jection to the Reality of this heavenly Influ ence. Is it not reasonable to think, that Spirit may act on Spirit, as well as Body on Spirit? Cannot a wife and good Man by the Ministry of our Senfes convey good and virtuous Notions, and impress them strongly on our Minds? And can that which is poffible to Men be impoffible with God? Cannot God, who has embodied us in Matter still influence the Soul through it's Covering of Flesh? Or are the other Avenues, of the Understanding barred against him? He that made the Eye and Ear can undoubtedly affect the Soul without ufing those Canals of Senfation appointed folely for our Intercourse with each other, but by no means intended, or capable of hindering God's im mediate Access to and Influence upon ou Souls.

Let us therefore according to the mentioned Direction of the Apoftle come bold, ly unto the Throne of Grace, petitioning for ourselves, and interceding after St. Paul's Example

Example for our Brethren, that the God of Peace would fanctify us wholly. And great' Reafon have we to be diligent in this Duty of Prayer for this Confidence bave we in God founded in the exprefs Declarations of Scripture, that, if we ask any Thing according to his Will, be beareth us. (1. John v. 14.) Now this is the Will of God, even our Sanftification: (1. Theff. iv. 3.) And conftant, fervent Prayer for our Growth and Perfeverance in Holinefs, we may be confident, will be Heard in Heaven, and rewarded with those prefent Succours of Grace which we want, and with an infinitely glorious Recompence. if we improve them. Faithful is be that call

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you, who also will do it. (1. Theff. v. 24.) If we invoke the Father of Lights to refcue: us from every material Error,---the Father of Mercies to pardon our Sins,---and the God of all Confolation to relieve our Distresses,---we may be affured, that all Things fooner or later will work togother for good to thofe that love God--that as he withholdeth no good Thing from them that live a godly Life, fo will he re

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fufe no Degree of Grace neceffary for us to our fincere and conftant Prayers for it.--It is indeed the Duty of thofe, who are Embaffadors in Christ's Stead, to be earnest and frequent in their Prayers for God's Bleffing on those that are committed to their Charge.

And God forbid that we should fin against the Lord in ceafing to pray for you.----But, on the other hand, remember the Apostle's Exhortaon to his Theffalonians,---Brethren, pray for us. Strive, we beseech you,' in your Prayers to God for us. Let us, each for himself and for one another, in Faith and Charity, befeech the God of Peace to fanctify us wholly and pray God that our whole Body Soul and Spirit be preferved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jefus Chrift. Amen.

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SERMON II.

LUKE, VI. 20.

Art thou be that should come, or look we for another?

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HE Words are a Question of the Difciples of John put to our Saviour by the Direction of their Mafter. There was at the Time, when this Queftion was asked, a general Expectation in the World of fome extraordinary Revolution to happen in it, which Heathen Writers have recorded without understanding it's Meaning. But among the Jews the current Perfuafion was, that the Fulness of Time was at hand, when God was to fend forth the Meffiah. Upon fome miraculous Operations performed by Jefus of Naza

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Nazareth, a Rumour of him went forth throughout all Judea, and the Difciples of John fhewed bim of all thefe Things. Whereupon the Baptift for the Satisfaction of his Dif ciples fends two of them to Jefus, faying, art thou be that should come, or look we for another? Instead of a direct Anfwer our Saviour bids them go and tell John what Things they had feen and beard, how that the blind fee, the lame walk, the Lepers are cleanfed, the deaf bear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is preached. As if he had faid:

Compare thefe miraculous Works with that Prophecy of the Meffiah, (Ifa. xxxv. 4, 5, 6. & lxi. 1.) where thefe Works are made to denote his Perfon and his Appearance, and then judge, and answer your Queftion yourselves, whether the manifest Completion of this Prophecy, and it's punctual Accomplishment in my Character, does not most evidently decide and determine, that I am (the sporos) that Prophet at this Time fo generally expected to come into the World...

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