18. The true Believer thanks God at the end of the week

EXHORTATION.

"What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me"—I's. cxvi. 12.

One day and week after another passes away, and we are brought nearer and nearer to our graves; yet our God is still so merciful as to vouchsafe unto us many benefits in soul and body, and fill our hearts with gladness. Such should be the reflections of the believer at the end of the week.

1. He thanks God for the blessings which he has received, for the care and protection exercised over him, for the help extended to him, and for all the tokens of his love given him in answer to his prayers. If he hears that others, during the week, have been overtaken by distress, he sympathises with them, and thanks the Lord for having so mercifully preserved him. 2. He remembers that the goodness of God should lead him to repentance; wherefore, on the last day of the week, he repents the evil he has done each day, and thus makes the last day of the week a day of confession of sin, humiliation, repentance, and prayer for pardon, as well as of thanksgiving. AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

3. He beseeches God for the continuance of his protection and care, his mercies and blessings during the coming week. 4. He ponders the fact that one week after another of his life is rapidly passing away, and that his dying week will soon come. For this he endeavors to prepare himself by a life of repentance, faith, and prayer. He constantly strives to become more holy and devoted to God. Such meditations ought to make us more pious, watchful, thankful, and zealous. They should lead us constantly to look up to God as the author and giver of every good and perfect gift, and to commit ourselves to the spirit of his grace, that we may continue in his love, and live according to his will, and be ever ready to leave the world in peace when the dying hour, dying week, and dying year shall come. The Lord hath done great things for me whereof I am glad. Hitherto the Lord hath helped me. Truly, my God and King, I may use this language now, since thou hast so mercifully brought me to the close of another week. "How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings." Thou dost watch over, protect, and keep them, and every THE TRUE BELIEVER THANKS GOD morning thy goodness is new to them. O, my God, thou hast extended thy wings over me, and preserved me, guided me, protected me, hast done me great good in body and soul, and hast allowed me and mine to enjoy the comfort of thy grace.

Wherefore "bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name! Bless the

Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits?"

How many during the week have fallen, whilst

I, by thy grace, yet stand! How many have passed this as a week of affliction, pain, and suffering, while I have enjoyed peace and happiness! How many have spent their days in trouble and distress, and moistened their pillows with tears of sorrow at night, while joy and gladness have filled my heart! For all this I would magnify and praise thy name from the bottom of my soul. Thanks to thee, O God, for thy protection and grace, thy assistance and love, and all the blessings bestowed upon my body and soul. O my God! forgive me also in mercy the wrong that I have done this week. For the sake of the bleeding wounds of Jesus Christ spare me, and do not deal with me according to my deserts. By the mighty assistance of thy Spirit,

I will endeavor during the coming week to avoid all the sins of the one which is now past, and that in holiness and righteousness I may serve thee all the days of my life. Amen.

AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

1. Soul! another week behind thee

Sinks into eternity!

Let reflection well remind thee

Of thy God's benignity.

Still his open hand outpours

Wealth and happiness in stores;

Still his unremitting kindness

Guides thee in thy tottering blindness.

2. As the living water courses

From new fountains forth with speed,

So the current of his mercies

Brings thee all that thou dost need.

Who can tell, beneath the sun,

All the good that God hath done;

For his wealth is like a mountain,

And his grace flows like a fountain.

3 Pray that like a failing ember,

He may fan the flames afresh;

And that he will not remember

The short-comings of thy flesh.

Yea, my Father, do not think

Of the sins 'neath which I sink;

As the week is gone and vanished,

Let my sins be also banished.

4. May I further taste thy favor

In the week that is to be;

Grant that the delightful savor

Of thy grace may make me free

THE TRUE BELIEVER CONFESSES HIS SINS

From the sin that bears me down,

From the cares that on me frown;

Ever let thy goodness aid me,

And thy mercy overshade me.

5. If it be thy will to send me

Care and trouble in this week,

Let it not too fiercely shend me,

Let thy goodness for me speak;

Or if thy decree be passed

That this week should be my last,

Let thy mercy not forsake me,

I am safe if thou dost take me.

The true Believer confesses his Sins, and prays God to forgive them.

EXHORTATION.

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."—Pa. li. 1-3. To have a merciful God, is, without doubt, the greatest privilege of a Christian. The world, indeed, supposes that wealth, honor, luxury and amusement, constitute happiness; but it is not so, for all this must pass away. True believers, therefore, AND PRAYS GOD TO FORGIVE THEM.

1. Examine their consciences daily, to see whether they are still in grace with God.

2. When they take shrift, they do not only remember their sins, but they earnestly pray God to forgive them, grieve over them, and seek refuge in the goodness of God, and the bleeding wounds of Jesus, and humbly pray for mercy. If God is pleased to forgive their sins, they take comfort, but nevertheless 3. They endeavor to retain the favor of God by permitting the Holy Ghost to control them, they try to lead a Christian life, and manifest their zeal in words and works; they fly from vice and from their former sinful practices; and then they know that in life and in death they will have a merciful God. Holy, triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, a sinner comes before thy most holy face, and begs thee earnestly and humbly for the forgiveness of his sins. Alas, my God! I have offended thee in various ways, with evil thoughts, words, and works. Lord! Lord! thereat am I greatly grieved, and all my soul regrets it. By holy baptism, thou hast made me a lamb of thy fold and a member of thy body; therefore, I ought to hear thy voice alone. Aye, as thy possession I ought to give my limbs as a sacrifice, living, holy THE TRUE BELIEVER CONFESSES HIS SINS, and well pleasing unto thee. But oh! what shall I say? I have listened to the voice of the world and of the flesh more than unto thy voice, and have done many things against thy will. O the blindness of my heart! O the follies of my youth! If now thou wilt enter into judgment with me, I am lost forever; for my conscience testifies against me, and my sins are more numerous than the sands of the sea. But O, have mercy upon me, according to thy loving-kindness; do not account with me for the evil I have done, but give me credit for what Jesus Christ, my Saviour, has done for me; for the sake of Jesus, be merciful to me, a sinner. I will lead a new and godly life, and not again sin wantonly or wilfully against thee, thou triune God. Amen. 1. To condign judgment, Lord, go not with me a sinner!

Of thy forgiving grace let me be found a winner.

I know my weight of sin; that nought is good in me,

Yet a forgiven child in mercy let me be

2. My eyes are on the ground, my step is slow and fearful,

My knees beneath me sink, my eyes are dim and tearful;

AND PRAYS GOD TO FORGIVE THEM.

O do not look upon my vile deformity;

I know thou see'st it all! Think I am saved by thee!

3. I have forgotten thee, alas! my heavenly Father!

And have gone in and out in sinful places rather;

Sin, with its dazzling toils, has so obscured my sight,

That thus my soul has sunk into this woful plight.

4. But will not Jesus' blood of all these stains relieve me,

And let the matchless grace of God once more receive me?

O Jesus, cast upon my woe thy pitying eyes

And let me taste the bliss of thy dear sacrifice.

5. And thou, God Holy Ghost! by whose chastising rigor

My penance was provoked, endow my soul with vigor

To serve the cause of God with unremitting zeal

And in that service quite forget the grief I feel

12*

THE TRUE BELIEVER PRAYS GOD