any attempt arising from the contrivance of the creature,[1] whether to promote religion, or any thing else, till we are convinced that it is from the will of our heavenly Father. We must feel his power; we must have an evidence of his light to shew us the way." pp. 114, 115.
The Bible teaches us that it is by the power of
the Holy Spirit, that man is made willing and enabled
to perform his duty to God and to himself; but if the
reader will give his attention to the doctrine of our
Lord and his Apostles, upon the all important subject
of prayer, he will see how evidently the foregoing
sentiments are in opposition to them. In the simple
command of our Lord, we have not only a warrant for
private prayer, but an imperative obligation to that
duty; no preparation is enjoined, nor is any implied,
but a sense of need and absolute impotence, on the
one hand; and on the other, faith that God is able
and willing to supply our wants, when we ask in the
name of Christ. This sense of destitution, and every
degree of living faith, are from the operation of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. And where are we told
to wait for a further preparation?
Observe how the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, exhorts his fellow believers to pray for him and his co-workers, and for the success of their labours. It would be well for us to consider, how far we feel the obligation, to help true ministers of the Gospel with our prayers.
- ↑ Contrivance of the creature—see under Ser. VI. Ex. 1.
