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with as much ardour as though we could. In Him, and in his death for us, is the foundation of our hope. On that foundation He will have us raise a holy life. In that faith He bids us work; He provides us help to work; according to the rule He hath set before us. That rule is summed up in the words of the text. Aim then at no less than this. Be content with no less than this. Convince yourselves of sin wheresoever you are short of this. Press ever forward toward the mark, until ye have attained to this. "Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX.

No. I.

PRAYERS FOR A FAMILY; MORNING AND
EVENING.

Morning Prayer.

OH Almighty God, who hast defended us from the perils of the night, and brought us safe to the beginning of this day, we offer Thee our humble thanks for these and all Thy mercies; for all the blessings of this life, but above all for the hope of salvation through Christ in the life to come. We would earnestly desire to shew forth Thy praise by giving up ourselves, our souls and bodies, to Thy service. Yet with shame do we confess how manifold are the transgressions which we from time to time commit against Thy divine majesty. Make us effectually to repent, now, whilst it is called today. Turn Thou our hearts from sin to holiness, from earth to heaven. There, where Thou ever dwellest, teach us to set our chief affection; and, through faith in Thy word, to walk here as in thy sight, to resist our spiritual enemy, and to overcome in those trials Thou orderest for our good.

Pour into our hearts the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, to purify our corrupted will, to quicken

compassionate, to fill us with love and peace and joy. Enable us, in dependance on this heavenly aid, to improve each to the uttermost the talent committed to our trust; to be zealous of good works, to live godly in this present world; to be watchful over our thoughts, holy in our conversation, and, in all our actions, both to seek Thy glory, and, as we would it should be done to us, so to do unto each other.

Stretch forth, we beseech Thee, Thy fatherly care over all that are near and dear to us.

Let

Thy merciful ears be open to their prayers, Thy manifold gifts of grace shed abroad abundantly in their hearts. And to all mankind extend in Thy good time the light of Thy blessed Gospel; that so they who yet dwell in darkness may know Thee and do Thy will, and that we, with all who shall have departed in Thy holy faith, may have our perfect consummation and bliss in Thy everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Evening Prayer.

O Lord, our heavenly Father, we thankfully acknowledge Thy great goodness, in continuing to give us all that is needful both for our present health, and for our eternal welfare. In many things we confess we have this day done wrong; in many things failed to do right; wasting the time Thou hast yet given us, and neglecting the grace Thou dost ever bountifully bestow. Pardon, we beseech Thee, these our offences. Much as we deserve punishment, spare us good Lord. For Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past. And grant that

through Him we may serve and please Thee in newness of life.

Make us an household fearing Thy holy name. Incline us to perform our several duties with zeal and good will to each other, out of a devoted obedience unto Thee, the Master and Father of us all. Keep us each day more watchful against the sin that doth most easily beset Take from us all ignorance, all hardness of heart, all contempt or neglect of Thy word and commandment. Subdue in us all unruly desires, all indolence, all selfish indulgence of the flesh; that we may spare in Thy service no toil, no pain, no selfdenial, but run with patience and contentment the race which is set be

us.

fore us. Give us a true sense of our own frailty, a lively apprehension of our spiritual enemy, and a steadfast purpose to resist him, with that strength which is made perfect in weakness. Help us that we be not conformed to this world; that we take no too fond thought for the morrow of this transitory life, but lay up rather our treasure in heaven, and count all we have here but loss for Christ's sake.

And for all mankind, especially for this church and nation, for all whom Thy providence hath therein set over us, or given us for relations and friends, for these, no less than for ourselves, we implore Thy gracious favour. Unite us, by the fellowship of Thy Holy Spirit, in one bond of brotherly love, one covenant of faith, one hope of salvation. And ere we commit, this night, our safety to Thy care, during the hours of sleep, bring home to our remembrance that we are one day nearer our latter end; and so teach us

to prepare for death, that, whensoever it shall please Thee to take us hence, we may awaken to a joyful resurrection, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

No. II.

PRAYERS FOR A FAMILY, OCCASIONAL.

1. A Prayer to be used at Christmas. ALMIGHTY Father, who didst at this time give Thy only Son to be made man for us, grant us grace to be duly thankful for this thine inestimable gift. Teach us, at this season, to repent more heartily of our sins committed against Thee. Teach us to trust more faithfully in the merits of our Saviour Christ. Move us more willingly to obey Thy will, by Him revealed; and to feel more deeply that love of Thine, which Thou hast in Him made manifest. Give us at this joyful time an increase of holy joy. Make us to know better the way of salvation; and guide us to walk therein with less of fear, and more of hope, more of that perfect love, which Thy Holy Spirit can alone bestow. Help us, by Thy good gifts of grace, to grow in the love of Thee, and in the love of all mankind. Enliven our too faint apprehension of all Thy goodness. Warm our too cold affection for things above. Incline our souls more earnestly to desire to be with Christ where He is, more heartily to return thanks to Thee for this blessed hope of everlasting life. And specially, O gracious Father, do Thou enable us to shew forth our love of Thee by living in love and charity with each other. Suffer in our hearts

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