The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of ScotlandChurch of Scotland. General Assembly
History
The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland. General Assembly
Ecclesiastical law -- Scotland; Scotland -- Church history -- 17th century
VIII. On the Lords Day, after every one of the Family apart, and the whole
Family together have sought the Lord (in whose hands the preparation of
mens hearts are) to fit them for the publicke Worship, and to blesse to
them the publike Ordinances; The Master of the Familie ought to take care
that all within his charge repair to the publike Worship, that he and they
may joyne with the rest of the Congregation; And, the publike Worship
being finished, after prayer, he should take an account what they have
heard, And thereafter to spend the rest of the time which they may spare,
in Catechising and in spirituall conferences upon the Word of God; Or else
(going apart) they ought to apply themselves to reading, meditation, and
secret prayer, that they may confirme and increase their Communion with
God; That so the profit which they found in the publike Ordinances may bee
cherished and promoved, and they more edified unto eternall life.
IX. So many as can conceive prayer; ought to make use of that gift of God:
Albeit these who are rude and weaker may begin at a set form of prayer;
But so, as they bee not sluggish in stirring up in themselves (according
to their daily necessities) the spirit of prayer, which is given to all
the children of God in some measure. To which effect, they ought to bee
the more fervent and frequent in secret prayer to God, for enabling of
their hearts to conceive, and their tongues to expresse convenient desires
to God for their Familie. And in the mean time, for their greater
encouragement, let these materialls of prayer be meditated upon, and made
use of, as followeth.
Let them confesse to God how unworthy they are to come in his presence,
and unfit to worship his Majesty; And therefore earnestly ask of God the
spirit of prayer.
They are to confesse their sins, and the sins of the Family accusing,
judging, and condemning themselves for them, till they bring their souls
to some measure of true humiliation.
They are to pour out their souls to God, in the Name of Christ, by the
spirit, for forgivinesse of sins, for Grace to repent, to believe, and to
live soberly, righteously, and godly, and that they may serve God with joy
and delight in walking before him.
They are to give thanks to God for his many mercies to his people, and to
themselves, and especially for his love in Christ, and for the light of
the Gospel.
They are to pray for such particular benefits, Spirituall and Temporall,
as they stand in need of for the time, (whether it be Morning or Evening)
as health or sicknesse, prosperitie or adversitie.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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