a_o sermon_n concern_v the_o excellency_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o common_a prayer_n preach_v by_o william_n beveridge_n d._n d._n rector_n of_o st._n peter_n cornhill_n london_n at_o the_o open_v of_o the_o say_a parish_n church_n 27_o of_o november_n 1681._o london_n print_v by_o t._n james_n for_o richard_n northcott_n adjoin_v to_o st._n peter_n alley_n in_o cornhill_n and_o at_o the_o mariner_n and_o anchor_n upon_o fish-street-hill_n near_o london-bridge_n mdclxxxii_o to_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_n in_o god_n henry_n lord_n bishop_n of_o london_n one_o of_o his_o majesty_n most_o honourable_a privy_a council_n my_o lord_n your_o lordship_n have_v signify_v your_o pleasure_n that_o the_o sermon_n which_o you_o hear_v when_o you_o do_v we_o the_o honour_n to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o open_v of_o our_o parish_n church_n shall_v be_v make_v public_a notwithstanding_o my_o averseness_n to_o print_v any_o thing_n in_o english_a yet_o out_o of_o a_o just_a sense_n both_o of_o that_o obedience_n which_o i_o owe_v to_o you_o as_o my_o bishop_n and_o of_o that_o kindness_n which_o i_o have_v receive_v from_o you_o as_o my_o patron_n i_o have_v now_o do_v it_o and_o herewith_o make_v bold_a to_o present_v it_o to_o you._n what_o effect_v a_o discourse_n of_o this_o nature_n will_v have_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o shall_v have_v so_o much_o patience_n as_o to_o read_v it_o i_o know_v not_o but_o must_v leave_v that_o to_o he_o who_o have_v the_o heart_n of_o all_o man_n in_o his_o hand_n my_o subject_n i_o be_o sure_a be_v good_a and_o necessary_a and_o as_o for_o my_o plain_a and_o practical_a way_n of_o handle_v it_o it_o be_v that_o which_o my_o text_n require_v in_o that_o it_o command_v that_o in_o our_o christian_a congregation_n all_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o edify_v so_o that_o unless_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o suit_v it_o to_o the_o capacity_n of_o all_o there_o present_a and_o to_o make_v it_o as_o edify_v as_o i_o can_v unto_o they_o my_o sermon_n have_v be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o my_o text_n and_o beside_o that_o i_o have_v lose_v my_o design_n in_o preach_v it_o which_o be_v to_o convince_v those_o especial_o who_o soul_n under_o your_o lordship_n be_v commit_v to_o my_o care_n and_o conduct_v of_o the_o excellency_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o common_a prayer_n and_o so_o to_o persuade_v they_o to_o the_o constant_a and_o consciencioususe_v of_o it_o not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v conformable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n discipline_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n nor_o only_o because_o it_o be_v establish_v by_o the_o law_n both_o of_o our_o church_n and_o state_n though_o they_o also_o be_v very_o great_a reason_n but_o likewise_o because_o of_o that_o extraordinary_a benefit_n and_o advantage_n which_o they_o will_v receive_v from_o it_o for_o the_o edify_n of_o their_o soul_n in_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n i_o be_o very_o sensible_a that_o much_o more_o may_v have_v be_v say_v upon_o this_o excellent_a subject_n but_o intend_v no_o more_o than_o a_o plain_a sermon_n upon_o the_o occasion_n i_o be_v force_v to_o omit_v many_o thing_n and_o to_o confine_v myself_o to_o such_o only_a which_o be_v most_o obvious_a and_o seem_v the_o most_o necessary_a for_o people_n to_o know_v and_o practice_n in_o order_n to_o their_o be_v reconcile_v unto_o and_o edify_v by_o our_o public_a prayer_n and_o if_o upon_o your_o perusal_n of_o that_o little_a which_o i_o have_v say_v you_o shall_v find_v any_o thing_n not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o church_n i_o humble_o submit_v it_o to_o your_o lordship_n judgement_n and_o censure_n only_o desire_v that_o you_o will_v be_v as_o ready_a to_o pardon_v as_o i_o be_o to_o retract_v it_o my_o lord_n i_o have_v one_o request_n more_o to_o make_v unto_o you_o which_o be_v that_o as_o you_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o my_o print_v this_o sermon_n so_o you_o will_v be_v please_v to_o accept_v of_o it_o now_o it_o be_v print_v and_o if_o by_o the_o blessing_n of_o almighty_n god_n it_o may_v contribute_v any_o thing_n to_o those_o great_a end_n which_o you_o continual_o prosecute_v with_o so_o great_a wisdom_n and_o prudence_n with_o such_o exemplary_a care_n and_o diligence_n in_o the_o management_n of_o that_o high_a office_n which_o he_o have_v call_v you_o to_o even_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o great_a name_n the_o good_a of_o his_o church_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n it_o be_v all_o that_o be_v desire_v by_o my_o lord_n your_o lordship_n be_v most_o humble_a and_o most_o obedient_a servant_n william_n beveridge_n a_o sermon_n concern_v the_o excellency_n and_o usefulness_n of_o the_o common_a prayer_n 1_o cor._n fourteen_o 26._o let_v all_o thing_n be_v do_v to_o edify_v when_o judas_n maccabeus_n have_v new_o build_v the_o altar_n and_o repair_v the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n after_o it_o have_v be_v pollute_v and_o lay_v waste_n for_o three_o year_n together_o the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o that_o time_n and_o place_n rejoice_v so_o much_o at_o it_o that_o they_o keep_v the_o dedication_n of_o it_o eight_o day_n and_o order_v that_o the_o same_o shall_v be_v observe_v every_o year_n 1_o maccab._n 4._o 59_o and_o so_o we_o find_v it_o be_v in_o our_o saviour_n time_n for_o he_o himself_o be_v please_v to_o honour_v that_o festival_n though_o only_o of_o ecclesiastical_a institution_n with_o his_o own_o presence_n joh._n 10._o 22._o in_o the_o like_a manner_n we_o of_o this_o parish_n have_v cause_n to_o be_v transport_v with_o joy_n and_o gladness_n and_o to_o spend_v this_o day_n in_o praise_v and_o adore_v the_o most_o high_a god_n for_o that_o our_o church_n which_o have_v lie_v waste_n for_o above_o five_o time_n three_o year_n be_v now_o at_o last_o rebuilt_a and_o fit_v again_o for_o his_o worship_n and_o service_n for_o what_o the_o altar_n and_o temple_n be_v to_o the_o jew_n then_o the_o same_o will_v our_o church_n be_v unto_o we_o now_o do_v they_o there_o offer_v up_o their_o sacrifice_n to_o god_n as_o type_n of_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n we_o shall_v here_o commemorate_v the_o say_a death_n of_o christ_n typify_v by_o those_o sacrifice_n do_v they_o come_v from_o all_o part_n of_o judea_n to_o worship_n god_n there_o so_o shall_v we_o i_o hope_v come_v from_o all_o part_n of_o his_o parish_n to_o worship_n god_n here_o be_v the_o temple_n a_o house_n of_o prayer_n to_o they_o so_o be_v the_o church_n to_o we_o be_v that_o the_o place_n where_o god_n according_a to_o his_o promise_n come_v unto_o his_o people_n to_o bless_v they_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o he_o will_v do_v the_o same_o to_o we_o in_o this_o place_n if_o we_o come_v unto_o it_o and_o carry_v ourselves_o in_o it_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o short_a be_v the_o temple_n the_o place_n where_o all_o thing_n be_v perform_v that_o can_v any_o way_n conduce_v to_o the_o edify_v of_o god_n people_n as_o thing_n then_o stand_v the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o our_o church_n as_o thing_n now_o stand_v for_o whatsoever_o be_v or_o can_v be_v necessary_a to_o the_o edify_v of_o our_o soul_n here_o and_o so_o to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n hereafter_o be_v clear_o and_o full_o comprehend_v in_o those_o several_a office_n which_o according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n be_v now_o to_o be_v perform_v in_o this_o place_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n contain_v in_o any_o of_o they_o but_o what_o do_v real_o conduce_v to_o those_o great_a end_n and_o purpose_n but_o this_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o be_v deny_v by_o some_o and_o understand_v but_o by_o few_o among_o we_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o explain_v and_o demonstrate_v it_o unto_o all_o which_o i_o choose_v to_o do_v at_o this_o time_n because_o it_o be_v the_o most_o proper_a subject_n i_o can_v think_v of_o for_o this_o occasion_n for_o unless_o what_o be_v to_o be_v now_o do_v in_o this_o place_n will_v answer_v the_o end_n wherefore_o it_o be_v erect_v all_o the_o cost_v and_o charge_n that_o have_v be_v lay_v out_o upon_o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n at_o all_o but_o if_o it_o can_v be_v full_o make_v out_o that_o the_o service_n which_o be_v here_o to_o be_v perform_v do_v high_o conduce_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o god_n glory_n and_o your_o happiness_n the_o great_a end_n wherefore_o such_o place_n be_v erect_v than_o you_o can_v but_o acknowledge_v that_o whatsoever_o any_o of_o you_o have_v contribute_v towards_o it_o be_v the_o best_a money_n that_o you_o ever_o spend_v and_o that_o this_o day_n wherein_o the_o say_a service_n be_v begin_v to_o be_v perform_v in_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o joyful_a day_n that_o this_o
so_o upon_o compose_v our_o thought_n and_o prepare_v ourselves_o for_o the_o due_a performance_n of_o it_o our_o mind_n be_v thus_o bring_v into_o a_o right_a frame_n and_o temper_n for_o it_o we_o all_o both_o minister_n and_o people_n prostrate_v ourselves_o before_o the_o most_o high_a god_n confess_v upon_o our_o knee_n the_o manifold_a sin_n and_o wickedness_n that_o we_o have_v commit_v against_o he_o which_o confession_n be_v so_o contrive_v that_o all_o and_o every_o person_n in_o any_o congregation_n whatsoever_o may_v join_v in_o it_o for_o it_o run_v in_o general_a term_n and_o yet_o so_o too_o that_o every_o particular_a person_n may_v and_o aught_o in_o his_o own_o mind_n to_o confess_v and_o acknowledge_v his_o own_o sin_n which_o he_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v guilty_a of_o as_o where_o we_o say_v we_o have_v leave_v undo_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v and_o we_o have_v do_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v do_v at_o the_o say_n of_o this_o every_o one_o shall_v call_v his_o own_o sin_n to_o remembrance_n what_o duty_n he_o know_v himself_o to_o have_v omit_v and_o what_o vice_n he_o know_v himself_o to_o have_v commit_v and_o confess_v they_o according_o unto_o god_n and_o when_o we_o have_v thus_o confess_v our_o sin_n to_o god_n we_o present_o implore_v his_o mercy_n in_o the_o pardon_n of_o they_o and_o his_o grace_n that_o for_o the_o future_a we_o may_v forsake_v they_o and_o whilst_o we_o be_v thus_o upon_o our_o knee_n humble_o confess_v and_o bewail_v our_o sin_n before_o the_o lord_n our_o god_n the_o minister_n stand_v up_o and_o in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n declare_v and_o pronounce_v to_o all_o those_o who_o true_o repent_v and_o unfeigned_o believe_v his_o gospel_n the_o absolution_n and_o remission_n of_o all_o their_o sin_n which_o though_o speak_v also_o in_o general_a term_n yet_o every_o particular_a person_n there_o present_a aught_o to_o apply_v it_o to_o himself_o so_o as_o to_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n that_o if_o he_o do_v but_o sincere_o repent_v and_o believe_v the_o gospel_n he_o be_v perfect_o absolve_v from_o all_o his_o sin_n by_o god_n himself_o according_a to_o the_o promise_n which_o he_o have_v make_v to_o mankind_n in_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n and_o now_o look_v upon_o ourselves_o as_o absolve_v from_o our_o sin_n upon_o our_o repentance_n and_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o by_o consequence_n as_o reconcile_v to_o god_n we_o take_v the_o boldness_n to_o call_v he_o father_n humble_o address_v ourselves_o to_o he_o in_o that_o divine_a form_n of_o prayer_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v give_v we_o which_o do_v we_o lift_v up_o our_o heart_n and_o voice_n unto_o god_n for_o his_o assistance_n of_o we_o in_o what_o we_o do_v in_o the_o word_n of_o david_n the_o minister_n cry_v out_o o_o lord_n open_v thou_o our_o lip_n and_o the_o people_n answer_v and_o our_o mouth_n shall_v show_v forth_o thy_o praise_n the_o minister_n again_o o_o god_n make_v speed_n to_o save_v we_o the_o people_n o_o lord_n make_v haste_n to_o help_v we_o and_o then_o immediate_o we_o all_o lift_v up_o our_o body_n too_o stand_v upon_o our_o foot_n and_o so_o put_v ourselves_o into_o a_o posture_n of_o praise_v and_o magnify_v the_o eternal_a god_n father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n for_o his_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o mercy_n towards_o we_o for_o which_o purpose_n the_o minister_n first_o say_v or_o sing_v the_o gloria_fw-la patri_fw-la glory_n be_v to_o the_o father_n and_o to_o the_o son_n and_o to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o people_n to_o show_v their_o consent_n answer_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o beginning_n be_v now_o and_o ever_o shall_v be_v world_n without_o end_n amen_n but_o not_o think_v this_o to_o be_v enough_o the_o minister_n call_v upon_o the_o people_n again_o say_v praise_v you_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o people_n answer_n the_o lord_n name_n be_v praise_v and_o then_o we_o go_v on_o to_o praise_v he_o together_o say_v or_o sing_v the_o 95_o psalm_n venite_fw-la exultemus_fw-la domino_fw-la o_o come_v let_v we_o sing_v unto_o the_o lord_n let_v we_o hearty_o rejoice_v in_o the_o strength_n of_o our_o salvation_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o proceed_v to_o the_o psalm_n appoint_v for_o the_o day_n after_o every_o one_o of_o which_o to_o testify_v our_o belief_n in_o the_o most_o sacred_a trinity_n and_o our_o acknowledgement_n of_o that_o infinite_a love_n and_o goodness_n which_o every_o one_o of_o those_o divine_a person_n have_v manifest_v to_o we_o we_o repeat_v that_o incomparable_a hymn_n glory_n be_v to_o the_o father_n etc._n etc._n our_o heart_n be_v thus_o raise_v up_o to_o god_n in_o praise_v and_o admire_v of_o he_o we_o be_v now_o in_o a_o fit_a temper_n and_o disposition_n to_o hear_v what_o he_o shall_v speak_v unto_o we_o and_o therefore_o have_v a_o chapter_n read_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o in_o its_o ordinary_a course_n except_o upon_o sunday_n and_o holyday_n when_o more_o people_n attend_v the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n then_o can_v convenient_o come_v upon_o other_o day_n we_o read_v some_o select_a chapter_n proper_a for_o the_o day_n and_o such_o as_o be_v judge_v most_o edify_a to_o all_o that_o be_v there_o present_a and_o have_v thus_o hear_v god_n speak_v unto_o we_o in_o his_o holy_a word_n we_o present_o fall_v upon_o praise_v of_o he_o again_o for_o so_o unspeakable_a a_o mercy_n say_v or_o sing_v in_o the_o morning_n the_o te_fw-la deum_fw-la one_o of_o the_o most_o heavenly_a and_o seraphic_a hymn_n that_o be_v ever_o compose_v by_o man_n or_o else_o the_o song_n of_o the_o three_o child_n which_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o paraphrase_n upon_o that_o which_o david_n sing_v so_o often_o upon_o earth_n and_o which_o the_o holy_a angel_n sing_v continual_o in_o heaven_n even_o haleluia_o praise_v you_o the_o lord_n wherein_o we_o be_v all_o sensible_a how_o far_o short_a we_o ourselves_o come_v of_o praise_v god_n sufficient_o we_o call_v upon_o all_o the_o creature_n in_o the_o world_n to_o do_v it_o bless_v you_o the_o lord_n praise_v he_o and_o magnify_v he_o for_o ever_o in_o the_o afternoon_n we_o sing_v either_o the_o magnificat_fw-la or_o else_o the_o 98_o psalm_n both_o which_o be_v take_v out_o of_o god_n own_o word_n can_v but_o be_v very_a please_a and_o acceptable_a unto_o he_o after_o this_o our_o soul_n be_v get_v upon_o the_o wing_n again_o and_o soar_v aloft_o in_o the_o contemplation_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n we_o be_v now_o right_o qualify_v to_o hear_v and_o receive_v the_o sublime_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o have_v a_o chapter_n read_v to_o we_o out_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n after_o which_o we_o be_v revive_v with_o the_o good_a tiding_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o fill_v with_o admiration_n at_o the_o infinite_a goodness_n of_o god_n therein_o reveal_v to_o we_o we_o break_v forth_o again_o into_o praise_v and_o adore_v of_o he_o in_o the_o song_n of_o zacharias_n or_o else_o the_o 100_o psalm_n in_o the_o morning_n and_o at_o evening_n either_o the_o 67_o psalm_n or_o else_o the_o song_n of_o old_a simeon_n still_o conclude_v with_o the_o gloria_fw-la patri_fw-la now_o have_v thus_o hear_v some_o part_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n read_v to_o we_o and_o express_v our_o thankfulness_n unto_o he_o for_o it_o to_o signify_v our_o assent_n not_o only_o to_o what_o we_o have_v hear_v but_o to_o the_o whole_a scripture_n we_o all_o with_o one_o heart_n and_o voice_n repeat_v the_o apostle_n creed_n wherein_o the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o it_o be_v contain_v and_o so_o profess_v ourselves_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o number_n of_o christ_n disciple_n and_o that_o as_o we_o be_v at_o first_o baptise_a so_o we_o still_o believe_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n god_n bless_v for_o evermore_o hitherto_o we_o have_v be_v most_o take_v up_o with_o confess_v our_o sin_n to_o god_n implore_v his_o mercy_n in_o the_o pardon_n of_o they_o hear_v his_o most_o holy_a word_n acknowledge_v his_o goodness_n to_o we_o and_o praise_v and_o magnify_v his_o name_n for_o it_o by_o which_o mean_n except_o we_o have_v be_v extreme_o want_v to_o ourselves_o our_o heart_n can_v but_o be_v so_o unite_v and_o fix_v upon_o god_n that_o we_o be_v now_o right_o dispose_v to_o make_v know_v our_o want_n and_o present_a our_o petition_n before_o he_o this_o therefore_o be_v the_o next_o thing_n we_o set_v upon_o but_o see_v that_o neither_o minister_n nor_o people_n can_v possible_o do_v it_o aright_o without_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n himself_o therefore_o each_o of_o they_o first_o pray_v for_o his_o special_a presence_n with_o the_o other_o the_o one_o say_v
acceptable_a unto_o he_o to_o who_o we_o pray_v it_o be_v a_o prayer_n of_o his_o own_o composure_n so_o that_o we_o speak_v unto_o god_n in_o his_o own_o word_n and_o so_o may_v be_v confident_a that_o we_o ask_v nothing_o of_o he_o but_o exact_o according_a to_o his_o own_o will_n and_o though_o all_o thing_n necessary_a for_o we_o be_v virtual_o contain_v in_o the_o lord_n prayer_n yet_o our_o church_n in_o conformity_n to_o the_o catholic_n and_o apostolical_a have_v think_v good_a to_o add_v some_o other_o prayer_n in_o which_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v more_o particular_o express_v and_o desire_v at_o the_o hand_n of_o our_o great_a and_o most_o bountiful_a benefactor_n all_o which_o be_v so_o contrive_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o evil_a or_o hurtful_a for_o we_o but_o we_o pray_v against_o it_o nothing_o good_a or_o useful_a but_o we_o pray_v for_o it_o there_o be_v no_o vice_n or_o lust_n but_o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v subdue_v under_o we_o no_o grace_n or_o virtue_n but_o we_o pray_v it_o may_v be_v plant_v and_o grow_v in_o we_o in_o so_o much_o that_o if_o we_o do_v but_o constant_o and_o sincere_o pray_v over_o all_o those_o prayer_n and_o steadfast_o believe_v and_o trust_v in_o god_n for_o his_o answer_v of_o they_o and_o so_o obtain_v what_o we_o there_o pray_v for_o we_o can_v but_o be_v as_o real_a and_o true_a saint_n as_o happy_a and_o bless_a creature_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o be_v in_o this_o world_n neither_o do_v we_o here_o pray_v for_o ourselves_o only_o but_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n advice_n we_o make_v supplication_n prayer_n intercession_n and_o give_v of_o thanks_o for_o all_o man_n yea_o for_o our_o very_a enemy_n as_o our_o saviour_n have_v command_v we_o mat._n 5._o 44._o and_o what_o can_v be_v desire_v more_o than_o all_o this_o to_o make_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o common_a prayer_n edify_v either_o to_o ourselves_o or_o other_o nothing_o certain_o but_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n of_o heart_n in_o the_o use_n of_o it_o i_o can_v pass_v from_o this_o head_n before_o i_o have_v observe_v one_o thing_n more_o unto_o you_o concern_v the_o prayer_n in_o general_a and_o that_o be_v that_o they_o be_v not_o carry_v on_o in_o one_o continue_a discourse_n but_o divide_v into_o many_o short_a prayer_n or_o collect_v such_o as_o that_o be_v which_o our_o lord_n himself_o compose_v and_o that_o may_v be_v one_o reason_n wherefore_o our_o church_n so_o order_v it_o that_o so_o she_o may_v follow_v our_o lord_n example_n in_o it_o who_o best_o know_v what_o kind_n of_o prayer_n be_v fit_a for_o we_o to_o use_v and_o indeed_o we_o can_v but_o all_o find_v by_o our_o own_o experience_n how_o difficult_a it_o be_v to_o keep_v our_o our_o mind_n long_a intent_n upon_o any_o thing_n much_o more_o upon_o so_o great_a thing_n as_o the_o object_n and_o subject_n of_o our_o prayer_n be_v but_o do_v what_o we_o can_v we_o be_v still_o liable_a to_o distraction_n so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o necessity_n to_o break_v off_o sometime_o to_o give_v ourselves_o a_o breathe_a time_n that_o our_o thought_n be_v loosen_v for_o a_o while_n they_o may_v with_o more_o ease_n and_o less_o danger_n of_o distraction_n be_v tie_v up_o again_o as_o it_o be_v necessary_a they_o shall_v be_v all_o the_o while_n that_o we_o be_v actual_o pray_v to_o the_o supreme_a be_v of_o the_o world_n beside_o that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o perform_v our_o devotion_n aright_o to_o the_o most_o high_a god_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o our_o soul_n be_v possess_v all_o along_o with_o due_a apprehension_n of_o his_o greatness_n and_o glory_n to_o which_o purpose_n our_o short_a prayer_n contribute_v very_o much_o for_o every_o one_o of_o they_o beginning_n with_o some_o of_o the_o property_n or_o perfection_n of_o god_n and_o so_o suggest_v to_o our_o mind_n right_a apprehension_n of_o he_o at_o first_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o preserve_v they_o in_o our_o mind_n during_o the_o space_n of_o a_o short_a prayer_n which_o in_o a_o long_a one_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o scatter_v and_o vanish_v away_o but_o that_o which_o i_o look_v upon_o as_o one_o of_o the_o principal_a reason_n why_o our_o public_a devotion_n be_v and_o shall_v be_v divide_v into_o short_a collect_v be_v this_o our_o bless_a saviour_n we_o know_v have_v often_o tell_v we_o that_o whatsoever_o we_o ask_v in_o his_o name_n we_o shall_v receive_v and_o so_o have_v direct_v we_o in_o all_o our_o prayer_n to_o make_v use_n of_o his_o name_n and_o to_o ask_v nothing_o but_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o merit_n and_o mediation_n for_o we_o upon_o which_o all_o our_o hope_n and_o expectation_n from_o god_n do_v whole_o and_o sole_o depend_v hence_o therefore_o as_o it_o always_o be_v so_o it_o can_v but_o be_v judge_v necessary_a that_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n be_v frequent_o insert_v in_o our_o prayer_n that_o so_o we_o may_v lift_v up_o our_o heart_n unto_o he_o and_o act_v our_o faith_n upon_o he_o for_o our_o obtain_v the_o good_a thing_n we_o pray_v for_o and_o so_o we_o see_v it_o be_v in_o the_o common_a prayer_n for_o whatsoever_o it_o be_v we_o ask_v of_o god_n we_o present_o add_v through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n or_o something_o to_o that_o purpose_n and_o so_o ask_v nothing_o but_o according_a to_o our_o lord_n direction_n even_o in_o his_o name_n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o make_v our_o prayer_n so_o short_a for_o take_v away_o the_o conclusion_n of_o every_o collect_n or_o prayer_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n and_o you_o may_v join_v they_o all_o together_o and_o make_v they_o but_o as_o one_o continue_a prayer_n but_o this_o will_v be_v to_o offer_v manifest_a violence_n to_o the_o prayer_n by_o take_v away_o that_o which_o give_v they_o all_o their_o force_n and_o energy_n and_o so_o make_v they_o ineffectual_a to_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o they_o be_v use_v for_o certain_o the_o ask_v all_o thing_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n as_o we_o do_v in_o the_o common_a prayer_n be_v the_o only_a way_n whereby_o to_o obtain_v what_o we_o desire_v and_o by_o consequence_n the_o most_o edify_a way_n of_o pray_v in_o the_o world_n the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o common_a prayer_n be_v the_o method_n which_o be_v admirable_a and_o as_o edify_v if_o possible_a as_o the_o matter_n itself_o this_o none_o can_v deny_v that_o do_v but_o full_o understand_v and_o serious_o consider_v of_o it_o which_o therefore_o that_o you_o may_v all_o do_v i_o shall_v brief_o run_v through_o the_o whole_a and_o give_v you_o what_o light_n i_o can_v into_o it_o that_o you_o may_v clear_o see_v not_o only_o the_o reasonableness_n but_o the_o excellency_n of_o it_o all_o along_o for_o which_o purpose_n i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o such_o thing_n which_o offer_v themselves_o at_o first_o sight_n to_o any_o one_o that_o do_v but_o cast_v his_o eye_n upon_o it_o let_v we_o therefore_o suppose_v a_o congregation_n of_o sober_a and_o devout_a christian_n such_o as_o we_o all_o shall_v be_v meet_v together_o to_o perform_v their_o public_a devotion_n to_o almighty_a god_n every_o one_o of_o which_o have_v lift_v up_o his_o heart_n private_o unto_o he_o already_o implore_v his_o aid_n and_o assistance_n in_o the_o performance_n of_o so_o great_a a_o work_n and_o so_o be_v all_o now_o ready_a to_o set_v about_o it_o the_o first_o thing_n we_o do_v be_v to_o read_v some_o sentence_n of_o holy_a scripture_n that_o so_o we_o may_v begin_v our_o devotion_n unto_o god_n in_o his_o own_o word_n and_o they_o be_v all_o such_o sentence_n as_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o our_o sin_n against_o he_o and_o of_o his_o promise_n to_o pardon_v they_o if_o we_o do_v repent_v that_o so_o we_o may_v present_v and_o carry_v ourselves_o with_o that_o reverence_n and_o godly_a fear_n before_o he_o as_o become_v those_o who_o be_v sensible_a of_o their_o own_o vileness_n and_o unworthiness_n to_o approach_v so_o great_a a_o majesty_n and_o likewise_o with_o that_o faith_n and_o humble_a confidence_n which_o become_v those_o who_o believe_v that_o he_o upon_o our_o repentance_n will_v pardon_v our_o sin_n and_o accept_v both_o our_o person_n and_o performance_n according_a to_o the_o promise_n which_o he_o have_v make_v unto_o we_o then_o follow_v a_o grave_a exhortation_n concern_v the_o end_n of_o our_o present_a assemble_v which_o be_v of_o great_a use_n and_o ought_v never_o to_o be_v omit_v for_o man_n general_o be_v apt_a to_o rush_v into_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n without_o ever_o consider_v what_o they_o go_v about_o whereas_o this_o exhortation_n put_v we_o upon_o consider_v the_o greatness_n of_o the_o work_n which_o we_o be_v now_o engage_v in_o and_o