THE PRAYER SOME TIME BEFORE.

            O MOST holy and ever blessed LORD of heaven and earth, who art good, anti doest good to all creatures, and to us above all the rest, wino are most unworthy of thy loving-kindness: It is but a part of my duty to admire and praise thy great and glorious perfections, to reverence thee, to worship thee, to love thee, and with heart and tongue, both here and eternally, to give thee thanks and speak good of thy name. But it becomes me no less to debase myself before thee; because all that I speak in thy praise declares my foul ingratitude. There is nothing that I can justly call my own: and I have received exceeding much from thy bounty, and thou hast made me that I might enjoy satisfaction in thee, and taken care to bring me acquainted with thee; which ought now to be remem­bered with the greatest humility, thankfulness, and joyful resignation of myself and all that I have to thy obedience. But, alas! how little do I feel thee, though I live and move and have my being in thee? Though I have tasted of thine abundant goodness every moment, how late was it before I seriously thought of my obligations to thee? Now that I see thou hast sent thy SON, the express image of thy person among us, how little is it that I know of thee, and what a stranger am I still to thee? I have been too willing to receive but small benefit by his appearing, and to content myself with a little measure of that purity, wisdom, and goodness, which he came to impart unto us. For ever adored be thy infinite love, which is not willing to lose us, "when we are so forward to lose thee and ourselves. Blessed be the abundance of thy grace in CHRIST Jesus, which continues to invite even such senseless wretches to come unto thee; who have so little esteemed it, and so little know how to value the unsearchable riches of it. Let the marvelous greatness of thy forbearing and pardoning mercy excite my heart to love thee, that at last I may un­derstand it is my happiness to have thy image renewed in me, in righteousness and true holiness.

            Thou hast often convinced me, praised be thy goodness, which it is impossible for me otherwise to be happy. Thou hast wrought many strong resolutions in my soul, to be guided and governed by thine unerring wisdom. And I have felt the comforts of a pure, humble, meek, merciful, peaceable, and loving disposition of heart. Perfect, good LORD, what thou hast wrought in me, that all the inclina­tions of my soul may settle in a firm and lasting habit of well-doing. Our righteousness, I know, cannot profit thee; but thou delightest to communicate thyself to thy creatures, especially to those who think it the greatest treasure to be enriched with thy wisdom, and to be made partakers of a divine nature. O, thou who hast given me this knowledge, and who hast given me a will to choose thee- for my portion, make me completely happy in being exactly like unto thee.

            Meet me graciously when I approach thy table, and represent thy SON JESUS SO feelingly to me, that my mind may be more clearly illuminated to understand the beauteous perfection of his holiness, and my will more strongly bent to cleave unto him, and all the powers of my so enlivened to follow and imitate him to the end. I go with a desire, O LORD, to learn of him, that I may henceforth have low thoughts of myself, and low thoughts of all enjoyments on earth, as a small part` of that happiness to which thou hast designed me, and hateful thoughts of every sin, as that which is opposite both to thee and to my own happiness. O that- the thoughts of thy goodness may ever hereafter make me partake of more of thy holiness; that thy mercy and indulgence may never tempt me to offend thee, but rather affright me into thy obedience, and that I may love thee so much, as to feel it a satisfaction to cross my own desires, to Fulfill thy will and pleasure. O, that it may be a comfort to me to deny them; that I may account it my greatest victory to overcome myself, and my highest triumph that thou, LORD, conquerest, and makest me thy willing subject. I hope to be subdued perfectly unto thee, and enabled to maintain a sovereign dominion over all things here; so that I may use them all soberly, moderately, and with due acknowledgments to thee, but be brought in subjection unto none. Amen, 

A MEDITATION AFTERWARD AT HOME.

            WHAT makes thee sigh, my soul, now thou hast been with thy SAVIOR? Thou art afraid thou shalt forget him, now those sensible representations are removed from thine eyes; and that thy love and thy joy will vanish, now thou art gone from his blessed presence. Be of good comfort, for he is every where, and will not absent himself if thou art desirous of his company. "His word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart." Look into his holy Gospel, and read again and again the story of his love. Look into thyself, and see what he has already done for thee; and he will not fail to be ever doing more. He has given thee " a well of living water, springing up into everlasting life," if thou believest. And thou mayest feed continually on the remembrances which he has now given thee of himself. He desires thou wouldest make him thy daily bread; and be ever drawing life, and power, and joy from him, the fountain of life. Doth not he love holiness, better than thou canst do thyself? Did he not live, did he not die, did be not rise again, and is he not at GOD's right hand, and has he not an unchangeable Priesthood, that he may "bring us to GOD," and "purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works?" Be confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in thee, will finish it until the day of Jesus CHRIST." Do but let him know every day that thou "lovest righteousness, and hatest iniquity," and he will crown thee with more of his grace. He will love to beautify his own image, and make it fairer and clearer wheresover he finds it. Do but "work out thy salvation with fear and trembling," and thou needest not fear, he will continue to work in thee for ever. That little light which is in thee shall increase to perfect day.

            And here remember, that the more thou canst forego thy own will to satisfy his, the more assured thou wilt grow that he delights in thee, and will rejoice over thee to do thee good; and so thou canst never fail to find thy joy in him to be full. Therefore resolve particularly all this week to meditate often upon his absolute RESIGNATION to his FATHER'S will in all things; of which he has given such a perfect example from the beginning to the end of `his life. When he came into the world, he said, " Lo, I come to do thy will, O, GOD." When lie, reached among men he protested, saying, " I can of my ownself do nothing; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the FATHER which has sent me." And when he was an hungered, he protested again; "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." And when he was in the bitterest agony, from which nature was passionately averse, he submitted himself, nevertheless, with the greatest meekness, saying, " Not What I will, but what thou wilt. Not my will, but thine be done." Labor thou after the same mind and disposition, both in doing and suffering; remembering the word that he said unto his Apostles, "The Disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his LORD. It is enough for the Disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his LORD. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

THE PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING.

            ALMIGHTY and most merciful FATHER, the fountain of all life and happiness: Thou bountifully communicates thy blessings, and every where overflowest in thy mercies to all thy creatures,-more especially to the sons of men, who are surrounded with an ocean of them, the bounds of which we cannot see, and the depth whereof we cannot fathom. And the more thirsty any souls are, and humbly desirous to receive them, the more it pleases thee to pour out thy mercies upon them. I thine unworthy servant, encompassed about with thy salvation, come to make my humble acknow­ledgements, and such returns of dutiful affection as I am able, to thy Divine Majesty. If I had the spirits of all creatures united in me, I could not conceive, or worthily express, thy loving-kindness; who hast raised me out of nothing to an excellent degree of being; endued me with reason and wisdom; instructed me in the Christian Faith; and therein let me see such things as "eye never saw, ear never heard, nor did it enter into the heart of man to conceive; "-that the LORI) God "should dwell among us," and our nature be "exalted at his right hand, far above all Angels, Principalities, and Powers, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come." Blessed be the infinite wisdom and goodness of GOD, which sent his SON JESUS, born of a woman, to die for us, and to be a propitiation for our sins; and, by means of death, hash crowned him with glory and honor, that we might have a blessed hope of glory, honor, and im­mortality, together with himself. I ought to be over­whelmed with the thoughts of thy mercies, which I cannot comprehend. The great load of them ought to press my heart continually, to send them all back again in eternal love and obedience. Accept, good LORD, I beseech thee, of such poor expressions of then as I have now made unto thee; and of my vows, at thy holy table, to tender unto thee better. There thou hast been pleased to give me a sweet remembrance of thy past loving-kindness, and assurances of the future. Bestow upon me likewise such a wise and considering heart, that I may sink my thoughts deeper and deeper into the vast sea of thy mercies; and think myself happy when I am filled with such a great sense of them, that all my thoughts, desires, and actions, are under the power of heavenly love.

            O that the love of God, My SAVIOR, may be ever admirable in mine eyes, and that I may delight to think of thy love, to speak of thy love, and t imitate thy love; so that all inordinate affections may die in me, and I may per­form most ready and easy obedience to all thy commands. Thou hast laid also great engagements upon me, in that whilst thou makest this provision for my soul, thou hast not neglected my body; but hast taken care that a world of good things should serve my needs continually. O, that my heart were but duly sensible of all thy goodness! I know that then I could not deny any thing thou desirest to thee, who hast opened thy hand so liberally to me, even beyond my desires. I could not but trust thee, and resign my will wholly to thee, and be contented with what thou orderest for me, and in every thing give thanks, which is thy will in CHRIST JESUS concerning me.

            All that I have and can do is too little to give to thee. I can love thee but a little, and therefore I desire that all the world would love thee, and worship thee, and glorify thy name. a For thou art great, and doest wondrous things; thou art GOD alone. O, that all the Kings of the earth would praise thee, O, LORD: yea, that they would sing in the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD." May they think it their greatest honor to be the subjects of our SAVIOR, and their greatest security to obey him, and observe his laws; and being entrusted with thy power, ' may they employ it to right those that suffer wrong, to ease the oppressed, supply the wants of the poor, defend the fatherless and widows, and comfort, all mankind in their miseries. I recommend this Church and Kingdom, our Sovereign, and all his subjects, to thy most powerful protection; beseeching thee to endue us all with thy heavenly grace, to dispose us to thy true religion, and to be zealous of good works; that our LORD and Master maybe honored by us, and all men may know we are his disciples, by our loving one another. Now to "the most high GOD, who liveth for ever, whose dominion is an ever­lasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation; before whom all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and who does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; " be blessing, and honor, and praise rendered, by me, and by all creatures, now and eternally. Amen.

THE EIGHTH MEDITATION BEFORE THE
SACRAMENT.

            Our LORD has done such great things for us, that we may be tempted sooner not to believe them, than to forget them. But this is one piece of the greatness of that love, that it has taken care it should be always remembered. He has not thought it enough to die for us; but he has left us a representation of it, and a command to " show forth his death until he come." What dost thou think of that command? Is it a burden to thee to yield obedience to i t? Dost thou unwillingly " do this in remembrance" of him? What! is it a sad thing to think of declaring the goodness of the LORD, to magnify the love of GOD, to profess ourselves his servants, and to engage to him our fidelity? Thou art not a stranger, surely, to thy own happiness, but knowest better things, even things that accompany salvation. Give glory therefore to the LORD, that he calls thee again, so graciously, to show forth his death; let him know that thou meanest to obey him, by attending him at his holy table, and thank him too. But with what blushing should we look there upon that love, which we have some time slighted? With what hatred, upon those sins which mur­dered the LORD of Life? With what joy should we think of the hope there is, that they may be pardoned? And how shall we stand admiring at that wise goodness, which made that blood, which sinners shed, to be the expiation for their sins? Surely we do not believe these things, or else we should already feel our hearts burn with love to him, and ready to offer themselves in sacrifice before we come to his altar. Let thy faith stir up thy love, and carry all the passions of thy heart along with it to him. Show him that the desire of thy heart is to the remembrance of his name, that thy care is to please him, thy fear to offend him, thy joy to do his will, and thy sorrow that thou canst do no more for him. Let it be a comfort to thee, that he knows thy sincerity, and sees the very secrets of thy heart; how affectionately thou studiest to be like him; what a pleasure it is when thou canst steadfastly think on him; how it grieves thee when thy thoughts are broken, thy affections heavy and dull, and thy power falls so short of thy will and desires. And be assured that he pities thee; and that, not­withstanding this, he will kindly entertain thee, and receive the poorest oblation thou art able to make him at his table. " Eat, and be satisfied, and bless the name of the LORD." He has invited thee, he expects thee, he loves to see thee there, and will make thee know that he loves thee, and delights to do thee good.

            Let us go, my soul, and declare before Angels and men, that we are Christians, and mean to live and die in his holy religion. And let us now take shame to ourselves, that we have at any time contradicted our belief. Let us acknow­ledge the breach of that faith into which we were baptized; and declare before we go, how great a trouble it is to us that we love him no more, and how desirous and fully resolved we are to love him better and better.

THE PRAYER SOME TIME BEFORE.

            O ETERNAL God, the LORD of life, of grace, peace, and all our comforts, it is of thy great mercies alone that I am not consumed, or that I he not now on a bed of sickness, but am invited to feast at thy holy table. I might have loathed even the ordinary food of my body; and thou continuest to me the opportunity of receiving the precious food of my soul. The grave might have been my dwelling, the worms my companions, and I been turned into rottenness and corruption; but now I am going to thy house, to be the companion of thy people, and to communicate with thee and my blessed SAVIOR, that I may be nourished to a blessed immortality. This is nothing else but thy marvelous mercy, and cause thy compassions fail not; for I have in too many ways violated thy holy laws, broken thy covenant, resisted thy grace, and under-valued eternal life. Thou hast adopted me early for thy child, sown the immortal seed of thy word in my heart, and sent thy HOLY SPIRIT to further its growth and increase to that never dying happiness. But how little have I recovered of thy image in wisdom, righteousness, and holiness, which has been miserably defaced! How coldly have I sometimes entertained the motions of thy HOLY SPIRIT! How barren and unfruitful have I been in the knowledge of JESUS CHRIST! How often have I heard of that great and dreadful day of reckoning, and been prone to follow the little pleasures of this life, as if I looked neither for joy nor misery in the other world! That faith which should save me, might justly condemn me; and JESUS my most compassionate REDEEMER, were it not for infinite mercy, would become only a severe judge towards me.

            Adored be thy patience and long-suffering to sinners. For ever magnified be that grace, which gives another opportunity of humbling myself before thee; of entreating thy favor; of deprecating thy displeasure; and of devoting myself again to thy service. O, merciful God, according to the multitude of thy mercies in CHRIST JESUS, blot out all mine iniquities. I have not offended thee beyond the height, and depth, and length, and breadth, of thin incom­prehensible love; and there is still remaining in my heart some esteem of that love, with a hearty desire to be sanctified throughout in body, soul, and spirit. Though not by works of righteousness which I have done, yet by thy mercy I hope to be saved, through the washing of regeneration, and more perfect renewing of the HOLY GHOST. That renewing virtue from above I earnestly desire to be more abundantly poured on me. Let me study to purify myself, even as thou art pure; and to walk before thee in all sobriety, righteousness, humility, meekness, peaceable­ness, and charity; endeavoring to perfect holiness in thy fear. Vouchsafe me some earnests of this grace, when I present myself before thee, to commemorate the death of thy SON JESUS, who was wounded for our iniquities, and bruised for our transgressions; that my heart may be deeply wounded with a sense of sin, and hate the very thought of every evil way, and choose to endure any misery, rather than offend thy love again. O, that I might then feel my thoughts carried away from this world, so that I could think of nothing but thee, the dying love of my SAVIOR, and the greatness of that love which I owe to him. Replenish my soul with holy thoughts, lift me up in heavenly medita­tions, and fill me with a multitude of devout affections; that I may be able hereafter to do and suffer all things for his sake, and never forget how good he is, and how good I have resolved to be. without thee I cannot ascend up unto thee; and therefore I look for thy holy inspirations too accompany me in all my meditations, and prayers, and praises, and thanksgivings, and resolutions; that attending upon this sacred service with love, and zeal, and delight, and devotion of spirit, there may be a happy meeting between me and my SAVIOR, and such an inseparable union contracted as may be at last consummated in his heavenly kingdom.

THE MEDITATION AFTERWARD.

            SEEING it has pleased my LORD to tie me to himself by one bond more, and I have added a new resolution to all the rest, and made choice of him again for my only Master, how careful ought I to be that I prove not a false disciple! Hast thou never read or heard of a holy man, who never used the name of JESUS, but he immediately added, not without the appearance of singular pleasure, "II Y MASTER? ". This was his glory; and he thought it the highest honor upon earth, that he served such a Master. Let this be one of thy thoughts every day; let it work in thy mind, till the sense of these words be engraved on thy heart, "My Master, Jest's." Consider that when thou wast baptized, thou was dedicated to his holy service; that if thou hast owned and confirmed the sacred covenant, thou hast renounced all other masters, the Devil, the world, and the flesh, and professed that thou wouldest be a servant of JESUS; and that every time thou hast been at his table, thou hast done this over again, and protested thou wilt have no other Master, but only Him. Is there any cause to repent of thy choice? Is it not a great preferment to be one of his family, who is the LORD of heaven and earth, the Heir of all things, the Prince of the Kings of the earth, the LORD of Life, and the King of glory? Dost thou not profess in thy daily prayers, that his " service is perfect freedom?" Can any reward their servants like "the blessed and only Potentate, who only has immor­tality?" Do any servants in the world serve in such hopes, or enjoy such promises, or receive such earnests, as he is pleased to bestow on his? Is not death the wages of sin; but the gift of GOD eternal life? What servants are admitted to such familiarity with their LORD, as thou art at his table? Who are entertained with such a feast, or live upon such delights, as they that receive his body and blood? And yet how zealous, how diligent, how forward are they to do their master's will, who serve only for the wages of unrighteousness? How proud is a man of the honor to follow the Court of an earthly Prince? But, if he should be advanced to eat continually at his table, the world would envy his too great happiness. What a shame will it prove then, if thou art not " fervent in spirit, serving the LORD?" If thou dost not think thyself honored enough, and art not well contented in any condition, who followest such a glorious Master? Thou wilt not pardon thyself, if thou art unfaithful to him, or  disgracest his service by murmuring, repining, dejection of spirit, or any other unworthy behavior toward him. For what master ever merited so much at his servants' hands? We have heard of servants that have died; for their masters; but where did we ever read or hear of a master that freely died, even for his rebellious servants? Ask thyself therefore every morning, Whose servant am I? What did I promise my Master on such a day? If I call him LORD and Master, why do I not do the things that he says? And shall I go about my Master's business with a drooping countenance, and a heavy heart? Shall I sigh when I hear his voice, though he bid me deny myself, and take up my cross, and follow him? Shall any of his commandments seem grievous to me, after so many, and so solemn professions of love to him? GOD forbid that I should cast such reproach upon him. I have not so learned CHRIST JESUS, whose I am, and whom I serve; who has said, "If any man serve me, him will my FATHER honor." Can there be words of greater grace than these? " GOD be thanked that I who was the servant of sin, am now the servant of righteousness." I ought to account it an honor to receive his commands; and to study to do his will on earth, as it is done in heaven. How comfortably then shall I live! How comfortably shall I die! How will it make my heart to leap for joy, to hear that voice of his, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy LORD! "

THE THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER.

            FOR ever hallowed be thy great name, O, FATHER of Mercies, the GOD of love, the fountain of all blessedness. All the heavenly host delight to praise thee. O, how great is thy goodness, who invitest us, who dwell in houses of clay, to bear them company in their praises and thanks­givings! They can add nothing at all unto thy fullness but it is our happiness to spend our days here in loving thee, and doing thee honor and service; and to pass the life of the other world in admiration, love, and thanks­giving. Blessed be the name of GOD our FATHER, who hath raised us out of nothing, and " has not appointed us unto wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus CHRIST;" and of GOD our SAVIOR, who has redeemed us from the hands of all our enemies, and purchased us with a great price unto himself; and of GOD our SANCTIFIER and ASSISTER, who keeps us every moment from destruction. I thank thee, O, LORD of heaven and earth, for that liberal portion which thou hast given to me, thine unworthy servant, in thy grace and favor; for the knowledge of thy holy Gospel, which has brought life and immortality to light; for all the good instructions I have received from thy Ministers, and the tender care, and religious education, of my Parents, Tutors, and Governors; for all seasonable reproofs, wholesome counsels, good admonitions, and every truth I have received from my friends or enemies; for the pious examples, and good conversation, of any of my neighbors; for all holy opportunities, and the leisure I have to attend upon this heavenly employment; for thy merciful chastisements, and thy wonderful deliverances; for all the good books thou hast brought to my hands, and the good advice which I have in any way received; for all my benefactors; for all those that love me, and pray for me; and, above all, for thy gracious inspirations from above, the holy thoughts thou hast put into my mind, and the pious desires and purposes thou hast stirred up in my heart; with all the helps and assistances thou hast vouchsafed me in my way to heaven, particularly now at this holy feast, where thou halt made me know and feel how good thou art.

            What shall I return unto thee for all thy love? What shall I give unto my LORD, who has given himself for me? I have given thee my whole self, and now devoted all the powers of my soul and body to thy service; that all my thoughts, my words, my desires, my passions, and my actions, may be disposed according to thy will, and not my own. And I think myself happy, O, blessed JESUS, in the choice I have made of thee for my LORD and Master. I rejoice in the disposal I have made of myself to thy service and obedience. For a world I would not revoke my consent to be absolutely ruled and governed by thee, as long as I live. "Sin shall not reign in my mortal body, that I should obey it in the lusts thereof."

            I come again to yield myself unto thee, my GOD; to pro­fess thy service to be the most perfect freedom; and to beseech thy pardon for all mine unfaithfulness, and the constant power of thy HOLY SPIRIT to assist me in the doing thy will here on earth, as it is done in heaven; that all my resolutions may be persevering, my endeavors successful, and my obedience perfect in all things.

            LORD JESUS, do what thou pleasest in me, and what thou pleasest with me. " Truly I am thy servant, I am thy servant;" and I will make my boast continually in this, that 111 serve the LORD CHRIST." May I but ever love thee, and steadfastly cleave unto thee, and cheerfully obey thee, and faithfully live to honor thee; I desire nothing else. Come prosperity or adversity, come sickness or health, life or death, so that I may but glorify thee; and be made conformable to thee, and bear thine image in holiness here, and in glory hereafter.

            And let all the earth stand in awe of thee, thou LORD and ruler of the whole world. Let the hearts of all people submit themselves to thy kingdom and authority. "In thy Majesty ride on prosperously, O, thou most mighty, because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness;." till all thine enemies fall under thee, and think themselves happy in thy just and merciful government. I commend thine own family to thy gracious and powerful protection, and that part of it especially which is in these kingdoms; that we thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions, may ever more give thanks unto thee in thl holy Church, and triumph in thy praise, saying, "This God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."

THE NINTH MEDITATION BEFORE THE
SACRAMENT.

            SHALL we not be too bold in going so often to the table of the LORD? May we not offend him by our forwardness to approach his presence? No, surely; if we consider how forward he was to do that which we remember. When he came to offer himself a sacrifice for us, he faith, "Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me: I delight to do thy will, O, GOD." And when he ate the last meal with his Disciples, he said again, " With desire, I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer." Behold what a hearty vehemence there was in his love! What an ardor in his desire to be made an offering for us, and to be remembered by us! With what desire then should our souls approach to his holy table in remembrance of him, who took such content in dying for us, and was so desirous to institute this holy feast, for a perpetual remem­brance of his death?

            Awake, awake then thy faith, call up thy love, quicken thy desires; excite all that is within thee to bless the LORD, and speak good of his name. Say, with joy, "Lo, I come according to thy command, and delight to do thy will, O, GOD. With desire -I have desired to do this in remem­brance of my LORD, to declare thy mighty acts, and show forth the greatness of thy love; to profess myself thy servant, and to glory in the holy name of my Master, JESUS; to offer up myself unto thee an oblation of love; to renew my covenant with thee, and with all my brethren; to give thee thanks that I am one of thy family, and for all the benefits I have received, and for all which thou hast still in store for thy faithful servants." But who is able to tell how much he has done already for us, or find out all that he designs unto us? Who can praise him according to his excellent kindness, and his wonderful works for the children of men? The thoughts of Angels are not wide enough to comprehend them. “Give thanks therefore unto the LORD; for he is gracious, for his mercy endureth for ever." O, give thanks unto him, who is so desirous of us, such little hearts, that can hold so little love unto him. Let us go to him, and desire that he would enlarge them, and that he would fill them to the height with his. Since he is content, if he may but dwell in our breasts, and have the government of us in his hands; let us go and vow, that he shall possess us solely; that no affection, no desire, shall dwell in us without his leave, and all be ordered by him just as he pleases. And let us show him now, that we have prepared no less gift than our whole selves, to be bestowed on him; that we are desirous to be commanded by him, and to do him service; and that if he will make us more desirous, more resolved and steadfast in these holy purposes, we will never cease to thank him in this manner as long as we live.

            And approaching thus with all humility to him, may we not hope that he will accept us, and receive us as his friends, and embrace us with love, and inclose us, as we desire, unto himself?-Nay, that he will hold us fast tied in the cords of his love; not to fetter and imprison us, but to unlock and open our narrow hearts by the power of it, that they may be enlarged into the true liberty of love to him, and to all the world. We may hope at last, that it will become as unnatural to offend him, as it is to kill ourselves; that obedience shall be our delight; that all good things on earth, which have been our hinderence, shall prove our­ encouragement to a holy life; and that our watchfulness over ourselves shall be so strict and severe, that we shall not be easily surprised, but continually worship him, by presenting him with a spirit like his own, innocent, and delighting to do all good.

THE PRAYER SOME TIME BEFORE.

            O MOST mighty LORD, the high and holy One, who pos­sessest eternity, who dwellest in the purest light, and whose Majesty is enthroned in the midst of all the heavenly host, who are continually celebrating the praises of thy name The light of thy countenance is better than life, and one day in thy courts is better than a thousand. If thou wilt gra­ciously shine upon me when I go to thy table; if thou wilt fill me with the joys of faith, and love, and holy hope, I shall account that day the beginning of eternal life, and remember as long as I live how gracious thou art. But I have little reason to expect to be so highly favored by thee, who have forgotten oft-times that reverence which I owe to thee my Creator, and that dutiful affection which I owe to my Redeemer, and been disobedient to many good motions of the HOLY SPIRIT of Grace. I have thought so much how to please myself, and so little of pleasing thee, and spent so much time in the affairs of my body, and so little in those of my immortal soul, that I may rather sink into dejection of spirit toward the place of darkness, than hope to be lifted up toward heaven.

            But thy gracious pardon, O LORD of Love, will make me admire and love thee; and it is already the hearty desire of my soul, that I may love thee above all things, and that all my love may run in free and cheerful obedience to every one of thy commands: they are all holy, just, and good they are most lovely and gracious in mine eyes. I esteem thy precepts to be most highly conducive to the perfection and happiness of my nature, and joyfully submit myself to the sovereign authority of such tender love. O, pity an humble suitor unto thee, that his heart may ever be under the power of thy holy commands, and, being saved from the love of all things here below, may become a subject of thy love.

            I am sensible how often I fall short of my own desires, and resolutions, and therefore again look up to thee with an humble faith for thy powerful presence with me. Enlighten my mind more clearly; settle my wandering thoughts; awaken the conscience of my duty towards thee and toward all men; compose and quiet all my turbulent passions, and confirm and strengthen all the holy purposes which thou workest in me. Vouchsafe, most gracious LORD, to accept and assist the faint endeavors of my soul to please thee, to encourage and further every good inclination, to fortify me against the most importunate temptations, and to enable me to quell and bring tinder the strongest oppositions to thy will. May I deliver up myself absolutely unto it; desiring and purposing to live in stead­fast conformity to it, to maintain an humble and reverent Sense of thy greatness and goodness, soberly to use all the good things which thou indulgest to me, to exercise righteousness, charity, meekness, and gentleness to all men; to possess my soul in patience, to be contented with my portion, to pray without ceasing, and in every thing to give thanks, which is thy will in CHRIST JESUS concerning me. Sanctify, I beseech thee, the greatest worldly blessings to me; support me under the heaviest afflictions; fit me for the most sudden or lingering departure out of this life, and for whatever thy wise providence shall order for me while I stay in it; and by these means prepare me for everlasting glory. And O, that the nearer I approach unto it, the brighter sense of it may shine into my heart, chasing away the fears of death, and the cares of life. O, that I may now begin it, by praising thee in the company of thy saints with joyful lips; and every day praise thee better, and long more for that happy state, where we shall have nothing else to do but to love and praise thee for ever.

THE MEDITATION AFTERWARD.

            Is there any need, after all thou hast heard, and thought, and said of thy blessed SAVIOR, that I should call upon thee, and bid thee love him? Need I entreat and earnestly beseech thee, my soul, to preserve the memory of his kind­ness, and exhort thee to go again and again, to praise him in this manner? Methinks we may turn our thoughts and our speech to him, thanking and admiring the excess of his love, that he will let us, approach thus near unto him. It is his love, that he will at all regard us, and receive the love we offer to him. But it is a great marvel of his love, that he has entreated us so often, and laid upon us so many obligations to love him. What are we, that he should seek after us on this fashion, who had a mind to lose him? It is strange that he will address himself to our very senses, so that our dull flesh may not hinder us from loving him. Good LORD! that thy delight should be with the sons of men! Couldest thou not live unless we lived also? Canst thou be at all the better for us? Have we been kind unto thee, since thou hast done this for us? Or do we use half so many entreaties to thee, to do us good, as thou hast done to us, to be good to ourselves? But think withal, what a hopeless condition that soul is in, which the love of GOD in CHRIST JESUS cannot move to love him. And what may all thy brethren expect from thee, who are partakers of the common salvation together with thyself? Canst thou find in thy heart to offend him for whom CHRIST died? Wilt thou not open thy bowels of compassion towards others, when thou standest in so great need even of infinite mercies thyself? Shall some small differences between you sour thy heart; or blunt the edge of that affection, which is sharpened by the divine love to us, when we were strangers and enemies to him by evil works? How canst thou but be ready to do good, and to forgive even those that have done evil to thee? To bless them that curse thee, and pray for them that des­pitefully use thee; remembering that thy reward then shall be great, and thou shalt be the child of the Highest; for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil? Be thou therefore merciful, as thy heavenly FATHER also is merciful.

THE THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER AFTERWARD.

            O MOST holy and ever blessed LORD of heaven and earth, who only hast immortality, shining in the glory of thine own perfections, and not needing any reflections from -thy creatures: Thou art full beyond our thoughts; and ever communicating out of thy fullness, abundantly beyond all that we can conceive. We cannot comprehend the vast number of creatures which thou hast made, who all praise thee, and declare thy goodness: nor are we able to fathom the least part of that bounty which feeds them, and pro­vides for them, and takes care of them every where. Much less can we comprehend thee, in whom they all live, and move, and have their being; and from whom they are con­tinually supplied without diminishing thy full goodness. We, the children of men, have received a more liberal share in thy blessings than the rest of our fellow-creatures, and had most large experience of thy never-ceasing love and kindness to us. For after we had wasted those great treasures wherewith thou didst endue our natures, thou hast been pleased to grant us a new and better portion, and to raise us up again with the addition of many talents; having sent thy SON to redeem us, to be the author of a supernatural birth to us, to declare to us all the will of thee our heavenly FATHER, and to give us exceeding great and precious promises. Thou hast sent him, blessed be thy goodness, to bring us life and spirit; to strengthen us against all the powers of hell and earth; to break the force of all temptations; to sanctify even our afflictions to us, and the infirmities of our crazy bodies; to take out the sting of death, and to make it an entrance into an immortal life. Thou Last advanced him to intercede for us at thy right hand; to be our advocate with thee, when by our weakness we sin against thee; to pardon us when we re­pent and return to thee; and to bless us by giving us repentance, and turning us from all our iniquities. And to all other benefits thou hast added the comforts of thy holy table, where I have now partaken of his most blessed body and blood. Thou hast shown me the greatness of my SAVIOR's love; and tied me in new resolutions to love and serve thee for ever; and given me strong assurance of thine everlasting mercies in CHRIST JESUS.

            These very acknowledgments will witness against me, if I should carelessly throw away this new portion, which thou hast given me in thy love. The remembrance of them will be intolerable, if I should not improve this extra­ordinary grace, which I have now commemorated. I flee unto thee therefore, again, O, most merciful FATHER, for the help of thy HOLY SPIRIT, to continue in me a per­petual memory of that love which thou least bestowed on me, and of the professions I have made of an unmoveable love to thee. O, thou Inspirer of all holy thoughts and desires; O, thou who delightest to encourage all those that seek after thee; stop not the current of thy bounteous love; but as thou hast drawn me to thee, and moved me to devote myself' to thy obedience; so preserve these thoughts and purposes in my heart forever. I believe thou hearest me, and wilt be with me. And filled with power and might, and with constant hope in thee, I will walk and not be weary, and run the ways of thy commandments, and not faint. To that almighty goodness I commit -myself, of which I have had such long experience. I will never doubt of thy readiness to assist me; but always look up unto the heavens from whence cometh my help. " My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth. The LORD shall preserve me from all evil: he shall preserve my soul. The LORD shall preserve my going out, and my coming in, from this time forth and even for evermore."

THE TENTH MEDITATION BEFORE THE
SACRAMENT.

            How long is it since thou thoughtest of the best Friend thou hast in the whole world? And what were thy last thoughts of him? Didst thou not, a very little while ago, long for his company, and wish the time would come wherein thou mightest again enjoy him? Didst thou not count the days till that happy time, when- he promised to return or send unto thee? And suppose he be dead, with what passion dost thou follow his memory? How art thou moved with the mention of his dear name? How oft dost thou look upon the lively picture of him, which is drawn in thy imagination? And dost thou think it could fail to put thee in mind of what he left thee in charge when he departed this world? Couldest thou forget the legacies which he left thee, or the inheritance which he bequeathed to thee, as the heir of his love?

            How long then is it since JESUS was in thy thoughts? Canst thou not tell? Was there ever such a friend as he, who died to save thee? O, bow precious should the name of JESUS be unto thee? With what joy shouldest thou receive the news, that he is coming to visit thee? How welcome must this invitation be from thy blessed SAVIOR, whom if thou lovest, thou canst not but long to see? It is the voice of thy Well-beloved, that calls unto thee, and says, "Come and feast with me. Come and see by these sensible signs, which I have left to represent me, how much my love has made me to suffer for thee. Behold the lively figure of my body and blood, which was broken and shed to redeem thee. I have caused it to be made on purpose, that thou mightest not forget me."

            What dost thou answer him? Canst thou say, thou hast looked for this day? That thou thoughtest it long, till thou mightest go to his house, and see him set forth, crucified before thine eyes? Why? What good did the last sight of him do thee? Did it call all his commands to mind, and recommend them effectually to thy love? Did it stir thee up to his will, and make thee more zealous ever since in working that which Is pleasing in his sight? Having him, did it make thee "purify thyself even as he is pure? " Go then now as a friend of his, and do the same again. Renew thy remembrance of him. Show him the belief which thou hast in him; the love which thou bearest to his name and word; how resolved thou art never to forget him; and how happy thou thinkest thyself; in the portion which he has given thee in his grace and love. Profess to him that his commandments are dearer to thee than thy life; and that thou wilt sooner part with it, than not perform his holy will in every thing. Vow to him, again, that thou wilt be true and faithful to him. Embrace all thy brethren there assembled with a kind affection, because they are his friends and followers. Desire that all the world should know him, and become acquainted with him; and that a perpetual memory of him may be pre­served, by doing this, as long as the sun and moon endure.

            Then thou wilt hear him as good as say unto thee, " Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee. All that I have is thine. I will be an everlasting friend to thee, and make thee inherit all things. It is my FATHER'S good pleasure to give thee a kingdom: and here I give thee the earnest of that purchased possession. What reason mast thou to doubt of the enjoyment, if thou art my friend, by doing whatsoever I command thee? Do not friends par­take in each other's goods? My power which I have over all things in heaven and earth shall assist thee. My Angels shall be thy guardians. My SPIRIT shall be thy guide and director. My comforts shall encourage and support thee. Because I live, thou shalt live also. For I came that my sheep might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

THE PRAYER SOME TIME BEFORE.

            O MOST holy and eternal GOD, who art good, and doest good: The whole earth is full of thy goodness. Thy mercy reacheth unto the heavens, and thy faithfulness unto the clouds. Thou art great in power, wisdom, and all other perfections; and therefore greatly to be feared, honored, and loved, by all understanding creatures. When I- con­sider how much thou hast done for me, and how much I have often promised to do for thee, I am, on both hands, confounded and ashamed. Thou art my Creator, my Father, my Savior, and constant Benefactor; the GOD of my life, of all my present comforts and future hopes. I have promised often to be thy faithful servant, and thy duti­ful child, and to glorify thee both with body and soul, and all the good things which thou hast bestowed on me. In my baptism I was dedicated unto thee, and have many times confirmed that gift, and renewed my engagements to continue in thy obedience. In my promises I have been liberal; but how sparing in performance! Thou, who art acquainted with all my ways, knowest, and I myself know, so much of my negligence, that I may justly wonder that thou still retainest me in thy family. Adored be thy great long-suffering and patience toward me and all man­kind. Thanks be to the name of the LORD, who, after our abuse of so many blessings, has added the gift of his dear SON, and sent him to pay a ransom for us. O, the incon­ceivable greatness of that love, which has so much be­friended the most ungrateful enemies! I lift up my hands unto thee in his name, to receive that gracious pardon which he has purchased for me; hoping, through him, that thou wilt still continue thy love unto me, who am steadfastly resolved to love thee above all things. Far be it from me to think, that the love of our LORD shall maintain me in any rebellion against thee. No, love me so much, good LORD, as to change my will, and renew my nature into thine own likeness, that I may be truly a friend of GOD. I wish for no greater happiness, than to feel my soul at peace with thee, by an entire and unchangeable love to all righteousness, goodness, and truth. And I am going to remember his dying love; that I may devote myself wholly to thy love and service. I do as unfeignedly desire that all my sins may die, as I am glad that CHRIST died to be a-propitiation for them. And I as sincerely offer up myself, my understanding, my will, my desires and passions, and all that I have, unto thee, as I really believe that he offered up himself for me. O, that the power of the HOLY GHOST may accompany me, and unite my thoughts and affections to make a most thankful comme­moration of his loving-kindness. Represent unto my mind most feelingly all that JESUS has done and endured for our sake; fix my mind and heart upon the inestimable benefits which he has obtained for me; that I may not Only behold the outward figures of him, but receive those pledges of his love with the humblest reverence, with such aa lively faith, and vehement love, and ready submission of my will to him, that CHRIST JESUS may be formed in me. I long for the happiness of knowing assuredly that I am a friend of his, of delighting greatly in his commandments, of trusting myself and all my concerns entirely in his hands, of contenting myself in his love and good-will toward me, and of rejoicing in the sovereign dominion, power, and glory, which thou hast given him; with most earnest desires that all the world may love and obey him. Amen.

THE MEDITATION AFTERWARD

            WITH what unwillingness are we wont to leave the company of a friend in whom we delight? How doth the remembrance of him cleave unto our mind? How often do we think of the kind words which we heard from his mouth, and view the tokens which he has left with us of his love? Do we not use to cast our eyes behind us when we go from him, and look after him as long as he is in sight? Are we not glad to see but, his back, when we cannot behold his face? O, "JESUS," then shouldest thou say, "who can be content to part with the thoughts of thee, when he sees the love which thou bearest to us, and all the blessings which thou impartest to thy friends and followers? I should look as far as heaven, rather than suffer thee to go out of my thoughts; and always be casting mine eyes to thy dwelling place, that I may behold, at this distance, ever so little of thy most excellent glory.

            "I will not cease to be often looking after my SAVIOR. What though I cannot always see him, so as I now see him in the sanctuary; yet I will never forget him. And the darkest apprehensions of his love and favor shall be dearer to me, than any object in this world. Blessed be his goodness, which has given me such pledges of it, as engage me to remember him. I will be ever mindful to keep the covenant which I have made with him, and remember his commandments to do them. O, sweet words which I have heard from the mouth of tny SAVIOR; ' Whosoever shall do the will of GOD, the same is my brother, and my sister, and my mother.' I have no other will, O, LORD, but thine; and I will prove continually, ' what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will' of thine, that we may be eternal friends, by the constant union of our wills in one. Let my LORD. command what he pleases, it shall be obeyed: let him do what he thinks good, my will shall be done as well as his.

            O, my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my LORD; but my goodness extendeth not unto him, but to the saints that are in the earth. They are his friends, and what thou doest to them he accounts done to himself. Think thyself happy that thou wilt never want him,' whilst thou enjoyest them. Thou feedest him when thou feedest them. Thou goest to see him, when thou visitest them in their need. ' Verily, I say unto you, (they are the words of the LORD,) inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'

            "Look on it as a great part of the riches of divine grace, that he is not only content to love us himself, but has contrived means that all men else may love us, and com­mands them so to do. Begin this brotherly-kindness then thyself, that so thou mayest be able to say every day, O how great is thy mercy, O, LORD, that thou lovest me thyself, and wouldest have all the world to love me! O, how great is thy goodness, that thou not only chargest them so to do, but engagest them to love me by thy love! Yea, to love me so, as thou hast loved me and them, and so as they love themselves! How full, how incomprehensible is the love of my GOD, who would have me hated by none, but every man to be my friend, and, if I am in need, every man to do me good? How can I want who have such a father, who has made all men to be my brethren? How happy would he make me, who labors to set all hearts open to me, that as many men as I see, so many lovers I may behold? Thou dwellest, O, GOD, in love; and wouldest have me to do so too, by loving, and being beloved of all. What return shall I make to the LORD for his love! He tells me that ' it is love. Love thy brethren, love them with a pure heart fervently. This is the thing which I would have thee to do; and this will make thee blessed for ever, by loving me and all others, and by being beloved of me, and of all men else that love me."'

THE THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER.

            O LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, which is, which was, and is to come; who art the happiness of men and angels, and hast an innumerable company of beautiful creatures always beholding thy glories, satisfied with thy love, and delighting themselves in thy praises! I cast down myself before thee, to join together with all that heavenly host, in lauding and magnifying thy great and holy name, and rejoicing in thee with thanksgiving.

            Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Thou hast redeemed mankind by the blood of thy SON, and raised us out of the dust, that we might sit with him in heavenly places. Thou hast sent the HOLY GHOST, the Comforter, in signs and wonders, and divers miracles; in gifts of knowledge, wisdom, and prophecy; and in abundance of thy grace, to renew and sanctify the hearts of thy faithful people. The Apostles and Ministers of reconciliation were thy gift; by whom thou hast brought the glad tidings of salvation unto these parts of the world. The Sun of Righteousness, praised be thy goodness, has enlightened our eyes, who sat in darkness, and in the shadow of death. I have been thy constant care from my first conception and entrance into the world until this moment. Innumerable blessings thou hast bestowed on me; and I still hear the voice of joy and gladness. I behold my guides and in­structors, and have the liberty to go into thy house; and I see my SAVIOR himself in the remembrances and pledges which he has left me of his dying love. I will never cease to adore and extol thy mercy, who hast kept me from going down into the pit, and saved my soul from the nethermost hell. Blessed be thy goodness for the constant provision of thy house; the comforts of thy HOLY ­SPIRIT; the society of thy children; the hopes of heaven; and the tastes which thou hast given me of immortal joys in this holy feast with my SAVIOR. As thou hast begun, good LORD, out of thine own undeserved love to make me happy; so continue thy loving-kindness to me, till it be finished in perfect friendship with thee. Preserve in me a constant and prevailing sense of thy goodness, that I may willingly obey thee, and cheerfully do thy will in all things; that the very same mind maybe in me, which was also in CHRIST JESUS, whose meat it was to do thy will, and to finish the work of thee who sentest him. O, that GOD would count me worthy of this calling, and Fulfill in me all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power; that I may stand perfect and complete in all the will of GOD; and that the name of the LORD JESUS may be glorified in me, and I in him, according to the grace of our. God, and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. I have given myself now again unto thee, and professed the strictest friendship with thee: LORD, help me to keep it without spot, and unrebukable, until the appearing of the LORD JESUS; that both body and soul being preserved pure and undefiled, as the temples of the HOLY GHOST, he may be my constant guide, strength, and comfort, and lead me safely through all the difficulties and dangers of this world, the enticements of the flesh, and the crafts and subtleties of the Devil, to a place of peace and safety in the regions above, where I may for ever dwell in thy love, and sing thy praise.

THE ELEVENTH MEDITATION BEFORE THE
SACRAMENT.

            WITH what wonder do we entertain things which are strange and unusual? The very news of them carries great numbers to see them, and the sight of them fixes their eyes on them, as if they could never have enough of them. Behold here the wonder of wonders, which thou art called to feed thine eyes and heart withal. Go, is come to dwell in flesh. This flesh is made a sacrifice for the sins of the world. And he invites thee now to a feast upon that sacrifice, that thou mayest dwell in him, and he in thee. O marvelous love! What eyes ever saw such a sight as the SON of God dying on a cross, the ONLY-BEGOTTEN of the FATHER bleeding as a malefactor? The glorious KING of heaven laying down his life freely for his own subjects:-rebels I should have called them, and enemies to him? Where are all my thoughts? Where is my admira­tion? Whither are all my desires gone? Strange that my thoughts should be so heavy, and my affections so cold; that my hunger and thirst, my love and my joy, should be no more excited, at the very motion to go to the house of God, to make a thankful remembrance of his death! We think the Angels lead a happy life in their blessed employment of giving continual praises to GOD; why do I not. go then with a more forward joy into the courts of the LORD, to do this in remembrance of CHRIST, which those heavenly creatures do not do? " For he has not taken hold of the nature of Angels, but of the seed of ABRAHAM," for whom he has prepared also this sacred food, of which they never tasted. Behold the treasures of grace and glory which he offers thee, and by these signs of his body and blood would make over to thee. Is not love the very life and soul of the world? Is it not the joy and satisfaction of hearts? Behold here the worthiest object of it that ever was. See how he would fill and possess thy whole soul with perfect contentment. And lest thou shouldest be so unhappy as not to dwell in love, see how he would engage thee by these bonds, in which thou art going to tie thyself, to love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, soul, and strength, and thy neighbor as thyself. How doth he study to gratify thee in thy most noble desires! Call up thy best and purest thoughts. Endeavor to forget all other things, and only to look upon JESUS. If any thing can make thee love GOD, it must be his love. If any thing can make thee hate sin, it must be this sacrifice for it. If any thing can make thee willing and obedient, it must be his obedience to the death. Think then, when thou comest into his presence, that thou seest him hanging on his cross. Think that thou seest him spreading out his arms, and resigning himself to the will of GOD: that thou beholdest his gaping wounds, and the blood trickling down his sacred body: that thou Nearest him cry unto thee;

            " Did I not love thee, when I bled to death for thee? Did I not love thee, when I endured this pain and sorrow to redeem thee? Could I do more than give myself, to deliver thee from death, and open the kingdom of heaven and eternal life? "-And then what heart is there, that need be taught what it should say, and what it should do on this occasion? Who can refrain from giving blessing, and praise, and glory, in the highest to him? Who can want thanks to render him for such invaluable benefits.? Nay, who would not rejoice to think of serving one, that has merited thus of him, and intends to reward his duty with that very glory which the FATHER hash given to himself? Our LORD cannot but expect to see thy mind fraught with heavenly thoughts, thy will bowing and submitting wholly to his disposal. And to all such he says, by his Ministers, " Come to my Supper, for all things are ready; come and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort. Rejoice with me, and be exceeding glad; for I love you, and will love you to the end."

THE PRAYER SOME TIME BEFORE.

            O MOST holy LORD of heaven and earth; whom to know is the beginning of life; whom to love is our perfec­tion upon earth; whom to possess is heaven itself: It was thy great goodness to make us to know thee, and love thee, and be like unto thee; and a greater to sue unto us, and entreat for our affections. But it is the greatest of all, that thou hast sent thy SON JESUS, to beseech us, and to add mighty importunities to his entreaties, that we would do that, of which we ought to be desirous, as the greatest happiness of which we are capable. LORD, what is man that thou art thus kind unto him? We are very little things; far below thy notice. We are naturally infirm and crazed in our bodies; and our understandings are short­ sighted, our reasonings weak and childish, our passions easily disordered, our resolutions inconstant; and by sin we have made ourselves worse, and turned those into greater mischiefs. So that if thou hadst been pleased to show but a little compassion to us, what could we have expected more from thy goodness? But that thou shouldest advance such wretched things as we are, who know not how to value and esteem thy benefits, to the dignity of thy chil­dren; shouldest make us like thyself in righteousness, good­ness, and truth; and at last shouldest give us a blessed im­mortality;-O how astonishing is this love, which thou hast shown to us in the SON of thy love, the LORD JESUS! I am ashamed to think that this grace has waited so long upon me, and been no better entertained and improved; and that my apprehensions of it are still so dull, and of so little force to constrain my whole soul to love thee, and live to thee for ever. I most humbly flee to that grace, which has abounded thus towards me, for the pardon it has promised to those who yield themselves to be governed by it. O, let not thy unwearied goodness be provoked yet to cast off the care of me: but continue to hold before mine eyes thy love in CHRIST JESUS, till my heart be overcome, and subdued perfectly to his obedience. May I abandon every evil way; and may it be the very business of my life to purify myself, as thou art pure, from all inordinate cares and fears; from sensual lusts and brutish passions; from anger and hatred; envy and malice; pride and vanity; falseness and dissimulation; murmuring and discontent; and whatsoever is opposite to thy blessed nature and will, declared by CHRIST JESUS. O, that the faith of CHRIST, which thou hast planted in my heart, may take a deeper root that as I believe him to be the LORD of all, who died for me, and bought me with a price, and is risen again to be the Author of eternal salvation to those that obey him, so I may constantly reverence him, and religiously keep his holy commands, and steadfastly trust him, and make him my hope, and love his appearing: and-now that I am going to make to him my renewed acknowledgments, and to devote myself to his holy obedience; LORD, fill me with such worthy thoughts, affections, and resolutions, that I may know that I love him, and may rejoice in hope of his eternal love. O, that nothing may interpose, when I am at thy table, to binder the effect of these holy desires; that no cloud may arise in my mind, to obscure my sight of his love; no vain thought, to draw me aside from meditating on his death and passion: but may I be carried then and always with a strong and irresistible inclination to do his will.

THE MEDITATION AFTERWARDS.

            WHERE hast thou been? At any ordinary meal, or a common entertainment? What wentest thou out to re­ceive? A piece of bread and a cup of wine? That we have in our own houses. Or what wentest thou from home to see? A dumb show, a company of men with serious looks, and sad behaviour? Those we may see among them that mourn for any dead friend: or, what wentest thou out for to see? Bread broken, and the wine poured out, in a solemn and holy manner by the appoint­ment of CHRIST JESUS? Yea, and much more than so;­ CHRIST himself, the SON of the blessed, under those signs and figures of his death. This is He of whom it is written, " Behold the LAMB of GOD, that taketh away the sins of the world." Verily, there is none born of women like unto him, the only-begotten SON of GOD, the Heir of all things. And thou hast been at his table; thou hast beheld the astonishing love of GOD in delivering him up to suffer for thee; thou hast received the pledges of his dearest love, and the earnests of all those goods that he possesses.

            Couldest thou see no beauty in him, that thou shouldest desire him? Is it nothing to partake of the merits of his sufferings? To be made the Son of the King of heaven, and the Heir of his love, by being made partaker of a divine nature? - Where were thine eyes then? What were thy thoughts doing? None ever. believed this love that GOD bears to us, who was not moved by it to love him. For the Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth to love thee, what a word is that! Who can hear it, and not be amazed? Especially when he loves thee so much as to send his SON unto thee, yea, his only SON, the SON of his love; who has so loved thee, as to spend his dearest blood in thy service; and all this freely, without any motive but his own love; and to procure us the greatest blessings? And need he entreat thee not to forget the love he has shown unto thee? To spend a few thoughts every day on such a friend, that has deserved so much of thee?-A mean request, which should be granted, one would think, without the asking. And wilt thou be at no pains to preserve his memory? Shall he slip out of thy mind, unless he force himself into thy company? That little all which he desires of thee is, that thou wouldest love him best; and then do even what thou wilt.

            It is the nature of all love, not to let our heart be joined to any other object, which shall in any degree prejudice that which is loved. Whatsoever is honored and admired by us above all others, will not permit any thing to be entertained, that shall injure it in our thoughts and affections. If thy Redeemer therefore be seated in thy heart by unfeigned love, it will render every thing despi­cable, which would draw thy heart from him. Thou wilt look upon it as a base temptation, and an unworthy offer; which is not only to be slighted, but hated and loathed. Thou wilt say, 111 am dead to sin, I cannot live any longer therein. I have done with all your adulterate pleasures. JESUS is my joy, my life, and my crown; what pleases him, pleases me. His love is a law within my heart; and therefore I delight to do thy will, O, GOD.

            And the more to fortify thyself, thou mayest often meditate, all this week, upon the courage and constancy, the fortitude and magnanimity of JESUS in asserting the truth of GOD. For this is particularly remembered by ST. PAUL, as a part of his character, that"' he witnessed before PONTIUS PILATE a good confession." By this we should excite ourselves, out of love to him, to follow after "righteousness, godliness, faith, charity, patience, and meekness," whatsoever it cost us. Let the dangers be what they will, we should "still fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life, For herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world."

THE THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER AFTERWARDS.

            I HUMBLY offer unto thee, O, LORD, together with the whole company of heaven, the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. The whole world was made by thee of nothing. The heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that are therein, confess themselves the work of thy infinite wisdom and power. Out of the dust thou hast framed our comely bodies; and hast inspired into them immortal spirits, on which thou hast engraven thy own image. Thou didst put thine own majesty upon us, that all thy creatures here should be obedient to us, and we be obedient only to thee, the great LORD and Governor of all. O, how great was the honor which thou conferredst upon us! And how much more wonderful the grace thou hast given us in CHRIST JESUS, after our disloyalty and shameful disobedience to thee! Thou hast sent him to redeem us from hell and death, by his precious blood: and thou hast given thy HOLY SPIRIT to sanctify our hearts, and assist us in our duty; thy Gospel to be our rule; thy SON to be our example; thy Ministers to be our remembrancers; thy Sacraments to be our signs and seals of thy blessing. I have now tasted of thy great and abundant love. Thou hast feasted me at thy table; and satisfied me of thy good-will towards me. What shall I render unto thee, and do for thee, who hast done all this for me, who am less than the least of all thy mercies? My heart burns within me, until I have offered up myself again unto thee; and resolved to spend my days in praising, loving, and serving thee, to the best of my power. O, that this holy sense of thee may never vanish out of my mind but may I always think of thee, declare thy loving­kindness, and approve myself to thee by new bonds and engagements, which I desire may be never loosed. O, that my vows and promises may stand as fast as thine everlasting Covenant. May nothing make me break my faith, which I have given to thee; but may I always, as I stand bound, most heartily continue to " believe in thee, to fear thee, and to love thee with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength; to worship thee, and give thee thanks; to put my whole trust in thee; to call upon thee; to honor thy holy name and word; and to serve thee truly all the days of my life." And assist me by thy heavenly grace to do my duty also faithfully towards my neighbor; " to love him as myself, and to do to all men as I would they should do unto me; to love, honor, and succour my Father and Mother; to honor and obey the King, and all that are put in authority under him; to submit myself to all my Governors, Teachers, Spiritual Pastors, and Masters; to order myself lowly and re­verently to all my betters; to hurt nobody by word or deed; to be true and just in all my dealings; to bear no malice nor hatred in my heart; to keep my hands from picking and stealing, and my tongue from evil. speaking, lying, and slandering; to keep my body in temperance, soberness, and chastity; not to covet nor desire other men's goods; but to learn and labor truly to get my own living, and to do my duty in that state of life unto which it shall please God to call me."

THE TWELFTH MEDITATION BEFORE THE
SACRAMENT.

            NEED I be told now, what that duty is which I am going to perform? Ain I not preparing to make a solemn com­memoration, before GOD, Angels, and men, of CHRIST'S unheard-of love in dying for us; to engage to him my fidelity; to renew the covenant that is between us; to open my heart to him, and to confirm_ to him the most absolute possession of my soul and body; to wait on him for his continued grace; to show him my willingness to take up his Cross, and to be his follower to death; to testify the love I bear unto, and the communion I desire to hold with, all the Christians that are throughout the world; to exalt the name of the LORD, who has condescended to a treaty of peace with us, and upon such easy terms to become friends with us, yea, and do great things for us? O, how sweet is the remembrance of these blessings! How happy am I that he will not let me forget them, but with a continued kindness invites me again to this delightful employment! I will go and give him thanks for all his benefits, and for this, amongst the rest, that he has made me so often partake of his blessed body and blood, and now gives me a new opportunity to celebrate in this manner the memory of his love. And O, that my heart was lifted higher than ever, after so long acquaintance with him, in admiration of his grace, in faith, in love, in joy, in praise and thankfulness, in strong and vehement desires, and in cordial resolutions to be his devout and faithful disciple. O, that the hearts of all men else, who shall approach his table, may be disposed to the like fervent affection to his service; that so many souls as are then present, so many living sacrifices there maybe to GOD, so many wills resigned into his hand with ardent love;-that so, those holy spirits which, the Apostle tells us, were present in their christian assemblies, may be invited to come into ours; and beholding nothing but what is reverent, serious, pure, and full of trite devotion, may be excited to rejoice and praise GOD together with us "THE LORD has prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye Angels of his: bless him, all his hosts: bless him, all ye works of his, in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul." Stir up thyself to bless the name of GOD our SAVIOR; who path not cast us out of his sight, when we threw off our obedience to him, but sent his SON to gather us up again to him, to invite us by precious promises, to endear himself to us by shedding his heart's blood for us, to open the gate of Paradise once more, and restore us to immortality, to make us equal with the Angels, and rank us among the eldest sons of glory. Let us go, with a greater love in our hearts towards him, than ever we felt before. Let us offer up ourselves to him with a stronger flame of devotion; which may always burn, and rise up higher and higher, till it touch heaven, and lift us up thither where our SAVIOR is in the high and holy place, " GOD blessed for ever." Amen.

THE PRAYER BEFORE THE SACRAMENT.

            ETERNAL GOD, whose omnipotent word brought me and this whole world of creatures into being; out of the fullness of whose goodness we are all fed and maintained; and by whose rich and abundant grace it is, that our souls are not in a desperate and forsaken condition, but may approach with some confidence to thee our Maker, who in thy SON hast revealed thyself unto us, a most merciful FATHER: I fall down before thee in humble reverence, to perform that duty which I owe to thee as thy creature, and much more as thy redeemed one, through the purchase thou hast made of us by the blood of JESUS. I extol and praise thy wisdom, thy bounty, thy holiness, and thy truth, which endureth for ever. I acknowledge myself beholden to thee beyond all my words, or conceptions. I reproach myself for this base ingratitude, and all the wrongs I have done thee. I confess the justice of thy proceedings, shouldest thou strip me of all those goods thou hast bestowed on me. I give thee the glory of thy ineffable love in thy SON, CHRIST. I disclaim all opposition to thy will, as base, unjust, and unaccountable. I vow to thee my entire service and obedience; and approve all thy com­mandments as righteous, wise, and good. I lay new bonds upon myself, to keep them with my whole heart; and rejoice in thy precious promises, accounting them better than thousands of gold and silver. My hope, my satisfac­tion, my comfort, is- in thy word; which encourages me to wait on thee for the grace of thy SPIRIT; blessing thee for that portion of it, which I have already received. I thank thee for all thy other goodness to me, and trust thee for the continuance of it, as far as thou seest profitable in thy wise Providence, to which I heartily refer myself. I hope thou wilt accept of these poor, but sincere acknowledgments, and not condemn me out of my own confessions; but pardon my errors and miscarriages, confirm my holy purposes, pity my infirmities, and strengthen my pious endeavors. May I perfectly mortify all sinful desires, faithfully discharge my duty in my several relations, thankfully and soberly use all thy mercies, patiently bear the heaviest afflictions, and improve my soul in wisdom and goodness by all the helps thou affordest me; by thy holy Gospel, by the good counsels of others, by thy many remarkable providences about me, and by whatsoever courses thou takest with me, to bring me safe through this world into a happy eternity. And now that I am about to address myself to the table of the LORD, O, that I might have such a sweet remembrance of his love, as may revive my spirit, encourage my hope, excite me to all my duty, and put an humble confidence into me, for the grace of thy HOLY SPIRIT, to enable me to please thee better ever hereafter. Thou who knowest all things, seest that my soul waits for thee, O, GOD; and longs to be more like thee; and is ready to offer up its understanding, will, and all its affections unto thee; that I may remain steadfast and unmoveable in justice and charity, meekness and humility, temperance and purity, contentedness and patience, devotion and piety, with all other fruits of thy ­SPIRIT. Suffer nothing to appear in my soul before thee, but reverent thoughts of thee, zealous love to thee, and passionate desires that CHRIST JESUS may live in me, and appear in all the actions of an innocent and useful life; that so the day when I approach unto thee, may be a day of good tidings of great joy; a day of peace and reconcilia­tion, of feasting and refreshment, of comfort and encourage­ment to walk before thee with a perfect heart as long as I live. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise help me always to think of these things. And the God of peace be with me; and supply all my need according to his riches in glory, by CHRIST JESUS.

THE MEDITATION AFTERWARD AT HOME.

            'I THOU art my portion, O, LORD; I have said that I would keep thy word." Why should I repent me of my choice, or start from my resolution? Thy counsels and commands are the surest guide; thy power the strongest defense; thy good Providence the fullest store-house; thy eternal justice and holiness the best security; thy promises the richest treasure; and love of thee our highest happiness. It is enough, enough, O, LORD, to be beloved of thee, the all-sufficient good, who comprehendest all things in thy mind, and canst do all things by thy power, and delightest in raising such monuments of thy wisdom and greatness, as thy almighty love may dispense endless blessing unto. I am well satisfied now that I can say, a Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living." The LORD is my portion: for what shall I be discontented? The LORD is my portion; of whom shall I be afraid? “Why art thou cast down, O, my soul, why art thou disquieted within me? " How can his friends fail to partake of his bounty, who treats even his enemies with so much kind­ness? "My soul, wait thou only upon GOD; for my expectation is from him. Trust in the LORD, and do good, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart.

            Cast thy burthen on the LORD, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Wait on the LORD, and keep his way. For the eyes of the LORD are upon them that love him: he is their mighty protection, and strong stay, a defense from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon: a preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling. He raiseth up the soul, and lightneth the eyes: he giveth life, and health, and blessing. My heart shall rejoice in him, because I have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O, LORD, be upon me, according as I hope in thee."

            And I hope that I shall never forget thy word; the revelation of thy wisdom; the declaration of thy will; and the description of thy most holy and happy life. My GOD, "I have taken thy precepts as my heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing' of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end." This day I have added one vow more of consecration to thee. I have made over myself entirely to thee, to be thy portion. Whom shall I love, whom shall I serve, to whom shall I resign my will and ways, but only to thee, the Father of Lights, and the Father of Mercies, who hast not thought thy 5oN too much to give to me? Never will I forget this happy day, which has brought me a taste of the joy and peace which spring from the beginning of a god-like nature. I will always be devoted to him. Let his will be dohe on earth, as it is in heaven; for it is the will of my heavenly FATHER. Let these words remain upon record against me, if I do not endeavor to make him my pattern; and, not only in that place where I have now been, but in-all my behavior in this world, (that great temple of his,) to demean myself holily and purely;--with that humility, reverence, meekness, and submission, which become his presence. What have I here to do, but to show forth the glorious perfections of righteousness, mercy, and truth, which I behold in him; and to declare the esteem I have of him, and my satisfaction in my portion, by modesty, contentedness, thankfulness, faith, patience, hope, and joyful resignation of all my concernments, with an equal mind, to his wise disposal? This is my will, this is my resolution.

THE THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER AFTERWARD.

            O MOST high and holy LORD of heaven and earth, the Author of every good and perfect gift; Who art for ever to be humbly acknowledged, worshipped, loved, and obeyed, by me, and by all that know thee: I have often made thee my acknowledgments for my being, and all the comforts of it; for the hopes I have both in this life, and hereafter: and now I come to renew them, that I may be more firmly united to thee in hearty love, and entire affection. I cast myself down before thee, being even oppressed with the great load of thy mercies and benefits, which will not suffer me to dispose of my heart otherwise than to thy obedience. As I owe my very being to thee; so all those good things which have made it not to be a burthen to me. I have enjoyed a long measure of health, and cannot tell that ever I wanted my daily bread. The days of pain and sorrow, which I have endured, have been but few, in comparison with the many years of ease which thou hast vouchsafed to me. I find now all my senses entire and perfect; and I have many friends and kind neighbors; and also a great deal of time to think of all this, and to prepare myself for thy eternal favor. How much am I indebted to thee for. the continued use of my understanding, reason, and memory; and that I can take notice of all thy goodness, whereby my heart may be excited to love thee, which is the greatest happiness and pleasure of all. This, this, O, LORD, is the greatest of thy mercies, that thou hast given me the knowledge of thy love in Jesus CHRIST; and that thy HOLY SPIRIT has shone so often into my mind, and breathed so often on my will and affections; that thou hast pardoned so many faults, and waited so long for my amendment, and so earnestly importuned my return, and afforded me so many helps, and such a long time to perfect my repentance. Thou hast added also now new pledges of thy love, and earnests of immortal life. " O, how precious are thy thoughts towards me: how great is the sum of them! If I would go about to number them, they are more than the sand." I cannot count the least part of them; nor ever see any end of thy goodness; for even whilst I am thinking of it, I receive new favors from thee. Every moment is big with thy mercies, both to my soul and my body, for this life and that which is to come. But I know enough to make me admire and love thy goodness, and to make me ashamed of my forgetfulness and ingratitude; enough to oblige me eternally to thee; enough to make me fully contented, and to rejoice in thee, as my portion. Behold, O LORD, I here again sincerely devote myself to observe thy commands, and keep thy holy word; I have chosen it as the rule and the comfort of my life, and I will ever cleave unto thy testimonies with my whole heart. I would not abuse thy mercies, nor grow careless, wanton, and secure under the abundance of thy goodness; but look upon them as engagements, and mighty arguments, to love, acknowledge, and obey thee for ever. Blessed be thy goodness that I have such thoughts, and am so inclined. Accept of my good desires, purposes, and vows, which I have made; and accompany me always by thy gracious assistance, that I may accomplish what I have begun, and perfect holiness in thy fear. To thee I recommend all man­kind, especially thy Church and chosen people, with all the Rulers and Governors of them; that they may remember that thou art higher than the highest, the KING of Kings, and LORD of LORDs, who "wilt judge all men, without respect of persons. Give pure zeal and knowledge to thy Ministers; the grace of contentedness to the poor, and of an open heart to the rich; wisdom and discretion to those that are in their younger years, and holy hope to comfort the aged. And endue them all with humble meekness, that "laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil-speakings, as new-born babes, they may desire the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby; " and " offer up continually spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to thee by CHRIST JESUS." Amen.

ADDITIONAL PRAYERS.

1. A PRAYER FOR CHARITY.

            I ADORE, O, most high and holy One, who inhabitest eternity, thine infinite wisdom, power, goodness, and all the rest of thy glorious perfections. The heaven of heavens can­not contain thee; much less canst thou be comprehended by the most enlarged thoughts of our shallow minds: and yet thy greatness and majesty doth not despise us thy poor creatures; but gives us leave and encourages us to come into thy presence; yea, forcibly draws us at many times towards thee, and makes us attend to thy kindness in those inestim­able blessings which thou designest for us. O, how much are we indebted to thee for this grace and favor, which comforts my heart when I am astonished at thy greatness. I rejoice to think of the greatness of thy power to protect me; the greatness of thy bounty to supply me; the greatness of thy wisdom to guide and govern me; and the greatness of thy fatherly compassions to bear with my weaknesses, pardon my follies, pity my miseries, and reward my small services and sufferings for thy sake. O, how amiable is this sight, which thou hast now given me of thy majesty! And there are visible tokens of thy great love to us continually before mine eyes, which are innu­merable; especially those in CHRIST JESUS, the Sov of thy love. O, that I could love thee according to thine ex­cellent goodness! O, that I could love thee according as thou hast loved us! But, alas! I am so far from this height of devout affection, that I am ready to sigh in much dejection of spirit, and say, O, that I did but love thee so well as myself, so well as I do other things; though thou justly expectest I should love even my neighbor as myself, from whom I never received such benefits, as I do from thee continually. I am ashamed of myself, and blush to cast mine eyes towards thee. Thy great goodness only gives me hope, that I shall love thee with all my heart, and soul, and strength, and my neighbor as myself. I feel my soul touched with ardent desire to be more like thee in doing good. And therefore I most humbly beseech thee to present thyself continually before me, and to preserve in my mind a lively sense of thy great love in CHRIST JESUS, whereby I may be powerfully moved to put on bowels of mercy, to be tender-hearted, rich in good works, ready to distribute, and willing to commu­nicate, according to the ability which thou hast given me. I desire no greater treasure than abundance of this charity, which " beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things; " disposing me always to follow after the things which make for peace, and things where­with I may edify others. Inspire me more and more with this excellent spirit which never faileth; but after it has made me happy here, will lead me to a state of perfect love together with CHRIST JESUS. Blessed be GOD, who has chosen us in him, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Go on, good LORD, to finish what is begun, and touch my heart with such a delightful sense of thy grace to me, that my " love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment; that I may approve things that are excellent; that I may be sincere and without offence till the day of CHRIST; being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by JESUS CHRIST, unto thy praise and glory." Amen.

II. A PRAYER FOR PATIENCE,

            O FATHER of Mercies, and GOD of all comfort, who to all thy other benefits, wherewith thou continually loadest us, hast bestowed upon us the Gospel of thy grace; that we R through patience and comfort of the Holy Scriptures might have hope." I praise and magnify, with all my soul, the wonderful love of thy SON to us, and his perfect sub­jection to thee; beseeching thee to fix in my heart such an ardent love to him, that I may be inspired thereby with resolution to follow after him in all the paths of humble, meek, and patient virtue. O, that I may feel myself pressed by the mighty power of that love, not only to be a doer of thy will, but for conscience towards thee my GOD to endure grief, suffering wrongfully; and to run with patience the whole race that is set before us, looking unto JESUS, the Author and Finisher of our Faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of Go n. Preserve in me such a reverence towards thee, " the Father of Spirits," that I may neither despise nor faint under thy corrections: but, though thou bringest me into great and sore troubles, may I still be in sub­jection to thee, and live in hope of immortal glory. And not only so, but may I rejoice, and glory also in tribu­lations for CHRIST'S sake."

            And whatsoever the cross be, which lies in my way to heaven, O, that I may never turn aside in the least from thee, to avoid it; but take it up willingly, and bear it as long as thou pleasest, without murmuring or repining, and with courage and cheerfullness of spirit. Endue my spirit with such wisdom, and help me to preserve it in such innocence and integrity, that it may be able to sustain whatsoever sicknesses, or pains, or other calamities befall me. Teach me in every thing to give thanks, which is thy will concerning us in CHRIST JESUS.

            O blessed Lo an, lead me whither thou pleasest, I will follow thee without complaint. I submit to thy orders I reverence thy wisdom; I trust myself with thy goodness; I depend upon thy almighty power; I rely on thy promises; beseeching thee to support me, till patience having its perfect work in me, I may be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing. I know the time is but short, and that thou hast prepared long joys to recompense our momentary sorrows; help me therefore always to possess my soul in patience, that so I may at last, after 1 have done thy will, O, GOD, inherit the promise. Amen, Amen.

III. A PRAYER FOR FAITH IN GOD.

            O ETERNAL GOD, the sovereign of the world, the per­fection of beauty, the full and satisfying good, the joy of all those that know thee: I doubt not of thy merciful care and Providence over me, of whose tender love I have bad so long experience. I depend upon thy word on which thou least caused me to hope; that thou wilt never leave me nor forsake me, but that all things shall work together for good to those that love thee. I stay myself upon thy almighty power, and commit myself to thy un­erring wisdom, which disposes all things, and by the crossest ways can conduct me to happiness. I put myself wholly into thy hands, with an humble faith in thy infinite mercies, trusting thee both wit,1I soul and body for ever. I wait on thee for thy gra us assistance to enable me faithfully to discharge my duty in every con­dition of life; that so, when I leave the world, I may be able to commend my spirit into thy hands, hoping for a blessed resurrection of my body, and that my soul shall enter into rest and peace, and at last receive a crown of life. O, that I may feel the power of this faith sweetly composing and quieting my spirit in all events; that I may never be afraid of evil tidings; but that my heart maybe fixed, trusting in thee, O, LORD. Dispel all care and solicitude for things of this life; and settle in me such a firm persuasion that thou art a sun and a shield, and wilt give grace and glory, and withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly, that my soul may dwell at ease, and I may never be distracted nor confused in my thoughts; but do my duty towards thee with even­ness and constancy, and cheerfulness of heart. Bear me up by thy almighty love, that, in the worst of times, I may rest in thee, and wait patiently for thee, and never fret myself in any wise to do evil. Thou hast been Iny help; therefore I will still make thee my refuge, and in the shadow of th y wings will I rejoice. My soul waiteth for the LORD; he is Iny help and my shield. My heart shall rejoice in him; because I have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O, LORD, be upon me, according as I hope in thee. And keep me in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because I have trusted in thee. Amen.

IV. A PRAYER FOR RESIGNATION TO GOD'S WILL.

            O LORD, the Almighty Creator of the world, the most wise governor of all things which thou hast made, and our most gracious and loving Father in the LORD JESUS How much do I owe thee that thou least been pleased to call me to the knowledge of thy grace; that thou hast in­vited me by such precious promises; drawn me so often and so powerfully by the motions of thy HOLY SPIRIT; and marvelously disposed and provoked me, by many happy Providences, to seek my own eternal felicity! I see, O, LORD, the strangeness of thy love; and am ashamed of my own backwardness and untowardness of spirit, that, after all this, I have so little mind to be happy, and am no more serious about that which so infinitely concerns Ine, and by thy grace is made so easy to me. Be still so gracious, I most humbly beseech thee, as to touch my heart with such a lively sense of thy wonderful goodness, as may perfectly subdue me to thy love and obedience, and make me absolutely surrender both soul and body to thee, of whose care and kindness I am so abundantly assured. O, that I may know more feelingly what a satisfaction it is to be '1 blessed of the LORD, which made heaven and earth; " to wait for thy salvation in CHRIST Jesus; to have thy HOLY SPIRIT for my guide and comforter; to be secure of thy good Providence here, and to live in hope of immortal glory hereafter. Strengthen me with might by the SPIRIT in the inner man, that I may be able to comprehend what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of CHRIST which passeth knowledge, till I be filled with all the fullness of thee, my GOD; that being full of divine wisdom and knowledge, full of faith, and love, and hope, and all the fruits of righteousness, there may be no room for any trouble or disquiet in my heart; but with an equal mind and resigned will, I may pass through all the changes of this mortal life. I have frequently offered up, and devoted myself unto thee; and here again I renew the sur­render, delivering up soul and body entirely to do and suffer thy holy will and pleasure. O, preserve in my mind such a high esteem of thy infinite wisdom and goodness, that I may ever cheerfully commit myself and all I have into thy hands, to be disposed of as thou judgest most meet. And whatsoever thou art pleased to order for my portion, LORD, help me to be perfectly contented and well pleased with it; believing it to be the result of thine infinite understanding, and of thy fatherly care and tender mercy; and looking at those unseen enjoyments, to which thou knowest best by what ways to conduct me, all the time of my sojourning here. Lift up my thoughts still higher and higher towards that holy place, where the LORD JESUS is enthroned. Fix my mind steadfastly on that bliss, which he is gone to prepare for us; that I may feel it drawing my heart after him to follow his great ex­ample, and not only satisfying me in all conditions of life, but filling me with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Unto thee, O, LORD JESUS, I commend myself. I trust thee with my health, my estate, my friends, and all I have. Allot what thou pleasest for us. Let it be unto us ac­cording to thy will. Not our will, but thy will be done. Amen.

V. A PRAYER FOR BROTHERLY-KINDNESS.

            O GOD, who art good, and who doest good, and hast loved us, the children of men, so much as not to think thine only-begotten SON too great a gift to bestow upon us: I thank thee for thy abundant grace, and particularly that we are taught of thee our GOD to " love one another." I rejoice in the beginnings. of that heavenly life, which I feel in my heart, and that I have tasted any of the " consola­tion that is in CHRIST, the comfort of love, or the fellow­ship of the SPIRIT," and have any bowels; any mercies, and commiseration of others. It is the earnest desire of my soul, that thy love may be perfected in me; that I may know thou dwellest in me, and I in thee, because thou hast given me of thy SPIRIT. Possess me, O, LORD, with such a full sense of thy infinite love towards us, that it may enlarge more and more the narrowness of my spirit, and make room for all mankind in my hearty affection, and that I may desire, and seek, and delight in their welfare and happiness. And especially endue me with a most ardent charity towards all Christian people; that I may love them as my brethren, and as heirs together of the grace of life in CHRIST JESUS. And seeing thou hast been pleased to love us so freely, so abundantly, and with such an everlasting kindness, inspire me, I beseech thee, with the like dispo­sition, that I may " love the brethren with a pure heart fervently." And the LORD make me to increase and abound in love towards them and towards all men, and to persevere and continue, notwithstanding all discouragements or ill requitals, to serve them in love; to the end that my heart may be established unblameable in holiness before thee our FATHER, at the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST with all his saints. Blessed be thy goodness, which has shown us this most excellent way; and.4is­posed me to love it, and walk in it. O, incline my heart to excel in this, to be a cheerful follower of thee my GOD, and still to walk in love, " as CHRIST also has loved us, and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to thee for a sweet-smelling savor." Free me perfectly from all ill-will, from envy, from self-seeking, from anger, from evil-speaking, and all malice; that I may adorn the Gospel of our LORD JESUS; as I have opportunity, doing good unto all men, " especially unto them who are of the house­hold of faith." And O, that all Christian People may be " like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind; that nothing may be done through strife or vain glory; and that there may be no schism in the body of CHRIST; but the members may have the same care one of another; and in lowliness of mind, each may esteem others better than themselves, not looking every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." O, that this mind may be in us all, which was also in CHRIST JESUS; that we may have compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful and courteous, endeavoring to keep the unity of the SPIRIT in the bond of peace. And the GOD of love and peace be with us all. Amen.

VI. A PRAYER FOR COURAGE IN THE PROFESSION
OF CHRISTIANITY.

            O LORD of heaven and earth, who art every where the rest and peace, the refuge and security, the strength, help, and salvation of all those who repose a holy trust and confidence in thee; for nothing, not death itself, can separate them front thee: I adore thy infinite love, which has assumed our nature to such a nearness to thy own, and raised the LORD JESUS from the dead, and given him glory at thy right hand; that all his faithful followers might rest assured of thy eternal care of them. Blessed, blessed be thy name for these glad tidings of great joy, which raise our spirits above this world, and place them in quietness and safety amidst all the troubles and dangers of this life. I stand infinitely indebted to thee for the revela­tion which thou hast made of thy good-will to us in CHRIST JESUS, and for the glorious example that be has set us; who before PONTIUS PILATE witnessed a good confession, and sealed thy truth with his blood, knowing that his " flesh should rest in hope," and that thou wouldest " not suffer thy Holy One to see corruption." O, that I may feel myself enlivened with the same spirit which was in our Head, " The Captain of our salvation, made perfect through sufferings," being faithful to him to the very death, and not doubting that I shall receive " a crown of life." It is but reasonable that I should part with all I have for him and his righteousness; who has made himself so freely a sacri­fice of inestimable value for us sinners. O, that I may be "strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks to thee who hast made us meet to be par­takers of the inheritance of the saints in light." " It is a faithful saying," I know, " that if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny hire, he will also deny us." Defend me, O, GOD, from so foul a wickedness, as the thought of denying my LORD and Master; but keep me by thy power through faith unto salvation; that the trial of my faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, may be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of JESUS CHRIST. Settle, confirm, and strengthen me in the faith, that a steadfast belief, and a lively hope in thee, through the resurrection of the LORD JESUS, may not only bear me up with constancy and patience, under shame, reproaches, or loss of liberty and goods, but inspire me with courage and undaunted resolution in all dangers, and even in death itself. Fill my mind with such powerful sense of those immortal joys, that nothing may appear so dreadful here as to terrify me from my duty, or turn me aside from the paths of righteousness, charity, truth, and piety; but suffering according to thy will, O, GOD, may I commit the keeping of my soul to thee in well­doing, as unto a faithful Creator. And endue me, I beseech thee, with such a perfect love to my LORD and Master CHRIST JESUS, as may cast out all base fear of suffering. Fortify my heart with such a zealous affection to his religion, that I may not be terrified by any adversaries, nor afraid of their threats, neither be troubled; but sanctify thee, the LORD GOD, in my heart, not fearing those that can kill the body, but thee who canst destroy both soul and body in hell.

            Regard, O, LORD, the supplications of thy servant, who here has made an oblation of himself wholly unto thee. And endue me with christian prudence as well as courage; that I may be both as wise as a serpent, and as innocent as a dove, and never dishonor my religion either by rashness or by cowardice; but with a discreet zeal cleave unto truth and righteousness, saying boldly, " The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. In GOD have I put my trust, therefore shall I never be confounded." Amen.

END OF VOL. XVII

THE CHRISTIAN SACRIFICE.