Family Prayers

Save me, O God, as a brand snatched out of the fire. Receive me, O my Jesus, as a sheep that hath wandered, but is now returned to the great Shepherd and Bishop of my soul.

The jubilee of the penitent soul after the sense of pardon obtained.

Rejoice over me, O God the Father, that this thy child was lost, but is found, was dead, but is alive again.

Rejoice over me, O God the Son, that thy loud cries, and tears, and bitter agonies, which for my sake thou enduredst upon the cross, were not so unhappily lost as to be cast away in vain upon me.

Rejoice over me, O God the Holy Ghost, that thy so many secret and powerful touches have at last got the upper hand

of me.

Rejoice over me, O ye holy Angels, a great part of whose ministry it is to rejoice at the conversion of a sinner.

Rejoice over thyself, O my soul, that thou hast received so much grace from heaven this day, as sadly to confess thy sins, seriously to repent of them, and steadfastly to resolve never to be guilty more of so much brutishness as to be likened to the dog that returns to his vomit, or to the swine wallowing in the mire.

The penitent closeth all with this short prayer.

Let th's day, O my God, be noted in thy book.

Do not thou forget my prayers, nor suffer me to forget my resolutions.

For though I am weak, though I am unworthy, though I unprofitable, yet I am thy servant.

And here upon my bended knees I humbly beg of thee, that I may live and die so.

Lord, hear my prayers, and let my cry come unto thec.

Lord, pardon my prayers, and let not my coldness, and. wanderings, and infinite unworthiness turn them into sin.

Lord, hear my prayers, and let my cry come unto thee. Amen, amen.

The following lamentation over sin is taken from the celebrated work of the good Thomas-a-Kempis, entitled, "The Imitation of Christ." It will be found to suit but too well the case of many Christians mourning over their short comings and backslidings.

O Lord God, what shall ever be done with me since I fail every day? How shall I amend my life? When will it be better with me? When shal! I recover strength? And when shall I overcome all? I am fallen down into a deep pit.

Thinkest thou, O Lord, that there may be yet any hopes of my rising again, of my amending, and of my safe arising? I have no hope at all for myself. O that it may be strong in thee! for mighty despair is thrown upon me, because of my infirmity, which through long vexation grows upon me very much. Neither can I see any end of my grief, of my iniquity. And though I should say, now I will begin, I will endeavor to my very utmost, sin presently stands at the door, and my enemy is lifted up against me, and the habit of evil holds me captive against my will. Behold, O Lord, the dejectedness of my state, and how I am trod down, and what calamity I en dure. Let thy right hand be lifted up, and deliver thou 'me from them that have shut me up, for fear of them has fallen upon me. Counsel hath perished from me, and strength hath failed me. My arm also is broken, and my sword will not be able to save me. I see not unto whom I can turn myself; neither doth any one appear that may relieve and take care of me. Thou a'one remainest a refuge for me; but because I have offended thee, therefore this deterrest me. I have

sinned; O pardon me. All that is within me doth repent; yea very bitterly. Do un'o me Lord what seemeth right in thy sight, and be thou re onc led unto me. Just'y hast thou indeed forsaken me, and delivered me over to the adversary. Yet remember, I beseech thee, the work of thy hand; and raise up again what is fallen, since of itself it was not able to stand. Give ear unto my groaning, and attend to my necessity. Let not my distress at d the grief of my heart be had in forgetfulness before the. Have regard, merciful Father, to my captivity and imprisonment, and to the oppression which I suffer from sin; lead me forth cut of the house of miserable bondage wherein I am bound fast and kept prisoner.

The compiler of this little volume of prayers knows not how he can better conclude it, than with the following exquisite piece of devotion from the works of the amiable and pious Fenelon. It most happily describes the meek and lowly state of mind to which some Christians attain, and which we scek after.

"I ord, teach us to pray."--Luke ii. 1.

O Lord, I know not what I should ask of thee. Thou only knowest what I want; and thou lovest me better than I can love myself. O Lord, give to me, thy child, what is pro per, whatsoever it may te. I dare not ask either crosses or comforts. I only present myself before thee. I open my heart to thee. Behold my wants which I am ignorant of; but do thou behold, and do according to thy mercy. Smite or heal; depress or raise me up. I adore all thy purposes without knowing them. I am silent. I offer myself in sacrifice. Fabandon myself to thee. I have no more any desire but to accomplish thy will. Teach me to pray. Pray thou thyself in me.

CONTENTS,

Excellent Remarks on Prayer, by Bishop Wilson....5
PRAYER I. From the Scriptures-Morning or Evening....9
II. From the Scriptures-Morning or Evening..11
III. From the Scriptures-Morning or Evening..14
IV. From the Scriptures-Morning or Evening..16
V. From the Scriptures-Morning or Evening..19
VI. From Bishop Wilson-Morning...
VII. From Bishop Wilson-Evening.
VIII. From Bishop Wilson-Morning.
IX. From Bishop Wilson-Evening
X. From Bishop Wilson-Morning.
XI. From Bishop Wilson-Evening...
XII. From Bishop Wilson-Morning-
XIII. From Bishop Wilson-Evening