WHEN born, in tears we saw thee drown'd, With smiles their joy confess'd. "LIVE whilst you live," the Epicure will say, "And give to Pleasure every passing day." "Live whilst you live," the sacred Preacher cries, "And give to GOD each moment as it flies." Lord, in my views may both united be, I live in pleasure when I live to THEE! DODDRIDGE. PRAYERS. MORNING. O LORD, Our Heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, who hast kindly brought me to the beginning of another day, accept my thanks for the continuance of Thy mercies and the protection which Thou hast afforded me throughout the night. Be pleased to continue Thy blessings towards me and grant that this day I fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that I may perform my duties to Thee and to Thy creatures with a faithful heart and zealous industry, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Almighty God, who seest that I have no power of myself to help myself, keep me, I beseech Thee, both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul; that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, and the actions of my hands, be this day and at all times acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. And if my heart should be inclined this day to any evil thing, let the recollection of these prayers which I now address to Thee stand before me as a sword to deter me from it. Or if unhappily through thoughtlessness or surprise, I should be led into any actual guilt, let my sorrow be as real as my sin; and let not my eyes again be closed in sleep till I have attempted to obtain Thy pardon. Hear me, O Lord, for the sake of thy Blessed Son, on whose |