near as the infirmity of our nature will allow, to the more perfect obedience of the angels that are in heaven; and thus qualify ourselves for entering into thy kingdom of glory hereafter.

Feed us, we beseech thee, with food convenient for us. We ask not for riches and honours; give us only what is necessary for our comfortable subsistence in the several stations which thy Providence has allotted to us; and above all, give us contented minds.We are all, O Lord, even the best of us, miserable sinners. Be not extreme, we beseech thee, to mark what we have done amiss; but pity our infirmities, and pardon our offences. Yet let us not dare to implore forgiveness from thee, unless we also from our hearts, forgive our offending brethren.

We are surrounded, on every side, with temptations to sin; and such is the corrup

tion and frailty of our nature, that without thy powerful succour, we cannot always stand upright. Take us, then, O gracious God, under thy Almighty protection; and amidst all the dangers and difficulties of our Christian warfare, be thou our refuge and support. Suffer us not to be tempted above what we are able to bear; but send thy Holy Spirit to strengthen our weak endeavours, and to enable us to escape, or to subdue, all the enemies of our salvation.

Preserve us also, if it be thy blessed will, not only from our spiritual, but from temporal evil. Keep us ever by thy watchful Providence, both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that thou, being in all cases our ruler and guide, we may "so pass through things temporal, as finally to lose not the things eternal."

Hear us, O Lord our Governor, from heaven, thy dwelling place; and when thou hearest, have regard to our petitions. They are offered up to thee in the fullest confidence that thy goodness will dispose, and thy power enable thee to grant, whatever thy wisdom seest to be convenient for us, and conducive to our final happiness.See Bishop Porteus's valuable and instructive Lectures on the Gospel of St. Matthew.

Additional Prayers.*

O MOST GRACIOUS LORD GOD, and merciful Father in Christ Jesus, who hast

* For many excellent observations and devotional reflections in these prayers, the author is indebted to the pure and elegant pen of Melmoth.

prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man's understanding, and hast promised to give eternal life to them who "by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, honour, and immortality; give me, I humbly beseech thee, a firm and unshaken faith in all thy promises, that being fully persuaded of those important truths which thou hast revealed to us in the Gospel, I may make it the principal care and concern of my whole life to please and obey thee in all things. And that I may obtain those things which thou dost promise, make me to love that which thou dost command; and grant that by the assistance of thy Holy Spirit, I may be enabled to persevere in the practice of a holy life, even to the last moment of my days.

Let the hopes and expectations of that un

speakable happiness hereafter, which thou hast prepared for those who live in obedience to thy commandments, enable me to pass through this vale of tears and misery with cheerfulness and submission to thy blessed will; and to bear with patience whatever troubles, thou, in thy great wisdom, shalt see fit to lay upon me.

O Lord, give me a heart raised above the vanities and enticements of this world, and free from all its pollutions and defilements. Fix my thoughts, my hopes, and my desires, upon heavenly objects; that, having always in view that "crown of glory" which thou hast promised to thy faithful servants, I may "press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus." And being strengthened by thy grace, and supported by thee in all I think, and say, or do,