to make particular intercession for us, Isa. lxiii. 16. Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not. There fore the doctrine and practice of the Papists herein, is both unallowable and abominable.

Q. 11. How must we pray unto God, that our prayers may be acceptable unto him, and answered by him? A. That our prayers may be acceptable unto God, and answered by him, we must pray: 1. With sincerity. Heb. x. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart. 2. With humility: Psal x. 17. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble. 3. With faith, James i. 6. Let him ask in faith. 4. With fervency, James v. 16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 5. With perseverance, Luke xviii. 1. Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. 6. We must look after our prayers, and wait for a return, Micah. vii. 7. Therefore I will look unto the LORD: I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Q. 12. Can we ourselves pray thus acceptably unto God?

A. We cannot of ourselves pray thus acceptably to God, without the Spirit of God to help our infirmities, and to teach us both for what, and how to pray, Rom. viii. 26, 27. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth, what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints, according to the will of God.

Q. 13. Doth God accept and answer all the prayers that are offered to him?

A. 1. God doth not accept and answer the prayers of the wicked. Prov. xv. 8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 2. God doth not accept the prayers of his own people, when they regard iniquity in their hearts, Psal. Ixvi. 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer. 3. God doth accept the prayers of his people, which are offered

up to him in the name of Christ, and by the help of his Spirit, and which are for things agreeable unto his will, so that he either giveth the things unto them which they pray for, or else something that is equivalent, or better for them.

Q. 14. What is the second part of prayer?

A. The second part of prayer is, confession of our sins, with which our petitions for pardon and supply of our wants should be introduced.

Q. 15. What sins should we make confession of in prayer?

A. In prayer, we should make confession of our original and actual sins against law and gospel of omission and commission, in thought and heart, of lip and life, with the aggravations of them; acknowledging withal, our desert of temporal, spiritual and eternal judgments, and punishments, for them, Psalm xxxii. 5. I acknowledged my sin, unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid, Psal. li. 4, 5. Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me, Dan. ix. 10. O Lord unto us belongeth confusion of face, because we have sinned against thee.

Q. 16. How ought we in prayer to make confession of our sins?

A. We ought in prayer to confess our sins humbly, fully, freely, with grief for them, and hatred of them, with full purpose full resolution, in the strength of the Lord, not to return again unto the practice of them. Q. 17. What is the third part of prayer?

:

A. The third part of prayer is, thankful acknowledgment of God's mercies, temporal and spiritual here, and the promise of life and happiness in the other world which we ought to acknowledge with admiration, faith, love, joy, and all kind of suitable affections, Phil. iv. 6. By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,let your requests be made known unto God.

99. Q. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?

A. The whole word of God, is of use to direct us

in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples commonly called, The Lord's prayer.

Q. 1. What is generally useful for our direction in prayer?

A. The whole word of God, is generally useful for our direction, as it containeth plenty of matter for prayer, guideth as to the manner of it, and aboundeth with variety of expressions, which most fitly may be used in it.

Q. 2. What is the special rule for direction in prayer?

A. The special rule for direction in prayer is: that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called, The Lord's prayer, Mat. vi. 9. After this manner therefore pray ye, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, &c.

Q. 3. How many parts are there in the Lord's prayer?

A. There are three parts in the Lord's prayer, the Preface, the Petitions, and the Conclusion.

100. Q. What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us?

A. The preface of the Lord's prayer which is, Our Father which art in heaven, Teacheth us, to draw near to God, with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a Father able and ready to help us, and that we should pray with and for others.

Q. I. What is the preface to the Lord's prayer itself?

A. The preface to the Lord's prayer itself, is in the words, Our Father which art in heaven.

Q. 2. What do the words, Our Father, in the preface teach us?

A. The words, Our Father, in the preface, teach us: 1. To draw near unto God with confidence, both of his all-sufficiency, and his readiness to help us; as also with filial affections of desire, love, and delight, as children to a father, Rom. viii. 15. For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we

cry, Abba, Father, Eph. iii. 10.

Him that is able to

do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think. Mat. vii. 11. If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him? 2. To pray to God, with and for others; he being a common Father unto all his people, Eph. vi. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication for all saints.

Q. 3. Are we to pray unto God for the saints, and such as are his children?

A. We must pray unto God not only for the saints, and his children, but also for all men; we must pray not only for the children in general, but also for the nations wherein we live; for magistrates, and for ministers, and not only for our friends, but also for our enemies; Psalm cxxii. 6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, 1 Tim. ii. 1, 1. I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, Matth. V. 44. Love your enemies, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.

Q. 4. What do these words, Which art in heaven teach us?

A. These words, Which art in heaven, teach us, to draw near unto God with all holy reverence, because of our great distance; God being not our earthly father, but our Father which is in heaven, Eccl. v. 2. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth.

101. Q. What do we pray for in the first petition?

A. In the first petition, which is Hallowed be thy name, we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify him, in all that whereby he makes himself known, and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.

Q. 1. What is the second part in the LORD'S prayer?

A. The second part in the Lord's prayer, is peti

tions.

Q. 2. How many petitions are there in the Lord's prayer?

A. There are six petitions in the Lord's prayer. Q. 3. What is the first petition in the Lord's prayer? A. The first petition in the Lord's prayer is, in these words, Hallowed be thy name.

Q. 4. What is meant by the name of God?

A. By the name of God is meant, God's titles, attributes, ordinances, words and works, whereby God is pleased to make himself known. See the explication of the fifty-fourth answer.

Q. 5. What is it to hallow God's name?

A. To hallow God's name, is to sanctify, honour and glorify God in all things, whereby he maketh himself known, Isa. viii. 13. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and your dread, Psalm xcvi. 8, 9. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Q. 6. What do we pray for in the petition, hallow. ed be thy name?

A. In the petition hallowed by thy name, we pray : 1. That God would hallow, and glorify his own name, by magnifying himself in the world, and by disposing all things for his own glory. 2 Sam. vii. 26. Let thy name be magnified for ever. Psalm 1xxxiii. 16, 18. Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord. That men may know, that thou whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most High over all the earth. 2. That God would enable us to hallow and glorify his name, by confessing and forsaking our sins, which rob him of his glory; by admiring and adoring him in his glorious titles and attributes; in his infinite excellencies and perfections by believing, loving and obeying his word; by observing and attending upon him in his worship and ordinances; by magnifying him in his works, and making use of his creatures for his glory; by sincere,