destrov the evil mo- tions of wicked lusts. Take from me whatever in me displeases Thee, and give me what is pleasing to Tliee. Teach, enlighten, direct, assist, protect, and keep me every hour and moment of my life, that I may do those things which are pleasing to Thee, and rest secure in Thee for ever. Amen. May God Almighty bless me, and of His mercy vouchsafe to defend me from all wickedness. Amen. f raufrn for tlr^ ('Mrfl; bdoYt ('-;istfv Almighty and everlasting God, who, of Thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility ; mercifully grant that we may both follow the ex- ample of His patience, and also be made par- takers of His resurrection ; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SUNDAY IN HOLY \VEEK Jesus Enters into Jerusalern A LI, hail, Jesu : praise, honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who at Thy entry into Jerusalem didst sit meek and lowly upon an ass, and while I04 ^etboD ot ipra^er for tbe Cbristian l!)ear the multitude who met Thee greeted Thee with songs of praise, didst shed tears, weeping for the destruction of the city, and the loss of ungrateful souls. Grant me an in- timate knowledge of m^-- self , that I may know how unworthy a creature I am, and may most deeply humble and despise my- self. May I never seek delight in the favour and applause of men, but give myself profitably to tears of penitence and love. May I feel the trials of others, and devoutly mourn for their sins as though they were mine own. O gracious Jesu ! O my Hope, my Refuge, and my Salvation, have mercy, have mercy on mc. I am poor, needy, and weak. I am nothing, I have nothing, I can do nothing of myself. O help Thou me. Amen. MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK Jesus Holds Intercourse with Sinners All hail, Jesu : praise, honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who didst not shrink from the company of publicans and sinners, but didst bestow Thy most gracious friend- ship on Matthew, Zac- cheus, Mary Magdalene, on the woman taken in adultery, and on other penitents, and didst give them instant pardon of their sins. Grant that I may manifest a holy fervent love towards all men, readily forgive all who injure me, and per- fectly love all who hate me. Give me full pardon I for all my sins, sure hope I of Thy favour, and an abiding trust in Thee. O gracious Jesu ! O ! my Hope, my Refuge, and my vSalvation, I give my- self up wholly to Thee. May Thy most gracious will always be fulfilled in i me and by me. Amen. Z\xcs^n>Q in 1bols Meek 105 TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK Jesus Begins to he Sorrowful All hail, Jesu ! praise, honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who when Thy Passion was at hand didst begin to be sorrowful and very heavy, taking on Thyself the infirmities of Th)' children that Thou mightest com- fort and support them in their fears of death. Keep me, I pray Thee, from sinful sadness, and from unseemly mirth. Grant, that every sorrow that I I have hitherto had may be I to Thy glory, and to the I good of my soul. Take from me, of Thy pity, all ' distrust of Thee, all in- I ordinate faint-hearted- ncss, and strengthen and I stablish my whole soul in i Thee. \ O gracious Jesu ! O '< my Hope, my Refuge, and i my Salvation. Give me I purity, singleness of pur- pose, and a thorough knowledge of myself, that I may be a man after Thine own heart. Amen. WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK Jesus Sold for Thirty Pieces of Silver All hail, Jesu ; praise, honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who wast sold for paltry money by Thy faithless disciple, when the Jews were per- secuting Thee, and con- spiring against Thy life. Root out, T pray Thee, from my heart every wrong desire for created things : grant that I may never prefer anything to Thee : grant that I may exhibit sincere affection towards all, and especially to those who bring trouble upon me. Pardon me, O Holy Redeemer, for hav- ing so often preferred vain and perishing things to Thee, and turned myself away from Thee for worthless pleasures. O gracious Jesu ! O io6 /iftetboO of iprai^cr tor tbe Cbristian JL>ear my Hope, my Refuge, and my Salvation. Give me true humility, patience, charity, the government of my tongue, and control over my senses. Amen. THURSDAY IN HOLY WEEK Jesus Institutes the Holy Eucharist All hail, Jesu ; praise, honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who didst institute the Sacra- ment of the Eucharist out of Thy unspeakable love towards us, and dost give Thyself to us in it with wondrous condescension, to be with us under the form of bread and wine even unto the end of the world. Kindle within me, I beseech Thee, a desire for Thee, and inflame my inmost soul to hunger after Thee in this most Holy Sacrament. Grant that I may receive Thee with pure affection, with deep humility, and entire purity of heart when I approach that Heavenly Feast. May my soul now so thirst for Thee, so faint with love of Thee, that I may hereafter be found meet to enjoy Thy eter- nal joys in Thy King- dom, to the glory of Thy Name. O gracious Jesu ! O my Hope, my Refuge, and my Salvation, Grant that all perishing things may be esteemed as worth- less by me, and that Thou alone mayest please and delight me. Conform my life to the pattern of Thine. Amen. GOOD FRIDAY Almighty God, we be- seech Thee graciously to behold this Thy family, for which our Eord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross, who now livetli and reigncth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world with- out end. Amen. (5oo& 3ftit)a^ 107 Almighty and everlast- ing God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified ; receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before Thee for all estates of men inThy holy Church, that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve Thee ; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. O merciful God, who hast made all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made, nor wouldest the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live ; have mercy upon all Jews, Turks, infidels, and here- tics, and take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of Thy Word ; and so fetch them home, blessed Lord, to Thy flock, that they may be saved among the remnant of the true Is- raelites, and be made one fold under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. J^rom ^. (5rcgon)'s ^vajjcrs on the ^Jassion I ADORE Thee, O Lord Jesu Christ ! hanging upon the cross, and wear- ing on Thy head the crown of thorns : I be- seech Thee that Thy cross may deliver me from the destroying angel. I adore Thee, O Lord Jesu Christ, wounded on the cross, and having gall and vinefjar given Thee to drink : I beseech Thee that Thy wounds may be the healing of my soul. I pray Thee, O Lord Jesu Christ, by that bitterness of Thy Passion, which Thou sutferedst at the hour of Thy death, and then above all when Thy most holy soul passed forth from Thy blessed bod\- ; pity my soul when io8 /iftetbo^ ot pxn^cv for tbc Cbri6tian Jl)ear it is departing out of my body, and bring it to ever- lasting life. I adore Thee, O Lord Jesu Christ, laid in the sepulchre, embalmed with myrrh and spices : T be- seech Thee that Thy death may be my life. I adore Thee, O Lord Jesu Christ, descending into hell : I beseech Thee, suiTer me not to enter there. I adore Thee, O Lord Jesu Christ, rising again from the dead, and as- cending into heaven, and sitting at the right hand of the Father : I beseech Thee that I may be found worthy to follow Thee thither, and dwell in Thy presence. Lord Jesu Christ, the Good Shepherd, pre- serve the righteous, justify sinners, have mercy upon all the faithful, and be gracious to me, a miser- able and wretched sinner. 1 beseech Thee, O Lord Jesu Christ, that Thy Passion may be unto me virtue, whereby I may be fenced, protected, and de- fended. Let the sprink- ling of Thy blood be to me the washing away of all my sins. Let Thy death be to me everlast- ing glory. In these let me find my refreshment, exultation, health,longing, joy, and desire, both of body and soul, now and for ever. Amen. |i3raj3crsi of jfrlOag 109 saving Name. For what does Jesus mean but Sa- viour. O Jesus, who didst create me, and with Thy precious blood didst re- deem me, suffer me not to be condemned, whom Thou didst make out of nothing. O Jesus, let not my wick- edness destroy me, whom Thine almighty goodness made and formed. O Jesus, acknowledge what is Thine in me, and take away from me all that is not Thine. O Jesus, have mere}" upon me whilst it is the time of mercy, and destroy me not in the time of Thy fearful judgment. O Jesus, although I, a miserable sinner, have deserved of Thy strict justice eternal punish- ment for my most griev- ous sins, yet I appeal from Thy strict justice to Thine unspeakable mercy; and pray Thee as a loving Father and merciful Lord to have mercy upon me. O Jesus, what profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit ? For the dead praise not Thee, O Lord ; neither all they that go down into silence. O most merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. O Jesus, admit me, a miser- able sinner, into the num- ber of Thine Elect. O Jesus, the Salvation of them tiiat believe in Thee, have mercy upon me. O Jesus, pour into me Thy grace, wisdom, char- ity, chastity, and humil- ity, and in all mine ad- versities, holy patience, that I may be able to love Thee perfectly, and in Thee to make my boast, and to find my cliief de- light in Thee for ever and ever. Amen. SATURDAY IN HOLY WEEK Grant, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of Thy blessed Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continually mortify- ing our corrupt aitections no /lftetbo^ of ipra^er toi' tbe Cbristian l)eat we may be buried with Him, and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joy- ful resurrection, for His merits who died and was buried and rose again for us, Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus Buried All hail, holy Jesu : praise, honour, and glory be to Thee, O Christ, who when Thou wast taken down from the cross amid the great grief of Thy friends, didst will to be anointed with sweet ointment, to be wrapped in linen, and to be laid in another's tomb. Bury, I beseech Thee, all my senses, and all my powers and affections in Thyself ; so that united to Thee by constraining love, I may become dead to all else but Thee, and may know and feel that Thou art the one only Redeemer of my soul, my chief and only Good . O gracious Jesu ! O my Hope, my Refuge, and my Salvation. Grant me complete mortification and renunciation of self. Ex- tinguish in me all evil affections and passions. Amen. EASTER DAY Christ our passover is sacrificed for us : there- fore let us keep the feast. Not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness ; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.i Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more : 1 I Cor. v. 7, 8. death hath no more do- minion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once : but in that He livcth. He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead in- deed unto sin : but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.^ Now is Christ risen from 2 Rom. vi. 9-1 1 JSaBtev 2)a^ the dead, and become tlie firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. ^ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost ; As it was in the be- ginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. Almighty God, who through Thine only-be- gotten Son Jesus Christ i hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate | of everlasting life ; we | humbly beseech Thee, that, as by Thy special grace preventing us Thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by Thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world with- j out end. Amen. We adore Thee, OChrist, Son of the living God, who didst rise in great triumph from the grave, and didst bear in Thy pierced hands the keys of hell and death. We rejoice, O Lord our God, in Thy almighty power and glory. Raise Thou us up with Thee, O blessed Saviour, above all earthly desires. Inspire us with thoughts of joy, of hope, and love. Enter Thou within the chamber of our hearts, and say unto us, " Peace be unto you." Give us the grace to see Thee, blessed Saviour, the eyes of our under- standing being enhghten- ed, that we maj' know Thee walking by our side, in this our earthly pil- grimage. Come unto us, 6 our Lord, and dwell within us. Abide with us through our night of weeping. Make Thyself known to us in the break- ing of bread. Teach us, O blessed Lord God most high, to look and see Thee beyond this dark tem- pestuous sea, standing on the everlasting shore of 1 I Cor. XV. 20-22. 112 /iftetbob ot ipragev tor tbe Cbristian l^ear peace ; and suffer us to come unto Thee through the waters. Give us grace, O Lord our God, to arise with Thee, to leave all for Thee, that we may be made like unto Thee, that we may follow Thee, O Thou blessed Lamb of God, whitherso- ever Thou goest. Amen. We adore Thee and give thanks to Thee, most gracious Jesu, Sou of the living God, who for us didst arise from the dead. Have mercy upon us, O Lord our God, and grant that we, rising above all the evils of this sinful world, may walk before Thee in newness of life, and being daily renewed by Thy Holy Spirit, may serve Thee with a pure and steadfast heart, until we come to Thy Heavenly Kingdom, who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, for ever and ever. Amen. ASCENSION DAY Grant, we beseech Thee. Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only- begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have as- cended into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with Him continual- ly dwell, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. O Lord Jesu Christ, who art ascended into heaven, there to inter- cede for lis Thy servants. to bring the kingdoms of the earth beneath the sceptre of Thy righteous- ness, and to draw up Thine Elect in blessed union with Thee their Head, who art gone be- fore ; grant us firm faith in Thine almighty power, Christ our God. Streng- then our hope in Thee, who art for ever offer- ing Thyself, in Thy risen and glorified body, in the most Holy Place, O Christ, our Advocate ! Quicken our love towards Thee, O Jesu, King most Bscension 2)a^ 113 wonderful, who didst lead captivity captive, and give gifts unto men, especially the most un- speakable gift of Thy Holy Spirit, uniting us to Thee in bonds of hea- venly love. Hear us, O Thou who hast triumphed gloriously, Bridegroom of Thy Holy Church, and only Mediator between God and man ; and grant that we may so follow Thee now in patient toil and suffering, that when Thou comest again to judge the world we may be counted worthy to sit with Thee in heavenly places , through Thy meri ts , O Lord and only Saviour, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest ever one God, world without end. Amen. WHITSUNDAY God, who as at this time 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 His 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. O Holy Spirit, God of Love, who proceedest from the almighty Father and His most blessed Son, all-powerful Advocate, blessed and only Com- forter ; infuse Thy mani- fold gifts into our hearts ; enlighten our darkened souls with the fullness of Thy glorious presence, dwell within us, and make us to drink of Thy spiritual pleasures as out of a river ; let Thy heavenly sweet- ness so chasten and purify our tastes, as to leave no desire or relish for mere worldly delights. Teach us to do the thing that pleaseth Thee ; for Thou art our God. Thou dwell- est in the high and holy place, and with them also that are of a humble and 114 /nbetf^o^ ot ipra^cr tor tbc Cbiii3tian l^car contrite spirit. And where Thou dwellest, there also the Father and the Son do make their abode. Oh, blessed are they in whom so divine a Life, so glorious a Presence dwells. Oh that it may- please Thee to come to us, Thou kindest Comforter of mourning souls, Thou mighty Defence in dis- tresses, and ready Help in time of need. Oh, come, Thou Purger of all inward pollutions; Thou Healer of spiritual diseases. Come, Thou Strength of the feeble, and Helper of them that fall, Thou Hope of the poor, and Refresh- ment of them that lan- guish and faint ; Thou Glory and Crown of the living and only Safeguard of the dying, come. Come, Thou Holy Spirit, I in much mercy come ; i make us fit to receive I Thee, and condescend to our infirmities, that our meanness may not be dis- dained by Thy greatness, nor our weakness by Thy strength ; all which we beg for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour, who in the unity of Thee, O Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth with the Father, one God, world without end. Amen. TRINITY SUNDAY Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us Thy servants grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trin- ity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity ; we beseech Thee, that Thou wouldest keep us stead- fast in this faith, and ever- more defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen. Blessed and glorious Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thanks be to Thee, very and one | Trinity, one and perfect { Deity, holy and simple I Unity, Thee, the Father unbegotten. Thee the only-begotten Son, Thee tTriniti^ SunDa^ 115 the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, holy and un- divided Trinity, Tliee with our whole heart and our mouth do we confess and praise and bless : to Thee be glory for ever and ever. Alleluia. O Lord God, Father almighty, bless and pro- tect Thy servants who are obedient to Thy Majesty, through Thine only Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit, that being secure in every danger, we may continually rejoice in praising Thee. O Lord Jesus Christ, pour forth upon us the promised Spirit of the Father, to give us life and to teach us the fullness of truth in the mystery of the blessed and undivided Trinity, that our salva- tion may be accomplished through His gift, in which the perfection of all virtue consists. O Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who with the Father and the Son abidest One God in Trin- ity, descend this day into our hearts, that while Thou dost intercede for us with the Father, we may call upon Him with stead- fast faith. May the infinite and ineffable Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, direct our lives in all good works, and after our earthly pil- grimage vouchsafe to us eternal life with the saints. Grant this, O almighty and everlasting God. Amen. O most holy, merciful, and gracious Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God ; teach, direct, and help me who place my hopes on Thee. O God the Father, by Thine incomprehensible power, establish my mind in Thee, and fill it with holy and heavenly thoughts. O God the Son, by Thine infinite wisdom, enhghten my understanding, and fill it with the knowledge of the highest truth, and my own vileness. O Holy Spirit, who art the love of the Father and the Son, by Thine incompre- hensible goodness, trans- form my will into Tliine and infiame it with an in- extinguishable ardour of ii6 /iRetf30^ ot ipra^er for tbc Cbristiaii lL)ear love. O adorable Trin- ity, I would that I could love and praise Thee as perfectly as all the saints and angels praise Thee ! Behold, O Lord, I magnify Thy almighty wisdom and goodness : I bless Thy omnipotent and gracious wisdom : I glo- rify Thy wise and gra- cious power. But since I cannot worthily praise Thee, do Thou deign most perfectly to praise Thy- self in me. Had I the love of all Thy creatures, I would willingly give it to Thee alone. Amen. ^tdhmp for t{)e i auB' of tiu la.s.^ion MAUNDY THURSDAY The Agony The Last Passover Matt. xxvi. 36-46. Mark xiv. 32-42. Matt. xxvi. 17-20. Luke xxii. 40-46. Mark xiv. 12-17. John xviii. i. Luke xxii. 7-18. John xiii. 1-17. GOOD FRIDAY The Betrayal The Institution of the Blessed Sacrament Matt. xxvi. 47-56. Mark xiv. 43-52. Matt. xxvi. 21-29. Luke xxii. 47-53. Alark xiv. 18-25. John xviii. 2-1 1. Luke xxii. 19-23. John xiii. 18-38. Jesus before the High I Cor. xi. 23-25. Priest and the Council Discourses in the Upper Chamber Matt. xxvi. 57-68. Mark xiv. 53-65. Luke xxii. 54, 55, 63-71. Luke xxii. 24-38. John xviii. 12-16, 19-24. John xiv., XV., xvi., xvii. Jesus Denied by S. Peter Jesus Goes to Gethsemane Three o'clock a.m. Matt. xxvi. 30-35. Matt. xxvi. 69-75. Mark xiv. 26-31. Mark xiv. 66-72. Luke xxii. 39. Luke xxii. 56-62. John xviii. i. John xviii. 17, iS, 25-27. I] 7 ii8 iReabiiuis for tbe Iboure ot tbe {passion Jesus before Pilate Jesus OH the Cross Matt, xxvii. i-io. Noon Mark xv. i. Luke xxiii. i. Matt, xxvii. 45. John xviii. 28, xix. 1-14. Mark xv. 33. Luke xxiii. 44, 45. Jesus before Herod Luke xxiii. 7-12. Pilate on the Judgment- Jesus Dies Seat Three o'clock p.m. Six o'clock a.m. Matt, xxvii. 46-56. Matt, xxvii. 11-26. Mark xv. 34-41. Mark xv. 2-15. Luke xxiii. 45-49. Luke xxiii. 2-6, 13-25, John xix. 28-30. John xix. 14-16. Jesus Delivered to he Jesus' Side Pierced Crucified Matt, xxvii. 27-31. John xix. 31-37. Mark xv. 16-20. Luke xxiii. 26. Jesus Taken Down from John xix. 16. the Cross Jesus Led to Calvary Matt, xxvii. 57-58. Matt, xxvii. 31-34. IMark xv. 42-45. Mark xv. 20-23. Luke xxiii; 50-52. Luke xxiii, 26-33. John xix. 38, 39. John xix. 16, 17. Jesus Nailed to the Cross Jesus Laid in the Grave Nine o'clock a.m. Matt, xxvii. 35-44. Matt, xxvii. 59-61. Mark xv. 24-32. Mark xv. 46, 47. Luke xxiii. 33-43- Luke xxiii. 53-56. John xix. 18-27. John xix. 40-42. (^Facsimile of Original Title Page) A COMPANION FOR THE ALTAR. Extraatd from Thomas a K EM PIS. By J O H N Wesley, M. A. THE SI IVEN'Tjr EDITIOM. L o ^'' jy o X: Printed by R. H.awes, (No. 54..) in Lamh-Sirat^ Near ^J>ifa,'-Sxji:a!y, 1774. Pfbitatians on the %oxh'^i Clipper ^ Extracted from Thomas a Kempis by John Wesley, M.A . An Exhortation unto the Holy Communion The voice of Christ COME unto Me, all ye tha travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. The Bread which I give is my Flesh, which I give for the life of the world. Take, eat, this is my Body which is given for you : do this in remem- brance of Me. He that eateth my Flesh, and drinketh my Blood, dwelleth in Me and I in him. The words which I speak unto you are spirit and life. Chapter I With how great Reverence Christ ought to be received The voice of the Disciple These are Thy words, O Christ, the everlasting Truth. Because therefore they are Thine and true, they are all thankfully to be received by me. They arc Thine, and Thou hast spoken them ; and they are mine also, because Thou hast spoken them for my salvation. I willingly receive them from Thy mouth, that they may be the deeper imprinted in my heart. These so gracious words, so full of sweetness and love, encourage me ; but my own offences drive me back from receiving so great mysteries. 2. Thou commandest me to come confidently unto Thee, if I will have part with Thee ; to re- ceive the food of immor- ' Printed by R. Hawes (No. 34), in Lamb Street, near Spital Square, 1774. The seventh edition. /IfteOitations on tbe 3U)r&'5 Supper 121 tality, if I desire to obtain everlasting glory. Come, sayest Thou, un- to Me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh yon. O sweet and friendly word in the ear of sinners, that Thou, my Lord God, should invite the poor and needy to the partaking of Thy most holy body ! But who am I, Lord, that I should presume to approach unto Thee ? Behold the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee, and Thou sayest. Come ye all unto me. 3. What meaneth this so gracious condescension, this so friendly invitation? How shall I dare to come, that know no good in myself ? How sliall I bring Thee into my house, that have so often offended Thy most gracious counten- ance ? The angels and arch- angels revere Thee, the saints and just men fear Thee, and Thou sayest, Come ye all unto Me ! Unless Thou, O Lord, didst say it, who would believe it to be true ? And unless Thou didst command^ it, who would dare to come unto Thee ? Behold Noah, a just man, laboured a hundred years in the making of the ark, that he might be saved with a few ; and how can I in one hour pre- pare myself to receive with reverence the Maker of the world ? 4. Moses, Thy great ser- vant, and Thy special friend, make an ark of incorruptible wood, which also he covered with most pure gold, to put the tables of the law therein ; and I, a corruptible crea- ture, how shall I dare so lightly to receive the Maker of the law, and the Giver of life ? Solomon, the wisest of the Icings of Israel, be- stowed seven years in building a magnificent temple to the praise of Thy name. He celebrated the feast of the dedication thereof eight days together : he offered a thousand peace- offerings, and he solemnly set the ark in the place prepared for it, with the sound of trumpets and joy. And I, the most miser- able and poorest of men, how shall I bring Thee into my house, that can scarce spend one half- hour devoutly ? Yea, would I could once spend near an half-hour in due manner ? 5. O my God, liow much did they do out of an endeavour to please Thee ? And, alas ! how little is that which I do ? I am very seldom wholly re- collected, very seldom free from distraction. And yet surely no un- becoming thoughts ought to appear in the presence of Thy Deity, nor any creature find any place in me, for I am not to har- bour an angel, but the Lord of angels. Why therefore am 1 not more enfiamed at Thy venerable presence ? 6. The most devout King David danced before the ark of God with all his might, calling to mind the benefits bestowed in times past upon his lore- fathers. He made instruments of sundrv kinds ; he com- posed psalms, and ap- pointed them to be sung with joy. He also often sung himself to the harp, being inspired with the Holy Ghost. He taught the people of Israel to bless God with their whole heart, and with joint voices every day to bless and praise Him. i If so great devotion I was then shown, and there I was such celebrating of the divine praise before the ark of the covenant ; I with what reverence and devotion ought I to re- ceive the most precious body and bood of Christ ? 7. O God, the invisible Creator of the world, how wonderfully dost Thou deal with us ! How sweetly and gra- ciously dost Thou dispose of all things with those, to whom Thou offerest Thyself in this holy sacra- ment ! Thisexceedethall under- standing ! This strongly draweth the hearts of the devout, and infiameth their affections. 8. O the admirable and /IBeOitations on tbe 'iLor&'s Supper 123 i hidden grace of thi s sacra- ment, which such as will be slaves unto sin cannot experience ! In this sacrament spiritual grace is given, the strength which was lost is restored in the soul, and the beaut}^ disfigured by sin, retumeth again. This grace is sometimes so great, that not only the mind, but the weak body also, feeleth great increase of strength. 9. Our coldness and negligence is much to be bewailed, that we are not drawn with greater affec- tion to receive Christ, in whom all the hope and merit of those that are saved consists. For He is our sanctifi- cation and redemption : He is the comfort of us travellers, and the ever- lasting enjoyment of saints. It is much therefore to be lamented, that many so little consider this blessed mystery, which rejoiceth heaven, and pre- serveth the whole world. O the blindness and hardness of man's heart, that doth not more deeply weigh so unspeakable a I gift ! I 1 hanks be imto Thee, ! gracious Jesus, the ever- j lasting Shepherd, that ! hast vouchsafed to re- fresh us poor exiles with Thy precious body and blood, and to invite us to the receiving of these mysteries with the words of Thy own mouth, say- ing, Come unto Me,- all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Chapter II That the great Goodness and Love of God is exhibited to Man in this Sacrament The voice of the Disciple In confidence of Thy goodness, I come, O Lord, a sick man unto my Saviour, hungry and thirsty to the fountain of life, needy to the king of heaven, a servant unto my Lord, a creature to my Creator : disconsolate to Thee my merciful Com- forter. But whence is this to 124 /ifteDitatioiB on tbc lord's Supper me, 'that Thou vouch- safest to come unto me ! who am I, that Thou shouldest - give Thyself unto me ? How dare a sinner ap- pear before Thee ? And how is it that Thou dost vouchsafe to come imto a sinner ? Thou knowest Thy ser- vant, and seest that he hath no good thing in him, for which Thou shouldest bestow this favour upon him. I confess therefore my unworthiness ; I acknow- ledge Thy goodness ; I praise Thy mercy, and give Thee thanks for this Thy transcendent love. For Thou dost this for Thine own sake, not for any merits of mine ; that Thy goodness may be better known unto me, Thy love more abun- dantly showed, and Thy gracious condescension the more eminently displayed. Since therefore it is Thy pleasure, and Thou hast commanded that it should be so, this Thy favour is also pleasing to me, and may my sins be no hind- rance. 2. O most gracious Jesus, how great rever- ence and thanks, together with perpetual praise, are due unto Thee for the receiving of Thy sacred body, whose preciousness no man is able to express ! But what shall I think of, now that I am to ap- proach unto my Lord, who I am not able duly to honour, and yet I desire to receive Him with devotion ? What is better than to humble myself wholly be- fore Thee, and to exalt Thy infinite goodness over me ? I praise Thee, my God, and will exalt Thee for ever : I despise and sub- mit myself unto Thee, in a deep sense of my own unworthiness. 3. Behold Thou art the Holy of Holies, and 1 the vilest of sinners ! Behold Thou inclinest unto me, who am not worthy so much as to look up unto Thee ! Behold Thou comest unto me, it is Thy will to be with me. Thou invitest me to Thy banquet. Thou wilt give me the /IReC>itation5 on tbe Xcr^'s Supper 125 food of heaven, the bread of angels to eat, which is no other than Thyself, the living bread, that descen- ded from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 4. Behold from whence doth this love proceed ! what a gracious condes- cension appeareth herein ! how great thanks and praises are due unto Thee for these benefits ! O how good was Thou, when Thou ordainest it ! How sweet and pleasant the banquet when Thou gavest Thvself to be our food ! How wonderful is Thy operation, O Lord i how mighty is Thy power ! how unspeakable is Thy truth ! For Thou hast said the word, and all things were made ; and this was done which Thou commandedst. 5. A thing of great admiration, that Thou, my Lord God, shouldest be exhibited unto us by the elements of bread and wine. Thou, who art the Lord of all things, and standest in need of none, hast pleased to dwell in us by means of this Thy sacra- ment. Preserve my heart and body undefiled, that with a cheerful and pure con- science I may always celebrate Thy mysteries, and receive them to my everlasting health : which Thou hast ordained for Thy honour and for a perpetual memorial. 6. Rejoice, O my soul, and give thanks unto God, for so excellent a gift, so singular a comfort left unto me in this vale of tears. For as often as Thou celebratest this mystery, and receive the body of Christ ; so often art Thou made partaker of all the merits of Christ. For the love of Christ is never extinguished, and the greatness of His pro- pitiation is never ex- hausted : Therefore thou oughtest always to weigh with at- tentive consideration tliis great mystery of thy sal- vation. So great, new, and joy- ful it ought to seem unto thee when tliou comes t to these holy mysteries ; 126 hesitations on tbe ILorO's Supper as if the same day Christ first descended into tlie womb of the Virgin, was become man ; or hanging on the cross, did suffer and die for the salvation of mankind. Chapter III That it is profitable to communicate often The voice of the Disciple Behold, O Lord, I come unto Thee, that I may be comforted by Thy gift, and deUghted in Thy holy banquet, which Thou, O God, hast prepared in Thy goodness for the poor. Behold in Thee is all that I can or ought to desire : Thou art my sal- vation, and my redemp- tion, my hope and my strength, my honour and my glory. Make joyful therefore this day the soul of Thy servant, for I have lifted it up unto Thee, O Lord Jesus. I desire to receive Thee now with devotion and reverence. I long to bring Thee into my house, that with Zaccheus I may be blessed by Thee, and numbered amongst the children of Abraham. My soul thirsteth to i receive Thy body and blood, my heart desireth to be united with Thee. 2, Give me Thyself, and it sufficeth : but with- out Thee no comfort is available. I cannot be without Thee, nor live without Thy visitation : And therefore I must often come unto Thee, and receive Thee for the welfare of my soul, less haply I faint by the way, if I be deprived of the heavenly food. | For so, most merciful \ Jesus, Thou once didst say, preaching to the people, and curing sundry diseases, I will not send them home fasting, lest they faint by the way. Deal Thou therefore in like manner now with me, who hast vouchsafed to leave Thyself in this sac- rament for the comfort of the faithful. For Thou art the sweet refreshment of the soul ; and he that eateth Thee /ifteOitations on tbe %oxt>'6 Supper 27 worthily shall be a par- taker of everlasting glory. 3. O the wonderful con- descension of Thy mercy towards us, that Thou, O Lord God, the Creator and Giver of life to all spirits, dost vouchsafe to come unto a poor soul, and with Thy whole Deity to re- plenish his hunger ! O happy mind and blessed soul, that receives Thee, her Lord God, with devout atfection, and in receiving of Thee is filled with spiritual joy ! O how great a Lord doth she entertain ! How beloved a Guest doth she harbour I How pleasant a Companion doth she re- ceive ! How faithful a Friend doth she take in ! How lovely and glorious a Spouse doth she em- brace ! She embraceth Him who is to be loved above all that is beloved, and above all things that may be desired. Let heaven and earth, and all the hosts of them, be silent in Thy presence : for what praise and beauty soever they have, it is received from Thy bounty, and cannot equal the beauty of Thy name, of whose wisdom there is no number. Chapter IV That many Gifts are be- stowed upon them that commttnicate devoutly The Voice of the Disciple •VIy Lord God, prevent Thy servant with the blessings of Thy goodness, that I may approach de- voutly to Thy glorious sacrament : Stir up my heart unto Thee, and deliver me from a heavy numbness of mind. Visit me with Thy sal- vation, that I may taste in spirit Thy sweetness, wliich plentifully lieth in this sacrament, as a foun- tain. Enlighten also my eyes to behold so great a mystery, and strengthen me to believe it with steady faith. For it is Thy work, and not man's power ; Thy sacred institution, not man's invention. 128 /Ifte^ttation6 on tbe Xort)*6 Supper For no man is of him- self able to comprehend these things which sur- pass the understanding of angels. What therefore shall I, unworthy sinner, dust and ashes, be able to compre- hend of so high and sacred a mystery ! 2. O Lord, in the sim- plicity of my heart, at Thy commandment I come unto Thee with hopes and reverence, and do truly believe tliat Thou art present in this sacra- ment. Thy will is, that I re- ceive Thee, and that by love I unite myself unto Thee. Wherefore I implore Thy mercy, and crave Thy special grace, that I may wholly melt, and overflow with love unto Thee ; and hereafter never seek any comfort out of Thee. For this most high and worthy sacrament is the health of the soul and body, the remedy of all spiritual weakness ; here- by my vices are cured, my passions bridled, temptations overcome, grace infused, holiness in- creased, faith confirmed, hope strengthened, and love inflamed. For Thou hast be- I stowed, and still doth be- I stow, many benefits in this sacrament upon Thy children ; O my God, the protector of my soul, the repairer of human weak- ness, and the giver of all inward comfort. Thou impartest unto them much comfort against sundry tribula- tions ; Thou liftest them up from the depth of their own misery, to hope in Thy protection. Who is there, that ap- proaching humbly unto the fountain of sweetness, doth not carry away from thence at least some little sweetness ? Or who standing by a great fire, receiveth not some small heat thereby ? And Thou art a fountain always full and overfiow- i ing, a fire ever burning and ! never decaying. i 4. Wherefore if I can- i not draw out of the full fountain itself, nor drink my fill ; I will notwith- standing set my lips to the /ifteDitatione on tbe %ov^*b Supper 129 mouth of this heavenly conduit, that I may draw from thence at least some small drop to refresh my thirst ; and not wholly be dried up. And though I be not so inflamed as the Cherubim and Seraphim ; notwith- standing I will endeavour after some small spark of divine fire, by humbly receiving of this enliven- ing sacrament. And whatsoever is wanting in me, O merciful Jesus, do Thou gracious- ly supply, who hast vouch- safed to call ALL unto Thee, saying, Come unto Me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. 5. I indeed labour in the sweat of my brow, I am vexed with grief of heart, I am burthened with sin, I am troubled with temptations, I am entangled with many evil passions ; and there is none to help me, none to deliver me, but Thou, O Lord, my Saviour, to whom I commit myself, and all that is mine, that Thou mayest keep me to life everlasting. Chapter V 0/ the examining our Co)i- science, and giving up ourselves to God The voice of the Beloved Above all things, thou oughtest to receive this sacrament with great hu- mility of heart, and lowly reverence. And, if thou hast time, confess unto God in the secret of thine heart all the miseries of thy dis- ordered passions. 2. Lament and grieve, that thou art yet so carnal, so worldly, so unmcrtilied as to thy passions ; So unwatchful over thy outward senses, so often entangled with vain ima- ginations ; So negligent and cold in prayer, so undevout in celebrating, so dry in re- ceiving ; So quickly distracted, so seldom wholly recollected ; So suddenly moved to anger, so apt to take dis- pleasure agamst another, and speak evil of others ; So prone to judge ; /iReOitations on tbe %ovb'e Suppev So often purposing much good, and yet performing little. 3. These and other thy defects being confessed, with full resignation, and with thy \\'hole will, oiler up thyself a perpetual sacrifice to the honour of My name on the altar of thy heart, faithfully com- mitting thy body and soul unto Me ; That so thou mayest receive profitably the sac- rament of My body. 4. For a man hath no other oblation, than to offer up himself unto God in the holy Communion. And whensoever he shall come to Me for par- don and grace, as I live, saith the Lord, who will not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be con- verted and live, I will not remember liis sins any more, but they shall be all forgiven him. 5. As I willingly offered up Myself unto God My Father for thy sins, My hands being stretched forth on the cross, and My l)ody naked, so that no- thing remained in Me that was not wholly turned into a sacrifice, for the appeas- ing the divine Majesty ; So oughtest tiiou also to offer up tliyseli willing- ly unto Me every day, as a pure and lioly oblation, with all thy miglit emd affections, in as liearty a manner as thou canst. What do I require of thee more than that thou entirely resign thyself un-. to Me ? Whatsoever thou givest besides thyself is of no account in My sight ; for I seek not thy gifts, but thyself. 6. As it would not suf- fice thee to have all things besides Me ; so neither I can it please Me, whatso- ever thou givest, if thou : offerest not thyself. j Offer up thyself unto j Me, and give tliyself wholly to God, and thy offering shall be accepted. Behold I offered up ' Myself wholly unto my Father for thee, that I might be wholly thine, and thou remain Mine. But if thou abidest in thyself, and dost not offer thyself up freely unto My will, thy oblation is not entire, neither will the /nbeOitations on tbe %otb*6 Supper union between us be per- fect. Therefore a free offering up of thyself into the hands of God ought to go before all thy actions, if thou wilt obtain freedom and grace. For this cause so few become inwardly free, be- cause they cannot wholly deny themselves. My saying is unalter- able, Unless a man forsake all, he cannot be My dis- ciple. Therefore, if thou de- sirest to be My disciple, offer up thyself unto Me with thy whole affections. Chapter VI That we ought to otjer up ourselves, and all that is ours, unto God, and to pray for all. The voice of the Disciple Thine, O Lord, are all things that are in heaven and in earth. I desire to offer up my- self unto Thee, as a free oblation, and to remain always Tliine. O Lord, in the simpli- city of my heart I offer myself unto Thee this day, for a sacrifice of perpetual praise, to be Thy servant for ever. 2. I offer unto Thee, O Lord, all my sins and offences, which I have committed before Thee and Thy holy angels, from the day wherein I first could sin, to this hour, upon Thy merciful altar. Consume and burn them all with the fire of Thy love, and wash out all the stains of my sins. cleanse my consci- ence from all offences, and restore to me again Thy grace, which I lost by sin, fully forgiving me all my offences, and receiving me mercifully with a kiss of peace. 3. What can I do for my sins, but humbly con- fess and bewail them, and incessantly entreat Thy favour ? 1 beseech Thee hear me graciously, when I stand before Thee, O my God. All my sins are very displeasing unto me. I will never commit them any more ; but I bewail them, and am purposed to 132 jrtRcMtattons on tbe lLorC)'0 Supper repent, and according to tlie utmost of my power to please Thee. Forgive me, O God, for- give me my sins for Thy holy name's sake. Save my soul, which Thou hast redeemed with Thy most precious blood. Behold, I commit my- self to Thy mercy, I resign myself into Thy hands. Do with me according to Thy goodness ; not according to my wicked- ness and iniquity. 4. I offer up also unto Thee all whatsoever good Thou hast given me, al- though it be very little and imperfect, that Thou mayest amend and sanc- tify it ; That Thou mayest make it grateful and acceptable unto Thee, and always perfect it more and more ; And bring me also, who am a slothful and unpro- fitable creature, to a good and blessed end. 5. I offer up also unto Thee all the pious desires of devout persons, the necessities of my parents, friends, brethren, sisters, and of all those that are dear unto me, or that have done good either to my- self or to others for Thy love. And that have desired me to pray for them and all theirs ; that they all may receive the help of Thy grace and comfort, protection from dangers, deliverance from pain ; and being freed from all evils, may joyfully give worthy thanks unto Thee. 6. I offer up also unto Thee my prayers, especi- ally for them who have in any thing wronged, or grieved, or slandei^ed me, or have done me any damage or displeasure ; And for all those also, whom I have at any time troubled, grieved, or scan- dalised by words or deeds, wittingly or at unawares ; that it may please Thee to forgive us all our sins and offences, one against another. Take, O Lord, from our hearts all jealousy, in- dignation, wratli, and con- tention, and whatsoever may impair charity and lessen brotherly love. Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those that crave Thy mercy : give /lftet)ltation6 on tbe %ottf'6 Supper 133 grace unto them that stand in need thereof : and grant that we may be counted worthy to enjoy Thy grace, and to attain to hfe everlasting. Amen. Chapter VII That the Body of Christ, and the Holy Scrip- ture, are most neces- sary unto a faithful Soul The voice of the Disciple O Lord Jesus, how great sweetness hath a soul that feasteth with Thee in Thy banquet, where there is set no other food but Thy- self, her only beioved, and most to be desired above all the desires of her heart ! And verily it would be a sweet thing unto me to pour out tears from the very bottom of my heart in Thy presence : and with holy Magdalene to wash Thy feet with my tears. But where is this de- votion ? Where is this so plentiful shedding of holv tears ? Surely in the sight of Thee and Thy holy angels my whole heart should be inflamed, and even weep for joy ! For I enjoy Thee in the sacrament truly present, though hidden under an- other representation. 2. For to behold Thee in Thine own divine bright- ness, mine eyes would not be able to endure it. Neither could the whole world stand in the bright- ness of the glory of Thy majesty. I enjoy Him, whom the angels adore in heaven : But I, as yet, by faith ; they by sight, and with- out a veil. I ought to be content with the light of true faith, and to walk therein until the day of everlasting brightness break forth and the shadows of figures pass away. For when that which is perfect shall come, the use of sacraments shall cease. For the blessed in hea- ven need not any sacra- mental remedy, but re- joice without end in the presence of God. 134 hesitations on tbe XorS's Supper Beholding His glory, face to face, and being transformed from glory to glory in the image of the incomprehensible Deity, they taste the Word of God made flesh, as He was from the beginning, and as He remaineth for- ever. 3. Thou art my witness, O God, that nothing can comfort me ; no creature can give me rest, but Thou, O God, whom I desire to behold everlast- ingly. But I submit myself to Thee in all my desires. For Thy saints also, O Lord, who now rejoice with Thee, whilst they lived, expected in faith and great patience the coming of Thy glory. What they believed, I be- lieve : what they hoped for, I also hope for : whither they are come, I trust I shall come by Thy grace. In the meantime I will go forward in faith, strengthened by their ex- amples. I have also Thy holy Book for my comfort and guide, and Thy most holy body for a remedy and refuge. 4, I perceive two things to be especially necessary in this life, without which it would be unsupport- able. Whilst I am kept in the prison of this body, I chiefly need two things, to wit, food and light. Thou hast therefore given unto me Thy sacred body and blood for the nourishment of my soul ; and Thou hast set Thy I Word as a light unto my j feet. Without these two I i could not well live. I For the Word of God is ! the light of the soul, and ; Thy sacrament the bread of life. Thanks be unto Thee, O Jesus Christ, the light of everlasting life, for the holy doctrine which Thou hast afforded us by Thy servants, the Prophets and Apostles. 5. Thanks be unto Thee, O Thou creator and re- deemer of man, who, to manifest Thy love to the whole world, hast prepared a great supper, wherein Thou hast set before us to /IfteMtations on tbe XorD's Supper 135 be eaten Thy most sacred body and blood. Rejoicing all the faith- ful with Thy holy banquet, and replenishing them with the cup of salvation ; and the holy angels do feast with us, but yet with a more happy sweetness. 6. O how great and honourable is the office of God's ministers, to whom it is given with sacred words to consecrate the sacrament to the Lord of glory, with their lips to bless, with their hands j to hold, with their mouth I to receive, and also to ad- I minister it to others. Nothing but w^hat is holy, no word but good and profitable, ought to proceed from his mouth who so often receiveth the sacrament of Christ. 7. Assist, Almighty God, with Thy grace, that they who have undertaken the office of priesthood may serve Thee worthily and devoutly in all purity. And if they have not lived in so great innocency as they ought, grant them at least duly to bewail their sins which they have committed ; and in the spirit of humility, with full purpose of heart, to serve Thee hereafter more fervently. Chapter VIII How he who is to com- municate ought to pre- pare himself The voice of the Beloved I AM the lover of purity, and the giver of holiness. I seek a pure heart, and there is the place of My rest. Make ready and adorn for ]\Ie the great chamber, and I will keep with thee the passover among My disciples. 2. Know^ thou, notwith- standing, that the merit of no action of thine is able to make this pre- paration, although thou shouldest prepare thyself a whole year together, and think of nothing else. Thou art of ^ly mere grace and favour suffered to come to My table. Like a beggar invited to dinner to a rich man, who hath nothing else to re- turn him for his benefits, i3«3 /IftcMtatione on tbe XorD*5 Supper but humble himstll, and give him thanks. Do what heth in thee, and do it diligently, not for custom, not for neces- sity, but with fear and reverence, and affection, receive thy beloved Lord God, who vouchsafeth to come unto thee. I am He that hath called thee, I have com- manded it to be done, I will supply what is want- ing in thee : come and receive Me. 3. When I bestow the grace of devotion, give thanks to thy God ; for it is given thee, not for that thou art worthy, but because I have mercy on thee. If thou hast it not, but dost feel thyself dry ; continue in prayer, sigh and knock, and give not over until thou receive some drop of saving grace. Thou hast need of Me, not I of thee. Neither comest thou to sanctify Me, but I come to sanctify and improve thee. Thou comest that thou mayest be sanctified by Me, and united unto Me, that thou mayest receive new grace, and be in- flamed anew to amend- ment. Chapter IX That we ought to desire with our whole heart to be united unto Christ in the Sacra- ment The voice of the Disciple Who will give me, O Lord, to find Thee alone, and to open my whole heart vmto Thee, and en- joy Thee as my soul de- sir eth ? And that no creature may move or regard me, but Thou alone mayest speak unto me, and I unto Thee, as the beloved is wont to speak to his be- loved, and a friend to banquet with a friend. This I pray for, this I desire, that I may be wholly united unto Thee, and may withdraw my heart from all created things. That I may, by often communicating, learn .hesitations on tbe %ovt>'s Supper 137 more and more to relish heavenly and eternal things. Ah, Lord God, when shall I be wholly united to Thee, and swallowed up in Thee, and altogether forgetful of myself ? Thou in me, and I in Thee, and so grant us both to continue in one. 2. Verily, Thou art my Beloved, the choicest among thousands, in whom my soul is well pleased to dwell all the days of her life. Verily, Thou art my peace-maker, in whom is great peace and true rest, without whom is labour and sorrow, and infinite misery. Verily, Thou art a God that hidest Thyself, and Thy counsel is not with the wicked, but Thy speech is with the humble and simple of heart. O Lord, how good is Thy Spirit, who to show Thy sweetness towards Thy children, vouchsafest to feed them with the bread of heaven ! Veril3^ there is no other nation so great, that hath God so nigh unto them, as Thou our God art to all Thy faithful ones. Unto whom, for the raising up their hearts to heaven, Thou givest Thy- self to be eaten and en- joyed. 3. For what other na- tion is there so honoured as the Christian people ? Or what creature under heaven so beloved, as the believing soul, whom God Himself feedeth with His glorious flesh ? O unspeakable grace ! O admirable condescen- sion ! O infinite love singularly bestowed upon man ! But what shall I give unto the Lord in return of His grace, for so eminent an expression of love ? There is nothing more acceptable than to give my heart wdiolly to my God, and to unite it close- ly unto Him. Then shall my inward parts rejoice, when my soul shall be perfectly united unto God. Then He will say unto me ; If thou wilt be with Me, I will be with thee. And I will answer Him : Vouchsafe, O Lord, to :38 /iftcMtations on tbe Xorys Supper remain with me, and I will gladly be with Thee. This is my whole desire, that my heart be united unto Thee. 4. O how great is Thy goodness, O Lord, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee ! When I remember some who come with the great- est devotion and affection, I am confounded, and blush within myself, that I come so heavily and coldly to Thy table. That I remain so dry and without hearty affec- tion, that I am not in- flamed in Thy presence ! while others, out of a vehement desire, and feel- ing affection of heart, can- not contain themselves from weeping. With desire both of soul and body, they earnestly longed after Thee, O God, the living fountain. Be merciful unto me, good Jesus, sweet and gracious Lord, and grant me. Thy poor needy crea- ture, to feel sometimes at least, in this holy com- munion, somewhat of Thy tender cordial affection. That my faith may be my hope in Thy goodness in- creased, and that my love once perfectly inflamed, after the tasting of the heavenly manna, may never decay. 5. Thy mercy, O Lord, is able to give me the grace I desire, and to visit me with the spirit of fervour when it shall please Thee. For though I burn not with so great desire as those : yet by Thy grace I pant for this inflamed desire. Praying and craving that I may partake with all such Thy fervent lovers, and be numbered among them. Chapter X How the Grace of Devotion is obtained The voice of the Beloved Thou oughtest to seek the grace of devotion fer- vently, to ask it earnestly, expect it patiently and with confidence, to re- ceive it gratefully, to keep it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to commit hesitations on tbc %ovt>'s Supper 139 the time and manner of this heavenly visitation to God, until it please Him to come unto thee. Thou oughtest to humble thyself, when thou feelest little or no devotion ; and yet not to be too much dejected, nor to grieve inordinately. God often giveth in a moment that which He hath a long time denied. He giveth sometimes in the end that wliicli in the beginning of prayer He de- ferred to grant. It is sometimes a little thing that hindereth and hideth grace from us. If it may be called little, that liindereth so great good. But if thou remove this, be it great or small, thou shalt have thy desire. 2. For as soon as ever thou hast delivered thy- self to God, with thy whole heart, and seekest not this or that, for thine own pleasure or will, but fixest thyself wholly upon Him, thou shalt find thy- self at peace. For nothing will then please thee so much, as w^hat pleases God. 3. Then shalt thou see, and be filled, and wonder, and thy heart shall be enlarged within thee be- cause the hand of the Lord is with thee, and He hath put himself wholly into thy hands for ever. Behold, so shall the man be blessed that seek- eth God with his whole heart ; and busieth not his soul in vain. This man obtaineth a high degree of divine love, in receiving the holy Eucharist. Because he respecteth not his own devotion and comfort, but, above all devotion and comfort, the honour and glor}^ of God. Chapter XI That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ, and crave His Grace The voice of the Disciple O MOST loving Lord, whom I now desire to receive, Thou knowest my infirmity, and the neces- sity which I endure, with how many evils I am op- pressed, how often I am I40 /BbeOitations on tbe %oxt>'s Supper grieved, tempted, troubled, and defiled. I come unto Thee for remedy, I crave of Thee comfort and succour. I speak to Him that knoweth all things, to whom all inward parts are open, and who alone can perfectly comfort and j help me. Thou knowest what good things I stand most ; in need of, and how poor I am in virtues. 2. Behold, I stand be- fore Thee poor and naked, calling for grace, and craving mercy. I Refresh Thy hungry beggar, inflame my cold- ness with the fire of Thy love ; enlighten my blind- i ness with the brightness of Thy presence. Turn all earthly things ; to me into bitterness, all things grievous into pati- ence, all created things into contempt and ob- livion. Lift up my heart to Thee in heaven ; and suffer me not to wander upon earth. j Be Thou only sweet unto me, from henceforth for evermore. For Thou only art my meat and drink, my love and my joy, my sweetness and all my good. 3. O that with Thy presence Thou wouldest wholly inflame, burn, and transform me into Thv- self ! That I might be made one spirit with Thee, by the meltings of ardent love ! Suffer me not to go from Thee hungry and thirsty ! but deal mercifully with me, as Thou hast often dealt wonderfully with Thy saints. What marvel is it, if I should be wholly inflamed by Thee, and die to my- self ? Since Thou art a fire always burning and never decaying, love purifying the heart, and enlighten- ing the understanding. Chapter XII Of vehement Desire to receive Christ The voice of the Disciple J DESIRE to receive Thee, O Lord, with great devo- tion and ardent love, with i^eDitations on tbe Xotb'e Supper 141 the affection and fervour of my whole heart, as many saints and devout persons have desired Thee, when they received Thy sacrament, who were most pleasing unto Thee in holiness of life, and most fen,-ent in devotion. my God, my ever- lasting love, my whole good, my never-ending happiness, I would gladly receive Thee with the most vehement desire, and most worthy rever- ence, that any of the saints ever had, or could feel. 2. And although I be unworthy to have all these feelings of devotion, yet I offer unto Thee the whole affection of my heart, as if I alone had all these inflamed desires : Yea, and whatsoever an holy mind can conceive and desire, all this, with the greatest reverence and most inward affection, I offer and present unto Thee. 1 desire to reserve no- thing to myself, but freely and mostwilhngly to sacri- fice myself and all mine unto Thee. My Lord God, my Cre- ator and Redeemer ! I desire to receive Thee this day, with such affec- tion, reverence, praise, and honour, with such grati- tude, worthiness, and love, with such faith, hope, and purity, as Thy most holy mother, the Virgin Mary, received Thee when she humbly answered the angel. Behold the hand- maid of the Lord, let it be done unto me according to Thy word. 3. And as Thy blessed forerunner, John Baptist, leaped for joy, bv reason of the Holy Ghost, whilst he was shut up in his mother's womb ; And afterwards seeing Jesus walking among men, humbling Himself deeply, said with devout affection. The friend of the Bridegroom that standeth and hearetli him, rejoiceth with joy for the voice of the Bridegroom ; so I also wish to be in- flamed with great and holy desires, and to offer myself up to Thee, with my whole heart. Wherefore I offer also and present unto Thee the 142 /iReDitations on tbe Xor^e Suppci joys, fervent affections, and illuminations of all devout hearts, with all the praises celebrated by all creatures in heaven and earth ; that by ail Thou niayest lie worthily praised and glorified for- ever. 4. Receive, my Lord God, my wishes and de- sires of giving Thee in- linite praise and immense blessing, which, according to the multitude of Thy unspeakable mercies, are most justly due unto Thee, These I yield Thee, and desire to yield Thee every day and moment : I do intreat and invite all heavenly minds, and all Thy devout servants, to give thanks and praises together with me. 5. Let all people, tribes, and tongues praise Thee, and magnify Thy lioly name, with the highest joy and most fervent de- votion. And let all that rever- ently celebrate Thy most high sacrament find grace and mercy at Thy hands, and pray humbly for me, a sinful creature. And when they shall have obtained their de- sired devotion and joyful union, and depart from Thy heavenly table, well comforted and marvel- lously refreshed, let them vouchsafe to remember my poor soul. {Facsimile of Original I tile Page) HYMNS ON THE By yo HN rrE SLE n M.A, Fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford', CHJR LES U^'E SLE 2", M.A. Student of ClirUVChurch, O.rforJ' With a PREFACE, concerning The Chrjjlian Sacrament aiid Sacrifice ^ Extraasd from Dr. BREVINT. THE EIGHTH EDITION. This do i?i Renieniirance of I\lf, \ Cor, xi, 2\,> L O N B O N: Printed hy R. Hawes, And {old at the New-Chapel, C/iy^R^.td; and sr the Pxv. Mr. }ViJlsy=> PreachiDg-Houfes, in Town ao Country, ^779^ 1. 14 Ibvmne on tbe Xor^'s Suppev Hymn IV Let all who truly bear The bleeding Saviour's name, Their faithful hearts with us prepare, And eat the paschal lamb. Our passover was slain At Salem's hallow'd place, Yet we who in our tents remain, Shall gain his largest grace. Tliis eucharistic feast Our every want sup- plies. And still we by His death are blest. And share His sacrifice. By faith His flesh we eat, Who here His passion show, And God out of His holy Shall all His gifts be- stow. Who thus our faith employ His sufferings to record. Ev'n now we mournfully enjoy Communion with our Lord, As tho' we every one Beneath His cross had stood And seen Him heave, and heard Him groan. And felt His gusliing blood. O God ! 'tis finish' d ' now ! The mortal pang i s past ! j By faith His head we see Him bow, I And hear Him breathe i His last ! ! We too with Him are 1 dead, xVnd shall with Him arise, i The cross on wliicli He I bows His head, Shall lift us to the skies. Hymn V O Thou eternal victim, slain, A sacrifice for guilty man, By the eternal Spirit made 1b^mr\3 on tbe XorO's Supper [45 An offering in the sinner's stead, Our everlasting priest art Thou, And plead'st Thy death for sinners now. Thy offering still con- tinues new. Thy vesture keeps its bloody hue, Thou stand'st the ever- slaughter'd Lamb, Thy priesthood still re- mains the same, Thy years, O God, can never fail. Thy goodness is unchange- able. O that our faith may never move, But stand unshaken as Thy love. Sure evidence of things unseen, Now let it pass the years between, And view Thee bleeding on the tree. My God, who dies for me, lor me ! Hymn XIII Come all who truly bear The name ot Christ your Lord, His last mysterious supper share. And keep His kindest word : Hereby your faith ap- prove In Jesus crucified : In mem'ry of My dying love Do this. He said, and died. The badge and token this, The sure contirmmg seal That He is ours, and we are His, The servants of His will, His dear pecuhar ones, The purchase of His blood ; His blood wliich once for all atones. And brings us now to God. Then let us still profess Our Master's hononr'd name. Stand forth His faithful witnesses, True followers of the Lamb : In proof that such wc are, His saying we receive, 146 Ibgnins on tbc Xov5'6 Supper And thus to all mankind Come, thou witness of His declare dying, We do in Christ beUeve. Come, remembrancer divine, Part of His church be- Let us feel Thy power low. applying We thus our right main- Christ to every soul and tain, mine ; Our living membership we Let us groan Thine inward show, groaning. And in the fold remain ; Look on Him we pierc'd The sheep of Israel's and grieve, fold, All receive the grace In England's pastures atoning fed. All the sprinkled blood And fellowship with all receive. we hold, Who hold it with our Head. Hymn XVIII Lift your eyes of faith Hymn XVI and look On the signs He did Come, Thou everlasting ordain ! Spirit, ;, Thus the bread of life was Bring to every thankful broke, mind, Thus the Lamb of God All the Saviour's dying was slain, merit, Thus was shed on Calvary All His sufferings for His last drop of blood for mankind : me ! True recorder of His pas- sion. See the slaughtered sacri- Now the living faith fice, impart, See the altar stained Now reveal His great sal- with blood ! vation. Crucified before our eyes, Preach His gospel to Faith discerns the dying our heart. God, Ibgrnng on tbe 2Lory6 Supper 147 Dying that our souls might live, Gasping at His deatii, Forgive ! Hymn XXiX^t / ■ '" '7 :<: ■•;. J • 'i^ '''J Jesu, at whose supreme command. We thus approach to God, Before us in Thy vesture stand, Thy vesture dipt in blood. Obedient to Thy gracious word We break the hallow'd bread, Commem'rate Thee, our dying Lord, And trust on Thee to feed. Now, Saviour, now Thy- . self reveal. And make Thy nature known. Affix the sacramental seal, And stamp us for Thine own. The tokens of Thy dying love, O let us all receive. And feel the quick'ninj spirit move. And sensibly believe. The cup of blessing, blest by Thee, Let it Thy blood im- part ; The bread Thy mystic body be, And cheer each languid heart. The grace wliich sure sal- vation brings. Let us herewith receive ; Satiate the hungry with good tilings. The hidden manna give. The living bread sent down from heaven, . In us vouchsafe to be ; j Thy flesh for all the world I is given. And all may live by Thee. Now, Lord, on us Thy flesh bestow, xVnd let us drink Thy blood, Till all our souls are fill'd below. With all the life of God. 148 Ib^mns on tbe ILorO's Supper Hymn XL Author of life divine, Who hast a table spread, Furnish'd with mystic wine And everlasting bread. Preserve the life Thyself hast given, And feed, and train us up for heaven. Our needy souls sustain With fresh supplies of love, Till all Thy life we gain. And all Thy fullness prove, And strength' ned by Thy perfect grace. Behold without a veil Thy face. Hymn XLIV Our passover for us is slain. The tokens of His death remain, On these authentic sigrts imprest : By Jesus out of Egypt led, Still on the paschal lamb we feed. And keep the sacra- mental feast. That arm which smote the parting sea Is still stretch'd out for us, for me ; The Angel-God is still our guide, And left we in the desert faint, We find our spirit's every want By constant miracle supplied. Thy flesh for our support is given. Thou art the bread sent down from heaven. That all mankind by Thee might live ; O that we evermore may prove The manna of Thy quick'- ning love. And all Thy life of grace receive ! Nourish us to that awful day I When types and veils i ' shall pass away, ' And perfect grace in glory end ; Us for the marriage-least prepare, ' Unfurl Thy banner in the air, \ And bid Thy saints to i heaven ascend. 1bsmnt5 on tbe ILor^'s Supper 149 Hymn LIl O Thou who, hanging on the cross, Didst buy our pardon with Thy blood. Canst Thou not still main- tain our cause. And fill us with the life of God, Bless with the blessings of Thy throne. And perfect all our souls in one ? Lo, on Thy bloody sacri- fice For all our graces we depend ! Supported by Thy cross arise, To finish'd hohness as- cend. And gain on earth the mountain's height, And then salute our friends in light. Hymn LIII O God of truth and love. Let us Thy mercy prove : Bless Thine ordinance divine, Let it now effectual be. Answer all its great de- sign. All its gracious ends in me. O might the sacred word Set forth our dying Lord, Point us to Thy sufferings past. Present grace and strength impart. Give our ravish'd souls a taste. Pledge of glory in our heart. Come in Thy Spirit down. Thine institution crown. Lamb of God, as slain appear. Life of all beUevers Thou, Let us now perceive Thee near, Come, Thou hope of glory, now. Hymn LIV Why did my dying Lord ordain This dear memorial of His love ? ISO Ib^iims on tbe %oxt>*6 Supper Might we not all by faith obtain, By faith the mountain- sin remove, Knjoy the sense of sins forgiven, And holiness the taste of heaven ? It seem'd to my Redeemer good That faith should here His coming wait. Should here receive im- mortal food, Grow up in Him divinely great. And fiU'd with holy vio- lence, seize The glorious crown of righteousness. Saviour, Thou didst the mystery give, That I Thy nature might partake, Thou bidst me outward signs receive. One with Thyself my soul to make, INly body, soul, and spirit to join Inseparably one with Thine. The prayer, the fast, the word conveys, When mixt with faith, Thy life to me, In all the channels of Thy grace, I still have fellowship with Thee, But chiefly here my soul is fed With fullness of immortal bread. Communion closer far I feel, And deeper drink th' atoning blood. The joy is more unspeak- able, And yields me larger draughts of God, Till nature faints beneath the power, And faith fili'd up, can hold no more. Hymn LV 'Tis not a dead, external sign Which here my hopes require, The living power of love divine In Jesus I desire. I waiit the dear -"Re- deemer's grace, I seek the Crucified, Ibgmns on tbc XocD'g Supper 151 The man that suffer' d in Let the wisest mortal show my place, How we the grace re- The God that groan'd ceive : and died. Feeble elements bestow A power not theirs to Swift, as their rising Lord give : to find Who explains the won- The two disciples ran, I seek the Saviour of man- drous way ? How thro' these the kind. virtue came ! Nor shall I seek in vain. These the virtue did con- vey. Yet still remain the Come all who long His same. face to see, That did our burthen bear. How can heavenly spirits Hasten to Calvary with me, rise. By earthly matter fed. And we shall find Him Drink herewith divine there. supplies. And eat immortal bread ? Ask the Father's wisdom Hymn LVH how ; Him that did the means THE depth of love ordain. divine. Angels round our altars Th' unfathomable grace ! bow. Who shall say how bread To search it out, in vain. and wine God into man conveys ! How the bread His flesh Sure and real is the grace. imparts, The manner be un- HoTjv the wine transmits known ; His blood. Only meet us in Thy ways, Fills His faithful people's And perfect us in one : hearts Let us taste the heavenly With all the life of God ! powers. 152 fb^mns on tbc Xor^'0 Supper Lord, we ask for no- thing more ; Thine to bless, 'tis only ours To wonder and adore. Hymn LIX God incomprehensible Shall man presume to know, Fully search Him out, or tell His wond'rous ways below ? Him in all His ways we find : How the means trans- mit the power, Here He leaves our thought behind, And faith inquires no more. How He did these crea- tures raise. And make this bread and wine Organs to convey His grace. To this poor soul of mine ; I cannot the way descry. Need not know the mystery, Only this I know, that I Was blind, but now I see. Now mine eyes are opcn'd wide. To see His pard'ning love, Here I view the God that died My ruin to remove ; Clay upon mine eyes He laid (I at once my sight receiv'd), Bless'd, and bid me eat the bread, And lo ! my soul be- liev'd. Hymn LXXHI Is not the cup of blessing blest By us, the sacred means t' impart Our Saviour's blood with power imprest, And pardon to the faithful heart ? Is not the hallow 'd broken bread, A sure communicating sign. An instrument ordained to feed Our souls with m3'stic flesh divine ? fy^mne on tbe %ox^*6 Supper 153 Th' effects of His atoning blood, His body offer'd on the tree. Are with the awful types bestow'd On me, the pardon'd rebel me ! On all who at His word draw near. In faith the outward veil look thro' : Sinners, believe ; and find Him here : Believe : and feel He died for you. In mem'ry of your dying God, The symbols faithfully receive. And eat the flesh, and drink the blood Of Jesus, and for ever live. Hymn CLV Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One in Three, and Three in One, As by the celestial Host, Let Thy will on earth be done ; Praise by all to Thee be given, Glorious Lord of earth and heaven ! Vilest of the fallen race, Lo ! I answer to Thy call. Meanest vessel of Thy grace, Grace divinely free for all, Lo, I come to do Thy will. All Thy counsel to fulfil. If so poor a worm as I May to Thy great glory live. All my actions sanctify. All my words and thoughts receive : Claim me for Thy service, claim xAll I have, and all I am. Take my soul and body's powers. Take my mem'ry, mind, and will. All my goods, and all my hours. All I know, and all I feel. All I think, and speak, and do ; Take my heart — but make it new. 54 Ibsnms on tbe %ov^*6 Supper Now, O God, Thine own I am ; Now I give Thee back Thine own. Freedom, friends, and health, and fame, Consecrate to Thee alone ; Thine I live, thrice happy I, Happier still, for Thine I die. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One in Three and Tliree in One, As by the celestial Host, Let Thy will on earth be done ; Praise by all to Thee be given. Glorious Lord of earth and heaven. Hymn CLVII Let Him to whom we now belong His sov'reign right assert, A.nd take up every thank- ful song And every loving heart. He justly claims us for His own Who bought us with a price ; The Christian lives to Christ alone. To Christ alone he dies. Jesu, Thine own at last receive. Fulfil our heart's desire, And let us to Thy glory live. And in Thy cause ex- pire. Our souls and bodies we resign. With joy we render Thee Our all, no longer ours but Thine Thro* all eternity ! Hymn CLXII HosANNAH in the highest To our exalted Saviour, Who left behind For all mankind These tokens of His favour : His bleeding love and mercy. His all-redeeming passion, Who here displays And gives the grace Which brings us our sal- vation. Ib^mns on tbe XorO's Supper 155 Louder than gather'd waters. Or bursting peals of thunder, We lift our voice, And speak our joys, And shout our loving wonder ! Shout all our elder brethren, While we record the story Of Him that came And suffer'd shame, To carry us to glory. Angels in fixed amaze- ment Around our altars hover, With eager gaze Adore the grace Of our eternal lover : Himself and all His full- ness Who gives to the believer ; And by this bread Whoe'er are fed Shall live with God for ever ! SOUL OF CHRIST, SANCTIFY ME ! BODY OF CHRIST, SAVE ME ! BLOOD OF CHRIST, VIVIFY ME ! WATER FROM THE SIDE OF CHRIST, WASH ME ! PASSION OF CHRIST, STRENGTHEN ME ! O GOOD JESU ! HEAR ME ! WITHIN THY WOUNDS HIDE ME ! SUFFER ME NOT TO BE SEPARATED FROM THEE ! FROM THE MALICIOUS ENEMY DEFEND ME ! IN THE HOUR OF MY DEATH, CALL ME ! AND BID ME COME TO THEE, THAT WITH THY SAINTS I MAY PRAISE THEE, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN. Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee ; Let the water and the blood From Thy wounded side which flowed Be of sin the double cure. Save from wrath and make me pure. 156 f rejgdratiaa f0r loly (!vammum0n Almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth, King of kings, and Lord of lords, who hast made me out of nothing in Thine image and like- ness, and hast redeemed me with Thine own blood : whom I a sinner am not worthy to name or call upon, or think of ; 1 humbly pray Thee, I earnestly beseech Thee, mercifully to look on me. Thy wicked servant. Thou who hadst mercy on the woman of Canaan and Mary Magdalene ; Thou who didst spare the pub- lican and the thief upon the cross, have mercy upon me. Thou art my Hope and my Trust : my Guide and my Succour ; my Comfort and my Strength ; my Defence and my Deliverance ; my Life, my Health, and my Resurrection ; my Light and my Longing ; my Help and my Protection. I pray and entreat Thee, help me and I shall be safe : direct me and de- fend me ; strengthen me and comfort me ; confirm me and gladden me ; en- lighten me and come unto me. Raise me from the dead ; I am Thy creature, and the work of Thy hands. Despise me not, Lord ; neither regard my iniquities ; but ac- cording to the multitude of Thy mercies, have ; mercy upon me, the chief of sinners, and be gracious unto me. Turn Thee unto me, O Lord, and be not angry witli me. I implore Thee, most pitiful Father, 1 pray Thee meekly of Thy great mercy, to bring me to a holy death, and , to true penitence, to per- 57 .5cS Iptvcpavation tov 1bol>? Communion feet confession, and worthy satisfaction for all my sins. Amen. O Lord God, who lightenest every man that | cometh into the . world, enlighten my heart, I pray Thee, with the light of Thy grace, that I may fully know my sins, short- comings, and negligences, and may confess them with that true sorrow and contrition of heart which befits me. I desire to make full amends for all my sins, to live moreholily I for the future, and for the salvation of my soul, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Faith I BELIEVE in Thee, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, my Creator, my Redeemer, and my Sancti- fier ; I believe that Thou art all-holy, just, and merciful. 1 believe that Thou art willing to pardon and to save me, if I repent and forsake my sins. O my God, strengthen and increase my faith, and grant mc the grace of a true repentance , f or J esu s Christ's sake. Amen. Hope I HOPE in Thee, O my God, because Thou art almighty, faithful, and long-suftering. I humbly trust that Thou wilt par- don my sins for the sake of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for me upon the cross : and that Thou wilt cleanse my sinful soul in His precious blood, and make me holy, and bring me safe to everlast- ing life. O Lord, in Thee have I trusted, let me never be confounded. Amen. Love I LOVE Thee, O my Saviour, above all things, because Thou hast been so good, so patient, so loving to me, notwithstanding all the sins by which T have so grievously offend- ed Thee. I love Thee, O Blessed Jesus, because Thou didst sutler so much for love of me, an ungrate- ful sinner, and didst die preparation tor 1boli5 Communion 159 on the cross for my salva- tion. O make me love Thee more and more, and show my love to Thee by faith- fully keeping Thy com- mandments all the days of my life. Amen. THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS Psalm 6 O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy upon me, O Lord ; for I am weak : Lord, heal me ; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul is also sore vexed : but thou, O Lord, how long ? 4 Return, O Lord, deli- ver my soul : oh save me for thy mercies' sake. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee : in the grave who shall give thee thanks ? 6 I am wear}^ with my groaning ; all the night make I my bed to swim ; 1 water my couch with my tears. 7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief ; it wax- eth old because of all mine enemies. 8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity ; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. 10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vex- ed : let them return and be ashamed suddenlv. Psalm 32 Blessed is he whose trans- gression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For da)^ and night thy hand was heavy upon me : my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. i6o Iprepavation for 1bolv? Communion 5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord ; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found : surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. j 7 Thou art my hiding place ; thou shalt pre- serve me from trouble ; thou shalt compass me ! about with songs of de- j liverance. Selah. | 8 I will instruct thee 1 and teach thee in the way wliich thou shalt go : I I will guide thee with mine \ eye. 9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no under- standing : whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. 10 Many sorrows shall he to the wicked : but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. 1 1 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous : and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 38 O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath : neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. 3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger ; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. 4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head : as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. 6 I am troubled ; I am bowed down greatly ; I go mourning all the day long. 7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease : and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and sore broken : I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. She pcnitentiat pgatms l6i 9 Lord, all my desire is before thee ; and my groaning is not hid from thee. 10 My heart pantetli, my strength faileth me : as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. 11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore ; and my kinsmen stand afar off. 12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me : and they that seek my hurt speak mis- chievous things, and ima- gine deceits all the day long. 13 But I, as a deaf >Han, heard not ; and / was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. 14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no re- proofs. 15 For in thee, O Lord, do I hope : thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. 16 For I said. Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me : when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. 17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. 18 For I will declare mine iniquity ; I will be sorry for my sin. 19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong : and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. 20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries ; be- cause I follow the thing that good is. 21 Forsake me not, O Lord : O my God, be not far from me. 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation. Psalm 51 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness : accord- ing unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions : and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight : II i62 iprcpatatiMi for t>ol^ Commimioit that thou mightest be justilied when thou speak- est, andbe clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity ; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts : and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hys- sop, and 1 shall be clean : wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness ; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. ID Create in me a clean heart, O God ; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence ; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways ; and sinners shall be con- verted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation : a>id my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips ; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desire.st not sacrifice ; else would I give it : thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion : build thou the walls of Jerusa- lem. 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering : then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. Psalm 102 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee. 2 Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble ; incline thine ear unto me : in the Zhc ^^e!litential psalms 163 day whe)i I call answer me speedily. 3 For my days are con- sumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. 4 My heart is smitten, and withered like grass ; so that I forget to eat my bread. 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. 6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness : I am like an owl of the desert. 7 I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. 8 ]Mine enemies re- proach me all the day ; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. 9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, 10 Because of thine in- dignation and thy wrath : for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. 11 My days ine like a shadow that declineth ; and I am withered like grass. 12 But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever ; and thy remembrance unto all generations. I 13 Thou shalt arise, aH(^ I have mercy upon Zion : I for the time to favour I her, yea, the set time, is I come. I 14 For thy servants ' take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. 15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of ■ the earth thy glory. 16 When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. 17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and [ not despise their prayer. 18 This shall be written for the generation to come : and the people . which shall be created shall praise the Lord. 19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary ; from hea- ven did the Lord behold the earth ; 20 To hear the groan- ing of the prisoner ; to loose those that are ap- pointed to death ; ) 21 To tleclare the name i of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem ; i64 i^rcpftration for "(bole Communion 22 When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. 23 He weakened my strength in the way ; he shortened my days. 24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days : thy years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth : and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure : yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment ; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed : 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end, 28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee. Psalm 130 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. 2 Lord, hear my voice : let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my suppli- cations. 3 If thou, Lord, should- est mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand ? 4 But there is forgive- ness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morn- j ing : / say, more than ' they that watch for the \ morning. 7 Let Israel hope in the i Lord : for with the Lord j there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemp- tion. : 8 And h€ shall redeem ! Israel from all his iniqui- I ties. Psalm 143 Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplica- tions : in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. I 2 And enter not into 1 judgment with thy ser- i vant : for in thy sight ! shall no man living be justified. 3 For the enemy hath {Tbe penitential pealmg l6! persecuted m}'- soul ; he hath smitten my Hfe down to the ground ; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. 4 Therefore is my spirit o\'erwhelmed within me : my heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old ; I meditate on all thy works ; I muse on the work of thy hands. 6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee : my soul thirst eth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. 7 Hear me speedily, O Lord : my spirit faileth : hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear thv lovingkindness in the morning ; for in thee do I trust : cause me to know the way wherein I should walk ; for I lift up my soul unto thee. 9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies : I flee unto thee to hide me. 10 Teach me to do thy will ; for thou art my God : thy spirit is good ; lead me into the land of uprightness. 1 1 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake : for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul : for I am thv servant. ^mgm brfoit CommmuDu Certain Prayers attributed tu St. Ambrose O GREAT High l^ricst, the true Priest, Jesu Christ, who didst offer Thyself to God the Father a pure and spotless Victim upon the altar of the cross, for us miserable sinners, and didst give us Thy flesh to eat and Thy blood to drink, and didst ordain this mystery in the power of Thy Holy Spirit, say- ing, " Do this in remem- brance of Me " ; I pray Thee, by the same Thy blood, the great price of our salvation ; I pray Thee, by that wonderful and unspeakable love wherewith Thou deignedst so to love us miserable and unworthy as to wash us from our sins in Thy own blood : teach me, Thy unworthy servant, by Thy Holy Spirit, to ap- proach so great a mystery with that reverence and honour, that devotion and fear, which is due and fitting. Make me, through Thy grace, always so to believe and understand, to conceive and firmly to hold, to think and to speak, of that exceeding mystery, as shall please Thee, and be good for my soul. Let Thy good Spirit enter my heart, and there be heard without utter- ance, and without the sound of words speak all truth. Free my heart from all defiling and un- holy, from all vain and hurtful thoughts. Drive away from me and from all Thy servants, the hard spirit of pride and vain- glory, of envy and blas- phemy, of impurity and uncleanness, of doubting m praters before Commimion 167 and mistrust. Let them be ashamed and con- tounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be driven backward and put to rebuke that wish me evil ; For Thy mercy's sake. Amen. GREAT High Priest, the true Priest, Jesu Christ, lover of chastity and in- nocence, extinguish in my body, by the heavenly dew of Thy blessing, the fuel of evil concupiscence, that so a calm purity of mind and body may abide in me. Mortify in my members the lusts of the flesh and all wrongful emotions, and grant me true and persevering chastity with Thy other gifts, which are well- pleasing unto Thee, that 1 may be able with chaste body and pure heart to join in offering to Thee the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. For with what exceeding contrition of heart and flow of tears, with what reverence and awe, with what chastity ! of body and purity of soul, should that supreme Sacrifice be commemo- rated wherein Thy flesh is our meat indeed, and- Thy blood is our drink j indeed, wherein the lowest I are joined with the highest, things earthly with divine, wherein in a wonderful and unspeakable way Thou art Thyself both Sacrifice and Priest ; For Thy mercy's sake. Amen. ■ O GREAT High Priest, the \ true Priest, Jesu Christ, i who can worthily draw I nigh unto this Holy Sac- 1 rament, unless Thou, O God Almighty, makest him worthy ? I know, O Lord, yea, truly do I know, and do confess it to Thy lovingkindness, that I am not worthy to ap- ' proach so high a mystery by reason of my very many sins, especially . . . , and numberless negli- gences and omissions, especially . . . But I know, and truly do believe with ni}- whole heart and con- fess with my lips, that Thou canst make me worthy, who alone canst make him clean that is conceived in sin, or sinners to be righteous and holy. By this Thine almighty power, I beseech Thee, O my God, that Thou would- cst grant to me, a sinner, to approach Thee with fear and trembling, with purity of heart and plente- ous tears, with spiritual gladness and heavenly joy. May my mind feel the sweetness of Thy most blessed presence keeping watch around me ; For Thy mercy's sake. Amen. O GREAT High Priest, the true Priest, Jesu Christ, mindful of Thy venerable Passion, I commemorate Thy love in the way which Thou hast insti- tuted and commanded. May this offering be ac- cepted, O God most high, for Thy Holy Church, and for the people whonj Thou hast purchased with Thine own blood. Let not, through our unworthiness, the price of their salva- tion be wasted, whose saving Victim and re- demption Thou didst Thy- self vouchsafe to be. Also pitifully behold, O Lord, the sorrows of Thy people, which we bring before Thee ; the perils of Thy servants ; the sorrowful sighing of prisoners ; the miseries of widows and orphans, and all that arc desolate and bereaved ; the necessities of strangers and travellers ; the help- lessness and sadness of the weak and sickly ; the depressions of the lan- guishing ; the weakness of the aged and of chil- dren ; the trials and aspirations of young men ; and the vows of virgins ; For Thy mercy's sake. Amen. O GREAT High Priest, the true Priest, Jesu Christ, who hast mercy upon all and hatest nothing that Thou hast made, remem- ber how frail our nature is, and that Thou art our Saviour and our God. Be not angry with us for pta\>crg before Contmunicn 169 ever, and shat not up Thy tender mercies in dis- pleasure. For we humbly present our prayers be- fore Thy face, not trusting in our own righteousness, but in Thy manifold and great mercies. Take away from me, O Lord, my iniquities, especially . . . , and mercifully kindle in me the lire of Thy Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me an heart of flesh, an heart to love and adore Thee, an heart to delight in, to follow and to enjoy Thee. And I entreat Thy mercy, O Lord, that Thou wouldest favourably look down upon Thy family, as it pays its vows to Thy most holy name ; and that the desire of none may be in vain, nor their petitions unfulfilled, do Thou inspire our prayers, that they may be such as Thou delightest to hear and answer ; For Thy mercy's sake. Amen. VI O GREAT High Priest, the true Priest, Jesu Christ, I pray Thy clemency, O Lord, that on the bread and wine to be offered unto Thee may descend the fullness of Thy blessing and the sanctification of Thy divinity. May there descend also the invisible and incomprehensible majesty of Thy Holy i Spirit, as it descended of I old on the sacrifices of the ' Fathers, which may make I our oblations and our prayers acceptable unto Thee, through Him who offered Himself a Sacri- fice to Thee, O Father, even Jesus Christ, Thine only Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. For Thy mercy's sake. Amen, GREAT High Priest, the true Priest, Jesu Christ,' 1 pray Thee, by the holy mystery of Thy body and blood, whereby in Thy Church we are evermore fed, washed, and sancti- fied, and made partakers of Thy Divine nature, grant to me the graces which are well-pleasing unto Thee, especially . . . with which fulfilled I may so with a clean conscience approach Thee, that those Thy gifts may be made to me health and life. For Thou with Thy hoi}'' and blessed mouth hast said, " The bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world ; I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven ; if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever." O Bread most sweet, heal Thou the palate of my heart, that I may feel the sweetness of Thy love. Heal it of all weakness and frailty, that it may be set upon no sweetness but Thyself. O Bread most fair, full of all de- light and sweetness, that ever refreshest us and never failest, may my heart feed on Thee, and may my inmost parts be filled with the sweetness of Thy savour. The angel host feeds on Thee with full satisfaction ; may man in his pilgrimage sofeed on Thee according to his measure, that he may not fail on the way, being refreshed with such food for his journey. O Holy Bread, O Living Bread, O Bread most pure, which camest down from heaven, and givest life unto the world, come into my heart, and cleanse me from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Enter Thou into my soul, and heal and cleanse me with- in and without, especially from ... Be Thou the succour and abiding de- fence of my soul and body. Drive far from me all the snares of the enemy. Let them be scattered afar from Thy powerful pre- sence, that, being both outwardly and inwardly guarded by Thee, I may attain by a straight course to Thy Kingdom, where, no more as now, in mys- teries, but face to face, we shall see Thee ; when Thou shalt have delivered up the Kingdom to God even the Father, that God may be all in all. For then shalt Thou wondrously satisfy me from Thyself, so that I praserg bctove Communioti 171 shall neither hunger nor thirst any more ; For Thy mercy's sake, who, with the same Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end. Amen, O gracious Lord Jesu Christ, I, a sinner, no- thing presuming on my own deserts, but trusting in Thy mercy and good- ness, with fear and trem- bling approach to the Table of Thy most sweet feast. For my heart and body are stained with many sins ; my thoughts and lips not diligently kept. Wherefore, 6 gracious God, O awful Majesty, in my extremity I turn to Thee, the Fount of Mercy ; to Thee I hasten to be healed, and take refuge under Thy protection ; and Thee, before whom as my Judge I cannot stand, I long for as my Saviour. To Thee, O Lord, I show my wounds, to Thee I lay bare my shame. I know my sins are many and great, for which I am afraid. My trust is in Thy mercies, of which there is no end. Look^therefore upon me with the eye of Thy mercyi O Lord Jesu Christ, God and Man, crucified for man ; hearken unto me whose trust is in Thee ; have mercy upon me, who am full of sin and misery, Thou Fount of mercy, that wilt never cease to flow. Hail, Saving Victim offered for me and all man- kind on the cross of suffer- ing and shame. Hail, noble and precious blood, flowing 'from the wounds of my crucified Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and washing away the sins of the whole world. Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy creature, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thine own blood. It repents me that I have sinned ; 1 desire to amend what I have done. Take there- fore away from me, O most merciful Saviour, I all my iniquities and sins, I especially . . . , that, being j cleansed both in body and , j soul, I may worthily taste j I the Holy of Holies ; and grant that this holy feed- ing on Thy body and blood, of which, unworthy as I am, I purpose to partake, may be for the 17: fprageis betorc Communion remission of my sins, and the perfect cleansing of all my offences, for the driving away of all evil thoughts, and the renewal of all holy desires, for the healthful bringing forth of fruit well-pleasing unto Thee, and the most sure protection of my soul and body against the wiles of all my enemies. Amen. O MOST sweet Saviour, Jesus Christ, how great was Thy love, which drew Thee from the bosom of the Father to this vale of tears, to take our flesh, and endure infinite miseries and wrongs, yea, even the death of the Cross, and that only for us miserable sinners, and for our salvation. O how great was Thy love ! Thou mightest ha\e con- demned us, and Thou didst rather choose to save us : we were guilty, and Thou, the Sinless One, didst en- dure our punishment to set us free. Out of love it was that Thou earnest down to take our flesh ; and when about to depart from this world to the Father, Thou didst leave to us this sacrament as a pledge of Thy love ; that after a new and wondrous manner. Thou mightest abide with us for ever ; Thou, whose delights are to be with the sons of men. O Lord, how worthy art Thou of love, who dost so much for love of us ! Wherefore I will love Thee, O Lord, my Strength, my Refuge, and my Deliverer. O Gcd, Thou art very Love ! He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in Thee. I desire to receive Thee in this sacrament, that I may be more firmly united with Thee in the bond of love. Who shall separate me from the love of Christ my Saviour ? O that neither life, nor death, nor any creature, may have power to do so. -. ;ioilf*iJ^inifft<5E 'Ehe Orbcr for the ^bininistration of the i.'orb*6 ^Supper ; or, ^^t folj Communion ^ ^ The Table at the Communion time, having a fair white linen cloth upon it, shall stand in some convenient place. And the Minister, having come to the Table, shall say the Lord's Prayer, with the Collect following, all kneeling. Ij When the earlier part of the Communion Service, commonly called the Pre-Communion, has been read in Public Worship on that same day, the Minister shall commence with the Offertory Sentences. ^ The Minister, in conducting the Service according to the following Form, shall have full liberty to give out Hymns, and to use extemporary Prayer. Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we for- give them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation ; But deliver us from evil : For Thine is the king- dom, The power, and the glory. For ever and ever. Amen. ^hc Collect Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid ; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the in- spiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that we may per- fectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy Name ; through Christ our Lord. Amen. 1 From the Book of Public Prayers and Services for the Use of the People called Methodists, as adopted by the Conference of 1882. 174 ^be ©rOcr for tbe BC>mim0tration of ^ Then shall the Minister rise, and, turning to the People, rehearse distinctly all the TEN COMMANDMENTS : and the People still kneeling shall after every Commandment, ask of God tnercy for their transgres- sion thereof for the time past, and grace to keep the same for the time to cotne, as followeth : God spake these words, and said ; I am the Lord thy God : Thou shalt have none other gods but me. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline oitr hearts to keep this laiv. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven alcove, or in the earth be- neath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them : for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me, and show mercy unto thousands in them that love Me, and keep My commandments. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this laiv. Tlioii slinlt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain : for the Lord will not hold him guilt- less that taketh his Name in vain. Lord, have mercy tipon tts, and incline onr hearts to keep this law. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do ; but the seventh dav is the Sab- bath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Honour thy father and thy mother ; that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Lord, have mercy upon Zbc "fcolg Commuiiidn 175 us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt do no mur- der. Lord, have mercy upon lis, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Lord, have mercy upon lis, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt not steal. Lord, have mercy upon lis, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his. Lord, have mercy upon us, and write all these Thy laws in our hearts, we be- seech Thee. If Then, all kneeling, shall follow one of these Collects. Almighty God, whose kingdom is everlasting, and power infinite ; Have mercy upon the whole Church ; and so rule the j heart of Thy chosen ser- vant GEORGE, our King and Governor, that he (knowing whose minister he is) may above all things seek Thy honour and glory : and that we, and all his subjects (duly considering whose author- ity he hath) may faith- fully serve, honour, and humbly obey him. in Thee, and for Thee, ac- cording to Thy blessed I word and ordinance ; I through Jesus Christ our I Lord, who with Thee and 1 the Holy Ghost liveth and j reigneth, ever one God, I world without end. Amen. t Almighty and everlast- i ing Gotl, we are taught by j Thy holy word, that the : hearts of kings are in Thy rule and governance, and that Thou dost dispose and turn them as it seem- eth best to Thy godly wasdom : We humbly be seech Thee so to dispose and govern the heart of j GEORGE Thy servant. our King and Governor, ' that in all his thoii''lits. words, and works, he may ever seek Thy honour and glory, and study to pre- serve Thy people com- mitted to his charge, in wealth, peace, and godli- ness : Grant this, O mer- ciful Father, for Thy dear Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.. ^ Here may be read the Epistle and Gospel for the Day. TI Then shall be sung or said the Creed following, all standing : I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible : And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, Begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God, Begotten, not made. Being of one sub- stance with the Father ; By whom all things were made ; Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man. And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, And as- cended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead : Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one catholic and apostolic Church. I ac- knowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resur- rection of the dead. And the Life of the world to come. Amen. ^ Then shall tht Minister read one or more of these Sentences ; during the reading of which a Collection shall be made for the poor. This being brought to the Minister, he shall place it on the Lord's Table. Let your light so shine before men, that they may ^be Dols Communion 177 see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.^-'""-" ^'' Lay not u^ for your- selves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal : but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth cor- rupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. "^ ^''He that soweth little shall reap little ; and he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously. Let every man do accord- ing as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity ; for God loveth a cheerful giver.^ God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love that ye shewed toward his Name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do min- ister.* Zacchaeus stood forth, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor ; and if I have done any wrong to any man, 1 restore him fourfold.^ Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them ; for this is the Law and the Prophets .^ Not every one that saith unto me. Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.'^ Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own cost ? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof ? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock ? 8 If w'e have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your worldly things?'* Do ye not know, -that they who minister about 1 Matt. V. 16. 2 Matt. vi. 19, 20. 3 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7. * Heb. vi. ro. " Luke xix. 8. ri^Matt. vii. 12 ^ Matt. vii. 21. 8 I Cor. ix. 7. 9 I Cor. ix, II. i;§ ^be Qi^cv tor tbe BC)miniBtration of holy things live of the sacrifice ? and they who wait at the altar are par- takers with the altar ? Even so hath the Lord also ordained, that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.^ I-et him that is taught in the word minister unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked : for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap.2 As we have opportun- ity, let us do good unto all men, and especially unto them that are of the household of faith.^ Godliness with content- ment is great gain : for we brought nothing into the world, and it is cer- tain we can carry nothing out.* Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute ; laying up in store for themselves a good founda- tion against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life.^ To do good, and to distribute, forget not : for with such sacrifices God is well-pleased.'' Whoso hath this world's good, and seethhis brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ? ^ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord : and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again. » Blessed is the man that provideth for the sick and needy : the Lord shall deliver him in time of trouble .9 U After which done, the Minister shall say, Let us pray for the whole estate of Christ's Church militant here on earth. ^ (And here all shall kneel.) Almighty and ever-living God, who by Thy holy » 1 Cor. ix. II, 2 Gal. vi. 6, 7. 3 Gal. vi. lo. 14. 4 I Tim. vi. 6, 7. ' i John iii. 17- 5 I Tim. vi. 17 19- '^ Prov. xix. 17. « Heb. xiih. 16. ^ Pi. xli. i. Zbe 1)01^ Communion 79 Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and sup- plications, and to give thanks, for all men ; We humbly beseech Thee most mercifully to accept our alms and oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto Thy Divine Majesty ; beseeching Thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and con- cord : And grant, that all they that do confess Thy holy Name may agree in the truth of Thy holy word, and live in unity and godly love. We beseech Thee also to save and defend all Chris- tian Kings, Princes, and Governors ; and especi- ally Thy servant GEORGE our king ; that under him we may be godly and quietly governed : And grant unto all that are put in authority under him, that they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of Thy true religion and virtue. Give grace, O heavenlv Father, to all the ministers of Thy Gospel, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth Thy true and lively word, and rightly and duly administer Thy holy Sacraments : And to all Thy people give Thy heavenly grace ; and especially to this congre- gation here present ; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive Thy holy word ; truly serving Thee in holiness and righteous- ness all the days of their life. And we most humbly beseech Thee of Thy good- ness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other ad- versity. And we also bless Thy holy Name for all Thy servants departed this life in Thy faith and fear ; beseeching Thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of Thy heaven- ly Kingdom : Grant this. O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. H Then shall, the Minister, stand- ing, say to them that come to receive the Holy Communion, Dearly beloved in the Lord, ye that purpose to come to the holy Com- munion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how St. Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to ex- amine themselves, before they eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. Judge therefore your- selves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord ; repent you truly for your sins past ; have a lively and steadfast faith in Christ our Saviour ; amend your lives, and be in per- fect charity with all men ; so shall ye be meet par- takers of this holy Sacra- ment. For to the end that ye should alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master and only Saviour, Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable bene- fits which by His precious blood-shedding He hath obtained for us ; He hath instituted and ordained pledges of His love, for a continual remend^rance of His death, to our grea-t and endless comfort. To Him therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, let us give con- tinual thanks ; submit- ting ourselves wholly to His will and pleasure, and studying to serve Him in true holiness and righte- ousness all the days of our life. Ye therefore that do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and in- tend to lead a new life, following the command- ments of God, and walking from henceforth in His holy ways ; draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort ; and make your humble confession to Al- mighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees, and saying after me : Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things. Judge of all men ; We acknow- ledge and bewail our mani- fold sins and wickedness. Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Ma- jesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and in- dignation against \is. We do earnestly repent, and i are heartily sorry for | these our misdoings ; The \ remembrance of them is j grievous unto us. Have i mercy upon us. Have '■ mercy upon us, most merciful Father ; For Thy < Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake. Forgive us all that | is past ; And grant that ; we may ever hereafter j serve and please Thee in j newness of life, To the j honour and glory of Thy I Name ; Through Jesus I Christ our Lord. Amen. H Then shall the Minister say. Almighty God, our hea- venly Father, who of Thy great mercy hast pro- mised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto Thee ; Have mercy upon us ; pardon and deliver us from all our sins ; confirm and strengthen us in all good- ness, and bring us to ever- lasting life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ^ Then, all standing, the Minister shall say. Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith unto all that truly turn to Him : Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.i God so loved the world, that he gave his only be- gotten Son, that whoso- ever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.- Hear also what St. Paul saith : This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all accepta- tion, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.^ Hear also what St. John saith : If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the 1 Matt. xi. 28. 2 John iii. 16. 3 i Tim. i. 15. I 82 Z\K ©iDcr tot tbc B^minislration of righteous : and he is the propitiation for our sins.^ Lift up your hearts. j Wc lift them up unto | tlie Lord. Let us give thanks unto ! our Lord God. i It is meet and right so j to do. I ^ Then shall the Minisler say, It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all' times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O I>ord, Holy Father,* Almighty, Everlasting God. * These words [Holy Father] must be omitted on Trinity Sunday. f Here shall follow the proper Preface, according to the time, if there be any appointed. If there be no Preface, the Minister aiui People shall immediately say, Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Thy glorious Name ; evermore praising Thee, and saying. Holy, holy, holy. Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory : i.i John Glory'be to Thee, O Loril most high. Amen. Proper Prefaces upon Christmas Day^ . Because Thou didst give Jesus Christ Thine only Son to be born as at this time for us ; who, by the operation of tlie Holy Ghost, was made very man, and that without spot of sin, to make us clean from all sin. There- fore with Angels, etc. Upon Easter Day But chiefly are we bound to praise Thee for th6 glorious Resurrection of Thy Son Jesus. Christ our Lord : for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world ; who by His death hath destroyed death, and by His rising to life again hath restored to us ever- lasting life. Therefore with Angels, etc. Upon Ascension Day Through Thy most dear- ly beloved Son Jesus '» Resurrection manifestly j appeared to all His ; Apostles, and in their ■ sight ascended up into heaven to prepare a place j for us ; that where He is, thither we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory. Therefore with Angels, etc. Upon Whit Sunday Through Jesus Christ our Lord ; according to whose most true promise, the Holy Ghost came down as at this time from heaven with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the Apostles, to teach them, and to lead them into all truth ; giving them both \ the gift of divers Ian- i guages, and also boldness, | with fervent zeal, con- | stantly to preach the i Gospel unto all nations ; I whereby we have been i brought out of darkness i and error into the clear \ light and true knowledge j of Thee, and of Thy Son | Jesus Christ. Therefore with Angels, etc. Upon tk6 Feast of Trinity Who art one God, one Lord ; not one only Per- son, but three Persons in one Substance. For that which we believe of the glory of the Father, the same we believe of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, without any in- equality. Therefore with Angels, etc. ^ Then shall the Minister, kneel- ing down at the Table, say in the name of all them that shall receive the Communion thi% Prayer following ; the people also kneeling. We do not presume to come to this Thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in Thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under Thy Table. But Thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy : Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink His blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by His body, and our souls washed through His most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in Him, and He in us. Amen. t Then the Minister shall offer the following Prayer. Almighty God, our hea- venly Father, who of Thy tender mercy didst give Thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemp- tion ; who made there (by His one oblation of Him- self once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sac- rifice, oblation, and satis- faction, for the sins of the whole world ; and did institute, and in His holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that His pre- cious death, until His coming again ; Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech Thee ; and grant that we receiving these Thy crea- tures of bread and wine, according to Thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in re- membrance of His death and passion, may be par- takers of His most blessed Body and Blood : who, in the same night that He was betrayed, took bread ; and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples saying. Take, eat ; this is My Body which is given for you : Do this in re- membrance of Me. Tike- wise, after supi-)er, He took the cup ; and when He had given thanks. He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this ; for this is My Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins : Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of Me. Amen 1[ Then shall the Minister first receive the Communion in both kinds himself, and proceed to deliver the same to the other officiating Ministers in like manner, {if any be present,) and after that to the People also in order, into their hands. And when he delivereth the Bread, he shall say. The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy body anc^ soul imtQ Zbc Ibolx? Communion 185 eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on Him in thy heart by faith with thanks- giving." t A nd the Minister that delivcreth the Cup shall say, The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink j this in remembrance that j Christ's Blood was shed for thee, and be thankful. ^ When all have communicated, the Minister shall return to the- Lord's Table, and place upon it what remaineth of the Ele- ments, covering the same with a fair linen cloth. ^ After which he shall pray as followeth : O Lord and heavenly Father, we Thy humble servants entirely desire Thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving ; most humbly beseeching Thee to grant, that by the merits and death of Thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in His blood, we and all Thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of His passion. And here we offer and present unto Thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto Thee ; humbly beseeching Thee, that all we who are par- takers of this holy Com- munion, may be fulfilled with Thy grace and hea- venly benediction. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto Thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech Thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences through Jesus Christ our Lord ; by whom, and with whom, in the unitv of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto Thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen. ^ Then shall be said by the Minister, the Congregation joining with him. Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good- will toward men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, 'WCr glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory, O Lord Gocl, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only be- gotten Son, Jesus Christ ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou only art holy ; Thou only art the Lord ; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most, high in the glory of God the Father; Amen. ^ Then the Minister, if he see it expedient, may offer a Prayer extempore ; and afterwards shall let the people depart with this Blessing : The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord : and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you al- ways. Amen. I .ffffun! ''§x^tx^ ate (Siomtmiiuott Who art Thou, O Lord, and what am I ? Dost Thou come unto me, O King, most High, even to the very lowest of Thy servants ? Behold, O Lord, I now have Thee, who hast all things : I possess Thee, who possessest all things and canst do all things ; therefore, O my God and my all, do Thou wean my heart from all other things beside Thee, for in them there is nothing but vanity and vexation of spirit ; on Thee alone may my heart be fixed ; in Thee be my rest, for in Thee is my treasure, in Thee is the sovereign truth, and true happiness, and eternal life. Let my soul, O Lord, feel the sweetness of Thy presence. May it taste how sweet Thou art, O ' Lord, that allured by love I af Thee, it may seek for i nothing wherein to re- i joice out of Thee ; for , Thou art the joy of my i heart, and my God, and j my portion for ever. I Thou art the Physician j of my soul, who with Thine j own stripes hast healed I our sickness. I am that { sick soul whom Thou I camest from heaven to i heal ; heal my soul there- I fore, for I have sinned ' against Thee. Thou art the Good Shepherd who hast laid down Thy life for Thy i sheep. Behold, I am that ; sheep which was lost, and yet Thou dost vouchsafe to feed me with Thy body and blood ; lay me now j upon Thy shoulders. I What wilt Thou refuse me, who hast given Thy- i self unto me ? Oh ! be 187 1 88 pragere after Communion Tliou my Shepherd, and I shall lack nothing in the green pasture wherein Thou feedest me, until I am brought to the pas- tures of eternal life. O Thou true! light, which enlightenest every man that cometh into the world, enlighten mine eyes that I sleep not in death. O Fire continually burn- ing, and never failing ! Behold how lukewarm and cold I am ; oh ! do Thou inflame my reins and my heart, that they may be on fire with the love of Thee. For Thou earnest to send lire on the earth, and what wilt Thou, but that it be kindled ? O King of heaven and earth, rich in pity ! Be- hold, I am poor and needy; Thou knowest what I most require ; Thou alone art able to enrich and help me ; help me, O God, and out of the treasure of Thy goodness, succour Thou my needy soul. O my Lord and my God I Behold, I am Thy servant; give me understanding and kindle my affections that I may know and do Thy will. Thou art the Lamb of God, the Lamb without spot, who takest away the sins of the world ; take away from me whatever hurteth me and displeas- eth Thee ; and give me what Thou knowest to be pleasing to Thee and good for me. Thou art my love and all my joy : Thou art my God and my all : Thou art the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup; Thou art He who shall maintain my lot. O my God and niy all ! may the sweet and burn- ing power of Thy love, I beseech Thee, absorb my soul, that 1 may die unto the world for the love of Thee, who for the love of me hast vouchsafed to die upon the cross, O my God and my all 1 O when shall I pass from this dark glass, from this veil of Sacraments-, to the vision of Thy eter- nal light ; from eating Thy body, to beholding Thy face in Thy eternal kingdom ? Let not my sins crucify the Lord of life again : let it never be said con- |>ragcr6 after Commimiott 189 cerning me, " The hand of him that betrayeth Me is with Me on the table." O that I might love Thee as well as ever any creature loved Thee ! let me think nothing but Thee, desire nothing but Thee, enjoy nothing but Thee. O Jesus, be a Saviour unto me. Thou art all things unto me. Let nothing ever please me but what savours of Thee, and Thy miraculous sweet- ness. Blessed be the mercies of our Lord, who of God is made unto me wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and re- demption. He that glori- eth, let him glory in the Lord. Amen. O Lord Jesus, sweetest guest. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the highest, for that Thou hast come into my heart. Thou Day- spring from on High. O King of Peace ! drive from my heart all vain and idle thoughts, that my soul may be able to dwell on and to love Thee only, the author of p<-are. For what beside Thee, O Thou peace. Thou calm and sweetness of my heart, should my soul seek for or desire. Grant me Thy grace, most merciful Jesus, that it may be with me, and work with me, and con- tinue with me even to the end. Grant me ever to will and to desire what is most pleasing unto Thee. Let Thy will be mine, and my will ever follow Thine in perfect agreement with it, that -SO I may neither choose nor reject, save what Thou choosest and rejectest. Grant me to die to all that is in the world, and for love of Thee to be content to be despised and unknown in this life. Grant me above all ob- jects of desire, to rest in Thee, and to still my heart to perfect peace in Thee. For Thou art the true peace of the heart, Thou art its only Rest, and out of Thee all is rest- less and unquiet. In this peace, that is in Thyself alone, my chiefest and eternal Good, may I lay 190 ^ra^cc5 after Cotnnumion me down and take my rest. Amen. What shall I render unto Tliee, O Lord Jesus, for all that Thou hast done unto me, and this day especially ? Of Thy care for me Thou hast given me Thy body for my food, and Thy blood for my drink, and both for a pledge of future glory. Would that my lips might be opened, and my mouth filled with Thy praise, that I might sing of Thy glory and honour all the day long, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. O my soul, magnify thou the Lord, from whom thou hast received blessings so many and so great ; and rejoice my spirit, in God thy Saviour : for He hath regarded the lowliness of His servant ; and He that is mighty hath done for me great things, and hath filled me when an hungered with good things. Let my words please Thee, O Lord ; my joy shall be in Thee, and I will be exercised in Thy commandments. Hold Thou me by my right hand, and guide me with Thy counsel, that Thou mayest afterwards re- ceive me with glory ; for Thy mercy's sake. Amen. O Lord Jesus, for that I am Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaid, I therefore renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. Thou alone art the God of my heart. Thou, O God, art my portion for ever. Thou art the por- tion of mine inheritance and of my cup. It is Thou who shalt restore mine heritage unto me. Do Thou therefore take for Thine own the whole powers of my soul, my memory, my intellect, and all my will. All that I am, all that I have. Thou hast bestowed upon me : Therefore I give back all to Thee, and surrender it to be wholly governed by Thy sovereign will. Grant mc but grace to love Thee alone, and 1 am rich enough and ask no more. ijtftljol) of |3iblc StuJbg ■ There have been few movements of greater interest in our generation — and it might almost be added, there have been no religious movements for the last fifty years — uhich have made so great an impression on the life of all the Churches as the Student Christian Movement of Great Britain and Ireland. It was the Students' Foreign Missionary Union, a branch of this movement, which was responsible for the remarkabU Missionary Conference held at Edinburgh in 1909. The secret of the success which this movement has attained is un- doubtedly due to the emphasis placed by its leaders upon Bible Study and the setting apart of a definite period at the beginning of each day for prayer and Bible teading. The following extracts are taken by permission from Mr. J . R. Mott's booklet entitled " Bible Study forJPersonal Spiritual Growth," published by thi Student Christian Movement, 93, Chancery Lane, W.C, I am grateful for the permission to use these extracts, which express, better than I could hope to do, a lesson of the highest importance for us all. Devotional Bible study is the test of true discipleship. Christ says, "If ye abide in My word, then are ye truly My disciples," We may call ourselves His disciples, but that does not prove that we are. Our names may be on the roll of His professed disciples, but that is not sufficient proof. The real test is the life, and that is not possible apart from devotional Bible study. If you abide in the Word — that is, if you spend time there, if you dwell there, if you live there — then will you necessarily be a true disciple. Such Bible study alone shows us the needs of our 191 192 /HbctboO Of Ji3ible Stu6g spiritual lives. It reveals to us the weak places in our armour ; the points of least resistance in our lives. It shows us ourselves as we are, and therefore as God sees us. Chrysostom says, " The cause of all our evils is our not knowing the Scrip- tures." Therefore, if we would overcome doubts, temptations, passion, evil imaginations, unclean, unholy, and proud thoughts, let us centre our energies upon such study. The devotional study of the Bible alone shows us the possibilities of our spiritual lives. Why be satisfied with living on the dead level or in the valley, if God intends that we be climbing in the peaks ? The only place where the great mountain peaks of Christian ex- perience are revealed is in the Scriptures. Would we be Christians of more than ordinary spiritual power ? Then we must be great feeders upon the Word, which is not only quick, but powerful. De Quincey has divided ■ all knowledge into the literature of knowledge and the literature of power. The sacred writings constitute pre-eminently the literature of power. To have real power with God we must give ourselves to this study. This is clearly taught in the words " If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Other helps to spirituality without devotional Bible study may become dangerous. The habit of meditation. /DbctboO ot jSiblc StuDv: 193 lor example, without the Bible is likely to lead a man to become morbid and melancholy ; whereas, conducted with the aid of the Bible it is a most helpful process. Secret prayer, moreover, is practically impossible without Bible study, be- cause real prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. It requires two to have true communion. We must give God an opportunity to speak to us as well as we to Him. To us as Christian teachers. Think over your teachers, either in things intellectual or things spiritual. Which of them helped you the most ? Were they not the teachers who had the life behind the words ? Devotional Bible study alone gives sincerity-. To us as Christian workers. Would we work without friction, strain, anxiety, worry ? Then let us apply ourselves to this kind of Bible study. We may not work so many hours, but we shall accomplish more, and, when we leave, our work will not have to be undone. Without deep devo- tional study there is danger that our work be- comes purely mechanical. It alone will make our experience rich and full and fresh, and keep the reahties of our faith vivid. To us as Christian leaders. If those over whom God has placed us are to be spiritual, we must be spiritual leaders. The stream never rises above 13 194 /HbetboD of asible StuDs the fountain-head. Moreover, if we would be safe leaders, we must study with intensity the mind of God concerning our work and problems. The Bible is the principal place where that is revealed. More than all) if we would have the true idea and spirit of Christian leadership, we must study witli diligence the life of that Leader of leaders, as clearly set forth in the Scriptures. Hindrances to Devotional Bible Study. — Let us clear the ground, first of all, of that supposed hindrance — lack of time. In each country that I visit, the students and Christian workers claim that they are busier than those of any other country. I have had to admit this point in at least fifteen countries within the past fifteen months. There are persons before me who con- scientiously think they do not have half an hour a day to spend in Bible study. Let me suggest two ways of meeting this hindrance. There is time to do the will of God. Is it the will of God that I grow spiritually ? Yes, for He does not wish me to become unspiritual, or to stand still. Has a man ever grown spiritually apart from devotional Bible study ? I have not found that man. Have you ? Therefore, there is time to study the Bible daily for our own spiritual growth. This, you say, is logical, but theoretical. Well, then, will you for one month try the plan of /nbetboD of 361ble StuO^ 195 spending the first half-hour of the day in Bible study, and at the end of the time let us know whether it has interfered with your regular work or standing or efhciency ? Hundreds of peisons in different parts of the world have accepted this challenge. Thus far not one has reported that his work or standing has suffered in the least. Some people are kept from this kind of Bible study by the fact that they are studying the Bible for other purposes. Some students have said, " We are studying the Bible in the college curri- culum ; will not that take the place of this form of Bible study ? " It certainly will not ; for the simple reason that each student has his own needs and temptations which may not be known to the teacher, and, even if they were, they could not be taken up and met in public. Each student needs to have God speak to him personally each day. Many conscientious Christians raise the question whether the reading of devotional books will not take the place of Bible study. We firmly beheve that much of the lack of spiritual fibre among Christians to-day is due to a second-hand know- ledge of the books of God. We would not be misunderstood ; for we have derived too much benefit from such books as "The Confessions of St. Augustine," " The Imitation of Christ," by Thomas a Kempis, " The Spiritual Letters of 196 ^etboC) of JBible StuO^ Fenelon," Baxter's " Saints' Everlasting Rest," Jeremy Taylor's two spiritual classics, Law's " Serious Call," and the more recent writings of Murray, Meyer, Moule, and Miss Havergal. The point is, Why not go to first sources ? One, in speaking of some of these writings, has said that in their most appealing tones they echo the voices of the Bible. After all, these things ought we to have done and not to have left the other undone. Suggested Courses of Devotional Study. — It would be an excellent thing if each one of us had studied the Bible as a whole, and the different books com- posing it — their setting, construction, contents, and purpose. The more of such study we can have, the better use we can make of the Bible devotionally. But to complete such a scheme of study would require a lifetime. Fortunately it is not necessary to master the Bible critically before we begin to study it for daily spiritual profit. The first suggested course would be the study of the more devotional books of the Bible. Some books of the Bible are better for devotional study than others. One of the foremost Bible students in Britain has said that for devotional purposes we should study first, foremost, and in this order : The Gospels, Colossians, Hebrews, Psalms, Isaiah, Deuteronomy. A second course, which has been followed with /iRetboD of :l6ible Stubs 197 great profit by many, is "The Messages of the Epistles to me." I am indebted for this method to Dr. H. C. G. Moule, of Ridley Hall, Cambridge. The outline which he recommends, and which may be followed in our study of any epistle, is as follows : (i) Account of Christ : (a) Human history, (b) Divine history, (c) Relation to His followers ; (2 ) Account of the Christian life : (a) Inward, (b) Outward ; (3) Account of the writer's life in Christ. We would suggest that at iirst the shorter epistles be taken. The study of biographies has always proved stimulating to the spiritual life. What incentives to growth and endeavour would come from a close, practical study of a series of lives like Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Daniel, John the Baptist, John, Peter, Stephen, and Paul ? The last course of study, and by far the most important, is the study of Jesus Christ. One day in Edinburgh I asked Professor Drummond to name three courses of study which might be re- commended to students for spiritual profit. After a few moments of thought he replied, " I would recommend that they study, first, the Life of Jesus Christ ; secondly, the Life of Jesus Christ ; and thirdly, the Life of Jesus Christ." He is right. It takes us to the very heart of the subject. Pre- eminent and essential for the spiritual life is the 198 /IfcctboD of JSible Stu^v constant and devout stud}^ of Christ HimseK. We would recommend the following six phases of the study of Christ : The character of Christ, the divinity of Christ, the teachings of Christ, the commands of Christ, Christ as a worker, Christ as a man of prayer. Manner of Devotional Bible Study. — Break up the subject to be studied into convenient or suit- able daily subdivisions. In this way there will be some definite thing to take up each day, and valuable time will not be lost casting about to find out where to begin. If we are really to search the Scriptures, we must have things in mind for which we will search. Be alone, if possible, while engaged in such devotional study. This will often be difficult, but it is well worth the effort. Keep in mind constantly the object of this kind of Bible study. It is to meet my spiritual need, not that of another. It is to enrich my life. It is to lift my ideals. It is to enable me to meet God and to hear His voice to me, personally. We do well to remind ourselves of this object many times during our study. Let there be resolute detachment of mind. Let us keep our thoughts from the thing which we have just been doing and from the thing which we mean to do next, and shut ourselves in alone /IRetboD ot .1Bit>Ic Stu&^ 199 with God and His Word. This is all the more important if our time be limited. If we have but half an hour to devote to such study each morning, we do not wish to spend half of it in getting the mind fixed upon the subject. Do not be diverted from the main purpose of the study. This is the peril of most students. We come to something which, as Peter says, is hard to be understood, and are apt to think that that difficulty must be removed before we can go further in our devotional study. Not so. Let us keep a paper on which we can note any difficulty that we come to, and at some subsequent time, as true scholars, let us seek to understand it. But let us not be cheated out of our daily spiritual food by mere intellectual curiosit>^ important as that is in its proper place. Meditate. Jeremiah best defines this process ; "Thy words were found and I did eat them " — that is, I take these words into my mind, I store them in my memory, I revolve them over and over again, I let them touch the springs of con- science, I let them find me. I let the will act upon them and apply them, I give them right of way in my life, I make them part of myself, I realise in actual experience that the words of Christ " are spirit and are life." Time for Devotional Bible Study. — Let it be a 200 /lRctboC> ot Mb\c Stilus regular time. We should have a Median and Persian hour — that, is an unchangeable hour. It is a well-known law of psychology that to form a habit we must suffer no exceptions. Let it be a daily time. Some of us may have a regular time — for example, once each week ; but the daily plan is the most excellent one. The world pulls us daily. Satan spreads his snares for us more than once each day. Self asserts itself many times each day. Therefore, we should fortify our lives spiritually at least once a day. Let it be an unhurried time. We should give ourselves believing time. It takes time to become spiritual. Spirituality is not a matter of chance ; it must be preceded by an adequate cause. If we would have large spiritual results in our lives, there must be sufficient spiritual causes. But some one asks, How much time is unhurried time ? I trust it will not mean less than half an hour each day for any of us. itUthoi) af J'afifing Extracted from the Twenty-seventh Sermon in the Fifty-two Sermons by the Rev. John Wesley, appointed by the Conference as part of the necessary reading of all candidates for the Wesley an Methodist ministry and forming part of the official doctrinal standards of Methodism. The most plausible of the objections which men, wiser than their Lord, have been continually raising against fasting I come now to consider. And, first, it has been frequently said, " Let a Christian fast from sin, and not from food : This is what God requires at his hands." So He does ; but He requires the other also. Therefore this ought to be done, and that not left undone. View your argument in its full dimensions ; and you will easily judge of the strength of it : If a Christian ought to abstain from sin, then he ought not to abstain from food : But a Christian ought to abstain from sin : Therefore he ought not to abstain from food. That a Christian ought to abstain from sin is most true ; but how does it follow from hence Yea, 20I /iRetboD of jfasting let him do both the one and the other. Let him, b}' the grace of God, always abstain from sin ; and let him often abstain from food, for such reasons and ends as experience and Scripture plainly show to be answered thereby. " But is it not better " (as it has, secondly, been objected) " to abstain from pride and vanity, from foolish and hurtful desires, from peevishness, and anger, and discontent, than from food ? " Without question, it is. But here again we have need to remind you of our Lord's words : " These things ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." And, indeed, the latter is only in order to the former ; it is a means to that great end. We abstain from food with this view, that, by the grace of God conveyed into our souls through this outAvard means, in conjunction with all the other channels of His grace which He hath appointed, we may be enabled to abstain from ever}'' passion and temper which is not pleasing in His sight. " But we do not find it so in fact." (This is a third objection.) " We have fasted much and often ; but what did it avail ? We w^re not a whit better ; we found no blessing therein. Nay, we have found it an hinderance rather than an help. Instead of preventing anger, for instance, or fretfulness, it has been a means of increasing ilftetboC) of ^fastiuG them to such a height, that we could neither bear others nor ourselves." This may very possibly be the case. It is possible either to fast or pray in such a manner as to make you much worse than before ; more unhappy, and more unhoty. Yet the fault does not lie in the means itself, but in the manner of using it. Use it still, but use it in a different manner. Do what God commands as He commands it ; and then, doubtless. His promise shall not fail : His blessing shall be with- held no longer ; but, when thou fastest in secret, " He that seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." " But is it not mere superstition " (so it has been, fourthly, objected) " to imagine that God regards such little things as these ? " If you say it is, you condemn all the generations of God's children. But will you say, These were all weak, superstitious men ? Can you be so hardy as to affirm this, both of Moses and Joshua, of Samuel and David, of Jehoshaphat, Ezra, Nehemiah, and all the Prophets ? 3'ea, of a greater than all — the Son of God himself ? It is certain, both our Master, and all these His servants, did imagine that fasting is not a little thing, and that He who is higher than the highest doth regard it. Of the same judgment, it is plain, were all His Apostles, after they were " filled with the Holy 204 /IRctbot) of 3fa6ting Ghost, and with wisdom." When they had the " unction of the Holy One, teaching them all things," they still approved themselves the ministers of God, "by fastings," as well as "by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." After " the bridegroom was taken from them, then did they fast in those days." Nor would they attempt anything (as we have seen above) wherein the glory of God was nearly concerned, such as the sending forth labourers into the harvest, without solemn fasting as well as prayer. " But if fasting be indeed of so great importance, and attended with such a blessing, is it not best," say some, fifthly, " to fast always ? not to do it now and then, but to keep a continual fast ? to use as much abstinence, at all times, as our bodily strength will bear ? " Let none be discouraged from doing this. B}' all means use as little and plain food, exercise as much self-denial herein, at all times, as your bodily strength will bear. And this may conduce, by the blessing of God, to several of the great ends above-mentioned. It may be a considerable help, not only to chastity, but also to heavenly-mindedness ; to the weaning your affections from things below, and setting them on things above. But this is not fasting, scriptural fasting ; it is never termed so in all the ^etbot) of ^fasting 205 Bible. It, in some measure, answers some of the ends thereof ; but still it is another thing. Practise it by all means ; but not so as thereby to set aside a command of God, and an instituted means of averting His judgments, and obtaining the blessings of His children. Use continually, then, as much abstinence as you please ; which, taken thus, is no other than Christian temperance ; but this need not at all interfere with your observing solemn times of fasting and prayer. For instance : Your habitual abstinence or temperance would not prevent your fasting in secret, if j^ou were suddenly over- whelmed with huge sorrow and remorse, and with horrible fear and dismay. Such a situation of mind would almost constrain you to fast ; you would loathe your daily food ; you would scarce endure even to take such supplies as were needful for the body, till God " lifted you up out of the horrible pit, and set your feet upon a rock, and ordered your goings." The same would be the case if you were in agony of desire, vehemently wrestling with God for His blessing. You would need none to instruct you not to eat bread till you had obtained the request of your lips. Again, had you been with the brethren in Antioch, at the time when they fasted and pra^'ed, before the sending forth of Barnabas and Saul, 2o6 /iRetbot) ot ;ifastlno can you possibly imagine that your temperance or abstinence would have been a sufficient cause for not joining therein ? Without doubt, if you had not, you would soon have been cut ofi from the Christian community. You would have deservedly been cast out from among them, as bringing confusion into the Church of God. I am, in the last place, to show in what manner we are to fast, that it may be an acceptable service unto the Lord. And, first, let it be done unto the Lord, with our eye singly fixed on Him. Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven ; to express our sorrow and shame for our manifold trans- gressions of His holy law ; to wait for an increase of purifying grace, drawing our affections to things above ; to add seriousness and earnest- ness to our prayers ; to avert the wrath of God, and to obtain all the great and precious promises which He hath made to us in Jesus Christ. But, if we desire this reward, let us beware of fancying we merit anything of God by our fasting. We cannot be too often warned of this ; inasmuch as a desire to " establish our own righteousness," to procure salvation of debt and not of grace, is so deeply rooted in all our hearts. Fasting is only a way which God hath ordained, wherein we ^etbot) of iFastina 207 wait for His unmerited mercy ; and wherein, without any desert of ours, He hatli promised freely to give us His blessing. Not that we are to imagine the performing the bare outward act will receive any blessing from God. "Is it such a fast that I have chosen, saith the Lord ; a day for a man to afflict his soul ? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him ? " Are these outward acts, however strictly performed, all that is meant by a man's " afflicting his soul" ? "Wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord ? " No, surely. If it be a mere external service, it is all but lost labour. Such a performance may possibly afflict the body ; but as to the soul, it profiteth nothing. Yea, the body may sometimes be afflicted too much, so as to be unfit for the works of our calling. This also we are diligently to guard against ; for we ought to preserve our health, as a good gift of God. Therefore care is to be taken, whenever we fast, to proportion the fast to our strength. For we may not olfer God murder for sacrifice, or destroy our bodies to help our souls. But at these solemn seasons we may, even in great weakness of body, avoid that other extreme, for which God condemns those who of old expos- 2o8 ^etboO of afastino tiilated with Him for not accepting their fasts. "Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and Thou seest not ? — Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, saith the Lord." If we cannot wholly abstain from food, we may, at least, abstain from pleasant food ; and then we shall not seek His face in vain. But let us take care to afflict our souls as well as our bodies. Let every season, either of public or private fasting, be a season of exercising all those holy affections which are implied in a broken and contrite heart. Let it be a season of devout mourning, of godly sorrow for sin ; such a sorrow as that of the Corinthians, concerning which the Apostle saith, " I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance. For ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow " — rj Kara Qeov Xv-rrt] — the sorrow which is according to God, which is a precious gift of His spirit, lifting the soul to God from whom it flows — " worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of." Yea, and let our sorrow- ing after a godly sort work in us the same inward and outward repentance ; the same entire change of heart, renewed after the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness ; and the same change of life, till we are holy as He is holy, in /llbctboD ot ^astim 209 all manner of conversation. Let it work in us the same carefulness to be found in Him, without spot and blameless ; the same clearing of ourselves, by our lives rather than words, by our abstaining from all appearance of evil ; the same indignation, vehement abhorrence of every sin ; the same fear of our own deceitful hearts ; the same desire to be in all things conformed to the holy and acceptable will of God ; the same zeal for what- ever may be a means of His glory, and of our growth in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and the same revenge against Satan and all his works, against all filthiness both of flesh and spirit (2 Cor. vii. 9, etc.). And with fasting let us always join fervent prayer, pouring out. our whole souls before God, confessing our sins with all their aggravations, humbling ourselves under His might)* hand, laying open before Him all our wants, all our guiltiness and helplessness. This is a season for enlarging our prayers, both in behalf of ourselves and of our brethren. Let us now bewail the sins of our people ; and cry aloud for the city of our God, that the Lord may build up Zion, and cause His face to shine on her desolations. Thus, we may observe, the men of God, in ancient times, always joined prayer and fasting together ; thus the Apostles, in all the instances cited above ; U ^etboD ot 3Fa6tina and thus our Lord joins them in the discourse before us. It remains only, in order to our observing such a fast as is acceptable to the Lord, that we add alms thereto ; works of mercy, after our power, both to the bodies and souls of men : " With such sacrifices " also " God is well pleased." Thus the angel declares to Cornelius, fasting and praying in his house, *' Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God " (Acts x. 4, etc.). And thus God Himself expressly and largely declares : "Is not this the fast that I have chosen ? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the op- pressed go free, and that ye break every yoke ? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house ? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him ; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh ? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily ; and thy righteousness shall go before thee ; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer : thou shalt cry, and He shall say. Here I am. If," when thou fastest, " thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the alflicted soul ; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, /iRctboO ot jfastiuG and thy darkness be as the noonday. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones : and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not " (Isa. Iviii. 6, etc.). P^tljab of i\}t Euc af '^om^ Extracted from the Twenty-eighth Sermon in the Fifty-two Sermons by the Rev. John Wesley, appointed by the Conference as part of the necessary reading of all candidates for the Wesleyan Methodist ministry, and forming part of the official doctrinal standards of Methodism. " Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal." If you do, it is plain your eye is evil ; it is not singly fixed on God. How do the Christians observe what they profess to receive as a command of the most high God ? Not at all ! not in any degree ; no more than if no such command had ever been given to man. Even the good Christians, as they are accounted by others as well as themselves, pay no manner of regard thereto. It might as well be still hid in its original Greek, for any notice they take of it. In what Christian city do you find one man of five hundred who makes the least scruple of laying up just as much treasure as he can — of increasing his goods just as far as he is able ? There are, indeed, those who would /BbetboD ot tbe lase of iHboneg 213 not do this unjustly ; there are many who will neither rob nor steal ; and some who will not defraud their neighbour ; nay, who will not gain either by his ignorance or necessity. But this is quite another point. Even these do not scruple the thing, but the manner of it. They do not scruple the " laying up treasures upon earth " ; but the laying them up by dishonesty. They do not start at disobeying Christ, but at a breach of heathen moralit^^ So that even these honest men do no more obey this command than a high- wayman or a house-breaker. Nay, they never designed to obey it. From their youth up, it never entered into their thoughts. They were bred up by their Christian parents, masters, and friends, without any instruction at all concerning it ; unless it were this, to break it as soon and as much as they could, and to continue breaking it to their lives' end. There is no one instance of spiritual infatuation in the world, which is more amazing than this. Most of these very men read, or hear the Bible read, many of them every Lord's day. They have read or heard these words an hundred times, and yet never suspect that they are themselves condemned thereby, any more than by those which forbid parents to offer up their sons or daughters unto Moloch. Oh that God would 214 /lftetbo& of tbe TUsc of /iftonei? speak to these miserable self-deceivers with tlis own voice. His mighty voice ; that they may at last awake out of the snare of the devil, and the scales may fall from their eyes ! Do you ask what it is to " la}'- up treasures on earth " ? It will be needful to examine this thoroughly. And let us, first, observe what is not forbidden in this command, that we ma}^ then clearly discern what is. We are not forbidden in this command, first, to " provide things honest in the sight of all men," to provide wherewith we may render unto all their due, whatsoever they can justly demand of us. So far from it, that we are taught of God to " owe no man anything." We ought, therefore, to use all diligence in our calling, in order to owe no man anything ; this being no other than a plain law of common justice, which our Lord came " not to destroy, but to fulfil." Neither, secondly, does He here forbid the providing for ourselves such things as are need- ful for the body ; a sufficiency of plain, whole- some food to eat, and clean raiment to put on. Yea, it is our duty, so far as God puts it into our power, to provide these things also ; to the end we may eat our own bread, and be burdensome to no man. Nor yet are we forbidden, thirdly, to provide /IRctboD of tbe Iflse of /iBone^ 215 for our children, and for those of our own house- hold. This also it is our duty to do, even upon principles of heathen morality. Every man ought to provide the plain necessaries of life, both for his own wife and children ; and to put them into a capacit\^ of providing these for themselves, when he is gone hence and is no more seen. I say, of providing these ; the plain necessaries of life ; not delicacies ; not superfluities ; — and that by their diligent labour ; for it is no man's duty to furnish them, any more than himself, with the means either of luxury or idleness. But if any man provide not thus far for his own children (as well as for the widows of his own house, of whom primarily St. Paul is speaking, in those well- known words to Timothy), he hath practically " denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel," or heathen. Lastly. We are not forbidden, in these words, to lay up, from time to time, what is needful for the carrying on our worldly business, in such a measure and degree as is sufficient to answer the foregoing purposes — in such a measure as, first, to owe no man anything ; secondly, to procure for ourselves the necessaries of life ; and, thirdly, to furnish those of our own house with them while we live, and with the means of pro- curing them when we are gone to God. 2i6 /iftetboO of tbe Xflse ot ivbonc^ We may now clearly discern (unless we are unwilling to discern it) what that is which is for- bidden here. It is, the designedly procuring more of this world's goods than will answer the fore- going purposes. The labouring after a larger measure of worldly substance, a larger increase of gold and silver — the laying up any more than these ends require — is what is here expressly and abso- lutely forbidden. If the words have any meaning at all, it must be this ; for they are capable of no other. Consequently, whoever he is that, owing no man an}^ thing, and having food and raiment for himself and his household, together with a sufficiency to carry on his worldly business, so far as answers these reasonable purposes ; who- soever, I say, being already in these circumstances, seeks a still larger portion on earth ; he lives in an open, habitual denial of the Lord that bought him. " He hath " practically " denied the faith, and is worse than" an African or American " infidel." Hear ye this, all ye that dwell in the world, and love the world wherein ye dwell ! Ye may be "highly esteemed of men"; but ye are "an abomination in the sight of God ! " How long shall your souls cleave to the dust ? How long will ye load yourselves with thick clay ? When will ye awake and see that the open, speculative /iRetboJ) of tbe Iflge of /iRone^ 217 heathens are nearer the kingdom of heaven than yon ? When will ye be persuaded to choose the better part ; that which cannot be taken away from you ? When will ye seek only to " lay up treasures in heaven," renouncing, dreading, abhorring all other ? If you aim at " la^dng up .treasures on earth," you are not barely losing your time, and spending your strength for that which is not bread ; for what is the fruit if you succeed ? You have murdered your own soul ! You have extinguished the last spark of spiritual life therein ! Now, indeed, in the midst of life 'you are in death ! You are a living man, but a dead Christian ! " For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Your heart is sunk into the dust ; your soul cleaveth to the ground. Your affections are set, not on things above, but on things of the earth — on poor husks, that may poison, but cannot satisfy, an everlast- ing spirit, made for God. Your love, your joy, your desire, are all placed on the things which perish in the using. You have thrown away the treasure in heaven. God and Christ are lost ! You have gained riches and hell-fire ! The true way of employing what you do not want yourselves, you may learn from those words of our Lord, which are the counterpart of what went before : " Lay up for yourselves treasures 2i8 /iibetboD of tbe iSXsc of /iRoneg in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal." Put out whatever thou canst spare, upon better security than this world can afford. Lay up thy treasures in the bank of heaven ; and God shall restore them in that day. " He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord ; and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again." " Place that," saith He, " unto My ac- count. Howbeit, thou owest Me thine own self besides ! " Give to the poor with a single eye, with an up- right heart, and write, " So much given to God." For '" inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Priiiled 0