For Friends and Benefactors.

ALMIGHTY God, who hast expressly declared that he who giveth unto the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that what he thus layeth out, shall be paid him again; I beseech thee to be gracious and merciful unto all those friends and benefactors for whom I am bound to pray. Of thine especial favour remember and reward all those who have brought me up, and extended to me the blessings of instruction, assistance promotion, or relief. Bless them with every blessing who have done good either to my body by temporal benefits, or to my soul by profitable instruction. Prosper them in all their doings, that in their kind and godly disposition they may have always wherewith to relieve and to comfort others. Give them the consolation of thy Holy Spirit, of a true faith and of a good conscience. And as they have showed mercy unto me, and comforted me, so do thou, O God, help and comfort them in all their distresses, that both they and their families may experience thy gracious assistance in their several estates and conditions here, and find mercy with thy Son our Saviour, at the great, the latter day. Vouchsafe me the assistance of thy grace, that I may not be guilty of any ingratitude, but be always ready and willing, according to mine ability, to recompense them if they should need. Let not that which they have bestowed upon me be cast away; but make it fruitful unto every good work. Grant this, O thou God, who doest good both to the just and to the un

just, for Jesus Christ's sake, mine only Lord and Saviour. Amen.

A Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer. BLESSED Lord, our most gracious Father, who dwellest in the light which no man can approach unto, and yet condescendest to hearken to the prayers of all the children of men; let the adorable perfections of thy nature be every where devoutly reverenced and glorified. Let thy kingdom of truth and righteousness prevail to the full establishment of the gospel of Christ. Let thy holy will be obeyed with sincerity and truth by men on earth, as it is by the blessed angels in heaven. Give us, I beseech thee, day by day those things which are needful for our daily support, in that state of life to which it hath pleased thee to call us. And of thy mercy forgive us our manifold transgressions and offences, in like manner as we are ready from our hearts to forgive every one who hath offended us. Suffer us not to be overcome by temptations, but deliver us from the power of Satan, and the deceitfulness and corruption of sin. For thy kingdom ruleth over all things; thou art the sovereign Disposer of all events; and to thee alone are due all glory, worship, and praise throughout all ages, for ever and for ever. So be it, O gracious Father, not according to our poor and weak understandings, but according to the true meaning of this full and most perfect form of prayer, which thy Son himself hath condescended to teach us. Amen.

MORNING PRAYER.

ETERNAL God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, the Giver of all spiritual grace, and the Author of everlasting life; I, thine unworthy servant, bow down before thee this day under a deep sense of thy goodness, and with a full confidence in thy providence. I give thee thanks that thou hast protected me in the hours of darkness; that thou hast brought me safe to the light of another day; and refreshed me during the past night with quiet rest, and undisturbed repose. O thou, who knowest all mine actions, who art acquainted even with my most hidden motives, and who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, I acknowledge before thee mine errors and transgressions, and humbly and earnestly implore thy gracious pardon. Forgive me, O God of mercy, my secret faults, and my presumptuous sins. Remember not against me my disregard of thy presence, thine inspection, and thine authority. Create a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me; and enable me to walk with steadfastness in the way of thy commandments. With the return of this day, may I return with cheerfulness and satisfaction to my station and employments: and not knowing in this changing scene what I may be called to do, or what to suffer, I commit myself to thy protection, and earnestly implore thy favour, thine assistance, and thy blessing. Lay not upon me more than I am able to bear; but under every evil, grant me support, and under every

temptation make a way for mine escape. In all mine actions, may I acknowledge thee, and do thou direct my paths. May I thankfully receive, and temperately enjoy thy mercies, be patient under the chastisement of thy fatherly hand. and mindful of thy gracious providence. In my daily intercourse with mankind, may I obey the laws of equity and kindness. May I be honest and just in my dealings; true and sincere, innocent and useful; courteous and gentle in my conversation; tender of the reputation of my neighbour; candid to the frailties and infirmities of others; kind and compassionate to the needy and afflicted; grateful to my friends and benefactors; generous and forgiving to mine enemies; and charitable to all men. May I be prudent and discreet in ordering mine affairs, and industrious in the business of my station; that so by a patient continuance in well-doing, I may lay up for myself a crown of glory, honour, and immortality. Endue me with fortitude in the cause of truth and virtue; in seeking occasion to instruct the ignorant, to relieve the wretched and to advance the interests of peace, of truth, and of righteousness. Wean mine affections from the things of this world; and whatever my state and condition may be, give me grace therewith to be content. Let my chief aim and endeavour be to secure the salvation of my soul, and to provide against that time when all earthly comforts shall vanish away. And I humbly beg thy blessing this day upon my honest designs and undertakings. Direct me in all my ways, and prosper the work of my hands. Let thy

good providence watch over me in my going out and my coming in. Enable me in the scenes through which I am this day to pass to walk with thee, and to act as under the notice of thine all-seeing eye. Bless all my friends, relations, and acquaintance; unite us all one to another by mutual love and kindness, and to thyself by the practice of piety and holiness. And because I am not able of myself to please thee, grant me the assistance of thy Holy Spirit, that I may from henceforth live as becometh the gospel of Christ, and at length be received to the joys and glories of thy heavenly kingdom, through the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer, in whose all prevailing name I implore these mercies at thy hands, and give unto thee thy praise and glory in that most perfect form of prayer, which he hath sanctified with his own lips. Amen.

EVENING PRAYER.

MOST gracious God, who inhabitest eternity, and who dwellest in that light which no mortal eye can approach; I, thy sinful creature, acknowledge that I am not worthy to appear in thy presence, or to lift up mine eyes to that place of purity in which thou dwellest. Yet, though mine unworthiness be great, so infinite is thy goodness as to encourage mine addresses to thee by many gracious promises of favour and acceptance; with humble confidence then I presume to approach the throne of thy grace, beseeching thee