ordered otherwise, not my will, but thine be done.

While I plead for the health of my body, I would more earnestly pray for that of my soul. Whatever else thou shalt deny me, O deny me not an interest in thy grace. May sickness in the body bring health to the mind; and the fruit of affliction be the removal of sin. May I learn to bless thy name when thou takest away as well as when thou givest. I ask for a tranquil resignation to that Fatherly Providence which sees the end from the beginning. In all my weaknesses be thou my stay and support; in all my sorrows and trials be thou my consolation and refuge. Endue me with patience, fortitude, and meekness under the pains of disease and the irksomeness of confinement. Above all, prepare me for death. Blot out my transgressions through thine infinite mercy in Christ Jesus; and dispose me to do what is necessary for the great exchange of worlds. Amen.

FOR SUBJECTION OF MIND UNDER SUFFERING.

O THOU great Source of help and strength! I pour out my complaints before thee; I am oppressed by pain and sorrow; I am most earnest and importunate in my desires of ease; and thou, who knowest our frame and pitiest our infirmities, allowest me to be so. But, amidst all these importunities to have my own will, O heavenly Father, I desire above all things, to be entirely resigned to thine; remembering that thou only knowest what is best for me, and that thou dost not afflict willingly.

Endue me with strength and self-command, to maintain a cheerful aspect and composed temper under thine inflictions. May I humbly submit to sufferings which I have deserved, and cherish a lively hope that thou art chastening me for my profit, that I may become a partaker of thy holiPreserve me from murmuring under any of thine appointments. Let me hope

ness.

that as they are all needful, so they are indeed bringing about the great purpose for which all thy chastisements are designed; and enable me to rejoice in this hope, even amidst the severest of them.

O wean me from this transitory scene. Let the world and its affections recede. May the thoughts of death, and preparation for it, appease and remove far from me all troubles that arise from worldly attachments and desires.

O lift me above them all, and let me continue to love and care for those things which belong to eternity. Let the consolations of thy spirit enable me not only to bow before thee, but even to rejoice in tribulation. It thou wilt, thou canst make the darkness of my way light about me.

Give me humility, and filial submission patiently to suffer what thou shalt appoint, and wisdom to know how to improve this discipline of thy hand. Point out to me the way of duty and of safety.

O Lord, help me, for I am very weak, and my only hope and trust is in thee. O

let my sorrowful sighing come before thee, and hear thou the cry of the afflicted.

Let not earth shut out heaven. Let not spiritual duties be impeded and cramped, nor spiritual consolations excluded, by anxious cares concerning this world, its inordinate affections, and too strongly fastened attachments. Amen.

FOR PATIENCE.

O, MOST gracious God! burdened as I am with a heavy load of pain and sickness, give me grace, I humbly beseech thee, to collect what thoughts and powers I have left, to employ them all in bearing my sufferings patiently. When I come to be a little at ease, let me be sure to praise thee for it, and to improve it in meditating upon thy goodness. Let me employ the best strength I have in meditation and prayer, and then let me not fear that it will offend thee, that in this state of pain and weak

ness I cannot seek thee with the vigor of health. Let me assure myself that thou wilt accept of a feeble prayer from a faint and feeble spirit, and of a short prayer from one who cannot attend long to any thing; and let not any temptation prevail to cause me to restrain prayer before thee, the Father of mercies, the God of all grace, and the only refuge of my soul. May I reflect that Elias was a man subject to such passions as I am, and he prayed earnestly, and his prayers were graciously answered; and may I be encouraged to believe that thou wilt do, even for me, abundantly more than I ask, or can even think, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

FOR PATIENCE AS REGARDS OTHERS.

GRANT, O most gracious God, that I may be patient towards all who kindly minister to my wants. Suffer me not in any wise to fret myself, or to be causelessly angry; and if any untoward occurrence happen, let me