  Almighty God, who hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, and hast promised that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it; we approach Thee in the name of Him who is the one Mediator, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We praise and magnify Thy holy name for Thy distinguishing goodness towards us as inhabitants of this Christian land, and members of a Reformed and scriptural Church. [We adore Thy grace in that wonderful interposition of Thy Providence, by which our fathers were rescued from the yoke of superstitious bondage, and taught to serve Thee in spirit and in truth.] But we confess that we have not rendered again according to the benefit we have received. We have neither prized nor improved our privileges as we ought. [We have sinned, and our fathers have sinned, and we have reason to fear lest there should be wrath upon us and upon our people, and lest Thou shouldest pour out the spirit of slumber and delusion upon us.] Yet Thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy. Remember not our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts; cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. Direct our hearts and minds by Thy Holy Spirit. Give us understanding of the times to know what we ought to do. Let Thy merciful help especially prevent and follow us as members of this Society. May we begin, continue, and end everything in Thee. [Let us not contend for names and words, but for Thy glory, and the truth of Thy Gospel.] Grant us a simple love of the truth, and an experimental acquaintance with it. [Let us not be “carried about with divers and strange doctrines,” but let our hearts be “established with grace.”] And let us not only believe with the heart, but with the mouth make confession. With meekness of wisdom may we ever be Raise up, we earnestly entreat Thee, champions for the truth; revive in our days the spirit of the martyrs and reformers of old. Spare to Thy Church those who are zealous for Thee. May the faithful never fail from among us, but let the rising youth be trained to walk in the good old paths. And as Thou hast commanded prayers and intercessions to be made for all men, we beseech Thee for our sovereign lady, Queen Victoria, [that she may ever be mindful of the responsibilities of her office and the obligation of her oath. Bless abundantly] the Ministers of State [Guide] and [govern] the senate of our land. [Strengthen and encourage those Protestant Representatives who are faithful to Thy cause; increase their influence, and add to their numbers. Pour out Thy Spirit upon all estates of the realm, the clergy and the laity, the rich and the poor. May they strive together, as members of one body, for the common faith. Let it please Thee to comfort and succour all oppressed Protestants, and confessors of the truth, enabling them to forgive their enemies, and to maintain their own stedfastness.] And very earnestly do we beseech thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred and are deceived. Strengthen such as do stand, and raise up them that fall. [Finally, we commend ourselves and the work of our hands unto Thee, entreating Thee to accept our persons and our services, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences; and so to overrule all events,—nay, even the errors and infirmities of Thy servants,—to the advancement of Thy glory, and the good of Thy Church, that truth and liberty, piety and peace, may be established among us to all generations.] These and all other mercies we humbly beg in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. N.B. The passages within brackets may be omitted at discretion. Macintosh, Printer, Great New-street, London. |
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