Page images
PDF
EPUB

the unprofitableness of our best services. And grant that our negligencies and sins may not withhold good things from us, nor cause the purposes of thy mercy towards us to fail.

Suffer not this Sabbath to pass without awakening in us more earnest desires after heavenly things. Too often have our former vows and resolutions been forgotten, passing away like the morning cloud and the early dew. Strengthen, now, therefore, O Lord, we beseech thee, our devout convictions and intentions; and let thy Eternal Spirit cherish the flame of divine love that may have been kindled in our hearts this day. Grant that the words which we have heard or read, may, through thy grace, be so inwardly engrafted in all our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living.

Give us, O Lord, a good understanding of the things which belong to our peace, before they be hidden from our eyes. Subdue the workings of our evil hearts. Preserve us from pride and envy, from malice and discontent, from idleness and dishonesty, and from all hurtful lusts that war against the soul. Pardon and correct whatever is sinful in us; strengthen what is weak; supply what is wanting; and make us thoroughly furnished unto every good word and work.

We beseech thee, good

plications for all mankind.

Lord, to hear our sup

Prosper the labors of

thy servants who have this day published the glad

tidings of salvation, and give thy blessing to the seed which they have sown, that it may bring forth fruit abundantly. Grant that those who have waited on thee may renew their strength, and be enabled to run with increased faithfulness the race that is set before them. Hear and answer the prayers which have been offered up for all estates of men in thy holy Church; and grant us all to be joined together in unity of spirit and of doctrine. Mercifully regard those who have neglected thine ordinances, and profaned thy Sabbath. Show them their guilt and their danger; and give them repentance unto salvation. To our relations and friends, our benefactors and enemies, give thy heavenly grace. Extend to us all the protection of thy good providence this night; and grant us such quiet and healthful repose as may fit us for the duties of the day following. Finally, accept, we beseech thee, heavenly Father, our thanks for the many and precious blessings which we have so long enjoyed; for thy constant care, thy bountiful provision, for our civil privileges, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Above all, we bless thee for the source and fountain of all thy other mercies, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Day by day we will magnify thee, and every night proclaim thy faithfulness and truth. And be thou still our God and guide, our refuge and defence, and our everlasting portion, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Our Father, &c.

Monday Morning.

1 COR. xii. 27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

EPH. V. 23.-Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

1 COR. xii. 28.-And God hath set in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

MATT. xvi. 18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.

MATT. Xviii. 17.-But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.

ACTS xx. 28.-Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers. to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

MATT. X. 14.—And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house, or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily, I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of judgment, than for that city.

ACTS xiv. 23.-And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

ACTS ii. 47. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

[ocr errors]

O HOLY, blessed, and glorious God, who livest and abidest for ever, we adore thee, the sovereign of heaven and earth, the giver and preserver of all good things. We acknowledge our entire and continual dependence upon thy bountiful providence. Our wants are many and great, and we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves. We desire thee, therefore, O Lord, our heavenly Father, who art the giver of all goodness, to send thy grace untof us, that we may worship thee, serve thee, and obey thee, as we ought to do. Give us all things that are needful both for our bodies and our souls. Be merciful unto us, and forgive us our sins, and save and defend us in all dangers bodily and spiritual.

And since thou hast spared us, O God, through another night, and brought us together before thy footstool, dispose us to give up ourselves afresh to thee and to thy service, and to join ourselves to thee in a perpetual covenant. Enable us to go forth to our several employments remembering that thy vows are upon us, and determined, in thy strength, faithfully to perform the same. Grant that every morning may find our hearts more enlarged to run the way of thy commands. May it become more and more the desire of our souls, and the great business of our lives, to work out our salvation with fear and trembling; and do thou, Almighty God, continually work in us both to will and to do of thy good pleasure.

[Here may be introduced any occasional Prayer.]

Let our conversation be daily in heaven, aud our whole behavior such as becometh the followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Make us sober and temperate in our enjoyments; and give us grace to use such abstinence, that our flesh being subdued to the spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions. Preserve us from being ensnared by the temptations of a world that lieth in wickedness. Save us from that fear of man which bringeth a snare, and from being ashamed of thee or of thy Gospel; but make us to glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by it, may the world be crucified unto us, and we unto the world. Grant that a sense of thine awful presence may abide with us through the day. May we set thee always before us, remembering that thou, O God, seest us. And cleanse, we beseech thee, the very thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee and worthily magnify thy holy name. Preserve us this day, and all that are dear to us, by thy gracious providence, from evil accidents and disasters, from sickness and death; prosper our undertakings; and sanctify all thy dispensations to thy glory, and our salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

« EelmineJätka »