thy goodness, and calling thy loving kindness in question towards those who are sincerely bent to please thee. Remove all troublesome imaginations from me, and give me a clear understanding of thee and of myself. Or, when I am in darkness and confusion of thoughts, grant me so much light and judgment, as not to conclude myself forsaken by thee, but to reflect upon thy long-continued favors to me, and many deliverances of me; that so I may resolve still to hope in thee, to bear my present troubles patiently, and to resign my will absolutely to thy good pleasure. And, O good Lord, enable me to look beyond these clouds, to that blessed state whither my Saviour is gone, in which there is no darkness at all, and in a humble hope of coming to the same place where he is, to content myself with any condition whilst I am here so far remote from that region of light and glory.

Hear me, most loving and merciful Father, I most humbly beseech thee. Pity my great dullness and deadness of heart; strengthen my weak and feeble endeavors; support my fainting spi· rit, and cause it humbly to hope in thee for ever. Conduct me hereafter so evenly and steadily, so peaceably and quietly, so cheerfully and securely in thy ways, that I may glorify

thee whilst I live, by encouraging others to accompany me in thy service: and when I come to die, may resign my soul unto thee with an undisturbed mind, in a holy hope also of a joyful resurrection of the body at the great day of the Lord Jesus; to whom be glory and dominion for ever. Amen.

BISHOP PATRICK.

FOR ONE TROUBLED IN MIND.

O THOU great Physician of souls, I come unto thee for relief against that heavy pressure that lies sadly upon my spirits at this time. As it is thy visitation, I willingly submit to it, and will bear it without the least repining or discontent; yet, with an unfeigned resignation to thy will, I humbly supplicate thee for the removal of it, in thine own good time, that I may be better able to do thee service. Thou seest the woful state I am in; how my mind is disordered, my thoughts confused, my understanding clouded, my affections ungovernable, my whole soul out of tune, and all my faculties disabled for a due attendance on thy worship. To thee, my only refuge, I now betake myself for help; O, refuse not to speak comfort to my disconsolate soul, but visit me with thy salva

tion. Restore me to a right use of my faculties, a composure of mind, and a ready compliance with thy will in all things. Help me to the enjoyment of myself and of thy favor, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Save, Lord, and hear, O King of heaven, when I call upon thee, through the merits of thine only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SPINOKES.

FOR ONE WHO IS DISTURBED WITH WICKED

THOUGHTS.

O LORD God, the Father of spirits, to whom all hearts are open, and all desires known; I humbly entreat thee to succor me, thine unworthy servant, who labor under the burden of wicked thoughts. Let thy power and goodness be shown in healing my disordered mind. Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit. Suffer them not to be defiled by any profane or blasphemous suggestions; but heal my soul by enabling me to stifle and suppress all such thoughts as tend to rob me of my peace, or to deprive me of the comforts of religion. Make me sensible of the wise and kind reasons of these afflictions; that, if they be duly improved, they may be power

fal preservatives of my soul against the prevailing sins of a licentious age; may dispose me to compassionate the sufferings of others and make me more thoroughly feel my own infirmities, and my need of divine assistance. Good Lord, take from me that which is deformed and polluted by my corrupt nature, and work and establish in me that which thy grace hath wrought in me; that, having thy whole armor fitted unto me, I may be able to withstand all the assaults of the enemy.

Arm me, O Lord, with thy Spirit, encourage me with thy presence; and let me feel the effectual working of thy power, which is ever made perfect through weakness; that I may live before thee with a clean heart, and undefiled body, and sanctified spirit; and may at the day of judgment be presented pure and spotless before thee, by the blood of the Lamb. Grant this, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

AGAINST UNQUIET AND PERPLEXING THOUGHTS.

O LORD, my Maker and Protector, who hast graciously sent me into this world to work out my salvation, enable me to drive from me all

such unquiet and perplexing thoughts as may mislead, or hinder me in the practice of those duties which thou hast required. When I behold the works of thy hands, and consider the course of thy providence, give me grace always to remember that thy thoughts are not my thoughts, nor thy ways my ways. And while it shall please thee to continue me in this world, where much is to be done and little to be known, teach me by thy Holy Spirit to withdraw my mind from unprofitable and dangerous inquiries, from difficulties vainly curious, and doubts impossible to be solved. Let me rejoice in the light which thou hast imparted; let me serve thee with active zeal and humble confidence, and wait with patient expectation for the time, in which the soul which thou receivest shall be satisfied with knowledge. Grant this, O Lord, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

JOHNSON.

AGAINST TEMPTATION.

O HEAVENLY and most merciful Father, I most humbly beseech thee, for thy Son's sake, Jesus Christ our Lord, have mercy upon me, and succor me in these terrible assaults and temp.