O let me never regard any of their threatnings; for when my father and mother forsake me, thou, O Lord, I am assured, wilt take me up.
Take me, O take me into the arms of thy mercy; for henceforward know I no man after the flesh; and whosoever doth the will of my heavenly Father, the same shall be my brother, and sister, and mother.
I know, O Lord, I know that this will expose me to the derision and persecution of those that are round about me. But do thou, who didst seek for the poor beggar, after he was cast out by the Jewish council, and didst reveal thyself unto him, reveal thyself to me also, when my name is cast out as evil by my friends and the world. Though they curse, yet bless thou me, O Lord, and enable me, I most humbly beseech thee, to pray for them, even when they most despitefully use me, and persecute me. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
It is owing, O Lord, to thy free mercy alone, that I have in any measure been enlightened to know thee and the power of thy resurrection. O let the same grace be sufficient for them also, and make thy almighty power to be known in their conversion.
Thou didst once, O blessed Saviour, magnify thy goodness in turning thy servant Paul, from a bitter persecutor, to be a zealous preacher of thy gospel; and madest the trembling jailor cry out, even to those whose feet he had hurt in the stocks, “Sirs, what shall I do to be saved?”
Look down, therefore, I beseech thee, in pity and compassion, on those of my own houshold; and after I am converted myself, make me or some other person instrumental to strengthen these my weak brethren; that though we are now divided amongst ourselves, two against three, and three against two, yet we may at last, all with one heart and one mouth, glorify thee, O Lord; that thou mayest come and abide with us, and love us as thou didst Lazarus, Mary, and her sister Martha. Grant this, O Saviour, for thy infinite merits sake! Amen and Amen.
A Prayer for one entrusted with the Education of Children.
O DEAREST Jesus, who gatherest thy lambs into thy bosom, and didst solemnly command thy servant Peter, to feed them; grant I may shew that I love thee more than all things, by doing as thou hast commanded him.
Lord, who am I, or what is in me, that thou should thus put honour upon me, in making me any way instrumental to the preparing souls for thee? O thou blessed Saviour, I have sinned against heaven, and am no more worthy to be called thy son, much less to be employed in the service of thy children.