May all the world acknowledge Thee; and as they are partakers of Thy mercies, may they gratefully own Thee to be the sole Lord, Governor, and Benefactor, of all the earth. To this end we most humbly pray for the conversion of Jews, Turks, and heathens, to the truth; for all Christians, that the weak may be supported, that they may be strengthened that stand, that they who are in error may be converted; for the Churches throughout the world, that they may be united in religion; for ours in particular, that whatever is amiss in it may be mended; for the king's majesty, and his prosperity; for all Christian kingdoms; for ours especially, and each part of it, that it may flourish in peace; for wisdom in the council, integrity in the judges, strength in our armies, discretion in our magistrates, and obedience in the people; for the clergy, that they may teach well, and that they may live well; for the prosperity and good success of all merchants, husbandmen, and tradesmen, that they may live carefully and honestly in their vocations; for the prosperous education of youth in all universities and schools, that they may answer the ends of their pious founders and benefactors. We humbly beseech Thee to hear us for our enemies, especially those that hate us without cause, that they may be converted; for those that commend themselves to, and desire our prayers, and whose affairs and troubles will not suffer them to pray as they ought; that Thou wouldst hear us for them, and be gracious unto them; for all that are in affliction of body or mind, that they may make the best use of Thy fatherly correction; for all who are in danger or in want, in prison, or condemned to death; especially for all those who suffer for the testimony of a good conscience, that Thou wouldst give them strength to bear, and patience under their afflictions and persecutions, and an happy issue out of them. Hear us, O Father, for all these estates and conditions of men, and hear the prayers of all others for us, and let both theirs and ours be acceptable in Thy sight, for the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. In a sober confidence that Thou hearest us, we commit ourselves and all that belong to us, to Thy watchful providence this night; and when we shall not be able to think how to defend ourselves from the least misfortune that may assault us, we depend upon Thee, O God, and on Thy protection, Suffer us not to sleep in sin, but watch over us, and defend us under the shadow of Thy wings. Let not our sleep be excessive or immoderate, but raise us in due time, that we may serve and praise Thee joyfully; enter upon our several employments and callings, and perform them justly; and seek Thy kingdom earnestly. May the neighbourhood wherein we live, and especially this habitation, be free from all accidents, from the violence of fire, and from the designs and attempts of wicked men. And may we, who now implore Thy protection, may we the next morning, in a sense of Thy mercies to us, be as ready to praise Thy holy name, Thy power, and goodness; through Jesus Christ, in whose blessed name and words, we more confidently recommend ourselves and prayers to Thy mercy, saying, as He hath taught us, Our Father, which art in heaven, &c. Prayer to be used for a sick person. O LORD, infinitely merciful, whose very corrections are the effects of Thy love, give us grace to know, and hearts to consider this, that we may evermore thankfully receive Thy fatherly corrections, and rejoice in the midst of the sorrows that encompass us, stedfastly believing, that all things shall work together for good to those that fear God, and trust in His mercy. Gracious God, let it so happen unto this Thy servant visited with Thine hand, that he may take his afflictions patiently, and, with a dutiful submission to Thy will, bear whatever Thou shalt be pleased to lay upon him; that the disorders of his body [or mind] may contribute to the health of his soul; that being made perfect through sufferings, he may be owned by his blessed Saviour, who through great afflictions entered into glory. To this end we beseech Thee to enlighten his mind, that he may understand Thy dealings with him, and make that use of this visitation which Thou designedst by it. so in fol. ed. Give him grace to know wherein he has offended, that he may endeavour to amend wherever he has done amiss; and give him a firm reliance on Thy gracious promises, that he may not suffer either in body or mind, without the comforts of grace, and the hopes of being beloved of Thee. Deliver him, O God, from the danger of impatience, distrust, or despair; from the illusions and assaults of the powers of darkness; and from all anguish or affliction, which may any way draw his mind from Thee. Enable him to wait with patience Thy good time, till Thou seest fit to perfect his recovery. And in the mean time, bless all the good endeavours which shall be used for his health and comfort. Lay upon him no greater burden than Thou shalt enable him to bear with Christian patience; that others, seeing the powers and effects of true faith and trust in Thee, may learn to glorify Thee, and to submit to Thy wise dispensations. For Jesus Christ's sake, who by His merits has purchased pardon, and comforts, and grace, for all His faithful servants, hear me, answer me, and let Thy merciful kindness be upon Thy servant. Give him patience under this trial, that he may bear it as becomes a disciple of Christ, considering that it is his cross, and laid upon him by Thy appointment. This must be Thy gift, O God, for of ourselves we are nothing but weakness and sin; this must be the effect of Thy mercy to us. Shew mercy therefore to Thy servant, O Lord; have compassion on him and help him. Help him, O God, as Thou didst always help Thy faithful servants which called upon Thee in the time of trouble. Above all things, give him grace, that with an entire submission he may resign his will to Thine, remembering, that Thy will is holy and just, and that it is our duty to receive and approve whatever is appointed by Thee. For what are all our professions of being Thy servants, if we complain and are not pleased that Thy will be done with us? O give us grace to overcome the unwillingness of nature, and to make it yield to Thy appointments. Deal thus with this Thy servant, O Lord, and do as Thou knowest best for him; either relieve him in Thy mercy, or mercifully enable him to bear this burden with patience. Grant this, O most merciful Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen'. A PRAYER FOR SUNDAY EVENING". ALMIGHTY GOD, by whom all things were made, and are preserved, make us truly thankful, for Thy wonderful works of creation; for Thine adorable providence in preserving every thing that Thou hast made; and for Thine infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, in the government of the world. But above all, we acknowledge Thine infinite love in the redemption of the world, by Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ: and Thy goodness in sending by Him this comfortable message to Thy distressed creatures, That whosoever receiveth and believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. We bless Thee for His holy doctrine and example; and for His precious death, and glorious resurrection, by which our sad condition, and Thine unspeakable love, have been wonderfully shewn to us. We give Thee thanks for Thy Holy Word, by which Thy works of mercy and providence have been preserved, and Thy will made known unto mankind. We bless Thy holy name, for sanctifying one day in seven to Thy service, to keep up the knowledge and remembrance of Thee, and of our creation and redemption; and for appointing Thy ministers to publish these truths to us in Thy Name, that we may render unto Thee that honour, love, and obedience, which becometh creatures to pay to their great Creator. And we beseech Thee, O God, to give us all such a deep and lasting sense of Thy great and undeserved mercies to us, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may shew forth Thy praise, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to Thy service, and by walking 1 [The Instructions and Prayers for Sunday are here omitted, being the same as above, p. 109 ... 114.] m The Ed. of 1781 gives here the same Prayer as in p. 114. before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; and as we often hear how we ought to walk, and to please God, we may continue to do so unto our lives' end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A SHORT ADMONITION TO ALL, AND ESPECIALLY TO MASTERS OF FAMILIES. AMONGST the many growing vices of this profane age, one wretched and ungodly custom is too common; viz., of people's falling to their meals, as beasts do to their fodder, without any thoughts of God, or thanks for His blessings". And even too many of those who have not quite laid aside this Christian duty, perform it after such a slight and negligent manner, as makes it as sinful as the omission. When a man like ourselves bestows a favour, we naturally give him thanks. Are not food, and the supports of life and health, mighty blessings? Is not God the sole giver of these? Are they not worth asking, and giving thanks for? This shews plainly, that this sin, being against the very natural notions of sense and gratitude, is of the devil, who makes the tables of too many to become a snare and a curse to them, by intemperance, gluttony, and drunkenness. All Christians who have any regard to the example of their Saviour, who always glorified God, and gave Him public thanks for His blessings; or to the example of St. Paul, who would not omit this duty, though in bonds, and in the presence of a numerous company of heathens; all Christians, seeing the reasonableness of this duty, and the sin of omitting it, or of not performing it after a serious manner, will be inexcusable before God, if they neglect to glorify Him at their daily meals. Now, that the most unlearned may not want words to ex n Grace before meals, the practice of the Romans. Nec prius aut epulas, aut munera grata Lyæi Nor touch'd the meat, nor tasted was the wine, |