THE THANKSGIVING OF

WOMEN AFTER CHILD-BIRTH.

The woman, at the usual time after ber delivery, kneeling down, the minister shall say unto ber;

FORASMUCH as it hath pleased almighty GOD, of his goodness, to give you a safe deliverance, and to preserve you in the great danger of child-birth; give, therefore, hearty thanks unto him, and say;

Part of psalm cXVI.

I REJOICE, because JEHOVAH hath heard the voice of my prayer.

2 I will call upon him as long as I live, because he hath inclined his ear unto me. 3 The snares of death surrounded me, and the toils of the grave surprised me : 4 When I found trouble and heaviness, I called upon the name of JEHOVAH; saying, O JEHOVAH! I beseech thee, deliver my lite.

5 JEHOVAH is gracious and righteous; yea, our GOD is merciful.

6 JEHOVAH preserveth the simple; I was brought very low, and he saved me.

7 Return then unto thy rest, o my soul! since JEHOVAH hath been gracious unto thee.

8 For my life is delivered from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling; that I may walk before thee in the land of the living.

9 What return shall I make unto JEHOVAH for all his kindness to me?

10 I will receive the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of JEHOVAH. II I will pay my vows unto JEHOVAH, before all his people now present.

Now unto JEHOVAH, immortal, invisible, the only GOD;

Be honour and glory, through the gospel of Jesus Christ, for ever.

Amen.

Or, psalım CXXVII.

UNLESS JEHOVAH build the house, their

labour is but lost who build it.

2 Unless JEHOVAH keep the city, the 3. It is in vain for you to rise up early to labour, and to go late to rest, and to eat the bread of carefulness, unless JEHOVAH bless your endeavours: but he giveth to his beloved, even while they sleep.

4 Lo! children, the fruit of the womb, are an heritage and gift that cometh from JEHOVAH.

5 Like as arrows in the hand of the mighty man, even so are young children :

6 Happy is the man who hath his quiver filled with them: they shall not be put to shame, when they treat with their enemies in the city gate.

Now unto JEHOVAH, immortal, invisible, the only GOD; Be honour and glory, through the gospel of Jesus Christ, for ever.

Amen.

Then the minister shall say;

Let us pray.

OUR FATHER! who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us, day by day, our daily bread; and

forgive forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those, who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Minister. O GOD! bless this woman thy servant; Answer. Who putteth her trust in thee. Minister. O JEHOVAH! hear our petition; Answer. And let our prayer come unto thee.

Minister.

O ALMIGHTY GOD! the father of mercies! the God of all consolation! we present unto thee our unfeigned thanks, for having vouchsafed to deliver this woman, thy servant, from the great pain and danger of child-birth: give her such a due sense, o GOD! of thy kindness and gracious dealings with her, that a constant and grateful remembrance of thy goodness, nay dispose her to a cheerful obedience to thy laws; that she, through thine assistance, may live according according to thy will in this present life; and may, finally, be partaker of everlasting glory in the life to come, promised unto us by Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.

MAY JEHOVAH bless us and preserve us; may he be merciful unto us, and look favourably upon us, now and for evermore. Amen.

THE