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When you retire from the Altar. BLESS the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name; bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life 'from destruction, and crowneth thee ' with loving kindness and tender mer'cies.' O let that heavenly food, which thou hast so lately fed me with, transfuse new life and vigour into my soul, and into the souls of all those who have been partakers with me of this Holy Communion, that our faith, hope, and charity may daily increase, and that we may all grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen.

See Psalm viii. xxiii. lxvi. ciii.

Aspirations for a devout Communicant. ENLIGHTEN, O Lord, the eyes of my understanding with the light of faith and wisdom, that I may ever look

on thee my Redeemer as the way, the truth, and the life, which leadeth unto eternal life.- What am I, Lord, and what is my Father's house, that thou shouldst thus follow me with thy blessings? I was created by thee and for thee, and mayest thou ever be the comfort of my soul.-Good Jesus, my hope and only refuge, I here render thee hearty thanks for all thy sufferings, and I beg that I may find shelter in thy wounds against all enemies, ghostly and bodily: imprint the memory of them fast in my heart, that I may love thee, and in all my sufferings never want thy divine assistance, or forget what thou hast suffered for me. Take from me all selflove, and give me perfect love for thee, that I may now be more faithful in my duty; and let nothing for the future put me out of my way: O that I could ever remember thee, think of thee, delight in thee alone, and love thee only, who hast loved us, and washed us with thy most precious blood from the guilt of our sins. O that my senses may ever be shut against all vanity, and sin, that my mind being free from all fruitless solicitude and fear, I may fix my

heart where true joys are only to be found. Henceforth I will seek unto thee, my only good: my affections and desires shall be fixed on thee, in whose presence there is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore. My will I now resign into thy hands, desiring that thy will may be mine, both now and for ever. thou my instructor and director in all things, that I may never do or speak, desire or think, any thing but what is according to thy good will.

II.

Be

I AM thy servant, O Lord, O give me

understanding according to thy word, that I may learn thy commandments, and lay aside all interest, beside that of heaven. O blessed Jesus, Fountain of all Goodness, guide my feet in thy paths, and teach me to do thy will. Disengage my heart from all unprofitable solicitude and vain desires; and though I live here upon earth; yet raise my affections to things above. How sweet, O Lord, is thy spirit! how pleasant to my lips are the words of thy mouth! O that I could ever be

mindful of them, to fulfil thy laws! Make me to die daily to theworld and all its vanities, and let the greatness of thy love make all that is earthly appear as nothing to me. Protect me against my enemies, and in all dangers appear in my defence: make haste to help me, O Lord, and say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Remember thou art my Re deemer, and have compassion on my distressed soul: clothe it with all poor virtue, and feed it with thy grace, for it belongs to thee to take care of those whom thou hast redeemed. In thee I live, for thy sake I desire to die; both living and dying I will ever profess that thou art good, and that thy mercy endures for ever.

III.

O THAT I could now give thee, O Lord, all that praise, glory, and honour, with which the angels and blessed spirits glorify thee in heaven! But because I am unable to do this, accept at least this my desire and good will. Deliver me, O God, from every thing that is contrary to thy will, and be pleased so to dispose of my soul as may be for thy

glory and honour. I surrender myself into thy hands, and resolve to submit entirely to that state of life thou shalt please to appoint me; and if it be more for thy honour that I suffer, I cheerfully accept it; not my will, but thine be done. Let nothing now be my comfort but thou, Lord Jesus, and nothing afflict me but my sins, and whatever else is displeasing to thy divine Majesty.

O blessed Jesus Life Eternal, by whom I live, and without whom I die, grant that I may now be united to thee, and that in the embraces of thy holy love and divine will, I may rest for ever. When shall I see thee, Oblessed Saviour, when shall I appear before thy face; when shall I see thee in the land of the living! Till then, I sigh and bewail my banishment, desiring to be dissolved, and to be with Christ.

These Ejaculations may be enlarged, by reading more or less of these following places in Scripture, viz. For grace to love God's law, Psalm xix, cxix.

For a Holy Life, Psalm 1xxxv.

For salvation and eternal joy, Psalm. xvi. xxiv.

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