bove all; and tendering such as nearest and dearest to us, that are so to thy blessed SelfO let our love be without dissimulation; not only in word and in tongue, but in deed and in truth; loving one another with a pure heart fervently; loving even the worst, so as to wish them well, and seek their good; and having our delight in the saints that are in the carth, and the righteous that are more excellent than our neighbours! loving them for thy holy image and spirit set upon them: and setting our hearts upon them, because thou art with them, and hast a peculiar favour to them, and with an everlasting love hast loved them.

O Lord of love, keep me from censoriousness, and rash judging of any; that I may think and hope the best of all, which their case will admit; and love every one for his sake who has shewed the greatest love for us all, even our dearest Lord, and only Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer for Unity.

God of the spirits of all flesh, who hast

made of one blood all nations of men, to dwell on the face of the whole earth! wilt thou make us to agree in mind and affection as we do in nature and constitution, and give to all nations unity, peace, and concord. And as thou hast called the faithful, all throughout the world, into one body, so make the multitude of believers, as once they were, of one heart, and soul. O let not the seamless coat of Christ be torn in pieces; nor thy church rent into

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schisms and contending parties, fierce and bit ter against one another; but make us one fold, and unanimous flock, under Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. O put a healing plaister to our wounds; and let not those invidious names of sides, and parties, that exasperate be kept up, to give distaste and prejudice; but take away from the midst of us that perverse spirit, which makes us a nation void of counsel; and not understanding the things of our peace, but dashing away ourselves one against another. O God of peace! dispose our hearts to hearken to all peaceable counsels, and to comply with all healing designs. And so allay the heats which our dissentions have raised, that amidst the variety of apprehensions we may yet keep the unity of spirit in the bond of peace, and evidence our relation to the Prince of Peace, by following after those things that make for

peace.

O Lord, rebuke the storms of our animosity and debates; and say to those winds and waves, peace, be still; and they will obey thee. O wilt thou heal our breaches, and give us first the true peace with God, as the foundation for a strong and lasting peace with one anotherO that the uniting spirit of Jesus Christ may so far prevail upon us, as to draw and knit us together in the blessed communion of thy saints; that we may with combined wills and interest, as one man, put forth ourselves to advance the glory of thy name, the public good, and the common salvation of all our souls, through thy rich mercy to us in our blessed Peace-maker, Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer for Meekness and Peaceableness.

ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men! wilt thou be pleased to regulate my exorbitant passions, and suppress in me that pride from whence cometh contention; and beat down every rebellious motion that exalts itself against peace and patience, and gentleness and meekness of spirit! O help me to put away all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, with all malice. And however I am tempted and provoked, O that I may possess my soul in patience, and not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good: and enable us O God of patience, to bear one another's burdens, and to forbear each other in love, that we may not contend but for faith in Christ; nor strive but to enter in at the strait gate; nor provoke one another, but unto love and good works.

O if thou, the great God, shouldst enter into judgment with me, and break out in fury upon me, as I have been ready to take fire at affronts, and to fall with rage upon my antagonists, Lord, how soon should I be consumed, and sink under the sadest misery, past recovery.O may I ever dread to be rigid and cruel, who know the extreme need that I have of mercy!

And thou, the God of peace and love, forgive me, I beseech thee, all the sins that ever I have committed against peace and love. O let the peace of God rule in my heart; and thy

wonderful long-suffering of me be ever an engagement upon me to shew all meekness to all men; and bear the ignorance and weakness, the follies and mistakes, the wrongs and indignities of my fellow-creatures; seeing I myself am undone, without the forbearance of God, and have nothing to hope for, and comfort myself in, but in the finding of such favour at thy hands.

O teach and help us all to live in peace, and to love in truth, to follow peace with all men, and walking in love as Christ loved us, that we may be united and knit together as fellowmembers of the same body, whereof he is the glorious head; who, though extremely wronged and provoked, yet did not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the streets. O let me learn such meekness and lowliness of heart, that in him I may find rest to my soul! O my God, suppress all bitter resentments ih my mind; and let the law of kindness be in my tongue, and a meek and quiet spirit shewing itself in all the conduct of my life. And, Lord, make us all so gentle and peaceable, and easy to be intreated, and hard to be provoked, that we may be followers of God, as dear children; and that thou, the God of peace, mayest be with us, and delight to dwell amongst us, and rejoice over us to do us good, for thy mercy's sake in Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer under Abuses and Provocations.

O MOST high and wise, holy and righteous Judge of all the earth, the great Author

and Lover of peace and truth; thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hid from. thee. How far I have been accessary to pull down these troubles and mischiefs upon my own head, and how much worse than any of these I deserve at thy hands, is all naked and open to thine eyes. I submit, Lord, to thy correction, who dost often use such instruments of thy displeasure. And O that the ill-will of men may quicken me the more to examine myself for that which is offensive in thy sight; and make me more careful to have my heart right with God, and to ingratiate myself with heaven, which will more than recompense for the loss of any one's favour in the world.

But seeing my heart condemns me not in the present case, for being the cause of this wrath and clamour, and malice, and vengeance; and herein I apprehend myself now to suffer wrongfully, being slanderously reported, falsely accused, shamefully and despitefully used, and hated without a cause: I take the boldness to pour out my complaint before thee, O God, and to shelter myself under the shadow of thy wings. Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me; and save me from those that rise up against me. Though for my love they are my adversaries, let me give myself to prayer, and not avenge myself, but give place unto wrath, and commit my cause unto thee, who judgest righteously. O convince my adversaries of the error they are in, and turn them from the ill way they are upon; and the remainder of their wrath, O do thou restrain,

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