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NOTE.

It will be observed that, in giving quotations from the Book of Psalms in the course of the following chapters, I have often used the beautiful and much-prized edition of these sacred hymns, as contained in our Book of Common Prayer.

In preparing these Prayers, I have not scrupled to avail myself of all the aid I could obtain from various writers, adopting their very words, where I felt it to be desirable.

H. C.

THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM.

CHAPTER I.

THE SHORTNESS AND VANITY OF LIFE: THE PROSPECT OF DEATH NO TERROR TO THE BELIEVER IN JESUS.

1. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down. He fleeth also as a shadow and continueth not.-Job xiv., I, 2.

2. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years, yet is their strength, then, but labour and sorrow; so soon passeth it away, and we are gone. - Psalm xc.,

10.

3. Man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.-Psalm xxxix., 7.

4. Man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?-Job xiv., 10.

5. For when the breath of man goeth forth, he shall turn again to his earth; and, then, all his thoughts perish. -Psalm cxlvi., 3.

6. What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.-James iv., 14.

7. Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.-Proverbs xxvii., I.

8. There is but a step between me and death-1 Samuel, XX., 3.

9. Be ye, therefore, ready also, for the Son of Man cometh at an honr when ye think not.-Luke xii., 40.

The Shortness and Vanity of Life.

10. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.-Psalm xc., 12.

II. O that men were wise; that they understood this; that they would consider their latter end.-Deut. xxxii., 29.

12. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.-Psalm xxiii., 4.

13. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet, in my flesh, shall I see God.-Job xix., 25, 26.

14. God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me.-Psalm xlix., 15.

15. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope.-Psalm xvi., 9.

16. I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.-2 Timothy, i., 12.

17. Every man that hath this hope in Him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure.-1 John, iii., 3.

18. Ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus.-I Cor. v., II.

19. Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.-Acts x., 43.

20. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.— 1 John, i., 7.

21. The dust shall return to the earth, as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.-Eccl. xii., 7.

22. It is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard ;neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.-1 Cor., ii., 9.

....

23. Merciful men are taken away from the evil to come.—Is. lvii., 1.

24. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.-Rev. xiv. 13.

25. Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.-Numbers xxiii., 10.

The Prospect of Death no Terror to the Believer in Jesus.

"My life, whilst thou preserv'st my life
Thy sacrifice shall be;

And death, when death shall be my lot,
Shall join my soul to Thee.

"Guarded by Thee, my dying day
Shall need no help beside;
Thy rod and staff shall be my stay ;
Thy light shall be my guide.

"Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear none ill;

For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still."

PRAYER.

THE SHORTNESS AND VANITY OF LIFE. THE PROSPECT OF DEATH NO TERROR TO THE BELIEVER IN JESUS.

Almighty God, and Heavenly Father; Thou who art good and gracious, teach us Thy statutes. Thy hands have made us and fashioned us: Thou art our defence and our shield, and our trust is in Thy Word. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. May we ever remember, blessed Lord, that there is, indeed, but a step between us and death. Deliver us, Lord, from every evil work; and preserve us unto The Heavenly Kingdom. Redeem our souls from the power of the grave. Let our flesh rest in hope. Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need fear no evil; for Thou shalt receive us. Worms shall destroy these bodies of ours, yet in our flesh we shall see God; for we know that our Redeemer liveth, and are persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have com-mitted unto Him. AMEN.

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