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whereof to speak in this great cause.

When I shall be gathered to Thee this day, then come Thou in the ministry of thy holy angels that excel in strength.

"Let these my friends commit me to the Lord, and let them be gathered unto the family of Abraham, the father of the faithful.

"My hour-glass is turned, the sands run apace, and death doth not surprise me.

"Lord, strengthen Thou the heart of thy servant, that he may understand this day's work with joy and gladness.

"Let my poor family, that is left desolate, let my poor wife and children, be taken under thy care, be Thou a Husband, Father and Master to them all.

"Let the spirits of those who love Thee be drawn towards them. Let a blessing be upon the friends and kindred here at this time. Show thyself a loving Father to us all, and do for us abundantly above and beyond all that we can ask or think, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen."

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After the interview, the sheriff's messenger

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came to say that there must be a sled. way," replied Vane, "how they please; for I long to be at home, to be dissolved and be with Christ."

He seated himself upon the sled, and was drawn toward Tower Hill, the place appointed for his execution. The streets were filled with a great multitude, and all the tops of the houses were covered with people. It was a lovely June day. The memory of the martyr's past services and sufferings in the cause of liberty, were as fragrant in the minds of the people as the air was fragrant with flowers.

Tears fell like rain, and thousands of sobbing voices uttered the benediction, "The Lord be with you."

He ascended the scaffold with the dignity of a martyr. He attempted to address the people, but his words breathed the old spirit of Liberty, and the trumpets were blown.

A long prayer · the farewell— the last dreadful scene, and the great apostle of freedom was no more. He was executed June 14, 1662.

XIX.

BISHOP KEN.

KEN'S MORNING AND EVENING PRAYERS.

The morning and evening hymns of Bishop Ken, are in substance, and common use, prayers. It is related that Ken himself used to sing his morning hymn before dressing, to his lute, it being an expression of the prayerful desire of his heart.

Of the grand doxology which closes his morning and his evening hymn, or prayer, Montgomery says:

"It is a masterpiece at once of amplification and compression; amplification, on the burthen, 'Praise God,' repeated in each line; compression, by exhibiting God as the object of

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praise in every view in which we can imagine praise due to Him-praise, for all his blessings, yea, 'all blessings,' none coming from any other source; praise by every creature, specifically invoked, 'here below,' and in heaven above;' praise to Him in each of the characters wherein He has revealed Himself in His Word — Father, Son and Holy Ghost.""

Thomas Ken was born in 1637. He graduated at Oxford, in 1661. He was appointed chaplain to the Prince of Orange in 1679, and chaplain to Charles II. in II. in 1682. He was consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells. He was imprisoned under James, and on his release lived a comparatively retired life. He desired that six of the poor men, of the parish where he lived, might convey his body to the grave; and it is said that after burying him, his attendants saluted the opening day with the strains of the morning hymn. He died in 1711.

Few hymns ever written have been so much used as prayers, to which devotions they properly belong.

KEN'S MORNING PRAYER.

"Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.

"Thy precious time misspent redeem;
Each present day thy last esteem ;
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.

"In conversation be sincere ;

Keep conscience as the noontide clear; Think how All-seeing God thy ways And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

"By influence of the light divine Let thy own light to others shine; Reflect all Heaven's propitious rays, In ardent love and cheerful praise.

"Wake and lift up thyself, my heart, And with the angels bear thy part; Who, all night long, unwearied sing High praise to the Eternal King.

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