7 est of Thy chosen. Grant us faithful obedience to Thy holy will, together with the sense that our sins are fully purged and freely remitted, by that One Sacrifice which alone is acceptable to Thee; the obedience, death, and mediation of Thy Son, our sovereign Lord, our only Shepherd and High Priest, Jesus Christ; to whom with Thee and with the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. AMEN. II. GOD, who hast given us Thy Holy Scriptures for our instruction, we beseech Thee by Thy grace to enlighten our minds and cleanse our hearts; that we, having read, heard, and meditated upon them, may rightly understand and heartily embrace the things Thou hast revealed. Give efficacy to the preaching of the Gospel, that through the operation of the Holy Ghost, this good seed may be received into our hearts as into good ground; and that we may not only hear Thy Word but keep it, living in conformity with Thy precepts; so that we may finally attain everlasting salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. 0 III. HEAVENLY Father! Thy Word is perfect, con verting the soul; a sure testimony, making wise the simple; enlightening the eyes of the blind; and a powerful mean of salvation for all that believe. Help us, Thine unworthy servants, whether we teach, or whether we be taught, to learn of Thee. We are blind by nature, wholly incapable of doing any good; and Thou wilt help none but those that are of a broken and contrite heart. We beseech Thee to enlighten our understanding with Thy Holy Spirit, and give us a meek heart, free from all haughtiness and carnal knowledge; that, hearing Thy Word, we may rightly understand it, and rule our lives accordingly. Be graciously pleased to convert all those who yet stray from Thy truth; that we, together with them, may unanimously serve Thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. We ask all things for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord: To whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and praise everAMEN. more. |