Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

thy works must prove thy power to be irresistible-thy wisdom infinite-and thy goodness unchangeable and perfect.

Grant, O Lord! that this conviction may fill my breast with consolation-animate my obedience to thy holy and righteous will-and enable me habitually to possess a placid and cheerful resignation to thy good will and pleasure, even under the most distressing circumstances in which I may be placed. Reconcile me to thy appointments even in death itself, and support me under whatever I may suffer from its approaches. Bless me, O Lord! in the improvement of the privileges and promises which I enjoy, so that I may happily acquire and maintain a spirit of true devotion, and both see and adore thy providential goodness in every event. May it henceforward be my constant desire and most earnest endeavour to enlarge and strengthen this heavenly temper, by a diligent and conscientious use of all the appointed means of grace.

Enable me, good God! to attain such a settled habit of piety and holiness, as shall render me superior to all the corruptions that are in the world-make every duty

easy and delightful-and support me in a sincere and uninterrupted perseverance in all that is acceptable in thy sight. O that I may be found, at the last, prepared and qualified to euter upon another and better life, and to be for ever happy in the enjoyinent of thy eternal love and favour. May I finally partake of that bliss and glory to which Thou hast advanced Jesus the captain of my salvation, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross despising the shame of it.

May it please Thee, almighty God! to enlighten the whole world with thy truth, with the saving knowledge of thyself and of thy Son Christ Jesus. May the hearts of all who profess themselves christians, be filled with that fervent habitual piety, which shall produce the warmest benevolence towards all around them. May those who occupy the highest rank in society shine with distinguished honour as the best friends and most effectual promoters of truth and virtue. May the ministers of religion be animated with a sincere and steady zeal for the truth, and be abundantly successful in their endeavours to promote it. Have compassion upon all who are in

poverty, in affliction, sorrow, or distress of any kind-upon all who suffer persecution for conscience sake, or that bend under the yoke of tyranny, oppression, and slavery. Visit them with the sweet consolations of thy reviving aid according to their several circumstances and necessities. Support them under all their trials, sanctify their afflictions to themselves and all connected with them, and grant them effectual deliverance as soon as is consistent with the wise and gracious purposes for which Thou didst afflict them.

Favourably accept me in the duty which I have now endeavoured to perform. Bless it to me as a means of enlivening and strengthening within me all the habits of piety and benevolence; and grant that my future conduct may testify my continual increase in that gratitude and obedience which are ever due to Thee, my God! and in that universal goodwill which I desire ever to manifest towards all my fellow-creatures. By a steady and diligent perseverance in the path of duty through the whole course of life, may I be preparing for that glorious

F

state in which I shall be able to know Thee better, and serve Thee with superior alacrity and delight.

And now unto Thee, the eternal creator, the father and the friend of all, I devoutly and reverently ascribe, as being most justly due, all honour and glory, blessing and praise, for evermore,-Amen.

TWELFTH ADDRESS.

LORD of heaven eternal! the everflowing and inexhaustible fountain of all being, blessedness, and perfection! Thou art a pure and spiritual existence. Proofs of thy unceasing energy I perceive on every side, and know that I am surrounded continually by thy almighty power and godhead. Thou passest by me on every side, though I behold Thee not ;-thou continually workest wonders on the right hand and on the left. Thou art a spirit, and they who would worship Thee acceptably must worship Thee in spirit and in truth. I, thy unworthy creature, desire to celebrate thy perfections with this disposition, and to offer unto Thee the tribute of my humble and devout worship.

I entreat Thee to pardon and forgive me for having been unmindful of thy perfections and the displays of thy glory; and that I have not been more grateful for those innumerable mercies and' blessings which have been bestowed upon me. In particular I pray Thee to forgive me for

« AnteriorContinuar »