Direct my reason, subdue my passions, put a stop to my roving thoughts and fears, and let me have the comfort of thy promise, and of thy protection, both now and ever, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

Heb. xii. 7, 8. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you, as with sons; for what son is he, whom the father chasteneth not? But, if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers; then are ye bastards, and not

sons.

Micah vii. 9. I will hear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him.

If I am despised or slighted, I ought to consider it, as a favor, since this is a mark of God's children; therefore I ought to thank him for it, and not be angry with those, whom he makes his instruments to subdue and mortify my pride.

1 Pet. iv. 13. Rejoice in as much as ye are made partakers of the sufferings of Christ; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy; because your reward will be proportionable to your sufferings.

Matth. v. 11, 12. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets, which were before you.

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The mystery of the cross is to be learned under the cross.

Matth. x. 28, 29. Fear not them, which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him, who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. The very hairs of your head are all numbered.

1 Pet. v. 6, 7. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, [under great afflictions, which he suffers to befal you] that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.

Matth. vi. 10. Thy will be done.

It is just, great God, it should be so ; for who should govern the world, but he, who made it? Yet we poor creatures repine, when any thing crosses our hopes or designs. What strange unthoughtfulness! What presumption is this! It is thy great mercy, that any of us are sensible of this folly, and become willing to be governed by Thee.

With all my heart and soul, O God, I thank Thee, that in all the changes of this mortal life I can look up to Thee, and cheerfully resign my will to thine.

It is the desire of my soul, and my humble petition, that I may always be ready and willing to submit to thy providence, that Thou mayest order what Thou judgest to be most convenient for me.

I have trusted Thee, O Father, with myself; my soul is in thy hand, which I verily believe Thou wilt preserve to eternal happiness; my body, and all, that belongs to it, are of much less value. I do therefore with great security and satisfaction trust all, I have, in Thee, hoping Thou wilt preserve me from all things hurtful, and lead me to all things profitable to my salvation.

I will love Thee, O God; being satisfied, that all things, however strange and irksome they appear, will work together for good to those, that do so.

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I know, in whom I have believed; I have a Saviour at thy right hand, full of kindness, full of care, full of power; he has prayed for me, that this faith fail me not; and by this faith I am persuaded, that neither tribulation, nor anguish, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor peril, nor sword, nor death, which I fear, nor life, which I may hope for, nor things present, which I feel, nor things to come, which I may apprehend, will ever prevail so far over me, as to make me not resign my will entirely to Thee.

In humble, quiet, and dutiful submission, let me, faithfully run the race, set before me, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy, that was set before him, despised the shame, endured the cross, and is now seated at the right hand of God; to whom I most humbly beseech Thee to bring

me in thy good time; and for whatever shall fall out in the mean while, Thy will be done. Amen.

Look unto Jesus.

He was despised and rejected of men ; his life was sought by Herod; He was tempted by Satan; hated by that world, which he came to save; set at nought by his own people; called a deceiver and a dealer with the devil; was driven from place to place, and had not where to lay his head; betrayed by one Disciple, and forsaken by all the rest; falsely accused, spit upon, and scourged; set at nought by Herod and his men of war; given up by Pilate to the will of his enemies; had a murderer preferred before him; was condemned to a most cruel and shameful death; crucified between two thieves; reviled in the midst of his torments; had gall and vinegar given him to drink; suffered a most bitter death, submitting with patience to the will of his Father.

O Jesus, who now sitteth at the right hand of God, to succor all, who suffer in a righteous way; be Thou my Advocate for grace, that in all my sufferings I may follow thy example, and run with patience the race, that is set before me. Amen.

Take all things, that befal you, as coming from God's providence for your particular profit. Though they are evil in themselves; yet, as he permits, or does not think fit to hinder them, they may be referred to Him.

God no sooner discovers in your heart an ardent desire of well doing, and of submitting to his will, than he prepares for you occasions of trying your virtue; therefore, confident of his love, receive cheerfully a medicine, prepared by a physician, that cannot mistake, and cannot give you any thing, but what will be for your good. See Eccles. chap. ii.

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Lord, prepare my heart, that no afflictions may ever so surprise, as to overbear me. pose me at all times to a readiness to suffer, what thy providence shall order or permit. It is the same cup, of which Jesus Christ drank; and he sends it. He sees it absolutely necessary, that I be first partaker of his sufferings, and then of his glory.

Matth. x. 22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he, that shall endure to the end, shall be saved.

It is indeed grievous to nature to be thus treated; but, when it is for thy name sake, O Jesus, and for the sake of thy truth, and for being true to Thee; how lovely is this hatred; and how advantageous, when salvation is the reward!

Matth. x. 24. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his Lord.

He, who keeps this saying in his heart, will never complain of what he suffers, nor seek any. other way to save himself, than by humiliation and the cross.

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