liantly, work wonders for our safety. Especially, be thou pleased, Lord, to work such a holy reformation upon us, that we may be a truly reformed people, as well as so called; a peculiar people, zealous of good works; a people eminent for that righteousness which exalts a nation; that thou, the righteous Lord, who lovest righteousness, mayest bless us, and with favour compass us as with a shield; and cause thy anger towards us to cease; and rejoice over us to do us good. After all the methods for our good, that we have resisted, O what shall we ask, but that thou wouldest be pleased, O Lord our God, to do for us, what thou knowest effectual to reclaim and save us? and after all the grace of God that we have received in vain, O give us the grace which we may not withstand or abuse, but comply with it, to make us such as thou wouldst have us; and to secure to us all thy saving mercies in Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord, and only Saviour. Amen.

The Magistrate's Prayer.

THOU great and supreme Ruler of all the world! by whom all the governors on earth are set up, to restrain the unruly, and to favour thy people; though thou needest not the services of men or angels to assist thee; but canst immediately, by thyself, do whatever thou pleasest in heaven and in earth, with the least word of thy mouth, with the least motion of thy will, yet thou art pleased to honour some of thy creatures as thy vicegerents, and to order and govern the sons of men, by those of their own kind, exalting some chosen out of the people, to preside and rule over the rest. Me thou hast called, Lord, to this honour, and hast been

pleased to set me above the common lot of men, as one of the little representatives of thy blessed self. O King of glory! I wilt exalt thee, who has vouchsafed to raise me, and as thou hast made me to differ from others in this dignity, so make me to excel in every praise-worthy property. O that I may represent not only thy power and majesty, but thy wisdom and holiness, thy truth and goodness, thy justice and mercy. O that I may retain a lowly mind in my high station, and not forget or lift up myself, nor insult over my poor inferiors: but, like the great God, who despises not any, may I condescend to men of low estate; and without respect of persons, judge according to every man's work; yea, delight to rescue and succour the injured and oppressed; to deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and him that has no helper.

O! may I rather fear my accounts, than be proud of my office; and in the fear of the Lord, let me ever be careful to execute that which is righteous in the sight of God; and with all faithfulness to discharge my trust, as one that must be judged myself and find the same measure with which I mete. And seeing the eyes of all are upon me, and my place exposes me the more to common notice, and my example has a greater influence than that of a private ordinary man; O make me Lord, the more vigilant and cautious in the inspection of myself and the ordering of my conversation aright; that I may not embolden others to commit such wickedness as I ought to punish, nor lead people into the sin and ruin which I should help to save them from; nor be a scandal and grief of heart to the holy followers of Jesus, whom I am set up to patronize, and comfort; but let my conversation be such, as shall put to confusion dissolute and exor

bitant sinners, as well as my justice strike terror into the evil-doers. O make me a hearty lover of all good men, and one that honours them who fear the Lord. Make me ever ready and forward to defend, and countenance, and encourage the generation of thy children, such as live godly in Christ Jesus. And let me with courage exert my authority in a zealous vindication of thy glory; and in asserting the rights, and promoting the growth and advancement of thy true and holy religion. O that the honour of thy name, and the interest of thy kingdom, and the welfare of thy church and chosen, may be ever next my heart, that above all things I may seek the things of Jesus Christ; and truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue. And all the power and interest that I have in the world, O may I so lay it out, for the service of thy holy truth, and set forward the blessed design of the gospel of thy dear Son, that after my advancement here, I may not be thrown down hereafter; nor receive the dreadful doom, for betraying my trust, and abusing my authority; but may appear with comfort and joy before my Judge, whose holy cause I espoused and advanced; and whose faithful servants I sheltered and cherished, and shewed the greatest kindness to them; and with them may be raised at the last to that highest of all bliss and glory, which shall endure for evermore. Amen.

A Prayer for all our Bishops, Pastors, and Min

isters.

LORD, most high, the glorious head of all the church! who hast appointed various offices in it, for the perfecting of the saints, for the

work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; bless in especial manner all those whom thou hast sent to bless the people in thy name; and make all our spiritual fathers careful and tender nursing fathers of the church. Grant them knowledge and grace, both to manage themselves, and order their conversation aright; and also to watch for souls, and feed the flock of God, and take the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; caring for all committed to their charge, and giving to every one his portion in due season: that they may rightly divide thy word, and speak it as they ought to speak, and do thy work as thy workmen, that need not be ashamed. O make them skilful and faithful in their sacred callings, and successful and happy in their good endeavours to promote the knowledge and love of thy truth, and all the duties of a holy life. And let both their example and their doctrine be such, as shall help to save themselves and those that hear them. O that they may speak as the oracles of God, in demonstration of the spirit and of power; and that they may show themselves patterns of all the good things which they preach to others; not prostituting their holy calling to serve the interests and lusts of men; but conscientiously discharging it to the glory of their Lord! not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitful.. ly; but by manifestation of the truth, commending themselves to every man's conscience, in the sight of God; and being so good ensamples to the flock, that having preached to others, themselves may not be castaways, but experience the joy of that salvation which they preach; and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Though the world hates, and the devil opposes them, and even many that should encourage their labours, do but strive to weaken their hands and afflict their hearts, O great and good Lord! do thou shew thy own strength, to accomplish thy own work. Open a wide door to the gospel, and defeat all oppo-` sition; stop the mouths of false prophets, and drive away ravenous wolves from the flock, and give them faithful pastors. And Lord, crown the endeav ours of thy messengers with thy heavenly blessing; that they may be mighty through God, to pull down the strong holds of sin: and to edify and build up thy church in the true fear and love of God, and in the right knowledge and faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. And because wise men die, and cannot be queath their learning and talents unto others: to sup. ply breaches made upon us by their mortality, bless our universities, and all the schools and nurseries of good learning and true religion in the land, that they may send forth men able and apt to serve thee in church and state; and to oblige the world, by doing good in their generations, and shewing people the way to be happy both here and ever. Amen.

The Author's Prayer for himself as a Minister.

BLESSED Jesus, my Lord and my God! what high honour hast thou done me in calling me to the office which thou wast pleased to take upon thyself! who camest not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to preach the gospel of the kingdom, and teach the way of salvation. All glory be to thee, who has been pleased so to dignify me; but as thou thyself, the head of the corner, art to some a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence;