B up itfelf Another for the Evening. Leffing, Glory, Honour and Praise be again returned to thee, O father of mercy, from a moft thankful heart; which offers alfo in holy devotion to thee. Who art my fovereign Lord, my moft loving Saviour, my deliverer and benefactor; the fountain of all the good things I enjoy at prefent, and the hope of my foul for ever and ever. Bleffed be thy renewed kindness to me this day paft: Both to myself and my relations, to my foul and my body, in my tranfactions with men, and in the liberty thou alloweft me of addreffes to myself. Pardon, good Lord, whatsoever hath escaped me in thought, word, or deed, contrary to my duty: And accept of thofe fincere intentions, and unfeigned purpofes, which were, and I hope shall always be in my heart to ftudy to approve myself to thee in all well-doing. It is but juft and reasonable that I fhould follow thy Will, and not my own: And in a grateful sense of what I have receiv'd from thee, I ought to be moved to employ all the powers of my foul and Body for thee. But fuch is the Goodness of thy Will, that it is for my ease and pleasure, and greatest happiness to be abfolutely led and governed by it. I am fenfible, O Lord, how much I am indebted to thee for teaching me by Christ Jefus, and alfo ftrongly obliging me to exercise myself to all godliness, purity, righteousness, humility, goodnefs and truth. And accordingly I thank thee, above all things, for his holy inftructions and example; for the hope thou haft given us by his blood, that thou wilt be fo merciful to our fins, as not to deny us the power of thy Holy Spirit to enable us to follow him, and obey his commands; and for that exceeding great and precious promise which he hath - given us of immortal life, to encourage us to follow him willingly and chearfully, even to the Death. O that I may feel a lively and ftedfast faith in his word, continually working working with great power in my heart; exciting me to an unwearied diligence, and zeal, and love, and patient continuance in my duty towards thee, and towards all Men: That so my hope in thee may grow and increafe, and I may joyfully expect that hour which fhall tranflate me hence to the eternal happiness of the other World. And during my stay here, I commend myself to thy good providence, which hath hitherto been fo tender of me. I trust thee wholly with myself, and all belonging to me: And am willing in every thing to be difpofed of, as thou feeft good. This night I flee unto thy almighty protection; hoping thou wilt keep me fafely, and whether I wake in this or the other life, I fhall ftill be praifing thee; whofe mercy endureth for ever, Amen; for Chrift Jefus his fake; by whom thou haft encouraged me to hope in thee, and taught me to call thee father; faying, Our Father, &c. FINI S. |