XVIII.

Holy Examples.

O ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; grant us grace so to follow thy blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

XIX.

Thy Kingdom Come.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, who wouldst have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of thy truth; regard in mercy, we beseech thee, those parts of the earth where the Gospel is not known, and bring them to the knowledge, obedience and love, of the religion of thy dear Son. We also pray for the whole Christian world; that all who profess the faith of the Gospel may hold it in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in holiness of life. We entreat thee more particularly to assist us to govern our hearts by the blessed law of charity, that, together with all our fellow-Christians, we may continually become here on earth more worthy of the glorious society in heaven, where charity never fail

eth; which we beg in the name of Jesus Christ, the head of all things to the church, through whom we ascribe to thee blessing and praise, for ever and ever. Amen.

XX.

Numbering our Days.

LORD of life and death, of all ages and all worlds, give us to know the value of our fleeting years. While we have time, let us improve it as we ought; let us not forsake thee in life, nor fall from thee in death; and O, keep us, we entreat thee, from that second death, which must come upon the heedless and impenitent. Save us, and bring us to dwell with thee, where weakness, danger and death, shall find no room. Grant this, O Lord, for thine infinite mercy's sake, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

XXI.

Before Reading the Bible.

BLESSED LORD, who hast caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that, by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the

blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

XXII.

After Reading the Bible.

O GOD, who in times past didst speak to the fathers by the prophets, and in these last days to us by thy Son; we thank thee for the volume of thy holy word; for the plain and ample directions it contains ; for the sublime instructions it affords; for the consolations and hopes it presents to the penitent, the afflicted, and the dying; for the immortal life it reveals to man; for the eternal glory and happiness it promises to those who love and strive to obey thee. May we be enabled, by the light and assistance which it gives to our ignorance and frailty, to order our steps aright, to keep thy laws and ordinances blameless, and steadily to pursue that path of virtue and true holiness which leads to everlasting life. And this we humbly beg in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

XXIII.

Before Public Worship.

LORD of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the

love of thy name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

XXIV.

After Public Worship.

ALMIGHTY GOD, we humbly thank thee for the privileges of religious worship and instruction which we have at this time enjoyed. Forgive whatever thou hast seen amiss in us, and whatever may have been said contrary to the truth and to thy holy word. Accept the sincerity of our devotions, and cause the good seed of thy word to spring up and bear a hundred-fold in our hearts and lives. Teach us to love thee more and serve thee better day by day; and when our days on earth are ended, may we be received to thine eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

XXV.

Christmas.

ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast given us thine onlybegotten Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be born of a virgin; grant that we, being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and

grace, may daily be renewed by thy Spirit. And this we beg in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom we ascribe unto thee all honor and glory now and ever. Amen.

XXVI.

New Year.

O GOD, the unfailing source of light and mercy, who hast brought us to the beginning of this year, and art sparing us to love thee, and to keep thy commandments; give us, we beseech thee, a solemn sense of the importance of time, and of diligence in improving the talents thou hast placed in our hands; and enable us so faithfully to discharge our duty in this life, that when we shall appear before thee at thy great tribunal we may be found worthy of that eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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