hope in thy mercy, fear thy threatenings, stand in awe of thy judgements, hate every false way, and esteem thy precepts concerning all things to be right. Thus build me up in thy faith, and keep me in thy fear, and grant that by patience and comfort of thy holy word, I may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which is there revealed. thou, O God of hope, fill me, through thy word, with all joy and peace in believing, that I may abound in hope, through the power of him by whom holy men of old spake as they were moved. Hear me, O Lord, and answer me for thy mercy's sake in Christ, in whose name and through whose mediation I further address thee. Our Father, &c. The grace of our &c. And do ON CHRISTMAS DAY. FATHER OF MERCIES, and God of all comfort, I thank thee for that amazing instance of thy love, which we this day in particular hold in remembrance, the gift of thy Son though rich, he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich; and so great was his condescension, that when he took upon him to deliver man, he did not abhor the virgin's womb. For this thine inestimable love, I give thee most humble and hearty thanks; and while I am led to see the sin which caused the humiliation of thy Son, may I be led to true repentance and faith unfeigned, receiving him as Immanuel, God with us, and as Jesus who came to save me from my sins. Teach me what belongs to his nature, office, and character, and the virtue F of his mediation between God and man. And from feeling my need of him, may I fly to him for refuge, and escape the punishment due to sin. May the glad tidings of his birth be tidings of joy to me, that I may sing glory to thee in the highest, while I see peace brought to rebellious man, and have in my own heart peace and joy in believing. Receiving him as my Saviour from the guilt, the power, and the condemnation of sin, may I approach thee now, and at all times, as my reconciled Father, and evermore rejoice in thy holy comfort, for the same thy Son's sake, who knowing the necessities of his people before they ask, and their ignorance in asking, hath taught us all thus to express our wants : Our Father, &c. The grace of our &c. ON GOOD FRIDAY. O GRACIOUS FATHER,, who, by the death of thy Son Jesus Christ, hast delivered man from the curse of the fall, mercifully grant that I may be benefited by this thine infinite goodness, and saved through him from the wrath to come. Pardon my sins for his sake who died upon the cross, the just for the unjust, and grant that I, believing in the efficacy of his death, may not perish, but have the promised blessing of everlasting life. And as he gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works, may I be cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in thy faith and fear. According to the teaching of that grace which bringeth salvation, may I deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; and may I thus, in the obedience of faith, and labour of love, look for the accomplishment of that blessed hope, which I have in the precious death, and meritorious sacrifice of my Lord and Saviour, in whose blessed name and form of words, I sum up my petitions. Our Father, &c. The grace of our &c. ON EASTER DAY. ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING God, who hast redeemed me to thyself, by the death of thy Son, I humbly thank thee for this thine inestimable benefit, and I beseech thee to receive my further tribute of praise for the perfection of this work, |