TRACT III.

A

POST SCRIPT

TO THE

LETTER

ON

PRA Y ER,

CONCERNING

The views which we ought to have in praying ;-the drawing up proper forms; the ufe of feripture lanthe confeffion of fuch fins only, as we are

guage;

confcious we have been guilty of.

F 3

A

POST SCRIPT

TO THE

LETTER

ΟΝ

PRA Y E R.

T

HERE are two obfervations of importance, which feem to arise out of this account of the end and defign of prayer.

I. As the principal thing in prayer is its practical tendency, "This may fuggeft fome "useful directions concerning our views in praying; and concerning the drawing up "of proper forms for our own ufe, or for the "ufe and affiftance of others."

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All general forms of prayer ought to contain the principal branches of virtue and piety. And whoever prays, as the mouth of the ple, fhould commonly go through the most effential duties of the chriftian life; that, by hearing fuch things frequently prayed over, and earnestly infifted upon, the people may. be led more clearly to understand them, to remember them more diftinctly, and to make confcience of living accordingly.

It is not only the frame of mind, in which any perfon may be, at the drawing up a form of prayer defigned for general ufe, or when he fpeaks as the mouth of others in public worship; - but principally the common good of mankind, that ought to be confulted. For he, who confults that, brings most glory to God, most effectually advances the credit of virtue and true religion, and dceth most good to his fellow-creatures.

I would therefore, with great deference and fubmiffion, humbly propofe, that all forms, defigned for public ufe, whether in one, or many churches, be drawn up fo as to take in as large a compaffe of chriftian duty as poffible, and be regulated all along with this practical view; that fuch as ufe not any conftant and fet forms, would have a prevail regard to that general, practical influence, which ought to be the end and defign of prayers

and that the ftated prayers, both of the

family,