FIRST WEEK.

SUNDAY MORNING *.

A Prayer for the Presence of GoD in public Worship.

O MOST holy GOD, we are weak and sinful creatures, and could not presume to approach thee, hadst not thou revealed thyself a God of mercy, in and through thy dear Son. Encouraged by thy gracious promises, and the mediation of our blessed Advocate, we humbly draw near to thee, unworthy as we are of the least of all thy mercies.

Accept our thanksgivings, most gracious GOD, for all the means, and all the oppor

To this and the following prayer, a passage applicable to the Holy Communion is annexed. There are also two prayers in this work which refer wholly to that solemnity. See page 252 and 257.

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tunities, thou hast afforded us for the salvation of our souls.

We bless thee, O Lord, for setting apart a day of holy rest. We stand in need of being frequently called away from the affairs of the present life; for we are too forgetful of the infinite concerns of the life to

come.

We are bound to thank thee, not only for appointing, but also for preserving to us the day of rest: for it is through thy good providence that the sabbath is still observed, and thereby a season of instruction is afforded

to us.

With unfeigned thankfulness would we acknowledge thy goodness to us, in renewing the opportunities of benefiting by this merciful institution, by preserving us in health and strength. Thou hast been graciously pleased to preserve us during the last night, and to bring us safely to the beginning of another sabbath: Now, O Lord, we beseech thee, to give us

grace to improve this day to its religious

purposes.

With shame we own, that we have suffered former opportunities of this kind to pass unimproved; but, O let it not be so to day. Instead of losing another sabbath, may we endeavour to redeem those which we have already lost: For we know not whether this may not be our last.

We are going to thy house; give us grace, O Lord, to approach thy presence with the deepest reverence; and enlighten the eyes of our understanding, that we may see thy power and thy glory in the sanctuary.

Let us draw near to thee not only with our lips, but with our hearts also. Too often, alas! have we contented ourselves with the

form of godliness; this day let us worship thee in spirit and in truth.

When we confess our sins, broken and contrite heart.

may we feel a

When we sing

thy praise, may all that is within us bless thy holy name. Let true devotion accompany the words of prayer. And may we, through thy merciful regard to our petitions, draw down blessings upon our king, our country, our churches, our families, ourselves, and all for whom we pray.

Bless the instructions we may receive this day. Let our hearts stand in awe of thy word. May we hear it likewise with thankfulness: blessing thee for its precepts, as well as its promises.

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Glory be to thy name, O Lord, for the glad tidings of salvation, which thou hast sent unto us. We are not standing at the foot of Mount Sinai, from whence the most awful sounds were heard; but through the tender mercy of our God, we are come to Mount Sion; where guilty sinners hear the name of JESUS, and are encouraged to approach Thee, by that atoning blood which speaketh better things than the blood of Abel.

O suffer us not to be inattentive to thy voice. May we listen to it with all bumility. May we treasure up thy gracious words in our hearts; and may their holy and happy influence be seen in our daily conver

sation.

Assist all thy servants, O Lord, who minister in holy things this day; and especially him who laboureth among us. May the grace of thy Holy Spirit be upon him, both in offering up the prayers of the congregation, and in dispensing thy word; and let thy blessing attend all his labours.

Thus be thou present with all the messengers of our blessed Saviour. May they all be successful in endeavouring to gather and edify that flock, which the chief Shepherd purchased with his precious blood *.

The following addition for a Sacrament Day may be introduced here.

We humbly pray thee, to bless all those, who shall, this day, approach the table of our blessed Lord, to commemorate his great love to us. While they are partaking of the elements which represent his precious body