Q. 10. May we not make use of the name of angels, and the Virgin Mary, and other faints in prayer, directing our prayers unto them to help us, at least to improve their intereft in heaven for us, as the Papifts do teach and practise?

A. 1. It is idolatry to direct our prayers unto anv creature, God being the alone object of this and all other religious worship; therefore we ought not to direct our prayers unto angels, (who have refused worship) much lefs unto any faints. Col. ii. 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward, in a voluntary humility, and worfhipping of angels.' Rev. xix. 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him; and he faid unto me, See thou do it not; I am thy fellow fervant,' &c. 2. There is but one Mediator and Interceffor in heaven for us, namely, the Lord Jefus Christ, and it is an affront to him to make ufe of any angels or faints as our interceffors. 1 Tim. ii. 5. There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jefus.' 1 John ii. 1. If any man fin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jefus Chrift the righteous.' 3. We have neither precept nor example in fcripture for, nor any promise unto any prayers which we shall make either unto, or by either angels or faints. 4. The chiefeft faints in heaven are ignorant of our condition on earth, neither can they, where they are, hear, much less give answer unto our prayers, and therefore are unfit to be the object of our prayers, or to make particular interceffion for us. Ifaiah lxiii. 16. • Doubtless thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Ifrael acknowledge us not.' Therefore the doctrine and practice of the Papifts herein, is both unallowable and abominable.

Q. 11. How must we pray unto God that our prayers may be acceptable unto him, and anfwered by him?

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A. That our prayers may be acceptable unto God, and answered by him, we must pray, 1. With fincerity. Heb. x. 22. 'Let us draw near with a true heart.' With humility. Pfal. x. 17. Lord, thou haft heard the defire of the humble.' 3. With faith. James i. 6. Let him afk in faith.' 4. With fervency. James v. 16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,' With perfeverance. Luke xviii. 1. Men ought al

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ways to pray, and not to faint.' 6. We must look after our prayers, and wait for a return. Micah vii. 7. Therefore I will look unto the Lord: I will wait for the God of my falvation: my God will hear me.'

Q. 12. Can we ourselves pray thus acceptably unto God? A. We cannot of ourfelves pray thus acceptably unto God, without the Spirit of God to help our infirmities, and to teach us both for what and how to pray. Rom. viš. 26, 27. ‹ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we fhould pray for as we ought; but the Spirit maketh interceffion, for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. And he, that fearcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh interceffion for the faints according to the will of God.'

Q. 13. Doth God accept and answer all the prayers that are offered unto him?

A. 1. God doth not accept and answer the prayers of the wicked. Prov. xv. 8. The facrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord; but the prayer of the upright is his delight.' 2. God doth not accept the prayers of his own people, when they regard iniquity in their hearts. Pfal. lxvi. 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.' 3. God doth accept the prayers of his people, which are offered up unto him in the name of Christ, and by the help of the Spirit, and which are for things agreeable unto his will; fo that he either giveth the things unto them which they pray for, or elfe fomething that is equivalent or better for them.

Q. 14. What is the fecond part of prayer?

A. The fecond part of prayer is confeffion of our fins, with which our petitions for pardon, and fupply of our wants, fhould be introduced.

Q. 15. What fins fhould we make confeffion of in prayer? A. In prayer, we fhould make confeffion of our origin al and actual fins against law and gofpel; of omiffion and commiffion, in thought and heart, of lip and life, with aggravations of them; acknowledging withal, our defert of temporal, fpiritual, and eternal judgments and punith ments for them. Pfal. xxxii. 5. I acknowledged my fin sunto thee, and mine iniquity have 1 not hid.' Pfal. li.

5. Against thee, thee only have I finned, and done this evil in thy fight. Behold, I was fhapen in iniquity, and in fin did my mother conceive me.' Dan. ix. 8. O Lord, to us belongeth confufion of face, because we have finned against thee.'

Q. 16. How ought we in prayer to confefs our fins?

4. We ought in prayer to confefs our fins humbly, fully, freely, with grief for them, and hatred of them, with full purpose and full refolution, in the strength of the Lord, not to return again to the practice of them.

Q. 17. What is the third part of prayer?

A. The third part of prayer, is thankful acknowledg ment of God's mercies, temporal and spiritual, here, and the promises of life and happinefs in the other world; which we ought to acknowledge with admiration, faith, love, joy, and all kind of suitable affections. Philip. iv. 6. By prayer and fupplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God?

XCIX. Queft. What rule hath God given us for our direction in prayer ?

Anfw. The whole word of God is of ufe to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Chrift taught his difciples, commonly called the Lord's prayer.

Q. 1. What is generally ufeful for our direction in prayer 2 A. The whole word of God is generally useful for our direction, as it containeth plenty of matter for prayer, guideth us to the manner of it, and aboundeth with variety of expreffions which moft fitly may be used in it.

2. What is the fpecial rule for our direction in prayer? A. The fpecial rule for our direction in prayer, is that form of prayer which Chrift taught his difciples, commonly called the Lord's prayer. Matth. vi. 9. After this manner therefore pray ye, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,' &c.

J. 3. How many parts are there in the Lord's prayer?

There are three parts in the Lord's prayer, the preface, the petitions, and the conclufion.

C. Queft. What doth the preface of the Lora's prayer teach

Anfu. The preface of the Lord's prayer, which is,

Our Father which art in heaven, teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a Father, able and ready to help us; and that we fhould pray with and for others.

Q. 1. What is the preface of the Lord's prayer itself? A: The preface of the Lord's prayer itself, is in these words, Our Father which art in heaven.

Q. 2. What do the words, our Father, in the preface teach

us?

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A. The words, our Father, in the preface teach us, 1. To draw near unto God with confidence, both of his allfufficiency, and his readiness to help us; as alfo with a filial affection of defire, love, and delight, as children to a Father. Rom. viii. 15. For ye have not received the fpirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the fpirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.' Eph. iii. 20. Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.' Matth. vii. 11. If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more fhall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him ?? 2. To pray to God with and for others, he being a common Father unto all his people. Eph. vi. 18. Praying always with all prayer and fupplication for all faints.'

Q3. Are we to pray unto God only for the faints, and fuch. as are his children ?

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A. We must pray unto God, not only for the faints and his children, but alfo for all men: we must pray, not only for the church in general, but also for the nation wherein we live; for magiftrates and for ministers; and not only for our friends, but also for our enemies. Pfal. exxii. 6. Pray for the peace of Jerufalem.' 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. I exhort therefore, that first of all, fupplications, prayers, interceffions, 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 peaceable life, in all godliness and honefty.' Matth. v. 44. Love your enemies, and pray for them that defpitefully use you, and perfecute you.'. 2. 4. What do thefe words, which art in heaven, teach

us ?

A. These words, which art in heaven, teach us to draw

near unto God with all holy reverence, because of our great distance, God being not our earthly Father, but our Father which is in heaven. Eccl. v. 2. Be not rafh with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hafty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth.'

CI. Queft. What do we pray for in the first petition?

Anfw. In the first petition, which is, Hallowed be thy name, we pray, that God would enable us, and others, to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known, and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.

Q. 1. What is the fecond part in the Lord's prayer? A. The fecond part in the Lord's prayer, is, petitions. Q. 2. How many petitions are there in the Lord's prayer? A. There are fix petitions in the Lord's prayer. Q3. What is the first petition in the Lord's prayer? A. The first petition in the Lord's prayer, is in thefe words, Hallowed be thy name.

Q4. What is meant by the name of God?

A. By the name of God is meant, God's titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works, whereby God is pleased to make himself known. See the explication of the Fifty-fourth Answer.

Q. 5. What is it to hallow God's name?

A. To hallow God's name is to fanctify, honer, and glorify God in all things whereby he maketh himself known. Ifaiah. viii. 13. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and your dread. Pfal. xcvi. 8, 9. 'Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: worship the Lord in the beauty of holinefs.'

Q. 6. What do we pray for in the petition, Hallowed be thy name ?>

A. In the petition, Hallowed be thy name, we pray, That God would hallow and glorify his own name, by magnifying himfelf in the world, and by difpofing all things for his own glory. 2 Sam. vii. 26. Let thy name be magnified forever.' Pfal. Ixxxiii. 16. 18. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek thy name, O Lord: that men may know that thou, whofe name alone is JEHO2. That VAH, art the Moft High over all the earth.? God would enable us to hallow and glorify his name, by