perplexity, or obstinacy, should be carried with special earnestness and particularity" to the throne of grace." Without the ability to spread the cases of the people before God on all occasions'-Cotton Mather tells his Pastor and Student—' I should not judge you qualified for an ordination to the pastoral care of a flock among the churches of God, but worthy to have an ANAEIO cried out upon you.'' -we were to The encouragement to this duty is full and explicit. It was when Daniel was presenting supplication for his people, as well as for himself—" whiles he was speaking in prayer" at the beginning of his supplication, "the commandment came forth." And if prayer was substituted for complaint-if instead of mourning" There is none that calleth upon thy name send up the cries-"Oh that thou wouldst rend the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence!"-our gracious Lord could not " long be angry against the prayer of his people." Surely in penitent returning to him, and faithful waiting upon him, "after two days will he revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." But constancy in this work is indispensable to the full receipt of its blessings. Well is it for us, if in the midst of our discouragements we can appeal to our flock-" God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you!" 5—if our return from concluding the service of the temple is—not the interruption of the course of our work-but a transition only to another part of it-if the seed just sown is secretly followed and watered with prayer. But is it with us, as it was with the Apostle-an unceasing employment-" giving account with joy," or "with grief;" as our watching for the souls" 6 of our description of Epaphras in Col. iv. 12. Mr. Allport's Translation with copious illustrative notes, has made this valuable exposition more fully the property of the Church. Student and Pastor, p. 202. His own ability in prayer was most remarkable. On his days of special intercession, he is stated to have individualized with more or less minuteness the case of each member of his church-amounting to upwards of four hundred persons. See his Life. Dan. ix. 16-20. 4 Hosea vi. 2. 8 Isaiah Ixiv. 7, 1. with Psalm lxxx. 4. • Comp. 1 Thess. iii. 9, 10. Rom. xi. 2, 3. with Heb. xiii. 17.—where the Apostle is primarily referring-not to the solemnity of the final account-but to a continual rendering of account to God in the manner here intimated. See Owen, Doddridge, and Scott in loco. The examples of the disciples suggests also this most important habit of rendering a daily account of our Ministry to our Divine Master. Mark vi. 30. flock, has shown the progress or decline of the work of God among them? The subjects of our intercession should have respect to the success of the work of God, in the awakening, enlightening, strengthening, and consoling influences of his Holy Spirit; to his presence in our congregations (upon which—as we have just observed—not upon the ability and fervour of the Ministrations, our efficacy supremely depends); to the supply of unction, life, and comfort proportioned to the weakness, and wants, and temptation of each of our people and finally to the general effusion of his Holy Spirit upon the Church, to consummate the glory of the latter days; to "establish the mountain of the Lord's house in the top of the mountains," that" all flesh may see the salvation of God," and the voice of Zion may be heard, "lifted up with strength, saying unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God." This spirit of Ministerial prayer is as necessary to form the character of a Pastor, as the spirit of personal prayer to form that of a Christian. Nor can there be hope of acceptance for diligence in every department of our momentous labour, unless it be constantly cherished. Let us therefore exhibit our character, as " watchmen set upon the walls, who shall never hold their peace day nor night; giving our God no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." The blessed influences of this spirit of intercession upon our public work will be manifest to all men. While habitually praying for our people, we shall find our people praying with us and for us, so that " for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks will be given by many on our behalf." 3 In fine-let us sow in faith, water the seed in prayer, wait for the fruit in patience; and we shall reap in joy. We must not expect to advance per saltum; but " in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not."5 Let us aim at great things, but be thankful and encouraged by " the day of small things;" never 26 1 Isaiah ii. 2; xl. 5, 9. That Ministration of the word, which is not accompanied with continual prayer for its success, is not like to have any very great blessing to go along with it. For a Minister to preach the word without constant prayer for its success, is a likely means to cherish and strengthen secret atheism in the heart, and very unlikely to work holiness in the lives of others.' Owen on Apostacy, p. 441—one of his most searching and important treatises. 3 Isaiah lxii. 6, 7. 4 2 Cor. i. 11. 5 Gal. vi. 9. How wisely does the Apostle mark as the foremost sign of a Ministermuch patience! 2 Cor. vi. 4. allowing despondency; quietly waiting for greater results, and expecting them in the full assurance of faith and hope. Our whole work is the display of Divine " strength made perfect in weakness," so as to make it abundantly manifest, “that the excellency of the power is of God, and not of us." Its obligations call the life of faith into practical exercise, and can only be maintained by the daily habits of that life. Its difficultiesscripturally viewed-are " the trials of faith "-operating as incentives to effort, and encouragements to perseverance. This makes it a means of grace to our own souls, as well as a grand medium of exalting our Blessed Master, and building up his Church. Its object is no less than to gather the revenue of God's glory from the world, to "complete the number of the elect," and to prepare the Bride for her Husband. Its recompence will be-a cross from the world, 3 and a crown from our Master. And we know but little of the character, privilege, and glory of our work, if we look for any other recompence. What remaineth then, but to honour our great commission by a high standard and completeness of Ministry-and, for the accomplishment of its grand results, to plead with that most eminent servant of God-Moses-for a more full display of the Divine power and glory in the Church:-" MAKE US GLAD ACCORDING TO THE DAYS WHEREIN THOU HAST AFFLICTED US, AND THE YEARS WHEREIN WE HAVE SEEN EVIL. LET THY WORK APPEAR UNTO THY SERVANTS, AND THY GLORY UNTO THEIR CHILDREN. LET THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD OUR GOD BE UPON US; AND ESTABLISH THOU THE WORK OF OUR HANDS UPON US; YEA, THE WORK OF OUR HANDS ESTABLISH THOU IT." 5 12 Cor. xii. 9. with iv. 7. 2 Ibid xi. 2. ▲ Dan. xii. 3. 1 Peter v. 4. 3 Ibid vi. 4-9. 5 Psalm xc. 15-17. APPENDIX. THE SUBSTANCE OF AN ADDRESS MADE TO ABOUT THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY OF THE IRISH CLERGY, (AFTER AN EARLY BREAKFAST TOGETHER) AT THE ROTUNDA, IN DUBLIN, ON FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 14, 1837; BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE HIBERNIAN AUXILIARY CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. THE Author sends out this Address with much reluctance, and only in deference to the kind and earnest expression of those who were most interested in it. He has made a few additions, which time did not allow him to give in the delivery; and he begs his dear brethren to receive it, as deprecating all assumption of authority, and dictated only by an affectionate desire to "stir up" his own mind and theirs, "by way of remembrance," upon a few matters of primary importance to those, who are charged with the high responsibility of the Christian Ministry. OLD NEWTON VICARAGE, MAY 3, 1837. 1 |