sacrifice of praise. I acknowledge it to be of thy goodness that I have reposed in peace under thy shadow, and been kept in safety under thy protection, that my life has been spared me, and that I have not been cut off during the darkness of night and the helpless state of sleep, when I had none to protect me, but thee only. Thee therefore I would praise, as my bounden duty and reasonable service demand, and thee I would magnify as my salvation and my refuge. But, O Lord, I am yet set, as thou knowest, in the midst of so many and great dangers, that, by reason of the frailty of my nature, I cannot always stand upright; grant me therefore such strength and protection as may support me in all dangers, and carry me through all temptations. Keep me from the pollution that is in the world through lust, and from the dangerous snare of evil communication: suffer me neither to walk with vain persons nor to follow vain things, which cannot profit, because they are vain, and must lead to more ungodliness, but keep me in the path of sound wisdom and discretion. May I place thee before me as about my path and spying out all my ways, and may the sense of thy presence make me walk in thy faith and fear all the day, avoiding that which is evil, and following after that which is lovely and of good report. Thus may I and all that I love and care for, be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises, so that when our days are ended we may enter into thy rest. Hear me O my God, for Jesus Christ's sake, in whose comprehensive form of words I further address thee. Our Father, &c. The grace of our &c. FOR WEDNESDAY EVENING. MERCIFUL LORD, who hast a special regard to the work of thy hand, and hast promised never to forsake those who trust in thy mercy and seek thee by prayer, I thy servant, in humble confidence and a lively hope, approach thee this Evening with unfeigned thanks for thy goodness in preserving me through the day from all sad accidents to which I have been liable, and which might have befallen me, from my own indiscretion, had not thy hand shielded me in the midst of danger. Thou hast been present to keep me in all my ways, and of thy bounty I have had all things richly to enjoy. Let the sense of thy continued goodness make me ever thankful, and teach me properly to value thy favours in all thy providential mercies, to acknowledge thy presence in all situations of life, and thy gracious protection under all cir cumstances. As well as for preservation, or rather above all thy other blessings, make me sensible of thy love and mercy in providing for me a Saviour and a great Salvation. As a sinner may I see the need I have of this Saviour; may I receive him as he is offered, and look to him, in confidence, for grace to help and mercy to save. Incline me to cast all my care upon him, in sure and certain hope of pardon and peace, knowing that he has cared for me, and given himself a sacrifice for my sins: let this humble me for sín, and cause me to repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance let it give me faith to believe the promises made to penitent sinners in him, and let it increase my faith, that I may be steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. : I beseech thee mercifully to protect me this night against all evil, and protect all that I am bound by affection or duty to pray for, [especially &c.] that we may neither be harassed by alarming dreams nor evil thoughts, nor put in fear by wicked men or any calamitous events, but that we may rest secure and in peace under thy protection, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen. Our Father, &c. FOR THURSDAY MORNING. O LORD MY GOD, who hast been exceeding gracious in protecting me from the danger of the night, and keeping me in perfect peace and safety, I offer the tribute of praise for the same; and though I am unworthy the least of thy mercies, yet I beseech thee to continue thy fatherly care and goodness over me this day, and bless me |