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arranged accounts, will prevent a that abominable thing which we thousand anxieties and terrors, in lodge in our bosom, and in behalf times of danger and sickness, and of which we plead. These things at the hour of death. Grudge not, were written on purpose to lead us then, this labour, if you are ambiti- to judge concerning sin, as God ous to be called disciples of Jesus, judgeth; and this will surely lead and do not "judge yourselves un-us to unfeigned repentance. worthy of everlasting life."

IV. Meditate frequently and in

III. Meditate frequently upon tensely on the death of Christ. such subjects as tend to excite and Consider who he was, and what he increase in the heart the sense of suffered, and wherefore he suffered. the heinousness of sin; labouring Purposely retire to contemplate this with your reluctant minds to bring surprising scene; and yield not to and keep them close to this exer- weariness or indisposition, till you cise. Impenitency is greatly the arrive at some heart-affecting views effect of extenuating notions of the of a crucified Saviour. Superficial malignity of sin; repentance must speculations may amuse the fancy, then flow from a sense of its hate- and furnish our conversation; but fulness. It is needless to enume-without deeply examining and well rate the various subjects which, digesting this subject, and being duly meditated upon, may have thus established in judgment conthis effect; and it would lead us cerning it, we can never, in habiinto repetitions. Such are the ma- tual experience, reconcile godly sorjesty and excellency, authority and row with abiding peace and joy in law, threatenings and judgments of the Lord, or humble repentance God: his righteous severity against with a lively hope of everlasting sinning angels, against Adam and life. Here that Christian, who his whole posterity, against the in- turns his eyes from other objects habitants of the old world, against that he may steadfastly look unto Sodom and Gomorrah, against the Jesus*, will perceive, that the awnations of Canaan, against the peo-ful vengeance of God against sin, ple of Israel, in a variety of in- before considered, proceeds not stances, especially in the final de- from want of love to the persons of struction of Jerusalem, and the con- sinners, but from abhorrence of motinued dispersion of the Jewish na-ral evil-the effect of a perfect tion. All these, and others too view of its infinite malignity: that numerous for me to mention, are this judgment and conduct are esbut forerunners and emblems of sential to the most perfect characthat everlasting destruction, with ter, and requisite to his glory as which in a future state all they moral Governor of the universe. shall be punished, "who know not When, therefore, in boundless love, God, and obey not the gospel of he determined the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ." Now, sinners, he would "not spare his we know that the judgment of God own Son;" but would sooner deliis according unto truth:" these aw-ver him, "in whom his soul deful instances of his tremendous jus-lighted," to the most intense agotice show us his judgment of the nies and ignominious death, than evil of sin, and what it really de-leave sin unpunished, or permit his serves: even his judgment, who is intelligent creatures to remain ignoLOVE, and "delighteth not in the rant of his infinite hatred of it. For death of a sinner;" but punishes the instruction of the whole universe solely to express his holy hatred of *Heb. xii. 2.

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to eternal ages, in these and other sufficient and worldly spirit and important truths, respecting the conduct: but real prayer stands in divine character, law, and govern-direct opposition to them all. It ment, did the Son of God" suffer is the very language of indigence once for sins, the just for the un- and dependence, and earnest longjust." ings after God and holiness. In Here likewise the sinner may order to pray aright, a man must learn to estimate the worth of his know, in some measure, how vast immortal soul; the vanity of this and various his wants are; he must world; the dangerous situation in understand his true interest and which he is placed; the difficulty happiness; he must supremely there is in a sinner's salvation, value the favour and image of God. which cost him, who created and No man can truly pray for spiritual upholds all things by his powerful blessings, who doth not carefully word, such humiliation and suffer-review his life, explore his heart, ings; the unspeakable love of God, and in a measure know his own and his willingness to save sinners; character; who is not in some deseeing "he hath not withheld his gree acquainted with the majesty, only Son from us." These are holiness, and heart-searching knowlessons eminently conducive to re-ledge of God, his own absolute depentance; and which can in no pendence upon him, his relations other way be learned to such advan- and obligations to him, and his tage, as by "looking unto Jesus," offences committed against him; and meditating on his sufferings. and who is not, in a general way at He, then, who sincerely would least, instructed in the way of access repent, must daily retire in contem- for sinners to an offended God, plation to Gethsemane and Gol- through the atoning blood of his gotha. Son, and humbly willing to approach

V. Lastly, The whole must be in this appointed way. Such a man rendered effectual by fervent and draws near with reverential fear importunate prayer, without which and deep self-abasement, confessing all other means would be in vain. his unworthiness, and imploring forWhether we read, or meditate, or giveness; encouraged only by beexamine our lives and hearts, or lieving apprehensions of the rich whatever we do, prayer must accom- mercy of God to sinners through pany all; for it is God who takes the mediation of Jesus. Conscious away the heart of stone, and gives also of ignorance, weakness, and the heart of flesh, and renews us depravity, in humble sincerity and unto repentance; and him we must earnest longings, he pleads the proearnestly supplicate to bestow on mises of the word of God, and imus this good and perfect gift. But plores the teaching, strengthening, alas! it is extremely difficult to sanctifying influence of the Holy prevail upon men to get alone, and Spirit. Faith, repentance, and union their bended knees, day by day, versal holiness, he longs for, feels to beseech the Lord, in the name of his want of, expects, and seeks daily Jesus Christ, to work this change from God in prayer. In all this in them, and bestow this gift on his words express, but not fully, the them. To read, to hear sermons, very meaning of his heart. Daily and other things of a public nature, he thus opens and pours out his men may be more easily induced. soul unto God, turning the precepts A mere form or task of devotion and promises which he reads or may also be reconciled with a self- hears from the word of God, into

fervent petitions. All his sorrows, But if nothing, however specious anxieties, and perplexities he or ostentatious, be prayer, which spreads before the Lord, seeking, has not in it something of this in every exigence, support, direc- nature (as I trust, upon mature tion, and consolation from him: examination of the Scriptures, will subjoining continual thanksgivings be found the case), then evidently for mercies received, and interces- the proud, ungodly, and carnalsions for all around him; and sub-minded cannot pray aright. Nor missively referring himself, in every can it be deemed strange, if, when case, to the will and wisdom of his a sinner is first seriously impressed heavenly Father. "Thus is he with concern for his soul, he hath careful for nothing, but every great reluctance to this spiritual thing by prayer and supplication, exercise, and knows not how to go with thanksgiving, makes his re- about it. For even real Christians, quests known unto God;"" and who are arrived at some measure casts his care upon him, who careth of stability, and have made con for him." Such prayer as this can- siderable proficiency in a life of not be taught by man, but must be communion with God, meet with the effect of "the pouring out of considerable difficulty in this grand the Spirit of grace and supplica- concern; have need habitually to tion ;" who, communicating divine be humbled for neglects and imperlight to the understanding, and fections; and want continually fresh holy dispositions to the heart, ex-supplies of divine assistance to excites fervent and spiritual desires cite, teach, and enable them thus in the soul, and teacheth us to pray to " pray always and not faint."

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with groanings that cannot be Satan also will oppose to the uttered.' It is therefore called in uttermost all his artifices to prevent the word of God, " praying, in and a sinner's approaching to the throne by the Spirit;" as opposed to a of grace; well knowing, that in the "form of godliness," or good words critical season, when any person is spoken with the mouth, without under serious impressions, if he can suitable affections and desires in be prevailed on to neglect prayer, the heart*. He whose words ex- they will soon wear off, and leave press more than he intends, or the conscience more insensible than heartily desires, prays formally and before. The business, pleasures, hypocritically: he who means all diversions, and society of the world; his words express, and more than and that scorn with which ungodly he can find words to express, evi- men treat a life of prayer, combine dently prays spiritually, and though their influence in aid of natural he may not be sensible of it, is corruption and Satan's temptation, assisted in prayer by the Holy to keep the poor convinced sinner Spirit t. from the throne of grace. And as if these hinderances were not suffi Saul, previous to conversion, was a cient, even some, professing serious strict Pharisee, who made long prayers; yet when the Lord spoke of his conversion godliness (whose intention may be to Ananias, he said, with emphasis," Be- better than their judgment), exhold, he prayeth." Before, he might read

or repeat long forms, or pray fluently in

extemporaneous language: but now he description; but this is the nature of a sinfeels his indigence, dependence, and un- ner's praying for spiritual blessings: to worthiness, and really prays with suitable this, in a degree proportioned to the meadesires and dispositions. sure of his grace, a believer attains and every accepted prayer has something in it of the same nature.

+ I am far from thinking that no prayer is accepted, which comes not up to this

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tremely increase the difficulty, by doth this indeed justify all our transstrenuously contending, that uncon-gressions of the law, and contempt verted persons ought not to pray, of the gospel?

or be exhorted to it*.

Again, prayer is an important Such indeed are the pride and part of that worship and obedience ungodliness of man, that, left to which the law requires: and it is himself, and under Satan's influence, also the grand means of receiving he never will pray in sincerity. from Jesus new covenant-blessings. Confounding the depraved disincli- He, then, who prays not, at once nation with a real want of ability, breaks the law, and contemns the many thence argue the want of gospel: " and he that keeps the obligation. But this argument, if whole law, and thust offends in it prove any thing, proves too much; one point, is guilty of all." If and would consequently repeal the then a sinner ought not to pray, he law and abrogate the gospel, and is justifiable in breaking the whole furnish the devil himself with an law, and equally justifiable in negapology, by making inward de- lecting the salvation of the gospel! pravity a justification of outward In fact, however, our depraved inrebellion; the desperate wickedness clinations are in no respect the meaof the life. For certain it is, that sure of our duty, but the direct man is as much disinclined to keep opposite. "The carnal mind is the whole law, or to repent and enmity to God; is not subject to believe the gospel, as he is to pray; the law of God, nor indeed can be." and will never do either the one or The law to which the carnal mind the other, if left to himself, destitute cannot be subject, is the measure of of the influence of divine grace. But our duty. This men cannot obey, because of the depravity of their * If a man ought not to pray before con- nature, which enhances, instead of version, he ought to know, that is, be sure, of his conversion before he prays: for if he extenuating, their guilt. Men ought be not sure of his conversion he cannot be to love God and one another; having sure whether he may, and ought to pray, sinned, they ought to repent: they or not. Thus assurance springs up in a

sinner's heart all at once; and now having ought to believe and pray, to deny received, he may ask; having found, he may begin to seek the door being opened, themselves and mortify their lusts: he may begin to knock.-Surely, at first but they do not. What is the glance, every one must see this to be absurd and unscriptural, yea, antiscriptural. Truly reason? They cannot. But in what all ought to pray, but none will in sin-sense is this true? In fact, because cerity, until the Holy Spirit in some degree

he knows not from whence this change

inclines the heart. Then a man feels an they dislike the service of God, hate inclination to do that, which before was his law, reject his authority, despise his duty, though he did it not: frequently his gospel, and prefer the gratificaproceeds but is encouraged, by such tion of their lusts; and because these Scriptures as that before alluded to (Matth. hateful dispositions are so predomivii. 7, 8, or Isaiah, lv. 6, 7.) "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call upon nant in them, that without the inhim while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way. "Thus he begins so ask and terposition of Omnipotence they seek and in consequence to receive and are insuperable. Can these hateful find in this way giving diligence he makes his calling and election sure; and this state- dispositions then, be seriously urged ment reconciles all the different views as an excuse? Will any dare to which the Scripture gives us of this matter. The Lord seeking us when lost, and being urge them at the day of judgment?

found of us when we sought him not, inclines us (though we are not aware whence this inclination comes) to seek him in prayer; and thus we receive all spiritual and eternal blessings in the way of asking and receiving.

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No; "every mouth will then be broken, faltering, and feeble (if you stopped, and all the world shall be mean what you express, and desire found guilty before God." I should what you ask), shall meet with not in this place have touched upon acceptance through the intercession this controversial subject, had I not of Jesus, and be not only answered, observed how greedily this poison but in due season far exceeded. is drunk down, and how fatally it Especially in this way you must operates, in stupifying the consci- seek repentance, as the gift of God ence, flattering the pride, and apolo- through Jesus Christ; using the gizing for the sloth of mankind. other means with diligence, earnest. Instead of thus abetting, we ness, and perseverance; and then should endeavour to counteract these you will assuredly be made parartifices of Satan, and to combat the taker of" that repentance which is reluctancy of a sinner's heart, by unto salvation, not to be repented. showing the absolute necessity of of."

prayer unto salvation; enforcing the invitations to the throne of grace;

expatiating on the promises made

CONCLUSION.

to all who call upon the Lord; ex- HAVING thus gone through the plaining the nature of prayer; direct- subject, according to the method ing him in the new and living Way first laid down, nothing remains but to the throne of grace; answering to close with a few practical obserobjections, obviating discourage-vations.

ments, representing prayer as our I. I would observe, from what privilege, and unspeakable consola- has been discoursed, that every tion; and exhorting sinners to draw species of religion, in which repentnear, and share our happiness; for ance forms no prominent part from we may be assured, that they who first to last, is justly to be suspected, are thus excited to pray, will in due yea, certainly to be condemned, as time render unto God the praise of unscriptural and destructive. There "making them to differ." is a great deal of this religion in the

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But I return from this digression, world, which often comes recomMy fellow-sinners, you must pray mended by extraordinary zeal for or perish. Your backwardness to some peculiar doctrines of Christipray should humble you, and stir anity, and is distinguished by unyou up to overcome it; especially warranted confidence and high affecby crying unto the Lord to incline tions. Men, hearing the gospel, your heart, by his grace, to love are superficially alarmed on account and delight in prayer. Your igno- of their sins, and eagerly look out rance should urge you to begin as for comfort.. Through inexperience the disciples did:-"Lord, teach they lie open to Satan's artifice, and us to pray." You must not yield are easily imposed on with false to corruption, temptation, or dis- comfort, deduced from false princicouragement, but persevere in ples, exactly suited to their carnal prayer with all sincerity and earnest- unhumbled hearts. Thus they preness. If you pray aright, you will sume that their sins are pardoned, be very far from trusting in, or and their state good; and with this boasting of your prayers; for you presumption self-love is delighted, will perceive much imperfection and and high affections produced: these, defilement in them. But though expressed in earnest fluent language, humbled on that account, you need create them injudicious admirers: not despond; your prayers, though this flatters and affects them the

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