in Jesus Christ, my blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. 25. On the example of Christ. [Bp. Jer. Taylor.] O blessed Lord, at whose birth a chorus of Angels sang praises to God, and proclaimed peace to man, sanctify my will and my affections, make me to be within the conditions of peace, that I may be holy and subdued in my inclinations, as becomes one who ministers in the offices of the Church which Thou hast established upon earth; a despiser of the world and its outward vanities; humble and charitable; that by thy eminent example I may be so fixed in the designs and prosecutions of the ends of God, and a blessed eternity, that I may be unmoved by the terrors of the world, unaltered with its allurements and seductions, not ambitious of its honors, not anxiously desirous of its fulness and plenty; but make me, in imitation of thy example, diligent in my ministry, faithful in the discharge of my trust, modest in my desires, content in all the dispensations of thy providence; that in such dispositions, I may receive and entertain (as it were) visitations from Heaven, and revelations of the mysteries and blessings of the Gospel; that I may thus appear in thy presence, see thy beauties, admire thy graces, and imitate all thy imi table excellencies; and rest in Thee for ever in this world, by the perseverance of an holy and comfortable life, and in the world to come, by a participation of thy heavenly glories and felicities. Grant this for thy mercy's sake, O blessed Saviour. Amen. 26. For an imitation of the primitive Disciples. [Bp. Jer. Taylor.] O eternal and ever blessed Jesus, who didst choose Disciples to be witnesses of thy life and miracles; thus adopting man to participate in the great employment of bringing us to Heaven by the means of an holy doctrine; give me grace to follow their faith, and imitate their lives, while they imitate Thee; that I also, an humble servant in thy Church, in my capacity and ability, may be earnestly and fervently engaged in giving my assistance to the spiritual building, by prayers and holy discourses, by brotherly admonition and friendly exhortation; promoting the eternal interests of those with whom I shall converse. [May I use the authority of my holy office in every way most advantageous to my flock, strengthening those that are diseased among them, healing those that are sick, binding up those that are broken, and bringing again those that have been driven away. Give me thy assistance, that, at however great the dis tance, I may still be an imitator of those who were imitators of Christ, for his sake, my blessed Lord and Saviour.] Amen. 27. A Sunday evening prayer. [Brewster.] O Thou that hearest prayer, unto whom all flesh should come, hear my meditation and prayer on the evening of this holy day, sanctified by thy name. By thy special grace and favor, I have ministered in the congregation of thy Church, and presented before Thee the spiritual incense which becomes thy service. Grant my ministration may not have increased my offences; but that I may always present my heart, as well as my words, cleansed from the pollution of the world, and fit for my devotion to a pure and holy God. I cannot but feel the comfort of having been admitted to so great a privilege. The pleasures of thy house occupy my breast; and I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eye-lids to slumber, neither the temples of my head to take any rest, until I have acknowledged my unfeigned gratitude to Thee, O God, who hast blessed us with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ. Amongst the greatest of thy favors, these may justly be esteemed, that Thou dost not refuse to hear the supplications of thy servants, but that thine ear is ever open to their prayer; and that when two or three are ga thered together in thy name, O blessed Lord, Thou wilt be in the midst of us. Let me feel that calm delight which arises from a sense of thy presence; and may I always experience that true, pure, and unadulterated happiness, which is to be found in the multitude of sound believers. Let the reflection that I have this day paid Thee an acceptable service, smooth the pillow of my bed, compose my fluctuating spirits, and give me rest. And when, in thy good time, thou shalt call me from the sleep of death, to be a member of the Church of the first-born, and the communion of saints in Heaven, every holy expectation may be realised, every pleasure improved, every delightful sensation increased, till my redemption be fully completed by Thee, O blessed Jesus! through whose merits only I expect salvation. Amen. PORTION V. 28. Prayer before Study. [Bp. Wilson.] O God, the fountain of all wisdom, in a deep sense of my own ignorance, and of that great charge which lies upon me, I am constrained to come often before Thee, from whom I have learned whatever I know, to ask that help without which I shall disquiet myself in vain. Most humbly beseeching Thee to guide me with thine eye: to enlighten my mind, that I may see myself, and teach others the wonders of thy law; that I may learn from Thee what I ought to think and speak concerning Thee. Direct and bless all the labors of my mind: give me a discerning spirit, a sound judgement, and an honest and religious heart. And grant that in all my studies, my first aim may be to set forth thy glory, and to set forward the salvation of mankind; that I may give a good account of my time, when all our labours shall be tried. And if Thou art pleased that, by my ministry, sinners shall be converted, and thy kingdom enlarged, give me the grace of humility, that I may never ascribe the success to myself, but to thy Holy Spirit, which enables me to will, and to do, according to thy good pleasure. Grant this, O Father of all light and truth, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen. 29. Against sloth. [Bp. Wilson.] O God, who hast given me an active spirit, and many opportunities of doing Thee service, give me grace to make use of all occasions, public and private, of serving Thee faithfully in my generation and ministry; make me to abhor that sloth which is disgraceful in all, but particularly in a Minister of the Gospel, which leads into an entire insensibility 8 |