so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ".

God be merciful to me a sinner.

Our Father, Which art in Heaven &c.

A solemn dedication of ourselves to God; and prayer for grace to make a faithful and blessed use of all those means and helps whereby we may be enabled to persevere in the faith and obedience of the Gospel.

O eternal Lord God, heavenly Father! Who desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live; look down, I humbly beseech Thee, upon me, Thy depraved and wretched creature, who am ashamed to lift up my face unto Thee, when I consider how miserably I have defaced Thine image in my soul; and how after all my endeavours my nature is still clogged with many unreasonable lusts and passions; how much vanity and impertinence there yet remains in my mind, how much perverseness in my will, how much spiritual and carnal iniquity in mine affections and appetites. Lord,

* 2 Pet. i. 10, 11.

I have been long struggling with this body of sin and death; and yet upon all occasions I find myself still too prone to O my

God, have pity on me; and for Thine infinite mercies sake, for the sake of Thy dearly beloved Son in Whom Thou art well-pleased, pardon, I beseech Thee, all my sins and infirmities; and create me again after Thy likeness in righteousness and true holiness, that I may walk henceforward in newness of life, and with perfect health and vigour of soul may serve and glorify Thee for ever.

I come now before Thee, O Lord, to make a new dedication of myself to Thy service, and to implore the assistance of Thine Almighty grace to enable me to perform my religious vows and engagements. To Thee, O glorious Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Three Persons in one God! I eternally devote myself, my soul and body, and all the powers and faculties of both. I utterly abjure every sinful practice; and I promise by Thy gracious assistance from this time forth for evermore to pay a sincere obedience to all Thy commandments. This, O Lord, in the sincerity of my soul I do here vow unto Thy divine Majesty: O Thou, Who alone workest in us both to will and to do of Thy good pleasure, and Who hast promised that Thou wilt never leave nor forsake

any of those who are truly desirous to serve and please Thee; let Thy Holy Spirit, I. beseech Thee, be so powerfully, and so continually present with me, that

may faithfully perform what I have so solemnly promised. Inspire me more and more with patience and constancy of mind, that I may stand fast in these good resolutions, in despite of all temptations I shall ever meet with to the contrary. Suggest frequently to my mind those holy examples which Thou hast set before us in Thy sacred word, and most especially the example of our blessed Saviour; and incline my heart to imitate them in all virtuous and godly living.

And since I know that Thou art present with me wheresoever I am, and dost always behold me whatsoever I am doing; O do Thou possess my soul with such an habitual lively sense of this important truth, as may be a constant check to my sinful inclinations, and make me afraid of ever offending Thee, and incessantly careful and solicitous to please Thee.

Let Thy Blessed Spirit be my constant monitor, to put me frequently upon the consideration of my ways, and the serious examination of all mine actions; that so whenever I astray, I may immediately be convinced of my error; and by a speedy and unfeigned repentance recover myself before I have gone

go

too far from my duty. And grant, I beseech Thee, that the sense of my past failings may render me more watchful and circumspect for the future; that whereinsoever I shall discover that I have done amiss, I may thenceforth be more strictly upon my guard, and more vigilant against those temptations that have been the occasion of my falling.

And that I may always serve Thee with freedom and alacrity, remove from me, I beseech Thee, all unprofitable sadness and melancholy; and help me to acquire an even tranquillity of mind, and a becoming cheerfulness of spirit: for which end, good Lord, do Thou inspire me with a lively sense, and earnest expectation of that blissful state towards which I am travelling; that having this glorious prospect always in mine eye, I may run the way of Thy commandments with delight; and forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, may be still pressing forward towards the mark for the prize of Thy high calling in Christ Jesus.

Finally, that I may be more and more strengthened and confirmed in the good resolutions I have now made, stir me up, I beseech Thee, to a diligent attendance on Thy public ordinances. Let it be a constant de

light to me to wait on Thee in the assembly of Thy saints and give me grace always to come before Thee with awful apprehensions of Thine infinite Majesty; to hear Thy word with reverence and attention; to offer up my prayers and thanksgivings with fervency and devotion; and to approach Thy holy table with that humility, and love, and gratitude, and resignation both of soul and body, which become the solemn remembrance and representation of my Saviour's dying love.

In these things, O Lord, and whatsoever else is needful to secure my perseverance in the faith and obedience of Thy Gospel, and the final salvation of mine immortal soul, I humbly beg that Thou wouldst be graciously pleased to assist me, for Jesus Christ His sake; to Whom with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Now God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christy,

Fill me with the knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that I may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work,

y Col. i. 3.