But remember that there are many more things, and those involving the highest and choicest blessings to ourselves and others, which we know are "according to God's will." We know, for example, that it is the will and the wish of God, that every man should possess that divine life which consists in the knowledge and love of Himself; that consequently He wills every man to believe in Christ, and repent of sin, and receive forgiveness, and be sanctified by the Spirit, and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit,-in one word, to be a saved man by being a godly man. There is not indeed one good or perfect gift which any of us ought to possess, which it is not God's will to bestow. We may therefore have the full assurance of faith that God will hear such prayers, for they are verily "according to his will." In regard to all others, however, we must ask of God in that spirit of holy submission which inspired our blessed Lord when He said, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me; but not my will, but thine be done!"

ANSWER TO PRAYER.

As to the manner in which God may answer our prayers, that depends upon his own wisdom and

love. He may refuse what we ask, because we ask in ignorance. If a child asks a serpent, thinking it to be a fish, the father will in mercy refuse his request-saying, "Ye know not what ye ask."

And God may hear our prayer by granting us something very different from what we desired, yet something much better. The Apostle Paul prayed the Lord thrice that He would remove the thorn in his flesh, and that the messenger of Satan which buffeted him, might depart from him. His prayer was answered; not, however, by the removal of the thorn, but by the assurance of strength to bear it, and to be perfected by it. "He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; perfect in weakness."

for my strength is made

Again, God may not hear our prayer for a long time, but yet hear it at the best time for us. Therefore "men ought always to pray, and not to faint," for God will hear his own elect who cry to Him day and night, "though he bear long with them." Nay, the answer to some prayers may be deferred until after the death of the petitioner, who in heaven only will learn how he was heard. Thus the prayers

offered up by Jesus while on

earth, are being

answered in every age of the world. The old man

of fourscore years may receive showers of blessing, like latter rain from heaven, in answer to prayers offered up by a dying mother when she clasped him as an infant to her bosom !

But it is impossible for us to specify the many ways of the Lord as the Hearer of Prayer. Let us, however, be assured, that there are no facts more certain in the history of men of prayer, nor to themselves more familiar, than that their prayers are answered; and that, whether or not we can recognise the answer, God does hear us,-granting what is asked according to his will, and giving us (it may be in our darkest hour) the rich and sustaining blessing of his peace.

Be not, therefore, careful or over-anxious about anything, as if your heavenly Father did not know you, nor care for you; "but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus !"

PRAYER.

PART II.

I

"And when ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven," &c. &c.-ST. LUKE xi. 2.

DESIRE again to address you as simply and

directly as possible on the subject of prayer. I have no original thoughts to offer upon it; my only wish is to explain what I believe to be God's will regarding this duty; to remove, if I can, one or two practical difficulties in the way of its performance, and thus, if possible, to induce those who have never prayed to begin to do so now.

SEASONS OF PRAYER.

1. Public Worship.-Every Christian acknowledges it to be a duty to worship with the Church upon the Lord's-day. The Church is a Christian

society, whose members profess to believe in Jesus Christ as their Saviour. As a society, those who believe in God have met, probably from the beginning of the world, for his worship, and all likeminded will continue to meet from age to age for the same high and blessed object, until Christ comes again. One day in seven has been consecrated for worship since a community existed to worship. Before Christ, this day was the seventh; since his resurrection it has been the first day of the week. The worship of the Church below is in fellowship with the Church above, and is a foretaste of the spiritual good which will be fully experienced by the glorified Church, that will be one with Christ in holiness and joy for eternity, as He is one with God. But it is distressing to think how few heartily join in this public worship of the Church. I am persuaded that very many who regularly come to church have never once in their lives joined in its public worship. This is not owing to the want of a liturgy,—that is, printed prayers, which all can read, and all can use in common; for, although I believe a liturgy to be in many cases very helpful, and, to those who have been accustomed to it, almost necessary for public