Let us then put up this prayer,-put it up sincerely, humbly, as deeply sensible of our own unworthiness,— importunately, repeatedly, and at the same time take heed of every thing that may hinder its success. We should especially beware of sin: "The Lord's hand," says the prophet, "is not shortened, that it cannot save, nor his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; but your sins have separated between you and your God." Here let me mention the sin of worldly mindedness: "For the iniquity of his covetousness," says God, "I smote him; I was wroth, and hid my face from him." The friendship of this world is enmity with God. Let me also caution you against carnal company and ensnaring connexions: "Come out from amongst them," says God," and be ye separate; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness; and what communion hath light with darkness; and what concord hath Christ with Belial?" These two things, too great an attachment to the world, and the choice of irreligious persons (by whom I mean not the openly profane,-for a regard to our own character as professors will keep us from the society of such, but those who are apparently destitute of the fear of the Lord) for their intimate friends and companions, have robbed the saints of many a sweet hour of communion with God. Hence that advice, "Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house, so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty; for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him." A man that hath friends must show himself friendly. THE advantages of real friendship are great, and the duties resulting from it many. We have a comprehensive view of them in my text. We should exercise a common civility towards all men, neither despising the poor on account of the meanness of their condition, nor hating our greatest enemies for the injuries we have received from them; but " a man that hath friends must show himself friendly." Here we have a privilege spoken of, and a duty prescribed. I. A privilege spoken of. It is certainly so to have friends. To say that a man is friendless, is to denote a complete state of misery: "Lover and friend," says David, "hast thou put far from me." This aggravated his troubles, and added weight to all his other distresses. On the contrary, next to the comforts of religion are those of friendship and society; especially when those whom we look upon as our friends are 1. Real and disinterested, sincerely what they profess to be, not acting from selfish motives, but making our interest their own. Most men seek their own, and do not, as the apostle expresses it in another case, "naturally care for the state of others." Here and there, perhaps, we may find one who will sympathize with us in all our griefs and joys, and by all proper means promote our happiness and welfare. Happy is the man that hath such a friend. 2. Wise and prudent, able and willing to give us advice when we are at a loss how to act; and that without upbraiding our ignorance, or despising us for our weakness. It is a happiness to have such friends, who are discreet and experienced, and, at the same time, open and communicative. If our friend be weak and silly, his folly may plunge us into great inconveniences; and let him be ever so sagacious, if he be sullen and reserved, his wisdom will do us little service. David was happy in the friendship of Hushai, who, by his good sense and deep penetration, defeated the pernicious councils of Ahithophel, and extricated his royal master from a state of the greatest perplexity. 3. Pious virtue is the only solid foundation for friendship; for he that is not a good man cannot be a good friend. Prayer for friends is one of the most important duties of friendship; but he is not likely to pray for us who does not pray for himself. The concerns of the soul are of the most interesting nature, but it is not probable that he will be mindful of the spiritual concerns of others, who is regardless of his own. Those are the most valuable and desirable friends who are, at the same time, like Abraham, the friends of God. Not the gay, sensual, and profane, but the serious and thoughtful, circumspect and holy; whose conversation will be instructive, and their example improving; whose hearts glow with love to God, and whose conduct and behaviour exhibit all the beauties of the religious life. By their means we may be fortified against temptations, kept from many an hurtful snare, be convinced of sin when we have committed it, and rendered more stedfast in the ways of God. "As iron sharpeneth iron," says Solomon, "so doth the countenance of a man whom we choose for our companions: if they are modest and humble, we grow like them; if they are bold and impudent, we become so too. Give me leave to add, under this head, if a courteous and obliging temper, a natural sweetness of disposition, be added to strict virtue and real piety, it makes the ties of friendship more sweet and more durable. This seems to have been the case with respect to David and Jonathan. That man can never be a friend to others who is a foe to himself. 66 Lastly. Faithful and persevering; who will smile when the world frowns, stand by us when others forsake us, and adhere to us in the face of the greatest opposition. Thus all Saul's threats and reproaches could not make Jonathan renounce the covenant of friendship he had made with David, whom he loved as his own soul. Such friendships are very rare. My brethren," says Job, "have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away." A failing brook is a fit emblem of a false heart. A friend that loveth at all times, who does not change when our circumstances change, but is the same whether we are in a state of affluence or want, in honour or disgrace, is one of the choicest gifts of God. "Friendship's the wine of life: A friend is worth all hazards we can run. YOUNG. This should lead us to think of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all these characters meet. He is the greatest, best, and most affectionate, the most disinterested and faithful of all friends a friend to them that have no other friend; a friend to those who have been his most bitter enemies, and who lives when other friends die; to whom we may justly apply the words following my text: "There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother." O may each of us be "This is my beloved, and this is my friend!" able to say, II. Let us consider the duty prescribed: "He that hath friends should show himself friendly;" act agreeably to the connexions formed, and the confidence reposed in him. Though the forming of friendships is a matter not of necessity but of choice, yet, when they are formed, it is highly incumbent upon us that we should so regulate our temper and conduct as may best tend to their continuance and improvement. 1. We should take care that our inward sentiments and feelings perfectly agree with our outward professions. Undissembled integrity becomes the man, and adorns the Christian. Extravagant professions of regard, and large promises of help and assistance, are to be avoided, as also lavish praises and commendations; for these, however gratifying they may be to a weak man, will rather be disgusting to a wise one. We should never speak more than our hearts feel, or enter into engagements which we may possibly want both an ability and inclination to perform. This is the character that David gives of men in a very degenerate age: "They speak vanity every one to his neighbour, with flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak." 2. We should not be shy in using our friends, or backward in receiving kindnesses from them. Dr. Young says, speaking of friendship, "Reserve will wound it, and distrust destroy." It is as much an act of friendship without hesitation to accept a favour, as readily to confer one; and the not doing so at proper and convenient seasons has begotten a jealousy and suspicion that we would not lay an obligation upon another because we are so loth to come under one ourselves but a real friend should be willing to do both. He should give and receive advice, admit frequent visits and repay them, inquire into the grievances of another and tell his own, partake of the bounty of his friend, and let : |