Page images
PDF
EPUB

those things, certainly! (would be the indignant language of every heart :) I could not, of course, mean that!

We are reminded therefore that there is a limit, well understood though not expressed,too well understood, in fact, to require that it should be expressed,-to our common promises a limit which nevertheless argues no unreality, no insincerity in the speaker. And availing ourselves of the homely but obvious illustration already offered, we shall have no difficulty in perceiving that, however faithful and true in the matter of His promises, yet, if we pray for things which God knows would be for our hurt, we have no right to expect that GOD will grant them: and conversely, that if GOD does not grant the things which we pray for, the reason may well be, and very probably is, because it would hurt us to obtain our petitions.

In no way however can we perhaps better set forth our belief in the efficacy of Prayer, than by adding, which we do gravely, and confidently, -that if a Prayer for any gift, be it what it may, were to be constantly persevered in; if the heart were to resolve on taking no denial, and the lips were never to grow weary of asking; we make

[ocr errors]

little doubt that the person so praying would run a fearful risk of having his prayer answered, -let it be for whatever thing it might. This could not, of course, be the case, were he to remember to add to his prayer words like these,'Yet not my will, but Thine, be done:' or,'Grant it, LORD, if it be for my good, and Thine own glory not else!'-With such a clause added, we should have no fear about the issue. Without it, we should tremble for the man exceedingly. He would probably fare like Balaam when he was permitted by GOD to go with the princes of Moab; and to take a journey, of which every step brought him nearer to his shameful and sinful end.-The result would resemble, again, the result of Israel's supplication that God would give them a king. cause they were determined to receive of GOD the thing they asked, and because they persevered, GOD at last sent them a king in His wrath..... Apply these remarks to a prayer which any of ourselves might be tempted to make for health, for riches, for leisure; or again, for children, for honours, or for the gratification of any favourite scheme of earthly happiness; for power, high office, and the like;-and it will be felt how easily it might happen that

Be

the greatest of all calamities would be that a man should have his prayer granted.

The subject of Prayer is evidently one of such extreme importance that, viewed in different aspects, it may well be made the subject of several distinct sermons. We will conclude the subject of answered Prayer' in a separate discourse; for it would be scarcely possible, (as well as unwise,) that we should condense into narrow limits all that we are desirous of saying on this head. It shall suffice to have thus opened the subject, on this occasion: to have insisted on the largeness of the Divine promise, and on the literal sense in which those gracious words of our LORD CHRIST are to be understood. At the same time, we have indicated one obvious restriction upon its amazing fulness; but we have intended to shew that if any limits are set upon it, they are prescribed by Divine Love itself; and that, without them, Prayer would cease to be the prime instrument of winning for ourselves blessing from Almighty God.

The Ascension-Day.

CHRIST'S DEPARTURE AND RETURN.

ACTS i. 11.

This same JESUS, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven.

So spake the two men, (that is, the two Angels,) clad in white, whom the Eleven Apostles beheld standing by their side, in the hour of our LORD's Ascension into Heaven. The event itself is very concisely related in the Gospels. He lifted up His hands to bless His chosen ones; and while He was in the very act of bestowing upon them His prevailing blessing, He rose slowly from the earth; and, with the eyes of all intently fixed upon Him, ascended up on high. His retiring form did not grow less and less, until it disappeared entirely; but a cloud from beneath, (it is expressly stated,) withdrew Him from their eyes. The word used is a remarkable one. It conveys the notion that the cloud bore Him up; came from beneath, and carried Him

up, as a chariot might do,-from Earth to Heaven. . . . The Apostles were yet gazing intently after Him, when lo, 'two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven ? this same JESUS, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.'

In this striking narrative, there is one point to which we desire to call attention; a point, which gives it a special meaning as addressed to ourselves; and helps us to realize our private and personal interest in it.

[ocr errors]

We have seen that the Angels, instead of making any remark on the Ascension of our LORD, though that great event was even then in progress, and the rest of their glorious choir in the upper Heavens were already shouting, 'Lift up your heads, O ye gates;'-I say, the two Angels spake nothing of our LORD's Ascen-, sion to the men of Galilee; but declared to them something concerning His return. He 'shall so come,' (said they,) 'in like manner as ye

[blocks in formation]
« PreviousContinue »