eye - disposition of mind. If, then, we appear before God, cold, careless and inattentive; if we declare our wants, and confess our sins to him, as if they were the wants and sins of others; if thus we draw near to God with the lips, while the heart is far from him, what do we, but invite the of God to behold a sacrifice which he abhors? We appear in his presence, to insult, with an unmeaning homage, the majesty of Him "who requireth truth in the inward parts; "-and, instead of obtaining his gracious favour as we vainly imagine, we only increase our condemnation. There is a peculiar warmth and animation in true devotion, which may be called the soul of prayer: without this, it is a mere lifeless form. How indeed is prayer consistent with a heart insensible-with affections unmoved? Can we raise our thoughts towards a merciful God and a redeeming Saviour, without any warmth of gratitude or love? acknowledge our numerous transgressions, without the sigh or tear of penitence? Can we, without a trembling hope, implore the gifts of heavenly grace, deliverance from sin and death, and life eternal through Jesus Christ? If so, we are utter strangers to the true spirit of prayer, which, effectually to avail, must be warm and fervent. Can we The last qualification of prayer which I shall mention, is constituted by "pure hands and a clean heart." "We know that God heareth not sinners"—that is, impenitent sinners" but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth." From the sacrifice of the wicked, no incense can ascend, that shall be grateful to Him "who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity." Remember the advice of the prophet-"Bring no more vain oblations.""Wash ye, make ye clean: put away the evil of your doings from mine eyes, saith the Lord: cease to do evil, learn to do well"-and then, as St. James saith, ye may "draw nigh unto the Lord your God, and he will draw nigh to you." Thus, in the spirit of meekness, and in humble dependence on the divine blessing, I have endeavoured to point out, however imperfectly, the nature and chief requisites of prayer. And now let me seriously ask, what employment upon earth have we of greater moment and necessity? Surely none. Let us, then, neglect not the public worship of our God; but, give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name, and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." As members of the visible society of Christ, we are commanded "not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is." For what is this but to "follow a multitude to do evil?" and shall the fashion of the world be the idol of our affections, and the worship of God be neglected? Shall the conduct of others, when opposed to reason, or forbidden by religion, seduce us from our duty? Shall we, poor sinful mortals, consider the utmost return we can make for the manifold mercies of our heavenly Father, too valuable an offering to present to Him "in whom we every moment live, and move, and have our being?" Shall once in seven days be deemed too often to offer up the tribute of public thanksgiving for those innumerable blessings vouchsafed to us in common with the rest of the inhabitants of this highly favoured kingdom? Shall the smallest appearance of unfavourable weather, or the most trivial indisposition, detain us from "rendering unto the Lord the honour due unto his name?" Is it thus we requite his benefits? Would such be our conduct, were the messenger of death to declare this to be the last sabbath we should be permitted to spend on earth? Was such the manner of that spotless Saviour, whose steps we are commanded to follow? or of his holy apostles, whose conduct we are required to imitate?-No, my brethren, the word of God tells us, it was the "custom" of Jesus to attend the worship of "the synagogue, on the sabbath day:" and of the apostles, it is expressly recorded, that "they were continually in the temple, blessing and praising God:”—and do not we, by our absence from it, virtually disown our alliance to God, and slight his religion, as a thing insignificant, and of no importance? Thus, we may be assured, will the world consider our neglect; and-what is of infinitely more consequence-thus will it be construed by God himself,-who declares by the mouth of his beloved Son, that if we "deny him before men, he will deny us before the angels in heaven." But, far be it from any of us, my brethren, to contribute towards the enlargement of the dominion of vice and irreligion, like those who have "no fear of God before their eyes," by neglecting, on any pretences, the public worship of our Maker and Preserver, our Redeemer and Sanctifier. Rather, let the light of our example so shine, as, by divine grace, to shed its awakening beams on those around us, advance the interests of Christ's kingdom upon earth, and thus "glorify our Father which is in heaven.' Nor let our devotions be confined to public exercises. Each morning, remember, we receive a new life from God: from the bed of rest and security, we issue forth to the cares and dangers, the troubles and temptations of the world. At that time, more especially, we should look unto Jesus, and, through the mediation of our only Redeemer, daily offer up the sacrifice of praise to the gracious Giver and Preserver of our life,—the faithful Bestower of all its supports and comforts. To his protection from sin and mischief, let us then devoutly commend ourselves and our affairs; and, by offering him the first-fruits of our daily labours, to his care and blessing-ever consign and consecrate them all. Each night also, we are required to close the business and cares of life, with heartfelt devotion. We should, then, bless God for his gracious preservation of us from the dangers and temptations of the day; beseech him, for Christ's sake, to pardon our sins, and implore his guardian spirit, which neither slumbers nor sleeps, to watch over and protect us during the hours of darkness; to raise us up in safety to share the mercies of his providence; and, by his mighty aid, to enable us evermore to serve him with fidelity and gladness. In every situation, in every circumstance of life, prayer, offered in a meek and contrite spirit, will pour balm and comfort into our hearts. "Is any man afflicted ?" says the inspired word, “let him pray." "I thought upon God, and received comfort. Yes! when all other blessings are withdrawn, prayer will be a blessed substitute for them. When other friends and protectors desert us, their place will be supplied by an address to Him who hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." When the ear is shut into which we were accustomed to pour our complaints, God hears our supplications. When the tongue is silent which once administered comfort to our dejected spirits, if we raise our 66 |