what is vain man, that he should talk of repenting hereafter; when perhaps, while the words are in his mouth, the earnest of death is in his head, or heart, or bowels; and a thousand unlooked-for accidents may presently put an end to all his thoughts of repenting hereafter, and render it impoffible for ever?

Let us therefore confider feriously, that the present time only is in our power, and that we may be called out of this world, not only when old age comes upon us, but perhaps in the midst of our days, or even in our early bloom and youth that the time to come is entirely in God's hands; and that therefore when we defer our repentance and our duty to the time to come, we do (as it were) caft lots for our fouls, and venture our everlasting hopes upon a contingency, which it is not in our power to dispose of.

For all we know, this may be the evening of our day of trial; and if it be, our life and eternity depends upon what

we are now doing. Wherefore if we have any regard for our own everlasting fafety, let us take care to order our matters with fo much prudence and confideration, that we may be ready at what hour foever our Lord fhall call us,

SERMON

SERMON

XXII.

Condition and Acceptablenefs of Prayer.

[From Mr. KETTLEWELL.]

I JOHN V. 14.

This is the confidence that we have in him,

that if we ask any thing according to his will, he beareth us.

I

F we confider all those bleffings, which God hath promised to this duty of prayer, we shall presently be induced to conclude, that a man who can make use of it, can stand in need of nothing. For fo abundantly hath God engaged himfelf to all fupplicants, and fo comprehenfive the promises which he has made to our prayers; that we may feem to have it in our power, to have every thing for asking. The Lord is nigh unto all them, fays

David, 2

David, that call upon him in truth*. And in another place, Thou, Lord, art good and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon thee. And our Saviour fays, Afk, and it shall be given you; feek, and ye shall find; knock, and it Shall be opened unto you ||.

Thus ample and munificent, full and comprehenfive, are thofe promises which God has made to our prayers. If we

₹

want pardon for our fins, he bids us ask, and we shall have it. If we need strength and aid to overcome temptations, he orders us to feek it at his hands, and we fhall find it. If we want any mercy, either spiritual or temporal, he directs us to addrefs ourselves to him for a fupply, and binds himself to grant what we defire of him.

But yet notwithstanding all these valuable and extenfive promises, which God has made to our prayers; we daily fee, that vaft numbers of men, who pray to God, are not thus bettered or fupplied by them. For how many are there in the world, who pray for pardon of their fins,

Pfal. cxlv. 18. lxxxvi. 5. Matt. vii. 7.

and

and yet will be eternally condemned and punished for them? How many are frequently and importunately afking grace, and ftrength to overcome temptations, : who are ftill overpowered by them? They pray for fobriety; but yet they continue intemperate. They fue for meekness; but ftill they are fierce and paffionate. They ask for peace; but yet they remain unruly and turbulent. They beg humility, contentedness, charity, and several other virtues; and, after all, they reft ftill as proud and covetous, wrathful and contentious, as ever.

Now here God's promises are not performed, and men's prayers are not an-. fwered; fo that it is certain, there must be a failure fomewhere. Either God doth not give men, what he promises; or they do not ask as they ought to do, who fhould. receive. Some fault there is, either in God's faithfulness, or our prayers, which renders them fo unsuccessful, and makes them so often bring down nothing to us, where they are promised fo much.

And