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APPENDIX.

Prayers for the Married, to be used in their joint private
Devotions.

For Fidelity and Love.

O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon us; that, as Isaac and Rebekah lived faithfully together, so we may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt us made, and ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Matrimony.

For the fulfilling of God's word, and continuance in his love.

O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless us thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in our hearts; that whatsoever in thy holy Word we shall profitably learn, we may in deed fulfil the same. Look, O Lord, mercifully upon us from heaven, and bless us. And as thou didst send thy blessing upon Abraham and Sarah, to their great comfort, so vouchsafe to send thy blessing upon us; that we, obeying thy will, and alway being in safety under thy protection, may abide in thy love unto our lives' end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Matrimony.

For life to bring up Children.

O merciful Lord, and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased; We bless thee for the children thou hast given us and we beseech thee to grant that we may live together so long in godly love and honesty, as to see our children christianly and virtuously brought up, to thy praise and honour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Matrimony.

For God's blessing.

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep us; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon us; and so fill us with all spiritual benediction and grace, that we may so live together in this life, that in the world to come we may have life everlasting. Amen.

Matrimony.

Almighty God, who at the beginning didst create our first parents, Adam and Eve, and didst sanctify and join them together in marriage; Pour upon us the riches of thy grace, sanctify and bless us, that we may please thee both in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto our lives' end. Amen.

Matrimony.

When the Children are young.

O Heavenly Father, who by baptism didst mercifully receive our children into thy covenant and Church; blessed be thy Name for this thy great goodness; and grant us grace so to bring them up in thy fear and love, that they may ever remain in the number of thy elect children, and attain thy promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord God, forasmuch as Thou, of thy goodness, hast given us children, we beseech thee give us also grace to train them up, even from their cradles, in thy nurture and doctrine, in thy holy laws and blessed ordinances; that from their very young age they may know thee, believe in thee, fear, love, and obey thee, and diligently walk in thy commandments all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

At Night.

King Edward's Primer.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose eyes are over all thy works, Look down in mercy upon our children. Forgive whatever thou hast seen amiss in them this day. Have compassion upon their tender age. Keep far from them the snares of Satan and the defilements of sin. Give them healthful bodies and holy hearts; and as they grow in years, so may they grow in grace, and in favour with thee, their God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

For their Protection and Guidance in more advanced age.

Almighty and everliving God, who makest us both to will and to do those things that be good and acceptable unto thy divine Majesty; We make our humble supplications unto thee for the children thou hast given us. Let thy fatherly hand, we beseech thee, ever be over them; let thy Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of thy Word, that in the end they may obtain everlasting life; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Confirmation.

For their Sanctification.

O Almighty Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern, both the hearts and bodies of our children, in the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that, through thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, they may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Confirmation.

For their increase in Grace.

Almighty God, who hast vouchsafed to call our children to the knowledge of thy grace and faith in thee, Grant that they may walk answerably to this thy gracious calling, following the example of their Saviour Christ. Give them thy Holy Spirit, that

they may continually mortify their evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceed in all virtue and godliness of living, and so attain thy heavenly promises; through the same our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Baptism in Riper Years.

The Parent may thus humbly bless his Child, laying his hand upon his head, on any solemn occasion; as on the Child's departure from his Father's house; in the Parent's last illness, &c.

Defend, O Lord, this my child with thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine for ever, and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and more, until he come unto thy everlasting kingdom. Amen.

Confirmation.

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