A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

4. Prayer, that's another Exercise of Godliness. Here we have our constant Commerce with God. If there were no other Use of Prayer, but only to appear before God, to do our Homage, to profess our Service and Dependence upon him, it were enough, but it is a means of spiritual Acquaintance; by these private Soliloquies God and the Soul grow intimate, and we unbosom our selves to God, as intimate Friends are often together speaking one to another. Prayer is such a necessary Duty, and a part of Godliness, that it is often put for the whole Worship of God; Acts 2.21. Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord, shall be saved: it is only expressed by that. On the other side, Atheism is expressed by not calling on God's Name; Psal. 14.4. Who eat up my People as they eat Bread, and call not upon the Lord. There is not a Swine but is better regarded than God; they are tended Morning and Evening, but God is forgotten. O what Honour is put upon Dust and Ashes to speak to the great God! Prayer is to be reckoned among our Privileges. If we had such Freedom of Access to an earthly Prince, we would not reckon it a Burden. It is a part of our Liberty by Christ that was purchased at a dear rate; therefore let us often call upon God with Thankfulness: God hath been at a great deal of Cost to erect a Throne of Grace, that we may pray with Confidence; Having Boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus, Heb. 10.19. If a charitable Man should see a Company of Beggars wandering in the Street in the time of Worship, and their Pretence is, that there is no room for them in the public Place of Meeting, and he should build a Chapel for them, they would be without Excuse. God hath been at great Cost to provide a Throne of Grace, that we might not neglect Prayer.

4. Prayer, that's another Exercise of Godliness. Here we have our constant Commerce with God. If there were no other Use of Prayer, but only to appear before God, to do our Homage, to profess our Service and Dependance upon him, it were enough, but it is a means of spiritual Acquaintance; by these private Soliloquies God and the Soul grow intimate, and we unbosome our selves to God, as intimate Friends are often together speaking one to another. Prayer is such a necessary Duty, and a part of Godliness, that it is often put for the whole Worship of God;