ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FOURTEENTH EDITION. THE Author has availed himself in this, as in his two other Treatises, on the Scriptures and the Lord's Supper, of its republication in another form, to enlarge it by an additional Chapter, (Chapter 3,) and some further Observations, and Prayers suited to these times. Thankful for the past reception of his work, he again commends it, with these additions, to the blessing of that Heavenly Father, to whom he desires heartily to ascribe the praise of its success. Watton Rectory, March 14, 1836. A TREATISE ON PRAYER. CHAPTER I. ON THE NATURE AND DUTY OF PRAYER. MEN in general think it an honour to be admitted into the company of those who are distinguished by their rank, their power, or their attainments. They feel it a privilege to converse with a man of the first consequence in the state, a man eminent in wisdom or knowledge, or the monarch of a mighty empire. A Christian justly reckons it no small privilege to be permitted, for a season, to associate with a person of peculiar piety. And if while the greatest good may be obtained from a distinguished person, there be only a limited time in which we can go to him, the importance of using an opportunity that is offered, is evidently greatly increased. If we can say, 'Now the way of access is open, but it will soon be closed; now you may hold converse, and get intimately ac B quainted with him; you may obtain all you want; you may secure a lasting interest in his affections; he has invited you to come to him, and you will never have this privilege offered again;' surely no other arguments need be urged, to induce a man waiting his help to go to him without delay. When the Lord of Glory dwelt on earth, we often read of the great multitudes who assembled together and crowded around him, to see and to hear him. On one occasion, we find even a rich man, Zaccheus, unable to approach him, and climbing a tree to have a transient glimpse of so remarkable a character. Had we lived at that time, and possessed any thing of our present knowledge, we should doubtless have thought it a high honour to be in his company, and, like Mary, to sit at the feet of Jesus, and hear his words. This privilege was counted the more valuable in seasons of difficulty. When any were in sickness or danger, and believed that if they could see our Lord, he would help them, they then desired his presence with peculiar earnestness. When Lazarus is dying, then his sisters send a special message to their Lord. When the disciples are in the storm, they awaken him by saying, Carest thou not that we perish? When the people are sick, they break through the roof of a dwelling to come to him; or press through the crowd to touch the hem of his garment. It is the NATURE of prayer, that it gives to needy and sinful men, in the limited time of this life, every day, yes, every hour, this great privilege of access to the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, to the Most High and the Most Holy, and this with the utmost |