We thank thee, that means and opportunities are afforded us for strengthening our affection to thy Son, and for imbibing his holy temper and disposition. We thank thee for what our eyes have seen and our ears have heard this day. May the religious lessons we have received, sink deep into our minds, and have an abiding influence on our lives. This day reminds us that Jesus Christ burst the gates of the grave, and led captivity captive. He now lives with thee in heaven. O grant that we may obtain all the benefits which flow from his death, his resurrection, and his glory. We presume not to come to thine altar trusting in our own righteousness, but in thine infinite compassion and unmerited kindness in Jesus Christ. Pardon our sins, according to the gracious covenant thou hast made with thy people through him. We desire to renounce every passion and pursuit, inconsistent with thy service, and with the gratitude we owe to our great Deliverer. And now we implore thy gracious assistance, O God, that we may be crucified unto the world, and that we may hereafter live by the faith of thy Son, who loved us and gave himself for us. In all the circumstances of this mortal life, may we tread in his footsteps with increasing fidelity and delight. Though we see him not, may we rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and full of glory; and, at last, receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; and his mercy endureth forever. God of the Sabbath! we thank thee for sanctuary privileges. May thy word, preached in its purity, bring forth in us the fruits of righteousness. Bless, with thy choice favour, the ministers of thy Gospel. May no root of bitterness springing up trouble us; and enable us, whether we assemble in thy sanctuary or unite in our families, to meet together with one accord, to praise thee with gladness and singleness of heart, and to continue steadfast in brotherly fellowship. * Heavenly Father! under thy care we are always safe. To thee, would we now cheerfully resign ourselves and all we possess.Grant to each of us, what our trials need. Be with us in danger; and may we yet be spared to be useful in the world. We offer our prayers through the Son of thy love, ascribing to thee praises everlasting. Amen. MONDAY MORNING. ALMIGHTY and most merciful God! Maker of all worlds! Judge of men! Thy name is excellent in all the earth; and thy glory is above the stars. Thou inhabitest eternity, and dwellest in light, which no man can approach. We thy dependent and sinful creatures would bow before thee, acknowledging how unworthy we are to appear in thy presence, or to lift up so much as an eye to those holy heavens, where thou dwellest. O Lord! though we are thus unworthy to presume on thy favour, yet, so great and condescending is thy goodness, as to encourage our addresses to thee, by many gracious promises of thy love and acceptance. With humble confidence, then, would we approach thy throne of grace, beseeching thee, in the name of Jesus thy beloved Son, to be merciful to us and forgive us according to thine abundant goodness. We acknowledge, O Father, that we have acted foolishly and wickedly, by doing those things which thou hast forbidden, and by neglecting to do those things, which thou hast commanded: O let that divine mercy, which has spared us so long, lead us to repentance, that we may forsake our evil ways, and turn unto thee, the Lord our God. Give us grace, we beseech thee, seriously to consider the great work we have to do, and the uncertainty of the time in which we must perform it; so that we may not foolishly consume our days in vanity and indolence; in the gratification of corrupt desires and empty wishGrant us aid to lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us; and may we run, with patience and perseverance, the race laid out for us, looking unto Jesus. es. Gracious God! Thou hast mercy in all thy ways, and desirest not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn from their ways and live; look in pity upon us, and, through a Redeemer, enable us to conquer every evil habit and surmount every temptation. Look with thy favour upon our remaining part of life; grant, if it please thee, that the days, few or many, which thou shalt yet allow us, may pass in reasonable trust, in holy fear, and ardent love. Strengthen our good purposes till they shall produce lives pleasing to thee. Enable us so to shun sloth and negligence, that every day may discharge part of the duties thou hast allotted us and wilt thou, O Lord, further with thy help that labour, which, without thy help, must be ineffectual. Enlighten us with divine knowledge; animate us with heavenly hope; comfort us in thy love, and aid us in all our good resolutions; so that we, who have been created by thy power, and sustained by thy providence, may live to answer the high purposes of our being. Let us not be spared to add wickedness to wickedness; but to experience thy favour, which is life, and thy loving kindness, which is better than life. We are now to begin another term of duty; wilt thou, O God, be with us. May our increase of days produce increase of grace: and as thy bounties are multiplying upon us, may we return thee the offering of holy lives. * Father of mercies! thou hast defended us through another night, and bestowed on us another morning. We desire to dedicate to thee 'those lives thou art sparing. Give us wisdom, that we may know thee; sanctify our affections, that we may love thee; put thy fear into our hearts, that we may dread to offend thee, and grant that in the conclusion of the day we may be able to review our conduct with increasing satisfaction, and have our hope in thy mercy still more established. These our petitions we would offer through the Son of thy love, our Intercessor at thy right hand; while we ascribe to thee praises everlasting. Amen. |