How view him in th' inhuman death he bore,, To nature subject, with dominion o'er ?. END OF THE FIRST BOOK, THE ARGUMENT. it Invocation of the Spirit of Truth-The humble birth of our Saviour-His poverty a proof of the disregard that Heaven bears to riches and successThe propriety of considering his moral character as may excite to imitation-His piety first considered, as it was the vital principle that animated his conduct-His regular and inflexible exertion of that virtue-The absurdity of those who imagine that prayer is not necessary―They should be looked upon as heretics, and unworthy the name of ChristiansOur Saviour frequently exhorts to prayer-Has given us himself a concise but comprehensive Form of Prayer -He would often retire to a mountain, and pass the whole night in prayer-The Epistles of the Apostles contain the same doctrine upon this matter which was taught by our Saviour-The advantages of prayerThe blessing comes more readily, when solicited, from Heaven-The retirement which is convenient for prayer, induces us calmly to think upon the welfare of the soul-The reasonableness of Piety-Address to the Deity. |