Section II. — Prayer is part of that religious worsliip, which the church is to perform to God in her public assemblies; yea, a principal part, and is therefore frequently put for the whole ; Zech. viii. 21, 22 : ' The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying. Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts : I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.' It is a pi'ophecy, how believers in gospel times should zealously provoke one another to go to the assemblies of the church (of which Jerusalem was a type), there to pray and worship God together. ' Is it not written,' saith ovu* Saviour, ' My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer?' Mark xi. 17. This was partially performed, when converts in the apostles' days flocked to Jerusalem to worship God. It is more fully accomplished in the church of Christ, gathered out of all nations, that should keep up the worship of God in her assemblies. St. Luke forgets not to mention this of prayer amongst the other duties of primitive Christians in their assemblies ; Acts ii. 42 : ' They continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.' By continuing stedfast in the apostles' doctrine, Mr. Perkins understands their attendance on the apostles' sermons ; by fellowship, he understands their contributions to the poor, which were gathered at their assemblies, a work very fit for that place, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased ; by breaking of bread, the celebration of the Lord's Supper ; and by prayers, those which they put up together in communion at their church meet- ings. Nor is prayer put last because the least duty of the company ; but rather, because it hath a necessary influence on them all ; the word and sacraments which God useth to sanctify his people by, are themselves sanctified to us by prayer. And St. Paul, when he hath shewn, 1 Tim. i., what doctrine ministers are to preach in the church, he, in the second chapter, directs them what to insist chiefly on in their public prayer : ' 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 peace- able life in all godliness and honesty,' vers. 1, 2. This the church of Christ ever esteemed a principal part of their public worship. Tertullian, speaking of the assemblies of the chiu'ch, saith. We meet in the congregation, that we may by our fervent prayers environ God, as an army doth a castle ; and this holy force, with which we assault Heaven, pleaseth him.
Section III. — Why God requires a public worship, or a joint service of his people in communion together, and why this particular duty of prayer. First, As a free and open acknowledgment of their dependence on, and allegiance to God. It is most reasonable we should own the God we serve in the face of the world, and not, like Nicodemus, carry our religion in a dark lantern. He is unworthy of his master's service that is ashamed to wear his livery. ' Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice : and the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people,' Deut. xxvi. 17, 18. Even heathens understand thus much, that they owe a free profession and public service to the god they vouch : ' All people walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever,' Micah iv. 5. Now, by walking in the name of God, they mean they will invocate his name, and vouch him by public worship, as you may see by the first and second verses of that chapter. And this is a gospel prophecy concerning the last days ; where we may take notice of the folly and pride of those who cast off' public ordinances, from a pretence of their high attainments, leaving these duties of religion as strings for those that are yet children to be led by. This is horrible pride, to have such an high opinion of themselves. But were they so perfect as they falsely imagine, and needed not any farther teaching, yet ought they not still to avouch God by worshipping him ? The ground from which divine worship becomes due to God is his own infinite perfections, and our dependence on him as the author of beings, and fountain of bliss. Hence it is that angels and saints in heaven worship him, though in a way suitable to their glorified state. Some ordinances, indeed, fitted to the militant church on earth, shall there cease ; but a worship remains, yea, it is their constant employment. Saints on earth
WITH ALL PHAVEll AND SUrPLICATlON. (J<).-,