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    0 n the Divine Jrifluence . 477 *

    cient for a Christian that the duty of prayer is distinctly taught , indeed positively enjoined , in the New Testament , both by our Lord and his apostles , as well as recommended by their example . On this ground then , I apprehend , the compilers of the works in question are justified in admitting such expressions as imply a wish for divine aid to guide us to truth arid virtue , and in believing

    that these pious aspirations are neither improper nor unavailing , though they may not be able to explain exactly in what manner , or to what degree , they are efficacious . And most certainly , if the compilers had struck out all such expressions , their works would not have been

    accommodated to the people for whose use they were designed : for these compilations were not made for schools of speculative philosophy ; but for congregations of Christians , who are contented to take their religion from "the Scriptures , and feel no desire to be wise above what is written /' T . F . ——Trtit ^^ niw ^ i

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    Nottingham 9 Sir , July IS , 1819 . YO UR Correspondent L » . J . J . [ pp . S 67 , 568 , ] has called the attention of your readers to a subject of great importance , and certainly of

    some difficulty : and though I have no doubt that his communication will meet with the attention it merits , from the individuals to whom he particularly addresses his remarks , 1 am inclined to offer a few thoughts which have occurred to myself , as calculated

    to satisfy the doubts which arise in the reflecting mind on this question . Some years ago I read a discourse of Dr . Priestley ' s , on the subject of the Divine Influence upon the Mind , with which I was far from being satisfied . It appeared to me , that with such

    views it would be impossible to vindicate the use of prayer , or to lay any solid foundation for the practical part of religion . I could not help thinking that in combating one error , he had fallen into another , and I was unwilling to believe , that sound

    principles of reasoning could lead to a result evidently unfavourable to the use and efficacy of religion . Indeed , I think it must strike vour Corresnon-¦ ¦ h

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    dent himself , as affording a presumptive argument against" the solidity of his views , when expressions , apparently so congenial to the devout mind as many of those he has selected , appear objectionable . . Allowing for the vividness of expression natural

    to poetical compositions there seem to be but few of Ahe lines selected , of which it would not be easy to give a rational and satisfactory explanation . It appears to be understood by your Correspondent , that , in these passages , the Almighty is represented as

    acting by a supernatural and immediate impulse : but , surely , this is not a necessary deduction . We may suppose the Divine Being to exercise a providence over the spiritual part of his creation , quite as ordinary , and regulated by laws quite as general , as that which we admit he exercises

    over the material world ; and still it may be very proper , in the one case as in the other , to pass by the operation of second causes , and turn our regards solely upon the great First Cause , expressing in simple but striking language , the simple but important and undoubted truth , that God

    is the only Fountain of all our blessings . To make use of a common illustration—when we pray for daily bread we do not fancy that it will be supernaturally provided , without the use of labour and industry . When we speak of God as giving fruitful seasons , we include in our consideration all that series of natural causes

    which he has at command . So when we pray for guidance in our spiritual course , we mean , if we mean any thing , and do not content ourselves with a mere sound of words , that God would exercise his providence , in placing in our way the means of

    improvement , and adapting our principles to our trials . Surely this cannot be thought irrational . For if we believe that God has actually revealed his will to us in a supernatural manner , ( and all Christians do believe

    this , ) fervently to pray that he would so order his providence , as that this holy will should be understood by us , and applied to the sanctification of our lives , cannot be shewn to be irrational or unbecoming . It is not necessary for the vindication of such a petition , that the person

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• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1819, page 477, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1775/page/17/