Fifth Week: Friday Morning

We would lift up our hearts, with our hands, anto God in the heavens. Behold, before Thee, a company of highly indulged, but sinful beings: for if we say, we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. None of our fellow-creatures know half so much of our depravity, as weourselvesknow: and our knowledge is ignorance compared with thy wisdom.

Thou readest the heart. Thou viewest actions in their principles and motives. Thou seest more defilement in our duties, than we ever saw in any of our sins; in thy sight the heavens are not clean; and Thou chargest thine angels with folly. And if we hate ourselves, and are ready to flee from ourselves, because of our abominations, how wonderful is it that thou dost not abhor us, and swear in thy wrath, that we shall not enter into thy rest.

But be astonished, O, heavens, and wonder, O earth! instead of such a deserved exclusion, Thou hast even devised means, that they who are banished be not finally expelled from Thee; means the most astonishing and glorious, and which the (in!:>;els desire to look into. For Thou hast so lov-L’d the world, as to give thine only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him, should not perish, l)uthave everlasting life. In Him mercy and cruth meet together; righteousness and peace kiss ‘,’ach other; and thy honour is not only secured, t)ut prominently displayed, even in our escape from thine own threatenings. In Him the enslaved can find redemption; the guilty pardon; the unholy renovation. In Him is everlasting strength for the weak, and unsearchable riches for the needy; in Him we find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge for the ignorant — in Him all fulness dwells.

We bless Thee for the provision, which thy infinite goodness has made for our everlasting welfare; and for the gospel of our salvation, which makes it known; and which not o-nly reveals it to our view, but proposes it to our hope, and presses it upon our acceptance*

C) Lord, at thy gracious call, we heai; we look; we come; we apply; we receive. We no! only submit to the scheme of mercy, but we acquiesce in it: we glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; we joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. We bless Thee, that in this grace we it and: Thou hast rendered the blessings as secure as they are glorious; and we are persuaded, that neithei* death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, northings present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yea, for ever blessed be thy name, Thou hast not only provided for our safety, but our prosperity Thou hast no’ Mily promised that the right

eous shall hold on their way, but wax stronger and stronger. Thou cost not despise the day of small things; but Thou givest more grace; and hast commanded us to ask and receive, that our joy may be full.

And now, O Lord, what shall we render for all thy benefits towards us.^ We can never discharge the obligations we are under — but we pray that we may be sensible of them; and though we can make no adequate returns, may we make suitable ones: and ever ask from the heart, as well as with the lip. Lord what wilt Thou have me to do.’’

And may we show forth thy praise. May we speak well of thy name. May we be concerned to bring others to love and serve Thee; and to share with us, in all the good which Thou hast spoken concerning Israel.

O, let our children be thy children; our friends thy friends; our servants thy servants.

May our neighbours, and our enemies too, be visited with thy salvation.

Dwell in our families. Let thy goings be seen in our sanctuaries. Let the people praise Thee O God, yea let all the people praise Thee. Let the whole earth be filled with thy glory.

Bless the Lord, ye His angles, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His wc*d. Bless ye the Lord, all ye His hosts, ye ministers of His that do His pleasure. Bless the Lord all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Mmen and Amen.