Thus, according to Solomon, if a nation labours under the miseries of an unfuccefsful. war, Prayer is the fureft means to procure a glorious victory, and a happy peace; if the windows of heaven be fhut up, and drought and barrennefs prevail in the land, this is the moft effectual method to obtain the fertile fhowers, fo that the earth may bring forth her fruits, that the hills may dance and skip, and the valleys laugh and fing for joy; is the air tainted with noxious vapours, and doth Peftilence, hand in hand with Famine, ftalk in our streets, the holy breathing of an upright heart in prayer will purge the air, and procure for us health and plenty.. In a word, whatever misfortunes we labour under, whether public or private, a due difcharge of this duty is able to remove them, and obtain God's bleffing upon ourselves and families, our friends and acquaintance, upon every thing we have, and every thing we do. Ta To these advantages, which relate only to this life, let us also add those which naturally lead us to happinefs hereafter. Let us reflect what an increase of grace, what a confirmation of faith, what a quickening of hope we may expect herefrom; and laftly, let us reflect how much Prayer must conduce to the advancement of virtue, and holiness of living. It naturally breeds in us due apprehenfions of God and ourselves; it fets before us the perfections of the Deity in their full glory; it supposes them, as to his moral attributes, the objects of our imitation, and makes them the subjects of our contemplation; fo that a conftant performance of this duty can scarce fail of awakening our emulation, and as it were infenfibly conforming us to the image of God. As it is scarce poffible for a great finner to continue constant in this duty, fo is it as un likely for a man who continues constant in Prayer to adhere to any wilful fin. Prayer is the natural enemy of Sin; it cannot consist with it, but must either conquer or be conquered by it; Prayer is the natural friend and ally of holiness, and cannot subsist without it, fo as to be worthy the name of Prayer; Prayer has a natural tendency to produce holiness, and holiness is abfolutely necessary to fan&ify our Prayers. Now to God the Father, &c. SERMON. |