Enlighten the minds and pardon the sin of all that err through simplicity.

Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but guide thou the just.

Relieve and comfort all that are troubled in mind or conscience;-all that are in danger of falling into despair;-all that are in any dangerous error-all that are in prison, in slavery, or under persecution for a righteous cause ;-all that are in any distress whatever, that all may improve under their sufferings.

Have mercy upon and reclaim all that are engaged in sinful courses, in youthful lusts, in unchristian quarrels, and in unrighteous lawsuits.

Direct all that are in doubt, all that seek the truth.

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all, have mercy upon all whom thou hast made and redeemed. Amen.

MONDAY MEDITATIONS.

RESIGNATION.

Luke xxii. 42. Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.

GOD, who takest delight in helping the afflicted, help a soul too often distressed with an inward rebellion against thy just appointments.

Who am I, that I should make exceptions against the will of God, infinitely great, wisc, and good? I know not the things that are for my own good. My most earnest desires, if granted, may prove my ruin.

The things I complain of and fear, may be the effects of the greatest mercy.

The disappointments I meet with may be absolutely necessary for my eternal welfare.

I do therefore protest against the sin and madness of desiring to have my will done, and not the will of God.

Grant, gracious Father, that I may never dispute the reasonableness of thy will, but ever close with it, as the best that can happen.

Prepare me always for what thy providence shall bring forth.

Let me never murmur, be dejected, or impatient, under any of the troubles of this life; but ever find rest and comfort in this, THIS IS THE WILL OF MY FATHER, AND OF MY GOD: grant this for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

To the glory of God, and justification of his infinite goodness, I do here acknowledge, that in all the dispensations of providence which have befallen me to this day, however uneasy to flesh and blood, I have, notwithstanding, experienced the kindness of a father for his child; and am convinced, that it would have been much worse for me had I had my own choices.

O God, grant that for the time to come I may yield a cheerful obedience to all thy appointments. Amen.

Corrupt nature cannot comprehend that afflic

tions are the effects of the divine love. It must be thy grace, O Lover of Souls, which must work in me this conviction, which I beseech Thee to vouchsafe me.

Never set a greater value upon this world than it deserves.

If a man be not eager or positive in his desires, he will more readily embrace the appointments of Providence.

If we place our hopes, or our dependence, upon the power, the wisdom, the counsel, or the interest, we have in man, and not in God only, we shall surely be disappointed.

Job xiii. 15. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.

O my crucified King and Saviour, let my submission to whatever afflictions shall befal me, for thy sake, or by thy appointment, be to me a pledge and an assurance of my fidelity to Thee, and conformity to thy sufferings.

It is a favour to be punished and to suffer in this life, when a man makes a good use of his sufferings. But to suffer by constraint, is to suffer without comfort and without benefit.

Our union and conformity with the will of God ought to be instead of all consolation.

Grant, O God, that I may always accept of the punishment of my sins with resignation to thy good pleasure.

Remember me, O Lord, in the day of trouble; keep me from all excess of fear, concern, and sadness.

Grant me an humble and resigned heart, that with perfect content I may ever acquiesce in

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all the methods of thy grace, that I may never frustrate the designs of thy mercy, by unreasonable fears, by sloth, or self-love. Amen.

Think often of God, and of his attributes, his mercy, compassion, fidelity, fatherly care, goodness, protection. Dwell on these thoughts till they produce such a well-grounded confidence as will support us under all difficulties, and assure us, that He cannot possibly forsake those that depend on him.

When God deprives us of any thing that is most dear to us, health, ease, conveniences of life, friends, wife, children, &c.-we should immediately say, This is God's will; I am by him commanded to part with so much; let me not therefore murmur or be dejected, for then it would appear that I did love that thing more than God's will.

When God thus visits us, let us immediately look inwards; and lest our sins should be the occasion, let us take care that we seriously repent, and endeavour to make our peace with God; and then he will either deliver or support us, and will convince us, that we suffer in justice for our faults; or for our trial, and to humble us; for God's glory, and to sanctify us.

1 Pet. v. 5. Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

Give me grace, O God, to study, to love, to adore, and to imitate that humility, which thy blessed Son hath taught us both by his word and by his most holy example.

BUSINESS.

Ephes. v. 17. Understanding what the will of the Lord is.

To engage in any business of importance without knowing this, and taking counsel of God, may cost us dear.

Isaiah xxx. 1. Woe to them that take counsel, but not of me, saith the Lord.

But then, let a man take heed, that when he goes to inquire of the Lord, he does not set up idols in his own heart, lest God answer him according to his idols.

We are to pray for the direction of God's Spirit, upon all great occasions; especially, we are humbly to depend on his direction, and cheerfully to expect it, which he will manifest, either by some plain event of his providence, or by suggesting such reasons as ought to determine the will to a wise choice.

But to follow the inclinations of the will without reason, only because we find ourselves strongly inclined to this or that, is a very dangerous way, and may engage us in very dangerous practices.

MASTER. SERVANT.

Death, in a very little time, may make the master and the servant equal. Let us anticipate this equality, by treating our servants with compassion; having respect to Christ in the person of our servant, to Christ,--who took upon him the form of a servant for our sakes.