SATURDAY.

[Bp. Blomfield.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, who, for my many sins committed against thee, mightest most justly have cut me off in the midst of my days, I humbly thank thee, that in the multitude of thy mercies thou hast hitherto spared me.

Accept, I beseech thee, my unfeigned sorrow for my past transgressions; and grant that I may never so presume upon thy mercy as to despise the riches of thy goodness: but let a sense of thy forbearance and long-suffering work in me repentance and amendment of life, to thy honour and glory, and to my final acceptance in the last day, through the merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ.

Keep alive in me, O Lord, a true spirit of devotion; and preserve me from the great sin of praying to thee with my lips only, and not with my heart and mind.

Convince me of my entire dependence upon thee; quicken me in the pursuit of things eternal; that I may continually press forward to obtain the prize of our high calling in Jesus Christ.

Dispose me, I beseech thee, rightly to discharge the duties of this day. Watch over my path; compass me about with thy favour; preserve me in my going out and coming in; and direct all my steps in the way of thy commandments.

Make me truly honest and conscientious in all my dealings; diligent in the performance of my duty; innocent in my conversation; meek, charitable, and forgiving towards others; watchful over myself; and ever mindful of thy presence.

Sanctify unto me my crosses and afflictions, if it be thy good pleasure to afflict me and give me such a measure of patience and godly resolution, that I may be willing to take up my cross daily, and to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.

O Lord, if I have now asked any thing amiss, I pray thee pardon my ignorance and infirmity; and whatsoever is good for me, even if I ask it not, be pleased to grant to me, in the name and for the sake of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen. Our Father, &c.

88

EVENING PRAYERS.

SUNDAY.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, blessed be thy name, that I have again heard the Gospel of thy grace, and the invitations of my Saviour. I adore thee for that word, which is a light unto my feet and a lantern to my paths; and, above all, for my hope of peace with thee, through the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. O make the duties of his Gospel, and the calls of his goodness, more dear to my heart; that I may glorify him in my body and in my spirit, which are his!

I thank thee, gracious God, for that undeserved compassion which has cast my lot in a Christian land. O make me more anxious to shew forth this gratitude, not only with my lips, but in my life, by giving up myself to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all my days. Teach me, by thy Holy

Spirit, that all my means of grace, and all my opportunities of salvation, must be accounted for in the day of judgment; and that to whom much is given, from them will much be required.

Grant, O merciful God, that the Sabbath now closing may promote thy glory, and set forward the salvation of men, especially of those with whom I have worshipped; that sinners may be converted, and that Christ may see in them of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied.

Have mercy, O God of love, upon my relations, and upon all who are near and dear unto me; and give them that godliness which is profitable for all things, which hath the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

I commend myself to thy merciful protection this night. Be my defence in the hours of sleep and darkness; and if I am permitted to see the light of another day, unite and sanctify my affections to love thee more, and serve thee better; for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

MONDAY.

O GOD, my Creator, Preserver, and Benefactor, in the ever-adorable name of the Lord Jesus I approach thee with the sincerest reverence and humility, to pay the last acknowledgments of this day to thee, before my eyes are closed with sleep. I praise and magnify thy name for all thy mercies; particularly at this time, for thy preservation of me through the past day, and for that tender care and guidance of thy merciful providence by which I have been defended from the great and innumerable dangers of soul and body with which this imperfect state so much abounds. Whatever of good or happiness I enjoy, from thy favour I derive it, and to thee I give the praise. My sinful imperfections and my failings, my transgressions and neglects, in many instances, of thy law and my duty, I truly lament, and take the shame of them to myself, humbly beseeching thee to give me true repentance. O forgive me, for thy dear Son's sake, whatsoever thou hast seen amiss in any part of