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reception of his mercies. Or it may be his purpose. to excite us by these delays to a greater Spirit of prayer, and render us more fervent and faithful in the performance of this duty. We have no reason therefore to be discouraged. Wẹ We ought ever to pray, and not to faint." We should endeavour to learn those important lessons, which the various discipline of our heavenly Father is fitted to teach us, and continue crying to him with unwearied fervor and perseverance, that he would hear, forgive, and bless. In the instances referred to in this discourse, though he was pleased to delay long, he did not delay for ever. Though centuries intervened between the request and its answer, still it was answered, and in the best time. And though God may for the present delay an answer to our prayers, this is no evidence that our prayers are lost. They may be answered perhaps when we are dead, and descend in blessings upon our surviving families, upon the Church, and upon future generations.

The great object of prayer, which has been in a degree for ages, and more particularly for the last twenty or thirty years, before the Church, is the final triumph and universal prevalence of the religion of Christ. We find a period promised in our Scriptures, when Satan shall be bound a thousand years; when all shall know the Lord from the least unto the greatest; and when the earth shall be filled with the glory and love of God as the waters cover the seas. Towards this bright and happy period, the eyes of saints are intently fixed, and their prayers and exertions are unitedly directed. But God has been pleased to delay for a long time a full and satisfactory answer to their humble requests. Not only years but centuries have passed away, since the

hearts of his people have been turned to this object; thousands of prayer meetings have been held; millions of prayers have been offered up; and probably millions of those who have offered them have gone down to the dust; and yet the full splendor of the Millenial day has not shined. And how much longer our God may think proper to delay-how much longer the earth is to be covered with comparative darkness; the wisest among men cannot pretend to know. But this we know, "We ought always to pray, and not to faint." And this we know, that not one prayer which ever has been, is, or will be, offered up in faith in relation to this object, can be lost. God will hear, he will answer, he will ultimately bestow and bless. Though Millenial glory has been long delayed, it will not be delayed forever. Every thing is conspiring to introduce this glorious consummation of the Church; and in the best, the appointed season, it will be ushered in. When the faith and patience of the saints have been sufficiently tried; when they have fully learned their dependence, and been excited to humble, fervent, persevering, and effectual prayer; when all things are ready for so bright a day, and the Church is prepared to receive her King; then, and not till then, will it be proclaimed as with a voice from heaven, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and Saviour, and he shall reign forever and ever."-In prospect of a result so glorious, let us, my brethren, be quickened to more fervent prayer, and more persevering exertions, in advancing the cause and kingdom of our Redeemer. The God we serve is not slack concerning any of his promises. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but not one of his words of comfort to his people shall ever pass unful

filled. Though events may often look dark to us, they are light to him. Though his blessings may seem to linger, and we may be unable to discover the reasons of his dispensations; he knows what he is doing, and he will ultimately satisfy all the saints, of his truth, his faithfulness, and love. Let us then be encouraged and engaged, in the service of so good and glorious a Being-that we may be admitted at last to some humble place, among the promoters of his triumph, and the servants of his throne. Amen.

*6

DISCOURSE IX.

ON WHAT IS IMPLIED IN PRAYER FOR THE SUC CESS OF THE GOSPEL.

Matthew vi. 10.

"Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as

it is in heaven."

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THESE words are a part of that prayer which our Saviour taught his disciples, and which he commanded them to adopt, as a suitable pattern, in their future devotions. "After this manner," says he, pray ye Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

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The

kingdom of God here spoken of, is no other than the empire of true religion. When this kingdom is fully come, the holy religion of the gospel will be universally diffused, and the will of God" will be done on earth" in some good degree "as it is done in heaven." For the coming of Christ's kingdom in this important sense, or for the universal prevalence of their religion, Christians are taught in the text continually to pray. And that the petition under consideration is here so explicitly mentioned, and so solemnly enjoined, is evidence of its high importance, and that it should be offered up by all Christians with peculiar fervor.

In discussing this subject, I propose to shew, I. That it is the duty of Christians to pray fercently for the coming of Christ's kingdom; or, for the universal prevalence of the religion of the gospel.

And,

II. What is implied in such prayer.

In support of the duty under consideration, nothing can in fact be more decisive than the text itself. Here we have, not only a prayer of the Saviour, but a prayer which he dictated for the imitation and the constant use of his disciples and followers. We have therefore, not only his example, but his express and solemn command, to pray for the coming and the ultimate triumph of his holy kingdom.

It may be observed, however, that this command, and the duty enforced by it, are in strict accordance with the whole spirit of the gospel, and with the views and practice of real Christians in all ages.

Prayer for the universal diffusion of the religion of Christ accords entirely with the great law of love. -We are taught in the Scriptures, that to love God, with all the heart and our neighbour as ourselves, is the sum of our duty. In a due exercise and exhibition of this impartial, disinterested love, the whole law is fulfilled. But if a person loves God with all his heart; will he not have a heart to pray that God may be glorified, in the universal extension of his religion and kingdom? And if he loves his fellow men as he does himself; will he not pray for them, that they all, as well as himself, may enjoy the privileges and blessings of the gospel, both here and hereafter? It is as certain then as that Christians ought to obey the law of love, that they ought to offer the prayer in the text they ought to pray with constancy and fervor for the coming and universal prevalence of their Redeemer's kingdom.

The example of Christians in all ages, is a farther confirmation of this important duty. It will not be doubted that the primitive disciples remembered the