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and prepared to enter into and enjoy thy holy presence in heaven; for thou hast so loved the world, as to give thy dear Son to die for sinners, that they might not perish but have everlasting life. We come to thy mercy-seat at this time, through the new and living way, even the death and mediation of Jesus; that we may obtain mercy to pardon, and find grace to help us in our time of need. Thou hast encouraged us to come, and assured us that thou wilt not cast us out, but that thou wilt hear the prayer of the destitute, and those who are out of the way.

O thou God of mercy and compassion, who art ever near in the season of sickness and sorrow, and dost condescend to look upon those who are upon a bed of affliction and death; behold one before thee upon the verge of death, and grant that he may be prepared for that solemn alteration, which after a while must take place. Soon will he exchange worlds, and pass from time into eternity. O may he possess and enjoy that gracious and effectual change of heart, so necessary to an acceptable appearance before thee. If hitherto he has in any way indulged in mistaken notions of the nature and importance of religion, O may thy Spirit remove every shade of ignorance, and may he both see and feel the necessity of a personal interest in the Redeemer, as "the way, the truth, and the life." Convince him of his true state aud condition. Place before him the sins of his heart and life, that he may

mourn over them with a godly sort, and thankfully embrace that salvation which is in Christ Jesus. May every false dependence be relinquished. May every vain plea be renounced. May every fatal error be removed. O grant that he may be enabled so to see his condition, as to be humble and penitent; and so to view the Saviour, as to trust simply in him for the absolution of all sin, and the acceptance of his person. Create within him also, a new heart and renew a right spirit within him, "for thou makest the heart soft." Subdue the sinful corruptions of the heart, and purify the soul from every taint of depravity. Trusting in the blessed Redeemer, and being justified by his spotless righteousness, may he, ere he leaves this world, enjoy that peace which nothing can impart, but reconciliation to God, and a good hope of heaven. Be very merciful unto him, and lift up the light of thy countenance upon him. And may he, in looking forward to an eternal world, enjoy some evidence that his sins are pardoned, and that he has an interest in the merits and mediation of the Redeemer. Let not Satan, the great adversary, possess any influence. May he not be tempted to despair at a view of sin, and may he not presume upon thy mercy, but humbly rely as a perishing and helpless sinner upon the promise of pardon and salvation through Christ.

Enable him to commit all into thy hands, O Lord, as a merciful and faithful Creator and

Redeemer. Regard him both in body and soul. When the flesh falls into the dust of death, may it rest in hope; and when the soul enters into thy presence, may it be accepted and blest; and at the resurrection of the just, may he rise to everlasting joy.

Let not his mind for a single moment, be diverted from the all-important concerns of the soul, and from seeking that preparation to enter before thee, which is necessary for all to experience. Bless, O bless him with thy mercy and love, and amidst the pains and weakness of a dying body, may a humble hope of escape from eternal death, and of entering into heaven, help to sustain him under his dying pangs. And trusting by faith in the sacrifice and death of the only Saviour of sinners, may he close his eyes peacefully upon this sinful world, and open them upon that glory which thou hast promised to all them that seek thee.

Be with all such, we humbly beseech thee, who are in dying circumstances, but who are ignorant of themselves and the Saviour; who feel no need of Christ and a change of heart; who think that they have righteousness sufficient to justify them before thee. May serious alarm be excited in their minds. Blessed Spirit, convince them of sin, and righteousness, and judgment. Before it is too late let deep repentance be felt, and an all-sufficient Saviour be embraced; that they may not enter another world with a lie in their

right-hand and destitute of that preparation which is required.

Thanks be to thy name, O Lord, that thou hast revealed the way in which the sinner is to be accepted, and justified, and prepared for heaven. Thou mightest, without injustice, have left thy guilty creatures to perish eternally in their sins; but thou hast in infinite mercy, reconciled the world to thyself, through Jesus Christ, and hast freely invited sinful men to partake of the blessings of eternal life. May all gladly accept these blessings, and thus be saved from wrath to come.

These supplications and thanks we meekly present to thee, in the name of the dear Redeemer. Amen.

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Prepare us gracious God,

To stand before thy face;

Thy Spirit must the work perform,
For it is all of grace.

In Christ's obedience clothe,

And wash us in his blood,

So shall we lift our heads with joy,

Among the sons of God.

Do thou our sins subdue,
Thy sovereign love make known,

The spirit of our minds renew,

And save us in thy Son.

Let us attest thy power,

Let us thy goodness prove,

Till our full souls can hold no more
Of everlasting love."

CHAPTER VIII.
Fear of Death.

SCRIPTURE PORTION.

IF thou hast run with the footmen and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swellings of Jordan, Jer. xii. 5. My heart is sore pained within me; and the terrors of death are fallen upon me; fearfulness and trembling are come upon me; and horror hath overwhelmed me, Psa. lv. 4, 5. Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die and not live. And Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed unto the Lord. And Hezekiah wept sore. I said, in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave; I am deprived of the residue of my years. I said I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord in the land of the living. I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world. Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter. I did mourn as a dove. Mine eyes fail with looking upwards. O Lord I am oppressed, undertake for me, Isa. xxxviii. 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 14. Forasmuch then as children are partakers of flesh and blood, he, (that is Christ) also took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of

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