A PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF A SINNER, TO BE USED BY A FRIEND.

O BLESSED JESUS, thou great lover of souls, who camest into the world to call sinners to repentance, and to seek and to save those that were lost, I come before thee, humbly to intercede in behalf of (here name the person) who seems to be under the power of sin, and to live as without God in the world, and in danger of perishing for ever. O what shall I do for him? And how shall I apply myself to aid and awaken him? I desire to learn wisdom of thee, my Lord, and to be enabled to use the most proper methods and expedients to move him, and to do him good. O instruct me in the means that I shall take; and assist and bless me in my endeavors to attain this desirable end.

O Almighty God, who canst enlighten the darkest minds, soften the hardest hearts, conquer the stubbornest wills, and turn even the most hopeless sinners to thyself; be thou pleased to manifest the power of thy grace in this case that is so sad and deplorable. Convince him, O Lord, of the great danger his soul is in; open his eyes; soften his heart, and turn his course; break the force of his temptations; and make him a way to escape out of the enemy's hands; that even he who seems to be now dead in trespasses and in sins, may hear thy voice and live. Grant that this presumptuous sinner may be startled, the secure awakened, and

he that is so far gone yet recovered; yea, that the lost sheep may be brought home, and the prodigal so repent and be converted, that his sins may be blotted out, and his soul mercifully accepted, and eternally saved.

O gracious God, who hast no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but dost vouchsafe to be reconciled in the Son of thy love, to the very worst of thy enemies, not willing that any should perish; O what profit is there in his blood, and how shall the dead and damned praise thee! Lord of all power and mercy, get thee glory in his recovery. Thou, and thou only, canst do it. O speak the word, and thy sinful creature shall live, and for ever bless thy name. Show him his lost and perishing condition, and excite him to flee for refuge from the wrath to come, to the hope set before him in the Gospel.

Give him a true and unfeigned repentance; forgive him all the evil thoughts and devices of his heart, and all the offensive, wicked carriage of his life; forgive him all his sins of omission and commission. Take away his pride and his stubbornness, and bring him with full purpose of heart to resign and give up himself to thee; and make him diligent to redeem the time that he has lost, and to become exemplary in all the practices of piety and honesty, of charity and sobriety, and all other duties of a Christian life; that he may be truly changed, and quite another manner of person in all holy conver

sation and godliness. To this end, grant that he may seriously consider the promises and threatenings of the Gospel, the inestimable rewards thou hast promised to the good, and those dreadful punishments thou hast threatened to the wicked. O grant even him an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified through faith in thee, and send down that renewing grace into his heart, which may be there as a well of water, springing up to everlasting life. Incline him to be diligent in the use of the means of grace which thou hast appointed; and grant that he may no longer resist and grieve thy Holy Spirit, but constantly obey and follow its kind motions and operations. Thus comfort and rejoice the soul of thy servant, O Lord; show, O blessed Jesus, thy saving mercy, not only to this person, but to myself, and all mankind, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE MASTER OF A FAMILY.

O MOST high God, the Lord of all, whose providence disposes the several ranks of men in the world, and whose word instructs masters, as well as servants, how to demean themselves in their respective places; it is thou, my Lord, who hast made me the head of this house; O may I walk in it with an upright heart. Make me, I beseech thee, a kind and gentle master, forbearing all severe usage towards those placed in subjection under me,

as knowing I have a master in heaven, with whom is no respect of persons. Let me never dare to employ my servants, or any subject to my direction and control, in frauds or falsehood under any form; but give me a tender care and concern for their souls, that they may never perish through any neglect or fault of mine. Give me, Lord, an understanding heart and prudent conduct, and such a spirit of government that I may go in and out before my people as one that is taught of God; commanding nothing but in the Lord, according to thy will, and for the advancement of thy glory.

O bless my house, Lord, and preserve it from vice and ungodliness, and from all disorders and dangers, and make it a nursery of virtue and piety, of all that is exemplary, and of good report. O that my wife may be the spouse of Christ; my children the children of God; my servants the servants of the Lord; and all the members of my family the true members of thy Church, and the constant followers of all that is laudable and good. To which end, give us grace daily to offer up our joint prayers and praises to thy divine Majesty, and to be frequent in attending upon the public offices of religion, and to spend some part of the Lord's day together in other holy duties. Direct, O God, and help us every one in the discharge of our several offices; that we may employ ourselves as we ought, and with quietness do our own business; never forgetting, but above all desiring and

pursuing the great work of the Lord, for which thou didst send us into the world. O keep us all evermore in thy fear and love, safe under thy protection, and upon the holy way to thy heavenly kingdom, through thy mercy to us all, in our common Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE SERVANT'S PRAYER.

O GOD, Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, who hath ordained by thy wise providence, that there should be various ranks and degrees of men, and that I should be disposed of in the humble station where now I am; I submit, Lord, to thy most wise appointment of all things, and desire, with content and thankfulness, to accept of my portion, how low soever in the world. Though bound to others may I be the Lord's freeman, that faithfully discharging the duties of my place, I may be as acceptable to my God as those that enjoy the highest stations. I desire it of thee, O Lord of all, to choose my inheritance for me; and I only beg at thy hands, that my lot may fall where my soul may prosper, though my condition be the harder. May my heart be so right with God, that I may have his blessed countenance and love. And being found in the way of righteousness, may I be exalted in due time.

O let me not be the servant of sin, but enjoy the blessed liberty wherewith Christ Jesus sets all