chaif ber, appointe n in th e state use inst tordaine creature ds. Sa and gr Jase or life, as le meek an adness, a nor apt lents; t the And since I live, nor left destitute and unprovided when 1 die. Make me faithful and conscientious, O Lord, in the discharge of that solemn vow and promise which I made upon my entering into this holy state, and of those duties which it engages me to: O let me never wander after strange and forbidden pleasures, nor be inordinate in the use of those that are lawful; but grant that all my actions may be governed by the rules of purity and holiness, of justice and sobriety, having always before my eyes that strict account which I must one day give. O let me never waste and consume my time and substance in surfeiting and drunkenness, in riot and disorder: but grant that by diligence and industry, and by thy blessing accompanying all my endeavours, I may be enabled to provide for my wife and children in such a manner as may conduce to their happiness both here and hereafter. O let thy blessing rest upon the head of her whom thou hast given to be my wife; give her length of days, (if it be thy blessed will,) and increase in her ever more and more the virtues of meekness and humility, of kindness and condescension, and all other divine virtues, that she may be an ornament to her sex, and a real blessing and comfort to me. A Prayer for a Married Woman in behalf of her Husband. O ALMIGHTY God, thou art the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth, and orderest and disposest all things, and all persons, as it seemeth best to thy godly wisdom: thou hast been pleased to call me to the state of marriage, which is honourable, because instituted by thee, and which thou hast ordained for the comfort and happiness of us thy creatures, and nd good ends Sanctify heat a nd peac nent a blamele y lives nd friend firmitia ch other behalf Sovereig st and d It seemed hast beer marriage tuted d for the ures, an Sapet rant the I may behave myself under this, and all other conditions of my life, as becomes the servant of the ever-blessed Jesus, To this end, O Lord, give me a meek and humble spirit, a spirit of love and gentleness, that is not easily provoked, nor apt to entertain angry and unkind resentments; that I may never be guilty of any unbecoming carriage towards him, whom thou hast given to be my husband; but that I may love, honour, and obey him, as thou hast commanded me, and I have most solemnly engaged to do. Let me never be of the number of those who think hardly of thy laws, which I am sensible, O Lord, and fully persuaded, are just and rea sonable, and highly conducive to the good of thy creatures: and since thou hast thought fit that wives should be in subjection to their husbands, grant that I may never be found to oppose thy will, but readily and cheerfully submit to his authority, whom thou hast been pleased to set over me. Deliver me, O my God, from all pride and vanity, from all affectation and self-conceit; and suffer me not, I beseech thee, to employ my thoughts and study how to adorn a corruptible body, (which will shortly be stript of all its gay attire, and be a prey to worms and rottenness) and in the mean time neglect to cul |