First Week: Thursday Evening
O God, thy greatness is unsearchable. Thy name is most excellent in all the earth. Thou hast set thy glory 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 approach Thee because we are deserving of thy notice — 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 promises 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 revealed 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 returning from thy throne, successful, rejoicing, and encouraging us to go forward. They were not, though all guilt and indigence, refused, or upbraided; 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 pollution; and may we mourn over it with a godly sor row. Give us that faith by which we shall be enabled t believe on the Lord Jesus Christ: and believing, 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 example, 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 judgeth righteously. Whoever may be the instrument of our grief, may we never lose sight of an overruling 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’ the resurrectioi may He change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like his own tloiioux 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