CXXIX. the Day of íddgrnert. 77 next Moment, for any thing we know to thecontrary ; and whenever it comes, if we be not prepared, it will be too late tobegin that Work; if our Lamps be gone out, and we want Oil, we cannot provide our felves in fuch a Hurry ; we (hall be full of Fear and Amazement, but we fnall find no Place for Repentance, and a deliberare Preparation for our Great Tryal. As the great Judge of the World then finds us, fo will he deal with us ; fuch as our State and Condition then is, fuch will be our Sentence and Doom to all Eternity. And is not this Argument enough to us to be always upon our Guard, always watchful and always ready? becaufe the Son of Man may come at an Hour when we think not ; and if we be not then prepared, it will be too late to fet about it ; the Opportunity of doing it, and we our felves are loft for ever. This is the fzrfi Dire &ion our Saviour gives us, continual Vigilancy and Watchfulnefs over our felves in general. The IId Direaion is more particular, and that is Prayer 5 Takeye heed, watch and pray. And the Pra&ice of this Duty of Prayer will be of great Advantage to us upon thefe two Accounts : I. As it tends to awaken and excite our Care and Diligence in the Bufinefs of Religion 2. As it is, if fincerely performed, effe&uál to engage the Divine Bleffing and Affiftance to fecond our Care and Endeavours, and to fecure them from Mifcar- riage. I. It is very apt to awaken and excite our Care and Diligence in the Bounds of Religion. For whenever we heartily beg of God to affift usby his Grace, to anyThing that is good, we mindour felves of our own Duty And both Rea- fon and Scripture will tell uS, that we pray to God in vain for his Help, if we will donothing our felves that it is grofs Hypocrifte, and an impudent Mockingof God, to implore his Grace and Affiftance, if we be not refolved ro put forth our own Endeavours. Prayer'indeed fuppofeth that we Rand in Need of ehe Divine Help5 but it implies likewife a Refolution on our Part, to do what we can our. felves ; otherwife we ask in titan, and haveno Reafon to hopé'that Gbd will hear our Prayers, and grant our Requefts, tho' never fo earneftly and ithpoftunately' put up to him. 2. If we ufe our fincere Endeavours for the effecìing of what we pray for, Prayer is the molt effe&ual Means to engage the Divine Bleffing and Aflìftance to fecond our Endeavours, and to fecure them from Mifcarriage. And without' the Aid of God's Grace, and his Blefiing upon our Endeavours, they will all be ineffeerual, and fignify nothing ; we (hall not be able fo much as to watch one Hour. If God he not with us, the Watchman waketh but in vain: for the Way ofMan is not in himfelf, it is not in Man that walketh to direcí his Steps. It is neceffary therefore, that we continually implore the Divine Grace, and that we do not rely upon our own Strength, and the Ficklenefs and Uncertainty of our own Refolutions, according to the wife Advice of Solomon,. Prov. 3. , 6. Truff'in the Lord with all thine Heart, and lean not to thine own ?Jnderflanding. In all thy Ways acknowledge him, and he fh.all direct thy Paths. Therefore as ever we hope to per- fevere and continue in a good Courfe, and to order our Lives fo, as to be in Preparation for judgment, let us every Day by continual and fervent Prayer, apply our felves to the Fountain of Grace and Mercy, for his Aid and Help, to make us vigilant over our felves, and all the A&ions of our Lives ; to enable us to a patient Continuance in Well-doing, to keep no from every evil Work, and to prefeoe we to his heavenly Kingdom. And to this Purpofe, we have all the Encouragement which the Affurance of the Divine Goodnefs, and the Security of his never failing Promife can give us. It is but asking, and receiving. So St. lames tells us, fpeaking of this Heavenly Wifdom to dire& us in our Chrifcían Courfe, fo as we may be perfel and entire, wanting nothing, Jam. i. 5. If any ofyou lackWifdom, let him askof God, who giveth to all Men liberally, and tipbraideth not, andit fhall be givenhim. I proceed to the' A a Third
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