rances to unceasing prayer will arise from the world in which we dwell, but more from ourselves. Let us then always add watchfulness to prayer; and when our minds are bewildered, and our thoughts are wandering, let us seek the Spirit of prayer, "the Spirit of grace and supplications; " because the Spirit of God helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, without his divine aid and encouraging influence."

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Are we made sensible of our guilty condition in the sight of God? Let us pray without ceasing for pardon and forgiveness. Are we cast down under an apprehension of our weakness and infirmities? Let us pray without ceasing for an increase of grace, that we may lay hold on the strength of the Almighty, and go on our way rejoicing in the light of his countenance. Are we afraid of being overcome by our powerful and malicious enemies? We must pray without ceasing unto our exalted King, who will make us victorious, as he has vanquished them himself in his own person, and has provided us with divine armour, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, and the breast-plate of righteousness, and the helmet of salvation. "He giveth power to the

faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

SERMON XIX.

ON THANKSGIVING.

1 THESS. V. 18.

In every thing give thanks: for this to the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

PRAYER and Thanksgiving are often joined together in the Holy Scriptures, and they are inseparably united in the life of the Christian. We are urged by various considerations to 66 pray without ceasing," as fallen guilty, and helpless creatures; a subject which we have lately discussed:-we are also required in every thing to give thanks, which is a duty equally important, and both pleasant and profitable. This is also a duty of wide extent, for the

Apostle says, in every thing give thanks, and he also assures us, that this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. Let us therefore consider, First, the reasonableness of this duty of Thanksgiving; Secondly, the extent of it; Thirdly, the pleasures which attend a due performance of it.

I. The reasonableness of this duty of Thanksgiving. In every thing give thanks. The giving of thanks is making a suitable return for benefits received. Grateful acknowledgments are usually expected from those who have been obliged. Now we have all been loaded with benefits by our heavenly Father, and we shall never be able to make an adequate return for the blessings we have received. Not some great things only, but every thing which we enjoy is derived from his bounty. " Our creation" by his wisdom and power, our preservation" by his providential care and goodness, "and all the blessings of this life," are his unmerited gifts. By him we have been holden up ever since we were born; our praise should be continually of him. We have tasted of those streams which are constantly flowing from the fountain of life. Of outward gifts indeed, such as earthly possessions, and health to enjoy them, and the blessings which result

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from friendship and society, some have a larger portion for their lot than others yet all have something, and all have more than they deserve, if we bear in mind that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Even the very heathens acknowledged the necessity and propriety of returning thanks to heaven for the innumerable blessings which they partook of, though they often presented their thanks to false gods, and thus robbed the divine Being of the honour which was due unto his holy name. Gratitude seems to be almost an instinct of nature, for we see the brute animals themselves, in many instances, making a thankful acknow. ledgment, according to their ability, for favours received. "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his masters crib;" while man is often forgetful of the power which created him, and of the goodness which has sustained him, and of the mercy and forbearance by which his life is prolonged.

But in addition to the munificence of our all-wise Creator, in the gift of his Providence, we are "more especially" bound to thank him "for the means of grace and the hope of glory." Our obligations, as men, are great; but they are much greater, as we are Christians. Much b Isa. i. 3.

a Rom. iii. 23.