2. How we are to obtain benefit from the word delivered to us —
[If the mighty working of God's power be requisite, even of the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the deadk, we should implore his presence before we go up to his house ; we should be lifting up our hearts in ejaculatory prayer while we are hearing his word ; and, after the seed has been sown, we should water it with our prayers and tears. This is the way which God himself has prescribed1; and it would insure a blessing, because Christ himself is in the midst of his people, on purpose to bless those who call upon him in spirit and in truth™. It is owing to the want of this, both in ministers and
c Phil. iv. 9. <i 1 Tim. iv. 11. e 1 Johnii. 12—14.
f Phil. iii. 12—15. s 1 Cor. i. 26—28. h 1 Cor. iv. 7. > John i. 13. k Eph. i. 19, 20.
1 Jam. i. 5. Prov. ii. 2 — 6. ra Matt, xviii. 20.
people, that the ordinances are so unprofitable". Let us then abound more in the great duty of prayer0; and God will pour out his Spirit upon usp: He will give us that unction of the Holy One that shall teach us all things'1; and make his word to be " the power of God to the salvation of our souls r.]
" Jam. iv. 2. ° Eph. i. 16—18. p John xvi. 13, 14.
i 1 John ii. 20,27. r Rom. ' 16.