1887 Jan 1 1887. 712. SATURDAY EVENING. MOST MERCIFUL FATHER, we pray Thee, for Thy dear Son's sake, for His death, resurrection, and mediation, forgive us all the sins, iniquities, and trespasses which we have committed against Thee in thought, word, or deed. Though we are sinners, He is righteous; though we are foolish, He is wise; though we are unclean, He is pure and holy. For His sake, therefore, be merciful unto us. Remember how Thou hast promised, that Thou wilt sprinkle clean water upon us, and cleanse us from our sins; that Thou wilt take from us our stony hearts, and give us hearts of flesh. Think upon Thy covenant, that Thou wilt put Thy law in our hearts, and write it in our minds; and that Thou wilt be our God, and we shall be Thy people. Fulfil all these Thy gracious promises to us, we humbly beseech Thee. Forgive us Take our sins; wash us from our wickedness; pour out Thy Holy Spirit upon us. away our hard hearts, impenitent, distrusting, idle, covetous, impure; and give us new hearts, faithful, loving, obedient, penitent, and lowly; hearts to fear Thee, to love Thee, to trust in Thee for ever. Write Thy law in our hearts, graft it in our minds, we humbly beseech Thee. Give us the spirit of prayer, and make us diligent in the works which Thou woulds have us to do. Take into Thy care and keeping our souls and bodies, our lives, and all that we have: let us not be tempted above that which Thou wilt enable us to bear; and whatsoever Thou knowest us to need for our souls or bodies, do Thou, gracious Father, vouchsafe to give us. Guide us in the way in which we should go, that our lives may please Thee, and our deaths may praise Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for whose sake we pray Thee to grant us these our petitions. And not for ourselves only would we pray, but for all Thy children, especially for such as are in sickness, want, or any other adversity. Be merciful to our gracious Sovereign, to her council, and all in authority under her, and to the whole commonalty of the realm: grant us true repentance, and let Thy Gospel have free course and be glorified among us. Think upon our relatives and friends in Thy goodness; and to us, now gathered together in Thy Name, give Thy Holy Spirit, to sanctify us, to dwell in us, and to keep us, this night and for ever, from all evil, to Thine eternal glory, through the merits of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore. Amen. BRADFORD. 1886. 20021. 1887. Jau z FOURTH WEEK. ANONYMOUS PRAYERS OF THE ELIZABETHAN PERIOD. SUNDAY MORNING. MOST merciful Father, we render unto Thee all praise, thanks, honour, and glory, for that it hath pleased Thee of Thy great mercy to receive us into the fellowship of Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, whom Thou hast delivered to death for us, and hast given unto us, for our food and nourishment unto everlasting life. Suffer us not, O heavenly Father, to forget these Thy great benefits, but so imprint them in our hearts, that we may grow and increase daily more and more in true faith, and in all good works. Confirm and strengthen us, O Lord, in these perilous days, that we may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the truth, to the advancement of Thy glory, who art God over all things, blessed for ever. Make Let Thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with righteousness, and let Thy saints rejoice. Pour out Thy Spirit of wisdom and understanding upon the ministers of Thy word, that they may know the mysteries of Thy holy will. Give them the gift of utterance, that they may set forth the abundant riches of Thy Gospel. Write Thy law in their hearts, and Thy testimonies in their minds, that they may lead Thy people into all truth, and rule Thy Church with discretion. them good workmen, faithful shepherds, and wise builders; that they may restore the broken walls, feed Thy flock with the bread and water of life, dress and keep Thy vineyard, repair Thy holy sanctuary, and bring in the vessels dedicated to Thy service. Let them shine with such light of pure and holy conversation before men, that they may edify no less by example of life than by instruction of teaching; to the intent that men, beholding their modesty, meekness, wisdom, patience, charity, and all other virtues wherewith Thou |