A PRAYER BEFORE READING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever, hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. CONCLUDING PRAYERS. THE LORD'S PRAYER. OUR Father which art in heaven; Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and Amen. ever. : 2 COR. XII. 14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all everAmen. more. NUMB. VI. 24, 25, 26. The Lord bless us and keep us; the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon us, and give us peace, now and for evermore. Amen. HELPS TO DEVOTION. SUNDAY MORNING. O THOU infinite Jehovah, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. Thou beholdest all things both in heaven and earth. There is not a thought in our heart, but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether. O! help us to approach thee this morning, with the greatest reverence and B humility, to make our requests known unto thee. Pour upon us the spirit of grace and supplication. May we come unto thee fully sensible of our guilt and misery; and rely alone on the merits of Christ, for pardon and acceptance. We would acknowledge, with the deepest contrition, our manifold sins and wickedness, which we have committed against thee. Our deceitful hearts have revolted from thee, and we have loved and served the creature, more than thee, the Creator. We have been careful and troubled about many things, but have neglected the one thing needful, the salvation of the soul. Our chief concern has been, what shall we eat, what shall we drink, and wherewithal shall we be clothed. It is of thy mercies, O Lord, because thy compassions fail not, that we are not consumed. Thy mercies are new every morning, and great is thy faithfulness. Enable us to put away every evil from before thine eyes, and hereafter to love and serve thee, in newness of life. This is thine own day, on which thy Son Jesus Christ arose from the dead. He was exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance, and forgiveness of sins. Help us to consecrate this day entirely to thy glory, not speaking |