PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT.

ALMIGHTY GOD, and Father of all

Mercies, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men, and who didst in the beginning powerfully instruct and graciously lead Thy faithful servants, in a most eminent manner, by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit, grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right judgment in all things, at least that are necessary for our salvation; and refusing, for the sake thereof, the comforts and pleasures of this world, continually to rejoice in His holy consolation. Give us, we beseech Thee, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding and counsel, that by the inspiration thereof we may think those things that are good and suitable for us; the Spirit of faith and fortitude and power, that by the guidance thereof we may perform the same in a manner most acceptable to Thee. And give us the Spirit of

prayer and supplication, that we may adore Thee in spirit, with reverence, steadfastness, and perseverance. Oh confirm us by this Spirit, who are weak; reduce us by it when we go astray from Thee; let Thy grace prevent our falling by its power, and let Thy mercy lift us up when we are down; govern our senses, inspire our thoughts, guard our words, direct all our actions to Thy glory. And now, accept the offering of our whole spirit, soul, and body, and all we are and have, as being entirely devoted unto Thee; and keep us always safe from both our visible and invisible enemies; for the merits of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who being ascended into the heavens left us not comfortless, but according to His Word sent us this Holy Comforter to abide with us to the end. To whom therefore, with Thee, and this our dear Lord and Saviour, be all honour, and glory, power, might, and dominion in all the churches of the saints, and by all the choirs of the blessed from this time forth and for evermore. AMEN.

EVENING MEDITATION.

MY God, when I remember those words of

Thine: "Repent, for the kingdom of

heaven is at hand;"

When I consider they were the first that ever Thou spakest in public, and that it was the chosen text of the Eternal Wisdom,

Instantly I am struck with the importance of the duty, and deeply affected with the power of the motive.

If what this last line says be not wholly true, but repeated in course as a form of devotion,

Forgive, dear Lord, the deceitfulness of my heart, and make me think, as well as say my

prayers;

Make me apply those searching words unto myself, and bind them fast on my own soul.

Repent, O my soul, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand; repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven depends on thy repentance.

Unhappy me, I cannot live without sin, nor hope for pardon without due repentance.

I cannot repent without the grace of God, nor obtain His grace save by His own free gift.

O my sweet Saviour, who camest not to call the righteous but, such as I am, sinners to repentance;

Since I am not strong enough to be perfectly innocent, at least make me humble enough to be truly penitent;

Make me heartily sorry for what I have done amiss, and not do again what will make me sorry;

Deliver me, O Lord, from the punishments I deserve; deliver me from the sin that deserves these punishments;

Teach me that safe and easy method of censuring myself to be acquitted by Thee;

Every night let me sit as an impartial judge, and call before me all my day;

Let me severely examine every thought and word, and strictly search every deed and omission

Condemning my offences to their just penance, and making more firm and wary resolves;

Imploring for the past the mercy of Heaven, and for the time to come the same unbounded mercy.

If I, perhaps, find some little thing well done when weighed with the allowances indulged to our frailty,

Let me return all the glory to my God, and by His grace continue and improve it.

His is the hand that sows the seed; His is the blessing that gives the increase.

Thus let me, once a day at least, look home, and seriously inquire into the state of my soul.