* A friend has sent us some Sermons, or Notes of Sermons, by the late worthy Dr. Mackay of Inverness, who died in 1886. We print the above short discourse this month, which was the last Dr. Mackay preached before his decease.—ED.
THERE are many exhortations in the chapter which we have just read. I notice, my friends, in the verse under consideration a solemn exhortation given to every man and woman to be engaged in prayer. A praying congregation is a congregation which will prosper; a praying family is a family which will be blessed of God; a praying man is a true Christian. And hence we find again and again impressed upon us in the sacred Scriptures to pray without ceasing. Let the pulse once stop, and it is a sure sign that the man is dead; and hence we must be praying to be united to Christ for the life that will never end. “I give eternal life unto my sheep, and they shall never perish.” Their life is hid with Christ in God, and it continues because it is a spiritual life.
I purpose to make a few observations on the words under consideration: “Pray without ceasing.” Now, there are different ways of preaching and teaching. I may mention that it was told to me—not to their credit—that there are some young men in my congregation who are not fond of doctrinal preaching. I do not think that there is an enlightened Christian but has a relish for doctrinal preaching. There cannot be such a thing as an enlightened man or woman but has a relish for doctrinal preaching. Experimental preaching is the dealings of God with the soul, and you must make the doctrinal preaching to bear upon the experimental preaching, for the one is united to the other. By experimental preaching or teaching you feel how the Spirit of God works upon yourself. My friends, there is another form of doctrine of importance, namely, practical doctrine. I put this along with the others. I do not like to hear so much about intellectual preaching: this is the high-toned words which show the ability of the man. Experimental preaching is much to be preferred to such. And, again, there is nothing more edifying than the doctrinal teaching of our Catechisms.
The apostle here says, “Pray without ceasing.” And the question I first put is this: “What are we to pray for?” We must know what we are to pray for. It is faith that teacheth savingly. We must pray for forgiveness of sins, for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. We must also pray to be united to Christ. But another question which follows here is this: “What kind of prayer should it be? What prayer is here recommended?” Now, my friends, you will observe this is a most important question. The kind of prayer here recommended is a humble prayer: it must come in the exercise of humility. It is a grand thing to see a humble Christian like the centurion: “I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof.” You will notice, again, that the prayer here recommended is a believing prayer. Hence they who “come to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” “Come unto me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” There are some, and their prayer is so cold; not like the prayer of Jacob of old—”I will not let thee go until thou bless me.” And depend upon it, if there is an earnest request to God, one feels his necessity of it. It is also a prayer in which there is perseverance. You must persevere in prayer. But, my friends, we often forget that we must persevere until God answers our prayer. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me.” We must plead His own promise, and follow the example of Him who was sometimes all night in prayer. We should walk in His steps. My friends, we must have a spiritual prayer. There are some who have a string of words, and you will get tired of them. The lips are speaking words, but the heart is far from God. Beware of this stumbling-block. Our prayers sometimes should be short, especially in public. When you go to your closet be as long as you like, and pray as spiritually as you can; but when praying in public, be short, for there perhaps you are not always speaking the desires of them that hear you.
I notice that there may be several reasons why God may not answer the prayers of His people at once. Perhaps He may see that you are very formal, and not dealing with Him as spiritually as you might be; and then do you think that God will answer a prayer like that? When you are indifferent, He rebukes you, for you are not praying as you ought. Perhaps He sees that you rest more upon the prayer than upon Himself, for there are many in the world who rest more upon the prayer than upon Himself. There are many, I say, there are many, who have a pope for themselves; they rest upon their prayers. Now, what we mean by the sovereignty of God in answering prayer is, that He takes His own way in answering prayer. He answers some, and does not answer others; just according as he sees best in their circumstances. He answered Paul, and He answered Silas. I am sure that if the three children who were cast into the furnace got their prayer answered before they were cast in, the glory of God would not be so much manifested. I notice, my friends, that God delays the answering of His people’s prayers to try them. I have seen beggars at the door, and you could distinguish between those who were necessitous, and those who were not. We must have ourselves tried as to the love which we have to God. If you truly love God, there is an earnestness which is not easily removed. A child is very impatient. Suppose he was in the garden, and said, “Papa, or mamma, give me some of that fruit.” His papa would not give it to him, for the reason that it would not be good for him. We must wait God’s time, for He knows what is for our benefit better than we. And hence I see another reason why God delays answering your prayer, and that is: if the delay is long, the sweeter it is when fulfilled. I do not know if you understand this. When God delays the answering of prayer, the fulfilment is sweeter. I hope, my friends, you are attending to the different points. What is the Christian going to do when his prayers are not answered? He is just to persevere. I remember of a woman going to the Rev. Mr. Cook, Reay, and telling him the great temptation that she had, and that she did not find the Bible of any use to her. He did not make a long speech; but what do you think he said? “Oh, woman, you do not find the Bible of any use to you! Put it away from you, and give up your praying.” “Oh,” she said, “I could never do that.” Be persevering in the use of all the means. Why must we pray without ceasing? Our wants are without ceasing. We must therefore be praying without ceasing, and be in the element of prayer. Never cease from prayer until you get within the threshold of heaven. May God bless His own Word!
NOTHING, nothing must I give for Christ. O, sweet truth to me, who have nothing which I dare call my own, but my sin! Cursed be my pride, that ever prompted me to present my self-righteousness—my splendid sins—to the Most High, as the price of His Son and of redemption through Him. O, astonishing grace, that He did not bid me perish with my money, because I thought the gift of God might be purchased with it.—John Brown.