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SIXTEENTH EVENING.

O ETERNAL GOD, Father of men and angels, who hast established the heavens and the earth in a wonderful order, causing day and night to succeed each other: -we make our humble address to Thy divine majesty, begging of Thee mercy and protection, this night and for ever.

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O LORD, pardon all our sins, our light and rash words, the vanity and impiety of our thoughts, our unjust and unkind actions, and whatever we have done amiss this day, or at any time before. O GOD, our souls are troubled through the remembrance of our past transgressions and we are daily exposed, through the frailty and sinfulness of our natures, to every new temptation, which of ourselves we are not able to resist. We, therefore, earnestly beg of Thee to give us a great portion of Thy grace; such as may be sufficient and effectual for the mortification of all our corruptions: that, as we have formerly served sinful desires, so now we may give up ourselves to Thy service, in all the duties of a holy life.

Teach us to walk always as in Thy presence: and put into our souls great love to Thee, that it may become our chief employment to promote Thy glory, and to root out all habits of sin; so that, in faith and purity, wait patiently for the coming of our Lord Jesus. Into Thy hands we now commend ourselves: praying Thee so to bless and sanctify our sleep unto us, that it may be a refreshment unto our wearied bodies;

we may

to enable us the better to serve Thee. And whether we sleep or wake, live or die, may we be Thy servants.

We also beseech Thee, O GOD, to send down Thy blessing on all our dear friends and relations. Bless them in their persons, in their families, and in all their undertakings; and dispose them to advance Thine honour, and to live to Thy glory.

Be Thou a father and a friend to the children of this family. Let Thy providence lead them through the dangers, and temptations, and ignorances of their youth, that they may not run into folly, nor give way to any unbridled appetite. Be pleased so to order the events of their lives, that, by a good education, and by prudent counsel, and, by Thy restraining grace, they may be trained up to serve Thee, in the midst of an evil generation; and, after an useful and holy life may come to a peaceful and happy death; and may be made heirs with Christ in the glories of His heavenly kingdom.

Look down with an eye of favour on the whole Church of Christ. Have compassion on Thine afflicted servants. Give them increase of faith, and patience, and hope; and, in Thy good time, give them deliv

erance.

And, O Thou who willest not the death of a sinner, have pity on the multitudes who walk not in obedience to Thy commandments. Turn them from all their sins, so that their souls may be saved in the day of JESUS CARIST. Support also the weak; establish the doubtful and wavering; succour the tempted; and raise up those who are fallen; and teach us all to have com

passion on the infirmities of our brethren: and to walk charitably one towards another.

Hear, O LORD, these and all our prayers, for the sake of Thine only Son JESUS CHRIST, our Mediator and Redeemer.

Our Father, &c.

The grace of our Lord, &c.

SEVENTEENTH EVENING.

ALMIGHTY, AND EVER BLESSED GOD, who preservest our lives, and sustainest our health and strength, and multipliest our comforts and enjoyments, we are met together to praise Thee for the mercies which we have experienced, since we were last assembled to worship Thy holy name. Thou art the author of all good:without Thee, we are utterly weak and helpless, as well as miserable. O LORD, continue to us Thy gracious care and preserve us, this night, both in body and soul from every evil.

We beseech Thee, especially, to grant unto us all the pardon of sin, and a cheerful confidence in Thy favour, through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. Give us peace through His atoning blood; and being thus reconciled to Thee our GOD, may we also be in charity with all Take from us, O LORD, every angry passion, as well as every tormenting fear of Thy wrath. We be

men.

seech Thee, also, to deliver us from those anxieties and cares which are too apt to distress our minds. Let us trust Thy gracious providence; and ever commit ourselves and all our concerns to Thee, as to a wise and faithful Creator, and a Father and Friend in Christ.

Bless us, we pray Thee, to the end of our lives. Support us in all our future trials,-guide us in all our difficulties-strengthen us for the several duties of our stations-sustain us in sorrow, sickness, and adversity; and, whenever the trials and labours of this mortal life shall have passed, receive us into the haven of ever lasting rest.

We beseech Thee to bless our friends and relations. Deliver them from all the dangers and sorrows of this evil world; save them, especially, from sin; unite them with us in the bonds of a common faith; and make us all members of the same blessed family above.

Have compassion on the children of this house; fill them with the knowledge of Thy will; and give them grace to serve Thee, without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of their lives.

Have mercy on our President. Direct the councils of this nation. Bless our magistrates. Inspire our clergy with the spirit of true religion. Give to the poor, contentment with their lot;—and to the rich, a spirit of compassion and benevolence. Extend Thy goodness to all mankind. Put an end to war and discord, as well as to vice and superstition; and send Thy Gospel over the earth, to enlighten those who still sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.

These prayers we would humbly present, with one

heart and one mind, at the throne of Thy heavenly grace; and we beseech Thee to hear and answer them, according to the riches of Thy mercy in JESUS CHRIST.

Our Father, &c.

The grace of our Lord, &c.

EIGHTEENTH EVENING.

O LORD, GOD ALMIGHTY, who hearest the prayers of all who devoutly call upon Thy name, we kneel down to make our supplications unto Thee, this night; imploring Thee to take us under Thy protection; and to pardon, also, every sin which we may, this day, have committed against Thee.

We, at the same time, beseech Thee to impress upon us the importance of eternal things. May we be deeply persuaded, through the powerful help of Thy Holy Spirit, that we can never prize our salvation too highly; nor strive too earnestly or unceasingly after it. Teach us to remember, that we are dying creatures, who must soon enter into eternity; and must either rise to a state of immortal happiness, or sink into everlasting despair. May we never forget that "one thing is needful;" and may we, comparatively, despise all the things of this

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