evil habits, and to keep me stedfast in every promise and resolution that I made before thee in the day of my distress; all which I do now, in thy presence, most sincerely and heartily renew. And I beseech thee, let me never be drawn to forget or neglect them, either by the cares and pleasures of this world, or by the hopes of a long continuance in it; but give me grace always to make eternity my chief care and concern; and let thy late gracious warning of mortality teach me the uncertainty of my abode upon earth, and oblige me to live in a daily preparation to die. That so, having duly profited by thy fatherly chastisement, and employing the remainder of my days to thy glory, and the salvation of my own soul, I may be found watching whenever my appointed time shall come, and may change this frail state of mortality for an immortal crown of glory. All which I humbly beg of thee, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, my blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

BISHOP GIBSON.

FOR GRACE TO SUFFER AS A GOOD CHRISTIAN.

O BLESSED Jesus, who in thy wise providence thinkest fit sometimes to call thy faithful servants to bear their cross, and to

suffer for thy sake, who didst suffer a most ignominious death for them; bring me not to suffer till thou hast fitted and prepared me for it, and lay no more upon me than thou wilt enable me willingly and thankfully to bear. Let me not rashly expose myself to danger without thy call, nor suffer for mine own fancy or folly, or for any wilful or affected error; but preserve me stedfast in the belief of thy heavenly and opposed truths, and undaunted in the profession of them. Let me not take the liberty of transgressing some of the duties of thy holy religion, while I suffer for others; nor hope ever to recommend myself, or my sufferings, to thy acceptance, without having an eye to all thy laws, and paying an entire obedience to all thy holy commandments. Give me

patience to bear my cross, without being faint or weary, and meekness to bear with my persecutors, and charity to pray for and bless them. And when my afflictions press hardest upon me, let the graces and comforts of thy Holy Spirit abound most in me, and looking up to thee, the Author and Finisher of our faith, I may cheerfully endure the cross, and despise the shame, and through much tribulation enter into thy heavenly kingdom. Amen. Blessed Jesus,

Amen.

KETTLEWELL

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FOR SUBMISSION TO THE WILL OF GOD UNDER LOSS OF PROPERTY OR FRIENDS.

O MOST holy Lord God, the supreme Lord and Governor of the world, who art unsearchable in thy wisdom, unspotted in thy justice, and irresistible in thy power; whose goodness hath no bounds, but what thy wise and holy will gives unto it; and art immutable in these, and all other perfections, the great God, most blessed for ever;-it is most reasonable and agreeable to our nature, most profitable and convenient to our interest, most satisfactory and suitable to our wisest choice, by an absolute and quiet submission in all things to thy sovereign wisdom, justice, and goodness, to declare our fear and reverence of thee, our unfeigned love to thee and desires to please thee, our trust and confidence in thee, and ready disposition to obey thee.

In a full persuasion of thy unerring providence over us, and infinite charity towards us, I here most humbly and freely resign all my thoughts and desires unto thee, submitting myself entirely to thy orders, and resolving by thy gracious assistance to rest contented with whatsoever thou appointest. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord (Job i. 21). Blessed be thy name, who hast continued to me so long the enjoyment

of so many good things. Blessed be thy name, that I had any thing to part withal, whereby I may testify my faith in thee, and affection to thee. Blessed be thy name, that I have any of the comforts of this life still remaining, and that they are not all taken away from me. I have nothing too great, or too dear, to be resigned to thee, from whose bounty I received all I have, and who art my best and my eternal Friend.

O, that no repining thoughts may arise in my heart, to disorder and discompose my duty towards thee or towards my neighbour; | but help me rather to think wherein I have offended thee, and carefully to amend it; to place my affections more stedfastly on those unmovable things which are above; to lay up my treasure and hope in heaven, and to prepare myself, by perfecting my purity, and thankfulness, and patience, and all other virtues, to be translated thither, where our life is hid in thee with Christ Jesus.

I thank thee, O Father of mercies, that thou hast given us such everlasting consolation, through thy grace in him. Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name for ever and ever, for those exceeding great and precious promises which thou hast given us, to support and comfort us in all the troubles of this life. Increase my faith, strengthen and confirm my hope; lift up my spirit continually to that blessed place

where Jesus is, that I may rejoice in hope of that immortal life, where all tears shall be wiped from our eyes, and there shall be no sighing nor sorrow any more; but we [who are now parted asunder] shall meet together to acknowledge, with eternal praises, thy wise and merciful providence, which, by ways most contrary to our desires, hath brought us to endless and undisturbed bliss.

Thou knowest, O Lord, the weakness and frailty of our nature; therefore vouchsafe unto me the constant assistance of thy good Spirit (for which I depend upon thee), to enable me to continue in this humble, quiet, and dutiful submission to thee, waiting for that peaceable and joyful repose in the eternal rest which thou hast prepared for thy people, through thy mercies in Christ Jesus; by whom all glory, honour, love, and obedience, be rendered to thee, by me and all mankind, both now and for ever. Amen.

BISHOP PATRICK.

FOR ONE WHO IS FULL OF DOUBTS.

O LORD, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, I acknowledge and adore thine eternal power, wisdom, and goodness. I render thee my most hearty thanks for all the benefits thou hast freely bestowed on me, from my first coming into the world

K