PREFACE

TO

THE ORIGINAL WORK.

AMONG the various compositions of this kind that are in the hands of the public, few are calculated for general use. Some forms of devotion are exceptionable in point of sound doctrine, and others are laid aside on account of their style, or inconvenient length.

The Author of the Forms now offered to the public, has endeavoured to avoid these faults. The doctrine they contain will be found agreeable to that of the Established Church, and he has aimed at brevity, and a scriptural simplicity of phrase. The work would have been more satisfactory to himself, had it approached nearer the standard of ex

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cellency which our Liturgy affords; but he has done his best.

His view was to furnish the well-disposed families, in his Parish, with those helps to devotion which they appear to want. The shorter forms, at the end, have been furnished by another hand, and two of them borrowed from a late Publication.*

The shorter Forms, &c. are omitted in the present enlarged Edition.

PRAYERS.

FIRST SERIES.

LORD'S DAY MORNING.

O GOD, thou art our God; early will we seek thee; hearken unto the voice of our calling, O our God and King, for unto thee will we direct our prayer, and look up.

We are thankful that thou hast permitted us to approach thee, and encouraged us to come boldly to the throne of thy grace.

Let us now find thee, through Jesus Christ, gracious unto us; receive

our prayers and supplications, and send us not empty away.

It hath pleased thee to preserve us once more through the nightseason, and to restore us to the light of another day. O fill our hearts with gratitude, and our mouths with thy praises.

And as this is thy own day, enable us to rejoice in it, and devote it to thy service. May it be indeed a sabbath to us! a day of rest from sin and worldly cares, as well as from worldly employments.

Preserve us from a light and trifling spirit, from sinful and vain discourse, from bodily drowsiness and sluggishness of soul.

Raise our thoughts and affections to things above; and quicken our desires after our heavenly inheritance.