Sunday Evening — Week 5

O God, the heavens declare thy glory. The earth is full of thy riches. The universe is thy temple. Thy presence fills immensity. It is thy pleasure to produce life, and to communicate happiness. From Thee we have derived all we are, and all we own ; and in Thee we live and move and have our being continued. Thy good providence has determined the bounds of our habitation, and wisely administered all our affairs.

But above all, we bless Thee for the exceeding riches of thy grace, in thy kindness towards us by Christ Jesus Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift, and for the unclouded revelation of Him in the word of truth. There we behold his person and character, his grace and glory. There we see Him, when rich, for our sakes becoming poor, and dying that we may live ; delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification. May we deeply feel our need of this dispensation, in all its parts, and in all its influences ; and with Peter exclaim, Lord, save, I perish ; and with the publican, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Convince us of the pollution of sin, as well as of its guilt, that we may not only have our fear excited, but our aversion ; that with Job we may see that we are vile ; and abhor ourselves, repenting in dust and ashes. May we feel the necessity of renovation as well as forgiveness, in order to our serving and enjoying Thee in time and eternity. O Thou holy God, who hast no fellowship with iniquity, subdue in us the love of sin ; create in us a clean heart, and renew in us a right spirit.

May we not be in the number of those who are always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth ; but may our hearts be established with grace. May we never rest in a mere system of doctrine, however scriptural, that does not bring salvation, or teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in the present world ; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ. May we live in the spirit, and may we walk in the spirit; and instead of relying on our own convictions and resolutions, may we be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

In all our duties, conflicts, and trials, may his grace be sufficient for us. To Him who gives rest to the weary and heavy laden, may we repair in all our spiritual distresses, in all our outward troubles, and in all the dissatisfactions experienced in creature enjoyments. From a world where all is vanity and vexation of spirit, may we retreat to Him who is full of grace and truth ; a Friend that loveth at all times ; who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities ; and who is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.

Prepare us for our final hour, and for all the scenes through which we have to pass in the remainder of our pilgrimage. May we know how to be abased, and how to abound. May we learn in whatsoever state we are therewith to be content. May we stand complete in all the will of God.

Do us good by all thy dispensations; and especially sanctify to us all the means of grace. We bless Thee that we have been favored with another sabbath, and have had opportunities of repairing to the sanctuary, to mingle our prayers and praises with the devotions of thy people, and to hear the words of eternal life. We grieve to think that so much of the precious seed sown by thy servants should fall by the way-side, so much upon stony places, and so much among thorns, and that so little fruit is brought forth to perfection. May it appear that we have not received the grace of God in vain ; but that thy word in us is like good seed sown in good ground, which springeth up and bringeth forth, in some an hundred fold, in some sixty, and in some thirty.

And suffer us not to confine our religion to extraordinary occasions ; but help us to acknowledge Thee in all our ways. May we never limit our devotion to particular seasons, but be in the fear of the Lord all the day long. May we be godly, not only on the sabbath, but in the week ; not only in the house of God but in our own May our piety be not a dress, but a habit ; not only a habit, but a nature — a life — the life of God. And at last by thy grace and guidance, may we enter that world where there is no temple, but the glory of God and of the Lamb is the temple thereof.

But, O how can we endure to see the destruction of our kindred ? O Lord, let those that are united to us by so many tender ties, be precious in thy sight, and devoted to thy praise. Sanctify and succeed domestic devotion and instruction, discipline and example ; and may our houses be nurseries for heaven, from which our churches, as the gardens of the Lord, shall be enriched with trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

O let none of those who are amiable and moral, and possess so many attractions, like the hopeful youth in the gospel, fall short of heaven at last.

Where the conscience is tender, and the heart is soft, and the word alarms or delights — let not these promising appearances be blasted, but bring forth judgment unto victory.

Bless all who are connected with us by religious ties. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance ; feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

Regard us as a nation. Inspire all ranks and degrees of men among us with a love to that righteousness which exalteth a nation ; and deliver us from that sin which is a reproach to any people.

And as all mankind, of whatever country or condition, are our brethren, bless them with the same civil and religious privileges which this highly favoured land enjoys Let thy way be known on earth, thy saving health among all nations.

And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with us all, now and for ever. Amen.