ervation, and for the bounties of thy providence, by which our temporal wants are daily supplied. Especially we would adore thee, O blessed Lord God, for the unspeakable gift of thy Son, for our redemption; and that to fulfil the purpose of thy love concerning the human race, he freely gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time. May we herein behold what manner of love, O heavenly Father, thou hast bestowed upon us; and may we be enabled, by the influence of that love, to show forth thy most worthy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness, all our days.

And since we are favoured with this opportunity of uniting together in social worship, accept, O Lord, we beseech thee, our humble offering, and crown us and our religious services with thy blessing, according to our necessities, and thy good pleasure; granting us in this world, the knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life and glory immortal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Prayer before Sermon in the Afternoon.

AMEN.

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Father of mercies-We thy frail and needy creatures desire to humble ourselves before thee, under a deep sense of our sins and great unworthiness, and of our entire dependance on thy goodness and bounty. We would also come before thee with the voice of thanksgiving and praise, in a grateful acknowledgment of thy favour and lovingkindness, so variously, and so constantly manifested toward us. What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits? We will take the cup of salvation, and will call on the name of the Lord.

We would adore thee, and praise thy name, O

heavenly Father, for all the temporal blessings of thy good providence, which are still continued unto us, and by which our numerous, and constantly returning wants are so bountifully supplied, giving us richly all things to enjoy. We thank thee, especially for our religious and Christian privileges: for the means of knowledge and grace, and for the hope of everlasting salvation and glory, through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. In view of these inestimable favours, and heavenly prospects, may we no longer yield ourselves, nor any of our faculties of body or mind, as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but may we yield ourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness unto God. May thy testimonies be our study, and thy worship and service our holy delight and our joy.

Guide us, O Lord, we pray thee, in the way of truth and peace. Prepare us for all the events of thy providence which yet await us in this transitory state: sustain us by thy grace in every trial; support and comfort us in affliction, and sanctify to us all thy dispensations. In prosperity may we be humble and grateful: in adversity may we be resigned and patient; and with thine apostle of old, may we learn in whatsoever state we are therewith to be content.

We devoutly thank thee, O heavenly Father, for the opportunity of assembling this afternoon for thy worship. May we solemnly realize how great, and how good a thing it is, to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Be in the midst of us, we pray thee, by thy gracious influences. Sanctify us to these holy services, and shower down thy blessings upon us, suited to our various circumstances and wants; and may each of us find it good for us to be here. May every part of these religious exercises

be devoutly performed to thine acceptance, and to our édification. May we praise thee with joyful hearts may we call upon thee in sincerity and fervour; and may the instructions and counsels which shall be communicated to us, be in accordance with the word of truth, and the gospel of thy graceeven that word of the Lord which endureth for ever. And may the same be cordially received, and bring forth in us the fruits of holiness and sincere obedience, to the glory and praise of thy holy name, O our Father, and our God.

And grant, we earnestly entreat thee, O Lord, that the divine instructions, the rich consolations, and the sublime hopes of the gospel may be extended to all mankind: that the earth may be full of the knowledge of the Lord: that all people may worship thee, sing of thee, and praise thy name-which is great, wonderful and holy. To this end we pray that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified that its heavenly light may penetrate the yet benighted parts of the earth, where gross darkness covers the minds of the people; converting sinners from the error of their way: turning the heart of the fathers with the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready, among them also, a people prepared for the Lord.

Heavenly Father, we would offer our fervent petitions in behalf of all worshipping congregations this day, wherever assembled. May the divine influences be with them. May the voice of him that bringeth good tidings be heard among them, publishing peace and salvation, and saying unto Zion, Thy God reigneth;" and may great grace be upon them all. May the cause of virtue and piety, and of pure gospel truth and heavenly charity, be promoted this day, to the honour of thy name, and the in

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creased happiness and joy of thy people, O Lord our God.

And now, holy Father, in closing our supplica-: tions at this time, we would, with humble confidence, address ourselves unto thee in the form and language prescribed by thy Son Jesus to his early disciples-saying as taught by him, "Our Father,. who art in heaven," &c.

[Repeat the Lord's Prayer entire].

For Morning, before Sermon.

OUR Father who art in heaven-We adore thee as the high and holy one who inhabiteth eternity, whose nature and whose name is love. We rejoice that all eyes are permitted to wait upon thee, and that thou openest thy hand and fillest all things living with plenteousness. We rejoice exceedingly in the privilege of addressing thee by the endearing name of Father. We lament that we have so often been such ungrateful and disobedient children of a most kind and indulgent parent; who notwithstanding our waywardness, and our repeated deviations from the path of duty, hath never forsaken us, nor withheld from us the tokens of his mercy and loving-kindness. Numerous as our daily wants, O heavenly Father, and unceasing as our entire dependance, have thy blessings been showered down upon us. Thy care has watched over us in the darkness and in the light, which to thee are both alike; for the darkness is no darkness with thee, and thou hast guarded us amid dangers innumerable, both seen and unseen by mortal eyes.

We praise thee especially, O our Father and our God, for the gospel of thy free and boundless grace, in which are eminently exhibited the eternal purposes of thy love: by which life and immortality have been brought to light: which furnishes a hope, which maketh not ashamed, and which is as an an

chor to the soul, both sure and steadfast. May we duly prize these wonderful displays of thy goodness to the children of men. May we manifest our ardent gratitude, by lives of virtuous obedience, and pious resignation to thy holy will.

We thank thee, O gracious Father, that in the midst of dangers thou hast preserved our lives to the present time, and that by thy good providence we have been permitted to assemble together this morning for Christian and social worship; to unite in the solemn services of religious devotion, of supplications and prayers, of praise and thanksgiving; and that we may derive instruction and consolation from thy holy word. Bless us, we pray thee, in our devotions at this time, and let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord our strength and our Redeemer. Refresh us with the tokens of thy love and favour; for thy favour is life, and thy lovingkindness is better than life. May we be sensible of our dependance on thee, and may we have an abiding confidence in thy mercy, and thy Fatherly care; being assured that thou carest for us. May we never be left, even in the darkest seasons, and the most trying circumstances, to distrust thy goodness, or charge our Maker foolishly; but may we remember the declaration of thy servant of old, that the Lord doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men; that though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies; and that though our strength and our heart fail us, God will be the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever.

Forgive our sins, we beseech thee, O Lord, for they are great, and our transgressions for they are many. They are a burden too heavy for us to bear;