Though oft with sins, and doubts, and fears, My soul is much cast down, And though o'erwhelmed with sighs and tears, "My God will hear me groan." Then, whilst my life and breath remain, I'll humbly persevere; And when to glory I attain, "My God will hear me there." Medley. Self-Examination. 'T is a point I long to know; If I love, why am I thus ? Why this dull and lifeless frame? Hardly, sure, can they be worse, Who have never heard his name. Could my heart so hard remain- If I knew a Saviour's love? When I turn my eyes within, Filled with unbelief and sin, If I pray, or hear, or read, Yet I mourn my stubborn will, Could I joy his saints to meet- Lord, decide the doubtful case: Let me love thee more and more, Newton, Appendix. A. DAILY CONCERT OF PRAYER. THE following plan of a daily concert of prayer was, some years since, suggested by a distinguished clergyman in New England. It gives something of the interest of the monthly concert to daily devotions. SABBATH. Sabbath duties and privileges: as preaching, Sabbath schools, family instruction, &c. Eph. vi. 18-20; 2 Th. iii. 1. MONDAY. Conversion of the world: the prevalence of peace, knowledge, freedom, and salvation. Ps. ii. 8; Isa. xi. 6-10; lxii. 1-7; lxvi. 8, 12. TUESDAY. Our country: our rulers, our free institutions, our benevolent societies; deliverance from slavery, Romanism, infidelity, Sabbath breaking, intemperance, profaneness, &c. Ez. ix. 6-15; Dan. ix. 4 19. WEDNESDAY. The rising generation: colleges, seminaries, and schools of every description; the children of the church, the children of the ungodly, and orphan children. THURSDAY. Professing Christians: that they may much more abound in all the fruits of the Spirit, presenting their bodies a living sacrifice, and offering gladly of their substance to the Lord, to the extent of his requirement; that afflicted saints may be com forted, backsliders reclaimed, and hypocrites converted; that Zion, being purified, may arise and shine. Isa. lxii. 1; Rom. i. 8; Col. iv. 12. FRIDAY. The ministry, including all who are looking forward to that office, and also the education society. 1 Thess. v. 25; Luke x. 2. SATURDAY. The Jews. Isa. liv. 8; lix. 20; Ezek. xxxvi. 27; Rom. xi. 11–31. Also, our friends. B. (1.) CHARACTER AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD. I. Self existence-being underived. How proved from reason. How recognized in Scripture. Ex. iii. 14; Rev. i. 8; Jer. x. 10; Dan. vi. 26. All other existence derived from him. Ps. xxxiii. 6; John i. 3; Col. i. 16, 17; Heb. xi. 3. Practical Reflections. c. 2. Isa. xxix. 16, 1. c.; ix. 20, 21. 3. Ps. c. 3, 4; v. 23, 1. c. 1. Ps. liii. 1, f. xlv. 9, 10; Rom. Isa. xliii. 7; Dan. II. Eternity and Immutability of God. How one of these involves the other. How discovered by reason. How by Scripture. Gen. i. 1; Deut. xxxii. 40; Ps. xc. 2; cii. 24 -27; Mal. iii. 6; Heb. xiii. 8; Jas. i. 17; Rev. i. 4; xxii. 13. Consider these attributes separately: 1. Eternity-being without beginning or endever being, 2. Immutability, subject to no change in manner of being, perfections, thoughts, desires, purposes, or determinations. 4. Practical Reflections. 1. How God appears to us in view of these attributes. 2. How necessary they are to the character of the Supreme Ruler. 3. How these attributes make God appear to the sinner. How to holy beings. 5. What encouragements to prayer. Suppose God were changeable in his character, feelings, and purposes, what confidence could be reposed in his promises? 6. What feelings these attributes should inspire. |