we fall asleep in the midst of it. We sometimes think in the evening, that we shall be fitter for it in the morning ; and then in the morning we expect a more convenient season at noon-day ; and at noon- day we look forward with a hope of performing our duty to more advantage in the evening ; and thus we deceive ourselves with delays, and rob our souls of the benefits which God would bestow upon them. But who ever found himself the more ready for prayer on account of his having neglected it the pre- ceding day ? Do not such neglects " grieve the Holy Spirit," and increase, rather than diminish, our indisposition for prayer ? Most assuredly they do : and therefore we should "watch" against all excuses, all neglects, all formality ; and " persevere" in a steady, uniform, and conscientious performance of this duty. It is not necessary indeed that we should at all times occupy the same space of time in our devotions ; for " we shall not be heard for our much speaking1;" but we should endeavour at all times to maintain a spirituality of mind in this duty, and im- prove in a more particular manner those seasons, when God stretches out to us, as it were, his golden sceptre"1, and admits us to a more than ordinary "fellowship with himself and with his Son Jesus Christ"."
We shall conclude this interesting subject with an
1. To those who neglect prayer —
What easier terms could God have prescribed, than those on which he has suspended the com- munication of his blessings ? or what could you yourselves have dictated to him more favourable than that condition, " Ask, and you shall have ?" Do but consider, what will be vour reflections as soon as ever you enter into the invisible world ! When you see the door of mercy for ever shut, and begin to feel the judgments which you would not
1 Matt. vi. 7. m Esth. iv. 11. with v. 2, 3.
n 1 John. i. 3.