of punishment; but may he have that genuine godly sorrow, which arises from a just view of the odious nature and exceeding sinfulness of sin itself. May he see himself in the light of thy holy law, and be convinced that in all things he has come short of thy requirements; and may his deep conviction of his lost and ruined state, constrain him to look to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world. 0 Lord, faith is thy gift, and we pray that he may be enabled to believe with his whole heart, and to cast his sou on the mercy of God, as exercised through Jesus Christ. He needs a divine and almighty Saviour, and we would commend him to Jesus, who is set forth to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sins. May he be able to

see by faith the fulness and suffi. ciency of this Saviour, and to repose on his infinite merits. May he not be diverted from attending to his soul's concerns, by the hope of prolonged life, or by any of the devices of Satan.

Let him not listen to the tempter, who may persuade him to presumption on the one hand, or to despair on the other; but resisting every evil suggestion, may he betake himself to the refuge which is in Christ's blood. O Holy God, so mitigate the pains of thy servant that he may, without distraction, attend to the concerns of eternity; and so sanctify his afflictions, that although they may not now seem to be joyous, but grievous, yet still they may yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. Give him a patient and unmurmuring spirit, and

may he be convinced that thou doest him no wrong. Dispel every cloud from his mind; dismiss every fear from his heart; and taking hold of thy holy covenant, may he gird up his loins, and wait and hope to the end. Bring home to him thy gracious promises, and say unto him in his afflicted condition, "fear not; I am with thee; be not dismayed; I amı thy God." With thee, merciful Father, we leave him, and to thee with the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, we would ascribe all praise. Amen.

II.

O Lord God, thou hast pronounced the decree," dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." We accomplish, as a hireling, our day, and soon each of us will be called to ren

der our souls into thy hand, from which they originally came. Standing on the verge of the grave, we desire to be able, without dismay, to look into it. and beyond it; and as it is appointed unto us once to die, and after that the judgment, may we realize our mortality and accountability to thee. Especially do thou bring home to the mind of our afflicted brother, the solemnity of the circumstances in which he is placed, and may he so set his house in order, as to be prepared for any event in thy providence. Hast thou appointed him unto death, and are his days hastening to a close? O let him not divert his mind from the contemplation of the solemn event; but taking a near view of eternity, and all its great realities, may he fix his faith on the Rock of ages, which can never be moved.

If it be thy will, rebuke his disease and bless the remedies used for his recovery; but let not relief from pain and restoration to health be his principal concern, but how he may secure his peace with God. May he remember that one thing is especially needful, and that it becomes him to choose that good part which shall not be taken from him. Secure in thy favour, he will be prepared for living or dying. O that the opening heavens may shine upon him, and a view of the heavenly Jerusalem cheer him as he passes through the valley of death. May he have the blessed assurance that there is an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for him; and be enabled with thy servant of old to exclaim, "I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I