Fourth Week: Friday Evening

O God, thy command and thy promise, our duty and our privilege, induce us to avail ourselves of every opportunity of approaching the throne of thy grace. We are all indiii;ence and inability. It is not in the power of men and angels to reach our cause; and afford us the blessings we so much need, and so much desire. Our only hope is in the name of the Lord God, who made heaven and earth.

But Thou art over all; and rich unto all that call upon Thee; and Thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. We love to reflec upon the displays of thy perfections; and to contemplate, what Thou hast done for others as poor and destitute, as sinful and guilty, as we are: a’ld to remember that thy hand is not shortened that it cannot save, nor thy ear heavy that it cannot hear.

Behold a company of suppliants at thy footstool, in all the effects of the fall, and let our ruined condition be under thy agency O, Thou God of all

»race, work Thou in us to will and to do of thy good pleasure; and vile as we are in ourselves, make us an eternal excellency, the joy of many generations. Our understandings are darkened. Our hearts are hearts of stone. Our very conscience also is defiled. Our aifections are earthly and sensual. Open Thou the eyes of our understanding. Give us hearts of flesh. Purify our consciences from dead works to serve the living God. Set our affections on things that are above: and as He who has called us is holy, so may we a’rso be holy in all manner of conversation and godliness.

Deliver us from the bondage of corruption, and bring us into the glorious liberty of thy children: that being made free from sin, and become servants unto God, we may have our fruit unto holiness, and our end everlasting life.

Preserve us from all self-delusion, especially where our souls are concerned. May we never be flattered by the good opinion of our fellow-creatures, against the convictions of our own consciences; but remember, that if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than ouk hearts, and knoweth all things. May we never substitute mere opinions, and outward forms and ceremonies, in the room of that grace, which renews the soul and sanctifies the life. Ever keep alive in our minds the belief, that in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature: and in the examinations of our religious siaie and character, may we look after that kingdom, which is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Inspire us with a well grounded hope of being, one day, presented before the presence of thy glorv; whPn we shall see Thee without obscurity, an-

proach Thee without sin, lerve Thee without imperfection, and enjoy Thee without sorrow. How “emote now do we often feel from this exalted state? And how improbable does it frequently seem that we should ever attain it? We have never yet been better than a bruised reed, and a smoking flax: and thy patience alone could have borne with our imperfections and perverseness. et we trust the root of the matter is found in us; and we bless Thee, if thy grace — by which alone we are what we are, has caused us to loathe sin, and abhor ourselves, and to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and to place our happiness in serving and enjoying Thee.

And we pray, that our path may be as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Complete that which is lacking in our faith. Lead us into all truth: and establish our hearts with grace. Fill our minds with the sublime and elevatini objects of revelation, that worldly things may find no room in our minds: and keep near us, all the affecting and awful motives of the gospel, that we may not be able to sin, but in the view of thine all-seeing eye, a burning world, a judgment to come, and the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And the Lord make us, also, to increase and abound in love, one towards another, and towards all men. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and calmour, and evil speaking, be put away from us, with all malice; and may we be kind, one towards another, tender hearted; forgiving also, one another, even as a God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven us.

Prepare us for all the duties and trials that lie before us. We bless Thee for thy promises, which provide against every want we feel; and for every condition in which we can he found. In God will we praise his word. In God hav» we put our trust. VV e will not fear what flesh can do unto us. Thou tellest our wanderings. Put Thou our tears into thy hottle. Are they not in ihy book?

We commend ourselves with all our relations and friends, this evening-, to ihy forgiving mercy, and providential care. O Thou, that givest thy beloved sleep, indulge us with refreshing repose; or if Thou boldest our eyes waking in the night, may thy song be with us, and our prayer unto the God of our life. Guide us by thy counsel through life, and afterward receive us to glory.

And to the only wise God, our Saviour be glory and majesty, dominion and power, for ever anc ever. Amen.