"O THAT they were wise, that they would consider their latter end !"-Deut. xxxii. 29.

"The night cometh, when no man can work."John ix. 4.

A very gracious intimation. Lord, grant that I may never forget it; and that now, now, is the time in which to provide for eternity.

What a wise man then, when he comes to die, would wish he had done, that he ought to do forthwith, for death is at hand, and the consequences of a surprise most dreadful. He will then wish, if he has not done it, with all his soul,

1st. That he had made a just and Christian settlement of his worldly concerns; so as not to be distracted with the cares of this world, when all his thoughts should be upon another.

2ndly. That he had made his peace with God by a timely repentance.

3dly. That he had faithfully discharged the duties of his calling.

4thly. That he had weaned his affections from things temporal, and loosened the ties which fasten us to the world.

5thly. That he had crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts; so that being weary of this life, he might be more desirous of a better.

6thly. That by acts of justice, mercy, charity, and alms, he may be entitled to the mercy of God at the hour of death.

7thly. That he had got such habits of patience and resignation to the will of God, during his health, as may render death, with all the train of miseries leading to it, less frightful and amazing.

Sthly and lastly. That by a constant practice of devotion preparatory for death, he had learned what to pray for, what to hope for, what to depend on, in his last sickness.

And this, gracious Lord, is what I wish for, what I pray for, and what I purpose shall be the constant practice of my life. Amen.

"Set thy house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live."-2 Kings xx. 1.

May God, who has every way provided for me, and put it into my power to be just to all men, charitable to the poor, grateful to my friends, kind to my servants, and a benefactor to the public: may He add this to all His favours, and grant that in making my last will, I may faithfully discharge all these engagements; and that for want of that, no curse may cleave to myself, or to any thing I shall leave behind me. Amen.

But, above all things, I beg of Thee, O God, to enable me to set my inward house, my soul, in order, before I die.

Give me true repentance for all the errors of my life past, and steadfast faith in Thy Son Jesus Christ; that my sins may be done away by Thy mercy, and my pardon sealed in heaven.

"Whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sin, shall have mercy."-Proverbs xxviii. 13.

Behold, O God, a creature, liable every moment to death, prostrate before Thee, begging, for Jesus Christ's sake, that faith and repentance to which Thou hast promised mercy and pardon.

Discover to me, O Thou searcher of hearts, the charge that is against me, that I may know, and confess, and bewail, and abhor, and forsake, and repent of all the evils I have been guilty of.

Have mercy upon me, have mercy upon me, most merciful Father, who desirest not the death of a sinner; for Thy Son Jesus Christ's sake, forgive me all that is past.

And, O blessed Advocate, Who art able to save them for ever who come unto God by Thee, seeing Thou ever livest to make intercession for us, I put my cause into Thy hands; let Thy power defend Thee; Thy blood and merits plead for me; supply all the defects of my repentance; procure for me a full discharge of all my sins before I die; and by Thy mighty grace confirm and strengthen me in all goodness, during the remainder of my life, that my

death may be a blessing to me, and that I may find mercy at the great day. Amen.

"Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."-Ephesians iv. 24.

This, O God, is what I desire and purpose, by Thy grace, to do; and do again renew the vows which I have so often made, and too often broke.

I renounce the devil and all his works; the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh; resolving, by Thy grace, neither to follow nor be led by them.

I desire, and purpose, to redeem my misspent time.

And, O God, assist me, that neither sloth nor corruption may ever make me lay aside or forget these resolutions; but that I may live to Thee; be an instrument of Thy glory, by serving Thee faithfully, and by doing good in my generation; and that I may be found so doing when Thou art pleased to call me hence, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

"Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth."-Colossians iii. 2.

And may Almighty God, who alone can do it, effectually convince me of the vanity of all that is desirable in this present life, that I may not, like an unbeliever, look for happiness here.

Give me, O Lord, a perfect indifference for the world, its profits, pleasures, honours, fame, and all its idols.

Represent Thyself unto me as my true happiness, that I may love Thee with all my heart, and soul, and strength; so that when I am called out of this world, I may rejoice in hope of going to the paradise of God, where the souls of the faithful enjoy rest and felicity, in hopes of a blessed resurrection, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” -Luke ix. 23.

Blessed Jesus, who pleased not Thyself, but tookest upon Thee the form of a servant, to teach mankind the great duty and blessings of self-denial; assist me to follow Thy commands and Thy holy example, though I should be obliged to lose any thing, as dear as a right hand or a right eye.

Give me resolution to deny my inclinations for the good things of this world, even while I may command them; to subdue my corrupt affections, and to take revenge upon myself-for my intemperance, by mortification; for misspending my time, by retirement; for the errors of my tongue, by silence; and for all the sins of my life, by a deep humiliation, patiently submitting to all the troubles with which Thou shalt think fit to exercise or punish me; so that being effectually weaned from this world, and weary of its corruptions, I may long to repose myself in the grave, in hopes of a better life, through Thy mercy and merits, O Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Charity covereth the multitude of sins."-1 Peter iv. 8.