January 28

Secondly, the saints are all men of prayer. "The prayer of all saints"—not of some, but of all. They are the generation of them that seek him. For this shall every one that is godly call upon him. The Spirit of grace is always the spirit of supplication; and praying is as essential to the divine life, as breathing to the natural. Vain therefore is every pretension to religion, without a devotional temper. The wicked restrain prayer before God. The hypocrite will not always call upon him. The formalist, who does not decline it, cries, What a weariness it is to serve him! How is it with us? Do we live without God? Do we only pray when urged by fear or affliction? Do we feel the duty a drudgery rather than a privilege? All saints pray, in the temple, in the family, alone, habitually, as long as they live: and find it good to draw near to God.

Thirdly, many imperfections attend their services. Hence we read of "much incense offered with the prayers of all saints." In this book mention is often made of the worship of angels, but we do not read of a mediator for them; nor of incense being presented with their devotion. Nor was this the case with the services of Adam and Eve in Paradise. But we are fallen creatures. We are vile, what shall we answer him? We pollute every thing we touch. Our Sabbaths would condemn us, as well as our week-days, were we to be tried by them. Our good works deserve rejection, rather than reward. Our repenting needs repentance; and our weeping, tears. When we have done all, we are unprofitable servants; and the innumerable sins of our holy things constrain us to cry, "Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord; for in thy sight shall no flesh living be justified." Can this be prayer? Is this worshipping him who is a Spirit, in spirit and in truth? What wandering of thought! What distraction of mind! What coldness of affection! What a want of fervency and faith!—How can I offer this to the only wise and Holy God? If I see so much that is defective and defiled in my services, and am so dissatisfied with them—how must they be viewed and regarded by him who charges his angels with folly? in whose sight the very heavens are not clean? who sees more depravity in our duties than we see in our sins!—But,

Fourthly, there is hope in Israel concerning this thing; and relief is to be found in the Mediator between God and man. "And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascending up before God out of the angel's hand." We inquire not whether his intercession be vocal—we are not informed whether the high priest said any thing when he officiated at the golden altar. But we know that his intercession is real; and founded on his suffering and death, which were an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet smelling savour. Hence, his blood speaketh better things than the blood of Abel. It cries not for revenge, but pardon. "Be merciful to their unrighteousness—I have borne their grief, and carried their sorrow. I have magnified the law; and redeemed them from the curse—Keep, through thine own Name, those whom thou hast given me. Sanctify them through thy truth. Let them be with me where I am, to behold my glory." These are his pleadings for us, who is infinitely worthy. And we are assured of the result—The Father heareth him always.

This same shall comfort us. He is the consolation of Israel. If VOL. I. 7