Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/95

 before Thee, and the still small voice of Thy love will be ever satisfying us that Thou art near to aid us and to bless us. Under the influence of this spirit, we now go forth to our daily duties. Sanctify them. O God, we beseech Thee, to the good of our neighbour and of our own souls. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, who art good to all and whose tender mercies are over all Thy works, we confess that Thou art essential good: and as all goodness from Thee enters into our inward parts, it soothes all the turbulence of our natural appetites, and brings us into a state of peace, to whatsoever Thy dispensations shall lead. In this way we are instructed that every natural affection, as it ascends towards interior principles, that is, towards heaven, becomes milder, more gentle, more serene, until it become changed into heavenly affection [A.C. 3909], and consorts with the spheres of angelic beings who are alike gentle with itself.

O God of love, aid us to acquire, we beseech Thee, this temper. May we feel the full force of the divine words, "Unless your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." O teach us by happy experience that goodness of disposition manifests itself by gentleness and sweetness,—by gentleness in that it is afraid to do hurt, and by sweetness in that it loves to do good. O Lord, may Thy example be ever before our eyes. Too often do we display a resentfulness and a soreness quite in opposition to our Christian profession, and, like the early disciples, we are open to Thy just rebuke, and know not what spirit we are of." Alas! all this proves what small advances we have made in the regeneration; and while we display a spirit of contention and violence, of self-conceit, of impetuosity, of the love of dominion, and the love of self, we are still under the insidious government of evil, and display the very spirit of Anti-Christ. O Thou meek and humble Saviour, yet the High God, that inhabiteth eternity, create with us, we beseech Thee, a clean heart, renew aright spirit within us, and lead us in the way everlasting. Fill this family with true humility, grant us the grace of Thy good Spirit, preserve us from the perils of the night, and suffer us to repose in peace and safety, for Thy own name's sake. Amen.

Our Father, etc.

LORD Jesus Christ, who hast taught us in Thy word, that we must be born again, and that all our suffciency is of Thee, help us, Heavenly Father, we beseech Thee, to become in all things imitators of Thee, as dear children.

While we read Thy holy Word, or hear it read by others, enable us with reverence to listen, and with seriousness to ponder its grave and mighty truths.

May a spirit of contention be sunk in a spirit of obedience, and O im-