ever seriously, in the right way, and in the right spirit, asked of God those blessings, which, by the merits of the Redeemer's death, he was authorized and encouraged to ask, and did not receive them.

We may safely appeal in this matter to the experience of faithful and praying men, without a fear that they would hesitate to answer satisfactorily, that God hath blessed them beyond all that they ever asked or thought; beyond the most enlarged prayer of their faith, or the most secret wish of their heart. It is true, that there are many strange cases of persons who talk of useless and unanswered prayer, and complain of long waiting without comfort or encouragement, and seem ready, criminally ready indeed, to throw all the blame of their spiritual need on God's unfaithfulness. But the darkness of all such cases lies in our ignorance and unfitness to judge. In all such instances, we have to set against our ignorance of men's hearts and ways, the direct testimony of the Omniscient Redeemer; and there can be no doubt, if any or all of these cases could be thoroughly inquired into, and known by us as God knows them, that we might peril the whole system of Christian grace and mercy upon the fact as stated by the Redeemer," that he that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth," that there is not the man living or dead, who has not received, to the full amount of his real prayers, at the throne of God's grace, for restoration, peace, and holiness.

3dly, Encouragement to prayer is given from the reasoning of the case, founded on the actual relation of the human soul to God. God is our father. In His inspired message to men, He reveals himself in that character. He declares himself a reconciled Father in Christ Jesus. And in this passage, the eternal Son of God recognizes that relation between God and man. In fact, the Redeemer almost invariably speaks of God as our Fatherour heavenly Father. Now, upon the fact of this endearing relation, the Saviour grounds another powerful argument to encourage us to prayer. He refers to the feelings of an earthly parent, towards his own offspring. He appeals to the strong innate principle of affection in a father, towards those to whom, in a subordinate sense only, he has given life. And he says, "What man is there among you, who, if his son asked bread of him, would give him a stone; or if he asked a fish, would give him a serpent," and mock the wants of a famishing child, with that which was useless or pernicious? The testimony of almost universal experience is against the probability of such an act. There may be such cases, but surely they are unnatural and uncommon; and most unquestionably the last benevolent feeling that leaves the heart of a bad man, is the love of a father to his child. This affection predominates, notwithstanding the fact that man, as a sinful being, is liable to the strong bias of prejudice and passion.

66 If ye being evil,".

Now, the argument of the Redeemer is built upon the real character of the Almighty God as the father of his creature's soul, and on his immeasurable goodness and mercy. blinded in judgment, and defective in moral purity, still know well how to treat your children kindly, and carefully to discriminate for their sakes, between the evil and the good; "how much more shall your father which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him;" how much more shall he who is infinitely good and kind at all times and under all circumstances, and who changes not, listen to the pleading of his children on the earth, the souls that he hath made, and when they turn to him in penitence, and plead with him for spiritual blessings, hear and answer them? The encouragement then is, that whatever freedom of access a son has to an earthly father, to ask for the necessaries of life, the children of God, in applying to him for spiritual blessings, have more; because their wants are greater; because he who gives is wiser and better, and more willing to bestow; because he has pledged himself by the word of his promise; and because the very circumstances of the several natures of God and man, in their relation to each other, create the moral necessity for God to give for if an earthly parent answers the cravings of an earthly child, much more will it be the case, that, when a finite being, bowed down with a sense of want, and weakness, and guilt,

comes before his heavenly father, and asks those good gifts which his direful necessity demands, much more will he answer. It cannot be, that the perishing soul of man should plead for pardoning and renewing grace, and infinite goodness refuse to give. What an earthly father will scarcely ever fail to do, though he is evil, God will never fail to do, because he is good.

And now, brethren, surely what we have heard is most encouraging. It is full of the most wonderful condescension and kindness. Believing these words which we have considered, to be the words of the living God, speaking to us by his Son, we can only stand amazed at the mercy by which they were dictated. Instead of our being left in the darkness of our natural state on this important point, we have the most distinct instruction, and the fullest encouragement. Language, consistent with the divine dignity, could scarcely add to this encouragement to prayer. Then, brethren, how have we used the privilege? how far have we obeyed the injunction? how far have we ventured on the credit of the promise? what is your secret history? what is the witness of your closet?

Is it possible, that any one can really believe these words to have come from God, and not pray? Alas! it is to be feared greatly, that many who are called Christian, live without prayer, and that their prayerless habits are a proof of their unbelief. With such persons, the evil lies deeper than the

neglect of prayer. It is the practical rejection of the testimony of God. God has spoken, and you: will not hear; He commands, and you resolutely disobey.

But are there not many who avow their belief in the testimony of God by his Son, and who recognize the duty of prayer, yet who still sadly. neglect it. It is unfrequent and irregular. It is cold and heartless. It is the form, without the power of prayer. If this is the case, brethren, your guilt is great. It cannot be that God should invite his rebellious and wandering child to renewed communion with him, and he refuse to hear, or neglect to come, without adding to his guilt. Look, then, to the character of your private hours. Examine the habits of your mind as to the sincerity and earnestness of your calling upon God; and if you find that your prayers wear nothing of that distinct character marked out in the textnothing of earnest craving, of diligent search, of pressing importunity; then be assured, that in some important respect or other, you are in error; and you have need seriously to consider the grounds of your religious confidence, lest you deceive and ruin your own soul. There cannot be a prayerless Christian.

And if there are any who feel disheartened and discouraged in prayer, and hesitate to ask largely at the throne of grace for spiritual blessings; if you have looked rather at your own unworthiness,