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For the Lord regardeth with complaisance, those who fear him; he will support them in times of trouble, and never suffer them to be tempted above what they are able to bear ; and will cause all things to work together for good.

Verily the righteous shall be joyful in the Lord, and be glad in his salvation: the Almighty will be their staff and defence, and with the light of his countenance will illume the shadow of death, when they are called to pass through that gloomy vale.

Beholding the gates of heaven wide unfolded to give them entrance, they shall rejoice in God their salvation, and with transport exult in the views of glory, honour and immortality.

The upright man hath a treasure in himself, out of the reach of the changes and chances of this world. Conscious integrity opens in his breast an unfailing source of consolation and delight, in every condition of life. He is satisfied from himself.

The gratulations of his own heart in reflecting upon virtuous intentions and actions, preserve a constant serenity within, and inspire him with fortitude to bear all the adversities and afflictions, which may fall to his lot, in his present state of trial and discipline.

The memory of a well spent life, affords the most ravishing and permanent pleasures to the soul, and does especially yield consolation and excite lively joy in the gloomy hour of its separation from the body.

But sinful gratifications, and the pleasures

of a vicious life are transitory, pregnant with sorrow, and cast a dismal shade over the face of futurity.

May such thoughts ever possess our souls, and under the influence of such sentiments, may we be engaged to cultivate such purity of heart and life as shall secure for us the favour and friendship of the Almighty Disposer of events and Governor of futurity.

Duly considering the uncertainty of all sublunary enjoyments, and not forgetting that death is the unavoidable lot of mankind, may we carry our views forward into future scenes, beyond death and the grave, and take care seasonably to lay up treasures in heaven.

May we ever preserve upon our minds, such a sense of the presence and inspection of the great and glorious God, as shall raise us superior to temptations, and dispose us to keep our consciences void of offence; that we may have the ineffable satisfaction of anticipating while here, that supreme and eternal felicity, which God, that cannot lie, hath promised to bestow upon all his faithful servants, hereafter.

EXER. VI.

General breathings of a devout soul, in the views of Divine favour, and confident hope of Divine guidance and direction.

Mas. LET us triumph in the name of the Lord Jehovah, and rejoice in the God of our

salvation, who graciously regardeth our devotions, sustaineth us by his providence, and supplieth our daily returning wants from the inexhaustible fullness of his bounty and good

ness.

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Fam. Who, O Lord shall mount, and inhabit the seats He whose hands are pure, who hath not deceived nor defrauded his neighbour, and whose mind is ennobled with moral excellence, and enriched with the sublime maxims of religion, and principles of virtue and rectitude.

Mercy and truth, light and grace are always scattered in the paths of those, who sincerely endeavour to keep the commandments of God. The Lord will guide them in judgment, and shew them the way to sal

vation.

May a serious recognition of the innumerable instances of divine mercy and loving kindness, of which we have had happy experience, fill us with unfeigned sorrow for our past ingratitude and frequent departures from the line of duty, and excite the most earnest endeavours to fulfil the will of our heavenly Benefactor for the future.

May the Author of all intelligence and wisdom, who gave us our rational faculties, teach us the knowledge of ourselves, make us acquainted with the important destination and grand interest of our being, and dispose to a correspondent practice.

O Thou, who gave us life at first, and by whose visitation our spirits have been hitherto

upheld, cause us to know our end and the measure of our days, and duly to consider and prepare for our latter end, before death shall dissolve the vital tie, which unites soul and body, and deliver us into the embraces of a boundless eternity.

The righteous Lord loveth righteousness. Justice and judgment, in concert with grace and mercy, are the habitation of his throne. He regardeth the moral differences, in men's characters, and will finally reuder to every one according to the nature and quality of his actions.

Happy is the man, whom the Lord chuseth, and causeth to approach unto himself; he shall dwell in the courts of the Lord, be satisfied in his goodness, and be glad in his salvation.

The righteous shall inherit the earth. Wisdom marks their steps, and gives them internal peace and external tranquility, and they derive unspeakable solace from conscious integrity.

But the way of transgressors is hard. It is full of thorus and briars. Sorrow and remorse, misery and wretchedness are the inseparable companions of those who walk therein, and its end is remediless perdition.

O thou Parent of knowledge, teach us the knowledge of thyself; shew us the way of the godly, and guide us into the paths of the upright; inspire us with that wisdom which is from above, and at all times profitable to direct, and make us wise unto salvation.

Most merciful father in heaven, impress

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our minds, we beseech thee, with a lively sense of our duty and obligations, as rea sonable beings and as christians; incline our hearts to fear thy name, and may our breasts ever glow with sentiments of love and gratitude to thee.

The Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever ; but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

What man is he that desireth life and loveth many days that he may see good? Let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile.

Depart from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be satisfied.

O Lord, Thou art our hope and confidence. Thy name is great; it is excellent in all the earth, whoso offereth praise glorifieth thee, and he that ordereth his conversation aright shall see thy salvation.

EXER. VII.

Ascriptions of praise to God, with expressions of reverence, adapted to beget awe and excite holy caution.

Mas. ASCRIBE unto the Lord, ye nations of the earth, ascribe unto the Lord, glory and power, majesty and dominion; reverence his great and holy name, and worship at bis footstool.

Fam. The Lord our God is the Creator

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