7. And survive, in this and other like lity, to see own condi tion is; might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Eph. v. 25, 26, 27. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. Col. i. 21, 22. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty. Jude 24, 25. 7. It is better to go to the house of mourning, teach us who than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his daily specta- heart. Eccl. vii. 2. As for man, his days are as cles of morta- grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. how frail and For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and uncertain our the place thereof shall know it no more. Psal. ciii. 15, 16. Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. Psal. cxliv. 3, 4. Man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up; so man lieth down, and riseth not. Job xiv. 10, 11, 12. One dieth in his full strength being wholly at ease and quiet. Another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. Job xxi. 23. 25. They are destroyed from morning to evening they perish for ever without any regarding it. Job iv. 20. Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! Deut. xxxii. 29. Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Psal. xxxix. 4, 5. 8. and so to number our days, 8. Their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble. When he slew them, then they seriously apply our holy and heavenly wisdom, whilst thine only Son our ye that we may sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. And they remembered that God was hearts to that their rock, and the high God their Redeemer. Psal. lxxviii. 33, 34, 35. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. we live here, which may Psal. xc. 12. Redeeming the time, because the in the end days are evil. See then that bring us to walk circumspectly, life everlast- not as fools, but as wise. Eph. v. 16. 15. Behold, ing, through the merits of the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart Jesus Christ from evil is understanding. Job xxviii. 28. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the Lord. Amen. snares of death. Prov. xiii. 14. Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day: for it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life. Deut. xxxii. 46, 47. God will render to every man according to his deeds to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life. Rom. ii. 6, 7. As sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. v. 21. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi. 23. 1. O Bles Father of the God of all comforts; down in pity sion upon CCXXIV. A Prayer for Persons troubled in mind or in conscience. 1. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord sed Lord, the Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of mercies, and all comfort. 2 Cor. i. 3. Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord. Psal. cxix. 156. Many are the afflicWe beseech' tions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him thee, look out of them all. Psal. xxxiv. 19. Like as a father and compas- pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Psal. ciii. 13. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James v. 11. Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? Doubtless thou art our Father;—thou, this thy afflicted ser vant. 2. Thou things and makest him to possess his former iniquities; thy wrath lieth hard upon O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer; thy name is from everlasting. Isa. lxiii. 15, 16. Though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lam. iii. 32, 33. 22. See also, Isa. xlix. 15, 16. : 2. Thou writest bitter things against me, and writest bitter makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth. Job against him, xiii. 26. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? 1 Kings xvii. 18. My soul is full of troubles and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. him, and his I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Psal. lxxxviii. 3 to 7. See also, Psal. xxxviii.-Isa. xxxviii. 10 to 15. soul is full of trouble. 3. But, O merciful God, who thy holy Word for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of thy holy Scriptures, might have 3. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience hast written and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Rom. xv. 4. I also cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened. Eph. i. 15 to 18. Examine yourselves; prove your ownselves. Know ye not your own selves? 2 Cor. xiii. 5. If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart conand promises; demn us not, then have we confidence toward God. neither cast 1 John iii. 20, 21. Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that hope; give him a right understand ing of himself, and of thy threats that he may away his confidence in thee, nor place it any where but in thee. 4. Give him strength against all his temptations, and Cast not are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey 4. He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor. xii. 9. For in that he himself hath suffered heal all his being tempted, he is able to succour them that are distempers. tempted. Heb. ii. 18. Though now for a season, 5. Break not reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Shut not up thy tender mercies in displeasure; but make him to hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which broken may thou hast if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. 1 Pet. i. 6. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. James i. 2. 12. The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Pet. v. 10. I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul. Psal. xli. 4. I have seen his ways, and will heal him. Isa. lvii. 18. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely for mine anger is turned away from him. Hos. xiv. 4. Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; for thou art my praise. Jer. xvii. 14. I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord. Jer. xxx. 17. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction. Psal. ciii. 2, 3, 4. : 5. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smokthe bruised ing flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. Matt. xii. 20. Hath God forgotten to be gracious: and will he shut up his lovingkindness in displeasure? Psal. lxxvii. 9. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psal. li. 8. 17. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt. xi. 28. The Lord will not cast off for ever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Lam. iii. 31, 32, 33. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees. Heb. xii. 12. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. Psal. xxx. 11. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoice. |