more earnest this Advent, and to redeem my lost time, as far as I may. Olet it be to me a season of preparation, of deep and lasting penitence! O open my eyes that I may see! O wash me more and more in Thy precious Blood, that I may be clean! "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of GOD." But, LORD, who art Thou that I may hope thus to receive? The Father of the age to come-the Everlasting GOD -the Prince of Peace: and O that my heart could look up with love and gratitude proportioned to Thy condescension! O that it could go forth to meet Thee with glowing affection, and ready to offer itself freely and unreservedly to Thee! But at least I will endeavour to remove all impediments, and will neglect no means by which my heart and soul may be meet for the reception of my Blessed SAVIOUR and Deliverer, my LORD and my GOD. O FATHER of mercies, and GOD of all comfort, behold I Thy creature, made after Thy Image, and redeemed by the Blood of Thy Well Beloved, appear before Thee, my Creator; by Whom and for Whom I was created; by Whose grace I have thus long lived; unto Whom henceforth, so long as Thou seest good, I would wish to live; for Whom and in Whom I desire to die: I meekly adore Thee, Whom my soul desireth and strongly panteth for: to Thee I cry, Whom above all I love, O Thou, my Rest, my Hope, my Love, my Longing, my heart's only Good. Most loving FATHER, though I be the least of all Thy children, yea, unworthy to be called Thy son, because I have not honoured Thee as my FATHER; yet I come with great confidence, and cast myself into the Arms and Bosom of Thy most sweet Love and Mercy, grieving from my inmost soul, that I have ever forsaken Thee, my GOD, the Fountain of all good; and I resolve with my whole heart and strength to return to Thee, and so to serve Thee, and cleave to Thee, that I may never more draw back from Thee, but may be faithful to Thee, even unto death, through JESUS CHRIST Our LORD. Amen. LORD, have mercy. GOD, the FATHER, of Heaven; GOD, the HOLY GHOST; Word made Flesh; Word, full of grace and truth; Have mercy on us. Only-Begotten Son, Who art in the Well-Beloved SON of GOD, in Whom Who upholdest all things by the word of Thy power; Beginning of the Creation of God; Star risen out of Jacob; Son of David; Son of Man; JESUS of Nazareth; Meek and humble of heart; pel to the poor; Light of the world; Man of sorrows acquainted with grief;" Have mercy on us. Lamb of GOD, That takest away the sins of the world; Have mercy on us. Raise up, O LORD, Thy power, and come; and what Thou hast promised in Thy Church, do Thou mercifully work in her to the end of the world, Who livest and reignest with GOD the FATHER in the Unity of the HOLY SPIRIT, GOD for ever. Amen. Our FATHER, &c. Hark! an awful voice is sounding Startled at the solemn warning, Lo! the Lamb, so long expected, So, when next He comes with glory, Honour, glory, virtue, merit, Amen. PSALM XCIV. Deus ultionum. O LORD GOD to Whom vengeance belongeth Thou GOD to Whom vengeance belongeth, shew Thyself. Arise, Thou Judge of the world: and reward the proud after their deserving. LORD, how long shall the ungodly: how long shall the ungodly triumph ? How long shall all wicked doers speak so disdainfully and make such proud boasting? They smite down Thy people, O Lord : and trouble Thine heritage. They murder the widow and the stranger: and put the fatherless to death. And yet they say, Tush, the LORD shall not see neither shall the GOD of Jacob regard it. Take heed, ye unwise among the people : O ye fools, when will ye understand? He that planted the ear, shall not He hear or He that made the eye, shall He not see? Or He that nurtureth the heathen it is He that teacheth man knowledge, shall not He punish? The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man that they are but vain. Blessed is the man whom Thou chasten |