CHAP. XI] INFLUENCE OF GOD'S SPIRIT 175

acknowledging Who gives and guides the instinct? Then, when we consider man, we have to think of the prodigy of articulate speech, of grammatical construction of different languages; of the invention of symbols for sounds, leading to writing; and other symbols for numbers, leading to arithmetic and mathematics. It is hard to think of these as all of spontaneous growth when we look at savages still extant in our day who are unconscious that they are even possible. But if we look within ourselves we must be aware that often and often there is a Spirit which speaks to our spirits, which suggests, reproves, or comforts or encourages or teaches. There must be such a Spirit if there be a God, and if He holds not aloof altogether from His creatures; there are few indeed who do not at some time recognise His presence and guidance.

But the influence of the Spirit on one of us may also affect many others. There is no man whose life does not touch almost at every moment some other life near him. His conduct, his proceedings, are not isolated, they inevitably act and react on the well-being, and even on the actions, of his fellows. If this is so with individuals in the humblest station, how much more is it the case with those who from position or ability have wider

spheres. Every now and then the world recognises some one whose life has affected the fate of thousands, or even may turn the tide of the history of nations; or it may be some one whose mere thoughts give a fresh impulse to the career of men and women in generations yet to come. Thus does the Spirit of God, ever working on the spirit of every human being, produce results which we may not be able with our imperfect knowledge to trace back to Him, but which are yet assuredly brought to pass by Him.

Therefore we need not have any question or hesitation respecting the duty and efficacy of prayer, provided only the prayer is for such things as God may see to be really for our good. This condition is obviously necessary, since our imperfect knowledge may lead us sometimes to desire what is not for our good, and what therefore the perfect knowledge of God will deny. The condition is implied in Christ's direction, Ask in My name,'1 for to ask in the name of another is to ask what that other would desire to ask for us. So also it is said, 'If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he

Matt. xviii. 20; John xiv. 13, xv. 16, xvi. 23.

CHAP. XI]

EFFECT OF PRAYER

177

for a fish give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?'1 orgive good things to them that ask Him?'2

The limitation was illustrated by our Lord Himself, when in His human weakness, in the agony of Gethsemane, He prayed, 'O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.' We know that the prayer was refused, and the cup was drained to the dregs. So may it be that sometimes our prayers, though forced from us as drops of blood, may be refused, if the Divine Father's purposes of deeper mercy, to ourselves or others, may require.

Nevertheless we may also remember that often the mere act of prayer may enable the Divine purpose to be altered so as to grant our desires. For a prayer in true faith and yet devout submission implies that the mind and soul are in such an attitude of communion with God, and recognition of His infinite love, that in themselves they make it possible for Him to grant what in any

1 Luke xi. 11.

2 Matt. vii. 11.

3 Matt. xxvi. 39; Mark xiv. 36; Luke xxii. 42.

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other mental condition would be hurtful to us. Adopting the parable of the earthly son and father, it may frequently happen that a wilful child ought to be punished or restrained, while if he becomes penitent, and asks forgiveness and favour, he may in judicious kindness receive both. In the act itself of prayer, the implied acknowledgment of God's power and mercy, and faith in His goodness, are the objects He desires to attain, and it may often be that they permit Him to grant a human desire. One thing we do know for certain that He will always grant, that is the gift of the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.' But if we obey the injunction, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,' then we are assured that our Heavenly Father knoweth that we have need of the things that concern the body, and all these things shall be added unto you.' 2

It need scarcely be said that whatever we ask of God must be also in conformity with His general laws, in so far as they are revealed to us, or as it may be in our power to apprehend them. We cannot possibly expect that He shall go against the laws which He has established for the good of His creatures. These we are here set to learn, and are 2 Matt. vi. 33.

1 Luke xi. 13.

CHAP. XI] MUST ACCORD WITH LAW 179

bound to obey, and therefore we must first strive our utmost to understand them and conform our conduct to them, before we can ask that He shall use His other laws so as to afford us what succour we may need. Thus we must follow as far as we know the laws of health, or of agriculture, or of mechanics, or of science, or of morals, and above all the great law of love, before we can hope that God will grant any prayer for His further help, whether it be for the cure of disease, or success in business, or victory in war, or any other object of our desire.

The second objection to the idea of the direct government of God is that it would be inconsistent with the exercise of freedom of man's will. For who, it is said, can resist God, and how can man act of himself if God acts for or against him?

No doubt God could overpower our will, but what warrant is there for assuming that He does? We are convinced by our own consciousness that we are free to act in one way or another, and God does not prevent such action even if it turns to evil, though He may afterwards bring it to nought. He allows us to take our own way, and its consequences. By His Spirit He strives to