Second Week: 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 archangel cannot find Thee out unto perfection. Yet Thou hast been pleased to reveal thyself: and by means of thy word, we behold Thee in eve ry char
acter and relation that can suit our necessities, c encourage our hope. Thy thront; is in the hea kens, and thy kingdom ruleth over all; and all nations before Thee are as nothing; yet thou condescendest 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 himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct hi? steps. We are universally indigent and dependent; 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 goodness 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 remember 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 exampie May we drink into his spirit. Ma, we transcribe 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 dispensations 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 submission, 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 rejoice 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 distraction. 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 blessedness 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 supplication; 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 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 barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
For this purpose, let thy presence go withusj 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 every 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 guided 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 servants, and thy glory unto their children, and let the beauty of the Lord our Gipd be upon us; establish Thou the work of our hand upon us, yea, the work of our hand, establish Thou it.
Our Father, Sec.