his people free; the liberty from sinful bondage, the liberty to follow my Lord carefully, and to run the way of thy commands with an enlarged heart. And, Lord, be thou pleased to fit me for, and teach and help me, in the service to which I am called ; that I may perform it to the glory of thy name, to the pleasure and welfare of those whom I serve, and my own best advantage and comfort. O make me true and faithful, careful and diligent, humble and obedient, meek and patient; doing the business of my place, not with eye-service as a man-pleaser, but in singleness of heart, fearing God: not peevish and froward, but apt to forbear, and deny myself; not answering again, to stir up wrath; but with silence and submission, following the things that make for peace; watchful of the credit and interest of my employer, as one that would be found faithful in the sight of my God, who seeth in secret, and searcheth the very heart: and make me, I beseech thee, so devout towards thee, that thou mayest mercifully accept me, and my service, for the sake of thy beloved Son, my blessed Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE MAGISTRATE'S PRAYER.

O THоυ great and supreme Ruler of all the world, by whom all the governors on earth are set up, to restrain the unruly, and to favor thy people; make me rather to tremble at my accountability, than to

be proud of my office; and in the fear of the Lord, may I ever be careful to execute that which is righteous in the sight of God; and with all faithfulness to discharge my trust, as one that must be judged myself. And seeing the eyes of men are upon me, and my example must have greater influence than that of a private man, O make me, Lord, more vigilant and cautious in the inspection of myself and the ordering of my conversation aright; that I may not embolden others to commit such wickedness as I ought to punish; nor be a scandal and grief of heart to the holy followers of Jesus, whom I am set up to sustain and comfort. Make me ever ready and forward to defend, and countenance, all the oppressed and destitute, especially such as live godly in Christ Jesus. Assist me with prudent but courageous zeal to exert my authority in a vindication of thy glory; that the interest of thy kingdom, and the welfare of thy Church and chosen, may be ever next my heart. Above all things, may I seek the things of Jesus Christ; and so truly and impartially minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue, that after my advancement here, I may not be cast down in eternity; nor receive a dreadful doom, for betraying my trust, and abusing my authority; but may appear with comfort and joy before my Judge, pardoned, and sanctified, and justified by the blood of the Lord Jesus, and by the mercies of my God. Amen.

A CLERGYMAN'S PRAYER FOR HIMSELF.

O BLESSED JESUS, my Lord and my God, who hast called me to the office which thou wast pleased to take upon thyself, and who camest not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give thyself a ransom for many; all glory be to thee, who hast been pleased so to dignify me. But as thou thyself, the head of the corner, art to some a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; so thy messengers are to them that perish, the savour of death unto death, as well as to them that are saved, the savour of life unto life. And if thy wise and holy servant asked, Who is sufficient for these things, well may I, a weak and sinful wretch, tremble under the work of the ministry, lest the blood of those that perish, through my neglect and default, should be required at my hands; and lest when I have showed others the way to heaven, I myself should be shut out. But I look unto thee, O Lord, my life, my strength, and my redeemer, who hast appointed me in this station, to accomplish me also for it. O thou that ordainest strength out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, magnify thy power in my weakness; and show thyself so graciously and mightily on my behalf, that I may do all things as I ought, through Christ strengthening me. O let me learn from thee what I shall teach concerning thee. Open my understanding, O Lord, that I may well understand the Scriptures, and rightly

divide the word of truth; and be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. O put such thoughts into my mind, and such words into my mouth, that out of the abundance of my heart, my mouth may speak to the glory of thy name, and to the edification of those to whom I make my application. O make me wise to win souls, and watchful over them, as one that must give an account; not entangling myself in the affairs of this life, but waiting on my ministry; taking heed to myself, and to my doctrine; studying to show myself approved of God, and thoroughly furnished to every good work. Give me skill and conduct, prudently to steer my course through all difficulties in my way; and give me patience and courage to withstand all assaults and opposition which I have to encounter. O my Lord, be with me, and guide, and help, and strengthen me, now and always, in the great work lying upon me. Open to me a door of utterance, that I may speak thy word as I ought to speak; and make me faithful, and diligent, and successful in my sacred calling: doing thy work as thy workman, that need not be ashamed; not preaching myself, but Christ Jesus the Lord; not seeking the praise of men, but the honor of my God. Yea, make me an example of all the holy properties and praise-worthy practices, which I preach to others; that I may not lay upon them the burdens which I refuse to bear myself, but go before them in the ways which they

are to follow; holding forth the word of life in my conversation, as well as in my doctrine, that I may shine with a convincing light to them, and not lay a stumbling-block before them: neither making the heart of the righteous sad, nor strengthening the hands of the wicked, nor giving just offence to any; but approving myself, as far as I am able, useful and beneficial unto all; keeping under my body, and bringing it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

And, O thou that givest the increase, command a blessing, I pray thee, upon all my studies and endeavors, that I may not spend my strength for nought, nor labor in vain; but that I may make full proof of my ministry, and be instrumental through thy grace, to convert the unconverted, and to build up them that are in any measure sanctified; and so to save myself, and those that hear me, that when I have finished my course, I may give an account of my stewardship with joy, and not with grief: and receive the crown of righteousness at thy hands, not for my merits, but for thy mercies' sake. Amen, Amen.

SECOND PRAYER FOR A MINISTER.

GOD, and Father of mercy, I present myself, in humble adoration before thee, ardently desirous of knowing thy will, and earnestly supplicating the