Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 20289

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. R 1900. L

BROWN-GOODE COLLECTION.

PREFACE.

THE acceptance which it has pleased God to give

to the SCRIPTURE HELP," and the testimonies which the writer has received of benefit derived from that work, have induced him to endeavour to call the attention of Christians, and particularly the young, for whom he wishes to be considered as especially writing, to another most important means of grace.

It seemed also peculiarly needful to press the duty of prayer now; for it appears to the writer to be one of the dangers of the present reviving state of the Church, that men gain knowledge without correspondent feelings; they are tempted to make a profession of religion, and to talk about it, while, it is to be feared, the more retired and all important duties of devout prayer, meditation, selfexamination, and reading the Scriptures, are neglected.

He has felt a personal advantage in his former Treatise, from its imposing on him an additional obligation to the study of the word of God. He hopes for a similar benefit in the present publication.

His various public engagements have indeed left him little leisure for a work of such importance; but it appeared to him better to attempt to do good, even though it be done in an imperfect manner, than not to do it at all.

In a Treatise on that which has so often engaged the attention of Christian writers, new sentiments can neither be desired nor expected. The direction-ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls, is well applicable here. The writer willingly availed himself of the ideas suggested by any former author.

He would, however, observe, that it is not the knowledge of the duty, but the grace of prayer which is the great thing that we should desire to attain. He has often had occasion, in the course of his writing this book, to feel that it is much easier to know how to pray, than really to pray. The grace of prayer is a divine gift of far more importance than the mere, knowledge of all parts of this duty, or the ability to perform it before man.

If some are disposed to think, that he has in any instance set the standard of devotion too high, he would say, that he has endeavoured to follow the Scriptures; and though he feels that this necessarily often condemns both himself and Christians in general, it appeared his duty not to lower the standard on that account, but rather to explain it, and press it the more, that the perfection of the rule might lead his readers more simply to the Saviour for pardon, peace, and strength. Some may,

PREFACE.

indeed, on the other hand, think, that by not setting the standard high enough, he has often proved his own want of devotional feeling. He is ready here to submit to those of more experience in the Christian life.

It would have been easy to have enlarged many parts; but the object was to bring forward only the most obvious and useful observations that occurred.

Though prayer is that duty which especially declares the guilt and weakness of man, and the grace and power of God; yet there is danger in pressing any positive duty, and particularly that of prayer, lest we should in any measure foster and encourage that self-righteousness which is so natural to the human mind. The writer has endeavoured to guard against this evil. Without prayer, indeed, no man possesses spiritual life; yet we are not saved by our prayers; the ability to pray is rather a part of that salvation which Jesus Christ has obtained for us.

It may be thought by some, that parts of this work are little more than a collection or bringing together of texts of Scripture. This will not, it is presumed, be an objection to the majority of his readers; and it may be said, if it need an excuse, that the author felt, that when he could quote a passage of Scripture in support of any sentiment, he then knew that he was on secure ground. The Scriptures are also very full on this subject; so that an arrangement of those passages which

relate only to prayer, would form no inconsiderable volume.

The congregation attending in the afternoon at Wheler Chapel, Spital Fields, will remember the leading outline of a considerable part of the following Treatise, as coming in the course of sermons which the author preached to them on the subject of prayer. He now affectionately submits to their attention, in a more enlarged state from the press, those motives and directions for this duty which he delivered to them from the pulpit.

The author ventures to suggest to heads of families, that parts of this work might furnish suitable reading for family instruction on Sundays.

If the reader should obtain any benefit from this work, and be excited to pray more constantly and devoutly, the writer would earnestly ask an interest in those prayers, that he himself may live in the practice of that duty which he has been endeavouring to teach others. May every reader also join him in entreating the Author and Giver of every good gift, to grant his blessing to this attempt to induce others to pray more continually and more fervently; to aim at living in abiding communion with the Father of Spirits.

Salisbury Square,
Nov. 18th, 1819.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »