read, encourages us with the assurance, that if the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and turn unto Thee with full purpose of heart and life. Thou wilt abundantly pardon him. Lord, we acknowledge with gratitude the tenderness of Thy compassion and the unwearied solicitude which is displayed towards us; weak and feeble as we are, without Thee we can do nothing. Help us, therefore, we beseech Thee, that we may struggle successfully against our iniquities. Help us to set Thee ever before us, and with Thy presence in view, we shall then be able to fight against our corruptions, and be sustained in the fight by Thy omnipresent power. Amen.
Our Father, etc.
FRIDAY EVENING.
0 LORD Almighty, our heavenly Father, we confess our sins before
Thee: we lean too much to the world and its concerns, and we would humbly pray Thee to assist us to overcome them. We confess that our labour to make our calling and election sure is weak and feeble in the extreme. We are languid in the performance of our spiritual duties, even when we apppear to be the most devoted.
Most merciful God and Saviour, pardon us we entreat Thee for our past transgressions; and create within us a clean heart, and renew within us a right spirit, and lead us from the eager pursuit of things temporal, that our affections may be placed upon the more solid and enduring realities of eternity. Lord, we are enabled from Thy Word to behold from whence springs our apathy to the things of eternity. We pursue them without preference, our inclinations are averse to their active fulfilment, and instead of seeking Firsr the kingdom of God and His righteousness, it is too frequently the last of our occupations. Lord, we thank Thee that the righteous dispensations of Thy providence are ever in constant exercise towards us, and by these dispensations alone are we prevented rushing headlong into eternal misery. We thank Thee that the design and the issue of these dispensations are alike hidden from us; for did we know to what they lead, we should probably oppose them and so cut off ourselves from all hope. With humility, therefore, we adore Thee; we bless the hand that chastens, and we pray that it may effect our ultimate salvation. Amen.
Our Father, ete.
SATURDAY MORNING.
O LORD Jesus Christ, we pray for Thy gentle and peaceable reign on earth; may we seek after it as the sure guide that shall conduct us from this world to the heavens. May we seek after it through all the intrigues of this designing world, until we reach that world where all is openness, truth, and justice. O Lord Jesus Christ, what has the world to bestow, compared with the certain honours of Thy kingdom? The most exalted employments of this world are as nothing, when compared with the humblest employments of heaven. It is better to be a doorkeeper in Thy house, O Lord, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
The prosperities of this world are but honourable anxieties which too
