the sun-dial to go back, than to advance, ten degrees, fixed upon that which he conceived to be the more difficult : and " the Prophet Isaiah," who in God's name had offered him the sign, "cried unto the Lord ; and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz^"]
To us, also, will God vouchsafe his mercies, in answer to our prayers —
[We are told that " the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." And in this respect Elijah is held forth to us as an example : for he, " though a man subject to like passions as we are, prayed earnestly that it might not rain : and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain; and the earth brought forth her fruits." Thus also shall it be with us, under circumstances of pecuhar trial. I mean not to say, that we shall have any miraculous answers to our prayers ; for the age of miracles is past : but I must say, that, even in relation to temporal matters, our prayers shall not go forth in vain ; and, in reference to spiritual mer- cies, they shall descend almost in visible answers on our souls. Let us suppose the whole neighbourhood where we dwell, to be in a state of barrenness, so far as it respects the blessings of salvation : if a man cry earnestly to God, the dew of his blessing shall descend upon him in the richest abmidance ; (a whole bowl-full shall, if I may so speak, be wi'ung out from his contracted fleece :) on the other hand, if God's judgments are poured forth on all around him, a merciful exemption shall be given to him ; even as it is said, " A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand ; but it shall not come nigh thee^." No man can conceive to what an extent God will magnify his condescension and grace towards an humble suppliant, till he has himself besought the Lord, and obtained an answer of peace unto his soul. "We may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us."]
What now shall I further say to you ? This only
would I ADD —
Let your faith in God's blessed zoord he jirm and uniform —
[Think not of difficulties : " There is nothing too hard for the Lord." Were your enemies as numerous as the Midianites, and you had nothing wherewith to combat them but a pitcher and a lamp, they should all fall before yovi. Only be strong in faith : and you shall find, that " all things are possible to him that believeth."]
* 2 Kings XX. 8— 11. >' Jam. v. 16— 18. ^ Ps. xci. 7.
267.] Gideon's victory over midian. 29