154 A GUIDE TO PRAYER. in the Lively exercise of the grace of prayer. But where both these, the gift and the grace, meet together in one person, such a christian brings honour to God, and has a greater capacity sad prospect of doing much service for souls in the world ; he is made of great use to the edification and comfort ofhis fellow-christians. Those acts of thesanctified soul in all its powers, whichareput forth in the duty of prayer, may be properly called so many graces of theholySpirit, drawn forth into exercise. And of these some belong to the whole work and worship of prayer, and others are peculiar to-the several parts of the duty. SECT. II.-General Graces of Prayer. The graces that belong to thewhole work or duty of prayer, are such as these I. Faith or belief of the being of God, and his perfect knowledge, and his gracious notice of all that we speak in prayer. This rule the apostle gives, Heb. xi. 6. He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a re- warder of all them that diligently seek him. We should endea- vour to impress our minds frequently with a fresh and lively belief of God's existence, though he be so much unknown ; of his presence, though he be invisible ; of his just and merciful regard to 'all the actions of men, and especially their religious affairs ; that so prayer may not be a matter of -custom andcere- mony, but performed with a design and hope of pleasing God, and getting somegood from him. This exercise of a lively faith runs through every part of the duty, and gives spirit and power to the whole worship. II. Gravity, solemnity, and seriousness of spirit. Let a light and trivial temper be utterly banished, when we come into the presence of God. When we speak to the great Creator, who must also be our judge, about the con- cerns of infinite and everlasting moment, we ought to have our souls clothed with solemnity, and not to assume those airs which are lawful at other seasons, when we talk with our fellow-crea- tures about meaner affairs. A wantonness and vanity of mind Ought never to beindulged in the least degree,- when we come to perform any part of divine worship; and especially when we, who are but dust and ashes, speak unto the great. and dreadful God. III. Spirituality and heavenly-mindedness, should run through thewhole of this duty. For prayer is a retirement from earth, and a retreat fromour fellow-creatures to attend on God, and hold correspondence withhim that dwells in heaven. If our thoughts are full of corn and wine and oil, and the business of this life, we shall not seek so earnestly the favor and face of God, as- becomes devout worshippers. The things of theworld therefore must be commanded to stand by for a season, and to abide at the foot of the mount, while we walk up higher to offer up our sacrifices, as Abraham did ; and to meet our God. Our
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