overcome the Temptations that surround me, fix my inconstant Mind, and follow me all the Days of my Life, that I may persevere in good Works unto the End. O thou True, thou Chief, thou eternal Good of Immortal Souls, come and purify my Heart with thy celestial Fire, come, and burn up in me all the Dross of Sin, that there may be a Way prepared for thee; that thou mayest enter in and dwell there. For by removing every Thing that may hinder thy blessed Approach, I humbly hope my Soul may be ready for the Communications of thy Grace, and be fitted to receive so divine a Guest. Amen.

FOR FAITII.

O MY God, I firmly believe that thou didst make all Things out of nothing: that thou, O blessed Jesu, didst take upon thee our frail Nature, and die to be a Sacrifice for Sin; I believe that the holy Scriptures contain all that is necessary for me to believe and practise, in order to my eternal Salvation. I believe that Torments which shall never end are prepared for all who obey not the Gospel of Christ; and that Mansions of everlasting Glory

are

are prepared for the Obedient. Grant, O Lord, that I may always dread the fatal Doom of impenitent Sinners; and not take more Pains to avoid the transitory Evils of this Life, than to avoid those that are eternal. Pity, O gracious God, the Weakness of my Faith. Lord, I believe, help thou mine Unbelief. Grant, Lord, I may so live to thee, that it may appear that thou, by thy Spirit dwellest in me: then shall I at last attain the End of my Faith, even the Salvation of my Soul, through the alone Merits of Jesus Christ. Amen.

my

FOR HOPE.

O THOU who art Almighty, and whose Power is greater far than the Fury of my Enemies, be thou my House of Defence, and Castle. When Troubles compass me about, whether I am comforted, or left desolate; whether I am healthy or sickly, succoured or abandoned by the good Things of this Life, grant that my Trust and Confidence may be in thee, O God. Although the Fields should vield no Corn, and the Flocks be cut off from the Fold, yet as long as I live, I will hope in thy Mercy. Grant, blessed Lord,

be

that my Hopes of everlasting Life may well grounded, and that I may give all Diligence to obtain the eternal Inheritance above. O blessed Hope, be thou my chief Delight in Life; be thou my Support under all temporal Losses, and my Comfort at the Hour of Death; that when my Saviour shall appear with Power, and great Glory, I may hope to be made like unto him in his everlasting Glory. Amen.

FOR CHARITY.

O DEAR JESU, heavenly Benefactor, who didst love me to that Degree, as to die for me: what shall I do to express my Affection to thee? I will shew it, dearest Lord, by doing all Acts of Kindness, and Compassion to the Afflicted, and by relieving the Necessities of my poor Brethren, who are the Members of thy Body. I will also, according to thy Command, forgive mine Enemies, as I desire to be forgiven; that so exercising myself in reat Acts of Mercy and Beneficence, I may be a Follower of my Redeemer's Steps here on. Earth, and at last, through his Merits, inherit his everlasting Kingdom, where Charity reigns in full Perfection; where it is the constant Employment of Saints and

Angels,

Angels, to praise and love God without Weariness and without End.

FOR HUMILITY.

O GOD, thou art the eternal Source of all Perfection, and I only a miserable. Sinner; nothing but Dust and Ashes, Folly and Vanity. Alas! then, what have I to glory of? My Body, though moulded by thy Hand, will soon become the Food of Worms: Moreover, my Soul is, by my Folly, polluted with Sin: If I excet in Health or Strength, in Comeliness or Riches, all is are Effect of thy Bounty. O let this Knowledge of myself mortify all proud and vain Thoughts! Enable me to bear the Injuries of wicked Men with Patience; and the Reproofs of good Men with Thankfulness, Let me never insult over the Sins and Frailties of my FellowChristians, but rather compassionate their Follies, and try to amend them. Inspire me, O Jesu, with that Humility which thou hast taught by thy Precepts, and by thy own Example, that, imitating the State of thy Humiliation here on Earth, I may partake of that exalted State thou dost now enjoy at the Right Hand of God. Amen.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

WHAT Surprising Manifestations have I, thy unworthy Creature, received of thy Goodness, O Lord! I was created after thine own Image, redeemed by the Sufferings of thy dearly beloved Son, assisted by thy Holy Spirit; and have had all the Means of Salvation afforded me. O that I could express thy Excellencies in as exalted a Manner as the celestial Choirs of Angels do in their perpetual Concert of Praise. But though I fall short of their Fervours, yet will I exert my utmost Power to proclaim thy Glories. It shall be my Delight to think on thee; to love thee with a fervent and unrivalled Passion. To thee I dedicate my Thoughts, and Words, and Deeds: my only Aim is at thy Honour and Glory. I worship thee, I glorify thee, I give Thanks to thee for thy great Glory, for thy great Goodness, holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty.

FOR TENDERNESS OF HEART.

ALMIGHTY LORD, who alone canst make a hard Heart soft and relenting, and give Sense even to such as are past Feeling; shew the Power of thy heavenly Grace, in

working