XXXIII.

Neither is God in all his thoughts.-Psalm, x. 4

THIS seems to be spoken of the same fool; who, as David tells us in another place, said in his heart, there is no God. He was not such a fool, as to declare it abroad; but he was fool enough to say it in his heart—that is, to persuade himself to believe, what his bad life, no doubt, made him wish.

I shall not here attempt to reason a point with a person of his disposition. I only mean to borrow the subject of a discourse from that part of his character which is held out in the text, Neither is God in all his thoughts.

THE duty of prayer, I think, may be divided into three kinds. The first is public worship -a species of homage, which the serious part. of all mankind-heathen, Jews, and christians,

have thought themselves bound to perform. The second is private prayer; when we enter into our closet, and shut the door, and pray in secret to our Father.The third is what is alluded to in the text-having God in all our thoughts. This last is the kind of prayer, which I mean at present to explain. I shall examine, first, the nature; and, secondly, the advantages of it.

By having God in all our thoughts, I mean encouraging in ourselves that heavenly disposition, which mixes Deity, as it were, with the most common concerns of life. If any little successful event arises (I speak of the smallest events of life) the first sentiment is an ejaculation of praise to God; accompanied perhaps with a pious hope, that its issue may be morally improving.The same pious hope, accompanied with an ejaculation, signifying perfect resignation, attends every little sinister event.When any thing is done, it is the first question of the heart, Is this pleasing to God?-When any thing is left undone, How far, O God, am I guilty in thy sight? Cleanse me from my secret faults.Does any little difficulty arise ?-Guard me, O God, with thy good spirit! Have I used a wrong,

expression ?-Set a guard, O God, upon my lips?

When we thus mix God and religion with all the little offices of life, it appears, that in the best sense, we have our conversation in heaven; and fulfil the precept of doing every thing, whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, to the glory of God. This constant attention to our heavenly Father, David expresses thus: As the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters; and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; even so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God.-Let the sceptic scoff: but let us persuade ourselves, that by thus mixing God, and religion, with the common affairs of life, we obey that God, who has graciously informed us, he has an eye upon our minutest concerns-and that not even a sparrow falls to the ground with

out his concurrence.

LET us next turn to the special advantages of this mode of worship.

The first is, that it tends more, perhaps, than any other species of devotion, to form the heart. All men are, more or less, inclined to the opus operatum. It is by no means solely confined to popery. Though we should be impressed on all occasions,

casions, when we pray to God, with the highest reverence, yet we are too apt, both when we pray at church, and in our closets, to make our prayers matter of form. Do the best we can, they are often cold and languid. The occurrences of life are too apt to obtrude themselves upon us. But when we have God in all our thoughts, the occurrences of life make up our very prayers. They furnish materials for them.

The dissenter therefore uses no form: the minister keeps up the attention of the congregation by an extempore prayer: which would certainly have the preference, if every minister was properly qualified for this service; and if a congregation could readily follow an extempore prayer. But in fact, I think the chief difference with regard to form, between them and us, is, that their forms are gotten by heart; and ours are written *.

On particular occasions, I think, the dissenter has the advantage. An occasion of this kind I recollect: It was in the beginning of the year 1786, when the first fleet sailed to Botany Bay. The ships stood through the Needles, which are opposite to Lymington. It was on a Sunday morning, when the people were assembling at church; and the dissenting minister took a very just occasion, as the fleet sailed past, to desire the prayers of the congregation for the suceess of the expedition.

I am

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I am not fond of comparing one duty with another; as it often throws a depreciating exception, where it is not intended. And yet it is not easy in some cases, without a comparison, to get at the truth. Public devotion, closet devotion, and the devotion here examined, are all certainly highly good; and all prescribed by our religion; but the mind is certainly in a fitter frame for devotion, when it breaks out in its own spontaneous effusions; than when it is excited by the sound of a bell.

Another advantage, which attends this mode of prayer, is the great easiness of it. We carry the temple along with us. We need no temple but the heart. We have not even the trouble of entering into our closet, and shutting the door. We may every where-in all companies-amidst any business-pray in secret to our Father.