days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." 66 But constancy in this work is indispensable to the full receipt of its blessings. 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 "*-if our return from the house (concluding the service of the temple with "lifting up holy hands" to bless our people) 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-still is this with us as with the Apostle-an unceasing employment— 'giving account with joy," or with grief," as we have "watched for the souls" of our flock, and marked 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 its awakening, enlightening, strengthening, and consoling influences to his presence in our congregation (upon which, and not upon the ability and fervour of our Ministrations, the efficacy of our Preaching supremely depends); to the supply of unction, life, and comfort proportioned to the weaknesses, and wants, and circumstances of temptation of each of our people: and finally to the general effusion of his Holy Spirit upon the Church, to advance and consummate the glory of the latter days; to "establish the mountain of the Lord's house in the tops of the mountains ;" that " all * 1 Sam. x. ii. 23. † 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 such a manner as is here intimated. See Owen, Doddridge, and Scott in loco. 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 Ministerial diligence in every department of our momentous labour, unless it be constantly cherished.† Let us therefore exhibit our character, as 66 watchmen set upon the walls,--who shall never hold their peace day nor night;" and let us not doubt but he will, before long, return with an abundant increase of light, and power and love, "until he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." The blessed influence of this spirit of intercession upon the public Ministration would be manifest to all men. Ministers who habitually pray for their people, will not fail to find their people praying with them and for them, so that "for the gift bestowed upon them by the means of many persons, thanks will be given by many on their behalf."§ Let us, then, adopt as our own, the words of that most eminent servant of God, Moses, when praying for the display of the Divine power and glory to his people Israel;" 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 *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 great blessing 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 his own 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. § 2 Cor. i, 11. Isaiah lxii. 6. 7. 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."* *Psalm xc, 15-17. THE END. See Ministry of St. Paul. Ministry, I. 37, II. 118- Applicatory Preaching, II. 41-50 Assurance the spring of exertion, Attainments, Spiritual, I. 40-42 91 n. 212 n. 301 n. de Civitate Dei. II. 84 n I. B Backslider treated, II. 163, 164 Dialogues on, II. 242 n. Christian Directory, II. 171 Young Men, II. 180 253 Counsel to Cure for Church Divisions II. Life of Alleine, II. 287 Practical Works, II. 147 n. Bennet's Directions for Study, referred Benson's Life of Christ, II. 43 Bernard quoted, I. 85, 129, 130, II. 23 n. Berne, Synod of, referred to. II. 69 Exercises. See Clarke. I. 66 n. 88, 89 n. II. 194 n. 272 n. Bingham referred to, I. 246 Blomfield, Bp. quoted, 11, 181 n. 297 n. 186 n. I Bridges, Dr. referred to, I. 91 n. Brown's Life, I. 19, 20, 149, II. 2, 29 n. Budd on Baptism, I. 117 n. II. 68 n. Bull, Bp. 1. 270 n. II. 250 n. Life of, II, 68 n. Bunyan referred to, II. 288 n. A. quoted, I. 209, 210 n. Burnet, Bp. History of his own Times, Pastoral Care, I. 9 n. 31 n. 56 n. Cadogan, Mr. I. 187 C Life of, referred to, I. 117 n. II. 253 n. Commentaria, I. 9, 100, 207 n. Institutes, I 5 n. 16, 130 n. II. Life, I, 58, 59 n. II. 69, 93 Systematic Theology, I. 62, Catechism, Church, referred to, II. 11, Cave's Primitive Christianity, II. 62, Cecil, Life of. I. 255, 261, 271 Remains, I. 55, 65, 103, 105 n. Charnock quoted, I. 106, 107 260 Christ, Ministry of, I. 36, 37, 147, 174, Ministerial Character of. See Christian, confirmed and consistent 172 n. unestablished, II. 165, 166 Observer, I. pref. ix. x. 49 n. 215 n. 107 n. Homilies, II. 62 Cicero quoted, I. 26 n. 189 n. 207, II. 66 Clarke's Rev. S. Bible Exercises re- Teacher's Questioning Book, II. 191 n. Clark's Lives quoted, I. 58, 59 n. II. Marrow of Ecclesiastical His- Claude's Essays, I. 263 n. 265, II. 45, Robinson's Notes on, II. 190-1 n. 117 n. Comber, Dr. referred to, I. 130 n. 219 n. II. Confirmation, Ordinance of, II. 214, 237 |