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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that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." Col. iv. 12.

III. The advantages which attend intercessory prayer.

1. It is of great advantage to ourselves.

It counteracts the prejudices we are too apt to entertain against others; it opens the heart, produces good will, and fans the embers of charity into a flame. "No one," says Dr. Price," can avoid feeling how happy an effect intercessory prayer must have in sweetening our tempers, in reconciling us to all about us, and causing every unfriendly passion to die away within us. We cannot offer up prayers to God for our fellow-men, without setting them before our minds in some of the most engaging lights possible; as partaking of the same nature with ourselves, liable to the same wants and sufferings, and in the same helpless circumstances; as children of the same father, subjects of the same all-wise government, and heirs of the same hopes. He who prays for others with understanding and sincerity, must see himself on the same level with them; he must be ready to do them all the good in his power; he must be pleased with whatever happiness they enjoy; he can do nothing to lessen their credit or comfort; and fervent desires will

naturally rise within him, while thus engaged, that his own breast may be the seat of all those good dispositions, which he prays that he may be blessed with. Resentment and envy can never be indulged by one, who, whenever he finds himself tempted to them, has recourse to this duty, and sets himself to recommend to the Divine favour the persons who excite within him these passions:-no desire of retaliation or revenge, nothing of unpeaceableness, ill-nature, or haughtiness, can easily shew itself in a heart kept under this guard and discipline. How is it possible to use him ill, for whom we are constant advocates with God? How excellent a parent or friend is he likely to make, who always remembers before God, the concerns and interests of his children and friends, in the same manner that he remembers his own! Is there a more rational way of expressing benevolence than this; or a more effectual way of promoting and enlarging it? Nothing is more desirable, or more delightful, than to feel ourselves continually under the power of kind affections to all about us. Would we be thus happy? Would we have our hearts in a constant state of love and good-will? Would we have every tender sentiment strong and active in our breasts? Let us be constant and diligent in this part of devotion, and

pray continually for others, as we do for ourselves.*"

2. Intercessory prayer is of great advantage to Christian societies. The causes which produce discord, rivalry, and trouble, among those who are associated in the bonds of brotherly love, are unhappily very numerous, and too easily put in active operation. That church in which there is neither a Demas, nor an aspiring Diotrephes, is peculiarly favoured; but the spirit of the world, and the subtle poison of pride, are sure to work, even when they do not become outrageous and disgusting. Now union, strength, concord, and comfort, are the essential

* "When Ouranias first entered into holy orders, he had a haughtiness in his temper, a great contempt and disregard for all foolish and unreasonable people; but he has prayed away this spirit, and has now the greatest tenderness for obstinate sinners; because he is always hoping that God will, sooner or later, hear those prayers which he makes for their repentance. The rudeness, ill-nature, or perverseness of any of his flock, used at first to betray him into impatience; but now it raises no other passion in him than a desire of being upon his knees in prayer to God for them. Thus have his prayers for others, altered and amended the state of his own heart. It would strangely delight you to see with what spirit he converses, and with what tenderness he reproves; with what affection he exhorts, and with what vigour he preaches; and it is all owing to this, because he reproves, exhorts, and preaches to those for whom he prays to God. This devotion softens his heart, enlightens his mind, sweetens his temper, and makes every thing that comes from him instructive, amiable, and affecting."