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favours of another day; blessed be God, that instead of being dispersed and scattered by those evils to which every day exposes us, instead of being interrupted by sickness and troubles, no melancholy providence prevents our meeting together in a comfortable manner this evening at thy footstool. And here we are calling upon our souls to praise thee; and saying, with one consent, blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with his benefits; who has fed us with food convenient for us, and continued to us our daily comforts! Praised be the name of the Lord!

We will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in our mouths, and not with our lips only, but in our hearts and lives would we show forth thy praise. Forgive us, gracious God, that our hearts have been hitherto so little affected with thy goodness and our obligations to thee. Forgive, that when we have known our duty we have neglected to practise it; and especially that we have so often acted directly contrary to it. Innumerable are our offences, aggravated are our sins, as committed against the clearest light, and strongest love. Lord have mercy upon us for Christ's sake, miserable sinners! This day has witnessed

to thy mercies and to our follies: a slight review at the close of every day, and of this week, will seriously convince us how very defective we are, in comparison of what we might be! We leave undone the things which ought to be done; and too often do the things which ought not to be done. Father, forgive us, though we have sinned against heaven and before thee. And O that as the shadows of one evening after another are stretching themselves over us, we may be more steadily fixed in serious thoughtfulness of, and preparation for, the night of death, and the succeeding day of judgment! May we be above all things concerned to stand approved in thy sight at that important season! Thy word assures us, that when that awful morning shall dawn, many shall wish to have lain still in everlasting night; and shall call to the mountains and to the rocks to fall on them, and hide them from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath will then be come, and who may be able to stand and shall any in our family increase this wretched despairing number? God forbid! To prevent so dismal an end, Lord help us to examine ourselves now. May we never be satisfied in

any course of life which will be found inconsistent with the sincerity and holiness which the gospel requires at thy tribunal! And, O thou great searcher of hearts, do thou still more thoroughly search us and try us; see if there be any wicked way in us, and discover it to us; reclaim us from it, and lead us in the way of life everlasting! that so when day and night shall cease, and this world be all in flames around us, we may lift up our heads with joy, as knowing that our redemption draweth nigh!

Accept, we humbly pray thee, O Lord, these our petitions, thanksgivings, and dedications of ourselves to thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, in whom we desire to be found: Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us at last faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Meditation for Tuesday Morning.

"Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure, for if ye do these things ye shall never fall:

"For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Pet. i, 10:

How active and lively are men in pursuing after the world; but how lifeless and inactive in the ways of grace and holiness. Remember the promises are not made to the slothful and idle, but to the laborious and diligent christian: It is to them alone that the Son has said, "My Father will love him, and we will make our abode with him."

God would have the hearts of his people to be warm and fervent in religious services. That service which hath not heavenly warmth is no service. O remember, slothful christians, that God loves activity in duty. It is only the fervent prayer that is effectual.

He who would wear the crown, must run the race he who would ride in triumph must get the victory : he that would know his own state, must follow on to know.

To you, christians, who complain of your want of assurance, my advice is, be no more formal, slight, and superficial in prayer. Stir

up yourselves, and exert all your strength in holy actions, and then you shall soon have such good news from heaven, as will fill with joy unspeakable and full of glory!

HYMN.

BREATHING AFTER HOLINESS.

O that the Lord would guide my ways,
To keep his statutes still!

O that my God would grant me grace,
To know and do his will.

O send thy Spirit down to write
Thy law upon my heart!
Nor let my tongue indulge deceit,
Nor act the liar's part.

From vanity turn off my eyes;
Let no corrupt design,
Nor covetous desires arise,
Within this soul of mine.

Order my footsteps by thy word,
And make my heart sincere,
Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.

My soul hath gone too far astray,
My feet too often slip;

Yet since I've not forgot thy way,
Restore thy wand'ring sheep.

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