clares, that without ceasing he made mention of the various churches and converts in his prayers night and day, and instances of this kind might easily be multiplied.

But let us notice the commands of scripture on the subject. Our Lord very pointedly teaches us this duty in that form of prayer which he has given us as a model for our petitions: we are to pray that " God's kingdom may come, and his will be done on earth, as it is in heaven;" that is, we are to pray for the souls of men, that they may be saved from sin and wrath, and may be made obedient to the Lord. And in another place he exhorts the disciples pray the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.' 66 Above all," saith this unrivalled teacher, (Matt. v. 44,) "love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you; and PRAY for them that despitefully use you and persecute you." St. Paul con

to "

tinually exhorts the disciples of Jesus throughout the world, to pray for their ministers and spiritual instructors: "Brethren, pray for us," saith he repeatedly; and (in Timothy ii. 1, 2) he gives a summary exhortation: "I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." And once more, (St. James v. 16,) "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

These quotations abundantly prove the true spirit of Christ's religion on this subject. We are not "to live unto ourselves, or "to please ourselves;" we are not to wrap ourselves round with our own comforts and enjoyments, regardless of the wants and woes of others, but to evince a tender compassion for those who are in

circumstances of mental, spiritual, or any temporal distress. For when we are exhorted to pray for each other, we conceive that this amounts to a command, to take the liveliest interest in the welfare of others. A man may contribute his money to a charitable design from a variety of motives, and may at the same time be really indifferent to the object proposed; but if he carries that object to the throne of grace, and earnestly prays for a blessing upon it, then he proves that he is really concerned for it in his heart. The religion of the Bible is opposed to every thing that is selfish and illiberal: we can be indifferent to the welfare of no human being if we have the spirit of Christ. The man of the world cares for nothing but what affects his own interests, or gratifications, directly or indirectly: the man of God will sacrifice both to the good of others," even as Christ pleased not himself," and "came into the world not to be ministered unto, but to minister." If we turn our attention to the services

of the church, we must be forcibly struck with their strict adherence to scripture in this respect.

Consider, therefore, II. THE ACCU

OF

RACY WITH WHICH THE CHURCH ENGLAND SPECIFIES ALL CONDITIONS OF MEN, AND REMEMBERS THEM IN HER PETITIONS AT THE THRONE OF GRACE.

There is no class of human beings forgotten the apostolical injunction "TO PRAY FOR ALL MEN," is reverently obeyed. How beautiful her petitions for the king, and how large the blessings which she supplicates for him! If we collect them into one prayer, we cannot fail to be struck with them. "Most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious sovereign lord King George; and to replenish him with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that he may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue him plenteously with heavenly gifts, keep and strengthen him in the true worshipping of thee, in righteousness and holiness of

life; rule his heart in thy faith, fear, and love, that he may evermore have affiance in thee, and ever seek thy honour and glory; and finally, after this life may he attain everlasting joy and felicity, through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Without quoting further those passages in which we supplicate temporal and earthly blessings for the sovereign, there are the far more important spiritual mercies which we implore for him. Every pious man who can appretiate the full extent of the advantages which a good king diffuses throughout his dominions, will join with earnestness in such petitions as these. And it is much to be feared, that many who are quicksighted to the faults and failings of their ruler, have never habitually poured out these prayers from their hearts on his behalf! For every branch of the royal family we are instructed to offer similar petitions, and knowing how much the manners and habits of any nation are guided by the conduct of those invested