gift of healing, the working of miracles, the speaking with tongues, the gift of prophecy,

&c. &c.

But there is yet another Divinely inspired channel of extraordinary, though of Mediate Revelation; and one that claims a most distinguished place among the manifold gifts and privileges vouchsafed, not only to the Church and people of God, but which is evidently designed to be communicated by them to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; and this channel of Divine Revelation is the Holy Scriptures. But with what propriety of speech can they be called a present Revelation, when unaccompanied to the reader of them, by any measure of that Divine Influence or illumination, under which they were given forth? Considered however, in their very lowest acceptation, they may be justly denominated a Divinely authorized record of revealed truths, and of highly important facts connected therewith; which are "able to make wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Jesus Christ;" that is through the reception and operation of a living spiritual principle, of which Christ Jesus is both the Author and the object. Were the Holy Scriptures independently

of the Holy Spirit, strictly speaking, a present Revelation, how could they be subject to variety of contradictory interpretations?

Immediate Revelation therefore from the Father of Lights and of Spirits, continues to be essential to the right understanding and efficacious application of Scripture, as well as to the preaching and receiving of the everlasting Gospel. The oral word or doctrine of Divine Truth, as well as the written word, may be equally void of power to quicken or nourish the soul up unto eternal life, except as either is accompanied by the Living, the Eternal Word.

It is not enough that we receive the testimonies of Truth as such, that we "Search the Scriptures, thinking that in them we have Eternal Life;" unless we receive Him in his spiritual appearance in the secret of our hearts, and come unto Him that we may indeed have life; even to the "Word quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and being a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." This and this only is the way

by which we become "born of the incorruptible

seed, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."

Lecture EX.

ON PRAYER, OR INDIVIDUAL DEVOTION.

RUSSELL

"I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."

Prayer which is equally the distinguishing privilege and duty of intelligent and accountable creatures, and which is enjoined and impressed on man by the highest authority and example, is the most sublime act in which he can be engaged.

It accordingly becomes us duly to consider, wherein the exercise of this united privilege and duty essentially consists, and what are the indispensable requisites for the performance of it. In this two-fold point of view, the obligation of Prayer originates, not only in the precepts and examples so amply furnished us in the writings

exemplified by the psalmist, but primarily in the relations in which we stand to Him who is the Creator of heaven and earth—of all things visible and invisible the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

By original creation we are His offspring-by that redemption which is in Christ Jesus we are, conditionally, restored to that state of true filiation which had been forfeited by sin; and "through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience," "the obedience of faith," we may be prepared to become fit recipients of eternal blessedness, and joint "partakers of an inheritance with the saints in light."

By those who have arrived at an accountable state, these most important relations and results must be pratically recognized in time, in order to their blissful consummation in eternity; and to this end, no duty in which the human spirit can be engaged, is more eminently conducive than that of Prayer. Wherein then does this duty essentially consist, and what are the indispensable qualifications for the right performance of it?