LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 PRINCETON, N. J. 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 MR, EDWARD L. HOWE 
 
 BV 255 
 
 .J3 
 
 1820 
 
 
 
 Jay, William, 1769- 
 
 1853. 
 
 Prayers 
 
 for 
 
 the 
 
 use 
 
 of 
 
 families 
 
 
 
 
P R A Y E R^^'J- i-f-^sj> 
 
 THE USE OF FAMILIES? 
 
 DOMESTIC MINISTER'S ASSISTANT. 
 
 BY WILLIAM JAY, 
 
 Author of Sermons, Discourses, &c. &.c. 
 
 The principal part of family roligion is prayer, every morning uni 
 evening, and reading some portion of Scripture : and this is so neces 
 sarj' to keep alive a sense of God and religion in the minds of men- 
 thai where it is neglected, I do not see how any family can, in reason 
 be esteemed a family of Christians, or, indeed, have any religion at i.'I 
 
 Archbis'iop Tillofson 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 LEAVITT & ALLEN. No. 379 BROADWAY. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 It, in the title of this volume, the author has used the 
 word **minister," in rather an unusual latitude, its adjec- 
 tive will serve to explain, and restrict it. The **domestic^ 
 minister, intends, not the pastor, or preaclier; not the ser- 
 vant of the Most High God, who officially shows unto men 
 the way of salvation — but he, who adopts the resolution of 
 Joshua — "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.** 
 
 The preservation and spread of relig-ion should not de- 
 pend, exclusively, on a particular order of men, however 
 important tlieir functions may be. ^//christians, in their 
 respective stations, ought to co-operate with those, who 
 are, by designation, workers together with God. 
 
 It ought to be a matter of thankfulness, that the number 
 of ministers, properly so called, who enter into the spirit of 
 their office, and preach the truth as it is in Jesus, is exceed- 
 ingly increased. But compared with the field, and the vast- 
 ness of the work, the labourers are yet few. And few they 
 would be found, if multiplied a thousand fold; and we should 
 still need, the property, the talents, the influence, the ex- 
 ample, the exertions, and the prayers, of a// the subjects of 
 divine grace. 
 
 And can their services be dispensed with — now? 
 
 God is not the God of confusion, but of peace: and He has 
 said, "Let every thing be done decently and in order." It 
 is his providence that determines the bounds of our habita- 
 tion, and furnishes the several stations we occupy; and into 
 these we are to look for our duties and opportunities. Men 
 are often led out of their own proper sphere of action, in 
 order to be useful; but it is ignorance, if not discontent, and 
 pride, that tempts them astray. 
 
 As the stream of a river is most lovely and beneficial, 
 when it patiently steals along its own channel, though it 
 makes not so much noise, and excites not so much notice, 
 as when it breaks over its banks, and roars and rolls as a 
 flood; so good men are most acceptable, and useful in their 
 appointed course. Wisdom will estimate every man, by 
 what he is, not out of his place and calling, but in them. 
 Tliere we naturally look after him; there we unavoidably 
 compare him with his obligations; there we see him habit. 
 ually — and there he gains a character, or goes without one 
 
6 PREFACE. 
 
 In a day like the present, there will be many occasional cslIU 
 of prblic dufy; but it will be a sad exclamation to make at 
 a dying hour, "My own vineyard have I not kept." In the 
 spiritual, still more than the temporal neg-lect, "He that 
 provideth not for his own, especially those of his own house^ 
 hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." 
 
 "You wish to serve your generation?" It is well that it is 
 in your heart; but let it be according to the will of God. 
 And how does this require you to proceed? From public 
 relation into private, or from private into public? Does it 
 order you to waste time and strength, to go to a distance; 
 and begin labouring, where difficulties will be too great, 
 and means too few, to allow of your improving the waste, 
 back to your own door? Or, to begin near,- to cultivate on- 
 ward; to clear and fertilize the ground as you advance; so as 
 to feel every acquisition already made, converted into a re- 
 source to encourage, support, and assist you, in your future 
 toil? 
 
 "You long to be useful?" And why are you not? Can you 
 want either opportunity, or materials — you, who are placed 
 at the head of families; you, who are required to rule well 
 your own households; to dwell with your wives according 
 to knowledge; to train up your children in the nurture and 
 admonition of the Lord; to behave towards your servants, 
 as remembering that you also have a master in heaven. — Be- 
 hold, O man of God, a congregation, endeared and attentive, 
 committed to thy trust. Behold, a flock whom you may 
 feed with knowledge and understanding; and before whom 
 you walk as an example in word, in conversation, in 
 charity, in faith, in purity. Behold a church in thy house. 
 Behold an altar on which to offer the morning and evening 
 sacrifice of prayer and of praise. 
 
 Here, observe these things without preferring one before 
 another; here teach and exhort, and reprove with all long 
 suffering and patience; here officiate — and '*ye shall be na- 
 med the PRIESTS of the Lord; men shall call you the min- 
 isters of our God." 
 
 The remark of Baxter is worthy our regard — "If family 
 religion was duly attended to, and properly discharged, I 
 think the preaching of the word, would not be the common 
 instrument of conversion." And Gurnal says — "The family 
 IS the nursery of the church. If the nursery be neglected. 
 
PREFACE. 7 
 
 ten upon this subject: and what he, himself, could oflTer in 
 support of tlie practice, is already before the public* 
 
 It is futile to allege, as some have done, that there is no 
 positive and express command lor it in thr Scriptures; when 
 noth-ng- would be more eisy, than to prove the will of God— - 
 from the simp!.;bt deiuction, from the fairest reasonings, 
 and from the most generally acknowledged principles. 
 
 The examples of the faithful; the commendations whic!i 
 God has bestowed upon them in his word; his promises and 
 Jireatenings; the obvious and numberless ad\antages re- 
 sulting from domestic devotion, as to personal religion, and 
 relative government: — with regard to th<jse tiiat preside in 
 the family; and as to instruction, restraints, and motives — 
 with regard to relations, children, and servants; all this must 
 surely be enough to induce any man, capable of conviction, 
 to terminate with a broken heart, the mischiefs of neglect; 
 and to swear unto tlie Lord, and vow unto the Mighty God 
 of Jacob— "Surely, I will not come into the tabernacle of 
 my bouse; nor go up into my bed, I will not give sleep to 
 mine eyes, nor slumljer to mine eye-lids, until [ find out a 
 place for the Lord, an habitatior for the Mighty God of Ja- 
 cob." 
 
 As to objections arising from — shame — a want of time— 
 the unfashionableness of the usage — or its interfering with 
 visits or dispensations; all this, in a being, who yet owns him- 
 self to be a moral and accountable creature, is unworthy of 
 argument, and would be too much honoured, by the attempt 
 of refutation 
 
 There is one thing however, which deserves notice. It 
 is the apprehension of inability to perform this duty. With 
 respect to some, if not many, it is no breach of charity to 
 conclude, that this is an excuse, rather than a reason. It is 
 disinclination, or at least, the want of a more powerful con- 
 viction, that hinders them from adopting this salutary us- 
 age, rather than incapacity. There are few cases in which 
 the old adage is not to be verified: "Where there is a will, 
 tJiere is a way." You feel little difficulty in making known 
 vour distresses or wishes to a fellow-creature: and the Lord 
 looketh not to the excellency of the language, but to the 
 heart. The facihty would be increased by practice, and tJie 
 divine blessing. 
 
 And I cannot but earnestly recommend the use of free 
 
 •See the Introduction to the author's four volunaes of Short 
 Discourses fji the use of families 
 
8 PREFACE. 
 
 and extemporaneous prayer, where it is practicable. There 
 is in it, a freshness, a particularity, an appropriateness, an 
 immediate adoption, and use of circumstances and events^ 
 which cannot be found in the best composed forms. 
 
 Yet there are those, who have only a slender deg-ree of 
 religious knowledge; or discover a natural slowness and 
 hesitancy of utterance; or feel a bashfulness of temper, so 
 that they cannot gain confidence enough even to make a 
 proper trial. And this diffidence is often found even with 
 persons of education and understanding — i ndeed, such are 
 more likely to feel difficulty, than the vulgar and illiterate, 
 whose ignorance is friendly to fluency, and whose confi- 
 dence is not perplexed by modes of expression, or embar- 
 rassed by the influence of reputation. 
 
 Now in cases of inability, or extreme difficulty, surely the 
 greatest zealot for free prayer, would recommend forms in 
 preference to neglect. 
 
 Besides, there are others — many in the establishment, 
 and no few out of it, who deem a form more eligible: and it 
 is needless to remark, that they have a right to their opini- 
 on : and as their practice will of course be regulated by it, 
 it is desirable to aid them in their own way. 
 
 And surely in this case, as well as in many others, where 
 we see so much talent, and religion, and even devotional 
 taste, in opposing advocates; candour requires, and compels 
 the concession, that all the arguments, all the advantages, 
 cannot be on one side of the question. 
 
 Bigotry dehghts in exclusion; but the meekness of wis- 
 dom is satisfied with preference; and freely says, "Let every 
 one be fully persuaded in his own mind." The amiable Dr. 
 Watts observes — "Many a holy soul has found his inward 
 DOwers awakened, and excited to lively religion, in the use 
 of a form, wliere the wants and wislies of the he^art have 
 been happily expressed; and considering the various infir- 
 mities that surround human nature, even the wisest and best 
 of men, may be glad of such assistances, at some seasons." 
 
 Several books of prayers have issued from the press; and 
 it is not necessary to undervalue, or conceal them, in order 
 to excuse or even justify, another effort in the same cause. 
 The great excellency of some of these composures is well 
 known. 
 
 Yet it must be confessed, that such works, compared with 
 other religious publications, are still very few; and that the 
 far greater part of what we possess, is more for personal ancj 
 
^ PREFACE. y 
 
 private use, than domestic. Fven in the deservedly popu 
 }:ir volume of Jenks, there are only fiimily prayers for t»;?» 
 iceek; the rest for all individual service. 
 
 lUit wiiatever might have been the author's own opinion 
 of the expediency, or necessity of such a work as tliis — ir 
 order to furnish a greater abundance — or to accommodate a 
 difference of tastes — or to excite attention by newness — oi 
 to edify more by brevity and simplicity; he can truly aver, 
 that he was principally induced to undertake it at the re- 
 quest of many, urged, for years, with importunity. 
 
 fn complying with their desires, he still feais he shall not 
 satisfy their wishes. He unquestionably has not satisfied his 
 own. In the want of that leisure, which allows a man to 
 throw his whole soul into the composition of his work; and 
 then to employ ail his skill in correcting and completing it, 
 he has done, at the intervals of much public duty, and in- 
 terruption, for a few months, what he could; and such as it 
 is, should it obtain acceptance, he shall consider it the great- 
 est honour that could have been conferred upon him, that 
 while living and when dead, the service of God should ever 
 be performed in words which he has furnished so imper- 
 fectly. 
 
 He can reckon on some esteemed connexions, whose par- 
 tiality, as it has often admitted him into their circles as a 
 friend, and employed him at their domestic altar as an ex- 
 positor and intercessor, will retain him as an assistant, in 
 this volume; and thus while absent in body, he will be pre- 
 sent in spirit. He is also blessed with children, who will 
 not neglect a practice, to which, in the order of a happy fa- 
 mily, they were so early accustomed, and which was never 
 rendered irksome by tediousness; and they wdl — he knows 
 they will — train up their children in the same holy and 
 lovely usage; and should relationship and endearment serve 
 to render tlie book the more valued and useful as a sacred 
 bequest to his descendants, this alone would keep him from 
 thinking he had laboured in vain. 
 
 Pbbct-Placi, AprL 1820 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The author beg-s leave to offer a few words on the execU' 
 tion of the work itself, here submitted to public attention. 
 
 Family prayers oug-ht to be short, especially, where read- 
 ing- tlie Scriptures makes a part of the service — and it oug'ht 
 always to make a part. Hence tiie prayers for tlie week- 
 days, may be read in five or six minutes: those for the 
 Sabbath are commonly a little long-er, as families have 
 then more leisure, and are more united: those for particular 
 occasions, as they rarely return, and the events are remark- 
 able, are the long-est of all. 
 
 A prayer is disting-uishablefrom the repetition of a creed; 
 or the annunciation of a system of theolog-y; how much 
 more from the sparring and reflections of controversy! A 
 tincture of the author's own particular sentiments, was 
 hardly avoidable: but he has sought after nothing- that 
 would be off'ensive to christians, who differ from him. And 
 as religious persons accord much more when kneeling than 
 sitting; he ventures to think, no one will be unable to join 
 in these forms, who believes in the fall of man.tlie redemp 
 tion of the cross, justification by faith, the necessity of di 
 vine influence, and of that holiness, without which we can- 
 not see the Lord. The author braves the suspicion of those, 
 who are illiberal enough to guage a man's orthodo.-^y, by 
 the use of an invariable doxologv; in the words too, which 
 man's wisdom teacheth. Not that he thinks it wrong to 
 close a prayer with a Scriptural meaning in human terms, 
 but he prefers the words which the Holy Ghost uscth; ana 
 where they afford a diversity, why should he be afraid to 
 avail himself of it.? In this respect, the sacred writers would 
 not bear the ordeal of some system-critics. 
 
 The author thinks no one can blame him, for using so 
 much of the language of the Scriptures: there is a sacred 
 ness in it; and it is well known: much of it too has beer 
 useddevotionally: and contains the adorations, confession«»j 
 supplications, and thanksgivings uttered by men of God be- 
 fore us, while kneeling at a throne of grace. 
 
 Besides being Scriptural in the diction, he has endeav 
 oured to be very plain and simple. There is a great diff*er- 
 ence between addressing men, and addressing God. The 
 least artificial mode of uttering our thoughts in prayer is the 
 best. Prajer admits no brilliancies: every studied orna- 
 
12 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 ment it rejects with disdain. He who feels interested in 
 prayer, sriil forget all critical and elaborate phraseology 
 And it is an infelicity to be deplored, rather than an excel- 
 lency to be admired, when ing-enuity of ihought, or surpris- 
 ingness of expression, catches and keeps of!" the attention 
 from devotion. There are young divines, who not only err 
 in preaching — by substituting finery for elegance, and the 
 affectation of art for the eloquence cf feeling; but in their 
 devotional exercises too— showing off their tawdrinesses, 
 even in the presence of God, and praying in a strained, in- 
 flated style, unintelligible to the ignorant, lamented by the 
 pious, and contemned by the wise. Tiie greatest men 
 have always been distinguished by the plainjiess and sim- 
 plicity of their devotional language. Wliat a difference is 
 there between the other compositions of Johnson, and his 
 prayers? No hard word, no elaborate sentence, no classical, 
 no metaphorical alhision to be found in any of tlie few forms 
 of devotion which he has left us. The same excellency 
 pervades the liturgy. And it is worthy of remark, that in 
 no prayer recorded in the Bible, is any figure employed, 
 unless as familiar as the literal expression. 
 
 This, however, does not forbid the use of sentences not 
 directly of the nature of petition. Prayer is designed, not 
 only as a homage to God, but as a moral exercise to affect 
 ourselves: and to accompUsh this purpose, we must be in- 
 formed, or reminded. What, therefore, tends to make us 
 feel the things we implore, is not to be considered, as some 
 call it, a preaching or talking in prayer. Read all the pray- 
 ers given us in the Scriptures; there is not one of them 
 which does not contain expressions of enlargement, not 
 immediately petitionary — yet conducive to the design. 
 
 With regard to appropriateness, Jenks has observed, 
 **That we may as well expect to find a shoe that will fit 
 every foot, as a form of prayer to suit every purpose." Fa- 
 mdy prayers must be necessarily general, or adapted to the 
 state of a household, devoid of lU peculiarities. No form can 
 h& made to include every particular circumstance, or occur- 
 rence; the very things that would render it suitable to one 
 family, would even hinder the use of it by anotiier. The 
 author fears, whether in two or three instances, he has not 
 forgotten this. 
 
 Yet events and circumstances are perpetually arising, and 
 it is of great importance to notice thtrm devolionally. Al 
 most every prayer in the Scriptures arose out of particulai 
 
ADVERTISEME>fT. If? 
 
 occurrences, and was desig-ned to improve them. Here is a 
 difficulty which there is only one way of removing-. It is 
 by adding some short addresses, applicable to certain events 
 and circumstances; and which the reader may insert, in 
 their proper j)lace, in the prayer; or use at the end of it. 
 Many of these, thert:fore, tl»e author has supplied in the 
 close of the volume. Many more might have been added, 
 had the prayers been designed for personal and private use. 
 
 In seventy forms of the same kind, it was not easy to 
 maintain so much diversity as some would wish. Family 
 devotion in itself, admits of less variety, than either private 
 or public woi ship. But thougli similiarity will be some- 
 times found, sameness, he believes, with a few very trifling 
 exceptions, has been avoided. Tliis does not extend how- 
 ever to the repetition of the same Scripture sentences. 
 
 The autlior has felt what a difference tliere is between 
 ofTering and writing a prayer: but he endeavoured,- as much 
 as possible, when he retired to compose, to place himself 
 by thought, in the situation of performance: and followed 
 the same mode m writing, which he has always found the 
 best, in praying, to exclude formality, and to gain variety, 
 viz. to yield to the present feeling of the' mind, whether it 
 leads to indulge principally in coi.fession, or in thanksgiv- 
 ing, petition, or intercession. 
 
 Some things must he. always expressed; others can be ad- 
 mitted only occasionally. Yet these should not be for2:otten. 
 Cases of affliction; the state of public affairs; the nation; the 
 cause of God in the world; these and other things, though 
 not particularize d in every exercise, must be noticed so fre- 
 quently, as to keep the mind alive to them. 
 
 With regard to the prayers for particular occasions— such 
 as pertain todays of mourning, fasting or thanksgiving; and 
 those which respect the beginning and end of tl.e year, will 
 draw forth no objection. But as to those which regard re- 
 \\^\ons festivals, some will probably condemn the author on 
 the ground of consistency. On that ground he is willing to 
 be tried. Consistency refers tc professed principles; and 
 he avows principles, which raise liim above any particular 
 body of christian.s, while yet he deems it his honour to be- 
 long to one of them in preference to all others. 
 
 But his attachment to his r<-giment, does not make him 
 
 an enemy to the army of which it is a part. Let every one 
 
 of us, says the Apostle, please his neighbour, for his good 
 
 to edification. Why should not the author wish to be ser 
 
 B 
 
14 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 viceable to members of other communions, as well as to 
 those of his own? 
 
 Dr. Watts, thoug-h a firm Pedobaptist, has yet composed 
 and inserted in his excellent book, several hymns, adapted 
 to the convictions of those, who practise adult Saptism, by 
 immersion only. 
 
 And the late Mr. Newton, though an Episcopalian, made 
 no scruple, when desired, to draw up a plan for a dissenting 
 academy. 
 
 Let us stand in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us 
 free. Let not him that eateth, despise him tliat eateth not; 
 and let not him that eateth not, judge him that eateth, for 
 God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another 
 man's servant? to his own master he standetli or falleth. One 
 man esteemeth one day above another, another esteemeth 
 every day ahke. Let every man be fully persuaded in his 
 own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto 
 the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord, he 
 doth not regard it. . Here everything non-essential is left, 
 where it ought to be left, to individual conviction and can 
 dour. 
 
 Upon these principles, the author thinks, a dissenter, 
 without superstition, may use these forms, on these very 
 days: especially as lie is under no compulsion, and he has 
 nothing to do with the day, but as a season of leisure, and aa 
 reminding him of some important truth 
 
 A christian, although he disregards the seasons, must 
 love the subjects connected with them: and at some time or 
 other, he may wish more expressly to noti .e them; and this 
 he can do, by means of these forms, with the omission of a 
 few words 
 
 It is comparatively easy to be long and diffuse, but to be 
 select and yet full, brief, and yet comprehensive — this is 
 the trial. 
 
 The author could have composed a single prayer, far su- 
 perior to any of these; but the difficulty lay in the number;, 
 and the work must be judged of as a whole. 
 
 It is hardly necess«ry to observe, that with a slight alter 
 ation, and the substitution of the singular number for the 
 plural, most of these prayers will serve for the closet, a^ 
 well as the family. 
 
FAMILY PRAYERS, 
 
 riRST WEEK. 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING. 
 
 O COME let us worship and fall down, let U8 
 kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he is our 
 God, and we are the people of his pasture and the 
 sheep of his hand. 
 
 Yes, O Lord, we are thine; and Thee we are 
 bound to serve. We grieve to think, hov/ many 
 af our fellow-creatures live without Thee in the 
 world; and confess with shame, that other lords 
 have had dominion over us: but henceforth, by 
 Thee only, will we make mention of thy name. 
 We hope Thou hast subdued the insensibility and 
 indifference towards Thyself, so awfully natural to 
 us; and awakened in us the inquiry, *'Where is 
 God my Maker that giveth songs in the night?" 
 We hope we are disposed to acknowledge Thee in 
 all our ways; but we feel our need of the exercises 
 of devotion. We trust we hold communion with 
 Thee every day; liut we find we-ek days, to be 
 worldly days; and our allowed intercourse with 
 secular concerns, tends to reduce our heavenly im- 
 pressions, and to make us forgetful of our work, 
 and our rest. We therefore bless Thee for there- 
 turn of a day, sacred to our souls and eternity; a 
 time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; 
 in which, by waiting upon Thee, our hearts are 
 enlarged, and our strength is renewed; so that we 
 can mount up with wmgs as angels, run and not 
 be weary, and walk and not faint. 
 
 This is the day which the Lord hath made, we 
 15 
 
FIRST WEEK. 
 
 will rejoice and be glad in it. O let our minds be 
 withdrawn from the world, as well as our bodies. 
 Let our retirement be devout. Let our meditation 
 he sweet. Let our conversation be edifying. Let 
 our reading be pious. Let our hearing be profit- 
 able; and on Thee may we wait all the day. 
 
 Afford us the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ. 
 None can need thy succours more than we. Thou 
 knowest our infirmities: let thy strength be made 
 perfect in our weakness. Our duties are far above 
 our own power: let thy grace be sufficient for us. 
 Our dangers are numberless, and we are utterly 
 unable to keep ourselves from falling; hold Thou 
 us up, and we shall be safe. The burdens we feel 
 would press our lives vlown to the ground; lay un- 
 derp'^ath us thine everlasting arms. Fears alarm 
 us; cares corrode us; losses impoverish us; our 
 very affections are the sources of our afflictions — 
 surely man walketh in a vain show — surely we are 
 disquieted in vain; all, all is vanity and vexation ot 
 spirit. While in the world we have tribulation; in 
 Thee may we have peace: and in the multitude 
 of our thoughts within us, may thy comforts de- 
 light our souls. 
 
 Yet, O Lord, we would remember, that grati- 
 tude becomes us much more than complaint. Our 
 afflictions have been ligh% compared with our 
 guilt; and few, compared with the sufferings of 
 others. They have all been attended with num- 
 berless alleviations: they have all been needful: all 
 founded in a regard to our welfare: all designed to 
 work to,i<ether for our good. We bless Thee for 
 what is past, and trust Thee for what is to come: 
 and cast all our care upon Thee, knowing that 
 Thou carest for us. 
 
 Thou hast commanded us to pray for all men, 
 that we may be boun 1 by our very devotions, as 
 
FIRST WEEK. 17 
 
 wihave opportunity to do good unto all men, es- 
 pecially unto them that are of the household of 
 faith. May we always cherish and display bene- 
 volent dispositions towards our dependents, for- 
 giving dispositions towards our enemies, peaceable 
 dispositions towards our neighbours, and candid 
 dispositions towards our fellow christians. May 
 we be able to say with our Lord and Saviour 
 whosoever shall do the will of my Father that is in 
 heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and 
 mother. And pray with Paul, grace be with all 
 them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. 
 May the goings of our God and King be seen, this 
 day, in every Christian sanctuary. Go with W5 to 
 thy house, and give testimony to the word of thy 
 grace. May it ha.e free course and be glorified 
 in the hearts and lives of those who shall hear it. 
 May it enlighten the ignorant, awaken the care- 
 less, reclaim the wandering, establish the weak, 
 comfort the feeble minded, and make ready a peo- 
 ple prepared for the Lord. 
 
 Remember those who are, this day denied our 
 advantages. Be a little sanctuary to them in the 
 midst of their privations, and let them know that 
 Thou art not confined to temples made with hands. 
 And O forget not those who never enjoyed ou»' 
 privileges; never smiled when a Sabbath appeared; 
 never heard of the name of a Saviour — and let thy 
 way be known on earth, thy saving health among 
 all nations. Our Father, who art in heaven, hal- 
 lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy 
 will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us 
 this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tres- 
 passes, as we forgive them that trespass against 
 us. And lead us not into teiiiptation; but deliver 
 us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the 
 power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen, 
 B 2 
 
(8 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 SUNDAY EVENING 
 
 Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among; the 
 gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, 
 fearful in praises, doing wonders? May we ap- 
 proach Thee with the humility which is due to thy 
 greatness, ana the hope that becomes thy good- 
 ness. For though Thou art high, yet hast Thou 
 respect unto the lowly; and though continually 
 adored by thrones and dominions, principalities 
 and powers, yet Thou despisest not the prayer of 
 the destitute, but wilt hear their prayer. Our fath- 
 ers cried unto Thee and were delivered. They 
 trusted in Thee and were not confounded. And 
 Thou never saidst to the seed of Jacob, seek ye 
 me in vain. 
 
 Behold a company of sinners at thy footstool, 
 earnestly praying to be remembered with the fa- 
 vour thou bearest unto thy people, and to be visit- 
 ed with thy salvation. We would not overlook 
 the blessings of the life that now is. If we have 
 food and raiment, and agreeable connexions, and 
 ease, and health, and safe abode, we would bless 
 Thee; for we have no claim to these bounties, and 
 our present condition renders them valuable. But 
 they are not our God. 
 
 "Give what Thou canst, without Thee we are poor 
 And with Thee rich, take what Thou wilt away." 
 
 Thou art the strength of our hearts, and our 
 portion for ever. Whom have we in heaven but 
 Thee; and there is none upon earth that we desire 
 beside Thee? 
 
 And praise waiteth for Thee, O God, in Zion. 
 We long to be able, with unshaken confidence, to 
 apply the promises of thy grace to ourselves; and 
 to say. Thou shalt guide me, with thy counsel, and 
 afterwards receive me to glory. O say to our souls, 
 in language our conscier.ces can understand, I am 
 
FIRST WEEK. 19 
 
 thy salvation, and !:^ive us a token for good, that 
 we may rejoice in Thee * 
 
 Yet, O God, we would not rest satisfied with a 
 conviction of our rehition with Thee, while we are 
 regardless of improving it. May we walk worthy 
 of the Loi-d, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in ev- 
 ery good work, and increasing in the knowledge of 
 God; strengthened with all mig'nt according to his 
 gracious power, unto all patience and long suffer- 
 ing with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father 
 who hath made us meet to be partakers of the in- 
 heritance of the saints in light. We can i-iever dis- 
 charge the obligations thy abundant mercy has 
 laid us under; but may we ever show that we are 
 sensible of them; and that our impressed hearts 
 are asking, '•'what shall I render unto the Lord for 
 all his benefits towards me?" While we hear Thee 
 saying, O do not that abominable thing which I 
 hate, may we be effectually deferred from sin, and 
 induced to watch and pray, lest we enter into temp 
 tation. May thy love be shed abroad in our hearts, 
 that none of thy comm.andments may be grievous. 
 May thy glory be dear to us; may we inquire after 
 thy will with impartiality, and conform ourselves 
 to it with diligence. Uphold us by thy free spi- 
 rit; and let the words of our mouths and the me- 
 ditations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, 
 O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. 
 
 Hitherto we have been compelled to exclaim, 
 my leanness, my leanness. We have been no bet- 
 ter in religion, than a bruised reed, or smoking 
 flax. But it is our mercy that Thou dost not des- 
 pise the day of small things; and our encoui-age- 
 ment, that Thou givest more grace; that Thou 
 hast promised to perfect that which concerneth us; 
 and com!Tianded us to ask and receive, that our joy 
 may be full May we, therefore, not only be hum- 
 
20 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 ble,but active; may we not only shake oiF sloth but 
 despondency); may we be sirong in the Lord and 
 in the power of liis mis^ht; and increase with all 
 the increase of God, till we arc filled with all the 
 fullness of God. 
 
 Thou knowest what is in man, and what is ne- 
 cessary to him. Thou art not only addressing us 
 continually by the voice of creation, and the vary- 
 ing events of thy providence, but Thou hast giv- 
 en us thy word and thine ordinances. We behold 
 our sabbaths, our eyes see our teachers, and our 
 ears hear the joyful sound of salvation by the cross, 
 and the grace of our Lord Jesus. Prophets and 
 righteous men desired to see the things that we 
 see, and did not see them; and to hear the things 
 that we hear, and did not hear them. But blessed 
 are our eyes, for they see, and our ears, for they 
 hear. Yet we would remember, that our respon- 
 sibility will be answerable to our talents; that our 
 chief danger results from our greatest privileges; 
 and, that our very blessings may be converted in- 
 to a curse. We would therefore fear, lest a pro- 
 mise being left us of entering into thy rest, any of 
 us should seem to come short of it. 
 
 Bless this family. May those of us who are at 
 the head of it, walk within our house with a per- 
 fect heart, and set no wicked thing before our eyes. 
 May we have a testimony in the bosoms of those 
 who have the best opportunities of observing us, 
 that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with 
 fleshly wisdom, but by thy grace we have our con 
 versation in the world, and more especially with 
 them. May we conduct ourselves towards those 
 who serve us, as knowing that we have a Master 
 in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons 
 with God; and may our servants, in fulfilling the 
 duties of their station, serve the Lord Christ. Ma^ 
 
FIRST WEEK. 31 
 
 «re train up our children in the nurture and admo- 
 nition of the Lord; and have the inexpressible sat- 
 isfaction of seeing- them walk in the truth. We ask 
 not great tnings for them of a worldly nature; on- 
 ly give them health of body anc soundness of mind, 
 and food and raiment convenient and sufficient for 
 tnem; but, () bless them with all spiritual bless- 
 ings, and number them with thy saints in glory 
 everlasting. Pity those parents whose hearts are 
 bleeding over children of disobedience; and hear 
 ail the pious, whose irreligious relations are forc- 
 ing them often to exclaim, "How shall I endure to 
 see the destruction of my kindred?" 
 
 Hastnot Thou made of one blood, all the nations 
 of men that dwell upon the face of all the earth? 
 Remember the work of thy hands. Have respect 
 unto thy holy covenant; and let the world know, 
 that Thou hast so loved eV, as to give thy only be- 
 gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should 
 not perish, but have everlasting life. 
 
 Hearken favourably unto the prayers that have 
 this day been offered up unto Thee for our belov- 
 ed country, and for those who have been entrusted 
 with the government thereof. 
 
 Thou hast given us a pleasant land to dwell in: 
 Thou hast made us to rejoice in the many and 
 great things thou hast done for us. 
 
 May we never be ungrateful for the privileges 
 we enjoy, nor provoke Thee by our sins to re- 
 move them. 
 
 May they be continued to the latest posterity; 
 and be sanctified to us, and to our children. As 
 Thou hast given us such a distinguished rank 
 among the nations, may v/e be tor a name and a 
 praise unto Thee, in the whole earth; and as we 
 have been the objects of thy loving kindness, may 
 v>-^ ever be the instruments in thy hands of good 
 
22 FUST WEEK. 
 
 to others; and from us may the word of the Lord 
 sound out into every land. 
 
 Now, unto Him that is able to do exceeding 
 abundantly above all that we ask or think, accord 
 ing to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be 
 glory in the church, by Christ Jesus, throughout 
 all ages, world without end. Amen. 
 
 MONDAY MORNING. 
 
 O THOU God of all grace; the Father of mer- 
 cies, the hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in the 
 time of trouble: why hast Thou revealed Thysell 
 in such lovely characters, and endearing relations, 
 but to meet our dejections, to remove our fears, 
 and induce us to say, it is good for me to draw 
 nigh to God. 
 
 We come to Thee as criminals to be pardoned, 
 as beggars to obtain relief, and as friends to enjoy 
 communion with the God of love. We bow with 
 submission and gratitude, to the method which 
 Thou hast appointed and made known for all in- 
 tercourse between Thee and us. We approach 
 Thee, through him in whom Thou hast proclaim- 
 ed Thyself well pleased, pleading the propitiation 
 of his blood, and making mention of his righteous- 
 ness, and of his only. 
 
 But we can have access to Thee through him 
 only — by one Spirit — that Spirit, the residue of 
 which is with Thee, and which has actuated the 
 souls of thy people, in all ages. O give thy Ho- 
 ly Spirit to them that now ask Thee. May He open 
 the eyes of our understanding, and convince us of 
 sin. May He humble the pride of our self-righte- 
 ous hearts, and expel us from every refuse of lies. 
 May He glorify Christ in our wants, desires, de^ 
 pendence, and application, and take of the things 
 
VIRST WEEK 93 
 
 of Christ and show them to us. May we be ena- 
 bled to receive the Lord Jesus in all his blessings 
 and treasures^ and though now we see Him not, 
 yet beliving, may we rejoice with joy unspeakable 
 and full of glory. In all the distresses of consci- 
 ence, in all the afflictions of life, and in all the dis- 
 satisfactions necessarily experienced in creature- 
 enjoyments, may we i-epair, weary and heavy laden 
 to Him^ who has promised to give us rest, ivlay 
 the vanity of the world wean us from its pursuits; 
 and may the tribulation of the world endear the 
 peace which no storm can prevent or destroy. 
 
 May we arise and depart hence; may we confess 
 Durselves to be only strangers and pilgrims upon 
 earth; and declare plainly, too plainly to be mis- 
 understood, that we seek a better country, even an 
 heavenly. Prepare us for all the allotments of this 
 short, and changing, and uncertain life. May we 
 have a safe passage out of it, and a comfortable 
 passage through it; and be useful while we are in 
 it. May we continually illustrate in our character 
 and conduct, the representations Thou hast given 
 of thy people, as the dew of heaven, the salt of 
 the earth, the light of the world. May we never 
 deem it enough to be blameless and harmless; but 
 may our light so shine before men, that they may 
 see our good works, and glorify our Father which 
 is in heaven. May we never be ashamed of Jesus or 
 of his words; never be deterred from the prosecu- 
 tion of a known duty by the fear of man; and never 
 be discouraged from attempting it, by a consci- 
 ousness of our own weakness. Having thy sanc- 
 tion and presence, may we be strong and courage- 
 ous; and be steadfast and unmoveable; always 
 abounding in the work of the Lord. 
 
 What we know not, teach Thou us. Lead us 
 into all truth. May we see divine things in a di 
 
24 FIRST WEEK 
 
 vj^e light, that while they inform our judgment 
 they niay sanctify the heart, and consecrate the 
 whole life to the service and glory of God. Who 
 can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou us from 
 secret faults Search us, () God, and know our 
 hearts, try us and know our thoughts, and see if 
 there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the 
 way everlasting^. 
 
 Accept of our united thanksgiving for the pre 
 scrvation and refreshment of the past night; and 
 take us under thy guiding and guardian care this 
 day; and whether we eat or drink, or whatever we 
 do, may we do all to the glory of God, through our 
 Lord and Saviour. Amen 
 
 MONDAY EVENING. 
 We have heard that to the Lord our God belong 
 mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled 
 against him. Hence, we are encouraged to ap- 
 proach Thee. For we are verily guilty, we are 
 deeply guilty. If our depravity has not always 
 broken forth into action, our hearts have been de- 
 ceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; 
 and if our transgressions have not been so gross as 
 those of many of our fellow-creatures, they have 
 been more aggravated, because committed against 
 goodness the most astonishing, light the most 
 clear, and advantages the most distinguishing 
 And Thou hast seen all, and abhorred all, and 
 couldst easily and righteously have punished us 
 for all. But Thou hast not executed upon us the 
 fierceness of thine anger, because Thou art God 
 and not man. Neither hast Thou treated us with 
 neglect; but Thou hast remembered us in our low 
 estate; and not only without our desert, but, with- 
 out our desire, Thou wast pleased to devise means 
 
FIRST WEEK 95 
 
 for our restoration to thy favour, at d imaj^e, and 
 presence. 
 
 We bless 'I'hee for a purpose of i^rcce given us 
 in (Christ Jesus before the world began. We re- 
 joice that in the fulness of time he assumed our na- 
 ture, and became obedient unto death, even the 
 death of the ci oss; and that as he was delivered for 
 our offences, so he was raised again for our justi- 
 fication, and ascending up on high, entered into 
 the holy place, as a proof of the sufficiency and 
 acceptance of.the sacrifice he offered. We rejoice 
 that he has received the whole dispensation of the 
 Spirit, and that in Him all fulness dwells And 
 we bless Thee for the proclamations of the gospel, . 
 which hold him forth to our view in all his grace 
 and glory, and unsearchable riches, that we through 
 patience and comfort of the Scripture might have 
 hope. 
 
 O Thou God of hope, fill us with all joy and 
 peace, in believing thy promises and invitations, 
 that we may abound in hope through the power of 
 the Holy Ghost. Mav we esteem all things but 
 loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ 
 Jesus our Lord; and may we supremely desire to 
 win Christ, knowing that he who hath the Son of 
 God hath life, and shall never come into condem- 
 nation May we prove that we are joined to the 
 Lord, by being one spirit with him, may our sen- 
 timents, tempers, and conduct, be formed after the 
 example which he left us; and may we never con- 
 sider ourselves Christians, but as we long to be 
 like him, and the life also of Jesus is made mani- 
 fest in our mortal body. May we never love a 
 world that crucified the Lord of glory; nor suffer 
 those sins to live that caused him to die. May his 
 grace, in becoming poor, that we through his pov- 
 erty might be rich, make us ashamed of our sel- 
 C 
 
26 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 fiishness,* ard may his unexampled love, in giving 
 his life a ransom for us, so constrain us, as to render 
 any services or sacrifices, for his sake, our delight 
 
 May He never be wounded in the house of his 
 professed friends^ may we rather die than bring a 
 reproach upon his cause. May all his followers 
 be dear to us. May we recommend him to those 
 that know him not, that they may seek him, with 
 lis. Let the number of those who love his salva- 
 tion, daily increase^ and let the accessions include 
 every m.ember of our household, apd all our ab- 
 sent friends. And hasten, O Lord, the blessed 
 hour, when all kings shall fall down before him, 
 and all nations shall serve him — and blessed be 
 his glorious name for ever! And l*^t the v/hole 
 earth be filled with his glory. 
 
 We praise Thee as the lengtli of our days and 
 the God of our mercy. In the morning we com- 
 mitted ourselves to thy care, and Thou hast been 
 with us in our going out and our coming in: and 
 hast kept us in all our ways. Pardon whatever 
 Thou hast seen amiss in Ub through another period 
 of our time. Accept the charge of us through the 
 approaching night; and grant us the sleep which 
 Thou givest thy beloved; as we hope we desire it, 
 not only as creatures, but as Christians; not only 
 to gratify our feelings, but to renew our strength 
 for thy service, and to fit us to glorify Thee ir 
 our bodies as well as in our spirits, through our 
 adorable Redeemer. Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou omnipresent and omniscient Jehovah, 
 
 Thou art about our path, and our lying down; and 
 
 Thou art acquainted with all our ways. There is 
 
 not a V ord in our tongue bi •. lo! O Lord, Thou 
 
FIRST WEEK 27 
 
 knowest it altogether. Thou understandest our ve- 
 ry thoughts afar off". Vea, the darkness hideth not 
 from Thee, but the night shineth as the day: the 
 darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. 
 
 Known, therefore, to Thee are our sins with ev- 
 ery aggravation; and our necessities with all their 
 circumstances; and, yet, Thou requirest us to con- 
 fess our guilt, and to spread our wants before 
 Thee, in order that we ourselves may be suitably 
 affected with them, and be prepar'xl for the pro- 
 mised displays of thy goodness. Every view we 
 take of ourselves, convinces us that we lie entirely 
 at thy mercy, and that it is only because thy com- 
 passions fail not, we are not consumed. We 
 know not the evil there is in one sin, and our ini- 
 quities are more in numbe>- than the hairs upon 
 our head. Thou art our Creator; but of the rock 
 that begat us we are unmindful, and have forgot- 
 ten the God that formed us. Thou hast nourish- 
 ed and brought up children; but we have rebelled 
 against Thee. Thou hast given us laws, founded 
 in a regard to our welfare as well as thine own glo- 
 ry; but we have said with our lives, if not with 
 our lips. Who is the Lord that we should obey his 
 voice.'* Thou art the perfection of beauty, the cen- 
 tre of excellency, the source of all blessedness; and 
 Thee we ought to have loved supremely; but we 
 have loved and served the creature more than the 
 Creator; we have loved idols, and after them we 
 have gone. Instead of praying, Lord, lift Thou 
 up the light of thy countenance upon us, we have 
 asked with the multitude, Who will show us any 
 good.^ Departing from Thee, we have made fit sh 
 our arm. We have leaned on broken reeds, and 
 though they have disappointed our hopes, and 
 pierced us through with many sorrows, we have 
 often returned to the same wretched dej-endence. 
 
38 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 Thou hast raised up for us a Saviour; and the 
 gospel has presented to our view a plan of redemp- 
 tion and renovation, which the angels desire to 
 look into. But we have crowned all our guilt, by 
 neg-iecting- so great salvation, and turning away 
 from Him that speaketh from heaven; and we de- 
 serve to be for ever excluded from all the bless- 
 ings of the cross. 
 
 O deal not with us after our desert, but accoid- 
 ing to our necessity; and where sin has abounded, 
 may grace much more abound. Over all our un- 
 worthiness may grace reign through righteousness 
 unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. It is 
 thy pleasure that we seek Thee. The desires we 
 feel are of thy own producing. We are willing to 
 be saved in thy own way. We love thy salvation — 
 we love it as it is free, and secures to thyself the 
 undivided glory; and wc love it as it is holy, and 
 designed to save us from the power as well as the 
 jjenaltyof sin. O visit us with thy salvation. Shine 
 into our hearts, and give us the light of the know- 
 ledge of thy glory in the face of Jesus Christ. En- 
 able us by faith to eir brace thy unspeakable gift. 
 May vve sit at his feet. May we glory in his cross. 
 May we imbibe his spirit. May we follow his ex- 
 ample; and whatever we do, in word or deed, may 
 we do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. 
 
 We extend our wishes beyond the little circle 
 now kneeling in thy presence. We have various 
 absent coisnexions endeared to our hearts; ( ) place 
 them under thy agency, as the God of grace; and 
 keep them under thy care as the God of providence. 
 
 We would remember them that are in bonds, as 
 bound with them, and those that suffer adversity 
 as being ourselves also in the body. Address to 
 the hearts of the afflicted the promise, I will be 
 wif h thee in trouble; thy shoes shall be iron and 
 
FIKST WEEK. |9 
 
 brass, and as thy days, so shall tny strength he 
 Let gl.^ry dwell in our land, and upon all the calory 
 may there be a defence. I3o good in thy good 
 pleasure unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jeru 
 salem. Make bare thine arm in the sight of all 
 the nations; and let all the ends of the earth see, 
 the salvation of our God. 
 
 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 evermore. 
 £men. 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING. 
 O THOU who wast, and art, and art to come, the 
 Almighty. With Thee is the fountain of life. In 
 thy presence there is fullness of joy, and at thy 
 right-hand there are pleasures for evermore. It 
 is our privilege as well as our fluty, to draw near 
 to Thee. It is the prerogative of our nature, that 
 of all creatures in this lower world, we alone are 
 made capable of knowing, resembling, serving, 
 and enjoymg Thee. All our degradanons and 
 misery have been produced by our alienation and 
 absence from Thee; and all our happiness and 
 perfection depend upon our re-union and inter- 
 course with Thee. We, therefore, bless Thee for 
 the revelation Thou hast given us, and by which 
 we learn, that thy thoughts towards us are thoughts 
 of peace, and not of evil . We rejoice in a new and 
 living way into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus, 
 who has once suffered for sins, the just for the un- 
 just, that he might bring us unto God. We pray 
 that the grand design of this sacrifice may be ac- 
 complished in each of us. May we feel that we 
 are brought back from the dreadful distance to 
 which sin hac conveyed us, and that we are one 
 c 2 
 
50 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 with God again; and henceforth, may the life that 
 we lead in the flesh, be a life of communion with 
 the Father of our spirits, and of devotedness to 
 him. May thy service be the employment of our 
 days, and the enjoyment of our hearts. May we 
 love thy commands, and acquiesce in thy dispensa- 
 tions; and then we are at the gate of heaven. 
 
 We lament that this has been so little the case 
 with us, since we have known Thee, or rather 
 have been known of Thee. We ought to be asham- 
 ed to think, tliat after all the instructions of thy 
 word, the c.dinances of thy house, and the disci- 
 pline of thy family, our ears are still so dull o* 
 hearing, and our hearts so slow to believe; that oui 
 souls so cleave unto the dust; that we live so much 
 under the influence of things seen and lemporalj 
 and feel so little of the powers of a world to come. 
 How obscure is our knowledge; how weak our 
 faith; how low our hope; how wavering our obe- 
 dience; how lifeless our worship. O Lord, clothe 
 us with humility; and in this attire help us to pre- 
 sent Thee the sacrifice of a broken heart and a con- 
 trite spirit, which Thou wilt not despise. 
 
 And since Thou art the God of all grace, and 
 hast commanded us to ask and receive, that our 
 joy may be full; — afl*ord us more of the supply of 
 the spirit of Jesus Christ, to give more decision to 
 our character, and more earnestness to our zeal; 
 — that with enlarged hearts in the way of thy com.- 
 mandments we may run, and not be weary, and 
 wj'k and not faint. May we always realize thy 
 preser, c; and may the thought, that thine eye is 
 upon us, o .'^rate as a check to sin, an excitement 
 to dutv, and a source of consolation. May we bear 
 with firmness an 1 submission the various trials of 
 life and religion, and derive from them all the ad- 
 vantage which they are designed to afford. May 
 
FIRST WEEK. 31 
 
 we glorify the Lord in the fires, and may every 
 day of trouble afford us an opportunity to prove 
 the truth of thy promise, the tenderness of thy 
 care, and the supports of thy grace. May tribula- 
 tion work patience, and patience experience, and 
 cxper ence hope. 
 
 But how few, how limited, and how light are 
 the afflictions with which we are exercised. How 
 much more reason have we to be thankful than to 
 complain. 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; who for- 
 giveth all our iniquities; who healeth all our dis- 
 eases; who redeemeth our lives from destruction; 
 who crowneth us with loving kindness and tender 
 mercies. 
 
 We praise Thee for the protection, the supplies 
 and the comforts of another day. Take us under 
 thy care for the night on which we have entered. 
 May no evil befall us, nor any plague come nigh 
 our dwelling. Refresh our bodies, and renew our 
 strength, by needful repose; and when we awake, 
 may we be still with God, and rise to love Thee 
 more, and serve Thee better, than we ever have 
 done; through our Lord and Saviour, to whom be 
 glory for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY MORNING. 
 
 Again we lift up our eyes unto the hills from 
 whence cometh our help: our help is in the name 
 of the Lord God, who made heaven and earth. 
 
 Thou art the Author of all existence, and the 
 source of all blessedness. We adore Thee for 
 making us capable of knowing Thee; for possess- 
 ing us with reason, and conscience; and for lead- 
 ing us to inquire where is Gad my Maker thai 
 
12 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 giveth songs in the night. We praise Thee toi 
 all the information with which we are favoured, 
 to bring us to thyself; especially the revelation oi 
 the gospel. Here we look into thy very heart, and 
 see that it is the dwelling place of pity. Here v. e 
 see thy thoughts towards us, and find that they are 
 thoughts of peace and not of evil. Here we see 
 Thee waiting to be gracious, and exalted to have 
 mercy. Here Thou hast told our consciences 
 how the guilty can be pardoned, the unholy can 
 be sanctified, and the poor furnished with un- 
 searchable riches. 
 
 May we be found in the number of those who 
 not only hear, but know the joyful sound, that we 
 may walk in the light of thy countenance, in thy 
 name rejoice all the day, and in thy righteousness 
 be exalted. May we take Thee, the God of truth, 
 at thy word; and believe the record, that Thou 
 hast given to us eternal life, and that this life is in 
 thy Son. And since it is not only a faithful say- 
 ing but worthy of all acceptance, that He came 
 into the world to save sinners, to Him may we 
 look alone for salvation, and with all the earnest- 
 ness, the infinite importance of the case requires. 
 
 And to Him may we immediately repair, remem- 
 bering how short and uncertain our time is; and 
 filled with holy horror at the thought of closing a 
 life of precious, but neglected privileges, with the 
 exclamation, The harvest is past, the summer is 
 ended, and we are not saved. We long for the ex- 
 perience of a present salvation, not only in the 
 comforts, but in the renewings of the Holy Ghost. 
 We desire to have nothing more to do with sin; 
 ^nd pray as sincerely to be restored to thy image, 
 as to be re-instated in thy favour. We implore 
 spiritual graces, as well as spiritual blessings; and 
 pray that we may always value religious duties. 
 
FIRST WEEK. 33 
 
 as reli,^ ous privile.^es. Deliver us from the dis- 
 position of i.he slave, and uphold us, in all our go- 
 ings, by thy free Spirit; and enable us to run in 
 the way of thy commandments with freedom and 
 delit^ht. 
 
 May we cherish simplicity and j^odly sincerity 
 of character; may we be in reality before God, what 
 we are in appearance before men; — Israelites in- 
 deed, in whom is no guile May we be religious 
 liefore we ^ro/es5 religion, and leave the world, be- 
 fore we enter the church; that we may not be look- 
 ing back after its forbidden follies and vanities, 
 but, with our affection set on things that are above, 
 walk worthy of Him who has called us to His 
 kingdom and glory. 
 
 And while we are the partakers of thy grace, 
 may we be also the dispensers too. Freely having 
 received may we freely give. May we feel it to 
 be the sublimest of all satisfactions, and count it 
 the greatest of all rewards, to save a soul from 
 death, and to hide a multitude of sins. And while 
 endeavouring to do good, may we be prepared to 
 bear evil. May we consider Him who endured 
 the contradiction of sinners against himself; and if 
 reviled, reviled not again; or if oppressed or slight- 
 ed, never grew weary in well doing. 
 
 But, we bless Thee, that the lines are fallen to 
 us in pleasant places: we are strangers to the suf- 
 ferings of those who have gone before us; and can, 
 not only sit ourselves, but call every man his 
 neighbour, under the vine and under the fig-tree. 
 May we avail ourselves of our opportunitiea and 
 invite those around us to taste and see that the 
 Lord is good, while it is called to-day, knowing 
 how soon the night cometh therein no man can 
 work. 
 
 O God count us worthy of this calling, and ful- 
 
34 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 fil all the good p easure o«f thy goodness, and t^je 
 work of faith with power: that the name of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in us, and we 
 in Him, according to the grace of our God, and 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY EVENING. 
 
 O THOU that hearest prayer — -Through him who 
 is the great Intercessor, let our prayer come be- 
 fore Thee as incense, and the lifting up of our 
 hands as the evening sacrifice. We bless Thee as 
 our Creator, the framer of our bodies, and the 
 former of our souls within us. We praise Thee 
 for the blessings of thy providence, which encom- 
 pass us on every side, and are continued to us not- 
 withstanding our unworthiness. Thou hast not 
 only given us life and favour, but thy visitation 
 hath preserved our spirit, and secured our person 
 al and relative comforts. 
 
 But above all, we thank Thee for thine unspeak- 
 able gift. Herein is love, not that we loved God, 
 but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the 
 propitiation for our sins. Here our hopes find an' 
 chorage; here believing we enter into rest; here 
 all our woes and wants find redress and supplies. 
 O may our souls be united to this Saviour by a di- 
 vine faith; he the head and we the members; he 
 the vine and we the oranches. May we be his 
 disciples and learn of him; his soldiers, and war 
 under his banner; his beneficiaries, and live upon 
 his fullness. When Ave think of our transgres- 
 sions of thy law, may we remember him who is the 
 end of the law for righteousness. When we feel 
 our sin, may we think of him whose blood cleans- 
 cth from all sin; and when, viewing our trials and 
 duties, our weakness makes us despond, may we 
 
FIRST WEEK So 
 
 liear llie voice that cries My grace Is sufficient for 
 thee. 
 
 May we be followers of him who was meek and 
 lowly in heart, who pleased not himself, who went 
 about doing good, who said my meat is to do the 
 will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. 
 Subdue in us the selfishness that is so common to 
 our depraved hearts, and excite in us a disposition 
 to seek after the welfare of others. May senti- 
 ments of benevolence and kindness, mingle with 
 all our thoughts, words and actions^ may they be- 
 come more natural, more powerful, more impar- 
 tial; may we be good to the unthankful and the 
 unworthy, that we may be the children of our 
 Father who is in heaven, for hemak th his sun to 
 shine on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain 
 on the just and the unjust. 
 
 Yet may we especially do good unto them that 
 are of the household of faith. IVIay all who do the 
 will of our heavenly Father, be dear to our hearts. 
 May we prefer Jerusalem above our chief joy. 
 Peace be within her walls, and prosperity withir. 
 her palaces. Let her become a praise in the 
 whole earth. And from the rising of the sun -'to 
 the going down of the same, may thy name be 
 great among the Gentiles, and in every place may 
 incense be offered unto Thee, and a pure offering 
 in righteousness. The harvest truly is great, but 
 the labourers are few; command their increase; 
 and abundantly bless those who are already em- 
 ployed. 
 
 And may the sincerity of our prayers appear in 
 our exerdons and sacrifices. May we honour the 
 Lord wnth our substance. In our respective sta- 
 tions may we adore the doctrine of God our Savi- 
 our in all things. By every kind of consistent 
 co-operation with our ministers, may we becoipe 
 
56 i-IRST WEEK. 
 
 helpers to the truth; and carrying the effects o! 
 the sermons we hear, and dispensing them among 
 those who refuse to hear, win them without the 
 word. May we never hide it in a napkin, because 
 we have only one talent; but use what we have, 
 that more may be given; and be concerned to ob- 
 tain from the Judge of all, the approving sentence^ 
 of our having done what we could. And may we 
 never despise the day of small thin^^s; never grow 
 weary in well doing; but cherish with patience, as 
 well as with diligence, every serious conviction, 
 every pious tendency, every godly impression. 
 
 And let us not labour in vain, nor spend our 
 strength lor nought. May we be the honoured in- 
 struments Of savinir some soul from death; and of 
 producing joy, in the presence of the angels of 
 God, over one sinner that repenteth. 
 
 Above all, render us successful among those 
 who are more fully under our instruction, influence 
 and authority. May we rule well our own house; 
 and have the pleasure to see all the members of 
 our family, fellow citizens with the saints, and pf 
 the household of God. Of whom, and through 
 whom, and to whom, are all things. To whonr 
 be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Lord, Thou art good, and Thou doest good, 
 Thou hast revealed thvself as nigh unto all that 
 call upon Thee, to all that call upon Thee, in 
 truth. May we who now address Thee, be found 
 the heirs of this promise; nor suffer us, to incur 
 the reproach of drawing n^ar to Thee, with the 
 mouth, and honouring Thee with our lips, while 
 our he.irts are far from Thee. Unite our hearts 
 to fear thy name; and grant th ' we may worship 
 
TIRST WEEK 37 
 
 Thee, in the s|iirit, and rejoice in Christ Jtsus, 
 and have no confidence in the flesh. We remem- 
 ber that we are sinners, and acknowledge the mul- 
 titude and a;^s^ravations of our offences. Con- 
 kcious not only of the reality, bui: the greatness of 
 our guilt, we could indulge no hope, hadst not 
 Thou exhibited thy infinite Ijenevolence, and re- 
 vealed a Mediator, in whom Thou art reconciling 
 the world unto thyseli, not imputing their trespas- 
 ses unto them. 
 
 Thou hast not left thyself without witness, in 
 that Thou hast been doing us good, and giving us 
 rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our 
 heai ts with food and gladness. But herein is love, 
 not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and 
 sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.. 
 Blessed be thy name, we have all the certainty we 
 could desire, that with Thee there is mercy. 
 That mercy the publican sought, and found; thai 
 mercy — has never aisappoinled any that trusted 
 in it; that mercy — at this very moment, cries to us 
 — Ask and it shall t>e given you^ seek and ye shall 
 find. O Lord, we avail ourselves of thy invitation^ 
 and plead thy promise. According ta the mul- 
 titude of thy tender mercies, blot out our trans- 
 gressions. Create \n us, also, a clean heart. ar>'' 
 renew a right spiri* within us. 
 
 We hope we are convinced, that while maii> 
 things are desirable, and some useful, one thing is 
 needful; and that instead of the inquiry, what shall 
 I eat, and what shall I drink, and wherewithal 
 shall 1 be clothed, the suprennKi anxiousness of the 
 soul is, what must I do to be saved? O visit us 
 with thy salvation; m the iMumination of the mind, 
 and the sanctification of the life; in all the com- 
 forts of the Holy Ghost,, and in all fruits of the 
 spirit. May we willingly obey all thy commands, 
 D 
 
38 yiRST WEEK. 
 
 and cheerfully submit to all thy appointments In 
 the annihilation of self-will, and in the temper oi 
 implicit devotcdness, may we, as to every duly, 
 say. Lord what wilt thou have me to do? And as 
 to every event, here I am, let Him do what seemetli 
 Him good. Grant us piety and wisdom to ac 
 commodate ourselves to the allotments^ of life; and 
 enable us to maintain a christain temper and be- 
 haviour in all the changing scenes of providence, 
 that all things may work together, if not for oui 
 ^.ratification, yet for our good. 
 
 May we disengage ourselves from the present 
 evil world, and be received and acknowledged as 
 the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. 
 May the righteous be our attraction and delightj 
 and though few in number, and despised by the 
 foolish and wicked, may we go with thein^ because 
 God is with them: and like Closes may we choose 
 rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, 
 than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. 
 
 May we walk by faith and not by sight. May 
 we weiu,h both worlds, and may the future and 
 eternal, preponderate; and may this be our grow 
 ing experience as well as profession — as for me 
 I will behold thyiface in righteousness, I shall be 
 satisfied when I awake with thy likeness 
 
 By thy mercies we renew this morning the con- 
 secration of ourselves to thy service. Go forth 
 with us into the concerns of the day. Keep us in 
 all our ways. Innumerable are our dangers; i ut 
 the greatest of all is sin. Uphold our goi'!,!S 
 therefore in thy word, and let no iniquity have do- 
 minion over us. May we abstain from all appear- 
 ance of evil; and the very God of peace sanctify 
 us wholly; and may our whole spirit, and soul, and 
 body^ be preserved blameless unto the coming o« 
 our Lord Jesus Chrisc. 
 
FIRGT WEEK. 39 
 
 And 10 God only wise, the Father, the Son, and 
 ihe Holy Ghost, be ascribed all honour and praise, 
 for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING. 
 
 O God, thy greatness is unsearchable. Thy 
 name is most excellent in all the earth. Thou 
 hast set thy g^lory above the heavens. Thousands 
 minister unto Thee, and ten thousand times ten 
 thousand stand before Thee. We feel ourselves 
 n thine awful presence to be nothing, less than 
 nothing anil vanity; nor do we presume to ap- 
 proach Thee because we are deserving of thy no- 
 tice — for we have sinned — we have incurred thy 
 righteous displeasure; we acknowledge, that Thou 
 art justified when Thou speakest, and clear when 
 Thou judgest. 
 
 But our necessities compel us; and thy pro- 
 mises encourage us. Thou art nigh unto them 
 that are of a broken heart, and savest such as be 
 of a contrite spirit. Thou hast provided and re- 
 vealed a Mediator, who has not only obeyed, but 
 magnified the law, and made it honourable: and 
 Thou hast made us accepted in the beloved 
 And we behold an innumerable multitude return- 
 ing from thy throne, successful, rejoicing, and 
 encouraging us to go forward. They were not, 
 though all guilt and indigence, refused, or up- 
 braided; but freely obtained pardon, and holiness, 
 and righteousness, and strength, and were blessed 
 with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in 
 Christ 
 
 O look Thou upon us, and be merciuil unto us, 
 as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name 
 Convince us of sin in its penalty, and in its pollu 
 tion; and may we mourn over it with a godly sor 
 
40 FIRST WEKR. 
 
 row. Give us that faith by which we shall be en- 
 abled t > believe on the Lord Jesus Christ: and be- 
 lieving, have life through his name. 
 
 And may we not only have life, but have it 
 more abundantly. We often question the reality 
 of our grace; but the imperfections of our religion 
 are too obvious, not to be acknowledged, and too 
 great, Tiot to be deplored. Our souls cleave unto 
 the dust; quicken Thou us according to thy word. 
 Strengthen in us the things that are ready to die. 
 May we not only live in the spirit, but walk in the 
 spirit. By holy resemblances, may we put on the 
 Lord Jesus Christ; may the same mind be in us 
 which was also in Him; and may we feel it to be 
 our dignity and delight to go about doing good. 
 
 And as He suffered for us, leaving us an exam- 
 ple, that we should tread in his steps, may we learn 
 to suffer like Him. When reviled, may we revile 
 not again, but commit ourselves to Him that judg- 
 eth righteously. Whoever may be the instrument 
 of our grief, may we never lose sight of an over- 
 ruling agency, in preparing and presenting it; but 
 be abl^. to say, 1 ne cup which my Father giveth 
 me shall I not drink it.^ In cur patience may we 
 possess our souls, that we may be calm to inquire, 
 wherefore Thou contendest with us; that weeping 
 may not hinder sowing, nor sorrow duty. 
 
 We live in a world of changes, and have here 
 no continuing city; may we seek one to come, and 
 have our minds kept in perfect peace, being staid 
 upon God. Be with us to the end of our journeyj 
 and after honouring Thee, by the life we have 
 lived, may we glorify Thee, by the death we shall 
 die. When heart and flesh fail, be Thou the 
 strength of our heart, and oui* portion for ever; at 
 dea'.h may we fail asleep in Jesus, and in the morn- 
 •ng o' ihe resurrectioi may He change our vile 
 
FIRST WEEK 
 
 body, that it may be fashioned like his own t^loiioux 
 body, and so may we be for ever with the Lord. 
 
 Who can understand his errors? Forgive, O 
 God, the sins of the past day, in thought, word 
 and deed, against thy divine majesty. We bless 
 Thee for our preservation, in our going out and 
 our coming in, and in all our ways — and we bless 
 Thee for all the supplies and indulgences, which 
 thy good providence has afforded us. 
 
 And now, O Ihou keeper of Israel, we commit 
 our souls and our bodies to thy all-sufficient care. 
 Suffer no evil to befall our persons, and no plague 
 to come nigh our dwelling May our sleep be 
 sweet — O'- if Thou boldest our eyes waking, may 
 we remember Thee, upon our bed, and meditate 
 on Thee, in the night watches. 
 
 And with the innumerable company, who never 
 slumber nor sleep, and who rest not day and night, 
 we would join in ascribing blessing, and honour, 
 and glory, and power, unto Him that sitteth upon 
 the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever 
 
 FRIDAY MORNING. 
 O THOU, whose name alone is Jehovah, tlv 
 most high over all the earth. When we conside*- 
 thy majesty and thy purity, and reflect upon our 
 meanness and guilt, how shall we come before the 
 Lord, or bow before the high God.^ We are un- 
 worthy of thy notice, and have rendered ourselve? 
 justly obnoxious to the curse of thy holy law — and 
 wert Thou to judge us according to our deseit — 
 the most innocent periods of our life, and the de- 
 voutest services in which we have ever been en- 
 gaged, would make us shrink back with dread 
 and despair from thy presence. But we are en 
 D 2 
 
42 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 couraged to approach Thee, by the revelation 
 Thou hast given us of thyself, as the Lord God 
 gracious and merciful, the invitations and pro- 
 mises of thy word, and the meditation of thy dear 
 Son. We rejoice that He put away sin, by tie 
 sacrifice of Himself, and being raisea from the 
 dead entered into the holy place, there to appear 
 in the presence of God for us. We rejoice that 
 we have now an Advocate with the Father to plead 
 our cause, and a great High Priest over the house 
 of God, to introduce our persons and our services. 
 May we therefore draw near in full assurance ol 
 faith believing that all things are now ready; that 
 we are as welcome, as we are needy; and that tne 
 blessings we implore, are as gracious, as they are 
 great. Yea, Thou delightest in mercy, and hast 
 not only permitted, but commanded us to ask, and 
 receive, that our joy may be full. O let us not re- 
 fuse to be comforted; let us not reject the counsel 
 of God against ourselves. Suffer us not after pro- 
 voking Thee, by our rebellion, to offend Thee, still 
 more by our unbelief. May we honour thy good- 
 ness, by our confidence in thy veracity, and come 
 and take of the water of life freely. May we wait 
 for no qualifications, to entitle us to those provi 
 sions, which must be bought without money, and 
 without price; but may we come as we are — guilty 
 to be justified, unholy to be renewed, blind fo he en- 
 lightened, weak to be strengthened, and indigent 
 to be relieved and enriched. As Thou art pre* 
 senting to us, in the offers of the gospel, thy un- 
 speakable gift, may we receive Christ Jesus the 
 Lord. May we receive Him inimediatelv without 
 delay, cordially without reluctance, and impar- 
 tially without exception — feeling our need of, and 
 acquiescing in all his offices, relations, influences, 
 and Irles sings. 
 
FIRST WEEK. 43 
 
 As Thou art well pleased in thy beloved Son, 
 may it appear that we are well pleased wifh Him; 
 may we love his salvation, an. I i^Iory in his cross; 
 may we admire his character utid pant after his 
 likeness. May we judge of our union with Him, 
 by our being new creatures, and of our freedom 
 from all condemnation, by our walking not after 
 the flesh, but after the Spirit. May we try our 
 principles by our practice, and our faith by our 
 works. May the origin and certainty of our hope, 
 appear in its tendency — may it purify us from sia, 
 wean us from the world, and cause us to live with 
 our conversation in heaven. 
 
 And blessed with a well founded persuasion, 
 that when He, who is our life, shall appear, we 
 shall also appear with him in glory; may we bear 
 with patience, the trials attached to this present 
 time; and weep as if we wept not. And knowing 
 our obligations to thy grace, which has delivered 
 our souls from the lowest hell, and is infallibly 
 conducting us to such a vastness of felicity, may 
 we be principally concerned to walk before the 
 Lord in the land of the living, and to show forth 
 all His praise. Whether therefore we eat or 
 drink, or whatever v/e do, may we do all to the 
 glory of God. 
 
 But we cannot trust in our own hearts; we dare 
 not rely upon our convictions and purposes — thev 
 have often betrayed us. We can only serve Thee 
 in thy own strength. We can walk no farthei 
 than Thou leadest us; we can stand no longer than 
 Thou boldest us. We therefore renounce self- 
 dependence; and dcsirtr to be strong in the Lord, 
 and in the power of his might. Let thy grace be 
 sufficient for us in the duties and events of the 
 day, into vdiich we have entered. May we abide 
 with Gfd 'n oir respective callings. Whether 
 
44 FIxiST VTEfiK. 
 
 we are alone, or in company, may we be anxious 
 to gain good, and to do good. May we be sei-iou" 
 without gloom, and cheerful without levity. 
 
 And, now unto Him that is able to keep us from 
 falling, and to present us faultless before the pre- 
 sence of his glory with exceeding joy; to the only 
 wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, do- 
 \ninion and power, both now and ever. Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY EVENING. 
 
 O God, the day is thine, the night also is thine. 
 Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and 
 evening to rejoice. The heavens declare thy 
 glory — the earth is full of thy riches, and so is the 
 great and wide sea. Thou art the maker, and 
 sustainer, and proprietor of all things. We are 
 the creatures of thy power, and the beneficiaries 
 of thy bounty. But we have sinned against heav- 
 en and before Thee, and not worthy of the least of 
 all the mercies, and of all the truth which Thou 
 hast showed us. We are of those that rebel 
 against the light; for we have resisted the dictates 
 of our consciences, the demands of thy law. the 
 admonitions of thy providence, and the calls oftht 
 gospel of peace. We have made light of those 
 things which angels desire to look into; we have 
 neglected thy great salvation, and we deserve that 
 thy wrath should come upon us, as the children of 
 disobedience. 
 
 But we are in the land of the living, and under 
 a dispensation of hope. We flee for refuge to that 
 dear Saviour, who said, deliver him from going 
 down into the pit, I have found a ransom, and who 
 himself bore our sin in his own body on the tree. 
 O that we may be found in him, and know the 
 power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of 
 
FIRST WEEK 45 
 
 nis sufl^rings, being made confonnable unto bin 
 death. May we not only be justified by bis blood, 
 and saved from wratl through Him; but may we 
 derive from Him an influence, that shall subdue 
 our iniquities, and change us into his own image, 
 from J^lory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. 
 
 IJeliver us we pray Thee, from the views and 
 dispositions, of men of the world, who have their 
 portion in this life. May \a ^ never look for thai 
 on earth, which can only be found in heaven. 
 Born from above, and bound for glory, may we 
 feel the heart of a stranger, and pass the time of 
 our sojourning here in fear. Reminded — and, O, 
 how often are we reminded.^ that here we have no 
 continuing city, may we seek one to come; and in 
 all the changing scenes of time, know in ourselves, 
 that in heaven, we have a better and an enduring 
 substance. 
 
 In our journeyings through a vale of tears, cast 
 us not away from thy presence, and take not thy 
 Holy Spirit from us. Be Thou always within 
 sight, or within call; for how often shall we have 
 to address Thee? To thy wisdom we must repair 
 for direction, or we shall every moment go astray. 
 Thy power is our only safety. O I'hou that savest 
 by thy right-hand, them that put their trust in 
 Thee, from those that rise up against them, keep 
 us as the apple of the eye, and hide us under the 
 shadow of thy wing. Be Thou our strength in 
 weakness, and our victory in conflict. We dare 
 not say, we never t^tV/ deny Thee; butO grant that 
 we never may. Establish our hearts with grace, 
 and deliver our feet from falling; and may we be 
 sincere and without offence, until the day of Christ. 
 
 These are great blessings for us to ask; but we 
 are undone for ever without them, and Thou hast 
 encou-iged us to hope. We plead thy command 
 
46 FIRST *VEEK. 
 
 and thy promises. Ask and it sliall oe given you 
 seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be open- 
 ed unto you. No suppliant, however unworthy, 
 or guilty, was ever rejected, or insulted at thy 
 footstool^ and we come in the name of Him who 
 made intercession for the transgression. Him, 
 Thou hearest always, and to Him, with the Fa- 
 ther, and the Holy Spirit, be praises for ever and 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 SATURDAY MORNING. 
 
 O God, Thou art great, and greatly to be feared 
 And Thou art, also, merciful and gracious, long- 
 suffering and abundant in goodness and in truth. 
 May we so feel our sinfulness, as to be humbled 
 in the dust before Thee, and filled with self-con- 
 demnation and self-despair; but let us not shrink 
 back from thy presence, and be afraid to place our 
 faith and hope in God. Help us to remember, 
 that if we have no claim, on the footing of desert, 
 we can plead thy promise, and invitation; and 
 that if the blessings we want are infinitely great, 
 they are dispensed as gifts, where freeness delights 
 in the unworthiness of the receiver. 
 
 We therefore, would neither deny, nor palliate 
 our guilt. We know there is evil enough in one 
 sin to plunge us into perdition; but our offences 
 are more in number than the sand; and they have 
 been attended with every aggravation, derivable 
 from light and love, means and mercies. Thou 
 hast called, and we have refused; Thou hast 
 stretched out thy hand and we have not regarded. 
 How often hast Thou wooed and awed, blessed 
 and chastised us; and yet we refused to return. 
 O Lord, pardon our iniquity, for it is great. Let 
 the free gift be of many offences unto justification 
 
FIRST WEEK. 47 
 
 of life,* and were sin has abounded, may grace 
 much more abound. 
 
 And as wc canno/. serve or enjoy Thee, unless 
 our nature be chantj^ed, as well as our state, O 
 save us by the washin,^; of regeneration, and by 
 the renewing oi the Holy Ghost. Deliver us from 
 the dominion, as well as the course of sin; and 
 from the love of it, as well as the dominion. May 
 we reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, 
 but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 May we view holiness as the beauty and the dig- 
 nity of the soul, and long after greater degrees of 
 conformity to the will and the image of God. 
 May our hope purify us, and our religious com- 
 forts stimulate, as well as relieve. May we never 
 slumber, and lose our roll; never sleep, and like 
 Saul be robbed of our spear and our cruse. May 
 we wutch and pray, lest we enter into temptation. 
 When we grow indolent and careless, awaken us 
 by lively apprehensions of thy presence, and of the 
 eternal world, on the borders of which we per- 
 petually move; may we feel the infinite importance 
 of improvin;.;- the few transient periods, interven- 
 ing between us and death; may we daily and hour- 
 ly answer some of the grand purposes of life and 
 religion. May every place and every company be 
 the better for us. May we diffuse kno^vledge and 
 happiness by our conversation, example, and in- 
 fluence; and like our Lord and Saviour go about 
 doing good. 
 
 Whatever advantages we possess, may we never 
 forget, that this is not our rest. May we arise 
 and depart hence, not by quitting our stations, or 
 undervaluing the duties attached to them, but by 
 rising above the world, as our portion, seting our 
 affections on things above, and having our con- 
 versation in heaven. Expecting a succession of 
 
48 FIRST WEEK. 
 
 encounters in passing through an enemy's land, 
 may we take lo us the whole armour of God; a-.ia 
 looking for thorns and briars in our marchings 
 through a wild'^rness, may our feet be shod witn 
 the preparation of the gospel of peace. 
 
 Fit us for every changing scenej and in all the 
 events that would alarm or perplex us, may our 
 minds be stayed upon God, and our thoughts be 
 established. May we remember that trials from 
 thy hand are blessings in disguise, and that when 
 they come to be unveiled, and we can view them 
 in their designs and effects, they will draw forth 
 our gratitude and praise. Till we can walk by 
 sight, enable us to walk by faith, and may nothing 
 weaken our persuasion, that all thy ways are mer- 
 cy and truth to thy people; and that all things 
 work together for good to them that love Thee. 
 
 We would not forget those who are in afflic- 
 tion — Do not Thou, O God forget them. What- 
 ever be their losses or distress, help them to say. 
 Yet the Lord thinketh upon me: and may they 
 know, that thy thoughts towards them are thoughts 
 of peace, and not of evil, to bring them to an ex- 
 pected end, though it may be by a painful passage. 
 Comfort those who are on beds of languishing. 
 Enter the house of mourning. Be the father of 
 the fatherless, and the husband of the widow, and 
 the friend, and helper of the poor and needy— and 
 have mercy upon all men. 
 
 Our Father, See. 
 
 SATURDAY EVENING 
 
 O Gon — Thou art glorious in holiness, fearful 
 
 in praises, continually doing wonders. And it. in 
 
 not one of the least of thy wonderful works, that 
 
 we are yet on this side an awful eternity, and no< 
 
FIRST WEEK. 49 
 
 reaping the due reward of our deeds. We look 
 on each otlier this evening with astonishment, and 
 exclaim, it is the Lord's mercies that we are not 
 consumed. Our whole life has been a scene of 
 provocation against thy divine majesty; and if we 
 with all our ignorance and self-love, can see so 
 much depravity in ourselves, Avhat must have pre- 
 sented itself to ///?/ view. — () 'Ihou who knowest 
 all things, in whose sight the very heavens are not 
 clean, and who seest more pollution, even in our 
 duties, than we ever found in our sins! There is 
 no health in us. We have no works or worthiness 
 to excite thy regard; and if ever we are saved, it 
 must be according to thy own purpose and grace, 
 given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began. 
 
 We come to Thee in the dear name of Him who 
 loved us, and gave himself for us; who magnified 
 the law and made it honourable; who put away sin 
 by the sacrifice of Himself; and now ever liveth to 
 make intercession for us. This foundation. Thou 
 thyself hast laid in Zion, and thy word assures us, 
 that whosoever believeth on Him, shall not be 
 confounded. We hope our dependence upon Him 
 is not a vain reliance, because we love his service 
 as well as his sacrifice, and long to wear his image, 
 as well as to be justified by his blood. We hope 
 we are willing to deny ourselves, and take up our 
 cross and follow Him — in the regeneration — and 
 withersoever He goeth. 
 
 O make us partakers of that salvation which i 
 designed to deliver us from our sins, and to bring 
 us into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 
 Put thy laws into our minds, and write them in 
 our hearts, and render our obedience to thy will 
 holily natural, and delightful to us. Rectify all 
 our principles, and give us clear and consistent, 
 and influential views of divine truth. May w«> 
 E 
 
50 'fIRST WEEK. 
 
 never undervalue or neglect any part of thy reveal 
 ed will; but regard the practice the gospel enjoins 
 as well as the doctrine it exhibits: prize its coni- 
 mands as well as its promises; and cultivate such 
 a disposition, as will render every religious duty a 
 spiritual privilege. 
 
 Sanctify us in every relation, office, transaction, 
 and condition in life. Keep us, if we prosper, 
 from being exalted above measure; and if exer- 
 cised with adversity, suffer us not to be swallowed 
 up of over-much sorrow. May divine grace pre- 
 serve the balance of the mind in all our varying 
 circumstances, and teach us, in whatsoever state 
 sve are, not only to be content, but to glorify God, 
 and be an edifying example to those around us. 
 
 May we always be principally concerned for 
 soul-prosperity, and be willing to submit to any 
 means, however trying, that thy wisdom shall 
 judge necessary, to promote and secure it May 
 we so pass through things temporal, as not to miss 
 those that are eternal, at last, or to lose sight of 
 them, for a moment, now. Too long have our 
 feet and our hands been in the mire; O disengage 
 us, purify us, elevate us; our souls cleave unto the 
 dust, quicken Thou us according to thy word. 
 May none of our mercies be lost upon us; but may 
 they prove the means of exciting our gratitude, 
 warming our devotion, and encouraging: our con- 
 fidence. May none ot our trials oe unimproved 
 — may they all embitter sin, wean us from the 
 world, and endear to us the Scriptures, the throne 
 of grace, and the sympathy of that Almighty 
 friend who is touched with the feeling of our in- 
 firmities. 
 
 May none of our religious opportunities be un- 
 sanctified. May we be thankful for the frequency 
 of their recurnnce; may wo gladly avail ourselves 
 
SECOND WEEK. 51 
 
 »i them; and instead of resting in the mere out- 
 ward performance, may we be concerned to 
 worship Thee, in spirit and in truth, and to obtain 
 from thy word, all the benefits it is intended and 
 adapted to afford. 
 
 For this purpose, we implore thy blessing on 
 the solemnities of the Sabbath, which is so soon 
 to open upon us. May we in the morning awake 
 with Thee, and begin, go through, and end the 
 day in thy faith, fear, and love. May we have 
 satisfactory evidence in our own minds, that we 
 do not wait upon Thee in vain; and may our 
 profiting appear unto all men. 
 
 And thus by all the discipline of thy family, and 
 the ordinances of thy house, may we grow in 
 grace, and in our meetness for the inheritance of 
 the saints in light. And when the evening of 
 life itself shall arrive, and we are called to retreat 
 from every mortal care, may we close the period of 
 toil and trouble, by falling asleep in Jesus — and 
 open our eyes upon the rest that remains for the 
 people of God, and enter the temple above, to go 
 no more out. And may the grace of. Sec. Amen. 
 
 SECOND IVEmZ. 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING. 
 O Thou King eternal, and immortal, invisible, 
 dwelling in the light which no man can approach 
 unto, and whom no man hath seen, or can see. 
 Thou art incom.prehensible, and the highest arch- 
 angel cannot find Thee out unto perfection. Yet 
 Thou hast been pleased to reveal thyself: and by 
 means of thy v/ord, we behold Thee in eve ry char 
 
52 SECOND A/EEK. 
 
 acter and relation that can suit our necessities, c 
 encourage our hope. Thy thront; is in the hea 
 k^ens, and thy kingdom ruleth over all; and all na- 
 tions before Thee are as nothing; yet thou conde- 
 scendest to regard the things that are done in the 
 earth; and despisest not the prayer even of the 
 destitute. Thou art exalted above all blessing and 
 praise: our goodness extendeth not to Thee — but 
 unless thine be extended to us, we are undone for 
 ever. Without Thee we can do nothing; we 
 are nothing. In Thee we live, and move, and 
 have our being. The way of man is not in him- 
 self; it is not in man that walketh to direct hi? 
 steps. We are universally indigent and depend- 
 ent; but as Thou art able, so thou art willing, to 
 take the charge of us; and here we are, the living 
 to praise Thee; and to acknowledge that good- 
 ness and mercy have followed us all the days of our 
 lives. 
 
 We bless Thee, that Thou hast regarded our 
 souls, as well as our bodies; and no less provided 
 for our future interests, than our present. When 
 there was no eye to pity us, Thou didst remem- 
 ber us in our low estate; and when there was no 
 arm to rescue. Thou wast pleased to lay help on 
 one that is mighty; and thou hast sent thy own 
 Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but 
 that the world through Him might be saved. To 
 Him may we turn our believing regards, and find 
 in Him the wisdom, righteousness, sanctincation, 
 and redemption, which, as perishing sinners, we 
 need. In all our approaches to Thee, may we 
 have boldness, and access, with confidence, by the 
 faith of Him. May we know that He has borne 
 our grief, and carried our sorrow; and be able to 
 rejoice in him as our sacrifice, our sympathising 
 friend, our almighty helper, and our lovely exam- 
 
SECOND WEEK. 55 
 
 pie May wc drink into his spirit. Ma/ we tran- 
 scribe the excellencies of his character into oui 
 own. May we place our feet in the very print 
 of his steps; and follow Him in the regeneration, 
 till we shall be perfectly like Him, and see Him as 
 He is. 
 
 We desire to acknowledge Thee in che dispen 
 sations of thy providence; and to own thy agency 
 in all the events that befall us, whether pleasing or 
 painful. Thou hast a right to govern us; and 
 Thou knowest what will best advance our welfare. 
 May we commit our way unto the Lord, and be 
 able to say at thy footstool, in unfeigned submis- 
 sion, Here I am, let Him do what seemeth Him 
 good. If darkness veils thy dealings with us, may 
 we trust and not be afraid; believing, that what 
 we know not now, we shall know hereafier; and 
 that the developement of thy conduct will issue in 
 perfect satisfaction and praise. 
 
 We bless Thee for the institutions of religion, 
 in the use of which Thou hast promised to draw 
 near to those that draw near to Thee. We re- 
 joice in another of the days of the Son of man; 
 may we call oft' our minds from the cares of the 
 world, and attend upon the Lord without distrac- 
 tion. Quicken and elevate our souls, that rising 
 above the formality of devotion, we may come 
 even to thy seat, and enjoy a little of the blessed- 
 ness of those that have entered thy temple above, 
 and are singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. 
 We are going to assemble in the house of prayer 
 — pour upon us the spirit of grace and of supplica- 
 tion; and rank us in the number of those who 
 hunger and thirst after righteousness. We are 
 going to the house of praise — awaken in us every 
 grateful and cheerful emotion, and may we speak 
 to ourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual 
 E 2 
 
54 SECOND WEEK 
 
 songfs, si!ig:ing and making melody in our hearts 
 unto the L^rd. We are repairing to the house of 
 instruction — enable us to receive the kingdom of 
 God as a little child. Teach us of thy ways. 
 Lead us into all truth. And let us be neither bar- 
 ren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
 
 For this purpose, let thy presence go with^usj 
 and let thy word come to us; not in word only, but 
 in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much 
 assurance. Bless all the churches of the faithful; 
 and the ministers of the everlasting gospel, of ev- 
 ery name, and of every nation. Clothe the priests 
 with salvation; and let thy saints shout aloud for 
 joy. May our country prosper in all her lawful 
 interests both domestic and foreign. Bless the 
 chief magistrate of our nation, and all that are in 
 authority; may they rule in thy fear, and be guid- 
 ed by thy counsel; and may the people lead quiet 
 and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. 
 Make us glad according to the days wherein 
 Thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we 
 have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy ser- 
 vants, and thy glory unto their children, and let 
 the beauty of the Lord our Gi>d be upon us; estab- 
 lish Thou the work of our hand upon us, yea, the 
 work of our hand, establish Thou it. 
 
 Our Father, Sec. 
 
 SUNDAY EVENING. 
 
 When we consider the heavens,the work of thy 
 fingers, and the moon and the stars which Thou 
 hast ordained, Lord, what is man, that Thou art 
 mindful of him, or the son of man that Thou vis- 
 itest him. In thy sigh' the heavens are not cleans 
 
SECOND WEEK. 55 
 
 and Thou chargest thine angels witli folly — With 
 what truth therefore may we, and with what hu- 
 miliation ought we tc exclaim, behold we are vile' 
 
 And yet, we believe — help Thou our unbelief, 
 that Thou waitestto be gracious unto us,* and art 
 exalted to have mercy upon us. And Christ alsc 
 has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, 
 that He might bring us unto God. Through his 
 obedience unto death, even the death of the cross, 
 it is honourable in Thee, to save all that come un- 
 to Thee by Him, and Thou art faithful and just, 
 as well as gracious and merciful, in forgiving us 
 our sins, and in cleansing us from all unrighteous- 
 ness. 
 
 We bless thy holy name, for a foundation on 
 which the guilty, the depraved and the helpless, 
 can build, a hope that maketh not ashamedj for a 
 refuge from the curse of a broken lawj for a foun- 
 tain opened for sin, and uncleanness; and for a 
 fulness, from which we can receive, and grace 
 for grace. We want to appropriate and realize, 
 all the representations given of the Saviour in thy 
 word; and to find it to be, in our own experience, 
 what thy people have found him to be, in all ages 
 of the world. May our persons and our services 
 be accepted in the beloved. May we be justified 
 freely by thy grace, through the redemption that 
 is in Christ Jesus. May we be saved by the 
 washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the 
 Holy Ghost. We are weary and heavy laden, 
 give us rest. We are depraved in all our pow- 
 ers—work in us to will and to do of thy good 
 pleasure. We are ignorant — fill us with knowl- 
 edge of thy will, in all wisdom and spiritual un- 
 derstanding, that we may approve things that are 
 excellent, and be sincere and without offence, till 
 the day of Christ. 
 
56 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 Many eyes are upon us — lead us in a plain path 
 because of our enemies. Many watch for our 
 halting-; but, may we put to silence the ignorance 
 of foolish men, and constrain them by our good 
 works, which they behold, to glorify God, in the 
 day of visitation. 
 
 Some did run well, but are hindered: they be- 
 gan in the spirit, but are now walking in the flesh. 
 We tremble for them — and we tremble for our- 
 selves: we pray for them, and we pray for our- 
 selves. Recover and restore them, and keep us, 
 by thy power, through faith unto salvation. May 
 we never draw back; never turn aside to the right 
 hand or to the left; never stand still; never look 
 back; never seem to corr.e short through unbelief, 
 but be always abounding in the work of the Lord 
 —and so much the more as we see the day ap- 
 proaching. 
 
 Though we are ignorant of the future, and 
 know not what a day may bring forth, keep us 
 from being of a doubtful mind. May we be 
 careful for nothing. May we go on our way re- 
 joicing, persuaded that all thy dispensations are 
 designed and adapted to prove, that Thou carest 
 for us. 
 
 We can even now, see much of thy wisdom, 
 righteousness, and kindness, in events, that once 
 perplexed us, and alarmed; and what we know 
 not now, we shall know hereafter. Soon the mys- 
 tery of providence will be completed and explain- 
 ed. Soon shall we have passed these dark and 
 mournful regions; and then our sun shall no more 
 go down, nor our moon withdraw herself; for God 
 shall be our everlasting light, and the days of our 
 mourning shall be ended. 
 
 And till we arrive at heaven, our home, may 
 we gratefully avail ourselves of all the advantage! 
 
SECOND WEEK. 57 
 
 aflTordecT js in our journey. We bless Thee for 
 wilderness privileges; for the manna; the streams 
 of the smitten rock; the fiery cloudy pillar; the 
 tabernacle and the ark. We bless Thee for the 
 sabbath, the sanctuary, and the ministry of the 
 word. We bless Thee for the opportunities we 
 have, this day, enjoyed in waiting upon Thee. 
 Many who love thy salvation, have passed the sa- 
 cred hours, in solitude. Many have had !io means 
 of grace to invite their attendance. And many 
 who have been assembled together, have not heard 
 the gospel of the grace of God, in truth. O, let 
 not our privileges increase our guilt, and aggra- 
 vate our condemnation, so that it shall be more 
 tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of 
 judgment, than for us. Let not the truths we 
 have been hearing, visit us only as weekly guests; 
 but may they be residents in our hearts. May 
 the word of Christ dwell in us richly, in all wis- 
 dom. And though the exercises in which we 
 have been engaged are transient, may the effects 
 produced by them be deep and durable; may the 
 sabbath pervade the week, and the spirit of de- 
 votion actuate us in the absence of its forms, 
 whether we eat, or drink, or whatever we do, 
 may we do all to the glory of God. 
 
 Bless, O bless the rising generation, the sources 
 of future families and communities. When the 
 clods of the valley shall be sweet about us, may 
 *hey be found a seed to serve Thee. Many oi 
 them have had the advantage of religious educa- 
 tion; they have seen pious examples; they early 
 kneeled at the domestic altar; from infancy they 
 knew the holy Scriptures, and have often been 
 alarmed, often melted under the word preached; 
 and frequently have they been ready to subscribe 
 with their own hand, and surname themselves by 
 
^8 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 Ihe name of Israel. O let not these promising 
 appearances and beginnings be cestroyed. O, let 
 not the wild beast out of the wood, carry off the 
 lambs of the flock; but may the Shepherd of Isra- 
 el gather them with his arm, and carry them in 
 his bosom. 
 
 Regard all thy professing churches. Bless them 
 with soundness of doctrine; purity and liberality 
 of discipline; and sanctity and amiableness of 
 character in their members: and the Lord add to 
 his people, how many soever they be, an hundred 
 fold. Yea, let a little one become a thousand, and 
 a small one a strong nation; and all the families of 
 the earth be blessed in Him — who is all our salva- 
 tion, and all our desire — to whom be glory and 
 dominion, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 
 MONDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou King eternal, immortal, and invisible 
 —we would adore Thee, and take shame to our- 
 selves: and though allowed to approach thy di- 
 vine majesty, we would never forget the sentiments 
 of humiliation and contrition, which become such 
 creatures as we are. Father! we have sinned 
 against heaven and in thy sight, and are not wor- 
 thy to be called thy children: we are not worthy 
 of the least of all thy mercies. Yea, we have me- 
 rited thy displeasure; and thy rigteousness would 
 be completely acquitted in our destruction. 
 
 O, for hearts of flesh! Lord, produce in us that 
 sensibility of soul, which will lead us to feel our 
 vileness, to deplore our guilt, and to cast ourselves 
 at thy feet, abhorring ourselves, and repenting in 
 dust and ashes. And impart to us that faith, which 
 will enable us, to hope, in thy word, and derive 
 strong consolation from the invitations and pro* 
 
SECOND WEEK. 59 
 
 mises of the gospel. We are come to implore 
 the greatest blessings the God of love cjin give; 
 but our application is not presumption: w^ are 
 come to call Thee, Abba Father, to enter thy 
 house, to sit clown at thy table, to lean on thy arm, 
 to walk with God; but we are not come unbidden 
 or uncalled: Thou hast called us by thy grace; 
 and it is thy commandment that we should believe 
 on the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we 
 assent, we submit, we depend, we apply. Since 
 He came into the world to save sinners, we take 
 Him as our Saviour; and glory in Him, as made 
 of Thee, to us wisdom and righteousness, sancti- 
 fication and redemption. 
 
 And (), may our minds be fixed and filled with 
 admiring thoughts of his person and offices; may 
 our hearts be inflamed with a sense of his bound- 
 less compassion and love. By the new and living 
 way which he has not only revealed but conse- 
 crated for us, may we come to Thee; and enjoy 
 all the advantages of a state of reconciliation and 
 friendship with God. May the most open and 
 familiar intercourse, be maintained, between Thee 
 and our souls. To Thee may we commit our way 
 and our works; and in every thing by prayer and 
 supplication make known our requests unto God; 
 and be Thou always near, to guide us and to de- 
 fend; to relieve us in trouble, and to help us in 
 duty. And may we walk humbly with our God; 
 wondering at the condescension, that designs to 
 regard our mean affair":^; *^f^ ^atience- that bears 
 witn our manners; and the kindness, that employs 
 so many means to advance our everlasting wel- 
 fare. 
 
 We grieve to think, that a world so full of thy 
 bounty, should be so empty of thy praise. O, 
 that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, 
 
60 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 and for his wonderful works to the children of 
 men. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places 
 of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul. 
 
 Again thy visitation hath preserved our spirits 
 Through the dark and silent watches of the night, 
 Thou hast suffered no evil to befall us, nor any 
 plague to come nigh our dwellinir. And we are 
 not only the livins^ to praise Thee, this morning, 
 but the distinguished, and the indulged. Many 
 who have seen the light of the day, as well as our- 
 selves, are encompassed with wa!it, and pain, and 
 wretchedness; but we have all things richly to 
 enjoy. 
 
 Thou takest pleasure in the prosperity of thy 
 servants; may we always take pleasure in the ad- 
 vancement of thy glory. Thou art never weary 
 in doing us good; may we never grow weary in 
 well doing. Thy mercies are new every morn- 
 ing; every morning, by thy mercies, may we pre- 
 sent our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and ac- 
 ceptable, which is our reasonable service. 
 
 And to the God of our salvation, the feather, 
 the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed, the 
 kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and 
 ever. Jlmen. 
 
 MONDAY EVENING. 
 O Thou, in whose presence angels bow, and 
 arch-angels veil their faces, enable us to serve Thee, 
 with reverence and godly fear. O Thou, who art 
 a Spirit, and requirest truth in the inward parts, 
 help us to worship Thee in spirit and in truth. O 
 righteous Father, we would not come to Thee 
 harbouring the love of any sin in our bosoms: for 
 thou hast assured us, that if we regard inquity in 
 our hearts, Thou wilt not hear uc We must ad* 
 
SEOOSD \?"EEK. 6' 
 
 dress thee as sinners; but we acknowledge our 
 transgression, and our sin is ever before us; we de- 
 sire to have nothing more to do with idols; we 
 hate every false way; and long to be Israelites in 
 deed, in whom is no guile. 
 
 Nor would we, O God, appear in thy presence 
 indulging a worldly temper, and seeking afier an 
 abundance of those things, that afford no satisfac- 
 tion in the possession, and perish in the using. 
 After all these things do the Gentiles seek, and 
 our heavenly Father, knoweth what things we 
 have need of, before we ask him; and will ad- 
 minister them as our wants and welfare may re- 
 quire. We are hastening towards an hour, which 
 will show us the vanity of all earthly pursuits and 
 possessions. When a few more suns have rolled 
 over us, it will be a matter of indifference, whethei 
 we have been rich or poor; successful in our en- 
 terprises, or disappointed; admired of our fellow- 
 creatures, or despised: but it will be of eternal mo- 
 ment to us, that we have mourned for sin; tha> 
 we have hungered and thirsted after righteous 
 ness; that we have loved the Lord Jesus Christ ih 
 sincerity, and gloried in his cross. 
 
 May these objects, therefore, however despises 
 of men, engross our chief solicitude. May we la- 
 bour for that meat, which endurethunto everlast- 
 ing life; may we lay up treasure in heaven; may 
 we seek the honour that cometh from God only. 
 O, remember us with the favour thou bearest ui> 
 to thy people, and visit us with thy salvation. De 
 liver us from the condemnation of the law, and 
 the bondage of corruption, and bring us into the 
 glorious liberty of the children of God. Justify ua 
 freely from all things, and renew us in the spirit 
 of our minds. Produce in us those principles and 
 dispositions, which will render thy service perfect 
 F 
 
6i SECOND WEEK. 
 
 freedom; and make it our meat to do the will of 
 our heavenly Father, and to finish his work. 
 
 Expel from our minds all sinful fear and shame, 
 and with firmness and courage may we confess the 
 i^edeemer before men, and go forth to Him with- 
 out the camp, bearing his reproach. And may 
 our zeal be according to knowledge. Fill us with 
 all wisdom and spiritual understanding. May we 
 walk circumspectly. May we never take a wrong 
 course, or a wrong step. May we venture on 
 nothing, without asking counsel of God. Without 
 prejudice, may we repair to the Scriptures, and 
 kneeling, before the divine oracles, ask, Lord, 
 what wilt Thou have me to do.^ May we faithfully 
 study our conditions and connexions in life, and 
 observe every dispensation cf thy providence, that 
 we may see how we can honour Thee in our body 
 and spirit, and serve our generation according to 
 the will of God. 
 
 Thou hast commanded us to be pitiful, and to 
 pray for all men. We would remember, that eve- 
 ry moment of pleasure to us, is a moment of an- 
 guish to some; and that while our health and our 
 relative comforts are continued, many arc confined 
 to beds of languishing, or sighing. Lover and 
 friend hast thou put from me, and mine acquaint- 
 ance into darkness. In the multitude of their 
 thoughts within them, may thy comforts delight 
 their souls; and if not in the suffering, yet in the 
 review of their trials, may they be able to say, "It 
 is good for me that I have been afflicted." Let 
 not the prosperity of the successful destroy them' 
 or the table of the indulged, prove a snare, Ii 
 every state may the voice be heard and obeyed 
 arise and depart hence, for this is not your rest. 
 
 We know not what a day may bring forth; yet 
 we would not be anxious in prospect o* the future, 
 
SECOND WfiliiK. 63 
 
 nor perplex ourselves wilh that care about events, 
 which, it is our duty and privilege, to cast upon 
 Him who careth for us. We would keep our 
 minds in perfect peace, being stayed upon Thee. 
 Assure us, that nothing can befall us without thy 
 permission, appointment, and administration; as- 
 sure us that Thou hast engaged to make all things 
 work together for our good — say to our hearts, I 
 will never leave thee nor forsake thee. 
 
 Grant us thy counsels for our guide; 
 
 And then receive us to thy bliss; 
 All our desires and hopes beside, 
 
 Are faint and cold compared with this. 
 
 Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Ja- 
 cob; the God of all the righteous, and of all that 
 hunger and thirst after righteousness: blessed are 
 the people that are in such a case, yea, happy is 
 the people whose God is the Lord. May we be 
 fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers 
 of thy promise, in Christ, by the gospel. 
 
 We hope in thy word. There we see thee, not 
 on a throne of judgment, whose term would make 
 us afraid, but on a throne of grace, waiting to be 
 gracious, and exalted to have mercy There we 
 hear Thee saying, not — "depart ye cursed into 
 everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his an- 
 gels," but — "look unto me and be ye saved, all the 
 ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none 
 else." They that know thy name, will put iheir 
 trust in thee, for thou I^ord liast not forsaken them 
 that seek thee. How many glorified in heaven, 
 and what numbers now living on earth, are thy 
 witnesses, O God, exemplifying in their recovery 
 
64 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 from the ruins of the fall, the freeness, and riches, 
 and efficacy, of thy grace. All that were ever 
 saved, were saved by thee, and will throus^h eterni- 
 ty, exclaim. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, 
 but to thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for 
 thy truth's sake. And after all thy communica- 
 tions, thou art the same Lord, over all, and rich 
 unto all, that call upon thee. Thou hast the same 
 ear to hear, the same heart to pity, the same hand 
 to deliver. 
 
 But thou hast chosen to transact all thy con- 
 cerns with us through a Mediator. In Him, it 
 hath pleased thee, that all fulness should dwell. 
 Him thou hast exalted at thy own right hand, to 
 be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance un- 
 to Israel and remission of sins 
 
 To Him therefore may we look; on Him may 
 we entirely depend; and in Him, vvith all the seed 
 of Israel, may we be justified and glorified. May 
 we know how to derive relief from his sufferings, 
 without losing any of our abhorrence of sin, or 
 longing after holiness. May we feel the double 
 efficiency of his blood, in tranquillizing our con- 
 sciences and cleansing them: may we delight in 
 his service as well as h's sacrifice; and under the 
 constrainings of a love that passeih knowledge; 
 may we live, not to ourselves, but to Him that 
 died for us and rose again. 
 
 In all our appioaches to thee, may wc have 
 boldness and access, with confidence, by the faith 
 of Him. Give us much of the spirit of grace and 
 of supplication. By a constant readiness for the 
 duty, and a frequent performance of it, may we 
 pray without ceasing; and by guarding against 
 every discouragement, may we pray, and not faint. 
 
 May we cherish a grateful and cheerful dispo- 
 sition; not murmuring and repining^ because all 
 
SECOND WEEK. 65 
 
 oiir wishes are not indultj^ed, or because some tn- 
 
 als are blended v/ith our enjoyments; but sensible 
 
 of our desert, and imi)ressed wiih the number and 
 
 g-reatness of thy benefits, may we bless the Lord 
 
 at all times, and may his praise continually be in 
 
 ;ur mouth. And may our gratitude be real and 
 
 practical, and increasing- with our obligations. 
 
 Enal:)le us to inquiie, Lord what wilt thou have 
 
 me to do? Enable us to resolve, I will walk before 
 
 the Lord in the latid of the living; enable us to 
 
 p ray- 
 Make me to walk in thy commands, 
 
 'Tis a delightful road; 
 Nor let my head, or heart, or hands, 
 
 Offend against my God. 
 
 We commend to thy pity, and thy power, all 
 those who are any way afflicted in mind, body, or 
 estate. May the young find it good to bear the 
 yoke in their youth; may they that know thee not, 
 be chosen in the furnace of affliction: and may thy 
 own people find thee a very present help in trouble. 
 Smile upon our country. Enlighten the under- 
 standings of those who are at the head of public 
 affairs, and enable them to instruct the people 
 what to do. May our magistrates be men fear- 
 ing God and hating covetoasness; make our of- 
 ficers peace, and our exactors righteousness. Let 
 not oppression be ever seen on the side of judg- 
 ment, nor a perverse spirit be mingled in the 
 midst of the people. Let glory dwell in our land, 
 and upon all the glory may there be a defence. 
 May the grace of, 8cc. Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING. 
 
 O Thou, that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall 
 all flesh come. Lord teach us to pray. We 
 have reason to fear, that the language of our lips, 
 F 2 
 
SECOND WEEK. 
 
 and the feelings of our hearts, in our religious 
 exercises, have not always agreed. We have fre- 
 quently taken carelessly upon our tongues, a name 
 never pronounced above, without the deepest re- 
 verence and humility. We have often desired 
 things Avhich would have proved our injury,* and 
 we have deprecated things which have proved 
 some of our chief mercies. We have erred, both 
 on the side of our hopes and fearsj we are unfit to 
 choose for ourselves: we are convinced, that the 
 way of man is not in himself, it is not in man that 
 walketh to direct his steps. We know not what 
 to pray for as we ought. Let thy Spirit help our 
 infirmities; and produce in us those views and dis- 
 positions which will lead us to ask according to 
 thy will, and then we know Thou hearest us. 
 
 With regard to temporal blessings, may wp 
 never be importunate; may we always refer them 
 to thy fatherly goodness; for Tliou knowest that 
 we have need of these things before we ask Thee; 
 but may we seek first in time and attention, thy 
 kingdom and righteousness. May we value things 
 by their relation to eternity. May we never think 
 we prosper, unless our souls prosper; tliat we arc 
 rich, unless we are rich towards God; that we are 
 wise, unless we are made wise unto salvation. 
 May our spiritual and everlasting welfare be our 
 chief solicitude, and may we be conscious to our- 
 selves, that we would rather be poor, and afflict- 
 ed, and despised, if blessed with much of the life 
 of God in our souls, than to be admired by our 
 fellow men, and be successful in our enterprises, 
 and have more than heart can wish — if these things 
 should prove the means of our forgetfulness of 
 God. 
 
 Having found this world to be dreams and lies, 
 vanity and vexatio*! of spirit, may we arise and 
 
SECOND WEEK. 67 
 
 depart from it, and seek our happiness in thy fa 
 ▼our and imaj^e, and presence, and service. And 
 tliough we are unworthy to be regarded by Thee, 
 especially after we have so often refused Thee, 
 receive us graciously; justify our persons, and re 
 novate our nature; and put thy laws into our 
 minds and write them in our hearts; and be Thou 
 to us a God, and may we be to Thee a people. 
 Endear to us that Saviour, whose unexampled 
 love led Him to suffer,the just for the unjust, that 
 He might bring us unto God. May we never dare 
 to think of coming to Thee in any other way; but 
 may we always havc^ boldness and access, with 
 confidence, l)y the faith of Ilim: yea, may we joy 
 in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom 
 we have now received the atonement; and not on- 
 ly so, but may we glory in tribulation also, know- 
 ing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience 
 experience, and experience hope. 
 
 For blessed be thy name, we live not in a 
 fatherless world; nor are our minutest affairs for- 
 gotten before God. The hairs of our head are all 
 numbered; our losses and trials are not the effects 
 of chance, but (ivents, in which thy wisdom and 
 mercy are now concerned, and will be, hereafter, 
 displayed. We know that all things work togeth- 
 er for good, to them that love Thee; may our cha- 
 racter, therefore, and not our condition, be the 
 object of our anxiety. May we ascertain that our 
 heart is right with Thee, and be careful for noth- 
 ing Having given ourselves unto the Lord, may 
 we remember that we have a right, from thy holy 
 word, to depend upon Thee, to provide for us, and 
 to manage all our concerns, even to the end. 
 
 Discharged from the toil and the torment of care, 
 may we feel ourselves at liberty to enjoy the ad- 
 vantages and comforts of our condition in life, and 
 
68 
 
 SECCND WEEK. 
 
 above all to pursue our work as christians. Ma\ 
 we be attentive to duty; may v/e vnqulre, how we 
 can best serve our generation, and glorify Thee in 
 our body and spirit. May holiness to the Lord be 
 inscribed upon all our time, and talents, and sub- 
 stance; and may the inquiry of our grateful hearts 
 every moment be, What shall I render unto the 
 Lord for all his benefits towards me? 
 
 Thou hast made the outgoings of another morn- 
 ing and evening to rejoice. Thou hast crowned 
 the day with thy goodness. Let the night witness 
 thy care and kindness; and may we enter on anoth- 
 er portion of our time, not only under fresh obli- 
 gations, but with new desires and resolutions to 
 be forever thine. 
 
 Our Father, Sec. 
 
 WEDNESDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou Most High! enable us to feel and to 
 express, becoming regards towards Thee, as the 
 Creator of the ends of the earth, the Preserver of 
 men, the Governour of the universe, the Judge of 
 all, the Saviour of sinners. Thy greatness is un- 
 searchable, but thy goodness is infinite. It is be- 
 cause thy compassions fail not, that we are not 
 consumed. Thou hast not only prolonged our un- 
 worthy lives under numberless provocations, but 
 Thou hast afforded us every needful supply and 
 indulgence. Thy mercies have been new every 
 morning and every moment. Through thy good 
 hand upon us, we have been rescued from the pe- 
 rils of another night; our repose has been unterri- 
 fied and undisturbed; sleep has refreshed our bo- 
 dies and renewed our strength; and we find our 
 selves surrounded at the commencement of anoth« 
 er day, with all our accustomed privileges. 
 
 But O God, we can never be sufficiently thank 
 
iECO;Ni> WEEK. 09 
 
 fill, that we have our existence in a christian coun- 
 try, and where we can hear words, by which we 
 may be saved. O, how important, how suitable, 
 howencouraijingare the discoveries, tlie doctrines, 
 the promises, the invitations of the y^ospel of peace. 
 We are lost; but here is presented to us a free, full, 
 and everlasting salvation. We are left without 
 strength; but here we learn, that help is laid on 
 one that is mighty. We are poor and reedy; but 
 here we behold the unsearchable riches of Clirist. 
 We are blind and ignorant; but in Him are hid all 
 the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We thank 
 Thee O God for thine unspeakable gift, and we 
 cordially accept of thy mercy extended to us 
 through the mediation of thy dear Son. ^Ve re 
 joice that he has been delivered for our offences, 
 and raised again for our justification; and that He 
 is now exalted at thy right hand to be a Prince and 
 a Saviour. We abandon every other refuge to 
 hide in, and every other foundation to build upon, 
 and make him our only hope, and our only confi- 
 dence. And while we depend on his death, and 
 make mention of his righteousness only, we ad- 
 mire his example, and desire to be conformed to 
 his image. May we put on the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and increasingly resemble Him, whose life was 
 beneficence; whose soul was meekness and humil- 
 ity; who pleased not himself; and who, of obedi- 
 ence the most trying and difficult, could say, I de- 
 light to do thy will, O my God, yea thy lav/ i^ 
 within my heart. May his glory fill our minds, 
 may his love reign in our affections; and at his 
 cross, and at his tomb, may we burn with ardour 
 to live, not to ourselves, but to Him that died for 
 us and rose again. 
 
 Let the number of his followers daily increase; 
 •4nd may none of ouv friends be found among his 
 
rO SECOND WEEK. 
 
 enemies. Pour thy Spirit upon our seed, and thy 
 bl'^ssing- upon our offspring. Let our sons be as 
 plants grownup in their youth, and our daughters 
 as corner stones, polished after the sinulitude of a 
 palace. May our domestics be the servants of 
 God; may they do his will from the heart; and be 
 prepared for that world, where those who serve, 
 will be as those who are served, and all the dis- 
 tinctions now necessary, will be done away, and 
 none remain, but those which arise from char- 
 acter. And whatever be our conditions in life, 
 may we fill them as christians; may we escape the 
 snares to which they expose us; discharge the du- 
 ties that grow out of their circumstances; enjoy 
 with moderation and gratitude their advantages; 
 and improve with decision and diHgence, their op- 
 portunities and resources of usefulness. May 
 every place and every company, in which we are 
 found, be benefited by us. 
 
 And whatever may be the opinion of our fellow 
 creatures concerning us, may we be satisfied and 
 happy, in having the testimony that we please God. 
 We are now going forth into the concerns of 
 another day. Take us under thy protection and 
 influence. Guide us in all our steps. Enable us 
 to i-ealize thy presence and thy providence. Suc- 
 ceed us, in all our lawful endeavours, or prepare 
 us for disappointment; and assure us that we are 
 in the number of those to whom all things are 
 working together for good; and who will for ever 
 acknowledge — marvellous are thy works, Lord 
 God Almighty, just and true are all thy ways, O 
 •-hou King of saints. Amen. 
 
 ' WEDNESDAY EVENING. 
 GOD over all, blessed for evermore. We de 
 
SECOND WEEK. 7] 
 
 sire to acknowledge thy Being and agency; to adore 
 thy perfections, and to admire the works of thy 
 hands. Thou hast made summer and winter. 
 Thou hast appointed the moon for seasons, and 
 the sun knoweth his going down. The day is 
 thine; the night also is thine: and thoumakcst the 
 outgoings of the morning and the evening to re- 
 joice. To that throne, from which none were 
 ever repulsed or sent away empty, we again ap- 
 proach for mercy and grace to help in time of 
 need. Let our prayer come befoje Thee as in- 
 cense, and the lifting up of our hands as the even- 
 ing sacrifice. Preserve us from formality, in those 
 exercises in which we so daily engage; and alarm 
 our fears, lest we should provoke Thee to say, in 
 vain do they worship me. 
 
 For chis purpose, enable us to realize thine all 
 seeing eye, to remember with ivhom we have to do 
 and what we have to do with Him: may we deep- 
 ly feel the guilt of the sins we confess, and hunger 
 and thirst after the blessings we implore. And 
 while we review the numberless blessings we have 
 received from thy hands, may we be more than 
 ever sensible of our unworthiness, that our hearts 
 may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may be 
 disposed to show forth thy praise, not only with 
 our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves 
 to thy service, and walking before Thee in holi- 
 ness and righteousness all our days. 
 
 He that is our God is the God of salvation, and 
 unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. 
 We bless Thee this evening, as the Preserver of 
 men. Another day has been added, by thy good 
 providence, to the season of thy long suffering, and 
 the time of our preparation for eternity. We la- 
 ment that the design of our being placed and con- 
 tinued here, has been so imperfectly subserved; 
 
72 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 that in so many things we have offended, and in 
 all, come short of the glory of God. If, where 
 much is given, much will be required, and the 
 servatit who k'lew his Lord's will, and did it not, 
 shall be beaten with many stripes — if Thou, Lord 
 should mark our iniquities, O Lord, who shall 
 stand? We cannot answer Thee for one of a thou- 
 sand of our transgressions: the review of a single 
 day is enough to plunge us into despair — our only 
 relief is, that there is forgiveness with Theej and 
 that with Thee there is plenteous redemption. 
 
 But while we hope in thy mercy, we would not 
 abuse it. We would not sin that grace may 
 abound; or be evil, because Thou art good. But 
 since Thou art good, and ready to forgive, we 
 would the more sincerely grieve, that ever we 
 have offended a Being, so worthy of our devoted 
 ness; and be the more concerned in future, to walk 
 so as to please Thee. 
 
 Create in us a clean heart, and renew a right 
 spirit within us. Set a watch, () God, upon our 
 mouth; keep the door of our lips. And in sim- 
 plicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wis- 
 dom, but by thy grace, may we have our conver- 
 sation in the world, and in the church, and in the 
 family. 
 
 We again commend ourselves to thy care. As 
 Thou hast been through the day, our sun and oui 
 shield, be Thou through the night, our shade and 
 our defence. Undisturbed by anxieties, unalarm- 
 ed by fears, undistressed by pain, or indisposition, 
 may we retire and enjoy repose. Remind us, by 
 putting off our garments, and lying down to sleep, 
 of putting off the body, and sleeping in the grave, 
 the house appointed for all living. Prepare u? 
 for the night of death, the mornmg of the resur 
 rection, and the day of judgment. 
 
SECOND WEEK. 73 
 
 And all we implore, is through lAe Mediation 
 of Him, who bore the sins oi'many, and made in- 
 tercession for the transgressors, to whom, with 
 the Father, and tlie Holy Spirit, be endless prais- 
 es. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY MORNING. 
 
 We wi)uld address Thee, O God, in the lan- 
 guage of the publican, which so well becomes us, 
 and say, from our hearts, God be merciful to me 
 a sinner. Sinners we are by nature and practice; 
 sinners ihy word proclaims us to be; sinners, we 
 hope we feel ourselves to be; and acknowledge 
 that Thou art justified when Thou speakest, and 
 clear when Thoujudgest. 
 
 Yet Thou hast not left us to despair; nor have 
 we a mere peradvenlure to encourage us — who 
 can tell if God will return and repent, and leave 
 a blessing behind him that we perish not.^ We 
 have all the assurance we could desire, that with 
 the Lord there is mercy, and with Him, plenteous^ 
 redemption. Conscious of the number and hein^ 
 ousness of our offences, we could not have apr 
 proached Thee with confidence, without a pre- 
 vious token for good. But thou hast stretched 
 forth the golden scei>tre, and said — ^"touch and 
 live; I will be merciful to thy unrighteousness, 
 and thy sins and iniquities will I remember no 
 more.** May we encourage ourselves, by a sense 
 of thy all-sufficiency, by faith in thy promises, 
 and by views of the experience of others, and ask 
 and receive, that our joy may be full. To that 
 dear refuge, in which so many have been shelter- 
 ed from every storm, may we repair;;and in thai 
 fountain for sin, always open, and free for ally 
 may we be cleansed from all our defilements. 
 G 
 
/ 
 
 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 Lord, we believe — help thou our unbelief; that 
 sin is exceeding sinful; it is the abominable thinr 
 which thy soul hateth; and this, and this alone, 
 separates between thee and us. Thou canst not 
 contradict the essential perfections of thy nature; 
 and thou canst not make us happy with thyself, 
 till thou hast made us holy, like thyself. () thou 
 holy God, deliver us from all our iniquities, and 
 make us such creatures as thou canst take plea- 
 sure in, and such creatures as can take pleasure 
 in thee. Wiiile many are asking, Who will show 
 us any good.^ may the cry of our heart be. Lord, 
 lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon U'j. 
 May we consent to the law of God, that it is goo^Jl; 
 may we delight in thy law, after the inner n\7L\i. 
 May we never complain of the strictness of thy 
 demands, but mourn over our want of conformity 
 to them. May we esteem all thy commandments, 
 concerning all things to be right, a!id hate every 
 false way. Put thy Spirit within us, that oui 
 ])ractice may spring from principle, and our dis 
 positions be congenial with duty, so that we may 
 resemble him who could say, 'Mny meat is to do 
 the will of Him that sent me, and to finish his 
 work." 
 
 We live in a world of changes: but with thee 
 there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning. 
 May we know that Thou, the eternal God, art 
 our refuge, and that underneath us are thine ever- 
 lasting arms. Creatures die; friends and relations 
 die; the fathers, where are they.'^ And the pru- 
 phets, do they live for ever? But the Lordliveth, 
 and blessed be our rock, and let the God of our 
 salvation be exalted. 
 
 May we never forget that we are mortal our- 
 selves. May we never put the evil day far off. 
 May we frei^uentl) and seriously think of a dying 
 
SECOND WEEK. 75 
 
 hour; may we faithfully inquire, Wnat will lie its 
 issue with regard to us, and wsJiat preparation we 
 have for it. And may we never rest satisfied, till 
 we are enabled to view it, as the period of our re- 
 lease, and the end of our conflict; till we can say 
 with Paul, Thanks, be unto God wlio has given 
 us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Take us, this day, under thy protection; and 
 make use of us for thy glory. Let thy presence 
 go with us; and do thou give us rest. Let thy 
 love sweeten our comforts, and thy grace sanctify 
 all our trials. We consecrate ourselves to Thee, 
 body, soul, and spirit. Accept of our persons 
 and services, and enable us to ascribe, blessing, 
 and honour, and glory, and power, unto Him that 
 sitteth upon the throne, and unto the lamb, for 
 ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING. 
 
 O God, all thy works praise Thee, and thy 
 saints bless Thee. By thy mercies, we again sur- 
 round this family altar, and engage in the exer- 
 cises of devotion. May we be concerned to wor- 
 ship Thee, a holy God, in the beauty of holiness; 
 and to worship Thee, who art a Spirit, in spirit 
 and in truth. Such worship alone thy word re- 
 quires; but such worship, thy grace alone can 
 enable us to render. For we know from thy word, 
 and from our own experience we know, that with- 
 out Thee, we can do nothing. All oursulHcien- 
 cy is of Thee: do Thou work in us to will, and 
 to do, of thy good pleasure. 
 
 We would call to remembrance our true cha- 
 racter and condition before Thee. We would not 
 go about to establish our own righteousness, or 
 seek to den} or extenuate our guilt. We are no; 
 
76 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 only unprofitable servants, but condemned crimi- 
 nals. We confess the number and offensiveness 
 of our transgressions, and acknowledge that we 
 deserve to perish. But we bless Thee for tha 
 everlasting consolation and good hope, through 
 grace, which the gospel affords; for the news of a 
 Mediator between Thee and us; of a High Priest 
 who has put away sin by the sacrifice of himself; 
 of an Advocate with the Father, who ever lives 
 to make intercession for us, and of a Saviour, in 
 wh')m it has pleased Thee, that all fulness should 
 dwell. 
 
 Produce in us, all the feelings of those who are 
 !)lessed with repentance unto life. Give us that 
 faiLn by which we can be justified from all things, 
 and have peace with God, through our Lord Je- 
 sus Christ. To the shadow of the Redeemer's 
 cross may we retreat, and there find security and 
 relief, refreshment and delight. Assure us of an 
 inlerestin thy favour, which is life; and clothe us 
 with thine image, which is the beauty and digsiity 
 of the soul. 
 
 We bless Thee for thy word, which we have 
 Ijeen reading. May it dwell in us richly in all 
 wisdom. May we yield a suitable attention to its 
 various parts. May we make it, not only our song 
 in the house of our pilgrimage, but the man of 
 our counsel, a light unto our feet, and a lamp unto 
 our paths. May we take it along with us, into 
 all the concerns of life; and whether we are rich 
 or poor, whether we are parents or children, 
 whether we are appointed to govern or serve, may 
 we walk by this rule, that mercy and peace may 
 i)e upon us. 
 
 May we ever be willing that the Lord should 
 choose our inheritance for us, and readily and pi- 
 ously acrommodate ourselves, to the dispensa- 
 
SECOND WEEK. 7/ 
 
 tions of thy providence. May we i ever ican tu 
 our own understanding: may we never take a siep 
 without asking counsel of the Lord, nor be unwil- 
 ling to take one, at the intimation of thy pleasure. 
 May we never think that Thou art less wise, and 
 righteous, and good, in a cloudy and dark day, 
 than in a shining one; when we cannot trace Thee, 
 may we trust; and walking by faith, and not by 
 sight, l)e fully persuaded, that just and right are 
 all thy ways, O Thou King of saints. 
 
 Regard those, who, under the pressure of afflic- 
 tion, are saying, Brethren pray for us Be wiih 
 them in trouble. Thou knowest the anxieties of 
 thy people, lest by any of their temper or carriage 
 in the evil day, they should injure the religion they 
 profess: let thy grace be sufficient for them: let 
 faith and patience have their perfect work: le: 
 them glorify Thee in all their trials. 
 
 Bless all in authority over us, and so rule their 
 hearts and strengthen their hands, that they may 
 punish wickedness and vice, and maintain true re- 
 ligion and virtue. 
 
 May all those who are placed above others in 
 condition, go before them in the profession of truth 
 and the practice of holiness, and be examples to 
 all inferior ranks in society. 
 
 And may the grace of, 8cc. Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou eternal God! with Thee is the fountain 
 of life. Thou art the Father of men and angels. 
 Thou art the Governor of the universe, and tht 
 Judge of all. Thou dost from thy throne behold 
 all the dwellers upon earth: and there is not a 
 word on our tongue, or a thought in our heart, 
 but lo ! O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether. And 
 G 2 
 
78 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 Thou art not a God that hast pleagure in wicked 
 ness, neither can evil dwell with Thee. 
 
 How then can we presume to enter thy pre- 
 sence, who have rendered ourselves guilty beiore 
 Thee, and have provoked thy righteous displea- 
 sure. O wretched creatures that we are! We 
 have wearied thy patience, we have abused th) 
 goodness, we have trampled on thy authority, and 
 we have said unto God, Depart from us, we desire 
 not the knowledge of thy ways. We lie at thy 
 mercy. If Thou pity us not, we are undone. 
 But Thou art long suffering, not willing that any 
 should perish. Hast Thou not sworn by th)self, 
 that Thou hast no pleasure in the death of him that 
 dieth.'* Hast Thou not delivered up thine own Son 
 for us all? And wilt Thou not with Him, also 
 freely give us all things? 
 
 Through Him as the way, the truth, and the 
 life, may we return to Thee; and find Thee, wait- 
 ing to be gracious, and exalted to have mercy up- 
 on us. Awaken our consciences. Enlighten us 
 in the knowledge of sin and of ourselves. May 
 we feel our personal depravity, misery, and help- 
 lessness; and from self-despair, may we be led to 
 value the discoveries of the gospel, and to flee for 
 refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. 
 May we rejoice in the suitableness, the all suf- 
 ficiency, and the perfect willinp-ness of the Sa- 
 vior; and find in Him, for ourselves, individually, 
 wisdom, and righteousness, and s-anctification, and 
 redemption. As our Prophet, may we receive 
 his instructions. As our High Priest, may we 
 rely on his sacrifice and intercession. As our 
 Prince may W2 obey Him. As our example 
 may we follow Him! and whatsoever we do, in 
 word, or deed, may we do all in the name of the 
 Lord Jesus. 
 
SECOND ■WEEK. 7S 
 
 May intesj^rit} and uprightness preserve us. 
 May we be Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile; 
 and herein exercise ourselves, to have always a 
 conscience void of offence, towards God, and to- 
 wards man. May the same mind govern us, and 
 the same spirit actuate us, in prosperity and ad- 
 versity; alone, and in public; in thy house, and in 
 our own: may we fulfil our course with diligence 
 and perseverance; and at last, finish it with joy: 
 When we have passed the v/ilderness, and ou: 
 eyes behold the swellings of Jordan, bid our anx- 
 ious fears subside; and give us an abundant en- 
 trance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord 
 and Saviour. 
 
 But O Lord, we would not reach that felicity 
 alone. May we awaken the attention of others, 
 and induce them to join us in the path of life; ever 
 remembering, that if we convert a sinner from the 
 error of his way, we shall save a soul from death, 
 and shall hide a rrultitude of sins. May we there- 
 fore seek every opportunity of usefulness; may we 
 walk in wisdom towards them that are without; 
 holding forth the word of life, and adorning the 
 doctrine of God our Saviour in all things — To 
 whom, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, 
 both now and for ever. Amtn. 
 
 FRIDAY EVENING. 
 
 O God, thou art greatly to be feared in the as- 
 sembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence 
 of all them that are about Thee. Thou art King 
 of kings and Lord of lords : Thou art the blessed 
 ind only Potentate; Thou only hast immortality 
 — thy greatness is unsearchable. But thy name 
 is love. Thy compassions never fail. Thy mer- 
 cies are cvei a ' th\ works and Thou hast dis- 
 
80 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 played the exceeding riches of thy grare, in thy 
 kindness towards us, by Christ Jesus. 
 
 We are not only allowed, but even enjoined tc 
 seek thy face; and assured, that they who seek 
 the Lord, shall not want any good thing. We 
 acknowledge that we have forfeited all claim to 
 thy regard, and are not only unworthy, but guilty. 
 We are convinced, that if ever we are saved, it 
 must be according to thy mercy, for there is 
 nothing in us, from which our recovery can arise, 
 or on which our hope can fix. But Thou hast 
 commended thy love towards us, in that while 
 we were yet sinners, Christ died for us — died for 
 the ungodly. And Thou hast sent the gospel to 
 announce the intelligence, and to certify, that 
 whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish, but 
 have everlasting life. 
 
 O Thou God of all grace, as Thou hast given 
 us a Saviour, produce in us that faith by which we 
 shall be enabled to receive Hin., and make Him 
 all our desire, all our hope, and all our glory. 
 May we enter Him as our refuge; build on Him 
 as our foundation; walk in Him as our way; follow 
 Him as our guide; and conform to Him as our 
 example. 
 
 May we never be ashamed of Jesus or of his 
 words; but J»[0 forth to Him without the camp, 
 bearing his reproach. May we never draw upon 
 ourselves reflections by unholy or imprudent con- 
 duct, but count it a glory, when buffeted for a 
 fault, to take it patiently; but if we suffer for truth 
 and righteousness' sake, may we rejoice that we 
 are partakers of Christ's sufferings knowings that 
 when his elory shall be revealed, we also shall re- 
 joice with exceeding joy. 
 
 May we never make the multitude our model; 
 nor wait for the company and countenance of 
 
SECOVD WEEK. 81 
 
 others, when conviction, derived from thy word, 
 excites us to advance. Like Caleb, may we have 
 another spirit, and follow the Lord fully: and with 
 Joshua, say to all around us, *'C^oose you, whom 
 yo I will serve — ^but as for me and my house, we 
 will serve the Lord." 
 
 Preserve us from the present evil world. May 
 its smiles never allure, nor its frowns terrify us 
 from the path of duty: may its vices never defile, 
 nor its errors delude us. May we not live look- 
 incj at the thmg^s which are Seen and temporal; 
 but as heirs of immortality, may we feel that we 
 are strang-ers and pilgrims on earth, and declare 
 plainly that we seek a country. And may our 
 title to it daily become more clear; and our meek- 
 ness for it more perfect; and our foretastes of it 
 more abundant. 
 
 May our house be the tabernacle of the right- 
 eous; and let it be ever filled with the voice of re- 
 joicing and of salvation. May those who are sta- 
 tioned at the head of the family, know their duty 
 towards those who are placed under their care; 
 and may they know their duty to us: and in our 
 several relations «iiay we walk by the rule of thy 
 word, that mercy and peace may be upon us; and 
 that observers may exclaim, Behold, how good 
 and how pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell 
 together in unity. 
 
 Bless the religious denomination to which we 
 belong; and let every christian church flourish. 
 Wherever we see the grace of God, may we be 
 glad; and willingly leave, to the Author of all 
 good, the choice of his own instruments. Bless 
 the Government of our country. Regard in mer- 
 cy, all its lawful interests, domestic and foreign. 
 Sanctify, anJ perpetuate, and extend, our religious 
 advantages Let thy word have free course, and 
 
82 SECCSD WEEK. 
 
 be glorified. Let thy way be knovvn Dn eai th, and 
 thy saving health among all nc^tions. 
 
 And now, unto Him that is able to do exceed- 
 ing abundantly, above all that we ask or think, ac- 
 cording to the power that worketh in us, unto 
 him be glory in the church, by Christ Jesus, 
 throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 
 
 SATURDAY MORNING. 
 
 O God, Thou art glorious in holiness, fearful 
 in praises doing Wonders. And it is not one o\ 
 the least of thy wonderful doings towards the 
 children of men, that we are on this side an awful 
 eternity, and not reaping the due reward of our 
 deeds. Our whole life has been a series of pro- 
 vocations against thy divine majesty. Our of- 
 fences have not only been countless, but aggra- 
 vated. Conscience has rebuked us; friends have 
 admonished us; the examples of the wise and 
 good have reproached and encouraged us. Thou 
 hast often called us to reflection and repentance, 
 by the smart of the rod; and invited and allured 
 us, by a profusion of kindnesses. Our iniquities 
 are increased over our head and our trespass is 
 gone up into the very heaven. And Thou hast 
 seen all our sins^ and Thou hast abhorred all; and 
 Thou couldst have easily and justly punished us; 
 yet Thou hast spared us; and instead of finding 
 ourselves, this morning, in the place where even 
 God has forgotcen to be gracious, and lifting up 
 our eyes in hopeless torment, we can lift up our 
 eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh our help. 
 
 In ourselves we are poor, and wretched, and 
 miserable; but Thou, whom we have offended, 
 even Thou, hast provided every supply for our 
 souls; and with the announcement, we have the 
 invitation, Come, for all things are now ready 
 
SECONU WKKK. 8^ 
 
 O Lord, we thankfully obey thy call; we accept of 
 thy goodness: we acquiesce in all the appoint- 
 ments of the i^ospel. We believe the record 
 Thou hast given of thy dear Son — that there is 
 salvation in none other, but that in Him there is 
 plenteous redemption; and apply to Him for all 
 th*? benefits resulting from every ofBce he sustains 
 in the church. We give up our minds implicitly 
 to his instruction; in the sacrifice he once offered, 
 we trust and glory; we revere, we love his author- 
 ity; and pray that his grace may reign in us, 
 through righteousness unto eternal life. We 
 would not — we will not — love a world that cruci- 
 fied Him. We will not cherish, or endure, the 
 sins that put Him to grief, or suffer Him to be 
 wounded in the house of his friends. At the 
 same cross, which relieves our consciences from 
 a burden too heavy for us to bear, we would learn 
 lessons of self-denial, forgiveness, and submission: 
 we would feel motives to obedience; and find re- 
 sources for all the exigencies of the divine life. 
 
 For we rejoice to think, that by his being^ made 
 a curse for us, the blessing of Abraham comes 
 upon the Gentiles, and that we can receive the 
 promise of the Spirit, by faith. For his sake, 
 give thy Holy Spirit to them that now ask Thee 
 as a Spirit of grace and of supplication, of truth 
 and of holiness, of peace and of consolation: and 
 may we not only possess — but be filled with the 
 Spirit. 
 
 May we never consider ourselves, as detached 
 individuals. May we look, not every man on his 
 own things only, but also on the things of others. 
 Never may we ask with Cain, when reproved for 
 unkindness or urged to beneficence, Am I my 
 brother's keeper.^ But may we love our neighbour 
 a> ourselves. May we do good even to the un- 
 
84 SECOND WEEK. 
 
 thankful and the unworthy^ may we teach trans* 
 gressof s thy ways, and be the means of convert- 
 ing- sinners unto Thee: and may none of our ef 
 forts be rendered fruitless, by inconsistency of 
 character, and reproachfulness of conduct. May 
 we be what we profess; and do<, as well as teach. 
 May all our connexions see, as well as hear our re- 
 ligion; and be constrained to acknowledge, that 
 we are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. 
 
 We bless Thee, that again we have laid us down 
 in peace, and slept, because Thou, Lord, only 
 makest us dwell in safety. Into thy hands we 
 commit our bodies and spirits, for our going out 
 and comin-:^ in, this day. We are more exposed 
 by day than by night; more surrounded with evil; 
 and more liable to the seductions of sin. May we 
 ever re:-;ard sin as our greatest foe, and holiness as 
 our noblest attainment. And whether we are in 
 solitude or socieiy, lead us not into temptation, 
 but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, 
 and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
 jimen. 
 
 SATURDAY EVENING. 
 
 O God, Thou hast made, and Thou upholdest 
 all things by the word of thy power. Darkness 
 13 thy pavilion. Thou walkest upon the wings of 
 the wind. All nations before Thee are as nothing. 
 One generation pusseth away, and another comethj 
 and we are hastening back to the dust from whence 
 we were taken. The heavens we behold will van- 
 ish away like the cloud that covers them; and the 
 earth we tread will dissolve like a morning dream;, 
 but Thou, incapable of change, independent of the 
 vicissitudes of time, and the perishing of worlds, 
 art, from everlasting to everlasting, God over all, 
 blessed for evermore 
 
SECOND UEEK. 85 
 
 Infinitely great and glorious as Thou art, we are 
 thy offspring and thy care. Thy hands have made 
 us and fashioned us. Thou hast watched over 
 us with more than parental, more than maternal 
 tenderness. Thou hast holden our soul in life, 
 and not suffered our feet to be moved. Thy di- 
 vine power has given us all things, not only ne- 
 cessary for life, but godliness. Bless the Lord, O 
 our souls, and forget not all his benefits; who for- 
 giveth all our iniquities; who healeth all our dis- 
 eases; who redeemeth our lives from destruction; 
 who crowneth us with loving-kindness and tender 
 mercies; who satisfieth our mouth with good things 
 so that our youth is renewed like the eagles. 
 
 We raise this evening a fresh memorial, and in- 
 scribe it to the God of our salvation. Hitherto 
 hath the Lord helped us. We have passed, not 
 only through another day, but through another 
 week. The sun has not smitten us by day, nor 
 the moon by night. We have been preserved in 
 our going out, and coming in. But thine has 
 been the vigilance, that turned aside the evils 
 which threatened us. Thine have been the sup- 
 plies that have nourished us. Thine the comforts 
 that have indulged us. Thine the relations and 
 friends that have delighted us. Thine have been 
 the means of grace which have edified us; and 
 thine the book, which, amidst all our enjoyments, 
 has told us, that this is not our rest; and in all our 
 successes, that one thing is yet needful. 
 
 Nothing can equal the number of thy mercies, 
 but our imperfections and sins. These O God, wf. 
 would not conceal, or palliate; but confess them, 
 with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. 
 
 In what a condition would our closet-reviews 
 leave us, this evening, were it not for the assurance 
 that there is forgiveness with thee, that thou may- 
 H 
 
'^O SECOND WEEK. 
 
 est be feared, and with thee plenteous redemption. 
 Yet, while we hope for pardon through the blood 
 of the cross, we pray to be clothed with humility; 
 to be quickened in thy way; and to be more devot- 
 ed to the things that belong to our everlasting 
 peace. 
 
 How soon has the week rolled away I Its days 
 have fled like a dream, a vapour, a shadow. So 
 will all our days flee; so will they all appear when 
 the end arrives. O, help us to keep that end in re- 
 membrance; and endeavour to view things nov/, 
 as they will appear, from the borders of the grave. 
 May we know how frail we are, that we may be 
 cured of the folly of delay and indecision; and so 
 number our days, that we may apply our hearts 
 unto wisdom. 
 
 May we call the approaching sabbath a delight, 
 the holy of the Lord, honourable; and may we 
 honour thee, in not doing our own ways, nor find- 
 ing our own pleasures, nor speaking our own 
 words. May the private moments of the day, be 
 sacred; and the social — innocent and edifying. 
 And may we keep our foot, when we go to the 
 house of God, and ofl'er not the sacrifice of fools. 
 Let us not go as they go, and sit as they sit, and 
 hear thy words, but do them not. 
 
 Preserve us from trifling with the things of the 
 soul and eternity, or trusting in those privileges, 
 which, unimproved, will only augment our guilt 
 and our misery. 
 
 Thy people, the Jews, were distinguished by 
 thy favours, above all the families of the earth; 
 but wrath came upon them to the uttermost- The 
 churches of Asia, provoked thee to remove ihe 
 candlestick out of its place; and they were left in 
 darkness. We have awful examples still nearer. 
 How many, who once heard and professed the 
 
THIRD n^EEK. 87 
 
 q^ospel, have leen turned by the abuse oi it, into 
 apostates a'nd infidels, blasphemers and persecut- 
 ors; ten fold more the children of hell than before; 
 while numbers who yet maintain the form of god 
 liness, are too hardened to feel the power of it. 
 
 While, therefore, we go to thy house, in the 
 multitude of thy mercies, may we in thy fear wor- 
 ship towards thy holy temple; for thou art great- 
 ly to be feared in the assembly of the saints. O, 
 let us not perish under means designed to save us. 
 O, let not the savour of life unto life, prove to us 
 only the savour of death unto death. 
 
 Make the place of thy feet glorious. Bring us 
 to thy holy mountain, and if we are not made joy- 
 ful in thy house of prayer convince us, alarm us, 
 humble us, banish the spirit of the world from 
 our hearts, and fill us with all the fulness of God. 
 
 So we thy people and the sheep of thy pasture, 
 will give thee thanks for ever, we will show forth 
 thy praise throughout all generations. Amen. 
 
 THIRD vrrzsi. 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING. 
 
 O God, we desire with all reverence and humi- 
 lity to approach thee, a? a Being infinitely great 
 and glorious. Thou art the perfection of all ex- 
 cellency, the fountain of all life, and the source 
 of all blessedness. How immense is the family 
 of creatures, produced by thy word, and depend- 
 ing on thy care. Millions are visible; and myri- 
 ads of myriads, in the air, the earth, and the sea, 
 are invisible: and all these have their wants and 
 
88 THIRD WEEK. 
 
 their appetites, and are capable of receiving re- 
 lief and pleasure. And the eyes of all wait upon 
 thee, and thou givest them their meat in due sea- 
 son; thou openest thine hand and satisfiest the de- 
 sire of every li^ in£^ thing. 
 
 But they never forfeited the care of their Crea- 
 tor, nor swerved from the end of their being; 
 while we have joined in alliance with thy foes, and 
 deserve, as children of disobedience, that the 
 wrath of God should come upon us. And yet, 
 such is the excellency of thy loving kindness, O 
 Lord, that the children of men , unworthy and guil- 
 ty as they are, are allowed to come and put their 
 trust under the shadow of thy wings. 
 
 We bless thee for the Scriptures of truth, which 
 make known thy designs concerning us, and as- 
 sure us, that they are thoughts of peace, and not 
 evil. We rejoice in thy word, as one that findeth 
 great spoil. We love to peruse its doctrines, pro- 
 mises, and invitations; to contemplate the great 
 mystery of godliness, God manifest in the Aesh; 
 and to dwell on the history and experience of 
 those who have obtained mercy. For all who 
 have ever been saved, have been saved by thy 
 grace, and have been thy workmanship. And 
 thou art the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever; 
 thy hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor 
 thine ear heavy, that it cannot hear. 
 
 Bow down thy ear, and hearken to the voice of 
 our supplication: employ thy hand for our de- 
 liverance and relief. We are already the creat- 
 ures of thy power — O, make us the subjects of 
 thy grace. We are already the beneficiaries of 
 thy providence — O, bless us with all spiritual bles- 
 sings — blessings for our souls, and for eternity. 
 Though In' nature far off, may we be made nigh 
 by t'le blood of Christ: no longer strangers and 
 
THIRD WEEK. 89 
 
 foreiij-ners, but fellow-citizens with the saint*, and 
 of the house-hold of God. Bless us, we pray Thee 
 with a present salvation — that being justified by 
 faith, we may have peace with God; that the love 
 and power of sin may be subdued in our hearts; 
 that we may be dead to the world; alive to the 
 glory of God; and concerned to serve our gene- 
 ration according to thy will. 
 
 May we never be blots, or mere blanks, in life. 
 May we never cause the ways of truth to be evil 
 spoken of; may our liberty never prove an occa- 
 sion to the flesh, but by love may we serve one 
 another. May every one of us please his neigh- 
 bour, for his good to edification. May we attend, 
 not only to what is essential in our religious char- 
 acter, but what is ornamental. May we pursue 
 whatsoever things are lovely and of good report; 
 and render our professions of the gospel, not only 
 impressive, but amiable and inviting. May we 
 hold forth the word of life, with our tempers as 
 well as our tongues; with our lives as well as our 
 lips; and thus be continually saying to those we 
 meet — We are journeying towards a place, of 
 which the Lord said, I will give it you; come 
 with us, and we will do you good, for the Lord 
 hath spoken good concerning Israel. 
 
 Send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead 
 us, let them guide us to the holy hill, and to thy 
 tabernacles. Bless, this day, the dispensation ol 
 ihy gospel by means of preaching. While Paul 
 plants and Apollos waters — it is all that they can 
 do; give Thou the increase. May thy ministers 
 be wise to win souls, and help those much who 
 aave believed through grace. 
 
 Especially bless thy dear servant, on whose la- 
 bours Ave are this day to attend. Let him come 
 forth from his sacred retirement in the fulness of 
 h2 
 
90 THIRD V/EER. 
 
 the blessing of the gospel of peace: and may he 
 enter the sanctuary, as Aaron entered the taber- 
 nacle of the congregation, when the holy oil was 
 poured upon his head, and the fragrance filled the 
 place — and O, let him not prove the savour of 
 death unto death to any that shall hear him. Open 
 our ear to discipline^ may we hear for ourselves; 
 hear for our souls; so hear, as that our souls may 
 live. And may great grace rest upon all the as- 
 semblies of thy people. 
 
 Despise not the prisoners of Thy providence. 
 Follow those who are unable to follow Thee; and 
 while forbidden to hear the preaching of i.he word, 
 may they hear the voice of the rod, and have rea- 
 son to say. It is good for us that we have been af- 
 flicted. Make them thankful, that to will is pre- 
 sent with them; and that in their hearts, are the 
 ways of them who repair to Zion. Prove thyself, 
 a very present help in trouble, and render the bed 
 of languishing, the chamber of sickness, the house 
 of mourning — the house of God, and the gate of 
 heaven. 
 
 And by all the discipline of thy Providence, and 
 the ordinances of religion, may we be increasing- 
 ly prepared for the remaining duties of life, the 
 solemnities of a dying hour, and the services and 
 joys that are beyond the grave. 
 
 We implore it through tlie intercession of Him 
 who has encouraged us to address Thee — as Our 
 Father, See. 
 
 SUNDAY EVENING. 
 
 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, 
 and to sing praises unto thy name, (), Most High, 
 to show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, 
 and thy faithfulness every night. 
 
 We have this evening to acknowledg»:2 thebles- 
 
THIRD VEEK. 91 
 
 sings, not only of another day, but of anothei 
 sahbath. We bless Thee that the sabbath was 
 made for man, and that Thou hast hallowed such 
 a portion of our time, for purposes more impor 
 tant, but which, alas, we are prone to neglect. 
 Thus Thou art affording us opportunities to re- 
 tire and compare the objects which court our at- 
 tention: to learn, among all the cares of life, that 
 one thing is needful; and to hear the inquiry, 
 what is a man profited, if he should gain the whole 
 world and lose his own soul. Thus we have mo- 
 ments of abstraction and leisure, in which we can 
 more fully investigate our character; examine our 
 condition; and ask, for what purpose we entered 
 this mortal stage, and what will become of us 
 when the scenes close. 
 
 We thank Thee that the lines are fallen to us 
 in pleasant places, and that we have a goodly her- 
 tage: so that we can add to private meditation 
 and devotion, the public ordinances of religion; 
 and can sit under our own vine and fig-tree, none 
 daring to make us afi-aid. We bless Thee, that 
 we have not only the Scriptures, but t'ne ministry 
 of the gospel; and have this day not only read, 
 but heard the words of eternal life. We hope we 
 have seen thy power and thy glory in the sanc- 
 tuary, and have found the house of God to be the 
 gate of heaven. 
 
 But, O God, the effects we experience while 
 waiting upon Thee, though delightful, are as often 
 transitory, and prove like the morning cloud, and 
 early dew. Before the lapse of a single day, we 
 jire compelled to complain, My soul cleaveth unto 
 the dust; and to pray, quicken Thou me accord* 
 ing to thy word. Render therefore the impres- 
 sions made upon us, deep and durable: keep 
 these 'bings fcr ever in the imagination of the 
 
92 THIRD WEEt. 
 
 hearts of thy people; and let thy word dwell in 
 us richly, in all wisdom. 
 
 May the instructions we receive, attend us in 
 every part of our ordinary life, and regulate, and 
 excite us in the discharge of all our relative duties, 
 so that v/hether we are husbands or wives, parents 
 or children, masters or servants, we may adore 
 the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 
 May we be satisfied with no knowledge, no be- 
 lief, no professions, no feelings in religion — while 
 our hearts are void of thy love, and we are stran- 
 gers to that grace which bringetli salvation, and 
 teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, 
 and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the 
 present world. 
 
 We take shame to ourselves, not only for our 
 open violations of thy law; but for our secret 
 faults, our omissions of duty, our unprofitable at- 
 tendance on the means of grace, our carnality in 
 worshi()ping Thee; and all the sins of our holy 
 things. Our iniquities are increased over our 
 head, and our trespass is gone up into the very 
 heavens — and there, He is gone also, who is our 
 Advocate with the Father, and the Propitiation 
 for our sins. Behold his hands and his feet: and 
 hear, O, hear the voice of the blood of sprinkling, 
 that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 
 
 Pity those who have this day been deprived of 
 the public means of grace by sickness or infirmi- 
 ty. Let them know that Thou art not confined 
 to temples made with hands: be with them in 
 trouble; and give them their vineyards from thence, 
 and the valley of Achor for a door of hope. 
 
 And remember the millions who were never fa- 
 voured with the advantages we enjoy, and would 
 be grateful for the crumbs that fall from our table 
 But they never smiled when a sabbath appeared 
 
THIRD WEEK. 93 
 
 They never heard the name of Jesus. They 
 feel ^uilt but know nothing of the blood that 
 cleanseth from all sin; they feel depravity, but 
 know nothin.e; of the renewing of the Holy Ghost. 
 They are bleeding to death of their spiritual 
 wounds, but no one proclaims among them the balm 
 of Gilead; and the physician there. O, send out 
 thy light and thy truth. Let thy way be known 
 on earth; thy saving among all nations 
 
 We now commit ourselves, with all our con- 
 nexions into thy hands. Guard us through the 
 defenceless hours of sleep, from every evil to 
 which we are exposed. If, as life is always un- 
 certain, it should please Thee to call us hence this 
 night — may we awaken in glory, and be for ever 
 with the Lord: or if Thou shouldst continue us in 
 being — may we rise in health and comfort, to pay 
 Thee the homage of a grateful heart, in a course 
 of cheerful obedience. 
 
 In thy favour is life — Do Thou bless us, and we 
 shall be blessed — salefrom every evil, and sure ot 
 every good. 
 
 And prepare us at length for the rest that re- 
 mains for thy people; in which we shall join the 
 general assembly and church of the first-born, in 
 ascribing — blessing and h(>nour, and glory, and 
 power, to Him that sitteth upon the throne, and 
 to the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 MONDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou, who hast characterised thyself as the 
 hearer of prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come: 
 and that we may come with acceptance and suc- 
 cess, we come in the name of the great Interces- 
 sor, Jesus Christ, the righteous — and thou Eternal 
 Spirit of grace and supplication, do 'Ihou make 
 intercession for us, by making intercession in us, 
 ^rroidinpf to the will of God. 
 
94, THIRD WEEK. 
 
 All they that are far from Thee s. all perish; bv.t 
 t is good for us to draw near to Thee. We have 
 ^ound the duty our delight. Devotion has open- 
 ed a resource, when all other comforts have fail- 
 ed: and in every perplexity, every alarm, every 
 distress, a glorious high throne, from the begin- 
 ning, has been the place of our sanctuary. We 
 praise tiiy name, that ordinances have not been un- 
 profitable observances to our souls; but channels, 
 through which the God of all grace has replen- 
 ished us; and means, by which we have enjoyed 
 fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 Bless the services in which we were engaged on 
 the past day. Let a savour of divine ihings be 
 left on our spirits; and be diffused in our conver- 
 sation. And as the face of Moses, when he de- 
 scended from communion with Thee, shone, so 
 that the Israelites could not steadfastly behold him 
 for the glory of his countenance; so may it be with 
 us. Let those around us take knowledge of us, 
 that we have been with Jesus; and may our profit- 
 ing appear unto all men. May our light shine be- 
 fore men. May we be manifestly the disciples of 
 Christ. Instead of confounding our neighbours 
 and friends to determine, whether we are settlers, 
 or strangers, and pilgrims on the earth; may we 
 decisive plainli/ that we seek a country. May we 
 put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, 
 bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, 
 meekness, long suffering, forgiving one another, 
 May we be followers of God, as dear children: 
 may we be perfect, as our Father, who is n hea- 
 ven, is perfect. 
 
 At present, it is a day of small things with us. 
 We have only light enough — to see our darkness^ 
 sensibility enough — to feel the hardness of oar 
 
th:rd week. 95 
 
 heart; spirituality enoug-h — to mourn our want of 
 heavenly mindedness. But we mig'ht have had 
 more; we ouf^ht to have had more. We have 
 never been straightened in Thee: Thou hast al- 
 ways placed before us an infinite fulness, accom- 
 j)anied with the commatid and the promise, Open 
 thy mouth wide; I will fill it. 
 
 We confess and bewail, not only our deficien- 
 cies, but our backslidings also. It is not with us as 
 in months past: O, recall us to thyself; enable us 
 to feel our first love, and to do our first works. 
 Yea, may we forget the things that are behind, 
 and reach forth unto those that are before. May 
 we not only have life, but may we have it more 
 abundantly; and not only be fruitful, but bear 
 much fruit. 
 
 May our improvements correspond with our 
 privileges: and cur practice with our knowledge 
 May our wills always bow to the decisions of our 
 judgments; may we choose what we approve^ 
 and never condemn ourselves in the things that we 
 allow. 
 
 May we never want the threatenings of thy law, 
 and the terrors of hell, to keep us from every evil 
 way. May thy goodness lead us to repentance; 
 and thy love constrain us to holy obedience. 
 
 May all our churches continue steadfastly in the 
 apostle's doctrine, and in fellowship, and in break- 
 ing of bread, and in prayer; and may the Lord 
 add daily to their number, such as shall be saved. 
 
 May the dead hear the voice of the Son of God, 
 and live. May those who are asking the way to 
 Zion, with their faces thitherward, find a teacher 
 that will say to them. This is the way, walk ye in 
 it, when they turn to the right hand, and when 
 they turn to the left. Let the rich be poor in spi- 
 rit; and the poor be ir.ade rich in faith, and heirs 
 
96 THIRD WEEK. 
 
 of the kingdom which Thou "last promised to 
 them that love Thee. Let the ignorant be en- 
 lightened; and let those that are wise, become 
 fools, that they may be wise. 
 
 We bless Thee, for all th) former loving-kind- 
 nesses to this family, and pray that they may be 
 continued to us, and sanctified to us. May the 
 outgoings of the morning and evening of another 
 day be made to rejoice. May we continually live 
 under the shadow of thy wing, and the influence 
 3f thy grace; and let the words of our mouth, and 
 the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in thy 
 sight, O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. 
 
 And unto Him that is able to do for us exceeding 
 abundantly above all that we ask or think, accord- 
 mg to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be 
 ^lory in the church, by Christ Jesus, throughout 
 ail ages, world without end. Amen, 
 
 MONDAY EVENING. 
 
 Who in tiie heavens can be compared unto the 
 uord? \Vno among the sons of the mighty can be 
 iiKenea unto ihe Lord.^ Thy wisdom, no difficulty 
 can perplex: thy powei, no exertion can weaken; 
 chy bounty, no communication can exhaust or di- 
 minish. Thy gooaness waits to be gracious, and 
 ^s exalted to nave mercy. 
 
 Thou hearest prayer; and to assure our heaits 
 ocfore Thee, Thou hast not only commanded us to 
 seek Thee, but Thou nast furnished us with the 
 petitions we are to offer. Thou, ever. Thou hast 
 told us, to ♦^ake with you words and turn to the 
 Lord; and say unto Him — Fake away all iniquity, 
 receive us graciously, so will we ofier the sacrifice 
 of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our 
 lips, giving thanks to his name. 
 
 We feel the truth of our character, as drawn in 
 
THIRD ^KF.K. 97 
 
 the Scriptures; and we acknowledge our desert — 
 and our helpnesness too. Thy mercy is our only 
 refuge and resource. O, be merciful unto us, and 
 bless us, and cause thy face to shine upon us, that 
 we may be saved. O, visit us with that salvation, 
 which is present as well as future; which changes, 
 not only our state, but our nature; and which, not 
 only admits us into ihy fan ily, but makes us new 
 creatures. 
 
 As Thou didst in the original creation, com- 
 mand light to shine out of darkness, so do Thou 
 shine in our hearts. Give us the light of the 
 knowledge of thy glory, in the face of Jesus Christ; 
 and may we so know Thy glory, in the face of Je- 
 sus Christ; and may we so know Thee, as to love 
 Thee supremely; serve Thee, as our only Lord; 
 and cleave to Thee, as our portion for ever. Sub- 
 due the rebellion of our wills, that we may sub- 
 mit to thy commands, and acquiesce in thy dis- 
 pensations, without murmurings and disputings 
 Unite our hearts to fear thy name; and may we 
 be in the fear of the Lord all the day long. Make 
 us Israelites indeed, in whom there is no guile. 
 Enable us to maintain a conscience, void of of- 
 fence, towards God, and towards man: may we be 
 the same, when no eye sees us, as we arc in the 
 public walks of life: may we enter the closet as 
 well as the temple: and attend to our principles 
 and motives, as well as our actions and pursuits. 
 
 We mourn over our numberless failures and 
 backslidings; our incorrigibleness under rebukes; 
 our want of profiting under ordinances; the mis- 
 iraprovement of our talents; and our neglect of op- 
 portunities of usefulness. Whatever view wetak^ 
 of ourselves, compels us to exclaim. Behold I am 
 vile. Yet while we are humble, may we be grate- 
 ful: and never be backward to acknowledge what 
 
'8 THIRD WEEK. 
 
 Thou hast done for our souls. If we are not like 
 some of thy people, we bless Thee, that we are 
 not like the rest of the world; if we are not what 
 we ou^ht to be, we are not \^ hat we once were: 
 and Thou hast made us to differ, and we have 
 nothing which we did not receive from Thee. 
 
 And if our religion be imperfect, may it appear 
 to be real, and vital, ^y its activity, and its tend- 
 ing to growth. May it awaken in us an uncon- 
 querable desire, to go from strength to strength, 
 and to be renewed day by day. 
 
 May our religion always attend us, and dignify 
 us in the ordinary scenes of life. May we remem- 
 ber, that greatness consists, not in doing great 
 things, but in doing little things with a great 
 mind. 
 
 As the events of providence occur, may they 
 always find in us, those dispositions which will 
 keep them from injuring us, and which will con- 
 vert them all into advantages. 
 
 In a vale of tears, may we look for a succession 
 of trials: and may we also look for the accomplish- 
 ment of the promise — I will be with thee in trou- 
 ble. 
 
 May the joy ot tn- Lord be our strength; may 
 it keep us from lusimg after the vanities of the 
 world; bear up the heart and mind in the loss of 
 every creature-comfort, and enliven us in the val- 
 ley of the shadow of death. And before we reach 
 heaven, may we bear the image of the heavenly; 
 possess the earnests of our inheritance; and enjoy 
 the first fruits of the glorious 'larvest. 
 
 And to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy 
 Ghost, be all honour and glory for ever and evei* 
 imcTU 
 
THIRD WEER 99 
 
 TUESDAY MORNING. 
 
 O God, Thou art the Creator, the Upholclei-, 
 and the Proprietor of all thinc^s. Thy dominion 
 is everlasting and universal. Thou dost accord- 
 ing- to thine own will in the armies of heaven, and 
 amon;^ the inhabitants of the earth; none can stay 
 thy hand, or say unto Thee, What dost Thou? 
 
 We cannot escape from thy presence, or control: 
 nui do we desire it. It is our privilege, that we 
 are under the agency, not only of Omnipotence, 
 but righteousness, wisdom, patience, mercy, and 
 grace. Thou art love. Thou hast loved us with 
 more than parental affection; thou hast commend- 
 ed thy love towards us, in that while we were sin- 
 ners, Christ died for us. He that spared not his 
 own Son, but delivered Him up for us all — how 
 shall he not with him also, freely give us all tilings? 
 Here may all our fears drop off from our minds; 
 here may we be filled with everlasting consolation, 
 and good hope through grace. 
 
 Thou hast not only allowed, but commanded us 
 to believe on the name of thy dear Son O, let 
 us not refuse to be comforted: let us not reject the 
 counsel of God against ourselves; but, remember 
 ing, that we are as welcome as we are guilty, may 
 we drink of the fountain of the water of life freely. 
 
 But while we know that we may come io the Re- 
 deemer, and ought to come — may we never think 
 ourselves interested in the blessings of his salvation 
 unless we hahe come. May there be a real and 
 living union between our souls and Him; that be- 
 ing quickened together with Christ, we may be 
 raised up, and made to sit with him in heavenly 
 places. May we live a life of faith in thy promi- 
 ses, mingled with no doubt of thy truth, or suspi- 
 cion of thy pov/er. May we live a life of hope; ex 
 pecting that Thou wilt be our sun and our shield 
 
100 THIRD WEEK. 
 
 that Thou wilt give grace and glory; and withhold 
 no good thing from us, while we walk uprightly. 
 And may we live a life of love; for he that dwell- 
 eth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. O, 
 shed abroad thy love in our hearts, the animating 
 and delightful principle, of all obedience. May 
 we love our neighbour as ourselves; and consider 
 every one as our neighbour, who falls within the 
 reach of our knowledge and assistance. 
 
 We feel, that the work to which we are called, 
 is far above our strength. We have tried our pur- 
 poses and resolutions; and have found them vain. 
 The least temptation, has been too powerful for us, 
 when we have gone forth in our own strength. 
 O, teach us how to be strong in the Lord, and in 
 the power of his might And at every movement 
 in our journey, and our warfare, say to our heart, 
 Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for 
 I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I wil 
 uphold thee with the right hand of my righteous 
 ness. 
 
 And may we never depart from Thee, by mak 
 ing flesh our arm, or the creature our portion 
 With regard to the world, may our soul be even as 
 a weaned child; but may we draw near to Thee as 
 our exceeding joy; and contemplate, with appro- 
 priation, the period when we shall behold thy face 
 in righteousness, awake up after thy likeness, and 
 be satisfied with thy favour. 
 
 All which we implore through the mediation of 
 Him, who ever liveth to make intercession for us; 
 and to whom, with the Father, and the Holy Spi- 
 rit, be endless praises. An.en. 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING. 
 May we appi >ach Thee, with all the encourage- 
 ment der-'vabl^ from a conviction that Thou art 
 
THIRD WEEK. |0I 
 
 the olessed God — Happy in thyself, and the source 
 of happiness to thy creatures. The eyes of all 
 wait upon Thee, and Thou givest them their meat 
 in due season: Thou openest thine hand, awdsatis- 
 fiest the desire of every living thing. Thou as't 
 our maker and benefactor. Thou hast not only 
 produced us, but sustained us: not only supported 
 us, but indulged us: yea, Thou hast giv^'n us all 
 things richly to enjoy. Thou hast provided for 
 the welfare of our souls, as well as our bodies: Thou 
 hast answered the awful question, How shall I 
 come before the Lord, and bow before the High 
 God.^ Thou hast told us what we must do to be 
 saved. May we follow the light of life which Thou 
 hast given us, till it brings us to Him who appears 
 in every attribute, and in every attitude of power 
 ana pity, to meet all our wants and miseries. 
 And as we draw near, may we hear his gracious 
 voice saying, him that cometh unto me, I will in 
 no wise cast out. May we commit our eternal all 
 into His hands; and being reconciled by his death, 
 may we be saved by His life. May we live by 
 Him; live to Him; live like Him. While we be- 
 hold Him as rich, for our sakes becoming poor, 
 and dying that we may live, may his unexampled 
 love constrain us into all holy obedience and zeal: 
 and render our duty, our delight. 
 
 May we never wait for the company of others 
 or feel their approbation necessary to induce us to 
 follow Hirn^ who is all our salvation, and ought to 
 be all our desire. May we go forth to Him with- 
 out the camp, bearing his reproach. And if our 
 i^ith is deemed folly, our hope delusion, our meek- 
 ness, meanness, our zeal madness; may we rejoice 
 that we are counted worthy to suffer shame for his 
 name; and binding it as a garland arc und our brow, 
 say, If this be to be vile, I will ye? be more vile 
 I 2 
 
102 THIRD WEEK. 
 
 Thus, blessed Redeemer, wast Thou treated ir 
 the days of thy flesh; thus, was thy name cast out 
 as evil, thy actions misrepresented, and thy Spirit 
 blasphe.med. O, let the servants be willing to be 
 as the Master, and the disciples as the Lord. 
 
 We hope in thy word; but it is because it assures 
 us, that Thou waitest to be gracious; and dost not 
 break the bruised reed, or quench the smoking 
 flax. How poor and pitiable, how maimed and 
 dying a thing, has our religion been, under every 
 advantage to promote it. Lord, hide pride from 
 us; enable us to walk humbly with our God; and 
 ask and receive that our joy may be full. Hast 
 Thou not promised to supply all our need, from 
 thy riches, in glory, by Christ Jesus.^ Thou know- 
 est all our warfare, all our work, all our trials; and 
 Thou knowest the degree and extent of our weak- 
 ness and yet Thou hast said. My grace is suf- 
 ficient for thee — Lord we believe — help Thou our 
 unbelief. 
 
 While we rejoice in our privileges, we would re- 
 member the way in which they become ours. We 
 have nothing to glory in before Thee. We our- 
 selves also, were once foolish and disobedient; and 
 we would ever look to the rock whence we were 
 hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence we were 
 digged. Thou hast made us to differ and we have 
 nothing but what we have received. 
 
 And this encourages us with regard to others. 
 What Thou hast done for us, Thou art able to do 
 for them. And Thou art willing. Thou hast 
 therefore commanded us to pray for all men. O, 
 et none of those perish, \vhom we love as our own 
 souls. Keep them as the apple of the eye; hide 
 hem under the shadow of thy wing. 
 
 Let grace and peace be multiplied to all them, 
 who have obtained like precious faith \» Itl- us; and 
 
THIRD WEEK. 103 
 
 if Thou art pleased to try that faith, may the trial 
 be fourd unto praise, and glory, and honour, at 
 the appearing- of Jesus Christ. 
 
 But we would not forget even the ignorant and 
 proiligate. Teach transgressors thy ways, and 
 let sinners be converted unto Thee. 
 
 Dethrone the god of this world. Destroy the 
 works of the devil. And may our globe which 
 has so long groaned beneath the curse, be as the 
 smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed. 
 Send out thy light and thy truth; thy servants and 
 thy labourers; and for them may the wilderness 
 and the solitary place be made glad, and the de 
 sent rejoice and blossom as the rose. 
 
 Blessing and glory, and power, and might, be 
 unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou, with whom we have to do— suffer us 
 not to live without Thee in the world. Thou art 
 Dur Creator; our Preserver; our Governor; and 
 we believe that Thou wilt be our Judge. It is 
 well for us, that we can view Thee in another 
 character — the Saviour of sinners; and that be- 
 fore we are called to appear before thy awful tri- 
 bunal, we are invited, and commanded to come 
 boldly to the throne of grace, there to obtain mer- 
 cy, and find grace to help in time of need. 
 
 May we readily and thankfully avail ourselves 
 of every opportunity to draw nigh to God, in the 
 temple, in the retirement of the closet, and at the 
 domestic altar; and let not our devotion be bodily 
 exercise only. Quicken our souls to call upon 
 thy name. Detach us from the influence of flesh 
 and sense. Impress us with the power of faith; 
 and product! in us that spirituality of mind which 
 will render our services acceptable to Thee and 
 delightful and profitable to ourselves. 
 
10^ THIRD WEEK. 
 
 Though Thou art Most High for evermore, 
 Thou regardest the man that is poor and of a con- 
 trite spirit, and that trembleth at thy word. 
 Thou fillest the hungry with good things, while 
 ihe rich are sent empty away. O, bring us, how- 
 ever humbling and [Gainful the process may be; 
 (), bring us, into that state which attracts thine 
 eye, and prepares for the proofs of thy love. 
 Show us our danger, that we may flee for refuge 
 to the hope set before us. Make us sensible of 
 our disease, and of the eternal death to which it 
 is so rapidly tending. That we may value the 
 physician, and cry — heal me and I shall be healed, 
 save me and I shall be saved, for Thou art my 
 praise. 
 
 Our deliverance must come entirely from thy- 
 self And Thou hast not forgotten to be gracious. 
 We bless Thee for the purpose of salvation; for 
 the engagements of the everlasting covenant; and 
 far the gift of thy dear Son, the proof and the 
 pledge, that Thou wilt also freely give us all things. 
 We thank Thee for the word of truth, which pro- 
 claims peace by the blood of the cross; and be- 
 seeches us in Christ's stead to be reconciled unto 
 God. O, let the message prevail. Let it slay the 
 enmity of our hearts, and lead us to throw 
 down every weapon of rebellion, and mourn over 
 them. With weeping and supplication, may we 
 return to Thee, from whom we have so deeply re- 
 volted. And while with shame and self-abhor- 
 rence, we confess that other lords beside Thee 
 have had dominion over us, henceforth may we re- 
 solve, that by Thee only will we make mention of 
 thy name. With zeal, may we er gage in that 
 service which is perfect freedom; and with entire- 
 ness, devote ourselves to that work which is hon- 
 ourable and glorious. May we employ every fac 
 
rW RD WEEK. 105 
 
 tilty, and use every blessing, as those, who know, 
 that they are not their own, but bought with a 
 price, and bound to glorify God, in their body, and 
 in their spirit, which are God's. 
 
 Work in us to will and to do of thy good plea- 
 sure. Uphold us by thy free Spirit; and let the 
 joy of the Lord be our strength. 
 
 May we be watchful over our ways, may we be 
 jealous over our tempers; and may we keep our 
 hearts with all diligence, knowing, that out of 
 them are the issues of life. Divest us of pride, 
 and clothe us with humbleness of mind. Eradi- 
 cate every root of bitterness, and let the peace of 
 God rule in our hearts. 
 
 When we droop, revive us; when we loiter, 
 quicken us; restore us, when we go astray; and 
 lead us in the paths of righteousness for thy name's 
 sake. 
 
 Yea, though we walk through the valley of the 
 shadow of death, may we fear no evil, knowing 
 that Thou art with us, and that thy rod and staff 
 will comfort us 
 
 The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord 
 make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious 
 unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon 
 us and give us peace. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY EVENING. 
 O God, Thou art greatly to be feared in the 
 assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence 
 of all that are about Thee. Those glorious be 
 ings that never fell, veil their faces and sink into 
 nothing before the Eternal all; and exclaim. Holy, 
 holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth 
 is full of his glory. With what emotion should 
 we enter thy presence, whose foundation is in the 
 dust; aud who have contemned thy goodness ■Je- 
 
10(3 THIRD WKE-t. 
 
 fied thy power, trampled upon thy laws, and rend* 
 ered ourselves worthy of eternal death. Our ini- 
 quities are increased over our head: and our tres- 
 pass has gone up to the very heavens. Enter not 
 into judgment with thy servants: our consciences 
 assure us, that if Thou, Lord, shouldst mark ini- 
 c[uity, we could not stand. 
 
 But there is mercy with Thee, and with The 
 there is plenteous redemption; and tlierefore, 
 while a sense of our vileness depresses us, we en- 
 courage ourselves in thy word. We know that 
 our recovery can never spring from any cause in 
 us. We have destroyed ourselves, but we can- 
 not save. Yet our condition is not helpless. 
 Help is laid on One that is mighty; and infinitely 
 qualified for His work; and who has shown us, in 
 His resurrection from the dead, and ascension in- 
 to heaven, the all sufficiency and acceptance of 
 His sacrifice on the cross, and proved, that by 
 the one offering of Himself, He hath perfected for 
 ever them that are sanctified. 
 
 Informed of this compassionate scheme, may 
 we gratefully fall in with the design; may we un- 
 feignedly believe the record that Thou hast given 
 us of thy Son; embrace Him as our only hope; re- 
 joice in Him as our highest glory; and henceforth, 
 may the life that we live in the flesh, be by the 
 faith of Him who loved us, and gave Himself for 
 us. 
 
 And while we live by Him, may we live to Him, 
 and may we live like Him. May we never con* 
 sider ourselves christians, but as we resemble 
 Christ. May our conformity to His principles, 
 temper, and conduct, be hourly growing, and be- 
 come more apparent, not only to ourselves but to 
 others. And may we continue in his word, that 
 ;ve may be his disciples indeed; rooted and built 
 
THIRD WEEK. 107 
 
 up in Him, and (established in the truth as we have 
 been taught, and aboundiig therein with thankv 
 g-ivin^. 
 
 May no lenp^th of watching, or length of waiting 
 cool our love and zeal; whatever discouragements 
 we meet with, may we never grow weary in well 
 doing — yea, may we not only persevere, while 
 many draw back — but fear God above many who 
 go forward; and hear the Saviour Judge saying, 1 
 know thy works, and the last to be more than the 
 first. 
 
 May we not only be blessed; but prove blessings. 
 May w<; often look closely at our talents, relations, 
 and circumstances in life, to see how we can be 
 serviceable to the bodies and souls of our fellow- 
 creatures, and esjiecially how we may do good to 
 them that are of the household of faith. 
 
 We are continually meeting with wants and 
 miseries which we are utterly unable to remove or 
 release; but wc rejoice that in our contracted 
 agency, prayer opens a resource to our benevo- 
 lence; we can pray; and prayer has power with 
 God, and can prevail. 
 
 Let the leisure and affluence of the rich, afford 
 them means and opportunities of beneficence; and 
 may they be ready to communicate; and be rich 
 in good works. 
 
 Let the afflictions of the afflicted render sin 
 hateful, wean the'm from a vain world, endear tc 
 •[hem the word of grace, the throne of grace, and 
 the spirit of grace; and work out for them, a fai 
 more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 
 
 Let our ignorance of futurity, keep us in a state 
 of constant dependence upon thy providential 
 r.are; and lead us earnestly to seek large supplies 
 »f the Spirit of Jesus (Christ, to fit us for all events 
 
 Thou hast retlcemed us^ O Lord God of Truth; 
 
108 THIPD WEEK. 
 
 and therefore, into thin- hands we commit our 
 selves, and our interests, beseeching Thee to ^t 
 for us, exceedin£> abunc^antly, above all we arr 
 able to ask or think thro i»h our only Lord anc 
 Saviour. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY MORNING. 
 
 O God, help us to approach Thee, under ? 
 very lively conviction of thy abundant mercy, and 
 the exceeding^ riches of thy g'-Ace We oup-ht tc 
 admire thy wisdom, to stand io awe of thy power 
 and to abase ourselves before thv spotless purity. 
 But it is the discovery of thy go-^dness alone, that 
 can banish our fear, and allure us with humble 
 confidence into thy presence, there tc divulge our 
 sorrows, and confess our sins. 
 
 And, O, how encouraging is it, undf^r a review 
 of our past guilt, and a consciousness of present 
 unworthiness, to know, that we have to do with a 
 Being who waits to be gracious, and is exalted to 
 have mercy. We therefore bless Thee, that an 
 attribute so essential to our happiness and hope, 
 is not founded on conjecture, or obscurely reveal- 
 ed. Thou hast not left Thyself without witness 
 in the seasons of the year, and the bounties ol 
 nature, and Providence. But Thou hast given us 
 thy word, which Thou hast magnified above all 
 thy name. There we see Thee, not sparing thine 
 own Son, but delivering Him up for us all; there 
 wc behold the provisions of thy house; there we 
 hear the proclamations of thy servants— Come, 
 for all things are now ready. 
 
 Lord make us willing to be saved, and to be 
 saved in thine own way. Condemned by the law 
 which we have so often transgressed, may we 
 turn for all our relief tc the gospel; and perceir- 
 ing nothing in ourselves, rnay we find in the hope 
 
THIRD WE£K. 109 
 
 of Israel, wisdom, righteousness, sanctificatiorii 
 and redemption. May the message which con- 
 cerns a dying, rising, interceding Saviour, be re- 
 ceived inlo ou?- very hearts, and become there a 
 well of water, springing up into everlasting life. 
 And may we not only receive Christ Jesus the 
 Lord, but also walk in Him; in a state of depe'ul- 
 cnce upon Him, communion with Him, and con- 
 formity to Him. May we be followers of Him 
 as dear children; imperfect, but still pressing for- 
 ward; not complaining of K-<bour, but valuing rest; 
 not murmuring under our trials, but thankful for 
 a stale. O, that we were sure of reaching it! 
 where our sun shall no more go down, nor our 
 moon withdraw herself, but God shall be our ever- 
 lasting light, and the days of our mourning shall 
 be ended. 
 
 We live in the midst of observation. Many 
 watch for our halting, and wish our good to be 
 evil spoken of. May we walk the more circum.- 
 spectly; and by well doing, may we put to silence 
 the ignorance of foolish men; yea, by our good 
 \yorks which they behold, may we constrain them 
 to glorify God in the day of visitation. 
 
 \Ve appear not alone in Thy presence; but are 
 variously connected in life. Regard those who 
 are dear to us by the claims of nature or friend- 
 ship. We ask not that Thou shouldst set, them 
 upon the high places of the earth; but O,. number 
 them with Thy saints in glory everlasting;. O, let 
 none of them die without an interest in Christ, and 
 be separated from us in the day when. Thou wilt 
 make up thy jewels. 
 
 Bless those who are related to us in religious 
 
 bonds. And such, we are delighted to consider 
 
 all the followers of the Lamb, under whatever 
 
 name, distinctive or reproachful, they may past 
 
 K 
 
I 10 THIRD WEKF 
 
 among men; may the Lord add to his people, ho> 
 many soever they be, a hundred-fold; and may 
 grace and peace be multiplied unto them. 
 
 And forget not, we beseech Thee, those to whom 
 we are politically allied. May all who are in 
 places of public trust, be faithful to the public in- 
 terest. Teach our senators wisdom. May all 
 our magistrates be men fearing God and hating 
 covetousness, terrors to evildoers, and a praise to 
 them that do well; and may all ranks in the com- 
 munity, pursue that righteousness which exalteth 
 a nation; that, bemg a holy, we may be a happy 
 people, whose God is the Lord. 
 
 So we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, 
 will give Thee thanks for ever; we will show forth 
 thy p'-aise throughout all generations. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING. 
 
 W HEN we enter Thy presence, O God, we see 
 Thee in all the glory of thy perfections, seated ot 
 .1 throne of universal and everlasting empire, 
 iicusands ministering unto Thee, and ten thou- 
 sand times ten thousand standing before Thee. 
 Impress our minds with a consciousness of thy 
 .greatness: not to drive us back from Thee, hvf 
 to mspire us with reverence and godly fear, in ap- 
 proaching Thee; not to diminish our confidence 
 in Thee, but to lead us to admire the vastness of 
 thy condescension, in deigning to open commu- 
 nications with creatures so mean and vile as we 
 are. Lord, what is man, that Thou art mindlVjI 
 of him; or the son of man, that Thou visitest him. 
 
 And yet Thou hast been mindful of us; Thou 
 hast visited us. We have been thy charge from 
 the womb; and Thou hast, in all conditions, cared 
 for us. We have been constantly fed at thy table, 
 and clothed frc^m thy wardrobe. How often hast 
 
IHIRD WEEK. • I 
 
 Ihou drawn the curtain of night around us, and 
 ordered creation to be quiet, while thy children 
 have slumbered and slept. Thy mercies have 
 Deen new every morning. Thy goodness has in- 
 spired our relations and friends wiih all the sen- 
 :iments of tenderness and respect, thty have ever 
 expressed towards us. And we would not over- 
 look the blessings of the life that novv is. 
 
 But, O Lord, suffer us not to forget that we 
 want better blessings than these. We want a hope 
 beyond the grave. We are guilty, depraved, dy- 
 ing creatures. We need pardon and holiness, 
 and wisdom, and strength, and peace and joy; we 
 want the earnests and foretastes of immortality. 
 And blessed be thy name, what we so much need, 
 and hope we can say, so much desire, Thou hast 
 provided. We thank Thee for thy unspeakable 
 gift. We rejoice, that we have our existence in 
 a land of gospel [privileges; and where one of the 
 first sounds that entered our infant ears, from the 
 lips of maternal piet), was the name of Jesus. 
 We rejoice that we have been led to view Him, 
 not only as a teacher, and an example, but as the 
 Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the 
 world; and that now in Christ Jesus, we, who 
 sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood 
 of Christ; and have boldness and access with con- 
 fidence, by the faith of Him. 
 
 May we look after actual and personal benefit 
 from Him, and never be satisfied, till we can say, 
 I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded, 
 that He is able to keep that which I have com- 
 mitted to Him against that day. Possess us with 
 more of that faith, which is the principle and me 
 dium of all vital godliness; may we be rich in 
 faith; may we be strong in faith. By faith may 
 we liv*^ ; and by faith may we walk. May we feel 
 
U2 THIRD WEEK. 
 
 the joy of faith; and do the work of faith. Maj 
 we abound in hope; may the charity of every one 
 of us, towards each other, increase; and may we 
 be filled with all the fruits of righteousness, which 
 are, by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of 
 God. 
 
 We oup^ht to feel a broken heart, and a contrite 
 spirit. We grieve to think, how insensible we 
 have been to the claims of thy authority, and the 
 endearments of thy love; how little we have cre- 
 dited thy truth, trusted thy promises, feared thy 
 threatenings, obeyed thy commands, or improved 
 any of our advantages. We have had line upon 
 line, and precept upon precept. How numberless 
 have been our admonitions, and warnings; ana 
 Thou hast said — He that being often reproved, 
 hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, 
 and without remedy. 
 
 We thank Thee, that notwithstanding our de 
 sert, tkis is not, at present, our doom. As yet 
 we are in the number of those, for whom Thou 
 art waiting to be gracious. We are yet in the 
 land of the living. Through another day Thou 
 hast spared us, and blessed us. May thy goodness 
 lead us to repentance, and thy long-suffering prove 
 our salvation. Let no evil befall us, and no plague 
 com« nigh our dwelling, this night; and in the 
 morning may we rise to walk, before the Lord, in 
 the land of the living, and to show forth all his 
 praise. 
 
 We implore it in the name of Him who died for 
 our sins, rose again for our justification, and ever 
 liveth to make intercession for us; and to whom, 
 with the Father, and Holy Spirit, be ascribed 
 everlasting p/aises. Amen. 
 
THIRD WEEK. 1 | 3 
 
 FRIDAY MORNING. 
 
 Our voice shalt Thou hear in the mornin.i^, (^ 
 Lord: in the morning, alone; and in our family. 
 will we direct our prayer unlo Thee, and will look 
 uj). How well dues it become us to be thankful I 
 Many, during the past night, have had no place 
 where to lay their head. Many, the victims o 
 disease, have been full of tossing to and fro, until 
 the dawning of the day; so that their bed has not 
 comforted them, nor their couch eased their com- 
 plaint. Many have been deprived of rest while 
 watchmg over their connexions in pain and sor- 
 row. How many have slept the sleep of death, 
 and will not awake till the heavens are no morel 
 Others, whose lives are prolonged, have risen to 
 be surrounded wiih want and wo: and thousands, 
 who have all things richly to enjoy, have risen on- 
 ly to live another day, without God in the world. 
 
 And why is not this the case with us.*^ Thou, C) 
 God, hast remembered, and distinguished, and in- 
 dulged us. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all 
 that is within mc, bless his holy name. O mag- 
 nify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his namt. 
 together. 
 
 And thy mercies have been new every morning, 
 yea, every moment. All our desires have not been 
 gratified; but it was love that denied us, when th? 
 accomplishment of our wishes would have proved 
 our ruin or our injury: we have had our trials, 
 but they have been few compared with our sins; 
 they have been attended with number^'ess allevia- 
 tions; and when we have kissed the rod, it has 
 fallen out of thy hand. 
 
 Thou hast often wiped away our tears; and re- 
 stored peace to thy mourners. Thou hast never 
 chastened us but for Dur profit; we already &ee 
 the design of many of our griefs, and can say, It 
 k2 
 
1 1 4 THIRD WEKK. 
 
 is good for me that I have been atflicted, and in 
 all cthtM' cases where darkness yet clouds the dis- 
 pensation, we desire to walk by faith. We be- 
 lieve that Thou hast done all thing-s well, and that 
 thy work is perfect. 
 
 But, O, what do we owe Thee for the word ot 
 thy truth — the throne of thy grace — the Son of thy 
 love — thy unspeakable giftj what do we owe Thee, 
 if we have any reason to hope that we are in Christ, 
 and free from all condemnation; and that when 
 He, who is our life, shall appear, we shall also 
 appear with Him in glory, and be for ever with 
 the Lord! 
 
 Surely, a gratitude becomes us thai will not evap- 
 orate in a morning acknowledgment with the 
 lip, but such as will keep us in the fear of the 
 Lord all the day long, and lead us to ask, What 
 shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits 
 towards me? We therefore, by the mercies of 
 God, present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy 
 and acceptable unto Thee, which is our reason- 
 able service. 
 
 And now, O Thou Author of all good, we come 
 to Thee for the grace another day will require — 
 the grace its duties will require — the grace its 
 events will require; for we know not when we 
 leave our apartments in the morning, what a day 
 will bring forth. But we know that we are step- 
 ping into a wicked world, and that we carry about 
 us an evil heart: we know that without Tliee we 
 can do nothing: and weknov/ that there is nothing 
 with which we shall have any concern in the day, 
 however harmless in itself, but may prove an oc- 
 casion of sinning and falling, unless we are kept 
 by the power of God. We, therefore, desire to 
 pray ourselves out of our own keeping into thy 
 keeping Ho'd Th^u us up, and we shall be safe« 
 
THIRD WEEK. 115 
 
 Preserve our understandings from the subtlety of 
 error; our affections from the love of idols; our 
 senses from the ungovernable impressions of out- 
 ward objects; our character from every stain of 
 vice, and our profession from every appearance of 
 evil: and may the God of peace sanctify us wholly; 
 and may our whole spirit, soul, and body, be pre- 
 served blameless unto the coming of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 INIay we engage in nothing on which we cannot 
 implore thy blessing, and to which we cannot wel- 
 come thy inspection. Prosper us in o .r lawful 
 undertakings, or prepare us for disappointment. 
 Give us neither poverty nor riches. Feed us 
 with food convenient for us, lest we be full and 
 deny Thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or, lest we 
 be poor, and steal, and take the name of our God 
 in vain. 
 
 May every creature be good to us, being sanc- 
 tified by the word of God and prayer. Teach us 
 how to use the world as not abusing it. Enable 
 us to improve our talents, and to redeem our time. 
 May we walk in wisdom towards them that are 
 without, and in kindness towards them that are 
 v/ithin; and do good, as we have opportunity unto 
 all men, especially unto them that are of the house- 
 hold of faith. 
 
 And unto Him that is able to keep us from fall- 
 ing, and to present us faultless before the presence 
 of His glory with exceeding joy: to the only wise 
 God, our Saviour, be glory, and majesty, domi 
 nion, and power, both now and ever. Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY EVENING. 
 O Thou incomprehensibly great and glorious 
 Jehovah! the King of kings, and Lord of lords, 
 «'hc onl) hast immortality We adore Thee and 
 
I 16 THIRD WEEK. 
 
 abase ourselves. Though we are allowed to ap- 
 proach Thee, we would not be mindless of the 
 views and feelings which so well become those, 
 who, as creatures, are less than nothing, and, as 
 sinners, are worse than nothing before Thee. 
 
 For, if we say, we have no sin, we deceive our- 
 selves, and the truth is not in us; the heavens 
 would reveal our iniquity, and the earth would 
 rise up against us. And why should we endea- 
 vour to deny our guilt, since even our thoughts 
 have not been screened from thy sight, and Tliou 
 hast set our most secret sins in the light of thy 
 countenance? and why should we desire it, since 
 we know, that if we confess our sins. Thou art 
 faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to 
 cleajise us from all unrighteousness? From a view, 
 therefore, of their exceeding sinfulness, we would 
 confess them with a broken heart, and a contrite 
 spirit, earnestly longing to be delivered from them, 
 and be led in the way everlasting. 
 
 Enable us to remember that blood which cleans- 
 eth from all sin; to believe in that grace which 
 can subdue all our iniquities; and to resign our- 
 selves to that agency which can deliver us from 
 the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liber- 
 ty of the sons of God. While many envy tiie men 
 of the world, who have their portion in this life, 
 may we, with Moses, choose rather to suffer afflic- 
 tion with the people of God, than enjoy the pleas- 
 ures of sin for a season. While many seek great 
 things for themselves on earth; things which per- 
 ish in the using, and afford no satisfaction in the 
 possessing — may the prayer of David become 
 ours. Remember me, O Lord, with the favoui 
 Thou bearest unto thy people. O visit me with 
 thy salvation, that I may see the good of thy chos 
 en, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation 
 and glory with thine inheritance. 
 
THIRD WEEK. 117 
 
 We sometimes hope that Thou hast ah-eady 
 begun a good work in usj and to whom should 
 ve go lor the continuance, the progress, and the 
 completion, but to Thee, the God of all grace, 
 and who art not only the Author, but Finisher 
 of our faith? we rejoice in what Thou hast done 
 for othersj in their deliverance and elevation 
 we see what Thou art able and willing to do for us. 
 We bless Thee fur the promises upon which Thou 
 hast caused us to hope, and in which Thou hast 
 engaged to perfect that which concerneth us: we 
 thank Thee for the means of grace, in the humble 
 and diligent use of which, Thou art pleased to 
 draw near to those who draw near to Thee. 
 
 May we love the closet as well as the temple; 
 and sanctify to us, not only the preaching of the 
 gospel, but also the reading of thy word. Believ- 
 ing v/ith ataith unfeigned, that it is given by inspi- 
 ration of God, may we find it profitable for doc- 
 trine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruc- 
 tion in righteousness. In every perplexity, may 
 it be the man of our counsel; may we repair to it 
 in every distress, and in the multitude of our 
 thoughts within us, may thy comforts delight our 
 souls. 
 
 May we have an increasing conviction of our 
 liableness to err, and our exposure to sin, that we 
 may place ourselves under thy guiding and guar- 
 dian care. As we see ihe vanity of the world, and 
 meet with trials and disappointments, may we 
 take a firmer hold of that covenant which is order- 
 ed in all things, and sure; and may this be all our 
 salvation, and all our desire, when our house is 
 not so with God, and Thou makest it not to grow. 
 May we rejoice in hope; be patient in tribulation; 
 and continue constant in prayer. 
 
 May we feel more of the purifying, more of the 
 
1 18 THiRD WEEK 
 
 dignifying, more of the softening influence of the 
 religion we profess. May we have compassion 
 one of another: love as brethren — be pitiful — be 
 coumejus. May we never render railing for rail- 
 ing, but contrawise, blessing: may we not be over- 
 come of evil, but overcome evil with good. 
 
 May we never incur the curse of the angel of 
 the covenant, for not coming to the help of the 
 Lord. May we deem it an honour to be employ- 
 ed by Tnee, and loiig to be instruments in thy 
 hands. Ready to seize every opportunity of use- 
 fulness; and willing to use all our talents in thy 
 blessed service, may we daily ask. Lord, what 
 wilt Thou have me to do? 
 
 Bless our country. May we be for a name and 
 a praise unto Thee in the whole earth Largely 
 have we been the recipients of thy goodness; and 
 freely may we give. Sanction the institutions and 
 efforts by which we are endeavouring to spread 
 the benefits of the gospel. God be merciful unto 
 us, and bless its, that His way may be known on 
 earth, His saving health among all nations. 
 
 O remember the number called, in various 
 ways, to suffer. Bless their daily rod, as well as 
 their daily bread. May they feel impressions 
 which shall never wear off; may they learn such 
 lessons as shall never be forgotten; may they en- 
 joy such consolations, as shall enable them to say, 
 t is good for me that I have been afflicted. 
 
 And to God, only wise, be glory and dominion, 
 for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 SATURDAY MORNIXG. 
 
 O Thou everlasting God, the Creator of all the 
 ends of the earth, and the Father of the spirits of 
 all flesh. We have destroyed ourselves, but in 
 Thee v ♦ur help. Our nature is defiled; all the 
 
THIRD WEEK. 119 
 
 powers of our souls are degraded; we are vile, we 
 are miseralile; we are without strength. We con- 
 demn ourselves, and co.ifess that we deserve to 
 perish. If ever we are saved, it must be by good- 
 ness the most undeserved and astonishing; not on- 
 ly by mercy, but abundant mercy; not only by 
 grace, but the exceeding riches of thy grace. 
 
 And such mercy and grace Thou hast been 
 pleased to reveal, and to promise, and to exempli- 
 fy. Thou hast told us thy designs, and unlike the 
 forebodings of our guilty minds, they are thoughts 
 of peace, and not of evil, 
 
 We bless Thee for devising means to rescue us 
 from the perdition of sin, and restore us to a state 
 of happiness, and honour, and safety, superior to 
 our original condition. We bless Thee for the 
 provisions of the everlasting covenant, and for the 
 constitution of a Mediator between Thee arjd us. 
 We rejoice that He failed not, nor was discour 
 aged, but accomplished the work that was given 
 Him to do, and said on the cross, It is finished. 
 We rejoice that now thy justice is satisfied, thy 
 truth established, thy law magnified, and a foun- 
 dation laid, even in thy own glory, for our hope 
 
 May we look after present and personal intei • 
 est in Christ, and never rest, till we can say, Sure- 
 ly, He hath borne our grief, and carried our sor- 
 row; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, 
 and by His stripes we are healed. May we know, 
 that in Him we have righteousness, and strength, 
 and are blessed with all spiritual blessings. While 
 we are justified by His blood, may we be saved by 
 His life. While we glory in His cross, may we 
 bow to His sceptre, and long to have the same 
 mind in us whiclyvvas also in Him; knowing, that 
 if we have not the Spirit of Christ, we are none 
 of His. 
 
120 THIRD WEEK. 
 
 We are convinced, that it is our happiness, aa 
 well as duty, to walk in thy ways, to keep thy 
 statutes, and to submit to thy appointments; but 
 we are equally convinced, that thy grace alone is 
 sufficient tor us, and that without Thee we can do 
 nothing. We cannot even stand, but as we are 
 upheld by thy free Spirit. Bu with Thee is the 
 residue of the Spirit; and Thou hast engaged to 
 give thy Holy Spirit to them thai ask Thee. Yea, 
 Thou hast said, Open thy mouth wide, and I will 
 fill it. Bless u£, therefore, with constant and in- 
 creasing supplies of grace and strength; work in 
 us to will and to do of thy good pleasure, and ful- 
 fil all the good pleasure of thy goodness, and the 
 work of faith with power. 
 
 May our religion, instead of being an occasion- 
 al and partial thing, be universal and invariable 
 in its inliuence and effects. May we be in the fear 
 of the Lord every day, and all ihe day long. May 
 we hold communion with Thee in thy works, as 
 svell as thy word, and in the dispensations of thy 
 providence, as well as in the ordinances of thy 
 house. 
 
 May we always distinguish between the form of 
 godliness, and the power thereof; and between life, 
 and a name to live. What is the hope of the 
 hypocrite, though he hath gained, when Thou 
 takest away his soul? O, make us Israelites in- 
 deed, in whom is no guile. Often may we exam- 
 ine ourselves, and inquire whether our religion 
 will bear the eye of God. If we are not right, set 
 us right, and keep us right. Search us, O God, and 
 know our heart; try us, and know our thoughts, 
 and sec if there be any wicked way in us, and lead 
 us in ti^e way everlasting. 
 
 Imi)ress us with a conviction of the vanity ot 
 the world, and the brevity and uncertainty of the 
 
THIRD WEEK. li. 
 
 time of our continuance here, that we may keep 
 the end of life in view, and apply our hearts unto 
 wisdom 
 
 We are i<]fnorant, and liable to a thousand delu- 
 sions, but Thou knowest what is good for us; to 
 Thee, therefore, we commit our works, atid our 
 way; and to Thee we refer the choice of our in- 
 heritance. 
 
 Only be with us, and keep us in the way that we 
 go, and give us bread to eat, and raiment to put 
 on, so that we come to our Father's house in peace; 
 and the Lord shall be our God. 
 
 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 forever. 
 
 Amen. 
 
 SATURDAY EVENTVG. 
 
 O God, Thou hast been the refuge and the 
 dwelling place of thy people in all generations. 
 To Thee, the poor and the needy have always re- 
 paired for succour; and they that know thy name, 
 will put their trust in Thee. And to whom should 
 we go, but unto Thee? Thou hast the words ol 
 eternal life. There is no blessing we can implore, 
 but Thou art able to give, and hdiSl promised to give, 
 and hast already given to a countless multitude, 
 all unworthy and guilty like ourselves. Yea, Thoii 
 hast not spared thine own Son, but delivered Hirg 
 up for us all; and wilt Thou not with Him, also 
 freely give us all things? 
 
 O make us more willing to receive, the supply 
 of all our need, from thy riches, in glory, by Chrisi 
 Jesus. And for this purpose, convince us of sin. 
 Show us. our true character and condition in thy 
 sight. Take away the stone out of our hearts and 
 give us hearts of flesh. May we feel and bewail 
 L 
 
»22 THIRD WEEK. 
 
 our folly and ingratitude, our pride and unbelief; 
 the rebeilion of our lives, and the corruption of 
 our nature. May we sorrow after a godly sort, 
 and abhor ourselves, repenting in dust and ashes. 
 Through th'j law, may we die unto the law, and 
 despair of obtaining life, but from thy own sov- 
 ereign mercy. May we look with wonder, and 
 submission, and gratitude, and delight, to the pro- 
 vision which Thou hast made for the glory of 
 thine own name, in the salvation of sinners. May 
 we believe in Him, whom Thou hast set forth as 
 a propitiation for sin, and as the end of the law for 
 righteousness — may we know Him in tlie power of 
 his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffer- 
 ings, and be made conformable unto his death. 
 
 Give us that hope which maketh not ashamed. 
 Inspire us with that love which excites to all holy 
 obedience. Pour into our hearts that joy of the 
 Lord which is the strength of thy people; and en- 
 able us to say with Paul, The li^e that I now live 
 in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, 
 who loved me, and gave himself for me. 
 
 And when we cannot pronounce on our own in- 
 terest in divine things, may we still persevere in 
 duty,* may w^e wait on the Lord, and keep his way; 
 and be humble and earnest suppliants at thy foot- 
 stool, assured, that they who hunger and thirst al- 
 ter righteousness, are blessed — and shall be filled. 
 
 Preserve us from that levity and indifference 
 which are so unbecoming creatures, who live con- 
 mually under the eye of God, and are alwayf* on 
 he brink of an eternal world. 
 
 May we discover nothing like selfishness and un- 
 cindness, while professing to be the followers of 
 tfim, who pleased not himself; who, when rich, 
 tor our sakes became poor; and went about doing 
 good 
 
THIRD WEEK. 123 
 
 May \vc hold ourselves at thy disposal, not only 
 with regard to the duties, buteventsof life. What- 
 ever preferences we feel, may we sulimit them all 
 to thy infinite wisdom, and say. Nevertheless, not 
 my svill, hut thine be done. If we are called tc 
 resign any of our enjoyments, may we remember 
 that it is the absolute proprietor, and our best 
 friend who requires themj and yield, in the spirit 
 of Him, who, when stripped of all, could say. The 
 Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed 
 be the name of the Lord. 
 
 But make us thankful for the continuance of our 
 comforts; and that in a world of such changes and 
 misery, our indulgences have been so many, and 
 our trials so few. 
 
 Especially, would we be grateful for the means 
 of grace, and the ordinances of religion, which 
 still await us, notwithstanding all our un worthi- 
 ness and provocations. O Lord, teach us to profit 
 by them more than we have done; and as to-mor- 
 row is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord 
 our God, may we be in the spirit on thy own day; 
 and enter it in a state of mind suited to its solem- 
 nities, duties, and privileges. May we leave every 
 thing worldly at the foot of the mount, while we 
 go to worship God above. May we experience 
 the blessedness of the man, whose strength is in 
 Thee, and in whose heart are the ways of them. 
 May we go from strength to strength; and at last 
 may every one of us in Zion appear before God. 
 
 O Lord God of hosts, hear our prayer, give eai 
 O God of Jacob. Behold, O God, our shield, and 
 look upon the face of thine Anointed. Jlmeru 
 
1 24 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 FOURTH VTISEK. 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou most high. Thine eyes are in every 
 place, beholding the evil and the goodj thine eyes 
 behold, and thine eye-lids try the children of men. 
 We hope we can appeal to thy Omniscience, and 
 say, In the way of thy appointments, we are now 
 waiting for Thee, while our desirr is to thy name, 
 and to the remembrance of Thee. 
 
 We are sinners, but not insensible of our state. 
 Our iniquities are great and numberless; but with 
 a broken heart and a contrite spirit, we pray to be 
 delivered from them, and led in the way everlast- 
 ing. Our case is desperate in itself, but there is 
 hope in Israel concerning this thing. The com- 
 bined help of men and angels could not reach our 
 misery; but Thou art adequate to our relief. 
 
 Thou art rich in mercy. The blood of Jesus 
 Christ, thy Son, cleanseth from all sin. The agen- 
 cy of thy Holy Spirit can subdue the most power- 
 ful corruptions. Heal us, and we shall be healed; 
 save us, and we shall be saved; for Thou art our 
 praise. Hide thy face from our sin, and blot out 
 all our iniquity. Create in us also, O God, a clean 
 heart, and renew a right spirit within us. Illumi- 
 nate our understandings with the light of life. 
 May we know the truth, and may the truth make 
 us free. Give us tender and wakeful consciences; 
 and may they always smite and torment us when 
 we sin against God. May we be consistent and 
 uniform in the whole of our conversation and con- 
 duct; the sume alone and in company; in prosper! 
 ty and adversity; esteeming all thy commandments 
 concerning all things to be right, and hating everv 
 false wiy — Israelites indeed, in whom there is nc 
 euMe. 
 
FOURTH A\EEK. 
 
 May we never be satisfied with any present j^o 
 gression in the divine life; but this one thinsi^ may 
 we do, forgetting the things that are beliind, and 
 reaching forth unto those that are before, press 
 towards the mark, for the prize of our higli call- 
 ing of God in Christ Jesus. May we add to our 
 faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to know- 
 ledge temperance; and to temperance godliness; 
 and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to bro- 
 therly kindness charity; and may all these things, 
 not only be in us, but abound. 
 
 And while we never forget what is necessary tc 
 constitute the Christian cliaracter, may we never 
 neglect what is needful to complete it. May we 
 be concerned to adorn the doctrine of God out 
 Saviour; to recommend the religion of Jesus to all 
 around us, ai-id to induce observers to say. We 
 will go with you, for we have heard that God is 
 with you. 
 
 Enable us to acommodate ourselves to the dis- 
 pensations of thy providence, with the views and 
 feelings of Christains. May we know how to be 
 abased, and how to abound; may we learn in what- 
 soever state we are, therewith to be content; yea, 
 in every thing, may we give thanks; knowing that 
 all the ways of the Lord, are mercy and truth, to 
 those that trust in Him. 
 
 May we feel the ties that unite us to our fellow- 
 creatures, especially to our fellow-christians. By 
 sympathy, and praise and prayer, may we make 
 their mercies and miseries our own; rejoicing with 
 them that rejoice, and weeping with them that 
 weep. 
 
 Regard the sons and daughters of distress; and 
 as afflictions are not immutable dispensations, and 
 we are allowed to pray for temporal blessings con- 
 ditionally, if it be thy pleasure, command deliver- 
 l2 
 
126 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 aiice for them; or Jhould thy wisdom continue the 
 t-rial, keep them from sinkin.q; or sinning in the 
 evil day; let thy strength be made peifect in their 
 weakness; and in the multitude of their thoughts 
 within them, may thy comforts delight their souls. 
 
 Be with those Avho will pass the day in absence 
 from thy dear abode. Though Thou art with thy 
 people in trouble, yet Thou hast taught them, by 
 experience, to value thy ordinances, and to esteem 
 a day in thy courts, better than a thousand. O, 
 let them not pass an unprofitable, though a silent 
 sabbath: let their meditation of Thee be sweet; 
 and though not in thy house, may they be in thy 
 Spirit, on thy own day. 
 
 And make those thankful, who are exempted 
 from spiritual privations; and have liberty, and 
 health, and strength, to go into thy house, in the 
 multitude of thy mercies. 
 
 We bless Thee tnat this is our privilege. May 
 we know the day of our visitation; and embrace 
 the things that belong to our peace. May we 
 hear with solemnity of mind, knowing that for all 
 these things, God will bring us unto judgment. 
 May we hear with prayer, remembering that who- 
 ever may plant or water. Thou alone canst give 
 the increase. May we be doers of the word, and 
 not hearers only; and may we keep in memory 
 what is preached unto us, that we may not believe 
 in vain. 
 
 May we carry into ordinary life the various por- 
 tions of divine truth, which successively engage 
 our attention, and use them as seasons and cricum- 
 stances render them suitable; may its doctrines in- 
 form, its warnings caution, its rules guide, and its 
 promises comfort us, till we have received the end 
 of our faith, the salvation of our souls. 
 
 Rlcss the congregation in whose devotions we 
 
FOURTH WKEK. 127 
 
 are to mingle. Let ihy minister be clothed with 
 salvation, and let thy saints shout aloud for joy. 
 O, Thou holy and beautiful house, where our fath- 
 ers praised Thee, peace be within thy walls — For 
 our brethren and companions' sakes we will now 
 say, peace be within Thee. 
 
 And bless, we beseech Thee, all thy churches, 
 and all thy servants of every name. Plead thy 
 own cause. Build upZion Establish and make 
 Jerusalem a praise in the whole earth. May many 
 run to and fro, and knowledge be increased^ and 
 may all know Thee from the least even to the 
 greatest. Our Father, 8cc. Ameru 
 
 SUNDAY EVENING- 
 
 QuiCKEN our souls to call upon thy namej pour 
 upon us the spirit of grace and supplication; and 
 in our enlivened and enlarged experience, may we 
 know that Thou art not only the gracious reward- 
 er, but the Almighty helper of them that diligent- 
 ly seek Thee. 
 
 For such O God, is the ignorance of our minds, 
 the vagrancy of our thoughts, the earthiness of our 
 affections, and the unbelief of our hearts, that with- 
 out Thee we can do nothing. But the preparation 
 of the heart, and the answer of the tongue are 
 from Thee; thy Spirit helps our infirmities; thy 
 grace is sufficient for us. Unite our hearts to fear 
 thy name; enable us to come even to thy seat; and 
 may our fellowship be with the God of love. 
 
 May we approach Thee, not as the Eternal Je- 
 hovah, but as our Father and our Friend, our ex- 
 ceeding joy, the strength of our heart, and oui 
 portion for ever. May we not only exercise that 
 faith, by which we understand the worlds were 
 made by the word of God. May we not only be- 
 lieve ii Thee as the God o 'nature and providence, 
 
ii8 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 but in Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent, and 
 sent to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 
 We feel discouragements resulting from our guilty 
 fears, anc find it hard to believe, that on our re- 
 turn Thou wilt meet us in peace. We therefore 
 bless Thee, for the displaying of the exceeding 
 riches of thy grace, in thy kindness towards us by 
 Christ Jesus: and we rejoice in the blessed intelli- 
 gence, that God was in Christ reconciling the 
 world unto Himself, not imputing their iniquities 
 unto them 
 
 These glad tidings we have this day been hear- 
 ings and O Lord, Thou knowest how often we have 
 heard the joyful sound; and Thou knowest the man- 
 ner in which we have received it. We have reason 
 to fear, that many have received it in vain; that 
 their hearing has only added to their guilt; and 
 that their sabbaths have been only employed in 
 treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath. O, 
 what would the spirits in prison, give for one of 
 our opportunities, one of our offers of mercy. 
 How many now sitting in darkness, and in the re- 
 gions of the shadow of death, would exult at the 
 entrance of that light, against which we shut our 
 eyes, or which we behold with indifference. 
 
 Awaken, O Lord, in our consciences, the in 
 quiry,how shall we escape, if we neglect so great 
 salvation? 
 
 May we believe the report we have this day 
 heard; keep in memory what has jeen preached 
 unto us, lest we believe in vain. May we hide 
 thy word in our hearts, that we may not sin against 
 Thee; and may the truth, as it is in Jesus, illumi- 
 nate in us all that is dark, sanctify in us all that is 
 unholy, establish all that is wavering, comfort all 
 that is wretched, and accomplish in us all the good 
 pleasure of thy goodness, and the work of faith 
 
lOURTH WEEK. ISf 
 
 with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ may be glorified in us, and that we may be 
 glorified in Him. 
 
 We sometimes hope, Thou hast commenced a 
 good work in us; we hope that we have begun to 
 see the evil of sin, to hunger and thirst after righ- 
 teousness; that we asking the way to Zion, with our 
 faces thitherward; and are praying, remem!)erme, 
 O, Lord, with the favour Thou bearest unto thy 
 people. 
 
 Command and enable us to go forward. Take 
 us by the hand, and lead us on from strength to 
 strength. Let the dawn break into the perfect day; 
 and the blade become the full corn ir» the ear. 
 
 We live in a world of changes, but Thou art the 
 same: may we know that Thou hast made with us 
 an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and 
 sure. We are pressing through a vale of tears; 
 but we bless Thee for the opening glory at the end. 
 Enable us to realize, as our own, a better, even a 
 heavenly country. Prepare us for every part of 
 our pilgrimage; uphold our goings in thy word; 
 and let no iniquity have dominion over us. 
 
 May we rejoice as though we rejoiced not; and 
 weep as though we wept not; and buy as though 
 we possessed not; and use this world as not abu- 
 sing it. 
 
 We would sympathize with those that are in 
 distress. Give to them that mourn in Zion, beau- 
 ty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the 
 garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. 
 
 Bless all the institutions which are established to 
 diffuse the Scriptures, and to send forth mission- 
 aries. Remember those who have gone forth to 
 preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches 
 of Christ. Preserve their health, their morals, 
 their spi»'ituality, their zeal; let them be examples 
 
iSO FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 Df all they teach; and be Thou a liitle san tuary to 
 them among the heathen. May all the events that 
 take place, in the nations of the earth, subserve the 
 spread of the Redeemer's empire; and may we ex- 
 ult in the period, when the earth shall be filled 
 with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters 
 cover the sea. 
 
 And to God the Father, the Son, and Hoi) 
 Ghost, be praises for ever and ever. Jlmen. 
 
 MONDAY MORNING. 
 
 The heavens declare thy glory, O God, and the 
 firmament showeth thy handy work. Day unto 
 day uttert^th speech, and night unto to ni£||"it show- 
 eth knowledge, and there is no speech nor lan- 
 guage, wiiere their voice is not heard. We be- 
 hold displays of thy wisdom, power and goodness. 
 in all thy works, from the largest to the least. 
 
 But Thou hast magnified thy word, above all 
 thy name; and v/e can never be sufficiently thank- 
 ful, for the revelation of thy will in the Scriptures 
 of truth. We bless Thee that this sacred volume 
 has been preserved, and translated, and published, 
 and multiplied, so that we all have it in our pos- 
 session, andean read, in our own tongue, the won- 
 derful vv^orks of God. Here we see not only thy 
 greatness, but thy grace; and not only thy pity, but 
 thy rectitude; we see mercy and truth meeting to- 
 gether, righteousness and peace kissing each other. 
 Here Thou hast shined in our hearts, to give us 
 the light of the knowledge of thy glory, in the face 
 of Jesus Christ. 
 
 For in Him Thou hast reconciled the world un- 
 to thyself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. 
 Thou hast made him to be sin for us, who knew 
 no sin, that we might be made the righteousness 
 of God in Him. And Thou has raised Him up 
 
FOURTH WEEK. 131 
 
 from the dead, and given Him glory, that our 
 faith and hope may be in God May the hearts 
 thus tenderly wooed, be effectually won. x^t the 
 view of this infinite kindness, may we resign all our 
 unworthy and suspicious thoughts; and pUrt^ingour 
 confidence in Thee, return and say — Lord, I am 
 thine, save me. Look Thou upon me, and be 
 merciful unto me, as Thou uscst to do unto those 
 that love thy name. 
 
 We ask not to be enrolled among the rich and 
 the great of this world, but to be numbered with 
 those who are blessed with all spiritual blessings, 
 in heavenly places in Christ. The graves are ready 
 for us; and we shall soon be in a state, that will ren- 
 der it a matter of indifference to us, whether we 
 have filled a cottage or a palace — but it will be eter- 
 nally important to us, that we have been justified 
 by thy grace, and sanctified by thy spirit, and 
 adopted into thy family. May we, therefore, be 
 wise unto salvation: and make it our present, our 
 supreme, our persevering concern, to obtain those 
 blessings which are spiritual in their nature; eternal 
 in their continuance; satisfying in their posses- 
 sion; and v»i;)ch unerringly indicate, that we are the 
 friends of God. 
 
 Preserve us from a false estimate of the whole of 
 our character, or of any part of it. May we re- 
 gard our principles, as v/ell as our conduct; our 
 motives as well as our actions. May we never 
 mistake the excitement of our passions, for the re- 
 newing of the Holy Ghost. May we never judge 
 of our religion, by occasional impressions and im- 
 pulses; but by our constant and prevailing disposi- 
 tion. May our heart be right with God, and our 
 life such as becometh the gospel. 
 
 May we maintain a supreme regard to another 
 and a better world, and feel, and confess ourselves 
 
132 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 *o be only strangers and pilgrims in this. How of- 
 ten by bodily infirnnities and pains, by relative af- 
 flictions, and by dissatisfactions growing out of 
 every enjoyment — how often have we been told — 
 O, when shall we be taught, that this is not our 
 rest? O God, not only command, but enable us, to 
 arise and depart hence. Afford us all the direc- 
 tion, all the defence, all the support, all the con- 
 solation our journey will require. Give us, in 
 large abundance, the supply of the spirit of Jesus 
 Christ, that we may be prepared for every duty: 
 that we may love Thee in all our mercies; that we 
 may submit to Thee in every trial. May we trust 
 Thee when we walk in darkness, and have no light; 
 and amidst all the changes of the present, and the 
 uncertainties of the future, may our minds be kept 
 in perfect peace, being stayed upon God. 
 
 Hast Thou not made with us an everlasting cov- 
 enant, ordered in all things and sure? The very 
 hairs of our liead — are they not all numbered? Are 
 not all thy ways mercy and truth? Lord, we believe, 
 help Thou our unbelief. And now unto Him that 
 is able to keep us from falling, and to present us 
 faultless, before the presence of His glory, with ex- 
 ceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, 
 be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both 
 now and for ever. Amen. 
 
 MONDAY EVENING. 
 
 O Lord, Thou art over all by thy providential 
 agency, and rich unto all that call upon Thee, in 
 the exercise of thy mercy and grace. With Thee 
 is the fountain of life, and in thy light shall we see 
 light. 
 
 Help us to consider the way, the new and living 
 way, in which a fallen creature can approach Thee 
 with acceptance. May we behold the Lamb of 
 
FOURTH WEEK. 133 
 
 God, that taketh away the sin of the world. May 
 we contemplate the dignity of His person, the per- 
 fection of His sacrifice, and the prevalency of His 
 intercession, who is the great High Priest over 
 the house of God. And may we feel the distance 
 between Thee and us done away, and rejoice that 
 now, in Christ Jesus, we, who sometimes were 
 afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 
 
 A glorious high throne, from the beginning, has 
 been the place of thy people's sanctuary; and we 
 have foundjit good to be there. O, what a source 
 is devotion! When under all the toils that weary 
 us, the cares that corrode us, the infirmities that 
 press us down, the fears that disturb us — in every 
 thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanks- 
 giving, we can make known our supplication unto 
 God, and feel a peace which passeth all understand- 
 ing, keeping our hearts and minds through Christ 
 Jesus. 
 
 We were as sheep going astray, but are now re- 
 turned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. 
 Yet, we feel the same grace that restored us, to be 
 necessary to preserve us, and to supply. And 
 hast not Thou promised to lead us, to guard us, 
 to suffer us to want no good thing, to make all 
 grace to abound towards us? And art not Thou a 
 faithful God, and able also to perform? Lord, we 
 take Thee at thy word. Do as Thou hast said. 
 
 We have tasted that Thou art gracious, and the 
 relish has provoked our desires after more, and 
 they who hunger and thirst after righteousness ar« 
 blessed, and shall be filled. Make us to lie down 
 m green pastures, and feed us beside the still wa- 
 ters, where we shall often exclaim, O, how great 
 is His goodness, and how great is His beauty! 
 
 We often meet with those who have far more 
 grace than we ourselves have; but this encourages 
 M 
 
134 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 our hope, since they were once poor, and He who 
 supplied them is as rich as ever- — and as accessible 
 — and as free. We are continually meeting with 
 duties and trials, which call for more grace than 
 we have in ourselves, but not more than we have 
 in our divine treasury, in whom it hath pleased 
 Thee that all fuUness should dwell. To Him, 
 therefore, may we continually repair, and from 
 His fullness receive, and grace for grace, till every 
 void made by sin, be replenished, and we ourselves 
 filled with all the fulness of God. We bless Thee 
 that Thou dost not despise the day of small things; 
 but we aspire after a day of great ones. We are 
 not straightened in Thee: may we never be con- 
 tracted in ourselves; may our desires be enlarged; 
 and our hopes emboldened; may we honour Thee 
 by the entireness of our dependence, and the great- 
 ness of our expectation; and living and walking in 
 the Spirit, may we go from strength to strength^ 
 and be changed from glory into glory, till we ap- 
 pear oerfect before Thee in Zion. 
 
 We know not what a day may bring forth; nor 
 would we, if it were in our power, draw back the 
 veil that hides the future, and learn the times and 
 the seasons which the Father hath put into His own 
 power. But, O be Thou with us in all, and pre- 
 pare us for all. Prepare us for the smiles of pros- 
 perity; prepare us for the frowns of adversity; pre- 
 pare us for those losses in substance, and those 
 bereavements in friends — so possible, so probable 
 in a world like this; prepare us for the days of 
 darkless, for they may be many; prepare us for 
 the change, and when heart and flesh fail us, and 
 we have no more a portion in all that is done un- 
 der the sun, be Thou the strength of our heart, 
 and our portion for ever. 
 
 INIay our very memory be blessed. May those 
 
FOURTH WEEK. loS 
 
 who follow US, praise God that we have ever lived; 
 and may we leave behind us those instrucUonp, ex- 
 amples, and effects, which shall glorify our God 
 on earth, while our spirits have joined the spirits 
 of just men, made perfect in heaven. 
 
 And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and the love of God, and the fellowship of the 
 Hoh Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amm. 
 
 TUESDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou, whose name also is Jehovah, the Most 
 High over all the earth, we desire to adore the 
 perfections of thy natuie, and to admire the works 
 of thy hands. May the united displays of thy 
 greatness, and thy goodness, impress our minds, 
 and influence our thoughts and affections, while we 
 approach Thee, 
 
 Heaven is thy throne, and the earth is thy foot- 
 stool. The universe, with all its myriads of crea- 
 tures, was made by thy word, and is upholden by 
 thy power; and Thou dost according to thine own 
 will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabi- 
 tants of the earth; none can stay thy hand, or say 
 unto Thee, what doest Thou.^ 
 
 But Thou art the Father of mercies, the God of 
 all grace, and the God of all comfort. Even we, 
 poor, mean, dying creatures, are not beneath thy 
 care. Thou hast been mindful of us; Thou hast 
 visited us; and thy visitation hath preserved our 
 spirits. The line3 are fallen to us in pleasant pla- 
 ces; yea, we have a goodly heritage; we live in a 
 land of vision; we have the Scriptures in our hands, 
 and our ears hear the joyful sound of the gospel. 
 We know that Thou hast not spared thine own 
 Son, but delivered Him up for us all. We know 
 that He has borne our grief, and carried our sor- 
 row; that his blood cleanseth from all sin, and that 
 
(36 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 whosoever believeth on Him, shall not perish, but 
 have everlasting lif^. 
 
 We come in His name, and make mention of 
 His righteousness only. We plead the obedience 
 and suffcring-s of Him who magnified the law, both 
 in its precept and penalty, and made it honourable. 
 May we be justified by His blood; and may we be 
 saved by His life. May we be joined to the Lord, 
 and of one spirit with Him. May we deny our- 
 selves, and take up our cross, and follow Him. 
 May the agency of thy peace prepare us for all the 
 dispensations of thy providence. May we be wil- 
 ling that the Lord should choose our inheritance 
 for us, and determine what we shall retain or lose; 
 what we shall suffer or enjoy. 
 
 If indulged with prosperity, may we be secured 
 from its snares, and use its advantages as not abus- 
 ing them. And may we patiently and cheerfully 
 submit to those afflictions, which are necessary to 
 hedge up our way when we are tempted to wander, 
 to excite an abhorrence of sin, to wean us from 
 the present evil world, and to make us partakers 
 of thy holiness. Only assure us, and we shall 
 learn in whatsoever state we are, therewith to be 
 content — only assure us, that Thou wilt be with us 
 in trouble, and, that at the end of the vale of tears, 
 we shall enter Emmanuel's land, where the inhabi- 
 tants no more say, I am sick; where our sun shall 
 no more go down, nor our moon withdraw itself, 
 but God shall be our everlasting light, and the 
 days of our mourning shall be ended. 
 
 May our friends and relations be fellow-heirs 
 with us of the grace of life. Let our house be the 
 tabernacle of the righteous: let our children and 
 servants be a seed to serve Thee: and among none 
 of those who surround this family altar, may there 
 be Meeting ai d wailing, and gnashing of teeth. 
 
FOURTH WEEK. 137 
 
 when they shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Ja- 
 cob, in the kingdom of God, and they themselves 
 shut out. 
 
 Lord, help us all to view our religious opportu- 
 nities as talents, for which we are accountable: to 
 remember, that our gi-eatest danger results from 
 oar highest privileges; and to fear, lest a promise 
 being left us of entering into thy rest, any of us 
 should seem to come short of it. 
 
 Ihou hast determined the bounds of our habita- 
 tion; and by the events of thy providence, many of 
 those in whose society we delight, are separated 
 from us. When we are absent in body, may we 
 be often present in spirit. We commend our ab- 
 sent friends and kindred to thy covenant care 
 May no evil tidings concerning them, wound our 
 hearts; spare them in mercy: may we often em- 
 brace each other in circumstances of health and 
 comfort: or if we have had our last interview on 
 earth, may we all meet in our heavenly Father's 
 house, and be for ever with each other, and for 
 ever with the Lord. 
 
 In hope of which, with every other blessing, we 
 devoutly ascribe to the only wise God, our Saviour, 
 praise and glory everlasting. Amen. 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING. 
 
 O Thou King of Glory, we desire to approach 
 ihy divine Majesty with reverence and godly fear, 
 and to worship Thee in the beauty of holiness. 
 Every perfection adorns thy nature, and sustains 
 thy throne. The heavens are thine; the earth also 
 is thine: the world is thine; and the fulness there- 
 of. Thy power drew the universe from nothing 
 Thy wisdom has managed all its multiplied con 
 ccrns, presiding over nations, families, and indi 
 ■BJduals, and numbering the very hairs of our head 
 M 2 
 
138 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 Thy goodness is boundless; the eyes of all wait up- 
 on Thee, and Thou givest them their meat in due 
 season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest 
 the desire of every living- thin:^. How precious 
 are the thoughts of thy mercy and grace — and so 
 excellent is thy loving kindness, that even the chil- 
 dren of men, put their trus* under the shadow of 
 thy wing. 
 
 Thou art the blessed and happy God. O, teach 
 us to place our happiness in thyself. May we nev- 
 er seek the living among the dead, nor ask with 
 the deluded many, Who will show us any good.'' 
 But, may we prize the light of thy countenance; 
 implore the joy of thy salvation; and passing by 
 the attractions of creatures, be able to say, Whom 
 have I in heaven but Thee, and there is none upon 
 earth that I desire beside Thee. 
 
 Thou hast been infinitely more attentive to our 
 happiness than we ever have been, or ever can be. 
 Thou madest man upright, and when, by volunta- 
 ry transgression, we lell away from Thee, Thou 
 didst not treat us with the severity, or the neglect 
 we deserved. In thy love and pity Thou wast 
 pleased to provide for us a Saviour, who bore our 
 grief and carried our sorrows, and put away sin 
 by the sacrifice of Himself. 
 
 Apply this redemption to our hearts, by the jus- 
 tification of our persons, and the satisfaction of our 
 natures. We confess our transgression — Have 
 mercy upon us. We are heavy laden — Give us 
 rest. We are ignorant — make us wise unto salva- 
 tion. We are helpless — Let thy strength be made 
 perfect in our weakness. We are poor and needy. 
 Bless us with all the unsearchable riches of Christ 
 Having beji;un a religious course, may we run and 
 not be weary, and walk and not faint. And though 
 perplexities, and trials, and dangers await us, yet 
 
FOURTH WEEK. 139 
 
 inav wc travel on, unchecked and undismayed, 
 knowing-, Thou hast said, I will never leave Thee, 
 n )i" forsake ihee. 
 
 Thus far, blessed be thy name, Thou hast led 
 us on, and we have found Thee faithful to thy pro- 
 mises. We have had our sorrows; but Thou iiast 
 been a very present help in every time of trouble. 
 We have had our fears; but Thou hast not suffer- 
 ed the enemy to triumph over us. We have some- 
 times been on the verg;e of despair, and have said, 
 I am cast out of thy sight: but we have been ena- 
 bled to look again towards thy holy temple; and 
 the shadow of death has been turned in the morn- 
 ing. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. Thy vows 
 are upon us, O God: we will render praises unto 
 Thee, for Thou hast delivered our souls from death: 
 wilt not Tlioti deliver our feet from falling, that 
 we may walk before God in the light of the living? 
 
 We would feel the connexions which unite us to 
 others, and by sympathy, and prayer, and praise, 
 make their miseries and mercies our own. We 
 would rejoice with those that rejoice, and weep 
 with those that weep. Provide support and em- 
 ployment for the poor, and may their hands be suf- 
 ficient for them. Make the widow's heart to sing 
 for joy: and in Thee, may the fatherless find mer- 
 cy. Visit those who are on beds of sickness, and 
 prepare them for thy pleasure; that if they live, it 
 may be to serve Thee. Bless our nation. May ev- 
 ery department of our government be under the 
 control of infinite wisdom and goodness; and let 
 righteousness and peace be the stability of our 
 tioies. Do good, in thy goo 1 pleasure unto Zion; 
 build Thou the walls of Jerusalem: and may all 
 our churches, like the original disciples, continue 
 steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine, and in fellow 
 ship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 
 
140 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 Protect and reffosh us through the night season 
 and then cause us to hear thy Icving-kindness in 
 the morning; ior in Thee do we trust; cause us to 
 know the way wherein we should go, for we lift 
 up our souls unto Thee. We implore it through 
 the intercession of thy dear Son, and our Saviour. 
 
 And blessing, and honour, and glory, and pow- 
 er, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and 
 unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY MORNING. 
 
 O God, Thou art incomprehensible, and in none 
 of thy works and ways, can any of thy creatures 
 find Thee out, unto perfection. Yet Thou hast not 
 left thyself without witness, nor called us to wor- 
 ship an unknown God. Thou hast been pleased 
 to reveal thyself to us, as far as our wants and wel- 
 fare require; and, among other endearing charac- 
 ters, we can discern Thee as a God hearin^i; prayer. 
 
 Thou never saidst to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye 
 me in vain. A glorious high throne, from the be- 
 ginning, has been the place of thy people's sanc- 
 tuary. And thither would we repair, in all our dif- 
 ficulties, necessities, and distresses, and find it 
 good to draw near to God. Possess us with the 
 spirit of grace, which is always a spirit of suppli- 
 cation. May we live in a prayerful frame of mind, 
 that will always allow of our immediate and pleas- 
 ing intercourse with Thee: in the ordinary con- 
 cerns of life, may our thoughts and desires often 
 ascend the skies; and in habitual devotion, may 
 we find a resource, that will sooth our sorrows, 
 sanctify our successes, and qualify us for all our 
 dealings with our fellow-creatures. 
 
 We bless Thee that Thou hast made us capable 
 of knowing Thee, the Author of all being; of re- 
 sembling Thee the perfection of all excellency; 
 
FOURTH WEEK. 141 
 
 and of enjoying Thee, the source of all happiness 
 Though we are unworthy to share in thy loving 
 kindness, it is thy pleasure that we seek after it; 
 and Thou hast said, their hearts shall live that 
 seek God. Therefore, look Thou upon us, and 
 be merciful unto us, as Thou usest to do unto those 
 that love thy name. May we be accepted in the 
 beloved, and know that in Him, we have redemp- 
 tion through his blood, even the forgiveness of our 
 sins. May we view him as the end of the law for 
 righteousness to every one that believeth; and as 
 the source of all that grace, by which we are re- 
 newed in the spirit of our minds. May we always 
 contemplate our duties in connexion with those 
 promises, which insure ability for the performance 
 of them; and while weak in ourselves, may we be 
 strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 
 
 Attend us, O God, in every part of our arduous 
 and trying pilgrimage. We need the same coun- 
 sel, the same defence, the same comfort, we im- 
 plored as at the moment of our setting out — Cast 
 us not away from thy presence, and take not thy 
 Holy Spirit from us. May we live in the Spirit, 
 and may we walk in the Spirit. And may our 
 path be as the shining light, that shineth more and 
 more unto the perfect day. 
 
 Let our religion be more and more obvious to 
 our consciences; and more perceptible to the eye 
 of those around us. May all that see and hear us, 
 take knowledge of us, that we have been wiih Je- 
 sus. While He is representing us in heaven, may 
 we represent Him on earth; while He pleads our 
 cause, may we plead His; and be concerned in all 
 things to show forth //w praise, who is making all 
 things work together for our good. 
 
 Arise, O God, and plead thine own cause. 
 Give the word and let the company of those that 
 
l42 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 publish llie glad tidins^s of thy kingdom, be great 
 
 May thy house be filled with inhabitants, and thy 
 
 able furnished with guests; and let all that love thy 
 
 salvation say continually, the Lord be magnified. 
 
 Be gracious to our absent connexions — our 
 heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that 
 they may be saved. 
 
 Continue the gentleness of thy goodness to this 
 household. 
 
 To the care which has watched over us through 
 another night, we give up ourselves in prospect of 
 the duties and events of the day. Let tliy pre- 
 sence go with us; and thy blessing attend us; and 
 whether we wake or sleep, may we live together 
 with Christ. 
 
 In whose vvords we address Thee, as Our Fa- 
 ther, Sec. Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY EVENING. 
 
 O, Thou ever blessed God, we desire to ap- 
 proach Thee, adoring thy perfections, and admir- 
 ing thy works, which are sought out of all them 
 that have pleasure therein. May we feel becoming 
 regards towards Thee as our Creator, the Pre- 
 server of men, and the Saviour of sinners. 
 
 Thy name is most excellent in all the earth, and 
 Thou hast set thy glory above the heavens. Thy 
 compassions fail not, and therefore we are not con- 
 sumed. We are filled with wonder, at thy con- 
 descension in noticing creatures so poor and worth- 
 less; and at thy mercy and grace, in providing for 
 the deliverance and happiness of creatures so 
 miserable and guilty. We can never sufficiently 
 bless Thee, that we were born in a christian coun- 
 try, u^here the true light shineth, and we can hear 
 words whereby we may be saved. How suitable 
 and encouraging are the discoveries, the invita 
 
FOURTH WEEK. 143 
 
 tions^ and the promises o! the gospel of j)eace. 
 Here are announced, pardon for rebels, liberly for 
 captives, health for the sicK, and a free, full, and 
 evei'lasting salvation for them that are lost. Ileie 
 we are informed, that Thou hast not spared thine 
 own Son, but delivered Him up for us all: that 
 He has fulfilled and magnified the law; that His 
 blood cleanseth from all sin| that in Him all fulness 
 dwells; and that whosoever believeth on Him shall 
 not be confounded. 
 
 In His beloved name we come, and avail our- 
 selves of the plea, which Thou thyself hast afford- 
 ed us. For His sake be merciful unto us, and 
 bless us, and cause thy face to shine upon us, that 
 we may be saved. May we be justified by his blood, 
 and have access into that grace, wherein we shall 
 stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 
 May thy image be re-impressed upon our souls, in 
 knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. May 
 thy Holy Spirit take full possession of our hearts, 
 and lead us into all truth, and enable as to walk in 
 all thy commandmentb and ordinances blameless; 
 may we be fruitful in every good word and work to 
 do thy will. 
 
 Raise us above the world; where duty is concern- 
 ed, may we feel neither its frowns nor its smiles. 
 May it ever be a light thing with us, to be judged 
 of man's judgment. May thy apj^robation be our 
 only aim; and thy word our only rule; and with 
 ILnoch may we all enjoy the testimony that we 
 I lease God. Keep us from, or preserve us in, the 
 hour of temptation. May we abhor and avoid 
 whatever would grieve thy Holy Spirit, and cause 
 Thee to hide thy face from us. May we walk in 
 the fear of the Lord, that we may walk in the com- 
 forts of the Holy Ghost; and may we always sus 
 pect the confidence and consolation, which can be 
 
144 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 enjoyed along with a worldly temper, and a care- 
 less conversation. 
 
 May we have no fellov/ship with the unfruitful 
 works of darkness^ but rather reprove thein^ yet 
 may we in meekness instruct those who oppose 
 themselves, and be gentle and patient towards all 
 men. And may we — do, as well ab teach. May 
 we be not only professors of the gospel — but ex- 
 amples, displaying, in every relation, and office, 
 and condition of life, its excellency, loveliness, and 
 advantages^ that we may put to silence the igno- 
 rance of foolish men, and even constrain them to 
 glorify God in the day of visitation. 
 
 How well does it become us to be humble. 
 How little have we illustrated our principles, or 
 improved our advantages. How often have wt 
 injured, instead of recommending the cause of our 
 Redeemer! How little have we served our gene- 
 ration; and how few are those to whom we have 
 been a blessing! In many things we have offended; 
 and in all, come short of thy glory. Pardon our 
 inquity, for it is great. 
 
 Forgive the imperfections, omissions and sins, 
 of another day; and make us thankful for the con 
 tinuance of its numberless blessino-g. 
 
 Shelter us through the night; and in the morn- 
 ing, with renewed strength and grateful hearts, 
 may we rise to love Thee more, and serve Thee 
 better, than we have done this day — through our 
 Lord and Saviour. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY MORNING. 
 O Lord our God, blessed is the man whom 
 Thou choDsest, and causest to approach unto 
 Thee. In thy presence there is fulness of joy, and 
 at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 
 With Thee is the fountain of life, and in thv light 
 '^--'v «an we see light. 
 
FOURTH WEEK. 45 
 
 We therefore entreat thy favour, »vith oui whole 
 heart. We acknowledge that we have forfeited 
 all claims to it; and if we had no better ground of 
 Iiope, than our deservings, we must sink into des- 
 {•air. P'or against Thee, Thee only have we sin 
 tjed, and done evil in thy sight, that Ihou might 
 est be justified when Thou speakest, and cleai 
 when Thou judgest. 
 
 But with Thee there is mercy, and with Thee 
 f.here is plenteous redemption. We bless Thee 
 foi- the assurance, that Thou hast sent thy own 
 Son into the world, not to condemn the world, 
 but that the world, through Him, might be saved. 
 We rejoice, that neither the number nor heinous- 
 ness of our transgressions, is a bar to that forgive- 
 ness, which is founded on the sufferings and sac- 
 rifice of the cross. The blood of Jesus Christ, thy 
 Son, cleanseth from all sin. By the blood of that 
 covenant which He has ratified, sen' forth thy 
 j)risoners out of the pit wherein there is no water 
 Graciously absolve us from our guilt; and pro- 
 nounce our discharge from all condemnation, not 
 only in the court of heaven, but in the court of con- 
 science, that being justified by faith, we may have 
 peace with God, and enjoy the glorious liberty ol 
 ins children. 
 
 But, O, save us from the hope of the hypocrite, 
 which shall perish. Never suffer us to impose up- 
 on ourselves, in any thing that relates to our eter- 
 nal state. May we never suppose that we are in 
 Christ, unless we are new creatures; or that we 
 are born of the Spirit, unless we mind the things 
 of the Spirit. May we never rest satisfied with 
 any professions of belief, or any outward forms or 
 services, while the heart is not right with God. 
 May we judge of our sincerity in religion, by our 
 fear to offend Thee; by our concern to know v/hat 
 N 
 
146 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 Thou wilt have us to do; and by out willingness to 
 deny ourselves, and take up our cr jss and follow 
 the Lamb, whithersoever he goeth. 
 
 May nothing render us forgetful of thy glory; 
 may noihing turn us aside from thy commands; 
 may nothing shake ourc nfidence in thy promises. 
 Take from us the evil heart of unbelief; the cause. 
 of all our waveringf: and wanderings; may we be- 
 lieve, that we may be established in our goings: 
 and be always abounding in the work of the Lord. 
 
 Prepare us for whatever we have to meet with, 
 between this morning, and the grave. We know 
 <not what lies before us; but Thou knowest, and thy 
 grace can make us sufficient for every service and 
 ■every suffering. 
 
 Let not our temporal occupations ever injure 
 our spiritual concerns; or the cares of this life 
 make us forget, or neglect, the one thing needful; 
 •may we learn the holy art of abiding with God in 
 our callings; of being in the world without being of 
 it; and of making every thing not only consistent 
 with religion, but conducive to it. 
 
 May we do, and may we bay nothing, by which 
 we shall offend against the generation of thy chil- 
 dren. If strong, may we bear the infirmities of the 
 weak, and not please ourselves. If preserved, 
 may we restore a brother that has been overtaken 
 in a fault, in the spirit of meekness, considering 
 ourselves, lest we also be tempted. 
 
 Bless those who have done us good, and lend; i 
 sevenfold into their own bosom, and forgive tho>^c 
 who have done us evil, and enable us to forgive 
 them. 
 
 Bless those who are near and dear to us; ma> 
 they be near and dear to Thee. Bless them in 
 their outward comforts; but above all, t ay theii- 
 souls p ospe •. 
 
FOURTH WEEK. \47 
 
 Be gracious to our native land. Be n indful ol 
 our rulers. Teach our senators visdom; and so 
 control the minds and hearts of those, who are en 
 trusted with the public welfare, as that they nnay 
 g;loriry Thee, and secure the best good of the 
 people. Bless the gates of Zion, and all the 
 dwellings of Jacob. Let thy secret reside in the 
 families of them that fear Thee; and may those 
 that have neglected to caU upon thy name, imme- 
 diately adopt the resolution of Joshua, As for me 
 and my house, we will serve the Lord. 
 
 This morning sacrifice, we offer in the all pre- 
 vailing name of our adorable Redeemer — And un- 
 to Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins 
 in his own blood, and hath made us kings and 
 priests unto God, and to his Father, to Him be 
 glory and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING. 
 
 O God, by the return of this hour of devotion, 
 Thou hast again said. Seek ye my face; and our 
 hearts nave answered. Thy face Lord will we seek. 
 
 We value every opportunity of approaching 
 Thee, not only as our duty, but as our unspeaka- 
 ble privilege. We rejoice, that there is opened a 
 new and living way into the holiest of all; and that 
 as we enter, we can see Jesus the Mediator of the 
 new covenant, and hear the voice of the blood of 
 sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that 
 of Abel. We are unprofitable servants. Qui- 
 obedience, instead of meriting recompense, de- 
 serves condemnation for its numerous defects. We 
 ui-e ashamed even of our devotions: and often ques- 
 ilon, n-hether any part of our religion will bear ;he 
 eye of God. 
 
 But it is our encouragement, that if v/e cannot 
 :ome to Thee as saints, we may come as sinners 
 
148 FOURTH VVKEK. 
 
 with the assurance, that Thou wilt in nowise cast 
 us out. We therefore come as sinners; yet siiJiers 
 who hate themselves for their abominations, and 
 long for deliverance. Hear the groanini^ of the 
 prisoners, and loose those who are appointed unto 
 tieath. Heal us, and we shall be healed; save us, 
 and we shall be saved, for Thou art our praise. 
 vSuve us from the curse of the law which we have 
 violated; save us from the power and love of every 
 sin; save us from an evil heart of unbelief in de- 
 parting from the living God; save us from the pre- 
 sent evil world; save us from our adversary the 
 devJ, who goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking 
 whom he may devour; that being delivered out of 
 the hand of our enemies, we may serve Thee with- 
 out fear, in holiness and righteousness before 
 Thee, all the days of our lives. 
 
 We sometimes hope Thou hast begun a good 
 work in us, and we take comfort from the as- 
 surance, that Thou wilt perform it until the day 
 of Jesus Christ. We ought to be humble, but we 
 would not be ungrateful, nor refuse to acknowledge 
 what Thou hast done for our souls; for by thy 
 grace alone, we are what we are. Thou hast 
 shown us the evil of sin, and the beauty there is in 
 holiness: Thou hast led us to hunger and thirst af- 
 ter righteousness; we glory in the cross of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ; we long to be conformed to 
 his example; and we have taken hold of the skirt 
 of him that is a Jew, and have said. We will go 
 with you, for we have heard that God is with you. 
 
 O Thou, who despisest not the day of small 
 things, perfect that which concerneth us. May 
 we not only have hope, but abound in hope; may 
 we not only have faith, but be rich in faitl>; may 
 we not only be fruitful, but be fi ed with all the 
 fruits of righteousness, which are :>y Jesus Christ, 
 unto the glo^y and pra-^^e of God. 
 
FO'JRFH WEEK t9 
 
 Let us not be of the number of tliDse who are 
 always learning, and never able to come to the 
 knowledge of the truth. May we have clear and 
 consistent views of divine truthj and may every 
 doctrine we admii into our judgments, have i: 
 powerful influence over our hearts. May it bring, 
 as well as reveal, salvation — and teach us to deny 
 jngodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, 
 righteously, and godly, in the present world. May 
 the love of God subdue the lust of the flesh, the 
 lust of the eye, and the pride of life, and whatever 
 s not of the Father, but is of the world. 
 
 May we love our neighbour as ourselves, and 
 I. ever hide ourselves from our own flesh. May 
 we look, not every man on his own things, but 
 every man also on the things of others, and es- 
 pecially the things that are Jesus Christ's. 
 
 May we never crucify Him afi^sh, and put Him 
 to an open 'shame. May we rather die than cause 
 His worthy name to be blasphemed. May our de- 
 voted hearts be hourly asking, What shall Idofoi 
 Him, who, when rich, for our sakes became poor 
 and died that we might live. 
 
 May He obtain the purchase of his blood in our 
 revolted world; and see of the travail of his soul, 
 and be satisfied. L et all kings fall down before 
 Him, and all nations serve Him. And blessed be 
 His glorious name for ever, and let the whole earth 
 be filled with Hi^ glory. Amen and Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY MORNING. 
 O Thou ever blessed God! It is good for us lo 
 draw near to Thee; and if we had no other privi- 
 lege to be thankful for, we ought continually Ut 
 praise Thee, for permission and encouragemenf 
 to approach tiie throne of thy grace, there to 
 spread before Thee all our wants and all our de- 
 sires. N 2 
 
' ^O FOURTH WEEK, 
 
 We are not worthy of the blessing; we are not 
 worthy of the least of all thy mercies. We are 
 far gone from the original righteousness in which 
 we were created; and the depravity of our nature 
 has appeared in the disobedience and rebellion cl 
 our lives. How early did we discover tendencies 
 to discontent, and pride, and envy, and revenge. 
 O, remember not against us the sitis of our youth; 
 nor the multiplied transgressions of riper years — 
 our mis-improved time and talents, our abused mer- 
 cies and means, our wasted and perverted Sab- 
 baths and seasons of grace, our neglect of thy 
 K'reat salvation, and our disregard of the Friend 
 of sinners, who loved us so as to die for us. 
 
 Our iniquity is increased over our head, and our 
 trespass is gone up into the very heaven. While 
 we confess our guilt, may we individually and 
 deeply feel it, and be filled with self-abhorrence 
 and self-despair. 
 
 But help us to remember, that there is hope in 
 Israel concerning this thing. Enable us to hear 
 Lhe voice that proclaims. Behold the Lamb of God, 
 that taketh away the sin of the world. Through 
 Him may we return to Thee, and find Thee a God 
 i-eady to pardon sin, and able to subdue it. 
 Through Him may we give up ourselves to Thee, 
 as our portion to enjoy, and our master to serve, 
 foi' ever. At thy footstool, in the spirit of sub- 
 mission, may we ever say, Speck, Lord, for ihy 
 servant heareth. May we not only obey, but de- 
 light to do thy will, yea, may thy law be within 
 our heart. 
 
 Conscious of our danger, may we watch; and 
 sensible of our inability to keep ourselves, may we 
 pray, lest we enter into temptation. Hold Thou 
 us up, and we shall be safe. Preserve our under- 
 standings Vom eiror, our affections from the love 
 
FOURTH WEEK. 15 • 
 
 of idols, our lips from speaking guile, our life from 
 every stain of vice, and our character from the 
 very appearance of evil. 
 
 And may we not only be harmless and blame.« 
 less, the sons of God without rebuke, but may we 
 be exemplary and useful, holding forth the word 
 af life, and adorning the doctrine of God our 
 Saviour in all things. 
 
 If the Saviour has manifested himself to us, as 
 he does not unto the world, may we declare that 
 which we have seen and licard unto others, that 
 they also may have fellowship with us; and having 
 tasted that the Lord is gracious ourselves, may 
 we ever be saying to those around us, O, taste and 
 see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man that 
 trusteth in Him. And may we walk in wdsdom 
 towards them that are without. May our efforts 
 be guided by prudence as well as animated by 
 zeal. May we distinguish things that differ; and 
 — not by a sacrifice of principle, but by a judicious 
 use of circumstances and opportunities, may we 
 become all thini^s to all men, if by any means we 
 may gain some. And, O, let our endeavours be 
 successful,* for he that convertetha sinner from the 
 error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and 
 shall hide a multitude of sins. 
 
 Especially, may our solicitude and exertion be 
 available with regard to our connexions and rela- 
 tions. Let those, who are dear to us in the bonds 
 of nature or friendship, become fellow-heirs with 
 us of the grace of life, and fellow-labourers with 
 us in the Lord's vineyard. 
 
 Let the rising generation be a seed to serve 
 Thee. Excite them by the command — Remember 
 now thy Creator in th:: days of thy youth, and en- 
 courage them by th(! promise — I love them that 
 love ire, and they tha seek me early shall find me. 
 
152 FOLATH ,VEEK. 
 
 Regard the aged. Alarm the okl ir si.i: :on- 
 viiice them that it is high time, and tiiat it will 
 shortly be too late, tc seek the things that belong 
 to their everlasting peace. Support those who 
 have long known Thee, and whose gray hairs, as 
 a crown of glory, are found in the way of right- 
 eousness. Cast them not off in the time of old age, 
 and forsake them not ivhen their strength faileth. 
 
 Now, the God of peace, who brouuht again from 
 the dead, our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of 
 the sheep, ihrough the blood of the everlasting 
 covenant, make us perfect in every good work, to 
 do his will, working in us that which is well pleas- 
 ing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom 
 be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY EVENING. 
 
 O God, thy command and thy promise, our du- 
 ty and our privilege, induce us to avail ourselves 
 of every opportunity of approaching the throne of 
 thy grace. We are all indiii;ence and inability. 
 It is not in the power of men and angels to reach 
 our cause; and afford us the blessings we so much 
 need, and so much desire. Our only hope is in 
 the name of the Lord God, who made heaven and 
 earth. 
 
 But Thou art over all; and rich unto all that call 
 upon Thee; and Thou Lord hast not forsaken them 
 that seek Thee. We love to reflec upon the dis- 
 plays of thy perfections; and to contemplate, what 
 Thou hast done for others as poor and destitute, 
 as sinful and guilty, as we are: a'ld to remember 
 that thy hand is not shortened that it cannot save, 
 nor thy ear heavy that it cannot hear. 
 
 Behold a company of suppliants at thy footstool, 
 in all the effects of the fall, and let our ruined con- 
 dition be under thy agency O, Thou God of all 
 
FOLRTH WEEK. 153 
 
 »race, vvork Tliou in us to will and to do of thy 
 good pleasure; and vile as we are in ourselves, 
 make us an eternal excellency, the joy of many 
 generations. Our understandings are darkened. 
 Our hearts are hearts of stone. Our very con- 
 science also is defiled. Our aifections are earthly 
 and sensual. Open Thou the eyes of our under- 
 standing. Give us hearts of flesh. Purify our 
 consciences from dead works to serve the living 
 God. Set our affections on things that are above: 
 and as He who has called us is holy, so may we 
 a'rso be holy in all manner of conversation and 
 godliness. 
 
 Deliver us from the bondage of corruption, and 
 bring us into the glorious liberty of thy children: 
 that being made free from sin, and become ser- 
 vants unto God, we may have our fruit unto holi- 
 ness, and our end everlasting life. 
 
 Preserve us from all self-delusion, especially 
 where our souls are concerned. May we never 
 be flattered by the good opinion of our fellow-crea- 
 tures, against the convictions of our own con- 
 sciences; but remember, that if our hearts condemn 
 us, God is greater than ouk hearts, and knoweth 
 all things. May we never substitute mere opini- 
 ons, and outward forms and ceremonies, in the 
 room of that grace, which renews the soul and 
 sanctifies the life. Ever keep alive in our minds 
 the belief, that in Christ Jesus, neither circumci- 
 sion availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but 
 a new creature: and in the examinations of our re- 
 ligious siaie and character, may we look after that 
 kingdom, which is not meat and drink, but right- 
 eousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Inspire us with a well grounded hope of being, 
 one day, presented before the presence of thy glo- 
 rv; whPn we shall see Thee without obscurity, an- 
 
154 FOURTH \EEK. 
 
 proach Thee without sin, lerve Thee without im 
 perfection, and enjoy Tliee without sorrow. How 
 "emote now do we often feel from this exalted 
 state? And how improbable does it frequently 
 seem that we should ever attain it? We have ne- 
 ver yet been better than a bruised reed, and a 
 smoking flax: and thy patience alone could have 
 borne with our imperfections and perverseness. 
 ^et we trust the root of the matter is found in us; 
 and we bless Thee, if thy grace — by which alone 
 we are what we are, has caused us to loathe sin, 
 and abhor ourselves, and to hunger and thirst af- 
 ter righteousness, and to place our happiness in 
 serving and enjoying Thee. 
 
 And we pray, that our path may be as a shining 
 light, that shineth more and more unto the per- 
 fect day. Complete that which is lacking in our 
 faith. Lead us into all truth: and establish our 
 hearts with grace. Fill our minds with the sub- 
 lime and elevatini^ objects of revelation, that 
 worldly things may find no room in our minds: 
 and keep near us, all the affecting and awful mo- 
 tives of the gospel, that we may not be able to sin, 
 but in the view of thine all-seeing eye, a burning 
 world, a judgment to come, and the cross of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 And the Lord make us, also, to increase and 
 abound in love, one towards another, and towards 
 all men. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, 
 and calmour, and evil speaking, be put away from 
 us, with all malice; and may we be kind, one to- 
 wards another, tender hearted; forgiving also, one 
 another, even as a God, for Christ's sake, hath 
 forgiven us. 
 
 Prepare us for all the duties and trials that lie 
 before us. We bless Thee for thy promises, which 
 provide against every want we feel; and for every 
 
FOURTH WEEK. 155 
 
 condition in which we can he found. In God will 
 we praise his word. In God hav» we put our 
 trust. VV e will not fear what flesh can do unto us. 
 Thou tellest our wanderings. Put Thou our tears 
 into thy hottle. Are they not in ihy book? 
 
 We commend ourselves with all our relations 
 and friends, this evening-, to ihy forgiving mercy, 
 and providential care. O Thou, that givest thy 
 beloved sleep, indulge us with refreshing repose; 
 or if Thou boldest our eyes waking in the night, 
 may thy song be with us, and our prayer unto the 
 God of our life. Guide us by thy counsel through 
 life, and afterward receive us to glory. 
 
 And to the only wise God, our Saviour be glory^ 
 and majesty, dominion and power, for ever anc 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 SATURDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou who hast said, I will be sanctified ii 
 them that come niL;h me, and before all the people 
 will I be glorJQed; may we have grace, whereb) 
 we shall serve Thee acceptably, with reverence 
 and godly fear. Thou inhabitest eternityj but 
 our age is as nothing before Thee. Thy under- 
 standing is infinite, but we know nothing. Thou 
 art Almighty, but we are crushed before the 
 moth. Thou art of purer eyes than to be behold 
 iniquity, b«t we are vile; what shall we answei 
 Thee.^ We cannot answer Tl\ee for one of a thous- 
 and of our transgressions: and had we followed the 
 i';i-cbodings of our consciences, we could not have 
 approached Thee. 
 
 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 Jesui; and we have boldness, and access 
 
156 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 with confidence, by the faith of Him.— We blesa 
 Thee thai ir 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 redemp- 
 tion. And we rejoice, that tnese blessings are at- 
 tainable, without money and without price; and 
 that we may know they are our's by every title 
 God himself can give; and shall be our's for ever. 
 
 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, 
 beside 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 im- 
 mediately without delay, and fully without reserve^ 
 To Thee may we yield our unders.tanding and our 
 intellectual powers; our wills and our active pow- 
 ers; our senses and our bodily powers; our time, 
 our substance, and all 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 acknowl- 
 edge^ as the sons and daughters of the Lord Al- 
 mighty. 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. 
 
FOURTH WEEK. 157 
 
 May we love them all; and as we have oppor- 
 tunity, may we unite with them all in holy com- 
 munion, and co-operate with them all in schemes 
 of civil and sacred beneficence. We bless Thee 
 for the country and the a.sje in which we live. We 
 bless Thee for the spirit which has been awakened, 
 and the efforts that now are making, to promote 
 the temporal, and above all, the spiritual welfare 
 of mankind, by individuals and communities, and 
 combinations of communities. () let them not la- 
 bour in vain; let the pleasures of the Lord prosper 
 in their havid; let thy work appear unto thy ser- 
 vants, and thy glory unto their children; and let 
 the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and 
 establish Thou the woi'kof our hands upon us; yea, 
 the work of our hand, establish Thou it. 
 
 And prepare us for suffering thy will, as well a? 
 doing- it. May we never look for unmingled felici- 
 ty 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. Rathtr 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 partak- 
 ers of thy holiness. Sustain us under them; im- 
 prove 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 our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and the lovecf God, and the communion of the 
 Holy Ghost, be with us all, now and for ever. 
 
 Ameru 
 O 
 
/58 FOURTH WEEK. 
 
 SATURDAY EVENING. 
 
 O God — Thou art the God of all the families oi 
 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 obliga- 
 tions, 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 con- 
 ducted 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 healt i and strength; we have seen thy 
 loving-kindness e>ery morning, and thy faithful- 
 ness every night; and have had all things richly 
 ^3 ei joy. 
 
VOURIH WEEK. Si 
 
 But, O, how little have wc beer aff'ected by the 
 instances of thy undeserved goodness; how im- 
 perfect'y have we improved our religious privileges; 
 how negligent have we been in seizing opportuni- 
 ties of doing good to the bodies and souls of our 
 fellow-creatures —and how well does it become 
 each of us to exclaim, Behold, I am vile; what shall 
 I answer Thee? wherefore I abhor myself, repent 
 ing in dust and ashes. 
 
 We stand before Thee this evening in our tres- 
 pass; enter not into judgment with thy servants, 
 O Lord. Our only hope is, that to the Lord our 
 God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we 
 have rebelled against Him. Have mercy upon us, 
 O God, according to thy loving kindness, accord- 
 ing 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 v/ay. May we be attentive to our con- 
 dition, 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 temp- 
 tation. And do Thou keep us by thy power; up- 
 hold 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 ol 
 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 
 
160 
 
 sabbath a delight, and be glad when they say to 
 us, Let us go into the house of the Lord. 
 
 And, O Thou God of all grace, do as Thou hast 
 said; fulfil thy word unto thy servants, upon wnich 
 Thou hast caused them to hope. Bless abundant- 
 ly the provisions of thy house, and satisfy thy poor 
 with bread. Clothe thy priests with salvation and 
 let thy saints shout aloud for joy. 
 
 And to the God of all grace, the P'ather, the 
 Word, and tlie Holy Ghost, be all honour and glo- 
 ry, now and for ever. Amtn* 
 
 TITTH 'WHEK. 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING. 
 
 O God, Thou art very great. Thou art clothea 
 with honour and majesty; and it becomes us to ap- 
 proach 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 np 
 for us all. Thou hast shown thy boundless com- 
 passion towards a perishing world, and proved, 
 that with Him, I'hou 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 conse crated li to the holiest of all, 
 for our approach to Tine. 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 61 
 
 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 say- 
 ing, 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 lellowship of 
 His sufferings, being made conformable unto His 
 death. How happy are they that are found inter- 
 ested in Him! 'I'hey 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 claim- 
 able 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 devo- 
 tedness to His service, which characterise the sub- 
 jects of His salvation. 
 
 And may these things not only be in us, but 
 abound. 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, stengthen 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, tha! we may be filled wiih 
 all the fulness of God. 
 
 May every part of out character and conduct, 
 o 2 
 
162 FIFTH WEEK. 
 
 be adapted to make, not only a serious, but an 
 amiable impression, on the minds of those around 
 us; that they may say, I will go with you, for I 
 have heard that God is with you. 
 
 May all that we meet within our passage thiough 
 life, whether pleasing or painful, instead of injur- 
 ing the prosperity of our souls, turn to our salva- 
 tion, through prayer, and the continual supply of 
 the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 
 
 Send us help this day from the sanctuary, and 
 strengthen us out of Zion. We know that thine 
 own appointments, were never intended to make 
 us independent of thy agency; without thy super- 
 aded blessing, the best 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 sanc- 
 tuary; and have often praised Thee with joyful 
 lips. 
 
 We therefore bless Thee for the return of these 
 precious advantages: we- pity those who are de 
 nied them; sanctify their privations; and compen- 
 sate the want of ordinances, by thine own presence 
 and communications. Enter, as an instructer and 
 comforter, all the abodes of sorrow. Be the fathei 
 of the fatherless, and the husband of the widow. 
 Guide those who Are perplexed; guard those thai 
 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 Kim, who has taught 
 us when we p ay, to say. Our Father See. 
 
 I 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 163 
 
 SUNDAY EVENING. 
 
 O God, the heavens declare thy glory; the earth 
 is full of thy richer; 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. 
 
 But above all we bless Thee for the exceeding 
 riches of thy grace, in thy kindness towards us, by 
 Christ Jesus. Thanks be unto God for his un- 
 speakable gift; and for 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 be- 
 coming poor; and dying thai we may live: deliver- 
 ed for our offences, and raised again for our justi- 
 fication. May we deeply feel our need of this dis- 
 pensation, in all its parts, and in all its influences: 
 and with Peter exclaim, Lord, save — I perish; and 
 with the publican — God be 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 ex- 
 cited, 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 re- 
 novation, as well as forgiveness, in order to oui 
 serving and enjoying Thee, in time and eternity. 
 O, Thou Holy God, who hast no fellowship with 
 iniquity, subdue in us the love of sin: create in us 
 a clean heai-t; and renew in us a right spirit. 
 
 May we not l)e in the number of those who are 
 always learning, and never able to come to the 
 knowledge of the truth; but nay our hearts be es* 
 tablished with ^vslzq Maj we never rest in 9 
 
system of doctrine, however scriptural, that 
 does notbring salvation, or teach us to deny ungod- 
 liness, and worldly lusts; and to live soberly, right- 
 eously, and godly, in the present world; looking 
 fcr 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 convic- 
 tions 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 feel- 
 ing 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 re- 
 mainder of our pilgrimage. May we know how 
 to be abased, and how to abound. May we learn 
 in whatsoever state we are, therewith tc be con- 
 tent. May we stand complete in all the will of 
 God. 
 
 Do us good by all thy dispensations; and espe- 
 cially sanctify to us all the means of grace. We 
 bless Thee that we have been favoured with 
 another sabbath; and have had opportunities oi 
 repairing to the sanctuary, to mingle our j^rayers 
 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 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 16S 
 
 rhy servants, should fall by the way sidej so much 
 upon stony places; and so much amonj^ thorns; 
 and that so little fruit is broui^ht forth to perfec- 
 tion. May it appear that we have not received 
 the grace of God in vainj but that thy word in us, 
 is like ^ood seed sown in good ground, which 
 springeth up and bringeth forth, in some an hund- 
 red fold, in some sixty, and in some thirty. 
 
 And suffer us not to confine our reiig on to ex- 
 traordinary occasions; but help us to acknowledge 
 Thee in all our ways. May we never limit our 
 devotion to particular seasons; 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 in the soul of 
 man. And at last, by thy grace and guidance, 
 may we enter that world, where there is no tem- 
 ple, but the glory of God and of the Lamb are the 
 temple thereof. 
 
 But, O, how can we endure to see the destruc- 
 tion of our kindred.^ O Lord, let those that are 
 united to us by so many tender ties, be precious 
 in thy sight, and devoted to thy praise. Sanctify 
 and succeed domestic devotion and instruction, 
 discipline, and example; and may our houses be 
 nurseries for heaven, from which our churches, 
 as the gardens of the Lord, shall be enriched with 
 trees 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 
 hcoeful youth in the gospel, fall short of heaven 
 a* last. 
 
 Where the conscience is tender, and the heart 
 i so^'t, and the word alarms or delights, let ncy 
 
l06 FIFIH AVEEK. 
 
 these promising appearances be blastedj but bring 
 forth judgment unto victory. 
 
 Bless all who are connected with us by religious 
 ties. Save thy people and bless thine inheritance^ 
 feed them also, and lift them up forever. 
 
 Regard us as a nation. Inspire all ranks and 
 degrees of men among us, with a love to that 
 righteousness, which exalteth a nationj and deliver 
 us from that sin; which is a reproach to any people. 
 
 And as all mankind, of whatever country or con- 
 dition, are our brethren, bless thrm with the same 
 civil and religious privileges, which this highly 
 favoured land enjoys. Let thy v/ay 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 
 
 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 tha.n willing to admit our re- 
 turn. Thou hast even provided the way to ac- 
 complish it. Thou hast appointed and made 
 known a Mediator, who has once suffered for sin, 
 the just for the unjus:, that He might bring us un- 
 to God. In Him we behold Thee reconciling the 
 world unto thyself, not imputing their trespasses 
 unto them. And in Him a multitude which no 
 man can number, redeemed, justified, and renew- 
 ed are exulting. My soul shall be joyful in my God, 
 for he hath clothed me with the garments of salva- 
 tion, He hath covered me with the robe of right- 
 eousness, as a bridegroom deckelh himself with 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 167 
 
 ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself whV 
 her jewels. 
 
 O, that it were thus with us! O that we could 
 ascertain our spiritual condition, and read our ti- 
 tle clear to the inheritance of the saints in light. 
 Praise waiteth for Thee, O God in Zion; and we 
 are longing to be able to adore Thee, as the 
 strength of our souls, and our everlasting portion. 
 Say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be strong, 
 fear not. Him that cometh unto me, I will in no 
 wise cast out; whosoever will, let him come and 
 take of the water of life, freely: O, say unto oui 
 souls, I am thy salvaiion. 
 
 And, O Lord, we hope that we are not concern- 
 ed 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 doct- 
 rine of God our Saviour in all things. 
 
 Grant us, therefore, we pray Thee, more of the 
 supply o! the Spirit of Jesus Christ; to give more 
 decision to our character; more vigour to our pur- 
 poses; more elevation; 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 
 v'ord. Fulfil all the good pleasure of thy good- 
 ness, and the work of faith with power, that the 
 name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified 
 
.68 FirrH week. 
 
 in us, and we in Him. May we be examples o{ 
 
 the reliction we profess, the most impressive and 
 attractin:^; may we have a testimony in the bo 
 soms of those who observe us, that we are the 
 seed which the Lord hath blessed; and may every 
 thing around us say to them, Come with us, anc' 
 we will do you good. 
 
 To Thee we desire to submit all our desires, 
 and to Thee would we commit all our concerns, 
 casting all our care upon Thee, conscious that 
 Thou carest for us. And 
 
 Who so fit tc choose our lot, 
 Or regulate cur ways — 
 
 as a Being who loved us, so as not to spare his 
 own Son, who knows what is best for us in every 
 circumstance, and is able to make all things work 
 together for our good. 
 
 In every difficulty with which we are called to 
 struggle, may we not only think of thy promises, 
 but also call to remembrance, the years of the 
 right hand of the Most High. We have often 
 been brought low, and Thou hast helped us; and 
 when we have been looking for nothing but dark 
 ness, at evening time it has been light. O, how 
 does it betray our depravity, that after all thy 
 kindness and care, after all the proofs of thy 
 patience, power, and fidelity, we are yet so little 
 capable of trusting in Thee. We would cry out 
 with tears, Lord, we believe, help Thou our un- 
 belief. 
 
 Do us good by all the dispensations of thy provi- 
 dence, especially those of an afflictive kind. And 
 why should we consider them strange things, since 
 Tliou hast told us, that in the world we shall have 
 tribulation, and that the same afflictions have 
 been accomplished in all our bretnren? And why 
 should we desire exemption from them? Seeing 
 ihev are founded in love, and intended for our 
 
TIFTH WEEK 159 
 
 profit. May we ever realize th) 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 makint? this world our portion. May we 
 never look for that in the creature, which can on- 
 ly 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. Miy 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 bound for glory. 
 
 And to the Father, the Word, and Holy Ghost, 
 be ascribed all honour and praise, world without 
 end. Amen. 
 
 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; Thou art our own God, and early will 
 we seek Thee, for in thy favour is life. 
 
 Open Thou our lips, and our mouth shall show 
 forth thy praise. Thou hast made us, and not we 
 ourselves. Thine eye die' see our substance, yet 
 being imperfect, and in thy book all our members 
 were written, which in continuance were fashion 
 P 
 
^70 FIFTH WEEK. 
 
 2d, when as yet there were none of them. Thou 
 hast taught us more than the beasts of the field, 
 and made us wiser than the fowls of the air. There 
 is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Al- 
 mighty giveth understanding. Thy providence 
 has watched over us from the womb, supplied all 
 our wants, arranged all our affairs, and determin- 
 ed the bounds of our habitation. 
 
 And, O, what reason have we to exclaim, the 
 -ines have fallen to us in pleasant places, yea, we 
 nave a g^oodly heritage. We live in a land of vis- 
 ion. 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 dis- 
 tinguishing advantages — our sabbaths; our sanc- 
 tuaries; 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, at the interces- 
 sion of thy Son, our Saviour; for his sake, renew 
 our season of trial: and employ fresh means for 
 our improvement; and accompany them with a di- 
 vine power. Convince us of our sin and danger. 
 Awaken in us the solemn inquiry, what must I 
 do to be saved? And 'et not our concern, when 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 17 i 
 
 awakened, lead us into any refuge of lies, or in- 
 duce us to build on any false foundation; but may 
 we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and find his 
 rest to be lylorious. 
 
 Produce in us that brokenness of heart, and that 
 self-despair, which will render the faithful saying 
 — worthy of all acceptation; and make the Saviour 
 precious to us— as He is to all them that believe. 
 May Hebe delightful to us in all His offices; may 
 we love Him in His commands, as well as in His 
 promises; may we wear His yoke^^ and carry His 
 burden; and find His yoke easy, and His burden 
 light. Make us in our views, principles, and dis- 
 positions, new creatures, may we shine in all the 
 beauties of holiness; and reflect the praises of Him 
 who hath called us out of darkness into His mar- 
 vellous light. Explain to us thy secret which is 
 with them that fear Thee; and show us thy cove- 
 nant in its provisions and stability; and in every 
 distress, may this be all our salvation, and all our 
 desire. 
 
 With affections weaned from the world, and 
 with evidences bright for heaven, all the days of 
 our appointed time may we wait till our change 
 comes: may we die, supported by the consolations 
 of the gospel, and surrounded with the glory of 
 God; and have an entrance ministered unto us 
 abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our 
 Lord and Saviour. 
 
 Prepare us for our passage, as well as for our 
 end. While we are 1 ere, may we fulfil the duties 
 an I bear with firmness, the trials of our respective 
 stations; may we glorify our Father, who is in 
 heaven; and serve our generation according to 
 His will. 
 
 Continue thy goodness to us as a family. Re- 
 member our absent friends. Let thy ministers 
 
172 FIFTH WEEK, 
 
 enjoy thy presence; and thy church&s be filled 
 with thy glory. Let this nation be under thy care, 
 and ever prove the seat of learning and science; 
 of civil and religious freedom; of social blessed- 
 ness; and of gospel privileges; and be the source 
 of usefulness to the ends of the earth. 
 
 May princes come out of Egypt. May Ethiopia 
 stretch forth her hands unto God. And may all 
 nations whom Thou hast made, come and wor- 
 ship before Thee. 
 
 For thine, O God, is the power; and thine shall 
 be the glory, through our Lord and Saviour. 
 
 Amen, 
 
 TUESDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Lord God of hosts, hear our prayer; give 
 ear, O God of Jacob; behold, O God our shield^ 
 and look upon the face of thine Anointed. 
 
 It is in his dear and all-prevailing name we 
 come. We have nothing of our own to plead; no 
 works, no worthiness, no promises. We have 
 all, like sheep, gone astray. We have been trans- 
 gressors from the womb. We have knowingly 
 opposed thine authority, and abused thy good- 
 ness. We have been ungrateful under thy indul- 
 gences; incorrigible under thy rebukes; and have 
 improved none of our religious advantages. We 
 stand before Thee condemned by our own con- 
 sciences, as well as by thy word. Yet, in the way 
 of thine appointment, Thou art wailing to be 
 gracious; and hast said, that whatsoever we ask, 
 believing in his name, we shall receive. 
 
 Through Him, display thyself, in our experi- 
 ence, as a God, pardoning iniquity, and subduing 
 it. Justify us freely from all things; and sanctify 
 us wholly, body, soul, and spirit. May we be thy 
 workmanship, created \n Christ Jesus, and pre- 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 173 
 
 pared unto evei y good work. We groan within 
 ourselves, longing, not only for deliverance from 
 the wrath to come, but from the sin that dwelleih 
 in us: and praying, not only for an interest in thy 
 favour, but a participation of thy image. 
 
 If Thou hast be;un the good work in us, carry 
 it on unto the perfect day. Assure us of present 
 assistance and final success, whatever difficulties 
 or oppositions we meet with; that we may go on 
 our way rejoicing, and be strong in the grace that 
 is in Christ Jesus. If we feel little, — and, C),how 
 little do we feel of the joys of thy salvation; uphold 
 us by thy free Spirit; and enable us to persevere 
 in the path of obedience, and in the use of the 
 means which Thou hast appointed, assured that 
 none of those shall be ever ashamed that wait for 
 Thee. And should we walk in darkness and have 
 no light, may Ave trust in the Lord, and stay upon 
 our God — Yet suffer us to implore, that Thou 
 wilt make thy face to shine upon us, and give us 
 the full assurance of hope. — which hope may we 
 have, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stead- 
 fast, in all the storms of life. 
 
 We bless Thee for all that is past. Unless the 
 Lord had been our help, our souls had almost 
 dwelt in silence: but when we said, My foot slip- 
 peth, thy mercy, O Lord, held us up. But we 
 aie still in the body, and in the wilderness; we 
 need thine aid as much as eve'; we have a grow 
 ing sense of our ignorance, weakness, and danger 
 — O, withdraw not thy presence, and take not thy 
 Holy Spirit from us. Whether we are called to 
 do thy will, or to bear it, may we feel that our 
 help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven 
 and earth. If our course conducts us through 
 rough and trying scenes, say to us. Thy shoes 
 shall be iron ai:d br3<is, and as thy days, sc shall 
 p2 
 
174 FIFTH WEEK. 
 
 thy strength be. In view of our encounter with 
 our spiritual foes, clothe us with the whole arnnour 
 of God; teach our hands to war, and our fingers 
 to fight; and in the heat of action tell our hearts, 
 that we shall be more than conquerors, through 
 him that loved us. 
 
 And may we be concerned that the blessings we 
 ask for ourselves, may be imparted to others. 
 Teach us to love our neighbour as ourselves; and 
 may we often examine our conditions in life, our 
 offices, our talents, and our opportunities, to see 
 how we may be serviceable in our day and genera- 
 tion. 
 
 Comfort those that mourn in Zion. Let all the 
 afflicted find Thee a very present, and an all-suf- 
 ficent help in the day of trouble. Provide for the 
 poor and needy. Guide those that need instruc- 
 tion; and may integrity and uprightness preserve 
 them while they wait upon Thee. 
 
 Sanctify and continue to us, and to our latest 
 posterity after us, all our national blessings, civil 
 and religious; and may our country, by its institu- 
 tions, character, and usefulness, be a praise in the 
 whole earth. 
 
 These are great blessings for such sinful crea- 
 tures as we are, to ask — but Thou hast given us 
 a name to plead, which is above every name. Be- 
 hold — not our guilt, but that blood which cleans- 
 eth from all sin; not our un worthiness, but thai 
 righteousness with which The i art well pleased. 
 And accept us iv. the beloved. Our Father, 8cc. 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 175 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING. 
 
 O God, we are thine, and Thee we are bound 
 -> worship. We g^rieve to think how many there 
 *re who cast off fear, and restrain prayer before 
 Thee. 13ui, whatever be the determination of 
 others, our purpose, by thy i^race, is taken: and as 
 for us and our house, we will serve tl,e Lord. 
 
 We would not live a day, or an hour, without 
 Thee in the world, careless of thy favour, or re- 
 gardless of thy glory. Impress us, individually 
 and deeply, with a sense of thy omniscience; that 
 Thou art about our path, and our lying down, and 
 acquainted with all our ways. Especially may 
 we feel it, when we enter thy more immediate 
 presence, and engage in the exercises of devotion. 
 Then may we remember, that thine eyes are up- 
 on us; that Thou requirest truth in the inward 
 parts: and that nothing can screen, even our mo- 
 tives and principles, from thy penetration. 
 
 Too little, we acknowledge, has this been our 
 experience in former engagements: w« have often 
 been careless, where we should have been full of 
 reverence; we have been strangers to the power 
 of godliness, while familiar with its forms. Thou 
 hast been nigh in our mouths, but far from our 
 reins. Much of our guilt has originated from our 
 religious means and privileges; from the low es- 
 timation in which we have holden them; the little 
 advantage they have contributed to our growth in 
 grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and 
 Saviour. 
 
 Over all this may we sorrow after a godly sort, 
 and may the sincerity of our repentance, be seen 
 in our future alarm, and endeavours; and especial 
 ly in our self-renunciation, and dependence upon 
 another — for when we are weak, then, and then 
 alone, we are strong. May we every moment 
 
176 FIFTH WEEK. 
 
 feel, how necessary it is to be more intimate with 
 Him who came, not only that we might have life, 
 but that we might have it more abundantly; whose 
 grace is sufficient for us; whose spirit helps our 
 infirmities, and can strengthen in us the things that 
 remain, that are ready to die. 
 
 We bless Thee for an Advocate with the 
 Father; for a propitiation of infinite value; for a 
 fulness that filleth all in all. In Him, believing, 
 mav we rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of 
 glory. And may we know how to obtain relief for 
 a burdened conscience, without feeling reconciled 
 to our imperfections. May we abhor the thought 
 of turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, 
 or sinning, that grace may abound. Because we 
 are not under the law, but under grace, may we 
 reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but 
 alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord; 
 by thy mercies, presenting our bodies a living sa- 
 crifice, and asking. What shall I render unto the 
 Lord for all his benefits towards rne? Through 
 sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth, 
 may our affections be set on things that are above, 
 and may this be the growing desire of our souls: 
 (), that my feet were directed to keep thy precepts. 
 We would not seek great things for ourselves; 
 but be content with such things as we have. De- 
 liver us, O Lord from the love of money, which 
 s the root of all evil. May we value our sub- 
 stance, not as the medium of pride and luxury, 
 but as affording us the means of support and use- 
 fulness; and may we guide our affairs with dis- 
 cretion, that we may owe no man any thing, and 
 be able to give to him that needeth. Establish in 
 us the royal law; may we love our neighbour as 
 ourselves; and feel it not only our duty, but our 
 pleasure, as we have opportunity, to do good unto 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 177 
 
 dll men; especially unto them that are of the house- 
 hold of faith. 
 
 Bless all the churches of the faithful. Thou 
 h-ast given them rest; may they walk in the fear 
 of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy 
 Ghost, and be edified and multiplied. 
 
 Display thy power and thy glory in the sanctu- 
 ary. Be with thy servants, who show unto men 
 the way of salvation. Make them wise to win 
 souls; may they speak the things only that become 
 sound doctrine; may they never expect success, 
 as the result of their eloquence an I reasonings, 
 but from the excellency of the power that is of 
 God. 
 
 May our highly favoured country be safe and 
 flourishing, under the shadow of the Almighty. 
 
 Regard our friends and relations. Those that 
 are absent from us, we commend to the care and 
 direction of an ever present God. Let those that 
 know Thee not, be made wise unto salvation; let 
 not those, who are endeared by so many ties, be 
 separated from us for ever— How can we endure 
 to see the destruction of our kindred? 
 
 Keep us in all places and circumstances. Hide 
 us this night in the secret of thy pavilion, and in 
 the morning encompass us with songs of deliv- 
 erance. 
 
 And now, blessed be the Lord God of Israel, 
 who only dceth wondrous things; and blessed be 
 his glorious name for ever: and let the whole 
 earth be filled v^ith his glory. Amen and Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY MORNING. 
 O Thou, that hearest prayer, and inhabitest the 
 praises of Israel; with Moses and Aaron among 
 thy priests, and Samuel among them that call up- 
 on thy namr , we would; this morning exalt the 
 
iT8 FIFTH WEEK. 
 
 Lord our God, ai il worship at his footstool, for 
 He is holy. 
 
 We thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and 
 earth, for all thy inexpressible and inconceivable 
 goodness to the children of men, and of which, our 
 own history and experience afford such number- 
 less proofs. In thy works of creation, we read thy 
 name, the Lord God Almighty; in the dispensa 
 tions of thy providence, we acknowledge Thee as 
 the only wise God^ but in the gospel of thy grace, 
 we behold Thee as the God of love; and so loving 
 the world, as to give thine only begotten Son, that 
 whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, 
 but have everlasting life. In Him 1 hou hast pro- 
 vided for our deliverance, from all the effects of 
 sin; for the justification of our persons, the sanc- 
 tification of our natures, and our perseverance in 
 the path of life, till we receive the end of our faith, 
 the salvation of our souls. 
 
 We bless Thee, that, exposed as we are to the 
 terrors of thy law, which we have so often trans- 
 gressed, here we have a refuge from the storm; 
 and learn, that there is no condemnation to them 
 that are in Christ Jesus. We bless Thee, that 
 while we are compelled to exclaim. Unclean, un- 
 clean, here is an open fountain, the efficacy of 
 which cleanseth from all sin. We bless Thee, 
 that while in us dwelleth no good thing, there is a 
 fulness accessible to all, and incapable of reduc- 
 tion, from which we can receive, and grace for 
 grace. 
 
 O Lord, we ask not for worldly riches or hon- 
 ours, but pray, that we may be blessed with all 
 spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ. 
 We envy not those whom the multitude admire; 
 they will be cut down as the grass, and wither as 
 the green herbs: but remember us O Lord, with 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 179 
 
 the favour Thou hearesi unto ihy people: look 
 Thou upon us, and be merciful to us, as Thou 
 usest to do unto those that fear thy name. They 
 are happy — now: and are inviting and encourag- 
 ing us, to taste and see, that the Lord is good. 
 May a vital union be immediately established be 
 tween Him and us — He the head, and we the 
 members — He the vine, and we the branches — He 
 the shepherd, and we the sheep of his pasture — He 
 the chief corner stone, and we also as lively stones, 
 built up a spiritual house, an habitation of God 
 through the Spirit. 
 
 Let us not walk as other Gentiles, in the vanity 
 of our minds, and having our understandings dark- 
 ened; but may we estimate things according to the 
 testimony of thy word, and feel a persuasion, that 
 to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, is a 
 concern, in comparison with which, every other 
 interest is a shadow, and a dream. 
 
 And, O Lord, save us from presumption. Keep 
 us from suspending our attention to the things of 
 eternity, ana on a more convenient season, or any 
 future period, which may never arrive; but re- 
 flecting upon the shortness and uncertainty of life, 
 and knowing how frail we are, may we seek the 
 Lord while He may be found, and call upon Him 
 while He is near. May we immediately begin to 
 live the life of the righteous, that we may die the 
 death of the righteous, and that our last end may 
 be like his. 
 
 And O, save us from the delusion of those who 
 go far, but not far enough, in religion; who are 
 convinced, but not converted; who have another 
 heart, but not a nevv one; and who, with all their 
 llf>ht, and zeal, and confidence, have not the spirit 
 of Christ, and therefore are none of his. May 
 we judge of c ir christiatlty, not only by our de- 
 
180 FIFTH WEEK. 
 
 pendence upon Christ, but our love to Christ, and 
 our conformity to Christ: and know that He dwell- 
 eth in us and we m Him, because He hath given 
 us of his spirit 
 
 May our religion not only be real, but progres- 
 sivej may we not only hold on our way, but wax 
 stronger and stronger. May we live, and may we 
 walk, in the spirit. May we profit by every cor- 
 rection, and be injured by no indulgence. 
 
 Accept of our personal and combined acknow- 
 ledgments, that Thou hast been our salvation in 
 the night watches; and that we are not only living 
 to praise Thee this morning, but have all things 
 richly to enjoy. 
 
 Bless the word which we have been reading. 
 Let not the cares of this life, or the deceitfulness 
 of sin, render it unfruitful. May thy word abide 
 in us, and operate. May it attend us in all the 
 businesses of the day, that we may not sin against 
 Thee; and that whether we eat or drink, or what- 
 ever we do, we may do all to the glory of God- 
 To whom be glory in the church, by Christ 
 Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. 
 
 Amen. 
 
 WEDNESDAY EVENING. 
 
 O Thou, that inhabitest eternity, and with 
 whom a thousand years are as one day. If we 
 were angels, we should veil our faces as we ap- 
 proach Thee, and exclaim, holy, holy, holy, is the 
 Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory. 
 With what emotions then should we enter thy pre- 
 sence, who are but sinful dust and ashes. Give 
 us grace, whereby we may serve Thee acceptably, 
 with reverence and godly fear. 
 
 May we always combine thy majesty with thy 
 mercy, that we may no*, trifle before Thee, or in- 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 181 
 
 cue the reproach of the hypocrite, c.nd the fv/rmal* 
 ist, who draw nit^h unto Thee with their mouth, 
 and honour Tlice with their lips, while their heart 
 is far from Thee. And may we always connect 
 thy goodness with thy greatness, that we may 
 draw near in full assurance of faith. May our 
 consciences, at this moment, believe that Thou art 
 good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mer- 
 cy to all that call upon Thee. 
 
 And do Tnou have mercy upon us, O God, ac- 
 cording to thy loving kindness, according to the 
 multitude of thy tender mercies. Thou art under 
 no obligation to save us; we lie, as guilty, at thy 
 sovereign disposal. Thou hast a right to exercise 
 thy mercy in thy own way; and Thou hast sent thy 
 own Son inlo ihe world, not to condemn the world, 
 but that the world through Him, might be saved: 
 Tho'i liast made Him to be sin for us, who knew no 
 sin, that wemightbe madethe righteousnessofGod 
 in Him. We l)ow O, God, to thine appointment; 
 and gratefully comply with thy command, for this 
 is thy commandment, that we believe on the name 
 ol thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. We would flee 
 to no other refuge; we would wash in no other 
 fountain; we would build on no other foundation; 
 we would receive from no other fulness. 
 
 May the life that we henceforth shall live in the 
 flesh, be by the faith of him, who loved us, and 
 gave Himself for us. In His name may we rejoice 
 all the day, and in His righteousness be exalted. 
 
 May we feel a growing conformity to the image 
 of thy son, and like Him learn obedience by the 
 things we suffer. May the law of the spirit of life 
 m Christ Jesus, make us free from the law of sin 
 and death. 
 
 In all our dealings with all our fellow-creatures 
 may wc do justly; in all cases requiring: reli«"f anc* 
 
 Q 
 
182 FIFTH WEEK. 
 
 compassion, may we show that we love mercy: 
 and with regard to all the dispensations of thy 
 providence and grace, may we walk humbly with 
 our God. 
 
 May we be strong-, and of good courage, to fol- 
 low our convicti )ns, regardless of the opinions of 
 othersj and to obey God, rather than man. Hav- 
 ing obtained the knowledge of thy will, from thy 
 word may we go forth and be steadfast, unmove- 
 able, always abounding in the work of the Lord. 
 And let us not be slothful, but followers of them, 
 who through faith and patience inherit the pro- 
 mises, 
 
 O, how great is the goodness, which in thy pro- 
 mises and in thy kingdom. Thou hast laid up for 
 them that fear Thee! Number us with thevii; and 
 enable us to say. Thou hast given me the heritage 
 of them that fear thy name This assurance, O 
 God, we want, to animate us in duty; to support 
 us in our trials — for they are many; and to raise 
 us above the fear of death and the dread of eter- 
 nity. For we know that we are not to live here 
 always, nor to live here Ion.,. Dangers surrounc' 
 us; within us are sown the seeds of disease; oui 
 breath is in our nostrils; and there is but a step 
 between us and the grave. How soon is another 
 day gone! and how solemnly does it remind ua 
 That all our days are as a shadow 1 Great God, so 
 teach us to number our days, that we may apply 
 our hearts unto wisdom. Amidst all the uncer- 
 tainties of time, may we know in ourselves.,that is 
 heaveh we have a better and an enduring sub- 
 stance: when the earthly house of this tabernacle 
 is dissolving, may we see prepared to recieve us 
 a building of God, an house not made with 
 hands, eternal in the heavens. 
 
 We feel our weakness, and our wants. We de- 
 
^ FIFTH WEEK. 183 
 
 pend on all the elemeius for our subsistirce, and 
 there is no creature, but can be our help or our 
 hurt. We need day by day, our supplies of food. 
 We labour for a few hours, and we feel ourselves 
 exhausted. We would not say to Him, that made 
 us, why hast Thou made me thus; but bless Thee 
 for the promise we have, that when we lie down, 
 Thou wilt make us dwell in safety; and for a 
 state, where we shall feel no langour, need no rest; 
 where there shall be no nii^ht; and they need no 
 candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God 
 giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever 
 and ever. We ask it in the name, and for the 
 sake of our adorable Redeemer. Amen. 
 
 THURSDAY MORNING. 
 
 O Thou, who wast, and art, and art to come, 
 the almighty. Thou art the Creator of all the 
 ends of the earth. Thou art our Maker, and not 
 only the framer of our bodies, but the former of 
 our souls. May we remember that Thou madest 
 us upright, but that we have sought out many in- 
 ventions. Let us not forget what we now are — 
 what we deserve — and what we want. 
 
 Nor let us be ignorant of the provisions of thy 
 mercy and grace; nor of Him, in whom it hath 
 pleased Thee, that all fulness should dwell. In 
 all our outward troubles, and in all our spiritual 
 distress, He is the hope and the consolation of Is- 
 rael. May we receive the record, that Thou hast 
 given to us eternal life, and that this life is in thy 
 Son. To Him may we always look for relief, and 
 to Him only; persuaded that 'here is none othei 
 name given under heaven and among men, where- 
 by we must be saved. May we be equally con 
 vinced of the guilt and the pollution of sin; may 
 we alike feel our need of the Prince and the Sa- 
 
184 FIFTH WEKK. 
 
 vioup, and impliiie of Him repentance, as well as 
 forti;ivencss. May we l.jve holiness, and be pure 
 m heart. O, that oui- feet were directed to keep 
 thy statutes. O, that we had the same mind in 
 us, which was also in Christ Jesus; and were en- 
 abled to tread in His steps, who has gone before 
 us in every path of duty and trial. 
 
 As long- as we are in the world, keep us from 
 the evil; and may we be always alive and awake 
 to discharge every obligation, resulting from our 
 condition in life, and the par'.icular events of thy 
 providence. 
 
 We would not be at our own disposal; but re- 
 joice to think, we are under the care of one, who 
 is too wise to err, and too kind to injure. How 
 ever ignorant of the future, we will trust and not 
 be afiaid; and begin even in this vale of tears, the 
 song we hope for ever to sing; Marvellous are thy 
 works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are all 
 thy ways, (3 Thou King of saints. 
 
 Thou hast been pleased again to renew our time, 
 and our strength, and comforts; help us to renew 
 our purposes and resolutions, to obey and serve 
 Thee. In all our ways, may we this day acknow- 
 ledge Thee, and do Thou direct our paths. Let 
 thy presence go with us, and thy free spirit up- 
 hold us. 
 
 May we prove a stumbling block to none, by 
 our temper or conduct; but recommend and en- 
 dear the religion we profess to all around us. May 
 we decline no opportunity of usefulness, that our 
 {/ircumstances may present; may we not withhold 
 gocrJ, from him to whom it is due when it is in 
 the power of our hand to do it. May we dread 
 the sentence, Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry 
 of the poor, be also shall cry himself, and not be 
 ht^at i May we therefore be merciful; ready to 
 
FIFTH WEEK. .115 
 
 communicate; feeling the grace of our L ^rd Jesui 
 Christ, who when rich, for our sakes became poor, 
 hat we through his poverty, might be rich. 
 
 Let those who are advanced in years, be anxious 
 to bring forth fruit in old age. Let those wh ) 
 are in the midst of life, abide with God in their 
 calling; and while they are not slothful in busi- 
 ness: may they be fervent in spirit serving the 
 Lord. And O, preserve the young from the snares 
 and temptations of youth. May they be sober- 
 minded. If sinners entice them let them not con- 
 sent. With the infidel, and the vicious, and the 
 dispiser of the sabbath, may they not go, lest 
 they learn of their ways, and get a snare to their 
 souls. Let them say, I am a companion of ah 
 tiiem that fear Thee; and choose that good part, 
 which shall not be taken away from them. 
 
 Bless us as a nation, in all the dependencies, 
 and interests of the country; in all its civil and sa- 
 cred institutions: let glory dwell in our land, and 
 upon all the glory, may there be a defence 
 
 We rejoice that Thou wilt have all men to be 
 saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth,* 
 and that Jesus Christ gave himself a ransom for 
 all, to be testified in due time. 
 
 Call in the Jews with the fulness of theGentiles 
 Say to the north give up, and to the south keep 
 not back; bring my sons from far, and my daugh- 
 ters from the ends of the earth. Bless all those 
 who by their exertions and sacrifices, are proving 
 the sincerity of their prayers for the spread of 
 the Redeemer's cause; and lei many run to and 
 fro, and knowledge be increased, till all shall know 
 Thee, from the least even to the greatest. 
 Our Father^ 8cc. Amen. 
 
 q2 
 
186 FIFTH WEEK. 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING. 
 
 G;vE ear to our words, O Lord^ consider our 
 meditation, and enable us to approach Thee, 
 with becoming conceptions of thy nature, rela- 
 tions, and designs. 
 
 Thou inhabitcst eternity; but our age is nothing 
 before Thee. Thou dwellest in the heaven of 
 heavens, and this cannot contain Thee; but we 
 dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the 
 dust. Thy power is Almighty, but we are crush- 
 ed before the moth. Thy understanding is infinite 
 but we know nothing, as we ought to know. Thou 
 art of purer eyes than to behold e\ il, and canst not 
 look upon iniquity: but we are vile — What shall 
 we answer Thee.^ We cannot answer Thee for 
 one of a thousand of our iniquities. And had we 
 listened to the language of our guilty consciences 
 alo!ie, we could not have entered thy sacred pre- 
 sence. But Thou hast called us to thy footstool; 
 Thou hast shown us a new and living way into 
 the holiest, by the blood of Jesus; and we have 
 boldness, and access with confidence, by the faith 
 of Him. We, therefore, draw nigh, in full assu- 
 rance of faith: believing that v/e are as welcome 
 as we are unworthy; and that the blessings we are 
 come to implore, are as free, as they are great and 
 numberless. O, receive us graciously. Be mer- 
 ciful to our unrighteousness. Adopt us into the 
 house-hold of faith; and say to our souls, I am thy 
 salvation. 
 
 We have often feared that we have no part nor 
 lot in the matter; and that our heart is not right 
 in the sight of God. We have often questioned 
 whether we know any thing of the new creature; 
 whether we have ever exercised repentance to- 
 wards G)i, a*^d faith tov/ards our Lord Jesus 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 187 
 
 Christ. And what, if after all our advantages, we 
 should perisli; and after all our p^rofession, have a 
 name only that we live, while we are dead. C> 
 I^ord, decide the doubtful pointj and bear witness 
 with our spirit that we are the children of G(k!. 
 
 We would not deceive ourselves in a business 
 of everlasting moment: but if we are in a state u{ 
 i^race, enable us to know it, for our own comfort 
 and the glory of thy great name. 
 
 And, O Lord, we pray that we may grow in 
 grace. If we have the reality of religion, how far 
 are our works from being found perfect before 
 God. Strengthen in us the things that remain, 
 that be ready to die; and help us to reach after 
 the higher attainments and privileges of the '^livine 
 life, and not always live at this poor dying rate 
 May we be followers of God as dear children, and 
 feel it the joy of our lives, to be holy, as Thou art 
 holy; and merciful, as Thou art merciful. May 
 thine eye be more to us, than the inspection of all 
 fellow-creatures; and thy approbation, be dearer, 
 than the applause of a thousand worlds. 
 
 May no grace of the spirit be wanting in us; 
 may no duty of our calling be neglected, or care- 
 lessly performed. May our faith, be a strong 
 faith; our hope, a lively hope; our charity, a fer- 
 vent charity; our conversation, a conversation be- 
 coming the gospel of Christ. May we stand com- 
 plete in all the will of God; and may our light so 
 shine before men, that they may see our good 
 works, and glorify our Father, who is in heaven. 
 
 May we long to serve our generation according 
 to thy will: may wisdom select and regulate our 
 means; and a blameless and a lovely consistency of 
 character, give weight to our endeavours; and 
 may all our works begin, continue, and end in 
 Thee. On Thee mi,y we depend for light tc 
 
1 88 FIFTH WKEK. 
 
 know, and disposition to choose, and strength to 
 perform, and submission to suffer, and patience to 
 wait. 
 
 And when we have done all, may we acknowl- 
 edge ihat we are unprofitable servants, and confess 
 that we deserve condemnation for the defects of 
 our obedience, rather than a reward for its excel- 
 lency. And looking off from our duties, as well 
 as our sins, to find a foundation for our hope, may 
 we rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence 
 in the flesh. And may our persons and services, 
 be accepted in the Beloved —To whom be glory 
 and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY MORNING. 
 
 We would lift up our hearts, with our hands, 
 anto God in the heavens. Behold, before Thee, a 
 company of highly indulged, but sinful beings: for 
 if we say, we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 
 and the truth is not in us. None of our fellow- 
 creatures know half so much of our depravity, as 
 weourselvesknow: and our knowledge is ignorance 
 compared with thy wisdom. 
 
 Thou readest the heart. Thou viewest actions 
 in their principles and motives. Thou seest more 
 defilement in our duties, than we ever saw in any 
 of our sins; in thy sight the heavens are not clean; 
 and Thou chargest thine angels with folly. And 
 if we hate ourselves, and are ready to flee from our- 
 selves, because of our abominations, how wonder- 
 ful is it that thou dost not abhor us, and swear in 
 thy wrath, that we shall not enter into thy rest. 
 
 But be astonished, O, heavens, and wonder, O 
 earth! instead of such a deserved exclusion, Thou 
 hast even devised means, that they who are ban- 
 ished be not finally expelled from Thee; means 
 the most astonishing and glorious, and which the 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 1^9 
 
 (in!:>;els desire to look into. For Thou hast so lov- 
 L'd the world, as to give thine only begotten Son, 
 that whosoever helieveth on him, should not per- 
 ish, l)uthave everlasting life. In Him mercy and 
 cruth meet together; righteousness and peace kiss 
 ','ach other; and thy honour is not only secured, 
 t)ut prominently displayed, even in our escape 
 from thine own threatenings. In Him the ensla- 
 ved can find redemption; the guilty pardon; the 
 unholy renovation. In Him is everlasting strength 
 for the weak, and unsearchable riches for the needy; 
 in Him we find all the treasures of wisdom and 
 knowledge for the ignorant — in Him all fulness 
 dwells. 
 
 We bless Thee for the provision, which thy in- 
 finite goodness has made for our everlasting wel- 
 fare; and for the gospel of our salvation, which 
 makes it known; and which not o-nly reveals it to 
 our view, but proposes it to our hope, and presses 
 it upon our acceptance* 
 
 C) Lord, at thy gracious call, we heai ; we look; 
 we come; we apply; we receive. We no! only 
 submit to the scheme of mercy, but we acquiesce 
 in it: we glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ; we joy in God through our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, by wliom we have now received the atone- 
 ment. We bless Thee, that in this grace we 
 itand: Thou hast rendered the blessings as secure 
 as they are glorious; and we are persuaded, that 
 neithei* death, nor life, nor angels, nor principal- 
 ities, nor powers, northings present, nor things to 
 come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other crea- 
 ture, shall be able to separate us from the love of 
 God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
 
 Yea, for ever blessed be thy name, Thou hast 
 not only provided for our safety, but our prosperi- 
 ty Thou hast no' Mily promised that the right 
 
190 FIFJ .i. WEEK. 
 
 eous shall hold on their way, but wax stronger and 
 stronger. Thou cost not despise the day of small 
 things; but Thou givest more grace; and hast 
 commanded us to ask and receive, that our joy 
 may be full. 
 
 And now, O Lord, what shall we render for all 
 thy benefits towards us.^ We can never discharge 
 the obligations we are under — but we pray that 
 we may be sensible of them; and though we can 
 make no adequate returns, may we make suitable 
 ones: and ever ask from the heart, as well as with 
 the lip. Lord what wilt Thou have me to do.'' 
 
 And may we show forth thy praise. May we 
 speak well of thy name. May we be concerned 
 to bring others to love and serve Thee; and to 
 share with us, in all the good which Thou hast 
 spoken concerning Israel. 
 
 O, let our cliildren be thy children; our friends 
 thy friends; our servants thy servants. 
 
 May our neighbours, and our enemies too, be 
 visited with thy salvation. 
 
 Dwell in our families. Let thy goings be seen 
 in our sanctuaries. Let the people praise Thee O 
 God, yea let all the people praise Thee. Let the 
 whole earth be filled with thy glory. 
 
 Bless the Lord, ye His angles, that excel in 
 strength, that do His commandments, hearkening 
 unto the voice of His wc*d. Bless ye the Lord, all 
 ye His hosts, ye ministers of His that do His plea- 
 sure. Bless the Lord all His works, in all places 
 of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul. 
 Mmen and Amen. 
 
 FRIDAY EVENING. 
 
 Again, O Lord of all, we desire to bow in thy 
 presence. May we approach Thee with all the 
 encouragements that can be derived from thy char 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 19 i 
 
 acter, as the God of love. We are not left to feel 
 after Tiiee in the darkness of nature; or to wor- 
 ship Thee as the unknown God. We cannot find 
 Thee out unto perfection; but we know that Thou 
 a -t jjood and ready to forg'ive, and plenteous in 
 I'Tcrcy unto all them that call upon Thee. 
 
 For Tnou hast given us thy word, which Thou 
 iv i^t magnified above all thy name: and Thou hast 
 favoured us with the gospel, so that on us who 
 were sitting in darkness, and the shadow of death, 
 has risen a great light, the light of life. 
 
 But wc acknowledge, how ungratefully we have 
 received ihe benefit, and how little we have im- 
 proved Our privileges, to the purposes for which 
 they have been given. We have made light of 
 these things, though c;ngels desire to look into 
 them; we tiave neglected the great salvation: we 
 have turned away from Flim that speaketh from 
 heaven. Atid all that Thou hast kindly employed, 
 to enforce the messages of thy word, we have dis- 
 regarded: for we have contemned the examples of 
 the good, the admonitions of friendship, the re- 
 proaches of conscience, the rebukes of thy provi- 
 dence, and the strivings of thy Holy Spirit, and 
 well do we deserve, that the kingdom of God 
 should be taken away from us. O, let us not con- 
 fess our sins without feeling and lamenting them; 
 but with a broken heart and contrite spirit, with 
 self-abhorence, self-condemnation, and self-despair 
 
 And under a deep impression of our guilt, may 
 w^ seek, alone, from Him who is the hope and the 
 consolation ot Israel. Viewing Him as dying for 
 the ungodly, may we believe in His name. May 
 we know that He bore our sins in His body on 
 {he tree, and that by His stripes we are healed. 
 And may we find in Him, not only righteousness 
 but strength May He impart to us, not only for 
 
192 FIFTH ,VEEK. 
 
 giveness of sins, but repentance unto life. Ma) 
 we never separate in our regards what He has 
 joined together in the Scriptures; or suppose tha^ 
 we are justified by His blood, unless we are sancti 
 fied by His Spirit. 
 
 We believe we can never be happy in sin,, and 
 we do not desire it: Lord, deliver us from it, and 
 lead us in the way everlasting. Make us holy like 
 thyself, that we may be made happy in thyself. 
 We are naturally disqualified for all communion 
 with a holy God; work in us to will and to do of 
 thy good pleasure; produce in us those principles 
 and dispositions, which will attach us to thyself as 
 our exceeding joy; and enable us to say, whom 
 have I in heaven but Thee, and there is none upon 
 earth that I desire beside Thee. 
 
 Under all our ignorance, weakness, fears, and 
 depressions, may thy Spirit help our infirmities, 
 with supplies of wisdom, strength, and comfort. 
 
 May we faithfully study our character, and be 
 always willing to come to the light, that if evil 
 our deeds may be proved. May we peculiarly 
 observe ourselves, under the operation of those 
 events which are designed to tj y us; that we may 
 judge of the reality and degree of our grace. May 
 we often review life, and see how we have at any 
 time been ensnared, or overcome, that we may in 
 future, become more wise and circumspect. And 
 while we watch, may we also pray, lest we enter 
 into temptation May we never trust in our own 
 hearts, or depend upon any past experience, or 
 present resolution; but be strong in the grace that 
 is in Christ Jesus. Thus far Thou hast helped 
 us. Hitherto our enemies have not triumphed 
 over us. And though we have seen many decline 
 from their ')rofession,we hope if Thou wert to ask, 
 Will ye also go away.^ We should be able to say. 
 
Firm WEEK. 193 
 
 •vith more conviction and affection than ever, Lord 
 .0 whom should we go hut unto Thee, Thou liast 
 the words of eternal life. Thou hast been with 
 us in trouble; and many a shadow of death hast 
 Thou turned into the morning-. We can now dis- 
 cern thy wisdom and kindness, in dispensations, 
 which once perplexed and dismayed us: and what 
 »ve know not now, we shall know hereafter. 
 
 Never leave us nor forsake us, but suppoi-t and 
 lead us through all these dark and sorrowful re- 
 gions: and enable us with confidence to hail t!ie 
 hour, when our sun shall no more go down, nor 
 our moon withdraw herself; for God shall be our 
 everlasting light, and the days of our mourning 
 shall be ended. 
 
 We implore it through the intercession of Him 
 who gave himself for our sins, that he might de- 
 liver us from this present evil world, according 
 to the will of God and our Father; to whom be 
 glory for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 SATURDAY MORNING. 
 
 Let not the Lord be angry, while we who are 
 but dust and ashes, take upon us to speak unto the 
 living God. Pardon our unworthiness; help oui 
 infirmities; and hearken unto the voice of our cry, 
 our King and our^od, for unto Thee will we pray. 
 
 Thou art good to all; and we have largely 
 shared with thy creatures, the bounties of thy pro- 
 vidence: but O, remember us with the favour 
 Thou bearest unto thy people. We bless Thee 
 for characterizing them; and we bless Thee that 
 Thou hast placed the distinction in no high and 
 discouraging attainments: for Thou takest plea- 
 sure in them thai /ear Thee; in them that hopt in 
 thy mercy. May we dread thine anger, revere thy 
 perfections, stand in awe of thy majesty, and trem 
 R 
 
194 FIFTH WEEK. 
 
 ble at thy word. And hide not thy mercy irorr 
 us: enable us to trust in it, and to plead itj and, 
 vvith a broken heart and a contrite spirit, may we 
 earnestly cry, God be merciful to me a sinner. In 
 how many ways do we need the exercise of it; but 
 Thou art rich in mercyj and abundant in mercyi 
 and delightestin mercy. 
 
 We are all so many proofs of it: because thy 
 compassions fail not — we are not consumed Our 
 forfeited lives have not only been continued, but 
 crowned with thy goodness. Thou hast provided 
 for our souls as well as for our bodiesj and we 
 hear athousand voices inviting us to the feast, and 
 saying, Come, for all things are now ready. 
 Thanks be unto God, for his unspeakable gifts, we 
 bless Thee for a Saviour, who died for our sins, and 
 rose again for our justification, and is now ascend- 
 ed far above all heavens that He might fill all things. 
 
 May we be made the partakers of Christ, and 
 not only of his righteousness — but of his spirit; 
 that we may be — not only pardoned but renewed^ 
 and not only have a title to heaven, but a meet- 
 ness for it. No longer alienated from the life of 
 God, may our meditations of Thee be sweet, and 
 may we draw near to Thee as to our exceeding 
 joy. May we confide in thy promise, and rely on 
 thy constant protection and care. May we be de- 
 voted to th> service, and find it perfect freedom. 
 May we love obedience; may thy law be within our 
 heart. May thy cause be dear to our souis. We 
 pray that thy word may have free course and be 
 glorified. Let thy church not only be multiplied 
 in number, but increased in knowledge, and sanc- 
 tity, and peace, and concord, and joy; so that it 
 may be a praise in the whole earth. Let the light 
 of the moon be as the light of the sun, and the light 
 of the sun be sev '.n fold, as the 'ight of seven days. 
 
FIFTH WEEK. 193 
 
 For brass, brin.^ gold; and foi- iron, sjvcr, and 
 wood, brass; and lor stones, iron. 
 
 Thou dost not stand in need of us: but in thy 
 condescension and wisdom, Thou art pleased to 
 make use of means; and wc desire the honour and 
 happip.'jss of being instruments in thy hand. Lord 
 what wilt Thou have us to do? We would value 
 every day afforded us as a new period of useful- 
 ness. May we be anxious to accomplish all we 
 can, to alleviate human wo, and to advance the 
 temporal and spiritual welfare of all around us. 
 
 And may we be not only zealous, but persever- 
 ing. May we never be discouraged. May we 
 never grow weary in well-doing. 
 
 While many go back after following the Saviour 
 may we cleave to Him with purpose of heart; and 
 at last, hear Him say. Ye are they who have con- 
 tinued with me in my temptation, and I appoint 
 unto you a kingdom, as my Father also hath ap- 
 pointed unto me. 
 
 We would not forget the afflicted. Hear the 
 sighing of the needy; cause the widow's heart to 
 sing for joy; and in Thee may the fatherless find 
 mercy. Remove indisposition and disease from 
 those who are exercised thereby; or assure them 
 of that world where the inhabitant no more says, 
 I am sick. 
 
 Be with us all through the changing s.'.enes of 
 life, and at the hour of dissolution; when heart 
 and flesh fail — and fail they soon will — be Thou 
 the strength of our heart, and our portion for ev- 
 er, li^ death should be sudden, let it not find us un- 
 prepared; if it should be awful m the apprehension, 
 let it be safe in the result; and if we cannot depart 
 in triumph, may we expire in humble hope: say 
 mg with numbers before us, 
 
i96 FIFTH WEEK. 
 
 A g:uilty weak and helpless worm, 
 
 On thy kind arm I fall; 
 Be thou my strength and righteousness. 
 
 My Jesus and my all. 
 
 And through eternal aijes, may it be our privi- 
 lege to unite with those, who are singing, Unto 
 Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in 
 his own blood, and hath made us kin;^s and priests 
 unto God, and to his Father, be glory and domini- 
 on for ever and ever. Jimen. 
 
 SATURDAY EVENING. 
 
 O LORD G3d of Hosts, Thou hast established 
 thy throne in the heavens, and thy kingdom ruleth 
 over all. It is a source of joy to our minds, and of 
 encouragement to our hopes, that the Lord God 
 Omnipotent reigneth. In thy greatness, v/e see 
 thy all-sufficiency to accomplish all that 1 hou hast 
 promisedj to confer upon us all we need; and to 
 do for us exceeding abundantly, above all we can 
 ask or think. 
 
 It is therefore good for us to draw near to Thee, 
 and it is our mercy to know, that we ca!i approach 
 Thee with confidence of acceptance and success, 
 founded not on any worthiness or works of our 
 own, but on thy own grace, in the appointment of 
 a Mediator, who has put away sin by the sacrifice 
 of Himself, and opened a new and living way, into 
 the holiest of all, by his own blood. 
 
 We have no other name to plead; and we need 
 no other. Behold, O God our shield, and look 
 upon the face of thine Anointed: and for his sake, 
 who groaned in the garden and died upon the cross, 
 and now appears in thy presence for us, pardon 
 our iniquity for it is great; cleanse us from all un- 
 righteousness; deliver us from the power of dark- 
 ness; and translate us into the kingdom jf thy 
 dear Son 
 
F'.FTH WEEK. 197 
 
 May we no longer be strangers and foreigners, 
 but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the 
 household of God; and because we are sons, send 
 forth the s])irit of thy Son into our hearts, crying 
 Abba, Father. May our intercourse with Thee, 
 be free, and delightful, and constant; and not on 
 peculiar occasions only, but in every thing, by 
 prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving may 
 we make known our requests iinto Thee. May 
 we live in thy presence. 
 
 May we walk with God — and walk humbly with 
 God; sensible of our deficiencies and desert; ad- 
 miring thy condescension and patience; and bow- 
 ing to all thy dispensatious, without murmuring 
 or repining. 
 
 May we walk circumspectly, not as fools, but 
 as wise, redeeming the time. May we be zealous 
 in the discharge of all those duties, the perform- 
 ance of which, depends on a season so fleeting 
 and precarious. May we consider one another, 
 and provoke one another to love and to good 
 works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves 
 together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting 
 one another, and so much the more — as we seethe 
 day approaching. 
 
 Enable us to realize the universality and per- 
 fection of thy agency, in all our affairs; and since 
 all thy ways are mercy and truth, may we learn 
 in v/hatsoever state we are therewith to be con- 
 tent; yea in every thing may we give thanks. 
 
 May we not only submit to our trials, but be 
 grateful for them. They are designed for our 
 profit, that we may be partakers of thy holiness. 
 They evince a care of which we are unworthy and 
 which we have never properly repaid. Lord, 
 what is man, that Thou shouldst magnify him? 
 that Thou shoulds . set thy heart upon him? tha* 
 b2 
 
198 FIFTH WEEK 
 
 Thou shouldst visit him every nnorning, and chas 
 ten him every moment? So impatient, and wayward 
 and foolish, have we been under thy hand, that we 
 have forfeited all claim to the rod, and deserve lo 
 be stricken no more. It would be just in Thee to 
 say, They are joined to idols, let them alone. But 
 O Lord, abandon us not to ourselves; treat us not 
 with neglect. Employ whatever means are ne- 
 cessary to save and sanctify our souls. Try us as 
 Thou pleasest; only, while wc are chastened 
 of the Lord, let us not be condemned with the 
 wicked. 
 
 Humble us under a review of our depravity, 
 through another day, and another week, which is 
 now hastening to join the days and weeks before 
 the flood. Who can understand his errors? In 
 many things we all offend. Hide thy face from 
 our sins Heal our backslidings and receieve us 
 graciously. 
 
 On the coming day, let thy good Spirit lead us 
 to thy holy h II, and to thy tabernacle. May we 
 go unto the altar of God as to our exceeding joy, 
 and taste the blessedness of those that dwell in 
 thy house, and are still praising Thee. Teach us 
 to value properly, the means of grace, and be con- 
 cerned to derive from them, the benefit they are 
 designed to afford. May we remember our ac- 
 counlableness for them. May we remember, that 
 they never leave us as they find us; but always 
 prove the savour of life unto life, or of death unto 
 death. 
 
 Let not our attendance add to our sin and con- 
 demnation. Let us not sing without devotion, 
 pray without desire, and hear in vain; but be 
 found in the number of those, who know the joy- 
 ful sound, and walk in the fear of the Lord, and in 
 the comforts of the Holy Ghost. 
 
FIFTH WEKK. 199 
 
 And may those who will not be able to hear the 
 word, hear the rod, and hear it saying, As jnany 
 as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Let meditation, 
 and reading-, and pious conversation, and above 
 all, thy special presence, be substitutes for public or- 
 dinances. Thus send portions to those lor whom 
 nothinor is prepared, and let them that tarry at 
 home, divide the spoil. And have mercy upon 
 all men, as we implore it through the mediation 
 of the ever blessed Redeemer, in whose words we 
 address Thee — Our Father, who art in heaven, 
 hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy 
 will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, give us 
 this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tres- 
 passes as we forgive those that trespass against us, 
 and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from 
 evil, for thine is the kingdom, the p-owei and the 
 glcry, f;>r *ver. Amen, 
 
FORMS OF PRAYER, &c. 
 
 CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 MOKXING. 
 
 O God, Thou art worthy of universal and everlasting" aa. 
 oration. Thy nature is incomprehensible; thy perfections 
 are infinite: and thy ways are past finding- out Thou art the 
 Creator and upholder ot all thin.^s And all thy works i)raise 
 Thee, O Lord, and thy saints bless Tliee. All our lives have 
 been full of thy undeserved goodness. 
 
 But we are called this morning-, to behold the exceeding 
 riches of thy grace, in thy kindness towards us, by Christ 
 Jesus. Herein is love; not that we loved God, but that He 
 loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins. 
 
 May we contemplate this matchless event, with all those 
 views and affections which its importance demands. May 
 those who observe the day, observe it unto the Lord. May 
 our festivity, becoming the occasion, be harmless and holy. 
 Let us not disgrace the season, by reviving those works of 
 *he devil, which the Son of God was manifested to destroy, 
 nor rest satisfied with the mere remembrance of his advent, 
 as founded in truth, and attended witli wonders; but in- 
 quire, for what end He was born, and for what cause He 
 came into the world. And since we are informed, that He 
 came to seek and to save that which was lost, and suffered, 
 the just for the unjust, that He might bring us unto God; 
 may we deem the report not only a faithful saying, but wor- 
 thy of all acceptation: and may it be in us as a well of water, 
 springing up into everlasting life. 
 
 May none of us disregard Him, from ignorance, worldly- 
 mindedness, presumption, self-righteousness, or desponden- 
 cy. As our Prophet, may we repair to his feet for instruc- 
 tion May we look to his sacrifice, and find relief for our 
 burdened consciences. May we acknowledge his authority, 
 and obey his commands. In all our approaches to Thee, 
 may we make mention of his righteousness only, and in his 
 strength, go forth into all the duties and trials of life. 
 
 May we never feel miserable, even in a vale of tears, 
 while we think of the consolation of Israel: but rejoice in 
 Him, with joy unspeakable and full cf glory. 
 
 Reflecting upon his grace in becoming poor, that we 
 through his poverty might be rich; may all selfishness, and 
 200 
 
CHRISTMAS DAY EVENING. 201 
 
 uucharitableness, be extirpated from our hearts; may we 
 love one another, as he has loved us; and may we delight 
 to go about doing- good. 
 
 M:iy no coldness, no indifference, ever approach our spi- 
 rits, whenever we are engaged in serving a master who has 
 all the claims of a benefactor; yea, who died tor us, and rose 
 again 
 
 To Him may we consecrate all our faculties and posses- 
 sions; and, on our time and our substance, our souls and 
 our bodies, may there be inscribed holiness unto the Lord. 
 May we grieve to hear his name blasphemed, and weep lo 
 see his lava's transgressed. 
 
 May his cause lie near our hearts; and may we long for 
 the time, when He shall be known and adored, from the ris- 
 ing of the sun to the going down of the same; when to Him 
 shall every knee bow, and every tongue confess; and the 
 glad tidings of great joy shall be to all people — Unto jfouis 
 born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 
 
 Through his mediation we address Thee; and in his words 
 we conclude our imperfect supplications. Our Father, &c. 
 
 CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 EVENING. 
 
 TaouGH Thou art exalted above all blessing and praise; 
 yet, O God, we love to explore thy ways, to admire thy 
 works, and to adore thy perfections. Thy understanding 
 is infinite, thy power is Almighty, thy mercy endureth for 
 ever. Tliy goodness transcends all our conceptions, as far 
 as the heavens are higher than the eartii. 
 
 We call on our souls, and each other, this evening, to 
 praise and magnify tliy holy name. We bless Thee fbr our 
 creation, and the degree we hold in the rank of being. We 
 bless Thee for our pveservatioa and for all the supplies 
 which have rendered life supportable; and all the indulg- 
 ences, wliicli have rendered it comfortable. But above ail, 
 we thank Thee for thine unspeakable gift For Tliou hast 
 surpassed all thy works, and crowned all thy benefits, by 
 remembering us in our low estate, and laying help on one 
 that is mighty. 
 
 And we have again heard the intelligence, that God so 
 loved the world, tliat He gave his only begotten Son, that 
 whosoever believeth on Him, should not perish, but have 
 everlastmg life. Convir :e us of ou? need of this dispensation 
 
202 CHRISTMAS DA ^ — KTENING. 
 
 of mercy and grace; and may we acquiesce In it, not with 
 coldness of assent, but with gladness of heart. May we ex- 
 claim with the ang-els — Glory to God in the highest, on earth 
 peace, good will towards men; and tlie multitude of disci- 
 ples, shout — Hosanna, blessed is He that cometh in the 
 name of the Lord. 
 
 Though the world knew him not, and his own received 
 Him not, and He is still despised and rejected of men; may 
 we receive Him as all our salvation, and all our desire. 
 
 May we rejoice to view Him, in a nature, which leadj 
 Him to call us brethren; in which, as our example. He can 
 go before us, in the duties of obedience and submission; in 
 which, He can sympathize with us, in all our wo — and in 
 which, He has suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that 
 He might bring us unto God. 
 
 May we look to Him for all we want, and live a life of 
 faith upon his fulness In Him may we know tliat we have 
 redemption through his blood; that we have righteousness 
 and strength; that we have all the treasures of wisdom and 
 knowledge. 
 
 May we connect with his work for us in the flesh, his 
 work in us by the Spirit. While we are reconciled by his 
 death, may we be saved by his life; and remember tliat his 
 name is Jesus, because he saves his people from their sins. 
 
 And as He came not only that we might have life, but 
 have it more abundantly, may our expectations be laige, 
 and our desires importunate; may He dwell in our hearts by 
 faith, that we being rooted and grounded in love, may be 
 able to comprehend wiih all saints, what is the height, and 
 deptli, and breadth, and length, and know the love of 
 Christ, which passeth knowledge, and be filled with all the 
 fulness of God 
 
 Once in the end of the world hath He appeared, to put 
 away sin by the sacrifice of Himself; and unto them that 
 look for Him will He appear a second tune, witJiout s n un- 
 to salvation. O, prepare us for that solemn day. May we 
 believe in Him as a Saviour, before we meet Him as a 
 Judge: that when the tribes of the earth shall wail because 
 of Him, we may lift up our heads with joy, knowing that 
 our redemption draweth nigh; and say with the church, Lo! 
 this is our God, we have waited for Him, He will save us: 
 this is the Lord, we waited for Him, we will rejoice and be 
 glad in his salvation. 
 
 Make thy ministers wise, and zealous, and successful, in 
 
LAST EVENING OF THE OLD YEAR. 203 
 
 the disi)ensation of thy word; and let sig-ns ami wonders be 
 done, in ilic name of tliyholy cliild Jesus. 
 
 We are a sinful people, but I'hou hast not dealt with us 
 after our desert; and 'I'hou hast not left us without witness; 
 'i'hou hast, in the midst of us, a people for thy name; and 
 we pray, that our beloved country, may be a g-rowing part 
 of the empire of the Prince of Peace. 
 
 May the root of Jesse stand for an ensign to the people; 
 to it may the Gentiles seek, and let his rest be glorious. May 
 he corne down lii:e rain upon the mown grass, as showers 
 tliat water the earth. In hib days may the rig-Jiteous flourish, 
 and abundance of peace, so long as the moon endureth. Let 
 all nations be blessed in him; all generations call him bles- 
 sed. 
 
 And blessed be his glorious name for ever, and let the 
 whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen. 
 
 LAST EVENING OF THE OLD YEAR. 
 
 Gon, Thou hast been our refuge and dwelling place 
 in all generations; before the mountains were brought forth, 
 or ever Thou hadst formed the eartl\ and the world, even 
 from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. And a thous- 
 and years in thy sight, are but as yesterday when it is past, 
 and as a watch in the night, l^ut as for man, his days are 
 as grass; as a flower of the field so he flouris',)eth; for the 
 wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof 
 knoweth it no more. 
 
 We appear before Thee, to close in thy presence, another 
 of the revolutions of our fleeting existence; earnestly pray- 
 ing, that the season may not pass away, without suitable 
 and serious reflections. O, let us not imagine — in spite of 
 Scripture, and observation, and reason, and feeling, that we 
 have many of these periods left to notice; but say with Job, 
 when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence 1 
 jhall not return. — It may be only a few months, or weeks, 
 or days, — or hours, — for we know not at what hour the Son 
 of man cometh. But we know that our life is a vapour, that 
 appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away; we 
 know the frailty of our frame: and the numberless diseases 
 and disasters to which we are exposed — so teach us to num- 
 ber our da\ s, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 
 
 Whit numbers of our fellow-creatures, and many of them 
 much more likely to have continued than their survivors^ 
 
204 LAST EVENING OF THE OLD YEaA. 
 
 have, during" the past year, been carried down to their long 
 home — but we have been preserved; and are hving- to praise 
 Thee tliis day. Blessed be the God orf salvation, to whom 
 belong- the issues from death, that we are yet in thereg-ions 
 of hope, that we have yet an accepted time, and a day oi 
 salvation; and that our opportunity of doing- good, as well 
 as of g-aining good, are still prolong-ed. Yet are they all di- 
 minished by another irreparable loss; and the reduced re- 
 mr'inder, with every trembling- uncertainty aitached to it, 
 calls upon us to say with growing- seriou^nes? and zeal, I 
 must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day, 
 the night cometh, wherein no man can work. 
 
 Thou hast commanded us to remember all the way, which 
 thou hast led us in the wilderness. The scene of our jour 
 neying has indeed been a wilderness; but tlie hand that has 
 conducted us is divine; and a thousand privilege?, not de- 
 rivable from our condition, have been experienced in it. 
 
 Thou hast corrected us, but is of the Lord's mercies we 
 are not consumed. 
 
 We have had our afflictions, but how few have they been 
 in number; how short in continuance; how alleviated in de- 
 gree; how merciful in design; how instructive and useful in 
 their results. 
 
 With regard to our severest exercises, we are compelled 
 to acknowledge. Thou hast not dealt with us after our sins, 
 neither hast Thou rewarded us according to our iniquities. 
 It is good for me that I have been afflicted. 
 
 But O, what a series of bounties and blessings, present 
 themselves to our minds, when we look back upon the year 
 through which we have passed: and to what, but to thine 
 unmerited goodness in the Son of thy love, are we indebted 
 for all. Health, strength, food, raiment, residence, friends, 
 relations, comfort, pleasure, hope, usefulness, — all our be- 
 nefits have dropped from thy gracious hand: and there has 
 not been a day, or an hour, or a moment, but has published 
 Ihy kindness and thy care. 
 
 Especially would we acknowledge thy goodness, in con- 
 tinuing to us the means of grace. Whatever has been de- 
 nied us, we have had the provisions of thy house. The toils 
 and trials of the week, have been refreshed and relieved by 
 the delights of the Sabbath. Our eyes have seen our teach- 
 ers. Our ears have heard the joyful sound of the gospel; and 
 our hearts have often s lid. Lord, it is good for us to be here. 
 
 And O, that every moment of the past year could, if call- 
 
FlftST MORNING THE NEW YEAR. 205 
 
 ed upon — and it will be called upon, bear witness to our 
 gratitude, love and obedience. O, that it was not in its pow 
 er to convict us, of the most unworthy requitals of lliy good- 
 ness. To Thee, O Lord, belong- glory and honour, but to U3 
 shame and confusion of face. (), who can understand his er- 
 rors. (), how many duties have we neglected or improperly 
 performed How little have we redeemed our time; or im- 
 proved our talents. How little have we been alive to thy 
 glory, or sought, or even seized, when presented, oppor- 
 tunities of serving our generation. How unprofited have 
 we been imder the richest means of religious prosperity — 
 and, when for the time we ought to be able to teach oth- 
 ers, we have need to be again taught ourselves, what are 
 the first principles of the oracles of God. 
 
 God be merciful to us siimers Pardon our iniquity, for 
 it is great Cleanse us from all unrighteousness: and work in 
 us to will and to do of thy good pleasure. Let us not carry 
 one of our old sins with us into the new year— unforgiven — 
 unrepented of — unbewailed — imabhorred. With a new por- 
 tion of time, may we have new hearts; and become new- 
 creatures. 
 
 If this year we sliould die — and in the midst of life we 
 are in death, may death prove our eternal gain: and if our 
 days are prolonged, may we walk before the Lord in the 
 land of the living, and show forth all thy praise. The num- 
 ber of our months is with Thee. In thy liand our breath is, 
 and thine are all our ways Prepare us for all: and be with 
 us iu all. and bring us safely through all, into tlie rest that 
 remains for tiiy people; for the sake of our Lord and Savi- 
 our; in whose words we call Thee, Our Fatlier, &c. Jimtn. 
 
 FIRST MORNING OF THE NEW YEAR 
 
 Op old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth; and 
 the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish 
 but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them 'hall wrx old like a 
 garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they 
 shall be changed; but Thou art the same, and thy years shall 
 have no end. Through all the successions of time, v/hich 
 with us constitute the past, the present, and the future, 1 
 AM is thy name, and this is thy memorial in all generations. 
 W^e desire, O God, with the profoundest reverence to con- 
 template the eternity of thy nature. May our minds be fill 
 ed with elevation and grandeur, at the thought of a Being, 
 o 
 
$06 FIRST MORNING OF THE NEW-YEAR. 
 
 with whom one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand 
 years as one day; a Being', who amidst all the revolutions of 
 empire, and the lapse of worlds, feels ao variableness nor 
 shadow of turning How glorious, with immortality attach- 
 ed to them, are ail thy attributes- and how secure are the 
 hopes and happiness of all those, who know thy name and 
 put their trust in Thee 
 
 May we rejoice, that while men die, the Lord liveth; that 
 while all creatures are found broken reeds and broken cis- 
 terns. He is the Rock of ages, and the Fountain of living 
 waters O, that we m:iy turn away our hearts from vanity; 
 and among all the dissatisfactions and uncertainties of the 
 present state, look afier an interest in that everlasting cov- 
 enant, which is ordered in all things and sure. May we 
 seek after a union with thyself, as the strength of our heart, 
 and our portion for ever, and be partakers ourselves of the 
 immutability we adore; for Thou hast assured us, that while 
 the world passeth away, and the lusts thereof, he that doeth 
 the will of God, abideth for ever. 
 
 We thank Thee, that Thou hast revealed to us the way 
 in which a fallen, and perishing sinner can be eternally 
 united to thyself; and that Jesus is the way, the truth, and 
 the life. In His name we come; O, receive us graciously? 
 justify us freely from all things; renew us in the spirit of our 
 minds; and bless us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly 
 places in Christ. 
 
 By the lapse of our days, and weeks, and years, which 
 we are called upon so often to remark, may we be reminded 
 hov/ short our life is, and how soon we shall close our eyes 
 on every prospect below the sun; and, O, suffer us not to 
 neglect the claims of eternity, in the pursuit of the trifles of 
 time; but knowing how frail we are, may we be wise enough 
 to choose that good part which shall not be taken away from 
 us; and before we leave the piesent evil world, may we se- 
 cure an inheritance in another and a better. May thoughts 
 of death and eternity so impress our minds, as to put seri- 
 ousness into our prayers, and vigour into our resolutions; 
 may they loosen us from an undue attachment to things 
 seen and temporal; so that we may weep as though we wept 
 not; and rejoice as if we rejoiced not. 
 
 And remembering tiiat the present life, so short, so un- 
 certain — and so much of which is already vanished, is the 
 only opportunity we shall ever have for usefulness, may we 
 be concerned, with holy avarice to redeem the time. May 
 
FIRST MORNING OF THE NEW-YEAR. 207 
 
 we be alive and awake, at every call of charity and piety 
 May we feed the luing-iy, and clothe tlie naked; may we in. 
 struct the ig-norant; reclaim the vicious; forijive the otlend- 
 ing-; diffuse the gospel; and consider one another, to pro- 
 voke one another unto love and good works, not forsaking 
 '.he assembling ourselves tog-ether, as the manner of some 
 IS, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as we 
 see the day approaching-. 
 
 As we have entered on a new period of life, may we faith- 
 fully examine ourselves, to see what has beer, amiss, in our 
 former temper or conduct; and in thy strength, may we re- 
 solve to correct it. And may we inquire for the future — 
 with a full determination to reduce our knowledge to prac- 
 tice. Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do'' 
 
 Prepare us for all the duties of the ensuing year. All the 
 wisdom and streng-th, necessary for the performance of 
 them, must come from thyself; may we, therefore, live a life 
 of self-distrust, of divine dependence, and of prayer; may 
 we ask and receive, tiiat our joy may be full; may we live in 
 the spirit, and walk in the spirit. 
 
 If we are indulged with prosperity, O, let not our pros- 
 perity destroy us, or injure us If we are exercised with 
 adversity, suffer us not to sink in the Iiour of trouble, or sin 
 against God. May we know how to be abased, without 
 despondence; and to abound without pride. If oui relative 
 comforis are continued to us, may we love them without 
 idolatry, and hold them at thy disposal; and if they are re- 
 called from us, may we be enabled to say, the Lord gave, 
 and the Lord hath taken away; and blessed be the name of 
 the Lord. 
 
 Fit us for all events We know not what a day may bring 
 forth; but we encourage ourselves in the Lord our God, 
 and go forward. Nothing can befall us by chance. Tliou 
 hast been thus far our helper; Thou iiast promised to be with 
 as in every condition; Thou hast engaged to make all things 
 work together for good; all thy ways are mercy and truth. 
 May we, therefore, be careful for nothing, but in every 
 thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, may 
 we make known our requests unto God; and may the peace 
 of God that passcth all understanding, keep our hearts and 
 minds, through Christ Jesus. 
 
 Bless, O, IJless the young; may each of them, this day, 
 hear Thee, saying, my son give me thy heart; and, from this 
 time, may they cry unto Thee, as the guide of their youth 
 
^08 GOOD FRIDAY MORNING. 
 
 Regard those who have reached the years, wherein tli^y 
 say, we have no pleasure in them If old in sin, may they 
 be urg-ed to embrace, befjre it be for ever too late, tne 
 things that belong to their peace; and if old in grace, up- 
 hold them with thy free Spirit, and help them to remember, 
 that now is their salva'ion nearer than when they believed. 
 
 Bless all the dear connexions attached to us by nature, 
 friendship or religion. Grace be to them; and peace be 
 multiphed. 
 
 Let our country share thy protection and smiles. Bless 
 all our rulers and magistrates. 
 
 niess all our churches and congregations. Bless all thy 
 muiisters; may thine ordinances in their hand be enUven- 
 ing and refreshing, and thy word effectual, to wound and 
 to heal. 
 
 May this be a year remarkable for the conversion of souls, 
 and ifie extension of the gospel. Bless all missionary 
 societies; and let the circling months see the banners of the 
 Redeemer carried forward; till all nations are subbued to 
 the obedience of faith. Our Father, which art in heaven, 
 hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done 
 on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; 
 and forgive us our trespasses as 've forgive those that tres- 
 pass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver 
 us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the 
 glory, for ever. Amen. 
 
 GOOD FRIDAY.* 
 
 3I0RKING. 
 
 O, TaoTj King eternal, immortal, and invisible. Though 
 Thou art past finding out unto perfection, we rejoice, that 
 we are not called to worship an unknown God. Thou 
 hast not left thyself without witness. We bless Thee for 
 the revelation which Thou hast given us; and that in thy 
 word we can view Thee, as the Father of mercies, and the 
 God of ail grace. All thy works and ways correspond with 
 the names Thou hast assumed, and demand and justify our 
 confidence in Thee. We praise Thee for the displays of thy 
 goodness in the productions of nature, and the bounties of 
 thy providence, but above all, for thine inestimable love, in 
 
 * A day set apart bj the church to commemorate our S'»viour'i 
 eufferiigs aud death. 
 
GOOD FR DAY MC.=INING. 209 
 
 the redemption of the world, by our Lord Jesus Christ; for 
 the means of grace, and for the hope of g-lory. 
 
 Herein Thou hast commended tliy love, towards us; in 
 that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 
 
 VVe find ourselves tins morning- at the foot of His cross, 
 wliere ans^els are desiring- to look into these thing-s — And if 
 they wlioneed no repentance, study the suffering's of Christ, 
 and tlie g'ory that should follow, O, how much more should 
 we, to whom they are not only true, and wonderful, and 
 sublime, but all important, and infinitely interesting. Help 
 us, O Lord, to turn aside ami see this great sight; and not 
 suffer a dying Saviour to address us in vain — Is it nothing 
 to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see, if ever there 
 was sorrow like unto my sorrow. 
 
 Here, may we see the value of our souls, in the price 
 paid for their deliverance: and instead of neglecting them, 
 or exposing them, for the vanities of tinie and sense: may 
 we regard tliem, according to the estimation in which they 
 were holden by Him, who gave His life a ransom for many. 
 Here, may we contemplate the evil of sin, and abhor it 
 here, look upon Him whom we have pierced, and mourn for 
 Him Yet remembering that He was not only slain by us, 
 but for us: may we rejoice in our tears; and by believing 
 enter into rest. 
 
 With humble and holy confidence may we be enabled to 
 say, surely, He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sor- 
 rows: the cliastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by 
 His stripes we are healed. 
 
 May we never degrade His death by fearingthat it will not 
 be available for guilt, so great and asi;-gravated as ours, even 
 if we depend upon it, and plead it before God: but be fully 
 persuaded, that His blood cleansetli from all sin: and that by 
 the one off'ering up of Himself, He hath perfected for ever 
 them that are sanctified. 
 
 Yet O God, never suffer us to sin that grace may abound. 
 May we never crucify the Saviour afi-esh and put Him to an 
 open shame. May He never be wounded in the house ot 
 His professing friends. Rather may we live only and whol- 
 ly for Him, who died for us; and adorn the doctrine of God 
 our Saviour, in all things 
 
 May our old man be crucified with Him: and the body of 
 
 sin be destroyed, that henceforth we may not serve sin. 
 
 May we be planted together in the likeness of His death. 
 
 As He suflTered for us, leaving us an example, that we 
 
 s 2 
 
210 GOOD FRIDAY EVENING. 
 
 should follow His steps; may we learn of Him, submission, 
 and meekness, and forgiveness of injuries; when reviled, 
 may we revile not attain; when suffering, may we threaten 
 not, but commit ourselves to Him that judgeth righteously. 
 
 Like Him in all the afflictions of life, may we look to tlie 
 hand that prepares and presents them; and say, tlie cup 
 which my Father iKith given me, shall I not drink it? 
 
 Whatever be the cross we are required to bear, may we 
 look before us, and see flim ciu-rying a much heavier; car- 
 rying it for US: and carrying it witliout a murmur — 
 Then let our pains be all forgot, 
 
 Our hearts no more repine — 
 Our sufferings are not worth a thought, 
 When, Lord, compared with Thine. 
 
 Convert and pardon all tiiose, who by their lives or doct- 
 rine, are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Have mercy 
 upon the descendants of ihose who shed His blood: and let 
 His dying prayer be answered. Father, foigive them, for 
 they know not what they do. 
 
 As Thou hast made His soul an offering for sin, may He 
 see His seed, and prolong His days, and the pleasure of the 
 Lord prosper in His hand. May He see of the travail of 
 His soul and be satisfied: and by His knowledge may He 
 justify many, having borne their iniquities. 
 
 Yea, having been lifted up from the earth, may He draw 
 all men unto Him; may all kings fall down before Him, and 
 all nations serve Him; and in all the earth which He has 
 purcht«ed with His own blood, may there be one Lord, and 
 His name one. 
 
 And when He, who made Himself of no reputation, took 
 ipon Him the form of a servant, and became obedient unto 
 death, even the death of the cross, shall come in His glory, 
 with all the holy angels, may we be enabled to say, even 
 so, come Lord Jesus; and unite with those, who will be 
 eternally employed in saying — Unto Him that loved us, and 
 washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made 
 us kings and priests unto God, and to His Father, be glory 
 and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 GOOD FRIDAY. 
 
 EVKNIXG. 
 
 O Thou^ whose name alone is Jehovah, the Most High 
 over all tli.e earth We desire to adore thy perfections, and 
 
GOOD KUIDAY -EVENING. 211 
 
 to admire thy works, which are sought out of all them that 
 have pleasure therein. 
 
 Thou art tl;e only wise God. Thy power is Almig-hty. 
 Whither can we g-o from thy presence, or whither cun we 
 flee from thy Spirit? Tiiou art holy in all thy ways And 
 such is thy purity, that even the heavens are not clean in thy 
 sight. 
 
 How shall we come before the Lord, or bow before the 
 high God? we have no offering of our own to bring. No 
 man can redeem his brother, or give to God aransom for him. 
 The blood of bulls and of goats could not take away sin. 
 The law itself made nothing perfect— but the bringing in 
 of a better hope did, by the which we draw nigh to God. 
 
 Yes, blessed be thy name. Thou liast shown us what is 
 good; and we behold the Lamb of God, who is the pro- 
 pitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the 
 sins of the whole world. 
 
 Here a foundation is laid for our hope, in connexion with 
 thehighest glory of all thy perfections; and we rejoice to 
 think, that while pleading' for salvation by the blood of the 
 cross, we ask Thee not to deny thyself, or to trample on thy 
 holy law; for here, thy law is magnified and made honour- 
 able; here, all thy attributes are developed and harmonized; 
 mercy and truth meet together; righteousness and peace 
 kiss each other. 
 
 Here, weary and heavy laden, may we come for relief, 
 and find rest unto our souls May we take fresh views of 
 this adorable sacrifice, under a sense of our constant im- 
 worthiness and desert; and in all our approaches to Thee, 
 may we have boldness and access with confidence, by the 
 faith of Him. 
 
 May we not only rely upon His cross, but glory in it. 
 Yea, may we joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by 
 whom we have now received the atonement. And may 
 we be able, individually, to say, I am crucified with Christ; 
 nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and 
 the life that I now live in the flesh, 1 hve by tne faitli of the 
 Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. 
 
 We are thankful, that as He atoned for our guilt, so He 
 procured for us the grace of life, that the blessing of Abra- 
 }i;im might come on the Gemiles, and that he might receive 
 the promise of the Spirit, through faith. May we never se- 
 parate the pare' on and sanctification which Thou hast join- 
 ed together May we prove, that He gave Himself— -not 
 
212 EASTER SUNDAY MORNING. 
 
 only for our sins, but that He mig-ht deliver us from the prC' 
 sent evil world; yea, that He might redeem us from all ini« 
 quity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous 
 of good works. 
 
 And, O, that in every future moment of our existence, 
 we may be constrained to live, not to ourselves, but to Him 
 liiat died for us, and rose again. As He so loved us, may 
 we also love one another: and never deem any thing too 
 great to do, or to suffer, while endeavouring to seek and to 
 save, that which is lost. 
 
 May the hearts wliich are too hard to be broken by ter- 
 ror, be melted by love, and gained by confidence May 
 none of those who are desirous of returning to Thee, be 
 discouraged by a fear of rejection: but calling to remem- 
 orance and belief, the infinite proof which Thou hast al- 
 ready exhibited of thy benevolence, thus judge — He that 
 spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, 
 how sliall He not, with Him, freely give us all things. 
 
 Smile upon our country. Let all the churches of the 
 faithful, be edified and multiplied. Bless all the ministers 
 of the everlasting gospel; and may they increasnigly de- 
 termine to know nothing, save Jesus Christ, and Him cru- 
 cified. 
 
 Increase the number of these who love His salvation; and 
 as He gave himself a ransom for all, may it be testified in 
 due time, that he may have the heathen for his inheritance, 
 and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession; and 
 reign King of kings, and Lord of lords. 
 
 In his words we conclude our devotions. Our Father, 
 &c. Amen. 
 
 EASTER SUNDAY.* 
 
 MORKING. 
 
 When we consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, 
 the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained; Lord, 
 what is man, that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of 
 man that Thou visitest him. We are not worthy of an au- 
 dience at thy footstool — we are not vorthy of the least of 
 all thy mercies — our sins have even called aloud for ven- 
 g-eance. 
 
 * A day set apart it commemoration of >ur Saviour's resur 
 rection. 
 
EASTER aUNDAY MORNING. 213 
 
 But Thou hast not executed upon us tlie fierceness of 
 thy aug"er — because Thou art g'ood as well as great; and 
 thy goodness constitutes thy greatness. Tlicu hast turned 
 our very fall into an occasion of improving our condition, 
 by advancing us to the possession of more and greater bles- 
 sings than we originally enjoyed; so that we not only have 
 life, but have it more abundantly. 
 
 For this purpose the Son of thy love was manifested; and 
 in the fulness of time, we behold Him assuming our nature, 
 and coming into our world, not to be ministered unto, but 
 to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. We re- 
 joice to see, in his release from the prison of the grave, the 
 evidence of the all-sufti'ciency and acceptation of the sacri- 
 fice He offered on the cross. O, help us to consider Him 
 as a risen Saviour; and may we feel the power of his resur- 
 rection, in establishing our faith, enlivening our hope, and 
 securing our sunctification. May we not only believe his 
 resurrection, but partake of it, and resemble it, that like as 
 Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, 
 even so, we also might walk in newness of life; reckoning 
 ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, 
 through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
 And if risen with Ciirist, may we give evidence of it, and 
 act becoming it, in seeking those things that are above 
 
 May we never leave our spiritual and everlasting con- 
 dition, undecided and unknown; may we never be satisfied, 
 till we are able to say. Blessed be the God and Father of 
 our Lord JesusChrist, who, according to his abundant mtr- 
 cy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resur- 
 rection of Jesus Christ from the dead; to an inheritance in- 
 corruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved 
 in heaven for us. 
 
 In all our difficulties and dangers, may we rejoice that 
 He who was dead, is alive again, to plead for us, to defend 
 us, and to supply, and has the keys of hell and of death. 
 
 In all the afflictions of life, in the decay of nature, and 
 when looking into the horrors of the grave, may we with 
 humble and holy confidence be able to say, I know that my 
 Redeemer liveth, and shall stand at the latter day upon the 
 earth: and though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, 
 yet in my flesh siiall I see God. 
 
 Are we called to mourn over the loss of our dear., nd pious 
 connexions? Let us not sorrow as those who have no hope; 
 but comf'^rt one another with these words — That Jesus 
 
^14 EASTER SUNDAY — 'EVENING. 
 
 died and rose ag-ain, and them that sleep in Jesus will God 
 bring with Him. 
 
 We glory in the victory which our ristji Saviour has ob- 
 tained, not only over death and the grave, but the poweru 
 of darkness; we rejoice that he has set judgment in the 
 earth, and that the isles are waiting for his law; that his 
 word is translating into every language, and his servants 
 entering every clime. We hail wliat he has done as a 
 pledge of his universal triumph. And though we yet see 
 not all things actually put under him, we see him, for the 
 suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; and in 
 possession of all the resources, necessary to accomplish the 
 benevolent designs of his heart; and he must reign till alt 
 his enemies are made his footstool. 
 
 Tlirough him, as the once suffering but now exalted Sa- 
 viour, we address Thee, as our Father, &c Amen. 
 
 EASTER SUNDAY. 
 
 EVENING. 
 
 O, Thou ever blessed God. we rejoice to think, Thou 
 hast determined to get thyself honour, in this apostate part 
 of thy empire; not by the merited infliction of thy justice, 
 but the displays of thy goodness. For thou hast said, mer- 
 cy shall be built up for ever, a monument higher than the 
 heavens, more durable than eternity, and inscribed to the 
 praise of the glory of thy grace, wherein Thou hast made 
 us accepted in the beloved. 
 
 We bless Thee, for the appointment and revelation of 
 the one only Mediator between Thee and us; by whose 
 death sinners are reconciled, and by whose life they are 
 saved. Thou hast laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Surely 
 He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; the chas- 
 tisement of our peace was upon Him, and witli his stripes 
 we are healed. 
 
 Establish in our minds a full persuasion, that he was de- 
 vered for our offences, and raised again for our justifica- 
 tion; and may we, above all things, be concerned to know 
 not only that He is risen again, but that we are quickened to- 
 gether with Christ, and raised up, and made to sit with Him 
 in the heavenly places. May we hold communion with Him, 
 as a living and reigning Saviour; able to carry on c\ur cause, 
 and save unto the uttermost, all that come unto God by 
 Him. 
 
 Is He not head over all things unti:» his body the church/ 
 
EASTER SUNDAY KVENING. 215 
 
 Is lie not exalted to be a Prince anrl a Saviour? Has lie not 
 assured us, that because He lives, we shall live also^ May 
 we view Him as the first fruits of them that sleep; and be- 
 lieve, that as in Adam all died, even so in Christ sliall all 
 be made alire. May we view his resurrection, not only as 
 tlie pledge, but tlie model of our own; knowing that he 
 shall not only cliange our vile body, but fiishion it like Hit 
 own glorious body, according lo the working, whereby 
 He is able to subdue u'l things unto Himself. 
 
 Thou hast appointed a day in wliicli Thou wilt judge the 
 world in righteousness, by that man whom Thou hast or- 
 dained: and Tliou hast given assurance of it unto all men, 
 in that Thou hast raised Him from the dead. O, save us 
 from the wrath of the Lamb. May we tremble at the thought 
 of appearing before Him, if we neglected his salvation, de- 
 spised bis precious blood, and resisted his Holy Spirit. 
 
 Let not tlie head stone of the corner, be a stone of stum- 
 bling and a rock of offence; but as He is chosen of God, and 
 precious, may He be precious to us. And while He is liv- 
 ing for us in heaven, may we be living for Him on earth. — 
 May we esteem it our highest honom- to be like Him; and 
 feel it our greatest pleasure to serve Him. 
 
 And let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that Thou 
 hast made that same Jesus whom their fathers crucified, both 
 Lord and Christ. May the veil be taken from their heart: 
 and may they behold, as in a glass, his glory. 
 
 As a nation be merciful unto us, and bless us. May this 
 christian country, be a country of christians: and let all who 
 name the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. 
 
 lUess all those who preach Jesus and the resurrection.— 
 May they preach with the Holy Ghost sent down from hea- 
 ven. May their sound go into all the earth; and their words 
 unto the ends of the world. 
 
 As yet, after all we have read, and heard, and experienc- 
 ed, we know but little of the value of the gospel; but we 
 know enough to induce us to be thankful for our religious 
 advantages; to sympathize with those who are without 
 Christ; and to pray, that in Him all the famihes of the earth 
 m;i\' be blessed, and all the generations call Him blessed. 
 
 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead 
 o ir Lord Jesus, th^t great Shepherd of the sheep, througi 
 the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect ii 
 every good work to do his will, working in us that which 
 is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Gh.'-ist; to whom 
 be glory for ever and evat Amen 
 
216 WHITSUNDAY MORNING. 
 
 WITS UN DAY.* 
 
 MOKMNG. 
 
 O God, Thou hast established thy throne in the icavtns, 
 and thy kingdom ruletli overall; and all nations before Thfc 
 are as nothing. Yet, blessed be tiiy name, it is only in com- 
 parison with thy infinite greatness, that they are nothing- 
 net in reference to thy condescension, and kindness, and 
 care. Kven as individuals we have been the charge of tliy 
 providence; goodness and mercy have always attended us; 
 and having obtained help of Tliee, we continue to this day. 
 Thou hast been mindful of our souh as well as our bodies; 
 yea, Thou wast pleased to form a purpose of grace in our 
 favour; and devise means the most glorious, to deliver us 
 from the degradation, and misery, and perdition of sin; and 
 to make us partakers of the hope of eternal life. 
 
 We bless Thee for the dispensation of religion, under 
 which it is our exalted privilege to live. How superior are 
 our advantages, to those enjoyed by many of thy people in 
 earlier ages The law was given by Moses, but grace and 
 truth cume by Jesus Christ. Prophets arid righteous men 
 desired to see the things which we see, and did not see 
 them; and to hear the things which we hear, and did not 
 hear them; but blessed are our eyes for they see, and our 
 ears for they hear. Instead of a portion of revelation, we 
 have the sacred Scriptures complete. Instead of tlie black- 
 ness, and darkness, and tempest of Sinai, we have the mild- 
 er glories, and the small still voice of Zioii. We have not 
 received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but the spirit 
 of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father. 
 
 We praise Thee for the establishment of the glorious 
 gospel, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, 
 and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God 
 also bearing them witness, with signs and wonders, and with 
 divers miracles and gifts of the Kcly Ghost, according to 
 His own will. We rejoice, that though His supernatural 
 agency has ceased, with its necessity, the ministry of the 
 Spirit continue.s, and that His saving influences are confin- 
 ed to no period of the church. All that have been en- 
 lightened and renewed since the fall, have been the sub- 
 jects of His operation; and with Thee is the residue of the . 
 Spirit. 
 
 We rejoice, that as there is no blessing we so much need, 
 
 * A festival observed in remembrance of the descent of the Ho 
 ly Ghost upon the apost.es. — Acts ii 3. 
 
WHITSUNDAY MORNING. 217 
 
 SO there is no blessing we are so much encourag-ecl to im- 
 plore: for thy truth hussaid, if ye, being e\il, know how to 
 give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall 
 your Futh^-r which is in heaven, give his Holy Spirit ujito 
 them that ask Him. 
 
 O Thou God of all grace, fulfil the word unto thy ser- 
 vants, upon which Thou hast caused us to hope. Impart 
 unto ustiiy Holy Spirit, to open the eyes of our understan- 
 ding, to sanctify our affections, to comfort our hearts, to 
 glorify Christ, by taking of the things of Christ, and show- 
 ing them to us 
 
 May we never commit the sin against the Holy Ghost. — 
 Never quench tl\e Spirit Never resist the Holy Ghost Ne- 
 ver grieve the Holy Spirit. But may we pray in the Holy 
 Gliost^ and worship God in the Spirit; and be lead by the 
 Spirit; and be filled with the Spirit. 
 
 May we always view the commands in connexion with 
 thy promises; our duties and trials, in connexion with our 
 resources. Great is our work; great is oiu' warfare; and far 
 greater than we ever yet felt it to be, is our weakness But 
 our sufficieney^is of God; and Thou hast said, I will never 
 leave thee, nor forsake thee — not by might nor by power, 
 but by my Spirit saith tlie Lord 
 
 Let the goings of our God and our King, be seen in the 
 sanctuary; and when thy truth is dispensed, let it come to, 
 those who hear it, not in word only, but in power, and in 
 the Holy Ghost, and with much assurance. 
 
 And bless, not only the gates of Zion, but all the dwell- 
 ing places of Jacob May every family contain a church in 
 the house. Pour thy blessing upon our seed, and thy Spirit 
 upon our offspring; and may the rising race grow up, the 
 ornaments, examples, and benefactors, of their day and ge- 
 neration. 
 
 To Thee we commend all who have the rule over us; we 
 implore thy favourable regards to the privileged country in 
 which we live. Humble us before Thee for our sins, espe- 
 cially our neglect and abuse of our religious advantages. 
 Withdraw not from us the blessings we have forfeited; and 
 inflict not upon us the judgments we have deserved. But 
 spare us according to the greatness of thy iT.ercy. 
 
 And from our land of vision, may the light break forth 
 upon all those who are in darkness, and the region of the 
 shadow of death. 
 
 Bless all missionary exertions. Let the various societies 
 T 
 
218 WHITSUNDAY EVENING. 
 
 employed in tliis work of faith, and labour of love view 
 each otlier with pleasure, and rejoice in each other's suc- 
 Cessi and if not in immediate and personal co-operation, yet 
 in accordance, and tendency, and desig-n, may tliey stand 
 fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving- tog-ether for the 
 fiiith of the g-ospel. Let those v/ho re-main at home, hold 
 forth tlie word of life in their own circles, and be concern- 
 ed to evang-elize the districts in whicli they reside. But O, 
 let there not be a deficiency of those, who offer themselves 
 to the help of the Lord, among the heathen, and say. Lord 
 send me. Let it be said, as it was in tlie beginning- of the 
 gospel — The Lord gave the word, great was the company 
 of them that published it. 
 
 And be with those that are already engaged. We know 
 tliat Paul can only plant, and Apollos wat""- but Thou canst 
 give the increase. 
 
 Pour thy Spirit from on high, and the wilderness sliall be- 
 come a fruitful field. Our Father, &c. Jmen. 
 
 VVITSUNDAY. 
 
 EVEXIXG. 
 
 O, Thou Author of peace, and lover of concord, in know- 
 •ledge of whom standeth our eternal life; and whose service 
 IS perfect freedom; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts, by 
 the inspiration of thv Holy Spirit; and give us grace, where- 
 oy we may serve Thee acceptably, with reverence, and 
 with godly fear. 
 
 We adore Thee as the Creator of all things, visible and 
 invisible. Thou art the Maker of our earth; and Thou art 
 the Maker of man upon it: and Thou madest man upright, 
 in the possession of tuy image, and the enjoyment of thy 
 presence. Hut man being in honour, abode not. Our first 
 father sinned; and we have borne his iniquity. We have 
 g-one astray from the womb; and in numberless instances, 
 have evinced ourselves to be the degenerate offspring of a 
 fallen original — and there is no health in us. As transgres- 
 sors of thy law, we are under the curse; and did our deliv 
 eranc depend upon ourselves, we must lie down in end 
 less de.-jpair. We admit, in all its extent, the testimony of 
 thy word against us; but admire with gratitude, the deve- 
 lopement of a plan of mercy and grace, divinely appropri- 
 ate to all our wants and woes, and uniting the highest dis- 
 play of thy glory, with the salvation of sinners. 
 
 Adored b ;the benevolence that led the Son of thy love 
 
WHITSUNDAf'-EVENING 219 
 
 before the foundation of the workl, to say, ].o! I come U. 
 do thy will, () Goil; thy law is within n\y heart. Blessed be 
 the day when the ang'els saw Him who was ricli, lor our 
 sakes hecomiiig- poor, that wc throiig-Ji His poverty, mig-lu 
 be rich. Blessed be the hour, when the Prince of Life bore 
 our sins in His own body on the tree; and having" obtainod 
 eternal redemption for us, ascended up on high, leading 
 captivity captive, and receiving gifts for men, even the re- 
 bellious also, that tile Lord God might dwell among them. 
 We rejoice, that Christianity was originally preaciied, vvitli 
 the Holy Gliostsent down from heaven: and in the demon- 
 stration of the Spirit, was so firmly established, tliat the 
 gates of hell can never jjrevail against it. We praise Thee, 
 that the sun of righteousness, in the knowledge of tlie gos- 
 pel, has arisen with healing under his wings, upon this dis- 
 tinguished land; and said, arise, sliine, for thy liglit is come, 
 and the glory of the Lord is I'isen upon thee. And, O. 
 what reason have we to be thankful, if this gospel has come 
 to us, not in word only, but in power, and in tiie Holy 
 Ghost, and in much assurance 
 
 For we bless Thee, that though miracles have ceased, 
 yet thy Spirit is insured to thy people to the end of the 
 world, as the source of liglit and life, and peace and joy, 
 giving testimony to the word of thy grace; and workiivgiT 
 the souls of men, to will and to do of thy good pleasure. 
 
 O, Thou Author of all good, save us, we beseech Thee, 
 by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the 
 Holy Ghost. May we be found in the number of tiiose, who 
 are born of the Spirit; and give evidence of il, by our walk- 
 ing after the Spirit, and our minding the things of the Spi- 
 rit. Instead of judging ourselves by dreams, fiincies, and 
 impressions, may we prove what is acceptable ur.to the 
 Lord; and remember, that the fruit of the Spirit, is in ali 
 goodness, and righteousness, and truth. 
 
 We desire O God, to acknowledge our entire depend- 
 ance upon Thee. Whatever time we have engaged in thy 
 service, we are still in the body, and feel our need of the 
 continuance of those counsels, supports, and consolations, 
 which have ever been afforded us. Cast us not away from 
 thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from us. 
 
 In all the dangers to which we are exposed, uphold us by 
 thy free Spirit; and may we not think it enough to be pre- 
 served from faHii\g; but may we go forward, and be always 
 abounding in the work of the Lord. Strengthen us with 
 
220 WHirSUNDAY FVENING. 
 
 might by thy Spirit in the inner man, for every purpose ol 
 the Christian hfe; and may we be satisfied with no attain- 
 ment, till we are filled with all the fulness of God. 
 
 Awaken the careless; convince of their error and guilt, 
 all those who deny, or vilify the work of thy grace? and 
 plant in their consciences the conviction, that if any man 
 rave not tlie S-pirit of Christ, he is none of His. 
 
 Pour the spirit of grace and of supphcation upon all ouf 
 c ngregations. Bless the ministry of the gospel, and make 
 it the ministration of the Spirit, and the power of God to 
 salvation to every one that believeth. 
 
 But how can they believe in Him of whom they have not 
 heard? And how can they hear without a preacher? How 
 many are there, who, by the wretchedness of their condi- 
 tion, if not by their actual desire, are saying, Come over and 
 help us. 
 
 Hast Thou not commanded us to pray, that thy kingdom 
 may come? Hast not thou promised, that the earth shall be 
 full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters Cover the 
 
 seas 
 
 May we encourage our expectation, by reviewing what 
 Thou hast already accomplished; and remembering, that 
 Thou art a God of truth, and — the Almighty. May we, 
 therefore, realize in our minds, the delightful period, when 
 the heathen shall cast their idols to the moles and to the 
 bats; when Mahometanism and anti-christ shall perish; when 
 the Jews shall look upon Him whom they have pierced, 
 and mourn; and among protestants, every plant which our 
 heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 
 
 But why are thy chariot wheels so long in coming? Why 
 does the whole creation groan and travail in pain together 
 until now? How many would say. Lord, now lettest Thou 
 thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word — could 
 their eyes see thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared be- 
 fore the face of all peoj)le; a light to lighten the Gentiles, 
 aid the glory of thy people Israel. 
 
 While using the means, may we trust in thy wisdom, as 
 tt'ell as thy faithfulness; and hear the voice saying, I the 
 l,ord will hasten it — in his time. 
 
 And to God, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, 
 lie ascribed tlie kingdom, power, and glory, both now and 
 ••"or e> er Amer\, 
 
THEEVIi.Nl>,G AFIEK A FUNfiUAL. 221 
 
 THE KVE.MNG AFTER A rUNKRAL. 
 
 O Thou Father of mercies, and God of all comfort. Thou 
 liast often invited us to tliyself, by a profusion of kindness 
 es; and it manifests our depravity, tiiat we tliinkof Thee 
 so little in the hour of ease and prosperity. But we are now 
 before Thee, in affliction and distress. Yet we rejoice to 
 know, that Thou art a very present, and an all-sufficient 
 help in trouble 
 
 Thou takest away and who can hinder Thee, or sny unto 
 Thee, What doest Thou? Thou bust a rig-ht to do what 
 thou wilt with tliine own. Thou art a sovereign, and the 
 reasons of tby conduct are often far above, out of our sight-, 
 but tliy work is perfect, thy ways are judgment. All thy 
 dispensations are wise, and righteous, and kind — kind, even 
 when they seem to be severe. 
 
 May we hear thy voice in thy rod, as well as in thy wordi 
 and gathermg- from the corrections with which we are ex 
 ercised, the peaceable fruit of rig-liteousness, be able to ac- 
 knowledge, with all our suRering- brethren betore us, It is 
 good for me tbat 1 have been afflicted. 
 
 It is not the Scripture only, that reminds us of our living 
 In a dying world, but all observation, and experience. Man 
 is continually going to his long home, and the mourners 
 daily go about the streets. And we are all accomplishing 
 as an hireling, our day, and in a little time our neighbours, 
 friends and relations, will seek us — and we shall noi be. Owf 
 days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent 
 without hope. Thou hast made our days as an hand's 
 breadth, and our age is as nothing before Thee: verily ev- 
 ery man at his best state is altogether vanity. For our days 
 are not only few, but full of evil. Anxieties perplex us; 
 dangers alarm u-^; infirmities oppress us; disappointments 
 afflict US; losses impoverish us — we are consumed by thine 
 anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled — O, shut not thy 
 merciful ear to our prayers; but spare us, O Lord, most ho- 
 ly: O God, most mighty: O holy and most merciful Saviour: 
 Thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last 
 hour, for any bitter pains of death, to fall from Thee. 
 
 We acknowledge, O God, with shame and sorrow, that 
 the state of degradation and mortality, in which we groan, 
 was not our original condition Thou madest man upright; 
 but he sought out many inventions. Our first father sinned, 
 and we have borne his iniquity. I?y ane man, sin entered 
 into the world, and death by sin; and so death hath passed 
 upon all men, for that all have sinned, 
 T 2 
 
222 THE EVEMNG AFIEK A FUNERAI« 
 
 And we bless Tliee. tliat this is not our final state, u^ 
 'he disccverles of faith, we see new heavens, and a new 
 ?arfh, wherein dwelleth righteousness. We see the spi- 
 res of just men made perfev^t. We see our vile bodies 
 chang-ed, and fashioned like the Saviour's own g-lorious 
 bodyi and man, the sinner, raised above the ang-els, who 
 never sinned. 
 
 We bless Thee for this purpose of grace, formed before 
 the world began, anc' accomplished in the fulness of ti.iie, 
 by the Son of thy love, who hath abolished death, and 
 brought life andimmorti^lity to light by the gospel: and who 
 among the ravages of the grave, says, I am the resurrection, 
 and the life; lie that believeth in me, though he were 
 dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believetli 
 in me shall never die. 
 
 May it be our immediate and supreme concern to win 
 Christ, and be found in Him: knowing that there is no con- 
 demnation to them that are in Christ Jesus; and that blessed 
 are the dead that die in tlie Lord. 
 
 So teach us to nuaiber our d;\ysthat we may apply our 
 hearts unto wisdom — that wisdom which will lead us to pre- 
 fer the soul to the body, and eternity to time; tliat wisdom 
 which will le:id us to secure an interest in a better world 
 before we are removed from this. 
 
 O, let not the trifles of time induce us to neglect the 
 G.ie thing needful While eac-h of us is compelled to 
 say, I know Thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house 
 i*|>pointed for all living, may we be enabled also to say, I 
 know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is 
 able to keep that which I have committed to Him, against 
 that day. ^ 
 
 And, O, let not the solemnities we have this day witness- 
 ed, be ever forgotten; for often, our most serious impressions 
 have worn off, and our goodness has been as the morning 
 cloud and early dew, that soon passeth away. 
 
 Thou hast permitted death to invade our circle, and hast 
 turned our dwelling into a house of mourning. May we 
 find that it is better to be in the house of mourning, than in 
 Ihe house of mirth By the siidness of the countenance 
 may the heart be made better, more serious to reHect, and 
 more softened to take impression 
 
 With the feelings of the creature, may we blend the 
 views and the hopes of the christian. May we remember 
 that Thou hast berjavrd us, not as an aggressor, but as a 
 
FAST DAY MORNING. 223 
 
 proprietor; resuming- w'nat was lent us for a season, but nev- 
 er ceased to be tliine own. May we, tlierefore, be dumb, 
 und open not our mouth, because Thou bast done it; or if 
 we speak, may it be to acknowledge and pray — 1 know, O 
 [.ord, that tl>y judgments are right, and tliat lliou in faith- 
 ulness hast afflicted me; let thy loving-kindness be for my 
 comfort, according to thy word unto^thy servant. 
 
 We bless Thee tor thy goodness to tlie deceased, and that 
 we are not called to sorrow, as tliose wlio have no liope. 
 We ascribe wluitever excellency was found in them to thy 
 grace; and desire to be followers of them, as far as they also 
 were of (Mu-ist. 
 
 Forgive us in whatever instances we failed in our duly 
 towards them. Let the prayers they offered for us wbile 
 on earth be answered; may we hold communion with them 
 in our living Iledeemer; and look forwt, d to a period of re- 
 newed and improved intercourse, in which we shall be for 
 ever with each other, and for ever with the Lord. 
 
 Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to 
 present us faultless before the presence of his glory, with 
 exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory 
 and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. 
 
 FAST DAY.* 
 
 MORNING. 
 
 Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is 
 full of thy glory. O, for such an impression of thy holmess 
 as Isaiah had, when, penetrated with a sense of his own sin, 
 and the sin of the nation, he exclaimed, Wo is me, for I am 
 a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of un 
 clean lips. Hanish all insensibility and indifference fron 
 our minds, and unite our hearts to fear thy name. 
 
 We lament that the world in which we live, formed to 
 show forth thy praise, was so early defiled by sin; that all 
 flesh corrupted its way before God, and every imagination 
 of the thoughts of the heart, was only evil continually. We 
 .adore i.hy awful but righteous displeasure, in bringing the 
 flood upon the world of the ungodly, and taking then all 
 a way 
 
 Ytt even this tremendous desolation, d'd not hinder the 
 renewed human race from rebelling against Thee; and a 
 
 *The two following prayers are particularly adapted to a fast 
 ippointed ou accou it of some great calSmiitv but with slight altera- 
 tious may be u.«ed ou ordinary fast days. 
 
224 FAST DAY MdkniNG. 
 
 long" succession of private and public calaml.es, proclains 
 the desperate depravity of our nature, and the evW of sin. 
 Our world is the empire of death, a vale of tears; and temp- 
 ests and earthquakes, and war, and pestilence, and famine, 
 scatter the tokens of thy wrath, for Thou distributest sor- 
 rows in thine anger. 
 
 Thy judgments are now abroad in the earth — may the in- 
 habitants thereof learn righteousness. They have reached 
 and invaded us — may we lay them to heart, and be suitably 
 impressed, with the afHicted circumstances of the country 
 to which we belong. 
 
 We have been equally distinguished by privileges and 
 guilt, and it is impossible for us to review the one, without 
 being reminded of the other. An innumerable multitude of 
 natural, providential, and religious benefits, has distingulsii- 
 ed our portion. The lines have fallen to us in pleasant 
 places, yea, we have a goodly heritage. At an early period 
 the gospel visited our shores, and has continued in the 
 midst of us to tliis hour. We have lived under the adminis- 
 tration of laws, just, mild and beneficient. We have en- 
 ioyed civil and religious freedom. The Scriptures have 
 not been witholden from us, nor have our teachers been 
 removed into a corner — but our eyes have seen our teachers; 
 and sitting under our own vine and fig-tree, none have dared 
 to make us afraid. In our dangers, Thou hast appointed 
 salvation for walls and bulwarks; the earth hi»s yielded to 
 us her increase: and God, even our own God, has blessed 
 us. 
 
 It is imposible for us to express or conceive the obliga- 
 tions we are under to love and serve Thee. 
 
 But we know— and, O help us to feel, how unworthily 
 and ungratefully we have behaved ourselves, towards our 
 adorable benefactor. We are a sinful nation, a seed of 
 evil-doers; children that are corrupters. The whole head 
 is sick, and the whole heart is faint: from tlie crown of the 
 nead even to the sole of the foot, there is no soundness, but 
 wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores. O Lord, right- 
 eousness belongeth unto Thee, but unto us confusion of 
 faces, as at this day, to our rulers. 
 
 But thou art the almigh'./. Thou hast all hearts in thy 
 hand, and all events at thy disposal. 
 
 And we have heard, that to the Lord our God belong 
 mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against 
 Him. We are proofs ourselves, that thy compassions fail 
 not — hence though corrected, we are not consumed; and 
 
FAST DAY — KVENING. 2'-i5 
 
 thoug-h giilty, we are yet allowed and invited to enter tliy 
 presence. 
 
 With (lee[) humiliation, not unnriing-led with hope, mav 
 we. approach the throne of thy grace, at thi.s time of need. 
 O, be merciful un*o us, and bless us, and cause tliy face to 
 shine upon us, that we may be saved. For the sake of thv 
 dear Son, who died, the just for the unjust, by whose name 
 we are called — bel..)ld a country prostrate at thy footstool, 
 and liear the voice, which will issue to-day, from so many 
 temples and closets, .saying, Spare thy people, O Lord, and 
 give not thine heritage to reproach 
 
 Remove, if it please Thee, the blow of thy heavy hand, 
 in tl)e calamity which we are deploring; and after giving 
 such a deliverance as this, may we no more break tliy com- 
 mandments. Or if Thou hast determined to continue the 
 correction; O, corr.ct us, but with judgment, not in thine 
 anger, lest Thou bring us to nothing. 
 
 Aid thy people in the private and p<iblic devotions of the 
 day. Pour out a spirit of grace and of supplication, that w 
 may .sorrow after a godly sort. May thy ministers be fliith- 
 ful and fearless; may ihey cry aloud, and spare not; but lift 
 up their voice like a trumpet, and show thy people their 
 transgression and the house of Jacob their sin 
 
 And let the word that is to be spoken, be quick and pow- 
 erful, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to 
 the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of tlie joints and 
 marrow, and be a discernerof the thoughts and intents of 
 the heart. 
 
 Our rather, &.c. Amen. 
 
 FAST DAY. 
 
 KVENIXG. 
 
 O God, Thou hast established thy throne in the heavens, 
 and thy kingdom ruleth over all. We prostrate ourselves 
 before Thee, deeply impressed with a sense of the vastnesg 
 of thy ag'ency and dominion. Thou changest the times and 
 the seasons, Thou removest kings, and settest up kings 
 Empires rise and fall, and fade and flourish, at thy bidding: 
 and all nations are in thy hand, but as clay in the hand of tiie 
 potter. 
 
 IJut none of thy dispensations are arbitrary. Whatever 
 
 Thou doest, is done, because O Father, it seemeth good in 
 
 thy sight; and thy judgment is always according to truth. 
 
 Thou art holy in all thy ways, and righteous in all thy works 
 
 ^and Thou af good- evet in wrath Thou rememberes* 
 
226 FAST DAY— -EVENING. 
 
 mercy, and dost not afflict wllling-ly, nor grieve tlte chil- 
 dren of men. 
 
 Therefore it is, that we iiave been this day humbling our- 
 selves in thy presence. 
 
 For we acknowledge that we have been deeply guilty. 
 Thou hast nourished and brought up children, but we havi- 
 rebelled against Thee. The ox knoweth his owner, and 
 the ass his master's cribi but we have not known, we have 
 not considered. Thou hast given us our corn, and wine, 
 and cii, and multiplied our silver and gold; and we have pie- 
 pared them for Baal. Because of swearing, the land has 
 mourned. Pride has compassed us about as a chain. Dis- 
 content has rebelled against thine appointments. How has 
 the love of money, which is the root of all evil, abounded 
 among us. How have lliy sabbaths been profaned, and tiiy 
 ordinances disregarded. How has tlve gospel been under- 
 valued, neglected, despised. 
 
 And all our transgressions have been more aggravated 
 than those of any other people, because Thou hasl favoured 
 us unspeakably more than all the families of the earth. 
 
 Therefore, Thou couldst easily and justly have destroyed 
 US; but Thou bust not stirred up all thy wrath In all that 
 has come upon us, for our evil deeds. Thou hast punished 
 us less than our iniquities deserve. Yet thou hast testified 
 thy displeasure, and visited us with thy judgments; so that 
 when we looked for light and peace, we have seen darkness 
 and trouble. 
 
 O, let us not be inattentive to the design of thy dealings, 
 or insensible under thy rebukes. O, let it not be said of us, 
 as it was of the Jews, The hai-p, and the viol, and the tabret, 
 and pipe, and wine are in their feasts, but they regard not 
 the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his 
 hand. Thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; 
 Thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive 
 correction; they have made their faces harder than the rock, 
 they have refused to return. 
 
 In the way of thy judgments, O Lord, may we wait for 
 Thee. Thou hast said. Is any afflicted.? let him pray. Call 
 upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and 
 thou shalt glorify me. Fulfil the word unto thy servants, 
 upon which Tliou hast caused us to hope. And O, let not 
 the calamity be removed only, but above all sanctified: let 
 it appear that we have heard the rod, and Him that ap- 
 pointeth it: and be able to say. It is good for us that we have 
 been afflicted. 
 
IHANKSGLVING DAY MORNING. 227 
 
 For uliich purpose, bless, we beseech Thee, tlie wordof 
 Ihy gTAce, which has been spoken^ and g-rant that the pro- 
 fessed humiliation of the day, may be real — for Ihou look- 
 est to the heart And let it also be universal, may it extend 
 from the hi.^hest to the lowest: may it pervade every part 
 of our country: may it enter c\ ery church, and every family 
 — let none of us lose sig-ht of oiu'selves, in the public calami- 
 ty. May each individual retire and ask. What have I done? 
 — and what wilt Tliou have me to do? And tlioug-li other 
 lords have !iad dominion over us, hencefoitii, by Tliee only, 
 may we make mention of thy name, 
 
 Reg-ard the g-overnment vuider which \ve live; and the 
 mag-istracy of the land — may all be wise in counsel, exempla 
 ry in conduct, and faithful to their trust. 
 
 And thus may we be reformed, and not destroyed Thus 
 may we be a holy, that we may be a happy people, whose 
 God is the L© 'd ' Return O Lord, how long? and let it re- 
 pent Thee c <ncerning thy servants. O, satisfy us earl} 
 with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our 
 days. Make us g-lad, according to the da}'s wherein Thou 
 hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. 
 Let thy woi-k 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, tlie work of our hands, establish Thou it. 
 
 And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be rend- 
 ered the kingdom, power and glory, for ever and ever. 
 
 Amen. 
 
 FOR A DAY OF THANKSGIVING. 
 
 MORNING. 
 
 Gop, Thou art very great. Thou art clothed with honor 
 and majesty; Thou coverest thyself with light as with a gar- 
 ment; 'i'hou walkest upon the wings of the wind. When we 
 reflect or the glory of thy majesty, we are filled with wond- 
 er at the vastness of thy condescension. For Thou con- 
 descendest even to behold things that are in heaven. What 
 then is man, that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, 
 that Thouvisitest him. 
 
 We rejoice, that we are under the governance of a Being, 
 who is not only Almighty,but perfectly righteous, and wis(), 
 and good; that all things, in our world, are appointed and 
 arranged by thy paternal agency; that thy providence num- 
 bers the very hairs of our head, and that a sparrow falletli 
 VOt to the ffround. without our heavenh' Father. 
 
228 THA.NKSG—IN i DAY MORNING. 
 
 Hitherto hath tlie Lord lielped us. We bless I'hee for 
 personal mercies If we are ci.lled, it is by thy word If we 
 are renewed, it is by thy Spiiit. If we are justified, it is 
 freely by thy i^^race througli the redemption that is in Christ 
 Jesus. It is in Thee we live, and move, and have our being". 
 Thy g-oodness lias been always near us, to hear our com- 
 plaints, to sooth ov!r sorrow, and to command deliverance 
 for us. And numberless are the inatances of loving'-kind- 
 ness, that now, from ig-norance, or inattention, elude our 
 notice; the iliscovery of which will awaken our songs, when 
 we mina:!e with those who dwell in thy house above, and 
 are still praising Thee. 
 
 ^V ■ thank Tliee for relative benefits; for blessings on our 
 fain I es, blessings on our churches, and blessings on our 
 COUP. :y. We confess that we are not worthy of the least of 
 all thy mercies, and of all the truth which Thou has showed 
 unto thy servants. Sins of every kind and of every degree, 
 have reigned among us: have spread through all ranks and 
 orders; and continued, notwithstanding all warnings and cnr- 
 rections; and if 'I'hou hadst dealt with us, after our sins, or 
 rewarded us according to our iniquities, we should long 
 ago, have had no name, nor place, among the nations of tht: 
 globe. 
 
 But to the Lord, our God, belong mercies andforgivenes 
 ses, though we have rebelled against Him. All thy dispen 
 sations towards us have said, with a tenderness that ought to 
 penetrate our hearts — How shall 1 give Thee up! Oar privi- 
 leges, never properly improved, and forfeited times witli- 
 out number, have been continued. We still behold oui 
 sabbaths, and our ears still hear the joyful sound. Our con 
 stitution, liberties, and laws, have not been subverted, o! 
 impaired. Thou h:»st given us rains, and fruitful seasons. 
 Thou hast filled us with the finest of the wheat; our garners 
 have been affording all manner of store; our oxen have been 
 strong to htbwur; our sheep have brought forth thousands 
 and ten thousands in our streets. Thou hast spread thy 
 wing, and sheltered us from the pestilence that walketh in 
 darkness, and the destruction that wasteth at noon-day. Ci- 
 vil discord has not raged in our land; our shores have not 
 been invaded; we have not heard the confused noise of war- 
 riors, nor seen garments rolled in blood — it has not come 
 nigh us Our enemies have often threatened to swallow us 
 up, but the Lord has been on our side, and they have not 
 prevailed against us. We are this day called upon to ac- 
 knowledge tliy goodness in ( )* 
 
 * Here let the particular causes for thankfulness be expressed 
 
THANKSGIVING DAY — EVENl >'» 229 
 
 God is the Lord who halh showed us light; bind the sac- 
 rifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar. May w© 
 never convert our blessings into instruments of pr<" ■ocatloii, 
 by making them the means of nourisiiing pride and pre 
 sumption, wantonness and intemperance; and compel Thee 
 to complain — Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolisli people, 
 and unwise? Is not He thy Father, that hath bought thee? 
 Hath He not made thee, and established thee? 
 
 For this purpose meet with us in thy house; and may the 
 goings of our God and our King be seen in the sanctuary 
 Be with the preacher, and with the hearers; and let the 
 words of his mouth, and the meditation of their hearts be 
 acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength, and out Re- 
 deemer. May public instruction awaken the ardour of our 
 feelings: may our gratitude not only be lively, but practical 
 and permanent. And by all thy mercies, may we present 
 our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Thee, 
 which is our reasonable service. 
 
 Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that 
 do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His 
 word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye His liosts: ye ministers of 
 His, that do His pleasure. Bless the Lord, all His works, in 
 all places of His dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul. Jimtn. 
 
 FOR A DAY OF THANKSGIVING. 
 
 EVENING. 
 
 O GoT), Thou art good, and doest good. Thou ait good 
 to all, and thy tender mercies are over all thy works. 
 
 We have thought of thy loving kindness this day, in the 
 midst of tiiy temple; and are again surrounding this domestic 
 altar, to exclaim, O that men would praise the Lord for His 
 goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of 
 men. 
 
 We lament to think, that a world so filled with thy bounty, 
 should be so alienated from thy service and glory. We 
 mourn over the vileness of our ingratitude, and abhor our- 
 selves, repenting in dust and ashes. 
 
 O Thou God of all grace, make us more thankful. In 
 order that we may be more thankful, may we be more hum- 
 ble; impress us with a deep sense of our unworthiness, aris- 
 ing from the depravity of our nature, and countless instances 
 of unimproved advantages, omitted duties, and violated com- 
 mands May we compare our condition with our desert, 
 and with the far less indulged circumstances of others. 
 Mav we never be inattentive to any of thy interpositions on 
 
 ^ U 
 
23(1 THANKSGIVING DAY EVENING. 
 
 our behalf: but be wise, and observe these things, that we 
 may understand the loving- kindness of the I>ord. 
 
 How many blessings, temporal and spiritual, piablic and 
 private, hast Thou conferred upon us. Thy mercies have 
 been new every morning, and every moment. 
 
 Our afilictions have been few and alleviated, often short 
 in their continuance, and always founded in a regard to our 
 profit. Tliy secret has been upon our tabernacle; and we 
 have known Thee in thy palaces for a refuge. The lines 
 have indeed fallen to us in pleasant places, yea, -we have a 
 goodly heritage. Thou hast not dealt so with any people. 
 It is a good land, which the Lord our God has given us — a 
 land distinguished by knowledg"e; dignified as the abode of 
 civil and religious freedom; endeared by the patriot's zeal, 
 and the ashes of our forefathers; a land the Lord careth for, 
 and upon which His eye has been from the beginning even 
 to the end of the year. 
 
 Thou hast been a wall of fire round about us, by thy provi- 
 dential protection, and the glory in the midst of us, by the 
 gospel of our salvation, the ordinances of religion, and the 
 presence of thy Holy Spirit. 
 
 WJiat shall we render unto the Lord, for all His benefits 
 towards us? Because Thou hast been our help, therefore 
 under the shadow of thy wing may we rejoice. Because 
 Thou hast heard our voice and our supplication, tlierefore 
 may we call upon Thee as long as we live; and in every fu- 
 ture difficulty and distress, make Thee our refuge and our 
 portion. 
 
 Enable us to bless Thee at all times; may thy praise con- 
 tinually be in our mouth; and may we show forth thy praise, 
 not only with our lips, but in our lives. 
 
 Being delivered from the peril and calamity (o f ■ ■■) 
 with which we have been exercised, may we serve Thee 
 without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of our 
 lives. 
 
 We dare not trust our own hearts. We have often resem- 
 bled thy people of old, who, in the hour of deliverance and 
 indulgence, sang thy praise, and said — All that the Lord 
 commandeth us, will we do, but soon forgot His works and 
 the wonders which He had showed them. Keep these 
 things for ever in the imagination of our hearts; and not only 
 draw us, but bind us to thyself, with the cords of love, and 
 the bonds of a man. 
 
 And with all our calls to gratitude and joy, may we re- 
 
THANKSGIVING DAY EVENING. 231 
 
 member that we have also reason for sot row aivJ 1 amiUa 
 tion. O, give us that repentance which is unto hfe. He. 
 form, as well as indulge us; and pard(>n, as well as spare. 
 Let not our prosperity destroy us, nor our table become a 
 snare. Let us not by our perverse returns, provoke Thee 
 to visit us with heavier afflictions; and turn the rcid into a 
 scorpion. May our ways please the Lord, tiiat we may hope 
 for continuance of ihy favour, and know that all tiling's shall 
 work together for our good. 
 
 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion. Build Thou 
 the walls of Jerusalem. And as the churches have rest, may 
 they walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the 
 Holy Giiost, and be multiplied. 
 
 Preside over our national councils; impart wisdom to those 
 who conduct our public affairs; and may all the various clas- 
 ses in the community, pursue that righteousnes which ex- 
 altetli a nation, and forsake that sin which is a reproach to 
 any people. 
 
 Regard the services in which we have been engaged 
 with the thousands of our Israel; accept of the poor and im- 
 perfect thanksgivings we have offered; and let thy word, 
 which has been dispensed, in aid of the devotion of the day, 
 accomplish all the good pleasure of thy goodness— through 
 Jesus the Lord, our righteousness and strength; and in 
 whose w ords we address Thee as 
 
 Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be tliy name; 
 thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in 
 heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our 
 trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us, and 
 lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil; for 
 thine is the kingdom, the pov/er, and the eflory, for ever 
 
 drnen. 
 
PETITIONS 
 
 PARTICULAR OCCASIONS. 
 
 FOR RAIN. 
 
 aks there any of the vanities of the Gentiles that can 
 caiiseruin? Oi' can the heavens g'ive showers^ Art noi Thou 
 he, O Lord, our God? Therefore will we wait upon Thee, 
 for Thou hast made all these things. 
 
 Thou visitesl the earth, and waterest it: Thou greatly en- 
 richest it, with the river of God, which is full of water. 
 Thoumakestit soft with showers; I'hou blessest tlie springs 
 thereof. Thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the 
 pastures of the wilderness; and the little hills rejoice on 
 every side. 
 
 We have been made to feel the worth of this blessing, by 
 the want of it: and it would be easy for Thee to continue the 
 privation, till the heavens over us were brass, and the earth 
 under us iron; and the husbandman be ashamed for the 
 wheat, and for the barley, because the harvest of the field 
 is perished, and because joy is withered away from the sons 
 of men. 
 
 But O deal not with us after our desert. Turn not a fruit- 
 ful land into barrenness. Command thy rain to descend; 
 cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the ser- 
 vice of man; that he may bring forth food out of *Jie earth. 
 
 FOR FAIR WEATHER. 
 
 How numberless are our wants and dangers! Our hopes 
 are destroyed, not only by the deficiency, but the excess of 
 our supplies. Stop, we pr.ay Thee, the bottles of heaven, 
 which have so long been pouring down water upon us; and 
 cause thy sun not only to rise, but to shine — give us the 
 clear shining after rain, that the earth may yield her increase, 
 in maturity; and opportunity be afforded for the wholesome 
 ingathermg of grass for the cattle, and grain for the use of 
 man: that there may be no complaining in our streets; but 
 that we may eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the 
 Lord. 232 
 
IN VIEW OF JOURNEYING, JcC. 233 
 
 And O let us not forg-et our souls in oi:r tm'm Ir'ult.ess of 
 the body; nor expend all our concern upon tlie rneut that 
 perlslietli— but be above a'l thing's, anxious to secure that 
 meal which endureth unto everlasting' lite, and which the 
 Son of man will give; for him hath God the Father sealed. 
 
 IN VIEW OF JOTJUNKYING. 
 
 O Gon, Thou hast called thyself the Preserver of men, 
 And the length of our days. We are therefore encourag-ed 
 to commit ourselves to thy g"uardian care, in the journey 
 before us 
 
 Many have parted with their friends, with the hope of 
 soon embracing- each other ag-ain, but instead of returning- 
 to their own dwelling-, have been conveyed to the house ap- 
 pointed for all livi.ig-. We pray, with submission to thy 
 pleasure, that this may not be our experience. Give thine 
 ang-els charg-e concerning- us, to keep us in all our ways 
 Let no evil befall our persons, and no plague come nigh 
 our dwelling-. May we know also that our tabernacle is in 
 peace, and visit our habitation, and not sin. 
 
 Yet uncertain what a day may bring- forth, may we be 
 prepared for every event of thy providence; and wlierever, 
 in dying-, we g-o from, may it be our liappincss to know 
 v/here we are g-oing ^y — and rejoice in the prospect, that 
 when all our wanderings and partings are ended, we shall 
 unite in our heavenly Father's house, and be for ever with 
 the Lord. 
 
 FOR A NEW MAURIEn PARTY. 
 
 Bless those who have just entered a state honourable in 
 all. May they remember the vows they ha\ e left at the 
 altar; and in the discharge of their personal and relative du- 
 ty, may they make thy word their rule, that mercy and peace 
 may be upon them. May the husband love his wife even 
 as himself; and may the wife see that she reverence her 
 husband; and both walk together, as heirs of the grace of 
 life, that their prayers be not hmdered. 
 
 Preserve them from the evils which destroy or diminish 
 the welfare and comfort of the condition in which Thou hast 
 placed them; and may they enjoy all the happiness deriva- 
 ble from prudence, temper, accommodation, rea godliness, 
 and the divine blessing. 
 
 May they expect to discern infirmities in one another; 
 but may they be always most deeply conscious of their own- 
 V 2 
 
234 FOR ONE UNDER SICKNESS, 8cC. 
 
 And let them not look for unattainable, by looking for uiv 
 mingled bliss on earth: but remember that this is not our 
 rest; and be prepared for difficulties, trials, changes, and 
 final separation. 
 
 FOR A WOMAN APPROACHING THE TIME OF 
 TRAVAIL. 
 
 Regard thine handmaid who is looking forward to an im 
 portant hour. Be not Thou Air from her when trouble is 
 near. May her mind be kept in perfect peace, being stay- 
 ed upon the God of her salvation. Bring to the birth, and 
 give strength to bring forth. Soften the pains of labour, as 
 well as command deliverance; and in due time, may she re- 
 member no more her anguish, for joy Ihat a child is born 
 into the world. And may the root and the branch, abide 
 under the shade of the Almighty. 
 
 FOR ONE UNDER SICKNESS. 
 
 Think, O God, for good upon the afflicted; especially 
 him for her J whom wc now commend to thy compassion- 
 ate regard. Comfort W\m upon the bed of languishing, and 
 make all his bed in his sickness. 
 
 If the sickness be unto death, prepare him for the solemn 
 event, and be with him in it. But we are allowed to im- 
 plore deliverance, with submission; nothing is too hard for 
 the Lord; Thou canst heal as well as wound — we therefore 
 pray, if it be thy good pleasure, that Thou wilt put efficacy 
 into the means; rebuke the disorder; renew the strength; 
 and prolong the days of thy servant. 
 
 Above all, let the dispensation be sanctified to the suffe- 
 rer and his connexions; and may all have reason to acknow- 
 ledge, in the review, It is good for me that I have been af- 
 flicted. 
 
 FOR A YOUTH GOING FROM HOME. 
 
 flf with a view io Business. J 
 
 O Gon, Thou appointest the bounds of our habitation; and 
 arrangest all our individual concerns; and it is thy pleasure 
 not only that we should part at death, but often separate in 
 life. When absent from each other in body, may we be pre- 
 sent in spirit; and may our natural afffction be strengthened 
 and sanctified by inquiry, and corre:<pondence, and divine 
 lemembrance at tV.e throne of grace. 
 
 Regard the member of our family, who is now leavinjjf the 
 
FOR CHILDREN. 235 
 
 parental roof, and the parental wing. In ull his ways may 
 he acknowledge Thee; and be Thou the guide and the guard 
 of his youth. Secure him from ihe patlis of the destroyer, 
 and ihe evils of the woi-ld. May uprightness preserve him. 
 In the situation he will be called to fill, may he be dutiful, 
 and obliging, and diligent, and faithful: may he always re- 
 member, that tlie eye of God is upon him; and be not only 
 amiable, but pious; and in favour with God, as well as man. 
 (^ If with a vieiv to Sihoat.J 
 O Thou God of providence and grace, we commend to 
 thy care the dear child, about to leave our abode for a sea- 
 son, in order to receive needful instruction. Let his (or her) 
 life be precious in tliy sight. May lie redeem his time, and 
 acquire the improvement that will fit him for usefulness, in 
 his day and generation. And O, let hrni be made wise unto 
 salvation; and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon 
 him; that he may be a useful and ornamental member in thy 
 church below, a\id hereafter a pillar in thy temple above, 
 never more to go out. 
 
 FOR CHILDREN IN ORDINARY CfRCUMSTANCES. 
 
 [Jll the Petitions need not be used at the same time ] 
 
 O God, Thou art the lovely Father of all mankind; Thou 
 hast implanted in us the parental instincts; and commanded 
 us to train up our children in the nurture and admonition of 
 the Lord — we feel our awful responsibility, and often ex- 
 claim, Who is sufficient for these things? But Thou givest 
 wisdom to the ignorant, and power to the faint Aid, () aid 
 us, in discharging the duties we owe to those whom thou 
 hast given us, and continued to us. 
 
 We give them up to Thee, who art able to fulfil all our 
 petitions Rescue them from the numberless accidents and 
 diseases to which they are exposed. Let their tempers be 
 lovely, and meek, and kind. Let their manners be simple 
 and engaging. May they be respectful towards their supe- 
 riors; obliging towards their equals; and condescending to« 
 wards their inferiors. 
 
 Let not envy, and pride,'and censoriousness, render them 
 disdainful to others, and wretched in themselves. May they 
 speak evil of no one — but upon their tongue, may there 
 dwell the law of kindness. May they hate and abhor lying — 
 with all deceit and hypocrisy. 
 
 May they be always willing to receive instruction; and be 
 diligent ii acquiring all the knowledge and improvement 
 
336 FOR CRIMINALS IN 4>RISON. 
 
 that may render them the blessings and ornaments of soci»ity. 
 
 Keep them from evil company. If sinners entice them, 
 may they never consent; but early may they take hold of 
 the skirt of him that is a Jew, sayiiig-, 1 will go with you, for 
 I have heard that God is with you. 
 
 We seek not great things for them as to this world — but 
 (), let them live in thy siglU; let them be numbered with thy 
 saints in glory everlasting; let them be blessed with all spi- 
 ritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ. 
 
 Instead of multiplying riches, and leaving them incentives 
 to pride, and vanity, and idleness, and sensuality; and aug- 
 menting a thousand fold all the difficulties of their salvation 
 — May we lay up for them treasure in heaven; may we be 
 concerned to leave behind us, a large inheritance of pray- 
 ers, and instructions, and examples -with the blessing of 
 God, that maketh rich, and addeih no sorrow with it. 
 
 If their parents should be taken away from them, when 
 father and motiier forsake them, may the Lord take them 
 up. If they should be deprived of their father — be Thou 
 the Father of the fiitherless; or, should they be deprived of 
 their mother — as one whom his mother comforteth, so dc 
 Thou comfort them. 
 
 Should they be removed from us, in early life, may the 
 heavenly shepherd gather the lambs with His arm, and car- 
 ry them in His bosom; and may we be prepared to resign 
 them. And, if, as we submissively implore, then* lives 
 should be prolonged — may tliey grow up, and prove our 
 comfort and honour; serve thy generation according to thy 
 will, and walk before Thee in the land of the living. 
 
 FOR CRIMINALS IN PRISON. 
 
 Behold, in the greatness of thy mercy, those who are 
 bound in affliction and iron, because they rebelled against 
 the word of God. May they be led to reflect upon tlie evil 
 of sin, in the degradation and misery to which it has reduc- 
 ed them. Give them repentance unto life, that they may 
 acknowledge that Thou art just in all that is brought upon 
 them, and be more concerned to obtain deliverance from 
 the wrath to come, than exemption from the hand of civil 
 jus'dce. If, after lengthened confinement, they siiould be 
 released, let them be rescued from the bondage of corrup- 
 tion, and partake of the glorious liberty of the sons of God; 
 and if appointed unto death, O, hear the sighing of the pri- 
 soner, and though the flesh be destroyed, let the spirit be 
 saved in the day of the Lo?d Jesus. 
 
SPRING. 237 
 
 While we feel an abhorrence of sin, may we always dis- 
 play compassion for sinners; and be thankful that we have 
 been exempted, by the favourableness of our convlition in 
 life, by pious relations, by education, by th)- restrainingand 
 thy sanclifyingf grace, from so many temptations by which 
 we mig"!u have been conquered- Who made us to differ 
 from another: and what have we that we did not receive.' 
 
 ADDRESSES 
 
 FOR 
 
 PARTICULAR SEASONS. 
 
 SPRING. 
 
 Thott art the fountain of life; in Thee we live, move, and 
 have our being — and the prerogative of that being is, that 
 we are able to contemplate thy perfections, and rise from 
 thy works — to thyself. 
 
 Thou sendest forth thy Spirit; and renewest the face of 
 the earth; and, from apparent death, all nature starts into 
 re-animated vigour and joy. In what myriads of productions 
 art Thou displaying afresh, the wonders of thy wisdom, pow- 
 er, and goodness — the whole earth is fidl of thy riches. 
 
 While we partake of tlie general sympathy and delight, 
 may we join with all thy works to praise Tliee. And, O 
 Thou God of all grace, bless us with tlie renewing of the 
 Holy Ghost, in all the powers of our souls. May old things 
 pass away, and all become new in Christ: may the beauty 
 of the Lord be upon us; and. the joy of the Lord be our 
 strength. 
 
 May the young remember, that they are now in the sjiring 
 of life; and that M/* spring, once gone, returns no more 
 May they therefore, eagerly seize, and zealousl}' improve, 
 the short, but all important season, for the cultivation of tlieir 
 minds, the formation of their habits, the correction of their 
 tempers, their preparation for future usefuhiess, and their 
 gaining that good part which shall not be taken away from 
 tUenu 
 
238 SUMMER. 
 
 SUMMER. 
 
 We hail Thee in the varying aspects c f tlic year, anf* 
 bless Thee for all their appropriate influences and advan 
 tages. (), let us not view them and enjoy the;Ti as men on- 
 ly, but as christians also; and ever connect with them, the 
 better blessings of thy grace. 
 
 How wise, and useful, and necessary, are these inter- 
 mingled rains and sunbeams — may Jesus, as the Sun ot 
 righteousness, arise upon us, with healing under his wings; 
 and may he come down as ruin upon the mown grass, and 
 as showers tiiat water the earth. 
 
 When we walk by the cooling brook — may we think of 
 that river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God. 
 
 When we retire from the scorching warmth of the day, 
 into the inviting shade — may we be thankful for a rest at 
 noon, a shelter from the heat, the shadow of a great rockin 
 u weary land. 
 
 May thy servants behold the moral fields, that are al- 
 ready white unto harvest, and be all anxiety to save the mul- 
 titudes, that are perishing for lack of knowledge. 
 
 The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; we 
 therefore pray, that 'I'houwilt send forth labourers into thy 
 harvest. 
 
 He that gathereth in summer, is a wise son; hethatsleep- 
 eth in harvest, is a son that causeth shame. Now is our ac- 
 cepted time, now is our day of salvation O, let us not 
 waste our precious privi'leges, and in a dying hour exclaim 
 — The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not 
 saved. 
 
 AUTUMN. 
 
 How fleeting as well as varying, are the seasons of the 
 year How insensibly have the months of spring and sum- 
 mer vanished; and nature has no sooner attained. its matu- 
 rities, than we behold its declension and decay. The fields 
 are now shorn of their produce; the beauties of the garden 
 are whithered; the woods are changing their verdure, and 
 the trees shedding their foliage — we also never continue in 
 one stay. Many of our connexions and comforts have al- 
 ready dropped away from us; and the remaining are holden 
 b} a slei'der tenure; wlule we ourselves, do all fade as a leaf, 
 and in a little time, our places will know us no more. 
 
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 for the announcement of an inheritance that fadeth not away. 
 
A TIME OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. *239 
 
 O for a hope full of immortality; for a possession ofthat good 
 part, which shall not be taken away from us. 
 
 WINTER. 
 
 () Thou Gofl of nature and providence; manifold are thy 
 works; in wisdom Thou hast made them all; and all are full 
 of thy goodness. The welfare of thy creatures, requires the 
 severity of winter as well as the pleasures of spring-. We 
 adore thy hand in all. Thou givest snow like wool: thou 
 scatterest the hoar frost like ashes. Thou sendest abroad 
 thine ice like morsels, who can stand before thy cold? 
 
 But we bless Thee, for a house to shelter u*: for raiment 
 to cover us; for fuel to warm us; and all tlie <iccommoda- 
 tions, that render life even at this inclement season, not only 
 tolerable, but full of comfort. 
 
 Not more than others we deserve, 
 Yet God has given us more. 
 
 May we be grateful; and may we be pitiful. May we re- 
 flect on the condition of those, who are the victims of eve- 
 ry kind of privation and distress — and waste nothing; hoard 
 nothing; but hasten to be ministers of mercy, and the disci- 
 ples of Him, who went about doing good. 
 
 O, let the rich, now, deservedly prize their wealth, and 
 use it as the instrument of usefulness. May they be willing 
 to communicate, and ready to distribute; and enjoy the bles- 
 sing of him that is ready to perish; and make the widow's 
 heart to sing for joy. 
 
 A TIME OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. 
 With Thee is terrible majesty. Thou lookest on the 
 earth, and itmelteth; Thou touchest the mountains and they 
 smoke. Thou thunderest in the heavens, and all nature 
 shudders at thy voice. How vain now is the help of man! 
 Who can resist thy will! We feel ourselves to be nothing, 
 less than nothing, and vanity. Our very houses are no pro- 
 jection now. O Thou, to whom belong the issues from death, 
 defend our persons and our dwelling. May we always stand 
 in awe of Thee, and sin not. May we know that this awful 
 God is ours, our Father and our Friend: and may we have 
 boldness in that day, when the heavens being on fire shall 
 be dissolved, and the elements melt with fervent heat, and 
 the earth also, and all the works thA are therein, shall be 
 burnt up 
 
THANKSGIVINGS 
 
 FOB 
 
 PARTICULAR EVENTS. 
 
 FOR RAIN AFTER A LONG DROUGHT. 
 
 Thou hast never left tliyself without witness, but hast 
 been continually doing good, even to the unthankful and 
 unworthy, in giving them rain from heaven, and fruitful 
 seasons, and filling their hearts with joy and gladness. We 
 acknowledge, that the heavens over us might have been 
 brass, and the fearth under us iron. We have justly de- 
 served the calam'ity; and thy power, without a miracle, 
 could have inflicted it; but tliough Thou hast tried our pa- 
 tience, and awakened our fears. Thou hast not forgotten to 
 be gracious We praise Thee for sending us the seasona- 
 ble and plentiful rain, by which Thou hast refreshed and 
 revived tlie drooping fields, so that the earth promises to 
 yield her increase. 
 
 FOR FAIU WEATFIER AFTER MUCH RAIN. 
 
 O God, Thou art good and doest good. Thou hast again 
 surpassed our deserts, and been better to us than our fears. 
 Thou hast caused the clear shining after rain; so that in the 
 meadows the hay appeareth; and in the fields Thou art 
 preparing of thy goodness for the poor. Thou preserves! 
 man and beast. May we feel our entire dependence upon 
 Thee; and by prayer and praise, give Thee the glory that is 
 due unto thy holy name. 
 
 FOR A GOOD HARVEST. 
 
 Agaix Thou hast crowned the year with thy goodness. 
 
 The grain might have perished in the earth, or have failed 
 
 of maturity, for want of the showers, and of the sunshme; 
 
 but Thou wast pleased to bless the springing thereof; and 
 
 240 
 
THANKSGIVINGS &.C. 241 
 
 we saw first the blade, then the ear, and after tliat the full 
 corn in the ear. We hailed tlie vulleys standing- tliick with 
 corn, aiul lieurd the little hills rejoicisig" on every side. In 
 due time the mower filled his hands, and the binder of 
 sheaves liis l)osom; and tl»e appointed weeks of harvest have 
 been otterded us to g-alher in the precious produce. () 
 that men would praise the Lord for his g-oodness, and for 
 his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfi- 
 eth the long-mg soul, andfilleththe hungiy soul with good 
 neas. 
 
 We have again witnessed thy faithfulness and truth in the 
 promise — while the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, 
 and cold and heat, and summer and winter, an 1 day and 
 night, shall not cease — May we learn to trust Thee in all 
 thy engagements. 
 
 And make us thankful, that as we have no famine of 
 bread, so we have no famine of hearing tiie word of the 
 Lord. Willi regard to the soul, as well as to the body. 
 Thou fillest us with the finest of the wheat. 
 
 FOR PEACE. 
 
 O Thou that stillest the noise of the seas, the noise of 
 their waves, and the tumult of the people; we bless Thee, 
 that Thou hast made peace in our borders, and called us 
 to adore I'hee, as the repairer of the breach, the restorer 
 of paths to dwell in. 
 
 "We lament the evils of war, both natural and moral: and 
 confess with shame, that ever since man became a apostate 
 from Thee, he has been an enemy to his brother; and that 
 from the death of Abel, our earth, has been a field of blood. 
 O, let thy word be speedily accompli-hed I et the n itions 
 learn war no more, but beat their swords into ploughshares, 
 and their spears intopruning-hooks; and only emulate each 
 other in husbandry, and commerce; and science, and religion. 
 
 O, Thou Prince of Peace, preside in every council. 
 May all public teachers recommend peace. In private life, 
 may we follow peace with all men; and cherish the princi 
 pies and the dispositions, which will prepare us for that 
 world, where we shall enter into peace and the sound of 
 war will be heard no more. 
 
 FOR A SAFE RETURN FROM A JOURNEY. 
 
 As the keeper of Israel Thou hast been with us, not only 
 in the house, but by the way. We might have been injui 
 
 A. 
 
•242 THANKSGIVINGS FOR 
 
 ed by wicked and unreasonable men. "We might have been 
 left groaning- under the pain of bruised or fractured limbs. 
 Our lives might have been spilt, like water on the ground, 
 which cannot be gathered up again; and the first tidinga 
 that reached our friends, might have plunged them into an- 
 guish 
 
 Bui all our bones can say, Who is a God like unto Thee? 
 Thy secret toj, in our absence, has been upon our taberna- 
 cle, and secured it from all evil — O that it may be a taber- 
 nacle of the righteous; and be ever filled, not only with the 
 voice ot rejoicing, but of praise. 
 
 And be with us in all the future journey of life; guide us 
 by thy counsel, uphold us by thy power; and supply all our 
 wants, ti:l we come to our Father's house in peace. 
 
 FOR RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. 
 
 All our timesisin thy hand. All diseases come at thy call, 
 4nd go at thy bidding. Thou redeemest our life from des- 
 truction, and crownest us with loving kindness and tender 
 niercies. We bless Thee, that Thou hast heard our prayer, 
 and commanded deliverance for our friend and thy servant, 
 who hus been under thine afflicting hand. lie for shej 
 was brought low, but Thou hast helped him: Thou hast 
 chastened liimsore, but not delivered him over unto death. 
 May he not only Uve, but declare the works of the Lord. 
 
 As Thou hast delivered his eyes from tears, his feet from 
 falling, and his soid from deatli, may lie daily inquire. What 
 shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me.* 
 and resolve to offer unto Thee, the sacrifices of thanksgiv- 
 ing and to call upon the name of the Lord. 
 
 And may we ever remember, that a recovery is only a re> 
 prieve; that the sentence which dooms us to tlie dust is only 
 suspended; and, that at most, when a few years are come, 
 we shall go the way whence we shall not return. May we 
 therefore secure the one thing needful; and live with eternity 
 In view. 
 
 FOR SAFE DELIVERY IN CHILD BIRTH. 
 
 We bless Thee on the behalf of tlfine handmaid, who is 
 now saying, I love the Lord, because he hath heard my 
 voice, and my supplication. Thou hast been with her in 
 the hour of pain and peril, and made her tlie joyful mother 
 of a living and well formed infant. Complete thy goodness 
 
PARTICULAR EVENTS. 243 
 
 by the renewal of her strene-lh, and lier abUity 1^ appeal 
 again in all the duties ofher important station. 
 
 Let the impressions produced by recent ii;ercies, be 
 rendered as durable as they are lively: may slie remember, 
 and pay Thee the vows, which her soul made when in 
 trouble. 
 
 May the life spared, and the life given, be dear in thy 
 sight, aud devoted to thy glory; and may every addition 
 made to the world of creature?, be found an accession to 
 the church of the living God. 
 
 TO BE USED AS SOON AS CONVENIENT 
 AFTER SAFE DELIVERY. 
 
 1 LOVE the Lord, tit;cause He hath heard my voice, and 
 my supplication. Consider, O my soul, how greatly thou 
 art indebted to the divine goodness. Look back, and re- 
 tiect on thy former fears and anxieties; look up and bless God 
 that they are gone, and that their cause is removed. I found 
 trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon tlie name of the 
 Lord, and said, O Lord, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul. 
 Gracious is the Lord and righteous ; yea our God is merciful 
 I was brought low, and He helped me. Return unto thy 
 rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. 
 
 O, my God, I sincerely thank thee for tliy great goodness 
 to me and mine. By supporting me in the hour of pain, by 
 granting me proper assistance, by blessing the means which 
 thy providence afforded me, by making me the living mother 
 of a living child, by strengthening me thus far, and by giving 
 me the prospect of a speedy recovery and confirmed health. 
 Thou hast dissipated our fears, calmed owr minds, gladdened 
 our hearts, and made a family happy. Thou hast exchanged 
 our face of care for a bosom full of joy, a.id turned our earnest 
 cries, into hymns of ardent praise. Bless the Lord, O my 
 soul, and forget not all His benefits. Who forgiveth all thine 
 iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases. Who redeemeth 
 thy liie from destruction; w^ho crownelh thee with loving 
 kindness and tender mercies. 
 
 What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits 
 towards me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon 
 the name of the Lord. 
 
 I will cheerfully devote myself, and all I have, unto the 
 God of my life. Oh! never may I forget the mercies I 
 have received. Never may I be unthankful fo> them 
 May a lively sense >f them dwell on my mind, and be ever 
 visible in my actions may it be my daily care to pay unti 
 
244 AFTER SAFE DELIVERY. 
 
 God Jnose vows which I made when my soul was in trouble 
 I hope my g-oodness will not be as a morning cloud, and go 
 away as the early dew. But, by t!ie grace of God, I trust I 
 shall continue in faith and charity, and holiness with sobrie- 
 ty. Because he hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore 
 will I cull upon Him as long as I hve, I will walk before the 
 Lord in the land of the living. 
 
 O Tliou whose goodness to them that fear Thee knows 
 no bounds, with my whole heart I praise Thee for thy lov- 
 ing-kindness unto me, thine unwortliy creature. Thou hast 
 delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my 
 feet from falling. To Thee I owe myself, and every 
 blessing I possess To thee I dedicate this inf mt. Lord take 
 it for thine own. On tlie soul of this dear child draw thine 
 holy image, and keep it for ever from the pollutions of this 
 wicked world. Give me and its father grace to set it a con- 
 stant, good example, and may we bring it uj) in the nurture 
 and admonition of the Lord. While we pray that its life 
 may be spared, we also pray for entire resignation to thy 
 blessed will; but, shouldest Thou, as we hope, be pleased 
 to allot to it tlie years of man, we earnestly beseech Tlee 
 to make it a pillar in thy cliurch, a blessing to the wcild, 
 and a lasting comfort to its parents. Give them, O God, a 
 heart to love and fear Thee at all times, and may all their 
 future days be spent with the greatest sincerity and faithful- 
 ness in thy service, and to thine honour, through faith in 
 Jesus Christ, for whom may tlieir souls most ardently thank 
 Thee. To Him with thy blessed self, O Father, and the 
 Holy Spirit, 1 desire to ascribe everlasting praises. Jmen, 
 
 This prayer supposes all things to succeed well; but in differ- 
 tnt circumstances, different expressions will naturally be adopt- 
 ed. Should it please God to bless this little piece to'tiie goodol 
 Bouls, aivd should the favour of the public call for a new editioDi 
 possibly amed talion or two for particular cases mav be added. 
 
FOR SCHOOLS MORNING. 245 
 
 A MORNING PRAYER TO BE PUBLICIA lU AD IN 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 O Lonn, Thou who liust suf'ely brouglit us to the beg-in- 
 ning" of this day! defend us in tl»e same by thy niig-hty pow- 
 er, and grant that Uiis day we fall into no sin, neither run 
 into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be or- 
 dered by thy governance, to do always that whi:>li is righ- 
 teous in thy sight. 
 
 Particularly we beg thy blessing upon our ])resent under- 
 takings. Prevent us, 6 Lord, in all our doings with thj 
 most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual lielp; 
 that in these and all our works begun, continued, and end- 
 ed in Thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by 
 thy mercy, obtain everlasting life. 
 
 We humbly acknowledge, O Lord, our errors and mis- 
 deeds; that we are unable to keep ourselves, and unworthy 
 of thy assistance; but we beseech Thee, through thy great 
 goodness, to pardon our offences, to enlighten our under- 
 standings, to sti engtiien our memories, to sanctify our hearts 
 and to guide our lives. Help us, we pray Thee, to iearn and 
 to practise those things which are good, that we may be- 
 come serious cliristians, and useful in the world; to the glory 
 of thy great name, and our present and future well-being. 
 These prayers, both for them and ourselves, we humbly 
 offer up in tlie name of thy Son Jesus Christ our Redeemer; 
 concluding in His perfect form of words: 
 
 Our Father wiiich art in heaven, hallowed be thy name? 
 thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in 
 heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us 
 our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. 
 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, 
 for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for evei 
 and ever. Jimen. 
 
 AN EVENING PRAYER TO BE PUBLICLY REAr 
 IN SCHOOLS. 
 
 Accept, -.ve beseech Thee, O Lord, our evening sacrifice 
 of praise and thanksgiving, for all thy goodness and loving- 
 kindness to us, particulaiiy for the blessings of ihis day; for 
 thy gracious 7Totection and preservation; for tlie opportuni- 
 ties we have enjoyed, for the instruction and improvement 
 of our minds; for all tlie comfprts of this life; and the hope 
 of life everlasting, as declared unto us by Jesus Christ out 
 Redeemer. 
 
 X 2 
 
;46 FOR SCHOOLS EVENING. 
 
 Forg-ive, most merciful Father, we humbly pray Thee, all 
 the errors and transgressions which Thou hast beheld in us 
 the day past; and help us to express our unfeigned sorrow 
 for what has been amiss, by our care to amend it. 
 
 What we know not, do Thou teach us; instruct us in all 
 the particulars of our duty; both towards Tliee and towards 
 men; and give us grace always to do those things which are 
 good and well-pleasing in thy sight. 
 
 Whatsoever good instructions have been here given this 
 day, grant that they may be carefully remembered, and duly 
 followed. And whatsoever good desires Tnou hast put into 
 our hearts, grant that by the assistance of thy grace, they 
 may be brought to good effect: that thy name may have the 
 honour; and we with those who are assistant to us in this 
 our work, of instruction, may have comfort at the day of ac- 
 count. 
 
 Lighten our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and by 
 thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of 
 this night. Continue to us the blessings we enjoy; and help 
 us to testify our thankfulness for them, by a due use and im- 
 provement of them. 
 
 Bless all those in authority, together with all our friends 
 and benefactors, particularly the conductors of this school, 
 for whom we are bound in an especial manner to pray. 
 Bless this and all other seminaries for religious and truly 
 christian education; and direct and prosper all pious en- 
 deavours tor making mankind good and holy. 
 
 These praises and prayers we humbly offer up to thy di- 
 vine Majesty, in the name, and as the disciple of thy Son Je- 
 sus Christ our Lord; in whose words we sum up all our de- 
 sires. Our Father, &c. 
 
 A MORNING PRAYER TO RE USED BY A CHILD AT 
 IIOxME. 
 
 Glort to Thee, O Lord, who hast preserved me from the 
 perils of the night past, who hast refreshed me with sleep, 
 and raised me u]) again to praise thy holy name 
 
 Incline my heart to all that is good; that 1 may be modest 
 and humble, true and just, temperate and diligent, respect- 
 ful and obedient to my superiors; that I may fear and love 
 I'hee above all things; tliat I may love m^ neighbour as my- 
 self, and do t ) every one as I would they should do unto me. 
 
 Bless me, I pray Thee, in my learning; and help me daily 
 to increase in knowledge, and wisdom, and all virtue. 
 
FOR A CHILD AT HOME, 8cC. 247 
 
 I humbly beg- thy blessing upon ull our spirittial pastors 
 and masters, all my relations and friends, [purticularly my 
 father and n,olhtr, my brothers and sisters, and every one in 
 this house.] Grant them whatsoever may be g-ood for them 
 in this life, ind g-uide them to life everlasting. 
 
 I humbl} commit myself to Thee, O Lord, in the name of 
 Jesujs Christ my Saviour, and in the words which He Him- 
 self hath tauglit me: Our Father, &c. 
 
 \N EVENING PUAYER TO BE USED BY A CHILD 
 AT HOME. 
 
 Glory be to Thee, O Lord, who hast preserved me the 
 lay past, who hast defended me from all tlie evils to which 
 I am constantly exposed in this uncertain life, who hast con- 
 •inued my health, who hast bestowed upon me all things 
 necessary for life and g-odliness. 
 
 I humbly beseech Tiiee, O heavenly Father! to pardon 
 whatsoever Thou hast seen amiss in me this day, in my 
 thoug-hts, words or actions. Bless to me, I pray Thee, 
 whatsoever g-ood instructions have been given me this day; 
 help me carefully to remember them, and duly to improve 
 them; that I may be ever growing in knowledge, and wis- 
 dom, and goodness. 
 
 I humbly beg thy blessing also upon all our spiritual pas- 
 tors and masters, all my relations and friends, [particularly 
 my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and eve -y one 
 in this house.'] Let it please Thee to guide us all in this life 
 present, and to conduct us to thy heavenly kingdom. 
 
 I humbly commit my soul and body to thy care this night; 
 begging thy gracious protection and blessing, through Jesus 
 Christ our only Lord and Saviour; in whose words I con- 
 clude my prayer. Our Father, &c. 
 
 A SHORT PRAYER ON FIRST GOING INTO THE 
 SEAT AT CHURCH 
 Lord, I am now in thy house: assist, I pray Thee, and ac- 
 cept of my services. Let thy Holy Spirit help my infirmi- 
 ties; disposing my heart to seriousness, attention, and de- 
 votion; to the honour of thy holy name, and the benefit of 
 my soul, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Jmen. 
 
 BEFORE LEAVING THE SEAT. 
 Blessed be tVy name, O Lord! for this opportunity of at- 
 
24S BEFORE MEAT. 
 
 tending Thee in thy house and service. Make me, I pra> 
 Thee, a doer of tliy word, not a hearer only. Accept both 
 us and our services, tlu'ough our only Mediator, Jesus Christ 
 our Lord. Amen. 
 
 PRAYERS AT TABLE. 
 
 BEFORE MEAT. 
 
 Almighty God! the eyes of all wait upon Thee, and 
 Thou givest them their meat in due season. Bless, we be- 
 seech Thee, the provisions of thine earthly bouncy, which 
 are now before us; — and let them nourish and strengthen 
 our frail bodies, that we may the better serve Thee, through 
 Jesus Christ. Jlmen. 
 
 or thus: 
 
 Bountiful giver of every good and perfect gift! Thou 
 art never weary of supplying our returning wants — Grant, 
 we pray Thee, that the food of which v/e are about to par- 
 take, may contribute to the comfort and support of our bo- 
 dies, — and enable us to engage with more zeal in thy service; 
 vrhich we ask for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen, 
 or thus: 
 
 Let thy blessing. Almighty God, descend on this portion 
 of thy bounty, and on us, thy unworthy servants, through 
 Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
 or thus: 
 
 Almighty God, we beseech Thee to pardon our sins, to 
 bless the refreshment now before us, to our use, and us to 
 thy service, through Jesus Christ. 
 or thus: 
 
 Fathek ot Lights, from whom cometh down eveiy good 
 and perfect gift, enable us to receive these fruits of thy 
 bounty with humility and gratitude, and give us grace, that, 
 whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, we may do all 
 to thy glory, and be accepted to the great Redeemer. 
 
 or thus: ^ 
 
 Bounteous God, we acknowledge our dependence on 
 Thee, and our unworthiness of thy benefits. We pray 
 Thee to forgive our sins; to bless us in the reception of this 
 food, and enable us to improve the strength we may derive 
 from it to thy glory, for Christ's sake. 
 or thus: 
 
 Sasctiiy, O Lord, we beseech Thee, theas thy proauc. 
 
ArrER MEAT. 24f« 
 
 tioK3 to our use, and us to thy service»throuj^h Jesus Christ, 
 
 our Lord. Amen. 
 
 A FT K II MKAT. 
 
 We thank Thee, O God, our heavenly P'ather! for the in' 
 numerable good g'ifts of thy providence. Especially do we 
 thank Thee for tlie rich provision Thou ha-.t made for cur 
 souls — Accept our grateful acknowledgments for the focxJ 
 we have now received: and enable us to prove onr sinceri- 
 ty by the holiness and obedience of our lives, fur tlie sake 
 of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen, 
 or ihus: 
 
 What shall we render to Thee, O God for all thy benefits.' 
 Every day of our lives we are receiving fresli tokens of thv 
 favour. O, let thy goodness lead us to repentance. And .f 
 we can do no more than express our gratitude— help us to 
 do that in the sincerity of our souls — and thine shall be the 
 glory, for ever, through Jesus Christ. Amen, 
 or thus: 
 
 Accept, heavenly Father, our humble thanks for this, and 
 for all thy blessings, through Jesus Christ. 
 or thus: 
 
 We thank Thee, our heavenly Father, for the rich pro- 
 vision Thou hast made for our temporal and eternal welfare; 
 especially for the food we have now received. May thy 
 goodness lead us to repentance, and thy grace prepare us 
 for heavenly entertainments, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 or thus: 
 
 We praise Thee, O Lord, for the provisions of thy provi- 
 dence and grace, and in particular for this renewed token 
 of thy favour. May we feel our increased obligations to be 
 thine, and be fitted at length, to eat bread in tiiy heavenly 
 kingdom, through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 or thus: 
 
 We bless Thee, O Lord, for this kind refreshment. Ue 
 p eased to continue thy favours and feed us with the bread 
 of life. Supply the wants of the needy, and ei.able us. ivhilf 
 we live on thy bounty, to live to thy glory, for Christ's sake 
 
 Amen 
 or thus: 
 
 Blessed and praised be thy holy name, O Lord, for thif 
 and all thy other blessings bestowed upon us through Je- 
 sus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 THE END. 
 
DATE DUE 
 
 lU'^jALIji ^jjlfi'itl^-- 
 
 ?eo7 
 
 
 
 'm>tMimm0 
 
 0- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 HIGHSMITH #45115 
 
w