obedience, and intercession of the Saviour, that we shall find acceptance with God. Observe how humble are the prayers of God's servants. See those of Abraham, (Gen. xviii. 27.) Jacob, (Gen. xxviii. 17, 18.) David, (Psalm li.) Job, (xl. 4; xlii. 6.) Isaiah, (vi. 5.) Ezra, (ix. 6.) and even the Lord Jesus Christ, (Heb. v. 7.) We may abase ourselves more than we ought before man, but we cannot be too humble when we come before God; and the nearer access we have unto his glorious majesty, the more humble we shall be. Let us have grace then, that we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. Heb. xii. 28.1

In conclusion, we are led to remark, that even a cursory view of these rules is calculated to show us how defective, in every one of them, our prayers have been and still are. If we examine our past prayers by them, we may learn the reason why we have derived so little benefit from prayer: we may see more of our fallen condition; and be led to value more the only atonement for sin, and to apply

1 Having given the preceding general rules as principally necessary to be attended to, I sum up in a note what might farther be said, by extracting from an old writer the following Rules of Practice.

I. BEFORE PRAYER.-Meditate on the promises and presence of God.-Ask his gracious help, and the evidence of his Spirit. Lay aside all malice, guile, envy, hatred, and seek to have thy heart filled with heavenly love.-Remember thy own vileness, and God's awful majesty. Disburthen thy mind of worldly thoughts and cares.

II. IN PRAYER.-Lift up thy heart, with thy hands, and place before thee Christ and his merits.-Watch over thy thoughts.-Recover thyself from distractions, and improve them to thy further humiliation and watchfulness.

III. AFTER PRAYER.-Thank the Lord for any degree of liberty or enlargement.-Pray for pardon and the sprinkling blood of atonement. -Wait God's leisure.-Mark answers to prayer when God gives thee greater confidence in his love; more cheerfulness of spirit; grace to persevere in the face of many denials; a spirit of self-examination and circumspection; and when he gives thee thy requests, let it stir thee up to thankfulness, and quicken thee in his way.

252 ON ATTAINING THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER.

without delay for that divine strength which alone can enable us to overcome sin and serve God acceptably.

But be not discouraged by the strictness here recommended, and think that the work of prayer is altogether impracticable, because you cannot discharge it perfectly. Aim high, and you are more likely to attain to a good degree in Christian grace, with that humility which ever marks the Christian character; besides, let us never forget what a fountain of spiritual life, what a powerful, gracious, and glorious Saviour we have; a sun whose rays can warm the coldest heart, and whose beams can enliven the dullest spirit. Let us never forget what a mighty and gracious helper we have in the blessed Spirit, who helpeth our infirmities. You will find, that no thing is impossible to those who are united to Christ by living faith, and who are abiding in him, and receiving the daily supply of his Holy Spirit.

CHAPTER XVI.

AN EXHORTATION TO CONSTANT PRAYER.

PRAYER being at the root of every other good, marking the commencement of the Christian life; being the pulse by which its strength and vigour may be known, or the hands by which its daily nourishment is obtained and ministered, the reader will bear with me while I attempt still farther to press this duty on the conscience.

There are two things which will ever bring the Christian to the throne of grace:-A sense of his own wants; and a desire to enjoy the presence of God.

God having promised to supply all his wants, his prayers are the importunate wrestling of the soul with God for blessings of infinite moment. And God being the portion of his soul, he finds in his presence, the sweet and unspeakable repose of the soul on God, his exceeding great reward.

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Prayer," says Bishop Taylor, "is the effect and the exercise, the beginning and the promoter of all graces. A holy life is a continual prayer. Prayer is the peace of our spirit, the stillness of our

thoughts, the rest of our cares, the calm of our tempest."

1. Yet there are many WHO HAVE NEGLECTED PRAYER, and this in all, or at least in some of its branches. Such persons will often be dissatisfied, complaining of others; and though in the midst, perhaps, of abundance of earthly good things, yet, were they to declare their real state, they would be found discontented and unhappy. And is this to be wondered at? God is your Creator. He is the Governor of the Universe. He makes men happy: when he leaves them, they are miserable; and yet you neglect to seek him. You do not pursue his plans. You do not follow the directions which he has given you for obtaining his blessings, and therefore you have them not. But can you think that you will always have an opportunity of seeking him? Oh no! remember that there is an accepted time, a day of salvation, and that it is our highest duty and our plainest interest, to seek the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near. But, perhaps you defer seeking God to the close of life, or to a period of sickness. Oh most dangerous delusion! To be careful about the temporal enjoyment of a day, and to suspend eternal happiness on the most improbable of all chances! If you do from day to day put off the duty of prayer, deceiving yourself with the intention of calling on God after such a period, God may not, and probably will not, in that day, give you either grace or ability to pray to him. You will perish in your sins. There is neither safety nor happiness but in constant prayer. If you would obtain the waters of life, you must come to the fountain. If you would drink of the streams, you must

come to the banks of that river which maketh glad the city of our God. Perhaps you think prayer to be needless or useless. But is not this the greatest folly? You think it necessary to inquire, What shall we eat, and what shall we drink, and wherewithal shall we be clothed? necessary to seek after the provision of mere temporal wants; and yet you can be careless about the pardon of your sins, the salvation of your soul, the eternal ruin of hell, and the everlasting glory of heaven. Prayer is no more to be esteemed needless, than eternal bliss is needless. No man ever repented of prayer. Baxter says, "I often repent that I have prayed to him so coldly, and communed with him so negligently, and served him so remissly; but I never repent of the time, care, affection, or diligence employed in this holy work."

2. Some are ASHAMED OF PRAYER.-They think that it is the mark of a weak, or superstitious mind. They are afraid of being laughed at and ridiculed by their ungodly companions; and perhaps they have no place to which they can retire to be alone. But is it not the grossest ignorance, weakness, and delusion, to be afraid of the ridicule of a perishing, guilty man, and regardless of the displeasure of the ever-living and ever-blessed God? Only be firm and constant in your devotions, and you will soon put to shame the ridicule of your companions, or God will manifestly appear on your side. Imitate Daniel's noble openness and frankness, his firm decision and integrity of devotion, (Dan. iv. 35.) and you may expect to be carried through every difficulty. It is not a mark of a weak and little mind, but of the deepest wisdom, of the highest grandeur, and nobleness of spirit, to hold constant intercourse with the