Introduction

Matthew Henry (18 October 1662 – 22 June 1714) was a nonconformist minister and author, born in Wales but spending much of his life in England. He is best known for the six-volume biblical commentary Exposition of the Old and New Testaments.

Matthew Henry’s classic, describing how Christians can rightly conduct prayers for public occasions, has for centuries been a valuable source for believers.

Writing in the 1710s, the author reflected on his lifetime as a man of God who had conducted many official ceremonies and events in his church. The concerns of his congregation, many of whom experienced the heights of joy and depths of despair that life offers, led Matthew Henry to devise a methodology for praying to the Lord rich in example.

This method is intended to both respect and properly consult the divine, and also give comfort to believers who are in a state of distress or anxiety. Requests to God to fulfil a desire, to forgive a sin, as well as communications of life. Simple prayers of praise, wherein the Lord is given thanks for good fortune or daily small blessings, are also detailed.

Most of Henry’s recommendations reference Biblical scripture as a source: with the Holy Bible as his backing, the advices and methods of the author are beyond question. The language he uses is reminiscent of the King James Version of the text, which was the dominant Bible in the 17th and 18th centuries. Despite the passage of centuries, the authority and authenticity of Henry’s prayer method is undiminished.

There are other text versions of this online, but the one I saw used the English Standard Version of the Bible which I don’t like. I found a good PDF file of this book that used the KJV and copied and pasted the text from it to make this post on my website.

I believe this book can strengthen our prayer life.

Chapter I Adoration of God

Our spirits being composed into a very reverent serious frame, our thoughts gathered in, and all that is within us charged in the name of the great God carefully to attend the solemn and awful service that lies before us, and to keep close to it, we must with a fixed intention and application of mind, and an active lively faith, set the Lord before us, see His eye upon us, and set ourselves in His special presence, presenting ourselves to Him, as living sacrifices, which we desire may be holy and acceptable, and a reasonable service; and then bind these sacrifices with cords to the horns of the altar, in such thoughts as these: Romans 12:1. Psalm 118:27.

LET us now lift up our hearts with our eyes and our hands unto God in the heavens. Lamentations 3:41. John 17:1.

Let us stir up ourselves to take hold on God, to seek his face, and to give him the glory due unto his name. Isaiah 64:7. Psalm 27:8. Psalm 29:2.

Unto thee, O Lord, do we lift up our souls. Psalm 25:1.

Let us now, with humble boldness, enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, in the new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the vail. Hebrews 10:19, 20.

Let us now attend upon the Lord without distraction, and let not our hearts be far from him when we draw nigh to him with our mouths, and honour him with our lips. 1 Corinthians 7:35. Matthew 15:8.

Let us now worship God who is a Spirit, in the spirit and in truth; for such the Father seeks to worship him. John 4:24, 23.

Having thus engaged our hearts to approach unto God, Jeremiah 30:21.

HOLY, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which art and wast, and art to come. Revelation 4:8.

O thou whose name alone is JEHOVAH, and who art the most high over all the earth. Psalm 83:18.

O God, thou art our God, early will we seek thee; Our God, and we will praise thee; our fathers God, and we will exalt thee. Psalm 63:1. Exodus 15:2.

O thou who art the true God, the living God, the one only living and true God, and the everlasting king. THE LORD OUR GOD WHO IS ONE LORD. Jeremiah 10:10. 1 Thessalonians 1:9. Deuteronomy 6:4.

― And we may thus distinguish ourselves from the worshippers of false gods.

The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, they are vanity and a lie, the work of mens hands; they that make them are like unto them, and so is every one that trusteth in them. But the portion of Jacob is not like them, for he is the former of all things, and Israel is the rod of his inheritance, the Lord of hosts is his name; God over all, blessed for evermore. Psalm 115:4, 8. Jeremiah 10:15, 16. Romans 9:5.

Their rock is not our Rock, even the enemies themselves being judges, for he is the Rock of ages, THE LORD JEHOVAH, with whom is everlasting strength. Whose name shall endure for ever, and his memorial unto all generations, when the gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, shall perish from off the earth, and from under those heavens. Deuteronomy 32:31. Isaiah 26:4. Psalm 135:13. Jeremiah 10:11.

O LORD our God, thou art very great, thou art clothed with honour and majesty, thou coverest thyself with light as with a garment, and yet as to us makest darkness thy pavilion, for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. Psalm 104:1, 2. Psalm 18:11. Job 37:19.

This is the message which we have heard of thee, and we set to our seal that it is true, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all: And that God is love, and they that dwell in love, dwell in God, and God in them. 1 John 1:5. John 3:33. 1 John 4:16.

Thou art the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness or shadow of turning, and from whom proceedeth every good and perfect gift. James 1:17.

Thou art the blessed and only Potentate; the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who only hast immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen nor can see. 1 Timothy 6:15, 16.

― We must acknowledge His being to be unquestionable and past dispute.

The heavens declare thy glory, O God, and the firmament sheweth thy handy work, and by the things that are made is clearly seen and understood thine eternal power and GODHEAD. So that they are fools without excuse, who say there is no God; for verily there is a reward for the righteous, verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth, and in heaven too. Psalm 19:1. Romans 1:20. Psalm 14:1. Psalm 58:11.

We therefore come to thee, believing that thou art, and that thou art the powerful and bountiful rewarder of them that diligently seek thee. Hebrews 11:6.

― Yet we must own His nature to be incomprehensible.

We cannot by searching find out God, we cannot find out the Almighty unto perfection. Job 11:7.

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3.

Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord, who can shew forth all his praise? Psalm 106:2.

― And His perfections to be matchless and without compare.

Who is a God like unto thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11.

Who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee, or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Psalm 89:6, 8.

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord, neither are there any works like unto thy works: For thou art great, and dost wondrous things; thou art God alone. Psalm 86:8, 10.

There is not any creature that has an arm like God, or can thunder with a voice like him. Job 40:9.

― And that He is infinitely above us and all other beings.

Thou art God and not man; hast not eyes of flesh, nor seest thou as man seeth: Thy days are not as the days of man, nor thy years as man’s days. Hosea 11:9. Job 10:4, 5.

As heaven is high above the earth, so are thy thoughts above our thoughts, and thy ways above our ways. Isaiah 55:9.

All nations before thee are as a drop of the bucket, or the small dust of the balance, and thou takest up the isles as a very little thing: They are as nothing, and are counted to thee less than nothing, and vanity. Isaiah 40:15, 17.

― Particularly in our adorations we must acknowledge,

1. That He is an eternal immutable God, without beginning of days, or end of life, or change of time.

Thou art the King eternal, immortal, invisible. 1 Timothy 1:17.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God; the same yesterday, to day, and for ever. Psalm 90:2. Hebrews 13:8.

Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of thy hands: They shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea all of them shall wax old like a garment, as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed; but thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. Psalm 102:25, 26, 27.

Thou art God, and changest not; therefore is it that we are not consumed. Malachi 3:6.

Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord our God, our Holy One? The everlasting God, even the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, who faintest not, neither art weary; there is no searching out of thine understanding. Habakkuk 1:12. Isaiah 40:28.

2. That He is present in all places, and there is no place in which He is included, or out of which He is excluded.

Thou art a God at hand, and not a God afar off; None can hide himself in secret places that thou canst not see him, for thou fillest heaven and earth. Jeremiah 23:23, 24.

Thou art not far from every one of us. Acts 17:27.

We cannot go any whither from thy presence, or flee from thy spirit: If we ascend into heaven, thou art there; if we make our bed in hell, in the depths of the earth, behold thou art there; if we take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead us, and thy right hand shall hold us, that we cannot outrun thee. Psalm 139:7-10.

3. That He hath a perfect knowledge of all persons and things, and sees them all, even that which is most secret, at one clear, certain, and unerring view.

All things are naked and open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do; even the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:13, 12.

Thine eyes are in every place beholding the evil and the good; they run to and fro through the earth, that thou mayest shew thyself strong on the behalf of those whose hearts are upright with thee. Proverbs 15:3. 2 Chronicles 16:9.

Thou searchest the heart, and triest the reins, that thou mayest give to every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:10.

O God, thou hast searched us and known us, thou knowest our downsitting and our uprising, and understandest our thoughts afar off: Thou compassest our path and our lying down, and art acquainted with all our ways: There is not a word in our tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us, it is high, we cannot attain unto it. Psalm 139:1-4, 6.

Darkness and light are both alike to thee. Psalm 139:12.

4. That His wisdom is unsearchable, and the counsels and designs of it cannot be fathomed.

Thine understanding, O Lord, is infinite, for thou tellest the number of the stars, and callest them all by their names. Psalm 147:5, 4.

Thou art wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. Wise in heart, and mighty in strength. Isaiah 28:29. Job 9:4.

O Lord, how manifold are thy works, in wisdom hast thou made them all; all according to the counsel of thine own will. Psalm 104:24. Ephesians 1:11.

O the depth of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out. Romans 11:33.

5. That His sovereignty is uncontestable, and He is the owner and absolute Lord of all.

The heavens, even the heavens are thine, and all the hosts of them: The earth is thine, and the fulness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein. In thy hand are the deep places of the earth, and the strength of the hills is thine also: The sea is thine, for thou madest it, and thy hands formed the dry land: All the beasts of the forest are thine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills: Thou art therefore a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 115:16. Psalm 24:1. Psalm 95:4, 5. Psalm 50:10, 11. Psalm 95:3.

In thy hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10.

Thy dominion is an everlasting dominion, and thy kingdom is from generation to generation: Thou dost according to thy will in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay thy hand, or say unto thee, What doest thou, or Why doest thou so? Daniel 4:34, 35.

6. That His power is irresistible, and the operations of it cannot be controlled.

We know, O God, that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee: Power belongs to thee; And with thee nothing is impossible. Job 42:2. Psalm 62:11. Luke 1:37.

All power is thine both in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18. holden from thee: Power belongs to thee; And with thee nothing is impossible. Job 42:2. Psalm 62:11. Luke 1:37.

All power is thine both in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18.
holden from thee: Power belongs to thee; And with thee nothing is impossible. Job 42:2. Psalm 62:11. Luke 1:37.

All power is thine both in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18.
Thou killest and thou makest alive, thou woundest and thou healest, neither is there any that can deliver out of thy hand. Deuteronomy 32:39.

What thou hast promised thou art able also to perform. Romans 4:21.

7. That He is a God of unspotted purity and perfect rectitude.

Thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel: Holy and reverend is thy name; and we give thanks at the remembrance of thy holiness. Psalm 22:3. Psalm 111:9. Psalm 30:4.

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, neither shall evil dwell with thee. Habakkuk 1:13. Psalm 5:4.

Thou art the Rock, thy work is perfect, all thy ways are truth and judgment; a God of truth, and in whom there is no iniquity. Thou art our rock, and there is no unrighteousness in thee. Deuteronomy 32:4. Psalm 92:15.

Thou art holy in all thy works, and holiness becomes thy house, O Lord, for ever. Psalm 145:17. Psalm 93:5.

8. That He is just in the administration of His government, and never did, nor ever will do wrong to any of His creatures.

Righteous art thou, O God, when we plead with thee, and wilt be justified when thou speakest, and clear when thou judgest. Jeremiah 12:1. Psalm 51:4.

Far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should commit iniquity; for the work of a man shall he render unto him. Job 34:10, 11.

Thy righteousness is as the great mountains, even then when thy judgments are a great deep! And though clouds and darkness are round about thee, yet judgment and justice are the habitation of thy throne. Psalm 36:6. Psalm 97:2.

9. That His truth is inviolable, and the treasures of His goodness inexhaustible.

Thou art good, and thy mercy endures for ever. Thy lovingkindness is great towards us, and thy truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 136:1. Psalm 117:2. Psalm 100:5.

Thou hast proclaimed thy name: The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin. And this name of thine is our strong tower. Exodus 34:6, 7. Proverbs 18:10.

Thou art good and dost good; good to all, and thy tender mercy is over all thy works. But truly God is in a special manner good to Israel, even to them that are of a clean heart. Psalm 119:68. Psalm 145:9. Psalm 73:1.

O that thou wouldst cause thy goodness to pass before us; that we may taste and see that the Lord is good; and his loving kindness may be always before our eyes. Exodus 33:19. Psalm 34:8. Psalm 26:3.

10. Lastly, that when we have said all we can of the glorious perfections of the divine nature, we fall infinitely short of the merit of the subject.

Lo these are but parts of thy ways, and how little a portion is heard of God! But the thunder of his power who can understand? Job 26:14.

Touching the Almighty we cannot find him out, he is excellent in power and in judgment, and in plenty of justice; and he is exalted far above all blessing and praise. Job 37:23. Nehemiah 9:5.

THOU hast prepared thy throne in the heavens, and it is a throne of glory, high and lifted up, and before thee the seraphims cover their faces. And it is in compassion to us that thou holdest back the face of that throne, and spreadest a cloud upon it. Psalm 103:19. Isaiah 6:1, 2. Job 26:9.

Thou makest thine angels spirits, and thy ministers a flame of fire. Thousand thousands of them minister unto thee, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before thee, to do thy pleasure: They excel in strength, and hearken to the voice of thy word. And we are come by faith and hope and holy love into a spiritual communion with that innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, even to the general assembly and church of the first-born, in the heavenly Jerusalem. Psalm 104:4. Daniel 7:10. Psalm 103:21, 20. Hebrews 12:22, 23.

THOU art worthy, O Lord, to receive blessing, and honour, and glory, and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure, and for thy praise they are and were created. Revelation 4:11.

We worship him that made the heaven and the earth, the sea and the fountains of waters; who spake and it was done, who commanded and it stood fast; who said, Let there be light, and there was light; Let there be a firmament, and he made the firmament; and he made all very good; and they continue this day according to his ordinance; for all are his servants. Revelation 14:7. Psalm 33:9. Genesis 1:3, 6, 7, 31. Psalm 119:91.

The day is thine, the night also is thine; thou hast prepared the light and the sun: Thou hast set all the borders of the earth, thou hast made summer and winter. Psalm 74:16, 17.

Thou upholdest all things by the word of thy power, and by thee all things consist. Hebrews 1:3. Colossians 1:17.

The earth is full of thy riches; so is the great and wide sea also. The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest them their meat in due season: Thou openest thy hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. Thou preservest man and beast, and givest food to all flesh. Psalm 104:24, 25. Psalm 145:15, 16. Psalm 36:6. Psalm 136:25.

Thou, even thou art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are therein, the seas and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all: And the host of heaven worshippeth thee, whose kingdom ruleth over all. Nehemiah 9:6. Psalm 103:19.

A sparrow falls not to the ground without thee. Matthew 10:29.

Thou madest man at first of the dust of the ground, and breathedst into him the breath of life, and so he became a living soul. Genesis 2:7.

And thou hast made of that one blood, all nations of men, to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hast determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation. Acts 17:26.

Thou art the most High, who rulest in the kingdom of men, and givest it to whomsoever thou wilt; for from thee every man’s judgment proceeds. Daniel 4:25. Proverbs 29:26.

Hallelujah, the Lord God omnipotent reigns, and doth all according to the counsel of his own will, to the praise of his own glory. Revelation 19:6. Ephesians 1:11, 12.

WE pay our homage to the three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; for these three are one. 1 John 5:7.

We adore thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth; and the eternal Word, who was in the beginning with God, and was God, by whom all things were made, and without whom was not any thing made that was made, and who in the fulness of time was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and shewed his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Matthew 11:25. John 1:1, 2, 3. Galatians 4:4. John 1:14.

And since it is the will of God that all men should honour the Son as they honour the Father, we adore him as the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person; herein joining with the angels of God, who were all bid to worship him. John 5:23. Hebrews 1:3, 6.

We pay our homage to the exalted Redeemer, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Revelation 1:5. Philippians 2:11.

We also worship the Holy Ghost the Comforter, whom the Son hath sent from the Father, even the Spirit of truth who proceedeth from the Father, and who is sent to teach us all things, and to bring all things to our remembrance; who indited the scriptures, holy men of God writing them as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. John 15:26. John 14:26. 2 Peter 1:21.

THOU, O God, madest us, and not we ourselves, and therefore we are not our own, but thine, thy people and the sheep of thy pasture; Let us therefore worship, and fall down and kneel before the Lord our maker. Psalm 100:3. 1 Corinthians 6:19. Psalm 95:6.

Thou, Lord, art the former of our bodies, and they are fearfully and wonderfully made, and curiously wrought. Thine eye did see our substance yet being imperfect, and in thy book all our members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:14, 15, 16.

Thou hast clothed us with skin and flesh, thou hast fenced us with bones and sinews; Thou hast granted us life and favour, and thy visitation preserves our spirits. Job 10:11, 12.

Thou art the Father of our spirits; for thou formest the spirit of man with him, and madest us these souls. The Spirit of God hath made us, and the breath of the Almighty hath given us life. Thou puttest wisdom in the inward part, and givest understanding to the heart. Hebrews 12:9. Zechariah 12:1. Jeremiah 38:16. Job 33:4. Job 38:36.

Thou art God our maker, who teachest us more than the beasts of the earth, and makest us wiser than the fowls of heaven. Job 35:10, 11.

We are the clay, and thou our potter, we are the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8.

Thou art he that tookest us out of the womb, and keepest us in safety when we were at our mother’s breasts; We have been cast upon thee from the womb, and holden up by thee, thou art our God from our mother’s bowels, and therefore our praise shall be continually of thee. Psalm 22:9, 10. Psalm 71:6.

In thee, O God, we live and move, and have our being; for we are thine offspring. Acts 17:28.

In thy hand our breath is, and thine are all our ways; for the way of man is not in himself, neither is it in man that walketh to direct his steps; but our times are in thy hand. Daniel 5:23. Jeremiah 10:23.

Psalm 31:15.

Thou art the God that hast fed us all our life long unto this day, and redeemed us from all evil. Genesis 48:15, 16.

It is of thy mercies that we are not consumed, even because thy compassions fail not, they are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22, 23.

If thou take away our breath we die, and return to the dust out of which we were taken. Psalm 104:29, 30.

Who is he that saith and it cometh to pass, if thou commandest it not? Out of thy mouth, O most High, both evil and good proceed. Lamentations 3:37, 38.

OUR souls have said unto the Lord, Thou art our Lord, though our goodness extendeth not unto thee, neither if we are righteous art thou the better. Psalm 16:2. Job 35:7.

Thou art our King, O God: Other lords besides thee have had dominion over us, but from henceforth by thee only will we make mention of thy name. Psalm 44:4. Isaiah 26:13.

We avouch the Lord this day to be our God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken to his voice, and give ourselves unto him to be his peculiar people as he hath promised, that we may be a holy people unto the Lord our God; and may be unto him for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory. Deuteronomy 26:17, 18, 19. Jeremiah 13:11.

O Lord, truly we are thy servants, we are thy servants born in thy house, and thou hast loosed our bonds; we are bought with a price, and therefore we are not our own; but yield ourselves unto the Lord, and join ourselves to him in an everlasting covenant that shall never be forgotten. Psalm 116:16. 1 Corinthians 6:20, 19. 2 Chronicles 30:8. Jeremiah 50:5.

We are thine, save us; for we seek thy precepts: It is thine own, Lord, that we give thee, and that which cometh of thine hand. Psalm 119:94. 1 Chronicles 29:16.

THOU hast commanded us to pray always, with all prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, and to watch thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; to continue in prayer; and in every thing with prayer and supplication to make our requests known to God. Ephesians 6:18. Colossians 4:2. Philippians 4:6.

Thou hast directed us to ask and seek and knock, and hast promised that we shall receive, we shall find, and it shall be opened to us. Matthew 7:7, 8.

Thou hast appointed us a great high priest, in whose name we may come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may find mercy and grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16.

Thou hast assured us that while the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, the prayer of the upright is his delight; and that he that offers praise glorifies thee, and the sacrifice of thanksgiving shall please the Lord better than that of an ox or bullock that has horns and hoofs. Proverbs 15:8. Psalm 50:23. Psalm 69:30, 31.

Thou art he that hearest prayer, and therefore unto thee shall all flesh come. Psalm 65:2.

Thou sayest, Seek ye my face, and our hearts answer, Thy face, Lord, will we seek. For should not a people seek unto their God? Whither shall we go but to thee? Thou hast the words of eternal life. Psalm 27:8. Isaiah 8:19. John 6:68.

BUT will God in very deed dwell with man upon the earth? that God whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, with man that is a worm, and the son of man that is a worm. 2 Chronicles 6:18. Job 25:6.

Who are we, O Lord God, and what is our father’s house, that thou hast brought us hitherto, to present ourselves before the Lord; that we have through Christ an access by one Spirit unto the Father: And yet as if this had been a small thing in thy sight, thou hast spoken concerning thy servants for a great while to come, and is this the manner of men, O Lord God? 2 Samuel 7:18. Ephesians 2:18. 2 Samuel 7:19.

What is man that thou art thus mindful of him, and the son of man that thou visitest him? and dost thus magnify him. Psalm 8:4. Job 7:17.

O let not the Lord be angry, if we that are but dust and ashes take upon us to speak unto the Lord of glory. Genesis 18:30, 27.

We are not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy servants; nor is it meet to take the childrens bread, and cast it to such as we are; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table: And thou art rich in mercy to all that call upon thee. Genesis 32:10. Matthew 15:26, 27. Romans 10:12.

WHOM have we in heaven but thee; and there is none upon earth that we desire besides thee, or in comparison of thee: When our flesh and our heart fail, be thou the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever; the portion of our inheritance in the other world, and of our cup in this, and then we will say that the lines are fallen to us in pleasant places, and that we have a goodly heritage. Psalm 73:25, 26. Psalm 16:5, 6.

The desire of our souls is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee; with our souls have we desired thee in the night, and with our spirits within us will we seek thee early. Isaiah 26:8, 9.

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth our soul after thee, O God; our soul thirsteth for God, for the living God; who will command his loving-kindness in the day-time, and in the night his song shall be with us, and our prayer to the God of our life. Psalm 42:1, 2, 8.

O that we may come hungering and thirsting after righteousness; for thou fillest the hungry with good things, but the rich thou sendest empty away. Matthew 5:6. Luke 1:53.

O that our souls may thirst for thee, and our flesh long for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is, that we may see thy power and thy glory, as we have seen thee in the sanctuary. Thy lovingkindness is better than life; our souls shall be satisfied with that as with marrow and fatness, and then our mouths shall praise thee with joyful lips. Psalm 63:1, 2, 3, 5.

IN thee, O God, do we put our trust, let us never be ashamed; yea let none that wait on thee be ashamed. Psalm 31:1. Psalm 25:3.

Truly our souls wait upon God; from him cometh our salvation; he only is our rock and our salvation: In him is our glory, our strength, and our refuge, and from him is our expectation. Psalm 62:1, 2, 7, 5.

When refuge fails us, and none cares for our souls, we cry unto thee, O Lord; Thou art our refuge and our portion in the land of the living. Psalm 142:4, 5.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. We will trust in thy mercy, O God, for ever and ever, and will wait on thy name, for it is good before thy saints. Psalm 20:7. Psalm 52:8, 9.

We have hoped in thy word; O remember thy word unto thy servants, upon which thou hast caused us to hope. Psalm 119:74, 49.

THERE be many that say, Who will shew us any good? But this we say, Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, and that shall put gladness into our hearts more than they have whose corn and wine increaseth. Psalm 4:6, 7.

We intreat thy favour with our whole hearts; for in this we labour, that whether present or absent we may be accepted of the Lord. Psalm 119:58. 2 Corinthians 5:9.

Hear our prayers, O Lord, give ear to our supplications; in thy faithfulness answer us. And be nigh unto us in all that which we call upon thee for; for thou never saidst to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. Psalm 143:1. Deuteronomy 4:7. Isaiah 45:19.

Thou that hearest the young ravens which cry, Be not silent to us, lest if thou be silent to us, we be like them that go down to the pit. Psalm 147:9. Psalm 28:1.

Let our prayer be set forth before thee as incense, and the lifting up of our hands be acceptable in thy sight as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2.

LORD, we know not what to pray for as we ought, but let thy Spirit help our infirmities, and make intercession in us. Romans 8:26.

O pour upon us the spirit of grace and supplication; the Spirit of adoption teaching us to cry, Abba Father; that we may find in our hearts to pray this prayer: Zechariah 12:10. Romans 8:15. 2 Samuel 7:27.

O send out thy light and thy truth, let them lead us, let them guide us to thy holy hill, and thy tabernacles; to God our exceeding joy. Psalm 43:3, 4.

O Lord, open thou our lips, and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Psalm 51:15.

THIS is that which thou, O Lord, hast said, that thou wilt be sanctified in them that come nigh unto thee, and before all the people thou wilt be glorified; we therefore worship before thee, O Lord, that we may glorify thy name; and therefore we call upon thee, that thou mayest deliver us, and we may glorify thee. Leviticus 10:3. Psalm 86:9. Psalm 50:15.

For of thee, and through thee, and to thee, are all things. Romans 11:36.

WE do not present our supplication before thee for our own righteousness; for we are before thee in our trespasses, and cannot stand before thee because of them: But we make mention of Christ’s righteousness, even of his only, who is THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Daniel 9:18. Ezra 9:15. Psalm 71:16. Jeremiah 23:6.

We know that even spiritual sacrifices are acceptable to God only through Christ Jesus, nor can we hope to receive any thing but what we ask of thee in his name, and therefore make us accepted in the beloved; that other angel, who puts much incense to the prayers of saints, and offers them up upon the golden altar before the throne. 1 Peter 2:5. John 16:23. Ephesians 1:6. Revelation 8:3.

We come in the name of the great high priest, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, who was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and is therefore able to save to the uttermost all those that come to God by him, because he ever lives making intercession. Hebrews 4:14, 15. Hebrews 7:25.

Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed, in whom thou hast by a voice from heaven declared thyself to be well pleased; Lord, be well pleased with us in him. Psalm 84:9. Matthew 3:17.

Chapter II Confession of sin

Having given glory to God, which is His due, we must next take shame to ourselves, which is our due, and humble ourselves before Him in the sense of our own sinfulness and vileness; and herein also we must give glory to Him, as our judge, by whom we deserve to be condemned, and yet hope, through Christ, to be acquitted and absolved. Joshua 7:19.

O OUR God, we are ashamed and blush to lift up our faces before thee, our God; for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. Ezra 9:6.

To us belongs shame and confusion of face, because we have sinned against thee. Daniel 9:8.

Behold we are vile, what shall we answer thee? we will lay our hand upon our mouth, and put our mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope; crying with the convicted leper under the law, Unclean, unclean. Job 40:4. Lamentations 3:29. Leviticus 13:45.

Thou puttest no trust in thy saints, and the heavens are not clean in thy sight: How much more abominable and filthy is man, who drinketh iniquity like waters! Job 15:15, 16.

When our eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts, we have reason to cry out, Woe unto us, for we are undone. Isaiah 6:5.

Dominion and fear are with thee, thou makest peace in thy high places: There is not any number of thine armies, and upon whom doth not thy light arise? How then can man be justified with God, or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Job 25:2, 3, 4.

Thou, even thou art to be feared, and who may stand in thy sight, when once thou art angry? Even thou, our God, art a consuming fire, and who knows the power of thine anger? Psalm 76:7. Hebrews 12:29. Psalm 90:11.

If we justify ourselves, our own mouths shall condemn us, if we say we are perfect, that also shall prove us perverse; for if thou contend with us, we are not able to answer thee for one of a thousand. Job 9:20, 3.

If we knew nothing by ourselves, yet were we not thereby justified, for he that judgeth us is the Lord; who is greater than our hearts, and knows all things. But we ourselves know that we have sinned, Father, against heaven, and before thee, and are no more worthy to be called thy children. 1 Corinthians 4:4. 1 John 3:20. Luke 15:21.

IF thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who should stand? But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared; with thee there is mercy, yea with our God there is plenteous redemption, and he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Psalm 130:3, 4, 7, 8.

Thy sacrifices, O God, are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise: Nay, though thou art the high and lofty One that inhabitest eternity, whose name is Holy; though the heaven be thy throne, and the earth thy footstool, yet to this man wilt thou look, that is poor and humble, of a broken and a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at thy word, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Psalm 51:17. Isaiah 57:15. Isaiah 66:1, 2. Isaiah 57:15.

Thou hast graciously assured us, that though they that cover their sins shall not prosper, yet those that confess and forsake them shall find mercy. And when a poor penitent said, I will confess my transgression unto the Lord, thou forgavest the iniquity of his sin, and for this shall every one that is godly in like manner pray unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found. Proverbs 28:13. Psalm 32:5, 6.

We know that if we say, We have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but thou hast said that if we confess our sins, thou art faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8, 9.

LORD, thou madest man upright, but they have sought out many inventions; And being in honour did not understand, and therefore abode not, but became like the beasts that perish. Ecclesiastes 7:29. Psalm 49:12, 20.

By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned; By that one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, and we among the rest. Romans 5:12, 19.

We are a seed of evil doers; our father was an Amorite, and our mother a Hittite, and we ourselves were called (and not miscalled) transgressors from the womb, and thou knewest we would deal very treacherously. Isaiah 1:4. Ezekiel 16:3. Isaiah 48:8.

The nature of man was planted a choice and noble vine, wholly a right seed, but it is become the degenerate plant of a strange vine; producing the grapes of Sodom, and the clusters of Gomorrah. How is the gold become dim, and the most fine gold changed! Jeremiah 2:21. Deuteronomy 32:32. Lamentations 4:1.

Behold we were shapen in iniquity, and in sin did our mothers conceive us. For who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one. We are by nature children of wrath, because children of disobedience, even as others. Psalm 51:5. Job 14:4. Ephesians 2:3, 2.

All flesh hath corrupted their way, we are all gone aside, we are all together become filthy, there is none that doth good, no, no not one. Genesis 6:12. Psalm 14:3.

1. The blindness of our understandings, and their unaptness to admit the rays of the divine light.

BY nature our understandings are darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in us, because of the blindness of our hearts. Ephesians 4:18.

The things of the Spirit of God are foolishness, to the natural man, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14.

We are wise to do evil, but to do good we have no knowledge. We know not, neither do we understand, we walk on in darkness. Jeremiah 4:22. Psalm 82:5.

God speaketh once, yea twice, but we perceive it not; but hearing we hear, and do not understand, and we see men as trees walking. Job 33:14. Matthew 13:14. Mark 8:24.

2. The stubbornness of our wills, and their unaptness to submit to the rules of the divine law.

We have within us a carnal mind, which is enmity against God, and is not in subjection to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Romans 8:7.

Thou hast written to us the great things of thy law, but they have been accounted by us as a strange thing, and our corrupt hearts have been sometimes ready to say, What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And that we would certainly do whatsoever thing goes forth out of our own mouth. For we have walked in the way of our own heart, and in the sight of our eyes, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. Hosea 8:12. Job 21:15. Jeremiah 44:17. Ecclesiastes 11:9. Ephesians 2:3.

Our neck hath been an iron sinew, and we have made our heart as an adamant; we have refused to hearken, have pulled away the shoulder, and stopped our ears, like the deaf adder, that will not hearken to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. Isaiah 48:4. Zechariah 7:12, 11. Psalm 58:4, 5.

How have we hated instruction, and our heart despised reproof, and have not obeyed the voice of our teachers, nor inclined our ear to them that instructed us? Proverbs 5:12, 13.

3. The vanity of our thoughts, their neglect of those things which they ought to be conversant with, and dwelling upon those things that are unworthy of them, and tend to corrupt our minds.

Every imagination of the thought of our heart is evil, only evil, and that continually, and it has been so from our youth. Genesis 6:5. Genesis 8:21.

O how long have those vain thoughts lodged within us! those thoughts of foolishness which are sin. From within out of the heart proceed evil thoughts; which devise mischief upon the bed, and carry the heart with the fool’s eyes into the ends of the earth. Jeremiah 4:14. Proverbs 24:9. Matthew 15:19. Micah 2:1. Proverbs 17:24.

But God is not in all our thoughts, it is well if he be in any: Of the Rock that begat us we have been unmindful, and have forgotten the God that formed us: We have forgotten him days without number, and our hearts have walked after vanity, and become vain. Their inward thought having been that our houses should continue for ever; this our way is our folly. Psalm 10:4. Deuteronomy 32:18. Jeremiah 2:32, 5. Psalm 49:11, 13.

4. The carnality of our affections, their being placed upon wrong objects, and carried beyond due bounds.

We have set those affections on things beneath, which should have been set on things above, where our treasure is, and where Christ sits on the right hand of God, the things which we should seek. Colossians 3:2, 1. Matthew 6:21.

We have followed after lying vanities, and forsaken our own mercies; have forsaken the fountain of living waters, for cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jonah 2:8. Jeremiah 2:13.

We have panted after the dust of the earth, and have been full of care what we shall eat, and what we shall drink, and wherewithal we shall be clothed, the things after which the Gentiles seek, but have neglected the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof. Amos 2:7. Matthew 6:31, 32, 33.

We have lifted up our souls unto vanity, and set our eyes upon that which is not, have looked at the things that are seen which are temporal, but the things that are not seen that are eternal, have been forgotten and postponed. Psalm 24:4. Proverbs 23:5. 2 Corinthians 4:18.

5. The corruption of the whole man: irregular appetites towards those things that are pleasing to sense, and inordinate passions against those things that are displeasing, and an alienation of the mind from the principles, powers and pleasures of the spiritual and divine life.

We are born of the flesh, and we are flesh: Dust we are: We have borne the image of the earthly; and in us, that is, in our flesh, there dwells no good thing: For if to will is present to us, yet how to perform that which is good we find not; for the good that we would do we do it not, and the evil which we would not do that we do. John 3:6. Genesis 3:19. 1 Corinthians 15:49. Romans 7:18, 19.

We have a law in our members warring against the law of our mind, and bringing us into captivity to the law of sin that is in our members: So that when we would do good, evil is present with us, and most easily besets us. Romans 7:23, 21. Hebrews 12:1.

The whole head is sick, the whole heart faint, from the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in us, but wounds and bruises, and putrifying sores. Isaiah 1:5, 6.

There is in us a bent to backslide from the living God: Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know them? They start aside like a broken bow. Hosea 11:7. Jeremiah 17:9. Hosea 7:16.

WE have been as fig-trees planted in the vineyard, and thou hast come many years seeking fruit from us, but hast found none; and therefore we might justly have been cut down and cast into the fire for cumbering the ground: Thou hast come looking for grapes, but behold wild grapes; or we have been empty vines, bringing forth fruit unto ourselves. Luke 13:6, 7. Matthew 3:10. Isaiah 5:4. Hosea 10:1.

We have known to do good, but have not done it: We have hid our Lord’s money, and therefore deserve the doom of the wicked and slothful servant. James 4:17. Matthew 25:18, 26.

We have been unfaithful stewards, that have wasted our Lord’s goods; for one sinner destroys much good. Luke 16:1. Ecclesiastes 9:18.

Many a price hath been put into our hand to get wisdom, which we have had no heart to; or our heart has been at our left hand. Proverbs 17:16. Ecclesiastes 10:2.

Our childhood and youth was vanity, and we have brought our years to an end, as a tale that is told. Ecclesiastes 11:10. Psalm 90:9.

We have not known, or improved, the day of our visitation, have not provided meat in summer, nor gathered food in harvest, though we have had guides, overseers and rulers. Luke 19:44. Proverbs 6:8, 7.

We are slow of heart to understand and believe, and whereas for the time we might have been teachers of others, we are yet to learn the first principles of the oracles of God, have need of milk, and cannot bear strong meat. Luke 24:25. Hebrews 5:12.

We have cast off fear, and restrained prayer before God; have not called upon thy name, nor stirred up ourselves to take hold on thee. Job 15:4. Isaiah 64:7.

We have come before thee as thy people come, and have sat before thee as thy people sit, and have heard thy words, when our hearts at the same time have been going after our covetousness. And thus have we brought the torn, and the lame, and the sick for sacrifice, have offered that to our God, which we would not have offered to our governor; and have vowed and sacrificed to the Lord a corrupt thing, when we had in our flock a male. Ezekiel 33:31. Malachi 1:8, 14.

WE have sinned, Father, against heaven and before thee; we have all sinned, and have come short of the glory of God; for the God in whose hand our breath is, and whose are all our ways, have we not glorified. Luke 15:18. Romans 3:23. Daniel 5:23.

Against thee, thee only have we sinned, and have done much evil in thy sight; neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which he hath set before us; though they are all holy, just, and good. Psalm 51:4. Daniel 9:10. Romans 7:12.

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou us from secret faults. Psalm 19:12.

In many things we all offend; and our iniquities are more than the hairs of our head. James 3:2. Psalm 40:12.

As a fountain casteth out her waters, so do our hearts cast out wickedness; and this hath been our manner from our youth up, that we have not obeyed thy voice. Jeremiah 6:7. Jeremiah 22:21.

Out of the evil treasure of our hearts we have brought forth many evil things. Matthew 12:35.

1. We must confess and bewail the workings of pride in us.

We have all reason to be humbled for the pride of our hearts, that we have thought of ourselves above what hath been meet, and have not thought soberly, nor walked humbly with our God. 2 Chronicles 32:26. Romans 12:3. Micah 6:8.

We have leaned to our own understanding; and trusted in our own hearts; and have sacrificed to our own net. Proverbs 3:5. Proverbs 28:26. Habakkuk 1:16.

We have sought our own glory more than the glory of him that sent us; and have been puffed up for that for which we should have mourned. John 7:18. 1 Corinthians 5:2.

2. The breaking out of passion and rash anger.

We have not had the rule which we ought to have had over our own spirits, which have therefore been as a city that is broken down, and has no walls. Proverbs 25:28.

We have been soon angry, and anger hath rested in our bosoms. And when our spirits have been provoked, we have spoken unadvisedly with our lips; and have been guilty of that clamour and bitterness which should have been put far from us. Proverbs 14:17. Ecclesiastes 7:9. Psalm 106:33. Ephesians 4:31.

3. Our covetousness and love of the world.

Our conversation has not been without covetousness, nor have we learned in every state to be content with such things as we have. Hebrews 13:5. Philippians 4:11.

Who can say he is clean from that love of money, which is the root of all evil, that covetousness which is idolatry. 1 Timothy 6:10. Colossians 3:5.

We have sought great things to ourselves, when thou hast said, Seek them not. Jeremiah 45:5.

4. Our sensuality and flesh-pleasing.

We have minded the things of the flesh more than the things of the Spirit, and have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton, and have nourished our hearts as in a day of slaughter. Romans 8:5. James 5:5.

We have made provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts of it; even those lusts which war against our souls: and in many instances have acted as if we had been lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Romans 13:14. 1 Peter 2:11. 2 Timothy 3:4.

When we did eat, and when we did drink, did we not eat to ourselves, and drink to ourselves? Zechariah 7:6.

5. Our security and unmindfulness of the changes we are liable to in this world.

We have put far from us the evil day, and in our prosperity have said we should never be moved, as if to morrow must needs be as this day, and much more abundant. Amos 6:3. Psalm 30:6. Isaiah 56:12.

We have encouraged our souls to take their ease, to eat and drink and be merry, as if we had goods laid up for many years, when perhaps this night our souls may be required of us. Luke 12:19, 20.

We have been ready to trust in uncertain riches more than in the living God; to say to the gold thou art our hope, and to the fine gold thou art our confidence. 1 Timothy 6:17. Job 31:24.

6. Our fretfulness and impatience and murmuring under our afflictions, our inordinate dejection, and distrust of God and His providence.

When thou hast chastised us and we were chastised, we have been as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke; and though our own foolishness hath perverted our way, yet our heart hath fretted against the Lord; and thus in our distress we have trespassed yet more against the Lord. Jeremiah 31:18. Proverbs 19:3. 2 Chronicles 28:22.

We have either despised the chastening of the Lord, or fainted when we have been rebuked of him; and if we faint in the day of adversity, our strength is small. Proverbs 3:11. Proverbs 24:10.

We have said in our haste we are cut off from before thine eyes, and that the Lord hath forsaken us, our God hath forgotten us, as if God would be favourable no more; as if he had forgotten to be gracious, and had in anger shut up his tender mercies. This has been our infirmity. Psalm 31:22. Isaiah 49:14. Psalm 77:7, 9, 10.

7. Our uncharitableness towards our brethren, and unpeaceableness with our relations, neighbours and friends, and perhaps injustice towards them.

We have been verily guilty concerning our brother; for we have not studied the things that make for peace, nor things wherewith we might edify one another. Genesis 42:21. Romans 14:19.

We have been ready to judge our brother, and to set at nought our brother, forgetting that we must all shortly stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10.

Contrary to the royal law of charity, we have vaunted ourselves, and been puffed up, have behaved ourselves unseemly, and sought our own, have been easily provoked, have rejoiced in iniquity, and been secretly glad at calamities. 1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, 6. Proverbs 17:5.

We have been desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another; when we should have considered one another to provoke to love and to good works. Galatians 5:26. Hebrews 10:24.

The bowels of our compassion have been shut up from those that are in need; and we have hidden ourselves from our own flesh. Nay, perhaps our eye has been evil against our poor brother, and we have despised the poor. 1 John 3:17. Isaiah 58:7. Deuteronomy 15:9. James 2:6.

And if in any thing we have gone beyond and defrauded our brother, if we have walked with vanity, and our foot hath hasted to deceit, and any blot hath cleaved to our hands, Lord, discover it to us, that if we have done iniquity, we may do so no more. 1 Thessalonians 4:6. Job 31:5, 7. Job 34:32.

8. Our tongue-sins.

In the multitude of our words there wanteth not sin, nor can a man full of talk be justified. Proverbs 10:19. Job 11:2.

While the lips of the righteous feed many, our lips have poured out foolishness, and spoken frowardness. Proverbs 10:21. Proverbs 15:2. Proverbs 10:32.

Much corrupt communication hath proceeded out of our mouths; that foolish talking and jesting which is not convenient; and little of that which is good, and to the use of edifying, and which might minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29. Ephesians 5:4.

If for every idle word that men speak they must give an account, and by our words we must be justified, and by our words we must be condemned, Woe unto us, for we are undone! for we are of unclean lips, and dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. Matthew 12:36, 37. Isaiah 6:5.

What would become of us, if God should make our own tongues to fall upon us. Psalm 64:8.

9. Our spiritual slothfulness and decay.

We have been slothful in the business of religion, and not fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11.

The things which remain are ready to die, and our works have not been found perfect before God. Revelation 3:2.

We have observed the winds, and therefore have not sown, have regarded the clouds, and therefore have not reaped; and with the sluggard have frightened ourselves with the fancy of a lion in the way, a lion in the streets, and have turned on our bed as the door on the hinges; still crying, Yet a little sleep, a little slumber. Ecclesiastes 11:4. Proverbs 26:13, 14. Proverbs 6:10.

We have lost our first love, and where is now the blessedness we sometimes spake of? Revelation 2:4. Galatians 4:15.

Our goodness hath been as the morning cloud and the early dew which passeth away. Hosea 6:4.

And that which is at the bottom of all, is the evil heart of unbelief in us, which inclines us to depart from the living God. Hebrews 3:12.

1. The sinfulness of sin.

O THAT sin may appear sin to us, may appear in its own colours, and that by the commandment we may see it to be exceeding sinful; because it is the transgression of the law. Romans 7:13. 1 John 3:4.

By every wilful sin we have in effect said, We will not have this man to reign over us; And who is the Lord, that we should obey his voice? And thus have we reproached the Lord, and cast his law behind our backs. Luke 19:14. Exodus 5:2. Numbers 15:30. Nehemiah 9:26.

2. The foolishness of sin.

O God, thou knowest our foolishness, and our sins are not hid from thee: We were foolish in being disobedient; and our lusts are foolish and hurtful. Psalm 69:5. Titus 3:3. 1 Timothy 6:9.

Foolishness was bound up in our hearts when we were children; for though vain man would be wise, he is born like the wild ass’s colt. Proverbs 22:15. Job 11:12.

Our way hath been our folly, and in many instances we have done foolishly, very foolishly. Psalm 49:13. 2 Samuel 24:10.

So foolish have we been and ignorant, and even as beasts before God. Psalm 73:22.

3. The unprofitableness of sin.

We have sinned and perverted that which was right, and it profited us not. Job 33:27.

What fruit have we now in those things whereof we have cause to be ashamed; seeing the end of those things is death? And what are we profited, if we should gain the whole world, and lose our own souls? Romans 6:21. Matthew 16:26.

4. The deceitfulness of sin.

Sin hath deceived us, and by it slain us; for our hearts have been hardened through the deceitfulness of sin; and we have been drawn away of our own lust, and enticed. Romans 7:11. Hebrews 3:13. James 1:14.

It hath promised us liberty, but has made us the servants of corruption; hath promised that we shall not surely die, and that we shall be as gods; but it has flattered us, and spread a net for our feet. 2 Peter 2:19. Genesis 3:4, 5. Proverbs 29:5.

The pride of our heart particularly has deceived us. Obadiah 3.

5. The offence which by sin we have given to the Holy God.

By breaking the law we have dishonoured God, and have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger most bitterly. And many a thing that we have done hath displeased the Lord. Romans 2:23. Isaiah 1:4. Hosea 12:14. 2 Samuel 11 (v. 27).

God has been broken by our whorish heart, and our eyes that have gone a whoring after our idols. Ezekiel 6:9.

We have tempted him, and proved him, and grieved him in the wilderness; have rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit, and pressed him with our iniquities, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves. Psalm 95:9, 10, 8. Isaiah 63:10. Amos 2:13.

We have grieved the holy Spirit of God, by whom we are sealed to the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30.

6. The damage which by sin we have done to our own souls, and their great interests.

By our iniquities we have sold ourselves, and in sinning against thee have wronged our own souls. Isaiah 50:1. Proverbs 8:36.

Our sins have separated between us and God, and have kept good things from us; and by them our minds and consciences have been defiled. Isaiah 59:2. Jeremiah 5:25. Titus 1:15.

Our own wickedness hath corrected us, and our backslidings have reproved us, and we cannot but know and see, that it is an evil thing, and bitter, that we have forsaken the Lord our God, and that his fear hath not been in us. Jeremiah 2:19.

O what fools are they that make a mock at sin! Proverbs 14:9.

WE bewail before thee all our sins, and all our transgressions in all our sins. Leviticus 16:21.

1. The more knowledge we have of good and evil, the greater is our sin.

We have known our Master’s will, but have not done it, and therefore deserve to be beaten with many stripes. Luke 12:47.

We have known the way of the Lord, and the judgments of our God, and yet have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds. Jeremiah 5:4, 5.

We have known the judgment of God, that they which do such things are worthy of death, and yet have done them, and have had pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:32.

We have taught others, and yet have not taught ourselves; and while we profess to know God, we have in works denied him. Romans 2:21. Titus 1:16.

2. The greater profession we have made of religion, the greater hath been our sin.

We call ourselves of the holy city, and stay ourselves upon the God of Israel, and make mention of his name, but not in truth and righteousness. For we have dishonoured that worthy name by which we are called, and given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. Isaiah 48:2, 1. James 2:7, 23. 2 Samuel 12:14.

We have named the name of Christ, and yet have not departed from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19.

3. The more mercies we have received from God, the greater hath been our sin.

Thou hast nourished and brought us up as children, but we have rebelled against thee. Isaiah 1:2.

We have ill requited thee, O Lord, as foolish people and unwise: Though thou art our Father that hast made us, and bought us, and established us, yet our spot has not been the spot of thy children. Deuteronomy 32:6, 5.

We have not rendered again according to the benefit done unto us. 2 Chronicles 32:25.

4. The fairer warning we have had from the word of God, and from our own consciences, concerning our danger of sin, and danger by sin, the greater is the sin if we go on in it.

We have been often reproved, and yet have hardened our neck; and have gone on frowardly in the way of our heart. Proverbs 29:1. Isaiah 57:17.

Thou hast sent to us, saying, O do not this abominable thing which I hate; but we have not hearkened, nor inclined our ear. Jeremiah 44:4, 5.

The word of God hath been to us, precept upon precept, and line upon line; and though we have beheld our natural faces in the glass of it, yet we have gone away, and straitway forgot what manner of men we were. Isaiah 28:13. James 1:23, 24.

5. The greater afflictions we have been under for sin, the greater is the sin if we go on in it.

Thou hast stricken us, but we have not grieved, we have refused to receive correction, and have made our faces harder than a rock; and the rod hath not driven the foolishness out of our hearts. Jeremiah 5:3. Proverbs 22:15.

Thou hast chastened us with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men, yet we have not turned to him that smiteth us, nor have we sought the Lord of hosts. 2 Samuel 7:14. Isaiah 9:13.

When some have been overthrown as Sodom and Gomorrah were, we have been as brands plucked out of the fire, yet have we not returned unto thee, O Lord. And when thy hand has been lifted up, we have not seen it. Amos 4:11. Isaiah 26:11.

6. The more vows and promises we have made of better obedience, the greater has our sin been.

We have not performed the words of the covenant which we made before thee, but as treacherous dealers we have dealt treacherously. Jeremiah 34:18. Isaiah 24:16.

Did we not say we would not transgress, we would not offend any more? We did, and yet we have returned with the dog to his vomit; have returned to folly after God hath spoken peace. Jeremiah 2:20. Job 34:31. 2 Peter 2:22. Psalm 85:8.

AND now, O our God, what shall we say after this, for we have forsaken thy commandments? We have sinned, what shall we do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? Ezra 9:10. Job 7:20.

We know that the law curseth every one that continues not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them; that the wages of every sin is death; and that for these things sake cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Galatians 3:10. Romans 6:23. Ephesians 5:6.

And we are all guilty before God; the scripture hath concluded us all under sin; and therefore thou mightest justly be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us; so that there should be no remnant, nor escaping. Romans 3:19. Galatians 3:22. Ezra 9:14.

If thou shouldest lay righteousness to the line and judgment to the plummet, thou mightest justly separate us unto all evil, according to all the curses of the covenant, and blot out our names from under heaven. Isaiah 28:17. Deuteronomy 29:21, 20.

Thou mightest justly swear in thy wrath, that we should never enter into thy rest; mightest justly set us naked and bare, and take away our corn in the season thereof, and our wine in the season thereof, and put into our hands the cup of trembling, and make us drink even the dregs of that cup. Psalm 95 (v. 11). Hosea 2:3, 9. Isaiah 51:22.

Thou art just in whatever thou art pleased to lay upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly: Nay, thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities have deserved. Nehemiah 9:33. Ezra 9:13.

Thou therefore shalt be justified when thou speakest, and clear when thou judgest; and we will accept of the punishment of our iniquity, and humble ourselves under thy mighty hand, and say the Lord is righteous. Psalm 51:4. Leviticus 26:43. 1 Peter 5:6. 2 Chronicles 12:6.

Wherefore should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? No, we will bear the indignation of the Lord, because we have sinned against him. Lamentations 3:39. Micah 7:9.

O THE riches of the patience and forbearance of God! how long-suffering is he to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Romans 2:4. 2 Peter 3:9.

Thou hast not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us after our iniquities; but thou waitest to be gracious to us. Psalm 103:10. Isaiah 30:18.

Sentence against our evil works has not been executed speedily; but thou hast given us space to repent, and make our peace with thee; and callest even backsliding children to return to thee, and hast promised to heal their backslidings; And therefore, behold we come unto thee, for thou art THE LORD OUR GOD. Ecclesiastes 8:11. Revelation 2:21. Jeremiah 3:22, 23.

Surely the long-suffering of our Lord, is salvation; and if the Lord had been pleased to kill us, he would not as at this time have shewed us such things as these. 2 Peter 3:15. Judges 13:23.

And O that this goodness of God might lead us to repentance! for though we have trespassed against our God, yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. Romans 2:4. Ezra 10:2.

Thou hast said it, and hast confirmed it with an oath, that thou hast no pleasure in the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn and live: Therefore will we rent our hearts and not our garments, and turn to the Lord our God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, who knows if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him. Ezekiel 33:11. Joel 2:13, 14.

LORD, we repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; to which thou hast exalted thy Son Christ Jesus to give repentance and remission of sins. Matthew 3:2. Acts 5:31.

We have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now our eye sees thee; wherefore we abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes. Therefore will we be like the doves of the valleys, every one mourning for his iniquities. Job 42:5, 6. Ezekiel 7:16.

O that our heads were waters, and our eyes fountains of tears, that we might weep day and night for our transgressions, and might in such a manner sow in those tears, as that at last we may reap in joy; may now go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, and may in due time come again with rejoicing, bringing our sheaves with us. Jeremiah 9:1. Psalm 126:5, 6.

Our iniquities are gone over our heads as a heavy burden, they are too heavy for us; but weary and heavy laden under this burden we come to Christ, who has promised that in him we shall find rest for our souls. Psalm 38:4. Matthew 11:28, 29.

O that knowing every man the plague of his own heart, we may look unto him whom we have pierced, and may mourn, and be in bitterness for him as one that is in bitterness for a first-born. That we may sorrow after a godly sort, with that sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of; and that we may remember and be confounded, and never open our mouth any more, because of our shame when thou art pacified towards us. 1 Kings 8:38. Zechariah 12:10. 2 Corinthians 7:10. Ezekiel 16:63.

And, O that we may bring forth fruits meet for repentance! and may never return again to folly! for what have we to do any more with idols? Sin shall not have dominion over us, for we are not under the law, but under grace. Matthew 3:8. Psalm 85:8. Hosea 14:8. Romans 6:14.

We have gone astray like lost sheep; seek thy servants, for we do not forget thy commandments. Psalm 119 (v. 176).

Chapter III Petitions and requests

Having opened the wounds of sin, both the guilt of it, and the power of it, and its remainders in us, we must next seek unto God for the remedy, for healing and help, for from Him alone it is to be expected, and He will for this be enquired of by us. And now we must affect our hearts with a deep sense of the need we have of those mercies which we pray for, that we are undone, for ever undone, without them; and with a high esteem and value for them, that we are happy, we are made for ever, if we obtain them; that we may like Jacob wrestle with Him in prayer as for our lives, and the lives of our souls. But we must not think in our prayers to prescribe to Him, or by our importunity to move Him. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and knows what He will do. But thus we open our wants and our desires, and then refer ourselves to His wisdom and goodness: And hereby we give honour to Him as our protector and benefactor, and take the way which He Himself hath appointed of fetching in mercy from Him, and by faith plead His promise with Him; and if we are sincere herein, we are through His grace qualified according to the tenor of the new covenant to receive His favours, and are to be assured, that we do and shall receive them. Ezekiel 36:37. John 6:6. Mark 11:24.

AND now, Lord, what wait we for? Truly our hope is even in thee: Deliver us from all our transgressions, that we may not be the reproach of the foolish. Psalm 39:7, 8.

Lord, all our desire is before thee, and our groaning is not hid from thee; even the groanings which cannot be uttered: For he that searcheth the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit. Psalm 38:9. Romans 8:26, 27.

We do not think that we shall be heard for our much speaking; for our Father knows what things we have need of before we ask him; but our Master hath told us, that whatsoever we ask the Father in his name he will give it us. And he hath said, Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Matthew 6:7, 8. John 16:23, 24.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:14, 15.

LORD, we come to thee, as the poor publican, that stood afar off, and would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast; and we pray his prayer, God be merciful to us sinners. The God of infinite mercy be merciful to us. Luke 18:13.

O wash us throughly from our iniquity, and cleanse us from our sin, for we acknowledge our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us. O purge us with hyssop and we shall be clean, wash us and we shall be whiter than snow: Hide thy face from our sins, and blot out all our iniquities. Psalm 51:2, 3, 7, 9.

Be thou merciful to our unrighteousness, and our sins and our iniquities do thou remember no more. O forgive us that great debt. Hebrews 8:12. Matthew 18:32.

Let us be justified freely by thy grace through the redemption that is in Jesus, from all those things from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses. Romans 3:24. Acts 13:39.

O let not our iniquity be our ruin; but let the Lord take away our sin that we may not die, not die eternally: that we may not be hurt of the second death. Ezekiel 18:30. 2 Samuel 12:13. Revelation 2:11.

Blot out as a cloud our transgressions, and as a thick cloud our sins; for we return unto thee because thou hast redeemed us. Isaiah 44:22.

Enter not into judgment with thy servants, O Lord, for in thy sight shall no flesh living be justified. Psalm 143:2.

Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously; Heal our backslidings, and love us freely, and let thine anger be turned away from us; for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. Hosea 14:2, 4, 3.

Though our sins have been as scarlet, let them be as white as snow, and though they have been red like crimson, let them be as wool, that being willing and obedient, we may eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:18, 19.

We will say unto God, Do not condemn us, but deliver us from going down to the pit, for thou hast found the ransom. Job 10:2. Job 33:24.

For the encouraging of our faith, and the exciting of our fervency in this petition for the pardon of sin, we may plead with God,

1. The infinite goodness of His nature, His readiness to forgive sin, and His glorying in it.

Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and rich in mercy to all them that call upon thee. Thou art a God full of compassion and gracious, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and truth. Psalm 86:5, 15.

Thou art a God of pardons, merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; that dost not always chide, nor keep thine anger for ever. Nehemiah 9:17. Psalm 103:9.

Thou, even thou art he that blottest out our transgressions for thine own sake, and wilt not remember our sins; which we are here to put thee in remembrance of, to plead with thee and to declare that we may be justified. Isaiah 43:25, 26.

And now we beseech thee, let the power of our Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Pardon, we beseech thee, the iniquity of thy people, according unto the greatness of thy mercy; and as thou hast forgiven, even until now. Numbers 14:17, 18, 19.

For who is a God like unto thee, that pardonest iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of thine heritage; who retainest not thine anger for ever, because thou delightest in mercy. O that thou wouldest have compassion upon us, and subdue our iniquities, and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18, 19.

2. The merit and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we rely upon as our main plea in our petition for the pardon of sin.

We know that as thou art gracious and merciful, so thou art the righteous God that loveth righteousness, and wilt by no means clear the guilty. We cannot say, Have patience with us, and we will pay thee all; for we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. But Jesus Christ is made of God to us righteousness; being made sin for us, though he knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Psalm 11:7. Exodus 34:7. Matthew 18:26. Isaiah 64:6. 1 Corinthians 1:30. 2 Corinthians 5:21.

We have sinned, but we have an advocate with the Father, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS, who is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1, 2.

It is God that justifieth, who is he that shall condemn? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, and now is even at the right hand of God; who also maketh intercession for us, and whose blood speaks better things than that of Abel. Romans 8:33, 34. Hebrews 12:24.

We desire to count every thing loss for Christ; and dung that we may win Christ, and be found in him, not having any righteousness of our own, but that which is through the faith of Christ. Philippians 3:7, 8, 9.

This is the name whereby we will call him, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. In him, Lord, we believe, help thou our unbelief. Jeremiah 23:6. Mark 9:24.

Lord, remember David and all his troubles; the Son of David. Remember all his offerings, and accept his burnt sacrifice; and turn not away the face of thine anointed; who by his own blood is entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Psalm 132:1. Psalm 20:3. Psalm 132:10. Hebrews 13:12. Hebrews 9:24.

Hast not thou thyself set forth thy Son Christ Jesus to be a propitiation for sin through faith in his blood, to declare thy righteousness for the remission of sins, to declare at this time thy righteousness, that thou mayest be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus; And we now receive the atonement. Romans 3:25, 26. Romans 5:11.

3. The promises God hath made in His word to pardon and absolve all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe His Holy gospel.

Lord, is not this the word which thou hast spoken, that if the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and return unto the Lord, even to our God, that thou wilt abundantly pardon, wilt multiply to pardon? Isaiah 55:7.

To thee the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against thee. Daniel 9:9.

Is not this the covenant which thou hast made with the house of Israel, that thou wilt take away their sins; that thou wilt forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more; that the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found? Romans 11:27. Jeremiah 31:34. Jeremiah 50:20.

Hast thou not said, that if the wicked will turn from all his sins which he hath committed, and keep thy statutes, he shall live, he shall not die, all his transgressions shall not be mentioned unto him? Ezekiel 18:21, 22.

Hast thou not appointed that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in Christ’s name unto all nations? Luke 24:47.

Didst thou not promise, that when the sins of Israel were put upon the head of the scapegoat, they should be sent away into the wilderness, into a land not inhabited? And as far as the east is from the west, so far dost thou remove our transgressions from us. Leviticus 16:21, 22. Psalm 103:12.

O remember these words unto thy servants, upon which thou hast caused us to hope. Psalm 119:49.

4. Our own misery and danger because of sin.

For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon our iniquity, for it is great; for innumerable evils have compassed us about, our iniquities have taken hold upon us, so that we are not able to look up. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Psalm 25:11. Psalm 40:12, 13.

O remember not against us former iniquities, let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; deliver us, and purge away our sins for thy name’s sake. Psalm 79:8, 9.

Remember not the sins of our youth, nor our transgressions; according to thy mercy remember thou us, for thy goodness sake, O Lord. Psalm 25:7.

5. The blessed condition which they are in whose sins are pardoned.

O let us have the blessedness of those whose transgression is forgiven, and whose sin is covered; of that man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Psalm 32:1, 2.

O let us have redemption through Christ’s blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of thy grace; wherein thou hast abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence. That being in Christ Jesus, there may be no condemnation to us. Ephesians 1:7, 8. Romans 8:1.

That our sins, which are many, being forgiven us, we may go in peace: And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick, if the people that dwell therein be forgiven their iniquity. Luke 7:47, 50. Isaiah 33 (v. 24).

1. That we may be at peace with God; and His anger may be turned away from us.

BEING justified by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through him let us have access into that grace wherein believers stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1, 2.

Be not thou a terror to us, for thou art our hope in the day of evil. Jeremiah 17:17.

In Christ Jesus let us, who sometimes were afar off, be made nigh by the blood of Christ; For he is our peace, who hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, and that he might reconcile us to God by his cross, hath slain the enmity thereby, so making peace. Through him therefore let us who had made ourselves strangers and foreigners, become fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Ephesians 2:13-16, 19.

Fury is not in thee, who would set the briers and thorns against thee in battle, thou wouldest go through them, yea thou wouldst burn them together; but thou hast encouraged us to take hold on thy strength that we may make peace, and hast promised that we shall make peace; O let us therefore acquaint ourselves with thee, and be at peace, that thereby good may come unto us. Isaiah 27:4, 5. Job 22:21.

Heal us and we shall be healed, save us, and we shall be saved, for thou art our praise. Be not angry with us for ever, but revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee. Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. Jeremiah 17:14. Psalm 85:5-7.

2. That we may be taken into covenant with God, and admitted into relation to Him.

Be thou to us a God, and take us to be to thee a people; and make us a willing people in the day of thy power. Hebrews 8:10. Psalm 110:3.

Though we are no more worthy to be called thy children; for how shouldest thou put us that have been rebellious among the children, and give us the pleasant land? But thou hast said that we shall call thee our Father, and not turn away from thee. Shall we not therefore from this time cry unto thee, Our Father, thou art the guide of our youth. Luke 15:19. Jeremiah 3:19, 4.

Lord, we take hold of thy covenant, to thee we join ourselves in a perpetual covenant; O that thou wouldest cause us to pass under the rod, and bring us into the bond of the covenant, that we may become thine. Isaiah 56:4. Jeremiah 50:5. Ezekiel 20:37. Ezekiel 16:8.

Make with us an everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of David. Isaiah 55:3.

3. That we may have the favour of God, and an interest in His special love.

We intreat thy favour, O God, with our whole hearts; be merciful to us according to thy word, for in thy favour is life, yea thy loving kindness is better than life itself. Psalm 119:58. Psalm 30:5. Psalm 63:3.

Lord, make thy face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us; Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, and give us peace. Numbers 6:25, 26.

Remember us, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people, O visit us with thy salvation, that we may see the good of thy chosen, and may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, and may glory with thine inheritance. Psalm 106:4, 5.

4. That we may have the blessing of God.

O God, be merciful to us and bless us, and cause thy face to shine upon us; yea let God, even our own God, give us his blessing. Psalm 67:1, 6.

The Lord that made heaven and earth, bless us out of Zion; bless us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things by Christ Jesus. Psalm 134:3. Ephesians 1:3.

O that thou wouldest bless us indeed! Command the blessing upon us, even life for ever more; For thou blessest, O Lord, and it shall be blessed. 1 Chronicles 4:10. Psalm 133:3. 1 Chronicles 17:27.

Let us receive the blessing from the Lord, even righteousness from the God of our salvation. Psalm 24:5.

Hast thou but one blessing? Yea, thou hast many blessings: Bless us, even us also, O our Father; yea, let the blessing of Abraham come upon us, which comes upon the Gentiles through faith. And the blessing of Jacob, for we would not let thee go, except thou bless us. Genesis 27:38. Galatians 3:14. Genesis 32:26.

5. That we may have the presence of God with us.

If thy presence go not up with us, carry us not up hence; never leave us nor forsake us. Exodus 33:15. Hebrews 13:5.

O cast us not away from thy presence, nor ever take thy holy spirit away from us; but let us always dwell with the upright in thy presence. Psalm 51:11. Psalm 140:13.

WE MUST PRAY FOR THE COMFORTABLE SENSE OF OUR RECONCILIATION TO GOD, AND OUR ACCEPTANCE WITH HIM

1. That we may have some evidence of the pardon of our sins, and of our adoption.

O MAKE us to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which sin hath broken may rejoice. Psalm 51:8.

Say unto each of us, Son, Daughter, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee. Matthew 9:2.

Let the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge our conscience from dead works to serve thee the living God. Hebrews 9:14.

Let thy Spirit witness with our spirits that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:16, 17.

Say unto our souls, that thou art our salvation. Psalm 35:3.

2. That we may have a well-grounded peace of conscience; a holy security and serenity of mind arising from a sense of our justification before God, and a good work wrought in us.

The Lord of peace himself give us peace, all peace, always, by all means; that peace which Jesus Christ hath left with us, which he gives to us, such a peace as the world can neither give nor take away; such a peace as that our hearts may not be troubled or afraid. 2 Thessalonians 3:16. John 14:27.

Let the work of righteousness in our souls be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Isaiah 32:17.

Speak peace unto thy people and to thy saints, and let not them turn again to folly. Psalm 85:8.

O create the fruit of the lips, Peace, peace to them that are afar off and to them that are nigh, and restore comfort to thy mourners. Isaiah 57:19, 18.

Where the sons of peace are, let thy peace find them out, and rest upon them. Luke 10:6.

Cause us to hear thy loving kindness, and to taste that thou art gracious, for in thee do we trust. Psalm 143:8. 1 Peter 2:3.

Let the peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; and let that peace rule in our hearts, unto which we are called. Philippians 4:7. Colossians 3:15.

Now the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13.

WE come to the throne of grace, that we may obtain not only mercy to pardon, but grace to help in every time of need; grace for seasonable help. Hebrews 4:16.

From the fulness that is in Jesus Christ (in whom it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell) let every one of us receive, and grace for grace. John 1:16. Colossians 1:19.

1. We must pray for grace to fortify us against every evil thought, word and work. Having been earnest for the removing of the guilt of sin, that we may not die for it as a crime; we must be no less earnest for the breaking of the power of sin, that we may not die by it as a disease; but that it may be mortified in us.

O let no iniquity have dominion over us, because we are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14.

Let the flesh be crucified in us with its affections and lusts; that walking in the Spirit we may not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. Galatians 5:24, 16.

Let our old man be crucified with Christ, that the body of sin may be destroyed, that henceforth we may not serve sin; and let not sin reign in our mortal bodies (in our immortal souls) that we should obey it in the lusts thereof. But being made free from sin, let us become the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:6, 12, 18.

Let the law of the Spirit of life, which is in Christ Jesus, make us free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2.

Give us grace to put off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, that we may put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:22, 24.

That the world may be crucified to us, and we to the world, by the cross of Christ. Galatians 6:14.

― And that the temptations of Satan may not overcome us.

We pray that we may not enter into temptation: Or however, that no temptation may take us but such as is common to men, and let the faithful God never suffer us to be tempted above what we are able, but with the temptation make way for us to escape. Matthew 26:41. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Put upon us the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand; Let our loins be girt about with truth: put on us the breast-plate of righteousness, and let our feet be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Give us the shield of faith, wherewith we may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and the helmet of salvation; and let the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, be always ready to us. Ephesians 6:11-17.

Enable us so to resist the devil, as that he may flee from us; to resist him stedfast in the faith. And the God of peace tread Satan under our feet, and do it shortly. James 4:7. 1 Peter 5:9. Romans 16:20.

2. We must pray for grace to furnish us for every good thought, word, and work; that we may not only be kept from sin, but may be in every thing as we should be, and do as we should do.

Let Christ be made of God to us not only righteousness, but wisdom, sanctification and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30.

Let us be planted together in the likeness of Christ’s death and resurrection, that as he was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. Romans 6:5, 4.

(a) That the work of grace may be wrought there where it is not yet begun.

Lord, teach transgressors thy ways, and let sinners be converted unto thee; and let the disobedient be turned to the wisdom of the just; and made ready, a people prepared for the Lord. Psalm 51:13. Luke 1:17.

Let those be quickened that are yet dead in trespasses and sins: Say unto them, Live; yea, say unto them, Live; and the time shall be a time of love. Ephesians 2:1. Ezekiel 16:6, 8.

Open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are sanctified. Acts 26:18.

By the blood of the covenant send forth the prisoners out of the pit in which is no water, that they may turn to the strong hold, as prisoners of hope. Zechariah 9:11, 12.

Let the word of God prevail to the pulling down of strong holds, and the casting down of imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and let every thought be brought into obedience to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5.

(b) That where it is begun it may be carried on, and at length perfected, and the foundation that is well laid may be happily built upon.

Fulfil in us all the good pleasure of thy goodness, and the work of faith with power. 2 Thessalonians 1:11.

Let the God that has begun a good work in us, perform it unto the day of Christ. Philippians 1:6.

Perfect, O God, that which concerns us: Thy mercy, O Lord, endures for ever; forsake not the work of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8.

Lord, let thy grace be sufficient for us, and let thy strength be made perfect in weakness; that where we are weak there we may be strong; strong in the Lord and the power of his might. 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10. Ephesians 6:10.

3. More particularly we must pray for grace.

(a) To teach and instruct us, and make us knowing and intelligent in the things of God.

Give us so to cry after knowledge, and lift up our voice for understanding, to seek for it as silver, and to search for it as for hid treasure, that we may understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3, 4, 5.

Give us all to know thee, from the least even to the greatest, and to follow on to know thee; and so to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent, as may be life eternal to us. Hebrews 8:11. Hosea 6:3. John 17:3.

Give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, that the eyes of our understanding being enlightened, we may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and may experience what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe; according to the working of his mighty power. Ephesians 1:17, 18, 19.

Open thou our eyes, that we may see the wondrous things of thy law and gospel. Psalm 119:18.

Give us to know the certainty of those things wherein we have been instructed; and let our knowledge grow up to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, even of the Father and of Christ. Luke 1:4. Colossians 2:2.

Deal with thy servants according to thy mercy, and teach us thy statutes; we are thy servants, give us understanding that we may know thy testimonies. Let our cry come before thee, O Lord, give us understanding according to thy word; that good understanding which they have that do thy commandments; whose praise endureth for ever. Psalm 119:124, 125, 169. Psalm 111:10.

(b) To lead us into, and keep us in the way of truth, and if in any thing we be in an error, to rectify our mistake.

Let the Spirit of truth guide us into all truth, and cause us to understand wherein we have erred. John 16:13. Job 6:24.

That which we see not teach thou us, and enable us so to prove all things, as to hold fast that which is good. Job 34:32. 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

Lord, grant that we may not be as children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Christ in all things, who is the head. Ephesians 4:14, 15.

Lord, give us so to do thy will, as that we may know of the doctrine whether it be of God; and so to know the truth, as that the truth may make us free, may make us free indeed. John 7:17. John 8:32, 36.

Enable us, we pray thee, to hold fast the form of sound words, which we have heard, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus, and to continue in the things which we have learned and been assured of. 2 Timothy 1:13. 2 Timothy 3:14.

(c) To help our memories, that the truths of God may be ready to us, whenever we have occasion to use them.

Lord, let thy Spirit teach us all things, and bring all things to our remembrance, whatsoever thou hast said unto us; that the word of Christ may dwell richly in us in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. John 14:26. Colossians 3:16. Colossians 1:9.

Lord, grant that we may give a more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we let them slip, and may keep in memory what hath been preached to us, and may not believe in vain. Hebrews 2:1. 1 Corinthians 15:2.

Lord, make us ready and mighty in the scriptures, that we may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works; and being well instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, may as the good householder, bring out of our treasure things new and old. Acts 18:24. 2 Timothy 3:17. Matthew 13:52.

(d) To direct our consciences, to shew us the way of our duty, and to make us wise, knowing, judicious Christians.

Lord, give us a wise and an understanding heart, that wisdom which in all cases is profitable to direct; that wisdom of the prudent which is to understand his way. 1 Kings 3:9, 12. Ecclesiastes 10:10. Proverbs 14:8.

This we pray, that our love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment, that we may discern things that differ, and may approve things that are excellent; That we may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ, and may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9, 10, 11.

O that we may be filled with the knowledge of thy will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That we may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9, 10.

Teach us thy way, O God, and lead us in a plain path, because of our observers. Psalm 27:11.

When we know not what to do, our eyes are up unto thee; Then let us hear the word behind us, saying, This is the way, walk in it, that we turn not to the right hand, or to the left. 2 Chronicles 20:12. Isaiah 30:21.

Order our steps in thy word, and let no iniquity have dominion over us. Psalm 119:133.

(e) To sanctify our natures, to plant in us all holy principles and dispositions, and to increase every grace in us.

The very God of peace sanctify us wholly, and we pray God our whole spirit, and soul and body, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; for faithful is he that calleth us, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24.

Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us; Cast us not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit away from us; Restore unto us the joy of thy salvation, and uphold us with thy free spirit. Psalm 51:10, 11, 12.

Write thy law in our hearts, and put it in our inward part, that we may be the epistles of Christ written by the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart, that the law of our God being in our heart, none of our steps may slide, and we may delight to do thy will, O God, may delight in the law of God after the inward man. Hebrews 8:10. 2 Corinthians 3:3. Psalm 37:31. Psalm 40:8. Romans 7:22.

O that we may obey from the heart that form of doctrine into which we desire to be delivered, as into a mould, that our whole souls may be leavened by it; and that we may not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind; may not fashion ourselves after our former lusts in our ignorance, but as obedient children may be holy in all manner of conversation, as he which hath called us is holy. Romans 6:17. Matthew 13:33. Romans 12:2. 1 Peter 1:14, 15.

1) We must pray for faith.

Unto us (Lord) let it be given to believe; for the faith by which we are saved is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. Philippians 1:29. Ephesians 2:8.

Lord, increase our faith; and perfect what is lacking in it, that we may be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Luke 17:5. 1 Thessalonians 3:10. Romans 4:20.

Lord, give us so to be crucified with Christ, as that the life we now live in the flesh we may live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us, and gave himself for us; And so to bear about with us continually the dying of the Lord Jesus, as that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal bodies. Galatians 2:20. 2 Corinthians 4:10.

As we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, enable us so to walk in him, rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith as we have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6, 7.

Let every word of thine profit us, being mixed with faith, by which we receive thy testimony, and set to our seal that God is true. Hebrews 4:2. John 3:33.

We beseech thee work in us that faith which is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, by which we may look above the things that are seen that are temporal, and may look at the things that are not seen that are eternal. Hebrews 11:1. 2 Corinthians 4:18.

Enable us by faith to set the Lord always before us, and to have our eyes ever towards him; that we may act in every thing as seeing him that is invisible, and having a respect to the recompence of reward. Psalm 16:8. Psalm 25:15. Hebrews 11:27, 26.

Let our hearts be purified by faith, and let it be our victory overcoming the world. And let us be kept from fainting by believing that we shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Acts 15:9. 1 John 5:4. Psalm 27:13.

2) We must pray for the fear of God.

Lord, work in us that fear of thee, which is the beginning of wisdom, which is the instruction of wisdom, and which is a fountain of life to depart from the snares of death. Proverbs 1:7. Proverbs 15:33. Proverbs 14:27.

Unite our hearts to fear thy name, that we may keep thy commandments, which is the whole of man. Psalm 86:11. Ecclesiastes 12:13.

O put thy fear into our hearts, that we may never depart from thee. Let us all be devoted to thy fear; And let us be in the fear of the Lord every day, and all the day long. Jeremiah 32:40. Psalm 119:38. Proverbs 23:17.

3) We must pray that the love of God and Christ may be rooted in us, and in order thereunto, that the love of the world may be rooted out of us.

Give us grace (we beseech thee) to love thee the Lord our God with all our heart and soul, and mind and might, which is the first and great commandment, to set our love upon thee, and to delight ourselves always in thee, and therein we shall have the desire of our heart. Matthew 22:37, 38. Psalm 91:14. Psalm 37:4.

Circumcise our hearts to love thee the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, that we may live. Deuteronomy 30:6.

O that the love of God may be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. Romans 5:5.

O that Jesus Christ may be very precious to us, as he is to all that believe, that he may be in our account the chiefest of ten thousands, and altogether lovely; and that he may be our beloved and our friend: That though we have not seen him, yet we may love him, and though now we see him not, yet believing we may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 1 Peter 2:7. Canticle (Song of Solomon) 5:10, 16. 1 Peter 1:8.

Let the love of Christ to us constrain us to live, not to ourselves, but to him that died for us and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15.

And, Lord, grant that we may not love the world, nor the things that are in the world, because if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him; that we may set our affections on things above, and not on things that are on the earth. 1 John 2:15. Colossians 3:1, 2.

4) We must pray that our consciences may be always tender, and that we may live a life of repentance.

Lord, take away the stony heart out of our flesh, and give us a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19.

Make us afraid of all appearances of evil, and careful not to give Satan advantage against us, as being not ignorant of his devices. 1 Thessalonians 5:22. 2 Corinthians 2:11.

Lord, give us the happiness which they have that fear always; that when we think we stand, we may take heed lest we fall. Proverbs 28:14. 1 Corinthians 10:12.

5) We must pray to God to work in us charity and brotherly love.

Lord, put upon us that charity which is the bond of perfectness, that we may keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and may live in love and peace, that the God of love and peace may be with us. Colossians 3:14. Ephesians 4:3. 2 Corinthians 13:11.

Lord, give us to love our neighbour as ourselves, with that love which is the fulfilling of the law; to love one another with a pure heart fervently, that hereby all men may know that we are Christ’s disciples. Romans 13:9, 10. 1 Peter 1:22. John 13:35.

And as we are taught of God to love one another, give us to abound therein more and more, and as we have opportunity to do good to all men, and as much as in us lies to live peaceably with all men; always following after the things that make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10. Galatians 6:10. Romans 12:18. Romans 14:19.

Lord, make us able to love our enemies, to bless them that curse us, and to pray for them that despitefully use us, and to do good to them that hate us, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another in love, as Christ forgave us. Matthew 5:44. Colossians 3:13.

6) We must pray for the grace of self-denial.

Lord, give us grace to deny ourselves, to take up our cross daily, and to follow Christ, to keep under the body, and bring it into subjection. Matthew 16:24. 1 Corinthians 9:27.

Lord, keep us from being lovers of our own selves, from being wise in our own conceit, and leaning to our own understanding. 2 Timothy 3:2. Proverbs 3:7, 5.

Lord, give us to seek not our own only, but every one his brother’s welfare. 1 Corinthians 10:24.

And grant that none of us may live to ourselves, or die to ourselves, but whether we live or die we may be the Lord’s, and may live and die to him. Romans 14:7, 8.

7) We must pray for humility and meekness.

Lord, give us all to learn of Christ to be meek and lowly in heart, that we may find rest to our souls; and that herein the same mind may be in us that was also in Christ Jesus. Matthew 11:29. Philippians 2:5.

Lord, hide pride from us, and clothe us with humility, and put upon us the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in thy sight is of great price. Job 33:17. 1 Peter 5:5. 1 Peter 3:4.

Lord, give us grace to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering forbearing one another in love. Ephesians 4:1, 2.

Let anger never rest in our bosoms, nor the sun ever go down upon our wrath; but enable us to shew all meekness towards all men, because we ourselves also were sometimes foolish and disobedient. Ecclesiastes 7:9. Ephesians 4:26. Titus 3:2, 3.

Let us be clothed as becomes the elect of God, holy and beloved, with bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and long-suffering; that being merciful as our Father which is in heaven is merciful, we may be perfect as he is perfect. Colossians 3:12. Luke 6:36. Matthew 5 (v. 48).

8) We must pray for the grace of contentment and patience, and a holy indifferency to all the things of sense and time.

Lord, teach us whatsoever state we are in therewith to be content; let us know both how to be abased, and how to abound, every where and in all things let us be instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need; And let godliness with contentment be great gain to us; and a little with the fear of the Lord and quietness, is better than great treasure and trouble therewith. Philippians 4:11, 12. 1 Timothy 6:6. Proverbs 15:16. Proverbs 17:1.

Lord, grant that our conversation may be without covetousness, and we may always be content with such things as we have; still saying, The will of the Lord be done. Hebrews 13:5. Acts 21:14.

Enable us in our patience to possess our own souls; and let patience always have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Luke 21:19. James 1:4.

Lord, give us grace to weep as though we wept not, and to rejoice as though we rejoiced not, and to buy as though we possessed not, and to use this world as not abusing it, because the time is short, and the fashion of this world passeth away. 1 Corinthians 7:29, 30, 31.

9) We must pray for the grace of hope; a hope in God and Christ, and a hope of eternal life.

Let patience work experience in us, and experience hope, such a hope as maketh not ashamed. Through patience and comfort of the scriptures let us have hope, and be saved by hope. Romans 5:4, 5. Romans 15:4. Romans 8:24.

Let the God of Jacob be our help, and our hope always be in the Lord our God. Psalm 146:5.

Let us be begotten again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and let that hope be to us as an anchor of the soul, sure and stedfast, entering into that within the vail, whither the forerunner is for us entered. 1 Peter 1:3. Hebrews 6:19, 20.

Let us have Christ in us the hope of glory, and never be moved away from that hope of the gospel; but enable us to give diligence unto the full assurance of hope unto the end. Colossians 1:27, 23. Hebrews 6:11.

10) We must pray for grace to preserve us from sin, and all appearances of it and approaches towards it.

Now we pray to God that we may do no evil, but may be blameless and harmless as the children of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. 2 Corinthians 13:7. Philippians 2:15.

Turn away our eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou us in thy way; Remove from us the way of lying, and grant us thy law graciously. Psalm 119:37, 29.

Incline not our hearts to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with them that work iniquity, and let us not eat of their dainties. Psalm 141:4.

O cleanse us from our secret faults, keep back thy servants also from presumptuous sins; let not them have dominion over us, but let us be upright and innocent from the great transgressions, and grant that hereby we may prove ourselves upright before thee, by keeping ourselves from our own iniquity. Psalm 19:12, 13. Psalm 18:23.

Let thy word be hid in our hearts, that we may not sin against thee, and thy grace be at all times sufficient for us, ready to us, and mighty in us, and never give us up to our own hearts lusts, to walk in our own counsels. Psalm 119:11. 2 Corinthians 12:9. Psalm 81:12.

Enable us to walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, so circumspectly, that we may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion to blaspheme that worthy name by which we are called, and with well-doing may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, in all things. Ephesians 5:15. 2 Corinthians 11:12. James 2:7. 1 Peter 2:15. Titus 2:10.

4. We must pray for grace to enable us, both to govern our tongues well, and to use them well.

Lord, enable us to take heed to our ways, that we offend not with our tongue, and to keep our mouth as it were with a bridle, that it may not be hasty to utter any thing. Psalm 39:1. Ecclesiastes 5:2.

Set a watch, O Lord, before our mouth, keep the door of our lips, that we may not offend in word. Psalm 141:3. James 3:2.

Let our speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, and enable us always out of the good treasure of our heart to bring forth good things. Let our mouth speak wisdom, and our tongue talk of judgment; and let not thy words depart out of our mouth, nor out of the mouth of our seed, or our seed’s seed, from henceforth and for ever. Colossians 4:6. Matthew 12:35. Psalm 37:30. Isaiah 59:21.

Enable us always to open our mouth with wisdom, and let the law of kindness be in our tongue: Give us to know what is acceptable, that our tongue may be as choice silver, and our lips may feed many. Proverbs 31:26. Proverbs 10:32, 20, 21.

5. We must pray for grace to direct and quicken us to, and to strengthen and assist us in our duty in the whole course of our conversation.

Let the grace of God, which hath appeared to us, and to all men, bringing salvation, effectually teach us to deny all ungodliness and worldly fleshly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14.

(a) That we may be prudent and discreet in our duty.

Thou hast said, If any man lack wisdom, he must ask it of God, who gives to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. Lord, we want wisdom, make us wise as serpents, and harmless as doves, that wisdom may make our face to shine, and may be better to us than weapons of war. James 1:5. Matthew 10:16. Ecclesiastes 8:1. Ecclesiastes 9:18.

Enable us to walk in wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5.

Give us to order all our affairs with discretion; and to behave ourselves wisely in a perfect way, with a perfect heart. Psalm 112:5. Psalm 101:2.

(b) That we may be honest and sincere in our duty.

Let our wisdom be not that from beneath, which is earthly, sensual, devilish, but wisdom from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:15, 17.

O that we may always have our conversation in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God. 2 Corinthians 1:12.

Lord, uphold us in our integrity, and set us before thy face for ever, and let integrity and uprightness preserve us, for we wait on thee. Psalm 41:12. Psalm 25:21.

Let our hearts be sound in thy statutes, that we be not ashamed; and let our eye be single, that our whole body may be full of light. Psalm 119:80. Matthew 6:22.

(c) That we may be active and diligent in our duty.

Lord, quicken us to work the works of him that was sent us, while it is day, because the night comes wherein no man can work; and what good our hand finds to do, to do it with all our might, because there is no work or knowledge in the grave, whither we are going. John 9:4. Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Lord, grant that we may never be slothful in any good business, but fervent in spirit serving the Lord; stedfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord. Romans 12:11. 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Lord, make us zealously affected in every good work; and what we do enable us to do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men.

Galatians 4:18. Colossians 3:23.

Lord, enable us to do the work of every day in its day, according as the duty of the day requires, redeeming the time, because the days are evil; that when our Lord comes he may find us doing. Ezra 3:4. Ephesians 5:16. Luke 12:43.

(d) That we may be resolute and courageous in our duty, as those that know that though we may be losers for Christ, we shall not be losers by Him in the end.

Lord, teach us to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; that we may not fear the reproach of men, or their revilings, nor be ashamed of Christ or of his words, knowing whom we have believed, even one who is able to keep what we have committed to him against that day. 2 Timothy 2:3. Isaiah 51:7. Mark 8:38. 2 Timothy 1:12.

Though bonds and afflictions should abide us, Lord, grant that none of these things may move us, and that we may not count life itself dear to us, so we may finish our course with joy. Acts 20:23, 24.

Enable us in all things to approve ourselves to God, and then to pass by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report, clad with the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, as those that account it a very small thing to be judged of man’s judgment, for he that judgeth us is the Lord. 2 Corinthians 6:4, 8, 7. 1 Corinthians 4:3, 4.

(e) That we may be pleasant and cheerful in our duty.

Lord, enable us to rejoice evermore; to rejoice in the Lord always, because he hath again said unto us, Rejoice; that we may go on our way rejoicing, may eat our bread with joy, and drink our wine with a merry heart, as we shall have reason to do if God now accepteth our works. 1 Thessalonians 5:16. Philippians 4:4. Acts 8:39. Ecclesiastes 9:7.

Give us grace to serve thee the Lord our God with joyfulness and gladness of heart in the abundance of all things; And to sing in the ways of the Lord, because great is the glory of our God. Deuteronomy 28:47. Psalm 138:5.

Let us have that cheerfulness of heart which doth good like a medicine, and deliver us from that heaviness which maketh the heart stoop, and that sorrow of the world which worketh death. Proverbs 17:22. Proverbs 12:25. 2 Corinthians 7:10.

(f) That we may do the duty of every condition of life, every event of providence, and every relation wherein we stand.

Lord, enable us, in a day of prosperity to be joyful, and in a day of adversity, to consider, because God hath set the one over against the other; to add to our knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience. Ecclesiastes 7:14. 2 Peter 1:6.

Give us grace to abide with thee in the calling wherein we are called; and in all our ways to acknowledge thee, and be thou pleased to direct our steps. 1 Corinthians 7:24. Proverbs 3:6.

Let those that are called, being servants, be the Lord’s freemen, and those that are called, being free, be Christ’s servants. 1 Corinthians 7:22.

Let all in every relation dwell together in unity, that it may be as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion. O that we may dwell together as joint-heirs of the grace of life, that our prayers may not be hindered. Psalm 133:1, 3. 1 Peter 3:7.

Give us grace to honour all men, to love the brotherhood, to fear God, and to be subject to the higher powers, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 1 Peter 2:17. Romans 13:1,

5. (g) That we may be universally conscientious.

O that we may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12.

O that our ways were directed to keep thy commandments! And then shall we not be ashamed, when we have a respect to them all. Psalm 119:5, 6.

Teach us, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and we shall keep it unto the end: Give us understanding, and we shall keep thy law, yea we shall observe it with our whole heart: Make us to go in the path of thy commandments, for therein do we delight. Incline our hearts unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Psalm 119:33-36.

Grant us, we pray thee, according to the riches of thy glory, that

we may be strengthened with all might by thy Spirit in the inner man: That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith, and that we being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and may know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge; and be filled with a divine fulness, and may partake of a divine nature. Ephesians 3:16-19. 2 Peter 1:4.

And let the love of Christ constrain us to live not to ourselves, but to him that died for us, and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15.

6. We must pray for grace to make us wiser and better every day than other.

Lord, give us to increase with the increases of God; to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; to hold on our way, and having clean hands to grow stronger and stronger. Colossians 2:19. 2 Peter 3:18. Job 17:9.

Let our path be as the shining light, which shines more and more to the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18.

We have not yet attained, nor are we already perfect; Lord, grant that therefore forgetting the things that are behind, we may reach forth to those things that are before, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12, 13, 14.

Be thou as the dew unto us, that we may grow as the lily, and cast forth our roots as Lebanon; that our branches may spread, and our beauty be as the olive-tree. And let the Sun of righteousness arise upon us with healing under his wings, that we may go forth and grow up as calves of the stall. Hosea 14:5, 6. Malachi 4:2.

7. We must pray for effectual support and comfort under all the crosses and afflictions that we meet with in this world.

We know that we are born to trouble as the sparks fly upward; but in six troubles, be thou pleased to deliver us, and in seven let no evil touch us. Job 5:7, 19.

Let the eternal God be our refuge, and underneath be the everlasting arms; that the spirit thou hast made may not fail before thee, nor the soul that thou hast redeemed. Deuteronomy 33:27. Isaiah 57:16. Psalm 71:23.

Let us be strengthened with all might according to thy glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. Colossians 1:11.

Let thy statutes be our songs in the house of our pilgrimage; and let thy testimonies, which we have taken as a heritage for ever, be always the rejoicing of our hearts. Psalm 119:54, 111.

When we are troubled on every side, yet let us not be distressed, and when we are perplexed, yet let us not be in despair; but as sorrowful, and yet always rejoicing, as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 4:8. 2 Corinthians 6:10.

8. We must pray for grace to preserve us to the end, and to fit us for whatever lies before us betwixt and the grave.

Lord, deliver us from every evil work, and preserve us to thy heavenly kingdom, being kept from falling, that we may be presented faultless at the coming of thy glory with exceeding joy. 2 Timothy 4:18. Jude 24.

Lord, make us to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, that our hearts may be established unblameable in holiness, before God even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13.

If Satan desire to have us that he may sift us as wheat, yet let Christ’s intercession prevail for us, that our faith fail not. Luke 22:31, 32.

Till we are taken out of the world, let us be kept from the evil, and sanctified through thy truth; thy word is truth. John 17:15, 17.

Build us up, we pray thee, in our most holy faith, and keep us in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 20, 21.

Grant that we may continue to call upon thee as long as we live, and till we die may never remove our integrity from us; and that our righteousness we may hold fast, and never let it go, and our hearts may not reproach us so long as we live. Psalm 116:2. Job 27:5, 6.

9. We must pray for grace to prepare us for death, and to carry us well through our dying moments.

Lord, make us to know our end, and the measure of our days what it is, that we may know and consider how frail we are; and that our days are as a hand breadth, and that every man at his best state is altogether vanity, and our days upon earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding. Psalm 39:4, 5. 1 Chronicles 29:15.

Lord, teach us so to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom, and make us to consider our latter end. Psalm 90:12. Deuteronomy 32:29.

Lord, make us always ready, with our loins girded about, and our lights burning, because the Son of man comes at an hour that we think not. Luke 12:35, 40.

Keep us all the days of our appointed time, waiting till our change comes; and then shalt thou call, and we will answer. Job 14:14, 15.

Bring us to our grave as a shock of corn in its season; satisfy us

with life, whether it be longer or shorter, and shew us thy salvation. Job 5:26. Psalm 91 (v. 16).

And when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, be thou with us, that we may fear no evil, let thy rod and thy staff comfort us. Psalm 23:4.

Let goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life, and let us dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Mercy and truth be with us. Psalm 23:6. 2 Samuel 15:20.

Redeem our souls from the power of the grave, and receive us; Guide us by thy counsel, and afterwards receive us to glory. Psalm 49:15. Psalm 73:24.

10. We must pray for grace to fit us for heaven, and that we may at length be put in possession of eternal life.

Lord, make us meet to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light; let God himself work us to the self-same thing, and give us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Colossians 1:12. 2 Corinthians 5:5.

O that we may now have our conversation in heaven, that we may from thence with comfort look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus, who shall change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. Philippians 3:20, 21.

O that now we may set our affections on things above, and that our life may be hid with Christ in God, that when Christ who is our life shall appear, we may also appear with him in glory; that when he shall appear we may be like him, and may see him as he is, may behold his face in righteousness, and when we awake may be satisfied with his likeness. Colossians 3:2, 3, 4. 1 John 3:2. Psalm 17:15.

When we fail, let us be received into everlasting habitations, in the city that hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God, that we may be together for ever with the Lord, to see as we are seen, and know as we are known. Luke 16:9. Hebrews 11:10. 1 Thessalonians 4:17. 1 Corinthians 13:12.

And in the mean time help us to comfort ourselves and one another with these words; and having this hope in us to purify ourselves even as Christ is pure. 1 Thessalonians 4:18. 1 John 3:3.

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort our hearts, and stablish us in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17.

11. We must pray for the good things of this life, with an humble submission to the will of God.

Lord, thou hast told us, that godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come; And that if we seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, other things shall be added to us; and therefore we cast all our care about these things upon thee, who carest for us, for our heavenly Father knows that we have need of all these things. 1 Timothy 4:8. Matthew 6:33. 1 Peter 5:7. Matthew 6:32.

(a) We must pray to be preserved from the calamities to which we are exposed.

Thou, Lord, art our refuge and our fortress, and under thy wings will we trust, thy truth shall be our shield and buckler; Let us therefore not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day. Having made the Lord our refuge, and the most High our habitation, let no evil befall us, nor any plague come nigh our dwelling. Psalm 91:2, 4, 5, 9, 10.

Let the Lord be our keeper, even he that keepeth Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps. Let the Lord be our shade on our right hand; That the sun may not smite us by day, nor the moon by night; Let the Lord preserve us from all evil, the Lord preserve our souls; The Lord preserve our going out and coming in, from this time forth, and even for ever more. Psalm 121:4-8.

Lord, make a hedge about us, about our houses, and about all that we have round about; and take sickness away from the midst of us. Job 1:10. Exodus 23:25.

(b) We must pray to be supplied with the comforts and supports we daily stand in need of.

O that the beauty of the Lord our God may be upon us, prosper thou the work of our hands upon us, yea the work of our hands establish thou it; Save now, we beseech thee, O Lord; O Lord, we beseech thee send now prosperity. Psalm 90:17. Psalm 118:25.

Let our sons be as plants grown up in their youth, and our daughters as corner stones polished after the similitude of a palace: Let our garners be full, affording all manner of store; And let there be no breaking in or going out; no complaining within our streets: Happy is the people that is in such a case, yea rather happy is the people whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:12-15.

Let us be blessed in the city, and blessed in the field, let our basket and store be blessed, let us be blessed when we come in, and when we go out. Deuteronomy 28:3, 5, 6.

Let thy good providence so order all events concerning us, as that they may be made to work for good to us, as thou hast promised they shall to all that love thee and are called according to thy purpose. Romans 8:28.

Give us to trust in the Lord and do good, and then we shall dwell in the land, and verily we shall be fed; and be thou pleased to bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noonday. Psalm 37:3, 6.

Let us be hid from the scourge of the tongue, and not be afraid of destruction when it cometh; let us be in league with the stones of the field, and let the beasts of the field be at peace with us; let us know that our tabernacle is in peace, and let us visit our habitation and not sin. Job 5:21, 23, 24.

And if God will be with us, and will keep us in the way that we go, during our pilgrimage in this world, and will give us bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that we may come to our heavenly Father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be our God. Genesis 28:20, 21.

12. We must plead the promises of God for the enforcing of all our petitions, put these promises in suit, and refer ourselves to them.

Lord, thou hast given us many exceeding great and precious promises, which are all yea and Amen in Christ. Now be it unto thy servants according to the word which thou hast spoken. 2 Peter 1:4. 2 Corinthians 1:20. Luke 1:38. 2 Samuel 7:25.

Give us to draw water with joy out of those wells of salvation, to suck and be satisfied from those breasts of consolation; And now, O Lord God, let the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servants be established for ever, and do as thou hast said. Isaiah 12:3. Isaiah 66:11. 2 Samuel 7:25. 1 Chronicles 17:23.

Deal with us according to the tenor of the everlasting covenant, which is well ordered in all things and sure, and which is all our salvation, and all our desire. 2 Samuel 23:5.

Look upon us and be merciful to us, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name, and do more for us than we are able to ask or think, and supply all our needs according to thy riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Psalm 119:132. Ephesians 3:20. Philippians 4:19.

Chapter IV Thanksgivings for mercy

Our errand at the throne of grace is not only to seek the favour of God, but to give unto Him the glory due unto His name, and that not only by an awful adoration of His infinite perfections, but by a grateful acknowledgment of His goodness to us, which cannot indeed add any thing to His glory, but He is pleased to accept of it, and to reckon Himself glorified by it, if it come from a heart that’s humbly sensible of its own unworthiness to receive any favour from God, that values the gifts, and loves the giver of them.

UNTO thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks, for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. Psalm 75:1.

Let our souls bless the Lord, and let all that is within us bless his holy name; yea, let our souls bless the Lord, and not forget any of his benefits. Psalm 103:1, 2.

We will praise the Lord, for it is good, it is pleasant, and praise is comely for the upright, yea it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High, to shew forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. Psalm 147:1. Psalm 92:1, 2.

We will extol thee our God, O king, and will bless thy name for ever and ever; Every day will we bless thee, and will praise thy name for ever and ever; we will abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and sing of thy righteousness. Psalm 145:1, 2, 7.

We will sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints; O let Israel rejoice in him that made him, let the children of Zion be joyful in their King; Let the saints be joyful in glory, and let the high praises of God be in their hearts, and in their mouths. Psalm 149:1, 2, 5, 6.

While we live we will bless the Lord, and will sing praises unto our God while we have any being; and when we have no being on earth, we hope to have a being in heaven to be doing it better. Psalm 146:2.

We are here through Jesus Christ to offer the sacrifice of praise to thee, which we desire to do continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to thy name. And thou hast said that he that offers praise glorifies thee, and that this also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. Hebrews 13:15. Psalm 50 (v. 23). Psalm 69:31.

We will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness towards the house of Israel which he hath bestowed on them, according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7.

1. For the discoveries which He has made to us in His word of the goodness of His nature.

WE give thanks unto the God of gods, unto the Lord of lords, for his mercy endures for ever. Psalm 136:2, 3.

Thy goodness is thy glory, and it is that for which all thy works do praise thee, and thy saints do bless thee. Exodus 33:19. Psalm 145:10.

Thou art gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy, and hast told us that thou dost not afflict willingly, or grieve the children of men, but though thou cause grief, yet thou wilt have compassion, according to the multitude of thy mercies. Psalm 145:8. Lamentations 3:33, 32.

Thou takest pleasure in them that fear thee, in them that hope in thy mercy. Psalm 147:11.

2. For the many instances of His goodness.

A) The goodness of His providence relating to our bodies, and the life that now is; and this,

1) First, with reference to all the creatures, and the world of mankind, in general.

Thou hast stretched out the heavens like a curtain, and in them hast thou set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. And thou causest thy sun to shine on the evil and on the good, and sendest rain on the just and on the unjust. Psalm 104:2. Psalm 19:4, 5. Matthew 5:45.

When we consider the heavens the work of thy fingers, the sun, the moon, and the stars which thou hast ordained, Lord, what is man that thou thus visitest him? For truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: All the glory be to the Father of lights, who commandeth the morning, and causeth the dayspring to know his place. Psalm 8:3, 4. Ecclesiastes 11:7. James 1:17. Job 38:12.

Thou didst not leave thyself without witness among the heathen, in that thou didst good, and gavest them rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladness. Acts 14:17.

Thou coverest the heavens with clouds, and preparest rain for the earth, and makest grass to grow upon the mountains: Thou givest to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. Psalm 147:8, 9.

Thou causest it to rain on the wilderness where there is no man, to satisfy the desolate and waste ground. Job 38:26, 27.

Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it, thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water; thou preparest them corn when thou hast so provided for it: Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly, thou settlest the furrows thereof, thou makest it soft with showers, thou blessest the springing thereof; Thou crownest the year with thy goodness, and thy paths drop fatness. Psalm 65:9, 10, 11.

Thou sendest the springs into the valleys which run among the hills; and they give drink to every beast of the field; and by them the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. Psalm 104:10, 11, 12.

Thou hast laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever, and settest bounds to the waters of the sea, that they turn not again to cover the earth; Thou hast shut up the sea with doors, and broken up for it thy decreed place, saying, Hitherto shalt thou come but no further, here shall thy proud waves be stayed. And thou hast made good what thou hast sworn, that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth. Psalm 104:5, 9. Job 38:8, 10, 11. Isaiah 54:9.

Thy covenant of the day and of the night is not broken, but still thou givest the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night; and art faithful to that covenant of providence, that while the earth remains, seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease. Jeremiah 33:20. Jeremiah 31:35. Genesis 8:22.

The heaven, even the heavens are thine, but the earth thou hast given to the children of men; and thou hast put all things under their feet, and made them to have dominion over the works of thy hands; so that the fear of man and the dread of man is upon every beast of the earth, and upon the fowl of the air, and into his hand they are delivered, because thou hadst a favour to him, and thy delights were with the sons of men. Psalm 115:16. Psalm 8:6. Genesis 9:2. Proverbs 8:31.

Thou causest the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man, that thou mayest bring forth food out of the earth; Wine that makes glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengthens man’s heart. Psalm 104:14, 15.

Thou givest to all life and breath and all things, and the earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy. Acts 17:25. Psalm 119:64.

All the creatures wait upon thee, that thou mayest give them their meat in due season; That thou givest them they gather, thou openest thy hand, they are filled with good: Thou sendest forth thy spirit they are created, thou renewest the face of the earth. This thy glory shall endure for ever, and thou rejoicest in these works. Psalm 104:27, 28, 30, 31.

It is through thy goodness, O Lord, that as one generation of mankind passeth away, another generation comes, and that thou hast not blotted out the name of that corrupt and guilty race from under heaven. Ecclesiastes 1:4. Deuteronomy 29:20.

2) Secondly, with reference to us in particular.

(a) We must give thanks that He hath made us reasonable creatures, capable of knowing, loving, serving and enjoying Him, and that He hath not made us as the beasts that perish.

We will praise thee, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that our souls, our nobler part, know right well; for what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Psalm 139:14. 1 Corinthians 2:11.

Thou hast made us of that rank of beings which is little lower than the angels, and is crowned with glory and honour; For there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. And the spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord. Psalm 8:5. Job 32:8. Proverbs 20:27.

Our bodies are capable of being the temples of the Holy Ghost, and our souls of having the Spirit of God dwell in them; we therefore glorify thee with our bodies, and with our spirits, which are thine. 1 Corinthians 6:19. 1 Corinthians 3:16. 1 Corinthians 6:20.

Thou, Lord, hast formed us for thyself, that we might shew forth thy praise. Isaiah 43:21.

(b) We must give thanks for our preservation, that our lives are prolonged, and that the use of our reason and understanding, our limbs and senses, is continued to us.

It was owing to thy good providence that we died not from the womb, and did not give up the ghost when we came out of the belly, that the knees prevented us, and the breasts that we should suck. Job 3:11, 12.

Though we were called transgressors from the womb, yet by thy power we have been borne from the belly, and carried from the womb; and thou holdest our souls in life, and sufferest not our foot to be moved. Isaiah 48:8. Isaiah 46:3. Psalm 66:9.

All our bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, for thou keepest all our bones, not one of them is broken. Psalm 35:10. Psalm 34:20.

We lay us down and sleep, for thou, Lord, makest us to dwell in safety. Psalm 3:5. Psalm 4:8.

Thou hast given thine angels a charge concerning us, to keep us in all our ways, to bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone. And they are all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for the good of them that shall be heirs of salvation. Psalm 91:11, 12. Hebrews 1:14.

(c) For signal recoveries from danger by sickness, or otherwise.

When perhaps there has been but a step between us and death, and we have received a sentence of death within ourselves, and have been ready to say in the cutting off of our days we should go to the gates of the grave, and were deprived of the residue of our years, yet thou hast in love to our souls delivered them from the pit of corruption, and cast all our sins behind thy back. 1 Samuel 20:3. 2 Corinthians 1:9. Isaiah 38:10, 17.

When the sorrows of death have compassed us, and the pains of hell have got hold upon us, we have called upon the name of the Lord, and have found that gracious is the Lord and righteous, yea, our God is merciful; we have been brought low and he hath helped us, and hath delivered our souls from death, our eyes from tears, and our feet from falling. We will therefore walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 116:3-6, 8, 9.

(d) For the supports and comforts of this life, which have hitherto made the land of our pilgrimage easy and pleasant to us.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with his benefits, even the God of our salvation. Psalm 68:19.

Thou makest us to lie down in green pastures, thou feedest us

beside the still waters: Thou preparest a table for us in the presence of our enemies, thou anointest our head, and our cup runs over. Psalm 23:2, 5.

It may be we were sent forth without purse or scrip, but lacked we any thing? Nothing, Lord. Luke 22:35.

The candle of God hath shined upon our head, and by his light we have walked through darkness, and the secret of God has been in our tabernacle. Job 29:3, 4.

Thou hast given us all things richly to enjoy, and into our hands hast brought plentifully. 1 Timothy 6:17. Job 12:6.

Many a time we have eaten and been filled, and have delighted ourselves in thy great goodness. Nehemiah 9:25.

When we remember all the way which the Lord our God hath led us for so many years in this wilderness, we must here set up a stone and call it Eben-ezer, for hitherto the Lord hath helped us. Deuteronomy 8:2. 1 Samuel 7:12.

(e) For success in our callings and affairs, comfort in relations, and comfortable places of abode.

It is God that girdeth us with strength, and maketh our way perfect; that hath blessed the work of our hands, and it may be so as that though our beginning was small, yet our latter end hath greatly increased. Psalm 18:32. Job 1:10. Job 8:7.

Our houses have been safe from fear, and there hath been no rod of God upon us; so that the voice of rejoicing and salvation hath been in our tabernacle from day to day. Job 21:9. Psalm 118:15.

With our staff it may be we have passed over this Jordan, and now we are become two bands; and it is God that setteth the solitary in families. Genesis 32:10. Psalm 68:6.

If we have lived joyfully with our relations, and they have been to us as the loving hind and as the pleasant roe, we must give thee thanks for it; for every creature is that to us, and no more, that thou makest it to be. Ecclesiastes 9:9. Proverbs 5:19.

(f) For our share in the publick plenty, peace, and tranquillity.

When we have eaten and are full, we have reason to bless thee for the good land which thou hast given us: A land which the eyes of the Lord our God are always upon, from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year. Deuteronomy 8:10. Deuteronomy 11:12.

Thou makest peace in our borders, and fillest us with the finest of the wheat: We are delivered from the noise of archers at the places of drawing water; there therefore will we rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, even his righteous acts towards the inhabitants of his villages. Psalm 147:14. Judges 5:11.

We thank thee that the powers that are set over us are ministers of God to us for good, that they seek the welfare of our people, speaking peace to all their seed. Romans 13:4. Esther 10:3.

B) The goodness of His grace relating to our souls, and the life that is to come.

But especially blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ. Ephesians 1:3.

1) First, we must give God thanks for His kindness to the children of men relating to their better part and their future state, and His favours to the church in general.

(a) We must give thanks for the gracious design and contrivance of man’s redemption and salvation, when he was lost and undone by sin.

O how wonderfully did the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appear, not by any works of righteousness, which he had done, but according to his mercy he saved us: We had destroyed ourselves, but in thee, and thee only was our help. Titus 3:4, 5. Hosea 13:9.

When we were cast out in the open field, and no eye pitied us, thou sawest us polluted in our own blood, and thou saidst unto us, Live; yea, thou saidst unto us, Live; and the time was a time of love. Ezekiel 16:5, 6, 8.

When the redemption of the soul was so precious, as that it must have ceased for ever, and no man could by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him, then thou wast pleased to find a ransom, that we might be delivered from going down to the pit. Psalm 49:8, 7. Job 33:24.

When we must needs die, and were as water spilt upon the ground, which cannot be gathered up again, then didst thou devise means that the banished might not be for ever expelled from thee. 2 Samuel 14:14.

When thou sparedst not the angels that sinned, but didst cast them down to hell, thou saidest concerning the race of mankind, Destroy it not for a blessing is in it. 2 Peter 2:4. Isaiah 65:8.

Herein appears the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world for our glory. 1 Corinthians 2:7.

(b) For the eternal purposes and counsels of God concerning man’s redemption.

We are bound to give thanks always to thee, O God, because thou hast from the beginning chosen some to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit: That there is a remnant according to the election of grace, whom God hath chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, that they should be holy and without blame before thee in love, having predestinated them to the adoption of children, by Jesus Christ unto thyself, according to the good pleasure of thy will, to the praise of the glory of thy grace. 2 Thessalonians 2:13. Romans 11:5. Ephesians 1:4, 5, 6.

Thine they were, and thou gavest them to Christ, and this is thy will, that of all that thou hast given him he should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. John 17:6. John 6:39.

(c) For the appointing of the Redeemer, and God’s gracious condescension to deal with man upon new terms, receding from the demands of the broken covenant of innocency.

We bless thee that when sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, and in it hadst no pleasure, that then the eternal Son of God said, Lo I come to do thy will, O God, and a body hast thou prepared me: And that as in the volume of the book it was written of him, he did delight to do thy will, O God, yea, thy law was within his heart. Hebrews 10:5, 6, 7. Psalm 40:7, 8.

Thou hast laid help upon one that is mighty, one chosen out of thy people: Thou hast found David thy servant with thy holy oil, thou hast anointed him, even with the oil of gladness above his fellows, and didst promise that with him thy hand should be established, and thy arm should strengthen him, and that thou wouldest make him thy first-born, higher than the kings of the earth. Psalm 89:19, 20. Psalm 45:7. Psalm 89:21, 27.

We bless thee that the Father now judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son: That as he has life in himself, so he hath given to the Son to have life in himself, and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man: That the Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. And that the counsel of peace is between them both. John 5:22, 26, 27. John 3:35. Zechariah 6:13.

That he is thy servant whom thou dost uphold, thine elect in whom thy soul delighteth: Thy beloved Son in whom thou art well pleased: That thou hast given him for a covenant of the people, and that through him we are not under the law, but under grace. Isaiah 42:1. Matthew 17:5. Isaiah 49:8. Romans 6:14.

That God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

(d) For the early and ancient indications of this gracious design concerning fallen man.

We bless thee, that as soon as ever man had sinned, it was graciously promised that the seed of the woman should break the serpent’s head; and that in the old testament sacrifices Jesus Christ was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Genesis 3:15. Revelation 13:8.

And that by faith the elders, though they received not the promise, yet obtained a good report, for they obtained witness that they were righteous. Hebrews 11:39, 2, 4.

We bless thee for the promise made to Abraham, that in his seed all the families of the earth should be blessed, and to Jacob that the Shiloh should come, and to him should the gathering of the people be: And that the patriarchs rejoiced to see Christ’s day, and they saw it and were glad. Genesis 12:3. Genesis 49:10. John 8:56.

(e) For the many glorious instances of God’s favour to the old testament church.

We adore that wisdom, power and goodness with which thou broughtest the vine out of Egypt, didst cast out the heathen and plant it; thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. Psalm 80:8, 9.

And they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them, but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour to them. Psalm 44:3. Psalm 136:10. & others.

We bless thee that to the Jews were committed the oracles of God; that they had the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises: And that there did not fail one word of all thy good promise, which thou promisedst by the hand of Moses thy servant. Romans 3:2. Romans 9:4. 1 Kings 8:56.

We bless thee for all that which thou didst at sundry times and in divers manners speak in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, those holy men of God, who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and prophesied of the grace that should come unto us, testifying beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow, and that not to themselves only, but to us they ministered those great things, things which the angels themselves desire to look into. Hebrews 1:1. 2 Peter 1:21. 1 Peter 1:10, 11, 12.

And especially we bless thee that thou hast provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:40.

(f) For the wonderful and mysterious incarnation of the Son of God, and His coming into the world.

We bless thee that when the fulness of time was come, thou didst send forth thy Son made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4, 5.

That the eternal Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and there were those who saw his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness, that God was manifested in the flesh. John 1:14. 1 Timothy 3:16.

We bless thee that to this end he was born, and for this cause he came into the world, that he might bear witness of the truth, and we believe and are sure, that he is that Christ, the Son of the living God; that it is he that should come, and we are to look for no other. John 18:37. John 6:69. Matthew 11:3.

We bless thee that the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost; that he is come that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly, and that for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Luke 19:10. John 10:10. 1 John 3:8.

Lord, we receive it as a faithful saying, and well worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, even the chief. 1 Timothy 1:15.

We bless thee that forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same: That he took not on him the nature of angels, but our nature, and was in

all things made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people; and that he is not ashamed to call them brethren. Hebrews 2:14, 16, 17, 11.

And that the first begotten was brought into the world with a charge given to all the angels of God to worship him. Hebrews 1:6.

(g) For God’s gracious owning of Him in His undertaking, and in the carrying of it on.

We bless thee that thou wast in Christ reconciling the world to thyself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and that thou hast committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19.

That thou hast thyself given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. That he was sanctified and sealed and sent into the world, and that the Father which sent him did not leave him alone, for he always did those things that pleased him. Isaiah 55:4. John 10:36. John 6:27. John 8:29.

Glory be to God in the highest, for in and through Jesus Christ there is on earth peace, and good-will towards men. Luke 2:14.

In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9.

We thank thee for the power thou hast given him over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as were given him. John 17:2.

(h) For His Holy life, His excellent doctrine, and the glorious miracles He wrought to confirm His doctrine.

We bless thee for the assurance we have that he is a teacher come from God, since no man could do those miracles which he did, except God were with him. John 3:2.

That thou hast in these last days spoken unto us by thy Son, whose doctrine was not his, but his that sent him, and he spake as one having authority, and that we are encouraged to come and learn of him, because he is meek and lowly in heart, and in learning of him we shall find rest to our souls. Hebrews 1:2. John 7:16. Matthew 7 (v. 29). Matthew 11:29.

We bless thee that he hath left us an example, that we should follow his steps, in that he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, and when he was reviled, he reviled not again; and his meat and drink was to do the will of his Father; in that he was holy, harm-

less, undefiled, separate from sinners. O that we may be armed with the same mind, and that as he was so we may be in this world; and that we may so walk even as he walked. 1 Peter 2:21, 22, 23. John 4:34. Hebrews 7:26. 1 Peter 4:1. 1 John 4:17. 1 John 2:6.

We bless thee that the works which he did, the same bore witness of him that the Father had sent him, that by his power the blind received their sight, the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf heard, the dead were raised up, and the poor had the gospel preached to them; and even the winds and the sea obeyed him; for which we glorify the God of Israel. Doubtless this was the Son of God. John 5:36. Matthew 11:5. Matthew 8:27. Matthew 15:31. Matthew 27:54.

(i) For the great encouragements Christ gave to poor sinners to come to Him.

We bless thee that Jesus Christ came to call, not the righteous, but sinners (such as we are) to repentance, and had power on earth to forgive sin; that he came to save his people from their sins; and is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, and that he is (to his honour, not to his reproach) a friend to publicans and sinners. Matthew 9:13, 6. Matthew 1:21. John 1:29. Matthew 11:19.

We thank thee for the gracious invitation he gave to those who are weary and heavy laden, to come to him for rest: And for the assurance he hath given that whosoever comes unto him he will in no wise cast out. Matthew 11:28. John 6:37.

That he made a gracious offer, that whosoever thirsts might come unto him and drink. John 7:37.

(j) For the full satisfaction which He made to the justice of God for the sin of man by the blood of His cross, for the purchases, victories, and triumphs of the cross, and for all the precious benefits which flow to us from the dying of the Lord Jesus.

Herein indeed God commendeth his love to us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, that we might be reconciled to him by the death of his Son. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world; that he tasted death for every man, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Romans 5:8, 10. 1 John 4:10. 1 John 2:2. Hebrews 2:9, 14.

We bless thee, that by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified, that he hath finished transgression, made

an end of sin, made reconciliation for iniquity, and hath brought in an everlasting righteousness. Hebrews 10:14. Daniel 9:24.

That he hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, by being made a curse for us. Galatians 3:13.

That what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God hath done by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, who by a sacrifice for sin condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 8:3.

That he was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities, and that the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed; and that the Lord having laid upon him the iniquity of us all, it pleased the Lord to bruise him, and put him to grief. Isaiah 53:5, 6, 10.

That appearing to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, he did by the eternal Spirit offer himself without spot unto God, and by his own blood entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:26, 14, 12.

That he hath spoiled principalities and powers, and made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in his cross, and hath blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances which was against us, which was contrary to us, taking it out of the way by nailing it to his cross. Colossians 2:15, 14.

That he is our peace, who having broken down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile, hath made himself of twain one new man, hath reconciled both unto God, in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. Ephesians 2:14, 15, 16.

That he hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us unto our God kings and priests. Revelation 1:5, 6.

O the height, and depth, and length, and breadth of that love of Christ which passeth knowledge; that great love wherewith he loved us. Ephesians 3:18, 19. Ephesians 2:4.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing; for he was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood. Revelation 5:12, 9.

(k) For His resurrection from the dead on the third day.

We thank thee that as he was delivered for our offences, so he rose again for our justification, and was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead. Romans 4 (v. 25). Romans 1:4.

That though he was dead, yet he is alive, and lives for evermore, and hath the keys of hell and death, and being raised from the dead, he dies no more, death has no more dominion over him. Revelation 1:18. Romans 6:9.

That now is Christ risen from the dead, and is become the first fruits of them that slept, that as in Adam all died, so in Christ all might be made alive, and every one in his own order. 1 Corinthians 15:20, 22, 23.

That God suffered not his Holy One to see corruption, but loosed the pains of death, because it was impossible he should be holden of them, and so declared to all the house of Israel, that that same Jesus whom they crucified, is both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:27, 31, 24, 36.

And that for this end Christ both died and rose and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living, and that whether we wake or sleep, we might live together with him. Romans 14:9. 1 Thessalonians 5:10.

(l) For His ascension into heaven, and His sitting at God’s right hand there.

We bless thee that our Lord Jesus is ascended to his Father and our Father, to his God and our God; is ascended up on high, having led captivity captive, and hath received gifts for men, yea, even for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. John 20:17. Psalm 68:18.

That as the fore-runner he is for us entered; entered into heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God for us, a Lamb as it had been slain standing in the midst of the throne. Hebrews 6:20. Hebrews 9:24. Revelation 5:6.

That he is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, angels, and authorities, and powers being made subject to him. Hebrews 8:1. 1 Peter 3:22.

That he is gone before to prepare a place for us in his Father’s house, where there are many mansions; and though whether he is gone we cannot follow him now, yet we hope to follow him hereafter, when he shall come again to receive us to himself, that where he is there we may be also. John 14:2. John 13:36. John 14:3.

(m) For the intercession which He ever lives to make in the virtue of His satisfaction.

We thank thee that having borne the sins of many, he makes intercession for transgressors; and prays not for those only that were given him when he was upon earth, but for all that shall believe on him through their word; That they all may be one. Isaiah 53:12. John 17:20, 21.

That we have an advocate with the Father, even JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS, who is therefore able to save to the uttermost all those that come to God as a Father by him as mediator, seeing he ever lives making intercession. 1 John 2:1. Hebrews 7:25.

That we have a high priest taken from among men, and ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifice for sin, who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way, and that he is become the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him. Hebrews 5:1, 2, 9.

(n) For the dominion and sovereignty to which the Redeemer is exalted.

We thank thee that because our Lord Jesus humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, therefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, that in the name of JESUS every knee might bow, and every tongue confess (as we do at this time) that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-11.

That all power is given unto him both in heaven and in earth, that thou hast set him over the works of thy hands, and hast put all things in subjection under his feet, and so hast crowned him with glory and honour. Matthew 28:18. Hebrews 2:7, 8, 9.

That he is KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS; that the Ancient of days hath given him dominion and glory and a kingdom, an everlasting dominion, and a kingdom which shall not be destroyed. Revelation 19:16. Daniel 7:13, 14.

That the government is upon his shoulders, and that his name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace; And of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Isaiah 9:6, 7.

That thou hast set him as king upon thy holy hill of Zion, and that he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, shall reign till he has put down all opposing rule, principality and power, till all his enemies are made his footstool, and then he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, that God may be all in all. Psalm 2:6. Luke 1:33. 1 Corinthians 15:24, 25. Ephesians 6:12. Hebrews 10:13. 1 Corinthians 15:24, 28.

(o) For the assurance we have of His second coming to judge the world.

We bless thee that thou hast appointed a day in which thou wilt judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom thou hast ordained, whereof thou hast given assurance unto all men, in that thou hast raised him from the dead. Acts 17:31.

That in that day the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: And shall come to be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe; for them that sleep in Jesus he will bring with him. 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8, 10. 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

That he shall then send forth his angels to gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and to gather together his elect from the four winds, and then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matthew 13:41. Matthew 24:31. Matthew 13:43.

And we then, according to thy promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness: Lord, grant that seeing we look for such things, we may give diligence to be found of him in peace without spot and blameless: And then come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. 2 Peter 3:13, 14. Revelation 22:20.

(p) For the sending of the Holy Spirit to supply the want of Christ’s bodily presence, to carry on His undertaking, and to prepare things for His second coming.

We bless thee that when our Lord Jesus went away he sent us another Comforter to abide with us for ever, even the Spirit of truth, who shall glorify the Son, for he shall take of his, and shall shew it unto us. John 14:16, 17. John 16:14.

That being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he poured it forth as rivers of living water. Acts 2:33. John 7:38.

Blessed be God for the signs and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, with which God bare witness to the great salvation. Hebrews 2:4, 3.

And blessed be God for the promise, that as earthly parents, though evil, know how to give good gifts to their children, so our heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. Luke 11:13. Ephesians 1:13, 14.

(q) For the covenant of grace made with us in Jesus Christ, and all the exceeding great and precious privileges of that covenant, and for the seals of it.

We thank thee that in Jesus Christ thou hast made an everlasting covenant with us, even the sure mercies of David, and that though the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed, yet this covenant of thy peace shall never be removed. Isaiah 55:3. Isaiah 54:10.

That thou hast given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we might be partakers of a divine nature: and that Jesus Christ is the mediator of this better covenant, which is established upon better promises. 2 Peter 1:4. Hebrews 8:6.

That though thou chasten our transgression with the rod, and our iniquity with stripes, yet thy loving kindness thou wilt not utterly take away, nor cause thy faithfulness to fail, thy covenant thou wilt not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of thy lips. Psalm 89:32, 33, 34.

That being willing more abundantly to shew to the heirs of promise the immutability of thy counsel, thou hast confirmed it by an oath, That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us. Hebrews 6:17, 18.

That baptism is appointed to be a seal of the righteousness which is by faith, as circumcision was: That it assures us of the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost; and that this promise is to us and our children. And that the cup in the Lord’s supper is the blood of the new testament, which was shed for many for the remission of sins. Romans 4:11. Acts 2:38, 39. Matthew 26:28.

(r) For the writing of the scriptures, and the preserving of them pure and entire to our day.

We thank thee that we have the scriptures to search, and that in them we have eternal life, and that they testify of Christ, and that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. John 5:39. 2 Timothy 3:16.

That whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scripture might have hope: And that we have this most sure word of prophecy as a light shining in a dark place. Romans 15:4. 2 Peter 1:19.

That the vision is not become to us as the words of a book that

is sealed, but that we hear in our own tongue the wonderful works of God. Isaiah 29:11. Acts 2:11.

We thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that the things which were hid from the wise and prudent, and which many prophets and kings desired to see and might not, are revealed unto us babes; Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. Luke 10:21, 24.

(s) For the institution of ordinances, and particularly that of the ministry.

We thank thee that thou hast not only shewed thy word unto Jacob, but thy statutes and judgments unto Israel, unto us: Thou hast not dealt so with other nations, and as for thy judgments, they have not known them. Psalm 147:19, 20.

That the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and that he hath set his sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore, and there will meet with the children of Israel. Revelation 21:3. Ezekiel 37:26. Exodus 29:43.

We thank thee that thou hast made known unto us thy holy sabbaths; and that still there remains the keeping of a sabbath to the people of God. Nehemiah 9:14. Hebrews 4:9.

And that when the Lord Jesus ascended up on high, he gave gifts unto men, not only prophets, apostles, evangelists, but pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ! And that while they teach us to observe all things which Christ hath commanded, he hath promised to be with them always even unto the end of the world. Ephesians 4:8, 11, 12, 13. Matthew 28:20.

(t) For the planting of the Christian religion in the world, and the setting up of the gospel church, in despite of all the oppositions of the powers of darkness.

We thank thee that the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of the everlasting God, and the gospel which was made known to all nations for the obedience of faith, was mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. That the Lord wrought with it, and confirmed the word by signs following; so that Satan fell as lightning from heaven. Romans 16:25, 26. 2 Corinthians 10:4. Mark 16:20. Luke 10:18.

That though the gospel was preached in much contention, yet it grew and prevailed mightily, and multitudes turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven. 1 Thessalonians 2:2. Acts 19:20. 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10.

Now came salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: And the exalted Redeemer rode forth with his bow, and with his crown conquering, and to conquer; and nations were born at once. Revelation 12:10. Revelation 6:2. Isaiah 66:8.

(u) For the preservation of Christianity in the world unto this day.

We bless thee that though the enemies of Israel have afflicted them from their youth up, have many a time afflicted them, yet they have not prevailed against them, though the plowers have plowed on their back, yet the righteous Lord has cut asunder the cords of the wicked. Psalm 129:1-4.

That Jesus Christ hath built his church upon a rock, which the gates of hell cannot prevail against, but his seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. Matthew 16:18. Psalm 89:29.

(v) For the martyrs and confessors, the lights of the church, and the good examples of those that are gone before us to heaven.

We bless thee for all those who have been enabled to approve themselves to God in much patience in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, who when they have been brought before governors and kings for Christ’s sake, it has turned to them for a testimony, and God has given them a mouth and wisdom, which all their adversaries were not able to gainsay or resist. 2 Corinthians 6:4. Luke 21:12, 13, 15.

That those who for Christ’s sake were killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for the slaughter, yet in all these things were more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:36, 37.

That they overcame the accuser of the brethren by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and by not loving their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:10, 11.

We bless thee for the cloud of witnesses with which we are compassed about, for the footsteps of the flock, for the elders that have obtained a good report, and are now through faith and patience inheriting the promises. Lord, give us to follow them as they followed Christ. Hebrews 12:1. Canticle (Song of Solomon) 1:8. Hebrews 11:2. Hebrews 6:12. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

(w) For the communion of saints, that spiritual communion which we have in faith and hope and holy love, and in prayers and praises with all good Christians.

We bless thee that if we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another, even with all that in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. 1 John 1:7. 1 Corinthians 1:2.

That we being many are one bread and one body, and that though there are diversities of gifts and administrations, and operations, yet there is the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God, which worketh all in all. 1 Corinthians 10:17. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 5, 6.

We thank thee that all the children of God, which were scattered abroad, are united in him, who is the head of the body the church; so that they are all our brethren and companions in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. John 11:52. Colossians 1:18. Revelation 1:9.

(x) For the prospect and hope of eternal life, when time and days shall be no more.

We thank thee for the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him; the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us. James 1:12. 1 Peter 1:4.

That having here no continuing city, we are encouraged to seek the better country, that is, the heavenly, the city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 13:14. Hebrews 11:16, 10.

That we are in hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie hath promised; And that all true believers through grace have eternal life abiding in them. Titus 1:2. Acts 18:27. 1 John 5:13.

2) Secondly, we must give God thanks for the spiritual mercies bestowed upon us in particular, especially if we are called with an effectual call, and have a good work of grace begun in us.

(a) We must bless God for the strivings of His spirit with us, and the admonitions and checks of our own consciences.

We bless thee that thou hast not given us over to a reprobate mind, that our consciences are not seared, that thou hast not said concerning us, They are joined to idols, let them alone, but that thy spirit is yet striving with us. Romans 1:28. 1 Timothy 4:2. Hosea 4:17. Genesis 6:3.

We thank thee for the work of the law written in our hearts, our own consciences also bearing witness, and our own thoughts between themselves accusing or excusing one another. Romans 2:15.

(b) We must bless God if there be a saving change wrought in us by His blessed Spirit.

And hath God by his grace translated us out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his dear Son? Hath he called us into the fellowship of Jesus Christ, and made us nigh by his blood, who by nature were afar off. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory. Colossians 1:13. 1 Corinthians 1:9. Ephesians 2:13. Psalm 115:1.

We give thanks to God always for those to whom the gospel is come, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 5.

Thou hast loved us with an everlasting love, and therefore with loving kindness thou hast drawn us, drawn us with the cords of a man, and the bands of love. Jeremiah 31:3. Hosea 11:4.

When the strong man armed kept his palace in our hearts, and his goods were in peace, it was a stronger than he that came upon him, and took from him all his armour, wherein he trusted, and divided the spoil. Luke 11:21, 22.

(c) We must give thanks for the remission of our sins, and the peace of our consciences.

We bless thee for the redemption we have through Christ’s blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of thy grace, wherein thou hast abounded towards us. Ephesians 1:7, 8.

That thou hast forgiven all our iniquities, and healed all our diseases; and hast in love to our souls delivered them from the pit of corruption; for thou hast cast all our sins behind thy back. Psalm 103:3. Isaiah 38:17.

When thou broughtest us into the wilderness, yet there thou spakest comfortably to us, and gavest us our vineyards from thence; and the valley of Achor for a door of hope. Hosea 2:14, 15.

(d) For the powerful influences of the divine grace, to sanctify and preserve us, to prevent our falling into sin, and to strengthen us in doing our duty.

Thou hast not quenched the smoking flax, nor broke the bruised reed, nor despised the day of small things, but having obtained help of God, we continue hitherto. Matthew 12:20. Zechariah 4:10. Acts 26:22.

In the day when we cried, thou hast answered us, and hast strengthened us with strength in our souls. Psalm 138:3.

We have been continually with thee, thou hast holden us by thy right hand, when our feet were almost gone, and our steps had well nigh slipped. Psalm 73:23, 2.

We have reason never to forget thy precepts; for by them thou hast quickened us; And unless thy law had been our delight, we should many a time have perished in our affliction; for thy statutes have been our songs in the house of our pilgrimage. Psalm 119:93, 92, 54.

Unless the Lord had been our help, our souls had almost dwelt in silence: But when we said, Our foot slippeth, thy mercy, O Lord, held us up: And in the multitude of our thoughts within us, thy comforts have been the delight of our souls. Psalm 94:17, 18, 19.

(e) For sweet communion with God in holy ordinances, and the communications of His favour.

We have been abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house, and thou hast made us drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life, in thy light shall we see light. Psalm 36:8, 9.

Thou hast brought us to thy holy mountain, and made us joyful in thy house of prayer, and we have found it good for us to draw near to God. Isaiah 56:7. Psalm 73:28.

We have had reason to say, That a day in thy courts is better than a thousand, and that it is better to be door-keepers in the house of our God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness; For the Lord God is a sun and shield, he will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Psalm 84:10, 11, 12.

We have sitten down under thy shadow with delight, and thy fruit hath been sweet unto our taste; Thou hast brought us into the banqueting house, and thy banner over us has been love. Canticle (Song of Solomon) 2:3, 4.

(f) For gracious answers to our prayers.

We have reason to love thee, O Lord, because thou hast heard the voice of our supplications, and because thou hast inclined thine ear unto us, we will therefore call upon thee as long as we live. Psalm 116:1, 2.

Out of the depths have we cried unto thee, O Lord, and thou hast heard our vows, and given us the heritage of those that fear thy name. Psalm 130:1. Psalm 61:5.

Nay, before we have called thou hast answered, and while we have been yet speaking thou hast heard, and hast said, Here I am, and hast been nigh unto us in all that which we call upon thee for. Isaiah 65:24. Isaiah 58:9. Deuteronomy 4:7.

Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their heart, and cause thine ear to hear. Psalm 10:17.

Blessed be God, who hath not turned away our prayer, or his mercy from us, for we have prayed, and have gone away, and our countenance has been no more sad. Psalm 66:20. 1 Samuel 1:18.

(g) For support under our afflictions and spiritual benefit and advantage by them.

Thou hast comforted us in all our tribulation, hast considered our trouble, and known our souls in adversity, and shewed us thy marvellous kindness as in a strong city. 2 Corinthians 1:4. Psalm 31:7, 21.

When afflictions have abounded, consolations have much more abounded. 2 Corinthians 1:5.

Though no affliction for the present hath been joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterward it hath yielded the peaceable fruit of righteousness; and hath proved to be for our profit, that we might be partakers of thy holiness. Hebrews 12:11, 10.

We have had reason to say that it was good for us we were afflicted, that we might learn thy commandments; for before we were afflicted we went astray, but afterwards have kept thy word. Psalm 119:71, 67.

It has been but for a season, and when there was need that we were in heaviness, through manifold temptations: And we beg that all the trials of our faith may be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen we love, in whom though now we see him not, yet believing we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; are longing to receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9.

(h) For the performance of God’s promises.

Thou hast dealt well with thy servants, O Lord, according to thy word, and thou hast been ever mindful of thy covenant, the word which thou hast commanded to a thousand generations. Psalm 119:65. Psalm 105:8.

There hath not failed one word of all the good promise which thou hast promised, to David thy servant, and Israel thy people. 1 Kings 8:56, 66.

And now what shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards us. Let our souls return to him, and repose in him as their rest, because he hath dealt bountifully with us, we will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord; For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 116:12, 7, 13. Psalm 100:5.

We will bless the Lord at all times, yea his praise shall continually be in our mouths; we will sing unto the Lord as long as we live; and we hope to be shortly with those blessed ones, who dwell in his house above, and are still praising him, and who rest not day or night from saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. Psalm 34:1. Psalm 104:33. Revelation 4:8.

Chapter V Intercession for others

Our Lord Jesus hath taught us to pray, not only with, but for others: And the apostle hath appointed us to make supplication for all saints; and many of his prayers in his epistles are for his friends: And we must not think that when we are in this part of prayer, we may let fall our fervency, and be more indifferent, because we ourselves are not immediately concerned in it, but rather let a holy fire of love both to God and man here, make our devotions yet more warm and lively. Ephesians 6:18.

WE pray, as we are taught, for all men, believing that this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth, and of Jesus Christ, who gave himself a ransom for all. 1 Timothy 2:1, 3, 4, 6.

O look with compassion upon the world that lies in wickedness, and let the prince of this world be cast out, that has blinded their minds. 1 John 5:19. John 12:31. 2 Corinthians 4:4.

O let thy way be known upon earth, that barbarous nations may be civilized, and those that live without God in the world may be brought to the service of the living God; and thus let thy saving health be known unto all nations: Let the people praise thee, O God, yea let all the people praise thee: O let the nations be glad, and sing for joy, for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Psalm 67:2. Ephesians 2:12. Psalm 67:3, 4.

O let thy salvation and thy righteousness be openly shewed in the sight of the heathen, and let all the ends of the earth see the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:2, 3.

O give thy Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession! For thou hast said, It is a light thing for him to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel, but thou wilt give him for a light to the Gentiles. Psalm 2:8. Isaiah 49:6.

Let all the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ. Revelation 11:15.

O LET the gospel be preached unto every creature; for how shall men believe in him, of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without preachers? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? and who shall send forth labourers, but the Lord of the harvest? Mark 16:15. Romans 10:14, 15. Matthew 9:38.

Let the people which sit in darkness see a great light, and to them which sit in the region and shadow of death, let light spring up. Matthew 4:16.

Add unto thy church daily such as shall be saved; Enlarge the place of its tent, lengthen its cords, and strengthen its stakes. Acts 2 (v. 47). Isaiah 54:2.

Bring thy seed from the east, and gather them from the west; say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Keep not back: Bring thy sons from far, and thy daughters from the ends of the earth. Let them come with acceptance to thine altar, and glorify the house of thy glory; Let them fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows. Isaiah 43:5, 6. Isaiah 60:7, 8.

In every place let incense be offered to thy name, and pure offerings; And from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, let thy name be great among the Gentiles; and let the offering up of the Gentiles be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Malachi 1:11. Romans 15:16.

O let the earth be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9.

LET the branches which are broken off not abide still in unbelief, but be graffed in again into their own olivetree. And though blindness is in part happened to Israel, yet let the fulness of the Gentiles come in, and let all Israel be saved. Romans 11:17, 23-26.

Let them be made to look unto him whom they have pierced, and that they may turn to the Lord, let the veil which is upon their hearts be taken away. Zechariah 12:10. 2 Corinthians 3:15, 16.

LET the churches of Asia, that were golden candlesticks, which the Lord Jesus delighted to walk in the midst of, be again made so. Revelation 1:11, 12. Revelation 2:1.

Restore unto them their liberties as at the first, and their privileges as at the beginning; purely purge away their dross, and take away all their tin, and turn again their captivity as the streams in the south. Isaiah 1:26, 25. Psalm 126:4.

BE thou the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of those that are afar off beyond the sea; And let them have the blessing which came upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the head of him that was separated from his brethren, even to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. Psalm 65:5. Genesis 49:26.

Create peace to those that are afar off, as well as to those that are nigh. Isaiah 57:19.

And let those that suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand, call the people to the mountain, that they may offer sacrifices of righteousness. Deuteronomy 33:19.

OUR heart’s desire and prayer to God for the gospel Israel, is that it may be saved. Romans 10:1.

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion, build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Peace be within her walls, and prosperity within her palaces; For our brethren and companions sake we will now say, Peace be within her. Psalm 51:18. Psalm 122:7, 8.

O that we may see the good of the gospel Jerusalem, all the days of our life, and peace upon Israel. And that thus we may have reason to answer the messengers of the nations, that the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust to that. Psalm 128:5, 6. Isaiah 14:32.

Save thy people, O Lord, and bless thine heritage: Feed them also, and lift them up for ever. Give strength unto thy people, and bless thy people with peace; with thy favour do thou compass them as with a shield. Psalm 28 (v. 9). Psalm 29 (v. 11). Psalm 5 (v. 12).

Grace be with all them that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity; for thou knowest them that are thine; and give to all that name the name of Christ to depart from iniquity. Ephesians 6:24. 2 Timothy 2:19.

We pray for all that believe in Christ, that they all may be one; And since there is one body, and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all, give to all Christians to be of one heart, and one way. John 17:20, 21. Ephesians 4:4, 5, 6. Jeremiah 32:39.

Let the word of the Lord in all places, have a free course, and let it be glorified. 2 Thessalonians 3:1.

O TEACH transgressors thy ways, and let sinners be converted unto thee. Psalm 51:13.

O give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, the truth as it is in Jesus, the truth which is according to godliness, that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil. 2 Timothy 2:25. Ephesians 4:21. Titus 1:1. 2 Timothy 2:26.

Let those that are as sheep going astray return to Jesus Christ, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. 1 Peter 2:25.

Shew those fools their folly and misery, that have said in their hearts there is no God, and that are corrupt, and have done abominable work. Psalm 14:1.

Lord, maintain the honour of the scripture, the law and the testimony, and convince those who speak not according to that word, that it is because there is no light in them; magnify that word above all thy name; magnify the law, magnify the gospel, and make both honourable. Isaiah 8:20. Psalm 138:2. Isaiah 42:21.

Let those that will not be won by the word, be won by the conversation of Christians, which we beg may be such in every thing, that they who believe not may be convinced of all, and judged of all, and may be brought to worship God, and to report that God is with them of a truth. 1 Peter 3:1. 1 Corinthians 14:24, 25.

LORD, let thy spirit be poured out upon thy churches from on high, and then the wilderness shall become a fruitful field, then judgment shall return unto righteousness, and all the upright in heart shall follow it. Isaiah 32:15. Psalm 94:15.

Let what is wanting be set in order, and let every plant that is not of our heavenly Father’s planting, be plucked up. Titus 1:5. Matthew 15:13.

Let the Lord whom we seek come to his temple like a refiner’s fire, and fuller’s soap, and let him purify the sons of Levi, and all the seed of Israel, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness, pleasant to the Lord, as in the days of old, as in former years. Malachi 3:1-4.

Let pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father, flourish and prevail every where, that kingdom of God among men, which is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. O revive this work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known, and let our times be times of reformation. James 1 (v. 27). Romans 14:17. Habakkuk 3:2. Hebrews 9:10.

F

LET all that set themselves, and take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed, that would break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from them, imagine a vain thing. Let him that sits in heaven laugh at them, and have them in derision; speak unto them in thy wrath, and vex them in thy sore displeasure. Give them, O Lord: what wilt thou give them? give them a miscarrying womb, and dry breasts. Psalm 2:15. Hosea 9:14.

O our God, make them like a wheel, and as stubble before the wind; Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek thy name, O Lord, and that men may know, that thou whose name is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. Psalm 83:13, 16, 18.

Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men, and wherein the proud enemies of thy church deal proudly, make it to appear that thou art above them. Psalm 9:20. Exodus 18:11.

Let them be confounded and turned back that hate Zion, and be as the grass upon the house-tops, which withereth before it groweth up. Psalm 129:5, 6.

Let no weapon formed against thy church prosper, and let every tongue that riseth against it in judgment be condemned. Isaiah 54:17.

Make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people, and let all that burden themselves with it be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth should be gathered together against it; so let all thine enemies perish, O Lord, but let them that love thee be as the sun when he goes forth in his strength. Zechariah 12:3. Judges 5 (v. 31).

Lord, let the man of sin be consumed with the spirit of thy mouth, and destroyed with the brightness of thy coming: And let those be undeceived that have been long under the power of strong delusions to believe a lie, and let them receive the truth in the love of it. 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 8, 11, 10.

Let Babylon fall, and sink like a mill-stone into the sea; And let the kings of the earth, that have given their power and honour to the beast, be wrought upon at length to bring it into the new Jerusalem. Revelation 18:2, 21. Revelation 17:17. Revelation 21:24.

WE desire in our prayers to remember them that are in bonds for the testimony of Jesus, as bound with them, and them which suffer adversity, as being ourselves also in the body. O send from above, and deliver them from those that hate them, and bring them forth into a large place. Hebrews 13:3. Psalm 18:16, 17, 19.

O let not the rod of the wicked rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. Psalm 125:3.

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the ancient days, as in the generations of old, and make the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed of the Lord to pass over. Isaiah 51:9, 10.

For the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the needy, now do thou arise, O Lord, and set them in safety from them that puff at them. Psalm 12:5.

O strengthen the patience and faith of thy suffering saints, that they may hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. Revelation 13:10. Lamentations 3:26.

O let the year of thy redeemed come, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. Isaiah 63:4. Isaiah 34:8.

O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion; and when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. Psalm 14:7.

O let not the oppressed return ashamed, but let the poor and needy praise thy name. Psalm 74:21.

Lord, arise, and have mercy upon Zion, and let the time to favour her, yea the set time come; yea let the Lord build up Zion, and appear in his glory. Lord, regard the prayer of the destitute, and do not despise their prayer. Psalm 102:13, 16, 17.

O Lord God, cease we beseech thee, by whom shall Jacob arise, for he is small! O cause thy face to shine upon that part of thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. Amos 7:5. Daniel 9:17.

Let the sorrowful sighing of thy prisoners come before thee, and according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that for thy name’s sake are appointed to die. Psalm 79:11.

Let those whose teachers are removed into corners, again see their teachers, though they have the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction. Isaiah 30:20.

THOU, Lord, art the governor among the nations: Who shall not fear thee, O King of nations? Thou sittest in the throne judging right; judge the world therefore in righteousness, and minister judgment to the people in uprightness. Psalm 22:28. Jeremiah 10:7. Psalm 9:4, 8.

Lord, hasten the time when thou wilt make wars to cease to the ends of the earth; when nation shall no more lift up sword against nation, nor kingdom against kingdom, but swords shall be beaten into plow-shares, and spears into pruning-hooks, and they shall not learn war any more. Psalm 46:9. Isaiah 2:4.

Make kings nursing fathers, and their queens nursing mothers to the Israel of God. Isaiah 49:23.

And in the days of these kings let the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, even the kingdom of the Redeemer. And whatever counsels there are in mens hearts, Lord, let thy counsel stand, and do thou fulfil the thoughts of thy heart unto all generations. Daniel 2:44. Proverbs 19:21. Psalm 33:11.

1. We must be thankful to God for His mercies to our land.

WE bless thee that thou hast planted us in a very fruitful hill, and hast not made the wilderness our habitation, or the barren land our dwelling, but our land yields her increase. Isaiah 5:1. Job 39:6. Psalm 85:12.

Lord, thou hast dealt favourably with our land; We have heard with our ears, and our fathers have told us what work thou didst for us in their days, and in the times of old: And as we have heard, so have we seen; for we have thought of thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. Psalm 85:1. Psalm 44:1. Psalm 48:8, 9.

Thou hast given us a pleasant land, it is Immanuel’s land, it is a valley of vision, thou hast set up thy tabernacle among us, and thy sanctuary is in the midst of us. Jeremiah 3:19. Isaiah 8:8. Isaiah 22:1. Ezekiel 37:27, 26.

We dwell safely, under our own vines and fig-trees, and there is peace to him that goeth out, and to him that comes in. 1 Kings 4:25. 2 Chronicles 15:5.

And because the Lord loved our people, therefore he hath set a good government over us to do judgment and justice; to be a terror to evil doers, and a protection and praise to them that do well. 1 Kings 10:9. Romans 13:3.

2. We must be humbled before God for our national sins and provocations.

But we are a sinful people, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers; And a great deal of reason we have to sigh and cry for the abominations that are committed among us. Isaiah 1:4. Ezekiel 9:4.

Iniquity abounds among us, and the love of many is waxen cold. Matthew 24:12.

We have not been forsaken nor forgotten of our God, though our land be full of sin against the Holy One of Israel. Jeremiah 51:5.

3. We must pray earnestly for national mercies.

(a) For the favour of God to us, and the tokens of His presence among us, as that in which the happiness of our nation is bound up.

O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, be not thou as a stranger in our land, or a way-faring man that turns aside to tarry but for a night; but be thou always in the midst of us, we are called by thy name, O leave us not: Though our iniquities testify against us, yet do thou it for thy name’s sake; though our backslidings are many, and we have sinned against thee. Jeremiah 14:8, 9, 7.

Turn us to thee, O Lord God of hosts, and then cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. O stir up thy strength, and come and save us. Psalm 80:3, 2.

Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation, yea let that salvation be nigh them that fear thee, that glory may dwell in our land: Let mercy and truth meet together, righteousness and peace kiss each other: Let truth spring out of the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven; yea let the Lord give that which is good: Let righteousness go before him, and set us in the way of his steps. Psalm 85:7, 9-13.

(b) For the continuance of the gospel among us, and the means of grace, and a national profession of Christ’s Holy religion.

O let the throne of Christ endure for ever, among us, even the place of thy sanctuary, that glorious high throne from the beginning. Psalm 45:6. Jeremiah 17:12.

Let our candlestick never be removed out of his place, though we have deserved it should, because we have left our first love. Never do to us as thou didst to thy place which was in Shiloh, where thou didst set thy name at the first. Revelation 2:4, 5. Jeremiah 7:12.

Let us never know what a famine of the word means; nor ever be put to wander from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth, to seek the word of God. Amos 8:11, 12.

Let wisdom and knowledge be the stability of our times and strength of salvation, and let the fear of the Lord be our treasure: Let the righteous flourish among us, and let there be those that shall fear thee in our land as long as the sun and moon endure throughout all generations, that there may be abundance of peace, and the children which shall be created may praise the Lord. Isaiah 33:6. Psalm 72:5, 7. Psalm 102:18.

(c) For the continuance of our outward peace and tranquillity, our liberty and plenty, for the prosperity of our trade, and a blessing upon the fruits of the earth.

Let God himself be a wall of fire round about us, and the glory in the midst of us, yea let his gospel be our glory, and upon all that glory let there be a defence; and create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Zechariah 2:5. Isaiah 4:5.

Peace be within our borders, and prosperity within our palaces, the prosperity both of merchandize and husbandry, that Zebulun may rejoice in his going out, and Issachar in his tents. Psalm 122:7. Deuteronomy 33:18.

Appoint salvation to us for walls and bulwarks, and in order to that let the gates be opened, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Isaiah 26:1, 2.

Make our officers peace, and our exactors righteousness, let violence never be heard in our gates, wasting or destruction within our borders, but let our walls be called Salvation, and our gates Praise: Never let our land be termed Forsaken and Desolate, but let the Lord delight in us, and let our land be married to him. Isaiah 60:17, 18. Isaiah 62:4.

Let our peace be as a river, and in order to that, our righteousness as the waves of the sea: Let that righteousness abound among us which exalteth a nation, and deliver us from sin, which is a reproach to any people. Isaiah 48:18. Proverbs 14:34.

Never make our heavens as brass, and our earth as iron; nor take away thy corn in the season thereof, and thy wine in the season thereof, but give us rain moderately, the former and the later rain in due season, and reserve unto us the appointed works of harvest, giving us fair weather also in its season: Let our land yield her increase, and the trees their fruit; that we may eat bread to the full, and dwell in our land safely. Deuteronomy 28:23. Hosea 2:9. Joel 2:23. Jeremiah 5:24. Leviticus 26:4, 5.

Abundantly bless our provision, and satisfy our poor with bread, that they which have gathered it may eat and praise the Lord. Blow not thou upon it, for then when we look for much it will come to little, but bless our blessings, that all nations may call us blessed, and a delightsome land. Psalm 132:15. Isaiah 62:9. Haggai 1:9. Malachi 3:10, 12.

(d) For the success of all endeavours for the reformation of manners, the suppression of vice and profaneness, and the support of religion and virtue, and the bringing of them into reputation.

O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just, O thou righteous God that triest the hearts and reins. Spirit many to rise up for thee against the evil doers, and to stand up for thee against the workers of iniquity. Psalm 7:9. Psalm 94:16.

Let the Redeemer come to Zion, and turn away ungodliness from Jacob; And let the filth of Jerusalem be purged from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and the spirit of burning. Romans 11:26. Isaiah 4:4.

Let all iniquity stop her mouth, and let the infection of that plague be stayed, by executing judgment. Psalm 107:42. Psalm 106:30.

Let those that are striving against sin never be weary or faint in their minds. Hebrews 12:4, 3.

Cause the unclean spirit to pass out of the land, and turn to the people a pure language, that they may call on the name of the Lord. Zechariah 13:2. Zephaniah 3:9.

Make us high above all nations in praise and in name and in honour, by making us a holy people unto the Lord our God. Deuteronomy 26:19.

(e) For the healing of our unhappy divisions, and the making up of our breaches.

For the divisions that are among us, there are great searchings of heart; for there are three against two, and two against three in a house. But is the breach wide as the sea, which cannot be healed! Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of our people recovered? Lord, heal the breaches of our land, for because of them it shaketh. Judges 5:16. Luke 12:52. Lamentations 2:13. Jeremiah 8 (v. 22). Psalm 60:2.

We beg in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that there may be no divisions among us, but that we may be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Now the God of patience and consolation grant us to be likeminded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus, that we may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and promote the common salvation. Romans 15:5, 6. Jude 3.

Lord, keep us from judging one another, and despising one another, and give us to follow after the things which make for peace,

and things wherewith one may edify another; that living in love and peace, the God of love and peace may be with us. Romans 14:3, 19. 2 Corinthians 13:11.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but every thing in lowliness of mind, and grant that our moderation may be known unto all men, because the Lord is at hand. Philippians 2:3. Philippians 4:5.

(f) For victory and success against our enemies abroad, that seek our ruin.

Rise, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered, and let those that hate thee flee before thee, but return, O Lord, to the many thousands of thine Israel. Numbers 10:35, 36.

Give us help from trouble, for vain is the help of man; Through God let our forces do valiantly, yea let God himself tread down our enemies, and give them as dust to our sword, and as driven stubble to our bow. Psalm 60:11, 12. Isaiah 41:2.

Let us be a people saved by the Lord, as the shield of our help and the sword of our excellency; and make our enemies sensible that the Lord fighteth for us against them. Deuteronomy 33 (v. 29). Exodus 14:25.

Those who jeopard their lives for us in the high places of the field, teach their hands to war, and their fingers to fight, give them the shield of thy salvation, and let thy right hand hold them up, and cover their heads in the day of battle. Judges 5:18. Psalm 144:1. Psalm 18:35. Psalm 140:7.

(g) For all orders and degrees of men among us, and all we stand in any relation to.

1) For our sovereign lady the Queen, that God will protect her person, preserve her health, and continue her life and government long a publick blessing.

Give the queen thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness, that she may judge the poor of the people, may save the children of the needy, and may break in pieces the oppressor. Psalm 72:1, 4.

Let her throne be established with righteousness, and upheld with mercy: Give her long life and length of days for ever and ever, and let her glory be great in thy salvation, and make her exceeding glad with thy countenance: Through the mercy of the most High let her not be moved. Proverbs 25:5. Proverbs 20:28. Psalm 21:4-7.

Clothe her enemies with shame, but upon herself let the crown flourish, and continue her long, very long a nursing mother to thine Israel. Psalm 132:18. Isaiah 49:23.

2) For the succession in the Protestant line, that a blessing may attend it, that the entail of the crown may prove a successful expedient for the establishing of peace and truth in our days, the securing of them to posterity, and the extinguishing the hopes of our popish adversaries, and all their aiders and abettors.

Lord, preserve to us the lamp which thou hast ordained for thine anointed, that the generation to come may know thee, even the children which shall be born, that they may set their hope in God, and keep his commandments. Psalm 132:17. Psalm 78:6, 7.

Let the Protestant succession abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth which may preserve it, so will we sing praise unto thy name for ever. Thus let the Lord save Sion, and build the cities of Judah, and the seed of thy servants shall inherit it, and they that love thy name shall dwell therein. Psalm 61:7, 8. Psalm 69:35, 36.

Let their design who would make a captain to return into Egypt, be again defeated, and let not the deadly wound that hath been given to the beast be healed any more. Numbers 14:4. Revelation 13:11, 12.

Let our eyes see Jerusalem, the city of our solemnities, a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down: Let none of the stakes thereof be removed, nor any of the cords thereof broken, but let the glorious Lord be unto us a place of broad waters and streams; for the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king, he will save us. Isaiah 33:20, 21, 22.

3) For the privy counsellors, the ministers of state, the members of parliament, the ambassadors and envoys abroad, and all that are employed in the conduct of publick affairs.

Counsel our counsellors, and teach our senators wisdom: O give them a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and might, a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord, to make them of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord. Psalm 105:22. Isaiah 11:2, 3.

O remove not the speech of the trusty, nor take away the understanding of the aged, nor ever let the things that belong to the nation’s peace be hid from the eyes of those that are intrusted with the nation’s counsels. Job 12:20. Luke 19:42.

Make it to appear that thou standest in the congregation of the mighty, and judgest among the gods, and that when the princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham, the God of Abraham himself is among them; And let the shields of the earth belong unto the Lord, that he may be greatly exalted. Psalm 82:1. Psalm 47:9.

Let those that be of us build the old waste places, and raise up the foundations of many generations, that they may be called the repairers of the breaches, and restorers of paths to dwell in. Isaiah 58:12.

4) For the magistrates, the judges and justices of peace in the several counties and corporations.

Make those that rule over us just, ruling in the fear of God; and let those that judge remember that they judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with them in the judgment, that therefore the fear of the Lord may be upon them. 2 Samuel 23:3. 2 Chronicles 19:6, 7.

Make them able men, and men of truth, fearing God, and hating covetousness, that judgment may run down like a river, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Exodus 18:21. Amos 5:24.

Enable our magistrates to defend the poor and fatherless, to do justice for the afflicted and needy, to deliver the poor and needy, and to rid them out of the hand of the wicked; and let rulers never be a terror to good works, but to the evil. Psalm 82:3, 4. Romans 13:3. 1 Peter 2:14.

5) For all the ministers of God’s Holy word and sacraments, the masters of assemblies.

Teach thy ministers how they ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, that they may not preach themselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and may study to shew themselves approved to God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 1 Timothy 3:15. 2 Corinthians 4:5. 2 Timothy 2:15.

Make them mighty in the scriptures, that from thence they may be thoroughly furnished for every good work, in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, and sincerity, and sound speech, which cannot be condemned. Acts 18:24. 2 Timothy 3:17. Titus 2:7, 8.

Enable them to give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, to meditate upon these things, to give themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word, to give themselves wholly to them; and to continue in them that they may both save themselves, and those that hear them. 1 Timothy 4:13, 15. Acts 6:4. 1 Timothy 4:15, 16.

Let utterance be given to them, that they may open their mouths boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, that thereof they may speak as they ought to speak, as able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit, and let them obtain mercy of the Lord to be faithful. Ephesians 6:19, 20. 2 Corinthians 3:6. 1 Corinthians 7:25.

Let the arms of their hands be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; and let them be full of power by the spirit of the Lord of hosts, to shew thy people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. Genesis 49:24. Micah 3:8. Isaiah 58:1.

Make them sound in the faith, and enable them always to speak the things which become sound doctrine, with meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; and let not the servants of the Lord strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach. Titus 1:13. Titus 2:1. 2 Timothy 2:25, 24.

Make them good examples to the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; and let them be clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord, and let HOLINESS TO THE LORD be written upon their foreheads. 1 Timothy 4:12. Isaiah 52:11. Exodus 28:36.

Lord, grant that they may not labour in vain, or spend their strength for nought, and in vain, but let the hand of the Lord be with them, that many may believe, and turn to the Lord. Isaiah 49:4. Acts 11:21.

6) For all the universities, schools, and nurseries of learning.

Let the schools of the prophets be replenished with every good gift and every perfect gift from above from the Father of lights. James 1:17.

Cast salt into those fountains, and heal the waters thereof, that from thence may issue streams which shall make glad the city of our God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 2 Kings 2:21. Psalm 46:4.

7) For the common people of the land.

Give grace to all the subjects of this land, that they may under the government God hath set over us, live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty, dwelling together in unity, that the Lord may command a blessing upon us, even life for evermore. 1 Timothy 2:2. Psalm 133:1, 3.

Let all of every denomination that fear God and work righteousness be accepted of him; yea let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified that hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servants. Acts 10:35. Psalm 35:27.

8) For the several ages and conditions of men, as they stand in need of mercy and grace.

(a) For those that are young, and setting out in the world.

Lord, give to those that are young to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, that thereby they may be kept from the vanity which childhood and youth are subject to, and may be restrained from walking in the way of their heart, and in the sight of their eyes, by considering that for all these things God will bring them into judgment. Ecclesiastes 12:1. Ecclesiastes 11:10, 9.

Lord, make young people sober-minded, and let the word of God abide in them, that they may be strong, and may overcome the wicked one. Titus 2:6. 1 John 2:14.

From the womb of the morning let Christ have the dew of the youth, and let him be formed in the hearts of those that are young. Psalm 110:3. Galatians 4:19.

Keep those that are setting out in the world from the corruption that is in the world through lust; and give to those that have been well educated to hold fast the form of sound words, and to continue in the things which they have learned. 2 Peter 1:4. 2 Timothy 1:13. 2 Timothy 3:14.

(b) For those that are old, and are of long standing in profession.

There are some that are old disciples of Jesus Christ, Lord, give them still to bring forth fruit in old age, to shew that the Lord is upright, that he is their rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Now the evil days are come, and the years of which they say there is no pleasure in them, let thy comforts delight their souls. Acts 21:16. Psalm 92:14, 15. Ecclesiastes 12:1. Psalm 94:19.

Even to their old age be thou he, and to the hoary hairs do thou carry them, thou hast made, we beseech thee bear, yea do thou carry and deliver them. Isaiah 46:4.

Those whom thou hast taught from their youth up, and who have hitherto declared all thy wondrous works, now also when they are old and grey-headed leave them not, cast them not off in their old age, fail them not when their strength fails. Psalm 71:17, 18, 9.

Let every hoary head be a crown of glory to those that have it, being found in the way of righteousness, and give them to know whom they have believed. Proverbs 16:31. 2 Timothy 1:12.

(c) For those that are rich and prosperous in the world, some of whom perhaps need prayers as much as those that request them.

Lord keep those that are rich in the world from being highminded, and trusting in uncertain riches, and give them to trust in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy: That they may do good, and be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, that they may lay up in store for themselves a good security for the time to come. 1 Timothy 6:17, 18, 19.

Though it is hard for those that are rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven, yet with thee this is possible. Matthew 19:23, 26.

(d) For those that are poor and in affliction, for such we have always with us.

Lord, make those that are poor in the world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, and give to them to receive the gospel. James 2:5. Matthew 11:5.

O that the poor of the flock may wait upon thee, and may know the word of the Lord. Zechariah 11:11.

Many are the troubles of the righteous, good Lord, deliver them out of them all, and though no affliction for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterward let it yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby. Psalm 34:19. Hebrews 12:11.

(e) For our enemies, and those that hate us.

Lord, give us to love our enemies, to bless them that curse us, and to pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us. Matthew 5:44.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do; and lay not their malice against us to their charge, and work in us a disposition to forbear and forgive in love, as thou requirest we should when we pray. Luke 23:34. Acts 7:60. Colossians 3:13. Mark 11:25.

And grant that our ways may so please the Lord, that even our enemies may be at peace with us. Let the wolf and the lamb lie down together, and let there be none to hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain; let not Ephraim envy Judah, nor Judah vex Ephraim. Proverbs 16:7. Isaiah 11:6, 9, 13.

(f) For our friends, and those that love us.

And we wish for all those whom we love in the truth, that they may prosper, and be in health, especially that their souls may prosper. 3 John 1, 2.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with their spirits. Philemon (v. 25).

To Be Continued…