Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

166 of the definition of prayer, our feì ies,when we are affeâed with a thankfull re: membrance of Gods goodneffe towards us for the time paft, are the more encouraged with faith and affiance to crave new bleffings for the time to come; Pfal.4. z . 1. Kings 3.6,7,8. Pfal. i 16.1,2. What Prayer But firft we are to fpeak of prayer. Prayer is er Petition that invocation whereby we effeetually crave any thing which we do well (that is, lawfully and profi- tably) defireat the hands of God. Where I fay it is invocation, I mean that it is a religious fpeech of the faithfull made unto God in the name of ChrifF, according to the will of God, by the help of the holy Ghoff, concerning good things apperteining to Gods glory and our goods and confequently,that whatfoever before hath been fpoken in generali concerning Invocation is particu- larly to be applyed to Prayer. The proper nature and difference is exprefi"ed in the word crave : For prayer is that invocation whereby we beg and crave of God. But becaufe we fpeak ofthat prayer which is right and acceptable, and is framed according to the will of God, as was Paid in the generali out of 'John 5.14. and it is the will of God that our pray- er fhould be effeFuall and our delire good; therefore I added, whereby we elethially crave any thing which we do well (that is, lawfully and profitably) defare of God. That our prayer which íhall avail with God muff in it fell be effeduall, S. James teacheth us, chap. 5. 16. The prayer of a righteous man availeth much, it he- ìngeffe call. The word is 4spye.,c4n of which I have fpoken before. As therefore that is an effeáuall oration