forgiving grace, for thou art still a God that hatest iniquity; and thou hast declared, that though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not pass unpunished., Grant, O heavenly Father, that I may now confess my sins with a lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; let me not hide any of my transgressions from mine own conscience, but, knowing that they are all open to thy sight, however secretly they have been committed, or however long the time since they were done, may I now confess them, depending entirely on thy mercy, through Christ, for the full forgiveness. of them.

And grant me, O Lord, that humble, meek, and sober frame of mind which ought to be maintained by those who have fallen into sin. May the remembrance of my past failures make me more attentive to my ways during the time that is to come; and, aware of the awful danger which threatens the disobedient, may I henceforth work out my salvation with fear and trembling.

Thou, O Lord, wast often pleased, in the days that have gone by, to signify thine approval of those acts of humiliation in which thy servants engaged, and thou hast recorded, in thy word, their

humility and their reward, for the encouragement of all who shall come after them. And, blessed be thy name, that thy mercy is still the same to all those who are contrite in heart. O Father of the spirits of all flesh,-God of all grace and consolation,-descend this day, by the influences of thy Holy Spirit, into my heart; and, while I confess my sins, grant me that new heart with which thou delightest to dwell. Thy ways with man, O Lord, are full of mystery, but they are full also of wisdom and of great mercy,-and thou, who knowest every secret movement and purpose of the will, even before it has assumed a shape which man can perceive,-thou knowest also what measure of suffering is best adapted for confirming man in the covenant of thy peace. Enable me to wait patiently for the influences of thy Holy Spirit; and may it be my constant endeavour to be found at all moments in the way of duty, that, in thy good time, thou mayest perfect that which concerneth me.

Give efficacy, O heavenly Father, for the benefit of my soul, to all the religious duties of this day,— make me humble, but also joyful, in thy house of prayer,—and in its exercises may I obtain a clearer

view of the plans of thy mercy, and a more perfect confidence in thy willingness to save.

And grant, O Lord, that the good effects of this season of humiliation may be seen upon me many days hence. May I henceforward be renewed in the spirit of my mind; and may my whole life be so ordered, that whatever I do may be well-pleasing in thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed all glory and honour, dominion and praise, world without end. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE EVENING OF A

DAY OF HUMILIATION.

PSALM li. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

BLESSED, O Lord, be thy name, that though we who dwell on this footstool of thy throne are but sinful dust and ashes, thou yet regardest us as a father regardeth his children; for thou knowest our frame,-thou rememberest that we are dust,-and thou hast opened up to us a new and living way to thy throne, through him whom thou hast set forth as the Mediator between God and man, and who, being touched with a feeling of our infirmities, is ever ready to present before thee the prayers of all contrite hearts.

It is of thy mercies, O Lord, that I am not consumed, and that thou hast not this day mingled my blood with my sacrifice. For my life has been

one continued act of disobedience to thy will,--and even with my holy services there has been united much imperfection and sin. Blessed, therefore, for ever blessed, be thy name, that thou hast not cut me off in my transgressions, but that thou hast this day permitted me to assemble with thy people in thy house of prayer, to pour out my confessions and supplications before thee, and to hear the joyful sound, that when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

O grant that the experience I have had of thy long-suffering may melt my heart into genuine contrition. May I now learn to regard thee, not as an enemy to my peace, but as my best friend and gracious protector,—as a Being who is well pleased when his creatures return from the evil of their ways, and who, though he chastises them when they go astray, and will finally inflict awful punishment on the disobedient, is also gracious and ready to pardon, and seeks only, by all his chastisements, to restore his offspring to their best happiness. Under this impression of thy constant love, may I flee with humble, but yet with undoubting confi