words of Christ, and prayed in substance as he had directed them. Engaged as they were for the diffusion of the gospel, they could not neglect or forget to accompany their efforts with their prayers. And at what period since, have similar prayers not been offered up by the people of God? at what period have they ceased to pray, "Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"? At what period have they ceased to pray, and so far as they have been engaged, to pray with fervor, for the spread and triumph of the religion of the Saviour?

In addition to these several considerations it may be observed, that the duty here insisted on is perhaps universally admitted. Who disputes that christians ought to pray, and to pray with fervor, for the general prevalence of their religion? Who does not admit, at least in words, that this is their duty ?It is evidence of the agreement of christians relative to this subject, that Christian Magistrates and Rulers, in their appointments of special religious observances, so generally require those under them to pray for the coming of the Redeemer's kingdom. In the course of my Ministry, I have received and read nineteen Proclamations for public Fasts and Thanksgivings; and in each of them, without an exception, we have been directed by our different chief Magistrates, to pray for the universal spread of the gospel. constant recommendation of this prayer by those in authority, proves that in their estimation it is a very important one; and the uniform acquiescence of the people, if we may be allowed to take silence for acquiescence, is proof that they are of the same opin

ion.

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But though it is so plainly the duty of Christians to pray for the extension of their religion; and al

though this duty is so commonly admitted; still, there are many who seem not to consider what is implied in such prayer. At least, there are many who conduct themselves as though they did not consider this. It is important, therefore, that I endeavour to shew,

II. What is implied in constant and fervent prayer for the general diffusion of the gospel.

And,

1. Such prayer obviously implies that we earnestly desire the diffusion of the gospel." Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God, for things agreeable to his will." Plainly therefore, if it is our duty to pray, and to pray earnestly, for the universal spread of the christian religion; it is our duty to desire, and to desire earnestly, the same event; and to make a pretence of praying without such desires, would be no better than hypocrisy and mockery.

2. Fervent prayer for the universal spread of the gospel, implies that we take a deep and joyful interest in all exertions for the advancement of this end. -Apply the subject, my brethren, to any other case. Here is a person who prays much, and with great earnestness, for the conversion of a beloved child, or of a dear and valued friend. At the same time, he knows that exertions are making to arrest the attention of this friend, convince him of sin, and bring him to repentance. Will he now feel no interest in these exertions? Will he not, on the contrary, take a deep and joyful interest in them? Will he not, with feelings almost indescribable, watch their progress, and wait for their successful and happy result ?-Fervent prayer for any object, necessarily supposes that we earnestly desire it; and such desires and prayers as necessarily suppose, that we take a deep and joyful interest in every thing which has a tendency to

promote it. It is plain, therefore, from the universally admitted point, that Christians ought to pray,* and to pray with fervor, for the coming and prevalence of their Redeemer's kingdom, that they ought to feel interested-deeply, solemnly, joyfully interested, in the exertions which are making at the present time to bring about so desirable an event. Indeed, if they pray as they ought in relation to this object, they will feel interested in exertions to promote it. Their feelings will be enlisted, and their hearts engaged, in their favor. They will be led to keep up an acquaintance with these benevolent efforts, and to watch all those changes with anxious vigilance, which may have a bearing on the interests of the Church, and the furtherance of the gospel. I add,

3. It is implied in fervent prayer for the universal spread of the religion of Christ, that we are disposed to do all we consistently can, by our influence, our personal labors, and our property, to promote this religion.-Prayer is an expression of our desires, and fervent prayer of our earnest desires that this holy. religion might be promoted, and fill the earth. But if we earnestly desire such an event, shall we not be willing to do what in us lies to accomplish it? And if we manifest an unwillingness to do as much as this, who will give us credit for the earnestness or the sincerity of our desires? Who will believe that our prayers on the subject are not heartless and insincere ? -Will not the sick person, who prays for the restoration of health, be disposed to use all necessary means that his health may be restored? Will not the pious parent, who prays for the conversion of his children, be disposed to do whatever he is able, that they may be converted and saved? And will it not hold universally true, that any object, for which we

can sincerely and earnestly pray, we shall be disposed and engaged, so far as in us lies, to accomplish ? How plainly therefore is it implied in prayer for the universal diffusion of the gospel, which we all believe ourselves under obligations to offer, that we also consider ourselves engaged and pledged to do whatever we consistently can, by our influence with others, and by our personal labors and sacrifices, to spread the gospel of salvation throughout the earth?

There is but one way, my hearers, in which we can rid ourselves of the obligations, here urged upon us ; and this is, denying it to be our duty to pray for the spread of the gospel. We may, if we please, deny this, and then we may consistently deny that which is necessarily implied in it. We may say, if we will, that we are under no obligations to love our fellow men as we do ourselves; or if we are, that this does not bind us to pray for their spiritual and eternal welfare. We may say, that our Saviour was under a mistake, in dictating to his disciples and followers petitions such as those contained in the text. We may say, that all the saints, since Christ was upon earth, have erred in offering up these petitions ; and that the Christian world are strangely deluded, in supposing it their duty to pray for the universal spread of the gospel. But if we will not, and dare not, say this; if we accede to the propriety of praying as our Saviour directed, "Thy kingdom come→→→ thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;" then we must accede to the propriety of that which is most plainly and necessarily implied in such prayer. must accede to the propriety of desiring the coming and universal prevalence of Christ's kingdom; of feeling a deep and joyful interest in the exertions which are making to promote this kingdom: and of

We

doing ourselves all we consistently can do to carry forward the work, and fill the world with the Saviour's name, and glory.

If all this is implied in praying for the universal diffusion of the gospel; then are not many chargeable with a very great inconsistency in relation to this subject? They accede to the propriety of praying for the coming and prevalence of Christ's kingdom; and when they hear themselves directed, by the Saviour himself, or by their civil rulers, to offer up such prayers; all is in their view as it should be. They have no objection to praying for such an object, and in words perhaps they often do pray for it. But notwithstanding this, they take no pains to make themselves acquainted with the efforts of christians, relative to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and appear strongly uninterested in every thing of this nature. And they are unwilling to do any thing either in word or deed—either by their influence, their personal labors, or their property, to promote the object for which they are praying, and spread the gospel throughout the earth.-Now whether such persons are sensible of it or not, they are chargeable with a great and dreadful inconsistency. They are ostensibly praying that Christ's kingdom might come, and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven; while they sit still and behold the powers of darkness pushing forward their work of devastation and woe, without so much as lifting a finger against them. "The language of their lips is, carry on, O God, the purposes of thy redeeming love; gather in thy elect; save mankind from their awful state of wretchedness and sin; proclaim the glad news of salvation to the distant corners of the earth; send forth the ministers of thy word, and the missionaries of thy cross; give