imagine the presence-chamber of the great King to be, the glory of whose presence will render it more righteous and illustrious than the united beams of ten thousand suns. And, therefore, though the Scripture has no where given us an exact description of this glorious place, because indeed no language can describe it; yet since God has chosen it for the everlasting theatre of bliss and happiness, we may reasonably conclude that He has most exquisitely furnished it with all accommodations requisite for a most happy and blissful life.

Ibid.

If I die a good man, I shall carry into eternity with me the genius and temper of a glorified spirit; and that will recommend me to the society of heaven, and render the spirits of those just men whose names I never heard of, as dear friends to me in an instant, as if they had been my ancient cronies and acquaintances.

Ibid.

What are the pains of a moment to the pleasures of eternity? Wherefore, hold out, my faith and patience, yet a little longer, and your work will soon be at an end; and, after a few laborious week-days, you shall keep an everlasting Sabbath! Ibid.

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, PRAYER, FASTING, AND ALMSGIVING.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see the things

which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matt. xiii. 17.

Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify John v. 39.

of Me.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learnt and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learnt them;

And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Tim. iii. 14-17.

When thou prayest enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matt. vi. 6.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Matt. vii. 7-11.

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth. John ix. 31.

If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt. xviii. 19, 20.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James v. 16.

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John iii. 22.

When thou fastest, anoint thy head and wash thy face;

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Take heed that ye do not your alms before

men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what the right hand doeth ;

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly. Matt. vi. 17, 18. 1—3.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal : For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt. vi. 19, 20.

If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me. Matt. xix. 21.

Sell that ye have and give alms; provide yourselves bags that wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fadeth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

For where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also. Luke xii. 33, 34.

When thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Luke xiv. 13, 14.

He who prays fervently will never sin deliberately.

Believe that the very act of asking for the performance of any promise, draws down, as with a golden chain, the blessing.

Be careful not to speak a lie in your prayers.

Bp. Jeremy Taylor.

Wait for God, and think not every hearty prayer can procure every thing from God. Those things which the saints did not obtain without many prayers, and much labour, and showers of tears, and long-protracted watchfulness and industry, do you also expect in its own time, and by its usual measures. Do valiantly, hope confidently, and wait patiently, and you shall find you will not be deceived.

Ibid.

the

Prayer is the nearest approach to God and the highest enjoyment of Him that we are capable of in this life. When our hearts are full of God, sending up holy desires to the throne of grace, we are then in our highest state, we are upon utmost heights of human greatness; we are not before kings and princes, but in the presence and audience of the Lord of all the world, and can be no higher until death is swallowed up in glory.

Law.

Regular and stated fasts formed a part of the discipline by which, during the whole period since the Christian Church has been founded, all her