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ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which Thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ; and mercifully grant that Thy Holy Spirit may in this, and in all things, direct and rule our hearts; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect

After the reading and meditation. ALMIGHTY God, who hast given Thine only

Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life, give me grace that I may always most thankfully receive that His inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour myself to follow the blessed steps of His most holy life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

OF THE ETERNAL GENERATION OF THE WORD.

Read S. John i. 1-18 (compare S. John xvii. 17, and xiv. 6).

I. In the beginning was the Word. Ib. 1.

CHRIST the Word; the express image of God; of one substance with the Father; God Himself; in whom all the perfections of the Godhead shine forth. We once His image: how fallen! Yet restored and preserved by grace, through faith, and the contemplation of Him. Rom. ix. 5; 2 Pet. i. 2-4.

II. All things were made by Him. Ib. 3.

Then all our dependence is on Him. With all creation let us praise Him. With Him I can do all things. How little have I done? Without Him, nothing! Let me take hold on Him, and take courage. xv. 5.

Phil. iv. 13; S. John

III. In Him was the life. Ib. 4.

If our life is in Him, we should cleave less to His creatures, more to Himself. What life we have is from Him. Do we live the Divine life? What are our works? For what have I to give thanks? Of what to repent? 1 S. John v. 11.

Text.

Of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever and ever.

Rom. xi. 36.

For thoughts on the Gospel of the day, see pp. 96, 97.

OF THE CREATION AND END OF MAN,

Read Genesis i. 26, to ii. 7.

I. God created man in His own image. Gen. i. 27. Acknowledge thy Creator; praise Him thou art His; we have wandered from Him; He gave thee His image; compare thyself with it. Eccles. vii. 29.

II. He formed man of the dust, &c. Ib. ii. 7.

He gave an earthly body, with a noble spirit; the one for humility, the other for encouragement to seek higher than earthly objects; seek not things unworthy of that spirit; care not too much for the earthly body. S. Matt. vi. 25.

III. Thou shalt worship, &c. S. Matt. iv. 10.

This is the end of man; what we have of Him is His; how has it been abused; let me loathe the past; let me seek higher aims. Oh, that I could worthily praise God Himself, our end, our reward. S. James i. 17, 18.

Text.

Glorify God in your body and in

which are God's. 1 Cor. vi. 20.

your spirit,

OF THE MEANS TO OBTAIN THAT END.

Read Gen. i. to verse 26; Ps. viii.; Rom. i. 18-20. I. In the beginning, &c. Gen. i. k..

How many things for our use; yet we ungrateful, rebellious. Think of them: some natural; the heavens, earth, &c.; some supernatural; Christ, the holy Angels, the Scrip tures, &c.; and what is prepared in heaven, if so much here? 1 Cor. iii. 21, &c.

II. Thou hast put all things, &c. Ps. viii. 6.

Think of the love, the liberality, the providence, wisdom, patience of God towards us; be also liberal in your service of Him, and penitent for the past. How little have I subjected myself to Him! S. Matt. x. 8; Rom. xii. 1.

III. The invisible things, &c. are clearly seen. Rom. i. 20.

What is the end of these means? for the body; its health, nourishment, clothing, &c.; for the soul, and understanding; their instruction, and the knowledge of God. How have they been used? let me beware lest they are taken away, and become my accusers. Matt. xxv. 28.

Text.

S.

Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. Rev. iv. 11.

OF THE GOOD USE OF GOD'S CREATURES, AND

INDIFFERENCE TO THEM.

Read Eccles. iii. or xi.

I. God saw every thing that He had made, &c. Gen. i. 31.

All things made the best for the service of man; the use left to himself; even riches and poverty; and other contrary things (1 Cor. vii. 29-32); how used? for injury to God? to the creature? to thyself?

II. Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the Lord, and hath not lift up his mind unto vanity. Ps. xl. 5; xxiv. 4.

Each and every creature to be referred (in its use) to God; observing if it advances or hinders our end; if we seek in it God, or ourselves, or the world. (Amos v. 8; 1 Tim. vi. 17; Phil. ii. 21.) Which is my case?

III. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left. Prov. iv. 27.

Are my affections equal towards riches and poverty, honour and shame, &c.? They conduce equally to the glory of God and our end; self-love must be rooted out; so as to hate pleasant things if they hinder, and love troubles if they profit, our salvation. 2 Cor. xii. 9, 10.

Text.

Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. x. 31.

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