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confess with the deepest humility my sins of omission and commission, which have been innumerable; and to implore the pardon of them in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving.] I thank thee for every blessing which through him I enjoy; particularly for bringing me in safety to the beginning of this day. I thank thee that I am disposed (as I humbly hope I am) to employ the same in thy service; and to have a single eye to thy glory in all my thoughts, words, and actions.

For assistance.] For this end vouchsafe me the aid of thy Holy Spirit, that by his saving light the darkness of my mind may be dispersed, "my "inner man renewed day by day," my evil passions subdued, and that in all things I may live not unto myself, but unto thee. Increase my faith; confirm my hope; excite my love; and impress on my mind a zeal to promote thy cause in the world.

For God's blessing and protection.] Bless me in all my lawful undertakings; and grant, that amidst all my concerns in this present life, I may never lose sight of that which is to come. Be thou the Protector of my body, and the Guide of my soul. Strengthen me against all temptations of the world, and the wiles of the Devil," and defend me from every kind of danger. "Put on me thy whole armour, and make me more than conqueror, through him who hath loved me, and given him"self for me."

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Intercession.] Have compassion on all who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity; and succour them according to their various wants. Shed the graces of thy Spirit on me, my relations, friends, and all my fellow-creatures; particularly on the fatherless, the widows, and those

See Rom. xiv. 8.

who have remembered me in their prayers, or have desired to be remembered in mine. Enable me and them to be "faithful unto death," and then bestow on us that crown of life, which is promised to all true believers by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

In whose endearing name and comprehensive words I further pray to thee in behalf of myself and all my fellow-creatures.

THE LORD'S PRAYER,

Which may be used occasionally, either with or without the petitions between the crotchets.

Our Father, which art in heaven,

[I bow down before thine awful presence, O Lord God Almighty; with the profoundest veneration, yet I am encouraged to approach thee with a filial confidence, as my heavenly Father; and I humbly hope, that I am (as it is my earnest desire that I may be) reconciled to thee by thy Son Jesus Christ; and that thou wilt not impute my trespasses unto me. 2 Cor. v. 19.]

Hallowed be thy name. [Sanctified, reverenced, adored, and glorified by me and all mankind, in thought, word, and deed.] Thy kingdom come;

[and spread wider and wider till it be extended over the whole earth. May thy kingdom of grace be established in mine heart here, and thy kingdom of glory be my portion hereafter.]

Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heaven; [particularly in me passively, and by me actively. May I know thy will, obey and submit to it.]*

The three first petitions in the Lord's Prayer relate to God; and the substance of them is, that he may be glorified. The three last petitions relate to ourselves; and the substance of them is, that our wants, both temporal and spiritual, may be supplied.

Give us this day our daily bread.

[Make me truly thankful for it, and mindful of the wants and sufferings of others.]

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.

[Enable me, O Lord, to forgive others, as thou hast made this the condition of thy forgiveness of me. O forgive the sins of my childhood, of my youth, of my riper years, the sin against* and the "sins which most easily beset me;" especially those of which my conscience is most afraid, and on which I shall for ever reflect with deep humiliation, and penitential sorrow.]

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

[Preserve me, O Lord, from temptation, that I may not be exposed to it; or preserve me in it, that I may not be overcome by it: and deliver me from evil of every kind; especially the evil of sin and pain.]

For thine is the kingdom,

["The Lord God omnipotent reigneth." (Rev. xix. 6.) May I be a most grateful subject of his kingdom here, be daily preparing for a residence in it hereafter; and depart in a good hope through grace. (2 Thess. ii. 16.)]

And the power,

[May I trust in this power to supply all my wants, (spiritual and temporal) so far as may finally be best for me; and may I be supported by it in life and in death.]

And the glory, for ever and ever. [The glory of creation, providence, redemption, and of all thine attributes. May it be my constant endeavour to magnify thee in all these respects and to cause others to do likewise; and do thou, O Lord, bless all such endeavours!]

* As, for instance, against my parents, my children, husband, or wife, &c. which may here be named.

Amen.

[So may it be! I most sincerely and earnestly desire, that thou, O my God, mayest be glorified; and that my petitions for the welfare of myself and my fellow-creatures may be heard and accepted, through the mediation of Jesus Christ. May I therefore rise from my knees comforted, and rejoicing in hope.]

N. B. It will be very proper and beneficial to finish our devotions with these important words of the Apostle, (2 Cor. xiii. 14.) as they contain a summary of all the inestimable blessings which we have been imploring, and of all which constitutes the happiness of a Christian.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with me (and with all whom it is my duty to remember in my prayers) this day [or night] and for evermore.

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Amen.

How reviving the consideration, that sinners may approach the throne of grace in the name of Christ, hoping for mercy! How animating the thought, that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever:" (Heb. xiii. 8,) and that his power and grace are the same to me, as they were to my forefathers, and will be the same to my children: for, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

An evening prayer, which may be used by the sick, or others.

Thanksgiving. 0 LORD, our heavenly Father, I, a polluted miserable sinner, bow down before thy sovereign Majesty to bless thy holy name, and t thank thee for all thy mercies; particularly for having preserved me this day from those dangers, to which the weakness of human nature is liable; and for not having dealt with me according to my deserts.

Confession and petition for pardon.] Most merciful God, pardon, I beseech thee, for thy Son Jesus Christ's sake, all the sins which I have committed this day, or at any other time before; and enable me to believe in him to the salvation of

my soul. For assistance.] Grant me the aid of thy Holy Spirit, that for the time to come I may not offend thee as I have done, but may walk before thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.

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For rest and protection.] Protect me during this night; give me such moderate rest, as may refresh my frail and wearied body. When I lie down may I have a comfortable sense of thy peace in my conscience: enable me to commit myself, and all that I am and have, into the hands of thy gracious providence; and may I "cast all my care upon thee, believing that thou carest for me." (1 Pet. v. 7.) For an easy and happy death.] Above all do thou fit and prepare me for my last great change; and remove from me the slavish fear of it. Whenever death shall come, may I be found watching; and may I know and rejoice that his sting is taken out by Jesus Christ; that so I may meet him not as a king of terrors, but as a messenger of peace.

For a favourable hearing.] Hear, O Lord, hear me, and answer these my humble petitions, for thy mercy's sake, in and through Jesus Christ, our Lord;

In whose prevailing name and expressive words I further call upon thee: Our Father, &c. See p. 167.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. See p. 169.

A Prayer to be used by one who is sick, morning and evening.

Adoration.] O LORD God Almighty, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and all my powers of

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