do truly repent, from my very inmost heart, and most of all because "against Thee only have I sinned.” And what am I now doing? Thee alone do I regard, Thee alone do I love, beyond all things, and for Thine own sake, Who art worthy of this my love, and of the love of every creature for ever.

Ejaculations.

"Let us draw near, O my soul, with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Heb. iv. 16. “Turn again to the Most High and turn away from iniquity; for He will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently." Ecclus. xvii. 26.

“As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Ezek. xxxiii. 11. "O remember not the sins and offences of my youth, but according to Thy mercy think Thou upon me, O Lord, for Thy goodness." Psalm xxv. 6.

"Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm li. 10.

"O remember not our old sins, but have mercy upon us, and that soon; for we are come to great misery." Psalm lxxix. 8.

IMAGE THE THIRD.

BEFORE THOU PRAYEST PREPARE THYSELF.

Since Prayer (A) is a conversing with God, betake thyself to it with care, considering Christ as present (B): nor put it off as this Worldly man (C) does on account of any business of the World (D). But first, setting aside all other things, when thou art about to pray examine thy conscience (E), and cast under thy feet with detestation that most foul monster, Sin (F); which hath the head of the peacock, the belly of the dropsical, the feet of the goat, the tail of the scorpion. By the peacock is denoted the pride of life, avarice by the dropsy, lustful concupiscence by the feet of the goat; by the tail of the scorpion the poison of sin is signified, and by the skull its wages, which are death. Set before the eye of thine heart the sufferings of Christ, and the Ten Commandments of God. And with Prayer unite Fasting (G), (under which term is comprehended all mortification,) and also Alms-giving (H); for these two are the wings of Prayer. And now follow the guidance of thy guardian Angel (I) to works of good. Prepare thy mind with Silence (K), with Solitude (L), and religious reading, shutting the doors about thee in the secret chambers of thy heart. Stir up the affection of Hope (M), and lift up more earnestly thy prayer to the honour of God; for Prayer (N) hath the sword of the word of God, kindleth the heart into a flame, animateth to overcome vices. By these means endeavour to destroy thy Sins (O), and to obtain Virtue (P) from God. She standeth by the throne of God furnished with wings, to raise the soul from things of earth; and armed because she cannot be overcome by evil; but by means of the Cross and through hardships she obtaineth the crown. Prostrate therefore thyself before the Throne of Grace, and pray for her, either in the character of the criminal (Q), or of the poor man, or of the Bride. This preparation of the mind Moses hath shewn (R) when he appointed the Seventy to share his earthly labours, and retired to be alone with God.

God's pre

sence.

Petition for grace.

Meditation

ON THE RIGHT ORDERING OF OUR PRAYERS.

Christian.-HERE in a desert and pathless way, where no water is, have I appeared unto Thee in Thy sanctuary, and in the presence of Thy saints, that I might behold Thy power and glory. I sit here, good Jesu, alone, and groan inwardly; for what else can I do in this vale of tears afar from Thee, to Whom I sigh? and here I sit low, that I may raise myself above myself. Have regard unto me, I beseech Thee. For unto Thee have I lifted up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens: for from whence cometh help unto me but from Thee, good Jesu? But if the just, in beginning his prayer, accuseth himself, where shall I, the ungodly and sinner, appear? Behold my hands are yet full of blood, and mine iniquities are more in number than the hairs of my head. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; and with Thy Blood, good Jesu, blot out, I beseech Thee, mine iniquity: by that Blood I most humbly beseech Thee, I that am a worm and no man; that I may be able to speak with Thee and to Thee, though I be dust and ashes, in the sight of Thy saints. of self. I am ashamed indeed to speak, because I call to mind (and I shudder while I contemplate it) that I have despised Thee, and, when Thou spakest, have stopped mine ears that I did not hear; but Thou, Jesu, mine Hope, canst Thou, O my God, despise a contrite and humble Act of con- heart? Thou canst not deny Thy Name which Thou hast trition. shewed unto me. For now I grieve from love toward Thee, that ever, even by an idle word, I have dared to despise Thy precepts.

Humiliation

Christ, (as present and searching the heart.)-Thus is it meet to stir up contrition before every prayer, for praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner. And well hath My Psalmist said, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" as also My Disciple saith, "If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God." And truly what boldness of face and arrogance is it in the unreconciled sinner, after trespasses most grievous, to draw near to Me to b Psalm lxvi. 18.

a Ecclus. xv. 9.

c 1 John iii. 21.