2. Of the first sort is prayer. This is a glorious means, to withdraw our thoughts, and affections from sensible objects, and to fix them upon God and the things of heaven: to stir up in us a sense of our wants and infirmities, and to quicken our desires of what we pray for: to maintain a religious warmth in our minds, and to keep up there a spirit of devotion, the flame of which would soon be extinct without the breathings of prayer to fan it, and give it motion: to nourish our communion with God, and make us continually mindful of him, _in whom we live, move, and have our being_. It is also a key to open the store-houses of God’s treasures to us, whereby we may obtain a supply of all our wants, and particularly _grace to help in time of need_, to enable us to resist all temptations. 3. A prudent Christian will therefore pray often: for temporal things conditionally, as not knowing whether, or how far these may be for his good, or serve as means to his end. But for spiritual, such as pardon of sin, and grace to leave it, he will pray not only with greater earnestness, but also absolutely, and without any condition, because he knows that God _would have all men to be saved_, to attain the happiness for which he made them; and that those (if he be not wanting to himself) are certain means to his salvation. 4. Reading of the scriptures is the next means which God has ordained to assist us in keeping his commandments. And an excellent means it is, both to enlighten our understanding, and to compose our minds into a religious temper. _All scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works._ And therefore every prudent Christian gives all attendance to reading it. And that not out of curiosity, or for speculation only, but with a practical design, to learn and do the whole will of God. And accordingly he will not lay them aside, when he thinks he understands them, but will renew and continue his perusal of them, for his constant and greater edification. His delight will ever be in the law of the Lord, and in his law will he meditate day and night. 5. A third means of religion appointed by God, is the hearing the word preached. This is a standing provision which God has made for the edification of his church; therefore a prudent Christian, who never thinks himself too wise to learn, or too good to be better, and who never omits any means that may bring him nearer his end, is careful to pay his due attendance to it, humbly waiting for the grace and blessing of God in the use of his own ordinance.