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the vanities and pride of life; increase in them a spirit of true godliness; and do thou in mercy "make of them a name and praise among all people of the earth." May the holy and zealous lives of its ministers be its brightest ornaments; and may discord and schism be extirpated from the habitation of thy house. May the voice of joy and salvation be heard in every dwelling; and may the several families of which each congrega ́tion is composed, erect an altar unto thee, and may they daily offer upon it an oblation of great gladness; saying, blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto God, for ever and ever. I ask all in the name of Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep. Amen.

THIRD PRAYER FOR A CLERGYMAN.

ALMIGHTY GOD, who by thy providence hast brought me into thy immediate service, accept of my desire of serving thee; and grant that in the sincerity of my soul I may perform the several duties of my calling and the vows that are upon me. Blessed be thy good Spirit, that ever it came into my heart to become thy minister. May the same good Spirit make me truly sensible of the honor and danger of so great a trust, and of the account I am to render to thee.

O thou Sovereign Pastor! who gavest thy life

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for the sheep, grant that I may never sacrifice thy flock to my own ease, convenience, profit, or pleasure; but may I employ my time, my substance, my care, my labor, my prayers, for their welfare continually, and thus, at least, give my life for the sheep. O thou good Shepherd! I beseech thee for myself and for my flock; seek us, lead, defend, and preserve us, to life eternal.

Almighty God, who hast made me a guide to others, suffer me not to go astray myself. Give me grace that I may never follow the inclinations of corrupted nature, nor govern myself according to the maxims of an evil world; but give me the spirit, as well as the character, of a minister of Jesus Christ.

O Holy Spirit of grace, sanctify my heart, that no base or impure thought, no mean and covetous affections may lodge there. Govern my tongue that no corrupt communication may proceed out of my mouth; guard my eyes; purify my hands: guide my feet; order my whole life; that, by the powerful influence of a good example, as well as by my teaching, I may lead the people committed to my care in the ways of truth and eternal life; and that no irregularity in my conversation may ever render my instructions ineffectual, or the ways of religion to be evil spoken of.

O God, give me a true and prudent humility, that I may attend the flock of Christ as a servant, look on him as my pattern, study his conduct and

spirit, spend and be spent for my flock. Inflame my heart with an ardent love for thy word, an ardent zeal for thy glory, with a pure and disinterested love for thy Church, and with an earnest desire of establishing thy kingdom in the world.

Almighty God, of whom alone cometh the increase, grant thy blessings on all my ministrations, that they may be effectual to the awakening of the secure, to the comfort of the desponding, to the strengthening of sincere believers in the faith and virtues of the Gospel. O increase, by my labors, the number and the graces of all such as love, and fear, and honor thy holy name.

Assist me by thy good Spirit, that I may apply a proper cure for all the spiritual maladies of my flock; that I may reprove with prudence and with mildness; and like thee, my blessed Master, "bind up the broken-hearted, and comfort those that mourn." And may I never "cease my labor, my care and diligence, until I have done all that lieth in me," both by my public ministrations and private labors, to bring all who are committed to my charge, to an agreement in the faith and knowledge of God, and to ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ.

And grant, O God, that my care and conduct in the Church of God may appear in the order and piety of my own family. O heavenly Father, bless and take us under thy gracious protection; make us an household fearing God, and examples to others of order, diligence, faithfulness, and piety.

O gracious Lord, look down in mercy upon thy Church which thou hast purchased with thy most precious blood. Save it from heresy and schism. Provide it with faithful laborers, such as shall have a true compassion for the souls committed to their care, and a knowledge and zeal answerable to the account they are to give. Govern especially, the minds of thy servants, the bishops of thy Church, that they may be "faithful, in ordaining others," and never through fear, favor, interest, or negligence, promote any person to the sacred charge of Christ's flock. "May they be so merciful as not to be too remiss, and so minister discipline, that they forget not mercy." And may all presbyters and deacons be mindful of their solemn vows,

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reverently to obey those who have the charge and government over them;" that so order, unity, and peace reigning in thy Church, it may finally become a joy and praise throughout the earth. Direct all those who are designed to serve at thy altar. Bless them in their persons, their studies, their intentions. Almighty God, sanctify the persons and labors of the ministers of thy Church, that they may be respected by their people, and for thy authority in them be heard and obeyed. Thus faithfully fulfilling our course, when the chief Shepherd shall appear, may we all receive the never fading crown of glory, and be admitted into everlasting joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.

OFFICE FOR SOCIETIES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF CHRISTIANITY; TO BE USED EITHER DURING THEIR MEETINGS, OR AT OHER SEASONS.

OUR Father, &c.

Almighty God, who hatest nothing, &c. (Collect for Lent.)

Direct us, O Lord, &c. (Prayer after the Communion Service.)

Blessed Lord, who hast caused, &c. (Second Sunday in Advent.)

Almighty God, who showest, &c. (Third Sunday after Easter.)

Lord of all power and might, &c. (Seventh Sunday after Trinity.)

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Most merciful God, we render to thee our thanks and praise, for having given to us thine only Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth, and the life; who having finished his ministry on earth, commissioned his Apostles, and through them a succession of pastors to the end of time, to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. We implore thy blessing on all endeavors for the extending, or continuing, the glad tidings of thy salvation. Prosper, we beseech thee, all societies instituted for the distribution of the Holy Scriptures; or for the translating of them into different languages; or for the converting of heathen nations; or for the gathering, in this land, or elsewhere, of congregations in which thy word may

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