Fourth Week: Friday Morning

O Thou ever blessed God! It is good for us lo draw near to Thee; and if we had no other privilege to be thankful for, we ought continually Ut praise Thee, for permission and encouragemenf to approach the throne of thy grace, there to spread before Thee all our wants and all our desires. N 2 ’ 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 mercies and means, our wasted and perverted Sabbaths 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 submission, may we ever say, Speck, Lord, for ihy servant heareth. May we not only obey, but delight 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 understandings Vom eiror, our affections from the love 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 thinis 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 relations. 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 encourage them by th(! promise — I love them that love ire, and they tha seek me early shall find me.

Regard the aged. Alarm the okl ir si.i: :onviiice them that it is high time, and that it will shortly be too late, to 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 righteousness. Cast them not off in the time of old age, and forsake them not when 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 pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.