calling upon him continually for mercy, and for grace to help you in the time of need. This is the direction given you in our text ; you are to be " rejoicing in hope, patient in tribula- tion, continuing instant in prayer." You are " never to faint or be weary in well-doing ;" but to take the promises of God as your support ; and in humble confidence that not one jot or tittle of them shall ever fail, you are to " hold fast the rejoicing of your hope firm unto the end." The husbandman plows in hope and sows in hope, and waits patiently for the harvest : and thus must you do. There may be many a storm, and many a blighting wind; but you must commit your every care to God, and expect from him a full, a rich, a sure reward : for his unchanging promise is, that " in due season you shall reap, if you faint not." At times you will find prayer a most arduous task : there is in the heart of man a continual prone- ness to draw back from God, and to restrain prayer before him. But you must not yield to this sad propensity : you must " continue instant in prayer;" knowing that, " if you ask not, you cannot have ;" but if you persevere in earnest and impor- tunate supplications, you must, you cannot but, prevail ; yea, you shall be "more than conqueror over all" that can oppose your spiritual progress.]
See then from hence what true religion is ;
1. How extensive in its offices!
[It comprehends the whole circle of good and evil ; it prescribes a line of conduct for us in every thing that relates either to God or man : it occupies, and calls forth into action, every faculty of the soul. Tts energies are universal, and without intermission. As reason sits at the helm, and directs the course of the natural man, being so incorporated with him, as it were, as to regulate him unsolicited and unperceived, so does religion preside in the soul of the spiritual man, and direct him in whatever relates either to time or eternity. There is nothing, either great or small, on which it does not exert an influence. O brethren, seek to have religion enthroned in your hearts, and performing in your minds the same offices as reason executes in the minds of unconverted men. Let it be a living principle within you, regulating your every action, word, and thought.]
2. How lovely in its operations !
[See religion putting Christ's yoke upon rebellious man, and " bringing his every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christk :" see it giving to man the very mind of Christ ; making him love what Christ loves, and hate what Christ
k 2 Cor. x. 5.