An humble Intercession with God for all mankind; for the whole Christian church, and more particularly for that part of it which is planted in these kingdoms; for the Queen, and for all under our government; for my relations and friends; for my native country, and for my allies, &c.

I THINE unworthy servant desire likewise humbly to intercede with thee, the God and Father of all, for all mankind; that thou wouldest be pleased to have compassion upon their blindness and ignorance, their gross errors and their wicked practices. Send forth, I beseech thee, thy light and thy truth, to scat ter that thick darkness which covers the nations, and overspreads so great a part of the world; that thy way may be known upon earth, and thy saving health among all nations.

Bless and preserve thy church dispersed over the face of the earth, restore to it unity and concord, in the acknowledgment of the truth, and the practice of righteousness and goodness. Remove out of it all errors and corruptions, all offences and scandals, all divisions and dissensions, all tyranny and usurpation over the minds and consciences of men, that they who profess the same faith, may no longer persecute 218and destroy one another, but may be kind and tender-hearted one towards another, as it becomes brethren, and those that are heirs of the same common salvation.

I beseech thee more especially, to be merciful to that part of thy church, which thou hast planted in these kingdoms. Pity the distractions, and heal the breaches of it. Purge out of it all impiety and profaneness. Take away those mistakes, and mutual exasperations, which cause so much distemper and disturbance; and restore to it piety and virtue, peace and charity. Endue the pastors and governors of it with the spirit of true religion and goodness, and make them zealous and diligent to promote it in those who are under their instruction and care. Give them wisdom to discern the best and most proper means of composing the differences of this miserably divided church, the heart to endeavour it, and by thy blessing upon their endeavours the happiness to effect it.

And I beseech thee, O Lord, of thy great goodness, to bless all my relations and friends; particularly my dearest consort, the Queen. I acknowledge thy special providence in bringing us together, and thereby giving me the opportunity and means of being instrumental in rescuing these nations from misery and ruin. And as thou hast been pleased to unite us in the nearest relation; so I beseech thee to preserve and continue that entire love and affection between us, which becomes that relation. And if it be thy blessed will, and thou seest it best for us, bless us with children, to sit upon the throne of these kingdoms, and to be a blessing to them for many generations.

Be merciful, also, O God, to my native country; 219let true religion and righteousness be established among them, as the surest foundation of their peace and prosperity.

Bless all my allies: O righteous Lord, that lovest righteousness, and hatest falsehood and wrong, do thou stand by us in the maintenance of that just cause in which we are engaged; and bless us with union and good success.

And in thy good time, O Lord, restore peace to Christendom; put an end to those bloody wars and desolations, wherewith it hath been so long and so miserably harassed: and, when thou seest it best and fittest, manifest thy glorious justice in giving check to that ambition and cruelty, which hath been the cause of so great calamities, to so great a part of the world. “O God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself; lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth, and render a reward to the proud: scatter the people that delight in war: let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but do thou establish the just.”

Be merciful, O God, to all that are in affliction or distress, that labour under poverty, or persecution, or captivity: under bodily pains and diseases, or under temptation and trouble of mind: be pleased to support and comfort them, and in thy due time to deliver them according to thy great mercy.

Forgive, I beseech thee, most merciful Father, to all mine enemies, all their malice and ill-will towards me: and give them repentance and better minds: which I heartily beg of thee for them, as I myself hope for mercy and forgiveness at thy hands, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, my most merciful God and Saviour.