the continuance of life; refer it to God to lengthen or shorten it as he pleases, saying, "My times are in thy hand." And with

respect to the comforts of this life; refer them also to God, to embitter or sweeten as he pleases. He has maintained our lives hitherto; he has protected us and kept us alive. He that guards us against all evil will supply us with every necessary good. If he had been pleased to let us perish, he would not have given his angels charge concerning us to keep us. Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them: are ye not much better than they? Look upon them, and learn to trust in God. Consider

the lilies of the field. God has arrayed them in all their beauty,surpassing that of Solomon in his glory. If he so clothe the short lived grass, much more will he clothe you whom he hath chosen for immortality. Even the children of Nineveh were preferred before the gourd; much more the sons of Zion, who are in covenant with their God. "O ye of little faith." This may be taken as an encouragement to weak faith. True faith, though it be but weak, is an earnest of the divine care. Great faith shall be commended, and bring in great

things; but little faith shall not be neglected. Your heavenly Father knoweth you have need of these things. All

the excellences of the creature must flow from God, the fountain and spring of them all. And though he is in heaven and we upon earth, he observes what the least of us hath occasion for; and he will provide.

HYMN

For Friday Morning.

Quiet, Lord, my froward heart,
Make me teachable and mild,
Upright, simple, free from art,
Make me as a weaned child:
From distrust and envy free,
Pleas'd with all that pleases thee.

What thou shalt to-day provide,
Let me as a child receive;
What to-morrow may betide,
Calmly to thy wisdom leave;
'Tis enough that Thou wilt care,
Why should I the burden bear?

As a little child relies

On a care beyond his own ;
Knows he's neither strong nor wise;
Fears to stir a step alone:

Let me thus with thee abide,
As my Father, Guard, and Guide.

Thus preserv'd from Satan's wiles,
Safe from dangers, free from fears,
May I live upon thy smiles,

Till the promis'd hour appears;
When the sons of God shall prove,
All their Father's boundless love.

PRAYER

For Friday Morning.

O most high and gracious God! Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we desire to draw nigh unto thee acknowledging that we are thine, for thou hast made us, and not we ourselves. O may we in heart and mind ascend unto thy dwelling-place; and with all lowliness worship at the footstool of thy glorious Majesty. May we with confidence and delight approach thee, our heavenly Father, as dear children. Bless our souls with such holy and lively faith as may enlighten our minds, purify our hearts, and influence our lives. May we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in the Gospel as a propitiation, as a Prince, and a Saviour, and desire more thoroughly to approve ourselves sincere unfeigned penitents, that we may obtain through him pardon, justification, and eternal life. Enable us to trust in thine almighty power

to help and save; in thy loving-kindness to pity and relieve; and in thy exceeding great and precious promises made unto all that wait upon thee. May thy grace be manifested this day in our life and conversation. Make us watchful over ourselves, over our thoughts, words, and actions; watchful against all evil, and watching unto prayer. Remind us, O God, that thine eye is ever upon us, and may we walk as those on whom thy name is called. May we be careful for nothing, but in every thing give thanks; and make known our requests unto thee by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving. And when at any time thou shalt see fit, in thine infinite wisdom and love, to withhold an immediate answer to our petitions, be graciously pleased, O Father, to give us such a measure of faith, hope, and patience, as may bear us up in all the changes of this mortal life. And in whatsoever state we are, may we learn therewith to be content. May we know how to be abased, as well as how to be exalted; to want as well as to abound; to have nothing as well as to possess all things. And though the fig tree should not blossom, and no fruit be found on the vine; though the labor of the olive should fail, and the field yield no increase;

though there be no sheep in the fold, or herd in the stall; may we still trust in the Lord, and be joyful in the God of our salvation. May we remember, O Lord, that thou canst cause rivers to flow from the rock, and furnish a table in the wilderness: that by thee even the hairs of our heads are all numbered; and none ever trusted in thee, and were confounded. And thus may we run our race, fight the good fight, keep the faith, and live the life of the righteous; and at length may our last end be like his. Whenever these earthly tabernacles shall be dissolved, may our souls be safely conveyed to the mansions of the blessed in the heavens; to the innumerable company of angels, to the spirits of the just made perfect, and to God the judge of all; to receive from him that crown of life which fadeth not away. Now to the Lamb that was slain, and has redeemed us to God by his blood, be glory, dominion, and praise, for ever and ever. Amen.

HYMN

For Friday Evening.

While I liv'd without the Lord,
(If I might be said to live,)
Nothing could relief afford,
No thing satisfaction give.