1 from hufbands-husbands from wifes; brothers, fifters, and friends-all thus feparated, and under fuch afflicting circumstances to those who are fhut out in mifery. It is a punishment probably only on the guilty; for it is not likely that the righteous fhould be disturbed by affections for those who had loft God's favour; their earthly friendships, not refting on the stable foundation of religion, but on pleasing manners, good fenfe, or worldly accomplishments of different kinds, fade naturally away, when these are loft. Nothing furely, but fuch virtues as are the offspring of religion, can be the foundation of a heavenly friendship.-How strong a motive fhould this be to those who have an affection for pious perfons, to qualify themselves in fuch a manner as will enable them to meet their friends in a happy futurity? II. It is the Lord, let him do what feemeth him good.1 Sam. iii. 18. THIS was the fubmiffive answer of the pious Eli, on his receiving a threatening meffage from the Lord, for not fufficiently reftraining the wickednefs of his fons. It is one of thofe aphorifms of which scripture is full; and which are fo well calculated to be always carried with us for conftant use. The world is full of affliction. A staté of trial must neceffarily be fupported by afflictive circumftances. Adverfity is equally neceffary as profperity, to try the hearts of men. But it is a happy thing that we have here a rule which is fufficient, if we would pioufly attend to it, to support us under the worst of our afflictions; — It is the Lord, let him do what feemeth him good: he knows, with unerring certainty what is beft for all his creatures: he doth not willingly afflict the children of men: but tempers the affliction always always with a view to their good. What a happiness therefore ought we, to think it, to be always under the care of fo righteous a Master, who will treat us, we may be affured, like a father. We may be reminded also, that submiffion is even naturally the best way to make fuffering easier; for, in fpite of us, the Lord will do what feemeth him good. We may kick against the pricks; but we fhall only hurt our felves. III. Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his dif ciples. Luke, xi. 1. ONE fhould think, that creatures fituated as men are, in the midft of difficulties, and deficiences of various kinds, might know what to pray for without being taught; especially when affured, as we are, that we are under the protection of an omnipotent Power, whofe command is, Afk, and ye shall receive. But men are naturally blind and ignorant, and unacquainted with their own wants, both temporal and spiritual. We, indeed, under the influence of the gospel, are better taught; but ask the wild native of any country on this fubject, and he will give you fuch an answer, as fhews how much he ftands in need of being taught. The difciples of Jefus were not in fo low a state of religion as is here described; but as they were yet only young in their profeffion, it may be fuppofed a leffon on this fubject could not have been unwanted by them. The Lord's Prayer, which our Saviour gave them on this occafion, may be detailed, though not methodically, into all the offices of devotion. The first object of prayer is, to praise God for his great attributes; particularly thofe of power, wisdom, and goodness. These are the foundation of all prayer. Our own fpiritual wants feem properly to be the next objects of our prayers. When we look into our own breasts, instead of meeting that calm and joyous funshine that should always accompany a good conscience, we find, too often, turbulent and unruly paffions and appetites-we find little of the love of God, but much of the love of the world: the joys of heaven are seldom thought of, but the pleafures of life are spread in lively colours. Of charity, and love to man we find very little; but a strong propensity often to envy and malice: little humility, but much pride and felf conceit; much felf indulgence, but little felf denial; little refignation, but much difcontent: a difpofition to falsehood and knavery, but no great love for truth.-Now what an infinity of fubjects does all this corruption open |