sel is so safe as that of the Lord; and it is fully sufficient in all ages. "The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

our

3. We should pray for support. We are weak and feeble; but God is strong. He has promised to help; let us plead his promise. "I, the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not; I will help thee. By waiting upon God, in the duty of prayer, we renew strength, and mount up as on the wings of eagles. Thus strengthened, we have nothing to fear; for as our day is so is our strength. The apostle Paul had a thorn in the flesh, and he besought the Lord that it might be removed; but the Lord said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

4. We shoutd pray for a sanctified use of affliction. When affliction is sanctified, it promotes our good, the good of others, and the glory of God. God neither afflicts in vain, nor willingly grieves the children of men. "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word.' After an affliction is over, it is pleasing to reflect, that like silver in the furnace, we have lost nothing but dross. In this way, and for this very end, God often afflicts his children. "Thou, O God, hast proved us : thou hast tried us as silver is tried.

Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins." Prayer for a sanctified use of affliction being accompanied with those dispositions which incline us to improve it to the best of purposes, we may assure ourselves, that the overruling providence of God will make it a blessing. "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord."

5. We should pray for deliverance. When the Israelites in the wilderness wandered in a solitary way, and found no city to dwell in: when their soul fainted with hunger and thirst, "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses." But when we pray for deliverance, we must pray with resignation. The time must be left to God, who knows best how long it may be necessary to continue an affliction. Our prayers should be suited to the different subjects of prayer. When the case is clear, we may ask in full confidence; but when it is doubtful, we should say, "If it be thy will." Prayer for deliverance from affliction should always be expressed in humble, modest, and submissive language.

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A few general remarks shall conclude this subject.

1. A man in affliction should request others to join with him in prayer. United petitions are powerful. "If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." The prayers of saints ascend before the throne of God like holy incense, and speedy answers are sent down. Hasten, then, to call in the pious; and set great value upon their prayers. Even Simon, the sorcerer, when threatened with the judgments of God, said to the apostles, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken

come upon me.

2. Prayer in affliction does not set aside the use of other means. Every means that prudence may dictate, should be used on these occasions; but all should be mixed with prayer, that God may give his blessing, without which all our endeavours will prove useless.

3. We are encouraged to pray in affliction by the example of wise and good men in days of old. They applied to the best of friends. Their first thoughts, in every calamity, were turned to God. The ignorant mariners, when threatened with a watery grave, prayed to their gods; and they exhorted Jonah to call upon his God, that they might not perish.

4. A disposition to pray to a supreme power, in times of trouble, is common to all men. Let us be careful, while we exercise this duty, not to provoke the Lord to punish us more severely, by offering up the prayers of wickedness; but let us call upon him in sincerity and truth; and let all our prayers be offered up in the name of Jesus.

5. The character of the divine Being is an encouragement to pray in affliction. He is full" of compassion, and waits to do his needy creatures good. He pities men in their troubles, and his arm is stretched out to help and deliver. "Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to them that call upon thee."

6. It is awful to see a man plunged into deep affliction without a desire to pray. It some times happens (let us think on it with horror) that men curse God in affliction; but they are like devils and damned spirits.. O beware of a murmuring spirit, lest thou shouldst be hardened to such a degree as to curse God and look upwards! In which awful case, there could be but little hope of thy salvation. O let us pray with all prayer, and may God both hear, and

answer, and bless!

F

A Message from God.

SERMON VI.

ISAIAH iii. 10, 11.

Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings." Woe unto the wicked: it shall be ill with him; for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

THE world, may be divided into two classes; the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are friends of God; the wicked . are his enemies. Ministers, who are God's messengers, are commanded to comfort and encourage the righteous; but to denounce woes and threatenings to the wicked. Our text contains two parts: first, it shall be well with the righteous: secondly, it shall be ill with the wicked,

I. IT SHALL BE WELL WITH THE RIGH

TEOUS.

1. A righteous man believes what God has revealed, and obeys what God has commanded. "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness-But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without