dread the displeasure, and tremble at the judgments of God, are tempers in no respect inconsistent with the full exercise of love. But the fear which arises from a distrust of God's mercy and goodness, and which makes us reluctant to come into his presence, is contrary to the freedom of the gospel, and to that boldness which it imparts. Love casts out this fear. And "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." The charms of mercy and grace, in which our heavenly Father manifests himself to us, should awaken in our souls gratitude, hope, love, and every cheerful and devout affection.

This boldness imports frequency in our approaches to God. Slaves, under the influence of fear, stand at a distance from their master. Children, invited by the goodness of a father, come often into his presence. So Christians, confiding in God's fatherly care for them and attention to them, should embrace all opportunities to converse with him. Animated by a sense of the liberty allowed them, they should bring to the throne of grace their daily prayers and praises. Since they are not straitened in him, they should not be straitened in their own bowels. The pious Psalmist wished to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, that he might behold the beauty of the Lord and inquire at his temple.

How great is the privilege which Christians enjoy ! They may look up to God as their Father-may go daily into his presence-may tell him all their warts may confess before him all their sins-may solicit the greatest favors-may urge their requests with most fervent importunity; and they need not fear, that their earnestness will offend him, or their continual coming will weary him.

III. The Apostle teaches us, that "we have access with confidence." This confidence is what is else

where called a better hope, and the full assurance of faith. It is opposed to doubting and distrust.

The nature of confidence in prayer is clearly explained by the Apostle John. "If our heart condemn us not, we have confidence toward God; and whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight. This is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us; and if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the pe. titions which we desired of him."

To confidence of success in prayer it is necessary, that we ask according to God's will"-for such things as he allows us, and in such a manner as he requires us to ask. Temporal blessings we must ask with humble submission to that supreme wisdom, which alone can judge what is best. Spiritual blessings we must solicit with the strongest importunity; but at the same time with a concern to perform the conditions on which they are offered. What God has absolutely promised he will certainly bestow. What he has promised conditionally, will follow our compliance with the conditions. The common favors of his providence will be granted in such time, manner and measure, as his wisdom sees most suitable. One may pray in faith-in a full confidence of God's power, wisdom, mercy and faithfulness, and yet feel strong doubts, whether he shall receive the blessings for which he prays; because he is jealous of his own heart, and distristful of his own wisdom. A penitent has an undoubting reliance on God's mercy to forgive; but this reliance may be attended with a painful suspicion of the sincerity of his own repentance. A person in affliction may pray for its removal with a strong assur ance of God's wisdom to discern, and readiness to do what is best; and yet he may doubt whether the removal will be granted; because he knows himself in

competent to judge what his own safety, the good of others and the glory of God's name may require. Confidence in prayer is a full reliance on God; but this may be accompanied with a humble diffidence of ourselves.

IV. We are farther taught, that all our hope of success in prayer must rest upon the mediation of Jesus Christ. "In Christ we have access with confidence, by the faith of him."

In his name we are to come before God; and in the virtue of his atonement and intercession we may hope for acceptance. As the only begotten Son, he is in the bosom of the Father. As he is holy and without sin, God delights in him and hears him always. As he is perfect in knowledge, none of our wants can escape his notice. Having taken part of our flesh and blood, he is not ashamed to call us brethren. Having been tempted in all points as we are, he can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Having purchased by his blood the blessings which we need, he he can make effectual intercession. As he is a mediator ordained of God, what he has done and still is doing for us will be accepted in our behalf.

"Seeing we have such an high priest over the house of God, we may draw near with true hearts in the full assurance of faith."

The Apostle, having stated to the Ephesians their great privileges of access to the throne of grace, teaches them, what improvement they ought to make of it. "Wherefore I desire, that ye faint not at my tribulations for you."

It

He had before called himself " a prisoner of Christ for them" He here expresses the same thought. was for them that he suffered his present bonds and afflictions. These were the consequences of his preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, and of his acknowledg ing them as fellow citizens with the Jews. Fearing, lest his sufferings in the cause of the gospel should dis

hearten these new and unexperienced converts, he sets before them a view of their happy security under the protection of divine grace. Dangers indeed were before them; but what had they to fear, who had boldness of access to God, with confidence by the faith of Christ? "Wherefore," says he, "I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations, which is your glory."

It was one of the glories of their religion, that he who preached it was not ashamed to suffer for it. His constancy and zeal were an unequivocal evidence, that he believed his religion to be true and important, and a decided proof of its efficacy and power to support men in the severest trials. He wished them to consider, that they had not received a religion which the teachers of it were afraid to maintain; but a relig ion which inspired them with courage to meet, and with patience to bear every evil which the world could threaten. Though the Ephesians were expo-ed to the same afflictions which he endured, he desired them not to faint; for the faith which strengthened him, would sustain them; the animating principles, which the gospel afforded to him, it imparted also to them; and they, as well as he, might draw near to God with confidence, and obtain grace to help in time of need. Since they were admitted so near to God-were allowed such free intercourse with him-had such essurance of his attention to their prayers; he hoped, they would neither faint at the tribulations, which they saw in him, nor at those which might happen to them. It was their glory, that they had received the gospel, at a time when it was attended with affliction; and it would still be their greater glory, if they should hold the beginning of their confidence stedfast unto the end.

REFLECTIONS.

1. In the Apostle Paul we have a noble example of benevolence.

He was joyful in his tribulation, finding that it conduced to the happiness of others. He upbraids not the Ephesians with the troubles which he endured for them: He rather exhorts them to be thereby animated to constancy in the faith. He speaks, in the same kind and affectionate terms to the Philippians; "I would have you understand, that the things which happened to me, have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. It is my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed; but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. If I be offered on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy and rejoice with

.me."

It is the glory of the religion of Jesus, that, where it comes with power, it enlarges the mind, purifies the affections, subdues the passions, sweetens the temper, softens the heart to sensibility and love, and excites to every good work.

2. We are taught that new converts should be assisted and encouraged in religion.

These Ephesians, who but lately had embraced the gospel, were in danger of fainting under the tribulations which attended it. The Apostle, therefore, warned them of the trials which they might expect, and fortified their minds by arguments adapted to their

case.

They who enter on the religious life must sit down and count the cost. They must form their good res VOL. III.

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