Bound in neat Cloth, at 2s. 6d. each. Sold by THOMAS WARD and Co., 27, Paternoster Row. CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE; OR, A GUIDE TO THE PERPLEXED. "I should know how to speak a word in season, to him that is weary."-ISAIAH. ETERNITY REALIZED ; OR, A GUIDE TO THE THOUGHTFUL. "I have been dwelling on the sides of eternity."-BRAINERD. PLEASING GOD; OR, A GUIDE TO THE CONSCIENTIOUS. THE GOD OF GLORY; OR, A GUIDE TO THE DOUBTING. Second Series; to the Young. MANLY PIETY IN ITS PRINCIPLES. MANLY PIETY IN ITS SPIRIT. No. 1. ACCESS TO GOD. King. THE highest human honour is access to the Even a single interview with the monarch is generally coveted, and, if obtained, never forgotten. How much more should access to the " King Eternal, Immortal, and Invisible," be prized and improved! But, alas! it is not so in general. We are naturally averse to "draw nigh unto God." The human mind, whilst unaffected by eternal things, regards prayer rather as an irksome task than as a glorious privilege. Accordingly we invent or avail ourselves of excuses for the neglect of prayer, and are not often very sorry when kept or called away from the throne of grace. Even when bowing before it in secret, and whilst no external objects distract or divert our minds, we are prone to hurry over devotion, and but too willing to return to the world. The social circle, or a favourite book, has, in general, greater charms for us, and can detain us much longer, than the mercy-seat of God. We find it easier to come down from the closet to the parlour, than to go up from the parlour to the closet. "The hour of prayer" is far less punctually kept than the hour of any secular or social engagement. The time which ought to be sacred to God is often sacrificed to the world; but we seldom sacrifice to God any of the time which belongs to the world. In a word, there is nothing we have more reason to be ashamed of than our low views, and our lower feelings, upon the subject of secret prayer. And yet, prayer is access to God, and may be communion with God! It may be to us what praise is to angels and glorified spirits"fellowship with God and the Lamb." We may come as near to the Eternal Mind in prayer, as they come to the eternal throne in praise. What then ought we to think of our reluctance to pray? Were any angel or spirit |