Juda, art not the leaft among the Princes of Judea; for, out of thee fhall come the Governor that fhall rule my People Ifrael.

Refp. These are the only true, wife Men, who afe their Learning to find out Heaven. Go on bless'd Pilgrims in your holy Voyage, and let no Difficulties divert your Purpose. Behold, a bright Star fhall guide you in your Way, and fafely lead you to the Sun of Justice. Loofe not too long your Time in the Distractions of the City, nor concern yourselves in the politick Troubles of the Court, but speedily furfue your Journey you so piously have be8. Behold1, *

Leffon 22.

Then Herod, fecretly calling the Sages, learn'd of them diligently the Time of the Star that appear'd to them; and, fend

ng them to Bethlehem, faid, Go and in

quire diligently after the young Child;

and when

you

have found him, bring me

Word again, that I alfo may come and adore him; when they had heard the King they departed,and behold, the Star which they had feen in the East, went before them till it came and flood over

where

where the young Child was, and, feei the Star, they rejoyced with exceedi great Gladness; and entering into t Houfe, they found the young Child wi Mary his Mother; and falling dow adored him. And opening their Tre fures, they offered him Gifts, Gol Frankincenfe and Myrrh. And, recei ing an Anfwer of God in their Slee that they should not return to Her they departed into their own Count another Way.

Refp. Take heed you bold Offenders, God not mocked, but fees and difappoints yo Councils as he pleafes: Fear not, perfeverers in Virtue, God will not le you, heel kindle a new Star to inligh your Way, and fend his Angel to prev your Danger. That you may enter laft his holy Prefence, and adore y JESUS for ever. Prepare for him yo Gold in Alms, and your Frankince in Devotion, and your Myrrh in a L of Chriftian Severity. That you

*

Lesson 23.

And, when the Days of her Purific tion, according to the Law of Mo were fully ended, they brought him

Feru

the

Jerufalem to prefent him to our Lord (as it is written, Every Male that opens womb fhall be called Holy to the Lord) and to offer a Sacrifice, according to that which is faid in the Law of our Lord, a pair of Turtle Doves, or Two young Pige

Refp. Thus did the all-unblemisht Virgin Jubmit to the rule of common Neighbours, and the King of Heaven obey the Laws be made for us. Be afham'd, my Soul, for any vain or fenfual humour, to pretend exemption from the Christian Discipline. The Mother of JESUS appears inpublick with the Sacrifice of the poor, nd the Son of God is valued at an * Be asham'd

bumble price.

was

Lesson 24.

And behold, there was a Man in Ferufalem named Simeon; and this Man as Juft and Religious, waiting for the Conlolation of Ifrael: and the Holy Ghort was in him. And he had received an anfwer of the Holy Ghoft that he should not fee Death, unless he firft faw the Chrift of our Lord. And he came by. the Spirit into the Temple: and when the Parents brought in the Child Jesus,

C

to

to do for him after the custom of th Law, he took him up in his Arms, an Bleffed God and faid, Now difmifeft the O Lord, thy Servant according to th word in peace, for mine eyes have fe thy Salvation which thou haft prepar before the face of all People; a light f the illumination of the Gentiles, and t Glory of thy People Ifrael. And his E ther and Mother were marvelling those things which were spoken of hi And Simeon bloffed them, and faid Mary his Mother, Behold this Child fet for the fall and rifing again of ma in Ifrael, and for a fign which fhall contradicted; and a fword fhall pei through thy own Soul, that t thoughts of many hearts may be r vealed.

Refp. Give, us O Lord, thy Holy Gra that our days may pals in innocence, a our innocence fuftain us in hope: Gi us thy Holy Grace, that our hope m increase to confidence, and our confiden be establifht in peace. * And then peace difmifs thy Servants. Lead O thou light of the World, where th useft to walk, that our Eyes may happ

ly fee thee: fhew us thy Blessed self, O thon Glory of Heaven, that our Souls may faft embrace thee. And thenLefon 25.

And there was one Anne a Prophetess, the Daughter of Phanuel, of the Tribe of Afer; he was of a great Age, and had liv'd with her Husband feven years from her Virginity and she was a Widdow till eighty four years, who departed not from the Temple, but ferved God with Faftings and Prayers night and day. And fhe, at the fame hour, fuddenly coming in, confefs'd our Lord, and Spake of him to all that expected the redemption of Ifrael.

Refp. Lord, in thy hands are the times and Seasons, which thou kindly disposest in advantage of thy Servants. That thy favours may encourage their virtue, and their virtue encreafe thy favours. Thou Twardeft the Chastity of Virgins, and the Fidelity of Wives; Thou crowneft the Holynefs of Widows, and the perfe verance of all who conftantly love thee. *That thy

Leffon 26.

And when they had performed all C 2 things