1

A MORNING PRAYER,

to be used every day in the week.

O let me hear thy loving kindness betimes in the morning, for in thee is my trust: show thou me the way that I should walk in, for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psal, exliii. 8.

O Most mighty and gracious God, to whom I am indebted for all the good things I enjoy ; for in thee I live, and move, and have my being; I desire to adore and bless thy glorious name, humbly beseeching thee to accept this my morning sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the comfortable refreshment of the night past, for thy preservation of me [and my family, and all that belongs to me] from fire, robbery, and tempest, and from all perils and dangers, and especially for bringing me in health and safety to the beginning of this day; in which I beseech thee, O Lord, to keep me without sin.

Give me awful thoughts of thy Divne Majesty, and such an humble, serious, and devout frame of mind, that my adoration may not rest in a mere outward form of godliness, but that I may always offer unto thee a lively sacrifice, holy and acceptable in thy sight.

Be with me, O Lord, this day in all places and upon all occasions: direct and guide me, sanctify and preserve me keep me both outwardly in my body, and inwardly in my soul: defend me

from the power and malice of the devil, from the corruptions of my own sinful nature, and from those sins especially, that seem most habitual to me. Pardon, I beseech thee, all the sins I have at any time committed. Grant that I may die unto sin, and rise again unto righteousness; that henceforth being freed from sin, all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in me.

AN EVENING PRAYER,

to be used any day in the week.

Lord let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense, and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. Psal. cxli. 2.

O LORD! thou hatest iniquity with a perfect hatred, yet I am assured, that thou delightest in the ways of mercy; that thou art a tender lover of souls, and not only permittest, but invitest us, miserable creatures, to come unto thee. With humble confidence, then, O Lord, I lift up my soul unto thee, beseeching thee, in much mercy, to look upon me, and to ease me of the burden of my corrupt and sinful inclinations.

Forgive, I meekly beseech thee, whatever I have done amiss this day, and all my life past, either against thee, my neighbour, or myself; O cleanse me from all my secret and unknown transgressions—and, () merciful Father, grant that I may seriously consider and reflect upon

the foulness and deformity of sin, and what dreadful threatenings thou hast denounced against it that I may become a true and sincere mourner for my past sins; and, as far as is possible, redeem my mispent time, by employing the remainder of my days in thy service, and to thy glory.

Give me, O Lord, a new heart, new affections, and new desires; that I may love thee with more sincerity, and serve thee with greater faithfulness than I have ever yet done.

Teach me, O Lord, so to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto true wisdom.

Let me never be separated from thee; but grant that I may be of the number of thy faithful and obedient servants, who are united to thee by grace and good works in this life, and will hereafter live with thee in endless bliss and happiness. And,

Grant that in the days of health and prosperity, I may consider my latter end, and remember and provide for that great account, which I must one day give before the judgment seat of Christ; that when the hour of my departure shall come, I may meet death without fear and amazement; and with a well grounded hope of thy mercy and goodness, may cheerfully resign up my soul into thy hands; and may be willing and even desirous to leave this world, when thou, my God, in thy great wisdom, shall see it fitting.

Be mindful, O Lord, of all that are in any affliction or distress. Relieve and comfort those that suffer for the testimony of a good conscience, or that labour under the torments of a wounded spirit. Let the sorrowful sighing of the afflicted come before thee; and deliver them, in thy good time, out of all their troubles.

A SERMON FOR CHILDREN.

Isaiah, chap. xl. verse 11.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and carry them in his bosom.

MANY of you, my little friends, have spent your pleasantest hours amidst the beauties of the garden, and the flowers of the field: and have you not, in your little rambles, seen the skipping lambs looking innocently gay, and sporting by the side of their dams? It delighted you to see them thus happy, and enjoying themselves in the cheerful sunshine; but, perhaps, at other times, you have seen the tender creatures exposed to stormy winds, or pinching frost; your little hearts have pitied them, and been ready to fear that the severity of the winter would destroy them. In this distressed situation, how delightful to see the kind shepherd come to their relief,

gather them together, and lead them to a place of shelter and safety!

Delightful indeed! to see him take up the tender and feeble in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, till the little creatures are revived and cherished; but children, I can tell you a more pleasing and wonderful thing than this. You have heard of Jesus Christ. the Son of God, who came down from heaven to save sinners.You have heard how great and glorious a person he was before he came into our world. will it not surprise you to hear, that this Jesus calls himself a shepherd? His people, those who love and serve him, he calls his sheep; and the young and tender, such as you are, he calls his lambs.

And

He calls you lambs, because like them you are young, innocent, and helpless; and like them you fly to others for safety and protection.

You are but of yesterday, and know but little: little indeed of the God that made you, of the Saviour who came to redeem you. You know little of the world in which you live, or of that world in which you are to live for ever. You stand in need of daily instruction, both in the concerns of your soul and body; but your compassionate shepherd has promised that he will feed his flock; he will feed you with the sincere milk of his word, that you may grow thereby.