communicate them: that all my faculties may adore and worship thee, the source from whence they received their origin; and that the great care and business of my life may be to provide for that happiness, which thou hast made me capable of, and which can only be obtained by a patient continuance in well-doing. Let not the concerns of this short and uncertain life make me neglect the things which are eternal. Let not the faint images of honour, and the empty scenes of pleasure, fill my soul, which was created for the most perfect and satisfactory enjoyments, even the assurance of eternal life by the resurrection of thy Son. Let me live under the constant sense of these precious promises, that they may support me under all the afflictions and calamities of this life; and so comfort and strengthen me at the hour of death, that I may cheerfully submit to my dissolution, knowing that when this earthly tabernacle shall crumble into dust, I have an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, through the merits of Jesus Christ, who died for my sins, and rose again for my justification. Amen

For a Removal of the Obstacles to Belief.

MOST gracious God, who art the author and giver of all good things, assist me by the influ. ence of thy grace, that I may mortify all those inordinate and corrupt inclinations of my heart, which oppose the belief of thy holy and heavenly truths. Enable me to conquer mine evil habits, and to govern mine unruly passions, that they may not indispose my mind to embrace that evi

dence which so plentifully accompanieth thy divine revelations to the sons of men. Let not the scandalous divisions of Christians, or the ill lives of those that profess thy holy religion, ever weaken my belief; since love, peace, and unity are marks of thy true disciples, and since thy wrath is revealed from heaven against all those that obey not the gospel of thy Son. Keep my mind free from all prejudice, which puts so false a bias upon the understanding, even in matters of the greatest importance, and which may prove so fatal and destructive to mine eternal welfare; that seeing the reasonableness of those things which thou hast required to be believed, the perfection of those duties which thou hast enjoined to be practised, and the power and force of those motives upon which both are founded, I may be steadfast and unmoveable, and at last receive the end of my faith, even the salvation of my soul, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For an effectual Belief of the Christian Religion. GRACIOUS God and heavenly Father, I adore thine infinite goodness, manifested to the children of men in the revelation of the holy Gospel. I believe, O God, that the blessed Jesus condescended to take upon him human nature, with all its frailties and infirmities, sin only excepted; that he was the great Prophet sent from thee to instruct me in all the particulars of my duty, to give me right apprehensions of thy divine majesty, and to improve my nature to the utmost perfection; and that he confirmed his mission by greater miracles than any other man ever did,

and by prophecies, which lay beyond the reach of any created understanding, the fulfilment of which convinces me that he was sent from God. I believe, O Lord, that thou didst by a voice from heaven declare him to be thy beloved Son, in whom thou wast well pleased, and that all the prophecies concerning the Messiah were fulfilled in him. I believe that he suffered death upon the cross for man's redemption, and made there a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world; that he has satisfied thy justice, and made reconciliation for us. I believe that he rose from the dead the third day according to his own infallible prediction; that he conversed forty days with his disciples; that in their sight he ascended up into heaven, where he now sits at thy right hand to intercede for sinners; that he has fulfilled his promise to his disciples, of sending to them the Holy Spirit; and that the miraculous gifts, as bestowed upon his apostles, proved his exaltation, at the same time that they enabled him to propagate his religion throughout the world. Lord, I beseech thee increase this my faith, and strengthen it against all weakness and infirmity. Let no unreasonable prejudice cloud the light of mine understanding; let no pride and vanity obscure the proofs of thy holy revelations; let no partiality pervert my judgment in matters of such high importance; and, above all, let no unreasonable lusts or appetites corrupt my will, and indispose me to entertain thy holy and excellent laws. Make my faith lively and effectual, and let its fruits appear in my life and conversation; make it perfect by charity, which is

the true character of thy disciples; that so, by believing and loving thee in this life, I may see and enjoy thee eternally in that which is to come, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.

For Courage in the Profession of Christianity.

O Lord God Almighty, who art the refuge and security, the hope and salvation of all those who repose their trust and confidence in thee; I adore that infinite love which assumed our nature, and raised the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave him glory at thy right hand, that all his faithful followers might rest assured of thine eternal care, and that they should not perish, but have everlasting life. Blessed, blessed be thy name for these glad tidings of great joy, which raise my spirits above this world, and place me in quietness and safety amid all the troubles and dangers of life. Grant, that I may feel enlivened with the same spirit which was in the Captain of my salvation, who was made perfect through sufferings, and that being faithful to him unto death, I may receive a crown of glory. Defend me from so great a sin, as the thought of denying my Lord and Master, and his holy word; and keep me by thy power through faith even unto salvation. Confirm and strengthen me in such a steadfast belief of thy promises, as may not only bear me up with constancy and patience, but may inspire me with resolution in all dangers, even in death itself. Fill my mind with such a powerful sense of those immortal joys, that nothing may appear so

dreadful as to terrify me from my duty, or turn me aside from the paths of righteousness, of charity, and of truth. Endue me with such a perfect love to my Lord and Master, as may cast out all fear and suffering; fortify my heart with such a zealous affection to his religion, that I may not be terrified by any adversaries, or fear those that can only kill the body. Regard, O Lord, the supplications of thy servant, who has now made an oblation of himself wholly unto thee; and endue me with christian prudence, as well as courage, that I may be both as wise as a serpent, and as innocent as a dove; and may ever cleave with a discreet zeal unto truth and righteousness, saying boldly, the Lord is my helper, therefore I will not fear what man can do unto me. Grant this, O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

CHRISTMAS.*

For the inestimable Blessings of Redemption. ETERNAL God, the Lord and Father of all things both in heaven and on earth, I prostrate myself before thee in all humility, and raise my heart in grateful praise and thanksgiving for the inestimable blessing which thou hast vouchsafed unto the sons of men, in sending thine only-begotten Son, the mighty God, the Prince of Peace, as thou hadst promised by thy holy prophets. I

*Suitable instructions and devotions for the festivals and fasts, will be found in "the Companion for the Festivals and Fasts," published by T. & J. Swords.