HAving in the former Chapter laid down some directions in reference to the Order and disposition of parts to be observed in this duty, I come in the next place to treat concerning the amplification of these severall parts; and to shew how the Scripture will afford various matter for the enlargement of each of them. So that any one, who will be but carefull to collect any other apposite matter, or observation that he shall meet with, and amongst these to refer it under its proper head; such a one may quickly be furnished with a very copious Treasury to this purpose.
The first thing to be thought of in composing a form of prayer, is the Preface. The most necessary and chief materials for a Preface, were formerly specified to be four.
1I. The titles of Invocation, or the stile of salutation, wherein we bespeak the person whom we pray unto; who should be expressed by such divine compellations as may excite in our hearts either some, or all of those affections that are more especially required in this duty.
These Compellations may consist either of. 1. Gods Names, or Titles. 2. His Attributes, or Properties. 3. His Promises, or Threats. 4. His Works, or wayes; By all of which he hath been pleased after a more special manner to declare, and make himself known.
In the choice of these, we should select such as may be most suitable unto that frame and temper of minde, required in that kinde, or part of Prayer, which we have occasion to insist more largely upon. As the matter of fire is, (Eccles. 28.10) so it burneth. (saith the son of Syrach,) so from the divers meditations of God will arise divers affections towards him.
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The consideration of his infinite Power, Wisdome, Holinesse, Justice, Omnipresence, Majesty, &c. is apt to produce in us reverence, shame, fear, sorrow, and the other affections of this nature, which are most suitable to the businesse of Confession.
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The thought of his Mercy, Truth, Patience, is fit to excite Faith and Hope, and consequently is proper for the duty of Petition.
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The meditation of his bounty and goodness, will provoke Love and Gratitude, and is therefore fit to prepare us for Thanksgiving.
According as our thoughts are severally fixed upon any of these; so may our affections be disposed and qualified in our prayers unto him. To this purpose ‘tis convenient that we take special notice of those divine Titles and Attributes in Scripture, which may be most suitable to such various occasions.
- Of the first kinde are such as these.
Ps. 24.7.10 The King of glory. Isa. 1.24. The Lord, the Lord of Hosts, the mighty one of Israel. Rev. 19.16 The King of kings, and Lord of lords. Exo. 15.11 Who is glorious in holinesse, fearful in praises, doing wonders. Num. 16.22.The God of the spirits of all flesh. Deut. 4.24 Who is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. Deut. 10.17. The God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, mighty and terrible, which regardeth not persons, neither taketh rewards. Deut. 32.4 Whose works are perfect, and his ways judgement; A God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right. 1 Sam. 4.4 1 King. 8.27. The Lord of Hosts, who dwelleth between the Cherubims; whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot containe. 1 King. 19 15. O Lord God of Israel, which dwelleth between the Cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone of all the Kingdomes of the Earth: thou hast made Heaven and Earth. 2 Chron. 20.6. Who ruleth over all the Kingdomes of the Earth; in whose hand there is power and might, so that none is able to withstand him. Before whom no unclean thing should enter. 2 Chron. 23.19. 1 Chron. 28.9. Who searchest all hearts, and understandest all the imaginations of the thoughts. 1 Chron. 29.11. The Lord God of Israel, to whom belongeth greatnesse, and power, and glory, and victory, and Majesty; for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth is thine; thine is the Kingdome, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Vers. 12. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power, and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 1 Chron. 16.27. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladnesse are in his place. Neh. 9.5. Whose glorious name is exalted above all blessing and praise. Vers. 6. Thou, even thou art Lord alone, thou hast made Heaven, the Heaven of heavens with all their Host; the earth, and all things that are therein; the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all, and the Host of Heaven worshippeth thee. Vers. 32. The great, and mighty, and terrible God, who keepeth Covenant and mercy. Job 4.18. Who chargeth his Angels with folly. Job 5.9. Who doth great things, and unsearchable, marvellous things without number. Vers. 10. Who giveth raine upon the Earth, and sendeth waters upon the Fields. 11 To set up on high those that be low, that those which mourne may be exalted to safety. 12 Who disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot performe their interprize. 13 Who taketh the wise in their own craftinesse, and the counsell of the froward is carried headlong. 14 So that they meet with darknesse in the day-time, and grope in the noon-day, as in the night. 15 But he saveth the poor from the sword, and from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. Job 9.4· He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, & hath prospered? Vers. 5. Which removeth the mountaines, and they know not, which overturneth them in his anger. 6 Which shaketh the Earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. 7 Which commandeth the Sun, and it riseth not, and sealeth up the starres. Vers. 8. Which alone spreadeth out the Heavens, and treads upon the waves of the Sea, &c. Job 15.15. Who putteth no trust in his Saints; yea, the Heavens are not clean in his sight. Job 26.6. Before whom Hell is naked, and destruction hath no covering. Vers. 7. Who stretcheth out the North over the empty place, and hangeth the Earth upon nothing. 8. Who bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not rent under them. 9. Who boldeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. 10. Who hath compassed the waters with bounds, untill day and night come to an end. 11. The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astonished at his reproofe. 12. Who divideth the Sea by his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. 13. Who by his Spirit hath garnished the Heavens, and his hand hath formed the crooked Serpent. Who is perfect in Knowledge. Job 37.16 Vers. 22.23. With whom is terrible Majesty. We cannot find him out, he is excellent in Power; and in Judgement, and in plenty of Justice: He respecteth not any that are wise of heart. Psal. 8.1. Whose Name is excellent in all the Earth, who hath set his glory above the Heavens. Psal. 33.6. By whose word the Heavens were made, and all the Host of them by the breath of his mouth. Vers. 7. Who gathereth the waters of the Sea together as an heap, and layeth up the deeps in store-houses. 8. That all the Earth might fear him, and all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 10. Who bringeth the counsel of the People to nought, and maketh the devices of the people to be of none effect. 11. Whose own counsel standeth for ever, and the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 13. Who looks down from Heaven, and beholds all the sons of men. 14. From the place of his habitation, he looks upon all the inhabitants of the Earth. 15. Fashioning their hearts alike, and considering all their works. Psal. 47·2. Who is the Lord most high, and terrible, a great King over all the Earth. Psal. 57.5. Who is exalted above the Heavens, and his glory above all the Earth. Psal. 65.6. Who by his strength setteth fast the mountains, being girded with power. Vers. 7. Who stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people. Psal. 66.5. Who is terrible in his doings towards the children of men. Vers. 7. Who ruleth by his power for ever, and his eyes behold the Nations. Ps. 68.33. Who rideth upon the Heaven of heavens, which were of old. Psal. 72.2. Who shall judge the people with righteousnesse, and the poor with judgement. Vers. 11. All Kings shall bow down before him, and all Nations shall do him service. 17. Whose name shall endure for ever, and be continued as long as the Sun, and men shall be blessed in him, and all Nations shall call him blessed. 18 Who onely doth wondrous things. Ps. 83.18. Whose name alone is Jehovah, who is the most high over all the Earth. Psal. 89.6. Who in the Heaven can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? Vers. 7. Who is greatly to be feared in the Assembly of his Saints, and to be had in reverence of all those that are about him. 8 O Lord God of Hosts, who is a strong God like unto thee? or to thy faithfulnesse round about thee? 9 Thou rulest the raging of the Sea, when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. 10 Thou scatterest thine enemies with thy strong arme. 11 The Heavens are thine, the Earth also is thine, as for the world and the fulnesse thereof, thou hast founded them. 13 Thou hast a mighty arme, strong is thine hand, and high is thy right hand. 14 Justice, and Judgement are the habitation of thy throne, mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Psal. 95.3. Who is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Vers. 4. In whose hands are the deep places of the Earth, the strength of the Hills is his also. 5 The Sea is his and he made it; his hands formed the dry land. Psal. 96.6. Before whom are Honour, and Majesty; and in whose sanctuary are strength, and beauty. Psal. 99.2. Vers. 3. Who is great in Zion, and high above all people. Whose Name is great and terrible, for it is holy. 4 Who loveth judgement, and doth establish equity; executing judgement, and righteousnesse in Jacob. Psal. 103.19 Who hath prepared his throne in the Heavens, and his Kingdome ruleth over all. Ps. 104.1 O Lord my God, thou art very great, thou art clothed with Honour and Majesty. Verse 2. Who coverest thy self with light as with a garment. Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain. 3. Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters, and maketh the clouds his charet, and walketh upon the wings of the winde. 4. Who maketh his Angels spirits, his Ministers a flaming fire. 5. Who laid the foundations of the Earth, that it sheuld not be removed for ever. 9. Who hath set a bound to the waters of the Sea, that they may not passe over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. 10, Who sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 11, To give drink unto every beast of the field: the wilde asses quench their thirst. 13. Who watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of his works. 14. Who causeth grasse to grow for the cattel, and herbe for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth. 19. By whose appointment the Moon hath her seasons, and the Sun knoweth his going down. 24. O Lord, how madifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches. Ps. 111.9. Ps. 113.4. Holy and reverent is his Name. Who is high above all Nations; and his glory is above the Heavens. Verse 6. Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in Heaven. Ps. 139.2. Who knows our down-sitting, and our up-rising, and understandeth our thoughts afar off. Verse 3. Who compasseth our path, and our lying down, and is acquainted with all our wayes. Psal. 145.13. Whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and his dominion endureth throughout all generations. Verse. 17. Who is righteous in all his wayes, and holy in all his works. Ps. 146.6. Who made Heaven and Earth, the sea, and all that therein is, who keepeth truth for ever. Act. 4.24. Verse 7. Who executeth judgement for the oppressed, and giveth food for the hungry. Prov. 21.30, 31. Against whom there is no wisdome nor understanding, nor counsel; from whom alone safety must come. Eccles. 12.14. Who will bring every work unto judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil. Isa. 2.17. Before whom the loftinesse of man shall be bowed down, & the haughtines of men shall be made low. Verse 19. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his Majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. Isa. 6.2. Before whom the Seraphims do cover their faces. Isa. 28.29. Who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. Isa. 40.12. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out the heavens with a span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountaines in scales, and the hills in a ballance. Isa. 40.15. Before whom the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the ballance, who taketh up the Isles as a very little thing. Verse 17. All nations before him are as nothing, and they are counted to him lesse then nothing and vanity. 22. Who sitteth upon the Circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as Grashoppers, that stretcheth out the heavens as a Curtaine, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in. 23. Who bringeth Princes to nothing, and maketh the Judges of the earth as vanity. Isa 41.14, 15. Who can make the worme Jacob to thresh the mountaines, and beat them small, and make the hills as chaffe. Isa. 42.5 Who created the Heavens, and stretched them out, who spreadeth forth the earth and that which cometh of it, who giveth breath to the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein. Isa. 44 24. Who formed us from the wombe, who maketh all things, who stretcheth forth the Heavens alone, and spreadeth abroad the earth by himselfe. Verse 25. That frustrateth the tokens of liars, and maketh diviners mad, that turneth wise men backwards, and maketh their knowledge foolish. 26. That confirmeth the word of his servants, and performeth the counsel of his messengers. Isa. 46.10. Who can declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times, the things that are not yet done, whose counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure. Isa. 48.12· Who is the first and the last, whose hand hath laid the foundations of the earth, and his right hand hath spanned the Heavens. Isa. 50.2. At whose rebuke the sea is dried up, and the rivers become a wildernesse, their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and die for thirst. Vers. 3. Who cloatheth the heavens with blacknesse, and maketh sackcloth their covering. Isa. 57.15· Who is the high and lofty one inhabiting eternity, whose name is holy, who dwelleth in the high and holy place. Isai. 66.1. Who hath the heaven for his throne, and the earth for his foot stool. Jer. 10.10. The onely true and living God, the everlasting King, at whose wrath the earth doth tremble, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation. Vers. 12. Who made the earth by his power, and hath established the world by his wisdome, and stretched out the heavens by his discretion. Jer. 11.[…]0. The Lord of Hosts that judgeth righteously, that tryeth the reins and the heart. Jer. 17.10 Who giveth to every man according to his wayes, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jer. 23.24. From whom no man can hide himself, that he shall not see him who fils heaven and earth. Jer. 31.35. Who giveth the Sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the Moon, and of the Stars for a light by night; who divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar, the Lord of Hosts is his name. Jer. 31.17. Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched-out arme, and there is nothing too hard for thee. Vers. 18. Thou shewest loving kindnesse unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquities of the fathers into the bosome of their children after them. The great, The mighty God, the Lord of hosts is his name. 19. Great in counsel, and mighty in work, for thine eyes are open upon all the wayes of the sons of men, to give to every one according to his works, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jer. 51.15 Who made the earth by his power, and established the world by his wisdome, and hath stretched out the heavens by his understanding. Dan. 5.23 In whose hands our breath is, and whose are all our wayes. Dan. 7.10 Whom there are thousand thousands that minister unto, and ten thousand times ten thousands stand before him. Am. 4.13. The Lord God of Hosts, who formed the mountains, and created the winde, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darknesse treadeth upon the high places of the earth. Am. 9.5. When he toucheth the land, it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourne. Vers. 6. Who buildeth his storehouse in the heavens, and hath sounded his troop in the earth, that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth. Hab. 1.13. Who is of purer eyes then to behold evil, and cannot look upon iniquity. Rom. 4.17 Who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things that be not as though they were. Rom. 11.33. Whose judgements are unsearchable, and his wayes past finding out. Who is over all, God blessed for ever. Rom. 9.5. 1 Cor 4 5. Who will bring to light the hidden things of darknesse, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart. Eph. 1.11. Who doth every thing according to the counsel of his own will. Eph. 3.20. Who is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we can ask or think. Col. 1.16. By whom all things were created that are in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, whether they be Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers. 1 Tim. 1.17 Who is the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God. Ch. 6.15. The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Vers. 16. Who only hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen or can see. Heb. 4.13. In whose sight there is no creature that is not manifest, but all things are naked and opened unto the eye of him to whom we have to do. Heb. 13.8. Rev. 6.15. Who is yesterday, to day, and the same for ever. At whose dreadful appearance the Kings of the earth· and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief Captains, and the mighty men shall be willing to hide themselves in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountaines. Vers. 16. Crying to the mountaines and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits upon the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. II. Invocations of the second sort, are such Scripture-expressions as these. Ex. 34.6. The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodnesse and truth. Vers. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. Neh. 9.17. Who is a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindnesse. Psal. 9.9. Who is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in time of trouble. Verse 10. Who will never forsake them that seek him. Psal. 33.4 Whose word is right, and all his works are done in truth. Verse 18. Whose eye is upon them that fear him, and upon them that hope in his mercy. Verse 19. To deliver their souls from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psal. 34.8, 9. Who will not suffer them to want that fear and trust in him. Verse 15. Whose eyes are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. Verse 17. To hear & deliver them out of all their troubles. Verse 18. Who is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit Verse 22. Who will redeem the soul of his servants, and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. Psal. 36.5. Whose mercy is in the heavens, and his faithfulnesse reacheth to the clouds. Verse 6. Whose righteousnesse is like the great mountains, and whose judgements are a great deep, who preserveth man and beast. Psal. 46 1. Our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psal. 65.2. The God that heareth Prayers, unto whom all flesh should come. Verse 5. The confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea. Psal. 72.12. Who delivereth the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper. Verse 14. Who shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight. Ps. 103.8. Who is merciful and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. Verse 9. Who will not alwayes chide, neither will he keep his anger for ever. Verse 10. Who does not deal with us after our sins, nor reward us according to our iniquities. Verse 13. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that feare him. Verse 14. He knows our frame, he remembers that we are but dust. Verse 17. Whose mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that feare him, and his righteousnesse unto childrens children. Verse 18. To such as keep his Covenant· and to those that remember his Commandments to do them. Ps 145.8. Who is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and of great mercy. Verse 9. Who is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works. Verse 18. Who is nigh unto them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Verse 19. He will fulfill the desires of them that fear him, he also will hear their cry and will help them. Isa. 51.6. Though the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall waxe old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner. Yet his salvation shall be for ever, and his righteousnesse shall not be abolished. Isa. 66.2. Who hath great regard to them that are poor, and of a contrite spirit, and tremble at his Word. Jer. 14.8. Who is the hope of Israel, and the Saviour thereof in time of trouble. Ezek. 33.11. Who hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that he should turn from his way and live. Mich. 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage, who retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy? Verse. 19. Who will turn again and have compassion upon us, subduing our iniquities, and casting all our sins into the depths of the sea. Mat. 18.20. Who hath promised where two or three are gathered together in his name, to be in the midst of them. Rom. 2.4. Who does abound in riches of goodnesse and forbearance, and long sufferance, which should lead us to repentance. Who is rich unto all that call upon him. Rom. 10.12. 2 Cor. 1.3. Eph. 1.17. Who is the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory. Jam. 1.17. The Father of lights, from whom every good and perfect gift doth come, with whom there is no variablenesse, neither shadow of turning. 2 Pet. 3.9. Who is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. III. Divine compellations of the third sort may be derived from such Scriptures as these. Neh. 1.5. Who keepeth Covenant and mercy for them that love him, and observe his Commandments. Job. 5.19. Who will deliver us in six troubles, yea in seven there shall no evill touch us. Verse 20. Who in famine shall redeem us from death, and in war from the power of the sword. O thou Preserver of men. Job 7.20. Psalm 8.1. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the world. Psalm 18.2 My rock, my fortresse, and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, the horne of my salvation, and my high tower. Verse 3. Who is worthy to be praised. Ps. 19.14 Ps. 22.9, 10 My strength, and my Redeemer. Who tookest me out of the wombe, and hast been my hope and my God, since I was upon my mothers breast. Psal. 27.9. The God of my salvation. Psal. 33.5. Who loveth righteousnesse and judgement, and the earth is full of his goodnesse. Verse 12. Blessed is the Nation, whose God is the Lord, and the People whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Verse 20. Ps. 35.27. Ps. 36.7. Our help and our shield. Who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. How excellent is thy loving kindnesse O God, therefore shall the sons of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. Verse 8. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of thy house, and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. Verse 9. For with thee is the fountain of life, and in thy light shall we see light. Psal. 46.1. Our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psal. 63.3. Whose loving kindnesse is better then life. Psal. 65.8. Who maketh the out goings of the morning and evening to rejoyce. Verse 9. Who visiteth the earth and watereth it, and greatly enricheth it with the river of God. Vers 10. Who maketh it soft with showers, and blesseth the springing thereof. Vers. 11. Who crowneth the yeare with his goodnesse, and his paths drop fatnesse. Vers. 13. Who cloatheth the pastures with flocks, and covers the valleys with corne. Psal. 66.9. Who holdeth our soul in life; and suffereth not our feet to be moved. Psal. 72.4. Who shall judge the poore of the people and save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressour. Vers. 12· He shall deliver the needy when he cryeth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper. Vers. 13. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. Vers. 14. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight. Ps 37.25. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. Ver. 26. My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psal. 80.1. The shepherd of Israel. Psal. 89.17 Who art the glory of our defence, and in whose favour our horne shall be exalted. Vers. 18. For the Lord is our defence, and the holy one of Israel is our King. Psal. 91.2. He is my refuge and my fortresse, my God, in him will I trust. Vers. 4. He shall cover me with his feathers, under his wings will I trust, his truth shall be my shield and buckler. Ps. 103.3. Who forgives all our iniquities, and heals all our diseases. Vers. 4. Who redeemes our life from destruction, who crowneth us with loving kindenesse and tender mercies. Vers. 6. Who executeth righteousnesse and judgement for all that are oppressed. Thou art good, and thou dost good. Ps 119 68 Ps. 145. Who is greatly to be praised, and whose greatnesse unsearchable. Who preserveth all them that love him. Vers. 20. Isa. 40.11. Who shall feed his flock like a Shepherd, and shall gather his Lambs with his armes, and carry them in his bosome, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isa. 51.3. Who will comfort Sion, and build her waste places, making her wildernesse like Eden, and her Desert like the garden of the Lord, so that joy and gladnesse shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Vers. 5. Whose righteousnesse is near, and his salvation gone forth, whose armes shall judge the People, the Isles shall wait upon him, and in his arme shall they trust. That pleadeth the cause of his people. Vers. 22. Jer 14.8. The hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble. Jer. 16, 19. O Lord, my strength, and my fortresse, and my refuge in the day of affliction, to whom the Gentiles shall come from the ends of the earth; and shall say, surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. Besides whom there is no Saviour. Hos. 13.4. Acts 14 17 Who leaveth not himselfe without a witnesse unto all the Nations of the world, doing them good, giving them raine from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladnesse. Act. 17.28. In whom we live, move, and have our being. Eph. 1, 3. Who hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Eph. 2.4. Eph. 3.14. Who is rich in mercy. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in Heaven and Earth is named. 2 Thes. 2.16. Our Father who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace. 1 Tim. 4.10. 1 Tim. 6.17. Hebr. 13.20. Who is the Saviour of those that believe. The living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. The God of peace, who brought again from the dead the Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of his sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Covenant. 1 Pet. […].10· The God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus. Rev. 15.3. The King of Saints, whose works are great and marvellous, and his wayes just and true. There may be divers the like expressions of each kinde collected from severall places of Scripture: Of some or more of these the first and chief material of a Preface should consist. These several kinds may be variously intermixed according as divers occasions shall require: The Scriptures do afford sundry examples to this purpose. Neh. […].5. Dan 9.4. O Lord God of Heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth Covenant, and mercy for them that love him, and observe his Commandments. Psal. 46.7. Isa. 43.3. The Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob our refuge. The Lord our God, the holy one of Israel our Saviour. Verse 14. The Lord our Redeemer, the holy one of Israel. Isa 45.21. Who is a just God, and a Saviour, and there is none besides him. Isa. 49.26. The Lord who is our Saviour and Redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob. Isa. 54.5. Our Maker, and our Husband; whose Name is the Lord of Hosts, our Redeemer, the holy one of Israel, the God of the whole Earth. Our Father, which art in Heaven. Mat. 6.9. I have been the larger in the recital of such passages, because they will not only afford us matter for a Preface, but supply us likewise with divers proper Arguments, upon several occasions for the exciting of our faith, and fervency in the businesse of Petition. II. The second Material in a Preface, to be joyned with the former, is some general acknowledgement of our own unworthinesse, as, that Gen. 18.27 we who are but dust and ashes. Gen. 32.10 Lesse then the least of all his mercies. Job 13.25 As leaves driven to and fro, and as dry stubble. Psal. 14.3. Altogether abominable and filthy, Psal. 22.6. Wormes, and no men. Psal. 95.7. The people of his pasture, and sheep of his hands. Ps. 103.15 Whose dayes are as grasse, as the flower of the field, so he flourisheth. Verse 16. When the winde passeth over it, it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more. Psal. 144.3 Lord, what is man that thou takest knowledge of him? or the sonne of man that thou makest account of him? Verse 4. Man is like to vanity, his dayes are as a shadow that passeth away. Isa. 2.22. Whose breath is in his nostrils, and wherein is he to be accounted of? Isa. 40.17. All Nations before him are as nothing, and counted to him lesse then nothing. Prodigal children, unprofitable servants, of polluted lips, and uncircumcised hearts, &c. 1 Tim. 1.15. The chief of sinners. III. III. An expression of our purpose to approach unto him, in this duty. That we do desire Psal. 95.6. To worship, and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker. Num. 5.15 Num. 29.7. Jer. 17.17. To bring our iniquity to rememberance. To afflict our souls in his sight. To make him our hope and refuge in the day of evill. To seek his face, to meet him in his wayes: To speak good of his Name: To wait upon him in his Ordinances. Psal. 65.4. To approach before him in his courts, that we may be satisfied with the goodnesse of his house, even of his holy Temple. Psal. 66.2. To set forth the honour of his Name, and make his praise glorious. Verse 8. To blesse our God, and make the voice of his praise to be heard. Psal. 96.8. To give unto the Lord the glory due unto his Name, to bring an offering, and come into his Courts. Verse 9. Psal. 99.5. To worship the Lord in the beauty of holinesse. To exalt the Lord our God, and to worship at his footstool. Psal. 116.17. Verse 18. To offer unto him the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and to call upon the name of the Lord. To pay our vowes unto the Lord in the presence of his people, in the Courts of the Lords house. Ps. 138.2. To worship towards his holy Temple and to praise his Name for his loving kindnes and for his truth. Ps. 145.5. To speak of the glorious honour of his Majesty; and of his wonderous works: IV. IV. A desire of his assistance, acceptance, and attention; that we may be enabled to performe this duty in an acceptable manner; with such holy affections as he hath required. Rom. 8.26. Rom. 5.5. Isa. 64.7. That his good spirit may help our infirmities, and make intercession for us. That he would shed abroad his love in our hearts, and stir up our souls to lay hold of him. Ps. 51.15. That he would open our lips, that our mouthes may shew forth his praise. Isa. 45.19. That we may not seek his face in vain. Ps. 80.18. That he would quicken us to call upon his name. Verse 19. That he would cause his face to shine upon us, and lift up the light of his countenance. 1 Kings 8.28. Have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, to hearken unto the cry and to the Prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day. Verse 30. Hear thou in Heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest, forgive. 2 Kings 19.16. Lord bow down thine eares, and hear; open Lord thine eye and see. Neh. 1.6. Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayst hear the prayer of thy servant Psal. 5.1. Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Vers. 2. Hearken to the voice of my cry, my King, and my God, for unto thee will I pray. Psal. 18.6. That he would hear our voice out of his holy Temple, and let our cry come before him even into his ears. Ps. 19.14. That the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts may be alwayes acceptable in his sight. Psal. 27.7. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, have mercy also upon me, and answer me. Ps. 55.1.2. Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not thy self from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me. Psal. 88.2. Let my Prayer come before thee, incline thine ear unto my cry. Psal. 130 2 Lord, hear my voice, let thine ear be attentive to the voice of my supplication. Psal. 141.2 Let my Prayer be set forth before thee as Incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psal. 143.1. Hear my Prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications, in thy faithfulnesse answer me, and in thy righteousnesse. Vers. 7. Hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth; hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Isa 63.15. Look down from Heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holinesse, and of thy glory.
Some one, or more of these Particulars, may upon several occasions afford fitting matter for a Preface; which is the first thing to be considered and inlarged, in conceiving a form of Prayer.
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Footnotes
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