Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/253

 THIRTY-THIRD WEEX. 241

and then to all mauking. Grant us the now heart, to love our enemies, to do them goad, and return a full measure of blessedness upon their heads for all the evil they may have intended us. Nor do we pray for & new heart only; give unto us, we beseech Thee, & new understanding. Assist us to look upon our inward parts with the severest scrutiny. May the epecious reasoninga of tho natural man be overturned and silenced by the resistless justice of conscience,—of that conscience which shall preserve us from sinning against Thee and injuring our neighbour. Make all onr thoughts to rest upon Theo, as well as all our affections; so that old things may pass away, and all within us become new. Bind us into perfect submission to Thy divine will; make us in all things humbie, poor in spirit, and pure in heart, that Thy providential dealings with us may, with humble resignation, be submitted to, and sanctified to the good of our immortal souls. Fit us, wo beseoch Thee, for our last solemn change,—for our translation from the world of matter to the world of spirit; and as Thon only knowest the season best for our removal, may we so strive to prepare ourselves, as to be ready when it shall please Thee to call us. Amen. Our Father, eto.

LORD Jesus Christ, we confess not only the depravity of man, but our own wickedness too truly witnesses against us; and, but for the restraining power of Thy providence, we should become the prey of the destroyer.

O how great is Thy goodness, and how great Thy mercy in watching over us; how infinite the love that condescends to frail and erring man; how anxious the paternal solitude of the divine Father, who giveth the angels charge over man to keep him in all his ways; who, desiring not the death of a sinner, seeks only for the restoration of the soul's happiness and heaven; whose constant call is, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Merciful and redeeming Lord, we pray that we may be deeply impressed by Thy goodness. We pray Thee for strength to contend against our corruptions; we implore power from Thee that we may slay the evils which infest us, whether they be those just rising and pleading for gratification, or more especially those who have long held dominion over us.

Thou seest our weakness, O Lord. It is by Thee alone that we can contend against our corruptions. May we hate every thing that is evil, and put away the evil of our doings from before Thine eyes. May a godly sorrow which worketh repentance take possession of us. May this sorrow be to us as the parent of joy; while it leads us to mourn over our evils and put them away, may it bring comfort to our spirits and healing to our wounds. Amen.

Our Father, etc.