Consistent with moral agency.

God directs

the heart.

All the

is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion
endureth throughout all generations.

Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also judge My house, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

But if Thou shalt indeed obey His voice, and do all that I speak: then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thy adversaries.

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. A man's heart deviseth his way but the Lord directeth his steps.

The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, purposes the thoughts of His heart to all generations. ofthe King But He is in one mind, and who can turn Him and what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.

are sure.

He overrules all

things for good.

The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee : the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain.

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened after us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.

MINISTER AND CONGREGATION.
STANDING OR KNEELING.

DEVOUT ASPIRATIONS.

O Lord God of our fathers, art not Thou God in heaven? and rulest not Thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in Thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand Thee? 2 Chron. xx. 6.-For the kingdom is the Lord's and He is the governor among the nations. Ps. xxii. 28. -Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 1 Chron. xxix. 12.-For the Lord is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our King. Ps. lxxxix. 18.—The heavens are Thine, the earth also is Thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, Thou hast founded them. Ps. lxxxxix. 11.-O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth! who hast set Thy glory above the heavens. Ps. viii. 1.

We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come: because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned. Rev. xi. 17.-Lift up Thyself, Thou Judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. Ps. xciv. 2.-Fill their faces with shame; that they make seek Thy name, O Lord. That men may know that Thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the Most High over all the earth. Ps. lxxxiii. 16, 18.-Arise, O God, judge the earth: for Thou shalt inherit all nations. Ps. lxxxii. 8.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

Matt. vi. 9-13.-Our Father.
Minister.
DOXOLOGY.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.

God is the sovereign ruler.

His providence is universal.

He

Subject: THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

Minister.

The Lord reigneth: let the earth rejoice.
God will provide.

For in Him we live, and move, and have
our being. And none can keep alive his own
soul.

:

Ps. xcvii. 1

Gen. xxii. 8.

Acts

xvii. 28

Ps.

For the kingdom is the Lord's and He is xxii.29
governor among the nations

the
For I know that the Lord is great, and that
our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the
Lord pleased, that did He in heaven, and in
earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

The day is Thine, the night also is Thine :
appointed Thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
Thou hast set all the borders of the earch:
Thou hast made summer and winter.

the seasons.

xxii.28

Ps.

cxxxv.

5, 6.

Ps.

lxxiv.

16, 17.

God

the elements.

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Letusnow fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in His season: He reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

Job.

xxxvii

2, 5, 6.

9, 10,

13.

Hear attentively the noise of His voice, and controls the sound that goeth out His mouth. God thundereth marvellously with His voice; great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend. 11, 12, For He saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of His strength. Out of the south cometh the whirlwind and cold out of the north. By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. Also by watering He wearieth the thick cloud : He scattereth His bright cloud. And it is turned round about by His counsels that they may do whatsoever He commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for His land, or for mercy.

Job.

25, 26,

27.

Who hath divided a watercourse for the over flowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of xxxviii thunder. To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is on the wilderness, wherein there is no man. To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

Ps.

9.

CXXXV.

Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby Thou didst confirm Thine inherit- lxviii. ance, when it was weary. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings for the rain; He bringeth the wind out of His treasuries,

7.

THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

229

He sends the

springs

into the valleys.

He crowns

the year with His goodness.

Loads us with daily benefits.

Provides

for every living

thing.

12.

He sendeth the springs into the valleys, Ps.civ. which run among the hills. They give drink to 10, 11, every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

They also that dwell in the uttermost parts
are afraid at Thy tokens: Thou makest the
outgoings of the morning and evening to
rejoice. Thou visitest the earth, and waterest
it Thou greatly enrichest it with the river
of God, which is full of water: Thou preparest
them corn, when Thou hast so provided it.
Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly:
Thou settlest the furrows thereof: Thou
makest it soft with showers: Thou blessest

the springing thereof. Thou crownest the
year with Thy goodness; and Thy paths drop
fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the
wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every
side. The pastures are clothed with locks;
the valleys also are covered over with corn;
they shout for joy, they also sing.

Ps. lxv.

8 to 13.

Ps.

19. Joel ii. 19, 21.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. lxviii. Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith. Fear not, O land: be glad and rejoice for the Lord will do great things. He maketh peace in thy borders, and fillest thee with the finest of the wheat.

Ps.

cxlvii.

14.

Ps.

8, 9.

Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh cxlvii. the mountains. He giveth grass to grow upon to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. He causeth the grass to grow for

civ.14, 27.