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derly, that we may remain spotless both in body and soul, nay, that our sleep itself may be to thy glory. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding, that we may not sleep in death; but always look for deliverance from this misery. Defend us against all assaults of the devil, and take us into thy holy protection. And although we have not passed this day, without having greatly sinned against thee, we beseech thee to hide our sins with thy mercy as thou hidest all things on earth with the darkness of the night, that we therefore may not be cast out from thy presence. Believe and comfort all those, who are afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who hath taught us to pray-OUR FATHER, &c.

A Prayer at the opening of the Consistory. HEAVENLY Father, eternal and merciful God, it hath pleased thee of thy infinite wisdom and goodness to gather a church to thyself out of all nations upon the face of the earth, by the preaching of thy holy gospel, and to govern the same by the service of men. Thou hast also graciously called us up to this office, and commanded us to take heed unto ourselves and unto the flock, which Christ hath bought with his precious blood.-Since we are at this present assem. bled in thy holy name, after the example of the apostolic churches, to consult, as our office requires, abou those things which may come before us, for the welfare and edification of thy churches, for which we acknowledge ourselves to be unfit and incapable, as we are by nature unable of ourselves to think any good, much less to put it in practice: therefore, we beseech thee, O faithful God and Father, that thou wilt be pleased to be present with thy holy spirit, according to thy promise, in the midst of our present assembly, to guide us in all truth. Remove from us all misapprehensions and unbecoming desires of the

flesh, and grant that thy holy word may be the only rule and guide of all our consultations, that they may tend to the glory of thy name, and to the edification of thy church, and to the discharge of our own consciences, through Jesus Christ thy Son, who with thee and the Holy Ghost, the only true God, is eternally to be praised and magnified. Amen.

A Prayer at the close of the Consistory.

O LORD God and heavenly Father, we heartily thank thee, that thou hast been pleased to gather a church to thyself in this part of the world, and to use our service therein, granting us the privilege, that we may freely and without hindrance preach thy holy gospel, and exercise all the duties of godliness: moreover we thank thee, that thou now hast been present with thy holy spirit in the midst of this our assembly, directing our determinations according to thy will, uniting our hearts in mutual peace and concord-We beseech thee, O faithful God and Father, that thou wilt graciously be pleased to bless our intended labour, and effectually to execute thy begun work: always gathering unto thyself a true church, and preserving the same in the pure doctrine, and in the right use of thy holy sacraments, and in a diligent exercise of discipline. On the contrary, destroy all evil and crafty councils, which are devised against thy word and church. Strengthen also all the ministers of thy church, that they may faithfully and steadfastly declare thy holy word: and the magistrates of thy people, that they may bear the sword with righteousness and discretion. Particularly we pray for those, whom thou hast been pleased to put in authority over us, both those of higher and lower dignity, and especially for the worshipful magistrates of this city. Grant that their whole government may be thus directed, that the King of all kings may rule over them, and their

fellow-citizens, and that the kingdom of the devil (which is a kingdom of scandal and reproach) may, daily, more and more be destroyed and brought to nought by them as thy servants, and that we may lead with them a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty. Hear us, O God and Father, through Jesus Christ thy beloved Son, who with thee and the Holy Ghost, the only and true God, is eternally to be magnified and praised. Amen.

A Prayer at the meeting of the Deacons.

MERCIFUL God and Father, thou who hast not only said unto us, that we should always have the poor with us, but hast also commanded that they should be assisted, and for that end hast ordained the service of deacons in thy church, by whom they might be relieved. As we, who are called to the office of deacons in this congregation, are here at present met in thy name, to consult together concerning our ministry, therefore we humbly beseech thee for the sake of Jesus Christ, that thou wilt be pleased to endue is with the spirit of discretion, to the end that we may rightly discern, who are really poor, and who are n:t: and that we may with all cheerfulness and fideli y, distribute the alms collected by us to every one according to his necessity, not leaving the indigent members of thy beloved Son comfortless, neither giving to those who are not in want. Kindle within the

hearts of men an ardent love towards the poor, that they may liberally give of their temporal goods, of which thou hast made them stewards: and that we, having the means in hand to assist the indigent, may faithfully without vexation, and with a free heart, perform our office. Grant us also the talents, not only to comfort the miserable with the external gift, but also with the holy word. And since man doth ot live by bread alone, but by every word that po.

ceedeth out of thy mouth, be pleased therefore to extend thy blessing over our distributions, and increase the bread of the poor, that both we and they may have reason to praise and thank thee: expecting the blessed coming of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, who became poor for our sakes, to make us rich in eternity. Amen.

Grace before meat.

Psalm cxlv. 15, 16.-" The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."

ALMIGHTY God, thou who hast created all things, and dost still maintain and govern them by thy divine power, and didst feed thy people Israel in the wilderness, bless us thy poor servants, and sanctify these thy gifts, which we receive from thy bountiful goodness, that we may temperately and holily use them according to thy will, and thereby acknowledge that thou art our Father, and the fountain of all good. Grant also that we may at all times and above all things seek for that spiritual bread of thy word, with which our souls are fed to life eternal, which thou hast prepared for us by the holy blood of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen.-OUR FATHER, &c.

Also our Lord Jesus Christ admonishes us.

Luke xxi. 34, 35.—“ And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with sur. feiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares: for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth."

Grace after meat.

Thus speaketh the Lord, in the fifth book of Moses, chap. viii. 10, 11.-"When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God, for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments and his judgments, and his statutes which I command thee this day."

O LORD God and heavenly Father, we thank thee for all thy benefits, which we without intermission receive from thy bountiful hand; we bless thy divine will, for preserving us in this mortal life, and for supplying all our wants; but especially for our regeneration unto the hope of a better life, which thou hast revealed unto us by the gospel. We beseech thee, merciful God and Father, not to suffer our hearts to be fixed on these earthly and corruptible things; but that we may always look up to heaven, expecting thence our Saviour Jesus Christ, until he appear in the clouds for our deliverance. Amen.-OUR FATHER, &c.

A Prayer for sick tempted persons.

O ALMIGHTY, eternal, righteous God, and mercifu Father, thou who art Lord of life and death, and without whose will, nothing is done in heaven, nor in earth, although we are not worthy to call upon thy name, nor to hope that thou wilt hear us, when we consider how we have hitherto employed our time; we beseech thee, that thou wilt be pleased of thy mercy to look upon us in the face of Jesus Christ, who has taken all our infirmities on him. We acknow. ledge that we are utterly incapable of any good, and prone to all evil, wherefore we have justly merited this punishment, yea, have deserved much more. But Lord, thou knowest that we are thy people, and that

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