NExt to the Unity and Fellowship which Christians are to hold in Doctrine and Faith, this holy Ordinance of publick Prayer falls under our consideration; wherein all Gods people are concerned to have Communion and fellowship one with another, as our Lord, the Author of concord in all Churches of the Saints hath taught us, that in Prayer we should say, OUR FATHER, &c. including with our selves all the children of God that yet groan under the like pres∣sures with our selves. As also we learn from his blessed example, who in the days of his Flesh, John 17. 11, 20. prayed for all his people that then were, or that should be hereafter. Nor was he unmindful of the world in those his heavenly supplications, but prayed that they might believe that the Father had sent him, ver. 21. And in this solemn work the Church is required to make prayers and supplications for all men, for Kings and all that are in Authority, 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. How devoutly the first Churches continued together in Prayer and Suppli∣cation is evident, Act. 2. 14. and 2. 42. and 4. 24. to 31. Yea the Church made Prayer to God without ceasing, Act. 12. 5, 12. and are re∣quired to pray With all manner of Prayer and Supplication for all Saints, Ephes. 6. 18, 19. To pray always and in every thing to give thanks, because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning them, 1 Th. 5. 17, 18. Yea to build up themselves in their most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost, and to keep themselves in the Love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal Life, Jude v. 20, 21.
What we said of the sufficiency of the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ to regulate us in our duty in holding forth the Word of Life, the same we may say of the Lords Prayer, therein being con∣tained such admirable rules, as may serve to regulate all Christians in making their prayers to Almighty God, Mat. 6. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. together with those enlargements which have been made by our Lord himself, or his holy servants, whose prayers are extant in the ho∣ly Scriptures, and by the continual supply of that Spirit of Grace and Supplication which according to the promise of God is freely given to the Church of God, Zec. 12. 10. Rom. 8. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father, and it is the Spirit that maketh intercession according to the will of God, v. 27.