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my conversation aright (7), avoid profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called (m), and wash my hands in innocency (n). Grant that from a child I may know the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make me wise unto salvation, through faith in thee (o); and that to faith I may add virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (p). So shall I grow in grace and in the knowledge of thee my Lord and Saviour. To thee be glory both now and for ever. Amen (q).

(1) Psalm 1. 23.
(m) 1. Tim. vi. 20.

(o) 11. Tim. iii. 15.
(p) 11. Pet. i. 5, 6, 7.

(n) Psalm xxvi. 6.

(9)

- iii. 18.

PRAYER FOR THE AGED.

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness: Prov. xvi. 31; but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed. Isaiah lxv. 20.

UNTO thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul (a), for from thee cometh my salvation (b). O God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works; now also, when I am old and grey headed, forsake me not (c). O remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; but according to thy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodness' sake, O Lord (d). For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to

(a) Psalm xxv. 1. (c) Psalm lxxi. 17, 18. (d) - XXV. 7.

(b)

lxii. 1.

the house appointed for all living (e). What is my strength, that I should hope! and what is mine end, that I should seek to prolong my life (f)! My strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it is also gone from me (g): the joints of my loins are loosed, my knees smite one against the other (h), and I go to the gates of the grave (i). Behold thou hast made my days as an handbreath, and mine age is as nothing before thee (j); for a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night (k). Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding (7); our life is even as a vapour, that appeareth for a

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little time, and then vanishethaway (m). Who can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin (n)?" Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been (o). But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord; in thee is my trust,leave not my soul destitute(p). O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee: which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men(q)! I will give glory to the Lord my God, before he cause darkness, and before my feet stumble upon the dark mountains (r). Lord, let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his(s)! O let thy

(m) James iv. 14.

(") Prov. xx. 9. (0) Gen. xlvii. 9.

(p) Psalm cxli. 8. xxxi. 19.

(g)

(r) Jer. xiii. 16.

(s) Numb xxiii. 10.

servant depart in peace, and let mine eyes see thy salvation(t); that when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, Death may be swallowed up in victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (u). Even so come, Lord Jesus (v).

CONFESSION OF SIN AND PRAYER FOR PARDON.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Prov. xxviii. 13.

HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteousness (a); hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King and my

(t) St. Luke ii. 29, 30. (u) 1. Cor. xv. 54, 57.

(v) Rev. xxii. 20.
(a) Psalm iv. 1.

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