FOR THE SEVEN CANONICAL HOURS: TOGETHER WITH DEVOTIONS, ACTS OF CONTRITION, FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, "Seven times a day do I praise Thee."-Pf. cxix. 164. OXFORD: T. AND G. SHRIMPTON, BROAD STREET. 1856. 138.c.395. PREFACE. THE Prayers and Devotions contained in this book are moftly derived from ancient fources. Those following after "the Hours are chiefly from St. Auguftine and the works of our early English Divines; fome are from the fervices of the Greek Church; a few are from other and private fources. Alterations have also been made in fome where it seemed neceffary in order to make them fitting for the prefent book. The Hymns are moftly taken, by the kind permiffion of their publisher, from the translations in "The Hymnal Noted." There is one particular point in which this felection differs from many others of the kind, namely, in the fetting apart a space of time in each Office for filent, mental, or unprecomposed prayer, any of which terms perhaps will fufficiently denote that which is here intended. And the ftrict compliance with this is strongly urged; for it has been often found, that perfons have come so to lean on precompofed forms of prayer, that they have been unable to utter forth to GoD in their own words the wants of their fouls. The diligent use of Mental Prayer is fo conftantly recommended by the Saints of GOD, that no opportunity should be loft for infifting upon it. The whole principle of this pause, which is here enjoined, is granted by the Rubric in the Service for the Ordering of Priests, wherein, before the finging the "Veni Creator," the Bishop is bidden to defire the congregation "fecretly in their prayers to make their humble fupplications to GoD. for the which prayers there fhall be filence kept for a space." The use therefore of this, as enjoined in the present book, cannot be objected to. The prayers, devotions, and interceffions, which after "the Hours," may be added thereto according to the will of those who use them. They are mostly expreffive of the warm love and earnest devotion of the heart which consciously loves God, and is loved by Him, which rejoices in the perfonal knowledge of reconciliation and forgiveness through the meritorious Sacrifice of God's dear Son; others give vent to the penitence which the foul feels at the perception of her own short comings, or are interceffions with GoD on behalf of various objects. On Fridays and during Lent, the "Prayers commemorative of the Paffion and Work of our Bleffed Lord," and "for Obedience to the Will of GOD," may be used; the Acts of Contrition and of Faith will be useful for penitents; in the Acts of Love the foul afpires to perfect union with GOD. Let care be had that the HEART go along with the words of the lips. To the ufe of faithful and loving fouls this book is commended, with the earnest prayer that it may be blessed to the peace, and encouragement, and fanctification of many. Thanks be to God. St. Andrew's Day, |