May God, whose gracious and never-failing Providence orders all things both in heaven and earth, of His infinite mercy, accomplish this great end of all His visitations, that we may become a “righteous nation unto the Lord.” May those who are slumbering in the fatal lethargy of sin “awake to righteousness and sin not:” alarmed by the judgments impending over them, may habitual sinners seek for grace, “to turn from the evil of their ways,” before “the Lord be revealed from heaven, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on the wicked, and those who know not God.” May the lukewarm, who, even in the hour of danger, still “halt between two opinions,” cleave to the Lord, lest their souls should be required of them, whilst yet balancing the claims of God and mammon. May the faithful trim their lamps, “have their loins girded, and their lights burning, and be like unto men that wait for their Lord: blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching.” And may God pour His especial grace and blessing upon the nation at large: that all may recognize His hand, submit to His will, depend on His protection, profit by His chastisements, and endeavour to promote His glory here and abroad, now and for ever. “Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” {237} A PRAYER IN TIMES OF PESTILENCE OR GREAT SICKNESS. O ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, whose gracious and never-failing Providence orders all things, both in heaven and earth; we, Thy unworthy servants, most humbly beseech Thee, to look with an eye of pity upon thy afflicted people. We have sinned, O Lord, and done wickedly; in the days of our prosperity we have forgotten Thee, the bounteous Giver of all good: but Thou dealest not with the sons of men after their sins, nor rewardest them according to their iniquities. Have mercy, therefore, upon us, O God, according to Thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions. We know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou, in faithfulness, hast afflicted us. But, O Lord, rebuke us not in Thy wrath, neither chasten us in Thy hot displeasure. Let mercy rejoice against judgment. And turn Thee unto us, and have mercy upon us: for we are desolate and afflicted. The troubles of our heart are enlarged: oh bring Thou us out of our distresses. Look upon our affliction and our pain, and forgive all our sins.