I have so endeavoured to keep up this division, throughout, that, if not in every act, yet in every day's devotion, the busiest person, using this Manual, may carry out the principle which it contains.

1. Adoration, including reverence in the prepared heart, honour in the outward posture, and praise in the sacrifice of the lips-ought always to be first observed, in our approach to the throne of grace.

2. Thanksgiving, involving the exercise of three distinct powers, for God's glory-the memory, in recalling blessings received, the understanding, in considering the Hand which gave them, with all details of how, and wherefore, by what means, and in what measure, and the will, in acknowledging God's goodness and mercy, and venting itself in outward acts of praise. This ought to be observed second, in all acts of devotion.

3. Oblation is the sacrifice which God has always required of His people, typified in the threefold offerings of the Law,-immolation of the fruits of the earth, libations, of oil and wine, and victims, of living creatures. So, likewise, God requires that we offer to Him our actions, for fruits; our affections, for oil and wine; and ourselves, for victims. This is the third in order, and should precede confession and petition, that the memory may be enlightened for the work before it, and the will enkindled by the grace of God.

4. Contrition is the confession and the detestation of sin,-rooted in the deep love of God, and the hope of His mercy; and accompanied with firm resolutions of amendment of life. This is fourth in order, and pointed at, in all that has gone before.

5. Petition is the crowning act of all prayer. It includes everything that God will give, or man can ́

require, according to His bounty which invites, and our necessities which constrain. We are, for ever, to ask in Jesus' name, with confidence that we shall obtain all spiritual blessings, and all temporal gifts for spiritual ends; and not only grace for ourselves, but for others also: for the Church, for the Queen, for the clergy, for civil governors, and for all public necessities. We must have a Fort of Prayer, with weapons for all needs, to force, as it were, Heaven itself.

IV. It may be hoped that there are few persons but may have time, or may be urged to make time, for the length at which the following "Acts" stand; while, for those who desire to extend them, reference is made to additional prayers under each head.

For "Passion Week," or the week after the fifth Sunday, and still more, for "the Holy or Great Week," provision is made for enlarged prayer, in the belief that, then at least, the most engrossed in business will make arrangements to retire, and devote themselves mainly to God and their souls.

It will be seen that by using the three first Acts, the two succeeding in Passion Week, and the two last in Holy Week, every day, the seven hours of prayer may be observed throughout the whole season.

The prayers of intercession are mainly reserved for the mid-day Act, with the view of relieving, as much as may be, the other two; but persons must adjust these details, as best suit their circumstances. Of course, nothing here recommended is designed to supersede the accustomed devotions of any.

As to the place for private devotions, the closet is, of course, the fittest. But where the Church is open all day, it were much to be wished that persons should stay or come there to pray.

TO BE SAID ON THE EVENING OF SHROVE-TUESDAY.

· After your accustomed devotions, rising from your knees, say humbly,

The wholesome season of Lent is come. Blessed be God!

Father, I have sinned against Thee, and am no more worthy to be called Thy child!

Let me turn from my evil ways, and the Lord will turn from His fierce anger.

The Lord God is gracious, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.

Now, I am called away to fast, and mourn, and pray. Dust I am, and unto dust shall I return. Yet, if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins.

Here kneel down, and say,

Help me, O Lord my Saviour;
And blot out all mine iniquities.

O God! by whose providence Thy Church introduces the sober discipline of Lent, with the consideration of our mortality, that dust we are, and unto dust we shall return; grant that the meditation on the sufferings and cross of our Redeemer may lay all my proud conceits in the dust, and make me feel that I am highly honoured, if, by whatever crosses

or self-denials, or mortifications here, I may partake of Thy eternal glory hereafter, through the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Then add,

All flesh is grass, and the pride thereof as the flower of the field; the flower fadeth, the grass withereth:

The body dies, and leaves the naked soul to judgment.

Here close your eyes, and think: afterwards say,

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

And add,

O most gracious God, the Fountain of all mercy and blessing, Who desirest not the death of a sinner, nor despisest the tears of the penitent, favourably receive my prayers, and effectually move my heart to a deep and true contrition; that, being pardoned the evils which I have presumed to commit, I may be delivered from the sorrows I have deserved to suffer. O Heavenly Father! Thou hast now, once again, called me to lighten the weight of my corrupt body, which presses down my soul, by the long and solemn abstinence of forty days; grant me grace and strength, conscientiously, to observe this wholesome discipline prescribed by Thy Church, and with due mortification of my flesh so to quicken my spirit by frequent devotions, that all my passions and appetites may be buried in the grave of Jesus, and all my affections be prepared to rise with Him at Easter. Meantime, so feed me, Blessed Father, with Thy heavenly Word, that I may devote the

remainder of my days to a more perfect renunciation of my corrupt will, and a more constant attendance on Thy glorious promises: through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Receive and comfort all true penitents,

Who come to Thee in weeping, and fasting, and praying.

Be gracious, O Lord, be gracious to all that are weary and heavy laden;

Nor let any of us be brought to confusion.

Defend us, O Christ, from the danger of the enemy;
And keep us from the evil of our own hearts.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the
world,

Have mercy, hear, and spare us, Good Lord!
OUR FATHER, &c.

GRANT, O LORD, TO THY FAITHFUL SERVANTS, THAT THEY MAY WITH BECOMING PIETY BEGIN, and may ALSO WITH UNINTERRUPTED DEVOTION GO THROUGH, THE VENERABLE SOLEMNITIES OF THIS SEASON OF PENITENCE AND FASTING THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.