of Scripture; the latter from the loftiest views of the Divine Attributes, and especially from the incomprehensible greatness of the Love of Christ. Every conceivable form and degree of discouragement, from without and from within, is met and overwhelmed from this commanding position. The tempter is confronted from a height which he can neither scale nor turn. The tempted soul is taught how to rise, as on the wings of eagles, to this lofty position; there to "triumph in Christ ;" and in the confidence inspired by His transcendent and changeless love, to smile at the impotent malice of earth and hell, and to prosecute the work of holiness and usefulness "without fear." Take a single sentence. "Fear and trembling as to misery hereafter, can flow but from what we know, feel, or imagine; but the text speaks of a love that is beyond what we can know, feel, or imagine, even of a 'love that passeth knowledge;' consequently of a love that goes beyond all these."

The last treatise, PAUL'S DEPARTURE AND CROWN, is little known in this country. The only clue to its date is found in its immediate object, which is to inspire courage under existing persecution; and to urge Christians, by every salutary counsel and stirring motive, to do up their daily work, so as to be at any moment ready for death. As Robert Philip remarks, "Bunyan evidently feared at the time that Martyrdom awaited some of his people, as well as himself." This inclines us to fix its date, in 1660, just before his imprisonment in Bedford jail. It is such a strain as might have well cheered his own "Faithful" at Vanity Fair. It is a fitting, practical close to this glorious volume; which will be found worthy, in all respects, of its predecessors, and of its Author; and, we trust, will soon become 'familiar and endeared as household words,' by the name of BUNYAN'S DEVOTIONAL WORKS.

Philadelphia, Feb. 22, 1851.

J. N. B.

THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER:

OR,

A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER

WHEREIN ARE BRIEFLY DISCOURSED,

1. WHAT PRAYER IS; 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UN

THE SPIRIT;

DERSTANDING ALSO.

"For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; only the Spirit helpeth our infirmities." Rom. viii. 26.

7

THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER.

LIKEWISE THE SPIRIT ALSO HELPETH OUR INFIRMITIES; FOR WE KNOW NOT WHAT WE SHOULD PRAY FOR AS WE OUGHT.-ROM. viii. 26.

CHAPTER I.

WHAT PRAYER IS.

I WILL PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT, AND I WILL PRAY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. 1 Cor. xiv. 15.

PRAYER is an ordinance of God, and that to be used both in public and private: yea, such an ordinance as brings those that have the spirit of supplication into great familiarity with God. It is also so prevalent an action, that it getteth of God, both for the person that prayeth, and them that are prayed for, great things; it is the opener of the heart of God, and a means by which the soul, though empty, is filled. By prayer the Christian can open his heart to God, as to a friend, and obtain fresh testimony of God's friendship to him.

I might spend many words in distinguishing between. public and private prayer; as also between that in the heart, and that with the voice. Something also might be spoken to distinguish between the gifts and graces of prayers; but eschewing this method, my business shall be at this time only to show you the very heart of prayer, without which, all your lifting up of hands, and eyes, and voices, will be to no purpose at all. "I will pray with the Spirit.”

The method that I shall go on in, at this time, shall be, 1. To show you what true prayer is. 2. To show you what