momentous occasions, and then always with the greatest reverence, and the most profound respect; and, above all, that I may never prostitute it to confirm and to strengthen falsehood. May I ever detest and abhor the abominable sin of raising false reports of my neighbour, or of giving credit to those that do; but may I always suspend my judgment until I am fully acquainted with the matter, that I may not render evil for evil, or railing for railing, but give place unto wrath. Support and defend me, O Lord, under every slander, that so, by patient continuance in welldoing, I may seek for glory, for honour, and for immortality. In all my conflicts with the world, the flesh, and the devil, may I be enabled to come off more than conqueror; that so, having fought a good fight, finished my course, and kept the faith, I may obtain a crown of righteousness, even that crown which fadeth not away, but which remaineth eternal in the heavens. Grant this, I beseech thee, for the merits, and through the mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Against Hypocrisy.

LORD God Almighty, who hast expressly declared by the mouth of thy servant David, the blessedness of that man in whose spirit there is no guile; and who hast told us by the words of our Saviour, that the portion of the hypocrite shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth; let it be thy pleasure to create in me a new and an upright spirit; to root out all hypocrisy from my heart; and to make me become a true Israelite both in

word and in deed. Thou that art the God of truth, and who takest no delight in lying and hypocrisy, stir up in me an unfeigned detestation of all falsehood, and an earnest love of inward sincerity. Let me never forget how impossible it is to blind thine eyes with outward appearances, or to delude thee with fair pretences; for thou seest not as man seeth, but, as a God thou discernest the heart. Suffer me not to content myself with a profession of godliness, and a neglect of the power thereof; or to appear like a whited sepulchre, which seemeth beautiful without, but within is full of all manner of uncleanness. And, in all the exercises of piety, make me not only to draw near unto thee with my lips, but, above all, with the strength and power of my mind, desiring more to approve the singleness and sincerity of my heart unto thee, who seest in secret, than to purchase an opinion with men. This inward truth vouchsafe unto me, Almighty Father, not for mine own sake, but for his who is the truth, and who came into the world to bear witness unto the truth, even Jesus Christ, thy Son and my most gracious Saviour. Amen.

For Resignation.

BLESSED Lord, by whose gracious providence and permission all calamities in this life befall us; grant me the assistance of thy Holy Spirit, that I may ever submit with a quiet and an humble mind to the dispensation of thine afflicting hand. And since troubles are sent to punish me for my sins, and to improve me in virtue; since my blessed Saviour and his saints, who are

gone before, arrived through these trials at the heavenly Jerusalem; let me not, therefore, murmur or complain, but cheerfully acquiesce in thy dispensations, and exclaim, with all humility and devotion, thy will be done. May I ever be ready to resign all worldly interest, and joyfully to take up the cross, and bear it with contentment; that carefully avoiding all the ways of error and wickedness, for preventing or rescuing myself from sufferings, I may either be delivered by thy mighty arm, or rewarded in thy heavenly kingdom. Let me freely resign myself to thy providence, and with firm resolution devote all my powers to thy service, that by so doing I may be reconciled to thee, mine offended God. Take me, then, I beseech thee, into thy most gracious protection here, till by thy heavenly guidance I be translated from this valley of tears to the joys of thy glorious kingdom, there to enjoy with the spirits of just men made perfect the rewards of patience, of obedience, and of resignation. Grant this, O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Submission to the Divine Will.

GRACIOUS God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and on earth, and who art the author of every good and perfect gift; I most humbly submit myself to the disposal of that wisdom which cannot err, and to the care of that goodness which is unchangeable and everlasting. Lead me, O God, whither thou shalt think fit; place me in whatever circumstances thou shall deem most proper; and I will perform thy whole will with pleasure and

fidelity, and bear that which thou allottest me with patience and submission.

Defend me, gracious Father, from every real evil; and confer upon me every needful good. May every event in this life conspire to the improvement and establishment of my virtue; and may I be so conducted by thine unerring hand through all the changes and chances of this mortal life, as finally to be admitted to the everlasting habitations of the righteous, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, that glorious reward which thou hast promised to all thy faithful servants, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Steadfastness.

Eternal and unchangeable God, who art the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, be graciously pleased to impart some portion of steadfastness to me, thy sinful creature, who am vain, light, and inconstant. Behold with pity and compassion the imminent danger to which the frailty of my nature is perpetually exposed from the assaults of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Keep me, gracious Lord, from the snares of all those who would betray me into sin. Let no terrors or flatteries either of the world, or of mine own flesh ever draw me from obedience to thee; but grant that I may never be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, manfully to fight under his banner against sin, the world, and the devil; and may I ever remain steadfast and immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Then shall I feed on the pleasant fruits

of piety, and the heavenly feast of a good conscience; and at the last arrive at the kingdom of heaven, that blessed kingdom, where I shall no more be exposed to the assaults of temptation, but where all shall be joy, and love, and peace, and perfection, for ever and for ever. May the Lord God of heaven then give me grace to resolve wisely, and to keep his commandments always, even to the end of my days, for the sake, and through the merits of Jesus Christ. Amen.

For an Increase of Faith, Hope, and Charity. O Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, endue me, I beseech thee, with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. Increase my weak and feeble faith, direct it to its true and proper object, the merits of my Saviour; and let it not be dead and barren, but effectual and working by love. Make me strong therein, and constant, ever ready to give credit to thy word without doubting; and protect me from the divers and manifold errors, sects, and heresies of this world, that fight against it. Let me not be disappointed of that HOPE which I have in thee, but confirm thy promises, and so work in my heart, that I may have courage in conflicts, patience in trouble, and comfort in all things. When Satan

shall accuse me, my conscience bear witness against me, the whole world forsake me, and all things set themselves in array against me, then strengthen me, I beseech thee, in that heavenly HOPE, which thou hast set before me. Send thy Holy Ghost, and graft into my heart that