Spirit may rule, and all interests may stoop and obey, publish and advance the interests of the Lord Jesus. In order to which end, we pray thee to look down in mercy upon thy servants, and where thou hast placed the right and supreme authority over this nation, give the supreme and choicest of thy blessings, health and peace, strength and victory, a long and a prosperous government, a portion in the kingdom of grace here and glory hereafter, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Give a double portion of thy Spirit to the ministers of the church, the dispensers and stewards of the holy things of God; grant that by a holy life, and a true belief, by well doing and patient suffering, by diligent and sincere preaching, and assiduous prayers and ministries, they may glorify thee, the great Lover of souls, and after a plentiful conversion of sinners from the errors of their way, they may shine like the stars in glory. Give unto the ministers of justice the spirit of government, and zeal, courage, and prudence: to the nobility, wisdom, valour, and religious magnanimity to old men, piety, prudence, and liberality: to young men, obedience, temperance, health, and diligence: to merchants, justice and faithfulness to mechanics and artisans, truth and honesty: to all married pairs, faith and holiness, charity and sweet compliances: to all Christian women, the ornament of a meek and a quiet spirit, chastity and charity, patience and obedience, a zeal of duty and religion: to all that are sick and afflicted, distressed in conscience or persecuted for it, give patience and comfort, a perfect repentance, and a perfect resignation, a love of God, and a perseverance in duty, proportionable comfort in this life, and an eternal weight of glory in the great day of our Lord Jesus. Give to all schools of learning and nurseries of religion, peace and quietness, powerful and bountiful patrons, the blessings of God, and of religion. To the whole land fair seasons of the year, good government, health, and plenty, an excellent religion, undivided, undisturbed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Give unto us, thy servants, the assistance of thy Holy Spirit; grant to me to speak thy word piously, prudently, and with holy intention; to these thy servants, to hear it reverently, obediently, and without prejudice, with hearts ready to conform to thy holy will and pleasure, that we, living in thy love and fear, may die in thy favour, and rest in hope, and rise in glory to the participation of the blessings of a blissful immortality through the mercies of God in our Lord Jesus Christ, our dearest Saviour, and ever glorious and most mighty Redeemer, in whose name let us pray in the words which himself commanded : : Our Father, which art in heaven, &c. Prayer after Sermon. ALMIGHTY GOD, our Glory and our Hope, our Lord and Master, the Father of mercy and God of all comfort, we present to thee the sacrifice of a thankful spirit, in humble and joyful acknowledgment of those infinite favours by which thou hast supported our state, enriched our spirit, comforted our sorrows, relieved our necessities, blessed and defended our persons, instructed our ignorances, and promoted our eternal interests. We praise thy name for that portion of thy holy word, of which thou hast made us partakers this day. Grant that it may bring forth fruit unto thee, and unto holiness in our whole life, to the glory of thy holy name, to the edification of our brethren, and the eternal comfort of our souls in the day of our Lord Jesus. Have mercy on all that desire, and all that need, our prayers. Visit them with thy mercy and salvation. Ease the pains of the sick, support the spirits of the disconsolate, restore to their rights all that are oppressed. Remember them that are appointed to die. Give them comfort, perfect and accept their repentance, give them pardon for Jesus Christ's sake, that in the glories of eternity they may magnify thy mercy for ever and ever. Hear the cries of the orphans and widows in their calamity; let all their sorrow be sanctified and end in peace and holiness, in the glorification of thy name, and the salvation of their souls. Lord, pity and pardon, direct and bless, sanctify and save us all. Give repentance to all that live in sin, and perseverance to all thy sons and servants, for his sake who is thy Beloved, and the Foundation of all our hopes, our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, praise and adoration, now and for evermore. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always! THE END. |