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that the folemn Obfervation of Eafter, was then by all Chriftians accounted an effential Inftitution of Religion, in that they esteemed it unlawful to vary the leaft Circumstance formerly received in the Obfervation

of it.

And as this Festival hath fucceeded instead of the Jewish Paflover, which did prefigure the whole Mystery of our Redemption; fo the due Manner of our Celebration of it was typified by the Ceremonies prescribed by God to them, in eating the Pafchal Lamb. As they were commanded to remove all Leaven out of their Houses, fo we are to put away the Leaven of Malice and Wickedness, in the Words of St. Paul. As they then fung Hymns of Thanksgiving to God for their Deliverance out of Egypt; fo we ought to give Praise and Glory to God for confummating our Redemption by the Refurrection of our Lord upon this Day. As they eat the Pafchal Lamb with bitter Herbs, in a Habit and Posture expreffing their readiness to go out of Egypt, with great Teftimonies of rejoycing and mutual Kindness: So we fhould receive the Elements of Bread and Wine, reprefenting the Sacrifice of Chrift the Lamb of God, once offered upon the Crofs for the Sins of the whole World, (which is the chief and most folemn Act of our Worship to be paid upon this Day,) with a bitter Repentance and Sorrow for paft Sins; with a ftedfast reli

ance

ance upon the Promises of God, with a perfect Submiffion to his Will, and readiness to go where-ever he fhall lead us, with a fincere Charity towards one another, and to all the Members of Mankind for whom Chrift died; that is, for all Men without Exception; and with the most intense Thanksgiving that our Souls can form, for all the Benefits of our Redemption; but more particularly for raifing to Life, as upon this Day, him, who died for our Sins, and rofe again for our Fuftification. So by worthily celebrating here on Earth the Memory of the glorious Refurrection of our Lord, we fhall obtain to be hereafter admitted to follow the Example of his Refurre&tion, and fhare in the Glory which he now enjoys in Heaven. Which God of his infinite Mercy grant, for the fake of him who died and rofe again, our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift; to whom with the Father, &c.

SER

SERMON XV.

Preach'd on the 5th of April, 1690. at Lambeth Chapel.

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I will therefore, that Men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Ρ

RAYER being one of the greatest Duties of a Chriftian Life; that whereby we chiefly pay our Adoration to God, whereby we obtain the Remiffion of our Sins, and the Relief of our Neceffities; to which fo many Promises are annexed, and fo frequent Exhortations to the practice of it to be found in Scripture; we ought to be well inftructed in the Nature, the Neceffity, and the Conditions of it. To effect this was the chief Intention of the Apostle in this whole Chapter, in which, this Verfe

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being

being more comprehenfive than the reft, I have chosen it for the Subject of my intended Difcourfe of Prayer. In it the Words eafily direct me to infist on these Four Heads.

I. The Duty of Prayer. I will that Men pray.

II. The Place of it. Every where. III. The Posture of Prayer. Lifting up their hands.

IV. The Conditions required to make it acceptable and effectual. Lifting up holy bands, without wrath and doubting.

I. The Duty of Prayer is expreffly commanded in the first Words: I will, &c.

To enforce the Authority of which Command the Apostle faith in the former Verse, that he was ordained a Preacher, an Apoftle and Teacher of the Gentiles, acted herein by Divine Commiffion. And furely it was no light Matter, when the Apostle, whose Authority was long fince received in all the Churches founded by him, thought fit to produce his Commiffion, before he imposed the Command; a Command, not first introduced by him, but often repeated by our Lord himself, who taught his Disciples a Form of Prayer, and enjoyned them to watch and pray. But fince none (as I fuppofe) will difpute the Command, or deny the Authority of it; it will be of

more

more advantage to fhew the Reasonableness and the Ufe of Prayer: Which I proceed to do.

First then. Prayer is the principal Act of Adoration paid by Man to God; and upon that account becomes neceffary to us. Man being the Creature of God, at first prc. duced out of nothing by his Almighty Power, and afterward all his Life long depending on his Providence, and maintained by him, oweth to God all that Service which he is capable to pay; and that is no other, than to adore his Majefty, to' acknowledge his Power, to celebrate his Praises, to admire his infinite Perfections, in all things to own his dependance on him, to profefs himfelf the Creature, the Servant, the Subject of God, and to behave himself as fuch.

This is all which Man can pay to God for those infinite Benefits, which he hath received from him: God hath no. Interests of his own to be promoted by us. The Infinity of his Nature hath fet him beyond all want of external Aids, and even beyond all increase of Happiness; even that Glory which he receiveth from our Worship, is of no advantage to him; yet is it not the lefs required of us, fince it declares our conviction of that Gratitude, Subjection and Obedience," which are due to his Benefits and his Power; that Ho-. nour, Worship and Reverence, which be

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