I. PRAYER MAY PREACH.

FATHER l thank thee, (said our Saviour, being ready to raise Lazarus,) that thou hast heard me. And I know that thou hearest me always, but because of the people that stand by, I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. [John xi. 41, 42.] It is lawful for ministers in their public prayers to insert passages for the edifying of their auditors, at the same time petitioning God and informing their hearers. For our Saviour, glancing his eyes at the people’s instruction, did no whit hinder the steadfastness of his looks, lifted up to his Father.

When, before sermon, I pray for my sovereign and master, king of great Britain, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, in all causes, and over all persons, &c., some, who omit it themselves, may censure it in me for superfluous. But never more need to teach men 105the king’s title, and their own duty, that the simple may be informed, the forgetful remembered thereof, and that the affectedly ignorant, who will not take advice, may have all excuse taken from them. Wherefore, in pouring forth my prayers to God, well may I therein sprinkle some by-drops for the instruction of the people.