one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things and we by him.

Be with us, we beseech thee, through this night. Protect us from danger, and preserve us from sin. Prepare us for the privileges and services of thy day and of thy house. Refreshed by sleep, and thankfully alive to thy goodness, may we awake to bless thee for another day of the Son of Man, and be disposed to enter on its peculiar engagements and business in the spirit of those who esteem the Sabbath of the Lord holy and honourable.

These our prayers we now present to thee in the name, and pleading the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be all glory and honour, both now and for ever. Amen.

231

SIXTH SERIES.

SUNDAY MORNING.

How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts Our soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord; our heart and our flesh crieth out for the living God. With joy would we hail the return of thy holy day: and with desire, and expectation, and gratitude we would enter on its duties, and avail ourselves of its privileges. We thank thee that thou hast set apart this day in commemoration of the Saviour's resurrection and triumph, and as a foretaste of the blessedness hereafter to be enjoyed by thy people, in thy house and kingdom above.

While we remember the design of this day and bless thee for it, enable us, we beseech thee, to divest our minds of worldly cares and worldly thoughts, to rise above the love of things seen and temporal, and to enter into that rest which the Saviour hath obtained for his people, and which is to be enjoyed by

the exercise of faith in him-that rest which is an anticipation and prelude of the heavenly and eternal rest, which yet remaineth for the people of God. On this day, may we remember that the Saviour died, and revived, and rose again; died for our offences, rose again for our justification, and ascended up into heaven to re-assume his glory, and to be the Lord both of the living and of the dead. O with him may we die unto sin, die to its curse, die to its power. With him may we live unto God, live as his ransomed and believing people, live to all those holy and elevated purposes for which the Almighty formed us at first after his image, live in the exercise of all the powers of a renovated and spiritual nature, live not unto ourselves but unto Him that died for us and that rose again. As he rose from the grave, so may we also through him rise to newness of life. And as he ascended up on high, leaving the world behind him, and entering into the unveiled presence of his Father, so may we this day rise above the things of sense and time, and by faith hold communion with him where he sitteth at the right hand of God. Remembering that all power in heaven and in earth is given into his hands, may we this day renew the homage that is due to him as the exalted Head of the church and remembering his promise to be with his people even to the end of the world, may we realize his presence in his ordinances, and look up to him, with expectation and with confidence, to fulfil his gracious assurance in our experience, by making us joyful in thy house of prayer.

We thank thee, gracious God, not only for the institution of the Sabbath, but for public worship, and all the other means of grace which we are specially permitted on this day to enjoy. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house and blessed also are they whose strength is in thee! O enable us, we beseech thee, to derive advantage from the opportunities which this day affords us of waiting upon thee, in thine ordinances. May we go up to thy house, rejoicing that we are invited for a season to withdraw from the world and its concerns. May we engage in thine ordinances with gratitude and thanksgiving. May we find that thine ordinances are as wells of water and as springs in the desert: may they refresh our fainting and thirsty souls; and, satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy place, may we experience that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and be prepared in days to come to go from strength to strength, and to make unwonted progress in the way to Zion.

To thy merciful regard and gracious help, we commend all who shall this day worship with us, and especially thy servants who shall conduct the devotions, and minister to the instruction of thy church and people throughout the world. Be in an especial manner with those of thy servants to whom we shall be indebted for the dispensation of the word of life. Teach them thy way, O Lord; lead them in thy truth; and fully qualify them, from personal experience, to guide others in the way everlasting.

Accompany, we pray thee, the preaching of thy word everywhere with an abundant and effectual blessing. Excite attention, dispel prejudice. Let thy word be listened to, not as the word of man, but as the word of God, and be felt by the heart and conscience to be quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword-profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

Hear us, O Lord God of hosts: hear our prayers: give ear, O God of Jacob. Be to us this day a sun and shield. Give us grace, and increase our meetness for glory. No good thing do thou withhold from us, but let each of us experience more powerfully than before, that blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Now unto Him that hath loved us, and hath washed us from our sins in his own blood; unto God, even the Father; and unto the Spirit of all grace, one God, be honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

SUNDAY EVENING.

O THOU, to whom we owe our Sabbaths and all our means of spiritual improvement, we give thee thanks for the mercies and privileges we have this day enjoyed. We thank thee that our ears have heard the glad tidings of salvation; and that, unlike numbers of our fellow-men, we enjoy the blessedness of the people who know the joyful sound. May we be duly sensible of our privileges, and anxious to improve them. May the light from