Make it our delight to praise thee, to call to mind thy loving-kindness, and to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Help us to take heed to ourselves, lest at any time our hearts be overcharged with surfeiting or drunkenness, or the cares of this life: to have our conversation without covetousness, and to be content with such things as we have: to possess our bodies in sanctification and honour: to love our neighbour as ourselves, and as we would that others should do to us, do even so to them. To live peaceably, as much as lieth in us, with all men: to put on the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit: and to take those who have spoken in the name of our Lord, for an example of suffering affliction and of patience; and when we suffer as Christians, not to be ashamed, but to glorify thee our God on this behalf.
And accept, good Lord, of all the praises of all thy people met together this day. O that thy ways were known upon all the earth, thy saving health among all nations! And that all Christian kings especially, may be filled with thy holy Spirit, and be faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. O that thy priests may be cloathed with righteousness, and thy saints rejoice and sing; that all who are in distress may trust in thee, the help of their countenance and their God. O Lord, hear us, and make thy face to shine upon thy servants, that we may enter into thy gates with thanksgiving, and into thy courts with praise: that we may be thankful unto thee and bless thy name. Amen, for Jesus Christ’s sake, in whose words we conclude our imperfect prayers, saying, “Our Father, &c.”
SUNDAY EVENING.
O THOU high and holy one that inhabitest eternity. Thou art to be feared and loved by all thy servants. All thy works praise thee, O God; and we especially give thanks unto thee, for thy marvellous love in Christ Jesus, by whom thou hast reconciled the world to thyself. Thou hast given us exceeding great and precious promises. Thou hast sealed them with his blood, thou hast confirmed them by his resurrection and ascension, and the coming of the Holy Ghost. We thank thee that thou hast given us so many happy opportunities of knowing the truth as it is in Jesus, even the mystery which was hid from ages and generations, but is now revealed to them that believe.
Blessed be thy goodness for that great consolation, and for the assistance of thy holy Spirit. Blessed be thy goodness, that we have felt it so often in our hearts, inspiring us with holy thoughts, filling us with love and joy and comfortable expectations of the glory that shall be revealed. We thank thee, that thou hast suffered us this day, to attend on thee in thy public service: and that we have begun in any measure, to pursue after that eternal rest which remaineth for the people of God.
We offer up again our souls and bodies to thee to be governed, not by our will, but thine. O let it be ever the ease and joy of our hearts, to be under the conduct of thy unerring wisdom, to follow thy counsels, and to be ruled in all things by thy holy will. And let us never distrust thy abundant kindness and tender care over us; whatsoever it is thou wouldst have us to do, or to suffer in this world.
O God, purify our hearts, that we may intirely love thee, and rejoice in being beloved of thee; that we may confide in thee, and absolutely resign ourselves to thee, and be filled with constant devotion toward thee. O that we may never sink into a base love of any thing here below, nor be oppressed with the cares of this life; but assist us to abhor that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good. Let us use this world as not abusing it. Give us true humility of spirit, that we may not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. Keep us from being wise in our own conceits. Let our moderation be known to all men. Make us kindly affectioned one to another; to delight in doing good; to shew all meekness to all men; to render to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour; and to owe no man any thing, but to love one another. Make us so happy, that we may be able to love our enemies, to bless those that curse us, to do good to them that hate us; to rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Compose our spirits to a quiet and steady dependance on thy good providence, that we may take no thought for our life, nor be careful for any thing, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, still make known our requests to thee our God. And help us to pray always and not faint; in every thing to give thanks, and offer up the sacrifice of praise continually; to rejoice in hope of thy glory; to possess our souls in patience; and to learn in whatsoever state we are, therewith to be content. Make us know both how to be abased, and how to abound: every where, and in all things, instruct us both to abound and to suffer want, being enabled to do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us.
O that the light of all Christians did so shine before men, that others might glorify thee, our Father which art in heaven! Send forth thy light and thy truth into all the dark corners of the earth; that all kings may fall down before thee, and all nations do thee service! Bless these kingdoms, and give us grace at length, to bring forth fruits meet for repentance. O Lord, save the king, and establish his throne in righteousness. Prosper the endeavours of all those who faithfully feed thy people, and increase the number of them. O that the seed which hath been sown this day, may take deep root in all our hearts; that being not forgetful hearers, but doers of the word, we may be blessed in our deeds. Help us in all the week following, to set a watch before our mouth, and keep the door of our lips. And let not our heart incline to any evil thing, or to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity. But as we have received how we ought to walk and to please thee, so may we abound more and more.
Protect us, we beseech thee, and all our friends every where this night, and awaken in the morning those good thoughts in our hearts, that the words of our Saviour may abide in us, and we in him; who hath taught us, when we pray to say, “Our Father, &c.”