A FORM OF

PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING

TO ALMIGHTY GOD,

For the inestimable Blessings of Religious and Civil Liberty; to be used yearly Fourth Day of July, unless it happen to be on Sunday, and then on following.

¶ The Service shall be as usual, except where it is hereby otherwise appointed.

¶ Among the Sentences at Morning Prayer shall be the following:

THe Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting Arms.  Deut. 33. 27.
    Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: The fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine: also his heavens shall drop down dew.  Verse 28.
    Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people favoured by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy Excellency.  Verse 29.
    The Lord hath been mindful of us, and he shall bless us; he shall bless them that fear him, both small and great.  Psalm 115. 12, 13.
    O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness, and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men.  Psalm 107.21.

¶ Instead of "O come let us sing, &c.," the following Hymn shall be said or sung.

MY Song shall be alway of the loving kindness of the Lord : with my Mouth ever be shewing his Truth from one generation to another.  Psal. 89. 1.
    The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous Works : that they ought to be had in remembrance. Psal. 111. 4.
    Who can express the noble Acts of the Lord : or shew forth all his praise? Psal. 106. 2.
    The works of the Lord are great : sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. Psal. 111.2.
    For he will not alway be chiding : neither keepeth he his anger forever. Psal. 103.9.
    He hath not dealt with us after our sins : nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. Verse 10.
    For look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth : so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. Verse 11.
    Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children : even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him. Verse 11.
    Thou, O God, hast proved us; thou also hast tried us, like as silver is tried. Psal. 66.9.
    Thou didst remember us in our low estate, and redeem us from our enemies for thy mercy endureth forever. Psal. 136. 23, 24.
 

¶ Then shall be said or sung the Psalm; which shall be the same as is appointed Day, Part 2.

¶ The first Lesson shall be, Deut. 8; and the second Lesson shall be, [1] Thess. 5. 12 to 24.

¶ A thanksgiving for the day, to be said after the general thanksgiving.

O God, whose Name is excellent in all the earth, and thy glory above the heavens, who as on this day didst inspire the direct the hearts of our delegates in Congress, to lay the perpetual foundations of peace, liberty, and safety; we bless and adore thy glorious Majesty, for this thy loving kindness and providence. And we humbly pray that the devout sense of this signal mercy may renew and increase in us a spirit of love and thankfulness to thee its only author, a spirit of peaceable submission to the laws and government of our country, and a spirit of fervent zeal for our holy religion, which thou hast preserved and secured to us and our posterity. May we improve these inestimable blessing for the advancement of religion, liberty, and science throughout this land, till the wilderness and solitary place be glad through us, and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose. This we beg through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

¶ The Collect: to be used instead of that for the Day.

ALmighty God, who hast in all ages shewed forth thy power and mercy in the wonderful preservation of thy church, and in the protection of every nation and people professing thy holy and eternal Truth, and putting their sure trust in thee; We yield thee our unfeigned thanks and praise for all thy public mercies, and more especially for that signal and wonderful manifestation of thy providence which we commemorate this day; Wherefore not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name be ascribed all honor and glory, in all churches of the Saints, from generation to generation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

¶ The Epistle. Philip. 4. 4.

REjoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

¶ The Gospel.  St. John 8.31.

THen said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.