The Lesson.-James i. 12-15.

BLESSED is the man that endureth temptation:

for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Psalm xxxviii.

PUT me not to rebuke, O Lord, in Thine anger neither chasten me in Thy heavy displeasure.

For Thine arrows stick fast in me : and Thy hand presseth me sore.

There is no health in my flesh, because of Thy displeasure neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sin.

For my wickednesses are gone over my head : and are like a sore burden, too heavy for me to bear.

My wounds stink, and are corrupt : through my foolishness.

I am brought into so great trouble and misery: that I go mourning all the day long.

For my loins are filled with a sore disease: and there is no whole part in my body.

I am feeble, and sore smitten: I have roared for the very disquietness of my heart.

Lord, Thou knowest all my desire and my groaning is not hid from Thee.

My heart panteth, my strength hath failed me : and the sight of mine eyes is gone from me.

My lovers and my neighbours did stand looking upon my trouble: and my kinsmen stood afar off.

They also that sought after my life laid snares for me and they that went about to do me evil talked of wickedness, and imagined deceit all the day long.

As for me, I was like a deaf man, and heard not and as one that is dumb, who doth not open

his mouth.

I became even as a man that heareth not and in whose mouth are no reproofs.

For in Thee, O Lord, have I put my trust : Thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.

I have required that they, even mine enemies, should not triumph over me for when my foot slipped, they rejoiced greatly against me.

And I, truly, am set in the plague heaviness is ever in my sight.

for

and my

For I will confess my wickedness and be sorry

my

sin.

:

But mine enemies live, and are mighty and they that hate me wrongfully are many in number. They also that reward evil for good are against me because I follow the thing that good is.

Forsake me not, O Lord my God be not Thou far from me.

Haste Thee to help me : O Lord God of my salvation.

Psalm xxxii.

(A penitent sinner speaks to God.)

BLESSED is he whose unrighteousness is

forgiven and whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin and in whose spirit there is no guile.

For while I held my tongue my bones consumed away through my daily complaining.

For Thy hand is heavy upon me day and night: and my moisture is like the drought in summer. I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee and mine unrighteousness have I not hid.

I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord : and so Thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.

For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto Thee, in a time when Thou mayest be found but in the great water-floods they shall not come nigh him.

Thou art a place to hide me in, Thou shalt preserve me from trouble: Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.

(God answers him.)

I will inform thee, and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go and I will guide thee with Mine eye.

Be ye not like to horse and mule, which have no understanding whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, lest they fall upon thee.

Great plagues remain for the ungodly but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord, mercy embraceth him on every side.

Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord and be joyful, all ye that are true of heart.

:

[Nicene Creed, as in p. 42.]

For Strength.

GOD, Who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Against Temptation.

LORD, we beseech Thee, grant Thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow Thee the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lo

For increase in true Religion.

ORD of all power and might, Who art the Author and Giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of Thy Name, increase in us true Religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Final Prayers as on Monday Noon, p. 53.]

WEDNESDAY NOON.

THE

DILIGENCE.

HE axe is laid unto the root of the tree: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew iii. 10.

HYMN.

The GOD of Glory walks His round,
From day to day, from year to year,
And warns us each with awful sound,

"Ye whose young cheeks are rosy bright,

Whose hands are strong, whose hearts are clear,

Waste not of hope the morning light!

Ah fools! why stand ye idle here?

"Oh, as the griefs ye would assuage
That wait on life's declining year,
Secure a blessing for your age,

And work your Maker's business here!