in all things, giving offence to none, but doing good to all I can; that I may receive pardon from Thee for all my sins, and a pity for all my infirmities, and thy blessing upon all my actions, and a sanctification of all my intentions; and when my life is done, I may have the peace of God, and the testimony of a holy conscience to accompany me to my grave, and to consign me to a holy and a blessed resurrection, to partake of the inheritance which thou hast provided for thy saints and servants. Grant this for Jesus Christ's sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Prayers to be used by married Persons,

O ETERNAL and gracious Father, who hast consecrated the holy estate of marriage to become mysterious, and to represent the union of Christ and his Church, let thy holy Spirit so guide me in fulfilling the duties of this state, that it may not become a sin unto me. Let me, in all accidents and circumstances, be uniform in my duty towards Thee; affectionate to, and beloved by, my wife [or husband] a guide and good example to my family, and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, a follower of those holy pairs, who have served Thee with godliness, and a good testimony. And the blessings of the eternal God, blessings of the right hand and of the left, be upon the body and soul of thy servant, my wife, [or husband,] and abide upon her, till the

end

end of a holy and happy life; and grant that both of us may live together in the mansions of eternal blessedness, with the holy and eternal Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Prayer by the Mother during Pregnancy.

O ALMIGHTY Father of men and angels, in whose hands are the keys of life and death, of the womb and of the grave, look down, in great mercy and gentlest compassion, upon thy servant. Thou hast, O God, upon the weakest of mankind, fixed the sharpest decree of painful childbirth; but so thou lovest to magnify thy mercies and thy power, that thy strength may be seen in our weakness; so let it be, O God, unto thy handmaid, let thy loving-kindness be my confidence and my rest, my hope and my security, now and in the hour of my travel.

Lord, let thy holy Angels be present with thy servant, in their holy and charitable ministeries about my person; it is a great thing that I ask ; but I beg it of the great King of heaven and earth, the Lord of Angels, who hath promised that his Angels shall stand around them that fear the Lord : look, O Lord, upon my fear, it is humble, but it is trembling: look upon my love, and make it what it is not yet: do thou sanctify my fear of thee, and change it into obedienee, and carefulness of duty;

encrease

encrease my love of Thee, and make it to be pure and perfect, operative and busy, zealous and obedient; make it to grow up to the perfections of a Christian, and pass unto the beauties of holiness; so shall thy servant feel thy daily mercies, and no evil shall come near to hurt me.

Gracious Father, give thy servant leave to rely upon thy glorious promises. Thou hast commanded us to call upon Thee in our trouble, and hast promised to deliver us: O look upon thy handmaid, leave me not, nor forsake me; for there is none that can help or deliver, but only thou, O God. In thee, O Lord, do I trust, let thy servant never be confounded. Be pleased, O Lord, to give thy servant patience, perfect resignation of her own will, and a conformity to thine; that I may with joy receive the blessing which thou wilt chuse for me, and which I humbly beg of Thee, even that I may have a holy, a healthful, a joyful, and a safe deliverance of my burden: Lord, keep me from all sad accidents, and evil contingences, from violent pains and passions, and from all unquietness of spirit.

O Lord, my God, give thy servant leave to pray unto Thee, that thou wilt not cut me off in the midst of my days, nor forsake me when my strength faileth but spare me, O God, not for any purposes of vanity, or the satisfaction of any impotent or secular desires, but that I may live to serve Thee, to redeem my time mispent in folly, to get

victory

victory over temptations, and perfect dominion over my passions; to grow great in Religion, and of an excellent charity and devotion. O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, before I go hence and am no more seen; so shall thy servant rejoice in thy mercies, and speak of thy lovingkindness in the Church of thy redeemed ones, and will spend her days in holiness and zealous pursuances of Religion, Remove my sins far from me, as the east is from the west; for thou didst send thy most holy Son to die for us, and redeem us from all the powers of sin and hell: Thou knowest whereof we were made, and rememberest that we are but dust: O do not visit my sins upon me by a hasty death, but manifest thy mercies and thy pardon, by giving me Grace, that I may live a holy life. And be pleased to grant this also, that those impressions of fear and love, of hope and desire, which thy Grace in the circumstances of my present condition makes upon me, may abide in my soul for ever; and, in the days of ease and safety, may be as operative and productive of holiness, as now they are of a hearty prayer, and passionate desires for thy mercies upon me, in a safe and blessed child birth.

Lord bless my child, grant it may be born with a right shape, and a perfect body, with a comely countenance, and straight limbs, with entire senses, and ready faculties, with an excellent power of understanding, and sweet dispositions; and let thy holy Spirit of Grace conduct it to the Sacrament

of

of Baptism, and in safety and holiness from the cradle to the grave. Grant this, O eternal God, for his sake, who suffered the infirmities of nature, and died for our sins, and rose again for our justifi cation, even our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

After Recovery from Child-birth.

AS it hath pleased Almighty God, who hath commanded us when we are afflicted to pray, and hath promised to be with us in trouble; to make good his truth and mercy unto me, in standing at my right hand in the day of my sorrow and danger, giving me safe deliverance, [* and a living and hopeful child] I, therefore, return to Thee, O God, the sacrifice of a thankful and joyful heart, in an humble acknowlegment of thy divine mercies and goodness unto me, in this great blessing and deliverance [from the pain and peril of child-birth. Or else name any other instance in which the minister is required to give thanks.]

The Psalm or Hymn of Thanksgiving.

THE Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want: he maketh me lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me besides the still waters.

This may be inserted, or omitted, according to the present circumstances,