but we know nothing. Thou art Almighty, spirit which has been awakened, and the efbut we are crushed before the moth. Thou forts that are now making to promote the art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, but temporal, and above all the spiritual welfare we are vile-what shall we answer Thee? of mankind, by individuals and communities, We cannot answer Thee for one of a thou-and combinations of communities. O let sand of our transgressions: and had we fol- them not labour in vain; let the pleasure of lowed the forebodings of our consciences we the Lord prosper in their hand : let thy work could not have approached Thee. appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children; and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea the work of our hands, establish Thou it. But Thou hast proclaimed thy name, the Lord God merciful and gracious: Thou hast caused all thy goodness to pass before us; Thou hast opened a new and living way into the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus; and we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. We bless Thee that in Him all fulness dwells, and that ignorant and guilty, and depraved and miserable as we are in ourselves, from Him we can derive wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. And we rejoice that these blessings are attainable without money and without price, and that we may know they are ours by every title God himself can give, and shall be ours for ever. And is this the manner of man, O Lord God? O let such undeserved, such infinite goodness melt our hearts, and lead us to throw down the weapons of rebellion and weep over them. May we sorrow after a godly sort, that ever we offended a Being so worthy of all our love and our obedience; and while compelled to acknowledge with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, O Lord, other lords besides Thee have had dominion over us, enable us to say, But henceforth by Thee only will we make mention of thy name. As our reasonable service, to Thee may we dedicate ourselves immediately without delay, and fully without reserve. To Thee may we yield our understanding and our intellectual powers; our wills and our active powers, our senses and our bodily powers; our time, our substance and all our our relative powers may our words and our actions, and our callings in life, be all holiness unto the Lord. May we come out from the world, and touch not the unclean thing, and be received and acknowledged as the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. And though they are few in number, and the world knoweth them not, may we choose thy people as our companions, and delight in them as the excellent of the earth. With them at thy gates may we daily watch, and wait at the posts of thy doors; with them may we courageously fight the good fight of faith; with them may we patiently labour in thy vineyard. May we love them all; and as we have opportunity, may we unite with them all in holy communion, and co-operate with them all in schemes of civil and sacred beneficence. We bless Thee for the country and the age in which we live. We bless Thee for the And prepare us for suffering thy will as well as doing it. May we never look for unmingled felicity here, but expect to find life, as all who have gone before us have found it, light and darkness, pain and pleasure, good and evil. When we meet with trials, may we never think them strange things, nor murmur and repine under them. Rather may we be thankful that they are so few and alleviated; rather may we rejoice that they are all founded in love to our souls, and designed to make us partakers of thy holiness. Sustain us under them; improve us by them; and assure us in due time of our deliverance from them, and of our entering the rest that remains for the people of God, where all sorrow and sighing shall cease, and all tears shall be wiped from our eyes. And may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with us all, now and for ever. Amen. SATURDAY EVENING. O GOD! Thou art the God of all the families of the earth; for they are formed by thy will and supported by thy providence. But Thou art in a peculiar manner the God of those families in which thy name is known and loved and honoured. Thy curse is in the house of the wicked, but Thou blessest the habitation of the just. Whatever be the dispositions of others, we desire to say, with increasing resolution and zeal, As for us and our house, we will serve the Lord. Thy yoke is easy, thy burden is light, thy work is honourable and glorious, and in keeping thy commandments there is great reward. Thou art the best of all masters; Thou hast promised to bear with our infirmities, and to suffer us to want no good thing. Already Thou hast laid us under infinite obligations, as the God of providence and of grace-Thou hast dealt well with thy servants O Lord. Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O our souls, and forget not all his benefits. By thy good hand upon us, we have been conducted through. the perils, not only of another day, but another week; a period during which many have been carried down to their graves, and we have been brought so much nearer to our own. Impress us with the lapse of our time, and so teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Many have been involved in perplexities and exposed to want; many have been confined to the house of mourning or the bed of sickness; but we have been indulged with liberty and ease and health and strength; we have seen thy lovingkindness every morning, and thy faithfulness every night; and have had all things richly to enjoy. But O how little have we been affected by the instances of thy undeserved goodness; how imperfectly have we improved our religious privileges; how negligent have we been in seizing opportunities of doing good to the bodies and souls of our fellow-creatures. How well does it become each of us to exclaim, Behold I am vile; what shall I answer Thee?-wherefore I abhor myself, repenting in dust and ashes. We stand before Thee this evening in our trespass. Enter not into judgment with thy servants, O Lord. Our only hope is, that to the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions. And may a confidence in thy goodness, instead of encouraging us to sin that grace may abound, inspire us with that godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto life. May we hate and forsake every false way. May we be attentive to our condition, and study our character. May we bridle our tongue, and keep our heart with all diligence. May we often look back and see how at any time we have been ensnared or overcome; and watch and pray in future lest we enter into temptation. And do Thou keep us by thy power; uphold us by thy free spirit; and not only restrain us from sin but mortify us to it. May sleep refresh our bodies, and fit them for thy service on the ensuing day; and may thy grace prepare our minds. May we leave all the cares of the world for a while behind, that we may attend on the Lord without distraction. May we repair to the hallowed exercises of devotion, as the heart panteth after the water-brooks. May we call the Sabbath a delight; and be glad when they say to us, Let us go into the house of the And to the God of all grace, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen. FIFTH WEEK. SUNDAY MORNING. O GOD, Thou art very great, Thou art clothed with honour and majesty; and it becomes us to approach Thee with reverence and godly fear. We can also come before Thee with humble confidence, for thy condescension equals thy grandeur, and thy goodness is thy glory. If we are unworthy, we rejoice that we are not unwelcome. If we are guilty, Thou art gracious; if we are miserable, Thou art merciful; if we are all indigence, thy riches are unsearchable. By not sparing thine own Son, but delivering Him up for us all, Thou hast shown thy boundless compassion towards a perishing world; and proved that with Him Thou wilt also freely give us all things. Thus a foundation is laid for our hope, a refuge is opened for our safety, and a new and living way is consecrated into the holiest of all for our approach to Thee. O bless us with that conviction of sin, that brokenness of heart, that self-despair, which will endear to us the gospel message as a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation; and induce us to say with the apostle, That I may win Christ and be found in Him; that I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. How happy are they that are found interested in Him! They are delivered from the wrath to come; they are justified from all things; they have peace with God; they are heirs of the glory that is to be revealed. May we feel a holy and increasing concern to know whether these exalted privileges are claimable by us. For this purpose may we frequently and faithfully examine ourselves. May we search after that deadness to the world, that love to the Saviour, that attachment to his house, that devotedness to his service, which characterize the subjects of his salvation. And may these things not only be in us but abounding. It is an unspeakable blessing if we have life; but it is our duty and privilege to have it more abundantly. It becomes us to be thankful if Thou hast begun a good work in us; but we are allowed to pray that Thou wilt perfect that which concerneth us. According to the riches of thy glory therefore, strengthen us with might by thy Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the height and depth, and breadth and length, and to know the love of Christ that passeth knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fulness of God. May every part of our character and conduct be adapted to make not only a serious but an amiable impression on the minds of those around us; that they may take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, I will go with you, for I have heard that God is with you. May all that we meet with in our passage through life, whether pleasing or painful, instead of injuring the prosperity of our souls, turn to our salvation, through prayer and the continual supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. the unclouded revelation of Him in the word of truth. There we behold his person and character, his grace and glory. There we see Him when rich, for our sakes becoming poor, and dying that we may live; delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification. May we deeply feel our need of this dispensation, in all its parts and in all its influences; and with Peter exclaim, Lord, save-I perish; and with the publican-God be me merciful to me a sinner. Convince us of the pollution of sin, as well as of its guilt, that we may not only have our fear excited but our aversion; that with Job we may see that we are vile; and abhor ourselves, repenting in dust and ashes. May we feel the necessity of renovation as well as forgiveness, in order to our serving and enSend us help this day from the sanctuary joying Thee in time and eternity. O Thou and strengthen us out of Zion. We know Holy God, who hast no fellowship with inthat thine own appointments were never in-quity, subdue in us the love of sin; create in tended to make us independent of thy agen- us a clean heart, and renew in us a right cy; without thy superadded blessing the best spirit. means will prove in vain. But Thou hast promised to bless the provisions of thy house and to fill thy poor with bread. Thou hast said, In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee and I will bless thee. And all have found Thee to be faithful to thy word. We have known Thee in thy palaces for a refuge; we have seen thy power and thy glory in the sanctuary; and have often praised Thee with joyful lips. We therefore bless Thee for the return of these precious advantages. We pity those who are denied them. Sanctify their privations, and compensate the want of ordinances by thine own presence and communications. Enter as an instructer and comforter all the abodes of sorrow. Be the father of the fatherless and the husband of the widow. Guide those who are perplexed; guard those that are tempted; and let all that love Thee, be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. We ask it through the intercession of Him who has taught us when we pray, to say, Our Father, &c. SUNDAY EVENING. O GOD, the heavens declare thy glory. The earth is full of thy riches. The universe is thy temple. Thy presence fills immensity. It is thy pleasure to produce life, and to communicate happiness. From Thee we have derived all we are and all we own; and in Thee we live and move and have our being continued. Thy good providence has determined the bounds of our habitation, and wisely administered all our affairs. May we not be in the number of those who are always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; but may our hearts be established with grace. May we never rest in a mere system of doctrine, however scriptural, that does not bring salvation, or teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world: looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. May we live in the Spirit, and may we walk in the Spirit; and instead of relying on our own convictions and resolutions, may we be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. In all our duties, conflicts, and trials, may his grace be sufficient for us. To Him who gives rest to the weary and heavy laden, may we repair in all our spiritual distresses, in all our outward troubles, and in all the dissatisfactions experienced in creature-enjoyments. From a world where all is vanity and vexation of spirit, may we retreat to Him who is full of grace and truth; a Friend that loveth at all times; who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities; and who is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think. Prepare us for our final hour, and for all the scenes through which we have to pass in the remainder of our pilgrimage. May we know how to be abased, and how to abound. May we learn in whatsoever state we are therewith to be content. May we stand complete in all the will of God. Do us good by all thy dispensations; and especially sanctify to us all the means of grace. But above all we bless Thee for the ex- We bless Thee that we have been favoured ceeding riches of thy grace, in thy kindness with another sabbath, and have had opportutowards us by Christ Jesus. Thanks benities of repairing to the sanctuary, to mingle unto God for his unspeakable gift, and for our prayers and praises with the devotions of thy people, and to hear the words of eternal life. We grieve to think that so much of the precious seed sown by thy servants should fall by the way side, so much upon stony places, and so much among thorns, and that so little fruit is brought forth to perfection. May it appear that we have not received the grace of God in vain; but that thy word in us is like good seed sown in good ground, which springeth up and bringeth forth, in some an hundred fold, in some sixty, and in some thirty. MONDAY MORNING. O God, thy greatness is unsearchable; but we rejoice to think that thy love passeth knowledge. We have sinned against Thee; but thou art ready to forgive. We have gone far astray from Thee; but thou art more than willing to admit our return. Thou hast even provided the way to accomplish it. Thou hast appointed and made known a Mediator, who has once suffered for sin, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us unto God. In Him we behold Thee reconciling the world unto thyself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. And in Him a multi And suffer us not to confine our religion to extraordinary occasions; but help us to acknowledge Thee in all our ways. May we never limit our devotion to particular sea-tude which no man can number, redeemed, sons, but be in the fear of the Lord all the day long. May we be godly not only on the sabbath, but in the week; not only in the house of God, but in our own. May our piety be not a dress but a habit: not only a habit but a nature-a life-the life of God. And at last by thy grace and guidance, may we enter that world where there is no temple, but the glory of God and of the Lamb is the temple thereof. justified, and renewed, are exulting, My soul shall be joyful in my God, for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. O that it were thus with us! O that we could ascertain our spiritual condition, and read our title clear to the inheritance of the But O how can we endure to see the de- saints in light! Praise waiteth for Thee, O struction of our kindred? O Lord, let those God, in Zion; and we are longing to be able that are united to us by so many tender ties, to adore Thee, as the strength of our souls and be precious in thy sight, and devoted to thy our everlasting portion. Say to them that praise. Sanctify and succeed domestic de-are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; votion and instruction, discipline and exam-Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise ple; and may our houses be nurseries for cast out; Whosoever will, let him come and heaven, from which our churches, as the gar- take of the water of life freely :-O say unto dens of the Lord, shall be enriched with trees our souls, I am thy salvation." of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. O let none of those who are amiable and moral, and possess so many attractions, like the hopeful youth in the gospel, fall short of heaven at last. Where the conscience is tender, and the heart is soft, and the word alarms or delights -let not these promising appearances be blasted, but bring forth judgment unto vic tory. Bless all who are connected with us by religious ties. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance; feed them also, and lift them up for ever. Regard us as a nation. Inspire all ranks and degrees of men among us with a love to that righteousness which exalteth a nation; and deliver us from that sin which is a reproach to any people. And as all mankind, of whatever country or condition, are our brethren, bless them with the same civil and religious privileges which this highly favoured island enjoys. Let thy way be known on earth, thy saving health among all nations. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with us all, now and for ever. Amen. And O Lord, we hope that we are not concerned for our safety only; we trust we not only wish to know that we have the grace of God in truth, but to feel a progression in the divine life; to increase with all the increase of God. We wish to be qualified for our work, to stand complete in the will of our heavenly Father, and to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Grant us therefore, we pray Thee, more of the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ; to give more decision to our character, more vigour to our purposes, more elevation to our hopes, more fervour to our devotion, more constancy to our zeal; so that we may run and not be weary, and walk and not faint. Thou dost not despise the day of small things, nor refuse to encourage a little strength; but Thou hast commanded us to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour: and Thou hast said, To him that hath shall be given; and hast promised, that the feeble among them shall be as David. Be it unto us according to thy word. Fulfil all the good pleasure of thy goodness, and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in us, and we in Him. May we be Christianity embodied and alive. May we be examples of the religion we profess, the most impressive and attracting. May Ghost, be ascribed all honour and praise, To Thee we desire to submit all our de- Who so fit to choose our lot, MONDAY EVENING. O THOU, whose name alone is Jehovah, Thou art the Most High over all the earth; and Thou hast set thy glory above the heavens. All thy works praise Thee, O Lord, and thy saints bless Thee. Thou art our fathers' God, and we will exalt Thee: Thon art our own God, and early will we seek Thee, for in thy favour is life. as a Being who loved us so as not to spare Open Thou our lips, and our mouth shall Do us good by all the dispensations of thy providence, especially those of an afflictive kind. And why should we consider them strange things, since Thou hast told us that in the world we shall have tribulation, and that the same afflictions have been accomplished in all our brethren? And why should we desire exemption from them? seeing they are founded in love and intended for our profit. May we ever realize thy design by them, and see thine hand in them: may we believe that Thou wilt be with us in trouble; and look forward with joy to that state where it will be safe for us to be without sorrow, and God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. And if we have a portion in this world, keep us from making this world our portion. May we never look for that in the creature which can only be found in the Creator; nor for that on earth which is only to be found in heaven. Among our caresses and indulgences, may we never lose the heart of a stranger, or forget that this is not our rest. May the streams of comfort lead us to the fountain of all good; and may we love and serve our Benefactor in all his benefits. And thus may we know how to be abased, and how to abound; and in every varying condition, display the principles and dispositions of those who are born from above, and are seeking glory, honour, and immortality. And to the Father, the Word, and Holy | Almighty giveth him understanding. Thy providence has watched over us from the womb, supplied all our wants, arranged all our affairs, and determined the bounds of our habitation. And O what reason have we to exclaim, The lines are fallen to us in pleasant places, yea we have a goodly heritage! We live in a land of religious privileges. How superior are our advantages to those of thine ancient people the Jews! The Sun of Righteousness, which was below the horizon to them, has risen upon us with healing in his wings, and we are all the children of the day. Let us not therefore sleep as do others; but while we have the light, may we walk in the light lest darkness come upon us. May we ever be impressed with the conviction, that where much is given much will be required, and that our greatest danger results from our distinguishing advantagesour sabbaths, our sanctuaries, the scriptures of truth, the preaching of the gospel, and all the events which have urged our attention to it. What more could have been done for us than Thou hast done? And yet how little fruit have we brought forth! How well do we deserve to be cut down as cumberers of the ground and cast into the fire. Yet, O Lord, spare us at the intercession of the Vinedresser: for his sake renew our season of trial; and employ fresh means for our inprovement, and accompany them with a divine power. Convince us of our sin and danger. Awaken in us the solemn inquiry, What must I do to be saved? And let not our concern, when awakened, lead us into any refuge of lies, or induce us to build on any false foundation; but may we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and find his rest to be glorious. -------------- ་ |