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THIS collection of Family Prayers has been made almost entirely from the Book of Common Prayer of our Mother Church. The compiler knew of no better, and desired no other prayers than such as had been sanctified by Her use, and came to him with the stamp of Her authority. For the same reasons the arrangement of the English Prayer-book has been followed as closely as the nature of this work permitted, and in all things it has been the aim of the compiler to lead forward the humble soul to a greater appreciation of Her services, and to remind all, that family worship is an image of the worship in GoD's earthly temple, as this latter is a pattern and foretaste of the employments and the happiness of glorified saints in the New Jerusalem. All Her treasures are indeed new and old: new, in their perpetual fresh

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ness and in their ever-satisfying delights; old, because the Holy Church throughout all the world and throughout all time, has glorified GOD in endless thanksgivings, and offered up continual supplications in like words. Where here and there other short prayers have been added, such have been selected as blended best with Her collects, and have been made use of only because the nature of family prayer seemed in some instances to require more individual reference than is allowable in public worship.

Immediately after the sentences at the beginning of all Morning prayers let all, kneeling, say,

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred and strayed from Thy ways like

lost sheep: We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts: We have offended against Thy holy laws, We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare Thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore Thou them that are penitent; According to Thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake, That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Thy holy Name. Amen.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us, &c.

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