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a word in my mouth, which could bear the scrutiny of thine all-searching eye, if thou, O Lord, shouldst see fit to call me into judgment.

What then, O Lord, shall I say for my presumptuous sins, or how shall I venture to lift up my head in thy presence, when I recollect how often I have set at nought all thy counsel, and would have none of thy reproof. O Lord, enter not into judgment with me, for thy beloved Son's sake; but freely forgive all my transgressions, according to the promise which thou hast promised to all those who repent of their iniquities.

Grant, I humbly beseech thee, that my repentance may be of that genuine kind which needeth not to be repented of; and henceforth being raised to a new and better life, may I take the example of my blessed Redeemer, as the pattern of all my conduct; and in all things may I endeavour to exhibit the spirit and conduct by which he was distinguished.

As he willingly stooped from his throne in heaven, and refused not to be partaker of our human nature, and to endure all the pains and sorrows of this life, when thy righteous will saw fit to call him to this

great duty, may I also, like him, prepare myself for entering with perfect alacrity on whatever duties or labours thou mayest see fit to ordain for me; let me not, on any occasion, prefer mine own pleasures to thy will; but may I at all times be ready to make a sacrifice of all my inclinations, that I may in every thing do that which is well-pleasing in thy sight.

Take away from me all indolence-all selfishness -all hardness of heart-and want of feeling for the happiness of mankind. Inspire me with all pure, and submissive, and Christian dispositions; and thus, laying aside every weight, and the sin that most easily besets me, may I run with patience the race that is set before me, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of God.

Like him, may my heart be full of love and fervent charity to mankind; and may this love induce me willingly to devote myself to such conduct as may in any degree promote the happiness, or improve the virtue, or increase the knowledge of any of my bre

thren. Let me ever feel it to be my own highest happiness, when I am thus, in however small a degree, a fellow-worker with God for the good of his creatures. May neither the ingratitude, nor the malice, nor the wickedness of man, take from me the ambition which I ought to feel for their welfare; but as Christ died for the ungodly, may I also imitate the mercy of my Redeemer, by endeavouring to reclaim those who are in misery or in ignorance; and by neglecting no opportunities which my situation presents, of being the minister of comfort and of knowledge to the fallen.

Enable me also, O God, to set the example of my Lord continually before me, amidst all the hardships and discouragements of my lot. lot. Like him, may I be resigned in tribulation, patient in labour, contented in poverty, and even, when unjustly treated by the malice or folly of mankind, like him, may I pray for those who persecute and revile me.

Fill my heart, O Lord, with all gentle, and kind, and amiable feelings; may I conduct myself amidst the provocations and persecutions of this world, like one who knows that all these things will pass away, and who is also assured that there is a great recom

pense for those who are without blame, and who endure unto the end.

Take away from me all pride, all vain-glory, all trust in mine own righteousness, all undue regard to the opinion of mankind. May I set thy holy and just law at all times before me; and in my obedience to its precepts, may I be unseduced either by the vain applauses of the foolish, or by the unfounded reproaches of the disobedient and unbelieving.

May my heart and life be adorned by all the virtues of the Christian character. May I be strong in faith, ever believing that thine eye is upon me; that thou guidest all the arrangements of nature and of life; and that as misery and shame are appointed for the wicked, there is also a great reward for those who do that which is right.

Grant also, that amidst all present darkness and present sorrows, I may rejoice in hope,-looking habitually to that better life which thou hast promised to the pure in heart,—and using all the things of this life as earnests of greater things which are yet

to come.

Above all, O God, grant me that charity which is the greatest of all gifts,-that perfect love which is

the bond of perfectness,-that pure and Christian good-will to men which will accompany my spirit into the heavenly kingdom, when faith has given place to vision, and hope has terminated in fruition.

Thou only, O God, canst inspire me with all these graces, and enable me to persevere unto the end. For what, O God, am I, that I should presume on my own strength,-beset as I am by ten thousand sources of delusion within and without,-and not knowing in what path I should move, that I may escape the danger that threatens me. Let thy good providence direct all my ways; and, amidst the perplexities and troubles of this mortal life, do thou so lead me, that I may not meet with any temptation, which, by thy grace, I may not be able to

overcome.

Let thy spirit descend into my heart, to take away from me all love of sin, and to inspire me with all good and holy dispositions. And grant, O Lord, that when the moment of danger and of difficulty arrives, thy grace may be sufficient for me, and thy strength may be perfected in my weakness. Be especially with me through this day; and grant, that whatever I do, may be done with a

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