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the grace of humility, against all pride, and this world's vanity. Amen. Our FATHER, &c.

PSALM CXLV. Exaltabo Te, Deus.

I will magnify Thee, O GOD my King: and I will praise Thy Name for ever and

ever.

Every day will I give thanks unto Thee : and praise Thy Name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and marvellous, worthy to be praised: there is no end of His great

ness.

One generation shall praise Thy works unto another and declare Thy power.

As for me, I will be talking of Thy worship: Thy glory, Thy praise, and wondrous works;

So that men shall speak of the might of Thy marvellous acts: and I will also tell of Thy greatness.

The memorial of Thine abundant kindness shall be showed and men shall sing of Thy Righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and merciful : longsuffering, and of great goodness.

The LORD is loving unto every man : and His mercy is over all His works.

All Thy works praise Thee, O LORD: and Thy saints give thanks unto Thee.

They show the glory of Thy kingdom: and talk of Thy power.

That Thy power, Thy glory, and mightiness of Thy kingdom: might be known unto

men.

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom: and Thy dominion endureth throughout all

ages.

The LORD upholdeth all such as fall: and lifteth up all those that are down.

The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O LORD: and Thou givest them their meat in due

season.

Thou openest Thine Hand: and fillest all things living with plenteousness.

The LORD is righteous in all His ways : and holy in all His works.

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him: yea, all such as call upon Him

faithfully.

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will help them.

The LORD preserveth all them that love Him but scattereth abroad all the ungodly.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD and let all flesh give thanks unto His holy Name for ever and ever.

Glory be to the FATHER, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

114

THE EPIPHANY.

All they from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and incense. Alleluia!

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."-S. Matt. ii. 10.

The Eternal FATHER would have His SON, newly born in Bethlehem, to be known and adored by Gentiles as well as Jews; and, therefore, having sent an Angel to declare the glad tidings to the shepherds, He also set in the East a most bright shining Star, to be a sign that the Messiah and King of Israel was born; of Whom Balaam had prophesied, desiring that all men should acknowledge and adore Him.

I give Thee thanks, O Sovereign FATHER, for the care Thou hast, that Thy SON should be known and adored of the Gentiles; as well for His glory and honour, as for the profit of all those that are to know and adore Him. O that all the world might have that blessed knowledge, and worship Him with holy worship!

There were doubtless many in the East who saw the Star, and marvelled at its brightness; but none rose up to go and seek

Him Who was set forth thereby, save the three kings or wise men. The others were unwilling to take a long laborious journey, not having any certain faith as to its end. And I too must beware, remembering how often I see within my soul God's guiding star, showing me the way to seek CHRIST, and to embrace His blessed example of poverty, humility, and charity. But too often, although I see the star, I will not move nor stir, because I would not lose my ease and comfort, nor abandon the things that I love; because I dare not brave a little affliction, or some of the world's contempt. If it be thus with thee, my soul, beware lest there come a day when the star which would have guided thee to salvation, shine on thee for thy condemnation. Therefore I will continually

pray for a lively stedfast faith in my GOD, knowing that by His Power I shall overcome all difficulties, and that in His strength I need not fear any dangers, since He will protect me, and set me free.

Let us in spirit go forth with the Wise Men: behold, the Star leads them to the lowly spot where the SAVIOUR of the world is lying, and there in lowliness and poverty they find the King of Heaven and earth, and His Virgin Mother. Let us, with them, fall down and worship, and offer

to Him our whole heart. O Blessed Infant, I see Thee here poor and despised, yet by faith I know that Thou art my GOD, Who camest down from Heaven for my salvation; I acknowledge Thee for my LORD and my King; but what have I to offer Thee? I have no gold of love, for I have wasted my love on things of earth, on my own imaginations, and have not loved Thee as I ought to do. I have not the incense of prayer, for I have often and thoughtlessly forgotten Thee. I have not the myrrh of mortification, for I have often displeased Thy infinite Goodness that I might not be deprived of vain earthly pleasures. What then shall I offer Thee? I offer Thee my heart, all sullied and needy as it is; do Thou accept and change it; even therefore art Thou come, to wash our hearts with Thy Blood, and thus to change sinners into saints. Give Thou me the gold of Thy love; give me the spirit of holy prayer; give me a hearty desire and full strength to give up and cast aside everything which displeases Thee; give me a perfect resolution to obey Thee, and to love Thee. Thou knowest my weakness, O give me grace to be faithful unto Thee. Bind me for ever to Thyself; suffer me not to stray; so that purchased by the riches of Thy love, and purified by the

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