upon his own bond; and delights to lade the wings of secret prayer with his sweetest, choicest, richest blessings. Hence it is that the word of Christ dwells most richly in them who are most diligent and fervent in pouring out their hearts to him in secret.

Those who conscientiously discharge the duties of the closet, generally prosper both in temporal things and spiritual.

"GODLINESS is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (1 Tim. iv. 8.) To enter on the duties of our calling in the fear of God, and to do all with a view to his glory, is the surest way to obtain the blessing of Heaven. Temporal affairs are best expedited when they are made the subjects of secret prayer. Generally speaking, he who prays fervently in his closet, will speed well in his shop, at the plough, or in whatsoever he may turn his hand unto. "Them that honour me (saith

the Lord), I will honour; and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." (1 Sam. ii. 30.) All the worthies who are mentioned in Scripture as men of private prayer, prospered in the world. God blessed to them their blessings, and eventually made their cup of temporal mercies to overflow. And in the last great day, when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, and shall openly reward them that have prayed to him secretly, it will be manifest to assembled worlds that no families have been so prospered, protected, and blessed, as those who have been most diligent in maintaining secret communion with him.

As to spiritual things, it is most certain that private devotion prepares the heart, and fits the soul, so to speak, for the public duties of religion. He who willingly neglects one, has seldom much enjoyment in the other. But he who in secret waits upon God sincerely, will, in the public means, frequently find his spiritual strength renewed, his languishing graces revived, his intercourse with Heaven more

pure, his hopes more elevated, and his enjoyments more spiritual.. Want of private prayer may be one great reason why many are so heavy and dull, so formal and careless, so unfruitful and lifeless, under the public means of grace. Oh, that Christians would seriously lay this to heart! He who would have his soul athirst for God, and long to see his goings in the sanctuary (Psalm Ixiii. 1, 2), who would have public ordinances lovely and delightful to his soul, his drooping spirits refreshed, his weak faith strengthened, his strong corruptions subdued, and his affections set on heavenly things (Col. iii. 2), should be frequent and fervent in secret prayer. How strong in grace-how victorious over sin-how dead to the world-how alive to Christ-how fit to live-how prepared to die might many a Christian have been, had he more diligently, seriously, and conscientiously, discharged the duties of the closet!

Diligence and perseverance in secret prayer may be regarded as certain evidences of sincerity.

PRIVATE prayer is not the hypocrite's delight. He can find no solid satisfaction in such exercises. He loves to pray where others may notice his devotions, and commend him; and he has his reward. (Matthew, vi. 5.) The Scriptures record nothing of Saul and Judas, Demas and Simon Magus, that affords the slightest evidence of their having addicted themselves to secret prayer. The Scribes and Pharisees assumed the garb of exterior sanctity; but we never read of their retiring to a solitary place to pray. A good name among men is more valued by a hypocrite than a good life or a good conscience.

Under

some temporary alarm he may cry aloud upon his bed, or seek relief on his knees in retirement. But," Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?" (Job, xxvii. 10.) If the cause be removed, the effect will cease.

When his fears have subsided, and his spirits are tranquillized, he will discontinue the practice, laying aside his private prayers as an irksome task. Secret duties are not his ordinary work. Self is the oil of his lamp;-worldly interests and the plaudits of men nourish its flame. If these are wanting, its brilliancy declines; and, as its hope of these fails, its light gradually or instantly expires. "Can the rush grow up without mire ?-can the flag grow without water? Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish." (Job, viii. 11-13.)

God

He does not "forget God" who perseveres in the duties of the closet. is the object, and his glory the end, of his secret devotions. He retires from the observation of men to "give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name, (and to) worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (Ps. xxix. 2.) He is not satisfied with a mere external performance of the duty. He