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and hast by the example of Thine infinite love towards mankind taught and commanded all Christ's disciples to love one another, to be of one mind, and to live in peace; look down, I humbly beseech Thee, in much pity and compassion upon this church and nation; and pardon our lamentable violations of these holy precepts by our unchristian animosities, and hatreds, and discords, and dissentions. Convince every one of us thoroughly of our sin; and give us grace, O Lord, seriously to lay to heart the great danger we are in by our unhappy divisions. Give us a right understanding of ourselves, and of our religion; and so affect our hearts with that incomprehensible love which Thou hast shewn unto us in our blessed Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, that we may be followers of Thee, our God, as dear children, and walk in love as Christ hath loved us, and given Himself an offering and a sacrifice for us. Allay all our intemperate heats; subdue our violent passions; free us from all prejudice and evil surmisings; and purge out of our hearts all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, with all malice; that we may be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as Thou for Christ's sake hast forgiven us. And more especially endue all those who are the guides of others, all the pastors of Thy Church, with this heavenly spirit; that there may be no divisions among them, but they may be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and the same judgment, and thereby lead their people in the way of love, as well as truth. Give them grace, O Lord, to remember and consider, that the servants of the Lord ought not to strive, but to be gentle unto all men, (much more one towards another,) apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those who oppose themselves; that they may become examples to their flocks of these most excellent virtues, and teach them not only by their doctrine, but by their practice also, to love without dissimulation, to be kindly affectioned

one to another, with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another. Be pleased also to inspire the hearts of all our civil governors and magistrates with such love unto Thee, and to this church and kingdom, that they may employ their most zealous endeavours in this blessed work of being peace-makers, by healing our unhappy breaches, and reconciling all opposite parties; remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God: and that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. 0 that these sacred truths may be deeply engraven on all our hearts, and never depart out of our thoughts, that so every one of us, in our several places, may earnestly follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. the God of all patience and consolation grant us to be like-minded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus; having the same love; being of one accord, of one mind; doing nothing through strife or vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind esteeming each other better than ourselves; that we may with one mind, and with one mouth, glorify Thee our God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Now

SECTION VIII.

THE HUMBLE PENITENT'S CONCLUDING
DEVOTIONS.

Preparatory sentences of Scripture-Prayer for God's acceptance of this day's devotions, and for grace to put in practice our good resolutions, and finally to attain everlasting life.

Preparatory sentences of Scripture.

I.

BLESSED is he whose unrighteousness is forgiven, and whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile '.

I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee, and mine unrighteousness have I not hid.

I said I will confess my sins unto the Lord; and so Thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.

For this shall every one that is godly make his prayer unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found":

Thou art a place to hide me in; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance 3.

1 Psal. xxxii. 1, 2.

2 Ibid. 4-7.

3 Ibid. 8.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me; yea, He delivered me out of all my fear.

They had an eye unto Him, and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed.

Lo, the poor crieth, and the Lord heareth him; yea, and saveth him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.

O taste and see how gracious the Lord is blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.

O fear the Lord, ye that are His saints; for they that fear Him lack nothing 1.

The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous; and His ears are open unto their prayers 2.

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart; and will save such as be of an humble spirit. Great are the troubles of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of all 3.

The Lord delivereth the souls of His servants; and all they that put their trust in Him shall not be destitute 1.

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace 5.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength o.

The way of the just is uprightness: Thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just '.

Great peace have they which love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them ".

1 Psal. xxxiv. 4-9.

4 Ibid. xxxiv. 22. 7 Ibid. ver. 7.

2 Ibid. ver. 15.
5 Ibid. xxxvii. 37.
9 Psal. cxix. 165.

3 Ibid. ver. 18, 19. 6 Isai. xxvi. 3, 4.

II.

He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul: but he that despiseth His ways shall die1. The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied: he shall not be visited with evil 2.

Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing3.

The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you".

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak for your work shall be rewarded.

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon

you.

And exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come".

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil".

Therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live that thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him; for He is thy life, and the length of thy days 10.

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him 1.

11

They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in

1 Prov. xix. 16. 4 2 Chron. xv. 2. 7 1 Tim. iv. 7, 8. 10 Ibid. ver. 19, 20.

2 Ibid. ver. 23.
5 Ibid. ver. 7.
8 Rom. viii. 28.
11 1 Cor. ii. 9.

3 Eccl. viii. 5.
6 Hos. x. 12.
9 Deut. xxx. 15.

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