gressions, let them not arise in judgment against me; but do thou, who forgivest all sins to those who are truly penitent, so soften, and purify, and humble my heart, that my future life may be a sacrifice of obedience, well-pleasing in thy sight,—and that, hereafter, I may be among the number of those who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

And now, unto thee, O Lord, who alone canst keep me from falling,—to him who gave his life to redeem us from sin,-and to that blessed Spirit, who is the quickener of all contrite hearts, be glory, both now and for evermore. Amen.

PRAYER

TO BE SAID FOR A PERSON WHO IS IN DANGEROUS

SICKNESS.

ROM. viii. 38, 39. I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to

come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,. shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

LORD, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction, and thou

sayest again, Return, ye children of men.

For a

thousand years are in thy sight as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.

It becomes us, O Lord, to bless thy holy name, for all the goodness thou hast made to pass before us in the land of the living. It was thy fatherly love that gave us our place among thy rational creatures; during the helpless years of infancy and of youth thou wast our guide and defence,-in maturer life thou hast strengthened and sustained us,—thou hast made even the afflictions of life means of good,

and, amidst the trials that have been appointed for us in this our earthly pilgrimage, thou hast often wrought for us a great deliverance. For all these instances of thy loving-kindness we now offer unto thee our fervent and humble thanks,-for thou hast ever been to us as a shepherd,-and goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives.

But blessed, above all, be thy name, that this is not the only scene on which we are destined to exist; for we know that in our father's house there are many mansions, and that all the events of time are but intended to prepare those who submit to thy will for the eternal happiness of thy heavenly kingdom.

What shall we render unto thee, O Lord, for all

this goodness? Our best services are mingled with imperfection. We dare not presume to ask acceptance for any thing that we are able to perform. But, for the sake of thy beloved Son, for the sake of him who was made man, and who suffered for us, and who now appears as our great High Priest in heaven,-for his sake, O most merciful Father, hear us, while in this season of affliction, and in this house of suffering, we ask of thee that mercy and support which thou hast promised to all them that pray in faith.

Peace, from the everlasting Father of consolations, peace be upon this house, and upon all who are in it. Oh! send forth thy strengthening and comforting Spirit to dissipate all darkness, and fearfulness, and impatience; and whilst thou art afflicting thy servants to try their fidelity, send also into their hearts those secret consolations which this world can neither give nor take away.

Hear us, O our God, while, in an especial manner, we entreat thy favouring providence in behalf of thy servant who is now lying under thine afflicting hand. Rebuke, if it be consistent with the purposes of thy providence, rebuke, we beseech thee, his (or her)

present indisposition, and do thou, who commandest the sea, and it is still, send him (or her), in the way that shall seem best to thy wisdom, a great deliverance, for thy mercy's sake.

But if it is the purpose of thy wisdom still to chasten and to try him (or her), grant, we beseech thee, that improvement of his (or her) trial, by which affliction may become to him (or her) great gain. Grant him (or her) the blessing of a patient, humble, resigned, and believing mind. May no secret repinings or open lamentations betray the existence of any spirit of unbelief,—but, considering him (or her) self to be now tried by the hand of God, who employs ordinary causes as the instruments of his providence, may he (or she) preserve his (or her) spirit in perfect patience.

And grant, we beseech thee, that in this season of affliction, the excellence and value of thy blessed word, and the high privilege of devotional duties, may be more deeply felt. May thy servant now perceive that these only can afford that triumph over the world which this season demands,—and that there is a joy of the heart in communion with God, and in perfect resignation to the appointments