who can always be repeating his prayers? Or how can we be always praying, without neglecting other duties to God,-and still more,our various and important obligations to those about us? But what is Prayer? Have you thought that the use of certain forms is essential to it? Have you deemed it necessary, in order to pray, that you should either join with others; or retire to some secret place, that you might open your heart to God? Have you supposed that prayer could be performed only at stated seasons, or when your heart was in a peculiar state of excitement? All these circumstances may be, and often are, highly favourable to devotion. But if we think them to be necessary, our views of the duty are too narrow. Prayer is far less the use of certain language, than the exercise of certain dispositions and affections; and the great design of the expression of prayer is, to strengthen the dispositions and affections in which it peculiarly consists. The design of forms of prayer is, to secure us against inconsistency and impropriety, either in the sentiments or the expressions of devotion. The purpose of social worship is, peculiarly, to unite our social with our pious affections, and by the same act to bind us at once more closely to each other, and to God. The object of secret prayer is, the free expression to God of what we could not freely express with, or before, one another. And seasons of prayer are prescribed, because the duty for which we have no allotted time, is easily deferred from hour to hour, and from day to day, till it is utterly forgotten. But if the dispositions and affections, in which prayer peculiarly consists, are felt to any considerable degree, it cannot be shut up within the limits of stated hours, and of particular and favourite places of devotion; it cannot always wait till others are ready to join in it; nor be restrained by the forms, from which, perhaps, it has derived the most important benefits. These dispositions and affections, where they have obtained ascendancy, will often burst asunder the bonds, by which our labours, or cares, or pleasures would confine them. They will rise to God under the pressure of circumstances and of events, which would bear them down to the earth; and in proportion as they are exercised and cherished, will produce the most important effects on our characters, our habits, and our happiness. These momentary, but sincere references and expressions to God, are an accomplishment of the precept, pray without ceasing. And not only may we thus pray without neglecting any other duty, but in this habitual devotion is the most uniform and powerful excitement to fidelity in every obligation.

Let me but refer to some of the circumstances, which exercise the dispositions and affections of a mind, in which devotion has thus become habitual; and to the mode of its operation.

But where shall I begin? In addressing those only who are christians, I should ask, what is the circumstance, the object, or the event, which has not raised your thoughts and your desires to God? How few are your waking hours, in which you do not, though only in a single expression, admire the wisdom, acknowledge the justice, rejoice in the bounty, implore the guidance, or ask the forgiveness of God? How easily do your thoughts, when not necessarily demanded by other objects, flow in a current of pious meditation, of holy desires and resolutions, of benevolent purposes, or of plans of personal improvement? How often do you ask, either for yourself or for others, the succours, the supports, or the encouragements of the gospel? And in your busiest hours of ordinary labour, and your highest enjoyment of the pleasures of the world, how often do you secretly say, thou, God, seest me!-God preserve me! or, God, I thank thee! But how many are there, who have never yet felt this heavenward tendency of a mind refined, and strengthened, and exalted by a faithful application of the principles of our religion! How many, who have not even a stated season for daily prayer! Open your eyes, I beseech you, and your hearts, to see and to feel, what God is doing, to elevate your thoughts and affections to himself; and let prayer become, not only your occasional refuge, when you cannot elsewhere find even a momentary security,-not only a formal offering, which is without incense,-but a perpetual sacrifice; an offering of the whole heart; a devotion of the understanding, the affections, the will, and the whole life to his service. This is the oblation on which the sacred fire will descend; and its sweet perfume will smell to the throne of heaven.

A mind and heart inclined to habitual devotion, like a mind and heart inclined to business or to pleasure, from the very influence of habit would feel the most painful state of want, if long detained from its favourite employnient and gratification. A man devoted to business or to pleasure is quick to discern, and eager to seize, every circumstance, that may minister to his sucAnd a man, who loves communion with God, need not seek for nor long for objects, upon which to exercise his devout affections; nor will he fail of making the various circumstances which are adapted to his purpose, conducive to the great end of his life,-the closer union of his soul with God. Consider but for a moment, that God is the object of his supreme

cess.

affection; the service and favour of God his chosen pursuit ; and the final enjoyment of God in heaven, at once the spring and end of his desires; and then look upon the world, and upon the circumstances of human life, and say, what is there, within or about him, which he may not make, and which will not be, subservient to his high and great design? Say if, in the daily exercises of his affections and dispositions, he does not fulfil the command, to pray without ceasing?

6

1. With the eye, and with the affections of such a man, look upon the world. What do you see? What, that is not the work of God? Indulge and cherish the sentiment, that he is in all, and over all; and what is the language of your heart? Does winter hold his triumphant reign, freezing the air, binding in its chains the springs and rivers, spreading wide its snows, staying the current of vegetable life, and compelling all that breathe to seek for shelter from its influence? 'Summer and winter, fire and hail, snow and vapours, and stormy winds, fulfil Thy word!' Or, do you see the animals at the stream quenching their thirst, or enjoying the abundant provision which is made for their support? They are thy care, O God, and their sustenance is from thy liberal hand.' Does the sun rise to enlighten, and to warm the earth,—to give a season for labour, to gladden all that live by his cheerful influences, and to give a new spring to the vegetable creation? Do the clouds refresh the ground with their shade, and enrich it with their showers? Do the moon and stars give a glory to the night, even greater than we see in the bright light of day? Does the return of darkness bring with it a time of rest, not less necessary than food for ourselves, and for all the creatures about us? 'Thine, Father, are the darkness and the light, the sun and the stars, the clouds and the rain.' Yes, every drop in the vast ocean, every particle of this globe on which we live, every creature and every thing we behold, is God's; for he made them, and by him they are every moment preserved.-Do you see evidences of wisdom in the laws and courses of nature? 'Thine is the

work, O infinitely wise and eternal mind!' Are you astonished at the displays of power which you behold? Thy power, O God, like thy wisdom, is infinite.' Do you every where behold a parental providence? It is thy goodness, O my Father; and I will bless thee for thy bounty to them that cannot thank thee!'-Thus does every thing around us, the great and the minute, the wild and the cultivated, the delightful and the terrific, preach to us of God, and touch a string in the pious heart, which vibrates devotion. God is so associated with all these objects in the mind of a pious man, that where

ever he may be, and whatever his employment, the sight of them recalls the thought of God; and with the thought, a correspondent emotion and affection. This emotion and this affection is a prayer; and to him who sees the heart, far more acceptable, than the most pompous and costly offering, in which any desire or feeling is withholden from the authority of his law.

And, 2dly, with a heart disposed to love, to fear, to trust, and to serve God, observe the objects in which he is more immediately blessing yourself, and those with whom he has connected you, and consider the ordinary circumstances of every day; and say if they are not suited, in such a heart, to excite those frequent, secret ejaculations, which at once illustrate the nature of prayer, and shew the practicability of mak ing it habitual.

What are these objects and circumstances? You are looking upon a field. Whose is it? Your neighbour's? Thank God that he has it. Or is it your own? Thank God who has given it to you. Do you see the growing corn, or are you gathering the ripened harvest, which is to give you bread, or to support the families of others? Thank him who produced, and who alone could mature it. Have you a comfortable habitation? When you enter it, and when you think of it, acknowledge him from whose goodness you received it. Do you reflect with pleasure on your abundance? Raise your heart to the bounteous giver. Have you and your family health? Rejoice in it as the gift of God. Do you retain the soundness of your faculties? What gratitude do you owe for their preservation! Are you indulged with the intercourse of friendship and love? Thank him who gave you friends, and enables you to enjoy them. Do you look with mingled delight and solicitude upon your children? Acknowledge the goodness of God; and look up for his guidance and blessing, that you may be enabled to rear them to his glory. Can you pursue your daily labours? Thank the God of your strength. Are you feeble, or suffering under any disease? Be strong in faith, and endure as seeing him who is invisible. Have you escaped any danger? Bless your Preserver. Has any one whom you love been rescued from peril? Acknowledge the hand that saved him. Are you able to minister to the necessities of another? Praise him who has given you the means, and the disposition. Do you see the deaf, the blind, the lame, the diseased, and think with joy that you are in health, and can see, and hear, and move where you will, without pain? Let your joy be that of gratitude; and with your sympathies for those who suffer, let your

་

thanksgivings for yourself ascend to heaven. Do you enjoy rest after fatigue? Consider who refreshes you, and renews your strength. Have your hours passed in tranquil pleasure? Think how they might have passed, and thank God for this season of serenity and peace. Are you angry with another? Say to God, Forgive me my trespasses, as I forgive others.' Are you oppressed with the cares of your family, or of your business? Remember that you are to give accouut to God, and ask if they are ordered according to his will. Are you tempted to indulge any bad passion, or vicious appetite? Feel that the eye of God is upon you, and seek for his succour and deliverance. Are you doubting concerning any dispositions or conduct? Seek of God for grace to judge yourself, as you will be judged. Have you done to another as you would not; that he should have done to you? Look up to God while you are considering how you may make amends for the injury. Are you sensible of having wasted your time, or abused any talent; of having spoken rashly, or acted unkindly? Ask God to guard you in future temptations. Are you suffering any affliction? Look up for consolation. Would you read the scriptures? Reflect that they are from God, and contain the words of eternal life. Do you remember what you have read? Ask for grace to practice it. Do you feel a good disposition? Request of God to strengthen it. Have you overcome a temptation? Thank him who made you victorious. Do you desire to subdue any evil propensity, or to feel more strongly the influence of any principle of piety or virtue? Seek the assistance promised to those who ask for it. Have you been overcome by any appetite or passion? with your resolution of amendment, say, May God prosper me!'-What, in fine, is the object, and what the circumstance, which may not, and will not exercise the devotion of a heart, sincerely and strongly inclined to piety? In moments of fear and of security, of anticipation and of the accomplishment of desire, of joy and of sorrow, of adversity and prosperity, of sickness and of health, of solitude and of social pleasure, of business and of relaxation, the thoughts and affections may in a moment ascend to God, and in a moment may offer a prayer. By thus habitually look. ing to God,-acknowledging him in all circumstances and events,-committing ourselves to him, and seeking his approbation in all our dispositions, and indulgencies, and pursuits, we are, as far as possible, to make every action an act of devotion. This habit of ejaculatory prayer is not obtained, till great progress is made in the christian life; for it cannot be maintained in sincerity, till God has become the first object in our New Series-vol. II

3