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.

bend in gratitude before thee for this gracious gift, this high behest, which thou, in thy merciful love towards the creatures of thy hand, hast bestowed upon me, vouchsafing to redeem, through the intercession of thy pure and immaculate Son, a rebellious people, and to turn them from their perverse and sinful ways to the pure worship of thee, through the means and mediation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the heir of all things, the brightness of thy glory, and the express image of thy person. I praise, I laud, and I extol thy mercy and loving-kindness towards us: O let my gratitude bring forth the fruits of goodness, and aid me with thy Holy Spirit to put off the old, and to take upon me the new man; that so, by devoting myself to thy service in purity of worship, and simplicity of heart, the great sacrifice and atonement, which thou hast accepted for the transgressions of our former nature, may not have been made in vain. Endue me with thy grace, and strengthen me in thy faith, fear, and love, that I may wean all mine affections from the things of this world, and fix them on the promises of that bliss eternal, which thou hast given me through thy Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

For the Love of Christ.

O Holy and ever blessed Jesus, who, being the eternal Son of God, and most high in the glory of the Father, didst vouchsafe for us sinners to be born of an humble Virgin, to be subject to the

weakness of a child, to grow up in a life of privacy and labour, and to declare thyself at last the Redeemer of the world, by establishing a perfect law of grace, confirming it by innumerable miracles, and by suffering for it intolerable persecutions, even to the death upon the cross; work in me, I beseech thee, a due sense of infinite love, that adoring and believing in thee as my Lord and Saviour, I may trust in thine infinite merits, imitate thy holy example, obey thy gracious commands, and finally enjoy thy promises, by living and reigning with thee to all eternity, in those heavenly mansions which thou hast prepared for all thy faithful followers in the kingdom of thy Father. Grant this, O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

On the Commencement of the Year. GRACIOUS God, by whose abundant mercy my life has been prolonged; who hast brought me to the beginning of another year; and who, by continuing unto me the blessings of life, hast invited me to repentance, grant that this mercy may not be in vain. Let not my years be multiplied to increase my guilt; but as age advances, let me become more pure in my thoughts, more regular in my desires, and more obedient to thy laws. Let not the cares of this world distract, or the evils of age overwhelm me. Let not another year be lost in idleness, or squandered away in unprofitable employment. Let not sin prevail on the remaining part of life, and take not from me the assistance of thy Holy Spirit; but as every day brings me nearer to mine end,