mercy attain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. Now the GOD of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER of glory, give unto us the SPIRIT of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; that the eyes of our understanding being enlightened, we may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints; and what the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised him from the dead, and set Him on His own right hand in the heavenly places; far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. FOR THE EVENING. បទ Questions proper to put to ourselves in our retirement for devotion, on the Evening of the Lord's Day. WHAT account can I give of the day past? Have I considered it as a day set apart, by the express command of God, for His more immediate worship and service? Have I religiously observed it, in keeping it holy to those ends for which it was sanctified by God; by attending the public service of the Church; and by employing myself in reading and hearing His holy word, in prayer and meditation, and good discourse; not seeking mine own pleasure, nor doing mine own works? Have I offered up my prayers with suitable apprehensions of God's adorable majesty, and of my own dependence and wretchedness; and with such humility and seriousness, such faith and fervency, and reliance upon my Saviour's merits as are necessary to entitle our devotions to the Divine acceptance? In my acts of praise and thanksgiving have I endeavoured to affect my heart with a lively sense of the innumerable mercies and favours, both temporal and spiritual, which God has vouchsafed to me and His whole Church; and especially of His wonderful love in redeeming a whole world of sinners from the guilt and power of sin, by the sufferings and death of His Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ; and in granting us through Him the means of grace, and the hope of everlasting glory? Am I ready to express my thankfulness to God, in a sincere obedience to all His commandments; and in doing all the good I shall be able to my fellow-creatures? Have I received His holy word, as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh in them that believe? Have I diligently attended to the promises and threatenings it contains, and been thereby prevailed upon to enter into a firm resolution of governing myself according to its most holy precepts?" Am I sincerely resolved to do what in me lies, that the word of God may dwell in me richly, so as to make me fruitful in all good works? Have I not causelessly neglected an opportunity to receive the Lord's Supper? Or, Have I received it worthily? with true repentance for all my former sins, and a stedfast purpose and resolution of amendment; with a firm belief of the merit and efficacy of Christ's death, and an humble assurance that all the gracious promises, which God has been pleased to make to penitent sinners through Christ, will upon such repentance and faith be effec tually made good to me in particular; with a grateful remembrance of Christ's wonderful love; and with a sincere love and good-will to all mankind for His sake? Am I seriously resolved to fulfil the solemn engagement, which I have this day renewed, to lead the rest of my life answerably to the obligations of the Christian covenant; the inestimable privileges of which God of His abundant mercy hath vouchsafed to seal to me anew in this blessed Sacrament? Have I offered up all my services in the name of Christ, so as to depend wholly upon His merits and satisfaction; and to hope for acceptance with God only through Him, and not for any merit of mine own? Do I long for a more entire conformity to God, and a more intimate and uninterrupted communion with Him? Psalm. O LORD our Governor, how excellent is Thy Name in all the world; Thou That hast set Thy glory above the heavens'. All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord, and Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom 2. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them3. O praise the Lord of heaven: praise Him in the height. 1 Psalm viii. 1. 2 Ibid. cxlv. 10-12. 3 Ibid. ver. 18, 19. Praise Him all ye angels of His: praise Him all His host'. O praise the Lord; for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God; yea, a joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful'. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord'. I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live *. Praised be God, Who hath not cast out my prayer, nor turned His mercy from me3. I will sing unto the Lord, because He that dealt bountifully with me. 6 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep Thy righteous judgments '. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto Thee . Seven times a day do I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous judgments". Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are Thy ways 10 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands ". An Evening Prayer for the Lord's Day. BLESSING, honour, adoration, and praise, be unto Thee, O Almighty and most glorious Lord God, the High and Holy One, Who inhabitest eternity, and art exalted infinitely above all blessing and praise. Thou, even Thou art Lord alone; Thou hast made 1 Psalm cxlviii. 1, 2. heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host; the earth, and all things that are therein; the sea, and all that therein is: Thou preservest them all, and the host of heaven worshippeth Thee. Thousand thousands minister unto Thee; ten thousand times ten thousand stand before Thee. Angels, arch-angels, and all celestial powers to Thee continually do cry, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty; Which was, and is, and is to come, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power, for Thou hast created all things; and for Thy pleasure they are, and were created. Lord, what am I, sinful dust and ashes, that I should be permitted to join with that glorious company above in adoring, praising, and magnifying Thee, the great King of heaven and earth, the eternal God of majesty incomprehensible. How can I sufficiently adore Thy wonderful goodness and condescension, Who hast not only endowed me with a capacity for so blessed a fellowship, but hast been graciously pleased to make that my indispensable duty, which is the highest privilege and happiness that glorified saints and angels are capable of. O that I could but imitate them in their unwearied zeal for Thy service: that, when I am attending upon the delightful employment of heaven itself, I might feel in myself a portion of that heavenly fervour and alacrity wherewith the blessed angels of Thy presence are inspired. But since this is too wonderful and excellent for me, I humbly beg of Thy divine Majesty, that Thou wouldest mercifully pardon the infirmities of Thy servant, and accept my sincere endeavours to serve Thee in the best manner that I can; though even the best of my services will still be infinitely unworthy of Thine acceptance. And blessed be Thy divine goodness, this Thou art ready to do for Thou hast revealed Thyself unto us a God merciful and gracious, long-suffering and of |