which is offered, but in the name and through the mediation of Jesus Christ. To him must we look in all our addresses at the throne of grace, and to the Father through him. Indeed, this is very parti- cularly marked in the whole of Solomon's prayer. In the greater part of that prayer he intercedes in behalf of those who should direct their supplications " tozvard that house." Now the Temple itself was a very eminent type of Christ, " in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." The body of the Lord Jesus is, on this very account, represented as " a tabernacle, not made with hands :" and towards him, as our incarnate God, must we direct our sup- plications, if we would obtain answers of peace unto our souls. If we come to God in this way, we then have an express assurance from God himself, that " we shall in no wise be cast out ;" but that, on the contrary, " the Lord Jesus Christ himself will confer upon us whatsoever we ask, that the Father may be glorified in the Son :" so indispensable is it that we look towards that Temple ; and so certain is the suc- cess of prayers when so directed.
One thing more is necessary, and that is, con- sistency of life and conversation. " The prayer of the wicked," so far from finding acceptance with the Lord, is altogether " an abomination to him." How can it be expected, that persons coming to the house of God with all the professions of real piety, and going from thence into all the dissipation and vanity of the world, shall obtain mercy of the Lord ? Be- hold them on their knees, crying, " From all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Good Lord, deliver us ;" and then, perhaps, spending the remainder of the day, not in reading the Bible, not in instructing their families, not in fervent prayer to God, but in any light conversation and specious amusement, that may enable them to relieve the weariness of a Sabbath evening. Say, Is this con- sistent ? Nay, would these people themselves, if they saw persons who were truly religious, and who had entered fully into the spirit of the prayers, so