of the heavens and the earth, and of all things thereto belonging, whether visible or invisible, and to answer the purposes of his wisdom and benevolence they are and were created.

His all-animating presence pervades, supports, sustains and connects the whole frame of nature, and the whole creation is the care and charge of his beneficent providence.

God is our refuge and strength, our joy and hope. If he be for us, we will not fear, though the earth tremble under our feet, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, to whose infallible direction and sovereign disposal, all the convulsions, commotions and changes, that happen in the natural or moral world, are subject.

He causeth the wrath of man to praise him, and restraineth the remainder thereof. Prosperity and success depend upon his blessing, and his frown disconcerteth the deepest policies of men, and turneth their counsels into foolishness.

Who would not fear thee, O Thou King of nations? For to thee doth it appertain to order the circumstances of all mankind, and to dispense blessings or calamities among the inhabitants of the earth.

Thou, even Thou, O Lord God Omnipo. tent, art to be feared, and who can stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

When we suffer thy terrors, we are distracted; but the light of thy countenance

beams the most lively joy and gladness into our souls.

Amidst the alternate course of good and evil, with which this sublunary scene is chequered, teach us cheerfully to acquiesce in thy government, and whether our circumstances be more or less prosperous or calamitous, may the praises of our God always employ our hearts and tongues.

Ŏ Thou Sovereign Power, who regulatest the wide expanse of heaven, and superintendest all the affairs of this lower world, may thine excellency make us afraid to sin, and excite us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

Let all the earth stand in awe of thee, and all the inhabitants of the world bow before thee with reverence and adoration.

Let all people walk before thee with holy caution and circumspection, keeping in view that approaching day of reckoning, when every one must give an account of himself to thee.

Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief and finally inherit sorrow and trouble.

Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be dismayed at their insolence and revilings. Who art thou, that shouldst be afraid of man, that shall die, "and of the son of man, that shall be made as grass," and forgettest the Lord thy Maker, in whom alone thou canst find unfailing security and everlasting consolation.

Whoso casteth off the fear of the Lord, and

despiseth his commandments shall be destroyed; but he that standeth in awe of his word, and obeyeth his holy laws, shall rejoice in his salvation, and receive a glorious reward.

EXER. VIII.

Confession of sin, with deep contrition, accompanied with earnest prayer for pardoning mercy, and with resolutions of repentance.

Mas. HEAR our prayer, O God, and hearken to the voice of our supplication; for we are exceedingly troubled, and our hearts are disquieted within us, because of our transgressions.

Fam. What shall we say unto thee, O Thou preserver of men! We have sinned, and done evil in the view of thine omniscience, and are no more worthy to be called thy children.

Bebold, O Lord, we are vile; we have done perversely, and been disobedient to thy holy commandments; in many things have we of fended, and in all come short of thy glory.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but if we confess and forsake our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

Considering that those who cover their sins shall not prosper; but those who confess and forsake them shall find mercy.

Wherefore let us humble ourselves greatly before Almighty God, giving glory to him with confessions, supplications, and resolutions of new obedience.

Realizing our sins, we are afraid; trembling taketh hold of our flesh; our souls are oppressed with heaviness, and our hearts are rent within us.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart; such sacrifices, O God, thou wilt not despise.

To us, O Lord, belongeth confusion of face, because we have sinned; but to thee belong forgiveness.

Be gracious to us, O our God; cleanse us from our wickedness, and blot out our transgressions, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

Surely it is meet to be said unto God, we have borne chastisement; if we have done iniquity, we will do no more.

Inspire us, O God, with that godly sorrow, which worketh repentance unto salvation, and which shall express itself in fruits meet. for repentance.

Cleanse us and we shall be free, wash us and we shall be whiter than snow; make us to hear the transporting voice of pardoning mercy, that the bones, which thou has brok en, may rejoice.

Give us a right mind, O most merciful Father in heaven, and renew a right spirit within us; inspire us with holy resolutions, and uphold us by thy free spirit.

Then shall our tongues be continually em

ployed in celebrating thy praises, and we shall pass the time of our sojourning on earth, in joyful hope of thy mercy unto eternal life.

May our souls be sprinkled with the blood of atonement, and clothed with the garments of salvation, that we may finally come to the heavenly Zion with songs of everlasting joy on our heads.

EXER. IX.

Expressions of fixed resolutions to praise God on account of his perfections and providence, and of hope and confidence in him.

Mas. My heart is fixed, O God! my heart is fixed, I will sing and give praise, for thy mercy transcends the highest orb of heaven, and thy truth reacheth above the skies.

Fam. Awake, up my glory; awake all the powers of my soul; awake and give thanks unto the Lord, and celebrate the praises of his goodness, to which I am indebted for life and all its blessings.

O Lord our God, we will extol and magnify thy loving kindness among the people, and will triumph in thy mercy; for thou hast been our defence and refuge in trouble; thy paternal arm hath hitherto protected and supported us, and thy beneficent hand supplies our daily returning wants.

We will ascribe unto thee dominion and power, for thy providence extends to the ends of the earth, and the whole family of man