CHAPTER I. 91 1./Amention of his nature as God, with the highest admi- ration and reverence : and this includes his most original proper- ties and perfections, viz. his self-sufficient existence ; that he is God of and from himself.. His unity of essence, that there is no other God besides himself. His inconceivable subsistence in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the .Holy Spirit; which mystery of the trinity is a most proper object of our ado- ration and wonder, since it so much surpasses our understanding. His incomprehensible distance from all creatures, and his infi- nite superiority of nature above them, seems also to claim a place here. The language of this part of prayer runs thus : a Thou art God, and there is none else, thy name alone is Jehovah the Most High. Who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord, or who among the sons of the mighty can he likened to our God ? All nations before thee are as nothing, and they are counted in thy sight less than nothing and vanity. Thou'art the first and the last, the only true and living God; :thy glorious name is exalted above all blessing and praise." 2. The mention of his several attributes with due expres- sions of praise, and with the exercise of suitable grace and of ee. tion : as his power, his justice, his wisdom, his sovereignty, his holiness, his goodness and mercy. Abundance of which sort of expressions you find in scripture in those addresses that the saints have made to God in all ages. " Thou art very great, OLord, thou art clothed with honour-and majesty. Thou art the blessed and only Potentate, King of kings, and Lord of lords. All things are naked and open before thine eyes. 'Thou searchest the heart of man, but how unsearchable is thine understanding? and thy power is unknown. 'Thou art of purer eyes,titan to be- hold iniquity. Thy mercy endureth for ever. Thou art slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and thy truth reaches to all gene- rations." These meditations are of great use in the beginning of our prayers, to abase us before the throne of God, to awaken our reverence, our dependence, our faith and hope, our humility and our joy. - 3. The mention of his several works of creation, of provi- vidence, and of grace, with proper praises. For as God is glo- rious in himself, in his nature and attributes, so by the works of his hands bath he manifested that glory to us, and it becomes us toascribe the same glory to him, that is, to tell lüm humbly what a sense we have of the several perfections, he bath reveal- ed in these works of his ; in such language as this, Thou, Lord, hast made the heavens and the earth. The whole creation is the workof thine hands. 'Dhow rulest among the armies Of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth thou doest what pleasest thee. Thou hast revealed thy goodness towards mankind, and hast magnified thy merry above all thy name. Thy works of na-
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