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The assurance of the efficacy of prayer is a great help against distraction. And this we may firmly believe, that from the creation of the world to the present day, there has never been an earnest and faithful prayer made to God, that He has not regarded. Not one prayer, that any of us has ever offered in faith, has been offered in vain. The very answer indeed we anticipated may not have been sent. Apparently, perhaps, no answer whatever has been vouchsafed. may seem, as if we should have done just as well without the prayer. But the sure word of God convinces us, that this is not the case. We may be fully assured our prayer has been heard by God in heaven, and has not been forgotten. Whenever, therefore, you pray, you may feel quite certain, that your prayer will be answered in mercy, provided you pray aright; and this conviction will serve to keep your thoughts intent when you are engaged in prayer.

I will only add one further direction, and that of a very simple and practical nature; and that is, that you will find, I believe, your prayers will be less distracted, more earnest, faithful, and real, if, when you pray, you kneel without lounging or leaning upon any thing, unless your lack of strength requires such support. This of course is not pressed upon you as a matter of imperative obligation,

but rather submitted as-for such I believe it will be found-a useful practical suggestion. It may seem a little matter. But let it be tried, and act as by experience you find it either serviceable or otherwise. Both in Church and in private avoid, as far as you can, anything approaching to a lounging, indolent, careless way of kneeling. If you find this direction does any harm to your souls, by hindering your prayers in any way, then forbear from using it. But, I repeat it, I believe your experience will soon prove to you, that it has more efficacy to hinder distraction, than at first you might be disposed to believe. And, my brethren, as in our spiritual life so much depends upon prayer, and as lifeless prayer can profit little, we may well use every means in order so to pray, that God may graciously accept our prayers, may give us our heart's desire, and after having saved us from the sin and misery of this present evil world, may bring us to our eternal home, there for ever to rejoice in His love, and there for ever to celebrate His praise.

SERMON XIII.

TRUTH KNOWN AND SLIGHTED.

1 CORINTHIANS ii. 8.

"Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

We cannot but observe that a great stress is laid in the word of God upon our knowing the things which belong to our peace. Nor need we be surprized at this. For although knowledge without practice leads only to more severe condemnation, yet the possession of a true knowledge of what God has done for our souls appears almost of absolute necessity to our salvation. The Israelites were frequently reminded how highly they were favoured, in that to them the Name of God had been revealed, His laws declared, His judgments made known. What God had done for them was to be kept in remembrance through every succeeding generation; from the father to the children they were to make known the truth. And the Christian Church, in like manner, is spoken of as being

beyond measure blessed in the possession of those treasures of knowledge, which by inspiration have been communicated to it. "Blessed," said our gracious Lord to His disciples, "are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear for verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." And, as recognizing this blessedness, we are taught in the Baptismal service of our Church, to give humble thanks to Almighty God for that He has vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of His grace and faith in Him. Ignorance therefore in regard to religious truth must be considered of the greatest danger to the soul. Had the princes of this world known what God had ordained before the world unto our glory, they would not have crucified the Lord of that glory. It would have been impossible for men to have acted towards our Blessed Lord as they did, if they had known that He was indeed the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. No one would have dared to raise His hand to smite the Lord Jesus, had he been aware of His eternal Godhead. Neither the chief priests nor the people would have been so urgent with Pilate to

1 St. Matthew xiii. 16, 17.