Good Friday — Morning

O Thou King eternal, immortal, and invisible ! though Thou art past finding out unto perfection, we rejoice that we are not called to worship an unknown God. Thou hast not left thyself without witness. We bless thee for the revelation which Thou hast given us ; and that in thy word we can view Thee as the Father of mercies and the God of all grace. All thy works and ways correspond with the names Thou hast assumed, and demand and justify our confidence in Thee. We praise Thee for the displays of thy goodness in the productions of nature and the bounties of thy providence ; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

Herein Thou hast commanded thy love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

We find ourselves this morning at the foot of his cross, where angels are desiring to look into these things — and if they who need no repentance, study the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow, how much more should we, to whom they are not only true and wonderful and sublime, but all important and infinitely interesting ! Help us, O Lord, to turn aside and see this great sight ; and not suffer a dying Saviour to address us in vain, Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see, if ever there was sorrow like unto my sorrow.

Here may we see the value of our souls in the price paid for their deliverance ; and instead of neglecting them for the vanities of time and sense, may we regard them according to the estimation in which they were holden by Him who gave his life a ransom for many. Here may we contemplate the evil of sin, and abhor it; here look upon Him whom we have pierced, and mourn for Him. Yet remembering that He was not only slain by us, but for us. may we rejoice in our tears; and by believing, enter into rest.

With humble and holy confidence may we be enabled to say, Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows ; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with his stripes we are healed.

May we never degrade his death, by fearing that it will not be available for guilt so great and aggravated as ours, even if we depend upon it, and plead it before God ; but be fully persuaded that his blood cleanseth from all sin, and that by the one offering up of Himself, He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Yet, O God, never suffer us to sin that grace may abound. May we never crucify the Savior afresh, and put him to an open shame. May he never be wounded in the house of his professing friends. Rather may we live only and wholly for Him who died for us, and adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

May our old man be crucified with Him, and the body of sin be destroyed, that henceforth we may not serve sin. May we be planted together in the likeness of his death. As He suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps, may we learn of Him submission and meekness, and forgiveness of injuries. When reviled, may we revile not again ; when suffering, may we threaten not, but commit ourselves to Him that judgeth righteously.

Like Him, in all the afflictions of life, may we look to the hand that prepares and presents them, and say, The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it ? Whatever be the cross we are required to bear, may we look before us, and see Him carrying a much heavier; carrying it for us, and carrying it without a murmur.

Convert and pardon all those who by their lives or doctrine are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Have mercy upon the descendants of those who shed his blood : and let his dying prayer be answered. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

As Thou hast made his soul an offering for sin, may He see his seed, and prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord prosper in his hand. May He see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied ; and by his knowledge may He justify many, having borne their iniquities.

Yea, having been lifted up from the earth, may He draw all men unto Him. May all kings fall down before Him and all nations serve Him ; and in all the earth which He has purchased with his own blood, may there be one Lord, and his name one.

And when He who made himself of no reputation, but took upon Him the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, shall come in his glory, with all the holy angels, may we be enabled to say, Even so, come Lord Jesus ; and unite with those, who will be eternally employed in saying, Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, and to his Father, be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.