Monday Evening.
MONDAY EVENING.
Particular Questions relating to the Love of our Neighbor.
1. HAVE I thought anything but my conscience too dear to part with, to please or serve my neighbor?
2. Have I rejoiced or grieved with him?
3. Have I received his infirmities with pity, not with anger?
4. Have I contradicted anyone, either where I had no good end in view, or where there was no probability of convincing?
5. Have I let him I thought in the wrong (in a trifle) have the last word? MOST great and glorious Lord God, I desire to prostrate myself before thy divine Majesty, under a deep sense of my unworthiness; and with sorrow, and shame, and confusion of face, to confess I have, by my manifold transgressions deserved thy severest visitations. “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and am no more worthy to be called thy son:” O let thy paternal bowels yearn upon me, and for Jesus Christ’s sake graciously receive me. Accept my imperfect repentance, and send thy Spirit of adoption into my heart, that I may again be owned by thee, call thee Father, and share in the blessings of thy children.
Adored be thy goodness for all the benefits thou hast already from time to time bestowed on me; for the good things of this life, and the hope of eternal happiness. Particularly, I offer to thee my humblest thanks for thy preservation of me this day (——). If I have escaped any sin, it is the effect of thy restraining grace; if I have avoided any danger, it was thy hand directed me. To thy holy name be ascribed the honor and glory. O let the sense of all thy blessings have this effect upon me, — to make me daily more diligent in devoting myself, all I am, and all I have, to thy glory. O my God, fill my soul with so entire a love of thee, that I may love nothing but for thy sake, and in subordination to thy love. Give me grace to study thy knowledge daily, that the more I know thee, the more I may love thee. Create in me a zealous obedience to all thy commands, a cheerful patience under all thy chastisements, and a thankful resignation to all thy disposals. May I ever have awful thoughts of thee; never mention thy venerable names unless on just, solemn, and devout occasions; nor even then without acts of adoration. O let it be the one business of my life to glorify thee, by every thought of my heart, by every word of my tongue, by every work of my hand; by professing thy truth, even to the death, if it should please thee to call me to it; and by engaging all men, as far as in me lies, to glorify and love thee.
Let thy unwearied and tender love to me, make my love unwearied and tender to my neighbor, zealous to pray for, and to procure and promote, his health and safety, ease and happiness; and active to comfort, succor, and relieve all whom thy love and their own necessities recommend to my charity. Make me peaceful and reconcilable; easy to forgive, and glad to return good for evil. Make me like thyself, all kindness and benignity, all goodness and gentleness, all meekness and long-suffering. And, O thou Lover of souls, raise in me a compassionate zeal to save the life, the eternal life, of souls; and by affectionate and seasonable advice, exhortations, and reproof, to reclaim the wicked, and win them to thy love. Be pleased, O Lord, to take me, with my father and mother, brethren and sisters, my friends and relations, and my enemies, into thy almighty protection this night. Refresh me with such comfortable rest that I may rise more fit for thy service. Let me lie down with holy thoughts of thee, and when I awake let me be still present with thee.
Show mercy to the whole world, O Father of all; let the gospel of thy Son run and be glorified throughout all the earth. Let it be made known to all infidels, and obeyed by all Christians. Be merciful to this Church and nation; give unto thy Bishops a discerning spirit, that they may make choice of fit persons to serve in thy sacred ministry; and enable all who are ordained to any holy function, diligently to feed the flocks committed to their charge, instructing them in saving knowledge, guiding them by their examples, praying for and blessing them, exercising spiritual discipline in thy Church, and duly administering thy holy sacraments. Multiply thy blessings on our Sovereign, on the Royal Family, and on the Nobles, magistrates, Gentry, and Commons of this land; that they may all, according to the several talents they have received, be faithful instruments of thy glory. Give to our Schools and Universities, zeal, prudence, and holiness. Visit in mercy all the children of affliction, (——) relieve their necessities, lighten their burdens; give them a cheerful submission to thy gracious will, and at length bring them and us, with those that already rest from their labors, into the joy of our Lord; to whom with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, be all praise, now and for ever.