THE TUESDAY BEFORE. After Morning Prayers. THE WEAKNESS AND CORRUPTION OF MAN. Text.-"I know that in me, (that is in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing."-Rom. vii. 18. (G.) BEHOLD, I was shapen in wickedness, and in sin hath my mother conceived me. I am weak and helpless. I cannot arise and stand upright. I renounce the evil one, and still comply with his suggestions. I contemn the world in words, but it still clings to my heart. I confess the dangerous weakness of this sinful flesh, but still cherish and indulge it beyond the needs of nature. I purpose good which I do not perform. I fall perpetually into evil which Thou hast warned me to avoid. I desire to draw near to Thine Altar with a cleansed heart, but every day doth some fresh sin defile my soul, and stain the wedding garment in which Thou hast clothed me for Thy Feast. And it is Thou, LORD, only, Who canst save me from further sin, and make me less unmeet to present myself before Thee. O help me and heal me, for Thy great mercy's sake, and graciously accept me in Thy dear SON. Or this, (H.) Deliver me, O LORD, from all my foes; for I flee unto Thee to hide me. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my soul gaspeth unto Thee as a thirsty land. There is nothing in me to deserve Thy love; there is everything to deserve Thy wrath. If Thou leave me to myself I must fall again; I must become and abide the slave of sin. How then can I please Thee, the Holy One and the Just? Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High GOD? How shall I dare to present the provocation of my offering, and to take the children's Bread from the great Master's Table? There is nothing impossible with Thee, O LORD; and to Thy grace and mercy I commit myself. Consider my complaint; for I am brought very low. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto Thy Name, Behold, GOD is my helper; the LORD is with them that uphold my soul. Text.-"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Who can know it?"-Jer. xvii. 9. A Prayer after consideration of the text. O Merciful FATHER, from Whom no secret of this weak and sinful heart is hid, show me, I beseech Thee, whatever Thou hast against me, as it is good for me to know it. Give me humility to bear Thy judgment of my sins, and to submit to Thy chastisements; that in due time Thy comforts may refresh my soul, and Thy mercy save me; through JESUS CHRIST Thy SON. Amen. [Prayer for particular graces.] Our FATHER, &C. [Collect for the Season.] Almighty GOD, the FATHER, &c., (as at p. 14.) After Evening Prayers. OUR STRENGTH IS FROM GOD. Text. "They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." -Isa. xl. 31. BLE (I.) LESSED art Thou, O GOD, Who when we had forsaken Thee, didst not forsake us, and leave us to our own choice of sin and misery. Thou hast given us a new birth unto holiness, and to the hope of life eternal. Thou hast sent down on us the Spirit of adoption, and permitted us to call Thee FATHER. Thou hast made us one with Thy beloved SoN in His Mystical Body, Thy Church, and in Him hast given us to partake of Thy nature. And now Thou dost offer unto us both food for sustenance, and medicine for healing, in this most blessed Sacrament of His Body and Blood. Thou art our GOD, even the GOD of Whom cometh salvation: Thou art the LORD by Whom we escape death. O that I may now with my whole heart embrace Thy gracious offers, put my whole trust in Thee, and go forth to the good fight of faith in Thy strength alone. Or this, (J.) Without Thee, O blessed JESUS, I am nothing; I can do nothing. But Thy grace is sufficient for me; Thy strength is made perfect in weakness. And Thou dost offer to me Thyself, the bread that strengtheneth man's heart with spiritual strength, to quicken, restore, and stablish me. Why then should I fear? I can do all things through Thee strengthening me. While I am faithful to Thee, I shall not fall nor faint. Enlighten me with Thy wisdom, and |