in my way and give me patience and courage to withstand all assaults and opposition, which I may have to encounter. 0 my Lord! be with me, and guide and help me, and strengthen and succour me, now and always, in the great work lying upon me. Open to me a door of utterance, that I may speak thy word, as I ought to speak: and make me faithful and diligent, and successful, in my sacred calling; doing thy work, as a workman that needs not to be ashamed; not preaching myself, but Christ Jesus the Lord; nor seeking the praise of men, but the honour of my God. Yea, make me an example of all the holy duties, which I inculcate on others; that I may not lay upon them burthens which I refuse to bear myself; but may go before them in the ways which they are to follow; holding forth the word of life, in my conversation, as well as in my doctrine. Let me shine with a convincing light before them; and never lay a stumbling-block in their way. Let me never make the heart of the righteous sad, nor strengthen the hands of the wicked; nor give just offence to any; but let me approve myself, as far as I am able, useful and beneficial unto all; keeping under my body, and bringing it into subjection; lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away.

And O thou that givest the increase, command a blessing (I pray thee) upon all my studies and endeavours; that I may not spend my strength for nought, nor labour in vain; but may make full proof of my ministry, and be instrumental (through thy grace) to convert sinners from the error of their ways. Teach me also to build up them that are in any measure sanctified; that so I may both save myself and them that hear me; and when I have

finished my course, may give an account of my stewardship with joy, and not with grief; and receive a crown of righteousness at thy hands, not for my merits, but for thy mercies' sake. Amen. Amen.

THE MAGISTRATE'S PRAYER.

O THOU great and supreme Ruler of all the world, by whom all the governors on earth are set up, to restrain the unruly, and to favour thy people! though thou needest not the services of men or angels to assist thee, but canst immediately (by thyself) do whatever thou pleasest in heaven and in earth, with the least word of thy mouth, or motion of thy will; yet thou art pleased to honour some of thy creatures as thy vicegerents; and to order and govern the sons of men, by the instrumentality of their fellow-worms; exalting some chosen out of the people, to preside and rule over the rest, me thou hast called, Lord, to this honour; and hast been pleased to set me above the common lot of men, as one of the little representatives of thy blessed self. O King of glory! I will exalt thee, who has vouchsafed to raise me to this dignity. And, as thou hast made me to differ from others in this, so make me to excel others in every thing that is excellent and praise-worthy. O that I may represent, not only thy power and majesty, but thy wisdom and holiness, thy truth and goodness, thy justice and mercy! O that I may retain a lowly mind in my high station: and not forget or lift up myself, nor insult over my poor inferiors; but, like the great God, who despises not any, may I condescend

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to men of low estate; and, without respect of persons, judge according to every man's work; yea, may I delight to succour the injured and oppressed; to deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

O! may I rather fear my responsibility, than be proud of my office ; and in the fear of the Lord, let me ever be careful to execute that which is righteous in thy sight. Let me have grace to discharge my trust with all faithfulness, as one that must be judged myself, and find the same measure which I mete to others. And seeing that the eyes of all are upon me, and that my place exposes me more to common notice, and my example has a greater influence than that of private men, O make me, Lord, the more vigilant in the inspection of myself, and more careful in ordering my conversation aright: that I may not embolden others to commit such wickedness as I ought to punish; nor lead people into the sin and ruin, which I should help to save them from; nor be a scandal and grief of heart to the holy followers of Jesus, whom I am set up to patronise and comfort. But let my conversation be such, as shall put to confusion the dissolute and abandoned, while my justice strikes terror into them. O make me a hearty lover of all good men; and let me honour them who fear the Lord. Make me ever ready and forward to defend and countenance and encourage the generation of thy children, who live godly in Christ Jesus. And let me with courage exert my authority, in a zealous vindication of thine honour; and in asserting thy rights, and promoting the growth and advancement of thy true and holy religion. O that the glory of thy name, and the interests of thy kingdom, and the welfare of

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thy church, may be ever near my heart; that above all things I may seek the things of Jesus Christ: and truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue. And whatever power and interest I have in the world, O may I so lay it out for the service of thy holy truth, and the enlargement of the kingdom of thy dear Son, that after my advancement here, I may not be thrown down hereafter; nor receive the doom of an unfaithful servant for betraying my trust, and abusing my authority. But let me appear with comfort and joy before my Judge in that great and solemn day; having a testimony from him that I did not hide my talent in a napkin, but improved it to his glory. And may I now be so jealous for thy cause, so careful of thine interests, and so studious of the welfare of thy people, that, at the last, I may be raised up with them to that highest of all bliss and glory which shall endure for evermore. Amen.

THE HUSBAND'S PRAYER.

ACCEPT my humble thanks, O Lord, my God, who hast provided a help-meet for me, to be my partner in the nearest of all relations. O teach and enable me, in all things to demean myself towards her as it becomes me in this station. May I be enabled to cherish her as my own flesh. Let me never on any account despise her, or be bitter against her but may I bear with her infirmities, and forbear her in love and all gentleness. Nor let me insult over her, as an inferior; but mildly use my authority in treating her as my dear yoke-fellow and companion. Let

me not be rigid in opposing her; but ready to comply with her in all her reasonable desires and expectations. O make me meek and patient, faithful and kind, respectful and tender in all my conduct towards her; and may I show myself on all occasions well pleased and satisfied with her, that she may find comfort in fellowship with me, and never have reason to regret that she has forsaken all others for my sake. O blessed Lord, espouse my dear friend to thyself, in loving-kindness and faithfulness and tender mercies. Bless her and love her, and make her lovely in thy sight, and in the eyes of all. Especially make her like the king's daughter, all glorious within; that she may not only appear to advantage in this world, but be blessed for ever in the world to come. And grant, O Lord, our God, that we may be lovers of one another's souls, and promoters of each other's salvation: so that after a short season of fellowship here, we may meet again with rejoicing there, where we shall never part, even in that fulness of joy which is in thy presence; where, though there be no marrying, nor giving in marriage, yet is there greater festivity and gladness, than in any day of espousals: and where those who are united together in thy fear and love shall be blessed together in everlasting fellowship with thee, and with thy dear Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE WIFE'S PRAYER.

O MY God, thou hast called me to this state of life; and it is the disposal of thy providence that I should be joined in 'wedlock with thy servant. I