A. With fuch Lowlinefs of Mind, fuch reverent and ferious Deportment, as may plainly te ftify the Refpect and Veneration we have for God's infinite Majefty. With that Intenseness and Application of Thought, as to engage our Hearts as well as our Lips in his Service. With fuch Fervency of Affection, and fuch a Measure of Importunity, as may fhew how defirous we are of the Mercy we requeft, and how highly we value and efteem what we afk for. With fuch a Faith as confifts in firmly believing we fhall receive the good Things we defire, when we have performed thofe Conditions upon which God hath promised to beftow them. To all which we must add Conftancy and Perfeverance; taking all Opportunities for it, and spending much Time in this Duty, than which none of all the Duties enjoined by the Chriftian Religion will turn to a better and more comfortable Account, if our Hearts and Lives be but answerable to our Prayers.

Q. Is it poffible to avoid all wandering Thoughts in Prayer?

A. Confidering the Frame and Conftitution of our Natures, and the clofe Connexion there is between the Body and Soul, it is impoffible but that when we are at our Prayers our Thoughts may be diverted, and our Intentions interrupted by the former Impreffions of Study or Bufinefs. All we can do is to ftrive against thefe Diftrations, to bewail this Weaknefs, and to compofe our Thoughts to all that Seriousness our Temper and Circumftances will permit; to recall our Minds as foon as we perceive they run out upon other Objects, and immediately to throw away all fuch Thoughts as are foreign

to

to our prefent Employment. What makes these Diftractions criminal, is when we willingly entertain them, and indulge ourselves in thinking upon other Objects without Restraint; when we keep our unreasonable Paffions under no Government, and when we take no Care to compofe ourfelves to a ferious Temper, by confidering in whofe awful Prefence we appear.

Q. What Prayers are most acceptable to God, and most neceffary for us?

A. Thofe that are offered in public Affemblies, which have these Advantages above private Devotions, that God is most honoured and glorified by such Addreffes, and a Sense of his Majefty is maintained in the World, somewhat suitable to his moft excellent Greatnefs and Goodness, when by outward Signs and Tokens we publish and declare the inward Regard and Esteem we have for his divine Perfections: We do hereby declare ourselves Members of the Body of Christ, which is his Church; which we cannot be to any Purpose, without having Fellowship with God and one another in all Duties, of which Prayer and Praife are the chief. To fuch Affemblies our Saviour promises his fpecial Prefence, and hath appointed a particular Order of Men to offer up our Prayers in fuch Places. We may expect greater Succefs when our Petitions are made with the joint and unanimous Confent of our Fellow Chriftians, and when our Devotions receive Warmth and Heat from their exemplary Zeal. Which Confiderations fhould make all good Chriftians frequently attend the publick Worship.

Q. Is this Obligation fufficiently discharged by going to Church on Sundays and Holy-Days?

36.

17.

A. It is to be wifhed, that all Chriftians were conftant in attending the publick Worship on Sundays and Holy Days, becaufe it is likely it would difpofe them to repeat fuch Exercifes of Devotion with greater Fervency. But confidering that among the Jews there was a Morning and Evening Sacrifice daily offered to God at the Temple; and that the Precepts of the Gofpel oblige us to pray always, and to pray withLuke 21. out ceafing, and that the ancient Prophets expreffTheff.5.ly declare that there fhould be as frequent Devotion in the Days of Christ, as there had been in Fial. 72. former Times; that Prayer shall be made unto bim continually, and daily fall he be praised: Confidering thefe Things, I fay, as Prayer, the Chriftian Sacrifice, fhould be offered Morning and Evening in publick Affemblies; fo they that have fuch Opportunities, and are not lawfully hindered, fhould endeavour fo to regulate their Time, as to be able conftantly to attend such a great Advantage to the Chriftian Life. And as thofe who have Leifure cannot better employ it, fo they muft have but little Concern for the Honour and Glory of God, who neglect fuch Opportunities of declaring and publishing his Praife.

15.

Q. Is Family Prayer a Duty incumbent upon him who is the Mafter of it?

A. A Master of a Family being answerable to God for the Welfare of thofe Souls that are under his Care, I cannot well understand how a Senfe of Religion can be maintained in such a Family, without the Exercife of daily Devotion in it, as fuch a Society. This is the best Method to confirm and establish his Children and Servants in the Practice of their Chriftian Obligations, and an admirable Means to draw down

the

the Bleifings of God, when in a Body they daily acknowledge his divine Perfections, and fupplicate his Favour for the Mercies they ftand in need of. Nor may this Devotion be neglected at our Meals, for we ought to beg the Bieffing of God upon thofe good Creatures provided for our Ufe, fince it is by the Word of God and Prayer, Tim. 4that they are fanctified to us. The Principles 5. of Natural Religion teach us thankfully to acknowledge the Benefits we receive; and this particular Inftance of it hath fufficient Ground from the Example of Christ and his holy Apoftles, all the Evangelifts declaring that our Saviour bleed and gave Thanks before Meat; the Mark 6. fame St. Luke relates of St. Paul; and even St. 41. Paul himself speaks of it, as the known Practice Luke9.16. John6.11. of the Church among Chriftians. Q. Wherein confifts the Spirit of Prayer, or 35. when may we be faid to pray by the Spirit?

Mat. 14.

19.

Acts 27

Rom. 14.

A. When we approach the Majefty of Hea-6. ven with all fuch devout Affections and holy Difpofitions of Mind, as are wrought in us by the powerful Affiftance of the bleffed Spirit. When we confefs our Sins with hearty Sorrow and Shame, and with firm Refolutions of better Obedience. When we beg God's Mercies with a lively Senfe of our own Wants, and with an entire Confidence in his infinite Goodnefs. When we refign our Wills to him, and depend upon the Wildom of his Providence in all thofe temporal Bleffings and Deliverances we expect from him. When we fhew forth his Praile not only with our Lips, but in our' Lives, by giving up ourselves to his Service. As for the Infpiration of the Matter, and the Expreffions of our Prayer; that was an extra

ordinary

For God's Acceptance of

ers.

ordinary Gift, only temporary, and long fince ceased, and intended only, as other miraculous Gifts were, for the first Propagation of the Gofpel.

Q. What are the great Advantages of the frequent and devout Exercife of this Duty?

A. The conftant Exercife of Prayer is the best Method to get the Maftery of our evil Inclinations, and to overcome our vicious Habits. It preferves a lively Senfe of our Duty upon our Minds, and fortifies us against thofe Temptations that continually affault us. It raises our Souls above this World, by making fpiritual Objects familiar to them; and fupports us under the Calamities and Croffes of this Life, by fanctifying fuch Afflictions. It leads us gradually to the Perfection of Chriftian Piety, and preferves that Union between our Souls and God, in which our fpiritual Life confifts. Without it we in vain pretend to discharge thofe Duties that are incumbent upon us as Chriftians, or to profper in our mporal Affairs, which must have God's Bleffing to crown them with Succefs.

The PRAYERS.

I.

Almighty God, who haft promised to hear

the Petitions of them that afk in thy Son's Name; I beseech thee mercifully to incline thine our Pray- Ears to me, when I make my Prayers and Supplications unto thee; and grant that I may fo faithfully afk according to thy Will, that I may effectually obtain the Relief of my Neceffities, to the fetting forth of thy Glory, through Jefus Chrift my Lord. Amen.