EXERCISE XXXVII. REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, FORGIVENESS. Teacher. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; School. According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. T. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. S. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. T. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; S. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. T. Make me to hear joy and gladness; S. That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. T. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. S. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. T. Cast me not away from thy presence; S. And sinners shall be converted unto thee. T. O Lord, open thou my lips; S. And my mouth shall show forth thy praise. T. Thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it. S. Thou delightest not in burnt-offering. T. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: S. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. T. If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? S. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayst be feared. T. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, S. And mine iniquity have I not hid. T. I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; S. And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. All. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. EXERCISE XXXVIII. THE LITTLE MEMBER. Teacher. If any man offend not in word, School. The same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. T. Behold we put bits in the horses' mouths that they may obey us, S. And we turn about their whole body. T. Behold also the ships, which though they are so great, and are driven of fierce winds, S. Yet are they turned about with a very small helm whithersoever the governor listeth. T. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasteth great things. S. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth! T. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: S. For every kind of beasts and of birds and of serpents, and of things in the sea, T. Is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: S. But the tongue can no man tame; T. It is an unruly evil full of deadly poison. S. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; T. And therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. S. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. T. These things ought not so to be. S. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? T. Can the fig-tree bear olive-berries? S. Either a vine, figs? T. So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. S. If we have bitter envying and strife in our hearts, T. Glory not, and lie not against the truth. T. There is confusion and every evil work. S. Without partiality and without hypocrisy. All. The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. EXERCISE XXXIX. SING UNTO THE LORD A NEW SONG. Teacher. O, sing unto the Lord a new song: S. Show forth his salvation from day to day. T. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; S. He is to be feared above all gods. T. All the gods of the nations are idols: S. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. T. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, S. Give unto the Lord glory and strength. name. S. Bring an offering and come into his courts; T. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holi ness: S. Fear before him, all the earth. |