tation and prayer that can come properly from the clergy only, (to whom they are an invaluable treasure) as to unfit them for general use.

They are now presented to the publick in a separate volume; fo that pious Christians may, at a reasonable expence, diftribute them among fuch people as either will not or cannot buy them; and the petitions peculiar to the clergy only are all thrown out. The pious reader will find thefe Meditations and Prayers too long, according to the pre

fent

fent divifion of them, which there is no occafion to adhere to. He may take them up, and lay them down, at his own difcretion and convenience. It is recommended to him to go through them regularly, and to continue the use of them his whole life; felecting fuch parts for more frequent meditation as are best adapted to his neceffity and difpofition.

As prayer important works a man can be engaged in, and few find themfelves able to discharge it in the

is one of the most

manner they wish to do; it is humbly hoped, that this book, if duly attended to as it deferves, may with God's affiftance teach them to pray; may lead our thoughts to meditate on religious fubjects; and habituate us to clothe our meditations in the language of decent, pious, and fervent prayer.

That this valuable book may have this effect, is the intention and the earnest prayer of

THE EDITOR.

ON

DEVOTION and PRAYER.

TRU

RUE Devotion confifts in having our hearts always devoted to God, as the fole Fountain of all Happiness; and who is ready to hear and help his otherwise helpless, miferable crea

tures.

It is to be attained,

ift. By earnest prayer. HE THAT HUNGERS AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS, WILL CERTAINLY BE FILLED.

2dly. By poffeffing our hearts with a deep fenfe of our own mifery, our wants, and danger: This is the grace

· of humility.

3dly. By confidering God's goodness, power, and readiness to help us: This is called faith in God..

Laftly; By convincing our hearts of the vanity of every thing elfe to afford us any real help or comfort: This is to be effected by felf-denial.

Dying perfons are generally more devout than others, because they then see their own mifery, that nothing in this world can help them, and that God is their only refuge.

We must change our lives, if we defire to change our hearts. God will have no regard to the prayers of those who have none to his commands..

The Spirit of God will not dwell in a divided heart. We cannot feel the pleasure of devotion, while the world is our delight. Not that all pleasures are criminal; but the clofer union we

have