object. For, in the "closet," God is " ALL in ALL!" When we retire to it, we meet God only we speak to God alone.

ALONE with God! How solemn and sublime! Such access to him has no parallel in heaven itself. It is as if all the spirits around the eternal throne were moved back to "the borders of Emmanuel's land," whenever a new spirit was about to enter; that thus its first interview might be with God alone, and its first emotions seen only by him. Drawing nigh to God in the closet has all the secrecy, and none of the overwhelming solemnity, of such an interview.

The soul is there with God alone, as if it alone engaged all his notice. It has God wholly to itself; and may unbosom and plead as if he had no one else to attend unto at the moment.

We could not have entered within the vail of the temple, even if we had lived when the temple was in all its glory: but, if we could have entered to pray before the mercy-seat, what would it have been, compared with thus meeting, in the "closet," with nothing but

Oh,

God, and with God all to ourselves? why should we ever be reluctant to pray, or heartless in prayer? Secret prayer is a private interview with God, as real as that at the bush in Midian, or that on mount Peniel, vouchsafed to Moses and Jacob. If, therefore, we would readily welcome such visits from God as the patriarchs were favoured with, and would consider even one visit to be, on his part, an act of infinite condescension, what ought we to think of the daily privilege of visiting God in secret, and being noticed, heard, and remembered by him, for good? Do consider: in the "closet" we are allowed to say all unto God that we could wish to say if we were praying upon the very spot where archangels adore, and redeemed spirits sing. There is no note on the harp of Gabriel more welcome to Jehovah that the cry of a penitent for mercy, or the supplication of a child for grace. God makes it even a condition of coming to him, that we "believe that he is the rewarder of them who diligently seek him." Think of all the armies of heaven rolling from their harps the anthems of eternity.

Are they noticed and approved? Hear, then, the voice of God outspeaking the chorus of heaven! "Thus saith the High and Holy One, who inhabiteth eternity, Unto that man will I look, and with that man will I dwell, who is of a contrite spirit, and who trembleth at my word." Truly prayer is " access to God!" He dwells with the prayerful, as he inhabits eternity;-actually, willingly, and with delight. How willingly and cheerfully, therefore, ought we to enter into our closets, and pray to the Father who seeth in secret, and rewardeth openly! Oh, had Joв known all this as clearly as we do, how would he have prized and improved such access and welcome to God! He would not have grudged the time, nor shrunk from the effort, required in drawing nigh unto God. When he exclaimed, "O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!" he would have gladly gone any where to find God. If "his seat" had been on the loftiest and coldest summit of Lebanon, and Lebanon quaking like Sinai, Job would have climbed it, to meet God in mercy. If "his seat" had

been in the depths of the most desolate wilderness, or at the uttermost parts of the sea, Job would have travelled to it willingly, to "order his cause before God." We feel sure of this; it being so consistent with the patriarch's character. Indeed, we should have readily blamed him, in the upbraiding spirit of his three friends, if he had been unwilling to go any where to find God. Well; we know where to find God.

"We have no such lengths to go ;"

We know where

God is always

when we seek

no such questions to ask. he "waiteth to be gracious." to be found at our own HOME, him with the whole heart. More intimate communion may be found with him in the closet at home, than was found in the ancient temple, even by those who travelled from Dan and Beersheba to appear before God in Zion. They could not enter into the holy place made with hands, but had to worship afar off; "for the Law made nothing perfect; but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."

Well, therefore, might Paul add, "Having, therefore, brethren, boldness (freedom) to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail; and having an High Priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith." Thus it is, that "access" to God is the pledge of ACCEPTANCE With God. And, until this be understood and believed, neither the duty nor the privilege of secret prayer will have much influence upon our hearts and habits. So long as we have any doubt, or feel it but a "peradventure," whether we shall really "obtain mercy, and find grace," we shall not come often nor will

While prayer

ingly to the throne of grace. is at all regarded as hopeless work, it will continue to be heartless work.

Now, many do doubt very much, whether they shall succeed in asking for salvation; and they are very much confirmed in this habit of doubting, by observing some who have prayed much and long, but who are yet, by their own confession, quite uncertain as to