or neglected; nations, and the world at large, are happy or otherwise. Take heed therefore to set an example of piety and virtue yourselves; and then you may with authority require those that belong to you to follow it. Let the God of heaven be acknowledged and worshiped each day in your families. At least let his name and worship not be forgotten in your house, on that day of sacred leisure which is appropriated to religious worship. Keep a strict watch over all that depend upon you; and suffer no vice to go unreproved, or to remain in your house persisted in and unamended. For this would be to encourage it, and put a snare before others. By this domestic care, and godly discipline, you may be a blessing to your family, your neighbours, and country: But, which is above all to be valued and sought for, you will be approved by almighty God, and rank with prophets and apostles in that future world, where, we are told, they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Dan. xii. 3. THE THE THANKSGIVING OF WOMEN AFTER CHILD-BIRTH. ¶ The woman, at the usual time after her de livery, kneeling down, the Minister shall say unto her, FORASMUCH as it hath pleased almighty God of his goodness to give you safe deliverance, and to preserve you in the great danger of child-birth; you shall therefore give hearty thanks unto God, and say, Then shall the Minister say: Psalm cxvI. I DO love the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my prayer. 2. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 3. The snares of death compassed me round about, and the pains of the grave gat hold upon me. 4. I found trouble and heaviness, and I called upon the name of the LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. F 2 5. Gracious 5. Gracious is the LORD, and righteous: yea, our God is merciful. 6. The LORD preserveth the simple: I was in misery, and he helped me. T 7. Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8. And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 9. What reward shall I render unto the LORD for all the benefits that he hath done unto me? 10. I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. 11. I will pay my vows now in the congregation of his people. Praise the LORD. Or, Psalm cxxvII. EXCEPT the LORD build the house, their labour is but lost that build it. 2. Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 3. It is but lost labour, that ye, haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness; but the LORD giveth his beloved sleep. 4. Lo, children and the fruit of the womb womb are an heritage and gift that cometh of the LORD. 5. Like as the arrows in the hand of the mighty man, even so are the young children. 6. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies at the gate. OUR 1 Then the Minister shall say, Let us pray. UR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven: Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Minist. O LORD, save this woman thy servant; Answ. Who putteth her trust in thee. Minister. Minister. Let us pray. ALMIGHTY God, the Father of mercies, the God of all consolation ; we present unto thee our unfeigned thanks, that thou hast vouchsafed to de liver this woman thy servant from the great pain and peril of child-birth: Give her such a due sense, O LORD, of thy kind and gracious dealings with her, that a constant, grateful remembrance of thy goodness may dispose her to a cheerful obedience to thy laws; that she through thy help may both faithfully live, and walk according to thy will in this life present; and also may be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE |