Saturday Evening — Week 4

O God ! Thou art the God of all the families of the earth ; for they are formed by thy will and supported by thy providence. But Thou art in a peculiar manner the God of those families in which thy name is known and loved and honoured. Thy curse is in the house of the wicked, but Thou blessest the habitation of the just. Whatever be the dispositions of others, we desire to say, with increased resolution and zeal, As for us, and our house we will serve the Lord. Thy yoke is easy, thy burden is light, thy work is honourable and glorious, and in keeping thy commandments there is great reward. Thou art the best of all masters ; Thou hast promised to bear with our infirmities, and to suffer us to want no good thing.

Already Thou hast laid us under infinite obligations, as the God of providence and of grace — Thou hast dealt well with thy servants, O Lord. Bless the Lord, O our souls, and all that is within us bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O our souls, and forget not all his benefits.

By thy good hand upon us, we have been conducted through the perils, not only of another day, but another week; a period during which many have been carried down to their graves, and we have been brought so much nearer to our own. Impress us with the lapse of our time, and so teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Many have been involved in perplexities and exposed to want ; many have been confined to the house of mourning or the bed of sickness; but we have been indulged with liberty and ease and health and strength ; we have seen thy loving kindness every morning, and thy faithfulness every night ; and have had all things richly to enjoy.

But, O how little have we been affected by the instances of thy undeserved goodness ; how imperfectly have we improved our religious privileges ; how negligent have we been in seizing opportunities of doing good to the bodies and souls of our fellow creatures. How well does it become us to exclaim, Behold, I am vile : what shall I answer Thee ? — wherefore I abhor myself, repenting in dust and ashes.

We stand before Thee this evening in our trespasses. Enter not into judgment with thy servants, O Lord. Our only hope is, that to the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him. Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy loving kindness ; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out our transgressions.

And may a confidence in thy goodness, instead of encouraging us to sin that grace may abound, inspire us with that godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto life. May we hate and forsake every false way. May we be attentive to our condition, and study our character; may we bridle our tongue, and keep our heart with all diligence.

May we often look back and see how at any time we have been ensnared or overcome ; and watch and pray in future lest we enter into temptation. And do Thou keep us by thy power ; uphold us by thy free Spirit ; and not only restrain us from sin but mortify us to it.

May sleep refresh our bodies, and fit them for thy service on the ensuing day ; and may thy grace prepare our minds. May we leave all the cares of the world for a while behind, that we may attend on the Lord without distraction. May we repair to the hallowed exercises of devotion, as the hart panteth after the water brooks. May we call the sabbath a delight ; and be glad when they say to us, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

And O Thou God of all grace, do as Thou hast said ; fulfil thy word unto thy servants, upon which Thou hast caused them to hope. Bless abundantly the provisions of thy house, and satisfy thy poor with bread. Clothe thy priests with salvation, and let thy saints shout aloud for joy.

And to the God of all grace, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.