FRequent Intercourse with Heaven by the ascent, or going up of our minds to God, in the holy flames of fervent Prayer, and devout Meditation, is re­commended [Page 2]to us, both by Scripture, and Rea­son, as the most proper, and most effectual means of our growth in Grace, and Spiritual Proficiency. For, such intimate, and more im­mediate converse with the Fountain of all Wis­dom, Goodness, and Truth, will enlighten our Understandings; must needs attract, and unal­terably fix our Wills upon the true Object of Rational Choice, the supreme Good; will un­tack, and loosen our Souls from the Clod to which they grow; will raise our thoughts above the Smoak, and Dust, the petty Cares, and low trifling concerns of this World; it will sublime our A [...]ctions; enlarge and improve our Capacities; refine our Tempers; Spiritua­lize our Natures; and thus every way fit us for that nearer Approach to, and closer Union with God, that centre of our immortal Spirits, which is to be our Rest, and our Happiness, our Crown, and our Glory in the next Life.

It must then be acknowledged, that the con­tinued Use, and Excercise of such Abstraction of our minds from material, and sensible things, and devout Application of our Souls to God, in Prayer, and Thanksgiving, is a substantial [Page 3]part of that Employment, and Duty, to which we are obliged, as we are Christians; or of that Will, and good Pleasure of God, which is re­vealed to us by our Blessed Lord in his Gospel. And this Consideration of the Nature and Ef­ficacy of Prayer, and its necessary subserviency to the great ends, and design of our Religion, may serve (besides the consent of learned In­terpreters.) Grot. Vorst. Cornel. a Lapide) to justify the Coherence, or mutual Relation of these Words, as I have now read them toge­ther. Pray without ceasing, &c.

Now these Words, thus connected, do ma­nifestly contain this Proposition; viz. That we Christians are obliged, by the tenure of our Profession, and, as we are such, to great Measures of our Devotion. That we are bound to have a constant, and assiduous Commerce with our good God, in Prayer, and Thanks­giving; who hath vouchsafed to us, in the Go­spel of his Son, a more express Revelation of his Nature and his Will; of his Love and Kindness to us, in sending his Son to redeem us, and his Holy Spirit to Instruct, Reform, and Sanctifie us; and of our Duty consequent there­upon, [Page 4]to walk worthy of God. 1 Thes. 2.10. i. e. To act, and live in some Proportion to that Honour God hath herein done us; who is now in Christ Jesus, after a more peculiar manner, our Lord, our Master, our Friend, and Bene­factor, our Father, and our God. That since God is come down to us, (the Word was made Flesh, and dwelt, or had his Tabernacle, among us; appeared gloriously in our Nature) our Souls must now be always mounting up to him, on the Wings of Prayer, and in the daily Sa­crifice of Praise, and incense of Thanksgiving. And that we Christians must habituate, and accustom our Souls to dwell above; and to converse with the Original of our Being, the God of all our Mercies, and all our Hopes; since 'tis the great business of our Religion to dispose, and qualifie us in this Life, for the Enjoyment of God in the next; and by raising our Minds from gross, and sensible Objects, to a relish, and taste of things Spiritual and In­visible, to Naturalize us to Heaven.

And, since these general Precepts, Pray without ceasing; In every thing give thanks; do unquestionably import both Frequency, [Page 5]and Perseverance in the whole extent and lati­tude of Devotion; both as to its several Parts, as also, as to its Circumstances of Time, and Place, including all kinds, and all manners of Address to God; whether settled, and regular; or Accidental and Occasional, in point of time; publick in Churches, or private in our Closets and Retirements; or with our Families, in point of Place: it must be confessed, that we are chiefly, and more especially obliged to that kind, or manner of Address, which most fully answers the Principal Ends, and Fundamental Reasons of Prayer in general.

Now the great end, and design of praying to God, being to do Honor to him, in the Ac­knowledgment we make, that as we derive from him, so we wholly depend upon him, for all that we are, or have, or hope for; and, to procure from God a supply to all our own, and others wants, both in our private and publick Capacities; it evidently follows, That the commands here given, To Pray without ceasing; and, To give thanks in every thing; or upon all Occasions, and Opportunities, which do present themselves, must be understood, [Page 6]and that principally, to lay an Obligation up­on us to make Conscience of frequenting the daily publick Worship of God, where we have an opportunity of so doing, Since this manner of Application to God, doth apparent­ly, above any other, advance the glory of God, and promote all the valuable Interests both of our selves, and others; whether considered personally, or collectively, as we make a So­ciety, or Body, either Civil, or Religious, as I shall shew hereafter.

My Business shall therefore at present be to attempt the clearing up, and making good the Doctrine laid down in these Words, taken in that most genuine and eminent sense, which is allow­ed them by the most learned Interpreters, both Ancient, and Modern, viz. That we Chri­stians do stand obliged, both by virtue of these, and the like Precepts, and by the reason of the thing it self, conscienciously to frequent the daily publick Prayers of the Church, where we have opportunity; and can find, or make leisure so to do. And that therefore no Man, or Woman ought to think it altogether an in­different thing, (generally speaking, and the [Page 7]Circumstances of particular Cases being allow­ed for) whether they go to serve God with the Congregation; or stay at home, and em­ploy themselves in some other thing, tho law­ful, yet at that time, not necessary; or not suf­ficient to furnish them with such a reason as may serve to justify them to God, and their own Conscience, directed by the measures of Christian Prudence and Piety; of Love to God, and a due Cave of their Immortal Souls.

Now the Obligation we all have not to for­sake the Assembling of our selves together with our Christian Brethren, every day in God's House, unless we are hindred by some good Reason, I shall, I hope, evince and make to appear from these five following Considera­tions.

• Firstly, From the import, and meaning of the Precepts here mentioned; and others of the like Sense, and Signification, viz. That this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus concern­ing us.
• Secondly, From the Consideration of the Glo­ry and Honour we bring to God; and the Repu­tation [Page 8]and Credit we give to Religion, by our daily, open, and solemn Addresses to him.
• Thirdly, From the many, and great Advanta­ges we our selves shall reap from our constant Attendance on God in this our bounden Duty, and Service.
• Fourthly, From the Consideration of the good, and interest of others; which we do hereby most effectually promote whether single Per­sons, or the Community of which we are Members.
• Fifthly, From the general Consent, and uni­versal Practice of the Christian Churches of all Ages, and Places, throughout the World.

1. Then we Christians are obliged to frequent the daily publick Worship of God, out of re­gard to his Authority, who hath enjoined us so to do, in this and the like places of Scripture; such as are these following, Ephes. vj 18. Pray­ing always [ [...] at every season] with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all Perseverance. Luke xviij. 1. Where our Saviour, speaks a Parable, to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint, [...], not to be slothful, re­miss, [Page 9]and negligent in this great Duty, 1 Tim. 2.8. I will therefore that Men Pray every where. Which both St. Basil, and Beza do expound of Houses, or Churches set apart for the Pub­lick Worship of God; in which St. Paul would have Christians to Pray, and not only at the Temple in Jerusalem. Dr. Patrick's Discourse concerning Prayer. Now, although it must be granted, that none of these Scriptures do ex­presly enjoyn the daily use of Publick Prayers; yet since these do more compleatly answer all the ends of Prayer than any private Devoti­on can do, they must of necessity be compre­hended, and by parity of Reason chiefly de­signed in those general commands.

Besides that, To Pray without ceasing, or continually, may be very properly expounded of our presenting our selves before God, in his House, as often as we are either obliged thereto by publick Authority, or invited by the laudable Custom, and Example of pious, and well-disposed Persons. For this, in a po­pular and legal sence, is doing a thing indesi­nently, or without ceasing. (Dr. Barrow,) when we perform it so often as we are required [Page 10]by Law, or Custom. Thus the Priests are said, Heb. 9.6. to go always into the Tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. Always i. e. at all those solemn times which were ap­pointed for such Service, and the Apostles are said, Luke 24.53. after Christ's Ascension, and their return to Jerusalem, to have been continually in the Temple, blessing, and prai­sing God. i. e. They went daily to the Tem­ple at the usual times, or hours of Prayer. Since then we are commanded, To Pray with­out coasing; and to give thanks in every thing, or upon every Occasion; to pray always, to pray every where,—in every season, or upon every opportunity; except a man shall be so absurd as to deny the solemn times set apart every day for Publick Devotion, to be seasons, and op­portunities of Prayer; the Material Church to be a place; and the hours of Prayer to be any part of time; (and so to be necessarily in­cluded in the terms, always, without ceasing, continually) he must confess, that all these Precepts of our Saviour, and his Apostles, may, and ought, by the Analogy of Faith, and Deduction of right Reason, to be inter­preted at least, as well of the Publick, as of [Page 11]our Private Addresses to God. And consequent­ly. That we ought for this great Reason to be Assiduous, and conscienciously Diligent in our daily. Publick Approaches to God in his San­ctuary; because this is a considerable part of our Duty, as weare Christians; Or, This is the Will of God in Christ Jesus concern­ing us.

And the pious Wisdom of our Church ha­ving provided, that not only on all the Lord's days, and some few others, set apart for speci­al Reasons; but on every day of the Week al­so, Morning and Evening Prayer shall be open­ly read, or said, by the Gurate that Ministreth in every Church or Chapel, being at home, and not being otherwise reasonably hindred; 'tis hereby plainly intimated, That every one who is not reasonably hindred, should also come to hear it read every day: A Bell being order­ed to be tolled thereunto, that the People may come to hear God's Word, and to pray with the Minister. As he who pleases may find at the end of the Discourse concerning the Church, in the Book of Common-Prayer. These things considered, it will not certainly become any [Page 12]Wise and Good Man, who Loves his God, his Religion, his Country, or his own Soul, usually, and customarily, or indeed at any time, to ab­sent himself from the daily Publick Worship of God, without a very just and warrantable rea­son. And he who allows himself in such plain Omissions of his Duty, upon any unjustifiable account whatever, denies to yield Obedience to this Precept, Pray without ceasing; since he ceases, nay he refuses to Pray, when the Pro­vidence of God, the Direction, and Order of the Church, the Custom and Example of De­vout Persons, do strongly invite, and follicite him, by reforting to God's House, and hearing his part in the Publick Worship, to do open Honour to God, and Advantage both to him­self, and the whole Church Militant.

2. We are also obliged to frequent the Pub­lick Prayers, because we do thereby bring Glo­ry, and Honour to God; and give Credit, and Reputation to our Religion; and that in much greater Degrees than we can do by any private Addresses to him, either in our Closers, or with our Families. For tho' it be true, that we may Worship God acceptably at home; and it is [Page 13]both our Duty and our Advantage so to do; yet since Honour, and Glory, are properly out­ward Significations of the inward value and re­gard we have for Persons; we do not properly honour, and glorifie God, in our private De­votions; but do then more especially give him the honour due unto his Name, and make his Name to be Glorious, when we Pray unto, and Praise him, before much People. For, when we every day make our Court to him, as to the great King, and Lord of all; and wait upon him, in his own House, we thereby give a pub­lick Testimony of the Esteem and Reverence we have for him. We own our selves to be of his Family and Retinue; to depend upon him, and to hold all we have as from him, by the daily publick Homage we thus pay unto him. Hereby we may also properly be said to serve God, or to do our Duty to him in promoting his Interest, (if, I may so speak,) by keeping up, and maintaining a lively sence of his being in the Hearts of Men; and propagating, and ad­vancing Conceptions of him, Worthy of his Greatness, and transcendent Majesty; of his infinite Wisdom, Power, and Goodness; when we thus avowedly celebrate him, as the Uni­versal [Page 14]yersal Parent, Preserver, and Governour of Mankind; who alone understands, and alone is both able, and willing to supply the wants of all his Creatures, who invoke, and depend upon him.

Hereby we likewise bring Credit, and Re­putation to our Religion; which can hardly be supported, without such Visible Profession. We openly declare our selves it's Champions; and that we are not ashamed of our Blessed Lord, nor of his Words, or the Laws of his holy Institution, in the midst of a crooked, and perverse, a scoffing, and Atheistical Generati­on. We let all profane Miscreants see, that they can no more banish the Notion of God out of the World, then they can pluck the Sun out of the Firmament; tho' they may possibly wink hard enough, neither to see the one, nor take due notice of the other: That notwith­standing their affected Blindness, and wilful Ig­norance, God hath still a very considerable par­ty in the World; numbers of Men, who think it their greatest Honour to be, and to be ac­counted his Servants, and every day publickly own that Name, and Title; and as such, pay [Page 15]their daily Attendance on their dear Lord and Master, in his own House.

3. Another Motive, or Reason obliging us to frequent the daily Prayers of our Church, is the Consideration of the Advantages we our selves shall reap from our so doing. Of which sort, I shall name only these Three.

First, That we hereby do spend some part of our time every day in the best and most hea­venly Employment, and consequently after the best manner that we are capable of spend­ing it.

Secondly, That this lays a farther Obligation upon us to lead a more strict, and holy Life than other men do; and to be exemplary, as well in all other Graces, as in that of De­votion.

Thirdly, That this is a certain means, if we are not wanting to our selves, of our growth in Grace; and particularly, in those two Car­dinal Graces (the Top and Perfection, as well as the Ground-work, and Foundation of all others;) the Love of God, and the Love of our Neighbours.

1. Then I say, That the time we spend in the Publick Service of God is the best secured, and the best bestowed of any other. This is certainly the best, because the most Heavenly Employment; it being the con­tinual Business of the Angels, and the Arch­angels, and all the Host of Heaven, with joint Praises to Laud, and Celebrate the Divine Majesty. So that by thus doing, we begin Heaven here; we do already enter upon the Life, and State, and Employment of Angels; being united to that blessed Choir, and doing as they do. And he that shall duly acquit himself herein, will have this great satisfaction, that he hath spent at least one hour every day to the best advantage, as an Anticipation, and fore-taste of that Life, which we hope to lead in the presence of God for ever.

2. Another Advantage we derive from fre­quenting daily the Publick Prayers is this, viz. That our so doing lays a strong, and daily Ob­ligation upon us to live a more strict, and ho­ly, a more divine and heavenly Life, than others do; to be unblamable, unreprovable in all our Conversation. And he who doth not charge [Page 17]himself with the daily Practice and Exercise of all those Graces, for which he prays to God, hath reason to suspect himself of Hypocrisie, and Formality in these his open Prayers. Those then who make Conscience of Approaching God twice every day in his Publick Ordinances, must also for this very Reason, besides all o­thers, make more Conscience of presenting him, as with a pure Heart, so with a Circumspect, Innocent, Unspotted Life. And certainly if such Men are not much better than others, who pretend less, they are much worse; since they do hereby, openly profess more Zeal for God's Glory, more Love to him, and more Care to please him; and a greater sense both of his Goodness to them, and their Duty to him, so that if they disparage such their Profession, by unsuitable Practice; they give just Reason to believe, they have some other end to serve then that of Religion.

3. A Third Advantage which will acrue to us from our daily Attendance on God in his House, is growth in Grace; and particularly in the Love of God, and of our Neighbour; those two Eminent and Comprehensive Graces, [Page 18]on which hang all the Law, and the Prophets. For the first of these, the Love of God; 'tis certain, that the more often we Converse with him, the more intimately we are acquainted with him (who being the supreme good needs only to be known, that so he may be loved by us) the more strongly will our Souls cleave un­to him: So that if to our Private Meditation, and Prayers, we add such daily solemn Converse with him in the Publick Prayers and Thanksgi­vings, and hearing of his Word, our Love to him must needs grow and increase thereby. And as to the Love of our Neighbour; since every siding, and taking part, though but in some inconsiderable Opinion, Interest, or Cu­stom, Education, or Course of Life, is a pe­culiar Endearment, and ground of Affection to­wards those of the same Opinion, Interest, or Way; how much more prone will they be to bear an hearty good Will and Kindness toward each other, who are daily engaged in the same common Interest; and that of the highest Im­portance, viz. a joint endeavour to bring Publick Honour to their common Lord; and to forward their own Salvation; who twist and combine their Prayers, and Praises; and [Page 19]converse here with one another, as they hope to do hereafter in Heaven. Not to mention now the solemn Intercession made twice aday for the whole Catholick Church, and the open Declaration of our so forgiving all Men, who offend, or injure us, as we desire and hope for Mercy, and Forgiveness at the Hands of God. Now, besides the Efficacy of the united Pray­ers of a Christian Congregation, put up for themselves and for each other (at which Christ hath promised to be present in a special man­ner, Matt. xviij. 20.) It is, I think, an unde­niable certainty, That he who shall both in Pri­vate, and also in Publick, thus daily importune the Throne of Grace, shall obtain a greater measure of these, and all other Graces, than he who contents himself with his Private, Soli­tary Prayers only.

4. Another Consideration enforcing this Du­ty of our waiting upon God, in his Sanctuary every day, is the great Benefit, and good which others may receive from our so doing; and that, not only as particular Persons taking notice of our regular, steady, exemplary Piety, joined with an unblemished Life; and a truly Christian [Page 20]Conversation, may be won by our good Ex­ample, to the same practice; and by the shine of our Light, by seeing our good Works, may also themselves come in like manner to glorifie our Father which is in Heaven. But also, because Publick Prayers, both as they tend to the bet­tering all those, who do conscienciously frequent them, and so to the augmenting the number, and improving the Graces of Righteous Per­sons, for whose sake God often spares a wicked Place, or People; and also, in their Nature, Design, and End, are the proper Instrument for the obtaining and continuing Publick Peace, and Tranquillity; or the Establishment, and Prosperity of a Church and State. Whence R. Maimonides, well observes, That he who dwells in a City in which there is a Synagogue, or House of Prayer, and doth not therein Pray with the Assembly, he is to be censured as an ill Neighbour: as one that is wanting in his Du­ty to promote, by his Prayers, the good of that Community, of which he is therefore an Unworthy Member.

And I have been credibly informed (to ap­ply this point to our selves) That in the Days [Page 21]of Queen Elizabeth, when our Church by the Blessing of God upon her necessary and war­rantable Reformation, had quite broken off the Chains, and Fetters of the Romish Usurpa­tion; some (perhaps most) of our Parish Churches were as numerously thronged at the daily Prayers, as they have since been at Ser­mons. And that, as our Liturgy grew after­wards into neglect, by the Indevotion and Pro­phaneness of some; and then into Contempt, by the Mis-perswasion, Vain Affectation of No­velty, false Pretences to greater Purity of Wor­ship, and the like evil Artifices of others: So true Piety, and Loyalty, Men's Duty to God, and their Prince, Justice and Charity, Brother­ly Kindness, and good Will to each other, be­gan proportionably to lessen and decay: till at length every thing of Religion, but the Name, and Pretence only, seemed to die, and expire in a Bloody Civil War: Of which our Poor Church still wears the Marks; and feels some of its dire Effects to this very day, in those breaches which are yet unclosed. From whence we may rationally conclude, That as the neg­lect, and dis-use of our Common-Prayer was the beginning of those Confusions, and Mise­ries, [Page 22]which ruined both our Church and State; so the most probable means to secure our Reli­gion, as it is now Established, and to engage Almighty Power on our side, is, for us all to unite our selves as in the Profession of the Evan­gelical, Primitive, Apostolical Faith; and in Uniform Obedience to all the Laws of God; and in stedfast Loyalty to our Prince; and Uni­versal Love, and hearty good Will one towards another: So also, in the same daily Publick Worship of our great Lord. Which, toge­ther with the Articles of our Religion is the pro­per, Characteristick, and Distinctive Mark of the purest, and best constituted Church in the World, the Church of England; in which, by the goodness of God, we do now live; and in which, by his Grace, we hope to die.

The 5. (and last) Consideration, from which I proposed to deduce our Obligation to the daily service of God in the Church, is the general Consent, and Universal Practice of the Church of Christ, in all Ages, and Places, al­most in the World. The Apostles, as we read Luke 24.53. after Christ's Ascension, were con­tinually in the Temple, i. e. Every Morning [Page 23]and Evening (in which sence the Morning and Evening Sacrifice was called the continual Burnt-Offering) at the time of Publick Prayer, Prai­sing and Blessing God. And the Apostolical Constitutions (which are by all allowed to be very Ancient) do enjoin the Bishop to Admo­nish and Command the People to come every day, both Morning and Evening, to the Publick Pray­ers; and that none by absenting himself, should maim the Church, and take away one Member from the Body of Christ. 2. Constit. Chap. 59.

And as in all Ages, so in all Places, the Churches both of the Eastern, and Western Communion, Greek, Armenian, Roman, Lutheran, and Calvinist; all Christian Churches, almost do so Universally Understand, and Agree, That the daily Publick Worship of God is enjoined both by the Scriptures, and the very Nature of a Christian Church, That there is scarce any place in which it is not constantly, and Religiously observed, and used. For a Chri­stian Church is in its proper Notion, An Assem­bly of Men and Women met together to Worship God by Christ; Or, A company joined together to have Fellowship with God, and one with another [Page 24]in all holy Duties; of which Prayer, Thanks­giving, and Praises are the Chief. As those who need, or Desire farther Information, or Satisfaction in this Argument, may find largely, and convincingly handled, in a Discourse con­cerning Prayer, lately published by a pious and learned Divine of our Church, Dr. Patrick, which I wish were in all Men's Hands.

Thus have I shewed the Obligation we all have as far as every Man's Opportunities, and Circumstances will give leave, to a Con­sciencious Attendance on the daily Publick Worship. And that this Duty is pressed, and bound upon us;

• 1. By that Obedience we owe to the Will of God, revealed in the Gospel.
• 2. By that Zeal we ought to have for the Honour, and Glory of God, and the Interest of our Religion.
• 3. By the Advantages we may reap from our so doing, viz. The laying out so much of our time in the best manner, and to the best Account. Being hereby put upon great Cir­cumspection, and Watchfulness over our selves, [Page 25]that we lead unreprovable, and exemplary Lives; our own growth in all Grace; and especially in the Love of God, and of our Neighbour.
• 4. By the concern we ought to have for the good of others; the Publick Prosperity, and E­stablishment both of our Church and State.
• 5. By the Authority and Example of the Church of Christ in all Ages, and Places.

But after all this, Men have not leisure from their secular Employments; and serving God in their Calling, they tell us, is better than Praying. But is not Religion our Calling too? I am sure the Scripture uses the Word, Vocation, or Cal­ling in that Sense, and I think in that only; and the Apostolical Constitutions tell us, That our secular Callings, Trades, or Professions, are our Work, by the bye only, as providing for the Necessities of this lower Animal Life. [...]. But the Worship of God is our Principal Business. [...]. Const. 61.

If we must live Godlily, as well as Soberly, and Righteously; we must then reckon the Pub­lick Worship of God among the Businesses of our [Page 26]Lives, and allow a competent time for the Dis­charge of what appears to be one third part of our Duty. I would advise even the Poorest Per­sons, who maintain themselves and Families by hard Labour, to venture so much of their time with God, as the Prayers take up every day; and I am perswaded they would find it no ill Husbandry, God would not be in their debt at the years end. But those who have not lei­sure, because they will not have it; because, not being Content with Food and Raiment (the Wealth of a true Christian) they will be dangerously Rich; though they do thereby fall into Temptation and a Snare, and into those many foolish and hurtful Lusts, which often drown them, or their Posterity in Destruction and Perdition: these ought well to consider the Nature, and Doctrines of our Holy Religion, viz. That it teaches us not to Love the World, nor the things of This World; to be Crucified to the World: To set our Affections on things above, and not on things on the Earth; To lay up our Treasure in Heaven: To provide for our selves Bags that Wax not old, To be rich towards God, To be led by the Spirit, and to walk after the Spi­rit; and then let them well weigh, whether [Page 27]a Religion Established on these, and the like Maxims, may not reasonably demand at least one 24th. part of their time for the publick Honour, and Service of God, and the promoting their own great Interest, that of their immortal Souls; and the good of the Community in which they live, and whether their constant, or frequent Pre­tence to want of leisure for the Publick Wor­ship, be not in truth a Criminal Vitious Love of the World, and too much minding Earthly things, and, in plain English, chusing to serve Mammon, rather than God?

Certainly if the generality of Men were as truly Wise, and as truly Pious as they ought to be; if they understood the Interests of their Souls, of their Religion, of their Church and Nation, as well as they do the little concern of getting Money; they easily might, and would, so order their Affairs, that our Churches might be every day as well filled in the Morning and Evening, as the Exchange is at Noon. And doubtless, he who having the necessary Prepa­rations of an holy Christian Conversation, a Life led in all Godliness, and Honesty; (or a serious, prevailing Resolution so to Live;) of [Page 28]an upright Intention, and sincere aim at the glory of God; his own growth in Grace, and the good of others; shall make Conscience of entring God's Courts twice every day; when he comes to die, will find more Satisfaction in that one hour thus spent, than in all those he spends in his Worldly concerns, and no parti­cular will stand fairer in the account of our time, which we must all make to God at the last day, than the Item, So much spent every day, when we had opportunity, in the Publick Worship, and Service of God.