INTRODUCTORY PRAYER.

ALMIGHTY and most holy God, before whom the heavens which thou hast stretched out are not clean, and who dost humble thyself to accept the offering of all the blessed spirits which continually worship there, what can I bring into thy most awful presence? Thou knowest not only my wants, but my unworthiness and guilt; and the backwardness of my spirit to engage in these offices of prayer and praise is not hidden from thee. There is no life for my soul, unless it be united to Christ, to whom I cannot come except thou draw me: but thy promise is, whosoever cometh, I will in no wise cast out. O draw me then, most gracious Father, though I am far off, by the powerful influences of thy Holy Spirit; and unworthy as I am, accept me who would cast myself at the foot of thy mercy-seat. Give me such apprehensions of thy presence and observation, thy goodness and greatness, that my wandering thoughts may be fixed, my cold affections inflamed, my faith and hope invigorated, when I approach thee with the tribute of thanksgiving and praise. When I pray for temporal blessings and deliverances, may it be with an humble and submissive temper: and when for spiritual graces, I am wrestling with the angel of the covenant, may it be the language of my faith, I will not let thee go except thou bless me. Inspire me now with a deep veneration of thy majesty, of thine infinite perfections, of thy wonderful dispensations of old, and chasten my fear with an humble trust in thy promises. And while on earth I bow down in thy holy worship, do thou, O Lamb of God, seated at the right hand of the Father, by thy mighty intercession, through thy precious blood shedding, obtain for me an answer of mercy, the supply of my wants, and the life Amen. of my soul, now and for evermore.

ED.

COLLECTS

WHICH MAY BE ADDED TO EITHER OF THE PRAYERS FOR NOON IF THE READER SHOULD PREFER TO USE IT AS A MORNING OR EVENING PRAYER.

FOR THE MORNING.

O God, our heavenly Father, who hast brought us safely to the beginning of this day, defend us in the same by thy mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings, being ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

OR THIS:

O LORD, we humbly commend ourselves, and all that we love, or care for, to thy divine protection. and blessing. Let thy gracious providence go with us, and defend us in all the transactions of the day, and let thy Holy Spirit guide, console, strengthen, and sanctify us; that our thoughts, words, and actions, may be acceptable in thy sight, through the merits and mediation of thy Son.

FOR THE EVENING.

O LORD, our heavenly Father, by whose almighty power we have been preserved this day, by thy great mercy defend us, from all perils and dangers of this night, and refresh our bodies with sleep, and our souls with the graces and consolations of thy Holy Spirit, for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

OR THIS:

WE beseech thee, O heavenly Father, to whom we owe all our past comforts and privileges, to continue thy gracious protection to us this night. Defend us from all dangers and calamities, and from the fear of them; and grant that we may enjoy such healthful and refreshing sleep as may fit us for the duties of the following day, and for the renewed enjoyment of thy mercies, through the merits of thy Son.

FAMILY PRAYERS.

FIRST WEEK.

Sunday Morning.

PSALM XXV. 10.-All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he I will show them his covenant.

EPH. i. 3.-Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love.

PSALM 1xxxiv. 4.-Blessed are they that dwell in thy house they will be still praising thee. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord is a sun and a shield: he will give grace and glory: and` no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

ISAIAH lvi. 7.-Them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burntofferings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for my house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.