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which no man can approach, yet dwelling also with the humble and contrite, and taking pleasure in Thy people Thou hast consecrated for us a new and living way, that with boldness we may enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. Behold us at Thy footstool. Despise us not, though unworthy; put Thy fear into our hearts, that with reverence we may serve Thee; write Thy laws in our minds, and let us all be taught of Thee. So may the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Our Father, etc.

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GENERAL PRAYER,

Instead of the Litany.

I.

LMIGHTY God, Most Merciful Father! We do

not present ourselves before Thy Majesty trusting in our own merits or worthiness, but in Thy manifold mercies. Thou hast promised to hear our prayers and to grant our requests, in the Name of Thy beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord: Who also hath commanded us to assemble in His Name, with full assurance that He will be with us, and, as our Mediator

and Advocate, obtain all things expedient for our good. Therefore we beseech Thee, Most Merciful Father! turn Thy loving countenance toward us; impute not unto us our manifold offences, whereby we justly deserve Thy wrath; but rather receive us to Thy mercy for Jesus Christ's sake. Accept His death and passion for all our trespasses. In Him alone Thou art well-pleased; and through Him Thou canst not be offended with us. And having of Thy compassion chosen us to be heirs with Him of that immortal Kingdom prepared for us before the foundation of the world: We beseech Thee to increase our faith and knowledge, and to lighten our hearts with Thine Holy Spirit; that we may live in godly conversation, and integrity of life.

And because Thou hast bidden us pray for one another, we make request, O Lord! not only for ourselves, and others whom Thou hast called to the apprehension of Thy will, but for all people and nations of the world. As they know by Thy wonderful works that Thou art God over all, so by Thy Holy Spirit may they learn to believe in Christ, their only Saviour and Redeemer. But since they cannot believe except they hear, nor hear but by preaching, and

none can preach except they be sent: Raise up, O Lord! faithful distributors of Thy Mysteries, who, setting aside all worldly considerations, may both in their life and in their doctrine seek only Thy glory. Maintain Thy cause against all opposition; and strengthen all Thy servants: let not our sins and wickedness prove a hindrance to the spread of Thy Truth; but speedily, O Lord! regard the afflictions of Thy Church; and make haste to save us. Arise, O Lord! and let Thine enemies be ashamed; let them flee from Thy presence that hate Thy holy Name; let the groans of the prisoners come up before Thee; and preserve by Thy power such as are appointed to die. Let not Thy foes triumph to the end; but let them understand that against Thee they fight; behold and defend the vine that Thy right hand hath planted; and let all nations see the glory of Thine Anointed. Let Thy mighty hand and outstretched arm be ever our defence; Thy mercy and loving-kindness in Christ our salvation; Thy true and holy Word our instruction; Thy grace and Holy Spirit our consolation, unto the end. Grant these our requests, O Father! and all other things needful for us and Thy whole Church; according to Thy promise in Jesus Christ our Lord :

unto whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. AMEN.

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II.

LMIGHTY God, our Heavenly Father! We in

voke Thy Name, and beseech Thee to turn away Thy face from our manifold sins and transgressions, whereby we have not ceased to draw Thine anger upon us. And because we are most unworthy to appear before Thy sovereign Majesty, be pleased to regard us only in Thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ; accepting the merits of His death in satisfaction for all our offences, that by His atonement we may become well-pleasing in Thy sight. Pour upon us Thy Holy Spirit, illuminating our minds in the true understanding of Thy Word; and bestow upon us grace, that receiving Thy Truth into our hearts with humility and fear, we may be led to put all our trust in Thee only, and live in Thy service and worship, to the glory of Thy holy Name. These benefits we ask, not only for ourselves, but also for all people and nations on the earth. Bring back, O Lord, into the right way of salvation, all poor captives of ignorance and false doctrine. Raise up true and faithful ministers of the

Word, who shall seek not their own ease and ambition, but the exaltation of Thy Name, and the safety of Thy flock. Remove and scatter all sects, heresies, and errors, which are the nurseries of strife and dissension in Thy Church; and may all Thy people be of one mind, and live in brotherly union. Rule Thou and govern with Thy Spirit all kings, princes, and magistrates, who hold the administration of the sword; that their dominion may be exercised, not in avarice, cruelty, and oppression, or any other evil and inordinate affection, but in all justice and uprightness. May we also, living under them, pay them due honour and reverence, and lead quiet and peaceable lives, in all godliness and honesty. Comfort all distressed and afflicted persons, whom Thou dost visit with any kind of cross or tribulation; the nations whom Thou dost chasten with war, pestilence, famine, or any other plague; and all men whom Thou dost afflict with poverty, imprisonment, sickness, banishment, or any other distress of body or infirmity of mind. Grant them firm patience under their trials, and speedily bring them out of their afflictions. Confirm and strengthen all Thy faithful children, who in any place are suffering persecution for the testimony of Thy heavenly Truth. Give them

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