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of those riches which will never be consumed, and of that kingdom which can never be moved, and of those satisfying pleasures which will never fail.

We ought to weigh this matter well, and consider, whether our chief rejoicing shall be in the things of this world, which quickly pass away, and in sinful pleasures which are but for a moment, and then are followed by endless and unavailing sorrows:-or, whether we will rejoice evermore in the favour of God, in the provisions of the Gospel, and in the hope of unfading glory; and afterwards rejoice evermore in the kingdom of our God and Father, with Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant, and with the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and with the spirits of just men made perfect.

If the latter is our choice, let us be much on our guard against every thing that would interrupt our joy. Let us pray Let us pray for grace to enable us to walk in the narrow way of holiness, that we may rejoice in the Lord and abide in him, and that his joy may be our strength; "that we running in the way of his

Heb. xii. 23, 24.

commandments, may obtain his gracious promises, and be made partakers of his heavenly treasure ;" and thus shall we rejoice evermore in the hope of his eternal glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SERMON XVIII.

THE NECESSITY AND IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER.

1 THESS. V. 17.

Pray without ceasing.

THE precepts of our holy Religion are frequently short, and easy to be comprehended, their divine Author evidently framing them for real life and practical purposes. But although they are short, they are full of meaning, and like the stem of some noble tree, they expand their arms, and support numerous branches laden with choice and useful fruit. We have lately considered one of these short and beau

tiful precepts, namely this, "Rejoice evermore;" and we stated some of the reasons, why the Christian should "rejoice evermore," and we pointed out some of the impediments to his holy joy.

We proceed now to discuss another of these Apostolical injunctions, Pray without ceasing. Our subject may be divided into Three Branches; First, Why we are commanded to pray. Secondly, How we ought to pray. Thirdly, When we should pray.

I. Why we are commanded to pray. We are enjoined to do this because we are fallen, guilty, and helpless creatures. We are fallen from God by our iniquity; we have broken his laws, and are driven out from his presence. "Nevertheless for his great mercies' sake he has not utterly consumed us, nor forsaken us; for he is a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and of great kindness." We are therefore invited and commanded to return unto the Lord our God. "Take with you words, and turn to the LORD:" says the Prophet Hosea : say unto him, "Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously." We must "cry unto God who will not cast out our prayer, nor turn

a Neh. ix. 31.

b

b

a

Hos. xiv. 2.

C

his mercy from us." c

Prayer is our only resource, for we cannot rise out of our fallen state without his helping hand to lift us up: we are bowed down greatly, and he alone can raise us out of our forlorn and abject condition.

d

We are also guilty before God, and have committed numerous sins; therefore we ought to lift up our hands unto him in prayer, to deprecate his wrath, to entreat his forgiveness, and to seek his favour. Though we have abused his goodness, and violated his covenant, and transgressed his commandments, yet, blessed be the Lord, he has not yet "shut up his loving-kindness in displeasure," nor "sworn in his wrath that we shall never enter into his rest." He is indeed exalted on high; justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne: yet has he invited and encouraged the guilty to confess their sins unto him, and to pray for his mercy, by promising forgiveness to all them who confess and forsake their sins. Although we are guilty, we need not despair, for our heavenly Father will receive us again when we return unto him; he "waiteth to be gracious," will mercifully restore us to his favour, notwithstanding our ingratitude and rebellion, when we come to him in sorrowful repentance

Psal. lxvi. 20, Psal. lxxvii. 9. e Isa, xxx. 18,

and

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