51. Would they deny themselves more than others? then they should pray more than others

Spiritual prayer resembles Noah's dove, which returned with an olive branch. Prayers were never rightly offered to God, but they were quickly answered. We are as much bound to pray while on earth, as angels are to praise while in heaven.

He who would speed in his enjoyment, should plead for the attainment. The prayerless soul is a fruitless soul. The waters of life are sweet; and it is blessed to bring the vessels of prayer to these wells. Throw a dry spunge into the river, and it will soon fill itself with water.

Many will cast off this duty, because they are ashamed to go to it with crutches: but these wants of accomplishment should not be a discouragement; for many dumb beggars have been relieved at Christ's gate, by making signs.

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glittering. Christ had the bright sunshine of his Father's affection, when he was moving in the orbit of supplication.

Reader, is not that mercy worth your breath, which was worth a Saviour's blood? Why should we cease petitioning, while God continues granting?

Lord, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless? Thus may you pray: Lord, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go comfortless? Believing prayer is a traffic for those commodities which are only locked up in heaven's storehouse. Why should we be dumb, seeing God is not deaf?

By fasting, the body learns to obey the soul; by praying, the soul learns to command the body.

No Christian has so little from Christ, but there is ground for praise; and no Christian has so much, but he has need of prayer. Every day we find it is a great work to accomplish a little work. Every new act of obedience requires fresh assistance.

Ask, and receive, that your joy may be full. Spiritual supplication is a channel to consolation. Now none are more fruitful in divine labour, than those who are most joyful under a sense of the divine favour. Death shortens our way to heaven, but that sweetens our way to heaven.

A neglect to nip the flowers, does but increase the growth of the weeds. A small vessel with smart gales, will sail faster than a large ship with small winds. I never expect that branch to bear any fruit, which receives no sap from the vine. When prayer mounts upon the wing of fervour to God, then answers come down like lightning from God.

The gift of prayer may have praise from men, but it is the grace of prayer which has power with God. A few grapes prove the plant to be a vine, and not a thorn. Though prayer be God's due, as a Creator; yet it is more truly performed, when offered to him as a Father. Though none can pray aright but new creatures, yet all ought to pray because they are creatures.

Christians can never want a praying time, if they possess a praying frame. In the morning, this is a golden key to open the heart for God's service; and

IN 1118 MERIDIAN SPLENDOUR.

in the evening, it is an iron lock to guard the heart against sin.

Peter was therefore kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. This fetched an angel out of heaven, to fetch him out of prison. Their prayer went up like fire, and brought down blessings like water. It is not always that hound which opens the loudest, that catches the hare; but that which follows closest in the chase.

Believers should not only pray one with another, but one for another. Next to the breach of piety in religion, we should abominate the breach of charity in communion.

Reader, when the vessel of your soul has given over sailing, we may conclude the divine winds have given over blowing. He who is omniscient to know your wants, is also omnipotent to grant your request. Are you made a spiritual priest, and will you refuse to offer up spiritual sacrifices? Your affections should soar like an eagle, when your lips cannot move faster than a snail.

Pray without ceasing. We may pray continually, and yet be not continually at prayer. Though the lesson is not always being played, yet it is well to have the instrument in tune.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. That soul shall have his will of God, who desires nothing but what God wills. Why should our petitions be dying, when our Intercessor ever liveth? Is it of any consequence how often we carry our empty vessels to such a well?

x 3

The intercession of Christ is a golden censor; but he will not admit our prayers to be incense.