MONDAY MORNING. (Collect before reading the Scripture.) OPEN our eyes, O Lord, that we may discern the wonders of thy law, and rejoice our hearts with the knowledge of thy love. Take away our iniquities, and receive us graciously. Be light to our darkness, wisdom to our folly, and manifest thy strength in our weakness. Remember us according to the favour which thou bearest to thy own people stir us up to seek thy face, and to lay hold on thy covenant; and make us to find that it is indeed good for us to draw nigh unto thee, and to wait upon thee, in and through the name and merits of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. (The scripture being read, and a psalm sung, add as follows,) Our Father, &c. Gracious and glorious Lord, the eyes of all wait upon thee: thou art the hope of all the ends of the earth. In thee, we live and move, and have our being: thou givest us life, and breath, and all things. Still thou takest care of us and watchest over us : even in the hours of sleep, when we are unable to care for ourselves. And thy mer INTRODUCTORY REMARKS ON PRAYER, (FROM THE AUTHOR'S MANUSCRIPTS,) Prefixed to this New Edition. IT has been said, that the prayers of God's people are incompatible with a state of grace, or after the Holy Spirit has led them from darkness to light, and into communion and fellowship with himself. To which may be replied, That the more faith a believer has, the more he prays for the application of the blood of Christ to his conscience for this glorious forgiveness; because the more grace he has, the more he feels his sins, and the imperfection of his sanctification, and finds by momentary transgression, that all his righteousnesses are but filthy rags. The more he is led to consider his vileness, the more he flies by faithful prayer to the absolute perfection of his justification, beseeching God, that he may not be found in his sight, having his own righteousness; but in the righteousness of the Son of God. Though the salvation of God's elect is certain and secure, yet their faith is often weak, which gives but a weak assurance. In the greatest saint it is often like the moon, sometimes in the full, and sometimes in the wane, but by communion with God in the constant exercise of prayer, it grows stronger and stronger, unto joy unspeakable and full of glory. We have a notable instance in scripture, that though an event is determined, yet that prayer is not incompatible with that determined event. David prays, Thou O Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, has revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house; therefore has thy servant found in his heart, to pray this prayer unto thee. David well knew, as every believer does, that the promises of God are not fulfilled by praying; but when we believe, then, we pray for those things which God hath promised. And notwithstanding the unchangeable decree of election, it is our duty as believers to pray, not only for the manifestation of the salvation of God to ourselves, but for the salvation of our fellow sinners at large, with a due restriction for, and under a due submissionto the will,the purpose,and the wisdom of God. Here brotherly love has its full scope; yet with a proper reserve for the unerring will and sovereign pleasure of God. PRAISE TO THE ALMIGHTY. What is that grand, that awful name, Not all created power combined, Can e'er his least resemblance find. Not Gabriel's tongue his fame can tell; His presence fills both space and time: Where, then, that arm dare him resist? His simple word the whole sustains, Know you, ye saints, this wond'rous name, This great First, Last, Beginning, End, No strength of thought can comprehend; In wonder lost, we'll then adore That name which angels can't explore. TO THE BLESSED SPIRIT. Holy Ghost, dispel our sadness, From that height which knows no measure Come, thou best of all donations Come with unction and with power: |