TWENTY-THIRD WEEK.—TUESDAY. — Morning

O THOU that dwellest between the cherubim, be pleased to shine forth on us; and as we now seek, by the blood of Jesus, to enter into that which is within the veil, give us access unto Thee, and do Thou speak unto us peace.

We have been guided by Thee, O God, very tenderly in all our way on earth. We have drank of the upper and the nether springs in Thee. And Thou hast added this to the numberless other blessings of our state, that Thou hast not spared thine own Son, but hast given Him up unto death for us all. Yet how often have we forgotten Thee, the God that madest us; how often have we lightly esteemed Thee, the Rock of our salvation; how often, by the restless discontent and gainsaying of our hearts, have we grieved thy Spirit and provoked thy anger, so that it would be a righteous doom were we even now to die in our sins.

Oh, have mercy on us, for thy Son’s sake, and for his righteousness’ sake. Look upon us as we bow before his cross, as we there repent us of our sins, as we call upon Thee in sincerity and truth; and let the darkness of thine anger pass away, O our God, and receive us again graciously, and love us freely.

And this day, and all our days, may thy Spirit be shed within our hearts, in his baptism of power. May He subdue the rebelliousness of our mind and will. So may He work in us, that we may put on Christ, and be clothed evermore with the garment of his humility, his obedience, his trust. And with this, the very mind of Jesus, wrought in us, in all the ways of thy appointment, may we then be found no more striving against, but yielding ourselves the willing subjects of thy grace. In our health and weakness, in our labour and rest, in our privilege and privation, may we seek not our own will, but thine; may we walk before Thee as dear children; may we set our eyes continually on Him whom Thou hast ordained our High Priest in the heavens; and may He, as all our salvation and all our desire, be daily magnified in our body, whether it be by life or by death.

Guide us, then, and bless us, O God, throughout this day. Save our feet from falling, and our souls from death, and our eyes from tears. May those, also, whom we love have their portion in the love of Jesus. And may the kingdom of his grace everywhere advance, till the kingdom of his glory come, and all men shall call Him blessed, and the earth be filled with his praise.

Now unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.