should call himself often to an account, whether he does so or not; constantly pray for grace to know, and to do his duty; and preserve himself in such a teachable temper as to be always ready to receive the truth, when it is fairly proposed to him.

[THE DUTIES OF A BISHOP,

(The state of life unto which it has pleased God to call me,)

By the laws of God and the Church, are, To instruct the people committed to his charge, out of the holy Scriptures; and to teach, or maintain, no doctrine but what may be proved from thence. Sunday.

To exercise himself in those holy Scriptures; to call upon God for the true understanding of the same. Monday.

To use all faithful diligence in driving away all doctrines contrary to God's Word, and to encourage others so to do. Tuesday.

To deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live a sober, righteous, and godly life, so as to be an example unto others. Wednesday.

To maintain and set forward, as much as may be, quietness, love, and peace, among all men; and to correct and punish the unruly, criminous, and disobedient, as far as God's Word, and the laws of the land, do require and will warrant. Thursday.

To be faithful in ordaining, sending, or laying hands upon others. Friday.

To be gentle and merciful, for Christ's sake, to

poor and needy people, and to all strangers, destitute of help. Saturday.

THE PRAYER.

Almighty God, give me grace and power faithfully to perform these duties of my high calling; that I may be found perfect and irreprehensible at the last day, through Jesus Christ. Amen.]

Prevent, O Lord, the wants of a heart which knows not even how to lay them open before Thee: which does not so much as think of doing it; and which does too often shut out the light and consolation of which it stands in need.

It is a rudeness amongst men to ask a favour, and not stay for an answer. And do we count it no fault to pray for blessings, and never to think of them afterwards, never to wait for them, never to give God thanks for them?

Let us not run over our prayers with an insensible and distracted mind.

Let your prayers be as particular as may be, against the sins of your particular state, and for the graces which you in particular do most stand in need of. This is the best preservative against sin; makes us best acquainted with our condition; puts us continually in mind of mending what is amiss; lets us see what particular graces we most want, what are most needful for the cure of our own particular corruption and disorder; and is the best trial of our hearts. For example: if I pray for charity, and for every instance which is necessary to render me truly

charitable, I pray for grace to avoid evil-speaking— to pray for my enemies,―to do them good, &c., and so of all other sins and graces.

God grant that I may never seek Thy face in vain!

["The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."-James v. 16.

This ought to make me aspire after every possible degree of holiness, that God may hear my prayers for my flock, and for such as have desired my prayers.

"When thou didst pray, I did bring the remembrance of your prayers before the Holy One; and when thou didst bury the dead, I was with thee."Tobit xii. 12.

May the good Spirit of God assist me in the performance of my duty. Fix my attention, excite my affections, and inflame my devotions, that I may attend upon the Lord with pleasure and without distraction.

Let us make prayer familiar to us; for without the help of God, we are every hour in danger.

"And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breast-plate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually."-Exodus xxviii. 29.

Let Thy merciful ears, O God, be open unto the prayers of Thy servant for himself, and for the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made him overseer, for the Lord Jesus' sake. Amen.

O Lord, say Amen to our prayers, and grant that my whole flock may be made partakers of the blessings we have now prayed for; and may Thy blessings be upon them for ever. Amen.

The devil knows, that when we have a relish for prayer, and apply ourselves in good earnest to it, we are in the way of life; he therefore strives by all ways possible to divert us.]

"Lord, teach us to pray."-Luke xi. 1.

Pour upon us the spirit of supplication and prayer. God will deny us nothing that we ask in the name of His Son.

PRAYERS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

When we offer our prayers through His mediation, it is then He that prays, His love that intercedes, His blood that pleads, it is He who obtains all from His Father.

PREPARATORY PRAYER.

O holy Spirit of grace! give us a true sight of our miseries, and a sincere shame and sorrow when we make confession of our sins; a feeling sense of our need of mercy, and a hope of obtaining pardon, when we beg it for Thy Son's sake. May we resign our wills to Thee and to Thy goodness, when we pray for temporal things; and when we pray for spiritual graces, may we hunger and thirst after righteousness. Give us a real love for Thy Holy Word, and grace to hear it with attention. May we thankfully close with all the means of grace and salvation.

When we praise Thee for Thy works of nature and of grace, and give Thee thanks for Thy mercies, let us do it with high esteem and gratitude. Cause us to hear Thy Holy Word with faith and attention, and to profit by what we hear, that we may return from Thy church with a blessing.

MORNING PRAYER.

"Choose you this day whom you will serve."-Joshua xxiv. 15.

WHOм have I in heaven but Thee, O Lord? and there is none on earth that I desire besides Thee. Thou art my God, and I will thank Thee: Thou art my God, and I will serve Thee. Be thou my only Ruler and Governor.

They that have a convenient place to sleep in, and they that have the comfort of sleep, have both great reason to be thankful. And even they that want these mercies, ought to bless God, if in the midst of their afflictions He is pleased to refresh them with the comforts of grace.

Gracious God, continue to me these favours so long, and in such a measure, as shall most contribute to Thy honour, and my salvation. And in great mercy support and relieve all that want these blessings.

What shall I offer unto the Lord for His mercies renewed unto me every morning?" The sacrifice