employed in Thy service, and to Thy glory! O that I may walk before Thee in the constant awe of Thy sacred Presence! and insuch a devout and heavenly frame of mind, as may dispose me to be frequently lifting up my heart unto Thee in acts of adoration and thanksgiving, resignation and depend

ence.

Guard me with Thy blessed angels: Preserve me from the power of wicked spirits, and from a wicked world. Let Thy good Spirit direct and guide me; regulate my words, and order my conversation aright; and so influence me in all my actions and behaviour, that I may neither omit any opportunity of doing good, nor yield unto any temptation to the commission of evil.

Enlighten mine understanding in the knowledge of Thy truth, sanctify mine affections, and bring my will to a perfect conformity to Thy holy will. Lord, teach me how to pray; how to hear and read Thy holy word. Let not the reproaches or menaces of ungodly men make me ashamed or afraid to own myself Thy servant; but give me courage and wisdom to do my duty, what dangers or difficulties soever shall attend the doing of it. Make me all that Thou likest, and pardon and reform in me whatever offends Thee; that being

sanctified with Thy grace, and living in Thy fear and service, I may die in Thy favour, and at the general resurrection in the last day may be numbered with Thy saints in glory everlasting, through the merits of Thine only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE MORE SOLEMN DEVOTIONS FOR THE

MORNING.

¶ Read a chapter in the Bible, or one of the Sections of the preliminary instructions.

Prayer for Grace to worship God acceptably.

O ETERNAL and most glorious God! The great Creator, gracious Preserver, and wise Governor of the world! Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! Which was, and is, and is to come! Blessed for evermore! I sinful dust and ashes, in a deep sense of my own weakness and wretchedness, and an humble dependence on Thine infinite power and goodness, present myself before the throne of Thy Grace, to offer up my morning sacrifice of prayer and

thanksgiving. O Thou that hearest prayer, and of Whose only gift it cometh that we are able to pray unto Thee as we ought, mercifully look upon mine infirmities; and send down Thy Holy Spirit of Grace and Supplication upon me, that I may worship Thee in spirit and in truth; with such fixedness of mind, and fervency of desire; such humility, reverence, faith, and charity, as Thou wilt be graciously pleased to accept, through the mediation of Jesus Christ, Thine only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Confession of sins, and Petitions for pardon and grace.

O LORD, I am not worthy so much as to lift up mine eyes to that Holy Place where Thou dwellest, Who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity! My very nature is corrupt, extremely prone to evil, and impotent and averse to that which is good and in the course of my life I have grievously offended Thy Divine Majesty, by innumerable transgressions of Thy holy laws, in thought, word, and deed; and that too, often against the dictates of my own conscience; and the motions of Thy Blessed Spirit; and the most solemn engagements and vows to the contrary. Lord,

I confess that I do most justly deserve to be for ever banished from Thy presence, and to have my portion with the devil and his angels, in the lake that burneth with unquenchable fire.

My God! I have no hope but in Thy tender mercies, which are over all Thy works; and in the merits of Thine ever-blessed Son our Saviour, in Whom (we know) Thou art well pleased. O remember that full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, which He made upon the Cross for the sins of the whole world: And for His sake forgive, I humbly beseech Thee, all my sins; and by the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, make me deeply sensible of the great evil of them; and work in me a hearty contrition for them. Turn me, O Lord, that I may turn unto Thee with all my heart, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance.

Holy Father! graciously vouchsafe to give me of that Spirit which renews us after Thine own image, in righteousness and true holiness. Shed the light of Thy grace abroad in my heart, and stir up all the powers and faculties of my soul to praise and glorify Thee, the God of the spirits of all flesh, in Whom we live, and move, and have our being. Deliver me, I pray Thee, from the bondage of sin, and from a slavish spirit in the ways of religion;

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and quicken me with Thy free Spirit, that I may run the way of Thy commandments with delight and cheerfulness; and be always ready to do what Thou wouldst have me to do; and willing to suffer what Thou wouldst have me to suffer.

Dispose me more especially to a conscientious and cheerful attendance on the duties of my station; *or sacred calling ;] and daily increase in me those graces and virtues that are necessary to the acceptable performance of all such good works as Thou hast prepared for me to walk in. [* or to the due execution of the great trust committed to me.] Give me, O Lord, the spirit of knowledge and understanding; of wisdom and counsel; of uprightness and integrity; meekness and humility; patience and gentleness; of courage and constancy; vigilance and industry. Above all, fill me with an ardent love of Thee my God, and of my Saviour Jesus Christ; and with a most tender concern for the glory of Thy name, and the good of mankind; [* or for the good of those souls committed to my charge, that I may watch over them and feed them as the sheep of Christ, whom He bought with His death, and for whom He shed His blood; that I may diligently improve all the

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