. A Catechiftical Expojition, &c. 1. W~en we obferve a co~ftam Cour_fe of Prayer at fix:'d and appointed Times. Thus Gtn. 8. ult. Go~ prcm~fed t~:n Wu;ur and~ummer, Day and Nighr,fhokld not ceaJe. And fo the datly Sacnfice IS called a conunual Burm offcring 1 Exod, 29 . 4~ and yet it was offered only Morning and Evening. ' 2. W~e~ _we are frequent and imponunar~ in our ~rayers . So i10s 12. 5· the Church IS fa1d to make Prayers for p,ter . Without ceahng. And our Saviour fpake the Parable of the imporrunate Widow to this End, That ..11tu o:t,gbt tdwap to pray and not to faint, Luke t8. 1. , 3· When we frequently dart up !h'ort mental Prayers and EjJculations unto God. which we may and ought to do, whatfoevei elfe we are employed about. Neb. 2 , 4 : So 1prayed to tbc God of lfeavcn. 4· When we keep our Hearts in a praying Frame and Temper, fa that they are on . all Occafions fit and ready eo pour out tbernfelves before God in Puyer; and thus: we habitually pray always. Q What mufl we obferve to maintain and cheii'jh fucb apraying Spirit? .A. Two Things e!pecially. '· That we.ingulfnot our !elves too deeply in the Bufine!I'es and Pleafures of this Life, for thefe will dark and deaden the Heart to Prayer. . 2. That we fall nor into the Cornmiffion ofany known and prefumptuous Sinl for Guilt will fill us with flavi!h Fear and Shame, and both will drive us horn God. Q What are the Kind; of Prayer? .A. Three. '· Publick, As we are Members of the Church. 2. Private, As we !land engaged in Family Relation. And, 3· Secret, As we are particular Chrifiians. Q Who i; tofend up Pu!Jiick Praym ? A. TheMiniller, and all the Congregation joining ·with him. And thefe Prayers, tho' they mull: needs he more general, yet withal are more eB::t:aual, than any · other. Matth. 18. 19. Again, I jay unto you, rhat if Two of you jha/1 agree on Earth, as r.ucbing any Tbing that tbey foal/ a;k, itjha/1 be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven. · Q. Wbo is to make Private or Family PrayerJ? · ( .d. Every Malter and Governour of a Family. And this he is not to do feldorner tban every Morning and Evening. In the Morning PraJer is the Key that opens th.e Treafury of God's Mercies, in the Evening'it is the Key that !huts us up under hij Proteclion and Safeguard. ,. D IS-
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