danger, necessity, and tribulation. We further sup- plicate him in behalf of all that travel, whether by land or by water, all women labouring of child, all sick persons, and young children, and particularly entreat him to have pity upon all prisoners and captives. Still further, we plead with him to defend and pro- vide for the fatherless children, and zvidows, and all that are desolate and oppressed : and, lest any should have been omitted, we beg him " to have mercy upon all men," generally, and more particularly, " to for- give our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts." In what other prayers, whether extemporaneous or written, shall we ever find such diffusive benevolence as this ?
In a word, there is no possible situation in which we can be placed, but the prayers are precisely suited to us ; nor can we be in any frame of mind, wherein they will not express our feelings as strongly and forcibly, as any person could express them even in his secret chamber. Take a broken-hearted peni- tent ; where can he ever find words, wherein to sup- plicate the mercy of his God, more congenial with his feelings than in the Litany, where he renews his application to each Person of the Sacred Trinity for mercy, under the character of a miserable sinner ? Hear him when kneeling before the altar of his God : " Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men ; we acknow- ledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy Divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings ; the re- membrance of them is grievous unto us, the burthen of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father ! For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honour and glory of thy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord ! "