best and most inoffenfive Means for accomplishing their feveral Ends, and to profecute them diligently, and with a Zeal directed by Wisdom and Prudence. And grant that all of them being free from all worldly Interefts, may fteadfastly pursue the Advancement of thy Glory, and the Good of Mankind.

And grant, O God, that no Good thou fhalt vouchfafe to bring about by their poor Endeavours, may tempt them to think highly of themselves, but modeftly and humbly.

Remove all unreasonable Prejudices against their Defigns; thed forth thy Love abroad in their Hearts, and make them zealous of all good Works, that they may chearfully embrace all Opportunities of doing Good to the Souls and Bodies of Men, and not be difcouraged at any Difficulties or Oppofitions they may meet with.

O God, hear their Prayers for themselves and others: Defend them from the Rage of Satan, and from the Malice of evil Men; perfect Holiness more and more in their Hearts; and unite them more to one another in thy Truth, and in the Bond of Love; and make them zealous of all good Works, according to the Command and

Example

Example of Jefus Chrift, who went about doing Good, for whofe Sake I befeech thee to hear me. Amen.

A Prayer for a Perfon engaged in a LawSuit, or like to be fo.

O THOU Sovereign Lord and Governor of the World, to thee all Judgment belongs, and to thee I fubmit myself, in the Cause wherein I am [likely to be] engaged. I have endeavoured, according to the best of my Power and Skill, faithfully to examine and confider the Justice of my Cause, before I durft lay it at thy Tribunal: Convince me, O Lord, if I am under any Miftake; direct and affift me under all the Difficulties and Incumbrances, which I am like to meet with; and in thy good Time, put a happy and peaceable End to the Bufinefs which I [am about to undertake, or] have undertaken.

To which End, give me that Wisdom from above, which is peaceable, gentle, and eafy to be entreated; that nothing may be wanting, en my Part, to bring this Matter to a speedy and friendly Conclufion; and difpofe the Heart of my contending Brother to the like peaceable Inclination: Teach

us

us to lay afide all Fondness and Partiality, and enable us continually to practise that Christian and equitable Law, of doing as we would be done by.

But if this Matter be too hard for us, and if be thy good Pleasure that I fhall be engaged in a Law-Suit; [or, fince it is thy good Pleasure, that I am engaged in Law] grant me the Help of thy Grace, that I may contend for Right more than Victory; that nothing may be done through Malice, Strife, Pride, or Vain-Glory; that no Profit nor Advantage whatsoever may prevail upon me to tranfgrefs the Laws of Juftice and Charity; nor any illegal Practice or hard Ufage which I may meet with from my Adverfary, ever provoke me to the like Injuftice, or to any unchriftian Behaviour towards him; but that during the whole Courfe of Law, I may preferve a friendly, peaceable, and equitable Temper of Spirit; fubmitting the Event to thy Fatherly Wisdom and Disposition, who knoweft what is most neceffary and convenient

for me.

And, I beseech thee to keep me conftantly under fuch a Senfe of thy All-feeing Providence, and fuch a Dread of thy Justice, that I may never offer the leaft Wrong or

Injury to any Man; but, on the contrary, make me willing and ready, (according to thy Command) to fuffer fome Injuries, rather than expofe my felf and Neighbour to thofe Evils and Temptations which we may be liable to in procuring a legal Satisfaction; efpecially, let me never dare to commit any Fraud or Oppreffion, under the Colour or Pretence of Law; nor venture to fupport myself in the most juft Cause, by any unlawful Means. Make me prudently to confider, that whatever Injuries may happen to me, by the Fraud or Injustice of Man, are by thy Permiffion; as a Trial of my Patience, or a Correction of my Offences, or for some other wife and good End of thy Providence; and that thou, who art the Sovereign Difpofer of all Things, canft, and I hope wilt, make up whatever Lofs fhall befal me, when it hath effected the Ends for which thou waft pleased to inflict it; that fo in the mean Time I may be patient and fubmiffive to thy Will, confidering that thou haft an abfolute Right to all that I poffefs.

I beseech thee, alfo, let the Remembrance of thy Mercies and Forgiveness towards me fill my Heart with fuch a Chriftian Love, and Compaffion, that I may never contend

with my Neighbour, to gratify my own corrupt Nature, nor take Delight in his Sufferings: But let the Senfe of what thou haft done and fuffered for me, banish all covetous Defires from my Soul, and excite in me a Compaffion towards thy diftreffed Members; for thy Sake, forgiving my Fellow-Servants, as I hope myfelf to be forgiven, when thou fhalt come to judge the Quick and the Dead. Grant this, O merciful Father, for Jefus Chrift's Sake, our only Saviour and Redeemer.

Amen.

A Prayer for one that deliberates about Marriage.

O GOD, the Creator and Preferver of Mankind, who haft inftituted the holy State of Matrimony, as the only Way to continue the World, and for the Comfort of Man's Life under the various Evils, Cares, and Labours of it, by the mutual Society and Help that married Perfons ought to have one for the other, both in Profperityand Adverfity, and for the Good of human Society, by preventing many Confufions, and promoting Concord therein: Grant that now I have Thoughts of entering into this State, I may fo feriously confider the