S. LUK. iv. 16,

And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up, and as his Custom was, he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and stood up for to read,

I, DOCTRINE.

Cces
HRIST frequented the publick Ordinạn,
ces in the Temple and in the Synagogues,
S. Matt. iv. 23. and xii. 9. S. Mar. i. 21. not for
Oftentation, but

1. In Obedience to GOD.

2. For Example to others.

Longum ad virtutem per præcepta, breve & efficax per exempla, iter eft. Senec.

Where He join❜d in the publick Worship, and fometimes was a Hearer, S. Luk. ii. 46. but most commonly, after He enter'd upon His prophetick Office, He preach'd Himself, S. Luk. vi. 6. S. Matt. xiii. 54. S. Mar. i. 21. and vi. 2. S. Joh. xviii. 20. How did He teach? not as the Scribes, S. Mar, j. 22.

For,

1. He taught as the Lam-giver, they as
terpreters, S. Matt. v.

2. He taught fincerely, they for By-ends,
S. Matt. xxiii. 14. S. Luk. XX. 47.
3. He did as He taught, they not, S. Matt
xxiii. 3.

He confirm'd His Doctrine by Miracles,
S. Mar. i. 27,

USER

USES.

1. Reprehenfion to fuch as neglect the publick Ordinances, S. Joh. viii. 47. S. Luk. x. 16. 2. Motive to frequent them.

For,

1. GOD commands it, Ecclef. v. 1. S. Jam. i. 21.

2. It is herein only that we publickly profefs our Faith.

3. These are the Means of Faith, Rom. x. 14, 17.

4. Chrift Himself frequented them.

II. DOCTRINE.

We ought to follow Chrift in frequenting the publick Ordinances,

How fhould we frequent them?

1. Prepare thyself before-hand;

1. By laying afide all earthly Cares, Neh. xiii. 19, 20. Gen. xxii. 5.

2. By Confideration,

1. Of that GOD before whom thou art going, Lev. x. 3. Ecclef. v. 1, 2.

2. Of the Greatnefs of the Work thou art going about, Rom. i. 16. S. Jam. i. 18.

3. By Prayer;

1. That GOD would unite thy Heart to Himself, Pfal. lxxxvi. 11.

2. That He would open it to receive His Word, Act. xvi. 14. Pfal. cxix. 18. 3. Enable thee to believe it, Rom. X. 10. 4. Make it effectual, 2 Cor. ii. 16. Rom. i, 16. 1 Theff. ii. 13.

4. By Defires after them, 1 Pet. ii. 2.

5. By Expectation of Profit by them, Pfal.

v. 3.

2. Hear aright, when thou art come, S. Luk. viii. 18.

1. With Reverence, Ecclef. v. I, 2.

2. With Meekness, S. Jam. i. 21. Ifa. Ixi. 1, Act, x. 33.

3. With Attention, S. Luk. iv. 20.

4. With Faith, Hebr. iv. 2.

5.

With Affection and Ejaculations, S. Luk. xvii. 4, 5:

6. With Application of it to thyself, Job v. 27. Act. ii. 37.

7. Lay up what thou hearest in thy Heart, Hebr. ii. 1. Deut. xi. 18.

8. Practife what thou hearest, S. Jam. i. 22,

S. LUK

S. LUK. vi. 12.

And it came to pass in those days, that be went out into a Mountain to pray, and continued all Night in Prayer to God.

DOCTRINE.

Hriftians ought to imitate Christ, in continual Prayer to GOD.

Cr

I. What is Prayer?

It is the Defire of neceffary Things from GOD. [Vid. Explicat. on S. Matt. vi. 9. p. 37. under the Firft general Head.]

II. How many Sorts of Prayer are there? 1. Private, S. Mar. i. 35.

2. Publick.

1. In our Families, Josh. xxiv. 15.
2. In the publick Congregation.

1. GOD is more glorify'd hereby, Pfal.
xxii. 25. Hebr. x. 25.

2. The Love of Chriftians is more quickned, Pfal. lv. 14.

3. GOD is more especially prefent there, S. Matt.xviii. 20. Pfal. Ixv. 4. S. Luk.

xviii. 10.

III. How should we pray? [Vid. Explicat. on S. Matt. vi. 9. under the III. general Head, p. 39.]

USE.

>

USE, Pray every Day.

For,

1. We fhould ferve GOD every Day, S. Luk.

i. 75.

2. Sacrifices, under the Law, were to be perform'd every Day, Numb. xxviii. 3.

3. Chrift commands it, S. Matt, vi. 11.

4. The Saints practis'd it, Pfal. lv. 17. Dan. vi. 10. A&t. iii. 1.

The Mahometans do it.

6. Every Day's Mercies require it.

S. Luk.