TWENTY-SECOND WEEK.—WEDNESDAY. — Evening

O GOD, Thou art King of kings, and Lord of lords. Thou art glorious in strength and fearful in praises, doing wonders. Thy counsel stands fast for ever, and the thoughts of thy heart to a thousand generations. We bless Thee for raising up thy Son Jesus Christ, and giving Him glory, that our faith and hope might be in Thee. We rejoice in the belief that He is at the right hand of power, and that He must reign until all his enemies have been made his footstool. It is in his name that we draw nigh unto Thee, and his righteousness that we plead as a reason why Thou shouldest be merciful unto us. O God, forbid that we should be found among the enemies of the Lord Christ, and be broken in pieces with his iron sceptre in the day of his wrath. We would submit to his government, and glory in his cross. We would take his yoke upon us, for it is easy, and his burden, for it is light, and, as his devoted, affectionate subjects, would receive, admire, love, and adore Him, putting our whole trust in Him for salvation, and walking in all his commandments and ordinances blameless, that when He who is our life shall appear, we also may appear with Him in glory.

We give Thee thanks for thy goodness to us throughout the past day, and throughout all our past lives. All thy paths drop fatness. Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and of the evening to rejoice. How precious is thy grace! Under the shadow of thy wings we put our trust. Bless to us all the events of thy providence, both prosperous and adverse; may they all work together for our good.

We commit ourselves to the watchful care of the Shepherd of Israel this night. May He who never slumbers nor sleeps keep us and ours. May He keep our souls. May He bless our going out and our coming in, from henceforth and for ever.

We ask of Thee pardon for the sins we have this day done. May we never lie down to rest with unrepented guilt upon our consciences. Teach us continually to repair to the blood of Jesus, and make fresh application to that fountain of atoning merit which cleanses from all sin. And as we are every day coming nearer to the eternal world, so may we every day advance from grace to grace and strength to strength, till we meet Thee in thy kingdom.

May thy blessing rest upon all who are dear to us, upon all who are united to us by friendship or religion. Yet we do not confine our good wishes to them; we pray for all mankind. May the promise to the great Intercessor be fulfilled, that when He shall ask of Thee, Thou wilt give Him the nations for his inheritance. To Him, with the Father and the Spirit, be glory for ever. Amen.