27th.

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. Psalm cxviii. 22, 23.

Oh Thou whose most marvellous work has ever proved a stone of stumbling, disallowed and refused, unto as many as seek to be justified by works of their own grant that to us it may be the chief corner stone, elect, precious, in whom we may be builded together, for an habitation of God, through the Spirit ; the sure foundation of all our hopes; and all our salvation, and all our desire, till the top stone at last be brought forth with shoutings of grace, grace unto it. Oh hear, and answer us, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

28th.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one før Moses, and one for Elias. Matt. xvii. 4.

Grant, blessed Lord, we pray Thee, that while we feel it indeed good for us to be where we may behold any of the bright beams of Thy glory, we may yet be equally ready to follow Thee from the mount of bliss, to the valley of humiliation: and taking heed to the sure word of prophecy Thou hast given us, may we wait in humble and joyful hope, till thou dissolve our earthly tabernacle, and bring us, not to the Mount Tabor below, but to the Mount Zion above, there to dwell with Thee, and behold Thine unclouded glory for ever. Amen.

29th.

And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? 1 Kings xvii 18

Oh holy Lord, who with rebukes doth correct man for his iniquity: grant that every stroke of Thy rod may so call our sin to our remembrance, that we may meekly bear Thine indignation, knowing we have rebelled against Thee. But let not Thy terrors make us afraid; rather, receiving that chastisement whereof all Thy children are partakers, may we be drawn nearer and nearer to Thee, and be purified in the furnace, till we be made at length partakers of Thy holiness, through the power of Thy Spirit, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

30th.

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, &c. John xiv. 22, 23.

Oh Thou who dost manifest Thyself to the soul of every believer, as Thou dost not unto the world: grant that, through the indwelling of Thy Holy Spirit in our hearts, we may abidingly have Thee made known to us, in the ininistry of Thy word, by whoever dispensed; in the privilege of Christian intercourse with others; and in every afflictive visitation Thou mayest see needful to appoint for us; thus evidencing that we are Thine, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, now and for ever. Amen.

94

JULY.

1st.

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, &c. John xiv. 22, 23.

Grant, Lord, we pray Thee, that amidst all our ignorance and slowness of heart, we may yet diligently enquire and seek after the manifestation of Christ to our souls, as our light, peace, happiness and glory. And proving our love to Him, by faithfully keeping His words, may we be blessed now, by His life-giving spirit having a dwelling place within us; and hereafter, by ourselves having a resting place in the heaven he has purchased for us with His own most precious blood. Hear us for His sake alone. Amen.

2nd.

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 1 Cor. xii. 31.

Giver of every good and perfect gift, we entreat Thee to moderate and regulate all our desires for those things which perish in the using; as well as for such spiritual gifts also as might tend rather to puff up than to edify. And do Thou teach us to covet earnestly those which Thou pronouncest the best, especially seeking after more of that most excellent gift of charity, which Thou only canst give, and without which there can be no conformity to the image of Thy Son, our most merciful Lord and Saviour. Amen.

3rd.

And Jesus answering, said unto him, Suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered

Bestow on us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, grace sufficient for us, both to suffer now whatever Thou callest us to submit to; and also to fulfil, at least in desire and endeavour, all righteousness; knowing that such a course alone becometh the professed followers of Him, who submitted to those ordinances which He needed not as we do, and fulfilled every jot and tittle of Thy most holy law, leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps. Oh do Thou assist us by Thy Spirit, and hear us in and through Thy Son. Amen.

4th.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. iv. 6.

Oh God, by whose command alone the light can shine out of either natural or spiritual darkness; we bless Thee that the day-spring from on high has visited our darkened understandings and senseless hearts. Oh that it may shine into them more and more, unto the perfect day; daily enlarging our knowledge of Thy glory, as it is reflected in the face of Christ Jesus, through whom alone we can look to Thee as a God of grace now, and hope to praise Thee as a God of glory hereafter. Grant it, we implore Thee, for His sake alone. Amen.

5th.

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in im, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 1 John iii. 24.

Oh Lord our God, who, of Thy great mercy, hast shewn us something of the blessedness of dwelling in Thee, and Thee in us; grant that the abiding in our hearts of Thy holy, sanctifying Spirit, may purify them day by day from all iniquity, and keep them ever in the way of Thy commandments: that so, believing fully on the name of Thy Son, and loving one another for His sake, as He gave us commandment, we may, unworthy as we are, yet know ourselves to be Thine, now, henceforth, and for ever.

6th.

Amen.

I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

Psalm cxix. 94.

Oh God of salvation, give us grace, we beseech Thee, to seek Thy precepts more diligently, and to keep them more faithfully than we have hitherto done. May this be our testimony that we are Thine, chosen to sanctification here, as well as to glorification hereafter; and then as Thine adopted children, may we cry unto Thee alone, to save us from every foe and every fear ; and do Thou graciously hear, Lord, in heaven, thy dwelling-place, and answer and forgive for Thy dear Son's sake. Amen.