variety of incidents and changes which fre quently occur in human life, there is full scope given for the trial of every temper, and for all godlike, manly, and social virtues to exert themselves in the utmost dignity and lustre.

To thee, therefore, O God, who alone art fit to govern thy reasonable creatures, and to regulate the affairs of the universe, so as to promote the main end of this thy moral government to thee, I absolutely refer myself. Let thy will bound all my designs, and regulate all my passions. If thou determinest prosperity to be my portion, give me a grateful sense of thy distinguishing goodness; and endue me with that temperance of spirit, that generous and enlarged sense of benevolence, that I may, whatever may be my. station, be more extensively useful, and a greater blessing to mankind. Let not affluence and plenty make me careless and luxurious, and devoted to pursuits of vanity. Let it not banish from my breast the gentle spirit of humanity, to make way for superciliousness, insolence, and ty ranny. Let not any height of wealth or honour make me forget that I am a man, and that all mankind are brethren, who, through

infinite wisdom, are ordained to meet to

gether, both rich and poor, the highest and the lowest, to constitute one great family, of which thou art the common father and lord.

But if, O thou sovereign and all-disposing mind; if in a world, which, in order to produce what is best upon the whole, thou hast made subject to infinite changes, it should be my lot to be depressed, and to struggle with afflictive scenes, let me still adore thy wisdom; think of thee with reverence and honour; and acknowledge all the ways of thy providence to be equal and right. With a composed and patient resignation, let me say, Thy will be done. Instead of murmuring at the ungrateful and undesirable scene, let me endeavour to improve it, and acquire by means of it greater refinement, firmness, and constancy of mind. When crosses and disappointments befall me, let me not be so ruffled and discomposed, as to be inattentive to the still voice of reason, and incapable of the solid supports and consolations of religion. Let not any of the adverse occurrences of life make me dejected, and desponding. Let me learn from them the vanity of the world, but neglect no part of my duty in it. Let me be quickened in my aspirings after, and preparations for, a happi

ness that is more exalted and durable; more pure, independent, and divine. Let me be

grave and serious under these humbling dis pensations of thy providence, but not morose, peevish, and unsociable. From what I am

called to suffer, may I acquire greater compas sion and tenderness of spirit, towards all that are in distress, and a more warm and lively feeling of their miseries.

O God, thou hast been pleased, in thy most gracious and adorable wisdom, to plant in us an ardent and unextinguishable desire of hap piness, and strong instincts to procure it. And I thank thee, for having so admirably adapted the constitution of our nature, to the chief and ultimate end of thy creation and moral govern ment. But though I am thus taught, and strongly incited by thee, O God, to inquire who will shew me any good, and especially, who will direct me to choose what is fittest and best for me upon the whole; yet as I am utterly unable to determine rightly for myself, I most earnestly pray, that I may never be allowed to enjoy any thing that the world is most apt to admire, applaud, and envy, or that I myself may think to be in the highest degree desirable, if it would spoil my temper, or cor

rupt my integrity. But when thou perceivest that this would be the effect, do thou, O God, enlighten and purify my mind. Look down in mercy on thy frail and erring creature, and either raise me to juster and wiser sentiments, or disappoint my fondest wishes; and dispose things so in the course of thy providence, that all my endeavours to bring this most dreadful evil upon myself may be defeated. And if adversity be the school in which my virtues. are most likely to grow and flourish, I pray that this may be my portion; and that I may do every thing thou wouldest have me to do; and suffer whatever thou thinkest fit I should suffer. I shall thus be under thy protection, and have all my affairs overruled, ordered, and controuled by thy providence. While I move and act, in concurring with thy unerring wisdom, I am sure that I am safe, and truly wise here, and that, as the necessary conse, quence of it, I shall be happy for ever.-To. thee, O God only wise, who art able to keep me from falling, to lead me in the paths of truth and righteousness, and to deliver me finally from the dominion of error and vice, to thee be everlasting praises. Amen.

THE GOODNESS OF GOD.

O THOU eternal and inexhaustible fountain of mercy, whose nature is love, and goodness itself! I desire to raise my mind to the highest pitch of purity and fervour, to stir up all my rational powers, and every ingenuous and grateful affection implanted within me, in order to adore and magnify thee, for this supremely glorious perfection of thy nature, which renders thee infinitely amiable, and the joy of the whole intelligent creation. Thy absolute eternity, omnipresence, and infinity astonish; thy mere irresistible power is dreadful; and thy strict justice has a severe and discouraging aspect, especially to guilty sinners: But I can con template thy eternal and all-animating goodness, thy gracious and moderating justice, thy unbounded mercy, and almighty benevolence, with delightful wonder, veneration, and love.

Thou, O God! art always immutably disposed to dispense the wisest and the fittest good to the whole, and to every part of the creation. All the scattered communications of good, that appear in the universe; all the varieties of excellence; all the ample provisions for happiness; all the discoveries of a generous and