Of prayer,
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out, &c.
Q. 12. What is the duty of worthy receivers, after the sacrament?
A. Their duty is, heartily to bless God for Christ, and the benefits of his blood, Matth. xxvi. 30. And when they had sunganhymn, they went out into the mount of olives. To double their care and watchfulness against fin ; Eph. iv. 30.
And grieve not the holy Spirit, whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption. And to grow more fruitful in all spiritual obedience ; Col. i. 10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing; being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Q. 13. What is the first inference from hence ?
A. That the abuse and profanation of this ordinance, either by coming to it for carnal ends, or being forced upon it by fear offufferings, or approaching to itwithoutdue qualifications, is a dreadful fin, which God will terribly avenge; Mat. xxii. 11 , 12, 13. And when the King came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment.
And he faith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having on a wedding garment ? And he was speechless.
Then said the king unto the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness :
There shall be weeping, and gnashing of teeth.
Q. 14. What is the second inference from hence?
A. That great and manifold are the blessings and advantages which Christians duly prepared may reap by this ordinance.
Quest. 98 .W Of Prayer.
Hat is prayer ?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desire unto God,for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our fins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.
Q. 1. Who is the proper, and only object of prayer?
A. God only is the proper object of prayer ; it is a part of his natural worship, therefore it is peculiarly his honour and prerogative, and none else can hear andanswerthem but God ;
Psalm lxv. 2. O thou that he a rest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
Q. 2. Through whom, or in whose name, are our prayers to be directed to God ?
A. Our prayers are to be directed to God only through Christ, and his name; and not by the mediation of angels or
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. saints ; Col. ii. 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward, inavoluntaryhumility, and worshipping of angels. For the merit and satisfaction of Christ alone give success and acceptance to our prayers ; Rev. viii. 3, 4. And another angel came, and stood at the altar, having a golden cenfer ; and there was givenuntohim much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar, which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God, out of the angel's hand.
1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
Q. 3. What is the first property, or quality of acceptable prayer?
A. No prayer can be acceptable to God, except the matter of it be agreeable to his will ; James iv. 3. Ye atk and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that yemayconfume it upon your
Justs; 1 John v. 14, 15. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us . And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him.
Q. 4. Is it enough to make prayer acceptable, that the matter is agreeable to God's will ?
A. No, it is not; for the manner, as well as the matter, must be so too; Psalm lxvi. 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lordwillnothear me.
Q. 5. What is the first qualification of an acceptable prayer, respecting the manner of it ?
A. That it be sincere, and flowing from the heartofaregenerate person ; Prov. xv. 29. The Lerd is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Jer. xxix. 13.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, whenye shall search for me with all your heart.
Q. 6. What is thesecondqualificationofprayer, respecting the manner ?
A. It must be performed intheheartofachild of God, by theSpiritofadoption ; Gal. iv. 6. Andbecauseyeare sons,God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,
Abba, Father. Rom. viii. 26. Likewise the Spirit alsohelpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought,but the Spirit itselfmaketh intercessionfor us, with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Q. 7. What is the third qualification of an acceptable prayer, respecting the mariner ?
A. Itmustbeferventand importunate, not cold and formal,
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
James v. 16. The effectual fervent prayer ofa righteousman availeth much; Matth. vii. 7. Ask, and itshallbegivenyou ; seek, and yes hall find; knock, and it shall be openeduntoyou.
Q. 8. Wherein doth true importunity with God in prayer consist?
A. Not in the multitude of words; Matth. vi. 7. But whenyepray, use not vain repetitions, as the Heathen do : for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking.
But in an holy earneftness of spirit to be heard ; Psalm cxliii. 7.
Hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth; hide not thy face from me, left I be like unto them that go down into the pit. A prudent choice of prevalent arguments ; Job xxiii. 4.
I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. And a resolute persistance in our requests, till they be granted; Ifa. lxii. 7. And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
Q. 9. Do not prayers thus qualified sometimes miscarry ?
A. God may delay and suspend the answer of them for a time; Psalm xxii. 2. O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou heareft not, &c. But sooner or later God will always answer them, either in the very thing we ask ; I Johnv. 15.--We know that we have the petitions that wedefired of him :
Or in that which is equivalent, or better; Gen. xvii. 18, 19.
And Abraham said unto God,O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed, and thou shalt call his name Isaac : and I will establish my covenant with him, for an everlasting covenant, and with his feed after him.
Q. 10 Is there no prayer but what is stated and fixed ?
A. Yes, there is sudden occasional prayer, which we call ejaculatory.
Such was Jacob's, Gen. xlix. 18. I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord. And this is exceeding useful, to maintain constant communion with God, and keep the heart in a spiritual frame.
Q. 11. Is all stated and fixed prayer public in the congregation, or church ?
1 A. No ; stated prayer ought to be in our families, with those under our charge; and in our closets, betwi. God and us alone; Josh. xxiv. 15.
But as for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord. And Matth. vi. 6. But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet ; and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father whichfeeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
: VOL. VIII,