proved in the fire. Refine and harden me, as a potter the vessel destined, not to de- st ruction, but to honour, that so I may be a vessel of glory unto eternal life.
With these, and similar meditations, the Lord's Prayer must he seasoned from, time to time; otherwise, what wonder if by many it is often uttered with the lips, but seldom relished in the heart!n
A MEDITATION ON THE LORD’S PRAYER.
Collected from the Epistles of St. Paul.
Our Father, who art in heaven.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who hast predestinated us to the adoption of children through Jesus Christ; who alone hast immortality, and inhabitest light inaccessible; with joy we give thanks to thee, who hast made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light; for we have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear: but we have received the spirit of the adoption of sons, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. For the Spirit himself gives testimony to our spirit, that we are the sons of God. And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and join theirs with Christ.
i. Hallowed he thy name.
Grant that we may be followers of thee as most dear children; that we may walk as children of the light in all goodness, and justice, and truth, proving what is well-pleasing to thee, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; that thy name may not, through us, be blasphemed among the Gentiles. Let our conversation be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, that we maybe blameless, and thy sincere children, without reproof; and in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, like lights in the world, holding forth the word of life to thy glory in the day of Christ; that we may walk worthy of God, in all things pleasing him; being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Grant that, whether we eat, or drink, or whatever else we do, we may do all to thy glory.
2. Thy kingdom come.
Since flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God, for this cause we bow
