sion. In all cases, and in all conditions, we must consider ourselves as instruments in God's hands to promote his chief glory; so shall we gradually become prepared for admittance into the inheritance of the saints of light.

In the illustration of the particular passages of the Prayer before us, I may with propriety indulge a further view of this most gracious remedy of prayer, under every trial that can befall us, or render us uneasy. uneasy. Prayer is, without dispute, the sovereign balsam for both temporal and spiritual evil. We find it not only the constant practice of Christ himself as an indispensable exercise of his ministry, and recommended to his disciples as an antidote to spiritual mischief of every kind-(Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation); but it was the very remedy he applied himself, in the most grievous trials and temptations that ever were, or ever can be, endured in our nature. In the agonies of his bitterest passion, he employed no other means of comfort but that of prayer; and his prayer, we read, was perfectly demonstrative of his sufferings; for, praying and being in an agony, he sweat as it were great drops of blood. This example should urge us, under our severest troubles, doubts, and despondencies, to fervent humble prayer. In this we are sure to find relief; and if this fails,

we can place confidence in nothing else. Two angels are represented as comforting our blessed Master in his memorable conflict with the horrors that set themselves in array before him. He will not do less for all who trust in him, than he experienced from his heavenly Father's love, to whose high will he was in all things faithful. He still sits at his right hand to intercede for all who come unto him for pardon and assistance. Into their hands he will most assuredly pour the balm of cheering hope, whenever they are assaulted by temptation, or wounded by the misgivings of a tender conscience.

This is so essential a doctrine to be enforced upon the contrite and broken-hearted, that you will naturally account for my being particular upon it. Without this blessed remedy of prayer, Christians would, of all other people, be most miserable: for, in this life of sorrow, trial, and imperfection, to what daily miseries are we not exposed? Allow me, then, to dwell a little longer on its advantages, whether under temptation or spiritual despondency.

It is by the spirit of prayer alone, that both these occasional and unavoidable evils of our present state can either be corrected or subdued.

How innumerable are our temptations both from within and without, both from the male

volence of our subtle and bitter enemy, and from our own weak and disordered nature! When we think we have gained some little victory over the world, the devil, and the flesh God only needs to subject us to some unlookedfor trial, and we immediately discover our inability to stand our ground without his help; so needful is it for us to beg most earnestly "not to "be led into temptation;" i. e. not to be exposed to trials above our strength, and to guard against the sin that doth most easily beset us; for we never know how closely we are attached to this earth, out of which our bodies were originally formed, until our eyes are opened to see the fatal consequences of the attachment. Whether, then, we are assailed by the flattering prospects of ambition, by the lust of power, by the captivating snares of pleasure, or by any other worldly allurements, let us not listen to the temptation, charm it never so sweetly. Let us instantly make a pause; lift up our hands in prayer: the more bewitching the assault, the more importunate must be our petitions for power to resist it. Nothing but doubt of our own strength, and prayer for help, can save us. Now, one positive proof of the mischievous tendency of such temptations is this: if they effect a slackness in our pious pursuits-if they raise an envious regret in our desires—if they seem to take an almost irresistible possession of

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our thoughts-if they render us indifferent about serious concerns, which gave us pleasure before this interception, then we may be sure we are in danger. We have only one resource, and that is prayer. The Christian profession, my brethren, is a continual warfare. As our adversary is represented as a roaring lion seeking whom he may be permitted to devour, so it warns us to use the sword of the Spirit against his attacks ; and if we ask this in Christ's name, we need never fear sufficient armour will be at hand to defend us. But there is one precaution very necessary to be attended to; and that is, not to suffer the tempter to gain ground by our favouring the temptation: the sooner we throw ourselves into a posture of defence, the better able we shall be to withstand the snare. Instant prayer, therefore, must be applied, when we are conscious all goes not right within us, the signs of which revolt I have just now given you. In the ordinary course of things, we are liable to hourly and unforeseen assaults of the above description; and though we cannot always fall upon our knees in the moment of attack, or utter formal and devout expressions to counteract their influence, yet the prayer of the heart is ever at hand to befriend our conflicts; mental supplication to the throne of grace may be sented in the very moment of the most pressing prenecessities; and when we are retired, and have

opportunity, it is then our duty to renew our prayers in humble and fervent supplication for continuance of favour; to examine the nature of the danger we have encountered, and be grateful for the mercy of the escape. In short, and to conclude this head: however urgent the love of this world-however, violent occasional temptation to return into its bosom-however mortifying and vexatious the experience of various disappointments to our temporal splendour or convenience; we may rest assured of this consoling truth, that while we sincerely mind our prayers, resolve all events into the mystery of God's providence, and strive to be content with that provision he has allotted us, living in a manner always in his presence, and directing all our actions to the purpose of his glory; while we have grace to do this, my brethren, we need fear no essential evil-all will end well with us at last.

2. I will now proceed to offer a few short and plain observations upon the mighty benefit and indispensable duty of prayer, under the second situation I specified, namely, the truly lamentable state of spiritual despondency. If, by God's blessing on my endeavours, I am enabled to afford one drop of comfort to any thus afflicted, great will be my rejoicing. As the attempt, however, is purely Christian, and the whole power of the remedy ascribed to HIM