PRAYER XXVIII.

Gratitude to God for Spiritual Blessings.

[Author of the Retrospect.

WHAT shall I render unto thee, O my God! for all thy mercies! Aid me with thine own Spirit to offer up all the gratitude and praise which a poor heart like mine is capable of. Yes, I will praise thy holy name, for making me willing, in the day of thy power, to come out from the ambitious, restless pursuits of men, who desire their good things here. I adore thee for showing me the vanity and danger of seeking my portion on earth, and the madness of expecting happiness in the paths of the destroyer. How many of my competitors and companions in the race of sin and vanity have stumbled, and fallen, and perished! Still I am among the living to praise thee! Hence, O Lord, let me seek and find all my repose and all my happiness in thee. Whatever comforts thou art pleased to com municate through the medium of thy

creatures to my body, and whatever refreshments may be supplied through ordinances and means of grace to my soul, still, O my God, may I see and receive all as coming from thee, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

PRAYER XXIX.

Before going a Journey.

O LORD, thou art the same God in all places: and nowhere can I go but thou art there. Both at home and abroad, on my way and at the end, thou art ever with me by the universal presence of thy grace, and thy good Spirit with me, to conduct and guide me continually; to protect and save me from all dangers and mischiefs; and to make my way prosperous, and all my affairs successful. O let the blessing of the Lord follow me, and rest upon me; and preserve my going out, and my coming in; and never leave me, nor forsake me, O Lord, but be

my God and guide this day, in all this journey, and all my life long; which is but a pilgrimage and passage through this world, in which I am continually hastening home, to the period of all my travels, to the place where I must take up my abode and dwell for ever. Amen. Our Father, &c.

PRAYER XXX.

For the Spread of the Gospel.

O FATHER of lights, and giver of all wisdom, bless every society formed for the conversion of Jews or Gentiles, and for the spread and advancement of thy truth, at home or abroad.

Look with favour on all missionaries now among the heathen. O prepare thy way in the wilderness. May every val ley be exalted, and every hill be made low; may the crooked be made straight, and the rough places plain; and let ty word have free course every where and be glorified. May thy doctrine, con

stantly preached by thy servants, drop as the rain, and distil as the dew, and thy word never return unto thee void, but prosper abundantly, and accomplish all that for which thou dost send it. Give thy servants health and strength, vigour of mind, and devotedness of heart; and may they all be chosen vessels to bear thy name before the Gentiles. May the deadening influence of climate, heathen customs, and loss of means of grace, be more than counteracted by a special supply of thy Holy Spirit. Give them grace to be faithful unto death, and may they receive from the Saviour's hands the crown of life and glory. Grant that thousands and tens of thousands may rise up to call thee blessed. May the little leaven leaven the whole lump; and all nations whom thou hast made, fall down and worship before thee, and glorify thy name, through thy dear Son. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

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PRAYER XXXI.

For Resignation to the Divine Will.

[Pascal.

O LORD, take from me that sorrow which the love of self may produce from my sufferings, and from my unsuccessful hopes and designs in this world, while regardless of thy glory; but create in me a sorrow resembling thine. Let me not henceforth desire health or life, except to spend them for thee, with thee, and in thee. I pray not that thou wouldst give me either health or sickness, life or death: but that thou wouldst dispose of my health and my sickness, my life and my death, for thy glory, for my own eternal welfare, for the use of the church, and the benefit of thy saints, of whose number, by thy grace, I hope to be. Thou alone know est what is good for me; thou art Lord of all; do, therefore, what seemeth thee best. Give to me, or take from me; conform my will to thine; and grant that with humble and perfect submission, and