6. There is required, too, that we be acted by zeal for the glory of God, and compassion to the souls of men.
Having spoken these few plain words, I may say, " Who is suffi- cient for these things V There is required that spiritual wisdom which is necessary to understand the mysteries of the gospel, able to instruct and lead on to perfection the most grown in our congregations ; — that authority which proceeds from unction, and is an evidence of an anointing with the graces and gifts of the Spirit; which alone gives authority in preaching; — that experience which conforms our whole souls into every sermon we preach, so as to feel the truth in the power of it ; — that skill whereby to divide the word aright, etc. Hence we see we have great need to pray for ourselves, and that you should pray for us. Pray for your minister^ This, then, is the first duty required of gospel ministers.
Secondly. Another duty required is, continual 'prayer for the churches over wrhich Christ hath made them overseers. I have not time to confirm these things by particular testimonies : you know how often the apostle expresses it of himself, and enjoins it unto others, continually to pray for the flock.
I will name four reasons why we ought to do so, and four things we ought to pray for : —
1. My first reason is, — because I believe that no man can have any evidence in his own soul that he doth conscientiously perform any ministerial duty towards his flock, who doth not continually pray for them. Let him preach as much as he will, visit as much as he will, speak as much as he will, unless God doth keep up in him a spirit of prayer in his closet and family for them, he can have no evidence that he doth perform any other ministerial duty in a due manner, or that what he doth is accepted with God. I speak to them who are wise, and understand these things.
2. This is the way whereby we may bless our congregations. Authoritative blessing, as far as I know, is taken from us. There
is only that which is euctical and declarative left to us. Pronounc- ing the blessing is only euctical1 and declarative, and not authorita- 1 Euctical (tilxoftai, to desire earnestly, or to pray), exjjressive of desire. — Ed.
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tive. Now there is no way whereby we can bless our flock by insti- tution, but by a continual praying for a blessing upon them.
3. If men are but as they used to be, I do not believe any minister, any pastor in the world, can keep up a due love to his church, who doth not pray for them. He will meet with so many provocations, imprudences, and miscarriages, that nothing can keep up his heart with inflamed love towards them, but by praying for them contin- ually. That will conquer all prejudices, — if he continues so doing. And, —
4. My last reason is this, — in our prayers for our people, God will teach us what we shall preach unto them. We cannot pray for them, but we must think on what it is we pray for, and that is the consideration of their condition; and therein God teaches the minis- ters of the gospel. If it be so with them, this is that they should teach them. The more we pray for our people, the better shall we be instructed what to preach to them. The apostles, to take us off from all other occasions, " gave themselves to prayer and the word/' Acts. vi. 4. Prayer is in the first place. It is not personal, but mi- nisterial prayer for the church, and the progress of the gospel.
What shall we pray for?
1. For the success of the ivord that we preach unto them. This falls in with the light of nature., We are to pray for the success of the word unto all the ends of it ; and that is, for all the ends of living unto God, — for direction in duty, for instruction in the truth, for growth in grace, for all things whereby we may come to the enjoyment of God. We should pray that all these ends may be accomplished in our congregations, in the dispensation of the word, or else we sow seed at random, which will not succeed merely by our sowing ; for let the husbandman break up the fallow ground, and harrow it, and cast in the seed, — unless showers come, he will have no crop ; in like manner, after we have cast the seed of the gospel, though the hearts of men are prepared in some measure, unless there come the showers of the Spirit upon them, there will be no profiting. Therefore, let us pray that a blessing might be upon the word. The ministers of the word preach, and would be accepted with the people ; take this "arcanum," [the secret] of it, — pray over it; and it is the only way to have it accepted in the hearts of the people : follow it on with prayer.
2. We are to pray for the presence of Christ in all our assemblies ; for this is that whereon depends all the efficacy of the ordinances of the gospel. Christ hath given us many promises of it, and we are to act in faith concerning it, and to pray in faith for it in our assemblies ; which is a great ministerial duty : and if we do it not, we are igno- rant of our duty, and are willing to labour in the fire, where all must