EIGHTEENTH WEEK.—SATURDAY. — Morning

O KING of kings, whose unveiled face no man can see and live, be gracious and merciful unto us, and make all thy goodness pass before us. Bring to our remembrance thy mercies, and the long train of thy kindness, and love, and forgivenesses. Melt our hard hearts with gratitude, and may we look on Him whom we have pierced, and mourn.

Spare us, good Lord, for we have sinned. We have done amiss and dealt wickedly. Like Israel, we have forgotten thy judgments and thy favours. Thy laws we have broken, and by our idols we have insulted Thee.

Blessed Saviour Jesus, intercede for us, as Moses pleaded for Israel. Thou art the true Mediator between God and man. Thou art indeed God; Thou sittest with thy Father on his throne, and at thy feet all angels cry aloud, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.” But Thou art man, and wast made a servant for us. All praise and love be to Thee, Lord Jesus; for all our transgressions Thou hast made full satisfaction. In thy name we come to the throne of grace. Oh, plead for us, that we may be pardoned. Plead for us, that we may be blessed.

O God, the Holy Ghost, may thy presence go before us, and, like the pillar of the cloud, direct our way. If any of us have lived until now in ignorance or contempt of Thee, may they arise from sin, and commence a wiser and a happier life. May we all be holy, and unlike the world. Preserve us from open sin and from secret vice. Turn away our hearts, O Lord, from vanity, and enable us to improve our time, and daily to grow in grace. May we live but to please Thee, and, like Joshua, who loved to abide in thy tabernacle, may we ever find in Thee our solace and joy. Grant us grace to pursue our various employments this day as in thy sight, and to look up to Thee in every moment of need or temptation. Beat down Satan under our feet. May we hate and abhor all deceit and pride, all malice and strife. May we be unselfish and self-denying, and do our utmost to promote the happiness of every one on earth.

O Thou whose long-suffering is unspeakable, let thy power, thy glory, and the mightiness of thy kingdom be known unto men! Arise, O God, maintain thine own cause. Near and afar, let thy Word grow mightily, and prevail. We know not what a day may bring forth. Prepare us to meet thy righteous face; and, after this wilderness, admit us to the land that floweth with milk and honey, that we may see the felicity of thy chosen, and give thanks with thine inheritance, evermore, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.