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your case. According as you feel disposed, or indisposed to use these, you may very often form a just opinion of the state of your devotional spirit; far more so, than when you make books of human composition your standard and test. Indeed, the more you use the Book of Psalms, the more you will find how a single verse frequently contains an entire prayer: it furnishes the soul with matter: it seems to grow richer, the more we meditate проп it. Therefore use this precious portion of the word of God continually.

3. Guard also against a merely contemplative manner of private prayer. Here I might refer you back to what I have said on rambling thoughts, during self-examination. But I will add to it, by remarking, that prayer is, in the most solemn sense of the word, speaking to God. Meditation, therefore, is something less than prayer. When you would pray, meditate first as to what you wish to ask for-your want of itGod's willingness to grant it: then, pray. See how simple is the command, and its accompanying promise-"Ask, and ye shall receive." The Psalmist speaks of pouring out our suppli

cation before the Lord. Oh! how acceptable are such prayers, offered up to Him by a young

Christian, in the name of His dear Son! Sometimes a tear gushes, or a groan breaks out in the midst of them: the suppliant is ready to think that such prayers are very imperfect: but these supplications are often the most genuine, and the most acceptable. These very tears and sighs show that they come direct from the right place-the heart; and they enter immediately into the ears of your Heavenly Father, being presented by our Great Intercessor, Christ Jesus.

4. Seek those times for prayer in which your mind is most clear and strong early in the morning, before the hurry of your daily work; and, if practicable, soon in the evening, so that you may not be overtaken by unavoidable drowsiness. The Lord's Day furnishes special opportunities, both for public and private prayer.

5. " But I have prayed, and I am none the better for my prayers"—is sometimes the complaint of our hearts. You most probably have, in a degree, felt this. Now let me notice to you, that if your prayers have only shewn you

your own sinfulness, it is so far a step gained. But further, let me say, Plead the promises, and continue instant in prayer; so shall more grace be given you. The times of delay may be very trying to you: but if God does ever delay his grace, it is in order to prove us, whether we are in earnest, whether we have patience, perseverance, and faith. Read the passage in St. James, ch. iv. 3. Want of faith, and want of simple devotedness to the will of God, are the reasons why we sometimes appear to pray in vain. Read, again, Hebrews xii. 12, 13; and you will be put into the right way of prayer. Let your mind be stored with these and other Scripture promises, as encouragements to importunity. Thus, if you are imploring wisdom, which should often be done by the young, you may plead the promise in James i. 5. David, as you will see especially in the cxixth Psalm, often prays that God would grant him his request" according to his word."—" Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope:" Psalm cxix. 49. And St. Peter, speaking of the promises of the Gospel, calls them "exceeding great and precious

promises," given, in order "that by them ye might be partakers of the divine nature." Have some of these precious promises in your thoughts, therefore, when you would lift up your heart in prayer to God.

6. I will at present add only this remark: Let all your reading of the Bible, self-examinations, and prayers, tend to a practical end. A right state of heart before God, and diligence in your particular calling-let these be your main objects. Never make religion a cloak for idleness. It is impossible for me to tell you how many-but I have known very many, who seemed to set out well, who yet, sooner or later, have turned aside, and fallen into many foolish and hurtful notions; shewing, in all their conduct and conversation, that they were not practical Christians. Such persons, when young, are very apt to be captivated by fluent or eloquent preachers, by positive disputers, who can quote texts of Scripture with great readiness, and by a showy talent for argument: and the reason is plain ; — much hearing and clever disputing on religious topics amuse the carnal mind; yet they do, in

reality, cost the heart nothing. In all this kind of religious bustle, a young person may live, and grow up, negligent of genuine prayer, ignorant of the broken and contrite heart, and unblest with those secret and real influences of the Holy Spirit, which cause the soul to grow in grace. Should you be thrown into the neighbourhood of persons who, by books or conversations, might draw you into vain controversies, be on your guard against them. The more pleasing they may appear, the more circumspect ought you to be. I am now writing in a room, formerly the study of a deeply-venerated and beloved relative, whose very name brings to my mind a saying of his, which I have seen in manuscript. "I have lived," said the late Mr. Hey, "to see many towering professors fall-many a flaming torch go out in smoke and darkness." From this room, then, where he so often meditated and prayed, let me repeat to you the charge, "Be practical."

Ever yours, most affectionately, &c.

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