prayers are so incoherent and confused, so full of iniquity and sin, that I blush to think of them! Be it so; yet thou hast an Advocate with the Father, to plead thy cause, and perfume thy prayers with the sweet incense of his merits. What greater encouragement can be given or desired? A new and living way to the Father is prepared, the door of mercy stands open, peace is proclaimed through the blood of the cross, and the Friend of sinners is both able and willing to second thy suit with his own effectual intercession. "Seeing, then, that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Heb. iv. 14-16.

3. We have an encouragement to prayer, in the assistance of the Holy Spirit. If it be pleasing to contemplate the promises of the everlasting covenant, and the continual intercession of Christ, our High Priest, the assured guidance and aid of the Divine Spirit claims the next place in our attention. It is a fact, that the nature of man is deeply corrupted; nor can the carnal mind be purified and renewed by any external means, or human agency. We have already proved, that devout dispositions must be implanted and cultivated,

to qualify us for rightly performing the duty, or profitably enjoying the privilege of prayer. We cannot acceptably adore God without profound reverence, nor give thanks to him without genuine gratitude and love; nor confess our sins, and spread our wants before him, without humility and penitence, fixedness of mind, and fervency of heart. But how seldom are we awed and melted, warmed and swayed, by such dispositions and feelings as these! How short are the seasons of unclouded serenity, while so many storms are frequently rising in the regions of the inner man! Even the spirit of the Christian, half immersed in the things of the world, is pervaded by a shooting chill, which weakens and benumbs all the springs of the divine life. When, therefore, we feel so little prepared or disposed for the exercises of devotion, shall we omit or decline them? No; if we cannot sing to the Lord on the mount of joy and transport, let us, like David, cry out of the depths of darkness and adversity. If we cannot pray with freedom and fervour, let us pray for freedom and fervour. "" My soul cleaveth to the dust; quicken thou me according to thy word." The same divine agent, who first gives life to the regenerate, can alone continue it. "Through Christ, we all have access, by one Spirit, unto the Father." His influence stirs those emo

tions of feeling and tenderness, infuses those sentiments of gratitude and joy, enkindles those sparks of desire and affection, from which arise, the purest, the sweetest, the sublimest devotions. Hence God, of old, promised "to pour out upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications." (Zec. xii. 10.) While you are assured, that the God of Israel is unchangeable in himself, and faithful to his promises, have you not reason both to seek and expect the rich and plenteous effusions of his grace? You may be burdened with sins, and shackled with cares; but is the Spirit of the Lord straitened? The worshippers of Baal cried all day long to their idol, yet obtained no answer; while you bring your sacrifice to the true God, fear not but a fire shall descend from heaven to consume it. The Psalmist cried, Quicken thou me, that I may call upon thy name. It may be, you complain of a dull heart; you bring it to the word, but it feels not; you carry it to the sanctuary, but it moves not. Is this dulness a cause of grief and mourning to you? Do you long and labour to mount heavenward, and yet struggle in vain, as a bird which has its pinions bound? Let not the enemy tempt you to despair. Never grow weary of waiting upon God; continue instant in prayer; look to him who can give

new life both to the soul, and to all the services in which it is engaged. Honour the Holy Spirit with the fullest confidence, by daily seeking the guidance, succour, strength, and consolation, which He only can impart.* Under a consciousness of our weakness, ignorance, backslidings, and sins, how much encouragement is derived from this source! "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints, according to the will of God." (Rom. viii. 26, 27.) And Oh!

* Dr. Estlin, in the General Prayer Book, published by him a few years ago, says, "It will be observed, that in the following forms of devotion, no petitions are presented for the assistance of the Holy Spirit." Such a declaration cannot fail to suit the taste and judgment of all who have been trained in the school of Socinus. But yet, the Doctor says, no objection can be made to earnest supplication for the assistance of God." It seems there is a divine energy, exerted according to general laws, and without respect of persons. Can such a meagre and cold system furnish any aliment or vital warmth to the devout Christian? Is there any thing in it congenial to the mind which has been imbued with the language and spirit of the New Testament? After glancing over the vapid pages of such writers as Dr. Estlin, it is really refreshing to read Mr. Robert Hall's tract on the Holy Spirit, where vigorous intellect and exquisite taste are combined with glowing piety.

beware that you do not slight and neglect the powerful and quickening visitations of the heavenly Comforter! And here I would appeal to you in the impressive language of an excellent writer*-" You have sometimes found, instead of a reluctance to pray, a powerful impulse to that exercise; so that you felt as if you could do nothing else. Have you always complied with these motions, and suffered nothing but the claims of absolute necessity to divert you from pouring out your hearts at a throne of grace? The Spirit is said to make intercession for saints, with groanings which cannot be uttered: when you felt these ineffable longings after God, have you indulged them to the utmost? Have you spread every sail, launched forth into the deep of the divine perfections and promises, and possessed yourself, as much as possible, of the fulness of God?"

4. We have encouragement to prayer, in the whole history of the church. From the beginning, God has had a people in the world, and his power and grace have signally appeared in answering their supplications. History has recorded the discoveries of science, and blazoned the achievements of valour, but left unnoticed the exploits of prayer; yet, all that

* Mr. Hall.