Untitled Sermon (34)

O most great, most just and gracious God, you are of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, you condemn the ungodly, impenitent, and unbelievers; but you have promised mercy through Jesus Christ to all who repent and believe in him.

Our Lord, we have nothing to do in this world but to seek and serve You. We have nothing to do with a heart and its affections but to breathe after you. We have nothing to do with our mouths but to speak to you, and for you, and to declare your glory and your will. What have we to do with all our reputations, and interest in my friends, but to seek to grow your church, and make known your holy truth? What have I to do with our remaining time, but to look up unto you, and wait for your grace, and your salvation?

Grant, Almighty God, that since you are pleased kindly to invite us to yourself, and have consecrated your Word for our salvation—O grant that we may willingly, and from the heart, obey you, and become so teachable, that what you have designed for our salvation may not turn to our perdition; but may that incorruptible seed by which you regenerate us into a hope of the celestial life so drive its roots into our hearts, and bring forth fruit, that your name may be glorified; and may we be so planted in the courts of your house, that we may grow and flourish, and that fruit may appear through the whole course of our life, until we shall at length enjoy that blessed life which is laid up for us in heaven, through Christ our Lord.—Amen.

Grant, Almighty God, that as you have been once pleased not only to adopt us as your children, but also to unite us to yourself by the bond of marriage, and to give us a pledge of this sacred union in your only begotten Son—O grant that we may continue in the faith of your gospel, and so honestly keep the pledge given to you, that you may also show yourself to us as a Husband and a Father, and that we may to the end find in you that merciful kindness which is needful to retain us in the holy fear of your name, until we shall at length enjoy fellowship with you in your celestial kingdom, through Christ our Lord. Amen.