Note. It were to be wished that the Reverend Authors had declared this form of prayer not to be so complete a pattern for Christians in all ages, since Christ did not here teach his disciples to pray in his name, as he did afterwards. See John xvi. 23, 24.

100. Q. What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us?

A. The preface of the Lord's prayer, which is, "Our Father who 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 should pray with and for others.

Preface. See A. 43.

Reverence and confidence. Fear and hope.

101. Q. What do we pray for in the first petition?

A. 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.

Petition. Humble request.

Hallowed. Sanctified or honoured as becomes the name of God.-Gloryfing God. See A. 1.

102. Q. What do we pray for in the second petition? A. In the second petition, which is, "Thy kingdom come," we pray, that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

Salan's kingdom. The dominion or power of the devil over

men.

Kingdom of grace. The merciful dominion or government of God and Christ among men.

Kingdom of glory. The dominion or government of God among saints in heaven, especially after the day of judgment.

103. Q. What do we pray for in the third petition? A. In the third petition, which is, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven," we pray, that God by his grace would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.

104. Q. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

A. In the fourth petition, which is, "Give us this day our daily bread," we pray, that of God's free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.

A competent portion. A sufficient share.

The blessing of God. The favour of God, which alone can make the creatures comfortable and useful to us.

105. Q. What do we pray for in the fifth petition? A. In the fifth petition, which is, "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," we pray, that God for Christ's sake would freely pardon all our sins: which we are he rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.

106. Q. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

A. In the sixth petition, which is, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," we pray, that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.

Temptation. Any thing that entices or persuades us to sin, or that diverts or discourages us from our duty, or that becomes on of our offending God.

an occ

S

ten

nd deliver, &c. Keep us from sinning when we are it.

07. Q. What doth the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us?

A. The conclusion of the Lord's prayer, which is, "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever, Amen," teacheth us to take encouragement from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him; and in testimony of our desires, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen. Conclusion. The close or end.-Ascribing. Acknowledging as due.-Testimony. Witness.

Amen. A wish and hope that it may be as we ask.

End of the Assembly's Catechism.

A

PRESERVATIVE

FROM THE

SINS AND FOLLIES OF CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH.

INTRODUCTION.

1. Quest. What are the chief dangers that attend childhood and youth?

Ans. We are in danger of many sins; and there are many frailties and follies attend us in younger years. 2. Q. What is it that is most properly called sin ? A. Doing what God has forbidden, or neglecting to do what God hath required.

3. Q. What is it you call frailties and follies?

A. Those things which God hath not so plainly forbidden; but if they are indulged, will lead us into sinful practices, and are attended with many inconvenien

ces.

Note. The word vice is sometimes used to signify sins, and sometimes follies.*

* Though it is sufficiently evident that there are some fooleries or frailties of children, which cannot properly be called sins, yet there are also some sins or follies wherein it is hard to distinguish some of the kinds or branches of them from one another in their own natures; nor is it easy to say under which head they should be ranked. The scripture often calls sin, folly; and if any of those which I have mentioned be ranked under an improper name, the candid reader will excuse it,

4. Q. How many sorts of sins are committed by mankind?

A. Our sins are of three sorts, viz. The sins of the heart, the sins of the tongue, and the sins of the life. 5. Q. Against whom are these sins committed? A. Some more directly against God, some against our neighbours, and some against ourselves.

6. Q. But are not all sins committed against God? A. Yes, we sin against God in all the evil which we do, because his law forbids it all: but in some sins we do more particular injury to our neighbour or ourselves. 7. Q. Are children and youth in danger of all these sorts of sins?

A. Yes, our natures being sinful, we children are in danger of these sins, as well as grown persons.

8. Q. What are the best ways to avoid these sins, and to free yourself from them?

A. I must do these six things.

(1) I must endeavour to see the evil nature and the ill consequences of every sin I am in danger of.

(2.) I must be sorry for what evil I have done in time past.

(3.) I must be more watchful for time to come.

(4.) I must pray to God to change my sinful nature, and to give me strength against these sins?

(5.) I must trust in Jesus Christ and his grace to keep me from them.

(6.) I should have some good reason and some proper scripture in my memory always ready to oppose them. Thus far of sins in general-let us now come to par

ticulars.

PART I.

OF SINS AGAINST GOD.

9. Q. What are the chief sins more directly against God, of which children are in danger?

A. Our sins against God may be ranked under these

three heads, viz. Ungodliness,* Profaneness, and Selfsufficiency.

10. Q. What is ungodliness?

A. To forget God continually, and have nothing to do with him-and it appears in four things.

11. Q. What is the first sign of ungodliness?

A. If I never honour nor praise God for his own greatness and glory.

Reason against this sinful neglect. The great and glorious God, who is our Maker, deserves our honour, and demands it of us, on account of his own excellencies, manifested in all his works.

12. Q. What is the second mark of ungodliness?

A. When I do not pray to God for the blessings which I want.

Reason for prayer to God. God is gracious, and will hear when we pray to him; but I have no reason to hope he will bless me, if I do not ask it of him, nor acknowledge any dependence on him.

13. Q. What is the third sign of ungodliness?

A. When I do not give thanks to God for the mercies I receive.

Reason against unthankfulness. I may justly expect God will take away all the blessings he has bestowed, if I never thank him for them.

14. Q. What is the fourth mark of ungodliness?

A. When I do not hearken to the word of God, nor obey his commands.

Reason for hearkening to the word of God and obeying his will. God, who made me, is my Owner, and my Governor, and my great Judge; and his word and will should be the rule of all my behaviour

15. Q. Having heard your account of ungodliness, tell me now, what is profaneness?

*Ungodliness is a neglect of God; profaneness is an actual contempt of him: one is negative, or a sin of omission; the other is positive, and a sin of commission, as we may well distinguish them. And perhaps some may think that a sinful selfsufficiency is implied in the neglect of God; but children must have every thing spoken in a plain and explicit manner to make them attend and remember it, and therefore I have made it a distinct head.