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FRIDAY.

FAST. AN OFFICE OF HUMILIATION AND

CONFESSION OF UNWORTHINESS.

Questions for Self-examination.

1. How hast thou improved the time and talents God has given thee?

2. How hast thou used the opportunities of study?

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3. How hast thou used the ordinances of the Church?

4. Art thou sincerely resolved upon amendment in these respects?

5. Has it hitherto been thy chief aim and wish to please God, and save thy soul?

6. Will it henceforth be the most cherished thought of thine heart to set forth the salvation of all men?

7. Wilt thou be careful to set such an example to the flock as Christ would have them follow?

8. Hast thou studiously used such influence as God has given thee over others, for their souls' profit and God's praise?

MEDITATIONS.

Ps. xxv. 5, 6. "Oh, remember not the sins nor the offences of my youth; but according to Thy mercy think Thou upon me, O Lord, for Thy goodness." O my God, when I call to mind the days of my vanity, and the sins of my younger and wanton years; when I remember how little a portion of my time hath been employed in the service of God, and how much hath been spent in the service of sin and Satan and the fulfilling of my own unruly lusts; my flesh trembleth for fear of Thee, and I am afraid of Thy judgments: God be merciful to me a sinner!

1 Cor. ix. 27. "I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away." I will bring down the arrogance of my flesh both for example's

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sake, and for my own soul's sake. How can I lay the yoke of discipline on the shoulders of others, if my own have not learnt to bear it? How can I say to them in Christ's stead, "Be ye reconciled to God," if mine is that carnal mind which is at enmity with Him? Besides this, I know that the flesh, if it be not subdued, will lord it over the soul, and so both will come to destruction. Preaching without practising hardens the heart even more than hearing without practising, and therefore purchases a greater damnation.

Ps. 1. 16, 17. "Unto the ungodly said God, Why dost thou preach My laws, and takest My covenant into thy mouth. Whereas thou hatest to be reformed, and hast cast My words behind thee ?" The majesty of God is grievously insulted when the officers of Satan and the world presume to step in as negociators between Him and His people: yet so it is when ungodly livers thrust themselves rashly into the holy ministry; what shall the Lord do with such? He shall miserably destroy those wicked men, and let others take their office.

2 Cor. xi. 14. "Satan himself is trans

formed into an angel of light;" therefore it is no great thing for his ministers also to be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. There will always be ravening wolves in sheep's clothing, and ministers of Satan personating ministers of righteousness; but their works do shew them, and what is more their works do follow them, and in the judgment shall rise up and condemn them.

THE BEATITUDE.

MATT. v. 4. "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." It is a godly sorrow which bewaileth first, the sins of one's own heart against a loving Saviour; and secondly, the lamentable defect and decay of piety in the world. Such a sorrow worketh a repentance unto salvation not to be repented of, and in the end is turned into a joy which no man taketh away.

THE HYMN.

O GOD, when with the chosen band
Thy high commission seeking,
Before the holy place I stand

The solemn promise speaking;
See that my heart and lips agree
And fill me with sincerity.

When in Thy house silent as death,
For us each knee is bending,
And lowly breathed, the prayer of faith
Like incense is ascending:

Jesus, assist the suppliant cry

And intercede for us on high.

When in that moment full of dread,
Yet full of awful pleasure,
The hand descending on my head
Imparts its heavenly treasure,
Spirit of grace, confirm the sign,
And make its promised blessings mine.

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