appointed repentance unto me, who am a sinner, for I have sinned above the number of the sands

of the sea.

My transgressions, O Lord, are multiplied; and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven, for the multitude of mine iniquities; [I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I cannot lift up my head, neither have any release ;] for I have provoked thy wrath, and done evil before thee; I did not thy will, neither kept I thy commandments.

Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace: I have sinned, O Lord, and I acknowledge my iniquities; wherefore I humbly beseech thee forgive me, and destroy me not: be not angry with me for ever, by reserving evil for me; neither condemn me into the lower parts of the earth for thou art the God, even the God of them who repent; and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness, for thou wilt save me, who am unworthy according to thy great mercy: therefore I will praise thee for ever all the days of my life; for all the powers of the heavens do praise thee, and thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

A VERSIFICATION OF

THE PRAYER OF MANASSEH.

A prayer with one who is sick, for consolation under his

sickness.

GOD of the world, at length thy rule I own,
And prostrate fall before thy boundless throne:

❝sons who need no repentance." Luke xv. 7. It cannot be supposed, that either Christ, or Manasseh, meant that any man living, however just and exemplary in the sight of men, could need no repentance in the sight of God. But the true meaning of it is, that those, who are here called just, do not need such deep repentance, or an universal change of mind and character, as sinners in general

want.

Thy power resistless trembling I confess,
In threatenings awful, but in love no less!

2.

O what a blessing has that love assign'd,
By penitence to heal the wounded mind!
By penitence to sinners, who like me,

More than th' unnumber'd sands that shore the

sea,

My crimes acknowledge; which of crimson dye, In all their scarlet horrors meet my eye!

3.

O eye, unworthy of the light of heaven;
O sins too mountainous to be forgiven;
O rebel to the law, and love divine,
How justly God's severest vengeance thine!

4.

But O, I bend my heart's obedient knee,
In supplication, Lord, for grace to thee!
Yes! I have sinn'd; and I confess the whole-
Forgive me then, nor cast away my soul!
Save me from evil, from thine anger save,
And snatch me from the dark, untimely grave!

5.

Friend of the contrite, thou wilt pardon give;
A monument of mercy I shall live!
And worthless as I am, for ever prove,

That true repentance leads to saving love!
That true repentance tunes to praise the heart,
And in the choir of heav'n shall bear an ample
part!

Thus by affliction's deep correction taught,
Manasseh to the Lord for mercy sought:
By the kind chastening of a father's rod,
Brought to the knowledge of himself and God!
Happy affliction, for such knowledge giv'n;
And bless'd the dungeon which thus led to heav'n!

A prayer with one who is a mere formalist, especially in his disregard to the spirituality and extent of the Ten Commandments.

See p. 15, 16.

O LORD, to whom the hearts of all men are open, thou art a witness to all our actions, and acquainted with the motives of our conduct. Hear our prayer for this our sick brother. Grant, O Lord, that he may not be satisfied with having attended to the form of godliness without the power of religion on his heart. May he see the spiritual nature and wide extent of thy law, which directs the thoughts of the heart, as well as the actions of life. May he remember, that thou searchest the heart, and that they are the acceptable worshippers, who not only present their bodies before thee as a reasonable sacrifice, but who worship thee in spirit and in truth. Suffer him not to rest in any external forms, to which he has attended, but may he now see, that vital religion affects the heart, regulates all the thoughts, fixes the soul on thyself, as the centre of happiness; and, whenever he may depart out of this world, may he be made fit to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A prayer to be used by one who is sick, for resignation to the will of God.

From Dr. Dodwell.

ALMIGHTY God, who triest me by various methods, as thy wise providence seest most fit for me, I desire neither to be insensible of affliction, nor impatient under it. I desire to receive it as thy just and fatherly correction; to bear it with patience, till thou shalt think fit to remove it from me; and to improve it to the end for which thou hast sent it on me. I know not what is good and

proper for me; but I know enough to see the danger of uninterrupted prosperity, and to be thankful for such warnings of the insignificancy of all temporal advantages, which must shortly end for ever. I desire not only to be resigned to whatever thou shalt allot me, but to rejoice in thy choice for me; and to make in all instances thy will my own.

Under thy favour and protection distress and sufferings yield their comforts; and health and plenty are but curses when attended with thy displeasure. Enable me thus to consider, and apply every event, which thy wisdom shall appoint to me; that (whilst, as a creature, I can claim no privileges, and, as a sinner, I have justly merited sufferings) I may, "looking to Jesus," learn to bear

my lot contentedly; to enjoy gratefully each comfort yet afforded me; and to sustain, through Christ strengthening me, patiently and resignedly each calamity inflicted on me. "Not my will, but thine "be done." May I be prepared at all times to practise this important lesson, and give me grace to practise it at this time, now that sickness has overtaken me. Make it an happy preparative for the more innocent enjoyment of future health, if thou in mercy intendest me this farther blessing: or, if it be thy will to call me to thyself by the progress of this distemper, make it the means of " purifying my heart by faith," (Acts xv. 9.) for the enjoyment of thy glorious presence, through the merits and mediation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

66

A prayer with one who is sick, for consolation under his sickness. See p. 50.

From Bp. Patrick.

MOST gracious God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ hast knit us altogether in one body, that we should love one another; and that if one member

into thy hands, as into the hands of a merciful Creator; thus to remain with thee and thy Son Jesus Christ for ever, in that blessed place, where sin and death shall be no more.

Amen.

A prayer with one who is sick, for faith in the promises. See p. 106.

GRACIOUS God, who hast given us many and exceeding precious promises, for the encouragement of our faith and hope amidst the various occurrences of life, hear our prayer for this our sick brother. Help him to believe, that thou dost not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men, and that thou wilt never leave nor forsake those who trust in thee. When he reads that thou hast said, "Fear not, for I am with thee; be "not dismayed, for I am thy God; yea, I will help "thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand "of my righteousness," may he rely on thy word, remembering that thou art able to perform what thou hast promised; that thou art faithful, and wilt perform all thy promises. May he remember, that though men may be unfaithful, though they may alter their purposes, or by changes in life be rendered incapable of fulfilling their engagements, "thou art not a man, that thou shouldest lie, nor "the son of man, that thou shouldest repent," but that thy word shall be fulfilled. Help thy servant now to plead thy promises with thee. May they be his comfort in life, and support in death; and may he, knowing in whom he has believed, commit his soul into the hands of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will keep that with which he is entrusted by all his faithful followers, and present them faultless before the throne of his Father; to whom with the Son and the Holy Ghost be endless praises. Amen.

* Isaiah xli. 10.