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FIFTH SERVICE.

O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, his mercy endureth forever. The Lord will defend his people, he will be gracious unto his servants.

We praise thee, merciful Father, we worship thee; the one living and true God, who art infinite and unchangeable in all thy perfections.

People.

Blessed art thou, O Lord God, and worthy to be praised forever.

Minister.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

People.

Thou livest and reignest forever.

Minister.

Thou art the Lord, and changest not; of old hast thou laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands; they shall perish, but thou shalt endure: thy counsel standeth fast, and thy thoughts unto all generations.

People.

Thou art the same, yesterday, to-day, and forever.

Minister.

Whither can we flee from thy presence? If we take the wings of the morning, and fly to the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead us. If we say, surely the darkness shall cover us, even the night shall be light about us. The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

People.

The heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee. Thou compassest our path, and art acquainted with all our ways.

Minister.

Thou hast founded the earth by thy wisdom, and stretched out the heavens by thine understanding; by thy power the earth is upheld, and the clouds drop down the dew. Thou art mighty in wisdom, wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

People.

O Lord, how manifold are thy works; in wisdom hast thou made them all.

Minister.

Thou art the righteous Lord, who exercisest judgment in all the earth. Eternal truth is thy law.

People.

Upright art thou, O Lord; all thy works are just and true.

Minister.

O Lord God, holy and reverend is thy name.

Thou hast

no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but wouldst rather that he should turn from his evil way and live. Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne. The upright in heart shall dwell in the light of thy countenance.

People.

Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thee; the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

Minister.

We worship thee, as the Lord God, gracious and merciful, the God of love, and of all consolation; thou exercisest loving-kindness and benignity; thou delightest in the happiness of thy creatures; thou doest good continually; and thy tender mercies are over all thy works.

People.

O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.

Minister.

Who, O Lord, can show forth all thy praise? We behold the monuments of thy power; we trace the footsteps of thy wisdom; and every moment of our lives we partake of the riches of thy goodness; but none can say how great, and wise, and good thou art.

People.

Who can find out thee, the Almighty, unto perfection?

Minister.

With one consent, and with our whole hearts, we would celebrate thy glorious perfections here below, until our souls become prepared for thy kingdom, and service above; there to worship thee, in a more perfect manner, through the ages of eternity. AMEN.

SIXTH SERVICE.

REJOICE in the Lord, all ye people, come into his presence with thanksgiving. Sing praises unto him, and bless him; for he is good, and his mercy endureth forever.

People.

We will give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endureth forever.

Minister.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies; we would offer unto thee our unfeigned thanksgivings for thy goodness, and for thy loving-kindness unto us and all men.

We thank thee for the gift of life, for the light of reason and conscience, for benevolent affections, and the useful powers of our minds; we thank thee for our continued preservation; for health, peace, and safety; for personal and public blessings, for friendly enjoyments, and for all the happiness of our lives.

People.

Bless the Lord, O our souls, and forget not all his benefits.

Above all, we bless thee, O ever gracious Father, for the gift of Jesus Christ. We thank thee for those pure and heavenly doctrines which he hath taught, to lead mankind in the way of truth and salvation; for those holy and excellent rules of virtue and true religion, which he hath laid down in his gospel; and for the perfect example which he hath left us, that we might follow in his steps. We thank thee, that, to fulfil all righteousness, he submitted unto death, that being made perfect by suffering, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him.

And finally, we bless thee, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that by raising him from the dead, thou hast confirmed to us the glorious and joyful hope of an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and which fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us.

People.

Glory be to God in the highest; on earth peace, good will to men.

Minister.

Write, O Lord our God, the law of thankfulness on our hearts, we beseech thee, and grant that we may walk before thee, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our lives. ΑΜΕΝ.

SEVENTH SERVICE.

Minister.

O God, our Heavenly Father, who hast sent thy Son to redeem the world; and who by thy Holy Spirit dost govern and sanctify the hearts of thy faithful servants; have mercy upon us thy children.

People.

Spare us, O Lord, spare thy people, we beseech thee, and grant us redemption through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Minister.

Deliver thy children, O Lord, from the power of sin, from the assaults of temptation, and from blindness of heart; from pride and vain-glory, from envy and malice, and from all uncharitableness.

People.

Spare us, good Lord, from all false doctrine, from contempt of thy word; from a worldly life, and from death unprepared for.

Minister.

Be with us in all time of tribulation, and in all time of prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment.

People.

We humbly beseech thee to hear us, O Lord, and to answer our prayers.

Minister.

May it please thee, merciful God, to rule and govern thy holy church in the right way; to illuminate all ministers of the gospel with true knowledge; and understanding of thy word; and that both by their preaching and living, they may set it forth, and show it accordingly.

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