Wesley Corpus

“O God, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth, keep them and us, we beseech thee, from all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us, according to thine abundant mercy in our Lord Jesus;” in whose words we conclude our supplication unto thee, saying, “Our Father,” &c. ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the sovereign Lord of all creatures in heaven and earth, we acknowledge that our beings, and all the comforts of them, depend on thee, the Fountain of all good. We have nothing but what is owing entirely to thy free and bounteous love, O most blessed Creator, and to the riches of thy grace, O most blessed Redeemer. To thee, therefore, be given, by us and by all creatures whom thou hast made to know how great and good thou art, all honour and praise, all love and obedience, as long as we have any being. “It is but meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should, at all times and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord,” and devoutly resign both soul and body to thee, to be absolutely governed and ruled according to thy holy will. Further, we pray thee, increase every good desire which we feel already in our hearts; let us always live as becomes thy creatures, as becomes the disciples of Jesus Christ. Incline us to be more and more in love with thy laws, till they are written upon our hearts. Stir up our wills to “love them exceedingly,” and to cleave unto them as our very life. O that we might heartily surrender our wills to thine; that we may unchangeably cleave unto it, with the greatest and most entire affection to all thy commands. O that there may abide for ever in us such a strong and powerful sense of thy mighty love towards us in Christ Jesus, as may constrain. us freely and willingly to please thee, in the constant exercise of righteousness and mercy, temperance and charity, meek ness and patience, truth and fidelity; together with such an humble, contented, and peaceable spirit, as may adorn the religion of our Lord and Master.