But since thou hast been pleased in me, to shew forth all thy mercy, and hast called me by thy good providence to this blessed work, grant I may always remember, that the little flock committed to my charge, are bought with the price of thy own most precious blood. And let it, therefore, be my meat and drink, to feed them with the sincere milk of thy word, that they may grow thereby.
To this end, I beseech thee of thy free grace, first to convert my own soul, and cause me to become like a little child, that from an experimental knowledge of my own corruptions, I may have my spiritual senses exercised, to discern the first emotions of evil that may at any time arise in their hearts.
O give me, I beseech thee, a discerning spirit, that I may search, and try, and examine the different tempers of their sin-sick souls; and, like a skilful physician, apply healing or corrosive medicines, as their respective maladies may require.
Gracious Jesus, let punishing be always my strange work; and, if it be possible, grant that they may be all drawn to their duty, as I would be drawn myself, by the cords of love. And when I am obliged to correct them, grant it may not be to shew my authority, or gratify a corrupt passion, but purely out of the same motive from which thou dost correct us, to make them partakers of thy holiness.
O! keep me, I beseech thee, from being angry without a cause: Permit me not rashly to be provoked by the infirmities and perverseness of their infant years; but grant I may shew all long-suffering towards them: And by exercising such frequent acts of patience and forbearance, grant I myself may learn the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
O thou, who didst teach thy disciples how to pray, pour down, I beseech thee, the Spirit of grace and supplication into their hearts, that at all times, and in all places, they may both desire and know how to call upon thee by fervent prayer.
Father, into thy hands I commend my own and their spirits: Look down from heaven, the habitation of thy holiness, and bless them from thy holy hill.
Keep them, O keep them unspotted from the world; grant they may fly youthful lusts, and remember thee, their Creator, in the days of their youth. Train them up, I beseech thee, in the way wherein they should go; and when they are old, let them not depart from it.
O thou, who didst sanctify Jeremiah from the womb, and calledst young Samuel betimes, to wear a linnen ephod before thee, sanctify their whole spirits, souls and bodies, and preserve them blameless, till the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
O thou, who didst endue Solomon with grace, to chuse wisdom before riches and honour; incline their hearts to make the same choice of thee, their only good; and may they always renounce and triumph over the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.