Actuated by that faith which is the sub. stance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, let us live up to our glorious privileges and sublime hopes.

Thus shall we best promote the designs of divine grace and mercy towards us, until, being fitted and prepared therefor, we shall be admitted into the blissful mansions of the skies, where we shall be infinitely more happy, than it is possible to be, in the best condition on earth.

EXER. XX.

The wonderful displays of the perfections and providence of God, conspicuous in the heavens and earth, and the necessity of sincerity to make our prayers acceptable.

Mas. PRAISE ye the Lord, for he is great; his power is irresistible; his wisdom is infinite; and his mercy, boundless as immensity, endureth forever.

Fam. His throne is exalted above the heavens, and the earth is his footstool, and he has an unalienable right to the supreme worship and adoration of all intelligent creatures.

Universal nature, through all her works, exhibits irresistible evidence of the supremacy, glorious majesty, and transcendent wisdom and goodness of the everlasting Jehovah.

He rideth in his excellency on the skies, presideth over the vicissitudes of the seasons, and regulateth the wheels of each revolving year.

The ordinances of heaven are subject to his control, and the stars in their courses are the ministers of his providence.

He sendeth forth his commandment, his word runneth swiftly; he giveth snow like wool, scattereth the hoar frost like ashes, and casteth forth his ice like morsels.

Again he sendeth out his word and melteth them; he dissolveth the frost with warm gales of the south, and the waters flow and swell the rivers.

He unbindeth the sweet influences of Pleiades, and looseth the bonds of Orion.

The tempest is his breath; the thunder hurled tremendous, shakes the wilderness; the mountains tremble, and atheists stand aghast.

God thundereth marvelously with his voice; he directeth the sound of it under the whole heaven, and his lightnings unto the ends of the earth.

He causeth the vapours to ascend; covereth the heavens with clouds; prepareth rain for the earth, and maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

By his providence the pastures are clothed with flocks, and the vallies covered with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

He crowneth the year with his goodness, and his paths drop marrow and fatness.

We will celebrate the praises of his power and goodness, displayed in the heavens and earth, through each revolving year, and will gratefully recognize his marvelous loving kindness to the children of men.

Blessed be the universal parent and friend of mankind, for those innumerable blessings unmerited, freely bestowed, which he is continually showering down upon us.

Let us mak it our constant devout inquiry, what we shall render to the Lord for all his benefits; and endeavour in all our ways to please him, that we may still be happy in his favour, and always rejoice in his salvation.

Therefore we esteem it reasonable in some solemn manner, daily to prostrate ourselves before the supreme Lord of heaven and earth, to implore his pardoning mercy and grace to fulfil his will.

Though by sin we have forfeited the character of his children, yet he is graciously pleased to allow us to call him our father, and to treat us with paternal kindness and mercy.

Notwithstanding our unworthiness, he hath invited and encouraged us to maintain a sacred intercourse with heaven, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.

Relying on his gracious indulgence, confiding in his promises, we will daily seek his face and favour, and implore all needed blessings, pertaining to time and eternity.

O thou Father of lights, who givest to all men liberally, conscious of our lack of wisdom, we refer ourselves to thy guidance, beseeching thee to shew us the path of life, and make us wise unto salvation.

Let us remember that in order to render our external devotions an acceptable service unto God, they must be accompanied with purity of heart, and holy obedience unto life.

For, unto men of unhallowed hearts and lives, God saith, What have ye to declare my statutes, or that ye should take my covenant in your mouths? Your sacrifices are an abomination.

God is a spirit; and those who worship him, must worship him in spirit and truth. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?

He who hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto those who keep his testimonies; he will guide and shew them the way of life. and happiness.

They shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of their salvation.

Lead us in thy truth, and teach us, O Lord, for thou art the God of our salvation. Keep our souls and deliver us; let integrity and uprightness preserve us; for we wait on thee.

EXER. XXI.

Sincerity in religion made the subject of earnest prayer and exhortation, calculated to promote the christian temper of candour and charity.

Mas. O THOU Father of lights, we beseech thee to irradiate our understandings with the beams of heavenly wisdom, and may our souls be inspired with dispositions of rever

ence, gratitude, and devotion; of purity, humility, and charity.

Fam. May the great Father of spirits, and source of all gracious influence, impress our souls with a reverential fear of himself, and shed abroad his love in our hearts.

Animated by the noblest motives, and actuated by the best principles, may we with sincerity and persevering constancy, apply ourselves to every branch of duty.

Whatsoever we do, let us do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men; for man looketh to the outward appearance, but God looketh to the heart.

Cleave unto the Lord your God, and serve him in sincerity and truth, with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind, and with a pure conscience.

Let us walk before him in uprightness and integrity of heart; for his eye searches us throughout, and our most secret designs and intentions are naked and open to the view of his omniscience.

Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conscience his works, with meekness of wisdom, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

The ways of those, who forget God, are misery and destruction, and the hypocrite's hope shall perish.

Let every man prove his own work; then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and his soul shall be cheered with serene reflec