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"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him." "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.......that he may grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.”* His apostolic benedictions include a similar petition ; " The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all."†

And as he interceded for them, he desired their intercessions in return in order to the success of his work-" Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified."‡ " Praying - always with all prayer and supplication.......for all saints, and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel."§

* Eph. i. 17. iii. 14. 16. † 2 Thess. iii. 1

† 2 Cor. xiii. 14.

§ Eph. vi. 18. 19.

Secondly, The word of God has recommended prayer for this blessing in those numerous passages in which prayer for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ is exemplified or inculcated. In such prayer the former object is necessarily implied, the pouring out of the Spirit being indispensable to the conversion of a single soul to God. And it was connected with it in the actual contemplation and desire of New Testament saints, as is plainly to be inferred from their habit of devout dependence upon God, and the constant reference to this gift of Christ which we discover in the apostolic writings.

Here, too, our blessed Lord may be referred to as an example of such prayer. "Ask of me," said the Father to his Holy One, and I shall give unto thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."* And in accordance with this appointment of the everlasting covenant, the life of the Redeemer in the heavenly temple is a life of continual intercession in behalf

* Psalm ii. 8.

of all whom the Father has given him to the end of time-of prayer for the sending forth of the Comforter, to "convince the world of sin, and righteousness, and judgment," and to renew and save those who are to be brought to glory.* His church are to unite in such supplication, with their Head, and for their Head, in order that he may see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; "Prayer shall also be made for him continually." He himself enjoined such prayer upon his people, when he said, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." It is remarkable that three petitions in this brief summary of prayer, relate to the advancement of the reign of heaven. Similar is the import of that address, in Isaiah's glowing prophecies, to the watchmen of Jerusalem, who are enjoined not to hold their peace day nor night-" Ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth."‡ What an exhortation to importunity! How sacredly binding the duty to which it calls us!

* See John xvi. and xvii. + Psalm Ixxii. 15. ‡ Isa. lxii. 6, 7.

In the prophecies of Ezekiel we find prayer, in the same manner, required of the nation of Israel as introductory to the manifestation of favor to them at the time of their final restoration. "Thus saith the Lord God, I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock."* And with the restoration and increase to which the passage refers, is closely connected in the prophecy, as an indispensable part of that prosperity for which they are to inquire of God, an abundant communication of gracious influence to renew and sanctify; new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you......and I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them."†

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In the prayers for the progress of the gospel, to which we have had occasion to direct your - attention, there was, without doubt, a reference

* Ezek. xxxvi. 37.

† Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27.

to all that various instrumentality by which the Most High carries on his cause to the various means brought into operation by the arrangements of his providential government, by which obstacles are removed and facilities created, mountains levelled and vallies exalted, the purposes of enemies thwarted, and men made unconscious instruments of advancing the interests of truth. But at the same time who can deny a more prominent place still, in the purport of such intercessions, to that good and perfect gift, by the communication of which alone the gospel can be preached with demonstration and with power, can be spoken in faith, and received in the love of it unto salvation ? In a word, our conclusion is, from a review of the statements of Scripture on this subject, that the gift of the Spirit of God, for the building up of the church and the conversion of the world, is both the legitimate subject of direct petition at the throne of mercy, and is implied and desired in all scriptural intercessions for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ in the earth.

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