A prayer for one who is disturbed with wicked and
blasphemous thoughts.

(From Mr. Lewis.)

O LORD GOD, the Father of our spirits, to whom all hearts are open, and all desires known; we humbly entreat thee to succour and relieve this thy servant, who labours under the burden of wicked thoughts. Let thy power and goodness be shewn in healing his disordered mind. Cleanse the thoughts of his heart by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit. Suffer them not to be defiled by any profane or blasphemous suggestions, but heal the soul of thy servant, by enabling him to stifle and suppress all such thoughts as tend to rob him of his peace, or deprive him of the comforts of religion. Enable him to be of an equal and steady temper, to be mild and gentle in his behaviour, and to keep his hopes and fears within due bounds. Make him sensible of the wise and kind reasons of these afflictions; that, if they are duly improved, they may be powerful preservatives of his soul against the prevailing sins of a li centious age; may lessen his inclinations to the enjoyments of this life, and deaden his appetite to sensual pleasure, and the perishing goods of this world; that these afflictions may dispose him to compassionate the sufferings of others, and make him more thoroughly. feel his own infirmities, and the want of divine assistance. Open his eyes, that he may see and know the wise and gracious dispensations of thy providence; and, by humbling himself under them, may at length be lifted up and made a partaker of that peace and joy which thou bestowest on all thy faithful servants. Grant this for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Redeemer.

A prayer for one who is afflicted with a profane mistrust of divine truths, and blasphemous thoughts.

(From Mr. Kettlewell.)

O MOST gracious God, in whose hand is the soul of every living creature; protect this thy servant, we humbly and earnestly entreat thee, against all doubts and mistrusts of thy truth, against all irreligious thoughts and suggestions.

Never suffer them, O Lord, to weaken his faith, or to hinder him from performing his duty. Preserve him not only from the sin, but, if it seem good to thine infinite wisdom, from the temptation and the soITOW, which may attend them.

But, if it be thy blessed will to continue these terrify. ing thoughts for his trial and humiliation, Lord, make him sensible that they will not be imputed to him as sin, if, as soon as he perceives them, he rejects them with horror and indignation.

During this trial, let him learn to depend upon thee, that, as often as these profane thoughts arise in his mind, he may find grace to overcome them, and without the least indulgence or delay to cast them out; and that he may learn to shew patience under them, as under every other affliction and trial of thy appointment, trusting to thy grace to assist him, and to thy goodness to deliver him; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

A prayer for one under the dread of God's wrath and everlasting damnation.

(From Mr. Lewis.)

O ALMIGHTY GOD, the aid of all that need, and the helper of all that flee to thee for succour, accept, we beseech thee, our humble supplications for this thy servant, labouring under the dismal apprehensions of thy wrath.

O Lord, enter not into judgment with him; make him sensible that, though the wages of sin are death, the gift of God is eternal life: that thou hatest the death of a sinner, and art not willing that any should perish; that thou always punishest less than we deserve, and in the midst of judgment rememberest mercy. Revive his soul with a sense of thy love, and the hopes of obtaining thy pardon, and the joy of thy salvation, that he may be raised from this dejection, and shew with gladness what thou hast done for his soul. All this we humbly beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

A prayer for one who is disturbed with wicked and blasphemous thoughts.

(From Mr. Lewis.)

O LORD GOD, the Father of our spirits, to whom all hearts are open, and all desires known; we humbly entreat thee to succour and relieve this thy servant, who labours under the burden of wicked thoughts. Let thy power and goodness be shewn in healing his disordered mind. Cleanse the thoughts of his heart by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit. Suffer them not to be defiled by any profane or blasphemous suggestions, but heal the soul of thy servant, by enabling him to stifle and suppress all such thoughts as tend to rob him of his peace, or deprive him of the comforts of religion. Enable him to be of an equal and steady temper, to be mild and gentle in his behaviour, and to keep his hopes and fears within due bounds. Make him sensible of the wise and kind reasons of these afflictions; that, if they are duly improved, they may be powerful preservatives of his soul against the prevailing sins of a li centious age; may lessen his inclinations to the enjoy ments of this life, and deaden his appetite to sensual pleasure, and the perishing goods of this world; that these afflictions may dispose him to compassionate the sufferings of others, and make him more thoroughly. feel his own infirmities, and the want of divine assist

ance.

Open his eyes, that he may see and know the wise and gracious dispensations of thy providence; and, by humbling himself under them, may at length be lifted up and made a partaker of that peace and joy which thou bestowest on all thy faithful servants. Grant this for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Redeemer.

A prayer for one who is afflicted with a profane mistrust of divine truths, and blasphemous thoughts.

(From Mr. Kettlewell.)

O MOST gracious God, in whose hand is the soul of every living creature; protect this thy servant, we humbly and earnestly entreat thee, against all doubts and mistrusts of thy truth, against all irreligious thoughts and suggestions.

PROPER PSALMS FOR A SICK PERSON AT SEA.

I.

1. SAVE me, O God, for the waters are come in, even unto my soul.

2. I am come into deep waters, so that the floods run over me. Psalm lxix. 1, 2.

3. The floods are risen, O Lord, the floods have lift up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

4. The waves of the sea are mighty, and rage horribly: but yet the Lord, who dwelleth in heaven, is mightier. Psalm xciii. 4, 5.

5. He maketh the storm to cease, so that the waves thereof are still.

6. Wherefore unto thee, O Lord, do I cry in my trouble: deliver me out of my distress. Psalm cvii. 28.

7. Thou shalt shew us wonderful things in thy righteousness, O God of our salvation: thou that art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of them that remain in the broad sea. Psalm lxv. 5.

8. Through thee have I been holden up ever since I was born; thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb; my praise shall always be of thee. Psalm lxxi. 5, 6.

9. I will cry unto thee, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Psal. lxxxix. 26.

10. Withdraw not thou thy mercy from me, O Lord; let thy loving-kindness and truth always pre

serve me.

11. For innumerable troubles are come about me: my sins have taken such hold upon me, that I am not able to look up; yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.

12. O Lord, let it be thy pleasure to deliver me: make haste, O Lord, to help me. Psalm xl. 11-13.

II.

1. OUT of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.

2. O let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint. Psalm cxxx. 1, 2.

3. For I am helpless and poor, and my heart is wounded within me. Psalm cix. 21.

4. My heart is disquieted within me, and the fear of death is fallen upon me.

5. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and a horrible dread hath overwhelmed me. Psalm lv. 4, 5.

6. I go hence like the shadow that departeth, and am driven away like a grasshopper. Psalm cix. 22. 7. O God, thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hidden from thee. Psalm lxix. 5.

8. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit; in a place of darkness, and in the deep.

9. Thine indignation lieth hard upon me, and thou hast vexed me with all thy storms. Psalm lxxxviii. 5, 6.

10. Thou breakest me with a tempest, and my roarings are poured out like waters. Job ix. 17. iii. 24.

11. O reject me not utterly, and be not exceeding wroth against thy servant. Lament. v. 22.

12. For my soul is full of trouble, and my life draweth nigh unto hell. Psalm lxxxviii. 2.

13. I am brought into so great trouble and misery, that I go mourning all the day long.

14. For my loins are filled with a sore disease, and there is no whole part in my body. Psalm xxxviii. 6,7.

15. My wounds stink and are corrupt, through my foolishness. Psalm xxxviii. 5.

16. Behold, O Lord, I am in distress; my bowels are troubled, my heart is turned within me, for I have grievously transgressed. Lament. i. 20.

17. O remember not the sins and offences of my youth; but according to thy mercy think thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness, Psalm xxv. 6.

18. Cast me not away in the time of age; forsake me not, when my strength faileth me. Psalm lxxi. 8. 19. Take thy plague away from me: I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.

20. When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for