FIFTEENTH WEEK.—MONDAY. — Evening

ALMIGHTY God, we adore Thee as the author of our being, and bless Thee as the giver of every good and perfect gift. We thank Thee for thy gracious invitation to come to the waters of life, and to partake freely of all the blessings of thy grace. We have spent our money for that which is not bread, and our labour for that which satisfieth not; but now, through the grace of thy holy Spirit, we repent of our wickedness, and beseech Thee, O Lord, to give unto us the bread of life, that we may not perish, but live for ever.

We incline our ear, and come unto Thee, O Lord; and we implore Thee, of thy great goodness, to make an everlasting covenant with us, even the sure mercies of David. Thou hast given Him for a Witness to the people, a Leader in the way to heaven, and a Commander in all our conflicts with the powers of darkness. Oh, may the nations run unto Jesus for salvation; for it has pleased Thee that in Him should all fulness dwell, that men should be blessed in Him, that all nations should call Him blessed. Do Thou give unto us, O Lord, a new heart and a new spirit, that we may obey the Captain of our salvation, and may be also glorified with Him.

Through Jesus we now seek Thee, O Lord, and call upon Thee for salvation. Be found of us now, and evermore be near to save us to the uttermost. We have done wickedly in thy sight, and have deserved death for our sins. It is of thy mercy that we are not consumed. We would confess our sins, forsake our wicked ways and thoughts, and return unto Thee, our God, that Thou mayest have mercy upon us, and abundantly pardon our transgressions. We rejoice, O Lord, that thy thoughts to us-ward are thoughts of peace, and not of evil; that thy ways to penitent sinners are full of mercy. As the heaven is high above the earth, so great is thy mercy towards them that fear Thee.

Do Thou, O God, bless the preaching of thy most holy Word, that it may make the souls of men fruitful in every good word and work, even as the rain and snow make the earth bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. Grant thy ministers abundant success, that there may be joy in heaven over the repentance of sinners, and that thy Word may be fulfilled in the conversion of the world. O Lord, remember the Word upon which Thou hast caused us to hope, and grant that instead of error and ignorance may come up wisdom and knowledge, and instead of wickedness and misery may come up holiness and joy, for the benefit of men, and to the everlasting glory of thy great name. Hear us, O God, and bless us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.