August 24 — On the Gospel for St. Bartholomew, Luke vi. 12, &c

Consider, first, how our Lord, designing to make choice of his twelve apostles, by way of preparation for this great work, went out into a mountain to pray and there passed the whole night in the prayer of God, that is, in most earnest and fervent prayer. Learn from hence, my soul, in all thou takest in hand, to begin with prayer, in order to draw down the blessing of heaven upon thy undertakings; learn also of thy Saviour to be fervent and earnest in thy prayers; learn to retire with him, as often as thou canst, for thy private devotion, from the noise and distractions of the world. Recollection, solitude, and the silence of the night, are great helps to devotion. O, what oughtest not thou to do, to secure the salvation of thy own soul, when the Son of God has passed even whole nights in prayer for the love of thee! He stood not in need of prayer for himself; but has given us an example, to teach us how much we ought to take to heart, upon all occasions, this exercise of fervent prayer.

Consider, secondly, the fruits of this night's prayer, in the great things, our Lord performed the next morning; which we may reduce under three heads; — first, his choice of his twelve apostles; secondly, his divine sermon on the mount; thirdly, his many miracles he wrought, when, as the Gospel informs us, a very great multitude of people came to hear him and to he healed of their diseases; and a virtue went out from him, and healed them all, verse 17, 18, 19. Contemplate, my soul, all these wonders of divine grace, wrought in consequence of the prayer of that night. See a company of poor, weak, illiterate fishermen, wonderfully advanced on a sudden to be the great pillars and founders of the church of God, and prime ministers of his king dom upon earth. Bow thyself down, and embrace the heavenly law, published on this occasion by thy Redeemer, in that admirable sermon, in which, with a most amiable simplicity, joined wiii a wonderful authority, he has laid down all the fundamentals of Christian morality; and do thou also learn to approach in spirit to his feet with his disciples to receive of his doctrine, (Deut. xxxiii. 3,) and to be healed by him of all thy diseases. O, ever rememr, that the true way of all good, and the source of all light, grace, and benediction, is to go up with him to the mountain, and to converse with God by recollection and prayer.

Consider, thirdly, what we read here in the Gospel, that all the multitude sought to touch our Lord; for virtue went out from him and healed all, verse 19. If virtue went out from our Lord to heal the corporal diseases of all them that touched him, whilst he was here visibly present, during his mortal life, can we suppose he h either Jess power, or less goodness, to heal the spir itual maladies of all such as properly apply to him, now he has entered into his glory, after shedding his precious blood for ust No certainly; but as all power is given him in heaven and earth, so virtue never ceases to go out from him, in favour of all that spiritually approach to him, and that seek to keep him company jn their own interior; and how much more in favour of them that verily and indeed touch him, and receive him within their house, by means of the holy communion. O, let us always endeavour to keep close to him, and his virtue will always be with us.

Conclude to go up with Christ, upon all occasions, into the mountain, by retirement and prayer. In all thy deliberations, thou must consult this oracle. In all danger, let this be thy refuge. Run hither to be delivered from all thy evils. Here thou shalt meet with thy sovereign Good.