CHAPTER VI.
MORNING AND EVENING EXERCISES.
MORNING EXERCISE.
To pass the day with rectitude and piety, it is most important to begin it well. When, therefore, thou awakest in the morning, begin the day at once with recollection of God, and take care that no other than God has the first fruits of thy actions and thoughts. No day will go with thee ill or unhappily which thou beginnest in favour with God; for what but good can proceed from the fountain of all good?
The five points of the Morning Exercise.
i. Be thankful. 2. Offer up thy heart. 3. The day Arrange for work 4. Shun sin, 5. For succour pray.
I. THANKSGIVING.
O eternal God, from the inmost depths of my heart I praise thee and thank thee, because thou hast created me to thy image, and redeemed me with the precious blood of thy Son; and besides thy other countless blessings, hast so mercifully preserved me hitherto, and brought me safe to the beginning of this day, by keeping me in the night from all danger and harm. What return, O Lord, shall I make thee for these and all thy other favours to me.
II. OBLATION OF SELF.
Behold, O Lord, I cheerfully offer thee all that I have, for thou hast given it me all: my body, soul, their respective powers, all the thoughts, words, and actions of this day, I dedicate purely and entirely to the greater glory of thy name; that thy ever-blessed name may be praised and glorified in all of them, in union with all the works that our Saviour wrought upon earth, with the most perfect charity, for our salvation; that out of the abundance of the merits of thy only-begotten Son, in whom thou art well-pleased, my infirmity may be aided, and my deficiency supplied.
III. REGULATION OF CONDUCT.
But what wilt thou have me do to please thee? I know, O Lord, that we must render thee a strict account of our whole lifetime, when thou shalt come to reckon with thy servants. I do right, therefore, to fear all my works, knowing that thou dost not spare the offender;[1] and ignorant at what hour thou wilt come and summon me to give an account of my stewardship; and what if it should be to day? Therefore, as by thy grace I live in
- ↑ Job ix. 28.
