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God, till it be created anew in Christ Jesus. And moreover, as continual rains or dews must be dispensed to fertilize the earth, so must a constant supply of Grace be communicated from God for the purpose of creating in us all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works.” It would be easy to carry the parallel farther : but enough has been said to demonstrate the beautiful propriety of the emblem, and the end for which it is here introduced.

We ask all these blessings for the honor of • our Advocate and Mediator Jesus Christ.' It is for His honor that Bishops and Ministers be found faithful, diligent, and successful: and that the people derive that benefit from their labors, of which His atonement is the meritorious cause. He is our Advocate, and pleads on our behalf; our Mediator, and represents our persons. While we are lifting up our hearts and hands in supplication here below, may He intercede for us in Heaven! Then shall our Bishops and Ministers, and all congregations committed to their charge, richly enjoy the healthful Spirit of God's grace, and the continual dew of His blessing, and so our Jerusalem shall become a praise in the earth. Amen.

ESSAY XI.

ON THE PRAYER FOR ALL CONDITIONS OF MEN.

THE whole of our duty may be summed up in two points, the love of God, and the love of our neighbour. And these duties are so intimately blended, that a separation between them is absolutely impossible: for if a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen? and this commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.'* What an affecting picture of the amiable nature of true Christianity does our Lord's most beautiful parable of the good Samaritan exhibit! Let me address the reader in the words with which it is concluded,Go thou and do likewise.' Are you ready to say, alas, my means are too limit

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* 1 John iv. 20, 21.

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⚫ed for diffusive liberality; and the situation of the far greater part of my brethren, under which term the whole human race is compre• hended, is too remote to be benefitted by me?" Love is the fulfilling of the law and if this Godlike temper prevail in your bosom, you will labor to the utmost extent of your ability, to do good ⚫ unto all men, and especially to them that are of the household of faith." And though your power of actual beneficence be restricted by Providence within a compass as narrow as her's who cast her two mites into the treasury of the temple ; yet the feelings of your heart are unconfined, and may range through the world, like the solar beams, visiting every nook of the terrestrial globe where a brother may be found. There is one office of Christian friendship, which we may constantly perform on behalf of every participant of human nature. And as God has required this at our hands, declaring it to be His, holy will that prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for ALL men ;* our church calls us to the performance of this duty at every recurring season, when her united throng appears before the throne of grace; teaching us to pray for all conditions of men in the following appropriate form.

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* 1 Tim. ii. 1.

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O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech Thee for all sorts and ⚫ conditions of men, that Thou wouldst be pleased to make Thy ways known unto them; Thy say ⚫ing health unto all nations. More especially we pray for Thy holy church universal; that it may •be so guided and governed by Thy good spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of Spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to Thy Fatherly goodness, all those who are any ways afflicted, or distressed in mind, body, or estate; that it may please Thee to ⚫ comfort and relieve them according to their sev•eral necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and an happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Amen.'

• Christ His sake.

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The spirit of universal charity which the gospel breathes, indicates its origin, and affords conclusive internal evidence of its Divinity. • Who is he among the gods that may be compared to the Lord? And where is that system to be found, among all the various schemes of religion, which have been promulgated to mankind, that will bear a comparison with Christianity? When they are weighed in a balance, they are found wanting; as in a variety of other things, so especially in the effects which they produce on the

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human mind. He, who inhabiteth eternity, though He was infinitely glorious and happy in His own perfections, chose to communicate his felicity; and, with this view, called the world of angels, and the world of men into existence: and, when man had destroyed himself, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son' for its ransom; that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Those, who are made partakers of the Divine 'nature,' resemble their heavenly parent in the universal benevolence of their characters. Not satisfied with the solitary enjoyment of Christian privileges; not contented to feast alone on the fat things full of marrow, and the wines on the lees well refined;' to the participation of which they are called by the boundless goodness of God; they feel a solicitude that all their fellow creatures, who are, through sin, involved in the same guilt and misery with themselves, may be, through grace, brought into the fellowship of the same salvation. This is one characteristic of a real Christian, in whatever age or country he may live; and of every genuine member of our church. It is impossible for any one to receive Christ into his heart by faith, and remain destitute thereof.

Every true disciple of Christ feels an holy anxiety in his bosom for the enlargement of his Redeemer's Kingdom, and the conversion of his fellow creatures. Are you sensible of any such

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