Grant that whenever this vile body shall be committed to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, it may be in sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection to eternal life, and may be changed like unto Christ's glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby He is able to subdue all things to himself. Thus do Thou ransom us from the power of the grave: redeem us from the second death. Say unto death, I will be thy plagues; and to the grave, I will be thy destruction that so we may rise from the dead, to die no more, being thy children, O God, and the children of the resurrection.

Hear us, O God of mercy, in behalf of our fellow-creatures.

Grant that the Sun of Righteousness may arise with healing in his wings upon all nations that are sitting in darkness and the shadow of death; and dispose them to come to the light of his beams, and to the brightness of his rising.

Have mercy on the house of Israel; and let them know assuredly, that Thou hast made that same Jesus, whom their forefathers crucified, both Lord and Christ.

May those who are living in sin remember that Thou hast appointed a day in the which Thou wilt judge the world in righteousness by that man, whom Thou hast ordained, whereof Thou hast given assurance unto all men, in that Thou hast raised Him from the dead.

Comfort those who are mourning for the loss

of beloved friends and relations, departed this life in thy faith and fear. Teach them to sorrow not, even as others which have no hope, for them that sleep in Thee; believing, that if Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

Deliver those, likewise, who, through fear of death, are all their life-time subject unto bondage. And take away from thy dying servants the bitterness thereof, and enable them to say, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hear us, O Lord, in these our petitions, for ourselves and others, for the sake of thy beloved Son Jesus Christ, in whose name and words we further call upon Thee, Our Father, &c. Grace, mercy, and peace, &c.

FOR ASCENSION-DAY

Or the Sunday after.
MORNING.

ALMIGHTY Father, by whose power we have been graciously preserved to meet together this morning, we draw nigh unto Thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer; who, having purged our

M

sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High.

We bless Thee, O Lord, for giving Him not only to live and to die for us, and to rise again, but, chiefly at this time, for causing Him to ascend up on High, leading captivity captive, and receiving gifts for men, yea, even for the rebellious also, that thou mightest dwell among them.

We glorify thy name, for exalting Him at thy own right hand in heavenly places, to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins.

Having, therefore, such a High Priest, as became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; one who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin, we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

By his glorious ascension, Good Lord, deliver us.

We have, indeed, most grievously sinned against Thee, and deserve only thy wrath and indignation. But we have an Advocate with Thee, Jesus Christ the Righteous; whom Thou hast appointed as the Propitiation for our sins; and who is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto Thee by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hear, we beseech Thee, the voice of his

mediation in our behalf; and, when Thou hearest, have mercy. May our sins, though many, be forgiven us, through the riches of thy grace; and being justified by faith, may we have peace with Thee, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

For his sake, also, O most merciful Father, enable us to hate and mortify those sins, which we humbly implore Thee no more to remember against us. Create and make in us new and contrite hearts; that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness. Let our repentance be unto salvation, not to be repented of. Give unto us that faith which worketh by love, purifieth the soul, overcometh the world, establisheth the law, and maketh us careful to maintain good works.

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy Only-begotten Son to have ascended into the Heavens, so we may also, in heart and life, thither ascend, and with him continually dwell; that, when He cometh again, He may receive us unto Himself, and that where He is, there we may be also.

[Grant especially that our attendance on thy worship this day may be the means of quickening us in the way of thy commandments, and of making us more meet to be partakers of the inheritance of thy saints in light.]

[And may our souls be strengthened and re

freshed by the body and blood of Christ, which we may spiritually receive around thy table.]

Look in compassion upon all mankind, whom thy beloved Son redeemed with his most precious blood.

As Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given him, fulfil thy promise, that He shall receive from Thee the Heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession.

Have mercy on those from whose forefathers as concerning the flesh, Christ came. Let it no more be said, that he cometh to his own, and his own receive him not; but may they receive Him at the last, as the Consolation of Israel, the Desire of all nations, the Messiah, that was to come into the world.

Grant that such as have hitherto placed their affections on this world may hereafter seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.

And may all who have set themselves against the Lord and against his Anointed, kiss the Son lest He be angry, and they perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.

Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom Thou hast given Him. We pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil of it. Grant that they may not be of the world, even as He was not of the