contrary to the dictates of humanity, accompany their sacrifices with execrations, and both make and perform vows of eternal enmity; but all who profess to receive the Scriptures as a revelation from heaven, and an authoritative directory to their conduct, must be actuated by a very different spirit. In the second table of the moral law, we are enjoined to love our neighbour as ourselves; and the whole tenour of the Gospel bears distinctly and decisively upon the same point. Indeed, we can scarcely look into the Scriptures without learning this important lesson, in an endless variety of forms, inculcated in its doctrines, precepts, parables, and histories, but especially in the revealed character of God. "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works. Love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love." Out of such passages as these, it is easy, without either ingenuity or labour, to draw a general principle, upon which, as on a rock of adamant, the obligation to intercessory prayer rests. Can it be displeasing to a Being, whose name is Mercy, whose nature is Love, to seek the happiness of his creatures in a way which serves to remind us every instant of his

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infinite perfection and all-sufficiency, and of our own nothingness and absolute dependence? Such a question supplies its own answer.

2. Because we have direct, express, and forcible commands, enjoining this duty.

Some of these commands have been already introduced, and need not be repeated. With respect to those which regard our Christian brethren, they make intercession an essential part of the fellowship of the church. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." (James v. 16.) But are we, it may be said, bound to intercede at a throne of grace for aliens and strangers, enemies and oppressors? If some invidious Balak, and his grand magician Balaam, be intent to find a curse which may blast us, or fire the train of a deep-laid infernal plot of mischief which may destroy us at a blow, are we to seek a blessing for them, and anxiously desire their salvation? Unquestionably. When the Israelites were removed to Babylon, it was said, "Seek ye the peace of the city whither ye are carried away captives, for in their peace ye shall have peace." But the explicit language of our Lord, leaves no doubt on this subject. "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do

good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matt. v. 43, 44.) The only point of difficulty to a serious reader of the Bible, is to reconcile such precepts as the above, with those passages, in which good men imprecate vengeance upon the wicked. It deserves however to be remembered, that these passages, found chiefly in the Old Testament, notwithstanding the use of the imperative mood, may be fairly interpreted as threatenings, rather than imprecations, as prophetic and authoritative annunciations of the punishment reserved for the ungodly and impenitent; and this view of the matter appears just, from the strong language used in the 109th Psalm, and its fulfilment in the case of the treacherous Judas. Christians have no warrant to call down fire from heaven to consume, though they may and do solicit that sacred flame, which is necessary to melt and transform their enemies. The excellency of our holy religion, is seen in its tendency to subjugate both the sensual and the irascible passions. Hear the testimony of one of those worthies, in an appeal to the heathen themselves:-" We, who formerly delighted in adultery, now observe the strictest chastity; we, who used the charms of magic, have devoted ourselves to the true God; we, who valued money and gain above all things, do now cast what we have in common,

and distribute to every man according to his necessities; we, who hated each other, and refused to associate with those of a different tribe, now familiarly converse together, since Christ's coming, and pray for the conversion of those who unjustly hate us*."

3. Because we find intercessory prayer practised by the wisest and holiest men of every

age.

How often did Moses stand in the gap, to arrest and turn back the invading judgments of the Almighty from a rebellious people! How often were their plagues removed, and their punishments mitigated at his request! Nor was he alienated to refuse or discontinue this office of kindness, by all their bitter reproaches and wounding insults. When the fiery serpents spread terror and destruction through their camp, the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people." Num. xxi. 7.

When Divine wrath was kindled against Eliphaz, and his two friends, because they had not spoken of the Lord the thing that was right, the offended Majesty of heaven deigned

Justin Martyr, Apol. II.

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to direct them to the means of attaining pardon, and said, My servant Job shall pray for you; for him will I accept." accept." Who is not touched and interested, to behold Abraham, humbly yet earnestly, pleading with the Judge of all the earth in behalf of Sodom! Conscious of being only dust and ashes, but emboldened by the infinite condescension and mercy of Jehovah, he gradually advances in his requests, urging his suit to the uttermost point; and so far prevailed, that had only ten righteous men been found, the profligate would have been spared for their sakes. Samuel was grieved with the refractory conduct of the people over which he was placed as a prophet and a judge; yet he could not abandon them. "Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way." 1 Sam. xii. 23.

All the apostolical Epistles, show how much the first ministers of Christ abounded in supplications and thanksgivings for others, as well as for themselves. It cannot be necessary to fill our pages with quotations, which must be familiar to the mind of every devout reader of the Sacred Volume; and, therefore, a single passage shall here suffice. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers,

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