may grow more dead to the world, and walk ⟨more⟩ becoming our Christian character; that we may ⟨be⟩ enriched as much as possible with light and ⟨grace⟩, joy and peace in this present life: and so ⟨shew⟩ forth the praises of him who hath called us ⟨out of⟩ darkness into marvellous light.
We beseech thee that the excellency of ⟨our⟩ knowledge of Christ may be evidenced to others, by our adding day by day to our faith a ⟨noble⟩ Christian courage, in defence of his truth, ⟨honour⟩ and government; by a constant victory over corrupt affections; by a moderate use of all ⟨lawful⟩ comforts; by a meek and quiet spirit under all ⟨our⟩ trials, and by resignation to the will of our ⟨heavenly⟩ Father.
Grant, O Lord, that our knowledge of the ⟨redemption⟩ that is in Jesus, may work effectually ⟨this⟩ day upon our hearts. Let the Saviour’s love ⟨to⟩ us be the pattern of ours to all that are round ⟨about⟩ us: let it make us zealous to embrace all ⟨opportunities⟩ of ministering to the happiness of one ⟨another.⟩ If we cannot assist the needy by our ⟨alms⟩ or protect the oppressed by our power, O let ⟨us⟩ diligently exercise love, in abstaining from all ⟨uncharitableness⟩ of speech, from all frowardness ⟨and⟩ evil tempers: let us look upon the failings of ⟨others⟩ with pity, as if they were our own: make us ⟨kind⟩ and tender hearted, forbearing and forgiving ⟨all⟩, as thou, for Christ’s sake, hast forgiven us. ⟨Banish⟩ from our dwelling all variance, whisperings, ⟨heart-burnings⟩, and evil surmisings. Let peace and gentleness, meekness and goodness be exercised by ⟨all⟩ of us one towards another, and the only ⟨contention⟩ in our family be this, who shall conform most the will of God, by abounding in brotherly ⟨kindness⟩ and fervent charity. Thou, o God, that
