SERMON L.

(Page 542.)

The suppression of vice and impiety, the duty of all persons in authority.

Gen. vi. 1-3, 7.

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face
of the earth, and daughters were born unto them; that the
sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were fair;
and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the
Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man.—And
the Lord said, I will destroy man, whom I have created, from
the face of the earth, &c.

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERMON.

ALMIGHTY GOD, Maker of all things, Judge of all men, graciously receive the supplications and prayers of this congregation, for themselves and for all estates and conditions of men.

Lord, in mercy, grant unto us, and unto all sinners, a true sense of our errors, and grace to amend whatever we have done amiss, that iniquity may not be our ruin. Let not those judgments fall upon us, which our sins have justly deserved: and grant that Thy great mercy and forbearance may oblige us to bring forth fruits meet for repentance.

Have mercy upon the work of Thy hands, that all the world may come to the knowledge of Thee, and of Thy goodness in Jesus Christ; that all who are weary with the burden of their sins, may know where to find rest unto their souls.

Preserve Thy Church in the midst of this uncertain world, and prepare her for what Thy providence shall bring forth, that neither prosperity may corrupt Thy faithful servants, nor adversity discourage them from professing the truth.

Keep this Church and Nation in the peaceable enjoyment of Thy Word and Sacraments; and grant that we may all live answerable to the means of grace which Thy providence hath afforded us.

Bless all the reformed Churches; keep them from all wicked and dangerous errors; and bring into the way of truth all such as have gone astray; that Thy Kingdom, and the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, may be glorified.

O God! whose Kingdom ruleth over all, bless these Nations to which we belong; that peace, and truth, and justice, that true religion and piety, may be secured and countenanced; that all ignorance and profaneness, and whatever else opposeth Thy Divine Will made known to us, may be effectually discouraged.

To this end we pray God to hear us, for the King's Majesty, that his days may be many, his government happy, his commands just and equal, and his people faithful and obedient: for the Royal Family, that we may be blessed with a succession of princes fearing God: for all such as are in council and authority (and especially for the High Court of Parliament), that they may consult the honour of God, the true interest of His Church, and the welfare of the People: for the Bishops and Pastors of Christ's flock, that they may constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke and oppose vice, and be living examples of those graces and virtues which they recommend to others: and the Lord Jesus Christ be always with them according to His promise; and grant unto the people of their flocks, that they may profit by them daily.

Blessed God and lover of souls, preserve, by Thy grace, those that are in the way of life; enlighten the minds of the ignorant; awaken the consciences of the careless; silence the gainsayers; convert the profane; and bring them all to Thine everlasting kingdom.

For the Isle of Man.] Bless the Lord and Government of this Isle; continue to us the blessings of peace and unity, in Church and state, which we enjoy; preserve us from all false doctrine, and every false way, and root out all growing vices, that there may ever be in this place a generation fearing God, and working righteousness.

In Time of War.] Preserve this land; and, in Thy own good time, deliver all Christian countries from the miseries of war; scatter the people that delight in it; and grant that such as fall, die not in their sins unrepented of.

For City, or Corporation.] Bless the Magistrates and Government of, and the lawful industry of its inhabitants. Let brotherly love and charity increase amongst them; and root out all growing evils.

Sea.] Receive into Thy Almighty and gracious protection

the persons and the ships of those that are absent; preserve them from the dangers of the seas, from the violence of enemies, and from all sad accidents; that they may return in safety, to enjoy the fruits of their labours, and to praise the Lord for His mercies to them.

At a Funeral.] Make us all mindful of our latter end, that death may never overtake us unawares; teach us, in the many spectacles of sorrow, sickness, and mortality, which we behold, to see how frail and how uncertain our condition is, that we may seriously apply our hearts unto that holy and heavenly wisdom, whilst we live here, which may in the end bring us to life everlasting.

For Plenty.] Visit the earth and the seas with Thy blessing; and open the hearts of those upon whom Thou shalt bestow these favours, that they may do good and distribute: and give us all grace, that we may not be corrupted by Thy blessings.

We commend unto the tender mercy of God, all sick and dying persons; all that are in affliction of mind or body, or under any pressing calamity; all that are poor, and have none else to help them; and especially all such as suffer persecution for a righteous cause.

Lord, pity and sanctify the miseries of this life, to the everlasting benefit of all that suffer; that the tears of the oppressed, the pains of the afflicted, the wants of the poor, may all help forward, and end in, the salvation of their immortal souls.

We beseech God to hear our prayers for all those that never pray for themselves, that they may see the danger, before it is too late, of living without God in the world.

And God Almighty grant, that we may all of us have worthy thoughts of His Majesty, for His great power in creating us; for His wonderful providence in preserving us; for His great goodness in redeeming us by Jesus Christ; for whose doctrine and example, and for the example of all His faithful servants, we pray God make us truly thankful, and grant us grace so to follow their steps, that we with them be made partakers of a blessed resurrection.

That we may obtain these blessings, and whatever else is needful for us, let us all join, and, with one heart and voice,

pray to God in that perfect form of words which Jesus Christ hath taught us:

Our Father, which art in Heaven; hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.