fore fay nothing at prefent of the obligation we are under to fo natural, fo rational, and fo neceffary a part of Religion.

But though fuch be the propenfity of our nature to pray; yet to perform this duty, fo as to please God and benefit ourselves, may deferve a fpecial confideration; feeing mankind in general have erred as much with respect to the manner and matter of their prayers, as to the object unto which they have addreffed them. Well then did the Difciples of the Bleffed Jefus petition their divine Mafter, faying, Lord teach us to pray And that excellent and comprehenfive model which He gave them at that time, together with fome particular directions occafionally delivered by Him on the fame fubject, very juftly demand our most serious attention and gratitude. For furely, whether we reflect on the ignorance, prejudice, or paffion of the human

human mind; fo apt to cheat us in our conceits of happiness, and to misguide us in our pursuits after it; we must needs acknowledge the inftructing mankind in a point of fuch infinite concern as that of presenting acceptable fupplications to the Giver of all good things, to be one of the great bleffings of the gofpel difpenfation. More especially when we confider the infallible affurance annexed, that whatsoever we ask properly, we fhall receive effectually. For under this limitation of asking properly is the promise in the text, Afk, and it fhall be given you, always to be understood: There being never any merit in barely asking; oftentimes much demerit, when the affections of the Soul, which are naked and open to the all-feeing eye of God, aie not duly regulated and prepared for fo folemn an intercourse with Heaven.

It fhall therefore be the bufinefs of

the

the enfuing discourse, to lay before you, and recommend to your observance, certain general requifites toward the rendering our prayers available at the Throne of Grace.

1. And here-What firft occurs is the object of this religious worship. Upon which article indeed, though very material in itself, one might think it needlefs to offer any thing before a Chriftian Congregation; did not the practice of a deluded Church make it neceffary to teach and maintain, that we are to address all our requests to God alone, (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three Perfons but one God) in the name of Jefus Chrift, who is the only Mediator between God and Man. This the gofpel every where prefcribes; this was manifeftly both the doctrine and ufage of the primitive Church, and is therefore the glory of the reformed; in oppofition to any in

vocations

vocations of Angels or Saints departed: Which are at beft not only idle and vain, but unlawful and impious; derogatory from the honour of God, and the merits of his Chrift; who as our only Redeemer is in confequence our fole Interceffor. Without enlarging then on a point fo clear, and of which I truft we are all fully perfuaded, I proceed to confider the qualifications required on our parts, when we put up our prayers to God, through the mediation of our Lord Jefus Christ, both God and Man.

2. Now the ground-work of devotion is faith; faith in God, that He is every where present to hear, and all-powerful to answer, the requests of his fervants who call upon Him. Without this, as the Apostle speaks, it is impoffible for us to please Him, or confequently to profit ourselves: For be that cometh to God, must believe that He is, and that He

is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Indeed one of the great ends of prayer is to prove and exercise this virtue in us. We cannot furely think to inform God, who knoweth all our neceffities before we ask; nor to prevail on Him as on a fond and partial Being: But it is for our fakes that He has en joined this reasonable, this improving fervice. The more frequently we pray, thereby acknowledging our constant de pendance on the fupreme Governor of the Universe, the stronger shall we grow in faith, and the better fatisfied fhall we be under all the difpenfations of his Providence. Upon which account we may prefume it is, that our beft petitions are not always immediately granted; viz. that by perfeverance, and adding to our faith, patience, we may become fitter objects of the divine favour, The parables in the gospel of the importunate Friend, and of the unjust Judge,