Wednesday Evening — Week 4

O Thou ever blessed God, we desire to approach Thee, adoring thy perfections and admiring thy works, which are sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. May we feel becoming regards towards Thee as our Creator, the Preserver of men, and the Savior of sinners — Thy name is most excellent in all the earth, and Thou hast set thy glory above the heavens. Thy compassions fail not, and therefore we are not consumed. We are filled with wonder at thy condescension in noticing creatures so poor and worthless, and at thy mercy and grace in providing for the deliverance and happiness of creatures so miserable and guilty. We can never sufficiently bless Thee that we were born in a christian country, where the true light shineth, and we can hear words whereby we may be saved. How suitable and encouraging are the discoveries, the invitations, and the promises of the gospel of peace. Here are announced pardon for rebels, liberty for captives, health for the sick, and a free, full, and everlasting salvation for them that are lost. Here we are informed that Thou hast not spared thine own Son, but delivered Him up for us all: that He has fulfilled and magnified the law ; that his blood cleanseth from all sin ; that in Him all fulness dwells ; and that whosoever believeth on Him shall not be confounded.

In his beloved name we come, and avail ourselves of the plea which Thou thyself hast afforded us. For his sake be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause thy face to shine upon us that we may be saved. May we be justified by his blood, and have access into that grace wherein we shall stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. May thy image be reimpressed upon our souls, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. May thy Holy Spirit take full possession of our hearts, and lead us into all truth, and enable us to walk in all thy commandments and ordinances blameless: may we be fruitful in every good word and work to do thy will.

Raise us above the world. May we feel neither its frowns nor its smiles where duty is concerned. May it ever be a light thing with us to be judged of man's judgment. May thy approbation be our only aim, and thy word our only rule ; and with Enoch may we all enjoy the testimony that we please God. Keep us from, or preserve us in, the hour of temptation. May we abhor and avoid whatever would grieve thy Holy Spirit, and cause Thee to hide thy face from us. May we walk in the fear of the Lord, that we may walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghost; and may we always suspect the confidence and consolation which can be enjoyed along with a worldly temper and a careless conversation.

May we have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them ; yet may we in meekness instruct those who oppose themselves, and be gentle and patient towards all men. And may we do, as well as teach. May we be not only professors of the gospel, but examples, displaying in every relation and office and condition of life, its excellency, loveliness, and advantages, that we may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and even constrain them to glorify God in the day of visitation.

How well does it become us to be humble ! How little have we illustrated our principles, or improved our advantages. How often have we injured, instead of recommending the cause of our Redeemer ! How little have we served our generation ; and how few are those to whom we have been a blessing ! In many things we have offended, and in all come short of thy glory. Pardon our iniquity, for it is great.

Forgive the imperfections, omissions, and sins of another day, and make us thankful for the continuance of its numberless blessings.

Shelter us through the night ; and in the morning, with renewed strength and grateful hearts, may we rise to love Thee more and serve Thee better than we have done this day — through our Lord and Saviour. Amen.