remaineth an invincible king forever. Who is able to declare his works? For who shall search out his glorious acts? And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy? Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God. When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss. What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil? The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity. Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them. He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil. Therefore hath he filled up his mercy in their favor, and hath shown them the way of justice. The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh. He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his flock.

R. My soul, what canst thou wish for more? behold thy gracious Lord permits thee to choose thy lot, and promises to give thee thy choice. *O infinite goodness! thyself alone I choose; thou art my only happiness forever.

V. I see my portion hereafter depends on my choice here: but this selection, O Lord! depends on thee. Guide me by thy holy grace, that withdrawing my affections from all vain and perishable creatures, I may fix them entirely on the enjoyment of thee.-O infinite goodness, &c.

LESSON 2-Wisd. 11 and 12.

GREAT power always belonged to thee, O God! and who shall resist the strength of thy arm? For the whole world before thee is as the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew that falleth down upon the earth. But thou hast mercy upon all, because thou canst do all things, and overlookest the sins of men for the sake of repentance. For

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thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made: for thou didst not appoint, or make any thing hating it. And how could any thing endure if thou wouldst not? or be preserved if not called by thee? But thou sparest all: because they are thine, O Lord! who lovest souls. O how good and sweet is thy spirit, O Lord! in all things! And therefore thou chastisest them that err, by little and little: and admonishest them, and speakest to them, concerning the things wherein they offend: that leaving their wickedness they may believe in thee, O Lord!

R. Send down, O God of our Fathers and Lord of mercy! send down thy wisdom from the seat of thy greatness, that it may be in us, may labour with us, and may teach us what is acceptable with thee: *That we may know our end and wisely select our way, and direct all our actions to the felicity of the world to come.

V. Our thoughts are timid, and our prudence is uncertain; Give us, O Lord! the wisdom

that assists at thy throne, and reject us not from among thy children.-That we, &c.

LESSON 3.-Ephes. 5 and 6.

Be.

BE ye followers of God; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness. strengthened in the Lord and in the might of his power. Put you on the armour of God that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood: but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world, of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: In all things

taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation; and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. By all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the spirit: and in the same watching with all instance and supplication for all the saints.

R. O God! thou hast made us for thee, and hast placed us on earth, that by obeying thy divine commandments, we may enjoy thy favour here and the splendor of thy glory hereafter. Grant us the grace to overcome all our spiritual enemies. *That we may be delivered from the ways of iniquity and may serve thee in spirit and in truth.

V. May we never relapse into those sins, for which we have once implored thy forgiveness; but correspond with fidelity to thy mercies. That we may be, &c. Glory be to the Father, &c. That we may be, &c.

TE DEUM, page 37.