the best balm for bleeding or for broken hearts, for the sick and sorrowful, the lonely and the afflicted, for as many as suffer wrong, or feel the burthen of their present being. It becomes the very staff and stay of the soul amid change and uncertainty. Such an expectation is moreover a check to Sin and Disobedience: for he who thinks habitually of CHRIST returning to Judgment, will learn by Faith to behold Him as ever nigh.. . . . . Gon, of His mercy, grant us so to pass the days of this mortal life, that when His Blessed SON shall come again in His glorious Majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the Life immortal; through Him who liveth and reigneth with the FATHER and the HOLY GHOST, now and ever!

Sunday after Ascension-Day.

ANSWERED PRAYER.-PART II.

ST. JOHN xvi. 23.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shali ask the FATHER in My name, He will give it you.

IN a former Sermon, we tried to ascertain with what limitations this glorious promise was delivered by our SAVIOUR to His Church. It was suggested, that although unconditional, yet it must be subject to one obvious limit; namely, that the petition which it would be injurious to us to have granted, GOD cannot be supposed to stand pledged to us to grant. We would observe next, that there are things which we ought not to pray for; and therefore, which we cannot expect at GOD's Hands. It is easy to perceive how many unanswered prayers may be explained in this manner. 'Ye ask, and receive not,' (saith the HOLY SPIRIT,) because ye ask amiss.' On the other hand, this is the confidence that we have in Him,' (saith the beloved Disciple,) that

if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us.'

Disappointment in prayer may sometimes be accounted for on another principle: namely, because there is very often an utter want of Faith in the heart of him that prayeth. The prayer unmixed with Faith, cannot expect a reply. The HOLY SPIRIT declares expressly,-'Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the LORD.'

Or again, the lips may draw near to GOD, but the heart be far from Him: and this will fully account for unanswered prayer. Kneeling down and saying one's prayers,' is not praying. If there is no reaching out of the heart to GOD, there can no blessing follow.-Now judge yourselves, ye who have sometimes complained that your prayer went unanswered. Consider whether it may not have been because you asked for things you should not or because you asked with no lively Faith that GOD could and would answer your petition or because your prayers are a mere wandering over a form of words; a form of godliness without the power!

Let me remind you further, that it is plain from Holy Scripture, that our Divine Master sometimes delays to grant our petitions in order

to try our Faith. He delivered a parable on a certain occasion to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not GOD, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not Goi, nor regard- man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the LORD said, Hear what the unjust judge saith! And shall not GoD avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?' If then none of the cases before supposed, is your case; and you complain of strong cryings to God which have yet failed to bring down the promised blessing from on high; consider whether there may not be, in all this, a trial of your Faith: whether it may not be the intention of GOD to see whether you have the heart to pray,-not always, but for a week, and not to faint!'

To the more spiritually minded, nay, to all, we would further remark that we must be content to trust GOD with the fulfilment of His own

promises. We have asked for release from suffering, but He keeps us in constant pain: we have asked to be allowed to do Him service, but He causes us to be bed-ridden for years: we have asked for Health, but a feeble frame of body is ours Rest we have prayed for, but lo, He sends us weariness: and there are plans in life which we have besought Him to bless; but lo, they have not had the issue we expected and desired!

We answer in reply,-But what if, instead of releasing you from suffering in Time, GoD answers your prayers by delivering you from the pains of Eternal Death? Would you call Him unfaithful in that case?

You prayed to be permitted to do Him service. He keeps you bed-ridden. But what if it should appear hereafter that your patient Life had preached patience to thousands,—your calm Death, resignation, to parents, neighbours, friends; and thus you had served GOD effectually; had lived to His praise; had lived to His glory; had drawn a thousand hearts to Him?

You asked for Health. He sent you a weakly frame. But what if the soul grew stronger, the more its earthly tabernacle tottered and trembled strongest then when its tabernacle fell?