of his presence, and of our accountableness to him to watch against the temptations which lead to it, such as all excessive passions, or intemperance; and to impose some punishment upon ourselves, for every transgression. Q. What is a vow?

A. A vow is a kind of oath, by which we bind ourselves to perform or to abstain from some act; the same rules should be observed as have been given in relation to other oaths.

Q. Is the use of vows authorized?

A. It is sanctioned by Scripture, and vows are a proper means of testifying our piety or gratitude to God; or as methods of binding ourselves to the discharge of duties, or as precautions against sins to which we find ourselves liable.

CHAPTER III.

SECT. 1. Of different parts of Worship. Q. What are the different acts or parts of worship paid to God?

A. They are adoration, praise, confession of sin, consecration of ourselves to God, and pray

er.

Q. What is it to adore God?

A. It is to acknowledge his infinite Majesty, and to be truly humble before him.

Q. In what manner are we to adore God? A. By sentiments of admiration, of respect, and of fear, with which our hearts should be penetrated, and by external homage which we should pay, by prostrating ourselves before him, as well in public as in private.

Q. Whence arises our obligation thus to adore and humble ourselves before God?

A. It springs from the consideration of his infinite perfections; of our comparative nothingness; of our dependance on him, and a conviction of our sins.

Q. For what are we to praise God?

A. We are to praise him for his goodness, his power, his holiness, justice and wisdom, and all the perfections which we see displayed in his works.

Q. What are the works of God for which we should praise him?

A. The works of Creation and Providencebut Christians should above all praise him for the work of Redemption.

Q. What further cause have we to praise God?

A. We should praise him for his benefits to us individually, and to mankind generally, for blessings temporal and spiritual-this we call thanksgiving.

Q. In what manner should we praise God? A. By our thoughts and affections-by our words-and by a holy life.

Q. How are we to consider the duty of Confession.

A. We should consider it as a necessary part of the worship of God, for we cannot appear before him without a sense of our unworthiness,> nor could our worship be accepted without repentance and having recourse to the mercy of Christ, both of which are expressed in true worship.

Q. What is meant by consecrating ourselves to God?

A. It is to devote to his service and glory our bodies and spirits, our life, our fortunes, and Vow unto him a sincere obedience-hence we entirely give ourselves up to his will, and submit ourselves to all his dispensations.

Q. Where is this duty particularly enjoined? A. St. Paul exhorts us to it. Rom. xii. 1. "I beseech you therefore, Brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

Q. What is Prayer?

A. Prayer distinguished from other parts of worship, means our asking of God, through faith in the name of Christ, those things we desire, agreeably to his will, which are necessary for us.

Q. Is prayer necessary.

A. Yes; because God commands us to ask, and he grants his grace and favor in a peculiar manner to those who thus seek it aright.

Q. Where are we instructed in the duty and efficacy of Prayer?

A. In Matthew vii. 7. Where our Lord says, "Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." James v. 16. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Q. How must the duty of prayer be performed?

A. With an awful apprehension of God's

majesty; a deep sense of our unworthiness and wants; unfeigned penitence for our sins, and lively faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. What excites us to the holy exercise of prayer.

A. The agency of the Holy Spirit on the heart-the delight and advantage of holding converse with God.

Q. What is the utility of prayer?

A. It is an appointed mean through which God grants us the blessings which we need, it promotes our sanctification and consolation.

Q. In what manner does it operate to our sanctification?

;

A. It elevates our heart and affections to God; it detaches us from the world; it leads us to seek for spiritual blessings; it increases our love of God, and inflames our devotion it is the means of forming in us the tempers of humility and charity, and every virtue. We obtain by prayer the aids of the divine spirit, and victory over temptation.

Q. In what manner can prayer afford consolation?

A. It tranquillizes the soul, and fills it with peace and joy.

Q. To whom are we to address our prayers? A. To God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Q. Is it allowed to invoke any creature? A. No; we are expressly forbidden to invoke or adore any Being but God. "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matth. iv. 10. We need no other

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intercession with God beside Jesus Christ. 1 John ii. 2. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, even Jesus Christ the righteous.

Q. What are we to ask of God when we pray unto him?

A. All things which he sees necessary for our present and eternal good.

Q. What should be the order of our petitions.

A. We should ask first, what is necessary to our salvation and the glory of God; then, for whatever is necessary for the present life. Jesus Christ has thus taught us in the Lord's Prayer.

Q. What are the spiritual graces that we should ask of God?

A. Such as we need in common with all men, and such particular graces as are necessary to the peculiar condition and state of the petitioner.

Q. What should we attend to in the discharge of this duty?

A. That it is not sufficient to use any general forms, which may be suitable to all men, but that each one should ask what his particular case requires.

Q. Are we to pray only for ourselves?

A. Christians should pray for all men-for Kings, for Magistrates, for the public tranquillity, for the Church, and for Pastors. We should also pray for the afflicted, for the conversion of sinners, for good men, for our friends and relations, and for our enemies. 1 Timothy ii. 1. Eph. vi. 19. Matth. v. 44.