k Isai. lxv. 24. ' Jam. i. <>, 7.
Any little thing, however trifling and insignificant, is sufficient to divert our attention from prayer, or to distract our minds in the performance of it. Hence we are so often exhorted to pray without ceasing, to watch unto prayer, to continue instant in it with all perseverance. Let us then guard against fainting or weariness in this holy duty. It will be of no benefit to us to have sought after God in former times, if we decline from him now : our former prayers will be of no service, if they be discontinued. As our former sinfulness shall not be remembered, when once we turn unto God in penitence and faith ; so neither shall our past righteousness be remembered, if we depart from it.
It is possible that we may be hindered in this duty, by an apprehension that we shall not be heard : but we must guard against this temptation, by recollecting, that there is no guilt so great but the prayer of faith can remove itm, nor any state so desperate from which it shall not prevail to deliver us ". " God never did, nor ever will say to any, ' Seek ye my face ' in vain."]
m See the peculiar stress laid on prayer in reference to Manasseh ; 2 Chron xxxiii. 12, 13, 18, 19. 11 Jonah ii. 1 — 4.
Acts ix. 39, 40. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber : and all the widows stood by him iveeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed ; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes : and ivhen she saiv Peter, she sat up.
HOWEVER careful the ministers of Christ may be in stating the great doctrine of salvation by faith, their adversaries will represent them as enemies to good works. The denying to good works the office of justifying men before God, is thought to destroy every inducement to perform them. But if we look at the conduct of the first Christians, we shall see in that an ample refutation of this error. Dorcas, for instance, was " a Disciple," looking for salvation through the merits of a crucified Redeemer : but was