A prayer for one in old age, especially in his sickness; which may be used by the sick himself, or any other for him. See p. 69. CAST me not off, O Lord, in the time of old "age: forsake me not when my strength faileth "me.". (Ps. lxxi. 9.) Assist me by thy grace to repent of all my transgressions, and to reform every thing in my past conduct, which has been displeasing to thee, my God, and inconsistent with my Christian profession, privileges, and hopes. Support me, O Lord, under the decline of nature, and when my outward man decays, may the inner man be renewed day by day. Help me to be an amiable example of piety; to glorify thee, O my God, and thy Son Jesus Christ, my Lord; to be a credit to religion; and by frequent declarations of what thou hast done for me, encourage my successors, and the rising generation, (so far as my influence may extend,) "to follow those "who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Heb. vi. 12.) Make me ever mindful of my own frailty, of the shortness and uncertainty of this life, and of the certainty and eternity of the next. May neither sickness nor death ever surprize me unawares, and find me unprepared. O thou God of hope, fill me with all joy and peace in believing, and make me to abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Rom. xv. 13.) My remaining days I am sensible are but very few in the course of nature; and probably fewer, as I have now so many and increasing bodily infirmities. May these last days be my best days; and though I may wholly be laid aside from active services, may I still in a small degree be glorifying thee, and benefiting some of my fellowereatures, by my passive duties and suffering piety. "Lord, increase my faith;" and may that faith be evidenced by a cheerful resignation, humble patience, amiable contentment, daily thanksgiving, and earnest supplications for mercy. Mercy, good Lord, mercy I ask, For mercy, Lord, is all my suit, May I shew in my whole behaviour the peculiar power and consolations of Christianity, even in the most trying and awful seasons. May I renounce all self-confidence; and "when my heart "and flesh shall fail, be thou, O God, the "strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." (Ps. lxxiii. 26.) When this world, and all that inhabit it, shall be dissolved, may I then be found to have been a true believer in Christ, and may a residence be allotted me (free from pain, dis eases, old age, and death) in those mansions of bliss promised to all his faithful followers by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. A prayer with one in sickness, who has lived religiously and is prepared for death. See p. 43. THOU great Lord of life and death, of earth and heaven, the Giver of all spiritual grace, we kneel down before thee, humbly to petition thee for the support of this thy faithful servant now on the confines of death. Thy mercy brought him into the world, kept him from a thousand dangers, and gave him innumerable blessings of life and godliness. Thy mercy convinced and converted him, renewed and sanctified his heart, and formed Christ in him. O amazing mercy, that he is not dying in an impenitent and unconverted state! He thanks thee for the means of grace, and the hope of glory. He thanks thee for the fruits of Canaan through the wilderness, and now on the brink of Jordan. He thanks thee for the cordials of thy great and precious promises, and that they are now as precious as ever. He covenanted with thee for eternal life, as the gift of thy free grace, through Jesus Christ his Lord. In his name he claims it. To thine hand he commits his departing spirit. He is thine, save him: he has fled to thy Son's cross: he has renounced all dependance on any worthiness of his own he comes to thee as a sinner, believing in Christ for pardon and salvation. Let him have his lot among the followers of Christ. He knows in whom he has believed; he rejoices, that he is in the hands of the good Shepherd: he thanks thee, that, after his long absence, thou art calling him to his glorious eternal * home: but forsake not, O Lord, the world he is leaving: defend thy church universal, from which he is removing. Having purchased it at an inestimable price, still guard it, purify it, and unite it more and more, till all flesh shall see thy sal vation. Let his few remaining moments on earth be spent for thy glory. Whatever his body may suffer, let his soul be rising "to the general "assembly and church of the first-born, to the "innumerable company of angels, and to the * See a very useful little treatise by Dr. Watts, entitled "Death, Heaven, and the Happiness of separate Spirits ;" in which he has opened such a view of the heavenly employments, as has a tendency to reconcile us to death, and to create in us a willingness to depart out of this world into the next; consequently it well deserves the notice of every sincere Christian. 99 "spirits of just men made perfect.' Let faith be strong in the last hour. Let him ascend in the chariot of love and praise, and for ever "sing "the song of Moses and the Lamb." Even so, come Lord Jesus, come surely, and come quickly. Amen. A Prayer with one in sickness who has lived irreligiously, and is unprepared for death. See page 44. MOST merciful God, who permittest us to approach thy throne of grace to express our wants, and to implore thine assistance, hear our prayers, we humbly beseech thee, for this our distressed fellow-creature. Oh reject him not, while in pain and sorrow, and when with anguish of mind for sin and guilt, he flies to thy grace in Christ. Though he has trifled away the day of his salvation, say not, it is now too late. Thy promises are large and free. Pity his misery and forgive his iniquities, through the only Redeemer of lost souls, If the sufferings of his body seem so grievous, how shall his soul bear thy wrath for ever? Oh give him repentance unto life! Let thy Spirit renew his heart, sanctify his affliction, to take away his sins, and to make him partaker of thy holiness. Lord, spare him a little, to make better preparation for his great change, before he goes hence, and be no more seen. He dreads to appear before thy bar in an unpardoned and unholy state: renew his days on earth; and renew his mind, that he may live to God and Christ, to holiness and heaven. He has abused thy patience and forbearance, lost his precious time, and forfeited life and hope. He foresaw this day, but he took no warning. He is in dread of his sins, and of thy justice and holiness. Oh eternity!-Lord, try him once more with a day of grace. Cut not off his time, till he is ready for eternity. He condemns himself, but do not thou condemn him. Sanctify him by thy Spirit, wash him in thy Son's blood, and give him such a sight of heaven by faith and hope, that he may willingly die, and come to thee. His sin hath abounded, let thy grace much more abound. Glorify thy grace in Christ by his pardon, acceptance, and eternal life. Through the all-sufficient Saviour let him be reconciled to thee, adopted into thy family, and be made an heir of glory, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Whether he lives or dies, he desires to be thine. To thee, O thou God and Father of mercies, he gives up himself; and oh that he could with joyful confidence call thee his reconciled God and Father! Though he deserves nothing but to dwell for ever with condemned spirits, yet fill him now with thy grace and love, and at death receive him to thy glory, that with angels and saints he may praise his Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier for ever and ever. Amen. A Confession of sin and Petitions for pardon, to be frequently used by the sick himself, for his humiliation. See pages 141, and 172. I CONFESS, O Lord, and lament before thee my innumerable sins of omission and commission; "the pride and naughtiness of my heart; my neglect of the means of grace, and the hope of glory; the violations of my conscience; the vanity of my mind; the violence of my passions; the want of love to thee my God, and thy Son Jesus Christ, the compassionate Redeemer; the coldness and wanderings of my devotions; my earthly-mindedness; my carnal security; my unthankfulness amidst abundant mercies; my |