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chief Ends be thofe for which Matrimony was ordained.

Let me chiefly aim at Religion and Virtue, Wisdom and Difcretion, and fuch other good Qualities and Difpofitions in a Partner, as are most likely to last and continue, and not fuch only as please for a Time, and will bear little fatisfactory Reflection afterwards. Lin. C.

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O Lord the Sovereign and wife Disposer of all Things! grant I may duly confider that a Man's Heart devifeth a Way, and propofeth a Defign to make his Life easy and happy. Yet thou, O Lord, directest his Steps, and determineft the Event, and giveft: fuch Iffues as it pleafes thee, and when thou feeft fit, many Times quite contrary to what he intended or perfuaded himself of; I know the Way of Mancis not in himself, it is not in Man that walketh, to direct his own. Steps.

Let me therefore in all my Ways acknowledge thee, that thou mayeft vouchsafe to direct my Paths: Let me not trust to my own Prudence, Care, Skill, or on any human Aid; but let me feek to engage thy good Providence on my Behalf, and only Regard to do my own Duty; because the Events are thine, and thou canst turn the

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fairest Profpects of Happinefs to my Punishment and Mifery: And far be it from me, O God, to endeavour to refcue them out of thy Hand, by Fraud or Falsehood, or by ufing any difhoneft or unworthy Means to bring this or any other Purpose about; al ways remembering, that he that walketh uprightly, walketh furely. And let me wait thy Time, and think that always best: for thou only knoweft what Things are joined to, and are the Confequences of other, and what is fitteft for me, and for my greatest Happiness; and haft promised that all Things fhall work together for Good to thofe that love thee: In Confidence hereof, let me reft satisfied with that State and Condition (whatever it be) that thou in thy Wisdom and Goodnefs fhalt order me. 0 Lord, vouchfafe to hear my Prayers, which I offer through the Mediation of Jefus Chrift my Saviour. Amen.

A Prayer for a Married Man in Behalf of his Wife.

Almighty God and merciful Father, who by thy Wisdom and Providence has appointed the feveral Places and Stations of Men in this World; thou haft

called

called me to the State of Marriage, which is honourable, because inftituted by thee; and which thou haft ordained for the Comfort and Happiness of us thy Creatures, and for many other wife and good Ends. Sanctify it to me, I humbly befeech thee, and grant that I may never abufe it to any bafe or unworthy Purposes; but fo behave myself under this, and all other Conditions of my Life, as becomes the Servant of the everbleffed Jefus,

To this End, O Lord, give me a meek and gentle Spirit, a Spirit of Love, and Kindness, and Charity, that is not easily provoked, nor apt to entertain angry and unkind Refentments; that I may love my Wife with a hearty, and fincere Af

fection.

Let me never exercife that Authority thou haft given me, in a fevere, arbitrary, and tyrannical Manner; but with Kindness and Condefcenfion, Prudence and Difcretion, endeavouring, as much as in me lies, to make my Wife eafy and happy all her Days; and grant that the may never, by any Follies or Extravagance of mine, be made miferable while I live, nor left deftitute and unprovided when I die.

Make me faithful and confcientious, O

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Lord, in the Discharge of that folemn Vow and Promife which I made upon my entering into this holy State, and of thofe Duties which it engages me to: O let me never wander after such strange and forbidden Pleafures, nor be inordinate in the Use of those that are lawful; but grant that all my Actions may be governed by the Rules of Purity and Holinefs, of Juftice and Sobriety, having always before my Eyes that strict Account, which I must one Day give.

O let me never waste and consume my Time and Subftance, in Surfeiting and Drunkenness, in Riot and Disorder: but grant that by Diligence and Industry, and by thy Bleffing accompanying all my Endeavours, I may be enabled to provide for my Wife and Children in fuch a Manner, as may conduce to their Happiness, both here and hereafter.

O let thy Bleffing reft upon the Head of her, whom thou haft given to be my Wife: Give her Length of Days (if it be thy bleffed Will) and increafe in her ever more and more the Virtues of Meeknefs and Humility, of Kindness and Condefcenfion, and all other divine Virtues, that she may be

an

an Ornament to her Sex, and a real Bleffing and Comfort to me.

Let all Strife and Contention, all Heat and Paffion, Repinings and Difcontent, be far from us; and let true Chriftian Love and Peace dwell in our Hearts. Make us eminent Examples to all about us, of a holy and blameless Conversation; and grant that we may live together in an inviolable Bond of Love and Friendship, bearing with one another's Infirmities, and ftudying to promote the Welfare and Happiness, the Support and Comfort of each other: O make us so faithful to discharge all our Duties in this Life, that when thou fhalt be pleased to take us hence, we may dwell with thee in Life everlafting, through the Merits of thy dear Son Jefus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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A Prayer for a Married Woman in Behalf of her Hufband.

Almighty God! Thou art the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth, and ordereft and disposest all Things, and all Perfons, as it feemeth beft to thy godly Wisdom: Thou hast been pleased to call me to the State of Marriage, which is honourable,

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