fected by his conduct: what greater difficulty is there in fuppofing, that the prayers of an individual may avert a calamity from multitudes, or be accepted to the benefit of whole communities?

CHAP.

CHA P. III.

OF THE DUTY AND EFFICACY OF PRAYER,

AS REPRESENTED IN SCRIPTURE.

HE reader will have obferved, that the reflections stated in the preceding chapter, whatever truth and weight they may be allowed to contain, rise many of them no higher, than to negative arguments in favour of the propriety of addreffing prayer to God. To prove that the efficacy of prayers is not inconfiftent with the attributes of the Deity, does not prove that prayers are actually efficacious; and in the want of that unequivocal teftimony, which experience alone could afford to this point, but which we do not poffefs, and have feen good reason why we are not to expect, the light of nature leaves us to controverted probabilities, drawn from the impulfe by which mankind have been almost univerfally prompted to devotion, and from fome beneficial purposes, which, it is conceived, may be better answered by the audience of prayer,

TH
Treflections ftated in the

than

than by any other mode of communicating the fame bleffings. The revelations which we deem authentic, completely fupply this defect of natural religion. They require prayer to God as a duty; and they contain pofitive affurances of its efficacy and acceptance. We could have no reafonable motive for the exercise of prayer, without believing that it may avail to the relief of This belief can only be founded,

our wants.

either in a fenfible experience of the effect of prayer, or in promises of acceptance fignified by divine authority. Our knowledge would have come to us in the former way, lefs capable, indeed, of doubt, but fubjected to the abuses and inconveniences briefly defcribed above: in the latter way, that is, by authorized fignifications of God's general difpofition to hear and answer the devout fupplications of his creatures, we are encouraged to pray, but not to place fuch a dependence upon prayer, as might relax other obligations, or confound the order of events and human expectations.

The fcriptures not only affirm the propriety of prayer in general, but furnish precepts or examples which juftify fome topics and modes of prayer that have been thought exceptionable. And as the whole fubject refts fo much upon

the

the foundation of fcripture, I fhall put down at length texts applicable to the five following heads; to the duty and efficacy of prayer in general; of prayer for particular favours by name; for public national bleffings; of interceffion for others; of the repetition of unfuccefsful prayers.

Texts enjoining prayer in general: "Afk and "it fhall be given you, feek and ye fhall find"If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts "unto your children, how much more shall your "father, which is in heaven, give good things "to them that afk him?" "Watch ye there"fore, and pray always, that ye may be ac"counted worthy to escape all those things that "fhall come to pass, and to stand before the fon "of man." "Serving the Lord, rejoicing in "hope, patient in tribulation, continuing inftant "in prayer? "Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and fupplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." "I will, therefore, that men pray

every where, lifting up holy hands without “wrath and doubting." "Pray without ceasing.” Matt. vii. 7. 11. Luke xxi. 36. Rom. xii, 12. Phil. iv. 6. 1 Thess. v. 17. 1 Tim. ii. 8. Add

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to these, that Christ's reproof of the ostentation and prolixity of pharifaical prayers, and his recommendation to his disciples of retirement and fimplicity in theirs, together with his dictating a particular form of prayer, all prefuppofe prayer to be an acceptable and availing service.

Examples of prayer for particular favours by name: "For this thing (to wit, fome bodily infirmity, which he calls "a thorn given him "in the flesh") I befought the Lord thrice "that it might depart from me.' Night and day praying exceedingly, that we might fee your face, and perfect that which is lacking in 66 your faith." 2 Cor. xii. 8. 1 Thess. iii. 10.

Directions to pray for national or public bleffings: "Pray for the peace of ferufalem.” "Afk “ ye of the Lord rain, in the time of the latter "rain; fo the Lord fhall make bright clouds, "and give them fhowers of rain to every one

grafs in the field." "I exhort, therefore, that "firft of all, fupplications, prayers, interceffions, "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 honefty; for this is good and "acceptable in the fight of God our Saviour." Pfalm cxxii. 6. Zech. x. 1. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2, 3.

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