is not an immediate part of it, be regulated by prudence, and restrained by severity. May my mind never be alienated from the discharge of ecclesiastical functions, nor diverted from the attainment of evangelical holiness. May I never forget that I am, in thy holy Church, a guide to the blind, and a light to them that are in darkness; lest after having preached to others, and warned them against the allurements of temptation, and the power of sinful habits, I should myself be treacherously overcome by the one, and everlastingly ruined by the other. Grant me to be a watchful shepherd, preserving by salutary counsels, and through prayer without ceasing, the flock within the fold, which I have undertaken to instruct in faith, and deliver from danger.

Impress me with such a sense of the station which I am appointed to fill, that I may devote all the faculties of my soul, to a faithful discharge of it: let me never forget, that, whether it is obscure or exalted, I am equally an ambassador of the King of kings, and a servant of the Lord of lords. Thus honored, may no temptations of interest, or pleasure, relax the exertions necessary in bringing souls to a knowledge of the truth, and of their moral condition; to a holy trust in thy providence, and an uniform obedience to thy Gospel. May every discourse which I deliver, be calculated by thy divine blessing, to awaken the thoughtless, and alarm the impenitent, or to establish the righteous

in the ways of godliness, and comfort those that mourn. When I "preach thy laws, and take thy covenant in my mouth," let me not be satisfied with the persuasion, that the discourse is ingenious in its composition, solid in its arguments, or elegant in its style. Rather, O God, may it penetrate the hearts, and supply the wants of those "very many in the open valley, who are very dry;" and may thy spirit, in the delivery of it, say unto them, “O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." Put thy converting spirit into them, and they shall live. Awaken them from the deadly torpor of an unsanctified heart; convince them of their guilt and danger without Christ; and, if it seem good unto thee, leave them no rest, until they have trembled in fear of the penalties, and have embraced the invitations and promises, of his everlasting Gospel. "Pour upon them the spirit of grace and of supplication." May the temple, in which we assemble to worship thee, exhibit a congregation, not collected by the power of habit, but actuated with reverence and godly fear. Suffer them not to present themselves before thee with unprepared minds, approaching thee with their lips, whilst their hearts are far from thee. But do thou inscribe on their souls this awful sentiment-"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God." And when we thus call upon thy name, with grateful praises, with deep reverence, and a sense of our continual dependence

upon thee, O do thou hear us; graciously say, It is my people; that we, in humble thankfulness, may say, The Lord is our God.

But whatever shall be the effect of thy holy word in my mouth; whether I am encouraged by the increase of morals, and the prevalence of piety; or humbled and depressed by ignorance of thy laws, and contempt of thy promises, let me not be discontented and impatient, but wait thy good time, when it shall please thee to give the increase. May judgment direct, and zeal stimulate me to try every method and expedient, to convert sinners unto thee. And O, thou Saviour of sinners, if it be thy blessed will, let me not labor in vain. May the hearts of all those over whom thou hast appointed me to watch, receive the word with meekness, apply it with fidelity, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. Grant that the quiet of families, the obedience of servants, the kindness of masters, the duty of children, and the affection of parents, may all result from my preaching of thy holy word. And may it be thy good pleasure, to make a covenant of peace with them, to set thy sanctuary in the midst of them, that they may be thy people, and thou their God, in truth and in righteousness. Produce, I humbly implore thee, this conversion unto thee, in all over whom thou hast made me thy steward; that as often as thou shalt call them to thy awful tribunal, I may have the consolation of believing that they have died in thy faith and

fear; that their peace was made with thee; and that their names were written in the book of life.

When I pray that all the flock may be thine, humbly and earnestly do I beseech thee, that the shepherd may not be abandoned of thee. Let not my unworthiness to minister at thy altar, be the cause of my reprobation; but when thou shalt summon me to give an account of my stewardship -of my behaviour as a man, of my piety as a Christian, and of my fidelity as a minister-grant that my soul may be supported by faith, and enlivened with hope; that the retrospect of a life passed in conformity to thy Gospel, in preaching thy word, and promoting thy glory, may enable me to rejoice with the apostle, in exclaiming-"I have fought a good fight."

And O may thy Gospel dispense its benign influence through every land: may it be faithfully preached, and conscientiously practised; and effect, in the hands of all thy ministers, the everlasting salvation of those to whom they announce it. But, above all, I humbly entreat thee, that thy providence may, in an especial manner, be extended over thy Church, which thy own right hand hath planted; do thou be pleased to dwell in the midst of it, that it may be called "the pillar of the truth, and the mountain of the Lord of Hosts, the holy mountain." Extend the knowledge and love of its pure doctrines and primitive worship: root out prejudices against it; turn all its members from

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 congregation 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