ΤΟ

THE FAITHFUL CONGREGATION

OF

SAINT BARNABAS', PIMLICO,

IN WHOM,

By the Grace of God,

THE HEAVY SORROW OF A PAST LENT

HATH BORN FRUITS OF MUCH PATIENCE, CONSTANCY,

AND LOVE;

TROUBLED ON EVERY SIDE,

YET

NOT DISTRESSED,

PERPLEXED, BUT NOT IN DESPAIR;

CAST DOWN,

But not destroyed:

THIS HUMBLE TOKEN OF GRATITUDE AND LOVE,

FROM ONE

WHO WATCHES FOR THEIR SOULS.

PREFACE.

THE following pages do not altogether fulfil the original design of the writer. It was his intention to have added to the "Guide and Daily Devotions," a compilation of readings and meditations, suitable for the Lenten season, gathered from the writings of the Fathers, and English Catholic Divines of the best age.

Yet, the short interval from Christmas-tide would not suffice for the creditable execution of such a design, much interrupted, as it must needs have been, by the pressing calls of heavy pastoral responsibilities.

He hopes, however, if it shall please God to spare him to another year, to put out a companion volume to the present; which shall supply in a distinct and, therefore, perhaps, more convenient form, that course of meditation and reading which many so earnestly desire.

Meantime, he may be forgiven, if he recommends persons who have been accustomed to study the deep things contained in Dr. Pusey's translation of Avrillon, Surin, and Scupoli, to add daily reading from such works as "Bishop Andrews' Lenten Discourses;" Bishop Taylor's "Life of Christ," Antony Horneck's "Consideration" and "Meditations," and Dr. Lucas's "Perfection ;" books, which, probably, are within the reach of most.

It will not, perhaps, escape censure, that no mention is made, at the several parts of the following Devotions, of the sources from which they are taken. But the order and words of the originals not being followed, in every case, it has been thought better to omit the author's name as a heading, and to say, in this place (though most of them will speak for themselves), that the Prayers are chiefly the devout breathings of such holy souls as Andrews, Cosin, Ken, Taylor, Wilson, Richard Sherlock, and Bishop Hickes. Several are extracted from ancient sources, and from the Paradise of the Christian Soul; and one or two are private, compiled for the writer's own use, or furnished by the kindness of a friend.

The Scripture Lections, mostly taken from the

Breviary, will perhaps supply a need which our own Church, for some reason unknown,-if not from oversight-has left unprovided.

It remains only to add, that the writer is deeply conscious of the imperfections which attend his own share in this little work. He would, however, beg the kind patience of all those who may be inclined to criticise them, and a place in their prayers for himself, and the work in which he is engaged. He earnestly believes that many will be led, by the Holy Spirit of God, above all faults of manner, to a loving improvement of the matter, which his little Manual contains.

May God give us all more love! Love is the most eminent of all the gifts of GOD. Love conquers all.

It is not enough that we have so many holy prayers which are as the strings of the Harp of GOD; unless we learn to use them well. We may find our punishment, even in the sacrifice of propitiation. May God keep us from sacrificing (as saith S. Gregory) "the calf without flower," that is, prayers of the lips, without the application of a loving heart.