PREFACE.

A BRIEF and unavoidable absence from the scene of ordinary duty and engagement led, it is hoped in the providence of God, to this publication; which, however, had been long contemplated, and after all, for many reasons, has been but imperfectly prepared.

It occurred to the compiler, that what he had long desired, and has now attempted to undertake, with a view to his own direction and comfort in devotion, might not be without its advantages to others, who desire their worship to be as Scriptural in its expression, as spiritual in its essence. In no way could this end have been more

completely attained, than by familiarity with the precise terms in which the authors of the Psalms "prayed in the Holy Ghost" that is-as was the case with those by whom came the "Word of Prophecy"—the "holy men of old," praying as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" the Spirit helping their infirmities, and making intercession for the Saints, according to the will of God.

Accordingly, the larger proportion of what is supplicatory in its nature and purpose, in the Psalms, has been arranged as appears in the following pages. Passages conveying the leading articles of the truth of the Gospel, which of necessity more or less underlie all addresses at the Throne of Grace, are cited in connection with each prayer, as showing the grounds upon which the petition rests, and so affording a warrant for its presentation before God.

In preferring such prayers as are to be found in the Inspired Volume itself, and seeking such blessings as are thereby stamped with the Divine approval as "according to the will of God," there cannot be the shadow of a doubt that we are asking what is indispensable to life and peace,

and therefore as such, shall be as surely granted as it is sincerely sought, "exceeding abundantly above all we ask or

think."

The comprehensive form in which the various petitions in the Psalms are conveyed; the largeness of the blessing contemplated and sought for in the most concise and simple phrase, render these Scriptural models eminently suitable and appropriate for ejaculatory prayer-those frequent calls upon the Lord, which may be, and should be, made at all times and under all circumstances, and which need not be interfered with by any pressure or distraction of worldly anxiety or occupation. It is by such that we continue alive to the consciousness of that high privilege" Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." It has been well and truly observed by Andrew Fuller-" The principal use of ejaculation is against the fiery darts of the devil Our adversary injects-how he doth it God knows, that he doth it we know-bad motives into our hearts; and that we may be as nimble with our antidotes as he with his poisons, such short

In

prayers are proper and necessary. barred havens, so choked up with the envious sands that great ships, drawing many feet of water, cannot come near, lighter and lesser pinnaces may freely and safely arrive. When we are time-bound, place-bound, or person-bound, so that we cannot compose ourselves to make a large solemn prayer, this is the right instant for ejaculation, whether orally uttered, or only poured forth inwardly in the heart." The same sound and sagacious, though quaint writer, remarks something further to like purpose, in his "Meditations on all kinds of Prayers ""It is no base and beggarly shift-arguing a narrow and necessitous heart-but a piece of holy and heavenly thrift, often to use the same prayer again. Christ's practice is my directory herein, who the third time said the same words. A good prayer is not, like a stratagem in war, to be used but once. No, the oftener the better. The clothes of the Israelites, while they wandered forty years in the wilderness, never waxed old, as if made of perpetuano indeed. So a good prayer, though often used, is still fresh and fair in the ears and eyes of Heaven."