with equal propriety he would refuse the same blessings to men, who felt no dependence. but on themselves; who were too indifferent, too lazy, or too proud, to ask; who questioned his right to require, and their own obligation to perform, this duty; or who were too ungrateful to acknowledge their own indebtedness to him for the mercies, which they received, or his goodness in bestowing them. Were God to pursue any other course of administrations, it is difficult to conceive how he could act as a moral governor, and secure, without coercion, the obedience of his subjects.

2. The instances are numerous, in which blessings are actually given in answer to prayer.

I am well aware of the objection, which lies against this doctrine. It may, I am sensible, be always said in reply, that we know not whether the same blessings would not have descended, if prayers had not been offered up for them. Without the aid of Revelation, I acknowledge, this cannot be known with certainty: since he, who gives blessings, is the only being, who originally knows the reason, for which he gives them. Still, from the course of providence merely, the probability is strong, that the blessings in question are given, only in answer to prayer. In support of this assertion I observe, that blessings have in many instances been given, after fervent prayers have ascended to God, when none but God could have contributed to their existence; when they were utterly unattainable by any human efforts; after all such efforts had been made. without success; after all hope of obtaining them, except by prayer, had vanished; and when, Give us help, from trouble, for vain is the help of man, had become the only language, seriously thought of by those who were concerned. Of such instances I could easily mention a considerable number. Many more, there is every reason to believe, are remarked by every ob serving, religious man. Many more still would, I doubt not, have been remarked, if religious men were more observant, and prayer were more continually and faithfully performed.

It will be said still, that even these blessings might have been given, had they not been supplicated. To this suggestion of possibility the proper answer is, "They might not." "We know they were not given without and have not a shadow of reason to conclude, that, if they had not been prayed for, they would ever have been given. The suggestion, therefore, is useless to the purpose for which it is made.

prayer;

But the complete proof lies in this; that certain blessings are not given to men, who do not pray; and those, blessings of the highest importance. Such are Peace of conscience, Joy in the Holy Ghost, the Hope, which maketh not ashamed, Increase of grace, and Final perseverance in piety. These are the best of all blessings and these are never found by those, who do not pray. They are also blessings, which none but God can give. As there

fore, they are given to those only, who pray; so they are plainly given as an answer to prayer.

At the same time, I am bound, as an inhabitant of New-England, solemnly to declare, that, were there no other instances to be found in any other country, the blessings, communicated to this, would furnish ample satisfaction concerning this subject to every sober, much more, to every pious, man. Among these, the destruction of the French armament under the Duke D'Anville, in the year 1746, ought to be remembered with gratitude, and admiration, by every inhabitant of this Country. This fleet consisted of forty ships of war; was destined for the destruction of New-England; was of sufficient force to render that destruction, in the ordinary progress of things, certain; sailed from Chebucto, in Nova-Scotia, for this purpose; and was entirely destroyed, on the night following a general fast throughout New-England, by a terrible tempest. Impious men, who regard not the work of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, and who for that reason are finally destroyed, may refuse to give God the glory of this most merciful interposition. But our Ancestors had, and it is to be hoped their descendants ever will have, both piety and good sense, sufficient to ascribe to JEHOVAH the greatness and the power, and the victory, and the majesty; and to bless the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever.

3. The Scriptures put this subject out of doubt by declaring directiy, that blessings are given to mankind in answer to prayer.

To prevent any misapprehension concerning the views, now to be exhibited of this subject, I observe, that I do not consider prayer as meriting, in any case, the blessings, which are given to the suppliant. All blessings are bestowed upon man by the unmerited mercy of God: as is unanswerably evident from the fact, that men universally are sinners; and deserve, of course, nothing but punishment.

Nor do I intend, that the prayers of men change, at all, the views, dispositions, or purposes of God. The Father of lights, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift, is without variableness, or shadow of turning. No suppliant, therefore, is encouraged to pray by an expectation, or a possibility, of producing the least change, in the glorious Object of his prayers.

But I intend, that prayer is, in this sense, the means of procur ing blessings: viz. that without prayer the blessings would never be obtained.

In the immutable counsels of God it is established, that there shall be an inseparable connexion between humble, faithful prayer, and the blessings, needed by the suppliant. Prayer is, therefore, as regular, nay, more regular, a cause of blessings, than ploughing and sowing, rain and sunshine, are of the harvest.

In support of this position, I shall now allege several passages of Scripture, sufficient, in my view, to establish the doctrine beyond reasonable debate.

The only condition, upon which mankind receive any blessings, is given us by our Saviour in that remarkable passage: Ask, and ye shall receive; Seek, and ye shall find; Knock, and it shali be opened to you. For, every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. As asking is here made the condition of receiving; it is plain, that, if we perform not this condition, we are assured, that we shall not receive.

Again. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. John xvi. 23. Here the promise is unlimited, as to the good, which is asked; and absolute, as to the certainty of receiving it. More cannot be expressed, nor desired. Again. Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him. 1 John iii. 22. Quotations of this nature need not be multiplied.

As proof, that prayer is not offered up in vain, I allege Isaiah xlv. 13. I said not to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. In this passage, God declares, that it was no part of his declarations to Israel, that they sought him, or prayed to him, in vain. Of consequence, it was no part of his counsels with respect to that people. But the counsels of God towards his people, in the different ages of the world, are in substance the same. It is now as true, as it was when this prophecy was uttered, that they never seek, that they never pray, in vain.

The prevailing power of prayer is directly, as well as strongly, asserted by St. James. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous availeth much.

man,

Is any sick, says the same apostle, let him call for the Elders of the Church; and let them pray over him. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick; and the Lord shall raise him up. If he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

To illustrate all these declarations, St. James adduces the example of Elijah; who, although a frail man, like others, prayed carnestly, that it might not rain, and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. These great effects, it is to be remembered, were consequences of the prayers of a single man.

After the glorious prediction, communicated to Ezekiel concerning the return of the Jews to their own land in the latter days; a prediction delivered in absolute terms by God himself; the same great Being declares, Yet for all this will I be inquired of, that is, prayed to, by the house of Israel, to do it for them. Absolute as the promises of these vast blessings were, still the blessings were to be given, only in answer to the prayers of the recipients.

Among the divine promises concerning the Millennial happiness, this is a remarkable one. My house shall be called a house of

prayer for all people. From this great fact will arise, inseparably, the happiness itself. Without such an universal spirit of prayer, as is here predicted, the peculiar blessings of that singular period would never exist: for then, as in all preceding periods, the only ordinance of God concerning this subject will be, Ask and ye

shall receive.

From all these passages it is, I think, unanswerably evident, that prayer is entirely efficacious to procure blessings from God.

It ought here to be further observed, that we are not to expect any thing in answer to our prayers, which is not agreeable to the will of God. Nor ought we to wish any thing, which is not of this nature, to be given to us: for nothing else will prove a blessing. Whatever is right, and proper to be done, is a part of the divine will.

Nor ought we to expect the very same kinds, or measures, of good, for which we pray. Often, these would not be good for us: or if good for us at all, they would not be so at the times, and in the manner, in which we ask for them. Good will always be given in answer to our prayers; but it will be real good; such as God sees to be good; and not such as we erroneously may imagine to be of this nature.

REMARKS.

1. All persons have abundant encouragement to pray to God.

This was originally proposed as a distinct head of discourse. I have chosen to introduce it in this form, because it grows so naturally out of the two preceding heads; and because it has, of necessity, been anticipated in the consideration of them. The usefulness of prayer by its own proper influence, and by its efficacy in procuring blessings from God, are prime Encouragements to the performance of this duty.

The certain prospect of becoming better, wiser, more lovely in the sight of God, and more fitted to receive blessings from his hands, and of actually gaining the blessings by known, limited, and easy efforts, is a combination of the highest and noblest motives, which can influence a rational being. To every suppliant these motives are continually presented. They are presented by God himself: they are established by his undeceiving declarations: they are obvious to our own reason: they are, therefore, real: and ought plainly to have their full influence on every reasoning mind. The good in view is the greatest good. Nay, there is no other real good. It is good, in certain reversion for every suppliant.

In support of this scheme, may be alleged, as full evidence, the numerous examples, in which these great consequences of prayer have actually existed; examples, faithfully recorded in the Scriptures for our encouragement in this duty.

VOL. IV.

17

Abimelech received an entire deliverance from the distresses, in which his family were involved, as an answer to the prayer of Abraham.

As an answer to the prayers of Abraham also, God assured him, that, if ten righteous men should be found in the cities of the plain, he would spare those cities; and not consign them to the punishment, which their sins had so eminently deserved.

In answer to the prayer of Job, God forgave the sin and folly of his three friends, in not speaking of him the thing which was right.

At the prayer of Moses, the Israelites were not only delivered from many other evils, but preserved, also, from utter ex

tinction.

At the prayer of Gideon, the dew fell on the ground, and not on the fleece; and again on the fleece, and not on the ground; that he might know the will of God; and be satisfied, that he acted under a divine commission.

At the prayer of Samuel, the Lord thundered on the army of the Philistines, and wrought a great salvation for Israel.

At the prayer of Hezekiah, his life was lengthened fifteen years. In answer to the prayer of Daniel, Gabriel was sent from the highest heavens, to explain the wonderful and distressing vision, disclosed to him concerning future times.

As an answer to the prayers of Cornelius, an Angel was sent to direct him to send for Peter, who should teach him words, whereby he, and all his house, should be saved.

The Apostles lived on prayer; and received, continually, many great, and wonderful blessings, as immediate answers to their prayers.

To these and other examples of the same nature, recorded in the Scriptures, may be added the commands, parables, and promises, which every where enjoin, explain, and enforce, this great duty.

To all these things may, also, be added the perfect example of the Lord Jesus Christ; who in the days of his flesh offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears, unto Him that was able to save him from death; and was heard in that he feared: or, as the Greek may well be rendered, on account of his piety. This example unites all motives. It is a perfect pattern to us; as being perfectly conformed to the will of God. It is a clear proof, that no being in a dependent state, however excellent, is exempted from this duty, or from the universal law of God's providence, which connects blessings only with prayer. If God would have blessed any being without prayer; he certainly would have blessed Christ. As certainly, Christ, had such been the fact, would not have prayed, since his prayers, in that case, would have been a vain and useless service. The will of his Father he certainly knew; and prayed, only because it was agreeable to his