Thursday Morning — Week 4

O Lord our God, blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and causest to approach unto Thee. In thy presence there is fulness of joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. With Thee is the fountain of life, and in thy light alone can we see light.

We therefore entreat thy favour with our whole heart. We acknowledge that we have forfeited all claims to it; and if we had no better ground of hope than our deservings, we must sink into despair. For against Thee, Thee only have we sinned, and done evil in thy sight, that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and clear when Thou judgest.

But with Thee there is mercy, and with Thee there is plenteous redemption. We bless Thee for the assurance that Thou hast sent thy own Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. We rejoice that neither the number nor heinousness of our transgressions is a bar to that forgiveness which is founded on the sufferings and sacrifice of the cross. The blood of Jesus Christ, thy Son, cleanseth from all sin. By the blood of that covenant which He has ratified, send forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water. Graciously absolve us from all our guilt, and pronounce our discharge from all condemnation, not only in the court of heaven, but in the court of conscience, that being justified by faith, we may have peace with God, and enjoy the glorious liberty of his children.

But, O save us from the hope of the hypocrite which shall perish. Never suffer us to impose upon ourselves in any thing that relates to our eternal state. May we never suppose that we are in Christ, unless we are new creatures ; or that we are born of the Spirit, unless we mind the things of the Spirit. May we never rest satisfied with any professions of belief, or any outward forms or services, while the heart is not right with God. May we judge of our sincerity in religion by our fear to offend Thee ; by our concern to know what Thou wilt have us to do; and by our willingness to deny ourselves, and take up our cross and follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.

May nothing render us forgetful of thy glory; may nothing turn us aside from thy commands ; may nothing shake our confidence in thy promises. Take from us the evil heart of unbelief — the cause of all our waverings and wanderings. May we believe, that we may be established in our goings, and be always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Prepare us for whatever we have to meet with between this morning and the grave. We know not what lies before us ; but Thou knowest, and thy grace can make us sufficient for every service and every suffering.

Let not our temporal occupations ever injure our spiritual concerns, or the cares of this life make us forget or neglect the one thing needful. May we learn the holy art of abiding with God in our callings ; of being in the world without being of it ; and of making every thing not only consistent with religion, but conducive to it.

May we do and may we say nothing by which we shall offend against the generation of thy children. If strong, may we bear the infirmities of the weak, and not please ourselves. If preserved, may we restore a brother that has been overtaken in a fault, in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted.

Bless those who have done us good, and render sevenfold into their own bosom ; and forgive those who have done us evil, and enable us to forgive them.

Bless those who are near and dear to us ; may they be near and dear to Thee. Bless them in their outward comforts ; but above all may their souls prosper.

Be gracious to our native land. Be mindful of our rulers. Teach our senators wisdom ; and so control the minds and hearts of those who are entrusted with the public welfare as that they may glorify Thee and secure the best good of the people. Bless the gates of Zion, and all the dwellings of Jacob. Let thy secret reside in the families of them that fear Thee, and may those that have neglected to call upon thy name, immediately adopt the resolution of Joshua, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

This morning sacrifice we offer in the all prevailing name of our adorable Redeemer — and 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, to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever Amen.