per. May we hear with effect the summons, which sounds in our ears, as Christians, with peculiar energy, calling upon us to repent. O, let not our sorrow for sin, be that sorrow of the world, which worketh death. Let not our repentance be founded on mean and selfish motives. Let not our dread of suffering surpass our abhorrence of sin. Let us not be satisfied with passing and unprofitable regret, with alarms and terrors, with intreaties for mercy, however fervent, however often repeated. Let not ours be a change of mind, which would spare a part of its corruptions. Let as not imagine that repentance unto life is an easy duty, that it may soon close, soon be made to consist with an allowed relapse into former negligence.

May we be born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. May we be renewed in the spirit of our minds as well as in our outward carriage. May we consider every part of the way and work of a Christian, which is suited to our circumstances as our indispensible and abiding concern May our repentance be habitual; and may we remember, and be confounded, and never open our mouth any more, because of our shame, when we hope that thou art pacified towards us for all, that we have done. May our zeal and fidelity, excited by a sense of remaning weakness and danger, continue without ceasing, even to the close of life. Though gradually raised more above the power of corruption, and transformed into the image of God; may we never be blind to our deficiences, never fail to deplore them, and to watch against them.

We rejoice in the assured hope, that humiliation and regret will not always be the portion of thy servants. When that, which is perfect, is come, that, which is in part shall be done away. When discipline and trial are finished, every tear shall be wiped from the eyes of thy servants, infinitely far shall they be from sorrow on account of sin. May we be content to sow in tears, if we hope to reap in

joy. May a perpetual freedom from everything afflictive, an eternity of rest and blessedness, be regarded by us, as a noble recompense for passing the years of life in apprehension and vigilance.

To the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands; forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; we with never ceasing thankfulness for the privilege, commend our souls, stained with many offences and exposed to danger. To thee we commit, also, all our inferior interests. Of thy mercy, especially as manifested and sealed by Jesus Christ, we devote our warmest admiration and praises, for ever and ever.

JUNE XVI.

CONFIDENCE IN THE PROTECTION OF GOD.

O THOU, that savest by thy right hand those, who put their trust in thee! We once more comfort our hearts, with the devout recollections of thy perfect ability, to help us at all seasons, and on every emergency; of thy perfect wisdom to discern and choose the best means of communicating the assistance which we want, and of thy never-failing readiness to be our friend.

Thou hast condescended to offer us a privilege, of which we could not otherwise have hoped to partake; thou hast freely proposed thyself to us, as our refuge and helper. By many tender representations, thou hast, as it were, lessened the distance between thee and us. Thou hast prevented us from being oppressed with awe, at the thought of thy greatness; from being overwhelmed with dread, ir the remembrance of thy purity and rectitude. We are filled with pleasant, though humble feelings of thy hope in thy mercy. We are emboldened. to look to thee as our Father; to depend upon it that thou hast the heart of a Father, and art willing to provide for us with more than

paternal care and liberality. Thou hast communicated unto us peculiar encouragement, amidst our deepest sense of unworthiness, by the discovery of one, who is able to save to the uttermost those, that come unto God by him. Thou hast added especial strength and stability to our confidence, by the promise, that if we ask anything in his name, he will do it.

In his name, therefore, we again commend ourselves to thy protection and blessing; and trust, that thou wilt care for us. We desire no more effectual help, than is to be found in thee; we desire the countenance of no friend, the support of no arm of flesh, but what we can enjoy as a portion of thy friendship. We renounce every confidence, of which thou hast warned us that, in the day of trial, it will prove as the spider's web. We desire, especially, to be kept from trusting in ourselves; as though we were qualified to order our own way, and our own arm could deliver and save us. May thy right hand, and thine arm uphold us, the light of thy countenance, animate and comfort us. Continually may we attain higher satisfaction in the persuasion, that thou hast a favour unto us.

While we trust in thee, the living God, suffer us not to neglect the means of safety, of improvement and comfort, which thou hast pointed out. Suffer us not to use these means in a cold and careless way; and to imagine, that thou will make up for our negligence. May we give good heed to all, which thou hast taught us of the right spirit of those, who made the Lord their confidence, and who may be assured, that thou wilt never fail them. With our hope in thy mercy, may we unite a stricter care to do thy commandments. As we would, that our hope in thee should become more firm and enlivening; may our conformity to thee, be more complete, more free from, even, slight stains, and common interruptions, Desiring above all things, to be satisfied, that thou art our, Father, may our whole souls be filled with the genuine spirit of children.

May our whole way be animated and adorned by gratitude affection and cheerful complacency.

With deep humility, we listen to the direction of the Lord, and acknowledge, that we are not only unworthy to account ourselves children of such a father, but that we are unprofitable servants. We come short daily and hourly of that, which, by thy help, we might accomplish. Though far more free from stain than we are, though far more established in duty, and eminent in attainments; we could not deserve the advantage of having thee for our refuge and strength, our very present help, according to our wants and dangers. But what we cannot claim thou givest; what we cannot purchase, thou invitest us to accept at thine hands.

Father and Friend of all! Permit us to confide to thy care our fellow-creatures, our neighbours, our friends; those more especially, whose interests are as precious in our estimation as our own. May the hearts of our beloved kindred be perfect towards thee; and thus may we be warranted in the hope, that thine eyes continually run to and fro, to show thyself strong in their behalf. In circumstances of darkness and trouble, may they experience the seasonable and invaluable advantage of trust in God.

We humbly look to thee, as the guardian of our friends, as well as ourselves, through another night. May no evil befal them, or us; may no plague, nor alarm, come near this our dwelling. May seasons of rest make us more fit for duty; and a growing regard to duty, however, still imperfect and unprofitable to thee, cause us more and more to abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Now unto him, that is of power to establish us according to the gospel, and the commandment of the everlasting God; made known to all nations, for the obedience of faith; to God, only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever.

JUNE XVII.

THE CHRISTIAN'S OBLIGATIONS TO GOD.

THE voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly the right hand of the Lord is exalted. The voice of rejoicing is heard in our dwelling; sentiments of high and admiring thankfulness are we trust, impressed upon our minds. The Lord is our rock, our high tower, our refuge, our deliverer. We called upon him in distress, and cried unto our God; and our cry came before him, even into his ears. Thou hast considered our trouble, thou hast known our souls in adversities, thou has set our feet in a large room. The Lord hath done great things for us; on account of which we are glad, and rejoice in thy mercy.

Thou dost, indeed, accomplish great things for us; when thou deliverest our souls from death, sparest our threatened comforts and wipest away the tears from our eyes. While every instance, in which our blessings are impaired, or we are led to apprehend their removal, makes us more sensible of their value; may our sense of dependence upon thee be, in like measure, confirmed. May every instance, in which our apprehensions are scattered, and our peace restored, heighten our feeling of obligation to him, who turneth for us our mourning into dancing, who puts off our sackcloth, and girdeth us with gladness.

O, let not mere acknowledgments of thy favour content us, however, fervently, as well as sincerely, offered. Let us not be satisfied with resolutions, that we will give thee thanks for ever; or with a long and stedfast adherence to such a purpose. May our souls honour thee, by leaving to thy paternal care, for the time to come, the blessings, which it pleases thee to continue, or restore; by a willingness that they be left without reserve to thy disposal; by a concern that, while they are spared, they quicken us in our love, our zeal, and our obedience to thy will