A Prayer for the Clergy.

O GOD, who of thy great goodness hast set apart an order of men on purpose to guide and govern us, to direct and assist us in matters of our eternal salvation; grant, that all those, who dedicate themselves to the service of thy altar, may be inwardly moved by thy holy spirit to take upon them that sacred ministration; that their consciences may testify to them, that, by engaging in this holy calling, their chief design is to serve thee, to promote thy glory, and to edify thy people. For which end, I humbly pray that they may make thy word the chief subject of their studies; that they may thence instruct thy people committed to their charge, and silence gainsayers; that they may faithfully and diligently adminster thy holy sacraments; that they may labour in season and out of season, by private and public admonitions and exhortations; that they may maintain peace and love among all christians, and frame themselves and their families according to the precepts of thy holy gospel. Grant also, that I may always reverence and respect them, because they have a peculiar relation to thee; that I may sincerely love them, because of the benefits I receive by their administrations; that I may readily and cheerfully provide for their maintenance, because the Lord hath ordained that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel, and that he that is taught in the word ought to communicate to him that teaches in all good things; that I may never rob them of their just rights, by the least sacrilegious encroachment; that I may earnestly pray for them, because thy divine assistance is so necessary to crown their labours with success. And, above all, make me careful to obey those who have the rule over me; because they watch for my soul, as they that must give an account: that so, by a faithful discharge of my duty to my spiritual superiors, I may continue a found member of thy church here upon earth, and may live for ever in the society of the church triumphant in heaven, singing praises and hallelujahs to the blessed and glorious Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

A Prayer for the Religious Societies.

O LORD almighty, faithful and true, who by thy holy prophet* has told us that, From the rising of the sun, unto the going down of the same, thy name shall be great among the gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto thy name, and a pure offering; for thy name shall be great among the heathen: bless and prosper, I beseech thee, the endeavours of the society established among us for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts: take thou from them, to whom the glad tidings of salvation shall be preached, all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word; so that thy word being sown in good and honest hearts, it may bring forth fruit abundantly to thy honour, and the salvation of their souls: and grant, that all who have heard and received it may live according to its doctrine and precepts, and by holiness of life, and zeal for thy glory, may become eminent examples to all about them. Bless all the religious and other societies among us, for christian conference, and works of charity; for the promoting of christian knowledge and practice among the poor and ignorant; and for putting the laws in execution against the vitious and profane. O Lord, increase the number of these societies, and enable them all to choose the best and most inoffensive means for accomplishing their several ends, and to prosecute them diligently, with a zeal directed by wisdom and prudence; so that, being free from all worldly interests, they may stedfastly pursue the advancement of thy glory, and the good of mankind. And grant, O God, that no good thou shalt vouchsafe to bring about by their poor endeavours, may tempt them to think highly of themselves, but modestly and humbly. Remove all unreasonable prejudices against their designs; shed forth thy love abroad in their hearts, that they may cheerfully embrace all opportunities of doing good to the souls and bodies of men, and not to be discouraged at any difficulties or oppositions they may meet with. O God, hear their prayers

* Malachi, 1, 11.

for themselves and others; defend them from the rage of Satan, and from the malice of evil men; perfect holiness more and more in their hearts; unite them firmly to one another in thy truth, and in the bond of love; and make them zealous of all good works, according to the command and example of Jesus Christ, who went about doing good; for whose sake I beseech thee to hear me. Amen.

PRAYERS AND THANKSGIVINGS

SUITED TO THE

TWELVE ARTICLES OF THE CREED.

A Prayer to One GOD and Three Persons.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given unto all thy servants grace by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the divine Majesty to worship the Unity; I beseech thee, that thou wouldst keep me stedfast in this faith, and evermore defend me from all adversities; who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

A Thanksgiving for the Birth of Christ.

It is very meet, right, and my bounden duty, that I should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God: because thou didst give Jesus Christ thine only Son to be born as at this time for me; who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, was made very man of the substance of the virgin Mary his mother, and that without spot of sin to make me clean from sin; therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, I laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen.

A Prayer for the Benefits of Christ's Death. I BESEECH the, O Lord, pour thy grace into my heart, that as I have known the incarnation of thy son Jesus Christ, by the message of an angel; so by his cross and passion I may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

A Thanksgiving for the Resurrection.

ALMIGHTY God, who, through thy only begotten son Jesus Christ, hast overcome death, and opened unto me the gate of everlasting life; I humbly beseech thee, that as by thy special grace, guiding and assisting me, thou dost put into my mind good desires, so by thy continual help I may bring the same to good effect, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth, with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

A Thanksgiving for the Ascension.

It is very meet, right, and my bounden duty, that I should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through thy most dearly beloved son Jesus Christ, our Lord; who after his most glorious resurrection manifestly appeared to his apostles, and in their sight ascended up into heaven, to prepare a place for me; that where he is, thither I might also ascend, and reign with him in glory: therefore with angels and archangels, and all the company heaven, I laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen.

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A Prayer for Preparation for Judgment. ALMIGHTY God, give me grace, that I may cast away of the works of darkness, and put upon me the armour light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy son Jesus Christ came to visit the world in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and dead, I may rise to the

life immortal, through him, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever.

Amen.

A Thanksgiving for the Descent of the Holy Ghost.

It is very meet, right, and my bounden duty, that I should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; according to whose most true promise, the Holy Ghost came down from heaven, with a sudden great sound, as it had been a mighty wind, in the likeness of fiery tongues, lighting upon the apostles, to teach them, and to lead them into all truth; giving them both the gift of divers languages, and also boldness, with fervent zeal, constantly to preach the gospel unto all nations; whereby the world hath been brought out of darkness and error into the clear light and true knowledge of thee and of thy son Jesus Christ: therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, I laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are fall of thy glory. Glory be to.thee, O Lord most high. Amen.

A Prayer for the Preservation of the Church.

O LORD, I beseech thee to keep thy church and household continually in thy true religion, that they who do lean only upon the hope of thy heavenly grace, may evermore be defended by thy mighty power, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for Forgiveness of Sins.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than I to pray, and art wont to give more than either I desire or deserve; pour down upon me the abundance of thy mercy, forgiving me those things whereof my conscience is afraid, and giving me those gooa things which I am not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of thy son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.