me.

so thy messengers are to them that perish, the savour of death unto death, as well as to them that are saved, the savour of life unto life. And if thy wise and holy servant asked, Who is sufficient for these things? Well may I, a weak and sinful wretch, tremble under the work of the ministry, lest the blood of those that perish, through my neglect and default, should be required at my hands, and lest when I have shewed others the way to heaven, I myself should be shut out: but I look unto thee, O Lord, my life, my strength and my Redeemer, who hast appointed me in this station, to accomplish me also for it. O thou that ordainest strength out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, magnify thy power in my weakness; and show thyself so graciously and mightily on my behalf, that I may do all things as I ought, through Christ strengthening Ölet me learn from thee what I shall teach concerning thee. Open my understanding, O Lord, that I may well understand the scriptures, and rightly divide the word of truth; and be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convince the gainsayers. O put such thoughts into my mind, and such words into my mouth, that out of the abundance of my heart, my mouth may speak to the glory of thy name, and to the edification of those unto whom I make my application. O make me wise to win souls, and watchful over them, as one that must give an account of them; not entangling myself in the affairs of this life, but waiting on my ministry; taking heed to myself, and to my doctrine; study. ing to show myself approved of God, and thoroughly furnished to every good work. Give me skill and conduct, prudently to steer my course through all difficulties in my way; and give me patience and courage to withstand all assaults and opposition

which I have to encounter. O my Lord, be with me, and guide me, and help me, and strengthen and succour me, now and always, in the great work lying upon me. Open to me a door of utterance, that I may speak thy word as I ought to speak; and make me faithful and diligent, and successful in my sacred calling; doing thy work as thy workman, that need not be ashamed; not preaching myself, but Christ Jesus the Lord; nor seeking the praise of men, but the honour of my God; yea, make me an example of all the holy properties, and praise worthy practices which I preach to others; that I may not lay upon them the burdens which I refuse to bear myself; but go before them in the ways which they are to follow; holding forth the word of life in my conversation, as well as in my doctrine; that I may shine with a convincing light to them, and not lay a stumbling block before them; neither making the heart of the righteous sad, nor strengthening the hands of the wicked; nor giving just offence to any, but approving myself as far as I am able, useful and beneficial unto all; keeping under my body, and bringing it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be

a castaway.

And, Ŏ thou that givest the increase, command a blessing, I pray thee, upon all my studies and endeavours, that I may not spend my strength for nought, nor labour in vain; but that I may make full proof of my ministry, and be instrumental through thy grace, to convert the unconverted, and to build up them that are in any measure sanctified; and so to save myself, and those that hear me, that when I have finished my course, I may give an account of my stewardship with joy, and not with grief; and receive the crown of righteousness at thy hands,

not for my merits, but for thy mercies' sake. Amen, Amen.

A Prayer for a Blessing upon the Societies confederate to promote Reformation of Manners.

RIGHTEOUS Lord! thou lovest righteousness, and thy countenance does behold the upright. Thou favourest them that espouse the righteous cause, and wilt for ever glorify such as turn many to righteousness. Thou hast not only commanded us to be holy, and to walk circumspectly ourselves, but also to shew our concern for the souls of others; to contend for the faith, and contend with the wicked, and not suffer sin upon our brother; but applying our endeavours to convert the sinner from the error of his ways; and to recover those out of the snare of the devil, who have been taken captive by him at his will.

Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, and the faithful fail from among the children of men; even all seek their own; and O how few the things that are Jesus Christ's! Arise, O God, and plead thy own cause; and be with them that rise up against the evil doers, and that strive to do good to this present evil world, by a merciful severity, to restrain the unruly from undoing themselves; and by executing judgment, to stay the plague and wrath gone out from the Lord against us all. Plead their cause, O Lord, with them that strive with them, and stand up for their help; and stop the way against them that persecute them; and make them successful to promote the honour of thy great name, and the interest of thy holy religion.

O that none of the correctors of others may deserve like censure themselves! but that they may all

be blameless and harmless; the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom they may shine as lights in the world. O give them a tender love to the souls of men; a zeal according to knowledge, and prudent conduct to walk in wisdom's ways towards them that are without. And give them good courage to endure the contradiction of sinners, and count it a small thing to be judged of man's judgment, and help them in their patience to possess their souls, and in meckness to instruct those that oppose themselves; and make the weapons of their warfare mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds. And so speed them with thy heavenly blessing, that how small soever was their beginning, their latter end may greatly increase, O let them go forth in thy strength, and prevail and prosper, as the blessed of the Lord.

Though we are cast into the dregs of time, when godliness declines, and iniquity abounds; and almost all abominations grow daring and impudent : yet, thou, Lord, that dost marvellous things, can bring light out of darkness; and when thou pleasest, canst change the face of evil times. Yea, glorious things are spoken of the last day; and thy word foretels such a hol and happy state of things, even upon earth, as this sinful and wretched world does not yet seem to have been blest with.

O when shall it be Lord; when shall judgment return to righteousness, and all the upright in heart follow it? O when shall the wickedness of the wicked come to an end? and profaneness and lewdness, debauchery and immorality, intemperance and extravagance, be put to confusion; and all iniquity stop her mouth, and the righteous flourish, and Jerusalem be the joy and praise of the whole earth!

The Lord hasten it in his time; and in the mean while give a check from heaven to the floods of ungodliness, that have lifted up their voice and their waves; and say to those proud waters, Hither shall ye go, and no further!

O cherish and prosper all good beginnings, and all hopeful proceedings for the furtherance of piety, and for the advancement of thy glory. Make magistrates and ministers, and all orders of men vigilant and diligent in keeping their own hearts, and ordering their own conversations aright; and also to set forward, what in them lies the reformation and edification of their neighbours; that all may account it not only their duty, but their honour and pleasure, to have their hands in this blessed glorious work, and may do it heartily, as to the Lord; to the bettering of the world, and to the rejoicing of all that, in sincerity, do love our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer for our Benefactors.

DESIRE with all thankfulness to acknowledge thy loving kindness, O Lord my God, that thou hast given me so many comforts, and raised me up so many friends, and helps in the world. It is thou, Lord, who hast the hearts of all in thy hands, that turnest the hearts of any to shew me favour, and to do me good. They are but the instruments and means of conveyance; but thou art the blessed Au. thor and original fountain of all the kindness to thee, therefore, where alone it is due, I give the glory and offer the sacrifice of praise. But for them, whom thou hast enabled, and also inclined to benefit and pleasure me, I am obliged to offer up the sacrifice of my prayers. O be thou kind to them, Lord, as they have been kind to me: refresh their