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unfeignedly thankful, and turn unto thee | teth not up his mercies for ever in dis with true repentance and sincerity of pleasure: But if we confess our sins, he heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayers for Persons under Sentence

of Death.

When a Criminal is under Sentence of Death, the Minister shall proceed, immediately after the Collect, O God, who sparest, &c. to exhort him after this Form, or other like:

EARLY beloved, it hath pleased AlDmighty God, in his justice, to bring you under the sentence and condemnation of the law: You are shortly to suffer death in such a manner, that others, warned by your example, may be the more afraid to offend; and we pray God, that you may make such use of your punishments in this world, that your soul may be saved in the world to come.

is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Do not either way abuse the goodness of God, who calleth us mercifully to amendment, and of his endless pity promiseth us forgiveness of that which is past, if with a perfect and true heart we return unto him.

Since therefore you are soon to pass into an endless and unchangeable state, and your future happiness or misery depends upon the few moments which are left you; I require you strictly to examine yourself, and your estate both towards God and towards man; and let no worldly consideration hinder you from making a true and full confession of your sins, and giving all the satisfaction which is in your power to every one whom you have wronged or injured; that you may find mercy at your heavenly Father's hand, for Christ's sake, and not be condemned in the dreadful day of judgment.

Wherefore we come to you in the bowels of compassion; and, being desirous that you should avoid presumption on the one hand, and despair on the other, Lastly, beloved, submit yourself with shall plainly lay before you the wretched- Christian resignation to the just judg ness of your condition, and declare how ment of God, which your own crimes far you ought to depend on the mercies have brought upon you, and be in chaof God, and the merits of our Saviour.rity with all men; being ready sincerely Consider then seriously with yourself, in all appearance the time of your dissolution draweth near; your sins have laid fast hold upon you; you are soon to be removed from among men by a violent death; and you shall fade away suddenly like the grass, which in the morning is green and groweth up, but in the evening is cut down, dried up, and withered. After you have thus finished the course of a sinful and miserable life, you shall appear before the Judge of all flesh; who, as he pronounces blessings on the righteous, shall likewise say, with a terrible voice of most just judgment, to the wicked, Go, ye accursed, into the fire everlasting, prepared for the devil and his angels.

Your sins have brought you too near this dreadful sentence: It is therefore your part and duty, my brother, humbly to confess and bewail your great and manifold offences, and to repent you truly of your sins, as you tender the eternal salvation of your soul.

Be not deceived with a vain and presumptuous expectation of God's favour, nor say within yourself, Peace, Peace, where there is no peace; for there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked. God is not mocked; he is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; and without holiness no man shall see the Lord. On the other hand, despair not of God's mercy, though trouble is on every side; for God shap

to forgive all such as have offended you,
not excepting those who have prosecuted
you even unto death: And, though this
may seem a hard saying, yet know as-
suredly, that without it your charity is
not yet perfect. And fail not earnestly
to endeavour and pray for this blessed
temper and composure of mind.
may you cast yourself with an entire de-
pendence upon the mercies of God,
through the merits of our Saviour and
Redeemer Jesus Christ.

T

So

Here the Minister shall examine him concerning his Faith, and rehearse the Articles of the Creed, Dost thou believe in God, &c. And the Criminal shall answer,

All this I steadfastly believe.

Then shall the Minister examine whe-
ther he repent him truly of his sins, ex-
horting him to a particular confession
of the sin for which he is condemned;
and upon Confession, he shall instruct
him what satisfaction ought to be made
to those whom he has offended thereby,
and if he knoweth any combinations in
wickedness, or any evil practices design-
ed against others, let him be admonish-
ed to the utmost of his power to discover
and prevent them.

After his Confession, the Minister shall
declare to him the pardoning mercy of
God, in the Form which is used in the
Communion Service.

After which shall be said the Collect

following.

Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death to fall from thee.

Then the Minister shall say,

HOLY Jesus, who of thine infinite goodness, didst accept the conver sion of a sinner on the cross; open thine THE Almighty God, who is a most eye of mercy upon this thy servant, who strong tower to all those who put desireth pardon and forgiveness, though their trust in him; to whom all things in in his latest hour he turneth unto thee. Re-heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do new in him whatsoever hath been decay- bow and obey; be now and ever more ed by the fraud and malice of the devil, thy defence; and make thee know and or by his own carnal will and frailness. feel that there is none other name under Consider his contrition; accept his re-heaven given to man, in whom, and pentance; and forasmuch as he putteth through whom, thou mayest receive salhis full trust only in thy mercy, impute vation, but only in the name of our Lord not unto him his former sins, but strength- Jesus Christ. Amen. en him with thy blessed Spirit; and when thou art pleased to take him hence, take him unto thy favour: This we beg throughNTO God's gracious mercy and prothy merits, O Lord, our Saviour and our Redeemer. Amen.

Then the Minister shall say,

FATHER of mercies, and Groot of all comfort; we fly unto thee for succour in behalf of this thy servant, who is now under the sentence of condemnation. The day of his calamity is at hand, and he is accounted as one of those who go down into the pit. Blessed Lord, remember thy mercies; look upon his infirmities; hear the voice of his complaint; give him, we beseech thee, patience in this his time of adversity, and support under the terrors which encompass him; set before his eyes the things he hath done in the body, which have justly provoked thee to anger; and forasmuch as his continuance appeareth to be short amongst us, quicken him so much the more by thy grace and Holy Spirit; that he, being converted and reconciled unto thee, before thy judgments have cut him eff from the earth, may at the hour of his death depart in peace, and be received into thine everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Adding this.

¶ And after that shall say,

tection we commit thee: The Lord bless thee and keep thee: The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his count, once upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore.

At the time of Execution, besides all,
or such parts of the foregoing Office as
the Minister shall judge proper, shall
be said the Commendatory Prayer for
a person at the point of Departure, as
it is in the Visitation of the Sick.
The Collect for the Communion Service.

GOD, who declarest thy Almighty

power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; we beseech thee to have mercy upon this thy servant, who for his transgressions is appointed to die. Grant that he may take thy judgments patiently, and repent him truly of his sins; that he recovering thy favour, the fearful reward of his actions may end with this life; and whensoever his soul shall depart from the body, it may be without spot presented unto thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. Heb. xii. 11.

OSA and precious blood hast re- less, after wards it yieldeth the peaceable SAVIOUR of the world, who by thy No chastening for the present seemeth

deemed us, save us and help us, we hum-fruit of righteousness, unto them which bly beseech thee, O Lord. are exercised thereby.

Then the Minister, standing, shall say,
N the midst of life we are in

The Gospel. St. John v. 24.

I of whom may we seek for suc death; VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He

Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.

that heareth my word, and believof thee, O Lord, who for our sins art just-eth on him that sent me, hath everlasting ly displeased? life, and shall not come into condemna tion; but is passed from death unto life. A Prayer for imprisoned Debtors. OST gracious God, look down in pity and compassion upon the thine afflicted servants, who are fallen under the misery of a close restraint Give shem always a deep scase of keto

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts: Shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and vitul! P

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sins, and of thy fatherly love and correc- injuries and losses which others have tion; and the more their confinement sustained by them. Raise them up friends presseth hard upon them, the more let to pity and relieve them; give them the the comforts of thy grace and mercy continued comfort of thy countenance abound towards them. Give to their here; and so sanctify their afflictions, creditors tenderness and compassion, that they may work for them an eternal and to them a meek and forgiving spirit weight of Glory, through the merits and towards all those who have confined mediation of Jesus Christ thy Son our them, and a full purpose to repair all the Lord. Amen.

A FORM OF

PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING

To Almighty God, for the Fruits of the Earth, and all the other Blessings of his merciful Providence; to be used yearly on the first Thursday in November, or on such other Day as shall be appointed by the Civil Authority.

The Service shall be as usual, except where it is hereby otherwise appointed. Among the Sentences at the beginning God; for it is pleasant, and praise of Morning Prayer, shall be the fol- is comely. lowing:

HONOUR the Lord with thy

The Lord doth build up Jerusa

lem; he gathereth together the

outcasts of Israel.

He healeth those that are broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Prov. He covereth the heaven with iii. 9, 10. clouds, and prepareth rain for the The Lord by wisdom hath found-earth; he maketh the grass to ed the earth; by understanding grow upon the mountains. hath he established the heavens: He giveth to the beast his food; By his knowledge the depths are and to the young ravens which broken up, and the clouds drop cry. down the dew. Prov. iii. 19, 20. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut. xxxiii. 27.

Israel then shall dwell in safety alone; the fountain of Jacob shall be upon the land of corn and of wine, also his heaven shall drop down dew. Deut. xxxiii. 28.

Happy art thou, O Israel; who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: Praise thy God, O Sion.

For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

¶ Then shall be said or sung one of the Selections, or some other portion of the Psalms, at the discretion of the Minister.

help, and who is the sword of thy The first Lesson shall be Deut. vii. excellency Deut. xxxiii. 29.

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and the Second Lesson shall be Thess. y. 12 to 24.

After the General Thanksgiving, shall be said this which followeth:

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broken up, and the clouds drop meekness the engrafted word, down the dew; we yield thee un- which is able to save your souls. feigned thanks and praise, as for Be ye doers of the word; and not all thy mercies, so especially for hearers only, deceiving your the returns of Seed-time and own selves. For if any be a Harvest, and for crowning the hearer of the word, and not a doyear with thy goodness, in the in- er, he is like unto a man beholdcrease of the ground, and the ing his natural face in a glass: for gathering in of the fruits thereof. he beholdeth himself, and goeth And, we beseech thee, give us a his way, and straightway forgetjust sense of this great mercy; teth what manner of man he was. such as may appear in our lives, But whoso looketh into the perby an humble, holy, and obedient fect law of liberty, and continueth walking before thee all our days, therein, he being not a forgetful through Jesus Christ our Lord; hearer, but a doer of the work, to whom, with thee and the Holy this man shall be blessed in his Ghost, be all glory and honour, world without end. Amen. The Collect to be used instead of that

for the day.

deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion_is MOST merciful Father, who vain Pure religion and undehast blessed the labours of filed before God and the Father is the husbandman in the returns of this: to visit the fatherless and the fruits of the earth; we give widows in their affliction, and to thee humble and hearty thanks keep himself unspotted from the for this thy bounty; beseeching world. thee to continue thy loving kindness to us; that our land may still yield her increase, to thy glory and our comfort, through Jesus

Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. St. James i. 16.

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The Gospel. St. Matt. v. 43. have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that O not err,my beloved breth-hate you, and pray for them ren: every good gift and ev- which despitefully use you and ery perfect gift is from above; persecute you: that ye may be and cometh down from the Fa- the children of your Father ther of Lights, with whom is no which is in heaven; for he makvariableness, neither shadow of eth his sun to rise on the evil turning. Of his own will begat and on the good, and sendeth he us of the word of truth, that rain on the just and on the unwe should be a kind of first fruits just. For if ye love them which of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteous ness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with

love you, what reward have ye? do not even the Publicans the same? Or if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

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FORMS OF PRAYER

TO BE USED IN FAMILIES,

MORNING PRAYER.

The Master or Mistress having called together as many of the Family as cant conveniently be present; let one of them, or any other whom they shall think proper, say as follows, all kneeling:

UR Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name; Thy

done on as is

Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil : For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Acknowledgment ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, in whom we of God's mercy and live and move and have our being; we, thy preservation, espe needy creatures,render thee our humble praises, for cially through the night past. thy preservation of us from the beginning of our lives to this day, and epecially for having delivered us from the dangers of the past night. To thy watchful * When disturb- providence we owe it, (that no disturbance hath ances of any kind come nigh us or our dwelling; but, that we are befal a Family, instead of this, say, these thy mercies, we bless and magnify thy globrought in safety to the beginning of this day.) For ing our dangers, we rious Name; humbly beseeching thee to accept are brought in safe- this our morning sacrifice of praise and thanksgiv ty to the beginning ing; for his sake who lay down in the grave, and of this day. rose again for us, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

that notwithstand

Dedication of soul AND, since it is of thy mercy. O gracious Faand body to God's ther, that another day is added to our lives; service, with a reso- we here dedicate both our souls and our bodies to lution to be growing thee and thy service, in a sober, righteous, and daily in goodness. godly life: In which resolution, do thou, O merciful God, confirm and strengthen us; that, as we grow inage, we may grow in grace,and in the knowTedge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. QUT, O God, who knowest the weakness and

Prayer for grace to enable us to per

form that resolution. temptations which we daily meet with; we humbly beseech thee to have compassion on our infir. mities, and to give us the constant assistance of thy Holy Spirit; that we may be effectually restrained from sin, and excited to our duty. Imprint upon our hearts such a dread of thy judgments, and such a grateful sense of thy goodness to us, as may make us both afraid and ashamed to offend thee. And, above all, keep in our minds a lively remembrance of that great Day, in which we must give a strict account of our thoughts, words, and actions; and ac cording to the works done in the body, be eternally rewarded or punished, by him whom thou hast appointed the Judge of quick and dead, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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