but while they persist in their avowed purpose of inundating this land with blood, of subverting our government, and of destroying our religion, we must still pray, Abate their pride, assuage their malice, ' and confound their devices.' It should be gratifying to every one of our hearts, to be preserved from impending danger without a single individual losing his life: but if it please "the Lord God of salvation” to answer us by terrible things in righteousness;" who are we that we should reply against God? Doubtless Hezekiah and Isaiah would have preferred the humbling and softening of Sennacherib's heart to the destruction of his army: but as he continued to boast, menace, and blaspheme; and as the Lord declared that he would "put an hook in his nose, and a bridle in his "lips, and turn him back by the way in which he "came," and at length slew an hundred and eighty five thousand of his men in one night; shall the protected and delivered servants of God quarrel with this awful dispensation, or refuse him their tribute of grate ful praise? We ought, however, more especially to unite in fervent prayer for the restoration of peace: and how many or great soever the obstacles to this most desirable event may seem: we should, in that case, without doubt, before long be called to join in thanksgivings to God, for having "regarded the voice of our suppli"cations." In this part of our duty, we should look beyond our own country; and intercede in behalf of the several regions, which have been ravaged, or kept in perpetual alarms, by the late extraordinary commo tions: not forgetting poor, oppressed, and almost desolated France; but earnestly beseeching God to send her inhabitants the blessings of peace, good government, rational liberty, and the gospel of salvation. But above all, it behoves us to pray, with great fervency and constancy, that, "the Spirit may be poured upon us from on high:" that all the ministers of religion, however distinguished, may be illuminated ' with the true knowledge and understanding of the holy word of God; and both by their life and doc'trine set it forth and shew it accordingly:' that all 'who are called christians, may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith, in unity of spirit, in the 'bond of peace, and in righteousness of life:' that purity in doctrine and practice may adorn every part of the christian church; and that every thing which interrupts its harmony, deforms its beauty, or weakens the energy of its testimony to the truth, may be entirely removed: that labourers and faithful stewards of the mysteries of God may be sent forth and multiplied: that an effectual stand may be made against infidelity, impiety, and every species of heresy and false religion: that heavenly wisdom, with every blessing spiritual and temporal, may be abundantly conferred on our gracious sovereign, and on all the numerous branches of the royal family; on our mobles, counsellors, ministers of state, senators, and magistrates, and on all who possess power and influence; that each individual, 'in his vocation and ministry, may faithfully and effectually glorify God,' and serve his generation: that the seminaries of publick and private education, (especially those, in which young persons are trained up, on whom the charge of supporting religion, or of conducting publick business, must shortly devolve,) may be so regulated, as best to answer the great ends proposed by them: and that the blessing of God may abundantly attend every plan formed, and attempt made, for the instruction of the children of the poor, for the prevention of crimes, for the reformation of the vicious, for the alleviation of misery, and above all for the propagation of the gospel in every part of the globe. It seems undeniable that prayers to this effect accord to the scriptures, and may be offered under the special influence of the Holy Spirit: but should some clauses in this compendious statement meet with disapprobation, we intreat those who object, to join with us in this season of danger, as far as they can with a clear conscience. Exact coincidence is not the object: we only wish to unite the whole body of christians throughout the land, in prayer for our country and for "the church of God that is among us;" according to what each person, after serious and careful deliberation, deems most conducive to our permanent advantage. For we are fully satisfied that such supplications will be answered, not according to the opinions of this or the other class of men, but in the manner which infinite wisdom sees to be the best for us. We proceed therefore to consider, III. The prevalency of acceptable prayer, according to the Scriptures. The speculations of reasoning men have deluded vast numbers into a persuasion, that God, (if indeed they allow that there is a God!) having established certain regulations, which they call the laws of nature, leaves the affairs of the universe, at least in ordinary circumstances, to take their own course, without any special interposition: and consequently that the opinion of religious persons, concerning the prevalency of prayer, implies a vain and groundless expectation; as if God would suspend or change these laws continually, at the desire of his worshippers, and to serve their selfish purposes. Thus, they not only exclude the Creator from the government of the world and the care of his creatures, by a refined species of practical Atheism, and bring forward a sentiment diametrically opposite to all revealed religion, as if they vainly expected by a single objection to subvert the whole system; but they likewise perplex many pious persons, and give Satan an opportunity of discouraging their prayers, because they cannot explain in what manner they are availing! The Scriptures, however, do not call us to explain, or comprehend, the ways of God, but to believe, adore, and obey. Not a sparrow falls to the ground, not a hair from our heads, without him: and he hath ten thousand ways of influencing and governing the combination and coincidence of causes and effects, without altering by miracle their regular course. "He "doeth what he will in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say to him, What doest thou?" He is the First Mover in every event, by whatever subor3 R VOL. IT. dinate agent it is performed. All creatures are his instruments: but he works by them according to the nature of each. He accomplishes his purposes by the instrumentality of voluntary agents, without in the least interfering with their free agency; and whilst each follows the inclination of his own heart, they do no more than "what his hand and his counsel determined be"fore to be done."* If they act from holy principles, and willingly obey his commandments, he accepts and recompenses their services: but if they be influenced by corrupt passions to break his righteous law, they receive the punishment due to their crimes, while "his "counsel still stands, and he does all his pleasure.”† When Joshua was appointed to lead the host of Israel against Amalek, Moses engaged in prayer for success in the battle: and the prayer of Moses was at least as efficacious as the courage and conduct of Joshua. In this sense, therefore, "The effectual fer"vent prayer of a righteous man availeth much:" not by inducing the Lord to alter his plan; but as an appointed means of accomplishing that plan, in a way honourable to his name, instructive and encouraging to his people, and convincing to every spectator. For when the Lord thus evidently answers the prayers of his servants, who can but say, "Truly there is a re"ward for the righteous! Truly there is a God that "judgeth the earth!" The whole gospel is manifestly suited to excite the expectation of an answer, to all the prayers, which we * Acts iv. 27, 28. † Gen. 1, 20. Is. x. 5-7. 15-19. xlvi. 9—11. |