In the primitive Church there were, besides morning and night, four other times every day, which were called Hours of Prayer; and the zeal of those first Christians was such as made them constantly observed. This pious example, it is much to be wished, that all those who are not by any necessary business prevented, would constantly imitate; and that none may be to seek how to exercise their devotions at such times, the following collection of prayers and thanksgivings is added; out of which the devout Christian may select, for his present use, what best suits the wants and necessities of his soul. DEVOTIONS, &c. CONFESSION OF SIN. I. ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep; we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts; we have offended against thy holy laws; we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults; restore thou them that are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy name. Amen.* LITURGY. The plural "we," &c. has been retained in many of the prayers from the Liturgy, but the singular may in all cases be substituted. II. O MOST mighty God and merciful Father, who hast compassion upon all men, and hatest nothing that thou hast made; who wouldest not the death of a sinner, but that he should rather turn from his sin, and be saved; mercifully forgive us our trespasses; receive and comfort us, who are grieved and wearied with the burden of our sins. Thy property is always to have mercy; to thee only it appertaineth to forgive sins. Spare us, therefore, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed; enter not into judgment with thy servants, who are vile earth, and miserable sinners; but so turn thine anger from us, who meekly acknowledge our vileness, and truly repent us of our faults, and so make haste to help us in this world, that we may ever live with thee in the world to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. III. [After a relapse into sin.] LITURGY. O LORD God Almighty, just and true, thou only Sovereign of the world, on whom is all my dependence, and from whom is all my hope and expectation; I am ashamed, and blush to appear before thee, seeing I have |