A Prayer

For the whole State of Mankind.

ACCEPT, O Lord, of my prayers and intercessions as a testimony of my charity for the whole race of mankind; and let the virtue and efficacy of this Christian sacrifice procure for them comfort and relief in all those wants and necessities they labour under.

Enlighten the dark corners of the earth with the bright sunshine of Thy glorious Gospel; and succeed the pious designs of all those that endeavour the propagation of the kingdom of Thy Son; that Thy way may be known upon earth, and Thy saving health among all nations.

Let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and forasmuch as it cannot continue in safety without Thy succour, preserve it evermore by Thy help and goodness.

Endue the governors and pastors of it with courage and resolution to preserve those sacred rights Thou hast committed to their trust, with zeal and diligence in promoting solid and substantial piety, and with a conscientious discharge of all the important duties of their holy function.

Let all secular magistrates study to govern

their people with truth and justice, and to preserve them in wealth, peace, and godliness.

Bless our sovereign and all the royal family with the dew of Thy heavenly Spirit; that they, ever trusting in Thy goodness, protected by Thy power, and crowned with Thy gracious and endless favour, may continue before Thee in health, peace, joy, and honour, a long and happy life upon earth, and after death obtain everlasting life and glory in the kingdom of heaven.

Let war and bloodshed cease among Christian princes; and give to all nations unity, peace, and concord.

Bless all the people of this land with health, peace, and plenty; and teach them to use such Thy blessings with sobriety, gratitude, and charity.

Make all Christians sincerely to practise that religion they profess; and inspire them with such uniting principles and charitable hearts, that they may love one another, and thereby convince the world that they are Thy disciples.

Be merciful to all my friends, relations, and acquaintance; those that are in sin, convert them; those that are in grace, confirm and strengthen them; those that are in adversity, comfort and support them; and those that are in prosperity, suffer them not to forget Thee.

Forgive all my enemies; make them easy and ready to be reconciled; and give them repentance and better minds.

Be gracious to all that are in affliction and distress; that labour under the straits of poverty; that suffer persecution for the testimony of a good conscience; that mourn under captivity or banishment, or any unjust oppression;

That are exercised with bodily pains and diseases; that are solicited with strong temptations, or are dejected with terrors and troubles of mind.

Pity and relieve their several necessities; give them patience under all their sufferings; and in Thy due time deliver them according to Thy great mercy.

Assist those that are at the point of death; and when their strength fails, let not their faith fail; even in death, enable them to trust in Thee.

Shed Thy particular grace and benediction upon all those who are partakers of the holy communion this day;

That they may persevere in all their holy purposes and resolutions, and may conform themselves to the model of their crucified Saviour;

That the pattern of His piety and devotion, of His humility and charity, of His meekness

and patient suffering, may be so lively imprinted upon our minds, that we may transcribe His example in our lives and conversations:

That thus commemorating His all-sufficient sacrifice upon earth, we may receive the everlasting benefit of it in Thy heavenly kingdom, and bless and praise Thee for it to all eternity. Amen.

We cannot better conclude our devotions, if time and opportunity will permit, than by offering up our praises and thanksgivings for all those mercies and blessings God hath bestowed upon us all along in life, particularly for His inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; and what heart that is warm with a true sense of what his Saviour has done and suffered for him, can refuse the humble tribute of a most grateful acknowledgment !

A Thanksgiving

For God's Mercies Temporal and Spiritual. PRAISE the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me praise His holy Name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

Thou, O Lord, art alone infinite in all excellences and perfections, and therefore Thou only

art the eternal Object of the adorations and praises of all Thy creatures.

I desire to praise and worship Thee with all the heavenly host, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of heaven and earth, Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.

All praise and thanksgiving be rendered unto Thee for making me after Thy own image and likeness, capable of loving Thee, and enjoying Thee eternally.

I bless Thee for the light of my reason, and all other endowments and faculties of my soul and body.

I bless Thee for preserving me from innumerable accidents and dangers through the whole course of my life; for all my known and unobserved deliverances; and for the guard Thy holy angels have kept over me.

I bless Thee for the advantages of a pious education, and for seasoning my tender mind with early notices of virtue and religion.

I bless Thee for recovering me to a sense of my duty, when I foolishly strayed from the fountain of all happiness; and for Thy unwearied patience towards me, after so many and so great provocations.

I bless Thee for all the comforts and accommodations of life which Thou hast bestowed