cup at which human nature, however perfect, muft recoil) but in being accepted when he prayed; in being fupported while he drank it; and in victoriously accomplishing his grand defign through drinking it to the very dregs.

To come nearer to our own condition, we find St. Paul going to CHRIST for deliverance from fome fevere trial, which he calls a thorn in the flesh; he tells us that he also was heard, and in the fame way as his Mafter; not by being releafed from fuffering, but by receiving fomething more honourable and advantageous; namely, that Grace which not only fupports a Believer through his trials, but puts a healing virtue into them.

Far removed from the holy refignation of our Mafter, we too much resemble in our prayers, the impatience of our chil dren. I remember when a fick one of

mine

mine has had fome medicine to take, he has called loudly to me to come and affift him against those who were endeavouring to force it down: he, probably, wondered at my refusing to relieve him ; but the little fufferer did not confider, though often told, that he was not to be helped in that way; he did not recollect that while I tenderly felt his cry, the very compaffion I felt for him, and the defire I had to relieve him, kept me from taking away the bitter draught.

The truth is (and it is a truth frequently told to us) that our heavenly Father always fends his children the things they afk, or better things.-He anfwers their petitions, in kind or in kindness. But while we think only of our Eafe, he confults our Profit :-We are urgent about the Body, He about the Soul: We call for prefent Comfort, He confiders our everlafting Reft: and, therefore,

therefore, when he fends not the very things we ask, he hears us by fending greater than we can ask or think.*

Is any, therefore, afflicted, let him pray; not only in the public fanctuary, or in the retired closet, but let him confider that there is a new and living way, confecrated through the vail† of a Redeemer's human nature, from every fcene of retirement or action, to a MERCY SEAT; where he fatisfies the longing foul, and fills the hungry foul with goodness; efpecially fuch as fit in darkness and the Shadow of death. Our very mifery and infirmity should, in defect of other preachers, point out the feat of our relief; and direct fuch frail and depraved creatures to the common Friend of the weary and heavy laden. Pouring into his boiom all our complaints, we at once obey his command,

* Eph. iii. 20. + Heb. x. 20.

Pf. cvii. 9, 10.

honour

honour his character, and obtain his affiftance for we have not an high priest who cannot be touched by the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without fin. Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.*

Is it not a time of need with you? endeavour, at his command, to approach with an holy confidence for the supply of all your need according to his riches in glory; and, at this time particularly, for the illumination and comfort of his Holy Spirit. He whom you fupplicate, not only invites, but reasons with you. 'If ye, being evil, know how

to give good gifts unto your children, • how much more fhall your heavenly

* Heb. iv. 15, 16.

+ Phil. iv. 19.

• Father

Father give the holy Spirit to them 'that ask him ?'*

The religion of education and cuftomobtains more or lefs every where; but ferious, vital, fpiritual religion is a cafe of neceffity with us all. We fummon our forces, we ranfack our stores, we fpend our money for that which is not bread, and our labour for that which fatisfieth not; we look every way, and call to every thing, till each return loudly replies, It is not in me.'Well, indeed, will it be, if, after all our fruitless efforts, we are brought to feel that the provifions of the Gospel are the only bread for a hungry foul, the only balm for a wounded heart.

However foreign, my Dear Friend, thefe truths were from your confideration, when we first fat down together, if

* Luke xi. 13. + Ifa. lv. 1.

Job xxviii. 14.

it