The Order of the Four Kinds

So, to begin with, we must consider the real force of the names and words, and discuss the difference between prayer and supplication and intercession. Then, in the same way, we must investigate whether they are to be offered separately or all together. And in the third place we must examine whether the particular order the apostle’s authority has set out in this way has anything more to teach the hearer, or whether the distinction alone is to be taken, and we should think that he arranged them this way without any special reason. That last seems to me utterly absurd. For no one should believe that the Holy Spirit said anything casually or without reason through the apostle. And so, as the Lord grants us, we will consider them in the same order in which we began.