sages have taught, or heroes done, falls far short of what saints have accomplished, by their holy confidence and importunity, patience and perseverance, in this duty. As Jacob, like a prince, had power with God, and prevailed, every true Israelite inherits the same high privilege. Believers, being born from above, possess a princely dignity; and while royal blood runs in their veins, ardent devotion burns in their hearts, and breathes from their lips. Volumes might be written, full of the curses averted and the blessings procured, the deliverances wrought and the victories gained, in answer to prayer. This powerful antidote has counteracted the infernal poison of the old serpent, and preserved the soul in health, amidst the most deadly infection of surrounding wickedness. This key has unlocked the treasury of the King of kings, and given free access to the choicest mercies and the richest stores. This weapon has laid the strongest towers and fortresses in the dust, vanquished mighty armies, and even made the heavy artillery of hell recoil upon the sons of malice and injustice, who employed it. The prayer of Moses divided the sea, and that of Joshua rolled back the stream of Jordan, and arrested the course of the sun. The prayer of Daniel opened the secrets of Nebuchadnezzar's heart, and shut the mouths of hungry lions in the

sealed den. The prayer of Elijah stopped and opened the bottles of heaven, while the prayers of the church broke the chains of Peter, and liberated him from his prison guards. "And, above all, prayer," says Gurnall, "hath often taken hold of the Almighty, when on his full' march in judgment against a nation, and hath put him to a merciful retreat." Read, I intreat you, the sacred history with attention, and learn what prayer can do, from what it has done. Say not, these extraordinary instances yield no comfort to us. Though it would be culpable in us, placed in circumstances so different, to put up such petitions as some of those above referred to, yet, it is remarkable, that the apostle James animates all saints to earnest prayer, by introducing the case of Elijah. (James v. 17, 18.) It has been observed, that the most memorable answers to prayer, under the Old Testament, regarded temporal, but under the New Testament, spiritual blessings.' The dispensation of the Gospel, in this respect, stands on higher ground, and is encircled with purer elements, than any which preceded; yet we are not forbidden to ask for temporal blessings, though it should always be done with submission, and in subservience to things of greater value. Those who have eyed the hand of God, have often seen their petitions fulfilled in events, which at first appeared unfavourable;

and the history of the church, down to this day, clearly proves, that sincere, humble, believing, and ardent prayers, are not lost. They still fetch water in the desert, from the smitten rock, and bread from above, more precious than manna; still they open a way through seas of tribulation, stop the mouths of lions, quench the violence of fire, and turn to flight the armies of the aliens.

SECTION V.

THE CHIEF ADVANTAGES TO BE DERIVED FROM PRAYER.

IF the cause of piety and devotion necessarily deprived us of many emoluments and pleasures, and subjected us to heavy losses and painful trials, we ought still to pursue it. Conscience sitting at the helm, and steering by the bright pole-star of hope, or rather, by the unvarying compass of the Divine Word, we should bear up against the billows and tempests, always advancing toward the destined shore for which we are bound-the desired haven of eternal rest. But the man of piety has generally a decided advantage over the mere man of the world even in this life. He who puts present interest in the place of conscience, shifting his sails to every wind, and gliding on the surface of every current, has not learned to estimate consequences. True religion has been caricatured and grossly calumniated; but those who know any thing of her, will own that she has a mild majesty in her

aspect, and a rich dowry in her hand; and as her commands are all just, so her daily communications are all generous. The wicked are represented as saying, "What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?" But those who ridicule prayer are strangers to it; some having only heard of it, while others have just seen its sober mien, or worn its empty form, or muttered its language without meaning. A carnal mind can neither understand nor relish spiritual things. Men who are engrossed and stupified by the low and despicable pursuits of the world, can have no more idea of the dignity, solid comfort, and delicious sweetness of prayer, than a herd of swine can receive pleasure from the lectures of a philosopher. But the Christian has learned, by experience, that it, is not a vain thing to serve God, for he has tasted that he is gracious. Not satisfied with the outward ceremonies of religion, he has embraced its substance, and inhaled its vital spirit. I shall proceed to point out some of the benefits which attend the exercise of humble, earnest, unwearied prayer.

1. Prayer improves our graces.

The graces of the Christian are the peculiar properties of the new man, the fair features of the Saviour's image, the precious ripening fruits of the Holy Spirit. Wherever these are