Petition. Here you may have directions to pray for the Spirit, working in Effectual Calling, A. 29, 30, 31. Pleading Christs mediation, A. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. and seeking particularly, that God would give what he requires in his holy Commandments, A. 46, 50, 54, 57, 64, 68, 71, 74, 77, 80. compared with A. 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, and A. 33, 34, 35, 36. still collecting and compacting such materials out of these Articles, and the Scriptures proving of them, with what follows (where it is needful) in the Explanation more briefly or largely, as every ones present condition and circumstances require. Now for the remaining part of Prayer, which is Thanksgiving, you will better know what you are to give thanks for, by seeing what sins or evils God hath kept you from; and what good things he hath bestowed upon you. And this you will materially discern, by considering well what you have confessed and petitioned; then it will be further helpful to meditate upon A. 9, 10, 12, 20, 21, 22, 31, 32, 85, 88, 89. For Conclusion read A. 107. with the Scriptures and Explanation. Turn to these Articles, as you see them noted here thus minutely for the sake of you (who need such direction) and yours, some of whom possibly you may engage to write what you show them in this order, or when you read to them, for the teaching of them to be more methodical, in learning to pray, and that longer or shorter, as occasion requires, for their own and others edification. But still remember, It is the Spirit likewise that helpeth our infirmities, Rom. 8.26. So that our ⟨p. X⟩prayers through Christ may be truly acceptable to God, and a means of our sanctification. I do not urge you in every prayer to insist on every head here, or restrain you to these, only show you a way how to use these; neither would I tie you to this way, but advise you to exercise your spiritual senses to discern, and have regard to your own occasions, and the enlargement of your own hearts, that out of the abundance of them, in faith and humility you may express your minds to God in Scripture-language, from a feeling of our own wants. Thus I have took the freedom to suggest something of help in this kind, to those who may either desire or need it. But I impose nothing upon any one, which God hath left free. I hope none that know me well, will judg me to be so narrow-spirited.
Petition. Here you may have directions to pray for the Spirit, working in Effectual Calling, A. 29, 30, 31. Pleading Christs mediation, A. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. and seeking particularly, that God would give what he requires in his holy Commandments, A. 46, 50, 54, 57, 64, 68, 71, 74, 77, 80. compar'd with A. 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, and A. 33, 34, 35, 36. still collecting and compacting such materials out of these Articles, and the Scriptures proving of them, with what follows (where it is needful) in the Explanation more briefly or largely, as every ones present condition and circumstances require. Now for the remaining part of Prayer, which is Thanksgiving, you will better know what you are to give thanks for, by seeing what sins or evils God hath kept you from; and what good things he hath bestow'd upon you. And this you will materially discern, by considering well what you have confess'd and petition'd; then it will be further helpful to meditate upon A. 9, 10, 12, 20, 21, 22, 31, 32, 85, 88, 89. For Conclusion read A. 107. with the Scriptures and Explanation. Turn to these Articles, as you see them noted here thus minutely for the sake of you (who need such direction) and yours, some of whom possibly you may engage to write what you shew them in this order, or when you read to them, for the teaching of them to be more methodical, in learning to pray, and that longer or shorter, as occasion requires, for their own and others edification. But still remember, It is the Spirit likewise that helpeth our infirmities, Rom. 8.26. So that our ⟨p. X⟩prayers through Christ may be truly acceptable to God, and a means of our sanctification. I do not urge you in every prayer to insist on every head here, or restrain you to these, only shew you a way how to use these; neither would I tye you to this way, but advise you to exercise your spiritual senses to discern, and have regard to your own occasions, and the enlargement of your own hearts, that out of the abundrnce of them, in faith and humility you may express your minds to God in Scripture-language, from a feeling of our own wants. Thus I have took the freedom to suggest something of help in this kind, to those who may either desire or need it. But I impose nothing upon any one, which God hath left free. I hope none that know me well, will judg me to be so narrow-spirited.
