the name of extempore prayer,' and 'praying by the Spirit,' which expressions are, for the most part, a sign of a profane heart, altogether a stranger to the power and comfort of this duty.'

And after giving some directions to help his readers in the performance of prayer, he says, ' It will not be difficult to him that shall attempt it after this manner to pray in private without a form. And it is not easy to express what a vast difference a man may find in respect of inward comfort and satisfaction, between those private prayers that are thus conceived from the affections, and those prescribed forms which we say by rote, or read out of books.'

Indeed, an ability and readiness to express our thoughts to God, in all the various parts of prayer, in the manner most fit to profit our own souls, and the souls of those who join us, is not only a valuable gift, but a delightful privilege which every Christian should seek to gain.

It has been found useful in private prayer, to consider previously the things which you have to mention, and to put them down under the different parts of prayer. Thus, have you sinned by vain and trifling conversation in company? place that under Confession. Do you fear a particular temptation? place the desire for strength to resist it, under Petition. This previous arrangement has been found to keep the mind more fixed on its work, and it also gives you the advantage of reflecting afterwards on the subjects of your prayer.

It may be observed, that the Scriptures supply us with many beautiful models of prayer. See Hosea xiv. 1, 2, &c. Some have found it useful to take a Psalm or a chapter for a form of prayer; such as the

103d Psalm for praise, the 51st Psalm for confession, the 9th of Daniel for intercession, the 12th of Romans for petition. And again, others have found it edifying and profitable daily to repeat the Te Deum. God blesses us in various ways when we endeavour, in simplicity and sincerity, to seek and enjoy his presence, and obtain his favour.

As prayer is a duty of such immense importance, and of such continual recurrence, we shall dwell more fully on the subject-matter of our prayers under the following Section.

SECT. V. On the Various Parts of Prayer.

It will appear, from what has been already said, that no form of prayer can, perhaps, adequately express all our private, personal, and particular wants. It will, therefore, be useful to have our minds so furnished with information on the various parts of prayer, that we may, orderly, and with propriety and readiness, express every want before God.

The parts which are essential in our prayers, may be comprehended under the four heads of Confession, Petition, Intercession, and Thanksgiving. It will be useful to have these four particulars in your mind, and to bring them more or less into every prayer. Perhaps this fourfold division may have been deduced from the passage, (1 Tim. ii. 1,) where the Apostle says, I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made. Our sins, our wants, the wants of others, and the mercies of God, are the great subjects for every prayer.

Bishop Wilkins has given a view of the whole subject in the following Analysis of Prayer.

CONFESSION.

Acknowledgment of sins by

Enumeration.

Original, in our inward man.

in our outward man.

Actual, both against Law and Gospel,

National and personal.

Omission and commission.

Thought, word, and deed.

Aggravation of them, in general, by multitude and greatness.

in special, the kinds of sin.

in particular, the circumstances.

Punishments of them, external in our bodies, friends, estates,

and names.

internal, in respect of blessings, natural,

and spiritual.

eternal, of loss and pain.

PETITION.

SUPPLICATION FOR OURSELVES.

Deprecation against the evil of sin,

in respect of its guilt, for pardon, and for the

evidence of pardon.

of its power.

against the evil of temptation by our corrupt nature,

the devil, and the world.

against the evil of punishment.

Comprecation.

For spiritual good in the sanctification of our nature, both in the inward and outward man.

in the obedience of our lives, by the performance, continuance, and increase

in the duties both of the Law and the Gospel.

For temporal good, in the provision for us, and protection

of us.

1 Some interesting "Extracts from Bishop Wilkins's Treatise on Prayer" have been reprinted.

INTERCESSION FOR OTHERS.

In general-the Catholic Church.

In special-Ordinary for the nations uncalled, as Infidels,

Jews, &c.

the nations called-our own nation,

allies.

Occasional, in times of war, famine, pestilence, &c.

In particular-Ordinary for all relations, public or political.

private or economical.
friendship or enmity.
neighbourhood.

Occasional, for the afflicted in mind, body, or

estate.

THANKSGIVING.

Mercies to be enumerated.

Ordinary, Temporal, Private, as being, nature, birth, education, preservation, souls, bodies, friends, names, estates, &c.

Public, as fruitful, healthful, and peaceable

seasons.

Spiritual, election, redemption, vocation, justification, sanctification, both as to its parts, and means, hope of glory.

Occasional, for some particular preservation, recovery, or deliverance of ourselves or others, in soul or body.

Mercies to be amplified.

Generally by their multitude.

greatness in respect of the Giver, and as to the receiver.

their continuance.

Particularly by their circumstances, degrees, contraries.

Intermingled with all our prayers should be the most profound and unfeigned ADORATION of that great God whom we worship. Of every prayer we should aim to be enabled to say with Nebuchadnezzar, I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation, Dan. iv. 34.

The order in which you bring forward the various

parts of prayer, is of little importance, and may depend on the present state of your mind. Are you burdened by sin? begin by confessing your sins. Are you rejoicing in God's goodness? pour out your heart first in grateful thanksgivings, and then confess your unworthiness of every good. Is any afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

James v. 13.

We will now enlarge upon each of the preceding parts of prayer.

I. CONFESSION.

Under this head, express your present feelings respecting your sinfulness and guilt. In private prayer you should be minute and full in confessing sins, and the circumstances attending them. The more particular you are in enumerating those sins of which conscience accuses you, the more you dwell on the aggravations of your offences, and condemn and abase yourself before God, the more he will lift you up. (Hosea xiii, 1.)

Acknowledge then his spotless holiness, his almighty power, his perfect justice, and that you cannot approach with comfort or confidence, but through the advocate of sinners, Jesus Christ the righteous; and with the feeling of the publican, cry only for mercy.

Do you feel your continual proneness and propensity to sin? Confess your ORIGINAL CORRUPTION. You are a transgressor from the womb; (Isaiah xlviii. 8.) shapen in iniquity and conceived in sin: (Psalm li. 5.) by nature dead in trespasses and sins, and the child