For that Name's sake, assist us, Lord,
To run our heavenward race;
And O may no unholy life

Our holy faith disgrace.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Be praise and glory given;
Who pour into the hearts of men
True light and heat from heaven.

That, after this painful life ended, he may dwell with Thee in life everlasting.

II. COR. V. 4.

N health, O Lord! and prosperous days,

IN

When worldly wealth or worldly praise,
When worldly thoughts have filled our heart,
We would not from the body part ;—
And then the very thought is loathed,
That we must be by death unclothed.

In sickness, sorrow, or in shame,
We fain would quit this mortal frame ;——
But thus to shrink from toil and pain,
This is not longing for Thy reign;
Brought low, we only seek to be
Unclothed, not clothed upon by Thee.

O rather help us as we ought

To feel what Thine Apostle taught,—

That not for aye we seek to wear
This form of clay, corruption's heir,
Nor yet impatient ask alone

To be unclothed, but clothed upon!

O blessed Lord! whose merits dress
Thy saints in robes of righteousness;
Through whom for us eternal stands
That heavenly house not made with hands,--
When this frail dwelling sets us free,
Quench Thou in life mortality!

THE EXHORTATION.

FIRST PART.

Dearly beloved, know this, that Almighty God is the Lord of life and death, and of all things to them pertaining, as youth, strength, health, age, weakness, and sickness. Therefore, whatsoever your sickness is, know you certainly, that it is God's visitation. And for what cause soever this sickness is sent unto you; whether it be to try your patience for the example of others, and that your faith may be found in the day of the Lord laudable, glorious, and honourable, to the increase of glory and endless felicity; or else it be sent unto you to correct and amend in you whatsoever doth offend the eyes of your heavenly Father; know you certainly, that if you truly repent you of your sins, and bear your sickness patiently, trusting in God's mercy, for His dear Son Jesus Christ's sake, and render unto Him humble thanks for His fatherly visitation, submitting yourself wholly unto His will, it shall turn to your profit, and help you forward in the right way that leadeth unto everlasting life.

Bearly beloved, know this, that Almighty God is the Lord of life and death.

THE EVENING-WATCH.

A DIALOGUE.

Henry Vaughan.

F

Body.

AREWELL! I goe to sleep; but when
The day-star springs, I'll wake agen.

Soul.

Goe, sleep in peace; and when thou lyest
Unnumber'd in thy dust, when all this frame
Is but one dramme, and what thou now descriest
In sev'rall parts shall want a name,

Then may His peace be with thee, and each dust
Writ in His book, who ne'er betray'd man's trust!

Body.

Amen! but hark, ere we two stray,

How many hours, dost think, till day?

Soul.

Ah! go; thou'rt weak, and sleepie. Heav'n
Is a plain watch, and without figures winds
All ages up; who drew this Circle, even

He fills it; Dayes and hours are Blinds.
Yet this take with thee; The last gasp of Time
Is thy first breath, and man's eternall Prime.

Almighty God is the Lord of life and death, and of all things to them pertaining, as youth, strength, health, age, weakness, and sickness.

MY

"Hickes' Devotions."

God, to Thee ourselves we owe,
And to Thy bounty all we have;
Behold to Thee our praises flow,
And humbly Thy acceptance crave.

If we are happy in a friend,

That very friend 'tis Thou bestow'st,
His power, his will to help our end,
Is just so much as Thou allow'st.

If we enjoy a free estate,

Our only title is from Thee;

Thou madest our lot to bear that rate,
Which else an empty blank would be.

If we have health,-that well-tuned ground
Which gives the music to the rest,—
It is by Thee our air is sound,

Our food secured, our physic blest.

If we have hope one day to view
The glories of Thy blissful face,

Each drop of that refreshing dew

Must fall from Heaven and Thy free grace.