Page:The Book of Family Worship.pdf/200

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drawn aside to evil. While we are engaged in our several spheres of use, may we still keep Thee before our eyes, so that, as our hands are employed by the world, our thoughts and affections may yet be lifted up towards Thee. O take up Thine abode in our inmost souls, and reign. Thou there supreme. Amen.

Our Father, etc.


MONDAY EVENING.

MOST glorious and most merciful Father, with the deepest reverence we desire to adore Thy high and holy name, as the Lord Jesus Christ, who art merciful, slow to anger, and of great goodness. Teach us to acknowlodge Thee in all the wonders of Thy redeeming love; and help us to look unto Thee for strength, that by patience and well-doing we may ever hold fast Thy precious promises, the most precious of which is the gift of everlasting life. But Thou hast not promised us this superlative blessing unconditionally. Thou indeed bestowest upon us all an abundance of temporal blessings, and Thou art no respecter of persons, for Thy blessings are given to the evil as well as to the good; but the gift of eternal life can be only given to those who prepare for its holy enjoyment. Thy Word assures us that we cannot be admitted to partake of the fulness of Thy love, otherwise than by a faithful obedience to the Word of Thy truth; for no man cometh to the Father but by Thee: and he that cometh unto Thee must believe that Thou art, and that Thou art a rewarder of them that diligently seek Thee.

O Lord, impress us with the certain conviction that there is no salvation in any other name than Thine; for "there is no other name given under heaven whereby men can be saved." Thou art indeed the only wise God our Saviour; Thy name is Jehovah of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel. Lord, we beseech Thee, impress our souls with the value of the name we bear, and which, as Christians, stamps upon as the legitimacy of Thy children. Amen.

Our Father, etc.


TUESDAY MORNING.

ETERNAL Lord God! with hearts penetrated by Thy goodness we assemble this morning, and after the refreshing repose of the night, whereby we have become strong to labour, we would offer to Thee our first thoughts and affections: thoughts which aspire to see more plainly Thy revealed Word of truth, affections which may reduce us to practice what our thoughts perceive.

O Lord, we acknowledge that Thy ways are dark and mysterious unto us, and we too frequently repine at those permissions of Thy providence which inflict pain and suffering upon us. Thy yoke seems heavy, Thy burden oppressive; and we have too frequently charged Thee with dealing hardly by us, and not filling us with the peace and rest which we had anticipated should attend our obedience. Alas! Lord, we have not surrendered ourselves fully unto Thee. We have not submitted ourselves unrepiningly to Thy wise government, but have set up our own will above Thine, and have been guilty of the daring impiety to imagine