A manual for the afflicted : comprising a practical essay on affliction and a series of meditations and prayers ...

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MANUAL C^21

THE AFFLICTED:

COMPRISING
A PRACTICAL ESSAY ON AFFLICTION,

AND A SERIES OF

MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS,

SELECTED AND ARRANGED

FOR THE USE OF THOSE WHO ARE IN SORROW, TROUBLE,

NEED, SICKNESS, OR ANV OTHER ADVERSITY.

BY THE REV. THOMAS HARTWELL HORNE, B. D.

OF SAINT John's college, Cambridge ;

Author of the 'Introduction to the Critical Study and

Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.'

WITH AN INTRODUCTION,

AND AN

APPENDIX OF DEVOTIONAL POETRY,

BY

THE RIGHT REV. GEORGE WASHINGTON DOANE,

BISHOP OF NEW JERSEY.

BOSTON:
ALLEN AND TICKNOR.

1833.

to be above the stroke of passions, is
a condition equal to angels j to be in
a state of sorrow, without the sense
of sorrow, is a disposition beneath
beasts : but duly to regulate our sor-
rows, and bound our passions under
the rod, is the wisdom, duty, and ex-
cellency of a christian.

Flavel.

Entered according to an Act of Congress in the year
1833, by Allen and Ticknor in the Clerk's office of
the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

Printed by Kane & Co.
127 WashiiiKton Siicet.

PREFACE

TO THE LONDON EDITION.

Sorrow is excluded from no circle ; it is abun-
dantly distributed, and it is shared in some meas-
ure by all. So long as there is calamity in the
world, any attempt to alleviate it cannot be unsea-
sonable ; and in the hope, that he might present
to some at least of those, who are " in sorrow,
trouble, need, sickness, or any other adversity,"
suitable aids for meditation and prayer, together
with topics of scriptural consolation, the editor was
induced to undertake the present little manual. It
consists of two pans : viz.: —

I. A Practical Essay on Affliction, includ-
ing the Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures concern-
ing the origin and design of afflictions ; observa-
tions* on the best preparation for afflictions and
for the improvement of them, together with our
duty on being delivered therefrom : and on the
privilege and duty of prayer, especially in seasons
of affliction.

II. Consolation for the Afflicted: or, a
Series of Meditations and Prayers. Of these, a
considerable portion is selected and arranged
from the Scriptures, especially from the Book of

* These o' servatioas are abridged from the Contem-
plations of Sir Matthew Hale. See Note in p 20.

IV PREFACE.

Psalms ; which, while they carry with them the
greatest weight and authority to every truly
Christian mind, are peculiarly fitted to express
and to cherish the devout affections of the heart.
The remaining prayers and meditations are se-
lected, principally, from the Liturgy of the United
Church of England and Ireland, (pronounced by
a late learned and candid dissenting minister to
be " the first of uninspired compositions,'') and
from the devotional writings of our earlier English
divines; whose names are a sufficient guarantee
for the correctness of the sentiments therein ex-
pressed.

To those who " are in heaviness through mani-
fold temptations," and who "know — every man
— the plague of his own heart:" — to those who
are " weary and heavy laden," and whose " hearts
are failing them for fear; " — to all " who do truly
and earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for
their sins, and who do believe the gospel; " — to
all, in fine, who " are any ways afflicted in mind,
body, or estate," is this little Manual of Counsels,
Meditations, Prayers and Promises, respectfully
offered, in the hope that, with the divine
BLESSING, it may prove an aid to devotion, and
may lead them to the only source of consolation
in trouble, communion with the Father of Mercies
and God of all Comfort, and with His Son Jesus
Christ.

INTRODUCTION

;Y THE AMERICAN EDITO

It was the saying of an old Divine, that though
God " had one Son without sin, he never had
one without sorrow, trial, and temptation." So
that, as the blessed Captain of our salvation was
himself" made perfect through suffering," all who
would follow him, and be indeed the children of
God, must follow him through the valley of the
Cross. It is by no means, however, to be inferred
that affliction is, of necessity, the means of spir-
itual advantage. Neither prosperity nor adversity
are, in themselves, blessings, but only as they are
duly improved. There may be a sorrow which
is not a " godly sorrow," and does not work "re-
pentance unto life." It is to him who " endureih
temptation," bears up under, and overcomes it,
and not who merely suffers it, that St. James
promises a " crown of life." And the apostle
Paul, in that beautiful and most consoling passage,
where he reminds us that " no chastening for the
present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous,"
takes care to remind us that to them only
who are " exercised," — trained and disciplined —
" thereby," does it " afterward " yield " the peace-
alle fruit of righteousness." Afflictions, so re-
garded, instead of being evils, as is the common
estimate, are, in the truest sense, blessings. How
can it be otherwise .'' Cannot God as easily send
joy as sorrow, light as darkness, life as death.''
And since his " mercy is over all his works," and,
" as a father pitieth his children " even so he hath

VI INTRODUCTION.

compassion upon us, how else can suffering and
sorrow, except so far as they are the natural con-
sequence of sin, be reasonably accounted for? It
is the Chrutian philosophy alone which thus truly
teaches the nature and the uses of afflictions.
They are the " precious balms" which are to heal
and soothe our souls. They are the chastisements
of a father, correcting us in love. They are the
trials of our faith, making it " more precious than
gold, though it be tried with fire." " For our
light affliction;" saith the apostle, — "sorrowful,
yet always rejoicing," — " our light affliction,
which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ;
" while we look " — provided we look, so long as
we look — " not at the things which are seen, but
at the things which are not seen: for the things
which are seen are temporal, but the things which
are not seen are eternal."

One would think that truths so reasonable and
comfortable, and, when declared to us, so obvi-
ously just and profitable, would take deep root in
the hearts of men. And since all are " born to
troui)le, as the sparks fly upward," that all would
lay them up in store against the day of adversity, as
lessons personally " profitable" to themselves " for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness." But it is proverbially not so.
Few then are taught the proper use of adversity,
until, like an armed man, it comes upon them:
and. too often, takes them unawares. David con-
fessed that it was good for him that he had been
afflicted; and that before he was afflicted he went
wrong. Manasseh, " when he was in affliction,
besought the Lord his God," and "he was entreat-
ed of him, and heard his supplications;" and
it was the dechiration of Luther, the illustrious
reformer, "T never knew the meaning of God's
word, till I was afllicied."

INTRODUCTION. Vll

It is in this view of tiie nature, purpose, and
value of atiiictions, and in tlie consideration of our
continual disposition to misunderstand and misuse
thieni, that manuals for the atflicted, like that be-
fore us, have been so frequently compiled, and
deserve, when faithfully and judiciously executed,
to be so highly esteemed. " Among the variety of
subjects," says Richard Cecil, " on which a minister
is called to treat, many may suit particular cases ;
but when he speaks of affliction, he speaks of that
which is sure to interest every one, at one period
or other of their lives." The remark is universal
in its application. The note of sorrow is the key-
note of humanity. The hand that strikes it,
strikes a chord in every breast, of woman born.
A " manual for the afflicted" is a maimalfor man-
kind. He that already is •' in sorrow, trouble,
need, sickness, or any other adversity," welcomes
it, because he is in want of present consolation;
he that is still " at ease in his possessions," because
*' he knows that his day is coming."

It is the peculiar recommendation of this little
volume that it is eminently scriptural. A great
portion of it is in the very words of Scripture.
A considerable part of the rest is from the Book
of Common Prayer, of which it is scarcely too
much to say, that Protestant Christendom is
agreed in regarding it, as only not inspired. For
what remains, such names as Taylor, and Ken, and
Kettle well, and Nelson, are unquestionable author-
ity to believers, that it is conceived and born of
Scripture. Sufficiently various for nearly all occa-
sions of adversity, and yet not exceeding reasona-
ble limits as regards expense or inconvenience, it
is admirably fitted for general circulation. The
present writer, with no other interest in the pub-
lication than he holds in common with all its
readers, does not hesitate to say, that, for its size
and cost, he knows of no similar work comparable

INTRODUCTION.

with it. To all who have, or can have kindred
with its sul)jects, — and who is he that this descrip-
tion does not include? — he most affectionately
commends this little book, not without prayer, that
the Holy Spirit of consolation may acconipany it
in all, with his sustaining, illuminating and sancti-
fying graces !

It only remains that the writer speak, in very
few words, of his connection with this reprint. It
has been his privilege, for more than ten years, to
enjoy the correspondence, and to experience,
though the Atlantic has always rolled between
them, the generous friendship of its learned and
excellent author. In several of his letters, during
the last summer and autumn, he spoke of his in-
tention to make such a compilation, and gradually
developed his plan. " I wish to bring it out," (he
writes in July, during the prevalence of the
Cholera,) " in a cheap and portable form, for the
pocket, or the ladies' ' work box.' I purposely
select from the Scriptures, in the hope that my
manual may be more extensively useful, while
men's hearts are failing them for fear .'*'' In a later
letter he says, " 1 hope to have it ready for publi-
cation on the 20th of October, my birth-day : and
shall beg your acceptance of a copy as soon as
published, the first which will reach America."
" The chief part of the meditations and prayers,"
he writes September 29th, " are selected and
arranged from the Holy Scriptures: to these I
propose to add a ^qw from our liturgy, and from
the manuals of prayer published (for the jnost
part) by our elder divines. There is an unction
about them which is seldom seen in modern com-
posers of devotions. If I can make room, I think
of putting into an appendix a selection of devo-
tional hymns, and poetical imitations of the Psalms,
suited to occasions of affliction.^' — When to a work
so high in intrinsic merit, the charm was added

INTRODUCTION. IX

which the interest of friendship lends, it will read-
ily be believed that the present writer was not slow
in accetiing to the request of the enterprising and
tasteful publishers who have undertaken the re-
print, to introduce it by a short preface, to Ameri-
can readers. It seemed to him that its value
would be increased by adding, in an appendix, as
the author originally designed, a few pieces of
devotional poetry. The introduction, and the
mottoes connected with it, and the appendix except-
ed, no other addition or alteration has been made.
Of the present republication, it may be proper to
add, the respected author has no knowledge.

In conclusion, if for labor so light, and so con-
genial with his feelings, the undersigned could
claim reward, it has been richly found in the sat-
isfaction of introducing to the knowledge of the
sons and daughters of affliction, among his own
countrymen, a work so eminently fitted, with the
aid of the blessed Spirit, to comfort them in all
their tribulation ; and in making more extensively
known among them an author, who, at the hands
of all who esteem private virtue, unconquerable
industry, extensive learning, and exalted piety,
deserves so well. And now, with pious Mr. Fiavel,
he would say to every mourning reader of this
little book, " Go thy way. Christian, to thy God.
Get thee to thy knees in the cloudy and dark day.
Retire from all creatures, that thou mayest have
thy full liberty with God, and there pour out thy
heart before him, in free, full, and broken-hearted
confessions of sins." "Beg him, in this distress,
to put under thee the everlasting arms. Entreat
one smile, one gracious look, to enlighten thy
darkness, and cheer thy drooping spirit. Say with
the prophet Jeremiah, ' Be not thou a terror to
me; thou art ray hope in the day of evil.' And
try what relief such a course will afford thee.
Surely, if thy heart be sincere in this course, thou

t

X INTRODUCTION.

shaltbe able to say with the Psalmist, * In the mul-
titude of the sorrows that I had in my heart, thy
comforts have refreshed my soul.' May the good
Lord mercifully grant it, for Jesus Christ's sake !

G. W. D.
Boston, 6 March, 1833.

^

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PART I.

ON AFFLICTIONS

CHAPTER I.

THE DOCTRINE OF SCRIPTURE CONCERNING THE ORIGIN
AND DESIGN OF AFFLICTIONS.

Page

Section I. On the Source of Afflictions - 1

1. Afflictions are appointed by God himself - ibid.

2. Afflictions are no Proof of Guilt though they

are sometimes the Consequence of Sin and

the Punishment of Guilt - - - 2

3. Afflictions are sometimes the means of bring-

ing back Transgressors to their Duty - 3

Section II. On the Design of God, in the

Permission of Afflictions - - 4

1. Afflictions are not Marks of the Anger of

God, but of his paternal Love - -ibid.

2. Afflictions are designed to turn us aside from

Iniquity - - - - - 5

3. And for the Trial of our Faith and Obedience Hid.

4. Afflictions are designed to promote Humility 7

5. And to make us Partakers of God's Holiness 8

6. Afflictions are designed that the Life of Jesus

should be manifested in his Body (the
Church) 9

Section III. On the Duties of the Afflicted 11

1. Attention, Docility, and Self-Examination - ibid.

2. Humility - - - - - 12

3. Confession of Sins - - - - ibid.

VI CONTENTS.

4. Repentance.— Conversion - - - 13
Example of Repentance - - - 14

5. Prayer - - - - - 15
Examples of Prayer under Affliction - ibid.

6. Patience - - - - - 16

7. Resignation to the Will of God - - 17
Examples of Resignation and of entire Sub-
mission to the Will of Grod - - 18

8. Hope 19

9. Firm Reliance on the Divine Promises - 20
Examples of Firm Reliance upon God, in

Afflictions - - - - 21

10. Holiness, and fervent Desires for Holiness - 24

11. Joy -.--.- ibid.
Examples of Persons who rejoiced amidst

Tribulations - - - - 25

12. Mutual Sympathy and Consolation - - ibid.

CHAPTER II.

ON THE BEST PREPARATION FOR AFFLICTIONS, AND
OUR IMPROVEMENT OF THEM; AND OUR DUTY
ON BEING DELIVERED FROM THEM.

Section I. On the best Preparation for Af-
flictions . . . -

26

Section H. Counsels for our Deportment un-
der Afflictions - - - 35

Section HI. On the Duty of those who have

BEEN DELIVERED FROM AFFLICTIONS - 46

CHAPTER HI.

ON THE PRIVILEGE AND DUTY OF PR4YKR, ESPE-
CIALLY IN SEASONS OF AFFLICTION.

Section I. On the Nature and Importance
OF Prayer. — Motives and Encourage-
ments TO Prayer - - - 55
1. Nature of Prayer ... - ibid.

XIV CONTENTS.

PART II.
CONgOLATION FOR THE AFFLICTED.

CHAPTER I.

DEVOTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE ^ AFFLICTED IN
MIND.'

Section I. Devotions for Persons ' that do
truly and earnestly repent of their

Sins.'

I. Prayers that God would vouchsafe to assist
their Devotions, and to hear and accept their
Supplications - - - - 87

1. From the Holy Scriptures - - - ibid.

2. From the Book of (Join mon Prayer - - 88

II. Confessions {in the Language of the Holy
Scriptures) of a person deeply convinced of
Sin 89

HI. Prayers, suited to those who feci the ' iutoler-
able Burthen of their Sins.

1. From the Holy Scriptures - - - 90

2. From the Book of Common Prayer - - 92

3. The Prayer of one convinced of Sin. [Soro-

cold.] 94

4. A Prayer for Contrition. [Whole Duty of

Man.] - - - - - 9G

5. Promises (in the Language of the Holy Scrip-

tures) of Pardon to the Penitent - - Hid.

6. A Prayer for Pardon of Sins. [Kettlewell.] 100

7. A Prayer that we may not relapse into Sin.

[Bishop Duppa.] - - - - 101

8. Observations on the Nature of a Relapse into

Sin - - - - - 102—108

9. A Prayer after a Relapse into Sin, from the

Book of Common Prayer - - 108

10. Another Prayer on the same Occasion.

[Spinckes.] - - - - 109

CONTENTS. XIU

The Object of Prayer - - - 56
II. The Importance of Prayer - - - ibid.

1. It is indispensable to our Happiness, as is at-

tested - - - - - 57

[i.] By the Nature of Things - - ibid.

[ii.] By Experience - - - 58
[iii.] By the Testimonies of the Word of

God 59

2. Every thing is attainable by Prayer - - C4
[i.] The Humble J*enitent becomes rich by

Prayer - - - - - G5
(1 .) Instances of Answers to Prayer from the

Old Testament ... - ibid.

(2.) From the New Testament - - 66
[ii.] The feeble Believer becomes strong by

Prayer - - - - 69

(1.) Instances from the Scriptures - - ibid.

(2.) And from the Experience of Individuals 70
WJiy God does not always answer our

Prayers 72

Section II. On the Dispositions requisite to

ACCEPTABLE PrAYER - - - 73

I. The proper subjects of Prayer - - 74

II. In what MANNER and with what dispositions

we should offer our Petitions - - 75

1. With a deep Sense of the Presence of God - 76

2. With Sincerity of Intention - - ibid.

3. With Humility - - - - 78

4. With Earnestness, Fervor and Perseverance 79

5. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ - 80

6. In Faith 81

7. With Sentiments of Charity towards all Man-

kind - - - - - 82
The Plappiness resulting from devout and

humble Prayer - - - - 83

t

CONTENTS. XV

11. A Prayer for Peace of Mind, and Comfort in

the Enjoyment of it. [Kettle well.] - 111

Section II. Devotions adapted to Circum-
stances OF SPIRITUAL Distress.
1. Complaint and Prayers of a Soul that feels its

Weakness - ... - 112

1. Complaint (in the Language of Scripture) of

a Soul that feels its Weakness - - ihid.

2. A Prayer (in the Language of Scripture) for

one who is conscious of his Weakness - 113

3. Another Prayer on the same Occasion, from

the Liturgy - - - - 114

4. Promises of Strength and Support - - ihid.

II. Complaint and Praxjers of an afflicted Soul - 116

1. Complaint (in the I language of Scripture) of

a deeply afflicted Soul ... ihid.

2. Pravers (in ti e Language of Scripture) for a

Person under spiritual Distress 118 — 120

3. Other Prayers for Persons binder spiritual Dis-

tress - . - . . ihid.

(1.) From the Liturgy - - . . Hid.

(2.) Another Prayer on the same Occasion.

[IJisliop Duppa.] - - - - 121

(3.) Another Prayer. [Merrick.] - - 124

(4.) Another Prayer. [Nelson.] - - 125

4. Promises addressed to a troubled and afflicted

Soul - - - - - 126

Selection I. - - - 126—130

II. - - - 130—132

Skction III. Prayers under Sorrow and Djes-
pondency.

I. Observations on Seasons of Desertion or sup-
posed Absence of the Holy Spirit. [Dr.
Knox.] ... - 132—135

II. Prayers under Sorrow and Despondency ihid.

1. A Prayer, in the Language of Scripture ihid.

2. A Meditation, in the Language of Scripture - 136

3. A Prayer in Sorrow and Despondency.

[Bishop Taylor - - - - 137

XVI CONTENTS.

4. A Prayer against Despair. [The Poor Man's

Rest.] 138

5. Promises addressed to those who are in Sor-

row and Despondency - - - 139

Section IV. Devotions for those who are

PERPLEXED WITH DoUBTS AND TEMPTA-
TIONS.

1. A general Prayer for one who is perplexed

in Mind. [Kettlewell.] - - - 141

2. A Prayer for one who is full of Doubts.

[Bishop Patrick] - - - - 142

3. A Prayer for one who is disturbed with wick-

ed and blasphemous Thoughts. [Lewis.] 145

4. A Prayer for a Person, who is under Doubts

concerning the Lawfulness of any Action.
[From the New Manual of Devotion.] - 14G

in. Prayers in Seasons of Temptation. - - 143

1. From the Book of Common Prayer - - ibid.

2. A Prayer against Temptations. [Bishop

Taylor.] 149

3. A Prayer against the Temptation of the

World, the Flesh, and the Devil. [Soro-
cold.] - - - - - 150

CHAPTER II.

DEVOTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE ^ AFFLICTED IN
BODY.'

Section I. Prayers adapted to a season of great
Mortality.

1. A Penitential Confession and Supplication,

during the Prevalence of a Pestilential
Epidemic. [In the Time of James I.] - 152

2. A Psalm from the Sciiptures, for a season of

Pestilence. [Form of Prayer for the Fast-
day, March 21, 1832.] - - - 157

3. Prayers adapted to a Season of Pestilence.

[The same Form of Prayer.] - - 159

4. Prayers that we may be prepared for Death - 101
(1.) Chiefly from the Holy Scriptures - ihid.
(2.) From the Offices of the Church - 162

CONTENTS. XVU

(3.) A Prayer for a blessed Departure, in
Time of Health or in Sickness. [Bishop
Taylor.] 1C3

(4.) A Praver, that we may be prepared for
Death. [Burder.] - - - - 1G4

Section II. Selections from the Holy Scrip-
tures, SUITABLE to A SeASON OF SlCK-

NEss. [Hele.]
Selection 1. On the Mortality of Man - - 1G5

H. On the Certainty of a future Judg-
ment ----- 1G7
in. On the Shortness and vanity of

Life - - - - - 1G9

IV. Supplicatory for Pardon of Sin - 170
V. On the Uncertainty of the Time of

our Death - - - - 171

VI. On the Universality of the last

Judgment - - - - 172

VII. On the Certainty of Death and of a

General Resurrection to Eternal Life 174
VIII. Death the Lot of all ; the Felicity

of the Righteous . - - 176

IX, References to select Chapters of
the Holy Scriptures, which may be profit-
ably read during a long Illness - 179

Section III. Psalms suitable for Meditation
DURING Sickness, with Collects
founded on them. [Bishop Taylor.]

1. Psalm vi. For the Remission of Sins - 180

2. Psalm XXV. For Deliverance from Sin - ibid.
3- Psalm xxxii. Confession of Sins, and a

Prayer for Pardon - - - 181

4. Psalm xxxviii. A Prayer for Remission of

Sins 182

5. Psalm xxxix. Meditation on the Shortness

of Life, and a Prayer preparatory to Death 183

6. Psalm 11. A Prayer for the Pardon of Sins

and the Restitution of God's Favor - ibid.

7. Psalm Ixxxviii. A Prayer in Time of Sick-

ness and in Danger of Death - - 184

XVlll CONTENTS.

8. Psalm xc. A Meditation on Deatli and a

Prayer preparatory to it - - - 185

9. Psalm cxxx. A penitential Psalm or Prayer

for Pardon, and for Redemption from Sin 186
10. Psalm cxliii. A Prayer for Paidon of Sin

and Direction in the Way of Righteousness 187

Section IV. Prayers which may be offered

BY OTHERS IN BEHALF OF THE SiCK, - 188

1. A Prayer for Comfort to the Sick. [Soro-

cold.] ..... Hid.

2. A Prayer, that the Sickness may be made a

Blessing. [Bishop Taylor.] - - 180

3. A Prayer for a Person under deep Melan-

choly. [Jenks.] - - - - 190

4. A Prayer for a sick Child. [Visitation of the

Sick.] 191

5. A Prayer for a sick Child in imminent Dan-

ger. [Dr. Assheton.] ... 192

Section V. Devotions for the Use of sick

Persons themselves, - - 193

1. A Prayer at the Commencement of Sick-

ness. [Whole Duty of Man.] - - Hid.

2. Another on the same Occasion. [Bishop

Ken.] - - - - - 194

3. Another on the same Occasion. [New Year's

Gift.] - - - - - 19G

4. A Prayer for a Blessing on the Use of Medi-

cine. [Dr. Assheton.] - - - 198

5. Ejaculations from the Scriptures, and a

Prayer for Patience in a lingering Illness.
[Dr. Coney.] . _ . - ibid.

6. A Prayer for Ease, when the Sickness be-

comes very painful. [Kettlewell.] - 200

7. On the Abatement of Pain. [Kettlewell.] - 201

8. On Want of Sleep. [Anonymous.] - -ibid.

9. An Act of Resignation. [Bishop Taylor.] - 202

10. A Prayer for Thankfulness under Sickness

or other Affliction - - - 203

11. A Prayer to be used when there is any

Abatement of the Disorder or prospect of
Recovery. [New Manual.] - - 204

CONTENTS. XIX

12. A Prayer for a sick Person who is tempted

to despair. [Bishop Ken.] - - 205

Section VI. Devotions in the Prospect of

Dissoli;tion. . . - - 207

1. A Psahn. collected from the Holy Scriptures,

for a Person near Death - - - il>id.

2. A Prayer, in the Language of Scripture, in

the Prospect of Death - - - 210

3. A Prayer and Confession for the Sick, who

are unprepared to die. [Baxter] - - 211

4. A Prayer against th»^ Fear of Death. [Kettle-

well.] 214

5. A Prayer for a blessed Death. [Hele.] - 216

6. A Prayer, that we may be prepared for our

last End. [Bishop Duppa.] - - 217

7. A Prayer for a joyful Resurrection to eter-

nal Life. [Hele.] - - - - 218

8. A Prayer when a sick Person is joyful and

glad to die. [Primer of K ing Edward VI.] ibid.

9. A Prayer for a Person in imminent Danger

of Death. [Bishop Taylor.] - - 219

10. Another Prayer on the same Occasion, [So-

rocold.] 220

11. A Prayer which may be offered for a Person

in the Agonies of Death - - - 221

12. Anolher Prayer on the same Occasion - 222

13. A short Form of recommending the Soul un-

to God. [Bishop Andrews.] - - Hid.

14. Another on the same Occasion. [Bishop

Cosin.] 223

15. A Prayer for a sick Person at the Point of

Departure. [Visitation Office.] - - 224

16. Devotions which may be used by a Minister

or Friend with the bereaved Relatives
and Friends of the Deceased. [Bishop
Hobart.] 225

CHAPTER III.

DEVOTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE ' AFFLICTED IN
ESTATE.'

1. Prayers, in the Language of Scripture, for a
Person who is forsaken by his Friends, or
exposed to Calumny - - - 228

XX CONTENTS.

2. A Prayer for Submission to the Will of God,

under Loss of Pro]>erty or Friends. [Bish-
op Patrick.] - - - - 231

3. A Prayer for a Family under any grievous

worldly Loss. [Dr. Belfrage.] - - 234

4. A Prayer to be used by a Widow. [Bishop

Patrick] 236

5. A Prayer for an Orphan. [Bishop Patrick.] 238

6. A Prayer for an aged Person. [Dr. Dodd.] ibid.

7. A Prayer under any Injuries, Abuses, or

Provocations. [Dr. Dodd.] - - 239

CHAPTER IV.

THANKSGIVINGS FOR DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLIC-
TION.

I. A Prayer of Thanksgiving for any great

Deliverance. [Bishop Taylor.] - - 240

IL A Hymn of Thanksgiving for Deliver-
ance from Trouble of Mind - - 241
in. A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Deliver-
ance from Trouble of iMind. [Kettlewell.] 242
IV. Thanksgivings for Recovery from Sick-
ness ..... 244

1. A Hymn of Thanksgiving, collected from

the Holy Scriptures ... md^

2. A short Prayer of Thanksgiving for Recov-

ery. [Whole Duty of Man.] - - 247

3. Another shorter Form of Thanksgiving.

[Bishop Ken.] - - - - 248

4. A larger Form of Thanksgiving for Recov-

ery. [Bishop Gibson.] ... ibid.

5. A Prayer of Thanksgiving for a Patient in an

Hospital or Infirmary on his Recovery.
[St. James Stonhouse, Bart ] - - 251

(5. A Prayer on Deliverance from a Pestilen-
tial Epidemic. [From the Book of Com-
mon Prayer.] - - - 252

PART 1.

ON AFFLICTION.

i

THE PATH OF SORROW, AND THAT PATH ALONE,
LEADS TO THE LAND WHERE SORROW IS UNKNOWN:
NO TRAVELLER e'eR REACh'd THAT BLEST ABODE,
WHO FOUND NOT THORNS AND BRIARS ON THE ROAD.

(by SYMtO.V PATRICK, D. D. BISHOP OF ELY.)

VOUCHSAFE, O LORD, TO EVERY ONE THAT
SHALL PERUSE THIS BOOK THE ILLUMINA-
TION OF THY HOLY SPIRIT, TO UNDERSTAND
THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE FAITHFULLY
DECLARED THEREIN, ACCORDING TO THY
MIND AND WILL : AND WORK IN ALL OUR
HEARTS MOST DEVOUT AFFECTIONS TO OUR
BLESSED SAVIOUR, FOR OUR INCREASE IN
FAITH, AND LOVE, AND HOLY OBEDIENCE.
AMEN.

CHAPTER I.

THE DOCTRINE OF SCRIPTUEE CONCERNING THE
ORKJIN AND DESIGN OF AFFLICTIONS.

SECTION I.

ON THE SOURCE OE AFFLICTIONS.

1. Afflictions are appointed hy God himself.

Although affliction cometh not forth of the
dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the
ground; yet man is born unto trouble as the
sparks fly upward. Man, that is born of woman,
is of few days, and full of trouble. His flesh
upon him shall have pain ; and his soul within
him shall mourn. All his days are sorrow; and
his travail, grief: yea, his heart taketh not rest
in the night. The days of our years are three
score years and ten ; and if, by reason of strength,
they be four score years, yet is their strength
labor and sorrov/ ; for it is soon cut off, and we
flee away. (Job v. 6, 7. ; xiv. 1. 22. Eccles.
ii. 23. Psal. xc. 10.)

Man is chastened also with pain upon his bed;
and the multitude of his bones with strong pain :
so that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul
1

» THE DOCTRINE OP THE SCRIPTURES

dainty meat. His flesh is consumed away that
it cannot be seen ; and his bones, that were
not seen, stick out. Lo ! all these things worketh
God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul
from the pit to be enlightened with the light of
the living. (Job xxxiii. 19—2-2. 29, 30.)

[Let] no man be moved by these afflictions,
for yourselves know that we are appointed there-
unto. In the world [saith Christ], ye shall have
tribulation : but, be of good cheer, I have over-
come the world. Yea, all that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (1 Thess.
iii. 3. John xvi. 33. 2 Tim. iii. 12.)

2. Affiictions are no prooj of guilt, tJioitgk
they are sometimes the consequence of sin, and the
punishment of guilt.

Suppose ye that the Galilaeans [whose blood
Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices] were
sinners above all the Galilseans, because they
suffered such things ? Or those eighteen, upon
whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them ;
think ye that they were sinners above all men
that dwelt in Jerusalem 1 I tell you, nay. But,
except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
(Luke xiii. 2. 4. 5.)

The Lord God said unto Adam : BECAUSE
thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife,
and' hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded
thee saying, " Thou shalt not eat of it :" cursed
is the ground for thy sake : in sorrow shalt thou
eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns also and
thistles shall it bring forth to thee ; and thou
shalt eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of
thy face shalt thou eat bread until thou return to

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 3

the ground, for out of it wast thou taken : for
dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
(Gen. iii. 17—19.)

The sluggard will not plough by reason of the
cold; THEREFORE shall he beg in harvest, and
have nothing. Who hath woe ? who hath sor-
row ? who hath contentions ? who hath wounds
without cause ? who hath redness of eyes ? They
that tarry long at the wine. (Prov. xx. 4. : xxiii.
29, 30.)

The foolishness of man perverteth his way,
and his heart fretteth against the Lord. He
that soweth vanity, shall reap vanity. Where-
fore doth a living man complain ? a man for the
punishment of his sins. Ye have ploughed wick-
edness ; ye have reaped iniquity ; ye have eaten
the fruit of lies. (Prov. xix. 3. Lam. iii. 39.
Hos. X. 13.)

3. Afflictions are sometimes the means of bring-
ing hack transgressors to their duty.

Thou shalt consider in thine heart, that as a
man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God
chasteneth thee. When Manasseh was in afflic-
tion, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled
himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth :
therefore despise not thou the chastening of the
Almighty. Many are the afflictions of the righte-
ous. If they be bound in fetters, and beholden in
the cords of affliction, then he showeth them their
work and their transgressions that they have ex-
ceeded. (Deut. viii. 5. 2. Chron. xxxiii. 12. Job
V. 17. Psal. xxxiv. 20. Job xxxvi. 8, 9.)

When He slew them, then they sought Him ;

4 THE UOCTIUNE OF THE SCRIPTURES

and they returned and inquired early after God.
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of
death, being fast bound in afliiction and iron,
BECAUSE they rebelled against the words of God
and contemned the counsel of the Most High ;
THEREFORE He brought down their heart with
labor. They fell down, and there was none to
help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their
trouble, and He saved them out of their dis-
tresses. Lord, in trouble they have visited
Thee ; they poured out a prayer, when thy
chastening was upon them, (Psal. Ixxviii. 34.
cvii. 10 — 13. Isa. xxvi. 16.)

SECTION H.

ON THE DESIGN OF GOD IN THE PERMISSION OF
AFFLICTIONS.

1. Afflictions are not marhs of the anger of
God, hut oj his paternal love ; and are intended to
show the evil of departiiig from God ; and also
in order that his children may not he condemned
with the ivorld.

God doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the
children of men. Whom the Lord loveth, he
correcteth ; even as a father the son, in whom
he delighteth. As many as I love, I rebuke and
chasten. Like as a father pitieth his children, so
the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. (Lam.
iii. 33. Prov. iii. 12. Heb. xii. G. Rev. iii. 19.
Psal. ciii. 13.)

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. O

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and
thy backslidings shall reprove thee. Know
therefore and see, that it is an evil thing and
bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy
God ; and that my fear is not in thee, saith the
Lord God of Hosts.

When we are judged, we are chastened of the
Lord, that we should not be condemned with
the world. The Lord hath chastened me sore,
but He hath not given me over unto death. The
Lord hath taken you and brought you forth out
of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be
unto Him a people of inheritance, as ye are this
day. (1 Cor. xi. 32. Psal. cxviii. 18. Deut.
iv. 20.)

2. Afflictions arc designed to turn us aside
from iniquitjj.

If they be holden in cords of affliction, . . . .
He openethalso their ear to discipline, and com-
mandeth that they return from iniquity. He
openeth the ears of n^.en, and sealeth their in-
struction, that He may withdraw man from his
purpose, and hide pride from man. I will instruct
thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt
go. I will guide thee with mine eye. Job xxxvi.
8. 10. ; xxxiii. 16, 17. Psal. xxxii. 8 )

The children of Israel cried imto the Lord,
saying, We have sinned against Thee ; we have
sinned ; do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth
good unto Thee. (Judg. x. 10 15.)

3. Afflictions are designed for the trial of our
fcdtli and obedience.

Thou shalt remember all the way which the

Lord thy God hath led thee to prove

1*

6 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether
thou wouldest keep his commandments or no.
Who led thee through that great and terrible
wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and
scorpions, and drought, where there was no
water, .... that he might prove thee. (Deut.
viii. 2. 15, 16.)

In the business of the ambassadors of the
princes of Babylon, who sent to Hezekiah to
inquire of the wonders done in the land [of
Judah], God left him, to try him, that He
might know all that was in his heart. (2 Chron.
xxxii. 31.)

Some of them of understanding shall fall, to
TRY them. The fining pot is for silver, and the
furnace for gold ; but the Lord trieth the hearts.
Thou, O God, hast proved us ; thou hast tried
us, as silver is tried. (Dan. xi. 35. Prov. xvii.
3. Psal. Ixvi. 10.)

Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest,

0 Lord, and teachest him out of Thy law. Be-
fore I was afflicted I went astray ; but now have

1 kept Thy word. It is good for me that I have
been afflicted, that I might learn Thy statutes.
I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right;
and that Thou, in very faithfulness, hast afflict-
ed me. (Psal. xciv. 12 ; cxix. 67. 71. 75.)

Sorrow is better than laughter : for by the
sadness of the countenance the heart is made
better. When Thy judgments are in the earth,
the inhabitants of the world will learn righteous-
ness. Tribulation worketh patience. [God chas-
teneth us] that the trial of our faith being more
precious than gold, though it be tried with fire.

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. /

might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (Eccl. vii. 3.
Isa. xxvi. 9. Rom. v. 3. 1 Pet. i. 7.)

4. Afflictions are designed to promote humility.

Thou shalt remember all the way which the
Lord thy God hath led thee .... to humble
thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord
thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and
his judgments, and his statutes, which I com-
mand thee this day : lest, when thou hast eaten
and art full, and hast built goodly houses and
dwelt therein, and when thy herds and thy flocks
multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multi-
plied, and all that thou hast is multiplied ; then
thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget th''
Lord thy God, .... who fed thee in the wilder-
ness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, . .
to HUMBLE thee, (i^eut. viii. 2. 11 — 14. 16.)

When Nebuchadnezzar's heart was lifted up,
and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed
from his kingly throne, and they took his glory
from him. And he was driven from the sons of
men, and his heart was made like the beasts, and
his dwelling was with the wild asses : they fed
him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet
with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the
Most High God ruled in the kingdom of men,
and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he
will. (Dan. v. 20, 2L)

Every valley shall be exalted, and every moun-
tain and hill shall be made low ; and the crooked
shall be made' straight, and the rough places
plain. (Tsa. xl. 4.)

Lest Paul should be exalted above measure

8 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

.... there was given to him a thorn in the flesh,
the messenger of Satan, to buffet him. (2 Cor.
xii. 10.)

5. Afflictions are further designed to make us
partakers of God's Holiness, and bring forth
more fruit.

Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh,
who chastened us after their own pleasure ; but
God [chasteneth us] for our profit, that we might
be partakers of His holiness. (Heb. xii. 9, 10.)

Behold ! I have refined thee, but not with sil-
ver : I have chosen thee in the furnace of
affliction. (Isa. xlviii. 10.)

I am the true Vine, and my Father is the
husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth
not fruit, he taketh away ; and every branch that
beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring

FORTH MORE FRUIT. (John XV. 1, 2.)

The path of the just is as the shining light,
that shineth more and more unto the perfect
day. Then shall we know, if we follow on to
know the Lord. His going forth is prepared
as the morning; and he shall come unto us as
the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the
earth. (Prov. iv. 18. Hos. vi. 3.)

The grace of God, that bringeth salvation unto
all men, hath appeared; teaching us, that, deny-
ing ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly in this present
world; looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour
Jesus Clirist ; who gave himself for us, that he
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 9

unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works. (Tit. ii. 11—14.)

6. Afflictions are designed^ that the life of Jesus
should be manifested in his body (the church),
and that every believing member of it should be
glorified together loith him, and finally may enjoy
an everlasting rest.

Though he [Christ] was crucified through
weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God :
for we also are weak in [marginal rendering
with'] him, but we shall live with him by the
power of God. (2 Cor. xiii. 4.)

Because (says Christ) I live, ve shall live also.
(John xiv. 19.)

It is a faithful saying : for if we be dead with
him, we shall also live with him ; if we suffer,
we shall also reign with him ; if we deny him,
he will also deny us. (2 Tim. ii. 10, 11.)

If [we are] children, then [are we] heirs,
heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ : if so
be that we suffer with him, that we may be also
glorified together. For I reckon that the suffer-
ings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed
in us. For our light affliction, which is but for a
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory, while we look not
at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen : for the things which are
seen are temporal, but the things which are not
seen are eternal. (Rom. viii. 18. 2 Cor. iv. 17.)

This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience
toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

10 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

Rejoice, insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's
sufferings ; that, when his glory shall be re-
vealed, yemav be glad also with exceeding joy.
(1 Pet. ii. 19.' iv. 13.)

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation :
for, when he is tried, he shall receive the crown
of life, which the Lord hath promised to them
that love him. (James i. 22.)

But, in order that we may attain this glorious
reward, we must remember what our Saviour
declares to be indispensably necessary. " If any
man will [be willing to] come after me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross and follow
me." (Matt. xvi. 24.)

" Father ! I will, that they also whom Thou
hast given me, may be with me where I am ; that
they may behold Thy glory which Thou hast
given me : for Thoulovest me before the found-
ation of the world." (John xvii. 24.)

Paul and Barnabas confirmed the souls of the
disciples, exhorting them to continue in the
faith, and that we must through much tribu-
lation enter the kingdom of God. (Acts xiv. 22.)

What are these which are arrayed in white
robes, and whence come they ? These are they
which came out of great tribulation, and have
washed their robes, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb. (Rev. vii. 17, 18.)

Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O
Lord, and teachest him out of -Thy Law; that
thou mayest give him rest from the days of
adversity, and do him good at his latter end.
(Psal. xciv. 12, 13. Deut. viii. 15.)

There remaineth therefore a rest to the

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 11

people of God. Let us labor thereforfi to enter
into that rest, lest any man fall after the same ex-
ample of unbelief [as the disobedient Israelites].
(Heb. iv. a U.)

I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me : —
Write, Blessed are the dead which <lie in the
Lord, from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit,
that they may rest from their labors, and their
works do follow them. And God shall wipe away
all tears from their eyes : and there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain : for the former
things are passed away. (Rev. xiv. 13. ; xxi. 4.)

SECTION in.

ON THE DUTIES OF THE AFFLICTED.

1. Attention, ''Docility, and Self-Exami-
NATioN. — In the day of prosperity be joyful, but
in the day of adversity consider. God also hath
set the one over against the other, to the
end that man should find nothing after him.
(Eccl. vii. 14.)

Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord of Hosts,
Consider your ways. Hear ye the rod, and who
hath appointed it. (Hagg. i. 5. Mic. vi. 9.)

Be ye not as the horse or as the mule, which
have no understanding, whose mouth must be
held in with bit and bridle. (Psal. xxxii. 9.)

12 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

Beliold ! happy is the man whom God cor-
recteth : therefore, despise not thou the chasten-
ing of the Ahnighty. My son, despise not the
chastening of the Loud ; neither be weary of his
correction, nor faint when thou art rebuked of
Him. Receive, I pray thee, the law from His
mouth, and lay up His words in thine heart.
(Job V. 17. Prov. iii. 11. Heb. v. 12. Job
xxii. 22.)

2. Humility.— 'Humble yourselves therefore
under the mighty hand of God, that He may
exalt you in due time. Humble yourselves in
the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
(1 Pet. v. 6. James iv. 10.)

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to
do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly
with thy God. (Mic. vi. 8.)

3. Confession of Sins. — Only acknowledge
thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against
the Lord thy God. (Jer. iii. 13.)

(1.) So did David. — I have sinned greatly, be-
cause I have done this thing : but now, I beseech
thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant, for I
have done very foolishly. (I Chron. xxi. 8.)

(2.) So did Jeremiah, addressing the Plebrews
after the destruction of Jerusalem : — Let us
search and try our ways, and turn again unto
the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our
hands unto God in the heavens. We have trans-
gressed and rebelled; and thou hast not pardoned.
(Lam. iii. 40—42.)

(3.) So did Daniel. — I prayed unto the Lord
my God, and made my confession, and said : —

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 13

O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping
the covenant and mercy to them that love Him,
and to them that keep his commandments ! We
have sinned, and committed iniquity, and have
done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by de-
parting from Thy precepts and from Thy judg-
ments. Neither have we hearkened unto Thy
servants the prophets, which spake in Thy name
to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers,
and to all the people of the land. O Lord,
righteousness belongeth unto Thee, but unto us
confusion of faces, as at this day ; — to our kings,
to our princes, and to our fathers, because we
have sinned against Thee. To the Lord our
God belong mercies and forgivenesses though
we have rebelled against Him ; neither have we
obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk
in His laws which He set before us by His
servants the prophets. Yea, all Israel have
transgressed Thy law, even by departing, that
they may not obey Thy voice : therefore the

curse is poured upon us All this evil is come

upon us, yet made we not our prayer before the
Lord our God, that we might turn from our
iniquities, and understand Thy truth. Therefore
hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and
brought it upon us : for the Lord our God is
righteous in that he doeth ; for we obeyed
not his voice. (Dan. ix. 4 — IL 13. 14.)

4. Repentance — Conversion. — O Israel,
return unto the Lord thy God, for thou hast
fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words,
and turn unto the Lord and say unto Him ; Take
away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, so
2

14 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

will we render the calves of our lips, [that is,
the sacrifice of praise to God, continually.]
(Hos. xiv. 1, 2. Heb. xiii. 15.)

Turn you at my reproof: behold I will pour
out my spirit unto you ; I will make known my
words unto you. (Prov. i. 23.)

Return, ye backsliding children ; I will heal
your backslidings. Behold we come unto Thee,
for Thou art the Lord our God. (Jer. iii. 22.)

Return ye now every one from his evil way,
and make your ways and your doings good.
Therefore, turn thou unto thy God : keep mercy
and judgment, and wait on God continually.
(Jer. xviii. 11. Hos. xii. 6.)

Come, and let us return unto the Lord : for
He hath torn, and He will heal us. He hath
smitten, and He will bind us up. (Hos. vi. 1.)

Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye
to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and
weeping, and mourning : and rend your heart
and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord
your God ; for He is gracious and merciful, slow
to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth
Him of the evil. (Joel ii. 13, 14.)

Example of Repentance. — The king of Nine-
veh caused it to be proclaimed and published
through Nineveh (by the decree of the king and
liis nobles), saying : — Let neither man nor beast,
herd nor flock, taste any thing ; let them not feed
nor drink water. But let man and beast be cover-
ed with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea,
let them turn every one from his evil way, and
from the violence that is in their hands. (Joel ii.
8,9.)

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 15

5. Prayer. — Call upon me in the day of
trouble ; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glo-
rify me, (Psal. 1. 15.)

Seek the Lord, and His strength : seek His
face evermore. Seek ye Me, and ye shall live.
(Psal. cv. 4. Amos v. 4.)

Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto
God in the heavens. (Lam. iii. 41.)

Is any among you afflicted? — Let him pray.
(James v. 13.)

Examples of Prayer under Affiiction.

(1.) David. — As for me, I will call upon God :
and the Lord shall save me. Give ear to my
prayer, O God : and hide not thyself from my
supplication. Be merciful unto me, O God ;
be merciful unto me, for my soul trusteth in
Thee ; yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I
make my refuge, until these calamities be over-
past. From the end of the earth will I cry unto
Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed : lead me
to the rock that is higher than I. O Lord, in
Thee do I put my trust, save me from all them
that persecute me ; and deliver me. I will call
upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised :
so shall I be saved from mine enemies. In my
distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto
my God ; He heard my voice out of His temple,
and my cry came before Him. (Psal. Iv. 16, 1. ;
Ivii. 1. ; Ixi. 2.; vii. 1.; xviii. 3. 6.)

(2.) Hezekiah, in those days when he was
sick, turned his face to the wall, and prayed to
the Lord. (2 Kings xx. 1, 2.)

(3.) Manasseh, when he was in affliction, be-

16 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

sought the Lord his God ; and humbled himself
greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed
unto Him ; and He was entreated of him, and
heard his supplications. (2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13.)

(4.) Daniel. — I set my face unto the Lord
God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with
fasting, and sackcloth and ashes ; and I prayed
unto the Lord my God, and make my confession.
(Dan. ix. 3, 4. Read the whole chapter.)

(5.) Paul. — For this thing (" the thorn in his
flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet him, lest
he should be exalted above measure") I be-
sought the Lord thrice, that it might depart
from me. (2 Cor. xii. 7, 8.)

(6.) Lastly, and above all, is the example of
our adorable Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ,
when " his soul was exceeding sorrowful, even
unto death :" who, in the days of his flesh, when
he had offered up prayers and supplications,
with strong crying and tears unto him that was
able to save him from death, was heard in that
he feared. (Heb. v. 7. with Matt. xxvi. 36, &,c.
Mark xiv. 32, &c. Luke xxii. 39, &:.c.)

6. Patience. — It is good that a man should
both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of
the Lord. Wait on the Lord, and be of good
courage ; and He shall strengthen thine heart.
Wait, I say, on the Lord, and He shall strengthen
your heart. They that wait upon the Lord shall
renew their strength. (Lam. iii. 26. Psal. xxvii.
14.; xxxi. 24. Isai. xl. 3L)

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for
Him : fret not thyself because of him who pros-
pereth in his way, because of the man who

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 17

bringeth wicked devices to pass : knowing this,
that the trial of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye
may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
(Psal. xxxvii. 7. James i. 8, 4.)

In your patience possess ye your souls ; re-
joicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing
instant in prayer. (Luke xxi. 19. Rom. xii. 12.)

Take, my brethren, the prophets who have
spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example
of suffering affliction and of patience. Behold,
we count them happy which endure. Ye have
heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the
end of the Lord ; that the Lord is very pitiful,
and of tender mercy. (James v. 10, 11.)

We cease not to pray for you, and to desire
that ye might be filled with the knowledge of
his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understand-
ing : that ye might walk worthy of the Lord
unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good
work, and increasing in the knowledge of God ;
strengthened with all might, according to his
glorious power, unto all patience and long suf-
fering, with joyfulness. (Col. i. 9 — 11.)

We glory in you in the churches of God for
your patience and faith in all your persecutions
and tribulations that ye endure. (2 Thess. i. 4.)

7. Resignation to the Will of God. —
We have had fathers of our flesh, which have
corrected us, and we gave them reverence : shall
we not much rather be in subjection to the
Father of spirits, and live? Humble yourselves,
therefore, under the mighty hand of God, ....
2*

18 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTUKES

casting all your care upon Him, for he careth
for you. (Heb. xii. 9. 1 Pet. v. 6, 7.)

Cast thy burthen upon the Lord, and he shall
sustain thee : He shall never suffer the righteous
to be moved. Commit thy way unto the Lord :
trust also in him, and He shall bring it to pass.
(Psal. Iv. 22.; xxxvii.5.)

Examples of Resignation, and of entire Sub-
mission to the Dispensations of God.

(1.) Job arose and rent his mantle, and shaved
his head, and fell down upon the ground, and
worshipped and said : — " Naked came I out of
my mother's womb, and naked shall I return
thither. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath
taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Then said his wife unto him : " Dost thou still
retain thine integrity ? Curse God, and die !"
But he said unto her : " Thou speakest as one
of the foolish women speaketh : what? Shall we
not receive good at the hand of God, and shall
we not receive evil?" (Job ii. 9, 10.)

(2.) Aaron, after the death of his sons, Nadab
and Abihu, — Then Moses said unto Aaron:
" This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will
be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and
before all the people I will be glorified." And
Aaron held his peace.

(3.) Eli. — Samuel told him every whit, and
hid nothing from him : and he said, " It is the
Lord : let Him do what seemeth Him good."
(I Sam. iii. 18.)

(4.) David.— If He [God] thus say, "I
have no delight in thee ;" behold, here am /, let

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 19

Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him.
(2 Sam. XV. 26.)

David said unto Gad," I am in a great strait :
let us now fall into the hands of the Lord (for
his mercies are great), and let me not fall into
the hand of man." (2 Sam. xxiv. 14.)

(5.) The Lord Jesus Christ, in Gethsemane,
kneeled down, and fell on his face on the ground,
and prayed, that if it wore possible the hour
might pass from him. And he said : " Abba,
Father ! all things are possible unto Thee. O
my Father, if it be possible, take away this cup ;
let it pass from me : nevertheless, not what I
will, but what Thou wilt." (Matt. xxvi. 39. Luke
xxii. 41.)

And again he went away the second time and
prayed, and spake the same words, saying : '' O
my Father, if this cup may not pass from me
except I drink it. Thy will be done." .... And
he prayed the third time, saying : " Father ! If
thou be willing, remove this cup from me ; never-
theless, not my will, but thine be done." (Matt.
xxvi. 42, 43. Luke xxii. 42.)

8. Hope. — In thee, O Lord, do I hope, —
Why art thou cast down, O my soul 1 And why
art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in
God. (Psal. xxxviii. 15. ; xlii. 11. ; xliii. 5.)

Therefore turn thou to thy God : keep mercy
and judgment ; and wait on [rather hope in]
thy God continually. (Hos. xii. 6.) Our fathers
hoped in Thee : they trusted in Thee, and Thou
didst deliver them. (Psal. xxii. 4.)

This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope.
It is ofthe Lord's mercies that we are not con-

20 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

sumed, because His compassions fail not. They
are new every morning ; great is Thy faithful-
ness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul ;
therefore will I hope in Him. (Lam. iii. 21 — 24.)

9. A FIRM RELIANCE ON THE DIVINE PRO-
MISES, that the righteous shall he supported under
afflictions.

Be not afraid : only believe. (Mark v. 36.)

Acquaint nowthyself with God, and be at peace:
thereby good shall come unto thee. (Job xxii.2L)

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteous-
ness ; the people in whose heart is my law, fear
ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid
of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them
up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them
like wool : but my righteousness shall be forever,
and my salvation from generation to generation.
(Isa. li. 7, 8.)

They that know Thy name will put their
trust in Thee : for Thou, Lord, hast not for-
saken them that seek Thee. The righteous cry,
and the Lord heareth and delivereth them.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the
Lord delivereth him out of them all. Though
he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down : for the
Lord upholdeth him with His hand. Cast thy
burthen upon the Lord, and he shall sustain
thee. He will never suffer the righteous to be
moved. For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
but though He cause grief, yet will he have
compassion, according to the multitude of His
mercies. There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man ; but God is faith-
ful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 21

that ye are able, but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that ye may be able
to bear it. My grace is sufficient for thee : for
my strength is made perfect in weakness. The
Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of
temptations. (Psal. ix. 10. ; xxxiv. 19. ; xxxvii.
24.; Iv. 22. Lam. iii. 31, 32. 1 Cor. x. 13. 2
Cor. xii. 9. 2 Pet. ii. 9.)

Examples ofjirm Reliance upon God in
afflictions.

(1.) Job said,

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him.
He also shall be my salvation. (Job xiii. 15, 16.)

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he
shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And
though after my skin, worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I see God : whom I shall
see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold and
not another. (Job xix. 25 — 27.)

(2.) David thus expresses his confidence: —
Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord : for he
shall pluck my feet out of the net. The Lord is
my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear ?
The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom
shall I be afraid 1 — Though an host should en-
camp against me, my heart shall not fear : for
in the time of trouble He shall hide me in his
pavilion ; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he
hide me, he shall set me upon a rock. (Psal.
xxv. 15. ; xxvii. 1. 3. 5.)

What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.
In God have I put my trust, I will not fear what
flesh [or man] can do unto me. Truly my soul

22 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

waiteth upon God ; from Him cometh my sal-
vation. My soul, wait thou only upon God, for
my expectation is from Him. He only is my
rock and my salvation ; I shall not be moved.
The rock of my strength and my refuge is in
God. (Psal. Ivi. 3, 4. 11.; Ixii. 1. 5, 6, 7.)

Thou art my hiding place, thou shalt preserve
me from trouble : thou shalt compass me about
with songs of deliverance. (Psal. xxxii. 7.)

My flesh and my heart faileth ; but God is'
the strength of my heart, and my portion for
ever. Thou art my hiding place and my shield:
I hope in Thy word. (Psal, Ixxiii. 26. ; cxix. 114.)

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou
wilt revive we : thou shalt stretch forth thine
hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy
right hand shall save me. The Lord will per-
fect that which concerneth me. Thy mercy, O
Lord, endureth for ever : forsake not the works
of thine own hands. (Psal. cxxxviii. 7, 8.)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art
with me : thy rod and thy staff, they comfort
me. God will redeem my soul from the power
of the grave: for he shall receive me. (Psal.
xxiii. 3, 4. ; xlix. 15.)

(3.) A Woman of Canaan. — Behold, a
woman of Canaan .... cried unto him [Jesus],
saying. Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of
David ; my daughter is grievously vexed with a
devil. But he answered her not a word. And
his disciples came and besought him saying,
Send her away, for she crieth after us. But he
answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 23

sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she
and worshipped him, saying, Lord ! Help me.
But he answered and said, It is not meet to take
the children's bread, and cast it to dogs. And
she said, Truth, Lord : yet the dogs eat of the
crumbs which fall from the master's table. Then
Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman,
great is thy faith : be it even unto thee as thou
wilt. And her daughter was made whole from
.that very hour. (Matt. xv. 22, 28.)

(4.) BARTiMiEus. — As Jesus went out of
Jericho, with his disciples and a great number of
people, blind Batimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat
by the wayside begging. And when he heard
that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry
out and to say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have
mercy upon me. And many charged him that
he should hold his peace : but he cried the
more a great deal. Thou son of David, have
mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and com-
manded him to be called : and they call the
blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort.
Rise ; he calleth thee. And he casting away his
garment rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus
answered and said unto him. What wilt thou
that I should do unto thee ? The blind man said
unto him. Lord, that I might receive my sight.
And Jesus said unto him. Go thy way : thy
FAITH hath madethee whole. And immediately
he received sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
(Mark x. 46 — 52.) Other examples of faith in
God and Christ under afflictions are : — The
Leper, (Matt. viii. 2, 3. compared with Mark i.
40—42. Luke v. 12, 13.) — The Centurion,

24 THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES

(Matt. viii. 5 — 13. compared with Luke vii. 2 —
10.) — the inhabitants of Gennesareth, (Matt. xiv.
35,36, compared with Mark vi. 56.), and the
penitent malefactor. (Luke xxiii. 42, 43.)

10. Holiness and fervent desires for holiness,
I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for

he will speak peace unto his people and his saints :
but let them not turn again to folly. (Psal.
Ixxxv. 8.)

O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wicked-
ness, that thou mayest be saved : how long shall
thy vain thoughts lodge within thee ? — Wash ye,
make you clean ; put away the evil of your
doings before mine eyes. Cease to do evil,
learn to do well ; seek judgment, relieve the
oppressed, judge for the fatherless, plead for the
widow. Seek good and not evil, that ye may
live : and so the Lord of hosts shall be with
you. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I
have borne chastisement , I will not offend any
more. That which I see not, teach Thou me. If I
have done iniquity, I will do no more. ( Jer. iv. 14.
Isa. i. 16, ]7. Amos v. 14. Job xxxiv. 31, 32.)

11. Joy. — Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are par-
takers of Christ's sufferings ; that, when his
glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy. (1 Pet. iv. 14.)

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and
be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in
heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets
which were before you. My brethren, count it
all joy when ye fall into divers temptations ;

CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS. 25

knowing that the trying of your faith worketh
patience. (Matt. v. 11, 12. James i. 2, 3.)

Examples of Persons^ who rejoiced amidst Tribu-
lations.

(1.) Veter and John. — They departed from
the presence of the council, rejoicing that they
were counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ's
name. (Acts v. 41.)

(2.) Paul and Silas, at midnight, prayed and
sang praises unto God. (Acts xvi. 25.)

(3.) St. Paul. — I am filled with comfort, I am
exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. (2 Cor.
vii. 4.)

(4.) The primitive Church a^ Thessalonica :
— Ye became followers of us and of the Lord,
having received the word with much affliction,
and joy of the Holy Ghost. (1 Thess. i. 6.)

(5.) The Hebrew Christians : — Ye took joy-
fully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in your-
selves, that in heaven ye have a better and an
enduring substance. (Heb. x. 34.)

12. Mutual sympathy aiid consolation. —
Pure and undefiled religion before God even the
Father is this : — To visit the fatherless and
widows in their affliction. (James i. 27.)

God .... comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that AVE MAY BE ABLE TO COMFORT them which
are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of God. Wherefore,
comfort yourselves together, and edify one an-
other even as also ye do ... . Comfort the feeble-
minded, support the weak, be patient towards
all men. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
3

26 THE BEST PREPARATION

fulfil the law of Christ. Rejoice with them that
do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Re-
member them that are in bonds, as bound with
them ; and them which suffer adversity, as being
yourselves also in the body. When thou art con-
verted, strengthen thy brethren. (2 Cor. i. 4.
1 Thess. V. 11. 14. Gal. vi. 2. Rom. xii. 15.
Ileb. xiii. 3. Luke xxii. 32.)

CHAPTER II.

ON THE BEST PREPARATION FOR AFFLICTIONS,
AND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THEM J AND
OUR DUTY ON BEING DELIVERED FROM AF-
FLICTIONS.

• SECTION I.»

ON THE BEST PREPARATION FOR AFFLICTIONS.

In the day of prosperity be joyful ; but in the day of
adversity CONSIDER.— Eccles. vii. 14.

It is the great folly of most men, especially
when they are in prosperous circumstances, that

* This and the two following sections are abridged
from three papers of the learned and pious Sir Matthew
Hale; which fill nearly ninef?/ closely printed pages of
his " Contemplations, Moral and Divine," in two parts,
published at London in 1705, in octavo. Having been
composed at different times, these meditations are fre-
quently 5m//a7* as to the topics discussed, though the lat-
ter are often treated in a different order. They are here

FOR AFFLICTIONS. 27

they cannot suppose or imagine the possibility of
a change in their affairs or conditions. A living
man can hardly think of dying ; a healthy man
can hardly think of sickness ; a wealthy man can
hardly think of poverty ; a man who is in full
possession of the applause and glory of the world,
can hardly think of being exposed to calumny,
reproach, and disgrace. Since, however, both
Scripture and experience attest, that the most
sincere piety and integrity cannot confer any
exemption from afflictions, it becomes the serious
concern of all, to be prepared for that, which, in
some form or other, must sooner or later neces-
sarily be our portion. The following consider-
ations therefore are offered as a preparative
against afflictions, before they are permitted to
overtake us.

1. " /w the day of prosperity " frequently con-
template the possibility oj a change of circum-
stances, and expect afflictions before they come.

The very state of the world is uncertain and
unstable, and for the most part stormy and
troublesome. If there be some intervals of tran-
quillity, or of health and prosperity, they are
commonly followed by longer periods of unquiet-
ness and trouble, of sorrow, sickness, and adver-
sity ; and the greatest impressions are then made
by them, when they surprise us, and come un-
expectedly. When the mind is prepared for

brought together and condensed, with the addition of
one or two passages from later writers, which are
duly distinguished from the sentiments of Lord Chief
Justice Hale.

*28 THE BEST PREPARATION

them by a kind of anticipation, it abates the edge,
and keenness, and sharpness of them. Thispre-
apprehension and anticipation of troubles and
difficulties is the mother of prevention, where it
is possible ; and where it is not possible, yet it is
the mother of patience and resolution when they
actually arrive. The venerable martyr Bilney,
when the true profession of the gospel in this
kingdom was under papal persecution, was ac-
customed, before he suffered, to put his finger
into the flame of a candle, in order to habituate
himself to the patient endurance of his impend-
ing martyrdom at the stake : which he at length
suffered, with singular resolution, patience, faith,
and charity.

Men are apt to feed their fancies with the
anticipation of what they hope for, and wish in
this world, and to possess it in imagination before
they attain it in fruition. But, if they would
have the patience sometimes to anticipate what
they have just cause to fear, and to put them-
selves under a pre-apprehension of it, in relation
to crosses and troubles, it would make them
WISE, and teach them a lesson of patience and
moderation, before they have occasion to use it:
so that they need not then begin to learn it,
when the present and incumbent pressure renders
the lesson more difficult. This was the method
our blessed Lord took with his disciples, — fre-
quently to tell them beforehand what sufferings
they must expect in the world ; in order that
they might be prepared to entertain them with
resolution and patience.

FOR AFFLICTIONS. 29

II. In the time of our prosperity^ let us make it
our care to maintain a conscience void of offence
before the approach of troubles and affiictions.

As sin (and a consciousness of its guilt) is the
sting of death ; so is it the very sting and venom
of all crosses and afflictions. This is that which
imparts the greatest bitterness and strength to
afflictions; as it not only weakens and disables
the spirit of a man, but also obstructs the inter-
course between God and the soul, and fails not
to bring all former sins to remembrance.

When Joseph's brethren were in a great strait
in Egypt, under the threatenings and seeming
jealousy of their unknown brother, then the re-
membrance of their injury to their defenceless
brother, presented itself to their guilty minds with
every possible aggravation. Conscience, which
had been silenced for more than twenty years,
then stepped forth, and gave them the necessary
information respecting their former unrepented
crime. " We are verily guilty concerning our
brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul,
when he besought us, and we would not hear.
Therefore is this distress come upon us."
(Gen. xlii. 21.) "A wounded spirit who can
bear?" (Prov. xviii. 14.)

On the other hand, integrity and a good con-
science sustain the mind and spirit of a m.an amidst
all the storms of the world. If thou meanest
therefore to make affliction easy, keep thy con-
science clear before it comes. Thou hast then
the strength of thine own soul to support thee, and
liberty of access to the most Mighty and Gracious
God to deliver thee, when thou canst in thesin-
3*

30 THE BEST PREPARATION

cerity of thine heart, with Hezekiah, appeal unto
God : — " Remember now, O Lord, I beseech
thee, how I have walked before Thee in truth,
and with a perfect[heart, and have done that which
is good in Thy sight." (Isa. xxxviii. 3.) And this
access to Almighty God imparts new supplies, suc-
cor, and strength to the soul, to bear it up under
very great and pressing afflictions. If, therefore,
either before the access or irruption of troubles, or
under their pressure, any thing or person in the
world solicit thee to ease or deliver thyself by a
breach or wound of thy conscience : know, that
they are about to cheat thee of thy best security,
under God, against the power or malignity of trou-
bles : they are about to clip off that lock, in which
under God thv strength lieth. Whatever therefore
thou dost hazard or lose, keep the integrity of
thy conscience, both before the approach of
troubles and under them. It is a jewel, that will
make thee rich in the midst of poverty ; a sun,
that will give thee light in the midst of darkness ;
a fortress, that will keep thee safe in the greatest
danger, and which is never to be taken, unless
thou thyself betray it and deliver it up.

But if thy heart hath proved deceitful to thee,
and thou hast fallen into any sin, there yet remains
one expedient to stop and anticipate the malignity
of it from mingling with thy affliction. Therefore

III. Before ajflictions come, be i^ure thou break
of thy sin by sincere and hearty repentance.

He that, before the severity of affliction
comes upon him, hath his heart cleansed from
the guilt of sin by repentance, whereby he for-
sakes the love and practice of all sin, and by be-

FOR AFFLICTIONS. 31

lieving in the Lord Jesus Christ with the heart
unto righteousness, — hath and will have but one
work to do, viz. to fit himself with patience to
undergo the shock of affliction : but whosoever de-
fers his repentance until driven to it by affliction,
his work is more difficult, because he has both
to begin his repentance, and to bear his affliction.

Lest the malignity of sin should remain in thy
soul, when affliction overtakes thee, be careful
that thy repentance be frequent : to which end
let thy examinations of thy heart and thy life be
strict and daily. When guilt and affliction come
upon a man together, they add to each other
weight and difficulty of removal. But affliction
meeting with a conscience cleansed by faith and
repentance, is always tolerable, and for the most
part comfortable. It loses its nature, and becomes
another thing : it is a preventive of sin, a cor-
rective of corruptions, an exercise of grace, a
conformity to Christ, an assurance of God's love,
a preparative for heaven, rather than an affliction.

rV. Above all things he very carejul that thy
affliction he not the just production of thy sin or

folly-

For in the one case thou sufferest as an evil-
doer ; in the other, thou sufferest as a fool : and
in neither canst thou take any comfort. If thou
sufferest without any fault, or for thy virtue, piety,
or goodness, thou needest not be troubled for the
one, and thou mayest most justly rejoice in the
other. But when a man suffers as an evil-doer^
or as a busy body in other men's matters, ox for
illlanguagc or passionate words, for disturbance
OF THE CIVIL POWER, or for any other sinful or

32 THE BEST PREPARATION

unjustifiable action ; his sufferings lose the name
of afflictions, and become formally and in their
own nature punishments. And in such a kind of
sufferinor though sometimes the goodness and
wisdom of God may bring good out of it to him
that suffers; yet in such sufferings a man does
not only undergo temporal loss, pain, and incon-
venience, but he has the inevitable prospect of
his fault and offence in them, which makes the
suffering the more bitter and distasteful.

V. Be careful to bring thyself to a right esti-
mate oj the tcorld, and of the good or evil of it.

We set too great a value upon our health, our
wealth, or our reputation. And it is this over-
valuation of what at the best are but fleeting and
uncertain external good things, which renders us
unable to bear the loss of them, patiently and
meekly, by sickness, poverty, calumny, or re-
proach ; and which further makes us fear death,
not only as the ruin of nature, but as that which
puts a period to all our comforts. Whereas, had
we but faith enough to believe the truths of the
gospel concerning our future happiness, it would
make us not desire death, because we might in
the time of this life secure to ourselves the great
and one thing needful : and it would make us
not FEAR death, because we see a greater fruition
to be enjoyed after it, than all the glory of this
present world can yield.

VI. llie next preparative against affliction /s,
to obtain a humble mind.

When affliction meets a proud heart, full of
opinion of its own worth and goodness, there
arise more trouble and tumult, more disorder

FOR AFFLICTIONS. 3u

and discomposure in the contest of such a heart
against the affliction, than possibly can arise from
the affliction itself The struggling of pride with
the affliction galls and entangles the mind more
than the severest affliction, and renders a man
very unfit for it, and very unable to bear it.
Whereas a humble, lowly mind is calm and
patient, and falls with ease upon an afflicted con-
dition ; it being rightly prepared to receive the
shock of any affliction, for such a mind is already
as low as affliction can ordinarily reduce it.

VII. But, yet further, gain assurance of
THY PEACE ^viTH GoD tkrougli Jesus Christ our
Lord., and consequently of thy future happiness^
and he frequent in the contemplation and improve-
ment of it.

This divine peace, which is attainable only by
the saving knowledge of Christ, who brought life
and immortality to light, is the great means,
by which a man obtains victory over the world,
and is enabled to enjoy prosperity with mode-
ration, and to undergo affliction with patience.
*' This is the victory that overcometh the world,
even your faith." (1 John v. 4.) When this
blessed peace is once attained, thou art set above
the love of the world and the fear of afflictions,
because thou hast the assurance of a greater
treasure than this world can either give or take
away : *' a kingdom that cannot be moved."
(Heb. xii. 28.) ; a hope and most assured ex-
pectation of immortality, which is far above the
region of afflictions, and which (while it makes
the best things of this world in their best ap-
pearance and dress but light and vain, and

34 THE BEST PREPARATION, ETC.

empty and nothing,) makes the worst things
that the world and mortality can inflict or suffer,
light and easy. "For our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory ; while we
look not at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen : for the things which
are seen are temporal ; but the things which are
not seen are eternal." (2 Cor. iv. 17, 18.)

The preceding considerations are some of
those preparations which, with the divine grace
and blessing, will fit us to meet with afflictions :
and in them these two things are to be remem-
bered, viz. —

1. That we do not content ourselves with
merely speculative notions, hwi practically digest
the foregoing considerations into our hearts^ and
resolutions : for, if they be but notional only, af-
flictions, when they do come, will easily defeat
these notions. It is possible for men to have ex-
cellent theories to support themselves in afflictions,
and to apply them to others in that condition with
singular dexterity and advantage: yet, when the
case comes to be their own, their spirits sink
within them, because these theories oftentimes
float on the understanding, but are not deeply
and practically digested in the heart.

2. Whatever you do, acquire this habit and
temper of mind : — Exercise your faith; get your
peace and assurance settled before sickness
comes : for a man, in any other kind of suffering,
may possibly learn them, because his mind is, or
may be, in its entire strength. But, most cer-
tainly, sickness is an ill season, in which to begin

DEPORTMENT UNDER AFFLICTIONS. 35

learning these contemplations, unless they are
acquired before the distempers of the body dis-
compose the mind, and render it unfit to begin to
learn. Sickness is a time, when that which has
been previously laid up in store in the soul must
be drawn out and exercised : but it will be a
most difficult business then to commence that
lesson, which should be learned in health, though
it be practised in sickness.

SECTION II.

COUNSELS FOR OUR DEPORTMENT UNDER AFFLICTIONS.

I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that
thou in faithfulness hast afflicted ine. — Psalm cxix. 76.

All the divine dispensations, whether of com-
forts or crosses, are beneficial or injurious, ac-
cording to the temper of mind with which they
are received and used. Comforts, if they make
us thankful, sober, and faithful, become bless-
ings : if they make us proud, insolent, secure, or
forgetful, they become judgments. — Afflic-
tions, if they are received with humility, pa-
tience, repentance, and turning to God, are
blessings : but if they are received with mur-
muring, impatience, and incorrigibleness, they
become judgments, and the forerunner of
greater severity. It is therefore of importance

36 COUNSELS FOR OVP. DEFGRTMENT

that we consider in what manner afflictions, when
actually pressing upon us, arc to be received, and
improved. On the first onset, then, of any afflic-
tion, and especially of sickness,

I. Lift lip thy litcirt to God in prayer ; and
implore His assistaiice and grace to enable thee
to receive it tvith a becoming temper and frame of
heart.

The glorious God of heaven has given to us
a free and open access to His throne ; there to
supplicate by our prayers for those blessings and
mercies which he has promised.

Prayer is the most natural effect of affliction,
especially if it be severe and eminent. In a storm,
the sailors call every man upon his God ; because
at that season all human efforts appear weak and
ineffectual ; and therefore they are driven to in-
voke Almighty God for aid, support, and com-
fort. It is a sign of a desperate mind, that it will
not come unto God in prayer, at least when
afflictions press upon a man : and though he
may not be of the number of those who restrain
prayer before God, yet afflictions will naturally
make the prayer of such a man more earnest, fer-
vent, and constant. They impart life and ener-
gy to the petitions of a praying man.

Prayer is not only a duty expected from us
by God, which we owe in recognition of the
divine sovereignty, and a privilege of greater
value than if we were constituted lords of the
whole earth : but it is also a mean by which we
may attain those mercies, which Infinite Wisdom
and Goodness knows to be fittest for us. By this

UNDER AFFLICTIONS. 37

mean, we may be sure to have deliverance or
preservation, if useful or fit for us : or, if not,
those favors and condescensions from Almighty
God, which are better than deliverance itself,
viz. Patience and content with the divine good
pleasure ; resignation of our wills to Him ; sup-
port under our weaknesses and despondencies;
and evidences and communications of His love
to us : for oftentimes, amidst the deepest afflic-
tions and calamities, whether public or private,
God does vouchsafe, as a return to earnest
believing prayer, such revelations of His good-
ness, such irradiations of His favor and love, as
a man would not exchange for all the external
happiness which this world can afford. Fre-
quently also does He recompense outward losses
and troubles with a far greater measure of the
manifestations of His favor, than the afflicted
person ever received in His greatest confluence
of external advantages. Yea, it is even possible,
that the time of external storms and troubles is
far more seasonable for such returns of faithful
and humble prayer, than the time of external
affluence and benefits : and the devotion of the
soul is by such troubles raised to a greater height,
and is accompanied with more grace, humility,
and fervor, than is ordinarily to be found in
a condition of external peace, plenty, and
serenity.

Respecting the Privilege and Requisites of
Prayer, see Chapter IH. pp. 52 — 84. infra.

II. Make as speedy an inquisition as thou canst
into thine otmi state, and what the cause of this
4

38 COUNSELS FOR OUR DEPORTMENT

affliction may he ; and submit thyself to it with all
humility.

" Let lis search and try our ways" (Lam. iii.
40.) is the voice of every affliction: and, com-
monly, every affliction, which befalls a person
who lies under any sin unrepented of and not
forsaken, soon leads the conscience to point out
that sin. \n such a case, most afflictions carry
upon them the very inscription of the sin, and
bear some analogy or proportion to it. Thus,
Adonibezek's cruelty and David's adultery were
in a manner, written in the punishments which
they sui^ered, and might easily bring them to
their remembrance. If thou sufferest in thy
HEALTH, consider whether thou hast not been
too vain of thy personal beauty and strength. If
thou sufferest in thy estate, consider whether
thou hast not indulged in immoderate worldliness,
and covetousness, or confidence and glory in
thy wealth. And if thou sufferest in thy name,
consider whether thy reputation has not been
thine idol, or whether thou hast not borne thyself
too high upon thy reputation.

If upon this inquiry thou findest sin written
upon thy sufferings, or at the bottom of them,
then speedily repent of that sin ; humble thyself
in the sight of God for it, and take up a resolu-
tion against it. This is the voice, the injunction
which the rod gives thee ; and here thy special
duty is humiliation. On the other hand, if upon
an impartial scrutiny, thou findest thy heart and
conscience clear from great and wasting sins,
humbly bless God for his restraining grace in

UNDER AFFLICTIONS. 39

preserving thee from the great transgression.
And while thou humblest thyself for thy daily
sins of omission, for thy coldness in thy devo-
tions, for thy want of vigilance over thy passions,
and thy neglect of opportunities of doing good ;
regard thy present affliction as a dispensation sent
for the wisest ends, (though thou mayest not per-
ceive any enormity in thyself which may deserve
it,) and with all humility and lowliness of mind
receive and submit to thine affliction. It is a mes-
sage sent to thee by the most wise and sovereign
Lord of the world, though it may be delivered
even by the hands of a most vile and unworthy
man. It may be designed to exercise thy pa-
tience, thy faith, thy dependence upon thy God
and Father. He may discern that some temp-
tation awaits thee, or that some unperceived cor-
ruption is growing within thee : and He in mercy
sends this messenger to divert the one and to
prevent the other. Study therefore to improve
this affliction to that end ; and here thy special
duty is patience and vigilance.

If however, after diligent scrutiny, thou doest
find that the true cause of thy suffering is for
righteousness-sake, for keeping a good con-
science, for the honor of thy Redeemer, and
for adhering to the truth as it is in Jesus ; then
indeed thy sufferings lose the name and nature of
an affliction, and become an honor, a filling up
of the measure of thy Saviour's . sufferings, — a
suffering which has not only a blessing in it, but
which is a very blessing in itself: for blessed are
ye when men persecute you for righteousness-
sake, and say all manner of evil against you

40 COUNSELS FOR OUR DEPORTMENT

FALSELY for Chiist's sake. (Matt. v. 9, 10.)
But, beware that thy heart deceive thee not, and
make thee believe that thou art suffering for a
good conscience, when perhaps it is for thy folly
or thy frowardness. In this case, although those
who inflict the punishment may be deficient in
charity and moderation ; yet hast thou reason to
repent for thy folly, and not to glory in thy suf-
fering. We are but too apt to think well of our-
selves, and to call that persecution, which is
only the fruit of our folly and inconsiderate
rashness.

III. Receive thine afflictions thankfully as well
as humhly.

Know, that they are sent from the most wise
and merciful God, all whose dispensations are
intended for our good. He may design thine
afflictions as a preventive of greater mischief.
They may be designed as an improvement of thy
grace, and as an evidence that thou art one of
his children ; to wean thee from the world, or to
prepare thee for the reception of a greater bless-
ing, which without the preparation of an affliction
might make thee proud. Or, thine afflictions may
be designed to make thee an example, a strength-
ening to others ; or because thy good things are
reserved for the better w^orld, and thine evil
things are dispensed to thee here.

We have many grounds of thankfulness to
God, in seasons of affliction : as, that they are no
worse or greater ; and that though thou hast
losses, yet thou hast not, like Job, lost all at
once. Or, if thou hast lost all external good
things, yet hast thou not something infinitely

UNDER AFFLICTIONS. 41

more valuable than all the rest, viz. Innocence,
Peace with God througli our Lord Jesus Christ,
and with thine own conscience ? Be thankful
that thy Heavenly Father chooseth to afflict thee
rather than to forsake thee ; and that by this very
chastisement He is now displaying his paternal
affection ; and that, were He to withhold this
seasonable and useful correction, it would mark
in him rather the neglect of a stranger, than the
well-judging kindness of a parent. If God be
thy Father, trust His wisdom, because He is
God ; and trust his love, because He is thy
Father : and then thou canst not doubt, that any
thing which He sends deserves thy thanks, al-
though thou canst not at present see wherein the
benefit of it lies.

' We cannot, indeed, be pleased with affliction
for its own sake : but Job was afflicted, and was
he not thankful? — 'The Lord gave and the
Lord hath taken away ;' and what then 1
'Blessed be the name of the Lord!' Our duty
is to ' give thanks always for all things' (Eph.
V. 20.) ; for things painful as well as pleasing; for
things dark as well as light; for things perplexed
as well as plain : for they are equally under the
government of God, the direction of a Heavenly
Father; the management and disposal of infinite
wisdom and love ! And not only so; the darkest
dispensations of Providence, the severest strokes
of adversity, are often sent for the most salutary
purposes: they are frequently found to answer
the most valuable ends. What think you ? If
the afflictions of your body be blessed to the con-
version of your soul, have you not cause to give
4*

42 COUNSELS FOR OUR DEPORTMENT

thanks ? If the trials you find in your family,
rouse you to reflection and bring you into the
family of heaven, have you not leason to be
thankful? If the privations you meet with in the
world, your disappointments in trade, the long
train of perplexing occurrences, which you could
enumerate with much feeling and many tears ; if
all these be sanctified to you, to restore you to
your right mind, to bring you to prayer, to hum-
ble" you, to wean you from the world, what abun-
dant cause have you to give thanks ! ''*

IV. Bear thine affliction patiently and quitily.

Consider that, if it come ior thy sins, thou hast
reason to bear it patiently, because it is but the
fruit of thine own planting, the cropof thine own
seed, " Why doth the living man complain? A
man for the punishment of his sin?" (Lam. iii. 39.)
Thou hast procured it to thyself: be contented to
bear the consequences of having followed thine
own way. At the same time, there are many
alleviations in thy peculiar circumstances, which
are calculated to induce thee to the patient en-
durance of afflictions. It might justly have been
worse and more severe, than it actually is: and
though it be never so sharp, it may be that the
same God who inflicted or permitted it, is at
this instant resolving to turn thy captivity, to
give thee beauty for ashes. And what an un-
seemly thing will thy impatience be ? and how
troublesome will the remembrance of it be to
thy soul, upon the change of thy condition. Be-
sides, should thine aflfliction wait upon thee to

*Kidd's Sermons, vol. i. p. 184.

UNDER AFFLICTIONS. 43

thy dissolution ; yet it is but a night, an hour of
affliction, that will terminate with thy life, which
is but a span; and then the day will dawn, and
thy sun will arise, and thine affliction will vanish
and never return again. Further, if thou re-
ceivest affliction patiently and with devout sub-
jection of mind to the dispensations of thy mer-
ciful Heavenly Father, who does not willingly
afflict the children of men, it will not only shorten
thine affliction, but render thy burthen more easy
and tolerable. Thy Saviour also hath consecrated
to thee the way of suffering, and hath left thee
the blessed example of his own patience and sub-
mission ; and though his most innocent human
nature shrunk at the pre-apprehensions of the
bitter cup of suffering, which awaited him, yet
he meekly resigned his will to his Father. " Not
my 2ciU — hut thine he done .'" — " Christ hath suf-
fered for us, leaving us an example that ye should
FOLLOW his steps, who when he was reviled, re-
viled not again ; when he suffered, he threatened
not ; but committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously." (I Pet. ii. 21.-23.)

V. Endeavor to use thine affiiction jyrojitahly.

Earthly parents have chastised us for their
pleasure: but *'the father of spirits chasteneth
us for our profit." (Heb. xii. 10.) In order
therefore that thou mayest profit by afflictions,
learn by them to form a just estimate of the
world, (which they show to be — what it truly is
— a vain, empty and vexing world ;) and discipline
thine affections to a moderate and loose applica-
tion to it. Keep up thine heart in a dependence
upon God's power and all-sufficiency, either to

44 COUNSELS FOR OUR DEPORTMENT

deliver thee from affliction or to support thee
under it. Above all, learn from thine affiictions
to value and improve thy hope and assurance of
everlasting life. It is the great design of God in
sending or permitting afflictions, that they may
prevent us from clasping this present world, and
thereby carry us over to the valuation of our
eternal condition. " Thy wealth is gone ; thine
honor and reputation are sunk and blasted ; thy
friends have forsaken thee ; thy body is moulder-
ing to dust and rottenness, and thy soul sits hov-
ering upon thy lips ready to take her flight ; and
all thy hold of this present life is broken and
gone, so that thou now hast nothing on which
thou canst fasten thine hopes, but the promises of
everlasting life, thine interest in Christ, and the
hope of everlasting life. Now therefore, if ever,
these things will be welcome to thee. God hath
scattered and broken all other vain confidences,
improve this one thing necessary, (which alone
standeth by thee when all other things forsake
thee, and will accompany thee in and through
death itself;) and fix in thine heart such a value
upon this blessed hope, which hath been thy
comfort when all others forsake thee, as not to
let go thy valuation of it, though thy temporal
prosperity should return to thee.'

VI. Wait God's leisure for thy deliverance out
of affiiction, and use no unlaicful means to he
delivered from it.

Use no base or unworthy compliances with the
world to extricate thyself: for that will either
entangle thee worse, or at least add guilt to thy
sufferings. Above all, avoid that accursed tempt-

UNDER AFFLICTIONS. 4d

ation of ridding thyself of thy troubles by putting
an end to thy life ; for thereby thou wilt not only
be guilty of extreme folly and madness in ex-
changing a temporal inconvenience by running
the hazard of eternal misery ; but thou wilt also
be guilty of an act of open rebellion against (iod,
who hath sent thee these afflictions, and hath
made it thy province, thy task, and thy service,
to bear them with patience and to his honor,
until he deliver thee. Wait God's time with
prayer and patience, and be assured that thou
wilt find His mercy in moderating thy afflictions,
his power to support thee under them, his good-
ness in His time (which is always the best) to
deliver thee from them, and his bounty to reward
thee for thy patience and obedient bearing of
them.

VII. Lastly, If thou ivouldest prevent or avoid
very many afflictions^ mingle as little as thou canst
in the concerns of the world, its honors, places, or
advantages ; unless indeed thou art lawfully called
and duly qualified for any office of magistracy,
honor, or public employment. In that case it
becomes thy duty to accept of such office, when
thou art commanded by the sovereign power to
undertake it, and to discharge it faithfully for the
public good of mankind. Then, shouldest thou
meet with any trials or difficulties in the proper
execution of thine office, thou wilt have no reason
to blame thyself. The sovereign power that
commanded thee to undertake such office, will
be thy support in the discharge of it. When,
however, thou art drawn into the scuffle or
entanglements of the world, whether by inad-

46 OUR DUTY ON DELIVERANCE

vertency or importunity, get out of them as soon
as thou canst, safely, fairly, and honestly ; lest
thou hazard thy conscience, or meet with diffi-
culties and vexations, which in such case would
rather be the consequences of thy folly and in-
considerate adventure, than true affliction.

SECTION III.

ON THE DUTT OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DELIVERED
FROM AFFLICTIONS.

What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits
towards me ?

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of Thanksgiving, and
will call upon the name of the Lord.

Psalm cxvi. 12. 17;

The preceding considerations having exhibited
the conduct to be pursued under afflictions, for
our due improvement of them to the end for
which they are sent by our Heavenly Father ; —
it now only remains that we offer a few counsels
relative to the temper and disposition of mind
which it becomes us to cherish, after our deliv-
erance from afflictions.

I. Accept of thy deliverance with all thank-
fulness to God, and humility in thyself.

Acknowledge Him to be the Author of it ;
attribute it wholly to His goodness and mercy.
Think not that thou art delivered on account of

FROM AFFLICTIONS. 47

thy worth or desert ; for any one sin, that ever
thou committest, would detain tliee everlastingly
under the severest affliction. Think not that thy
affliction hath expiated thy demerit, and that
thou owest thy deliverance to the satisfaction
that is made by thy suffering; for, most certainly,
the greatest affliction under heaven cannot satisfy
for the least transgression ; nothing but the

BLOOD OF THE SoN OF GoD CAN COUNTERVAIL
THE WEIGHT OF THE LEAST SIN AGAINST GoD.

Think not that thy deliverance is due to thy wit,
or friends, or interest ; for though God is pleased
to use the intervention of means, yet He admin-
istered those means, and made them effectual,
otherwise they would have been unprofitable.
As God sends afflictions, to evidence his power,
wisdom, and sovereignty ; so He sends deliver-
ance to manifest his goodness and bounty ; and
he tribute, which He most justly expects for the
same is but easy and reasonable ; — " Call upon
me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee ;
and THOU shalt glorify me." (Psal. 1. 15.)

II. Endeavor to express thy thankfulness by a
sincere and faithful obedience to that God, who
hath thus delivered thee.

Do not forget the time of thy trouble, and the
promises and engagements which thou didst then
make. A truly thankful mind will not
content itself with merely verbal praises and
acknowledgments ; but will study and endeavor
to find out and do all that may be well-pleasing
and acceptable to his Great Benefactor. A man,
who has received great and signal mercies and
deliverances, becomes a great and efficacious ex-

48 OUR DUTY ON DELIVERANCE

ample of much good or much evil, according as
he conducts himself after eminent mercies re-
ceived. If he become more pious, virtuous, just,
and sober than before, he becomes a forcible
motive and engagement to others to be like him ;
on the other hand, if he degenerate into impiety,
vanity, or sin, he discourages goodness, and be-
comes a great temptation to others to be like
him.

III. Take heed lest, after great deliverance, thy
heart he lifted up into presumption upon God, or
into pride and vain glory, and a conceit of thine
oion goodness and ivorth.

This is the common temptation which grows
much upon mercy received ; and therefore Moses
cautioned the Israelites not to cherish the vain
notion that God cast out the nations of Canaan
from before them, on account of their righteous-
ness, but for the wickedness of those nations and
in performance of his promise to Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob. (Deut. ix. 4 — 6.) Let thine afflictions
find thee humble and make thee more humble ;
but let thy deliverance increase thine humility.
The more mercy God shews thee, the more
humble let thine heart be ; because thou must
expect that the temptations and assaults of pride
and vain glory will be most busy with thee. Be
very watchful therefore over thyself, and remem-
ber thy Saviour's counsel, " Sin no more, lest a
worse thing come unto thee.'' (John v. 14.) As
a means of keeping thee from pride and pre-
sumption, call to mind those sins which did most
trouble and disquiet thee in the time of thine

FROM AFFLICTIONS. 49

adversity. Renew ihy repentance for them, and
take special care to avoid relapses into them.

IV. Let the remembrance of thy past misery, and
of thy present mercy, make thee more anxiously
solicitons to keep up thy interest and {if it he not
too hold a ivord) thy Jriendship icith God.

He was thy support in thine affliction and
He was thy deliverer out of thine affliction ; let
iiratitiide bind thee to it, as He was thy benefac-
tor ; and let prudence bind thee to it, for thou
knowest not how soon thou mayest have the
same necessity again ; and where canst thou find
such a friend ? Every mercy thou receivest calls
for more humility, more thankfulness, more
heavenly-mindedness, more charity, more devo-
tedness, and self-denial, more sanctity, and more
jealousy for the honor of God ; Oh ! keep thy
God thy friend ; for most certain it is, that thou
wilt have occasion to use him again, and thou
knowest not how soon. Keep thine interest in
Him, and estrange not thyself from him in thy
recovery, without whom thou canst not do in
thine afflictions.

V. Beware that, after deliverance from afflic'
tions, thou be not secure.

Think not, with Agag, " Surely the bitterness
of Death is past." (1 Sam. xv. 32.) When one
affliction is past, hold thyself in readiness for an-
other conflict. Skilful mariners, after weathering
out a storm, immediately repair the ship and
tackling, that they may be able to ride out an-
other tempest. Thus should we prepare our-
selves for the storms of trials and temptations.
o

50 OUR DUTY ON DELIVERANCE

In like manner, be thou watchful and stand upon
thy guard : for thou hast sins and corruptions
within thee, which (if thou art not watchful)
may surprise thee, and raise new storms. Be-
sides thou hast watchful enemies without thee,
— evil men and evil angels that envy thee the
more because thou hast escaped. So long as
thou livest in the world, thy condition is uncer-
tain and unstable; and, if there were nothing
else to make thee watchful, yet be assured that
the hour of sickness and the hour of death will
overtake thee ; and that is an hour of affliction,
for which thou must always prepare, lest it over-
take thee unawares.

VI. Finally, Cherish the remembrance of past
deliverances from affliction, as a means of per-
Ijetuating thy gratitude, obedience, and watchful-
ness.

When men have experienced any unexpected
deliverance, they commonly have a quick and
lively apprehension of it, which produces cor-
responding purposes of obedience, gratitude, and
watchfulness. But, in process of time, as the
remembrance of the deliverance gradually de-
cays and becomes weaker, so do their good pur-
poses become more and more faint, until at
length the affliction and the deliverance are
equally forgotten. Therefore, to prevent such
a declension in thy soul, keep thy afflictions and
thy deliverances fresh in thy memory, by having
recourse to writing, or some other expedient,
which may frequently remind thee of them with
all their circumstances. Mention them often ;
recollect them often, and recollect what were

FROM AFFLICTIONS.

51

thy thoughts, purposes, and temper of mind and
spirit, when thy afflictions were upon thee, or
thy deliverances were newly vouchsafed to thee ;
and reason thyself into the same temper and
habit of thankfulness, which thou didst then
cherish. By thus keeping the memory of these
afflictions and these deliverances fresh under all
their circumstances, thou wilt with them, and in
the same degree as thy remembrance of them
is lively, revive and excite, and preserve and
keep alive the same gratitude, the same obe-
dience, the same humility, the same solicitude
to preserve thine interest with God, and the
same vigilance, which these afl!lictions or these
deliverances wrought in thee, when they were
fresh with thee or upon thee. The vigorous
perpetuating of the remembrance of them, will
be an effectual means to perpetuate the due fruit
of them in their life, vigor, and intention.

Through all the changing scenes of life.

In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still

My heart and tongue employ.

Of His deliverance I will boast

Till all that are distress'd
From my example comfort take,

And charm their griefs to rest.

O magnify the Lord with me,

With me exalt His name ;
When in distress to him I call'd,

He to my rescue came.

52 IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER.

O make but trial of His love,

Experience will decide,
How blest are they, and only they,

Who in his truth confide.

Psalm xxxiv. 1 — 3. 8.

CHAPTER III.

ON THE PRIVILEGE AND DUTY OF PRAYER, ESPE-
CIALLY IN SEASONS OF AFFLICTION.

A soul IN COMMERCE WITH HER GOD, is heaven !

Prayer ardent opens heaven, lets down a stream

Of glory on the consecrated hour

Of man, in audience with the Deity.

Who worships the Great God, that instant joins

The first in heaven, and sets his foot on hell.

Young.

Of all the duties and privileges of the Chris-
tian Life, Prayer is unquestionably the most
important. It is the very soul of all true Reli-
gion, and the channel through which God ordi-
narily confers his grace upon us. It is the key
of the treasures of heaven, and the surest way
to obtain peace of mind ; and since it is put into
our hands, we have no longer to deplore our in-
digence. At the same time, it is an act of grace
and highest honor, that we — dust and ashes —
are admitted to speak to the Eternal God, to run

IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER. 53

to Hira, as to a Father, to lay open our wants and
to complain of our burthens. Nothing can sup-
ply the absence of prayer. In vain are we sur-
rounded with all the means of salvation; — in
vain is our weakness strengthened by every pos-
sible support, — instructions, examples, counsels,
devotional reading, meditation, and the divinely
instituted means of grace, especially the partici-
pation of those holy mysteries which our Master
and only Saviour Jesus Christ hath ordained as
pledges of His Love, to our great and endless
comfort. With all these means together, if we
live in the habitual disregard of prayer — or if
our prayers be faint and feeble — we must remain
in all the moral languor of our fallen nature. We
may have frequent conversation with men of
eminent zeal and piety ; but man can speak only
to the mind of man, It is God alone, who speaks
to the heart, \yhen supplicated aright in prayer.
We may, by reading, acquire a conviction of
some truths ; prayer alone imparts to us the
sense and love of those truths. We may partake
of the supper of the Lord ; but prayer alone can
prepare us for a right participation of it, and secure
to us its benefits.

There is no duty more strongly recommended
to us in the Word of God. " I will " — we there
read — " I will that men pray every where, con-
tinuing instant in prayer; praying always with
all prayer and supplication. Pray without ceas-
ing." (I Tim. ii. 8. Rom. xii. 12. Eph. vi. 18.
1 Thess. v. 17.) But the constancy, with which
our Saviour practised this duty, especially gives

us a high idea of its importance ; since we see

5*

54 IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER.

Him, notwithstanding the continual fatigues of
his life, take from the hours allotted to repose,
the time which was necessary for this holy em-
ployment, and even prevent the dawn of day, in
order that he might give himself unto prayer,
far removed from the course of the multitudes
which ordinarily pressed upon his steps. " In
the morning, rising up a great while before day,
Jesus went out and departed into a solitary
place, and there prayed." (Mark i. 35.) In thus
seizing every opportunity of pouring out his soul
before God, our Lord has left us an example
that we should follow his steps. It is not, indeed,
required of us, that we should spend whole nights
in prayer, for that would, in all probability, render
us unfit for prosecuting the duties of our proper
callings on the following day. But we are ex-
horted to continue perseveringly in prayer, and
to watch thereunto with thanksgiving (Eph. vi.
IS.) ; and, the more nearly we can approach to
the example of our Divine Redeemer, in the
frequency and urgency of our supplications, the
more remarkable will be the answers we shall
receive ; and the more abundant will be the
communications of divine grace to our souls.

Our salvation, doubtless, was the principal ob-
ject of the Redeemer's prayers ; though we learn
from various passages of the New Testament,
that Jesus Christ also sought for himself those con-
solations and that support, which are obtained by
prayer. (x\Iatt. xxvi. 39. John xii. 27. Heb. v. 7.)
If then the Son of God did not neglect to seek
aid, so long as he contiicted with the contradic-
tion of sinners against himself, while clothed with

IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER. 55

the innocent infirmities of our nature ; — poor,
feeble sinners as we are, — how much greater
need have we to '* pray without ceasing ! "

SECTION I.

ON THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER. — MO-
TIVES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAYER.

I. *' Prayer," it has been remarked with equal
piety and eloquence, " is the application of want
to Him alone who can relieve it, the voice of
sin to Him alone who can pardon it. It is the
urgency of poverty, the prostration of humility,
the fervency of penitence, the confidence of trust.

It is the devout breathing of a creature,

struck with a sense of its own misery, and of the
infinite holiness of Him whom it is addressing ;
experimentally convinced of its own emptiness,
and of the abundant fulness of God, of His
readiness to hear, of His power to help, of His
willingness to save. It is not an emotion pro-
duced in the senses, nor an effect wrought in
the imagination ; but a determination of the
will, an effusion of the heart."* It is not a
mere conception in the mind, or an eflTort of the
tongue : it requires the heart rather than the
tongue. The eloquence of prayer consists not
in studied and vehement appeals, nor in the well-
chosen words of man's devisinor • though forms

* Mrs. Moore's Spirit of Prayer, p. 1'

66 IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER.

OF PRAYER WILL NEVER BE UNDERVALUED BY

THE REFLECTING BELIEVER ; at the Same time,
words will be of no avail, unless the feelings of
our heart either dictate or accompany them.
*' God hears us not the sooner for our many
words, but much sooner for our earnest desire."
Our confidence must spring from God's work in
us, not from our words to God.

The OBJECT of prayer is, not to communicate
unto God the knowledge of our wants : but to
impress man with the conviction of his wretch-
edness, to humble his spirit, to stir up his de-
sires, kindle his faith, animate his hope, and
elevate his soul to heaven, his country, the
dwelling-place of his Father. "There is no
doubt but God always knoweth what we have
need of, and is always most ready to give abund-
ance of those things that we lack. Yet, to the
intent that we mio;ht acknowledge Him to be
the giver of all good things, and behave our-
selves towards Him thankfully in that behalf,
loving, fearing, and worshipping Him, sincerely
and truly as we ought to do ; He hath profitably
and wisely ordained that, in time of necessity,
we should humble ourselves in his sight, pour
out the secrets of our heart before Him, and
crave help at his hands, with continual, earnest,
and devout prayer."*

II. Such being the nature of prayer, its para-
mount I3IPORTANCE will appear from the fact,
that it is indispensably necessary to our happi-
ness : for man possesses — and can possess —

* Homily concerning Prayer.

IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER. 57

nothing without prayer : while every thing of
which we stand in need is attainable by prayer.

I. This privilege — this duty — is indispensa-
ble to our happiness ; for the nature of things,
experience, and the word of God, all concur to
prove that we have, and can have, nothing of
which we stand in need, without prayer.

[i.] The nature of things attests this
truth. God is the source of life. Every thing
which his creatures enjoy, is derived from Him
alone. He alone preserves them by providing for
each its appropriate sustenance. He commands
the earth, and it produces food for terrestrial
beings. The plants of the fields, the animals
that roam the forests, yea man himself, so far as
respects his frail and perishable body, all derive
from the bosom of the earth, or from its produc-
tions, that support which is necessary for them.
But the rational and immortal soul does not live
upon those earthly aliments. Truth and righte-
ousness are the sustenance after which the soul
hungers and thirsts, as soon as it learns to know
its true interest. Where then can the soul seek
that sustenance, unless it seeks it by prayer
from the Author and Giver of every good and
every perfect gift ? As a plant spreads its roots
deep into the earth, in order that it may thence
derive nutritious sap : — or, as the flower opens
its calix to the rays of the sun and to the re-
freshing dew ; — so does the soul, bv prayer,
enter into communion with the source of all
grace, and places itself under the mighty influ-
ence of the Holy Spirit of God. But the soul,
that never prays, deprives itself of that sancti-

58 IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER.

fying communion : it rejects tliat sustenance
■which is necessary to its spiritual existence :
and like a plant torn up by the roots and aban-
doned to the winds, can only be tossed about in
the vortex of worldly affairs, and by its violent
passions.

[ii.] In the next place, interrogate experi-
ence upon this point.

Not only does experience demonstrate our
utter inability to extricate ourselves from the
misery of our state by nature : but it also con-
vinces us that we cannot continue in a state of
grace without prayer. The reader has perhaps
seen with astonishment one, who seemed to have
" escaped the pollutions of the world through
the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, suffer himself to become again entangled
therein : " so that he is now seen sitting in the seat
of the scornful, abandoning himself to their un-
godly joy, and even surpassing them in their ex-
cesses. Such a strange and surprising change
seems to be not only inconceivable but unaccount-
able. But question that miserable man. Endea-
vor to learn from him, whether he has daily im-
plored succor from on high : and you will find
that God did not give him up to all the depravity
of his heart, until he had broken off all inter-
course with heaven by ceasing to pray.

We need not, however, have recourse to such
awful examples as these : we appeal to the
reader's own personal experience. When have
you felt your faith become weak, your zeal
relax, your love become almost extinct ? When
have you felt a distaste for the bread of heaven ?

IMPORTANCE OP PRAYER. 59

When have you cast a fond lingering look behind
you at the world and its fleeting pleasures ?
Has it been when you have been faithful to the
duly and the privilege of prayer ? Rather, has
it not been, when you have been lax in the prac-
tice of that holy duty, and begun to feel luke-
warm and indifferent to it ? Were every one
carefully to examine into the causes of his little
progress in " knowledge and in the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ," he would be constrained to
acknowledge that all the spiritual coldness and
want of faith, which he professes to deplore, is
solely to be ascribed to the neglect of prayer.

[iii.] Be not, however, surprised at these fatal
consequences of negligence in prayer, for the
evidence of experience is confirmed by the ex-
plicit testimonies of the Word of God. The
Holy Scriptures shew us, that we must necessari-
ly receive every thing from the mere bounty of God.
What, indeed, do we possess, of ourselves ? What
spiritual good can we acquire, of ourselves?

Reader ! art thou desirous of the knowledge
OF THE TRUTH 1 — Pray. — So did David ; " O !
send out Thy light and Thy truth : let them lead
me. In Thy light shall we see light." (Psal.
xliii. 2. xxxvi. 9.) The only channel (an apostle
teaches us), by which we can obtain this light
from God, is prayer. " If any man lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, and it shall be given to him."
(James i. 5.)

Dost thou want more faith ? — Pray. The
Scripture teach^ us that " faith is the gift of God ; "
and the apostles of our Redeemer hath shewn us
by their example, that, in order that we may be

60 IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER.

enriched with this precious treasure, it must be
sought by prayer. " Lord ! " said they , " increase
our faith." (xvii. 5.)

Dost thou feel the necessity of a change op
HEART? — Pray. So did holy David, who ear-
nestly supplicated God for this grace. " Create
in me a clean heart, O God ; and renew a right
spirit within me." (Psal. li. 10.)

Dost thou need strength lest thou shouldest
be weary of well-doing ? — Pray. So did Paul
the apostle of Jesus Christ. He besought the
Lord to grant the believers at Colossae that
strength, which no man can find in himself.
*' We do not cease," said he " to pray for you
that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all
pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God." (Col. i.
9,10.')

Is thy soul cast down within thee ? —
Pray. So did David, " the sweet psalmist of Isra-
el, by whom the Spirit of the Lord spake." (2
Sam. xxiii. 1,2.) " The sorrows of hell compas-
sed me about : the snares of death prevented me.
In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried
unto my God : O Lord ! I beseech Thee, deliver
my soul. He heard my voice out of his temple,
and my cry came before him." (Psal. xviii. 5, 6,
cxvi. 3, 4.) And a greater than David — Jesus
Christ — " in the days of his flesh offered up
prayers and supplications with strong crying and
tears unto him that was able to save him from
death, and was heard in that he feared." (Heb.
V. 7.)

" Art thou cast down upon thy sick bed?

IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER. 61

Call for the elders of the Church, and let them
PRAY. (James v. 14.) This was Hezekiah's
recipe, when he was ' sick unto death ; He turned
his face to the wall, and prayed.' (2 Kings xx.
1, 2.) This was David's recipe : ' Have mercy
on me, O Lord, for I am weak. O Lord, heal
me : for my bones are vexed.' (Psal. vi. 2.)

" Art thou infested with importunate tempt-
ations ? — Pray. So did St. Paul, when the
messenger of Satan was sent to buffet him.
* Thrice I besought the Lord, that it might de-
part from me.' (2 Cor. xii. 8.) So did David.
' While I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. Thy
fierce wrath goeth over me. But unto Thee have
I cried, O Lord ; and in the morning shall my
prayer prevent Thee.' (Psal. Ixxxviii. 15, 16.
V. 13.)

Art thou afflicted with the slanders of evil
TONGUES? — Pray. So did David. ' The mouth
of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are
opened against me : the}' have spoken against me
with a lying tongue. — Hold not Thy peace, O
God of my praise.' (Psal. cix. 2, 1.)

" Art thou distressed with poverty 1 — Pray.
So did David. ' I am poor and needy, and my
heart is wounded within me. Help me, O Lord
my God, according to thy mercy.' (Psal. cix.
22. 26.)

" Art thou bereaved of thy bodily senses ? —
Make thy address to him that said, ' Who hath
made man's mouth, or who maketh the dumb,
and the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind ? Have
not I, the Lord? ' Exod. iv. 11.) Cry aloud to
him with Bartimseus — * Lord ! that I may re-
6

tXi IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER.

ceive my sight.' (Matt. x. 47. 51.) And if thou
be hopeless of thine outward sight, yet pray with
the Psalmist — * O Lord ! open thou mine eyes
that I may see the wondrous things of thy law.'
(Psal. cxix. 18.)

Dost thou droop under the grievances of old
age ? — Pray. So did David. ' O ! cast me
not off in the time of old age : forsake me not
when my strength faileth. O God ! Thou hast
taught me from my youth ; now also, when I am
old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not.'
(Psal. Ixxi. 9. 17, 18.)

" Art thou troubled with the fears of death?
—Pray. So did David. 'My soul is full of
trouble, and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
I am counted with them that go down into the
pit. r am as a man that hath no strength. Free
among the dead, thou hast laid me in the lowest
pit, in darkness, in the deeps. But unto Thee
have I cried, O Lord : and in the morning shall
my prayer prevent Thee.' (Psal. Ixxxviii. 3 — 6.
13.)

" Dost thou tremble at the thought of judg-
ment ? — So did the man after God's own heart.
* My flesh trembleth for fear of Thee, and I am
afraid of Thy judgments.' (Psal. cxix. 20.) Look
up, with .Jeremiah, and say to thy Saviour — ' O
Lord ! Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul ;
thou hast redeemed my life ; O Lord, judge Thou
my cause.' (Lam. iii. 58, 59.)

" Art thou afraid of the power, malice, sub-
tlety of thy spiritual enemies 1 — Pray. So did
David. ' Deliver me from mine enemies, O my
God ; save me from them that rise up against me.

IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER.

63

(Psal. lix. 1.) O hide me from the secret counsel
of the wicked. (Psal. Ixiv. 2.) Consider mine ene-
mies : for they are many and they hate me with
a cruel hatred. O keep my soul, and deliver me.'
(Psal. XXV. 19,20.) So did St. Paul pray that
he might be freed from the messenger of Satan
whose buffets he felt, and was answered with,
' My grace is sufficient for thee.' (2 Cor. xii. 9.)
So he sues for all God's Saints — ' May the God of
peace tread down Satan under your feet shortly.'
(Rom. xvi. 20.)

'' Whatever evil," in fine, '^ it be that presseth
thy soul, have speedy recourse to the throne of
grace ; pour out thy heart into the ears of ' the
Father of all mercies and God of all comfort ;'
and be sure, if not redress, yet of ease. We
have His word for it, that cannot fail us : ' Call
upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver
thee ; and thou shalt glorify me.' (Psal. 1. 15.)"*

Is it necessary to adduce further testimonies
to the importance and necessity of praying al-
ways with all supplication ? Know that " Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and Cometh down from the Father of Lights,
who giveth unto all men liberally and upbraideth
not." (James i. 5. 17.) And the only way by
which we may obtain these precious gifts is —
PRAYER. Ask therefore of God — " Ask, and it
shall be given you : seek, and ye shall find ; knock
and it shall be opened unto you." (Matt. vii. 7.)
" If wealth were to be had for asking, what eager-
ness, what diligence, what perseverance should

* Bishop Hall's Balm of Gilead, chap, xviii.

64 IMPORTANCE OP PRAYER.

we witness ! If treasure were to be had for seek-
ing, what portion of the earth's surface would
escape the spade 1 If knocking would give en-
trance to the cabinets and confidence of kings,
what crowding would be there ! In quest of false
happiness no effort is spared. Hardships and op-
posing dangers men count as nothing, when the
phantom of this world's glory, riches, or pleasures
rise before them." (Fenelon.)

** Fashionable suppliants may talk to God : but,
be confident, he that can truly pray, can never
be truly miserable. Of ourselves, we lie open to
all evils : our rescue is from above : and what
intercourse have we with heaven, but by our
prayers ? Our prayers are they, that can deliver
us from dangers, avert judgments, prevent mis-
chiefs, procure blessings ; that can obtain pardon
for our sins, furnish us wilh strength against
temptations, mitigate the extremity of our suffer-
ings, sustain our infirmities, raise up our dejected-
ness, increase our graces, abate our corruptions,
sanctify all good things to us, sweeten the bitter-
ness of afflictions, open the windows of heaven,
shut up the bars of death, vanquish the power of
hell. — Pray ; and be both safe and happy." (Bp.
Hall.) Yes ! — " Ask and it shall be given you :"
in other words, whoever does not ask, must ne-
cessarily remain destitute of all those spiritual
blessings, which are promised to all that "pray
without ceasing," and " watch unto prayer."

2. But, while the proud or careless professor
of Christianity loses every thing by neglecting
prayer, the humble believer, who feels his want
of divine grace, derives, on the contrary, from

ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAYER. 65

THAT SACRED EXERCISE EVERY THING of

which he stands in need. The humble penitent
becomes rich by prayer : the feeble believer is
rendered strong by prayer.

[i.] The humble penitent becomes rich
BY prayer. — Not, indeed, that our prayers, con-
sidered as the discharge of a duty towards God,
can merit any thing in His sight : for we are
but unprofitable servants, even though we were
to perform all that we are commanded to do.
But our prayers, being always more or less defiled
by inattention, by languor, by pride or unbelief, or
by some other defect, themselves require to be
purified through the blood of the Redeemer
which cleanse th from all sin. When therefore
God vouchsafes to hear those prayers, he hears
them only through His grace and for the sake of
Jesus Christ, in whose name and through whose
all-prevailing hitercession we present them : and
" whosoever believeth in Him, shall not be con-
founded."

The holy Scriptures abound with numerous
examples which are recorded for our encourage-
ment, of the successful prayer of faith.

(1.) In the Old Testament we read, that
the offering of Abel was accepted, because it
was presented in sincerity, and was expressive
of humility and believing obedience : and, as he
sought the mercy of the New Covenant through
the promised seed, he was graciously accepted.
" The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his
offering." (Gen. iv. 4.) " By faith Abel offered
unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
by which he obtained witness that he was right-
6*

66 ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAYER.

eous, God testifying of his gifts : and by it he
being dead yet speaketh." (Heb. xi. 4.)

Jacob wrestled with God by prayer, and
prevailed for the blessing which he sought.
(Gen. xxxii. 24—28.)

The prayer of Moses dried up the waters of
the Red Sea, and caused them to stand in a
heap, while the Israelites crossing over on dry
land beheld the salvation of God. (Exod. xiv.
13—26.)

David's prayers repeatedly protected him
amidst all the imminent dangers with which on
various occasions he was surrounded.

Elijah's prayer shut and opened the windows
of heaven. (1 Kings xvii. 1. xviii. 42 — 45.
James v. IS.)

Arab's humiliation and prayer suspended the
divine judgments which were about to be inflicted
upon his idolatrous house. (1 Kings xxi. 29.)

Manasseh's prayer liberated him from cap-
tivity , and, contrary to all ordinary means, re-
stored him to the throne of his kingdom.
(2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13.)

Daniel's prayer shut the lions' mouths, and
stopped the rage of those furious beasts. (Dan. vi.)

And the devout prayers of Esther changed
the sentence of extermination which had been
denounced against the captive Jews, and caused
the intended mischief to fall upon their enemies.

(2.) The New Testament also exhibits
numerous instances of humble prayer, success-
fully offered for divine aid and guidance.

Witness the two blind men of Jericho : —
feeling all the magnitude of their calamity, they

ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAYER. 67

earnestly desired to recover their sight. " They
cried out," therefore, **the more, saying, Have
mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And
Jesus had compassion on them, and touched
their eyes ; and immediately their eyes received
sight." (Matt. XX. 30—34.)

Witness likewise the leprous man, who feel-
ing all the deformity of his leprosy — (fit emblem
of the moral leprosy of sin) — earnestly sup-
plicated deliverance from it. His confidence in
the Redeemer's ability to succour him was un-
bounded ; the prayer of faith was heard. *' Jesus
put forth his hand and touched him ; and imme-
diately his leprosy was cleansed." (Matt. viii.
2—4.)

While the devout centurion at Csesarea was
actually praying, an angel announced to him that
his prayers and alms were come up for a memo-
rial before God. Four days after, the apostle
Peter arrived at his house, and preached to him
the Gospel of Peace: and the happy centurion at
length received, through the knowledge of Jesus
Christ, that peace of God, which all his good
works could not impart to him. (Actsx. 3 — 33.)

And while Saul of Tarsus, (who had vainly
thought to serve the cause of God by persecuting
the church,) after his miraculous conversion, was
humbling himself at Damascus, by fasting and
prayer, the Lord in like manner sent one of his
faithful disciples, to carry to his troubled soul
the glorious message of peace, and an assurance
that he should be filled with the Holy Spirit.
(Acts ix. 11—18.)

The time-indeed would fail, were we to attempt

OO ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAYER.

to recount all the mighty achievements of devout
and humble prayer, which has such an all pre-
vailing force as no earthly power is able to with-
stand ; and no wonder ; since it engages the
whole power of heaven on its side, and fetches
to its assistance thatomnipotency, which created
all things out of nothing.

Does the reader feel, at times, an aching void
in his heart, which no earthly good can fill or
satisfy ? Let him suffer the writer of these pages
to prevail on him to enter into his closet, and
pour forth his soul in the presence of Him " who
seeth in secret," and who is the witness of all
our spiritual conflicts. " Pray always," — under
every trial and in every exigency, — " with all
prayer and supplication" (Eph. v. \S.)\ and you
shall not wait long at the throne of mercy.
" For, if ye being evil know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more shall your
Heavenly Father give His Holy Spirit to them
that ask Him ?" (Luke xi. 13.) The cry of the
humble penitent will not ascend in vain before
Him, who imparts rest to the weary and heavy-
laden. As there is no condemnation to them
that are in Christ Jesus, and who walk not ac-
cording to the flesh, but according to the Spirit ;
being justified by faith, you will have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. viii.
1. v. L) And, amid all the trials to which you
may be exposed, " seek the Lord and His
strength : seek His face evermore, who is nigh
unto all them that call upon Him in truth. He
will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him ; He
will also hear their cry and will save them." For

ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAYER. W

*' they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength ; they shall mount up with wings as
eagles : they shall run and not be weary ; they
shall walk and not faint." (Psal. cv. 4. cxlv. 18,
19. Isa. xl. 31.)

Thus the humble penitent becomes rich by
prayer ; and

[ii.] The feeble believer is rendered

STRONG BY PRAYER

(1.) In the seventeenth chapter of the book of
Exodus, we have an account of the manner in
which the Israelites, under the command of
Joshua, obtained a victory over the Anialekites,
— not so much by virtue of their own strength
or the military skill of Joshua, as by the earnest
and continual prayer of Moses. While the
people were engaged in battle, Moses ascended
to the summit of a hill whence he could be dis-
tinctly seen, and there he lifted up his hands in
prayer. " And it came to pass, when Moses held
up his hand, that Israel prevailed ; and when he
letdown his hand Amalek prevailed." (Exod.
xvii. 10, 11.) And, long after the time of Moses
and of Joshua, was not the prayer of Jehosha-
PHAT king of Judah of great force and strength 1
When, surrounded by his enemies, he had no
hope of defending his people against unequal
numbers, and knew not what to do, — his " eyes
were upon God." — '' He set himself to seek the
Lord," who sent division amongst his enemies,
so that " every one helped to destroy another."
(2 Chron. xx. 5—12. 23.)

Lively representations these, oi our condition
in this world, and of the power of prayer ! Here

70 ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAYER.

indeed we arc engaged in a difficult warfare.
We have to conflict at once with the world and
its maxims, with satan and his devices, with the
flesh and its evil desires. Within — without —
on every iside, temptations assail us ; and we
have nothing to oppose to them but our weak-
ness. Bat the Christian prays ; and the thought
of the heavenly inheritance, and of the blessings
which are reserved for him, strengthens his
wavering faith, and re-animates his fainting
courage.

O how fi-ivolous do worldly objects appear to
him, who places himself in the immediate pre-
sence of his God, and who fixes his regards on
eternal things! Under what an important and
solemn point of view do the duties of the Chris-
tian present themselves to him ! But, above all,
God answers the prayer of His child. When
" the righteous cry, the Lord heareth, and de-
livereth them out of all their troubles." — " Who,
indeed, can express the powerful oratory of a
believer's prayer ? This little word — "Father" —
lisped forth in prayer by a child of God, exceeds
the eloquence of all the most renowned orators
of ancient or of modern times. We knock at
heaven ; and the heart of God flies open."

(2.) This answer to prayer the humble Chris-
tian daily experiences.

Is he cast down under the sense of a trespass
into which he has inadvertently fallen ? He
prostrates himself, in prayer before the throne of
grace. Is he assailed by temptation ? He prays
and is delivered from it. Is he overwhelmed
under a sense of the injustice and harshness of

ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAYER. 71

those, from whom he might reasonably expect
to receive proofs of kindness? He has recourse
to prayer ; his heart expands with filial love and
confidence in his Heavenly Father. How is he
comforted, when he looks oflf from all other ob-
jects to Jesus the Author and Finisher of his
faith, — to that divine "Friend, who sticketh
closer than a brother." He prays : and in his
eyes every thing assumes a new aspect. His
sorrow loses its bitterness. The peace of God
once more fills his heart ; and he is ready to
accommodate hiaiself to the most difficult cir-
cumstances. He forgives the most unjust pro-
ceedings against him ; and he supports, without
effort, what but a short time before appeared to
him insupportable. Is he afflicted with sore dis-
ease, either in his own person or in the persons
of those who are dear to him ? Is he plunged
into the deepest sorrow, visited by unforeseen
reverses, or reduced to any pressing extremity ?
The Christian continues to pray : and his voice
does not vainly implore Him, who " taketh plea-
sure in them that fear him, in those who hope in
his mercy."

Always, whether under bodily or mental suf-
ferings, amidst the temptations of the world,
and the infirmities incident to human nature,
the Christian is rendered strong by prayer. By
it, he is enabled to war a good warfare ; and by
it he triumphs. What supported the martyrs
for the faith of Christ amid excruciating tor-
tures and at the stakr, but prayer ? From God
they sought all the strength of which they stood
in need. " In the day when they cried, he an-

72 ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PKAYER.

swered them, and strengthened them with strength
in their souls." And are not these same treasures
of divine support opened lo each of us? Does
not God invite us also to come, and by prayer
freely derive consolation, strength, and every
other grace 1 Yet, how many are there, who
either never pray, or who bring to the perform-
ance of that duty only languor, and indifference ?
Now, what can be alleged in justification of so
strange a conduct? The resources, which such
persons think they have within themselves ? But
they naturally participate, with all the children
of Adam, only in error and in sinful natures.
Does any one urge the uncertainty, whether or
not his prayers shall be heard ? Call to mind
the numerous promises of Him, "who is not a
man that he should lie, nor the son of man that
he should repent. Ask, and it shall be given
unto you. If any of you lack wisdom, let him
ask it of God, and it shall be given him." (Numb,
xxiii. 19. Matt. vii. 7. James i. 5.)

God, indeed, does not promise to fulfil all the
vain desires which we may form. He does not
promise to preserve to us that guide of our youth,
that desire of our eyes, that child, or that friend,
whom we, perhaps, have idolized. He does not
promise to restore us to that bodily health, which
perhaps we may have valued more highly than
the health of our souls : nor does he promise to
give us those perishable earthly goods, for which
we might perhaps neglect eternal things. God
does not engage to give us presents, which might
be injurious to us. But " this is" his promise and
" the confidence which we have in him, that, if

REQUISITES TO ACCEPTABLE PRAYER. 73

we ask any thing according to his will, he
heareth us." (1 John v. 14.) Now the will of
God is clearly revealed in the Gospel : for He
is there made known as the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and in Him as our Father.
And it is his will that we hear and believe on
Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a
holy life, that we love one another. This is
His will, even our sanctification. Let us then
earnestly seek those graces of the Holy Spirit,
which relate to the sanctification of our souls,
in the humble yet firm belief that God will hear
us. Let us take heed, lest we become " wearied
and faint in our minds" by any seeming delay,
on the part of God, in answering our prayers.
Prayer is an exercise of faith and patience : let
us learn to pray earnestly, fervently, persevering-
ly, and with holy importunity, in the name of
Christ, (who hath left us an example that we
should follow the blessed steps of his most holy
life,) that God would vouchsafe unto us the
''spirit of grace and supplication."

SECTION H.

ON THE DISPOSITIONS REQUISITE TO ACCEPTABLE
PRAYER.

Ask, and it shall be given you : seek, and ye shall find :
knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Matt. vii. 7. )

Such is the promise of our Divine Redeemer :
and, lest we should think any thing too hard

7

/4 UEQUISITES TO

for Him to bestow, or too good for us to re-
ceive, He has further assured us, that what-
soever we shall ask the Father in his name,
that will He do. (John xiv. 13.) Yet it is not
the mere asking, that will be accepted : although
the promise seems to be absolute, yet the condi-
tion is necessarily implied, that we ask such
things only as are agreeable to the will of God,
and suited to our real necessities ; not for such
things as may gratify our evil propensities, but
for those blessings only which may promote
the honor of God, and the real welfare of our
immortal souls. If we do not attend to this
point, it is no wonder that our petitions are
rejected, *' Ye a$k, and receive not," says St.
James ; " because ye ask amiss." (iv. 3.) In all
our supplications to the throne of grace, therefore,
regard must be had to the subject — as well as
to the MANNER — of our petitions.

I. With respect to the SUBJECT of prayer,
one certain qualification is, that it be offered for
such things only as are just and lawful.

** Should an earthly prince make a promise to
any of his subjects, as God has done to us, that
he would never deny him any request, it ought
to be understood of reasonable requests ; and
should that subject offer up any suit that is wicked
and unrighteous, the prince who has any regard
to justice and true honor would not only give
him a denial, but dismiss him with the utmost
scorn and indignation. And shall not the Judge
of all the world think himself as much concerned
for right and equity ? He that shall put up any
petition to Him, which is not every way conform-

ACCEPTABLE PRAYER. 75

al)le to the eternal rules of righteousness, can
expect no other, but that liis ' prayer will be
turned into sin,' and will bring down upon him
tlie heaviest portion of God's wrath and ven-
geance. The glory of God ought to be the chief
end and aim of all the prayers that we offer to
him : and, due regard being had thereto, we may
lawfully pray, (and it is our duty to do so,) for
all things that are needful to our souls or bodies ;
only with this difference in the form and manner
of our addresses, tliat when we pray to God for
spiritual blessings, for the supplies of His grace
and the assistance of His Holy Spirit, the terms
and expressions of our petitions are to be abso-
lute, and sent up to His heavenly Throne, with
full assurance that they shall be heard and
granted. But when we pray for temporal good
things, for health, liberty, food, and raiment, the
comforts or conveniences of life, we submit all to
His will and pleasure, and ask them upon no
other terms than as He thinks they are fitting for
us."* " Covet earnestly the best gifts. Ask not
riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thine
enemies, neither yet long life; but ask wisdom
and knowledge for thyself; and God shall supply
all thy need according to his riches in glory, by
Christ Jesus." (1 Cor. xii. 31. 2 Chron. i. 11.
Phil. iv. 19.)

II. With regard to the MANNER in which we
are to " make known our requests unto God,"
the Holy Scriptures contain full and explicit
instructions,

* Nourse's Discourses on the Homilies, Part I. p. 11.

7(5 RECiUlSITLS TO

1. Endeavor to place yourself in the
PRESENCE OF GoD, the Scavclicr of hearts.

Let us not add to our otlier sins that of appearing
before the Most Higli without a due sense of His
glorious and adorable attributes, and an affecting
sense of our own unworthiness. Deeply impressed
with these sentiments, Abraham acknowledged
himself to be but dust and ashes ; Job, that he was
vile ; and David, that he was a worm and no man.
The distance between creatures of a day and the
Eternal Almighty Creator is not to be calculated.
God has revealed Himself as decked with majesty
and honor, and glorious in holiness. But what
are we in our best estate ? With imaginations
only evil, continually, and possessing a heart that
is deceitful above all things, " cveiy man at
his best estate is altogether vanity." (Psal.
xxxix. 5.)

" Before thou prayest," therefore, " prepare
thyself, and be not as one that tempteth the
Lord : commune with thine own heart, examine
thyself, and [let] thy spirit make diligent
search." (Ecclus. xviii. 23. Psal. iv. 4. 2 Cor.
xiii. 5. Psal. Ixxvii. 6.)

*' Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine
heart be hasty to utter any thing before God :
for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth.
Serve the Lord with fear, and give glory to Him
that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the
fountains of waters. [For] God is a Spirit, and
they that worship Him must worship Him in
spirit and in truth." (Pxcles. v. 2. Psal. ii. IL
Rev. xiv. 7. John iv. 24.)

2. Bring to the exercise of prayer sincerity

OF INTENTION.

ACCEPTABLE TIlAYER. 77

It is only the pure in heart who see God.
" He " only, " that hath clean hands and a pure
heart, shall receive the blessing from the Lord,
and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
(Psal. xxiv. 4, 5.) " Holy intention " (says
Bishop Taylor) " is to the actions of a man, that
which the soul is to the body, or form to its
matter, or the root to the tree, or the sun to the
world, or the fountain to a river, or the base to a
pillar : for, without these, the body is a dead
trunk, the matter is sluggish, the tree is a block,
the world is darkness, the river is quickly dry, the
pillar rushes into flatness and ruin, and the action
is sinful, or unprofitable and vain."

It is easy to be sincere when we ask for tem-
poral things : we love them only too well. But
when we pray for those things which are truly
good, — for those which are opposed to our irregu-
lar desires, — how rarely do we offer our petitions
with an upright heart! How seldom do we desire
to obtain them, when the acquisition of them
would cost us the plucking out of an eye, or the
cutting off an arm ! On the contrary, how many
secret attachments do we cherish to ihe world
and its lusts, which we dread to see broken !

But God detects this duplicity, which we dis-
semble from ourselves. Little does He regard
those prayers in which the language of the lips is
not in full harmony with that of the heart; and
in which we confine righteousness to vvliat is
gratifying to us, or easy to be performed, and to
what may co-exist with inclinations that en-
slave us.

Far different from these heartless devotions

78 REQUISITES TO

were the prayers of the royal prophet, when he
besought God to search him and know his heart,
to try him and know liis thoughts, and see if there
were any wicked way in him. (Psal. cxxxix. 23,
24.) He was afraid that he should not know him-
self sufficiently , and lest he should retain any
secret attachments which he thought he had sub-
dued. In offering these petitions, David exem-
plified the sincerity of intention, of which we
speak. We ought to present ourselves before
God with the firm desire that his will should be
fulfilled without reserve in us, and without ex-
cepting any thing which He may please to com-
mand us. Convinced that we retain many secret
obstacles to His views concerning us, we ought
to beseech Him to overcome them all by His
grace.

3. Such a disposition leads to humility, . . .
to a deep sense of our unworthiness, as well as of
our wants ; for God " scattereth the proud in the
imagination of their hearts, but giveth grace to
the humble. He filleth the hungry with good
things, while he sendeth the rich empty away."
The poor publican, under a deep sense of his
own unworthiness, would not so much as lift up
his eyes unto heaven ; but smote upon his breast,
saying " God be merciful to me a sinner !" and
he went down to his house justified, rather than
the proud Pharisee who recounted his good
deeds, and boasted of his imaginary righteous-
ness. The humble soul, that is content with the
crumbs which fall from the children's table, will
be preferred to the children themselves, if they
forget that they are such only by grace.

ACCEPTABLE PRAYER. 79

4. The most certain proof, that 2vc offer our
prayers ivith humility, isiohcn we pray earnestly
and FERVENTLY \ — when ivc pray alivays with

ALL PERSEVERANCE. (Epll. vi. 18.)

The proud man becomes weary with delay, if
his prayers be not answered. The humble soul
waits patiently his Master's good pleasure : he
accounts himself happy, to be permitted to wait
at his door, and there he continues prostrate
until it is opened to him ; knowing that He, who
has promised to hear prayer, is faithful. " Let
us never faint, never slack, never give over, but
let us daily and hourly, early and late, in season
and out of season, be occupied in godlj medi-
tations and prayers. What, if we obtain not our
petitions at the first? Yet, let us not be dis-
couraged, yet let us continually cry and call
upon God : he will surely hear us at length, if
for no other cause yet for very importunity's
sake. Remember the parable of the unright-
eous judge and the poor widow ; how she by
her importunate means caused him to do her
justice against her adversary, although otherwise
he feared neither God nor man. ' Shall not God
much more avenge His elect,' saith our Saviour
Christ, ' which cry unto Him day and night?'
(Luke xviii. ] — 7.) Thus He taught his disciples,
and in them all other Christian men, to pray
always, and never to faint or shrink. Remember
also the example of the woman of Canaan, how
she was rejected of Christ, and called dog, as
one most unworthy of any benefit at His hands ;
yet she gave not over, but followed him still,
crying and calling upon him to be good and

80 UEQUISITES TO

merciful unto her daughter. And at length,
by very importunity, she obtained her request.
(Matt. XV. 21—28.) O let us learn by these
examples to be earnest and fervent in prayer ;
assuring ourselves that what we ask of God the
Father, in the name of his Son Christ, and ac-
cording to his will, he will undoubtedly grant it.
He is truth itself: and as truly as He hath pro-
mised it, so truly will He perform it. (Homily,
on Prayer, Part I.) " Delight thyself in the
Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine
heart. Commit thy way unto the. Lord : trust
also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. For,
yet a little while, and he that shall come, will
come, and will not tarry." (Psal. xxxvii. 4, 5.
Heb. X. 37.)

5. But, in order that we may he heard, icc must
pray in the name of Christ.

" Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever
ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will
give it you. Ask and receive, that your joy may
be full." (John xvi. 23, 24.) " In my name."
This is the foundation of prayer, and from this
it derives all its efficacy. This word, " in my
name," supposes that it is only for the love of
Christ, that our prayers will be heard. But how
can we dare to raise our thoughts and our
wishes to Him, who is infinite in majesty and
spotless holiness, if Jesus Christ did not fill the
immense interval which separates the creature
from the Creator, and the yet greater distance
which sin has interposed between the holiness of
God and our U!iworthiness ; if He did not cover

ACCEPTABLE PRAYER. Si

US with His protection, if lie did not vouchsafe
himself to make intercession for us?

It is not sufficient, that we say to God with
our lips, that we solicit his grace in the name of
Jesus Christ. These words must be accompanied
with a disposition that leads us to renounce all
confidence in the flesh, and to repose our whole
trust in Jesus, who ever liveth to intercede for
all that come unto God through Him. Both these
dispositions are too often wanting in those who
pray. They are not sufficiently convinced of
their nothingness, and how little claim they have
to the grace of God. They have not a sufficiently
lively faith in the merits of Jesus Christ, through
which they can obtain every thing of God, not-
withstanding their utter unworthiness.

6. *' Ask IN FAITH, nothing ivavcring.^' James
i. 6.

" All prayer must be made with faith and hope :
that is, we must certainly believe we shall re-
ceive the grace, which God hath commanded us
to ask ; and we must hope for such things which
he hath permitted us to ask : and our hope shall
not be in vain. Our desires must be lasting, and
our prayers frequent, assiduous, and continual ;
not asking for a blessing once and then leaving it :
but daily renewing our suits, and exercising our
hope, and faith, and patience, and long-suffering,
and religion, and resignation, and self-denial, in
all the degrees we shall be put to." . . . . " What-
ever we beg of God, let us also work for it, if
the thing be matter of duty, or a consequent to
industry ; for God loves to bless labor and to
reward it, but not to support idleness. And

82 REQUISITES TO

therefore our blessed Saviour, in his sermons,
joins vvatchfuhiess with prayer : for God's graces
are but assistances, not new creations of the
whole habit in every instant or period of our
life. Read the Scriptures, and then pray to
God for understanding. Pray against temp-
tation: but you must also resist the devil, and
then ' he will flee from you.' Ask of God com-
petency of living ; but you must also * work
with your hands the things that are honest, that
ye may have to supply in time of need.' We
can but do our endeavor, and pray for a bless-
ing, and then leave the success with God ; and
beyond this we cannot deliberate, we cannot take
care : but so far we must." (Bishop Taylor.) —
Let this be "the confidence that we have in
Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His
will, he heareth us ; " and hath promised that
" all things whatsoever we ask in prayer, be-
lieving, we shall receive." For " the Lord is
nigh unto all them that call upon Him in truth :
He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him ;
He also will hear their cry, and will save them."
(1 John v. 14. Matt. xxi. 22. Psal. cxlv. ]8, 19.)

7. Let your 'prayers he accompanied icith sen-
timents of charity, or love toioards all your
brethren of mankind.

When you offer your petitions to your Hea-
venly Father in the name of Christ, ** forgive, if
ye have aught against any man : that your Father
also which is in heaven may forgive you your
trespasses. For, if ye forgive men their tres-
passes, your Heavenly Father will also forgive
you : but, if ye forgive not men their trespasses,

ACCEPTAIJLL PUAVEIi. SU

neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
(Mark xi. 25. Matt. vi. 14, 15.) " He, who deals
not mercifully with men, rejects for himself the
mercy of God. That a king should remit to his
subjects a countless tribute, and an infinity of
rebellions against his authority and person, on
this sole condition that they shall live in kind-
liness with him and with each other, is an instance
of concession that we shall never see; and yet
this is but a shadow of what Christ, on the part
of His Father, promises to the truly penitent.
Lightly must he deem of salvation who thinks
the purchase dear. He who refuses to forgive
his enemy, him will not God forgive. Whoso-
ever awakes not at this thunderclap, sleeps not,
but is dead. The Saviour had a deep and special
meaning in demanding from us the spirit of for-
giveness, combining the threat of God's eternal
wrath with the injunction to brotherly love."
(Quesnel.) " We know that we have passed "
[over] " from death unto life, because we love
the brethren. He that loveth not his brother
abideth in death." (1 John v. 14.)

O what a happy confidence would animate our
prayers, were they always accompanied with the
preceding dispositions ! We have the express
promise of our Redeemer that " whatsoever"
gracc?, needful for our salvation, ''we ask the
Father in His name, it shall be given us." (John
xvi, 23.) Do you find any restriction here?
Shall the word of a man of acknowledged integ-
rity have the authority of an oath, or be impli-

84 REQUISITES TO ACCEPTABLE PRAYER.

citly credited ? And shall we cherish even the
shadow of a doubt concernincr the faithful pro-
mises of the God of truth, the God of all grace
and consolation, who has condescended to con-
firm His divine promises by an oath, more im-
mutable than heaven and earth ? The manifold
blessings of His grace, which God has already
lavished upon us, unworthy as we are of the
least of His mercies, are a pledge of those which
he will vouchsafe in answer to fervent and
effectual prayer. He that commended His love
to us while we were yet sinners, in that He spared
not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all,
— how shall He not with him also freely give us
all things, that will be subservient to our truest
happiness !

" Pray often, and you shall pray oftener ; and
when you are accustomed to a frequent devotion,
it will so insensibly unite to our nature and af-
fections, that it will become trouble to omit your
usual or appointed prayers. Let the words of
our prayers be pertinent, grave, material, not
studiously many, but according to our need,
sufficient to express our wants, and to signify
our importunity." (Bishop Taylor.)

PART II

CONSOLATION FOR THE AFFLICTED ;

A SERIES

OF

MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS.

SELECTED AND ARRANGED FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, ETC.

TAKE WITH YOU WORDS, AND TURN UNTO THE LORD,

Hos. xiv. 2.

O THOU, BY WHOM WE COME TO GOD,
THE LIFE, THE TRUTH, THE WAY !

THE PATH OF PRAYER THYSELF HAST TROD J
LORD, TEACH US HOW TO PRAY.

8

" FOR THE SERVICE OF GOD AND
THE GOOD OF MEN, I AM CON-
TENTED TO BEAR THE CENSURE
OF THOSE, WHO ACCOUNT ALL
FORMS OF BOOK PRAYERS TO
BE SIN." BAXTER.

CHAPTER I.

DEVOTIONS FOR THOSE, " WHO ARE AFFLICTED

SECTION L

DETOTION3 FOR PERSONS, "THAT DO TRULY AND EAR-
NESTLY REPENT OF THEIR SINS."

Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins
in the light of Thy countenance. — Psalm xc. 8.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper ; but whoso
CONFESSETH and FORSAKETH them shall find mercy. — Prov.
xsviii. 3.

1. Prayers, that God would vouchsafe to assist
their Devotions, and to hear and accept their
Suppliccdions.

1. From the Holy Scriptures.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation
of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord,
my Strength and my Redeemer.

O Lord, I know not what to pray for as I
ought. I am not sufficient of myself to think
any thing as of myself; but my sufficiency is of

88 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

Thee. Without Thee I can do nothing. O let
Thy Holy Spirit help my infirmity, and make
intercession for me. Work in me to will and to
do of Thy good pleasure. Pour upon me the
spirit of grace and supplication, that I may
draw near lo Thee with a true heart sprinkled
from an evil conscience, in full assurance of faith ;
asking such things as are according to Thy will.
Strengthen me, help me, uphold me with the
right hand of Thy righteousness : that my heart
may be established unblameable in holiness be-
fore Thee, our Father, at the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ with all his saints. Now unto the
only wise God our Saviour, be glory and ma-
jesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.
Amen. (Tsal. xix. 14. Rom. viii. 26. 2 Cor.
iii. 5. John xv. 15. Rom. viii. 26. Phil. ii. 13.
Zech. xii. 10. Heb. x. 22. 1 John v. 14. Isa.
xli. 10. 1 Thess. iii. 13. Jude 25.)

2. From the Book oj Common Prayer.

Almighty and Everlasting God, who art always
more ready to hear than we to pray, and art
wont to give more than either we desire or de-
serve ; Pour down upon us the abundance of Thy
Mercy, forgiving us those tilings whereof our
conscience is afraid, and giving us those good
things which we are not worthy to ask, but
through the Merits and Mediation of Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let Thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to

AFFLICTED IN MIND,

the prayers of Thine unworthy servants ; and
that we may obtain our petitions, make us to
ask such things as shall please Thee, and to offer
up our supplications at the throne of Thy grace,
with humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient hearts,
not trusting in our own righteousness, but in Thy
manifold and great mercies, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

O God, the strength of all them that put their
trust in Thee, mercifully accept our prayers ;
and because, through the weakness of our mortal
nature, we can do no good thing without Thee :
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the in-
spiration of thy Holy Spirit; graft in our hearts
the love of Thy name ; and grant us the help of
Thy grace, that in keeping Thy commandments
we may please Thee both in will and deed,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

IL Confessions {in the Language oj the Holy
Scriptures) of a Person deeply convinced of
Sin.

I have sinned ; what shall I do unto Thee, O
thou Preserver of Men 1 Thine arrows stick fast
in me, and thy hand presseth me sore : for mine
iniquities are gone over my head ; as an heavy
burden, they are too heavy for me. I sink in
deep mire where there is no standing. I am
come into deep waters, where the floods overflow
me. The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Thy
wrath lieth hard upon me ; and I am afflicted,
8*

90 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

and ready to die : while I suffer Thy terrors,
I am distracted : Thy fierce wrath goeth over
me, Thy terrors have cut me off. (Job vii. 20.
Psal. xxxviii. 2.4. ; Ixix. 2, 3. ; xxv. 17. ; Ixxxviii.
15, 16 )

I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly ; I
go mourning all the day long. For innumerable
evils have compassed me about; mine iniquities
have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able
to look up ; they are more than the hairs of my
head, therefore my heart faileth me. In me
dwelleth no good thing : for the good that I
would, I do not ; but the evil which I would not,
that I do. I find a law, that, when I would do
good, evil is present with me. For I delight in
the law of God after the inward man; but I see
another law in my members, warring against the
law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity
to the law of sin which is in my members. O
wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me
from the body of this death! O Lord, I am
oppressed, undertake for me. Be pleased, O
Lord, to deliver me ; O Lord, make haste to
help me. (Psal. xxxviii. 6. ; xl. 12. Rom. vii. 21
—24. Isa. xxxviii. 14. Psal. xl. 13.)

III. Prayers suited to those wlw feel the " intol-
e.rnhle burthen " of their sins.

1. Prom the Holy Scriptures.
I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 91

right, and that thou in faithfulness hast aflhcted
me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep ; O
seek Thy servant. Redeem me, and be merciful
unto me. Look upon mine affliction and my
pain, and forgive all my sins. Who can under-
stand his errors ? Cleanse Thou me from secret
faults. Keep back Thy servant also from pre-
sumptuous sins: let them not have dominion over
me ; then shall I be upright, and I shall be inno-
cent from the great transgression. (Psal. cxix.
75. i76.; xxvi. 11. ; xxv. 18. ; xix. 12, 13.)

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to
Thy loving kindness : according to the multitude
of T'ly tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Was'i me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and
cleanse me from my sin ; for I acknowledge my
transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make
me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which
thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide Thy face
from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
<"reate in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a
light spirit within me. Cast me not away from
Thy presence, and take not thy Holy Sptrit
from mo. (Psal. li. 1—3. 7—11.)

Lord, be merciful unto me ; heal my soul, for
I have sinned against Thee. Enter not into
judgment with Thy servant ; for in Thy sight shall
no man living be justified. Shew me thy ways,
O Lord, and teach me thy paths. Lead me in
Thy truth, and teach me ; for Thou art the God
of my salvation ; on Thee do 1 wait all the day.
Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies nnd Tliy
loving kindnesses, for they have been ever of

92 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor
my transgressions: according to Thy mercy,
remember Thou me for Thy goodness sake.
{Psal. xli. 4. ; cxliii. 2. ; xxv. 4 — 7.)

With my whole heart have I sought Thee:

0 let me not wander from Thy commandments.
Deliver me from all my transgressions. Remove
from me the way of lying. Order my footsteps
in Thy word ; and let not any iniquity have
dominion over me. Set a watch, O Lord, before
me, keep the door of my lips. Incline not my
heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works
with men that work iniquity. Help us, O God
of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name. O
deliver us, and be merciful to our sins for Thy
name's sake. Hearken Thou to the supplication
of Thy servant ; hear Thou in heaven Thy dwel-
ling-place; and when Thou hearest forgive. For

1 do not present my supplications before Thee,
for my righteousness, but for Thy great mercies,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Psal.
cxix. 10. ; xxxix. 8. ; cxix. 33. ; cxli. 3, 4. ; Ixxix.
9. 1 Kings viii. 30. Dan. xix. 18. Rom. vi. 23.)

2. From the Book of Common Prayer.

O Almighty God and Heavenly Father, who
hast purchased to Thyself an universal church,
by the precious blood of Thy dear Son ; I heartily
thank Thee, that by baptism I have been ad-
mitted into this Thy family, and called into a
state of salvation. But, O merciful Father, I

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 93

have erred and strayed from Thy ways ; I have
done the things which I ought not to have done ;
and I have left undone the things which I ought
to have done ; and there is no health in me. In
thought, word, and deed I have m.ost grievously
offended Thy Divine Majesty ; and have justly
provoked Thy wrath and indignation against me.
But, O Lord, who art a merciful God, full of
compassion, long suffering, and of great pity,
who sparest when we deserve punishment, and
in Thy wrath thinkest upon mercy ; spare me,
good Lord, spare me : enter not into judgment
with me a miserable sinner. Saviour of the
World ! who by Thy cross and precious blood
hast redeemed me, save me and help me. Lamb
of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon me. Lamb of God, who takest
away the sins of the world, grant me Thy
peace.

O most merciful God, who dost so put away
the sins of those who truly repent, that Thou
rememberest them no more, impute not unto me
my former sins. For Thy Son Jesus Christ's
sake forgive me all that is past ; and strengthen
rns with Thy blessed Spirit, that I may ever
hereafter serve and please Tliee in newness of
life. Grant that I may both perceive and know
what things I ought to do, and may have grace
and power faithfully to fulfil the same. Lord of
all power and might ! Of Thee only it cometh,
that I can render unto Thee true and laudable
service. Let Thy grace always direct and fol-
low me, that, my heart and all my members
being mortified from all wordly and carnal lusts,

94 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

1 may in all things obey Thy blessed will ; may
truly and faithfully serve Thee ; and thus keeping
Thy commandments both in will and deed, may
finally obtain Thy gracious promises, and be
made partaker of Thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer.
Amen.

*3. The Prayer of one convinced of Sin.

O merciful God, who, by the sending of Thy
Son into the world, hast brought to pass, that,
where sin abounded, there grace abounded much
more : I, forlorn wretch, disquieted in mind and
afflicted in conscience, for fear of Thy judgments
upon my sin, do with bended knees and tears
unfeigned, as a most humble supplicant, implore
of thee some succor and relief. Open, O open
the gates of Thy mercy to the greatness of my
miseries. My spirit is sorrowful ; my heart is
heavy : to Thee I hold up my hands, to Thee I
lift up my heart; to Thee I pray, requiring of
Thee mercy. O Lord, what shall I desire of
Thee, who deserve nothing at Thy hands ? What
can J hope for, that am even heartless 1 Lord !
If Thou hast said, " Shall not My soul be
avenged on such an one as this ?" remember
thy promise elsewhere, " I will have mercy on
him that could find no mercy :" and let it light
on me.

O Lord, hear me speedily : if Thou do not,
then I am out of hope. My conscience ac-

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 95

cuseth me ; my memory gives evidence against
me, and my reason condemns me ; my spirit is
weary of this bondage, I am deeply plunged in
discomfort ; I have neither worth to appease Thy
wrath, nor patience to endure Thine indignation.
I pray Thee, therefore, send the comfort of Thy
Holy Spirit into my heart, and strengthen my
faith, that I be not swallowed up with overmuch
heaviness, O Lord ! Let Thy majesty appear
in Thy mercy : forgive me my sins, the unhappy
ground of all this woe, and I am recovered of all
mine infirmities. Try not the law with me, lest
I come to judgment. Sanctify all those good
means unto me, wherein I seek relief, as prayer,
conference, reading and hearing of Thy Holy
Word. Moderate and mitigate my vexation ;
increase my faith ; establish my hope ; grant me
patience, and keep me from despair. Take away
this cup from me, if it be Thy will; if not, suffer
me not to be tempted above my strength.

O Lord, look upon me — I go mourning all the
day long, and am like unto him that is at the
point to die. O Lord, comfort me : Thou, that
wilt not break a bruised reed, spare me. O
Thou, that delightest not in the death of a sinner,
revive me. Though my heart condemn me ; yet,
gracious Lord, Thou that art greater than my
heart, acquit me ; relieve me, release me, and
say unto my soul, " I am Thy salvation."
Hearken, Lord, unto my prayer, and grant me
my requests, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

9(5 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

4. A Prayer for Contrition.

O holy Lord ! who art a merciful embracer of
true [lenitents, but yet a consuming fire towards
obstinate sinners, how shall I approach Thee,
who have so many provoking sins to inflame Thy
wrath, and so little sincere repentance to incline
Thy mercy 1 O be Thou pleased to soften and
melt this hard obdurate heart of mine, that I
may heartily bewail the iniquities of my life.
Strike this rock, O Lord, that the waters may
flow out, even floods of tears to wash my pol-
luted conscience. My soul hath too long slept
securely in sin : Lord, awake it, though it be with
thunder, and let me rather feel Thy terrors, than
not feel n^iy sin. Thou didst send Thy blessed
Son to heal the broken-hearted ; but, Lord, what
w^ill that avail me, if my heart be whole ? O
break it, that it may be capable of this healing
virtue ; and grant, I beseech thee, that having
once tasted the bitterness of sin, I may flee from
it as from the face of a serpent, and bring forth
fruits of repentance in amendment of life, to the
praise and glory of Thy grace, in Jesus Christ
our blessed Redeemer. Amen.

5. Promises of Pardon to the Penitent.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to
anger, and of great mercy. lie will not always
chide, neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He will have compassion upon us : he will sub-
due our iniquities ; and Thou wilt cast all our sins

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 97

into the depths of the sea. For God has recon-
ciled the world unto himself by Jesus Christ,
not imputing their trespasses unto them : for he
hath made him [to be a] sin [offering] for us,
who knew no sin, that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him. (Psal. ciii. 8, 9.
Micah vii. 19. 2 Cor. v. 19. 21.)

If we say that we have no sin we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us : but if we
confess our sins, God is faithful and just to for-
give us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un-
righteousness. Be it known unto you therefore,
brethren, that through Christ is preached unto
you the forgiveness of sins. Behold the Lamb
of God that taketh away the sin of the world :
he shall save his people from their sins. Surely
he hath borne our griefs and carried our sor-
rows; yet did we esteem him stricken, smitten
of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for
our transgressions ; he was bruised for our in-
iquities : the chastisement of our peace was upon
him, and with his stripes we are healed. All
we like sheep have gone astray : we have turned
every one to his own way, and the Lord hath
laid on him the iniquity of us all. (1 John i. 8, 9.
Acts xiii. 38. John i. 29. Matt. i. 21. Isa. liii.
4— G.)

If any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he is
the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours
only, but also for the sins of the whole world : in
Whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches
of his grace. And you that were sometimes
9

98 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked
works, yet now hath he reconciled, in the body
of his flesh through death, to present you holy
and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled,
and be not moved away from the hope of the
Gospel which ye have heard. This is a faithful
saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners. In
this was manifested the love of God towards us,
because that God sent his only begotten Son into
tiie world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that
God loved us, and sent his Son to be the propiti-
ation for our sins. If we walk in the light as He
is in tlie light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John ii. I, 2. Eph. i.
7. Col. i. 21—23. 1 Tim. i. 15. 1 John iv. 9, 10.
i.7.)

For when we were yet without strength, Christ
died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a right-
eous man will one die : yet peradventure for a
good man some would even dare to die. But
God commendeth his love towards us, in that
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us :
much more then, being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through him. For
if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to
God by the death of his Son, much more being
reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. There
is therefore now no condemnation to them which
are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh
but after the spirit. (Rom. v. 6 — 10. ; viii. 1.)

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 99

If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark our iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand ? But there is forgive-
ness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.
(Psal. cxxx. 3, 4.)

For thus saith the Lord :

If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves, and pray, and shall seek
my face, and turn from their wicked ways ;
then will I hear from heaven and will forgive
their sin. When the wicked man turneth away
from his wickedness, that he hath cojiimitted,
and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall
save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and
turneth away from his transgressions that he
hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not
die. Repent therefore and turn yourselves from
all your sins, so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your
God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and
cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned. Return, ye back-
sliding children ; and I will heal your back-
slidings. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy
transgressions for mine own sake, and will not
remember thy sins. I have blotted out as a thick
cloud thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins :
return unto me, for I have redeemed thee. Come
now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord :
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow ; though they be red like crimson,
they shall be as wool. As I live, saith the Lord
God, I have no pleasure in the death of the
wicked ; but that the wicked turn from his way
and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways,

100 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

for why will ye die? (2 Chron. vii. 14. Isa. xl.
1, 2. Jer. iii. 22. Isa. xliii. 25. : xliv. 22. ; i. 18.
Ezek. xviii. 27, 28. 30. ; xxxiii. 11.)

Verily [says Jesus Christ] — Verily I say
unto you, all sin shall be forgiven to the sons of
men, and blaspliemies wherewith soever they
blaspheme. (Mark iii. 28.)

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from
our sins in his own blood, and hath made us Kings
and Priests unto God even his Father ; To Him
be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
(Rev. i. 6, 7.)

6. A Prayer jor the Pardon of Sins.

0 Holy and most merciful Father, spare me,
Thy poor sinful but repenting creature. Spare,
me, good Lord, spare me ; and let me not perish
in my sins, but through Thine infinite mercies
find pardon of the same. I am a sinful person,

0 Lord, but Thou, O blessed Jesu, art the
Saviour of sinners ; and Thou didst come into
the world to call sinners to repentance. Lord !

1 come at Thy call ; cast me not and my repent-
ance away.

1 have gone astray, and am very defective in
my return to Thee, But 'I'hou, gracious Lord,
knowest our frame, and considerest whereof we
are made. O be not extreme to mark mine
offences ; but for Christ's sake blot out all mine
iniquities.

And now that 1 have found the way to Thy

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 101

fear, let me find the comforts of Thy mercy.
My spirit is broken and trcmbleth at Thy words ;

0 Lord, revive it. It is heavy laden and wearied
with my sins ; O my God, give it ease from the
same. Pity me, O Father ! as a father pitieth
his own children. Receive me as the offending
Father received the returning prodigal. Though

1 ivas lost, yet now by the blessing of Thy grace
I am found again. O welcome Thy lost sheep
when it returns home ; and let there be joy in
heaven on the repentance of me a lost sinner.

O let the blood of Jesus cleanse me from all
my sins. Let his intercession for me in Thy
presence make my peace, and appease thy wrath.
Shut not thine ears against the voice of his
blood, nor be deaf to his mediation ; but hear
HIM, my advocate, for my pardon. And let me
find the forgiveness of all my sins, that Thy
troubled and trembling servant may have peace ;
and that Thou mayest be sought unto, and
feared, and served by sinners, who wdl return
unto ihee in hopes of thy grace and pardoning
mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and only
Saviour. Amen.

7. A Prayer that we may not relapse into Sin.

O Gracious God, the only stay and comfort of
my soul ! seeing it is thy will that in all things
I should sincerely serve thee, and I through thy
grace desire nothing more than to do the same ;
— How is it, O my Lord, that I still offend thee ?
or why do I fall so often into my former follies'?
9*

102

DEVOTIONS FOR THE

Alas ! Thy grace is not wanting to me : but
my ungraciousness, and the corruption of my
nature, my slipperiness and easiness to offend ;
my inconstancy in my best resolutions, and my
forgetfulness of my former purposes, are the
cause of my declensions. And for this I once
more humble my soul before thee ; beseeching
thee to lay aside thy rigor, and not to multiply
thine ancrer accordincr to the measure that I have
multiplied my sins, but rather to remember
whereof I am made ; that I am as a flower, a
wind, a vapor that passeth away ; nay I am
viler than all this, — even weak and sinful dust
and aslies.

And yet thou hast visited and considered me
in this my wretched condition. O then shew
thy strength in my weakness, thy glory in my
infirmities ; increase in me daily thy renewing
grace, and strengthen me against all future
temptations : that I may never start aside again
like a broken bow ; but may go on from grace to
grace, though it be with weak and trembling
steps till I appear before the God of gods in
k?ion : through Jesus Christ my only Lord and
Saviour. Amen.

8. Ohscrvaiion.^ or the Nature of Relapse into
Sin.

To be guilty of sins of weakness and surprise
is inseparable from the frailty of our present
state. " If we say that we have no sin, we de-

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 103

ceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." And
tliough every fault, in a religious and moral point
of view, is doubtless a real sin, for which we can
obtain pardon only by sincere repentance towards
God, and by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ : yet
this is not the sin of a relapse ; that is, of a
perverse and deliberate repetition of former
transgressions. In the natural order of things,
we know that the sick man, who relapses, or falls
back fi-om a state of comparative recovery into
severe disease, is on this very account in a
condition peculiarly hazardous ; and less hope
therefore can reasonably be entertained of his
recovery. In like manner, in the moral order of
things relapses are yet more alarming ; the danger
becomes more imminent, and the cure (if not
impossible) still more precarious, the mind be-
comes darkened and bewildered ; the heart
gradually becomes hardened : and wilful hard-
ness of heart terminates either in impious impen-
itence or in despair.

No one, wlio has once " tasted of the good word
of life," suddenly relapses into the acts or the
habit of wilful sin. Most commonly it is pre-
ceded by spiritual languor. The once happy and
humble Christian ceases to " grow in grace."
The retired duties of the closet — reading and
meditation on the Word of God, and private
])raycr — are performed in a cold and heaitless
manner. Domestic devotion is performed in a
languid and perfunctory manner; and the duty
of public worship is no longer attended with the
requisite temper of mind and singleness of heart.
Even at the table of the Lord, if the individual

104- DEVOTIONS FOR THE

Still continue there a constrained and formal
attendance after a preparation necessarily inade-
quate, he will attend with decreasing disadvan-
tacre, until at length he deserts it altogether. He
then falls with accelerated speed ; and l)is strug-
gles, if any are made, will daily become more
feeble and more ineffectual. With declining love
to God and his Son, the love of our brethren of
mankind, especially those of the household of
faith, will proportionally decline. The society
and conversation of religious friends will be
neglected. Attachments to sinful pleasure or
the inordinate love of the world will supervene,
and with them their peculiar temptations ; in
some cases to the detriment of our morals, and
in all to the injury of our innocence and peace.
Nor is it impossible that he who thus walks in the
counsel of the ungodly, finally sits down in the
seat of the scorner; and, biassed by prejudices
which he has unjustly imbibed against the ways
of godliness, accounts his previous piety to be
ridiculous enthusiasm, and his past strictness of
moral conduct to be unnecessary austerity. This
is indeed a dreadful symptom, because it inter-
cepts the application of the only remedy which
can effectually resist its virulence. It is like the
lethargy which precedes apoplexy and death.

Such, however, is the gracious mercy of the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he
does not at once abandon the backslider in heart
to be filled with his own ways, *' He stands at
the door," and knocks, by the warnings and admo-
nitions of conscience, by his chastisements, by
his mercies ; and to all who open the door of their

At'l'LICTEU IN iMlND, 105

hearts to him by true repentance and by lively
faith, he will return in a way of mercy ; he will
pardon their sins ; he will create in them new
hearts, and will renew a right spirit within them.
Should these humble pages fall into the hands
of any one who is conscious of spiritual languor,
the writer would entreat him to receive with can-
dor and sincerity the following suggestions : —

1. Examine lioiv affairs stand between God and
1/Our sold; whether they arc as yon would wish
them to he, if you were tottering on the verge of
eternity.

One serious thought of eternity will shame a
thousand vain excuses, with which we are always
so much inclined to impose upon ourselves.
Under these secret misgivings, do not seek to
palliate the matter ; or endeavor vainly to dis-
guise what your conscience must certainly
condemn.

2. Pour out your heart before the Almighty, and
solicit the renewed infiucnces of His Holy tSjjirit.

Do it IMMEDIATELY. Procecd not another step
in the path of danger, in which you are now
treading. Escape for your life. Lie not down
this night to repose with the sense of unpardoned
transgression, lest the sword of divine justice
smite you before the morning. Do it solemnly.
Withdraw to your closet for serious reflection :
hearken patiently to the remonstrances of con-
science, however severe; and consider the aggra-
vations of your offence in having done this great
wickedness, and sinned against God. Think how
justly He might cast you oft', for ever, from his
presence ; and how righteously He might inflict

lOG DI^VOTIONS lOlt THE

his heaviest vengeance upon you. Then turn
your eyes to your Saviour. Look upon Him whom
you have pierced, and mourn. The God, — whose
favors you have shghted, whose statutes you
have violated, whose promises you have spurned,
whose threatenings you have defied, — is never-
theless a merciful God. But remember the
method of reconciliation which He has appointed.
You must come to him at present, as at first you
came, in the name and through the intercession
of the Redeemer. Upon tliat all-powerful sup-
port you must rest your hopes of pardon and
acceptance. Through Him you must renew your
application for divine grace : by his blood alone
can your soul be purified afresh ; and your
recently contracted guilt a second time removed.
He will delight to raise you up when prostrate at
his feet ; to enable you to sanction again that
broken covenant, which His Father might have
avenged by terrible things in righteousness ; and
to inspire you with a fuller conviction of your
natural weakness ; and a more entire dependence
upon the Holy Spirit for your future security.

3. Resume, ivith increased strictness^ your habits
of private prayer and self-examination.

Read the Scriptures, especially the more spi-
ritual parts, with increased diligence. Labor to
feel in the perusal, what you have reason to
believe the sacred writers felt in the composition
of them ; and receive with all simplicity and
meekness their divinely inspired instructions.

3. Further, if your fall has given scandal to
others, confess your guilt before them loith all
frankness and humility ^ and entreat their for-
giveness.

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 1U7

Resent not, nor shrink from, the rigor of
faitliful admonition, tlioiigh it may he excessive :
to be censured and condemned by men, will ap-
pear but a very small thing to one, who is tho-
roughly humbled under a sense of having offended
his Maker. Recollect, that your principal concern
is with Him, to whose piercing eye every object
is most entirely exposed, " Yea, the darkness
hideth not from him ; but the night shineth as
the day." Prostrate yourself, then, at His foot-
stool ; and seek anxiously, through the merits of
the great Mediator, a renewal of his favour.

4. Seek and cultivate the society of those whose
progress is attested hy the superior piety of their
lives.

Labor to obtain their temper, sentiments, and
conduct: and, as a means to this end, employ
your leisure in studying practical works of devo-
tion, in which you can tasle the genuine fruits of
Christianity.

5. Seize the first opportunity of attending the
Lord's Table ;• and spare neither time nor pains in
preparing J or it.

There, while you partake of the memorials of
your Redeemer's death, and of the innumerable
benefits which he hath obtained to us by his pre-
cious blood-shedding, renew your covenant en-
gagement with God. Surrender your soul into
the hands of His Son ; and resolve, more strenu-
ously than ever to live unto Him who died for
you. Watch over your heart, that the good
impressions you then feel may continue; and
rest not, until you have recovered or advanced
beyond the ground you have lost.

108 DEVOTlUiVs; FOR THE

(3. Finally, For the sake of future caution bear
in mind your grievous fall, even after it is forgiven.

AVeep over it in )uur houi\s ol' retirement ; and
view, with humiliation as well as gratitude, the
scar — when the wound is healed : for God estab-
lishes his covenant, not to obliterate the sense
of past abomination, but that " thou mayest
remember, and be confounded, and never open
thy mouth any more because of thy shame, even
when I am pacified towards thee for all that
thou hast done, saith the Lord God." (Ezek.
xvi. 63.)*

9. A Prayer after a Relapse into Sin.

O Almighty God and Merciful Father, who
hast compassion upon all men and hatest nothing
that Thou hast made, who wouldest not the death
of a sinner, but that he should rather turn from
his sin and be saved : Mercifully forgive me my
trespasses ; receive and comfort me, who am
grieved and wearied with the burden of my sins.
Thy property is always to have mercy ; to Thee
only it appertaineth to forgive sins. Spare me
therefore, O Good Lord, spare me whom Thou
hast redeemed ; enter not into judgment with thy

* The preceding considerations are chiefly abridged
from the twenty-second and twenty-third chapters of Dr.
Doddridge's '' Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul,"
at the close of which are suitable prayers for one whose
piety has declined, and who has also relapsed into open
sin.

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 109

servant, who am vile earth and a miserable sin-
ner : but so turn Thine anger from me, who
meekly acknowledge my vileness, and truly repent
me of my faults, and so make haste to help me in
this world, that I may ever live with Thee in the
world to come, through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Amen.

10. Another Prayer on the same Occasion.

0 Lord God Almighty, just and true, thou only
Sovereign of the world, on whom is all my depend-
ence, and from whom is all my hope and expect-
ation; I am ashamed and blush to appear before
Thee, seeing I have so highly offended Thy
Divine Majesty. I know not how to lift up mine
eyes unto heaven ; but am forced to smite upon
my breast, and call upon Thee to have mercy
upon me a sinner.

1 HAVE sinned against Thee from time to time,
and have aggravated my sins with many heinous
and dreadful circumstances : and though I have
resolved, and promised, and vowed amendment,
yet have I again broken my faith, relapsed into
my former guill, and have thereby cutoff myself
from all right to Thy promises.

And what can I now plead for myself? From
the bar of Thy justice I ffee to the throne of Thy
mercy ; beseeching Thee to be flivorable unto
me, because Thou delightest in mercy. O let me
not be miserable ; though I have taken the ready
road to misery, have perverted my ways, and
10

110 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

have run upon destruction with my eyes open. I
acknowledge with shame and sorrow that I have
sinned against Thee, when I knew myself to be in
Thy presence, and when I was fully convinced
how evil and bitter a thing sin is. My conscience
accuses me ; my heart condemns me ; and Thou,
who art greater than my heart and knowest all
things, mayest justly stop Thine ears, when I cry
unto Thee in the anguish of my soul. Father ! I
have sinned against heaven and before Thee, and
am no more worthy to be called Thy son. I have
sinned against the light of Thy Gospel, and thine
infinite love to me ; against the terrors of Thy
threatenings, the drawings of Thy mercy, the
rebukes of Thy Spirit, the checks of my own con-
science, and my most solemn vows and engage-
ments.

Yet is not my sin too great for Thee to pardon
or remove from Thee, that I may never more
repeat it. If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me whole
again. The more my wickedness has abounded,
the more therefore let thy grace and mercy
abound. Absolve me from the guilt, deliver me
from the power, cleanse me from pollution, save
me from the punishment of this and all my other
ofl^ences ; reconcile me to thyself here, and
crown me with immortal glory hereafter, through
Jesus Christ thy Son, our only Mediator and
Advocate. Amen.

AFFLICTED IN MIND. Ill

II. A Prayer for Pracc of 31ind, and Comfort
in the Enjoyment of it.

O Gracious Father, let me have Thy peace,
and comfort my trembling and broken heart with
the hopes thereof. Cause me to hear the voice
of joy and gladness ; and revive me with the
assurance of Thy love. O that I may be able,
from mine own experience, to speak great things
of Thy readiness to receive and comfort return-
ing sinners ; and thereby draw back others to
Thy service, who are still running astray. O
that, by seeing Thy goodness towards me, every
one that is godly may seek to Thee in their dis-
tress, and find mercy as I have done.

But, Lord, having found Thy mercy to poor
sinners, let me not abuse it, or presume upon it.
Let me not presume to repeat my sins, because
Thou art ready to grant forgiveness. When
Thou hast spoken comfortably to me, make me
careful to sin no more lest a worse thing come
upon me ; but to continue in all holy obedience
unto Thee, and never more return to folly. Let
the sense of Thy mercies, O my God, serve no
other use in me, but to support me in Thy fear,
until I come at length to enjoy Thy favor through
Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

112 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

SECTION II.

DEVOTIONS ADAPTED TO CIRCUMSTANCES OF SPIRITUAL
DISTRESS.

I am FEEBLE and sore broken. — Psal. xxxviii. 8.

I. Complaint and Prayers of a Soul that feels its
Weakness.

1. Complaint of a Soul that feels its Weakness.

Whrit is my strength, that I should hope?
And what is mine end, that I should prolong my
life ? Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged;
and though I forbear, what am I eased ? But
now he hath made me weary. Be not far from
me, for trouble is near ; for there is none to help
me. My life is spent with grief, and my years
with sighing. My strength faileth because of
mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
Hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth. I
am poured out like water, and all my bones are
out of joint. My heart is like wax ; it is melted
in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried
up like a pot-sherd. I am feeble and sore bro-
ken; I have roared by the disquietness of my
heart. Lord, all my desire is before Thee. My
heart panteth, my strength faileth me ; as for the
light of mine eyes, it is also gone from me. (Job
vi. 11. ; xvi. 6, 7. Psal. xxxi. 10. ; cxliii. 7. ;
xxii. 14, 15; xxxviii. 8 — 10.)

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 113

2. A Prayer {in the Language of the Holy Scrips
tures) Jor one who is conscious of his Weak?iess.

Ill Thee, O Lord, do I put my trusl, let me
never be ashamed ; deliver me in Thy righteous-
ness. Bow down Thine ear to me, deliver me
speedily: be Thou my strong rock for an house
of defence to save me. For Thou art my rock
and my fortress ; therefore for Thy name's sake,
lead me and guide me : .... for Thou art my
strength. Hear me, O Lord, have mercy upon
me : Lord, be Thou my Helper. Make haste
to help me, O Lord, my salvation. O spare me
that 1 may recover strength before I go hence,
and be no more. Hear me speedily, O Lord :
my spirit faileth ; hide not Thy face from me,
lest I be like unto them that go down into the
pit. Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the
morning: for in Thee do I trust: cause me to
know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift
up my soul unto Thee. Mine eyes are unto
Thee, -O God the Lord ; in Thee is my trust,
leave not my soul destitute. Cast me not off in
the time of old age ; forsake me not when my
strength faileth. My soul melteth for heaviness;
strengthen Thou me, according to Thy word.
Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my foot-
steps slip not. Remember me, O Lord, with
the favor that Thou bearest unto Thy people ;
O visit me with Thy salvation, that I may see
the good of Thy chosen ; that I may rejoice in
the gladness of Thy nation; that I may glory
with thine inheritance. (Psal. xxxi. I — 4. ; xxx.
10*

114 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

10. ; xxxviii. 22. ; xxxix. 13. ; cxliii. 7, 8. ; cxli.
8. ; Ixxi. 9. ; cxix. 28. ; xvii. 4. , cvi. 4, 5.)

2. Another Prayer, on the same Occasion, from
the Liturgy.

O Lord, who seest that I have no power, of
myself, to help mysdf, raise up Thy great power,
I beseech Thee, and with great might succor
me. And as Thou knowest me to bo set in the
midst of so many and great dangers, that by
reason of the frailty of our nature, I cannot alway
stand upright, grant to me such strength, as may
support me in all dangers, and carry me through
all temptations. Thou, O God, art the protector
of all that trust in Thee, and without Thee no-
thing is strong, nothing is holy. Increase and
multiply upon me Thy mercy, that. Thou being
my ruler and guide, I may so pass through things
temporal, that finally I lose not the things eternal.
Grant this, O Heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ's
sake. Amen.

3. Promises of Strength and Support.

The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord ;
he is their strength in the time of trouble. Be
of good courage, and he shall strengthen your
heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. [The
righteous] shall not be moved for ever. ... He

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 115

shall not be afraid of evil tidings ; his heart is
fixed, trusting in the Lord. Ilis heart is estab-
lished ; he shall not be afraid. The Lord will
give strength unto his people : the Lord will
bless his people with peace. He giveth power
to the faint : and unto them that have no might,

he increaseth strength They that wait upon

the Lord shall renew their strength ; they shall
mount up with wings as eagles : they shall run
and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
The Lord is their strength. He satisfieth the
longing soul ; and filleth the hungry soul with
goodness. He shall deliver the needy when he
crieth ; the poor also, and him that hath no
helper. He will keep the feet of his saints. The
Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all
thofse that be bowed down. Though he fall, he
shall not be utterly cast dokvn ; for the Lord
upholdeth him with his hand. (Psal. xxxvii. 39. ;
xxxi. 24 ; cxxii. 6, 7. ; xxxi. IL Isa. xl.29. 3L ;
xxviii. 8. ; cvii. 9. ; Ixxii. 12. 1 Sam. ii. 9. Psal.
cxlv. 14. ; xxxvii. 24.)

God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be
tempted above that ye are able ; but will with
the temptation also make a way to escape, that
ye may be able to bear it. Who will also con-
firm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless
in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is
faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fel-
lowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Like-
wise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for
we know not what we should ])ray for as we
ought ; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

116 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

And when ye shall see this, your heart shall rejoice ;
. . . . and the hand of the Lord shall be known
towards his servants. The Lord is faithful, who
shall stablish you and keep you from evil, (1
Cor. X. 13. ; i. 8, 9. Rom. viii. '26. Isa. xlvi. 14.
2 Thess iii. 3.)

Fear not, for I am with thee ; be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, yea,
I will help thee, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness. For I, the Lord thy
God, will hold ihy right hand, saying unto thee,
Fear not ; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and
thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. My
grace is sufficient for thee ; for my strength is
made perfect in weakness. 1 will seek that which
was lost, and bring again that which was driven
away, and will bind up that which was broken,
and will strengthen that which was sick. (Isa.
xli. 10, 13, 14. 2 Cor. xii. 9. Ezek. xxxiv. 16.)

II. ComplaiJit and Prayers of an affiictcd Soul.

1. Complaint of a deeply afflicted Soul.

How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord ? For
ever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from
me? My God ! My God ! why hast Thou for-
saken me ? Thy wrath lieth hard upon me. My
spirit is overwhelmed within me ; my heart within
me is desolate. My soul also is sore vexed ; but
thou, O Lord, how long? Hear my prayer, O
Lord, and give ear unto my cry. O spare me

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 117

that I may recover strength, before I go hence
and be no more. (Psal. jiii. 1. ; xxii. I.; Ixxxviii.
7. ; cxliii. 4. ; xxxix. 13.)

O that I were as in months past, as in the
days when God preserved me ; . . . . when the
secret of God was upon my tabernacle. O my
God, I cry in the day-time, but Thou hearest not ;
and in the night season, and am not silent. I
watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the
house-top. My bones are pierced in me in the
night season, and my sinews take no rest. Thou
boldest mine eyes waking ; I am so troubled that
I cannot speak. As a servant earnestly desireth
the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the
rcivard of his work, so am I made to possess
months of vanity, and wearisome nights are ap-
pointed unto me. When I lie down, I say,
" When shall I arise, and the night be gone?"
And I am full of tossing to and fro, unto the
dawning of the day. When I say, " My bed
shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my com-
plaint ; " then Thou scarest me with dreams, and
temptest me through visions. My soul is weary
of my life, I will speak in the bitterness of my
soul. O that I might have my request, and that
God would grant me the thing that I long for.
O that Thou wouldest hide me in the grave ! that
Thou wouldest keep me in secre;, until Thy wrath
be past ; that Thou wouldest appoint me a set
time and remember me. (Job xxix. 2. 4. Psal.
xxii. 2. ; cii. 7. Job xxx. 17. Psal. Ixxvii. 4.
Job vii. 2 — 4. ; xiii. 14. ; x. 1. ; vi. 8. ; xiv. 13.)

118 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

2. Prayers, in the Language of Scripture, for
Persons under Spiritual Distress.

(1.) O Lord! hear, when I cry with my
voice ; have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
Hide not Thy face from me ; put not Thy servant
away in anger. Thou hast been my help ; leave
me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Cast me not away from Thy presence. Take not
Thy Holy Spirit from me. Return, O Lord !
How long? And let it repent Thee concerning
thy servants. Return, O God of Hosts ; look
down from heaven, and behold and visit this vine,
and the vineyard which Thy right hand hath
planted. (Psal. xxvii. 7.9.; li. 11.: xc. 13.;
Ixxx. J 5, 16.)

Why standest Thou afar off, O God ? Why
hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble ? Arise,
O Lord ! O God, lift up Thine hand : forget not
the afflicted. Turn us ag"in, O Lord God of
Hosts ; cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be
saved. Awake ! Why sleepest thou, O Lord !
Arise ; cast us not off forever. Turn us, O God
of our salvation, and cause Thine anger towards
us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for
ever ? Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all
generations 1 Wilt Thou not revive us again,
that Thy people may rejoice in Thee ? Shew us
Thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation.
There be many that say. Who will shew us any
good 1 Lord, lift thou up the light of Thy counte-
nance upon us. (Psal. x. 1. 12. : Ixxx. 20.; xliv.
23. ; Ixxxv. 4 — 7. ; iv. 6.)

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 119

(2.) He^r me,0 Lord ; for Thy loving-kind-
ness is good ; turn unto me according to the
multitude of Thy tender mercies, and hide not
Thy face from Thy servant : for I am in trouble.
Hear me speedily : draw nigh to my soul, and
redeem it : deliver me because of mine enemies.
(Psal. Ixix. 16—18.)

Consider and hear me, O Lord my God ;
lighten mine eyes lest I sleep the sleep of death.
My soul is sore vexed ; but thou, O Lord, how
long ? Return, O Lord ; deliver my soul ; O save
me for Thy mercies' sake. Make Thy face to
shine upon Thy servant. Look upon me and be
merciful unto me, as Thou usest to do unto those
that love Thy name. (Psal. xiii. 4. ; vi. 3, 4. :
xxxi. 16. ; cxix. 132.)

(3.) O Lord, correct me, but with judgment ;
not in Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to
nothing. Be not far from me, for trouble is
near ; for there is none to help. O my strength !
Haste Thee to help me. Turn Thee unto me,
and have mercy upon me ; for I am desolate and
afflicted. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy
servant and teach me Thy statutes. Forsake me
not, O Lord ; O my God, be not far from me.
Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation,
O God, in the multitudeof Thy mercy, hear me, —
in the truth of Thy salvation. Strengthen me,
help me ; uphold me with the right hand of Thy
righteousness; that my heart may be established
unblameable in righteousness before Thee, at

120 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all
his saints. Amen. (Psal. xxv. IG. ; cxix. 35.;
xxxviii. 21, 22. : Ixix. 113. Isa. xli. 10. 1 Thess.
iii. 13.)

(4.) Hear my cry, O God ! Attend unto my
prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry
unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed : lead
me to tlie rock that is higher than I. O Lord !
rebuke me not in Thine anger : neither chasten
me in Thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon
me, O Lord, for I am weak. O Lord, heal me,
for my bones are vexed : my soul is also sore
vexed. Withhold not Thy tender mercies from
me, O Lord : let Thy loving-kindness and thy
truth continually preserve me. Let Thy mercies
also come unto me, O Lord ; even Thy salva-
tion, according to Thy word. Let, I pray thee,
Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, ac-
cording to Thy word unto Thy servant. Amen.
(Psal. Ixi. 1, 2. ; vi. 1, 2. ; xl. 11. ; cxix. 41. 76.)

3. Other Prayers for Persons under Spiritual
Distress.

(i.) From the Liturgy.

O Blessed Lord, the Father of all mercies,
and the God of all comforts, I beseech Thee,
look down in pity and compassion upon me Thy
afflicted servant. Thou writest bitter things
against me, and makcst me to possess my former

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 121

iniquities ; Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and
my soul ir: fall of trouble. But, O merciful God,
who hast written Thy holy word for our learning,
that we through patience and comfort of thy
Holy {Scriptures might have hope : Give me a
right understanding of myself, and of Thy threats
and promises, that 1 may neither cast away my
confidence in Thee, nor place it any where
but in Thee. Give me strength against all my
temptation, and heal all my distempers. Break
not the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking
flax. Shut not up Thy tender mercies in dis-
pleasure ; but make me to hear of joy and glad-
ness, that the bones which Thou hast broken may
rejoice. Deliver me from fear of the enemy,
and lift np the light of Thy countenance upon
me ; and give me peace through the merits and
mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord.

(2.) Another Prayer on the same Occasion,

O my dear God and most merciful Father, who
hast not only directed but encouraged me in all
my troubles to call upon Thee : Hear, I beseech
Thee, the complaints that I now make, and the
prayers which I pour forth in the anguish and
bitterness of my spirit ; for Thou hast shown me
heavy things, O God, and in the midst of all my
prosperity, hast been pleased to mingle a bitter
eup for me.

What the troubles of my heart are, how heavy
they lie upon me, how deeply they wound me, I

n

122 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

need not labor to express to Thee, for all my
comfort is, that nothing is hidden from Thee.
For, not only the blessings which Thou hast
poured upon me through all the minutes and
moments of my life, but the afflictions which I
now groan under, come from the same hand, to
arouse me and awake me to a more devout and
earnest way of serving Thee.

And since it is Thy own work, look down with
the more pity on this wounded soul of mine.
See, O my God, how I pant and labor under the
heavy scourge of thy displeasure ; a scourge
which my own sins have twisted, and mine own
iniquities have drawn down upon me.

But, O my dear Father, to whom it is more
easy to do all things, than for me to ask any
thing that is good ; — Thou that has promised
to all them that love thee, that they shall not
be tempted farther than they shall be able to
bear: — Give, I beseech Thee, that measure of
grace and patience to Thy sad and afflicted ser-
vant ; that I may not only endure what Thou
layest upon me ; but entirely, willingly, and
cheerfully submit my will to Thine.

And, O thou God of comfort and Spirit of all
consolation, be not only with me, but with all of
niy relations, that mourn in secret either for
their own sins or sufferings, or whatsoever bit-
terness Thou shalt think fit to lay upon us. O
teach us all to look up to the hand from whence
these judgments come, to kiss, and to adore it.
And when Thou hast done so, lei Thy mercy go
one step farther with me, and compose my
troubled mind into such a calm, that none of my

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 123

sufferings, — whatsoever they are or may be —
may either make me repine at Thy judgments
or despair of Thy mercies: But, rather, let all
that is afflictive to me, serve only to wean me
from the world, and draw me the nearer unto
Thee. But, because this cannot be done without
Thee, O thou Preserver of men, behold I throw
myself and all that is dear to me, clearly and
entirely into Thine arms, to do with me whatso-
ever shall be good in Thine eyes.

And therefore, amidst all the unquiet thoughts
which now trouble and disorder me, say unto
me, as Thou didst to Thy disciples in the storm,
" Fear not ! It is I." Or else, ifThoushalt
find it better for me, that I should find no calm
abroad in the midst of the various changes and
chances of this world, let me find it at least in
my own breast and bosom ; and possess my soul
in patience, whatever other storms Thou shalt
please to raise against me : that, so being placed
under the shadow of Thy wings and refreshed
here with the comforts of Thy Spirit, I may long
earnestly for that blessed day, when all tears
shall be wiped from mine eyes, and all sorrows
shall be forgotten.

Grant this, O my God, for Thy Son's sake,
who sits at Thy right hand to mediate for me : —
Giant it for thy Holy Spirit's sake, who pleads
for me and all that love Thee witli groans that
cannot be expressed : — Grant it for Thine own
sake, O my God, who art never more Thyself
than when, in the midst of judgment. Thou re-
memberest mercy. Amen. Amen.

124 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

(3.) Another Prayer on the same Occasion.

Almighty God, who beholdest with compassion
and mercy the weaknesses and fraikies of us Thy
sinful creatures ; Look down on me, I beseech
Thee, and deliver me, if it be Thy blessed will,
from the distress of mind under which I labor.
Strengthen my judgment, and inform my under-
standing, that 1 may rightly know my duty : and
grant that I may act on all occasions, and in
every circumstance of life, in the manner most
acceptable to Thee. i*ardon my secret sins and
infirmities ; and preserve me from all wilful neg-
lects and offences. If thou seest it consistent
with Thy glory and the everlasting welfare of my
soul, fill me with that fervency of affection
towards Thee, and witii that measure of spiritual
comfort and assurance, which may preserve my
mind in a frame of cheerfulness and composure.
But, if trouble and bitterness of mind be more
expedient for me, continue to me both this and
all other afflictions which Thou seest most condu-
cive to my future happiness ; and grant that I
may bear them with patience and resignation.
Let Thy Holj Spirit direct and support me under
every trial, and enable me so to walk in Thy faith
and fear, that I may at last be received into Thy
heavenly kingdom through the merits and medi-
ation of Thy Son Jesus Christ my blessed Lord
and Saviour. Amen.

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 125

(4.) Another Prayer on the same Occasion.

O Blessed Lord, the Father of mercies and
the God of all comfort! I beseech Thee, look
down with pity and compassion upon me Thine
afflicted servant. Unto Thee do I cry for help.

0 thou great Physician of Souls, uphold and
comfort my weak and dejected spirit ; strengthen
it against all inoidinate vain fears and terrors ;
and deliver me from all those unprofitable troubles
and scruples of conscience, with which I am
oppressed. I am conscious, O Lord, that I de-
serve this punishment for my past sins, and that

1 reap the just reward of my former iniquities.
But I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and truly repent of all my misdoings ; and there-
fore I implore, for the sake of my Saviour's mer-
its, that by Thy pardon and peace I may be clean-
sed from all my sins, and may serve Thee with a
quiet mind all my days. Let my present uneasi-
ness and disorder make me humble and patient,
and teach me to put my trust and confidence in
Thee. I entirely submit to Thy blessed will, till
Thou shalt think fit to remove the torment I groan
under; beseeching Thee, in the mean time, to
enable me to bear it by the support of Thy Holy
Spirit ; and when I am prepared for so great a
mercy, deliver me from my trouble ; lift up the
light of Thy countenance upon me, and give
me peace, through the merits and mediation of
Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour and Redeemer.
Amen.

II*

126 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

4. Promises addressed to a troubled and afflicted
Mind,

Selection I.

The Lord forsakcth not His saints. He deliv-
ereth the poor in his affliction ; for He hath not
despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted ;
neither hath He hid His face from him, but when
he cried unto Him, He heard. In all their afflic-
tion he was afflicted, and the angel of His pres-
ence saved iliem : in His love and in His pity He
redeemed them, and He bare them and carried
them. (Psal. xxxvii. 28. Job xxxvi. J 5. Psal.
xxii. 24. Isa. Ixiii. 9.)

Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O
Lord, and givest him rest from the days of ad-
versity ; for the Lord will not cast off liis people,
neither will He forsake His inheritance. His soul
was grieved for the misery of Israel. He regard-
ed their affliction when He heard their cvr. For
His anger endurelh but a moment : in Hii iavor is
life. Weeping may endure for a niglit, but joy
cometh in the morning. (Psal. xciv. 12 — 14.
Judg. X. 16. Psal. cvi. 44. xxx. 5.)

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to
anger and plenteous in mercy. He will not
always chide, neither will He keep His anger for
ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins,
nor rewarded us according to our iniquities ; for,
as the heaven is liicrh above the earth, so jxreat is
His mercy towardsthem that fear Him. God,
even our Father, hath loved us, and hath given us
everlasting consolation and a good hope through
grace. (Psal. ciii. 8 — IL 2 Thess. ii. 16.)

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 127

The Lord will wait that He may be gracious
unto you : ibr the Loud is a God of judgment.
Blessed are all they that wait for Him. A bruised
reed will He not break, and smoking flax will He
not quench, till He send forth judgment unto
victory. He retaineth not His anger for ever, be-
cause he delighteth in mercy. The Lord will
not cast off for ever; but though He cause grief,
yet will He have compassion according to the
multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict
willingly nor grieve the children of men. (Isa.
XXX. IH. Matt. xii. 30. Mic. vii. 18. Lam. iii.
31—33.)

Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and
merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.
With Thee is the fountain of life ; and in Thy
light we shall see light. I have been young and
now am old ; yet have I not seen the righteous
forsaken, nor- his seed begging their bread. He
shall pray unto God, and He shall hear him, and
He will be favorable unto him, and he shall see
His face with joy. (Neh. ix. 17. Psal. xxxvi.
9. ; xxxvii. 25. Job xxxiii. 26.)

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon
Him, to all that call upon Him in truth ; to set
up on high those that be low ; that those which
mourn may be exalted to safety. Blessed be
God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort ;
who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we
may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves
are comforted of God. For, as the sufferings of
Christ abound in us, so our consolation also

128 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

aboundeth by Christ. (Psal. cxlv. 18. Job v.
IJ. 2Cor. i. 3— 5.)

The Lord your God ... is gracious and mer-
ciful, slow lo anger and of great kindness, and
repenteth Him of the evil. He will have com-
passion upon us. In that day thou shalt say, O
Lord ! I will praise Thee : though Thou wast
angry with me, Thme anger is turned away, and
Thou comfortedest me. Behold, God is my salva-
tion : I will trust and not be afraid ; for the Lord
JEHOVAH is my strength and my song. He also
is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall
ye draw water out of the wells of salvation : and
in that day ye shall say, Praise the Lord, call
upon His name, declare His doings among the
people, make mention that His name is exalted.
Sing unto the Lord, for He hath done excellent
things: this is known in all the earth. (Joel ii.
31. Mic. vii. 19. Isa. xii. 1 — 5.)

Thus saith the Lord : — If they break my stat-
utes and keep not my commandments, then wiiJ
I visit their transgression with the rod, and their
iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless, my loving-
kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor
suffer my faithfulness to fail. When the poor
and needy seek water and there is none, and their
tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear
them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will bring the blind by a way they knew not ; I
will lead them in paths they have not known : I
will make darkness light before them, and crooked
things straight. These things will 1 do unto them,
and not forsake them. (Psal. Ixxxix. 31 — 33. Isa.
xli. 17. : xlii. 16.)

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 129

Is Ephraim my dear son ? is he a pleasant
child? lor since I spake against him, I do earn-
estly remember him still. Therefore my bowels
are troubled for him ; I will surely have mercy
upon him, saith the Lord. I will not contend for
ever, neither will I be always wroth : for the
spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I
have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness
was I wroth, and smote him : I hid me and he
was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way
of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal
him : I will lead him also, and will restore com-
forts unto him. But Zion said : — The Lord
hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten
me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that
she should not have compassion on the son of her
womb? Yea, they may forget ; yet will I not for-
get thee. Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith
the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to fall
upon you : for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and
I will not keep anger for ever. For a small mo-
ment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies
will I gather thee. In a little wrath 1 hid my face
from thee, for a moment : but with everlasting
kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the
Lord thy Redeemer. (Isa. Ivii. 16 — 19.; xlix.
14, 15. Jer. iii. 12. Isa. liv. 7, 8.)

I [said our adorable Redeemer] — I will pray
the Father, and He shall give you another com-
forter, that he may abide with you for ever ; even
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot re-
ceive because it seeth him not, neither knoweth
him : but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you
and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfort-

130 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

less ; I will come unto you. Lo ! T am with you
alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(John xiv. 16—18. Matt, xxviii. 20.)

{Selection II,

How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God !
Therefore do the children of men put their trust
under theshadowof Thy wings. I will hear what
God the Lord will speak ; for He will speak peace
unto His people and to His saints : but let them
not turn again to folly. Surely, His salvation is
nigh them that fear Him. They cried unto the
Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them
out of their distresses. (Psal. xxxvi. . ; Ixxxv. 8,
9. ; cvii. 6. 13.)

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke
upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light. For I have satiated the weary soul, and I
have replenished every sorrowful soul. I will
feed my flock, and will cause them to lie down,
saith the Lord God. I will feed them upon a
good pasture, and upon the high mountains of
Israel shall their food be. There shall they lie in
a good fold, in a fat pasture shall they feed upon
the mountains of Israel. (Matt. xi. 28 — 30.
Jer. xxxi. 25. Ezek. xxxiv. 15. 14.)

I will make a covenantof peace with them ; it
shall be an everlasting covenant with them : and

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 131

I will place them and multiply them, and will set
my sanctuary in the midst o{ them for evermore.
I will dwell in them and walk in them : and I will
be their God and they shall be my people. The
mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed ;
but my kindness shall not depart from thee,
neither shall the covenant of my peace be re-
moved, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
Ue of good cheer : it is I, be not afraid. Fear
not, little flock : for it is your Father's good plea-
sure to give you the kingdom. Peace I leare
with you, my peace I give you : not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Ezek. xxxvii.
26. 2 Cor. vi. 16. Isa. liv. 10. Mark vi. 50. Luke
vii. 32. John xiv. 27.)

Fear not : for behold I bring you good tidings
of great joy. Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, all ye
that love her ; rejoice for joy with her, all ye that
mourn for her : that ye may be satisfied with ....
her consolations. For thus saith the Lord : Be-
hold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and
the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream.
As one whom his mother comforteth, so v ill I
comfort you, and ye shall be comforted in Jeru-
salem. The remnant of Israel shall not do
iniquity, nor speak lies : neither shall a deceitful
tongue be found in their mouth ; for they shall
feed and lie down, and none shall make them
afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion ! shout, O
Israel ! Be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O
daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken
away thy judgments ; he hath cast out thine
enemy. The Lord is in the midst of thee : thou

132 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

shalt not see evil any more. There is a river, the
streiims whereof shall make glad the city of God :
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be
moved. God shall help her, and that right early.
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear ll.ou
not ; and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is miglity ;
he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy,
he will rest in his love ; he will joy over thee with
singing. (Luke ii. 10. Isa. Ixvi 10 — Yd. Zeph.
iii. 13, 14. Psal. xlvi. 4, 5. Zeph. iii. IG, 17.)

SECTION IIL

PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS UNDER SORROW AND
DESPONDENCY.

Tearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror
HATH ovERV/HEj.MED me. — Psalm Iv. 5.

1. Observations on Seasons of Desertion ^ or
supposed Absence of the Holy Spirit.

**There are seasons in the lives of good men,
when their sense of spiritual things is compara-
tively dull ; and many, at these times, have been
alarmed with the idea of being totally deserted
by the Spirit, and have fallen into a state of
DESPONDENCY, But if there were no other
proof that the grace of God is still vouchsafed to
theai, their uneasiness alone would evince it.
While pain is felt, the surgeon apprehends not

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 133

a mortification. But the alarm, it may be pre-
sumed, is, to the pious Christian, unnecessary.
For it is certain that the visitations of the Holy
Spirit are sometimes more sensible than at
others ; and that when they are not sensible at
all, its guidance and benign protection may con-
tinue unaltered. The light sometimes shines with
a bright and strong effulgence, to guide us into
the right way ; but while we are proceeding in it
safely and regularly, and without an inclination
to deviate, or immediate danger of falling, the
rays may be emitted less powerfully, because less
necessary. The moment there appears danger
of wandering or of stumbling, the lamp is ready
to shine with instantaneous radiance. Thus an
infant, just beginning to walk, is guided by the
parent's hand, watched with the parent's eye, and
encouraged by the parent's voice, and yet it is
often permitted to go alone, without assistance
or encouragement, in order to exercise its
strength, and to give it a due degree of confi-
dence. But the tender mother may still hold
the leading-string unobserved by the infant, and,
at the very first lapse, save the fall. The sun,
though obscured by clouds, affords both light and
Vv^armth, guides mankind in all their operations,
and supports both animal and vegetative life.

" The mistaken opinion that ecstasy and rap-
ture are always necessary to evince the presence
of the Holy Spirit, has brought the doctrine into
discredit among the sober and rational, and in-
troduced much misery among the ignorant, the
weak, and the fanciful. The sober and rational
neither experienced such ardor without inter-
inissiou, nor did they believe the nature of man,
]-2

J 34 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

as he is now constituted, capable of supporting
it. The ignorant, the weak, and the fanciful, en-
deavoring to raise themselves to a height wliich
they could either not reach or not maintain, fell
from disappointment to dejection, and from de-
jection to despair. In truth, the influence of the
Spirit rushes not like a continual torrent, but
flows as a gentle river, which, indeed, for the
most part, displays its silver surface in the mead-
ows, but may sometimes conceal itself, without
being lost, in a subterranean channel.

" While we retain faith, hope, and charity, and
while we seek the favor of God in fervent prayer,
we have every reason to believe that grace
abounds in us, though we should not, for a con-
siderable time, be favored with the livelier ex-
perience of its immediate energy. If we per-
severe in a virtuous course, we may rest assured
that God will, at all proper intervals, and for our
reward and encouragement, shew us the light of
his countenance.

" Let the pious Christian remember, that hope
is placed, in the celebrated enumeration of
Christian virtues, next to faith, and before cha-
rity. Let him therefore take care not to in-
dulge the least tendency to such melancholy
ideas of desertion as may lead to despair. God
will not behold a sincerely contrite heart, anxious
to find grace, without affording it ; and though,
for wise purposes of trial, it is possible that he
may not, for a short time, bestow it in its more
sensible influences, yet there is every reason to
believe, that he who sincci'cly grieves because he
thinks himself less favored by the IIoli/ Spirit

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 135

than usual, is, on that very account, in a state
OF GRACE, and therefore safe."*

II. Prayers under Sorrow and Despondency.

1. A Prayer in the Language of Scripture.

Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord, my rock, be
not silent to me : lest, if Thou be silent to me, I
become like them that go down into the pit.
Hear the voice of my supplication when I cry
unto Thee. The troubles of my heart are en-
larged : O bring Thou me out of my distress.
Look upon mine affliction and my pain, and for-
give all my sins. Restore unto me the joy of
Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free
spirit. Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed ;
save me, and I shall be saved. Bow down Thine
ear, O Lord, and hear me : for I am poor and
needy. O Thou, my God, save Thy servant,
that trusteth in Thee. Be merciful unto me, O
Lord : for I cry unto Thee daily. Rejoice the
soul of Tiiy servant : for unto Thee, O Lord, do
I lift up my soul. For Thou, Lord, art good
and ready to forgive : and plenteous in mercy
unto all them that call upon Thee. Give ear, O
Lord, unlo my prayer : and attend to the voice
of my supplications. Teach me Thy way, O
Lord, I will walk in Thy truth : unite my heart

* Dr. Knox's Christian Pliilosophy, section xxxiii.

136 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

to fear Thy name. Let my cry come before
Thee, O Lord : give me understanding ac-
cording to Thy word. Let my supplication come
before Thee : deHver me according to Thy word.
Return, O Lord ; how long ? O satisfy us early
with Thy mercy, that we may rejoice, and be
glad all our days. I have entreated Thy favor
with my whole heart : be merciful unto me, ac-
cording to Thy word. And my soul shall be
joyful in the Lord : it shall rejoice in His sal-
vation. (Psal. xxviii. 1, 2. ; xxv. 17, 18. ; li. 12. ;
Jer. xvii, 14. ; Psal. Ixxxvi. 1 — 6. 11. ; cxix. 169,
170. ; xc, 13, 14. ; cxix. 58. ; xxxv. 9.)

2. A Meditatioji in the Language of Scripture
under Despondency.

O God, Thou art my God, for ever and ever.
Be Thou my guide unto death. My heart is
sore grieved within me, and the terrors of death
are fallen upon me. Behold, Thou hast made
my days as an hand breadth, and mine age is as
nothing before Thee. Verily every man at his
best estate is altogether vanity. When Thou
with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity. Thou
makest his beauty to consume away like a moth :
surely every man is vanity. And now, Lord,
what wait I for ? My hope is in Thee. Hear
my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry :
hold not Thy peace at my tears. Remove Thy
stroke away from me : I am consumed by the
blow of Thine hand. O spare me, that I may
receive strength, before I go hence and be no

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 137

more. My soul cleaveth unto the dust ; O
quicken Thou me, according to Thy word. And
when the sorrows of death compass me, let not
the pains of hell get hold upon me. (Psal. Ixiii. I.
xlviii. 14. ; Iv. 4. ; xxxix. 6. 11. 8. 12. 10. 13. ;
cxix. 25. ; cxvi. 3.)

3. A Prayer in Sorrow and Desyondency.

O Eternal God, Father of Mercies, and God of
all comfort, with much mercy look upon the sor-
rows of Thy servant. The waters are gone over
me, and I stick fast in the deep mire ; and my
miseries are without comfort, because they are
the punishments of my sin. Lord! pity me:
Lord ! let Thy grace refresh my spirit. Let Thy
comfort support me ; Thy mercy pardon me,
and never let my portion be among hopeless and
accursed spirits : for Thou art good and gra-
cious: and upon Thy mercies do i humbly cast
myself Grant that I may never let my hold go,
and do Thou with me what seemeth good in
Thine eyes. I cannot suffer more than I have
deserved, and yet I can need no relief so great
as thy mercy is : for Thou art infinitely more
merciful than I can be miserable : and Thy
mercy, which is above all thine own works, is
transcendently above all my sin and all my mis-
ery. Holy Jesus! let me trust in Thee for ever,
and let me never be confounded. Amen.
12*

138 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

4. A Prayer against Despair,*

O God of Mercy, forasmuch as I have many
ways transgressed thy holy precepts, contemned
Thee our Lord and Maker, and offended Thy
Divine Majesty, greatly am I grieved in mind,
and stand wonderfully in fear of Thine everlast-
ing displeasure. And although Thine holy word
doth tender me pardon and remission of my sins
truly, yet have I not grace as yet to apprehend
the same : for busy is our most cruel and crafty
adversary, and doth labor to bring us from all
hope and comfort of salvation. The only remedy,
which we have against this our deadly adversary,
is, that we never doubt of Thy grace and readi-
ness to forgive our sins. Comfort us at all times,
especially at the hour of death, and give us grace
to fasten all our confidence and trust on Thee,
and never to think any offence greater than Thou
canst and wilt pardon.

O loving and ever-living God, the lively foun-
tain of all grace, overflowing the whole world
with the river of Thy mercy : enlighten mine
understanding, increase my faith, that I may
truly know and assuredly believe the death and
merits of Christ Thy Son : the least drop of whose
most precious blood is of more efficacy and power
to save me than all my enormities and heinous
sins to condemn me. Look upon me, O my Sa-
viour, with those eyes of pity and fatherly com-

* From an imperfect copy of the " Poor Man's Rest,"
a manual of devotion, apparently printed before the end
of the sixteenth century.

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 139

passion, wherewith Thou didst behold Peter after
he denied Thee ; lest otherwise I despair, and so
commit the sin t^ainst the Holy Ghost.

Give me. Lord, the holy help of Thy Sacred
Spirit, that when Satan doth accuse me, and my
conscience beareth witness against me, when the
thoughts of hell and death do dismay me, when
the snares of death, and horrible temptations
would entrap me, when the whole world forsakes
me, and all things set themselves against me ; —
THEN strengthen me, I beseech Thee, that I
forsake not Thee my Saviour, and fall from
hope of Thy free mercy.

O comfort mine heart with an inward assurance
and seal of mine adoption in Thy Son, in whom
the forgiveness of sins is promised unto all be-
lievers. Call to mind thy holy covenant entered
into with us at our baptism, and the promise
thereunto annexed, — He that believeth, and is
baptized, shall be saved : and grant that I may
evermore consider the same to my perpetual
comfort. Amen.

5. Promises, addressed to tJwse who are in Sor-
row and Despondency.

If thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou
shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul. When thou art in
tribulation, if thou shalt turn unto the Lord thy
God, and shalt be obedient unto His voice : (for
the Lord thy God is a merciful God : (he will

140

DEVOTIONS FOR THE

not forsake thee, neither destroy thee. Thou
shalt weep no more : He will be very gracious
unto thee at the voice of thy cry ; when He
shall hear it, He will answer thee. He will
fulfil the desire of them that fear Him ; He also
will hear their cry, and will save them. The
Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken
heart ; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
He healetii the broken in heart, and bindeth up
their wounds. He that trusteth in the Lord,
mercy shall compass him about. They that sow-
in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth
and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall, doubt-
less, come again with rejoicing, bringing his
sheaves with him. The eyes of the Lord are
upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto
their cry. And the Lord God will wipe away
tears from off all faces. (Deut. iv. 29 — SI. Isa.
XXX. 19. Psal. cxlv. 19. ; xxxiv. IS. ; cxlvii. 3. ;
xxxii. 10. ; cxxvi. 5, 6. ; xxxiv. 15. Isa. xxv. 8.)
Weep not. Blessed are they that mourn, for
they shall be comforted. For I know the thoughts
that 1 think towards you, saith the Lord ;
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an
expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and
ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken
unto you. And ye shall seek me and find me,
when ye shall search for me with all your heart ;
and I will be found of you, saith the Lord. Call
upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver
thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Luke vii. 13.
Matt. V. 4. Jer. xxix. 11—14. Psal. 1. 15.)

AFFLICTED IN MIND. , 141

SECTION IV.

DEVOTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE PERPLEXKD WITH
DOUBTS AND TEMPTATIONS.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. —
Matt. xxiv. 14.

1. A General Prayer for one ivho is perplexed
in Mind.

O Righteous Lord, Thy justice has brought
me to reap the bitter fruits of my own evil ways,
and to possess mine iniquities. My sins at length
have taken hold upon me ; thou vvritest bitter
things against me, and thy fierce wrath goeth
over me. Thy terrors do even distract my
thoughts. My spirit is quite broken within me
by reason thereof, and my heart faileth me.
But, O Gracious God, though I be troubled and
cast down, let me not fall, I humbly entreat thee,
into utter despair. Whilst I live, let me not
forego the hopes of Thy mercy, nor the care of
my own return to my duty. When I ^roan
under my burthens, make me to flee unto Thee
for ease. When I am terrified with my former
sins, let me make haste to forsake the same.
When I am struck with the sting of my own
guilt, enable me, O Jesu, to look up to Thy
cross, and to the merits thereof; and to rest
my heart upon the same by true repentance.
When I am most mistrustful of myself, let me not
mistrust Thee, nor call in question any comfort-
able promises of Thy free grace and mercy.

142 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

O Father ! let Thy smiting reclaim and amend
me, and then let Th} comforts revive me. Let
Thy dear Son's most precious blood expiate all
my sins, and let His grace cure them. And in-
stead of these most just and deserved terrors,
wherewith Thou now takest vengeance for the
same, Lord, let me have Thy mercy to forgive
my sins, and cause me to hear the voice of
peace, to quiet and comfort my amazed con-
science, for the sake of my only Saviour and
Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

2. A Prayer for one wlio is full of Doubts,

O Lord, the Father of Mercies, and the God of
all comfort, I acknowledge and adore Thine eter-
nal power, wisdom, and goodness. I render Thee
my most hearty thanks for all the benetits Thou
hast freely bestowed on me, from my first coming
into the world until this time. " Many, O Lord
my God, are thy wonderful works which are to
us- ward, they cannot be reckoned up in order
unto Thee : if I would declare and speak of
them, they are more than can be numbered."
Above all, I bless Thee for that great demon-
stration of Thy love and good will to mankind in
Christ Jesus, whom Thou hast sent into the world
to save Sinners ; and for bringing me to a clear
knowledge of Him, faith in Him, and some love,
I hope, towards Him, and unfeigned affection to
Thy holy will, declared to us in His blessed
Gospel.

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 143

O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth
up, and hitherto hast been marvellously gracious
to me. Hide not, I beseech Thee. Thy face now
from me, and put not Thy servant away in dis-
pleasure. Thou hast been my help, leave me
not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation :
but for Jesus Christ his sake, I humbly entreat
Thee to pardon and pass by all my neglects of
Thee, and unthankfulness to Thee, and offences
against Thee. And as I here sincerely devote
and dedicate my whole self, soul, and body, to
Thy service, so help me, O my God, and further
me in the performance of my duty, by the grace
of thy Holy Spirit. To Thee all hearts are open,
and from Thee no secrets are hid : deal with me
according to the earnest desire, and full purpose
of my soul, to conform myself in all things to
Thy holy will.

Settle in me an unmovable faith in Thy infi-
nite mercies, a constant love, and cheerful affec-
tion to my duty, and a readiness of heart to obey
Thee, and to submit to Thy wise appointments
in every condition. The whole earth is full of
Thy mercy; Thou openest thy hand, and satis-
fiest the desire of every living thing : O refuse
not the humble desires of my poor soul, which
gaspeth after Thee, even as the thirsty land.
Thou who givest to the Leasts their food, and to
the young ravens when they cry, O satisfy me
early with Thy mercies, that I may rejoice and
be glad all my days. Compose my broken and
disturbed thoughts, quiet my troubled and dis-
ordered spirit, and appease all the ragings and tu-
mults there, by a sweet sense of thy most tender

144 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

mercies, which have been ever of old, and endure
continually.

Banish from me all causeless fears and jea-
lousies ; deliver me from all unprofitable sadness
and dejections of spirit ; keep me from rash judg-
ing of myself, and much more from charging
Thee foolishly. Bestow upon me a cheerful
spirit, by an humble hope in Thee, and by re-
ferring myself wholly to Thee. Endue me with
such wisdom and uprightness, that I may neither
neglect my duty, nor suspect Thy gracious ac-
ceptance of me. Give me a hearty zeal to do
the best that I am able, and a settled persuasion
that Thou requirest no more of me.

Defend me, O most gracious God, from dis-
honoring Thee, and my religion, by distrusting
Thy goodness, and calling Thy loving-kindness
in question towards those that are sincerely bent
to please Thee. Remove all troublesome ima-
ginations from me, and give me a clear under-
standing of Thee, and of myself. Or when I am
in darkness and confusion of thoughts, grant me
so much light and judgment, as not to conclude
myself forsaken by Thee, but to reflect upon
Thy long continued favors to me, and many
deliverances of me; that so I may resolve still
to hope in thee, to bear my present trouble
i)atiently, and to resign my will absolutely to
Thy good pleasure. And, good Lord, enable
me to look beyond these clords, to that blessed
state whither my Saviour is gone, in which there
is no darkness at all, and in an humble hope of
coming to the same place where he is, to content
myself with any condition, whilst I am here so
far remote from that region of light and glory.

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 145

Hear me, most loving and merciful Father, I
most humbly beseech Thee. Pity my great dul-
ness and deadness of heart. Strengthen my weak
and feeble endeavors. Support my fainting
spirit, and cause it humbly to hope in Thee for
ever. Confirm and establish every good thought,
desire, and purpose, which Thou hast wrought
in me. Perfect that which Thou hast begun.
Make me to grow in wisdom, faith, love, and
willing obedience. Conduct me hereafter so
evenly and steadily, so peaceably and quietly,
so cheerfully and securely in Thy ways, t!iat I
may glorify Thee whilst I live, by encouraging
others to accompany me in Thy service : and
when I come to die, may resign my soul unto
Thee with an undisturbed mind, in a holy hope
also of a joyful resurrection of the body at the
great day of the Lord Jesus; to whom be glory
and dominion for ever. Amen.

3. A Prayer for one who is disturhcdwithioichcd
and hlaspliemous Thoughts.

O Lord God, the Father of our spirits, to
whom all hearts are open, and all desires known ;
I humbly entreat Tliee to succour me, thine un-
worthy servant, who labor under the burthen of
wicked thoughts. Let Thy power and goodness
be shown in healing my disordered mind. Cleanse
the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of
Thine Holy Spirit. Suffer them not to be defiled
by any profane or blasphemous suggestions ; but
13

146 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

heal my soul, by enabling me to stifle and sup-
press all such thoughts as tend to rob me of my
peace, or to deprive me of the comforts of reli-
gion. Enable me to be of an equal and steady
temper, to be mikl and gentle in my behavior,
and to keep my hopes and fears within due
bounds. Make me sensible of the wise and kind
reasons of these afflictions ; that, if they be duly
improved, they may be powerful preservatives of
my soul against the prevailing sins of a licentious
age ; may dispose me to compassionate the suf-
ferings of others ; and make me more thoroughly
feel my own infirmities, and my need of divine
assistance. Open my eyes, that I may see and
know the wise and gracious dispensations of thy
Providence; and, by humbling myself under
them, may at length be lifted up, and made a
partaker of that peace and joy which Thou be-
stowest upon all Thy faithful servants. Grant
this, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our
only Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

4. A Prayer for a Person wlio is under Douhis
concerning the Lawfulness of any Action.

O Lord God, the instructer of the ignorant, the
light ol all that are in darkness and error, and the
fountain of all wisdom, knowledge, and truth ; I
desire above all things to please Thee, and to
know and do Thy will : and it is a trouble and
grief to me to consider that I have so often acted
contrary to it. O give mc a wise and under-

AFFLICTED IN MIND. 147

Standing spirit, that I may know my duty, and a
heart fully determined to practise it.

More particularly, O Lord, 1 address myself
to Thee at this time, to enlighten my under-
standing, and inform my unsettled judgment how
to determine safely in the affair concerning which
at present I know not how to act. Show Thou
me the way wherein I should walk, and leave me
not to the weakness of my own reasoning ; which,
without Thy enlightening grace, will lead me into
error and confusion.

Give me, O Lord, I beseech Thee, such an
honest and upright heart, that nothing in the
world may ever be able to seduce me from my
integrity. Let not the example of a multitude
persuade me to do evil, nor the most powerful
allurements of riches, honors, or any other
worldly advantage, turn me aside from Thy com-
mandments : but convince me more and more,
how little it will profit me to gain the whole
world, and lose my own soul ; that being pos-
sessed of an awful fear of Thy displeasure, I may
never dare to do any thing but what Thou ap-
provest, and of which I maybe able to give a
comfortable account at the great day of the Lord
Jesus.

Direct me, O my God, to those means, which
will inform my understanding and satisfy my
doubts: and if, after all my inquiries, I should
fall into any unwilling mistake, O Lord, lay it not
to my charge, nor let it ever provoke Thine
anger againstme. But, O Lord, if it is Thy good
pleasure that I should still remain under doubts,
give me grace, I beseech Thee, to submit to Thy

148

DEVOTIONS FOR THE

will, and to wait with patience until thou seest fit
to instruct me better. And whatever worldly ad-
vantages I may lose by it, yet let me still have the
comfort and support of a good conscience. Suffer
ine not to be so regardless of my eternal interest,
as for the sake of any temporal advantage to for-
feit Thy favor, which is better than all the
enjoyments of this world.

O Lord ! I leave myself in thy hands ; and I
most humbly beseech thee, to carry me through
this and all other difficulties, and bring me to that
blessed place of rest and peace, where I shall be
out of all temptation and danger of offending
thee, and where I shall love and praise Thee
throughout all ages. Grant this, O merciful
Father, for the sake and through the merits of my
dear Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

III. Prayers in Seasons of Temptation,

1. For Grace to overcome Temptation. — [From
the Booh oj Common Prayer.)

O God, who knowest that I am set in the midst
of many and great dangers ; raise up, I pray
Thee, Thy power, and with great might succour
me, that I may withstand the temptations of the
world, the flesh, and the devil, and with a pure
heart and mind may follow Thee the only God.
Grant to me such strength and protection, as may
support me in all dangers, and carry me through
all temptations. Mercifully look upon my in-

AjFFLICTED IN MIND. 149

firmities, and in all my dangers and necessities
stretch forth Thy right hand to help and defend
me. As I lean only on the help of Thy heavenly
grace, may I be defended by Thy mighty power.
Keep me both outwardly in my body, and in-
wardly in my soul. Order my unruly will and
affections, and defend me evermore by Thy most
gracious and ready help ; that so, among the sun-
dry and manifold changes of the^world, I may be
kept from all things hurtful, and led to all things
profitable to my salvation.

O God, the Protector of all those that trust in
Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing
is holy, whose never-failing Providence ordereth
all things in heaven and earth : keep me with Thy
perpetual mercy ; that, being ready both in body
and soul, I may truly and faithfully serve Thee,
may finally obtain Thy gracious promises, and be
made a partaker of Thy heavenly treasure,
throucrh Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. A Prayer against Temptations.

O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thy name is great, Thine essence is infinite.
Thy goodness is eternal, and Thy power hath no
limit : Thou art the God and Lord of all, blessed
for evermore. Look down in mercy and com-
passion from Thy dwelling, hear my prayers and
supplications ; and deliver me from all temptations
of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Take not
Thy grace from me ; let me never want Thy help
13*

150 DEVOTIONS FOR THE

in my need, nor Thy comfort in the day of my
danger and calamity. Never try me beyond my
strength, nor afflict me beyond my patience, nor
smite me but with a father's love. I have no
strength of my own ; Thou art my confidence, my
rock, and my strong salvation. Save me, O God,
from the miseries of this world, and never let me
suffer the calamities of the next. Rescue me from
the evils I have done, and preserve me from the
evils I have deserved : that, living before Thee
with a clean heart, and undefiled body, and sanc-
tified spirit, I may, at the day of judgment, be pre-
sented piH'e and spotless by the blood of the
Lamb : that I may sing eternal hallelujahs in
heavenly places to the honor of God our Saviour,
who hath redeemed our souls from death, our
eyes from tears, and our feet from falling. Grant
this, in the richness of Thy mercy, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

3. A Prayer against the Temptation of the
Worlds the Flesh, and the Devil.

O most merciful and mighty God, the Fortress
of the Faithful, a Rock of Defence, and a Refuge
of all distressed souls, who knowest me to be set
in the midst of so great dangers, that without
Thy help I cannot avoid my ruin : I beseech
Thee, keep my body and soul from all tempt-
ations and snares of the Devil, and suffer not my
senses to wander abroad in matters of pleasures
and delights, which are to no purpose.

AFFLICTED IN MIND.

151

Good Lord ! take from me that which is
deformed and polluted by my corrupt nature ; and
work and establish me in that which Thy grace
hath wrought in me ; that having Thy whole
armor fitted unto me, I may be able to withstand
all assaults of the enemy. Let me not be drawn
away by sensuality or by any of the desires of the
flesh, but give me power to tame my body ; that,
by sobriety, moderation, and abstinence from
superfluous things, I may bring it into such sub-
jection, as I may better serve Thee, and walk in
the Spirit.

Lord, sequester me from the darkness, fdth-
iness, and deceitfulness of this world, that I be
not fashioned like unto it, to follow the multi-
tude ; but, being changed by the renewing of my
mind, I may walk uprightly and godlily, looking
for the blessed appearing of my I^ord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. O Lord, be favorable and gracious
unto me in the day of trial, and lead me no far-
ther into any temptation, than Thou wilt make
me able to bear. Grant, O Lord, that I may with
strong faith resist Satan, and by watching, fasting,
and prayer, may mortify the lusi; of the flesh;
and, by continual meditation on Thy holy law, I
may avoid the foolish vanities and dangerous
pleasures of this world.

Let not knowledge puff me up ; prosperity
mislead me ; poverty dismay me ; sickness turn
me into impatience ; nor this life bring me to dis-
trust in Thy providence, or force me to seek
unlawful means to win them.

Arm me, O Lord, with Thy Spirit ; encourage
me with Thy presence ; and let all Thy children

152 PRAYERS ADAPTED TO A

feel the effectual working of Thy power, which is
ever made perfect through weakness, even for
Jesus Christ his sake, our only Lord and Saviour.
Amen.

CHAPTER II.

DEVOTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE " AFFL.ICTED
IN BODY."

SECTION I.

PRAYERS ADAPTED TO A SEASOn OF GREAT
MORTALITY.

The Lord killeth and maketb alive; He bringeth down
to the grave and bringeth up. 1 Sam. ii. 6.

1. A ' Penitential Confession and Supplication
during the Prevalence of a Pestilential Epi-
demic*

O Almighty, most just, and merciful God, we
here acknowledge ourselves most unworthy to
lift up our eyes unto heaven ; for our conscience
doth accuse us, and our sins do reprove us. We

* This admirable prayer is copied from " Certain Pray-
ers collected out of a form of Godly Meditations," set
forth by royal authority in 1G03, and " imprinted at Lon-
don by Robert Barker, printer to the king's most excellent
majesty."

SEASON OF GREAT MORTALITY. 153

know also that Thou, Lord, being a just judge,
must needs punish the sins of them wliich trans-
gress Thy law. And when we consider and
examine all our whole life, we find nothing in
ourselves that deserveth any other thing but
eternal damnation. But because Thou, O Lord,
of Thy unspeakable mercy, hast commanded us
in all our necessities to call only upon Thee ; and
hast also promised that Thou wilt hear our
prayers, not for any our desert (which is none),
but for the merits of Thy Son our only Saviour
Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast ordained to be our
only Mediator and Intercessor : we lay away all
confidence in man, and do flee to the throne of
Thy only mercy, by the intercession of Thy only
Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.

And, first of all, we do most lament and bewail,
from the bottom of our hearts, our unkindness
and unthankfulness towards Thee our Lord ; con-
sidering that besides those Thy benefits which we
enjoy as Thy creatures, common with all man-
kind, Thou hast bestowed many and singular
special benefits upon us, which we are not able in
heart to conceive, much less in words worthily to
express. Thou hast called us to the knowledge of
Thy gospel. Thou hast released us from the hard
servitude of Satan. Thou hast delivered us from
idolatry, wherein we were utterly drowned, and
hast brought us into the most clear and comfort-
able light of Thy blessed word ; by the which we
are taught how to serve and honor Thee, and
how to live orderly with our neighbors in truth
and verity. But we, most unmindful in times of
prosperity of these Thy great benefits, have ne-

154 PRAYERS ADAPTED TO A

glected Thy commandments ; have abused the
knowledge of Thy gospel ; have followed our
carnal liberty and served our own lusts ; and
through our sinful life have not worshipped and
honored Thee as we ought to have done.

And now, O Lord, being even compelled with
Thy correction, we do most humbly confess, that
we have sinned and most grievously offended
Thee by many and sundry wajs. And if Thou,
O Lord, wouldest now, being provoked with our
disobedience, so deal with us as Thou mightest
and as we have deserved, there remaineth nothing
else to be looked for, but universal and continual
plagues in this world, and hereafter eternal death
and damnation, both of our bodies and of our
souls. For, if we should excuse ourselves, our
own consciences would accuse us before Thee :
and our own disobedience and wickedness would
bear witness against us. Yea, even Thy plagues
and punishments, Vvliich Thou dost now lay open
upon us in sundry places, do teach us to acknow-
ledge our sins. For, seeing, O Lord, that Thou
art just, yea, even justice itself. Thou punishest
no people without desert. Yea, even at this
present, O Lord, we see Thy hand terribly
stretched out to plague us and punish ns. But
although Thou shouldest punish us more griev-
ously than Thou hast done, and for one plague
send a hundred, if Thou shouldest pour upon
us all those Thy testimonies of Thy most just
wrath, which in times past Thou pouredst on
Thine own chosen people of Israel : yet shouldest
Thou do us no wrong, neither could we deny
but we had justly deserved the same.

SEASON OP GREAT MORTALITY. 155

But yet, O merciful Lord, Thou art our
God, and we nothing but dust and ashes:
Thou art our Creator, and we the work of
Thy hands ; Thou art our pastor, we Thy flock :
Thou art our Redeemer, and we Thy people
redeemed. Wherefore punish us not, O Lord,
in Thine anger, but chasten us in Thy mercy.
Regard not the horror of our sins, but our un-
feigned repentance. Perfect that work which
Thou hast begun in us, that the whole world may
know that Thou art our God and merciful Deli-
verer. Thy people Israel oftentimes offended
Thee, and Thou most justly afflictedst them : but
as oft as they returned into Thee, Thou didst
receive them to Thy mercy. And though their
sins were never so great, yet Thou always
turnedst away Thy wrath from them, and the
punishment prepared for them, and that for Thy
covenant sake, which Thou raadest with Thy
servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Thou hast
made the same covenant with us (O heavenly
Father) or rather a covenant of more excellency
and efficacy : and that, namely, through the me-
diation of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ our Saviour,
with whose most precious blood it pleased
Thee, that this covenant should be, as it were,
written, sealed, and confirmed.

Wherefore, O heavenly Father, we now, cast-
ing away all confidence in ourselves or any other
creature, do flee to this most holy covenant and
testament ; wlierein our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ once offered himself a sacrifice for us on
the cross, and hath reconciled us unto Thee for
ever. Look, therefore, O merciful God, not upon

156 PRAYERS ADAPTED TO A

the sins which we continually commit; but upon
our mediator and peacemaker Jesus Christ, that,
by His intercession, Thy wraih may be pacified,
and we again by Thy fatherly countenance re-
lieved and comforted. Receive us also into Thy
heavenly defence ; and govern us by Thy Holy
Spirit, to frame in us a newness of life, therein to
laud and magnify Thy blessed name for ever ;
and to live every one of us, according to the
several state of life whereunto Thou, Lord, hast
ordained us, in godly fear and trembling before
Thee.

And although we are unworthy (O heavenly
Father) by meansof our former evil life, to crave
any thing of Thee ; yet, because Thou hast com-
manded us to pray for all men, we most humbly
here upon our knees beseech Thee to save and
defend Thy Holy Church. Be merciful, O Lord,
to all commonweals, countries, princes, and ma-
gistrates, and especially to this our realm, and to
our most gracious King and governor. Increase
the number of godly ministers ; endue them
with Thy grace, to be found faithful and prudent
in their office. Defend the King's Majesty's
council, and all that be in authority under him,
or thai serve in any place by his commandment
for this realm.

We commend also to thy Fatherly mercy all
those that be in poverty, exile, imprisonment,
sickness, or any other adversity ; and, namely,
those whom Thy hand hath now touched with any
contagious and dangerous sickness ; which we
beseech Thee, OLord, of Thy mercy (when Thy
blessed will is), to remove from us f and in the

SEASON OF GREAT MORTALITY. 157

mean time grant us grace and true repentance,
steadfast faith, and constant patience, that, whe-
ther we live or die, we may always continue Thine,
and ever praise Thy holy name, and by Thy
great mercy be partakers of grace in this life, and
eternal glory in the life to come. Grant us these
and all other our humble petitions (O merciful
Father) for Thy dear Son's sake Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.

2. A Psalm from the Scriptures, for a Season of
Pestilence.'^

O come, let us humble ourselves, and fall down
before the Lord : with reverence and godly fear.
(Psalm xcv. 6. Heb. xii. 28.)

For He is the Lord our God : and we are the
people of His pasture, and the sheep of His
hand. (Psalm xcv. 7.)

Let us repent and turn every one from his
evil ways : and the Lord will turn and repent,
and turn away from His fierce anger, that we
perish not. (Jonah iii. 8, 9.)

For Thy name's sake, O Lord, be merciful to
our sin, for it is great. (Psalm xxv. 10.)

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, after Thy great
goodness : according to the multitude of Thy
mercies do away our offences.

Wash us thoroughly from our wickedness : and
cleanse us from our sins. (Psalm li. 1, 2.)

* From the Form of Prayer for the solemn Fast, held
on March 21st, 1832.
14

158 PRAYERS ADAPTED TO A

O remember not our sins and offences : but
according to Thy mercy think Thou upon us, for
Thy goodness. (Psalm xxv. G.)

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory
of Thy Name : O deliver us, and be merciful
unto us, for Thy Name's sake. (Psalm Ixxix. 9.)

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that
fear Him : and upon them that put their trust in
His mercy. (Psalm xxxiii. 17.)

To deliver their soul from death : their eyes
from tears, and their feet from falling. (Psalm
cxvi. 8.)

Thou art our King, O God : send help unto
Jacob. (Psalm xliv. 5.)

Deliver us from the noisome pestilence : let
Thy faithfulness and truth be our shield and
buckler.

Preserve us from all terror by night : and from
the arrow that flieth by day.

From the pestilence that walketh in darkness ;
and from the sickness that destroyeth in the
noonday. (Psalm xci. 3 — 6.)

Give Thy holy angels charge of us : to keep
us in all our ways. (Psalm xci. 11.)

Let no evil happen to us : nor any plague
come nigh our dwellings. (Psalm xci. 10.)

Our soul patiently tarrieth for the Lord ; for
He is our help and shield.

Let thy merciful kindness, O Lord, be upon
us : like as we do put our trust in Thee. (Psalm
xxxiii. 19, 21.)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and
to the Holy Ghost :

SEASON OF GREAT MORTALITY. 159

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen.

3. Prayers J adapted to a Season of Pestilence.

Most gracious Father and God, who hast pro-
mised forgiveness of sins to all them that with
hearty repentance and true faith turn unto Thee,
look down, we beseech Thee, from heaven Thy
dwelling place, upon us Thy unworthy servants,
who under an awful apprehension of Thy judg-
ments, and a deep conviction of our own sinful-
ness, prostrate ourselves before Thee. Have
pity, O Lord, have pity on Thy people, and
remove from us that grievous disease, against
which our only security is in Thy compassion.
We confess with shame and contrition, that, in
the pride and. hardness of our hearts, we have
shewn ourselves unthankful for Thy mercies, and
have followed our own imaginations instead of
Thy holy laws. Yet cast us not away, O Lord,
in displeasure, but give us time for consideration
and repentance, so that receiving Thy fatherly
correction with meekness, and turning from our
evil ways, we may be preserved in body and soul
by Thy mighty protection, through the merits
of our only Alediator and Advocate Jesus Christ.
Amen.

O God, who at the prayer of David Thy ser-
vant didst stay the hand ot the destroying Angel

160 PRAYERS ADAPTED TO A

when it was lifted up against Jerusalem , and on
the repentance of Nineveh didst spare that sinful
city, vouchsafe in like manner to bow down
Thine ear to our prayer, and to accept our re-
pentance. Withdraw Thy chastisements from us,
O Lord, and whilst Thou preservest our bodies
from disease, so cleanse our hearts from all sinful
affections, that, evermore striving to please Thee
in newness of life, we may by Thee be defended
from all evil, for the sake of thy ever blessed Son
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Father of mercies, and God of all comfort,
our only help in time of need, we beseech Thee
to inspire our hearts with so deep a sense of our
own weakness and frailty, and such steadfast
trust in Thy Providence, that we may neither
neglect the means of preservation, nor look for
success in the use of them, without Thy blessing :
but that keeping our bodies in temperance, and
our minds in peace, and succouring each other
in necessity, we may cast all our care upon Thee,
with continual supplication and prayer, that this
visitation may turn to our profit, and help us
forward in the way of salvation, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Almighty God, who by the many instances
of mortality which encompass us on every side,
dost call upon us seriously to consider the short-

SEASON OF GREAT MORTALITY. 161

ness of our time here upon earth, and remindest
us that in the midst of life we are in death, so
teach us to number our days that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdom. Give us grace to turn
unto Thee with timely repentance, and thus to
obtain, through the merits of our Saviour, that
pardon to-day, which to-morrow it may be too
late to seek for : that so being strengthened by
Thy good Spirit against the terrors of death, and
daily advancing in godliness, we may at all times
be ready to give up our souls into Thy hands, O
gracious Father, in the hope of a blessed immor-
tality, through the mediation, and for the merits,
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

4. Prayers, that ice may he prepared for Death.

(1.) Chiefiy from the Holy Scriptures.

O everlasting God, make me wise to consider
my latter end, as knowing that Thou wilt bring
me to death, and to the House appointed for all
living. Prepare my heart to seek Thee, O Lord,
before I go hence, and be no more seen ; before I
go, whence I shall not return, [when] I shall be-
hold man no more with the inhabitants of the
world. For the grave cannot praise Thee ; they
that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy
truth. On the bed of sickness, when the time of
my departure is at hand ; " in the hour of death,
and in the day of judgment, good Lord deliver
me." Let me die the death of the righteous, and
14*

162 PRAYERS ADAPTED TO A

let my last end be like his, that I may receive of
thee a crown of life, through the merits of my
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. (Deut.
xxxii. 29. Job xxx. 23. 2 Chr. xxx. 19. Psal.
xxxix. 13. Job x. 21. Isa. xxxviii. 11. 18. Psal.
xli. 3. 2Tim. iv. 6. The Litany. Numb, xxiii.
10. Rev. ii. 10.)

(2.) From the Offices of the Church.

O God, whose days are witliout end, and whose
mercies cannot be numbered ; make me, I beseech
Thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and un-
certainty of human life. In the midst of life I
am in death ; of whom may I seek for succor,
but of Thee, O Lord, who for my sins art justly
displeased. O grant me unfeigned repentance
for all the errors of my life past, and a steadfast
faith in Thy Son Jesus, that my sins may be done
away by Thy mercy, and my pardon sealed in
heaven before I go hence and be no more seen.
Let Thy Holy Spirit lead me through this vale of
misery in righteousness and holiness all the days
of my life ; that when I shall have served Thee
in my generation, I may be gathered unto my
Fathers, having the testimony of a good con-
science ; in the communion of the catholic church ;
in the confidence of a certain faith ; in the com-
fort of a reasonable, holy hope ; in favor with
Thee, my God, and in perfect charity with the
world. Fit and prepare me, O heavenly Father,
against the hour of death, that I may then com-

SEASON OP GREAT MORTALITY. 163

mend my soul into the hands of a faithful Creator
and most merciful Saviour. And do Thou wash
it in the blood of that Immaculate Lamb who was
slain for the sins of the world ; that whatsoever
defilements it may have contracted, being purified
and done away, it may without spot be presented
unto Thee. Grant, O Almighty God, with whom
do live the spirits of them that depart hence in
the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faith-
ful, after they are delivered from the burthen of
the flesh, are in joy and felicity, that, with all
them that are departed in the true faith of Thy
Holy Name, I may have my perfect consumma-
tion and bliss, both in body and soul, in Thy
eternal and everlasting glory, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

(3.) A Prayer for a hies seel Departure, to he used
either in the Time of Health or in Sickness,

O blessed Jesu, Fountain of eternal mercy,
the Life of the Soul, and glorious Conqueror over
death and sin, I humbly beseech Thee to give me
grace so to spend this transitory life, that when
the day of my death shall come, in the midst of
all my pains I may feel the sweet refreshings of
Thy Holy Spirit comforting my soul, sustaining
mine infirmities, and relieving all my spiritual
necessities : and grant, that in the unity of the
holy catholic church and in the integrity of
Christian Faith, with confidence and hope of
Thy mercy, in great love towards Thee, in peace

164 PRAYERS, &;C.

with my neighbors and in charity with all the
world, I may, through Thy grace, depart hence
out of this vale of misery, and go into that glo-
rious country, where Thou hast purchased an
inheritance for us with the price of Thy most
precious blood, and reignest in it gloriously, in
the Unity of Thy Father and ours, and Thy Holy
Spirit and our Comforter, ever one God world
without end. Amen.

(4.) A Prayer J that we may he prepared for
Death.

Eternal and Unchangeable Jehovah ! so teach
me * to number my days, that 1 may apply my
heart unto wisdom. May I ever remember, that
it is appointed unto man once to die : and that
after death there is the judgment. May I not
presume even on another day, not knowing what
a day may bring forth. Suffer me not to neglect
the great salvation, or to delay to a future season
the grand concern of life. Prepare me, O Lord,
for death, for judgment, and for eternity. Grant
me, by faith, a personal interest in the Lord Jesus
Christ. May I be justified freely by Thy grace,
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus ;
and at the great day of his appearing, may I be
found in Him ! May I be delivered from the dis-
tressing fear of death, by trusting in Him who

* The word me and 1 may be changed into us and we
if this prayer be used in a family.

SELECTIONS FROM THE SCRIPTURES. 165

hath subdued death, and taken away its sting.
Prepare me for that world, into which death can
never enter. By the sanctifying influences of Thy
Holy Spirit, fit me for Thy presence above. Make
me meet for the inheritance of the saints in light;
and when the time of my departure from this
world shall arrive, may I depart in peace, and
have an abundant entrance into Thy heavenly
kingdom. I present these my petitions in the
name of the blessed Mediator ; to whom, with the
Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory for ever.
Amen.

SECTION n.

SELECTIONS FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURES SUITABLE TO
A SEASON OF SICKNESS.*

%* These Selections may either be read to or by the
Sick Person, one or more at a time, according to circum-
stances.

Selection I.
On the Mortality of Man.

God created man to be immortal, and made
Him to be an image of His own eternity. Never-
theless, through envy of the devil came death

* These selections are taken from Hele's Select Offices
of Devotion.

166 SELECTIONS FROM

into the world, and they that do hold of his side
do find it. (Wisd. iv. 23, 24.)

The serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty.
(2 Cor. xi. 3.)

And when the woman saw that the tree was
good, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a
tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of
the fruit thereof, and did eat ; and gave also unto
her husband with her, and he did eat. And unto
Adam God said, Because thou hast hearkened
unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the
tree, of which I commanded thee, saying. Thou
shalt not eat of it : cursed is the ground for thy
sake ; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days
of thy life. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou
eat bread, till thou return unto the ground ; for
out of it wast thou taken : for dust thou art, and
unto dust shalt thou return. (Gen. iii. G. 17. 19.)

By one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned. (Rom. v. 12.)

It is appointed unto men once to die. (Heb.
ix. 27.)

All go unto one place : all are of the dust, and
all turn to dust again. (Eccles. iii. 20.)

For when the breath of man goeth forth, he
shall turn again to his earth ; and then all his
thoughts perish. (Psal. cxlvi. 3.)

And he (as a rotten thing) consumeth, as a
garment that is moth-eaten. (Job xiii. 28.)

The voice said. Cry : and he said, What shall
I cry 1 All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness
thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass
vvithereth, the flower fadeth ; because the Spirit

THE SCRIPTURES. 167

of the Lord bloweth upon it ; surely the people
is grass. (Isa. xl. 6, 7.)

For what is your life ? It is even a vapor,
that appeareth for a little time, and then vanish-
eth away. (James iv. 14.)

O that they were wise : that they understood
this ; that they would consider their latter end.
(Deut. xxxii. 29.)

Selection II.

On the CertainUj of a Future Judgment, and on
the Necessity of being alivays prepared for it.

Truly the light is sweet ; and a pleasant thing
it is for the eyes to behold the sun ; but if a man
live many years, and rejoice in them all ; yet let
him remember the days of darkness, for they
shall be many : all that cometh is vanity. Re-
joice, O young man, in thy youth : and let thy
heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth ; and
walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of
thine eyes : but know thou that for all these
things God will bring thee into judgment. For
God shall bring every work into judgment, with
every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether
it be evil. (Eccles. xi. 7 — 9. ; xii. 14.)

Because He hath appointed a day, in the
which He will judge the world in righteousness,
by that Man whom He hath ordained ; whereof
He hath given assurance unto all men, in that
He hath raised Him from the dead. (Acts xvii.
31.)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief

168 SELECTIONS FROM

in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass
away with a great noise, and the elements shall
melt with fervent heat ; the earth also, and the
works that are therein, shall be burnt up. (2
Pet. iii. 9.)

Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour
your Lord doth come. (Matt. xxiv. 42.)

At midnight there was a cry made. Behold,
the Bridegroom cometh ; go ye out to meet Him.
And the Bridegroom came ; and they that were
ready went in with Him to the marriage ; and
the door was shut. Afterward came also the
other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us.
But He answered and said. Verily, I say unto you,
I know you not. (Matt. xxv. 6. 10—12.)

Be ye therefore ready. And take heed to
yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be over-
charged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and
cares of this life, and so that day come upon you
unawares. (Luke xii. 40. ; xxi. 34.)

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights
burning : and ye yourselves like unto men that
wait for their Lord, when He will return from
the wedding, that when He cometh and knocketh,
they may open unto Him immediately. Blessed
are those servants, whom the Lord, when he
cometh, shall find watching : verily, I say unto
you, that He shall gird himself, and make them
to sit down to meat, and will come forth and
serve them. And if He shall come in the second
watch, or come in the third watch, and find them
so, blessed are those servants. Be ye therefore
ready also ; for the Son of Man cometh at an
hour when ye think not. (Luke xii. 35 — 38. 40.)

THE SCRIPTURES.

Selection III.
On the Shortness and Vanity of this Life.

Man that is born of a woman is of few days,
and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a
flower, and is cut down ; he fleeth also as a sha-
dow, and continueth not. Man dieth and wasteth
away ; yea, man giveth up the ghost ; and where
is he ? His days are determined ; the number of
his months are with Thee ; Thou hast appointed
his bounds that he cannot pass. (Job xiv. 1, 2.
10.5.)

Lord, make me to know mine end, and the
measure of my days, what it is ; that I may know
how frail I am. Behold, Thou hast made my
days as an hand-breath, and mine age is as
nothing before Thee : verily every man at his
best estate is altogether vanity. (Psal. xxxix. 4, 5.)

For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as
yesterday, seeing that is past as a watch in the
night.

As soon as Thou scatterest them, they are
even as a sleep ; and fade away suddenly like the
grass.

In the morning it is green, and groweth up;
but in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and
withered.

For we consume away in Thy displeasure ; and
are afraid at Thy wrathful indignation.

Thou hast set our misdeeds before Thee, and
our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance.

For when Thou art angry, all our days are
15

170 SELECTIONS FROM

gone ; we bring our years to an end, as it were a
tale that is told.

The days of our age are three score years and
ten : and though men be so strong, that they
come to fourscore years ; yet is their strength
then but labor and sorrow ; so soon passeth it
away, and we are gone. (Psal. xc. 4 — 10.)

Selection IV.
Supplicatory for Pardon of Sin.

Lord, what is my hope ? truly my hope is even
in Thee. (Psal. xxxix. 8.)

I have sinned : what shall I do unto Thee, O
Thou preserver of men ? (Job vii. 20.)

I will confess my wickedness, and be sorry for
my sin. (Job xxxviii. 18.)

I said I will take heed unto my ways, that I
offend not in my tongue. (Job xxxix. 1.)

When Thou with rebukes dost chasten man
for^in, Thou makest his beauty to consume away
like as it were a moth fretting a garment ; every
man therefore is but vanity. For man walketh
in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain ;
he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall
gather them. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with
Thine ears consider my calling : hold not Thy
peace at my tears. For I am a stranger with
Thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.

O spare me a little, that I may recover my
strength, before I go hence, and be no more seen.
(Psal. xxxix. 12. 7. 1.3-15.)

THE SCRIPTURES. 171

O remember not against us our former ini-
quities : let Thy tender mercies speedily prevent
us. Help us, O God of my salvation, for the
glory of Thy name : deliver us ; and purge away
our sins, for Thy name's sake. (Psal. Ixxix. 8, 9.)

Deal bountifully with Thy servant, that I may
live, and keep Thy word. (Psal. cxix. 7.)

So teach us to number our days, that we may
apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psal. xc. 12.)

Let me die the death of the righteous ; and let
my last end be like his. (Numb, xxiii. 10.)

O send out Thy light and Thy truth ; let them
lead me, let them bring me unto Thy holy hill,
and to Thy tabernacles. (Psal. xliii. 3.)

Selection V.
On the Uncertainty of the Time of our Death,

I must work the works of Him that sent Me
while it is day : the night cometh when no man
can work. (John ix. 4.)

For man knoweth not his time : as the fishes
that are taken in an evil net ; and as the birds
that are caught in the snare ; so are the sons of
men snared in an evil time, when it falleth sud-
denly upon them. (Eccles. ix. 12.)

O God, Thou knowest my foolishness, and my
sins are not hid from Thee. (Psal. Ixix. 5.)

Remember, I beseech Thee, that Thou hast
made me as the clay ; and wilt Thou bring me
into dust again 1 Are not my days few ? Cease

172 SELECTIONS FROM

then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort
a little, before I go whence I shall not return,
even to the hind of darkness, and the shadow of
death : — A land of darkness, as darkness itself;
and of the shadow of death, without any order ;
and where the light is as darkness. (Job x. 9.
20—22.)

I would seek unto God, and unto God would
I commit my cause. Though He slay me, yet
will I trust in Him. (Job v. 8. ; xiii. 15.)

For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee. (Heb. xiii. 5.)

Selection VI.

Life and Immortality brought to Light through
the Gospel. — Universality of the Last Judg-
ment.

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive ; He
bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
(1 Sam. ii. 6.)

God is our God for ever and ever : He will be
our guide even unto death. (Psal. xlviii. 14.)

What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I w^ill fear no evil ; for Thou art
with me ; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort
me. (Psal. Ivi. 3. ; xxiii. 4.)

For I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that He is able to keep that which I
have committed unto Him against that day :

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy
calling, not according to our works, but according

THE SCRIPTURES.

173

to His own purpose and grace, which was given
us in Christ Jesus before the world began ; but
is now made manifest, by the appearing of our
Saviour Jesus Christ. Who hath aboHshed death,
and hath brought life and immortality to light
through the Gospel. (2 Tim. i. 12. 9, 10.)

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall
all be made alive. (1 Cor. xv. 22.)

For God so loved the world, that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John iii. 16.)

And this is the Father's will which hath sent
Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should
lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the
last day. I am He that liveth, and was dead ;
and behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen ; and
have the keys of hell, and of death. (John vi. 39.
Rev. i. 18.)

Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Cor. xv.
54.)

I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat
on it ; from Whose face the earth and the heaven
fled away, and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand be-
fore God, and the books were opened ; and another
book was opened, which is the book of life: and
the dead were judged out of those things which
were written in the books, according to their
works. And the sea gave up the dead which
were in it, and death and hell delivered up the
dead which were in them ; and they were judged
every man according to their works. And death
and hell were cast into the lake of fire. And
15*

174 SELECTIONS FROM

whosoever was not found written in the book of
life, was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. xx.
11—15.)

The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abomi-
nable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and
sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have
their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimstone, which is the second death. But he
that overcometh, shall inherit all things ; and I
will be his God, and he shall be My son. (Rev.
xxi. 8. 7.)

Selection VII.

On the Certainty of Deaths and of a General
Resurrection to Eternal Life.

There is a time to be born, and a time to die.
(Eccles. iii. 2.)

I know that Thou wilt bring me to death, and
to the house appointed for all living. When a
few years are come, then I shall go the way
whence I shall not return. (Job xxx. 23. ; xvi.
22.)

If I wait, the grave is mine house : I have made
my bed in the darkness.

I have said to corruption. Thou art my father ;
to the worm. Thou art my mother and my sister.
•(Job xvii. 13, 14.)

All flesh shall perish together ; and man shall
turn again unto dust. (Job xxxiv. 15.)

Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and
there is none abiding. (1 Chron. xxxix. 15.)

THE SCRIPTURES. 175

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see
death ? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand
of the grave ? (Psal. Ixxxix. 4S.)

Man being in honor abideth not : he is like
the beasts that perish. He shall go to the gen-
eration of his fathers: they shall never see light.
(Psal. xlix. 12. 19.)

They are laid in the grave : death shall feed on
them ; and their beauty shall consume in the
grave from their dwelling. But God will redeem
my soul from the power of the grave ; for He
shall receive me. (Psal. xlix. 14, 15.)

Therefore my heart is glad ; and my glory re-
joiceth ; my flesh also shall rest in hope. (Psal.
xvi. 9.)

For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that
He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth :
and though after my skin, worms destroy this
body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. (Job xix.
25, 26.)

For to tliis end Christ both died, and rose, and
revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead
and living. (Rom. xiv. 9.)

For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies
under His feet. The last enemy that shall be
destroyed is death. (1 Cor. xv. 25, 26.)

O death, where is thy sting ? O grave, wdiere
is thy victory ? The sting of death is sin ; and
the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to
God, which giveth us the victory, through our
Lord Jesus Christ. (I Cor> xv. 5o — 57.)

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be
fashioned like unto His glorious body, according
to the working whereby He is able even to sub-
due all things unto Himself. (Phil. iii. 21.)

176 SELECTIONS FROM

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and
the life : he that believeth in Me, though he
were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever
liveth and believeth in Me, shall never die.
(John xi. 25, 20.)

For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus
will God bring with Him. For the Lord Himself
shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of
God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
Then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be
with the Lord. (1 Thess. iv. 14. 16, 17.)

Selection VIII.

Death the Lot of all Men. — Tribulation the Way
to the Kingdom of God. — The Felicity of the
Righteous.

Is there not an appointed time to man upon
earth 1 Are not his days also like the days of an
hireling 1 (Job vii. 1.)

We are but of yesterday, and know nothing ;
because our days upon earth are a shadow. (Job
viii. 9.)

We dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation
is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth.
(Job iv. 19.)

Wise men also die, and perish together, as well

THE SCRIPTURES. 177

as the ignorant and foolish, and leave their riches
for others. (Psal. xlix. 10.)

There is no man that hath power over the
Spirit, to retain the Spirit : neither hath he power
in the day of death ; and there is no discharge
in that war. (Eccles. viii. 8.)

He cometh in with vanity, and departeth in
darkness; and his name shall be covered with
darkness. (Eccles. vi. 4.)

One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at
ease, and quiet ;

His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are
moistened with marrow :

And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul,
and never eateth with pleasure.

They shall lie down alike in the dust and the
worms shall cover them. (Job xxi. 23 — 26.)

But I said, O my God, take me not' away in
the midst of mine age : as for Thy years, they
endure throughout all generations.

Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the
foundation of the earth ; and the heavens are the
work of Thy hands.

They shall perish ; but Thou shalt endure :
they all shall wax old as doth a garment.

And as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and
they shall be changed ; but Thou art the same,
and Thy years shall not fail.

The children of Thy servants shall continue ;
and their seed shall be established before Thee.
(Psal. cii. 24—28.)

I will ransom them from the power of the grave ;
I will redeem them from death : O death, I will
be thy plagues : O grave, I will be thy destruc-
tion. (Hos. xiii. 14.)

17S

SELECTIONS FROM

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death
of His saints. (Psal. cxvi. 15.)

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

And their inheritance shall be for ever. (Psal.
cxxvi. 5. ; xxxvii. 18.)

I beheld, and lo ! a great multitude, which no
man could number, of all nations, and kindreds,
and people, and tongues, stood before the throne,
and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes,
and palms in their hands. These are they which
came out of great tribulation, and have washed
their robes, and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne
of God, and serve Him day and night in His
temple ; and He that sitteth on the throne shall
dwell among them. (Rev. vii. 9. 14, 15.)

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the Churches : To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna,
and will give him a white stone, and in the stone
a new name written, which no man knoweth sav-
ing he that receiveth it. (Rev. ii. 7.)

The same shall be clothed in white raiment;
and I will not blot out his name out of the book
of life, but I will confess his name before my
Father, and before His angels.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with
Me and My throne, even as I also overcame, and
am set down with My Father in His throne.
(Rev. iii. 5. 21.)

THE SCRIPTURES. 179

Selection IX.

^ References to select Chapters of the Holy Scrip-
tures, which may he profitably read during a
long Illness.

Although the whole Bible is the Word of God,
and of Divine Inspiration, yet there are certain
portions of that sacred volume, which are more
peculiarly fitted to the state and confinement of
the sick room, especially during long-continued
illness, viz.

1. Isa. xxxviii. and 2 Cor. v.

2. Lam. iii. and Luke xvi.

3. Job xiv. and John xi.

4. Isa. xxvi. and Luke xv.

5. Eccles. xi. and James iv.

6. Mai. iii. and 1 Pet. i.

7. Isa. Ixiv. and Matt. xxv.

8. Isa. Ixv. and 1 Cor. xv.

9. Job vii, and Rom. viii.

10. Job ii. and I Thess. iv. from v. 11. and v.

11. Isa. liii. and John xvii.

12. Isa. Iv. and Heb. xii.

13. Isa. xl. and Phil. iii.

14. Job xxxiii. and John xiv.

180 PSALMS SUITABLE

SECTION III.

PSALMS SUITABLE FOR MEDITATION DURING SICKNESS
OR affliction; with COLLECTS FOUNDED ON THEM,
BY BISHOP TAYLOR."

1. Psalm VI. — A Prayer for the Remission of
Sins.

O most merciful God, whose property is always
to Lave mercy and to forgive : Behold with the
eyes of Thy pity and compassion the state of Thy
humble servant, made more miserable by reason
of my sins. Hear the voice of my weeping ; pity
my groaning ; strengthen me, for I am weak ;
heal me, for my bones are vexed ; and deliver
my soul from death, that, being saved from the
bottomless pit, I may give thanks unto Thy holy
name. O turn from the severity of Thy dis-
pleasure, and visit me with Thy mercy and sal-
vation. For all my sins give me great sorrow
and contrition, and in my sorrows let Thy com-
forts sustain me, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

2. Psalm XXV. — A Prayer for Deliverance
from Sin and Punishment.

O righteous and gracious Lord God, who art

* The words of these Psalms are not given, that this
Manual may not be unnecessarily enlarged.

FOR MEDITATION. 181

the guide of the meek, and teachest the humble
and gentle in Thy way, forgive the sins and
offences of my youth. And, although by them
I have deserved Thy wrath and that I be put to
confusion, yet be Thou pleased to think upon me
for Thy goodness and according to Thy mercy :
that when Thou hast forgiven me cU my sin, and
taken away my adversity, and all my misery,
Thou mayest keep my soul in perfectness and
righteous dealing ; that, at last, I may dwell at
ease, free from trouble, and safe from -all mine
enemies, even when I shall inherit the land of
everlasting rest, where Thou livest and reignest,
eternal God, world without end. Amen.

3. Psalm XXXII. — Confession oj Sins, and a
Prayer for Pardon,

O Lord God, Eternal Judge of men and an-
gels, whose property is always to have mercy
and to forgive ; have mercy upon me, who con-
fess my sins to be so great and many, that, were
not Thy mercy infinite, I might despair of having
my unrighteousness forgiven or my sins covered.
Preserve me, O God, from the great plagues that
remain for the ungodly ; and let Thy mercy em-
brace me on every side. Impute not to me the
sins I have multiplied against Thee and against
all the world. O let not Thine hand be heavy
upon me ; but forgive the wickedness of my sin,
and compass me about with songs of deliverance.
Then shall I be glad, and rejoice in Thee, O

182 PSALMS SUITABLE

Lord, who art become my mighty Saviour and
most merciful Redeemer. Amen.

4. Psalm XXXVIIT. — A Prayer for Remission
of Sins.

O Lord, who knowest all my desires, and from
whom my groaning is not hid, I confess before
Thee my many wickednesses, and am truly sorry
for my sins. My wickednesses are gone over my
head, and are a sore burthen, too heavy for me to
bear. My enemy, the devil, is malicious and
mighty ; my weaknesses are many; my tempta-
tions, strong ; my conscience doth busily accuse
me. Where shall I appear in the day of judg-
ment ? How shall I stand upright in the eternal
scrutiny ? My trust is in thy merits, O blessed
Jesus ; thou art my judge and my advocate.
Thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.
Put me not to rebuke, O Lord, in thine anger,
for it is insupportable ; neither let thy whole
displeasure arise. O let not the arrows of thy
vengeance stick fast in me ; forsake me not, O
Lord God of my salvation, who hast redeemed
me and saved me through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

FOR MEDITATION. 183

5. Psalm XXXIX. — A Meditation on the Short-
ness and Vanity of JLije ; and a Prayer pre-
paratory to Death.

O Eternal God, who art without beginning or
end of days, Thou hast given me a short portion
of Time in the generation of this world ; my
condition is vain, unsatisfying, and full of dis-
quiet, and I have no hope but in Thee, O Lord.
O teach me to number my days, to remember
and to know my end, that so I may never sin
against Thee ; and grant that I may live as
always dying, being of mortified soul and body,
of bridled tongue and affections : and that, hav-
ing recovered my strength lost by the commission
of sins, — when I go hence, and am no more seen,
— I may have a residence in those mansions
which are prepared for the saints by our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

6. Psalm LI. — A Prayer for the Pardon of
Sins and the Restitution of God's Favor.

O most merciful God, whose goodness is great,
and the multitudes of thy mercies are innumer-
able, have mercy upon me : for my sins are ever
before me, presented by the continual accusations
of a troubled conscience. I have sinned against
Thee, and done evil in Thy sight, and yet, be-
cause Thou art the God of mercy and Fountain
of eternal purity, delighting in the conversion and
salvation of a sinner, I present unto Thee the

184 PSALMS SUITABLE

sacrifice of a troubled spirit, of a broken and
contrite heart, beseeching Thee to let the dew
of Thy favor and the fire of Thy love wash
away my sins and purify my soul. Make me a
clean heart, O God, and pure hands : and though
my sins be as scarlet, yet do Thou make them
like wool ; though they be as purple, yet make
them as white as snow. Restore to me the
voice of joy and gladness ; let me not be forever
separate from the sweet refreshings of Thy favor
and presence : but give me the comforts of Thy
help again, and let Thy good Spirit loose me
from the bondage of sin, and establish me in the
liberty and freedom of the sons of God. So shall
I sing of Thy righteousness, and my lips shall
give Thee praise in the congregation of Thy
redeemed ones, now, henceforth, and for ever.
Amen.

7. Psalm LXXXVIII.— ^ Prmjer in Time of
Sickness and Danger of Death.

O Lord God of our salvation, who for our
sakes wert wounded and didst die and lie in the
grave, but yet, alone of all that ever died, wert
free among the dead, and by Thine own power
didst rise again with victory and triumph ; have
mercy upon Thy servant, for thine indignation
lieth hard upon me. My soul is full of trouble
by reason of my sins, and my life draweth nigh
unto the grave. Restore me unto Thy favor,
nor let my life go into the place where all things

FOR MEDITATION. 185

are forgotten; but let me show forth Thy loving-
kindness among Thy redeemed ones in the land
of the living ; for the living— the living — he
shall praise Thee, and confess the holiness and
the mercies of Thy holy n ame. O hide not Thou
Thy face from me, but give me health of body :
and restore and preserve me in the life of right-
eousness ; and so bless me with opportunities of
doing Thee service, that I may redeem the time
past, and by Thy grace may grow rich in good
works, always abounding in the work of the
Lord ; that, when Thou shall demand my soul
to be rendered up into Thine hands, my soul may
not be abhorred of Thee, nor suffer Thy terrors,
but may feel an eternity of blessings in the re-
surrection of the just, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.

8. PsAL3i XC. — A Meditation on Deaths and a
Prayer i)re]^aratory to it.

O Eternal God, whose being was before the
mountains were brought forth, before the earth
and the world were made, even from everlasting
and world without end : — Have mercy upon me.
Remove my misdeeds from before Thee, and my
secret sins from the sight of Thy countenance.
Be not angry with me, neither consume me in
Thy displeasure. Teach me to number all the
days of my life, and to reckon on still to the day
of death : that, when our days are gone and our
years are brought to an end like a tale that is
1#

186 PSALMS SUITABLE

told, Thou mayest turn unto me at the last and
be gracious unto me in the pardon of my sins,
in restraining the power and malice of all my
spiritual enemies, in giving me opportunity of
aJl spiritual assistances and advantages ; that,
my lamp being trimmed and burning bright with
charity and devotion, I may enter into the bride-
chamber, there for ever to behold the glorious
majesty of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

9. Psalm CXXX. — A Penitential Psalm, or
Prayer for Pardon and for Redemption frojn
Sins.

O Lord God, blessed Jesu, with whom is
mercy and plenteous redemption, who didst
redeem Thy people from all their sins, paying
the ransom of thine own blood to purchase us
freedom and salvation : — Let the height of
Thy mercy take me up from the deep abyss of
sin and misery. O be not extreme to mark
what I have done amiss : for it is impossible that
I should abide the extremity of thy severest
judgments. And as Thy mercy pardons what is
past, so let the sweetness of it beget Thy fear in
my heart, that I may not dare to offend so
gracious, so merciful a God ; but that, trusting
in Thy word, and fleeing to Thee for succor, I
may wait for Thee till my change cometh, look-
injr for Thee in holiness and ricrhteousness all
my days : grant this for Thy mercies' and com-

FOR MEDITATION. 187

passion's sake, O blessed Jesu, our only Saviour
and Redeemer. Amen.

10. Psalm CXLIII. — A Prayer for Pardon of
Sin and Direction in the TVa?/ of Righteous-
ness.

O Lord, our Judge and our Redeemer, hearken
unto me for Thy truth and righteousness' sake.
Deliver me from the guilt of all my sins, and
those great punishments which are due to me for
the same. Enter not into judgment with me, for
in Thy sight no man can be justified by any
worthiness of his own. Endue my soul with the
righteousness of a holy faith, living and working
by charity. Show me the way that I should walk
in ; teach me to do whatsoever pleaseth Thee ;
quicken my soul in the path of life ; and so con-
tinue to me the guidance of Thy Holy Spirit, that
it may never leave me, until I be brought forth
of this world into the land of righteousness, to
dwell with Thee eternally, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

References to other Psalms, which may he read
in Time of Sickness, or any other Trouble and
Affliction.

Psalms iv. v. xi, xxviii. xli. Iv. lix. Ixiv. Ixx.
cix. cxx. cxl. cxli-cxlii.

188 PRAYERS WHICH MAY BE

SECTION IV.

PRAYERS WHICH MAY BK OFFERED BY OTHERS IN
BEHALF OF THE SICK.

1. A Prayer for Comfort to the Sick.

O Lord God, who both in sickness and in health
hast appointed us to pray one for another, pro-
mising a blessing in the greatest extremities ; —
We poor sinners do present ourselves before Thy
Divine Majesty in behalf of this Thy poor servant,
that now lieth visited under Thy hand.

Seal in his [or her] heart, we beseech Thee, O
good Lord, by Thy Holy Spirit, the forgiveness
of all sins ; that his body and soul may be pre-
sented pure and undefiled unto Thee, through the
Blood of Thy Son.

Lord, lay not to his charge what he hath said
or done amiss ; and lay no more upon him than
he shall be able to bear. Speak comfortably to
his soul, and lead him by Thy Spirit unto the
treasures of Thy mercy. Take from hiin the fear
and sorrow of death, and give him strength against
all the assaults of Satan, that he may have a per-
fect victory. Increase his faith more and more,
that he may have true repentance, and yield unto
Thee true obedience and hearty thanks, for what-
soever Thou shalt do unto him. O Lord, give
unto him a taste of Thy glory, and of those joys
which thou hast prepared for him ; that in the
comfort thereof Zte may fight a good fight, keeping
the faith. Comfort him at the hour of his de-

OFFERED FOR THE 8ICK. 189

parture. When Thou shalt call, open to liim the
gate of mercy. Open Thine arms to receive liim
into thy favor ; that, when the time is come, he
may go to the grave in peace, being upholden
by Thee, in the assurance of a free pardon for all
his sins, and the hope of a joyful resurrection.
And in the mean time, O Lord, settle his spirits,
that they may not wander or fly out into any un-
ruly motions. Continue his memory, that /«e may
not forget Thee, but daily and hourly have Thee
in mind, who art the anchor of his safety. Keep
his tongue from all vain and idle talk, his heart
from all fears, and protect him safely under Thy
wing. Be merciful unto us, who, as feeling mem-
bers of one body, adore Thy holy name, and
implore Thy divine help for this Thy servant ;
and let this example teach us more humility, fear,
and reverence, tov/ards Thee. Hear our prayers,
O Lord, for Thy dear Son Jesus Christ's sake.
Amen.

2. A Prayer that the Sickness may he made a
Blessim

'to '

O Almighty and most Gracious Father, who
art the Fountain of life and health and pardon ;
hear the prayers of Thy servants in behalf of our
Brother, of the miserable for the afflicted, of sin-
ners for him whom Thou has smitten. Lord,
lay no more upon him than Thou shalt enable him
to bear, but give him patience ; and do Thou Thy-
self open a door for his escape, even by a holy

190 PRAYERS WHICH MAY BE

and a reformed life, and a speedy recovery, or
else by a blessed death, as Thou in Thine infinite
loving-kindness shalt choose, for Thy glory and
his eternal interest. Remember not, O liOrd, the
weakness of his youth, the surprises of his life,
and the crimes of his choice ; but give unto Thy
servant a sincere repentance, and the pardon of
all his sins.

O blessed Jesus, who hast overcome all the
powers of sin, hell, and the grave, take from Thy
servant all inordinate fear of death ; give him a
perfect resignation of his will and conformity to
Thine. Restrain the power of the enemy, that
he may not prevail against the soul which Thou
hast redeemed. If it be Thy will, give him a
speedy restitution oHiis health, and a holy use of
the affliction : or, if Thou hast otherwise decreed,
preserve him in Thy fear and favor, and receive his
soul to mercy, to pardon, and eternal life, through
Thy mercies and for thy compassion's sake, O
blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus. Amen.

3. A Prayer for a Person under a deep
31elancholy .

O most gracious Lord,Thou knowest our frame,
and art full of compassion to Thy servants under
their trouble and oppression : — Look down upon
us, we humbly beseech Thee, with Thy wonted
pity, and remember the work of Thy hands, our
disconsolate brother. Thy wrath lies hard upon
him ; and all thy waves are gone over him ; Thy

OFFERED FOR THE SICK. 191

terrors oppress 7«*5 mind, and disturb Ids reason. O
Thou that speakest the winds and waves into obe-
dience and cahnness, settle and quiet his discom-
posed thoughts ; speak peace to Jiis troubled mind,
and give hiin comfort and sure confidence in the
sense of Thy pardon and love. Lord ! help his
unbelief, and increase his faith. Though he walk in
the valley and shadow of death, let Thy rod and
Thy staff support and protect hi77i. In the multi-
tude of the thoughts and sorrows that he hath in his
heart, let Thy comfort refresh his soul. Let in
a beam of Thy heavenly light, to dispel the clouds
and darkness in which his mind is involved. O
direct to the means most proper for his help : and
so bless and prosper them, that they may effect-
ually promote his recovery out of this deplorable
state. Incline his ears to wholesome counsels,
and dispose his heart to receive due impressions.
O Gracious Father, pity his frailty, forgive his sin,
and rebuke his distemper, that Ais disquieted soul
may return to its rest. O raise him up and show
Thy mercy upon hi?n, for the sake of Jesus Christ
our blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

4. A Prayer for a Sick Child.

O Almighty God and Merciful Father, to whom
alone belong the issues of life and death : Look
down from heaven, we humbly beseech Thee,
with the eyes of mercy, upon this child now lying
upon the bed of sickness. Visit him, O Lord,
with Thy Salvation ; deliver him in Thy good

192 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

appointed time from his bodily pain, and save his
soul for thy mercies' sake : That, if it shall be
Thy pleasure to prolong his days here on earth,
he miay live to Thee, and be an instrument of Thy
glory, by serving Thee faithfully, and doing good
in his generation : or, else receive him into those
heavenly habitations, where the souls of them that
sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest and
felicity. Grant this, O Lord, for Thy mercies'
sake, in the same Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy
Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

5. A Prayer for a Sick Child in imminent
Danger.

O Father of mercies, and God of all comfort,
our only help in time of need ; we fly unto Thee
for succor in behalf of this child here lying
under Thy hand in great weakness of body.
Look graciously upon it, O Lord : ease it, we
beseech Thee, of its pains, and pity it in its
extremity. We know, O Lord, that if Tiiou wilt,
Thou canst raise it up, and grant it a longer con-
tinuance among us. O raise it up again (if it may
please Thee) to grow in years and stature, in
wisdom and Thy fear, and thereby to comfort its
parents and to glorify Thee.

We believe, O God, that Thou knowest best
what is fit for it and for us, and that Thou wilt do
what is best for both : and therefore we humbly
resign its life to Thee, beseeching Thee to have

OF SICK PERSONS. 193

mercy on us. But whether it live or die, let it be
Thine : and either preserve it to be Thy true and
faithful servant here on eartli, or take it to the
blessedness of Thy children in the kingdom of
heaven, through the merits of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

SECTION V.

DEVOTIONS FOR THE USE OF SICK PERSONS
THEMSELVES.

1. A Prayer at the Commencement of Sickness.

O merciful and righteous Lord, the God of
health and sickness, of life and of death, I most
unfeignedly acknowledge, that my great abuse of
those many days of strength and welfare, which
Thou hast afforded me, hath most justly deserved
Thy present visitation. I desire, O Lord, humbly
to accept of this punishment of mine iniquity, and
to bear the indignation of the Lord, because I
have sinned against Him. And, O thou merciful
Father, who designest not the ruin, but the
amendment of those whom Thou scourgest, I
beseech Thee, by Thy grace, so to sanctify this
correction of Thine to me, that this sickness of
my body may be a means of health to my soul.

Make me diligently to search my heart ; and
do Thou, O Lord, enable me to discover every ac-
rJ7

194 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

cursed thing, how closely soever concealed there.
Heal my soul, O Lord, which hath sinned against
Thee ; and then, if it be Thy blessed will, heal
my body also ; restore the voice of joy and health
unto my dwelling, that I may live to praise
Thee, and to bring forth fruits of repentance.
But if in Thy wisdom Thou hast otherwise dis-
posed, if Thou hast determined that this sickness
shall be unto death, I beseech Thee to fit and
prepare me for it. Give me that sincere and
earnest repentance, to which Thou hast pro-
mised mercy and pardon ; wean my heart from
the world, and all its fading vanities, and make
me to gasp and pant after those more excellent
and durable joys which are at Thy right hand
for ever. Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy
countenance upon me ; and, in all the pains of
my body, in all the agonies of my spirit, lot Thy
comforts refresh my soul, and enable me patiently
to wait till my change come. And grant, O
Lord, that when my earthly house of this taber-
nacle is dissolved, I may have a building of God,
a house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens ; and that for his sake, who by his
precious blood hath purchased it for me, even
Jesus Christ. Amen.

2. Another Prayer on the same Occasion.

O Heavenly Father, who in Thy wisdom
knowest what is best for me, if it seem good in
Tljy sight, remove this distemper from me, so

OF SICK PERSONS.

195

that I may employ my health to Thy glory, and
praise Tiiy name. But if Thou art pleased that
it sliould greatly increase, I willingly submit to
Thy afflicting hand ; for Thou art wont to chas-
tise those whom Thou dost love ; and I am sure
Thou wilt lay no more on me than Thou wilt
enable me to bear.

I know, O my God ! that Thou sendest this
sickness on me for my good, even to humble and
to prove uiG ; O grant it may work that saving
effect in me.

Lord, create in me a true penitent sorrow for
all my sins past, a steadfast faith in Thee, and
sincere resolutions of amendment for the time to
come.

Deliver me from all frowardness and impa-
tience, and give me an entire resignation to Thy
divine will: O suffer not the disease to take away
my senses, and do Thou continually supply me
with devout and holy thoughts. Lord, bless all
the means that are used for my recovery, and
restore me to my health ; but if otherwise Thou
hast appointed for me, Thy blessed will be done.
O wean my affection from all things below, and
fill me with ardent desires after heaven : Lord, fit
me for Thyself, and at Thine own good time
bring me to joys unspeakable and full of glory.
Grant this, for the sake of Thy only Son Jesus,
my Saviour. Amen.

196 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

3. Another Prayer on the same Occasion.

Almighty God and merciful Father ! Thou art
the Author of my being ; and as my life, my
health, and strength are from Thee, so they are
and ought to be wholly at Thy disposal. I
humbly confess, that because of my sins it is just
with Thee to afflict me with sickness and pain ;
yea, to cut me off from the land of the living. I
acknowledge, O Lord ! my sins are many and
great; the faculties of my soul and members of
my body have been made the instruments of sin ;
I have not been thankful for, nor made a right
use of, the manifold blessings of health and
strength, of time and opportunities of doing and
receiving good, which Thou hast vouchsafed unto
me : I do therefore acknowledge the justice of
Thy dealings, and that the greatest afflictions I
do or can suffer here are infinitely less than my
sins deserve.

But, O thou Father of mercies ! who delightest
not in the death of a sinner, be favorable unto
me, enter not into judgment with Thy servant ;
and though for my sins Thou art justly displeased,
yet, O Lord God most holy ! O Lord most
mighty! O holy and merciful Saviour! deliver
me not into the bitter pains of eternal death.

I know, O Lord ! that afflictions rise not out
of the dust, but are of Thy sending; but such is
Thy mercy, that Thou dost not willingly afflict
nor grieve the children of men ; Thou designest
not the ruin, but the amendment, of those whom
Thou scourgest. I beseech Thee, by Thy grace,
so to sanctify this correction of Thine unto me,
that the sickness of my body may be a means of

OP SICK PERSONS. I9'i

health to my soul ; make me diligent to search my
heart, and to find out the accursed thing that has
brought this affliction upon me ; and make me
sensible of my manifold provocations, and so
sincerely to lament, abhor, and forsake them, that
this correction may appear to be the effect of
Thy love and pity.

Remoiiiber, O Lord ! the sufferings of Thy
Sc.'i, who himself bore the afflictions and the
punishment due to our sins : I believe in him as
my only Saviour ; my trust is in his merits ; and
I humbly beg, for his sake, that Thou wouldest be
reconciled unto me. Heal my soul, O Lord !
which hath sinned against Thee ; and then, if it
be Thy blessed will, heal my body also, and
restore me again to a state of health and strength,
that I may still live to praise Thee, and bring
forth the fruit of repentance.

But if in Thy wisdom Thou hast determined
that this sickness shall be unto death, I beseech
Thee to fit and prepare me for it; give me that
sincere and hearty repentance, to which Thou
hast promised mercy and pardon ; wean my heart
from the world and all its seducing vanities, and
make me long for those joys which are at Thy
right hand for ever. Lord, take away the sting of
death, the guilt of my sins ; and then, though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil : I will lay me down in peace ;
and when I wake up, let me be satisfied with Thy
presence in Thy glory. Grant this, O merciful
God ! for his sake, who is both the Redeemer
and Mediator of sinners, even Jesus Christ.
Amen.

17*

19S PRAYERS FOR THE USE

4. A Prayer for a Blessing on the Use of Medicine.

O Almighty God and Merciful Father, to
whom alone belong the issues of life an<l death,
I come unto Thee as the only physician who
canst cure my soul from sin and my body from
sickness. And since thou hast appointed out-
ward means for the curing of sickness and the
restoring of health, I beseech Thee, of Thine
infinite goodness and mercy, to sanctify ihLs
medicine to my use : and to give such a blessing
to it, that it may (if it be Thy will and pleasure)
remove my sickness and pain, and restore me to
health and strength a^ain.

But, if Thou hast sent this sickness, as Thy
messenger, to call me out of this world. Thy
blessed will be done. O make me meet to be a
partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light ;
and whensoever my soul shall depart from the
body, grant that it may without spot be pre-
sented unto Thee, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.

5. Ejaculations from the Scriptures , and Prayer
for Patience in a lingering Illness.

Why art thou so heary, O my soul, why art
thou so disquieted within me ?

Still put thy trust in God, for I will yet give
him thanks, who is the help of my countenance,
and my God. (Psal. xiiii. 5, 6.)

The Lord hath chastened and corrected me.

OP SICK PERSONS. 199

but he hath not given me over unto destruction.
(Psal. xviii. 18.)

I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are
right ; and that Thou of very faithfulness hast
caused me to be troubled. (Psalm cxix. 75.)

It is of the Lord's mercies that I was not long
ago consumed : because his compassions fail not.
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul : there-
fore \. ill I hope in him.

It is good for a man that he should constantly
hope, and quietly wait the salvation of the Lord :
for the Lord will not cast off for ever. But
though he cause grief, yet will he have com-
passion, according to the multitude of his
mercies. Yea, like as a father pitieth his own
children, even so is the Lord merciful unto them
that fear him. (Lara. iii. 22. 24. 2G. 31, 32.
Psalm ciii. 13.)

In the multitude of the sorrows which I have
in my heart, Thy comforts have refreshed my
soul. (Psalm xciv. 19.)

For I know that with Thee there is mercy, and
with my God is plenteous redemption. (Psal.
cxxx. 7.)

O remember not m.y old sins, but have mercy
upon me, and that .«:oon, for I am come to great
misery. (Psalm Ixxix. 8.)

Heal my soul, which hath sinned against Thee,
and then let the Lord do what seemeth him
good. (Psal xli. 4. 1 ISam. iii. 18.)

O God, whose infinite Wisdom and overruling

200 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

Providence disposeth of all events, be pleased
to look upon me Thine unworthy servant, afflicted
with continual pains and miseries ; and graciously
be pleased to support and comfort me under the
chastisements of Thy heavy hand. Mine age, O
God, is departed, and removed from me as a
shepherd's tent, and Thou hast cut me off with
lingering sickness. O go not far from me, now
that trouble is hard at hand, and forsake me not
when my strength faileth me. My soul cleaveth
to the dust ; O do thou quicken me according to
Thy word, and strengthen my body with patience.
Let not the tediousness of my sickness interrupt
the serenity of my mind : but let the terror of
every pain make me nauseate my sin, and arm
me against the torments of eternity. Be pleased,
O gracious Lord, so to temper Thy judgments
and mercies together, that my nature may be
able to conquer the infirmities of my flesh ; and
my soul being purified from her dross may be
saved in the day of visitation, through the merits
of our only Redeemer and Advocate, Jesus
Christ. Amen.

6. A Prayer for Ease, tvJien the Sickness becomes
very painful.

Lord, look upon mine adversity and misery,
which call aloud to Thee for ease : O most
gracious God, my pains are extreme ; have pity
on me, and lighten them. In thine anger, re-

OF SICK PERSONS. 201

member mercy, and consider my feebleness and
frailty. I have waited for thy relief, O Father ;
give me the comforts of it. O show me Thy
mercy, and that soon, for my need thereof is
great ; send me seasonable help and strength at
present, and everlasting rest with Thee in the
end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

7. On the Ahatemevt of Pain.

B'osi5ed be Thy mercy, O my God, which
pitieth me in ray misery. As a father pitieth his
chihh-en in the extremity of their pain, so hast
Thou pitied me. Lord, my soul shall love Thee,
and sing of Thy mercy; and, in my distress, I
will always trust in Thee, and not be afraid, for
Thou art our strength, whilst we suffer ; and our
merciful Deliverer when we can endure no more.
To Thee be glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

8. On Want of Sleep.

O righteous Lord, Thou boldest mine eyes
waking, and in the night-season T take no rest.
I .^oek sleep to ease my pains, and to recruit mj
spirits, but I find it not ; but, O merciful God, lef
it not always fly away from me ; let my weariec
eyes, at length, lay hold of it, and make my sleej
sweet unto me. Consider my weariness, which

202

PRAYER FOR THE USE

calls aloud for rest ; and my weakness, which
greatly needs refreshment. While Thou keepest
me awake, let me commune with mine own heart,
and search out my spirit ; let me remember Thee
on my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night-
watches ; let the consideration of Thy tender
mercies be my comfort, till Thy goodness sees fit
to give sleep to my eyes, and refreshment to my
sorrows, through my dearest Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. Amen.

9. An Act of Resignation.

O Eternal God, Thou hast made me and sus-
tained me. Thou hast blessed me all the days
of my life, and under great variety of accidents
Thou hast cared for me : nothing happens to me
in vain : nothing without Thy Providence ; and I
know Thou smitest Thy servants in mercy ; and
therefore unto Thee I commit myself, my soul
and body, and every other thing Thou givest me
leave to call my own. Keep me safe by Thy
grace, and then use what instrument Thy wisdom
shall think most proper to bring me unto Thee.
Lord, I am not solicitous of the way that may
lead me unto Thyself Only, remember mine
infirmity, and let Thy servant rejoice in Thee
always, feel, confess, and glory in Thy good-
ness. Be Thou equally my delight in my sick-
ness, as formerly in the dangers of my prosperity.
Let me not refuse a pardon tendered in a severe
discipline ; but readily comply with Thy gracious

OF SICK PERSONS. 203

purposes, cover mine eyes, and wait in silence
for the time of my redemption, through Jesus
Christ. Amen.

10. A Prayer for Than! fulness under SUhicss,

Almighty and most merciful God, though I am
encompassed with sorrow and weakness, yet have
I no cause at all to complain of Thee ; nor will I,hy
Thy grace, overlook or despise the mercies Thy
goodness still vouchsafes me, because others are
taken away : I heartily thank Thee, that I was per-
mitted to have them at all, undeserving as I am ;
that I enjoyed them so long, and lost them no
sooner. Lord, my spirit is willing, but my flesh
is weak : be Thy Spirit the support of my weak-
ness, and the finisher of my willingness ; and let
the sense of Thy love, and the hopes of what Thou
hast promised, drown the sense of my sorrows, and
fill my heart with praise and thanksgiving. Blessed
be Thy name, O Lord, for not afflicting me as I
have deserved, but in order to my good ; for the
favorable intervals I experience ; that my griefs
are not beyond measure, nor my sufferings with-
out comfort. I bless Thee for the mercy of this
indisposition ; for putting an end to my wander-
ings by Thy judgments, when Thy long-suffering
had not its due effect upon me, and putting me
in the way of pardon by Thy fatherly visitation.
Glory be unto Thee, who by these bodily pains
hast given my spirit rest from the wearisome im-'
portunity of sin, [name particulars] and teachost

204 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

me to place my affections and my confidence in
Thee alone. I praise and magnify Tliy holy
name for all the numberless blessings 1 have
received from Thee, bountifully and seasonably,
in all states and conditions of my life, and through
all the days and years of it ; and particularly in
that Thou hast now of very faithfulness caused
me to be afflicted, and by the present want of
Thy blessings hast taught me the better how to
prize and value them ; and blessed be Thou who
hast taken away what Thy goodness once afford-
ed : and blessed be Thy name for what Thou
still hast left me : a heart inclined to serve and
praise Thee and to remember Thy goodness ; a
heart able to alleviate its misery with the sense
of Thy paternal affection, and the comfortable
hopes of bearing my sickness in such a manner,
as shall be well pleasing in thy sight, through the
merits of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

11. ^ Prayer to he used wlien there is any Abate-
ment of the Disorder, or Prospect of Recovery.

O Father of mercies, and God of all comfort,
who hast vouchsafed to grant me some ease, and
to abate the fury of my present distemper,
accept, I humbly pray Thee, of my unfeigned
thanks for this, and all other Thy mercies be-
stowed upon me.

Blessed be Thy goodness, O Lord, that I
have strength to praise Thee ; that my senses

OP SICK PERSONS. 205

and understanding are preserved entire; and
though I am brought very low, I am not without
hopes that Thou wilt yet raise me up. O perfect,
if it be Thy blessed will, what Thou hast begun
in me ; and forsake not, I beseech Thee, the work
of Thine own hands. Repair all the decays in
my outward man, and let my mind also be en-
dued with greater strength and abilities to do
Thee service, and with stronger desires and re-
solutions of loving and obeying Thee.

Visit me, O Lord, with thy heavenly con-
solations; fill me with comfortable thoughts of
Thy love, and of that tender compassionate care
which our Lord Jesus takes of all His afflicted
servants. Give me still a more perfect submis-
sion to Thy will, that without any murmuring or
repining, I may wait upon Thee, till Thou seest
fit to finish my recovery : and as my strength
increases, so let my resolutions grow stronger
of serving Thee faithfully all the remainder of
my life ; for which end, I implore the assistance
of Thy Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ ; to
whom, with Thee, O Father, and the ever blessed
Spirit, be all honor, glory, love, service, and
obedience, by me, and all Thy creatures, for
evermore. Amen.

12. A Prayer for a Sick Person who is tempted
to despair.

O Father of mercies, and God of all cor-
rection, be merciful to me a sinner. Lord.
18

206 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

remember all Thy gracious calls of sinners to
repentance ; all Thy protestations that Thou de-
lightest not in the death of Him that dieth, and
that Thou wouldest have all to be saved.

Remember, O Lord, all the exceeding great
and precious promises, which Thou hast made
to penitent sinners. Lord, remember that Thy
mercy is over all Thy works, that Thou delightest
in mercy ; and that all the holy angels, seeing
Thee well pleased in the exercise of that mercy,
rejoice at the conversion of a sinner ; that, the
greater my sins are, the more will that mercy be
magnified in my forgiveness. Lord, remember
that Thou didst so love the world, as to give Thine
only beloved Son a ransom for it.

O Heavenly Father, Thou that sparedst not
Thine only Son, but deliveredst Him up for us
all, wilt Thou not also with Him freely give us
all things ? And, if all things, wilt Thou not also
give us the pardon of our sins ? O my God, I
firmly believe Thou wilt. On that ransom, my
Saviour hath paid for me, and on all His gracious
promises of pardon, which, for his sake, Thou
hast made for me, I wholly rely. Here only is
the sure and steadfast anchor of my soul, to which
my faith and hope shall ever adhere. All this do
I plead to implore Thy forgiveness.

Behold, Lord, though my failings are many,
yet I have confessed, and bewailed, and forsaken
my transgressions. Behold, Lord, I come at
Thy call : and I come weary and lieavy-laden
with the burthen of my sins. Be it unto me
according to Thy word.

O Thou that art faithful and just, forgive my

OF SICK PERSONS.

207

sins, and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
Lord, do Thou in nowise cast me from Thee :
but heal my backslid incrs, and love me freely.
Ease me of my burthen, that 1 may find rest in
Thee : and say unto my soul, " Be of good cheer,
thy sins are forgiven thee."

O Heavenly Father ! for Thine own infinite
mercies' sake : for Thy truth and promise sake :
for all the merits and sufferings of the Son of
Thy love, in whom Thou art always well pleased ;
pardon all my sins, and receive me into Thy
favor. Amen.

SECTION VI.

DEVOTIO-NS ly THE PROSPECT OF DISSOLUTION.

1. A Psalm, collected from the Holy Scriptures
for a Person near Death.

0 Lord God of my salvation, I have cried
day and night before Thee, O let my prayer
enter into Thy presence.

For my soul is full of trouble, and my life
draweth nigh unto hell. (Psal. Ixxxviii. L 3.)

1 am weary of my groaning; every night wash
I my bed : and water mv couch with my tears.
(Psal. vi. 6.)

I am accounted as one that goeth dow^n to the
pit ; I have been as a man that hath no strength.

Free among the dead, like unto them that be
wounded, and that lie in the grave, which be out
of remembrance, and cut away from Thine hand.

208 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

Thine indignation lieth hard upon me, and
Thou hast vexed me with all Thy storms. (Psal.
Ixxxviii. 4, 5, 7.)

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are
out of joint ; my heart also in the midst of my
bowels is like melted wax.

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and
my tongue cleaveth to my gums, and Thou shalt
bring me into the dust of the earth. (Psal. xxii.
14, 15.)

The sorrows of death compass me, and the
overflowings of ungodliness make me afraid.

The pains of hell come about me : the snares
of death overtake me. (Psal. xviii. 4, 5.)

Thine arrows stick fast in me, and Thy hand
presseth me sore.

There is no health in my flesh, because of
Thy displeasure ; neither any rest in my bones,
by reason of my sin.

For my wickednesses are gone over my head,
and are like a sore burden too heavy for me to
bear. (Psal. Ixxxviii. 2 — 4.)

If Thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what
is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it ?

Out of the deep have I called unto Thee, O
Lord ; Lord, hear my voice.

0 let Thine ears consider well the voice of my
complaint. (Psal. cxxx. 3. 1, 2.)

Lord, why abhorrest Thou my soul, and hidest
Thy face from me ?

1 am in misery, and like to him that is at the
point to die : from my youth up, Thy terrors
have I suffered with a troubled mind.

Thy wrathful displeasure goeth over me, and

OF SICK PERSONS. 209

the fear of Thee hath undone me. (Psal. Ixxxviii.
14— IG.)

Have mercy upon me, O God, after Thy great
goodness : according to tlie multitude of Thy
mercies, do away mine offences.

Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and
cleanse me from my sin.

Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take
not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

0 give me the comfort of Thy help again, and
stablish me with Thy free Spirit. (Fsal. li. ], 2.
11. 12.)

1 am always with Thee, for Thou hast holden
me up by Thy right hand.

Thou shalt guide me by Thy counsel, and
after that receive me v/ith glory.

Whom have I in heaven but Thee, O Lord ?
and I desire none upon earth in comparison of
Thee. (Psal. Ixxiii. 23—25.)

Return to thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord
hath rewarded thee. (Psal. cxvi. 7.)

Thou hast put gladness in my heart more than
theirs whose corn, and wine, and oil increaseth.

I will lay me down, and take my rest, for it is
Thou, Lord, only that makest me dwell in safety.
(Psal. iv. 8, 9.)

I will behold Thy presence, and when I awake
up after Thy likeness, I will be satisfied with it.
(Psal. xvii. 1.5.)

I shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of
Thine house, and Thou shalt give me to drink of
Thy pleasures as of the rivers.

For with Thee is the well of life, and in Thy
light shall I see light. (Psal. xxxvi. 8, 9.)
18*

210

PRAYERS FOR THE USE

Thou shalt show me the path of life : in Thy
presence is fulness of joy ; and at Thy right hand
there is pleasure for evermore. (Psal. xvi. 11.)

Into Thy hands I commend my spirit, for
Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of
truth. (Psal. xxxi. 5.)

2. A Prayer in the Language of Scripture^ in
the Prospect of Death.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry
come unto Thee. Hide not Thy face from me :
in the day when I am in trouble, incline Thine
ear unto me. For my days are consumed like
smoke. O my God, take me not in the midst of
my days. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give
ear unto my cry : hold not Thy peace at my
tears. Let not the water-flood overflow me,
neither let the deep swallow me up ; and let not
the pit shut her mouth upon me. I am afflicted
very much : quicken me, O Lord, according to
Thy word. Uphold me according to Thy word,
that I may live, and not be ashamed of my hope.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee. Hear
my voice according to Thy loving-kindness. (Psal.
cii. 1 — 3.24.: xxxix. 13, 14.: Ixix. 15.; cxix.
107. 116. 175. 149.)

And now. Lord, what wait I fort My hope
is in Thee. My heart panteth ; my strength
faileth me : as for the light of mine eyes, it also
is gone from me. Remember not the sins of my
youth, nor my transgressions : according to Thy

OP SICK PERSONS. 211

mercy, remember Thou me, for Thy goodness
sake, O Lord. Though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil ;
for Thou art with me. Thou, Lord, art my
light and my salvation, whom shall I fear ? Thou,
Lord, art the strength of my heart, of whom shall
I be afraid ? For, I know that my Redeemer
liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day
upon the earth: and though, after my skin,
worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I
see God ; whom I shall see for myself, and mine
eyes shall behold, and not another. Therefore,
let the words of my lips, and the meditations
of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O
Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. Amen.
(Psal. xxxix. 7. ; xxxviii. 10. ; xxv. 7. : xxiii. 4. ;
xxvii. 1. Job xix. 25 — 27, Psal. xix. 14.)

3. A Prayer and Confession for the Sick, ivho
are unprepared for Death.

O merciful God, reject not this sad, unworthy
sinner, who in pain and sorrow fleeth to Thyself
in Jesus Christ ! Though I have trifled away
too much of the day of my salvation, and sinfully
neglected Thy Son and His saving grace, O say
not that it is now too late : for Thy promise
through Christ is large and free, forgiving all
without exception, who in the time of this life
are penitent believers. Pity my misery, and
forgive my sin, through the propitiation which
Thy mercy hath provided and accepted. Re-

212 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

member not the iniquities of my youth, nor the
sins which I have since committed against Thy
great and manifold mercies, the motions of Tliy
Spirit, and the reproofs of my own conscience.
I have sinned foolishly as a man, but do Thou
forgive me mercifully as a gracious God. If the
sufferings of my lissli do seem so grievous, how
should I bear Thy burning wrath for ever on my
soul ! O give me true repentance unto life. Let
not pain and fear only make me purpose to
amend, but let Thy Spirit of grace renew my
soul, by the powerful sense of Thy love in Christ.
Let this be the fruit of my affliction, through
His grace, to purge and take away mv sin, and
to make me partaker of Thy holiness. And have
mercy on this weak and pained flesh. O spare
me a little, and give me space to make a better
preparation for my change, before I go hence,
and am seen no more ! O let not my fearful soul
appear before Thee, the holy, dreadful God, in
an unpardoned or unrenewed state ! R enew my
time, and renew my soul, that I may live to
Thee, before I die. I have abused Thy long-
suffering : I have forfeited both health, and life,
and hope ; I have foolishly and sinfully lost many
an hour of precious time, which never can be
called back ! I foresaw this day, and was oft
forewarned of it by Thy servants and by my con-
science, but I took not warning, and now, alas !
how unready is my soul to appear before Thee !
My sins affi-ight me ; Thy justice and holiness
aff'rightme; eternity, eternity, doth amaze my
soul. I have no assurance to escape Thy wrath
and everlasting misery ! I have not so set my

OP SICK PERSONS. 213

heart on heaven, nor lived in a heavenly con-
versation, as to desire to depart that I may be
with Christ, and to come with boldness and com-
fortable hope before the Judge of all the world ;
forgive my sin through the sacrifice and inter-
cession of my Redeemer. O try me once more
with opportunities and means of grace! Return,
O Lord, deliver my soul ! O save me for Thy
mercies' sake. Kill me not till my sin be killed.
End not this life till Thou hast prepared me for
a better. Though it be a life of vanity and vex-
ation, it is all the space that ever I shall have to
prepare for the endless life which followeth. Cut
not off my time till I am ready for eternity. Let
me not die in my sins, nor fall into the hands
of Thy revenging justice. I condemn myself;
do not Thou condemn me. If Thou wilt renew
my days, it is the resolution of my soul to hearken
to Thy Spirit, to obey my Saviour, to study Thy
wondrous love in Christ, to seek the things that
are above with Him, and to forsake my sin, and
live to Thee ; but because I know that without
Thy grace I cannot do it, O give me yet both
time and grace ! Or, if Thou wilt try me no
longer here on earth, now, Lord, before my soul
departeth, sanctify it by Thy Spirit, and wash it
in the blood of Jesus Christ, and shed abroad
Thy love upon it, and give me such a sight of
the heavenly glory, that in the lively exercise of
faith, hope, and love, my soul may willingly for-
sake this world, and come to Thee.

Though I have departed from Thee, and de-
lighted not to know Thee, refuse not to know
me, and bid me not depart with workers of in-

214 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

iquity. And if this be all the time that ever I
shall have, to beg Thy saving grace and mercy,
though it be short, let it be an accepted time.
Have mercy, mercy, mercy. Lord, upon a sinful,
undone soul, and let me not be the firebrand of
Thy hot displeasure. Now glorify Thy grace in
Jesus Christ, who is an all-sufficient Saviour, to
whom I fly, and on whom I cast my miserable
soul. Merciful Saviour, receive it as thine own !
Refuse it not as unworthy, but for Thy worthi-
ness justify it, and let Thy Spirit now renew it,
and let Thy grace abound where ray sin abound-
eth. It is Thy promise, that him that cometh
unto Thee, Thou wilt in no wise cast out. Let
this enemy by Thee be reconciled to the Father,
and adopted as a son and heir of life, and present
me spotless and acceptable to God. Whether I
live or die, I desire to be Thine : and though I
have broken my covenant wiih Thee, I here
again renew it : I give up myself to Thee, my
reconciled God and Father, my Saviour and my
Sanctifier. Accept me, and assuie me of the
blessings of thy covenant. And then, though I
deserve to dwell with devils, I shall see Thy
glory, and be filled with Thy love, and with
saints and angels shall joyfully praise my Cre-
ator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, for ever. Amen,
Amen.

4. A Prayer against tlic Fear of Death.
Grant, O Lord, that I may end my life in

OF SICK PERSONS. 215

Thy fear and favor ; and receive my death,
wlienever it shall approach, not as my curse, but
as my deliverance ; as a rest from my labors,
and an entrance upon a life without trouble and
without sin.

Reniember not against me my manifold sins ;
but let them all be done away by Tiiy mercies,
and my blessed Saviour's merits, and my own
true repentance, that I may come to my last
change without guilt, and foresee its near ap-
proach without fear or impatience, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

Strengthen me, O God, in my last agonies ;
and as my strength decays, let my pains wear
off. But when my strength fails, let not my
faith fail ; even in death enable me to trust in
Thee. Deliver me from all violent disorders of
a troubled fancy, or painful delusions of my
ghostly enemy. O let him not be able to disturb
and terrify me-, or any way prevail ag'iinst me.
Amen.

Have me in thy custody, O Holy Father ; for
nothing can take me out of Thy hands. Give
Thy holy angels charge to stand about me, to
guard and receive my poor soul at my departure,
and to conduct and carry it to the blessed re-
ceptacles of rest and peace.

Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my
spirit : for Thou hast redeemed it, O Lord,
thou God of truth. Amen.

216 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

5. A Prayer for a blessed Death.

O eternal and everliving God, who didst at
first breathe into man the breath of life ; and
when Thou takest away that breath he dies, and
is turned again to his dust ; look with compassion,
I beseech Thee, upon me Thy creature ; and let
Thy good Spirit work in me whatsoever Thou
seest wanting to fit and prepare me for the time
of my dissolution.

Give me that sincere and earnest repentance,
to which Thou hast promised mercy and pardon.
Wean my heart from the world, and all its fading
vanities ; and make me to pant after those more
excellent and durable joys which are at Thy right
hand for ever. Lord, lift Thou up the light of
Thy countenance upon me : and in all the pains
of my body, and all the agonies of my spirit, let
Thy comforts refresh my soul, and enable me
patiently to wait till my change come.

And grant, O Lord, that when mine earthly
house of this tabernacle is dissolved, I may have
a building of God, a house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens: and that for His sake,
who by His precious death hath purchased for
all believers a sure and certain title to everlast-
ing life, Jesus Christ, Thine only Son our Lord.
Amen.

OF SICK PERSONS.

217

C. A Prayer that we may be prepared for our
last End.

O Eternal God, my Maker and Redeemer, I
adore and bless Thy Holy Name, that Thou hast,
with such admirable patience, not only suffered
me to live until this hour, but hast also mul-
tiplied Thy daily mercies upon me, even then,
when I by my most sinful life have most un-
kindly and treacherously rebelled against Thee.

But who knoweth, O merciful Lord, how soon
Thine abused patience may end ; or how speedily
Thou mayest call me to a sad account for all my
former days so miserably misspent! For, O
how many are they on whom the morning sun
hath shined, that shall not live to see it set?
And how know I but this may be my last day
too? The only day which Thou, O God, hast
left me, to set my soul in order, and to prepare
for that day which shall never end.

O my dear Lord^ suffer me not to neglect this
season, but by a hearty repentance speedily —
even this day — this instant — to return unto
Thee ; that, how soon soever Thou shalt call me
from this life, my accounts may be found audited
my sins cancelled, and my soul acquitted by the
blood of that Lamb which taketh away the sins
of the world. Grant this, O my God, for His
sake that vouchsafed to die for me, Thine only
Son Jesus Christ the righteous. Amen.
19

218 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

7. A Prayer for a blessed Resurrection to Eter-
nal Life.

O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who is the resurrection and the life ; in
whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he
die ; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Him,
shall not die eternally ; I meekly beseech Thee,
O Father, to raise me from the death of sin unto
the life of righteousness, that when I shall depart
this life I may rest in Him, as all Thy faithful
departed do ; and that at the general resurrection
in the last day I may be found acceptable in Thy
sight, and receive the blessing which Thy well-
beloved Son shall then pronounce on all that
love and fear Thee, saying, " Come ye blessed
children of my Father ; receive the kingdom
prepared for you from the beginning of the
world." Grant this, I beseech Thee, O merciful
Father, through Jssus Christ our Mediator and
Redeemer. Amen.

8. A Prayer when a Sick Person is joyful and
glad to die.

O Lord Jesu Christ, I beseech Thy mercy
and goodness, that Thou w'ilt strengthen and
conduct my soul in the great journey which ap-
proacheth unto me. I believe that Thou for my
sake didst die, and rise again ; and that Thou,
through Thy mercy, shalt forgive me all my
sins ; and that Thou hast promised me ever-
lasting life. Of this my belief, O Lord, shalt
Thou be witness with all thine elect. This shall
also be my last will ; in this faith, O Lord, do

OF SICK PERSONS. 219

I die upon Thine incomparable mercy. And if
through pain and smart, impatience, or other
temptation, I should or would shrink from this
faith, O Lord, I beseech Thee, let me not con-
tinue in such unbelief ar:d blasphemy ; but
strengthen and increase my faith, to the intent that
sin, hell, and the devil may not hurt me. For
thou art stronger and mightier than all they. To
this do I steadfastly trust ; Lord, let me not be
confounded. Amen.

9. A Prayer for a Person in imminent Danger
of Death.

O Lord Jesus Christ, our health and life, our
hope, and our resurrection from the dead, I re-
sign myself up to Thy holy will and pleasure,
either to life, that I may live longer to Thy
service, and my amendment; or to death, to
the perpetual enjoyment of Thy presence, and
of thy glories. Into thy hands I commend my
spirit ; for I know, O Lord, that nothing can
perish, which is committed to Thy mercies. I
believe, O Lord, that I shall receive my body
again at the resurrection of the just. I relin-
quish all care of that, only I beg of thee mercy
for my soul ; strengthen it with Thy grace against
all temptations, let thy loving-kindness defend it
as with a shield, against all the violences and
hostile assaults of Satan ; let the same mercy be
my guard and defence, which protected Thy
martyrs, crowning them with victory in the
midst of flames^ horrid torments, and most cruel
deaths. There is no help in me, O Lord : I

220 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

cannot by my own power give a minute's rest to
my wearied body ; but my trust is in Thy sure
mercies ; and I call to mind, to my unspeakable
comfort, that Thou wert hungry, and thirsty, and
wearied, and whipt, and crowned with thorns,
and mocked, and crucified, for me. O let that
mercy, which caused Thee to suffer so much,
make Thee do that for which Thou sufferedst so
much, — pardon me, and save me. Let Thy me-
rits answer for my impieties, let Thy righteous-
ness cover my sins, Thy blood wash away my
stains, and Thy comforts refresh my soul. As
my body grows weak, let Thy grace be stronger ;
let not my faith doubt, nor my hope tremble,
nor my charity grow cold, nor my soul be af-
frighted with the terrors of death ; but let the
light of Thy countenance enlighten mine eyes,
that I sleep not in death eternal ; and when my
tongue fails, let Thy Spirit teach my heart to
pray with strong cryings, and groans that are
unutterable. O let not the enemy do me any
violence, but let Thy holy mercies, and Thy
angels, repel and defeat his malice and fraud ;
that my soul may, by Thy strength, triumph in
the joys of eternity, in the fruition of Thee, my
life, my joy, my hope, my exceeding great re-
ward, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

10. Another Prayer on the same Occasion.

O Lord, my time is at hand ; my soul is heavy
even unto death. Look down upon me ; pardon
my sins ; strengthen my faith ; shorten my pains;
and drive away Satan. Plelp me in this conflict.

OF SICK PERSONS. 221

Look upon Thy Christ : He is my Saviour and
Redeemer. Come, Lord Jesus. Into Thy hands
I commend my soul. Take it, O Lord ; take me,
the work of Thine own hands ; let me die in
Thy fear, and rise in Thy favor, that I may
come to Thy bliss, for Jesus Christ's sake.
Amen.

li, A Prayer loliicli may he offered for a Person
in the Agonies of Death.

Most merciful and blessed Saviour, have mercy
upon the soul of this Thy servant ; remember not
his ignorance, nor the sins of his youth ; but ac-
cording to Thy great mercies, remember him in
the mercies and glories of Thy kingdom. Thou,
O Lord, hast opened the kingfbm of heaven to all
believers ; let the everlasting gates be opened,
and receive his soul ; let the angels, who rejoice
at the conversion of a sinner, triumph and be
exalted in his deliverance and salvation. Make
him partaker of the benefits of Thy holy incar-
nation, life and sanctity, passion and death, re-
surrection and ascension, and of all the prayers
of the church, of the joy of the elect, and all the
fruits of the blessed communion of saints; and
daily add to the number of Thy beatified servants
. such as shall be saved, that Thy coming may be
•hastened, and the expectation of the saints may
be fulfilled, and the glory of Thee, our Lord
Jesu, be advanced, all the whole church singi no-
praises to the honor of Thy name, who livest
and reignest, ever one God, world without end.
Amen.

19*

222 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

12. Another Prayer on the same Occasion.

O most merciful Jesu, who didst die to redeem
us from death and damnation, have mercy upon
this Thy servant, whom Thy hand hath visited
with sickness ; of Thy goodness be pleased to
forgive him all his sins, and seal his hopes of
glory with the refreshments of Thy Holy Spirit.
Lord, give him strength and confidence in Thee,
assuage his pain, repel the assaults of his ghostly
enemies by thy mercies, and a guard of holy
angels ; preserve him in the unity of the church,
keep his senses entire, his understanding right,
give him great measure of contrition, true faith,
a well-grounded hope, and abundant charity ;
give him a quiet and a jcyful departure ; let Thy
ministering spirits convey his soul to the man-
sions of peace and rest, there with certainty to
expect a joyful resurrection to the fulness of joy
at Thy right hand, where there is pleasure for
evermore. Amen.

13. A Short Form of recommtncUng the Soul
to God.

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in
peace.

Into Thy hands, O Lord, we commend his
spirit : for Thou hast redeemed it, O Lord, Thou
God of truth.

Bring 7^25 soul out of prison, that it may praise
Thee. °

O deliver him from this body of death.

Guide Thou him through the valley of the
shadow of death.

OF SICK PERSONS. 223

Say unto Jiis soul, I am thy salvation.

Say unto Jii?n, To-day shalt thou be with me
in Paradise.

Lord Jesus, receive Jiis spirit.

Send Thine angels to meet him, and to bring
Jii?n into Abraham's bosom.

Place him in the habitation of light and peace,
of joy and gladness.

Receive him in the arms of Thy mercy ; and
give him an inheritance with Thy saints in light.

There to reign with Thy elect angels. Thy
blessed saints departed, Thy holy prophets, and
glorious apostles ; in all joy, glory, felicity, and
happiness, for ever and ever. Amen.

14. Another on the same Occasion.

IntoThy merciful hands, O Lord, we commend
the soul of this Thy servant, now departing from
the body.

Acknowledge, we meekly beseech Thee, a
work of Thine own hands ; a sheep of Thine own
fold ! a lamb of Thine own flock ; a sinner of
Thine own redeeming.

Receive him into the blessed arms of Thy un-
speakable mercy ; into the sacred rest of ever-
lasting peace; and into the glorious estate of Thy
chosen saints in heaven. Amen.

God the Father, who hath created thee ;

God the Son, who hath redeemed thee ;

God the Holy Ghost, who hath infused His
grace into thee ;

Be now, and evermore, thy defence ; assist thee
in this thy last trial, and bring thee into the way
of everlasting life.

224

PRAYERS FOR THE USE

Christ that redeemed thee with His agony
and bloody death, have mercy upon thee, and
strengthen thee in this agony of death.

Christ Jesus that rose the third day from death,
raise up thy body again in the resurrection of the
just.

Christ that ascended into heaven, and now
sitteth at the right hand of God, bring thee to the
place of eternal happiness and joy.

God the Father preserve and keep thee.

God the Son assist and sti\..igthen thee.

God the Holy Ghost defend and comfort thee.

God the Holy Trinity be ever with thee.

That thy death may be precious in the sight
of the Lord ; with whom thou shalt live for ever-
more. Amen.

[When the company doth observe a dying person to be at
the very point o*" death; let them then devoutly say the
follow^iiig]

15. Commendatory Prayer for a Sick Person at
the point of Departure.

O Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits
of just men made perfect, after they are delivered
from their earthly prisons ; we humbly commend
the soul of this Thy servant, our dear brother ^
into Thy hands, as into the hands of a faithful
Creator, and most merciful Saviour ; most humbly
beseeching Thee, that it may be precious in Thy
sight.

Wash it, we pray Thee, in the blocd of that
immaculate Lamb, that was slain to take away
the sins of the world ; that whatsoever defile-
ments it may have contracted in the midst of this

OP SICK PERSONS. 225

miserable and naujrhty world, through the lusts of
the flesh, or tlie wiles of Satan, being purged and
done away, it may be presented pure and with-
out spot before Thee. And teach us who survive,
in this and other like daily spectacles of mor-
tality, to see how frail and uncertain our own
condition is ; and so to number our days, that we
may seriously apply our hearts to that holy and
heavenly wisdom, whilst we live here, which may
in the end bring us to life everlasting ; through
the merits of Jesus Christ Thine only Son our
Lord. Amen.

16. Devotions lohich may he used hy a Minister
or Friend^ with the bereaved Relations and
Friends of the Deceased.

[Any one. of the Selections froni the Holy Scriptures, (in
pp. 165 — 179.) and 1 Cor. xv. 20. to the end, may be
used as proper lessons.]

Just and true are Thy ways. Thou King of
saints : righteousness and judgment are the habi-
tation of Thy seat.

Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and
shall we not receive evil 1

It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth to
Him good.

We know that if our earthly house of this ta-
bernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God,
a house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.

Sorrow not, brethren, for them that are asleep,
even as others who have no hope.

For if VV6 believe that Jesus died and rose

226 PRAYERS FOR THE USE

again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will
God bring with him.

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we
shall also appear with Him in glory.

Wherefore comfort one another with these
words.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Ghost :

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen.

[Here may be sung a Psalm or Hymn suitable to the
occasion.]

Let us 'pray.

Lord have mercy upon us.

Christ have mercy upon us.

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the
world, have mercy upon us.

Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the
world, grant us Thy peace.

Our Father, who art in heaven, &c.

O God, whose days are without end, and
whose mercies cannot be numbered, make us, we
beseech Thee, deeply sensible of the shortness
and uncertainty of human life. In these daily in-
stances of mortality, may we see how frail and
uncertain our own condition is. Teach us so
to number our days, -that we apply ourselves
unto wisdom ; that so among the sundry and
manifold changes of the world, our hearts may
surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be
found, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Most just art Thou, O God, in all Thy dealings
with us, and our punishment is less than our sins
deserve. We adore Thy majesty, we revere Thv

OF SICK PERSONS. 227

justice, we magnify Tliy mercies. Sanctify to
this family the afflictive dispensation of Thy Prov-
idence. May the lively sense of the bereavement
which they have sustained, lead them to cleave
more closely to Thee their God. In all their
troubles may their whole trust and confidence be
placed in Thy mercy. Awakened by the visita-
tion of Thy Providence to a deep sense of the
uncertainty and vanity of human life, may they
resolve to seek supremely those things which are
above ; to resign themselves and all their con-
cerns to Thy disposal ; and in the fulness of re-
signation, to say with the holy Job — " The Lord
gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be
the name of the Lord."

In the instance of mortality before us. Thou
dost solemnly teach us, that death is the end of
all men. Grant us who are living, grace to lay
it to heart ; so to lay it to heart, as to live above
the world, to seek Thy favor, to study Thy will,
to observe Thy laws, and in all our actions to aim
at Thy glory, at the salvation of our own souls,
and the souls of our fellow-men. When we go
the way of all the earth, may Thy presence go
with us, to sustain and comfort us, to lead us to a
rest eternal in the heavens.

Spare us, good Lord, spare us, O merciful
Father, till we have truly repented of our sins,
and made our peace with Thee, our offended
Judge. For Thy Son Jesus Christ's sake, for-
give us our sins. For his sake, turn away Thine
anger from us; enter not into judgment with us;
but after the multitude of Thy mercies look upon
us, and visit us with Thy salvation, duicken us,
Almighty God, from the death of sin unto a new

228 PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO

and holy life ; that being partakers of the death
of Thy Son, we may also be partakers of his res-
urrection, of perfect and endless bliss both in
body and soul in Thy heavenly kingdom. And
may the good examples of all those who have de-
parted this life in the true faith of Thy holy
name, and the hope of their eternal blessedness,
excite us to press, with the more earnestness, to-
wards the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus.

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our sup-
plications and prayers, and dispose the way of
Thy servants towards the attainment of everlast-
ing salvation ; that among all the changes and
chances of this mortal life, they may ever be de-
fended by Thy most gracious and ready help,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord bless us and keep us : the Lord
make His face to shine upon us, and be gracious
unto us : the Lord lift up his countenance upon
us, and give us peace, both now and evermore.
Amen.

CHAPTER IIL

DEVOTIONS FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFFLICTED IN

ESTATE.

The Lord maketh poor, and He maketh rich : He bringeth
low, and He lifteth up. 1 Sam. ii. 6,

1. Prayers, in the Language of Scripture, for a
Person zvJio is forsaken hy his Friends, or ex-
posed to Calumny.

(L) Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my sou^ ;
O my God, I trust in Thee, let me not be asham-

ARE AFFLICTED IN ESTATE. 2*29

ed. Let not mine enemies triumph over me.
Look upon mine affliction and my pain, and for-
give all my sins. Consider mine enemies, for
they are many, and they hate me with a cruel
hatred. O keep my soul and deliver me ; let me
not he ashamed, for I put my trust in Thee. O
Lord, my God, in Thee do I put my trust, save
me from all them that persecute me, and deliver
me. Let not the foot of pride come against me,
and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
They that hate me without a cause are more than
the hairs of my head : they that would destroy
me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty.
Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink;
let me be delivered from them that hate me, and
out of the deep waters. (Psal. xxv. 1, 2. 18 —
20. ; vii. 1. ; xxxvi. IL ; Ixix. 4. 14.)

(2 ) Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it.
Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame,
and my dishonor : mine adversaries are all before
Thee. Deliver me in Thy righteousness, and
cause me to escape : incline Thine ear unto me,
and save me. Be Thou my strong habitation
whereunto I may continually resort. Deliver me,
O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of
the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man : for
Thou art my hope, O Lord God, Thou art my
trust from my youth. O turn unto me, and have
pity on me : give Thy strength unto Thy servant,
and save the son of Thine handmaid. Show me
a token for good, that they which hate me may
see it, and be ashamed : because Thou, Lord,
hast holpen me and comforted me. Lord Thou
hast heard the desire of the humble ; Thou wilt
20

230 PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO

prepare their heart, Thou wiU cause Thine ear
to hear : to judge the fatherless and the oppress-
ed, that the man of the earth may no more op-
press. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, consider
my trouble, which I suffer of them that hate mc.
Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death :
that I may show forth all Thy praise in the gales
of the daughter of Sion : I will rejoice in Thy
salvation. (Psal. Ixix. 18, 19.; Ixxi. 2. 5.;
Ixxxvi. 16, 17.; X. 17, J 8.; ix. 13, 14.)

(3.) Hold not Thy peace, O God of my praise,
for the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the
deceitful are opened against me : they have spok-
en against me with a lying tongue. O deliver
me from the deceitful and unjust man, for Thou
art the God of my strength. Why dost Thou
cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the
oppression of the enemy? O send out Thy light
and Thy truth ; let them lead me, let them bring
me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles.
O let not the oppressed return ashamed : let the
poor and needy praise Thy name. Show Thy
marvellous kindness, O Thou thatsavestby Thy
right hand them which put their trust in Thee,
from those that rise up against them. Hide me
under the shadow of Thy wings from the wicked
that oppress me. Lead me, O Lord, in Thy
righteousness, because of mine enemies : make
Thy way straight before Thy face. (Psal. cix. 1,
3. ; xliii. 1—3.; Ixxiv. 21. ; xvii. 9. ; v. 8.)

(4.) Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me
in a plain path, because of mine enemies. De-
liver me from the oppression of man: so will I
keep Thy precepts. Unto Thee do I lift up mine

ARE AFFLICTED IN ESTATE. 231

eyes, O Thou that dvvellest in the heavens.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon
us : for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully
rejoice against me. Judge me, O Lord my God,
according to Thy righteousness ; and let them not
rejoice over me. [But] let them shout for joy
and be glad that favor my righteous cause : yea,
let them say continually, " Let the Lord be mag-
nified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of
his servant." And my tongue shall speak of
Thy righteousness, and o^ Thy praise all the day
long. Then will I go unto the altar of God, un-
to God my exceeding joy : yea, upon the harp
will I praise Thee, O God my God. (Psal. xxvii.
n. ; cxix. 134. ; cxxiii. 1. 3. ; xxxv. 19. 24. 27,
28. ; xliii. 4.)

2. A Prayer for Suhmission to the Will of God,
under loss of Property or Friends.

O most [Joly Lord God, the Supreme Lord and
Governor of the world, who art unsearchable in
Thy wisdom, unspotted in Thy justice, and irre-
sistible in Thy power ; whose goodness hath no
bounds, but what Thy wise and holy will gives
unto it ; and art immutable in these, and all oth-
er perfections, the great God, most blessed for
ever. It is most reasonable and agreeable to our
nature, most profitable and convenient to our in-
terest, most satisfactory and suitable to our wisest
choice, by an absolute and quiet submission in all
things to Thy sovereign wisdom, justice, and
goodness, to declare our fear and reverence of

232 PRATERS FOR THOSE WHO

Thee ; our unfeigned love to Thee, and desires
to please Thee ; our trust and confidence in
Thee, and ready dispositions to obey Thee.

Thou art too great, I know, to delight in griev-
ing us Thy poor creatures, and hast other ways
of procuring Thy own pleasure, than by our mis-
ery, pain, and torment. And, therefore, in a full
persuasion of Thy unerring Providence over us,
and infinite charity towards us, 1 here most hum-
bly and freely resign all my thoughts and desires
unto Thee, submitting myself entirely to Thy or-
ders, and resolving by Thy gracious assistance
to rest contented with whatsoever Thou appoint-
est. " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken
away, blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job i.
2L) Blessed be Thy name, who hast continued
to me so long the enjoyment of so many good
things. Blessed be Thy name, that I had any
thing to part withal, whereby I may testify my
faith in Thee, and affection to Thee. Blessed
be Thy name, that I have any of the comforts of
this life still remaining, and that they are not all
taken away from me. I have nothing too great,
or too dear, to be resigned to Thee, from whose
bounty I received all I have, and who art my
best and my eternal friend.

O that no repining thoughts may arise in my
heart, to disorder and discompose my duty to-
wards Thee, or towards my neighbor : but help
me rather to think wherein I have offended Thee,
and carefully to amend it ; to place my affections
more steadfastly on those unmovable things
wliich are above ; to lay up my treasure and
hope in heaven, and to prepare myself by perfect-

ARE AFFLICTED IN ESTATE. 233

ing my purity, and thankfulness, and patience,
and all other virtues, to be translated thither,
where our life is hid in Thee with Christ Jesus.

I thank thee, O Father of mercies, that Thou
hast given us such everlasting consolation,
through Thy grace in Him. Every day will I
bless Thee, and 1 will praise Thy name for ever
and ever, for those exceeding great and precious
promises which Thou hast given us to support
and comfort us in all the troubles of this life.
Increase my faith, strengthen and confirm my
hope ; lift up m}- -pirit continually to that blessed
place where Jesus i-, that I may rejoice in hope
of that iiiiiiiortai life, where all tears shall be
wiped from our eyes, and there shall be no sigh-
ing, nor sorrow any more ; but [we who are
now parted asunder] shall meet together to ac-
knowledge, with eternal praises, Thy wise and
merciful Providence ; which, by ways most con-
trary to our desires, hath brought us to endless
and undisturbed bliss.

Thou knowest, O Lord, the weakness and
frailty of our nature : therefore vouchsafe unto
me the constant assistance of Thy good Spirit,
(for which I depend upon Thee) to enable me
to continue in this humble, quiet, and dutiful
submission to Thee, waiting for that peaceable
and joyful repose in the eternal rest which Thou
hast prepared for Thy people, through Thy mer-
cies in Christ Jesus ; by whom all glory, honor,
love, and obedience be rendered to Thee, by me
and all mankind, both now and for ever. Amen.
20*

234 PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO

3. A Prayer for a Family after any grievous
loorldly Loss.^

We have felt the kindness of Thy hand, O
Lord, in the gifts of Thy providence, and it be-
comes us to admit its justice in removing them
and to say, the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh
away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Thou
hast been pleased to deprive us of the portion of
this world's goods which we had attained by
Thy blessing on our care and industry, and to
which we had looked as the means of establish-
ing our children in the world, and of comfortable
support to ourselves in the season of frailty ; but
while we feel the bitterness of this visitation, we
desire to say, " It is the Lord, let him do what
seemeth to him good." Preserve us from look-
ing only at the dark side of the cloud, for this
can merely serve to fill us with regret, anxiety,
and fear. We bless God it has a bright side,
and we will look to it, and thank God, and take
courage. We bless Thee that we have Thy pro-
vidential care to look to, that Thou canst put a
special blessing into the coarsest fare, and that
none that trust in Thee shall be desolate. We
bless Thee for health and strength, for the toils
of honest industry, and do Thou so guide and
prosper us in them, that we may earn daily bread
for our family, and may evince to those around
us that the Lord will not cast otf forever, but
that though He cause grief, yet will He have
compassion according to the multitude of His
mercies.

^ From ' The Family Oblation.'

ARE AFFLICTED IN ESTATE. 235

What in our own conduct led to this calamity
teach us to search out, to bewail, and guard
against for the time to come. Let us not be
high-minded, but fear. Let us not indulge in
speculation, but be guided by experience. Let
us not put ourselves in the power of the crafty
and the specious, but be prudent and wary ; and
let us not affect a mode of living unsuited to our
station, but be frugal and temperate in all things.

AVhere others have had their hand in this ca-
lamity, let us not think of ihem with revengeful
feelings, but with forgiveness. And while some
seal their r-iin \>\ ''ro-.vning all thought and fore-
sight in iiivoxicn! :un, may we engage more res-
olutely than ever in self-denial and activity.
May we ever remember that it is vice only, that
degrades, that folly banishes all pity for mis-
fortune, and that there is no hope for the rise
of a drunkard. Suffer us not to use any artifice
to extricate ourselves from difficulties, or any
sinful expedient to mitigate the calamity, or any
unworthy methods to better our circumstances.
O let integrity and truth preserve us ; may we
wait on the Lord and keep His way, so shall we
dwell in the land, and verily we shall be fed.
May the young in this dwelling be disposed and
enabled firmly and meekly to accommodate them-
selves to such changes in our domestic affairs
as may be necessary ; and instead of repining,
may they exercise that contentment which will
bless both them and their parents, and seek to
excel in virtue instead of setting their hearts on
worldly distinction. O grant to us that grace as
our portion which no calamity can injure, and

23G PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO

make us all rich towards God. May we be
Christ's by the attraction of His Spirit, and the
cheerful surrender and devotedness of our hearts,
and all things shall be ours, in as far as Thou
seest they are requisite for our welfare. May
the Lord be our sliepherd and we shall not want,
and let Thy name be magnified in us and by us,
for ever. Amen.

4. A Prayer to be used hy a Widoiv.

0 Lord God, the succourer of all them that
are in distress, the Father of the fatherless and
the Husband of the widow, I beseech Th^e to
have compassion upon me. Regard the suppli-
cations of Thy servant; and comfort me, O
Lord, with a delightful sense of Thy presence
with me. Draw my heart nearer to Thyself in
holy love and devout affection, and a lively hope
that Thou wilt never leave me nor forsake me.

1 ought to thank Thee at all times, for the
many tokens ot Thy love towards me ; and par-
ticularly for lending me this blessing so long, the
value of which I now feel by my want of its
support. Pardon me, I beseech Thee, that I
have not been so thankful for it, and for the rest
of Thy mercies as I ought, nor so carefully im-
proved them as I might have done. O take not
away Thy loving-kindness from me in displeas-
ure : but still vouchsafe the continuance of Thy
favor towards me ; especially the support of Thy
divine grace, by the power of the Holy Ghost, to
enable me to bear this affliction with an humble,
meek, and patient spirit.

Moderate all my passions : free me from all

ARE AFFLICTED IN ESTATE. 237

discontented and distrustful thoughts : help nie
lo cast all wy care on Thee, who relievest the
fatherless and widow, and carest even for the
strangers. Fix my mind upon Thy love in the
Lord Jesus ; in whom Thou wouldest have us to
rejoice always. Lift up my thoughts to those
heavenly enjoyments in that blessed place where
He is [to which I hope my husband is departed.']
And help me to follow after him with all dili-
gence, in a pure, grave, and godly conversation ;
and, by a careful education of my children, to
endeavor that they may be also with us in that
glory.

Let Thy blessing ever rest upon them. And
now, that they are left to me alone, give me so
mucli the more wisdom to instruct and govern
them aright: and so much the more love to
them, and tender affection to their good and
welfare. Make them to be a comfort for me in
my widowhood, by their increase in godliness,
that we may cheerfully serve Thee together, in
prayers and thanksgivings and reading of Thy
holy v*ord, and communion with our blessed
Saviour, and all other actions of a Christian life.
Prepare us for whatever condition into which
Thou shalt be pleased to bring us ; that neither
fulness nor poverty, honor nor reproaches, health
nor sickness, may ever separate us from Thy
love in Christ Jesus ; but may we persevere in
patient obedience to Thee, till we receive that
crown of life, which He hath promised to them
that love Thee. Amen.

238 PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO

5. A Prayer for an Orphan.

O Lord, who never failest them that seek Thee,
but givest to the beast his food, and to the young
ravens which cry, I cast myself upon Thine in-
finite goodness, with .whom the fatherless have
been wont to find mercy. I3e Thou, O Lord,
Father and God of my life, a most merciful and
gracious Father unto me, and provide what Thou
seest in Thy wisdom to be necessary for me.

Especially, bestow upon me some faithful friend
that will admonish me, and take care of my soul,
to bring me up religiously in the fear of Thee
my God. Preserve me from all distrust of Thy
good Providence : give me favor in the eyes of
others, by an humble, submissive, and good be-
havior towards them. Make me diligent and in-
dustrious in some honest calling, and bless my
labors and endeavors, that I may not be a bur-
then unto others; but whatsoever my portion
may be in this world, give me grace to live so pi-
ously, justly, and soberly, that I may not miss of
that ' incorruptible inheritance, which fadeth not
away, reserved in tlie heavens for us,' (1 Pet. i.
4.) through Christ Jesus. Amen.

6. A Prayer for an aged Person.

I adore Thee, O Lord of life and glory, who
art from everlasting to everlasting, and changest
not ; beseeching Thee graciously to regard Thine
unworthy servant, whose only hope is in Thine
infinite mercy, through our Lord and Saviour
Jesus (/hrist. Cast me not off, O Lord, I be-
seech Thee, in the time of old age ; forsake me
not, now that my strength faileth me : but be

ARE AFFLICTED IN ESTATE. 239

Thou pleased to support me under the decline of
nature ; and, while my outward man decays, may
my inner man be renewed day by day. Preserve
me from all discontented thoughts and peevish
passions ; and enable me to glorify Thee, O God,
and Thy Son Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Sa-
viour.

Make me ever so mindful of my frailty, and of
the shortness and uncertainty of this life, that
neither sickness nor death may surprise me un-
awares, or find me unprepared. O Thou God of
hope, fill me with all joy and peace in believing,
and make me to abound in hope through the
power of the Holy Ghost.

Pardon, O Lord, all my sins, negligences, er-
rors, and transgressions committed against Thy
Divine Majesty ; and fill my heart with a com-
fortable sense of Thy pardoning mercy in Christ
Jesus. As my heart and flesh fail, be Thou, O
God, the strength of my heart and my portion
for ever ; and when Thou shalt be pleased to call
me hence, may an abundant entrance be vouch-
safed unto me into Thy heavenly kingdom,
through Jesus Christ my strength and my Re-
deemer. Amen.

7. A Prayer under any Injuries, Abuses, or
Provocations.

O God, whose beloved Son was evil-treated,
tempted, reviled, spit upon, mocked, and per-
secuted even unto death ; and whose blessed
disciples had also trials of cruel mockings and
scourgings, and of severe bonds and imprison-
ments : what then am I that I should expect to

•240 THANKSGIVINGS FOR

escape the injuries, abuses, and provocations of
this world ? Therefore, Lord, such as my folly
and miscarriage have made my enemies, enable
me to appease, and to gain them to my friend-
ship ; and such as hate me wrongfully, pardon
their sin, open their eyes, purify their minds,
and convert their hearts unto Thee; that they
may see their fault, be reconciled to Thee, O
God ! and then live, as much as in them lieth, in
peace with all men, that we may at last live
together in heaven. And for this end mortify, I
beseech Thee, in all of us, the carnal mind, which
is at enmity against Thee, and all tijo; o lusts
which war in our members, from whence wars
and fightings arise ; unite us all against the com-
mon enemy of our souls; and join all our hearts
to Thee, in Thy true fear and love, that we may
not meditate revenge, but study to be quiet; and
this we humbly pray, in the name of that great
pattern of meekness, Thy Son, our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

CHAPTER IV.

THANKSGIVINGS FOR DELIVERANCE FROM AF-
FLICTION.

Offer unto God thanksgiving.

Whoso offereth praise, glorifieth me. — Psalm 1. 14. 23.

I. A Prayer of Thanlcsgiving for any great
Deliverance.

O God, my God and Father, Thou hast
strangely preserved and rescued me from evil,
and, for the glory of Thy own name. Thou hast
diverted the arrow that was directed against me.

DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLICTION. 241

What am I, O Lord, and what can I do, or what
have I done, that Thou shouhlest do this for me?
I am, O God, a miserable sinner, and I can do
nothing without a mighty grace, and I have done
nothing by myselfbut what I am ashamed of, and
I have received great mercies, and miracles of
Providence. I see, O (iod, I see that Thy good-
ness is the cause and measure of all my hopes and
all my good : and upon the confidence and great-
ness of that goodness, I humbly beg of Thy sacred
Majesty to keep and defend me from all evil by
Thy wise P rovidence ; to lead me into all good by
the conduct of Thy Divine Spirit ; and where I
have done amiss give me pardon, and where I
have been mistaken give me pity, and where I
have been injured give me Thy favor and a gra-
cious exchange : that I may serve Thee here with
diligence, and hereafter may rejoice with Thee,
and love Thee as I desire to love Thee, and as
Thoudeservest to be loved, even with all the pow-
ers and degrees of passion and essence, to eternal
ages, in the inheritance of Jesus, whom I love,
for whom I will not refuse to die, in whom I desire
to live and die ; to whom with Thee, O gracious
Father, and the Holy Spirit, be all glory and
honor, love and obedience, for ever and ever.
Amen. *

II. A Hymn of Thanhsgiving for Deliverance
from trouhle of Mind,

The bruised reed, O Lord, Thou hast not
broken, nor quenched the smoking flax. (Matt,
xii. 20.)

21

242 THANKSGIVINGS FOR

Tliou hast restored unto me ll.e joy of Thy
salvation, and upheld me with Th,y free Spirit.

Thou hast made me to hear of joy and glad-
ness, that the bones which Thou hast broken may
rejoice. (Psal. li. 8. 12.)

I said, I will confess my transgressions unto
the Lord, and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my
sin.

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto
Thee, in a time when Thou mayest be found.
(Psal. xxxii. 5, 6.)

Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity ;
for the Lord hath heard the voice of my
weeping.

The Lord hath heard my supplication, the
Lord will receive my prayer. (Psal. vi. 8, 9.)

He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and
not despise their prayer.

And this shall be written for the generation to
come ; and the people which shall be created
shall praise the Lord. (Psal. cii. 17, 18.)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and
to the Holy Ghost :

As it was in the beginning, is now. and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen.

in. A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Deliverance
from trouble of Blind.

O merciful Lord, Thou hast caused the light to
shine out of the midst of darkness, and given rne
order and clearness, for my former confusedness
of thoughts, and settled my trembling and
troubled spirit in rest and peace. Thy grace has

DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLICTION. 243

coiiifoitably resolved and enlightened me about
Thy ways, and set nie free from niy entangling
scruples, and rid me of my dejecting and dis-
quieting fears, by comfortable hopes of Thy free
mercies in Christ Jesus.

Blessed be Thy love, O gracious Father, for
sending me such seasonable helps and suitable
instructors, who, by clear representations of
things, have happily removed my fears and ig-
norance. And blessed be Thy grace, for opening
my heart and eyes, and enlightening an'd quieting
my spirit, by their means. But, above all, blessed
be Thy goodness, for giving us such sweet pro-
mises of favor and mercy in Jesus Christ, as
may give poor sinners ease of heirt and humble
confidence in Thee.

And, Odo Thou, who hast now most graciously
spoken peace unto my soul, maintain and keep up
clear knowledge and unswerving righteousness in
the same, that il relapse not into guilt and fear,
nor be clogged and disquieted by doubts and
scruples any more. Make me satisfied and settled
in a right understanding of nil good things, and
careful in the observance of them. And let not
any busy workings of the adversary, or of my
own melancholy, make me unnecessarily mis-
trustful, or suspicious, or unduly jealous, either of
Thee, or of myself Let me not be fickle and
soon altered in my persuasions of Thy love, or in
my purposes of Thy service. But fix my heart in
thoughts of righteousness, and in the blessings
and comforts of joy and peace, for our Lord
Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

244 THANKSGIVINGS FOR

IV. Thanksgivings for Rexovcry from Sickness.

1. A Hymn of Thanksgiving , collected from the.
Holy Scriptures.

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. (Psal. ciii. 1, 2.)

Who can express the noble acts of the Lord ;
or shew forth all his praise ! (Psal cvi. 2.)

Which forgiveth all thy sins : and healeth all
thine infirmities.

Which saveth thy life from destruction : and
crowneth thee with mercy and lovitig kindness.

Which satisfietii thy mouth with good things;
making thee young and lusty as an eagle. (Psal.
ciii. 3, 4, 5.)

For His arrows stuck fast in me : and His hand
pressed me sore.

There was no health in my flesh, because of
His displeasure, neither was there any rest in my
bones, by reason of my sin. (Psal. xxxviii. 2, 3.)

My soul abhorred all manner of meat ; and I
was even hard at death's door. (Psal. cvii. 18.)

Then cried I unto Thee, O Lord : and gat me
to my Lord right humbly. (Psal. xxx. 8.)

I said, O my God, take me not away in the
midst of mine age : as for Thy years, they endure
throughout all generations. (Psal. cii. 24.)

But what profit is there in my blood, when I
go down to the pit? (Psal. xxx. 9.)

Hear my prayer then, O Lord, and with Thine
ears consider my calling : hold not Thy peace at
my tears.

DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLICTION. 245

O spare me a little, that I may recover my
strength before I go hence, and be no more seen.
(Psal. xxxix. VS. 15.)

So vvlien I cried unto the Lord in my trouble ;
He delivered me out of my distress.

He sent His word and healed me : and I was
saved from destruction. (Psal. cvii. 19,20.)

O ! what great troubles and adversities hast
Thou shewed me, and yet didst Thou turn and
quicken me : yea, and broughtest me from the
deep of the earth again. (Psal. Ixxxi. 18. 20.)

Therefore will I praise Thee and Thy faithful-
ness, O God : I will offer unto my God thanks-
giving, and pay my vows unto the most Highest.
(Psal. 1. 14.)

For the grave cannot praise Thee ; death can-
not celebrate Thee: they that go down to the pit
cannot declare Thy truth.

But the living, the living, he shall praise Thee,
as I do this day : the fathers to the children shall
make known the goodness of the Lord. (Isaiah
xxxviii. IS, 19.)

And they that know Thy name will put their
trust in Thee ; for Thou, Lord, hast never failed
them that seek Thee. (Psal. ix. 10.)

As for me, I will give great thanks unto the
Lord with my mouth ; and praise Him among the
multitude. (Psal. cix. 29.)

0 come hither, and hearken, all ye that fear
God ; and I will tell ye what He hath done for
my soul. (Psal. Ixvi. 14.)

1 was in misery, and like unto him that is at
the point to die ; but He delivered me out of all
my fear. (Psal. Ixxxviii. 15. ; xxxix. 4.)

21*

24G THANKSGIVINGS FOR

If the Lord had not helped me, it had not
failed but my soul had been put to silence.

But when I said, My foot hath slipped ; Thy
mercy, OLord, held me up. (Psal. xciv. ]7, 18.)

Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy, Thou
hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with
gladness. (Psal. xxx. 11.)

The Lord is my strength and my shield, my
heart hath trusted in Him, and I am delivered :
therefore my heart danceth for joy, and in my
song will I praise him. (Psal. xxvii. 8.)

O how plentiful is Thy goodness, which Thou
hast laid up for them that love Thee : and that
Thou hast prepared for them that put their trust
in Thee, even before the sons of men. (Psal.
xxxi. 21.)

0 ye that love the Lord, see that ye hate the
thing which is evil : the Lord preserveth the
souls of the faithful, He delivereth them from the
hand of the wicked one. (Psrd. xcvii. 10.)

His mercy and truth shall follow me all the
days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of
the Lord for ever. (Psal. xxiii. 6.)

1 will keep the ways of the Lord : and will not
forsake my God as the ^vicked doth.

For I have an eye unto all His laws, and will
not cast out His commandments from me. (Psal.
xviii. 21,22.)

Praised be the Lord, who hath not cast out
my prayer, not turned His mercy from me. (Psal.
Ixvi. 18.)

Yea, blessed be the Lord God, even the God
of Israel : which only doth wondrous things.

And blessed be the name of His Majesty for

DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLICTION. 247

ever : and let all the earth be filled with His
Majesty. Amen. Amen. (Psal. Ixxxii. 18, 19.)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Ghost :

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen.

2. A short Prayer of Thanksgiving J or
Recovery.

O gracious Lord, the God of the spirits of all
flesh, in whose hand my time is, I praise and
magnify Thee, that Thou hast in love to my soul
delivered it from the pit of corruption, and re-
stored me to health again. It is Thou alone, O
Lord, that hast preserved my life from destruc-
tion ; Thou hast chastened and corrected me, but
Thou hast not given me over unto death. O let
this life which Thou hast thus graciously spared,
be wholly consecrated to Thee. Behold, O Lord,
I am by Thy mercy made whole ; O make me
strictly careful to sin no more, lest a worse thing
come unto me. Lord, let not this reprieve
Thou hast now given me, make me secure, as
thinking that my Lord delayeth His coming; but
grant me, I beseech Thee, to make a right use
of this long-suffering of Thine, and so to employ
every minute of that time Thou shalt allow me,
that when Thou shalt appear, I may have con-
fidence, and not be ashamed before Thee at Thy
coming. Lord, I have found by this approach
towards death, how dreadful a thing it is to be
taken unprepared : O let it be a perpetual ad-
monition to me to watch for my Master's coming.

248

THANKSGIVINGS FOR

And when the pleasures of sin shall present them-
selves to entice me, O make me to remember how
bitter they will be at the last. O Lord, hear me.
and as Thou hast in much mercy afforded me
time, so grant me also grace, to work out my
own salvation, to provide oil in my lamp, that
when the Bridegroom cometh, I may go with Plim
to the marriage. Grant this, I beseech Thee, for
Thy dear Son's sake. Amen.

3. Another slwrttr Prayer of Thanlci^giving.

O Lord God, who hast in Thy tender mercy
prolonged my days in this world, give me grace
to spend that life Thou hast now lengthened in
Thy service.

O give me grace to perform all my resolutions
of new obedience, and so to live in the filial fear
of Thee, all the remainder of my life, that I may
at last die at peace with myself, at peace with the
whole world, and at peace with Thee ; through
Thy well-l)eloved Son, my blessed Saviour Jesus
Christ. Amen.

4. A larger Form of Thanksgiving for Recovcri/.

Most gracious and merciful God, to whom
alone belong the issues of life and death ; T, Thy
unworthy servant, who have been under Tliine
afflicting hand, and am raised again from the bed
of sickness, do here present myself before Thee,
in a thankful sense of Thy great mercy and
goodness towards me. Thou hast chastened and
corrected me, but Thou hast not given me over

DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLICTION. 249

unto death. Thou hast saved my life irom de-
struction, and crowned me with mercy and
loving-kindness. Blessed be Thy holy name,
for supporting me under the pain and anguish of
my sick bed, for the seasonable supplies of pa-
tience and comfort which Thou didst graciously
afford me, and for restoring me, in Thy good
time to the blessings of health and strength.*

But I know, O Lord, that the pain and weak-
ness wherewith Thou hast visited me were not
for the punishment of my body, but for the im-
provement of my soul ; to let me see the frailty
of my nature, and the uncertainty of my life ; to
wean me from the delights of this world, and to
engage me in a serious preparation for the next;
in all which I thankfully acknowledge Thy father-
ly care over me, and that Thou of very faithful-
ness hast caused me to be afflicted.

I adore the richness of Thy goodness, in giv-
ing me a right knowledge of Thee and Thy
ways, in these Thy dispensations to me, and in
making them the happy means to bring me to a
sense of the evil of my doings, and to a serious
consideration of my future state. Before I was
afflicted, I went astray ; I forgot my duty to
Thee and followed the imaginations of my own
heart ; my thoughts were taken up with the
business and entertainments of this world, and
the care of my soul was neglected and forgotten.
But Thy chastisements have brought me back

* When any person, during the time of sickness, hath
been light-headed, he or she may add, [and to the perfect
use, of my reason and understanding.]

250 THANKSGIVINGS FOR

into tlie right way ; and now, to my unspeakable
comfort and happiness, my affections are placed
upon the things above, and the things that con-
cern my everlasting salvation. To Thee, there-
fore, O my God, who hast not cut me off m the
midst of my sins, but hast in great mercy given
me space for repentance and amendment; to
Thee will I live hi holiness and righteousness,
all my days ; forsaking every evil way, and
studying above all things to do that which is
well-pleasing in Thy sight. I am heartily grieved
at the sins and vanities of my former life, and do
here soleinnly reiiounce them all ; more especially
those which [ have been hitherto most guilty of,
and to which my own corrupt inclinations, or the
snares and temptations of the world, are most
like to betray me foi- the time to come.* And
in a sen-^e of i.My own weaknor- and frailty, I
earncc>{]y implore \he a.-ri: taricc of Thy Holy
Spirii, to subdue my inordinate desires, to
break the power of all evil habits and to keep
me steadfast in every promise and resolution
that I made before Thee, in the day of my
distress ; all which I do now, in Thy presence,
most sincerely and heartily lenew. And I be-
seech Thee, let me never be drawn to forget or
neglect them, either by the cares and pleasures
of this world, or by the hopes of a long continu-
ance in it, but give me grace always to make
eternity my chief care and concern ; and let
Thy late gracious warning of mortality teach me

* Here confess the sins you have been most guilty of,
and against which you do therefore particularly resolve.

DELIVERANCE FROM AFFLICTION. 251

the uncertainty of my abode upon eartl), and
oblige me to live in a daily preparation to die.
That so having duly profited by Thy fatherly
chastisement, and employing the remainder of
my days to Thy glory, and the salvation of my
own soul, I may be found watching, whenever
my appointed time shall come, and may change
this frail state of mortality for an immortal crown
of glory. All which I humbly beg of Thee,
through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ,
my blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

5. A Prayer of Thanksgiving for a Patient in a
Hospital or Infirmary, on his recovery from
Sickness.

Most gracious and merciful God, the fountain
of life, 1 return Thee humble and hearty thanks
for having spared the life of Thy servant. I adore
Thee, as the author of my cwc, and praise Thee
for the success Thou hast given to those applica-
tions which were the means of effecting it. May
I remember the chastisements, the instructions,
and the deliverance I have received ; and may I
be enabled to perform the good resolutions I made
in my sickness. As Thou hast condescended to
hearken to the prayer of so sinful a creature, may
T call upon Thee as long as I live. Being made
lohole, may I go away and sin no more, lest a worse
thing come unto me. Having known the bitter-
ness of affliction, may ^ pity and endeavor to re-
lieve those who labor under it: and may I never
forget my obligation to Thee, and all the kindness

252 PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING.

of thope about me, [especially to the subscribers
to this hospital, cnicl my other belief actors,^ whom
I liumbly recommend to Thy continual kindness
and everlasting favor, through Jesus Christ our
Lord and only Saviour. Amen.

6. A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Deliverance
from a pestilential Epidemic. — (From the
Book oj Common Prayer.)

O Lord our God, who hast wounded us for our
sins, and consumed us for our transgressions, by
Thy late heavy and dreadful visitation ; and now,
in the midst of judgment remembering mercy,
hast redeemed our souls from the jaws of death :
we humbly acknowledge before Thee, O most
merciful Father, that all the punishments which
are threatened in Thy law might justly have
fallen upon us, by reason of our manifold trans-
gressions and hardness of heart. Yet, seeing it
hath pleased Thee of Thy tender mercy to
assuage the contagious sickness, wherewith we
have lately been sore afflicted, and to restore the
voice of joy and health into our dwellings ; we
offer unto Thy Divine Majesty, ourselves, our
souls and bodies which Thou hast delivered, to
be a living sacrifice unto Thee, praising and
magnifying Thy glorious name for Thy preserva-
tion and. providence over us, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

APPENDIX,

BY THE AMERICAN EDITOR,

DEVOTIONAL POETRY

soul of ocr souls, and saff.guakd of the world !

sustain, thou only canst, the sick at heart j

restore their languid spirits, and recall
their lost affections unto thee and thine.

Wordsworth.

TAKK tP THE LESSO.X, O .ITV iJEAKT J

TiiOU LORD OF iVEEKNESS, AVRITE IT THERE :
THIXE OWN MEEK SELF TO ME IMPART,

THV Lnfry hope, thv lowly prayer.

GENTLY ALONG THE YALE OF TEARS

LE^.I> ME FROM TaBOR's SL'N-BRIGHT STEEP^

let die sot grudge a few short years

with thee toward hkaven to walk and weif.

Keble.

I N DEX.

Afflictions s&nctifiod by the word. Coivper, 14
'As thy day, so shall thy strength be,'

Mrs. Sigoumey. 13

Believer's Refuge The C. Wesley. II

'Blessed are the dead,' Mis. Sigoumey. 25

'Broken in heart/ To one, Bishop Doane. ?9

Christian Race, The Watts. 12

Compassionate High Priest, The R. Grant. 8

Contentment, Mrs. Steele. 28

' Dead in Christ,' The Bishop Doane. 30

Dirg«, Milmasi. 15
'Dove, wfaom the Lord hath wounded,'

Bishop Doane. 31

Encouragement, Boicdler., 22

Evening, Keble. 21

Faith, Miss C. Fry. 16
Fountain opened in the Church, The

Bishop Doune. 28

VIL Friend, The Bishop Home. 10

VL Friends, Death of, Montgomery. 9

XXII. Grace, 3Iisf C. Fry SJO

I. Gratitude to God. Addison 5

in. Hnbitual Devotion, Miss H. M. ll'iUiams. 7

XVTL Innocents, Death of. Bishop Hebcr. 17

XXXIII. 'It is well !' Bishop Doane. 29

XX Vq. Leaf, The Bishop Home. 24

XXX. Light shining out of Darkness, Coxvper. 27

XXV. Litany, The R.Grant. 23

XVL Penitential, Sternhold. 17

VIII. Praver answered by Crosses, Neioion. II

XII. Psalm XXIIl. Tate and Brady. 13

V. Psalm XXXIII, 12— 14. Tate ^nd Brady. 9

XXL Ps:ilm XXXVI, 5— S. Tate and Brady. £0

II. Psalm cm, 1—8. Tat^ und Brady. 6

XIX. Redeemed, Song of the, Montgomery. 18

XI. Retrospection, Bishop Middleton. 13

XXIX. Supplication, Bishop Heber. 26

XXVII. Trust in God, Neivton. 25

XX. Watchfulness and Prayer, Mrs. Steele. 19

DEVOTIONAL POETRY.

I Gratitude to God. Aduisos-

When all t'ay mercies, O my Ood,

My risinj^ soul surveys ;
Transported with the view, I'm lost

In wonder, love and praise-.

O how shall lo^re with equa.1 warmth

The gratitude declare ,
That glows witiiin iny ravished heart ! —

But Tliou canst read it there.

Thy providence my Jife sustain'd.

And all my wants redrest,
When in \.he. silent womb 1 lay,

And hung upon the breast.

To all my weak complaints and crieK

Thy mercy lent an ear,
Ere yet my feeble thoughts "had learnt

To form themselves in prayer.

Unnumbered eoraforts to my soul

Thy tender caie bestowed,
Before my infant heart conceiv'd

From whom those comforts flow'd.

When in the shppery paths of 3'outh

WitJi heedless steps I ran,
Thine arm unseen conveyed me safe.

And led mu up to man.

Through hidden dangers, toils and deaths,
It gently cleared my way,
A*

And through the pleasing snares of vice,
More to be feared than they.

When worn with sickness, oft hast Thou
With health renewed my face,

And, when in sins and sorrow sunk,
Revived my soul with grace.

Thy bounteous hand with worldly bliss

Has made my cup run o'er,
And in a kind and faithful friend

Hast doubled all my store.

Ten thousand thousand precious gifts

My daily thanks employ ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart,

That tastes those gifts with joy.

Through every period of my life

Thy goodness I'll pursue ;
And after death, in distant worlds,

The glorious theme renew.

When nature fails, and day and night

Divide thy works no more,
My ever grateful heart, O Lord,

Thy mercy shall adore.

Through all eternity to Thee

A joyful song I'll raise.
For, oh ! eternity's too short

To utter all thy praise.

n. Psalm 103. 1—8. Tate and Brady.

My soul, inspired with sacred love,
God's holy name forever bless;

Of all His favors mindful prove.

And still thy grateful thanks express.

' T is He that all thy sins forgives,
And, after sickness, makes thee sound;

From danger He thy life retrieves,

By Huu with grace and mercy crown'd.

He with good things thy mouth supplies,
Tiiy vigor, eagle-like, renews;

He, when the guiltless sufferer cries,
His foe with just revenge pursues.

God made, of old, His righteous ways
To Moses and our fathers known ;

His works, to His eternal praise,
Were to the sons of Jacob shown.

The Lord abounds with tender love,
And unexampled acts of grace;

His wakened wrath doth slowly move,
His willing mercy flies apace.

God will not always harshly chide.
But with His anger quickly part ;

And loves His puni^hments to guide
More by His love than our desert.

As high as heaven its arch extends

Above this little spot of clay,
So much His boundless love transcends

The small respects that we can pay.

As far as ' tis from east to west,
So far has He our sins remov'd.

Who with a father's tender breast

Has such as feared Him always lov'd.

HI. Huhitual Devotion. Miss H. M. Williams.

While Thee 1 seek, protecting Power,

Be my vain wishes still'd ;
And may this consecrated hour

With better hopes be fill'd.
Thy love the power of thought bestow'd ;

To Thee my thoughts would soar :

Thy mercy o'er my life has flow'd ;
That mercy I adore.

In each event of hfe, how clear,

TJiy ruling hand I see !
Each blessing to my soul more dear,

Because conferred by Thee.
In every joy that crowns my days,

[n every pain 1 bear,
My heart sliall find delight in praise,

Or seek relief in prayer.

When gladness wings my favor'd hour,

Thy love my thoughts shall fill ;
Resigned, when storms of sorrow lower,

My soul shall meet Thy will.
My lifted eye, without a tear,

The galheri ag storm shall see ;
My steadfast heart shall know no fear,

That heart shall rest on Thee.

IV. T/ie Comjjassionate High Priest. R- Grant.

When gathering clouds around 1 view.
And days are dark and friends are few,
On Him I lean, who not in vain
Experienced every human pain ;
He feels my grief, He sees my fears.
And counts, and treasures up my tears.

If aught should tempt my soul to stray

From heavenly wisdom's narrow way,

To fly the good 1 would pursue,

Or do the will 1 would not do,

Still He, who felt temptation's power,

Shall guard me in that dangerous hour.

When vexing thoughts within me rise.
And, sore dismayed, my spirit dies.
Then He who once vouchsafd to bear
The sickening anguish of despair.
Shall sweetly soothe, shall gently dry
The throbbing" heart, the streaming eye.

y

When, sorrowing, o'er some stone I bend,
Wliich covers all that was a friend,
And from liis voice, his hand, his smile.
Divides me for a little wliile,
Thou, Saviour, seest the tears I shed.
For thou didst weep o'er Lazarus dead.

And, O ! when I have safely pass'd
Through every conflict but the last.
Still, still unchanging, watch beside
My bed of death, — for Thou hast died !
Then point to realms of endless day,
And wipe the latest tear away.

V. Psalm 33. 12—14. Tate and Brady.

'T is God, who those that trust in Him

Beholds with gracious eyes ;
He frees their soul from death, their want

In time of dearth supplies.

Our soul on God with patience waits ;

Our Help and Shield is lie;
Then, Lord, let still our iic'a,ils rejoice.

Because we trust in Thee.

The riches of thy mercy, Lord,

Do thou to us extend !
Since we, for all we want or wish.

On Thee alone depend.

VL Death of Friends. MontgOxMERY.

Friend after friend departs !

Who hath not lost a friend ?
There is no union here of hearts,

That finds not here an end.
Were this frail world our final rest.

Living or dying none were blest.

Beyond the flight of time,
Beyond the reign of death,

10

There surely is some blessed dime,

Where hte is not a breath ;
Nor life's affections transient fire

Whose sparks fly upward and expire.

There is a world above,

Where partinor is unknown ;
A long eternity of love,

Formed for the good alone ;
And faith beholds the dying here

Translated to that glorious sphere.

Thus star by star declines,

Till all are passed away ;
As morning high and higher shines

To pure and perfect day ;
Nor sink those stars in empty night.

But hide themselves in heaven's own light.

VII. TJie F/ic/id. Bishop Horne.

The fastest fri-'iiJ the world affords

Is quickly from ii'e go.ie :
Faithless behold him turn his back,

And leave me all alone !

" My friend, sincerely yours till death:'''

The world no further goes :
Perhaps while earth to earth is laid,

A tear of pity flows.

Be thou, my Saviour, then, my friend :

In Thee my soul shall trust,
Who false wilt never prove in death,

Nor leave me in the dust.

Home while my other friends return,

All solemn, silent, sad,
With thee my flesh shall rest in hope,

And all my bones be glad.

11

VIII. Prayers answered by Crosses. Newton.

I asked the Lord that I might grow-
In faith and love and every grace ;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

'T was He who taught me thus to pray^
And He I trust has answered prayer.

But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He'd answer my request ,*

And by His love's constraining power.
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, he made me feel

The hidden evils of my heart ;
And let the angry powers of hell

Assault my soul in every part.

Yea, more, with his own hand he seemed

Intent to aggravate my woe ;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed ,

Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this ? I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death .-*

" 'Tis in this way," the Lord replied,
'"1 answer prayer for grace and faith.

" These inward trials I employ
" From self and pride to set thee free \

" And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
" That thou mayest seek thy all in me."

IX. Tlie Believer's Refuge. C. Wesley.

Jesus, refuge of my soul,

Let me to thy bosom fly,
While the raging billows roll,

12

While the tempest still is high ;
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,

Till the storm of life is past,
Safe into the haven guide,

Then receive my soul at last,

Other refuge have I none,

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee ;
Leave, ah, leave me not alone,

Still support and comfort me : —
All my trust on Thee is staid,

All my help from Thee I bring,
Cover my defenceless head

With the shadow of thy wing.

Plenteous grace with thee is found,

Grace to pardon all my sin ;
Let the healing streams abound.

Make and keep me pure within : —
Thou of life the fountain art.

Freely let me take of Thee ;
Spring Thou up within my heart,

Rise to all eternity.

X. The Christian Race. Watts.

Awake our souls, away our fears.

Let every trembling thought be gone ;

Awake and run the heavenly race,
And put a cheerful courage on.

True, *t is a strait and thornj' road,
And mortal spirits tire and faint ;

If they forget the mighty God,

Who feeds the strength of every saint.

The mighty God whose powerful hand
Has matchless works of wonder done ;

And shall endure, whilst endless years
Their everlasting circles run.

From Him, the overflowing spring,
Our souls shall drink a rich supply ;

n

Whilst those, who trust their native strength,
Shall melt away, and droop and die.

Swift as an eagle cuts the air,

We'll mount aloft to Thine abode ;

On wings of love our souls will fly,
Nor tire amidst the heavenly road.

XI. Retrospection. Bishop Middletojs.

As o'er tlie past my memory strays,

Why heaves the secret sigh ?
'T is that I mourn departed days,

Still unprepared to die.

The world and worldly things beloved.
My anxious thoughts employed ;

And time, unhallov/ed, unimproved,
Presents a fearful void.

Yet, holy Father, wild despair

Chase from my laboring breast 3
Thy grace it. is which prompts the prayer,

That grace can do the rest.

My life's brief remnant all be thine ;

And when Thy sure decree
Bids me this fleeting breath resign,

O speed my soul to Thee.

XII. Psalm 23. Tate and Brady.

The Lord himself, the mighty Lord,

Vouchsafes to be my guide ;
The Shepherd by whose constant care

My wants are all supplied.

In tender grass He makes me feed,

And gently there repose ;
Then leads me to cool shades, and where

Refreshing water flows. /
B

14

He does my wandering soul reclaim,

And, to His endless praise,
Instruct with humble zeal to walk

In His most righteous ways.

I pass the gloomy vale of death.
From fear and danger free ;

For there His aiding rod and staff
Defend and comfort me.

In presence of my spiteful foe

He does my table spread ;
He crowns my cup with cheerful wine,

With oil anoints my head.

Since God doth thus his wondrous lov(
Through all my life extend,

That life to Him I will devote.
And in His temple spend.

XHI. Affliction sanctified hy the Word. Cowpek.

0 how I love thy holy word,
Thy gracious covenant, O Lord ;
It guides me in the peaceful way ;

1 think upon it all the day.

What are the mines of shining wealth.
The strength of youth, the bloom of health !
What are all joys compared with those
Thine everlasting word bestows !

Long unafflicted, undismay'd.
In pleasure's path secure I stray'd ;
Thou madest me feel Thy chastening rod,
And straight I turned unto my God.

What though it pierced my fainting heart,
1 blessed thy hand that caused the smart ;
It taught my tears awhile to flow,
But saved me from eternal woe.

Oh ! hadst Thou left me unchastis'd,
Tliy precept 1 had still despis'd,
An I still the snare in secret laid,
Had my unwary feet betray 'd.

1 love Thee, therefore, O my God,
And breathe towards thy dear abode ;
Where in thy presence fully blest,
Thy chosen saints forever rest.

XIV. Dirge. MiLMAN.

Brother, thou art gone before us,

And thy saintly soul is flown,
Where tears are wiped from every eye,

And sorrow is unknown :
From the burden of the flesh,

And frozii care and fear released.
Where the wicked cease from troubling,

And the weary are at rest.

The toilsome way thou'st travelled o'er.

And borne the heavy load,
But Christ haUi taught thy languid feet

To reach his blest abode.
Thou'rt sleeping now like Lazarus

Upon his father's breast,
Where the wicked cease from troubling,

And the weary are at rest.

Sin can never taint thee now.

Nor doubt thy faith assail,
Nor thy meek trust in Jesus Christ,

And the Holy Spirit, fail.
And there thou'rt sure to meet the good

Whom on earth thou lovedst best,
Where the wicked cease from troubling.

And the weary are at rest.

<' Earth to earth," and "■ Dust to dust,"
The solemn priest hath said,

16

So we lay the turf above thee now,
And we seal thy narrow bed ;

But thy spirit, brother, soars away
Among the faithful blest,

Where tlie wicked cease from troubling,
And the weary are at rest.

And when the Lord shall summon us,

Whom thou bust left behind,
May we, untainted by the world,

As sui-e a welcome find ;
May each, hke thee, dejjart in peace,

To be a glorious guest,
Where the wicked cease from troubling,

And the weary ar^ at rest.

XV. Faith. Miss Caroline Fry.

Faith, like a simple, unsuspecting child.
Serenely resting on its mother's arm,

Reposing every care upon her God,

Sleeps on his bosom, and expects no harm:

Receives with joy the promises he makes,
Nor questions of his purpose or his power :

She does not doubting ask, " Can this be so.? " —
The Lord has said it, and there needs no more.

However deep be the mysterious word.
However dark, she disbelieves it not;

Where Reason would examine, Faith obeys,
And " It is written," answers every doubt.

Conscience repeats her tale of misery ;

And powers infernal, wakeful to destroy,

Urge the worn spirit to despair and die.

As'evening's pale and solitary star

But brightens while the darkness gathers round,
So Faith, unmoved amidst surrounding storms,

Is fairest seen in darkness most profound.

17

XVI, Penitential. Sternhold.

Oh Lord,turn not Thy face away from them that lowly lie,
Lamenting sore their sinful life with tears and bitter cry !
Thy mercy gates are open wide to them that mourn their

sin ;
Oh shut them not against us, Lord, but let us enter in !

We need not to confess our fault, for surely Thou canst

tell;
What we have done, and what we are, Thou knowest

very well ;
Wherefore, to beg and to entreat, with tears we come to

Thee,
As children that have done amiss fall at their father's knee.

And need we then, oh Lord ! repeat the blessing which

we crave !
When Thou dost know, before we speak, the thing that

we would have ?
Mercy ! oh, Lord, — mercy we seek : — this is the total

sum !
For mercy, Lord ! is all our prayer, — oh, let Thy mercy

come !

XVIL Death of the Innocents. Bishop Heber.

Oh weep not o'er thy children's tomb.

Oh Rachel, weep not so !
The bud is cropt by martyrdom,

The flower in heaven shall blow !

Firstlings of faith ! the murderer's knife

Has missed its deadliest aim :
The God for whom they gave their life,

For them to suifer came !

Though feeble were their days and few.

Baptized in blood and pain,
He knows them whom they never knew,

And they shall live again.
B*

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Then, weep not o'er thy children's tomb.

Oh Rachel, weep not so !
The bud is cropt in martyrdom.
The flower in heaven shall blow !

XVIII. '^ As thy Day, so shall thy Strength be.

Mrs. SiGouRNEr,

When adverse winds and waves arise,
And in my heart despondence sighs,
When life her throng of care reveals,
And weakness o'er my spit it steals.
Grateful I hear the kind decree
That, as my day, my strength shall be.

When with sad footstep memory roves
Mid smitten joys and buried loves,
When sleep my tearful pillow flies,
And dewy morning drinks my sighs,
Still to thy promise, Lord, 1 flee.
That, as my day, my strength shall be.

One trial more must yet be passed.
One pang — the keenest and the last —
And when with brow convulsed and pale,
My feeble, quivering heart-strings fail,
Redeemer, grant my soul to see
That, as her day, her strength shall be !

XIX. The Song of the Redeemed. Montgomery.

What are these in bright array,

This innumerable throng,
Round the altar night and day,

Hymning one triumphant song;
" Worthy IS the Lamb once slain,

" Blessing, honor, glory, power,
" Wisdom, riches, to obtain,

" New dominion every hour."

19

These through fiery trials trode,

These from great affliction came :
Now before the throne of God,

Sealed with his almighty name ;
Clad in raiment pure and white,

Victor-palms in every hand,
Through their dear Redeemer's might,

More than conquerors they stand.

Hunger, thirst, disease unknown,

On immortal fruits they feed ;
Them, the Lamb amidst the throne,

t^hall to living fountains" lead J
Joy and gladness banish sighs,

Perfect love dispels all fears,
And forever from their eyes

God shall wipe away the tears.

XX. Watchfulness and Prayer. Mrs. Steeli.

Alas, what hourly dangers rise !

What snares beset my way !
To heaven O let me lift my eyes,

And hourly watch and pray.

How ofl m}' mournful thoughts complain,

And melt in flowing tears !
My weak resistance, ah, how vain !

How strong my foes and fears 1

O gracious God, in whom 1 live

My feeble efforts aid ;
Help me to watch, and pray, and strive.

Though trembling and afraid.

Increase my faith, increase' my hope,

When foes and fears prevail ;
And bear my fainting spirit up,

Or soon my strength will fail.

Whene'er temptations fright my heart,
Or lure my feet aside.

20

My God, Thy powerful aid impart,
My guardian and my guide.

O keep me in thy heavenly way,
And bid the tempter flee ;

And let me never, never stray
From happiness and Thee !

XXI. Psalm 36. 5—8. Tate and Brady.

But, Lord, Thy mercy, my sure hope,
Above the heavenly orb ascends;

Thy sacred truth's unmeasured scope
Beyond the spreading sky extends.

Thy justice like the hills remains;

Unfathomed depths thy judgments are;
Thy providence the world sustains ;

The whole creation is thy care.

Since of thy goodness all partake,
With what assurance should the just

Thy sheltering wings their refuge make,
And saints to thy protection trust.

Such guests shall to thy courts be led.
To banquet on thy love's repast;

And drink, as from a fountam's head.
Of joys that shall forever last.

XXII. Grace. Miss Caroline Fry.

Grace does not steel the faithful heart,

That it should know no ill ;
We learn to kiss the chastening rod.

And feel its sharpness still.

The saint may be compelled to meet

Misfortune's saddest blow ;
His bosom is alive to feel

The keenest pang of woe.

^1

But, ever as the wound is given,

There is a hand unseen,
Hasting to wipe away the scar,

And hide where it has been.

The Christian would not have his lot

Be other than it is ;
For, while his Father rules the world,

He knows that world is his.

He knows that He who gave the best.

Will give hiui all beside ;
Assured each seeming good he asks

Is evil, if denied.

When storms of sorrow gather round,

His bosom owns no fear ;
He knows, where'er his portion be,

His God will still be there.

And when the threatened storm has burst,

Whate'er the trial be,
Something yet v/hispers him within,

'* Be still, for it is He ! "

Poor nature, ever weak, will shrink

From the afflictive stroke ;
But faith disclaims the hasty plaint

Impatient nature spoke.

His grateful bosom quickly learns

Its sorrows to disown ;
Yields to his pleasure, and forgets

The choice was not his own.

XXIII. Evening. Keble.

Sun of my soul I Thou Saviour dear.
It is not night if thou be near ;
Oh may no earth-born cloud arise
To hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes.

22

Abide with me from morn till eve,
For without Thee I cannot live,
Abide with me when night is nigh.
For without Thee I dare not die.

Thou Framer of the light and dark,
Steer through the tempest tliine c«vvu ark ;
Amid the howling wintry sea,
We are in port if we have Thee.

"Watch by the sick ; enrich the poor
With blessings from thy boundless store;
Be every mourner's sleep to-night
Like infant's slumbers pure and light.

Come near and bless us when we wake,
Ere through the world our way we take,
Till in the ocean of Thy love
We lose ourselves in heaven above.

XXIV. Encouragement. Bowdler.

O God, my heart within me faints,
And pours in sighs her deep complaints.
Yet many a thought shall linger still.
By Carmel s height and Tabor's rill,
The Olive Mount my Saviour trod,
The works that saw and owned their God,

The morning beam that wakes the skies,
Shall see my matin incense rise.
The evening seraphs as they rove,
Shall catch the notes of joy and love t
And sullen night with drowsy ear.
The still repeated anthem hear.

My soul shall cry to thee, O Lord,

To thee, supreme incarnate Word,

My rock and fortress, shield and friend,

Creator, Saviour, source and end ;

And thou wilt hear Thy servant's prayer.

Though death and darkness speak despair.

23

Ah ! why by passing crowds oppressed,
Should vexing thougtits distract thy breast ?
Turn, turn to Him, in every pain,
Whom never suppliant sought in vain ;
Thy strength in joy's ecstatic day,
Thy hope, when joy has passed away.

XXV. The Litany. R. Grant.

Saviour, when in dust to Thee,
Low we bow the adoring knee.
When, repentant, to the skies
Scarce we lilt our streaming eyes, —
O, by all the pains and woe,
Suffered once for man below,
Bending from Thy throne on high.
Hear our solemn litany !

By Thy helpless infant )'ears,

By Thy life of wants and tears,

By Thy days of sore distress

In the savage wilderness,

^y the dread permitted hour

Of the insulting Tempter's power, —

Turn, O turn a pitying eye,

Hear our solemn litany !

By the sacred grief that wept
Oer the grave where Lazarus slept,
By the bodino- tears that flowed
Over Salem's loved abode,
By the anguished tear that told
Treachery lurked within Thy fold, —
From Thy seat above the sky.
Hear our solemn litany 1

By Thine hour of dire despair.
By Thine agony of prayer,
By the cross, the nail, the thorn.
Piercing spear, and torturing scorn,
By the gloom that veiled the skies
O'er the dreadful sacrifice, —

24

Listen to our humble cry,
Hear our solemn litany !

By the deep expiring groan,
By the sad sepulchral stone,
By the vault whose dark abode
Held in vain the rising God, —
O, from earth to heaven restored,
Mighty re-ascended Lord, —
Listen, listen to the cry
Of our solemn litany !

XXVL The Leaf. Bishop Horne.

See the leaves around us falling,
Dry and withered to the ground ;

Thus to thoughtless mortals calling,
In a sad and solemn sound.

Sons of Adam, once in Eden,

Blighted when like us he fell.
Hear the lecture we are reading,

'Tis, alas ! the truth we tell.

Virgins, much, too much presuming
On your boasted white and red,

View us, late in beauty blooming,
Numbered now among the dead.

Youths, though yet no losses grieve you,
Gay in health and manly grace.

Let not cloudless skies deceive you,
Summer gives to autumn place.

Venerable sires, grown hoary,
Hither turn the unwilling eye,

Think, amidst your falling glory,
Autumn tells a winter nigh.

Yearly in our course returning,
Messengers of shortest stay,

25

Thus we preach this truth concerning,
" Heaven and earth shall pass away.

On the Tree of Life eternal,
Man, let all thy hope be staid,

Which alone, forever vernal,
Bears a leaf that shall not fade.

XXVn. Trust in God. Newton.

Be still, my heart 1 these anxious cares
To thee are burdens, thorns and snares;
They cast dishonor on thy Lord,
And contradict His gracious word.

Brought safely by His hand thus far.
Why wilt thou now give place to fear .''
How canst thou want if He provide,
Or lose thy way with such a guide .''

When first before his mercy -seat.
Thou didst to Him thy all commit.
He gave thee warrant, from that hour,
To trust His wisdom, love, and power.

Did ever trouble yet befall,
And He refuse to hear thy call ?
And has He not His promise passed,
That thou shalt overcome at last ?

Though rough and thorny be the road,
It leads thee home, apace, to God ;
Then count thy present trials small.
For Heaven will make amends for all.

XXVHL Blessed are the Dead. Mrs. Sigourney.

They dread no storm that lowers,

No perished joys bewail.
They pluck no thorn-clad flowers,

Nor drink of streams that fail.

26

There is no tear-drop in their eye,

Nor change upon their brow,
The placid bosom heaves no sigh,

Though all earth's idols bow.

Who are so greatly blessed f

From whom hath sorrow fled ?
Who find such deep unbroken rest

While all things toil ?— The dead !
The holy dead ! — Yfhy weep ye so

Above their sable bier ?
Thrice blessed ! they have done with woe.

The living claim the tear.

Go to their sleeping bowers,

Deck their lone couch of clay
With early Spring's uncolored' flowers,

And, when they fade away.
Think of the amaranthine wreath,

The bright bovvers never dim,
And tell me why thou fliest from death,

Or hid'st thy friends from him ?

We dream, but they awake;

Dark visions mnr our rest;
Mid thorns and snares our way we take, —

And yet we mourn the blessed.
For those who throng the eternal throne,

Lost are the tears we shed :
They are the living, they alone.

Whom thus we call the dead.

XXIX. Supplication. Bishop Heber.

Oh God that rnadest earth and sky, the darkness and the

day,
Give ear to this thy family, and help us when we pray !
For wide the waves of bitterness around our vessel roar,
\nd heavy grows the pilot's heart, to view the rocky

shore I

27

The Cross our Master bore for us, for Him we fain would
bear,

But mortal strength to weakness turns, and courage to
despair !

Then mercy on our failings, Lord ! our sinking faith re-
new !

And when Thy sorrows visit us, oh, send Thy patience
too!

XXX. Light shining out of Darkness. Cowper.

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform ;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,

And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful snints, fresh courage take,

The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust him for His grace j
Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour ;
The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan his work in vain ;
God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.

28

XXXI. Contentvient. Mrs. Steele.

Father, whate'er of earthly bliss

Thy sovereign will denies,
Accepted at thy throne of grace,

Let this petition rise.

Give me a calm, a thankful heart,

From every murmur fiee,
The blessings of Thy grace impart,

And let me live to Thee.

Let the sweet hope that Thou art mine,

My life and death attend,
Thy presence through my journey shine.

And crown my journey's end !

XXXn. The Fountain opened in the Church. G. W. D.

Within the church a fountain springs.
It started from the Saviour's side ;

Peace, pardon, joy to all it brings, —
The life-blood of the crucified.

Its living streams forever flow.

Forever pure, forever free ;
The spirit's solace here below,

Its succor for eternity.

" Ho, every one that thirsts draw nigh " —

Beloved, hear the voice divine !
The broken heart, the contrite sigh,

Are welcome there, and these are thine.

Come, then, — the Spirit calls, — come near.
In humble faith, in trembling love :

Drink comfort for thy sorrows here,
And taste before the bliss above.

29
XXXIIl. " It is well ! " G. W. D.

Beloved, " it is well I " —

God's ways are always right;

And love is o'er them all,
Though far above our sight.

Beloved," it is well ! " —

Though deep and sore the smart,
He wounds who skills to bind

And heal the broken heart.

Beloved, " it is well ! " —
Though sorrow clouds our way,

'Twill make the joy more dear,
That ushers in the day.

Beloved, " it is well ! " —

The path that Jesus trod,
Though rough and dark it be,

Leads home to heaven and God

XXXIV. To one "Broken in heart:' G. W. D.

Broken-hearted, weep no more !

Hear what comfort He hath spoken,
Smoking flax who ne'er hath quenched.
Bruised reed who ne'er hath broken, —
" Ye who wander here below,
" Heavy laden as you go,
" Come, with grief, with sin oppressed,
" Come to me, and be at rest ! "

Lamb of Jesus' blood-bought flock,

Brought again from sin and straying,
Here the Shepherd's gentle voice,' —
'Tis a true and faithful saying ; —
" Greater love how can there be
" Than to yield up life for thee ?
" Bought with pang, and tear, and sigh,
" Turn and live !— why will ye die ? "

30

Broken-hearted, weep no more !

Far from consolation flying:
He who calls hath felt thy wound,

Seen thy weeping, heard thy sighing; —
" Bring thy bruken heart to nie,
" Welcome offering it shall be,
" Streaming tears and bursting sighs,
" Mine accepted sacrifice ! "

XXXV. " The Dead in Christ:' G. W. D.

Lift not thou the wailing voice,

Weep not, 'tis a Christian dieth ; —

Up, where blessed saints rejoice,
Ransomed now, the spirit flieth :

High, in Heaven's own light, she dwelleth,

Full the song of triumph swelleth ;

Freed from earth, and earthly failing,

Lift for her no voice of wailing !

Pour not thou the bitter tear !

Heaven its book of comfort opeth ;
Bids ihee sorrow not, nor fear.

But as one who alway hopeth :
Humbly here in faith relying,
Peacefully in Jesus dying,
Heavenly joy her eye is flushing, —
Why should thine with tears be gushing !

They who die in Christ are blessed, —
Ours be, then, no thought of grieving !

Sweetly with their God Ihey rest.
All their toils and troubles leaving :

So, be ours the faith thai saveth,

Hope that every trial braveth,

jjove that to the end endureth,

And, through Christ, the crown secure th !

31

CXXVI. To a Dear One, in Deep Sorrow. G. W. D.

Dove, whom the Lord hath wounded,

Return to Hiin, and live ;
For he alone who aimed the shaft

The remedy can give.

Dove, whom the Lord hath wounded,

The bolt was sped in love,
To win thee from earth's fleeting scenes

To better things above.

Dove, whom the Lord hat2i wounded,

He bares for thee his breast,
And bids thee enter in, and be

For evermore at rest.

Dove, whom the Lord hath wounded,

Yet waiteth to revive,
Return to Him ! — He wounds and heals,

He kills and makes aUve.

Dove, whom the Lord hath wounded,

Break through all dull delay :
His strength will bear thy pinions up,

His goodness guide thy way.

Dove, whom the Lord hath wounded,

Though soiled with sorrows here,
With silver wings, and plumes of gold,

In heaven thou shall appear.

Dove, whom the Lord hath wounded,

No more let earth delay ;
But onward, upward, be our flight,

To realms of cloudless day I

',-^:^'^f.