body and mind were produced and are supported by thee. "Thou woundest, and makest whole." Confession and petition for pardon.] I humbly own and reverence thy hand in my present affliction. I acknowledge that thou art righteous in all that befals me; for I have sinned, and thou chastenest me less than mine iniquities deserve. In punishment thou shewest mercy, continuest to me many comforts, and givest me hope of that pardon, which I so much want, and at this time earnestly implore. Petition for improvement of sickness.] I desire to search and try my ways, and turn unto the Lord with deep humility, sincere repentance, and a lively faith in the great Redeemer; and may the fruit of this and every affliction be, to take away sin, and make my heart better. For the restoration of health.] I beseech thee, O Lord, to direct me to means for the removal of my disorder, and for the establishment of my health, and render those means beneficial to me; that I may be yet capable of glorifying thee in my station, and relations, and, by further services for thee on earth, be fitter for immortality. For a right temper of mind.] Support me, gracious God, that "my soul may not be cast down, "and disquieted within me." Assist me to cherish penitent, believing, serious thoughts and affections. Grant me such resignation to thy will, such patience and meekness towards men, as my divine Master requireth, and as he himself manifested, whilst he was a sufferer on earth. May I learn from what I now feel to pity all who are sick, in pain, or otherwise afflicted, and do all in my power to assist and relieve them. For preparation for death.] If by this affliction thou intendest to bring me down to the grave, prepare me by thy grace for my removal hence, and an entrance on the unseen, eternal state; and may all the sufferings of the present life be the means appointed to procure me a crown of glory; which is weighty, inconceivably valuable, and eternal. See 2 Cor. iv. 17. X For the morning. [I bless thee, O Lord, that thou art giving me another day. Grant me such measures of ease and comfort, that I may improve it diligently by conversing with thee, and my own heart, in meditation and prayer, and be capable of enjoying the blessings, which thou art pleased still to grant me.] For the evening. [I thank thee, O Lord, for any degree of ease and comfort which I have this day enjoyed. Grant me this night such refreshing rest, that I may be better able to discharge the duties and bear the burdens of another day, if thou shalt be pleased to add another day to my life. If my eyes should be kept waking, may my meditations on thee be comfortable and useful to me. useful to me gained to Heaven Most gracious God, and heavenly Father, have compassion on what I now endure, my great weakness and frequent pain, and hear my imperfect petitions, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who was once a man of sorrow," and is still "touched "with the feeling of our infirmities;" to whom, as our merciful High Priest, be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 66 The portion of thy children. 1 Peter i. 4. The temple of thy angels. Isai. vi. 1.] Hallowed be thy name. [By the thoughts of my heart. 1 (Ps. cxv. 1.) Ps. li. 15. Thy kingdom come; [Of providence to defend me. Of grace to refine me. Of glory to crown me. 1 Cor. x. 31.] (Ps. cx. 2.) 1 Thess. v. 23. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heaven. [Towards me without resistance. 1 Sam. iii. 18. By me without compulsion. Ps. cxix. 36. Universally without exception. Luke i. 6. Eternally without declension. Ps. cxix. 93.] Give us this day our daily bread; (Matt. vi. 11.)" [The things necessary for my body. Prov. xxx. 8. The things necessary for the eternal life of my soul. John vi. 34.]. And forgive us our trespasses, (Ps. xxv. 11.)) [Against the commands of thy Law. 1 John iii. 4. Against the grace of the Gospel. 1 Tim. i. 13.] As we forgive them that trespass against us. [By defaming our characters. Matt. v. 11. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matt. xxvi. 41.) [Of overwhelming affliction. Ps. cxxx. 1. Of worldly enticements. 1 John ii. 15. Of Satan's devices. 1 Tim. iii. 7. Of seduction of errors. Of sinful affections. 1 Tim. vi. 10. Rom. i, 26.] For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. (Jude, verse 25.) [Thy kingdom governs all. Ps. ciii. 19. Thy power subdues all. Phil. iii. 21. Thy glory is above all. Ps. cxlviii. 13.] Amen. (Ephes. i. 11.) [As it is in thy purposes. Isai. xiv. 27. Rev. xix. 4.] May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. See page 169. Various Thanksgivings, Confessions, and Petitions, independent on each other, which may be used separately, by the addition of Amen to each; or they may be used unitedly as one prayer, either for morning or evening, or both. Thanksgiving.] I THANK thee, O Lord, for thy protection of me the past day (or the past night); for thy preservation of me from fire, tempest, robbery, pain, sickness, or any other calamity. I thank thee, for being the hearer of prayer, and for the grace thou hast given me now to pray to thee. I thank thee, O Lord, for my bed, for refreshing sleep, [or support under a wearisome night,] for the addition of another day, and for thy many, great, and undeserved mercies, temporal and spiritual; particularly for my recovery from several dangerous illnesses, [instances of which may be here mentioned,] and for many wonderful interpositions of Providence in my favour. I thank thee, O Lord, for food, raiment, friends, [servants, a sufficient income, and a commodious habitation, if this should be the case,] for light, air, fire, and water, and for any opportunity or capacity of doing or receiving good. But above all, O Lord, I thank thee for the re demption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and the hope of glory. Confession.] I penitently confess and deeply lament the sins I have committed, and the duties I have omitted. I confess, that I am guilty of many heinous aggravated provocations, and have made very ungrateful returns to thee, my Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor, for the daily benefits I have received at thy hands. God be merciful to me a poor sinner, who now earnestly implores thy forgiveness. Repentance.] Give me, O Lord, that true repentance, which thou hast promised to accept through the merits and mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the only remedy against the things past, which I cannot recall, and of which I am now ashamed. O that the power of sin was subdued in me, and the guilt of sin removed from me! Pleading] I would now, and in every time of need, be looking up to thee, my God, and plead the intercession of Christ, that I may obtain mercy as a miserable sinner, and grace to help me as a needy creature. I would plead, like David, my misery and my wants, which are great; [See Ps. XXV. 11.] and I would moreover plead thy promises of pardon to all who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe the Gospel. Self-examination.] May no day pass without examining in the evening how I have governed my thoughts, as well as my words and actions! Whe- ther I have been looking forwards to death and eternity! Whether I have done to others (a most important question) as I would they should in like circumstances do to me! Am I continually endeavouring to inculcate on the minds of my fellow-creatures this golden rule! How far have I done or left undone any of the principal duties I owe to God, my neighbour, and myself! And |