arrive at the approved Antidote and Soveraign Remedy for all our Evils and that 's devouâ—â— praier Nothing under Heaven will state us in a peacable quiet condition if this fail us without which all our possible endeavours and actings for relief are perfunctory vaiâ—â— and fruitlesse It must be the fervent and faithful supplications of ouâ— soules presented to the Majesty oâ— the Most High God through the precious merits of Jesus Christ together with the inoperation of that Hâ—ly Spirit * Ja. 1.17 from whom every good gift and every perfect giving proceedeth thaâ— can alone both settle our inwarâ— and outward peace and free us froâ— those disturbing perplexities and distractions wherewith the world is apt to encounter us Are we environed with temptations Praier repels their violent assaults Are we faint and feeble and compassed about with infirmities The * Ro. 8.26 spirit of God in prayer helpes our infirmities and makes request for us with sighs that cannot be expressed It is that spirit of Adoption that instructs us how to pray Prayer is like that * 2 Ki. 2. Fiery Chariot wherein Elijah was carryed from earth to heaven For by it we poor Mortals are transported to have conversation with God and to speak with him in a familiar manner and being in the body we are carryed out of the body This praying spirit presents our sighs enflames our affections and whispers words that we are not able to repeat Whoever speakes against us it becomes our Advocate and makes request for us is a meanes to infatuate the Counsels of all our adversaries and to remove every prejudice that is cast upon us All the imaginable malice off men and devils cannot cut off the Intelligence of a Christian with the Lord though he be separated from all humane society here below and lock'd up in some unaccessible cave yet can no man hinder his accesse to God and his addresser to Heaven If his tongue should be cut forth of his head yet his very sighs and groanes which trouble may encrease but cannot destroy will eccho forth his humble requests to the Almighty This is singular comfort to the Children of God that when they are cast into that extreamity that neither eye nor hand nor tongue can assist them in prayer they may consider Good King Ezekiah who was so much weak'ned with bodily diseases and infirmities that he could not expresse his mind nor pray distinctly to his heavenly Father yet his * Isa 38.14 mourning like a Dove and chaffering like a Swallow entred into the Lord's ear and brought him back a comfortable answer The least word of God in return of prayer hath power enough to make the blind see the lame walk the dumb to speak the deaf to hear and she that is sick of a Feaver to arise up and minister We cannot want consolation if we can get grace to pray For as our supplications ascend the multiplyed mercies of God descend light comes to resolve our doubts resolution to expel our fears comfort to mitigate our troubles joy to seclude our sorrowes meanes to supply our wants and strength to sustain our weaknesse If we converse with Scripture and Ecclesiastique story we shall find what wonderful things have been accomplished by this incomparable Engine [a] Gen. 20.17.18 Abraham's praier opened the barren wombs of Abimilech's house-hold and [b] Gen. 18. from 22. to 32. closed up the hands of the Angels who went with a purpose to destroy Sodome but could not bring down fire upon it till righteous Lot was removed thence The prayer of [c] Ex. 14.22 23. Mosos parted the Red Sea and was more forceable to overthrow the Army of [d] Ex. 17.11 Amaleck then all the weapons of Israel The prayer of [e] Josh 10.12 Joshua made the sun stand still in the Firmament [f] 1 Sa. 7.9 10 11. Samuell's prayer brought loud thunder and heavy haile-stones upon the Philistines [g] Ja. 5.15 16 17. Eliah's prayer closed the heavens for the space of three years and six moneths opened them again and this Example St. James applies to every Gooly man That we should not think they did these things by the priviledge of their persons rather then the efficacy of their prayers he shews that Eliah was a man subject to the same infirmities whereunto we are subject and that the prayer of any Godly man availes much yea if it be fervent no lesse then his And though we work not by prayer such external miracles as he did yet therby we drawe downe inward grace bringing light to the blind life to the dead and workes an admirable change by repentance It is storyed of Aurelius Antonius that in his expedition against the Germans he had in his Army a Legion of Christians who by their earnest prayer unto God obtained rain for the refreshment of his Army when it was like to perish by thirst and likewise brought down fearful thunderings upon their enemies Insomuch that ever after he called that Legion the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fulminatrix Thundering Band. Thus in all ages prayer hath bin so powerful and efficacious that it hath somtimes altered the very course of nature without and at all times wrought a change of corrupt nature within Nor can it be otherwise if we consider the most effectual intercession of our great * He. 9.11 12. High-Priest Jesus Christ who presents our prayers our praises duties services and all our spiritual performances unto God the Father and procures acceptance of him At the very instant of our praying he perfumes the Mercy-Seat having before sprinkled it with His bloud and mingles our duties with His Intercessions and together carries them upon the Golden Censer into the Holy of Holiest and there presents them to his heavenly Father unto whose sacred presence He takes our persons though not perceived by us as knowing that if they be not accepted our prayers will not for though by the Covenant of workes God did first accept the work and then the person yet in the Covenant of Grace he first accepts our persons in His Son and then our performances And that which is infinite comfort to every Christian because that in our best estate in our most refined Condition here below we are subject to many failings and imperfections in our holyest duties Therefore does our Eternal High-Priest diligently observe what evils or infirmities attend our prayers that may any waies interrupt their accesse to heaven and those he draws out and takes quite away before He present our petitions to His Father Here is mercy in such eminent manner as cannot be sufficiently expressed And this is clearly held forth by that in * Ex. 28 Mal. 3. Exodus where the High-Priest after Moses law who was a Type of Jesus Christ took away the iniquities of the Holy things of God's people To proceed yet further there is not any thing that can be expressed that is so highly
pleasing to God as the fervent prayers of his Servants He delights to have his Holy Name called on and to be conversed with inan humble supplicatory way We cannot be so ready to expresse our wants as God will be to relieve us If we do in faith and humility implore the throne of Grace Almighty God does most certainly either grant that which we humbly and immediately desire or in lieue thereof something of an higher nature that may more advantage us or else that which is a greater mercy then either of the former he sanctifyes the want of those things to the satisfaction of our souls Seldome or never did any faint under affliction that was attended with a praying spirit It is the most powerful help and surest support that ever Christian was acquainted with Though all the inveterate persons in the world were joined in a confederacy to contrive our ruine and left no probable waies unassayed 〈◊〉 accomplish and effect that end yeâ— such a regard hath the merciful Majesty of our God to the prayers oâ— his Servants that they shall becomâ— a rock to preserve us and split ouâ— enemies such a rock that all the weapons and instruments which aâ—â— can imagine though put into thâ— most dexterous hands shall neveâ— be able to hawe asunder At the voicâ— of prayer the very Gates of heaveâ— fly open to make way for the ascension of our supplications to the moâ—â— High at which all the blessed Angels in that Celestiall Mansion to speakâ— with reverence even leap for joy When we are at the greatest losse either in respect of our spiritual oâ— temporal estate prayer comfortably recovers us renews our acquaintance with God and so enables us to encounter with the greatest difficultiesâ— to repel the fiery darts of Satan and to arme our selves against the destroying influence of his subtile insinuations whereby he dayly endeavours to deceive us It is a meanes to frustrate the sinful contrivances of wicked men and to make discovery of their pernitious intendments and clandestine practises against the righteous and so prevents them It 's a special remedy against the insurrection of evill â—houghts it crushes and destroies â—hem in embrio it strikes them with â—eath before they can fully recover â—â—fe and kills corruptions in the â—â—ud before they be full blown And 〈◊〉 regard the purest gold may not 〈◊〉 altogether free from some drosse 〈◊〉 effectually refines the earthly part â—â—f a regenerate man that he may be â—holly fit for his Masters use Oh! â—hat we could live and die upon this â—bject in reference to which time â—ould rather faile then matter to â—scourse of Therefore since 't is â—ident how excellent a meanes â—ayer is against all our inward and â—â—tward evils and what a comfort 〈◊〉 all distresse let our souls and spiâ—es give up themselves to a constant â—nscientious practise in this saâ—â—ed acceptable duty that God may have the glory and delight in thâ— worke of his own hands so shall 〈◊〉 be happyed to all eternity 20. PARAGRAPH NOW I come to the last particular I shall insist on which 〈◊〉 this That we endeavour by all pâ—â—sible meanes and resolve throuâ—â— Divine assistance to be truly thankâ—â— to God in each condition to reâ—â—praise to His Glorious Name in wâ—â— state soever Providence hath cast 〈◊〉 If there were no other argumenâ—â— the world to engage us to sucâ— course this alone were sufficieâ—â— which the Apostle Paul asserts in 〈◊〉 of his Epistles thus [a] 1 The. 5.18 In eâ—â—thing give thanks for it is the will of 〈◊〉 in Christ Jesus concerning you Who dares upon reading thâ—â— words runne into such a conteâ—â— as to violate the Sacred Will of 〈◊〉 Most High It rather concernes to give up our lives in an absolute conformity thereunto [b] Psa 103.1 Blesse the Lord O my soul saith David and all that is within me blesse his Holy Name And in another place [c] Psa 146.2 While I live will I praise the Lord I will sing praises to my God while I have a being [d] Psa 145.2 Every day will I blesse thee And I will praise thy Name for ever and ever He that peruseth the Psalmes of this Sacred Pen-man shall almost in every page of that book find his earnest and pathetical exhortations to praise God for his Divine love and care his power and mercy his Providence his Word and Ordinances yea also for troubles afflictions and every thing He exhorts all [e] Psa 148. Celestiall Rational and Terrestriall creatures to this Duty and to perform it upon all kinds of [f] Psa 150. Instruments Never was any a greater Scholler in this Schoole nor a greater Proficient in this work then David and hath left it as a Rule to all that â—hall succeed him Job was of an excellent temper too who when he had â—ost his estate lost his children and all Relations that were neer and dear to him could comfortably say [g] Job 1.21 The Lord gives and the Lord take blessed be his name Though his enemiâ— encreased and his friends stood afâ—â—â— off and he himself almost given 〈◊〉 to the hands of Satan yet for all thâ—â— he blesseth the Lord. If we consider thâ—â— excellencies of God we have infinâ—â— cause to praise him if we likewâ—â—â— look upon the mercies and beneâ—â—â— we daily receive we have as muâ—â— cause to give thankes There is 〈◊〉 condition so disconsolated but atteâ—â—ed with some good No darkneâ—â— in that extreamity but hath â—oâ—â— light No affliction so miserable but is mingled with mercy therefore we are engaged to be thankeâ—â—â— Our Saviour Christ could say whâ—â— he had not where to lay his head [h] Ma. 11.25 Faâ—â— I thank thee When he went to his 〈◊〉 gony and sweat drops of bloudâ— There was saies the Text a Psaâ—â— of praise Who would not be willinâ— to follow such a glorious example There is no affliction that can beâ—â— a Christian though never so shaâ—â— and grievous but is usually atteâ—â—ed with this advantage it gives an opportunity to exercise such graces as patience and the like which a prosperous estate seldome or never takes notice of so that if our tribulation seem to deprive us of one mercy it fits us with another which may justly call for our thankfulnesse Though the children of Israel lost their Moses God gave them a Joâ—hua Though he took away Ely he raised up Samuel so that this is but mercy exchanged to the greater benefit of those it respects It is Gods way to examine what stock of grace we have and to make other provision for us accordingly And if he observe that our gifts acquirements and natural parts soar high and grow strong and are unwilling to hold proportion with our stock of Grace then doth he mingle our wine with water and takes us a degree lower yet neverthelesse this losse becomes our gain and this weaknesse makes us strong so that hence we have abundant cause
guilty of as great enormities and yet suffered to live free from such punishments is the mirrour of mercy and that which may justly exact praise and oblige us to blesse God that he vouchsafes us an opportunity for that purpose Further that we have liberty and not only so but invitation and encouragement to pray and make known our wants and acknowledge our unworthinesse and solicit at the Throne of Grace for comfort and relief is all rich matter for our thankfulnesse It were an endlesse task to enumerate the multiplyed occasions that are daily and hourly offered us as monitors to this duty Therefore let 's resolve by the assistance of the Almighty to draw forth our hearts and souls in all humble thankfulnesse in all estates and in all our conditions Do we pray God in adversity It is a meanes to speak it with due reverence to engage God to make us prosperous Do we praise him in prosperity It 's a means to continue us in that state Are we lowe He will raise us up Are we deserted He will enlarge us and shine upon us He that can blesse God for that his eyes are opened to see his sins God will open those eyes to see their Saviour Do we blesse God in affliction He will make those afflictions blessings to us A Christian that can praise and glorify God in adversity shames Satan and utterly confounds that adversary As one very well observes upon this occasion and instances in that of Job where the devil saies unto God concerning him [f] Job 1.11 12. 21. Do but touch him and he will curse thee to thy face he is in thy hand saith the Lord only save his life so satan toucht him What then The Lord gives and the Lord takes away saith Job blessed be his Name So that we see here is blessing instead of cursing Job is of another temper then Satan thought him to be of Thus is it evident how advantageous a thankful heart is upon al al occasions and we shal more easily attain to that temper if we first consider the interest we have in a Saviour and endeavour to maintain the assurance of our union with him and to perswade our selves that all his dispensations proceed from love and likewise that all things work together for our good which is infallibly true in reference to all the Children of God And lastly let 's be sure to maintain the sense of our own unworthynesse both in respect of our emptinesse as creatures and in respect of our sin as depraved creatures David was herein a very great Proficient for there was never any man more thankful then he as is manifest by his whole booke of Psalmes as before observed being as it were composed and made up of thankfulnesse yet did never any one in the world expresse an higher sense of his own unworthynesse Therefore let his eminent example prevaile with us and engage us to a conscientious Performance of this and all other Duties that we have in Command from that inviolable Supreame Authority of Heaven To close all That the Dominion of JESUS CHRIST may be Advanced the Great Name of our GOD Eternally Glorifyed and that our Immortal Soules may therein ever see themselves satisfyed and saved is and ever shall be the earnest prayer of From my Chamber this 7. of Aug. 1650. SIR Your Devoted and most faithfull Servant R. WARDE ERRATA PAge 24. line 4. for fragle read frail p 34. l. 21. f. either r. rather p. 44. l. 26. f. dever r. never p. 74. l. 24. f. doth r. to p. 87. l. 3. f. er be p. 114. l. 28. f. confidence r. confiden s p. 122. l. 10. f. was to r. was it to