in interpreting his words and actions; never to slander him by false reports, nor unnecessarily to publish even his real faults by evil speaking. I resolve to be meek and patient under all provocations, and to be ready to forgive all affronts and injuries, and to study to live peaceably with, and to promote peace among all men. I resolve to love, reverence, and obey my natural parents, and faithfully to perform the several duties I owe to all my governors in church and state, and to all my relations, friends, and dependents.

Lord, have mercy upon me &c.

I resolve, O God, by the help of Thy grace to make it my constant care to preserve in my mind such a just sense of my many sins and infirmities, as may secure me from being puffed up with a vain conceit of myself, or from being uneasy at the mean opinion that others may have of me. I resolve to be contented and satisfied under all Thy dispensations, how disagreeable soever they may be to the natural inclinations and desires of my corrupt heart; and to apply myself diligently and conscientiously to the discharge of all the duties which the several relations wherein I stand, and the state of life to which I am appointed by Thy Provi

Ee

dence, require of me. and impartial in the examination of my conscience; to take heed to all my ways; to be upon my guard against all temptations, and occasions of sinning; and to cherish and improve all the good dispositions Thy grace shall inspire.

I resolve to be frequent

Prayer after the resolutions.

All this, O Lord, is my bounden duty and service; and I am stedfastly purposed to perform it faithfully unto my life's end. But, O my God, I am not able to do these things of myself: Lord, Thou knowest my failings, and mine infirmities are not hid from Thee: O let it please Thy Fatherly goodness to shew Thy strength in my weakness; to confirm me every day more and more in these good desires; and to keep it for ever in the purpose and resolution of my heart to make good the promises I have now so solemnly made to Thy divine Majesty. Suffer me not, O Lord, to turn again to sin an folly but let Thy grace continually preserve me, and enable me to reform whatever is amiss in the temper and disposition of my mind, and in any of the actions of my life; and to become every day better and more useful in my generation. Make me careful so to live as I

shall wish I had done when I come to die. Let my loins be always girded about, and my lamp burning; and I myself like unto one that waiteth for his Lord. Grant this, O merciful Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, my blessed Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

SECTION V.

The PENITENT's devout PETITIONS for GRACE to live answerably to his Christian profession.

Preparatory sentences of Scripture-Petitions for the graces and virtues of the Christian life-with a prayer especially for the use of the CLERGY.

Preparatory sentences of Scripture.

Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin a.

Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well ".

Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the

a Ezek. xviii. 30.

Isai. i. 16, 17.

E e 2

deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your minds;

And put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness".

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God: When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness which is idolatry.

Flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called '.

According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him That hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue;

с

Eph. iv. 22-24.

d Ibid. 24.
f1 Tim. vi. 11, 12.

e Col. iii. 2-5.

and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ'.

But who is sufficient for these things".

Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights".

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God Which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure1.

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ rest upon me *.

For when I am weak, then am I strong1. I can do all things through Christ Which strengtheneth me".

2 Pet. i. 3-8. 'Phil. ii. 12, 13.

* 2 Cor. ii. 16.

k2 Cor. xii. 9.

Phil. iv. 13.

b Jam. i. 16, 17.

1 Ibid. 10.