Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed in mind, body or estate (especially those for whom our prayers are desired); that it may please thee to comfort andrelieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and an happy deliverance from all their afflictions. And this we humbly ask as the disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen. General thanksgiving. ALMIGHTY GOD! father of all mercies! we, thy servants, give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving kindness to us and to all men; (particularly to those, who desire now to offer up their praises and thanks for thy late mercies vouchsafed unto them.) We thank thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but, above all, for thine inestimable love in pointing out to us the means of obtaining thy favour and everlasting happiness by the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ. And, we beseech thee, give us that just sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful; and that we may praise thee, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by devoting ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days, according to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen. Concluding prayer. ALMIGHTY GOD! who hast disposed us, at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications; and hast especially encouraged us, by our lord Jesus Christ, to make known our humble requests unto thee; fulfil now, o thou giver of every good! the desires and petitions of thy servants, in such manner as may be most expedient for them; granting us, in this world, the knowledge of thy truth; and, in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen. : One One of these valedictory forms of blessing to be used at the discretion of the minister. Amen. 1 Cor. MAY the favour of our lord Jesus Christ be with us all evermore. xvi. 23. Philip. iv. 23. MAY the GOD of all favour, who hath called us to his everlasting glory by Christ Jesus, make us perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle us. To him be glory and dominion for ever. Amen. 1 Pet. v. 10, 11. MAY JEHOVAH bless us and preserve us; may he be merciful unto us, and look favourably upon us, now and for evermore. Amen. Numb. vi. 24-26. MAY the blessing of almighty God be with us all for ever. Amen. THE EVENING PRAYER, FOR EVERY LORD'S DAY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. At the beginning of Evening Prayer, the minister shall read some one, or more, of these sentences of the scriptures that follow; after which, be shall read the Exhortation. WHEN the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness which he hath committed, and doeth judgment and justice, he shall save his soul alive. Ezek. xviii. 27. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto JEHOVAH, for he will receive him with compassion: and to his GOD, for he aboundeth in forgiveness. Isaiah lv. 7. The sacrifice in which GOD delights is a contrite mind; a broken and contrite heart GOD never despiseth. Psalm li. 17. Rend your heart, and not your garments; and return unto JEHOVAH your GOD: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth of the evil which be threateneth. Joel ii. 13. 1 To TO JEHOVAH Our GOD belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; and have not hearkened to the voice of JEHOVAH Our GOD, to walk in his laws, which he hath set before us by his servants the prophets. Dan. ix. 9, 10. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us: but, if we confess our sins, GOD, faithful and just to his promise, will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteQusness. 1 John i. 8, 9. The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the father in spirit and in truth: and, indeed, the father is seeking such worshippers of himself. God is a spirit; and his worshippers must worship him in spirit and in truth. John iv. 23, 24. Exhortation. DEARLY BELOVEDBRETHREN, the scripture repeatedly exhorteth us to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, before the face of almighty GOD, our heavenly father, with a lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; that we may obtain c4 |