Bounty
THOU GREAT AND ONLY POTENTATE,
Thou hast made summer and winter, day and night; each of these revolutions serves our welfare and is full of they care and kindness. Thy bounty is seen in the relations that train us, the laws that defend us, the homes that shelter us, the food that builds us, the raiment that comforts us, the continuance of our health, members, senses, understanding, memory, affection, will.
But as stars fade before the rising sun, thou hast eclipsed all these benefits in the wisdom and grace that purposed redemption by Jesus thy Son. Blessed by thy mercy that laid help on one that is mighty and willing, one that is able to save to the uttermost. Make us deeply sensible of our need of his saving grace, of the blood that cleanses, of the rest he has promised.
And impute to us that righteousness which justifies the guilty, gives them a title to eternal life, and possession of the Spirit. May we love the freeness of salvation, and joy in its holiness; give us faith to grasp thy promises, that are our hope, provide for every exigency, and prevent every evil;
Keep our hearts from straying after forbidden pleasures; may thy will bind all our wishes; let us live out of the world as to its spirit, maxim, manners, but live in it as the sphere of our action and usefulness; may we be alive to every call of duty, accepting without question thy determination of our circumstances and our service.
[Excerpted from Valley of Vision, a collection of puritan prayers.]
