fuch a nature as to bring the understanding, as well as the integrity, of those who broach them into disrepute, and make us doubtful which to despise most, the wickedness of their hearts, or the weakness of their heads. Little can be offered for thofe who object to the mysteries of our most holy religion, but lefs can be faid for thofe who object to the duties of it; the former, though not against, are yet much above our reason, but the latter lie exactly level to our understandings, and are not less strongly recommended by Reason, than by Revelation; they are fuch as the heathen Philofophers were proud to embellish their fyftems with, though they cannot be digested by fome of our politer Chriftians. It is not however to be wondered at, that those who go on in a course of wickedness, should object to duties fo contrary to their headstrong paffions, and be willing to overthrow thofe laws which lay a restraint upon their inclinations. It is Interest, tereft, and not Reason, which speaks in them, they are against Religion upon no other account, but because Religion is against them, and think Chriftianity unreasonable for- no other cause, but that they wish it fo. In general it may be observed, that the lives of those who object to this duty of Prayer, or any other enjoined in Scripture, are fufficient to confute their objections, which can come with no ftrength, but from the mouths of those who appear in their lives to be at least good moral men: but fuch, I truft, are in a much fairer way of believing the mysteries than objecting to the duties of the Chriftian Religion, which is not lefs remarkable for matters of Faith than Practice, for the Revelation of truths, than the perfecting of virtue. Now to God the Father, &c. &c. SERMON SERMON II. JAMES V. 16th. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. T HE Nature of Prayer, the Grounds on which that Duty is founded, and the reasonableness of our performing it, are what I apprehend few can be ignorant of; none indeed, who are constant in the worship of God and the service of the Sanctuary. But I fear, we have not the fame reason to believe, that the right manner of performing |