of those who shall be monuments of thy grace for evermore. We have nothing to plead in our own behalf but that Christ died to save sinners. We lie entirely at thy mercy, and have no hope but in the name of that gracious Lord and Saviour, whom thou hast anointed to give repentance and remission of sin; to him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. HYMN For Tuesday Evening. Shew pity, Lord; oh Lord, forgive ; Are not thy mercies large and free? My crimes, though great, do not surpass O wash my soul from every sin, My lips with shame my sins confess Should sudden vengeance seize my breath, Yet save a trembling sinner, Lord! PRAYER For Tuesday Evening. A PENITENTIARY PRAYER. O Lord God, merciful and gracious, who willest not the death of a sinner, but wouldest rather that he turn and live; we feel and confess that we are sinners before thee. We were born with inclinations to that which is evil, and have too much followed those inclinations all our lives. We have lived at a distance from thee, forgetting our own souls, and that eternal world into which we must shortly enter. We have been strangers to that holy and heavenly life which can alone prepare us for eternal blessedness; and without love to that adorable Saviour who so loved us, who wept, and bled, and died for us! With what affecting language did he plead with us! He called, but we did not answer! He assured us, "He that cometh unto me I will no wise cast out;" but we were not moved. His compassion yearned over us; but our hearts did not relent. His blessed Spirit awakened our conscience; but how soon did it fall asleep again! Lord, we are ashamed to look back upon our lives. What deep and heartfelt contrition do our sins call for! Lord, give us that godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of. We have taken upon ourselves the christian name, but often, alas! have we fallen to the dishonour of God, the discredit of religion, the wounding of ourselves, and the grieving of others. We confess, O Lord, that we have often neglected thy service, and slighted thy love, and that our duties have been performed in a cold, sluggish, and heartless manner. We have not improved the talents thou hast given us to thy glory, or to the edification of our fellow creatures. We have suffered the love of the world to weaken our graces, and much evil has been mixed with our good. Often while we have slept, omitting our spiritual watch, has Satan surprised us, and temptation prevailed over our souls. We have too much conformed to the customs of a sinful world, and lived contrary to our profession, and below our hopes as members of thy spiritual church, and recipients of thy grace. What a slow progress have we made in the ways of holiness! How frequent and strong have been the workings of unbelief, pride, passion, envy, and uncharitableness! Lord, how have our sins been aggravated by the love and mercy thou hast shewn to us, and the long experience we have had of thy bounty and goodness! Though thou art our God, how often have we offended against thee! though thou art our Father, how often have we displeased thee! How have we by our sins wounded that Redeemer who died for us, and grieved that Holy Spirit who has comforted us! O for a broken heart and a contrite spirit! O for inward shame and heartfelt remorse! O that our stony hearts might be broken, and be turned into hearts of flesh! Thou hast mercifully invited those who are weary and heavy laden to come unto thee, and hast promised that thou wilt refresh them. O let us experience the refreshing influences of thy grace on our souls this evening. Remember not our offences which are many and great, neither take thou vengeance of our sins; but spare us, good Lord, spare us whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever. We ask for repentance, for mercy, for pardon and grace, only through the merits and mediation of him who loved us, and gave himself for us: in whom we hope to be found living and dying, and for ever. Amen. MEDITATION For Wednesday Morning. SPIRITUAL JOY. "And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full.” 1 John i. 4. The Gospel dispensation is not a dispensation of fear, sorrow, and dread; but one of peace and joy. Terror and astonishment may well attend mount Sinai; but exultation and joy become mount Sion, where appears the eternal Word, the eternal Life, manifested in our flesh. The mystery of the Christian religion is directly calculated to inspire mortals with joy. It should be joy to us that the eternal Son of God should come to seek and save |