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The long continued and oppressive heats of the present season, in our own country, may assist us in forming some slight idea of the heavy judgment at that time inflicted upon Israel. Every meadow and every garden in our neighbourhood now presents to our eyes a parched and withered scene; our trees prematurely drop their leaves, and the whole land appears to gasp for the reviving shower. But in the land of Israel, at particular seasons, and especially on the present occasion, this calamity was carried to a fearful extreme altogether unknown among us. The whole country exhibited one wide scene of desolation, and famine was in all its gates. Such were the sufferings of this afflicted people; and it was an affecting view of those sufferings that urged the prophet to cry mightily unto God on their behalf. His spirit within him was moved, when he saw every where around him the fatal effects of sin, and heard on every side the distressing complaints of such as were ready to perish. In these circumstances the prophet could no longer be

silent: but, casting himself upon the earth in a state of the tenderest sympathy and sorrow, he besought God for the land.

Thirdly-I have to remark, that the prayer of which we speak, was the prayer of faith.

We have no warrant to pray for anything which God hath not promised to bestow. Our natural feelings and importunate desires are not a sufficient ground of prayer. Our desires are often selfish, intemperate, and unreasonable, deserving rather to be crushed in their birth than to be brought before the eyes of Him, who trieth the reins and searcheth the heart. But what God hath freely promised to bestow, that we may confidently ask at his hand. His general promises relate to every thing needful either for the sustenance of the body or the salvation of the soul. But particular and special promises are occasionally made to favoured persons under peculiar circumstances: and that a promise of this kind had been given to Elijah, is intimated by the expression he employed in foretelling the approaching calamity-As the Lord God

of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. This expression leaves no room to doubt that God was pleased, at that very time, to assure the prophet, that, on his earnest supplication, he would become gracious to his land. It was for the fulfilment of this special promise that Elijah now interceded with the Lord Jehovah. This was the solid foundation of his faith and hope; and so perfectly was he assured of the issue, as previously to proclaim, that there was already heard abroad the sound of abundance of rain. The ground then of the prophet's prayer was nothing less than the sure word of promise: and on this ground it well be imagined, that he pleaded with all the fervour and energy which such a case would warrant.

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Public distresses call for earnest supplications; and it becomes the children of God, in an especial manner, to pray for the peace and prosperity of the nations to which they respectively belong; for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. And when this duty

is performed in brotherly love, and mixed with faith, its ultimate success is secured by that encouraging passage of holy writCall upon me in the time of trouble; so will I hear thee, and thou shalt praise me.

Lastly-The prayer of Elijah was the prayer of perseverance.

If our prayer

is casual and momentary, no wonder if it be ineffectual: but when it becomes stated and persevering, it must prevail. It is recorded concerning one of our holy martyrs, that he never withdrew from the throne of grace, till he was favoured with a satisfactory consciousness that his prayer had found acceptance with God. If he prayed for the grace of humility, he rose not from his knees, till he found every high thought subdued and brought down—or if he prayed for a spirit of love, he intermitted not his earnest supplication, till the melting tenderness of his soul discovered that his request was answered. This too was the case with Jacob on that memorable night, in which he was left alone wrestling with an angel, when he cried out in his mighty prayer, I will not let thee go, except thou

bless me. And such was the state of Elijah's mind at this solemn season, exciting in him a holy determination not to discontinue his intercession, till the desired blessing should be obtained.

When he ascended Mount Carmel the second time, there appeared no indications of an approaching change in the atmosphere: the air was serene, the sky without a cloud, and the sun shining with undiminished splendour. Looking, however, through all these discouraging appearances, he cast himself upon the earth, and besought the Lord in favour of his suffering people. He addressed him as the Sovereign of the universe, having all power in his own hand, and bringing out of his treasures fire and hail, snow and vapour, wind and storm, fulfilling his word. He petitioned him as the Father of mercies, passing by the transgressions of his people, and delighting in the prosperity of his servants. He pleaded with him as Israel's Covenant God, ever mindful of his word, and keeping his promise to a thousand generations.

And while the prophet was thus engaged in pouring out his believing soul before God,

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