Monday Morning — Week 2

O Thou King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who only hast immortality, we would adore Thee, and take shame to ourselves; and though allowed to approach thy divine majesty, we would never forget the sentiments of humiliation and contrition, which become such creatures as we are. Father, we have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, and are not worthy to be called thy children: we are not worthy of the least of all thy mercies. Yea, we have merited thy displeasure; and thy righteousness would be completely acquitted in our destruction.

O for hearts of flesh! Lord produce in us that sensibility of soul which will lead us to feel our vileness, to deplore our guilt, and to cast ourselves at thy feet, abhorring ourselves and repenting in dust and ashes. And impart to us that faith which will enable us to hope in thy word, and derive strong consolation from the invitations and promises of the gospel. We are come to implore the greatest blessings the God of love can give; but our application is not presumption: we are come to call Thee Abba, Father! to enter thy house, to sit down at thy table, to lean on thy arm, to walk with God; but we are not come unbidden or uncalled: Thou hast called us by thy grace; and it is thy commandment that we should believe on the name of thy Son Jesus Christ. Lord, we assent, we submit, we depend, we apply. Since He came into the world to save sinners, we take Him as our Saviour; and glory in Him as made of Thee to us wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption.

And O, let our minds be fixed and filled with admiring thoughts of his person and offices; let our hearts be inflamed with a sense of his boundless compassion and love. By the new and living way, which He has not only revealed but consecrated for us, may we come to Thee, and enjoy all the advantages of a state of reconciliation and friendship with God. May the most open and familiar intercourse be maintained between Thee and our souls. To Thee may we commit our way and our works, and in every thing by prayer and supplication make known our requests unto God. Be Thou always near, to guide us and to defend; to relieve us in trouble, and to help us in duty. And may we walk humbly with our God; wondering at the condescension that deigns to regard our mean affairs, the patience that bears with our manners, and the kindness that employs so many means to advance our everlasting welfare.

We grieve to think that a world so full of thy bounty should be so empty of thy praise. O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. Bless the Lord, all his works; in all places of his dominion, bless the Lord, O my soul!

Again thy visitation hath preserved our spirits. Through the dark and silent watches of the night thou hast suffered no evil to befal us, nor any plague to come nigh our dwelling. And we are not only the living to praise Thee this morning, but the distinguished and the indulged. Many who have seen the light of the day as well as ourselves, are encompassed with want, and pain, and wretchedness, but we have all things richly to enjoy.

Thou takest pleasure in the prosperity of thy servants: may we always take pleasure in the advancement of thy glory. Thou art never weary in doing us good: may we never grow weary in well doing. Thy mercies are new every morning: every morning, by thy mercies, may we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable which is our reasonable service.

And to the God of our salvation, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.