evils, attended by other dreadful calamities, to come upon us; and he could easily render his gospel triumphant in other places, should this favoured land be left in total darkness: but we may beseech him to work for his own name's sake, "that it should not be polluted among the hea"then."-This, however, leads us to consider,

II. The nature and special objects of those prayers, which may be supposed availing on such

occasions.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous "man availeth much." But of our whole fallen race, There is none righteous, no not one," except by the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the grace of the gospel.

We ought not indeed to undervalue the publick honour put on God and religion, by the observance of days set apart for fasting and prayer, through the whole nation: yet we must maintain, that the remnant of penitent believers are the only persons, whose intercessions for the land can properly be considered as effectual and prevailing: and their prayers should not be restricted to any season, but ascend incessantly before the throne of grace. Provided this were indeed the case, though we must lament, that so few in comparison attend in a suitable manner on these occasional services, yet we need not be discouraged. Alas! this has

'Jam. v. 16.

always, in great measure, been the case, even in times of peculiar reformation; as we shall readily perceive, by comparing the records of the most pious kings of Judah, with the testimony of the contemporary prophets, concerning the national character of the Jews.

We must, however, remember, that all the prayers, even of this faithful remnant, are not alike acceptable and prevailing. When James and John had presented a request to the Lord Jesus, he replied, "Ye know not what ye ask." And when they wanted permission to "command "fire from heaven to consume" the Samaritans; he rebuked them, saying, "Ye know not "what manner of spirit ye are of." Even Elijah once impatiently requested to die: yet he 66 was translated that he should not see death." And on the other hand, the repeated and most earnest intreaty of Moses, that he might enter the promised land, was finally refused. Yet what righteous men ever prayed more effectually and prevalently than they did on other occasions?

It is therefore of great importance for us to understand, with accuracy, the nature and special objects of that prayer, which powerfully and certainly prevails: and while this is stated, according to the oracles of God, some objections, which are groundlessly advanced may likewise be obviated.

When the apostle speaks of "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man," he is sup

posed by several expositors to intend the powerful suggestions of the Holy Spirit to the minds of the prophets, by which they were inwardly moved to ask, with confidence and earnestness, the miraculous interposition of God, on particular occasions, in support of their testimony: and the prayer of Elijah, by which he illustrates the subject, was certainly of this kind. Yet this would never have been proposed as an example and encouragement to believers in general, if there had not been something of a similar nature in their acceptable prayers. Through our heavenly Advocate "we all "have access by one Spirit unto the Father:" for "the Spirit helpeth our infirmities:" and thus we pray in or by the Spirit. In order therefore that our supplications may be accepted and answered, they must be dictated to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

But how shall we know this?-We cannot distinguish between the acting of our own minds and the effect of divine influences, except by considering the nature and tendency of our desires and expectations but we may conclude, safely and without hesitation, that every prayer, which accords to the Scriptures, is presented by the teaching and assistance of the Holy Spirit. We may premise, therefore, that no formal lifeless prayer, the language of the lips without any corresponding affections or emotions of the heart, can accord with the holy Scriptures: but supposing that we

earnestly desire some real or imagined good, and fervently and importunately intreat the Lord to bestow it upon us; we have only to enquire, whether the motive and object of such desire be scriptural, in order to determine the question before us.

To instance in some particulars: We may enquire, Whether the supposed good, which we are earnestly seeking, be expressly promised in the word of God? Can we present our prayer, and pour out our hearts, in the language of the promises? Do we understand them in their genuine import? And do we seek the fulfilment of them in the due order and manner?

Again: Do our supplications and requests accord to the precepts of the holy law of our God, and to the spirit of the blessed gospel? And are they dictated by that love to God and man, which the whole Scripture inculcates? The prayers which are presented under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are uniformly of this kind; for "his "fruit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and "truth."

This consideration ought particularly to be attended to, in our intercession for the church and nation: for we cannot expect to prevail in these prayers, except we cultivate a compassionate, forgiving, and loving spirit towards our enemies, which no crimes or injuries can overcome or weary out; as well as an expansive benevolence

for the whole human race.

We should be pecu

liarly desirous of being preserved, if it be the will of God, in the manner which is most conducive to the general good of mankind, and in particular to that of the nation with which we are now at war. In this respect we have need, very diligently and jealously, to watch over our own hearts; lest any leaven of resentment, or desire of aggrandizement, wealth, or prosperity, should pollute our prayers, and defeat the end of them. For these things must certainly come from our own spirit, and not from the Spirit of truth and love,

A due regard to Providence is another mark, by which acceptable prayer may be distinguished. We should enquire therefore, whether we desire to acknowledge the hand of God, to submit to and adore his justice, and to thank him for his mercies, in all the events and changes which we witness and experience? Whether we expect protection and success from him alone, whatever instruments or means are employed? And whether we are prepared to give him all the glory?-The subordination likewise of all temporal concerns to the good of our immortal souls, and the best interests of mankind; and the desire of being protected, and assisted, in order that we may usefully fill up our stations in the church and in the community with a contented mind, and without "seeking great "things for ourselves," are implied in this regard