who are less worldly. Some blame them altogether. Others, more candid, allow them to be well meaning, though mistaken persons, who do not perceive how God is to be served, or in what manner he designs that all should promote the interests of their families. Certainly it is the will of God that all should discharge the duties of their stations. But we have no reason to think that he will ever cast men off, because they have loved or served the world too little. All the precepts of Scripture show on which side the danger lies. "These things ought ye to have done; but not to leave the others undone."

The answer returned to Martha is an answer once for all. Martha was Martha was more excusable than most persons like her would be, for she was cumbered not about serving herself, but others; nay, she was entertaining the Saviour of the world and his followers. But she was not actuated by the same spirit which her sister afterwards displayed, when she poured a box of precious ointment on the head of Jesus. mended but He, who Martha a timely caution.

That action was comknew the heart, gave Martha, Martha, thou

art careful and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Surely there is enough in that thought to justify Mary's choice: the part which she has chosen shall not be taken away from her. The same cannot be said of earthly pursuits. passeth away, and the lust thereof." to his earth, and all his thoughts perish."

"The world

"Man returns

All such

thoughts as Martha was then engaged with, "perish in the using:" but the words which Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard, "abide for ever." God has said, "The heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished." 1

It would be well if all arose in the morning with that sentence upon their minds, One thing is needful and closed the day by solemnly inquiring, What progress have I made in the only needful thing? It is a sentence, certainly, which gives a most just encouragement to those who have chosen the good part. They are sure to need encouragement against the indifference of others, if not against their censure. And they may find that encouragement here. He who came as a light into the world, to show mankind their errors, he has said, One thing is needful. Have you believed this truth, and are you acting in reasonable conformity to it? Then give God the glory, who has enabled your eyes to see, and your ears to hear the things which belong to your peace. Give him the glory, for it is the work of his grace; he permits you to appropriate to yourselves the comfort and the joy of knowing, that the good part which you have chosen shall never be taken away.

1 Isa. li. 6.

LECTURE XL.

JESUS TEACHES HIS DISCIPLES TO PRAY,-AND SHOWS THE EFFICACY OF EARNEST, PERSEVERING PRAYER.

LUKE xi. 1-13.

1. And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

2. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

3. Give us day by day our daily bread.

4. And forgive us our sins: for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

John the Baptist, we here learn, was not content with calling men to repentance, and showing them their duty: he also taught them to pray for the contrite heart, and the power to do the works meet for repentance.

Our Lord has done the same: and has left his disciples words which the simplest Christian may use with understanding, if only he has a soul awakened to eternal things: and which the most enlightened Christian may daily repeat on earth,

and yet find something to take with him to heaven. He will not, indeed, when delivered from the burthen of the flesh, he will not need to pray that his daily bread may be continued to him, that his trespasses may be forgiven, or that he may be kept from temptation. His pardon will be clear; his wants ended; and his rest assured. But the saint

at his last hour-nay, even his spirit made perfect, and received among the angels in heaven, may unite with them in desiring that the Father's name may be hallowed, his will obeyed, and his kingdom universal!

Our Lord, however, while he left this prayer for the use of his disciples, knew the errors of the human heart; how prone it is to mistake the nature of prayer, and to substitute lifeless words for earnest desire. He takes an example from common life, to show what prayer is, and what is prayer. Prayer is something to be done for the sake of something desired: something to be persevered in earnestly, till the object is attained.

5. And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

6. For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

7. And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.

8. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

The object of this familiar example is to show

that prayer to God, persevering prayer, is the mean which he expects us to use, in order to obtain what blessings we require. The person described in the parable felt a want. A friend had come to him at midnight in his journey, and needed refreshment. It may appear to us unreasonable :

But

but in the hot countries of the East men travel in the cool of the evening, and through the early hours of the night. And those who travel there, still look for refreshment in the house of their friend or their father's friend, and not, as we do, in public places of entertainment. It was no remarkable case, therefore, for a guest to come at midnight unexpectedly in the course of his journey. the person to whose house he came, had no means of entertaining him. Yet he would be distressed, to fail in the duties of hospitality. So he proceeds to the house of a neighbour, and says to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.

This, then, is an example of the manner in which, in every thing, by prayer and supplication, we are to make our requests known unto God;" and more especially, when we feel the corruption of nature pressing down the soul, the remainder of sin still harassing our hearts, and the flesh lusting against the spirit, so that we cannot do the things we would. Then is the promise given:

9. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto

you.