THE SIXTH DAY. Introduction. Early shall my prayer come before Thee. who broughtest forth of the earth, wild beasts, cattle, for food, clothing, help; and madest man after Thine image, to rule the earth, and blessedst him. The fore-counsel, fashioning hand, breath of life, image of GOD, appointment over the works, charge to the Angels concerning him, Heart, reins, eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, life, sense, reason, spirit, free will, memory, conscience, the revelation of GOD, writing of the law, oracles of prophets, music of psalms, instruction of proverbs, experience of histories, worship of sacrifices. Blessed art Thou, O LORD, concerning the Life-giving Seed, and for its fulfilment in fulness of the times Blessed art Thou, O LORD, for the holy passion of this day. (1) Confession. O by thy salutary sufferings save us, O LORD. I have withstood Thee, Lord, for I have fallen by mine iniquity. But I take with me words, and I return unto Thee and say, (Hosea.) take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, so will we render the calves of our lips. Spare us, LORD, spare, and give not Thine heritage to reproach, to Thine enemies. LORD, LORD, be propitious, (Joel.) cease, I beseech Thee, (Amos.) by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. Repent, O LORD, for this, and this shall not be. While observing lying vanities I forsook my own mercy, and am cast out of Thy sight. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; yet will I look again toward Thy Holy Temple; Thou hast brought up my life from corruption. that pardoneth iniquity to the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy. (Jonah.) (Micah.) Turn again and have compassion upon us, O LORD, and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea, according to Thy truth, and according to Thy mercy. O LORD, I have heard thy speech and was afraid, (Habakkuk.) in wrath remember mercy. Behold me, LORD, clothed in filthy garments; (Zechariah.) behold Satan standing at my right hand; yet, O LORD, by the blood of Thy covenant, and cleanse me from my sin. Save me as a brand plucked out of the fire. Father, forgive me, for I knew not, LORD, remember me when Thou comest in Thy kingdom. LORD, lay not mine enemies' sins to their charge, By Thy sweat bloody and heavy, Thy head crowned with thorns, bruised with staves, Thine ears full of insults, Thy mouth moistened with vinegar and gall, Thy face dishonourably stained with spitting, Thy neck weighed down with the burden of the cross, Thy back ploughed with the wheals and gashes of the scourge, Thy hands and feet stabbed through, Thy strong cry, Eli, Eli, Thy heart pierced with the spear, the water and blood thence flowing, Thy body broken, Thy blood poured out, LORD, forgive the offence of Thy servant, Turn away all Thy displeasure, and turn Thyself from Thy wrathful indignation. Turn me then, O GOD our SAVIOUR, and let Thine anger cease from us. Wilt Thou be displeased at us for ever, and stretch out Thy wrath from one generation to another? Wilt Thou not turn again and quicken us, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? Show us Thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us Thy salvation. the fruits of the SPIRIT, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; of knowledge, of godliness, of fear of the LORD: and the gifts of the SPIRIT, the word of wisdom, of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues. become my defence; Thy mercy in CHRIST my salvation; 1 Vide p. 146, edit. 1675. VOL. V.-88. Thy all-veritable word, the grace of Thy life-bringing Spirit, all along, and at last. The Soul of CHRIST hallow me, and the Body strengthen me, and the Blood ransom me, and the Water wash me, and the Bruises heal me, and the Sweat refresh me, and the Wound hide me. The peace of GOD which passeth all understanding, (3) Profession. I believe that Thou hast created me; despise not the work of Thine own hands ;that Thou madest me after Thine image and likeness, - suffer not Thy likeness to be blotted out ;- suffer not the cost of that redemption to perish; that Thou hast called me Christian after Thy name, disdain not Thine own title; that Thou hast hallowed me in regeneration, destroy not Thy holy work ; that Thou hast grafted me into the good olive tree, the member of Thy mystical body O think upon Thy servant as concerning Thy word, My soul hath longed for Thy salvation, and I have good hope because of Thy word. |