Oh, what an inestimable privilege, to think and speak, move and act, under the supernatural agency of the Divine Spirit! And this privilege have all the saints, though it is not by all equally prized and improved. If all the kings and emperors in the world were to lavish their most valuable presents upon a single individual, their united treasures and honours would be but toys and trifles, compared with the precious gift of the Holy Spirit, bestowed by the King of Zion.

Again, the irascible passions need be subdued, by a strict self-government.

In passing through a world so full of envy, rivalry and strife, where warring opinions and clashing interests are incessantly agitating all ranks, it is impossible but offences will come. We must therefore calculate upon meeting disappointments and provocations. In such circumstances, by yielding to irritable tempers, by catching and cherishing resentments, by entering into eager competitions, or fiery conflicts, we shall do ourselves more injury than all our enemies can do us. These feelings unhinge and disorder the mind, and indispose it for the sweet exercises of prayer; they alienate the heart from God, and lay it open to the inroads of the Tempter. There is a Christian magnanimity, of more real value than all the splendid accomplishments and trophies, which

poets and orators have celebrated.

"He that is slow to anger, is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city." Why is so vast variety of precepts, and lessons, and examples, of meekness given us in the Gospel, but to direct and assist us in the internal discipline, by which we are to be formed and trained to this Christian magnanimity? Some persons, professing godliness, have attempted to palliate their sallies of passion, or habits of peevishness, by pleading that they are constitutionally subject to these infirmities. The plea is inadmissible, the poor excuse is too flimsy to bear examining. Let such persons remember, that natural constitution must bend to the constitution of the Gospel, under which they are now placed. What this latter is, and by its very essential principles requires, may be distinctly seen in the following passage. "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Eph. iv. 26–32.

That the mind may be in a state fit for prayer,

the covetous passions must likewise be subdued. These are more dangerous, because less easily detected and exposed than the former. Christians, who would blush to be found indulging sensual propensities, or giving themselves to the impulses of violent passions, are easily drawn to yield too much to the world. Here the creditable names of industry, economy, prudence, and discretion, with a thousand fair and specious pretexts, serve to deceive: the mischief is less palpable, but, on that very account, more pernicious. The apostle calls covetousness idolatry; and it unquestionably deserves to bear the brand of this odious designation. Let the Christian remember it, and beware, lest he be inveigled, and drawn from God by it. Here is much need of self-denial. Let him be ready to distribute, willing to communicate, not merely while charity attracts the public eye, but in circumstances where few witness, and none applaud his conduct. To visit the sick, when poverty and disease unite to render all access to them irksome and unpleasant; to be at the expense and trouble of instructing the ignorant, when they are neither teachable nor thankful; to aid in diffusing the Gospel, when bigotry, prejudice, and the popular cry, are against it: these are efforts which require the surrender of self-will; the sacrifice of pride, fastidiousness,

and avarice; and the more such dispositions and tempers are subdued, and contrary habits formed and promoted, the less will you be obstructed in your communion with God. Every inch of ground gained from the world, will be consecrated to devotion; and the trophies won from the enemy, shall adorn the temple of the Lord.

CHAPTER V.

THE MEANS BY WHICH THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER IS PROMOTED.

SECTION I.

ON HEARING THE WORD.

THE divine institutions, which are usually termed the means of grace, are of great importance, whether we consider their obvious design, or their happy influence. They bear the signature and stamp of heaven upon them; they are admirably adapted to the state and condition of man; and they are made the channels through which the richest blessings are communicated to him. The means by which grace is both given and continued, have an intimate connexion; so that if one of them be despised, the rest cannot be duly honoured and valued. "The Scripture saith, whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then, says the