(Dan. ix.) St. Paul for the churches of Christ; and our Lord for his enemies, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Bishop Hall makes the following encouraging remarks on intercessory prayer:-"Every Christian freely lays himself out by prayer for the benefit of his fellow members. Each member of Christ's church sues for all. Neither can any one be shut out from partaking the benefit of the prayers of all God's saints upon earth. There is a certain spiritual traffic of piety betwixt all God's children; wherein they exchange prayers with each other, not regarding number so much as weight. Am I weak in spirit and faint in my supplications? I have no less share in the most fervent prayers of the holiest suppliants, than in my own: all the vigour that is in the most ardent hearts, supplies my defects: while there is life in their faithful devotions, I cannot go away unblessed."

The more religion advances in our hearts, the more time we shall be disposed to give to intercession; which as it is the most disinterested and benevolent part of Christian prayer, so it most likens us to our Divine Master. The Christian has sometimes found the presence of God, and enjoyed that communion with him, in this part of his devotions, which he in vain sought for in confession, petition, or praise.*

After confessing our sins, and praying for future blessings for ourselves and for others, and after expressing our confidence of obtaining our requests by

* Prayers for the dead are plainly contrary to various statements in God's word, and to the express doctrine of the Church of England. See the Homily on the Prayer.

our experience of former mercies, we are naturally led to acknowledge those mercies and blessings which we have already received.

IV. THANKSGIVING.

Prayer and praise have been compared to respiration. By prayer the Christian draws in a happy life from heaven; and by praise he breathes it back again to him who gave it.

When the heart is right with God, and he opens our lips to shew forth his praise, thanksgiving is a truly delightful part of our devotion.

boundless subject opens before us!

And here what a

That the high and

lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, should condescend to be mindful of man, and visit him, may well excite our adoring wonder and praise,

How numerous are our TEMPORAL BLESSINGS! Our creation, our education, our daily preservation, the repose of the night, and the strength given for the day, demand continued and persevering praise.

God has given us a soul capable of knowing, loving, and rejoicing in him through all eternity. He has given us a body by which we may serve and glorify him. You have, perhaps, the free use of every member of your body, the enjoyment of every sense, and the full possession of every faculty of your mind; and do not these or any of them call for your grateful acknowledgments?

He gives you kind friends, and favour with them. He furnishes you with that provision from day to day, which is needful for you: bread to eat, clothes to cover you, a house in which to dwell, and a fire to warm you. He makes peace in your borders, so that no evil

befals you, and gives you health and strength. Or if in any thing it be otherwise, he does not afflict us for his pleasure, but for our profit, that we may be pars takers of his holiness; and in any case, you are yet the living, the living to praise him.

What numberless temporal blessings do these things comprehend, and how astonishing is the mercy by which they are granted, and continued to sinful and rebellious creatures! 'O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!' Ps. cvii, 8.

Yet how small are these when compared with SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS! 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who bath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ.' He is the channel, through which the rich stream of mercy flows unto us; and, how needful, how invaluable, are those blessings which he procures and bestows!

'We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.' Hereby the almighty, holy, and righteous God, who has declared that he will not acquit the guilty, is yet just and faithful to forgive us our sins. And shall we not praise Him who sent his Son to die for man? and Him, who came into the world to save sinners? In Christ, God is our portion, and all his perfections are engaged to supply our wants, and make us happy.

Mark the first beginnings and the progress of this happy state. God hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love;' (Eph. i, 4.) and ‘in the fulness of time he sent forth his Son,' and we were

redeemed by his precious blood, who gave himself a ransom for all.

Then through his mercy we were called with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace: and, turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, we have been justified freely by his grace: that we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Again, as one of his people, you have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit; made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. For this end God has given you his word, his ministers, his sacraments, and intercourse with his people; all the means of grace, and his Spirit to make those means efficient. Is it nothing that you were born and live in a Christian land, in England, the land of Goshen, the land of spiritual, as well as earthly freedom, peace, and joy? What mercies are included in these things!

You have also in Christ, the hope of glory; the lively, the assured hope of future glory: of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.' Well may we say with David, His mercy endureth forever!'

And, if you cannot feel that you enjoy any of these spiritual mercies, you may yet be thankful for the forbearance and long-suffering of God; it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.'

These are general mercies common to all Christians, but each one bas received special and peculiar mercies, answers to prayers, deliverances from danger, trouble, or distress, protection in journeyings; strength and grace for particular occasions: these things call for thanksgiving.

And with these mercies to ourselves, Christian benevolence and sympathy will teach us also to rejoice with them that do rejoice, and to praise God for his mercies to his Church and mankind in general: for that bright day of mercy in which we live, and for all the blessed signs of the times concerning the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom among the Heathen.

Thus shall we be disposed, in reviewing God's mercies, to say Many, O Lord, my God, are thy, wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order to thee: If I would declare and speak of them, they are than can be numbered. Ps. xl. 5; cxxxix, 17, 18.Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things, and blessed be his glorious name forever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory."

more

Yet we must say, with the son of Syrach, of this duty of praising our God-"We may speak much, and yet come short; wherefore, in sum, He is all. When ye glorify God, exalt him as much as ye can, for even yet will he far exceed: and when ye exalt him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary: for ye can never go far enough. Who can magnify HIM as he is?

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How much do we neglect, or how coldly do we practise the duty of thanksgiving! Yet it is often enjoined; we are invited to it by the daily providence of God; in nothing do we enjoy God more fully and properly; the discharge of it prepares for greater mercies, the neglect of it brings just rebukes: and it is an excellent preparation for heaven, where the songs of joyful praise are ever ascending to the Father of mercies.

Let us then say with David, 'While I live will I praise